BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Uzbekistan increased by 724 to 33,561, Trend reports with reference to the statistics of the Uzbek Ministry of Health.

To date, 27,213 (plus 1,554) patients have fully recovered in the country, while 218 have died.

Under the instructions of President of Uzbekistan, unlimited movement of vehicles as well as local air and rail traffic in Uzbekistan will resume from August 15, 2020.

Moreover, from August 20, 2020, clothing and building material markets, large shops, gyms, fitness clubs and swimming pools will resume operations.

The outbreak in the Chinese Wuhan city - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019.

The first case of coronavirus infection in Uzbekistan was detected on March 15 in the laboratory of the Research Institute of Virology; it was an Uzbek woman who returned from France. The Ministry of Health later announced that her son, daughter, husband and grandson also tested positive for coronavirus.

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Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini
For Subscribers Aberdeen filmmakers release trailer for latest work called 'Homebody'

The group is currently crowdfunding and hopes to begin production of the film in late spring.
India capable of giving befitting response: President Kovind in veiled message to China

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 14: Amid the border standoff, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday launched a veiled attack on China asserting that while India believes in peace it is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression as he said "some in our neighbourhood" tried to carry out "misadventure of expansion".

Without taking China's name, President Kovind in his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day said, "while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge(COVID-19) before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion."

He saluted the brave soldiers who laid down their lives defending the country's borders.

'Nation is indebted to corona warriors: President Kovind on I-Day eve

"Those worthy sons of 'Bharat Mata' lived and died for national pride. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members," he said. Twenty personnel of the Indian army were killed during clashes with the Chinese PLA in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15.

"Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression. We are proud of the members of our Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security."

He also spoke about the 'Aatmanirbhar' initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and allayed fears of foreign investors saying India's self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world, with which it would continue to engage.

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

Soluting the covid warriors, Kovind said the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of the fight against the disease which has disrupted all activities world over and taken a huge toll.

The President also said construction of the temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya "was indeed a moment of pride for all". Prime Minister Modi performed the 'Bhoomi Pujan' for the Ram temple on August 5.

"People of the country maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system. The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process. "

All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony, he said.

with PTI inputs
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This Sunday, the only thing keeping a flotilla of minimally clothed Americans on their side of the border is a strong east wind.

Its the same predicament every year in Sarnia, Ont., when thousands of U.S. citizens  and some Canadians  hop aboard rafts, inner tubes and the odd trampoline or picnic table rigged with barrels  and transform the St. Clair River into a party for a 12-kilometre float downstream. In earlier decades, officials tried to stop the unsanctioned marine event known as the Port Huron Float Down, but now there is a weary acceptance that on the third Sunday in August thousands of people will show up without fail, in storms, strong winds and, yes, even in a pandemic.

Aside from the safety concerns, drifting into Canada without a passport used to be the biggest hassle for participants. Authorities have never endorsed this method of entering the country but, with high COVID-19 case counts in Michigan and a closed border, the RCMP is letting Americans know there are repercussions to floating across the river, including potential arrests under the Quarantine Act, arrests under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, fines, imprisonment  and theyve made it clear that you can forget about police holding onto your raft or beer cooler for safekeeping. First responders are worried about the risk of COVID-19 spread with so many people expected to participate. The stakes have never been higher, but some officials expect the crowds could be the same, if not larger, because of pandemic boredom.

Kathleen Getty, deputy superintendent for search and rescue with the Canadian Coast Guard, says she hopes people understand the danger for everyone, including first responders: There is so much potential for the infection and creating other problems later on.

The St. Clair River is a striking turquoise blue, regularly plied by freighter traffic, smaller boats and Sea-Doos. The idea of spending an afternoon atop a floating unicorn in this normally busy channel may sound appealing, but the reality is different, Getty says. It is deep and cool and the currents are strong, especially under the Blue Water Bridge, where Lake Huron empties into the narrow river.

The 12-kilometre float can take hours and many people want to quit, but there arent convenient places to get out, she says. The water is usually about 17 to 19 C this time of year and because immersion in water below 21 C can lead to hypothermia, emergency responders routinely treat people for that, along with rescuing people when their vessels collapse. A 19-year-old Michigan man drowned in 2014.

Although the Float Down began as a small event in the late 1970s, there has been a resurgence in popularity in the last decade. The Port Huron Times Herald writes that there was a two-decade hiatus after the U.S. Coast Guard blockaded the event in 1987 and cancelled it in 1988. (Neither effort was a complete success. The newspaper has archival photos of men in bathing suits dodging fully dressed U.S. Coast Guard officials.)

A website for the Float Down  which specifies that it is not responsible for planning, promoting or sponsoring the event  writes that nobody has stepped in to be an official organizer since 2011 for legal reasons: People will however choose to continue floating down at their leisure for as long as they are able. Every year, on the third Sunday in August, they show up by the thousand.

The waterway is free for people to use, there arent any laws as I understand about floating down the river, Getty says. Unfortunately, people dont realize what a danger it really is.

On a Facebook page for last years Float Down, where people swap stories of their adventures and the fun times they had, many werent sure what to make of a pandemic float. PLEASE tell me its NOT being cancelled!! one woman wrote. By early August, the news was rippling through the comments. The shipping channel was being shut down.

Both countries close the river to motorized vessels to avoid mixing freighter traffic with inflatable rafts: Unfortunately, people will still come out even if the shipping channel stays open, says U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Jeremiah Schiessel.

The Canadian side will be restricted between noon and 7 p.m. from the Bluewater Bridge to Lake St. Clair. Simon Rivet, a spokesperson with Transport Canada, said the federal agency does not endorse the Float Down but takes this step to ensure the safety and security of operators using this waterway.

The weather is always the arbiter between (relative) safety and chaos. Sarnia Police deputy chief Owen Lockhart has been checking the forecasts for a good week. Getty, who is the Canadian incident commander, says they always pray that the wind blows towards Michigan.

Each year, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley takes a walk along the river to get a sense of the wind. In 2016, he sensed trouble: The wind was just coming our way, he says. Sure enough, the strong wind and a downpour sent about 1,500 Americans into Lambton County, many without ID, money or cellphones, some with injuries and hypothermia.

(A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard was not aware of the opposite problem of Canadians washing ashore in Michigan. Authorities say the winds and currents have been more of an issue for the U.S. participants. In recent years, Sarnia Police estimate that of 6,000 annual floaters, there were fewer than 1,000 Canadians who participated on the Ontario side. Some Canadians even go to the Michigan side for the event: Loved it....we came from Nova Scotia to participate...first time and wont be the last! one woman wrote in the Facebook group last year.)

Many of them were scared because they probably couldnt get to Canada on a regular day, Bradley says of the 2016 U.S. contingent. Nobody was arrested, he recalls. They were taken back to the U.S. by Sarnia Transit buses, and the bill to the city was estimated at about $8,000 for all of the overtime and resources. (An American GoFundMe effort raised money to pay the city back, and Bradley says they donated those funds to charity.) The city of Sarnia and other agencies treat the day as a training exercise, he says, and every year, something always goes awry. With the pandemic, there is a real fear about what could happen, he says.

As of Friday, Michigan, with nearly 10 million people, has recorded nearly 100,000 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and around 6,500 deaths. Ontario, with a population of 14.7 million has close to 42,500 total cases to date and around 2,800 deaths.

The RCMP, one of the many agencies that will be patrolling the Canadian side of the river on Sunday, warned U.S. citizens they are not allowed to enter Canada for discretionary purposes. Those who land will face Canadian laws, a COVID screening and customs examination. Photo identification will be required. Any person who refuses a COVID screening will be arrested under the Quarantine Act, and the RCMP also say that any U.S. citizen who unintentionally lands on our shores will be arrested under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and transported back to the U.S., where they will be released to authorities.

Fines of up to $750,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months may result, the Ontario division of the RCMP posted on its Facebook page. To avoid all of these results, the RCMP suggests that people do not participate in the Float Down.

There are more than 1,000 comments on the post. Some people said they will take a pass; one commenter called Canada the Karen of countries and others said they wouldnt be deterred: They always say this type of stuff, one man wrote. The coast guard is out there helping. It will be just fine.

Sarnias mayor understands why youd want to quickly return U.S. citizens to Michigan, but he points out that other travellers are subject to a 14-day quarantine. Why should someone on an inflatable flamingo be different? He imagines a 14-day isolation period, paid for by the floaters in question, might keep more people on land in Port Huron.

For the last couple of years, the U.S. and Canadian coast guards have put out a joint statement advising people not to participate. They warn of the many risks, the need for life jackets and proper identification, and the danger of mixing alcohol with a dangerous marine environment. This year, they also warned participants about COVID-19 with large crowds, and advise wearing a face mask if physical distancing is not possible. They also suggest people file a float plan with friends, secure their items in a waterproof bag, stay close to shore, and use rafts that limit immersion and can be steered with oars or paddles.

No matter the wind direction, there will likely be people who cross unintentionally. It happens every year, says Sarnias deputy police chief Owen Lockhart. Last year, a small storm sent enough Americans to fill a bus. In the past, Sarnia Police officers helped people on shore before driving them to border officials in police cars, but now officers will be in protective gear and interlopers will have to stay at a distance until a large van can pick them up and bring them to a Canadian Border Services Agency facility for processing. So thats something to look forward to, he says with a laugh.

Should any U.S. citizen be pushed into Canada by wind or current, they are obligated to report to the CBSA. Failing to do so is a serious offence, a statement from the agency notes.

There will be several emergency responders on the water this Sunday, including the OPP and the Canadian Coast Guard, who usually have about seven vessels. In 2019, the Coast Guards costs for the Sarnia response were approximately $46,000. Kathleen Getty hopes there will be fewer people this year but, no matter the turnout, she will be there, hoping for a co-operative wind.

Our job is to ensure safety on the water, and if people do choose to put themselves in a dangerous situation then its our role to be there to ensure that theyre rescued if necessary, she says.

Correction, Sat. Aug. 15: This is an updated version of an earlier story that included an incorrect wind direction.
Everyone sweats, some more than others. But sweat marks shouldnt rob you of your happiness. Thats why giving people their confidence back is at the core of everything we do.

Inc. magazine today revealed that Ejis is No. 773 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Everyone sweats, some more than others. But sweat marks shouldnt rob you of your happiness. Thats why giving people their confidence back is at the core of everything we do. Our rapid growth is a testament to the success our clients have with our sweat proof products. Once a customer wears Ejis they just cant help but tell their friends in need.  Kon Theodoridis, CEO

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

Ejis, based in San Francisco, California, is a leading inventor, marketer, and distributor of confidence apparel. Ejis' innovative products are designed to eliminate embarrassing sweat and odor issues, allowing wearers to regain their confidence. Ejis is available online at http://www.ejisinc.com and Amazon.

CONTACT: Jacci Larsen, (702) 278-1903, jacci@ejisinc.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
Diamond woes: Surats famed diamond industry is reeling under the effects of coronavirus, despite the fact that a quarter of the units having been functioning the past two months. Thousands of workers are yet to return. Those who are in Surat are working under the looming threat of unemployment.

The business itself has taken a hit: its losses are pegged at Rs 30,000 crore. Imports declined 52 per cent between January and June, while exports dipped 40 per cent in the same period. Besides, because of social distancing norms, the industry hasnt been able to hit pre-Covid ...
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LASHKARGAH, Afghanistan  Jan Agha, a young Afghan farmer in the restive southern province of Helmand, is contemplating something no other agriculturist has attempted in the vast region bordering Pakistan.

This week, he spent a busy day at a government farm in the provincial capital, Lashkargah, to learn about planting banana trees. He is among the handful of farmers Afghan officials hope will pioneer planting bananas.

I am here to see whether I can get some banana saplings and grow them in my village, Agha told Radio Free Afghanistan of his ambition to build one of the first banana farms in Helmands rural agricultural district of Nad-e Ali.

I hope this experiment succeeds, he said while showing a bunch of green bananas. These fruits are Helmands first harvest from nearly 200 banana trees planted by the governments Bolan Research Farm, a vast establishment in Lashkargahs suburbs, in recent years.

While mountainous Afghanistans dry continental climate produces some of the best apples, melons, grapes and pomegranates in South Asia, there is still no commercial farming of bananas, which typically grow in warm and wet regions. Bananas are popular in Afghanistan and are mostly imported from neighboring Pakistan or India.

The flat farmlands in Helmand, however, are well irrigated and have hot summers. Once conceived as Afghanistans breadbasket, farmers in the region turned to poppy cultivation during their countrys four-decade-long war.

Today Helmand, Afghanistans largest province roughly equal to the size of Switzerland, produces most of the worlds illicit opium, which is used for processing into heroin.

Officials in Helmand say they hope to add bananas to alternative cash crops such as saffron and aloe vera to help the regions farmers move away from planting poppies. Unlike other fruits grown in Afghanistan, profits from bananas will not be dependent on exports because the sweet fruit is popular across Afghanistan.

We are surprised to see banana plants growing and bearing fruit here, Abdul Manan Amiri, an agricultural specialist at Lashkargahs Bolan Research Farm, told Radio Free Afghanistan. But we expect considerable regional variations within Helmand.

Amiri says bananas can grow better in the flatter farmland of central and southern Helmand but are unlikely to adapt to the cooler temperatures in its hilly northern districts.

We are still learning a lot about how to protect this plant from hot and cold weather and the best irrigation practices, he said. Overall, the results we see are positive and encouraging.

Bananas are unlikely to swiftly replace poppies in Helmands countryside. But the initiative indicates that sustained efforts to wean farmers away from the illicit opium crop can succeed with sustainable support focused on providing alternative livelihoods in an overall stable environment.

Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on reporting by Mohammad Ilyas Dayee, Radio Free Afghanistans reporter in Helmand.
The Parliamentary Candidate for Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, Hon. Sylvester Matthew Tetteh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has made cash donations and assorted items to the Ga Traditional Council in the Ga South Municipality towards this years Homowo festival.



The Homowo Festival is celebrated by the Ga tribe annually, to remind themselves of their long battle against famine and how the rains finally came to ease their burden.



The items donated include bags of rice, gallons of palm oil, bags of maize, and cash.



A Ga himself, he was accompanied by the Municipal Chief Executive for Ga South (MCE), Hon Joseph Stephen Nyarni, party executives, and other party faithful. The team paid courtesy calls on the Paramount Chief of Ngleshie Amanfro Nii Kwashie Gborlor IV, Chiefs and elders at Kokrobite, Oshiyie, Bortianor, Aplaku, and Langba and presented various items to each house to celebrate the festival with.



He said he is happy to be supporting the event and promised to use his office as CEO of the Ghana Youth Authority to assist, nurture and develop the skills of young people in the constituency. And pledged governments commitment to making this years elections peaceful.



He sought their blessings towards his campaign activities and appealed to them to intensify their prayers towards peaceful elections before, during, and after the December 7 polls.



At the gatherings, the MCE, Hon Joseph Stephen Nyarni extolled the people of Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro for keeping the peace to present a united front for this important Festival.

Adding that a united traditional front is what evokes economic investments in any community.



He urged the people to take advantage of the many social intervention policies being implemented by government in the municipality to enhance the lives of its citizens. Outlining some of the pending works of the government in the constituency, he said a court will be established soon and a contract has been awarded to construct the road networks in the municipality.



The Paramount Chief for Ngleshie Amsnfro, Nii Kwashie Gborlor IV on his part appealed to the government and its officials to give scholarship schemes and job opportunities to their children to break the vicious cycle of semi-literacy and poverty in their communities.





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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

Featured Video
A male orderly working at a Michigan nursing home has been arrested for beating and stealing from a 69-year-old Alzheimer's resident.

Stacey Tyrell Mercer Jr, 31, was charged with armed robbery, a felony and elder abuse, a misdemeanor.

The attack at the Green Lake Estates nursing home in West Bloomfield allegedly happened just days after the woman, Christine Tracey, who has a Phd, had moved into the facility.

The alleged attack on 69-year-old Christine Tracey happened just days after she moved into the facility in July

Christine's wedding ring was stolen during the attack and she was left with bruising and swelling to her face, seen right

Christine and Stan Tracey have been married 50 years, left. Stacey Tyrell Mercer Jr, 31, is charged with beating and stealing from an Alzheimer's patient at West Bloomfield nursing home

Days after checking her into the home to be cared for, her husband of 50 years, Stan Tracey, found that she had a number of cuts and bruises to her face and a swelling on her forehead.

Staff at the nursing home told him that his wife's injuries happened after she fell over, but police say video tape shows how she was allegedly assaulted at the hands of Mercer.

'They don't let them fall on the ass or on their head,' Stan said to Fox 2.

Her husband, Stan, pictured, was told that his wife had fallen over and cut herself

Christine is just 69-years-old and has a Phd. She was checked into the nursing home on July 11

The nursing home told Stan Tracey that his wife had fallen and bumped her head cutting it

'When you run an organization like this and abuse people that come out bruised, you are not doing any standard of care.'

Police say they have video of the beating in their possession but are not releasing it at this time.

'I would have liked to have given the ring to my granddaughter or put it on a chain. I would just like to have to have it,' Stan said.

'When you run an organization like this and abuse people that come out bruised, you are not doing any standard of care,' Stan said

Various photos were taken of the woman's injuries which are now part of a police investigation

'So this incident actually came to our attention on July, 15, the victim's husband came in stated that he had just seen her at a local hospital and she had a contusion above her right eye, and there was a lot of scratches around her ring finger so he's obviously concerned for her welfare,' said Deputy Chief Curtis Lawson with West Bloomfield Police to ClickOnDetroit.

'We looked into it right away and found out that the incident itself actually happened on July 11 at a local nursing home here within West Bloomfield, our detectives began the investigation.

'They determined pretty quickly who the suspect was, they obtained video from the facility itself and they actually watched as the individual on several occasions tried to remove the ring from our victims finger, and in doing so, roughed up our victim and allegedly caused injuries to our finger.'

Various photos show a number of cuts and bruises that were found on Christine Tracey's body

The nursing released this statement to Local 4: 'The man named in the article was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Green Lake Estates from 2018 until July 21, 2020.

'Green Lake Estates performed all required background checks, which did not reveal any concerns.

'On July 20, 2020, Administration at Green Lake Estates was contacted by the West Bloomfield police about a residents missing ring.

'This had not been previously reported to or known by Green Lake Estates. Villa at Green Lake Estates has a zero tolerance policy for theft. Villa at Green Lake Estates recognizes the sentimental value of the missing ring and will work to assist the family in obtaining the ring.'
Several top prosecutors have faced pushback in recent weeks for what critics say has been too lenient a response to unrest, including looting.

The Cook County State's attorney, Kim Foxx, was among the latest to face criticism after looting and violence overtook the streets of Downtown Chicago early Monday.

Several Chicago officials this week charged that Foxx's progressive reforms, such as raising the bar for felony charges in retail theft, have led to repeat offenses in recent months.

PHOTO: A woman looks through the shattered glass window of an interior design store that was looted on Aug. 10, 2020, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

"These looters acted as if there are no consequences to their behavior, and they based that on what happened previously, that we made a lot of arrests during May and June, and not many of those cases were prosecuted to the fullest extent," Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said at a press briefing Monday.

"These criminals were emboldened by no consequences in the criminal system," he added.

MORE: Downtown Chicago reopens for cleanup in wake of widespread looting

Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly, whose ward includes areas where Monday's unrest occurred, said in a letter to his constituents on Monday that he agreed with Brown. "[It] is clear that there is no accountability or consequences for the widespread lawlessness in the City of Chicago," he said.

The president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police also called for looters to be fully prosecuted this week.

Following Monday's arrests, Foxx said those who broke the law would be held accountable. On Thursday, her office announced it had approved 42 out of 43 felony charges sought by the Chicago Police Department stemming from over 100 arrests in the looting. Felony charges included 28 for burglary/looting, six for gun possession, five for aggravated battery/resisting a police officer and one for attempted murder.

As of today, CPD has sought felony charges in 43 cases related to the events Sunday night - 42 of those cases have been approved. I am committed to keeping our communities safe & continuing to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to demand accountability & seek justice. pic.twitter.com/5Jo6hjTB8y  State's Attorney Kim Foxx (@SAKimFoxx) August 13, 2020

"I am committed to keeping our communities safe and continuing to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to demand accountability and seek justice for the people of Cook County," Foxx, who is up for reelection for a second term this fall, said in a statement announcing the charges.

Story continues

Cases are still being reviewed and investigated by law enforcement, and her office will file more felony charges if appropriate, the statement said.

PHOTO: Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx speaks during a news conference after looting broke out overnight in the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods in Chicago, Aug. 10, 2020. (Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

In Portland, Oregon, which has seen more than 70 days of nightly protests following George Floyd's death while in police custody, the city's top prosecutor has recently faced demands to "hold the rioters accountable." In an Aug. 7 letter to Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt and Mayor Ted Wheeler, the head of the Portland Police Association, called on Schmidt to "do your job."

"The people committing arson and assault are not peaceful protestors; they are criminals," Daryl Turner, president of the association, said. "Step up and do your job; hold the rioters accountable. If there is no consequence for crimes from the District Attorney's office, there is no reason for criminals to stop the chaos."

MORE: Ex-cop's video captures crowd's horror during Floyd arrest

Days after the letter, Schmidt announced his office would only prosecute cases of demonstrators if the crime involved "deliberate property damage, theft or the use or threat of use of force against another person." Offenses such as disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and interference with a police officer would otherwise be dismissed.

"This policy acknowledges that the factors that lead to the commission of criminal activity during a protest are incredibly complex," Schmidt said at a press briefing announcing the new policy on Tuesday.

PHOTO: Portland police and Oregon State Patrol officers work together to arrest a protester on the 75th day of protests against racial injustice and police brutality, Aug. 11, 2020, in Portland. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Schmidt said the new policy is part of an effort to build trust in the community and better allocate resources. He stressed that "this is not a free pass."

"I will not tolerate deliberate acts of violence against police or anyone else," he said. "Engage in that type of conduct and you should expect to be prosecuted."

MORE: Prosecutor won't act on low-level Portland protest arrests

The new policy is retroactive for those who have been arrested during protests in the wake of Floyd's death in Minneapolis in May. The district attorney's office said Tuesday it has received about 400 misdemeanor cases related to the protests, a majority of which will likely be subject to the new policy.

PHOTO: Police and protesters clash during a demonstration, early on Aug. 13, 2020, in downtown, Portland. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian via AP)

Portland's policy is akin to one rolled out in New York during the early days of the city's protests against police brutality. In early June, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance announced he would decline to prosecute protesters arrested for unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. The policy, his office said, was designed to preserve resources for more serious crimes and "reduce racial disparities and collateral consequences in low-level offense prosecutions."

Around that time, Vance's office also faced pushback for not charging alleged looters with higher burglary offenses, allowing them to be released amid new bail reform measures. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on prosecutors to charge the looters with second-degree burglary and said that "they should be held and set bail." In response, the district attorney's office said there often wasn't enough evidence for a more serious charge.

Prosecutors face pushback for what critics call a lenient response to unrest originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A nyone arriving in the UK from France will have to enter quarantine from this weekend after the Government removed the country from its list of travel corridors.

The move, announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Thursday night, means Britons returning from the European country will have to self-isolate for 14 days.

The Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and the island of Aruba have also been added to the quarantine list, which already featured tourist hotspots including Spain and Belgium.

Here is what the latest round of measures mean for holidaymakers travelling back from the six countries:

 When will I have to self-isolate?

The new travel restrictions comes into force from 4am on Saturday, August 15, meaning that travellers returning to the UK from any of the six destinations have just over 24 hours to avoid going into quarantine.

Anyone returning after that date will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

It applies to people returning to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Social distanced sunbathing at La Grande-Motte Beach in France 1 /12 Social distanced sunbathing at La Grande-Motte Beach in France AFP via Getty Images AP AP AP AP AP AP AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images

 Why is this happening?

The decision to add France to the quarantine list was made in response to the spread of the virus, with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.

Boris Johnson previously said ministers would be absolutely ruthless in deciding on whether to impose the self-isolation requirement.

Mr Shapps said the countries were placed in the quarantine list to keep Covid-19 infection rates down in the UK.

 Im in one of the countries on the quarantine list, what should I do?

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is not advising holidaymakers who are already in the listed countries to leave immediately.

People are instead being asked to follow local rules, return home as normal and check the travel advice pages on gov.uk for further information.

 Ive got a holiday booked to a country on the list, what should I do?

The FCO has advised British nationals against all but essential travel to the the countries on the quarantine list.

Those who still decide to travel after August 15 will have to self-isolate for two weeks.

Britons will have to self-quarantine upon their return from six new popular tourist destinations / REUTERS

 What will happen with my travel insurance?

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said travel insurance will remain valid for people who are already in the quarantined countries until they return home.

However, those who travel to the listed countries after the FCO advice has changed would likely find their insurance invalid, the ABI said.

 What about employers whose employees have to go into quarantine?

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab previously said no worker following quarantine guidance should be penalised by employers, including by being put onto sick pay.

He said that if someone is following the law in relation to quarantine and self-isolating, they cant have penalties taken against them.
Leaving Cert students who are home-schooled cannot be given calculated grades where there is an absence of credible evidence from an independent source, lawyers for the Education Minister have told the High Court.

The lawyers were making their submissions in an action taken by Mayo student Elijah Burke (18) over the State's decision not to consider his application for calculated grades for those home-schooled by a parent or close relative.

Counsel for the minister, Nuala Butler SC, said it would be unfair to other students if the small number of candidates home-schooled by a relative were to be assessed by a different system to the one put in place due to Covid-19.

Counsel said it had been suggested students such as Elijah, who was home-schooled by his mother Martina, could be given an estimated grade if he was interviewed by an independent teacher.

This scenario would not be acceptable to the minister as it would give Elijah an advantage over other school-attending students, it was submitted. Providing "a different system for him", counsel said, was "not something the minister could stand over".

Elijah, represented by Paul O'Higgins SC with Brendan Hennessy Bl instructed by solicitor Eileen McCabe, claims the "unjust and discriminatory" exclusion of home-school students from the calculated-grades process breaches his rights under the Constitution and the Education (Welfare) Act.

The decision means he cannot progress to third-level education for at least another year.

Mr O'Higgins, in rejecting the State's arguments, said his client was being "punished" for being home-schooled. Following the conclusion of submissions from both parties, Mr Justice Meenan said he would give his decision on what was "a complex case" next week.

The minister denies the student's rights have been breached. Elijah, the court was told, hopes to continue his studies at NUI Galway, and has applied to do a degree in either Biomedical Sciences or History with Music.
The Ashok-Gehlot led Congress government in Rajasthan won the trust vote as expected, but amid speeches loaded with double entendres, sarcasm and underlying bitterness. "When I came to the house and found that my seat had been changed (to near the opposition benches), I wondered why. When I sat there (pointing to the government benches), I felt safe.

Now I am next to the opposition. Then I realised that I have been sent to the sarhad (border). That is because only the bravest and strongest warrior is sent to the border," said Sachin Pilot, former deputy chief minister and ...
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We are delighted to partner with our friends at INFINITI HR. INFINITI HR is the top SMB Aggregator for franchises and leading change agent in the PEO industry. Many of the most iconic franchise brands throughout the country choose INFINITI HR as their Professional Employer Organization, and INFINITI HR has now recognized the need to bring FOCUS451 to their constituents, says Founder & CEO Mandar Dange. Through the National Alliance Program, all clients of INFINITI HR can ensure documentation and credentials compliance at no additional cost. This has significant benefits to business owners and, in particular, franchisors who can rest easy knowing their franchisees are compliant thanks to INFINITI HR and FOCUS451. I wholeheartedly thank my friend, INFINITI HR Senior Vice President, Daniel Mormino for his leadership and for making this National Alliance Program with The Professional Employer Organization for Franchises a reality. As a former multi-unit franchisee of Massage Envy, Ive been Daniels proud client for many years, and I know firsthand his commitment to provide exceptional experiences to the franchising world, Dange said.

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The mission of FOCUS451 is to eliminate compliance risk for franchises and SMBs. FOCUS451 is the trusted, leading provider of innovative, intuitive, and affordable risk mitigation solutions founded by a former multi-unit franchisee of Massage Envy and Regis Corporation, Mandar Dange.

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A fire near The Dalles burned for a second night Thursday, as crews from around the state worked to stop its spread.

The cause of the Mosier Creek Fire is still unknown, but Rich Tyler, a spokesman for the Oregon State Fire Marshals office, said fire officials believe it was likely caused by people, not nature. He said it is burning grassland, as well as oak and pine trees, and so far about 900 people have had to evacuate their homes.

Tyler said the latest measurement of the fire, around 1:15 a.m. Thursday, showed the fire was 791 acres. He said the next measurement likely wont be until late Thursday night. He said crews dont currently know how much the fire has been contained.

The Oregon Department of Forestry said on its Facebook page Thursday morning that the fire is primarily wind-driven, and was pushing to the east. The department also linked to a map that tracks the perimeter of the fire.

A perimeter of the fire can be found on Northwest Coordination Center large fire map. ... Posted by Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District on Thursday, August 13, 2020

Tyler also said four structures have been destroyed in the blaze, but its not clear whether theyre homes.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday night invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, making more state resources available to fire crews. The Oregon State Fire Marshals office took command of the incident Thursday morning. Tyler said so far, crews from their agency and from the Oregon Department of Forestry have been the main agencies involved. He said he did not immediately have an estimate of how many crews were at the scene.

Brown said the fire was threatening about 300 homes, and the Wasco County Sheriffs Office ordered residents of several Mosier roads to evacuate.

The order covered Paradise Ridge Place and all homes west of State Road from Evergreen Terrace to Dry Creek Road. Those who live east of State from Evergreen to Dry Creek were told to prepare to evacuate.

A Shilo Inns hotel in The Dalles was serving as a shelter.

Christie Shaw, an Oregon Department of Forestry spokeswoman, said the Mosier Creek fire started as crews were mopping up another blaze in the same area Wednesday.

The first blaze was contained, but winds caused the Mosier Creek fire to spread.

The state Forestry Department said crews struggled to set up containment lines overnight. Firefighters will work Thursday to strengthen and establish lines around the blaze, according to the agency.

Ground, helicopter and air tanker crews will fight the blaze, the agency said.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR

Jim Ryan; 503-221-8005; jryan@oregonian.com; @Jimryan015

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Spanish GP 2020

Friday Team Quotes

Romain Grosjean, 70th Anniversary GP 2020  Haas F1 Team / LAT

Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport

Lewis Hamilton (1st, 1:16.883): "It's definitely been quite tough out there today. I don't think I've ever been to Spain when it's been this hot. The weather is beautiful, but it's tricky for the car and very tough on the tyres as well. It's also been quite windy and that can make it difficult out there, but it's a good challenge. It's been a positive day, particularly the second session which went better for me. We didn't see any blistering, the tyres felt OK and the long runs didn't look too bad, but we also didn't see any blistering last Friday, so we'll have to remain careful. We'll debrief this evening and see where we stand and what we can do to improve. The Red Bulls look very close to us on the long runs, so we can expect another close race here."

Valtteri Bottas (2nd, 1:17.170): "It's been a good day for us, and we've gained plenty of learnings. It's a nice feeling to be back on track here and feeling the improvements of the car since we were last here, back in pre-season testing. The car felt good out there, but obviously there's some fine-tuning to do. The morning session was a bit better for me today than the afternoon. I struggled with some understeer at the beginning of FP1, but that was quite easy to fix, and it felt a lot better by the end of the session. We did long runs on all of the tyre compounds today and I didn't experience any blistering, so there will be lots of learnings for us to look into in order to really maximise tyre performance here. We're looking strong but the main thing will be Sunday with these temperatures and whether we can keep these tyres in a good condition."

Andrew Shovlin: "It's been pretty hot here today with the air temperature around 30C and the track around 50C. Our programme was fairly standard, mainly trying to learn about the tyres in the hot conditions. Our single-lap pace looks promising, we seem to be getting the Soft tyre to work fairly well in particular. The long-run is more of a challenge and the area we need to work on tonight. The story looks similar to recent races; we're reasonable compared to all cars except Verstappen - with him it looks very close. The strategy options are fairly open here both with the number of stops and start tyre - as such it's important that we can find a bit more pace before Sunday."

Scuderia Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (6th, 1:18.147): "It has been quite a good day, once again better than expected, which is positive. Our quali pace was good, even though there's still some work to do here and there to improve, so I am confident we can extract the maximum out of the car in quali and if I manage to get the balance where I want it to be we can have a pretty good result. Also, the race simulation we did went fairly well. We have a lot of data on this track from winter testing, but it's very difficult to compare it with the data we gathered today in such different conditions. With regards to the heat, out on track is not that hard because at least there's some air, but when you are in the garage it's like being in a sauna!"

Sebastian Vettel (12th, 1:18.404): "It was a mixed day: I was reasonably happy in terms of our one lap pace, even if in the afternoon I struggled a bit more to put the laps together. However generally I have a better feeling with the car. Today we tried a few things and we have learned some things we can use tomorrow. Let's see where we are after quali. In terms of race pace we should be quite okay, but obviously there is still some work to do. In particular, managing the tyres will be key and with the high temperatures expected to continue, this will be far from easy."

Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen (3rd, 1:17.704): "The car was performing quite well and overall it was a positive day. Over one lap we are clearly still lacking to Mercedes but on the long runs the car felt nice to drive which is of course what is important for the race. We are using the hardest tyre compounds here which is different to last weekend. I would maybe have liked the softer tyres (laughs) but that is not for us to choose, the tyres are manageable and it is pretty hot out there! I expect in Qualifying that Mercedes will still have the edge as they are very fast but who knows in the race. I felt quite good today so let's see if I feel the same on Sunday when it matters."

Alexander Albon (13th, 1:18.491): "I felt pretty comfortable with the car in FP1 and I think we found a good direction in that session. We tried a few things in FP2 that didn't quite go the way we wanted them to but that's what Friday's are for, seeing what works and what doesn't. We'll have a look at the data this evening to see how we can maximise our performance tomorrow. The tyre degradation today felt okay compared to last weekend at Silverstone, saying that, it's tricky out there with track temperatures at around 48 degrees so there will be a lot of tyre management on race day, that's for sure!"

Renault Sport Formula One Team

Daniel Ricciardo (4th, 1:17.868): "It's been a pretty good day for us, especially the afternoon's running. On the timesheets, at least, it's another decent Friday: third last week, fourth today, so we'll try and keep that going. Our long run was looking quite competitive as well. I wasn't too happy with the car in the morning, but we made a good step in the afternoon, similar to Silverstone last week. The tricky thing here is the heat. We haven't driven here in the heat for so long and it's completely different to what we felt at winter testing. We're trying to understand that, but we got a better grasp on it this afternoon with the tyres in a better place. We have more work to do before tomorrow, but we'll aim to put in a good one."

Esteban Ocon (9th, 1:18.303): "It's not been an easy day, but nevertheless, we'll work hard tonight and find some solutions. Conditions are very warm here and that doesn't make things easy. On our side, we have a bit of work to do at the moment, especially on car behaviour and finding some consistency. It was a little challenging to drive  especially with rear stability - and we're not on top of the issue from Silverstone yet. The good thing is that the car has great pace and we just need to unlock it. Physically, a tough day too in the heat but I'm feeling fine and ready for tomorrow."

Ciaron Pilbeam, Chief Race Engineer: "We've had a smooth day's running with both cars getting through their programmes without any hiccups. We've looked at all three tyre compounds this afternoon between the cars with the usual analysis to follow. Daniel's Soft tyre run certainly looked quite competitive. Esteban, meanwhile, has been less happy in the car all day, so we've got some digging to do tonight to find the cause of that. It seems to be the same issue throughout the day more or less. That aside, it's been good day's running and the conditions look to stay the same for the rest of the weekend. We have more to build on from today."

Haas F1 Team

Romain Grosjean (5th, 1:18.133): "I don't really know where this performance came from. In all fairness, it's the same car from the beginning of the year, we've just been making some good set-up work since Silverstone. The performance there was really good, but it was power sensitive, here that's maybe a little less. Sixth in FP1, fifth in FP2, then the long-run pace was pretty good too  we're really happy with all that. There's a little bit more work to be done on the car to bring it more to my liking. I hope nothing changes though, I hope this all stays the same so tomorrow we can go for a really good qualifying session  that would definitely set up a good weekend."

Kevin Magnussen (16th, 1:18.761): "It's been a positive day. I didn't get a great run on low fuel in FP2, so my best lap time doesn't look good, but Romain (Grosjean) showed what's in the car. Running on high fuel, it was all very positive. The car seems to be working very well around here. It's been very hot, there's a lot of heat in the tires, but it seems to be working. I think this track obviously suits us a little better. I'm pretty positive and very happy with today. It'll be harder tomorrow, but hopefully we can get a little further up in qualifying than we have done so far this year, from there we can have a good race."

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal: "For sure, these have been our best Friday sessions this year. This kind of circuit, where there's less high-speed sectors, it helps us as it's a lot less power sensitive. We've always been relatively good here in Barcelona, I don't know the reason why. I was cautiously optimistic in testing at the beginning of the year, and this shows that I wasn't wrong. So, it looks encouraging but I'm not getting over-enthusiastic about it yet because we still have to qualify on Saturday and race on Sunday. There are still a lot of things we need to get right  which we could get wrong, so I don't want to be negative. But overall, I think this is a big boost for the team. It's great that we've been this competitive today, it's an uplift for everybody. Now we have to put in the hard work so we don't make any mistakes over the next two days. Hopefully we'll bring home a good result."

McLaren F1 Team

Carlos Sainz (7th, 1:18.214): "A normal Friday for us, where we tried a couple of test items and mainly tried to understand the overheating issue we had in my car over the last weekend. Unfortunately, the problem is still there and costing lap-time, so we'll keep investigating in order to take the best decision. Apart from that, performance-wise, the car wasn't too bad today. There are still a few changes to make for tomorrow, but the main focus point now is still the cooling."

Lando Norris (14th, 1:18.506): "A tricky day in terms of getting to know the car a bit around here, but not too bad to be honest. We're trying a few of the things we struggled with in Silverstone, but we also made a fresh start as it's a new track. I think we're fairly comfortable, we've got a good direction to work in but we're not there yet  I'm basically looking for more grip overall. The car doesn't feel bad, so I think we can make some improvements overnight and be a bit more competitive. On the whole, today was clean, we got our running in, got a good understanding of the car  that's what's most important."

Andrea Stella, Racing Director: "We've had a productive Friday and have been able to work through all our planned test items and improve our understanding of the balance of the car, the level of grip and the tyres. The temperature in August is, of course, hotter than we're used to in Barcelona for the race, and that creates some particular challenges for cooling and tyre temperature. We still see the split of temperatures across cars and we'll make further changes tomorrow in order to resolve this anomaly. On the tyre side, it looks like the behaviour is more typical than we saw in Silverstone, where we suffered with some issues. We know that when the track is windy, our car becomes a bit temperamental, but we'll try to extract the most out of it tomorrow and be fighting for Q3 to give us the best chance of good points on Sunday."

Racing Point F1 Team

Sergio Perez (8th, 1:18.293): "It was great to be back in the car today: I'd missed Formula 1 so much! I'm very pleased to be behind the wheel and working with my team again. I thought it would take me some time to get back up to speed after missing two race weekends, but I'm pleased that I was able to get back into the rhythm very quickly. It was a physical day out there in the high temperatures, but the main thing is that we showed promising pace, so I'm looking forward to qualifying tomorrow. We completed today's programme, and I'm happy with what we achieved, so we can aim for a good result in qualifying and points on Sunday."

Lance Stroll (11th, 1:18.357): "It was pretty toasty out there! I'm looking forward to a cold shower now! It wasn't the easiest Friday, but we know there are areas where we can make improvements overnight and for Sunday, so I'm confident we can take a good step forward. We've seen in today's running that a strong race result will require good tyre management as the track temperature is so high this weekend. Now that we've experienced these types of conditions, we can go away and make sure we set the car up as well as possible for tomorrow and Sunday. It was great to see Checo back in the car too. I'm confident that we'll be fighting for points on Sunday."

Alfa Romeo Racing

Kimi Raikkonen (17th, 1:18.900): "It was a fairly regular Friday: we tried various things, trying to find the best way to set up the car for tomorrow. The car feels very similar to the last few races, you can't expect big changes in such a short time, and that's not yet where we want it to be. The key at this stage is to understand how to extract the best from the package we have at the moment."

Antonio Giovinazzi (18th, 1:18.964): "Not the easiest day to start our Spanish Grand Prix weekend: we struggled a little in these conditions and there is a lot we can improve in terms of pace. We know there's a lot of work ahead of us, we need to make some solid work tonight and try our best in the limited amount of time we will have in FP3 tomorrow."

Red Bull AlphaTauri Honda

Pierre Gasly (10th, 1:18.312): "It was a positive Friday for us, we managed to do quite a few laps and completed an extensive test session. In FP2 we managed to finish in the top 10, even if I still feel like I'm not fully happy with the car. We weren't able to get the balance exactly where I wanted it to be unlike in recent weekends, so I think we'll have a bit of work to do for tomorrow in order to improve the balance, find a bit more performance and be in a good position for Qualifying."

Daniil Kvyat (15th, 1:18.642): "We had a productive Friday, we managed to do quite a few laps despite having a problem in the morning. It was not ideal to miss the first part of FP1, but we managed to recover some of the lost time in FP2, so I'm looking forward to putting together a clean day tomorrow and have a strong result in Qualifying. We've got some work to do tonight to understand where the car is at and where we can find the last couple of tenths to put us in a position to fight for the top 10."

Jonathan Eddolls, Chief Race Engineer: "We had two weeks of testing here when the car was brand new back in February, and it's good to be back. This year we are in Barcelona later than when we typically come for the race, so we need to take a lot of our historical data for this track with a pinch of salt because the track temperatures and the weather are extremely different to what we had in March, and what we normally experience when we come here in May. Today we had 50-degree track temperatures which have a big impact on the car. Unfortunately, in FP1 we had a minor hydraulic issue on Dany's car that we were able to fix and get him back out, but it meant he missed some track time which put him on the back foot. It was a very hot track so both drivers were struggling for overall grip and to find a good balance on the car, so we analysed the data between FP1 and FP2 and made some small changes to the car based on what we saw in the morning. I think we showed a step in performance and we were able to improve our competitiveness. Pierre got a good lap on his Option tyre, while there's still a bit more to come for Dany as so far, he's had less track time this weekend. The short-run is looking reasonable and in line with expectations, and we're happy with our pace on the long runs too, so we're positive for the rest of the weekend. It looks like the midfield is extremely tight again, a tenth of a second can make the difference between four places in Qualifying, so we need to look through all the data tonight to decide what to do as for the tyre allocation for the race on Sunday and get everything together for a good Qualifying."

Williams Racing

Nicholas Latifi (19th, 1:19.155): "It was definitely very hot out there and the conditions were much more humid compared to Silverstone. It was a tricky day trying to get the right settings for one lap performance versus high fuel running. Especially after the previous rounds where we seemed a bit more competitive compared to our direct competitors, it seemed we were struggling a bit more today. We have lot of homework to do tonight to try and get back on the pace of the Haas and Alfa tomorrow."

George Russell (20th, 1:19.391): "It was very tough; I think the track temperatures being so high meant that the tyres were really struggling for everyone in these difficult conditions. It wasn't awfully pleasant, and I think we have a bit of work to do to get on top of it for tomorrow. I was a bit off the ball to start the short run having missed FP1, and then going straight in on the hard tyre didn't help. We are not used to seeing Barcelona with these track conditions, we pre-empted that, but I think we need to go a step further. I think we can get some more pace out of the car for tomorrow, but I think Q2 which has been our focus and our aim in the last few races will be pretty tough this weekend."

Roy Nissany: "It was a very positive session and I am pleased with my performance. Working with the team was perfect, we were quite close with the pace and I think it was a very encouraging experience for my first outing. I have learnt a lot and I think I gave good feedback to the team in terms of the development of the car. I come away with very positive feelings and I am already looking forward to the next one."

Dave Robson, Senior Race Engineer: "Roy Nissany drove the car during FP1 and did a very good job, showing good pace and completing his part of the test programme without issue. Between the two cars we got through quite a lot of chassis work during FP1, but the main observations were around the tyres, which clearly weren't easy to use in the hot conditions. George was back in the car for FP2 and during the session we began our work on qualifying and race preparation, but we struggled for basic pace at both fuel levels. We need to make some sizeable changes to the car overnight to get us closer to the pack, but we have a good idea of what we need to do and we're sure that we can get it together overnight and put in a stronger performance tomorrow."
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California now has more COVID-19 cases than most countries across the world as the US state and other hotspots including Arizona, Florida and Texas start to see a slight uptick in deaths.

The number of infections in California, the most populous US state, reached 597,984 on Friday morning, according to a John Hopkins tally.

The state sits only behind the United States (5.2 million), Brazil (3.2 million), India (2.4 million) and Russia (910,000).

The death toll in California has now reached 10,870, which is only third behind New York's 32,805 and New Jersey's 15,893.

California's cases, on average, have been trending upwards in the past week despite national infections being on the downward trajectory. The spike is due, in part, to a backlog of cases from a technical glitch in the state's reporting of data that left COVID-19 infections undercounted during the recent summer surge.

The number of infections in California, the most populous US state, reached 597,984 on Friday morning, according to a John Hopkins tally. The state sits only behind the United States (5.2 million), Brazil (3.2 million), India (2.4 million) and Russia (910,000)

Cases have been declining nationally in recent weeks, which has been driven in part by a drop off in cases in the hotspot Sunbelt states where coronavirus surged throughout June and July.

Deaths in these states, however, appear to be increasing slightly despite showing signs of a decline or at least a plateau earlier this month.

Florida reported a record 277 deaths on Tuesday, while Arizona had a near-record spike of 148 deaths on Wednesday. The spikes could be a result of a weekend-delay in reporting given there is the same steep drop off each week.

Deaths across the country currently appear to be plateauing but are still averaging about 1,000 fatalities per day.

Currently, the total number of infections in the US has now surpassed 5.2 million and more than 167,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.

While the average daily death toll of 1,000 is still high, it remains below levels seen in April when an average of 2,000 people a day were dying from the virus.

The average daily infection toll remains steady at about 53,000, which is down from the 66,000 daily cases being reported just last month.

Infections increased in only 11 states last week compared to the previous seven days, including Hawaii where the rate of spread is now the highest in the country.

More than 167,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Deaths across the country, on average, appear to be plateauing but are still averaging about 1,000 fatalities per day

Currently, the total number of infections in the US has now surpassed 5.2 million. Cases have been declining nationally in recent weeks, which has been driven in part by a drop off in cases in the hotspot Sunbelt states where coronavirus surged throughout June and July

The death toll in California has now reached 10,870, which is only third behind New York's 32,805 and New Jersey's 15,893. California's cases, on average, have been trending upwards in the past week despite national infections being on the downward trajectory. The spike is due, in part, to a backlog of cases from a technical glitch in the state's reporting of data

Arizona had a near-record spike of 148 deaths on Wednesday after starting to decline earlier this month. Cases have been dropping off rapidly after peaking in July

There has been an uptick in deaths in Florida this week after the state reported a record 277 deaths on Tuesday

Deaths have been increasing in Texas this month after an initial steep drop off in early August. The state recorded a spike of 324 deaths on Wednesday

Hawaii had kept the virus at bay for most of the summer, but new cases have more than doubled and are repeatedly seeing daily triple-digit increases.

The state's Governor David Ige said last week that he would be reinstating inter-island travel restrictions that require people to quarantine for 14 days in a bid to curb the spread.

The increases seen in Hawaii and the 10 other states including South Dakota, Illinois and North Dakota, are minimal compared to the outbreaks that plagued hotspot states in June and July and are not enough to reflect an uptick in the national infection toll.

Health experts have attributed the current decline in cases and deaths to policy and behavior changes in the hotspot states behind the summer surge where governors and local officials rolled back reopenings to curb the infection rate.

They say the widespread adoption of masks, social distancing and closing down bars all helped.

The decline in deaths and cases comes about three weeks after President Donald Trump, who for months refused to publicly wear a mask, urged Americans to cover their faces in public to stop the spread.

Deaths are a lagging indicator and can continue to rise weeks after new infections drop. A coronavirus death, when it occurs, typically comes several weeks after a person is first infected.

Hawaii had kept the virus at bay for most of the summer, but new cases have more than doubled and are repeatedly seeing daily triple-digit increases

In South Dakota, new cases have increased for the third straight week. More than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to attend a 10-day annual rally in Sturgis that began on August 7

It comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom continues to face mounting criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Newsom has had a summer of muddled messaging and bad news in the coronavirus fight, a trend crystallized this week by his delayed response to a data error that caused a backlog of nearly 300,000 virus test results.

California Governor Gavin Newsom continues to face mounting criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Newsom has had a summer of muddled messaging and bad news in the coronavirus fight, a trend crystallized this week by his delayed response to a data error that caused a backlog of nearly 300,000 virus test results

'The buck stops with me, I'm accountable,' he said in a tense news conference on Monday, his first appearance since state officials revealed the error a week earlier.

'No one's trying to hide that, no one's trying to mask that, we're owning that, we're moving forward to address those issues.'

His tone couldn't have been more different than it was in March when California's public battle with the virus began and the state initially avoided the worst outcomes. In commanding news conferences held almost daily, he announced the country's first statewide stay-at-home order and won mostly adherence from the state's 40 million residents.

But things began to change in May, when Newsom, under pressure from business leaders, allowed parts of the economy to begin reopening under a complicated, county-by-county process. Within weeks he reversed course as confirmed cases and the positive test rate rose.

The data backlog, which began at the end of July and continued because of a series of errors, led to the state under-counting the rate of virus spread and halted decision-making about what parts of the economy could open. Newsom has repeatedly stressed that those decisions will be made based on data.

Newsom's announcement last week that things were trending in a positive direction was immediately overshadowed by news of the data errors.

The state's top public health official, Dr Sonia Angell, abruptly resigned, and Newsom declined to get into the details. He later said 'decisions were made' to change the team.
This is the huge haul of drugs, guns and cash police seized as they raided a home belonging to alleged Finks bikie members.

Pictures taken from the raid shows weapons, including knives, sawn-off shot guns, a hand gun and a rifle.

Four people with bikie links have been arrested and a 38-year-old man from Pimpama on the Gold Coast has been charged with 21 offences.

Officers also seized a white T-shit with Finks Australia written on the front and a cartoon drawing of a character holding up a gun on the back.

Queensland Police raided a home linked to Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and released video of the firearms, cash and dangerous drugs

Officers seized a Finks Club Members T-Shirt during the raid which features a character holding a gun

Police said they confiscated more than $23,000 in $100 and $50 notes as well as multiple bags of white powder, some in balloons.

The pictures show more than 10 packets of ammunition as well as an open bag of shotgun cartridges and where they were found in the house.

Two women, aged 25 and 28 from Pimpama and nearby Coomera have also been charged with possessing drugs.

According to Police, the 48-year-old man arrested isn't believed to be a member of the outlaw gang.

Acting Detective Inspector Ian Galpin from the Organised Crime Squad said: 'There is zero tolerance for those involved in organised crime and we will continue to be unrelenting in our efforts to disrupt and prosecute those who pose a risk to the general public.'

The 38-year-old man is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court on Friday facing drugs, explosives and weapon charges .

The dog squad helped officers search the home in Pimpama on the Gold Coast and found several bags of drugs along with knives, sawn-off shot guns and rifles and reclining cinema-style chairs

PICTURED: The raid was in the suburb of Pimpama, 40 minutes away from Brisbane in Queensland

QLD Police seized more than $23,000 in cash from the home, mostly in $100 and $50 notes
A woman has told a Sydney court of her terror in watching a hooded gunman lean into Mick Hawi's black Mercedes and hearing multiple shots fired at the former bikie boss.

Stephanie Nicolau told the Supreme Court on Friday she ducked behind the reception counter of a Rockdale gym in fear of her life after seeing a man dressed in a black tracksuit lean into the driver's side window of Hawi's Mercedes, before hearing "about 12 shots".

Police forensic images of Mick Hawi's Mercedes, in which he was shot to death on Febraury 15, 2018.

"I heard a banging noise, it was repeated, bang, bang, bang," Ms Nicolau said. The shots continued while she hid, feeling small fragments of glass hit the back of her neck, she said.

Ms Nicolau told the court she didn't see the assailant's hands or a gun, but could tell from the bullet holes peppering the car that it was a shooting. It was only when she got up from behind the counter that she "first registered there was a person inside the car, as I saw skin and blood."
The surges have spread alarm across Europe, which suffered mightily during the spring but appeared in recent months to have largely tamed the coronavirus in ways that the U.S., with its vaunted scientific prowess and the extra time to prepare, cannot seem to manage. The continents hardest-hit countries, Britain, Italy, France and Spain, have recorded about 140,000 deaths in all.
Wendy Williams called out her ex-husband Kevin Hunter on Thursday night in an Instagram post referencing his alleged baby drama.

The 56-year-old host of The Wendy Williams Show shared a photo of herself in a car holding a small child while she was masked up to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

'Look @ me with my baby girl,' she captioned the photo. 'I'm not the only Hunter with a baby situation.'

Revenge: Wendy Williams, 56, poked fun at her ex Kevin Hunter for allegedly fathering a child with another woman by cradling an unknown child in her Instagram photo from Thursday

Wendy showed off her long blonde locks in the photo and was dressed in a gray and black jacket while she cradled the little girl, who wore a cute pink top and sucked on her thumb.

Back in April 2019, it was reported that her then-recent divorce filing was spurred on after she learned that Kevin had fathered a child with the massage therapist Sharina Hudson, 33.

They were reportedly together for 10 years and it was revealed shortly after that she was pregnant with his child.

Wendy confirmed the rumors in an interview with The New York Times from August 2019.

It's over: In April 2019, it was reported that her then-recent divorce filing was spurred on after she learned that Kevin had fathered a child with the massage therapist Sharina Hudson, 33; pictured in 2018

Longtime affair: Hunter and Hudson were reportedly together for 10 years before she got pregnant. Wendy confirmed the rumors in an interview with The New York Times from August 2019; shown in 2012

'Kevin had a major indiscretion that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life. An indiscretion that I will not deal with,' she explained. 'He will always be my family, because we have a 19-year-old son, and we were together for 25 years and married for 21. But there was no vacillating.

'I never thought that I would be in this position,' she continued as she began to tear up. 'Im a very forgiving person, but theres one thing that I could never be a part of, and that one thing happened.'

After Wendy posted the photo with the anonymous girl, she offered up more details in a follow-up post from Friday morning.

'Gmorg! I'm having lamb ravioli & mushrooms breakfast,' she wrote with a photo of the dish. 'I'm also watching @theviewabc. @fatjoe & I talked on the phone...he's such a success & we laugh.

'Oh!About the baby...that's my friend Raquels friends baby. The parents are Wendy Watchers. We were waiting for our food and saw them. Bernie was placing the order. The baby is so cute I asked can I hold. Unfortunately I don't even remember her name,' she wrote.

Mystery baby: In a follow-up post about her breakfast from Friday, Wendy said the child was from friends of a friend she met while dining out; shown in 2018

Family: Wendy and Kevin shared one son, Kevin Hunter Jr., who is 19

Wendy and Kevin, 48, continued the process of separating their lives this week when they sold their New Jersey home for $1.475 million.

The sale amount was a $525,000 drop from their initial asking price, according to TMZ.

The former couple's real estate agent Jamie Silverman told the gossip site that 'the reason for the price reduction was the COVID-19 pandemic.'

The profits from the sale were to be split 50/50, and it was revealed in court filings earlier this year that the two hadn't signed a prenuptial agreement before getting married.

Wendy and Kevin's divorce proceedings didn't effect their son Kevin Hunter Jr., who is 19.

Last month, Wendy gushed that the 12th season of her eponymous daytime talk show would return on September 21 while posting a photo of herself enjoying some cubed watermelon.

'I cant wait to get back to all of YOU and to my AMAZING staff and crew!!! Im sooo excited to bring you silly, funny, glamour and hopefully brighten your day during these crazy times that were all living ineven if for just an hour,' she wrote.

'I miss you and cant wait to get back in my purple chair and show you what we did to the set. I LOVE you for watching!'

After production was shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wendy filmed at home until June, when she stopped to focus on her treatment for Graves' disease.
Chinese H-6J bomber's S.China Sea deployment 'to suppress US provocations'

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/13 20:03:40

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's newly revealed bomber, the H-6J, was recently deployed on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea for the first time, foreign media reported on Wednesday. The move will enable the PLA to suppress and jam provocative US military activities in the region, and its weapons load, potentially including anti-ship ballistic missiles, provides a huge deterrence to US aircraft carriers, experts said on Thursday.

At least one H-6J bomber was seen landed on Yongxing Island in an undated photo on foreign social media, US news outlet the Drive reported on Wednesday.

If confirmed, this will be the first time the bomber has been deployed on the island, the report said.

The H-6J bomber is one of China's latest weapons, and was revealed only in July.

During July's routine press conference by China's Ministry of National Defense, spokesperson Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang announced that H-6J bombers, together with its predecessors, H-6Gs, recently conducted intensive round-the-clock drills in the South China Sea, completing training exercises, including takeoffs and landings, long-distance strikes and attacks on surface targets.

Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie told the Global Times on Thursday that the H-6J bomber's deployment in the South China Sea is of significance in terms of suppressing the US' military provocations in the region, thanks to its outstanding naval combat capabilities.

High definition photos of the H-6J bomber, which were not taken on Yongxing Island, were revealed by media affiliated with the Chinese military in the past week.

Judging from the photos, the bomber is likely equipped with the new air-to-surface search radar on its nose, and has one extra electronic warfare pod on each side of its wings, Li said, noting that this will allow the H-6J to suppress and jam enemy planes and ships which operate electronic radar and communication devices.

Another distinctive feature of the H-6J bomber is its large weapons load against maritime targets, as it can carry six missiles under its wings, and potentially one more in its belly, Li said.

In addition to anti-ship cruise missiles like the YJ-12, the bomber can potentially also carry anti-ship ballistic missiles, Li predicted.

At Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, China revealed the made-for-export CM-401 anti-ship ballistic missile, which can be launched into a near-space trajectory, and is capable of hypersonic maneuverable flight. Upon reaching above its target, the CM-401 can conduct a terminal diving attack at extremely high velocity on medium to large vessels, vessel formations and port targets, according to a description at the air show.

This kind of missile could be a viable option for the H-6J, and the bomber, particularly flying in groups, can become a huge threat to hostile aircraft carrier groups, Li said.

The US military has been stirring up trouble in the region with dual aircraft carrier exercises in July, and frequent close-up reconnaissance with large reconnaissance aircraft on South China's coastal regions from the South China Sea in the past few months.

An H-6K bomber, the H-6J's Air Force counterpart, conducted takeoff and landing training on Yongxing Island in 2018, media reported at that time.

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Statewide

All information from the Iowa Department of Public Health, except where noted. (In parenthesis: Change from day before.)

Cases of coronavirus: 50,813 (+646)

The total number of people who have ever tested positive for active novel coronavirus infection since testing began March 8, 2020.

Average number of cases per day: 336 (-18)

As of yesterday, over a seven-day average.

Percent change in cases over 14 days: -8.1% (no change). National average: -18.3% (no change). (Info: KFF.org)

Rate of spread: 0.98 (-0.02)

The average number of people who currently become infected by an infectious person. Over 1.0 means the virus will spread, and below 1.0 means it has stopped spreading. (Info: Rt.live)

Positive testing rate on previous day: 8.5% (+3.0%)

As of May 12, the World Health Organization recommends a positive testing rate of less than 5% or lower for at least 14 days before an area reopens.

Deaths: 964 (+10)

The total number of people who died of the novel coronavirus beginning March 8, 2020.

Average number of deaths per day: 4.6 (+0.3)

As of yesterday, over a seven-day average.

Fatality rate: 1.9% (no change)

National ranking in cases per capita: 19th (no change) (Info: kff.org)

National ranking in deaths per capita: 27th (no change) (Info: kff.org)

Recoveries: 39,788 (+568)

As of June 30, IDPH now classifies anyone not hospitalized or deceased after 28 days to be recovered.

Recovery rate: 78.3% (+0.1%)

Positive serology tests: 2,901 (+13)

The number of people with no current infection who tested positive for antibodies of the novel coronavirus, indicating they may have already had the virus.

Hospitalized patients with COVID-19: 258 (-3) Hospitalized in NE Iowa (RMCC Region 6): 61 (+8) Hospitalized in North Iowa (Region 2): 73 (+5)

Patients admitted in last 24 hours: 31 (-7) Region 6: 12 (+4) Region 2: 13 (+4)

Hospitalized in intensive care units: 75 (-13) Region 6: 18 (-1) Region 2: 21 (-1)

Hospitalized on a ventilator: 28 (+3) Region 6: 5 (-1) Region 2: 7 (+1)

Long-term care facility outbreaks: 29 (+1)

An outbreak is added when a facility has three or more residents test positive, and removed when no new cases appear.

Deaths attributable to long-term care facility outbreaks: 524 (+13) Percentage of total deaths: 54.5% (+0.9%)

------------------

Black Hawk County

Cases: 3,216 (+24)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 12.6 (+2.7)

Recoveries: 2,612 (+14)

Deaths: 66 (no change)

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0.4 (no change)

Number currently infected: 538 (+10)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 13.7% (+0.1%)

Fatality rate: 2.1% (no change)

Serology positive: 700 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.4% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 3.0% (+0.1%)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 8.7% (-0.3%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for coronavirus test positive.

Data below from blackhawkcovid19.com:

Reported cases by sex:

Male: 54.7% (no change)

Female: 45.3% (no change)

Reported cases by age:

0-17: 5.1% (no change)

18-40: 53.2% (no change)

41-60: 30.1% (no change)

61-80: 9.3% (no change)

80+: 2.3% (no change)

Reported cases by race:

Asian: 10.6% (no change)

Black: 25.0% (no change)

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 2.3% (no change)

White: 62.1% (no change)

Reported cases by ethnicity:

Hispanic/Latinx: 16.3% (no change)

Non-Hispanic: 83.7% (no change)

Hospitalization rate: 4.3% (no change)

------------------

Bremer County

Cases: 235 (+4)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 4.1 (-0.5)

Recoveries: 127 (+4)

Deaths: 7 (no change)

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change)

Number currently infected: 101 (no change)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 41.9% (-0.7%)

Fatality rate: 3.0% (no change)

Serology positive: 6 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.4% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 1.0% (no change)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 8.9% (-1.1%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for the coronavirus test positive.

-----------------

Buchanan County

Cases: 138 (+7)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 2 (+0.7)

Recoveries: 71 (+4)

Deaths: 1 (no change)

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change)

Number currently infected: 66 (+3)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 46.5% (-0.2%)

Fatality rate: 0.7% (-0.1%)

Serology positive: 4 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.3% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 0.7% (+0.1%)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 7.4% (+0.4%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for the coronavirus test positive.

------------------

Butler County

Cases: 132 (+3)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 1.9 (+0.5)

Recoveries: 111 (+1)

Deaths: 2 (no change)

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change)

Number currently infected: 19 (+2)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 14.0% (+1.2%)

Fatality rate: 1.5% (-0.1%)

Serology positive: 4 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.1% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 0.9% (no change)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 8.3% (+1.3%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for the coronavirus test positive.

---------------

Fayette County

Cases: 93 (+7)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 1.7 (+0.8)

Recoveries: 65 (no change)

Deaths: 0

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0

Number currently infected: 28 (+6)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 26.9% (+4.4%)

Fatality rate: 0%

Serology positive: 11 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.1% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 0.5% (no change)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 5.5% (+1.5%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for the coronavirus test positive.

----------------

Floyd County

Cases: 170 (+6)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 3.6 (-0.8)

Recoveries: 130 (+4)

Deaths: 3 (no change)

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0.1 (no change)

Number currently infected: 37 (+2)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 20.9% (+0.4)

Fatality rate: 1.8% (no change)

Serology positive: 7 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.2% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 1.1% (no change)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 13.7% (-0.3%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for the coronavirus test positive.

--------------------

Grundy County

Cases: 85 (+3)

Average cases per day (7-day average): 1.3 (+0.4)

Recoveries: 54 (no change)

Deaths: 1 (no change)

Average deaths per day (7-day average): 0 (no change)

Number currently infected: 30 (+3)

Percent currently infected of total infections: 33.3% (+2.3%)

Fatality rate: 1.2% (no change)

Serology positive: 5 (no change)

Total population currently infected: 0.2% (no change)

Total population ever infected: 0.7% (no change)

Percent positive in past 14 days: 3.5% (+0.5%)

Iowa school districts may request a temporary waiver to send students home for 14 days and move all instruction online if 10% of students are absent and a 14-day average shows at least 15% of county residents screened for the coronavirus test positive.

Concerned about COVID-19? Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
New Jersey voters will for the first time cast their ballots for president predominantly by mail in November.

Gov. Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat, announced Friday that the upcoming general election would be conducted using mostly mail-in ballots to ensure voters and poll workers safety during the pandemic.

The governor, citing the success of the states predominantly vote-by-mail primary election last month, said all 6.3 million New Jersey voters would be sent ballots to return either by mail, in person or into secure drop boxes.

Making it easier to vote does not favor any one political party, Mr. Murphy said, but it does favor democracy.
For democrats in Africa, the next three months will be pivotal in deciding whether the US will be a foe or an ally.

Five years ago, during his first and only trip to Africa as US president, Barrack Obama decried the tendency by some African leaders to refuse to leave office when their terms ended.

Speaking in front of an audience of heads of states and various officials at the Mandela Hall of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, he said: Now, let me be honest with you  I do not understand this. I love my work. But under our constitution, I cannot run again. I cant run again. I actually think Im a pretty good president  I think if I ran I could win. But I cant.

The speech was welcomed by many on the continent, as it signalled that the US would stand with the people and constitutions rather than with rulers as it had been doing for nearly two decades. Today, that seems like a past age. The last four years have profoundly shaken faith in that promise.

Obamas successor, Donald Trump, appears not to hold constitutional safeguards in such high esteem. The last three months have been particularly eye-opening, with Americans denied the right to peaceful protest, brutalised by the police. The president has actively undermined the credibility of the US voting system, leading to speculation that he might refuse to leave office should he lose the election.

US commitment to democracy in Africa has waxed and waned in the 60 years since most African countries gained independence. The cold war that dominated the first half of that era meant that democracy and good governance played second fiddle to US needs for strategic allies.

Murderous kleptocratic dictators like Mobutu Sese Seko of what was then known as Zaire curried American favour so long as they were willing to stand with what was ironically called the free world. The demise of the Soviet Union in 1991 provided a brief respite during which the US played a major role in supporting the push for greater democracy and greater respect for human rights. In countries like Kenya, multiparty systems and term limits were introduced following pressure from both within and without, with the US particularly working in concert with local activists.

However, by the end of the decade, from Rwanda to Uganda to Ethiopia, the US was already showing a familiar preference for strongmen with a distaste for democratic limitations. The 9/11 attacks and the subsequent Global War on Terror at the dawn of the new millennium reinforced the fact that African lives and freedoms were expendable when the US felt it was in its interest. In return for turning a blind eye to atrocities, the US could gain reliable allies that would allow it to establish military bases, carry out attacks on those it termed terrorists, as well as murder, disappear and torture African civilians with impunity.

It was in that context that Obama made his 2015 speech and that makes the US election in November consequential not just for Americans but for Africans as well. It is true that its prestige on the continent is not what it once was  with prospects for democracy looking dicey at home, coupled with economic troubles and deadly incompetence in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the US has lost much of its former lustre and moral standing. However, it still wields considerable power and influence and can still be a powerful check on some of the worst instincts of dictators on the continent.

The disinterest of the Trump administration in Africa has had the opposite effect and is emboldening many of them. In countries like Zimbabwe and Tanzania, strongmen are establishing themselves and settling in for the long haul, as their counterparts have done in Rwanda and Uganda.

In Kenya, there are worrying indications that President Uhuru Kenyatta may be entertaining ideas about extending his State House lease. In the last few weeks, commentators have begun to float the idea of either allowing him a currently constitutionally barred third term or extending his current term.

Both of these would require a referendum to change the constitution and, surprise, surprise, one is already mooted as part of a deal between the president and his former rival, Raila Odinga. To be fair, Kenyatta has repeatedly declared that he has no intention of hanging on to power after the end of his current term in 2020. However, given the lengths he was willing to go to retain his position in 2017, including the murder by police of nearly 70 Kenyans in actions which he would later formally commend, there is little reason to trust his words.

For democrats on the continent, the next three months will be pivotal in deciding whether the US will once again be a foe or an ally. Still, although there is some hope in Joe Bidens promise to revitalize [US] commitment to advancing human rights and democracy around the world, should he win, there are no guarantees.

With the US now engaged in a rivalry with China for influence on the continent, support for democracy and human rights may once again play second fiddle to securing reliable allies. In other words, the US may still prefer to stand with African states rather than African people.

It is worth remembering that despite his flowery rhetoric in Addis Ababa, Obama had been more than happy to cuddle up to Kenyas corrupt regime just a week earlier. In the end, Africans must prepare for the worst even as they hope for the best.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
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Digital Editor
As States race against each other to inch closer to development, Bihar is assumed to be one of the participants that is thought to be lagging. Im acknowledging my bias here too, because I had similar notions about Bihar. It is the least literate state in India with a literacy rate of 63.82%.

Naturally, I was unenthusiastic about researching on Bihar Vidhan Sabha or finding out about the policies in the State. I had imagined that the Legislative Assembly site would be outdated with no data and I would find myself in a loop of RTIs with no response.

Interestingly, my assumptions were entirely wrong. Contrary to my thoughts, Bihar Legislative Assembly website is one of the most transparent and well-organised websites for the access of the common men. It is well-updated and has live recordings of sessions available along with transcripts of the same in the local language for citizens to access.

My preliminary findings showed that Bihar Vidhan Sabha had a consistent trend in terms of working days and the days spent in budget session. The following table shows my findings for Bihar Vidhan Sabha working days.

Working Days Days for Budget Session 2017 2018 2019 2017 2018 2019 35 33 33 23 24 10



All data from Bihar Legislative Assembly website.

The Assembly was also active in-terms of utilising the Question Hour. To elaborate a bit, it is during the question hour that MLAs can ask questions on every aspect of governance and policy-making in the State. The verbal questions asked during the hour can have follow-up questions, these are the starred questions. The written questions asked during the hour are known as he unstarred questions. You may think why is it so important to know about questions? It is of utmost importance as the representatives of people can ensure the interests of people in his hour by asking meaningful questions that bring out effective policies and good governance. Unfortunately, the quality of questions, despite the numbers, were unimpressive.

Starred Questions 2017-2019 Unstarred Questions 2017-2019 1714 101

All data from Bihar Legislative Assembly website.

The data available shows that Bihar has been comparatively working more than most of the States and Union Territories in India, following closely after Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh. The Legislative Assembly also discloses all the questions that were raised in the session. With such transparency, it is indeed surprising that Bihar ranked second to last amongst major States in the India Innovation Index Report 2019 released by NITI AAYOG.

How is Bihar governments inability getting unnoticed by the residents of the State despite all the data available in the public domain? The answer lies in the complacent belief that no progress is ever going to take place. Bihar may not be in the greatest space now but it has been trying to steadily improve. The bad politics in the State contributed to the stagnation of growth after the Freight Policy post-independence that had already crippled the State.

As per a report by IBEF, the per capita GSDP of Bihar increased at a CAGR of 12.91 per cent (in Rs) between 2015-16 and 2018-19. Bihar has witnessed strong growth in per capita net state domestic product (NSDP). At current prices, per capita NSDP of the state grew at a CAGR of 14.99 per cent during 2015-16 to 2018-19.

Having almost 80% of its population engaged in agriculture, the growth shown by the state is commendable. Unfortunately, being heavily dependent on agriculture comes at the cost of development. The failure of integration of service sector with agriculture is one of the prime reasons for slowed growth progression. It is also important to note that Bihar has been doing rather poorly in education, which means there has been no substantial work being undertaken in the agriculture R&D, which could have benefitted the State greatly.

The India Innovation Index Report 2019 ranks Bihar rather poorly against the national average for Human Capital. In simple terms, human capital means the quality of education and research capability of a state. It is a fundamental enabler for development.

Source: India Innovation Index Report 2019

The gap being the highest in Human Capital is a gentle push to the government to act on improving the state of Education and Skill Development in Bihar.

The State Government had launched a couple of schemes in 2016 to improve education and skill-training in the State. Some of the schemes are:

1. Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme: Under this scheme, an education loan of Rs. 4 lacs is being provided to every 12th pass student, constrained from going for higher education due to financial crunch.

2. Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana: Unemployed youths between the age of 20-25 years in search of employment, will be given Rs.1000 per month for a maximum period of two years to train themselves and find a job.

3. Kushal Yuva Program: BSDM has established one skill training center in every block of the state where soft skills, communication skills (English & Hindi) and basic computer literacy training will be taught to 10th pass candidates.

4. Bihar Start-Up Policy: Under this scheme, a suitable environment will be created in the state to establish industrial units. Arrangement of financial assistance, incubation centre, funding, publicity, standardization amongst others are part of this policy.

5. Provision of free internet facilities through Wi-Fi in all Government universities and colleges in the state.

While the schemes were a good start and had the application system entirely online to make it accessible for the residents of the State, they failed to make the desired impact as shown by the diagram above which mapped the Human Capital of Bihar in 2019, three years after the launch of these schemes.

The answer to this failure is straight-forward, a state which struggled with primary education and student-teacher ratio cannot make progress with higher education or employability. When foundational literacy and numeracy is a challenge, scholarships for higher education dont help candidates pass the subject. Similarly, training the youth without finding out where is it that they are going to be employed and what does the employer seek, fundamentally makes the policy flawed. However, it is also appalling that despite having online feedback available for all these schemes and the transparency with regards to sessions in the legislative assembly, there is barely any involvement from the citizens. We find solace in being complacent that the state is backward and there is nothing we can do, without making adequate effort. Our representatives will be responsible when we ask for accountability.

Democracy is made by the people and it is the people who have the power to make their representatives fulfil the responsibilities that they were entrusted with. Bihar needs an education reform and it needs more than pity from the rest of the Nation. It is time we stop lamenting about the backwardness and propose solutions and we can start with:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) should not read politics behind Delhi and Maharashtras move to cancel final year exams because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a three-judge Supreme Court bench hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the July 7 directive of the higher education regulator asking universities to compulsorily hold examinations by September 30 was told.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the petitioners, told the court that there was nothing political about the decision of Maharashtra and Delhi to cancel the examination. He said the state governments took a collective decision after taking stock of the ground realities and consulting the vice-chancellors of their respective universities.

Besides Maharashtra and Delhi, states of Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha have informed the ministry of human resource Development (MHRD) that it is not possible to conduct exams as per the July 6 directive. There is no politics involved but it is the convergence of states. These are responsible governments. They are not mad to affect the students future, Singhvi said.

He said this is a time when the pandemic is at its peak and both fresh cases and deaths due to Covid-19 are rising. The National Disaster Management Act is applicable throughout the country as these are not normal times. States have been issued guidelines by the Centre asking them to stringently follow lockdown rules, breach of which will invite punishment under the Act, Singhvi said. During such times, he wondered why the MHRD did a volte-face by pressing for mandatory conduct of exams when its past directives of April 15, May 1, and June 29 made it optional for universities to hold exams.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, who represented Yuva Sena, the student wing of Shiv Sena, said that in Maharashtra most colleges and hostels have been converted into quarantine facilities. Intra-city and inter-city transportation is not provided and communication in far-flung areas is still a challenge.

The Union government has given relaxations to colleges and universities across the country and allowed them to open for the conduct of final-year examinations, which will be held in accordance with an order issued by UGC, the Union home ministry said in an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Thursday she supports renaming Jefferson Davis Parkway to instead honor former Xavier University President Norman C. Francis.

"The people of New Orleans deserve the opportunity to learn about this leader who is shaping their city for the better," Harris wrote in in a letter to New Orleans City Council Thursday.

+3 Renaming Jeff Davis Parkway for Norman Francis approved by New Orleans commission; see next steps The City Planning Commission gave the green light on Tuesday to rename Jefferson Davis Parkway for former Xavier University President Norman Francis.

jefferson davis parkway A streetcar crosses over Jefferson Davis Parkway near the site of where the Davis statue was removed. The New Orleans City Council created a s

It might seem odd that the woman who made U.S. history Tuesday by becoming the first Asian and Black vice presidential nominee would weigh in on a street naming in New Orleans, but there is a connection between Harris and the local councilwoman who announced Harris' support.

New Orleans City Councilwoman Helena Moreno was one of Harris' campaign's state co-chairs during her 2016 presidential run. She shared Harris' message on Twitter Thursday, saying she appreciated Harris' support and noted the ordinance will move forward at council's regular meeting next week.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

"Our nation is experiencing a critical time of change," Harris wrote. "We have never fully addressed the systemic racism that has plagued our country since its earliest days, and it is the duty of every American, in every city, to work to fix it."

Grace Notes: With Joe Biden and Kamala Harris leading ticket, these Louisianans could have friends in high places On the Democratic side of the great political divide, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris  now starring in the historic role as the first Black woman on 

Francis was an educator and a civil rights leader who served as an advisor to eight presidential administrations. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006.
In trying to make the subject easy to grasp, some educators say wine is nothing more than fermented grape juice.

Winemakers worldwide must cringe at such a simple-minded explanation, which avoids a far larger discussion that entails roughly two dozen different scientific disciplines, hundreds of years of experimentation, and the untold agonies of winemakers dealing with wine marketers, critics, and consumers, most of whom know almost nothing of the product they so ardently adore.

Explaining why a particular wine is the way it is can be the start of an endless debate among those involved in its creation, image-building and sale.

And though most such people would agree on the facts of how a specific wine was made, many issues involved are disputable and often based on winemakers personal preferences.

If 10 winemakers each got one ton of exactly the same grapes, all picked at the exact same moment, and told to turn that fruit into a wine, the result would be 10 different wines.

 One winemaker crushes the grapes within 100 feet of the vineyard, another trucks the fruit to a winery an hour away. (Time spent in transit isnt beneficial to the resulting wine.)

 One ages the wine in new 58-gallon French oak casks, another ages his in American oak puncheons, a third adds oak chips, and a fourth keeps the wine in a ceramic egg until bottling.

 One winemaker presses the skins heavily and gets 163 gallons of juice. Another presses lightly and get only 129 gallons.

Each decision changes the result.

Sure, there are similarities between the wines, but differences are inevitable, some based not on decisions of the winemaker, but those forced by circumstance.

Year after year, winemakers face new challenges, some of which seemingly have no ready solutions. Solutions are made on the fly.

Since we have begun the 2020 northern hemisphere harvest, many people are racing to prepare for that astoundingly chaotic four-month period thats referred to by some people simply as crush. Wineries from Georgia to Georgia are in gear-up mode.

For several weeks, wineries have been bottling any wines that were taking up tank and barrel space, preparing space for new wine. They are sparging equipment that hasnt been used for a year; making sure harvest crews (not just pickers, but cellar rats and office staff) are on pre-arranged work schedules.

Grapegrowers are checking access roads to make sure trucks can get in and out. (Roughly 10% of all vineyard land around the world is dedicated not to vines, but to access toads and truck turn-around spaces.)

Harvest companies are inspecting trucks that will deliver grapes. Theyre evaluating equipment such as harvest bins and serpettes (curved knives). Mechanics are testing conveyor belts, pumps, transfer lines, hoses, fittings, forklifts, and anything essential to getting grapes, juice, and pallets from one place to another. Once grapes begin arriving, theres often no time to deal with problems.

Decades ago, I thought the admonition to avoid wineries during harvest was overblown, that the process was pretty much mechanized.

Much of it is  in theory. But after I moved to Sonoma County in 1986, I began to see what crush is really all about. Its a 20-ring circus  dozens of people trying to extinguish figurative (sometimes literal) blazes. Winemakers typically work nearly around the clock. Its hard work. Almost universally, men grow crush beards. Theres no time to shave.

The most desired commodity is sleep.

The most crucial decisions a winery can make are the dates each variety should be picked. This is based on science as well as a lot of intuition. Key is tasting grapes. Old-timers have an astounding ability to synthesize this skill. But it often goes beyond taste.

Andre Tchelistcheff, the states greatest winemaker, had a legendary ability for tasting grapes and determining picking dates, but he also believed that each vineyard dedicated to a single variety had a signature color and look.

Ted Bennett, founding owner of Navarro Vineyards, once realized that picking Gewurztraminer was extremely tricky. So even though he was constantly in vine rows tasting before harvest, he also looks at the coloring of the fruit (veraison).

As harvest day approached years ago, Ted took Polaroid photos of the same vines several times a day and put them on a bulletin board so they could be compared. As the grapes changed from green to faint pink, Ted asked winery employees who had worked there for years to vote on the best date for picking, based on color.

The staff vote was factored into Teds final decision. Not coincidentally, Navarro has long made Californias finest Gewurztraminer.

Tasting grapes is a task often left to old-timers, though more modern ideas also come into play. The crucial decision of when to pick was displayed in a TV commercial decades ago.

It showed an older man and a younger one (father/son?) walking in a row of grapevines, trying to determine the best date to begin harvest. The older man pops berries in his mouth to taste. The younger man squeezes the juice of a berry onto a refractometer to scientifically determine sugar content.

Then simultaneously both say, Well pick Thursday.

Not all harvest decisions pay dividends.

A French company once invested in a San Luis Obispo County property, planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, planning to make sparkling wine. The grower hired for the first wine picked too early and sugars fell well short of what was needed.

The grower called France to report the bad news to his boss.

The French winemaker replied, No problem. We just add ze sugar.

The grower replied, Thats not legal in California.

Once, about 1993, a Sonoma County winemaker ran into a problem: a large truckload of grapes came into the winery much later in the day than was optimum. As a result, the grapes were hot and the winemaker had no way to cool them down.

He began the fermentation, but soon it was clear that problems were arising. So he decided to de-classify that batch of wine and sell it at a loss.

In a post-season breakdown session, he told the story to the winery owner, who asked what the solution could have been. The winemaker said he needed a way to cool the fruit.

The winery owner ordered a must chiller to make sure that problem never arose again.

But not many problems can be solved with an infusion of cash. And almost never are major snags in mid-crush solved easily.

Wineries fear many things at this time of year, such as mechanical breakdowns or a loss of power. This year, theres an added issue: making sure employees are protected from the coronavirus.

Grapes to make sparkling wine usually begin to be harvested in late August; dessert wine grapes often remain on the vines until December. If you should see a winery employee during those periods, be kind. And dont even ask for the time.

They wont have time to answer.

Wine of the Week: 2018 Jim Barry Riesling, Clare Valley ($20): One of Australias finest white wines is dry Riesling. Clare Valley is one of its most iconic regions for this occasionally austere, steely wine. This producer makes several classic versions, and even though this bottling is considered entry-level, it is a brilliant example of the concept. Lime, early picked grapefruit and a trace of minerals mark the aroma, and the mid-palate is a classic example of how Australia captures precision in a bottle. Almost anyone who tries this wine says its fabulous with Asian foods. It is I prefer them with a few more years of aging. Occasionally found at about $17.

Watch now: Harvest 2020 at Schramsberg

Dan Berger lives in Sonoma County, where he publishes Vintage Experiences, a subscription-only wine newsletter. Write to him at winenut@gmail.com. He is also co-host of California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon on KSRO Radio, 1350 AM.
Paducah, KY (42003)

Today

Rain showers this morning mixing with snow showers during the afternoon hours. Some sleet may mix in late. Morning high of 52F with temps falling to near freezing. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will give way to clearing skies late. Low 16F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Clients across the region face a rapidly changing risk landscape as well as an increasingly challenging insurance market, stated the company stalwart.

I am excited by the opportunity to focus to our large and complex clients across a broader geography and work with our Asia and Pacific risk management leaders to help them respond effectively to these challenges.

Commenting on the appointment, Marsh International president Flavio Piccolomini noted Leneys more than three decades of industry expertise leading teams and driving successful outcomes for clients in Asia and the Pacific. He described the Marsh leader as the ideal person for the job.

As a strong client advocate with a track record for delivering innovative solutions for complex problems, he is well-placed to ensure we bring the full capabilities of the firm to our clients across the region, said Piccolomini.

Meanwhile the Sydney-based executive will also assume the post of country corporate officer for Marsh parent firm Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC). This will see Leney work closely with colleagues across MMC companies Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman on key client and corporate initiatives in Australia.
W ildfires broke out near Los Angeles, California, as temperatures spiked and humidity levels dropped during a statewide heat wave.

A huge forest fire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles was just 12 per cent contained on Thursday. It had charred 17 square miles (44.5 square kilometers) of brush and trees, threatening more than 5,400 homes.

Cooler overnight temperatures helped firefighters increase containment of the fire.

However, Friday's forecast is for hot, dry weather, making for dangerous fire conditions because of possible gusty winds.

The Ranch Fire burns over a residential area in Azusa, California / AP

California's heat wave was expected to last through the weekend, bringing triple-digit temperatures and extreme fire danger to many parts of the state.

A helicopter prepares to drop water on a fire in California / AP

Preliminary damage assessments found that at least three structures had burned in the Lake Hughes area north of Los Angeles, but authorities said they believed more had been damaged or destroyed.

Firefighters battled the blaze through the night / REUTERS

Another blaze blackened foothills above the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa. It ripped through nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) of brush and was moving away from homes, but some evacuations were ordered.

Firefighters work to extinguish hotspots / AFP via Getty Images

A third blaze came dangerously close to a neighbourhood in the city of Corona, east of Los Angeles, before fire crews controlled it.
Yesterday, many reports on the internet claimed that Rana Daggubati's younger brother and Suresh Babu's son Abhiram Daggubati has escaped a major accident in Hyderabad's Manikonda, as his car reportedly rammed into a vehicle from the opposite direction. Ever since the report came out, fans started worrying about Abhiram's health. But Daggubati family recently refuted the reports about Abhiram Daggubati's accident.

The Daggubati family issued a statement to Times of India, in which they stated that the car doesn't belong to either Abhiram Daggubati or anyone in the house. They also asked people not to believe in such baseless rumours and spread them online.

Abhiram's elder brother and actor Rana Daggubati got hitched to Miheeka Bajaj on August 8 (Saturday) in Hyderabad. The soon-to-be actor supervised all the arrangement of his brother's wedding along with his dad. Abhiram Daggubati is soon to make his acting debut in Telugu film industry. His debut project will be bankrolled by his father. However, the director of the film is not yet revealed.

In an interview with TOI, Abhiram Daggubati said that he misses his grandfather a lot. He said, "My grandfather's dream was to see me as a hero and if he would have been there, things would have been different. However, with my father's support, my debut film might go on floors in 2020 or next year. I'm also equally interested in film production."

Also Read : Sri Reddy Reveals The Place Where She Spent First Night With Abhiram Daggubati

For those who don't know, Abhiram Daggubati was in the news in 2018 when Sri Reddy accused him of 'sleeping with her' and cheating on the pretext of giving work in films. The controversial diva had also released some of the intimate pictures with Abhiram, which set the internet on fire. Apart from that, Sri Reddy had also named several Telugu celebs in connection with casting couch.

Also Read : Rana Daggubati And Miheeka Bajaj Get Married: Ram Charan & Allu Arjun Attend The Wedding!
WASHINGTON With talks on emergency coronavirus aid having stalled out, both sides played the blame game Thursday rather than make any serious moves to try to break their stalemate. Official Washington is emptying, national politics is consuming the airwaves and the chasm between the warring sides appears too great for now.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed the case for funding for the U.S. Postal Service, rental assistance, food aid and rapid testing for the virus at her weekly press event, blasting Republicans as not giving a damn and declaring flatly that people will die if the delay grinds into September.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gave a damn, Pelosi said when asked if she should accept a smaller COVID-19 rescue package rather than endure weeks of possible gridlock. That isnt the case."

All of the chief combatants have exited Washington after a several-day display of staying put as to not get blamed for abandoning the talks. The political risk for President Donald Trump is continued pain in U.S. households and a struggling economy both of which promise to hurt him in the September campaign. For Democrats, there is genuine disappointment at being unable to deliver a deal but apparent comfort in holding firm for a sweeping measure instead of the few pieces that Trump wants most.

At the White House, Trump suggested that one main holdup is the amount of money Democrats want for cash-strapped states and cities, which he dismissed as bailouts. Its a view shared by top Republicans.

A modest Trump administration overture on Wednesday to restart talks generated nothing but stepped-up carping and accusations of bad faith.

Its a stalemate, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Thursday.

Across a nearly empty Capitol, the Senates top Republican sought to cast the blame on Pelosi, whose ambitious demands have frustrated administration negotiators like White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

They are still rejecting any more relief for anyone unless they get a flood of demands with no real relationship to COVID-19," said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. McConnell has kept the talks at arms length, nursing deep divisions among Republicans on the foundering relief measure.

Among the items lost is perhaps $10 billion in emergency funding for the Postal Service to help improve service as its role in the fall election takes on greater importance, given an expected surge in mail voting because of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump is against $3.4 billion demanded by Pelosi for helping states with the crush of mail-in ballots.

Trump seemed to take advantage of the stalemate to press his case against voting by mail. He said Thursday on Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria that among the sticking points were Democrats demand for billions of dollars to assist states in protecting the election and to help postal workers process mail-in ballots.

They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, Trump said. If they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting because theyre not equipped to have it.

The White House and congressional leaders are far apart on the aid for shoring up households, reopening schools and launching a national strategy to contain the virus, which has infected more than 5.2 million people in the United States and has killed more than 166,000, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Trumps top negotiator, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, tried to revive stalled talks Wednesday, but Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the overture, saying the Trump administration was still refusing to meet them halfway. Congressional Republicans are largely sitting out the talks.

With the House and Senate essentially closed, and lawmakers on call to return with 24 hours notice, hopes for a swift compromise have dwindled. Instead, the politics of blame have taken hold, as the parties focus on this months presidential nominating conventions and lawmakers own reelection campaigns.

All indications are talks will not resume in full until Congress resumes in September, despite the mounting coronavirus death toll.

For Americans, that means the end of a $600 weekly unemployment benefit that has expired, as has a federal ban on evictions. Schools hoping for cash from the federal government to help provide safety measures are left empty-handed. States and cities staring down red ink with the shattered economy have few options.

Trumps executive actions appeared to provide a temporary reprieve, offering $300 in jobless benefits and some other aid. But it could take weeks for those programs to ramp up, and the help is far slimmer than what Congress was considering. More than 20 million Americans risk evictions, and more are out of work.

The Democrats said they are waiting for the White House to put a new offer on the table: We have again made clear to the Administration that we are willing to resume negotiations once they start to take this process seriously, they said in a statement.

But Mnuchin shot back with his own statement, saying, The Democrats have no interest in negotiating.

___

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Deputy chief minister Dr Joseph Garcia, who holds the Brexit portfolio for the Gibraltar government, has chaired a meeting of the Brexit Strategic Group to discuss further the situation should the UK and EU fail to reach an agreement by the end of the transition period on 31 December.

In a press release issued after the meeting, Dr Garcia stressed that this does not mean that the Gibraltar government is not expecting an agreement to be reached, but it has a duty to prepare for different possible outcomes. Indeed, he said, "the Government is confident that a good economic partnership can be agreed that will greatly benefit Gibraltar in the context of our involuntary departure from the EU and that such a partnership can produce an area of shared prosperity for the whole of the region around Gibraltar also".

One particularly interesting fact among the information from the meeting is that work is ongoing regarding the possibility of an ambitious future relationship between Gibraltar and the European Union, including Spain.

The deputy CM said the first formal round of discussions between Gibraltar, the UK and Spain took place in Malaga on 9 June in a positive and constructive atmosphere, and chief minister Fabian Picardo subsequently met the Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya in Algeciras on 23 July during her Brexit-related visit to the Campo area.

Nothing about Brexit is certain, but in Gibraltar the work goes on.
A new study offered a dire warning for the Northeast, that as the coronavirus pandemic continues into the fall, cities like Boston could be hit with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

A report from PolicyLab, a think-tank at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, showed that while the spread of the viral respiratory is slowing in a few hotspots like Arizona and Florida, it is continuing to take hold across some north and midwestern states.

The think-tanks newest four-week model predicted that the threat of the diseases resurgence will grow from Milwaukee to Chicago and from Washington, D.C. to Boston, overshadowing any positive developments recently made in the U.S., which has seen the most coronavirus deaths and cases in the world.

The most important signal we are detecting is that risk is continuing to shift from the south to north at the worst time, creating a potential perfect storm in advance of fall and cooling weather, PolicyLab researchers said in their study. We are seeing transmission risk continue to gain strength in our forecasts.

After seeing some of the highest numbers of daily new COVID-19 diagnoses and hospitalizations in the country in through March and April, Massachusetts has appeared to stave off much of the spread of the virus.

As of Thursday, the state Department of Public Health was reporting a total of 113,517 coronavirus patients across the commonwealth and at least 8,569 deaths linked to the disease.

However, the state is not in the clear, and last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced he would be postponing the third phase of the commonwealths four-part reopening plan due to clusters of the disease as well as people violating coronavirus restrictions.

As of Wednesday, 11 communities in Massachusetts were deemed extremely high risk in terms of their infection rates, meaning the towns or cities reported infection rates of more than eight COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the past two weeks.

While Boston was not one of the communities labeled high-risk, it is considered a moderate-risk city. On Wednesday, the community was reporting a total of 15,307 coronavirus cases, 582 of which were reported in the previous two weeks, as well as a transmission rate of six cases per 100,000.

In the past two weeks, the city has seen a small uptick in confirmed COVID-19 patients, with the testing positivity rate jumping from 2.1% to 2.8% and then back down to 2.5%, WHDH reported.

These numbers still remain far below the levels we saw during the surge in April and May, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said, according to WHDHs report. And they have not increased to the level that we would consider rolling back openings that weve already had within the city of Boston.

According to PolicyLab, its projections have suggested surging cases in the South could quickly spread north, a scenario the think-tank claimed is now playing out.

PolicyLabs report claimed that along the Interstate 95 corridor, between New Jersey and Virginia, there has been little evidence of improvement since the outbreak ramped up across the country in March.

The Midwest and the Heartland saw more positive trends in the last couple weeks largely stall, and the threat of transmission is growing in states like Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, according to the think-tanks study.

This week, our optimism is waning. Sure, there are areas that continue to have improved forecasts in our models, the PolicyLab researchers said, pointing to states like Arizona and New Mexico that have managed to stave off transmission in their states. But beyond these successes, there are many troubling signs in the data this week.

As part fo their report, the researchers analyzed local data across 747 U.S. counties, capturing roughly 80% of the country. The study examined factors like weather, health and population demographics to determine transmission risks and forecast the effects of changing coronavirus restrictions.

The study noted that spring-like temperatures contributed to some reduction in the spread of the disease from February to April, but that may change with cooler weather and as schools across the nation face pressures to reopen for in-person learning.

Its hard not to feel that were repeating the mistakes we made in the spring of reopening too quickly before case counts sufficiently degraded, said Dr. David Rubin, director of PolicyLab at CHOP. This push, along with renewed spread of the virus in the northern region of the country, could create the perfect storm going into the fall, leading to schools closing down again and rapid spread among students and staff, worsening the epidemic across communities.

Related Content:
US President Trump has recently suggested a radical revamp to the taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare.

White House officials said the administration has no plans to do away with the payroll tax despite President Donald Trump saying he would seek a permanent repeal if he wins another term.

Even if Trump were to follow through, the idea of doing away with the tax is unlikely to get much support in Congress because it could drive up the deficit by trillions of dollars to plug a funding gap, or spell the end of some Social Security payments for millions of Americans.

The idea is drastic and crazy, said Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute. It is complete fantasyland.

Alan Viard, resident scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute and a former Treasury official in the George W. Bush administration called it absolutely insane and an unfathomable proposal.

The only silver lining here is that there is zero chance of this being adopted, Viard said.

Radical Revamp

Trump has suggested a radical revamp to the taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, several times over the past week, saying hell make a move in that direction if he wins re-election.

On the assumption I win, we are going to be terminating the payroll tax after the beginning of the new year, Trump said Wednesday.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany and a second official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Trump is only talking about forgiving the worker payroll taxes he deferred last week with an executive action set to be in place from Sept. 1 to the end of the year.

What he was meaning yesterday is he wants permanent forgiveness of the deferral, McEnany said at a press briefing Thursday.

Terminate the Tax

But Trump has said more than once he wants to end the payroll tax. If I win, I may extend and terminate. In other words, Ill extend it beyond the end of the year and terminate the tax, he said of the payroll tax on Aug. 8.

Congress would need to act to terminate the 6.2% payroll tax that funds Social Security or the 1.45% levy that funds Medicare. Democrats are universally opposed to any cuts in the payroll taxes that would harm these benefits.

While Republicans are more open to policies that would reduce the programs costs over time, Congressional leaders have been wary of even a short-term reduction in payroll taxes because programs are already in danger of becoming insolvent.

If Congress terminated those levies at the end of this year, the trust funds would have enough money to pay retirement benefits for two and a half years, disability benefits for eight months, and Medicare payments for six months, according to Riedls estimates.

Deficit Spending

Congress would likely then step in to fund those programs with general revenues, which would amount to adding $16 trillion to the deficit over a decade, rather than let those benefits expire, he said.

Even Trumps short-term plan has deficit implications. On Tuesday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the administration would bond out  that is, borrow money  to cover any Social Security or Medicare shortfalls that may arise.

Asked on Wednesday about how he intended to pay for Social Security from the general fund, Trump said were going to have tremendous growth, suggesting other tax revenues would rise.

His pledge to replace lost revenue with growth is a classic Trump con, Senator Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement. Republican tax cuts have never delivered promised growth.

Changes to Social Security, a program with widespread support thats been around since 1935, were once called the third rail of American politics  an allusion to the danger of electrocution.

The program created during the Great Depression is the largest single source of income for older Americans, providing the majority of income for half of retirees, and at least 90% of income for 18% of retirees, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think-tank.

Social Security and Medicare already face a dire outlook with retirement funds projected to run out by 2035, according to the Social Security Administration. Though payroll taxes ostensibly go to trust funds that build up assets from which the benefits are paid, the demographic challenge posed by the large, rapidly retiring baby-boomer generation means theres not enough money for the governments obligations.

Trump on Aug. 8 announced an executive action to defer the levies on workers from September through the end of the year. Democrats and Republicans criticized the move because those tax payments will still come due, creating an administrative nightmare for workers and employers. The directive came after Trump had asked Congress to do a payroll tax holiday, which lawmakers rebuffed.
Mass strikes have hit Belarus on the sixth day of protests against the 'rigged' re-election of dictator Alexander Lukashenko as hundreds of 'tortured' protesters are released from prison.

Belarusian authorities released hundreds of people who were detained amid demonstrations contesting the results of the presidential election, in an attempt to assuage public anger over a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests.

Scores of detainees were seen walking out of a jail in the capital, Minsk, at around midnight on Thursday.

Early on Friday morning, volunteers also saw at least 119 detainees being released in the nearby city of Zhodino.

Workers including employees of the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) today took part in a mass strike in Minsk protest against presidential election results and demand re-election.

Employees of Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) are seen through an entrance checkpoint during a gathering to protest against presidential election results and to demand re-election in Minsk on Friday

Belarusians leave a detention center in Minsk on Friday, where protesters were kept following recent protests against the presidential election results

People are on strike all over the country. Major strategic enterprises protest today. BelAZ, Hrodna-Azot, MTZ. Authorities are trying to appease protesters, officials go to enterprises to talk to employees. The regime is collapsing. Even faster than anyone could think pic.twitter.com/EP0Ubsu0zV  Franak Viacorka (@franakviacorka) August 14, 2020

Ambulances arrived to carry those who were apparently unable to walk on their own.

Video footage taken on Friday morning shows workers from all over the country striking in protest of the presidential election result.

The releases came hours after Belarus's top law enforcement official apologised on state television for the indiscriminate use of force by police.

'I take responsibility for what they say was violence against those people, who happened to be nearby and failed to back off quickly enough,' Interior Minister Yuri Karayev said late on Thursday.

The apologies and the release of detainees followed five days of massive protests, in which crowds of demonstrators swarmed the streets to contest the poll results and demand an end to the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

On Thursday, thousands of workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce the police actions and push for a recount of Sunday's vote.

Nearly 7,000 people have been detained and hundreds injured in the crackdown on demonstrators protesting over official results which said Mr Lukashenko won 80% of the vote and his top opposition challenger only 10%.

Employees of Minsk automobile plant take pictures as they attend a rally to express their solidarity with recent rallies of opposition supporters, who accuse strongman Alexander Lukashenko of falsifying the polls in the presidential election in Minsk, on August 1

Police have broken up protests with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.

On Thursday, hundreds of women formed long 'lines of solidarity' in several areas of Minsk. Many were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of detained loved ones.

The human chains grew throughout the day, filling the capital's main central squares and avenues and spreading to numerous other cities as motorists honked in support.

In Minsk and several other cities, thousands of factory workers also rallied against the police violence, raising the prospect of strikes in a new challenge to the government.

Protesters shouted 'Go away!' to demand Mr Lukashenko's resignation.

People wait for relatives and friends to be released from a detention centre, following recent protests against the presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus, on August 14

Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they threw away their uniforms and insignia. Several popular anchors at Belarus's state TV stations have quit.

The demonstrations have spread even though the protest lacks leaders.

The top opposition challenger in the vote, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, suddenly emerged in neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday and called on her supporters to stop protests in a video that her associates said was recorded under pressure from law enforcement officials before she left.

The 37-year-old former teacher had joined the race to replace her husband, an opposition blogger, who has been in prison since May.

The massive protests against the election results and police brutality have been an unprecedented challenge to Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and earned the nickname of 'Europe's last dictator' for his relentless crackdown on dissent.

The scope and ferocity of the police actions were remarkable even for Mr Lukashenko's iron-fisted rule, triggering widespread anger.

After dismissing protesters as mostly ex-convicts and unemployed, the authoritarian leader kept silent on Thursday as the demonstrations spread quickly. Some reports said he was preparing an address to the nation.

Belarusian upper house speaker Natalya Kochanova said late on Thursday that more than 1,000 detainees had been released earlier in the day following Mr Lukashenko's order to law enforcement agencies to look more closely into the detentions.

A protester died in Minsk on Monday when, according to the Interior Ministry, an explosive device he tried to throw at police blew up in his hand.

Employees of Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) are seen through an entrance checkpoint during a strike on Friday

Media reports challenged the ministry's claim, alleging that he was killed by police.

The place where he died quickly turned into a pilgrimage site, with hundreds of people, including European ambassadors, laying flowers there.

The authorities said a detainee died in the south-eastern city of Gomel, but the circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.

The brutal suppression of protests drew harsh criticism in the West.

European Union foreign ministers were set to meet on Friday to discuss a response, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the 27-nation bloc would 'increase the pressure' on Belarus.
Technavio has been monitoring the global mining waste management market size and it is poised to grow by 12.96 billion tons during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 3% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200814005041/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Mining Waste Management Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Ausenco Ltd., EnviroServ Waste Management (PTY) Ltd., Golder Associates Corp., Hatch Ltd., John Wood Group Plc, Ramboll Group AS, SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT Group, Teck Resources Ltd., Tetra Tech Inc., and VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT SA are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

The increasing demand for precious metals and minerals has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market.

Mining Waste Management Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Mining Waste Management Market is segmented as below:

Geography APAC North America Europe South America MEA

Type Waste rock Tailing



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44603

Mining Waste Management Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our mining waste management market report covers the following areas:

Mining Waste Management Market size

Mining Waste Management Market trends

Mining Waste Management Market industry analysis

This study identifies the emergence of deep-sea mining as one of the prime reasons driving the mining waste management market growth during the next few years.

Mining Waste Management Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the mining waste management market, including some of the vendors such as Ausenco Ltd., EnviroServ Waste Management (PTY) Ltd., Golder Associates Corp., Hatch Ltd., John Wood Group Plc, Ramboll Group AS, SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT Group, Teck Resources Ltd., Tetra Tech Inc., and VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT SA. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Mining Waste Management Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Mining Waste Management Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist mining waste management market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the mining waste management market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the mining waste management market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of mining waste management market vendors

Table Of Contents :

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five Forces Summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Type

Market segments

Comparison by Type

Waste rock Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Tailing Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by Type volume chart

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Volume Drivers Demand led growth

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Ausenco Ltd.

EnviroServ Waste Management (PTY) Ltd.

Golder Associates Corp.

Hatch Ltd.

John Wood Group Plc

Ramboll Group AS

SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT Group

Teck Resources Ltd.

Tetra Tech Inc.

VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT SA

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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It was the very early 1990s and Richard Fidler was in love. Having just finished a tour with the Doug Anthony Allstars, he suggested to his beloved that they have a night in a swanky hotel.

Fidler had recently been in Prague, where he had witnessed the immediate aftermath of the Velvet Revolution, when the democratic impulse of the Czech people turfed out a decrepit communist regime. He had been bending his now-wife Khyms ears about it for ages and, he says, she was probably getting bored.

Richard Fidler has told the story of Prague from the dark ages to the turn of the 21st century. Credit:Louise Kennerley

So imagine his surprise at breakfast when he looked up to see Alexander Dubcek, the leader of the failed Prague Spring of 1968 that led to in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

It felt like a hallucination. I bowled up to him stupidly with a pen and paper borrowed from a waiter  stupid, what is he? A political Elvis? He smiled and sadly stabbed a cursory signature. I dont know what I wanted from him at the moment. I think I wanted to gush, I was there. It was so exciting.
Amos Gilead, an Israeli security expert who once served as an unofficial emissary to the Emirates, said he welcomed any steps toward normalization but would need to be convinced. Im not sure the U.A.E. as I know them will open an embassy in Tel Aviv, he said. I want to see it with my eyes.

Whatever comes of the more grandiose possibilities sketched out by Mr. Trump in the Oval Office, flanked by his Middle East team, and by Mr. Netanyahu in a swaggering solo news conference two hours later, the immediate benefit for all three parties involved was clear: It allowed them to change the subject.

This is all about Trump being able to say, Look what a great dealmaker I am, Ive brought peace to the Middle East, and about Bibi being able to distract Israelis for a few hours, said Anshel Pfeffer, a biographer of Mr. Netanyahu, referring to him by his nickname. Mr. Pfeffer had boldly predicted in May that the prime minister would never fulfill his annexation pledges.

For Mr. Netanyahu, the diplomatic coup came as a throwback of sorts to a time before the coronavirus, before he required three elections to defeat a political novice and form a government, before his indictment on corruption charges including bribery threatened to not only end his career but also send him to prison.

His stock had momentarily soared early in the pandemic, but it has plunged since: Israels caseload now is greater than Chinas, its hospital system is approaching overload and its schools are planning a reopening that many fear will be a disaster.

More than 800,000 Israelis are out of work, and protesters have been flooding the streets and clamoring outside Mr. Netanyahus residence several times a week in a demonstration of sustained political anger that experts say modern Jerusalem has never seen.

With his criminal trial set to ramp up early next year, Mr. Netanyahu has threatened to take Israel to a fourth election, in hopes of legislating his way out of the dock. But a poll this week showed him again falling short of a majority in Parliament.
The US Postal Service cannot guarantee absentee ballots will arrive in time to be counted for Novembers elections in 46 states and Washington DC, signalling the possibility of mass disenfranchisement amid political turmoil and the uncertain financial fate of the beleaguered agency.

Drafted prior to the appointment of Donald Trumps ally Louis DeJoy as the agencys postmaster general, letters obtained by The Washington Post and CNN warn election officials and secretaries of state that statess election laws may not necessarily guarantee ballots will arrive in time to be counted.

On Thursday, the president  who has cast doubt about the agencys ability to handle an increase in absentee ballots  said he opposed efforts to fund the Postal Service because it would lead to an increase in mail-in voting, despite fears that crowding at the polls during the coronavirus pandemic could lead to infections.

In a statement this month, however, the USPS said it has ample capacity to adjust its nationwide processing and delivery network to meet an expected increase in election-related mail.

The agencys letters to 40 states warned that their rules for requesting, returning and counting ballots are incongruous with mail service.

The Postal Service is asking election officials and voters to realistically consider how the mail works, USPS spokesperson Martha Johnson said in a statement to The Washington Post.

The Independents request for comment was not immediately returned.

Mr DeJoy, who assumed the role in June, has called recent cost-cutting measures a strategic plan to achieve operation excellence and financial stability following a pandemic-related decline in mail volume. The cuts include staff reductions and the removal of critically needed mail-sorting machines.

The president has also threatened to withhold emergency funding and election assistance from the Postal Service, while discussing transparent attempts to curb nationwide mail-in voting during the pandemic in an interview with Fox News on Thursday.

They want $25 billion  billion  for the post office, he said. Now they need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots ... Now, in the meantime, they arent getting there. By the way, those are just two items. But if they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting ... because theyre not equipped.

Mr Trump has repeatedly and falsely claimed that absentee ballots will lead to a spike in fraud, despite explicitly saying that he is denying funding to expand the option and capacity because it would lead to an increase in participation. He told Fox News earlier this year that an increase in mail-in ballots would mean youd never have a Republican elected in this country again.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has pushed for a House-backed plan to boost election efforts with $3.6bn in relief funds, has argued that the president is threatening to undermine the USPS to win re-election.

Donald Trump is saying the quiet part out loud: His continued efforts to cripple the USPS are a clear attempt to sabotage the election and suppress the vote in the middle of a pandemic, said Sean Eldridge, the president of Stand Up America, a progressive voting rights group. If Senate Republicans gave a damn about the future of our democracy, they would demand that the Trump administration return to the negotiating table on a Covid-19 relief bill that protects our elections and funds the Post Office.

The president and first lady Melania Trump have requested mail-in ballots to be sent to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
For Joe Biden, it has been a good week.

The U.S. presidential contender is leading his rival, Donald Trump, handily in the polls.

Bidens announcement Tuesday that he has chosen California Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice-presidential running mate has added a soupcon of energy to his unusually low-key campaign.

All of this is good news for those Americans (and Canadians) who hope to see the end of Trump.

But the presidential race is far from over. And Trump, in spite of his obvious faults, is still able to define many of the issues of the campaign.

In particular, he has forced free-trader Biden to compete on the field of economic nationalism, which is Trump territory. Bidens slogan, Build Back Better, is clumsier than Trumps Make America Great Again. But it is Trumpian in its intent. As Biden explained last month, he would reduce Americas reliance on foreign goods by encouraging domestic manufacturing.

Like Trump, he would support a vigorous Buy America policy. When the federal government spends taxpayers money we should use it to buy American products and support American jobs, Biden said.

He said that if elected president in November, he would direct an additional $400 billion in government spending towards U.S. manufactured products.

This month, Ottawa reacted furiously when Trump used his national security powers to levy tariffs on Canadian aluminum.

But Biden very carefully said nothing. He didnt say that Trumps action violated the spirit of the new NAFTA just signed by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Nor did he say the president overreached himself by treating aluminum imports from long-time ally Canada as an issue of national security.

Instead, he kept his mouth shut. Economic nationalism may not have much support among academic economists. But it resonates with American voters.

Trump understood this early on. Economic nationalism has been one of the few areas in which the U.S. president has been relatively consistent.

I think Biden gets it too. But the former vice-president has a record as a free trader that in this protectionist era does him little political good.

The other weapon Trump has in his arsenal is the power of the presidency. He used that power last week when, in an effort to circumvent a Congressional impasse, he signed an executive order that would allow a just-expired increase in jobless benefits to at least partially continue.

The order was clumsily done. And according to some legal experts, it exceeded the presidents constitutional authority.

But politically, it made the point: Americans out of work because of the pandemic might not be able to count on a Congress made dysfunctional by hyper-partisanship. But they could count on Donald Trump.

True, at $300 a week, the Trump increase in jobless benefits was half of the now-expired program it replaced. But it was better than nothing, which was the alternative on offer. Other executive orders signed by Trump at the same time suspended some student loan payments and protected some tenants from eviction. Again, good politics.

Less adroit was the executive order allowing employers to defer payroll taxes. That left Trump open to charges that he is attempting to gut social security, the old age pension that is funded by payroll taxes.

All in all, though, dont count Trump out. If the presidential election is a referendum on his handling of COVID-19, he will lose. He has done a terrible job.

But if he can pivot to economic nationalism  and if he can present himself as the tribune of the people  then he has a fighting chance.

Incidentally, the latest Nielsen ratings show that Fox News, which acts as Trumps mouthpiece, outranks every other cable and broadcast television network during prime time. That will help him too.

Thomas Walkom is a Toronto-based freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Reach him via email: is a Toronto-based freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Reach him via email: walkomtom@gmail.com

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A 65-year-old woman, who lodged a complaint of assault at the Akyem Oda police station and feels the police was not doing enough to bring the suspect to book has petitioned the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) unit for an intervention.



Madam Mary Afia Brew, wants PIPS, the Attorney Generals office and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to intervene to bring the investigating police officer at Oda, Sergeant John Ntsiful to book.



She has accused Sergeant Ntsiful of bias and unprofessional conduct in the complaint of assault.



She said her tenant, Dennis Mensah Boadi, a 32-year-old employee of the Oda Office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) assaulted her on July 30, 2020 which has left her with a broken elbow and a dislocated shoulder.



But since her complaint, the police at Oda has not done anything about the case, she alleged.





The Akyem Oda District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent, Mr Daniel Amoako, when contacted by Graphic Onlines Della Russel Ocloo confirmed the complaint and said the suspect has been charged for causing harm and was due to make an appearance before the Akyem Swedru Circuit Court.



Broken elbow



Madam Brew is expected to undergo surgery at the Narbita Hospital in Tema where the Orthopaedic Surgeons say, they will be performing a procedure to insert metal pins through the bones as a corrective measure.



What happened



Madam Brew told Graphic Online that Boadi rented a room in her house at Oda on August 1, 2019 for a one-year period.



On March 29, 2020, Boadi reportedly brought his girlfriend who had travelled from Kumasi in her attempt to avoid the lockdown restrictions imposed during the period to halt the spread of coronavirus infections to the house in Oda, Madam Brew said.



According to her, she expressed reservations about the conduct of the Boadi since they did not know her status as far as the Covid-19 infection was concerned.



I was apprehensive of the situation because of my age, since we have been made to understand that older people are more vulnerable to the infection, Madam Brew told Graphic Online in Tema on Friday, August 14, 2020.



Boadi, she said, however took offence and verbally assaulted her, a situation, she claimed degenerated into daily assault on her person, prompting her to issue a three-months quit notice to him after she refunded the rent advance for the three-month period to him.



His conduct however changed after receiving the money. He became violent and will attack me at the least provocation forcing me to travel to Accra to be with my children so the period could elapse for him to leave my home, Madam Brew alleged.



Assault



Madam Brew, said, she however returned to Oda on Tuesday, July 27 to take part in the voter registration exercise, however, Boadi who was not enthused about her presence again allegedly launched verbal attacks on her and allegedly hit her on the back.



The attack, she stressed continued the next day without any provocation, and on Thursday, July 30, Boadi at about 7: 30 am seized from her a bucket of water she was carrying to the bathroom, poured the water on her and used a club to hit her until she fell on the ground.



According to her, some construction workers within the vicinity who heard my call for help together with another young tenant of mine who happens to be a national service person came to my rescue and took me to the police station to lodge a complaint, Madam Brew said.



Police



The Police investigator in the case, she said however have not been helpful in the case as she claimed he has openly displayed bias and unprofessionalism in the handling of the case after a former District Chief Executive and officials of the NHIA in the community had gone to plead on behalf of the suspect (Boadi).

Source: graphiconline.com









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

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A homeless man found dead near a Cork city centre car park had warned in a radio interview just a few weeks ago that he felt forgotten on Irish streets with few caring about the plight of the homeless in modern Ireland.

The body of Gary Dineen (35) was discovered near the Merchant's Quay Shopping Centre car park on Wednesday - just weeks after he warned he did not know how much longer he could endure life on Irish streets.

A second homeless man was found dead in the city on Thursday.

Gardai are keeping an open mind about the circumstances of Mr Dineen's death though there was no indication of foul play and his injuries appear consistent with a fall.

Last month, Mr Dineen spoke on Cork's 96FM about the terrible plight facing the homeless in Ireland.

He explained that he became homeless after having to move out of his home because the landlord was selling the property.

Mr Dineen was then left devastated by the tragic death of his partner.

"I have been homeless a few times over the years but I have always got back on my feet and got a place again," he told 96FM.

"I am homeless now for about two and a half years.

He said his partner had been a rock of support for him - and he was left devastated at her death.

"It was unconditional love. I loved her and she loved me. When the landlord was selling the house she went to stay with people and I came to Cork as homeless. That broke our relationship then. We were talking about getting back together. She wasn't in the best place."

"My world since then has just crumbled down. I feel like with the homeless that nobody cares about anyone. There was another (homeless) fellow pulled out of the river (recently) who I knew very well. I knew him for 13 years."

Mr Dineen lost his mother when he was very young and it had a traumatic impact on him.

"The amount of stuff that goes on around the place makes you worse and then you are battling your own demons. It is hard," he said.

"Since her death (partner) I have been in hospital twice. I relapsed.

I was clean until she died.

He said despite stalwart support for the homeless from Cork Simon and Cork Penny Dinners, the pandemic has hit homeless people very hard.

Mr Dineen said he did not know how he would cope without the loving support of his sister.

"She has been there for me for everything."

"But the whole place (Cork) was empty (during the pandemic) and it was full of homeless people throughout the place. Everything was closed.

There were empty hotels right behind me. Empty hostels everywhere. There are people out on the streets for the whole virus."

Mr Dineen said he did not know how much longer he could endure life on the streets.

"I don't have the heart or the strength for it (being homeless) anymore. It is hard, very hard."

"There are two empty hotels (in the area) and five to ten people sleeping around the doorways. It would make you sick. Every night

Penny Dinners were coming around and handing out the dinners fair play to them and Simon. I just need to get off the streets. It is degrading."

Mr Dineen's death is being treated as unexplained by Gardai who have appealed to anyone who spotted unusual or suspicious activity around the Merchant's Quay Car Park or environs of the Merchant's Quay Shopping Centre to contact them.

The second death involving a homeless man - a young man found dead on the Mardyke last Thursday - is being treated as drug related.
The closing of the border between Canada and the United States has been extended another month, to Sept. 21, with no plans for a reopening.

The lack of a plan drew fresh criticism from the head of the North Country region's largest business organization, which has members on both sides of the border.

"While another extension of the existing border crossing restrictions was wholly expected," said Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, "we are again disappointed that the U.S. and Canadian governments have yet to develop any decision making framework or plan for eventual reopening, and they continue to show no interest in considering any reasonable interim steps such as an easing for family, an allowance for owners of property near the border, or some expansion of categories of essential business travel, for example.

"We will continue to press for such steps before September 21 in concert with the Northern Border Caucus in Congress and with friends on both sides of the border," Douglas said.

Commercial traffic has continued to flow, but leisure travel to Montreal and Toronto, both popular destinations from the Capital Region, continues to be off-limits as the coronavirus continues to spread in the United States.

While the percentage of positive cases continues to be below 1 percent in New York state  it was 0.8 percent Thursday statewide, 0.6 percent in the 10-county Capital Region, and just 0.3 percent in the North Country that abuts Canada  the lack of a coordinated federal response and continuing outbreaks in other states have led to the continuing border closure.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

And while just three deaths were recorded Thursday in New York state, nationwide 1,499 people died, according to Johns Hopkins University's COVID-19 Dashboard. While the U.S. had 55,910 new cases, New York reported 727.

The commercial flow "is crucial for our region as it has maintained cross border supply chains, but business is being increasingly stymied in other ways as our bi-national manufacturers cannot have their key people travel as freely back and forth, and we cannot do things like site visits, which is stalling economic development opportunities," Douglas said.
Officials in Pennsylvania said that they plan to count mail-in ballots that arrive up to three days after Election Day on 3 November, so long as they are mailed by that day.

The change in policy was prompted by a letter sent to the state by the US Postal Service explaining it could not guarantee the timely delivery of ballots to voters ahead of the 2020 US election under the current deadline.

"Ballots mailed by voters on or before 8pm on Election Day will be counted if they are otherwise valid and received by the county board of election on or before the third day following the election," the Department of State said in a court document.

According to the court filing, officials in Pennsylvania had been in discussions with the post office for months leading up to the June 2020 primaries, and had been assured the usual turnaround time would remain consistent heading into November.

"Department of State officials were in close contact with representatives of the Postal Service in the months leading up to the June 2020 primary election, and were not given any reason to expect that delivery of first-class mail take longer than the typical one to three business day," the document said.

Thomas Marshall, the general counsel and executive vice president of the USPS, warned the state on 29 July that there was a "risk that ballots requested near the deadline under state law will not be returned by mail in time to be counted under your laws as we understand them."

Slowdowns at the USPS have only been exacerbated in recent days, as reports suggest that mail sorting machines have been removed from post offices and destroyed.

In addition, an order initiated by the Trump-appointed Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, changed the postal service's daily workflow, making sorting less efficient and thus slower. He has also denied overtime for postal workers. Mr DeJoy donated to Donald Trump's campaign and has no experience relevant to his position.

Friday, reports from Eugene and Portland, Oregon suggested several mailboxes were removed from the cities. Post Office officials said the removals were a result of declining first-class mail use due to the pandemic, though

Mr Trump has plainly stated his intentions to hobble the nation's postal service in an effort to stop widespread mail-in voting, which he believes will hurt his chances at re-election.

During an interview with Fox News Business, Mr Trump admitted that one of the sticking points behind a breakdown in negotiations between Democrats and Republicans over the latest coronavirus stimulus package was the inclusion by Democrats of $25bn in funding allocated for the postal service and an additional $3.6bn for states to use to hold elections.

Mr Trump said his administration wouldn't agree to it because the funding would support vote-by-mail efforts, which he opposes.

"They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Mr Trump said. "If they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting because they're not equipped to have it."

In Pennsylvania, at least, it appears the state will make adjustments to its election rules in order to compensate for the needs of the postal service.

Marc Elias, a Democratic lawyer involved in the state's lawsuit to ensure late-arriving votes are counted, said the expansion was a victory for voter access.

"Let's be clear. This is one of our biggest priorities for the November election," Mr Elias said. "Millions of Pennsylvania voters - many of whom will cast their ballot by mail for the first time - now won't have to worry about their ballot not counting due to mail delays."
Brad Pitt's parents Jane and William have allegedly not seen their six grandchildren in four years, it was claimed on Friday.

According to a report from The Sun, the former A-list couple's children Maddox, 19, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12, have not visited their paternal grandparents since 2016.

A source told the publication: 'When they were together, Brad and Angelina would take the kids to visit their grandparents.

Rift: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's children 'have not seen their grandparents in FOUR years' it was claimed on Friday (Jane and William pictured with Brad, Pax, Shiloh and Maddox in 2015)

'The kids would run riot. The Pitts have a huge backyard and they would go sledding in winter and have campfires in the summer.'

The source also claimed that 'as far as [they] know' Jane and William had not been visited by their grandchildren since 2016, and cited tensions between the matriarch and Angelina as the cause.

'Jane is a Christian conservative who once slammed gay marriage, while Angelina is a liberal who has dated women, so it was never a recipe for a friendship. But no one ever thought it would turn out like this,' they claimed.

MailOnline has contacted Angelina's representatives, a spokesperson for Brad has declined to comment.

Tensions: A source claimed Brad's parents Jane and William had not seen their grandchildren since 2016, because of tensions between the matriarch and Angelina (pictured in 2015)

Family matters: Angelina and Brad share children Maddox (far right), 19, Pax (centre), 16, Zahara (right), 15, Shiloh (centre right), 14, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 12 (left)

Jane celebrated her 80th birthday party at Brad's beach house in Goleta, California, on Thursday, but Brad and Angelina's children appeared to not be at the festivities even though was surrounded by her other grandchildren.

Brad's brother Doug's children Landon, Sydney and Reagan, and the actor's sister Julie's children Cruz, Rylie, Josie, Caden and Caleb, were all in attendance at the event, and shared a glimpse of the birthday bash on Instagram.

Sydney took to her social media to share a slew of snaps with Jane, including a selfie of all the girls in their bespoke 'Grammy's 80th Birthday Banger' t-shirts.

Relations: Jane celebrated her 80th birthday on Thursday and Brad's children didn't seem to be there, but his brother Doug's children Landon, Sydney (pictured) and Reagan, and his sister Julie's children Cruz, Rylie, Josie, Caden and Caleb, all attended

Celebration: Sydney took to her social media to share a slew of snaps with Jane, including a selfie of all the girls in their bespoke 'Grammy's 80th Birthday Banger' t-shirts

Tribute: Brad's niece Rylie (L) also shared a snap with Jane during the party with sister Josie

Sharing a sweet tribute to Jane, Sydney wrote: 'To the best Grammy around, happy 80th Couldnt love you more!'

Josie, Rylie, and Reagan also shared snaps from the party, as they posed with Jane and enjoyed the party as a group.

On Monday, Angelina asked that the private judge overseeing her divorce from Brad be disqualified from the case because of insufficient disclosures of his business relationships with one of Pitt's attorneys.

Sweet: Cousins Reagan (bottom) and Caden (top) also enjoyed spending some quality time with their grandmother at the party

Gushing: Josie also shared a tribute to Jane as said she was 'the sweetest' grandmother 'there ever was' as she wished her a happy birthday

In a filing in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jolie argued that Judge John W. Ouderkirk should be taken off the divorce case that she filed in 2016 because he was too late and not forthcoming enough about other cases he was hired for involving Pitt attorney Anne C. Kiley.

It says that during the Jolie-Pitt proceedings Ouderkirk has 'failed to disclose the cases that demonstrated the current, ongoing, repeat-customer relationship between the judge and Responden's counsel.'

It goes on to say that Pitt's attorney 'actively advocated for Judge Ouderkirk's financial interests in moving - over the opposing party's opposition - to have his appointment (and his ability to continue to receive fees) extended in a high profile case.'

An email to Kiley and Pitt's lead attorney Lance Spiegel seeking comment was not immediately returned.

A new twist: On Monday Angelina (pictured 2018) asked that the private judge overseeing her divorce from Brad Pitt be disqualified from the case because of insufficient disclosures

Pitt and Jolie, like other high-profile couples, are paying for a private judge in their divorce case to keep many of its filings and the personal and financial details within them sealed, though some legal moves must be made within standard court procedure.

Jolie's filing emphasizes that a private judge must follow the same rules of disclosure and conflict of interest that other judges must.

The filing says 'it doesn't matter if Judge Ouderkirk is actually biased. Under California law disqualification is required so long as a person aware of the facts 'might reasonably entertain a doubt' about Judge Ouderkirk's ability to remain impartial.'

Former flames: Jolie, 44, and Pitt, 56, were a couple for 12 years and married for two when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 (the pair pictured in 2009)

Jolie's attorneys have sought in private proceedings to have Ouderkirk disqualify himself, but the filing says Pitt's side has insisted on keeping him.

Pitt and Jolie were declared divorced, and the Pitt was dropped from her name, in April of 2019, after their lawyers asked for a bifurcated judgment, meaning that two married people can be declared single while other issues, including finances and child custody, remain.

Because most of the documents have been sealed, it is not clear what issues remain unresolved, but Jolie filed papers in 2018 saying Pitt wasn't paying sufficient child support, which his attorneys disputed, calling the filing an effort to manipulate media coverage of the split.

Jolie, 44, and Pitt, 56, were a couple for 12 years and married for two when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016.

Their shock divorce back in 2016 was allegedly triggered by an incident between Pitt and his then 15-year-old son Maddox, on a family flight home from France.

The alleged altercation was investigated by the LA Country Department of Children and Family Services, and the FBI, though the actor was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and did not face any charges.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  The Philippine National Police chief has ordered the relief of 11 law enforcers in Bulacan who were named respondents in a kidnapping with murder case linked to an alleged fake anti-drug operation.

PNP Chief Archie Gamboa on Thursday directed that Police Major Leo Commendador dela Rosa  the chief of San Jose Del Monte's City Drug Enforcement Unit  and his 10 subordinates be removed from their posts.

The National Bureau of Investigation Death Investigation Division has transmitted the criminal complaints against the 11 anti-narcotics personnel to the Department of Justice. In the copy of the complaint released to the media on Wednesday, the NBI asked the DOJ to start the prosecution of Dela Rosa and his men.

The complaint stated that the 11 anti-drug enforcers conducted a "fabricated buy-bust operation" on Erwin Mergal and Jim Joshua "JJ" Cordero on February 18, 2020.

The operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit launched a buy-bust sting on a certain Edwin in his home on February 13. NBI said that while they were waiting for the arrival of the police investigators who will process the scene, three groups of men  Edmar Asprin and Richard Salgado, Chadwin Santos and Chamberlain Domingo, and Mergal and Cordero  happened to pass by Edwin's house.

The six passersby were all flagged down by the police and forced to board their van, according to a witness.

NBI said the six men were brought to a room inside the San Jose del Monte police office.

"They were all blindfolded, hogtied, and detained pending the inclusion of their names in the PDEA-PNP Unified Drugs Watch List and the required coordination with the PDEA to conduct buy-bust," the complaint read, saying a witness provided a photo of the six men detained inside the room.

After five days in detention, past 12 a.m. of February 18, Mergal and Cordero were brought to a secluded area along Pacolis Road in San Jose del Monte where they were killed during an alleged drug buy-bust operation, the complaint said.

The Bulacan police personnel argued that Mergal and Cordero fired their weapons first, triggering a gunfight that killed the two men. They claimed they were able to recover firearms, ammunition, and several sachets of shabu from Mergal and Cordero.

Aside from Dela Rosa, the NBI recommended the prosecution of Police Staff Sergeants Benjie Enconado, Jayson Legaspi, Irwin Yuson, Edmund Catubay, Jr.; Police Corporals Jay Leoncio, Herbert Hernandez, Raymond Bayan, Raul Malgapo; and Patrolmen Erwin Sabido and Rusco Madla.

The NBI filed complaints of murder, kidnapping, and planting of guns and drugs against the 11 personnel, stemming from the complaint filed by Mergal's widow and Cordero's mother.

They will also be placed under restrictive custody to ensure their availability to face further investigation.

"I will not tolerate any wrongdoing in the service. Those accused must be made to answer for their criminal acts. In the meantime, it is best that they are relieved from duty to eliminate any suspicion of whitewash or coddling," Gamboa said.
KEY FACTS 5 p.m. Ontarios regional health units are reporting a total of 42,548 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, up 97 cases in 24 hours.

12:38 p.m. Canadas chief public health officer says surges in new cases of COVID-19 are expected going forward

12:20 p.m. Restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will be extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The latest coronavirus news from Canada and around the world Friday. This file will be updated throughout the day. Web links to longer stories if available.

9:45 p.m. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a differing impact on British Columbians of different racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds, according to data from the spring province-wide survey.

West Asian (44.9 per cent), Latin American (41.1 per cent) and South Asian (40.6 per cent) respondents were the most likely to report increased difficulty meeting financial needs.

Latin American (22.6 per cent), West Asian (21.5 per cent) and Black (21.1 per cent) respondents were the most likely to report not working due to the pandemic.

Japanese and Korean (30.3 per cent), multi-ethnic (26.7 per cent) and South Asian (26.5 per cent) respondents were the most likely to report having difficulty accessing healthcare.

Latin American (45 per cent), Southeast Asian (39.8 per cent) and Black (39.4 per cent) respondents were the most likely to report increased connection to family.

Overall, Caucasian respondents had less difficulty making ends meet, less food insecurity and were less likely to avoid healthcare. However, they were also more likely to report increased alcohol consumption.

Of respondents with an income lower than $60,000, a higher percentage had increased difficulty meeting financial need, were more food insecure, and were more likely to be out of work.

9:30 p.m. The Canadian Armed Forces says minor problems remain in some Ontario long-term care homes they were deployed to earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The militarys concerns outlined in a report dated Aug. 4 include worker skills and standards of practice in the seven nursing homes.

The reports attributes many of the problems to inexperienced staff who were quickly pressed into service in the homes during the pandemic.

Ontario called in the military to seven homes that struggled to deal with COVID-19 outbreaks starting in April.

Weeks later, the Forces said they observed cockroach infestations, aggressive feeding that caused choking, bleeding infections, and residents crying for help for hours.

The Ministry of Long-term Care says all of the homes were stablized by the time the soldiers left in July.

See the full story here.

7:40 p.m. California has become the first U.S. state to surpass 600,000 confirmed coronavirus cases.

As of Friday morning, there were more than 603,000 recorded cases. The state also has now reported more than 11,000 deaths.

Yet despite the grim numbers, there is growing evidence that the surge in infections and fatalities that began when California reopened its economy in May is beginning to slow.

6:27 p.m. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Ontarios regional health units are reporting a total of 42,548 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19, including 2,827 deaths, up another 97 cases in 24 hours, according to the Stars latest count.

It was the second day in a row just shy of 100 new infections in the province, which is slightly higher than the recent long-term average.

Just three health units reported double digit-case counts Friday: Peel Region, with 23 new cases, Toronto, with 18, and Chatham-Kent, which reported a spike of 16 new infections.

Daily case reports have been consistently below triple-digits since the province saw a brief spike late last month, and the province remains near the lowest rate of new infections since before the pandemic first peaked in Ontario in the spring.

That rate fell Friday to an average of 85 cases per day over the last week  now the lowest seven-day average Ontario has seen since a mid-April peak of nearly 600 daily.

Meanwhile, a single fatal case was reported Friday, in Toronto; Ontario has averaged fewer than a single reported death per day over the last seven days.

The vast majority of the provinces COVID-19 patients have since recovered; the province lists fewer than 4,000 active cases of the disease.

The Stars count includes some patients reported as probable COVID-19 cases, meaning they have symptoms and contacts or travel history that indicate they very likely have the disease, but have not yet received a positive lab test.

The province cautions its separate data, published daily at 10:30 a.m., may be incomplete or out of date due to delays in the reporting system, saying that in the event of a discrepancy, data reported by (the health units) should be considered the most up to date.

3:23 p.m. Ontario school boards said Friday their reserve funds are already budgeted for high-priority initiatives not related to the COVID-19 pandemic and should not be used to lower class sizes and hire new teachers, as the government is asking them to do.

A group representing the provinces school boards also said they were not consulted before Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced a plan Thursday that would see boards access $500 million of their own savings to achieve physical distancing in classrooms.

Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards Association, said boards across the province were frustrated and concerned by the Progressive Conservative governments plan.

As Minister Lecce has often said, we are in unprecedented circumstances as a result of this pandemic, and we need an unprecedented response  something more than the use of reserve funds that normal prudent budgeting would allow.

Lecce said Thursday the government wanted to offer school boards more flexibility to cut elementary class sizes to address pandemic safety concerns by accessing their surpluses.

He described the funds as rainy day savings that can help immediately. The government will also spend $50 million to update school ventilation systems, and another $18 million to hire principals and support staff to administer online learning.

Several teachers unions and many parents have been calling on the government to mandate smaller class sizes, especially in elementary school.

3:09 p.m. The chief public health officer says people are losing sight of the fundamentals that kept the number of COVID-19 cases low in Manitoba as the province reported 40 new cases.

There has been one day in April with a case count that high since the beginning of the pandemic.

Dr. Brent Roussin says its clear some people are not social distancing, avoiding large indoor crowds or staying home when they are sick.

He added people need to start wearing masks when they are indoors in public spaces and stores.

Roussin says health officials now can go through as many as 25 or more close contacts for each person who has tested positive.

A cluster connected to a meat-processing plant in Brandon has grown to 39 positive cases in employees, but Roussin says theres still no indication it is being spread in the facility.

2:40 p.m. Deadpool star and B.C.-born heartthrob Ryan Reynolds has strong words for young partiers spreading COVID-19.

His main message? Dont kill my mom.

Young folks in B.C., yeah, theyre partying, which is of course dangerous, he said in a voice message directed to Premier John Horgan in a tweet Friday. Its terrible that it affects our most vulnerable. B.C. is home to some of the coolest older people on earth. I mean, David Suzuki, he lives there. My mom!

I hope that young people in B.C. dont kill my mom or David Suzuki, or each other, the message goes on.

Read the full story from the Stars Alex McKeen: Ryan Reynolds to B.C. partiers spreading COVID: Dont kill my mom

2 p.m. Federal health officials are preparing for surges in new cases of COVID-19, including an expected peak of the outbreak this fall that could temporarily exceed the ability of the health-care system to cope.

As Canada continues to reopen and as more people gather together indoors, the federal government is planning for a reasonable worst-case scenario.

National modelling projections released Friday show an expected peak in cases this fall, followed by ongoing ups and downs, which chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says could overwhelm health systems in different parts of the country.

Thats why health officials across Canada are now getting ready for outbreaks that could surpass the highest spikes of the virus experienced in March and April, to ensure theyre ready for the worst.

Its preparing for  something could happen to this virus, who knows? Something could change, Tam told reporters Friday in Ottawa.

We dont know the seasonality of this virus, its continued throughout the summer, thats for sure, but what if it demonstrates a certain type of acceleration under certain conditions?

Canada is better prepared than it was when the pandemic first hit the country this spring, she said, but officials are now planning for the likelihood of concurrent outbreaks of seasonal influenza, other respiratory illnesses and COVID-19 this fall and winter.

We are over-planning beyond what we had for the previous wave and I think thats the prudent thing to do, Tam said.

This planning scenario is to get all of our partners up and down the health system to over-plan.

1:48 p.m. Florida reported more than 6,200 new coronavirus cases and 200 deaths on Friday.

The state health department reported 229 new confirmed deaths, bringing Floridas death total to 9,276 since March 1. Over the past week, Florida has averaged 175 reported coronavirus deaths per day  only Texas was higher with 212.

Floridas total confirmed cases is more than 563,000. The positivity rate for testing remains at 12.8% in the last week. The number of patients treated for coronavirus in Florida hospitals was 5,943 on Friday, down from a peak of more than 9,500 three weeks ago.

In the past month, COVID-19 has become Floridas leading cause of death, averaging more than 140 reported fatalities per day. By comparison, the state health department says cancer and heart disease each average about 125 deaths per day.

COVID is easily the states deadliest infectious disease: Pneumonia, AIDS and viral hepatitis kill about 10 Floridians per day combined.

1:15 p.m. At his daily COVID-19 news conference Premier Doug Ford announced that as of tomorrow, up to 50 people can work out inside gyms at the same time.

1:11 p.m. This Sunday, the only thing keeping a flotilla of minimally clothed Americans on their side of the border is a strong west wind.

Its the same predicament every year in Sarnia, Ont., when thousands of U.S. citizens  and some Canadians  hop aboard rafts, inner tubes and the odd trampoline or picnic table rigged with barrels  and transform the St. Clair River into a party for a 12 kilometre float downstream. In earlier decades, officials tried to stop the unsanctioned marine event known as the Port Huron Float Down, but now there is a weary acceptance that on the third Sunday in August thousands of people will show up without fail, in storms, strong winds and, yes, even in a pandemic.

Aside from the safety concerns, drifting into Canada without a passport used to be the biggest hassle for participants. Authorities have never endorsed this method of entering the country but, with high COVID-19 case counts in Michigan and a closed border, the RCMP is letting Americans know there are repercussions to floating across the river, including potential arrests under the Quarantine Act, arrests under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, fines, imprisonment  and theyve made it clear that you can forget about police holding onto your raft or beer cooler for safekeeping. First responders are worried about the risk of COVID-19 spread with so many people expected to participate. The stakes have never been higher, but some officials expect the crowds could be the same, if not larger, because of pandemic boredom.

Read the full story from the Stars Katie Daubs: Thousands of Americans are expected to float down the St. Clair River this Sunday. The border is closed. The current is strong. The pandemic persists. What could possibly go wrong?

1:08 p.m. The Star spoke with five Canadian doctors and health researchers to ask whether they would send their children back to school in September.

The specialists explain their decisions, and provide advice for caregivers grappling with this difficult situation.

I have kids, and am going to send them back to school. But I think its important to note that whats good for my family does not necessarily mean whats good for everyone else, said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital.

The message is not that Im doing this, therefore its safe; The message is everyone has to look at their unique situation, and make decisions that best fit their situation.

Some questions you can ask include: Are your kids at greater risk of severe infection because of a medical condition? Who do your kids come to? How is their school implementing the provincial plan?

Read the full story by the Stars Joanna Chiu: Are Canadian doctors sending their kids to school this fall? Heres how theyre weighing the risks of COVID-19

1 p.m. Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys chief of staff is quarantining at home after his wife tested positive for the coronavirus.

Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola says Iveys Chief of Staff Jo Bonner doesnt have symptoms but is in quarantine at home. Bonners wife took a test after attending a visitation for a funeral last Friday in Mobile where she later learned several other attendees had tested positive. Janee Bonner doesnt have symptoms of the virus, but the test was positive.

Maiola says Bonner was not with the 75-year-old Republican governor this week and Janee hasnt been around the governor in several months.

1 p.m. Germanys disease control centre says a study of a previous coronavirus hotspot town indicates there were almost four times as many infections from an outbreak in March.

The Robert Koch Institute says recent blood tests conducted on 2,203 adults in the southwestern town of Kupferzell showed that 7.7% had antibodies for the coronavirus.

In March, about 100 people tested positive for the coronavirus with a swab test and three died following an outbreak linked to a church concert in Kupferzell, population 6,000.

The studys authors say this indicates more people were exposed to the coronavirus than previously thought and developed antibodies. The authors note many people with the virus show only minimal or no symptoms.

Also, more than a quarter of the people tested who had COVID-19 later showed no antibodies. However, the authors say this doesnt mean they didnt have immunity to the virus.

1 p.m. Greek authorities issued a strong recommendation for people to wear masks for a week indoors and outdoors in public areas after returning from areas with high coronavirus cases.

Public gatherings will be limited to 50 people in all areas considered hot spots. A ban on restaurants, bars and nightclubs operating between midnight and 7 a.m. has been extended to cover much of the country, including the greater Athens area, until Aug. 24.

Also, Greek authorities say eight migrants have tested positive for coronavirs in a mainland camp for asylum-seekers in the northeastern Evros area. The Fylakio camp, which has about 200 residents near the Turkish border, was quarantined Friday.

Greece had a record-high 262 new infections on Wednesday. Theres been 6,400 confirmed infections and 221 total deaths.

1 p.m. Some churches in Alaskas largest city have recently defied the emergency order limiting the size of gatherings to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Alaska Public Media reported the Anchorage health order prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 15 people in public, including religious services.

Anchorage Baptist Temple held in-person services Sunday, about a week after the emergency order took effect. Other churches saying they are not complying with the measure include the Wellspring Ministries and Kings Chapel in Eagle River.

12:50 p.m. Quebec is reporting 87 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus.

The province said today there were no new deaths reported in the past 24 hours, but three occurred from Aug. 7-12.

Quebec has reported a total of 61,004 cases of COVID-19 and 5,718 deaths linked to the disease.

Hospitalizations increased by two in the past 24 hours, for a total of 151.

Of those patients, 25 are in intensive care, an increase of two.

The province says it conducted 18,596 COVID-19 tests on Aug. 12, the last day for which testing data is available.

12:45 p.m. Nova Scotia has changed its rules for the use of non-medical masks in schools, saying new federal guidelines mean younger students will be required to wear them when classes resume on Sept. 8.

Education Minister Zach Churchill announced today that all students in Grades 4 to 12 will be required to wear a mask while inside school, except when they are seated at desks two metres apart that face the same direction.

Masks must also be worn in hallways and other common areas if a two-metre distance cannot be maintained.

When the province unveiled its back-to-school plan on July 22, the mask requirement was limited to high school students.

Robert Strang, the provinces chief medical officer of health, said the change reflects new scientific evidence that has confirmed children as young as 10 can spread COVID-19.

12:38 p.m. Canadas chief public health officer says surges in new cases of COVID-19 are expected going forward.

Dr. Theresa Tam says as Canada continues to reopen, the federal government is planning for a reasonable worst-case scenario.

That would mean a peak in cases this fall, followed by ongoing ups and downs, where the demand could temporarily exceed the capacity of the health-care system to cope.

Tam says continuing to build up that capacity, while encouraging people to follow best public health practices, is essential.

The federal government released its latest national modelling projections for the spread of the novel coronavirus today.

It suggests the number of cases by Aug. 23 could be as high as 127,740 and the number of deaths as high as 9,115.

12:20 p.m. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will be extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It means the two countries will continue their mutual ban on non-essential cross-border travel until at least Sept. 21.

In a tweet, Blair says officials will keep doing whats necessary to keep communities safe.

A formal announcement of the extension was expected to come later.

The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to so-called discretionary travel like vacations and shopping trips since the pandemic took hold of the continent in mid-March.

The United States has been grappling with fresh COVID-19 outbreaks across the country in recent weeks.

12:15 p.m. Mandarin Restaurants announced today plans to reopen its restaurants, beginning with its Brampton location at Hwy. 410 and Steeles. However, the restaurant will not be operationg as a buffet, but as a new dine-in experience it is calling Mandarin Small Eats. Mandarin Small Eats will be a delicious selection of about 70 freshly prepared, small plates of Mandarin classics  good for sampling and sharing. The dishes will be served right to your table and priced from $1.99 to $4.99, the company announced in a news release on its website.

11:47 a.m. Nova Scotia is reporting one new case of COVID-19.

The province said today the new case was identified Thursday and involves someone in the northern zone.

Public health says it is investigating the case.

The province has reported a total of 1,072 positive cases of COVID-19 and 64 deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus.

There are no patients in hospital being treated for the disease.

Nova Scotia has one active case of COVID-19.

11:43 a.m. The Toronto public board wants to create smaller elementary class sizes this fall  a key demand of parents and educators during the COVID-19 pandemic  but in order to do that, school reopening might have to be delayed a week, or the start-up date staggered, says the chair.

We will probably go for smaller class sizes, and a vote on the issue is scheduled for early next week, said newly elected Chair Alexander Brown, the trustee for Willowdale.

But the issue is, where do we put all the kids? In my area, schools are at 100, 110 per cent capacity. We dont have any room. We need time to find space in libraries or community centres or wherever we can to set up those classes.

The city of Toronto is offering to help with extra space required to offer smaller classes, loaning use of community centres or other city buildings.

Read the full story from the Stars Kristin Rushowy and David Rider: Toronto school board says it needs more space, more time to prepare for smaller classes. The city says it can help

11:23 a.m. A new survey indicates Atlantic Canada is largely opposed to lifting travel restrictions for Canadians who live outside the region.

More than 3,300 Atlantic Canadians participated in the Narrative Research online survey between Aug. 5-9. The results, published Thursday, indicate more than three-quarters of respondents were opposed to lifting 14-day quarantine requirements for visitors from the rest of Canada within the next month.

COVID-19 numbers have remained low across the four provinces this summer. In July, Atlantic Canada created the so-called travel bubble, which waived the 14-day self-isolation rules for residents of the region who enter into Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Margaret Brigley, CEO of Halifax-based Narrative Research, said measures to suppress the novel coronavirus have paid off and put the region in an enviable position, but the survey results, she added, show Atlantic Canadians are uncomfortable with the perceived risks of accepting more visitors.

Findings suggest that residents are not confident that safety measures in place would protect us from a viral spread if borders were to open, Brigley said Thursday in a statement.

Opposition to opening up the travel bubble was highest in Nova Scotia, at 80 per cent.

11:10 a.m. The statistics are clear: across the country, women and low-wage, racialized workers in precarious employment were hit hardest by this years COVID-19 job losses.

For touring sound engineer Rena Kozak, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was a necessary if insufficient lifeline; while it didnt cover all her costs, it kept her afloat.

But as the benefit winds down next month  to be replaced in part by a new and as-yet undefined Employment Insurance program  uncertainty about the future is taking a heavy toll.

It is not a happy time, said Kozak.

A survey by the Toronto-based Workers Action Centre of more than 1,400 workers about their experiences accessing CERB provides a glimpse at what that mounting uncertainty looks like. For low-earners, the most common concerns are the inability to find a job come fall, eligibility for EI, and worries about surviving on what EI offers, the poll found.

The incredible stress and fear of what was going to happen to people in their families from the uncertainty really seep through many of the comments, said Mary Gellatly of Parkdale Community Legal Services, who helped analyze the survey responses.

Read more from the Stars Sara Mojtehedzadeh: Reduced hours, job loss and bankrupt employers  its not a happy time for CERB recipients as benefit winds down

11:09 a.m. The last thing Matthew Bonn remembers from that hazy July night was going to wash his face after snorting three lines of fentanyl.

He woke up with an IV in his arm, surrounded by police, paramedics and concerned friends, and was later transported to hospital.

Bonn has been using fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, since 2012, but he said this time hit him unlike anything before. It forced him to face a reckoning about his drug use.

I just realized I have so much to lose ... I didnt want to become a statistic.

Bonn, a harm reduction advocate in Halifax, could easily have become one of Canadas record number of overdose deaths  a trend that, like every aspect of life in the past six months, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But as the attention of governments and policy-makers is focused on the toll the virus has taken on hospitals and long-term-care homes nationwide, the opioid epidemic continues to kill in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic  and its now outpacing the virus in monthly deaths in Canada.

Read more from the Stars Omar Mosleh: In the shadow of COVID-19, Canadas opioid epidemic has suddenly become deadlier

10:17 a.m. Asylum seekers working on the front-lines of the COVID-19 crisis are getting an early chance at permanent residency in Canada.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced the program today in response to public demand that the so-called Guardian Angels  many in Quebec  be recognized for their work in the health-care sector during the pandemic.

Ordinarily, asylum seekers must wait for their claims to be accepted before they can become permanent residents, but the new program waives that requirement.

To apply for residency now, they must have claimed asylum in Canada prior to March 13 and have spent no less than 120 hours working as a orderly, nurse or other designated occupation since then.

They must also demonstrate they have six months of experience in the profession before they can receive permanent residency and have until the end of this month to meet that requirement.

In a statement, Mendicino says the approach recognizes those with precarious immigration status are filling an urgent need and putting their own lives at risk to care for others in Canada.

10:15 a.m. With Toronto Public Healths data in from yesterday, today Ontario is still reporting fewer than 100 cases, with 92 cases of COVID-19, a 0.2% increase, Health Minister Christine Elliott reported on Twitter. The province processed over 30,000 tests.

9:56 a.m. Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa has announced a range of new nationwide restrictions to help fight a surge in coronavirus cases.

Illa said after an emergency meeting Friday with leaders of Spains autonomous regions that authorities are shutting all discos and night clubs across Spain.

Visits to nursing homes are limited to one person a day for each resident for only one hour. People are prohibited from smoking in public areas if they are unable to keep at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) away from others.

Police will begin cracking down harder on banned night-time street gatherings by young people to drink alcohol. New daily cases in Spain have been steadily climbing since the country on June 21 ended a more than three-month lockdown.

Authorities have officially recorded almost 50,000 cases in the past 14 days, an average of about 3,500 new cases a day.

9:56 a.m. New Jerseys governor says the state will move to a nearly all-mail election this November, following the model it used for the July primary because of the coronavirus.

Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy said during an interview with CNN on Friday that all voters would get a ballot. Its not clear if people who arent registered will get an application to register.

Murphy indicated the only in-person voting will be with provisional ballots. That means if voters want to cast their ballot in person, theyll have to go to one of a reduced number of polling places and cast a ballot that will be counted only after officials determine the voter didnt mail in a ballot.

The development comes a day after President Donald Trump acknowledged hes starving the United States Postal Service of cash to make it harder to process millions of mailed-in ballots.

9:56 a.m. Norway officials are recommending masks on public transportation in Oslo and banning private gatherings of more than 20 people after a local spike in coronavirus cases.

Health Minister Bent Hoeie says masks must be used in Oslo and in a municipality southwest of the capital starting Monday.

Oslo has had 19 news coronavirus cases in the past two weeks. Nationally, Norway has 261 confirmed deaths related to the virus.

9:56 a.m. Britain has secured 90 million doses of two vaccines being developed to fight COVID-19.

The deals with Novavax, an American biotech company, and Janssen, a Belgian company owned by Johnson & Johnson, mean the U.K. has now acquired the rights to 340 million doses of six different experimental vaccines as the government seeks to hedge its bets on products that are still being tested to see if they are safe and effective.

Kate Bingham, chair of the governments Vaccines Taskforce, told ITV there was no guarantee any of the vaccines would work because there have been no vaccines against any human coronavirus.

So what were doing is weve chosen six of the most promising vaccines across four different vaccine types and were hoping that one of those will work.

9:56 a.m. Denmark has added Belgium and Malta to its list of European nations where non-essential travels are not recommended as the Scandinavian country has seen a flare-up of coronavirus cases.

The Scandinavian countrys reason for doing so is that both nations have seen more than 30 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 inhabitants. Danish health officials say the number is 32.5 for Belgium and 31.5 for Malta.

As of Friday midnight, people who travel from Belgium or Malta must self-quarantine upon return.

Denmark earlier has listed Spain, Andorra, Bulgaria, Luxemburg and Romania as countries where non-essential travels are not recommended.

Danes also dont recommend trips to countries outside Europe with the exception of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Georgia, Japan, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

9:56 a.m. German authorities in the western state of Baden-Wuerttemberg have established a new coronavirus testing station at a highway rest stop by the French border after noting a strong increase in cases in the neighbouring country.

The dpa news agency reported Friday that the centre has started testing travellers at the Neuenburg-Ost rest stop, across the border from the French town of Chalampe. Travellers from designated risk areas are required to be tested upon return to Germany, and the centre will also test any others who want to be checked.

France reported more than 10,000 new confirmed cases over the past week.

Baden-Wuerttemberg already has test centres at airports in Stuttgart, Friedrichshafen and Baden-Baden, as well as the Stuttgart main train station.

The Neuenburg rest stop centre is the first such station outside Bavaria, which has had roadside testing since the end of July. They have generated so much interest that Bavarian officials have reported a backlog of cases, with about 44,000 people not yet informed of their results, including more than 900 who tested positive for COVID-19.

Baden-Wuerttemberg says it expects to be able to inform people within four days of their tests.

9:56 a.m. A man in his 20s has become the youngest person to die of the coronavirus in Australia.

He was among 14 new deaths and 372 new infections reported by Victoria state health officials Friday in an outbreak centred in Melbourne, the second-largest city.

And Prime Minister Scott Morrison said 188 elderly people had died over the past week as the virus ripped through aged-care homes in Melbourne. Officials say about 70% of Australias 375 virus deaths have been at aged-care facilities.

Morrison said that Australians had high expectations of the services and standards at nursing homes and other facilities like hospitals and schools.

He says, On the days that the system falls short, on the days that expectations are not met, Im deeply sorry about that, of course I am.

He said the country was moving heaven and earth to defeat the virus and it would eventually win.

9:56 a.m. South Korea is reporting 103 new coronavirus cases. It is one of the countrys biggest daily jumps in months, and officials are expressing concern that infections are getting out of control in the capital of Seoul and other major cities as Koreans increasingly venture out in public.

The figures released by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday brought the national caseload to 14,873 cases, including 305 deaths.

Eighty-three of the new cases were in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, where authorities have struggled to stem transmissions. Infections were also reported in other major cities such as Busan, Gwangju and Ulsan.

Fridays jump was driven by local transmissions, which health authorities said could worsen because of the increase in travellers during the summer vacation season.

9:56 a.m. A private school in California has been ordered to close after it reopened classrooms in violation of a state health order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Fresno County issued a health order Thursday against Immanuel Schools in Reedley. The K-12 school was told to close its classrooms until the county is removed from a state monitoring list for two weeks.

The school has about 600 students and it allowed students into classes Thursday without masks or social distancing. The schools trustees and superintendent say they believe students development will suffer if they cant be taught on campus.

9:56 a.m. China has reported another eight cases of locally transmitted coronavirus infections, all in the northwestern region of Xinjiang where the countrys last major outbreak has been largely contained.

Officials said Friday that 22 other new cases were brought from outside the country by Chinese travellers returning home. China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths from COVID-19 among 84,786 cases.

Hong Kong reported 69 new confirmed cases and three deaths over the past 24 hours. The semi-autonomous Chinese city has required masks be worn in all public settings, restricted indoor dining and enacted other social distancing measures to bring down transmissions that now total 4,312 with 66 deaths.

9:56 a.m. Mexico has passed the half-million mark in confirmed coronavirus cases.

The Health Department reported 7,371 newly confirmed cases Thursday, bringing the countrys total for the pandemic to 505,751. The department reported 627 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths, giving Mexico a total of 55,293.

Experts agree that due to Mexicos extremely low testing rates, those numbers are undercounts and that the real figures may be two to three times higher. With only about 1.15 million tests conducted to date in a country of almost 130 million people, less than 1% of Mexicans have been tested.

9:56 a.m. Texas is reporting fewer than 7,000 hospitalized coronavirus patients for the first time in six weeks.

That encouraging sign Thursday was clouded by questions over testing as students return to school and college football teams push ahead with playing this fall. Testing has dropped off in Texas, a trend seen across the U.S as health experts worry that patients without symptoms arent bothering because of long lines and waiting days to get results.

Numbers from Texas health officials this week offer a hazy picture of how much testing has fallen. At one point this week, the infection rate in Texas was as high as 24%, only to suddenly drop Thursday to 16%.

Officials have not offered explanations about the wild swing in infection rates.

9:56 a.m. California will resume eviction and foreclosure proceedings Sept. 2, stoking fears of a wave of evictions during the coronavirus pandemic unless the governor and state Legislature can agree on a proposal to extend protections.

The Judicial Council of California voted 19-1 Thursday to end the temporary rules blocking such proceedings that had been in place since April 6.

Since the pandemic began in March, more than 9.7 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in California. A survey from the U.S. Census shows more than 1.7 million renters in the state could not pay their rent on time last month.

California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye has been reluctant to let the rules stay in place much longer, saying it is the job of the judicial branch to interpret the laws, not make them.

9:56 a.m. Britain will require all people arriving from France to isolate for 14 days  an announcement that throws the plans of tens of thousands of holidaymakers into chaos.

The government said late Thursday that France is being removed from the list of nations exempted from quarantine requirements because of a rising number of coronavirus infections, which have surged by 66% in the past week. The Netherlands, Malta, Monaco and the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Turks & Caicos also were added to the quarantine list.

France is one of the top holiday destinations for British travellers, who now have until 4 a.m. Saturday to get home if they want to avoid two weeks in isolation.

The number of new infections in Britain is also rising.

9:40 a.m. British Columbias Health Minister urged those thinking of attending large events where social distancing isnt possible to re-think their plans, and warned bylaw officers would be out as enforcement.

Adrian Dix says parties may not be immediately shut down but there would be consequences for those found flouting the rules.

(Private parties) have been a significant source of problems, he said at a press conference on Thursday.

I have to say this, if youre thinking of organizing a party  especially one involving alcohol, where theres so specific limits on distancing that youre putting in place  you should not do so.

He warned that environmental health and bylaw officers would be out checking banquet halls and other places that hold events to ensure the 50-person capacity limit is being respected.

They can expect to be visited, he said of those hosting private events. The rules will be enforced and that will have consequences.

Dixs comments come as B.C. reported 78 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the provinces total to 4,274.

No new deaths were reported Thursday, leaving the provinces total at 196.

People between the ages of 20 to 29 now make up the group seeing the largest increase of infections, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.

Those infections have been seen after exposure events, such as parties where young adults have been gathering, she added.

9:31 a.m. (updated) Around 550 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 at Brass Rail Tavern over the course of four days, Toronto Public Health announced in a news release Friday morning.

An employee who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the strip club, located at 701 Yonge St., during these times:

Aug. 4 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Aug. 5)

Aug. 5 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Aug. 6)

Aug. 7 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Aug. 8)

Aug. 8 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Aug. 9)

Toronto Public Health said in the release that there was no risk to anyone attending the Brass Rail Tavern outside of these dates and times.

As a precaution, TPH is advising anyone who attended the Brass Rail Tavern during these dates and times to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for the 14 days since their last visit during this period.

Read the full story from the Stars Ted Fraser

7:37 a.m. Cineplex Inc. reported a loss of $98.9 million in its latest quarter as its movie theatres were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company says the loss amounted to $1.56 per share for the quarter ended June 30 compared with a profit of $19.4 million or 31 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

Revenue totalled $22.0 million, down from $438.9 million.

Cineplex temporarily closed all of its theatres and other entertainment venues March 16 as public health authorities started to put restrictions in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The company started to reopen its theatres just before the end of the quarter.

Cineplex has also had to deal with the fallout from Cineworld Group PLCs decision to walk away from a deal to buy the company on June 12. It has filed a lawsuit against its former suitor over the failed deal.

7:35 p.m. New coronavirus cases in the U.S. topped 50,000 for the second day in a row, as countries around the world struggled to curb the viruss spread.

Total cases in the U.S. exceeded 5.2 million, about a quarter of the world-wide total, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The nations death toll rose by about 1,000 to more than 167,000. That was down from the previous days tally, which was the highest daily total since May 27.

6 a.m. More people in Indonesia rolled up their sleeves Friday to test a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by a Chinese company.

The Indonesian government announced the partnership between state-owned enterprise Bio Farma and the Chinese company Sinovac BioTech in early July. As part of the deal, Indonesia recruited 1,620 volunteers for the trial. The first 20 were injected with the candidate vaccine in Bandung, West Java province, on Tuesday, and more followed suit.

We hope that this third clinical trial will be completed in six months. We hope that in January we can produce it and at the same time, if the production is ready, vaccinate all people in the country, President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday.

After passing a medical and PCR test to confirm their health, volunteers were given a first dose of the experimental vaccine or a placebo, then a second dose 14 days later.

I am not worried about the vaccine trial as I have searched the information related to a Sinovac vaccine before, said Rina Mardiana, 44. I want to join the trial for humanitarian reasons. I hope the pandemic will end soon.

Clinical trial research leader Kusnandi Rusmil told The Associated Press that half the volunteers will be injected by the vaccine and the other half with the placebo. We will see the comparison ... in seven months, Rusmil said.

5:55 a.m. Germany added the most new cases since May, while the head of the French Health Agency Jerome Salomon said the situation in his country is worsening. Travel stocks slumped after the U.K. government said it will require travelers from France, the Netherlands and four other countries to quarantine.

Infections continued to rise in Spain, prompting warnings from business leaders about the cost to the economy if new lockdown measures have to be imposed. New Zealand recorded 12 new local cases on Friday, including some outside the largest city Auckland, where the lockdown was extended.

Democratic nominee Joe Biden said U.S. governors should require masks for the next three months, an approach he said would save more than 40,000 lives, though President Donald Trump said this would be unenforceable.

5:51 a.m. The head of Frances national health service says Paris and Marseille have been declared at-risk zones for the coronavirus as authorities observe a sharp increase in infections.

Jerome Salomon, speaking on France Inter radio, warned the situation is deteriorating from week to week in the country. He says virus clusters emerge every day following family reunions, big parties and other gatherings amid summer holidays.

A government decree issued Friday allows authorities to impose stricter measures in the Paris and Marseille areas.

Salomon says there are more and more people who tested positive, more and more people arriving in hospitals...we need to react before counting new deaths.

The national health agency reported 2,669 new infections across on Thursday, putting Frances infection rate per 100,000 people to above 30.

4:21 a.m. Indias coronavirus death toll overtook Britain to become the fourth-highest in the world with another single-day record increase in cases Friday.

According to the Health Ministry, India reported 1,007 deaths in the past 24 hours. Its total rose to 48,040 deaths, behind the United States, Brazil and Mexico.

Indias confirmed cases reached 2,461,190 with a single-day spike of 64,553 in the past 24 hours. More than 70 per cent of people infected in India have recovered.

The daily increase in newly reported infections was around 15,000 in the first week of July but jumped to more than 50,000 in the first week of August. The ministry cited its testing efforts, with more than 800,000 tests in a single day, taking cumulative tests to more than 26 million.

Health experts say it needs to be higher, given Indias population of 1.4 billion.

Indias two-month lockdown imposed nationwide in late March kept infections low. But it has eased and is now largely being enforced in high-risk areas. The new cases spiked after India reopened shops and manufacturing and allowed hundreds of thousands of migrant workers to return to their homes from coronavirus-hit regions.

Subways, schools and movie theatres remain closed.

Thursday 10:15 p.m. Despite initial findings and statements to the contrary, it seems children do transmit the coronavirus and play a substantial role in its spread, according to emerging research and several experts who spoke to the Montreal Gazette this week, raising concerns about the prospect of opening schools in three weeks.

But epidemiologists and pediatricians contend the health risks that come with keeping kids away from the classroom remain greater than the risks associated with sending them back  especially for the children themselves, who dont tend to get as sick from the coronavirus. The experts admit, however, it is possible their return to school will fuel more community spread.

While treating patients on the COVID-19 ward at Ste-Justine Hospital, Dr. Fatima Kakkar, a pediatric infectious disease clinician-researcher, has been struck by how well kids seem to handle the infection.

Its been fascinating to me to call a family (to inform them of a positive COVID-19 test) and sometimes theyre even shocked the result came back positive, because the child is already feeling better, she said. But whats also interesting is that in that same family you can have a parent who is very sick, going to the hospital, whereas the child has already recovered.

The virus affects young children differently, Kakkar said, leading her to believe that worries of children contracting COVID-19 at school and becoming gravely ill are largely inflated.

COVID-19 has so far killed no children in Canada, she said; less than 100 have been hospitalized with the virus, and less than 20 have landed in intensive care. Compare that with last years influenza season, she said, which saw 15,000 cases among children, 200 of whom ended up in the ICU and seven of whom died.

But though they dont get as sick, there are new concerns about the role children play in spreading the virus. An article in the Medical Journal of Australia published online this week claimed that, contrary to claims made by some researchers, children do play an important role in spreading COVID-19.

Research suggesting otherwise is hampered by substantial bias, wrote the articles author, Dr. Zoe Hyde. Additionally, large clusters in school settings have been reported, with implications for the control of community transmission.

Thursday 9:30 p.m. A surge of COVID-19 cases among Southwestern Ontarios Mennonite communities is prompting the regions public health offices to work together to keep the virus from spreading in the enclaves of farm families who lead a faith-based lifestyle.

From Huron-Perth to Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex, public health officials have reported a rise of positive cases among Low German-speaking Mennonite communities in recent weeks.

Chatham-Kents top public health doctor said almost all of their cases  84 are active as of Friday  are members of the Low German Mennonite community.

As of Wednesday, in Huron-Perth, 10 of the regions 74 cases are among Low German Mennonites, mostly in the Perth East area, which includes Millbank and Milverton.

Thursday 8:30 p.m. Mexico has passed the half-million mark in confirmed coronavirus cases.

The Health Department reported 7,371 newly confirmed cases Thursday, bringing the countrys total for the pandemic to 505,751. The department reported 627 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths, giving Mexico a total of 55,293.

Experts agree that due to Mexicos extremely low testing rates, those numbers are undercounts and that the real figures may be two to three times higher. With only about 1.15 million tests conducted to date in a country of almost 130 million people, less than 1% of Mexicans have been tested.

Read more of Thursdays coverage here.

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One of the deadliest shootings in Alabama history happened because of a dispute between members of a local group called the 7 Deadly Sins motorcycle club, court testimony revealed today.

The clubs president and vice president, 22-year-old Fredric Rogers and 19-year-old John Legg, are charged with capital murder in the killings of club member Jeremy Roberts and six other people. It happened on the night of June 4 at a home in the Valhermoso Springs community in Morgan County, about a 10-minute drive from the Huntsville city limits.

After hearing more than three hours of testimony from FBI Special Agent Chris Hendon today, Morgan County District Judge Brent Craig ruled prosecutors have enough evidence  probable cause  for the charges against the two suspects. Legg and Rogers are also charged with shooting into an occupied building in a separate incident. The cases will next be presented to a grand jury for consideration of indictments.

Hendon testified today that Rogers admitted to investigators that he and Legg killed 22-year-old Roberts, the clubs enforcer, because Roberts had gone rogue, stolen weapons from the club and allegedly committed crimes that werent sanctioned by the club.

Rogers also admitted the duo killed the following people at the home that night: Tammy England Muzzey, 45, Emily Brooke Payne, 21, Roger Lee Jones Jr.,19, William Zane Hodgin, 18, James Wayne Benford, 22, and Dakota Green, 17.

It is a horrific scene and to be able to process it will take some time, Morgan County sheriffs spokesman Mike Swafford said at the time. Because of the number of victims, the case is believed to be one of the deadliest mass shooting in Alabama history.

The killings happened when Legg and Rogers were invited to a dinner at Muzzeys home on Talucha Road that Thursday night, Hendon testified. Everyone at the home was shot multiple times, and their bodies were found in various places throughout the home and garage. Gasoline had been poured over the bodies, some of which were partially burned by a fire set after the shootings, Hendon testified.

Rogers told investigators that Green and Jones were killed only because the shooters didnt want to leave behind any witnesses, Hendon testified. The other victims were killed because of their association with the 7 Deadly Sins club or its members, according to investigators.

Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson said the clubs purpose remains unclear. Hendon testified that members of the group described it as a motorcycle gang, yet the members didnt have motorcycles. It was formed by Legg and Rogers along with Roberts, according to testimony. The men were sharing an apartment in Hartselle, a nearby town in Morgan County. Investigators have identified other members of the club, but they havent been linked to the deadly shootings in Valhermoso Springs. Each club member was assigned or identified with one of the seven deadly sins, investigators said. Rogers sin was pride, Leggs sin was wrath and Roberts sin was greed, according to prosecutors.

Hendon said the club was suspected of involvement in other shooting incidents in the county, though few details were released in court.

Rogers told investigators that Roberts had allegedly robbed the home of a local man who was associated with the Southern Brotherhood white supremacy group. In his statement, Rogers said he and Legg were scared about retaliation from the Southern Brotherhood, so they decided to kill Roberts.

After the shootings, Rogers and Legg left town and headed to Oregon. Legg also texted a woman that night to tell her everything has been dealt with and that if anyone asks, were going on vacation, according to court records and Hendons testimony.

When police later searched the Leggs fathers home, they found shell casings that matched those found at the homicide scene, Hendon testified.

Rogers and Legg were arrested about two weeks later at the home of Rogers relative in Salem. Police found the suspected murder weapons inside Leggs silver Dodge Charger, Hendon testified.

The suspects defense attorneys tried to cast doubt on the prosecutions case by pointing to statements from neighbors who said they saw a tan vehicle speeding away from the scene with two black men and a woman inside. Hendon testified that many tips came in during the investigation and that some witnesses described a car matching the description of Leggs Charger.

Legg is represented by attorneys Johnny Berry and Brandon Little; Rogers attorneys are Carl Cole and Brent Burney.

The FBI helped the Morgan County sheriffs office with the investigation through the North Alabama Violent Crime Task Force.

If convicted of capital murder, the suspects face either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Kate Mayhew was doing the dishes when the first explosion in Beirut occurred Aug. 4.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kate Mayhew was doing the dishes when the first explosion in Beirut occurred Aug. 4.

"It felt like an earthquake," said Mayhew, who directs Mennonite Central Committee projects in Lebanon with her husband, Garry.

Kate Mayhew

The American couple rushed to the glass-enclosed balcony of their second-floor apartment to get their two young daughters and take them inside.

"They just got in when the big blast hit," she said. "It knocked us all down, tipped over our furniture, there was stuff flying all around."

Not knowing the cause, they ran to the bathroom and stayed there for an hour.

"We didnt know what it was  terrorism, an attack of some kind... There is lots damage in the city, including for many of the people we work with who live in makeshift shelters," she said.

One of the immediate needs in the Lebanese capital is for food. "We have been providing food vouchers for vulnerable families," Mayhew said of how MCC is already helping 3,000 families each month.

MCC wants to provide food for more people, she added  something that will be possible now that Canadians are stepping up.

submitted photo The Humanitarian Coalition.

"Its been so encouraging to see the generosity of people," said Laura Kalmar, MCC associate director of communications and donor relations. "People were calling right after the blast."

Kalmar said donations to MCC have been good, "but we can always use more."

Currently, the organization is taking inventory of food and other needs in Beirut and is in the initial stage of planning its responses.

While many are thinking about Beirut now, the need for help will continue for a long time, she added. "The response will not be over in two weeks. The needs continue to grow."

Along with MCC, two other national relief groups headquartered in Winnipeg are also responding.

At Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church-based agencies that addresses world-wide hunger, more than $360,000 has been donated, said Musu Taylor-Lewis, director of resources and public engagement.

"Donations have been very good," she said, noting while the agency is still assessing the best ways to respond, several of its member agencies are already on the ground distributing food and meeting other needs.

"There is a growing realization of the extent of the need," she said, adding the large amount that has been given is all the more generous because of the pandemic.

At Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), more than $65,000 has come in through online donations alone, with much more expected when cheques are mailed in said Carla Blakely, who directs communications and donor relations.

"People are very generous," she said. "It shows how concerned they are about people in Lebanon."

CLWR is working in Lebanon through ACT Alliance, an international coalition of Protestant and Orthodox churches. The Alliance is conducting assessments for how its members can respond to the needs in that country.

All donations to MCC, Foodgrains Bank and CLWR are eligible to be matched by the Canadian government through their membership in the Humanitarian Coalition, which brings together leading Canadian aid groups to make it easier for people to donate for humanitarian needs in the developing world.

Originally, the governments matching fund through the coalition was set at $2 million. Due to the outpouring of support from Canadians, it was raised to $5 million.

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To date, about $3.5 million has been donated to Beirut relief through the coalition and its members, said Richard Morgan, executive director of the coalition.

"We werent sure where the public was at during this time of COVID," he added. "But we are really encouraged by the results."

Even before the explosion, Lebanon was "already a high level of concern for some our members because of the humanitarian needs," he said.

With just over a week left to go in the matching program (Aug. 24), Morgan is hoping more people will donate.

"The aftershock of the blast will be felt for a long time," he said.

faith@freepress.mb.ca
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Linkedin Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 15:36 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e11462 1 National State-of-nation-address,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,religious-tolerance,religious-issue,intolerance,democracy,democracy-in-Indonesia,democratic-country,MPR,house-of-representatives,75th-Indonesia-merdeka,75th-indonesian-independence-day,#Indonesia75 Free

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has doubled down on his message for the nation to uphold democracy and tolerance ahead of Indonesia's 75th Independence Day, highlighting the importance for the people to eliminate moral superiority in the religiously and culturally diverse country.

In his annual state of the nation address on Friday, Jokowi asserted that the commitment to democratic values "cannot be compromised", adding that mutual cooperation among the people and reminding each other of "goodness and virtue" were necessary for Indonesia to advance.

Indeed, democracy guarantees freedom, but it is only for freedom that respects other peoples rights. No one should be self-righteous and blame others. No one should think of themselves as the most religious, the President said.

No one should think of themselves as the most Pancasila-minded. All those feeling self-righteous and obtruding are morally wrong," the President said with regard to Indonesias state ideology of Pancasila.

He added that Indonesia was fortunate to have a majority of its people upholding solidarity and unity, with tolerance and care for one another, that made the country able to "get through these trying times" -- an apparent reference to the current crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The President had made no mention of such concerns during last year's state of the nation address, which had prompted criticism from activists who at the time accused Jokowi of overlooking discrimination and intolerance against religious minority groups in the country.

Read also: We must take a big leap: Jokowi seeks major transformation out of crisis

Cases of faith-based intolerance in Indonesia have persisted over the years, raising questions over religious freedom at home to thousands of ethnic groups and native faiths as well as diverse religions.

Churches in in many predominantly Muslim areas of Indonesia, for instance, have faced difficulties in obtaining building permits due to rejection from residents. In some, if not most cases, local authorities sided with the protesters.

In August last year, the Semarang administration in Central Java revoked the Semarang Baptist Churchs building permit following a protest from Muslim residents.

In March, an administration agency in Yogyakarta denied the Javanese Christian Churches (GKJ) in Gunungkidul regency a building permit after protests from residents, even though a previous court ruling supported the establishment.

Minority Muslim group Ahmadiyah has also long been persecuted for its beliefs, with the congregation seeing their mosques sealed and vandalized in some regions.

In April, authorities banned the renovation of the Al-Aqso Mosque belonging to an Ahmadiyah congregation in Tasikmalaya, West Java, with the local administration saying the ban was aimed at preventing public outrage.

As a way to promote tolerance, Jokowi approved in February a plan to build an underground tunnel connecting the Istiqlal Mosque -- Southeast Asias largest mosque in Central Jakarta  with the nearby Jakarta Cathedral as a symbol of strong bonds between the two religious communities.
The UN Security Council has rejected a U.S.-sponsored resolution to extend an arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October, setting the stage for Washington to act on threats that could kill the Iran nuclear deal and plunge the United Nations into a diplomatic crisis.



The August 14 vote on the resolution was widely expected to fail in the 15-member Security Council due to strong opposition from veto-wielding members Russia and China.

"The UN Security Council failed today to hold Iran accountable. It enabled the worlds top state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell deadly weapons and ignored the demands of countries in the Middle East. America will continue to work to correct this mistake," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after the vote.

In a diplomatic blow that reveals Washington's isolation at the UN over the issue, the resolution failed with two voting in favor and two against, while 11 members abstained.

Washington did not even receive the nine votes it needed in favor that would have required Russia and China to use their vetoes.

Tehran mocked Washington for winning just a single vote of support, from the Dominican Republic.

"In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Musavi tweeted.

"Despite all the trips, pressure, and the hawking, the United States could only mobilize a small country [to vote] with them."

China's UN mission tweeted that the "result shows again that unilateralism enjoys no support, and bullying will fail."

The U.S.-drafted resolution sought to extend an international arms embargo on Iran, which is set to be progressively eased beginning on October 18 under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

Washington has threatened to trigger a "snapback" of all UN sanctions on Iran if the embargo vote failed, a move experts say will throw the Security Council into crisis.

Pompeo and Iran hard-liners in Washington claim the United States remains a "participant" in the nuclear accord because it was listed as such in the 2015 resolution and can therefore bring back sanctions, since Iran has not fully complied with its nuclear commitments.

"Under Resolution 2231, the United States has every right to initiate snapback of provisions of previous Security Council resolutions," U.S. Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft said in a statement. "In the coming days, the United States will follow through on that promise to stop at nothing to extend the arms embargo."

WATCH: Pompeo Discusses Belarus, Iran, And Afghan Bounty Claims

Russia and China, as well as the European countries that were signatories to the nuclear pact officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have questioned the U.S. claim it is able to trigger the snapback mechanism because it quit the nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response to the U.S. withdrawal, Iran gradually started breaching its nuclear commitments.

Britain, France, and Germany -- all signatories to the JCPOA who have sought to keep it alive -- have expressed worries about the arm embargo ending but opposed the U.S. resolution because they feared it would end the nuclear deal.

Iran has threatened to completely exit the JCPOA and hinted it will pull out of another key nonproliferation treaty if the arms embargo is extended or there is a snapback of sanctions.

Iranian UN Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi again warned the United States against trying to trigger a return of sanctions.

"Imposition of any sanctions or restrictions on Iran by the Security Council will be met severely by Iran and our options are not limited. And the United States and any entity which may assist it or acquiesce in its illegal behavior will bear the full responsibility," he said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that the next step should be an online summit gathering China, France, Russia, Britain, the United States, Germany, and Iran to try to avoid further "confrontation and escalation" at the United Nations over Iran.

"Further growth of tensions and greater risks of a conflict are the alternative," Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlins website before the vote. "This march of events must be avoided. Russia is open to constructive cooperation with all those interested in moving away from the dangerous line."

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa
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There is much to study and digest in President Trumps just unveiled Deal of the Century, but allow me here to offer some immediate reflections.

First, it is true that many evangelical Christians and Messianic Jews are dead set against a two-state solution (or a divided Jerusalem) in any sense of the word. They feel that to divide the land is to defy God and His Word (see Joel 3:2; another interpretation of this verse is that it refers to nations dividing up the land between themselves for their own use).

There are also pragmatic concerns about any type of two-state solution, as argued eloquently by Caroline Glick in her book, The Israeli Solution: A One-State Plan for Peace in the Middle East.

That being said, if this proposal has the enthusiastic support of Prime Minister Netanyahu, his rival General Benny Gantz, and our ambassador David Friedman, then who am I to reject it? In the words of INSS (The Institute for National Security Studies), This is the most favorable plan for Israel ever presented by an international player. (See here for their detailed assessment.)

Overall, I know that lasting, true peace can only come to the region through Jesus the Messiah. But if there can be temporary respites that help all the inhabitants of the region, so be it.

Second, if I understand things correctly, what the Palestinian people as a whole want more than anything is personal dignity, self-respect, the right to self-determination, and good educational and vocational opportunities for themselves and their children.

To the extent the Trump plan can make this happen, it should be embraced by the Palestinians. (Again, there is much to digest in the plan, and these are only my immediate reactions to the announcement.)

What would they have to give up in exchange? Realistically, they would have to give up systemic hostility to Israel. They would have to accept Israelis living in their midst (just as roughly 2 million Palestinian Arabs live within Israels recognized borders). They would have to dismantle Hamas. They would have to renounce all support of terror. Will they?

As far as the populace as a whole, I believe many would gladly embrace this. After all, they are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, young and old. They have aspirations and dreams and desires like everyone else, and to live without dignity and without hope is oppressive. The vast majority are not terrorist or terroristic.

Not only so, but realistically, with the growth of Israeli settlements in the so-called West Bank (Judea and Samaria), there is little, realistic expectation that they will ever gain complete autonomy with a Judenfrein (Jew-free) state. So why not embrace the proposal?

This leads me to the third and final point.

There have already been bloody, civil wars between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas remains popular with many Palestinians. Thats because Hamas identifies with their struggle for freedom, and Hamas also does humanitarian work in their midst (speaking of Gaza, in particular). And in the minds of many Gazan Palestinians, Hamas is not the cause of their rampant unemployment and many hardships, Israel is.

How in the world would the Palestinian Authority disarm Hamas? Would the Palestinian Authority really provide a much better government than Hamas? And would the Palestinian Authority abandon its financial support of Palestinians imprisoned for acts of terror against Israel? Or withdraw financial support for the families of Palestinian martyrs? Or cease inciting hatred toward Israel through education and media propaganda?

To all these questions, the answer would appear to be an emphatic No!

Thats why, immediately after the peace plan was unveiled, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said the plan should be tossed into the trash (literally, into the dustbin of history).

And thats why there were reports of thousands of Palestinians protesting in Gaza before the plan was even released (who even knows what version of the plan they heard?).

Yet, if the Palestinian populace as a whole could see a way forward to peace and prosperity, wouldnt they want to achieve it? And what if the surrounding Muslim nations said, Yes, do this and we will help you prosper as well!? What then?

But here is the rub: the Palestinian leadership has a history of corruption. Yet the peace plan basically says this: The state will only come into existence in four years if the Palestinians accept the plan, if the Palestinian Authority stops paying terrorists and inciting terrorism and if Hamas and Islamic Jihad put down their weapons. In addition, the American plan calls on the Palestinians to give up corruption, respect human rights, freedom of religion and a free press, so that they dont have a failed state. If those conditions are met, the U.S. will recognize a Palestinian state and implement a massive economic plan to assist it.

Frankly, without massive pressure from the populace as a whole, joined by other Muslim nations, I do not see this happening. And that is the crux of the problem.

Middle East scholar Efraim Karsh wrote an important volume titled Palestine Betrayed, outlining how the Arab leadership consistently failed its people in agreeing to terms of peace and co-existence with Israel. And I would expect nothing less than that today, sad to say.

And this brings me to the famous quote attributed to Golda Meir. She said, Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us.

Doesnt that remain the biggest issue until this day?
NORMAN  Mayor Breea Clark on Thursday urged Campus Corner business owners to comply with the city's mask ordinance as thousands of students return to the University of Oklahoma for the fall semester.

Clark, who visited several bars near campus last week, told The Oklahoman she saw "no masks" and "massive groups," adding "half the staff wasnt even wearing masks."

She shared those concerns during a virtual meeting that attracted about 30 owners and managers, and discussed the possibility of limiting hours and capacity if non-compliance continues.

"Our numbers have finally been declining after the most recent surge, and I look forward to working with these businesses to keep that trend going," Clark said in a statement. "As a college town, we have a unique challenge that our population is about to grow by 20,000-plus young people, and the smartest thing we can do is be proactive instead of waiting for another surge."

COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
More than 20 countries are interested in getting Russia's COVID-19 vaccine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

Russia maintains "the closest contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the development and future use" of the vaccine, Zakharova told a news briefing.

She recalled that the WHO has launched the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, a global partnership to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.

Russia is ready to join and support the WHO initiative, Zakharova said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that the country has created the world's first registered vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

The country will start the production of the vaccine, named Sputnik V, within two weeks, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Wednesday.

Russia will offer the vaccine to other countries after its own citizens are vaccinated, Murashko said, adding that foreign nations' doubts about the effectiveness of the vaccine are unfounded.
Laredo police are releasing more information on a purse-snatching incident where a 78-year-old woman was dragged outside of Mall Del Norte.

Officers responded to a robbery report by Dillards on 5300 San Dario Ave. A elderly woman stated that a man wearing a black shirt took her purse and left in a beige Cadillac toward Calle Del Norte. Police placed a look out on the Cadillac.

Meanwhile, the woman provided a statement to detectives. She stated she was walking out of Dillards toward her vehicle and noticed the Cadillac driving in her direction. A man then exited the vehicle and grasped for her purse. She stated she tried to fight back, but the man pushed her causing her to fall to the ground. He then dragged her for a couple of feet as she held onto her purse. He eventually left with the purse in his Cadillac toward Calle Del Norte.

The woman told police that the purse contained a black wallet with $1,000, two American Express cards, her Texas Drivers license, an iPhone 11 and her car and house keys. She sustained a scratch on her left elbow and complained about pain in her left hip and left side of her head. She refused medical attention, according to court documents.

A patrol officer relayed over the radio that he had previously encountered a vehicle that matched the description in the shopping center located in the 4500 block of McPherson Road with paper plates. He also noticed a man wearing black shirt walking into the Super Bonus amusement center. The officer noticed the vehicle was registered to a home in the 700 block of East Travis Street. Police confirmed that the case was at the residence on Travis but no longer displayed the paper plates.

Detectives went to the home looking for the suspect. Authorities identified him as Felipe Noe Maldonado, 37.

Maldonado advised (detectives) that he was the person that committed the robbery at Dillards and was willing to cooperate with detectives, states the affidavit.

Maldonado informed detectives where he threw the purse and its belongings. All items were recovered and returned to the woman, according to police. Maldonado was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. He remained behind bars at the Webb County Jail as of Friday afternoon, according to custody records.
Parents have been urged to ensure their children get lifesaving vaccinations to avoid piling more unnecessary pressure on the NHS.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said a national effort to vaccinate children and young people will help to relieve long-term pressures on the health service.

Meanwhile the NHS has told parents it was crucial that your children get their jabs as normal as many have put it off during the coronavirus epidemic.

Health officials are concerned people are not taking their children for routine jabs, for fear of exposing them to coronavirus.

Parents are not taking their children for routine vaccinations during the pandemic for fear of exposing them to coronavirus, health officials fear

A survey of parents at the end of June showed one in four feel comfortable taking their child to a GP surgery for vaccinations - down from 91 per cent before the pandemic.

Last year the Daily Mail launched a major campaign to improve uptake of childhood vaccinations.

It followed an alarming NHS report revealing uptake has fallen for all ten childhood jabs, including measles, polio, meningitis and whooping cough, with anti-vaxx propraganda and rising complacency blamed for falling rates.

Experts are particularly concerned about the prospect of a resurgence in measles, after Britain lost its measles free status from the World Health Organisation,

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, yesterday called on the Government to set out a plan to ensure children get their jabs without overwhelming settings such as GP surgeries, clinics and schools.

It added that local authorities should be given the necessary funding to allow their workforces to cope with demand.

Judith Blake, chairwoman of the LGAs Children and Young People Board, said that, as long as people or members of their household are not displaying coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating, vaccinations should happen as normal.

Only one in four feel comfortable taking their child to a GP surgery for vaccinations - down from 91 per cent before the pandemic, survey of parents reveals

The national immunisation programme is highly successful in reducing the number of serious and life-threatening diseases such as whooping cough, scarlet fever and measles, she said.

High vaccine uptake can prevent a resurgence of these infections, which can cause harm and put unnecessary added pressure on the NHS.

We really do encourage parents to check if their child needs any vaccinations to make sure they are properly protected.

Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP and NHS England national director of primary care, said: Vaccines provide vital protection against life-threatening diseases and, as a mum and a GP, I want to remind other parents out there that getting your kids their vaccination is not only safe, but essential.

Despite the ongoing pressure brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, MMR and other vaccination appointments are still going ahead safely - and so as long as you or your family members are not displaying symptoms of coronavirus, or self-isolating, it is crucial that your children get their jabs as normal.
A nursing officer who organised ICU care for patients in the most difficult working conditions, a laboratory technician who conducted RT-PCR and rapid antigen Covid-19 tests in high-risk areas and a Delhi Police head constable who distributed food packets among the poor and migrant workers are some of the 26 Corona Warriors who will sit in a special enclosure at the At Home function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Independence Day.

Among those who have been invited for the function, four people will represent the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and three will represent the Safdarjung Hospital. Out of the 26 special guests, eight are women, according to the list of invitees accessed by HT.

About 100 guests, including the Corona Warriors, are expected to attend the programme which will begin with a brief speech by President Ram Nath Kovind to honour the frontline workers. Dishes such samosa, tea and dhokla will be served by a limited number of waiters amid social distancing guidelines over the Covid-19 pandemic. All waiters have tested negative for Covid-19, a person aware of the developments said. All guest tables will be named after rivers of India and each guest will be ushered in to his or her assigned place, the person added.

From senior and junior doctors to nursing officers, technicians, pharmacists, midwives and Asha workers, nursing orderlies, security guards, sanitation workers and housekeeping staff  a wide range of people involved in Indias prolonged battle against Covid-19 will be honoured at the event.

The list also includes three members of the Delhi Police and a wood-cutter at the Nigambodh Ghat, where funerals are conducted.

While all of the 26 Corona Warriors have shown exemplary work in their line of duty, head constable Manish Kumar, posted at the Community Policing Cell, Dwarka, established a community kitchen to feed 800 needy people daily, provided dry ration kits to workers who lost their jobs during the lockdown and helped install hands-free sanitiser machines. He also distributed 4,400 washable cotton gloves among police personnel and more than 1,375 litres of sanitiser to them, according to an official note.

Kumar arranged refreshments, face shields and gloves for police patrols and pickets and was engaged in regular announcement of guidelines and sensitisation people, the note added. Also a poet, he distributed milk food for newborns and arranged water, food and fresh fruits for migrant workers.

While nursing officer Asha Shabarwal of GTB Hospital worked hard to organise ICU care for patients, Kriti Sharma, a laboratory technician has been credited with outstanding work by doing RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test in most high risk areas during Covid-19.

Pharmacist Vinod Rohilla arranged drugs and other items even late at night without hesitation, even when his grandmother was hospitalised.

Amar Singh, a wood-cutter at the Nigambodh Ghat, helped people at the cremation ground in maintaining social distancing and was always alert when bodies arrived at cremation ground for cremations regarding less number of people should be at the time of performing rituals and must have to wearing PPE kit so that infection should not spread to others, the official note said.

Dr Rahul Tyagi and Dr Ankesh Gupta, senior and junior residents, nursing officer Rekha Kumari and Naresh Kumar, an OT technician, have also been selected from AIIMS to attend the prestigious function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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NEW YORK - A radical Islamic cleric has been extradited to New York City on charges he recruited followers and fighters for the Islamic State through fiery online lectures and militant propaganda, prosecutors said Friday.

Abdullah al-Faisal, who had been behind bars in Jamaica, pleaded not guilty in Manhattan state court to charges including conspiracy and supporting terrorism.

The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said al-Faisals arrest dealt a major blow to ISIS overall recruitment capabilities.

In addition to shutting down Faisals dangerous rhetoric and his recruitment of new terrorists, the effects of his arrest have been felt across the counterterrorism community worldwide, Vance said in a statement.

Messages were sent to al-Faisals defence attorney seeking comment.

Prosecutors portrayed al-Faisal as one of the most influential English speaking terrorists in the world. The 56-year-old al-Faisal, also known as Shaikh Faisal, has been compared to the American-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, a leader of al-Qaida in Yemen who was killed in 2011.

Federal officials say al-Faisals sermons influenced Faisal Shahzad, the attempted Times Square bomber in New York City in 2010, and Omar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called Underwear Bomber who attempted to blow up a transatlantic flight on Christmas Day 2009.

After travelling the globe supporting various terrorist causes, al-Faisal headquartered in Jamaica and continued to preach, using the internet to spread his message as the Islamic State group emerged in Syria in 2014, authorities said. Hes accused of raising funds for recruits to travel to the Middle East and providing other support like performing marriage ceremonies for them.

Prosecutors said al-Faisal called for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate and helped hide those seeking to join ISIS or travel to its territories. The Treasury Department in 2017 sanctioned him as a specially designated global terrorist.

The case, filed in 2017, is unusual because it did not involve the participation of federal authorities, who normally bring charges against international terrorists. The international sting that led to the arrest of al-Faisal in Jamaica was pulled off by the New York Police Department without the FBI, and without the target ever setting foot in New York.

Officers seized cellphones, laptops, thumb drives, external hard drives and cameras during the raid that Vance said had produced actionable intelligence.

The state court indictment said an undercover NYPD officer posing as a budding jihadist connected on social media with al-Faisal. Al-Faisal is accused of trying to recruit the officer to become a medic for the militant group.

Al-Faisal began a corresponding with the undercover police officer in November 2016, court papers said. He offered to help him join the Islamic State group, telling him, I can link u with someone there.

The indictment said the cleric introduced the officer to a facilitator based in the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa, Syria, who exchanged phone messages with the officer earlier this year.

The NYPDs Intelligence Division dispatched a team of investigators to the region in the late stages of the yearlong probe. The police department said it got U.S. Department of Justice clearance to extend its investigation overseas.
The United States Air Force dispatched a series of B-52 bombers targeting North Vietnam constantly from 18 to 30 December, 1972 in the strategic bombing campaign LINEBACKER II, known as the Eleven-Day War which was officially ordered by US President Nixon on December 17 1972. The Vietnamese people named it the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air".

The B-52 plane, dubbed the "Flying Fortress", is famous for carpet bombing and its tremendous destructive power.

The Paris Peace Accords, officially titled the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam, was signed on January 27, 1973, a few weeks after the end of Linebacker II. The wreckage of the B-52 Flying Fortress in Huu Tiep lake belongs to one from this campaign.

The Vietnamese army and people shot down a total of 34 B-52 bombers, eight of which were located in Hanoi, after 12 days and nights of the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air".
New Delhi:

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed Right of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 with some amendments. The amendments have been made keeping in view the changing times and crimes in the country.

After Rajya Sabha, the bill will now go back to Lok Sabha and once cleared it will replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

Here are some of the key highlights of the bill:

# Major highlight of this bill is that it covers 19 conditions, instead of seven disabilities specified in the Act. The 1995 Act recognised 7 disabilities  blindness, low vision, leprosy-cured, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, mental retardation and mental illness. However, the 2014 Bill was expanded to cover 19 conditions including cerebral palsy, haemophilia, multiple sclerosis, autism and thalassaemia among others.

ALSO READ: (Rajya Sabha passes bill on rights of differently-abled people, discrimination may earn 2-year jail term)

#The revised version of the bill also recognises two other disabilities- acid attacks and and Parkinsons Disease.

#Not only this, the Bill has also laid down provisions to allow the central government to notify any other condition as a disability.

#Now individuals with at least 40 per cent of a disability are also entitled to benefits such as reservations in education and employment, preference in government schemes and others.

#The 1995 law had only 3 per cent reservation for the disabled in higher education institutions and government. The 2014 Bill has raised it to 5 per cent.

#It has come up with several rights and entitlements, including disabled friendly access to all public buildings.

# Provisions in matters of guardianship of mentally ill persons. According to the bill, the District courts may bestow upon two types of guardianship: limited guardian (who has to take joint decisions with mentally ill person) and plenary guardian (who can take decisions on behalf of mentally ill person, without consulting them).

#A penalty will also be slapped for violating the rules of the Act. The 1995 Act did not have any such penal provision. However, 2014 Bill had made violation of any provision of the Act punishable with a jail term of up to 6 months, and/or a fine of Rs 10,000.

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<! Governor Obiano: 12 Anambra Traditional rulers perplexed about their suspension >

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The 12 suspended Anambra traditional rulers on Thursday were flummoxed on Thursday as to what offence they committed to warrant the sanction meted out to them by Governor Willie Obiano.

According to the traditional rulers, they travelled to Abuja to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for all the projects his government is executing in the South East.

The monarchs stated this at a joint press conference addressed by Chief Chioke Nwankwo, the Igwe of Nawfia, in Abuja.

The rulers were suspended on Tuesday for allegedly travelling out of the state without governments approval.

The monarchs said they travelled to Abuja for an official engagement.

A statement announcing the suspension of the 12 traditional rulers for one year, was signed by Mr Greg Obi, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

It said that the action was taken because they travelled outside the state without governments approval.

But Nwankwo, at the press conference, said that the monarchs travelled to Abuia to thank President Mohammadu Buhari for the good things he had been doing for the South-East Zone.

The visit was to thank Buhari for the appointment of notable Igbo sons and daughters into important positions since he became President.

Is this an offence? The Second Niger bridge had been presented as an impossible task by previous administrations, but it is now becoming a reality under his watch as it is nearing completion. We appreciated him for this.

We know that the project is very dear to our hearts because it is key to boosting business activities between the people of the South East and the entire country. Where did we go wrong here?

The Enugu-Onitsha expressway that the Buhari administration is rehabilitating is another magnificent reason why we went to thank the President.

The Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway rehabilitation that the government has also embarked on, is another reason why we took the step. These projects have been pipe dreams and had been elusive during past administrations.

They have given the entire South Eastern people concerns. As Royal Fathers who are custodians of all our heritage, we felt that it was incumbent on us to express our appreciation to the president and to urge him to do more for the zone.

Where have we committed a crime in these laudable efforts? On what ground is the Igwe and the state government angry with us?

Nwankwo said that what the suspended traditional rulers had done was in exercise of their fundamental human rights, emphasising that no one can take that from us.

Freedom of speech, freedom of movements are all enshrined in our constitution and grand norms. Any attempt against these amounts to muzzling the traditional institutions and we cannot accept that.

He described the state governments claim that the suspended traditional rulers did not obtain permission from the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs before the visit as a lame reason.

Is there anywhere in our laws where freedom of movements by anyone is restricted within or outside the country?, he asked.

Nwankwo said that the Anambra government had no constitution of its own and there was no known law in the country stopping traditional rulers from having free movement.

We are not ashamed to be associated with the great Prince Arthur Eze, who has been a major succour to the poor masses of Anambra and has emancipated many of them from economic bondage.

As traditional rulers, if we come together to visit the President or associate with Prince Eze, is it an offence? There is no known law against this.

He said that what the Anambra state governor had done was an attempt to intimidate the traditional institution.

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But even conservatives who said they agreed with the presidents focus on reopening schools say he has been a poor spokesman for the cause. They pointed to Trumps downplaying of the danger posed by the virus, followed by his threats to withhold federal aid to districts that did not reopen classrooms, as potentially alienating to centrist and even right-of-center teachers and parents.
Blinken: Western countries need unity to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine

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France names the main favorite of presidential election

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Kamala Harris impact on arguably the most consequential presidential election in our lifetimes was immediate.

Joe Biden raised $26 million in campaign funds in the 24 hours after he named Harris as his running mate, the Associated Press reported, doubling his previous one-day record.

Civil rights attorney Eva Paterson, who has known Harris since Harris began her career as an Alameda County prosecutor in 1990, wept with joy when Harris was selected.

As a Black woman, I was weeping because this is a big, big deal. Its a big deal, Paterson said about Harris becoming the first Black woman and the first Indian American  and Asian American  to be on a major-party ticket. And shes from Oakland.

The Oakland native is a child of immigrant parents, both academics. Her father, Donald Harris, a Jamaican immigrant, is an emeritus professor of economics at Stanford University. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in India and was a cancer researcher and civil rights activist.

Many people are excited to see Harris as Bidens pick, but Ive got to be straight with you: I was hoping for Stacey Abrams.

Theres no arguing Harris has been outspoken about civil rights as a senator and presidential candidate, emerging as the tell-it-like-it-is voice sorely lacking in American politics.

She pressed Biden for opposing mandatory busing to integrate public schools in the 1970s. Shes called for charging the police officers in Breonna Taylors death. While some of her conservative colleagues lobbed softballs at Senate hearings, Harris unflinchingly pressed business executives and a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. She raised concerns about the coronavirus in January.

Now Playing: Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden has named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. The Oakland native is the first Black woman and first person of South Asian American descent to be nominated for national office by a major party. See highlights from her barrier-breaking career. Video: San Francisco Chronicle

In June, she introduced legislation to change the culture of law enforcement by holding officers and agencies more accountable. It prohibits racial, religious and discriminatory profiling, and bans choke holds, carotid holds and no-knock warrants at the federal level.

But thats not enough. Its piecemeal  and were long overdue for policy that dramatically improves outcomes for people of color in poor neighborhoods.

We have to stop moving the furniture around in our dysfunctional house and calling it progress, Brooklyn Williams, the East Bay program director at New Door Ventures, a company that connects youths to jobs, told me. We need to build new houses.

Harris has had chances to make great change. But she didnt do enough as San Franciscos district attorney and Californias top law enforcement official to advance criminal justice reform.

As district attorney and attorney general, Harris had a wait-and-see approach to prosecuting police misconduct. She resisted calls to investigate questionable shootings. She supported a law that punished the parents of truant children. She didnt push against the tough-on-crime policies that disproportionately impact people of color. She didnt target racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

I think there are a lot of folks who have been truly harmed by the criminal justice system, which is really undergoing a thorough review, as it should, Khadijah White, an assistant professor of journalism and media studies at Rutgers University, told me. And her part in it is a serious matter that needs consideration. If you build your career on the top of Black bodies, you have to explain it. It has to be accounted for at some point.

Still, I agree with White on this: A lot of the criticism against Harris wouldnt happen if she were a white man. Debate stages arent the place for nuanced answers about how a candidates stance on issues has evolved.

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.

I understand the ways in which the world puts ceilings and limits on ambitious Black women, and I understand Kamala Harris had to navigate all of that, she said. And that means that in any position of power and authority that she had while she had power, it was also quite restrained.

On Jan. 27, 2019, about 20,000 people were in and around Latham Square, the plaza in front of Oakland City Hall, for the start of Harris presidential campaign. Heres something I noticed on that celebratory day: On any given morning, afternoon or night, the square is bustling with people, many of them homeless and many Black. But on that Sunday, those people were cleared to make room for Harris, who didnt mention homelessness in her speech, according to a transcript published by KTVU.

Less than two months before she suspended her campaign in December 2019, Harris introduced ambitious legislation to end homelessness. The bill is collecting dust.

Harris might not be the conduit for generational change that this country desperately needs, but what her selection represents  the hope and possibility of a more inclusive America  is a step in the right direction. But theres so much more at stake.

First, the president has to get evicted from the White House.

Our country is facing an existential threat, said Paterson, the president and founder of the Equal Justice Society, an Oakland legal organization focused on civil rights and anti-discrimination. Kamala is on the right side of that divide, and weve just got to get behind Biden-Harris and get (President) Trump out of here.

After Jan. 20, lets talk about criminal justice. We dont have time for that now. Trump is going to do everything he can to steal the election.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays and Thursdays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday addressed the entire nation on the eve of 74th Independence Day. Kovind spoke at length about the COVID-19 crisis and how India has dealt with it. He expressed gratitude towards all who helped India in fighting against the coronavirus.

"Nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our COVID fight. Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes," said President Kovind.

Kovind also said that Independence Day celebrations would be restrained for this year due to COVID-19. "Celebrations of Independence Day this year will be rather restrained. The world confronts a deadly virus which has disrupted all activities & taken a huge toll. It has altered the world we lived in before the pandemic."

The president also mentioned the Galwan Valley incident in his speech. He said that the entire nations salute the bravery of the soldiers who had laid down their lives for the country. "Our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley," said Kovind.

The New Education Policy was also mentioned by President Kovind in his address. He said, "Recently, the government implemented a National Education Policy. I am confident that with the implementation of this policy, a new quality education system will be developed and this will transform the future challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a New India."

Also Read: First coronavirus vaccine: Why the world doubts Russia's claim

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Will PM Modi announce two COVID-19 vaccines on August 15?
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Black candidates, running for elected office in Kalamazoo County at presumably an historic level, are reflecting on their experiences with part celebration and part frustration.

Black candidates in Kalamazoo County told MLive they felt the celebration and scrutiny for being the first candidate of color in many races. They also expressed frustration in being left behind by white voters in some primary races and feeling the need to form a Black Caucus after receiving less access to resources from the local Democratic Party.
D onald Trump feigned ignorance before moving on to the next question after a journalist asked if he regretted lying to the American public.

At Thursday's White House briefing, Huffington Posts White House correspondent S.V Date asked: Mr President, after three and a half years [of Trumps presidency], do you regret at all, all the lying youve done to the American people?

"All the what?," Mr Trump replied.

REUTERS

Mr Date replied: All the lying, all the dishonesties.

Mr Trump continued: That who has done?

Mr Date began: You have done. Tens of thousan, but was cut off by the President calling on another journalist, who asked a question about payroll tax.

According to a running fact checker database from the Washington Post, Mr Trump had told over 20,000 false or misleading claims during his presidency.

The database records almost a thousand false statements by Mr Trump about the coronavirus, which has killed more than 165,000 people in the US.

Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Date said that he asked the question because it was the first time had been given the chance to.

He said: I dont know why he called on me, because Ive tried to ask him before [in March] and hes cut me off mid-question.

"Maybe he didnt recognise me this time. You know, he has this group of folks that he normally asks questions of.

The journalist reflected that he had a prominent seat during that particular press pool, and said: "I had always thought that if he ever did call on me, this is the one thing that is really central to his presidency

"Trumps lying was the singular piece of his presidency that will be remembered in 10 years.

Mr Date was not surprised by Mr Trump's response to his question, but said he was determined to ask the question again: "Mr President, you didnt answer last time. Could you address why youve told  whatever the number will be by then."
New Delhi: NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission in collaboration with NASSCOM on Friday (August 14) launched the ATL AI Step Up Module for students on the eve of Indias Independence Day. The move is to drive AI education and innovation to the next level in schools across the country. The module is the next step in bringing Artificial Intelligence to classrooms and is a successor to the AI Base module launched in February this year, according to NITI Aayog.

After a successful launch of a unique initiative to take Artificial Intelligence (AI) to schools through ATL AI Modules in February this year, this module is the next step in bringing AI to Indian classrooms. The module will provide a comprehensive set of learning it yourself Advanced modules to those who wish to expand their knowledge base after becoming familiar with the basics of the AI discipline through the AI base module.

With this new launch, through hands-on projects and activities, the step-up module encourages a deeper understanding of AI which can be applied in the real world. The module is designed in an attractive graphical manner that is comprehensible for all students belonging to rural and urban areas.

The step-up module needs no previous knowledge and introduces the concepts to students from the basics using interactive tools and activities so as to keep their attention undivided, said the Aayog, adding "The objective of this module is to challenge students and create opportunities in the coming years making students the Changemakers and torchbearers of innovation."

Speaking on the importance of introducing AI to school students, CEO NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant said the AI step-up module is the future of this country as it targets the youth which in itself is path-breaking.

Actually, this launch is on the very critical day as India is celebrating its 74th Independence Day and I am glad to announce on the eve of Independence Day this ATL AI step-up module by NITI Aayog through AIM for students of this nation. AI is really the future for our children and it is the truly unique endeavor by AIM and NASSCOM, he said.

He urged young India to take this opportunity positively and explore the module to create valuable solutions that would pave way for the country to truly become Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Speaking on the virtual launch, Mission Director Atal Innovation Mission R Ramanan said that this first-ever Industry government academia initiative has received a huge response from students by the introduction of a base module and now AIM, NITI Aayog and NASSCOM is proud to launch its step-up module. Inputs from leading academic institutions including IITs have contributed to the development of these modules.

Ramanan further said, The Base module was specifically devised considering students as young as 12 years of age, with absolutely no prior background of AI to ignite curiosity on AI in their young minds and to contribute to the ecosystem of innovation. Step up module has been exquisitely designed and presented to involve young students across the country to induce inclusive learning and to empower youngsters of our country to create AI integrated innovations.

Sharing her views NASSCOM President Debjani Ghosh said, The rapid advancement of technology, such as AI and Robotics, has penetrated all industries, including education. As the world gets transformed with innovation, it is hearting to see how the youth of our country are acquiring great fondness towards the digital method of studying and adopting Artificial Intelligence in it, she asserted.

She further added that with the aim of the introduction of digital literacy, coding, and computational thinking, these modules can empower young people to meaningfully interact with AI-based technologies and bolster learning. Skills such as logical thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills are going to be the most important skills for success in professional life in the coming decade.

The module has been created keeping the age group of its intended audience in mind so that they can be easily understood by any individual who has just been exposed to the idea of AI.

The AI Step-Up module would be available for all students across the country and could be accessed at https://aim.gov.in/Lets_learn_AI_StepUp_Module.pdf
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Employees with the U.S. Census Bureau began their in-person contacts on Monday for those who hadnt self-responded amid the worst pandemic America has seen in 100 years.

Clad in bureau-provided personal protective equipment, and armed with hand sanitizer, census takers will be required to follow coronavirus guidelines laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and local authorities.
A helicopter drops a load of water Thursday evening to battle the Skyline fire behind homes on Clearing Lane in Corona. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Officials have lifted evacuation orders as firefighters gained control over a vegetation fire near the city of Corona in Riverside County.

The Skyline fire was reported at 4:37 p.m. by Skyline Drive and Foothill Parkway, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Riverside County Fire Department. It was 51 acres and 40% contained as of 8:30 p.m.

The Corona Fire Department had ordered precautionary evacuations for the streets of Clearing Circle, Meandering Lane, Burrero Way, Corbett Street and Overland Lane. Corona High School was designated as an evacuation center.

More than 200 firefighters, as well as several helicopters and air tankers, responded to the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020

Businesspeople have called on the government and regional administrations to improve their coordination and to swiftly disburse allocated stimulus packages to kick-start the sluggish economy.

Businesses expect social aid and stimulus spending to be accelerated to improve the peoples purchasing power, Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani said in a statement on Thursday after the association held its two-day national working and consultation meeting.

The association also asked the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to extend its loan restructuring relaxation policy for the next one to two years to help companies maintain their cash flow amid the pandemic.

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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  A short period of calm is over between the Gaza Strip and Israel. After stopping in June, Palestinians have resumed launching incendiary and explosive balloons toward Israel. The Israeli army has responded each time by bombing Hamas military sites in the Gaza Strip, most recently on Aug. 13, when Israel also closed the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossing and stopped all fuel imports into Gaza. Israel also reduced the fishing zone off the Gaza Strip coast from 15 to 8 nautical miles.

Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement the latest Israeli actions amount to a dangerous act of aggression and an uncalculated step for which the occupation will not be able to bear the consequences.

The Israeli airstrikes hit a school affiliated with UNRWA in al-Shati refugee camp in central Gaza City, but no casualties were reported. Eyad al-Bozom, spokesperson for the Hamas-run Interior Minsitry in Gaza, said Aug. 13, Gaza City almost woke up to a catastrophe this morning after Israeli airstrikes targeted an elementary school where around 1,000 child were present.

Bozom went on, The bomb that fell on the school contains around 1,500 pieces of shrapnel, each enough to kill a person. It is laser guided, and any mistake could have been fatal.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the targeting of a UNRWA school in Gaza.

Adnan Abu Hasna, a media adviser for the UNRWA in Gaza, said in a statement, One of UNRWAs schools east of Gaza city was damaged as a result of Israeli airstrikes. The school was closed and [a team] is currently working to remove the missile remnants. Children will not be allowed back into the school until making sure its safe.

Palestinian observers and policians who spoke to Al-Monitor said they believe that the balloon tactics have the approval of all factions as a way to force Israel to implement the truce understandings that were reached through Egyptian, Qatari and UN mediation in October 2018.

The Palestinian factions, led by Hamas, accuse Israel of not implementing understandings that were intended to establish an industrial zone east of Gaza City, start preparations for a gas pipeline that will feed the only electricity plant in the Strip, allow freedom of movement for individuals and goods through the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip and lift restrictions on money transfers into Gaza.

On Aug. 7 and 8, Israeli planes bombed Hamas military sites in the northern Gaza Strip. IDF spokesperson Avichai Adraee stated, The bombing came in response to firing incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory.

Meanwhile, incendiary balloons launched from Gaza Aug. 11 have caused more than 60 fires in Israeli settlements in southern Israel. In response, the IDF said in a statement that military planes and helicopters conducted raids on a number of Hamas positions in Gaza, targeting a military base, underground infrastructure and observation posts belonging to the Hamas terror group.

The balloons carry either materials intended to start fires in Israeli agricultural fields near the Gaza Strip or small bombs to intended to strike the border.

On Aug. 8, the Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper cited anonymous sources as saying, Hamas and the rest of the factions informed the Egyptian mediator that the period of calm on the borders of the Strip will end soon, with the occupations ongoing economic restrictions and the obstruction of large development projects inside Gaza that could transform people's lives.

The same sources were quoted as saying, The escalation will increase along the borders of the Strip in the coming days as the resistance is expected to respond to any aggression the occupation carries out against Gaza, and the response could include firing rockets.

On Aug. 10, Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said that Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the closure of Karam Abu Salem, the only commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip, on Aug. 11 in response to the balloon attacks.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement published on the movements website Aug. 12, The Israeli occupation closed the Karam Abu Salem commercial crossing and prevented the entry of goods into Gaza. It is aggressive behavior and a crime against two million Palestinians in Gaza. [Israel] will bear all its consequences and repercussions.

Barhoum added, It is the right of our people in Gaza to express anger and to make their voice heard again across the world, which has yet to lift a finger when it comes to their suffering and their ever-worsening living and humanitarian conditions.

He explained, Popular action and the use of tools of struggle to express a state of anger and pressure the Israeli occupation to end the siege is a natural result of the occupations aggressive policies and the tightening of its siege on the Gaza Strip, concluding, The Palestinian resistance will not accept imposing this reality on our people in Gaza. It will not abandon its duty and its national, ethical and moral role toward our people and will protect its interests.

A young man who leads a group that sends such balloons into Israel told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, We resumed launching incendiary and explosive balloons toward the occupation because of its delay in implementing the truce understandings and the ongoing siege on the Gaza Strip. He added, As long as the occupation delays lifting the siege on Gaza, we will be forced to fire a greater number of balloons toward Israeli settlements.

On Aug. 8, Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted a senior Hamas official as saying, Firing incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip toward Israel aims to deliver a message to Israel and the international community that Hamas is angry because of the lack of progress in the understandings with Israel.

The source added, They said that there are understandings to push some projects forward, especially in the field of infrastructure and at the humanitarian level, but everything seems pending.

On Aug. 9, Al-Nasser Salah al-Deen Brigades issued a brief statement on Telegram announcing the resumption of incendiary balloons attacks on Israel, based on the leadership's orders, until Israel adheres to the cease-fire understanding.

Mustafa al-Sawaf, a political analyst and former editor of the local Felesteen newspaper, told Al-Monitor, Firing incendiary and explosive balloons at the Israeli occupation is a means of pressure from Gaza to force Israel to lift the siege and implement the truce understandings that were reached with Egyptian, Qatari and UN mediation in October 2018.

In spite of the Israeli response targeting Hamas military sites in the Gaza Strip, Sawaf does not believe Israel will conduct a large-scale operation against the Gaza Strip in response to the balloons. He noted that should Israeli take such an action, it will pay a heavy price in the form of the response from the Palestinian resistance.

Sawaf believes that if Israel commits to lifting the siege, the balloons will stop and calm will return to the border.

Hani Habib, a political writer for Al-Ayyam newspaper, told Al-Monitor, The poor economic conditions in the Gaza Strip forced the youth to fire balloons under a factional decision, as incendiary balloons are among the popular tools to confront the Israeli occupation, and noted, Only the Israeli occupations commitment to lift the siege and implement the truce understandings can bring about calm again.
If those walls could talk! They could tell stories of King John musing over the Magna Carta, tales of fierce battles and storms, BBQs and Red Hurley in concert.

Yes, indeed the walls of King John's Castle, which has stood guard over the southern side of Carlingford Lough since the 13th century, have witnessed history in the making. From the Vikings who founded the village to the armies of William and James as they made their way to the Battle of the Boyne, the castle has been a silent witness to life in Carlingford for over 700 years.

Now, another chapter in the history of those ancient stone walls is being written, as visitors are once again welcome to explore its ragged battlements and marvel at the panoramic view across the lough to the Mourne Mountains.

Harry McCarthy, chairman of Carlingford Heritage Trust, who received the keys from the castle from Deputy Patrick O Donovan, Minister for State, the other week, proudly recalls the monument's long history.

Carlingford, he points out, was an important trading post, with ships arriving from Dublin with cargo for the north as the road route through the Gap of the North was deemed too dangerous.

'The castle was built by Hugh de Lacey, who also built Trim Castle and King John stayed here for three nights when he was trying to put manners on the Irish,' he says. The king also visited Limerick where another castle bears his name, and to avoid confusion, the Louth castle is now going to be marketed as Carlingford Castle.'

'The castle is very important in the history of Ireland,' he says proudly, pointing out that a souterrain was found underneath it during an archaeological dig, indicating that the area as inhabited from early times.

He believes that castle fell into disuse in the 1700s but it remained an important landmark in the village ever since, forming an imposing backdrop to the lives of generations of Carlingford folk.

Lynne Grills, a founding member of the Heritage Trust, remembers going to BBQs in the castles, while Margaret Harold recalls a wooden dance floor being brought in. Kieran McCourt, another member of the Trust, apparently was responsible for bringing Red Hurley to perform there.

According to Clodagh McKevitt, who grew up in Carlingford and now runs Anam Tours, the castle was a playground for local children. ' Fretwell would open the gates in the morning and all the village children would play there.'

As the condition of the castle deteriorated and the era of 'compo culture' kicked in, public admittance was stopped over twenty years ago, apart from occasional guided tours for events such as Heritage Week.

The Trust, however, recognised the potential of the castle and lobbied for repair works to be carried out so that it could be reopened.

'Since the Trust was founded 30 years ago we wanted to do something with the castle,' explains Margaret. 'We got the surrounding area cleared up and it was flood lit but it has taken 30 years to get to this stage.'

Harry recalls how local politician and member of the village Tidy Towns group Terry Brennan did a lot of work

Following two tranches of funding, the most recent 400,000 from Failte Ireland to the OPW, hugely impressive works have been carried out to ensure that it can once again be open to visitors.

The handing over of the keys couldn't have been more timely, as it means that the magnificent castle will be open for Heritage Week, says Linda Sheridan, the Dunleer native who took over as manager of the Heritage Trust earlier this year, after working with the University of Limerick for quarter a century.

Linda is enthusiastic about the potential of the castle to attract visitors to the medieval village of Carlingford. 'We have our volunteer guides who are available for tours and the castle will be available for film crews, artists and musicians in agreement with the OPW. Both Failte Ireland and the OPW are keen to see it being used.'

She has noticed a huge increase in day trippers to Carlingford, with 'loads of visitors from Northern Ireland as well as Dublin and further south.'

'The ferry is a tremendous access point for visitors from Northern Ireland,' she notes.

With the majority of people opting for staycations this summer, many are discovering Carlingford for the first time. 'This year people are exploring new places and while people from here go to Cork and Kerry, we are now getting visitors from the south and west who wouldn't have been here before. It's a very good destination for people of all ages, with a lot of accommodation options, from award winning hotels to self-catering an B&Bs.'

'We are also getting a lot of 'the new Irish', people who have settled in Ireland and are keen to come and learn about our history.'

With the Heritage Centre itself now re-opened to visitors, the castle will add to the offering for those interested in history and cultural tourism, continues Linda. She feels that it will be an ideal attraction for historical and archaeological societies, as well groups such as Active Retirement, Men's Sheds, etc, who could make their way to Carlingford in their own cars rather than travelling as a group in a bus.

While the reopening of the castle is the jewel in the crown for the Heritage Trust, it continues to work on other projects. With the popular Summer Concert series hosted by local musicians Zoe Conway and John McIntyre and well-known guests, cancelled due to the COVid-19 restrictions, Linda reveals that it's now planned to record some concerts for live streaming.

The team of tour guides for both the village tours and King John's Castle have all undergone COVID-19 training and all tours will be in accordence with social distancing guidelines.

To book a tour or to find out the opening hours during Heritage Week, check out 042 9373 454 or enquiries@carlingfordheritagecentre.com.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced the creation of the Data Privacy and Security Division within her office to protect consumers from threats to the privacy and security of their data.

Healey has also named Sara Cable as chief of the new Data Privacy and Security Division.

The Data Privacy and Security Division will build on our offices commitment to empowering Massachusetts consumers in the digital economy, ensuring that companies are protecting personal data, and promoting equal and open access to the internet, Healey said in a press release issued by her office. Sara has spearheaded these efforts within our office for years, and we are excited to have her leading this new division.

As division chief, Cable will expand the offices work protecting consumers data privacy and empower consumers in the digital economy while also promoting equal and open access to the internet.

Cable has served as the director of Data Privacy and Security within the AGs Consumer Protection Division since 2016. In this position, she has spearheaded the offices cybersecurity and data privacy protection efforts, including bringing an enforcement action against Equifax Inc. over its 2017 data breach that resulted in an $18.2 million settlement for Massachusetts.

Cable has also led several multistate investigations of cybersecurity and data privacy incidents. She joined the AGs Consumer Protection Division in 2011 as an assistant attorney general. She previously worked as a litigation associate at Bingham McCutchen LLP, focusing on antitrust and intellectual property claims.

Source: Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General

Topics Cyber Massachusetts
Medindia Home Page for Doctors is a free service we provide to doctors and healthcare professionals to create a full-featured online presence and profile that they can fully control and maintain. If you are a doctor it allows you to list your practice details, locations, specialities and showcase your credentials, experience, expertise and skills to the world and to your patients. An online presence and profile is essential so visitors and patients can find you when they search for you. For example, you may have done work in certain area of medicine that may be useful for a patient's to understand, so that they can seek advice and guidance from you.

Medindia gives doctors and healthcare professionals tools to create a free home page, a full-featured online profile that can showcase their experience, expertise and skills, and a free listing in a searchable national directory visited by millions. In addition, doctors can provide better care to their patients with a wellness portal branded with their practice name to enhance patient education and engagement, and provide online appointments and teleconsultations. Doctors can also stay updated with abstracts from current medical journals and track upcoming conferences in their specialty.

Medindia's Doctors' Home Page and Wellness Portal are designed with a host of features for doctors and healthcare professionals to create and maintain an online presence, increase visibility in web searches, provide better care and education to their patients, and stay current in their specialty.

When you create a home page, we also include your name and practice details in our searchable doctors' directory, which contains over 260,000 records, categorized by state, city, pin code and specialty and is visited by millions of visitors each month. This listing is linked to your home page and enhances your online visibility in search engines. It can also provide you with a source of new patient leads and referrals, and allow visitors to book an appointment with you directly.

The selection of information that you can publish, has been done consistent with the ethical requirements of medical bodies such as Medical Council of India (MCI) and the recently published and notified guidelines for 'Practice of Telemedicine' in India. The homepage stores all your essential information and takes care of the needs of your patients in your practice. It has both areas that are visible to the world out there and the non-visible area just for you.

Benefits

Medindia is India's leading health website that is visited by several million visitors each month . Medindia is certified by the Health On Net Foundation (HONCode), for publishing authentic, validated content that follows and complies with their standards for ethical health information for consumers.

Medindia follows the highest standards for data security, privacy and confidentiality and all communication is encrypted and protected via TLS/SSL. Medindia's Privacy Policies ensures security and privacy of all your data and that it will not be shared or sold.

Medindia also has high domain authority and search rankings in Google, Bing and other search engines. As a result, a Home Page and online profile on Medindia, increases your visibility in search engines. You greatly increase your chances of being found on the first page of Google when people search for you by name, specialty in your city or state or for details in your bio, experience, expertise and any other information you provide on your Home Page.

Sections & Features

Once you register and create a Home Page on Medindia, your details are verified manually to ensure they match with MCI registration data and a "Verified" icon is added to your profile. All verified pages are then published.

Basic Information: This is displayed at the top of your Home Page and includes:

This is displayed at the top of your Home Page and includes: Photograph



Full Name



Primary Speciality



Secondary Speciality



Qualification



Location (City and State)

Biographical Sketch: You may enter about 100 words about yourself in this sketch

Locations: In this section, you can provide information about all your practice locations including address, phone number, and working hours for each location. You may enter your primary and any number of additional locations. Patients can book appointments by clicking on the 'Book Appointment' button.

The next section of the Home page allows you to showcase your credentials, professional experience and accomplishments.

Education: A list of all the colleges attended, year of graduation and degree obtained.

A list of all the colleges attended, year of graduation and degree obtained.

Experience: List all work and professional experience including description and duration.

List all work and professional experience including description and duration.

Areas of Special Interests and expertise: List here any areas of medicine that are of interest to you - for example preventive nephrology

List here any areas of medicine that are of interest to you - for example preventive nephrology

Accreditations: List of professional accreditations including the year and accreditation number.

List of professional accreditations including the year and accreditation number.

Awards and Recognition: List of all awards and recognitions obtained including description and year.

List of all awards and recognitions obtained including description and year.

Publications: List of all publications, paper, journal articles including description and year published.

List of all publications, paper, journal articles including description and year published.

Memberships: List all your affiliations and memberships of any medical societies

List all your affiliations and memberships of any medical societies

Certifications: List of all your certificates

List of all your certificates

Languages known: All languages you can speak

All languages you can speak

Social Networking: Links to all your social networking profiles Twitter, LinkedIn, Website, Blog and any other

Articles published on Medindia: An added benefit for doctors registered on Medindia is the ability to contribute to the site as an author or an editor. All articles written or edited by you will be linked to from your home page. Medindia gets millions of visitors from over 230 countries and publishing on Medindia is a great way to showcase your professional expertise and build your reputation and brand globally. Please contact our Editorial Director if you are interested in contributing to the site indicating your area of interest.

Dashboard

Medindia's Doctors' Home Page is loaded with many other features that are accessible and visible only after you login to your account securely with your username and password.

The dashboard provides one-click access to managing all aspects of your home page including updating any part of your profile, managing your appointments, communicating with patients, performing teleconsultations, staying current with medical journals, conferences and providing better care to your patients, by giving them access to a personalized wellness portal that is branded with your name.

The following describes each section of the Home Page Dashboard in greater detail:

1. Top Bar of the dashboard

The top bar has a login and log out buttons, along with your name. When you are finished, make sure you log out by clicking on the button. If you do not do so you will be logged out automatically after a few minutes as a security measure and protect your account.

2. Doctors Home Page Dashboard

Your name, picture and qualifications: This section has a picture of you that can be changed at any time by clicking on it and this change will be reflected on your homepage. Always use a professional, high resolution photo that is clear.

Sidebar: There is a side menu bar that essentially lets you control all the visible and non-visible features of your homepage and the backend of the website to help you with your practice. It goes even further than this and allows you to keep yourself abreast with your areas of interest in your speciality. These include access to abstracts of the top ten journal of your speciality and the upcoming medical conferences that you may wish to attend.

Manage your Information & Listing (left side): Control the top half of the dashboard on the left is about your information on Medindia, i.e. your homepage and your listing in Medindia's doctors' directory. The doctor's directory has over 260,000 doctors listed on Medindia. The right half allows you to control your patient information.

Wellness Portal As a registered doctor with Medindia you can offer a full-featured wellness portal to all your patients that are branded with your practice name. All your patients can login to this portal and get a private and personalized 'My Health Page' where they can manage their health. It also has the full library of Medinda health and wellness content, educational material and tutorials designed to increase engagement and educate patients on their health.

For more information on all the features in this wellness portal please view this page or watch the video here.

Appointments

This section allows you to manage all your patient appointments. Patients can book appointments with your practice for online or in-person visits based on available time slots and office locations. All appointments are subject to your confirmation and can be rescheduled if required. We provide automatic Email and SMS reminders to minimize missed patient appointments.

You can even Block your Dates if you are not available in one particular location.

Telemedicine Guidelines

Medindia promotes access and affordability of patients to achieve universal healthcare for all through the practice of telemedicine. We have included several telemedicine resources including a few articles and the notified guidelines by the Government of India. All doctors who wish to practice telemedicine practice are required to become familiar with these guidelines.

Teleconsultation Dashboard: This feature allows you to view and manage all teleconsultations with patients. Features include full secure text chat and communication with patients as well as secure audio / video teleconsultations via a web browser or using a mobile phone. Medindia follows all the legal requirements of the Telemedicine act of India and obtains the required consent form from patients prior to any teleconsultation to fully protect you. Online payment processing is built- in and patients can pay by bank transfer or credit card. Automatic SMS and email reminders are sent to the patient and a secure audio/video session is initiated at the scheduled time. All of the above features of the portal are available from a desktop, notebook or tablet browser as well as a mobile smartphone app.

Medindia helps its registered doctors by making them visible and informing our members about their availability for teleconsultations on our online consultation pages for free.

Journal Articles & Latest from Pubmed

This feature is designed to keep you updated with the latest in medical research and developments by providing you with abstracts of recent articles from top medical journals and the latest articles from PubMed.

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Medindia truly believes in its Mission to Network doctors with Patients. Please do watch the short video that describes all the advantages and features of the Medindia Homepage.
High temperatures are expected to take a nearly 22 degree jump from Thursdays high of 78, reaching 100 this weekend.

Excessive heat coupled with low humidity and strong winds has created extreme fire danger. Portland is under a red flag warning through the weekend for dangerously dry conditions.

Northerly winds will become breezy Friday afternoon and evening, further drying out the region and elevating fire concerns, according to the National Weather Service. Winds are likely to gust to 20 to 30 mph in the Willamette Valley and across the Coast Range.

NWS Portland

Residents are urged to take precautions with any ignition sources, including chains that drag on the ground when hauling trailers as well as gas powered lawn tools, outdoor barbecues and cigarettes. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Multnomah County has been under an outdoor burn ban since July 24. Check your countys website for specific information.

A hot ridge of high pressure builds into northwest Oregon on Friday. The day will be sunny and warm with temperatures expected to reach 85 at Portland International Airport and as high as 90 in some locations.

Here are some tips on how to stay cool during coronavirus.

Most of Oregon will be under a heat advisory this weekend for temperatures reaching 100 in the valleys and as high as 108 in the central Columbia River Gorge and parts of central Oregon. Even the coast will get in on the heat with Saturday temperatures likely to hit the 90s, especially in the northern coastal towns.

NWS Pendleton

The heat continues overnight with little cooling expected in urban areas. Lows overnight may only drop to the lower 70s, offering only slight relief for those without air conditioning.

Learn the signs of heat stroke.

Sunday continues under an excessive heat warning with high temperatures again reaching 100 under clear skies.

NOAA

And if the hot weather and fire danger isnt enough, smoke from the Mosier fire in the gorge could drift westward Saturday and Sunday, according to the weather service. That could create hazy skies in the Hood River Valley, western Columbia Gorge and parts of the eastern Portland area.

High temperatures are expected to decline slightly Monday, with highs expected in the mid 90s.
Council, other groups will look at downtown parking concerns

There have been several downtown businesses requesting reserved parking spots prompting the council to make some changes to the parking ordinances.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today posted the following on his Facebook page:

Dear compatriots, proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

Today I signed an extremely important petition addressed to the President of Armenia and held phone talks with the President regarding the petition.

I have presented 16 servicemen out of the active role-players in the victorious battles in Tavush Province for the 1st degree Order of the Combat Cross and 55 servicemen for the 2nd degree Order of the Combat Cross.

I have also presented Ruben Sanamyan for the title of National Hero (Order of the Homeland). A short while ago, I had the honor of meeting with Sanamyan.

This is truly a worthy tribute to the participants of the victorious battles in Tavush Province, all soldiers, officers and generals of the Armenian Army, all heroes of the past and our days, all of our martyrs who, with their examples, inspired the heroes of our days, and we have the honor of living with them. Glory to the Armenian Army!
A federal appeals court has affirmed the death sentence of North Philadelphia drug lord Kaboni Savage this week, bringing the unrepentant killer responsible for the deaths of four children and two women in a 2004 firebombing attack one step closer to execution.

In its ruling, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit acknowledged that Savages case was the first time in nearly a century that the Philadelphia-based court had been called upon to review a rarely imposed federal death sentence on direct appeal, and that since then, public debate over the punishment has shifted substantially.

Still, Chief Judge D. Brooks Smith, writing for the Philadelphia-based panel in a 201-page opinion issued Thursday, said the court discerned no grounds entitling Savage to relief on any of the issues he raises.

The decision was just one setback in a string of appellate options Savage can pursue before his execution date would be scheduled. But the Justice Department resumed carrying out federal death sentences this year after a nearly two-decade pause, so the ruling could be more significant than it might have been just a few years ago.

Lawrence S. Lustberg, one of Savages attorneys, called the ruling flawed and said it endorsed significant infringements on the rights of defendants facing capital punishment. In a statement, he cited one of the arguments the court rejected: that the trial court improperly decided to let Savage change lawyers during jury selection and then refused to grant a continuance, leaving his new lawyer unprepared to adequately defend him at trial.

No lawyer, no matter how experienced, could have rendered an adequate defense, Lustberg said. Under the circumstances, it is inconceivable that the Court of Appeals could have been satisfied that a death verdict was appropriate.

 READ MORE: A Chadds Ford financial adviser became informant against a notorious Philly drug lord. What happened when he was found out?

A federal jury convicted Savage in 2013 in a racketeering case that linked him to 12 murders, many of them aimed at silencing potential witnesses or others he deemed threats.

The former boxer had risen from street-level dealing in Hunting Park to become a major drug trafficker and was described by witnesses at his trial as a cunning businessman whose desire for control was matched only by his murderous ruthlessness.

Stints in prison did little to chasten him. He boasted to his girlfriend  on recordings later aired at his trial  that he dreamed of killing rats.

And it was from solitary-confinement while awaiting trial in a federal case that Savage committed his most notorious crime: the 2004 firebombing in North Philadelphia that killed a family related to a former confidant, Eugene Coleman, who had agreed to help the FBI gather evidence against him.

When Coleman was temporarily released from prison to attend the funerals, a bug placed in Savages prison cell caught the kingpin quipping: They should stop off and get him some barbecue sauce  pour it on them burnt bs.

In his appeal, Savages attorneys challenged several decisions of the trial judge, U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick, as well as the makeup of the jury and Surricks instructions to the panel before it deliberated and delivered its verdict.

The appellate panel, which in addition to Brooks included Judges Kent A. Jordan and Julio M. Fuentes, rejected all of those arguments.

In a statement Friday, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain hailed that decision, saying the panel had paid necessary and careful attention to all of the arguments Savage presented and made the appropriate call.

The crimes committed by Kaboni Savage were unprecedented in this district in their cruelty and horror, he said. We recognize that much litigation likely lies ahead, and will remain steadfast and resolute in our pursuit of justice for the defendants many victims and for this community.

Since his sentencing, Savage has been housed at the supermax prison in Florence, Colo. He is the only Pennsylvanian on federal death row.
The Bombay high court (HC) on Friday refused to interfere with the Maharashtra governments decision not to allow religious places of worship to reopen owing to the raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak and reiterated that the situation is not yet conducive for such relaxations.

The two-member HC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Surendra Tavade, was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Associate for Aiding Justice, seeking reopening of places of worship for all faiths.

Advocate Dipesh Siroya, the petitioners counsel, submitted before the court since the Central government has allowed reopening of temples and also because the pandemic situation in Maharashtra has improved, the state government should follow suit.

He pleaded that the government might not allow religious functions to be held in temples and could also restrict the number of devotees visit to a shrine, but the public can still be allowed darshan.

The bench, however, refused to accept the claim that the pandemic situation in Maharashtra has improved.

Please pray at home and if have some love left for the humanity, please dont press for these prayers, said the bench. If the situation improves, this court, being the temple of justice, will be the first to reopen, before any other temple opens for devotees, it added.

Nisha Mehra, assistant government pleader, opposed the PIL and pointed out that the state government on Wednesday (August 12) had rejected the representations for reopening of temples, and a co-ordinate bench had refused the prayer for interim relief for reopening of Jain temples for the nine-day holy festival of Paryushan, which starts from Saturday (August 15).

The bench also directed Siroya to clarify the status of the petitioner body after noticing that it has been registered as a company.

How can a company espouse religious rights? the bench asked.

The PIL will be heard next on Tuesday (August 18).
The same year, Steffen testified at a congressional hearing about the amount of ice Greenland was losing each year because of melting. It was the equivalent, he said, of a column of water covering the District of Columbia  and reaching almost a mile high. That got some attention, he said at the time. Steffen realised that climate was changing most rapidly in polar regions, but at first he questioned his own findings about how fast that change was taking place. During his first decade in Greenland, the average winter temperatures rose so much that Steffen did not believe his meteorological instruments. But after two decades, the evidence was irrefutable, proving winter temperatures had risen 4 degrees Celsius. Among other findings, he noted that Greenlands ice sheet lost water in two ways  melting at the surface, and a gradual slippage of glaciers toward the sea, resulting in dramatic calving events, in which huge chunks of ice fell off and became icebergs. The movement of glaciers was made worse because melting water seeped through the ice shelf, in essence becoming a lubricant beneath the ice pack, making it move more quickly. When the IPCC projected in the early 2000s that sea levels could rise as much as two feet in the 21st century, Steffen begged to differ, based on what he had seen in Greenland. Unfortunately, he said in 2007, I think we are looking at more like a metre.

Each spring, Steffen returned to Swiss Camp, which was built on a glacier in a forbidding polar landscape above the Arctic Circle. It sat atop a wooden platform on steel girders driven almost four metres into the ice. As the glacier below it began to shift, the entire camp moved with it, sliding 50 centimetres or more a day as the ice sheet drifted seaward. We realised that something was going wrong, Steffen told Popular Science magazine in 2007. Greenland was coming apart. The depth of snow and ice measured at Swiss Camp fell by 3.66 metres in four years. Several times, Steffens entire camp collapsed and had to be rebuilt. He did much of the construction work himself. Ultimately, the camp contained two huts, one for a laboratory and the other for a communal dining hall. The scientists slept in tents pitched on the ice and worked long hours during the summer months, when the sun never fell below the horizon. Steffen slept only three or four hours a night when he was working in Greenland. He often worked barehanded as ice crystals caked his beard in temperatures that, even in the warmer months, could fall to -32C.

I seem to like the extremes, he said. I am not afraid of cold. Konrad Steffen was born January 2, 1952, in Zurich. His father was a tailor. Steffen studied engineering before volunteering to help a glaciologist with his fieldwork in the Arctic in the mid-1970s. He then focused on geography and climate science, receiving the equivalent of a bachelors degree in 1977 and a doctorate in 1984, both from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (known as ETH Zurich). In the late 1970s, Dr Steffen spent two winters on an ice floe near Baffin Island in northern Canada. He was once trapped in an avalanche and knocked off his snowmobile, suffering a dislocated jaw and a compound fracture in one leg. He dragged himself to an aluminum stake used as a marker, pulled it out of the ice and applied to his broken leg as a splint. He sheltered beside the overturned snowmobile, calling out the name of a fellow researcher who eventually heard his cries. After 24 hours, Steffen was rescued. His first wife, the former Regula Werner, with whom he had two children, died in 2011. He later married Bianca Perren. A complete list of survivors could not be confirmed.
WASHINGTON  In the wake of primaries plagued by voters waiting in long lines and other problems, House Democrats are looking into whether key states are well prepared for Election Day in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis led by Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and the Committee on House Administration chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California sent letters Friday to election officials in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin  all key states in the competitive presidential race  requesting information about their plans to recruit more poll workers and protect them, safely open polling sites, and expand mail-in voting options.

During recent primaries, those states were among those plagued by election problems, including a shortage of poll workers and voters waiting hours in line to cast their ballots.

Those problems raise concerns that some states may not be prepared to ensure every eligible voter can freely and safely cast their ballot in the general election, Clyburn and Lofgren wrote.

People wait in line to vote in Georgias Primary Election on June 9, 2020 in Atlanta. Voters in Georgia, West Virginia, South Carolina, North Dakota, and Nevada are holding primaries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerns remain widespread. Just half of registered voters say it will be very or somewhat easy to vote and about the same share  49%  expects to have difficulties casting a ballot, according to a Pew Research Center poll released Thursday. That is a substantial change since October 2018, shortly before that years midterm elections, when 85% of registered voters said it would be easy to vote, the center said.

With less than three months until Election Day, the battle over elections preparedness is expected to only heat up.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly charged, without evidence, that mail-in ballots would lead to massive voter fraud. He has also suggested the possibility of delaying the election over his concerns of expanded mail-in voting, a decision that would require approval from Congress and was immediately dismissed by congressional Republicans and Democrats.

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, and other members of his party have vowed to make voter protections a priority and push for more access to voting, including absentee ballots. Mailing absentee ballot request forms to all voters has been widely used in states run by Republican and Democratic election officials.

Story continues

Meanwhile, congressional lawmakers are still wrestling over a relief measure that could include funding for states to help prepare for elections.

Voters cast their ballots at the Miami-Dade County West Sunset Fire Rescue Station, during the Florida primary election, Aug. 28, 2018, in Miami.

More: President Trump requests mail-in ballot for upcoming Florida primary, despite rhetoric

Clyburn and Lofgren said with the spread of the virus across the country there are concerns more states may face similar challenges and should map out plans that would provide safe access to the polls for voters and staffers. They said elections officials should follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No voter should be forced to wait for hours in line or risk their health to exercise their constitutionally protected right to vote, the committee chairs wrote.

The committees requested a staff briefing with election officials by Aug. 21 and a written response by Aug. 28. Among the information requested are how many voters are expected to turnout, the number of absentee ballot requests expected and the number of poll workers needed.

Earlier this week, voting rights activists and civic engagement groups launched a campaign that would among other things urge people, particularly younger ones, to step up to be poll workers.

Contributing: Bart Jansen, Ledyard King, Nicholas Wu

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election 2020: Democrats probe state's readiness as coronavirus spreads
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has highlighted the need for introducing international mechanisms of investigations of ceasefire violations at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Pashinyan was speaking to BBC HARDtalk about the Azerbaijani military attack in the direction of Tavush Province, Armenia in mid-July.

Azerbaijan started military attack against Armenia and it wasnt separate action. Within long time the Azerbaijani president developed bellicose rhetoric saying he was going to solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict using military force. As a result of that bellicose rhetoric, Azerbaijani government is facing a challenge to explain to their own society why they couldnt solve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through force, he said, adding that the Azerbaijani attack failed even when the Azerbaijani government had spent billions of dollars on military at the expense of the Azerbaijani peoples welfare. He said the failure also diminished the myth of the Azerbaijani military superiority against Armenia.

I can understand the situation of international community, every time hearing mutual accusations of each other on who violated ceasefire, and this continues again and again, that is why we propose to establish international mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations, and this is valid proposal by Armenia, PM Pashinyan said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Then the next day, Tikhanovskaya released an emotional video saying she made a very difficult decision and God forbid you face such a choice that I had to face. In a second video, released roughly an hour later that appeared to have been taped inside the Central Elections Commission building, Tikhanovskaya read a prepared statement that asked her supporters to stop protesting and said, The people of Belarus have made their choice in the election.
New Delhi: Indian Army on Friday (August 14, 2020) announced that Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Rawat, Major Anil Urs and Havaldar Alok Kumar Dubey will be awarded Shaurya Chakra for gallantry in different operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

A release from the Defence Ministry said that on the eve of 74th Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind has approved gallantry awards for defence personnel, including Shaurya Chakra to three from the Army for counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Wing Commander Vishak Nair from the Indian Air Force has also been chosen for the prestigious Shaurya Chakra.

Lt. Col Krishan Singh Rawat, who is among those chosen for the Shaurya Chakra, is from the elite Special Forces.

Thirty-one Army personnel too have been awarded the Sena (gallantry) medal this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his seventh straight Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Saturday -- an address that comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, a border standoff with China and a slew of reforms by the government under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

All eyes will be on what the prime minister says as his August 15 addresses have often been marked by big announcements, his government's achievements and bringing to people's attention what he believes to be the major challenges facing the country.

Fresh from his re-election with a thumping mandate, PM Modi, in his Independence Day speech last year, had highlighted his government's move to bring in the law against triple talaq and to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

He had also underlined the need for population control and the country's vision to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy.

The government's efforts to deal with COVID-19 are likely to be in focus when Modi addresses the nation on its 74th Independence Day.

The Modi 2.0 government is now into its second year and is in the midst of carrying out wide-ranging economic reforms to boost the economy which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand extends city lockdown amid hunt for mystery source Police and military personnel check vehicles leaving Auckland as New Zealand rushes to track the source of a sudden return of the coronavirus

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended a lockdown in New Zealand's largest city Friday, giving health authorities more time to trace and contain a strain of coronavirus previously unseen in the country.

Ardern said stay-at-home orders would remain in force across Auckland until August 26 in a bid to prevent a mystery outbreak from becoming a fully-blown second wave.

Genomic tests indicated the latest infections were not the same strain of coronavirus recorded in New Zealand earlier this year.

"This suggests it's not a case of the virus being dormant, or of burning embers in our community, it appears to be new to New Zealand," Ardern said.

She added that tests were also unable to link the outbreak to any cases among quarantined travellers from overseas.

Since four people tested positive on Tuesday -- the first cases of community transmission in 102 days -- New Zealand has now detected a cluster of 30 virus cases.

Amid speculation that the virus could have been brought in via freight, Ardern admitted the source of the strain may never be found.

But she said it was likely the outbreak had been detected early and expressed hope that it could still be held back.

"We don't necessarily need to answer that question in order to contain and deal with this cluster effectively," she said.

Ardern praised the 1.5 million residents of New Zealand's biggest city as carrying a "heavy load" for the nation's wellbeing.

"Lifting restrictions now and seeing a potential explosion in cases is the worst thing we would do for Auckland and the New Zealand economy," she said.

Health Minister Chris Hipkins said earlier that two cases had been detected outside Auckland despite the lockdown.

But he played down fears that the failure to ring-fence infections meant the virus was destined to spread countrywide.

"The cases so far are connected, they are all part of one Auckland-based cluster, that's good news," he said.

Story continues

- 'Completely unacceptable' -

The prospect of new wave of infections has rattled New Zealanders, who have come to regard the remote South Pacific nation as a transmission-free haven over the past three months.

Wellington resident Barbara Pond described the situation as "heartbreaking".

"I'm so sick of hearing about COVID," she said.

"We worked so hard to get rid of it and now every time you turn around it's COVID, COVID, COVID."

National health director-general Ashley Bloomfield acknowledged feelings were running high but urged the public not to take out their frustrations on frontline health workers.

"We've had reports of healthcare workers, who are doing their best to provide testing for people, being verbally abused and even attacked," he said.

"This is completely unacceptable," he added, declining to provide further details.

New Zealand is following the same strategy that helped contain the virus after a seven-week lockdown earlier this year -- isolating positive cases, contact tracing and extensive testing.

The government is making testing mandatory for frontline workers at ports and isolation facilities after reports that most staff at Auckland airport had never been checked for the virus.

Hipkins denied the government had failed to secure the border -- regarded as the area most vulnerable to COVID-19's return -- but conceded: "I'd have liked more tests (there) earlier."

ns/arb/gle
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin is proposing a rule that promotes faith-based healthcare sharing ministries at the expense of legitimate health insurance plans. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Never let it be said that President Trump doesn't know how to take advantage of a crisis. For our latest example, let's look at how he has exploited the distractions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to quietly launch yet another attack on the Affordable Care Act.

This attack involves promoting "healthcare sharing ministries," which are typically associated with religious faiths, to siphon enrollment from legitimate health insurance plans, thus weakening the latter in a way that is likely to drive up their costs.

A new regulation proposed by the Treasury Department would define healthcare sharing ministries as health insurance and for the first time allow some members to take a tax deduction for their monthly contributions.

Incentivizing payments to HSMs will only accelerate medical debt and poor health outcomes during an international health crisis.

Comment letter from 20 state attorneys general

That could encourage more people to sign up for what many healthcare experts consider substandard coverage.

The Trump administration's redefinition of sharing ministries as insurance contradicts the ministries' own self-description. They typically warn enrollees that they're not health insurance companies and don't guarantee that they'll pay any enrollee claims, even for ostensibly covered services.

Those formal disclaimers have enabled the ministries to avoid regulation by state insurance agencies. The plans are "largely unregulated," in the words of the Commonwealth Fund.

Thirty states exempt healthcare sharing ministries from insurance laws as long as they issue a written disclaimer that they're not insurance, and Congress granted them an exemption from Affordable Care Act rules.

The sharing ministries, however, are often marketed in ways that could confuse customers into believing they're buying real health insurance.

The Treasury Department slipped its proposed rule into the regulatory hopper on June 10, giving critics until Aug. 10 to file comments.

Story continues

California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and the attorneys general of 19 other states have weighed in. In their official comment, they say that "incentivizing payments to HSMs will only accelerate medical debt and poor health outcomes during an international health crisis" and give sharing plans greater incentive "to ramp up fraudulent marketing practices."

They maintain that the change is illegal because it was proposed without any analysis of the potential to cause consumer confusion or to erode existing health insurance markets.

In other words, they say Trump is offering a trifecta of dumb and dishonest healthcare policy.

The Treasury's proposed rule reflects the Trump administration's policy of promoting low-quality health plans that are generally noncompliant with the Affordable Care Act such as short-term health plans, that lack the ACA's consumer safeguards. These plans can appear to be cheaper than compliant plans because they offer poorer benefits.

In an October 2017 executive order cited in the Treasury's rule proposal, Trump called for expanding access to noncompliant plans to give Americans "meaningful choice" in healthcare. In a follow-up order in June 2019, Trump directed the Treasury to craft regulations allowing healthcare sharing ministry expenses to be tax-deductible.

The concept of sharing healthcare costs originated with Amish and Mennonite communities more than 100 years ago, but spread to other religious groups in the 1980s. The monthly contributions can be applied to the needs of specific members, but typically they're placed in a pool from which members' bills are paid according to the ministries' coverage terms.

The Affordable Care Act exempted healthcare sharing ministries from consumer protection rules, such as the requirement that health plans cover 10 "essential services" such as immunizations, hospitalization, maternity care and mental health services.

Customers who signed up with sharing plans aimed at members who shared "a common set of ethical or religious beliefs" were also exempted from the ACA's penalty for not carrying insurance. (Congress reduced that penalty to zero as of this year as part of the 2017 tax-cut bill.)

Thirty states, shown in brown, exempt healthcare sharing ministries from insurance regulations. (Commonwealth Fund)

Those exemptions allow healthcare sharing ministries to offer their members junk. The plans typically place benefit limits on member claims. The ACA doesn't allow legitimate health plans to do so.

The sharing plans can exclude coverage of preexisting conditions. They usually don't cover prescription drugs or preventive services such as immunizations and mammograms.

According to a 2018 report for the National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners, they often refuse to cover any claim putatively resulting from immoral activities such as drug use or  in the words of Christian Healthcare Ministries, one of the largest sharing plans  "adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior [and] bisexual conduct."

Christian Healthcare Ministries won't grant maternity coverage to unwed mothers. Adopted children can be covered unless they're disabled, in which case CHM reserves the right to refuse coverage.

Members of sharing ministries are sometimes instructed to attempt on their own to negotiate with their healthcare providers for discounts, a task that traditional insurers generally perform for their enrollees.

The members are instructed to pay providers up front, then submit bills to the ministries for reimbursement if they exceed a given threshold  anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars per "incident," defined as a single injury or brief period of coverage for a chronic condition.

Despite these shortcomings, sharing ministries have expanded in recent years, with enrollment rising to about 1 million in 2018 from 100,000 in 2010, according to the state attorneys general. Revenues of Christian Healthcare Ministries soared to $510 million in 2019 from $220 million in 2016, according to its tax filings.

Consumers may find the ministries attractive because their monthly fees can appear modest compared to premiums charged by conventional insurance plans. That can be misleading, since the ministry contributions aren't eligible for Affordable Care Act subsidies and the plans don't offer the same consumer protections or minimum services required of ACA plans.

The plans also attract customers by appealing to their spiritual impulses. Christian Healthcare Ministries describes itself as "a healthcare cost solution that's biblical," citing the command Jesus issued to his disciples at the Last Supper to "love one another."

Some ministries have adopted features that mimic those of traditional insurance in ways that could confuse consumers. Monthly contributions resemble insurance premiums, and the threshold exclusions look like deductibles.

Shared healthcare ministries have been thorns in the side of state consumer regulators, who have been fielding complaints from members whose claims have been denied even though they thought they were covered.

The ministries "often employ deceptive marketing tactics," the attorneys general assert. Members have filed complaints or lawsuits asserting that they've been left holding the bag for six-figure medical bills they assumed would be covered.

That could lead to "long-term economic deprivation, bankruptcy, housing instability, and even homelessness," the attorneys general say. "The confusion HSMs cause by mimicking traditional health insurance is not without a human toll."

Authorities in Texas, Colorado, Washington, Maryland, New York and New Hampshire have opened investigations or sought cease-and-desist orders against one company, Atlanta-based Aliera Healthcare, and its affiliates, generally charging that it deceptively marketed sharing plans to consumers.

In its defense, Aliera has invoked a dodge common in the healthcare sharing ministry world  that its products aren't insurance and therefore can't be regulated by insurance authorities. Aliera "is neither an insurance company nor a Health Care Sharing Ministry, the firm told me by email. Through "multiple wholly owned subsidiaries," however, "we do provide services to HCSM clients."

In a response earlier this month to a lawsuit filed by several customers in federal court, however, Aliera said that its affiliates never "assumed any contractual obligation (and took no responsibility) to pay for any member's medical expenses from their own funds. ... Nor is there any guarantee that any specific member's requests for sharing will be paid out of other members' health sharing contributions."

The affiliates "act merely as clearinghouses for their members to share each other's medical expenses," the company said.

Texas alleged last year that although Aliera claimed to administer a health care sharing ministry," the company is actually "a multimillion dollar for-profit business that admittedly siphons off over 70% of every dollar collected from its members to 'administrative costs.'" The action is pending, with a trial tentatively set for next year.

The company denied allegations by Connecticut authorities that it was illegally selling insurance by asserting that its products were not insurance. The state allowed Aliera to continue serving existing customers but barred it from soliciting new business. In February, Maryland authorities moved to revoke Aliera's insurance license; Aliera told me it is "strongly contesting" Maryland's allegations. Aliera has also agreed to cease marketing healthcare sharing ministries in Colorado.

Put this all together, and it becomes clear that the Trump administration has merely concocted another tactic to erode the Affordable Care Act and saddle Americans with more healthcare risk. The proposed rule would define as insurance the health plans that they themselves admit are not insurance. It will entice more Americans into wasting their money on coverage that won't give them protection when they need it.

It's not "free choice," as the rule proposal says, but like every one of Trump's supposed healthcare reforms, it's a poisoned chalice. It will leave many Americans sicker and poorer, in the teeth of the worst public health crisis in our lifetimes.
The Mumbai Police has initiated an inquiry into the complaint filed by the father of Disha Salian, former manager of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, about the rumours allegedly being spread about his daughter's death, an official said on Friday.

Based on the complaint filed by Disha's father Satish Salian, the Malvani police has launched an inquiry and the process of recording statements is on, the official said.

Disha had died on June 8 after allegedly jumping off the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai's Malad.

An accidental death case was registered in the alleged suicide.

On June 14, Rajput was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai.

Her father had recently given a written complaint to the police, stating that 'derogatory' posts and forwards were being shared by people that defamed his deceased daughter and his family.

In his complaint, he had also alleged that the 'news about her (Disha's) involvement with any politician or attending parties with big names of the film fraternity, rape and murder are all stories cooked up by media people just to sell it to channels and these stories hold no truth'.

Disha's father had also requested the police to take action against the people concerned for their 'insensitive act' towards his family.

"The Malvani police, who are probing the case of Disha's death, have also started an inquiry into the complaint filed by her father. Accordingly, statements of a few persons are being recorded in this connection," the police official said.

The police has made an appeal to the people to come forward with any evidence or information linked to the case.
Inadvertent remarks by friends and colleagues often lead artist Jennifer Ling Datchuk into what she calls a deep dark hole. Thats because she and her husband, Ryan Takaba, have for years struggled to have a child, including a miscarriage and a failed in vitro fertilization procedure.

It might be an artist friend who offhandedly says that being a mother made her a better artist. Or someone with kids who, perhaps with a touch of envy, comments that the reason Datchuk can take on big commissions or accept long-term residencies in foreign countries is because she doesnt have any children herself.

These things are like a dagger to my heart, she said. But it often doesnt feel appropriate to drop my infertility status into these conversations.

To help cope with the sadness, Datchuk, like many others going through a rough patch, turned instead to social media for comfort, support and understanding. In her case, it was several Facebook groups for women undergoing similar issues.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are often described as harmful, or worse, for inciting political partisanship, spreading false conspiracies, collecting boatloads of users personal data and more. Still, there are times when the social part of social media takes prominence, when these platforms, so often used to divide, can help connect people in ways not easily replicated in real life.

Datchuk, for example, was able to find groups that parse things down almost to the submolecular level.

I found a group for women over 40 who are having trouble getting pregnant for the first time because they have endometriosis, just like me, she said, referring to a painful condition in which tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows on the outside. Endometriosis also can cause fertility problems.

Friends and family can be supportive, but eventually they stop checking up on you, so you stop talking about it, she said. The groups I found were always there for me.

Spending too much time on social media can be detrimental to your health. A 2018 study in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that undergraduate students who voluntarily limited their social media time to 30 minutes a day for three weeks reported feeling significantly less lonely and anxious and were less likely to suffer FOMO (fear of missing out) than those who continued using these platforms unabated.

On ExpressNews.com: Texicana Mamas talk about their first album and the immigration and border politics behind it

You can get a false sense of closeness with someone whose page you might scroll through, but that you havent talked with in months or even years, said Stacy Ogbeide, an associate professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UT Health San Antonio. .

Still, Ogbeide said there are times when social media can be helpful.

I can see when having heartfelt conversations with others going through the same things you are can be beneficial, she said.

Alison Galvan and her husband, Danny, have been trying to get pregnant for 2 years, a process that has involved numerous doctors, many office visits and two surgeries to remove a muscle septum in her uterus. Its a process, she said, that has taken its toll.

So when Galvan, who owns EnergyX Fitness, turned to social media platforms Facebook and Instagram to tell her story, she was surprised by the response.

In a July 21 post, she described herself as a woman dealing with infertility. While I know this isnt uncommon, it feels like it, she wrote. But the more I talk, the more I find Im not alone. And I want you to know, youre not alone!

The post seemed to touch a nerve, garnering 59 (and counting) comments and almost 300 Likes.

The more I heard from others, the more I saw how so many people are going through the same thing we are, she said. I wasnt looking for someone to wallow in sorrow with me. But I realized people need to know that theyre not alone.

While most of the responses are of the thoughts and prayers variety, she said shes also received private messages from plenty of women with their own stories.

A lot of them said, Youre right, I did feel alone, she said. Im not trying to be the poster child for infertility, but I was responding to posts and messages for weeks afterward. Im still having conversations with some of the women who responded.

She heard from a friend whod been having fertility issues before she went through menopause at 28. Another friend wrote that shed read Galvans post while sitting in the waiting room before having another fertility-related surgery.

On ExpressNews.com: The Sunday drive is back thanks to coronavirus, and we suggest 7 scenic San Antonio drives to get you out of the house

Sharing their stories has helped both Galvan and Datchuk, too.

For Galvan, it has helped her normalize her situation.

I dont want infertility to define me or my relationship with Danny, she said. And I think this has helped keep me from doing that.

Datchuk said she has benefited from helping others on those Facebook groups as much as she has benefited from them.

Its let me turn my pain into purpose, she said.

In fact, eventually she became so involved with some of these groups she turned into something of a mentor to new women coming in.

Its good when you can help others, she said. Although theres always a certain amount of sadness when a woman youve known online for a long time eventually becomes pregnant and leaves the group.

Indeed, as Datchuk considers whether she and Takaba want to go through a second round of in vitro fertilization treatment, shes also considering stepping back from these groups.

I feel like Ive got an honorary degree in reproductive endocrinology, she said. I feel like sitting it out this time.

Whatever happens, both Galvan and Datchuk say going public with their struggles has had an unexpectedly happy side benefit.

The good news of all this is that since everyone knows whats happening with us, people, especially our older relatives, have stopped asking us when were going to start having kids, Galvan said ruefully. So at least theres that.

Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Richard, become a subscriber. rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini
New Delhi: AirAsia India on Friday offered 50,000 seats without base fares to the armed forces personnel for the travel period between September 25 and December 31. On the eve of Independence Day, the airline said the travellers can submit their details online between August 15 and August 21 to avail of the offer.

While the base fare will be waived off under the "RedPass" offer, airport fees, charges, and taxes would be borne by the personnel, it stated in a press release. "Once the application is reviewed, details will be sent to the applicant on the redemption process on any domestic flight operated by AirAsia India," the release said.

The AirAsia RedPass will be valid for a one-way flight for which the reservation is required to be made at least 21 days prior to the date of departure, it mentioned.

In addition to the base fare discount, the personnel will also enjoy priority while boarding and depositing check-in luggage, the low-cost carrier noted.

It said the offer can be availed by personnel of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, paramilitary forces, and under trainee cadets.

The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

All airlines in India have taken cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, leave without pay, and firings of employees in order to conserve cash flow.
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Linkedin Joseph Ax (Reuters)  Fri, August 14, 2020 10:51 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df9f57 2 World Kamala-Harris,Joe-Biden,Asian-American,US-presidential-election,US-presidential-race,voters Free

Joe Biden's presidential campaign plans to step up engagement with Asian-American voters this fall and is betting running mate Kamala Harris' experience as the daughter of an Indian immigrant will resonate with the fastest-growing US minority population.

Harris, whose mother was from India and father from Jamaica, made history this week as both the first Black woman and Asian American to join a major-party US presidential ticket. Introducing her on Wednesday as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Biden said, "Her story is America's story."

Asian Americans are an oft-overlooked political constituency, making up less than 6% of the overall US population. But their numbers are quickly expanding in critical battleground states, and galvanizing their turnout could be enough to swing the outcome of November's presidential election.

After Biden announced Harris as his running mate, Amit Jani, the campaign's national director for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) outreach, said he saw an immediate surge of enthusiasm on social media and message boards and received calls from Asian Americans seeking to get more involved.

"Within the South Asian and Indian communities, there's a level of excitement I haven't seen before," Jani said.

The Biden campaign has said it will devote part of a $280 million fall advertising blitz to AAPI outreach, including targeted buys in ethnic media.

While Asian Americans are far from monolithic and are comprised of many different ethnicities, they have supported Democrats overall in recent decades. In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton won AAPI voters over Republican Donald Trump by a 2-to-1 margin, according to a Reuters/Ipsos Election Day poll.

In states such as Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas  all of which are closely contested ahead of this year's presidential election, according to opinion polls  the AAPI population grew more than 40% between 2012 and 2018.

That was more than triple the pace for all residents in each state, according to data compiled by AAPI Data and the nonpartisan advocacy group APIAVote. Indian Americans represent the largest Asian-American group in each of those states.

Trump's 2016 victory came down to fewer than 80,000 total votes in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where more than half a million AAPI residents live.

"These are places where the Asian-American vote might mean the difference between victory and defeat," Karthick Ramakrishnan, a professor at the University of California-Riverside and the founder of AAPI Data, said of the various swing states.

In an effort to win support from Indian-American voters, Trump hosted a 50,000-person "Howdy Modi" rally in Texas with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. Modi returned the favor in February, organizing a 110,000-attendee rally for Trump in India.

'People like me'

Advocates said Harris' background as a daughter of immigrants would resonate with Asian Americans of all ethnicities, given that two-thirds of the AAPI population are first-generation immigrants.

Harris described on Wednesday how her parents came from different parts of the world to the United States seeking opportunity and bonded over their commitment to justice.

"What brought them together was the civil rights movement," she said.

That movement led to the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which ended racial immigration quotas and opened the country to Indians and other immigrants, noted Neil Makhija, the executive director of IMPACT, which recruits and supports Indian-American candidates.

"She ties together all of our national threads in a way that no other public figure has ever done," he said.

Varun Nikore, president of AAPI Victory Fund, a super PAC that backs Asian-American candidates, said Asian-American voters were turned off by Trump's attempt to blame China over the coronavirus  including his use of racially charged terms like "China virus" and "kung flu."

The pandemic has seen a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans, with more than 2,300 incidents from March 19 to July 15, according to the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council.

A Trump campaign spokesman, Ken Farnaso, said it has held more than 500 events geared toward Asian Americans since 2017, including events where immigrants or their relatives share stories about their escapes from socialist or communist regimes.

"With President Trump at the helm, the Asian Pacific American community can be confident they have the best advocate in the White House," Farnaso added.

Historically, Republicans and Democrats have put little effort toward reaching Asian-American voters. Nikore said lower turnout convinced campaigns not to invest many resources, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Also complicating engagement: None of the major AAPI populations share a common language.

"You really need to have multiple campaign plans, one for every ethnicity that exists," Nikore said.

The Biden campaign is hosting numerous AAPI events, including the launch of the Wisconsin AAPIs for Biden effort on Thursday and an Indian independence event on Saturday.

This fall, the campaign will have phone banks dedicated to specific ethnicities and staffed with callers who speak the appropriate language, Jani said.

Harris' elevation to the ticket comes as more Asian-Americans run for office than ever before.

There have been a record 99 Asian-American candidates for federal office in 2020, compared with 48 in 2018, according to research by the nonprofit Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. This year's examples include Sara Gideon, the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine, whose father is Indian.

Studies have shown that more Asian-American candidates leads to higher political participation among the community's voters.

"It's hard to overstate how important this is for people like me," said Sri Preston Kulkarni, an Indian American running for Congress as a Democrat in a competitive Texas district near Houston. "Growing up as the son of an Indian immigrant, I didn't see other faces that looked like mine, especially in positions of power."
For decades, the nonprofit Friends of Midland group has been working to restore the historic Midland Cemetery in Swatara Township which holds the graves of many Black Civil War veterans and generations of community leaders.

With the stroke of a pen, a Dauphin County judge has just made that group the official owner of the 225-year-old burial ground, which had been abandoned and left to fall into ruin.

That act should clear away any potential legal obstacle to the Midland groups continuing effort to restore the graveyard and emphasize its place in the regions history. For one thing, the group will now be eligible for government grants to finance its work, money it couldnt receive without holding official title to the property.

Judge John J. McNallys order shifting ownership to the friends group came just a week after attorney Daniel Stern filed the request on behalf of the friends organization and its president, Barbara Barksdale. No entity opposed the move, and the state attorney generals office actively endorsed it.

The declaration of Midlands right to the cemetery was needed because no other entity had been taking responsibility for the graveyard since at least the 1980s.

Court filings state the cemetery was created in around 1795 as the segregated cemetery for the colored in Dauphin County. Slavery still existed in Pennsylvania at the time and segregation was the norm even after death.

The cemetery holds the remains of ministers, enslaved persons, educators, businessmen, women and children and those who served in the United States Colored Troops, the Buffalo Soldiers and all branches of the United States armed forces, the associations petition for ownership states.

The last burial there occurred in 1986.

The last known prior owner was the Midland Cemetery Association, organized in 1934. That group ceased to function in the mid-1980s, and the cemetery fell into serious disrepair, the friends group said.

Barksdales volunteer organization was created in 1993. It has been working to rehabilitate the graveyard since then. Its efforts have been praised by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and by township officials. State and local leaders have been attending commemorations the friends group holds at the cemetery each Memorial Day.

One of the groups more recent ventures occurred around Memorial Day of 2019 when military veterans from the Team Rubicon group volunteered to cut down more than two dozen trees in Ancestor Grove, the cemeterys oldest section. The work was done so ground penetrating radar could be brought in to help map the location of unmarked graves.

Burials in that section date from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Barksdale said it is believed many of those interred in Ancestor Grove were slaves.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunniva Inc. ("Sunniva", the "Company") (CSE: SNN)(OTC Pink Sheets: SNNVF), reports that on August 13, 2020, the Supreme Court of British Columbia awarded judgment in favor of IMK Management Services Inc. with respect to the previously filed notice of civil claim in connection with amounts payable to under a Finder's Fee Agreement (the "Agreement") dated January 28, 2019 with respect to the sale of Natural Health Services Inc. The judgment is for the full amount due under the Agreement of CA $472,500 plus interest and costs.

For more information about the Company please visit: www.sunniva.com.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or statements. All statements that are or information which is not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance are "forward-looking information or statements". Forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking information and statements contained herein, Sunniva has made numerous assumptions including, among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in Sunniva's continuous disclosure documents available on www.sedar.com and risks and uncertainties arising from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic on the business, operations, personnel and results of Sunniva. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information or statements. Although Sunniva has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information or statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking information or statements. Sunniva assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.

Company Contacts:

Sunniva Inc.

Dr. Anthony Holler

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (866) 786-6482

Sunniva Investor Relations:

Rob Knowles

VP Corporate Development

Phone: (587) 316-4319

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Sunniva Inc.

Related Links

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(This story has been updated with a comment from the Flint city attorney.)

FLINT, MI -- The city and Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce have settled a lawsuit filed by the mother of a 7-year-old boy who was handcuffed and left restrained for roughly an hour by a Flint Police Department officer five years ago.

Notice of the $40,000 settlement in the excessive force case was filed in U.S. District Court Friday, Aug. 14, following approval of the deal by the Flint City Council Monday, Aug. 10.

We are happy to have put this behind Cameron so he can move on with his life, said Jonathan R. Marko, one of the attorneys who represented Chrystal McCadden and her son, Cameron McCadden, in the case, which was filed in 2018.

In addition to the monetary settlement, the city agreed to make policy concessions to try to make sure nothing like this ever happens again, Marko said.

A representative of the Chamber of Commerce did not immediately comment on the settlement, but in a statement from the city, City Attorney Angela Wheeler called the deal a good resolution.

The city of Flint with the participation and support of the Flint Police Department has developed procedures and implemented policies for law enforcement regarding proper interactions with juveniles, Wheelers statement says.

The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the McCaddens against the city and chamber alleged excessive force was used by a Flint police officer who handcuffed the child in 2015 -- when he was 7 years old -- during an after-school program administered by the chamber.

Cameron McCadden was a second-grade student at Brownell K-2 STEM Academy and attending the YouthQuest program on Oct. 12, 2015, when Chrystal McCadden received a phone call stating her son was running around on a set of bleachers after kicking a supply cart, according to the lawsuit.

A video provided by the family shows the boy, who the lawsuit says was approximately 4-feet-tall and weighed 55 pounds at the time, calmly sitting on a bench with his hands cuffed behind his back while police waited for a key to the handcuffs to be delivered to the school.

McCadden has claimed she was never informed of any rule of the YouthQuest program, an afterschool enrichment program for Flint children, that her son violated or an explanation of why he was handcuffed.

However, the lawsuit says the boys behavior was consistent with his disability -- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which the lawsuits said made it difficult for him to focus, maintain attention, control his behavior, follow directions, and stay seated.

Marko said the policy concessions by the city resulted in improvements to how police have agreed to use restraints on children and disabled people in the future.

This will make it safer for the children in Flint and police officers in Flint, who will be less likely to be sued, he said. True good came out of (this settlement).

Before the settlement, a federal judge had dismissed former Police Chief Tim Johnson from the lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood also dismissed some but not all claims against the city in an opinion issued in April 2019.

The lawsuits claims against Johnson were duplicative of claims against the city, Hoods ruling said, and the claims against the chief were simply for executing his duties as the city official in charge of the police department rather than having committed any specific act that impacted or harmed the child.

ACLU sues Flint police for handcuffing 7-year-old at school

Federal court dismisses Flint police chief from lawsuit over handcuffed 7-year-old boy

Video: ACLU sues Flint police for handcuffing 7-year-old at school
"Americans were surprised when they heard Sputnik's beeping. It's the same with this vaccine. Russia will have got there first," CNN reported in the last week of July, quoting a senior Russian official.

This week, Russia became the first country to officially register a vaccine for COVID-19, claiming that over 20 countries are already in the queue demanding over a billion doses of Sputnik-V, their coronavirus vaccine.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which partially funded the vaccine's development by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry, estimates the global demand for vaccines will be minimum three to five billion doses by the end of 2021, a $75 billion opportunity. Although Russia has not priced its vaccine, it is eyeing at least $20 billion even if sold at $20 per shot. The target is to make 30-50 million doses this year itself at 5-10 million a month. Mass production by three local firms - Generium, R-Pharm and Binnopharm - will begin in September.

"There is great interest from Brazil, India, and many other countries looking forward to the Russian vaccine, the first vaccine in the world," the Russian news agency TASS reports. More vaccines are coming from Russia. "Four vaccines against the coronavirus have proven to be safe and tests on two more vaccines are at their final stage," the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin recently told its Parliament, the State Duma.

The Western world and the big pharma are upset. They say Russia has not done adequate safety and efficacy studies and the claim is based on testing on less than 100 human volunteers. Some experts point out it is unfair to criticise without assessing the work Russians have done on vaccine development and Russia should reveal their findings.

The doubt also stems from their belief that Russia lacks the pharma-biotech infrastructure and scientific knowledge to come up with a key vaccine in such a short notice. The Russia and the CIS nations of the erstwhile 'Soviet Union' are not regarded as a global powerhouse in the field of pharma and biotech, though Russia has proven in the past its credentials in other areas of science and technology. Historically, the Russian pharmaceutical market was dominated by multinational companies, who once used to supply over 80 per cent of the drug requirements. Even now, global firms MSD, Pfizer and Roche are leading the hospital supplies, after domestic firm Biocad. Pharmasyntez is the only other domestic company among top 10 hospital suppliers. Among the pharmacy suppliers, the top three companies are again global companies like Bayer, Sanofi and Teva. At least until four-five years ago, Russia was importing 70 per cent of its vaccine requirements. Then, how could it make a vaccine for COVID-19, which the global pharma is still struggling to bring out?

"The anxiety, surprise and anger of the big global pharmaceutical companies and the western media are understandable and are rooted on geo-political rivalries. But, it is true that Russia's pharma and biotech scene have changed a lot in the past decade. It has leveraged its healthcare capabilities built over centuries," says Chettikulangara Unnikrishnan, an Ayurvedic healthcare professional working in Moscow for the past two decades.

"There has never been vaccines with questionable safety on the Russian market. Not a single vaccine developer in the world has complete knowledge about coronavirus immunity sustainability after inoculation," Anna Popova, the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation told a TV channel.

How the Russians did it?

When COVID-19 started ravaging Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the UK after Wuhan in China in March-April, Russia was then relatively unaffected by the virus. They closed borders for the rest of Europe, but by May, the virus started spreading fast. By June end, situation was brought under control. By June 30, 4,12,650 patients recovered from the disease and fatalities nationwide were only 9,320. The level of preparedness of Russia's healthcare system, early detection, the use of cutting-edge technologies and practical early treatment brought the mortality rates down, lauded Melita Vujnovic, World Health Organization(WHO) representative in Russia.

By May end, the vaccine research gained a global momentum. While China was going solo with three-four promising vaccines, the US big pharma advanced with tie-ups and Moderna's novel platform. The UK's Oxford Research Institute made a breakthrough and tied up with the Swedish-British company Astra Zeneca. By then, the WHO listed over 150 projects with half a dozen projects advancing into final phase of trials. But no Russian vaccine project was in that list. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson officially invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in a virtual 'Global Vaccine Summit 2020' on June 4 devoted to research into a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. But, Putin chose not to participate. Russia had its own vaccine plans.

Putin had been in touch with his scientists and by mid-April, he asked his government to submit a report by April 30 on the plan of developing coronavirus vaccines. The instruction was to submit a scheduled plan for developing vaccines, carrying out the state registration of these vaccines using the accelerated procedure and launching them into industrial production. Until then, many Russian scientists, like Vladimir Chulanov, deputy director of the Health Ministry's National Medical Research Center of Phthisio-pulmonology and Infectious Diseases, were hopeful of coming out with a vaccine by year end, like their counterparts in other parts of the world. It will take about 18 months to develop a viable anti-coronavirus vaccine, they reckon.

Since President Putin's intervention, the plan was swiftly put in place and deadlines were set - middle of August as the target for registration and mass vaccination by fall. Infectious experts were fearing a second wave of the virus attack to come back by the winter. They calculate it will require 70 billion doses to vaccinate all Russians, in two doses. The Russians have about 18-20 per cent immunity as most of the population was immunised with influenza vaccines. To protect from the COVID-19 virus, the mass immunity needs to be improved up to 70-80 per cent with the new vaccines. "Naturally, Russia's population does have certain herd immunity," Mikhail Shchelkanov, head of the international research and education center of Russia's sanitary oversight authority told a Russian TV channel.

As many as 47 coronavirus vaccine projects in 14 platforms were activated across 17 research and development institutes by mid-May, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told the Federation Council (the upper house of parliament). Compare this with India's own less than 20 projects. Only two among them are in human trials now. About 3.1 billion rubles ($43 million) were also allocated from the federal budget for the development of coronavirus testing systems and vaccines. The Russian scientists were using time-tested known platforms or vehicles to load antibodies into the cells. They had created Ebola vaccines and have fair knowledge on working on such platforms for over six years. By July, they zeroed in on 26 projects.

The Sputnik, testing and data theft

The Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza in St. Petersburg did early trials of one flu based vaccine in China and was starting Phase III in Russia. They were also planning Phase III by August, besides clinical trials of three other foreign vaccines. Another institute was trying a vaccine that can be used as a milk product, like a yogurt. But among all, the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology research using the Ebola vaccine platform was most promising. The vaccine was found effective on small and large animals. In an unheard move in the usual drug development process, the vaccine was tested on the institute employees. Unofficial testing of the vaccine on volunteer employees of the Gamalei National Research Center showed success and caused no side effects, the Center's director Alexander Gintzburg revealed by May end. "There were no side effects, every employee who tested the vaccine on himself is healthy, happy and os performing their duties at workplace and at home in full, I hope," he told TASS.

On June 2, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that two groups of volunteers - military and civilians have been selected to test safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, a testing to be done for 1.5 months. The first group was of 50 servicemen, including five women, from various units throughout Russia. All of them were contract servicemen, warrant officers, and officers in the age group of 25 to 50 years. Among the 50 volunteers, there were 10 medical workers, including three doctors. Eighteen volunteers were vaccinated at Sechenov University in Moscow on June 18. The second group of 20 volunteers was vaccinated on June 23. The vaccine was to be injected two times, with a 21-day interval. The Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology also got permission to test its vaccine and 86 volunteers were recruited. Yelena Smolyarchuk, who heads the Sechenov University Center for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products, told officially that the group of volunteers, just like the first one, had adverse reactions, but were minimal and did not need require medical intervention.

Soon officials started saying tests are positive and Russia will launch a vaccine ahead of other countries. The plan is to give "conditional" state certification for the Gamaleya Center's vaccine by August and after the registration one more clinical study of the vaccine will be conducted on 1,600 people. The launch of industrial production is planned for September 2020.

Soon the world started to take notice. First, there were allegations that top politicians and business men in Russia got vaccinated at the Sechenov University. The UK National Cyber Security Centre claimed that Russian hackers had attempted to steal information on COVID-19 vaccine development from the UK, Canada and the USA. "First of all, we are very surprised by the timing of this, because basically, this happened the next day after we announced the approval of our vaccine in August," Kirill Dmitriev of RDIF told TV channels. Russia has no need to steal a British vaccine, as AstraZeneca has already handed over the technology to Russia's R-Farm to make and sell in about 50 countries, he said. Kremlin also said Moscow has nothing to do with the hacks.

Finally on Tuesday, President Putin announced development of the vaccine and said it will be free for all Russians.

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Honeywell and Vertical Aerospace have signed a letter of intent naming Honeywell as the supplier for flight deck technologies for the latter's demonstrator aircraft program.

The demonstrator program will help Vertical Aerospace understand flight characteristics, system requirements and the flight deck user interface to further the development of its urban air mobility (UAM) vehicle, said a statement.

Vertical is well advanced in the development of its next-generation, high-performance, passenger-carrying vehicle, said Michael Cervenka, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. We are excited at the prospect of broadening our already fantastic partnership with Honeywell, enabling our vehicles to leverage not only Honeywells state-of-the-art flight control systems, but also to marry these with the very latest in intuitive and safe flight deck technologies.

The agreement deepens the collaboration between the two companies following the signing of contracts in 2019 to equip Vertical demonstration aircraft with the Honeywell Compact Fly-By-Wire System and flight control software.

One of the most important outcomes of this program will be the successful demonstration of simplified vehicle operations, which essentially is about making these aircraft more intuitive and flattening the learning curve to safely fly them, said Stephane Fymat, Vice President and General Manager, UAS/UAM, Honeywell Aerospace. Vertical Aerospace has been a wonderful partner, and were excited to be part of its demonstrator aircraft to address this challenge and, in doing so, help move the entire industry forward.

The new agreement includes several other technologies present in the front end of the aircraft. These include multitouch displays, avionics system controls, avionics software and the vehicle operating system.

These technologies will work together with other systems onboard the aircraft to make the aircraft simpler to operate than a traditional airplane or helicopter, while still ensuring safety of the operator and other occupants. This type of simplified vehicle operation will be a transformative next step in the UAM industry.

Honeywell is a major player in the emerging UAM market, offering a full line of avionics, electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, and operational systems  all tailored for unmanned aircraft and UAM vehicles. Honeywell also offers aerospace integration and certification expertise for enabling the commercialization of these vehicles. - TradeArabia News Service
The younger brother of infamous financier and Ponzi swindler Bernard Madoff was released from federal custody on Thursday after serving about nine years of a 10-year sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed in an email that Peter Madoff was released from home confinement on Aug. 13 after being transferred from the Federal Correctional Institution, Miami on Nov. 19, 2019.

A lawyer by training and Bernie Madoff's former compliance director, Peter Madoff in 2012 pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying records and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

Those crimes helped Bernie Madoff swindle investors out of billions of dollars in one of the most high-profile Ponzi schemes in U.S. history.

Peter was sentenced to 10 years in prison and had been scheduled for release in 2021. Bernie pleaded guilty in March 2009 and is serving a 150-year sentence.

More recently, a federal judge in June rejected a request to release Bernie Madoff early from his sentence despite his pleas that he is dying from kidney disease.

Judge Denny Chin's ruling noted that Bernie Madoff, 82, committed "one of the most egregious financial crimes of all time," and that "many people are still suffering from" it.

"When I sentenced Mr. Madoff in 2009, it was fully my intent that he live out the rest of his life in prison. His lawyers asked then for a sentence of 12 to 15 to 20 years, specifically with the hope that Mr. Madoff would live to see 'the light of day,'" Chin wrote in June.

"I was not persuaded; I did not believe that Mr. Madoff was deserving of that hope," he added. "Nothing has happened in the 11 years since to change my thinking."

Bernie Madoff is currently being held at a federal medical facility in North Carolina.

 CNBC's Dan Mangan contributed reporting.

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Twin Cities Christian Church

Twin Cities Christian Church, 4220 Gifford Road, welcomes everyone to Sundays in person and online worship service at 10:30 a.m. Online services may be accessed on the church website twincitiescb.org, on Facebook and on YouTube. This Sunday, Aug. 16, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., the church is holding a special drive-in prayer service for the start of school this fall. Be sure to register for this free event so we can plan parking accordingly.

Register at http://twincitiescb.org/drive_in_prayer_service_. All participants stay in their vehicles, and upon arrival you will be directed to a parking space and given an FM station to tune your radio. A number of changes have been made to the in person service to adhere to guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, non-touch greetings, and more that may be viewed on the church website and on Facebook, For more information call the church office at 712-366-9112.

Community of Christ

Community of Christ Church, 140 W. Kanesville Blvd., normally holds Sunday school at 9 a.m. followed by worship at 10:30 a.m. The church also holds prayer meetings at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The theme this week is is Generous Reconciliation, with Scriptures Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32. The church will not be having services the next weeks and are tenatively scheduled to reopen Sunday, Aug. 30. There are some virtual ministries out on our World Church Website just access ongoing ministries: cofchrist.org. Community of Christ Church welcomes you in the name of our Lord and Savior.

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 1800 Fifth Ave., invites the public to participate in live worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Social distancing will be practiced, and face masks are encouraged (but not required). The Sunday worship service will continue to be recorded live and can be viewed on the churchs Facebook page: Fifth Avenue UMC, Council Bluffs. The church office can be reached Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for prayer or other requests at 712-323-7374 or through our email: faumc@msn.com. The church is praying for the community and anyone affected by the virus.

Our Saviors Lutheran Church

Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 600 Bluff St., has resumed in-person worship services, Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Worship services can be found online on YouTube and the churchs Facebook page: facebook.com/Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Council Bluffs, and on the churchs website: oursaviorscb.org. Our Saviors Lutheran Food & Pet Pantry is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (you must call between 9:30 and 11 a.m. for same day appointment). The pantry is also open the third and fourth Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. (you must call between 4 and 5 p.m. for same day appointment). More events and information can be found on the churchs website or Facebook page.

Epworth United Methodist Church

Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, is handicap accessible. Membership is not necessary to participate in any church activities. The church is open for worship at the regular time of 9:25 a.m. on Sundays, and the church will practice social distancing. Masks will be available for those who need one, and the church has plenty of hand sanitizer. Congregants will meet in the Fellowship Hall due to ease of sanitizing the facility. The weekly sermon will be posted on Facebook. The Scripture for this coming Sunday is Matthew 15:10-28. If you decide not to attend at this time, you can read some scripture, pray, and worship at home at the regular time so as not to get out of the habit of regular worship of our loving heavenly Father. The church is in prayer for all those affected by this virus. Worship services are also being held on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. in Roberts Park, weather permitting. If you would like to host a service in your driveway on a Wednesday at 10 a.m., just let us know. Church office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The churchs phone number is 712-323-3124. Check out the church on facebook.com/pages/Epworth.

Fe y Esperanza United Methodist Church

Fe y Esperanza (Faith and Hope) United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, is handicap accessible. The church is in prayer for all those affected by the corona virus. Bilingual worship in English and Spanish is held every Sunday in the sanctuary at the regular time of 12:30 p.m. The church is practicing safe social distancing and asks you to bring your own mask. Masks will be provided for those who dont have one. The churchs pastor can be reached at 712-828-1340. The church is on Facebook at Fe y Esperanza UMC.

Hazel Dell United Methodist Church

Hazel Dell United Methodist Church, 23109 205th St., is handicap accessible. Membership is not necessary to participate in any church activities. Due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, congregants will worship this Sunday outdoors at the regular time of 11 a.m. If you want to wear a mask feel free, and hand sanitizer will be available. The church is in prayer for all those affected by this virus. The weekly sermon will be posted on Facebook. The churchs phone number is 712-545-3021. Check out the church online at facebook.com/hazeldellumccb and at hazeldellumccb.wordpress.com.

Saint John Lutheran Church

Saint Johns Lutheran Church, 633 Willow Ave., will resume in-person worship this weekend at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. on Sundays. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and masks are required. There will be limited seating; reservations will be accepted starting on Tuesdays for the upcoming weekend. Please call the church office 712-323-7173 to make reservations. Worship will also be available to watch on Facebook or YouTube. Our Facebook page is Saint John Lutheran Church Council Bluffs IA and our website is SaintJohnELCA.org. You can call the church office with any questions at 712-323-7173.

Timothy Lutheran Church

Timothy Lutheran Church, 3112 W. Broadway will hold traditional worship services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The services will also be livestreamed at the same times via the churchs Facebook page at facebook.com/timothy-lutheran-church-council-bluffs-94942511723/. If you do not have a Facebook account, connect with the church online at: Timothylutheran.net. The videos and services on the churchs website are offered to help all participate. Sunday school and adult Bible class have resumed. Midweek Bible study groups are cancelled until further notice. The churchs pastor releases Bible study videos via the website at timothylutheran.net/bible-studies.html. The church takes seriously the needs of all members. As some return, others will choose to wait. Those who do return will find new health measures taken to ensure safety. Timothy has an elevator for easy access to worship services and other activities.

Faith Lutheran Church

Faith Lutheran Church, 2100 S. 11th St., will have worship services at Faith at 9 a.m. this Sunday with social distancing precautions in place. All attending must wear a mask from your car, through services and back to your car and should enter through the back entrance only. A volunteer will meet you at the back door for a temperature check, to sign in and direct you to your specific seat which will include social distancing and will answer any questions you have. Family members in the same household can sit together. Worship services will also continue to be available online on YouTube, on Faiths Facebook page and on Faiths new website at faithlutherancouncilbluffs.org. To locate the livestream, search Facebook, Faith Lutheran Council Bluffs. It will come up in the first few links. Then just click the live button. YouTube viewing is available by searching to Ron Rosenkaimer. Sunday streaming will start at 9 a.m. Members without social media are asked to send email addresses to Faiths office: office@faith.omhcoxmail.com for mailing of devotional materials and links to the uploaded videos. Members are also reminded to be faithful in supporting Faith with their regular offerings. For more information, contact the church office at 712-323-6445.

New Horizon Presbyterian Church

New Horizon Presbyterian Church will not resume in-person services or activities for the next several weeks. The church will hold drive-in services at 10 a.m. Sunday. Check the churchs Facebook page for details. The service will also be posted on the churchs Facebook page facebook.com/newhorizonpc at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Emanuel Lutheran Church

Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N Broadway, will have worship this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the upper parking lot. Partipants may attend from their car, or bring lawn chairs and must practice social distancing. Videos of the worship will be posted to YouTube each Sunday. Form more information visit emanuelcb.org.
Woolworths has hired a doctor with 20 years' experience as a chief medical officer to oversee the company's coronavirus response.

Dr McCartney will create policies to combat the spread of the virus, including educating staff on the importance of wearing face masks

The supermarket giant has already asked customers in New South Wales, Canberra and parts of Queensland to wear a mask while shopping but it's not compulsory.

Melbourne is in the middle of stage 4 restrictions which mean all residents need to wear a mask if they leave the house outside of the 8pm to 5am curfew.

Dr Rob McCartney has a background in occupational medicine and has been hired by Woolworths as chief medical officer to develop a nationwide policy for face coverings

Dr Rob McCartney is the founder of Resile which advises companies like Qantas and Rio Tinto on occupational health and wellbeing

Dr McCartney will advise Woolworths on a long-term virus-strategy to deal with constantly changing restrictions in each state

Dr McCartney is the founder of Resile which advises companies like Qantas and Rio Tinto on how to protect workers and reduce risk of exposure to illnesses including COVID-19.

Woolworth's is Australia's largest private employer with 200,000 staff across its supermarkets, distribution centres and head offices.

According to the Australian Financial Review, Dr McCartney will continue his work in private practice while he consults for the supermarket chain.

Dr McCartney believes other companies will start appointing similar positions as they adjust to operating during the coronavirus crisis.

'The COVID-19 pandemic had bolstered the focus on employee and customer health, but the need to look after their wellbeing pre-dated the spread of coronavirus.'

Woolworths Group safety and health manager, Brian Long said: 'Dr McCartney's appointment will ensure we keep at the forefront of occupational health, hygiene and public health policy as it relates to COVID-19.
Telecoms groups gear up for battle (photo source: internet )

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) in late July issued Decision 1254/QD-BTTTT on establishing a working group to cut administrative procedures and business conditions to further facilitate business and investment activities in the field. As part of the work, there will be dialogues and a meeting with organisations and businesses to listen to their problems, and assessments of performance of business obligation among companies, as well as possible issuance of new regulations.

The plan to cut administrative procedures will be submitted to the leader of MIC before submitting to the prime minister for approval, the decision stated.

The new decision is issued in line with the Resolution 68/NQ-CP dated May 12 on the action programme to cut procedures and business conditions in the 2020-2025 period in the context the country is accelerating digital transformation in sectors with the recent approval of the National Digital Transformation Programme by 2025, with a vision towards 2030.

In recent years, a number of business conditions have been cut. In Decree 27/2018/ND-CP issued in 2018 amending and supplementing some regulations in 2013s Decree 72/2013/ND-CP on management, supply and use of internet services and information, 11 business registration conditions and 13 administrative procedures were cut. Moreover, technology giants will benefit from Vietnams new investment rules when the new Law on Investment 2020 takes effect from next January, which gives incentives and supporting policies for innovation-related sectors such as IT, research and development, digital content, high technology, and more.

Also importantly, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has submitted to the government for approval the special incentives for the National Innovation Centre to encourage business and investment activities in the field.

With the new cuts and rules, groups like Qualcomm, Lenovo, Keysight Technologies, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are expected to gain the advantages to boost their footprint in the Southeast Asian country. However, the path is not rosy for all as they are forecast to face stiffening competition from potential EU rivals empowered by the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which has just taken effect.

DEK Technologies, Ekino, Ozitem Group, Robert Bosch Engineering Vietnam, Sunbytes, Archetype Group, and Avistel are among the members of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnams Digital Sector Committee, which are planning to expand in Vietnam.

Under the EVFTAs commitment, Vietnam permits the establishment of 100-per-cent foreign-invested enterprises in the non-network infrastructure value-added telecommunications services after five years of the agreements entry into force, while in the World Trade Organization (WTO), just joint ventures are permitted with the foreign ownership limit (FOL) of 65 per cent.

In the value-added telecommunications services with network infrastructure, the FOL will be 65 per cent, being effective from five years after the EVFTA enforcement from the current 50 per cent. The threshold is 50 per cent under the WTO commitments.

In regard to basic telecommunications services, the FOL will be raised to 75 per cent for the services without network infrastructure after five years of performance of the EVFTA, in comparison with 70 per cent in the WTO. For services with network infrastructure, the country allows the establishment of joint ventures with telecom service providers licensed in Vietnam, with the FOL being 49 per cent at maximum by then which is similar to WTO commitments. In the wake of growth potential and fierce competition, Qualcomm, Lenovo, Keysight Technologies, and AWS have been working with each other to reach their own ambitions.

On August 5, Keysight Technologies, Inc., a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers, and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced it has joined the Ericsson Industry 4.0 partner programme, delivering value with test and measurement solutions for the planning, deployment, and operations of industrial 5G networks.

Keysight Technologies also earlier announced that Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. is working with the company to accelerate small cell deployment supported by 5G virtual radio access network architecture. Meanwhile, Qualcomm and ZTE Corporation achieved a 5G-enabled Voice over New Radio call last month, marking an industry-leading step in 5G.
14.08.2020 LISTEN

Documents sighted by BusinessWeekGhana suggest that assets of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has been undervalued to favour the engagement of TAV-SUMMA Consortium (TSC) as Strategic Partners to GACL.

One of the documents titled Revaluation of assets of GACL, dated September 22, 2016, Valuation & Investment Associates, a Ghanaian certified company, assessed GACLs fixed assets at GHc 5.1 billion. The same valuation firm also assessed GACLs insurable value at GHc 2.04 billion. The valuation reports were audited by GACLs external auditors and incorporated in the 2016 audited financials.

It is important to note that the 2016 valuation report did not capture the additional $400 million of capital expenditures for Terminal 3, airside pavement extensions at KIA and the domestic airports of Ho, Wa and Tamale. Additionally, work being done at the Kumasi Airport is exclusive of the valuation. Adjusting for these additional investments, the market value of GACL could very well increase by about another GHc 2 billion to over GHc 7 billion with an average exchange rate of $1 to GHc 5.

Further, based on the earnings and cash flow projections that underpinned the structure of $400 million syndicated loan facility for the GACLs infrastructure programs, the enterprise value of GACL was estimated at about US$4 billion. As a matter of fact one of the source of takeout of the syndicated loans that was considered was the flotation of 25% of GACL on the Ghana Stock Exchange to raise funds.

These revelations are actually in line with the comments made by the former president John Mahama in an interview he granted in the Volta region over the weekend.

So why would a whole nation give up 6 6 5 % of an asset worth over GHc 7 billion for a mere US$7 0 0 million. By simple logic, if we are getting paid $70 million for 66% of GACL, then the implied value of 100% of KIA should be $107 million. Who is keeping the difference? the former president asked.

This is shamefully unjust, unfair, corrupt and embarrassing to Ghanaians. Why should we under-value such a national asset and give away management and control to foreign entity, he stressed.

Again, GACL already has a Commercial Services team that is dedicated to marketing for new airlines and also developing the non-aeronautical business avenues such as car parks, advertisement, airport city development projects and others. Indeed, most of the preliminary and preparatory works for GACLs over 200-acre Airport City 2 Project had been completed by GACL in 2016. This implies that there is more than adequate internal capacity within GACLs current management and staff to deliver the Airport City 2 Project. Partly so because Airport City 1 was developed by Ghanaians.

According to the former president, with regard to marketing for more traffic to KIA, what was needed to attract new airlines were the additional infrastructure investment and facilities which have now been provided. Ghana can now boast of having one of the best modern airports in the sub-region. The new flagship Terminal 3, the expanded apron capacity, new fire station and modern fire-fighting equipment, the new ground lights and navigation aids from GCAA are what make KIA an attractive destination for airlines. As of 2017, five additional international airlines, Air France, Air Senegal, Peace Air, Qatar National Airlines had finalized plans to fly to KIA, he noted.

There is really no clear justification for the proposed strategic partnership in the first place. TSC does not bring any value addition to GACL and that it is what makes the entire transaction smack of high corruption, he alleged.

Our investigations have also uncovered that o n March 24th, 2020 Nana Addo gave an Executive Approval to the Minister of Aviation for Ghana Airports Company to enter into negotiations with the Turkish Consortium towards setting up a N ew C ompany to take over the operating businesses and assets of Kotota International Airport. KIA is the most important and profitable division of GACL . KIA actually cross-subsidizes the operations of all the domestic airports .

What is worrying about this the Executive Approval is the total disregard for corporate governance and transparency in the way and manner that it was procured. Although GACL is a public limited liability company with its own Board of Directors, the approval was given to the Minister of Aviation, copied to Vice President, Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Cabinet and left out the Board of GACL.

Reading the TSC proposal that GACL has been directed to negotiate with, it appears that either the Executive has been misinformed about the commercial and strategic value of KIA and GACL or there has been a deliberate attempt to undervalue Kotoka International Airport for reasons that cannot be justified.

The structure of the transaction.

This is how Nana Addo and his government propose sell off KIA to the Turkish Consortium for cheap.

TSC will combine with GACL to form a new company, NEWCO LTD; TSC and GACL will respectively have 66% and 34% equity shareholding in NEWCO LTD respectively; Per the proposal, once the company is formed GACL will transfer ALL the aeronautical and non-aeronautical businesses and assets of Kotoka International Airport including Airport City Projects and undeveloped KIA lands to the new entity, NEWCO LTD which will now have legal ownership and control of all of KIA business and assets.; TSC would sign a 15-year management and technical services agreement with NEWCO LTD at a fee of 2% of gross turnover upon the close of the agreement. The management and technical services agreement specifically would put the development and execution of Airport City 2 projects and all airport lands under their control; TSC would raise a secured $300 million loan (not equity) from commercial banks and development financial institutions for NEWCO LTD to refinance the existing loans that GACL has borrowed; TSC also proposes to make available a secured senior shareholder loan (not equity) of up to $120 million to NEWCO LTD to make up for any working capital shortfalls. TSC proposes to invest up to $70 million of equity capital over the next 5 years after the agreement comes into effect to fund capital investments; After 2 years and after the full repayment of the $120 million shareholder loans, GACL will be paid a royalty of 15% of the gross revenues for the use of GACLs assets by NEWCO LTD; T he shareholders of N EWCO , the Turkish Consortium (TSC) and GACL will share the profits of NEWCO over the 15-year period based on their respective equity shareholding of 66% for TSC and 34% for GACL.

What is the value addition and the cost to the Turkish Consortium?

The question we all need to ask is what value proposition is the Turkish Consortium bringing to deserve such a sweetheart deal? Based on the information in the proposal, it is simply for a mere commitment on their part to invest $7 0 million over a 5-year period after the formation of Newco in additional infrastructure at Kotoka International Airport.

Simply put, the Turkish Consortium will get 66% of our national pride and jewel Kotoka International Airports assets and businesses for a mere $7 0 MM commitment, NOT even upfront cash. It is important to note that the $420 million of refinanced debt that will be secured by TSC with the assets of KIA, will be serviced from earnings and cashflows from the operations of KIA. This is no different from what pertains currently.

Based on the 2016 valuation report, 66% of our GH5 Billion valuation should bring in GH3.3Billion at a minimum. What justification do we have to undervalue our National Asset to entertain business partnership with what we are being told is an unsolicited offer from the Turkish Consortium.

The bulk of operating revenues for running GACL comes from Kotoka International Airport. Where would money come from to run the other domestic airports and to develop further the aviation industry in Ghana if we were to go ahead with this partnership with the Turkish Consortium?
Flare-ups from Australia to Japan show the world hasn't learned an early lesson from the coronavirus crisis: To stop the spread, those with mild or symptom-free coronavirus infections must be forced to isolate, both from their communities and family.

In Australia, where Victoria state has been reporting record deaths, some 3,000 checks last month on people who should have been isolating at home found 800 were out and about. In Japan, where the virus has roared back, people are staying home but aren't in isolation: 40% of elderly patients are getting sick from family members in the same apartments.

The failure to effectively manage contagious people with mild or no symptoms is a driving factor behind some of the world's worst resurgences. But lessons from Italy, South Korea and others that have successfully contained large-scale outbreaks show that there's a tried-and-tested approach to cutting off transmission: move them out of their homes into centralized facilities while they get over their infections, which usually doesn't require longer than a few weeks.

"A laissez-faire approach, naively trusting everyone to be responsible, has been shown to be ineffectiv, as there will always be a proportion who will breach the terms of the isolation," said Jeremy Lim, adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Faced with a new cluster this week after 102 days without a locally transmitted case, New Zealand has quickly enacted this strategy, placing around 30 people -- including at least two children below the age of 10 -- into centralized quarantine.

But other countries facing sustained spread like Australia and the U.S. are not broadly enacting the policy despite its proven track record. Their unwillingness -- or inability -- to do so underscores the challenges faced by liberal democracies whose populations are less likely to tolerate measures that require individual sacrifice for the greater good.

The existence of a large group of carriers who hardly feel sick is a unique feature of the coronavirus crisis, and a major factor that has driven its rapid spread across the globe. Unlike in previous outbreaks like the 2003 SARS epidemic, many infected people don't feel ill enough to stay home, and so spread the pathogen widely as they go about their daily lives.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that 40% of covid-19 infections are asymptomatic.

In Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged last year, mildly sick patients were originally turned away from hospitals and told to rest at home, given that the overwhelmed health-care system needed to tend to the most severe cases. But health experts soon found that these people would infect their family members and others as they moved around in the community, precipitating a deluge of cases.

Bringing mild or asymptomatic patients to designated facilities -- re-purposed convention centers, hotels and stadiums -- for basic medical care marked a turning point in the city's fight against the coronavirus. Simply separating them from healthy people halted the pathogen's silent spread through the community.

The strategy has since been used in Italy, Singapore and South Korea at the height of their own coronavirus outbreaks earlier this year. Faced with a resurgence last month, Hong Kong converted an exhibition center to accommodate mild covid-19 patients and is building more such facilities.

In New Zealand, the government put "a lot of thought" into enacting the policy, and is asking family members of confirmed cases to go into centralized quarantine with them if they require care, said director general of health Ashley Bloomfield.

The approach is effective firstly because it prevents people from infecting family members in the same household -- over 80% of cluster infections in China cities were in households after mild patients were allowed to stay home, said a Lancet study. In Europe, the surge of household infections drove Italy's Milan to start putting such cases in hotels, enabling the country to gain control over its outbreak in early May.

Beyond household spread, the strategy is necessitated by a facet of human nature that's been seen time and again across countries and cultures: left to their own devices, some people just won't follow the rules.

In Australia and Japan, infected people who've been told to stay home have gone out for a variety of reasons -- some can't work from home and need the income, while others want to pick up groceries and supplies. One woman in Tokyo traveled cross country by bus after having her infection confirmed.

"It is far better to be more aggressive in the short term with even mild cases than it is to allow such cases to slip under the radar," said Nicholas Thomas, associate professor in health security at the City University of Hong Kong.

Locked Up

But forcibly moving mild or asymptomatic patients into centralized facilities has been met with backlash in some countries where citizens are not as accepting of government directives. Some people might lose their jobs if they disappear for two weeks, or have caretaking responsibilities for young children or older parents where it's unfeasible to be separated.

"People would be wondering what on earth they're doing locked up in a hospital," said Stephen Leeder, emeritus professor of public health and community medicine at the University of Sydney. "From what I know about the Australian psyche, I don't think it would go down all that well."

In places like Venezuela and India where conditions in quarantine facilities are poor, the prospect of being taken away has caused some to avoid being tested or to lie to contact-tracers for fear of being found positive, making the work of health officials more challenging.

In an emailed response to Bloomberg News queries, the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria said the government provides alternative accommodation for quarantine, but that these are for health workers "who may not be able to safely live at their normal address" and other vulnerable groups.

Rather than forcing isolation on mild cases, authorities have locked down 5 million residents in Melbourne and are tightening restrictions until new cases come under control.

Officials are using a combination of stepped-up checks and fines of A$4,957 ($3,550) to convince infected people to stay home, while repeat offenders risk a A$20,000 penalty in court. More than 500 military personnel are helping the police conduct checks on 4,000 households every day to ensure those who are supposed to be staying home are there.

To be sure, aggressive and thorough contact-tracing and case follow-up have successfully contained outbreaks in countries like Germany without a centralized quarantine strategy. But these places relied on an army of efficient workers hunting down every chain of transmission, a resource not many governments have had time to build up.

"The classic practice in public health is to identify, trace and quarantine," said Yang Gonghuan, former deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "But how that is carried out depends on popular sentiment and the country's resources."

- - -

--With assistance from Bloomberg's Lisa Du.
The roll call of local restaurants lost to the pandemic grows month by month.

Conspicuous among the closures are many longtime operations, such as the Cooperage, Le Peep and Garcias original location.

Its become clear that the transition to a takeout model has been a bridge too far for many places that relied on dine-in business. If ambiance is your draw, if you roll out fine china and tablecloths and lengthy wine lists, how do you survive when your interactions with patrons boil down to handing over a few bags at the front entrance? And will people cough up $30 for a steak or piece of fish that has to be reheated in the microwave when they get home?

The staff at Seasons in Old Town, one of the oldest restaurants of the citys fine-dining scene, seemed sanguine about the predicament when I visited on a Saturday night for takeout. The host told me business has been good. Its the kind of attitude that has helped the restaurant thrive since opening in 1995 as the inaugural venture of twins Keith and Kevin Roessler, who have gone on to launch Zinc and Savoy in Albuquerque and the Gorge Bar & Grill in Taos.

Seasons is a place for special occasions. A meal there at Christmastime serves as an ideal prelude for a walk to the Plaza. My most recent visit was for my sons high school graduation party, when the wine and conversation flowed and it felt like a drumroll should have accompanied the opening of the check.

Nowadays, the dining room stretched out along the sidewalk is dark and empty, and most of the action is centered on the rooftop patio. From the street, you can see servers delivering colorful martinis to tables, careful not to spill a drop. Dinner is served five nights a week, but lunch service has been shut down temporarily.

Seasons tasteful decor belies a varied menu. Alongside the $34 tenderloin and $29 plate of scallops are a gyro, a burger and a turkey wrap.

A shareable item such as crispy shrimp ($9) typifies the unpretentious spirit of the menu. Served in a box, the 20-plus breaded, fried shrimp taste like they came from a New England clam shack. The traditional cocktail sauce is eschewed in favor of a wonderfully hot and sweet orange chile dipping sauce.

Even in takeout form, the peach and blackberry salad ($11) is lovely to look at, the fruit and creamy lumps of local goat cheese set against the pile of baby spinach and arugula. A terrific basil vinaigrette dressing, like a sweet pesto, helps all the greens go down. Unfortunately, the peach had been swapped out for a nectarine that wasnt very sweet, and the green chile cornbread croutons were on the soft side.

A half a rotisserie chicken ($23), Seasons signature dish, did not disappoint. The skin was nicely browned and crisp from the fire, the meat moist, tender and infused with flavor from the spice rub. The creamy apple lime dressing on the kale slaw mitigated the bitter flavor of the greens. Finely julienned carrots, apples and red peppers added crunch and sweetness. Green chile corn spoonbread was stellar, a better version of cornbread.

The green chile cheeseburger ($14.75) suffered the most from the transit time and reheating, as the microwave cooked all the pink out of it. Otherwise, it was a pretty immaculate presentation, the toasted brioche bun a good match for the half-pound block of beef and the melted slab of cheddar cheese serving to encase a pile of noticeably hot green chile. It comes with lemon aioli, spicy ketchup and thick, pale fries tossed with rosemary.

The food was ready shortly after I arrived, 20 minutes after calling. It was packed well for the trip home.

Seasons has defied the odds, surviving in its Old Town location while neighbors like the Melting Pot have come and gone. That survival owes much to the ambiance of its dining room and the still-open top-floor patio. Heres hoping that the dining room is back online soon.

SEASONS

3 stars

LOCATION: 2031 Mountain NW, 766-5100, seasonsabq.com

HOURS: 4-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

FULL BAR
San Francisco, Aug 14 : Google has announced that the next update for the Wear OS is rolling out this fall which would allow faster access to info, apps, as well as a simplified pairing process.

"In the next OTA update coming in the fall. We are improving performance by making it faster to access your info and start your apps," Google said in a statement.

"We're simplifying the pairing process to make onboarding easier. You will see improvements to our SysUI for more intuitive controls for managing different watch modes and workouts".

The tech giant is also adding support for the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100 Plus chipsets and the combination should result in a far snappier experience for future Wear OS devices.

"With CPU core improvements, you will also see up to a 20 per cent speed improvement in startup time for your apps," the company said.

In addition, Google is working on updating the core of Wear OS to Android 11, bringing newer APIs to the platform.

The search engine giant is also working on a new weather app, which will arrive on Wear OS "later this year."
On Thursday this week, and for the first time in a few months, Malaga province, including the Costa del Sol, recorded 100 new positive Covid-19 cases in the previous 24 hours. This was a 20 per cent increase on Wednesday when 80 positive PCR tests were recorded.

It was a similar situation in the whole Andalucia region, where regional Health ministry data showed 422 new cases on Thursday, the biggest increase since 5 April.

Andalucia had 38 positive cases per 100,000 people active through PCRtest on Thursday, well below the national average of 96.8.

The province of Almeria is in the worst position in the region. This area recorded one more death and 128 positive cases in the previous 24 hours on Thursday this week.

Just over half of new outbreaks regionally are being reported in family gatherings, with few cases each, although officials urged people to try to meet family outdoors, not share cutlery or plates, keep groups small and wear masks when not eating.

There were five new outbreaks in Malaga province on Thursday linked to bars and clubs, said officials.

First local death in a month

Also on Thursday, for the first time since 9 July, Malaga province recorded one death due to the virus, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 290 locally. There were five new hospital admissions announced on Thursday in the province.

The majority of local outbreaks in Malaga province are still being recorded in the resorts of the western Costa del Sol.

Hospitalisations still low

While recorded cases locally are creeping higher, experts were pointing out that the number of hospitalisations is not as yet increasing much, due to lower average age of the patients diagnosed in recent weeks, compared with the first phase of the pandemic in the spring.

According to figures published by the regional health authorities (up to Friday 7 August), of 539 people who returned positive PCR lab tests in the previous 14 days, the largest age group was 30 to 44 (202 cases, 37.5% of the total).

The next group in size was formed by 15 to 29-year-olds (198 cases, 36% of the total) and 25 children up to 14 were also diagnosed. This shows that nearly 80% of the new cases of contagion are under the age of 45.

In the over-65 age group, 26 people tested positive in the two weeks up to Friday 7 August.
It "was not a formal demarche."

Twenty-four EU countries formally raised their opposition to U.S. extraterritorial sanctions in a diplomatic demarche to Washington, amid rising tensions over U.S. threats toward businesses involved in the Russia-backed Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The protest was transmitted orally to the U.S. State Department on Wednesday during a videoconference organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, German government officials told industry representatives at a briefing in Berlin on Thursday, according to two people who attended the meeting, POLITICO reported.

Read alsoGermany's Uniper doesn't rule out Nord Stream 2 can ultimately not be completed

The statement protested U.S. extraterritorial sanctions in general but the recent sanctions threats against Nord Stream 2 were brought up during the call, officials told the meeting.

A European diplomat confirmed that Wednesday's diplomatic move was based on a statement by the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in July, in which Borrell said he was "deeply concerned at the growing use of sanctions, or the threat of sanctions, by the United States against European companies and interests."

Nabila Massrali, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service, confirmed the EU "conducted outreach to the U.S. administration" on Wednesday to "reiterate its concerns at the growing use of sanctions, or the threat of sanctions, by the United States against European companies and interests," but insisted it "was not a formal demarche."

The initiative for a coordinated response began three weeks ago among a small number of countries, but in the past two weeks all but three EU countries signed on to the message, German officials said.

Washington expressed surprise at the number of participating countries, the officials added.

Poland was one of the three holdouts, a deputy spokesperson for the Polish representation to the EU said in an email. The other two countries could not be confirmed at the time of publication, POLITICO said.
The Trump administration has found yet another way to reduce the number of immigrants who can claim asylum.

Even though federal asylum rules generally state that any migrant fearing harm or mistreatment in their home country can apply for asylum protections in the U.S. within one year of arriving, no matter how they entered the country, a new draft rule would block asylum-seekers from protections if they arrived via Mexico or Canada, BuzzFeed News reported Friday.

If implemented, any migrant who had been in Mexico or Canada in the last two weeks would be treated as a security threat. The draft rule is described as necessary to curb the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.; the Trump administration previously blocked some green cards and visas with the same explanation. The new rule would apply to both migrants who present themselves at ports of entry and those who enter the U.S. without authorization.

"The Trump administration is once again using COVID-19 as a pretext to accomplish their long-sought goal of destroying the United States' asylum system," American Immigration Council policy analyst Aaron Reichlin-Melnick told BuzzFeed.

The draft rule also strengthens previous restrictions, experts say. An ongoing policy cites public health and the pandemic to allow border agents to turn migrants away. If that policy is blocked by a federal court, the Mexico-and-Canada rule could allow the same rule to effectively continue. "By layering their policy change with multiple bureaucratic tools," said Migration Policy Institute analyst Sarah Pierce, "they are doing everything they can to insulate the asylum shutdown against legal challenges." Read more at BuzzFeed News.

More stories from theweek.com

John Boehner would 'rather set himself on fire' than get involved in the 2020 election

Trump wants to take America down with him

Trump's latest criticism of mail-in voting called a 'brazen lie'


WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday said he opposes both election aid for states and an emergency bailout for the U.S. Postal Service because he wants to restrict how many Americans can vote by mail, putting at risk the nation's ability to administer the Nov. 3 elections.

Trump has been attacking mail balloting and the integrity of the vote for months, but his latest broadside makes explicit his intent to stand in the way of urgently needed money to help state and local officials administer elections during the coronavirus pandemic. With nearly 180 million Americans eligible to vote by mail, the president's actions could usher in widespread delays, long lines and voter disenfranchisement this fall, voting rights advocates said.

Trump said his purpose is to prevent Democrats from expanding mail-balloting, which he has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, would invite widespread fraud. The president has also previously admitted that he believes mail voting would allow more Democrats to cast ballots and hurt Republican candidates, including himself.

In an interview Thursday with Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo, Trump said he opposes a $25 billion emergency injection sought by the U.S. Postal Service, as well as a Democratic proposal to provide $3.6 billion in additional election funding to the states. Both of those requests have been tied up in congressional negotiations over a new coronavirus relief package.

"They need that money in order to make the post office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," said the president, claiming again that mail ballots would be "fraudulent," one of more than 80 attacks he has made against the election's integrity since March, according to a tally by The Washington Post. Many of his assertions have been misleading or unfounded.

"If we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money," he added. "That means they can't have universal mail-in voting. They just can't have it."

Later Thursday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he would not veto legislation that has funding for the Postal Service, but added that "the reason the post office needs that much money is they have all of these millions of ballots coming in from nowhere and nobody knows from where and where they're going."

If Democrats agree to a deal, the president continued, "the money they need for the mail-in ballots would be taken care. If we agree to it. That doesn't mean we're going to agree to it."

Trump's remarks prompted swift outcry from Democrats and even some Republicans, while voting-rights advocates denounced what they described as an unprecedented threat by a sitting president to undermine the election for his own political benefit.

"The president is afraid of the American people," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "He's been afraid for a while. He knows that, on the legit, it'd be hard for him to win."

"Pure Trump," offered Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in response to the president's remarks. "He doesn't want an election."

As Trump has lagged in the polls behind Biden, the president and his allies have ramped up their rhetoric questioning the integrity of the vote and intensified their actions in the courts, revealing a far-reaching strategy to restrict mail voting and challenge the results if he loses.

The Republican National Committee and conservative groups are pursuing an unprecedented effort to limit expansion of mail balloting before the November election, spending tens of millions of dollars on lawsuits and advertising aimed at restricting who receives ballots and who remains on the voter rolls.

The party is also working to train as many as 35,000 poll-watchers to monitor both in-person voting and ballot counting, mostly in key battleground states.

And the RNC and Trump campaign advisers are now mapping out their post-election strategy, including how to challenge mail ballots without postmarks, as they anticipate weeks-long legal fights in an array of states, according to people familiar with the plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions.

The campaign plans to have lawyers ready to mobilize in every state and expects legal battles could play out after Election Day in such states as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan and Nevada, they said.

Trump's claims about voting by mail have been echoed by Attorney General William Barr, who has repeatedly said without evidence that mail-in voting could lead to a "high risk" of fraud and interference by foreign countries.

At the same time, changes put in place at the U.S. Postal Service by a top GOP donor have sparked mail delays across country, sparking fears that ballots will not be delivered in time to count in November.

Many of the president's critics said he crossed a line with Thursday's remarks by admitting his willingness to hold back funds necessary to make the election both secure and accessible to all Americans.

"If they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting because they're not equipped to have it," he said.

Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, described Trump's statements as a "line in the sand" that Congress must not let him cross.

"It is outrageous," Weiser said. "It is an attack on the very foundations of our democratic system. And he's daring people to let him get away with it or to stand up to him. The gauntlet's been thrown down, and people now need to stand up for our system."

Trump's opposition to the $3.6 billion in election funding could put him at odds with some Republicans, including Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who has indicated his support for some additional money to help the states carry out the vote during the pandemic.

"We need to have enough money to do our best to be sure that the November elections are held safely and results are available," Blunt told reporters Wednesday.

Democrats have proposed the election money for the states, saying the resources are necessary to pay for a wide range of preparations to assist both in-person and mail voting in the health crisis.

"We have to make it easier and doable," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., a top advocate for the additional election funds.

State and local officials say they need money for protective equipment to prevent infection among poll workers and sanitizing supplies for polling locations, along with paper stock, printing costs and high-capacity ballot scanners for an expected surge in mail voting.

Roxanna Moritz, the auditor and commissioner of elections in Scott County, Iowa, said she may have to choose between offering early-voting satellite locations and paying for a second or even third round of mailing voters absentee ballot request forms.

"Depending on my budget I usually do early voting satellites at five libraries for three full weeks," Moritz said. She said she received $19,000 in funding from the first relief bill, but "$19,000 goes real quick" when you're purchasing plastic shields and protective equipment for the more than 60 polling locations her office opened in the primary.

Moritz said she doesn't understand the president's position on mail balloting, given how many Republicans are also likely to vote absentee.

"At some point in time, the Trump administration or the Republican Party is going to have to realize that if there are 60 to 75 percent of people voting by mail, those are their voters, too," she said.

Tom Ridge, a Republican and former homeland security secretary under George W. Bush, said in an interview that with "absolutely no historical anecdotes" for the type of massive fraud that Trump claims could occur, it's impossible not to conclude that the president's real concern is losing.

"To subvert the process and discredit the use of absentee ballots is a shameful exercise," Ridge said.

GOP Rep. Tom Cole, who hails from rural Oklahoma and once oversaw the state's elections systems as secretary of state, said Thursday that he was not concerned about fraud in the election.

"That just doesn't happen to the degree that a lot of people seem to think it does," he said, adding that election administrators are "a very able and honorable group of public servants and usually have operations that are above reproach."

Trump's opposition to funds for the Postal Service comes as the agency is in a precarious spot. It has struggled with its finances for years as volumes of first-class and marketing mail - the agency's most profitable items - have steadily declined.

The onset of the pandemic turned that challenge into a full-blown crisis. The economic shutdown caused a steep drop in mail volumes, and postal leaders originally predicted the agency could run out of money by October.

Congress agreed in an early round of pandemic relief spending to grant the Postal Service $13 billion in emergency funding, but Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said they would reject any proposals that included direct aid, instead agreeing to a $10 billion loan.

The House approved $25 billion in postal aid in April, and a bipartisan bill in the Senate introduced by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, would do the same, along with stripping conditions from Treasury's loan.

On Thursday, the Senate's final day of the summer session, the few Republicans on hand did not want to comment on Trump's latest assault on the Postal Service.

"I have no comment on that," Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said as he left the near-empty chamber.

As he entered the floor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., ignored a question about funding for the Postal Service.

At least one Republican senator on Thursday spoke out against the president's opposition to funding for the agency. Collins told the Portland Press Herald that even before his remarks, she sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding an explanation for the service cuts she's been hearing about in her state.

"And so I do disagree with the president, very strongly, on that issue," said Collins, who is facing a tough reelection bid. "The Postal Service is absolutely essential, particularly to a large, rural state like ours."

In a letter to postal workers Thursday obtained by The Post, DeJoy said he remains committed to returning the Postal Service to solvency but also said he intends to protect service for the fall election.

He confirmed recent reports of delivery delays but called them "unintended consequences" of shifts that ultimately will improve service. We are working feverishly to stabilize this," he said, adding: "This will increase our performance for the election and upcoming peak season and maintain the high level of public trust we have earned for dedication and commitment to our customers throughout our history."

Trump told reporters Thursday that he would not tell DeJoy to reverse changes that have slowed the mail, saying, "I want the post office to run properly."

The administration, led by Mnuchin, began courting DeJoy, a billionaire and Trump donor, long before the pandemic began, but since his installment he has become a central figure in the election controversy, ushering in dramatic changes within the Postal Service, banning overtime and shuffling seasoned executives as well as sorting equipment. The changes have already prompted reports of delays along with worries about the potential impact on voting.

"Louis's position on this is that he is going to make the Postal Service solvent, and that it is not going to be a money-loser anymore," said a friend of DeJoy's. "And he's willing to do whatever it takes."

Campaign officials, meanwhile, have said Trump is opposed only to universal mail balloting - states that send actual ballots to all registered voters. They said they will spend more in upcoming months convincing the president's supporters to vote absentee, claiming that they are not worried that Trump's actions could suppress GOP turnout.

But the president has attacked mail voting broadly, warning it will lead to a "rigged" and "corrupt" election. Trump has asked aides if he possesses executive powers that can be invoked to block universal mail balloting, according to people familiar with his inquiries, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

At a time when voters are growing more concerned about the reliability of the Postal Service, Republicans are also fighting the placement of ballot drop boxes in Pennsylvania, claiming they are not sufficiently secure.

Ridge said the assault makes little sense given the historical popularity of mail balloting among Republicans as well as Democrats. The practice is especially popular among older voters in Florida, where the practice has been widespread for years. However, multiple polls published in recent weeks show that Republicans are now far more suspicious of mail balloting than Democrats - a sign that Trump's campaign to limit mail balloting may have prompted an unintended consequence.

Trump's rhetoric on mail voting has frustrated his advisers, who say the president is often incorrect and could discourage their own voters.

"There isn't an inherent political advantage to either party. There never has been and there never will be," Ridge said. "The advantage goes to the party that is most effective in identifying those voters."

- - -

The Washington Post's Erica Werner, Jacob Bogage, Elise Viebeck, Rachael Bade and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report.
"The two governments are fine-tuning the schedule of the visit," a government source here said Thursday. The source added that Yang will meet President Moon Jae-in as well as national security adviser Suh Hoon and National Intelligence Service chief Park Jie-won.

Yang is a powerful Politburo member and director of the Communist Party's Office of Foreign Affairs. The unexpected visit amid the protracted coronavirus epidemic has raised speculation that Beijing may be seeking to rally allies as its conflict with the U.S. intensifies.

Senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi plans a visit next week to Korea, which is under growing pressure to join various U.S. initiatives to keep China in check.

The visit comes shortly after the U.S. lifted restrictions on Korea using solid fuel for rockets and amid ramped-up defense plans here including a nuclear-powered submarine.

Deputy national security adviser Kim Hyun-chong, who spearheaded the latest missile talks with the U.S., told KBS News recently, "Our regional neighbors [like China] have scores of reconnaissance satellites, but we have zero. This is solely a matter and decision for ourselves."

Last month, President Moon Jae-in voiced his intention to "attain complete missile sovereignty" by asking the U.S. to lift the 800-km limit on the range of ballistic missiles lifted as well.

Yang is also expected to discuss a visit to Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which had been anticipated in the first half of this year but was postponed due to the virus and China's interventions in Hong Kong.

The Moon administration is for some reason obsessed with persuading Xi to visit, perhaps to iron out any remaining glitches after an unofficial Chinese boycott over the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery spat or to gain leverage in stalled inter-Korean relations.

Yang's visit also comes after China protested against the U.S. government sending Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to Taiwan. Azar is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Taiwan since Washington severed official ties with Taipei in 1979 in favor of Beijing.

Azar met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday and delivered a message from U.S. President Donald Trump lauding the island nation as a "long partner and friend of the United States."

China considers Taiwan a renegade province.

Yang could also seek Korean support in the U.S.' war on top Chinese businesses like Huawei and video-sharing platform TikTok.
A USPS employee unloads a mailbox in Washington, D.C. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

President Donald Trump loathes the idea of mail-in voting, which  in the middle of a pandemic  affords the nation the safest means of casting their ballots come November. Trump has spent months painting a perfectly legal practice as fraudulent, bad, dishonest, and slow, and recent chaos hes sowed within the United States Postal Service has sparked speculation that he might be trying to sabotage mail-in voting. On Thursday, he seemed to confirm those theories, admitting to starving the USPS of funds to thwart Democrats election preparation efforts.

Not long after Trump made his comments, some curious images began making the rounds on Twitter. They pictured blue, standing mailboxes being packed onto trucks in Portland and Eugene, Oregon, and driven away. Particularly given that the president chose Portland as testing ground for his secret police, to borrow Sen. Elizabeth Warrens phrasing, you can see where the photos looked off.

Has anyone else seen or confirmed USPS removing mail boxes in Portland this week? This pic from an observer in NE Portland via fb. @alex_zee @tessriski @EvertonBailey @PDXzane @TheRealCoryElia pic.twitter.com/trCoDBZtiK  Steve  (@Intersection911) August 13, 2020

Another similar photo taken in Eugene, Oregon today. pic.twitter.com/mFD6jFnzvk  Steve  (@Intersection911) August 13, 2020

Even before he candidly explained why he was denying the postal service  which has been under severe strain throughout the pandemic  the bailout it would need to accommodate widespread mail-in voting, Trump has been making trouble for the agency. Late last week, the administration reshuffled USPS leadership and consolidated authority under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has seemed to actively work against the services mail-delivering capabilities since his appointment in May. The timing of all this may not seem coincidental, but at least with respect to Oregons disappearing mailboxes, the USPS has suggested that it is.

Confirming that 27 boxes in Eugene and four boxes in Portland were removed this week (with more to follow), USPS spokesperson Ernie Swanson told Willamette Week that the agency was only targeting sites where boxes were doubled up. In those cases, theyd take one box and leave the other standing; they were not removing lone boxes from their locations, he added.

The reason were doing it is because of declining mail volume, Swanson said, noting that the orders came from USPS HQ last week. Ever since the pandemic came along, people are mailing less for some reason.

Meanwhile, another USPS spokesperson  David Rupert  told KOIN 6 that recently damaged mailboxes in Portland were being replaced with with newer, more secure models, but every location that had a collection box will keep a collection box. Speaking to the Oregonian, Swanson also indicated that pickup times and processing would remain unchanged. It shouldnt affect people at all, he said.

While I am not a postmaster, I could see how  in the nations 1st all vote-by-mail state, where every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default, amid a pandemic that makes crowded, indoor polling sites a risky proposition  reducing the number of mailboxes on the streets might conceivably affect people a little. Oregon voters can still vote in-person if they want, or mail their ballots using designated drop boxes in their area, but as to states with less robust mail-in voting protocols already in place? Swanson reportedly indicated to Willamette Week that boxes are likely being removed nationwide, which is just something to think about.

Update: Kim Frum, USPS senior public relations representative, tells the Cut that, for decades, collection boxes have been installed and removed on streets based on mail volume received in those boxes.

When a collection box consistently receives very small amounts of mail for months on end, it costs the Postal Service money in fuel and work hours for letter carriers to drive to the mailbox and collect the mail, Frum added. In those cases, she said the boxes were typically relocated to growth areas, or consolidated in high traffic areas such as shopping centers, business parks, grocery stores, etc., for increased customer convenience. In areas where a number of boxes are clustered together, which Frum says was the case in Portland, the USPS may take only one box, or swap in a larger, more centralized collection box. Frum did not comment on Trumps statements from Thursday.
Taiwan's potential deployment of US-made missiles, mines easy to counter: experts

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/13 15:33:44

The island of Taiwan is reportedly in discussions with the US over the purchase of cruise missiles and sea mines, and claimed they will potentially be deployed as coastal defense and amphibious landing deterrence. The intention to purchase these weapons only emphasized Taiwan's outdated war concepts and military technologies, and their potential deployment can be easily countered by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese mainland experts said on Thursday.

Taiwan is working with the US on acquiring a number of hardware capabilities, including cruise missiles that would work in conjunction with the island's indigenous Hsiung Feng missile system to provide better coastal defense, and underwater sea mines and other capabilities to deter amphibious landing, or immediate attack, said Hsiao Bi-khim, the island's representative to the US, at Washington's Hudson Institute think tank on Wednesday, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Hsiao claimed that the island of Taiwan needs to expand its asymmetric capabilities to bring about deterrence against the Chinese mainland.

However, mainland military experts said the weapons pose no threat to the PLA, as they can be easily countered.

Lockdown via sea mines is an outdated tactic from World War II, and the PLA has long gained the capability to sweep sea mines and open green passages, Song Zhongping, a Chinese mainland military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The PLA troops can also carry out aircraft vertical landing, which will allow them to avoid the sea mines, Song said, noting that the deployment of sea mines will only isolate the island from the rest of the world but will not be able to stop a potential amphibious landing by the PLA.

Taiwan has its own indigenous cruise missile, but the intention to purchase US ones showed the island is still fully reliant on the US for advanced technologies, Song said.

These types of cruise missiles are only of high subsonic speed, and follow a relatively fixed flight trajectory, Song said, noting that the PLA has a wide selection of tools it can use to intercept them.

In May, media reports said the island also wants to buy Harpoon anti-ship missiles from the US, and US-made SeaGuardian surveillance drones are also on the wish list, media revealed earlier this month. In May, the US confirmed it had approved the sales of 18 heavyweight torpedoes to Taiwan.

In response to the reported drone deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a routine press conference on August 7 that US arms sales to Taiwan island severely undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, and gravely violate basic norms of international relations.

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Ashok Gehlot government wins Rajasthan trust vote

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Congress government of Ashok Gehlot won a trust vote in the Rajasthan assembly on Friday capping weeks of turmoil over a rebel crisis that had pushed it to the verge of collapse.

In a House of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the support of Independents and allies while the BJP has 72 members.

"The vote of confidence which was brought by the govt has been passed with a very good majority today in the #Rajasthan Assembly. Despite various attempts by the opposition, the result is in favour of govt, said Sachin Pilot.

The session comes after a month-long political crisis in the state which started with the rebellion by Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs.

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

Pilot had led a rebellion against Gehlot, seeking a change in the party's leadership in Rajasthan.

At the CLP meeting held at his residence, Gehlot urged Congress MLAs to forget the acrimony of the past month and move on.

Meanwhile, Pilot shook hands on Thursday with Chief Minister Gehlot, the image marking the patch-up between the two party factions in the state.

Pilot was also sacked as the state's deputy chief minister and Gehlot referred to him as "useless", using the Hindi term "nikamma".

MLAs loyal to Gehlot, still camping together at a hotel, expressed dissatisfaction with the dissidents' return. But the chief minister has urged them to "forgive and forget", and move on.

The party had put out a similar picture following the reconciliation between the two after the 2018 assembly polls, when Gehlot was picked by the party for chief minister's post and Pilot settled agreed to be his deputy.
The Pakistani deep state is pushing the Haqqani Network to increase its stake in so-called Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) to retain its leverage on Afghanistan irrespective of the on-going peace process and maintain plausible deniability in future terror attacks in Af-Pak region, according to senior counter-terrorism officials.

According to officials, the ISKP can front attacks for the Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). ISKP leader Aslam Farooqi, a Pakistani national with links to LeT and Pakistans Tehrik-e-Taliban was arrested by Afghanistans National Directorate of Security along with 19 other terrorist cadres on April 5.

Af-Pak watchers say that ISKP units in Kabul and the border province of Nangarhar are already under the firm control of former HQN commanders and Sirajuddin Haqqani, Deputy leader of Taliban, who are launching attacks on Afghan capital. Besides being part of the intelligence and reconnaissance gathering network, ISKP cadres are also attacking Kabul in tandem with the HQN group.

Also read: Pakistan proxies in fight to the finish in Afghanistan, but India too needs to prep | Analysis

The HQNs influence in ISKP is not only restricted to the cadres joining the outfit but also transcends into various other levels such as leadership control, military and intelligence commissions and district levels Emirs of the global terrorist group. The ISKP is currently divided into three factions - Aslam Farooqi, Mauvviya and Imam Bukhari.

However, the attempt to take over ISKP by the Haqqani Network with the help of Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is not without its own set of challenges. The three factions are apprehensive of the Rawalpindi-backed group and are vehemently resisting the Haqqani Networks effort to join the ISKP in Afghanistan.

The ISI, however, is helping the HQN try to open channels with the ISKPs Imam Bukhari faction to bring it within the fold of Khilafat-e-Islami Khorasan and maintain strong operational cooperation.

The HQN take over of ISKP could be a game-changing development as it will create a mega terror group of the Al Qaida variety with its handlers based in Rawalpindi getting Pakistan deniability of any attack in Indian sub-continent or in the west, said a senior counter-terror official.

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US President Donald Trump said he has heard very serious rumours about Kamala Harriss eligibility to be president while others have dismissed them as a racist trope.

Mr Trump told reporters he had heard suggestions that Ms Harris  who is Democratic candidate Joe Bidens running mate  was born to immigrant parents.

The conspiracy about Ms Harris, which is part of an online misinformation campaign, bears similarity to one Mr Trump used to power his rise into politics.

I was so proud to stand with @JoeBiden earlier today as our party's nominee for Vice President, and I do so mindful of all the heroic and ambitious women before me whose sacrifice, determination, and resilience makes my presence here even possible.  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 13, 2020

The conspiracy is false and Ms Harris was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible to be president under the constitutional requirements.

The question is not considered complex, according to lawyers who have reviewed her circumstances.

Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School, said: Full stop, end of story, period, exclamation point.

Lets just be honest about what it is: Its just a racist trope we trot out when we have a candidate of colour whose parents were not citizens.

Kamala Harris was chosen as the running mate to former Vice President Joe Biden (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Mr Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponents legitimacy.

He was a high-profile force behind the so-called birther movement  the lie that questioned whether president Barack Obama, the nations first black president, was eligible to serve.

Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Mr Trump disavow the claims.

Mr Trump comments about Ms Harris on Thursday came amid a series of untrue, racist or sexist claims unleashed across social media and conservative websites after Mr Biden picked Ms Harris, the first black woman and the first Asian American woman on a major party ticket.

The misinformation campaign is built on falsehoods that have circulating less noticeably for months, propelled by Mr Trump and his supporters.
Anglophone separatists continue to commit serious human rights abuses in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, with kidnappings, torture and killings targeting the civilian population, according to a new report published by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Cameroon (CHRDA), a local non-governmental organisation.

CHRDA's report focuses on abuses carried out between May and August 2020 as part of the ongoing conflict in the Anglophone areas of Cameroon between the military and armed separatist groups.

A 35-year-old woman was beheaded by separatists in Muyuka, Fako Division of the Southwest region on 11 August, according to CHRDA. The woman, who had four children, was accused of being a spy, having spent a weekend with a Cameroonian solider. She was beheaded, her body dumped in the street and the video depicting the murder shared on social media.

On 7 August, armed separatists abducted aid worker Tanjoh Christopher, who worked for Community Initiative for Sustainable Development (COMINSUD), a partner of the World Food Programme in the Northwest region. CHDRA reported that Christopher was killed for openly denouncing atrocities committed against the civilian population by armed separatist fighters.

Since start of August, Bamenda, the capital of the Northwest region, has been targeted by four bomb attacks focusing on non-military locations, CHRDA said.

The Red Dragons armed separatist group singled out 80 boys and men on 24 July in Essoh-Attah, Lebialem Division of the Southwest region. The exercise was a recruitment drive for the rebels, and those between the ages of 16 and 37 were picked out and led off to be inducted into the armed group. Some managed to escape into the bush, while the other abductees were released a few days later, CHRDA added.

In June, CHRDA documented the targeted kidnap, extortion and beating of a man in Mamfe, Manyu Division, Southwest region, who was accused of previously being a member of the separatists, in an effort to coerce him to re-join. The man was beaten and then had bottles broken over his head before his body was sliced by the broken glass. The separatists finished by shooting him twice in the leg.

Another highly targeted attack against civilians in May saw three farmers hauled out of a vehicle in Mamfe for wearing a facemask in an effort to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, according to CHRDA. The separatists said the men did not have the right to wear facemasks in their territory. The beating was interrupted by the Cameroonian military, who began firing, with one of the farmers caught in the crossfire, shot four times and left for dead by the soldiers.

Agbor Nkongho, the head of CHRDA, told RFI that is difficult to identify which different separatist groups are responsible for the varying abuses and attacks against civilians.

The splinter groups are unaccountable and some don't take orders from abroad or from the major groups that we all know, said Nkongho, a prominent lawyer who was jailed by the authorities in Yaounde for his role in the Anglophone protests.

Since the self-declaration of so-called Ambazonia in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, a conflict between armed groups and Cameroon's army has led to the formation of different separatist groups, splintering into factions with changing alliances.

Efforts to target Anglophones wearing facemasks against Covid-19 is a result of ignorance by some of the separatist groups, said Nkongho, they think wearing a mask is tantamount to you bringing the virus to where they are in control.

Abuses on both sides

Rights abuses in the Anglophone crisis are by no means only carried out by armed separatist groups, as frequently reported by other human rights watchdogs. RFI has also extensively reported by abuses committed by both soldiers and rebels.

New-York based Human Rights Watch in July also documented abuses carried out by both sides, noting Cameroonian armed forces attacking a healthcare facility in the Northwest region, specifically targeting hospitals.

UN chief Antonio Guterres had in March called on both the army and separatists to declare a ceasefire to help create corridors for life-saving aid for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. However, neither the military nor separatists fighting for the self-declared state of Ambazonia heeded this call.

One of many different separatist groups, the Ambazonia Governing Council, which controls the Ambazonia Defence Forces, did not want to respond specifically to the allegations contained within the report by CHRDA, but did comment on how rebel fighters acted.

Ambazonians must conduct themselves with a high sense of integrity and respect for the sanctity of life and dignity of both citizens and enemies, said Cho Ayaba from the Ambazonia Governing Council.

RFI contacted several other Anglophone separatist groups for reaction to the CHRDA, but they did not respond to requests for comment.

Violence in Anglophone regions of Cameroon began in 2017 following peaceful protests by teachers and lawyers against alleged discrimination by the Francophone central government.

A crackdown on demonstrations and the arrests of Anglophone leaders led to the creation of armed separatist groups and the self-declaration of independence for so-called Ambazonia. Ultimately, the rebels are fighting for Anglophone secession from the rest of Cameroon.
A midwife checks the condition of a pregnant woman during a routine check-up at Royal North Shore Hospital's Birth Centre June 7, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Charges Over Fatal Melbourne Homebirth

Two women have been charged with negligent manslaughter over a fatal homebirth in Melbourne eight years ago.

Homicide detectives arrested a 59-year-old Preston woman and NSW police arrested a 43-year-old Mullumbimby woman on a Victorian warrant on Aug 14.

Both were charged with manslaughter following the death of a 36-year-old Watsonia woman in January 2012.

They will be bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 21.

Melbourne
SC holds Prashant Bhushan in contempt

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Supreme Court on Friday held lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court for his alleged tweets on CJI and his four predecessors. The apex court will hear the arguments on sentence against him on August 20.

Prashant Bhushan held guilty of contempt by SC for tweets against CJI and judiciary | Oneindia News

The top court on August 5 had reserved its verdict in the matter after Bhushan defended his two alleged contemptuous tweets saying they were against the judges regarding their conduct in their personal capacity and they did not obstruct administration of justice.

On July 22, the top court had issued a show cause notice to Bhushan after initiating the criminal contempt against him for his two tweets.

Sushant Singh Rajput death case: CBI files submission in SC, says no question of transfer to Mumbai

While reserving the order in the contempt case, the top court had dismissed a separate petition filed by Bhushan seeking recall of the July 22 order by which the notice was issued against him in a contempt proceeding initiated for his alleged contemptuous tweets against the judiciary.

The top court had not agreed to the contention of senior advocate Dushayant Dave, representing Bhushan, that the separate plea had raised objection against the manner in which the contempt proceedings were started without the opinion of Attorney General K K Venugopal and it be sent to another bench.

Bhushan had sought a direction to declare that the apex court's secretary general has allegedly "acted unconstitutionally and illegally" in accepting a "defective contempt petition" filed against him, which was initially placed on the administrative side and later on the judicial side.

Referring to a judgement, the apex court had said that it has meticulously followed the law in entertaining the contempt plea and it did not agree to the submission that it be sent to another bench for hearing.

Dave arguing for Bhushan in the contempt case had said, The two tweets were not against the institution.

"They are against the judges in their personal capacity regarding their conduct. They are not malicious and do not obstruct administration of justice .

Bhushan has made immense contribution to the development of jurisprudence and there are at least 50 judgments to his credit , he had said, adding that the court has appreciated his contributions in cases like 2G scam, coal block allocation and in mining matters.

Cameras go off in Supreme Court for Prashant Bhushan contempt hearing

Perhaps you would have given him Padma Vibhushan' for the work he did in the last 30 years, Dave had said, adding that this was not the case where contempt proceedings would have been initiated.

Referring to the ADM Jabalpur case on suspension of fundamental rights during the emergency, the senior advocate had said that even extremely uncharitable remarks against the judges were made and no contempt proceedings were made out.

In a 142-page reply affidavit, Bhushan stood by his two tweets and had said the expression of opinion, however outspoken, disagreeable or unpalatable to some , cannot constitute contempt of court.

Bhushan, in the affidavit, has referred to several apex court judgements, speeches of former and serving judges on contempt of court and the stifling of dissent in a democracy and his views on judicial actions in some cases.

The respondent (Bhushan) states that the expression of his opinion however outspoken, disagreeable or however unpalatable to some, cannot constitute contempt of court. This proposition has been laid down by several judgments of the Supreme Court and in foreign jurisdictions such as Britain, USA and Canada, he has submitted.

Preventing citizens from demanding accountability and reforms and advocating for the same by generating public opinion is not a "reasonable restriction", the affidavit had said, adding that the Article 129 cannot be pressed into service to stifle bonafide criticism.

While referring to the tweets by Bhushan, the apex court had said these statements are prima facie capable of "undermining the dignity and authority" of the institution of the Supreme Court in general and the office of Chief Justice of India in particular, in the eyes of the public at large.
PERTH, Australia, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Alloy Steel International, Inc. (OTC: AYSI) advises that its 2020 Financial year Third Quarter Report for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 is now available on www.otcmarkets.com website by searching for AYSI then choosing "Filings and Disclosure."

About Alloy Steel

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Arcoplate provides users with superior wear protection due to its premium alloy mix, its high ratio of carbide rich alloy and its unique manner of manufacture. The product's technical superiority combined with its unbeatable 'whole-of-life' cost has resulted in Arcoplate's wide acceptance in the mining and mineral processing industries to reduce wear in a host of fixed plant and mobile equipment applications.

In mining and materials processing industries, where premature equipment wear is the primary cause of downtime, to undertake repairs or refurbishment, Arcoplate can provide users with significant profit improvement. Arcoplate can substantially lower equipment downtime, resulting in higher production, whilst also lowering the overall cost of wear protection.

Furthermore, in applications where material 'hang-up' or 'carry-back' are also a significant cause of lost production, such as sticky materials that do not discharge freely from truck trays, buckets and chutes, Arcoplate's unique characteristic of polishing to a very low friction factor has the potential to virtually eliminate these problems, whilst simultaneously providing enhanced equipment wear life.

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LEASING

Sydney

Good Games Pty Ltd has leased a former camera house 278 sq site at ground level and mezzanine Level, 422-424 Kent Street from a private owner at $670 per sq m gross. The tenant relocated due to a lease expiry nearby. The lease term is two years. John Skufris, Ray White Commercial South Sydney negotiated the lease.

Seven Hills

Tecworks International has secured a 1222 sq m office/warehouse site at 13 Distribution Place formerly occupied by Orbitz Elevators. The lease is for five years, with a five-year option. It was struck at an initial rental of $127.5 sq m net. CBREs Matthew Alessi and Brendan Wein negotiated the lease.
In a little over 15 years, DHS agencies interacted with millions of travelers passing through our nations airports and relieved them of over $2 billion in cash. (And thats just agencies like the CBP and ICE. The DEA also lifts cash from airline passengers -- something it loves doing so much it hires TSA agents to look for money, rather than stuff that could threaten transportation security.)

Thats just one of several disturbing findings in the Institute for Justices (IJ) new report [PDF] on the DHSs ability to separate travelers from their money. Utilizing the Treasury Departments forfeiture database, the IJ discovered the DHS is a fan of taking cash and does so more frequently at certain airports. The most popular airport for cash seizures is, by far, Chicagos OHare. In 2014, the airport accounted for 34% of all cash seized despite handling only 6% of all air travelers.

More travelers means more opportunities, which explains some of the increase in seizures over the past decade. But as the IJ points out, seizures are outpacing the bump in travel stats.

Between 2000 and 2016, the number of air travelers increased 46%, while the inflation-adjusted value of currency seized at airports by DHS agencies increased 140% and the number of airport currency seizure cases grew 178%.

Any international airport will be patrolled by CBP and ICE agents looking for cash to seize. And theyre not looking to catch drug dealers, human traffickers, or any other criminals that might be carrying cash around. No, the most common criminal activity to result in forfeitures is nothing more than a reporting violation.

Federal law requires travelers to declare any currency over $10,000 when traveling into or out of the country. Its pretty easy to get this done when traveling into the US, as arriving visitors will be required to go through Customs and declare anything theyre bringing into the country, including cash. Outbound travelers may not realize this applies to them and since theyre not required to pass through Customs on the way out, they may have no idea theyre violating the law. Thats an opportunity DHS agencies are more than happy to capitalize on. Half of all seizures between 2000-2016 were for violating this reporting requirement.
A Nigerian court in Port Harcourt has fined three men 44,000 euros each for hijacking a ship in the Gulf of Guinea in March and collecting a 169,000 euro ransom for the crew.

The new measures were used for the first time in an effort to curb piracy, which is endemic in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 90 percent of all sea abductions worldwide, accordfing to the UK-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Although the three men were handed down sentences under the new statute, Nigerian press reported that they were not pirates in the traditional sense, but employees of a private security company.

Nine men were charged in July in connection with kidnapping the crew of the MV Elobey VI off the coast of Equatorial Guinea. They had seized the boat and the crew in March, but released them in May after the ransom was paid.

Three of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to piracy and will pay the fine but will serve no additional jail time.

The other six pled not guilty and will go to trial.

Piracy is rife off the Gulf of Guinea, Karl Sykes, Managing Director of Neptune Maritime Security told RFI. Will it deter the other pirates? I very much doubt it, they are very desperate people and out to make money, he says.

Its not going to be an overnight thing, but its a positive move in the right direction, he adds.

Gulf of Guinea piracy on the rise

In most cases, piracy involves armed robbery at sea and holding the crew for ransom, but can also include piracy where assailants steal crude oil from tankers.

Although piracy dropped in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia after 2013, when combined Somali and international efforts were made to patrol the waters, it has continued to rise in the Gulf of Guinea, which covers a 6,000 kilometre-long coast from Senegal to Angola.

According to the International Maritime Bureau, violent attacks against seafarers have risen in 2020, with the IMB logging 49 crew members being kidnapped for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea alone in 2020.

Story continues

Although typically kidnapping or seizing a ship occurs closer to the coastline, IMB reports a new phenomenon  many violent acts by pirates are taking place further out at sea.

Two-thirds of the vessels were attacked on the high seas from around 20 to 130 nautical miles off the Gulf of Guinea coastline, according to the report.

The report cited the Nigerian Navy with intercepting and preventing a number of would-be kidnappings.

Along with corruption, employment is also driving piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and the Niger Delta [in Nigeria] in particular, according to Abhishek Mishra in an article for the World Economic Forum.

Due to lack of jobs, when people see there is nothing on the ground for them to benefit from, they go to any length and use any means to disturb the economic activities that bring money into the nation, he added.
Classes at Westfield State University will begin as scheduled on September 2, but it will be another four weeks before students are allowed back o campus.

Interim president Roy Saigo announced Friday that all classes will be delivered online or remotely until September 29, when they are scheduled to revert to their original form of of either in-person, hybird-blended, remote or online.

As you know, months of planning have gone into the plan that we initially shared about welcoming back our residential and commuter students to campus in the fall. Although we still plan to do so, the decision has been made to delay their return from the end of August until the end of September,' Saigo said.

This was not an easy decision. And unfortunately, the unpredictability of COVID-19 does not provide for any absolute right answer or course of action.'

Saigo said the university was prepared for a late August arrival of students, but conversations with medical professionals and Westfield city health officials pointed to the need to change plans.

I cannot in good conscience allow for the return to take place at the end of August. I made this decision to delay the return to campus until the end of September with the safety of our campus community as the leading consideration,' Saigo said.

Westfield States plan, entitled Safe Fall Opening, is one of several in Western Massachusetts to be changed as fall semester nears. Smith College, Mount Holyoke College and the University of Massachusetts all reversed earlier decisions to allow some students back, and all will begin the fall semester with empty dormitories.

Other institutions have tightened restrictions and guidelines for students arriving and living on campus. Westfield State is the first to announce a delay that would end with students returning during the fall semester - if the schedule holds.

So far, the schedule has not held for many schools as COVID-19 cases move upward in Massachusetts and surge in many parts of the country. With 94 percent of its students coming from Massachusetts, Westfield State had held out optimism that the late August arrival could be maintained.

Quite frankly, we simply dont know if the decisions right now being made by all institutions of higher education are right or wrong. What I do know is that I would rather err on the side of caution and safety. As you can imagine, the easier decision would have been to move forward with our original plan, Saigo said.

He said he realized the change would cause disappointment, and that families who were present on campus this week were clearly excited about returning.

I empathize with you and ask for your continued patience as we delay students return for four weeks,' he said.

By next week, university officials expect to provide updated information about revised drop-off and move-in dates, as well as dates for required on-board COVID-19 testing for all residential and commuter students who will have an on-ground presence during the fall semester.

The school will also address applicable refunds for housing and dining, and specific academic and housing insecurity exceptions to this delay of students return to campus.
A top US commander for the Middle East has said that the Islamic State is growing and insurgents are operating with some degree of freedom writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Elements of the Islamic State group are working to rebuild in western Syria, where the US has little visibility or presence, the top US commander for the Middle East warned on Wednesday.

In the region west of the Euphrates River where the Syrian regime is in control conditions are as bad or worse than they were leading up to the rise of the Islamic State, said Gen. Frank McKenzie.

We should all be concerned about that. he warned.

McKenzie said insurgents are operating with some degree of freedom, and he said the US and its allies have little hope the Syrian regime will do anything to tamp down the group there.

The western part of the country has historically been controlled by Russian-backed Syrian government troops, while the US and its allies, the Syrian Democratic Forces, have largely been in the north and eastern part of the country.

President Donald Trump has touted the defeat of IS as one of his key national security achievements.

He ordered the removal of US forces from the northern border near Turkey, as part of a planned move to pull all American troops out of the country.

But he was eventually convinced by US military leaders to leave US forces in the east to continue working with the SDF and help protect oil fields from IS.

Speaking online to a United States Institute of Peace forum from his US Central Command office in Tampa, McKenzie said that the slow-moving effort to transfer people out of Syrian refugee camps has been further complicated and delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

And that, he said, fuels concerns about the radicalization of people  particularly the youth  in the camps, which officials worry are breeding grounds for IS insurgents.

The al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria is home to as many as 70,000 people  mostly women and children  who were displaced by the ongoing civil war in Syria and the battle against IS.

Many fled as the US-backed SDF cleared out the last pockets of land held by IS last year.

Leanne Erdberg Steadman, the USIP director for countering violent extremism, said getting people out of the camps is key to having them abandon violence and secure a new future.

Officials said that there have now been the first few reported cases of Covid-19 at al-Hol.

McKenzie said concerns about blocking the spread of the virus among European allies and other nations in the region has complicated efforts to repatriate camp residents to their home nations.

Repatriation is the key to clearing out the refugee camps, and the US has aggressively pushed to get allies to take their own citizens back.

Most nations, however, are reluctant to take in potential IS insurgents. And the potential spread of Covid-19 is now an added fear.

Humanitarian groups say many of the women and children are not risks, but officials also note that there are a lot of women who were radicalized and active in the insurgency.

McKenzie said that unless political leaders find a way to deradicalize and repatriate the displaced people in the camps, there will be another IS resurgence in the future.

As young people grow up, were going to see them again unless we can turn them in a way to make them productive members of society, he said.

We can either deal with this problem now or deal with it exponentially worse a few years down the road. he added.

The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Several times a week for more than two months, Kenya Fentress has gathered in southwest Detroit with other Black activists to march against police brutality and structural racism. The grass-roots fight for racial justice, taking place city-by-city across America, feels personal and urgent and immediate.

The news earlier this week that Kamala Harris had been selected as Joe Biden's running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket, though, registered as little more than a blip.

Fentress simply does not feel the same excitement or energy about the presidential election as she does about the protests, which were sparked earlier this summer after George Floyd died in Minneapolis while in police custody. As members of Washington's political establishment turned their attention this week to the spectacle of a vice-presidential reveal, the dozens of dutiful activists with Fentress in Detroit - where turnout will be critical for Biden - paid little attention.

Harris, a California senator of Jamaican and Indian descent, made history as the first woman of color to be chosen as a vice-presidential nominee by a major party. African American advocacy groups cheered Biden's pick, which they saw as recognition that Black voters are a pillar of the Democratic Party. But the choice was greeted more skeptically from the party's left flank, including many younger Black activists who have been critical of Harris's record as a mainstream politician and former prosecutor.

Black representation in national politics matters, Fentress said, but what matters more is policies that address systemic racism.

She is not sure the Democrats have figured that out or that Harris changes that.

And yet, despite her skepticism toward the Democratic Party, she intends to cast a ballot for Biden and Harris in November - not because of Harris, but because of her disdain for President Donald Trump.

"You know, I go down the streets and I see people lined up just for [donated] food. How is that normal? How is that right?" she said, pointing to wealth inequities between Black and White families that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. "Are we going to vote? Yes. It's an obligation. It's something that you should do . . . because right now, the president we have, we don't want him in office."

The lower-than-expected turnout in 2016 among Black voters in Detroit looms over the upcoming presidential election, said James Curenton, who is a pastor at the city's Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ. A Democratic voter, Curenton regrets that he did not do more in 2016 to encourage his community to vote. Trump narrowly won Michigan, by about 11,000 votes.

"The blame has to go all around. We locally here as pastors could have gotten out 15,000 more folks to vote if it had been a priority. The Democratic Party could have made the vote in Detroit a major priority, which it did not. Hillary Clinton did not show up here," he said.

Even as the church focuses on adjusting its programing for the pandemic and distributing hundreds of food boxes to struggling families, Curenton says he will organize phone banking and even canvassing in the fall.

This year, he said, he feels a personal responsibility to make sure his congregation of several hundred turn out to vote in November. It is a conversation happening among other pastors as well.

But he acknowledged that many Black voters, especially younger ones, feel alienated from the political process and have grown skeptical of the Democratic Party, in part because of failed promises to turn Detroit around. Their disillusionment, he worries, is self-defeating; he believes political strength rests on voting.

The protest movement, he said, has lit a fire in many Black communities, especially among young people, who are paying more attention, especially to local politics. He said he hopes that energy will be harnessed for the presidential election.

But there is also plenty of political skepticism and cynicism community leaders like Curenton will have to battle.

The real work of creating social change, many activists said this week, was happening here on the streets of Detroit, not in Washington. On Wednesday, instead of watching Biden and Harris in their first joint appearance, dozens of protesters set up loudspeakers and passed out buttons that read "Black Women's Lives Matter." They took turns delivering impassioned orations about the civil rights movement they see unfolding in the United States.

Biden and even Harris almost seemed beside the point.

"I come out here basically every day they have it," Parrish Saiter, 28, said of the protests,as "No Justice, No Peace" chants roared in the crowd.

For Saiter, the protests are a form of civic engagement that feel "more hands on," and likelier to accomplish change.

Saiter expressed skepticism over Biden's efforts to reach Black voters, including adding Harris to the ticket.

"They did that so they could get the Black vote," he said, explaining his concerns over Harris's record as a prosecutor. "I have been to prison and the prison system makes the person worse . . . it don't rehabilitate."

"Yeah I'm going to vote. But I feel that Democrats and Republicans they're basically the same thing," he said.

Saiter suggested that keeping Trump in office might benefit the movement because at least the president's rhetoric draws attention to systemic problems that have existed for a long time.

His comments echoed critiques of Harris's claim that she was a "progressive prosecutor" in California. As California's attorney general, Harris declined to support a bill that would have required her office to investigate fatal police shootings, commenting that it would take power away from local district attorneys which had systems in place to hold police officers accountable. She opposed a statewide standard for police officers to wear body cameras, again citing local authority.

Harris was also once a fierce advocate for anti-truancy laws that led to prosecution and even jail time for parents whose children missed too many school days, which critics at the time warned would disproportionately hurt low-income communities of color. She has since expressed regret over how the laws have been applied.

But many Black voters interviewed in Detroit this week said they have not been paying much attention to the presidential election, even if they disagree with Trump.

Ten miles north, in Palmer Park, Samyah Haynes, 20, said she's not "too much into politics." As she set up for her sister's sixth birthday party in Palmer Park, she said she had only heard a little bit about Harris. But having a Black woman on the ticket definitely makes it more interesting for her.

"Barack Obama said it was a good decision and I trust Obama," she said.

A group of six moms and aunts gathered nearby watching their children chase each other around and blowing bubbles. One of them, Lindsay Gray, 30, said she was thrilled to hear Harris was chosen as Biden's running mate, especially as a Howard University graduate.

"Short of Michelle Obama actually running for president, I'm excited" by Harris, said Gray.

But she worried about the role sexism might play in the election.

"A lot of men, they just are not going to vote for a woman, let alone a woman of color." She "got those inklings" after Clinton's failed campaign but she hopes the country has changed since then, especially given the anger in Black communities toward Trump.

Curenton, though, said he believes Black women will be crucial to get-out-the-vote efforts in November. Their excitement over Harris, he predicted, could be a boon for Democrats.

"And if Black women are excited the Black men have to get excited too. Black women still rule the roost if truth be told in the Black community," Curenton said. "Senator Harris, her appointment for the African American community does one thing: it says that, okay, we were right. Uncle Joe will respond to us, will try to do something for us. He takes us seriously. And he did it not in words, like what do you have to lose, he's taken action."

- - -

Ruble and Elmer reported from Detroit.
A federal judge has turned back an effort to delay an independent medical review for a Saudi citizen held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center who was so badly mistreated in American custody that he cannot be put on trial.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle late Wednesday rejected the U.S. governments bid to put a hold on a March order that called for an independent panel of doctors to examine prisoner Mohammed al-Qahtani at the U.S. base in Cuba.

The Department of Justice has said it intends to appeal the March decision, which was issued by a judge who has since retired. But Huvelle noted in her ruling that, due to his health, the risk of delay to the prisoner far outweighs any potential harm to the government from dispatching a team of doctors to evaluate him.

Government lawyers, she wrote, failed to demonstrate either a likelihood of success on the merits or that the balance of harms weighs in their favor.

Al-Qahtani, who has been held at Guantanamo since early 2002, has long posed a legal dilemma for U.S. authorities. The government says he tried without success to enter the country in August 2001 to join the hijackers who seized four passenger planes in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

U.S. forces later captured him in Afghanistan and sent him to Guantanamo. He was then subjected to treatment that was so brutal that the Pentagon legal official in charge of the war crimes tribunals determined that it amounted to torture and he could not be prosecuted. The government has never said what it plans to do with him and his attorneys are seeking to have him returned to his native Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.

The prisoner has been diagnosed with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, apparently due to a brain injury from a childhood car accident in Saudi Arabia. Huvelle factored this into her decision.

Mr. al-Qahtanis mental health issues were evident to U.S. government officials when he was first detained at Guantanamo Bay and have been exacerbated by the torture he initially suffered at the hands of the U.S. government and the over 18 years he has spent in detention, she wrote.

Attorneys for al-Qahtani are seeking whats known as a Mixed Medical Commission, consisting of one doctor chosen by the government and two others from neutral third countries, to confirm the health condition of the prisoner. and eventually secure his release to Saudi Arabia for treatment. The Kingdom has agreed to his return.

The government has argued that al-Qahtani can get any medical treatment he needs at Guantanamo and that creating a Mixed Medical Commission, which has never before been provided for a prisoner at the detention center, would set a precedent that would inspire other to seek one as well.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Wednesdays ruling.

Ramzi Kassem, an attorney for al-Qahtani, said he thinks the government is worried about what an independent medical panel would conclude about his client.

Theyre concerned the mixed medical commission will come back and say he meets the criteria for medical repatriation, said Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York.

In her ruling, the judge noted it would likely take some time to put together a medical panel and dispatch it to the detention center, which has put restrictions on visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought legal proceedings against other detainees to a standstill.

The U.S. still holds 40 prisoners at Guantanamo, down from a high of nearly 680 in 2003.
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SK Energy Co. Ltd.

Tasco Chemical Corporation

Tonen Chemical Corporation

Zibo Qixiang Petrochemical Industry Group Company Ltd.

A detailed description of each has been included, with information in terms of H.Q, future capacities, key mergers & acquisitions, financial overview, partnerships, collaborations, new product launches, new product developments and other latest industrial developments.

SEGMENTATIONS IN THE REPORT:

By Applications:

Paints & Coatings

Printing inks

Others

By Geography:

North America (NA)

Europe (EU)

Asia Pacific (APAC)

Rest of the World (RoW)

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The proactive detection of SARS-CoV-2 through testing is playing a key part in slowing contagion. Increased local testing is also helping identify more patients, including those with no symptoms that previously went undetected. The most reliable test is known as the PCR.

The microbiology units of the public hospitals in Malaga province are currently carrying out over 2,000 tests of this type a day, according to SUR investigations, although the regional health department doesn't give data on a provincial level. This number has been increasing since the pandemic started.

The Hospital Regional in Malaga has a lab capable of processing 2,400 PCR tests and software there can help plot local outbreaks using geolocalisation data. The first real test of this automated operation came after the outbreak at the Red Cross shelter in Malaga city in June. The hospital is already considering increasing its capacity if the number of reported cases grows.

The robotic equipment is called Opentrons Covid-19, and was donated by CovidRobots. It includes eight automated machines carrying out different stages of the analysis.

Currently the Hospital Regional is doing some 1,000 PCR a day, including samples sent in from outlying, area hospitals in Antequera, Ronda and Velez-Malaga as well as local health centres in Malaga province. However, the three area hospitals mentioned also can carry out their own analysis of PCR in an emergency.

Malaga city's other main hospital, Clinico Virgen de la Victoria, is carrying out around 500 analyses a day on its equipment and there is also analysis under way at Marbella's Hospital Costa del Sol.

The PCR is a diagnostic test that can detect a fragment of genetic material from a pathogen. The process to carry it out correctly is relatively complex and needs specially trained staff to analyse it.

In total, some 2,000 PCR tests were being carried out daily this week in Malaga province's heath service facilities.
COPPELL, Texas, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Costar Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") (OTC Markets Group: CSTI) announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 that have been reviewed by the independent accounting firm BKD, LLP.

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2020

Revenues of $14,640 , a 28.3% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2019.

, a 28.3% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2019. Operating expenses, net of restructuring costs, were down 29.7% to $5,321 , compared to $7,564 in the second quarter of 2019.

, compared to in the second quarter of 2019. GAAP net loss of $498 , or ($0.31) per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $561 , or $0.35 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019.

, or per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of , or per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted earnings of $508 , or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to $972 , or $0.60 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 . Adjusted earnings of $664 , or $0.42 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2020 , compared to ($1,250) , or ($0.80) per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2019 . Adjusted earnings, a non-GAAP measure, is defined below.

, or per diluted share, compared to , or per diluted share for the quarter ended . Adjusted earnings of , or per diluted share for the six months ended , compared to , or per diluted share for the six months ended . Adjusted earnings, a non-GAAP measure, is defined below. Adjusted EBITDA of $650 compared to $1,593 for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 . Adjusted EBITDA of $1,150 compared to ($1,106) for the six months ended June 30, 2019 Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is defined below.

Scott Switzer, the Company's Interim Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted many businesses in the second quarter of 2020, and ours was no exception. The effects of business restrictions, temporary shutdowns and closures on our customers resulted in a decline in demand for our products. During the second quarter we launched a 'One Costar' initiative to unify our organization which resulted in significant cost savings, increased efficiencies, and improved employee collaboration across all our subsidiaries. As restrictions and closures ease, we are beginning to see increased quotation activity which we are confident will drive third quarter revenue wins. In addition, in the second quarter we released four new cameras that completes our family of mid-range products and will position us to enter new markets. Finally, in July we hired a Chief Revenue Officer to better leverage our sales team, improve our channel partner programs, and enhance our ability to meet the needs of our customers."

Sarah Ryder, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, went on to say, "During this unprecedented time we successfully restructured the organization, improving efficiency and reducing operating expenses by 30%. These efforts helped offset softness in revenue during the quarter resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to have constructive conversations with our bank, UMB, as we work to obtain a waiver and modify our covenants to facilitate future compliance. Strong financial performance in the first quarter, combined with material cost reductions achieved in the second quarter, have better positioned the Company to navigate throughout this uncertain economic environment." For more information regarding the Company's loan agreements, see Note 7 of the Company's financial statements.

The Company's independent auditors completed their analysis of the Company's financial condition. The Independent Auditor's Review Report, including financial statements and applicable footnote disclosures, is available on our website at www.costartechnologies.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company defines adjusted earnings, a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation. The following tables reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this release to GAAP net income (loss):



Quarter

Ended

6/30/20 Quarter

Ended

6/30/2019 Six Months

Ended

6/30/20 Six Months

Ended

6/30/19 Adjusted Earnings 508 972 664 (1,250) Less:







Stock-Based Compensation (53) (87) (85) (173) Intangible Amortization (318) (324) (635) (648) Restructuring Costs (635)

(635)

Net Income (Loss) (498) 561 (691) (2,071)











Quarter

Ended

6/30/20 Quarter

Ended

6/30/2019 Six Months

Ended

6/30/20 Six Months

Ended

6/30/19 Adjusted EBITDA 650 1,593 1,150 (1,106) Less:







Interest (207) (348) (498) (656) Income Taxes (Benefit) 178 (157) 243 729 Depreciation (113) (116) (231) (217) Intangible Amortization (318) (324) (635) (648) Stock-Based Compensation (53) (87) (85) (173) Restructuring Costs (635)

(635)

Net Income (Loss) (498) 561 (691) (2,071)

These reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures should be considered together with the Company's financial statements. These non-GAAP measures are not meant as a substitute for GAAP, but are included solely for informational and comparative purposes. The Company's management believes that this information can assist investors in evaluating the Company's operational trends, financial performance, and cash generating capacity. Management believes these non-GAAP measures allow investors to evaluate the Company's financial performance using some of the same measures as management. However, the non-GAAP financial measures should not be regarded as a replacement for (or superior to) corresponding, similarly captioned, GAAP measures.

About Costar Technologies, Inc.

Costar Technologies, Inc. develops, designs, manufactures and distributes a range of security solution products including surveillance cameras, lenses, digital video recorders and high-speed domes. The Company also develops, designs and distributes industrial vision products to observe repetitive production and assembly lines, thereby increasing efficiency by detecting faults in the production process. Headquartered in Coppell, Texas, the Company's shares currently trade on the OTC Markets Group under the ticker symbol "CSTI". Costar was ranked as the 35th largest company in a&s magazine's Security 50 for 2019. Security 50 is an annual ranking by the magazine of the world's largest security manufacturers in the areas of video surveillance, access control and intruder alarms, based on sales revenue.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's ability to grow revenue and earnings, that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to risks related to the ability to diversify business across vertical markets, secure new customer wins, and launch new products. You can often identify forward-looking statements by words such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations but they involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risks and uncertainties.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

COSTAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES















CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (AMOUNTS SHOWN IN THOUSANDS)







June 30, 2020

December 31, 2019





(Reviewed)

(Audited) ASSETS















Current assets











Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1

$ 1 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $292 and $396 in 2020 and 2019, respectively



8,076



9,056 Inventories, net of reserve for obsolescence of $1,167 and $1,264 in 2020 and 2019, respectively



20,285



20,196 Prepaid expenses and other current assets



2,728



2,295

Total current assets



31,090



31,548















Non-current assets











Property and equipment, net



742



910 Deferred financing costs, net



39



59 Deferred tax asset, net



4,514



4,514 Trade names, net



2,017



2,198 Distribution agreements, net



749



801 Customer relationships, net



3,848



4,187 Covenants not to compete, net



45



60 Patents, net



154



169 Technology, net



235



268 Goodwill



6,513



6,513 Right of use assets



2,664



3,131 Other non-current assets



149



149

Total non-current assets



21,669



22,959

















Total assets

$ 52,759

$ 54,507

















LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY











































Current liabilities











Accounts payable

$ 4,784

$ 5,639 Accrued expenses and other



6,803



5,879 Line of credit



13,570



15,953 Current maturities of long-term debt, net of unamortized financing fees



3,984



781 Contingent purchase price



990



1,490 Current maturities of notes payable, unrelated party



83



583 Current maturities of lease liabilities



1,021



990

Total current liabilities



31,235



31,315















Long-Term liabilities











Long-term debt, net of current maturities and unamortized financing fees









3,592 Payroll Protection Program loan



3,025





Non-current maturities of lease liabilities



1,871



2,389

Total long-term liabilities



4,896



5,981

Total liabilities



36,131



37,296















Stockholders' Equity











Preferred stock











Common stock



3



3 Additional paid-in capital



157,586



157,478 Accumulated deficit



(136,440)



(135,749) Less common stock held in treasury, at cost



(4,521)



(4,521)

Total stockholders' equity



16,628



17,211

















Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 52,759

$ 54,507

COSTAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



























CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (AMOUNTS SHOWN IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NET INCOME PER SHARE)







Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,





2020

2019

2020

2019





(Reviewed)

(Reviewed)

(Reviewed)

(Reviewed)



























Net revenues

$ 14,640

$ 20,425

$ 31,668

$ 34,814 Cost of revenues



9,154



11,796



19,532



21,473



























Gross profit



5,486



8,629



12,136



13,341



























Selling, general and administrative expenses



4,198



6,024



9,383



12,537

























Engineering and development expense



1,123



1,540



2,555



2,949



























Restructuring costs



635









635













5,956



7,564



12,573



15,486



























Income (loss) from operations



(470)



1,065



(437)



(2,145)



























Other expenses

























Interest expense



(207)



(348)



(498)



(656)

Other income (expense), net



1



1



1



1 Total other expenses, net



(206)



(347)



(497)



(655)



























Income (loss) before taxes



(676)



718



(934)



(2,800) Income tax provision (benefit)



(178)



157



(243)



(729)



























Net income (loss)

$ (498)

$ 561

$ (691)

$ (2,071)























































Net income (loss) per share:

























Basic

$ (0.31)

$ 0.36

$ (0.43)

$ (1.32)

























































Diluted

$ (0.31)

$ 0.35

$ (0.43)

$ (1.32)



























Weighted average shares outstanding:

























Basic



1,597



1,579



1,593



1,572

























































Diluted



1,597



1,611



1,593



1,572

SOURCE Costar Technologies, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.costartechnologies.com


Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that he and seven of his cabinet colleagues have decided to go into self-isolation after Malappuram Collector K Gopalakrishnan tested COVID positive.

BCCL

However, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who had accompanied Vijayan to Kozhikode to visit the survivors of the Air India Express flight from Dubai, will not isolate himself.

Gopalakrishnan had been coordinating the rescue and relief operations at the accident site of the Kozhikode Air India crash.

In a WhatsApp message, Vijayan said the others who will be going into isolation are Health Minister KK Shailaja, Local Administration Minister AC Moideen, Industries Minister EP Jayarajan, Agriculture Minister VS Sunilkumar, Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel, Ports Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran and Transport Minister AK Saseendran.

BCCL

Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta will also isolate himself.

DGP Loknath Behera has also gone on quarantine.

Due to the self-quarantine, the Kerala CM will not unfurl the tricolour at the main Independence Day function on Saturday.

Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran will be stepping in for him, in the ceremony which will last only 10 minutes.

Earlier, it was decided to limit the function to 10 minutes as the state capital district, where the main I-Day parade is to be held, is the now worst COVID-affected in the state.

Meanwhile, Malappuram Collector K Gopalakrishnan said he is asymptomatic.

"I have been tested positive today and I am asymptomatic," Gopalakrishnan told PTI.

TWITTER

The collector, deputy collector and assistant collector, superintendent of police were among 20-odd people who have tested positive on Friday.

Last week following the Air India Express flight crash at the Karipur International Airport that veered off the tabletop runway and crashed into a valley and broke into pieces, locals in large numbers had led the rescue efforts.

Eighteen people were killed and several others were injured in the mishap.

At least one of those killed in the crash had tested positive for COVID-19.

Due to the fear of the spread of COVID-19, hundreds of rescue volunteers have also gone into quarantine.
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Lithuania is relatively small by European Union measures, but it is playing an outsized role as protesters in neighboring Belarus face a brutal law enforcement crackdown following a presidential election they say was rigged.

As the EUs foreign ministers meet Friday to discuss the crisis, the Lithuanian government's strong pro-democracy voice rooted in decades of resisting Soviet control also serves as a reminder of the blocs uneven response so far.

Lithuania has given refuge to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger in Sunday's disputed election that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claims to have won with 80% of the vote after 26 years of authoritarian rule.

Belarus's northern neighbor also is "ready and considering the possibility of accepting Belarusians, suffering from the ongoing brutalities, on humanitarian grounds," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius tweeted on Wednesday.

At the EU meeting Friday, Linkevicius said he called for a special session of the UN's Human Rights Council, sanctions against individuals for use of excessive force and election fraud and the establishment of an EU fund for victims of repression.

With nearly 7,000 people detained and scores injured, the fierceness and scope of the police response to post-election protests was extraordinary even for Lukashenkos long, iron-fisted tenure. The 65-year-old former state farm director has been in power since 1994 and was nicknamed "Europes last dictator" in the West for his suppression of dissent.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 file photo, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevicius answers questions during a meeting with the press in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vilnius, Lithuania. Lithuania is playing an outsized role among European Union nations amid a major crisis in neighboring Belarus. The EU's foreign ministers are meeting Friday Aug. 14, 2020 to discuss the brutal law enforcement crackdown on protesters who insist the Belarusian presidential election was rigged to keep the country's long-time authoritarian leader in power. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, File)

Lithuania's support is longstanding. Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, is located just 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and already has become a center for Belarusians in exile. The city hosts a university that Lukashenko banned. A number of Belarusian nongovernmental organizations have relocated there.

Why the rights of citizens in Belarus matters so much to the people of a small Baltic nation with a population of 2.8 million is rooted in Lithuania's history.

The country was the first former Soviet republic to declare its independence. After that historic step in 1990, Lithuania embraced democracy, joined NATO and the European Union, and then turned to promoting democracy abroad as well.

Many Lithuanians, remembering how members of the Lithuanian diaspora supported the independence movements back home, felt a special responsibility to help those with similar aspirations elsewhere in eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Belarus. In international forums, Lithuanian officials have often promoted issues of democracy in those two countries.

"Having this historical experience, we believe its necessary to support people in Belarus and Ukraine who want to support democracy in their country," said Laurynas Jonavicius, an assistant professor with the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University.

"It became a part of Lithuanian identity to be a beacon of democracy and a regional leader in democracy promotion," he said.

Belarus, located on a strategically important fault line between Russia and Western-oriented NATO countries, poses a difficult challenge to Western nations amid the large anti-Lukashenko protests. They have largely kept their distance to Belarus, which has strong ties to Russia, and a strong push for a Western-oriented direction there could also exacerbate ties with Moscow further.

Other countries in the region with communist-era memories of corrupt and authoritarian leaders also have also spoken out on behalf of the anti-government protesters contesting that Lukashenko fairly won reelection to a sixth term.

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said Thursday his government was trying to create pressure on Lukashenko to agree to repeat the election under the strong watch of international election observers, saying it would be "the only peaceful solution for the current crisis."

Like Lithuania, Poland, an EU member since 2004 that also borders Belarus, has also long been a proponent of democratic change in its autocratic neighbor. The Polish government for years has funded a satellite TV channel, Belsat, that broadcasts news into Belarus as an alternative to government propaganda.

On Friday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced a five-point plan to help Belarusians which would include support for victims of government repression, including people injured or dismissed from work.

The "Plan of Solidarity with Belarus" also includes opening Polish universities to Belarusians students and scholars, as well as supporting independent media and civil society in Belarus.

Morawiecki said Poland was allocating 50 million zlotys (11.4 million euros; $13.4 million) for these efforts, which would be in addition to other spending already earmarked for existing programs like Belsat.

"Our security cannot exist without the security of Belarus. We want to show that Belarus can count on Polands solidarity," he said.

But Polands voice at the EU level has been weakened by a perception that Polands own government is eroding democratic standards with laws giving the ruling party more power over the judicial system and anti-LGBT rhetoric.

While Poland was a strong voice for democracy in Georgia and Ukraine in the past, some Polish commentators in recent days have observed Lithuania taking on the leading role that Warsaw once had at the EU level.

"Lithuania has taken Polands place on EUs eastern policy," the liberal daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, which is highly critical of Polands right-wing government, declared in a headline Thursday.

___

Matthew Lee in Bled, Slovenia, and Liudas Dapkus in Vilnius, Lithuania, contributed to this report.

People demonstrate in support of Belarusians after a troubled weekend presidential vote, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Supporters took to the streets of Warsaw to support crowds of protesters in Belarus who swarmed the streets and workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko listens during a meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Crowds of protesters in Belarus swarmed the streets and thousands of workers rallied outside industrial plants Thursday to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. (Nikolai Petrov/BelTA, Pool Photo via AP)

People demonstrate in support of Belarusians after a troubled weekend presidential vote, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Supporters took to the streets of Warsaw to support crowds of protesters in Belarus who swarmed the streets and workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Belarusian women carry flowers on a rally in solidarity with protesters injured in the latest rallies against the results of the country's presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Hundreds of people were back on the streets of Belarus' capital on Thursday morning, forming long "lines of solidarity" in protest against an election they say was rigged to extend the rule of the country's authoritarian leader and against a crackdown on rallies that followed the vote. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

People demonstrate in support of Belarusians after a troubled weekend presidential vote, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Supporters took to the streets of Warsaw to support crowds of protesters in Belarus who swarmed the streets and workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

People demonstrate in support of Belarusians after a troubled weekend presidential vote, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Supporters took to the streets of Warsaw to support crowds of protesters in Belarus who swarmed the streets and workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda speaks during a news conference following his meeting with Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius, Lithuania, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
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.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed to reopen the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to visitors from August 15 during a working session in Hanoi on August 14 with its management board.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc inspects preservation of the work (Photo: VNA)

Due to the complicated developments of COVID-19 pandemic, the mausoleum has been shut down.

The board also conducted periodic preservation of the work from June 15  August 14.

Speaking at the working session, PM Phuc asked the board to continue refining its management model during the 2021-2025 period and fulfill assigned tasks.

It was also required to work closely with the ministries of national defence, public security, culture-sports and tourism to ensure security and safety in the area in combination with pandemic prevention and control.

PM Phuc also gave his opinions on the boards several proposals, including cooperation with Russia during 2016-2020 and discussions on the signing of 2021-2025 cooperation plan with the Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants./.VNA
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Turning out mostly cloudy and not as cold. There might be a rain or snow shower late..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with some rain and snow showers. Any rain will be early in the night.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, attorney Alex Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP filed a motion requesting that Nueces County Court at Law No. 4, the Honorable Mark H. Woerner presiding, hold the first virtual trial in the county, using the popular video conference platform Zoom. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Robert Faircloth who was paralyzed after a traumatic fall from a crane in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Corpus Christi, Texas in March of 2017.

The case, which was filed shortly after the incident in 2017, is currently set for trial on October 5, 2020. Given the current COVID-19 climate, the Plaintiff argues that the August 6th Texas Supreme Court Emergency Order permitting civil jury trials should apply to this case and the trial should proceed as scheduled via Zoom Remote Video Conference. The motion references a recent successful video conference trial which occurred in Broward County, Florida and argues that remote civil trials are the safest way to proceed in the pandemic.

Mr. Hilliard states, "In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, litigants are adapting to working remotely and cases across the country are proceeding efficiently with discovery by conducting depositions and hearings via Zoom. In the past three weeks, courts have moved forward with trials and other pre-trial proceedings via Zoom."

"There is no doubt that jury trials can be conducted via a video platform. Had anyone suggested this possibility of viable jury trials to the legal community in March, it is unlikely anyone would have thought it possible. Today, with continued COVID-19 outbreaks, remote jury trials are the only way to safely move cases on civil dockets."

The case is: Robert Faircloth v. Wal-Mart Stores Texas, LLC, Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust, et. al., case number 4:18-cv-03127, in Nueces County Court at Law No. 4.

About HMG

Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP (HMG) specializes in mass torts, personal injury, product liability, commercial and business litigation, and wrongful death. Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP has been successfully representing clients in the United States and Mexico since 1986. Bob Hilliard obtained the Largest Verdict in the country in 2012 and the #1 verdict in Texas.

SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW

Contact Lauren Gonzales at 361-960-3146

SOURCE Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP

Related Links

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Photo: Juneau Empire

The first steps which will eventually lead to the long-term remediation of a historic mixed metal mine polluting the Tulsequah River in northwestern B.C. is expected to commence this summer.

Accessible only by air or barge within the territory of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, the Tulsequah Chief Mine near the Alaskan border has been leaching untreated acid mine water into the river for more than 60 years.

The B.C. Government announced Wednesday it has committed up to $1.575 million for site preparation and studies to support early reclamation work at the site.

Some of those first steps according to a release by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources will include replacing and repairing bridges, upgrading the access road, establishing an erosion protection berm and repairing the existing airstrip.

Weve been working closely with B.C. for over a year now on the remediation plan so its really nice to see that the remediation plan is starting to be put into action and that well have some on the ground work happening this year, said TRTFN mining officer Jackie Caldwell.

I think theres a lot of people in the community-Atlin and TRTFN citizens that will be happy to see some of that mess being cleaned up.

Once the infrastructure is in place to allow the necessary machinery and equipment to be able to enter the area of the mine, Caldwell said they will commence the next phases of remediation.

Through the winter well be doing the planning of what happens next year, she said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic could further delay the work.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, George Heyman said the province has also been working with the government of Alaska over the past year to identify the right actions to properly remediate and close the site.

Data from studies including a light detection and ranging sensor survey (LiDar) which will get topographic information, as well as a multi-year monitoring program will assist in determining the next steps at the mine site, including remedial timelines.

The Tulsequah Chief Mine site remains in receivership under a court-appointed receiver.
Amiya Meethal By

Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: "I have lost the job I have been passionately pursuing for the last two-and-a-half years due to Covid. About 50 employees of the TV channel, where I was working as a cameraman, were sacked on fine morning. Since then, I had to go for daily-wage labour to feed my family comprising my aged father and mother," said 24-year old Shabeer V.

He was one among the many volunteers who rushed to the plane crash site at Kozhikode airport and rescued people.

Twenty-two-year-old Abu Irshad is another volunteer rescuer who has lost his job because of the pandemic.

"I was manning a tool instruments rent shop at Mongam in Kondotty. After Covid struck, there was no business and the owner, who is a friend of mine, didn't have money to pay the salary. Then came the containment zone restrictions and the shop had to be completely shut down," lamented Irshad.

When the containment zone restrictions were lifted in Mongam on Tuesday, Irshad could not go to the shop as he had to go into quarantine after rescuing passengers in Karipur.

Irshad's marriage took place just two weeks ago and his wife, sick father and mother are waiting for him at home.

Asker Chirayil is yet another rescuer who has been rendered jobless by the pandemic.

These are examples of the plight of many among the 40 persons who responded quickly to the plane crash at Karipur and were forced to go into quarantine at PPM Higher Secondary School at Kottukkara in Kondotty.

In fact, they have been put up at the school as they don't have adequate facilities in their homes to quarantine themselves.

"We are volunteers of 'White Guards', a volunteering initiative if IUML. We have got training in trauma care and basic healthcare tips. It came in handy during the rescue work at Karipur," explained Shabeer.

Shabeer's house is two kilometres away from the airport and Irshad's within a kilometre. The duo reached the spot within minutes of the crash.

"We connected with each other through our WhatsApp group and all volunteers reached in quick time. When we reached the spot, the scene was too horrible," recalled Irshad.

"Many rescue workers like us, including taxi and auto drivers of the airport, have been going through a harrowing time. We are happy that it hasn't deter us from engaging in rescue operations and saving lives," he said.

Dr Ahmed Areekat, one of the chief doctors of Relief Hospital and Trauma Centre in Kondotty, certifies that the rescue workers' adeptness in trauma care was evident in the way they brought injured passengers; without bending the spinal cord or neck.
A Dublin man has been accused of beating his ex-partner over the head, cutting her scalp, in an attack at her home.

Martin O'Loughlin (25) is alleged to have assaulted and injured the woman in front of her three-month-old baby.

He was granted bail under strict conditions and had his case adjourned at Dublin District Court.

Mr O'Loughlin, of Fortunestown Close, Tallaght, is charged with assault causing harm to the woman and criminal damage to property at an address in Drimnagh on July 25.

The court heard he was arr- ested outside the Kestrel pub in Walkinstown on that date and taken to Terenure garda station, where he was charged.

Objecting to bail, Garda Stephen Conroy told Judge Ann Ryan it was alleged the accused forced his way into the woman's house.

Gda Conroy said it was the prosecution's case that the accused then attacked her in the sitting room in front of her baby.

Choked

It was alleged he grabbed her around the neck, choked her and hit her on the head, causing cuts to her scalp.

It was further alleged that he threatened to kill her while holding a six-inch kitchen knife before taking her mobile phone and keys and leaving.

The woman had an open wound on her scalp and bruising and gave a description of the accused.

Gda Conroy said that due to the violent nature of the alleged attack, he feared that if granted bail the accused would interfere with the main witness, his ex partner.

Mr O'Loughlin had a key to the house as he used to live there, his lawyer said. He would stay out of the Dublin 12 area entirely if granted bail.

Judge Ryan said she would grant bail under "very tight and stringent conditions".

She said the court was concerned about the alleged attack.

Under bail terms, Mr O'Loughlin must sign on twice a week at a garda station, have no contact with the alleged victim and stay away from where she lives and Dublin 12.

Judge Ryan adjourned the case to a date in September for the directions of the DPP.
Joao Felix's golden 12 minutes Atletico Madrid Came on to equalise against Leipzig

Joao Felix took just 12 minutes against RB Leipzig to show why he belongs at this stage of the Champions League.

After Dani Olmo had opened the scoring, the 20-year-old was thrown on by Diego Simeone in the 58th minute.

By the 70th minute, the Portuguese was celebrating an equaliser having won and scored a penalty to haul Atletico Madrid back on level terms.

During those 12 minutes, Joao Felix demonstrated his ability with exquisite control and nutmegs, while his combination play made the difference.

Diego Costa borrowed the ball off him on the edge of the box in the move that led to the penalty, which the former Benfica man stuck away with confidence.

In the end, Atletico exit the competition, but none of the blame can be landed at Joao Felix's feet.
She's rumoured to have split with her Riverdale star boyfriend, Skeet Ulrich, 50.

And on Thursday, Australian model Megan Blake Irwin looked a little downcast as she stepped out in Los Angeles with her songwriter pal, James Maas.

The 29-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a white crop top and light blue jeans.

Is everything okay? Megan Blake Irwin, 29, looked downcast as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Thursday with Australian songwriter pal James Maas, after her rumoured split with Riverdale star Skeet Ulrich, 50

She teamed the look with black and white sneakers and a black handbag.

Despite her rumoured breakup, Megan still looked incredible as she showed off a deep tan and her flawless complexion.

She wore light and natural-looking makeup and her long blonde locks out and over her shoulders.

Showing him what he's missing? The 29-year-old showed off her incredible figure on the day in a white crop top and light blue jeans

Comforting: Megan's pal wrapped his arm around the beauty as they walked

She's a natural! She wore light and natural-looking makeup and her long blonde locks out and over her shoulders

At the weekend, Megan and Skeet fuelled split rumours after just three months of dating.

The pair unfollowed each other on social media - suggesting they have gone their separate ways.

They have also removed photos of one another from their respective Instagram platforms.

Over? Over the weekend, Megan and Skeet (pictured) fuelled split rumours after just three months of dating

Romance in 2020: The pair unfollowed each other on social media - suggesting they have gone their separate ways

Cryptic: Despite professing her love to the Scream actor only weeks earlier, Megan added to the breakup speculation by uploading a cryptic post on Sunday, which read: 'Be with people who are good for your soul'

Despite professing her love to Scream actor Skeet only weeks earlier, Megan added to the breakup speculation by uploading a cryptic post on Sunday, which read: 'Be with people who are good for your soul.'

Just last month, Megan gushed about Skeet as she rang in her 29th birthday.

Posting an Instagram photo of the two of them together in bed, the blonde beauty wrote: 'I know it is my birthday but today I celebrate you Skeet.

Putting a smile on her face: During the outing on Thursday, Megan managed to crack a smile with James

'You are the light in my life, you make me the happiest human in this world,' she continued.

'I can't imagine my life without you. I finally found a person that makes me feel safe and that I want to wake up to everyday. I will always protect you too.

'The way you care for me is above and beyond! I love you (thank you so much for everything you do for me, you're (sic) arts and crafts are the best of best).'

'I can't imagine my life without you': Just weeks ago, Megan praised Skeet on Instagram as she rang in her 29th birthday

Megan previously defended the couple's 22-year age gap on Instagram, telling a follower that there is 'nothing wrong or weird' about their romance.

'I'm 28 and my boyfriend is 50. There is NOTHING wrong or weird about this AT ALL,' Megan hit back at critic in June.

'If anyone has a problem or has anything to think or say about that than please unfollow us both and go on about your OWN lives,' she added.

Megan has previously been romantically linked to reality star Scott Disick, $2 billion sugar heir David Mimran, Australian publisher Oscar Martin, artist manager Ashley Wilson and Miami-based socialite Nicolo Knows.
The pressure of the longest murder trial in the history of the State took its toll on all those involved - with the judge calling it the "most difficult" trial he had presided over in 15 years.

Since last October, lawyers had argued over what evidence should go before the jury as well as disclosure to the defence. Both legal teams were led by two of the most experienced and respected barristers in the country.

Senior counsel Brendan Grehan oversaw the prosecution's case against Aaron Brady, who was being defended by Michael O'Higgins SC.

Mr Grehan previously prosecuted the two boys convicted of 14-year-old Ana Kriegel's murder. He also prosecuted serial killer Mark Nash who was convicted of the murders of Sylvia Sheils (55) and Mary Callanan (67) in Grangegorman in March 1997. His counterpart Mr O'Higgins had recently defended Patrick Hutch, charged with the Regency Hotel murder of David Byrne. The charge was later withdrawn following a high-profile trial.

There were, at times, days and weeks of legal argument during the seven months the Adrian Donohoe murder trial sat. Over a period of nine weeks the jury did not hear evidence due to the pandemic, and in part, because of ongoing legal issues being argued in their absence.

The drawn-out legal discourse would have a strain on all involved and presiding judge Mr Justice Michael White summed this up during one sitting in May.

He said it was the most difficult case he had presided over since the so-called Annabel's case, a high-profile trial in 2004 regarding the death of student Brian Murphy (18) who was beaten to death outside a Dublin nightclub.

He also complained that, in recent times, trials have been getting longer and said it was "absolutely ridiculous" a jury had been kept since January 27 while lawyers continued to engage in legal arguments on the evidence the jury would hear, saying it should "be the last trial ever where this happens. The law has to change."

Mr Justice White pointed out that the "relationship between the prosecution and defence has been particularly difficult" throughout the trial and, in another sitting, he accused the barristers of throwing around allegations of professional misconduct "like snuff at a wake".

He was, at times, pushed to anger and revealed during the trial that he had a document in front of him which he would read every day.

The note, he said, included advice such as being patient, calm, not to get distressed, not to be provoked and to be courteous at all times.

He told barristers about this to explain to them the pressure he was under during the trial and said that, on several occasions, he had walked out of court to his chambers "very, very angry" but hadn't shown it on the bench.

As the trial prepared to hear from Daniel Cahill, Mr Grehan accused the defence of creating "roadblocks" - and said the defence lacked discipline in its approach to the trial.

Mr O'Higgins said he would ignore the accusation that his team lacked discipline, calling it "bluster".

Following legal argument on May 1, over the calling of a US agent as a witness, Mr Justice White asked the experienced lawyers to "tone down" their intense arguments.

The judge said that he was conscious there were heavy responsibilities on the lawyers.

Mr Justice White said there was no issue at all with the honesty or integrity of the lawyers, and said he would "appreciate if we can get it toned down a bit".

The trial finally concluded after 121 days with the jury finding Aaron Brady guilty of capital murder.
Be better BU.

That message was seen scrawled across dozens of vehicles on Thursday, as members of the Boston University community protested the colleges decision to reopen its campus in the fall amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Kristin Lacey, a PhD candidate at Boston University, said community members had requested that the college provide Personal Protective Equipment to all faculty, staff and students, and let anyone who can work remotely do so to de-densify campus and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Its not acceptable for BU administration to not listen to its workers, Lacey said. Our main requests from BU are pretty simple and pretty easy, we think.

Lacey said faculty are also demanding that the college provide free coronavirus testing to the surrounding neighborhoods.

Boston University has, for months, been planning a return to on-campus learning, even launching a website, called Back2BU, detailing plans.

While the Universitys decision to resume on-campus learning and research activities this fall marks the beginning of a new era of academic life, our overarching goal is to make sure our community members feel comfortable, and safe, returning to our three campuses and resuming daily activities, the website says. As we reopen the University, our actions will be guided by public health considerations and best practices around the coronavirus pandemic.

But Merry White, a professor of anthropology at Boston University, said given the science about how COVID-19 is spread, she believes all faculty should have the right to choose whether they can work on campus or remotely.

As a high-risk faculty member, White says she can teach at home; but others cant.

While Ive been given a choice of where I teach, my younger colleagues have not, she said. They dont have this choice. So, in a way, I feel lucky, but I felt obligated to come.

Other Boston-area colleges are proceeding with plans to reopen too amid heightened concerns. Tufts University said it will be moving ahead with plans to reopen its campus to students in the fall despite pushback from the mayors of Medford and Somerville, whove urged the college to reconsider.

Northeastern University is also moving to hold some classes on campus, with some students learning in the classroom and the others participating remotely via videoconferencing. Earlier in the health crisis, Northeastern Universitys president Joseph E. Aoun said that classroom instruction should be the norm.

The concerns come as Massachusetts has seen a slight increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. The latest data suggests that new infections may be leveling-off.

State health officials announced another 21 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide death count to at least 8,568.

Officials also confirmed another 319 COVID-19 cases, for a total now of at least 113,517 cases across Massachusetts. Thats based on 27,879 new molecular tests reported on Thursday.

There are currently 401 people hospitalized with coronavirus, including 61 people in intensive care.

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Philadelphia City Council held an emergency hearing on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, to address the spike in shootings in the city. Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, top left, on Thursday announced a gun turn-in program at two churches in the city. Read more

Given the surge in shootings in Philadelphia, city leaders and police are asking people to turn in their guns this weekend  no questions asked.

Get those guns, run that room, see whats in there, find out what is being hidden in your house, take it out and turn it in, City Councilmember Cindy Bass said Thursday at a news conference outside Police Headquarters.

Community members who submit firearms will not be asked to produce identification, Police Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw said. In addition, the submission of a firearm will not trigger an investigation of the person who relinquished it.

As part of the Home Gun-Check Campaign, residents are asked to turn in guns from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Janes Memorial United Methodist Church, 47 E. Haines St., Germantown, or at Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church, 2010 Tasker St., Point Breeze.

The Rev. Gregory Holston of Janes Memorial, who is a senior adviser on advocacy and policy at the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office and former executive director of the advocacy group POWER, said people can save lives by turning in a gun.

The number of homicides in the city in 2020 soared to 261 as of Thursday night. Thats a 29% increase from the same period last year and the highest number of killings in nearly three decades, when 275 homicides were recorded for the same period in 1991. Most homicides result from shootings.

City Council this week held two emergency virtual hearings on the citys spike in gun violence as leaders tried to identify the reasons behind it and form strategies to combat it.

Separately on Thursday, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain, the regions top federal prosecutor, took the opportunity after a sentencing hearing to urge city leaders to speak with one voice in condemning violence and not treat violent defendants like they are somehow the victims in all of this.

Anyone with questions about the gun turn-in program can call the Fathers Day Rally Committee, which is sponsoring the event, at 215-667-9870.
Four years after it started negotiations on its enterprise agreement aviation services giant Swissport still does not have an approved deal after the Fair Work Commission found for the second time its proposal does not pass the "Better Off Overall Test".

The BOOT, as it is known, requires agreements to leave all workers in a better position than the industry award but employers argue it is a complex measure that often delays and sometimes stops them striking mutually beneficial deals with staff.

Swissport provides ground services to airlines including Virgin and has seen its business dry up with the coronavirus pandemic. Credit:Bloomberg

It is also a prime focus of Morrison government-run negotiations between business and unions that aim to kick start jobs growth in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, where one option is to replace it with a less stringent "no disadvantage" test.

Swissport, which before the pandemic employed thousands of workers at airports around Australia doing everything from checking in passengers to loading planes, said its agreement had been supported by 91 per cent of employees who voted on it and would have left many workers thousands of dollars better off.
The first direct container train from Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, arrived in Kiev on Wednesday, Liski, a branch company of the Ukrainian Railways, told Xinhua on Thursday.

The container train brought medication, shoes and clothes, which will be delivered to consignees in different regions of Ukraine. The train covered a distance of more than 9,000 km through four countries in 20 days.

"The customer's interest in transportation by land has been growing significantly. We have received six direct container trains from China," said Oleksandr Polishchuk, first deputy head of Liski, adding that "there are even deliveries to Odessa, where cargo has historically arrived by sea."

Polishchuk also said that the two sides are working on developing export deliveries when the trains would start bringing goods from Ukraine to China as well.

According to the State Statistics Service, the Ukrainian-Chinese trade turnover reached 12.79 billion U.S. dollars last year. Ukrainian exports to China grew by 63.3 percent compared to 2018 and amounted to 3.59 billion dollars, while imports increased by 20.9 percent and amounted to 9.2 billion dollars.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Competition Bureau has launched a new probe into Amazon's conduct to determine whether the online retailer is harming competition.

The investigation, which is seeking confidential information from Canadian businesses, will include a particular focus on "potential abuse of dominance."

The competition watchdog is reviewing whether Amazon policies impact sellers' willingness to offer their products at a lower price on other retail channels, such as their own websites or other online marketplaces.

It is also looking into any efforts by Amazon to tilt consumers toward products it sells over those offered by third-party vendors, as well as potential obstacles that sellers confront when opting out of Amazon's shipping and advertising services.

The bureau's request for public input comes amid rising concerns of monopoly power in the tech world and questions around the use of sellers' data to create rival products.

Amazon says it is co-operating with the bureau's probe and will continue working to support small businesses who sell products on Amazon.ca.

The Competition Bureau says its investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this point.

The bureau's request for public input comes amid rising concerns of monopoly power in the tech world and questions around the use of sellers' data to create rival products.

In July 2019, the European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation into Amazon to examine whether its data use violates competition rules, while the U.S. Department of Justice has opened one into major online platforms including Google, Facebook and Apple.
Two migrant workers from Myanmar on death row in Thailand for the murder of two British backpackers had their sentences commuted to life in prison, their lawyer said.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were sentenced to death for the murder of David Miller and the murder and rape of Hannah Witheridge.

Their bodies were discovered on a beach on the popular tourist island of Koh Tao in September 2014.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun were sentenced to death for the murder of two British backpackers had their sentences commuted from death to life in prison on Friday

The two men were convicted and sentenced in 2015 and the verdict was upheld by an appeals court in 2017 and the Supreme Court in August 2019 but have their sentences were change to life in prison on Friday thanks to a royal decree.

The convictions were mired in controversy with supporters of the two men arguing that they had been framed and that they had initially confessed to the crimes under duress.

Their sentences will be reduced to life imprisonment after a royal pardon decree was published on Friday, their lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said.

The migrant workers from Myanmar were jailed for the murder of David Miller (right) and the murder and rape of Hannah Witheridge (left) in 2014

'The two are eligible under a section in the royal pardon decree to get their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment,' Nakhon said.

'They will also have a chance to get their sentences reduced further on good behaviour.'

The decree published on Friday said the royal pardons were granted to commemorate the king's birthday on July 28 and to 'illustrate the king's clemency'.

It was not immediately clear how many prisoners were eligible for pardons or reduction of sentences under different criteria listed in the decree.

Aw Lin's mother Phyu Shwe Nu submitted a plea for clemency from the Thai king in 2019 (she is pictured holding a pictured of her son earlier this month)

In 2019, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun's mothers have submitted a plea for clemency from the Thai king Thursday, in a case tainted by claims of irregularities - saying the confessions by the pair were obtained under duress.

Their defence lawyers have also said the evidence used to convict the two men was unreliable as authorities had mishandled DNA and did not allow independent analysis of the samples.

Defence appeals were exhausted in August and a royal pardon or commutation of the death sentence by the Thai king is the last chance of a reprieve.

'We are not challenging the judgement. We are saying that by giving them the death penalty, they will lose the opportunity to do something good with their lives,' lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman said at the time.

In the request Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo have pleaded for 'compassion from the king,' Andy Hall, advisor to the legal defence team, added.
India on Friday welcomed the full normalisation of ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, both key allies in West Asia, and called for early resumption of direct talks between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership for a two-state solution.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar received a phone call on Friday afternoon from his UAE counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who briefed him on the normalisation of relations that was announced on Thursday.

Deeply appreciate the call today from FM HH @ABZayed of UAE. Discussed the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel announced yesterday, Jaishankar tweeted.

The development is significant for the Narendra Modi government, which has assiduously courted key Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain even as it continued developing security and trade ties with Israel.

West Asia was home to nearly 8 million Indians before the Covid-19 outbreak, and New Delhi has a deep interest in the peace and stability of the region. As external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava pointed out during a regular news briefing, India perceives West Asia as its extended neighbourhood.

India has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood. In that context, we welcome the full normalisation of ties between the UAE and Israel. Both nations are key strategic partners of India, he said.

However, Srivastava noted that India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. He added, We hope to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution.

Thursdays agreement, announced following a conversation between Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, makes the UAE only the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic relations with Israel.

Delegations from the UAE and Israel will meet in the coming weeks to sign agreements regarding the establishment of embassies, security, direct flights, investment, tourism, technology and energy. As a result of the breakthrough, Israel will suspend declaring its planned extension of sovereignty to parts of Judea and Samaria and focus on expanding relations with other Arab and Muslim countries.

The suspension of the annexation of Palestinian areas is crucial for countries such as India, which have had to walk a fine line in their ties with both Arab states and Israel. There are also reports that Oman and Bahrain could be next in normalising ties with Israel.

However, the agreement has upset Iran, another key ally of India in the region, especially in view of New Delhis stake in developing the strategic port of Chabahar.

On the other hand, common fears about Iran played a key role in bringing Israel and the Arab states closer. Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif described the deal as dangerous and illegitimate and said this is stabbing the Palestinians in the back.

The deal has also upset Turkey, which said the people of the region will never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behaviour by the UAE. The Turkish foreign ministry also said the UAE has no authority to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians or to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine.

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The Manhattan District Attorney's office on Friday urged a judge to reject President Donald Trump's claim that a subpoena for his tax returns is overly broad and intended to harass.

The DA's office subpoenaed Trump's accounting firm, Mazars, for eight years' worth of the president's personal and business returns as part of an investigation into hush payments to women who alleged affairs, which Trump long has denied. The investigation is looking into bank and tax fraud, according to previous court filings.

PHOTO: In this April 18, 2017, file photo, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. arrives to talk to reporters in New York. (Mary Altaffer/AP, FILE)

"Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint contains no well-pleaded allegations supporting his position that the Mazars Subpoena is overbroad or was issued in bad faith," the DA's office wrote in a letter to the judge.

Prosecutors accused the Trump legal team of making "illogical inferential leaps" in their attempt to quash the subpoena after the Supreme Court ruled it can proceed.

MORE: After criticizing voting by mail, Trump, first lady request mail-in ballots

"Plaintiff's unfounded assertions regarding the subpoena's overbreadth and this Office's bad faith are too incredible and unreasonable to state a claim," wrote Carey Dunne, general counsel for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance.

Trump filed a lawsuit last month challenging the subpoena, which the DA's office is seeking to dismiss. The lawsuit came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the president was not immune from state criminal investigations while in office, though the ruling allowed him to challenge the subpoena on other grounds.

Judge asked to reject Trump's claim subpoena for tax returns is too broad originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on August 6 instructed to invite the prosecutors general of Ukraine and Russia to Belarus.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has not been officially invited to Belarus to discuss the extradition of Ukrainian members of Russia's private military company (PMC) Wagner detained in Belarus on July 29.

Read alsoBelarus promises to cooperate with Ukraine on suspected Russian mercenaries  media

"We would like to inform you that Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has not yet received an official invitation from the Belarusian side to visit Belarus to discuss the extradition of persons who took an active part in hostilities in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions as part of the 'Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics' ('LPR' and 'DPR') terrorist organizations," the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine told RFE/RL Ukrainian service.

Detention of PMC Wagner members near Minsk: Background
The Trump campaign sent surrogates in a bright pink bus to court women voters in Michigan Friday.

A Women for Trump bus tour visited Detroit and Oakland, Macomb and Ingham counties during a swing through Midwest battleground states that were critical to the presidents victory in 2016. The tour came while President Donald Trump makes direct appeals to suburban housewives, warning their lifestyle dream is at stake in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.

Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox said women make up an important voting bloc for the presidents reelection campaign. While the coronavirus has upended traditional election-year events, Cox said Trumps supporters have mobilized to keep health-conscious and socially-distant gatherings going in the last months before voters make their selection.

Let me tell you something: There are no hurdles that are going to stop the grassroots activists and Republicans, Cox said.

Trump won Michigan in 2016 by less than 11,000 votes, a margin of only 0.3%. Democrats responded two years later by electing women to every statewide office and two formerly Republican U.S. House seats.

A wealth of polling data shows Trump is unpopular among women overall but maintains support among most Republican women. Political experts say this dynamic sets up a battle for votes in suburban communities, where Democrats hope to build on their gains in 2018.

Organizers for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden view suburban communities outside Detroit in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties and communities around Grand Rapids in Kent County as fertile ground to drive up turnout. A campaign official told MLive suburbs are shifting in terms of demographics and political loyalties, becoming less white and more Democratic in recent elections.

Lansing polling firm EPIC-MRA found Republican women are more likely to support Trump than Republican men. Only one in 10 Republican women rated the presidents performance as unfavorable, while 92% said the same for Biden.

However, women under 50 are significantly less likely to support Trump. Only 26% rated Trumps performance favorable in a July EPIC-MRA survey, compared to 46% of women over 50.

The poll was conducted from July 25-30 and collected responses from 600 active and likely voters. It had a 4% margin of error.

Meshawn Maddock, a Republican activist in Oakland County and a national adviser to the Trump campaign, said the silent majority stands ready to reelect the president in November. Maddock, 50, said the weekly outdoor meet-ups shes organized with women Trump supporters are frequently at capacity, attracting 60-70 attendees.

This is all I do; Im with people every day, Maddock said. They are a seething lion ready to roar and cast their vote for this president. So many of them dont want to talk about it, which is why I dont believe any of these polls. Never before have we been so polarized and the Democrats constantly reveal themselves to be this party of chaos and burning and destruction, and people see that clearly.

Trump has made several public statements aimed at women in Americas suburbs, claiming Biden would cause property values to plummet and allow crime to spread into communities. The president pledged to preserve neighborhoods and keep out low-income housing projects.

The suburban housewife will be voting for me, Trump said Wednesday on Twitter.

The suburban housewife will be voting for me. They want safety & are thrilled that I ended the long running program where low income housing would invade their neighborhood. Biden would reinstall it, in a bigger form, with Corey Booker in charge! @foxandfriends @MariaBartiromo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2020

Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes said Trump is old school in his thinking of who lives in the suburbs. She said the president is pushing a fear-based appeal.

He cant use these dog whistles to try to motivate suburban women to vote for him because suburban women often look like me, said Barnes, a Black woman. Suburban women are not some monolith of white women who would be afraid of people of color coming into the community. The white women who live there have friends and neighbors who are people of color.

The MDP called Fridays bus tour a cheap messaging gimmick in a statement.

I dont have any concerns that Donald Trumps supposed attempts to reach suburban women will have any impact on their actual votes, Barnes said. These women are smart. They know what theyre doing.

Lori Goldman is the founder of Fems for Dems, a political action committee created to get more women engaged in politics. From her self-described upper-class neighborhood in Bloomfield Village, Goldman said Trumps fumbled response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic fallout is changing minds.

People here are losing their jobs, their livelihoods; they cant afford to live in their million-dollar houses anymore, she said. When it starts affecting those people, you know changes are afoot.

At the same time, Goldman said shes seeing more All Lives Matter signs pop up in her area as people express opposition to police reform movements. The EPIC-MRA poll found white women were less likely to approve of the Black Lives Matter movement, with a 50/50 split among college-educated white women.

This president is the president of law and order, and theyre craving that right now, Maddock said. I can tell you women crave that. We want law and order in our homes, in our marriages, with our children. How would you choose anything but this president to bring you law and order?

EPIC-MRA Pollster Bernie Porn said the Biden campaign will likely experience a bump among women voters after selecting U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., as his running mate. Harris is the first Black woman to run for vice president on a major party's ticket.

A lot of polling shows that Kamala Harris was very popular among suburban women, not just African American women, but all suburban women, Porn said. That could be why (the Trump campaign) is trying to dig into that as much as they can.

Cox said Harris is an extremely liberal Californian who wont relate to Michigan voters, citing her support for putting the country on a decade-long path to government-run health insurance.

Harris released her version of a Medicare for All plan before a July Democratic primary debate in Detroit last year. Her vision differed from more progressive plans for reform in that it would allow private health insurers to compete with government insurance plans, but polls taken throughout the Democratic primary found lukewarm support for Medicare for All in Michigan.

While Harris might be a controversial figure for Republicans, Goldman said Trumps frequent attacks on Michigans female elected officials are rallying voters against him.

All he does is stoke our fires, Goldman said. I couldnt pay for someone better at rallying the troops than Trump has been for us.

READ MORE ON MLIVE:

In must-win Michigan, Trump campaign takes fight door to door as polls show Biden with strong lead

Why Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wasnt chosen to be Bidens running mate in 2020 presidential election

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer set to speak at Democratic convention

Biden campaign claims lagging auto jobs puts Trump at disadvantage in Michigan

Michigan pro-Trump Republicans say Bidens police policies will push voters toward Trump
The Ranch fire burns in the hills above a cluster of homes along the San Gabriel River. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders Thursday as the Ranch fire threatened Azusa's Mountain Cove community.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department was alerted to the brush fire at 2:45 p.m., spokeswoman Leslie Lua said. Firefighters responded to North San Gabriel Canyon Road and North Ranch Road.

By about 8:30 pm, the fire had burned 3,000 acres with zero containment, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Officials said that the fire is burning in the hillsides by the Mountain Cove community and that there is no imminent threat to structures.

But residents of Mountain Cove who live north and west of Turning Leaf Way and Boulder Ridge Court, as well as south of Highwood Court, were placed under mandatory evacuation orders in the midafternoon.

Voluntary evacuation warnings were also issued for residents north of Highwood Court. Evacuated residents can seek help at Azusa Pacific University, the Police Department said. The Fairplex in Pomona is accepting horses in need of boarding. Owners will need to bring food, water and bedding for horses.

The northbound lanes of Highway 39 at Sierra Madre Avenue and the southbound lanes of the highway at East Fork Road are closed, according to the California Department of Transportation.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Los Angeles:

The Antarctic Ice Sheet plays a major role in regional and global climate variability, a discovery that may help explain why sea ice in the southern hemisphere has been increasing despite the warming of the rest of the Earth, scientists say.

Global climate models that look at the last several thousand years have failed to account for the amount of climate variability captured in the paleoclimate record, said researchers from Oregon State University (OSU) in the US.

Their hypothesis was that climate modelers were overlooking one crucial element in the overall climate system - an aspect of the ocean, atmosphere, biosphere or ice sheets - that might affect all parts of the system.

One thing we determined right off the bat was that virtually all of the climate models had the Antarctic Ice Sheet as a constant entity, said Pepijn Bakker, former post-doctoral researcher at OSU.

What we discovered, however, is that the ice sheet has undergone numerous pulses of variability that have had a cascading effect on the entire climate system, said Bakker, who is now at the University of Bremen in Germany.

The Antarctic Ice Sheet has demonstrated dynamic behaviour over the past 8,000 years, according to Andreas Schmittner, a climate scientist in OSU.

There is a natural variability in the deeper part of the ocean adjacent to the Antarctic Ice Sheet - similar to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or El Nino/La Nina but on a time scale of centuries - that causes small but significant changes in temperatures, Schmittner said.

When the ocean temperatures warm, it causes more direct melting of the ice sheet below the surface, and it increases the number of icebergs that calve off the ice sheet, he said.

Those two factors combine to provide an influx of fresh water into the Southern Ocean during these warm regimes, according to Peter Clark, from OSU.

The introduction of that cold, fresh water lessens the salinity and cools the surface temperatures, at the same time, stratifying the layers of water, Clark said.

The cold, fresh water freezes more easily, creating additional sea ice despite warmer temperatures that are down hundreds of meters below the surface, he said. The discovery may help explain why sea ice has expanded in the Southern Ocean despite global warming.

The same phenomenon does not occur in the Northern Hemisphere with the Greenland Ice Sheet because it is more landlocked and not subject to the same current shifts that affect the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

One message that comes out of this study is that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is very sensitive to small changes in ocean temperatures, and humans are making the Earth a lot warmer than it has been, Bakker said.

The researchers analysed sediments from the last 8,000 years, which showed evidence that many more icebergs calved off the ice sheet in some centuries than in others. The study appears in the journal Nature.

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The U.S. Postal Service announced that it plans to remove high-volume mail-processing machines in hundreds of locations sparking fears that it could reduce the ability to process mail during the elections.

Look at it this way: Your local grocery store was forced to cut [a third] of its cash-out lines, but management expected the same productivity, quality and speed for the customer, said a worker at the Buffalo, Iowa USPS distribution facility in an interview with Vice. Its just never going to happen.

President Donald J. Trump has vocally attacked voting by mail in recent weeks, claiming that the practice leads to mass fraud. He also openly stated on Thursday that hes starving the USPS of money to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots, which he worries could cost him the election.

USPS operates 671 machines used to organize mail which is to be reduced in dozens of cities over the coming months, according to CNN. The agency started removing machines in June, according to postal workers.

Im not sure youre going to find an answer for why [the machines being removed] makes sense, said Iowa Postal Workers Union President Kimberly Karol in an interview with Vice. Because we havent figured that out either.

Newly appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been a major donor to the president before taking over the sprawling mail service, said that the postal service has ample capacity to handle the predicted surge in mail-in ballots in the coming months.

This organizational change will capture operating efficiencies by providing clarity and economies of scale that will allow us to reduce our cost base and capture new revenue, said DeJoy on Aug. 7. It is crucial that we do what is within our control to help us successfully complete our mission to serve the American people and, through the universal service obligation, bind our nation together by maintaining and operating our unique, vital and resilient infrastructure.

A plan implemented on July 10, by DeJoy to cut costs, eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and says employees must adopt a different mindset to ensure the Postal Services survival during the coronavirus pandemic.

One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that, temporarily, we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks, states a document for USPS employees obtained by the Associated Press.

In a memo titled PMG Expectations and Plan,' the agency said the changes are aimed at making the USPS fundamentally solvent which we are not at this time.'

I cant emphasize enough the role that the Postal Service plays every single day as a service that we all depend on, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said on a visit to Springfields post office on Main Street in May.

The best example I always use is one that we all know of the most difficult days. Their footprints in the snow is a reminder of how seriously they treat their responsibilities.

On the visit, he spoke of his support for the HEROES Act, a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package approved last week by the House that includes $25 billion in relief for the troubled Postal Service.
S Kumaresan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: DMKs rebel MLA and headquarters secretary of the party Ku Ka Selvam was expelled from the party on Thursday after meeting Union ministers and BJP leaders.

Selvam represents Thousand Lights assembly constituency which is a prestigious seat for the party as it covers the DMKs headquarters Anna Arivalayam and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhis Gopalapuram residence.

Politics observers said Selvam can continue be an MLA and will be disqualified only if he joins another party. Veteran journalist Koodalarasa said, "Since the party expelled him, there won't be any impact on his position as an MLA. The DMK may issue a notice to the speaker that Selvam has been expelled from the party and he would be considered 'unattached' with any party. This means Selvam can also now freely speak in support of the BJP."

Raveenthran Duraisamy, a political observer, said Selvam may join the BJP just before the next assembly election.

According to veteran journalist Tharasu Shyam, The only advantage for Selvam is he wont lose his MLA post and he is eligible to get MLAs pension after his term gets over. But, if he joins the BJP, the DMK will issue a notice to the speaker to announce disqualification of him.

According to assembly records, G Viswanathan and Azhagu Thirunavukkarasu, who were elected from Arcot and Orthanad assembly constituencies respectively in the 1991 assembly general election on the AIADMK ticket, were later expelled for anti-party activities and declared unattached members.

Later, the Speaker of the assembly had disqualified the MLAs under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, also known as the Anti-Defection Law, for having joined another political party -- the MDMK. The disqualification order of the Speaker was upheld by the High Court and Supreme Court.

The expelled MLA Selvam was not available for comment.
Kylie Jenner is back in Los Angeles after a fun filled trip to Turks & Caicos with her close friends and family for her 23rd birthday celebrations.

And on Friday morning, her older sister Khloe Kardashian shared a peek at Kylie's private jet and all the personalized birthday goodies for invitees.

Guests lucky enough to get a seat on Kylie Air each received personalized pink and white eye masks with pillows and visors as well as 14 donuts per person.

Lucky: Kylie Jenner is back in Los Angeles after a fun filled trip to Turks & Caicos with her close friends and family for her 23rd birthday celebrations; And on Friday morning, her older sister Khloe Kardashian shared a peek at Kylie's private jet and all the personalized birthday goodies for invitees on Friday

Kylie purchased a Global Express jet six months before the COVID-19 pandemic with the cost between $50-$70 million, according to Page Six.

As seen in Khloe's snap inside Kylie's private jet, the luxury ride features tan leathers seats complete with Hermes emblazoned blankets for guests.

The mother of Stormi also has Kylie Air pink and white personalized napkins for her jet.

The snap Khloe shared showcased the special birthday goodies Kylie surprised her guests with, including pink and white personalized eye masks.

Birthday queen: Guests lucky enough to get a seat on Kylie Air each received personalized pink and white eye masks with pillows and visors as well as an array of donuts

Khloe fueled reconciliation rumors with the image as well, as the person sitting next to her on the flight was on/off beau Tristan Thompson, the father of daughter True, two.

The eye mask in the photo read 'Tristan' - and each cover up was strapped around a matching hued silky pillow as well as a neck pillow that said 'Turks & Caicos' in a darker pink.

The pillows and eye mask were placed inside straw woven bags that had name tags as well, plus a see-through pink visor that read 'Kylie 23.'

Each person got 14 pink donuts with sprinkles that were in a giant box - the donuts were letters and spelled out: 'Happy Bday Kylie.'

Khloe shared three adorable snaps of daughter True, two, as she enjoyed ice cream on the private jet; she wore a tie-dye Balmain hoodie dress with sneakers.

The cutie pie grinned for mom in the snaps that she shared on her Instagram stories.

Behind her was two pink rose bouquets that sat on TV console with a big screen as well.

Khloe also posted an image of even more donuts, this time six glazed donuts next to a tall stack of Kylie Air napkins.

Too cute for words: She shared three adorable snaps of daughter True, two, as she enjoyed ice cream on the private jet; she wore a tie-dye Balmain hoodie dress with sneakers

Baby girl: The cutie pie grinned for mom in the snaps that she shared on her Instagram stories

Goodie bags: Guests received a straw woven basket with gifts, as well as a visor that said 'Kylie 23'

Yummy: Khloe also posted an image of even more donuts, this time six glazed donuts next to a tall stack of Kylie Air napkins

The birthday crew traveled to Turks & Caicos despite going against the current ban in California on non-essential travel, which is set in place to aid cutting down the risk of catching and spreading coronavirus amid the global pandemic.

California's guidelines for travel currently reads: 'You can travel for urgent matters or if such travel is essential to your permitted work,' adding: 'Even though businesses around the state are opening up, avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible. This is to slow the spread of the coronavirus.'

It appears that Kylie was joined by Khloe, Tristan, daughter Stormi, sister Kendall Jenner, brother Rob Kardashian and pal Anastasia 'Stassie' Karanikolaou for her birthday getaway.

Khloe, 36, shared a beach snap of herself as she floated in the clear blue waters while Tristan, 29, was snapped with Rob, 33, by the pool.

Paradise: Khloe, 36, shared a beach snap of herself as she floated in the clear blue waters

Fun times: While Tristan, 29, was snapped with Rob, 33, by the pool

Stassie shared a photo of herself rocking a fitted dress, crediting Kendall for the stunning image.

Kylie also posed up a storm, rocking a jeweled Balmain dress that cost $24K as well as posing in an outdoor bath.

The star also shared a gorgeous image of her and daughter Stormi dipping their feet into the ocean.

Looking great: Stassie shared a photo of herself rocking a fitted dress, crediting Kendall for the stunning image

Model: Kendall also shared a bikini snap of herself to her Instagram from the trip

Birthday trip: The birthday crew traveled to Turks & Caicos despite going against the current ban in California on non-essential travel, which is set in place to aid cutting down the risk of catching and spreading coronavirus amid the global pandemic

Beauty: Kylie also posed up a storm, rocking a jeweled Balmain dress that cost $24K as well as posing in an outdoor bath

Peaceful: She posed nude in an outdoor bath in another incredible photo

Wow factor: The star also shared a gorgeous image of her and daughter Stormi dipping their feet into the ocean

On Friday, Kylie shared all the flowers and birthday love she's still receiving - despite her birthday being four days prior on August 10.

The Kylie Cosmetics entrepreneur showcased dozens of bouquets and arrangements, two birthday cakes, and boxes of more treats and also wrapped gifts and balloons.

The reality star captioned the video: 'BDAY LOVE STILL GOING,' adding a white heart.

Amazing: On Friday, Kylie shared all the flowers and birthday love she's still receiving - despite her birthday being four days prior on August 10

Impressive: The Kylie Cosmetics entrepreneur showcased dozens of bouquets and arrangements, two birthday cakes, and boxes of more treats and also wrapped gifts and balloons

Flowers on flowers: The reality star captioned the video: 'BDAY LOVE STILL GOING,' adding a white heart

All in the details: There were also roses with glittering butterflies placed on top

So pretty: Kylie also received yellow roses as well as white roses
Paul and Charlotte Williams, of Dolton, said they got to Flossmoor Station at 2:30 p.m. to end up first in line, so they literally had the pick of the litter. Paul said the couple already has an 8-year-old Shih Tzu but has been looking for another dog. A groomer told them about Puppy Palooza, and they made sure to get there early.
A coordinated effort is being made by online platforms to curb the spread of disinformation and thwart efforts to manipulate voters.

An industry group that includes Google, Microsoft, Reddit, Pinterest and Twitter has met with federal agencies including the FBIs foreign influence task force to step up coordination on election interference. (Photo | AP)

San Francisco: Google, like Facebook, has stepped up measures to protect the November US election from manipulation and interference.

The move comes amid a coordinated effort by Facebook and other online platforms to curb the spread of disinformation and thwart efforts to manipulate voters.

Google announced new features for its search engine to provide detailed information about how to register and vote, directing users to local election administrators.

Google-owned YouTube will take down content aimed at manipulation, including videos that contain hacked information about a political candidate shared with the intent to interfere in an election, according to a statement.

YouTube will also remove videos promoting efforts to interfere with the voting process such as telling viewers to create long voting lines.

The announcements come a day after an industry group that includes Google, Microsoft, Reddit, Pinterest and Twitter met with federal agencies including the FBIs foreign influence task force to step up coordination on election interference.

A joint industry statement said the tech platforms, including the Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, would be on the lookout for disinformation.

Getting accurate information to voters is one of the best vaccines against disinformation campaigns, Facebook head of security policy Nathaniel Gleicher said on a briefing call with reporters.

Facebook has set a goal of helping four million people register to vote in the US.

A voter information hub, which Facebook announced on Thursday, will be prominently positioned at Facebook and Instagram and will serve as a one-stop-shop to give people in the US the tools and information they need to make their voices heard at the ballot box, it said.

Hack-and-Leak

Expected attacks include hack-and-leak tactics along the lines of those used against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, Facebook said.

The tactic typically involves state-sponsored actors giving hacked information to traditional media, then exploiting social media platforms to spread the stories, according to Gleicher.

We know it is an effective technique, Gleicher said.

Facebook said the voter hub would evolve with the election season, from focusing on registration and poll-worker volunteering matters to how to vote in the pandemic and then tallying of ballots.

Facebook and Instagram users can use the tool to check if they are registered to vote and how to do so if they are not.

Tally turbulence

Facebook is expecting malicious actors to try to exploit uncertainly about the election or promote violence while votes are being counted, which is expected to take longer than usual due to the pandemic prompting more people to vote by mail.

The social network has created red teams and conducted internal exercises to prepare, according to Gleicher.

US President Donald Trump has made unsubstantiated claims about the reliability of voting by mail, a process he taken advantage of himself.

Facebooks latest moves come amid concerns over campaigns by governments aimed at influencing elections and public sentiment in other countries through media outlets that disguise their true origins.

State-led influence campaigns were prominent on social media during the 2016 US election and have been seen around the world.

Now Facebook seems to acknowledge the power it holds, and they are taking actions to combat misinformation and bolster voter engagement, said University of Hartford School of Communication Assistant Professor Adam Chiara.

Maybe some steps they are taking work and others are mistakes, but I would rather have the platform try to be a positive force than be in denial of the role it plays in our democracy.
DOYLESTOWN >> A man and woman will face decades in state prison for the repeated sexual assault of three children under the age of 13, abuse that they also filmed in more than 40 videos of child pornography. Leonard F. Hewitt Sr. 51, and Krystyn Anne Smock, 40, both of Bristol Township, committed the acts for more than four years...
Chinas commerce ministry has officially said that it would expand the digital currency testing program to large cities, including the capital Beijing.

In a statement released Friday, the ministry said the digital yuan pilot program would cover most of Chinese cities and regions such as Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Yangtze River Delta and Guangdong, as well as the neighbouring cities of Hong Kong and Macau.

"Carry out digital RMB pilot projects in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the pilot regions in the central and western regions where conditions permit," said the ministry. It added that the program is being led by the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), the countrys central bank.

It is not clear when these pilot programs would begin, but the policy design of the digital currency is expected to be completed by the end of this year, said the ministry.

Earlier this year, the PBOC launched a pilot program for the "digital currency/electronic payment" (DC/EP) in four cities: Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu and Xiongan New Area. Most recently, Chinas ride-hailing giant Didi also partnered with the central banks Digital Currency Research Institute to carry out research and test the application of the digital currency.

The PBOC has been researching and developing the digital currency since 2014, but its official launch date remains unknown. In Fridays statement, the commerce ministry said the governments technological efforts are aimed at upgrading Chinas economy.





 2020 The Block Crypto, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Berkshire Theatre Group will present Hershey Felder in his solo show Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone  Live From Florence, Italy, to be streamed live on Sunday, September 13, at 8pm.

George Gershwin Alone tells the story of America's great composer, who with the groundbreaking A Rhapsody in Blue, made a "Lady out of Jazz." The show incorporates the composer's best-known songs, from "The Man I Love" and "Someone to Watch Over Me", through the hits of An American in Paris and Porgy and Bess, to a complete performance of Rhapsody In Blue.

George Gershwin Alone will be broadcast live from the Teatro Della Pergola in Florence, Italy. Fifty percent of proceeds will benefit the Berkshire Theatre Group. Patrons will be able to stream on a smart TV, computer, smartphone or tablet.

To purchase tickets, click here.
ATLANTA, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- OptiMed Health Plans now offers brokers and employers a digital platform for online quoting of health insurance plans and automated administration. OptiMed Health specializes in the small group market, for employers of 2-100.

OptiMed Health Plans unveils its OptiRater which provides real-time, instant quotes on group health insurance. Instant online quotes of group health insurance has great appeal to licensed health insurance brokers.

"The small group market has often been underserved by brokers because it takes as long or longer to secure plans and quotes from carriers as it does for larger groups," explained Gary Volino, president of OptiMed. "The ability to create quotes on the fly in real time allows brokers to present almost endless options of product configurations. The transparency of doing this via teleconference is a great way of building trust  the client can see that the broker has exhausted all possibilities."

OptiMed's just-released OptiRater is an online price-quoting technology platform, offering licensed health insurance brokers quotes on group coverage and the ability to design a "finely tuned benefits package," according to Volino.

"OptiRater makes plan changes, revisions, adding this, subtracting that, comparing Plan A to Plan B or Plan C  it's a contingencies cruncher," added Volino. "Automating what was previously done manually eliminates drudgery, exhaustion and diminishing returns on the broker's time investment."

Volino estimates the online system to require about 5 minutes from logon to submission. Upon registering for the service, brokers will be offered live training "so that they're confident in generating quotes sharing their computer screen with clients," according to Volino.

"Since brokers are forced to work virtually during this pandemic OptiRater provides the opportunity to make that advantageous instead of a hindrance," said Volino. "They can now, essentially, let clients participate in generating their own health insurance quotes or  as we prefer to view it  custom-design their own benefits package."

OptiRater is the key component in OptiMed's online broker portal that also accommodates enrollments and most aspects of group benefit administration.

Group health insurance brokers interested in accessing OptiRater should email [email protected] or log on to: OptiMedHealth.com/OptiRater.

About OptiMed

A trademarked brand name of United Group Programs, Inc. (UGP), OptiMed Health Plans represents products from insurance carriers with an A- rating or better from AM Best Company. Products range from ACA compliant healthcare plans to coverage for part-time employees, as well as dental, vision, accident coverage and more. It offers numerous self-funded plans.

Media Contact:

Terry Duschinski, Marketing Manager

[email protected]

561-869-4732

www.OptiMedHealth.com

SOURCE OptiMed Health Plans
Our firefighters already risk their lives every day in order to save others and protect their communities, and with the current health crisis, it is even more important that we all come together to help protect those who protect us.

Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus (GCPP), a leading specialty pharmaceutical distributor based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, recently donated hundreds of N95 respirator masks to fire departments across the United States. The donation comes as firefighters and other first responders across the nation have been experiencing critical shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Disruptions in global supply chains have caused acute nationwide shortages of N95 masks and other personal protective equipment that our first responders depend on, said GCPP Managing Director Ken Ritchey. Our firefighters already risk their lives every day in order to save others and protect their communities, and with the current health crisis, it is even more important that we all come together to help protect those who protect us.

Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus donated the much-needed N95 face masks to the following fire departments:



City of Lufkin Fire Department in Lufkin, Texas

El Paso Fire Department in El Paso, Texas

Kansas City Kansas Fire Department in Kansas City, Kansas

University City Fire Department in University City, Missouri

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department in Doral, Florida

Hillsborough Fire Rescue in Hillsborough County, Florida

Unified Fire Authority in Taylorsville, Utah

Virginia Fire Department in Virginia, Minnesota

Understanding how critical it is to ensure the safety and security of the nations pharmaceutical supply chain, Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus maintains an extensive inventory of more than 25,000 types of healthcare products, including both PPE (personal protection equipment) and non-PPE supplies. Maintaining a large inventory enables GCPP to service medical facilities and first responders throughout the United States without interruptions caused by potential backorders and shortages.

Since the start of the pandemic, Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus has been donating large quantities of PPE supplies to hospitals and state-run medical facilities across the U.S., as well as to healthcare workers in the state of Mississippi where the company is headquartered.

About Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus

Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus (GCPP) is a comprehensive pharmaceutical distributor for many of the leading U.S. Pharmaceutical companies, delivering products quickly and accurately to a network of hospitals, pharmacies, and physician practices across the United States. Over the past 20 years in business, Gulf Coast Pharmaceuticals Plus has become one of the most reliable distributors of medical supplies in the nation through its quick delivery, excellent customer service, and access to over 25,000 healthcare products. Learn more about GCPP products and services at http://www.gulfcoastpharmaceuticalsplus.com, and get the latest on company news by visiting its Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / Compare-autoinsurance.org (https://compare-autoinsurance.org/) has launched a new blog post that presents what events are covered by comprehensive car insurance and why is important for drivers to obtain this policy.

For more info and free quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/the-benefits-of-comprehensive-auto-policy/

Comprehensive insurance is a type of coverage that pays if the policyholder's vehicle is stolen or damaged in events that are not related to a collision. Although this policy is optional, if the vehicle is still financed, the lender will probably insist for this coverage to be purchased.

Comprehensive insurance will reimburse the policyholder in the following situations:

Stolen vehicle . Comprehensive insurance will reimburse a policyholder that got his car stolen. However, this policy will only pay the actual cash value of a vehicle at the moment it got stolen and not the price for a brand-new car.

. Comprehensive insurance will reimburse a policyholder that got his car stolen. However, this policy will only pay the actual cash value of a vehicle at the moment it got stolen and not the price for a brand-new car. Damage caused by severe weather events. Vehicles can easily be damaged by weather events like hails storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightings, avalanches. In many cases, the damaged cars are declared totaled. Comprehensive insurance is the only policy that will pay to repair or to replace vehicles that got damaged by extreme weather.

Vehicles can easily be damaged by weather events like hails storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightings, avalanches. In many cases, the damaged cars are declared totaled. Comprehensive insurance is the only policy that will pay to repair or to replace vehicles that got damaged by extreme weather. Animal collision. Vehicles that hit an animal can easily be damaged, especially if they hit a large animal like a moose, horse, or a bull. Comprehensive insurance will also pay if a herd of animals decides to attack the car and destroy it.

Vehicles that hit an animal can easily be damaged, especially if they hit a large animal like a moose, horse, or a bull. Comprehensive insurance will also pay if a herd of animals decides to attack the car and destroy it. Flood damage. Water can easily enter inside a vehicle and destroy its interior and the mechanical components. In many cases, the damage is too severe, and the car is totaled.

Water can easily enter inside a vehicle and destroy its interior and the mechanical components. In many cases, the damage is too severe, and the car is totaled. Vandalism or riots. Although drivers believe they parked their cars in a safe place, vandals will think otherwise. It only takes a few moments for them to scratch the paint, make dents, deflate the tires, or smash the windshield. If a protest degenerates and turns into a riot, then the vehicle owned by a policyholder is in big trouble. It is not uncommon for rioters to set ablaze vehicles.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

"Comprehensive insurance will help drivers recover the costs to repair or replace their damaged or totaled vehicles that were involved in incidents not covered by collision insurance," said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

CONTACT:

Company Name: Internet Marketing Company

Person for Contact: Gurgu C

Phone Number: (818) 359-3898

Email: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz

Website: https://compare-autoinsurance.org

SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601790/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comprehensive-Car-Insurance
Unless the typical weather patterns for August change drastically, Schertz could be facing water rationing by the end of the month, City Council was told at its Aug. 4 meeting.

The Schertz Seguin Local Government Corporation (SSLGC), which supplies Schertz with most of its water supply would declare when restrictions are put in place, explained Amber Briggs Beard, general manager of the water company, adding the system, as it is currently built, can only deliver so much water to the Schertz community.

The trigger (for drought restrictions) would be a sustained high delivery, she said. We have to send Schertz enough water to keep the (citys water storage) tanks at a certain level, and that number is around 11 to 11.5 million gallons a day total delivered.

But water demand in Schertz is nearing that level now  and growing, Beard told council. On July 22, 10,206 gallons were delivered, she said, and the summers heat wave has shown no signs of going away.

We dont know what August is bringing us. Hopefully well get some rain, she said.

The problem is both a supply and transportation issue, explained John Winkler, manager for Walker Partners, SSLGCs engineering firm. Construction of a second pipeline from wells into the Carrizo Aquifer near Seguin to Schertz and drilling of new wells is planned, he added, but he noted that additional capacity and supply would not be in place until late summer of 2022.

Currently, the crunch comes at the pump station pushing water to Schertz, he said. In normal times, were running 70 to 80 percent on those pumps. Currently, weve got them ramped up to 92 percent to get water to Schertz, so weve only got about 8 percent wiggle room.

Educating the public to cut back on water usage for both this summer and next year would help considerably to reduce the stress to the system before the new facilities come online, he added.

Assistant City Manager Charles Kelm said the reason for providing the council with all of this information now was to prepare them for the possibility of future water restrictions. It could be a culture shock or shift for our city if we have to start rationing water at some point in August.

If that rationing becomes necessary, the four designated stages of drought regulations are designed to reduce demand by 10 percent for each stage, explained Suzanne Williams of the citys public works division.

Outdoor landscape watering is already prohibited between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. year round, she said, but under Stages One and Two of any new drought restrictions, watering would, in addition, only be allowed one day a week with the specific day dictated by the last number of a homeowners address. If rationing goes to Stage Three, she added, watering would only be allowed by handheld hoses or drip irrigation and, additionally in Stage Four, all washing of vehicles would be prohibited.

Misdemeanor fines of up to $200  with each days offense counted separately  would be put in place with the drought restrictions, she noted, adding three or more offenses could result in shutting off water service to that residence, Williams said.

But right now were looking at a robust educational program, Williams told the council. The campaign would target both adults and children through social media and printed material distributed through homeowner associations, schools and possibly through printed residential water bills helping people understand their responsibilities.

We just want to start with an education campaign, Kelm said. Maybe we can conserve our consumption as a city and reduce that demand, and then we should have no issues.

Were saying that today were fine, added City Manager Mark Brown, but with 30 days of 100-degree-plus weather, we may not be.

In other actions, City Council unanimously approved spending up to $219,650 to improve sidewalks and curbs along its Main Street district, updating restrictions governing peddlers and solicitors, and changing several permit fees for swimming pools and decks.

A charge of $200 for an above-ground pool had been in place but that fee now will be $25 for above-ground pools that are deeper than 24 inches, explained Assistant City Manager Brian James.

What we really want you to do is to come in for the permit so we can make sure you meet a few safety things because, when it gets above 24 inches, its deep enough for a child to drown in, he said, adding pools less than 24 inches deep do not require a permit.

Permits for deck construction were dropped from $225 with an additional plan review fee of $100 to a flat $100 charge. A surprising number of deck construction plans do not meet municipal codes, James said, so city inspections are necessary. That way we insure residents are getting (safe) decks built and they are making that investment (in their homes) the way they need to within code, James told the council.

Council also unanimously approved the appointment of Councilwoman Rosemary Scott as the new mayor pro tem for Schertz. She was to formally installed at councils Aug. 11 meeting. Shell serve until Feb. 2, 2021.
Iggy Azealia was a mom on the job when she took newborn son Onyx to work on Thursday.

The Fancy songstress, 30, was hard to ignore, rocking an over-the-top ensemble as she left the Los Angeles photo shoot pushing her little boy along in a Fendi stroller.

Iggy, real name Amethyst Amelia Kelly, looked far wilder than the average mom as she rocked a tattoo-inspired shirt with blonde locks sticking up like feathers on the back of her head.

Hard to miss! All eyes were on Iggy Azalea as she and newborn son Onyx left an LA photo shoot on Thursday

Wild style: The Fancy songstress rocked a tattoo-inspired shirt with blonde locks sticking up like feathers on the back of her head

Continuing the bold ensemble, the Aussie cinched her waist with a baby blue corset top and wore a princess-perfect pink tulle midi-skirt below.

Iggy's accessories were equally out-there, consisting of shiny bauble earrings, lace tights and see-through heels.

The girlfriend of rapper Playboy Carti made her way from the studio to her car with two-month-old Onyx in his designer carriage, which retails for around $2500. She loaded things into her ride with the help of an assistant.

Iggy seemed eager to get back to work, just around three-months after welcoming her first child.

Luxury: Iggy pushed her two-month-old around in a Fendi stroller which is worth just shy of $2500

Bold: The Aussie cinched her waist with a baby blue corset top and wore a princess-perfect pink tulle midi-skirt below

Hair scare: Iggy's hairstyle was definitely a risky fashion choice

Long day: After the shoot the Black Widow rapper was ready to go home and spend time with her partner Playboy Carti and little Onyx

She's been eager to show off her sexy, post-baby body via several sultry Instagram shots.

And the rapper claimed she had zero help getting back down to her pre-pregnancy side while responding to a social media comment late last month.

'I'm not having a baby until I can afford what these celebrities are doing to look like weeks after giving birth,' a fan Tweeted.

However, Iggy clapped back, denying that it was about money saying: 'All you have to do is watch what you eat while you're pregnant and already have a six pack prior.'

Helping hand: An assistant helped Azalea get everything back into her car

Back at it! Iggy seemed eager to get back to work, just around three-months after welcoming her first child

Hot mama: She's been eager to show off her sexy, post-baby body via several sultry Instagram shots

Making a point to claim she didn't pay to get her body back in shape, Iggy added: 'It's free and just takes mental strength to stick it out nine months.'

However, the comments caused quite the stir on Twitter among fans, who seemed dubious that it was a sustainable plan for pregnant mothers.

When another fan suggested she had been using Photoshop, Iggy hit back: 'I'm bout to go out in a crop top and get pap pics just for you today. I want you to see this s*** from every angle.'

Iggy has previously admitted to having had plastic surgery, including rhinoplasty surgery, and breast augmentation - though maintains that her famous derriere is all natural.

It's simple: Iggy clapped back at a Twitter user that appeared to suggest she'd had work done to snap back into shape

Claims: Some fans felt she had perhaps used Photoshop on her picture

Calling them out: Iggy was quick to respond suggesting that shots of her that surfaced today show the real results of her hard work

The celeb dropped her baby bombshell back at the end of June, though it was later revealed she had given birth about a month before that.

'I have a son,' began the text-only Instagram Story announcement.

She continued, 'I kept waiting for the right time to say something but it feels like the more time passes the more I realize I'm always going to feel anxious to share news that giant with the world.'

'I want to keep his life private but wanted to make it clear he is not a secret & I love him beyond words.'
Tennessee had 13 more coronavirus deaths bringing the toll to 1,326, state Health Department officials said Friday afternoon. There were 1,947 new cases in the state for a total of 130,458. There were 77 more patients hospitalized to bring that total to 5,725. There have been 91,323 people recover from the virus. Testing numbers are above 1.8 million. Here are the numbers by county: Shelby County: 24,251 cases, up 308; 321 deaths, up 2 Davidson County: 21,528 cases, up 248; 221 deaths Knox County: 5,051 cases, up 105; 41 deaths Bledsoe County: 734 cases, up 7; 2 deaths Bradley County: 2,102 cases, up 36; 15 deaths Franklin County: 363 cases, up 4; 4 deaths Grundy County: 126 cases, up 2; 2 deaths Marion County: 240 cases, up 1; 5 deaths McMinn County: 591 cases, up 8; 20 deaths Meigs County: 115 cases, up 2; no deaths Monroe County: 479 cases, up 10; 10 deaths, up 1 Polk County: 237 cases, up 13; 5 deaths

Police Blotter: Man Throws Rocks At His Wife's Car After She Catches Him Cheating; Nice Man Sleeping In Landromat Told To Move Along

AUDIO: County Commission Meeting 1/19/22

Commission Puts Off Vote Barring Constitutional Officers From Paying Near Relatives With County Funds

Police were dispatched to Lightfoot Mill Road on reports of a man throwing rocks at a silver vehicle as the vehicle was following him. Police spoke with the man and woman. The man was walking ... (click for more)
00:00 | Lima, Aug. 14.

The biosafety equipment, valued at 40,000 euros (around US$47,246), consists of 6,000 KN95 masks, 636 N95 masks for the Army, 960 N95 masks for the Navy, and 31 (6800 series) full-face respirators for the Air Force.





Held on Thursday, the handover ceremony featured Defense Minister Jorge Chavez and French Ambassador to Peru Antoine Grassin, as well as commanders general Jorge Celiz (Army), Fernando Cerdan (Navy) and Rodolfo Garcia (Air Force).





According to the minister, this donation will serve to protect the Armed Forces personnel responsible for ensuring compliance with state of emergency measures.





"We are convinced that this material will be used to save lives. The soldiers who are on the frontline and serve the population must be protected. That is our responsibility, and we wholeheartedly value the lives of our soldiers," he stated.





In addition, the government official thanked the Republic of France for the support, within the framework of the friendship between both countries.









"I hope that the friendly relations and the interaction between the Armed Forces of Peru and the sister Republic of France will continue to strengthen even more, on the basis of true friendship," he expressed.





For his part, the French Ambassador affirmed that this donation plays a crucial role in the fight against the spread of the virus.





"I would like to express the solidarity of France with Peru in the fight against COVID-19 through donations. In addition, there is a multilateral initiative to join efforts in the research for the vaccine. The current donation is a testament to the solidarity in the midst of this tragic pandemic that affects us all," he said.





Grassin recalled the agreement signed with the Ministry of Health to help upgrade two hospitals, one in Lima and the other in Cusco, with the aim of providing better health care to the population.





(END) NDP/RMB/MVB
NEW YORK - A 30-year-old man injured in a Revel scooter accident three days before the company suspended its New York City operations last month has died of his injuries, police said Friday.

The death of Francis Nunez marked the third fatality involving the scooters in the city.

The Bronx resident was driving a scooter in upper Manhattan on the afternoon of July 25 when he lost control and hit a pole. Nunez was taken to a hospital with head injuries and died Aug. 4. A 32-year-old passenger was hospitalized in stable condition and was later released, according to New York City police.

The ride-sharing scooter startup announced July 28 that it was suspending operations in New York City after a second fatal crash in less than two weeks.

The companys blue scooters, which require a drivers license but no training to rent, had been seen as an alternative to taxis and subways during the coronavirus pandemic.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

Trend:

The Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan issued a statement regarding the information disseminated by Armenian media about moving the so-called "structures" of the illegal regime created by the occupying country in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan from Khankandi to Shusha, Trend reports.

"Shusha is a city of great historical and spiritual importance for Azerbaijan, and on the eve of the 270th anniversary of its founding, we condemn another provocative attempt by Armenia," said the statement.

"We have repeatedly witnessed such provocations. One of them was the change of the architecture of the Yukhari Govhar Agha mosque in Shusha and the attempt to present it as an "Iranian mosque", [and another] - to presenting a Russian church as an "Armenian church". Moreover, several months ago, the Armenian leadership organized a show called "inauguration" in Shusha. All these steps are nothing more than obstacles to the settlement of the conflict and they should be strongly condemned by the international community," the statement stressed.

"These provocative actions of Armenia will never weaken our commitment to return to our native lands. Subjected to ethnic cleansing, the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh region will return to their lands and establish structures within the sovereignty of Azerbaijan," stated the comminity.

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.
Dhaka, Aug 14 : The regional commander of Neo-Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (Neo-JMB) Sheikh Sultan Mohammad Naimuzzaman, on the first day of his seven day police remand confessed that the banned militant outfit planned a bomb blast at an elite shopping mall in Gulshan on July 31, a day before Eid-ul-Azha, the officials told IANS.

He said that the bomb blast was thwarted by 'betrayers'.

The officials said that during interrogation Naimuzzaman told the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit that the militants planted two pipe bombs, filled with sand, in the shopping mall on July 31 which were recovered by the CTTC unit.

The bombs were recovered by the CTTC unit.

During interrogation, the arrested militants said that they had formed a JMB cell and planned the attack. However, the information got leaked so the plan was changed.

They confessed that after the plan was changed, it was decided that a terrorist will drop a bomb at a certain place, the official said adding that they communicated with each other using a special online software.

Deputy Commissioner of the CTTC said, "Their group has two to three chiefs, who are called as 'Amir', and are the top leaders. Detailed information is being gathered from them." The CTTC team claims that militants now longer have the capability to carry out a major attack.

Sheikh Sultan Mohammad Naimuzzaman (26) was arrested along with Sanaul Islam Saadi (26), Rubel Ahmed (28), Abdur Rahim Jewel (30), Sayem Mirza (24) carried out a CTTC raid on a house in Shaplabagh, Sylhet on the night of August 10.

Bomb-making equipments, laptops and mobile phones were recovered from them.

The banned militant outfit terrorists planned attacks in the different parts of the country a day before Eid al-Adha. They had planned to drop bombs on the streets of Purana Paltan on July 24 and planted a bomb in a temple in Sapahar of Naogaon district. on July 31.

They had also planned an attack on Shahjalal's shrine on July 23.

The bombs in Paltan and Sapahar were detonated while they failed due to implement strict police surveillance in Sylhet, Bangladesh police officials claim.
(CNN)  When former IBM cloud leader Arvind Krishna took over the company's top job earlier this year, the move sent a clear signal about where the company sees its future.

Big Blue is making a big bet on cloud computing as it seeks to reverse its fortunes following several years of sluggish growth. And now, IBM is making a new $1 billion investment aimed at accelerating that strategy.

The 109-year old company is one of America's most iconic tech firms, but in recent years it has been eclipsed by younger tech giants as its legacy server and enterprise IT businesses age. IBM's shares last peaked in 2013 around $211 (they closed Wednesday just shy of $127).

In an effort to spur new momentum, IBM has been working to reorient itself around the cloud business  a strategy boosted by its 2018 acquisition of open source software provider Red Hat, which Krishna helped to broker, and solidified by his ascension to CEO in April. In 2019, cloud represented 27% of IBM's revenue.

The company is making a big play in "hybrid cloud"  a technical setup wherein companies may use multiple clouds in addition to their own on-premises servers. IBM's platform gives companies tools to more easily navigate between those various environments.

Focusing in this area could help set IBM apart from bigger cloud players like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. It could also better position IBM to help its longtime corporate clients, many of whom still rely heavily on hardware, as they continue their digital transformations.

To that end, IBM told CNN Business it has set aside $1 billion to invest in other companies in the cloud space  third party software providers and digital IT vendors  to grow the ecosystem of firms working on its hybrid cloud platform.

"When you have a platform  either an architectural platform or a technology platform  it's a lot easier to scale that platform when you leverage an ecosystem," Bob Lord, IBM's senior vice president of cognitive applications, blockchain and ecosystems, told CNN Business.

Investors have been waiting for just such a move. In January, MoffettNathanson analyst Lisa Ellis told CNN Business: "IBM has had a long six-year journey of doing easy stuff  cost cutting and benefiting from lower taxes. It now has to demonstrate momentum in cloud. Period."

Building a hybrid cloud ecosystem

IBM's investment fund will help provide incentives for those third party software companies to build on top of its own architecture, such as covering the costs of migration services.

"These are businesses that consume IBM software, so that when they sell their software, they pull IBM software," Lord said.

A hybrid cloud model makes sense, especially for the large, legacy companies IBM has long worked with. In many cases, they are firms that have spent heavily on hardware data systems and could be running crucial processes that can't afford to fail, such as airline software that communicates with planes.

Using a hybrid cloud platform means companies can keep using their hardware systems for data that requires it. And they can move other processes onto the cloud, providing greater flexibility for large amounts of data, as well as other benefits such as artificial intelligence to understand trends in a company's data.

"Many corporations are facing a problem of, 'how do I shift to the cloud?'" Nucleus Research CEO Ian Campbell said. "Like manufacturing, where everything is essentially fine and running, they may not see a reason to do it. That's where hybrid cloud comes in and says, 'we have an easy path for you to make the transition to the cloud without having to upend your investment in existing infrastructure.'"

The ultimate aim is to make IBM technology the foundational layer that sits under other companies' software. Such a model could help IBM secure longtime customers by ensuring its technology is a crucial component in their technical infrastructure in the future.

"Quickly building out a partner ecosystem is going to put them on par with their competitors," Campbell said. "It shows a strong commitment to the cloud and provides an incentive for any of the partners that may have been looking at (other cloud providers) to invest in IBM instead."

A bold bet on a big opportunity

The investment comes as many corporations have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic downturn, and some have pulled back on their tech spending. IBM's earnings fell 31% year-over-year in the June quarter.

While the pandemic has been disruptive in the short term, most experts expect it will accelerate many companies' move to the cloud, making it perhaps the ideal time for such an investment.

IBM is up against tough competitors in the space, including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

If it works, though, the payoff could be huge  IBM estimates that hybrid cloud represents a $1.2 trillion market opportunity over the next two years.

"I think you've got to give them credit, given that the last few months have been a tough time, they're weathering that storm and they're likely to come out of it stronger," said Nucleus Research's Campbell. "It's probably the best investment IBM could make right now ... So many traditional IBM customers have to make the transition to the cloud but haven't had a path forward until now."
LONDON Commodity trade financing by the worlds banks is drying up at a rate not seen in more than 20 years, leaving small and medium sized firms most exposed, banking and trading sources said.

Banks are retrenching after the coronavirus crisis led to defaults by some trading houses, intermediaries in the global movement of oil, metals and agricultural goods which link producers and end-users, and also exposed a series of frauds.

This week Dutch bank ABN Amro , one of the biggest commodity trade financiers, quit the business after it was among the banks worst hit by the $3.8 billion default of Hin Leong, one of Asias biggest oil traders.

These things are cyclical, but now the pendulum is at an extreme not seen since the late 1990s," John MacNamara of consultancy Carshalton Commodities said.

About 80% of global trade is intermediated by trade finance, which covers the loans, most commonly in the shape of a letter of credit (LC), that are crucial for the movement of goods from wheat to gasoline and reduce payment risk for counterparties when cargoes change hands.

Credit facilities allow merchants to juggle multiple transactions, but with competition between banks set to fall, credit costs will rise for trading houses, which are typically highly leveraged and rely on trade finance.

Big banks seeking to reduce trade finance exposure are likely to favour lending to the well established large independent merchants such as Vitol and Trafigura.

Meanwhile, smaller players will likely see their options limited and their credit costs rise as they are forced to turn to second tier banks.

Banks exiting will create a massive black hole for small traders and will increasingly put the oil market into the pockets of majors," a senior oil industry source said.

Trading and banking sources say others may follow ABN and that some banks have already frozen existing credit lines, letters of credit and new business.

MARKET FAILURE

Major traders have been big users of revolving credit facilities (RCFs), where a consortium of banks allow a company to repeatedly borrow up to an agreed upon maximum threshold.

However, banks dislike these loans as they are not only cheap for the borrower but also unsecured, with short maturities of usually no more than a year which must be renewed.

ABN was not an individual failure but a market failure," MacNamara said, adding that traders had been pushing for cheap, unsecured RCFs at a time when commodity finance does not fit the forward-looking balance sheet modelling regulators require.

Outsourcing had also eroded the experience of back and middle office staff at banks which are key in making checks in less transparent emerging markets, he said.

While traders said losing a credit line would not be felt now, with many boosted by record quarters so far this year due to extreme oil price volatility, the pain will come later when commodity prices recover and credit line usage rises.

Trade houses only tend to use 50-75% of their bank credit lines, leaving a cushion in case commodity prices spike.

The RCF pool will become smaller and costs will go up. Already we saw a Covid-19 premium in the latest round," a senior banker in natural resources said.

RCFs have short maturities, usually no more than year, and must be renewed. As a result of the coronavirus crisis, banks have asked for higher rates of interest.

PLUGGING THE GAP

Asian banks are unlikely to be able to fill the financing gap left by European lenders, who have dominated the business for years, as they lack capacity to handle the volume.

Some are now looking to specialist funds to fill the gap.

If existing or new banks do not fill the void, trade finance funds could come inWed be delighted to have a fund if they have good risk appetite," Siva Pillay, CEO of metals trader Ocean Partners, said.

However, funds often cannot provide the full range of trade finance needs such as LCs, Pillay added, and would be more suited to cover transactions viewed as more risky by regular banks and would therefore justify a higher interest payment.

Typically, a fund will have a handful of people looking at trade finance and so lack the bandwidth to monitor many loans.

Depending on how many banks exit or reduce their commodity financing, even large traders may not be immune, potentially driving those with assets to the capital markets.

But this would not be enough to fill the whole gap.

The magnitude of the bank lines is such that there is no way a trading house could substitute them with bonds," Jean-Francois Lambert of consultancy Lambert Commodities said.

Bankers are already focused on further regulation, with new requirements under the fourth phase of the Basel Accord, expected to have unintended consequences even though they do not focus on trade finance.

Basel is seeking to standardise how banks calculate risk-weighted assets to protect them from losses, which bankers say will make commodity finance even less appealing.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
A day that began with the most unspeakable fear ended in unbridled joy and gratitude.

Speaking from her hospital bed, miracle teenager Ellen Glynn, who survived 15 hours in the open sea, said she is feeling "so happy and thankful."

Ellen (17) described the stunning rescue of both her and cousin Sarah Feeney (23) as "all a bit crazy".

The girls from Cappagh Road, Knocknacarra, Galway city, were found shortly after 12pm clinging to a buoy of a lobster pot, south of Inis Oirr - and 17 miles from where they set off paddleboarding on Furbo beach.

The girls left the shore at 9.05pm and were quickly carried out to sea and disappeared from view within 20 minutes, leaving Sarah's mother Helen, who was watching from the shore terrified.

Ellen revealed the Coastguard rescue helicopter and two boats narrowly missed finding them during the night.

Neither of the vessels or helicopter could see them in the water or hear their screams.

But despite their ordeal, Ellen said she never lost hope of being rescued and being reunited with her family.

Speaking yesterday just hours after their rescue Ellen, sounding joyful but weary, said she was feeling "good, but just a bit drained".

"It's so crazy, but I'm feeling fine," she said. "I wasn't too scared.

"We kind of figured that when it was bright outside, we would be seen easier because last night, it was complete darkness.

"There was a helicopter and two boats looking for us, and we could see them, and we were screaming, but they just missed us. But we figured in the morning they would find us," she said.

However, as the minutes and hours ticked by Ellen and Sarah lost all sense of time, and their fear grew that nobody was looking for them in the right place.

"We thought it was five o'clock in the evening, and we hadn't seen a single boat out. But it was only about 12. Then we got home, and the whole county (of Galway) and Clare was out looking for us. It was crazy," she added.

"Thank you so much to everyone. I'm just so happy and thankful," Ellen said.

Speaking just minutes after he heard his daughter and niece were alive, Johnny Glynn struggled to find the words to describe his relief and happiness.

"I just can't believe it; we are forever grateful. I'm so happy. I had given up. How could they be in the water from 9.30pm?

"I wasn't expecting to find them alive at this stage.

With tears welling in his eyes, he said: "I thought I would never see her again."

Just moments earlier, Mr Glynn had been standing on a dune left of Furbo beach looking out to sea, his face the epitome of anguish.

A call came through from his friend Donie Garrihy, the owner of Doolin Ferries, who said both girls were alive.

Mr Glynn raised his arms to heaven and wailed: "They're alive!"

Racing along the beach to his wife Deirdre and young daughter Alice (12), Mr Glynn dropped to his knees in relief.

"A fella called Donie Garrihy, a great friend of mine - the first man I rang last night. He was able to tell me where the boats were last night. And he just rang me there with the news.

"I thought he was just ringing for an update, but he said, 'Johnny, your daughter is alive. You have two tough women there'."

As Glynn packed his joyous family into the car to meet the helicopter flying overhead carrying his daughter and niece, he announced to the crowd: "I'm joining the priesthood now."

His words were met with a cacophony of cheers, car horns, and clapping.

From first light, family members and friends of the missing women gathered together on Furbo beach.

As the hours ticked by, hopes began to fade, and silence gripped the assembled crowd, all staring unblinking at the grey seascape.

Shortly after noon, texts started to trigger panic with false news that two bodies had been recovered. Just as hopes were fading, the news the girls had been found alive filtered through.

Desperation and fear gave way to unbridled joy. Family members, friends, volunteers, and strangers began cheering, weeping and clapping.

Mrs Glynn said she never gave up hope. "I just felt the whole time in my gut that she was okay. She is so level headed and calm and strategic in her thinking that I just knew. I did think that she was just swept into a cave, and I said to myself that she would have deflated the board and wrapped it around themselves and waited until morning. I actually thought we would meet her walking along the road somewhere."

Speaking about her daughter's incredible resilience, she said: "Let her never say she can't do something again. She is amazing."
Victorian suddenly withdrew a request for soldiers to help manage the disastrous hotel quarantine just hours after saying it was a 'high priority'.

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp emailed federal counterparts on June 24 asking for 850 soldiers, only to cancel it the next day.

Unlike other Australian states, Victoria was using private security guards for bulk of the work managing quarantine hotels.

Heads have finally started to roll as Victoria's coronavirus crisis deepens and Melbourne suffers through Stage Four lockdown.

Unlike other Australian states, Victoria was using private security guards for bulk of the work managing quarantine hotels. These guards are at the Stamford Plaza in Melbourne (pictured)

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos was on Thursday stripped of responsibility for hotel quarantine and Attorney-General Jill Hennessy will take over.

By June 24, more than 18,500 returning travellers appeared to have overwhelmed Victoria's capacity and Mr Crisp was urgently asking for help.

'With the continued need to maintain the mandatory quarantine, it has been identified that there is the lack of access to skilled resources to undertake specific functions,' he wrote in an email obtained by The Australian.

Mr Crisp admitted Victoria had 'exhausted internal or contract sources across emergency agencies to fulfil these roles'.

'Due to the scale and complexity of the crisis, this is a high priority request, to ensure the stability in the established systems and process are continued,' he wrote.

The email said the 850 personnel's mission, to 'provide compliance and monitoring support' to health workers, would begin on June 26 and run until July 31.

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp (pictured) emailed federal counterparts on June 24 asking for 850 soldiers, only to cancel it the next day

Daniel Andrews (pictured) and his government are facing mounting criticism as the state's coronavirus crisis deepens

Mr Crisp sent the urgent request at 8.38pm on June 24, which was accepted within 25 minutes, but at 12.31pm on June 25 he sent another email cancelling it.

'Based on changing operational and resourcing requirements I am writing to advise you that Victoria no longer wishes to progress RFA 15, the request for up to 850 resources to support our hotel quarantine operation,' he wrote.

Why the request was suddenly withdrawn, and who made the decision, is still unclear. Premier Daniel Andrews refused to say whether he directed Mr Crisp to scrap it.

The embattled premier announced private security would be used on March 27, the day before the program began.

'Police, private security, all of our health team, will be able to monitor compliance in a much easier way, in a static location,' he said.

Mr Andrews spoke minutes before an emergency management meeting that settled on primarily using private security to manage quarantined travellers.

This meeting, held at the State Control Centre, was likely recorded, as is standard procedure, and will be poured over in coming inquiries.

Two people are seen moving a bed in the CBD during COVID-19 in Melbourne (pictured on Wednesday) as the city endured its Stage Four lockdown

Staff inside a hotel in Melbourne are seen moving luggage for guests in quarantine on June 25

On Thursday it was revealed the night manager at one of the hotels was patient zero for the outbreak, reporting symptoms on May 25.

Everyone who came into close contact with him was isolated, but he had already infected seven guards who passed it to colleagues and families.

Since then, 14,200 people have been infected and 256 died in the renewed outbreak, sending Melbourne into Stage 4 lockdown for at least six weeks.

The bungled program - which has been plagued by accusations of private contractors sleeping with infected guests and lacking basic training for the job - is now the subject of an independent inquiry.

Former state coroner Jennifer Coate will examine the role the hotel quarantine program has played in the second wave of Covid-19, which has been far more deadly than the initial outbreak.

Jennifer Coate (pictured) will be running the inquiry into the botched hotel quarantine program

Australian Defence Force personnel and policemen on patrol in Melbourne last week

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton previously agreed 'there has been a failure in this program,' and his former deputy, Annaliese van Diemen, said 'there's been closer mingling of these guards than we would like in the workplace'.

Mr Andrews has stood firm on his claims that ADF soldiers weren't offered to assist in the program, but Defence Department records show 100 personnel were ready to enforce quarantine, but they were not utilised.

Documents show the offer was refused because Victoria Police were in the 'advanced planning stages' of a quarantine program at the time.

An ADF liaison officer told the federal government Victoria's quarantine plans 'do not presently include or require ADF involvement'.

Daniel Andrews denies ADF offered help with hotel quarantine Premier Daniel Andrews used his daily briefing on Wednesday to take a swipe at federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, who claimed Victoria knocked back an offer to have Australian Defence Force help with the state's hotel quarantine scheme. The premier told an inquiry on Tuesday the ADF never offered to guard the hotels. The botched program, which used private security companies, was the catalyst for Victoria's second wave. 'I don't know the federal defence minister. I don't deal with her. I deal with the prime minister,' Mr Andrews said. The retort came after the defence minister released a statement saying ADF support was offered to Victoria multiple times. 'The ADF was consistently advised that its assistance was not required for any ''public-facing roles'' in Victoria,' Senator Reynolds said. Advertisement

Mr Andrews told a parliamentary inquiry into the program that his government never rejected the help of ADF officers.

'ADF support has been provided in very limited circumstances in NSW, not to provide security, as such, but to provide transport from the airport to hotels,' he reasoned.

'It is fundamentally incorrect to assert that there were hundreds of ADF staff on offer and somehow, someone said no. That's just not, in my judgement, accurate.'

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds released a damning statement saying repeated offers were snubbed.

She said in a statement: 'ADF officials asked whether Victorian authorities required assistance with its mandatory quarantine system on multiple occasions.

'No request for quarantine support was subsequently received from Victoria at that time.'

Victoria detected 372 new cases and 14 deaths on Friday, taking its running total to 16,235 infections and 289 deaths.
08/14/2020

Photo (c) Ziga Plahutar - Getty Images American Airlines is said to be considering a reduction in flights to as many as 30 smaller U.S. cities if a federal requirement to continue those flights expires at the end of September.

Citing an airline official familiar with the matter, the New York Post reports that American only agreed to keep serving those smaller cities because it was an essential condition in receiving $5.8 billion in coronavirus aid. However, American is keeping mum on if this is a chess move designed to put added pressure on Congress and the White House to give airlines another $25 billion for labor costs and salaries.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the American Airlines official did not specify exactly which cities might lose service. However, according to the Post, the changes could appear in schedules as early as next week.

Airlines banked on a rebound that never fully happened

After taking a 95 percent tumble in April, air travel in the U.S. has rebounded a bit but is still a far cry from 2019. As an example, there were 590,749 travelers who went through a TSA checkpoint on Wednesday compared to 2,391,906 who were screened on the same day a year ago, according to TSA data.

As global business confidence started to rebound in May, the airlines outlook started to look hopeful. Given the historical relationship between business sentiment and air passenger volumes, this rebound would normally bode well for the air travel outlook, wrote economists at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

However, these are far from normal times; limited corporate travel budgets, the increased use of online conferencing, continued international travel restrictions and ongoing health (and duty of care) concerns all contribute to a weakened relationship between business confidence and air travel at present.

Airlines follow consumer sentiment

The IATA went on to say that it really comes down to consumer sentiment. If that factor remains subdued, airlines will have to concern themselves about rising unemployment and the continuity of government support programs in the months ahead.

Airlines arent sitting around waiting for the $419 billion in total revenue theyve lost to magically appear. Both airlines and their affiliated labor unions are lobbying for another chunk of relief funds to get them through April 2021. They reportedly have half of the House of Representatives on their side, including more than 20 Republicans, and at least a dozen Republicans in the Senate. President Trump also recognizes the airlines pain.

Obviously the airline business is not doing very well, he said when asked about the issue at a news briefing last week. I would be certainly in favor. We cant lose our transportation system.
A day that began with the most unspeakable fear ended in unbridled joy and gratitude.

Speaking from her hospital bed, miracle teenager Ellen Glynn, who survived 15 hours in the open sea, said she was feeling "so happy and thankful".

In an exclusive interview with the Irish Independent, Ellen (17) described the stunning rescue of both her and cousin Sarah Feeney (23) as "all a bit crazy".

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The girls from Cappagh Road, Knocknacarra, Galway city, were found shortly after 12pm yesterday, clinging to a buoy connected to a lobster pot, 4km south of Inis Oirr - 27km from where they set off paddleboarding on Furbo beach.

They were spotted and then rescued by fisherman Patrick Oliver and son Morgan.

Expand Close Ellen Glynn in good spirits as she is taken to hospital. Photo: Andy Newman / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ellen Glynn in good spirits as she is taken to hospital. Photo: Andy Newman

The girls had left the shore after 9pm on Wednesday but were quickly carried out to sea and disappeared from view within 20 minutes, leaving Sarah's mother Helen, who was watching from the shore, terrified.

Ellen revealed the coastguard rescue helicopter and two boats narrowly missed finding them during the night.

Neither the vessels nor the helicopter could see them in the water or hear their screams. But despite their ordeal, Ellen said she never lost hope of being reunited with her family.

Speaking yesterday just hours after their rescue, Ellen, sounding joyful but weary, said she was feeling "good, but just a bit drained".

Expand Close Home safe: The Glynn and Feeney families cheer as their daughters are brought ashore. Photo: Hany Marzouk / Facebook

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Whatsapp Home safe: The Glynn and Feeney families cheer as their daughters are brought ashore. Photo: Hany Marzouk

"It's so crazy, but I'm feeling fine," she said.

"I wasn't too scared. We kind of figured that when it was bright outside, we would be seen easier because last night, it was complete darkness.

"There was a helicopter and two boats looking for us, and we could see them, and we were screaming, but they just missed us. But we figured in the morning they would find us."

However, as the hours ticked by Ellen and Sarah lost all sense of time, and they feared nobody was looking for them in the right place.

Expand Close Dry land: Sarah Feeney is brought to a waiting ambulance. Photo: Aengus McMahon / Facebook

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I'm just so happy and thankful

"We thought it was five o'clock in the evening, and we hadn't seen a single boat out. But it was only about 12. Then we got home, and the whole county (of Galway) and Clare was out looking for us.

"Thank you so much to everyone. I'm just so happy and thankful," Ellen said.

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Speaking just minutes after he heard his daughter and niece were alive, Johnny Glynn struggled to find the words to describe his relief.

"I just can't believe it, we are forever grateful. I'm so happy. I had given up. How could they be in the water from 9.30pm? I wasn't expecting to find them alive at this stage.

"I thought I would never see her again," he said, with tears welling in his eyes.

Just moments earlier, Mr Glynn had been standing on a dune at Furbo beach looking out to sea, his face the epitome of anguish.

A call came through from his friend Donie Garrihy, the owner of Doolin Ferries, who said both girls had been found alive.

Johnny Glynn raised his arms to heaven and cried: "They're alive."

Racing along the beach to his wife Deirdre and younger daughter Alice (12), Glynn dropped momentarily to his knees in relief.

The ecstatic dad told the Irish Independent he would be "forever grateful".

"I'm so happy. This is just unreal. I had given up. A fella called Donie Garrihy, a great friend of mine, the first man I rang last night...

"He was able to tell me where the boats were last night. And he just rang me there with the news.

"I thought he was just ringing for an update, but he said, 'Johnny, your daughter is alive. You have two tough women there'."

As Mr Glynn packed his joyous family into the car to meet the helicopter flying overhead carrying his daughter and niece, he announced to the crowd: "I'm joining the priesthood now."

His words were met with a cacophony of cheers, car horns and applause.

From first light, family members and friends of the girls gathered together on Furbo beach.

As the hours ticked by, hopes began to fade, and silence gripped the assembled crowd, all staring unblinking at the grey seascape.

Shortly after noon, texts started to trigger panic with false news that two bodies had been recovered.

Just as hopes were fading, news that the girls had been found alive came through.

Desperation and fear gave way to unbridled joy.

Family members, friends, volunteers, and strangers began cheering, weeping, and clapping. Mr Glynn and his wife Deirdre swept their younger daughter Alice up into their arms.

Deirdre Glynn told the Irish Independent she never gave up hope of seeing her adored daughter again.

"I just felt the whole time in my gut that she was OK. She is so level-headed and calm and strategic in her thinking that I just knew.

"I really did think that she was just swept into a cave, and I said to myself that she would have deflated the board and wrapped it around themselves and waited until morning.

"I actually thought we would meet her walking along the road somewhere.

"We raised the alarm quick enough last night. They went out about half-eight-ish, as they would have a good few evenings," said Deirdre.

Gesturing towards the Co Clare shoreline on the opposite side of the bay, Deirdre said the girls had been pulled in an unusual direction.

"My sister, Sarah's mom, was with them and said they just took off, straight out, where as normally they would go left or right.

"She rang me, and I said, 'you're panicking, they must have gone to the left (towards Galway) or the right (towards Spiddal).'

"I said I would come back here (to Furbo beach) and, at that stage, it was starting to get dark, so we rang straight away.

"They launched the boat within 10 minutes. And the helicopter, even though it seemed a lot longer, but it probably wasn't. And they searched the whole night long.

"We left here and went to Clare and then Kinvara (45km away by road). We didn't know where to go. We knew they went in that direction, though.

"We thought they were maybe in some cave somewhere or climbing up the Burren.

"It was so dark. They had buoyancy aids all right but no wetsuits.

"It was such a bad night. It was lashing rain, and there was lightning, oh my God.

"It didn't really get bright until half five or six or so. At that stage, we started walking the beaches. We met a neighbour of ours walking along Traught beach [a beach near Kinvara 45km from where the girls left the shore].

"At that stage, we knew our other kids would be waking up, and we didn't want them to hear it from someone else, so I said we had better go home.

"But I still thought they were going to be found.

"And there were so many fabulous people out looking. I have five sisters and a brother and brilliant neighbours, and they just mobilised everyone like busy ants.

"We went home and told the kids and they were devastated.

"I promised St Anthony millions probably, and I will never give out ever again," she said.

"Alice, my 12-year-old, said, 'Mam, are you going to let them on paddleboards again?'

"Never."

Speaking about her daughter's incredible resilience, Deirdre said: "Let her never say she can't do something again. She is amazing," she said.

"In my gut, I knew she was OK. She's tough."

Speaking on Today with Sarah McInerney, Ellen said that while she was out on the paddleboards with her cousin, it was very windy, rainy and there was lightning. Due to the darkness and heavy fog, she said that she didn't think anybody was coming to get them.

"Nobody could hear us screaming because it was so windy, we were just unlucky... we thought the helicopter lights would pick us up because there was hi-vis strips on our life jackets," she said.

"We just said there is no point panicking, we need to stay positive and everything will be fine."

She added that they even managed to nod off on the paddleboards for a couple.

"We were so tired, we took it in turns to fall asleep on the paddleboards.

"In hindsight it seems so weird but we just stayed so calm," she said.

Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland today, Ellen's father Johnny said that together with his wife, they had to sit down with Ellen's younger siblings when the search turned bleak yesterday morning.

"It didn't hit me until we came back to the house and we had to tell Ellen's sister's the news, they had gone to bed, not knowing what had happened, the three of them. They're young, nine to 13, so we had to sit them down and explain what had happened and that was obviously very tough.

"They were in shock initially and then they all started crying. They said, 'What do we do?' and I said, 'We have to go and look ourselves,'" he said.

He said that Ellen told him in the hospital last night that her and Sarah had tied the two paddleboards together.

"They tied the paddleboards together. Now, I don't know how you do that or what you do that with, but they tied the paddleboards together and that was the best thing to do.

"Imagine being on your own, the difference that would make than having a companion with them," he said.

Ellen had also said that the two women couldn't see a buoy anywhere in the dark.

"She said, 'I don't know where these two buoys came out of!'

"So they grabbed onto them. At that stage, they had ended up at the Cliffs of Moher yesterday morning sometime.

"They could see the Aran Islands in the distance," he added.

"They could see the opening of the Atlantic Ocean and they knew that if they were pulled out there, that was the worst case scenario. Their aim was to get across to the islands. It was very tough because the waves were high."

"They could see boats in the distance but they couldn't figure out why the boats weren't coming to them.

"Then the boat appeared, and Sarah said to Ellen, 'This boat is coming for us.'"
WASHINGTON  The U.S. economy struggled to shake off the last recession, with historically slow growth and a labor market that took more than six years to recover its earlier employment levels. A big part of the reason: state and local governments, which cut spending and fired workers amid widespread budget shortfalls.

The same dynamic poses one of the biggest threats to Americas recovery from the pandemic downturn. State governments are again experiencing extreme budget problems as they pay out increasing sums to cover unemployment and health costs caused by the coronavirus crisis while revenues from sales taxes and corporate and personal income tax payments plummet. States could face a gap of at least $555 billion through the 2022 fiscal year, according to one estimate.

Economists warn that the long-term risk coming from struggling states could prove even more damaging this time than the last recession, which spanned 2007 to 2009, unless Washington steps in. Yet providing more aid to state and local governments has become one of the biggest political battles in the fight over another pandemic rescue package.

The Senate formally adjourned on Thursday until early September, all but ending any chance that an agreement could be reached soon. House members had already left Washington.
Closer to home South Korea - in 2016 the destination of 16 per cent of Australian thermal coal exports - has also announced a green stimulus which will eventually include tax hikes on coal imports and the closure of coal-fired power plants. As South Korea decarbonises its own economy its government is considering legislation to ban its banks from financing coal-fired power plants in neighbouring countries, places like Vietnam, a key growth market for Australian exports. During an industry briefing last month in Vietnam the government-affiliated Vietnam Energy Institute outlined a revised energy plan that included a fast-tracking of renewable and gas power projects and the cancellation of seven planned coal projects. The news for coal is better in China which has massively ramped-up approvals for new coal-fired power plants as part of its economic recovery plans. But China, like India, has also announced it intends to increase domestic production with a view to cutting dependency on imports. The country which has the fourth largest coal reserves in the world and is the world's second largest producer, why can't it become largest coal exporter in the world," India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said last month.

Mostyn is not sure that in a post-coronavirus world Australias corporate culture will automatically re-embrace coal, just as she does not believe its problems began with the pandemic. Back in 2016 the Centre for Policy Development sent a shiver through the nations boardrooms when it commissioned and published a legal opinion by Noel Hutley, SC, on advice from MinterEllison. He opined that that directors who do not properly manage climate risk could be held liable for breaching their legal duty of due care and diligence. The Hutley opinion was endorsed by the financial regulators and in the Reserve Bank of Australias Financial Stability Update last year. Mostyn believes the drought, heatwaves and bushfires that preceded the pandemic in Australia had a profound impact in Australian boardrooms. As we came out of the bushfires I felt a distinct shift in the response of many senior [company] directors in Australia to climate change. It wasnt just that they saw risk all around them, it was also deeply personal. Many took this back into boardrooms with them, she says.

In January the worlds largest asset management outfit, BlackRock, with $10 trillion on its books, announced it was placing climate change at the centre of its investment strategy and dumping companies heavily invested in thermal coal from its actively managed funds. In its May update BlackRock outlined the divestments it had already made, but it went further too, revealing that it had backed votes for and against director seats in major companies based on how individual executives had voted on climate issues. It even fired off a please explain to Kepco, the South Korean utility that funds coal power stations in Australian coal markets. Signs of flight from the sector are not hard to find. Tim Buckley, an energy analyst with the pro-renewables research outfit Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, keeps a running total of the number of major international financial institutions that are now blackballing coal. The count as of August 13 was 139 globally significant banks, insurers and asset owners including 49 new or improved commitments made this year.

The impact is being felt across the Australian industry, even among players already escaping thermal coal. Last month the UKs largest pension fund, Nest, announced it was divesting from BHP due to its coal interests. In turn BHP is struggling to sell its largest Australian thermal coal mine, Mt Arthur in the Hunter Valley. Australian coal miners argue that demand for Australian coal will hold up longer than for some competitors because it produces energy more efficiently due to its low ash and moisture content. BHP is struggling to sell its largest Australian thermal coal mine, Mt Arthur in the Hunter Valley. Credit:Louie Douvis Based on our analysis, which includes testing our resilience against the International Energy Agencys published energy scenarios, we assess our portfolio as being resilient, a Whitehaven Coal spokeswoman said. This reflects informed judgments about the continuing demand for high-quality coal given trends toward electrification and urbanisation in our region and consideration of other factors including reliability, cost-effectiveness and the limitations of renewables as dispatchable fuel sources.

Last week Swiss-based mining giant Glencore announced it would suspend several coal mines across the Hunter Valley for two weeks in September due to the slump. Asked during an earning announcement last week if the suspensions might end up being semi-permanent chief executive Ivan Glasenberg said he believed that cuts in production by Australia and Indonesia would stabilise prices, while nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, China would continue to build power stations, shoring up demand. Regarding our coal business, it's still a good business for us, he said. It is a cash generator, not as high as it has been in the past with the falling coal prices. However, even at these lower prices, it still generates cash for the company. Rory Simington, a lead coal analyst with the global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, said in his firm's view seaborne thermal coal would not reach price heights it enjoyed in 2017, but they would get pretty close post-pandemic. After 2025, he said, the global energy transition would see a long decline begin, but it would be slowed as production eased. Those concerned about coals impact on the climate argue that coals future depends not just on supply and demand, but on how long its use will be tolerated by the wider global community.
The stand-off between Europes last dictator Alexander Lukashenko and protesters took a revolutionary turn on Friday as thousands of striking workers joined the demonstrations.

In central Minsk, a group of soldiers even appeared to side with the protesters. The soldiers, who were protecting government buildings on Independence Square, gestured to lower shields at the request of the crowds shortly before 6pm local time. As they did so, people rushed to embrace them in gratitude.

Some police forces across the country also appeared to endorse the protests. Footage from Zhabinka in western Belarus showed an officer handing flowers to the demonstrators. In Lida, also in the west, police cars were filmed honking  a symbol of the past weeks protest.

Mr Lukashenko emerged from a security council meeting at 7pm with an ominous statement ordering Belarusians to stay at home. He claimed the protests were being organised by external forces and criminal elements inside Belarus, and promised action. What should a military man do in this situation? You want me to hang around for Minsk be to turned upside down? The developments continued on a dramatic day that saw the opposition pile pressure on the man who has been the countrys president for the last 26 years.

Earlier in the day, striking workers from the Minsk Tractor Works, the largest factory in the country, headed an impromptu march to the city centre. They refused a meeting with the prime minister, who had been dispatched to the factory for crisis talks.

The last time central Minsk witnessed a workers march was a full three decades ago in 1990, just as the Soviet Union was falling. Those dramatic times have obvious parallels with the situation in Belarus today, with the country in deep crisis since Sundays elections that Mr Lukashenko claimed to have won with a landslide.

The opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who likely won comfortably, was forced to leave Belarus on Tuesday following threats to her family. On Friday, she broke her silence to call for Mr Lukashenko to enter talks with the opposition.

Mr Lukashenkos withering post-election crackdown has left 7,000 arrested, more than 300 injured and at least two dead. For much of the last week, the country has been without internet access. On Thursday, new evidence emerged about shocking levels of violence against prisoners in his jails.

Recommended Protesters tell of torture in Belarus jails amid brutal crackdown

None of this has dampened the protest mood against Mr Lukashenkos rule. On the contrary, it has encouraged defiance  and left the former collective farm managers reign in the balance.

The horrific testimonies of torture, abuse and threatened rape inside detention centres breathed new life into opposition calls for mass strikes. On Friday, workers at most of the countrys leading enterprises staged full or partial walkouts. Up until then, there had only been a lukewarm response to the calls.

Speaking with Tut.by, an independent local publication, striking workers at the factory said had been driven crazy by what they saw. Everyone had a chance to see the video, said one worker.

They saw what they did with our money and taxes, how they beat them. Its just awful.

Joining the Minsk tractor factory on Friday was the citys automobile plant  its workers drove trucks towards the centre of town with slogans saying Stop beating people! and We want peace!  the tyre factory, steelworks, motor plant and metro among others. Similar actions were observed in 30 other towns and cities.

The countrys military complex was involved for the first time too, with workers at MZKT, a plant that produces military trucks, staging a partial walkout. Reports said they had been angered by the fact a vehicle produced by their factory had been used in clashes with protesters, resulting in a five-year-old girl being taken to hospital.

The symbolism of the strike being led by workers of state enterprises will have enraged Mr Lukashenko, said Valery Karbalevich, a journalist who wrote the definitive biography of the authoritarian leader.

These factories were central to his vision of a socialist economic model, Mr Karbalevich told The Independent. It was because of their specific needs that he stopped any kind of market reform, and now they are putting his regime under threat.

Thanks to years of privileged wages and benefits, Mr Lukashenko can still count on the support of most of his security state. But with few obvious moves, and none without significant risk, Mr Lukashenko will need a lot of luck to manage the stormy seas ahead.

The self-styled dictator has historically shown himself to be a canny operator, manoeuvring from crisis to crisis, and often by playing Russia off against the west. Recent signs suggest he has lost his touch  and connection with reality.

On Friday, Mr Lukashenko derided the threat posed by striking industrialists.

Im told that 20 people decided to give people their opinion, give up work and leave, he claimed. The management said OK, leave, weve got enough people who want the wage. And so the men turned around and went back to work.

A short while later, the countrys election committee published its version of the final results from Sundays election. These updated figures increased Mr Lukashenkos supposed percentage to 80.1 percent, against 10.1 percent for Ms Tikhanovskaya.

Its absurd, said Mr Karbalevich. Not even his supporters believe it.
For most of us, the lockdown presented no highlights. We spent much of our time fretting over the imminent threat of a lethal virus. For Sonal Holland, however, the period of isolation came with a silver lining: she got the chance to drink wine with Francis Ford Coppola.

Virtually, but still. The filmmaker is a friend. The two met a couple of years ago at an exclusive wine dinner to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the iconic Chateau Lafite Rothschild winery in Bordeaux. The next morning, they drove to the airport in one car, with Coppola regaling Holland with stories from his ...
But conservationists have also persuaded many to care about the white shark, even root for it. In 2015, dozens of people tried to save a white shark that had become stranded on the beaches of Wellfleet, Mass. They dug a trench to the sea, while pouring water on the animal, which was then pulled by a rope into the ocean as beachgoers cheered.

The shark did not survive, said Gregory Skomal, a senior fisheries scientist at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, who was part of the failed rescue. But the moment was incredibly moving, he said.

That was a very fascinating, amazing story, Dr. Skomal said. Still, the shark remains polarizing.

You get both extremes, Dr. Skomal said. There are people who say, the only good shark is a dead shark, or sharks are like golden retrievers.

He added: Then there are people who are in the middle, looking for practical solutions, and thats really difficult to do.

Why do they (very, very rarely) bite people?

No one knows for sure, Chris Lowe, a professor and the director of the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, said. Most likely, they have mistaken a human for natural prey, such as a seal, he said, or they felt threatened.

The death last month of the Maine swimmer, Julie Dimperio Holowach, a 63-year-old former New Yorker, shocked people used to hearing about sightings farther south along the East Coast. But the range of a white shark, which can live to be 70 years old, is vast. Sharks in the Atlantic Ocean will travel from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico, and white sharks in the Pacific Ocean can travel from Mexico to Alaska.
FALLS VILLAGE  The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village has received grants totaling $5,000 to enhance social distancing in the library, by expanding computer and internet accessibility on the librarys second floor, according to a statement. A new router, ten electrical outlets, and new book carts on the second floor allow patrons more socially distanced research and workspaces throughout the library.

Prior to this upgrade, internet accessibility was limited to the first floor, library members said. A grant for $1,750 was provided by the Northwest Community Foundation; $1,750 from the Covid-19 Response Fund and the Northwest Corner Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation; $1,500 was provided by Foundation for Community Health.

The David M. Hunt Library is a community-supported library and is located at 63 Main Street, Falls Village. For more information, call the library at 860-824-7424 or visit huntlibrary.org.

Farmers to Families program feeds 350,000 in state

TORRINGTON  The USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program to date has provided 57.9 million boxes of fresh produce to food banks across the U.S., according to a statement.

The USDA committed to billions of dollars to fund the program allowing farmers to be able to distribute fresh produce to food banks during the pandemic, according to the statement, and Connecticut has been the recipient of more than 350,000 boxes in various cities and towns. Northwest Connecticut received eight deliveries of fresh food.

The program was introduced by Friendly Hands Food Banks executive director, Karen Thomas, who said she was able to contact several of the distributors under the USDA grant and secured the food program for Connecticut. The food bank collaborated with the following towns, enabling Winsted, Waterbury, Bethel, Seymour, Stamford, Derby, West Haven, Terryville, Bristol, Cromwell, Bridgeport, Danbury, Vernon and Torrington to receive truck loads of free produce, according to the statement.

The Friendly Hands Food Bank is awaiting the final round of bidding for the projects continuation for the fall round in late August. The USDA has committed to providing not only fresh produce, but dairy and meat products for the next round. This endeavor will bring more food to those needing assistance and the food bank will ensure that area towns and cities will continue to receive this necessary addition to assist in fighting food insecurity in Connecticut, Thomas said in the statement.

The Friendly Hands Food Bank is located at 50 King Street, Torrington, and can be reached at 860- 482-3338.

Schools announce participation in National School Lunch Program

Botelle Elementary School, 128 Greenwoods Road E., Norfolk, and other school districts have announced their participation in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and special milk programs.

The Norfolk School Districts Botelle Elementary School has set its policy for determining eligibility of children who may receive free or reduced-price meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), or free milk served under the Special Milk Program (SMP), according to a statement.

Local school officials have adopted the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for family size and income criteria for determining eligibility. The following income guidelines will be used in Connecticut from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, for determining eligibility of participants for free and reduced-price meals and free milk in the Child Nutrition Programs, according to the statement.

Application forms have been sent to all homes with a letter to parents. To apply for free or reduced-price meals or free milk, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available in the main office of Botelle School, 128 Greenwoods Road E., Norfolk CT 06058 or can be found at www.botelleschool.org. Only one application is required per household and an application for free or reduced-price benefits cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information as indicated on the application and instructions. For up to 30 operating days into the new school year, eligibility from the previous year will continue within the same local educational agency (LEA). When the carry-over period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the children must pay full price for school meals and the school will not send a reminder or a notice of expired eligibility.

Application forms for all other households require a statement of total household income, household size and names of all household members. The last four digits of the social security number of an adult household member must be included or a statement that the household member does not have one. The adult household member must also sign the application certifying that the information provided is correct.

Under the provisions of the policy for determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, the Principal, Lauren Valentino at 860-542-5286 will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If he/she wishes to make a formal appeal, a request either orally or in writing, may be made to Mary Beth Iacobelli, Superintendent, 128 Greenwoods Road E., Norfolk CT 06058, 860-542-5553 for a hearing to appeal the decision.

Learn more about income requirements and other information at https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Nutrition/Eligibility-for-Free-and-Reduced-price-Meals-and-Milk-in-School-Nutrition-Programs/Documents
I think this is a terrific idea, and I hope the industry adopts it. It would be so much better than the silly apps that have wine labels coming to life, because we would actually learn more about the wines we are buying and consuming. Instead of wine geek stats such as total acidity and residual sugar, it should include calories and carbohydrates, the information real people are interested in. This would require wineries  especially smaller ones  to be more adept and forthcoming in their Web presence, something they are notoriously bad at. That would be good for the wineries and for us.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that before the situation in the Republic of Belarus stabilizes, it is rash to talk about the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky there.

"Until the situation in Belarus stabilizes, it would be reckless to announce any visits or initiatives. Now the main task is to stabilize the situation in Belarus with minimal losses and establish a dialogue between the Belarusian officials and the Belarusian society. It is obvious for everyone that this dialogue is needed. We represent a country in which the right to peaceful protest is indisputable," Kuleba said in an interview with UA: Ukrainian Radio on Friday, answering the question whether the visit of President Zelensky to Belarus was removed from the agenda.

The minister also said that Ukraine has its own history in this context, stressing that each country has its own specifics, and obviously, it is necessary to start talking and look for a way out of the current situation in Belarus.

As the Foreign Minister noted, Belarus is not just a neighbor, but a partner and a country, with the people of which Ukraine has much in common.

"The second element is that it is very serious reflections of a foreign policy and military nature. We must clearly keep in mind the answers to the question: what will happen to Belarus if the power of this state is weakened as much as possible and ends up at a dead end. Therefore, we approach the assessment principled but carefully events in Belarus," Kuleba said.
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The idea for this robot might seem a little strange at first, but, if you think about it, it could actually prove rather useful.Developed by a team at the Seoul National University of Science and Technology, the Snatcher robot uses a tongue inspired by a measuring tape in order to quickly snatch things up. The rapid-fire mechanism can extend up to 30 inches and retract again in just 600 milliseconds. The tongue itself is actually made out of a repurposed measuring tape because it can easily extend and re-roll itself quickly. A hook fashioned to the end of the tongue allows it to pick things up.The team behind the Snatcher envisions a number of uses for their invention, such as affixing it to the bottom of a drone to allow it to quickly grab things without getting too close. And since it is very compact and lightweight, it could also be useful for individuals who are mobility impaired, helping them to pick up things that are out of reach. The next step is to try to add a gripper to the end instead of a hook so that it can better grab things.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's economy is heading in the right direction after two "very difficult" years, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday, as he vowed to tackle the electricity problem so that the country's industries could compete with nations like India and Bangladesh.

In a televised message on the occasion of Independence Day, he said the confidence of the business community on the economy was returning.

"We had a very difficult two years. We didn't have foreign exchange and couldn't pay our debts. We have avoided a huge crisis because we didn't default. But I know it hasn't been easy for the people," he said.

He said that improvement was visible from the recent upsurge in the stock market and revenue collection.

"Despite the pandemic, our tax collection in June exceeded our targets," he said.

Khan said exports also were up, despite the coronavirus crisis that has wreaked havoc on the global economy.

He said the tax collection during the last month remained more than the target.

The Prime Minister said his government gave an unprecedented incentive package to the construction industry which would help to uplift at least 40 other allied industries.

He also said that Pakistan successfully coped with the threat of COVID-19 and it would also help to enhance economic activities.

But Khan warned that "this does not mean we have won this battle" as he urged people to follow the official guidelines.

Referring to the power sector, Khan said Pakistan was generating expensive electricity due to the agreements signed in the past, which resulted in an increase of circular debt.

However, he said that the government had reached an agreement with independent power producers which would lead to a reduction in the cost of electricity production.

Khan said Pakistan's industries could not compete with other nations in the region, like India and Bangladesh, as their cost of production was low due to cheap electricity.

He said that Pakistan was created to become an Islamic welfare state where the law was supreme and everyone had equal rights regardless of their race, caste or religious beliefs.

Khan said the country would realise that dream.

The Prime Minister also showed solidarity with the people of Kashmir, vowing to continue diplomatic and moral support to their struggle for their right to self-determination.
In Iowa, which Trump won handily in 2016 but is more competitive this year, his campaign joined a lawsuit Wednesday against two Democratic-leaning counties in an effort to invalidate tens of thousands of voters absentee ballot applications. That followed legal maneuvers in battleground Pennsylvania, where the campaign hopes to force changes to how the state collects and counts mail-in ballots. And in Nevada, Trump is challenging a law sending ballots to all active voters.
In a veiled message to China amid the border standoff in Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday asserted that while India believes in peace, it is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression as he said "some in our neighbourhood" tried to carry out "misadventure of expansion".

Without naming China, Kovind said, "While the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge (Covid-19) before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion."

In his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, Kovind saluted the brave soldiers who laid down their lives defending the country's borders.

"Those worthy sons of 'Bharat Mata' lived and died for national pride. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members," he said. Twenty personnel of the Indian army were killed during clashes with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Galwan Valley on June 15.

"Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression. We are proud of the members of our Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security," he said.

Kovind also spoke about the 'Aatmanirbhar' initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, allaying fears of foreign investors saying India's self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world, with which it would continue to engage.

Touching upon the coronavirus pandemic, Kovind said the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been at the forefront of the fight against the disease that has disrupted all global activities and taken a huge toll.

He also applauded the central government's efforts, saying it is reassuring to see that it anticipated the challenge and responded effectively well in time. "For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires super-human efforts," he said.

Kovind also said the construction of the temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya "was indeed a moment of pride for all". Modi had performed the 'Bhoomi Pujan' for the Ram temple on August 5.

"People of the country maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system. The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process," he said, adding that all concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world the Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony.
Justice BR Gavai, reading out the judgment, said Bhushan had committed 'serious contempt of the court'.

The Supreme Court on Friday found senior advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty in the suo motu contempt case for his tweets against the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the apex court, according to several media reports.

A bench of justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari rendered the verdict around 11 am.

Justice BR Gavai, reading out the judgment, said Bhushan had committed "serious contempt of the court", as per Live Law.

The hearing on the quantum of punishment will be held on 20 August, as per Bar and Bench.

A contemnor can be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both.

The apex court had on 5 August reserved its verdict in the matter after Bhushan had defended his tweets, saying they were against the judges regarding their conduct in their personal capacity and they did not obstruct administration of justice.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Bhushan in the matter, had said, The two tweets were not against the institution.

Bhushan has made immense contribution to the development of jurisprudence and there are at least 50 judgments to his credit, Dave had said, adding that the court has appreciated his contributions in cases like 2G scam, coal block allocation and in mining matters.

Referring to the ADM Jabalpur case on suspension of fundamental rights during the Emergency, the senior advocate had said that even extremely uncharitable remarks against the judges were made and no contempt proceedings were made out.

In a 142-page reply affidavit filed in the matter, Bhushan had stood by his two tweets and had said the expression of opinion, however outspoken, disagreeable or unpalatable to some, cannot constitute contempt of court.

Bhushan, in the affidavit, has referred to several apex court judgements, speeches of former and serving judges on contempt of court and the stifling of dissent in a democracy and his views on judicial actions in some cases.

Preventing citizens from demanding accountability and reforms and advocating for the same by generating public opinion is not a ''reasonable restriction'', the affidavit had said, adding that the Article 129 cannot be pressed into service to stifle bonafide criticism.

The contempt proceedings were started against Bhushan last month after the senior lawyer had put out a tweet critical of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and the apex court.

He had tweeted: "CJI rides a 50 Lakh motorcycle belonging to a BJP leader at Raj Bhavan Nagpur, without a mask or helmet, at a time when he keeps the SC in Lockdown mode denying citizens their fundamental right to access Justice! (sic)"

The tweet was removed by Twitter "in response to a legal demand."

The court had noted that Bhushan's tweet "brought administration of justice into disrepute" and were "capable of undermining the dignity and authority of SC and office of CJI".

According to news agency PTI, the bench headed by Justice Mishra also observed that initially the contempt issue was placed before the administrative side of the apex court but it was directed to be listed on the judicial side.

Earlier on Thursday the court had allowed former Union minister Arun Shourie, veteran journalist N Ram and Bhushan to withdraw their plea challenging the constitutional validity of a legal provision dealing with criminal contempt for "scandalizing the court".

The three had moved court on 1 August in wake of the contempt case against Bhushan.

Their petition had challenged the validity of Section 2(1)(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 as being unconstitutional and incompatible with the basic features of the Constitution and is vague and manifestly arbitrary.

The provision defines what constituted criminal contempt and said that if by way of publication of words, the dignity of the courts is lowered and if they scandalize the courts then the offence of contempt of court is deemed to have been committed.

The petition alleged that the provision violated the freedom of speech and expression. The provision violates the right to free speech to the extent that it is not covered under the reasonable restrictions enlisted under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, it said.

The offence of 'scandalising the court' cannot be considered to be covered under the category of the contempt of court and under Article 19(2) of the Constitution which permitted reasonable restrictions on free speech, it said.

However, on Thursday, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, who was representing the petitioners informed the bench that they want to withdraw the plea as several petitions on the same issue are pending before the apex court and they don't want "this to be entangled" with them.

The bench allowed the petition to be withdrawn with liberty to the petitioners to approach the appropriate judicial forum, except the apex court.

During the brief hearing conducted through video-conferencing, Dhavan said that at this stage the petitioners want to withdraw the plea with liberty to approach the top court again, maybe after two months.

The petitioners had challenged the constitutional validity of a legal provision dealing with criminal contempt, saying it was violative of freedom of speech and right to equality.

With inputs from PTI
The feelings are mixed. On the one hand, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has finally found his historic legacy: Peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On the other hand, the breakthrough was not the achievement to which he aspired. What he  and his voters  really wanted was to implement historic Israeli sovereignty over a significant part of the West Bank. That will no longer happen. The agreement with the UAE is a candy to dispel spreading bitterness, a pain relief tablet to ease the hangover plaguing Netanyahus electoral base since the heady White House event in late January at which the upcoming annexation was declared.

As strange as it sounds, the agreement with the UAE makes a fourth round of Israeli elections less likely. Netanyahu, who continues to decline in the polls  a Maariv media outlet poll gave his Likud party a record low of 27 Knesset seats Aug. 13  knows the deal with the Emirates will not improve his standing within the center-left by a single vote, but could well deprive him of many right-wing votes.

Contacts with the UAE have been underway for over a year, especially via Emirati Ambassador in Washington Yousef Al-Otaiba and Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer. Israel and the UAE have been conducting a flourishing, largely covert relationship for over two decades. In recent years, the UAE had grown to be the Arab state closest to Israel among those that do not maintain official ties with the Jewish state. This clandestine romance has now gone public. In a conversation with Al-Monitor, a senior Israeli diplomatic said on condition of anonymity, "Israel has finally agreed to leave home and marry the mistress. Asked what leaving home means, the source replied, Forgetting its annexation intentions.  Netanyahu knows too that he cannot have both peace and annexation; he was forced to choose peace after realizing he could not achieve annexation.

Paradoxically, the deal with the Emirates restores the principle most despised by Netanyahu and the political right: lands for peace. He gave up lands, a senior Netanyahu government source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, because he gave up the annexation that he had declared with great fanfare and in return received peace  or at least normalization. That explains the reactions on his right, which range from chilly to furious. Settlement leaders vented their ire on social media, issuing militant declarations against Netanyahu. Within his Likud party, reactions are restrained and cynical. You promised annexation, his electoral base is telling Netanyahu; you delivered instead direct flights to Abu Dhabi.

The watershed moment that accelerated the US-facilitated contacts between Israel and the UAE occurred at the end of June during a visit to Jerusalem by US presidential envoy Avi Berkowitz. We will continue discussing the sovereignty issue in the coming days, Netanyahus office reported following the meetings with Berkowitz. It is now clear that the report was distorted.

As revealed in a previous Al-Monitor article, Berkowitzs talks here over a month ago made clear that annexation was not a feasible option. Berkowitz, acting at the behest of President Donald Trumps top aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner, made clear that if Israel wants to annex 30% of the West Bank, it would have to hand the Palestinians 6.5% of Area C (the 60% of the West Bank under complete Israeli control). Netanyahu was willing to give up only 0.5%. The Americans rejected his offer out of hand. The prime minister refused to commit publicly to implementation of Trumps deal of the century for Israeli-Palestinian peace, which also entails eventual establishment of a Palestinian state of sorts, and everyone realized the annexation plan was dead in the water. It was time to chart a new course and salvage some achievement from the ruins of the annexation dream. That achievement was declared on Aug. 13: Israel and the UAE came out of the cupboard and placed their relationship on a formal footing.

In a twist of fate, much of the credit for this breakthrough goes to Netanyahus government partners, former military chiefs Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, leader of the centrist Blue and White party. Without them, there would not have been any official agreement with the UAE for the simple reason that they both took pains to block the annexation plans.

Although their efforts on this score were downplayed publicly to avoid angering Netanyahu, their influence was crucial. As soon as they took office in May  Gantz as defense minister and alternate prime minister and Ashkenazi as foreign minister  they made clear to the Trump administration that from then on, the Israeli government was no longer a one-man show, and it had two addresses. At the second address, Gantz and Ashkenazi expressed opposition to unilateral annexation and a preference for minimal annexation based on maximal negotiations, including a generous compensation package for the Palestinians. Berkowitz demanded that package of Netanyahu, who turned him down and paved the way for the alternative route.

In the evening hours of Aug. 13, Netanyahu faced the cameras seeking to project the air of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin after his signing of Israels 1994 peace treaty with Jordan and of Prime Minister Menachem Begin after his signing of the landmark 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Netanyahu has earned this pose, although the deal with the small, distant principality that has never been at war with Israel is not comparable to the momentous peace treaties with two key enemy states on Israels doorstep.

Despite his self-aggrandizing declarations, Netanyahu knows the deal will erode his support among the settlers, his most important core constituency. It could boost his nonessential constituency on the center-left, but will weaken his domestic one (his Likud and settler base). All he can do now is wait for the polls. If his numbers continue to decline, he will think twice before risking elections. If the polls indicate a recovery, we may see Israelis going to the ballot boxes later this year, for the fourth time in 18 months.

Aug. 25 is the deadline for this crucial choice, the date on which the law stipulates the automatic disbanding of the legislature, resulting in new elections if lawmakers fail to approve the state budget. As always, Netanyahu will decide at the last minute, torn all the way between his history aspirations and hysteric inclinations until just before the buzzer sounds. The bets are currently on his backing a compromise proposal put forth by coalition Knesset members Zvi Hauser and Yoaz Hendel to postpone the legal budget deadline, gaining two months before the governments possible demise. After that, no one can really tell.
This is the amazing moment a hero builder saved a stranded dolphin when it had became stuck after it whistled to him for help.

Leon De Sola Pinto turned up to his building site on the banks of Helford River in Cornwall on August 10 and heard clicks coming from the river.

Footage shows the dolphin stuck on a riverbed three miles from the nearest sea, calling and whistling to Leon for help.

Leon De Sola Pinto, pictured, turned up to his building site on the banks of Helford River in Cornwall on August 10 and heard clicks coming from the river

The 33-year-old construction company owner heard the stranded dolphin when it had became stuck after it whistled to him for help

Leon, left, approached the shallow bogs at the edge of the water and stayed with the marine mammal until help arrived

The 33-year-old construction company owner approached the shallow bogs at the edge of the water to help the two-metre-long marine mammal.

Leon, from Heston, Cornwall, tried to turn the distressed dolphin around and out into deeper waters before realising it wouldn't know its way out of the estuary.

He stayed with the anxious animal, who he named Oscar, for more than three hours and filmed himself trying to calm the creature down as it 'gasped for air'.

The dolphin, he named Oscar, was kept cool as the team poured water on it and covered it with a sheet so it wouldn't dry out

Leon said the animal pressed up against his leg so he could hear its heart beating as he stayed with it to keep it calm while help arrived

He phoned British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) who sent volunteers down to Mawgan Creek to rescue the animal.

One volunteer says to the dolphin, 'oh baby, you did so well,' as they pour water on it and cover it with a sheet so it doesn't dry out.

A boat was sourced from local Rod Thomas and the team of rescuers rolled the dolphin onto a tarpaulin and lifted it into the vessel.

After a five hour rescue mission the dolphin was placed back into open sea at Fal Bay before swimming off.

Leon said: 'When I saw the footage of the dolphin swimming off it felt really good. I was so glad it had a happy ending.

'It was doing a lot more breathing than they're meant to and gasping for air. I assume he had only got trapped there overnight, maybe in a pool.

A boat was sourced and the team of rescuers rolled the dolphin onto a tarpaulin and lifted it into the vessel

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) came to rescue the animal and cooled it down with water while it lay on the tarpaulin

The rescue effort took five hours to rescue the animal from Mawgan Creek and loaded it on to the boat to take it back to sea

'I got into the water waist deep to try and push the dolphin out to deeper water. It was at that point that I realised it probably wouldn't end well.

'It kept rolling on to its side and didn't seem to have much strength.

'I just stood there with the dolphin, it wasn't trying to get away. It was pressed up against my leg so I could feel underneath it and feel its heart racing.

'Its breathing did calm a bit and you could feel a bit more life in it but we decided to wait for the professionals by then.

Rescuers on the boat supported the dolphin with a stretcher for a few minutes to make sure before it was let go and then Oscar was released

The boat left the banks of the Helford River and headed to open sea at Fal Bay before the animal was released

Dan Jarvis, Welfare Development and Field Support Officer for BDMLR, was on the boat that took the dolphin back out to sea.

He said: 'The area is well known as a stranding trap for dolphins with many tidal muddy creeks.

'Obviously it's getting lost in the tidal creek was the main reason it had stranded in the first place in this case, and with high tide having just peaked releasing it back into the creek was not an option.

'Encouragingly, it quickly showed signs of wanting to swim, and was supported for just a few minutes to be sure before the stretcher was let go and the dolphin released.'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 13)  Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari handed over Abu Sayyaf leader Anduljihad "Edang" Susukan to the Philippine National Police (PNP) at his residence in Davao City on Thursday evening.

PNP Chief PGen. Archie Gamboa confirmed Susukan's arrest, noting that the Davao City police officers initiated the negotiation for his capture after receiving reports that the notorious Abu Sayyaf leader, who is one of the country's most wanted men, was brought to the city to seek medical attention.

We thank Chairman Nur Misuari for facilitating the negotiation between the PNP headed by PCol Kirby John Kraft, Davao City Director, and Edang Susukan, said Gamboa in a statement.

The PNP chief added that he immediately advised Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on the arrest. The mayor, in return assured the PNP of the city's full cooperation and assistance in the peaceful handover and orderly transfer of Susukan's custody to police authorities.

Susukan, an Abu Sayyaf subleader notorious for kidnapping and beheadings, is charged with 23 counts of murder, five counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six counts of frustrated murder.

Susukan will undergo a medical check-up at Camp Quintin Merecido Hospital in Davao City before being turned over to the Armed Forced of the Philippines general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Idang lost his left arm in a deadly encounter in Patikul, Sulu, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf group in February 2019.

Malaysian media first reported the recent sighting of Idang, who is also wanted in the neighboring country for cross-border abductions.

Misuari, a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, also has standing arrest warrants for rebellion and graft. President Rodrigo Duterte is talking peace with him and he was recently appointed as the countrys special economic envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

READ: Duterte on Nur Misuari: There are enemies you cant kill because you need them
The would



establish collaboration with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the US, in areas of teachers training, workforce-training (skills education), medical education, police training, Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan said on Friday.

Narayan, who is also incharge of the Higher Education department today held discussions held with special envoy of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Kanika Choudhary to explore possible collaborations between the higher education systems of our two states, his office said in a statement.

The Deputy CM said upgradation of the level of education and development of skills in both the workforce and student community is very much essential in the present situation.

The tie up with the state of Pennsylvania would enable us to take forward the education system of Karnataka in the right path, he explained.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After pledging Rs. 25 crore for the PM CARES fund in March, the actor has now come forward to help those affected by Assam and Bihar floods. Akshay has decided to contribute Rs 1 crore each to Bihar and Assam Chief Ministers Relief Fund, thus helping them get over these tough times. A source close to the actor said, On Thursday, Akshay Kumar spoke to the CMs of Bihar and Assam and pledged a sum of rupees one crore each at a time when these areas are affected by the natural calamity. Both the Chief Ministers have expressed gratitude and appreciated his gesture that amid so much negativity all around, he could think of the betterment of these states.

Trust Akshay Kumar to come through every time the country needs help.

Akshay Kumar always comes through for those in need of help. The actor is at the forefront when it comes to spreading awareness about issues in the country. And is also ready to contribute money when needed. The actor might be shooting in Scotland at the moment, but that wont stop him from helping people back home.
As the pandemic wears on, with no end date in sight, its straining many couples relationships. Susan Myres, president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, discusses what divorce lawyers are seeing nationwide; what shes seeing in her own practice, here in Houston; and what you should do if you think you cant take your own marriage anymore.

What are you seeing, as far as the pandemics effect on relationships  both in your own practice and with other members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers?

Every day brings a new surprise about things that are happening to couples, particularly couples that are no longer living together. When the pandemic first started, the Academy together with the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, put together a list of seven guidelines for parents, particularly those parents dealing with an order where there are periods of possession, child support and all the kinds of things that come into play when people no longer are a couple.

We were addressing an immediate need. In March, when a lot of the lockdowns happened, it was spring break. And during spring break, under most peoples family law orders, one parent or the other had possession. So a big question that came up was: Do I have to return the child? Or, do I get to keep the child?

Our governor in Texas sent out an order that said even though schools arent in session, were going to pretend, for the purposes of these orders, that school still is in session.

We were getting phone calls: Do I have to return the kids? My ex-husband is saying he wont return them.

And then there are fights about safety. Is the other person keeping safe? Are they not keeping safe? Are they social distancing? Are they having parties?

Everything thats going on across the nation was escalated to a monumental degree in our family law cases because  Im sure this comes as no surprise  people who are no longer a couple dont tend to trust each other.

As the pandemic winds on, what sorts of effects are you seeing?

A couple of conflicts are being highlighted: finances and parenting issues.

With child support or spousal support  with any court orders where people are agreeing to take care of each others financial duties  when people dont have the finances, theres going to be a struggle.

The pandemics economic fallout has impacted peoples ability to pay child support, and each parent and the children may have greater financial needs. If kids are no longer going to school, it may cost more to take care of the kids, to cover needs that schools were meeting. Thats going to cause all sorts of difficulties.

Add that to the parents other struggles about their children. Are they going to school? Are they going to school virtually or in person? What kind of roles will each parent take  whos going to sacrifice their career if its needed for remote schooling?

Around the country, those issues are getting addressed in a patchwork fashion. In some places courts are open, and they can address all the normal things. But in other places, like Houston, were doing well just to address the emergencies.

What are you seeing with couples who are still together? Does the pandemic put more pressure on their relationships?

It exposes difficulties in relationships as though it were a magnifying glass. Difficulties get escalated.

When things are difficult, parents or couples that have good communication skills will be fine. Theyll be taxed because this is a highly conflicted time. But theyll get through it because theyve got the tools. They know how to argue constructively, how to walk away when things are not going well, and how to do it in a way that is not running away from the problem but addressing it in a productive way.

Couples who dont have good communication skills  couples who are conflicted by personality disorders or traits, couples that are conflicted because they dont have good coping skills  theyre going to have a lot of problems. Weve seen a rise in domestic violence calls.

And based on the Academys survey, were now seeing a rise in calls about getting a divorce. That came as a surprise to us. The primary reason identified for the calls is not, as I would have guessed, issues that COVID-19 has raised involving custody and child support. Its seeking a divorce.

This was a survey that the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers did, asking members what theyre seeing?

We did a survey in April, then we did a follow-up recently. At first, in April, the pandemic caused a notable drop in business for family lawyers across the country. Business seems to be up now  and calls for divorce are on the rise.

Are people in lockdown thinking, I cant take it; Ive got to get out of this marriage?

Theyre at least thinking about that. Whether they take action is the next question.

This is one of those times that speaking things out of hate  under high emotion, or under the influence of something that makes you act without impulse control  is not a wise decision.

Lets say that Im fighting with my husband, Ive had it, and I throw out the word divorce. Why might I regret that?

Sometimes when you say something like that, you regret it if you didnt mean it. You say the D-word, and your spouse says, OK, lets go!

In some couples, one of the spouses has been saying the D-word so often for so long, it really rings hollow  until we serve divorce papers.

And yes, we are filing divorce papers. The pandemic has not stopped filings. It slowed them down, but theyve picked back up. Most of our offices are seeing as many divorce cases as they were this time last year, if not a little bit more.

I suspect  and the survey supports this  that were going to have an upsurge of people wanting to end relationships.

What are the difficulties in separating right now? The pandemic makes everything harder. But separation seems especially hard.

Weve already talked about finances. So if theres been strain on the financial parts of the couple, that will aggravate how they get through this divorce.

Weve got to figure out whether somebody is going to move out of the house. Is it possible? Or is it possible that this couple could stay together during the divorce? Maybe, maybe not. Or is it financially feasible for them both to move out? Maybe, maybe not. They may need to sell something in order to make that happen.

Generally speaking, when a divorce is filed, temporary orders go into place that prevent people from absconding with monies and and taking action without the consent of the other party. But now things are more complicated because we cant get to court as quickly.

In places where we cant get to court, early-stage mediations can come to the rescue. If both sides have a lawyer, we can usually agree to find a neutral person to help us mediate through the mess  how were going to address temporary orders, where the children go, where they go to school, where are people going to live, who pays for what  to take care of all those little preliminary details before we get to the divorce stage.

Virtual therapy has also come to the rescue. In our consultations with clients, it is important that we ask whether theyre sure theres no chance of reconciliation. Most of our lawyers have a stable of mental health professionals that they refer clients to  and remote-access therapy is a boon. I dont have to find somebody thats geographically convenient to someone.

We dont want people to make this life-changing decision simply because of COVID. Thats not good for anybody. Its not good for their children. Its not good for the couple. And its not good for society.

Do you have a sense of which couples are just stressed by COVID and which have deeper problems?

Ive read a couple of things about that. One piece of advice is, Compare the arguments before COVID and the arguments happening during COVID.

If the subject matter is the same, COVID is going to escalate that. If the subject matter is COVID-related  safety and social distancing, whether or not were going to wear a mask, whether or not were going to travel  that seems more COVID-related.

If Im thinking about separating from my spouse or partner, what should I do?

The first thing you should do is make a communication to somebody who knows what theyre talking about  a firm or a lawyer who is not necessarily intent on filing divorces. You want somebody who will ask you the questions that make you think. You want information so that before you make the decision, you have enough data to know how separation or divorce is going to look.

Its not unusual for me  or for other lawyers  to have a consultation, and never hear from the person again. What they needed was the information that divorce was not what they wanted and is certainly not what they needed at this time.

How do I find a good lawyer?

Youre going to have to do research. Talk to friends whove gone through a divorce and find out what their experience was. If you go to the American Academy website, theres about 130 of us in Texas. Most of them will give you good advice as to whether you need them.

If both parties agree that they want a divorce, you probably dont need to spend a lot of money on that; we can get that paperwork done fairly reasonably. But if theres going to be high conflict, you want someone who has that skill set. Lawyers firms that have associates can handle the wide range.

You want to see what the ratings are. Theres avvo.com and all sorts of ratings for lawyers.

Its worthwhile to talk to a couple of lawyers. Its like picking a therapist or a doctor: You want somebody who matches your needs but who is not simply going to mirror what you want to hear. You want somebody who will give you a reality check.

In Texas, a lot of statutes are formula-based. So if a lawyer promises, I can get you 90 percent of the estate, thats just not realistic. You want somebody who will say, We start with the presumption of a 50-50 division, and we move from there. We start with the presumption that the child support guidelines are in effect.

In those consultations, we talk about whether or not it is financially feasible for people to get a divorce at this time. For some of our couples, it simply isnt. It just is not going to be financially feasible.

What does that look like? Why would divorce not be feasible?

Economy of scale happens when youre a couple. Costs get divided. Two will not live for the same price that theyre going to live as one. Youre going to have double rent or house payments. Youre going to have utilities. Youre going to have transportation.

People will need jobs, and its pretty hard to find a job right now  especially if somebody has been out of the workforce and needs to go through training, etc.

To create a way for people to get a divorce when finances are strained, lawyers need good information. Do you have family resources that you can depend on? Do you have a friend or somebody that you could move in with?

Now, let me add something important: If there is a threat of family violence, or any actual family violence, skip the discussion on finances and make yourself safe. That is the single most important thing. During COVID, as I mentioned, weve seen a rise in family violence calls, and the incidence of intimate violence that ends in death is also going up.

In Texas, we allowed alcohol to be delivered to your house. Well, if youve already got a strained relationship and coping skills are bad, its not a good idea to add that accelerant to the fire.

Im interested that, in cases where abuse is not part of the equation, couples who are talking with divorce lawyers may now be trying to figure out how to stay together. Do you have clients who have done that?

We do. In fact, I had four cases that were pending when COVID struck back in March. Those couples decided, Lets put the whole case on hold and try to work this out. Unfortunately, two of those have now opted to go back into the divorce process.

I would hope that informed clients would try to make a decision, Is this the right time to get a divorce? If they have not tried marriage counseling, they need to try marriage counseling.

One of the recommendations that we give to parents in the divorce process is completely applicable to all people in relationships: Find a place to be generous and kind. Being a married person is a job. It is hard. It is really, really hard. It takes a lot of work. And now, with the pandemic, add to that the strain of being underfoot with each other, of not being able to get out of the house and have independence.

You can do all sorts of things to calm that fire. And thats important. When both members of the couple are in charged emotional states, thats not the time to decide whether divorce is something they really want. It shouldnt be taken flippantly.

Were lucky in Houston. Think about those people in Manhattan: Not only were they stuck in teeny-tiny little apartments, but even getting out in the hallway was dangerous. At least in our area, you can get in your car and you can drive around 610 for a little  just to be separated.

What else should we be thinking about now, with COVID and our relationships?

Maybe one way to help strengthen a relationship is to talk about that with each other  to say, What would help in this situation?  and have those hard conversations.

Before you get into a fight, ask: Is this fight worthwhile? Consider that Eastern philosophy of avoiding the war until youre prepared for it.

Marriage counselors recommend that couples have date night. Well, date night is hard now when you cant go anywhere. But is there something special you can do?

Try to remember what got the two of you together and replicate that.

Try to figure out a way to give space when space is at a premium. And again, try to be kind. And be generous.

Its amazing to me what people who have sworn their love in front of witnesses are willing to do to each other during a divorce. You really should avoid that if you can.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

lisa.gray@chron.com / twitter.com/LisaGray_HouTX
Look, Im sure many of us pronounced her name Cam-a-la or Cam-aala or even Kumlah. But Kamala Harris says in her memoir, its Comma-la, so reasonable minds understand that thats how we will say it going forward.

Not so Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who, on Tuesday, repeatedly mispronounced the name of the woman picked as a Democratic vice-presidential candidate, and dismissed being corrected with a or whatever. This could be a column about the implications of that mispronunciation that many of us face. It is not.

On Thursday, the U.S. President  a man for whom no depths are too low to plumb  did not refute a birther conspiracy theory, sparked by a Newsweek article that the magazine said is just a legal debate on the finer points of a citizenship clause.

The argument went like this: If American-born Harris parents were still immigrants on student visas she may not be a natural-born citizen. The author is law professor who once ran as Republican candidate for Californias attorney general, a position that Harris eventually won. This could be a column on racist birtherism politics. It is not.

Also Thursday, The Australian published a racist cartoon in which presidential nominee Joe Biden refers to the senator as a little brown girl. The newspaper defended its publication, saying the words came from Biden. The ordinarily gaffe-prone Democrat had simply said after announcing his pick, This morning, little girls woke up across this nation  especially Black and Brown girls  potentially seeing themselves in a new way. This could be a column on #MediaSoWhite. It is not.

This is none of those columns because I resist. I resist white supremacys insistence on centring the ramifications of Harris selection on whiteness, and the crudest expressions of why she, a non-white, is unfit for power.

She is chosen because she is Black and a woman, some of these right-wing types sniff. As if every American president other than Barack Obama wasnt chosen for being white and male.

No, theres a far richer conversation to be had than having to justify non-white rights to exist on equal terms. One of them is that even the choice of Kamala Harris, the highly qualified senator of Black and Indian descent, exposes the limitations of the politics of representation.

To Bidens point, representation such as that of an Obama or a Harris does carry weight. I couldnt deny the flicker of recognition in my daughters eyes when she peered over my shoulder as I was watching a Harris video on Wednesday.

Even that moment was not quite so straightforward, however. Had Donald Trump replaced Mike Pence and had that been a Nikki Haley video my daughter saw, I would have jumped up to temper that recognition and point to Haleys record.

That I didnt do so with Harris is about my ambivalence toward her; I am conflicted between recognizing her mixed record on policies to help the marginalized and falling for the monumental symbolism of the moment as a woman of colour.

Its a huge battle for non-white people to make it to the top  and therefore a huge victory when they do. But is that success always a mark of progress?

When there is diversity at the table, are the diverse voices challenging the status quo or parroting it?

For many of us, those barriers to success are amplified if we dont adhere to standards of likability and credibility imposed by whiteness. Making oneself palatable to those norms sometimes requires contortions of authenticity, loss of language, culture and identity. Individual success often comes at the cost of ignoring collective needs.

Harris selection is a case in point. At a time when the global reckoning of anti-Black racism is sparked by police brutality, the Democrats selecting a self-proclaimed top cop shows how much longer the resistance must continue.

Harris, who has been prominent during the racial justice protests, said in July the reckoning is not a moment but part of a movement that began before Emmett Till.

So where was she on demands of the movement during the years she worked her way up the system? As attorney general her office stopped a transgender inmate from getting a surgery to change genders. But she was a proponent of gay marriage. She oversaw more than 1,900 marijuana convictions as San Francisco district attorney and opposed the legalization of marijuana. But she came out in support of legalization in 2018, when she was widely considered likely to run for president.

Theres a meme circulating to show her as two-faced. One is a quote from her 2009 book Smart on Crime: If we take a show of hands of those who would like to see more police officers on the street, mine would shoot up. The other is from 2020, when she told the New York Times, It is status-quo thinking to believe that putting more police on the streets creates more safety. Thats wrong. Its just wrong.

Of course, people change over time. Of course, politics are rife with people going where the winds blow. This moment was supposed to be a harbinger of change.

Jim Clyburn, civil rights organizer and congressman from South Carolina, told the NPRs Code Switch this week the choice was between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Take a look at these candidates. Look at these records, he said. Please compare Joe Biden to the alternative. Not the almighty.

Its a persuasive argument, but one in which progressive Americans who critique Harriss record are told to hush, and once again make do with the political calculus of good enough.

Before the 2016 presidential elections, feminist Kate Harding said, I intend to vote with my vagina.

Choosing identity over policy and principle says that if you, as a person of marginalized identity were placed in a position of power, you would do exactly what the powerful are doing today. Same injustice, different identity.

When I didnt rush to layer my daughters understanding of the moment, I too had fallen prey to good enough. For a Canadian who doesnt have to make a bad choice in the U.S. elections, and who can dream of a world my kids deserve, that is simply not good enough.

Shree Paradkar is a Toronto-based columnist covering issues around race and gender for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: is a Toronto-based columnist covering issues around race and gender for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @ShreeParadkar

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In 1789, John Estaugh Hopkins dammed a small tributary of the Cooper River to power a grist mill, creating what is to this day a scenic, forested pond tucked behind a back road in Haddonfield.

Now, Hopkins Pond is an emblem of the states toxic algae bloom problem.

Scientists with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection tested the pond on July 29 and discovered high levels of microcystis, a cyanobacterium that creates harmful algal blooms. The cyanobacteria produce neurotoxins that are dangerous to people and pets.

The algal blooms were responsible for sweeping shutdowns of some of New Jerseys best-known lakes last year, including Lake Hopatcong on the border of Morris and Sussex Counties, popular with swimmers because of its beach. The closures sent state officials scrambling for answers to the toxic blooms and led to the creation of a new warning system this year, complete with interactive map of hot spots.

As of Thursday, Hopkins Pond was the only location in the state in the red level, the second-highest warning, which means a body of water poses a high risk of adverse health affects due to high toxin levels. Though no one swims in Hopkins Pond, dogs sometimes slosh in it.

The 33-acre Hopkins Pond, and its small connector Driscoll Pond, is in the Pennypacker Park section of Camden Countys park system that surrounds the Cooper River. The pond is rimmed by woods and dirt trail, complete with wooden bridge.

The harmful algal blooms (HABs) were still present as of Thursday, and have been present off and on since at least 2013.

HABs, also referred to as blue-green algae, are an environmental problem in all 50 states and a yearly occurrence at some lakes and ponds. But they drew national interest last year when four dogs died in North Carolina after swimming in a pond loaded with them.

 READ MORE: N.J. creates warning system for harmful algal blooms after last years lake closings

Environmentalists say the problem is worsening as more development leads to more impervious surfaces that shunt runoff of fertilizers and other pollutants directly into waterways. Algae thrive on the nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen. They say runoff is more voluminous with the intense storms resulting from climate change, and that state and municipal officials havent upgraded storm water management practices to tackle the problem.

Bruce Friedman, director of DEPs water monitoring and standards, said Hopkins Ponds location and layout make it a prime candidate to receive those nutrients.

Hopkins Pond is a small water body  in a very suburbanized, urbanized area that receives a lot of storm-water runoff, which carries a lot of nutrients from the surrounding development, Friedman said. So its sort of like a poster child for what you would expect.

Friedman doesnt blame the blooms on climate change, but said scientists believe it plays a role.

Last year we had algal blooms that continued throughout the winter. And in part, thats because we didnt have a real significant freeze, he said.

Vic Poretti, also with water monitoring and standards, said in recent years hes seen trouble spots in Salem County, some ponds in Mount Laurel, as well as a pond at Amico Island Park, on the Delaware River in Burlington County.

Maggie McCann Johns, director of Camden Countys Department of Parks, said the county has been trying for at least seven years to address the problem, and is working with Mike Haberland, an agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

The county has erected signs to caution visitors. It has also installed an aeration system and a transducer that produces ultrasonic sounds that disrupt the algae. The combination seemed to be working, with no real issues in 2019. Then, the problem arose with a persistence this year, and the county installed an even more powerful transducer that she said appears to be helping.

We have had issues in the past with Hopkins Pond, McCann Johns said. Its sort of an outlier in terms of how much deeper it is than other lakes.

McCann Johns said the pond is 14-feet deep and the water gets stratified, meaning there are layers of water with different temperatures. Cooper River Lake, less than two miles away, was dredged a few years ago to about five feet deep.

Cyanobacteria can thrive when bodies of water become stagnant and stratify. They can move up and down in water to find just the right amount of light they need for photosynthesis. As a result, they can block nontoxic algae. So mixing and aerating the water can help.

McCann Johns said the county plans to test for phosphates and nitrogen, two nutrients. She believes climate change is not helping.

She cited not only Tropical Storm Isaias but storms in July, as well as an additional two inches of rain parts of the county received in just a few hours in a Wednesday. It rained again Thursday. Hopkins already receives a lot of storm runoff.

Were designing for 100-year storm events, McCann Johns said of related county projects. But in reality, were getting 100-year storm events every year.
Actor Sonu Sood on Thursday announced that he will arrange for the travel of 39 children from Philippines to New Delhi, for their liver transplant surgery.

The actor, who has catapulted to the national spotlight for his work in helping migrants reach their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will be flying 39 kids, between ages one to five, to the national capital for their medical treatment.

According to a press release, several underprivileged Filipino children suffering from a liver disease called biliary atresia, haven't been able to travel to Delhi to have the surgery due to the pandemic.

"Let's save these precious lives. Will get them to India in the next two days. Lining up for these 39 angels. Pack their bags," Sood, 47, said in a tweet. The actor also shared the original tweet of the user who reached out to him. The post read, "Filipino kids need to reach Delhi for their life-saving liver transplant surgeries bec of liver disease, Biliary Atresia. Paediatric liver transplant has to happen asap. FICCI Philippines support these kids. With no flights, some kids have died. @SonuSood 39 people need to fly."

Earlier, the actor along with his team rolled out a toll-free number and a WhatsApp helpline to connect with stranded workers, and arrange their transportation. Sood recently launched an app to offer support to workers in finding job opportunities in various sectors across the country.

Sonu Sood To Organize Medical Camps For 50,000 People, For His Birthday

Sonu Sood Graces The Kapil Sharma Show As 1st Guest Post Lockdown; Show Sees Tears Instead Of Laughs
Given the rising uncertainty in foreign trade, as well as the surging instability of global industrial and supply chains, China-Europe freight services have become a major logistics channel that ensures the trade between the two places. It maintains unimpeded international cooperation on COVID-19 response, and the flow of living and production materials.

In the first seven months of this year, the freight service has made 6,354 trips, transporting 574,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), up 41 percent and 46 percent, respectively. The record of monthly trips have been renewed for consecutive five months. A total of 1,232 trains were put into operation in July, the highest monthly figure ever.

The China-Europe freight trains have opened a green life channel on the Eurasian continent, realizing growth of both trips made and cargo volume against headwinds.

On July 31, the China-Europe freight train X8020 carrying 100 TEUs departed from Yiwu, east Chinas Zhejiang province for Madrid, Spain. It was the 400th China-Europe freight train departing from Yiwu this year. The trains total cargo volume expanded by 211.1 percent year-on-year in the first seven months of this year.

Six days earlier, Jinhua, another city in Zhejiang province, sent its 100th China-Europe freight train of this year that carried 100 TEUs of cargos to Minsk, Belarus. It sent 128.66 percent more of cargos from a year ago.

Thanks to a new international land-sea trade corridor, the China-Europe freight service is now seamlessly connected with the international rail-ocean intermodal trains. They make the largest export channel for Chinas eastern provinces, autonomous regions and municipality.

In the January-July period, a total of 2,109 rail-ocean intermodal trains have been running on the new international land-sea trade corridor, up 79.9 percent from a year ago. The scope of cargos also expanded from porcelains and panels to over 300 kinds, including auto parts, computer parts and parallel-import cars. The freight service now covers all major ports in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, and connects 203 ports in 83 countries and regions around the world.

To promote high-quality development of the China-Europe freight services, build an effective collecting and distributing system, and accelerate the transition of the trains from a point-to-point mode to a hub-to-hub mode, Chinas National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) recently allocated 200 million yuan from the central budget to support the construction of transportation hubs in five cities to improve China-Europe rail freight servicesincluding Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xian and Urumqi. The top Chinese economic planner also aims to build a modern logistics hub with strong international influence, promote the efficiency and quality of the China-Europe rail freight services, and offer solid support for the joint construction of the Belt and Road.

The NDRC will enhance coordination, and, based on the market demand and the development direction of international railway intermodal transport, innovate logistics businesses, and dock with international logistics and supply chain systems, so as to build a lasting and vigorous competitive operation and service system for the China-Europe rail freight services, said Yan Pengcheng, director of the Department of National Economy, NDRC.
New Delhi: The Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi on Friday (August 14, 2020) morning stated that the condition of former President Pranab Mukherjee remained unchanged. The statement added that he continues to be on ventilatory support and is under intensive care.

On August 10, the 84-year-old was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition. A large clot was detected in Mukherjee's brain for which he underwent an emergency life-saving surgery. Post surgery the former President continues to remain critical on ventilatory support.

Meanwhile, fake news were doing the rounds on social media regarding Mukherjee's health condition prompting his son Abhijit to issue a statement. He had said that his father was slowly responding to medical interventions and all his vital parameters were stable.

"My father is & has always been a fighter ! He is slowly responding to medical interventions & all his vital parameters are stable . I urge upon every well wisher to pray for my father's speedy recovery," Abhijit tweeted yesterday.

Notably, Pranab Mukherjee had tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 on August 10 before his surgery.

The veteran Congress leader had informed via a post on Twitter that he was at the hospital for a procedure when he was tested positive for COVID-19. He wrote: "On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for Covid-19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for Covid-19."

Pranab Mukherjee was elected as India's 13th President, he served from July 2012 to 2017.
Verizons cheapest 5G smartphone is now available from the carrier. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW supports Verizons mmWave network and will eventually support the carriers lowband 5G network, expected to launch later this year.

The Galaxy A51 5G UW is powered by the Snapdragon 765G chipset and paired with 6GB of RAM. Theres 128GB of base storage on board, expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card. The midrange Samsung phone has a 6.5-inch FHD Super AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution and features a punch hole cutout with a 32MP selfie camera.

Around back, the main quad-camera setup consists of a 48MP main camera, 12MP ultra wide camera, 5MP depth sensor, and a 5MP macro camera. The phone is powered by a 4,500 mAh battery with support for fast charging.

The phone is now available from Verizon for a full price of $550. The device can be had for a promotional price of $360 after monthly statement credits when you activate it on a select Unlimited plan. The phone is only available in Prism Bricks Blue.

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I don't believe in ghosts. But if I did, and I had to choose a living Irish celebrity to be haunted by, it would probably be John Creedon. You imagine he'd be a nice sort of house ghost, respectful yet with little nuggets of interesting Irish geographical trivia reminding you what a great country you live in. He'd surprise you at 2am, hovering on the landing, polishing the bannisters.

"Ah, it's yourself. The midnight pee. We're all getting old, eh? But not as old as the Wonderful Barn, built by Catherine Connolly in Leixlip in 1743 as an act of famine relief, and well worth a visit for the views alone. You're nearly out of Pledge, by the way."

He could haunt the houses of the nation reminding us all, as he does on his TV shows, that there are huge tranches of this country, from our towns and cities to our parks and lakes, that take one's breath away on a half-decent summer's evening. If anything, the greatest enemy of us grasping the physical magnificence of our island is either the lack of or rapid multiplicity of seasons.

Of course, I'd wager I wouldn't get Creedo. I'd be haunted by Jedward or Nigel Farage, wait and see. But I digress.

If we had just three months of good weather a year we'd be a different people altogether.

When you watch programmes like Nationwide or John Creedon's The Road Less Travelled (both an ad for public-service broadcasting and a confirmation of the acceptance of one's middle age) you realise that this country is awash with scenic and architectural treasure, in towns and villages you've never heard of, never mind visited.

This is ours, one of the most beautiful, agriculturally bountiful and temperate lands on Earth.

Yes, I know, it all sounds a bit naff and maudlin but that doesn't make it less true.

Yet we have a curious lack of pride about it. Look at photos of amenities in this country after a long weekend, covered in discarded rubbish, bottles and cans.

Why is it that people can go to an area they themselves regard as desirable enough to actually visit and yet leave it desecrated?

In the 1980 referendum on Quebec independence, the future Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien once challenged les Quebecois as to whether they wished to surrender the Rockies, which they owned, as they did all Canada, and would lose if they left.

It was a powerful argument especially in a country as varied, beautiful and simply majestic as that country is, and it was almost certainly one of the factors that kept Quebec within Canada.

Canadians, including Quebecois, own Canada.

Why do so many Irish have a difficulty regarding our public amenities as their property, and treat it as such?

How can you claim a park or a beach is nothing to do with you if you use it?

How can you claim the buses or the Luas or the Dart are nothing to you if they transport you?

Go and look in those parks at the absolutely world-class playgrounds so many of our county councils provide for free.

Look at our (again, free) well-stocked libraries and helpful library staff.

In fact, answer the ever-asked question, the one that Americans take for normal yet gets cynical sneers in Ireland: what are you doing for your country?

What does Ireland get out of you?

Being Irish is a two-way street, and the privileges of being Irish come with duties and obligations as well.

That duty comes in many forms, from serving in the emergency services or crucial public services to simply obeying the law, paying your taxes, and respecting your fellow citizens and our public property.

This land is not a windfall, it's an inheritance, and as with so many priceless inheritances, it comes with duties and obligations. It's not a class thing, it's a patriotic thing, and being a patriot is not about hating the Brits, but loving Ireland. And no, they're not the same thing.

That's something we never discuss in Ireland, the difference between patriotism and nationalism.

Nationalism in its ugliest form is measuring your homeland up against someone else's, looking for inferiorities on their part and conceding none on your own. So many in this country measure us against You Know Who, and regard that as a measure, often The Measure, of being Irish.

They're the fellas who fall into angry fits when they see a Union Jack flying. To them, that chronic insecurity seems to be the definition of what it means to be Irish.

It's not.

Being patriotic is not only about acknowledging the beauty of the homeland, but not regarding it as a sign of weakness to share it.

You see weirdos on the internet who erupt into furious rages at the sight of a young black American woman Irish dancing, many of them Irish-Americans with a poisoned view of an exclusionary Irishness frozen in time. And don't get me started on our homegrown far-right loons and their Celtic bloodlines and great replacement nonsense.

What greater tribute can be paid to a culture than the fact that others outside it see it and wish to emulate it?

We're not better than anyone else, we just have a beautiful thing going here, and we need to remind ourselves of that occasionally.

Otherwise, John Creedon might haunt you.
Dr. Alireza Zali, the head of the Tehran Coronavirus Combat Taskforce, has admitted for the first time that the escalation of the COVID-19 in Iran over recent months was caused by a strategic mistake on the parts of the government and health authorities.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Dr. Zali said that holding the people solely responsible for applying social distancing and health regulations, as opposed to the authorities, was "a strategic mistake.

Dr. Zali also defended the hands-on intervention of the government to combat the coronavirus epidemic, calling it a sign of "good governance".

"The effectiveness of the government actions will be affected if public trust is marred for any reason," Dr. Zali said, adding that the loss of public health in this case results from the government's lack of a realistic approach to the epidemic.

Criticizing the government for lifting the restrictions and ending the lockdown too soon, Dr. Zali said people are worried about earning their living to survive and the government's haste in resuming normal activities could lead them to believe that the epidemic had been contained.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly blamed citizens for not observing social distancing and other health protocols.

Another official of the Tehran Coronavirus Taskforce, Dr. Ali Maher, also called for greater government intervention to contain the crisis.

Daily deaths in Iran dropped from around 150 in March to around 50 early April after a partial lockdown came into effect in late March. The number began to surge again after the relaxation of lockdown measures on April 12, and on July 21 reached a record high of 229.

Dr. Maher said the Tehran taskforce has proposed that to enforce the regulations more effectively, penalties should be introduced to ensure all individuals and businesses abide by the health protocol designed for preventing the spread of the virus.

According to Dr. Maher, cash fines could be imposed on people who take unnecessary trips. Citizens could be made to pay for their own treatment if they contract the virus, he said, adding that cash fines could also be imposed on people who refuse to wear masks.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan speaks at a press conference after Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best announced her resignation at Seattle City Hall, on Aug. 11, 2020. (Karen Ducey/Getty Images)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan Takes Recall Battle to Washington Supreme Court

Seattles embattled mayor late Thursday filed an appeal to Washingtons Supreme Court, asking it to intervene in an effort to recall her.

Mayor Jenny Durkan, a Democrat, respectfully seeks review of two previous decisions by King County Superior Court Judge Mary Roberts, lawyers representing her wrote in the filing.

Roberts twice in recent weeks let a petition seeking to recall Durkan move forward, though she dismissed six of the seven charges filed against the mayor.

Petitioners say Durkan endangered the city by repeatedly violating her duties under state law, including when she wrongfully disallowed property rights by permitting occupiers to take over a section of Seattle in June before finally ordering the occupation cleared after several deadly shootings.

Petitioners also took issue with the mayors handling of law enforcement, accusing her of allowing police to leak false information, failing to implement new policies when officers used crowd control measures during a public health emergency, and failing to enforce compliance with municipal codes when officers deliberately attacked members of the press.

Seattle police take over and re-enter the East Precinct after the area around the police station was occupied for the last month, on July 1, 2020. (Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times via AP)

The petitioners filed a cross-appeal to the state Supreme Court later Thursday, asking justices to review Roberts decision to dismiss some of the other charges.

A spokesperson for Durkan told The Epoch Times in an email that the mayor has consistently acted to protect the public health and safety of residents during the pandemic, economic devastation, and demonstrations for justice.

As her counsel challenges the legality of this petition, the Mayor will remain focused on how to provide support for small businesses and workers who have lost their jobs, preparing the Citys 2021 budget, slowing the spread of COVID-19, and working to transform policing and community safety, the spokesperson added.

In a statement in July, petitioner Elliott Harvey wrote, Jenny Durkans abuses of power, lack of foresight and failure to protect the publicand the peacein Seattle leaves us with no choice.

Roberts, who was appointed by former Democrat Gov. Gary Locke, blocked Durkans motion for reconsideration late last month.

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best holds a news conference inside the CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest) area in Seattle, Wash., on June 29, 2020. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters)

The gravamen of the courts ruling as summarized above is more broadly the alleged failure to protect the health and well-being of the community. The critical role of the Chief of Police in commanding her department does not vitiate the Mayors obligations, Roberts wrote.

The mayor had argued that the chief of police, not her, was responsible for enforcing police department policies.

Washingtons Constitution says a public official can be recalled if he or she has committed an act or acts of malfeasance, or an act or acts of misfeasance while in office, or has violated the oath of office.

Petitioners need to gather approximately 54,000 signatures by January 6, 2021, according to local news outlets, to get a recall election on the ballot.

The filing and counter-filing followed Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best resigning a day after the City Council voted to cut funding to the citys police department.
The US Justice Department on Friday confirmed it had seized the fuel cargo aboard four tankers sent by Iran to crisis-wracked Venezuela, tying the shipments to Tehran's Revolutionary Guards and stepping up the pressure on its foe.

'With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in US custody,' the Justice Department said, putting the total at more than one million barrels of petroleum and calling it the largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.

The department had issued a warrant last month to seize the cargo of the tankers Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna.

Washington's sanctions against President Nicolas Maduro's regime have forced Venezuela, which used to refine enough oil for its own needs, to turn to allies such as Iran to alleviate a desperate gasoline shortage.

Iran sent several tankers of gasoline to Venezuela earlier this year to help ease shortages.

Pictured: An undated photograph released by the US Department of Justice shows the Bering oil tanker. The US Justice Department on August 14, 2020, confirmed it had seized the fuel cargo aboard four tankers, including the Bering, sent by Iran to crisis-wracked Venezuela, tying the shipments to Tehran's Revolutionary Guards

Iran's ambassador to Venezuela Hojat Soltani denied any links between Tehran and the seized tankers. Pictured: A worker of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA waves an Iranian flag along side another man carrying a Venezuelan flag, May 25 2020

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing US officials, that the ships had been seized at sea and were en route to Houston.

The Justice Department did not offer details about the circumstances of the seizure.

It accused Iran of 'forcibly' boarding an unrelated ship after the four tankers were seized 'in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum.'

US military officials said Thursday that incident took place in the Gulf of Oman, with Iran using a helicopter and two ships to take over the vessel, a Liberian-flagged oil and chemicals tanker, for several hours.

Pictured: A handout picture of another of the oil tankers, the Bella, that was seized by the U.S., who believe the tankers were en-route to Venezuela from Iran

The US has accused Iranian businessman Mahmoud Madanipour, who allegedly had links to the Revolutionary Guards, of arranging oil shipments for Venezuela using offshore front companies and ship-to-ship transfers to get around sanctions on Iran.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated since 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from a multinational accord that froze Iran's nuclear program, and reimposed crippling sanctions on its economy.

The US considers the Revolutionary Guards a terror group.

Tough US sanctions have forced Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to seek help to meet his country's gasoline needs

Iran's ambassador to Venezuela Hojat Soltani denied any links between Tehran and the seized tankers.

'The ships are not Iranian, and neither the owner nor its flag has anything to do with Iran,' Soltani said on Twitter.

Venezuela is almost entirely dependent on its oil revenues, but its production has fallen to roughly a quarter of its 2008 level and its economy has been devastated by six years of recession.
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Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 19:38 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e20889 1 World diplomacy,peace-and-conflict-resolution,pandemic,UNSC Free

With Indonesia celebrating 75 years of independence on Monday and the United Nations commemorating 75 years of its establishment next month, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has called on members of the UN Security Council to maintain peace in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister also called for a critical reflection on the organizations role as the world faces unprecedented challenges caused by the coronavirus.

Indonesia believes it is time to improve and strengthen the organization, at a time when confidence in globalization is in decline and multilateral values are being increasingly questioned, Retno said on Thursday.

The UN must be able to manage and respond to the demands of the world. The UN system must deliver and rhetoric is not an option. The UNs work must be oriented toward concrete results and the real benefits that can be felt by the international community, she said during a webinar.

With a constitutional mandate to contribute to world peace, Indonesia has relied on the international rules-based system embodied by the UN and its agencies to avail itself of global efforts to maintain peace and security.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated tensions in a world where globalization and multilateralism are increasingly being questioned, with nation states increasingly looking inward to become self-reliant.

As president of the UNSC this month, Indonesia held a high-level open debate on peace and the pandemic on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by all council members and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, former secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon and the director of the Center on International Cooperation at New York University, Sarah Cliffe.

The open debate was the first time that council members comprehensively discussed the issue of the pandemic and peace, Retno said.

Bringing the pandemic issue to the UN Security Council was not easy because of the dynamics and differing perspectives among members of the Security Council on this issue, she told the press on Thursday.

The differences were evident when the council discussed draft resolutions relating to the pandemic and a call for a pause in conflict worldwide, which took four months of negotiations before it was adopted on July 1, the minister said.

Observers have pointed out how tensions between the United States and China have been slowing down the negotiation process, as Washington sought to blame Beijing for the disease and referred to COVID-19 as the Wuhan virus, which was vehemently opposed by Chinese officials.

Retno instead sought to underscore how the pandemic had greatly impacted international peace and security.

It is feared that this pandemic could bring countries that have just taken themselves out of a conflict situation [...] back to the brink of a crisis, and that countries still in conflict will fall even further, the minister said.

The pandemic also complicated the work of UN peacekeeping forces and efforts for mediation in the field, which would jeopardize years of successful peace efforts.

Retno said that from Indonesia's perspective, building and sustaining peace must be part of a comprehensive response in handling a pandemic.

Sustaining peace requires synergy between the work of all UN systems. In this regard, the UN should integrate a conflict-sensitive approach into its pandemic response. A general cessation of hostilities and a humanitarian pause would enable timely delivery of aid and COVID-19 treatment to civilians in conflicts, she said at the virtual open debate on Wednesday.

Citing the latest UN report, Retno said there was also growing concern for the decline in assistance for peacebuilding in conflict-affected countries, which would force countries to make the hard choice between spending on health infrastructure or peacebuilding.

Innovative funding for peacebuilding through the South-South and Triangular Cooperation, as well as philanthropic institutions is essential in helping with this situation, she said.


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The Duck Inn Taproom, located right on the banks of the Perkiomen Creek on Route 29 in Perkiomen Township, has rebounded after severe flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida hit in September.
Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images

Venezuelas fuel crisis is poised to deteriorate even further after one of its biggest refineries was halted over the weekend following a nearby oil spill.

Petroleos de Venezuela SAs El Palito refinery stopped producing gasoline after its fluid catalytic cracker was shut due to a malfunctioning valve, said union leader Ivan Freites. The refinery was producing about 20,000 barrels-a-day of the fuel when it was shut, he said. The crude and vacuum distillation units were also stopped, according to a person familiar with operations.
It was revealed just last month that she and sister Elly would be the new Bachelorettes.

And on Wednesday, Becky Miles was spotted enjoying a romantic date day with one of the hunky contestants.

The 30-year-old, who is new to television, held hands with her suitor and even climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge during filming for the show.

Spoiler alert! Bachelorette star Becky Miles was seen holding hands with a hunky suitor and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge during filming for the show on Wednesday

The defence contracting specialist dolled up for the outing, wearing high-waisted jeans, a white crop top and a long beige coat for the day on the harbour.

She also had her face coated in glamorous TV makeup and her short locks coiffed out and over her shoulders in loose curls.

Becky accessorised with dangling earrings and a brown pair of R.M.Williams boots.

Looking glam! The defence contracting specialist dolled up for the outing, wearing high-waisted jeans, a white crop top and a long beige coat for the day on the harbour

Love match? The duo appeared relaxed in each other's company and smiled and chatted away as they walked around the harbour

All in the details: Becky accessorised with dangling earrings and a brown pair of R.M.Williams boots

She's looking for love! It was revealed just last month that she and sister Elly would be the new Bachelorettes

The mystery contestant cut a casual figure in a pair of beige trousers teamed with a pale blue sweater and brown boat shoes.

The duo appeared relaxed in each other's company and smiled and chatted away as they walked around the harbour.

At one point, the pair sweetly walked hand-in-hand, appearing to have obvious chemistry.

They soon enjoyed a bridge climb, soaking up the incredible views.

Looking good: She also had her face coated in glamorous TV makeup and her short locks coiffed out and over her shoulders in loose curls

Casual: The mystery contestant cut a casual figure in a pair of beige trousers teamed with a pale blue sweater and brown boat shoes

And action! The pair were surround by crew on set

Smile for the cameras! The pair embraced as a cameraman filmed

Last month, it was revealed that Becky and Elly, 25, would looking for love together on The Bachelorette.

Elly was a popular contestant on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor last year; however, Becky is new to television.

While The Bachelorette New Zealand had two women searching for love earlier this year, two sisters is a world first for the franchise.

What a date! They enjoyed a bridge climb, laughing and smiling as they soaked up the incredible views

Outfit change! Both changed into climbing suits and harnesses for the walk

Getting close: Becky and the hunk remained close to each other throughout the thrilling climb

World first: While The Bachelorette New Zealand had two women searching for love earlier this year, two sisters is a world first for the franchise

Elly has said that she wants an 'adventurous man,' while Becky said she's willing to 'give it a crack at finding love.'

'I'm looking for a man that is keen to keep up with my adventurous lifestyle,' Elly said in a statement.

'I'd love to find a best mate who has a positive attitude, kind nature and who is motivated to be the best person they can be.'

Having a go: Elly has said that she wants an 'adventurous man,' while Becky said she's willing to 'give it a crack at finding love'

Encouragement: For Becky, it was her sister who encouraged her to try the reality TV route to dating

Why not! 'I never thought I'd do anything like this, but Elly's always pushed me outside of my comfort zone so with my sister by my side - I thought why not, let's give it a crack at finding love,' she said

The bubbly blonde, who was a fan favourite on Matt's season of The Bachelor, added that she would like 'someone who is always up for a laugh'.

For Becky it was her sister who encouraged her to try the reality TV route to dating.

'I never thought I'd do anything like this, but Elly's always pushed me outside of my comfort zone so with my sister by my side - I thought why not, let's give it a crack at finding love,' she said.
Smerch multiple rocket launchers and Tochka-U tactical missile systems were used.

Ukraine has held scheduled military drills at a firing range in Kherson region to improve the interoperability of firing units of Smerch multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and Tochka-U tactical missile systems.

"Daily combat training events are held by the grouping of the troops that defend Ukraine's south take place on schedule. Therefore, thanks to good skills and abilities, our soldiers have performed well and professionally," the Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine quoted Commander of Ukraine's Joint Forces, Lieutenant General Serhiy Nayev as saying on Facebook on August 14.

Read alsoUkraine's Defense Council on Russian military threat in the south: "Everything well sealed"

The military exercises were commissioned by Nayev.

The event took place in conditions as close as possible to combat ones, the powerful and high-precision weapons were put on alert to engage targets within minutes.

According to Nayev, the personnel quickly deployed the systems, took up firing positions, turned around and practiced accurate targeting.

"Wrapping it up, they efficiently and quickly withdrew from their positions and went to the base," he said.
A customs officer and one other person were killed, on Thursday, when officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Command, clashed with some residents of Saki in Oyo State.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the clash started when customs officers allegedly chased a smuggler, believed to be an indigene, into the town.

The alleged smuggler was said to have died in the process.

NAN gathered that the death of the alleged smuggler made some Saki residents attack the customs office, leading to the death of an officer.

NAN reports that a vehicle belonging to the customs service was also burnt during the attack.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Oyo/Osun command of NCS, Abdullah Lagos, confirmed the incident on Friday.

Mr Lagos said that he was aware of the incident, but did not give further details.

We heard about the incident but we are yet to know what really happened, but all our officers are safe.

The mob burnt our Hilux van and another vehicle at our base in Saki, he said.

Also confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the customs officer killed was a member of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and not in the customs patrol team as alleged.

Mr Fadeyi, who said he had yet to have the details of the incident, added that the Area Commander of Saki had positioned men in strategic locations in a bid to forestall further disturbance in the community.

(NAN)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  The Philippine government is not relying solely on Russia's coronavirus vaccine as it is in talks with at least 16 other vaccine developers and manufacturers, the Department of Health said on Friday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country has several options for a possible source of the vaccine aside from the one made by Russia named Sputnik V.

"Parang ang lumalabas ito lang sa Russia ang ating pinaguusapan. We are discussing and exploring avenues. We already have about 16 na vaccine manufactures na nasa different stages ng pakikipagusap. Ito ay through our bilateral partners," she said in a media briefing.

[Translation: It seems like we are only meeting with Russia. We are discussing and exploring avenues. We are also in talks with about 16 other vaccine manufacturers, discussions are in different stages. These were made possible through our bilateral partners.]

She added that there are also nine vaccine manufacturers who are part of Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX), which the Philippines is also a part of. As part of COVAX, Philippines is ensured of vaccine supply once it is available. The country is also taking part in the World Health Organization's Solidarity Trial.

The government is also starting discussions on public-private partnerships for the local production of vaccines after Russia presented the option.

"Ang magagawa pa lang natin ngayon is 'fill and finish.' Iyun pa lang ang may kapasidad. Ito ay bubuuin pa rin ng manufacturers kung sakali... Ang pakikipagusap sa manufacturers if we can have a plant here for the 'fill and finish.' Ibig sabihin buo na ang bakuna pagdating dito, ilalagay na lang sa mga vials," she said.

[Translation: The least we can do now is 'fill and finish.' It is what we can do but it has yet to be built. We are in talks with manufacturers if we can have a plant here for 'fill and finish' where the drugs are brought here then we place it in vials.]

Meanwhile, the experts prefer to hold clinical trials in the country for vaccine candidates. Vergeire said this will ensure that the vaccine the Philippine government will purchase will be effective to build the immunity of Filipinos against the virus, adding there are "different effects to different ethnic groups."

"Mas ginugusto ng mga vaccine experts natin na masubukan dito sa local setting para masigurado kung magiging safe based on our ethnicity... Mas papaboran kung magkakaroon tayo ng parallel clinical trial here in the Philippines," she said.

[Translation: Our vaccine experts prefer trying it out so we can see if it's safe for our ethnicity. We prefer to hold parallel clinical trials in the Philippines.]

The Philippines is set to join the Phase 3 of human testing trials of Russia's Sputnik V by October.

Vergeire said United States-made Moderna vaccine is undergoing Phase 3, but she said they will likely not hold clinical trials outside of the country. But the good news is that Filipino-Americans will join the research so Filipinos can be assured that, if it passes that process, it will also be effective to be used in the Philippines.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she would consider a role in Joe Biden's administration if the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is elected in November.

"I'm ready to help in any way I can because I think this will be a moment where every American  I don't care what party you are, I don't care what age, race, gender, I don't care  every American should want to fix our country," Ms Clinton said.

"So if you're asked to serve, you should certainly consider that," she added during a virtual appearance at the 19th Represents Summit.

Ms Clinton would face an uphill battle getting confirmed in a GOP-run Senate. Republicans slammed her during her tenure as the country's top diplomat and after. Her handling of an attack at a US diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, and others matters drew constant scrutiny from Republicans.

Ms Clinton had some advice for the media as she hailed California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris joining Mr Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket.

"I still hope, especially with Kamala on the ticket, that the coverage of women running for president or vice president will be less sexist, less sensationalist and less trivializing," Ms Clinton said.

If they can defeat the president and Vice President Mike Pence, she said the duo would be "inheriting a mess of historic proportions."

"I think Joe and Kamala together will be absolutely ready for lots of long, long days and very short nights working to get as much done as quickly as possible," she said.
Aleppo:

Civilians and rebel fighters will soon start evacuating from Syrias Aleppo within hours under a deal that would end years of opposition resistance in the city.

Rebel officials, Russia and Turkey confirmed the agreement on Tuesday which, if implemented, would mark a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad over opposition forces who rose up against him in 2011.

Russias UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said the Syrian military had stopped its operations in Aleppo under the agreement, adding: The fighting around eastern Aleppo is over.

Green government buses gathered at the edges of the divided Salaheddin district late yesterday, with some entering briefly but returning empty and parking on the outskirts again, an global news agency correspondent said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said the evacuations were now expected to begin around 0830 IST.

The agreement came amid mounting global outrage over reports of atrocities, including dozens of summary executions, as forces loyal to Assad closed in on the last pocket of rebel territory in Aleppo.

Officials from several rebel groups said there was a deal to allow civilians and fighters to leave Aleppo for opposition-held territory to the west of the city.

An agreement has been reached, said Yasser al-Youssef from the political office of the key Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group, adding that the deal had been sponsored by Russia and Turkey.

The first stage will be the evacuation of civilians and wounded, within hours, and afterwards fighters will leave with their light weapons.

As the UN Security Council met in emergency session to discuss Aleppo, Churkin said: There is indeed an arrangement achieved on the ground that the fighters are going to leave the city.

Turkey said that under the agreement civilians would first evacuate, followed by a withdrawal of rebel groups.

While we are pleased with todays step taken to secure a ceasefire, at the same time we must always be aware of the fragile situation in front of us and it is wise to be cautious, said foreign ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu.

US ambassador Samantha Power told the Security Council Washington wanted international observers in Aleppo to oversee the evacuation.

She raised concern for people who wish to leave but who, justifiably, fear that if they try they will be shot in the street or carted off to one of Assads gulags.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police

WEST HARTFORD  An individual who authorities said carjacked a vehicle Friday morning with an elderly dementia patient inside was charged with numerous felonies after investigators found the suspect in Hartford.

It was about 11:45 a.m. when emergency calls came in about a carjacking in front of the West Hartford Post Office.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 14, 2020) - Cobalt Blockchain Inc. (TSXV: COBC) (OTC Pink: COBCF) ("COBC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated April 17, 2020, it has increased the size of its private placement financing ("The Offering") to a maximum of 90,000,000 Units at a price of $0.05 per Unit for a gross proceeds of up to $4,500,000. The initial $1,000,000 tranche is expected to be completed within the next several business days subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Each Unit issued pursuant to the Offering consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.20 for a period of two years from the date of its issuance. The Offering may be brokered in whole or in part.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory four-month hold period from the date of issuance, i.e. the hold periods expire four months and one day from their respective dates of issuance.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws.

About Cobalt Blockchain Inc.

Cobalt Blockchain Inc. (TSXV: COBC) is a Canadian resource company expanding its exploration and development business to include cobalt assets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC"); it holds export trading licenses for 3T, copper and cobalt from the DRC. COBC is the first mining and mineral trade company set up specifically to procure cobalt in compliance with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") due diligence framework. COBC has developed and is implementing a blockchain-based reporting platform to provide greater certainty of provenance and further assurance that all minerals procured are ethically-sourced. Senior management have over twelve years of experience working in the DRC and a proven international track record in exploration success and the trading of certified conflict-free, child-labour-free minerals.

Story continues

For additional information, please contact:

Lance Hooper, President and Chief Operating Officer

Cobalt Blockchain Inc.

Telephone: +1-416-500-3670

Email: info@cobc.co

Website: www.cobc.co

Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. These include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review registered filings at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61768
By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the row over the phone call detail records issue, the Kerala police on Friday clarified that it was not collecting CDRs of COVID-19 patients as part of contact tracing but details of tower locations to ensure that a quarantined person was not roaming around.

The Opposition Congress had yesterday slammed the ruling Left over its decision to allow police to use the CDRs of COVID-19 patients for effective contact tracing, saying it was an "infringement" on the privacy of citizens and the state cannot be allowed to be converted into a "Police State."

In a explanatory note, the state police department said it was utilising the possibilities of technology to trace the contacts of the COVID-19 patients in a legal manner.

"The collection of such data was not infringing the privacy of anyone. The centre has also issued guidelines in this regard. The contents of the calls made are not collected. The department is collecting details of the tower locations in order to contain the spread of the virus through contact," the department said in its release.

The Congress had alleged that the collection of phone details by police was an infringement on the privacy of an individual which is against the Supreme Court's latest judgement in the K S Puttaswamy case.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala had also claimed that as there were delays in sending the CDRs by telecom operators in some places, the Additional Director General of Police, Intelligence, had been entrusted to take up the matter with BSNL and Vodafone.

Police said the quarantine tracking was being done in Keralain full compliance with the orders and prescribed standards of the Government of India and using the application developed by the Startups.

"The telephone tower location details are used to create the route map of the infected person who may spread the disease. It also warns people to remain vigilant," police said.

The release also said the people were cooperating well with the COVID mitigation efforts of the state government and asked "those who spread misleading news to desist from their attempts" in creating confusion.

The government decided to use police help in containment measures as the COVID figures began rising in the state.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Wednesday said that CDRs were being used by the police as part of adopting innovative and scientific methods for effective contact tracing.

The details would not be used for any other purpose and there would be no intrusion into the privacy of the patients, he had said, adding this was the "most effective" way of contact tracing and the state had been using this method for a few months.

Justice D Y Chandrachud, while delivering the main judgement in August 2017 on behalf of Chief Justice J S Khehar, Justices R K Agarwal and S Abdul Naeer,held that privacy was intrinsic to life, liberty, freedom and dignity and therefore, is an inalienable natural right.

The Congress-led UDF had also attacked the government for entrusting major responsibilities of COVID containment such as identification of containment zones, monitoring of those in quarantine and contact tracing, from the health department to police, saying this would create "police raj."

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government early this month decided to bring in stringent measures to contain the spread and had entrusted police with the task of contact tracing and enforcing quarantine protocols.

The Indian Medical Association had also flayed the decision, saying this was a job of health workers.
An unnamed police officer, said to be assigned to the so-called Special Branch of the Royal SVG Police Force, was discovered attempting to surreptitiously record the private discussions of the New Democratic Partys East Saint George constituency delegates meeting.





NDP spokesperson Clemroy Bert Francois made the revelation as part of the Thursday July 30 New Times episode, the weekday politically charged talk show that airs on NICE Radio.





Francois told listeners, "The New Democratic Party had a function last night in East St. George. It was a private function, it was a delegates function; not even NDP supporters generally were allowed in. .. Imagine that gathering of the New Democratic Party, eh  small gathering, private gathering  the authorities saw it fit to send Special Branch police to take notes, record the meeting, etc.





Francois was careful in pointing fingers as to the origin of such an assignment, saying, " I know a lot of persons have spoken this, Oh, we must expose the police! It is not the police that need exposing! Let me make it clear. If you are a police officer, youre working in Central Branch [sic] and the Commissioner or the Prime Minister or the higher up give you an order  go to this function and record  yo have no choice but to go!





He urged listeners to not focus on the officers who, as he said, are "doing their work. It is the "persons who are manipulating their offices to get the police and others to do and carry out infringement on the human rights and privacy of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who must be held accountable.





Francois explained that it was another attendee to the meeting who brought the alleged trespasser to his attention, and together they proceeded to approach the officer.





But when they came upon the officer and Francois recognized whom he was, he retreated somewhat declaring that it was only because he recognized the officer why he was not going "to keep plenty noise. Instead, he calmly told the officer he could not record the session.





Colin John, Police Commissioner, told us, "I have no knowledge of what you are referring to, in response to our probe. We asked him, "Is there any reason for police operatives to be interested in such proceedings? And if so, what might that/those reason(s) be?





Meanwhile, Tyrone James, NDPs General Secretary, was reluctant to speculate on any possible interest the police might have in his organizations internal discussions. "Its not as if we are a terrorist group that theyd want to hear how we plan to overthrow or take over the country or anything. I mean, we are a recognized institution.





James noted that Party decision makers are yet to "discuss and decide how we move forward, if any action is required.





A different cop was recognized, photographed and posted on Facebook in another NDP (private) session approximately 4 years ago, Francois also disclosed.




Balaram Baniya, the Nepali journalist who reportedly wrote an article on Chinese encroachment in Rui village, has been found dead, police said.

The 50-year-old journalist's body was found at the banks of Bagmati River near the hydropower project area in Mandu, Himalayan Times quoted the spokesperson at District Police Office (DPO), Makwanpur, as saying.

A team deployed from Area Police Office in Bhimphedi fished out his body from the river and sent it to Hetauda Hospital.

Baniya was last seen walking along the banks of Balkhu river. His location, according to his mobile phone, showed the same, after which the phone was switched off.

His family had filed a missing report with the police, following which a manhunt was launched to trace him, Kathmandu Post reported.

"As per the application received for his search, which also contained his photo, it has been verified that the body that was found was that of journalist Baniya," according to the DPO.

According to Kathmandu Post, Baniya was associated with Kantipur Daily, a Nepali newspaper, since the paper's initial days. He used to cover politics and parliament and later did extensive reporting on governance and bureaucracy. He reportedly wrote an article highlighting the Chinese encroachment in Rui village located in Gorkha district.

The journalist's death comes amid the strained bilateral relations between India and Nepal after the Himalayan nation included the Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its controversial new political map.

(ANI)

Also Read: Nepal: Torrential rain causes landslide, 5 dead, 38 missing
A company pursuing a gold mining project in Armenia amid protests by environmental activists says the news about the European Bank for Reconstruction and Developments (EBRD) ending its investment in the project will not affect its activities.

The EBRD has told RFE/RLs Armenian Service (Azatutyun) that Lydian International, which owns 100% of the shares of Lydian Armenia, the company that intends to develop the Amulsar gold mine, has been insolvent since 2019 and is currently being held in a Jersey court for the closing proceedings.

According to the EBRD, as of July 2020, the Amulsar gold mine belongs to the Canadian Lydian Ventures, in which the prestigious international financial institution is not a shareholder.

The Armenian government issued Lydian a license to develop a mine in Armenias central Vayots Dzor province in 2016. But the site has been blockaded by environmental activists and local residents since May 2018 when a new government was formed in Armenia following the Velvet Revolution.

Activists claim that mining at Amulsar poses a danger to the local eco-system. They demand that a new environmental impact study be conducted and that Lydians license be revoked. In March 2019, Lydian notified the Armenian government of a potential international arbitration.

According to Sustainable Development Director of Lydian Armenia Armen Stepanian, Lydian International had to get delisted on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and as a result of this restructuring the EBRD lost its shares.

Stepanian described it as a consequence of long-term lawlessness in Armenia.

When we talk about lawlessness and inaction, in fact, we mean that roads leading to the mining site remain closed. A group of people has decided that these roads should be closed and have doomed the other side to idling, and it has lasted so long that a need for restructuring has emerged. Lets call it a financial model. The structure of the organization needed to be changed so that activities could be continued. It is difficult to imagine a business that could wait for a decision for 26 months. It would be naive to think that financial problems would not arise as a result, Lydians representative said.

At this moment the EBRD has no legal relations with the Amulsar mining project, but the project will be implemented regardless of this circumstance, Lydian Armenia stressed. This, in fact, will not affect the activities of the company and the quality of its work, the company said.

Environmental activist Tehmine Yenokian, who is a resident of the Gndevaz community adjacent to the Amulsar mine, said that she recently learned that the EBRD was no longer involved in the Amulsar mining project. She said that 23 residents of Jermuk, a resort town in the Vayots Dzor province, had filed a complaint with the EBRD Ombudsmans Office, which, according to her, was accepted for consideration on June 12. Yenokian said it is from the reply to the complaint that they learned that the bank no longer had financial interests in the Amulsar project.

The activist claimed that the future of the company looks even more uncertain and risky for them now. Our complaint only helped reveal this information, which for six months was hidden from different important circles in Armenia, Yenokian said.

The activist believes that even if the existing obstacles are removed, at this moment Lydian Armenia has no financial ability to operate the mine. Lydian Armenia counters: We will find it out when we start working again at our previous capacity. Lydian Armenia is not part of any bankruptcy proceedings today.
Three persons charged for attempting to bribe a journalist with a motorcycle and GH5,000 to kill a story have been acquitted and discharged by a Bolgatanga Circuit Court on Wednesday.



They are Charles Taleog Ndanbon and Maxwell Wooma, of the Shaanxi mining Ghana Limited and Mr Suwaid Abdul-Mumin, former personal assistant of Mr Rockson Bukari, a former Minister of State at the Presidency.



In 2019, Mr Edward Adeti, Upper East Regional correspondent of Starr Fm, an Accra based radio station, alleged that Mr Bukari asked him not to broadcast a court story involving a mining company and another before the Bolgatanga High Court.



The Minister was heard allegedly asking Mr Adeti in an audio secretly recorded by the journalist not to do anything to put the trial judge in trouble.



Mr Bukari subsequently tendered his resignation letter to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on April 29, 2019.





In the judgement that acquitted and discharged the accused, the judge, Malcolm Bedzrah, stated that the police could not establish that the journalist is a public officer and that per the law journalists could not be bribed.



Counsel for the accused, Joseph Awakpaksa, told the court that Mr Adeti who is a friend of Ndanbon requested for the motorcycle and the money after he had undertaken an assignment for Ndanbon and said the request could not be a justification of bribery



Following the judgment, Mr Adeti had asked that the brand-new motorcycle be donated to charity, and that it was against his conscience and the ethics of journalism for a journalist to accept and use items given as bribes to cover up a story against the public interest.



Im not disappointed at all. The police sent the matter to court after I took the items to the BNI. I appeared in court as a witness. But the police prosecution, as the court put it, failed. The motorcycle should go to a needy Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound to support efforts to reduce maternal and infant deaths in the Talensi District where Shaanxi operates. Im glad Im sending these items back to society, to the less privileged.



The GH5,000 should be used to procure furniture for deprived schools in the same Talensi District where the Shaanxi Mining Company operates, where some school children are found sitting on the floor for lack of furniture. That money they brought to influence me to harm the public is needed at those deprived schools where they (Shaanxi) operate. I prefer to walk. I will remain proud of my poverty until God does something about it. Posterity will judge every soul, Adeti told observers and professional colleagues after the ruling.



Meanwhile, Mr Bukari has told the Ghanaian Times in an interview that judgement meant that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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

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An FBI lawyer will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

At the White House Donald Trump crowed that a 'corrupt' FBI lawyer in 'James Comey's very corrupt FBI' was expected to plead guilty.

'That's just the beginning I imagine,' he said. 'The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught.' The case does not in fact relate directly to 'spying' on the Trump campaign.

Clinesmith is being charged in federal court in Washington and is expected to plead guilty to one county of making a false statement, his attorney Justin Shur told The Associated Press.

According to a criminal information filed in federal court in Washington D.C. on Friday, Clinesmith altered an email from another unnamed government agency, believed to be the CIA, to say that an unnamed individual, believed to be Carter Page, 'was not a source,' even though an email from the other government agency did not say that.

It is unclear if Clinesmith has flipped and will be a witness for the Durham probe in the future or simply pleaded guilty to seek a lower sentence.

Guilty pleas in probes like Durham's are often in return for co-operation - as was the case in the Robert Mueller inquiry.

However the information filed in court offers no indication of involvement in Clinesmith's crime by anyone else.

The Durham investigation, which is also examining the intelligence community's assessment about Russian election interference, has caused deep concern among Democrats, who view it as a politically charged exercise meant to relitigate an already closed investigation and fear criminal charges or public reports issued so close to the 2020 election could be timed to affect November's vote.

The investigation has proceeded alongside a parallel effort by Senate Republicans to discredit the Russia probe and as Attorney General William Barr has escalated his own criticism of the FBI's probe.

Guilty: Kevin Clinesmith is pleading guilty to altering a CIA email when he was an FBI lawyer. It was used to gain a FISA warrant to eavesdrop on Carter Page

Probe: AG Bill Barr ordered U.S. Attorney John Durham to launch an investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe. This is the first prosecution to result from it

GUILTY LAWYER SENT ANTI-TRUMP TEXTS TO A 'LOVER' TOO Kevin Clinesmith was referred to as 'Attorney 2' in a 2018 Inspector General report, which described in detail anti-Trump text messages he sent to an unnamed lover while the campaign was in full swing. Clinesmith in the 2018 report expressed his disdain for the incoming President Trump with the phrase 'Viva le resistance' and opined that then-Vice President-Elect Mike Pence was 'stupid.' His lover texted back: 'Screw you Trump,' and added that Hillary Clinton 'better win ... otherwise i'm gonna be walking around with both of my guns.' She also labeled Trump's supporters in Ohio 'retarded,' and in a fit of pique over being asked to work on Inauguration Day, she added: 'F*** Trump.' Special Counsel Robert Mueller later fired Clinesmith for his anti-Trump bias, citing the lawyer's comment to another official after the 2016 that 'the crazies won finally.' Advertisement

Durham has not said who it is targeting - but Trump has made clear that he wants Comey, Barack Obama and his other top intelligence officials charged and has ranted that they committed 'treason.'

Barr foreshadowed the legal action in a Fox News Channel interview on Thursday night in which he said there would be a development Friday that was 'not earth shattering' but would be an indication that the investigation was moving along.

Justice Department policy directs prosecutors not to take investigative steps for the purpose of affecting an election and frowns upon taking public actions in the weeks before an election.

But Barr has said he did not feel constrained by that policy in part because the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, is not a target of Durham's investigation, and Barr has signaled that he will look to make Durham's findings public before the election.

Clinesmith was referred for potential prosecution by the department's inspector general's office, which conducted its own review of the Russia investigation.

That review found that the Russia probe was opened for a legitimate reason and did not find proof of political bias, but it also concluded that the FBI made significant errors and omissions as it applied for secret national security warrants to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Specifically, the inspector general accused Clinesmith, though not by name, of altering an email about Page to say that he was 'not a source' for another government agency.

Page has said he was a source for the CIA. The Justice Department relied on that assertion as it submitted a third and final renewal application in 2017 to eavesdrop on Page under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Eavesdropping warrant: The email Clinesmith altered was part of the evidence used to gain a FISA warrant to monitor Carter Page, who had been a Trump adviser

Clinesmith told the inspector general that from his conversations he did not understand Page to be a source, or a 'recruited asset,' or to have a direct relationship with another government agency.

But that relationship was seen as something important to disclose to the FISA court, especially if Page was being tasked by the government to have interactions with Russians.

'Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email,' Shur said. 'It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues, as he believed the information he relayed was accurate, but Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility.'

Durham is the U.S. attorney for Connecticut and a veteran prosecutor with a history of special assignments from Washington. Former Attorney General Eric Holder selected him during the Obama administration to investigate the CIA's harsh interrogation techniques of terror suspects and the destruction of videotapes documenting that interrogation.

Barr appointed Durham just weeks after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded his nearly two-year investigation. Mueller found significant contacts during the 2016 campaign between Russians and Trump associates but did not allege a criminal conspiracy between them.

Mueller also examined multiple episodes in which Trump sought to affect or choke off the Russia investigation, but he did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed justice.

Barr signaled his skepticism with the Russia investigation right away, concluding that Trump had not obstructed justice even though Mueller had pointedly left that question unresolved.

More recently, Barr stepped in to dismiss the criminal case against former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn even though Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and Barr overruled prosecutors to seek a lighter prison term for Trump confidant Roger Stone. The Republican president commuted Stone's sentence last month.
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Ankara, Aug 14 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel amid mounting tensions in Eastern Mediterranean over exploration of energy reserves.

Erdogan told Merkel that Turkey believes in solving problems in the Eastern Mediterranean in the framework of international law based on dialogue and equity, said a statement by Turkey's Presidential Communications Directorate on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

They also discussed regional developments and evaluated steps to enhance bilateral relations, said the statement.

Earlier in the day, Erdogan said he was planning to hold phone conversations with Merkel and President of the European Council Charles Michel ahead of the EU's extraordinary foreign ministers' meeting on Friday.

The EU's Foreign Affairs Council will discuss recent tensions between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean after Ankara sent a vessel and its warships for seismic research in the region where Athens claims continental rights.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also held phone conversations with his Hungarian, Lithuanian and Bulgarian counterparts on Thursday, and with EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, foreign ministers of Estonia and Finland on Wednesday after Greece asked for an emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the issue.
Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana on Friday downplayed the public admonition of Ajit Pawars son Parth by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, saying the young politician should take the rebuke as a blessing.

An editorial in Saamana, however, wondered if Parth was being used by someone to damage Maharashtras pride and identity through the demand for a CBI probe in actor Sushant Singh Rajputs case.

The NCP president on Wednesday said he attached absolutely no importance to his grandnephew Parths recent demand for the CBI probe into Rajputs death, and described the young leader as immature.

Pawar said he had faith in Mumbai Police, but added he wouldnt oppose anyone wanting an investigation by the central agency in the case.

The editorial in Saamana said Pawars statement was blown out of proportion by the media and it was not even a storm in a teacup. It said: These news channels create artificial storm for their livelihood. Pawars comments on Parth are being construed as a sign that not all is well in the Pawar family and that Ajit Pawar has been warned...Actually, this is all meaningless.

It added, Sharad Pawar is a senior leader and head of a political party. He can admonish the young. Even late (Shiv Sena founder) Bal Thackeray has done that.

Parth had demanded a CBI probe into the actors death in a letter sent to Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on July 27. Similar demands have been made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the principal opposition party in Maharashtra.

Parth Pawar wrote to home minister Anil Deshmukh stating that CBI should probe Sushant Singh Rajput case. He said on social media some filmmakers should also be investigated. It would be foolishness to demand a CBI inquiry in the Sushant case. Some experienced people are backing the demand for the CBI inquiry. It should be understood that there is a conspiracy going on to hurt Maharashtras self-respect and identity. Is the young Parth Pawar being used for this? the editorial questioned.

The Shiv Sena advised Parth to use the experience of senior leaders in his party to learn. Parth Pawar is new in politics and he was unsuccessful in winning the Lok Sabha election. He has to work hard. There is a political gymnasium in his house. Therefore, he has a chance to prepare himself, it said.

The editorial welcomed Parths stance on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and said, There is nothing wrong in speaking in favour of Ram mandir which is being constructed with the Supreme Courts approval. (Congress leaders) Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, too, have expressed their views.

Uddhav Thackeray visited Ayodhya. But nobody wrote long letters to express their views like Parth.

It added the NCP chiefs daughter and MP Supriya Sule too had said that going to Ayodhya is similar to praying at Pandharpur for many people and there should be no criticism of chief minister Uddhav Thackeray over this matter.

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Dutch police have arrested more than 20 people after rioters took to the streets in The Hague to protest the ban on using fire hydrants to cool off during a heatwave.

Large groups of youths threw eggs, stones and fireworks at police during a second night of unrest.

Officers said in a statement those arrested had committed offences including incitement, public violence and assaulting a police officer.

The Hagues mayor, Jan van Zanen, visited the neighbourhood on Wednesday to show his support for locals, reported Dutch News.

But the unrest continued, prompting the municipality to impose an emergency order that gave police extra powers to detain people in an effort to restore peace.

The clashes began after water authorities acted to stop people from opening fire hydrants to cool off and find relief during a record week-long heatwave, which saw temperatures exceed 30C for several days.

This week was the hottest week on record in the Netherlands with a seven-day average temperature of 33.1C. The previous record was an average of 32C, set in 1976.

In the early hours of Friday, two police vehicles were damaged by rioters. Calm was restored in The Hague by morning.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Additional reporting by AP
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY / OTCQB:XPHYF / FSE:4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Company"), a next generation bioscience company, is pleased to announce that its common shares are now trading on the OTCQB Venture Market ("OTCQB Venture") under the stock symbol "XPHYF".

The OTCQB Venture is the premiere marketplace for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Participating companies must be current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find real-time quote and market information at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/XPHYF/overview.

XPhyto is also pleased to announce that its common shares are eligible for electronic settlement and transfer in the United States by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC").

XPhyto's common shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the symbol "XPHY" as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "4XT".

About XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

XPhyto is a diversified bioscience company with strategic assets and investments in the field of next generation drug delivery and rapid pathogen screening systems, as well as medical cannabis opportunities focused on European markets. Through its 100% owned subsidiaries and exclusive collaboration agreements, XPhyto is pursuing clinical programs for the transdermal and dissolvable oral delivery of conventional and cannabis based narcotics for neurological applications, as well as rapid dissolvable oral biosensor and lateral flow assay-based screening tests for dental health applications and high-risk pandemic threats such as SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19), H1N1 (swine flu) and H5N1 (avian flu). XPhyto has two exclusive cannabis collaborations with the Technical University of Munich, and two exclusive 5-year engagements with the University of Alberta, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences for cannabis extraction, isolation, formulation, and analytical testing.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Hugh Rogers"

Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director

Investor Inquiries:

Mr. Knox Henderson

Tel: 604-551-2360

info@xphyto.com

www.xphyto.com

Forward looking statements

This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "develop", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "propose" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and in this release include the statement regarding the Company's goal of building a successful diagnostic, drug delivery, and medical cannabis company. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Company may not succeed in developing a commercial product; that the sale of products may not be a viable business; that the Company may be unable to scale its business; product liability risks; product regulatory risk; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; currency risks; competition; international risks; and other risks beyond the Company's control. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601733/XPhyto-Announces-OTCQB-Venture-Market-Listing
Movements leader Hassan Nasrallah says the group will maintain the innocence of four suspects regardless of outcome.

Hezbollahs leader has said the group is not concerned with the verdict of a United Nations-backed tribunal on the 2005 assassination of Lebanons former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, due on August 18.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) is expected to hand down its verdict on Tuesday to four suspects, who were all being tried in absentia and are alleged members of Hezbollah.

We do not feel concerned by the STLs decisions, groups leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised address on Friday.

For us, it will be as if no decision was ever announced, he said. If our brothers are unjustly sentenced, as we expect, we will maintain their innocence.

Nasrallah has repeatedly expressed similar views, completely rejecting the jurisdiction and independence of the court, which is based in The Netherlands.

The slain former prime ministers son Saad Hariri, himself a former prime minister in Lebanon, is expected in The Hague for the verdict.

The four defendants went on trial in 2014 on charges including the intentional homicide of Rafik Hariri and 21 others, attempted homicide of 226 people wounded in the 2005 bombing that killed Hariri, and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

Nasrallah warned that some will attempt to exploit the STL to target the resistance and Hezbollah, but urged his supporters to be patient when the verdict is announced.

Observers have voiced fears that the verdict, whichever way it goes, could spark violence on the streets of Lebanon between Hezbollah and Hariri supporters.

Hezbollah demands unity government

Nasrallah also called for the formation of a national unity government in Lebanon, days after the cabinet resigned amid fury over the August 4 devastating Beirut blast that killed some 200 people.

Prime Minister Hassan Diabs government resigned on Monday over the explosion, widely blamed on negligence and corruption by the countrys ruling class.

In his second speech since the blast, Nasrallah dismissed the idea of a neutral government as a waste of time for a country where power and influence are distributed according to religious sects.

We dont believe there are neutral [candidates] in Lebanon for us to form a [neutral] government, Nasrallah said.

Instead, the Hezbollah chief called for a government model that has endured for years, despite prolonged political and economic crises and demands for change.

We are calling for attempts to form a national unity government, and if that is not possible, then a government that secures the widest representation possible for politicians and experts, Nasrallah said.

We call for a strong government, a capable government, a government that is protected politically, he said.
Washington: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris received their first joint economic briefing on Thursday, which included former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.

Two of Biden's longtime economic advisers, Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey, were among those in the briefing, as well as Yellen, Raj Chetty, a Harvard University professor; and Lisa Cook, a professor at Michigan State University. Jake Sullivan, a top policy adviser to Biden, was also in the briefing.

Former US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen has given a briefing to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Credit:Bloomberg

The Biden campaign had been very secretive about the economists who have been advising the former vice-president during his campaign. But in April, Bloomberg News reported that Larry Summers was advising the campaign, which drew the ire of progressives who called on Biden to promise he would not appoint him to his administration.

A Biden campaign official said only Bernstein and Boushey are official advisers to the campaign and the others, including Yellen, are experts who were briefing the candidates.
Palestinian officials reacted with anger to the Aug. 13 announcement of a US-brokered agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that includes fully normalized relations, describing the accord as a crime."

Nabil Shaath, a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, told Al-Monitor that the tripartite US-UAE-Israel agreement is a crime by the UAE against Palestinians. Shaath said there is "no justification for the action of the sons of the late Sheikh Zayed, who was genuinely committed to the Palestinian cause. Shaath said the UAE decision comes at a time when there is no Arab consensus, no high-level meetings taking place and no deterrence of Israel.

Shaath questioned the claim that the UAE brought about the postponement of annexation of parts of the West Bank, given that Israel itself has repeatedly said the decision on annexation is dependent on the United States. Shaath said the Emirati leaders "didnt even consult with the owners of the land, the Palestinians."

This is a free gift to Israel. The Emirates are selling us out. Why?" he asked

Meanwhile, Mustafa Barghouti, an independent yet moderate Palestinian legislator and leader of the relatively small Mubadara party, captured many Palestinian feelings when he called the Israeli-UAE agreement a stab in the back of Palestinians.

A senior Palestinian official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that he is worried that the UAE action could be dangerous if others, especially Saudi Arabia, follow suit. What we are worried about is not the UAE, because we have always known that they had secret dealings with Israel and they wanted to expand these dealings for economic reasons. What we are worried about is whether this action will have a ripple effect with other Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia."

Hamadeh Faraneh, a columnist with the Jordanian daily Ad-Dustour, said the Emirati decision on the agreement is neither surprising nor historic. Everyone knew that the Emirates have had an unannounced relationship with Israel, the only difference now is that it will become public.

Naser Laham, a leading Palestinian columnist and editor-in-chief of the Maan News Network, told Al-Monitor that the Israeli-UAE agreement is nothing more than a business deal. Laham said the Emirates are stealing the credit from another Arab country that actually stopped the annexation. What stopped the annexation is Jordan and the king of Jordan and not the Emiratis who are trying to claim credit for the work of the Jordanians and others.

Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Center, told Al-Monitor that the deal is a "win-win-win-lose."

Rarely in the Middle East do the interests of three key parties meet while it undermines the interest of a fourth, he said. Miller believes that this trilateral deal allows the UAE to demonstrate its independence and resolve, gets the Donald Trump administration out of the difficulty of having to make a decision on annexation and boosts Netanyahu, who has been sagging in polls.

The former peace envoy to the region said the big loser in this agreement is the Palestinians. "They not only get nothing out of this deal, but this deal allows Israel to claim that it is not an unaccepted state in the region because it has wide relations with Arab countries. Miller said the Trump administration gets a boost also without exerting any effort, adding, Trump doesnt care about peace, he only cares about his image."

Ofer Zalzberg, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, told Al-Monitor that the US-Israel-UAE agreement is a major blow to Israeli annexationists. Their champion just decided to lock annexation in a box and gave the keys to the US and the UAE. His actions convey that relations with the Arab world is paramount and mutually exclusive with annexation. Zalzberg said. He indicated that the agreement is unlikely to speed up the holding of new elections in Israel, saying, It looks like Netanyahu will first see what the polls will now show. But it seems this won't speed up election.

Johnny Mansour, a Haifa-based Palestinian academic, told Al-Monitor that the Israeli-American attempts to break up the region are aimed at showing that the Palestinian cause is not an obstacle for mutual relations between Israel and the Gulf countries who have a common enemy in Iran. This plan is aimed at trying to force Palestinians to cooperate with Israel to accept settlements, while opposing annexation so as to create a weak, splintered, unarmed Palestinian state that is not contiguous, Mansour said.

Political analyst Hamadeh Farneh told Al-Monitor that so long as Palestinians live on their land the struggle will continue. All causes of the struggle are still there. A racist occupation will keep the struggle going, even if all Arab capitals normalized relations with Israel. This will not end the Palestinians' struggle," Farneh said.

Others mixed humor with their anger, with Palestinians joking on social media that Israel's prime minister was unable to annex the Jordan Valley so he annexed the United Arab Emirates instead.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies during a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 2, 2020. (Saul Loeb/Pool/Getty Images)

CDC Director Issues Fall Warning, Urges Public to Follow COVID-19 Measures

The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that if Americans fail to follow safety measures put in place to curb the transmission of the CCP virus in the coming months, the country could face the worst fall from a public health perspective in history.

Speaking to WebMD, Dr. Robert Redfield advised Americans to follow four simple steps in order to prevent that from happening.

For your country right now and for the war that were in against COVID, Im asking you to do four simple things, Redfield said. Wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands, and be smart about crowds.

You do those four things, it will bring this outbreak down. But if we dont do that, as I said last April, this could be the worst fall from a public health perspective, weve ever had.

Redfield added that it must be a collective effort from all Americans, in order to be effective.

And I keep telling people, Im not asking some of America to do it. We all got to do it, Redfield said, referring to wearing face masks, social distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, and being smart about crowds.

People line-up to take a COVID-19 test in the Sunset Park neighborhood in New York City, on Aug. 13, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

This is one of those interventions that got to be 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, if its going to work for us, he said.

His remarks came as the United States earlier this week reported 55,000 news cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, and 1,499 virus-related deathsthe highest since May.

Redfield said that by the end of the year, he expects the virus to be a leading cause of death in the country, noting that mortality is gradually improving however as physicians learn to better manage patients and recognize infections.

When asked what the situation in the United States would look like by Thanksgiving, Redfield said it is entirely dependent on how Americans choose to respond.

I think its just dependent upon how the American people choose to respond. Were going to continue to try to do what we can to be effective, he said.

In speaking, Ive said before, when John Kennedy said, dont ask what your country can do. Ask for what you can do for your country.

Healthcare workers facilitate tests at a drive-in COVID-19 testing center in Los Angeles, California on Aug. 11, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The CDC director also recommended that Americans take the flu vaccine this year to prevent the overcrowding of hospitals and make space for potential COVID-19 patients.

Were going to have COVID in the fall, and were going to have flu in the fall. And either one of those by themselves can stress certain hospital systems, Redfield said.

Ive seen hospital intensive care units stretch by a severe flu season, and clearly, weve all seen it recently with COVID. So by getting that flu vaccine, you may be able to then negate the necessity to have to take up a hospital bed, he explained. And then that hospital bed can be more available for those that potentially get hospitalized for COVID.

Redfield noted that he is very cautiously optimistic that the United States will have one or more COVID-19 vaccines deployed before the first of the year.

The CDC on Thursday published a forecast that projects the total number of CCP virus deaths will approach just under 189,000 in the United States in the next three weeks, with a potential range of 181,375 to 201,431 deaths.

Over the next four weeks, Colorado is expected to see a rise, while Arizona, the Northern Mariana Islands, Vermont, and Wyoming, may see a decrease in new reported COVID-19 linked deaths per week, the CDC projected.

This is the greatest public health crisis that hit this nation in a centurywe need to owe it to our children and grandchildren that this nation is never under-prepared again for a public health crisis, Redfield said.
The Trump administration has filed a motion asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit against the presidents executive order targeting social media companies, calling it a profound misunderstanding, according to a copy of the motion seen by Reuters.

The lawsuit was brought in June by the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), a Washington-based tech group funded by Facebook Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and Twitter Inc. It marked the first major legal test of President Donald Trumps directive.

Trump issued an executive order in May against social media companies in an attempt to regulate platforms where he has been criticized, just days after Twitter took the rare step of fact-checking one of his tweets about mail-in voting. Trump threatened to scrap or weaken a law known as Section 230, which protects internet companies from litigation over content posted by users.

The lawsuit by CDT argued Trumps social media executive order violates the First Amendment rights of social media companies, will chill future online speech and reduce the ability of Americans to speak freely online.

The administration argues that the executive order only directs government agencies, and not private companies, to act.

The EO challenged here imposes no obligations on any private party, said the motion filed by the Department of Justice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which was seen by Reuters.

It directs executive officials to take steps that could lead various agencies to examine  allegations that large social media online platforms have displayed political bias in moderating content, the motion said.

The lawsuit reflects long-simmering tensions between the Trump administration and social media companies that have become key tools in Trumps political arsenal.

Avery Gardiner, CDTs general counsel, called Trumps executive order unconstitutional. CDTs lawsuit argues that the White House ran afoul of the First Amendment, which prohibits government officials from retaliating against an individual or entity for engaging in protected speech.

Instead of actually trying to address the merits of the issues, and to engage in litigation that will show the severe constitutional deformities of the executive order, it is resorting to legal maneuvering, Gardiner said on Wednesday, referring to the Trump administrations move.

The CDT has negotiated a briefing schedule with the DOJ. CDT will be filing its response by the end of August and the government is likely to respond by Sept. 21, she said.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said the administration moved to dismiss the case because it is not a valid legal argument.

The left-wing lobbying organizations brief seems to suggest it doesnt understand how administrative action works or possibly that it doesnt understand the nature of the judicial system, he told Reuters on Wednesday.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

Twitter called the executive order a reactionary and politicized approach to a landmark law. It declined comment on the CDT lawsuit. Google and Facebook did not respond to requests for comment.

Trumps order seeks to channel complaints about political bias to the Federal Trade Commission. At a recent Senate hearing, the agencys chairman, Joseph Simons, said the FTC has not taken any action to enforce the order.

The U.S. Commerce Department has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking new transparency rules in how social media companies moderate content after Trumps executive order directed the action. Earlier this month FCC Chairman Ajit Pai agreed to open the petition to public comment for 45 days.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington, Additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington Editing by Ken Li and Matthew Lewis)

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A Chinese expert says the rise of conservative populism in the U.S. is to blame for the serious setback in Sino-U.S. relations.
Today we are standing inside a facility that ties our legacy from the days of Strategic Air Command into the future of StratCom, said Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist, the senior civilian Pentagon official at the ceremony. The LeMay command-and-control facility represents a $1.3 billion investment in the future of your mission. ... It is also a show of commitment to the Offutt community, which remains the home of this mission, now and into the future.
"World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji" camera operators Eliza Earle, left, outside her home in Boulder, Colo. and Kathryn Barrows, behind her family's home in South Bristol, Maine. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

Eliza Earle twisted her ankle for the umpteenth time while filming "World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji." Though it was nearly midnight, the 30-year-old adventurer resolved to hike the few remaining miles of muddy trail to the campsite, where she'd wrap her ankle, clean her gear, restock on provisions and scarf down some food and water before getting back out on the course for another 24 hours or so.

The show's producer thought otherwise, urging her to take a real break and get clearance from medical to continue. Unlike those competing in the race, Earle was weathering the extreme heat, steep terrain and sleep deprivation while on the job  as a camera operator of the uniquely demanding reality series.

"I was so upset because I've been with that team the whole way there," Earle told The Times of Team Atenah Brasil, which was assigned another crew member while she rested for 12 hours. "You get really attached to your team that you kind of feel like you're one of them as well."

"World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji"  all 10 episodes of which are now streaming on Amazon Prime Video  is a reboot of Mark Burnett's expedition race, which was inspired by a Times article and aired from 1995 to 2002. Hosted by Bear Grylls, this "Eco-Challenge" sees a record 66 four-person teams from 30 countries attempting to traverse more than 400 miles in less than 11 days  without the use of navigational electronics.

Bear Grylls and Team Khukuri Warriors from India: team members Tashi Malik, Nungshi Malik, Brandon Fisher, Praveen Singh Rangar and VS Malik. (Corey Rich/Amazon)

The large-scale production required 200-plus cameras to collect 1,350 hours of footage in 4K and HDR, with the help of drones and tracking devices. But the real appeal of these on-screen adventures hinges on competitors' battles with the elements, each other and their own physical and mental limits  intimate moments that had to be captured by Earle and 11 other embedded camera operators.

"They're as much athletes as they are camera operators, because they have to be able to handle the environment just like the athletes do," said showrunner Lisa Hennessy, who worked on all of the original "Eco-Challenge" installments. "The racecourse is specifically designed to test people in a certain way. So as the teams were testing themselves past whatever they thought was possible, so were our crew."

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The "Special Ops," as they were called, first had to rate themselves on their abilities in activities like rope climbing, jungle trekking, mountain biking, river rafting and hiking. "I wish every job application was like that, because that's all the stuff I love to do," said camera operator Kathryn Barrows, 43. "I felt like this is the show I've been waiting my whole life to shoot."

"I cannot explain how much mud is in this race," said Eliza Earle of "World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji." (Bligh Gillies/Amazon)

Barrows, who previously worked on the National Geographic series "Continent 7: Antarctica," trained for the gig for two months by taking long-distance hikes around Maine, where she spent her childhood summers. She regularly veered off trails and trekked along streams, wearing weights to replicate the camping supplies and filming equipment she'd carry. To simulate the camera, "I brought a 5-pound dumbbell around whenever I would hike or do hill sprints. I wanted to get used to that feeling of always having that weight in my hand, and make it an extension of me."

Earle, an assistant producer on the rock-climbing documentary "The Dawn Wall," spent three months running trails in the French Alps for seven hours a day with her sister, and completed the Tour du Mont Blanc in under five days. "I felt so ridiculous with this big running vest stuffed with all these water bottles, and a bunch of my cameras and lenses strapped to my hips," she recalled. "I was like, 'Well, it's not comfortable, but it'll work.'"

The "Special Ops" were tasked with filming 20 teams, which were selected in some cases for their country of origin or distinct back story rather than their front-of-the-pack ambitions: for example, Team Onyx, the first entirely African American adventure racing team in a global competition; Team Khukuri Warriors, led by 23-year-old twin sisters from India; and Team Endure, which included a player afflicted with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. (The show pulls back the curtain on how it monitors the competitors inside "Race HQ," which was "a tent getting blown over by the wind half the time" in previous seasons, said Hennessy.)

Camera operators traveled alongside the teams through jungles, rivers, swamps and mountains, withstanding conditions like harsh rains, unrelenting humidity and the threat of hypothermia without complaint. If the competitors you're following got lost, you got lost right along with them, circling the same area for hours. Sleep was anything but guaranteed: "You don't know when it'll be, so you basically just take it when you can get it," said Barrows with a laugh.

"This is the show I've been waiting my whole life to shoot," said Kathryn Barrows of "World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji." (Tara Kerzhner/Amazon)

When switching between subjects, the crew were relocated by car, boat or helicopter as much as possible. But sometimes they just had to get themselves in or out of a remote location on their own, which might mean waiting for weather conditions to clear until it was safe to do so. That's what happened at Vuwa Falls, where some camera crew remained unretrieved by helicopter for three days due to impenetrable cloud cover.

"They were completely safe and had plenty of food and water, but from a coverage point of view, you're down two or three operators," said Hennessy. "That's just what happens when you film in these amazing places in the wilderness  there isn't access a lot of the time because it's so extreme."

"The outdoor adventure community calls this Type II Fun , the type of fun where you don't realize it was fun until after it's over because it's grueling while you're in it," added Earle. "We're storytellers by trade, but we're also athletes, and we're used to being in uncomfortable situations and being totally OK with it."

"Eco-Challenge" showrunner Lisa Hennessy gets in some playtime. Fijian locals often assisted the competitors as guides and supporters. (Krystle Wright/Amazon)

Thankfully, production wrapped without any major behind-the-scenes snafus. Barrows and Earle returned to their regular lives: Barrows headed out to another gig, and Earle embarked on a two-week camping trip in the Utah desert.

Both would love to take part in a future "Eco-Challenge" season, even if they're again the only female embedded camera operators on the large-scale project. "Sometimes I feel like I'm constantly having to prove myself not just as a capable camera operator, but also that I can carry all the weight and still keep up and even run as fast as anyone else," said Earle.

"Our team of embedded camera operators was a bunch of gnarly mountain men, three or four of whom summited Everest! Feeling super confident in this space takes time, and I've gotten to a point where I know that if I get hired for a job like this, I can do it."

"It is a male-dominated industry, but it's changing," added Barrows. "I hope more women will be inspired to see what it's all about, join the industry and even it out a little bit."
The US State Department has designated a Chinese government-funded Mandarin-language programme as a foreign mission, expanding the scope of Chinese organisations operating in America that Washington regards as propaganda arms of Beijing.

Confucius Institutes in the US (CIUS)  an organisation managed by Chinas Ministry of Education, and which finances its programmes on American campuses  will need to register its personnel roster and property holdings with the State Department, a move authorised by the Foreign Missions Act of 1982 (FMA), David Stilwell, the assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said on Thursday.

We asked them to tell us what they're doing here in the US, we're not closing it. Were simply designating them as what they are, as foreign missions, Stilwell said.

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Stilwell likened the move to the departments new restrictions on journalists working at US bureaus for Chinese state media outlets. This process that we've done so far with media and others has significantly improved visibility into what the [Peoples Republic of Chinas] state media is doing, he said.

He added that these so-called journalists do in fact work for the Beijing ministry of propaganda, and that In the same way, these activities of Confucius Institutes  who work for the Communist Party cannot masquerade as benign academic institutions.

The order only applies to the Washington-based umbrella organisation, Confucius Institutes in the US. CIUS manages and funds programmes on US campuses, which are not subject to the order.

CIUS operates under the auspices of the Chinese Ministry of Educations Chinese Language Council International, also known as Hanban.

Asked about Thursday's order, CIUS Executive Director Gao Qing, said he was more than happy to work with the State Department and their request for more information surrounding our organization the same way we were during the [US Government Accountability Offices] investigation last year.

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That report, which the GAO published in February 2019 after a review of 90 agreements between CIUS host organisations and officials involved in the programmes, failed to turn up any evidence that instructors were actively pushing an agenda set by Beijing, and suggested that many of the accusations about their activities were unfounded.

Much of the information requested is either already publicly available or has been offered to the State Department multiple times in the past in a good faith effort to be transparent, Gao said. We have also made multiple attempts to open our organisation to the press to show that we, as a predominantly American staff, are committed to transparency.

About 75 Confucius Institutes are active on university campuses and elsewhere in the US. These programmes are not subject to the requirement to register, nor are students taking the institutes Mandarin-language classes.

The US also has about 500 Confucius Classrooms, which are conducted on levels from kindergarten through high school. These programmes are managed by Hanban through US universities that host Confucius Institutes.

A screen shot of the website for the Confucius Institute at the University of Michigan, before the university decided not to renew the relationship in 2019. Photo: Confucius Institute

Campuses hosting Confucius Institutes had been dropping the programmes well before Thursdays announcement, owing to scrutiny that had been intensifying for years.

At least 25 programmes have closed since the National Association of Scholars (NAS) published a 2017 report largely critical of the amount of control the Chinese government has over the selection of instructors and teaching materials used in CI classrooms.

Last year, for example, the University of Minnesota, San Francisco State University, the University of Oregon and Western Kentucky University all shuttered their CIUS programmes, after the passage of a clause in the 2019 US defence budget that no institutions receiving funding from the Pentagon can host a Confucius Institute.

The NAS report, Outsourced to China: Confucius Institutes and Soft Power in American Higher Education, cited many examples of Hanbans control over teachers dispatched to host universities and agreements between Hanban and these schools to keep their contracts private.

Confucius Institute programmes avoid Chinese political history and human rights abuses, portray Taiwan and Tibet as undisputed territories of China, and educate a generation of American students to know nothing more of China than the regime's official history, according to the report.

The NAS report added that there is no positive proof that the institutes are also centres for Chinese espionage against the United States, but virtually every independent observer who has looked into them believes this to be the case.

While the order doesn't apply to the individual university programs, Stilwell asked that universities "take a hard look at what those kids are doing on their campuses, and then decide for themselves if this is something that supports and advances academic freedom.

Some of Americas largest and most prestigious academic institutions  including Stanford University; University of California, Los Angeles; University of Michigan and Columbia University  continue to offer Confucius Institute programmes, according to the CIUS website. None of these schools immediately responded to requests for comment.

David Stilwell, assistant US Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said one issue driving the action was a lack of transparency by Chinese authorities. Photo: Reuters

The State Departments action against Confucius Institute comes amid a series of other initiatives to counter perceived Chinese influence operations and national security threats, including its Clean Network programme and the Justice Departments China Initiative.

Clean Network involves coaxing other countries to ban Chinese vendors from their 5G networks, and urges US app stores to remove untrusted Chinese-owned apps  including the video-sharing TikTok app and the messaging app WeChat.

The China Initiative involves a strengthening of resources to investigate unlawful and covert efforts by Chinese entities to acquire US technology and data.

However, the registration orders for Confucius Institutes also concerns reciprocal access, another contentious issue that drives US actions against Beijing.

This whole process  reflects a larger effort by the US government and the Trump administration to get at through reciprocity and transparency, Stilwell said.

He cited American corners offered at US universities with campuses in China as an example of failed attempts at reciprocity because of obstacles by Chinese authorities.

The trouble is  they make access impossible for Chinese students to go talk to Americans  and so again this supposedly reciprocal relationship is wildly out of balance, Stilwell said.

Our goal is to get the other side to understand the importance of transparency and openness and sharing, but until that happens we're going to take steps to defend ourselves.

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2021 Toyota Corolla Apex Edition The Spirit of Waku Doki

The transformation of Toyotas persona into a maker of fun-to-drive vehicles continues with the limited-run Corolla Apex Edition for 2021.

Waku doki. Two Japanese words that Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation president and self-professed driving enthusiast, often uses to capture the spirit of excitement he is determined to infuse throughout Toyotas product lineup.

Its an essence first captured in 1967, when James Bond made the Toyota 2000GT his ride of choice in You Only Live Twice. And its been reimagined and revived through the years in such vehicles as the Celica, MR2 and original Supra, as well as more recently with the 86 and the GR Supra.

But the performance-oriented bent of those vehicles is obvious. Less so, but perhaps more significantly, are the brands mainstream cars that have benefitted from this mindset.

Like, say, the Corolla. The best-selling nameplate of all time is best known as a reliable and practical choice for buyers on a budget. But when the latest generation of this subcompact sedan came to market in 2018, its enhanced performance and handling characteristics delivered something more: a bit of fun.

Or, as Akio would put it, waku doki.

Its now time to add another chapter to this ongoing storyline. Toyota has now unveiled the 2021 Corolla Apex Edition, based on the SE and XSE grades, that takes that under-the-radar oomph and turns it up a notch.

How so? Consider these seven points of distinction:

Sport-tuned suspension  Its right there in the name. In track driving, racers aim to clip the apex of a corner to turn the quickest lap times. The Corolla Apex Edition promises to deliver similarly aggressive cues through its high-strength TNGA-C platform, modified with a lowered sport-tuned suspension, solid stabilizer bars and special lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels. Go with the available summer performance tires and youll enjoy more grip and a closer connection to the road. The net effect? Improved body control and a more stable ride during cornering.

Factory-custom body package  The Apex Edition certainly looks the part. Its black body kit with bronze accents accentuates the Corollas edgier styling. Details of note include front spoiler, fog light covers, side moldings and rear diffuser. And those who want to go all in on the head-turning looks can add the available rear trunk spoiler.

Sport-tuned exhaust  Oh, and it sounds the part, too, with a sport-tuned exhaust fitted with a conical-shaped tailpipe tip.

2.0-liter Dynamic Force engine  All of the above only matters if you have sufficient power to back it up and the Corolla Apex Edition delivers with 169 peak horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Thats made possible in part by a high compression ratio, Toyota D4-S fuel injection, high-speed combustion, VVT-iE intelligent variable valve-timing on the intake side and VVT-i on the exhaust. Plus, this engines maximum thermal efficiency  at 40 percent  is among the highest among current passenger cars.

Available manual transmission  Most of these Corollas will be fitted with Toyotas Dynamic Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that simulates 10-speed Sequential Shiftmatic Steps, augmented with Sport Mode and paddle shifters. True driving purists, though, will look to snag one of just 120 Corolla Apex Editions offered with Toyotas 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0  Like all 2021 Corolla grades, the Apex Edition will come standard with Toyotas suite of driver-assist technologies. In addition, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert will be standard equipment on the XSE Apex Edition and optional on the SE Apex Edition with CVT.

Limited volume  If this is the Corolla youve been waiting for, youd best act quickly. Toyota will only make 6,000 of them annually. So odds are theyll move fast, in more ways than one!
Its difficult to spot the home on this plot of 40 acres near Buffalo, TX. Which is exactly the way the owner wants itthe home is entirely underground.

It's completely covered by earth, says the listing agent, Terri Alexander.

I'm not sure that I know of another one like this in Texas, not completely underground, the way this one is. Its different. It's going to take somebody very eclectic that wants to purchase a housebecause it is out there.

Listed for $2.25 million, the residence consists of a series of five interconnected dome homes covered with dirt. It measures in at 3,000 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

It was built in 1999, and its owner, Glenn Young, wanted both privacy and to prove a point to the folks at Monolithic Domes. Alexander told us the Monolithic Institute recommended against putting dome homes underground.

"He did it anyway, Alexander says. And 20 years [later], hes had to really put no maintenance in this house, and it is solid as a rock.

Aerial view of underground home in Buffalo, TX Sky High Imaging

Exterior Sky High Imaging

Exterior Sky High Imaging

Front door Sky High Imaging

Entrance Sky High Imaging

Finding the door to enter the underground lair is the tricky part.

You enter through a front door that comes off of the pond, that looks like a hobbit hole, Alexander explains.

It's a normal-size door, but the rest of the property makes it [appear] dwarfed, so it looks like a hobbit-hole entrance. There's a metal gate, and that goes into the tunnel, which goes down to the house.

Eventually, you reach a landing and the front door to the house.

Entry landing Sky High Imaging

Entry landing Sky High Imaging

Entry Sky High Imaging

Living space Sky High Imaging

Its this huge open area and front door, with chairs sitting out there and this brilliant paint. Its really cool, Alexander says.

As for that paint: Three different artists helped to create the ornate wall and ceiling decor in the house. Most of the rooms have a theme, with clouds on the ceilings and elaborate murals.

Theres a room that has an Acapulco beach theme, an Egyptian room, a space room, a Mayan room, and an ocean room. The bathroom resembles some kind of ancient temple.

Bedroom Sky High Imaging

Acapulco beach room Sky High Imaging

Bedroom Sky High Imaging

Bathroom Sky High Imaging

I was really pulled in by the artwork. Its quirky, like the dogs on the pantry door, Alexander says, describing her initial reaction to the house.

Since she first laid eyes on the place, the owner has pared down his numerous belongings, so potential buyers can see the murals and the floors more clearly.

Other spaces in the home include a meditation room, a panic room, an office, kitchen, dining area, and plenty of living space.

Kitchen Sky High Imaging

Kitchen Sky High Imaging

Dining area Sky High Imaging

Of course, theres no natural light streaming in, but Alexander told us the home doesn't feel dreary or confining.

When I first saw it, I was concerned I would feel closed in and disconnected, she says.

I was really relieved to find thats not how it felt at all. I have a tendency to be claustrophobic, so I was concerned that I would get in there and slightly panic, and I didn't. It was actually comfortable.

With the help of air circulators, the temperature hovers at a comfortable 72 degrees, so the need for air conditioning and heating is rare. All the machinery for the house is housed above ground.

The home is connected to utilities, but could be completely off the grid if the new owners prefer. There is a generator that can run the house for two weeks and a well for water.

Above-ground workshop Sky High Imaging

Garage Sky High Imaging

Additional workshop Sky High Imaging

Two workshops above ground cover a total of more than 7,500 square feet. One has three rooms and a full bathroom. A garage provides additional above-ground space.

The property is near Corsicana, TX, about 90 minutes from Dallas and an hour from Houston. Alexander says that is close enough to civilization, even though it is hidden away.

She feels the buyer will be someone with a creative, artistic, or quirky bent who also desires extreme privacy.

The buyer is going to be the type of person who says 'I want to be private, I want to be off the grid'. It's really for somebody who wants to disappear.

Bathroom Sky High Imaging

Living space Sky High Imaging

Tunnel Sky High Imaging

Bedroom Sky High Imaging

Hallway Sky High Imaging

Living space Sky High Imaging

Tunnel Sky High Imaging

Outdoor space Sky High Imaging

The post Must-See Underground House in Texas Is Crazy With Color and Extremely Private appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
On the bridge of one of the world's biggest container ships, a worker in a grey protective suit installs the compass that will guide the leviathan across the world.

The finishing touches are being put to the HMM St Petersburg at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard on the island of Geoje, at the southern tip of South Korea.

Deep in the bowels of the enormous vessel, welders are dwarfed by the giant engines that will propel it at a maximum speed of over 22 knots.

At 400 metres (1,300 feet), the HMM St Petersburg is 100 metres longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall, and 62 metres wide.

It has a capacity of 23,820 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units, the standard measure of a shipping container), which owner Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) describes as enough to carry seven billion choco-pies, a popular Korean snack -- one for every human being on the planet.

It is the 12th and last of a new class of 24,000-TEU vessels HMM is putting into service, the largest of their kind in the world and costing 170-180 billion won ($143-151 million) each.

The first of the class to begin operations, the 23,964-TEU HMM Algeciras, made its maiden voyage in April when it set a new world record for shipment volume.

The South's shipbuilding industry is one of the world's biggest and was one of the drivers of its decades of economic growth, but in recent years has been hammered by global oversupply and cheaper competition from China.

Similarly the Korean shipping industry was plunged into turmoil by the collapse of Hanjin Shipping, once one of the world's top 10 container lines, which was declared bankrupt in 2017.

HMM St Petersburg will be delivered in September and make its maiden voyage to Shanghai and other Chinese ports, before heading through the Suez Canal to Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, and London.

The journey from South Korea to Europe and back is a 12-week round trip, but despite its size and the distance covered, the vessel will have a crew of just 23.

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A Government Minister has called for more lightning checks on food premises after todays outbreak of Covid-19 at Walshs Mushroom packaging premises in Golden, Co Tipperary.

Michael McGrath, the Minister for Public Expenditure, said after a Cabinet meeting: We do want to see more unannounced inspections.

There is far more value in a visit that is unannounced rather than one that is scheduled and flagged in advance. You get to see what is likely to be usually done in a premises. This is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority, but we want to see more unannounced visits.

Read More

He added that the Government would "not hesitate" to act if the situation warranted it in the short term.

The Dail special committee on coronavirus heard on Thursday that there had been only 39 inspections at meat plant and food processing factories after the advent of lockdown, when they were deemed an essential need.

But of the 39 visits, only nine had not been announced in advance to local managements. The notification was normally given the night before.

The HSA also argued that its remit only ran to work activity and not how employees got to work and what their living conditions were like.

Chief Executive Sharon McGuinness claimed there had only been 21 complaints about meat plants made to the HSA by members of the public, which were on a range of issues.

If there is an outbreak at a place of work, then I think it is an issue relevant to the HSA. We will examine that and will not hesitate to act, Mr McGrath said.

It is important that people are safe in their place of work and are protected. We need to make sure that the response from the State and its authorities is adequate, in order to make sure we are doing the best job we can.

He added: Any new cluster of this disease that develops is of concern. We know from what we have learned about this disease that the virus thrives in cases where people are working very close together, living close together, or both.

The outbreak at the factory in Golden was another stark reminder of the challenge we face in containing this virus, he said.
The Police Command in Kebbi have arrested Aliyu Umar, father of the 12-year-old boy chained for two years in an animal stall in Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government.

The commands Public Relations Officer, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, said in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday that the father, told the police that the boy has Down syndrome.

Abubakar added that the father had admitted to the police that he tied up the boy with a rope in view of his inability to sustain his medication.

The father had claimed that he had taken the boy to native doctors for medication up to the extent of selling some of his properties, but all in vain.

Instead, he decided to prevent him from roaming about in the town, stoning peoples vehicles as well as injuring himself which could lead to his death.

He, however, said that the police had arraigned Umar before Chief Magistrate Court 1, Birnin Kebbi on a charge of cruelty to a minor.

Jibrin Aliyu, was on Aug. 9, found at his fathers residence tied with a rope alongside with animals and chickens and was in that condition for two years after the demise of his mother.

The boy is currently on admission at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi.

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Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), in which the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is a partner, have revealed an extremely distant and therefore very young galaxy that looks surprisingly like our Milky Way.

The galaxy is so far away its light has taken more than 12 billion years to reach us: we see it as it was when the Universe was just 1.4 billion years old. It is also surprisingly unchaotic, contradicting theories that all galaxies in the early Universe were turbulent and unstable. This unexpected discovery challenges our understanding of how galaxies form, giving new insights into the past of our Universe.

"This result represents a breakthrough in the field of galaxy formation, showing that the structures that we observe in nearby spiral galaxies and in our Milky Way were already in place 12 billion years ago," says Francesca Rizzo, PhD student from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany, who led the research published today in Nature. While the galaxy the astronomers studied, called SPT0418-47, doesn't appear to have spiral arms, it has at least two features typical of our Milky Way: a rotating disc and a bulge, the large group of stars packed tightly around the galactic centre. This is the first time a bulge has been seen this early in the history of the Universe, making SPT0418-47 the most distant Milky Way look-alike.

"The big surprise was to find that this galaxy is actually quite similar to nearby galaxies, contrary to all expectations from the models and previous, less detailed, observations," says co-author Filippo Fraternali, from the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen in the Netherlands. In the early Universe, young galaxies were still in the process of forming, so researchers expected them to be chaotic and lacking the distinct structures typical of more mature galaxies like the Milky Way.

Studying distant galaxies like SPT0418-47 is fundamental to our understanding of how galaxies formed and evolved. This galaxy is so far away we see it when the Universe was just 10% of its current age because its light took 12 billion years to reach Earth. By studying it, we are going back to a time when these baby galaxies were just beginning to develop.

Because these galaxies are so far away, detailed observations with even the most powerful telescopes are almost impossible as the galaxies appear small and faint. The team overcame this obstacle by using a nearby galaxy as a powerful magnifying glass -- an effect known as gravitational lensing -- allowing ALMA to see into the distant past in unprecedented detail. In this effect, the gravitational pull from the nearby galaxy distorts and bends the light from the distant galaxy, causing it to appear misshapen and magnified.

The gravitationally lensed, distant galaxy appears as a near-perfect ring of light around the nearby galaxy, thanks to their almost exact alignment. The research team reconstructed the distant galaxy's true shape and the motion of its gas from the ALMA data using a new computer modelling technique. "When I first saw the reconstructed image of SPT0418-47 I could not believe it: a treasure chest was opening," says Rizzo.

"What we found was quite puzzling; despite forming stars at a high rate, and therefore being the site of highly energetic processes, SPT0418-47 is the most well-ordered galaxy disc ever observed in the early Universe," stated co-author Simona Vegetti, also from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics. "This result is quite unexpected and has important implications for how we think galaxies evolve." The astronomers note, however, that even though SPT0418-47 has a disc and other features similar to those of spiral galaxies we see today, they expect it to evolve into a galaxy very different from the Milky Way, and join the class of elliptical galaxies, another type of galaxies that, alongside the spirals, inhabit the Universe today.

This unexpected discovery suggests the early Universe may not be as chaotic as once believed and raises many questions on how a well-ordered galaxy could have formed so soon after the Big Bang. This ALMA finding follows the earlier discovery announced in May of a massive rotating disc seen at a similar distance. SPT0418-47 is seen in finer detail, thanks to the lensing effect, and has a bulge in addition to a disc, making it even more similar to our present-day Milky Way than the one studied previously.

Future studies, including with ESO's Extremely Large Telescope, will seek to uncover how typical these 'baby' disc galaxies really are and whether they are commonly less chaotic than predicted, opening up new avenues for astronomers to discover how galaxies evolved.

###

More information

This research was presented in the paper "A dynamically cold disk galaxy in the early Universe" to appear in Nature (doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2572-6).

The team is composed of F. Rizzo (Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany [MPA]), S. Vegetti (MPA), D. Powell (MPA), F. Fraternali (Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, the Netherlands), J. P. McKean (Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and ASTRON, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy), H. R. Stacey (MPA, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and ASTRON, Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy) and S. D. M. White (MPA).

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

* Research paper - https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/sciencepapers/eso2013/eso2013a.pdf



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New York (CNN Philippines Life)  For international students, the dream of pursuing their education in America became a nightmare during the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 6, 2020, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that international students holding F1 and M1 visas would be forced to leave the country if classes continued online due to the coronavirus. (To maintain their visas, international students are typically required to be enrolled full time on campus.) The following week, ICE rescinded its earlier decision to strip visas from these students. For twelve days, the news rocked the international student community and caused a tidal wave of uncertainty, panic, and last-minute planning.

The day after the initial announcement, Mihiro, an incoming sophomore at Northeastern University, woke up to a slew of frantic text messages from classmates, friends, and family while she quarantined in Tokyo. At first it was confusing, Mihiro said of her initial reaction. As she had plans of returning to campus in September, she didnt know what the announcement meant for her upcoming hybrid classes.

Meanwhile, in Manila, Erin*, an engineering senior from a university in Western New York, grew more anxious since she had also planned to return to the campus for her final year. I feel more threatened by the political climate [in the U.S.] than the coronavirus, she said, adding that the announcement left her debating "whether I wanted to come back to a country that didn't even want me. [But] I was still motivated to come back because it's my last year, and I want to graduate on time." As an assistant for the upcoming international student orientation, Erin spent most of the week addressing incoming students' concerns, particularly about quarantining.

Even the announcement shocked the international students who graduated and held work visas. It felt like a slap in the face, described Angela*. She moved from the Philippines to New York from 2015 to 2017 to study acting and is now quarantined in Manila. [An American education] is a privilege, but you have to work hard to get there. You sacrifice so much of your personal time, relationships, friendships, and other opportunities you could have had in your home country.

While quarantined in New York, Alex*, a graphic designer, called the situation heartbreaking. In 2012, she left the Philippines to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she graduated in 2015. "When you're an immigrant, you're always on a thread," she explained. Someone can just cut that thread at any point, and you have to leave.

Learning to adapt to a new normal

The news presented more complications than solutions. If I [were] a student today and I had to go home now, thats going to cost another $2000, Alex pointed out. In this time, when unemployment is at a record high not just in America but in other countries, whose family has this much money to spend? At the same time, consulates in students respective countries remained closed and were unable to issue any visas. As the new school year slowly inched closer, new students didnt have a visa that would allow them to study in the States.

When the COVD-19 pandemic started to sweep across the US in March, both Mihiro and Erins studies and internships came to a halt as they scrambled to find flights home and stay on top of online classes.

Erin faced the difficult decision of ending her internship early in New York so she could fly back to the Philippines before the country locked down. At one point, I didn't even know if I could make it home, said Erin, who shared a detailed spreadsheet of her canceled flights. In May, she finally managed to connect with a Philippine-based travel agency, which did a sweeper flight for Filipino students remaining in the U.S. The feeling of relief lasted for a few moments because she needed to reschedule her final exam, which was on the same day she was traveling.

On the other hand, Mihiro wanted to remain in Boston, but her parents convinced her to return home. [My first year] was going well until [the coronavirus] hit, and all the plans fell through, she said. In a few days, she had to figure out flight bookings, quarantine details, and where to move her belongings from her dorm. Once she arrived in Japan, she learned to manage the different time zones. Because one of her classes featured guest lecturers, she had to be up at random times in the evening, like at 2 AM to meet them. Im pretty sure other people had that structure as well, Mihiro said. I wanted to go to those because I'm paying the tuition money, and they were great guest speakers.

They ask me, Why are you applying so early? Why can't you take a break? You're so intense. Well, unlike [them], I have to apply to a hundred jobs to get five interviews.

Being an international student in America is like a second major

For these students, the dream of pursuing an American education was based on university experience, networking, and job opportunities. Looking back on their college experiences, Angela and Alex agree that being an international student felt like a second major, where failure was not an option. The pressure to live up to the expectation, scholarship qualifications and, at the same time, make the sacrifice worth it was intense.

As a Filipina student in America, I felt that I had to prove my worth constantly to show I was good enough to be at school, said Angela. The other international students and I took it so seriously. If we were less than 100% dedicated to the program, it would have been a problem for sure.

Part of Alexs own decision to come to America was to achieve financial independence from her parents. This meant working three part-time jobs on campus on top of her full-time studies at SCAD. Because of my visa, I could only find a job on campus, and I could only accept minimum wage with a specific number of hours, said Alex. "And then on top of that, you had to do well at school. You can't just take a shorter course load or take fewer classes because work was too tough. Or if your other two classes are tough, you can't drop the third one. You can't just do that.

Even Erin's classmates noticed her tenacity when applying for internships. They ask me, Why are you applying so early? Why can't you take a break? You're so intense, she shared. Well, unlike [them], I have to apply to a hundred jobs to get five interviews. Alex added, I can understand why an American student would look at [our] situation and wonder, Why is it so hard for [these Filipinos]? They have multiple job offers. Why are they complaining if they have some form of success? They don't realize the steps it takes to get there.

Graduating with bigger challenges up ahead

Despite the challenges of balancing work with straight As, Alex said her positive experience at SCAD motivated her to continue to work and live in America. At the time, I didnt even realize how challenging it was for me [as an international student] versus other people, she said.

After graduation, most local students take their time finding jobs and take a break to travel around Europe or Asia before even searching for a job. For international students, the idea of funemployment meant facing deportation after 90 consecutive days. The options for available positions are increasingly limited, especially when these students have to factor in company sponsorship for the employment visa.

While Angela found work in smaller theaters, workshops, and schools, she didn't qualify for Broadway show auditions because of her student visa. She explained those auditions were for equity members, and to be eligible for membership, performers needed to have a permanent residency known as a green card. So that eliminated me from casting calls, she said. I knew by default they werent going to let me in the audition room.

Looking back on her experience right after graduation, Alex shared, I didnt negotiate for myself in my first few jobs because I needed the sponsorship. So, I was going to take whatever [my employers] offered me without negotiating because sponsorship was invaluable, and I couldn't put a price tag on that. At Alex's last job, she realized that the people who worked on her same level and did the same amount of work as her made at least 10 to 15% more than me.

Do you realize what a privilege complaining is? I would be deported if I complained too loud or started screaming at an immigration officer like a white American woman.

Finding their collective voice

The international student community doesnt have a voice unless other people help, Erin said. With over a million international students enrolled, the community remains relatively quiet, with students and graduates who keep their heads down and continue to work and study for fear of being deported. Do you realize what a privilege complaining is? I would be deported if I complained too loud or started screaming at an immigration officer like a white American woman, said Alex.

Erin even started a petition to address her universitys housing situation for international students who planned to return in the fall and needed to quarantine themselves. Her petition also called for her school to come up with a back-up in case classes returned online, so these students could continue to keep their visa status and didn't get deported. Across America, international students and graduates also shared petitions and articles across social media, including their professional LinkedIn profiles, demanding justice. For the first time, they wanted to be heardloud and clear.

Ivy leagues Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were quick to file lawsuits against ICE to support their students. In his letter to members of the Harvard community, the school president, Lawrence Bacow, explained the decision to support their students. [] We will not stand by to see our international students dreams extinguished by a deeply misguided order. We owe it to them to stand up and fightand we will, he wrote.

In the following days, John Hopkins University also filed a lawsuit and Northeastern University announced its support for the students. By July 13, 17 states across America sued ICE. Law officials felt that the administrations decision leveraged international students visas in order to force universities to start in-person classes before they were even ready, which put students, teachers, and staff at risk.

Planning for the new school year

On July 14, 2020, ICE announced it had rescinded its initial decision. A massive sigh of relief reverberated from the international student community. I was obviously so happy, and I finally got a good night's sleep last night, Erin shared immediately after the announcement. Besides preparing for her final year at school, she can now focus on quarantine and classes when she returns.

Mihiro, who also planned to return on campus for the upcoming school year, said the new announcement was really progressive on the administration in terms of their immigration policies. I think it was because so many institutions and big companies advocated for international students to come back. For me, that shows that [American] companies and institutions are happy with us coming into the country and giving us a chance in the United States.

It [also] goes to show that there is power in unity, added Erin. She also pointed out that this shouldnt have been an issue in the first place: the international community makes up 5.5% of the entire U.S. higher education enrollment and contributes around $41 billion to the economy by paying for university tuition, accommodations, and supplies.

I guess [ICE] realized how important we are for the economy, not just for money, but [for] helping companies and schools progress in terms of diversity, she said.

With the ordeal behind them, international students can now look ahead at the uncertain future. Even in the midst of a pandemic, they continue with a stronger sense of perseverance. If theres anything being an international student has proven, its that resilience cant be taught in a classroom.

***

*Students names have been changed to protect their identities.
DUSSELDORF, Germany, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Ecolog performs COVID-19 tests at the Brussels Airport for travelers returning back to Belgium as well as for people departing from the airport

Contract foresees the set-up of a testing facility as well as a mobile laboratory, enabling test analyses on site with a rapid turnaround time

Ecolog Deutschland, part of the Ecolog International Group, a leading global provider of integrated services, rapid response and mobile infrastructure, technology, environmental solutions, screening and diagnostics and logistics, has been entrusted by the Brussels Airport Company to perform COVID-19 tests at the Brussels Airport.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase across European countries, Belgium's government has announced to double the COVID-19 capacities as part of a nationwide testing platform to perform large-scale tests throughout the fall season. In order to provide travelers with the opportunity to perform a COVID-19 test and to contribute to public safety and customer comfort, the Brussels Airport Company has selected Ecolog in collaboration with Van Poucke Eurofins to set-up a testing facility as well as a mobile laboratory, enabling test analyses on site with a rapid turnaround time.

Ecolog's COVID-19 large scale testing project in Luxembourg, and its rapid screening & diagnostic solution established at various airports in Europe are intended to contribute to the public safety and provide people with the 'peace of mind'. Commenting on the award, Ali Vezvaei, Group CEO of Ecolog International said "At Ecolog we believe ease of access and availability of testing is one of the most effective ways in combating the pandemic. We are delighted to support the Brussels Airport Company in enhancing the safety of travelers."

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company added "Public health has been a top priority for Brussels Airport since the start of the corona crisis. That's why we've decided to go a step further and enable COVID-19 testing at the airport itself in a new mobile lab. For example, anyone returning from a red zone can have themselves tested immediately upon arrival at Brussels Airport. Departing passengers can also have themselves tested there, with a rapid test the results are already available within 3 hours."

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1228337/Ecolog_Brussels_Airport.jpg

Contact:

Ecolog Deutschland

Thomas Hueser

Phone.: +49 (0) 173 578 54 63

thomas.hueser@ecolog-international.com

www.ecolog-international.com
With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Many Palestinians will be reciting a version of this adage on Friday, a day after the United Arab Emirates said it had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel in a U.S.-brokered deal.

The announcement was widely cheered within Israel, the U.S., Europe and even some corners of the Middle East, but it provoked despair among many Palestinians who feel abandoned by their traditional allies, many of whom have turned their focus away from Israel and onto Shiite Iran as their enemy.

May you never be sold out by your 'friends,' the veteran Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi tweeted in reaction to the announcement by the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates. May you never experience the agony of having your country stolen; may you never feel the pain of living in captivity under occupation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbass spokesman called UAE's actions a betrayal of Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause.

If Israel and the UAE go ahead and sign bilateral agreements that would allow for investment, direct flights, tourism and the establishment of reciprocal embassies, among other things, it would be the first time the worlds only Jewish state has normalized relations with a Gulf nation. The UAE, like most of the Arab world, had long rejected ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state.

For the Palestinians, it was not good enough that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day-to-day ruler of the United Arab Emirates, emphasized that the agreement would stop "further" Israeli annexation of Palestinian territory.

During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories. The UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship.     (@MohamedBinZayed) August 13, 2020

After World War II, the newly formed Arab League opposed the creation of Israel and later opposed recognizing it. After Israels creation, citizens were unable to travel to any Arab state on an Israeli passport until Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. Despite the peace treaties, relations with these states remained cold.

Story continues

Israel has fought three major wars with its neighbors, including the 1948 conflict over Israels creation that the Palestinians call the Nakba, or catastrophe in Arabic. In 1973, Egyptian forces launched a surprise attack across the Suez Canal in a war that would lead to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

Fast forward 47 years. Despite the fact that the majority of the international community supports a two-state solution, which would see Palestinians set up a country alongside Israel, Palestinians feel increasingly isolated internationally.

Since 1948, Israel has pushed farther into Palestinian territories whether through war or settlement building, making the establishment of an independent Palestinian state seem more unlikely.

And in recent years Arab nations such as the United Arab Emirates have begun to see Iran as a greater threat than Israel in the region. This, among other reasons, has displaced the Palestinian cause  long a cause celebre on the Arab street.

Image: President Donald Trump (Kevin Lamarque / Reuters)

What has happened is that Palestine that used to be the mother of all questions in the Arab world is no longer really seen as fundamental, said Fawaz Gerges, a professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics.

Now, mutual hostility toward Iran (and its proxies), and concern that Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons have driven nations, once opposed, closer together. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons.

Other factors include the collapse of the notion of a pan-Arab security system as in recent years Arab states descended into civil strife and called on other non-Arab states, including Israel, to intervene on their behalf, Gerges said.

Gerges cautioned, however, that the Palestinian cause continues to resonate deeply in the minds of the Arab people.

Image: Palestinian families (Mohammed Salem / Reuters)

In the Gaza Strip, a blockaded Palestinian enclave run by hard-line Islamist group Hamas, and in the heart of the West Bank, Palestinians also saw Thursdays news as a betrayal.

We are losing brothers. We thought they were on our side, only to discover that they were against us, said Ahmed Shurab, 54, a clothes salesman in Gaza City.

Thousands took to the streets in the Gaza Strip on Friday to protest what demonstrators described as the betrayal of Palestine.

Some Palestinians were also skeptical that this agreement would be the end of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus annexation ambitions.

In televised remarks from Jerusalem on Thursday night, Netanyahu said he was committed to extending Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, territory that was captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and which Palestinians see as the basis of their future state along with east Jerusalem and Gaza.

For many Palestinians then, the agreement was perceived as a loss on two fronts.

Analysts also cited a divided and aging Palestinian leadership  exemplified by the divide between Hamas in Gaza and Abbas more secular government in the West Bank  as among the reasons Palestinians find themselves more isolated.

Wael Abu Niaama, an attorney from Ramallah in the West Bank, blamed the Palestinian leadership for not taking stronger positions against Gulf states who had signaled they were willing to make concessions to Israel.

Its a result of the Palestinian leaderships weakness, he said. For me this was something that I was just waiting to happen.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Being a Republic, India has the invaluable right to choose its own leaders and political representatives. Since the first Independence Day celebrations on 15th August 1947, India has been able to elect the Chief Executive of the Government of India who is known as the Prime Minister of India.

Since 1947, India has had 14 full-time, elect Prime Ministers, some of whom have served the country for more than a decade. Recently, PM Modi became the longest serving non-Congress politician to hold the Prime Ministers office.

But who are the longest serving Prime Ministers of India otherwise, lets find out.

1. Jawaharlal Nehru

 YouTube

Appointed the first Prime Minister of independent India, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru is the longest serving PM of the country till date. Pt Nehru first held office for 16 years and 286 days, from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964.



2. Indira Gandhi

 Twitter/Sonali Nag

Just like her father before her, Indira Gandhi made it to the list of longest serving Prime Ministers in the history of India. As a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, she won the Prime Ministerial elections in 1966 and went on to serve as the PM for the next 11 years and 59 days.



3. Manmohan Singh

 Wikipedia

The third longest serving Prime Minister of India is Manmohan Singh who served as the 13th PM of the country when the UPA was in power. With 10 years and 4 days, Manmohan Singh served two consecutive years in office.



4. Narendra Modi

 Wikipedia

As of yesterday, PM Narendra Modi has been named as the longest serving non-Congress Prime Minister of India. PM Modi is the 14th Prime Minister of the country who assumed the office after a clean-win during the 2014 General Elections and has so far he has held the office for 6 years and 80 days.



5. Atal Bihari Vajpayee

 Reuters

One of the most popular Prime Ministers India has ever seen, former Indian PM, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the 10th Prime Minister of the country who was first elected as the PM in 1996, though this tenure lasted only for 16 days. Two years later when NDA came back in power, Vaypayee was appointed as the Prime Minister once again, and went on to hold the office for 6 years and 64 days.



Which PM do you think made the most of their tenure? Let us know in the comments section.
Virgin Australia's chief executive Paul Scurrah has warned his workforce that a gambit by bondholders to usurp Bain Capital and take control of the airline would cause disruption and delay the resurrection of the airline.

Hedge funds Broad Peak Investment Advisors and Tor Investments will have an application heard in the Federal Court on Monday to try and force Deloitte to put their rival proposal for Virgin to a vote of creditors on September 4

Virgin CEO Paul Scurrah and administrator Vaughan Strawbridge have dismissed the bondholders' chance of success. Credit:Louise Kennerley.

The Singapore and Hong Kong investors, which have enlisted five former Virgin executives including co-founder Rob Sherrard, want bondholders to swap their $2 billion in debts for shares in Virgin and contribute to a $800 million capitalisation.

Mr Scurrah on Friday told workers - who make up the biggest group of creditors by number - that he knew "noise" in the media about the bondholders was unsettling but reassured them Bain remained "100 per cent committed" to Virgin after agreeing to buy the airline in June.
An exhibition called Honoring Matter: A Memorial for the Victims of Covid-19 has been set up by an artist in Los Angeles as an effort to memorialise each of the thousands of people who have lost their lives from Covid-19 in the United States. A delicate origami crane hangs at the artists studio called the Matter Studio, where the exhibition is now being held.

Karla Funderburk started making these origami cranes three months ago, stringing the paper swans in pink, blue, yellow and many other colours together and hanging them in her art gallery.

The crane is auspicious in Japanese culture and according to legend, folding of a thousand paper cranes can make the hearts desire come true. The origami crane has hence become a symbol of peace. This practice also has a folklore attached to it that tells the story of a young girl named Sadako Sasaki.

SEE PHOTOS: Los Angeles artist pays tribute to Covid-19 victims through Origami crane exhibition

I was feeling the loss, and one way to process that was I started folding cranes. Cranes are a traditional Japanese symbol of carrying the soul to heaven, Funderburk told the Associated Press.

She tried making 10 cranes each night but when on May 14 the number of deaths ticked to 88,000 she realised it would take her 24 years to complete them and she asked for help and has also posted about this initiative on her Instagram handle.

Now volunteers drop off scores of the elegantly made paper swans daily.

I started receiving boxes and bags. Sometimes I would get one crane with one name on it, some boxes had 300, she said.

Hundreds of cranes now hang from the ceiling of her Matter Studio with others sitting on tables and stacked in boxes waiting to be added to the sad reminder of the virus toll. The gallerys website also lists hundreds of names of virus victims.

I feel like this space is holding, holding the place, for the remembrances of the souls we are losing, she said.

Funderburk had a total of 9,300 cranes as of Thursday. More than 165,000 people in the US have died of Covid-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A similar initiative, called Origami for Life, is making waves simultaneously in Belgium where artist Charles Kaisin aims to raise funds for Hospital Erasme by creating Origami art using over 20,000 origami shaped as birds. This art installation has been put up at the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula by thin wires suspended from the ceiling.

Origami is a portmanteau of the Japanese words, Ori (to fold) and Kami (paper).

-- with AP inputs

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A senior member of outlawed Muslim Brotherhood died Thursday in Cairo notorious Tora Prison, from heart attack, reports say.

Essam El-Erian has been held in prison and handed multiple sentences for inciting violence following the ouster of the former and first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Incumbent leader led a military coup against Morsi and subsequently banned the Muslim Brotherhood movement and arrested thousands of its members including several of its top leadership.

El-Erians lawyer, whose name has not been revealed, told the BBC that authorities informed him his client had died of natural causes.

The lawyer also indicated that he and El-Erian family have been allowed to visit the prominent Muslim Brotherhood member for about six month, as a precaution to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

El-Erian was vice chairman of the groups political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party, before he was arrested following the military coup against President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Morsi himself died in a court in June last year of heart attack.
The Presidential Committee on Retail Trade under the Ministry of Trade and Industry is embarking on the closure of shops belonging to foreigners particularly Nigerians engaged in retail trade at the Odo Rise area at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.

This comes a day after similar exercise took place at Tiptoe Lane at Circle yesterday [Thursday] amid resistance from some of the traders operating businesses without the requisite documents.

According to the committee, the closure of the shops is to ensure that foreigners adhere to the directives regarding retail trade in Ghana.

A Member of the Presidential Committee on Retail Trade, Nana Kwabena Peprah, speaking to Citi News, said, We are continuing what we started yesterday. That is all we are doing. We have been checking their documents since. So now, all we are doing is locking the shops and placing notices on them so that the notices will direct them as to what to do. When they do the needful, well open the shops for them. Other than that, they will remain closed.

Now we have beefed up the security. Theres no problem now. As for today, we have not encountered any problem at all. If it will continue on Monday, that is what we are going to do. As we move along, if we encounter any problem, we will strategize and see what as a committee, we will do.

Meanwhile, one of the Nigerian traders, Francis Olisa, who accused the committee of charging an unapproved amount of money for the acquisition of a business operating document described the exercise as unfair.

Are we not human beings? Why are they doing this? I want to know. Is it a crime to be in Ghana? If it is a crime, they should make us sell off our things and go home. I have two shops. They have been seized. I have my workers, registration and business permit. I have everything. I registered in 2007. So I want to know the problem. If they are asking me to bring US$1 million, how can I afford it? The taskforce is asking me to bring that amount of money otherwise they would lock the shops. And they practically locked them without checking my documents. I cant afford US$1 million. I have my resident permit. I have my registration. I pay my tax and they give us amounts to pay and I have paid it, he complained.

---citinewsroom
The Worcester School Committee has unanimously approved a plan that calls for all students to start the upcoming school year online amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Worcester Public Schools, which serves more than 25,000 students, will have students learn remotely through the first quarter, which starts with the first day of school on Sept. 15 and ends on Nov. 16.

A plan for the academic year puts students in three groups:

Group A - Students who are in general education classrooms who do not have any specially designed instruction

Group B - Students who are in general education classrooms and receive specially designed instruction and/or support

Group C - Students who require the most in-person instructional support to access learning

Once the first quarter is over, the plan is for students in Group C will return to class inside school buildings. The school administration will at the end of the first quarter will reevaluate and, if appropriate, the district will shift to a hybrid model where students will receive in-person learning one day per week, according to the plan.

I think were off to the right start, School Committee member John Monfredo said during the committees meeting Thursday. It was a hard choice but it was the right choice.

Committee member Jack Foley added that he felt the state was too casual about the impact coronavirus has on children, saying not enough is known yet about the longterm health impacts the virus has on both youth and adults.

Information about ventilation systems for the school buildings and needed upgrades impacted the decision to keep students at home, school officials said, as well as the decision to allow teachers to instruct remotely. Additionally, this week, the state released a new color-coded coronavirus tracker, which rated Worcester as a community at moderate-risk for coronavirus spread.

As the year kicks off with remote learning, the school day will be more structured than what students experienced when schools abruptly closed in March because of the pandemic. The schedule will include synchronous learning four days a week in all core content subjects, electives, and enrichment; small group synchronous learning from support teachers according to students needs; and asynchronous learning one day each week.

For students in kindergarten through second grade, computer time should be limited, according to the plan, and synchronous instructional time will be reflective of a typical primary classroom with frequent breaks, transitions and activities.

Committee members Monfredo and Foley said they were concerned about nutrition with students learning online. Students learning online can pick up meals at designated areas, according to the districts plan. Superintendent Maureen Binienda said some schools will have areas open for students to pick up meals.

Many students faced challenges logging on to do school work in the spring, as they did not have Chromebooks, internet access, or both. This summer, more Chromebooks have been ordered for students, as well as hot spots, which parents can arrange to pick up before school begins.

A long-term solution to the citys broadband problem is not yet clear, as city officials work with Spectrum.

With students learning online, Deborah Aspen, an art teacher at the Flagg Street School and Roosevelt Elementary School, asked if there was a plan to distribute art supplies or other supplies needed for specialist classes.

Binienda said that on Monday, the administration is meeting with principals to discuss that topic and that thus far, the plan is to have a bag for students, particularly elementary school students, to pick up when getting Chromebooks.

If the district is able to shift into the hybrid model, about a quarter of students would be present in a school building at a time. Students will have one day per week in-person learning support at schools either Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or potentially Thursdays; synchronous remote learning three days a week in all core content subject, electives, and enrichment; small group synchronous remote learning from support teachers according to their needs; and asynchronous remote learning one day each week.

With the remote and hybrid models, students who do not attend or log in for synchronous or asynchronous learning will be considered absent, according to the plan. Grading includes active participation in synchronous sessions, submitting assignments online, logging onto online learning platforms and attending virtual check-ins.

The district needs to consider how attendance will be marked if a student isnt able to log on to remote learning because of a power outage or issues with the internet, offered committee member Tracy OConnell Novick.

Committee member Laura Clancey said she hoped that there may be a way for teachers to record lessons, as it will help children who have to help watch and care for younger siblings during the day while parents are at work.

With the remote and hybrid models, English as a Second Language will be scheduled into a students day per the students language needs.

When students do return to school buildings, those in grades two through 12 will be required to wear a face mask. Students and teachers will be kept 6 feet apart when possible. The state requires a minimum of 3 feet.

Meals will be served in classrooms when students are back in school buildings.

Though Worcester students wont be on buses until November at the earliest, school buses will be transporting students to the Diocese schools, which are starting the year in person.

Tina Mansfield, a Spencer resident who said she works for transportation, asked if it would be safe.

Im scared for myself and the students that are going to be on these buses, she said.

Binienda said that students will be required to wear masks and will be spaced one student per seat on the bus.

Families have been asked to fill out an Educational Model Selection Form by Monday, Aug. 17 to indicate whether they plan to choose remote learning or hybrid learning for the second quarter of the year. A process to request a change in a familys education model is being developed, the district said.

Districts across Massachusetts are required to submit final plans for the year to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by Friday. On Tuesday, DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley issued new guidance recommending many districts across the state to return to school buildings, indicating the states new color-coded metric for tracking possible spikes in coronavirus cases should inform classroom models.

In a new poll commissioned by the Massachusetts Teachers Association, nine out of 10 parents indicated they are concerned that students will catch coronavirus and spread the respiratory illness if school buildings reopen, as many are planned to in the coming weeks.

The Springfield Public Schools has also planned a virtual start to the school year, while the Boston Public Schools has pushed back its start date to Sept. 21 because of the pandemic.

Read Worcesters full plan here:

Related Content:
Offshore wind has the potential to become a major industry in the United States over the next decade, unlocking billions of U.S. dollars of investment and creating thousands of jobs.

From Californias coast to the Atlantic Coast, the U.S. has the resources to support a large offshore wind industry, but so far, the United States has been lagging behind Europe and Asia in the development of offshore wind. The reasons for slower offshore wind development so far in America are not only the costs of technology. The regulatory and political background has also played a role in the U.S. having just 42 megawatts (MW) of installed offshore wind capacity as of today.

Smoother processes of leasing and permitting of offshore wind projects could facilitate up to US$166 billion in offshore wind investment in the United States by 2035, Wood Mackenzie said in recent research commissioned by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, and the University of Delawares Special Initiative on Offshore Wind.

Offshore Wind Could Generate US$1.2 Billion for the Treasury

According to the consultancys base scenario, the U.S. could have as much as 25 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind built by 2030. If leasing and permitting move faster, the American offshore wind market could develop even faster, according to the study.

WoodMacs analysis studies the economic impact of offshore wind activities as a result of potential Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) lease auctions in the New York Bight, California, the Carolinas, and the Gulf of Maine between 2020 and 2022. BOEM is not expected to hold any lease sales this year, while plans for 2021 are still unclear. But if BOEM moved forward with the leasing, the U.S. Treasury could reap US$1.2 billion in revenue from the lease sales.

The lease sales would mean that offshore wind construction and operation could support around 80,000 jobs per year from 2025 to 2035, and another 16,000 jobs annually after that, the report said. BOEM auctions over the next two years could support the development of 28 GW of offshore wind power, according to WoodMac.

Capital Investment in US Economy Could Reach US$166 Billion

Offshore wind power development could generate a total investment in the U.S. economy of US$17 billion by 2025, US$108 billion by 2030, and US$166 billion by 2035. Related: Locals Donate Hair To Help Soak Up Oil Spill Off Mauritius

Of the US$166 billion investment by 2035, as much as US$107 billion could be generated from the construction industry, another US$42 billion will go to the turbine OEM and supply chain, and US$8 billion will go to transportation industry and ports.

The potential for the U.S. offshore wind industry is enormous, if the right policies are in place, according to sector associations.

Policymakers Hold The Key To Unlocking Billions Of US Dollars

Policymakers at the Federal and State levels right now hold the key to unlocking the full potential of the offshore wind industry that will benefit all Americans. Were on the cusp of a rare opportunity, but the U.S. remains far behind other countries in harnessing offshore wind technology, Laura Morton, AWEA Senior Director of Offshore Wind, said in a statement, commenting on the report.

American offshore wind is a generational opportunity. Infrastructure spending, energy security, and shovel-ready jobs with good wages will be unleashed, NOIA President Erik Milito noted.

As the associations and the report they commissioned say, offshore wind is a business of enormous potential in the United States, but it needs policy support, including by accelerating the leasing of areas for new offshore wind power development.

BOEM itself assumes that 22 GW of offshore wind development are reasonably foreseeable along the east coast, the bureau said in June in its Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed 800-MW Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind project southeast of Marthas Vineyard off Massachusetts.

Permitting, Policy Could Hamper Offshore Wind Development

The potential for offshore wind growth exists, but the long-term outlook for the sector is not without risks, Wood Mackenzie said in June this year.

Those include permitting delays and political risk at both the state and federal level, which could get in the way of an offshore wind boom, despite state moves to increase mandates and contract large projects, Wood Mackenzies principal analyst Max Cohen says. Related: Lithium-Ion Battery Production Set To Quadruple This Decade

While more than 9 GW of projects are already contracted or soon to be approved, and up to 6 GW more will be solicited through 2022, longer-term uncertainty could see total build this decade reach just 15 GW, Cohen added.

States along the East Coast  Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia  are driving demand for offshore wind, providing certainty for the industry, AWEA said earlier this year.

Several states along the East Coast have pledged and currently support increased share of renewable energy generation.

In June, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy unveiled plans for the development of the New Jersey Wind Port, the first U.S. infrastructure investment that will provide a location for essential staging, assembly, and manufacturing activities related to offshore wind projects on the East Coast. The plan will cost between US$300-400 million at full build, with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) leading the development and currently considering a range of public, private, and public-private partnership (P3) financing options.

With supportive policies and smoother leasing and permitting processes, offshore wind development could generate a lot of value for the U.S. economy and create thousands of jobs.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
ZUG, Switzerland, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CYBAVO, the digital currency security and asset management firm, today officially announces support for Bitcoin SV (BSV) across its suite of enterprise products.

CYBAVO offer a range of services for businesses to securely store and manage their digital assets, including private key storage, enterprise management services and digital currency custody solutions. Their product offering is headlined by CYBAVO VAULT, an enterprise storage and wallet management platform, which facilitates enterprise-level banking features for corporate customers across several leading digital currencies.

Bitcoin SV support has been officially added to CYBAVO VAULT, as well as CYBAVO Wallet SDK  a solution for streamlining the development of digital currency wallets for enterprise clients.

The move to add Bitcoin SV support comes as uptake of the BSV digital currency continues to rise, driven by the diverse applications powered by its blockchain. Through unbounded scaling, its blockchain offers low-fee peer-to-peer payment transactions and greater data capacity, enabling advanced functionalities such as tokens, smart contracts and IoT communications, as well as enterprise applications. The Bitcoin SV ecosystem has grown to now count more than 428 known projects and ventures.

Speaking on today's announcement, Paul Fan, CEO of CYBAVO commented:

'Bitcoin SV aims to broaden the adoption of blockchain for enterprise use cases.. At CYBAVO, we share the same vision of scalable and business-ready blockchain solutions that spark adoption by enterprises and the general public, so it is only logical for us to add Bitcoin SV support to our digital asset custody platform CYBAVO VAULT and our mobile wallet SDK.'

Also speaking on today's announcement, Jimmy Nguyen, Founding President of Bitcoin Association (the global industry organization that supports Bitcoin SV), said:

'With the continued growth that we are witnessing across the Bitcoin SV ecosystem, enterprise-grade solutions for digital asset security and management, like those offered by CYBAVO, will be increasingly in demand. As big businesses build their applications on Bitcoin SV because of its massive scaling capacity, they will generate high volumes of BSV microtransactions and need secure wallets to manage high coin traffic in daily operations. We are pleased that CYBAVO is providing Bitcoin SV businesses another strong option for their security and asset management needs.'

To learn more about Bitcoin SV and to hear Bitcoin Association Founding President Jimmy Nguyen speak, join the upcoming CoinGeek Live conference  a hybrid live + virtual event on Sept 30th  Oct 2nd, with broadcast sites in New York and London. Register at www.coingeekconference.com

About CYBAVO Pte. Ltd.

CYBAVO Pte. Ltd. provides insured digital asset custody solutions for enterprises and financial institutions, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset managers or custodians.

The company was founded in 2018 by a team of experts from cybersecurity, blockchain and digital currency industries. CYBAVO technology is already protecting more than USD 7.5B worth in transactions of dozens of companies globally, including top cryptocurrency exchanges in Asia.

About Bitcoin Association

Bitcoin Association is the Switzerland-based global industry organization that works to advance business on the Bitcoin SV blockchain. It brings together essential components of the Bitcoin SV ecosystem  enterprises, start-up ventures, developers, merchants, exchanges, service providers, blockchain transaction processors (miners), and others  working alongside them, as well as in a representative capacity, to drive further use of the Bitcoin SV blockchain and uptake of the BSV digital currency.

The Association works to build a regulation-friendly ecosystem that fosters lawful conduct while facilitating innovation using all aspects of Bitcoin technology. More than a digital currency and blockchain, Bitcoin is also a network protocol; just like Internet protocol, it is the foundational rule set for an entire data network. The Association supports use of the original Bitcoin protocol to operate the world's single blockchain on Bitcoin SV.

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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Sao Paulo, Brazil  Fri, August 14, 2020 11:30 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dfc893 2 World Brazil,Russia,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-vaccine,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

Brazil will require more information and talks before it commits to buying the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, which is at a very early stage, the country's acting health minister said on Thursday.

With the world's second-worst coronavirus outbreak, Brazil has become a magnet for drugmakers seeking partners to test their potential vaccines  and then produce and buy the successful candidates.

On Wednesday, a Brazilian technology institute said shortly after the state of Parana signed a memorandum of understanding with Moscow that it expects to produce the Russian vaccine by the second half of 2021.

Speaking with lawmakers on Thursday, the health minister, Eduardo Pazeullo, said he took part in a video conference on Wednesday with representatives from national health regulator Anvisa, the Russian embassy in Brazil and the Parana government but said the Russian vaccine was still at an early stage.

"It is just emerging," he said. "We do not have depth in the answers, we are not able to monitor the data ... There will still be a lot of negotiation, a lot of work for this to be effective."

Nonetheless, he added that "we must also participate" if the Russian vaccine, which has faced skepticism from scientific experts due to a lack of test results, is shown to work.

At the moment, he said, the most promising vaccine is being developed by Oxford University researchers in partnership with AstraZeneca Plc.

AstraZeneca has agreed to sell the federal government tens of millions of doses of its potential vaccine, and has arranged to transfer technology so Brazil can eventually produce it domestically at the Fiocruz institute, in Rio de Janeiro.

Fiocruz has said production of the new vaccine will begin by mid-2021, but experts warn it may take at least twice as long.
TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Feed Ontario is extremely grateful to hear that Food Banks Canada was selected to disseminate quality surplus food throughout their established, national distribution system, in partnership with the food banking network across Canada. Thanks to their existing cold chain capacity, retail food reclamation programs and National Food Sharing System, they are well positioned to effectively deliver food in a safe and timely manner from coast to coast to coast. In Ontario, we are well positioned to support this effort through our province-wide network of 1,200 direct and affiliate food banks and hunger-relief agencies.



Since 2010, as a system, Food Banks Canada has sourced and shared almost 1.5 billion pounds of food and has shared over $100 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity of food banks, all while advocating to address the systemic issues related to poverty and ultimately reducing the need for food banks.

As Food Banks Canadas provincial counterpart for Ontario, Feed Ontario supports this work by coordinating food distribution across the province, as well as securing and distributing an additional five million pounds of fresh and non-perishable food annually. Feed Ontario also works to advocate for long term solutions to hunger and poverty.

On behalf of Feed Ontario and the provincial food bank network, I would like to thank the Government of Canada for this incredible investment, says Carolyn Stewart, Executive Director, Feed Ontario. This support will go a long way into helping our network provide emergency food support to the half million adults and children who visit our services over three million times throughout the year.

Prior to Covid-19, and in addition to its food reclamation program, the food banking network purchased over $30M of fresh food such as produce, meat, dairy and core staples to round out the offerings of food banks. In fact, more than 40% of the food offered by food banks is fresh. With thanks to the generosity of Canadians, corporate donors and the Federal Government, food banks are significantly increasing the amount of perishable foods with clients.

Food bank warehouse hubs exist in every province to safely receive, store, and distribute product throughout the food bank system. Each hub includes dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage.

From Securing fresh and healthy food sources, to driving change through policy research and innovative programming, Feed Ontario unites food banks, industry partners, and local communities in our work to end hunger and poverty.

For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. Over 3,000 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who  last year  made 1.1 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to Food Banks Canadas annual HungerCount report.

Together, our vision is clear: A Canada where no one goes hungry.

Visit www.feedontario.ca or http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/ to learn more.
Jointly with cooperation partners, a researcher of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has developed porous liquids: Nanoparticles, that are able to separate gas molecules of different sizes from each other, float  finely distributed  in a solvent. This is because the particles have empty pores, through whose openings only molecules of a certain size can penetrate. These porous liquids may be used directly or processed into membranes that efficiently separate propene from gaseous mixtures. Propen, in turn, is employed as the starting material for propylene, a widely used plastic material. This could replace the energy-intensive distillation that has been the common procedure up to now.

Propene, also known as propylene, is one of the most important raw materials for the chemical industry, of which around 100 million tons are used up worldwide every year. Polypropylene, a real mass plastic, produced from propene is mainly used for packaging, but also in industries such as construction and automotive. Propene is mainly obtained by processing crude oil or natural gas. In this process, it is separated from other gases by distillation and then purified. In the technical literature, it is assumed that gas separation in petrochemistry using membranes would only cost one fifth of the energy required for distillation. In view of the required high quantities of propene, this means that the release of huge amounts of the greenhouse gas CO 2 can be avoided, says Junior Research Group Leader Dr. Alexander Knebel from the KIT Institute of Functional Interfaces who conducted research at Leibniz Universitat Hannover and in Saudi Arabia until 2019.

The chemist is a major contributor to a research project that, for the first time, raises interest in the petrochemical industry as regards the use of membranes for the separation of propene. Knebel's cooperation partners were scientists from Leibniz Universitat Hannover, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the Deutsches Institut fur Kautschuktechnologie.

Metal-organic framework distributed in a liquid for the first time

The researchers started their work with the solid material ZIF-67 (zeolitic imidazole framework) whose atoms form a metal-organic framework with 0.34 nanometer-wide pore openings. In doing so, they systematically modified the surface of ZIF-67 nanoparticles. This enabled us to finely disperse a metal-organic framework in liquids such as cyclohexane, cyclooctane or mesitylene, says Knebel joyfully. Scientists call the resulting dispersion porous liquid.

Gaseous propene needs much longer to pass through a column filled with the porous liquid than methane, for example. This is because propene is retained, as it were, in the pores of the nanoparticles, while the smaller methane molecules smoothly pass through. We want to exploit this property of the dispersion in the future to produce liquid separation membranes, states Knebel.

Yet, porous liquids can also be used to produce solid separation membranes with particularly advantageous properties. The researchers produced membranes from a plastic material and the chemically modified ZIF-67. They succeeded in increasing the proportion of modified ZIF-67 in the membrane to 47.5 percent without making it mechanically unstable. When the scientists passed a gas mixture consisting of equal parts of propene and propane over two membranes arranged in series, they obtained propene with a purity of at least 99.9 percent, even though the two gas molecules differ in size by not more than 0.2 nanometers.

Besides its separation efficiency, the quantity of a gas mixture that can be passed through in a certain time is decisive for the practical use of such a membrane. This flow rate was at least three times higher with the new membranes than with previous materials. With the separation values achieved, Knebel is convinced that it would pay off for the petrochemical industry for the first time to use membranes instead of conventional distillation processes for gas separation.

It is crucial for the performance of the membranes that as many metal-organic particles as possible can be distributed uniformly in the plastic and that the pores in the nanoparticles are not clogged by solvents during membrane production, i.e. remain empty, so to speak. We were able to achieve both goals because we did not directly incorporate solid particles into the membrane, but instead proceeded via the porous liquids even though this looks like a detour, explains Knebel.
Police have booked four persons, including two women, for robbing a 36-year-old man of his car and Rs 40,000 in cash in Dugri.

Investigators said the victim, Kunal Dev Malhotra, 36, of Dugri Phase-3, knew the female accused, Gurdeep Kaur of Gauhala Road and Sinki.

The other accused are Paramjit Singh of Islam Ganj and Surinder Kumar of Kot Alamgir.

Malhotra told the police that he traded in computer software and hardware. As he was interested in selling his Honda City, Kaur had offered to help him.

On July 15, Kaur called him to Dugri road, stating that someone wanted to buy his car. There, she introduced the two men as her uncles. During the test drive, the accused started thrashing him in the moving car. They drove to an isolated placed, robbed him of Rs 40,000 in cash and fled in his car after throwing him out.

ASI Avtar Singh, who is investigating the case, said the victim filed the complaint on Thursday after his attempts to get the car back failed.

A case under Sections 379-B (snatching) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused. The ASI said they will arrest the accused soon.
The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers has named Melissa Merrick director of agency integration and onboarding.

She is located in the Los Angeles, Calif., office. Merrick will be heading up the agency partners and producer integration and onboarding team.

She was previously with Newfront Insurance.

The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers is an independently owned broker with offices throughout the country.

Topics California Agencies
The ongoing battle with the coronavirus and the threat of a possible hurricane presents a daunting challenge for first responders, but in Charleston County, S.C., dispatchers face the challenge with some additional data on residents who may be calling 911.For the more than 5,000 residents signed up for Smart911, dispatchers will be privy to who among them has had contact with the Department of Health as it relates to who has been diagnosed with or treated for the disease.That information is in addition to the data that the subscriber provided when signing up for Smart911 service. That information gives first responders insight into what is awaiting them when going out on a call and if they will need additional personal protective equipment (PPE).It gives first responders the knowledge that they may need more PPE and they need to prepare for virus exposure, said Kaitlin Jordan, public educator and dispatcher with the countys consolidated 911 center. If residents call 911 having shortness of breath, they may not be able to tell us anything, so if its on their profile that theyve been quarantined by a health professional, we need to know that.Jordan said the county is always pushing for residents to sign up for the Rave Mobile Safety Smart911 feature but had a special educational push in April because of the coronavirus and an impending hurricane season.Now that we have the coronavirus in play, if residents call 911, they can put in their profile if they have flu-like symptoms or if theyve been quarantined, Jordan said. There are many hazards and we push Smart911 all year long, but we definitely try to beef it up before hurricane season.The Charleston County Emergency Management Department always stresses the importance of having a hurricane plan, according to Director Jason Patno, but this year is different because of the limited availability of places to shelter.This year we are using a graphic to explain that due to social distancing requirements, the capacity at our hurricane shelters is much lower in comparison to previous hurricane seasons, Patno wrote in an email. We continually remind citizens that the safest place to be during a hurricane is well inland away from the coast and citizens need to have plans in place now should the governor issue an evacuation order.The county got a taste of Tropical Storm Isaias earlier this month and a chance to put some of the changes in protocol into practice. This year we changed a lot because we cant fill the 911 center as we usually do and there arent as many public shelters or public transport, Jordan said.The Smart911 helps the county with the vulnerable populations that are already underserved and may struggle with the additional hurdles of the coronavirus and a potential storm. They might have struggles with evacuating and getting to a safe place, but weve made it as clear as possible that the public shelters arent necessarily going to be available as they normally have, so people are going to have to prepare themselves better this year, Jordan said.She said if asked to evacuate, residents need to have a few extras on hand, including food, gloves, masks and cleaning supplies, because of the coronavirus.The Smart911 profile can include things like who lives in a household, who may have special needs, what pets are present, who has special medication needs and whatever else the resident deems essential.They download the free app on a tablet or smartphone and start with a phone number that links to their profile, Jordan said. You just need a phone number and whatever else you want to include. You can include what you want us to know.
WASHINGTON (AP) - A former FBI lawyer plans to plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, his lawyer said Friday.

Kevin Clinesmith is accused of altering a government email about a former Trump campaign adviser who was a target of secret FBI surveillance, according to documents filed in Washington's federal court. His lawyer, Justin Shur, told The Associated Press that Clinesmith intends to plead guilty to the single false statement count and that he regrets his actions.

The case against Clinesmith was cheered by President Donald Trump and his supporters as they look to the Durham investigation to lift Trump's wobbly reelection prospects and to expose what they see as wrongdoing as the FBI opened an investigation into whether the Trump campaign was coordinating with the Kremlin to sway the outcome of the 2016 election.

"The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught," Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. His political campaign issued its own statement saying "abuses of power" in the Russia investigation "represent the greatest political crime in American history" and everyone involved should be held accountable.

Yet the five-page charging document is limited in scope and does not allege criminal wrongdoing by anyone other than Clinesmith, nor does it offer evidence to support Trump's assertions that the Russia probe was tainted by widespread political bias in the FBI. It makes clear that the FBI relied on Clinesmith's own misrepresentations as it sought to renew its surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page.

The Durham probe, which is also examining the intelligence community's assessment about Russian election interference, has caused concern among Democrats, who view it as a politically charged exercise meant to relitigate an already closed investigation. They fear that charges or public reports issued so close to the 2020 election could be timed to affect November's vote.

FILE - In this March 22, 2019 file photo, an American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Durham's inquiry has proceeded alongside a parallel effort by Senate Republicans to discredit the Russia probe and as Attorney General William Barr has escalated his own criticism of the FBI's probe. Documents released in recent months have called into question the validity of information the FBI relied on, particularly from a dossier of Democratic-funded research, when the agency applied for applications to surveil Page.

Durham, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, had no comment, a spokesman said. It remains unclear what additional charges, if any, Durham might bring, though he has been closely scrutinizing how intelligence agencies arrived at the conclusion that Russia had interfered in 2016 to benefit Trump.

Justice Department policy directs prosecutors to not take investigative actions aimed at affecting an election, or that could advantage or disadvantage a candidate. But Barr has said he does not feel constrained by that policy in part because the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, is not a target of Durham's investigation.

Durham's work parallels in some respects a separate investigation into the Russia probe by the Justice Department's inspector general office. That office concluded in a report last December that the Russia investigation was opened for a valid reason, but it also identified significant errors and omissions in surveillance applications filed in 2016 and 2017 that targeted Page.

The watchdog office also referred Clinesmith for potential prosecution.

Specifically, the inspector general accused Clinesmith, though not by name, of altering an email to say that Page was "not a source" for another government agency.

Page has stated publicly that he was a CIA source. The inspector general's report and Friday's charging document describe how Clinesmith inquired of another government agency, presumably the CIA, whether Page had been a source. He said that that was a fact that would need to be disclosed as the FBI applied to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to renew its surveillance of Page.

In June 2017, the documents show, Clinesmith was provided with information about Page's relationship with the agency, which had approved him as an "operational contact" between 2008 and 2013.

When an FBI colleague who was involved in preparing the surveillance application followed up by instant message with Clinesmith on the question of whether Page had ever been a government source, Clinesmith responded that Page had "never been a source," according to court documents.

When asked if he had that information in writing, the documents allege, Clinesmith altered an email he had received from the other agency by adding the words "and not a source" and then forwarded it to the FBI supervisory special agent.

The FBI relied on those misrepresentations in its final surveillance application and omitted that information about Page, prosecutors allege, even though any relationship between Page and the government would have been important to disclose to the FISA court to the extent it could help explain interactions Page had had with Russians.

Clinesmith told the inspector general that he had not actually understood Page to be a source, or "recruited asset," for another government agency.

"Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email," Shur said in a statement. "It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues, as he believed the information he relayed was accurate, but Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility."

Durham is a veteran prosecutor with a history of special assignments from Washington, including leading a Justice Department investigation into the CIA's harsh interrogation techniques of terror suspects and the destruction of videotapes documenting those interrogations.

Barr appointed Durham just weeks after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded his nearly two-year investigation.

Mueller found significant contacts during the 2016 campaign between Russians and Trump associates but did not allege a criminal conspiracy between them. He also examined multiple episodes in which Trump sought to affect or choke off the Russia investigation, but he did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed justice.

Barr quickly signaled his skepticism with the Russia investigation, concluding that Trump had not obstructed justice even though Mueller had pointedly left that question unresolved.

FILE - In this April 25, 2006 file photo, U.S. Attorney John Durham speaks to reporters on the steps of U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn. Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. (AP Photo/Bob Child, File)

FILE - In this May 1, 2019 file photo, Attorney General William Barr testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on the Mueller Report. Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Police authorities in Nigeria on Thursday confirmed at least 14 people were killed when gunmen invaded a village in the country's north-central state of Niger, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

Five others sustained gunshot wounds during the incident on Wednesday at the Ukuru Village in Mariga local government area of the state, said Wasiu Abiodun, a spokesman for the police.

Abiodun said the gunmen were suspected to be bandits, as they also rustled some cattle.

They rode into the village on more than 50 motorcycles one night before the attack, according to Ashafa Maikera, leader of the village's local vigilante group.

Maikera said so far 13 male bodies and one female body had been recovered following the attack. Four among the local vigilante group members were also among the dead victims, he added.

The police said they have launched an investigation into the attack.
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.
A total of 294 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force personnel has been awarded the Director General (DG) commendation for displaying bravery during recent skirmishes with Chinese troops in Ladakh, the border force said on Friday.

It added that recommendations for awarding to 21 troops posted in this area have been sent to the government.

In its first official account of the standoff between the two militaries, the revealed how its troops "not only effectively used shield to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to advancing PLA (Chinese People's Liberation Army) troops and brought the situation under control".

The has recommended the names of 21 men who faced the Chinese during the face-offs and skirmishes in May-June this year for gallantry," it said.

"Also, 294 personnel have been awarded with the DG's commendation rolls and insignias by chief S S Deswal on the eve of the Independence Day," the force said.

It said ITBP troops displayed the highest order of professional skills and fought shoulder-to-shoulder and also brought the injured Indian Army troops to the rear.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a violent faceoff with the Chinese troops in the eastern Ladakh area on the intervening night of June 15-16.

While China has accepted that it also suffered causalities during these clashes, it has not given out exact numbers.

The ITBP said its troops "fought the whole night" in the area and they received minimum casualties, while gave a befitting reply to the stone-pelters of the PLA.

"At places, they (ITBP) gave a determined standoff for about 17-20 hours throughout."



"Due to the high-altitude training and manoeuver experience of the force in the Himalayas, the ITBP troops kept PLA troops at bay and due to the all out and befitting response of ITBP jawans at almost all fronts, many areas were safeguarded in the hyper sensitive areas," it said.

The force added that six personnel of the force have also been awarded with the same DG commendation for showing courage in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh.

Also among the Independence Day decorations are recommendations for the Home Minister's special operations medal to 358 ITBP and other paramilitary forces personnel for their dedicated services in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

"The names of 318 ITBP personnel and 40 other CAPF personnel have been sent for award of Union Home Minister special operations medals for their dedicated services in fight against the COVID-19," it said.

The force is operating over 10,000 -bedded COVID-19 Sardar Patel hospital, the country's largest facility, at the Radha Soami Beas in Delhi's Chhattarpur that opened on July 5.

It also set up the first coronavirus quarantine facility in the Chhawla area of Delhi in January, besides running the Central Armed Police Forces Referral hospital in Greater Noida.

The about 90,000-personnel strong ITBP is the primarily tasked to guard the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China that runs from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy. Gusty winds during the afternoon. High 77F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming NNW and increasing to 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy and windy. Low 27F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
The participants in the 2020 Tennessee elk hunt will be announced during the August meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. In addition, the grand prize winners of the Tennessee Conservation Raffle will also be announced.

The meeting will be held Aug. 20-21, in Kingsport at the Meadowview Marriott Convention Center.

The first day meeting starts at 2 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, while the regular meeting starts at 9 a.m. on Friday.

Winners of the 14 drawn permits to hunt elk on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area or private lands within the Elk Restoration Zone will be announced by TWRA Elk Program Coordinator Brad Miller on Friday morning. This will include seven quota permits for the archery only hunt, one youth permit, and six permits where participants will have the option to use archery, gun, or muzzleloader.

One additional permit is donated to a non-governmental organization. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation is offering the hunt as one of seven prize packages that can be chosen in this years format. Proceeds go to support habitat restoration efforts. Details of this years raffle and the grand prize winners, along with other prize winners, will be announced by the foundations executive director, Joey Woodard.

A presentation will be made on the negative impact of Alabama bass in southeast Tennessee reservoirs. Due to illegal stocking, Alabama bass have been established in Parksville Reservoir to harm largemouth bass and other reservoirs are at risk. The TWRA wants anglers to be aware of the issue and as a reminder it is always illegal to stock fish.

The meeting will be available for the public to view each day on YouTube and later in the archives. Full details will be available on the TWRA website and social media.
The sentiment that love will find a way seems to have developed a whole new level of meaning mid-pandemic, especially when it comes to proposals.

While each proposal (and couple) is unique, the act is one often made up of grand gestures: a luxurious dinner, a sun-drenched vacation or an elaborate beachside picnic for two. So what happens when the exotic locales and fancy restaurants shut down? When the beaches are closed and the parks are for essential exercise only?

Ryan Lippiat set up his balcony with candles and flowers to propose to girlfriend Shanelle Van Akerlaken. Credit:Jo Gay

For Sydney-based Ryan Lippiat, the decision to follow through with a pandemic proposal to girlfriend Shanelle Van Akerlaken wasnt easy. It was a moment two years in the making but no one  especially not Lippiat  could have predicted COVID-19 would hit just after the ring order was placed.

A lot happened in the eight weeks that came after I ordered the ring at one point it seemed as if it wasnt even going to make it to Australia, says Lippiat.
Several farms along the White Volta in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region have been hit by flooding, resulting from the spillage of excess water from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso.



Farms planted with crops like millet and sorghum are underwater now," the Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, told the Daily Graphic from northern Ghana yesterday where he had been for the past few days to oversee efforts to protect lives and property from the devastating effects of the spillage.



The spill gates of the dam were opened last Monday.



Bawku West is the first area in northern Ghana to be hit this year by the devastating effects that come with the opening of the dam.



No casualties



No casualties have been recorded.



Nana Agyemang Prempeh said the large volumes of water from the dam were drifting further downwards and would hit other areas in the next few days.



If you consider that the average discharge of water from the dam is 76.50m3 per second, you will have no doubt that the flooding will be heavy this year, he said.



Background



Communities downstream the White Volta have over the years been at the receiving end anytime the Burkinabe authorities spill excess water from the Bagre Dam.



This year, NADMO had increased its activities with intensive preventive measures.



On August 5, this year, the organisation issued a flood alert to a number of communities in northern Ghana asking residents to evacuate to safe areas.

Source: Graphic.com.gh









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sshepard/iStockBy ALEXANDER MALLIN and MEREDITH DELISO, ABC News

(WASHINGTON) -- The Department of Justice has accused Yale University of illegally discriminating against Asian American and white applicants.



A two-year civil rights investigation, in response to a complaint by Asian American groups, found that race was a factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year, officials said. It also found Asian American and white applicants have one-tenth to one-fourth the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with similar credentials.



In a letter sent to the university's attorneys, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband, who heads the DOJ's civil rights division, said that the department has "determined that Yale violated, and is continuing to violate, Title VI." Title VI of the 1965 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs that receive federal financial assistance. The Supreme Court has ruled that colleges that receive federal funds can consider an applicants' race, along with other factors, but Yale's use of race "is anything but limited," the DOJ said.



"Yales use of race at multiple steps of its admissions process results in a multiplied effect of race on an applicants likelihood of admission," Dreiband said in the letter.



In a statement, Yale said it "categorically denies" the DOJ's allegation of discrimination, and called the investigation "meritless" and "hasty."



"At Yale, we look at the whole person when selecting whom to admit among the many thousands of highly qualified applicants," the statement said, adding that the Ivy League school takes into account factors such as their "academic achievement, interests, demonstrated leadership, background, success in taking maximum advantage of their secondary school and community resources, and the likelihood that they will contribute to the Yale community and the world."



Yale said that it has been complying with the DOJ's investigation and had not yet provided all the information the department had requested. "Had the Department fully received and fairly weighed this information, it would have concluded that Yales practices absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent," the statement said.



In its letter, the DOJ demanded that Yale stop using race or national origin in its upcoming 2020-2021 admissions cycle. The university could also choose to submit a plan to the DOJ that does consider race or national origin that is "narrowly tailored as required by law," including a date to stop using race in its admissions process. The letter gives Yale until Aug. 27 to comply with the DOJ's demands or risk facing a federal lawsuit.



Yale said it does not plan to change its admissions process.



"We are proud of Yales admissions practices, and we will not change them on the basis of such a meritless, hasty accusation," the university said in its statement.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Protesters barred by a Brisbane court from blockading the Story Bridge at the weekend in support of refugees will hold a parkland protest and march instead.

On Thursday the state government was successful in its bid to stop Refugee Solidarity Brisbane/Meanjin from a planned sit-in protest on the Story Bridge scheduled for Saturday, arguing it was too dangerous in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protesters sit in silence for seven minutes to mark seven years of offshore detention for some of the refugees being kept in the Kangaroo Point hotel. Credit:Stuart Layt

Supreme Court Judge Jean Dalton declared the protest, designed to bring attention to the plight of about 120 men being detained in a Kangaroo Point hotel, would be an "interference with public rights".

It was the second time the planned protest had been through the courts, when the state government successfully won a court order blocking a rally on the bridge last weekend.
Guest Column Thailand Must Rethink Its Quarantine Policy

A Buddhist monk wears a facemask during an alms-gathering session in Mae Hong Son, Thailand. / Jittrapon Kaicome / The Irrawaddy

Thailands future might well be in danger if the government does not take urgent action to recalibrate its anti-pandemic policies. All the excellent measures the concerned authorities, as well as the public, have taken in mitigating the coronavirus over the past six months could easily turn against them.

Thailand could emerge from COVID-19 with more disgruntled Thais including those who were repatriated. Worse, there will likely be additional unhappy foreign countries including their diplomats and citizens who have encountered discriminatory actions, some of which have gone against the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Two important trends must be considered. First of all, public expectations are currently so high that any new community transmissions will not be tolerated. For the past 78 days, not a single local case has been reported with the result that Thailand has been touted by the international community as one of the worlds top countries in containing the virus. The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has highlighted the zero cases and urged the public to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands often. The focus of the daily press conference by the CCSA is now all about the imported cases and their implications.

Referring to imported cases in general is a complicated issue as they involve both Thais and foreigners. In the case of Thai citizens, the long process of securing flights, physical check-ups and other formalities must be followed to the letter. In particular, the fit to fly certificate was designed to ensure that whoever wants to enter Thailand during the pandemic must have a physical check-up and be in good health. Of late, these measures have been severely criticized by Thai families, civil society groups and local media as a tool to delay or even prevent them from returning home.

They argue that the CCSA has become so obsessed in flattening the curve to the zero level that it has been trying to stop outsiders from entering the country. Between April 4 and Aug. 3, a total of 66,329 Thais (43,297 by air, 22,203 by land, and 829 by sea) safely returned home. At least 15,145 Thais living in 97 countries and territories have expressed a desire to come home over the next two months, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All Thai returnees have to go through state or local quarantine paid for by the government (or alternative quarantine if they so prefer, but at their own expense).

In recent weeks, with fresh protests against the government of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha continuing, criticism of the CCSA has also intensified. With the fourth extension of emergency measures until the end of August, they have accused the government of foul play, saying it is trying to prolong its grip on power by sustaining the zero case template. It is interesting to note that the protesters continue to link the issues of public health and public safety with the domestic political scene.

Secondly, the CCSA has been extremely tough in handling foreign visitors, which has already caused a wide range of protests from the diplomatic community, which could have far-reaching repercussions for the countrys future economic recovery plans. At the moment, a handful of foreigners are allowed to enter Thailand. In personal interviews with some leading businessmen, all agreed that with such a stringent policy, the economic costs would be extremely high as the countrys economic growth is already deep in the red. International financial institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have already estimated the Thai economy is set to contract by 8 percent.

Early last month, the headlines and hearsay generated by Egyptian aircrew who flew into U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong and their subsequent behavior in the town, with one infection traced, deepened the suspicion of foreign visitors spreading the virus even though the lab tests gave negative results. The authorities in Rayong had to trace all residents believed to have come into contact with the Egyptians or who visited the same shopping mall. As it turned out, none were infected. At the time, the fear of the virus spreading reached near hysteria with calls for the government to pay compensation for lost income during the temporary lockdown in Rayong and to bar all foreign visitors. Lest we forget, in late February when South Korea was hard hit by the coronavirus, there was a false alarm, blaming the influx of Thai workers coming home for being possible virus spreaders. In reality, they simply wanted to take advantage of the amnesty granted by the Korean government.

However, the damage done was greater for a returning European Union (EU) official who was banned from returning to her condominium on July 16. The decision not to allow her entry by the juristic person of her residence caused a diplomatic row between Thailand and the European Commission. Later on, she agreed to go through what is known as alternative state quarantine (ASQ) instead of self-quarantine at her condominium, which all foreign diplomats are supposed to do. Coming hot on the heels of the Rayong scare, the juristic person at her residence took a unilateral decision to block her entry. Worse still, some bloggers and local media hailed the action as heroic even though this blatant behavior contravened the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations of 1961.

In response to this faux pas, the European Commission in Bangkok has already recommended that Brussels withdraw Thailand from the list of 15 safe countries announced on July 1 that are eligible to travel to EU member countries. Thailand is the only Asean member picked by the EU due to its efficient management of Covid-19. The commission has complained about Thai social media users propensity to misinform the public about the diplomatic community. As foreign diplomats in Thailand, their status is protected by the Vienna Convention. They are not so-called VIPs which, in the Thai context, means the countrys privileged and powerful elite.

From July 22, following the Rayong incident, the CCSA imposed the 14-day state and alternative state quarantine, replacing self-quarantine which immediately caused uneasiness among Bangkok-based embassies over Thailands unilateral action. Some of them pledged to reciprocate when Thai diplomats entered their countries. Indeed, the CSSA should learn from Seoul in handling quarantine for foreigners. Diplomats with negative COVID-19 tests are allowed in without any quarantine.

The panicked response has also applied to the visiting American troops scheduled to participate in year-long joint military exercises. With anti-foreigner feeling running high in terms of importing the virus, politicians and media have questioned the governments motives for accepting them. They completely ignored the fact that that all incoming personnel must go through stringent COVID-19 measures conducted by the Thai authorities with no exceptions.

In the coming weeks, it will be imperative to educate the Thai public about the current situation instead of focusing on numerical achievements. The CCSA must know how to manage public expectations, which are now totally embedded in the zero infection and low death rate of 58 since June 2. If this trend continues, any new cases popping up with more easing of lockdown could have a devastating effect on the governments image and stability. It will ignite a new cycle of the blame game from stakeholders and politicians.

Again, Thailand should also learn from Vietnam, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore that opening up the country carries some risksnamely new infections no matter how efficient the preventive measures arebut it is essential to kickstart the countrys economic recovery in the new normal era. Public understanding of this is essential, otherwise, the future is bleak.

Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.

This article first appeared in the Bangkok Post.

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Ammonia is a generic precursor for the manufacture of essential fertilizer and most nitrogen-containing organic chemicals. To date, industrial ammonia production is predominantly conducted by the Haber-Bosch process, in which nitrogen is fixed using the chemical reductant hydrogen. However, despite the development for more than one hundred years, this process still requires harsh conditions including high temperatures (673-873 K) and pressures (20-40 MPa), accounting for 1.5% of worldwide energy consumption. In this context, it is urgently demanded to seek a sustainable and less energy-intensive technology to produce ammonia.

The electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (NRR), using proton from water as the hydrogen source and powered by renewable electricity sources, is an alternative method to achieve N2 fixation under ambient conditions. However, in practice, it is still difficult to achieve desirable NRR performance, which causes great energy loss of the process, and the key challenge lies in the activation of the inert nitrogen-nitrogen triple bond, which is generally considered as the rate-determining step. In this context, highly active catalysts that could alter the rate-determining step of electrochemical ammonia synthesis is expected to be an ideal candidate for ammonia synthesis.

In a new research article published in the Beijing-based National Science Review, scientists at the Soochow University in Suzhou, China present the latest advances in overcoming the bottleneck of ambient ammonia synthesis. Co-authors Sisi Liu, Mengfan Wang, Haoqing Ji, Xiaowei Shen, Chenglin Yan, and Tao Qian successfully alter the rate-determining step of ambient ammonia synthesis by deliberate introduction of cobalt single clusters as electron-donating promoter in nitrogen-doped carbon, and achieve outstanding ammonia yield rate of 76.2 g h-1 mg-1 and superior Faradaic efficiency of 52.9%. With such strategy, the superior performance would greatly reduce the energy loss of the system and cut down the fundamental cost, thus contributing to future practical applications.

These scientists likewise outline the potential development directions of future electrocatalysts for sustainable NRR systems. "When chemically adsorbed on Co cluster, N2 is spontaneously activated and experiences a significant weakening of the nitrogen-nitrogen triple bond due to the strong electron backdonation from the metal to the N2 antibonding orbitals, and the N2 dissociation becomes an exothermic process over the cobalt single cluster." Prof. Tao Qian said, "Thus, the rate-determining step has been successfully shifted from the usual N2 activation to the subsequent hydrogenation with only a small energy barrier of 0.85 eV."

###

This research received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province.

See the article:

Sisi Liu, Mengfan Wang, Haoqing Ji, Xiaowei Shen, Chenglin Yan and Tao Qian

Altering the rate-determining step over cobalt single clusters leading to highly efficient ammonia synthesis

Natl Sci Rev nwaa136

https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaa136

The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China.
Probe: Garda technical bureau officers arrive at a house in the St Lawrence Road area of Clontarf, Dublin, where a man was stabbed to death. Photo: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Gardai are investigating whether a 35-year-old man who was stabbed to death by a 25-year-old was killed as part of "a row or a psychotic episode" in the capital's latest murder.

Both men had been living in a HSE-run psychiatric facility on St Lawrence Road in Clontarf.

The victim was named locally last night as Michael Olohan who was not known to gardai for involvement in crime. The 25-year-old suspect, who handed himself into local gardai just minutes after the fatal stab attack, is also not known to officers for involvement in crime.

The fatal attack took place at the support facility at about 7.15am yesterday.

Sources said the victim died from stab wounds to the chest after a "disagreement" between the two men, who were known to each another.

The suspect was gone from the scene when the emergency services and gardai arrived.

However, within minutes the suspect presented at Clontarf garda station. He handed himself in and told gardai he had stabbed another man.

The suspect was arrested but it is understood he was transferred to hospital, as he had cut wounds to his hands.

Gardai are examining whether mental-health issues were the catalyst for the fatal stabbing.

"Gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to this tragic death," a senior source said last night.

The scene on St Lawrence Road in Clontarf was sealed off by gardai as the investigation got underway.

Members of the Garda technical bureau arrived just before 11am to begin a forensic search of the area.

The property where the stabbing happened is a HSE-run psychiatric facility according to local councillor Nial Ring, who said it is long-established and well integrated within the local community.

"It is a very well-run place which is never a source of trouble, so the whole community are shocked," said Cllr Ring.
VICTORIAFor someone who was accused of being part of a network that smuggled hundreds of Sri Lankan asylum seekers to Canada, spent more than six years in immigration detention and went through two trials, Kunarobinson Christhurajah is remarkably chill.

If hes seething underneath, hes doing a good job of hiding it.

He is on a B.C. ferry bound for the capital, Victoria, with his wife, Patrishiya, and their two daughters, Bynthavy, 9, and Migalavy, nine months.

Theyre headed for a reunion with a few dozen other passengers of the MV Sun Sea, the rickety cargo ship that brought 492 Tamil migrants to B.C.s shores in August 2010, a high-profile mass arrival event that sparked security concerns from the Conservative government of the day and debates about Canadas generosity.

Christhurajah, 40, was among a handful of Tamils singled out by authorities  accused of being not just a passenger, but one of the masterminds behind a profit-driven, people-smuggling enterprise and owner of the vessel. His defence lawyer argued he was acting on humanitarian grounds, something Christhurajah maintains to this day.

During an hour-long conversation with the Star in the ferrys cafeteria, the first time he has spoken publicly about the case, it is difficult to get a read on how he really feels. With a baby carrier still strapped around his shoulders and chest, he appears relaxed and answers questions in a forthright manner. He repeatedly flashes smiles of contentment and says on more than one occasion that Canada is the best country.

At the same time, he recalls moments of anger and frustration with a system that put him behind bars for years, prevented him from seeing the birth of his first child, and has kept his immigration status in limbo.

A hint of emotion wells up in his eyes when he recalls being in detention and asking himself: Why did I come here? Why was I born?

Resilience is something he had to build up at an early age.

I was born in war, he says.

There simply isnt enough time during the ferry ride to go into detail about what he had to endure growing up in the midst of a violent civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the insurgent Tamil Tigers who wanted to create an independent Tamil state.

But it is clear his allegiances lie with the Tigers.

Tamil people need the rights. Thats the rights they fight for, he says.

In 2008, he and his wife fled to Thailand and registered with the UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency.

During this time, he says, a friend approached him with an offer.

If you want to go to Canada  we have a plan to go by ship, he says the friend told him.

What are you going to say? I say, OK.

The story of the perilous Pacific Ocean voyage has been well-documented. It was severely overcrowded, lacked safety equipment and washrooms. The passengers  consisting of 380 men, 63 women and 49 children  subsisted on meagre portions of rice, noodles and dried fish.

The conditions on the freighter were appalling, B.C. Supreme Court records state. Most of the migrants were crammed into the hold of a singlehulled ship, living on simple sleeping pallets. There were also migrants living under tarps on the decks above the hold.

One passenger died. Four women, including Christhurajahs wife, were pregnant.

There was not enough water and also I got sea sick, she says.

But they persevered.

We were happy, because we coming to Canada, Christhurajah says.

When the Sun Sea landed in B.C. waters Aug. 13, 2010, all the passengers were immediately detained, some for months.

The response from Canadian authorities came as a surprise.

I scared after they caught me.  Whats happening? says Christhurajah, who was separated from his wife. I thought they (were) going to take us and going to put (us) in a refugee camp. I dont know theyre going to put me in prison.

As his case slowly grinded its way through multiple immigration and court hearings, a fierce debate raged across Canada. An Angus Reid poll at the time suggested that almost half of Canadians  48 per cent  favoured sending the migrants home. Thirty-five per cent said they should be allowed to stay.

Controversial legislation was introduced aimed at curbing future large-scale smuggling operations.

Vic Toews, then the public safety minister, said the passengers included suspected human smugglers and terrorists, and warned it was imperative that we prevent supporters and members of a criminal or terrorist organization from abusing Canadas refugee system.

Crown prosecutors, meanwhile, accused Christhurajah and a handful of other men of violating a section of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which says: No person shall knowingly organize, induce, aid or abet the coming into Canada of one or more persons who are not in possession of a visa, passport or other document required by this Act.

Among the allegations: Christhurajah was connected to a company that owned the ship and that he helped arrange the movement of supplies and provided accommodations and transport for some of the migrants.

Court also heard that Christhurajah occupied an upper section of the ship, suggesting a privileged role.

Christhurajah, who did not testify at either of his trials, told the Star the evidence presented was either wrong or exaggerated.

Others involved in the organization of the trip created a company that bought the ship, he says. He also denies he was involved in a profit-making venture.

I dont ask anybody (for) money, he says. Think about it. You coming from a conflict war. You see people dying, your friends die. You think you can collect your friends money? You know theyre struggling to eat, to live.

He acknowledges helping out on the ship, but scoffs at the suggestion he was somehow a mastermind.

Cmon. I helped because I wanted to come, he says.

Frustration mounted as the first trial kept getting put off. There were times when Christhurajah says he wanted to give the judge a piece of his mind over the delays. But he stayed quiet.

Just be patient, he says he kept telling himself. You dont have any rights to talk, because its not your country.

In early 2017, a jury couldnt reach a verdict in Christhurajahs case and a mistrial was declared. Three other defendants were acquitted.

While awaiting a second trial, Christhurajah was set free on bail. It was the first time he was able to see his daughter in person, who was then six.

In May 2017, a jury convicted Christhurajah at his retrial. Crown prosecutors asked for an 18-year prison sentence to deter future preying on desperate people.

A judge later sentenced him to four years imprisonment but waived further incarceration because of the time he had served in pretrial detention.

Christhurajah appealed his conviction. In June 2019, B.C.s top court agreed to order a new trial after finding that the trial judge had incorrectly instructed the jury on the defence of mutual aid  that Christhurajah and the other asylum-seekers had the mutual purpose of seeking refuge.

Federal prosecutors ultimately decided late last year not to proceed with a third trial and asked for a stay of proceedings.

With the legal case behind him, Christhurajah is now busy working as a plumber. He previously worked as an auto mechanic. His wife is a couple of weeks shy of completing a college program for education assistants. She previously worked as a manager at KFC.

While her refugee claim was accepted, his is still being processed.

I dont have any status, he says.

Theyre not alone, says Gary Anandasangaree, a Liberal MP who organized Thursdays reunion event in Victoria and previously worked as legal counsel for the Canadian Tamil Congress.

The government last year cleared a huge backlog of refugee cases, but a few dozen MV Sun Sea passengers are still waiting for their claims to be sorted out, he said. He estimates that another 100 have had their refugee claims accepted and are waiting to be approved as permanent residents.

Many of the migrants, he said, are still dealing with serious mental health issues  lingering effects from the trauma of civil war, as well as prolonged separation from their families.

Theyve also had to overcome the labelling  the initial onslaught of, These are undesirables, criminals, terrorists.  Its a permanent scar on who they are as individuals.

Others, though, are thriving as entrepreneurs, truckers and tradespeople.

Those whove been given normalized status are thriving, he said. Those in relative limbo or uncertainty still have a fair bit of baggage to overcome.

Asked for his opinion about Christhurajah, Anandasangaree said he saved many lives.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Christhurajah, meanwhile, is trying to make up for lost time with his older daughter, Bynthavy, who, he says, treats him more like a friend than a father.

When he was still in detention, Bynthavy didnt have a concept of jail  she assumed he worked for the court because that was the only time she could see him without glass between them.

She shared this anecdote and the story of her parents journey to the assembled crowd on the B.C. legislature lawn Thursday afternoon.

This country is providing me with not only a good education, but a safe and peaceful life, she said into a microphone. Beyond all the hardships of the journey on the sea and my fathers imprisonment, we are now able to live happy lives thanks to this country and the community of fellow Tamil people.

Now she understands what really happened, Christhurajah says.

I want to be honest with her.  We told her I was in prison, why they kept me was because Im the owner and organizer  but we not. We just help each other come to Canada. Now she understands Im not a criminal.

Asked if he thinks attitudes among Canadians about asylum-seekers has changed over the past decade, he says there is still a lack of understanding.

He recalls having a conversation with a woman last year who, upon learning he was from Sri Lanka, said she was scared that some asylum-seekers were here to kill innocent Canadians.

The way she told me, Im not happy, he says.

But he brushed it off.

It is why he said his family wanted to participate in the anniversary event Thursday  to send a message to the rest of Canada.

We are not terrorists come to destroy this country. We came for a better life.

Read more about:
The virus continues to loom over Mr. Trump as a major political liability. Fifty-seven percent of Americans said the president was doing a bad job dealing with the virus, and 52 percent said the United States response was worse than other countries, according to a Monmouth University poll released Thursday.

And in Wisconsin, an important battleground state, 69 percent of voters said people should be required to wear masks in all public places, according to a poll released Tuesday by Marquette University Law School. Polling by Quinnipiac University last month found that four in five voters in Florida and Texas also supported mask mandates.

In addition to the briefing on the virus on Thursday, Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris also received a briefing on the economic situation, with experts appearing by videoconference in both sessions. Janet L. Yellen, the former Federal Reserve chair, was among the participants in the economic briefing, the Biden campaign said.

As for their own mask etiquette, Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris did not wear masks, but were seated at a distance, when reporters were briefly allowed into the meeting on the virus. When they later addressed reporters, they wore masks until they got to the lectern, and then put their masks back on after they finished speaking.

Ms. Harris tried to cast doubt on the Trump administrations efforts to develop a vaccine in a speedy manner, suggesting that what mattered was when that vaccine would be available to the public.

I think its important that the American people, looking at the election coming up, ask the current occupant of the White House: When am I going to get vaccinated? Ms. Harris said. Because there may be some grand gestures offered by the current president about a vaccine. But it really doesnt matter until you can answer the question: When am I going to get vaccinated?

As Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris put their focus on the pandemic, Mr. Trump continued to ridicule Ms. Harris in a television interview, auditioning one of his demeaning schoolyard nicknames  a go-to Trump tactic that some Republican officials worry will backfire among suburban women who will see such an attack as sexist.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / The law firm of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP reminds investors of the upcoming deadline to move for appointment as lead plaintiff in the class action litigation on behalf of investors who purchased the common stock of FirstEnergy Corp. ("FirstEnergy" or the "Company") (NYSE:FE) between February 21, 2017 and July 21, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period").

If you purchased the common stock of FirstEnergy during the Class Period, you may move the Court for appointment as lead plaintiff by no later than September 28, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your share of any recovery in the actions will not be affected by your decision of whether to seek appointment as lead plaintiff. You may retain Lieff Cabraser, or other attorneys, as your counsel in the action.

FirstEnergy investors who wish to learn more about the litigation and how to seek appointment as lead plaintiff should click here or contact Sharon M. Lee of Lieff Cabraser toll-free at 1-800-541-7358.

Background on the FirstEnergy Securities Class Litigation

FirstEnergy, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, is an electric utility company. The action alleges that, during the Class Period, defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding FirstEnergy's internal controls, business practices, and prospects. In particular, defendants boasted of FirstEnergy's legislative "solutions" to difficulties with its nuclear facilities but failed to disclose that those "solutions" revolved around an illicit campaign to influence state lawmakers to support legislation favoring the Company. For nearly three years, FirstEnergy and its affiliates channeled more than $60 million to state politicians and lobbyists, including Ohio Speaker Larry Householder, to ensure the passage of Ohio House Bill 6 ("HB 6"), which provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout of FirstEnergy's failing nuclear facilities. Defendants also falsely stated that they were in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations throughout the Class Period when in reality, they were exposing the Company and its investors to undisclosed risks of legal, financial, and reputational damage.

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On July 21, 2020, federal agents announced the arrest of Speaker Householder and four other persons, including a lobbyist for FirstEnergy, in connection with a $60 million racketeering and bribery scheme. The criminal complaint and affidavit described an alleged pay-to-play scheme in which FirstEnergy influenced the legislative process in order to guarantee the passage of HB 6, including by defending the bill against a citizens ballot initiative to overturn the bill. Prosecutors described the case as the "largest bribery, money-laundering scheme" in Ohio history. On this news, the price of FirstEnergy stock fell $7.01 per share, or almost 17%, from its closing price of $41.26 on July 20, 2020, to close at $34.25 on July 21, 2020, on heavy trading volume.

On July 22, 2020, Cleveland.com published an article providing additional details regarding the Company's illicit actions in connection with the scheme. On this news, the price of FirstEnergy stock dropped an additional $7.16, or 20.9%, from its closing price of $34.25 per share on July 21, 2020, to close at $27.09 on July 22, 2020, on extremely heavy trading volume.

About Lieff Cabraser

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Nashville, is a nationally recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility.

The National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the nation's top plaintiffs' law firms for fourteen years. In compiling the list, the National Law Journal examines recent verdicts and settlements and looked for firms "representing the best qualities of the plaintiffs' bar and that demonstrated unusual dedication and creativity." Law360 has selected Lieff Cabraser as one of the Top 50 law firms nationwide for litigation, highlighting our firm's "laser focus" and noting that our firm routinely finds itself "facing off against some of the largest and strongest defense law firms in the world." Benchmark Litigation has named Lieff Cabraser one of the "Top 10 Plaintiffs' Firms in America."

For more information about Lieff Cabraser and the firm's representation of investors, please visit https://www.lieffcabraser.com/.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Source/Contact for Media Inquiries Only

Sharon M. Lee

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

Telephone: 1-800-541-7358

SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/601032/FE-SHAREHOLDERS-September-28-2020-Filing-Deadline-in-Class-Action--Contact-Lieff-Cabraser




House Democrats on the committee charged with overseeing the federal government's response to the coronavirus announced an investigation Thursday into "Operation Warp Speed," the Trump administration's efforts to accelerate the development and distribution of a vaccine.

Why it matters: In an effort to quickly distribute a vaccine, the Trump administration has bought initial batches from a handful of pharmaceutical companies before knowing whether they are safe and effective, Axios' Bob Herman reports.

The Department of Health and Human Services and Defense Department have awarded billions to companies like Novavax, Pfizer and Regeneron in an effort to speed up the development of coronavirus treatments as part of Operation Warp Speed.

What they're saying: The committee is concerned that Moncef Slaoui, a former Moderna executive and the scientist leading the administration's vaccine effort, has financial interests that could undermine the ethics and public trust of a vaccine rollout, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) wrote in a letter to HHS.

Clyburn also said he was worried that vaccine candidates chosen under Operation Warp Speed excluded experts and lacked transparency.

The other side: FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn addressed concerns about the integrity of a coronavirus vaccine in the medical journal JAMA last week, saying that "there is a line separating" the government's resources and funding from the FDAs review processes.

An HHS spokesperson pointed out that in early May, Slaoui divested his equity holdings in Moderna before joining Operation Warp Speed. The chief advisor to HHS Secretary Alex Azar for the vaccine project has also "left all advisory boards and boards of directors of companies with even the appearance of conflict," the spokesperson said.

Operation Warp Speed selects candidates based on how well they meet criteria on safety, efficacy and large-scale distribution requirements, the spokesperson said.

Background: Slaoui has kept his status as a government contractor while leading the administration's race to distribute a vaccine, which allows him to keep investments in pharmaceutical companies and avoid ethics disclosures, the New York Times reports.

The HHS inspector general said in July that it would not require Slaoui to adhere to the ethics rules that federal employees are bound to, citing his unusual role, per the Times.

Go deeper: How the U.S. might distribute a coronavirus vaccine

Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from the HHS.
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Ramat Gan, Israel  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:15 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e00f05 2 World Israel,coronavirus,coronavirus-testing,COVID-19,COVID-19-test,saliva-test,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

A newly developed saliva test aims to determine in less than a second whether or not you are infected with the novel coronavirus, Israel's largest medical center said on Thursday.

Patients rinse their mouth with a saline wash and spit into a vial. This is then examined by a small spectral device that, in simple terms, shines light on the specimen and analyses the reaction to see if it is consistent with COVID-19.

With machine learning it gets more accurate over time.

Eli Schwartz of the Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases at Sheba Medical Center, who is leading the trial, said it was easier to use than PCR swabs commonly used to detect COVID-19.

"So far we have very promising results in this new method which will be much more convenient and much cheaper," he said.

The center said in an initial clinical trial involving hundreds of patients, the new artificial intelligence-based device identified evidence of the virus in the body at a 95% success rate.

Amos Panet, an expert in molecular virology at Jerusalem's Hebrew University, said he would like to see more data and comparisons with existing tests before making a final judgment.

The amount of virus present in saliva increases as patients get sicker, he said, and a big challenge is to detect in "people who are borderline".

"It will be a game changer only if we see validation of this technology against the current technology," he said.

Sheba, located just outside Tel Aviv, has partnered with the device's developer, Israeli firm Newsight Imaging, to bring the system to market.

The company said they are in the process of getting regulatory approval. Each test costs less than 25 cents and it expects the device will eventually cost less than $200.
NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gainey McKenna & Egleston announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (Cabot Oil or the Company) (NYSE: COG) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on behalf of those who purchased or acquired the securities of Cabot Oil between October 23, 2015, and June 12, 2020, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Cabot Oil investors under the federal securities laws.



The Complaint alleges that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Cabot Oil had inadequate environmental controls and procedures and/or failed to properly mitigate known issues related to those controls and procedures; (2) as a result, Cabot Oil failed to fix faulty gas wells, thereby polluting Pennsylvanias water supplies through stray gas migration; (3) the foregoing was foreseeably likely to subject Cabot Oil to increased governmental scrutiny and enforcement, as well as increased reputational and financial harm; (4) Cabot Oil continually downplayed its potential civil and/or criminal liabilities with respect to such environmental matters; and (5) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On July 26, 2019, Cabot Oil filed a quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reporting its financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 (the 2Q19 10-Q). The 2Q19 10-Q disclosed that the Company had received two proposed Consent Order and Agreements related to two Notices of Violation (NOVs) it had received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection back in June and November 2017, respectively, for failure to prevent the migration of gas into fresh groundwater sources in the area surrounding Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Following the release of the 2Q19 10-Q, Cabot Oils stock price fell $2.63 per share, or 12.07%, to close at $19.16 per share on July 26, 2019.

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Then, on June 15, 2020, following a grand jury investigation, the Pennsylvania attorney generals office charged Cabot Oil with fifteen criminal counts arising from its failure to fix faulty gas wells, thereby polluting Pennsylvanias water supplies through stray gas migration. On this news, Cabot Oils stock price fell $0.67 per share, or 3.34%, to close at $19.40 per share on June 15, 2020.

Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Cabot Oil during the Class Period should contact the Firm prior to the October 13, 2020 lead plaintiff motion deadline. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Thomas J. McKenna, Esq. or Gregory M. Egleston, Esq. of Gainey McKenna & Egleston at (212) 983-1300, or via e-mail at tjmckenna@gme-law.com or gegleston@gme-law.com.

Please visit our website at http://www.gme-law.com for more information about the firm.




Pico to interconnect all financial markets in APAC, through its connectivity presence and on-net offering



NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pico , a leading provider of technology services for the financial markets community, today announced a new managed colocation facility at Chunghwa Telecoms CHT Taipei IDC in Banqiao, New Taipei City. Pico is providing its own local Intellihands service in CHT Taipei IDC as well as for the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) data center. Connectivity to TWSE, Taiwan Futures Exchange (TAIFEX), and the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) will be offered in the future to clients hosting in CHT Taipei IDC.

In March 2020, 24-hour continuous trading on Taiwans stock market came into effect, replacing the call auction trading method. Pico responded by introducing the new Taiwan colocation facility that will support firms to achieve agile, efficient and rapid access to Taiwans markets. Located within 100 meters of the TWSE / TAIFEX data center, the facility ensures the shortest, lowest-latency connections to the trading engines.

Coinciding with 24-hour continuous trading, TAIFEX introduced a real-time market data feed , which distributes bids, offers and traded prices on occurrence, allowing market participants to discover real-time pricing and strengthen their ability to deploy global trading strategies that involve trading between Taiwans futures and cash markets. Pico plans to offer dedicated or shared infrastructure options as well as hosting services, tailored technology solutions based on its global market data services, far-reaching latency-sensitive connectivity, and comprehensive infrastructure procurement. On-site Intellihands multilingual teams will provide 24/7 global support.

The combined forces of greater availability of continuous trading, richer data feeds and efforts to enhance trading efficiency and meet international standards, is enticing many trading participants to include Taiwan markets in their global trading strategies, said Roland Hamann, Pico Managing Director. The Taiwan facility strengthens our capabilities to offer clients rapid access to Asia and builds on our globally comprehensive presence in all financial service data centers, and marketplaces.

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Pico has connected the location to PicoNet, its private low-latency proprietary network mesh providing seamless global access to trading venues, outbound internet connectivity, and market data services around the world. It is supported by Picos analytics and monitoring platform, Corvil Analytics, the de-facto standard for analytics and visibility in the financial markets community.

Designed to host mission-critical systems, CHT Taipei IDC is the only data center in Taiwan to achieve both the ANSI/TIA-942 Facility Rated 3 Certification and the Uptime M&O Stamp of Approval. It is also certified Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Service Organization Controls (SOC) reports, etc. and received the 2019 Taiwan IDC Provider of the Year from Frost & Sullivan. In terms of hardware features, Chunghwa Telecom IDCs server room infrastructure is enabled with comprehensive protections against floods and earthquakes to prevent disruptions to network services in the case of such natural disasters.

Pico is at the forefront of creating and managing technology infrastructure for financial markets businesses and we are pleased to welcome them to our Banqiao colocation facility, said Chung Shuo Lin, Managing Director at Data Communications Business Group of Chunghwa Telecom. Picos ability to attract global liquidity into Taiwan and, connect the Taiwan financial community to the rest of the world, makes them a valuable ecosystem partner in this strategically significant location.

CHT Taipei IDC is connected to PicoNetTM and Picos Global Backbone providing for connectivity to CHT from other data center locations on PicoNetTM in APAC as well as in Europe and Americas. Pico already has the largest data center footprint in the industry, operating and maintaining colocated infrastructure in more than 40 data centers throughout the global financial ecosystem. Its live APAC data centers span Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, that all connect to at least two of its Connectivity Hubs located in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. The firm is looking to complete its APAC build in 2021, with the addition of Australia, China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines to its global footprint.

About Pico

Pico is a leading provider of technology services for the financial markets community. Pico provides a best-in-class portfolio of innovative, transparent, low-latency markets solutions coupled with an agile and expert service delivery model. Instant access to financial markets is provided via PicoNet, a globally comprehensive network platform instrumented natively with Corvil analytics and telemetry. Clients choose Pico when they want the freedom to move fast and create an operational edge in the fast-paced world of financial markets.

To learn more about Pico, please visit pico.net .

Media Contact

Pico Press Office:

Isabel Dalton

isabel.dalton@pico.net

+353 87 2639021

About Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX: 2412,NYSE: CHT) is Taiwan's largest integrated telecommunications services company that provides fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and internet services. The Company also provides information and communication technology services to corporate customers with its big data, information security, cloud computing and IDC capabilities, and is expanding its business into innovative technology services such as IoT, AI, etc. In recent years, Chunghwa has been actively involved in corporate social responsibility and has won domestic and international awards and recognition. www.cht.com.tw.




14.08.2020 LISTEN

Former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, has charged the President Akufo-Addo government to come out with records of monies spent in building projects.

The New Patriotic Party's (NPP) National Organiser, Sammi Awuku, on Thursday, said former President John Dramani Mahama's promise to invest US$10 billion into infrastructure must be treated as a threat and not a promise.

According to him, Mr. Mahama will use such an avenue to enrich himself because the cost of the projects or infrastructure will definitely be inflated.

Responding to this on Eyewitness News, Mr. Terkper said the Akufo-Addo government should rather focus on telling Ghanaians what they have done to match what the Mahama administration achieved.

In 2016, frankly, oil prices in that minor crisis relative to COVID were US$42 to US$45. Today, as we speak, oil prices are US$47. Why didnt the Minister revise those figures when he presented the mid-year budget review? And still, he gave the impression that oil prices were below US$25? This was the average with which we did all this from late 2014 to 2016. So the record is there, he insisted.

I think its about time the current administration speaks about its record. President Mahama can point to the four bonds that we issued; the fact that we took off one bond, and the fact that we took the money to build infrastructure and we managed to still slow down the debt. That is our true record. The administration can tell us what they did to match this. Thats the more relevant discussion that we should be having as a country.

Where it all started

Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama announced a US$10 billion accelerated infrastructural plan, dubbed the Big Push, which he says will drive jobs and entrepreneurial agenda when elected in December 2020.

We are looking at what I call the Big Push, injecting some US$10 billion to dualise our roads, complete the remainder of the 200 Community Day Senior High Schools, finish all the hospital projects that have been left abandoned, and construct bridges to open up the country, said Mr. Mahama.

According to the former President, it [the Big Push] will involve the construction industry, engineering, and other professionals, and will bring a lot of artisans and everybody back into work.

But Sammi Awuku insisted that Mahama's US$10 billion promise will not reflect in job creation for the youth as promised.

When he also says he is going to build projects, Ghanaians should be extremely careful and be worried because of the inflated cost of these projects. He is not interested in the outcome of the project and the impact it will have on Ghanaians neither is he interested in value for money. So when he says he is going to invest billions in infrastructure, Ghanaians must treat it not as a promise but as a threat, not as an infrastructural solution but a financial scandal. It must not draw you closer towards him but borrow his legs and run away with it.

---citinewsroom
FALLS CHURCH, Va. - A northern Virginia prosecutor who says her countys judges are infringing on her discretion to dismiss charges and enter plea bargains is asking the state Supreme Court to intervene on her behalf.

Arlington County Commonwealths Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti filed a petition Friday asking the court for a relief from a policy imposed by the countys four Circuit Court judges.

In March, two months after Dehghani-Tafti took office, the judges required prosecutors to file a written brief explaining themselves any time they decide to drop charges or enter a plea bargain.

Dehghani-Tafti was one among a cadre of prosecutors in northern Virginia and across the nation to win office on a reform agenda, promising not to prosecute lower-level drug offences.

She said that the order is not only time-consuming, but potentially damaging in cases where the reasons for dropping a case should remain private, like protecting a broader investigation or in cases of domestic violence where a victim declines to co-operate.

It is not wise for us to be putting in all those details, and the court should know that, she said.

A call to judges chambers in Arlington County seeking comment was not immediately returned Friday. In an opinion last month, one of the judges, Daniel Fiore, provided insight into his thinking when he rejected an argument by prosecutors that they were entitled to dismiss marijuana possession charges because they saw enforcing that law as a poor use of judicial resources.

(T)he decision by the executive branch to effectively nullify a statute passed by members of the Virginia Assembly, who were duly elected by the citizens, fails to constitute good cause to dismiss charges, he wrote.

The issue is playing out nationally in different ways. In Maryland, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has crossed swords with Baltimore prosecutor Marilyn Mosby after Hogan tried to divert more resources to the state attorney generals office to prosecute cases in the city.

And in Missouri, the legislature is considering a bill filed during an ongoing special session sought by the states Republican governor that would give the states attorney general overlapping jurisdiction to prosecute cases amid complaints that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner is too lenient in bringing charges.

Both Mosby and Gardner are among 60 current and former prosecutors who have signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Dehghani-Taftis petition in Virginia.

Miriam Krinsky, executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution, the organization that submitted the friend-of-the-court brief, said that while judges have their own discretion to question on a case-by-case basis a prosecutors motion to dismiss a particular case, she said that issuing a blanket policy requiring written justification for every decision is excessive.

In the 80s and 90s prosecutors used their discretion to ramp up mass incarceration, and judges never second-guessed or interfered with that, she said. Now we have this sweeping order in all cases in Arlington County where an elected commonwealths attorney is wanting to do exactly what voters elected her to do.

In Arlington, Dehghani-Tafti said that in previous years, 75 per cent of dismissed cases were handled on oral motions only, often taking only a minute or two.

She acknowledged that prosecutorial discretion cuts both ways, saying a rural prosecutor in a jurisdiction that has declared itself a Second Amendment sanctuary also enjoys the discretion to decline prosecution on firearms charges. She said, though, that her efforts to pass on low-level drug cases are distinguishable on policy grounds, because she is moving in the same direction as the legislature, and that her approach to drug prosecutions is evidence-based.

Prosecutorial discretion has been around as long as prosecutors have been around, she said.
Contemporary gospel sensation, Ruth Adje.

13.08.2020 LISTEN

Contemporary gospel sensation, Ruth Adjei, is set to host a virtual praise, worship, and prayer session via Facebook Live on Friday, August 21, 2020, as the nation adjusts to the new reality of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to her, the upcoming session on her social media pages is to revive the spirit of praise, worship, and prayer among the saint of God which is fundamental to our faith.

The 'Mb' hitmaker said she is always on the move even in this COVID-19 season, spreading the worship and praises of God through digital channels.

She said the lack of an in-person audience and performing online doesn't feel emotionally different for her, therefore, need to host virtual praises and worship.

Ruth Adjei has been bringing upbeat, contemporary sounds to gospel music.

"There's always a new experience that has to be communicated...My heart really is about making sure that the conversation of God is something that can be a relevant conversation regardless of where culture finds itself" she said.

Watch Ruth Adjei's 'Mb' below:
Subscriber content preview

By AMIRA EL MASAITI

Associated Press

iStock photo [enlarge] Morocco's restrictions to counter the coronavirus pandemic have taken a toll on the carriage horses in the tourist mecca of Marrakech. Some owners struggle to feed them, and an animal protection group says hundreds of Morocco's horses and donkeys face starvation.





MARRAKECH, Morocco  Abdenabi Nouidi sold his favorite horse for $150 to help feed the others on the team that pulls tourists in carriages through the buzzing streets of Marrakech, and he is still scared about the future for the others.





. . .
The Accra Regional Police Command is investigating the cause of fire that gutted the Electoral Commission (EC) office at Sapeiman in the Greater Accra Region in the early hours of Friday.



Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Effia Tenge, Head of Public Affairs Unit (PAU), told the Ghana News Agency that the cause of the fire as well as the value of damage caused were not immediately known.



DSP Tenge said there was no casualty.



Giving the facts, she said the Police Command received information about the fire outbreak at the Regional Office of the EC in the early hours of Friday.



She said four fire tenders from Amasaman, Kotoku, Nsawam and Abelemkpe were brought in to quench the fire and provide security.



"Police officers from the Division were also deployed to provide security for the Fire officers," she said.



The Head of the PAU said the room that stored used electoral materials was razed but the fire was brought under control at about 0500 hours.



The Greater Accra Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Kwame Amoah, informed the Regional Police Commander DCOP Mr. Afful Boakye Yiadom, who was at the scene, that the incident would not affect the recent registration and the upcoming December 2020 elections in areas under its jurisdiction.

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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The Independence Day celebrations in Delhi this year will be relatively muted, due to security concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, there have also been extensive security setups by airmen and Delhi Police, in anticipation for the Red Fort ceremony.

The Independence Day function at Red Fort this year will be relatively muted in terms of participation of people in view of the situation created by COVID-19. Compared to the past, about 20 per cent VVIPs or other participants will be able to witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from ramparts of the historic fort. The arrangements have been made keeping in view social distancing norms.

Sources said school children will not be there and National Cadet Corps would be present.



In previous years, nearly 900 VVIPs used to be accommodated on either side of the main podium. This number will be down to about 130 this year, officials said.Around 4,000 personnel will be on security duty for the function. Over 1,500 coronavirus winners who recovered from the disease, will attend the function in a symbol of the citizens determination to fight the pandemic and emerge winners.



Police officials said that 350 Delhi police personnel, who will be part of the guard of honour at the Red Fort on August 15 have been quarantined at a police colony in Delhi Cantonment. The Home Ministry, in its advisory, has called upon states to avoid congregation of people and use of technology for the telecast of celebrations.



Also read: Day after photo-op with Pilot, Gehlots trust-vote googly to BJPs no-confidence motion demand

Also read: No objection to CBI inquiry, says Rhea Chakraborty to SC

The ministry said it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, sanitization and protecting vulnerable persons.

As per notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued for Delhi International Airport (IGI) for chartered (non-scheduled) flights, no transit flight will be allowed to land between 6:00 am-10:00 am and 4:00 pm-7:00 pm on Independence Day, August 15. Scheduled flights will operate as per the schedule. Also, no impact would be on Indian Air Force (IAF), Border Security Force (BSF), army helicopter and the state-owned aircraft/helicopter can fly with Governor/Chief Minister of the state.

Delhi Police said on Thursday that it has made multi-layered security arrangements for Independence Day. It said that necessary coordination has been made with other agencies like National Security Guard (NSG), Special Protection Group (SPG) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). All the agencies will work in close coordination with each other to cater to all kinds of threat inputs. SWAT teams and Parakram vans have been strategically stationed, Delhi police said.



Deployment of security personnel is being made both in plainclothes and uniform.Facial recognition system has also been set up at vantage points for identification of suspects.The police said that all the necessary guidelines in view of the COVID-19 pandemic will be enforced. There will be elaborate traffic arrangements with the optimal deployment of staff and signages for public convenience, it said.



Apart from securing the main venue at Red Fort, adequate security arrangements for at Home function at Rashtrapati Bhawan have also been made and city-wide alert is being exercised by all district DCPs.



Delhi Traffic Police had said earlier this week that that vehicles without parking or access levels will not be allowed near the Red Fort area and cars will not be allowed on eight roads between 4 am-10 am on August 13 and 15 in view of Independence Day.

Ministry of Defence is organising Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony on Saturday at Red Fort maintaining the balance between the sanctity and dignity of the National function while factoring in precautions related to the COVID-19 scenario.



In order to facilitate seamless movement with the least chances of any crowding, seating enclosures and walkways are laid with wooden flooring and carpeting. Additional Door frame metal detectors, with adequately spaced markings, have been provided to avoid queuing and to ensure smooth passage for all the invitees. Most of the parking areas have been brick-lined and paved in order to ensure smooth entry and exit of vehicles to the maximum feasible extent.



The members of the Guard of Honour have been under quarantine to bring in safety. The guiding principle for seating has been Do Gaz kiDoori (or 6 feet between any two guests seated during the event.

The participation is only through invitation and members who do not have formal invites are requested to refrain from coming to the venue. About 4000 plus invites have been issued to officials, diplomats, members of public, media etc.

With an eye on safety, NCC cadets have been invited to witness the event (instead of young school children) and they will be seated at Gyanpath.

In order to sensitize the invitees towards COVID related safety measures, specific Advisory for following the COVID related guidelines has been issued along with each invitation card. A request card for the invitee to exhibit restraint and patience during dispersal after the conclusion of the function would be placed on each seat in this regard. The announcement in this connection will be made from the commentary booth from time to time.

The Traffic Police advisory will also contain a note on the matter. An orderly dispersal plan has been put in place for implementation through the controlling officials in various enclosures. In this regard, the cooperation of all invitees will be earnestly and consistently requested.



The ceremonial drills have also factored due to social distancing norms as well as other precautionary measures.



Adequate medical booths at four locations, 1 near the Rampart, 1 in Madhavdas Park and 2 in 15 August Park have been set up to cater to any attendee who is detected having any symptoms related to COVID-19 during entry. Ambulances would also be stationed at these four locations.

Thermal screening at all entry points for the invitees has been planned. Thorough sanitization of the premises inside and outside the Red Fort is being carried out on a regular basis.

All invitees have been requested to wear masks. In addition, an adequate number of suitable masks are being kept handy for distribution at various points of venue. Similarly, the availability of hand sanitizers at pre-defined locations has been done. The display boards are placed discreetly to attract the attention of invitees.

Also read: No permanent foes or friends in Politics, Gehlot, Pilot all smiles as they come face-to-face, suspensions of two MLAs revoked
Michael Ciaglo, Staff file photo/Houston Chronicle

The city of Houston is commemorating the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey with a series of online seminars detailing the citys climate action plan.

Harvey devastated coastal communities and dumped upwards of 50 inches of rain across southeast Texas in late August 2017. Its trail of destruction left dozens dead and changed life in the city as we knew it.
Rajasthans ruling party has moved the confidence motion in the legislative assembly as chief minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy CM Sachin Pilot came together to resolve differences between them. A month-long political crisis developed in Rajasthan when Pilot with 19 MLAs had left for New Delhi to inform the Congress leadership of their grievances regarding the administration. Pilot was also sacked from the Rajasthan Congress chiefs position but has returned after the Congress top brass held several meetings with the former deputy CM and Ashok Gehlot.

The month-long political drama which unfolded in Rajasthan also saw Congress levelling allegations against the BJP for conspiring to topple an elected government. BJP refuted these allegations but did not demand for a no-confidence motion. The opposition also called the truce a 'short-lived' one. BSP, who have 6 MLAs, have issued a whip to ensure all six of them vote against the Congress.





Catch LIVE updates on Rajasthans assembly confidence motion here:
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A man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a shooting in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood Thursday evening.

Police got a call that a man was laying on the ground and another man was seen running away from the scene through backyards shortly after 7 p.m. to Amaranth Court and Flemington Road.

The area is closed while police investigate.
A 56-year old man was jailed on Friday for attacking two men outside a pub in Holywood in a incident described by a Judge as "utterly brutal"

Paul Darragh - a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic - was handed an extended custodial sentence after being deemed as a 'dangerous offender.'

The father-of-one, from Palace Mews in Holywood, was handed a nine-year sentence, with an additional four years licence imposed. He appeared at today's remote hearing via a videolink with the Shannon Clinic based in Knockbracken Healthcare Park.

Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that one of Darragh's victims sustained permanent brain damage in the incident, which occurred outside the Stoker's Halt on January 19 last year.

CCTV captured Darragh talking to the two men inside the bar, but when all three left the premises at around 11pm, Darragh then punched the men and knocked them to the ground before kicking them several times in the head.

Following his arrest and whilst on remand, Darragh was transferred to the Shannon Clinic. Judge Miller noted Darragh's "long and troubling history of mental ill health" which he said has been worsened by alcohol and drugs misuse from Darragh's teens.

Also noted by the Judge was Darragh's 28-strong criminal record, which included convictions for sexual and violent offences.

A defence submission given to Judge Miller claimed that Darragh believed he was going to be attacked when he left the bar, with an independent witness overhearing the word 'paedophile' being used.

The Judge said that while this may have impacted on Darragh's "skewered thinking" and mental wellbeing at the time, there could be no justification for the violent incident.

Judge Miller described the attacks as "utterly brutal" and said Darragh displayed "a complete and utter disregard for either victims, both of whom were already lying prone on the ground unconscious when he kicked each several times to the head."

Turning to the two victims, Judge Miller spoke of the life-changing injury caused to one man due to permanent brain damage, while the other man's injury - whilst not as severe - has resulted in a significant psychological impact.

Judge Miller said that as Darragh has been deemed to be a dangerous offender, he was imposing an enhanced custodial sentence "to address the risk presented by him."

Darragh was handed a nine-year sentence, but as he has been deemed dangerous he will not automatically be released on licence after serving half his sentence in prison.

Instead, he will be assessed for suitability for release after serving four and a half years in jail by the Paroles Commission.

If he is not deemed suitable for release, he may serve the full nine years of his sentence in prison. Once released, he will spend an additional extended period of four years on licence.
2 policemen martyred in terror attack at Nowgam, J&K

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Srinagar, Aug 14: Two police men have been martyred after terrorists attacked a police party in Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K police attacked, 2 cops martyred ahead of Independence Day | Oneindia News

The attack took place near the Nowgam bypass in Central Kashmir's Srinagar district. One police man who was injured in the attack has been shifted to hospital.

The entire area has been cordoned off and a search operation was launched. The attack comes at a time when a high alert had been declared in J&K ahead of Independence Day.

BJP worker shot by terrorists succumbs to injuries

It may be recalled that the security forces had earlier busted a terrorist hideout at Awantipora in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The raid was conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police along with the Army's 50 Rashtriya Rifles and 130 Battalion of the CRPF.
TikTok is clearly popular with younger users, which is part of the reason its appealing to advertisers and potential buyers. But just how young are TikTok users? According to The New York Times, as much as a third of TikToks 49 million users in the US may be 14 years old or younger. That raises the question over whether TikTok is doing enough to protect its younger users, and it may cause potential buyers to reconsider purchasing the app.

In July, 18 million daily TikTok users in the US were 14 or younger. For comparison, 20 million daily TikTok users in the US were over-14. The rest were classified as an unknown age.

TikTok asks users to self-report their birthdays, and it uses tools like facial recognition to estimate users ages. Users under 13 only have access to a walled-off mode within the app, and they cant share personal info or videos. But it wouldnt be hard to lie to get around age restrictions. The app doesnt ask for consent from guardians, and videos seem to slip through the cracks. One former TikTok employee told The New York Times that videos of children who appeared to be younger than 14 were allowed to remain online for weeks.

As is standard practice across our industry, the company conducts high-level age-modeling to better understand our users and allow our safety team to better protect the safety of our younger teens in particular, TikTok said in a statement provided to The New York Times.

The stakes are fairly high. If TikTok is found to be in violation of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires parental permission before internet platforms collect personal info on children under 13, it could face hefty fines. Of course, TikTok knows this, it already paid $5.7 million on behalf of Musical.ly over reported COPPA violations. Now, with TikTok facing President Trumps ultimatum to sell its US operations before September 15th or be shut down, theres more on the line.
International polling company YouGov has asked a Hong Kong academic to drop questions about the citys sweeping national security law from a survey he commissioned, raising questions about the room left for pollsters to measure public opinion freely in the city.

Stephan Shakespeare, the chief executive and co-founder of the London-headquartered company, said on Thursday that his group had to operate within local legal frameworks.

YouGov wants to know what the world thinks. We are dedicated to pursuing this goal within the laws and regulations of the markets in which we operate, he told the Post in a brief statement.

Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.

Stephan Shakespeare, CEO of YouGov. Photo: Handout

He made the comment after Dr Kobayashi Tetsuro, from the City University of Hong Kongs department of media and communication, took to Twitter earlier this week to say that the company had requested he drop from an online survey some questions that might violate the controversial law.

The scholar said YouGov made the decision after receiving legal advice from Hong Kong lawyers, as well as the companys legal teams in Singapore and its UK headquarters.

Tetsuro did not respond to requests for comment, but he had previously told the Hong Kong Citizen News outlet that he was asked to delete six questions in total, and subsequently agreed.

Only two of the questions were about the new law. One asked respondents to rate on a scale of one to nine  with one being strongly agree and nine being strongly disagree  whether they agreed with the statement that the law was unnecessary because it hurt the citys freedom.

The other question asked whether respondents agreed that the law was necessary because it ensured safety for the city.

Of the four other questions, two were about the Hong Kong governments fight against the coronavirus outbreak, and two were about whether the citys police had threatened human rights.

Story continues

The list of questions was first submitted to YouGov in June.

Francis Lee Lap-fung, director of the Chinese Universitys School of Journalism and Communication, who has conducted many polls in the past, said the problem was that the national security law was so broadly termed that no one can say for sure whether it would be a violation to conduct polls on what the public thought about it.

There are no ways to assess and say that there are absolutely no risks, he said.

In principle, he said, asking the public for their views on the topic should not be a violation because the pollsters were not guiding the citizens to show disapproval of the law.

He said the six questions proposed by Tetsuro were very normal, but apparently YouGov decided not to take any chances.

The national security law punishes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Since it came into effect on June 30, only the Hong Kong Research Association, a pro-Beijing group, has conducted surveys on the law. Its July survey of about 1,100 people showed that 66 per cent were supportive or very supportive of the legislation.

Some other pollsters had done surveys on the law before it was enacted, but not after.

Chung Kim-wah, deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, said his institute would not shy away from any topics. But he acknowledged that the law was broadly and vaguely termed, and thus some pollsters might fear they could be in violation of it.

Its unavoidable that some people will be afraid, he said. But we wont censor ourselves.

A university academic who has conducted many surveys in the past also spoke of concerns about doing polls about the law.

You dont even know how to ask the questions. The interviewees may not want to share their thoughts, said the academic, who asked not to be named.

He added that even if polls were to be conducted, there were worries that the results would not be to the liking of pro-Beijing groups, who might single the pollsters out online.

There were also fears that the data of interviewees could be stolen by hackers, he noted.

There are no cybersecurity means that are absolutely safe, he said.

Additional reporting by Chan Ho-him

Rebel City: Hong Kongs Year of Water and Fire is a new book of essays that chronicles the political confrontation that has gripped the city since June 2019. Edited by the South China Morning Post's Zuraidah Ibrahim and Jeffie Lam, the book draws on work from the Post's newsrooms across Hong Kong, Beijing, Washington and Singapore, with unmatched insights into all sides of the conflict. Buy directly from SCMP today for HKD$198. Rebel City: Hong Kong's Year of Water and Fire is also available at major bookshops worldwide and online through Amazon, Kobo, Google Books, and eBooks.com.

This article International polling company pulls questions from Hong Kong survey over national security law fears first appeared on South China Morning Post

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LATEST, Aug. 14 4:45 p.m. An Oakland McDonald's restaurant was ordered by the court to increase its safety protocols, after five workers had sued the location's owners for not providing adequate personal protective equipment, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The preliminary injunction outlined 11 measures the restaurant was required to follow, including conducting temperature checks on employees, providing breaks to wash their hands every 30 minutes and providing proper face coverings. The restaurant became notorious for its lack of adequate PPE, after news that the owners had given employees masks made of dog diapers and coffee filters was made public.

The McDonald's is located at 4514 Telegraph Ave.

Read more about the story at The Chronicle.

Aug 14. 1 p.m. California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that roughly 90 percent of the state's K-12 students will begin the year with distance learning, but in-person instruction could resume "soon" if the state continues its current trends in the coronavirus pandemic.

During a Friday press conference, the governor said that the statewide positivity rate has fallen to 6.2 percent, which is down from the 7.0 percent figure the governor reported right before a data glitch halted reports on case numbers and test positivity for a week. A county-by-county rundown on case figures will be presented on Monday.

To prepare for distance learning, the state has worked to supply local schools with the requisite technology. Companies such as Apple, T Mobile, Office Depot and Edison have provided hundreds of thousands of devices that school districts can purchase through state-negotiated master contracts. The state has $5.3 billion available in funds to aid with distance learning.

A county cannot reopen in-person schooling until it is off the watch list for 14 consecutive days, but individual schools in watch-listed counties can apply for waivers to allow in-person instruction.

Aug 14. 11:45 a.m. Rural Amador County reported its first 11 COVID-19 deaths over the past week.

After reporting zero deaths from March through August, the county reported 11 deaths in a six-day span. The county, with a population of less than 5,000, is still seeing increases in the number of active cases. Click here to read more from the Modesto Bee.

Aug 14. 11 a.m. Marin County is one of many Bay Area counties that still has yet to update several COVID-19 metrics impacted by a glitch with the state's case reporting system.

The county no longer reports percent positivity, with county health officer Dr. Matt Willis stating, "We dont have enough confidence in the data coming from the state to put our numbers out yet... Rather than put out something thats misleading, weve chosen to freeze the data until its stabilized.

Aug 14. 9:10 a.m. A private school in California was ordered to close Thursday after it reopened classrooms in violation of a state health order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Fresno County issued a health order against Immanuel Schools in Reedley, ordering it to close its classrooms until the county is removed from a state monitoring list for two weeks.

Click here to read more from the Associated Press.

Aug 14. 8:10 a.m. Temperatures in the Bay Area are expected to reach triple digits over the weekend and into next week, prompting pandemic-related concerns from health experts.

"People will want to take off their masks when its hot, UCSF epidemiologist George Rutherford told The Chronicle. Dont do it.

In addition to concerns over lax mask wearing, local experts and officials also fear large crowds at beaches as residents seek to avoid the heat.

On Friday, temperatures are forecast to hit as high as 108 in Clayton and 101 in Livermore. In the South Bay, the mercury could hit 96 in Fremont and 100 in San Jose. On the San Mateo coast, temps are forecast to reach 85 in Pescadero and 78 in Montara. San Francisco will feel the swelter as well with temps forecast to hit 82 in the afternoon. In Marin, Mill Valley may hit 95 and further north in Santa Rosa, it could be also be 95. In Napa, 100 is in the forecast.

Click here to read more on the heat wave.

SFGATE homepage editor Dave Curran contributed to this entry.

Coronavirus in the greater Bay Area: Links you need

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

Alameda County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Contra Costa County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Lake County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Marin County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Monterey County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Napa County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

San Benito County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

San Francisco County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

San Mateo County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Santa Clara County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Santa Cruz County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Solano County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

Sonoma County: Find the latest COVID-19 numbers and health order.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Here are answers to your most frequently asked questions about coronavirus

Lasting heart damage could be COVID-19's legacy for some non-hospitalized survivors

Bay Area had avoided spikes until shutdown fatigue, early reopening and prison outbreak

WHEN WILL THE BAY AREA REOPEN?

Is it less dangerous to reopen elementary schools than high schools?

Solano County health chief: It may be impossible to get off state watch list

San Mateo County added to state COVID-19 watch list, faces business closures
Democratic candidate Joe Biden has been stuck in his basement all these months and now wants us all to be mandated by law to wear masks. That's his big idea.

According to CBS News:

"Every single American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months, at a minimum. Every governor should mandate mandatory mask-wearing," Biden said, suggesting that widespread mask use could save 40,000 lives over the next three months. "Let's institute a mask mandate nationwide starting immediately, and we will save lives."

Where ya been, Joe?

Governors have already been there. Here in California and in most big-population states, we've been wearing masks for months  in the Walmarts, in the Targets, at the Costcos, to the doctors' office, to the post office, on our walks  the very few places we've been allowed to go, and during that brief period when we could go to the gym and indoor church services. Masks do do some good, and people generally follow the idea. So to put that idea out there as if none of us has noticed is rather obnoxious. Been there, done that.

Yet Joe puts this out as his bright new idea as if no one had ever thought of it before. Why exactly would Biden's federal mask mandate somehow make things different? This is old hat stuff by someone who just woke up and smelled the coffee that's gone cold. He seems to have missed the different gubernatorial mandates tailored to various state needs, as well as the months and months of wearing masks, particularly in big cities. It's not a panacea, but it has been helpful there. Yet Biden wants one-size-fits-all and is convinced he can wave the entire problem away with this sweeping diktat.

Here's why it's stupid: we've already begun solving the problem as masks (and many other solutions) have been followed. Outdoor activities have been positive  church services, beach activity, and if California would just allow it, outdoor school would be great. Hydroxychloroquine combined with zinc and other adjacent treatments has been a life-saver. Operation Warp Speed, to develop a vaccine, is on track for a successful year-end launch. And there are also signs of herd immunity developing. A lot of us have marveled at the low transmission rate on New York City's packed subways, and many experts think sufficient immunity has come of it. The latest news is that it doesn't take much for herd immunity to develop.

Yes, new cases are high, but only because more testing is available  lots of undetected cases have been found, often among symptomless young people, which would have otherwise gone away unnoticed. More important, deaths are down, big-time down, down from April, where deaths peaked at 4,928 on one bad day in that month. In late July, the last day recorded, they were at 391. Catching COVID no longer means you are going to die, because almost no one does.

Yet for Biden, it's still March 2020, and he'd like us all to know he'd handle the coronavirus better than President Trump did with this vast new imposition. Yes, it's good to wear masks, but only in place where it can do some good. America has 300 million people, and a rancher in South Dakota where few COVID cases exist anyway is going to need one a lot less than a packed multi-generational house in a Los Angeles tenement or an infirm elderly person living in a nursing home.

And an order that sweeping is also going to get ignored. We've already seen how spring breakers ignored it. We've seen how protesters, rioters, and looters ignore it. We've also seen farm workers working in tight quarters from places with little understanding of viruses ignore it. And we've seen inner-city black communities where multigenerational families are common and distrust of mostly white authorities handing out edicts is even more common to ignore. Some of these places do, indeed have more COVID cases.

Seriously  300 million people here and police budgets being cut by blue-city governments...how's Biden going to enforce this? The old dinosaur hasn't worked this out yet. Let's see how he does when protesters and rioters take to the streets, forgetting their masks.

Is Joe Biden proposing to go after the rioters on mask grounds? As long as he's got cops out issuing tickets for these mask violations, maybe he can arrest a few for hurling bombs and setting fires.

And for additional idiocy, note that Biden threw out a three-month period for it, as if the "experts" he's consulted have ever been right before. (Remember the two-week lockdowns? Funny how they extend.)

First, we weren't supposed to wear masks, then we were, and in response to state orders, most of us complied. In places where Karens were present, we were scolded on the streets if we didn't.

What most people want is not more masks  we have all had a bellyful of masks, and as Andrea Widburg noted here, some people are getting something called "mask mouth" as a result of their compliance  we want the problem solved and times to go back to normal.

Biden isn't offering that. He's offering the false promise of that, but he's focused on the power to impose, not the solution, and oh, gosh, it's so old  kind of like him. When no solution comes, he'll extend the mask mandate forever, in the name of ending all risk. And as Issues & Insights notes today, it won't stop there.

Not only will it not work, it's a hideous campaign platform -- Joe Biden, candidate of permanent lockdown, March 2020 forever.

Since, as Robert Conquest noted, everyone's a conservative about things they know best, it is going to bomb with the voters. We all know this mask thing and what it can do very very well. Biden's offering us a lot of day-old bread with nothing between the slices.

Photo illustration by Monica Showalter with use of image from Public Domain Pictures, public domain, enhanced with Photoshop.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 04:40:18|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Three Katyusha rockets on Thursday landed on an Iraqi military airbase in Iraq's Salahudin province, the Iraqi military said.

The attack took place in the evening when the Katyusha rockets landed in Balad airbase, some 80 km north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, with minor damages, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement.

More information is to be released later about the attack, the statement added.

Meanwhile, a provincial security source anonymously told Xinhua that three Katyusha rockets landed inside the airbase, which is housing the Iraqi F-16 fighter jets and a group of experts from two U.S. companies for maintenance and training purposes.

The attack caused only minor damages, the source said without giving further details.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, but Baghdad airport and the Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops across Iraq, as well as the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone, have been frequently targeted by mortar and rocket attacks.

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
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A Muslim woman who worked for a McDonald's franchisee in Maryland claims managers and co-workers sexually harassed her and subjected her to religious discrimination after she converted to Islam.

Diamond Powell, 28, of Baltimore, filed a lawsuit against her former employer, Susdewitt Management LLC of Lanham, Maryland, on Thursday with the backing of attorneys from the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The Morgan State University graduate was Christian in 2016 when she started working for the company, which operated two McDonald's locations at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Powell converted to Islam in February 2017 and began wearing a hijab to work.

Diamond Powell, 28, of Baltimore, filed a lawsuit against her former employer, Susdewitt Management LLC of Lanham, Maryland, on Thursday with the backing of attorneys from the Council on American-Islamic Relations

A manager allegedly told her to 'take that hoodie off' her head while another manager told her, 'You don't have to wait for God to wake up for you to pray'.

Powell's religious beliefs mandate that she must pray five times a day at prescribed times.

A general manager initially granted Powell's request to take short prayer breaks during her shifts, according to her lawsuit.

'Her prayer breaks lasted no longer than a typical bathroom break,' the suit says.

But the general manager allegedly prohibited Powell from praying in a quiet spot at the airport and instead told her to pray in a dirty stock room.

After Powell continued praying outside the restaurant, the general manager eventually revoked her request to take a prayer break, saying, 'God will understand,' according to the lawsuit.

Powell worked at two McDonald's locations at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is pictured

'By doing so, the general manager forced Powell to choose between continuing her employment with McDonald's or sacrificing her sincerely-held religious beliefs,' the suit says.

Powell resigned from the job in April 2018. Her suit accuses Susdewitt Management of violating the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Susdewitt Management owner Isaac Green disputed the lawsuit's 'characterizations' but said the company is reviewing Powell's allegations and will 'respond accordingly.'

'We pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and we have policies in place to provide a welcoming workplace and to respect the accommodations employees may need for religious reasons,' Green said in a statement provided by a McDonald's corporate spokeswoman.

The suit also claims Powell was sexually harassed at work, with several managers and co-workers asking her if she was a virgin and a shift manager making sexually explicit remarks.

'No Muslim woman should ever, ever experience what I went through, and I hope this lawsuit will help other Muslim women,' Powell said Thursday during an online news conference with her attorneys.

Zainab Chaudry, director of CAIR's Maryland office, said the group has seen an uptick in the number of incidents in which Muslims have experienced hostile work environments because of their faith.

'Unfortunately, this disturbing case is a glaring reminder of the challenges that Muslim employees often face within the workplace,' she said.
By PTI

NAGPUR: A nurse plunged from a flyover ramp and died after her scooter was hit by a rashly-driven SUV here in Maharashtra, a police official said on Friday.

The incident took place near Kalpana Talkies square in the Sadar area on Thursday, when the nurse, Manjusha Maroti Dalal (36), was on way to her workplace, a private hospital in Panchasheel square, he said.

Fearing mob attack, the driver of the SUV fled, abandoning his vehicle at the accident spot.

The deceased was climbing the ramp of Chhaoni flyover when the speeding car hit her two-wheeler, the police official said.

The impact of the crash was so severe that she was tossed over the sidewall railing of the flyover ramp, he said.

Passers-by rushed Dalal to a nearby private hospital where doctors declared her brought' dead, he said.

The police seized the killer vehicle.

Eyewitnesses told the police the driver dragged the scooter for nearly 20-25 metres and later fled the spot, leaving behind the SUV.

The Sadar police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act against the SUV driver and launched a search for him, the official added.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he planned to give his acceptance speech for the presidential nomination at this month's Republican Party convention from the White House lawn, the New York Post reported on Thursday night.

'I'll probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place. It's a place that makes me feel good, it makes the country feel good,' the Post quoted Trump as saying in an interview.

'We'd do it possibly outside on one of the lawns, we have various lawns, so we could have it outside in terms of the China virus,' Trump said.

President Trump has confirmed he will give his nomination speech to the Republican National Convention from the White House lawn. He is pictured in 2016 after accepting the GOP nomination to be President at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio

Both the Republican and Democratic Parties have scaled back their traditional multi-day conventions in view of social distancing guidelines in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump last week proposed accepting the Republican nomination for the November 3rd election in a speech from the White House, prompting accusations by senior Democrats that he was politicizing the historic residence.

Earlier this week he floated the idea of delivering the speech at the site of the Civil War battleground in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

'We have narrowed the Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, to be delivered on the final night of the Convention (Thursday), to two locations - The Great Battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the White House, Washington, D.C. We will announce the decision soon!,' the president tweeted on Monday.

Trump said he would visit Gettysburg later, according to the Post.

President Trump teased giving his speech at Gettysburg, the site of site of the bloodiest battle of Civil War and where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous address

'Gettysburg is special. I will be doing something at Gettysburg, it may be something different, not for the convention,' he said.

'We're going to be doing something terrific at Gettysburg but when it gets a little bit cooler because now it's, you know, it's August 27, so that's pretty hot out there,' he continued.

'We're going to do something, I love Pennsylvania and I love Gettysburg, so we're going to do something in Gettysburg at a little bit later date,' he said.

Noting that the White House lawn is large, Trump said, 'We could have a big group of people' for the speech.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the country's leading elected Democrat, said last week that Trump would once again 'degrade the White House' by using it for a political event.

A painting of Abraham Lincoln giving his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. Donald Trump has said he will return to Gettysburg at a later date

'Whether it's legally wrong or ethically out of the question, it shouldn't even have been something that was expressed,' Pelosi told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell.

Some Republican lawmakers also spoke out against Trump's plan for a White House speech. Senator Ron Johnson said Trump 'probably shouldn't do it.'

Using the South Lawn of the White House was met with objections from Democrats and Republicans alike because of the Hatch Act.

The law prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities while working. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are exempt from the law but White House staffers - who are federal employees - are not.

Trump's speech is scheduled for the final day of the August 24-27 Republican convention. He said last week that media would be invited to a 'nomination night' in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The South Lawn at the White House makes a spectacular stage for speeches, but there are limits on campaign activity allowed

The Republican National Convention was initially slated for Charlotte, North Carolina, before Trump moved it to Jacksonville, Florida, in June, in hopes the Republican-led state would be more amenable to his aim of having thousands of mask-less supporters cheering his renomination. But as a wave of new coronavirus cases swept the Sun Belt, Trump was forced to cancel those proceedings last month.

Trump is trailing former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in opinion polls.

Biden will accept his nomination in an address from his home state of Delaware rather than in Milwaukee as previously planned.

The Democratic convention will run, mostly virtually, from August 17-20.
Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP deserves nothing but a massive endorsement of 95% of votes for a second term for keeping his campaign promises.

This is according to a Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency and NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the Bantama constituency, Francis Asenso-Boakye.

He said the President has given a good account of himself and this justifies a deserving second term.

This was during an appeal he made to residents of the Bantama constituency to vote massively for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP.

He made this clarion call when he performed a sod-cutting ceremony to commence the construction of the Kokoso-Asuboteng area roads within the Bantama constituency.

Addressing the chiefs and people of the community at Kokoso in Kumasi, on Thursday, Mr. Asenso-Boakye reiterated Governments commitment to the provision of socio-economic infrastructure across the country, including the Ashanti Region, saying we have demonstrated that the NPP government has the best interest of the Ashanti Region at heart, and we are going to do more to alleviate the plights of our people.

He added, in 2016 when the then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo promised to implement his flagship programmes, such as the Free SHS, One District One Factory, among others, the NDC and John Mahama said they he could not fulfill them, but today, we all bear witness to the fulfillment of these interventions that have brought great relief to all Ghanaians. So if we gave Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP 88% of total votes in 2016 here in Bantama, I believe it is fair to say that he deserves 95% of votes in 2020 for fulfilling all those promises made to us in 2016.

Asenso Boakye continued, The importance of good roads extends to all aspects of the development of our communities as it contributes to the provision of jobs, access to healthcare and education services, among others. Had the NPP won in 2008, this road would have been long completed but it was neglected by the previous NDC administration. Today, we all bear witness to the visionary leadership of the President Akufo-Addo that has led the implementation of Free SHS policy, Planting for Food and Jobs, One District, One Factory; and the setting up of a vehicle assembling plant by automobile giant VW in Ghana, among others.

On his part, Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako Atta who was a special guest of honour at the ceremony said, the development of the entire Ashanti region, especially Kumasi and its environs, is very dear to the heart of President Akufo-Addo and his government. Todays ceremony shows the commitment of the Government to improving the condition of all road networks in Kumasi and the country at large.

The Minister also revealed that several road networks are currently undergoing construction in all 275 constituencies in Ghana. Out of the total 80,000km road networks in the country, only 23% had seen some construction when the NPP took office in January 2017. However, I can boldly say that there are ongoing road constructions in all 260 district assemblies in the country, he disclosed.

The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi called on all residents of Kumasi to support the government in order to bring more development to the area.

The sitting Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Daniel Okyem Aboagye who was there to support the activity called on all of his supporters to rally behind the new parliamentary candidate of the party to ensure victory in the forthcoming general elections.
Dolly Parton has issued a rare political statement voicing her support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

In an interview with Billboard magazine, published on Thursday, the country music icon, 74, said she appreciated the millions of Americans taking to the streets to protest for racial reform following the death of black man George Floyd.

'I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen,' she stated.

'And of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little white a**es are the only ones that matter? No!'

Throughout her five-decade career, Parton has been largely apolitical - often refusing to giver her opinion on various politicians and policies.

Dolly Parton has issued a rare political statement voicing her support for the Black Lives Matter movement. The 74-year-old is pictured late last year

Black Lives Matter protesters have been taking to the streets across America since late May, calling for a reckoning on racism. New York City demonstrators are pictured last week

During her discussion with Billboard, Parton discussed why she so rarely weighs in on political happenings - unlike a large majority of her Hollywood contemporaries.

'I'm not a judgmental person. I do believe we all have a right to be exactly who we are, and it is not my place to judge,' she stated.

'God is the judge, not us. I just try to be myself. I try to let everybody else be themselves.'

Parton's support for the Black Lives Matter movement divided the internet, with some expressing disappointment that she broke her tradition of remaining tight-lipped.

Republican congressional candidate DeAnna Lorraine tweeted: 'Dolly Parton just said she supports Black Lives Matter. My hear is literally broken. Guess it's time to #BoycottDolly'.

Another outraged fan wrote: 'Guess I'll be Parton ways with Dolly'.

However, others were thrilled by the country music queen's announcement, with star Chery Lloyd writing: 'Just when you think you couldn't love Dolly Parton more... she gives you another reason.'

Parton's support for Black Lives Matter divided fans on social media

Elsewhere in her Billboard interview, Parton discussed how she renamed her Dixie Stampede dinner theater in Tennessee back in 2018, after learning that 'Dixie' was offensive to some in the south.

'There's such a thing as innocent ignorance, and so many of us are guilty of that,' Parton proclaimed.

'When they said 'Dixie' was an offensive word, I thought, "Well, I don't want to offend anybody. This is a business. We'll just call it The Stampede."

'As soon as you realize that [something] is a problem, you should fix it. Don't be a dumba**.

'That's where my heart is. I would never dream of hurting anybody on purpose'.

'I would never dream of hurting anybody on purpose': Parton also spoke out about renaming her famous dinner theater in Tennessee

The only political issue Parton has been outspoken about is her support for the LGBT movement.

Back in 2018, she told the Australian Broadcasting Agency that she believe the country should allow gay marriage.

'Hey, I think love is love and we have no control over that  I think people should be allowed to marry.

'Im not God, you know. I believe in God, I think God is the judge. I don't judge or criticize and I don't think we're supposed to,' she added.

Earlier this month, Parton appeared vida video link at the 31st GLAAD Awards where she accepted a prize for her Netflix show, Heartstrings.

However, she has largely restrained from weighing in on other issues and politicians.

Back in 2017, Parton famously refused to partake in jabs against President Donald Trump when she appeared with her 9 To 5 co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin at the Emmy Awards.

Back in 2017, Parton (center) famously refused to partake in jabs against President Donald Trump when she appeared with her 9 To 5 co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin at the Emmy Awards. Tomlin and Fonda have been outspoken critics of the Commander-in-chief

Parton has long been an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ movement, and recently appeared at the 31st GLAAD Awards where she accepted a prize for her Netflix show, Heartstrings

She later told The Guardian: 'I've got as many Republican friends as I've got Democrat friends and I just don't like voicing my opinion on things.

'I respect my audience too much for that, I respect myself too much for that. Of course I have my own opinions, but that don't mean I got to throw them out there because you're going to piss off half the people.'

Parton has not attended publicly donated to any prominent Democrat or Republican fundraisers, and is rarely seen in Washington, D.C.

However, she was awarded a Kennedy Center Honors award back in 2006, which she received at the US State Department.
The process of analyzing and understanding presidential election dynamics often leads us to look at the American electorate not as a whole, but by segments. Party identification is the most frequently used way to sort voters, but other variables are also meaningfully related to political behavior and help explain how and why people vote.

Of particular interest this election cycle is the religious identity of voters, a factor that appears, at least to me, more important than it has been in recent presidential elections. This is in part because Joe Biden is only the fourth major-party Catholic presidential nominee in U.S. history and in part because Donald Trump continues to make the courting of evangelical voters a major priority of his campaign. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have appointed coordinators to reach out to faith communities.

Segmenting Americans according to their religious identity is not as straightforward as it might seem. Religious identity is like a Russian nesting doll; opening up one doll reveals more dolls within. Broad religious groups can be divided into smaller religious groups, and those in turn divided still further. The broad category of Protestants in the U.S., as one example, can be subdivided into hundreds of different denominations, and most of these can be further subdivided into smaller and smaller groups. All of this is made more complex because -- when we are talking about the impact of religious identity on politics -- it is often important to cross religious identity with two additional variables: race/ethnicity and self-reported religious intensity.

With all of this in mind, in what follows I will delineate the most politically meaningful religious segments in the U.S. today and briefly review what we know about their probable voting behavior in the presidential election.

Protestants Are Largest Religious Grouping in U.S.

Protestants are the largest religious group in America, representing about 46% of American adults, although that's significantly smaller than in previous decades. (Protestants have been replaced mainly by the growing group of Americans who say they have no religion, the "Nones," to which I will return below.)

Given the nesting issue described above, Protestants are much too large and variegated to analyze meaningfully for political purposes as a single group, so I find it useful to divide them into four segments: White Evangelical Protestants, White Mainline Protestants, Black Protestants and Hispanic Protestants.

The size of the White Evangelical Protestants segment in the U.S. varies depending on how evangelicals are defined (different researchers and organizations do it different ways), but I think the range of 15% to 16% is a good estimate. In Gallup's 2020 data, 15% of Americans are White, Protestant and attend church very frequently (my working definition of evangelical). A 2019 Pew Research report estimated White evangelicals were 16% of the U.S. adult population. (The exit polls in 2016 reported that 26% of all voters met their definition of being White Christians and self-identified as evangelical or born again, but that group included Catholics, Mormons and others, not just Protestants.)

Regardless of their exact size, White evangelicals constitute one of the most pro-Trump religious segments in America. Exit polls in 2016 reported that 80% of White evangelical Christians voted for Trump; Gallup data show that 74% of White, highly religious Protestants now approve of the job Trump is doing (a good surrogate for intention to vote for Trump); and a recent Pew Research report estimated that 82% of White evangelicals would vote for Trump over Biden.

White Mainline Protestants are also defined differently by different researchers, but essentially they are White Protestants who identify with Protestant denominations not usually classified as evangelical -- including Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans and others. In lieu of Protestant denomination data, grouping together White Protestants who are less religious can serve as an effective surrogate for the Mainline category. Either way, this group constitutes about 12% to 18% of the population, and skews toward Trump. Gallup estimates that Trump approval among White non-evangelical Protestants is about 60%, and Pew estimates that 61% of their defined group of White Mainline Protestants would vote for Trump.

Black Protestants, about 8% of the U.S. adult population, are politically the exact opposite of White Evangelical Protestants. Gallup data for 2020 show that Trump job disapproval (a strong indicator of likelihood to vote for Biden) among Black Protestants is 84%, and 88% of Black Protestants say they will vote for Biden in Pew's research. (Exit poll data show that 89% of all Black voters backed Hillary Clinton over Trump in 2016.)

Despite Trump's promise four years ago that 95% of Black voters would support his candidacy by 2020, we see no signs so far that Biden won't get the same huge majority of the vote Black Americans have given to Democratic candidates in previous elections. Kamala Harris, the new Democratic vice presidential nominee, identifies as Baptist, and it is possible that her religious connection with Black Protestants could be an added dimension to her impact on Black voters' turnout in November.

About 24% of Hispanic Americans are Protestants, which translates into about 4% of the U.S. adult population based on Gallup 2020 estimates. Hispanic Protestants appear to be a swing group of voters, with roughly an even split in their current views of Trump.

Latter Day Saints Skew Republican

Americans who identify as Latter Day Saints or Mormons constitute about 1% to 2% of the population and are generally strongly Republican in political orientation. Although traditionally Republican, Mormons are not nearly as strong in their support for Trump as evangelical Christians are. Mormons give Trump a 60% approval rating in Gallup data so far this year, and several post-election surveys after the 2016 election suggested that Trump received about 60% of the Mormon vote. However, that was a lower proportion of the Mormon vote for GOP candidates in previous elections (including, of course, the Republican candidate in 2012, Mitt Romney, who himself is Mormon).

Catholics Too Varied to Consider as Monolithic Political Target

The second-largest religious group in the U.S. are Catholics, at about 22% of the overall U.S. adult population and about 23% of the vote in the 2016 presidential election. As I discussed in some detail recently, this group is particularly relevant this year because of Biden's Catholic faith. (The only other Catholic major-party presidential nominees in U.S. history have been Al Smith in 1928, John F. Kennedy in 1960 and John Kerry in 2004.)

Catholics are too large to consider as a monolithic group, and I think it makes sense to divide them into three major segments -- Active White Catholics, about 5% of the population; Lapsed White Catholics (those who still identify with the faith but do not attend services regularly), 8% of the population; and Hispanic Catholics, about 7%.

Active White Catholics are disproportionately pro-Trump, with Gallup data showing about 62% Trump job approval. This pro-Trump skew most likely reflects the general tendency for highly religious Americans to identify as Republicans, and also may reflect active Catholics' more anti-abortion attitudes, in line with Trump's abortion positioning. Biden's own pro-abortion position may hurt him among this segment.

Lapsed White Catholics -- those who identify as Catholics but who are not active -- give Trump job approval ratings slightly above the 50% level, higher than the national average but below Trump ratings among Active White Catholics. This suggests that Biden may have more opportunity to reach out to less active Catholics, particularly because they tend to be less likely to oppose abortion and less likely to say abortion is going to be important in their vote.

Hispanic Catholics' position on Trump is more negative than positive; they give Trump a 61% disapproval rating so far this year, suggesting they could be a key target for Biden, particularly in specific swing states.

Americans With No Formal Religious Identity -- 'Nones'

Nones -- Americans with no formal religious identity -- now constitute at least a fifth of the U.S. adult population, based on Gallup data and other estimates. Nones skew younger than the overall population, and are not only less interested in religion but (as is the case for young people in general) also are apparently less interested in voting. The 2016 presidential election exit polls suggested that 15% of all voters were Nones, lower than their population percentage at that time.

When Nones do vote, they skew heavily Democratic. The 2016 exit polls showed that 67% of those with no religious identity voted for Clinton over Trump. Pew's latest estimate is that 72% of the religiously unaffiliated say they would vote for Biden, and Trump disapproval among Nones in Gallup's data so far this year is 69%, supporting the idea that Biden should get the significant majority of the vote of this group, if they turn out.

Non-Christian Religious Groups

Americans who identify their religion as Jewish represent about 2% of the U.S. adult population. Roughly seven in 10 Jews voted for Clinton over Trump in 2016. Current disapproval of Trump among Jewish Americans in Gallup's data is roughly 70% (based on the relatively small number of Jews interviewed so far by Gallup in 2020), indicating no sign of a major shift in the Democratic skew of the Jewish vote.

About 2% to 4% of Americans, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others, identify with non-Christian faiths other than Judaism. These individuals as a group give Trump low approval ratings, suggesting strength for Biden. Although Harris identifies as Baptist, her mother was a practicing Hindu, raising the possibility that Harris' nomination may increase interest in the Democratic ticket among Hindus this year.

Summing It Up

White Americans who identify as evangelical Protestants or Mormons, or who are active Catholics or lapsed Catholics, or who associate with other Christian denominations, are significantly predisposed to vote for Trump in this election, with White evangelicals standing out as Trump's most loyal faith group. A key question will be Biden's ability to leverage his Catholicism to reach out to less active Catholics, along with the possibility that his faith could be effective in reaching less active White Protestants. Trump also has a current edge among White Mainline Protestants, although they certainly will be more susceptible to Biden's campaigning than other more evangelical White Protestants.

Four religious segments appear to be strongly in Biden's camp: Black Protestants, Nones, those who identify with non-Christian faiths, and Hispanic Catholics. Biden's main challenge with these groups is to increase their turnout, particularly with youthful Nones who are less engaged in both religion and politics. Biden's choice of Harris as his vice presidential nominee may help increase turnout among Black Protestants.

The relatively small group of Hispanic Protestants constitutes the one religious segment that appears to be truly up for grabs in this election, with just about as many at this point saying they approve of Trump as saying they disapprove.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held telephonic talks with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the gulf nation's historic peace deal with Israel that paved way for establishment of full diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In a tweet, Jaishankar said full normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel was discussed during the telephonic call.

"Deeply appreciate the call today from FM HH @ABZayed of UAE. Discussed the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel announced yesterday," he said.

The UAE and Israel finalised the deal with an aim to normalise their bilateral relationship, seen as a major development in moving ahead with peace initiatives in the Middle East.

Under the deal, Israel agreed to halt plans to annex parts of the West Bank which the Palestinians want as part of an independent state.

Almost all the Arab nations do not recognise Israel and and they have no diplomatic ties with it.

Jaishankar also held telephonic talks with Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria Geoffrey Onyeama.

"Just concluded a phone call with FM @GeoffreyOnyeama of Nigeria. Good discussion on the multilateral challenges facing the world. Also spoke of our development partnership. Look forward to continuing the conversation," the external affairs minister tweeted.
Chinas first river snail rice noodles institute launched its first training session in Liuzhou city, south Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, recently, marking the start of the training of professionals for enterprises in this industry, Chinanews.com reported on Aug. 13.

Photo shows the training session. (Photo/Wang Yizhao)

The institute was jointly established by the local government, the Liuzhou Vocational and Technological College and enterprises in the industry. A total of 220 workers from Guangxi Zhongliu Food Technology Co. Ltd. attended the two-day session, which focused on improving their professional skills, at the Liuzhou Vocational and Technological College.

Xiang Lili, the companys human resources director, said the company hoped that these front-line workers, who generally have a low education level, would gain more professional knowledge from this session so that they can better adapt to this rapidly changing society.

The booming sector has resulted in a growing demand for talents, which has been a major bottleneck for many companies, introduced Li Yulin, a member of the institutes project team.

According to Li, the institute had earlier learnt about the difficulties and needs facing companies in the industry from its surveys, and is now aiming to cultivate talents with multiple skills to support the development of the industry.

Originating in Liuzhou, river snail rice noodles, whose Chinese name is Liuzhou Luosifen, got its name from the ingredients used in its soup. With its unique and delicious flavor, this local snack has not only become a huge hit with Chinese diners, but also become increasingly popular around the world.
Madhya Pradeshs (MP) health department teams that are conducting a sero-surveillance survey in Indore since Tuesday in a bid to prevent the spread of the raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak have been facing stiff resistance from a section of local residents.

The Indore district administration has issued an appeal to the public and has warned those, who are opposing the survey.

The survey, commissioned by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare [MoH&FW], is being conducted by the MP health department in tandem with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and aims to get a sense of what percentage of the population of Indore  the worst-hit city in the state as far as the contagion is concerned  has developed antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.

The survey is likely to be conducted across 7,000 households that fall under 85 wards in the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).

A health team has been assigned for each ward, comprising a nurse and a laboratory technician. Each team is assisted by state revenue department personnel and police.

A section of residents in Pardeshipura, Kulkarni ka Bhatta, Raj Mohalla, Nehru Nagar a few other localities under the IMC has been resisting the bid to conduct the survey.

Several residents did not open doors of their houses and many others refused to co-operate with survey teams.

An official said many residents were scared that they would be quarantined or admitted to a hospital after the survey and that led them to oppose the exercise.

Dr Salil Sakalle, who heads the medicine department at

Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College, Indore, said, One of the primary reasons behind the resistance among local residents is a lack of awareness. We have been trying our best to allay the publics misconceptions about the survey.

However, residents had a different take.

Bhavesh Sharma, a resident of Nehru Nagar, said, The resistance is an outcome of the restrictions imposed in our locality by the district administration, when some people recently tested Covid-19 positive. We were deprived of access to daily essential commodities such as milk, vegetables and even medicines. No wonder, the people are scared of the heath departments survey teams. They are afraid that they may have to face similar restrictions again.

The district administrations appeal sought to allay the publics fear.

The sero-surveillance survey will not only assess the level of Covid-19 infection in the public, but it will also assess to what level people have developed immunity against the disease. The survey is being conducted using a scientific method and samples are being taken based on a random method from people selected through a lottery. This project is expected to prove decisive for Indore as to how to tackle the outbreak situation in the coming days, the appeal stated.

The health department personnel, who have come to your homes for collecting the samples, has sacrificed their routine duty, domestic work and responsibilities, leave and festivals. They want to check whether antibody has been developed in your blood against the viral disease. By not cooperating with them you are not only doing injustice to your health and that of your family, but also to the city and the country at large. At the same time, by becoming a hurdle to the way of the governments duties, you are committing an unethical act as well, it added.

Earlier on April 1, two doctors were injured following a stone-pelting incident by a section of residents at Tat Patti Bakhal locality in Indore during a drive to screen and identify Covid-19 patients. The campaign was conducted at the beginning of the viral outbreak in MP, which soon triggered similar protests from various localities in Indore.

Many people were arrested and later several of them were also booked under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the Amaravati Metropolitan Region Development Authority (AMRDA), which has been notified after repealing the APCRDA, to immediately resume the construction of unfinished projects in Amaravati. He directed the AMRDA officials to draw a fund mobilisation plan in coordination with the Chief Secretary and the Finance Department for taking up the project works.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister held the first review meeting on Amaravati after notifying the AMRDA following the Governors assent to the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill and the AP Capital Region Development Authority Repeal Bill recently.

While no specific details were given as to which projects would be resumed, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Minister Botcha Satyanarayana said that all the projects, as per the promises given to Amaravati farmers, would be completed.

We have prepared a development plan for Amaravati, which will be our legislative capital. The Chief Minister has instructed the officials to immediately resume all the building works, he said, speaking to the media after the meeting.

When asked what buildings would be developed and how they would be put to use, he said, All the unfinished buildings will be developed and the projects such as developed layouts to be given to farmers will be taken up. We have a plan on how to use them and the government will go by it.

Sources in the AMRDA said that at least Rs 14,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore will be needed to take up the pending works. While most of the crucial projects will be taken up, sources said, the scope of them will be reduced to suit the States financial capacity and the requirement of people. We need at least Rs 4,500 crore for developing the layouts and the necessary trunk infrastructure. There are about Rs 3,500 toRs 4,000 crore pending bills. Other projects will need more funds. The proposal is to reduce the scope of the projects as per the practical needs, an official explained.

Regarding the fund requirement, the MAUD Minister said the government would spend the required amount and would not go for grandeur beyond the scope of the States finances. It maybe Rs 1,000 crore or Rs 2,000 crore or Rs 10,000 crore, we will spend as much as it takes. But, we will not go for unnecessary things. We will practically develop the region, as per the States financial condition and as per requirement, to honour the promises made by the previous TDP government. However, we wont go beyond our means and borrow loans, he said.

According to Botcha, the works will immediately start and they will be completed in a time bound manner.Even though the government had planned to immediately launch the development works by laying foundations in Visakhapatnam soon after the bills were assented by the Governor, the pending cases in the court have hindered the YSRC governments plans. We wanted to immediately start the works after the bills were passed. But the evil forces (TDP) are creating hurdles. Our efforts to develop the three regions will not stop, he asserted.

Botcha lashed out at TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that he was creating hurdles for the development of the State. Someone in the BJP has correctly said that there is no Opposition in the State. After losing in the elections, he shunned his responsibility and is only creating trouble for the State. We are working as both the ruling and the opposition, he said.

Trust govt: Botcha to Amaravati farmers

MAUD Minister Botcha Satyanarayana appealed to the farmers of Amaravati and realtors who invested in the region, to have faith in the YSRC government as it would develop the region as promised. I want to assure the farmers and realtors, who bought 80 per cent of lands already, that the government will develop this region. In all the developed areas, Amaravati should be special. That is our idea. The responsibility of entire region is ours. Dont go by false propaganda by other political parties. Trust the government and we will honour all the promises given to you, he said.

Complete HappyNest project, CM tells officials

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the AMRDA to complete the HappyNest residential project works. Though the authority had gone for reverse tendering and invited bids twice, both the calls didnt elicit any response from the investors and developers. The project envisaged construction of 1,200 high-end apartment units in 12 G+18 towers in 14.3 acres at Nelapadu village. The project received an overwhelming response when the previous government opened the bookings. Shapoorji and Pallonji and Company Pvt Ltd had bagged the project. The project cost was estimated to be Rs 658 crore and the present government invited bids for reverse tendering with a benchmark value of Rs 656.44 crore in December 2019, the first time. With no response, a second call was given in May this year. Again, there was no response. Hence, the AMRDA reported the matter to the CM.




Joe Biden's selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his Vice Presidential running mate has only exacerbated Trump's desperate attempts to convince a country he has effectively "run into the ground" to re-elect him in November.

Senator Harris is the first Black and Indian American woman chosen for national office by a major political party. Misogynists do not hate all women, just women that are strong and outspoken or in a powerful position that intimidates them. Senator Kamala Harris checks all the boxes.





Cheri Taylor

Without a doubt, Trump is the most inept, unpresidential president that we have ever had. From his narcissistic ramblings on the water pressure in shower heads being inadequate to "wash his beautiful hair properly" to the sophmoric nicknames he gives to anyone he feels threatened by or simply dislikes, Trump is a misogynistic and a racist.
Lao PM Sisoutlith offered his condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, National Assembly, and Fatherland Front on the death of the former leader.

He spoke highly of Phieus contributions to Vietnams struggle for national independence, construction, defence and development, to Laos revolutionary cause, and to the two countries special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive partnership.

The Lao leader said the former leaders death is a great loss for the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, while the Party, State, and people of Laos have lost a comrade and a very close friend.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, PM Phuc thanked Lao leaders and people for their affection for the late leader, which demonstrates the special brotherhood between the two nations.

The two PMs took the occasion to exchange views on the socio-economic situation in both countries and to review the implementation of agreements reached and the outcomes of the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee. They also looked into major joint projects, including the construction of Laos new parliamentary building and friendship hospitals.

They discussed ways to further boost bilateral ties in the time to come and future strategies for the next five years and towards 2030.

The Lao leader expressed his gratitude for Vietnams support for the fight against COVID-19 in Laos.

Both leaders agreed to continue closely coordinating in combating the pandemic, particularly along border areas, and to develop plans to resume flights between the two countries and reopen border gates when the coronavirus is brought under control.

They agreed to accelerate information and experience exchanges for the successful organisation of their national Party Congresses in 2021 and will step up cooperation in the fields of politics, defence, security, economics, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
The head of one of the world's most prestigious scientific journals has written an article pumping the brakes on the international scramble for a Covid-19 vaccine.

In it, Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the Science journals, urges politicians not to cut corners as part of a 'dangerous rush' to find a vaccine, and to instead ensure existing protocols and rigorous testing are adhered to.

It comes just days after Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed his country created a jab which confers two years of immunity against the coronavirus.

Official documents reveal the vaccine was approved after tests on only 38 people and 'causes side-effects including fever, pain and swelling'.

The scientific community was outraged after learning of this 'reckless, foolish and unethical' development, and a leading voice has now further urged policymakers to proceed with caution.

Holden Thorp (pictured), editor-in-chief of Science journals, penned an editorial article urging politicians against cutting corners as part of a 'dangerous rush' in quest for a Covid-19 vaccine

'Premature approval of a vaccine in the United States (or anywhere) could be a disastrous replay of the hydroxychloroquine fiasco but with much higher stakes', writes Professor Thorp.

'Countless lives are at stake no compromises on the vaccine.'

In his article he discusses the purported Russian vaccine, which Putin says has been administered to his own daughter, and the approach of US president Donald Trump.

The much-trumpeted drug was registered after just 42 days of research, Fontanka news agency says - and its effectiveness is said to be 'unknown'.

One of the documents submitted for registration says that 'no clinical studies have been conducted to study the epidemiological effectiveness,' despite Putin's claims that the vaccine has passed 'all the necessary tests'.

Thorp says: 'The Russian vaccine remains shrouded in mystery  there is no published information about it, and what has been touted comes from the mouths of politicians.'

He adds that the race to the finish line for a vaccine is 'dangerous thinking, driven by political goals and instant gratification'.

Professor Thorp, who previously held top positions at Washington University in St Louis and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, addresses the debacle that is the US response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

'In the United States, the pressure applied to government scientists by the administration on any aspect of the pandemic is becoming increasingly palpable, as they have been criticized or quieted in plain sight by the administration and Trump,' he says.

'Anthony Fauci, the nation's foremost leader on infectious diseases and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, has been the most willing to state things clearly, but he has had to deal with muzzling and outright abuse from Trump and White House adviser Peter Navarro (not to mention shameful threats of violence against him and his family).'

Vladimir Putin claims Russia has a coronavirus vaccine and says one of his daughters has already been injected - prompting widespread scepticism

While politicians in the US seem prepared to push ahead in pursuit of a vaccine with reckless abandon, the Science Editor-in-Chief congratulates US government scientists for 'holding strong'.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does have the ability to authorise emergency use of a developmental vaccine, as was done for anthrax when there was fear it could be used as a biological weapon.

But he urges this not to be granted for Covid-19, and that any vaccine should instead go through the robust existing channels designed to protect public health in the long-term.

'The majority of epidemiologists worldwide who work on infectious diseases are firmly committed to randomized controlled trials ('phase 3') for all interventions, but especially for vaccines to be given to healthy people,' he explains.

'This method allows comparison to a control group that receives a placebo.

'The phase 3 studies now underway on promising COVID-19 vaccine candidates involve approximately 30,000 patients.

'A randomized controlled trial is particularly important for determining the effectiveness of the vaccine, and the trial must continue until individuals in the control group become infected.

'It is impossible to predict how long that will take. Physicians who seek to advise healthy patients on taking the vaccine will rightfully require these data.'
Deputy Auditors-General of the Audit Service are asking IMANI Africa President, Franklin Cudjoe, to justify his claims there there is a plot against the Acting Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu.

They have given him a week to present details on Deputy Auditors-General who have met and decided to challenge the authority of the acting Auditor-General.

This is despite the fact the IMANI Africa President made no mention of a meeting with any Deputy Auditors-General when he made the claims on Eyewitness News.

Mr. Cudjoe had said about four or five senior Deputy Auditors-General were thinking about passing a vote of no confidence in Mr. Asiedu, who is acting in the stead of Daniel Domelevo, who is currently on a forced leave .

In absence of any evidence, they are demanding an apology from Mr. Cudjoe or they will consult their lawyers for legal advise, according to a statement the Deputy Auditors-General released.

The statement was issued after an emergency meeting held earlier on Friday.

Present at the meeting were all the Deputy Auditors-General who vehemently denied having any such meeting with IMANI Ghana or Mr. Franklin Cudioe, it said.

The Deputy Auditors-General maintain that the claims of Franklin Cudjoe are malicious and cast a dent on our reputation and integrity as well as the image of the service.

They also feel the IMANI Africa presidents comments are a ploy to cause confusion among the Deputy Auditors-General and mayhem within the rank and file of the staff of the service.

Mr. Cudjoe seeks to tarnish their image and sour the cordial relationship between management of the service and the government, the added.

They thus urged the public to disregard the ludicrous and malicious claim of Franklin Cudjoe being circulated on social media and treat same with the utter contempt it deserves. Find below the full statement

 citinewsroom
Europe's biggest holiday company lost 1.1bn during April, May and June as the coronavirus pandemic took hold worldwide and put an end to almost all tourism.

But TUI insisted it has "successfully resumed its travel activities" in all markets including Ireland. Reporting its third-quarter results, the Anglo-German travel group said its financial performance had met its own expectations.

Between July and September it hopes to achieve "cash break-even", with 57pc of its summer capacity sold. The group has sold 1.7 million new bookings since it resumed travel activities in mid-June, with a pilot programme from Germany to Mallorca.

TUI calls its advance bookings for summer 2021 "very promising". They are 145pc ahead of the same point a year ago - but much of the demand comprises travellers who have postponed 2020 trips and are taking advantage of incentives to re-book. The group says it has significantly reduced costs and is implementing "global realignment" - reducing the scale of its operations.

"Our integrated business model is proving its worth, even in the crisis," said TUI chief executive, Fritz Joussen. "The implementation of our hygiene and safety concepts and the relaunch of the business could be implemented in the flight, hotel, ship and destination segments from a single source. This has given our guests a high level of security.

"We also introduced massive cost reductions early and implemented them quickly and consistently," he added.

Mr Joussen said the firm is prepared in case a second wave of infections hits Europe. "We are prepared if the pandemic again has a significant impact on tourism," he said.

TUI will close 166 of its UK main street travel agencies, representing 30pc of the total. Many staff will be redeployed as homeworkers. The group will also benefit from a lifeline from plane manufacturer Boeing over TUI's order for 737 Max aircraft. The plane is grounded worldwide following two fatal accidents.

A spokesperson for the company said: "The agreement will compensate a large part of the damage incurred over the next two years and postpone the delivery of new aircraft until the coming years. This will relieve the balance sheet on the one hand and at the same time allow TUI to plan its fleet more flexibly in times of the pandemic."

Independent News Service
Researchers at the University of Delaware, using supercomputing resources and collaborating with scientists at Indiana University, have gained new understanding of the virus that causes hepatitis B and the "spiky ball" that encloses the virus's genetic blueprint.

The research, which has been published online, ahead of print, by the American Chemical Association journal ACS Chemical Biology, provides insights into how the capsid -; a protein shell that protects the blueprint and also drives the delivery of it to infect a host cell -; assembles itself.

Computer simulations performed by the UD scientists investigated the effects of a mutation that impairs the assembly process. Together with collaborators, the researchers revealed that the region of the protein that contains the mutation, the spike, can communicate with the region of the protein that links with other subunits to assemble the capsid. They found evidence that a change in the shape of the capsid protein switches it into an "on" state for assembly.

Scientists believe that the capsid is an important target in developing drugs to treat hepatitis B, a life-threatening and incurable infection that afflicts more than 250 million people worldwide.

The capsid looks like a spiky ball, with 120 protein dimers that assemble to form it; each dimer contains a spike. The capsid is key to the virus infection cycle. If we could disrupt the assembly process, the virus wouldn't be able to produce infectious copies of itself." Jodi A. Hadden-Perilla, assistant professor in UD's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and a co-author of the new paper

The Indiana University researchers had been studying the dimers, which are two-part, T-shaped molecular structures, and investigating whether a mutation could activate or deactivate a switch to turn on the capsid's assembly mechanism. They worked with Hadden-Perilla's group, which ran computer simulations to explain how changes in the protein structure induced by the mutation affected the capsid's ability to assemble.

"What we learned is that this mutation disrupts the structure of the spike at the top of the dimer," Hadden-Perilla said. "This mutation slows down assembly, which actually involves a region of the protein that is far away from the spike. It's clear that these two regions are connected. A change in the shape of the protein, particularly at the spike, may actually activate or deactivate assembly."

Her team did its work using the National Science Foundation-supported Blue Waters supercomputer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the largest supercomputer on any university campus in the world, to perform what are known as all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.

Molecular dynamics simulations allow researchers to study the way molecules move in order to learn how they carry out their functions in nature. Computer simulations are the only method that can reveal the motion of molecular systems down to the atomic level and are sometimes referred to as the "computational microscope."

The paper, titled "The integrity of the intradimer interface of the Hepatitis B Virus capsid protein dimer regulates capsid self-assembly," can be viewed on the journal's website.

From Colombia to UD

For doctoral student Carolina Perez Segura, a co-author of the paper, working with data from the supercomputer simulations was the kind of research experience that first brought her to the University of Delaware and then inspired her to stay.

She examined numerous simulations and vast amounts of data to investigate the effect of the mutation and "made some important discoveries," Hadden-Perilla said. "We threw her into the deep end in my brand-new research group [last summer], and she did a great job."

Perez Segura came to UD as a participant in the University's Latin American Summer Research Program. A graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia), the program marked her first time leaving Colombia and, indeed, her first time traveling by plane. She planned to conduct research under Hadden-Perilla's mentorship for a couple of months and then return home.

But, she said, the experience was so meaningful to her that she canceled her plane ticket home and stayed on to work as a visiting scholar with Hadden-Perilla while applying to UD's doctoral program in chemistry. She was accepted and began her studies during spring semester.

It was her fascination with computational chemistry that brought her to Delaware, she said, and the work with supercomputers that made her decide to continue that research.

"While I was an undergraduate, I chose that branch of chemistry as the kind of career I wanted," said Perez Segura, who worked with a research group in the field, on a smaller scale, in Colombia. "When I was introduced to the idea that math and physics can help you understand biological processes, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

"I thought it was really amazing to be able to explain biological processes with numbers and computers. I wanted to learn more, and here, there's so much more opportunity to learn it."

Although the social and travel restrictions imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have limited her ability to fully experience American life and culture, she said her experience at UD remains very positive. She's eager to be able to go out more, practice her English and feel a part of American culture, but meanwhile, she's busy with exciting research, she said.

She's currently also working on research that Hadden-Perilla is conducting into the virus that causes COVID-19.

"It's unusual for a student to be accepted into our graduate program 'off-cycle,' beginning in spring semester," Hadden-Perilla said. "But Carolina is exceptional."
Three armed forces personnel have been conferred with the prestigious Shaurya Chakra on the Independence Day for showing exemplary courage while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Anil URS of 4 Maratha Light Infantry and Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey of Rajput Regiment 44 battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles have been named for the third highest peacetime gallantry award.

Lt Colonel KS Rawat, Sena Medal, was team leader of a mission oriented team deployed along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir for conduct of counter-infiltration and terrorist operations.

Major Anil is a company commander deployed along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey was also posted in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lt. Colonel Rawat was awarded the gallantry medal for leading his team into a 36 hour ambush of terrorists attempting to infiltrate. He gave specific positions for two terrorists resulting in their successful elimination. He also guided his team to safety from the retaliatory fire by the enemy and later located the remaining terrorists, eliminating two of them and grievously injuring others.

Major Anil laid an ambush based on intelligence inputs of terrorists movement across the LOC and their plans to cross the LC to attack Indian military personnel. He led his team efficiently to bring down five terrorists despite receiving heavy fire from enemy troops. He is awarded the gallantry medal for extraordinary leadership, nerves of steel and spirit of service before self.

Havildar Alok is awarded for display of raw courage in preventing terrorists from breaking a security cordon laid by his team and killing one dreaded terrorist belonging to the A++ category while blocking others from escaping, enabling his team to further tighten the cordon and eliminate all other terrorists.

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Luray, Virginia  A Virginia mayor is refusing to resign after outrage over a Facebook post mocking Joe Bidens vice presidential choice.

NBC reports Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves wrote Joe Biden has just announced Aunt Jemima as his VP pick on Facebook last weekend, days before the Democratic presidential candidate announced California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. He took it down after outrage from members of the Luray Town Council and others in the community.

I am writing to strongly urge you to resign over a racist comment you made on Facebook, Luray Town Council member Leah Pence wrote on Facebook. The comment you posted has a type of humor that has not been appropriate or funny in my lifetime or yours.

Presgraves apologized Monday at a town council meeting.

I want to make this very clear to everyone with absolutely no qualifications, Presgraves said. I understand what I posted on social media was wrong, offensive and unbecoming.

I also want to make a direct apology to all people of color and women, he continued. Passing of demeaning and worn-out racial stereotypes as humor isnt funny.

I now fully understand how hurtful it is... From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry, and humbly ask for your forgiveness and your grace.

WTOP reports Pence called for Presgraves resignation, but he refused.

Hell, no, Im not resigning, he told the TV station.

Pence was among 200 people who marched to protest Presgraves on Saturday, according to WMRA.

Something is happening in Luray, and something is happening in America! she told the crowd. Systemic racism plagues this community, as well as it does the rest of America.

According to NBC, Luray is a town of less than 5,000 people located 90 miles west of Washington, D.C. Less than four percent of the population is Black, according to 2010 U.S. Census data; 92% of residents are white.

Biden announced Harris as his running mate Tuesday, and was among several Black women on his shortlist when Presgraves made the Facebook post.

WTOP reports the Town Council voted to censure Presgraves for his harmful words posted on social media, but did not recommend he resign.

Aunt Jemima has become its own point of controversy without politics. Quaker Oats announced in June that it would remove the pancake syrup brands name and image because its origins are based on a racial stereotype. The brand began in the 1890s with a name taken from a vaudeville song and imagery rooted in minstrel shows, where white people wore blackface; a former slave originated the role and Aunt Jemimas since removed mammy kerchief represented black women happily serving white masters.

The company said it aimed to make progress toward racial equality amid nationwide protests in the wake of George Floyds death. Others, including the great-grandson of a Syracuse woman who played Aunt Jemima for nearly 20 years, have objected to the change as erasing history.

Luray, Virginia: Mayor Barry Presgraves refuses to resign over controversial Biden, "Aunt Jemima" post. @CBS46 #Campaign2020 pic.twitter.com/EbIX7RzsN5  shon gables cbs46 (@shongables) August 6, 2020
A man in his 90s was left with his hand "covered in blood" after being bitten in a pit bull dog attack.

The attack occurred along the Derrin Road in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh at around 7pm on Sunday evening, when the pensioner was bitten on the hand and leg.

A student nurse came across the elderly man, who she described as being "very distressed".

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter, the nurse, who remained anonymous, said that as she approached the man she noticed he was crying, was very distressed and that his right hand was covered in blood.

"I went over to him straight away and he was crying saying, 'Please girls whatever you do, don't go up to the top of Derrin Road because I've just been attacked by a pit bull'," she said.

"The man is deaf and he was walking with a stick and the dog attacked him from behind, he never heard the dog coming.

"He hit the dog three times to chase the dog away and then the owner of the dog and another person seen this happening and pulled the dog away from the elderly man.

"What I didn't like about it was they pulled the dog away but they never actually went to the man to see if he was okay.

"There's a lot of children in the area of Cornagrade and what if that had have been a child?"

The shocked nurse added that as she assisted the man, her sister called an ambulance, before she drove him to his home a short distance away.

"My sister had phoned the ambulance at this stage and I checked the back of his leg because the dog had bitten the back of his right leg as well but it didn't actually draw any blood," she added.

"I drove him round to the house where I spoke to his wife. It turned out that the man had recently had a heart attack and was on blood thinning tablets."

However, the injury to the pensioner's hand was a superficial cut and she was able to stop the bleeding.

"He was taken to A&E in the South West Acute Hospital," the student nurse said.

"He got a tetanus jab but he didn't need to get stitches."

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council added that it was aware of the incident and appealed for anyone with information to contact its Licensing Department.

"Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and potential implications, no further comment can be made at this time," the council added.
A Midlands bailout for the Covid-hit counties of Kildare, Laois and Offaly has been announced by Government  only to be immediately criticised.

But the package of supports is too little, too late for struggling businesses in the region according to the Labour Party.

A once off additional payment of between 800 and 5,000 will not make a scintilla of difference for struggling businesses, said Aodhan O Riordain, Labours enterprise spokesman.

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Barry Gilroy of the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore said the 5,000 top-up was a drop in the ocean. It would not even pay the hotels its electrical bill for a month, he said. His business has not even received the original reopening grant, he told RTE Drivetime.

The stay-and-spend rebate was also not available until October, and would only come in during flu season, when people would likely stay home. There had already been many cancellations for the autumn, he said.

Weve lost he month of August, which would have given us a fighting chance of getting through the winter. Well start running out of money in November.

Half a million had been lost in August, and there was already lost revenue through cancellations in October and November.

Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure, said the Government recognised a need to do more for the affected counties.

The measures include a 20pc top-up for the business re-start grant plus, which means the maximum now goes to 30,000. There will also be 1million for Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in the area to promote the range of supports and schemes for firms across the three countries.

Similarly there would be 1million in a promotion campaign to drive footfall in the three counties, with ringfenced funds for businesses. Applications to Microfinancing Ireland would be prioritised for those coming from the tri-county area.

Allan Shine, the chief executive of Kildare chamber of commerce, said: We do welcome the 1million that has been given to Failte Ireland to market the region.

What was done in a very short timeframe, weve done well with the package.

But Tessa Stokes, a businesswoman, said there had been a huge hit to her business, which had just reopened after five months when the three-county restrictions came in, and that limited lockdown had brought us to our knees.

Mr McGrath said however that decision had been based on public health advice, to protect not only people in the three counties but across the whole country.

It does come at a cost for local people  the inconvenience, the impact on their day-to-day life and also the impact on local businesses and the economy. Todays decision is a recognition of that.

The additional funds were a template for possible restrictions having to be brought in elsewhere, he said. We really hope thats not the case, and people are making huge efforts to control this virus, but if they do have to be brought in elsewhere todays announcement is a template and a starting point.

He emphasised that the 2pc reduction in VAT would begin in two weeks time on September 1, while the stay-and-spend initiative would begin on October 1.

These additional measures were an extra little bit of help, he said.

Mr O Riordain said however: The Government should have made at least 10,000 available to businesses in the three counties.

A 20pc top-up to the restart plus grant is futile unless they address an anomaly with the grant whereby businesses who availed of the initial restart grant will benefit from funding twice, and those that did not get around to applying before the scheme was abruptly terminated will lose out on the initial restart funding.

The Government needs to go a lot further in supporting businesses in the Midlands, he said.

They should extend the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme for the three counties beyond the end of August and introduce staycation vouchers to support local bars and restaurants, because the stay-and-spend would arrive too late.

They should have prioritised announcing supports for the Midlands last Friday, and not a week into the localised lockdown. Businesses in Kildare, Laois and Offaly are at breaking point.

The additional restrictions will mean some will be unable to reopen, he said, and the Government should have stepped in immediately with a substantial package of supports for affected businesses as soon as it announced the restrictions.

Todays announcement will unfortunately be too little too late for many struggling businesses who will require a lot more than a maximum of 5,000 to keep afloat, Mr O Riordain said.
A suspended Ocean Township police officer admitted Thursday that he had Clenbuterol, an illicit drug that is intended for treating breathing disorders in animals, authorities said.

Ryan Vaccaro, 38, of Ocean Township, was originally charged with possessing and distributing the drug, but pleaded guilty to fourth-degree possession of a prescription legend drug, according to a statement from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.

As part of his plea deal, Vaccaro will be barred from holding public office in New Jersey, the office said.

While Clenbuterol is not approved for human use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it is a popular as a weight loss supplement despite being a banned substance, the statement said. Vaccaro admitted he possessed five or more dosage units of the drug and did not have a lawful prescription for it.

He was charged on Feb. 19 as part of a case connected to former Deal Police Officer Joseph Ammaturo, who pleaded guilty last month to witness tampering in the drug investigation, officials said.

The investigation found that Ammaturo, 38, of Long Branch, obtained three boxes of Astralean Clenbuterol containing 150 pills from Vaccaro and that he distributed two of the boxes to other people, the office said.

The third box was later recovered from Ammaturos home, and more Clenbuterol pills were found in Vaccaros home during the execution of a search warrant, authorities said.

Ammaturo was arrested in December 2018 and charged with tampering, conspiracy and drug possession. He also was charged last July with offenses including possession of Clenbuterol, a drug used to treat asthma in horses that also is used by bodybuilders, with intent to distribute.

Those charges will be dropped as part of Ammaturos plea, a prosecutors office spokesman told NJ Advance Media last month. Ammaturn was ordered to forfeit his position at the department as well as any other future public employment in the state.

State records show that both Vaccaro and Ammaturo earned more than $100,000 annually before they were suspended without pay due to their charges.

I am pleased that this case has finally concluded and we as an organization can put this behind us, Ocean Township Police Chief Steven R. Peter said in a statement. :The Ocean Township Police Department is a highly professional and community-minded organization and we will not let the actions of a former police officer overshadow the great work and dedication by the men and women of this department.

Vaccaro was was scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2020, and Ammaturo was scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4, the office said.

Both men will face probation.

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.
The European Union is ratcheting up pressure on Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in response to a brutal crackdown on protests triggered by elections the bloc described as "neither free nor fair."

EU foreign ministers, following an extraordinary video conference meeting in Brussels on August 14, said the bloc did not accept the results of the election and tasked the European Commission with drawing up sanctions proposals against Belarus.

"The European Union considers the results to have been falsified and therefore does not accept the results of the election as presented by the Belarus Central Election Commission, the EUs diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service, said in a statement.

Ahead of the meeting, Belarusian authorities began releasing hundreds of detainees rounded up since protests erupted following the August 9 vote.

Many of those released described horrible conditions in detention facilities, beatings, and other mistreatment, while Amnesty International said the accounts suggested "widespread torture."

At least two protesters have died and some 6,700 people have been detained since nationwide protests erupted after the August 9 vote.

Lukashenka, in power since 1994, was declared the winner of the election with some 80 percent of the vote. Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who drew crowds in the thousands at campaign rallies across the country and has left Belarus for Lithuania since the vote, finished a distant second with just under 10 percent.

EU foreign ministers demanded Belarusian authorities stop "the disproportionate and unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters" and release illegally detained persons.

They said that work would begin immediately to develop a list of sanctions on Belarus targeting those responsible for violence, repression, and the falsification of election results.

A decision on sanctions is expected by the end of the month.

Ahead of the meeting, EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell signaled there would be a momentous change in the EU's relationship with Belarus.

"Over the last months, the Belarusians have clearly shown that they long for democracy and respect for human rights, Borrell wrote in a blog post on August 13. "A substantial political change is a precondition for further development of the relations between the EU and Belarus."

Meanwhile, the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland issued a joint statement offering to act as mediators "for the sake of a peace settlement of the crisis in Belarus." The statement called for the creation of a forum that could produce "a national dialogue."

The Council of Europe also urged Minsk not to use violence against protesters or detainees.

"Belarus needs to fully engage with civil society and this needs to start today," council head Marija Pejcinovic Buric said in a statement. She added that the Council of Europe was ready to help Belarus create and implement a reform plan.

Amnesty International said detainees had given "horrifying testimonies" that they received severe beatings and threats of rape.

"Former detainees told us that detention centers have become torture chambers, where protesters are forced to lie in the dirt while police kick and beat them with truncheons," said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International's director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The EU imposed tough sanctions on Belarus following a harsh crackdown on the opposition in the wake of a rigged 2010 election.

Most restrictions were lifted in 2016 following the release of political prisoners that paved the way for a rapprochement between the EU and Belarus as the Eastern European country gained greater geopolitical importance following Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, Current Time, and Tagesschau
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. During August 6 hearings at the Italian Senates Foreign Relations committee regarding the recent escalation at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Senator Alberto Airola from the Five Star Movement  part of the ruling coalition  addressed the peoples self-determination.

I would like to say that peoples self-determination is one of our Five Star Movements fundamental values, and I will tell you that we, as Italians, also need peace and not just gas and petroleum, Airola said at the end of the Q&A.

The Armenian Ambassador to Italy Tsovinar Hambardzumyan participated in the hearings at the invitation of the Italian side.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Hong Kong: Exco to resume meeting

The Chief Executive's Office announced today that the Executive Council will end its summer recess early and resume regular meetings from August 18 to handle anti-epidemic work and other matters.

Given the severe COVID-19 situation, the arrangement for the Chief Executive to receive petitions outside the Chief Executives Office before convening Exco meetings will remain suspended to avoid group gatherings.

Members of the public can send their petitions via email or to the Chief Executives Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Tamar, Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive will meet the media before Exco meetings at the Auditorium of the Central Government Offices on the ground floor.

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Panaji: Goa governments overture to exclude 45,000 square (sq) metres (m) from the Indian Institute of Technologys (IIT)-Goa campus has been rebuffed by the residents of Xel Melaulim village, as they have reiterated their opposition to setting up of the institute citing environmental hazards such as razing up to 10 lakh sq m of pristine forestland.

They have warned of intensifying the stir, if their demands are not paid heed to.

The villagers rejected the state governments proposal following a Cabinet decision for the exemption on Wednesday.

In a single day, you can pass a Cabinet resolution that 45,000 sq m be excluded from the setting up of the IIT. Then, in a single day you can also take a decision to denotify the land for the institute. Why cant you do what we want? Shankar Naik, a resident of Xel Melaulim, where the proposed IIT permanent campus is being planned, told media persons.

Another villager Shubham Shivolkar echoed Naik and said their grievances are yet to be redressed.

We have written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the land is our sole source of sustenance. Why do you want to evict us? he asked.

On Wednesday, CM Sawant had announced that the village temple and the surrounding land in Xel Melaulim, measuring up to 45,000 sq m, would be excluded during the construction of a permanent campus for IIT-Goa.

Another parcel of land of a similar area size will be included for the IIT campus. I request those opposing the project to withdraw their opposition, the CM had appealed.

But, the unfazed villagers have sent a fresh letter to the CM reiterating their stand.

We are shocked beyond belief that the state government is trying to portray itself like a kind donor, giving 45,000 sq m of our land for our temple. The entire 12 lakh sq m, bearing survey number 67/1 of Xel Melaulim, belong to us, including religious places of worship, agricultural land, forests, grazing ground, and water resources, stated the fresh letter, undersigned by 104 villagers.

The morally, legally and socio-economically correct position is that the land belongs to local communities and not the state government, it added.

We are dependent on our land for sustenance. We oppose the setting up of the IIT campus in our village. We will intensify our agitation, if the state government refuses to pay heed to our warning and still goes ahead with its plan, Shivolkar warned.

However, the government has all along maintained that the villagers have no rights over the land since it is a state property.

Xel Melaulim village is located in Goas eastern corner in the foothills of the Western Ghats and over 50 kilometres (km) away from the state capital Panaji.

Rumblings of protest and murmurs of discontent were started by residents of Xel Melaulim village and from adjoining hamlets in early February, when the state government made it known that it would hand over the land for the IITs permanent campus in May.

The proposed IIT campuss setting has a dense vegetation interspersed with cashew trees that the villagers claimed have sustained them for generations.

The agitating villagers have been demanding that the campus be shifted to another location that doesnt entail such severe ecological damage.

Though Xel Melaulim village falls in an eco-sensitive zone, it hasnt been formally declared as one because the state governments notification to that effect is still pending.

Goa was allocated an IIT in 2014, but it has been functioning from a temporary campus at the Goa Engineering College.

Earlier, though the state government had identified two sites --- in Canacona and Sanguem sub-districts  to set up a permanent IIT campus, both were scrapped due to public protests and after the opposition had alleged a land scam.
Dennis Quaid, a shelter cat in Virginia, is heading to his fancy new home after being adopted by the famous actor hes named after.

Dennis Quaid "couldn't resist" when he came across the black cat's story and immediately made room for his new family member.

MORE: Lindsay Lohan reunites with 'The Parent Trap' cast for movie's 22nd anniversary

"It was really off the wall, but I just couldnt resist. I had to," Quaid, the actor, gushed to local news station WSLS on Wednesday. "Im out to save all the Dennis Quaids of the world."

Dennis Quaid, the cat, who was up for adoption at the the Lynchburg Humane Society, was highlighted last week as part of the station's Clear the Shelters event.

The 6-year-old feline was described as having a "big heart" and "likes to curl up on the couch" in the now-viral video, which also included the heartbreaking fact that he'd been waiting "for a family for over a year."

While the Lynchburg Humane Society had high hopes that Dennis Quaid would soon find his forever family, the shelter didn't expect that they'd receive a phone call from the kitty's actual namesake.

"I was like there is no way this is real, like, someone is pranking us," Danielle Ulmer, one of the shelter's managers, said, eventually realizing she was indeed speaking to "The Parent Trap" actor.

Once the humane society verified it wasn't a hoax, the two Quaids met on Zoom and plans are now in motion for the cat to make a cross-country trek to his new home in Los Angeles.

MORE: Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez both adopt rescue puppies

"Maybe they should start naming animals in shelters after different celebrities and see who bites," Quaid laughs.

Turns out, that's exactly what the shelter is doing.

"Weve already talked about that," Ulmer revealed. "Were like, 'Alright, so everyone pick your top three favorite celebrities.'"

'I had to': Dennis Quaid adopts shelter cat named Dennis Quaid originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Posts have called for getting taxes back if teachers arent in physical classrooms. If thats how taxes work now, I have a whole list of stuff Id like a refund on.

Distance learning doesnt mean no learning or more time off. Its the opposite.

It means teachers are finding different avenues to reach all students, and that is a much harder task.

When schools were abruptly closed in the spring, educators scrambled to learn Zoom overnight, upload assignments and figure out how to continue lessons. Many educators did so with outdated home technology and poor internet access.

It didnt go well. But, judging performance while someone is in crisis mode isnt fair.

Through the summer, teachers have been working on three types of lesson plans in anticipation of in-class, a hybrid approach or distance learning.

They did this extra work without extra pay. They certainly didnt get three months off work.

Teacher recruitment and retention in Oklahoma was tough before the pandemic. Dismissing their concerns now, driving them from the profession, will only make it worse for schools.
Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF have once again bagged the maximum number of police medals for gallantry, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday. Of the 215 medals announced, 57 per cent were given for operations in Kashmir. Eight-one policemen from Jammu and Kashmir have been awarded the medals while 55 are from CRPF.

Three IPS officers from Jammu and Kashmir Police - including Sandeep (SSP Anantnag), Gurinderpal Singh (SP Kulgam) and Atul Kumar Goel (DIG South Kashmir) - have been awarded the PMG.

Notably, it was DIG Atul Kumar Goel who detained and arrested tainted Kashmir police DSP Davinder Singh at a check post while he was ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in January this year.

The Uttar Pradesh police team lead by then IG Asim Arun has also been awarded for the operation against ISIS operative Saifullah in Lucknow in 2017. Saifullah and his associates had allegedly conspired and carried out a blast in a train near Bhopal.

The MHA citation for the team read, "the constraints of operating in a close confined space and live transmission on TV made the operation particularly challenging. But due to superior planning and extraordinary gallantry, it could be conducted in a controlled manner with no injuries to police personnel and citizens."

In March 2017, Telangana Intelligence unit had tipped off ATS UP about Saifullah's presence in Lucknow's Kakori. Repeated attempts were made to persuade him to surrender through his brother and a neighbourhood cleric, but all had failed. IG Arun, the Additional SP Rajesh Sahni and five others stormed into the room where Saifullah was firing from and eliminated him. Rajesh Saini shot himself a year later.

Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma of Delhi Police Special Cell, who died in Batla House encounter in 2008, has also been awarded gallantry medal posthumously. Sharma has received 6th bar to Police Medal for Gallantry.

ITBP personnel involved in the recent violence with Chinese PLA in eastern Ladakh in May-June 2020 have also been recommended for gallantry awards. Twenty-one ITBP men have been recommended for standing shoulder to shoulder with Indian army when PLA struck, resulting in the martyrdom of Colonel Santosh Babu happened. 18 ITBP and 40 other CAPFs personnel also recommended for Union Home Minister Special Operation Medals for fighting Covid19.
By Trend

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) held a foreign exchange auction with the participation of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), during which Azerbaijani banks acquired $59.3 million, Trend reports citing CBA.

According to CBA, demand from the banks at the auction rose by 3.4 percent or by $200,000 compared to the previous auction.

Considering the number of days remaining before the next scheduled auction, as well as with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted currency trading by the banks, the demand of banks at the auction will be fully provided during weekends.

The first foreign exchange auction in a long time was held with the participation of SOFAZ on March 10, 2020, during which Azerbaijani banks acquired $323.2 million.

The CBA began to hold foreign exchange auctions through unilateral sale of foreign currency in competitive conditions since mid-January 2017.

In March 2020, it was decided to hold extraordinary foreign exchange auctions in connection with the increased demand of the population for foreign currency amid the failed OPEC+ deal, which entailed a sharp decline in oil prices.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The media organizations and journalists associations of Armenia, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Sweden have expressed their support to and solidarity with their colleagues in Belarus. Journalists of Belarusian and foreign media, as well as bloggers covering the protests, are being exposed to severe violence and repressed by the authorities. The unimpeded and safe activities of journalists are protected by international conventions and the laws of all civilized countries.

The creation of obstacles for the work of journalists is a violation of the laws of Belarus. Apprehending and brutally beating Belarusian and foreign journalists working in Belarus, damaging their equipment, turning off the Internet and committing several other violations of the rights and freedom of expression of journalists must be immediately put to an end and investigated, and the law-enforcement officers who committed them and their leaders who gave relevant orders must be strictly punished. We are following the development of events. We express our support to and admiration of how our Belarusian colleagues continue to provide coverage of the events in the country amid the violence and in danger. We publish articles to inform the public about what is going on in Belarus and thank you for your work.

We call on our fellow journalists and media organizations of other countries to express their positions on the events taking place in Belarus and call on their governments to have a diplomatic and economic influence in order to put an end to the violence against journalists, bloggers, activists and citizens of Belarus.
Accident investigators have confirmed the train involved in the fatal Aberdeenshire crash struck a landslip and derailed.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch found the engine car slid on a flooded line, careered into a bridge, then crashed down the bank with another carriage.

It comes as investigators probe how Britain's worst rail tragedy for a decade went unnoticed for a 'significant' period of time due to poor mobile phone signal.

Passenger Chris Stuchbury, 62, train driver Brett McCullough, 45, and conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, were killed after the ScotRail 6.38am service from Aberdeen to Glasgow derailed and slid down an embankment near Stonehaven on Wednesday.

Six others were injured. Four have since left Aberdeen Royal Infirmary while two remain in a stable condition.

Prince Charles yesterday thanked in person the emergency responders who were first on the scene of the train derailment tragedy.

Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, met police officers Liam Mercer and Eilidh McCabe and commended them on their bravery.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: 'When it became apparent that train 1T08 could not continue its journey south, the decision was taken to return it to Aberdeen, and it was routed back over a crossover at Carmont onto the down line.

'After travelling for approximately 1.4 miles, the train struck a landslip covering the down line and derailed.

'As the track curved to the right, the train continued in a roughly straight line for around 100 yards (90 metres) until it struck a section of bridge parapet, which was destroyed.

Emergency services inspecting the scene of Wednesday's horror crash yesterday following the derailment of the ScotRail train which cost the lives of three people

After calling into Stonehaven at 6.53am, the train proceeded south before stopping because of a landslip. Turning north back to Stonehaven, the service encountered another landslip near Carmont Railway station and derailed. Emergency vehicles arrived just before 9.45am

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps speaks to the media during a visit to the scene of the derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

'The leading power car continued over the bridge and then fell from the railway down a wooded embankment, as did the third passenger carriage.

'The first passenger carriage came to rest on its roof, having rotated to be at right angles to the track. The second passenger carriage also overturned onto its roof and came to rest on the first carriage.

'The fourth passenger carriage remained upright and attached to the rear power car; it also came to rest on the first carriage. All wheelsets of the rear power car derailed, but it remained upright.'

After calling into Stonehaven at 6.53am, the train proceeded south to Glasgow Queen Street before stopping because of the landslip.

Turning north back to Stonehaven, the ScotRail service encountered another landslip near Carmont Railway station and tragically derailed.

Dozens of emergency vehicles rushed to the scene just before 9.45am after an off-duty member of train crew climbed out of the wreckage around 20 miles out of Aberdeen and walked a mile to the nearest signal box to call Network Rail.

Though a Network Rail insider confirmed there had been a delay in responding to Wednesday's horror crash, a railway union representative claims the derailment may have gone unnoticed for a 'significant' period of time.

How the Stonehaven train tragedy unfolded 6.38am: Despite heavy rain overnight in the area, the train left Aberdeen station as normal, bound for Glasgow Queen Street. 6.53am: The train calls at Stonehaven station as normal, before departing and heading south. Between 6.53am and 9.36am: After leaving Stonehaven, the train continued south, before encountering a landslip, caused by torrential rain. It began to return north to Stonehaven, initially remaining on the southbound line before crossing at Carmont onto the northbound line. Between 9.36am and 9.40am: The train hit a second landslip and derailed while returning to Stonehaven. An off-duty train crew climbs out of the wreckage and travels one mile to the nearest signal box to alert Network Rail. First reports of the incident were received by Police Scotland at 9.40am. Network Rail Scotland told MailOnline the exact timeline will emerge as the picture of events becomes clearer. 9.49am: Network Rail Scotland reports that a landslip on the same line at Carmont means that services are no longer running in the area. Advertisement

A spokesman for Network Rail disputed these claims, telling MailOnline the delay between the crash and the alert was just 'a few minutes'.

A Network Rail insider told The Times: 'Communication with the train was difficult because of the location, at the bottom of a hill in a wooded area.

'The mobile signal is really poor. When the accident first occurred it did take a few minutes for somebody to make contact and for us to understand how significant the incident was. That will form part of the investigation.'

One railway union representative told the paper that he had been made aware of 'concerns about the train's progress at 9.30am'.

He said: 'I wouldn't have been the first person to have been called. The derailment must have happened considerably before then.

'I'm not suggesting the emergency services were slow in getting there. They weren't, but it was not reported to the emergency services for quite a while.'

Wednesday's horrific events will be investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), an arm of the Department for Transport.

A separate probe will also be conducted by the Office of Rail and Road.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps yesterday ordered an urgent independent review of high-risk trackside slopes across the UK.

'One of the things I've asked Network Rail to do immediately in the next few hours and days is to do a very quick resilience check to make sure that there's no other situation like this,' Mr Shapps told The Daily Telegraph.

'I've then ordered an [interim] report from them [to be] on my desk for September 1st, where I want them to check the resilience of the whole of the GB network with this specifically in mind.'

Yesterday Mr Shapps said he understood the conductor managed to escape the train and alert operators, while a member of the public raised the alarm having seen smoke billowing from the trees.

With the police notified around 9.40am, it was not long before the first responders were on the scene.

Police Constable Liam Mercer and a colleague received one of the earliest messages that something had happened on a 'flood-hit' line in Kincardineshire.

The PC spoke to and was praised by Mr Shapps, who visited the site of the train wreck to see the damage for himself.

Mr Shapps said: 'PC Liam Mercer answered a call and along with a colleague were the first emergency responders.

The Prince of Wales meets first responders who attended the scene of the ScotRail train derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, which cost the lives of three people

The Prince of Wales meets first responders who attended the scene of the ScotRail train derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, which cost the lives of three people

The Prince of Wales meets first responders who attended the scene of the ScotRail train derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, which cost the lives of three people

Crash came a MONTH after experts raised fears over landslips Wednesday's horror derailment that killed three people and injured several others came just four weeks after track operators were warned of a spike in dangerous landslips. A ScotRail train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in an area recently hit by major flooding. Track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash. Meanwhile, in a visit to the site, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment. His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before yesterday's horror derailment. An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months. It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'. Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: 'The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.' In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is 'challenged' by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods It added: 'Our climate is changing and we're seeing more and more of these types of incidents. We are acutely aware they must be addressed and we have drawn up comprehensive plans to do so. There is no quick fix but we will continue to review the way the railway operates in extreme weather and build resilience into all of our plans.' Advertisement

'He walked towards the scene and clearly being there first with that scene in front of you  he just said to me, his training kicked in right away.

'He did not hesitate and got involved straight away and started helping people.

'It's extraordinary and humbling. And there are many others like him. I pay tribute to the brilliant work they have all done.'

Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson, also on a visit to the derailment site, praised the 'courage and determination' of the off-duty conductor.

He said he too had been humbled by the response of the emergency services.

The train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in the area, which had recently been hit by major flooding.

On Thursday, track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash.

Meanwhile, during his visit to the site, Mr Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment.

His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before Wednesday's derailment.

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.

It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'.

Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: 'The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.

'It is so important that the sector employs best practice if we are to meet all the pressures on the network in the future and to make sure the railway plays its full role on climate change and reducing carbon emissions.'

In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is 'challenged' by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods.

It added: 'Our climate is changing and we're seeing more and more of these types of incidents.

'We are acutely aware they must be addressed and we have drawn up comprehensive plans to do so.

'There is no quick fix but we will continue to review the way the railway operates in extreme weather and build resilience into all of our plans.'

Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash

An off-duty conductor climbed out of the wreckage of a derailed ScotRail train (pictured on Wednesday) and walked a mile to the nearest signal box to raise the alarm

Ex-train driver injured in Aberdeen's shock train crash recalls past horrifying experience when he BROKE his neck A former train driver who was injured in Britain's last fatal train crash before Wednesday's derailment has spoken of his shock following the tragedy. Iain Black, 59, was at the controls of the Virgin West Coast Lines train which derailed due to faulty points at Grayriggs, Cumbria on February 23, 2007. The train, which was carrying more than 100 passengers and crew, came off the tracks at 95mph. Around 86 people were injured and one woman, Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow, lost her life in the accident. Wednesday's rail horror in Stonehaven left six people injured and three dead, including the train driver, the conductor and a passenger. Iain said the latest tragedy reminded him of his own horrifying experience, which left him with a broken neck and forced him to take early retirement. The grandfather-of-one, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, worked as a train driver for seven years. Iain said: 'It's horrendous. 'It reminded me of my accident because the train was down the hill and so was mine. 'When your train comes off the track, that's about 400 tonnes worth of train, you're helpless. 'You've just got to hold on. 'I was very lucky to have survived.' Despite the latest tragedy, Iain praised the safety record of the UK's railways since his accident 13 years ago. Following the period of heavy rainfall that struck areas of the Central Belt and eastern Scotland Iain believes the derailment would have been due to natural causes. He said: 'Up until now there's been nothing since 2007 - that's not a bad record. 'A lot of that is down to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and how they work with Network Rail and improve things. 'It's so safe nowadays. 'I'd be very surprised if there's a human element to this. 'I think they've been caught out by the weather and it's happened pretty rapidly.' Iain said even if the driver could have seen a fault ahead, they likely wouldn't have been able to stop in time. He said: 'In an emergency situation, once you put the break on, you have about half a mile to stop. 'It's not like a car, it's 400 or 500 tonnes of train. 'At the beginning of these things you get all the speculation. 'I know the first speculation was that I might've been speeding, which I wasn't - I was on autopilot that night. 'I know the guys at the Rail Accident Investigation Branch will investigate it fully and thoroughly. 'They'll come up with a scientific reason for why the accident happened. 'I'd be very surprised if the train hadn't been travelling at caution in flood conditions. 'Depending where the flooding is, every train has a different regulation about how fast you can go. 'You can 'run at caution', which is basically being able to stop at the length that you can see ahead of you, but it depends what the driver was told. 'The signaller tells the driver to 'proceed at caution' or whatever, but the driver is ultimately responsible for what they believe is the safe way of working. 'I can only assume the line washed away below the train. 'These trains have all got black boxes so it will all be in that what the driver was doing.' 'I think possibly the lockdown in Aberdeen helped and there wasn't many on the train.' Advertisement

Pictured: Father, 62, from Aberdeen who was a passenger on ScotRail train which derailed on 'flood hit line' is named as third victim of tragedy

Pictured: Chris Stuchbury, 62, who was killed when a ScotRail passenger train derailed near Stonehaven yesterday

A father who was a passenger on the ScotRail train which derailed on a 'flood-hit' line in Aberdeenshire yesterday has been named as the third victim of the tragedy.

Chris Stuchbury, 62, died alongside train driver Brett McCullough, 45, and conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, when a service derailed yesterday morning close to Carmont Railway station, near Stonehaven.

Mr Stuchbury, who has family in Burghead, Moray, was confirmed among the dead after his family shared an image of them together to social media, the Daily Record reported.

Friends of the devastated family were quick to share their sympathies, with one writing: 'My heart is broken for you all.'

Six others were rushed to hospital following the crash, while four firefighters were injured while helping in the aftermath of the derailment.

The train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in the area, which had recently been hit by major flooding.

Today, track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash.

Meanwhile, in a visit to the site, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment.

Train driver Brett McCullough (left), 45, tragically died alongside conductor Donald Dinnie (right) when a ScotRail passenger service slipped from the tracks near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday

His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before yesterday's horror derailment.

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.

It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'.

Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: 'The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.

'It is so important that the sector employs best practice if we are to meet all the pressures on the network in the future and to make sure the railway plays its full role on climate change and reducing carbon emissions.'

In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is 'challenged' by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods.

It added: 'Our climate is changing and we're seeing more and more of these types of incidents.

'We are acutely aware they must be addressed and we have drawn up comprehensive plans to do so.

'There is no quick fix but we will continue to review the way the railway operates in extreme weather and build resilience into all of our plans.'

Today the rail infrastructure body said it will use in-house engineers, specialist contractors and helicopter surveys to inspect other high-risk routes following yesterday's crash.

All 'higher risk' sites where railway lines have been built through ground excavation and are similar to the location of yesterday's fatal accident will receive these 'supplementary specialist inspections'.

Dozens of sites across Britain will be assessed.

Network Rail also said it is working with meteorologists to strengthen the information it receives about flash flooding caused by extreme weather, so it can improve the way it deals with train operations.

Yesterday, British Transport Police's chief inspector Brian McAleese said an investigation into the derailment would be directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

He added they 'will also be working closely with them along with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Road and Rail to establish the full circumstances of how this train came to derail'.

Today, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and the Scottish Government's Michael Matheson have both visited the area and met with members of the emergency services.

Mr Matheson said the derailment was an 'absolutely tragic event'.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: 'My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by this, particularly to the families and friends of those who were killed in this incident yesterday.

'My thoughts are very much with them and I also hope those injured in the course of this incident are able to make a speedy recovery.'

Train in Kent smashes into landslide but is NOT derailed and passengers are safely evacuated  just a day after similar incident in Scotland killed three

Passengers were evacuated from a train in Kent today after it got stuck in mud which washed onto the track during torrential rain - just a day after a derailment killed three in Scotland.

The Southeastern service got caught on the line near to West Malling following reports of a landslide due to heavy thunderstorms and rain across Britain this week.

A total of 18 passengers were evacuated safely and a geotechnical expert has been called to the scene to assess the landslide, Kent Live reported.

Network Rail later revealed it will be working overnight to clear mud which had been washed onto the line near West Malling.

It added: 'It's looking good but there's a chance it could take longer so we're advising passengers check before you travel tomorrow morning.

'We turned the power on to move the train and the water and muck started steaming - we'll have to turn it off again before the mud gets cleared...'

The incident caused rail disruptions between Swanley and Maidstone East, which are expected to remain in place until the end of the day.

Southeastern explained 'a train has struck an obstruction on the line near West Malling, meaning trains can't run in either direction between Otford and Maidstone East.'

The Southeastern service became unable to move on the track near to West Malling following reports of a landslide due to heavy thunderstorms and rain across Britain

It added that emergency response staff are currently at the scene and are working to clear the obstruction to allow the train to move forward.

They will then assess the extent of any damage to the line, a statement added.

Kent Fire and Rescue were reportedly at the scene alongside British Transport Police, Network Rail and Southeastern.

It comes a day after a ScotRail train derailed and crashed on a 'flood-hit' line near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire yesterday, killing three.

Chris Stuchbury, 62, died alongside train driver Brett McCullough, 45, and conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, when a service slipped from the tracks close to Carmont Railway station yesterday.

Six others were rushed to hospital following the crash, while four firefighters were injured while helping in the aftermath of the derailment.

The train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in the area, which had recently been hit by major flooding.

A total of 18 passengers were evacuated safely by police and a geotechnical expert has been called to the scene to assess the landslide

The incident caused rail disruptions between Swanley and Maidstone East, which are expected to remain in place until the end of the day

Today, track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash.

Meanwhile, in a visit to the site, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment.

His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before yesterday's horror derailment.

Southeastern explained 'a train has struck an obstruction on the line near West Malling, meaning trains can't run in either direction between Otford and Maidstone East'

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.

It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'.

Network Rail has been contacted for comment.
SAN FRANCISCOFalcon Studios Group has released its latest bareback feature, Cock Hunter, under its Raging Stallion brand on DVD. Previously available only on Raging Stallion's website due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cock Hunter is now available on DVD at the Falcon Studios Group Store.

Directed by Tony Dimarco, Cock Hunter stars Logan Stevens, Donnie Argento, Drew Sebastian, Jake Nicola, Brian Bonds, Dev Tyler, Wade Wolfgar and Sean Harding.

According to a synopsis provided by the company, a dark, steamy bathhouse is the setting for hot, hairy men to have anonymous encounters. When Stevens finds Argento face down ass up, the two flip-fuck. Jake Nicola finds Drew Sebastian wrapped in nothing but a towel, and offers up his hole. After a glory hole encounter, Brian Bonds heads to the steam room to top Dev Tyler. Sean Harding chooses Wade Wolfgar as the recipient of a cream pie. Then, after all these studs are done, they gather in the main room of the bathhouse for an orgy.

Im so glad to be back shooting scorching bareback features for Raging Stallion like Cock Hunter, stated Dimarco. I was fortunate to assemble a hung cast of heavy hitters and expert cock hunters. They zeroed in and hit all their targets with this one.

What a monumental way for director Tony Dimarco to make his return to directing intense Raging Stallion features, said Falcon Studios Group president Tim Valenti. Tony has proven time and time again that hes an award-worthy director delivering content that sizzles, and hes done it again with Cock Hunter.

For DVD retail and wholesale purchasing, contact John Gunderson at [email protected].
The Afghan government and the Taliban are set to meet in Doha within days of the prisoner release being completed.

Afghan authorities have started to release 400 Taliban prisoners, the final hurdle in long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides, even as President Ashraf Ghani warned they were a danger to the world.

A group of 80 prisoners was released on Thursday, National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said, tweeting it would speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide ceasefire.

The release of the 400 prisoners was approved at the weekend after a three-day Loya Jirga, a traditional Afghan meeting of tribal elders and other stakeholders, held to decide on momentous issues.

The prisoner release is part of the US-Taliban agreement signed in February, which saw Washington agree to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in return for a pledge from the armed group to hold peace talks with the Afghan government.

The Trump administration pressured President Ghanis government, which was not part of the pact signed in the Qatari capital Doha, to free the Taliban inmates as US elections approach. Troops withdrawal was one of Trumps campaign promises in 2016 elections.

A group of 80 prisoners was released on Thursday, National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said [Anadolu]

Widespread condemnation

Many of the inmates are accused of serious offences, with more than 150 of them on death row, according to an official list seen by the AFP news agency.

The prisoners also include some 44 fighters of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks.

The Afghan government and the Taliban are set to meet within days of the prisoner release being completed, in a move that has drawn widespread condemnation after it emerged many of the inmates were involved in attacks that killed scores of Afghans and foreigners.

The prisoners fate was a crucial hurdle in launching peace talks between the two sides. The Afghan government has released almost all the Taliban prisoners on the list, but authorities have baulked at freeing the final 400.





Danger to the world

Ghani warned on Thursday the hardened criminals were likely to pose a danger both to us and to (America) and to the world.

Until this issue, there was a consensus on the desirability of peace but not on the cost of it, Ghani said in a video conference organised by a US think-tank.

We have now paid the major instalment on cost and that means peace will have consequences, he added.

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The February agreement had stipulated that Kabul release 5,000 fighters in return for 1,000 Afghan government prisoners held by the Taliban.

The Loyal Jirga, while approving the release of the final 400 Taliban prisoners, asked authorities to monitor the freed prisoners to ensure they did not return to the battlefield.

No date has been set, but negotiations between Kabuls political leadership and the Taliban will most likely be held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office.

Ahead of the Loyal Jirga, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had urged the gathering to release the prisoners, although he acknowledged the move was unpopular.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier this week he had lobbied for a former Afghan army soldier, who went rogue and killed three Australian colleagues, to stay in jail.

The Taliban, meanwhile, has warned of possible attacks against the freed prisoners by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group in coordination with Afghanistans spy agency.
An alleged Russian mercenary leader made 99 calls to Vladimir Putin's chief of staff in eight months and frequently spoke to top officials at the Kremlin, leaked records have revealed.

Moscow claims it has no links to the Wagner security force and that its reputed boss Yevgeny Prigozhin merely provides catering services to the Kremlin - but calls revealed by Bellingcat show the restaurateur was in regular contact with Russia's elite.

Putin himself was pictured at a Kremlin function with Wagner troops including lieutenant colonel Dmitry Utkin, the suspected founder of the group.

Wagner troops are known to have fought in Syria, Libya and the Central African Republic but officials deny that they take orders from the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin poses with four alleged Wagner officers at a function at the Kremlin - which denies any involvement with Russian mercenary groups

Prigozhin, who is nicknamed 'Putin's chef' because of his catering business, used his personal phone number to make regular contact with top Kremlin officials in 2013 and 2014.

The Bellingcat investigation found he had called and texted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov 144 times in eight months, and had 99 phone conversations with Putin's chief of staff Anton Vayno.

There were also 54 contacts with Putin's domestic politics chief and 25 calls with Alexey Dyumin, the deputy head of the GRU intelligence service.

Emails also revealed at least two face-to-face meetings between Prigozhin and Russia's defence minister Sergey Shoigu.

In addition, Prigozhin was found to have made at least three calls with Russia's former ambassador to the US, Yury Ushakov.

The investigative website said it was 'not plausible' that Prigozhin's catering services could have required this level of communication with top officials.

On top of that, Prigozhin's employees made joint air travel bookings with known Wagner troops and the chef also has financial links to the mercenaries.

Russian media says that thousands of Russians under contract to the Wagner group have been fighting in Syria since 2015.

Syrian opposition groups claim that Wagner has been recruiting people under the supervision of the Russian army, which supports Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

In contrast to unpopular wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya, the Syrian conflict has seen a low Russian death toll because of the use of private contractors.

Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured lift) is nicknamed 'Putin's chef' because of his catering business which supplies services to the Kremlin

Wagner has up to 1,200 people deployed in Libya, according to a confidential UN report earlier this year which said its activities included deploying sniper teams.

Putin insisted in January that any Russians in Libya are not being funded by the government and do not represent the Russian state.

Wagner troops have also set up shop in the Central African Republic and reports have claimed that Prigozhin has advisers working in 20 African countries.

Prigozhin is also thought to have business interests in Africa and links to armed political groups in Chad and Benin.

One photo which has circulated on social media in Russia shows four Wagner officers posing with Putin, including former lieutenant colonel Dmitry Utkin who is suspected to be the group's founder.

Utkin is a military veteran who is thought to be linked to senior figures in the Russian armed forces and the GRU.

The Kremlin has previously acknowledged Utkin's presence at an official reception in 2016 to honour people with state decorations.

Prigozhin separately used Utkin's name as a pseudonym for the CEO of his catering firm and another associate, it is believed.

Private military contractors use a defence ministry base in southern Russia containing barracks built by a company linked to Prighozin, it emerged last year.

However, Russian authorities deny using mercenaries and Prighozin has denied being linked to Wagner at all.

Russian military vehicles last year in Syria - where private contractors Wagner are thought to be involved in the conflict

Prigozhin was indicted by US authorities in 2018 who accused him of funding Russia's 'troll factory' in a bid to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors claimed he bankrolled the shadowy Internet Research Agency in order to 'sow discord in the US political system'.

The Russian denied the claims, saying that 'Americans are very impressionable people... if they want to see the devil, let them see him.'

Putin has also rejected the claims, mocking the West for falling 'so low' as to suspect 'a restaurateur from Russia' of influencing the US election.

Prigozhin served nine years in prison during the Soviet era after he was convicted of robbery and running a prostitution ring, before striking it rich in the 1990s.

In the 2010s, companies associated with Prigozhin began getting lucrative defence contracts ranging from catering to cleaning services.

The businessman has also won $2billion in contracts for supplying food to Moscow schools since 2009.

Last year his catering firm was linked to a dysentery outbreak at seven daycare centres and kindergartens in Moscow which left 127 children sick.

Russia's Consumer Oversight Agency said inspections at Prigozhin's firms had found violations of 'sanitary standards'.

In addition, an investigator who took up the cause on behalf of the parents affected said she was subject to a smear campaign by Prigozhin's media groups.

One of these, the Federal News Agency, is thought to have been linked to the Internet Research Agency before it moved into different buildings in St Petersburg.

Prigozhin was separately sanctioned by the US in 2016 over claims that his companies had been involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

The restaurateur's assets include Evro Polis, an oil trading firm that has allegedly served as a front for Wagner's operations in Syria.
After reports of more than 230 coronavirus cases connected to schools, more than 2,000 students, staff, and teachers have been quarantined in five states, halting the return of face to face learning in US schools.

While many have hoped that the reopening of schools could be a stepping stone towards returning to normal, experts have cautioned that it may come at a cost. This is after studies have revealed that children can easily propagate the spread of the virus.

However, there have also been problems with distance-learning, especially for working families. Also, pediatricians have advised that it may have negative consequences for children's development. Thus, sparking the dilemma that has prompted the navigation of re-opening the schools.

But shortly after the reopening of the educational institutions, the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases has resulted in large scale quarantines in schools.

In Georgia, more than 1,100 people including teachers, students, and staff have been placed in quarantine after cases were reported in Cherokee County School District. In-person learning started to open in the district on August 3, since then there have been 59 positive cases reported as of Tuesday. More than a dozen schools in the district have been affected by the two-week quarantine period.

In line with this, Miranda Wicker, a teacher from Georgia told CNN that she does not believe that the re-opening was successful. She also stated that she has spoken with several teachers across the district and they said that they have asked for safety precautions like making masks a requirement. The district superintendent of the county said on a statement that everyone is encouraged to wear masks in places where social distancing seems impossible, however, it was not made mandatory.

Meanwhile, in Gwinnett County which is just near the district and is the location for the biggest school in the state, 28 cases have been confirmed as of the 5th of August, while 263 have been in quarantine.

In other states, the same scenario has played out as school districts in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Indiana also enforcing quarantines before having staff back. The rising number of cases has also made several teachers reluctant for in-person learning.

Read also: Florida Sheriff Prohibits Deputies, Civilians Entering Sheriff Buildings to Use Face Masks

Rise of Cases among Children

Based on the recent analysis by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association, in the past four weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases among children increased by 90%.

In a statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases vice-chair, Dr. Sean O'Leary stated that the cases among children should be given utmost importance.

He said that the number of COVID-19 deaths among children in just a few months almost reached the number of annual deaths due to influenza. Thus, he said that it is not safe to assume that the virus will not affect children.

Moreover, he added that several factors have contributed to the rise in the number of infections in children. He stated that the increased testing, rise in infections in the whole population, and the increased movement of children (may or may not be in schools) have affected the number, KTLA 5 reported.

Related article: New COVID-19 Cases Emerge in New Zealand Breaking its 102-day COVID-free Streak

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In its recent report on the UNs e-government rankings, the Ministry of Information and Communications has proposed that Prime Minister direct and assign key tasks to ministries, branches and localities to implement a number of solutions

to improve Vietnam's e-Government ranking based on the United Nations (UN) assessment.

Targets set in 2020 in Resolution no.17, especially the target of providing 30% of level 4 online public services require a short completion.

Prompt issuance of digital government development strategy

The report also suggested solutions that aims to develop the digital government.

The Ministry will submit the digital government development strategy in 2021-2025 to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

The Ministry also mentioned the urgent development of national data integration and sharing platform, online public service payment support system, as well as national data portal, national fundamental technical systems that need expeditious development in the coming time. At the same time, providing frequent and timely information to UN agencies is vital for e-Government survey and evaluation, which supports the boost of communication, online publicity of results achieved on the deployment of Vietnams e-Government for experience exchange among organizations and individuals.

The Ministry proposed the Prime Minister to instruct the Ministry of Education and Training to focus on human resource development to meet the cause of national digital transformation, aiming at digital skill development for Vietnamese people so no one will be left behind.

The strong application of digital technology to improve the quality and efficiency of education and training is becoming one of the leading fields in digital transformation. This starts with raising the Human Resource Index according to the UNs e-Government assessment method. In particular, to focus on increasing the enrollment rate from the primary level to the upper secondary level, increasing the average number of years of adult education, creating a favorable environment for social and lifelong learning.

Ministries, branches and localities, as proposed by the Ministry of Information and Communications, should prioritize resources to fulfill the targets and tasks set out in the Government's Resolution no.17 on March 7, 2019. Specifically, to fully complete the targets set in 2020, especially the target of providing 30% of level 4 public services; implementing a new approach, accelerating progress, towards providing 100% online high-level public services right in 2021.

Greater effort is required to change national rankings

Getting 0.6667 points in the survey E-Government Development Index (EGDI), Vietnam is among the e-government developing countries with a high index, higher than the global EGDI average of 0.5988 points, the Asian average of 0.6373 points, and the Southeast Asian average of 0.6321 points.

However, in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has maintained the same position, ranking sixth among 11 countries behind Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines. There are many countries with strong increases such as Indonesia climbing 19 places, Thailand 16 places, Myanmar 11 places.

The Ministry of Information and Communications emphasized that national ranking transformation depends very much on greater determination and efforts.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, in Resolution No. 2 on January 1, 2020, the Government aims to improve Vietnam's ranking on the UN e-Government ranking from 10 to 15 places. Consequently, the Ministry of Information and Communications has stepped up coordination nationwide since the start of 2020, which will have an impact on the next ranking, scheduled to be released in 2022.

Van Anh

Vietnams e-government initiatives showing worth Vietnams efforts to develop a pro-business e-government have earned applause from the international community, especially amid a surge in the pandemic hurting economic growth.
xA Florida school district was wrong when it forced a transgender high school student to either use the girls bathroom or a single-stall gender neutral bathroom, a federal appeals court ruled.

The ruling issued Aug. 7 sides with Drew Adams, who sued the St. Johns County School District because he wasnt allowed to use the boys restroom. It could have a wide-ranging impact on how schools treat transgender students. Though his assigned gender was female at birth, Adams began the transition to become a male before he enrolled in Allen D. Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach.

The school district, however, pointed to forms filled out when Adams was in fourth grade that listed him as a girl, and said he couldnt use the boys bathroom. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that in a 2-1 decision.

A public school may not punish its students for gender nonconformity. Neither may a public school harm transgender students by establishing arbitrary, separate rules for their restroom use. The evidence at trial confirms that Mr. Adams suffered both these indignities, the court wrote in its opinion.

Adams has since graduated from the high school and attends the University of Central Florida.

Im really grateful the court agreed that trans rights are human rights, Adams said in a phone interview Monday.

The ruling would cover schools in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and could carry the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the victory is considered a milestone for transgender rights that will resonate beyond high school bathroom use.

I definitely hope that seeing me, an actual trans person, and seeing me just as a normal person, I hope that has a lasting impact, Adams said. I really think that ignorance and misunderstanding is really the root of a lot of transphobia in this country.

The ruling noted that Adams had already undergone physical transitions, including a removal of breast tissue and hormones that promoted secondary male characteristics and a deepening of his voice.

The ruling dismissed school board claims that male students privacy would be compromised if he used the boys restroom and that some boys might claim to be gender fluid in order to be voyeurs in the girls restroom. The court said there was no evidence that either was the case.

Were Mr. Adams to use the schools restroom for girls, as the School Board maintains he could, his masculine physiology would present many of the same anatomical differences the School Board fears if non-transgender boys used the girls restroom, the ruling said.

Paul Castillo, a lawyer for Lambda Legal, an organization that fights for xLGBTQ rights, said the ruling, though immediately affecting a few states, could have a national impact.

I could not be more impressed with his resolve over the years and his steadfast commitment for LGBTQ equality, particularly for transgender youth, Castillo said. Even though hes graduated, he continues to put himself, through his case, in a position to help thousands of transgender youth across the country.

Calls to the St. Johns School County School District seeking comment went unanswered.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida Education
The Japanese government has decided to provide gratuitous aid in the amount of JPY 305 million (approximately USD 2.9 million) under the Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS) for the 2020 Japanese fiscal year, the Japanese embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic said, Trend reports citing Kabar.

A signing of exchange notes for this program between Japanese Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic Maeda Shigeki and Minister of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic Baktygul Jeenbaeva took place today in Bishkek.

The JDS program has been implementing in Kyrgyzstan since 2006 within the framework of gratuitous assistance in order to support the government of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of training and development of bilateral relations between Japan and Kyrgyzstan, the report said.

Within the framework of the project, 18 civil servants were selected for obtaining a master's degree in Japan and 2 employees for a doctoral degree, however, due to the spread of a new type of coronavirus infection around the world, the departure of this group to Japan will be delayed.

In total, during the period of the program, 209 state and municipal employees were sent to study in Japan in selected areas to obtain a master's degree and 1 employee to receive a doctoral degree, of which 176 fellows have already returned to Kyrgyzstan, having successfully defended their dissertations. At this time they occupy leading positions in a number of ministries and departments of the republic, the embassy said.

The ministry added that the Japanese government expects that JDS fellows will acquire professional knowledge and improve their qualifications during their studies, establish contacts and exchange experiences with participants from other countries, and then apply the acquired knowledge and skills in solving socio-economic problems, and thus, will contribute to the development of the country and increase the well-being of the population of the Kyrgyz Republic.

In addition, during the event, grant agreements were signed between the Permanent Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Kyrgyz Republic, Nemoto Naoyuki, and Minister of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, Baktygul Jeenbaeva.
BEIRUT - Lebanons judicial investigation of the Beirut port explosion started with political wrangling over the naming of a lead investigator, military threats to jail leakers and doubts over whether a panel appointed along sectarian lines could be fully impartial.

So for many Lebanese, their greatest hope for credible answers about the blast that wrecked much of their capital may lie with outsiders. Families of the dead and survivors on Friday called on the U.N. Security Council for an international investigation. Others pin their hopes on the French forensic police who have joined the probe and FBI investigators are expected to take part. Two French investigating magistrates have been assigned to the case, the Paris prosecutors office said Friday.

We are not lawyers or politicians, we are families and people, our appeal today is to the people of the international community, said Paul Najjar, a survivor of the explosion. Is it acceptable today that people would find their homes shattered, their families killed, their hopes and their dreams killed as well, with no justice, in all impunity?

A Lebanese prosecutor on Friday postponed the questioning of former and current, caretaker finance and public works ministers, pending a letter from the newly appointed investigator assigned to the case that says he lacked the authority to question ministers.

French teams have pressed ahead at their work, sending divers into the underwater crater, taking explosives samples and preparing recommendations for both the French and Lebanese magistrates. Among the French judicial police on the case are men and women who responded after the 2004 tsunami in Japan, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and the November 2015 and Bastille Day 2016 terror attacks in France.

The Beirut explosion lies at the crossroads of a disastrous accident and a crime scene. It still was not known what sparked the fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beiruts port next to densely populated residential areas. Documents have emerged that show the countrys top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile.

Search and rescue crews flew in from around the world in the immediate aftermath and found themselves looking at a scene that was both familiar and yet strangely alien.

In an earthquake, its easier because we can understand ... how it moves. But in this case, we didnt have enough elements to understand what happened, said Alberto Boanini, a member of the Italian rescue team. The team has seen its share of quakes and forest fires, but nothing quite like the port in Beirut, where he said it was hard to fathom what could level it so completely.

Many Lebanese want the probe taken out of the hands of their own government, having learned from past experience that the long-entrenched political factions, notorious for corruption, wont allow any results damaging to their leadership to come to light. The explosion killed more than 175 people, injured at least 6,000 and left tens of thousands homeless.

Paris sent judicial police and assigned the magistrates in Paris this week because two French citizens were among the dead, and French law gives jurisdiction for an investigation if a citizen dies abroad under questionable circumstances.

But the French investigators work only at the invitation of the Lebanese, and their orders are confidential.

French officials say they have the access they need but will not say whether their inquiry extends to questioning witnesses or requesting documents. They hand over their findings to the Lebanese, but keep a mirror copy for a French inquiry. The FBI is also joining at Lebanese authorities invitation.

At the request of the Government of Lebanon, the FBI will be providing our Lebanese partners investigative assistance in their investigation into the explosions at the Port of Beirut on August 4th, the FBI said, adding that it was not an FBI investigation.

Top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, have rejected calls for an independent probe, describing it as a waste of time and suggesting it would be politicized. Nonetheless, Nada Abdelsater-Abusamra, a lawyer representing victims, said a letter was submitted this week to the U.N. Security Council asking for an international investigation.

The Lebanese government refused to do it  they are claiming it will affect the sovereignty of Lebanon, she said. This is ridiculous. The only thing that the international investigation affects is the position of these rulers and these politicians.

The leader of the powerful Hezbollah group on Friday said he did not trust any international investigation  claiming the first thing it would do is clear Israel of any responsibility in the port explosion.

Israel has denied involvement and so far no evidence has emerged pointing otherwise, but Aoun, who is supported by Hezbollah, has said its one of the theories being investigated. In a speech Friday night, Hezbollahs Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Israel will be met with an equally devastating response if the investigation points to its involved.

In its last decision before resigning under pressure, six days after the explosion, Prime Minister Hassan Diabs government referred the case to the Higher Judicial Council, Lebanons highest justice authority, to carry out the investigation.

An argument then ensued with the outgoing justice minister over the investigations lead judge. After public wrangling, they compromised on Judge Fadi Sawwan, a former military investigating judge.

The Council itself is made up of 10 people, eight of whom are appointed according to the interests of the various political factions and religious sects in line with Lebanons sectarian power-sharing system.

The authorities have so far arrested more than 19 people, including the head of the Customs Department and his predecessor, as well as the head of the port.

Lebanese say they want to see investigations into top officials who knew about the ammonium nitrate.

They will blame the small guys while the ones who are really responsible will get away with their crime, thats what will happen, said Jad, a 38-year-old computer engineer who declined to give his full name in line with his companys regulations not to discuss politics.

If this time there is no credible, serious investigation that will lead to the punishment of everyone responsible for this disaster, it is goodbye Lebanon. No one will ever want to live in this country again, he said, standing on a bridge overlooking the decimated port.

Explosions have marked a grim timeline in Lebanons modern history and have killed presidents, prime ministers and countless journalists and activists during the countrys 1975-90 civil war and beyond.

Almost none of the perpetrators were ever arrested or tried, and the truth was invariably buried. Lebanese had high hopes that the U.N.-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri would be a chance to end impunity in Lebanon. But it took 15 years and was marred by doubts, politics and more deaths. The tribunal is to issue verdicts Tuesday.

International involvement in the investigation might bring some truth, but bringing justice is more complicated. Dov Jacobs, an international legal scholar based in the Netherlands, said the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine six years ago might be the closest analogy.

In that case, international experts had full access to the site, and international prosecutors charged three Russians and a Ukrainian with involvement in bringing down the plane and the murder of all on board. The men are on trial in a Dutch court in absentia, since none have been extradited.

But in Lebanon, Jacobs said, the investigation itself is a tool of political influence. Its one of those frustrating moments where immediate calls for justice are faced with a wall which is the political reality on the ground.

___

Hinnant reported from Paris. Associated Press writers Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed to this report.
Pupils at St Dominics Grammar in west Belfast turn up for their A Level results. PACEMAKER BELFAST 13/08/2020

The number of students awarded the top grades in their exams has risen this year, but many have been left disappointed after more than a third of A-level grades issued on Thursday were lower than teacher estimates.

It comes as the impact of coronavirus forced schools across the UK to implement a new model to allow students to complete their examinations without sitting exams.

The system employed in Northern Ireland - which allowed teachers to give a predicted grade for their pupils and then rank them in order within their class, before standardising the results - has faced criticism from students, teachers and politicians.

Read More

For students now hoping to appeal their grades or look at their choices for university, what are the options?

What can I do if I'm unhappy about my results?

Speak to your school or college about whether you have grounds for an appeal. They will then decide whether to submit an appeal to the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on your behalf.

This year, there will be no charge for appeals. CCEA chief executive Justin Edwards said this week that a broader scope for appeals is being allowed for this years A-level and GCSE awards.

The organisation said in a statement: "Schools and colleges may hold strong evidence of students prior performance from mock examinations and, for GCSE examinations, some completed units.

As part of the appeals process this year, CCEA will consider such evidence.

What are the grounds for an appeal to CCEA?

The grounds for an appeal to CCEA are as follows:

CCEA used the wrong data to calculate a grade

CCEA allocated the wrong grade through an administrative error

CCEA communicated the wrong grade

The grades awarded to other students within the school ranking system will not be affected if one student attains a higher grade through the appeals process, according to CCEA.

What if I'm not happy with my school's decision not to appeal?

Your school will have an internal appeals/complaints process that they must follow. If you believe they have not done so, you can contact CCEA directly on 028 9026 1260 or 028 9026 1220. You can also contact them via email - compliance@ccea.org.uk

What's the closing date for an appeal?

The deadline for appeals is September 17. An appeal or a review could result in your grade going up, down or staying the same.

Can I resit my exams?

Students will be allowed to resit their A-level exams. Education Minister Peter Weir has said his department will work to prevent any cost to the student.

Where can I get help?

CCEA has a dedicated exams helpline which can be contacted on 02890261260 from August 13 until August 26.

Do I have to notify my chosen university or college of my grade?

No, you don't - unless you're a private candidate. Your application will go through the admissions process as it would have if you sat your exams or assessments as normal.

If youre holding a conditional offer  your offer will still become unconditional if you meet the conditions.

If youve already accepted an unconditional offer  this does not affect your offer.

If your application is unsuccessful  you can still use Extra and Clearing as thousands before you have to find your place.

If youre applying as a private candidate  you need to get in touch directly with the universities or colleges you have applied to.

Can I still apply for courses?

If you didn't meet the main application deadline earlier this year, there are still some courses you can apply for. UCAS recommends you ask universities directly whether they have vacancies, especially for courses that have an October 15 deadline which are likely to be competitive.

You can also apply for courses up until 6pm on September 20, but you'll be entered into Clearing  the process universities and colleges use to fill any places they still have on their courses.

Students can use Clearing if they are not already holding an offer from a university or college, and the course still has places.

Will universities in Northern Ireland be flexible if I choose to appeal my results?

Queen's University Belfast has said that it will honour all offers based on the results provided and that it will take into account appeals processes.

"Queen's University recognises that the process by which results are being determined this year is causing additional anxiety for some students," said the spokesperson. "The university will honour all offers on the basis of the results provided by the relevant exam boards and is committed to providing as much flexibility as possible within existing parameters to maximise the number of students able to access higher education in what has been a very challenging year.

"This flexibility includes working with exam boards and students to take account of subsequent appeal processes as far as possible in advance of the start of the new academic year."

Meanwhile, Ulster University will also honour all of the course offers it had previously made and was committed to being as "flexible as possible".

"At Ulster University, we are honouring all offers made on the basis of the results provided by the relevant exam boards and in this very challenging year for students we are committed to remaining as flexible as possible to ensure that all those who wish to access higher education are provided with an opportunity to do so," a spokesperson said.

"Students can call the Ulster admissions helpline where an advisor will provide them with the support and advice they need to make an informed decision," the university added.

"Students can also access a range of options available through clearing on courses such as Animation, Business, Cinematic Arts, Computing Technologies, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Drama, Interactive Design, Photography, Fashion, Journalism, Law and more."
Nominee US Ambassador to Myanmar Hints at Need to Counter Chinas Influence in Senate Testimony
In this article KALU

Depending on your health coverage, you could see a rebate from your insurer in the coming months. While such paybacks are issued yearly, the 2020 aggregate amount is anticipated to be $2 billion  about twice what it was last year, said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow with the Kaiser Family Foundation. "Insurer profitability has been on the rise and as a result it's expected that 2019 rebates could set a record this fall," Pollitz said.

A patient at Walmart Health Source: Walmart

Generally, you're more likely to see a rebate if you have an individual policy (including through a state health exchange or the federal one) or participate in a small- or large-group plan. Many of the biggest U.S. employers choose to self-insure, which means their plans don't have to adhere to certain requirements placed on insurance companies. Different rules also apply to Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The average rebate in 2019 was $208, although that figure was wide-ranging from state to state. In Kansas, for instance, each eligible person got an average of $1,359, according to Kaiser research. The average in Delaware was zero. The group estimates that about 7.9 million individuals will be eligible for the rebates this year.

Insurance companies that sell group or individual policies must adhere to a "medical loss ratio" that requires the insurer to spend no more than 20% of premiums paid by enrollees on administration, marketing, salaries and the like. The remainder, 80%, must be spent on health care costs and certain other expenses related to patient health. (Sometimes that ratio is 85/15.) Each year, the ratio is calculated based on a rolling three-year average, Pollitz said. So the rebates this year are from 2017, 2018 and 2019. Insurers typically either send a check to policyholders or deduct the rebate from premiums (and send a check to individuals no longer enrolled but due a piece). There's also something else at play, however: Insurance companies aren't having a bad year, profit-wise. While they've paid out for claims related to treatment of coronavirus patients, they've paid far less than projected on claims related to elective medical procedures, Pollitz said. More from Personal Finance:

'Super savers' make these sacrifices to help reach goals

Parents turn to 'learning pods.' Here's what that can cost

If you adopt a pet, be prepared for the cost This means their ratio may be out of whack for 2020  which would potentially cause even bigger rebates next year. Or, insurers can take action this year to bring that ratio into line. "For example, if they reduce their premium now, the [ratio] looks better," Pollitz said. Already, many insurers have changed their cost-sharing structures to reduce the amount that their policyholders pay out of pocket, including through reduced premiums or waived copays, for example. In typical years, this type of mid-year shift on premiums is disallowed, but the federal government recently eased rules to allow it.
(Natural News) The Austin City Council has passed the citys budget, and with it a proposal to defund the police by slashing $150 million from the Austin Police Department (APD). This move comes after intense pressure from the citys chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Austin City Council, while officially a nonpartisan institution, is completely filled with officials affiliated with the Democratic Party, including the citys mayor, Steve Adler, who supported the motion to reduce the budget for his citys police force.

I think this is the most forward-looking budget in memory, said Adler on Thursday. This is really the budget where we launch our future  as a fairer, more just, equitable, more universally acceptable city.

The APDs previous budget was around $434 million. The $150 million cut represents roughly 34 percent of the departments total budget. Previously, City Manager Spencer Cronk proposed cutting the APDs budget by a generous $11 million. However, advocates of defunding and abolishing the police department quickly overtook the conversation, strongly criticizing what they considered to be a barely negligible budget reduction. (Related: BREAKING: Antifa terrorists in Austin, Portland just received a large cache of weapons in preparation for coordinated multi-city TET offensive against America.)

Other members of the city council expressed their happiness at the fact that they helped reduce the effectiveness of the APD.

Councilwoman Natasha Harper-Madison admitted to being pressured into voting for the proposal when she praised the fact that the budget was drawn up because of overwhelming and unprecedented community input. Councilman Gregorio Casar, without any evidence, said that the new budget will go toward making Austins communities safer. Councilwoman Alison Alter said that the lack of an adequately funded police force will help Austins communities of color, who represent around half of the citys population.

Listed below are just some of the departments and services within the APD that have had their budgets reduced, and approximately how much has been taken from them.

Traffic Enforcement  $18.4 million

911 Call Center  $17.7 million

Support Services  $14.1 million

Forensic Sciences  $12.7 million

Park Police  $5.8 million

Internal Affairs  $4.5 million

Special Events  $4.4 million

Victims Services  $3.1 million

Officer Overtime Budget  $2.8 million

Community Partnerships  $2.5 million

Canceling 3 Cadet Classes  $2.2 million (more cuts expected in the future)

Mounted Patrol  $2.1 million

Austin Regional Intelligence Center  $2 million

Special Investigations  $1.8 million

Lake Patrol  $1.4 million

Organized Crime and K-9 Units  $1.2 million

Nuisance Abatement  $312,000

License Plate Readers  $133,000

Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how humanity is about to face the most catastrophic systemic collapse in modern human history, and the people who will face this upcoming disaster are the most pampered, most triggered and weakest people in history.

City council vows to reinvest money into social services

Only around $20 million of the $150 million cut will go into effect immediately, mostly from reducing the overtime budget, eliminating 150 currently vacant sworn officer positions and either completely cutting or delaying the continuation of several officer cadet classes, with this money being fully reallocated into funds for violence prevention programs, as well as food access and abortion access programs.

Another $80 million will be put into a Decouple Fund, which will allow several services currently functioning inside the APD, such as forensic sciences and victim services, to be transferred to a different department. Most of these services will be gradually redistributed throughout the fiscal year and beyond.

The remaining $50 million will be put on hold by the Austin City Council and placed into a Reimagine Safety Fund, where that money will stay as the council figures out alternative forms of public safety and community support, as dictated by the Black Lives Matter movements overall demands.

The Greater Austin Crime Commission (GACC), which advocates for first responders and better public safety in the Greater Austin metropolitan area, came out with critical support for the city councils push to defund the police. They approved of the additional funding for unarmed services such as community health, family violence, mental health response and violence prevention programs, which they said represent good public safety investments.

However, the GACC expressed concerns over the elimination of the vacant positions in the APD, as well as with the three cadet classes whose continuations have been put on hold.

The community fully supports the dedicated professionals in our public safety departments, including the 1,756 police officers, who risk everything for us every day.

Local and state groups and officials strongly criticize defunding efforts

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a solid Republican, is one of many local and state groups and leaders who have voiced their concerns over the city councils rash action to defund the APD. Abbott himself did not mince words, and called the budget cut the victory of political agendas over public safety.

Abbott vowed that the Texas Department of Public Safety will do everything in its power to support the APD until the Texas Legislature, both houses of which are controlled by the Republican Party, can take up the issue and resolve it.

Public safety is job one, and Aust in has abandoned that duty, said Abbott in a statement.

The Austin Police Association, the citys police union that advocates for rank-and-file APD officers, strongly criticized the proposal before it was voted upon, saying that it is ridiculous and will make the city more unsafe for its residents.

They are going to ignore the majority who do not want the police defunded, they said.

Thank you for supporting the Austin Police Department. The council's budget proposals continue to become more ridiculous and unsafe for Austinites. They are going to ignore the majority who do not want the police defunded. The community will need help @ the Capitol. @gacc97 https://t.co/mBhDZRmWxT  Austin Police Association (@ATXPOA) August 13, 2020

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, on the other hand, placed the blame on the Austin City Councils decision on cancel culture, saying that this is what pressured the councilmembers to approve the defunding proposal.

Unfortunately, he said, the targets of this cancelling are the brave men and women who selflessly put their lives on the line to keep our families safe. The city councils action to slash funding disregards the safety of our capital city, its citizens and the many guests who frequent it.

Furthermore, the attorney general pointed out that Austin is already struggling with an increasing rate of crime, violence and homelessness, and how defunding the APD is not going to solve any of these problems. He urged the city council to strongly reconsider what he believes to be an ill-advised effort at virtue signaling before it leads to the destruction of private property and the death of innocent Austinites.

Melanie Rodriguez, president of the Austin Police Womens Association, agreed with the attorney general and asked Chief of Police Brian Manley to defund the executive protection unit that serves as the bodyguards for councilmembers.

If the mayor and council need special protection, they can hire it themselves or put it in a rider for the next budget that removes $150 million from our department, she said.

This effort to defund the APD is just the latest in a series of attacks against law enforcement units throughout the country. Learn about the latest incidents in places like Portland, Chicago and Seattle by signing up for a free email newsletter at PoliceViolence.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

KVUE.com

TexasTribune.org

FoxNews.com
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
By Michele Kambas and Tuvan Gumrukcu

ATHENS/ANKARA (Reuters) - A Greek and a Turkish warship were involved in a mild collision on Wednesday during a standoff in the eastern Mediterranean, in what a Greek defence source called an accident but Ankara called a provocation.

Tensions between the NATO allies have risen this week after Turkey sent a survey vessel to the region, escorted by warships, to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling in an area where Turkey and Greece both claim jurisdiction.

European Union foreign ministers, who met via teleconference, called for a de-escalation of tensions, an EU official said.

The Turkish Oruc Reis survey ship has been moving between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete, shadowed by a number of Greek frigates. On Wednesday one Greek ship, the Limnos, was approaching the survey vessel when it came into the path of one of its Turkish naval escorts, the Kemal Reis.

The Greek frigate manoeuvred to avoid a head-on collision and in the process its bow touched the rear of the Turkish frigate, the defence source said, calling it a "mini collision."

"It was an accident," the source said, adding the Limnos was not damaged. It subsequently took part in a joint military exercise with France off Crete on Thursday morning, the person said.

In Switzerland on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Athens needs to act with reason and called on the European Union to stop "pampering" Greece. Turkey has also cautioned France to stay out of the row.

Greece "should not attempt to provoke Oruc Reis like it did two days ago or it will receive a response," Cavusoglu said, adding the European Union should not give it "unconditional support."

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who met U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Vienna on Friday, said he hoped all parties involved would act within international law.

"Everything can be resolved, but this is a question that you have to put to the Turks," Dendias said.

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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the naval Kemal Reis had fended off an attack by Greek vessels and also warned of retaliation.

Relations between Greece and Turkey have long been fraught with tension. Disputes have ranged from boundaries of offshore continental shelves and airspace to the ethnically split island of Cyprus. In 1996 they almost went to war over ownership of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea.

In a call with Erdogan on Thursday, European Council President Charles Michel recalled the EU's full solidarity with Greece, an EU official said. Michel called for de-escalation of tensions, said provocations should be avoided and added that dialogue is preferred, the official added.

That line was reiterated at the EU foreign ministers' meeting. Greece advocated sanctions on Turkey, while its EU allies emphasised the need for a de-escalation of tensions and negotiations, an EU official said. The situation would be reviewed at a meeting in Berlin at the end of the month.

Cavusoglu said Switzerland had offered to mediate the dispute between Turkey and Greece and that Ankara had agreed to this in principle.

(Additional reporting by Daren Butler in Istanbul; Kirsti Knolle in Vienna, John Chalmers in Brussels; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Jonathan Spicer, William Maclean)
A heroic Chinese father has been caught on camera springing to save his toddler daughter from being crushed by a huge falling mirror.

CCTV footage has captured the heart-stopping moment the full-body glass mirror suddenly tipped over before being stopped in mid-air by the parent who leapt across the living room.

Thousands of Chinese web users have praised the agile man's quick reaction and hailed him as a Superman father after the video emerged online on Friday.

A heroic Chinese father has been caught on camera springing to save his toddler daughter from being crushed by a huge falling mirror. He is dubbed 'Superman father' by netizens

CCTV footage has captured the heart-stopping moment the full-body glass mirror suddenly tipped over before being stopped in mid-air by the parent who leapt across the living room

The family of four, believed to be living in north-eastern Chinese city Harbin, were relaxing together in their living room before the incident occurred.

One of the two toddler girls is seen in the security footage throwing a ball while the other one is playing on the floor.

The child playing with the toy suddenly fell backwards as she knocked over a full-body mirror leaning against the wall.

Rocked by the movement, the glass furniture is seen tilting before falling towards the other little girl who is lying on the floor.

The Chinese father, who was standing on the other side of the room, spotted the dangerous scene and rushed to his daughters rescue.

The family of four, believed to be living in north-eastern Chinese city Harbin, were relaxing together in their living room before the heart-stopping incident occurred, Chinese media said

The Chinese father, who was standing on the other side of the room, rushed to his daughters rescue after spotting the full-body glass mirror suddenly toppling towards the youngster

Footage shows the agile parent springing towards the falling mirror before seizing the glass frame in mid-air.

The father then landed on the floor while shielding the young child from being smashed by the furniture with his body.

The video, shared by state media Peoples Daily today, has quickly amassed over 500,000 views on Chinese Twitter-like Weibo.

Being impressed by the parents quick reaction, thousands of web users have dubbed the man Superman father.

The father then landed on the floor while shielding the young child from being smashed by the furniture with his body. Thousands of web users have dubbed the man Superman father

One commenter wrote: Wow this dad is amazing! He reacted to it so fast. Superhero dad!

Another one said: Best rescue ever! Its amazing the strength parents have when they try to protect their children.

But other netizens have criticised the father for not properly securing the full-body mirror, posing a hidden danger to his toddlers.

One of such comments read: They have two kids and didnt even fully secure the mirror, how reckless!
Fewer students have found university places through clearing, figures from this year's school leavers have shown.

More than 13,000 applicants have been accepted on to degree courses through the annual process - down 24% on the same point last year.

The figures come the day after students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their A-level results.

Nearly two in five grades estimated by teachers were downgraded during the moderation process after this years summer exams were cancelled.

Fewer students have found university places through clearing, figures from this year's school leavers have shown

Ministers have urged universities to be flexible when deciding who to admit and they have called for places to be held if applicants want to appeal against grades.

Ucas figures show that so far only 13,290 people have been accepted through clearing - the process that matches students without a place to courses with availability - compared with 17,420 at this time last year, a fall of 24%.

The number of 18-year-olds in England accepted through clearing has dropped by 43% - from 6,950 at this point last year to 3,970.

A rise in students being placed at their first choice - as well as applicants facing a more complex set of choices around appeals - are likely to be behind the fall in students being accepted through clearing , Ucas has said.

More than 13,000 applicants have been accepted on to degree courses through the annual process - down 24% on the same point last year

Late on Tuesday, the Government announced that students in England would be able to use results in valid mock exams to appeal if they were unhappy with their A-level results.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has told universities to hold places for applicants challenging grades until they receive the outcome of their appeal.

The overall numbers confirming undergraduate places - through the main application scheme or clearing - has increased by 2% compared with the same point last year.

The proportion of would-be students who by-passed the main application system in favour of searching for a course directly through clearing also hit a new high, with 4,690 securing their spot this way.

Socially-distanced workers at the Keele University call centre handle calls from students on the A Level results day

In recent years, clearing has become an increasingly popular route for students to find a degree course in recent years, with prestigious universities among those offering last-minute places through the system.

The latest Ucas data, which comes a day after A-level results day, shows that 429,470 applicants - from the UK and overseas - have been placed on a UK undergraduate course so far this year.

A total of 371,670 applicants have been accepted on to their first choice, up 2% on the same point last year when 364,350 secured their top choice, Ucas figures show.

A breakdown shows that 371,450 British applicants have had places confirmed, a 2% rise on last year.

The number of UK 18-year-olds taking up places has risen by 4% to 219,080. This rise comes amid a 1.5% fall in the UK 18-year-old population.

There has also been an increase in acceptances for overseas students.

Some 35,080 international students, from countries outside the EU, have been accepted, up 2% on last year.

But EU student acceptances have dropped by 15% to 22,940.

A Ucas spokesman said: Fewer students have been accepted through clearing at this point, likely due to an increase in students being placed at their first choice, and because students who are in clearing face a more complex set of choices around appeals.

Our advice to students is to speak to their teachers if they want to appeal their grades, and also to explore the wide range of courses in clearing in parallel.

We expect more people to be placed through clearing in the next few weeks.
One in five of those surveyed by the ONS have cancelled their overseas travel plans in the face of quarantine measures. Photo: Getty

Almost two-thirds (62%) of holidaymakers said that they would be unlikely to travel overseas if they had to quarantine for 14 days on their return, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

According to the ONSs Opinions and Lifestyle survey, one in 10 said they were still likely or very likely to travel, knowing they would have to quarantine.

A fifth (20%) of British adults cancelled foreign travel plans in light of the 14 day quarantine measures, while 14% reported they would holiday in the UK instead this year.

READ MORE: UK airports braced for travel chaos after France quarantine ruling

With the UK officially declared in recession earlier this week, the imminent end to the furlough scheme and fears of a second wave, respondents were asked about the future of the UK and the biggest issues facing the country.

One in five (20%) have cancelled their travel plans due to the possibility of 14 days quarantine. Photo: ONS

Of those surveyed, eight in 10 (81%) said the economy was one the most important issue facing the UK  75% answered the coronavirus pandemic  while 68% said employment.

When asked to identify the single most important issue facing Great Britain, 37% answered the coronavirus pandemic, whereas 23% said the UK economy.

After the government successfully launched the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, one four in 10 (40%) adults felt comfortable or very comfortable eating indoors at a restaurant or pub.

One in four Brits (40%) also said that the coronavirus pandemic affected their wellbeing  of those 18% reported that they feared losing their jobs  up from 14% the previous week  while 11% worried about returning to work.

Meanwhile more than 73% (seven in 10) expressed that they met up with other people to socialise, while half of those surveyed reported that they had a visit from family or friends.

Adults felt more comfortable visiting an indoor restaurant between 5 and 9 August. Photo: ONS

Almost half (47%) of those who socialised with others, said that they adhered to social distancing measures  whereas 8% said they didnt maintain social distancing or not very often.

Those aged 70 years or over were most likely to practice social distancing when meeting others, with seven in 10 reporting they had.

Story continues

READ MORE: The most affordable countries to move to in Europe

When it comes to work over three quarters, or 78%, mentioned they had either worked from home or travelled to work, of those 55% said they travelled to work while 23% worked exclusively from home.

Of those surveyed, a whopping 96% wear a face covering at least once a week when going outside to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The data was published hours after the government told Brits holidaying in France that from 4am on Saturday (15 August) they would be required to quarantine due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the country.

The same restrictions will also apply to travellers returning from the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco and Turks & Caicos and Aruba.

There were 1,424 adult respondents for the ONSs Opinions and Lifestyle survey between 5 and 9 August.
Calling it a historic day for San Antonio, emotional VIA Metropolitan Transit board members voted unanimously Thursday to put a ballot initiative before voters Nov. 3 that they said would guarantee the struggling agency a long-lasting source of funding.

The election decision was coordinated with the city, the result of a long-discussed and complicated solution to a simmering funding feud between the transit agency and Mayor Ron Nirenberg.

The VIA board approved the measure while acting in the capacity of its own taxing authority, the Advanced Transportation District.

The City Council on Thursday also approved taking its part of the plan to the voters.

It would reallocate a portion of the city sales tax that currently funds protection of the Edwards Aquifer and maintenance of linear parks, steering it to an economic recovery plan for its first few years, then to VIA to solidify the transit agencys shaky funding.

Its passage in November, even though it doesnt raise new taxes, is anything but certain. The ballot language is convoluted, and proponents of the move worry that virus-weary voters might reject anything complicated that appears to ask for money.

Last year, before the coronavirus wreaked havoc on the city budget, Nirenberg supported a plan to let VIA get the 1/8-cent share of the sales tax as part of a mass transit expansion, campaigning for it with Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and former Mayor Henry Cisneros.

But the mayor pivoted when the pandemic left tens of thousands unemployed amid what he and other leaders consider a fundamental inequity of resources and opportunities, including education, jobs and transportation. So, he advocated for the $38 million per year expected from the aquifer sales tax to instead be diverted to the citys economic recovery plan.

Board members at VIA, historically underfunded and now facing staggering deficits due to the pandemics gutting of ridership, were adamant about the need for the sales tax revenue but had little hope of winning voters support without the vocal help of Nirenberg and Wolff.

After weeks of negotiation, with Cisneros lending a hand, the parties worked out a deal that requires VIA to wait four years before drawing on the sales tax.

The city would get the money first. Lacking specifics yet, its plan calls for spending $154 million from the 1/8-cent sales tax over four years on job training and higher education.

Backers describe it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen San Antonios economic foundation and ensure a broad-based, lasting recovery once the pandemic recedes.

Board chairwoman Hope Andrade urged her colleagues to approve a common-sense solution. If they didnt go with the citys deal, it would cripple VIA as it contends with growth expected to bring a million more residents to its service area in 20 years, she said.

Board member Bob Comeaux thanked Andrade for her exquisite leadership and said the board would stand on the shoulders of VIA leaders from the 1970s who helped the city become what it is today.

VIA CEO Jeff Arndt even choked up when he said the day might have been the highlight of his 30-year career in transportation.

But some acknowledged the ballot language left them with an unpleasant marketing problem. It starts with this proposition:

To provide enhanced public transportation and public transportation mobility options, the Advanced Transportation District will utilize a one-eighth of one percent sales and use tax. The one-eighth of one percent sales and use tax proceeds shall be used for advanced public transportation purposes or public transportation mobility enhancement purposes.

The districts local sales and use tax will increase by a rate of one-eighth of one percent to a rate of three-eighths of one percent, with such an increase to begin on January 1, 2026. This is a reallocation of an existing sales and use tax resulting in no net tax increase.

The question presented to the voters is as follows:

The increase by one-eighth of one percent of the local sales and use tax rate to three-eighths of one percent to begin on January 1, 2026.

Board member David Marne lamented that the word increase was legally required.

Bruce Selcraig is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Bruce, become a subscriber. BSelcraig@express-news.net
Greek-Turkish Frigates Incident 'First Response' to Athens in Mediterranean Row, Erdogan Says

Sputnik News

17:46 GMT 13.08.2020

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that Greece got the "first response" from Turkey in the ongoing Mediterranean crisis, hinting at the recent incident between Russian and Greek frigates.

"We said that if you attack Oruc Reis, the consequences would be great. And today, they received the first response", Erdogan said, speaking in Ankara.

The Turkish-Greek tensions escalated this week after Turkey's Oruc Reis research vessel began exploration drilling in Greek-claimed waters in the Mediterranean on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Greek Armyvoice.gr news portal reported, citing sources, that Greek naval frigate Limnos and Turkish frigate Kemalreis (F-247) "touched" each other in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The incident happened in close proximity to Oruc Reis. The area is heavily patrolled by both Turkish and Greek vessels.

Tensions between two NATO allies increased again earlier in August, after Greece and Egypt signed a maritime deal on an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the eastern Mediterranean. Ankara then slammed the agreement as "null and void," saying that Athens and Cairo share no sea border, and claimed that the area of the EEZ was in fact located on Turkey's continental shelf. The Greece-Egypt deal prompted Turkey to resume seismic research in the eastern Mediterranean.

 Sputnik

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After terrorists slammed a plane into the Pentagon on 9/11, ambulances rushed scores of the injured to community hospitals, but only three of the patients were taken to specialized trauma wards. The reason: The hospitals and ambulances had no real-time information-sharing system.

Nineteen years later, there is still no national data network that enables the health system to respond effectively to disasters and disease outbreaks. Many doctors and nurses must fill out paper forms on COVID-19 cases and available beds and fax them to public health agencies, causing critical delays in care and hampering the effort to track and block the spread of the coronavirus.

"We need to be thinking long and hard about making improvements in the data-reporting system so the response to the next epidemic is a little less painful," said Dr. Dan Hanfling, a vice president at In-Q-Tel, a nonprofit that helps the federal government solve technology problems in health care and other areas. "And there will be another one."

There are signs the COVID-19 pandemic has created momentum to modernize the nation's creaky, fragmented public health data system, in which nearly 3,000 local, state and federal health departments set their own reporting rules and vary greatly in their ability to send and receive data electronically.

Sutter Health and UC Davis Health, along with nearly 30 other provider organizations around the country, recently launched a collaborative effort to speed and improve the sharing of clinical data on individual COVID cases with public health departments.

But even that platform, which contains information about patients' diagnoses and response to treatments, doesn't yet include data on the availability of hospital beds, intensive care units or supplies needed for a seamless pandemic response.

The federal government spent nearly $40 billion over the past decade to equip hospitals and physicians' offices with electronic health record systems for improving treatment of individual patients. But no comparable effort has emerged to build an effective system for quickly moving information on infectious disease from providers to public health agencies.

In March, Congress approved $500 million over 10 years to modernize the public health data infrastructure. But the amount falls far short of what's needed to update data systems and train staff at local and state health departments, said Brian Dixon, director of public health informatics at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis.

The congressional allocation is half the annual amount proposed under last year's bipartisan Saving Lives Through Better Data Act, which did not pass, and much less than the $4.5 billion Public Health Infrastructure Fund proposed last year by public health leaders.

"The data are moving slower than the disease," said Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. "We need a way to get that information electronically and seamlessly to public health agencies so we can do investigations, quarantine people and identify hot spots and risk groups in real time, not two weeks later."

The impact of these data failures is felt around the country. The director of the California Department of Public Health, Dr. Sonia Angell, was forced out Aug. 9 after a malfunction in the state's data system left out up to 300,000 COVID-19 test results, undercutting the accuracy of its case count.

Other advanced countries have done a better job of rapidly and accurately tracking COVID-19 cases and medical resources while doing contact tracing and quarantining those who test positive. In France, physicians' offices report patient symptoms to a central agency every day. That's an advantage of having a national health care system.

"If someone in France sneezes, they learn about it in Paris," said Dr. Chris Lehmann, clinical informatics director at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Coronavirus cases reported to U.S. public health departments are often missing patients' addresses and phone numbers, which are needed to trace their contacts, Hamilton said. Lab test results often lack information on patients' races or ethnicities, which could help authorities understand demographic disparities in transmission and response to the virus.

Last month, the Trump administration abruptly ordered hospitals to report all COVID-19 data to a private vendor hired by the Department of Health and Human Services rather than to the long-established reporting system run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The administration said the switch would help the White House coronavirus task force better allocate scarce supplies.

The shift disrupted, at least temporarily, the flow of critical information needed to track COVID-19 outbreaks and allocate resources, public health officials said. They worried the move looked political in nature and could dampen public confidence in the accuracy of the data.

An HHS spokesperson said the transition had improved and sped up hospital reporting. Experts had various opinions on the matter but agreed that the new system doesn't fix problems with the old CDC system that contributed to this country's slow and ineffective response to COVID-19.

"While I think it's an exceptionally bad idea to take the CDC out of it, the bottom line is the way CDC presented the data wasn't all that useful," said Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California-San Francisco.

The new HHS system lacks data from nursing homes, which is needed to ensure safe care for COVID patients after discharge from the hospital, said Dr. Lissy Hu, CEO of CarePort Health, which coordinates care between hospitals and post-acute facilities.

Some observers hope the pandemic will persuade the health care industry to push faster toward its goal of smoother data exchange through computer systems that can easily talk to one another  an objective that has met with only partial success after more than a decade of effort.

The case reporting system launched by Sutter Health and its partners sends clinical information from each coronavirus patient's electronic health record to public health agencies in all 50 states. The Digital Bridge platform also allows the agencies for the first time to send helpful treatment information back to doctors and nurses. About 20 other health systems are preparing to join the 30 partners in the system, and major digital health record vendors like Epic and Allscripts have added the reporting capacity to their software.

Sutter hopes to get state and county officials to let the health system stop sending data manually, which would save its clinicians time they need for treating patients, said Dr. Steven Lane, Sutter's clinical informatics director for interoperability.

The platform could be key in implementing COVID-19 vaccination around the country, said Dr. Andrew Wiesenthal, a managing director at Deloitte Consulting who spearheaded the development of Digital Bridge.

"You'd want a registry of everyone immunized, you'd want to hear if that person developed COVID anyway, then you'd want to know about subsequent symptoms," he said. "You can only do that well if you have an effective data system for surveillance and reporting."

The key is to get all the health care players  providers, insurers, EHR vendors and public health agencies  to collaborate and share data, rather than hoarding it for their own financial or organizational benefit, Wiesenthal said.

"One would hope we will use this crisis as an opportunity to fix a long-standing problem," said John Auerbach, CEO of Trust for America's Health. "But I worry this will follow the historical pattern of throwing a lot of money at a problem during a crisis, then cutting back after. There's a tendency to think short term."

This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation.
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) chief Thuingaleng Muivah on Friday reiterated the demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution.

In a speech delivered, the 86-year-old stated that as per the 2015 Framework Agreement (FA) signed between the outfit and Government of India, Nagas can co-exist with India, but will not merge with it.

We are not asking Naga national flag and constitution from the government of India. Recognize them or not, we have our own flag and constitution. Flag and constitution are ingredients of our recognized sovereign entity and the symbols of Naga nationhood. The Nagas must keep their flag and constitution, Muivah said.

The statement comes at a time when another round of meetings to thrash out a final agreement for the decades-old Naga political issue is set to begin in New Delhi from next week in which senior NSCN-IM and NNPGs leaders are expected to take part.

In his speech, Muivah mentioned about the FA, which spoke of inclusive peaceful coexistence of the two entities sharing sovereign power.

The Nagas will co-exist with India sharing sovereign powers as agreed in FA and defined in the competencies. But they will not merge with India, Muivah said.

The biggest and oldest of the Naga rebel outfits, NSCN-IM had been in peace talks with GoI since 1997 and signed a Framework Agreement (FA) in 2015, which was to be the basis for a final deal on the long pending Naga issue.

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After 'naming' celestial stars after him and leading large scale social media protests against nepotism in Bollywood following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, fans of the actor now want his statue in Madame Tussaud's.

The 'Kai Po Che' actor lost his life on June 14. In a recent online petition launched on Change.org, his fans Basundhara Ghosh and Sophie Reham have been demanding a wax statue of the actor be installed in London's Max Tussaud's museum.

Posted four days ago, the petition has already amassed over 50,000 signatures.

"Sushant Singh Rajput's tragic death shouldn't be the only way we remember him," the petitioner wrote. "Sign my petition asking for his wax model to be added to the Bollywood fraternity at Madame Tussaud's Museum in London. We will all miss him but let's keep the memory of his work alive!" she added.

The petition comes amid an ongoing debate regarding the actor's death which police initially deemed was caused due to suicide. But in recent days, several persons including his fans as well as other actors as well as film industry personalities have been demanding a CBI probe after the 34-year-old family raised accused several people including his girlfriend and actress Rhea Chakraborty of extorting money from him and creating circumstances that forced him to the act.

But even as a growing number of actors such as Varun Dhawan, Kirti Sanon, Parineeti Chopra and Kangana Ranaut have called for a CBI probe in the matter, fans have been fighting their own battles on the internet.

This is not the first petition by fans demanding a wax statue at Madame Tussaud's is not the first time that fans have raised the issue. Other petitions by fans like Tanny Singh have also demanded a statue of the actor be placed at the famed wax museum.

Not only wax statues, but the fans have also launched demands for justice for Rajput and a CBI probe into his death despite Maharashtra Police ruling it a suicide.

READ: No, There Isn't Really a Star Named Sushant Singh Rajput in the Sky, Despite Fan's Claim

In a recent incident, a fan of the actor claimed to have named a celestial star in space on the actor's name. Experts however warned that it was not possible to buy a star online.
Farm Workers sleeping accommodation is far from adequate, it appears. Inset: Travis Harry seems to have become a source of Vincentian complaints here and abroad.

Travis Harrys post concerning the dire condition some Vincentian farm workers in Canada had to endure, might just have forced the government to pay some attention to the issue as it affects workers on a farm in Prince Edwards Island, Canada.





Harry in a Facebook post on Monday 3rd, invited Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar to contact him concerning information he was getting about Vincentian famers, or face the humiliation from what he was about to post.





Caesar never took up Harrys offer and the seafarer, cum activist, proceed to post images, accompanied by captions, of Vincentian farmers in dire conditions.





Among the captions which might provoked immediate response ion the social media platform: This is how our brothers are living on the farms in Canada; On emancipation day, God help us; and Vincentian farm workers in dire condition. Facebook users then began reacting and shared the posts.





Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves speaking on NBC Radio three days after Harrys post, said the Farm Workers Programme was going pretty well but there was a problem on at the Prince Edward Island.





According to the Prime Minister, in the first ever assignment of workers to Prince Edward Island, 63 farm workers were contracted - 30 from St. Lucia and 33 from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.





"On one of the farms where 18 Vincentians went, their accommodation clearly, from all the reports, did not meet the standard, Dr. Gonsalves admitted.





He alluded to an OECS Farm Workers Liaison Officer whose task included visited farms before and during contract periods.





He questioned why these workers were sent to a farm where the standard for the accommodation did not meet the minimum requirements.





In response, Cabinet authorized government paying for hotel accommodation for 18 affected Vincentian workers, until the employer remedied what was wrong.





Reports are that 3 workers confirmed that they will go to the hotel while the other 15 workers said that they will "make do for the next day or two.





Dr. Gonsalves assured that the owners of the farm had already started to do the necessary renovation/upgrading.





"The (OECS) Liaison Officer said to me 95 percent of the problems have been sorted out. There are one are two other things but not related to the accommodation. So I am pleased to report that there has been progress and to tell you what we did very promptly, said Dr. Gonsalves.





"If these corrections are not made, we will ask the workers if they want to come home, said the Prime Minister.





Last year, almost $13 million in net earnings were transferred to St. Vincent from the Farm Workers Programme, the Prime Minister disclosed.








- Kagendo disclosed that her marriage ended after six months after dating for five years with her man

- According to the pretty momma, she blamed herself for the divorce considering that she had seen all the red flags in their five years of dating

- She also disclosed that on their wedding day, her ex-hubby showed up late and was on his phone the entire time

- Determined to make her marriage work, the mother of one said she hacked her then hubby's phone and would see all the messages from his other women

Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

The institution of marriage of late has become something that most people fear to get into following the many divorce cases in Kenya and in the world.

Many people have told their separation stories and from the look of it, they all have one or two things in common and for Gladys Kagendo, she is not ashamed to boldly tell of how her marriage failed.

Gladys Kagendo revealed that her marriage ended after six months. Photo: Gladys Kagendo.

Source: Facebook

Speaking during an interview with Betty Bayo, Kagendo revealed that her marriage which she termed as her own Afrosinema ended after six months, something that she blames herself for.

The gorgeous woman disclosed that there were so many red flags from the word go but she was blinded by love.

"We dated for five years and in 2017, he proposed marriage. We wedded on July 8, 2017, and on that day, I got a chance to be carried by the only Range Rover in Embu. We spent close to KSh 500,000 and at the time I was eight months pregnant. This is when I stopped watching Afrosinema after shooting my own," said Kagendo.

Kagendo said she blames herself for the divorce since she saw all the red flags. Photo: Gladys Kagendo.

Source: Facebook

According to the 29-year-old woman, her ex-husband would cheat even when they were dating but she would forgive and accept him back.

She disclosed that on their wedding day, he showed up late and since she was determined to get married, they proceeded with the ceremony.

"On our wedding day, he showed up late. After reciting our vows, we went to our seats and the entire time he was on his phone chatting. When we went for the bridal photoshoot, he would not concentrate and I asked our best couple to take me home. They confiscated his phone and while at it, I knew I was done," Kagendo added.

The beauty revealed that she had hacked her ex-hubby's phone. Photo: Gladys Kagendo.

Source: Facebook

The pretty momma revealed that in a bid to try and make everything work, she hacked her then husband's phones and would get all the messages from his side chicks.

She also advised women to never hack their men's phone unless they have shock absorbers to take in whatever things they will find.

"I had hacked his phone. You know all those apps like Whatsapp and Facebook. He would be seated on his seat chatting and I would also read all the messages from my phone. I could not reply because I did not want to be caught. I advise women to never hack their partners' phones unless they have shock absorbers on," said Kagendo.

Kagendo disclosed that they dated for five years and said I do in 2017. Photo: Gladys Kagendo.

Source: Facebook

John Mahama can create 1 million jobs in 8 years" - Sam George:

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Source: YEN.com.gh
The Minority in Parliament is challenging claim by Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia that the introduction of Mobile Money Interoperability has created bank accounts for over 15 million Ghanaians.

Dr Bawumia said at an event in Accra that his promise of a bank account for every Ghanaian during the 2016 elections has been partly fulfilled with the Interoperability platform.

But addressing the media in parliament, MP for Ningo Prampram and a member of the Communications Committee Sam George said the claim of the Vice President is untenable.

According to him, aside the fact that people have multiple mobile money accounts, subscribers could still transfer money across networks and banks even before the Akufo- Addo administration took office.

"Let us state for the records that mobile money and its concept was introduced 11 years ago by MTN at that time Dr Bawumia was not Vice President. Yesterday Dr Bawumia made erroneous claims, one of such claims is that we now have 15 million people operating mobile money accounts. What he fails to note is that one individual can have multiple mobile money accounts so when he sees that we have 15 million accounts it does not mean that 15 million Ghanaians have mobile money accounts.

Again the claim that interoperability is the reason why there is 15 million accounts is false because before interoperability came, you could still send money through the token process, the Ningo Prampram MP said.

---starrfmonline
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:43:56|Editor: huaxia

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VILNIUS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met with his visiting Estonian counterpart Kersti Kaljulaid here on Friday to explore bilateral economic cooperation, according to a press release from the presidency.

According to Nauseda, the growing volume of trade between Lithuania and Estonia shows a positive trend that should be maintained, especially in the context of the effects of the coronavirus.

Noting that Lithuania and Estonia are leading in the fintech sector, the president presented the Estonian leader with the world's first digital collector coin LBCOIN issued by Lithuania's central bank on July 23.

The two leaders also agreed on the need to accelerate the process of synchronization with continental Europe which would become the basis for energy independence for the Baltic states.

Estonia promised to implement the project as soon as possible, preferably by 2025, in parallel with the construction of the HarmonyLink, according to the release.

During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged their views on a wide range of issues, including the political agendas of the EU, the Eastern Partnership and the Three Seas Initiative. Enditem
The motion of confidence moved by the Congress government was passed by voice vote

The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government won the confidence vote in the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday, ending the threat triggered by a rebellion within the Congress ranks in the state.

The motion of confidence moved by the Congress government was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

Replying to the debate on the motion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government.

"I will not let the government topple at any cost even if you make all attempts," he said.

During the debate, the opposition BJP accused the Gehlot camp of blaming it for the infighting within the Congress.

Sachin Pilot, who was sacked as deputy chief minister after he rebelled against Gehlot, intervened in the debate, saying he would fight for the party.

After winning the trust vote, Gehlot tweeted a veiled message for the BJP, saying that his victory is a message against those trying to destabilise state governments ruled by the Opposition.
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(Natural News) As the US-centralized empires slow-motion third world war against unabsorbed governments continues to accelerate, narrative management campaigns are getting more and more frenzied. We see this exemplified in two recent smear pieces published by imperial spinmeisters about critics of the establishment-authorized narratives about whats happening in China.

(Article republished from CaitlinJohnstone.com)

The oligarch-funded Axios has published a new article titled The American blog pushing Xinjiang denialism about the alternative media outlet The Grayzone.

The articles author Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian makes flaccid guilt-by-association arguments about the fact that Chinese officials have cited Grayzone articles in the past, suggesting that this is a classic Russian disinformation tactic in which naughty governments use western voices to bolster their claims. She cites the fact that a Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee condemned the outlet as though thats an argument, and she bemoans the fact that Grayzone has been attempting to discredit Adrian Zenz, a researcher whose work has helped uncover the existence and scale of mass internment camps in Xinjiang.

Missing entirely from the article, conspicuously, is any argument or evidence that The Grayzone has ever published any false information. About Xinjiang, or about anything else.

This neocon hack was unable to challenge a single fact we printed, so she got the Republican co-chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to denounce us. Our factual journalism exposing official Cold War propaganda is making an impact and threatening some powerful interests! https://t.co/CvdTubhwhP  Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) August 11, 2020

Grayzones Ben Norton wrote this past June that in its more than four years of existence, including its first two years hosted at the website AlterNet The Grayzone has never had to issue a major correction or retract a story.

I am not citing Norton because I think taking the outlets word for it is a valid argument, Im citing him because Ive never seen a shred of evidence that what he said is false, and neither have you. There is so much spin going into discrediting The Grayzone at this point that we may rest assured that if it had ever been caught reporting something untrue, establishment narrative managers would have made damn sure we all knew about it.

But they havent, because they cant. All theyve been able to do is argue that The Grayzone reports things that other media outlets do not report, which are not in alignment with the approved viewpoint of the United States government. Which is to say, all they can argue is that The Grayzone is doing journalism.

In fact, if you believe as I do that journalisms first and foremost function is to hold your government to account with the light of truth, you can easily make the argument that The Grayzone has published more real journalism just this year than all corporate media like Axios have put out this millennium. The outlets original reporting on the OPCW scandal and coverage of the US regime change operations in Nicaragua along with critical journalism on the persecution of Julian Assange, Venezuela, Bolivia, Syria, Russia, China and other unabsorbed governments, all just in the last few months, leave other publications far behind.

To say that this critical reporting shouldnt be happening is to say that journalism shouldnt be happening. Its saying that only the narratives approved by the US State Department and ODNI should be reported, narratives which all happen to facilitate the geostrategic agendas of the United States. Its saying that narratives which grease the wheels for war, regime change and military expansionism should be swallowed uncritically and receive no pushback of any kind. Its saying that we still have the exact same mainstream media environment we had in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq.

Read more at: CaitlinJohnstone.com
Pipeline

14 August 2020

After running its first Gran Melia hotel in Xi'an for 5 years, the leading Spanish hotel group Melia Hotels International now expands its Gran Melia brand portfolio to Chengdu in China.

This autumn, the luxury urban resort hotel Gran Melia Chengdu will be open to the public. The opening of Gran Melia Chengdu is expected to set the new industry benchmark for luxury resort hotels in the local market and to become the selected travel choice for business elites and leisure tourists.

Gran Melia Chengdu is located in the new centre within the south of the city, covering an area of 28,300 square meters. The location offers a unique perspective as the hotel is next to the Jincheng Lake, adjacent to Global Centre, Financial City, Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Railway Station, and within easy reach of various famous scenic spots in Chengdu.

The hotel consists of seven separate mansions which are inspired by Chinese traditional Shu-Han culture, courtyard design of classical architecture, and surrounded by green lush plants. It is an urban resort hotel with perfect integration of historical culture essence and luxury modern element. The hotel is comprised of 265 rooms and suites ranging from 50 to 270 square meters.

Guests can enjoy a superior food-tasting journey in Gran Melia Chengdu. The hotel hosts All-Day Dining Restaurant Vista Cafe, Rong Palace Chinese Restaurant, Gran Via Spanish Restaurant, Flora Lobby Bar and El Patio Lounge.

The hotel has over 3,500 square meters in banquet and conference space including one grand ballroom, one multifunction hall, three VIP halls, and 12 conference rooms that merge both magnificence in space and majesty in ambiance.

The spa and fitness centre is the first choice for guests seeking leisure and relaxation, providing the ultimate comfort, in an atmosphere of fragrance and gentle music. Besides, the hotel's indoor constant temperature swimming pool with underfloor heating and ozone disinfection system, and the latest fitness equipment can help the guests unleash their power to reclaim vital health.
US President Donald Trump has stoked false claims that Democratic vice-presidential contender Kamala Harris is ineligible to hold that office because her parents were foreign born.

The claims about Harris -- who was born in the United States, making her constitutionally eligible to be both vice president and president -- echo a baseless theory that Trump long promoted about his predecessor Barack Obama.

"I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements," Trump said at a White House news conference on Thursday, referring to an August 12 opinion piece in Newsweek.

The article by conservative law professor John Eastman says that "before we so cavalierly accept Senator Harris' eligibility for the office of vice president, we should ask her a few questions about the status of her parents at the time of her birth."

Trump said that Eastman, of Chapman University "is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right."

Eastman was also an unsuccessful Republican challenger, losing in the primary for the 2010 California attorney general's election won by Harris, who served in that post before becoming a US senator.

Harris, 55, was born in Oakland, California to a mother from India and a father from Jamaica. She is the first black woman and woman of South Asian heritage to be granted the honor of a place on the ticket of a major US party.

Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden, 77, who on Tuesday named Harris as his running mate, blasted Trump's rhetoric Friday, with his campaign calling the false claim "abhorrent."

- A historic choice -

Eastman's article followed claims shared thousands of times on Facebook that Harris could not become president because her parents hailed from abroad.

Article 2, Section 1 of the US Constitution says that "no person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States" shall be eligible for the presidency. They must also be at least 35 years old.

Story continues

And Section 2 of the 14th Amendment says that: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

Under that clause and an 1898 Supreme Court ruling, "anyone born on US soil and subject to its jurisdiction is a natural born citizen, regardless of parental citizenship," Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute says.

Harris could not become vice president if she failed to meet requirements for the presidency.

David A. Super, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law and Economics at the Georgetown University Law Center, said that "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States," according to the 12th Amendment to the Constitution.

This means, Super said in an email to AFP, that "someone who is not a native-born US citizen, or someone who is not 35 years old, could not take office as vice president."

As Trump parlayed his TV fame into a political career, he adopted and promoted the "birther" lie that Obama, America's first black president, was not born in the United States.

Obama was born in Hawaii to a Kenyan father and a white American mother. Trump grudgingly acknowledged late in his 2016 presidential campaign that Obama was American-born.

Since then, Trump has faced accusations of racism, and has embraced other conspiracies.

Polls show him losing the November vote.

On Wednesday, he praised Georgia Republican congressional candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene, a follower of the QAnon conspiracy theory who has called white men the most oppressed group in America.

bur-st/mtp
A developer can proceed with plans to found a daycare for 80 children in a historic building in Cabbagetown, a Toronto Local Appeal Body panel has ruled.

While the daycare had some neighbourhood support, numerous local residents, including former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall, had opposed it on the grounds that the daycare would be too large and would create too much traffic, altering the character of the downtown heritage neighbourhood.

Stanley Makuch, the panel chair of the local TLAB, disagreed.

This proposal provides an opportunity for a reuse that benefits and supports heritage conservation, Makuch wrote in his decision, released Thursday.

Makuch said that under the proposal, the historic building would be maintained and the citys own Official Plan specifically states that the quality of downtown is improved by preserving and strengthening the range and quality of community services and local institutions for residents.

He dismissed concerns that creating an outdoor playground for children would negatively affect the area.

Children playing as opposed to plants growing is not necessarily a significantly adverse result, wrote Makuch.

He described the variances, which included landscaping and parking variances, as minor and ruled they should be granted on an interim basis.

The historically designated building is a Victorian era semi-detached, at 459 and 461 Sackville St., at the corner of Amelia Street. A city committee of adjustment had previously refused to permit variances that would have allowed a daycare to open in the space.

It was appealed to the TLAB, which is made up of locally appointed members who makes decisions about local planning matters affecting Toronto neighbourhoods.

The man behind the daycare project, Robert Ulicki, the sole owner of Clareste Wealth Management Inc., appealed, and on Thursday, claimed victory. He said he decided to work on getting a daycare into the building after a neighbourhood woman said one was needed in the area.

Residents were concerned about the noise and traffic in the morning and afternoon when children were being dropped off and picked up. They were also concerned the additional traffic would make it more difficult for them to find parking in their neighbourhood, and that with a capacity of 80 children, the daycare would bring too much intensification to the area.

Ulicki said he persisted despite community opposition because he has two grown daughters who care about issues affecting women, including child care for mothers in the workplace.

It resonated with my daughters, so I was stubborn enough to pursue it, said Ulicki.

A spokesperson for the Cabbagetown Residents Association said the board would have to review the TLAB decision order before providing comment. Hall could not be reached for comment.

Ulicki said it is now up to whoever decides to run the daycare to seek the remaining approvals, including a licence from the province. He intends to act as a silent partner or landlord.

I will source a daycare partner. I myself do not have interest in managing a daycare. Thats not a skill set I want to learn at this age in my life, said Ulicki, who is in his 50s.

Makuch approved the variances on an interim basis, and gave Ulicki a year to get approvals for street parking, a site plan and provincial licensing for the daycare  which comes with its own set of requirements.

Makuch noted in his decision that a great deal of evidence was presented at the hearing, including evidence from three traffic engineers, two planners, a mathematician and the evidence of approximately 60 residents, both parties and participants.
5 Kamala Harris controversies: Extramarital affair, pro-life raid and Knights of Columbus criticism

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Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced Tuesday that Sen. Kamala Harris of California would be his vice presidential running mate.

Fulfilling an earlier campaign promise to have a minority female running mate, the former vice president took to his official Twitter handle to make the announcement.

I have the great honor to announce that Ive picked @KamalaHarris  a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the countrys finest public servants  as my running mate, tweeted Biden.

Harris had previously been a fierce critic of Biden, taking him to task during a Democratic primary debate over his past opposition to federally mandated busing to desegregate schools.

A former district attorney of San Francisco and later the attorney general of California, Harris public career has not been without its controversies, especially as she garnered national attention.

Here are five controversies surrounding Harris. They include some of her decisions as attorney general of California, the questioning of a judicial appointee, and a lawsuit filed by a high-profile pro-life activist.

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DECATUR  They're back.

It was the best first day ever, said Oliver Friel, a third-grader at St. Patrick Catholic School in Decatur.

St. Patrick staff and administration welcomed the students back to school on Friday for the 2020-2021 school year.

The school has sat empty for five months due to coronavirus restrictions. Principal Nick Blackburn was just as excited as the students for the first day.

Its been great to get life back into the school, he said. Its been about as smooth as a first day can go.

The principal credits the staff and parents for the easy day. The students helped the day go smoothly as well. Kids have been wearing their masks with nearly no problems at all, Blackburn said.

St. Patrick students range in grades from 3-year-old preschoolers to eighth grade. All were required to wear their masks. The students also wear school uniforms, except for their masks. As long as it was school appropriate, they could wear it, Blackburn said.

Face coverings are only part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for keeping COVID-19 under control. St. Patrick teachers cleaned desks when the students were not in the classroom. However, the students remained in the classroom as much as possible. Desks have been positioned 6 feet apart. As a high traffic area, the main lobby is disinfected on a regular basis and after crowds have passed through. And at the end of the day well give it a nice deep cleaning, Blackburn said.

Various local school districts, including Decatur and Warrensburg-Latham, have opted for remote learning. Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered schools closed in March to rein in the widening COVID pandemic. As part of the Restore Illinois reopening plan, schools determine whether to have in-person or virtual learning.

Traci Friel enrolled her son Oliver and his fourth-grade brother Finnegan in St. Patrick. They were excited to see their friends, she said about the first day.

Friel is also a teacher at St. Teresa High School, teaching health, conditioning, nutrition and kinesiology. My anxiety level was high for numerous reasons, she said. But its all COVID (related).

This year brought challenges to the staff, even experienced teachers such as Friel. I felt unorganized because of everything else we had to be aware of, she said. Social distancing, masking, it was no longer just educate the kids. It was make sure the masks are above noses, make sure theyre not close.

Debra Kelm waited outside St. Patrick for her grandsons, Jorden Taylor, 9, and Jackson Taylor, 6. They were excited and a little apprehensive, she said.

This was the first year at St. Patrick for the Taylor brothers. They need the structure, Kelm said about the boys education.

Since the schools closed their doors in March, the family found the boys needed to be in a classroom environment, their grandmother said. It was like pulling teeth, she said.

Their cousin Levi Canary, 8, wanted to join the boys at St. Patrick school. I want to go back, he said.

Levi will be in the third grade at Dennis School. However, he is not looking forward to the remote learning. I miss school, he said. I want to go back to second grade. It was a lot easier.

The St. Patrick principal said he spent much of the first day greeting the students. You can tell they have smiles on their faces, he said. Theres no drooping.

Although the day was a success, the staff did have one problem. Hugs have been an issue, Blackburn said. Its hard to tell a kid no.

Class is in: These former Decatur school buildings are still in use

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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And also: Where were you on Aug. 14, 1945, when you heard Japan had surrendered?

For Americans of that generation, those two moments, separated by three and a half years, would never be forgotten.

The first, on Dec. 7, marked when everybodys life changed  where the war that had been someone elses problem became ours as well.

With the second, which ended the war, it was time to start again, resume the lives wed been forced to put on hold.

That was the challenge with V-J Day. After all the world had been through, how exactly does one do that  pick up and go on?

For some at least  the couples and families lucky enough to be reunited  it probably looked a lot like the Bacons.

I asked Bessie, who sat in on our interview, how she felt when she read Kenneths proposal letter.

It sounded all right to me, she said.

Two months after he got home, they exchanged vows.
The evening of February 24, 2017, is a night Robin Edwards isnt going to forget.

My wife and I got a phone call just before midnight that everyone dreads, Edwards told Niagara regional council Thursday. Our daughter was being rushed from Niagara to Hamilton hospital, and to go there.

A drunk driver had gone through a stop sign at the corner of Mountain and Taylor roads.

Edwards recounted the agonizing hours he and his wife endured at his daughter Jessicas bedside while awaiting an operation to remove her organs for donation.

Six months later Robert and Cheryl Pieroways daughter was killed by a drunk driver at Montrose and Biggar roads. In just six months, drunk drivers killed two innocent young women on Niagara roads.

A different MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) sign warning drivers about the potential consequences of drinking and driving was approved for five years, for the corner of Montrose and Biggar roads by Niagara Falls.

Mountain and Taylor roads, however, are regional roads and Region staff is reviewing its signage policy. Staff recommended council approve the sign for two years until the new policy is in place.

The public works committee agreed to allow the sign for two years, but that didnt sit well with St. Catharines Coun. Laura Ip.

When it came to a vote Thursday, the full council overruled the committee and extended the exception for five years. The Region doesnt have to pay for the signs; private fundraising covers the cost.

Ip said if there are changes in the Regions recommendation, the sign at Taylor and Mountain roads can be grandfathered into the regulations.

Other municipalities in the province have have had similar requests for MADD signage. York, Toronto and Durham wont accept the signs. The 407 ETR allows them for six months. Peel Region allows them for a year. Hamilton is in the same position as Niagara  working on a new set of rules.

The staff report said the new policy will likely place some limits on nonregulatory signs on regional roads because they can be a distraction to drivers.

Staff recommended a one-time, two-year exemption. Edwards said the MADD signs encourage safe driving practices and are in alignment with the thrust of regional policy, which encourages safe driving.

Every holiday is a reminder of what we have lost, Edwards said. I dont want any family to go through this again. If this sign changes peoples perspective, it might just save lives.
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Walking around or standing while working all day can be tasking on the feet, but taking care of them can improve blood circulation along with many other health benefits. While investing in some shoe alternatives can be READ THE REST
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul / Yonhap



By Lee Hyo-sik



The Supreme Prosecutors' Office has rejected a recent proposal made by the Ministry of Justice to reorganize the prosecution, a move certain to deepen the ongoing rift between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, according to legal circles Friday.



The highest prosecutors' office reportedly informed the ministry of its stance on the controversial proposal, which Yoon's supporters argue is largely designed to weaken the power of the top prosecutor, saying "It needs to be carefully reviewed." The office also reportedly pointed out "flaws" in the overhaul plan and conveyed its own suggestions.



The plan centers on abolishing four senior positions at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, whose roles are to collect information on potential criminal activities and coordinate investigations conducted by regional offices for the top prosecutor.



Since Tuesday when the ministry made the scheme public, a number of prosecutors have publicly issued protests, claiming it solely aims to reduce Yoon's authority.






Fishing along Gannons Narrows Bridge has been an issue this year, according to the Trent Lakes Mayor Janet Clarkson.

While she doesnt have the authority to ban people from fishing there, Clarkson said she would have done at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic if she could have.

Some people who have been visiting the bridge are both urinating and defecating, as well as leaving litter behind, Clarkson said.

Parking congestion is another concern, she said.

Were in the process of doing some serious bylaw changes along with the county, so hopefully next year we will have the ability to ticket these cars that illegally park, she said.

Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones said Douro-Dummer Township has been experiencing similar issues at Youngs Point and Stoney Lake and as a result, have had to ban people from fishing in those areas too.

Theres no social distancing and things of that nature. Unfortunately, because of few people that dont want to do things safely, everyone has to suffer, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 01:49:33|Editor: huaxia

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GAZA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior Palestinian official warned on Friday that closure of the sole Israeli-controlled commercial crossing point of Kerem Shalon is threatening 400 factories in the Gaza Strip.

Sami al-Amassi, president of the General Federation of the Palestinian Trade Union, said in a press statement that his union warns of the repercussions of the closure.

He said that Israel has closed the commercial crossing in the southern Gaza Strip and banned the shipment of construction materials and fuels. This caused paralysis in the construction industries and public transport sectors.

He noted the paralysis would indirectly cause harm to more than 40,000 workers who work in construction and metal industries.

In response to launching dozens of arson balloons, which carry explosives, Israel tightened the blockade it has been imposing on the Gaza Strip since 2007.

The Israeli authorities also cut fishing range off the Gaza Strip coast from 15 nautical miles to 8 miles. Israeli warplanes and artilleries carried out attacks on militants' facilities and posts.

"This is a collective punishment because the commercial crossing point is the main artery for life in the Gaza Strip, mainly the labor sector," al-Amassi said, adding that around 150,000 workers are part of this sector. Enditem
A fascination for robotics



and technology has pushed students of a Zilla Parishad-run school in a remote village of Maharashtra's district to learn Japanese.

Gadiwat village, located 25km from city, may not have access to good roads and other necessary infrastructure, but Internet connectivity has proven to be a boon for children studying at the local Zilla Parishad school.

In September last year, the government-run school decided to launch a foreign language programme, under which students from Classes 4 to 8 were asked to choose a language they would like to learn.

"Surprisingly, most of them said they were interested in robotics and technology and were keen to learn Japanese," Dadasaheb Navpute, a secondary teacher at the school, told PTI.

Despite having no proper course material and professional guidance for teaching Japanese, the school administration managed to gather information from videos and translation applications on the Internet, he said.

However, the school has now roped in Sunil Jogdeo, an Aurangabad-based language expert, who has been conducting Japanese classes for free.

On learning about the initiative, Jogdeo approached the school with a plan to conduct hour-long evening classes virtually.

"I have conducted 20 to 22 sessions since July. Children are dedicated and eager to learn. It is amazing how much they have picked up in this short span," Jogdeo said.

Since every student does not have access to a smartphone for the online classes, the school has come up with the concept of 'vishay mitra' (subject friend), under which children who attend the sessions can teach their classmates.

"Ever since the online classes with Jogdeo started in July, children have been speaking with each other in Japanese," school headmaster Padmakar Huljute said with delight.

The success of the programme is evident when Vaishnavi Kolge, daughter of a farmer-couple, rattles off complete sentences in Japanese to introduce herself.

"We first learnt some basic words and now we are gradually learning how to communicate in complete sentences," the Class 8 student said.

Meanwhile, education extension officer of Zilla Parishad Ramesh Thakur said there were more than 350 students at the school, of which 70 have been learning Japanese.

The initiative was an attempt to give international standard education to children, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 11:40:28|Editor: huaxia

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SUVA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama ensured on Friday that his government can't let coronavirus win and will continue to help stimulate the island nation's economy wherever possible.

With the Fijian economy slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the society in a struggle for its health, it is up to the Fijian government to be the locomotive that the island nation going, he said, adding that with the 2020/2021 budget, the main focus was to create jobs through public works for Fijians, and millions of dollars that can circulate through the Fijian economy.

Building and creating jobs is also necessary, and Fiji will move forward wherever it can, and come out of this dark period stronger than ever, the prime minister said.

The COVID-19 has had serious impact on the Fijian economy which is expected to contract by 21.7 percent this year. A lot of people, most of whom come from the island nation's tourism industry, have lost their jobs.

He said that the nationwide curfew from March 30 this year and closing its border was two of the most difficult decisions the Fijian government had to make, but this was necessary.

Meanwhile, Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that it has been working closely with its diplomatic partners to coordinate flights to repatriate Fijians stranded abroad.

In collaboration with the Fijian government, Ministry of Health, Department of Immigration and other stakeholders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has managed the safe return of 4,000 Fijian nationals.

Fiji has reported a total of 28 COVID-19 cases since March 19 when the island nation recorded its first confirmed case.

After some of them have fully recovered from the virus and one died from COVID-19, Fiji currently reports seven active cases and all of them are now in stable condition. Enditem
The Department of Agriculture is investigating footage uploaded to social media that appears to show Australian sheep being mistreated by Jordanian sellers ahead of the Eid festival.

Footage taken by local investigators for Animals Australia as well as market sellers at 10 sites across Jordan shows sheep with Australian national livestock identification ear tags being forced to jump off the backs of trucks, dragged by one leg and bundled into cars for home slaughter, which is banned under animal welfare rules.

The Australian government banned the shipping of live sheep to the Middle East between June and September. Credit:Jason South

Perth-based exporter Livestock Shipping Services (LSS), which has been found in breach of sheep exporting rules 27 times since 2013, has claimed responsibility for shipping at least some of the sheep.

In a statement issued through the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, LSS said it had become aware of a "loss of control" within the Jordan sheep supply chain three days before the start of Eid in late July and reported it to the Agriculture Department.
The technology group Feintool recorded a significant decline in sales in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the previous year, sales fell by 36 percent to CHF 212 million. This resulted in an EBIT loss of CHF 18 million. Feintool is minimizing the economic impact of the pandemic by implementing actions such as cost cuts, postponing capital expenditures, short-time work schedules and staffing reductions, and strengthening the group's liquidity. From today's perspective, Feintool expects slightly higher sales and significantly improved profitability in the second half of the year.

The Feintool Group generated net sales of CHF 212.3 million in the first half of 2020. The System Parts segment's parts business shrank by 34.0% to CHF 197.5 million in the reporting period. Sales in the Fineblanking Technology segment fell by 47.0% to CHF 22.9 million. EBITDA fell by CHF 26.8 million, equal to three-quarters, down to CHF 8.0 million. Due to the high level of depreciation and amortization, Feintool posted negative operating earnings (EBIT) of CHF -17.4 million in the first half of 2020. This corresponds to a decline of CHF 28.0 million. The slump in sales - caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - had a significant negative impact on both segments.

In the Fineblanking Technology segment, significantly lower sales ultimately resulted in an operating loss (EBIT) of CHF 3.6 million. In this context, Feintool continued to invest heavily in research and development as an investment in the future. The System Parts segment also suffered an EBIT loss in the first half of the year. Operating earnings fell significantly by CHF 21.6 million to CHF -9.3 million.

Due to the considerable uncertainties that remain in place regarding the extent of the pandemic and the high volatility of demand, it is currently not possible to conclusively predict the overall impact on sales and earnings for the full year 2020.

Crisis management measures

These developments are having a corresponding impact on Feintool's planning and staffing levels. In this context, the group implemented different measures depending on the region and country. In Europe, all plants and key departments have been on short-time work schedules since April. The size of the workforce will decline this year due to employee turnover.

In the United States, a large part of the workforce was furloughed in the spring in accordance with the labor market regulations in effect there. As the plants are now seeing signs that the order situation is recovering, a large portion of the workforce has been called back in to work. In China, the number of employees is actually going to increase due to the launch of new products.

In addition to HR measures, various actions were taken to further cut costs. For example, selected capital expenditures were stopped or postponed to a later date, available production capacities were used to insource manufacturing processes, and the company also optimized its inventories of raw materials and products. Cost management has led to significant savings at all plants without jeopardizing the group's ability to ship its products. In general, however, the same thing applies in this regard as well: Feintool is facing different conditions and market trends in the various regions and has introduced different measures accordingly.

Looking toward the future with optimism

Despite the current uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and the crisis in the automotive market, Feintool is optimistic about the future. In recent months, Feintool has stepped up its involvement in the megatrend of e-mobility with its mainstay of electro lamination stamping in Germany and China. This should put Feintool in the right position for the expected development in this drive technology, enabling it to benefit from the predicted global growth in e-mobility over the next few years. For the hybrid drive market segment, which is also global, the volume of orders, especially in Europe and China, has risen significantly in recent months and is expected to increase further in the second half of the year. In the medium to long term, significant global growth is also expected in this market segment. We are also encouraged by the fact that in the first six months we have won projects for existing and new customers in the automotive industry in all regions of the world and that significant new product start-ups in the areas of fine blanking and forming are pending.

In general, due to our long-term and sustainable strategy, we expect our position in the European, US and Asian markets to strengthen further, especially in the coming months. In addition, despite all the measures taken to contain the COVID-19 crisis, we are continuing to pursue forward-looking development projects. For example, we believe the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells holds great potential.

We are confident and optimistic that we are well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in the coming months. Feintool has healthy liquidity and is financially well secured. We have concluded a new credit agreement with our principal banks in Switzerland and Germany which will ensure our operational and financial flexibility in the current challenging environment.

Thanks to its broad technological base and numerous attractive projects, Feintool can now take advantage of the opportunities arising in the future from new drive technologies for vehicles. This area of focus is key to our future strategic development.

Changes to the executive board

Feintool CFO Thomas Bogli will retire next year and leave the company at the Annual General Meeting in April 2021. His successor will be Samuel Kunzli. The 35-year-old, who is originally from Eastern Switzerland, holds a Swiss Federal diploma in auditing and most recently worked for Stadler in Bussnang as Swiss Division CFO.

Guidance

Due to the considerable uncertainties that remain in place regarding the extent of the pandemic and given the high volatility of demand, it is not currently possible to conclusively predict the overall impact on sales and earnings for the full year 2020. From today's perspective, Feintool expects slightly higher sales in the second half of

the year and significantly improved profitability thanks to the cost-cutting measures the company has implemented.

Overview of key financial indicators

January 1 to June 30, 2020 January 1 to June 30, 2019 Change Change in local in CHF million in CHF million in % currency in % Net sales Feintool Group 212.3 331.9 -36 -33.3 - Fineblanking Technology segment 22.9 43.2 -47 -46.8 - System Parts segment 197.5 299.4 -34 -31 EBITDA 8 34.8 -77 -75 Operating earnings (EBIT) -17.4 10.5 -265.3 -269.2 - Fineblanking Technology segment -3.6 1.2 -389.3 -389.7 - System Parts segment -9.3 12.3 -175.8 -179.2 Group result -17.5 4.7 -476.1 -509.1 Free Cashflow -19 -4.9 -287.8 Orders received - capital goods 11.8 27 -56.2 -56 Orders backlog - capital goods 12.3 23.8 -48.2 -48.1 30.06.2020 31.12.2019 Change Change in local in CHF million in CHF million in % currency in % Total assets 686.1 706.3 -2.9 Shareholder's equity 282.8 309.9 -8.7 Net debt 162.5 140.8 15.4 Employees 2 363 2 641 -10.5 Apprentices 78 91 -14.3

Feintool's 2020 half-year report can be found at https://www.feintool.com/en/company/investor-relations/

About Feintool



Feintool is an internationally active technology and market leader in the field of fineblanking. This technology is characterized by cost-effectiveness, highest quality and productivity. As a driver of innovation, we continually expand the horizons of fineblanking and develop intelligent solutions to meet the requirements of our customers: either fineblanking systems with innovative tools or the complete production of precise fineblanked, formed and stamped electro lamination components in high outputs for demanding industrial applications. The processes used support the trends in the automotive industry. Feintool acts as a project and development partner in the areas of lightweight construction/sustainability, module variations/platforms and alternative drive concepts such as hybrid and electric drives. The company, founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland, owns its production plants and technology centers in Europe, the United States, China and Japan, always making sure to be geographically close to its customers. Around 2,600 employees and over 80 trainees work worldwide on new solutions and create key advantages for Feintool customers.

Feintool International Holding AG

Industriering 8

3250 Lyss

Schweiz



Media spokesperson

Karin Labhart

Phone +41-32-387-5157

Mobile +41-79-609-2202

karin.labhart@feintool.com

www.feintool.com

The press release can be downloaded from the following link:

Press Release (PDF)
Huawei Technologies Co.s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is seeking access to hundreds of confidential documents pertaining to her arrest by Canadian authorities as her next round of extradition hearings in Vancouver kicks off Monday.

Meng has been pressing for additional disclosure about the circumstances of her arrest at Vancouvers airport on a U.S. handover request in December 2018. She argues her arrest was unlawful and that the extradition request should be dismissed.

Meng claims there was an abuse of process during her arrest, accusing border agents, police and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation of unlawfully using the pretext of an immigration check to get her to disclose evidence they could use against her. Border agents have said that they shared in error her device passwords with police. Those abuses are serious enough to warrant a stay of extradition proceedings, Meng says.

In February, Canadas Attorney General provided some 400 documents to her lawyers, half of which were either partially or wholly redacted, along with a list of others that were withheld entirely. The government claims that divulging them would violate confidentiality agreements with clients and third parties. Meng has challenged the redactions as irrelevant and obstructionist.

Five days of hearings are scheduled at the Supreme Court of British Columbia during which Meng will seek an order that would force the government to provide additional disclosure. Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes is likely to issue a decision by Oct. 2, according to a hearing schedule approved earlier by the court.

Separately, at a federal court in Ottawa, Meng is challenging Canadas decision to withhold on national security grounds documents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that detail the role the FBI played in her arrest.

Meng accused Canada of co-ordinated state misconduct, saying police, border officials and the FBI worked together in secret as authorities questioned her for hours and obtained passwords to her electronic devices before formally charging her. The U.S. seeks Mengs handover to face charges that she conspired to defraud banks, including HSBC Holdings Plc., by tricking them into violating sanctions against Iran.

The arrest of Meng, 48, the eldest daughter of Huaweis billionaire founder Ren Zhengfei, has plunged Canada-China relations into their darkest period in decades. Following her arrest, China jailed two Canadians  Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig  on espionage charges, halted billions of dollars in Canadian imports, and put four other Canadians on death row.

Read more about:
Camila Mendes stepped out with some friends to grab a few beverages on a sunny afternoon.

The 26-year-old Riverdale star cut a casual figure as she was spotted stepping out with beverages in West Hollywood on Thursday.

The actress stayed safe by wearing a face mask covering her mouth and nose, though her friend, who may be her boyfriend Grayson Vaughan, was not wearing a mask.

Camila steps out: Camila Mendes stepped out with some friends to grab a few beverages on a sunny afternoon

Mendes stepped out wearing a stylish grey top that slightly exposed her midriff along with a pair of short black denim shorts.

She was holding her phone while walking with her boyfriend, staying safe with a yellow plaid face mask covering her mouth and nose.

She also rocked a silver necklace with a 'Camila' name plate, with a black purse slung over her shoulder and black slides.

Camila's look: Mendes stepped out wearing a stylish grey top that slightly exposed her midriff along with a pair of short black denim shorts

Vaughan was wearing a black t-shirt with a retro Bernie Sanders logo on the front, while carrying a beverage.

He also rocked a pair of black shorts and white sneakers while he had a black face mask tucked under his chin.

Mendes and Vaughan were first spotted together in May, six months after Mendes broke up with her Riverdale co-star Charles Melton after a year of dating in December.

Spotted: Mendes and Vaughan were first spotted together in May, six months after Mendes broke up with her Riverdale co-star Charles Melton after a year of dating in December

The actress had just graduated from the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts when she was cast in Riverdale in 2016.

Mendes had graduated alongside Cole Sprouse, who was cast as Jughead on the hit CW series.

The show was picked up for a fifth season, though due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no word when filming may begin.

Riverdale: The actress had just graduated from the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts when she was cast in Riverdale in 2016

Aside from her work on Riverdale, Mendes starred in the critically-acclaimed Palm Springs, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.

Mendes plays Tala, the bride to Tyler Hoechlin's Abe in the comedy, which broke a record for the most ever paid for a Sundance acquisition at over $23 million.

The film was originally set for release in theaters, though its distribution deal with Neon, but it was released on Hulu in July.
Hamilton is receiving more than $800,000 in funding over the next four years for a plan to support people living with dementia and their communities.

The Hamilton Council on Aging will receive $810,471 to create and assess a plan for building dementia-friendly communities in Hamilton and Haldimand County. A dementia-friendly community is a place where people living with dementia are understood, respected and supported by others, and more importantly, able to contribute to community life, said a press release from the Hamilton Council on Aging.

The Public Health Agency of Canada announced Thursday more than $7.85 million will be spent over four years on 12 projects. The funding is through the governments Dementia Community Investment, which encourages individuals with personal experience with dementia to help develop, implement, and assess these projects.

The project will be an opportunity to have important conversations with people living with dementia and their caregivers, said Tracy Gibbs, Hamilton Council on Agings project manager of Empowering Dementia Friendly Communities, in an email.

The Hamilton Council on Aging began its project in March. Through a partnership with the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, the council is holding one-on-one interviews with people living with dementia and their caregivers by phone and video conference. The goal is to determine challenges faced by people living with dementia and their proposed solutions. The interviews are expected to be complete this month. The next step will be an online survey.

The dementia-friendly plan is expected to become a part of Hamiltons Age Friendly Plan, developed in 2014 in partnership with the council and seniors advisory committee. The plan examines the needs of older adults and seniors in Hamilton  a population expected to grow dramatically in future years. That plan is being updated to seek the perspectives and address concerns of more diverse groups.

Margaret Denton, vice-president of the Hamilton Council on Aging, said once complete, the dementia-friendly plan will be integrated into the renewed Age Friendly Plan. No one to our knowledge has done an integration of the two plans, she said in an interview.

According to projections from 2010 by researcher Dr. Robert W. Hopkins, Hamilton-Wentworth was expected to have more than 10,500 people aged 65 and over with dementia by 2020. By 2036, that number is expected to grow to nearly 18,000. In Haldimand-Norfolk, current estimates rest at just under 2,400. In 16 years, that number is projected to be more than 4,200.
Japan's film industry is about to make everyone's hearts ache through its upcoming tear-jerker "Your Eyes Tell."

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Japan remains unstoppable in releasing new movies for its avid fans. This year, it is slated to release another film that will make everyone grab their tissue boxes.

In mid-October in 2019, talks about the release of the "Your Eyes Tell" movie started to excite fans.

The film, with Japanese title "Kimi No Me Ga Toikakete Iru," stars "Ressha Sentai ToQger" actor Ryusei Yokohama and Yuriko Yoshitaka (who is famous for her role in "Hanako To Anne").



The cast also includes actresses Akane Sakanoue (Keiko Tsunomori), Jun Fubuki (Mieko Ooura), and Kanna Moriya (Maiko).

Moreover, Kyosuke Yabe (Jin Harada), Toru Nomaguchi (Takafumi Ozaki), Eita Okuno (Mitsuru Kuji), Hannya (Kanei), Ryosei Tayama (Chairman Ouchi), Yoshinori Okada (Susumu Sakamoto), and Keita Machida (Kyosuke Sakuma) also form part of the cast.

Gaga Corporation won the film's distribution rights, and it is set to release the movie on October 23, 2020. Although its international release date has not yet confirmed, Gaga is currently in talks to distribute it worldwide.

Before "Your Eyes Tell" finally breaks your heart, here are the reasons why you should brave your tears and watch it soon.

"Your Eyes Tell" Movie Is Not Your Ordinary Love Story

The "Your Eyes Tell" movie trailer shared a glimpse of the story of love, tragedy and fate between former kickboxer Rui and blind girl Kaori.

Like those usual love stories in the movies, the two fell in love, but tragedies and heartbreaks hit their lives. One can expect its ending to be cliche, but having Takahiro Miki as its director ensures that fans will get a satisfying ending.

"Your Eyes Tell" and BTS!

Aside from its plot, the movie is also gaining attention because of its OST.

On July 15, the Korean idol group Bangtan Sonyeondan (BTS) released their Japanese album titled "MAP OF THE SOUL :7 ~ THE JOURNEY." It includes the new song "Your Eyes Tell," which is the same title as the movie.

What made the OST even more special is the fact that the group's "maknae" (youngest member) and main vocalist Jeon Jungkook participated in composing the song. Furthermore, it marked the first movie OST of the KPOP group.

In BTS' statement, they expressed their gratitude for being part of the film.

"Listen closely to the beautiful melody and the message of the lyrics conveying that 'In the midst of hardship, I believe there is light in your sights of the future.' Hope you enjoy it and feel our emotions we poured into the song when you watch the movie!," the group exclaimed.

"Your Eyes Tell" Movie Is a Remake

While it looks like an original film, avid K-drama fans may be quick to notice its similarities with 2011 hit melancholic Koren film "Always."

The film starred So Ji Sub and Han Hyo-Joo, and it gained positive responses from film critics.

READ MORE: 'The Promised Neverland' Movie: Release Date, Cast, & Latest Updates
A California judge on Thursday refused to give Uber Technologies Inc and Lyft Inc more time to appeal his decision forcing them to classify drivers in that state as employees, which they have said would necessitate restructuring their businesses.

At a hearing in San Francisco Superior Court, Judge Ethan Schulman said he found no reason to extend his Aug. 20 deadline for the ride-hailing companies to appeal the preliminary injunction he issued on Monday before it could take effect.

I am unconvinced that any extension of the 10-day stay is required, Schulman said. Both applications are denied.

Uber and Lyft have said they will appeal.

In late afternoon trading, Uber shares were down 0.8% while Lyft fell 4.9%. Lyft had reported quarterly results after U.S. markets closed on Wednesday.

The injunction came in a lawsuit where California and the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco accused Uber and Lyft of violating Assembly Bill 5, a new state law making it harder to treat gig workers as independent contractors.

Uber and Lyft prefer using that classification for drivers, because treating them as employees would require benefits such as minimum wage, paid sick and family leave, unemployment insurance and workers compensation insurance.

The hearing came one day after the companies threatened to temporarily stop serving California, arguing that treating drivers as employees would undermine their business models.

Neither company is profitable, and both have suffered steep ridership declines during the coronavirus pandemic. They have also said drivers prefer remaining independent.

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates are spending more than $110 million to support Proposition 22, a November ballot measure in California to keep drivers as contractors, but with some benefits.

In ordering an injunction, Schulman assailed what he called Ubers and Lyfts prolonged and brazen refusal to comply with state law.4
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  There is no need for Philippine Health Insurance Corporation members to worry as they could still avail of benefits from the agency, an official said Friday amid fears that provision of services might get interrupted due to the ongoing review on the suspended cash aid program for healthcare providers.

Tuloy tuloy parin po ang pagbigay natin ng benefits on COVID-19 - in patient, testing and community isolation packages, pati ang ating regular benefits, PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo told CNN Philippines Balitaan.

[Translation: We continuously provide regular benefits, including the COVID-19 packages.]

PhilHealth announced Thursday the suspension of its controversial multi-billion cash advance program for healthcare facilities reeling from the COVID-19 crisis called the interim reimbursement mechanism. IRM funds are meant to help healthcare providers ensure liquidity as they currently suffer from high operating costs due to the pandemic, Domingo said. PhilHealth officials earlier said that it has released 14.9 billion-worth of cash advances but only 2.4 billion have been liquidated.

The suspension stemmed from senators' call for a review on the advanced payment scheme as issues of favoritism, inequitable distribution and liquidation have been raised during the last two Senate hearings.

Domingo expressed hope that they will resolve issues in two weeks but later conceded the resolution may take more than 14 days.

In one of the legislative inquiries, a resigned officer from the corporation claimed that senior officials pocketed funds of the IRM. PhilHealth refuted the accusation.

Lawmakers raised the possibility of favoritism on IRM releases, but PhilHealth officials denied the allegation, saying they followed existing rules and regulations on the provision of cash advances.

Senators and House representatives alike have pointed out that some facilities, including those which accept COVID-19 patients, have yet to receive their share of the funds, months into the crisis. Meanwhile, there were facilities that got their IRM first even though they do not cater to coronavirus-related concerns, which fueled suspicions of corruption. But PhilHealth argued that all facilities, attending to COVID-19 patients or not, need financial assistance during these challenging times.
100 years of suffrage: Reconstruction through ratification

SC women take up the fight for suffrage, equality

This is the second in a series of stories commemorating 100 years of womens suffrage by examining the history of the women's movement in South Carolina and the role UofSC plays in documenting and preserving that history.

Following the Civil War, a new ruling class took over in South Carolina  albeit only for a dozen years under the protection of the federal government and U.S. military during the era known as Reconstruction. Among the leaders of the post-war government were former officers in the U.S. Army during the war  such as Robert Scott, a white man from Ohio, who was twice elected governor (1868-1872)  and William J. Whipper, one of the most influential Black politicians in South Carolinas Reconstruction government.

Whippers wife, Frances Rollin, was the oldest of five Rollin sisters who took the capital city by storm, hosting well attended salons and even speaking to the state Legislature on womens suffrage.

The Rollin sisters, starting with Frances in 1845, were born in Charleston to free parents of color. Their father was of French descent and owned a successful lumber business and insisted his daughters receive an education despite restrictions on Black education in South Carolina. The family was considered a part of the colored aristocracy that existed in antebellum Charleston. After the war, the sisters moved to Columbia and hosted politicians  Black and white  from the ruling Republican Party. These events were considered a bit scandalous in their day for the mixing of races at social events.

In March 1869, Charlotte Rollin spoke to the South Carolina Legislature in favor of voting rights for women: We ask suffrage not as a favor, not as a privilege, but as a right based on the grounds that we are human beings and as such entitled to all human rights. While we concede that womans ennobling influence should be confined chiefly to the home and society, we claim that public opinion has had a tendency to limit womans sphere to too small a circle and until woman has the right of representation this will last, and other rights will be held by insecure tenure.

In 1870-71, the sisters held a Womens Rights Convention and organized the South Carolina Woman Suffrage Association, which was allied with the American Women Suffrage Association led by Lucy Stone. Charlotte Rollin was the South Carolina delegate to the national organization.

I made history for at least 30 seconds. Claudia James Sullivan, first woman to graduate from the UofSC law school, 1918

The first charter in South Carolina for the suffrage movement is 1871, and that is the Rollin sisters, says Valinda Littlefield, professor of history and African American Studies at the University of South Carolina. Charlotte Rollin gave a testimony urging the legislators to give women the right to vote in 1869.

The effort had the support of the governor and lieutenant governor as well as many Republican politicians of the day and an amendment to the state constitution was proposed. The debate over womens voting rights was fierce, including a fistfight in the Legislature, and was ultimately defeated.

The other thing about that particular beginning of the suffrage movement in South Carolina  the Rollin sisters  it included Black and white, Littlefield says. But the shifts happen later, and you get the womens movement moving on parallel tracks, but never together.

When Reconstruction ended, the Rollin and Whipper families left South Carolina. William Whipper made a last-ditch effort to codify civil rights as a delegate to the South Carolina Constitutional Convention of 1895, but it failed, and South Carolina entered the era of Jim Crow, segregation and the continuation of violent assaults on Blacks by whites.

New constitution, old ideas

Photo of Virginia Durant Young as it appeared in the March 13, 1904 issue of State newspaper. Full page article is available from NewsBank: South Carolina Historical Newspapers.

The next womens suffrage push in South Carolina came from Virginia Durant Young, a white journalist, author and activist.

Born in 1842 in Georgetown County, Young lost her mother at a young age and her close relationship with her father has been credited with her progressive ideas about the roles of men and women.

In 1858, she married, and in addition to her life as a wife and homemaker, she wrote short stories and a novel under various pen names. When her husband died in 1879 in Mississippi, she returned to South Carolina where she met and married Dr. William Jasper Young, a physician in Fairfax. They were married in 1880 and she began working with the Women's Christian Temperance Union in 1886. She used her literary skills to write letters to the editor, articles and a newspaper column in support of the temperance movement. Three years later she became part-owner of the Varnville Enterprise newspaper.

In 1890, Young and several like-minded women, established the South Carolina Equal Rights Association at a meeting in Greenville. She and her equal rights contemporaries lobbied politicians for support and in 1892, state legislator Gen. Robert R. Hemphill introduced an amendment to the South Carolina Senate that would grant women the right to vote and hold office. This amendment was voted down 21 to 14. Young and her fellow suffragists tried unsuccessfully again at the South Carolina Constitutional Convention of 1895 and, the following year, Young spoke before the state Legislature and gave speeches around the state, to no avail.

In 1899, she became the full owner of her newspaper, changing the name to the Fairfax Enterprise and operated it with an all-female staff, though there was no immediate successor to her suffrage efforts.

When she died in 1906, it appeared the suffrage movement in South Carolina died with her, Littlefield says.

Young also published three novels in her later years: Beholding as in a Glass (1895), A Tower in the Desert (1896) and One of the Blue Hens Chickens (1901)  the last of which is included in the collection of her papers held at the South Caroliniana Library.

Turn of the century

One of the great motivators for joining the suffrage movement  especially for South Carolinas upper-class women  came in the form of a particularly contentious divorce between a couple from two very high-profile families. Lucy Pickens Dugas was a granddaughter of one of the most influential politicians in South Carolina and the Confederacy. Her husband, B.R. Tillman Jr., was the son of a controversial, but popular, politician Benjamin Ryan Tillman. The senior Tillman was serving as a U.S. senator from South Carolina when Lucy and B.R. divorced, in part, because of the younger Tillmans heavy drinking and gambling.

In the ensuing custody battle over the couples two daughters, the younger Tillman deeded his children to his parents in 1909. In doing so, he acknowledged his own unfitness as a parent and claimed that his wife had abandoned her family. Lucy Tillmans attorneys petitioned the state Supreme Court for a hearing in the case, citing, among other things the fame and influence of both parties families as a deterrent to a fair hearing in a lower court. In early 1910, the court agreed to hear the case and the details of the very public trial appeared in South Carolina papers and the case was even covered by The New York Times and the Washington Post.

Reaction to the case was overwhelmingly in favor of Lucy Tillman, as women and men expressed concern about children being taken away from a caring and capable mother. Lucy Tillmans cause was taken up by womens groups around the country and inspired many South Carolina women who had previously been on the sidelines to join the fight for equal rights and suffrage. It also drew outrage from many who thought that children should not be deeded to anyone as though they were property.

And that was the key issue in the courts decision, which ruled that allowing children to be deeded away without consent of both parents violated the childrens rights to due process under the 14th Amendment. The state Legislature changed the law to give both parents equal rights to their children.

Part of the fallout of the case was the number of women who were drawn to the cause of equal rights and suffrage, including Eulalie Chafee Salley (1883-1975) and Emma Anderson Dunovant (1866-1956), who both fought unsuccessfully for ratification of the 19th amendment in South Carolina, which did not happen until 1969.

After Tennessee provided the last needed ratification in August 1920, both Salley and Dunovant became leading voices for political participation by women and for educating women on issues.

Salley got a business license in real estate to support her womens rights activities and was very successful. Dunovant wrote many editorials that appeared in The State newspaper in Columbia supporting womens right to vote and other progressive issues.

Salley later purchased Edgewood  Lucy Tillmans ancestral home  and moved it piece by piece to Salleys grandfathers homesite in Aiken, where it still sits today as the Pickens-Salley House on the University of South Carolina Aiken campus.

Women arrive on UofSCs campus

In the 1900 issue of Garnet and Black Mattie Jean Adams was recognized as "The First Woman-Graduate of the South Carolina College." Garnet and Black, University of South Carolina, 1900.

While efforts to pass the 19th Amendment in South Carolina failed in the early part of the 20th century, women were still making headway in other areas.

In 1895, Frances Guignard Gibbes became the first woman to enroll at the University of South Carolina. While she didnt graduate, she did go on to a successful career as a poet and playwright. The first woman to graduate was Mattie Jean Adams in 1898. By the turn of the century, there were nearly two dozen women enrolled at the university, but the numbers were kept low for years, in part, because the university did not have housing for women until the 1920s.

In 1918, the UofSC law school had its first woman graduate, Claudia James Sullivan. Her degree spurred lawmakers to pass legislation allowing women to practice law in the state. Sullivan had argued her own case to win admission to the law school. I made history for at least 30 seconds, she wrote.

The universitys yearbook, the Garnet and Black, said: Miss Sullivan is just one of the fellows  witness the nickname Jim. Flits about the campus chattering like a jaybird, saucy as a wren, and self-assertive as an eagle. Chafes under conventions and chimes in over every conversation. [T]he only branch of law that will be of service to her is that of domestic relations.

For more on S.C. women in the suffrage movement, visit the South Carolina Suffragists Collection for oral history interviews conducted by UofSC historian and researcher Constance Ashton Myers in the early 1970s.

Banner Image: Suffragettes with Banners event in Washington D.C. 1918. Photo credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, [LC-DIG-hec-11369]

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Uzbek journalist Bobomurod Abdullayev (C), was allowed to leave police custody, poses for a picture with relatives and supporters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on May 7, 2018. (Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov/Reuters)

US Envoy to Uzbekistan Urges Release of Detained Journalist

TASHKENTThe U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan has urged the Central Asian nation and its neighbour Kyrgyzstan to set free an Uzbek journalist detained on suspicion of anonymously criticizing the government on social media.

Western governments have rarely criticized Uzbekistan since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in late 2016, praising him for opening up the previously isolated nation of 34 million and releasing some prominent dissidents from prison.

But the U.S. ambassador to Tashkent, Daniel Rosenblum, expressed concerns over the case of Bobomurod Abdullayev, who was detained this month in Kyrgyzstan at Uzbekistans request.

I am deeply concerned by reports that Kyrgyz authorities have detained Bobomurod Abdullayev, an Uzbekistani journalist, at the request of the Government of Uzbekistan. We are closely following his case, Rosenblum said in a statement on Twitter.

1/3 I am deeply concerned by reports that Kyrgyz authorities have detained Bobomurod Abdullayev, an Uzbekistani journalist, at the request of the Government of Uzbekistan. We are closely following his case. https://t.co/UZ5yDmChHn  U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan (@UsAmbUzbekistan) August 13, 2020

Abdullayev has told Kyrgyz media he was accused of being behind an anonymous Facebook account which published allegations of corruption among senior Uzbek officials. Uzbekistan is now seeking his extradition.

The governments of both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan should respect Mr. Abdullayevs freedom of movement and allow him to depart the Kyrgyz Republic to his destination of choice, Rosenblum wrote on Twitter late on Thursday.

2/3 The Governments of both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan should respect Mr. Abdullayevs freedom of movement and allow him to depart the Kyrgyz Republic to his destination of choice. https://t.co/YbgA9HGoqP  U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan (@UsAmbUzbekistan) August 13, 2020

President Mirziyoyev spoke eloquently about media freedom and journalists rights in his Constitution Day speech last December, and many times since, he added. The U.S. agrees that a free and independent media is indispensable to a functioning democracy.

Abdullayev came to prominence in a landmark case in 2018 when an Uzbek court cleared him of charges of conspiring against the government, although he was still sentenced to community service for anti-government propaganda.

His case highlighted the thaw initiated under Mirziyoyev following the 27-year rule of his predecessor Islam Karimov who had tolerated no dissent and whose poor human rights record had drawn strong criticism from Western countries.

Mirziyoyev became president in 2016 after Karimovs death.

By Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov
The United States administration has seized the fuel cargo of several vessels alleging the fuel came from Iran and was going to Venezuela, the Wall Street Journal reports citing government officials.

The confiscation follows a lawsuit filed by U.S. prosecutors for the seizure of the cargo carried by the four vessels for violating U.S. sanctions against Venezuela. According to the Wall Street Journal sources, the tankers were seized without military force.

Venezuela is in the grips of a severe gasoline shortage as refineries are unable to operate at run rates higher than 10 percent because of a shortage of diluents necessary for the production of fuels as well as an urgent need for repairs.

Iran, as a fellow target of U.S. sanction, declared its readiness to help Venezuela deal with the shortage and earlier this year managed to send one tanker with gasoline to the South American country, the first of five tankers in total planned to ease the fuel shortage.

However, according to an AP report on the topic, the other four tankers never made it to the Venezuelan coast and later went missing, according to a U.S. official. Two of them were later located near Cape Verde, the same official told the AP.

The Iranian ambassador to Venezuela has denied the news, saying neither the vessels nor their owners were Iranian. Hojad Soltani took to Twitter to say that This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the U.S. propaganda machine. The terrorist #Trump cannot compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran using false propaganda.

Meanwhile, Venezuela is taking things into its own hands. PDVSA earlier this week restarted two crude oil distillation units and plans to restart another within two weeks to tackle the gasoline shortage. Still, most of the countrys refining capacity1.3 million bpd of itremains offline.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
This undated photo provided by the Hawaii Department of Public Safety shows Anne Salamanca. Salamanca was arrested for violating Hawaii's quarantine after investigators saw videos of her dancing in a store and dining out. Hawaii officials say Salamanca arrived in Honolulu on July 6, 2020, and days later was found violating the quarantine. (Hawaii Department of Public Safety via AP)

By Annalisa Burgos

Filipino-American Mika Salamanca, a vlogger with millions of fans in the Philippines, is serving 6 months of probation in her home in Alabama after being arrested in Honolulu last month.

The 20-year-old was caught breaking Hawaiis mandatory 14-day self-quarantine when she arrived from Manila on July 6 and later admitted to it in a video she posted on social media.

As part of her deferred guilty plea, Salamanca was ordered by a Hawaii court to make a public service announcement in Tagalog. Court records show the Attorney General had to approve the video script before she posted it.

Salamanca released the PSA on Twitter on Tuesday (August 11). In it, she says shes sorry for breaking the states mandatory quarantine and apologizes to her fellow Filipinos and the people of Hawaii. She says she worked things out with the court and was given the chance to clear her name. She adds that her case can be a lesson for people to be good citizens and follow the law during COVID-19. She asks people in Hawaii to wear face masks, wash their hands and practice proper social distancing.

In addition to the video, Salamanca was ordered to pay $575 in court fees, and not to return to Hawaii during the pandemic.

Salamancas attorney says his client "was remorseful of the whole thing. She apologized to the court and the people of Hawaii."

Upset Hawaii residents reported Salamanca and her friends to police and state investigators after they saw TikTok videos of them hiking, eating out, and dancing in Sephora at an Oahu mall just days after she arrived from Manila.

Everyone arriving at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, including visitors and returning residents, are required to agree to and sign a quarantine order issued by Governor David Ige. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and/or jail time.

People in the Waipahu neighborhood she was staying in also reported seeing her break quarantine.

The original posts were deleted, and some thought Salamanca returned to the Philippines, until she resurfaced when her quarantine period was over on July 20.

Story continues

KITV-4, a TV station in Hawaii, broke the news that Salamanca released an apology video in Tagalog on social media admitting to violating the mandatory quarantine. Translated to English, she says I admit that I made a mistake at the time when I arrived in Hawaii and we went out right away. I'm sorry.

In her vlog, Salamanca tells her fans that law enforcement officers told her she could break quarantine if she had a negative COVID-19 test  a claim police and state officials say is not true and misleading.

None of my investigators would convey that information, as it is incorrect," Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors said in a media statement. "The fact that Ms. Salamanca has so many followers makes her actions that much more dangerous and concerning. The spread of misinformation can have very severe consequences during an emergency situation like we are in now.

In a phone interview with KITV-4, Salamanca defended her claim, saying she had a recording of her conversation with a police officer on July 21. She said two other officers gave her the same information on July 9 or 10. She said she did not get the names of any of the officers.

A Honolulu Police spokesperson said conversations between officers and suspects can be taken out of context.

Hawaii residents say theyre glad to know Salamanca was held accountable for breaking the law. They also want Salamanca's friends who live in Hawaii  some influencers with fans in the Philippines  to be held accountable for helping Salamanca break quarantine. They identified John Paul Nuque, who goes by the IG personality fynestchina, Khrysster Ipalari, Peter Nuevo and Jamaica Pizarro. They and Salamanca did not respond to requests for comment.

Annalisa Burgos is a freelance journalist with 20 years of experience covering Asia and the United States. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram at @annalisaburgos and on Facebook: facebook.com/annalisathejournalist. The views expressed are her own.
On August 11, 2020, right after former Vice President Joe Biden, who is now the Democratic nominee for the November 2020 Presidential Election, announced that he picked Sen. Kamala Harris as his Vice President, reports about President Donald Trump donating to her campaign years ago started circulating.

Shortly after Biden named Harris as his pick for Vice President, the reelection campaign of President Trump denounced her as "phony Kamala" claiming that she was willing to "abandon her own morals, as well as try to bury her record as a prosecutor, in order to appease the anti-police extremists controlling the Democrat party."

Trump donating to Harris

The Trump campaign sent emails to Trump supports and labeled Harris a "corrupt former California Attorney General." A former advisor to former President Bill Clinton, Paul Begala, pointed out on Twitter the irony in the allegation, and claimed that "Trump donated to Kamala Harris when she was the attorney general."

NBC News correspondent Tom Winter then backed up Paul Begala's claim by tweeting that Trump has twice donated to Harris' election campaign, first in 2011 and second in 2013, and the total amount was $6,000. Winter also stated that Trump's daughter and advisor, Ivanka Trump, had donated to Harris herself in 2014 for $2,000.

Also Read:Joe Biden Picks Kamala Harris as Running Mate for 2020 Election, Becomes First Black Woman VP Nominee

The truth

The claims of Begala and Winter are true. There are records available through the campaign finance database on the website of the California Secretary of State and it showed that Trump made two contributions to Harris' 2014 campaign for reelection as California attorney general.

Trump donated $5,000 on September 26, 2011 and he donated $1,000 on February 20, 2013. Harris first took office in January 2011, which means Trump contributed to her reelection when she had already been in office for eight months, and when she had been in office for two years in 2013.

In March 2019, a spokesperson for Harris' presidential primary campaign told The Sacramento Bee that she donated the $6,000 Trump had contributed to a non-profit that advocates for civil and human rights for Central Americans. The Sacramento Bee added that Harris' donation of the money took place in 2015.

Snopes contacted the spokespeople for both Biden and Harris and requested for further details about the claim, including the name of the charity and the exact date on which Harris donated the $6,000 that was initially donated by Trump. However, Snopes did not receive a response.

The campaign finance database also showed that Trump made other donations to several campaigns in California, to both Democrats and Republicans.

Trump donated $2,500 to Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who was not elected in 2010 but was elected to the gubernatorial office in 2019. He gave $3,500 to Jerry Brown, a Democrat who won in 2006 as California's attorney general. He gave $12,000 to committees supportive of Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and he also gave $25,000 to California's Republican party in 2005.

The database-backed up Winter's claim that Ivanka Trump donated $2,000 to Harris' successful campaign back in 2014 and she was reelected as California's attorney general. Ivanka Trump gave $500 to Newsom back in 2010.

Related Article: President Trump Says Americans Will Have to Learn Chinese If Biden Wins

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After a week-old baby boy from Collin County, Texas, was found dead in a bucket of tar, now his parents are facing evidence-tampering and child endangerment charges.

The Sheriff's Office of Collin County shared that they were anticipating more felony charges for the couple, Roland and Donna Grabowski as they were linked to the disappearance and the death of their one-week-old son.

In a news release on Wednesday, the Sheriff's office stated that the deputies of the Sheriff received a call on a Saturday morning to check the couple's home located in the 9100 block of Highridge Road in Princeton as there is a possibility of an unreported infant's death.

Despite the arrival of the authorities at their home, still the couple refused to cooperate prompting the Sheriff's deputies to pick them and put into custody on child endangerment charges.

During the interrogation of the couple after the arrest, they shared to the investigators that in July 29, they woke up and was shocked as they found their baby Micah dead in their bed, Dallas News reported.

According to authorities, investigators from the sheriff's office obtained a warrant to search the couple's home, wherein they have discovered that the body of the one-week-old baby, Micah was submerged in a bucket of tar in a shed at the back part of their residence.

Based on the jail record of Roland Grabowski, which is available online, the 42-year-old faces charges of abuse of a corpse, child endangerment, and tampering with evidence with an intent to impair a human corpse.

Read also: K9 Dog Violently Attacks Black Man While Complying, Police Suspends Program

Moreover, the 41-year-old Donna Grabowski's online jail records also show that she is facing the same charges but with an additional charge of tampering with physical evidence.

The couple was put inside the Collin County jail on Sunday.

According to WFAA, jail records for Donna Grabowski show that there is an attorney listed for her, but when an attempt to talk via phone was made, the attorney's line is not available and cannot be reached after business hours on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Jail records of Roland Grabowski do not include any information about an available attorney.

Jim Skinner, Sheriff of the Collin County shared in an interview that the Grabowskis lied to the authorities regarding what happened to their child.

Skinner also mentioned that there was also an attempt to deceive them, regarding the whereabouts and what happened to their child, Micah.

Based on the arrest warrant affidavit, the couple shared with their friends that their one-week-old baby suddenly died due to an infant death syndrome. They also wrapped the child in a blanket and after that, they placed him in a blanket, reported New York Daily News.

On the other hand, based on the initial investigation the couple initially stated that a family friend was watching Micah.

As of the moment, the autopsy of Micah is still pending.

Skinner confessed that in his 30 years of service, he had seen a lot of crazy stuff, but this is the first time that he had seen a dead infant inside a bucket of tar.

He also wished that hopefully, it will be the last one.



Related article: Corpse Found Hidden in Paris Mansion Abandoned Since 80s Prompts Murder Investigation

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
So. Baptist agency seeks rehearing of termination case in light of Supreme Court ruling

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The Southern Baptist Conventions North American Mission Board is asking for a rehearing of an employment termination lawsuit by a federal appeals court and claims that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision contradicts an earlier ruling against the agency.

Attorneys representing NAMB, SBCs domestic missions agency, filed a petition Thursday for a rehearing en banc at the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals after a three-judge panel earlier this year overturned a lower courts dismissal of a complaint filed by the former executive director of Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.

The former executive director, Will McRaney, filed a lawsuit in 2017 alleging that NAMB, which works with state SBC conventions and other partners to plant new churches, defamed him through false statements and influenced the conventions decision in 2015 to terminate him after a dispute about a partnership agreement.

McRaneys lawsuit further claimed that NAMB sought to prevent McRaney from speaking at conferences and that his photo was displayed in the reception area of the NAMB offices in Georgia.

In April 2019, a federal judge in Mississippi dismissed McRaneys lawsuit against NAMB and argued that McRaneys claims could not be considered before the court because it would have involved a secular court scrutinizing a religious organizations decision to terminate a leader. The judge reasoned that courts are prevented from weighing in on ecclesiastical matters of religious organizations.

However, McRaney appealed the lower courts dismissal to the appellate court. In July, the 5th Circuit remanded the case back to the lower court.

But NAMB and its lawyers argue that the appeals courts decision goes against the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in July that favored a Catholic school that was sued for not renewing the contract of a religion teacher.

In the ruling of Our Lady of Guadalupe v. Morrissey-Berru, the court ruled 7-2 in defense of a legal principle preventing civil courts from adjudicating employment discrimination claims brought by ministerial employees against religious institutions.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that the Constitution protects religious organizations independence and their right to choose their own leaders and ministers, said Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel at the First Liberty Institute, one of the legal organizations assisting NAMB in the lawsuit.

There should be no doubt that religious denominations have the freedom to choose who is best suited to lead their organizations and fulfill their religious missions. The Fifth Circuit should dismiss this case immediately.

The appeals court panel did not rule on the merits of whether the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied in McRaneys case. But it expressed concern with uncertainty regarding the facts of the case.

Therefore, the relevant question is whether it appears certain that resolution of McRaneys claims will require the court to address purely ecclesiastical questions. At this stage, the answer is no, the July ruling stated.

At this time, it is not certain that resolution of McRaneys claims will require the court to interfere with matters of church government, matters of faith, or matters of doctrine. If NAMB presents evidence of these reasons and the district court concludes that it cannot resolve McRaneys claims without addressing these reasons, then there may be cause to dismiss.

Advocates for NAMB contend that the case carries religious liberty implications when it comes to whether or not religious groups have autonomy in making governance and leadership decisions.

The panels holding is enormously consequential, injecting courts into disputes between ministers and religious organizations concerning internal religious governance and leadership and denying religious groups the special solicitude afforded to them by the First Amendment, said Sasser.

Indeed, the panels opinion goes so far as to permit the district court to adjudicate not only the reasons for a religious ministers termination, but also the reasons for speaker selection at a mission symposium.

If granted, an en banc hearing would be held before all judges on the 5th Circuit, instead of the three-judge panel.

The petition argues that reconsideration by the full court is necessary because this appeal involves questions of exceptional importance on which the panels decision conflicts with the authoritative decisions of other United States Courts of Appeals.

In a post on a GoFundMe page established to support his legal costs, McRaney said that the remanding of the case back to lower courts allows his legal team to have the opportunity to depose witnesses, such as NAMB President Kevin Ezell as well as past and present NAMB trustees and employees.

The wheels of justice grind slowly, but finally truth will be coming into the light, McRaney claimed, accusing Ezell of having blackballed him. We are 'all in' to see this matter through to the end 


Fashion Nova, founded in 2006, presides over 10.7 million followers on Instagram. The brand comes in contact with even more potential customers through their network of between 3,000 and 5,000 influencers. Fashion Nova's commitment to accessible and affordable fashion to women of all shapes and sizes proves why their list of followers grow and grow, and how these commitments establish the brand as an industry leader.

A Reputation for Meeting Expectations

Fashion Nova CEO Richard Saghian is proud of his brand for turning "fast fashion into ultra-fast fashion." As a trendsetter, Fashion Nova must maintain their reputation for providing ultra-fast fashion at an ultra-low price. The brand does not disappoint in ensuring that customers are paying the fairest price possible. For example, dresses are as low as $28 and no more than $40. According to Saghian, his brand is "trying to make the fashion industry play by the rules." He noted that fashion competitors tend to mark up a price as much as 500%, but in his opinion, it isn't "fair for a brand to sell an item for $100 that they made for $0." Customers can expect to pay $30 for a pair of ankle boots or heels and $55 for a pair of thigh-high boots.

According to a study by EDITED, 95% of the company's products available online are priced between $0-$50. Their competitors Forever 21 and Boohoo also use a similar pricing structure, but Fashion Nova is cumulatively cheaper for jeans and crop tops (11% of available product). Fashion Nova also has the lowest discount rate among their fast-fashion competitors. Their discount rate is 38%, whereas competitors Boohoo and Forever 21 had discount rates at 81% and 51% respectively.

On top of Fashion Nova's affordable pricing strategy, Fashion Nova also makes their clothes as easily accessible as possible. The brand ships globally and offers two-day shipping on all domestic orders. For shoppers who live within a 40-mile radius of Los Angeles, it is even simpler. If a Los Angeles customer orders via Fashion Nova by 1 p.m., they are guaranteed to receive this order via Postmates on the same day.

Denim That's To-Die For

Fashion Nova is especially known for their jeans, which affordably retail for around $35. The denim hugs and hips the waist in a stretch that Cardi B has praised as the only type of denim pant that can appropriately fit her body. This turns former endorsers into competitors; Khloe Kardashian and LaLa Anthony, for example, both created their own stretch denim that retail between $90 and $150.

Yet Fashion Nova denim is still arguably more competitive since the price is low and the brand recognition is high. Their denim business is also expanding thanks to a new partnership with up-and-coming Houston sensation Megan Thee Stallion. The Roc Nation rapper announced on Instagram that her clothing line with Fashion Nova would cater to her fellow "stallions," also known as tall women with curves and long legs.

There was immediate buzz in the post's comments. Megan, who is 5'10, replied to an inquiry about her denim size saying that she's a size 11 in jeans, but "it's a real gamble with the length." Her fans showed love and praise with comments like "us tall girls appreciate you" and "finally someone gets the struggle. Another fan wrote "Please make a line for y'all girls. 5'10 and up. Nobody ever thinks about us," one woman wrote, while another wrote, "THANK YOU GOD!!! Finding long jeans is so hard." It's safe to say that not only will Fashion Nova benefit from having an influencer partner that is as relatable as Megan, but from their continued commitment to accommodating their customer's body diversity at affordable prices.

"The Instagram Brand" and Pricing Strategy

Though successful, Fashion Nova was not an instant phenomenon. Richard Saghian opened the first Fashion Nova store at the Panorama Mall in Panorama City, California. In 2013, it came to Saghian's attention that he could sell those same products via online, but at higher price points. To generate buzz and direct customers to the website, he chose to utilize Instagram. The framework was in place, since store shoppers were already posting pictures of themselves in the product and tagging the store's account. He saw this as an opportunity and began to work with them directly, giving them free products in exchange for promotion. This tactic immediately worked - the Fashion Nova account had 60,000 followers on Instagram before the website even launched.

All products launched on fashionnova.com during their opening weekend sold out in a matter of days. It is with this pivot to online sales that Fashion Nova connected with their full potential. Today, Fashion Nova continues to forge their path through influencer marketing. Richard Saghian works with a network of between 3,000 influencers and 5,000 influencers to promote the brand. Members of this network typically advertise the clothing to thousands, sometimes millions of followers. High-profile celebrities such as Cardi B and Blac Chyna have collaborated with Fashion Nova; both women have 62.7 million and 16.6 million followers, respectively. The impact of Instagram is initiated in both a grassroots and trickle-down manner. Not only are high-profile accounts involved, but Saghian and his team also post every 30 minutes on Instagram, amassing hashtags such as #NovaStars or #NovaBabes. When customers tag themselves in Fashion Nova, the company's Instagram account likes and comments on each post; they sometimes even repost the image on their own profile.
The EY Economic Eye anticipates that the Republics overall economy will recover by 2023 but many sectors will remain depressed for five years from the start of the outbreak or longer (stock image)

The technology sector will have recovered from the effects of the coronavirus and lockdown by the end of this year, but retail will not see 2019 levels of activity until beyond 2025.

Overall, the economy here will not recover to its 2019 size until 2023 and Northern Ireland's will take a further year return to pre Covid-19 levels, according to a new report.

The EY Economic Eye anticipates that the Republic's overall economy will recover by 2023 but many sectors will remain depressed for five years from the start of the outbreak or longer.

That includes retail - traditionally a huge employer and which alongside agriculture faces the slowest recovery of any sector.

Other people-facing sectors like hotels, restaurants and the arts face an only slightly shorter recovery - none is expected to see 2019 levels till 2025. Manufacturing will recover by 2023, in line with the broader economy but construction is not expected to recover to pre-Covid levels that were already failing to meet the country's housing needs until 2024.

In Northern Ireland, where a recovery is set to be slower, 70pc of sectors face waits of longer than five years to recover - compared to 40pc of sectors in the Republic.

EY predicts 38,000 job losses in Northern Ireland this year, and 25,000 next year.

While the toll of job losses is steeper this year for the Republic - with 9.7pc of jobs going instead of 4.2pc - the Republic is expected to see jobs growth next year and to recover more quickly than the North.

The report from business advisors EY is written by its chief economist Neil Gibson and manager Eve Bannon.

They say sectors such as retail, and accommodation and food should see activity pick up later in the year as they adapt to a new socially-distant way of operating. The expectation is that the numbers returning to work will be will be fewer than employed previously, or will involve shorter hours - and therefore less pay - for those who return.

It states that economic recovery is on the way across the island of Ireland.

But it adds that "for many markets across the world, the hardest yards are still ahead and the fear of a second wave and future economic disruption is prevalent".

While it forecasts a steeper slump in GDP for the Republic at -10.8pc than Northern Ireland at -10.4pc, it warns that Northern Ireland's economy will take longer to recover.

And while the bigger Irish economy will rebound by 6.6pc next year, Northern Ireland's first year of recovery will be more muted at 5.5pc.

In addition, the report said that the picture for unemployment in Northern Ireland had been clouded by the widespread use of the furlough scheme, which has preserved the jobs of 240,200 people over lockdown.

In addition, 76,000 people in self-employed roles have received support from the British government's self-employed income support scheme.
Kamala Harris is the first female vice presidential nominee not to stand teetering on the so-called glass cliff, facing an impossible mission.

In 1984, Walter Mondale trailed incumbent president Ronald Reagan 16 points in the polls when he decided to shake things up, as he later put it, by picking three-term New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. Ferrarothe first female VP nominee of a major partygave Mondale an initial boost, but the pair crashed to defeat after a bruising campaign with just 13 electoral votes in November.

In 2008, Senator John McCain had been consistently trailing newbie Senator Barack Obama when he chose little-known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his No. 2. It was a gambit, a Hail Mary pass, recalls Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politicsone that thudded to the ground on Election Day.

No VP nominee, male or female, has ever made or broken a presidential election, but that doesnt stop party brass from assuming the worst. The 1984 Mondale-Ferraro debacle put a bad taste in the mouth of the white, male decision-makers, said Alyssa Mastromonaco, who was Obamas deputy chief of staff from 2011 to 2014, on a recent episode of Pod Save America. What so many people just remember is that they lost. He picked a woman, and they lost. Even though he was probably always going to lose.

Psychologists like to call this phenomenon the glass cliffthe idea that women are more likely to be elevated to executive leadership roles in periods of crisis, when theyre more likely to fail.

But this time is different. Unlike Mondale and McCain, Joe Biden is leading President Donald Trump in the polls and has a decent chance of winning in November. His choice of Harris is not a desperate ploy to save a flailing campaign. And this time, no one is hoping for her to pull off an impossible salvage job.

In fact, as historic as Harris isshes the first woman of color on a major party presidential ticketBidens reasoning in picking her was fairly conventional: The choice is a nod to (and an attempt to energize) very important segments of the Democratic base, a signal about the future of the party, a recognition of what he lacks and a statement of his own values. Those are fairly standard VP checkboxes; for once, a female running mate has been approved by the same criteria that have boosted white males for centuries.

Story continues

In those other two races it felt like a novelty, Walsh says. And this time around it felt like, Of course this is what he needs to do.

The pick is both a bold confirmation of the power women, Black women especially, hold within the Democratic Party and a signal that the country might finally be overcoming its tacit aversion to placing women at the top of presidential ticketsan allergy driven by a myth that women cant win the top electoral offices. (Not because you wouldnt vote for a woman, of coursebecause you dont think other people would.)

The context of the times is different today than in 1984 and 2008, says Susan Carroll, a professor of political science and womens and gender studies at Rutgers University. Weve had Hillary Clinton run for president. Weve had all of the women who ran this time, so some of the worst kinds of barriers have broken down. Having a woman on the ticket, she says, has become more normalized now.

The wind is at the back of the idea and the concept of women running for office, Walsh says.

But just because shes not standing at the edge of a cliff doesnt mean shes safe. Hours after the selection was announced, Trump called Harris nastyone of his favorite epithets for powerful womenand a mad woman. Fox presenter Tucker Carlson mangled her name and, after he was corrected, demanded to know why he should bother to get it right. A now deleted Tweet liked by Eric Trump called Harris a whorendous pick.

America in general might be more comfortable with female leadership than it was decades ago. A woman has run for presidentand won the popular vote. But the man who beat her did so with a campaign that stoked gender and racial division in ways not seen in years. He and certain of his supporters level demeaning insults at women openly and often, and in 2016, sexism was a greater predictor of support for Trump than anxiety about the economy.

How this campaign unfolds could tell us just how much has really changed since 1984.

The first woman to be nominated for vice presidentsize 6 was how newscaster Tom Brokaw introduced Ferraro during the Democratic National Convention in 1984, in a reference to her dress size.

Mondale was running against a popular incumbent backed by a strong economy and a morning in America message, and his chances were grim. According to a 100-page campaign strategy drawn up by Mondales team, Ellen Malcolm writes in When Women Win, it was essential to consider dramatic and perhaps high-risk strategies. Meaning, a woman on the ticket.

Mondale hoped to exploit a burgeoning gender gap with his choice, energizing women and attracting them to the Democratic side. (The civil rights campaigner in him also liked making history.) On the night Ferraro made her speech, the convention floor was electric, the enthusiasm palpableand by the end of the festivities, one poll put Mondale even with Reagan.

Democratic presidential nominee Walter Mondale and his running mate Geraldine Ferraro wave from the podium at the conclusion of the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

Donna Zaccaro, Ferraros daughter, remembers that night as the kickoff to a thrilling campaign. Ferraro had all the best aspects of a rock star, Madeleine Albright, who advised Ferraro on foreign policy, recalled in Geraldine Ferraro: Paving the Way, the documentary Zaccaro made about her mothers life. People had never seen crowds like that for a vice presidential candidate.

But Zaccaro also remembers the relentless misogynistic scrutiny.

A Mississippi pol asked Ferraro whether she could bake blueberry muffins (Sure can, can you? she shot back, with a smile). On Meet the Press, Marvin Kalb asked her whether she had what it took to push the nuclear button. Do you think in any way that the Soviets might be tempted to try to take advantage of you simply because you are a woman? one moderator asked her during her vice presidential debate with George Bush.

Even women seemed to doubt whether she could do the job. We [women] look at ourselves and think, I couldnt handle it, so I dont know if she could, either, one Tennessean told New York Times reporter Maureen Dowd. Maybe thats the wrong thing to do. Men dont do that.

American political sexism has become less brazen since 1984, but Harris will recognize some of what Ferraro saw. The media is still more likely to cover a female politicians appearance than a male politicians. And according to research from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, women running for executive office have to prove to voters that they are qualified, while for men, qualifications are assumed. But if a woman comes across as too tough, her likability may suffer. Voters will vote for a man they dont like, but not a woman they dont like.

I always thought about Bernie Sanders as this perfect example of some of these double standards, Walsh says. If you had a woman candidate who presented the way Bernie Sanders did, they would get nowhere. Hair a mess, wagging your fingers.  People would not take it from a woman.

Theres also the issue of the spouse. In 1984, Ferraros campaign was plagued by questions about the finances of her husband, real estate developer John Zaccaro. The controversy first was that Zaccaro, who filed tax returns separately from Ferraro, refused to release them. Once he did, the media spent weeks investigating the familys finances, even insinuating the couple had ties to organized crime. At one point, the Philadelphia Inquirer apparently had at least 25 reporters on the Ferraro-Zaccaro money beat. A Reagan campaign aide later told the Daily Beast that many of the stories were provided directly by the Reagan campaign (which included a young Roger Stone) and that he knew that Ferraro didnt have Mafia connections.

This was the first time that a spouse was used to bring down a woman, and that has become a very tried and true strategy nowinvestigate the spouse, said pollster and Democratic strategist Celinda Lake in Paving the Way. The implicationmore pointed in Ferraros daywas that the wife would be taking cues from her husband.

What [Ferraro] went through was probably the toughest scrutiny anybodys everpresidential or vice presidential candidate[gone through] in history, said Ed Rollins, Reagans 1984 campaign manager, in the film.

In the end, the ticket falteredit was widely agreed that Mondale was always going to loseand women broke for Reagan, too.

But Ferraros run did mark a new era. New organizations popped up, including EMILYs List, whose goal is to help elect Democratic female candidates to public office. There was so little idea of what to do with a woman candidate by the establishment in 1984, says the organizations president, Stephanie Shriock, that a group of women said, we need to change this dynamic. The number of women elected to Congress began to creep up after 1984, jumping dramatically in 1992.

Still, it wasnt until 16 years later that a major party tried again with a female VP.

In 2008, John McCains trailing campaign needed a shot in the arm. When he selected a little-known, conservative first-term governor, Sarah Palin, to be his running mate, he hoped the surprise pick could pull disgruntled Hillary Clinton voters away from Barack Obama. It was a fundamental misunderstanding of what the gender gap is, Walsh says. Its not about the gender of the candidateits about a set of policies that appeal to women. Meaning, while a female candidate like Harris might boost enthusiasm among women within her party, her gender alone is not likely to cause Republican women to switch their vote.

Palins apparent unpreparedness and lack of policy chopson vivid display in a series of widely publicized gaffesreflected the desperate nature of the choice. Her vetting had been hasty and haphazard, the vetting document thrown together in less than 40 hours, according to Game Change, one account of the campaign. Say what you will about her politics or her knowledge level or whatever, says pollster and Democratic strategist Anna Greenberg, but Palin really wasnt vetted.  They ran out of ideas so they just picked her.

That did not happen this time with Harris, she says. That could not happen this timebecause of the Palin experience and because of this narrative that the right has pushed about Bidens alleged cognitive decline. Theres no way a Joe Biden could do what John McCain did.

In the end, the 2008 GOP ticket lost, and one study found that Palin cost McCain votesbut not enough to change the election outcome.

Like Ferraro, Palinwhose recent surprising advice to Harris included trust no one new and dont get muzzledsaw her fair share of sexism. In the mainstream media, she was called sexy, Barbie, the young, trophy running mate. An MSNBC panel discussed her sex appeal. Tracy Morgan called her a MILF on TNT. One company sold a blow-up Sarah Palin doll complete with bursting cleavage and sexy business suit.

The Palin run also showcased the double standard that still exists around family. Commentators questioned whether Palin, who has a son with Down syndrome, would be abandoning him for the campaign trail, or whether the time needed to care for him would affect the campaign. Others criticized her for running for VP while her 17-year-old daughter was pregnantthrusting her daughter into the spotlight made her a bad mom, they said.

For men, families tend to be [seen as] a support system and men can trot them out as a sign that theyre an average Americana normal American, says Carroll. For women, the family [is seen] more as an additional set of responsibilities, rather than a support team.

In some ways, Harris will have an easier time than her predecessors because shes standing on their shoulders. In 1984, there were 24 women in Congress. Today, there are 127, thanks to huge gains made in 2018, and a record number of women will be running again in 2020. In 1984, only 6 women had ever served as governor of a state; today, thats up to 44. Hillary Clinton ran for presidentand won the popular vote.

Broadly  attitudes about woman in leadership have changed, says Greenberg. We still live in a sexist society, but  people seeing women in executive positionsgovernors, senators, mayors has helped to shift opinions.

Women, too, are now prepared for the double standards that await them. Our candidates for all levels of office still get gender-type questions that they just have to manage, and they do, says Schriock. The good news is that weve proven you can work through it, OK, youre gonna ask me about kids.

But whats really changed is that America is in a new era of womens activism and political power. There was the #MeToo movement and the womens march, which was the largest single-day protest in U.S. history, and the huge electoral gains of 2018. Women have voted at higher rates than men since 1980, but today they are more than ever putting that power behind a single partythe Democrats.

The gender gap in 2016 was larger than in any previous presidential election, with women preferring Clinton by a 12-point margin, and men preferring Trump by the same. Women of color gave the primary to Biden and women could hand the election to him. Brookings called the gender realignment of American politics the biggest change in party affiliation since the movement by loyal Democratic voters to the GOP in the solid South, which realigned regional political coalitions into the partisan dynamics we are familiar with today.

No doubt that environmentthe undisputed power of women in the Democratic Partyis partly why Biden chose Harris as his running mate. Unlike Mondale and McCain, he doesnt need a woman to change any votesthat doesnt really happen, after all. But he does need a woman to show his most powerful voters that he is taking their perspectives seriously, so that theyre excited about him and volunteer for him and turn out for him.

This is a recognition of priority and importance, Walsh says. He wanted to have a ticket that was not the same old white male perspective and voice.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden stands at left as his running mate Kamala Harris speaks on Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Del.

That Harris wasnt some last-minute giddy gambit to woo women away from another partyin other words, the fact that shes not standing on the glass cliffshould be freeing for her. She doesnt have to make a big deal of her genderand on Wednesday night, in her first speech since Biden selected her, she didnt. She also doesnt have to run as a celebrity as Ferraro did. The weight of the campaign isnt on her shoulders.

Still, if the attacks already underway demonstrate anything, its that Harris could have it just as bador worsethan Ferraro and Palin in other ways.

America is moving past [all out gender nastiness], but Donald Trump sure hasnt, Schriock warns.

That isnt just a retrograde quirkits a campaign tool. Sexism drives support for the president. Unlike in Ferraros or Palins era, a negative attitude about women (what researchers call hostile sexism) was a strong predictor of the vote in 2016 and 2018more so than a host of other issues, including economic anxiety. I worry along with many other people that the minute he picks someone theyll be eviscerated in sexist and possibly racist ways, Greenberg said in an interview before Harris was announced as the choice. Trump taps into gender resentment and hostile sexism very, very well.

As if on cue, the president is ramping up his offensive against a variety of female political rivals in addition to Harris. In a frenzy on Thursday, he called Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski a ditzy airhead wife, called Nancy Pelosi stone-cold crazy and said of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, she goes out and sheshe yaps. Trump then perpetuated a racist conspiracy theory that Harris might not be eligible to appear on a presidential ticket because her parents were immigrantsa variant of the attack he leveled at the only other person of color to be a major party nominee, Barack Obama.

But the attacks could also indicate that, unlike 1984 and 2008, the desperate ticket isnt the one with the woman on it. Trump isnt confident about a win. Hes cornered by crisesa once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and rising unemployment. Sexism may ignite his base, but its not going to win back the women who are now deserting the GOP in droves; its part of what drove them away. If Biden and Harris stay the course, and dont mess up, theyll have a better chance of winning than by taking wild risks.

And thats really the big difference between 1984 and 2008, on the one hand, and 2020, on the other: Choosing a woman isnt now considered a risk; its considered necessary.

Walsh thinks this fact marks the beginning of a new era for the Democratic Party.

I think it will be very hard for a Democratic Presidential candidate who is a white male to ever run without a woman or a person of color in the future, Walsh says. I just feel that moment has passed, and in a way thats what feels different about this.
I must admit, I've never paid much attention to the British royal family.

But I've always had a soft spot for Prince Harry. After all, who among us can claim that they've never played naked billiards with a bunch of women in Las Vegas or gone to a fancy dress party in a Nazi uniform?

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Sure we've all been there.

When he hooked up with Meghan Markle, it looked as if he was going to drag the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha kicking and screaming into the 21st century. She seemed fairly cool and the British press fell over themselves to say how brilliant and 'modernising' their wedding was. It didn't take long for the wheels to come off.

You don't need to be a royal-watcher to have been glued to the increasingly mad story of their fractious separation from 'The Firm'. Markle seemed to think that she was simply playing a new role and became increasingly miffed when she wasn't allowed to upstage sister-in-law Kate Middleton and, as a result, we were treated to one of the most spectacular celebrity huffs of recent years.

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So why are so many Irish people, who normally have no interest in British toffs, so interested in the ongoing saga of Harry and Meghan? Well, probably because the dreary pair have served up some weapons-grade hypocrisy in the last few weeks.

Flamboyant stupidity is always entertaining, and the couple has been more entertaining than any of their celebrity friends

One of the things we have learned from Covid is that public patience with pontificating celebrities has worn rather thin. Where once they were indulged, people no longer have much interest in being lectured by millionaires at a time when jobs are being lost and money is tighter than ever. But with the release this week of Finding Freedom, the book that they most definitely, absolutely did not contribute to, we have seen something else - if you combined both their brains you'd struggle to come up with a half wit.

Flamboyant stupidity is always entertaining, and the couple has been more entertaining than any of their celebrity friends - and that's really saying something.

However, there is a deeper story going on here, and it's one which has turned them into Public Enemy Number 1 - their desperate desire to be seen as victims.

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Authors like Brett Easton Ellis and Ian McEwan have previously expressed their revulsion at what they describe as the 'sanctification of victimhood', and nobody does it better than Harry and Meghan.

Veering wildly away from the old royal mantra of 'never complain, never explain', they have done nothing but complain - while staying in an $18m (15m) mansion provided by Tyler Perry.

I'm sure most of us would have been quite happy to spend the lockdown in a massive mansion but the Woke Prince Of Bel-Air still felt his privacy wasn't being respected, so they have now used his father's money to buy an $14.7m (12.5m)gaff in their desperate desire for privacy - in Santa Barbara, a top hunting ground for the paparazzi. But while it is undeniably amusing to watch such privileged people constantly moan and carp that they're not being respected enough, it has been interesting to see how their supporters have tried to frame the story.

One Irish columnist recently defended the couple and attacked their critics, accusing them of "racism, sexism and misogyny".

The said columnist then condemned all the women who can't stand Markle, arguing that "women should always support other women" - a reasonable claim, although I rather doubt the columnist in question supports women like Katie Hopkins.

This is what makes Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber so fascinating - they have become a lightning rod for all of society's current hot-button issues.

According to some people, they were forced to flee the UK because the Brits are irredeemably racist, yet Kate Middleton received far more flak from the media than Meghan ever did.

But such minor things as facts and evidence don't seem to matter to the Woke Brigade, who are constantly on the lookout for evidence of bigotry wherever they go. And as we all know at this stage, if people spend their time looking for something to offend them, they will always find it.

What Harry has failed to realise is that the royal family are like very expensive zoo creatures - they exist for people to look at and, when the occasion suits, to laugh at. The former prince now looks like a kidnap victim reading out his captors' demands, but he has also reminded us of one crucial thing - all families, even one of the richest families in the world, have their own problems. And that's before we even think about Prince Andrew.

But Harry and Meghan have brought celebrity silliness and hypocrisy to new heights. Shortly after telling the airline industry that it has to do better and make greater efforts to save the planet, it emerged that they had enjoyed yet another private jet to meet with the Clooneys before the lockdown kicked in. You have to wonder, can anyone save Harry from himself? Or perhaps more to the point - does anyone want him to be saved from himself?

That's because during the last few months of virtual house arrest, we have all become hungry for gossip. It's not particularly edifying and we shouldn't be proud of it, but we all need a bit of light relief in such times and relief doesn't come much lighter than watching a couple with an estimated worth of 36.5m pouting because they feel they're not loved enough.

So, as you struggle to look after bored kids; as you wait to see if you will have a job in a few months' time; as you lie awake at night with anxiety, you can take consolation from one fact - at least you don't have it as bad as Harry and Meghan, the world's most downtrodden couple.
Former Middlesex Borough Mayor Ronald J. DiMura admitted Thursday he stole more than $75,000 from numerous local political campaigns, according to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said.

DiMura, 64, resigned after he was indicted in December 2019, just days before his term was set to expire as he had been defeated in his run for reelection by Republican challenger John L. Madden a month earlier.

At that time he was charged with three counts of theft by deception, two counts of official misconduct, misapplication of entrusted property, money laundering, pattern of official misconduct and tampering with physical records, the office has said.

The former mayor pleaded guilty to second-degree theft by deception and under his plea agreement, he faced seven years in state prison and will be barred from public office and employment in New Jersey, the office said.

He must also pay $83,372 in restitution and give up the rest of the money he stole for over six years, authorities said.

DiMura exploited his position as mayor and his role as a local party leader for his personal gain, betraying borough residents and party members who placed their trust in him, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in a statement. I formed the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability to ensure, among other things, that public officials are held accountable if they abuse their power. This guilty plea reflects our commitment to that mission.

DiMura served as treasurer for the Middlesex Borough Democratic Campaign Committee and several other campaigns for candidates seeking office in Middlesex, officials said.

Between January 2013 and June 2019, he used his position to steal $190,000 by making donations to the charity he runs, which then paid out only a small fraction of the funds for their intended purpose, Grewal said.

The rest of the money was funneled from the bank account of the charity to DiMuras personal bank account or a business account he controlled, the office said.

The investigation revealed that DiMura stole over $75,000 from several investors by creating the false impression that they were loaning him money that he would invest on their behalf, and would generate large interest payments for them, according to the statement.

However, DiMura did not make any investments with the money and just deposited the funds into his personal bank account or the business account he controlled, authorities said. He used some funds to pay back the investors, but most of them did not receive any of the promised interest and were owed substantial amounts of their investment.

DiMura also used his position as mayor to solicit $10,000 in donations for the charity from an unidentified developer doing business in Middlesex while not using the money for that purpose, the office said.

DiMura, a Democrat, was elected as mayor in November 2015 and previously served as on Middlesex Borough Council where he was voted council president and appointed finance chairman, was scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 15, 2021.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Mumbai, Aug 14 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the alleged Rs 3,700 crore Yes Bank fraud case has said that Bindu Kapoor, the wife of Rana Kapoor, was the owner of 16 companies.

B0y Anand Singh Mumbai, Aug 14 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the alleged Rs 3,700 crore Yes Bank fraud case has said that Bindu Kapoor, the wife of Rana Kapoor, was the owner of 16 companies.

The revelations figure in the ED's supplementary chargesheet filed in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai on July 13, naming 11 other accused in the matter.

The ED claimed that Yes Bank Rana Kapoor was the person who handled the affairs of the company and was the final decision making authority.

The ED said that Ajita Podar, who was the Vice President of the DOIT Venture (I) Pvt Ltd, earlier known as DOIT Enterprises (I) Pvt Ltd, a group company of Rana Kapoor, in her statement said that the company was engaged in setting up of offices of group companies, but she was not aware of the actual business initiatives of the company.

The ED in the chargesheet stated that Podar was informed in February-March 2018 by Rana Kapoor's Executive Secretary that the CEO wants him to be made the director of some companies.

"And as an employee, she had no option but to agree," the ED said.

The ED claimed that Podar was made director in 16 companies of Rana Kapoor -- Bliss Agri and Ecotourism Pvt Ltd, Bliss Apartment Mumbai Pvt Ltd, Rab Arts Pvt Ltd, Imagine Habitat Pvt Ltd, Imagine Residence Pvt Ltd, Imagine Estate Pvt Ltd, Imagine Realty Pvt ltd, Imagine Property Pvt Ltd, Imagine Home Pvt Ltd, Bliss Habitat Pvt Ltd, Rab Enterprises India Pvt Ltd, Bliss Home Pvt Ltd, MORGAN Exim Pvt Ltd, Bliss House Pvt Ltd, Bliss Villa (Delhi) Pvt Ltd and Bliss Abode Pvt Ltd.

Podar also told ED that Bindu Kapoor was the another director of these companies and was the owner of these 16 companies.

"Although Bindu Kapoor was the owner of these companies, all the businesses related instructions were given by Rana Kapoor through Lata Dave, Executive Secretary to the then CEO of the Yes Bank, and her one close associate Rutva Oza.

"And on regular intervals she was made to sign several documents given to her by Dave and Oza and on some occasions documents related to these companies were for availing loans from IndiaBulls Finance that for the purpose of signing those documents, she had received email that those documents were proper and she should sign them comfortably," the ED said.

The ED said that it has received copies of the said emails from Podar.

The ED said that Podar also stated that she had never been paid any extra fee/remuneration and never been provided any facility for being the director of 16 companies.

THe ED claimed that Podar never attended any board meeting of the 16 companies and no formal board meeting ever happened. Podar stated that Dave and Oza used to handover her minutes of meetings on regular intervals with instructions to sign them, which she signed on their instructions and handover them to Dave and Oza.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering on March 7 this year based on the Central Bureau of Investigation FIR registered the same day against 12 people, including Kapoor, his wife and daughters, the Wadhawan brothers and five firms.

The Wadhawans were arrested by the CBI from Mahabaleshwar hill station in Maharashtra on April 26 and the ED also arrested them in May.

The ED on July 9 attached Rs 2,203 crore assets, comprising 344 bank accounts, investments and high-end vehicles in India, New York and Australia, of Kapoor and his family, the Wadhawans and others under the PMLA in the Rs 3,700 crore fraud case.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
The number of deaths globally due to smokeless tobacco has gone up by a third in seven years to an estimated 3,50,000 people, according to a new study which says India continues to be a hotspot accounting for about 70 percent of the global disease burden due to its use.

Researchers, including those from the University of York in the UK, said the study comes at a time when there are concerns that spitting, a behaviour common among those who chew tobacco, is likely to transmit the Covid-19 virus.

The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, calls for governments and public health bodies to regulate the production and sale of smokeless tobacco.

According to the scientists, a ban on spitting in public places will also discourage smokeless tobacco use and may reduce the transmission of Covid-19.

"The study has come at a time when Covid-19 is affecting almost all aspects of our lives. Chewing tobacco increases saliva production and leads to compulsive spitting," said Kamran Siddiqi, a co-author of the study from the University of York.

"There are concerns that spitting -- a behaviour common among those who chew tobacco -- is likely to transmit the virus to others," Siddiqi said.

The research estimates that in 2017 alone smokeless tobacco resulted in more than 90,000 deaths due to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, and oesophagus, as well as accounting for more than 2,58,000 deaths from heart disease.

It noted that millions more have their lives shortened by ill-health due to the effects of chewing tobacco-based products.

The researchers compiled the figures using data from 127 countries and extracted from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study and surveys such as Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

Siddiqi said South and South-East Asia continue to be a hotspot with India accounting for 70 percent, Pakistan for 7 percent and Bangladesh for 5 percent of the global disease burden due to smokeless tobacco.

"Smokeless tobacco is used by almost a quarter of tobacco users and most of them live in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. In the UK, South Asian communities also consume smokeless tobacco products which too needs to be regulated just like cigarettes," Siddiqi said.

"We have an international policy in the form of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, to regulate the supply and demand of tobacco products. We need to apply this framework to smokeless tobacco with the same rigour as it is applied to cigarettes," he added.
France conducted joint military exercises with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday as tensions rose over Turkish oil and gas exploration in disputed waters.

The French government has urged Turkey to halt "unilateral" prospecting "to allow a peaceful dialogue" with Greece, its neighbour and fellow member of Nato.

The exercises came a day after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, pledged to step up his country's military presence in the area following a telephone call with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister.

Afterwards, Mr Mitsotakis tweeted: "Emmanuel Macron is a true friend of Greece and a fervent defender of European values and international law."

France has dispatched a La Fayette-class frigate and two Rafale fighter jets to the southern Greek island of Crete.

Mr Macron said France was temporarily strengthening its forces "to monitor the situation in the region and mark its determination to uphold international law".

Turkey and Greece are already at loggerheads over competing claims to natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean.

Tensions have been heightened by attempts from a third neighbouring country, Cyprus, which is an EU member, to explore for gas in the area.

A Turkish seismic vessel collecting data on possible hydrocarbon reserves has been sailing between Crete and Cyprus since Monday.

It was dispatched days after Greece signed a maritime agreement with Egypt designating an exclusive economic zone between the two countries.

Turkey and Greece have both signalled a willingness to resolve the dispute but vowed to defend their interests. The row has exposed cracks in the Nato alliance, already strained by an earlier spat between France and Turkey over the Libyan civil war.

France was the only European country deemed to support General Khalifa Haftar, a renegade military leader who is trying to oust the country's UN-backed government.

Turkey has helped the administration to repel Gen Haftar.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill to prohibit anyone from posting the addresses or phone numbers of judges and prosecutors online.

Action on the bill, A1649, comes in the wake of the July 19 fatal shooting at U.S. District Judge Esther Salass home in North Brunswick. A gunman who found her address on the internet shot and killed her son and injured her husband. The judge, who was in the basement of her home at the time, was not injured.

Salas, in an emotional statement earlier this month, urged that actions be taken to protect federal judges privacy.

Currently, federal judges addresses and other information is readily available on the Internet, she said. In addition, there are companies that will sell your personal details that can be leveraged for nefarious purposes. In my case, this monster knew where I lived and what church we attended and had a complete dossier on me and my family. At the moment there is nothing we can do to stop it, and that is unacceptable,

My sons death cannot be in vain, which is why I am begging those in power to do something to help my brothers and sisters on the bench.

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union, said Thursday the Legislature must answer the judges call to action.

The Assembly State and Local Government Committee approved a bill Thursday prohibiting people, government agencies and businesses from posting the home addresses and unpublished phone numbers of active and retired judges and state, county and municipal prosecutors.

Violation of the proposed law would be a crime of the third- or fourth-degree, punishable by fines, imprisonment or both.

Our hearts continue to break for Judge Salas and her family, the assemblywoman said in a statement.

The goal of this bill is to better protect the privacy of judges and prosecutors by prohibiting their personal addresses and contact information from being shared online without their consent.

The bill may be amended still to protect the home addresses of other public officials, Quijano said Thursday.

Kimberly Yonta, president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, told lawmakers changes must be made to make it harder to track down judges and prosecutors.

Such an attack is every judges nightmare, yet these threats are visited upon judges across the court system, whether they handle family, civil or criminal matters. They happen to judges when they are on the bench and when they have retired. These threats are an attack not just on individual stewards of justice but on the entire system, she said.

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Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:42:52|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday revealed the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa surged to 1,084,687 as the death toll rose to 24,660.

The Africa CDC, a specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU) Commission, in its latest situation update issued on Friday, said the number of COVID-19 cases across the African continent has risen from 1,073,788 on Thursday to 1,084,687 as of Friday.

The Africa CDC also noted that the continent-wide COVID-19 related death toll registered an increase of 404 deaths compared to Thursday's 24, 256 to reach 24, 660.

The continental disease control and prevention agency also said the number of people who recovered from their COVID-19 infections also reached 780,076 so far.

South Africa currently has the most COVID-19 cases at 572,865. The country also has the highest COVID-19 related deaths, with death toll currently standing at 11,270, according to the Africa CDC.

Egypt comes next with 96, 108 COVID-19 cases and 5,107 COVID-19 related deaths followed by Nigeria which has so far recorded 48,116 COVID-19 cases and 966 deaths.

The northern African country of Morocco comes fourth in terms of number of COVID-19 related cases recording 37, 935 COVID-19 cases out of which 584 resulted in the deaths.

Rounding up the top five COVID-19 infected African countries list is Algeria which has so far recorded 37, 631 COVID-19 cases out of which 1,328 resulted in the deaths.

These five countries in total account for almost three fourth of all COVID-19 cases in Africa, with South Africa alone accounting for more than 50 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the continent.

The Southern Africa region is the most affected area in terms of confirmed cases, followed by Northern Africa and Western Africa regions, the Africa CDC said.

South Africa accounts for the highest number of COVID-19 cases per one million people, with 9,792 cases per one million people, followed by Djibouti with 5,358 cases per one million people.

Cape Verde comes third with 5,000 cases per one million people and Sao Tome and Principe comes fourth with 4,410 cases per one million people. Rounding up the top five list is Gabon with 3,846 cases per one million people.

The Africa CDC also said nine African countries are reporting case fatality rates comparable to or higher than the global case fatality rate of 3.7 percent.

These African countries are Chad, Sudan, Liberia, Niger, Egypt, Mali, Angola, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.

Amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the African continent, the Africa CDC disclosed on Thursday that some 23 African countries are currently implementing entry and exit restrictions, requiring COVID-19 testing and test certificates.

Amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, the Africa CDC has called for strong continental and global collaboration to contain the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Africa.

The Africa CDC director John Nkengasong called for the strengthening of national public health institutions, the development of competency-based workforce and expansion of community-based health programs to fight COVID-19.

He in particular mentioned China's "barefoot doctor" program as an exemplary initiative African countries can emulate to help them comprehensively fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
You cant have equity happening in silos, McBride said. We want to work with others whose issues mirror what were going through. It could be graduation rates, or getting more Latino students to take algebra. It puts us with others who want to do what we do.
Sri Lankas government was pushed into crisis by a series of protests by Colombo Port workers last month against plans to privatise the ports Eastern Container Terminal and hand it over to an Indian company. During the workers actions, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse admitted that the US and India want to transfer the terminal to Indias Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited.

Speaking at a port workers protest on July 24, Udeni Kaluthantri, the secretary of Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, which is affiliated to the right-wing United National Party (UNP), revealed that when the union leaders met with Prime Minister Rajapakse at his ancestral home, he told them: [W]e can allow you to unload the gantry cranes, but cant let the operations start [at the terminal]. I had to go home once, because I got hammered by the US and India. I wont make the same mistake again.

Rajapakse was referring to a demand by the unions to fit two gantry cranes at the terminal and start operating it under the governments Ports Authority, without privatisation.

Workers protest against privatisation of Colombo port terminal

Kaluthantri added: During the last regime, the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told me, that you have a right to protest, but dont protest against [the terminal] privatisation. That will offend India. We cannot protect our government if India is offended.

Rajapakses reference to being hammered pointed to the Washington-orchestrated regime-change operation in 2015, which ousted him as president and brought Maithripala Sirisena to power. New Delhi supported the political operation.

Washington backed Rajapakses brutal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and his anti-democratic rule, but was hostile to his growing relations with Beijing. The US wanted to integrate Sri Lanka into its military encirclement of China and make India a frontline state in its confrontation with Beijing.

After taking power, Sirisena appointed Wickremesinghe as prime minister. They initially halted all Chinese projects and began integrating the military, particularly the navy, with the US Indo-Pacific Command. They conducted joint exercises and sought to develop the island into a logistics hub. India also enhanced its military and political relations with Sri Lanka.

The cash-strapped Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government later turned to Beijing for loans and allowed the resumption of Chinese projects, but continued the military integration with the US and India. That explains Wickremesinghes statement to the UNP union leader about not being able to offend India.

The comments of both Rajapakse and Wickremesinghe demonstrate the subservience of Sri Lankas capitalist establishment to the interests of US imperialism, with which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aligned.

On July 24, the union leaders met with a representative of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse requesting his assurance that the terminal would not be privatised. He refused to issue any such guarantee.

Terrified that workers anger over the privatisation would spiral out of their control, the union bureaucrats initiated an impotent Sathyagraha (sit-down protest) from July 29, again demanding a written promise from the president that [the terminal] will not be privatised. Some of the unions also tried to divert workers opposition into a nationalist anti-Indian campaign.

Anti-privatisation protest in Colombo

However, 10,000 workers began a strike on July 31, blocking all roads into and inside the port, completely paralysing it.

President Rajapakse not only refused to talk to the unions but attacked the workers struggle as an extremist act of sabotage, declaring: I cannot be intimidated [by such actions].

Facing this threat, the union leaders met with the prime minister at his residence again to obtain another empty pledge not to proceed with the agreement with India. Mahinda Rajapakse gave a promise, but only to prevent the strike continuing, just five days before the August 5 national election. The union leaders immediately called off the stoppage.

The government, as well as the unions, feared the strike would attract the support of other sections of workers also angered by decades of attacks on social and democratic rights.

Behind President Rajapakses threat and the manoeuvres by his brother the prime minister lies the pressure of India and the US, which want to gain control over the strategic Colombo port. The president and prime minister, well aware they are treading on a geostrategic minefield, do not want to annoy Washington and New Delhi.

Mahinda Rajapakses previous regime allowed China Merchant Port Holdings (CMPH) to build and operate the Colombo South harbour in 2012. The Chinese company also constructed the Hambantota harbour and, a few kilometres away, the Mattala airport. In 2016, the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government leased the entire Hambantota port to CMPH. The US and India expressed their concerns and accused China of creating a debt trap to secure the port.

The Indian companys bid for the terminal is not merely to extract profit from it. It is a move to strengthen Indias grip over the key portanother step in Washingtons economic and military offensive against China, which began under the Obama administrations pivot to Asia.

Amid the world capitalist crisis escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic, US President Donald Trump has intensified the provocations against China. The US has formed the Asia-Pacific quadrilateral (Quad) alliance with Japan, India and Australia, against China. It also backed India in the deadly border clashes that flared in the Himalayan region between China and India in July.

The Colombo Port workers struggle has demonstrated that the US and India want Sri Lanka tied to their strategic and military moves against nuclear-armed China, raising the danger of a catastrophic war in which the island would become embroiled.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Fernanda Banda Coronado compiled all of her documents.

All the 22-year-old Albuquerque resident lacked was the almost $500 application fee to be enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

She meets all of the requirements for the program that offers protection to people brought to this country as children who are now living here illegally.

But a recent decision by the Trump administration has put Banda Coronados plans on hold. Despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling keeping the program created by President Barack Obama in 2012 intact, the current administration announced last month it would no longer take applications and would shorten DACA renewals from two years to one.

Im really sick and tired and mostly angry at the system attacks by (President Donald) Trump and his administration, she said.

The Rio Grande High School graduate has a job with the New Mexico Dream Team immigrant advocacy organization and is currently enrolled at Central New Mexico Community College. She and her sister, Itzayana, were brought to the United States by their parents from the Mexican state of Chihuahua when Banda Coronado was only a year old.

Banda Coronado gathered all of the documents needed to apply for DACA: a birth certificate with an English translation, copies of passports, immigration documents, a previous employment card, income tax returns, bank statements, school diplomas and school records.

Her mother, Margarita, who was working at a local bakery, was trying to come up with the money for both of her daughters to apply for the status.

My mother was making the tough decision at the time to either pay for my application or pay for my older sisters application, Banda Coronado said.

It so happened she could not afford either one.

Life in limbo has become the reality for undocumented youth since the Trump administration first tried to dismantle the program in 2017, only to find its effort challenged in court.

The president ultimately knows, and understands and really wants a legislative fix to this DACA issue, said former New Mexico Lt. Gov. John Sanchez, who is a leader of the White Houses Hispanic Prosperity Initiative. He has been waiting, impatiently, I should say, for the Democrats in Congress to come to the table and not politicize this issue and do something with congressional action that becomes law so that we can offer some predictability to those people who are affected by DACA.

But Blanca Banuelos, who is one of the states 6,000 DACA recipients, is skeptical.

She had a feeling the struggle wasnt over when the Supreme Court left the program intact in June.

When SCOTUS announced DACA was going to continue, I realistically knew Trump was going to do what he could to make sure that DACA ended, she said.

The 20-year-old Albuquerque resident said she feels fortunate to have been approved for the program before the administration attempted to end it.

The White House still maintains the program is illegal and said its decision in late July to stop taking applications and shorten renewals is part of a review of DACA.

Its going to put more stress on our communities, Banuelos said. Renewing my DACA every two years is already really stressful. We just have to have all of our IDs and our work permit. Everything expires after the two-year mark. You have to go through the process of paying for a new license and all of that.

Adding to the stress of reapplying is always having to wonder what would happen if she no longer had the protections DACA affords.

Were obtaining DACA to be able to get a job and help out our parents financially, she said.

For Banda Coronado, there is another fear, the fear of deportation.

If Im driving or if I feel unsafe at some point, I think the cops may be a good idea to call, she said. But then I feel unsafe when the cops show up. Its just a constant fear in the back of your head of hey, one second I could be here where I have been all of my life. And another second, I could be somewhere where I dont have any recollection of.

She only has to look at the example of her father, Jorge Banda Sr., who was deported in 2011. And she said she hasnt heard much from him since.

Because of Albuquerques and Bernalillo Countys immigrant-friendly policies, New Mexico Dream Team campaign manager Felipe Rodriguez said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are not as active in the Albuquerque area with the exception of criminal cases.

But he said that was not the case in other areas where local governments have passed policies that are the opposite of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, such as Farmington and Roswell, which make it easier for ICE to deport with cooperation with local law enforcement and things like that.

The activity is more aggressive than what we see here in Albuquerque, he said.

Banuelos and Banda Coronado said they want to pursue their dreams in the only country theyve ever really called home.

Banuelos family also moved to the U.S., when she was 1. She was born in Juarez, Mexico.

She said moving to the U.S. was a hard decision for her parents, Marcos and Maribel.

But they were facing a lot of violence due to the things that go down in Juarez, she said. They decided they didnt want us to grow up around the things that they grew up around.

She said her parents also wanted her and her sisters, Nivia, 21, and Claudia, 18, to have access to a free education.

My dad owns his own business, she said. Hes a mechanic.  Thats been our main source of income, ever since we came to the United States.

Banuelos graduated from Del Norte High School and is studying sociology at CNM. She wants to pursue a career in community development, so she can help low income communities, and communities that are being left out of funding from the government.

Banda Coronado dreams of a career in politics or economics. She is a leader of the New Mexico Dream Teams advocacy department, where she assists other immigrants.

Her family came to the U.S. from Chihuahua to escape poverty and violence, although she said her mother does not talk about the violence part much. Her family includes a younger brother, Jorge Jr., who, at 17, is a U.S. citizen.

My mother didnt see much economic opportunities there (in Chihuahua), Banda Coronado said.

Banuelos and Banda Coronado hope for a path to citizenship. They admit being frustrated when legislation such as the Dream and Promise Act doesnt advance through Congress.

The bill, which is supported by all of the members of the states all-Democratic delegation, would provide DACA recipients with a path to citizenship and offer protections for other immigrants.

It passed the House last year, but has not been taken up by the Senate.

Rodriguez said he and Banda Coronado have had discussions with members of the delegation about immigration issues.

There have been other pieces of legislation that have tried to tackle this, he said. Were very clear that we want a pathway to citizenship and not something temporary like DACA.

He seeks a path to citizenship not only for DACA recipients, but for other undocumented immigrants.

The Trump administration at times has signaled that it would be willing to address those issues, but Sanchez said he doesnt want to get ahead of the president about a solution.

I would really encourage, especially here in New Mexico, our congressional delegation to really come to the table and say Mr. President, we really want to work with you. We understand what is at stake,  he said.
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Coronavirus: first infection in Greek island migrant camp On Chios, 35-year-old Yemeni

(ANSAmed) - ATHENS, AUG 13 - Greece on Thursday recorded its first case of COVID-19 in a migrant camp on one of its islands. A migration ministry source told AFP that it was a 35-year-old originally from Yemen living in the Vial camp on the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean. Several migrants that arrived on the island of Lesbos in recent days tested positive but this is the first ''non-imported'' case. ''The man was placed in quarantine in a local hospital and 30 others are undergoing testing,'' an official who spoke on condition of anonymity said. Over 3,800 migrants are staying in the Vial camp, some three times its maximum capacity. Many COVID-19 cases - but none fatal - have been recorded over the past few months in migrant camps in mainland Greece. The news of the infection in the Vial camp came just after a record-high number of infections in a single day in Greece on Wednesday: 262.



(ANSAmed). (ANSA).




The judge presiding over the hearing for the lawsuit filed against Midland County Judge Terry Johnson by District Attorney Laura Nodolf did not give a judgment Thursday but instead gave both sides extra time to review new information. In the suit, Nodolf argued that Johnson was late in filing his proposed county budget.

Ector County Judge Stacy Trotter is presiding over the hearing in Midland County 441st District Court. He was assigned to the case after a Midland County judge recused himself.

Trotter made two rulings on motions filed by Johnsons representation, County Attorney Russell Malm. The first of those rulings was on a motion to dismiss, which Trotter denied, according to Malm.

The second ruling was on Malms response to the lawsuit, in which he argued Nodolf did not have standing to file a suit over the proposed county budget. Malm said the judge ruled Nodolf does have standing.

From there, Trotter heard oral arguments from Malm and from Nodolfs attorney, Eric Kalenak, senior appellate attorney for the DAs office.

Malm argued the Local Government Code does not set a deadline for when a county judge must file his proposed budget, while Kalenak argued that because the code dictates a budget must be prepared in July, its expected the budget will also be filed with the county clerk by the end of July.

Johnson filed his proposal on Aug. 6, a day after Nodolf filed the lawsuit, though Johnson had already indicated he would be submitting the budget that day before the suit was filed.

Trotter did not give a final judgment on the case Thursday, instead opting to give each party additional time to review new information. Malm said that during the hearing he discussed a similar case and opinions from the Attorney Generals Office which were not included in the documents he had filed.

Kalenak will now have the opportunity to submit a written response to the additional materials, and Malm will follow that with his own response, he said. Malm expects a judgment will be given shortly but said he did not know what day that would be.

Johnson said he believed Trotter had been prepared to make a judgment Thursday before Kalenak requested more time to review the new documents. He said the judge stated during the hearing that there was no precedent in the law that sets a deadline on filing the budget.

Nodolf requested in her suit for a mandate to be set that would require the county judge to file the proposed budget by July 31 in future years. She previously declined to comment on the lawsuit in a statement to the Reporter-Telegram, citing the ongoing litigation.
The steel major reported consolidated net loss of Rs 4,648.13 crore in Q1 June 2020 as against net profit of Rs 714.03 crore in Q1 June 2019.

Consolidated net sales slumped 32.7% to Rs 23,812.50 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Rs 35,382.16 crore in Q1 June 2019. Pre-tax loss stood at Rs 3,376.60 crore in Q1 June 2020 as against pre-tax profit of Rs 1,837.85 crore in Q1 June 2019. Current tax expense for the quarter tumbled 97.2% to Rs 26.62 crore as against Rs 950.37 crore in Q1 June 2019. The Q1 earnings were announced post trading hours yesterday, 13 August 2020.

Consolidated EBITDA dropped 89.17% to Rs 597 crore in Q1 FY21 as against Rs 5,515 crore in Q1 FY20. Exceptional items for Q1 June 2020 stood at Rs 58 crore as against Rs 16 crore in Q1 June 2019.

Tata Steel India and its key subsidiaries have countered the closure of the domestic market during the lockdown period by leveraging its global network and exporting more than 1.46 million tons during the quarter, limiting the decline in India steel deliveries to 27%Q-o-Q (quarter-on-quarter) as compared to the 55%Q-o-Q (quarter-on-quarter) drop in overall India steel demand.

Tata Steel's operating level has recovered to 90% by end June 2020 and has since then increased further to 95%, catering to both domestic and export customers. With the improvement in the domestic market, Tata Steel has been reducing its exports ratio. The price outlook in both export and domestic market continues to improve on month on month basis and the current quarter demand has been much better than a typically slow monsoon quarter in the past.

India average steel realizations were lower due to the COVID-19 impact during the quarter and about Rs 2,000 crores of costs were under absorbed due to the lower volumes and have been charged to the profit and loss account. Despite the drop in margins, there was a reduction in net debt of Rs 1,677 crore in India, including a reduction of Rs 577 crore and Rs 291 crore, respectively at Tata Steel BSL and Tata Steel Long Products.

Tata Steel Europe performance was affected with the overall weakness in economic activities in Europe and sharp drop in spreads. The company did receive short support from the UK and Netherlands Government including cash flow deferrals of payables. To preserve cash flows and focus on disciplined capital allocation, the company has curtailed growth capex for this year and the focus is primarily on safety environment and sustenance capital expenditure. In this uncertain economic environment, Tata Steel has built up a liquidity buffer of Rs 20,144 crore including Rs 14,178 crore of cash & cash equivalents.

T V Narendran, chief executive officer (CEO) & managing director (MD) of Tata Steel, has stated: "During the quarter, we recalibrated our operations and our sales across geographies in line with underlying regulatory and market conditions. While this had an adverse impact on our volumes and our margins, we were successful in mitigating the impact as we pivoted the business towards export markets and successfully generated free cashflows despite adverse market conditions."

"Economic activity is gradually recovering. In India, we have ramped-up our capacity utilizations to 90% levels with total sales in June exceeding FY20 average monthly sales. We are further ramping up capacity utilization and increasing domestic sales which will lead to an improvement in our margins in coming quarters. In Europe, spreads are at unsustainably low levels but are expected to improve going forward. We are also engaged with respective governments in UK and Netherlands for their support."

"While the risk of further COVID-19 outbreaks remains, we are cautiously optimistic that the worst is behind us. We continued to remain extremely focused on cashflows and liquidity management through this crisis," he added.

Shares of Tata Steel fell 0.12% at Rs 412.75 on BSE. Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes per annum.

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A laboratory technician holds a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate ready for trial on monkeys at the National Primate Research Center of Thailand

If a COVID-19 vaccine is proven effective, the US will ensure it's distributed for free to all Americans, officials said Thursday, underscoring there will be no shortcuts on safety.

"We are not at all reducing the regulatory rigor with which we will evaluate and hopefully approve vaccines," Paul Mango, a senior health department official, told reporters.

Washington has invested more than $10 billion in six vaccine projects and signed contracts guaranteeing the delivery of hundreds of millions of doses should they be approved following clinical trials.

The vaccine doses themselves will be paid for by the government.

Doctors or clinics that administer them will have to be paid but these costs should mostly be covered by private and public insurers.

"Most" commercial insurers have agreed to waive any out-of-pocket costs to their customers, said Mango.

"We are on track to deliver hundreds of millions of doses by January 2021," he added.

Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), said he was "cautiously optimistic" that at least one of the six vaccines the US had invested in would come through by the end of the year.

Critics of President Donald Trump have expressed worries that the administration may bypass safety precautions to announce a vaccine is available before the election on November 3 -- a charge Mango denied.

"We are not at all reducing the regulatory rigor with which we will evaluate and hopefully approve vaccines," he said.

Russia this week approved a vaccine even before the start of the last phase of clinical trials, in which the drug is injected into tens of thousands of volunteers to verify its effectiveness and safety.

"I hope that the Russians have actually definitively proven that the vaccine is safe and effective, but I seriously doubt that they've done that," Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease official said at a virtual panel hosted by National Geographic.

Collins compared Russia's vaccine, which they have dubbed "Sputnik V" after the Soviet Union's pioneering satellites, to a game of "Russian roulette."

ico/ia/acb
A former Saudi intelligence czar's lawsuit in the US courts makes a host of incendiary claims, including that the powerful crown prince tried to have him killed, and threatens to spill more royal secrets.

A source close to the Saudi royal court has shrugged off Saad Aljabri's 107-page lawsuit filed last week, insisting that the former spy chief himself faced serious allegations of corruption.

But the case, lodged after Riyadh detained two of Aljabri's adult children without charge, threatens to become a public slanging match that could pull aside the curtain on the kingdom's Shakespearean power plays.

The lawsuit marks the first time a former top official has legally challenged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and, if true, exposes what observers call a violent government campaign to snare overseas rivals and critics.

"There is virtually no one (Prince Mohammed) wants dead more than Dr Saad," the suit said, claiming a hit team was sent after him just two weeks after members of the same squad murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Aljabri, exiled in Canada, is a former intelligence chief and top aide to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who was deposed as heir to the throne by Prince Mohammed in a 2017 palace coup.

Releasing what it says are WhatsApp exchanges with Prince Mohammed, the suit accuses him of strong arm tactics to induce Aljabri to return to the kingdom after Nayef's downfall prompted him to flee.

They range from trying to entice Aljabri with a job offer to an unsuccessful attempt to have him extradited through Interpol, and the detention in March of his two children as a bargaining chip.

Then in October 2018, the suit alleges, the prince sent "Tiger Squad" assassins armed with forensic tools to kill him in Canada -- chillingly similar to the way Khashoggi was targeted in Istanbul.

- 'Sensitive information' -

A senior Saudi official told AFP the government was preparing its response to the lawsuit, while Canada has not denied the claim that it intercepted a Saudi hit squad.

Former CIA officials have come out in support of Aljabri, praising him as a longtime partner in counter-terrorism efforts who helped thwart multiple attacks on US interests.

It is unclear how the lawsuit will play out in the United States, where neither Aljabri nor the crown prince is based.

But it could still worry Riyadh as it emphasises Aljabri possesses "sensitive, humiliating and damning information" on the crown prince, including recordings that will be made public if he is killed.

Offering a foretaste of the secrets Aljabri harbours was an explosive claim buried in the lawsuit -- that in 2015, Prince Mohammed secretly encouraged Russia to intervene in the Syrian conflict, a move that infuriated the CIA.

Two months later, Russian forces launched their intervention, effectively eliminating any chance of a military victory for the Syrian opposition, which the kingdom claimed to support.

Neither Moscow nor Riyadh have addressed the claim.

But the royal court source dismissed the lawsuit as a "PR step", calling it a "flimsy case" that offered "zero evidence".

"Any sensitive state secrets Aljabri has he would have been involved in and would not want to admit to... It will dig up things that (human rights groups) will hardly approve of," the source told AFP.

The source accused Aljabri of corruption involving billions of dollars during his time at the interior ministry and said he could be "poisoning the Saudi-US relationship given his contacts".

- 'Politically risky' -

The dispatching of a kill squad to Canada at the height of the global outrage over Khashoggi's murder, if confirmed, shows Aljabri is seen by Riyadh as "politically risky", said Middle East expert Bessma Momani.

"To go after rivals in this fashion also shows MBS feels he is untouchable," added Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, using the prince's acronym.

Graft allegations against Aljabri have met with scepticism in the American intelligence community, with one former CIA official telling AFP: "Everyone in the US who knows Dr Saad and Saudi Arabia and knows what MBS is capable of, would not believe that."

President Donald Trump, a key Saudi ally, backed Prince Mohammed through the Khashoggi scandal.

But the US State Department last week issued a rare rebuke over the detention of Aljabri's children -- Sarah and Omar, both in their 20s -- calling it "unacceptable" and demanding their "immediate release".

"In my years at the CIA, I have never known a foreign official who is a better subject matter expert on counterterrorism than Dr Saad," Daniel Hoffman, a former director of the CIA's Middle East division, told AFP.

"This looks like a dispute between Dr Saad and the Saudi government. The children should be allowed to leave the kingdom if they wish."
Cabinet has approved proposals for the management of post-retirement contracts in public universities which offer professorial grade staff the eligibility for post-retirement contracts until the age of 70.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has revealed.

According to him, this approval provides grounds for streamlining and regularizing the need to retain highly skilled and experienced academic staff to support the core business of the universities.

Delivering a statement on the Floor of Parliament on Tuesday, the Education Minister stated that post-retirement contracts in all public universities shall be guided by mandatory retirement for academic staff of public universities, which he said shall continue to be 60 years in line with constitutional provisions.

He added that professorial grade staff (Associate Professors and Professors) shall be eligible for post-retirement contracts until the age of 70.

Dr. Prempeh, who is popularly known as Napo, explained that the initial contract shall be for five years up to the age of 65 and then afterwards, contracts shall be offered on a 2+2+1 basis subject to need and good health.

Research Fund and Book & Research Allowance

On the Book & Research Allowance which was abolished by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, he said the Akufo-Addo administration had restored it.

We have not only restored it but also we have approved a 200% increase in the allowance Let's not forget that this was introduced under His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufuor, he pointed out.

Further to this, Mr. Speaker, this government has laid before Parliament, the Ghana National Research Fund Bill, the purpose of which is to provide for funds and to support national research in tertiary and research institutions, he asserted.

University Teachers Upgrade

The minister said the government, through the GETFund, was providing support for university teachers who want to upgrade their qualifications, adding indeed, a staff audit of technical universities and Colleges of Education revealed several qualification gaps and staff who fall short of the minimum qualifications required to teach in those institutions have up to two years to update their qualifications and are able to draw on these resources.

Mr. Speaker, all these important reforms will come to nothing without engaging the teachers for the simple reason that the teachers are at the centre of the education system as the frontliners and engineers of quality learning outcomes, he stressed.

According to him, the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration is motivated by 'putting the teacher first' in the several reforms we have undertaken in the education space, focusing on positioning our teachers to acquire the right set of skills to deliver quality learning outcomes for our students.

Indeed, one of the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic is the fact that the significance of our gallant, hard-working teachers is better appreciated by parents who suddenly have to deal with their boisterous young children round the clock.

Mr. Speaker, our mantra has been and remains 'Teacher First'. This is what guided our key promise to restore the teacher training allowance that was abolished by the then Mahama-led NDC government, he said and added that we have kept to that promise!

Dr. Prempeh said the record of the NPP administration as a government on teacher reforms had revolved around the nine UNESCO approved benchmarks, and mentioned some of them as the teacher recruitment and retention, teacher education, teacher deployment, career pathways, teacher employment and working conditions.

The rest are teacher reward and remuneration, teacher standards, teacher accountability, school governance, and teacher education.

---Daily Guide
Ray Hadley and 2GB have reached an out-of-court settlement with a former staffer who accused the radio titan of 16 years of workplace bullying, harassment and intimidation.

Among the most shocking allegations leveled by panel operator Chris Bowen was that Hadley had called his former girlfriend Naomi Shivaraman a 'curry muncher'.

The alleged racial insult, referring to the 60 Minutes producer of Indian descent, was part of a litany of other claims aired in court over recent weeks.

Ray Hadley (pictured right) and 2GB have reached an out-of-court settlement with former staffer Chris Bowen (left) who accused the controversial shock jock of workplace bullying

Among the most shocking allegations leveled by panel operator Chris Bowen was that Hadley had called Bowman's former girlfriend Naomi Shivaraman (pictured) a 'curry muncher'.

Bowen initially came forward with the explosive accusations on Facebook in March 2019 after leaving 2GB in 2017.

He claims he was subject to 'no less than 1,000' personal attacks by Hadley.

Bowen accused Hadley of calling him a 'f***ing poof', a 'f****ing spastic' and a 'poor simpleton' during his time working with the talkback star.

The 40-year-old launched legal action in the New South Wales District Court in April, suing Hadley for negligence and breaching duty of care.

During proceedings the court heard Hadley had also allegedly called fellow radio host Luke Bona a 'lazy, black c***'.

But ten days ago, a confidential settlement for an undisclosed sum was agreed upon by the former friends, 2GB confirmed with Daily Mail Australia on Friday.

Former 2GB staffer Chris Bowen (pictured, left) is seen with former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson

Bowen accused Hadley (pictured) of calling him a 'f***ing poof', a 'f***ing spastic' and a 'poor simpleton' during his time working with the talkback radio titan

Hadley had apologised for his behaviour on air last year, describing his relationship with Bowen as once having been like 'father and son'.

'I've admitted to my previous shortcomings, I've also made no secret of the fact that in recent years I have done everything I can to do better,' the 65-year-old said.

In 2014, Hadley also settled out-of-court with another former colleague Richard Palmer, who had secretly recorded an allegedly abusive tirade.

Macquarie Radio's chairman at the time, Russell Tate, accused Hadley of being a 'psychotic bully' following the incident.

Both Bowen and Palmer were represented by the same lawyer, John Laxon.

In 2014, Hadley (pictured) also settled out-of-court with another former colleague Richard Palmer, who had secretly recorded an allegedly abusive tirade
WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is strongly encouraging parents to send their children to school in masks come September, but masks will not be required in classrooms.

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This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Manitoba Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen, left, and Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin speak at a media news conference at the Manitoba Legislative Building, in Winnipeg, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government is strongly encouraging parents to send their children to school in masks come September, but masks will not be required in classrooms.

"The safety and health of students and staff, and their families, are the priority as Manitoba returns to in-class learning," Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen said Thursday.

The province released its guidance and protocols for parents and teachers detailing what's required when schools open their doors to students on Sept. 8.

In-school classes were suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manitoba has had among the lowest COVID-19 numbers in the country, but it has seen a significant increase in the last few weeks, with outbreaks linked to Hutterite communities as well as a cluster in Brandon, where 31 employees have tested positive at the Maple Leaf Foods meat-processing plant.

The government reported 25 new cases in the province on Thursday.

Last month, a first draft of Manitoba's school re-opening plan laid out three possible scenarios that took into account how the pandemic was progressing in the province. At that time, the province did not recommend students wear masks. More than 70 schools provided feedback.

Government officials chose the moderate plan, which requires students to physically distance or stay in cohorts made of their immediate classmates.

Individual schools are to release their own specific plans next week, Goertzen said.

School divisions are also being asked to find funds for the measures within their current budgets. As the province sees need for more precautions, Goertzen said costs will be covered.

Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said the province will provide masks to school divisions, as well as other personal protective equipment.

He said masks are not mandatory in schools but are strongly recommended for students in Grades 5 to 12. However, masks will be required on school buses and parents are being encouraged to drive their kids to school as much as possible.

"We expect Manitobans to follow recommendations, said Roussin.

He added that a mandatory mask rule isn't off the table.

Manitoba Teachers Society vice-president, Nathan Martindale, said the province's plan doesn't go far enough and masks should be mandatory.

"It makes no sense that masks are required for the bus ride to school and then the students can take them off once they are at school."

Educators are also very concerned about class sizes and the number of available substitute teachers, he added. The society is calling for a gradual return of students to schools and access to rapid testing for teachers.

"We are looking for the government to step up," Martindale said.

The Opposition New Democrats also called for mandatory masks in schools. NDP Leader Wab Kinew said the Progressive Conservative government should hire more teachers to tackle the issue of class sizes.

Parents are also being asked to screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms every morning and keep them home if they aren't feeling well.

Physical distancing will be enforced at school with groups using different entrances, one-way marked hallways and space between desks and tables.

Roussin said officials have to prepare for infections within schools. Entire cohorts of students may have to isolate at home if a classmate tests positive. The closure of a school would be the last resort.

"The idea is to not require the closure of an entire school should we start to see cases," Roussin said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 13, 2020
Modern conservation laws prevent you from shooting an endangered condor because it looked at you funny, dumping nuclear waste into a bear den in an attempt to create super bears, and otherwise living like a Captain Planet villain. You probably know this wasn't always the case, with America's attitude having once been "Gunning down hundreds of buffalo from a train is conserving our fun."

But what led to improvements? Better science? The invention of Big Buck Hunter arcade machines? Well, yes, but also murder. And so, because we need a break from our depressing research into ursine tumors, here is the story of Guy Bradley.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gigantic feathered hats were all the rage. Nothing made a woman more attractive than looking like she was in the early stages of transitioning Animorphs-style into a peacock. An ounce of feathers was often worth as much as an ounce of gold, and a hell of a lot of ounces were being harvested. In 1902, a single London auction unloaded 48,240 ounces of heron plumes, which necessitated about 192,650 dead herons. Worldwide, millions of birds were being slaughtered each year to fuel Big Fancy Hat. (Add this to the rash of early 1900s egg crimes and it becomes rapidly apparent your great-great-grandparents reeeally hated anything that dared to evolve wings.)

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Nature's bounty was once considered inexhaustible. No matter how many birds were killed, it was commonly believed they would simply continue to respawn like World of Warcraft mobs. Nowadays, of course, we know that denying humanity's impact on the environment is a fringe stance held only by prominent politicians, business tycoons, and influential YouTubers, but this ignorance drove numerous species to the precipice of extinction and wiped out the passenger pigeon entirely.

Bird enthusiasts began to question the whole "leaving carcasses to rot in front of their starving offspring en masse is totes fine for the environment" argument, and groups formed to encourage protective legislation. These included early chapters of the Audubon Society whose members, completely unaware that comedy publications would be snickering at them over a century later, signed a pledge promising to never "molest birds." The Society that you now associate with laidback grandmas was promptly declared "extremist" by politicians and hat lobbyists, as their "self-righteous" concern for the environment would supposedly ruin the careers of hardworking Americans. If that reminds you of the current climate change argument, that's because time is a flat circle that mocks you for caring about things.
"The Riches of This Land: The Untold, True Story of America's Middle Class"

By Jim Tankersley

Public Affairs. 297 pp. $28

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In "The Riches of This Land: The Untold, True Story of America's Middle Class," Jim Tankersley lays out a compelling argument: Economic progress for immigrants, women and Blacks is essential to the overall health of the American economy. Deftly weaving firsthand examples with accessible discussions of economic research, Tankersley shows how the fortunes of elite White males have skyrocketed over the past 30 years, while incomes across most other demographics have declined. Improving the economy entails creativity about the future of work, recognizing that a narrative that pits Americans against one another by race, gender and ethnicity obscures the true causes of economic inequality.

After World War II, the economic boom was not restricted to White men. Blacks, women and immigrants also made significant economic gains until the 1970s, regardless of education level, yet they are seldom part of nostalgic reveries for the America of the past. "There is a story white America has told itself," Tankersley writes, "about how and where that boom occurred. We need to start with it - with the classic white tale of the Golden Era for American workers - in order to fill in the parts it leaves out and correct the lies it tells us now."

Tankersley, an economic and tax policy reporter for the New York Times and a former economics reporter for The Washington Post, upends the myth that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 created a level playing field for Black Americans in the U.S. economy. While the law did lead to significant improvements for people of color, "in the 1970s and 1980s, American politicians made a series of policy decisions that had the effect of bringing some of the discrimination back." Under the Reagan administration, for example, the dismantling of anti-discrimination programs, combined with mass incarceration for young Black men in the war on drugs and crime, stymied the economic gains of the Black population overall. Since the 1970s, economic advancement for Blacks has declined. Federal Reserve statistics show that at the median, White men without college degrees "still had more than eight times the wealth of similarly educated black Americans."

In fact, the income for all Americans with only a high school diploma dropped 12.3 percent from 1979 to 2018, even as wages for college graduates rose 14.4 percent. The reasons are numerous, but mechanization and the outsourcing of well-paying, union-protected factory jobs play a large part. All of the recent presidential administrations have promised to remedy this, yet none have: America's industrial train has left the station and isn't coming back anytime soon.

The media has focused disproportionately on the plight of White men without college degrees, particularly in former industrial areas, disguising the fact that women and minorities also grapple with low wages, disappearing benefits and rising health-care costs. "The news media," Tankersley argues, "helped perpetuate a very different sort of linkage between race and economics, one that gave white workers the impression that they struggled uniquely and fed the idea that 'others' were to blame for their problems."

In "The Riches of This Land," Tankersley tells stories the media has missed to show that people across all demographics are suffering. A compelling example is that of Edward Green, a Black man in his 50s whose career Tankersley has followed for many years. Leaving a well-paying job as a bus driver in New York, Green returned to North Carolina to take care of his sick mother. He now has to work multiple jobs to stay in the middle class, while juggling caretaking roles and dealing with significant health issues of his own.

Green's story reflects many of the themes of the book: the disappearance of good union jobs, the falling fortunes of the middle class, and reasons that people often remain attached to certain towns or regions that may not offer economic opportunities. Most Americans are experiencing hardships, yet artificial divisions of race and gender prevent them from seeing their commonalities. Politicians and the media have obscured the fact "that the elites had divided the workers against each other, exploiting fissures of race and gender and culture, in order to keep a grip on power in a time of great unrest."

Many of the messages of "The Riches of This Land" contradict the Trump administration's relentless assault on immigration, which, under cover of the pandemic, has expanded to include a pause on green-card applications and, more recently, highly skilled H1B visas. Numerous studies show that innovation in the economy and the creation of jobs are associated with a high presence of immigrants with creative ideas. In fact, a 2018 study by the National Foundation for American Policy found that 55 percent of U.S. start-up companies valued at $1 billion and up not only had immigrant founders but also created more than 1,200 jobs per company.

Although women's incomes have stagnated over the past 40 years, their contributions to a complex economy are also crucial. In projects presented to venture firms, Tankersley observes, women are "more focused than men on leveraging innovative technologies to solve large social problems like chronic disease or climate change." Women's economic successes do not come at the expense of men: Researchers from the International Monetary Fund have found that increasing gender diversity in the economy both improves growth and productivity and enhances male incomes.

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, economic inequality in America has been reinforced, while political divisiveness has not brought the country together or improved life for the average American. At the same time, the finance industry has doubled in size, leading IMF economists to warn that "the American financial sector had grown so large that it was slowing economic growth." Redirecting the false narrative of job-stealing immigrants or affirmative-action policies onto the financial system would clearly be a more accurate approach. "It's easier," Tankersley writes, "to turn Americans against each other than it is to focus them to change a system that perpetuates legacy power dynamics. It could easily happen again in the years to come."

As the United States enters another economic crisis, inclusive policies that enrich all Americans, not just those at the very top, provide an essential way forward.
Perhaps you have reached the point of quarantine where you are ready to fully overhaul your space on your own, drilling and caulking skills be damned. And while the vision-boarding portion is more fun than grouting tile or ripping up your 1970s kitchen, a new look is still fully available to you. But its all about strategysome calculated upgrades are more strategic than physically taxing.

This thought sparked my quest for accessible ways to completely reinvent a space more than just swapping out one throw for another. The key finding? Smartly utilizing prints and patterns. When considered correctly, by using wall coverings, strategic accessories, or a well-designed window treatment, a new room is born. Plus, these hacks can make a world of difference in any space without the permanence of a gut reno.

Home accessories brand Peppera young, direct-to-consumer company that offers fabric, wallpaper, table linens, and other home accessoriesoffers just the tools for such projects. We fell for Pepper thanks to its idiosyncratic yet accessible prints, surprising affordability, and accessibility to anyone who can click add to cart. But just what types of fabric are right for each job? Here, Peppers cofounders Erin Banta and Kelsey Brown give Clever their tricks of the do-it-yourself-quarantine-makeover trade.

Bathroom Refresh

Sprucing up a bath can feel like an intimidating project. Hardware and fixtures can get expensive, and tinkering with plumbing requires a call to the professionals. But, like it or not, most guests to your place will inevitably get a look at its decor. Erin and Kelsey swear that a smart wall covering will give the space new life. Something thats light and bright is going to make your bathroom look a lot larger, says Kelsey. When she moved into her Brooklyn apartment, the powder room was swathed in a dark red. After she swapped it with white ground wallpaper, the space feels twice as big. Kelsey explains that it doesnt matter if the pattern is large and bold or micro-minias long as the print feels airy, theres no way to lose.

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For renters who cant risk their security deposits, the Pepper team suggests a bold shower curtain. Remove visions of traditional waxy neutralsany of your favorite fabrics can become a shower shield with a few alterations. Buy a few yards of your favorite print and take it to your local tailor who can convert it (inexpensively) into a curtain. Paired with a fresh set of hand towels, an average powder room becomes boutique hotelesque.

Make old pieces new

For many, custom-upholstered furniture is a pipe-dream project. Considering the labor, cost, and knowing how much fabric to purchase can easily turn off even ambitious home-dwellers. But Erin and Kelsey encourage tackling smaller pieces to add an accessible bespoke touch to your space.

Kelsey points to a pair of vintage lamps, their shades covered in Peppers Jasper print. I went to the Brooklyn Flea Market and bought two brass lamps that were $25 apiece, I believe, and then just redid the lampshades in our fabric. And thats something that somebody could also do themselves.

Selecting window treatments

Most interior designers opine that a room is not complete without proper window treatments. But these features are rarely the number one priority for new homeowners or renters. Whether you inhabit a sleek, modern apartment or a historic townhouse, Erin and Kelsey think to-the-floor drapes are the way to go. They go the longest way in terms of making the biggest impact, Erin says. A lot of times, rental spaces feel very temporary, and youre dealing a lot of times with a white box. I think adding drapery makes it feel more complete and more permanent, like a true home. Pepper offers affordable, custom-length curtains on its sitea game changer for DIY decorators.

Picking a pattern, Kelsey notes, is up to you. For those just dipping their toes into the land of color, Kelsey suggests something blue with a small-scale print, which is soothing and neutral without the flatness of beige. Peppers popular Poppy Blue is one exampletiny dabs of blue on a white cotton. We call it, like, a no-print print, Kelsey says. And it basically creates a texture from far away. Pure maximalists should go bold and pick a fabric with a range of colors in the print. Erin says, It makes it easier to tie in all the different colors that you might be working with.

The art of accent pillows

When they met in business school, Kelsey and Erin both lived in tiny West Village apartments. They knew these were not their forever homesinvesting in furniture was off the tablebut they wanted to add a touch of personality to their living spaces. Pillows are the easiest way to do that, Kelsey says. Why would I replace my white IKEA couch when I could just find some inexpensive throw pillows to make it look fresh and new?

To style a sofa or love seat, Kelsey suggests sticking to a palette while mixing bold prints with subtle ones. If theyre in the same color family, it all works. Pepper currently sells a range in unique patterns, and will introduce an option for custom-trimmed pillows, lumbar pillows, and Euro shams in September.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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Staying home to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients and their doctors have embraced telemedicine. Prior to COVID-19, telehealth use was growing but represented a tiny percentage of all health care visits.

During the peak of the first wave of infections, many telehealth centers saw a dramatic increase in care  for example, the University of Michigan had a 2,500% increase in telehealth encounters. In fact, according to internal data at the University of Michigan, telehealth visits accounted for more than 75% of all visits during April and May. Another fact that surprised us: Nearly half of those visits were conducted by telephone alone rather with audio and video communication, as is conventionally required by insurance.

One of us, Dr. Li, is an emergency physician and health services researcher who studies how telehealth can deliver care efficiently and equitably. Dr. Chen is a primary care physician who leads implementation of telehealth in general medicine. Dr. Woodward is a physician-scientist, health services researcher and also an ophthalmologist. Based on our research and experience treating patients via telehealth during the pandemic, we believe that the telephone could be a tool in treating many patients who do not have computers  or computer know-how.

A backup that proved itself

As anyone who has tried to work or learn remotely during the pandemic knows, technical glitches with videoconferencing software or internet connections are common and disruptive. When it comes to getting health care, instead of canceling the visit and rescheduling, potentially delaying time-sensitive care, it makes sense, we believe, to convert the visit to a phone visit.

This would make the best use of time that patients and their doctors have already set aside for the visit. At the University of Michigan, during the height of the pandemic locally from mid-March through May, all patients were first offered video visits and converted to telephone visits if video visits were declined.

While using telephone as an alternative to video visits during a pandemic may seem like common sense, it was previously next to impossible for doctors to be reimbursed for care delivered by audio connection alone. However, to equalize care and help all patients maintain access to care during the pandemic, in late March the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made a temporary exception to this rule. It allowed doctors to be paid the same amount for in-person, video and old-fashioned telephone visits.

This rule change has widespread effects beyond Medicare beneficiaries, however. Many commercial insurance companies follow Medicares lead when it comes to deciding what services are covered.

The temporary changes to Medicare policy were critical to this increase in telehealth usage. They removed geographic limitations and broadened eligible communications platforms to include smartphone apps like FaceTime or Zoom as well as telephone-only visits. This lowered the barrier for both patients and doctors to have virtual visits.

After this rule change, nearly one in three telehealth visits billed to Medicare during the public health emergency was phone-only, according to a recent article by CMS Director Seema Verma. Many large private insurers similarly expanded telehealth coverage during this period.

Helping the digitally divided

Telephone visits also have an advantage over video conferencing because they allow doctors to reach patients who might otherwise be left behind in the digital divide.

In particular, those living in remote areas and lower-income or minority households are less likely to own a computer or have broadband service.

Older patients are also often left behind because they may not have experience connecting via smartphones or software applications. Additionally, patients with visual limitations have greater difficulty using video visit platforms but have developed strategies to use telephones.

Some groups least able to perform virtual video visits  such as older patients with multiple chronic illnesses  are often the same populations most likely to benefit from continuity of medical care. However, in-person visits have a risk of COVID-19 exposure. They can also be more challenging due to limited transportation, need for childcare or the need for assistance from a caregiver who needs to find time to accompany their loved one to the appointment.

In this sense, health care delivered by a simple phone call may save lives on two fronts. It has helped physicians and patients manage health conditions in a timely, accessible way, often without needing to leave their homes, thus minimizing exposure to the coronavirus.

Not just for emergencies

For many chronic diseases, telephone visits can provide the necessary information to diagnose and treat a patient. For example, doctors can address congestive heart failure issues over the phone simply by asking patients about their symptoms and weight fluctuations and making medication adjustments.

In cancer care, while it can be helpful to see the patient on screen, it is often possible to review a patients symptoms and discuss test results without the need for video.

The phone is also effective for patients who are experiencing anxiety and depression. Doctors and caregivers can learn how a patients mood is affecting daily activities, and counsel them on ways to manage stress.

In some cases, hybrid visits are working well. In preparation for a telephone visit to manage diabetes, some patients at Michigan Medicine are referred for drive-thru fingerstick testing for their blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c, a marker of their average blood sugar over the past three months. This information, in addition to reporting their daily blood sugars during their virtual visit with their health care provider, can be used to make adjustments to medications for those with uncontrolled diabetes  no video required.

Call me, maybe - an uncertain future

Because of the success of telehealth during the pandemic, lawmakers are already talking about what permanent telehealth legislation should look like beyond the pandemic. However, despite the fact that the telephone was often the only way for some people to access care during this crisis, it remains uncertain whether this service will continue to be covered by many insurance carriers. A number of telehealth bills have been introduced, but few directly address reimbursement for phone visits.

Video visits are not a perfect substitute for in-person care. Similarly, talking to the doctor by phone alone gives them less information than when he or she can see you. But often, it is enough to provide the care that you need.

Critics of continued coverage for phone visits cite concerns about fraud, waste and abuse. Billing for frivolous phone visits certainly needs to be monitored and contained. We believe, however, that discontinuing coverage for phone visits could put millions of the most vulnerable patients at risk of losing access to their doctors. This could worsen disparities in access to care and introduce a different kind of waste and inefficiency in health care delivery.

We believe that, going forward, ensuring that doctors are paid for care no matter how it is delivered  by phone, video or face-to-face  will serve to reduce disparities in access to care. No one should have to seek in-person care for a condition that can be managed virtually just because they lack internet access or cannot use or afford a smartphone.
The High Court in London previously published rulings relating to the legal battle between Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his former wife Princess Haya bint Al Hussain of Jordan.

Here is a timeline of events in the case.

July 15, 1949 - Sheikh Mohammed is born in Dubai.

May 3, 1974 - Princess Haya born in Amman, Jordan.

August 15, 1981 - Princess Shamsa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is born to Sheikh Mohammed, who has several wives.

December 5, 1985 - Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is born.

Summer 2000 - During a visit to England, Shamsa runs away from her family and seeks immigration advice to try and stay in the UK.

August 2000 - Shamsa is taken from the streets of Cambridge by men working for her father.

She is taken to her father's home in Newmarket, before being taken by helicopter to France and then to Dubai. She has not been seen in public since.

March 2001 - A woman claiming to be Shamsa contacts Cambridgeshire Police, saying she has been taken from England to Dubai.

December 2001 - The Guardian publishes an article suggesting Shamsa has been abducted from the UK.

April 2004 - Sheikh Mohammed and Princess Haya are married.

December 2, 2007 - Al Jalila born.

January 7, 2012 - Zayed born.

February/March 2018 - A video of Latifa is uploaded to the internet, in which she gives a detailed account of important events in her life. She also describes what she knows about her sister Shamsa's time in England and her subsequent abduction.

December 6, 2018 - The BBC broadcasts a documentary called Escape From Dubai: The Mystery Of The Missing Princess.

February 7, 2019 - Sheikh Mohammed divorces Princess Haya under sharia law without her knowledge. She says this date, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of her father's death, is deliberately chosen to 'maximise insult and upset to her'.

April 15 - Princess Haya travels to the UK with Jalila and Zayed.

May 14 - Sheikh Mohammed issues proceedings at the High Court in London seeking the summary return of his two children with Princess Haya to Dubai.

May 22 - First High Court hearing before Mr Justice Moor - the media, who are unaware of the hearing or even the proceedings, do not attend.

July 16 - On the eve of a 'scoping hearing' to consider media issues before Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the family division of the High Court, Princess Haya issues applications to make the children wards of court, for a forced marriage protection order and for a non-molestation order.

July 17 - Three journalists attend and lawyers for Sheikh Mohammed apply for them to be excluded. Sir Andrew says the hearing is relatively short while those in court 'simply scope out what lies before us' and to consider what information, if any, should be given to the media. The judge adds that the parties will issue a short statement explaining the nature of the proceedings.

July 18 - With the permission of the court, the parties release the following statement: 'The parties to these proceedings are HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. These proceedings are concerned with the welfare of the two children of their marriage and do not concern divorce or finances.'

July 30 - At a hearing to work out issues, including the question of media reporting and to how to proceed to a final hearing to determine the welfare issues, Sir Andrew allows the media to report that Sheikh Mohammed has applied for the summary return of the children to Dubai, and that Princess Haya has applied for the children to be made wards of court, for a non-molestation order and a forced marriage protection order.

November 12-13 - Sir Andrew conducts a hearing to make findings of fact in relation to Princess Haya's allegations against Sheikh Mohammed.

December 11 - The judge delivers his ruling on the fact-finding hearing. However, strict reporting restrictions preventing its publication remain in force.

January 17, 2020 - The judge delivers a ruling on a series of 'assurances and waivers' given by Sheikh Mohammed to Princess Haya. He also conducts a hearing to determine whether his earlier rulings should be made public.

January 27 - Sir Andrew concludes that his earlier rulings should be published, but the publication is postponed pending a Court of Appeal challenge by Sheikh Mohammed to this decision.

February 26 - The Court of Appeal hears Sheikh Mohammed's challenge.

February 28 - Three leading judges dismiss his appeal and refuse to grant him permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. The stay on publication remains in force to give the father chance to make a fresh challenge to the Supreme Court.

March 5 - The Supreme Court announces that it has refused permission to appeal and all previous rulings are made public.

The judge's conclusions are that Princess Haya was subjected to a sustained campaign of fear and intimidation by her former husband. He also finds that Shamsa and Latifa were abducted on their father's orders.
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Linkedin Chris Stein (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States  Fri, August 14, 2020 09:19 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df410f 2 Business US,jobless-claim,COVID-19,US-labor-department,Democratic-party Free

The US Labor Department on Thursday reported fewer than one million new weekly claims for unemployment benefits for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March.

The result was better than expected but analysts warn the United States remains in the midst of an unemployment crisis after business shutdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19 led to tens of millions of layoffs.

And Congress's inability to agree on additional stimulus, they say, may make the situation worse.

The Labor Department data showed 963,000 seasonally adjusted initial claims filed in the week ended August 8, a drop of 228,000 from the previous week. An additional 488,622 filings were received under a program for those not normally eligible, a decrease of more than 167,000 from the week prior.

The insured unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 10.6 percent in the week ended August 1, the latest week such data was available.

But a huge 28.3 million people were still receiving some form of government aid in the week ended July 25, many times more than the 1.7 million people receiving benefits in the same week of 2019.

The latest number for weekly initial claims remains above the worst seen in a single week during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.

On Twitter, Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US, warned, "Claims will remain elevated compared to historical levels and, given the likelihood of another round of layoffs in the offing among small and midsize firms due to insufficient demand as the economy continues to slow, claims may reverse."

The state of the economy will be a key issue when voters decide whether to give President Donald Trump a second term in November, and White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow welcomed the improvement in the data.

"Even with these better unemployment numbers, there's still a lot of hardship out there. I get that we have much much more work to do, but I will say things seem to be trending in the right direction," Kudlow said on CNBC.

Deadlocked

Democratic lawmakers in Congress on Thursday remained in a stalemate with the Trump administration over whether to pass a follow-up to the US$2.2 trillion CARES Act rescue package enacted as the pandemic hit.

Among the sticking points is the issue of how much to give state and local governments in aid as well as the fate of extra payments to the unemployed. The CARES Act gave the jobless an extra $600 per week on top of their state benefits, but that money has expired and lawmakers can't agree on how much to spend on it going forward.

Trump last week signed a series of executive orders that included partially reinstating the extra weekly benefits but research firm Oxford Economics said that won't be enough to salvage the world's largest economy.

"The lack of funding for small businesses, state and local governments and necessary health measures will minimize chances of a sustained rebound," they said in a note. "Without a substantial fiscal package, the virus will continue to depress economic activity."

Rubeela Farooqi of High Frequency Economics called the latest data "a move in the right direction" but warned the country is in a weakened state, particularly with the rates of COVID-19 infection still high.

"Even as businesses have reopened and jobs have returned, layoffs are continuing to mount, likely reflecting interruptions to activity from virus containment," she said in an analysis.
Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Group is likely to shift its corporate headquarters and chairman's office back to Reliance Center at Ballard Estate in South Mumbai. Yes Bank recently issued a notice of possession to Ambani's headquarters property at Santacruz and two other offices in South Mumbai. The present option before the group is to shift the office back to Ballard Estate, which was the headquarters of the group until early 2018, when the group completed construction of the Santacruz office, said sources in the know.

"Because of the present coronavirus pandemic situation, the shifting process will take time. Eventually, Ballard Estate office is the sole option before the debt-trapped group and there are some refurbishments going on there," said two sources. However, the 6,000-square-feet and three-floors Ballard Estate building is not enough to house all the employees from Santacruz office.

An email sent to Reliance Group spokespersons failed to elicit any response.

Also read: RCom insolvency to fall apart if spectrum not part of its assets: SBI tells SC

Reliance Center, which was earlier Crescent House, owned by Kolkata-based ICI, was built on Mumbai Port Trust land. The property came into the Ambani family's fold when the then undivided Reliance Industries took over businesses of ICI in the early 1990s. After the Ambani brothers divided the Reliance empire among themselves in 2005, the Ballard Estate office went to Anil Ambani's Reliance Group. A portion of the Ballard Estate building has been occupied by the Maharashtra government's civil supplies department, which won it through legal battle about a couple of years back.

Reliance Infrastructure, a Reliance Group company, owns the land of Santacruz headquarters. It has tried to sell the 700,000 sq ft headquarters in Santacruz since mid-last year to pay off some part of its debts. However, another legal trouble emerged as the company got the land parcel when it bought state-run electricity distribution company BSES. The electricity company argued that the land was transferred to the company for administrative purposes and setting up of substations if required. By the time, Adani Transmission completed the acquisition of Ambani's power distribution business in Mumbai. It was at this point of time, Yes Bank checked in with their claim on the land.

Anil Ambani's bankrupt telecom company Reliance Communications (RCom) had another huge property in Navi Mumbai, where Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) is located. It was the nerve centre of Ambani's telecommunication business. The property is included in the insolvency process of RCom. RCom has received a Rs 16,000 crore takeover offer from Delhi-based UV Asset Reconstruction Company (UVARC) in the insolvency process. The bankrupt telecom tower infrastructure company, Reliance Infratel has received Rs 6,127 crore offer from Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio.

Also read: RCom's insolvency: This Delhi-based firm is set to acquire Anil Ambani's telecom assets

Also read: Mukesh Ambani plans to set up 'family council' to hand over reins of Reliance Industries to 3 children
A police officer escorts two men suspected of trying to smuggle the bodies of three Indonesians who died while working on a Chinese fishing boat, after a news conference in Batam, Indonesia Aug. 14, 2020. (AFP)

Police arrested two officials from a recruiting agency on suspicion of trying to bring in undetected the corpses of three sailors who died on a Chinese fishing boat, authorities in Indonesias Riau Islands said Friday, in yet another case of Indonesians who perished aboard China-flagged ships.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that another Indonesian sailor had died on a Chinese boat operating in Peruvian waters on Aug. 11. The four new deaths brings the reported number of Indonesian crew members who have died while aboard Chinese fishing boats to at least 16 since late last year. Some of those who died were treated harshly and made to work in strenuous conditions, according to Indonesian labor activists and officials.

In the latest case, the bodies of the three sailors were moved from a China-flagged boat, Fu Yuan Yu 829, as it passed through waters off Batam, said Arie Dharmanto, the provincial police chief criminal investigator. The bodies were discovered Wednesday.

The Fu Yuan Yu 829 did not dare dock, but instead contacted a recruiting agency to pick up the bodies, Arie told BenarNews on Friday, adding the agency had hired three local fishermen to pick up the bodies after promising to pay them hundreds of millions of rupiah.

Arie did not name the agency, but said the pair of suspects in custody faced human trafficking charges, which can carry life sentences upon conviction.

We have arrested the two suspects, J the director, and E the manager, Arie said. This case is still being investigated.

But according to news service Agence France-Presse, officials said they had arrested six suspects in the case. BenarNews could not immediately verify the report about the arrests of four other suspects.

Police identified the victims as Syaban, 22, and Musnan, 26, from Aceh province, and Dicky Arya Nugraha, 23, from Donggala, a regency in Central Sulawesi. The bodies were taken to a hospital for autopsies.

Also on Friday, the Indonesian foreign office confirmed the death of an Indonesian crewman aboard a Chinese boat in waters off Peru.

True. S.A. died onboard the Long Xin 629, spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told BenarNews, referring to the initials of the crew member who died on Aug. 11.

The ministry had received information about the death after a crew member reported it to the Indonesian fisheries workers union in South Korea. It has since contacted Chinese officials and the boat owner for details, Faizasyah said, adding that the cause of death had not been determined.

The boat is still sailing around the Peruvian waters so we cannot obtain much information regarding the death, Faizasyah said.

In April, Indonesian officials reported the deaths of four Indonesians who had served as crew on the Long Xin 629.

Three of the crewmen died sometime between December 2019 and March 2020 and their bodies were thrown into the sea. The fourth victim was transferred to another boat and died in a South Korean hospital.

At that time, a South Korean television station showed video footage of one of the bodies being thrown overboard. In an interview, an Indonesian crew member said he and others were sometimes forced to work 30 straight hours while standing and were given only six hours to eat and sleep before resuming their duties.

Police had arrested three suspects tied to those deaths.

On July 8, the Riau Islands provincial police recovered a corpse on the Lu Huang Yuan Yu 117 boat after receiving a tip that an Indonesian crewmans sailor had been kept in cold storage aboard the boat for about a week. Police said their investigation continued after naming six suspects including the boats captain and a Chinese national identified as Song Chuanyun.

Officials at the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond on Friday to BenarNews requests for comment.

NGO coordinator calls for action

Mohammad Abdi Suhufan, coordinator of the Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia, urged the government to establish a policy to prevent similar incidents from happening.

The governments efforts were not optimal. There is no data collection, guidance for agents, or evaluations, Abdi told BenarNews.

His group is an NGO dedicated to protecting Indonesians who were in the fishing sector.

He expressed concern that a majority of the victims were young men.

This shows that job opportunities in Indonesia are very limited so they choose to work abroad at all costs, he said.

Judha Nugraha, the foreign ministrys director for protection of Indonesians overseas, said diplomatic steps had been taken and the government had previously demanded that the Chinese government conduct a thorough investigation into the deaths.

Indonesia is still waiting for the results of the investigation, he said during a news conference on Thursday, the day before the latest report of deaths surfaced.
Except for the crown molding, the living room on the main level feels midcentury modern with its wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and wide-plank wood floors. Double doors open to a large patio. But the kitchen, sandwiched between the living and dining rooms, returns to the castle motif. Heavy, rough stones line one wall and form an arch over the peninsula. Dark wood beams cross the vaulted ceiling. Stained glass adorns the cabinetry. The dining room has stone wainscoting, and one wall has three large stained-glass windows.
Local governments, industry, business and recreation groups will be receiving an invitation to assist in forming a regional engagement group as B.C. and Canada seeks to successfully implement Wetsuweten rights and title.

The provincial and federal government affirmed their commitment to work together under the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year with Wetsuweten Hereditary Chiefs.

Although B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Scott Fraser and federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett said the coronavirus pandemic has created additional challenges, they are having important conversations which will continue to move them forward.

We are engaged in important dialogue on matters of Wetsuweten rights and title that have remained unresolved since the Delgamuukw-Gisday-wa decision more than 20 years ago, Fraser and Bennett said in a joint statement Aug. 13.

This is complex and important work and it will take time.

A jointly developed external community engagement process has been launched, with invitations sent to potential participants to join a regional engagement group, and to suggest participants for a core advisory council.

As our work progresses, we will also be consulting neighbouring Nations, said Fraser and Bennett.

Both hope to reach a negotiators understanding by mid-October 2020 on an affirmation agreement for Wetsuweten rights and title that will also set the stage for further implementation negotiations.

The draft agreement will then require approval and ratification by Wetsuweten clan members and the provincial and federal governments, which we will seek to conclude before the end of the year, the ministers stated.

During this time, internal engagement within Wetsuweten will continue, as will external community engagement with other interested parties on the negotiations and draft agreement.

Wetsuweten Hereditary Chief Hagwilnegh (Ron Mitchell) was not available for immediate comment.

The Wetsuweten will be creating a seat of government for the entire Yintah (land) through the $1.2 million purchase funded by the Province of Lake Kathlyn Elementary School in Smithers. With the property transfer completed last month, the Wetsuweten will be working with School District 54 and Bulkley Valley Bright Beginnings Childcare to ensure a smooth transition next year.

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Hyderabad: The state government on Thursday announced that it was taking control of 50 per cent of beds in private hospitals. The health department will have control over admissions of Covid-19 patients for these beds, the government said.

As per the initial decision, the patients chosen for admission under this arrangement will be charged as per the rates decided by the government.

The decision was taken at a meeting of representatives of the Telangana Super-Specialty Hospitals Association representatives and health minister Etala Rajendar, according to a release from his office. The meeting was attended by senior health department officials.

The minister had a few days ago said the government would not hesitate to take over 50 per cent of Covid-19 beds in private hospitals if they failed to fall in line and implement government guidelines on rates for treating patients.

It was reliably learnt that despite Thursday's announcement, a final agreement was yet to be arrived at between the private hospitals and the government on the question of the number of beds that the government will have control over. It was learnt that the hospitals offered 30 per cent of the beds.

Also, yet to be discussed are details pertaining to billing of patients, and fixation of rates. These issues along with some other options in terms of working out the admission, billing and other details are expected to come up for discussion at a meeting on Friday between health department officials and private hospitals representatives.

After Thursdays meeting, Rajendar, according to the release from his office, thanked the private hospital managements for coming forward to hand over control of 50 per cent of the beds to the government. He also requested the managements to meet with Director of Public Health Dr G. Srinivasa Rao on Friday to discuss and finalise the modalities of the new arrangement.

A dedicated app will be used to communicate decisions on sending of patients to the private hospitals by the health department, the release added.

It said that from the very beginning of the outbreak of the disease, the government was urging private hospitals to join hands with the government in providing treatment to Covid-19 patients.

Though the government fixed rates to be charged for treating such patients, some private hospitals have been disregarding the guidelines and billing patients as they wished. While many hospitals were issued notices on this front, permission for two hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients was withdrawn following such complaints.

The health minister had repeatedly urged private hospitals not to turn Covid-19 patients into a business opportunity but act responsibly, the release added.
After a month-long political crisis, the Ashok Gehlot-led government is slated to move a confidence motion in the Rajasthan Assembly during the session starting today, and it appears that the Congress is comfortably placed in terms of numbers.

It comes after the BJP surprised many with its decision to move a no confidence motion. The BJP said on Thursday that it would move a motion of no confidence in the Rajasthan assembly against the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government. The key decision was taken in a BJP legislature party meeting held yesterday.

Gehlots move to play on the front foot stems from his confidence in the numbers in his camp. On Thursday, he said he could have proved majority in the Rajasthan assembly even without the 19 rebel MLAs who returned to the Congress fold.

The BJPs decision to then test the strength of the Congress government has puzzled many observers. But the partys decision is a well-thought out strategy to dis-entangle itself from the Congress internal feud amidst a growing perception of backing Pilot camp in toppling Gehlot government.

With that not happening, the BJP would now want to assume the role of the chief opposition party by bringing in a no-confidence motion to attack the government on the floor of the house.

The BJP, too, is clear that it will not win the floor test. As it stands, the Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly, which includes the 18 dissident MLAs and Sachin Pilot, who returned to the Congress after a long-drawn rebellion, and the six Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislators who had jumped ship to join the ruling party.

To add to this, Gehlot has the support of 2 MLAs each of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), one legislator of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, and 13 Independent. So the total strength of the Gehlot government is 125 MLAs in the house.

Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 72 members in the house and has the support of three Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MLAs, taking its total to 75.

The political crisis in Rajasthan Congress ended on Monday after a meeting of Pilot with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. The rebel MLAs later met top Congress leaders and were assured that their grievances would be redressed in a time-bound manner. Congress president Sonia Gandhi also announced the formation of a three-member committee to hear the grievances of rebel leaders.

Nineteen Congress rebels, including Pilot, had revolted against Gehlot, posing a threat to the Congress government in Rajasthan. Congress removed Pilot as the deputy CM and as the state chief of the party on July 14 but also sent many feelers to Pilot. Tensions simmered between the two leaders when Gehlot had called his former deputy "nikamma" (useless) and had accused him of playing a part in toppling the government.
TANZANIA, Tanzania - The U.N. Security Council on Friday resoundingly defeated a U.S. resolution to indefinitely extend the U.N. arms embargo on Iran, with the Trump administration getting support from only the Dominican Republic but vowing further action to prevent Tehrans sale and export of conventional weapons.

The vote in the 15-member council was two in favour, two against and 11 abstentions, leaving it far short of the minimum nine yes votes required for adoption. Russia and China strongly opposed the resolution, but didnt need to use their vetoes.

The Trump administration has said repeatedly it will not allow the arms embargo provision in the Security Council resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers to expire as scheduled Oct. 18.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the defeat of the resolution ahead of a very brief virtual council meeting to reveal the vote.

He said Israel and the six Arab Gulf nations who supported the extension know Iran will spread even greater chaos and destruction if the embargo expires, but the Security Council chose to ignore them.

The United States will never abandon our friends in the region who expected more from the Security Council, Pompeo said in a statement. We will continue to work to ensure that the theocratic terror regime does not have the freedom to purchase and sell weapons that threaten the heart of Europe, the Middle East and beyond.

U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft said the United States stands sickened  but not surprised  as the clear majority of council members gave the green light to Iran to buy and sell all manner of conventional weapons.

The councils failure today will serve neither peace nor security, she warned. Rather, it will fuel greater conflict and drive even more insecurity.

Pompeo suggested the U.S. would invoke the snap back mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal that would restore all U.N. sanctions on Iran  and Craft said the United States will go ahead in the coming days and keep Americas promise to stop at nothing to extend the arms embargo.

Snap back was envisioned in the event Iran was proven to be in violation of the accord, under which it received billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.

President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, known as the JCPOA, in 2018. But the U.S. circulated a six-page memo Thursday from State Department lawyers outlining why the United States remains part of the 2015 Security Council resolution that endorsed the deal and still has the right to use the `snap back provision.

The five other powers  Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany  remain committed to the deal, and diplomats from several of these countries have voiced concern that extending the arms embargo would lead Iran to exit the nuclear agreement and speed up its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Chinas U.N. ambassador, Zhang Jun, reiterated after the vote the Chinese contention that since the U.S. is no longer party to the 2015 agreement, it is ineligible to demand the Security Council invoke a snap back. He said the overwhelming majority of council members believe the U.S. attempt has no legal basis.

Should the U.S. insist regardless of international opinion, it is doomed to fail like today, Zhang said in a statement, adding that the vote showed that unilateralism receives no support and bullying will fail.

Iranian Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi accused the U.S. of seeking to use the arms embargo as a pretext of killing the JCPOA forever through the snap back mechanism.

As we have already stated, imposition of any sanctions or restrictions on Iran by the Security Council will be met severely by Iran and our options are not limited. And the United States and any entity which may assist it or acquiesce in its illegal behaviour, will bear the full responsibility, he said.

While voting on the U.S. draft resolution was under way, Russia said President Vladimir Putin called for a meeting of leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Council along with Germany and Iran to avoid escalation over U.S. attempts to extend the Iranian arms embargo.

In a statement released by the Kremlin, Putin said the question is urgent, adding that the goal of the video conference would be to outline steps to avoid confrontation and exacerbation of the situation in the U.N. Security Council,

If the leaders are fundamentally ready for a conversation, we propose to promptly co-ordinate the agenda, Putin said. The alternative is to further build up tension, to increase the risk of conflict. This development must be avoided.

French President Emmanuel Macrons office confirmed Frances availability in principle to Putins proposal. We have in the past deployed initiatives in the same spirit, it said.

Whether Trump and the others agree to participate in the meeting remains to be seen.

On Thursday, U.S. envoy Craft said in an interview with The Associated Press that the United States is keeping the space open for talks with Britain, France and Germany, as well as Russia and China.

She urged the three European nations that support the nuclear deal  Britain, France and Germany  to put in writing their ideas to extend the expiring arms embargo on Iran, indicating the Trump administration may be willing compromise on its demand for an indefinite extension. She said they had mentioned a six-month or one-year extension.

European diplomats said the three countries share the U.S. goal of maintaining the arms embargo but need to find a compromise with Russia and China. The diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions have been private, said the Europeans had offered a compromise proposal but the U.S., Russia and China showed no willingness to compromise.

The U.S. administration wants to end the Iran nuclear agreement before the American elections Nov. 3, the Europeans said, pointing to the time pressure the U.S. is exerting since the arms embargo doesnt expire until October and there would still be time for negotiations.

Germanys deputy U.N. ambassador, Gunter Sautter, said after the vote that Germany remains committed to the nuclear deal, but remains deeply concerned about Irans transfers of weapon to Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq in violation of the 2015 council resolution.

He said Germany has been engaging with council members and is ready to continue discussions in order to find a pragmatic way forward, which addresses our collective concerns.


First Tranche of Prepaid Swap Financing Facility Completed

Perth, Aug 14, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Wiluna Mining Corporation Limited ( ASX:WMX ) ( FRA:NZ3 ) ( OTCMKTS:BKHRF ) is pleased to announce that all documentation concerning the gold prepaid swap financing facility and gold hedging facility provided by Mercuria Energy Trading Pte Ltd ("Mercuria") has been completed. The Company has executed the prepaid swap and the hedging transactions, and will now draw down on the $21 million prepaid swap proceeds ("Tranche 1").The facility gives Wiluna Mining the flexibility of drawing a further A$40 million ("Tranche 2"), subject to Mercuria credit approval, to further advance the Stage 1 Expansion. This additional funding will be made available upon Mercuria's credit approval of the financial model which includes the Company further developing and upgrading its Stage 1 Expansion mine plan. A significant amount of legal preparation and documentation has been completed as part of executing Tranche 1, which will not be required again to draw down on Tranche 2, once approved by Mercuria.Wiluna Mining's favorable, ongoing hedging facility with Mercuria will see 34,000oz sold at an average price of A$2,674/oz, which is net of transactions costs, maturing over the next 12 months. The hedge prices are based upon a weighted average forward price less an agreed discount over a 12 month period, and are a condition of the draw down. This hedge facility is welcomed in a time of important risk management during significant levels of capital expenditure and high gold prices.Additionally, the company's plans have been substantially progressed by a significant drilling program at the Wiluna Mining Centre involving up to seven rigs drilling on site (currently six active rigs). The work which is expected to be completed towards the end of the calendar year is important for the mine planning and resource to reserve conversion which will assist with the required credit approval for Tranche 2.Wiluna Mining Executive Chair, Milan Jerkovic, commented "We are delighted to be able to draw down on this A$21 million facility as it provides important funding for our Stage 1 Expansion. The ability to upsize the prepay amount by up to an additional A$40 million, and to align this to our capital requirement timetable on the Stage 1 Sulphide extension, gives us real flexibility to finish the Stage 1 Expansion and fast track studies for Stage 2"."With gold trading at record highs, the timing of the finalisation of this draw down and the associated hedging facility Mercuria have provided immediately on draw down, is extremely favorable"."We are delighted to be able to enter into an agreement with a global, respected counterparty like Mercuria"."This initial funding from Mercuria, along with our solid operating cashflow expected for the next 12 months from our current operation allows us to continue to advance our 24 month, five-point strategy which is to;1. Strengthen the balance sheet2. Maintain and increase immediate operational cash flow3. Transition to include gold concentrate production4. Expand production; and5. Undertake exploration and feasibility studies to fully develop a more than 250kozpa, long life, gold operation".About MercuriaEstablished in 2004, Mercuria is one of the four largest privately held commodity traders globally, operating in over 50 countries and with more than 1,000 employees. Founded in Geneva, Switzerland, Mercuria has hubs in London, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai and Houston.About Wiluna Mining Corporation Ltd

Wiluna Mining Corporation (ASX:WMC) (OTCMKTS:WMXCF) is a Perth based, ASX listed gold mining company that controls over 1,600 square kilometres of the Yilgarn Craton in the Northern Goldfields of WA. The Yilgarn Craton has a historic and current gold endowment of over 380 million ounces, making it one of most prolific gold regions in the world. The Company owns 100% of the Wiluna Gold Operation which has a defined resource of 8.04M oz at 1.67 g/t au. In May 2019, a new highly skilled management team took control of the Company with a clear plan to leverage the Wiluna Gold Operation's multi-million-ounce potential.
The one-day visit will touch on cooperation in power interconnection, roads, railway connectivity, higher education, trade and industry

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly is set to arrive in Sudan in an official visit on Saturday, Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Thursday.

Madbouly will be accompanied by the ministers of irrigation, electricity, heath, and industry and trade, as well as high-profile officials from the transport and education ministries.

The one-day visit will deal with cooperation in electric power interconnection, roads, railway connectivity, higher education, trade and industry.

In April, Egypt and Sudan signed an electric power interconnection deal aiming to establish electricity grids linking the two countries. The linkage aims to provide Sudan with capacity of up to 70 megawatts per hour, according to a previous cabinet statement.

Madboulys visit is the first since the formation of the transitional government, SUNA said.

He last visited Khartoum in August 2019, when he participated in a ceremony of a landmark power-sharing agreement between the main Sudanese opposition coalition and the military council.

The agreement led to forming a new governing council, the Sudan transitional government, so as to pave the way towards elections and civilian rule.

Egypt and Sudan have been engaged in negotiations with Ethiopia over the long-standing dispute over the hydroelectric dam Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile since 2011.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, being built around 15 kilometres from the Ethiopian border with Sudan, has been a source of tension between the three nations. Cairo fears the project will significantly reduce its Nile water supply, while Sudan fears it could endanger the safety of its own dams. Ethiopia says the massive project, which it hopes will make it Africas largest power exporter, is key to its development efforts.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio  An argument led to the fatal shooting of a man late Thursday in Clevelands Ohio City neighborhood, police said.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has not yet identified the man and police did not release the mans age.

The shooting happened about 11 p.m. on West 48th Street near Bridge Avenue. The man got out of a car he was riding in and argued with the people inside, according to police.

Someone inside the car shot the man in the leg and sped away, according to police. Neighbors found the man in the backyard of a home. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The shooting, one of three in a three-hour span late Thursday and early Friday in Cleveland, brings the total number of homicides in the city to 101 for the year. There were 72 homicides through Aug. 14, 2019.

Read more from cleveland.com:

One dead, two injured in shooting at gas station in Clevelands Central neighborhood

Heartless Felons gang member found guilty in slaying of Olmsted Falls man

Granddaughters husband charged in slaying of 80-year-old Lakewood man who worked as state prison doctor

Cuyahoga County IG report suggests cozy friendship between indicted former jail director, state inspector led to lax jail inspections
The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) is initiating the collection of signatures of Ukrainian journalists in support of their Belarusian colleagues who are being persecuted by law enforcement agencies after the presidential election in the neighboring country, according to a statement posted on the NUJU's website.

"Every day we receive reports of the detention, beating and intimidation of journalists working in Belarus, both Belarusian and foreign journalists. However, journalists are just doing their job. Being at the epicenter of the events that shook the neighboring state after the official results of the presidential election were announced is the professional duty of a media professional. It is not a crime for journalists to carry out their duties. Persecution of journalists for their professional activities is unacceptable for any civilized state," the NUJU said.

According to the statement, the European Federation of Journalists also supported its Belarusian colleagues. From the first days of detentions in Belarus, it has been closely monitoring the situation in Belarus and has called on its branches across Europe to show solidarity with the Belarusian Association of Journalists and with journalists in Belarus and to call on their own national governments to take action.

It also notes that Ukrainian journalists are aware from their own bitter experience of the beating, detention and intimidation of journalists, pressure on independent media, the blocking of dissemination of truthful information, and impunity for crimes committed against media professionals.

"Belarusian colleagues, we are in solidarity with you! We support you in your professional activities and call on the Belarusian authorities to stop persecuting journalists and ensure their right to a profession," the authors of the appeal said.

The presidential election took place in Belarus on August 9. According to tentative results announced by the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko gained 80.23% of the vote, while opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya collected 9.9% of the vote.

On the night of August 9 to August 10, protests against election fraud began in Belarusian cities. Security forces brutally dispersed the protesters, using rubber bullets, stun grenades and water cannons. More than 6,700 people have been detained since the beginning of the protests. At least 250 people were hospitalized.

At the same time, Belarusian state media reported that Interior Minister Yuri Karaev had instructed his subordinates not to touch journalists during protests that began in the country after the presidential election.

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Authorities are searching for suspects and information in several Montgomery homicides in recent months.

The slayings happened in June, July and August and remain unsolved. They are no believed to be linked in any way, but investigators are searching for clues and suspects in each of them.

On Sunday, Aug. 2, Montgomery police responded about 11 p.m. to the 300 block of East Ogden Avenue on a report of someone shot. The victim, identified as Kennedy Rogers Sr., was pronounced dead on the scene.

Lee Ziegler was killed Sunday, July 25, 2020. The deadly shooting happened about 10 p.m. in the 2200 block of West Fairview Avenue. According to Central Alabama Crime Stoppers, the suspects vehicle is a blue Ford Expedition with a switched Alabama tag which is 3BH2542. The vehicle also is missing a center cap and the tag is hanging from the bumper of the vehicle.

The vehicle was last known to be occupied by a Black female wearing a white t-shirt, black pants and a bonnet on her head.

On Sunday, June 28, Montgomery police responded to the 5900 block of Oakleigh Road on a shooting. The victim, Keshon Gardner, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Anyone with information in any of the slayings is asked to call Montgomery police at 334-625-2832. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers using the 24-hour tip line at 334-215-STOP (7867) or via the P3-tips app.
GREENWICH  A Greenwich police detective was honored for making an arrest  and recovering the money  in an alleged internet scam in which a suspect swindled more than $200,000 from a local elderly resident.

Detective James Manning earned the Greenwich Police Departments Officer of the Month recognition for July.

Manning was the investigator assigned to a so-called sweetheart internet scam that was opened in September 2019. A local woman had been sending money to a person she met on social media, and a family member contacted police with concerns after the bank noticed suspicious transfers, according to the arrest warrant.

Detective James Manning uncovered a complex international network of fraud, according to the departments award. He coordinated the investigation and obtained assistance from numerous law enforcement agencies across the country.

Manning developed a suspect, an Illinois man, police said. In June, the U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement in Illinois located the suspect in Arlington Heights and arrested him on Mannings arrest warrant on June 12.

The best part of the investigation was that Detective Manning was able to recover the money lost by the victim, police said this week. The suspect has been implicated in several other fraud schemes, and this case helped those authorities with their investigations.

Kayode Ogunjimi, 30, of Oswego, Ill., was charged with first-degree larceny, a felony, in the case. He was released from police custody on $300,000 bail. He is due in Superior Court on Aug. 17.

Police said Ogunjimi entrapped the elderly Greenwich woman on social media with fake photographs and declarations of love.

Ogunjimi contacted the woman on social media and struck up a friendship on the Internet, using the Google Hangout application, police said. He went by the name of Bernard Slack and spun a tale of working on an oil rig, using a fake photo of a handsome older man to entice his victim, according to authorities. Police said Ogunjimi used a photo of a white man though he is Black.

At some point Slack (Ogunjimi) professed his love for the victim and began asking the victim for money relating to a new business in the amount of $200,000, according to the arrest report. The victim believed Slack and started to send money via wire transfers.

The money ended up in Ogunjimis possession, police said.

Detective Mannings persistence and dedication to the victim is an exemplar of how Greenwich police officers and detectives perform their duties, Chief of Police James Heavey said. We cannot accept suspects preying upon our elders. Jimmys excellent police work has helped several other elderly victims regain their financial loss and dignity.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
ALBANY, N.Y.  Albany County Executive Dan McCoy confirmed 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 during his Friday morning press conference.

Those cases included one healthcare worker or resident of private congregate settings, five who had a close contacts to other positive cases, one who had reported traveling out of state and three who do not have a clear source of transmission.

There have now been 2,406 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has increased to 467. The five-day average for new daily positives has risen as well to 11.4. Presently the County has 44 active cases. Thus far, 8,368 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,362 of them had tested positive and recovered, an increase of six.

Seven people remain hospitalized with one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The hospitalization rate stands at 0.29%.

During the briefing, Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, emphasized the importance of parents making sure their children are fully up to date on their immunizations before sending them back to school in the fall.

I want to again reiterate for parents at home getting ready to send their children back, how important it is to make sure theyre up to date with their pediatric visits, Whalen said. During the spring we know that many people did not attend to normal preventive health services and this is because they were sheltering at home. Its important to ensure that your child gets up to date, regularly scheduled preventive visits and that includes keeping up to date with their pediatric immunizations.

Here in New York State we have mandates that those immunizations need to be up to date so I would encourage parents to reach out to their pediatricians, make sure their children are up to date because this is going to be very important going into the fall, Whalen added on the need for children to be immunized ahead of the school year.

On a wider scale, Whalen reminded people to get their flu shots when they become available as well. According to their website, CDC estimates anywhere from 24,000 to 62,000 died from influenza during the 2019-2020 flu season, spanning from Oct. 1, 2019 to April 4, 2020.

Also, its probably not too early to start talking about the importance of flu vaccine when this becomes available. It is going to be important for all of us to be immunized against flu, Whalen explained. We do advocate for this every year but flu also can be a serious disease, not as deadly as COVID, the mortality rate is not high but still unfortunately we do lose people every year to influenza.

So knowing the importance of getting your flu shot coming into the fall season is another thing that we want to stress the importance of.

Also joining the press conference was owner of DNA BodyWorx Analusette Shaello. Shaello spoke to some of the challenges she and her clients faced adapting to virtual training sessions.

It has been a very trying time, not only for my clients that I would work with but also for myself, Shaello said. As a trainer you start going through these things in your mind as, whats going to happen, whats next, what are we going to be doing?

What I was able to do is take that opportunity to fall back a little bit and figure out what would be my next step. What is the best case scenario for DNA BodyWorx moving forward? Shaello added.

Shaello noted how she was able to get creative and connect with clients looking to keep up with training sessions.

So, there were a couple of businesses online, UBQ Fit that I joined and was actually able to do some training online, virtual training and things of that nature, Shaello noted.

Then I was able to start using YouTube and then Facebook and reaching out to my clients that were actually willing to do some virtual training because its a change for them as well. You go from having someone face to face with you, correcting your movements to relying on someone either through a phone or your computer to do that same thing, Shaello added on the shift in training techniques.

The County Executive also spoke to the challenges being presented to business owners like Shaello.

Its been a long and difficult five months for business owners, some who have yet to reopen or to be allowed to open up completely, McCoy said. We need to be able to get everyone back to work. Public health and safety come first and many businesses that have not yet been allowed to reopen have come up with answers to the safety issues raised and are being used by other businesses.

I continue to advocate for their reopening as quickly as possible.
Travellers planning to travel to France or the Netherlands via Eurostar have had to decide whether to stick to their plans or cancel them. (Getty)

Passengers travelling to Europe via Eurostar have described the effect on their travel plans following changes to quarantine restrictions announced on Thursday night.

Some passengers are pressing ahead with their plans to travel into France and the Netherlands despite the announcement that from 4am on Saturday, August 15 anyone returning to the UK from those countries will have to quarantine for 14 days.

Others, however, decided to cancel their trips at the last minute following the news.

We cant cancel the wedding

One couple, who are due to get married in The Netherlands next month, said they have already had relatives cancel after announcement, which also includes Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos and Aruba.

Elske Koelman, 29 and her fiance Bertie Chambers, 33, were en route to The Netherlands on Friday morning to finalise plans for their wedding in Leiden next month.

Bertie Lawrence, 33, and Elske Koelman, 29, are sticking to their plans to travel to the Netherlands to prepare for their wedding next month, but many relatives have had to cancel. (SWNS)

The couple, both management consultants living in the UK, had to reduce their wedding guest list from 130 to 20 due to the pandemic but the new quarantine rule now means it is likely only half of those invited will be able to attend, with Chambers aunt and cousins unable to travel due to the quarantine.

He said: This morning we have had calls from my side of the family cancelling: so far my brother and my aunt cannot make it. My mum and dad are retired so luckily they can make it.

We are going to the Netherlands today to finalise all the details. We have to speak to the venue, the florist and the restaurant especially because of the quarantine now.

After learning of new travel restrictions last night, Koelman packed her laptop for their initial trip to Leiden today so she can stay there until the wedding to avoid a double quarantine, but her fiance will return to the UK and quarantine for two weeks before travelling back to the Netherlands for the big day.

Chambers added: We cant do anything about it, it is out of our hands. We cant cancel the wedding and our plans should still go ahead.

Story continues

You cant put your life on hold. Were lucky we can both work from home so its worthwhile to get married even if we have to quarantine when we get back.

An informed risk

Robert Lawrence, 65, from Islington in north London, also decided to stick to his plans to travel on the Eurostar on Friday to visit friends in the Netherlands and Germany.

Retired broadcast worker Robert Lawrence still plans to travel to visit friends. (SWNS)

He said: Obviously it is a risk but I have probably taken more of a risk going around the supermarket than I am doing this.

If you are bending down to the shelves in busy shops, it is probably more of a risk than this trip with socially distanced walks and alfresco meals.

My main concern was travel insurance and health cover. My policy said it does not cover travel if the Foreign Commonwealth Office our restrictions in place before I took out the policy or before I booked it.

But I had booked it all already so it seems I am still covered and I will just quarantine when Im back.

He said he was aware restrictions might change and saw it as an informed risk, adding: We decided to go ahead because the new restrictions were only announced last night so it was very very short notice for us.

Everything had already been booked and we knew about the advice so we are relatively happy.

I can quarantine when I return and I have a local supermarket that deliver food and a friend who has offered to drop things to me if needed.

Its going to be catastrophic

Lawyer John Strange, from Reading was also planning to continue with his journey to Paris on Friday morning, with plans to stay for 10 days.

The 60-year-old, who said he can work from home on his return, said: Its not a disaster for me but it seems for many people it will be, particularly those with young families, its going to be catastrophic.

Im sure many will have to cancel their plans and have to accept all that pain and cost that goes with it.

Retired accountant Richard Wilkins, 83, from Dorset was trying to get onto an earlier Eurostar train to pass through France into Switzerland before the quarantine restrictions become enforced. (SWNS)

Richard Wilkins, 83, arrived at St Pancras International station three hours early for his Eurostar train to Paris in the hope he could switch to an earlier train and pass through France into Switzerland before 4am on Saturday when the rules come into play.

He said: We are hoping to get through France before 4am tomorrow, but Im not sure if well be able to do it.



The original plan was to spend tonight in Paris and travel onto Basel tomorrow morning but we are hoping to travel straight through today.

We are also talking about flying back direct from Switzerland and avoiding France altogether.

The return is booked in 12 days time back through Paris via Eurostar. But if the travel restrictions are still in place then, we might have to lose our return tickets and fly home.

Its not worth it

A traveller who gave her name as Sonata K, a 39-year-old dentist, was due to head to Paris for four nights with her mother  but cancelled her plans after finding out about the quarantine measures at St Pancras on Friday morning.

She told PA: Its not worth it to go out and have to self isolate. With my work I cant do the procedures from home.

We were too late to get the news, were just finding out here but its better than on the train.

Were looking at going to Cardiff and checking trains now, but the weather is changing a bit.

She added that for 30 they could change their Eurostar tickets to another day and said one hotel had charged them one nights stay for late cancellation.

Coronavirus: what happened today

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According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an intergovernmental organisation, at least 69 countries and territories had postponed national or subnational elections as a result of Covid-19 between 21 February and 11 August. Some 53 have gone ahead, but usually in a modified format or following a delay.

Risks and rewards

The pandemic has given rise to two main risks related to electoral processes.

On the one hand, if voting goes ahead largely as normal, this could pose a considerable public health risk. As a result, voters may be unwilling to turn out. For instance, the second round of Malis legislative elections, held on April 19, saw a considerable drop in participation relative to the same phase in the previous election.

On the other hand, measures intended to mitigate this  such as expanding remote voting, or indefinite postponement  can become politicised. One example of this is the US, where the discussion around postal voting has precipitated a partisan conflict. Likewise, the suggestion that Novembers presidential elections be postponed has met strong resistance.

Moreover, risk mitigation, including enhanced health and safety measures, can lead to significantly higher costs. For example, prior to the July parliamentary elections, the National Election Commission of Sri Lanka estimated that they would cost up to LKR7bn ($38.6m) more than the previous election as a result of Covid-19, with LKR1bn ($5.5m) to be spent on health equipment.

In some countries with less-developed administrative infrastructure  among them Myanmar and Pakistan  citizens are traditionally required to ink their thumb or forefinger on an ink pad after voting as a fraud-prevention measure. In the context of Covid-19, however, enforcing this would create a serious risk of infection, and new solutions will have to be found.

There is thus no one-size-fits-all solution to elections during Covid-19. However, a bespoke blend of measures can address some of the main challenges.

It was observed that a switch to postal voting resulted in an uptick in voter participation during recent elections in the German state of Bavaria. On a similar note, by expanding early voting options and implementing a code of conduct for voters, South Korea was able to drive an 8% increase in voter turnout for its elections in April, relative to the previous election in 2016.

In other countries, lockdowns have ruled out political rallies, meaning that campaigning has largely been done online, as was the case in the run-up to the elections in Singapore on July 10. However, it has been argued that smaller political parties may lack the funds to compete with established players in effective online campaigns.

More broadly, the shift online tends to boost incumbents, given that challengers have fewer opportunities to engage with voters. Incumbents may also benefit from increased media attention as a result of their handling of the pandemic, although this can also backfire.

Voting goes digital?

One of the most salient aspects of elections during Covid-19 has been a broad-based shift online, seen among political parties and electoral authorities alike.

For example, earlier this month the Ghanaian Electoral Commission introduced a digital queue management tool to ensure social distancing during voter registration. The countrys presidential elections are set to go ahead as scheduled in December, amid assurances from authorities.

Meanwhile, although postal voting remains the most common form of remote voting, digital solutions are on the rise. Related: Markets Up On Stimulus Hope

But approaches involving electronic voting bring their own set of issues. Online solutions must come with a series of cast-iron guarantees related to transparency, accuracy and security. If not, they can potentially lead to mistrust among voters and disputed results.

Furthermore, in countries with limited or unreliable ICT infrastructure, digital approaches are more complex to implement and sustain, and political parties with a strong voter base in poorer or rural areas would stand to lose out.

Some have suggested that in such contexts voting could be tied to popular mobile payment technologies. While this solution would not be without its own challenges, it may give people a direct sense of participation in democratic processes.

In addition to short-term solutions, online voting can potentially offer long-term gains if implemented effectively, by increasing involvement, making leaders more accountable, improving the transparency of processes, and enabling political parties to connect more directly with younger people. As such, it is to be hoped that some positive new approaches will be maintained after the pandemic wanes.

By Oxford Business Group

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In his "Tryst with Destiny" speech, India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had said that attaining freedom was just a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that awaited us.

As we enter the 74th year of independence, India's growth story remains intact. Emerging from setbacks and fighting obstacles, we have earned the reputation of one of the emerging superpowers of the world.

We have not only been able to maintain our socio-cultural diversity and democratic values unimpaired, but we have also made remarkable progress in many fields, including space technology, IT and pharma.

India's stock market remains one of the most promising emerging markets of the world with tremendous growth potential as several structural reforms initiated by the Narendra Modi-led government assures that tomorrow belongs to India.

The idea of a stronger India cannot take the shape of reality unless it is financially strong. While the country is gradually inching towards becoming an economic superpower, it is time for us too to make efforts for attaining financial freedom.

Investing in stock markets is one of the best ways to be financially strong. Based on the views of several analysts, we bring you 11 stocks that can give you healthy returns in the long-term. Take a look:

Analyst: Rusmik Oza, Executive Vice President and Head of Fundamental Research at Kotak Securities

Bharti Airtel | Buy | LTP: Rs 535.35 | One-year target price: Rs 710 | Upside: 33%

The telecom sector is now a 2-3 player market with a good scope of ARPUs going up in the future.

Management has guided for ARPUs to move to Rs 200 per month in the short term and Rs 300 per month in the medium-term (From current Rs 152 per month). Online streaming and demand for data are going to only rise from here in the future.

Bharti has already provided for about Rs 47,000 crore towards ARG dues.

"The company should generate consolidated EBITDA of more than Rs 1 lakh crore in the next two years. It trades cheap at less than 7 times on FY22E EV/EBITDA," said the analyst.

Axis Bank | Buy | LTP: Rs 448.10 | One-year target price: Rs 600 | Upside: 34%

After a slow loan growth of 6.6 percent in FY21, it should accelerate to nearly 13 percent in the next two years (i.e. FY22 & FY23), said the analyst.

Net NPLs are at 4 year low of 1.2 percent. Although post moratorium NPLs will rise, the bank has been providing for potential COVID-related NPLs.

"While the near-term outlook is hazy for all banks, we believe a healthy asset mix, superior customer profile, liability strength and capital comfort will allow Axis Bank to ride this challenging period," said the analyst.

ICICI Bank | Buy | LTP: Rs 368.05 | One-year target price: Rs 470 | Upside: 28%

The analyst believes that ICICI Bank has come into this crisis with much slower growth and less emphasis on market share.

Net NPLs are at a six-year low of nearly 1.3 times with provision coverage ratio improving to nearly 79 percent.

Share of retail loans has steadily increased over the years and account for nearly 64 percent of overall loans as at the end of Q1FY21.

"The bank trades at 1.8 times FY22E book value. For our price target of Rs 470, we value the bank at nearly 2 times book value and 15 times June 2022E EPS for lower RoEs in the medium-term," said the analyst.

At the price target of Rs 470, the valuation of subsidiaries works to Rs 115 per share. This makes the standalone bank valuations very cheap on a P/BV basis.

ITC | Buy | LTP: Rs 201.45 | One-year target price: Rs 260 | Upside: 29%

The cigarette business is getting back to normal. Volume levels in June has dismissed concerns of behavioural changes in tobacco consumption due to extended lockdowns.

Strong traction in the food and hygiene portfolio should help improve growth in FMCG.

The hotel business is likely to have a slow recovery. FMCG business clocked more than Rs 1,000 crore in annualized EBITDA in Q1FY21.

"The stock continues to offer a good combination of (1) inexpensive valuations, (2) healthy dividend yield, (3) promise of solid long-term growth in FMCG and (4) emerging agri-business," said the analyst.

SBI Life Insurance Company | Buy | LTP: Rs 861.50 | One-year target price: Rs 1,050 | Upside: 22%

The annualised premium equivalent (APE) of the life insurance industry has grown at a CAGR of 14 percent in the last five years.

If we take FY21 as the base, then the industry is likely to again report healthy double-digit CAGR for the next few years.

For SBI Life, the analyst expects the value of new business (VNB) margins to expand to 19.5 percent in FY21E from 18.7 percent in FY20.

He expects VNB margins to inch up to over 21 percent over the medium-term due to a steady increase in the share of protection business.

VNB margin expansion will support operating RoEV (return on embedded value) at 16-17 percent in FY21-23E.

"We have a one year target of Rs 1,050. At the target price it will trade at 2.8 times embedded value (EV) on June 2022E," said the analyst.

Analyst: Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services

HDFC Bank | Buy | LTP: Rs 1,059.05 | One-year target price: Rs 1,403 | Upside: 32%

HDFC Bank today is a household name in India and the largest in terms of market share in the private banking space.

The bank, in the recent quarterly results, posted better top and bottom-line performance.

Net interest income rose 18 percent year-on-year (YoY), backed by strong growth in loans and advances. While profits grew 20 percent despite a spike in provisions.

Strong governance and equally strong asset quality have always been the hallmark of HDFC Bank setting it apart from its peers.

Uncertainty with respect to CEO appointment is over and the bank is expected to build-up further on its growth momentum from current levels.

"We value the stock at 3.5 times FY22E BVPS (equivalent to the 3-year average forward P/BV multiple) with a revised target price of Rs 1,403," said the analyst.

Reliance Industries | Buy | LTP: Rs 2,122.05 | One-year target price: Rs 2,464 | Upside: 16%

Focus on cost optimisation and integration to compensate the weak demand under O2C businesses, expansion of 4G network and upgrade to 5G technology, the launch of JioMart, the ramp-up of Ajio, and the start of oil production from R cluster in H2FY21 will boost the companys performance in medium-term, said the analyst.

Colgate-Palmolive (India) | Buy | LTP: Rs 1,434.35 | One-year target price: Rs 1,770 | Upside: 23%

Revenues for the Q1FY21 quarter fell by 3.9 percent year-on-year (YoY) due to shrinkage of sales in discretionary categories like toothbrush and body wash whereas the sales volume in the toothpaste segment remained relatively stable.

The company was able to increase its EBITDA margins by 190 bps YoY due to its cost savings in Advertisements and Promotions. Further, the company also increased its PAT by 17.2 percent YoY due to lower taxes and tax reversals from prior periods.

Colgate remains debt-free and has strong cash flows to meet operational challenges going forward. With the launch of 'Colgate Ved Shakti' the analyst believes, the company will gain market share going forward as it will also cater to customers preferring natural toothpaste.

UPL | Buy | LTP: Rs 489.15 | One-year target price: Rs 601 | Upside: 23%

The analyst expects UPLs net profit to grow at a CAGR of 26 percent over FY20-FY22E on the back of cost optimisation measures and an increase in volumes of value-added crop protection products.

The entry into new geographies as well as synergy from the Arysta Acquisition will further propel UPLs earnings into the medium to long-term.

"We expect a reduction in its debt-equity ratio from 1.3 to 1.0 over the next two years. We recommend a buy rating on the stock with price target of Rs 601 based on 12 times FY22E adjusted EPS," said the analyst.

Analyst: Siddharth Sedani, Vice President- Equity Advisory, Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers

Escorts | Buy | LTP: Rs 1,120.85 | One-year target price: Rs 1,326 | Upside: 18%

Despite the current challenges, we have seen a faster revival in the Escorts tractor business this quarter.

Going ahead, the analyst believes its tractor business would grow in line with the industry, driven by strong rural demand across regions.

Demand will continue to grow in FY22. Escorts expect the second half (H2) of FY21 to grow 12 percent YoY, leading to a 5 percent overall revenue growth.

"Assuming a favorable monsoon and a good rabi crop this year, we expect demand to continue and thus expect volume growth of 5 percent in FY21 and 12 percent in FY22, leading to a 9 percent revenue CAGR over FY20-22," said the analyst.

HDFC Life Insurance Company | Buy | LTP: 599.75 | One-year target price: Rs 685 | Upside: 14%

Owing to expectations of continued volatility in equity markets as well as a rise in demand for protection products, the company is set to raise Rs 600 crore which would provide 15 percent additional cushion.

The management noted that business has gained momentum on a monthonmonth basis and is seeing higher traction, particularly in the individual protection business.

In terms of ULIP products, management expects demand to remains soft throughout the year. In addition, management stated that the company has been witnessing improving renewal premium collection trends.

However, it remains cautious about the sustainability of these trends given the uncertain environment.

The company remains focused on driving growth through its diverse channels of distribution  bancassurance, agency, direct, brokers, and others.

The companys digital assets have seen strong adoption across all its distribution channels during the quarter.

Further, the company intends to tap new geographies and customer segments, enhance product offerings and bolster technology to improve overall operational efficiency and customer service.

Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa announced on Friday that the government is closing nightclubs and nighttime bars across Spain in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He also explained that all establishments, such as restaurants, would have to close at 1am, with no new patrons allowed to enter from midnight onward.

There has been a growing number of outbreaks in recent weeks, the minister explained at a press conference on Friday morning. I am announcing that, for the first time, we have decided to adopt coordinated actions in terms of public health and that these measures have been adopted unanimously.

The Health Minister also announced a blanket ban across Spain on smoking in public if a two-meter distance cannot be observed

Illa was speaking to journalists after having held an emergency meeting with health officials from Spains regions, which have been in charge of their own coronavirus measures since the state of alarm implemented by the central government back in March came to an end.

Todays announcement comes after the latest figures released by the Health Ministry on Thursday showed a worsening situation. Spains regions reported a total of 2,953 new coronavirus infections detected in the last 24 hours on Thursday, and added a total of 7,550 confirmed cases from previous dates. Not since the worst moments of the crisis in Spain, back in April, have infection rates been so high.

Illa also said that bars and restaurants would need to guarantee a minimum safe distance of 1.5 meters between patrons at the bar and when they are eating at a table. The maximum number of diners will be limited to 10.

Illa also announced that new residents entering senior care homes would be subject to PCR tests to detect coronavirus infections, as would staff from such residences returning from their vacations. Visits to homes will also be limited to one person per resident with a maximum of one hour. This measure will be relaxed, Illa explained, in the case of patients who are nearing the end of their lives.

The measures were, the minister added, a minimum, not a maximum. The regions can take more restrictive measures, he said.

The minister also said that fines would be levied in a strict manner on youngsters who are found to be drinking on the street, a practice known in Spain as a botellon. Let there be no doubt, he said. Drinking in the street is prohibited, you are not allowed to drink in the street.

There has been a growing number of outbreaks in recent weeks Health Minister Salvador Illa

Another measure announced by Illa on Friday was a blanket ban across Spain on smoking in public if a two-meter distance cannot be observed. The regions of Galicia and the Canary Islands had already introduced such a measure.

Illa also recommended that citizens limit their social contact as much as possible, and limit meetings to 10 people, avoiding those from outside the household. But, the minister added, the situation is not comparable with the one that we had in April, explaining that the cases being detected are mostly mild and are occurring among younger people and are being caught earlier. That doesnt mean that we shouldnt be concerned, he continued.

As for the start of the school year in September, and what will be the return to the classroom for most students for the first time since March, Illa pointed out that this was in the hands of each region, given that education is devolved in Spain. There have been a number of regional ministers who have expressed their desire to share the measures that they are taking, he said with regard to this mornings meeting, adding that the ministry had produced a guide with steps that should be taken and that the government had provided 2 billion of extra funding to the regions.

The Madrid regional government announced that it would begin free random testing in areas that are being hardest hit by the coronavirus

Also on Friday, the Madrid regional government announced that it would begin free random testing in areas that are being hardest hit by the coronavirus, such as the districts of Carabanchel, Usera, Villaverde and Puente de Vallecas, and the municipalities of Alcobendas and Mostoles.

The region has been the epicenter of the health crisis in Spain, and for the last month there has been a steady rise in positive cases and hospitalizations due to Covid-19. The aim of the testing drive is to detect asymptomatic cases who could be spreading the virus without knowing it. People aged between 15 and 49 will be contacted randomly by SMS text messages offering them a PCR test. The regional government is aiming to carry out around a thousand tests a day, in primary healthcare centers, and provide the results within 48 hours.

With reporting by Emilio de Benito.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Bray man Anthony Clery is appealing to the people of his home town to help with aid efforts in Beirut, to help the city recover from a huge explosion which took place on the evening of Tuesday, August 4.

Anthony and his wife Maria had a miraculous escape from injury, with their apartment just 0.6 of a kilometre away from the blast site.

'I'm in shock still,' said Anthony, speaking from Lebanon, where he and Maria had moved to her father's home in the mountains.

'We're shook from having been so close to the blast,' he said. Anthony suffered lacerations and scratches, while his wife Maria was uninjured, despite their proximity to the explosion.

Their apartment was severely damaged in the blast, which emanated from a building at the port.

Having been parted for five months due to Covid-19, and they got married just days before the disaster in Beirut.

Anthony was working at his desk in a guest room/office in their apartment when he saw the first flames and smoke close to their building. He was on a work call, and just sending a photo to Maria in the next room, when the second blast hit.

'My wounds are healing now,' he said. 'There was a bed behind me which I think helped me withstand the blast.'

Anthony said that he feels 'useless' in the aftermath of the tragedy, as his feet are covered in cuts and he can't go out to help. In the meantime, he is encouraging as many people as possible to donate to the Red Cross and local fundraising to help people suffering in Beirut.

He and Maria, he said, are among the luckiest because they had an undamaged home to which to retreat, and did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

The people of the city of Beirut and of Lebanon are feeling a mixture of grief, anger and sadness, as the nation is plunged into mourning, according to Anthony.

'People are suffering in different ways, some more than others, but nobody has been untouched by what happened,' he said.

Comparing the disaster to another in living memory, 9-11, he said that while in that instance, parts of the city outside of twin towers were relatively unscathed, every part of Beirut has been damaged in some way.

As he spoke last Friday, the number of confirmed deaths was 137, with many more expected to be confirmed over the passage of time. Around 5,000 people suffered injuries. Anthony said also that there will have been undocumented people working in the area who will have died, and may not be included in the numbers of missing or deceased.

The number of people now homeless in the city is estimated to be around 300,000, with so many buildings decimated that there is nowhere for them to go.

Anthony spoke also of the economic and health crises which the city had already been battling due to Covid-19.

'It is a credit to the Lebanese people that they are so resourceful and responsive to each other,' said Anthony.

Maria is from a small town on the outskirts of the city. She and Anthony met in Mexico around two years ago, as he embarked on his travels around the world, an adventure for which he had been saving up for almost a decade.

Before deciding to settle in Beirut, Anthony found a US-based job which would allow him to work remotely.

He proposed last February in Romania and they had planned to get married in Cyprus in May. With Covid-19, Lebanon closed its borders completely and the two were forced apart until July. They had rescheduled the wedding, hoping it could happen in Cyprus in August.

With things changing rapidly, they found out that it would not be possible to keep that date.

They then planned to marry in Lebanon at the end of July but were warned that there would be another lock-down.

With two days notice, they managed to organise a church and venue, and with some help regarding documents form Fr Michael Kelly of Holy Redeemer, they managed to tie the knot. Anthony's sister was able to make it to the wedding and is now home in quarantine in Bray.

They had moved into a brand new apartment with views of the harbour. 'We went on a mini honeymoon, and the Tuesday, the day of the blast, was our first "normal" day.'

Anthony was working, and Maria came home at around 5 in the evening. They went to a nearby cafe for a coffee, went to the bank and the pharmacy, and returned at around 6, 10 minutes before the explosion.

'It would have been different if we had still been outdoors,' he said.

'I heard a big noise and saw the port go up in smoke,' said Anthony. There is a tall building which is still standing and he thought was the source of the smoke.

'The fertiliser was stored in a building behind that, unbeknownst to locals.

'I didn't know it was an accident, or a new war, even though there has been peace with Israel for many years. I was in the middle of a call with work to my team in the States.' He sent an image to Maria to see had she heard anything about what was going on.

'The second blast came in. I felt the blast quicker than I heard the sound. It was dark very suddenly and a huge grey wall came in.

'My office chair rolled back and glass shot towards me covering my face and arms.'

He had just bought a painting of Ireland which hung over the bed behind him.

Maria was in the kitchen with her friend. They had made it back to the corridor away from the kitchen, which was decimated in the blast.

'There was smoke everywhere and I could hear one pitch ringing in my ear and nothing else.'

The smoke then faded and Anthony could see that a wall was missing from the apartment. He could hear sirens and screaming, see rubble, and that he was covered in cuts. He called for Maria and they found each other. 'I hopped over the bed and found her crouched down.'

They thought there had been more than one explosion at different locations in the area and didn't know of more would come.

They managed to get their passports, wallets and some other items before making their way outside.

'The pillow from our room was on the ground outside, six storeys below,' said Anthony. People were holding dogs, screaming in different languages, and there was chaos. A man asked to borrow Anthony's flip-flops to retrieve something from his apartment. They needed to go, and thankfully the footwear was soon returned.

They didn't attempt to get their car from the underground car park and started to walk in the opposite direction to the explosion.

While walking uphill for 25 or 30 minutes, they saw cars flipped over, broken windows and rubble.

'The hospitals were like something from over-exaggerated war films with walking wounded everywhere,' said Anthony. 'Every window was smashed.'

They managed to flag down and get a lift further along, getting out at a spot closer to Maria's dad's house. Still, windows were broken and buildings seriously damaged.

This was a distance from the site of the explosion which Anthony likened as between the city centre and Malahide, and the noise extended to distances similar to that of between Wicklow and Drogheda.

They took a taxi to Maria's father's home, and had managed to get messages by phone to friends and family during their journey.

Watching videos of the mushroom cloud that decimated the city, Anthony felt as though he was in a dream.

'I thought this couldn't be real,' he said. 'It was like something from a move.'

While Anthony required some stitches and a tetanus shot, he did not have concussion or serious injury.

He did pass out in hospital coming up to midnight, he said due to shock, and lack of food.

'Ireland and Lebanon, in size, are very similar,' said Anthony. 'If you imagine we're on the sixth floor of, say, Google or Facebook at the Grand Canal, and the port is exploding, every window from Blackrock to Howth is shattering, people from Wicklow Town to Drogheda hearing the noise, people in Wales can see the explosion.

'And then walking the next two and a half hours on the banks of the Liffey walking to the Dublin Mountains and then just seeing smoke and rubble behind you.'

'I'm so grateful that Maria and I were miraculously physically unharmed, and that we had somewhere safe to stay,' said Anthony.

'There are people who now haven't got anything.

'Things can be replaced,' said Anthony. 'We would much rather have each other than the apartment.'

He and his wife are currently trying to arrange a visa for Maria to be able to travel to Ireland for the couple to recover from the shock and restart their lives.

Meanwhile, Anthony hopes that the international community will come together to support Lebanon in its hour of need.

'People really have to act, he said.
The decision to release hundreds of the Taliban's most dangerous prisoners has stirred painful memories for the loved ones of those killed in Afghanistan's war, with many questioning whether the move will help bring peace.

About 400 inmates are expected to be set free in the coming days, after which the Taliban have said they will sit for direct peace talks with the Afghan government.

President Ashraf Ghani has said the US-backed release is a necessary development highlighting the "cost" of making peace.

But for some victims' families, it is a step too far.

It "felt like being stabbed in the heart with a knife", said Juma Khan, 77, as he recalled watching Afghan leaders gather to debate and eventually approve the release.

Khan's son, Aziz Ahmad Naween, an IT specialist, was killed in a massive truck bombing near the German embassy in May 2017 while heading to work. He was 24.

"We all want peace, but they never asked for our opinion, the victims," Khan said.

"That was the worst day of my life. I fell unconscious on seeing the body of my young son in a coffin," he told AFP at his home in Kabul.

"I don't believe that the decision to release them will lead to any peace in this country any time soon."

The Afghan government has already freed about 5,000 Taliban prisoners under a swap fleshed out in a deal between the US and the insurgents in February.

While the former inmates have pledged not to pick up arms, Ghani on Thursday acknowledged some of the 400 currently being released likely "pose a danger both to us and to (America) and to the world".

- 'How could they do that?' -

In an op-ed in the Washington Post on Friday he also said that the families of those killed by the militants had paid a heavy price.

"The cost of releasing these 5,000 prisoners meant, among other things, denying justice and healing for the families of those they murdered," Ghani wrote.

Story continues

"We have paid with our lives  tens of thousands of Afghan lives, including even our tiniest, most precious and innocent lives."

The truck bombing killed more than 150 people and wounded hundreds more in Kabul's highly fortified diplomatic quarter in the deadliest attack since 2001.

No group claimed the attack, but the government blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network.

An official list of the 400 prisoners seen by AFP includes a militant involved in that attack, and the release has triggered international condemnation.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisson said earlier this week he had lobbied for a former Afghan army soldier, who went rogue and killed three Australian colleagues, to stay in jail.

The family of French woman Bettina Goislard, a United Nations refugee worker who was shot dead by Taliban militants in 2003, has opposed the release of her killers.

"Such a decision to free (them) made on the basis of horse-trading would be, to us, her family, inconceivable," Bettina's family told AFP.

The decision also shocked Shahnaaz Ahmadi, 42, whose 45-year-old husband Faiz Ali Ahmadi was killed in the same truck bombing.

"It was unbelievable... and hard to watch what was happening," said Shahnaaz, who watched thousands of Afghan elders and stakeholders debate the release at last week's "loya jirga" meeting.

"How could they do that? We all cried that day," the mother of seven told AFP.

- 'Time for forgiveness' -

Shahnaaz's husband was a security guard at a telecommunications company. Her teenage daughter, Gulbahar, still mourns his death.

"We have endured so much hardship since losing my father, both financially and emotionally," Gulbahar said.

"They should have been executed long back. I can never forgive them for taking my father from me."

However, Abdul Rahman Sayed, whose 34-year-old brother Ahmad Farzam was killed in a 2018 attack at Kabul's luxurious Intercontinental Hotel, is ready to forgive and move on for the sake of peace.

"If I, as the brother of a victim of this war, objects in releasing the killer of my brother, then this war is going to continue forever," Sayed, a resident of Kandahar said.

"Now is the time for forgiveness and tolerance."

str-us-jds/wat/jm
Vijay Mishra, a Nishad Party member of the Uttar Pradesh (UP) legislative assembly (MLA) from Gyanpur in Bhadohi district, was arrested from Madhya Pradeshs (MP) Agar district in the Malwa region on Friday, a day after he had released a video, expressing fear that the UP Police could eliminate him because of his Brahmin identity.

Mishra, the four-time MLA from Bhadohis Gyanpur constituency, has been arrested in MP in a case related to alleged grabbing of property and issuing death threat to the family of Krishna Mohan Tiwari. He has been booked under sections 323 (voluntary causing hurt), 347 (wrongful confinement), 387 (putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 449 (house-trespass) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), said Rambadan Singh, superintendent of police (SP), Bhadohi.

The MLA had been arrested following the complaint filed by Tiwari, SP Singh said.

A team has been sent to MP to bring the MLA back to Bhadohi. Mishras wife Ramlali and his son Vishnu, who are also named in the complaint, will be arrested soon, he said

On August 8, Tiwari had lodged a case against Mishra; Ramlali, the Mirzapur-Sonbhadra member of the UP legislative council (MLC); and son Vishnu, alleging that they had threatened him and had forcibly grabbed his property.

On Thursday, Mishra, who had quit the Samajwadi Party (SP) before the 2017 assembly election after he was denied a party ticket and had contested and won the poll on a Nishad Party ticket from Gyanpur constituency for the fourth time, had released a video.

In the video, he had alleged that the UP Police was harassing him and his family since he is a Brahmin and a four-time MLA. He alleged that police could eliminate him in an encounter.

In the video, the MLA claimed, My wife and son have been framed in a fake case. Since I am a Brahmin and a four-time MLA from Gyanpur, I am being harassed. All this is being done to ensure that a mafia from Chandauli or Varanasi or Ballia could contest the election from Bhadohi. I may be murdered.

The police, however, rejected his allegations.

In a video statement, the SP said, The allegations are false and a gimmick to divert attention from his criminal acts and to create confusion in the minds of the public. He has been charged in as many as 73 cases. The allegations levelled by him are false and baseless.

Mishra has been assigned a personal armed guard for his security, despite dozens of cases against him, the SP added.

Meanwhile, Ramlali has gone missing under mysterious circumstances from Prayagrajs George Town area since Thursday late evening, police said hours after the arrest of Mishra.

Police said her personal armed guard Ishwar Chand gave the information that she has gone missing.

Dr. Dharmvir Singh, SP, Mirzapur, asked Chand to file a missing complaint at George Town police station.

SP Bhadohi said she deliberately went missing to evade arrest, but efforts are on to nab her soon.

Ramlali, who was elected as an MLC from Mirzapur-Sonbhadra seat on an SP ticket, was expelled from the party in February 2017 for supporting her husband in the UP assembly election.

A Bhadohi court has also rejected her interim bail application.

Additional District Judge PN Srivastava rejected her bail plea and directed her to approach the Allahabad special MLA/Member of Parliament (MP) court.

Ramlalis daughter Rima Mishra had moved the interim bail application for her and Vishnu.

Dinesh Pandey, the UP government counsel, said the court has stayed the arrest of Vishnu until the hearing of his interim bail application is over.

The court will hear his bail plea next on August 20.

(With agency inputs)
WASHINGTON  A former F.B.I. lawyer intends to plead guilty after he was charged with falsifying a document as part of a deal with prosecutors conducting their own criminal inquiry of the Russia investigation, according to his lawyer and court documents made public on Friday.

The lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, 38, who was assigned to the Russia investigation, plans to admit that he altered an email from the C.I.A. that investigators relied on to seek renewed court permission in 2017 for a secret wiretap on the former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, who had at times provided information to the spy agency. Mr. Clinesmiths lawyer said he made a mistake while trying to clarify facts for a colleague.

President Trump immediately promoted the plea agreement as proof that the Russia investigation was illegitimate and politically motivated, opening a White House news conference by calling Mr. Clinesmith corrupt and the deal just the beginning. Mr. Trump has long been blunt about viewing the investigation by the prosecutor examining the earlier inquiry, John H. Durham, as political payback whose fruits he would like to see revealed in the weeks before the election.

Attorney General William P. Barr has portrayed Mr. Durhams work as rectifying what he sees as injustices by officials who sought in 2016 to understand links between the Trump campaign and Russias covert operation to interfere in the election.
Prof, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is embarking on a 10-day campaign tour of the Upper East, North East, Northern, Bono and Ahafo Regions.



The tour comes on the heels of her recent courtesy calls on traditional authorities, religious leaders and other key stakeholders in the Central and Greater-Accra Regions.



A statement issued by her office said Prof Opoku-Agyemang was "delighted to begin official campaign activities with our brothers and sisters from these parts of our country".



"I look forward to listening to them but more importantly, affirming to them, the specific actions a new NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama will deliver when given the mandate by Ghanaians".











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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Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health, on Friday said he has tested positive for the coronavirus and has initiated home isolation as per guidelines.

Agarwal was the face of India's coronavirus fight immediately after the first lockdown in March, addressing daily media briefings on the outbreak when it was picking up pace in the country.

A 1996-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, Agarwal was the central government's official spokesperson at the national media briefings to provide updates on the Covid-19 situation in the country throughout April and May.

"Dear all, just to inform that I have tested positive for Covid-19 and initiating home isolation as per guidelines. Requesting all my friends, colleagues for self monitoring. Contact tracing will be done by health team. Hoping to see everyone soon," the 48-year-old said in a tweet.

Health ministry media briefings are now addressed by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, with Agarwal also remaining present.
A group of storms that tore through the Midwest this week has left homes destroyed, crops demolished and over a quarter of a million people still without power days later.

Nearly 100,000 people in Northern Illinois were still without electricity on Thursday morning, according to ComEd, the utility company that services the area. In Iowa, about 200,000 people were without power.

Is it Thursday? Clarissa Huilman, 34, who lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said in a phone call. We still dont have power back, she added as she watched workers trying to remove a 75-foot tree that had crashed onto her one-story home, puncturing its roof and intruding into the living room and dining room.

The storms wreaked havoc beyond knocking out power to the region: Traffic on Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids was halted when semitrailer trucks were overturned on the northbound and southbound lanes. One neighborhood posted a makeshift dead end sign as residential roads were blocked and homes were smothered by fallen trees.
A global pandemic. A crashing of the electrical grid. People unable to leave their homes with trees blocking driveways, live wires dangling perilously across roads. Towns without power for more than a week. Others with power but no internet or phone service. Some homes without running water and supplies running low. High heat and no air-conditioning. Elderly isolated at home. This is not a science fiction movie. Its our new reality.

The aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias, just like the COVID pandemic, exposed the longstanding fragility and failures of our infrastructure systems. Infrastructure is not just our roads and rails, about which Ive written extensively. It is also the systems that supply our power, water and connectivity. These systems are critical to our personal and economic well-being and the events of this past week were a wake-up call. Being rendered powerless, literally and figuratively, demonstrated that our utilities infrastructure is our Achilles heel. We need to redesign how utilities are regulated so our essential public resources  power, water, phone and WiFi  are affordable, resilient and accessible at all times.

As Democratic legislators, we are already working on a Take Back the Grid Act because we need more than an investigation, we need a new approach to utilities. We need to replace the privatized monopoly of power and water called Eversource/Aquarion with a system that creates direct accountability to customers. Just before the storm, Eversource increased customers bills significantly. And according to their recent SEC filing, they plan to do that again  to charge customers for the costs incurred from this storm rather than absorb them and allow a material impact to their bottom line. I believe that is gross negligence. We cannot allow Eversource to push the price of their failure of duty onto the people and economy of Connecticut.

Since 2016, Eversource has used $368 million of Connecticut taxpayer dollars to prepare for storms. Did we receive a reasonable return on that investment? Certainly not. In fact, Connecticut residents are paying the price of Eversources epic failure in a myriad of ways, including millions in lost business. The Department of Energy estimates that power outages cost the U.S. economy $150 billion annually, a cost that will increase to $1.5-3.4 trillion by 2050. The material impact of the business interruption for Connecticut residents was evident as more than 700,000 homes lost WiFi and cell service for days. People stood in parking lots and on street corners desperate to find a signal. We may never know exactly how much revenue was lost in Connecticut in a week without power. But we do know much of it could have been prevented if Eversource had followed best practices.

Years ago, when the legislature allowed the utilities to be deregulated, they were promised more competition and lower rates for customers. In fact, we ended up with almost no competition and consumers at the mercy of a monopoly. Eversource is a public company that maximizes shareholder value by cutting costs and passing them onto customers. In the last 10 years, Eversource reduced operating expenses by slashing the number of line workers from 725 to 525. It paid dividends to shareholders rather than investing in preparedness.

Since 2012, the Eversource share price rose from $36 to $86. The CEO and management team are rewarded with princely sums for boosting shareholder value. According to the companys 2020 proxy statement, the CEO received $19.8 million in compensation, including a $3,000,000 cash bonus for exceeding expectations on safety, reliability and customer experience. He also has a $51,000,000 golden parachute. To protect consumers, the legislature should enact laws that require lower rates, better service and more accountability for consumers. But to complicate matters, top-ranking Republican legislators in Connecticut (Senators Kevin Witkos, R-Canton, and John Kissel, R-Enfield) are employed by Eversource. Even if they recuse themselves from votes on regulation, they have the power to prevent such legislation from ever getting to a vote. This may sound like science fiction too. But its reality. And further proof that elected officials should not be employed by the businesses theyre charged with overseeing.

This moment can be a catalyst for real change. As scientists have predicted for years, severe weather events will only become more frequent and severe. Now is the time for action  a new approach to infrastructure that ensures consumers are prioritized over shareholders and CEOs. We must guarantee affordable access to critical resources such as power, water, internet and transportation. We can start by giving PURA more authority to regulate Eversource and require preparedness plans and the appropriate number of line workers (which creates new jobs). We should invest taxpayer dollars in improving infrastructure not by handing it over to Eversource, but with a system that creates direct accountability to taxpayers. A system similar to what I proposed in the legislature in 2019 and 2020  a Connecticut State Infrastructure Bank (SIB)  which finances public infrastructure without privatizing it. A SIB is a revolving fund that leverages public dollars 9-1 to raise the billions needed to make our power grids resilient, our trains faster and our roads and bridges safer. A SIB answers directly to its owners  the citizens of the state. And delivers demonstrable results on taxpayer investment with full transparency and direct accountability.

Lets use this crisis to do more than convene another panel. Lets use it as an opportunity to design a smarter system that serves the people of this state.

State Sen. Alex Kasser 36th district includes Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan.
The UKs announcement of new quarantine restrictions for people arriving from France has prompted a last-minute rush to cancel travel plans and a mass exodus from British holidaymakers already on the continent.

From 4am on Saturday, travellers arriving to the UK from Aruba, France, Malta, Monaco and the Netherlands will be forced to self-isolate for two weeks. France warned that it will introduce "reciprocal measures" to the UK.

It has left people on both sides of the Channel scrambling to rearrange plans ahead of the new rules being introduced, with the Eurotunnel website seeing long queues as thousands of customers attempted to make or change bookings.

Polly Courtney, a London-based screenwriter and novelist, was due to drive to France on Friday morning for a family camping holiday with her two young children but was forced to cancel at the last minute.

The government handled the communication of this really, really badly, she told The Independent. We were left googling until 10pm on Thursday night, learning of the new rules through leaked plans circulating online. As with everything in this pandemic, the government has hedged bets, been slow to announce and poor to communicate.

Recommended Countdown to exodus begins as travellers race home to avoid quarantine

The new rules mean that Ms Courtneys travel insurance no longer covers her or her family, as the trip goes against official FCO advice.

The quarantining would have been hard but doable  its the travelling uninsured that makes it impossible, especially with small children and a pandemic, she said. "It's not quite the Loire Valley, but we've booked a week in a field near Eastbourne instead."

Other families with trips planned to France on Friday have decided to press ahead, despite having to quarantine on their return.

For Isabelle Pyke, a French scientist based in Cambridge, it is the first chance she has had to visit her sister since before the pandemic.

I am still planning to fly today, together with my husband and our 1-year-old daughter, she said. Its going to be a nightmare on the way back. My husband and I are able to work from home but its going to be tough for our daughter. She needs playgrounds, fresh air and other people. Its going to be a long two weeks.

Whats frustrating is that we dont feel that its justified. It would make more sense to self isolate for a couple of days, get tested, and then depending on results continue to self isolate or not. Testing capacity is high and underutilised, so why not use it? Its so frustrating.

Government rules require people arriving from non-exempt countries to self-isolate for 14 days, or else face fines of between 1,000 and 3,200. Visitors are forbidden unless it is for medical care or assistance, and leaving your home for any non-emergency reason  even to walk the dog  is forbidden.

A quirk in the rules mean that other household members are not required to quarantine, unless they travelled with you or you develop symptoms of coronavirus. This has allowed Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to end his quarantine since returning from Spain, while his family members that returned later continue to self-isolate.

Mr Shapps said that there are about 160,000 British holidaymakers currently in France, while official estimates suggest there are a further 400,000 British expats living in the country.

One of these is Joanna York, a Paris-based journalist who was planning to travel to the UK to visit friends and family.

"My trip was for 12 days, so it wouldn't even be enough time to complete the quarantine before I came back to France," she said.

"I've changed my outgoing ticket for a Eurostar train this evening but it feels pretty arbitrary. Realistically, what difference would it make if I travelled tonight or tomorrow? Giving 48 hours notice instead of just over 24 hours would have made a big difference."

Eurostar is among several companies offering passengers free transfers, though many have also warned that all services before the deadline are already fully booked.

Eurotunnel warned passengers: "There is no more ticket availability. Please do not arrive at the terminal unless you have a ticket valid for travel today."

Eurostar told customers: "Please only come if you have a valid ticket for travel today."
The GOP is traditionally strongly free trade. Trump is for managed trade that frankly protects American workers and industry. And yet, who was actually captured? Apart from trade, immigration and reining-in foreign military commitments, Trumps administration has been standard Republican issue.

Arguably his greatest accomplishmentsoriginalist judges and a booming stock market and employment rate (before COVID)came straight from the GOP playbook.

It is as if a Democrat who is pro-life and pro-school choice was nominated (impossible), but once elected, followed the Democratic playbook on all other issues.

Some day (four years or 100 days), Trump will be gone and we shall then see whether there has been a party realignment. Will the working class and trade and jobs issues belong to Trump-like Republicans of the future? Or will the effect of Trump be to awaken Democrats to what once were their core issues and constituencies?

It is hard to believe there is a future for Democrats in pandering to wokeness.

Even the folks who want to be on that island right now will eventually grow lonely and hungry for meat. And many will themselves be voted off the island for this thought offense or that.
The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Turkey organized a meeting in Turkeys Hatay region, Trend reports citing Uza.uz.

At the meetings in the city municipality, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as the Association of Business People of the region, a presentation of the investment and tourism potential of Uzbekistan was held. Meetings and negotiations were held with representatives of the leadership and businesspeople of this province. Representatives of the Turkish side highly appreciated the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan, the dynamic development of bilateral relations, showed interest in establishing direct, mutually beneficial cooperation.

In particular, the Mayor of Antakya city Lutfu Savas noted that people of Uzbekistan and Turkey are closely related to each other by a common deep historical roots, national and spiritual values.

At the meetings in the municipality, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the region, the Turkish side was given a list of promising investment projects for assisting in attracting potential Turkish companies in sectors such as tourism, textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear production, agro-industry.

An agreement was reached on holding meetings with entrepreneurs of Hatay at the Embassy in the near future and organizing a visit of their delegation to Uzbekistan during the period of normalization of the epidemiological situation in the world and in both countries.

Governor of Hatay Rahmi Dogan proposed to organize a separate stand for Uzbekistan within the framework of Expo 2021 Hatay.
FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort Worth personal injury lawyer Jason Stephens has moved his Fort Worth practice into a new office on South University Drive. The new office, located at 1300 S. University Dr., Suite 406, Fort Worth, Texas, features a reception area, a large conference room, and numerous private offices for the Stephens Law Firm, PLLC - Fort Worth staff. The office is conveniently located next to University Park Village and is less than a mile away from Fort Worth Zoo. Jason hopes this new office will result in an improved experience for his clients.

Company Name: Stephens Law Firm, PLLC; Contact Person: Jason Stephens; Address: 1300 S. University Dr., Suite 406; City: Fort Worth; State: TX; Zip: 76107; Country: United States; Phone: (817) 420-7000

Jason Stephens, founder of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, has been helping injury victims in and around Fort Worth, Texas, recover compensation for over 22 years. During this time, Jason has realized that injury victims need more than just financial compensation to get better.

They need a compassionate attorney who will go above and beyond to meet their needs. Jason decided to move into the new Stephens Law Firm, PLLC - Fort Worth, Texas, office in order to improve the quality of the service his clients receive.

Injury victims should contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC's Fort Worth office today if they are interested in hiring a Fort Worth personal injury lawyer.

About Stephens Law Firm, PLLC:

Stephens Law Firm, PLLC founder Jason Stephens has been fighting for Fort Worth injury victims for over 22 years. Over his long career, Jason has obtained several record-breaking verdicts on behalf of his clients, which has earned him a number of awards and accolades for his extraordinary commitment to defending personal injury victims.

Despite his impressive accomplishments in the courtroom, Jason realizes that he needs to be a compassionate advocate for his clients. Jason strives to be a "Difference Maker" in every client's life. He says, "I take my clients' trust very seriously and, when they hire me, I want them to know that their case is in good hands and they can focus on their recovery." Fort Worth Stephens Law Firm, PLLC strives to provide dependable and empathetic legal representation to the residents of Fort Worth, Texas.

Media Contact:

Stephens Law Firm, PLLC

Jason Stephens

1300 S. University Dr., Suite 406

Fort Worth, TX 76107

(817) 420-7000

Website: https://www.stephenslaw.com/fort-worth/

Google Maps: https://g.page/stephens-law-firm-pllc?share

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Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyers

Company Name: Stephens Law Firm, PLLC; Contact Person: Jason Stephens; Address: 1300 S. University Dr., Suite 406; City: Fort Worth; State: TX; Zip: 76107; Country: United States; Phone: (817) 420-7000

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The health charity has launched a back-to-school checklist as part of a campaign to support children with asthma during the pandemic.

The checklist, which is available to download from asthma.ie, helps children returning to education and their parents by providing them with the necessary information on staying safe in school when Covid-19 is ever present.

According to the society, September is one of the riskiest times of the year for people with asthma, especially children.

Doctors see a significant spike in hospital visits and admissions of children with asthma, as a result of what is known as the September Asthma Peak.

Emily Blennerhassett, interim chief executive of the Asthma Society, said: Our services have experienced a high demand of calls relating to the reopening of schools. One in ten calls to our Asthma and COPD Adviceline are directly related to returning to school during COVID-19.

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Parents are concerned for their children with asthma, teachers with chronic respiratory conditions are worried about returning to the classroom, and young people themselves are anxious about how they are going to cope in a school environment with their condition.

She added: In light of COVID-19, asthma management is more important than ever before.

Our Back2School checklist is a good place to start if you are worried about school, asthma management, and COVID-19.
A 25-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the murder of a fellow resident who was stabbed to death at a house in Dublin.

Michael Olohan, 35, who was originally from Poppentree, in Ballymun, in north Dublin, suffered fatal chest injuries during a row at a house at St Lawrence Road, in Clontarf, at around 7.15am on Thursday.

The house is a HSE operated low-support independent living residence for people with mental health difficulties.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardai sealed off the area for a technical examination and appealed to the public for information.

Sean Murphy handed himself in to gardai on Thursday. He was arrested and detained at Clontarf Garda Station for questioning.

Mr Murphy, who lived in an apartment at the same property, in Bradog Court, St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, as the deceased, was charged and brought to appear before Judge John Brennan at a late sitting of Dublin District Court this evening.

Dressed in a white T-shirt and black trousers, he sat at the side of the courtroom and spoke quietly to his solicitor Michael French before the case was called.

In evidence, Detective Sergeant Dave Ennis then told Judge Brennan the accused replied, No, that is fine when he was charged and cautioned.

He was then handed a copy of the charge sheet, the judge was told.

The district court does not have the jurisdiction to grant bail in a murder case.

Judge Brennan remanded Mr Murphy, who sat silently with his arms folded during the hearing, in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video-link on Wednesday.

A book of evidence has to be prepared.

Mr French asked the court to request an urgent psychiatric assessment of his client in custody. Judge Brennan agreed to direct that he would receive the necessary psychiatric assessment.

He also granted him legal aid after noting the accused was in receipt of disability allowance.
Terrorists seize key port town in northern Mozambique

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 5:25 AM

Terrorist reportedly from the Takfiri Daesh group have seized a key port town in northern Mozambique following days of attacks in the gas-rich region.

Local media said on Wednesday that the terrorists captured the port of Mocimboa da Praia at dawn, adding that government forces fled the far-northern town when the extremists started attacking.

Mozambique's Defense and Security Forces (FDS) also confirmed that the terrorists had launched "sequenced attacks" on several villages surrounding the port over the past week in an attempt to occupy the town.

"At the moment, there are ongoing actions to neutralize the terrorists that are using populations in the affected areas as shields," it said in a statement.

The attack  the third on the town this year  was the latest in an intensifying militancy in Mozambique's north since 2017. Recently, Daesh had claimed a number of the attacks in the troubled region.

Mocimboa da Praia is a port in northern Mozambique's Cabo Delgado Province and lying on the Indian Ocean coast.

Cabo Delgado, which is expected to become the center of a natural gas industry after several promising discoveries, has seen a string of assaults on security forces and civilians since 2018.

The province is already home to multi-billion-dollar gas projects led by foreign companies such as Total.

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi has vowed to dedicate more resources to fighting the militancy since his re-election in January, and the government in Maputo is pushing forward with the gas development projects in the province.

Authorities say the Takfiri extremists have been purposefully stoking fear among locals. They say the vast gas deposits discovered off the shores of the country could transform the poor nation into one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

For more than two years, the militants have mainly targeted isolated villages, killing more than 900 people, according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).

The violence has forced hundreds of thousands of locals to flee the troubled province.

Attacks have prompted security concerns for investors in Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries.

NGOs say the government must do more to protect the mostly poor civilians in the area.

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The NFU has launched its 2020 harvest survey in order to assess the impact of another year of volatility on arable crops.

The union is urging arable farmers to complete the survey following a 'season of extremes'.

The survey hopes to produce reliable production statistics to demonstrate the land-efficient way in which the UK produces crops.

It also looks into the variations across the regions and soils  something that isnt really a factor for the UK's competitors in continental climates.

In particular, the NFU said it was vital for government to understand the 'precarious position' British oilseed rape was in.

NFU combinable crops board chairman, Matt Culley explained why taking part was 'more important than ever'.

"It is important that government recognises the uniqueness of the countrys arable sector with its maritime climate and various regional soil types, formulating new policy that incorporates diversity within combinable crops."

He added: "As oilseed rape continues to drop away as a cornerstone of the arable rotation, we have added a question about planting intentions for the 2021 season."

Although challenged by weather, the UK has capacity for relatively high yields, allowing farmers to produce grain in a land-efficient way, while contributing 3.5bn to the economy.

Mr Culley explained that the arable sector formed the bedrock of the UK food and drinks sector.

He added that these crops must not be undermined by lower quality imports, which were often coupled with lower production costs.

"Arable farmers have a responsibility to champion best practice and to demonstrate how crops that feed the nation are grown," he said.

"During lockdown, sales of flour rose 82%, but how many make the connection between flour and the crops grown on their doorsteps?

"The NFUs annual survey not only gives us early figures to illustrate the resilience of the sector to policy makers, but also offers a check point for official estimates. "

How do I get involved?

Growers can get involved by taking the survey online or by filling in the paper form found in the September issue of British Farmer and Grower magazine.

The survey will close on Sunday 27 September and all responses will be treated in strictest confidence.

Farmers are urged not fill in the survey unless harvest is complete. If it is not complete by the deadline, then average yield realised on the area harvested to date is sufficient.

All figures must be in metric units, (tonnes and hectares). To convert to hectares, multiply the area in acres by 0.405.
On a Friday night in mid-July, a mysterious group of paramilitary agents marked only by the word "Police" on their camouflage bullet-proof vests snuck into Portland, Ore., in rental vans and used stun grenades, tear gas (later against the mayor), and impact munitions against protesters.

The "Police" arrived commando-style, refused to identify themselves, apprehended protesters without charges, and shot a protester in the head, leaving him in critical condition.

These teams are part of a 2,000-member federal strike force that is taxpayer-funded, but not congressionally authorized, which President Donald Trump has created and deployed into several American cities.

The president and his unidentifiable agents have violated the oaths they swore to "support and defend the Constitution," and citizens across America are standing up to them.

Former Seabee and Naval Academy graduate Christopher David knew who these officers were actually sworn to protect. Wearing his Naval Academy sweat shirt, David attempted to talk to the "Police," shouting, "Were any of you enlisted? Why are you not keeping your oath of office?" He stood bravely while helmeted men beat and pepper-sprayed him in an ugly display reminiscent of totalitarianism.

I was disgusted watching these unbadged agents, who had violated their oaths and our Constitution, beat a fellow American naval officer for nonviolently exercising his First Amendment rights. Like millions of Cold War era veterans, I spent many years deployed overseas serving in America's prolonged campaigns to contain Communism and to protect democracy, first on ships off Vietnam and later flying patrol planes against Soviet submarines.

When I was commissioned from Cornell Navy ROTC, we swore to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." The military chain of command honors this oath and we expect the commander-in-chief and all federal officials to live up to their oaths. It is an insult to those who served loyally in the military to see commando teams deployed under unconstitutional presidential orders against citizens in American cities.

The First Amendment protects the freedoms of religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the petitioning of government for a redress of grievances. The Founders placed this amendment first in the Bill of Rights because these rights were so important to them in the early days of the Republic, and they remain vital for us today.

The intervention in Portland came after the president illegally ordered active duty and National Guard forces, including helicopters, to force protesters from Lafayette Square in June. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley subsequently apologized for participating that day. The administration has sent aircraft, helicopters, and drones to illegally surveil protests in 15 cities and is now unconstitutionally expanding federal interventions into many other cities.

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When Oregon Gov. Kate Brown asked Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to remove his federal forces, he refused. Wolf asserted that he could continue to send federal agents into more cities, stating, "I don't need invitations by the state, state mayors or state governors to do our job. We're going to do that, whether they like us there or not." Recently, four former DHS Secretaries from both parties rebuked the president's misuse of the department's authorized missions.

Americans hope for increased civic stability and peaceful streets in our cities, but the president and the federal agents he sent have not lived up to their oaths. This is a scary time for our country, and America's Founders would be appalled at the use of uninvited federal agents sneaking into American towns and using force against fellow citizens.

Americans yearn for a president who will honor the position of commander-in-chief; a person all Americans can respect and a leader we can follow with pride. We need a uniter  someone who encourages everyone regardless of their origins, to contribute their best and to work together for our common goals  and who will honor the oath we all swore to.

We need someone who can help heal our nation. America needs a thoughtful, competent president  a capable pair of hands to lead our country during these challenging times.

Donald C. Stanton, of Colorado, is a former deputy assistant secretary of defense and Navy pilot who grew up near Greenville.
Vice-presidential candidates rarely lead to huge swings in the polls, but they can boost enthusiasm among the party base. On this score, Harris  the first black and first Asian-American woman to appear on the ballot in US history  has been a big success so far. A Morning Consult poll released on Thursday (Friday AEST) showed that Democrats were overwhelmingly pleased with Bidens selection: 88 per cent said the choice made them hopeful and four in five said it made them confident, proud, happy or excited. Democrats, it seems, share Barack Obama's reaction: "Joe Biden nailed this decision." Loading Even more importantly, party loyalists demonstrated their approval by opening their wallets. In the 24 hours following the announcement, the Biden campaign raised $US26 million ($36 million)  more than twice its previous record. This cash will allow Democrats to compete on the airwaves in battleground states against the well-funded Trump campaign. Meanwhile, Trump and his Republican allies have struggled to find a clear line of attack on the California senator. Given Harris has one of the most left-wing voting records in Congress  and was a one-time supporter of Bernie Sanders' Medicare-for-all proposal  there is material for them to work with. But they haven't settled on a coherent strategy.

Referring to her tough performances during Senate hearings and the Democratic debates, Trump described Harris as "nasty" and "disrespectful". By the end of the week he was calling her "a mad woman", "angry" and "condescending". The Republican National Committee (RNC) initially said that Harris' appointment showed that "the left-wing mob is controlling Bidens candidacy, just like they would control him as president". Hours later, the RNC said the Democrats' progressive base was in revolt because Harris was not sufficiently left-wing. US President Donald Trump and other Republicans have been inconsistent in their attacks on Democratic vice-presidential hopeful Kamala Harris. Credit:AP "You can tell it's a good choice because the Republicans are flummoxed," University of Virginia politics professor and election forecaster Larry Sabato says. "She has been the favourite for months, but when the announcement came they didn't know what to say. They've been contradicting each other. 'She's soft on crime - no, she's too tough on crime.' Well, which is it?" Former Obama administration official Van Jones said Trump's personal attacks on Harris were "just not effective".

"What they are about to do is create such a backlash of support for Kamala," Jones said on CNN. "Because once you go down the 'angry black woman' thing  you're creating a wave of sympathy and empathy and solidarity for her." Conventions coming The election campaign will step up another gear next week with the Democratic National Convention, Biden's official coronation as the party's nominee. When the Democratic Party announced in March that it would hold its convention in Milwaukee, it was a triumph for the residents of Wisconsins biggest city. "We are seen as a sleepy city, we're often overlooked," says Patrick Guarasci, a Democratic strategist who lives in Milwaukee. "People here were very pumped up about the convention, even if they weren't Democrats. We had competed with the big boys  Miami and Houston  and we'd won. People had pride in that."

In 2016 Hillary Clinton was so convinced she would win Wisconsin that she never set foot in the state during the campaign and barely spent any money advertising there. She became the first Democratic nominee to lose the state since 1984. Both Republicans and Democrats have scrapped plans to hold traditional conventions. Credit:AP By choosing Milwaukee to host the convention, the Democratic Party was trying to send a message to Wisconsinites that they would not take their votes for granted this time around. Then the pandemic hit. First the Democrats delayed the date of the convention by a month. Then they made it a largely virtual event. Last week Biden announced that he would not even travel to Milwaukee to deliver his acceptance speech: instead he will accept his nomination from home in Delaware. Guarasci says people in Milwaukee are disappointed but they understand the decision: "We don't want people to die so that people can give speeches here."

The shift towards a virtual convention has presented a challenge to Democrats: how to create a compelling television event without relying on the usual spectacle of balloons falling from the rafters of a packed arena. With the televised component of the convention running for just two hours a night, speakers have been told to keep their speeches shorter than normal. And they have been asked to come up with an innovative backdrop for their presentation, rather than bookshelves or a brick wall. Among those scheduled to speak are Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama on night one, Bill Clinton on night two, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on night three and Biden on the final night. Loading The Republicans have had their own convention woes. Their event was originally supposed to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. But when the state's Democratic governor declined to guarantee that he would permit a packed arena, Trump shifted it to Jacksonville, Florida. Then COVID-19 cases surged in that state, forcing Trump to cancel plans for an in-person event. The President is now weighing up whether to deliver his August 27 nomination acceptance speech from the White House or Gettysburg, the Civil War site in Pennsylvania.
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On 12 August 2005, NASA launched its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The orbiter has since then sent back about 385 terabits of data and remains active to this day to carry on its mission on Mars.

Sent with the task of studying temperatures of the Martian atmosphere and collecting information about the minerals present on the planet's surface, the MRO has also sent back some breathtaking images. To celebrate 15 years of its launch, NASA posted some of the most astounding pictures taken by the HiRISE camera on the MRO.

While one picture showcases an avalanche in action, another shows a dust devil making its way over the Martian surface. A crater created on Mars and migrating landforms are the subjects of the other pictures.

There are three cameras aboard the orbiter:

The Mars Color Imager (MARCI), which is tasked with the duty of capturing a global view daily;

The Context Camera (CTX), which provides 30-kilometer-wide black and white terrain shots;

The High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), which is responsible for capturing "tightly focused images".

These images are then managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California.

Through the years, HiRISE has captured some "dramatic scenes of nature" like skyscraping dust devils, avalanches and changing landscapes. These were possible due to the extreme zoom-in capability of the camera that manages to capture detailed, high-resolution colour images of Mars. Since 2006, HiRISE has alone sent back 6,882,204 images.

Beautiful Mars! Our Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launched 15 years ago today to study the Red Planets atmosphere, weather, subsurface water, and more. But the mission might best be known for the images sent by its @HiRISE camera: https://t.co/Z7pOAes4tA pic.twitter.com/i1UdmO9FY2  NASA (@NASA) August 12, 2020

The orbiter has managed to capture the multiple spacecrafts - Spirit, Opportunity as well as the Curiosity rover - trekking and exploring Mars.

According to NASA, when its latest rover Perseverance reaches the Jezero Crater on 18 February 2021, we will be sure to get some close-up shots of the craft via HiRISE.
By Kang Seung-woo



A total of 430,000 people have signed petitions calling for Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's removal from office over alleged power abuse in the appointment of prosecution officials.





Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae / Korea Times file

The public petition, posted on the Cheong Wa Dae website on July 14, closed with 219,068 signatories, Thursday, while another ongoing petition has garnered more than 217,000 signatures as of 3 p.m., Friday. Any petition that gets more than 200,000 signatures within a month requires an official response from the presidential office.



The first petitioner said, "Choo acts as if she is the king, while ignoring the public as well as President Moon Jae-in. We have never seen such a justice minister, so I am petitioning for her impeachment."



The other petition said, "Although Choo must remain politically neutral, general public opinion is that her acts disqualify her as the justice minister. In that respect, I want President Moon to express publicly his own opinion on Choo and dismiss her."






A woolly brown rhinoceros that weighed two tons once roamed northeastern Siberia before mysteriously disappearing around 14,000 years ago.

Was its demise caused by humans, or the warming climate of the time?

A new study by a Swedish and Russian team of scientists who examined DNA fragments from the remains of 14 of these prehistoric mammals lets our species off the hook.

They say the population of the animal -- also known by its scientific name Coelodonta antiquitatis -- remained stable for millennia as they lived alongside humans, before dropping sharply toward the end of the last ice age.

"That makes it more likely that climatic changes that happened around 14,000 years ago are the primary driver of extinction, rather than humans," Love Dalen, a geneticist at Sweden's Centre for Palaeogenetics, told AFP.

Dalen led the study that was published in the journal Current Biology on Thursday.

How did they reach that conclusion from DNA strands taken from the remains of animals frozen in the soil for thousands of years?

The size of a population of a species is proportional to its level of genetic diversity and the degree of inbreeding, said Dalen.

The team were able to analyze the complete genome of one rhinoceros dating from 18,500 years ago.

By comparing the chromosomes inherited from the mother and from the father, they determined inbreeding was low and diversity was high.

"One individual's genome is a mosaic of all its ancestors," explained Dalen.

"18,000 years ago, that rhino belonged to a large population, and its ancestors must also have belonged to a large population" going back tens of thousands of years.

From other animals they were able to harvest mitochondrial genomes -- which are passed down from the mother -- and from this could estimate the size of the female populations over time.

Humans arrived in this part of Siberia 30,000 years ago. Though they hunted the rhinos, the animal's population remained steady for 12,000 more years until an abrupt period of warming known as the BollingAllerod.

The same team previously published the genome of another megaherbivore, the woolly mammoth -- and believe this species likewise went extinct due to climate change, not human hunting.

Their conclusions are still being debated among the scientific community.

A key difference is that the mammoths went extinct twice: the ones on mainland Siberia disappeared around the same time as the rhinos, but a few hundred survived on Wrangel Island six millennia longer.

Today, the closest living relative of the woolly rhino is the Sumatran rhino.

Frequently poached and facing the destruction of their habitat, there are fewer than 80 left in existence.

Here, no one can argue that humans are free of blame.
Donald Trump's former longtime attorney Michael Cohen has released an excerpt from his tell-all book about the president and the 2016 election, revealing how the president's "fixer and designated thug" allegedly witnessed crimes committed by candidate Trump and became an "active and eager participant."

Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to lying to Congress on the president's behalf and orchestrating hush money to women who have claimed to have had affairs with the president. He claims to know the president "better than anyone else."

"I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man," Cohen writes.

Cohen was briefly sent back to jail for allegedly violating the terms of his release by writing the book before a judge ruled the was "retaliatory" and therefore illegal.

The White House has called the book "fan fiction."

"He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales," deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern told CNN. "It's unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack president Trump."

A 3,700-word foreword to Disloyal: A Memoir, set to be released in October, was published on Cohen's website on Thursday.

The introduction, framing his thoughts on the president as he drives from New York to Washington DC to testify to Congress in February 2019, revisits many claims in his testimony and illustrates his mental and personal state as he speeds towards the capital.

It does not offer any new details about the president's assets and financial state, which Cohen told Congress he had grossly inflated to insurance companies while undervaluing assets to avoid taxes. Allegations of fraud are reportedly being investigated by prosecutors in New York City following a US Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for the president's tax records and other financial documents to be reviewed.

'Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate deal in Moscow during the campaign'

In his opening statement to Congress, Cohen said that Trump had repeatedly asked about negotiations leading to construction of a Trump Tower in Moscow. He "knew of and directed the Trump Moscow negotiations throughout the campaign and lied about it," Cohen said.

Upon pleading guilty, Cohen admitted that he lied when he told Congress that discussions about the project ended before the president started his campaign.

In his foreword, Cohen writes: "Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate deal in Moscow during the campaign. He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs. I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates."

'Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance'

Cohen writes: "To half of Americans, it seemed like Trump was effectively a Russian-controlled fraud who had lied and cheated his way to the White House. To the other half of Americans, to Trump's supporters, the entire Russian scandal was a witch hunt invented by Democrats still unable to accept the fact that Hillary Clinton had lost fair and square in the most surprising upset in the history of American presidential elections."

But he claims that "the reality was much more complicated and dangerous" as he alludes to former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian-backed interference in US elections in 2016.

He claims that "Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors."

"I also knew that the Mueller investigation was not a witch-hunt," he writes. "Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything  and I mean anything  to 'win' has always been his business model and way of life."

'He has a million acquaintances, pals and hangers on, but no real friends'

Cohen echoes claims that have been published over the last several decades alleging that the president does not have any friends.

"There are reasons why there has never been an intimate portrait of Donald Trump, the man," Cohen writes. "In part, it's because he has a million acquaintances, pals and hangers on, but no real friends. He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets. For ten years, he certainly had me, and I was always there for him, and look what happened to me."

'Golden showers in a sex club in Vegas'

Cohen claims that he "stiffed contractors" on the president's behalf, "ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump's path to power."

He alludes to claims made in a 2016 dossier alleging that candidate Trump had hired prostitutes to urinate in the presidential suite of a Moscow hotel, but Cohen alleges that the president was involved with "golden showers in a sex club" in Las Vegas.

"From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers, I wasn't just a witness to the president's rise  I was an active and eager participant," he writes.
We have a contract with the police.

In return for keeping us safe, we allow them to have deadly weapons, sophisticated intelligence tools, and budgets that are almost impossible for municipalities to appeal.

For this arrangement to work, the public has to trust the police. But trust cant be taken for granted. It must be earned.

And the recent actions of the Guelph Police Service have put a big dent in that trust.

Guelph police made a highly questionable decision not to tell the public that Marwan Tabbara, the Kitchener South-Hespeler MP, had been charged in April with serious crimes including criminal harassment, two counts of assault, and breaking and entering.

According to police documents describing these charges, which have not been proven in court, he allegedly spent so much time over three months watching a home in Guelph, the occupant feared for her safety.

Tabbara was arrested April 9. He is to appear in court in two weeks.

And that would have been the first most people knew about these serious accusations, had it not been for a news reporter who got wind of the development and started asking questions.

It took almost two months between the time Tabbara was charged and June 5, when the story broke in the news media.

Guelph police said that their standard practice is not to release names of charged individuals, particularly in the case of mental health, domestic and suicidal situations.

This is because of the need to protect the identity of victims and other family members given the sensitive nature of those calls for service, they said in response to a request made by the Guelph Mercury Tribune under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

They saw Tabbaras case as a domestic dispute.

But their rule ignores the fact that sometimes there is a compelling public interest in charges laid against someone who holds the public trust.

Individuals who hold the public trust include teachers, police officers and  even though we complain constantly about them  politicians.

We elect politicians to make laws on our behalf.

It is absolutely our business if those politicians violate our trust by breaking those laws.

If Tabbara had been arrested in Waterloo Region, it would likely have been handled differently.

The media relations procedure for Waterloo Regional Police affirms that, despite frequent need for confidentiality, the services philosophy is to be as open and co-operative with the news media as possible.

In another section, the procedure states that victim, witness and complaint information will not be released except when compelling public interest in disclosure of the personal information clearly outweighs the individuals right to privacy...

And in a phone message Thursday, Waterloo police representative Cherri Greeno told me: We would release public figure names.

RELATED STORIES Waterloo Region Guelph police defend decision to not tell media about arrest of Kitchener South-Hespeler MP

Guelph police officers also misled the public about what happened. They originally said Tabbaras arrest wasnt even brought to the attention of the media officer.

That wasnt true. Emails released later in response to the Mercury Tribunes request show that the night after Tabbaras arrest, another police officer warned the media officer that because Tabbara was an elected official, when and if it hits the news there could be a bit of a media frenzy.

Thats what they were worried about? A media frenzy?

Lets be clear: This isnt about prurient interest in the alleged misdeeds of a backbench MP.

This is important because without clear, timely reporting to the public on whats happening in our policing and justice systems, it is very easy to lose faith in those systems.

And I dont think any of us wants to live in a world where that happens.
D etectives are investigating after a young child plunged to their death from an east London tower block.

Police and paramedics were called to Haberdasher Street in Shoreditch at about 4.20pm on Thursday.

The child, thought to be a boy about two years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses described hearing the screams of a man believed to be the childs father and shouts of oh no, oh no, the Mirror reported.

According to the paper, the child fell from the ninth-floor of the Charles Gardner Court building.

Tammy Johnson, who lives next door to the building, said: "All I heard was a big whack, a big loud bang from when I was in my kitchen cooking. Then I came outside.

"I saw the dad there first and then when I looked down I saw the baby on the floor.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Police were called at approximately 4.20pm on Thursday, 13 August to Haberdasher Street in Shoreditch to reports of a child fallen from height from a residential building.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended (LAS). A young child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin are aware and being supported by specialist officers.

An investigation is underway and enquiries continue.
What started as a devastating spring for P.E.I.'s tourism season is growing into something, but nothing like what the industry was hoping for at the beginning of the year.

"If you talked to anybody in the industry what they would have told you back then is we were all gearing up for a record-breaking year," said Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I.

The official numbers for P.E.I. tourism show an industry that was barely operating at all during the early weeks of the pandemic.

Total overnight stays in April and May were down close to 90 per cent.

April: -88.1%.

May: -89.4%.

P.E.I. tourism had seen record seasons in five of the last six years, and while it is difficult to judge a tourism season on the smaller numbers of January and February, those early indicators were very positive.

Traffic on the English website was up 20 to 30 per cent, and up in the double digits on the French site. In February, business at visitor information centres was up 243 per cent.

And then, of course, it all crashed. Provincial borders were closed, restaurants were told to shut down. About the only accommodations business available was putting up arriving essential workers, while restaurants had to rely on providing takeout for locals.

Bubble business

With the opening of the Atlantic bubble July 3, leisure travel on the Island became possible for people from other provinces.

There is a great deal of potential for P.E.I. tourism in the bubble. Travellers from Atlantic Canada represented 60 per cent of the market last year. But Clemence said that potential has not yet materialized.

"When the bubble first opened it was slow, slower than we would have hoped, initially," she said.

Rick Gibbs/CBC

"I think we probably saw a lot of people coming over to see family, you know, stay with their family and friends. I don't know that people had the confidence to travel as quickly as we hoped."

It is getting better, she said, and you can see there are more people around Charlottetown, for example.

Story continues

Pandemic still a roller-coaster for industry

While the industry is encouraged by that growth, Clemence said it is unlikely that the full potential of 60 per cent will be realized in any month this year.

Atlantic Canadian visitors tend to book on shorter notice, she said. They watch the weather and other factors, and announcements of new COVID-19 cases don't help.

"I think everyone is acutely aware of COVID anywhere, especially when they're considering visiting," said Clemence.

Julien Lecacheur/Radio-Canada

"When we had those couple of cases when the bubble first opened, we did hear from operators that they had cancellations that directly correlated to those new cases, even though they had nothing to do with the bubble opening. So we know that there's a fear and a hesitation from visitors."

If that's the case, the five new cases on P.E.I. this week will probably hurt this weekend's bookings, despite P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison's assurances that the cases were not connected to the Atlantic bubble, there was no community spread, and the people involved had been self-isolating.

The real story of this year's tourism season won't be known until numbers for the June shoulder season and the high season of July and August are available. The province said to expect June numbers some time next month, and July numbers in October.

More from CBC P.E.I.
President Donald Trump retweeted posts calling Kamala Harris 'camel laugh' on Friday, the day after he refused to say she was eligible to serve as vice president - as his son-in-law Jared Kushner refused to shoot down a 'birther' conspiracy theory about the Democratic vice-presidential candidate.

In a flurry of retweets consisting of criticism for the Democratic presidential ticket and praise for his deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, President Trump included a tweet with derogatory and racist descriptions of Harris and Joe Biden.

'While Biden plays hide and seek with Camel Laugh, Trump plays 3 dimensional Chess with the Middle East and wins historical deals!! 'Play it again Sam' how the Democrats will lose everything in November! TRUMP IS THE GREATEST!!!,' read one of the two retweets.

'Let's get this straight right away Camel Laugh and China Joe will lie, lie, and lie and the media will NOT challenge them on all the false statements they make. IT IS UP TO AMERICAN WARRIORS TO GET THE TRUTH OUT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!,' read the other.

More pressure: Jared Kushner was asked about Trump's comments on Friday but he tried to move the topic back to the Israel-UAE deal.

Trump has often accused Biden of 'hiding in his basement' and complained the Democratic ticket has yet to answer as many questions from the press as he does.

His insults to Harris came after he fanned the flames of yet another 'birther' conspiracy theory by telling White House reporters Thursday that he had 'no idea' if Harris was eligible to be vice president.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner was asked about Trump's comments on Friday but he tried to move the topic back to the Israel-UAE deal.

'He just said that he had no idea whether that's right or wrong,' Kushner told 'CBS This Morning' co-host Anthony Mason.

Pressed on whether he and the Trump campaign accepts that Harris is a qualified candidate, Kushner said, 'I personally have no reason to believe she's not.'

'She was born in Oakland, California,' Mason said. Kushner replied: 'Yeah.'

'Makes her a qualified candidate. Why didn't the president take the opportunity to debunk that theory?' Mason asked.

'I have not had a chance to discuss this with him, but again, let his words speak for himself,' Kushner said.

Democrats, meanwhile, accused Trump of racism and pointed out the last candidate to face questions about their birth was Barack Obama - the first black president.

'This is only the second time that that has happened in our nation's history. And the first time was with President Barack Obama. So why is it that only the two Black candidates are questioned about the legitimacy of their citizenship?,' Valerie Jarrett, a former top Obama advisor, told the Los Angeles Times.

But President Trump claimed that the Republican lawyer who wrote a Newsweek op-ed pushing that claim 'is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer.'

Right-wing law professor John C. Eastman wrote an editorial Wednesday that argued that because Harris' parents weren't citizens when she was born in 1964 in Oakland, California then she might not fit the definition of eligibility under the U.S. Constitution.

A number of Constitutional experts said that was flat-out false and Harris' defenders called it racist.

President Donald Trump said he has 'no idea' if Kamala Harris is eligible to be vice president, adding that an op-ed that suggested she wasn't was written by a 'very highly qualified, very talented lawyer'

A Newsweek op-ed argued that Kamala Harris (pictured) may not be eligible to be vice president because her parents weren't U.S. citizens when she was born in California in 1964. One prominent law professor called the editorial 'racist nonsense'

Kamala Harris is pictured with her mother Shyamala Gopalan (left), who was born in India, and her father Donald Harris (right), who was born in Jamaica

Georgetown University Law Center professor Josh Chafetz told FactCheck.org Eastman's op-ed was nothing but 'racist nonsense.'

Eastman had run for California attorney general in 2010, the same year as Harris, but was beaten in the GOP primary, while she won the race.

John C. Eastman wrote a controversial editorial for Newsweek that suggested Kamala Harris wasn't eligible to run for VP. The op-ed was widely viewed as racist and untrue

But a tweet sharing the editorial was retweeted by the Trump campaign's Senior Legal Advisor Jenna Ellis.

'It's an open question, and one I think Harris should answer so the American people know for sure she is eligible,' Ellis later told ABC News.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign never answered DailyMail.com's inquiry on whether the campaign backed Ellis' statement.

At the Thursday briefing, Trump was asked by a reporter whether he could 'definitively say' Harris was eligible since she was a 'anchor baby,' a negative term for immigrants who have children in the U.S. so that they can achieve citizenship.

'So I just heard that. I heard it today. That she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer,' the president answered. 'I have no idea if that's right.'

'I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president,' Trump went on, adding that the unfounded claims were 'very serious.'

He then asked the reporter to explain what Harris' problem was.

'You're saying that, they're saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country?' Trump asked.

The journalist replied explaining that Harris' parents were born abroad and weren't citizens at the time of her birth in the U.S.

'I don't know about it, I just heard about it, I'll take a look,' Trump said.

His comments echoed the sentiments he pushed about President Barack Obama, the country's first black president.

Businessman Trump was one of the most prominent voices to push the 'birther' conspiracy about Obama, doing so in early April 2011.

Trump, who was mulling taking on Obama in the 2012 election, made a number of bogus claims including that Obama's 'certificate of live birth' was not an actual 'birth certificate.'

The president was trying to push the racist narrative that Obama was born in Africa, where his black father was from.

Obama countered at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in late April by jokingly showing the audience his 'official birth video' - the opening scenes of Disney's 'The Lion King.'

But days earlier, in a move that showed Obama took the political threat seriously, the White House released the president's long form birth certificate.

It wasn't until Trump was running in 2016 that he admitted that Obama was born in the United States - though he also claimed, falsely, that it was Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign that started the 'birther' conspiracy theory to begin with.

Harris is the second person of color to appear on a major party's presidential ballot and the second Democratic politician in recent years that Republicans have tried to suggest was born outside the U.S.
Many parents, teachers and pupils have concerns over September's return to school against the backdrop of coronavirus. A report has been put together to address these concerns by a team of scientists and educators, with details on health measures and school organisation.

Ministers Claude Meisch and Paulette Lenert presented the report's findings during press conference earlier on Friday, supported by Laetitia Huiart of the Health Directorate and the University of Luxembourg's Paul Wilmes.

Children less susceptible

Following opening remarks by Minister of Health Paulette Lenert, Paul Wilmes was first to delve into the findings of the report. Key among these was the fact that children appear less susceptible to the virus as compared to adults. Wilmes explained that, in reaching this conclusion, data gathered in Luxembourg was at the core, but this was further strengthened by drawing on global statistics.

According to Wilmes, the data showed that the risk of infection among children and young people (ages 0 to 18) was considerably lower than amongst adults, with a 0.03% global death rate for this age category. As one would expect, this also means that young people who contract the virus tend to experience fewer complications, and the hospitalisation rate is lower. In addition to Luxembourg, the team looked closely at data on outbreaks in France, Sweden, Israel, and Australia.

They noted that Sweden, in particular, has followed a relatively lax approach to the virus as compared to other countries, and even so it was clear that schools were not a key transmission area for the virus. Another example of this is found in Australia, where a school saw 12 pupils and 15 members of staff testing positive for the virus. Despite this, only 18 secondary infections were produced, thanks to contact tracing and targeted testing.

Cases in Luxembourgish schools

With regard to the Grand Duchy, Wilmes presented a graph depicting cases among the Luxembourg population aged over 20 and under 18. During the first wave of the virus, the majority of cases were those aged 20 and over, rather than school-aged children and young people.

In the first wave of the virus, Luxembourg had around 40 cases per 100,000 for pupils compared to 197 cases per 100,000 among teaching staff. However in the second wave, the number of pupils with the virus rose in accordance with other sectors.

The team also analysed cases by age. In the first wave, pupils in secondary schools were more likely to contract the virus than those in primary school. This is supported by global figures, said Wilmes.

Finally, in terms of hospitalisations, a very small percentage of children and young people have been hospitalised due to the virus, with just 12 patients hospitalised aged between 0 and 14 years of age. In the Grand Duchy there have been no deaths among those aged 19 and younger.

This was further supported by Laetitia Huiart, who noted that 424 cases among pupils and teachers have been recorded in Luxembourg - but in a majority of these cases, the infection could be traced back to the pupil's family, rather than having been transmitted in school. The reproduction rate in schools, according to Minister of Education Claude Meisch, is 0.27%.

Overall, 2,711 people were placed in quarantine following links to schools, while just 152 of these tested positive for the virus. 726 of these were pupils, with just 16 positive cases.

Return to school

Meisch stated that the virus could be controlled within schools using appropriate measures, and emphasised the that protecting the most vulnerable should be the priority moving forward. As such, the ministry's current goal is to allow educational activities to take place with minimal restrictions.

The minister further noted that young people are entitled to quality education, and that many pupils had not coped well with school closures and the weekly alternating schedule. That said, Meisch did not rule out a possible return to alternating weeks depending on virus developments.

Meisch said officials planned a more targeted approach to prevent the virus from spreading within schools, and data showed it was possible to isolate cases using targeted testing and quarantine.
This week, governments are releasing their back-to-school plans for students to return to the classroom amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Ontario and Alberta will require masks throughout the day, while other provinces have said teenagers need to wear them in hallways and buses.

In British Columbia, the plan includes limiting student interactions to cohorts. In some jurisdictions, families will have the option of a remote-learning alternative, or home-schooling.

The Star spoke with five Canadian doctors and health researchers to ask whether they would send their children back to school in September.

The specialists explain their decisions, and provide advice for caregivers grappling with this difficult situation.

Interviews have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

Dr. Srinivas Murthy, critical care physician at B.C. Childrens Hospital and pediatric infection diseases specialist at the University of British Columbia

I work at BC Childrens Hospital and do research on a variety of things. In the past seven months, Ive been looking at COVID-19 specifically.

We can say fairly confidently that children dont get severely ill. Looking at hospitalization rates across the country, the incidents of children requiring hospitalization is very small, compared to adults.

We also know that children do get infected with COVID-19. There was an initial school of thought that children dont get infected.

The question now is A) why theyre not as severe and B) how much of transmissions in households and communities are driven by kids and not adults.

That last question is fundamental for lots of reasons. As we consider whether to open school and set policy, its what people are wrestling with.

I have a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old going into Grade 2 and Grade 4, and they are going back to school. I live in Vancouver in a pretty dense area.

So my decision is framed by a couple of perspectives including trust that public health officials would tell us if community cases rise too much and we shouldnt go to school, trust in safety protocols, and knowledge that children infrequently get severe disease.

When we think about what to open up, such as bars, restaurants and workplaces, where its primarily adults interacting with adults, or opening up schools, where its mostly children interacting with children, I would much prefer the latter.

My main concern of sending my kids back to school is not that they will get sick. Im more concerned about them getting it and transmitting it to someone else, namely their teachers, custodians or someone else in the community.

Obviously its a complicated question, and everyones tolerance of risk is going to be different. Im lucky to be healthy without comorbidities, so my tolerance is going to be different than if Im 85.

I wont say that if youre older, dont send your child back to school or dont see your grandkids, because everyone will be different.

It boils down to how much the disease is out there. If were able to effectively test, track and isolate, the risk of a grandparent being exposed to a child they didnt know was infected is vanishingly small.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital

I have kids, and am going to send them back to school. But I think its important to note that whats good for my family does not necessarily mean whats good for everyone else.

The message is not that Im doing this, therefore its safe; The message is everyone has to look at their unique situation, and make decisions that best fit their situation.

Some questions you can ask include: Are your kids at greater risk of severe infection because of a medical condition? Who do your kids come home to? How is their school implementing the provincial plan?

There are not many communities with a lot of cases right now in Canada. Of course, that could change with time. During a pandemic, its all about the unknowns. Were all making big decisions in real time with incomplete information. Thats the reality.

Its currently being debated how efficiently younger kids can transmit COVID-19, but I think thats irrelevant. People of any age can get an infection and spread COVID-19 to others.

All provinces are laying out their plans, but we know the plans are going to be applied differently in different schools. Some schools have more space to physically distance than others, for example.

If families have the option of choosing to attend school remotely or in-person, I think thats fantastic. It allows flexibility in the system so kids dont fall behind if they cant go back to school.

While there are a lot of unknowns, Id stress that theres also good information available. Choose reputable media sources, local public health websites and Health Canada for up-to-date numbers and news.

Dr. Anna Banerji, Associate Professor Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and pediatric infectious disease specialist

Yes, I would send my child back to school, with adequate PPE (masks) and physical distancing. COVID-19 for most children causes mild or minimal symptoms.

I realize that there is a risk that COVID could be brought home, so I would try to make sure I practice good physical distancing and use a mask when going out, to reduce the risk of community spread from the home. And I would stay away from vulnerable people.

I would ask my child to wear their mask indoors, and outdoors if they cannot physical distance or if they are in a group.

For young children, to explain the importance or wearing masks, I would explain that there are small things that float through the air that can cause people to be sick. By wearing this mask, it lessens the chance that you can make other people sick and that other people can make you sick.

Emily Jenkins, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing at the University of British Columbia

Before academia, I worked as a nurse in B.C. I have one son whos five years old and hell be starting kindergarten.

Since I was designated an essential worker because of my research, my son went back to daycare in May, and the daycare had safety protocols such as staggered drop-off and pickup times.

From the data, thats been coming forward, it would appear that the main risk of children going back to school is that they could come into contact with vulnerable, immunocompromised individuals in the household or school setting.

For those populations, there are valid concerns, but for the vast majority of the population that is healthy, there is a low risk of children themselves getting ill or adults having complications related to contact with children.

For a whole host of reasons, the reopening of schools will provide a respite for parents struggling right now.

I led a nation-wide survey of mental health impacts of COVID-19 in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association and weve seen significant deterioration in mental health for groups marginalized by income, education levels, ethnicity, mental health or disability status and also parents in particular.

For parents, trying to continue to work full-time if they are fortunate, or to balance living with recent job loss and stressors associated with that, really have a palpable impact.

Parents living in poverty are more likely to report mental health struggles and more challenging interactions with their children, which is another reason why schools provide important context for children in pandemic.

Theres a lot of uncertainty and misinformation, which makes it challenging for people to feel confident about their decisions. I think thats contributing a lot right now to a division in perspectives among parents and educators around whats the best approach.

If youre a parent who has to keep your child at home for reasons such as having an immunocompromised person in the household, its a very challenging situation.

I know many people just dont know what to do right now. Managing stress is not as easy as doing mindful meditation exercises or anything like that. Its much beyond that as far a compounding stressors those families are facing.

I think we probably need some very innovative investment through policy measures to put into place supports that can help to lift some of the burden off those people.

Dr. Matt Strauss, critical care specialist at Guelph General Hospital and assistant professor at Queens University

I dont have kids, so speaking hypothetically, I wouldnt be concerned about my children going to school and getting COVID-19.

There are cases among children, and tragically, one child in Canada has died of COVID-19. While that is tragic, statistically speaking, its very low risk.

Every child in Canada unfortunately has a 1-in-10,000 chance of dying in a car accident each year. There are a lot of risks we accept for our children in daily life, and the risk of a child becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 is much less than that of getting in a fatal car crash.

The main concern I would have as a parent is the risk of a child spreading COVID-19 back home. If you have grandma living with you, then maybe dont send kids to school. If mom or dad has an illness that puts them at higher risk with COVID-19, thats another risk factor to consider.

I really think each household is ultimately going to have to make their own decision based on guidance from public health authorities and their family doctor.

I hope we put more energy into protecting the vulnerable. If a schoolteacher has risk factors for COVID-19, such as being over 50 or having diabetes or severe asthma, then I would support accommodations being made for that person to go on leave with pay. Im not a public school administrator, so I dont know what is the best and fairest way to protect vulnerable workers. But I think great effort has to be made.

My overarching message is that you have to protect the vulnerable.

For parents worrying about the impact of home learning on children, I would tell them to be more optimistic about what can be achieved at home.

Both my wife and I were home-schooled, and were both physicians who excelled in our educations.

Theres more possible at home than some people might think. Of course, its not possible for many families, such as those with two full-time demanding jobs or single-caregiver households.

But if you are making the decision to keep kids at home, I wouldnt worry too much that you may be hampering their future success.

Joanna Chiu is a Vancouver-based reporter covering both Canada-China relations and current affairs on the West Coast for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: is a Vancouver-based reporter covering both Canada-China relations and current affairs on the West Coast for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @joannachiu

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More and more Americans in denial are being forced to face the reality that their country is on verge of being lost, with the barbarians not only inside the gates, but driving policy for the rest of us. When Democrat mayor after mayor bends to the demands of Black Lives Matter (BLM) to defund their police in the aftermath of violent protests, property destruction, and looting, locals freak out knowing that bad actors will be emboldened and violence will escalate. BLM doesnt even try to hide that its leaders are Marxists and that it has effectively become a paramilitary wing of the Democrat Party. BLM has received millions of dollars through the Act Blue online fundraising interface, the same portal used by the Democrat Party.

So how is it that almost every week there are dozens of black-on-black murders in American cities with little or no media attention, but the death of one black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white cop in Minneapolis causes half a million people to protest in nearly 550 cities in nearly every state within 48 hours? According to the data science firm, Civis Analytics, between 15 and 25 million people in the United States participated in protests associated with BLM in the aftermath of George Floyds death. How is such a phenomenon possible?

It is the result of an America that has been demoralized from poisonous seeds planted for decades starting 50 and 60-plus years ago by cultural Marxists, whose main roots trace back to the Institute of Social Research at Frankfurt University in Germany. When Hitler came to power in 1933, the key leaders and members of the Frankfurt School, such as Herbert Marcuse, Eric Fromm, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkeimer, and Wilhelm Reich, fled to the United States, where they worked themselves into professorships and influence at various elite universities such as Berkeley, Columbia, and Princeton.

While the Frankfurt School was neo-Marxist, it was more interested in breaking down civilization through attitudinal and cultural change than in redistributing wealth. They incorporated Marxist class theory into sociology and psychology and assimilated Freuds theories on sexuality. Thus, Marxs dialectical theory of perpetual conflict was joined to Freuds neurotic ideas, creating a sort of Freudian-Marxism. Their stated goal was a total transformation of society by smashing traditional norms such as monogamous relations and the traditional family -- accomplished by legitimizing unhinged sexual permissiveness with no cultural or religious restraint.

Herbert Marcuse and others from the Frankfurt School were all well read in the cultural Marxist theories of Italian Communist Party member Antonio Gramsci, the most important Marxist theoretician of the 20th century, who authored the Prison Notebooks. For them, the takedown of America would be best facilitated through cultural transformation by way of gradual demoralization of the population and subversion of the system through infiltration rather than through confrontation and revolutionary militancy. According to Marcuse, the long march through the institutions meant, working against the established institutions while working in them.

So the answer to the aforementioned question as to how the death of one black man because of one white cop could turn America upside down is that the demoralization of America through cultural Marxism had already been accomplished. Since the 1960s two generations have been conditioned psychologically and culturally in neo-Marxist themes of class, gender and race conflict, white guilt, white supremacy, the devaluation of human life, and the alleged immoral basis of the founding of the United States. These themes have been subliminally promoted in K-12 public schools and universities, the media and Hollywood for the last forty-odd years. So when the COVID-19 shutdown hit, heightening unrest and adding to the numbers who could take to the streets because of the explosion of people out of work and forced into unnatural sheltering.in place, it was the perfect storm.

The second reason that Americas survival is at greater risk today than it was in prior tumultuous times like the 1960s is that there are far more leftists in local, city, state, and national government than ever before. Starting in the 70s and 80s more than half a dozen training programs and think tanks were established to help radicals succeed in community organizing and in local and state politics -- the most notable being the Conference on Alternative State and Local Policies (CASLP), a spinoff from the then Marxist Institute for Policy Studies located in Washington, D.C. CASLP provided instruction and model legislation to help leftists get elected and govern as city council members, commissioners, and mayors.

Barack Obama was trained in community organizing at the Industrial Areas Foundation that was founded by Saul Alinsky in Chicago. Hillary Rodham (who later married Bill Clinton) was also quite taken with Alinsky, having interviewed him twice during the course of writing her senior thesis on Alinsky methods at Wellesley College in 1969.

The offspring of the 1960s generation -- the so-called Generation X and the Millennial age groups have been so repeatedly exposed to cultural Marxism and false historic narratives that many are alienated from the U.S. and brainwashed beyond moral relativism into thinking that they can create their own truth and reality. For them, socialism sounds and feels appealing, and the facts about socialism resulting in misery, repression, poverty, and death in every country in which it has been adopted are just an alternate reality that can be dismissed. They call this state of mind being woke -- which provides an ultimate virtue signaling status. But for most, being woke has come about not by reason and critical thought but by a combination of being coddled, brainwashed and living in an echo chamber that has bred intolerance and moral arrogance -- a powerful combination upon which Satan himself could hardly improve.

Violence and destruction of property are also part of wokeness, especially if and when they can be spun into defunding the police -- a phenomena now embraced to a greater or lesser degree in Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles. And this being an election year, Democrat mayors are apparently willing to sacrifice their cities to violence and destruction while some governors are willing sacrifice their states small business constituents to economic shutdown and bankruptcy in order to achieve the political end of defeating Donald Trump.

None of this makes sense to the vast majority of Americans with common sense and the normalcy bias that prompts them to think of the present and future being connected to the past. The barbarians are not only inside the gates, but they are being enabled by woke Democrats who now run the cities and states.

The survival of the American republic requires not only a reasonably informed electorate, but also one that appreciates the relative merit of the nations heritage. What obliterates the woke narrative is the simple truth that the constitutional American republic with its rights and obligations under law, the free market economy together with common sense and traditional values have driven more creativity and prosperity than any other system in human history.

President Trump appreciates that heritage and wants to build on it. Joe Biden and the Democrat Party have embraced the woke agenda and the social media cancel culture, and have accepted the visible toppling and removal of Americas historic statues and monuments and the expungement of virtue from its history in order to remake and transform the nation. The choice in the November elections could not be more clear-cut and the consequences more profound.

What everyone needs to remember is that people who want to tear down America and who were comfortable with the perpetration of the highest crime against America of orchestrating a coup to abrogate the peoples vote will surely exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to engage in lesser crimes of myriad election fraud schemes to defeat Trump. To overcome that, patriots need to double and triple their efforts to mobilize a landslide voter turnout of like-minded people.

Scott Powell is senior fellow at the Discovery Institute in Seattle. Reach him at scottp@discovery.org.

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Barcelona have defender Samuel Umtiti has tested positive for coronavirus - but the Frenchman has not travelled for their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

The Catalan giants confirmed the news in a statement published on their website after the club's latest Covid-19 tests were conducted on Thursday.

Barcelona announced the France international - who was not selected in their match-squad for Friday evening's clash - is asymptomatic and is now in self-isolation.

Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has tested positive for coronavirus

Barcelona confirmed the news after their latest round of Covid-19 tests

The news comes just a couple of days after Umtiti's Barcelona team-mate and compatriot Jean-Clair Todibo also confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19.

A statement read: 'After the PCR tests carried out on Thursday the first team player Samuel Umtiti has tested positive for Covid-19. The players is asymptomatic, is in good health and is isolating at home.

'The club has informed the relevant sporting and health authorities as well as tracing all the people who have had contact with the player so that they can undergo the corresponding PCR tests.'

The news comes a few days after Jean-Clair Todibo announced he had also tested positive

Just like Todibo - who spent the second half of last season on loan at Schalke - Umtiti was not called by Quique Setien for their Champions League tie as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

The 26-year-old centre-back has been blighted by persistent knee problems over the course of the last two seasons and is back on the sidelines following a fresh blow last month.

Umtiti did not feature in Barcelona's last six games of the 2019-20 LaLiga season, with his last game for the club coming in their damaging 2-2 draw away at Celta Vigo.

Umtiti has not travelled with Quique Setien and his squad for their tie against Bayern Munich

And Barcelona boss Setien appeared to be concerned with his injury after admitting last month he does not know when he will return.

Setien said: 'He is in an acute process with his problem.Not even the doctors know how long he will be out.'

Umtiti joined Barcelona from Lyon in 2016 and enjoyed success in his first two seasons at the club, but has managed just 27 LaLiga matches in Barcelona's latest two campaigns.
Jacy Lewis/Reporter-Telegram

Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed Thursday to end decades of enmity in a historic deal announced by President Donald Trump that would put Israeli annexation of West Bank lands on hold as a condition of normalizing relations.

The agreement makes the UAE state only the third Arab country to currently have diplomatic relations with the Jewish nation, after Egypt and Jordan recognized Israel's right to exist decades ago, and it unites Israel with a powerful Persian Gulf ally of Washington that shares the view of Iran as an enemy.

Trump heralded the deal as a major development for a region that has been beset by violence for decades over the issue of Israel's place in the Middle East and whether it can coexist peacefully with its Arab neighbors.

"By uniting two of America's closest and most capable partners in the region - something which [was] said could not be done - this deal is a significant step toward building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East," Trump said at the White House.

The agreement also serves as a major foreign policy victory for Trump just months before Election Day at a time when polls show him trailing presumptive Democratic opponent Joe Biden, who has touted his decades of foreign policy experience in the Senate and as vice president.

Trump made a Middle East peace deal a pillar of his foreign policy early in his administration, and until Thursday there was little evidence of any progress toward that goal. While Thursday's announcement falls short of Trump's promises, it gives him a significant step to point to on the campaign trail.

Trump told reporters that the atmosphere between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during the secret negotiations leading up to the announcement "was like love."

But the West Bank's governing Palestinian Authority, following an emergency meeting in Ramallah, condemned the accord as a betrayal.

Palestinian leaders called for an urgent Arab League meeting to reject what it called an "aggression against the Palestinian people."

"The leadership affirms that the UAE, or any other party, has no right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people," the statement said.

The Palestinian Authority withdrew its ambassador to the UAE in protest.

More Arab gulf states are expected to follow the UAE's lead, all under the condition that Israel suspend controversial plans to take control of parts of the West Bank claimed by Palestinians for a future state.

UAE officials said they were motivated to make the bold stroke in part because Israel's move to annex swaths of the West Bank threatened to upend decades of hope that the Palestinians would eventually gain sovereignty over their own territory.

Annexation "would deal a death blow to the two-state solution," said UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash. "The UAE is using its gravitas, its promise of a relationship to try to really unscrew a time bomb that is threatening a two-state solution."

The two nations have agreed to normalize relations, allowing travel, commerce and, eventually, the opening of diplomatic offices. Representatives of both countries will meet soon to begin signing agreements, a joint statement said.

Netanyahu, appearing before reporters in Jerusalem, hailed the agreement as the greatest advance toward peace in the Arab world in decades. The deal was struck, he said, without Israel having to give up territory that it has effectively controlled for more than 50 years of conflict with the Palestinians.

"Who would have ever dreamed there would be a peace agreement with an Arab country without our returning to the 1967 borders," Netanyahu said. "Israel and the UAE are two of the most advanced countries in the world, and together we can transform the region."

Like Trump, he predicted the day's breakthrough would lead to others.

"I am confident in saying that there will soon more Arab countries joining in the circle of peace," he said.

But questions surround how long Israel will halt plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

Netanyahu, pressed on this part of the deal, said that he agreed to it at the request of the White House but that he did not consider the plan dead.

"I am committed to sovereignty," he said, using the Israeli term for annexation. "I did not give up on the settlements."

Most of the focus on the Middle East peace effort led by Jared Kushner, Trump's adviser and son-in-law, has been on a vision for economic betterment but limited autonomy for the Palestinians. Palestinian opposition to the Trump effort has foreclosed negotiations between Israel and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

But the larger aim of Kushner's plan was always for Israel to forge new economic partnerships with many of its neighbors, especially Sunni Arab states that share the U.S. and Israeli view of Iran as an enemy.

Kushner dismissed the outrage among Palestinian leaders over the deal and their lack of involvement.

"They have a fairly predictable response that we've seen time and time again to all types of things that help make their people's lives better," he said during a news briefing at the White House. "Let's just focus on the facts of what's happening, and let's focus on how to push things forward."

Gargash said at a news conference that delegations from the two countries will meet in coming weeks to sign agreements in areas such as investment, direct flights, security and cooperation in fighting the coronavirus before eventually culminating with establishing embassies.

Arab leaders had privately warned Trump that they could not agree to future economic or diplomatic ties with Israel if Israel took over land now considered Palestinian. The warning was made publicly in an essay in a major Israeli newspaper written by the UAE ambassador to the United States.

"Annexation will certainly and immediately upend Israeli aspirations for improved security, economic and cultural ties with the Arab world and with UAE," Yousef Al Otaiba wrote, in Hebrew.

He then presaged Thursday's announcement by outlining the potential for common ground.

"With the region's two most capable militaries, common concerns about terrorism and aggression, and a deep and long relationship with the United States, the UAE and Israel could form closer and more effective security cooperation," he wrote.

Trump said that he has lowered tension in the Middle East, although his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has led other nations to accuse the United States of raising tensions rather than lowering them.

"When I was elected, they said the war will start with somebody within days, and I've kept us out of war," Trump said.

Trump predicted a White House signing ceremony within weeks. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton held such ceremonies when Israel normalized relations with Egypt and Jordan.

Biden praised the deal and sought to portray it as the work of several administrations, as opposed to Trump's success alone.

"I personally spent time with leaders of both Israel and the UAE during our administration building the case for cooperation and broader engagement and the benefits it could deliver to both nations, and I am gratified by today's announcement," he said in a statement.

The agreement sidelines the Palestinians, whose claim to the land where Israel was established in 1947 underlies the Arab-Israeli conflict of the decades since.

That such a potentially consequential deal could be reached without the involvement of the Palestinians raised long-standing fears that Arab states of the Persian Gulf were ready to work toward better business and political relations with Israel without gaining meaningful concessions.

Veteran Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi said in a tweet, "May you never be sold out by your 'friends.' "

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum in the Gaza Strip also condemned the plan for rewarding Israel: "The declaration of normalization between Israel and the UAE is a free reward for the occupation for its crimes and violations against the Palestinian people."

Netanyahu, facing legal problems and protests over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, calculated that the political drawbacks of setting aside annexation would be offset by a chance to claim the mantle of peacemaker.

The agreement, which Netanyahu kept even from his own Foreign Ministry, was quickly greeted in Israel as the latest in a career full of political escape acts.

The prime minister had made his ambitions to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank the clarion call of three straight election campaigns. But the plan had largely stalled in the face of mounting international objections and hesitations in the White House, leaving Netanyahu stuck between an angry international community and frustrated settlers.

In trading a fading annexation plan for a coveted normal relationship with an Arab neighbor, he converted dross into a diplomatic breakthrough likely to thrill most Israelis. Even some settler leaders applauded the deal.

"Postponing the application of Israeli law is a fair price to pay for a peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates," said Oded Revivi, mayor of the settlement of Efrat.
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Bible-burning on the streets of Portland may be old news by now, but there is an irony lost to many in the action of burning the Scriptures.

All these protests are presumably part of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. But if one truly believes that Black lives matter (and all lives, really), then the last book you would want to burn is the Bible.

Slavery has been around since the dawn of time. However, as African-American scholar Dr. Walter Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University, told me in an interview: The significant thing about the Western world is that we have spent so many resources to uproot slavery and abolish it.

And the Bible played a key role in that abolition.

One man, in particular, converted by the Bible, played a vital role in abolishing slavery. William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a longtime Member of Parliament, who spent the last 50 years of his life fighting against slavery in the British Empire.

Wilberforce grew up in the lap of luxury and wealth. He became a member of the House of Commons at age 21, a position he held for forty-five years. At first, his life in politics was just a cushy job with lots of perks.

But about five years into his service in Parliament, Wilberforce became a devout Christian, and he became much more serious about trying to have a positive impact on the world.

Soon after his conversion in 1787, this young Member of Parliament wrote in his diary, Almighty God has set before me two great objectives, the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of morals. And so he formed two societies: The Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and The Society for the Reformation of Manners (what we would today call morals).

Wilberforce gathered like-minded men and even one woman (including Christian tract writer Hannah More), in order to compile research and to influence society about the evils of slavery. Much of this is captured in the movie, Amazing Grace.

His anti-slavery campaign had two successive goals. First, abolish the slave trade. Second, to free all slaves. Together these efforts took many decades (roughly twenty-five years for each). He finally received word on his death bed in 1833 that the slaves in Britain were free.

In 1791, after Wilberforces campaign to end slavery began in earnest, John Wesley, the great preacher and founder of the Methodist Church, wrote to Wilberforce to encourage him. His letter is a classic:

MY DEAR SIR, Unless the Divine Power has raised you up to be as Athanasius contra mundum [Athanasius against the world], I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils; but if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing. Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might, till even American slavery, the vilest that ever saw the sun, shall vanish away before it. That He who has guided you from your youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things, is the prayer of, dear sir, Your affectionate servant, JOHN WESLEY.

Wilberforce persisted in his half-century of work because of the Bible. In a 2015 prayer breakfast, President Obama said, Remember William Wilberforce, whose Christian faith led him to seek slavery's abolition in Britain; he was vilified, derided, attacked; but he called for lessening prejudices [and] conciliating good-will, and thereby making way for the less obstructed progress of truth."

Although some people have used the Bible to justify slavery, the important point is that the Bible provided the death-knell against slavery. For example, the Underground Railroad, which provided a lifeline for runaway slaves, was run by people who believed and taught the Bible.

For Christian television, I have interviewed Dr. Paul L. Maier, history professor emeritus at Western Michigan University. After discussing Wilberforce, Maier once told me, And then we also in our country on the basis of Christian principles, Abraham Lincoln and others, were able to do the same thing. Lincoln believed that apart from the Bible we would not know right from wrong.

Those burning the Bible, supposedly because of the Black Lives Matter movement, are just as ignorant as those social justice warriors who tore down the statue of another famous Bible reader, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Enough with cancel culture, Bible-burning, and statue toppling.

We should learn from history, not rewrite or abolish it. British poet Steve Turner once said, History repeats itself. It has to. No one is listening.
A medical worker gives coronavirus vaccine candidate to a volunteer during a trial at a community health center in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Indonesia's only vaccine production company has started this week a so-called phase 3 clinical trials to test a potential coronavirus vaccine developed by a Chinese company. (AP Photo/Kusumadirezza) Read more

Federal health officials are turning to Philadelphia to help devise a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan that could be a model for cities nationwide.

The city, along with four states  California, North Dakota, Florida, and Minnesota  has until Oct. 1 to submit distribution plans to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with logistics for vaccine delivery, data sharing, metrics for effectiveness, and prioritizing who gets the vaccine.

The city received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 4 informing officials of Philadelphias inclusion in the distribution pilot program. City health officials said they have already started working on plans.

Philadelphia officials, along with those from the four states participating in the pilot program, will work with staff from the CDC and the Department of Defense, the letter states. The plans developed in Philadelphia will be used to shape the federal effort to distribute a vaccine.

COVID-19 has infected at least 5.2 million people in the United States, according to the CDC, and killed 166,317 since January. There is no approved vaccine, and estimates for when there will be one range widely. But its not too soon, experts say, to figure out the staggering logistics of getting a COVID-19 vaccine to the people who need it most.

 READ MORE: Who will get the first shot when the coronavirus vaccine arrives?

Those could include people over 65, people at the front line, mass transit, meat packing, pharmacies, grocery stores, said Paul Offit, a pediatrician and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

An estimated 120 million people would be among those who would be first in line for a vaccine, he said, and researchers expect each will need two shots, a few weeks apart, to achieve peak immunity.

There is no precedent for this, he said.

The people Offit identified as most in need are a third of the countrys 320 million population.

 READ MORE: Americas obesity epidemic threatens effectiveness of any COVID-19 vaccine

Federal authorities want Philadelphia to include in its planning agencies and professional organizations that will be a part of the distribution process. A key task is determining who should be the highest priority to receive the early doses of the vaccine, how to contact them, and identifying which communities are particularly vulnerable to the virus. A recent study found COVID-19 is killing more than twice as many Black Americans as whites.

Offit noted that just immunizing front line workers and the elderly will require 240 million doses of vaccine, two for each person, and one of the logistical hurdles of the planning process is tracking each of those people, and ensuring they come back for their second dose.

Philadelphia must also plan for the next phase of immunizations as the vaccine becomes more widely available. That includes ensuring providers are enrolled to offer vaccine doses and share data, and coordinating with health care systems treating people at high risk of severe outcomes from the virus because of preexisting health conditions or high risk factors.

Most experts agree that under the best case scenario, a vaccine wont be available until the first quarter of 2021, but figuring out how to dole out initial supplies could take the better part of a year, Offit predicted. The federal government is seeking to speed the process of mass vaccination through Operation Warp Speed, which includes paying to mass-produce promising vaccine candidates before testing is complete. If the drugs prove to be effective, there will immediately be millions of doses available to ship. That comes with the risk that the government is investing in vaccine candidates that end up being ineffective.

Though some people who oppose or are skeptical of vaccines generally have vowed to avoid a COVID-19 shot, Offit expects the main pressure will come from people desperate to get one. One of the challenges of trying to serve those most in need first, he said, will be people who seek to use money or influence to jump their place in line.

People of means will probably find a way to get these vaccines, he said.

The letter to the city explaining the pilot program also gives insight into how the CDC anticipates a vaccine will be distributed.

The CDC will oversee distribution, the letter states, and the doses will be shipped directly to doctors offices or drug store chains. Health care workers, long-term-care facility residents and essential workers will be first in line, the letter states. Each will receive two doses of the vaccine separated by 21 to 28 days.

Some of the vaccine candidates will require refrigeration throughout transportation, the letter states.

The federal government expects to provide equipment needed for vaccine distribution, including needles, syringes, masks, and face shields, at no cost. It also anticipates needing to supply satellite vaccination clinics. Curbside and drive-through clinics might be the safest means of distribution for the public and health care providers, the letter states.

The pilot program asks participants to assume limited doses of vaccine would be available this fall. Though thats far earlier than the most optimistic estimates from scientists, President Donald Trump has suggested he thinks one could be approved by Election Day.

 READ MORE: Coronavirus could be the turning point for a vaccine technology 30 years in the making

The CDC did not respond to questions about the pilot program, but Offit believed Philadelphia and the four states participating were selected to give the federal agency input from a cross section of environments and demographics.

A rural district is going to be different than an urban district, he said. I think theyre just trying to get ideas of how this is going to get done.

Pennsylvanias Department of Health is engaging in similar preparations, including plans for vaccine dispensaries outside hospital or clinical settings, spokesperson Nate Wardle said. Those dispensaries could be in workplaces or congregate care facilities, or at well-known public locations.

We are working to finalize our vaccination plan and protocols with our partners, including at the federal level, to ensure we are prepared for all aspects of this vaccine, Wardle said in a statement.

Offit is participating in the state planning efforts, and said governments need to have urgency now to prepare for distribution.

Its not premature, no, not at all, he said. This is going to be hard enough to do anyway.
CHICAGO, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Creative Group, Inc., (http://www.AllianceCreativeGroup.com) (OTC: ACGX) is pleased to announce the results of Operations for the Three Months Ending June 30, 2020.

Revenues for the quarter ending June 30, 2020 ("Q2 2020") were $2,103,920

Gross Profits for the quarter ending June 30, 2020 ("Q2 2020") were $532,486

Net Income for the quarter ending June 30, 2020 ("Q2 2020") were $15,576

The total assets on the Balance Sheet for the Alliance Creative Group as of 06/30/20 were $4,176,569.

The total outstanding common shares as of June 30, 2020 ("Q2 2020") were 968,044 with 758,154 of those shares in the float.

The Company ended the quarter and year with $197,887 Cash on hand.

Total Stockholder Equity as of 06/30/20 was $1,698,499

The full financial statement, balance sheet, statement of operations, cash flow statement, and disclosure statements are posted on the OTC Market Company website at www.OTCmarkets.com under the stock symbol ACGX in the section for filings and disclosure and on www.ACGX.us in the investor relations section.

Steve St. Louis, CEO of the Alliance Creative Group, Inc., said, "considering all the challenges we are dealing with on a daily basis I believe we have performed better than most businesses and are positioned very well now to be able to weather this storm and come out the other side as strong or stronger. The new office and warehouse are proving to be a positive move that has helped reduce our expenses while improving our efficiency and giving us back more control over the movement of our local inventory. We also decided to make a few relevant adjustments on our balance sheet to more appropriately represent our sellable inventories as well as adjusted some prior uncollectible receivables and goodwill amounts from older transactions. I believe the biggest challenges are behind us and we are positioned well to continue to improve and grow moving forward."

About Alliance Creative Group, Inc.

Alliance Creative Group, Inc. (Stock Symbol: ACGX) is a Packaging Solutions Company focused on Retail Packaging and Packaging Management. ACG helps its clients from initial concept and packaging development through final production and managed inventory solutions. The core business has been around since 1997. ACG currently focuses mostly on providing solutions for flexible and clear packaging, folding cartons, vendor managed inventory supply chain services and fulfillment. Additional services include but are not limited to corrugated boxes, commercial printing, labels, and other products and services related to the printing or packaging of consumer products. ACG's team includes experts to provide high-quality packaging and printed products. The ACG experience includes very hands-on operational support out of 7 different warehouse locations and several national and international manufacturing partners. ACG provides customer support during the entire product process or cycle including but not limited to creating, warehousing, delivering, and replenishing their packaging products For more information, visit www.AllianceCreativeGroup.com or www.ACGX.us.

About PeopleVine

PeopleVine is a consolidated platform that allows businesses to build more personal relationships with their customers at scale. PeopleVine solves the problem businesses have creating and managing holistic relationships with their customers without using multiple products that only support a portion of the relationship building activities. PeopleVine seamlessly brings together the tools needed to market, sell, and operate a business with streamline efficiencies in a customer engagement suite and enables businesses to make data informed decisions to help generate revenue growth.

PeopleVine is becoming an industry leader in the growth market of incubators and coworking spaces. Our platform is used by the best in the industry, from 1871 and mHub, to Daymond John's Blueprint + Co and the Playboy Club. These clients need a robust platform to manage and engage with their members and PeopleVine supports them in this effort. In addition to these incubators and coworking spaces, PeopleVine also works with United Airlines, Chick-fil- a, and Bosch.

We are committed to being the most essential and adaptive SaaS engagement platform for companies that take a customer centric approach to business.

For more information www.PeopleVine.com

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the bespeaks-caution doctrine. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulation, and other risks described in statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements that may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Investor Relations and Media Contact

1-847-885-1800

[email protected]

SOURCE Alliance Creative Group, Inc.
A Hamptonville man was charged with holding a woman and her 3-month-old child against their will.

Dexter Lynn Whitaker, 29, was charged with felony first-degree kidnapping, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and violating a domestic violation protection order and misdemeanor charges of interfering with emergency communications, assault on a female, child abuse and resisting a public officer. A magistrate set bond at $605,000.

Iredell Sheriff Darren Campbell, in a news release, said North Carolina Probation and Parole officers in Yadkin County requested deputies assist them in checking a residence on Anthony Road Wednesday.

The deputies learned a woman, along with a baby, was being held against her will at the Anthony Road address, Campbell said. Whitaker, they learned, had recently been placed on probation in Yadkin County for kidnapping the same woman, he said. They confirmed there was an active domestic violence protection order in effect for Whitaker that had been taken out by the woman.

Deputies Nathan Hodges and Cheryl Metcalf, along with probation officers from Yadkin County, went to the residence.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump repeated his attacks against mail balloting, saying it would lead to "the greatest rigged election in history" and "the greatest fraud ever perpetrated."

At the same time, his own absentee ballot to vote in Florida's primary election on Tuesday was en route to Mar-a-Lago. According to the Palm Beach County elections website, the president and first lady Melania Trump both requested absentee ballots on Wednesday.

Trump has voted absentee at least twice before. But his latest ballot request comes amid escalating attacks on mail voting by the president and his administration. On Thursday, Trump said that he opposes an emergency bailout for the U.S. Postal Service and election aid for states to restrict how many Americans can vote by mail.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere told CNN that Trump is in favor of absentee voting but not universal mail-in voting.

The president has also argued that absentee ballots are substantially different from voting by mail.

"Absentee ballots, by the way, are fine," Trump told reporters on Thursday. "But the universal mail-ins that are just sent all over the place, where people can grab them and grab stacks of them, and sign them and do whatever you want, that's the thing we're against."

But election experts recently told The Washington Post that there is no real distinction between absentee ballots and voting by mail. The fact that the terms are often used interchangeably has confused some Republican voters - a concern for party leaders worried about low turnout this fall.

Trump has also claimed that Florida is uniquely qualified to handle mailed in ballots, arguing that the state has the most experience with the process. But five states already conducted statewide elections through mail-in voting, even before the pandemic.

Trump previously voted absentee in Florida's primary in March, despite being in the area at the time, and also voted absentee in New York in 2018. He attempted to vote absentee in 2017 in the New York mayoral election, but he listed the wrong birth date.

The Post found that 15 other Trump officials have also voted by mail. Attorney General William Barr, who has echoed Trump's rhetoric against mail-in voting, voted absentee in 2019 and 2012 in Virginia. Vice President Mike Pence voted absentee in 2018 for both the primary and general elections, and mailed a ballot for the 2020 Indiana GOP primary. Trump, the first lady, and Ivanka Trump were also previously caught filling out absentee applications incorrectly, adding credence to the idea that the system works to root out problems.

Since March, Trump has made more than 80 attacks against the election's integrity, often repeating unproven accusations that there have been widespread cases of vote fraud. In a tweet in late May, which Twitter labeled with a fact check and warning that the unsubstantiated claims "could confuse voters," Trump said mail-in voting would be widespread chicanery, claiming that "Mailboxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed."

With the novel coronavirus showing no signs of letting up by November, election officials from dozens of states have fought to make mail-in voting a viable alternative to going to polling stations, where there is a risk of transmitting the virus. According to a tracker from The Post, 76 percent of voters will be able to vote by mail.

But funding shortfalls for the U.S. Postal Service are now threatening the viability of voting by mail. In an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, Trump told host Maria Bartiromo that he opposed any deal with the Democrats that would help bail out the Postal Service.

"They need that money to make the post office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said.

Democrats swiftly went after the president for the quotes, alleging that his attacks on mail-in ballots and Postal Service funding amount to an attempt to undermine the election. The president is afraid of the American people, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Hes been afraid for a while. He knows that, on the legit, itd be hard for him to win.
3D Food Printing Market Research Report by Ingredient (Carbohydrates, Dairy Product, Dough, Fruits & Vegetables, and Proteins), by Vertical (Commercial, Government, and Residential) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "3D Food Printing Market Research Report by Ingredient, by Vertical - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05951073/?utm_source=GNW



The Global 3D Food Printing Market is expected to grow from USD 98.71 Million in 2019 to USD 472.95 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 29.84%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the 3D Food Printing to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Ingredient , the 3D Food Printing Market studied across Carbohydrates, Dairy Product, Dough, Fruits & Vegetables, Proteins, and Sauces.



Based on Vertical, the 3D Food Printing Market studied across Commercial, Government, and Residential. The Commercial further studied across Bakerie, Confectionarie, Restaurant, and Retail Store. The Government further studied across Defense, Education, and Emergency Services.



Based on Geography, the 3D Food Printing Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global 3D Food Printing Market including Barilla G. e R. F.lli S.p.A. P.I., BeeHex, Byflow, Candyfab, Choc Edge, D Systems, Inc., NATURAL MACHINES, Print2taste GmbH, Systems and Materials Research Corporation, and TNO.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the 3D Food Printing Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global 3D Food Printing Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global 3D Food Printing Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global 3D Food Printing Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global 3D Food Printing Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global 3D Food Printing Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global 3D Food Printing Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05951073/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/13/2020



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

star Paul Staehle says he will be deactivating his social-media accounts soon because his addiction to social media has caused him nothing but pain and relationship heartbreak regarding his failed marriage to Karine Martins Paul took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday night and ranted about how much he's struggling ever since wife Karine Martins left him and filed a protective order against him "I will be deactivating all my social media accounts soon. My social media addiction has caused me nothing but pain. It is time people put their phones and social media down and focus on your loved ones," Paul wrote."Do not allow social media to destroy your relationships and family."Paul then went on to reveal how the demise of his marriage to Karine has affected him in recent days, given Karine confirmed earlier this month she is done with Paul and doesn't want him to come near her or their son Pierre."I never knew my heart could feel such pain. I always took for granted my son would be around me every day. Waking up to his smiling face. Playing and going for long walks," Paul recalled."I never want to date or remarry [or] to ever feel this pain again. To not be a part of your childrens life born and unborn is beyond painful."Karine announced she's pregnant with the couple's second child in May, so she is due to give birth before the end of the year.Paul continued in his Instagram Stories posting, "I regret oversharing private matters on social media and to other people. I regret taking for granted my family would be together for ever and live happily ever after," Paul lamented."To all the Father's out there. Keep your ears and heart open and your mouth shut when your upset. Listen. Forgive. Do not hold grudges. And treat your wife and mother of your child like its the last day your with them.""The world is unknown and unpredictable," Paul added."But most of all, keep your marital problems private. This is a pain no one should have to endure. Not knowing if my children [are] ok. If and when I might see them again. I forgive all those in my life who have ever made false accusations against me."The star concluded, "No matter who you are. I have no anger. No hate. No ill will."Paul has seemingly shared all of the lows in his relationship with Karine on social media, dating back months and months.Paul has always included fans in his fights with Karine and kept them up to date on the many times Karine allegedly threatened to file for divorce, return to Brazil, and take their son away from Paul.In fact, a huge argument in late July sparked the end of Paul and Karine's relationship, and Paul documented most of it on Instagram, including police involvement.Paul posted a lengthy Instagram Live video revealing Karine had made assault allegations against him and called the police. Paul told his followers he planned to file for full custody of his son after Karine allegedly cheated on him and violated a Child Protective Services case against her."We were doing a call, I look over, I see her talking to a Brazilian lawyer about child support and divorce. I asked her what's going on with this," Paul was shown telling police in the video when they arrived to the scene.Paul recorded himself yelling at Karine that she could not take his son out of the country, and he subsequently filmed himself claimed he had tested positive for an STD at the hospital as a result of an alleged affair Karine had with another man.Paul then revealed July 31 on Instagram that Karine had filed a "full restraining order" against him."I'm not allowed to be around her or my son, within 500 feet of them at all," Paul reportedly said on his account, sharing photos of the alleged order.Karine confirmed in early August that she had left Paul and obtained an emergency protective order against him.Karine said she needed to be "rescued from an environment" that was no longer healthy for her and her child, adding on Instagram, "Relationships are hard and sometimes it just can't be fixed anymore."Karine's protective order included an array of shocking allegations -- including that Paul had physically assaulted her, sexually assaulted her, and prevented her doctor from prescribing contraception to her.In the emergency protection order application Paul had shared on social media, Karine claimed Paul "forcefully rapes me," "hold[s] my Green Card and all my documents," monitors her phone, uses cameras to monitor her on his phone when he is not home, has forced her to drink beer while pregnant, and has forbidden Karine's doctor from prescribing birth control to her."On multiples occasions in the past 3 weeks the respondent pushed me, grab my breast squ[ee]zing and twisting, hurting me, pushing me to the floor, covering my mouth. He force his penis into my mouth and forcefully rapes me. If I refuse he throws things, he yells, or he threat[ens] to call police," Karine wrote in the handwritten two-page application.Karine added that Paul threatened to take their son Pierre away if she ever tried to leave him and forced her to "drink alcohol by threat[ing] me."Karine also mentioned Paul's obsessive use of social media, writing in the application, "He is constantly on social media making videos of me against my will saying I am crazy, saying I have mental illness. Recently he called [Child Protective Services] and told [them] I was always drunk, aggressive, and abusive to him.""He post on social media [that] I have [cheated with] several [men] even knowing that he [has] cameras around the house and I can't leave," she continued. "I have no access to money for my son or myself."In addition to allegedly denying Karine access to birth control, Karine said she wouldn't feel safe even if she returned to her native country of Brazil."I came to U.S. to visit my in-laws and now he [does] not let me go back. We got married in Brazil, not in U.S.," she wrote. "When I ask to go back to me family he threat[ens] [to] take my son away.""I am terrified he will hurt me or hurt my son because I runned away from him and I am even afraid to go back to Brazil now because He Can go to Brazil and hurt us."Karine ended her application by stating she was also afraid of Paul's mother Mary and wanted no contact with any of his family or friends."I have my family in Brazil but I don't feel that law enforcement will protect me from him there," she wrote. "I am afraid of him and his mother because his mother knows and sees what he does and she refused [to] report her son. I have witnessed him threat[en] and being violent with his own mother.""I do not want any contact with or his mother, his friends or family. I do not want them close, I am afraid of them hurt[ing] my son for revenge."On Monday, Paul denied ever hurting or abusing Karine, or anyone else for that matter."I have never in my life physically or sexually assaulted anyone," Paul insisted on Instagram Stories."I have made motions to the court for Karine to get mental help. I have had to double up on my therapy to cope with this madness."Paul went on to call Karine's allegations "false" and reveal the restraining order Karine had filed against him is for three years, meaning he is unable to reach or see Karine and his children for that amount of time.Karine and Paul have had an extremely volatile relationship since even before they wed, and Karine has repeatedly previously announced plans to divorce Paul only to have the couple later reconcile.Paul and Karine currently star on the fifth season of : Happily Ever After?, which airs Sunday nights at 8PM ET/PT on TLC.Want more news? Click here to visit our webpage!
By PTI

LOS ANGELES: Grammy-winning musician John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen will soon welcome their third child together.

A source close to the couple told People magazine confirmed that they are expecting a baby.

Legend and Teigen are already parents to four-year-old daughter Luna and two-year-old son Miles.

Rumours around Teigen's pregnancy started after Legend dropped the music video for the song "Wild" on Thursday.

In the video, Legend is seen embracing his wife from behind, as she puts her hands on her stomach, revealing a tiny baby bump.

Teigen met Legend on the set of one of his music videos in 2006.

They dated for several years before marrying in Italy in 2013.
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 14 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 26,886 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,916 pence 25.10 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,902 pence 24.92 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,910 pence 25.02 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 14 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 14,517 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 25.05 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 24.90 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 24.97 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 14 August 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 24,043 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 25.20 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 24.80 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 25.00 USD

PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 37.34 USD 28.62 GBP which was calculated as of 11 August 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 193,652,896 Public Shares outstanding, or 199,655,827 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 17,303,854 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200814005432/en/

Contacts:

Media

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
Kim Chong-in, center, head of the main opposition United Future Party's emergency committee, talks during a committee meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. The conservative UFP's new party platform revealed the same day is drawing attention for promoting ideas often associated with the liberal camp. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



The conservative main opposition United Future Party's (UFP) new platform is causing controversy for trying to ban lawmakers from seeking a fourth consecutive term in a bid to guarantee a generational shift.



On Thursday, the party announced a draft of its new platform, which included ideas often associated with the liberal camp, such as introducing a basic income system, guaranteeing the labor rights of those who work on online platforms and strengthening the unemployment safety net.



One idea was to ban lawmakers from serving a fourth consecutive term in the National Assembly  meaning those who served three terms cannot run for reelection for another term immediately, but must wait four years before seeking another term. Along with the ban, the reform plan also includes mandatory nomination of young politicians in local elections and lowering the age limit of eligibility to run for an election  at present, those over 18 can vote, while those over 40 can run in a presidential election, and those over 25 in a general election.



Many political watchers supported the idea of lowering the age limit, citing equal opportunity. But many cast doubts over the necessity and fairness of the ban on fourth consecutive terms in the Assembly.



Political watchers say such a ban is unnecessary, because the number of lawmakers serving four or more consecutive terms is too small to bring a generational shift for which is the aim of the ban. Besides, they say if the ban aimed to exclude "aged" politicians from the Assembly, it would go against the democratic political system in which politicians of different age groups should represent each group.



"The problem with the National Assembly is not really about a lack of new politicians, especially when 151 out of the 21st Assembly's 300 seats have been taken by first-term lawmakers," said Park Sang-hoon, chief of Political Power Plant, a grassroots organization dedicated to civic and political education.



"The problem is rather about a lack of diversity when nominating lawmaker candidates, as most of them were from the established or privileged groups with professions like professors or lawyers. In other words, those who have already been socially established are also dominating politics."



Park also said veteran lawmakers serving more than four consecutive terms are needed in the Assembly because their long experience could be useful in mediating conflicts among lawmakers.



"There are a wide range of issues in parliamentary politics and covering them requires long experience," Park said. "It is not necessary for all lawmakers to have that much experience, but there should be some so they can facilitate reasonable decision-making."



He also said it seemed the UFP brought up the issue as a strategy to counter an earlier proposal by Rep. Youn Kun-young of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who first proposed a revision bill with a similar ban.



Park said that rather than politicizing an unnecessary matter, the UFP should focus on presenting alternatives to the ruling bloc's real estate policy, which has drawn public criticism and put the UFP ahead of the DPK in public approval ratings for the first time since 2016, according to a poll that Realmeter released on Thursday.



Citizens showed mixed responses to the idea of banning fourth consecutive terms.



"Excluding experienced lawmakers from running in a general election is discrimination," said a citizen in his 30s surnamed Baek. "To promote diversity in the National Assembly, I think it is better not to nominate veteran lawmakers for the proportional representation while allowing them to run in the constituency races. New politicians with diverse backgrounds should be given more opportunities to run in the proportional representation."



Another citizen in his 20s surnamed Yee said, "It does not have to be exactly the fourth term, but I think introducing some kind of ban on consecutive terms is needed to facilitate a generational shift and foster young politicians."


Independence Day 2020: Wish your friends, family and closed ones a happy Independence day with these images, quotes, wishes, Whatsapp statuses, posters, greetings and wallpapers.

Independence Day 2020 Images, Quotes, Wishes, WhatsApp Status, Posters, Greetings and Wallpapers to wish Happy Independence Day: The countdown for the occasion of Independence day has finally begun. This year, India will complete 73 years of Independence and remember the heroes who led us towards an Independent India. It is one of the memorable dates in Indian history and one cannot help but feel a sense of pride on this day. When you look at the Indian flag, you cannot help but salute the bravery and valour of India and its freedom fighters and think of how far the country has come. We might not be a sone ki chidhiya yet but we are inching towards becoming one of the most powerful countries in the world.

Be it our representation at international platforms or relations with other countries, we have proved that we can face any difficulty that comes our way and emerge stronger than before. Speaking about the celebrations, the President of India delivers an address to the nation from his office on the eve of Independence Day. This address is broadcasted on every news channel in India, particularly Doordarshan. As we near 73rd Independence day, all eyes are now on President Ram Nath Kovinds speech.

This is followed by a grand celebration at the Red Fort. However, due to the Covid-19 scare, the celebrations would be muted this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get a general salute from the guard of honour, which consists of representatives from the three wings of the Indian armed forces (army, navy and air force) and the Delhi police. He will then hoist the Indian flag at Red Fort.

In his speech, the Prime Minister highlights the past years achievements and lists the aims of the upcoming year. The tribute to freedom fighters also finds mentions in the Independence day speech. After which, national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is sung followed by march pasts by various divisions of the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary forces.

Apart from the grand celebrations, one can also find flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs taking place across the country, including schools and colleges. However, one of the most striking and interesting feature of Independence Day celebrations are kite flying. This Independence Day, wear your heart on your sleeve and send Happy Independence Day 2020 Wishes, Messages, Quotes to your friends and family.

Independence Day 2020 Images, Quotes, Wishes, WhatsApp Status, Posters, Greetings and Wallpapers to wish Happy Independence Day:

Happy Independence Day 2020 Wishes, Messages, Quotes, Greetings, Whatsapp Status:

Happy Independence Day, we are proud to have soldiers like them who saved our families over and over the years. Wishing bright futures ahead.

Together we can win the world, together we can conquer our fear and together we can be a happy place. Happy Independence Day!

Someone has a flag and pride thats what we all want, like a family. Happy Independence Day to our family!

Celebrating Independence Day to celebrate humanity and brotherhood. May we all find peace and glory!

Independence Day is celebrated to the victory of our independence but are we? This Independence Day promise to go local and support Make in India.

The day when attacks happened so many times the nation couldnt sleep peacefully because they knew somebody else wont be able to sleep. Happy Independence Day!

Carried with care, coated with pride, dipped in love, fly in glory, moments of freedom in shade of joy. Proud to be an Indian, Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day 2020 Images, Watsapp Status, Posters, Wallpapers:
It was early in Joseph R. Biden Jr.s vice-presidential search when he asked his advisers a sensitive question about Senator Kamala Harris. He kept hearing so much private criticism of her from other California Democrats, he wanted to know: Is she simply unpopular in her home state? Advisers assured Mr. Biden that was not the case: Ms. Harris had her share of Democratic rivals and detractors in the factional world of California politics, but among regular voters her standing was solid. Mr. Bidens query, and the quiet attacks that prompted it, helped begin a delicate ...
Washington: Echoing his long-running "birther" campaign against former US president Barack Obama, President Donald Trump has indulged in a discredited conspiracy about Kamala Harris' eligibility to serve as vice-president.

Trump was responding to an article in Newsweek by conservative legal scholar John Eastman that said some people were questioning whether Harris might be "constitutionally ineligible" to be vice-president because both her parents were immigrants.

US President Donald Trump has a history of promoting conspiracies about his political opponents' eligibility to serve as president. Credit:AP

Eastman's article suggested Harris might not be eligible to be second in line to the presidency under the US constitution's requirement that the president be a "natural born citizen" of the United States.

A senior legal adviser to the Trump campaign promoted the piece on Twitter.
The National Advisory Council of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) on Friday waded into the crisis that has ripped the association apart in recent months.

The council, in a statement, also indicated its support for one of the two factions laying claim to the presidency of the association after an acrimonious election in Enugu in November 2019.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the association was torn into at least two factions after two controversial elections held in 2020 after the botched Enugu event.

The two factions, led by Ahmed Maiwada and Camillus Ukah, had refused to yield any ground despite interventions by prominent members of the association.

A third group also exists, which does not recognise the two and this has further polarised the association.

Intervention

A release signed by the chairman of the associations advisory council, Femi Osofisan, on Friday, however, said the Camillus faction is the duly elected executive committee of union.

The council, which was earlier set up by members of the association in 2012, was drafted to douse tension and ensure a new election was held after the Enugu fiasco.

It subsequently set up a new electoral committee headed by another professor, Jerry Agada, to conduct new polls which held in July 2020. Mr Ukah was elected during the election in Makurdi, Benue State.

Earlier, another election held in March in Abuja where Mr Maiwada, a former legal adviser of the union, was elected.

But on Friday, Mr Osofisan also said the election that brought in Mr Ukah was the legitimate one backed by the ANA constitution and processes.

There are more stories to tell, most of them unsavoury, and you undoubtedly know most of them already. So there is little point setting them out again here. Suffice it to say that in spite of it all, our mission has been successfully completed. The new ANA Executive has been elected and duly sworn in now. As already announced, they are:

Camillus Ukah-President(ANA Imo), Maik Ortserga  General Secretary (ANA Benue) Farida Mohammed  Vice-President (ANA Niger), Freeman Okosun  Asst. Secretary (ANA Oyo), Stella Touremi  Treasurer (ANA Bayelsa), Chimankpa Ogbueri  Financial Secretary (ANA Rivers), Matthew Taiwo  Auditor (ANA Kaduna), Wole Adedoyin  PRO South (ANA Osun), Umar Kakamu Aliyu (ANA Nasarawa)  PRO North (ANA Nasarawa), Bentex Torlafia  Legal Adviser (ANA Nasarawa), Charles Iornumbe- Ex Officio 1 (ANA Benue), Odono Matthew  Ex Officio 2 (ANA Ebonyi).

The statement was co-signed by Olu Obafemi, a professor; Odia Ofeimun, Wale Okediran; and professors Akachi Ezeigbo, May Nwoye, and Remi Raji.

Messrs Osofisan, Okediran, Ofeimun, and Agada confirmed the authenticity of the statement when called on Friday. Mr Rajis line was switched off while the reporter was unable to reach the other three.

Meanwhile, Mr Maiwada, when contacted same day, said he was yet to see the said statement, which PREMIUM TIMES subsequently sent to him. He later responded: its not published. I cant react to what I cant confirm as authentic.

Also, Chike Ofili, who represents a third group within the association which does not recognise any of the factions, is yet to respond to a text message seeking his reaction to the development.
As protests continue to erupt in the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and across the world in outrage against the horrific shooting of Jacob Bla Read more
Here's what happened in Slovakia on Friday, August 14, 2020.

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This is your overview of news from Slovakia on Friday, August 14, 2020. Take a look at our weekend reading tips.

If you are happy with this service, make sure to follow Today in Slovakia and tell your friends to do the same. Thank you.

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Family events should be reassessed

Slovakia is in the first stage of the second coronavirus wave Read more

The testing from August 13 revealed 62 new cases, increasing the total number to 2,801. The most new cases were uncovered in the Trencin Region (23 in total).

According to the regional health authority in Trencin, most cases were detected in connection with two family parties, with some people attending both. It recommended that people reconsider planning bigger family events.

People should also think twice before travelling abroad.

Economy fell, but not as much as expected

Slovakias economy contracted by 12.1 percent year-on-year for constant prices in the second quarter of this year. The countrys gross domestic product fell by 8.3 percent compared with the first quarter of 2020, the Slovak Statistics Office announced in its GDP flash estimate.

The volume of GDP at current prices in the second quarter of 2020 reached 21,210.5 million which represented a decrease of 10.4 percent in comparison with the same quarter of 2019.

The contraction of Slovakias economy during the second quarter of 2020 was smaller than originally expected.

The relatively strong recovery of key industry [the automotive sector] in the last month of the quarter probably helped to mitigate the economic downturn in the second quarter, analyst Lubomir Korsnak of UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia wrote in his memo.

Exits from Pristavny Bridge will be closed

Drivers in Bratislava should prepare for some traffic restrictions after the exits from Bratislavas Pristavny Bridge to Bajkalska and Slovnaftska Streets, travelling away from Petrzalka borough, will be closed the night of Friday, August 14.

The closure will also affect public transport.

The traffic restrictions are expected to end in late March 2021.

In other news

Trnava car-maker PSA announced its first case of coronavirus reportedly in a man from eastern Slovakia . He is in quarantine, as well as two colleagues who were in direct contact with him. The other 19 had indirect contact. They are all waiting for test results . (My Trnava)

announced its reportedly in . He is in quarantine, as well as two colleagues who were in direct contact with him. The other 19 had indirect contact. They are all . (My Trnava) Peter Pellegrini is ready to submit an application for his party Hlas (Voice) to be registered to the Interior Ministry. He has collected more than 94,000 signatures .

to the Interior Ministry. He has collected . Rescuers helped 77 people who collapsed from heat on August 13 . The most cases were in the Trencin and Zilina Regions (14 each), while the least occurred in the Trnava Region (six). (TASR)

. The most cases were in the Trencin and Zilina Regions (14 each), while the least occurred in the Trnava Region (six). (TASR) Labour Minister Milan Krajniak (Sme Rodina) wants to introduce a new fund lasting until 2022 to support employment for companies and the self-employed . Employers and self-proprietors will send money to the fund; their levies will not increase.

. Employers and self-proprietors will send money to the fund; their levies will not increase. The Wizz Air airline has a new connection from Kosice to the Doncaster Sheffield airport in the UK, starting on October 23 . It will be the second destination to the UK operated from Kosice.

in the UK, starting on . It will be the second destination to the UK operated from Kosice. New orders in industry increased by 51.5 percent month-on-month in June 2020 after seasonal adjustment, amounting to 4.3189 billion. The number of new orders did not change by annual comparison. (Statistics Office)

Our weekend reading tips from Spectator.sk:

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Venezuelas oil exports  which have dropped significantly over the past year because of the U.S. sanctions  are suffering another blow these days: the quality of the crude loaded on tankers is so poor that loadings are being delayed, Reuters reported on Thursday, quoting internal documents of state-owned oil firm PDVSA.

The delays at PDVSAs main export terminal are due to excessive amount of water in the tanks, as well as other impurities and metals, which has made tankers stop loading crude oil several times.

The slow loading process due to the poor quality of the crude is yet another blow to Venezuelas oil exports, which have plunged to their lowest levels in 80 years in the past two months.

Venezuelan exports of crude and oil products combined were 388,100 barrels per day (bpd) in July, flat compared to June, Reuters reported last week, citing internal PDVSA data and estimates from Refinitiv Eikon.

Venezuelas oil production and exports have been in freefall for several years, but the U.S. sanctions on its industry and exports, the crash in demand, and the pandemic further accelerated the decline.

Venezuelas oil industry was collapsing even before the oil price crash and the pandemic, due to the increasingly stricter sanctions in the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Nicolas Maduros regime and its sources of revenues. Oil income is pretty much the only hard currency that Maduro gets, so the U.S. is looking to stifle as much of Venezuelas oil trade as possible.

In addition, PDVSA is severely cash-strapped and has not invested in the repair and maintenance of oil facilities and refineries in years.

PDVSA saw its June production plunge by 32 percent, with output in the country holding the worlds largest oil reserves plummeting to its lowest level in 75 years in early June when it was just 374,000 bpd.

As of this month, Venezuela no longer has any operational oil rigs after the last oilfield services firm that was still drilling for oil in the country holding the worlds largest crude oil reserves pulled its only rig out of service.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Midland Memorial Hospital clinical laboratory scientist Ann Johnson has turned her job into her hobby, she said.

Johnson switched from working full time to part time two years ago and continues to love her work, she said.

Its the only thing I want to do, she said. I love putting the tubes in the machine and looking at the results. Reporting them out and calling the doctors or nurses. I feel like it is a help to the patients and thats my greatest joy: to know that I am doing something to help somebody.

Johnsons 60th anniversary of working at MMH was Wednesday, her day off. Her coworkers celebrated the milestone on Tuesday with a cake in the shape of 60. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the celebration had a different look. Johnsons coworkers lined up outside the breakroom to celebrate and then received cake one at a time when they took their lunch break.

About making it to her 60th work anniversary, Johnson said she is grateful, grateful, grateful. Im so grateful and thankful for the people that I work with. I couldnt do it without them. They are so helpful.

Johnson knew she wanted to be a laboratory tech before she knew what a laboratory tech actually was. When she was 13 years old, she heard the job name and decided that is what she wanted to be.

I had no idea what it was at first, but the more I learned about it the more I learned thats what I wanted to be, he said. I didnt know how I was going to become one, but I knew I had to have a science degree.

Johnson grew up in Reform, Alabama. Her parents didnt have any formal education, but her father was determined that his children would be educated. He saved money when he could to buy land, accumulated 900 acres around Alabama to log and pay for his childrens education.

The timber from that land paid for our college education, she said.

Johnson moved to Midland in 1960 after graduating from Tuskegee University with a bachelors degree in chemistry.

Shortly after moving here, she married Lorenzo C. Johnson, whom she met while in college. The couple had three children; two are still living. Her daughter lives in Midland and looks after her dutifully. Johnson, who is a widow, is involved with Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as secretary for mission and for the choir, in which see sings.

Johnson said she was the first Black student to attend Midland Memorials med tech school, which was on the hospitals premises. She said the late Dr. Viola Coleman helped her get into the school, where she later taught.

I have taught many students and Ive gained lots of friendships, she said. And I have seen many, many changes over the years.

She said the hospital and technology have changed but the people have stayed the same.

The hospital has grown, its much bigger and the work has grown, she said. The technology has improved and changed a lot. The people are about the same. They are friendly and helpful.
NEW YORK - President Donald Trump on Friday paid a visit to his younger brother, Robert Trump, at the New York hospital where he has been hospitalized.

The president entered New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan wearing a face mask on Friday afternoon.

I hope hes okay,Trump said shortly before arriving at the hospital. Hes having a tough time. The hospital visit came ahead of Trumps scheduled weekend trip to his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The White House did not immediately release details about why Robert Trump, who is 72, had been hospitalized, but officials said that he was seriously ill.

I have a wonderful brother. Weve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one, Trump told reporters before departing for New York. Hes in the hospital right now, and hopefully hell be all right.

Robert Trump, one of the presidents four siblings, recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family seeking to stop publication of a tell-all book by the presidents niece Mary titled Too Much and Never Enough. She is the daughter of the eldest Trump sibling, Fred Trump Jr., who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

The president has said that Mary Trumps book was a violation of a nondisclosure agreement she signed in connection to a financial settlement she received from the Trump family.

In her book, Mary Trump claimed that no family members joined Fred Jr., who was known as Freddy, at the hospital on the night he died, adding that Donald Trump went to the movies with another sibling instead.

Robert Trump had previously worked for his older brother as a top executive at the Trump Organization. Once a regular bold face name in Manhattans social pages, he has kept a lower profile in recent years. He married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan, in March, according to the New York Post. He divorced his first wife, Blaine Trump, more than a decade ago.

In a 2016 interview with the New York Post, he described himself as a big supporter of his brothers run for the White House.

I support Donald one thousand per cent, Robert Trump said.
CHEYENNE  U.S. Attorney General William Barr said he would look into stalled joint venture between two of Wyomings largest coal operators after meeting with Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday morning.

The joint venture between Arch Coal and Peabody Energy was pitched by the two companies last year as a way to improve price stability and keep two of the states largest coal mines viable as the industry continues to suffer from bankruptcies spurred by massive declines coal demand following a decade of coal plant closures in favor of new natural gas plants.

The Federal Trade Commission, however, rejected the deal, saying it would reduce competition in coal markets. That left both companies in a precarious financial position at a time when the Trump administration has pushed for a resurgence in coal within the United States efforts for energy independence.

Though the five-member Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency separate from the Department of Justices anti-trust division, Barr  in town for a meeting with Wyoming law enforcement before a scheduled speaking appearance later this week in Jackson  told the Star-Tribune he would be taking a look at the deal, saying he believes regulators are addressing the problems of yesteryear rather than keeping up with current market trends.

While Barr said he wasnt sure what level of recourse the Department of Justice could have in reversing the FTCs decision, he could at least begin a dialogue around that decision and explore the case further.

Its about looking at the benefits of a merger at different levels of the market, he told the Star-Tribune. If you dont take into account the extent to which it will help Wyoming compete in other markets  the coal market, for example, or the electric power market  then youre not looking at the whole realm of consumer benefit. Ultimately, you want to benefit consumers to the optimal extent, and it sounds to me like the whole picture wasnt looked at here. So Im going to go back and look at it myself. Or at least, Ill talk to the FTC about it.

If I reach a conclusion in which I feel like the merger would benefit competition, he added, then I will try to use whatever authority I have to rectify the situation.

A spokesman in Gordons office confirmed that he and Barr also discussed the recent purchase of a lamb processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, by meat processing giant JBS, which state lawmakers and the governor himself warned could have detrimental impacts to the states ranching community and further exacerbate longstanding concerns about anti-competitive practices by the meatpacking industry.

While Barr declined to go into specifics about that case, he told the Star-Tribune he was very concerned about the recent trends in the meatpacking industry, noting a recent investigation the anti-trust division had begun into the meatpacking sector and the impacts it was having on livestock producers around the country.

Were looking very carefully into that issue, and expect that we will be hearing back from them very shortly, Barr said.

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Boris Johnson has promised businesses in Northern Ireland will have unfettered access to markets in England, Scotland and Wales (Brian Lawless/PA)

Boris Johnson has said there will be a trade border down the Irish Sea over my dead body following Brexit.

During a visit to Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister reiterated his promise that businesses in the region would enjoy unfettered access to markets in England, Scotland and Wales.

He has also agreed to intensify partnership arrangements with the Republic of Ireland and said more work could be done on bilateral deals.

Today PM @BorisJohnson is in Northern Ireland, where he met First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill. pic.twitter.com/tCn5gJn9Xp  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) August 13, 2020

There will be no border down the Irish Sea  over my dead body.

He said it was important to have the Northern Ireland protocol, which ensures the region follows some of the EUs rules to allow freedom of movement of goods and services across the Irish border.

Business leaders in Northern Ireland have expressed concern red tape on goods crossing from Great Britain could make some trade unviable.

The next round of Brexit talks will begin on August 18 between the Prime Ministers adviser David Frost and the European Unions Michel Barnier in Brussels.

In a tweet, Mr Frost, who was not at the meeting in Northern Ireland, said: We go in good faith to talk constructively about all the issues. Our assessment is that agreement can be reached in September and we will work to achieve this if we can.

2/4 As always, we go in good faith to talk constructively about all the issues. Our assessment is that agreement can be reached in September and we will work to achieve this if we can.  David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) August 13, 2020

Under the protocol, if no wider trade deal is secured with the EU, tariffs would be paid on goods travelling from Great Britain into the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the EU via Northern Ireland.

Which goods are at risk of doing so has still to be decided in negotiations with Brussels, with the EU keen to ensure Northern Ireland does not become a backdoor entry point to its single market.

The port of Larne in Co Antrim is preparing to install a border control post and the UK has announced extra funding for borders with the EU.

The Government has insisted a 355 million package to help Northern Irelands businesses navigate Brexit red tape is not an admission of an Irish Sea border.

Border posts are facilities used to check animals and food arriving in the EU single market.

Representatives of the four main ports in Northern Ireland, Belfast, Larne, Londonderry and Warrenpoint, have outlined plans to implement post-Brexit trading arrangements by which the EUs customs code will be administered.

Expand Close Mr Johnson met Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA). PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Mr Johnson met Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA).

Mr Johnson met Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, on Thursday.

The Prime Minister outlined hopes for greater co-operation with Ireland now that Britain had left the EU.

We did not do enough bilaterally, we did not do enough to build up the links and the kind of ideas and projects we are talking about.

Mr Martin said both sides knew that they needed to avoid another economic shock following Covid-19.

I think where theres a will, theres a way, he said.

It seems to me that there is a landing zone if that will is there on both sides and I think it is, on the European Union side and on the British side to find that landing zone.

My own gut instinct is we both understand that we dont need another shock to the economic system that a no-deal Brexit would give or a sub-optimal trade agreement would give to our respective economies across Europe, Ireland and of course within Great Britain itself alongside the enormous shock that Covid has already given.
Hundreds of ethnic Mongolian herders protested on the streets of Durbed town over Chinese government-backed plans to build several large pig farms in the region.



More than 300 herders marched in Thursday's protest, holding a banner that read: "No to pig farming on grasslands, no to destruction of the natural environment," and chanting "We don't want pig farms! We want our grasslands protected!"



Ethnic Mongolian Khubis, who lives in Japan, said a second protest had taken place in the afternoon, involving more than 100 Durbed herders.



"Ethnic Mongolian herders are prohibited from grazing, but the local government is attracting companies from the mainland to build pig farms in the name of attracting inward investment from the rest of China," Khubis said.



One herder told RFA that officials had promised the issue would be resolved in five days' time.



The herder, Qi Qige, said pig farms put huge pressure on water sources and discharge wasted untreated into the environment.



"I have been to the government several times about this ... because there is no water," Qi said. "I have had to go to transport water from places five, six, or 10 miles from here."



"The pollution [from pig farms] is also too severe."



No water left at all



Qi said the pig farms solve the water shortage by drilling artesian wells 450 meters down, further depleting the water table, while the herders can only drill up to 200 meters.



"One day there won't be any water at all," Qi said.



Video clips sent to the New York-based Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center (SMHRIC) showed police preventing the marching herders from entering the government compound in Durbed and wresting their banners from them.



"Police twisted our hands and confiscated our banners," one protester says in a video clip sent to SMRHIC. "Two elderly ladies hands were badly injured, and I am in severe pain."



The plans for the seven new pig farms were drawn up between the government of Durbed banner, a county-like administrative division, and a Chinese investor, but without consulting local people.



Earlier protests had resulted in the suspension of the plans, according to protester Hasbaatar.



"But three days ago, the largest of the seven resumed operation again," Hasbaatar said in an audio statement. "This is why we are here today to protest."



No approval needed



The plans for the pig farms came after the ministry of land and resources announced it would allow animal farming companies to appropriate land without official approval.



A post titled "Central Governments Special Approval: Starting September, Agricultural and Pig Farming Land Appropriation Needs No Approval!" was published on the ministry's Chinese Agricultural Net on Aug. 29, 2019.



The directive decrees that "no local government shall restrict or ban any large-scale animal farming in the name of expanding rural villages or recovering ecosystems."



Ethnic Mongolian activist and writer Sechenbaatar told SMHRIC: "The Chinese are free to do whatever they want on [ethnic] Mongolian land. They are free to raise pigs. They are free to cultivate grassland. They are free to plunder our natural resources and free to destroy our land."



He said the ruling Chinese Communist Party would allow anything to take place in Inner Mongolia except for the traditional Mongolian way of life.



Clashes between Chinese companies and ethnic Mongolian herders protesting the exploitation of their grasslands are increasingly common in the region, which borders the independent country of Mongolia.



Rights activists say grasslands on which the herding communities depend for a living are constantly being taken over, forcing them to take action to stand up for their rights.



Ethnic Mongolians, who make up almost 20 percent of Inner Mongolia's population of 23 million, complain of widespread environmental destruction and unfair development policies in the region.



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
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Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 07:47 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066de9899 1 Business Moodys-Investors-Service,sukuk,debt-paper,sovereign-debt,COVID-19,stimulus-package Free

Credit rating agency Moodys Investors Service expects Indonesias sukuk (Islamic debt papers) issuance to increase to US$27 billion this year, from $16 billion last year, as the government seeks more financing to fund the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moodys sovereign risk group lead analyst Thaddeus Best said on Tuesday that he expected Indonesias sukuk issuance to increase by about 68.75 percent as the government unveiled a Rp 695.2 trillion (US$47.3 billion) stimulus package to fight the pandemic.

This is based on the assumption of an increase in financing to fund the fight against COVID-19, he said during a webinar on global Islamic finance and sukuk.

To help fund the package, the government is planning to raise Rp 900.4 trillion in the second half of this year to cover for a widening budget deficit of 6.34 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year.

He speculated that economic stimulus measures and eases in lockdown in many countries around the world helped to improve secondary market spreads for sukuk.

The option-adjusted spread of Indonesias US dollar-denominated government sukuk had fallen to almost 150 basis points (bps) as of July compared to its highest spread of 400 bps in March.

Meanwhile, oil exporting countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar would need to increase their borrowing requirements significantly due to lower prices of oil, which contributes a large portion of both countries revenue.

Sukuk-issuing countries such as Malaysia and Turkey, much like Indonesia, would also see a significant increase in funding needs as they need to finance their widening budget deficit to provide financial assistance to those impacted by the pandemic.

We expect these reasons will cause sovereign sukuk issuance to rise by more than 40 percent to $94 billion in 2020, said Best.

Read also: Pertamina's Elnusa issues Rp 700b in sukuk to finance business expansion

However, he expects that the proportion of sukuk in the funding mix of major issuers will decline this year due to the preference for conventional bond issuance over sukuk during the height of the pandemic in the second quarter of 2020.

Best projects the share of sukuk financing for Indonesia to decline to 24 percent this year as opposed to 34 percent in its initial projection in March.

The Finance Ministrys director of sharia financing Dwi Irianti Hadiningdyah said on Wednesday that this years sukuk issuance would be higher than in 2019 as the government would need to finance the widening state budget and the national economic recovery program (PEN).

Finance Ministry data show that the government issued a total of Rp 236.82 trillion in domestic sukuk as of Aug. 6. The figure almost reached the amount of sukuk issuance in 2019, which was Rp 258.28 trillion.

The government in June also raised $2.5 billion from a three-tranche global sukuk offering aimed at helping the government fund the battle against the pandemic. The issuance was oversubscribed by $16.66 billion, or 6.7 times its target, reflecting a relatively strong international investor appetite for the instrument.

Despite the successful global sukuk issuance, Dwi said the government would no longer issue global sukuk in the second half of this year and would focus on domestic issuance instead.

The domestic market can still fulfill the remainder of our financing need. This is proven from a high bid-to-cover ratio of four to six times on every auction, she told The Jakarta Post.

As for the overall sukuk issuance this year, Moodys vice president and senior credit officer Nitish Bhojnagarwala said he expected a modest decline of 5 percent to $170 billion globally this year despite the coronavirus outbreak.

His projection was based on a 12 percent drop in issuance during the first six months of this year due to restrained mobility in Malaysia and Indonesia to curb the spread of the pneumonia-like illness.

The outbreak reduced private sector activity in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, which resulted in slumping issuance, he said.

Bhojnagarwala, however, expects sukuk issuance volume to rebound in the second half of this year. The increase would primarily be driven by sovereign issuance.

He believes the global sukuk market to have long-term potential as the current crisis could encourage potential new issuers, both sovereign or corporate, to consider access to the market to find new funding sources.

The new issuers, he said, were expected to come from African countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Sudan as those countries have shown interest in issuing sukuk.

Moreover, the rise of green sukuk initiatives would help to grow the global sukuk market in the long term.

We also expect an acceleration of green sukuk issuance in Malaysia and Indonesia as both countries seek to attract private capital to low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure projects, said Bhojnagarwala.

Green sukuk accounted for around 3 percent of sukuk issuance as of June, according to Moodys. The latest issuance was a $750 million five-year instrument from the Indonesian government to finance sustainable projects.

Read also: No global bonds in sight as Indonesia focuses on local debt market
In an email, Edward Guinan of Villanova University, who has been tracking Betelgeuse, called the new Hubble data fantastic, and said Dr. Duprees theory was a good working hypothesis. He added: But I dont entirely agree that the Mystery is now solved.

He noted that alternative explanations could explain the dimming: giant sunspots, perhaps, or gigantic rising convection cells tens of millions of miles across, radiating away their heat and energy and then cooling, turning over and sinking again.

Adding to the mystery is that Betelgeuse, after regaining its normal luminosity this May, has started to dim again. Betelgeuse has long been known to vary in brightness  although not so extremely as this year  in accordance with a 420-day cycle of pulsation in its size, so this new fading is occurring early, for reasons unclear.

That the star will eventually blow up is certain. Betelgeuse, sometimes pronounced beetle-juice, and also known as Alpha Orionis, is at least 10 times and maybe 20 times as massive as the sun. If it were placed in our solar system, its fiery gases would engulf everything out to Jupiters orbit.

The star is a so-called red supergiant in the last violent stages of its evolution. It has already spent millions of years burning primordial hydrogen and transforming it into the next lightest element, helium. That helium is burning into more massive elements. Once the core of the star becomes solid iron, sometime within the next 100,000 years, the star will collapse and then rebound in a supernova explosion, probably leaving behind a dense nugget called a neutron star.

Whatever Betelgeuse is going to do, it might have already done; we are just waiting for the news. The star is some 725 light-years away, so the light visible from Earth today, whether rising or falling, left the star around the year 1300.
Observing that the current



situation was "not at all conducive" to reopening of places of worship, the on Friday refused to pass any interim order directing that temples in be opened for public.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice P V Tavade said the COVID-19 situation in the state had not improved and people must therefore, pray at home.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed through advocate Dipesh Siroya seeking that the government be directed to reopen temples for public.

The state government could open temples and allow only a limited number of worshippers at a time in accordance with its COVID-19 lockdown guidelines, Siroya argued.

The bench, however, asked Siroya which temple he considered personally, to be the "biggest?"



"The biggest temple is humanity," Siroya said.

To which, the bench responded saying, "If you have any love for humanity, do not press for such prayers then."



"For the love and safety of humanity, pray at home," it said.

The state government pointed out that on August 12, it had submitted a detailed reply before another bench of the high court explaining how COVID-19 cases were still on the rise and that opening temples or any other places of worship was not feasible currently.

The state government said it had prohibited public gatherings for celebrations for Gudi Padwa and Janmashtami, and people had been asked to pray at home.

When Siroya pointed out that several other states had reopened some places of worship, and that the COVID-19 situation in was improving, the bench said, it did not think the situation had improved.

"If the situation improves, this temple of justice will be the first to open its doors to the public. The current situation is not at all conducive to opening doors (of places of worship) to the public," it said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The new judge on the Matthew Raymond case has moved up the criminal trial to Sept. 15 at the request of the defence.

The previous judge, Justice Fred Ferguson, set the trial date for Sept. 28. But defence lawyer Nathan Gorham made an application Thursday for Justice Larry Landry to overturn that decision and set an earlier date.

Raymond, who's accused of four counts of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of Cst. Sara Burns, Cst. Robb Costello, Donnie Robichaud and Bobbie Lee Wright two summers ago, is set to begin his second fitness hearing Monday.

That's when jury selection will begin for the fitness hearing, and possibly the criminal trial. The jury selected will be the first in Canada chosen post-COVID-19. If he's found fit, Raymond can choose to keep this jury for his criminal trial.

Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC

Gorham argued having six weeks between the beginning of the fitness hearing and criminal trials poses too many risks. He said if his client keeps the same jury, some jurors may find the wait too long between the two trials. Lose enough jurors, and there's a mistrial, he argued. Justice Landry said he does not see that argument as anything more than speculation and did not put that much weight to it when he made his decision.

What he said he did put weight on were the scheduling conflicts, and risks of losing fitness of the defendant, he said at the hearing Friday. Gorham has another trial in Ontario which is cutting it quite close to the end of the multiple-week Raymond trial.

"I try as much as a I can to accommodate lawyers from all parties," Landry said. So he considered factors like right of accused to lawyers of choice as well as the heavy workload of back-to-back major trials.

Gorham was originally asking for the trial to be moved to Sept. 7, but Crown lawyer Darlene Blunston argued all witnesses have already been given a timeline, and there are some witnesses who will be coming from outside the Atlantic bubble and might need to self isolate.

Story continues

Sealed documents unsealed

Media, the public, lawyers and judges can now access documents about the recusal of the last judge on the Raymond case.

On Friday morning Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench Tracey DeWare unsealed the documents relating to the defence's application to have Ferguson recuse himself. They were three letters and an affidavit from a member of the defence team.

The affidavit alleges that after media reports of Gorham filing the recusal application, he was contacted independently by two people who also had issues with the judge.

Gorham said he felt he has an "ethical obligation" to follow up on their complaints. He sent a member of his team, Alex Pate, to Miramichi court to request transcripts and verify one of the people's claims. Pate's affidavit alleges when he got to the court, Ferguson was there, took him aside and asked him why he wants those transcripts.

Gorham told the court the "ex-parte" meeting was "inappropriate" and led to him sending a letter to the chief justice. Shortly after, Ferguson recused himself

Ferguson stepped down before the application was heard, rendering the application moot. Because of this, and several other reasons including protecting the privacy of third parties mentioned, DeWare sealed the three letters and an affidavit.

David Coles, the lawyer representing CBC, CTV and Global News, argued a sealing order was not appropriate because just because an application is moot does not mean it should be scrubbed from the record. He also said people deserve to know the reasons why the judge recused himself, since he did so only after the evidence was submitted.

Gorham argued to have the evidence unsealed as well, because he said the decision to seal it furthered the narrative that the defence team was "unfocused" and that his complaint was "unfounded."

The two people who approached Gorham were represented by a lawyer who argued for the evidence to be unsealed as well, and said her clients want to be identified.

DeWare unsealed the evidence, but placed several publication bans including one on the names of those two people and their case numbers.
Kuwait City, Aug 14 : Kuwait has temporarily halted accrediting Indian engineering certificates after forgeries were discovered in related documents, according to a media report.

The decision was made by the Kuwait Society of Engineers and the Public Authority of Manpower, Gulf News quoted the Al Qabas newspaper as saying in the report on Thursday, citing informed sources.

"The Society of Engineers has detected that some Indian residents have obtained the title of engineer although they were previously denied recognition because their degrees do not comply with (Kuwaiti) conditions," a source told the newspaper.

The Al Qabas report said that the case, referred to the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry, indicates the "use of fake governmental stamps to forge approvals allowing the renewal of work permits".

The Society of Engineers has refused to recognise 3,000 Indian certificates for failing to meet related conditions, the sources said.

"Those 3,000 have been given other jobs commensurate with their university degrees," they added.

Meanwhile, seven Indian residents have been sent to prosecution on charges of forging their university degrees or official documents.

Indians in Kuwait account for nearly 1 million of the country's 4.7 million population.
The Lok Janshakti Party may withdraw its support to the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, its sources said on Friday after the party accused senior JD(U) leader Lalan Singh of "insulting" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. LJP chief Chirag Paswan met BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday and discussed the matter among other issues, they said.

Paswan has called a meeting of party leaders at party's Patna office on Saturday over the issue, they said. Lalan Singh had recently taken a swipe at Paswan, saying that like Kalidas he was cutting the branch of a tree on which he was sitting.

The LJP has said Singh's dig was aimed at a tweet of Paswan in which the party president had lauded Modi for his call to several chief ministers, including Kumar, to ramp up COVID-19 tests. "Lalan Singh has insulted the prime minister. We may withdraw our support from the Nitish Kumar government," a LJP leader said.

The LJP has two MLAs in the 243-member Bihar assembly. Even if it withdraws the support, it will make no material difference to the government but the development highlights worsening of the ties between the two BJP allies in the state.
Late artist Norman Rockwells evocation of the friendly, helpful neighborhood police officer defined law enforcement for millions of Americans when they were growing up.

But that image no longer holds sway among a majority of people in the U.S., concludes a new Gallup poll.

Over the past year, confidence in the police dropped to 48%, the first time its been below majority level in the 27 years the respected pollster has asked Americans their views about law enforcement.

The fall, from 53% last year, comes amid nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism, sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody. Four Minneapolis officers were fired and now face charges in the death.

Over the nearly three decades the poll has asked about the police, the highest level of confidence in law enforcement has been 64%.

As with most subjects in this hyper-partisan era, Republicans and Democrats see the police very differently. Eighty-two percent of Republicans have confidence in law enforcement, an increase of seven percentage points from last year, Gallup found. Only 28% of Democrats feel the same way, down six points.

While fewer Americans overall hold the police in high regard, the poll showed that other U.S. institutions saw a surge in trust in 2020. These include organized religion, up six percentage points to 42%, and even banks, which jumped 8 points to 38%, bringing them almost back to the level of confidence they enjoyed before the 2008-09 financial crisis.

Americans have the most confidence in small business (75%) and the military (72%), according to the survey.

-- Douglas Perry

dperry@oregonian.com

@douglasmperry

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Project to preserve Black churches gets $20M donation; Mayfield church first to receive funds
Ever since the coronavirus-induced pandemic set in months ago, working from home became the new norm for us. Cases are still high and employees are still carrying out their jobs from the comfort of their homes every day. It doesn't look like employers are going to call their workers back to the office any time soon, at least not till this year is over.

Some thought working from home would be a nightmare but to everyone's surprise corporate companies across different sectors are reporting high productivity each month and even the employees are preferring their work mode.

Shutterstock

According to a report by Economic Times, 30 per cent of people working from home want to return to their offices. A survey of 1,800 people working from home across 550 companies in 15 different industrial sectors was conducted by Xpheno - a specialist staffing firm for ET. The remaining 70 per cent prefers working from home and wants to continue doing so.

The 30 per cent that wants to return to work has a managerial role.

Companies which were surveyed included big Indian IT companies, Big 4 consulting companies, e-commerce, MNCs, auto and banking firms.

Also read: Twitter CEO Allows 'Forever' Work From Home Even After COVID-19 Pandemic Ends

Unsplash

However, not all companies are in favour of this 'WFH' culture and have asked their employees to return to work. An IT firm with over 8,000 employees asked 30 per cent of its workers to come back to work but only 20 per cent or less are willing to do so.

But as the productivity is high, this company is alright with WFH arrangement for over 80% employees, said Kamal Karanth, co-founder, Xpheno told ET.

The survey also included the fact that only a small fraction of employees of large companies like Maruti, Tech Mahindra, Myntra, Whirlpool is going back to office. A Myntra spokesperson said that less than 10 per cent of the company's workforce, which includes employees whose work cannot be carried out without the use of office infrastructure, is returning back to work.

There are others like consulting firm EY and consumer durables major Whirlpool which have given their employees the option to either work from home or office.



Also read: Work From Home During COVID-19: What Companies Need To Do To Keep 'IT' Going

TOI

What do you think about working from home? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 12:38:51|Editor: huaxia

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PRAGUE, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis on Thursday reiterated his country's sovereignty in international affairs after a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"We are a sovereign country, we treat these countries quite standardly like everyone else," the prime minister said to Mlada fronta Dnes (MF Dnes), one of the largest newspaper in the country after Pompeo launched a tirade against Russia and China during his visit.

The prime minister also rejected Pompeo's push to force a new memorandum that would give a contract on constructing a new unit at the Dukovany nuclear power plant to an American firm, according to MF Dnes.

"I said (to Pompeo) that we are moving forward as a member of the EU, that there has been a similar situation in other similar bids, and that we cannot eliminate anyone to comply with EU rules. So I explained it to him clearly, and I think he understood," MF Dnes quoted Babis as saying about the construction of the power plant.

The prime minister also refused to rule out Chinese telecom company Huawei as a potential partner in 5G building despite Pompeo's push.

"We must tackle this problem within the EU. As for 5G tenders, we have no decision in this regard yet," he said.

Babis also noted that Czech President Milos Zeman told Pompeo on Wednesday that "the great powers should not be hostile to each other, but should have a common enemy, which is international terrorism." Enditem
Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa has announced a range of new nationwide restrictions to help fight a surge in cases.

Illa said after an emergency meeting Friday with leaders of Spain's autonomous regions that authorities are shutting all discos and night clubs across

Visits to nursing homes are limited to one person a day for each resident for only one hour. People are prohibited from smoking in public areas if they are unable to keep at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) away from others.

Police will begin cracking down harder on banned night-time street gatherings by young people to drink alcohol. New daily cases in have been steadily climbing since the country on June 21 ended a more than three-month lockdown.

Authorities have officially recorded almost 50,000 cases in the past 14 days, an average of about 3,500 new cases a day.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nick Bryant at a 2014 interview with Donald Trump. Two years later Trump would be elected president. Its wrong to regard his presidency as an accident, says Bryant. Credit:Courtesy of Nick Bryant

Having covered everything from the Monica Lewinsky scandal to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Bryant is well placed to know. His new book, When America Stopped Being Great, makes an argument for the inevitability of Trump, based on trend lines both political and economic, technological and cultural  from a Republican Party rooted in anti-Obama fervour, to the many American livelihoods left behind by globalisation, to the narcissism of reality TV and social media.

Yet we might be better served, argues Nick Bryant, the New York correspondent for the BBC, by imagining the climate in which Trump came to power more as a volatile weather system one that had been building and brewing for decades. Its wrong to regard his presidency as an accident, Bryant says. By 2016, it had become almost historically inescapable.

Its tempting to think of the Trump presidency as a perfect storm  something brought on by a terribly timed confluence of political realities, from the inevitable left-to-right pendulum swing against eight years of Obama leadership, to the rise of online echo chambers, to an ingrained hatred of Hillary Clinton.

His central thesis was detailed in an augmented excerpt for the cover of Good Weekend magazine  Mourning in America  and Bryant discussed the tour de force piece at length this week with Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland, for the latest episode of Good Weekend Talks. The podcast takes a deep dive into the definitive stories of the day, and also welcomed to the conversation Farrah Tomazin, a senior writer for The Age currently covering politics and culture in the United States.

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I remember before I arrived about five weeks ago, someone saying to me that being in America right now was like experiencing the Spanish flu, the Great Depression and the 1968 revolution all at once, and it does feel a bit like that, says Tomazin. Its been fascinating, if not a little scary at times.

In a country that has always had its fault lines  racial division, religious animosity, rich versus poor  Tomazin has still been taken aback by the pervading sense of division and unrest. And then on top of that youve got a president whos stoking some of those divisions, and is so willing to shatter democratic norms, and who seems on so many levels to lack the empathy or even the capacity to steer America out of the current crisis.

A more conventional president, adds Bryant, would undoubtedly have responded differently to the coronavirus pandemic. Trump instead let his worst traits come to the fore  whether boasting about his TV ratings at the height of the crisis, or the automatic politicisation of anything and everything, most notably wearing a mask in public. Some people regard [wearing a mask] as an act of liberalism, Bryant says. Donald Trump once described it as an act of political correctness.
(JNS)  I have a Jerry Seinfeld question. Why do Jewish celebrities keep whining about their parents?

Popular actor-comedian-director Seth Rogen ignited an Internet firestorm with his recent complaint that his parents fed [him] a huge amount of lies about Israel. They never told him that Oh, by the way, there were people [Arabs] there. But Rogen says he now knows the truth and realizes that having a Jewish state makes no sense.

What actually makes no sense is the notion that his parents said there were no Arabs in pre-Israel Palestine. Who in their right mind would...
A Swedish proverb holds "luck never gives, it only lends". If such is true, Ellen Glynn and Sara Feeney must have taken out one of the biggest overdrafts in fortune's history.

The Atlantic ocean, after all, covers 20pc of the Earth's surface, or 106.5 million km sq.

For the two young women to be found clinging to a lobster pot after 15 hours, off the coast of Inis Oirr having drifted 27km, truly touched on the miraculous.

And it must have been the catch of his life for local fisherman Patrick Oliver, of the Galway Lifeboat Station.

It was he who pulled the two women off the lobster pot.

In the previous unforgiving anxious hours, hundreds of searchers had been combing the coastline.

But hope is not something which the RNLI lets go of lightly.

Read More

In an extraordinary rescue operation, the Aran island and Galway lifeboats, the Irish Coast Guard's Shannon and Sligo-based helicopters, Doolin Coast Guard and the Irish Coast Guard Co-ordination centre at Valentia, all spent a sleepless night searching, while local volunteers were also combing the coastline. Their hopes and hearts would have risen and fallen with the heaving ocean's swell.

So Ellen's ecstatic father Johnny probably spoke for many after the dawn had broken without a trace. He admitted: "I wasn't expecting to find them alive at this stage. We're so happy. We're forever grateful."

The chances had looked anything but good. The crowds that came down to the coast and peered further out to sea from Furbogh Bay had come more for solidarity than with any real expectation of a successful conclusion to the search.

Remarkable results like this are possible only because of the exceptional bravery and persistence of rescue crews and the strength of communities coming together as one.

As Barry Heskin of the RNLI told RTE: "There were jumps for joy once the news came in that the two women had been found.

"Jumping around the station here, I can tell you. There was a few tears shed and a few yahoos going on."

And who can blame them: for this was a singular, if terrifying experience for the two women cast ever further adrift on their boards.

It brought to life the Coleridge lines:

"Water, water, everywhere,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink."

John Draper, of the Irish Coast Guard, summed it up: "It was a great search all around."

It could be some time yet before the two survivors see anything great about their ordeal.

Once again the dangers of the sea have been brought home. This was a story of rescue and survival: most of all it was a story of good news, every shining ounce of it to be cherished, with so little of it about.
A 45-year-old sheep farmer in the UK is on trial over a blackmail plot that involves shards of metal being hid in baby food.

The suspect, Nigel Wright, is accused of demanding 200 Bitcoin from Tesco, a supermarket giant, to reveal which and how many of the baby foods had been contaminated with shards of metal.

Blackmail over Bitcoin

Wright's trial began on August 11 and he pleaded not guilty to two counts of contaminating goods and four counts of blackmail.

The trial heard that Wright posed as "Guy Brush" a member of a group of disgruntled farmers that he called the "Dairy Pirates" who were not happy and are being underpaid for their produce.

Wright demanded 100 Bitcoin back in May 2018, but the ransom double to 200 Bitcoins in February 2020, in a series of threatening emails and letters to Tesco, as reported by Metro UK.

Also Read: 30-Year-Old Corpse Discovered in Basement of Abandoned Historical Mansion

"Guy Brush" also threatened to contaminate other products with salmonella, as well as homemade chemical he had concocted, if the money was not given to him, the prosecutors said.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher talked to Independent.Co Wright's letters claimed that he had injected salmonella into tins of food sold in Tesco.

Later, the suspect sent some white powder in an envelope, claiming that it was a homemade chemical of which he had over 300 grams and that he will use them to contaminate more products if he was not given the money he was demanding. The suspect then moved on to threatening that he will put pieces of metal into jars of baby food.

Prosecutor Christopher said that the suspect stated that a dremel drill had been used to create a very small hole in cans that contains fruit and that bacteria had been injected, adding that he had scattered the cans in different stores all over the UK.

Between November 2019 and December 2019, two mothers found pieces of metal in jars of baby food as they were feeding their babies.

The baby food was bought at Tesco stores. However, there was no other evidence found that the other products were contaminated.

Another blackmail charge

Wright is also accused of another charge of blackmail, in which he threatened to kill a driver after a massive road rage incident, he demanded the driver to pay him $200k worth of BItcoin. He tracked down the driver's address and sent the victim a picture of his wife with a target and bullet holes.

Eventually, the authorities were able to trace the incident to Wright, and they raided his sheep farm. He lives on the farm with his wife and his two children.

The family admitted to some of what Wright did, but said that Wright only did it because a group of Travelers had threatened to rape his wife and kill his children if he did not pay them 1m.

Prosecutor Christopher said, per The Guardian, that the jury will have to determine whether his story of being threatened by Travelers is true or if it was just made up to justify his blackmails.

The prosecution suggests that it changes whenever he is confronted with more evidence which he has to explain, which means his story about the Travelers could be completely untrue.

Related Article: Boxer Woman Kills Two Men: Rapes One With Shovel Handle , Kicks Another to Death

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sure, it might be warm Wednesday, but what about the rest of the week?
A tumor that jumps from host to host. A tumor that evolves to slow itself down. Both defy expectations  and both are the same tumor. Rare contagious tumors have brought Tasmanian devils to the brink of extinction, but new work from scientists at Washington State University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center could shed light on its weaknesses.

The study, published last month in the journal Genetics, showed that a single mutation underlies some cases of spontaneous regression  meaning the cancer is disappearing on its own  of devil facial tumor disease, or DFTD. Surprisingly, the mutation doesnt change gene function: Instead, it turns on a gene that slows cell growth, at least in the lab.

Though the findings have most immediate relevance for scientists working on Tasmanian devil conservation, they could someday translate to human health. Current cancer therapies focus on removing every trace of the tumor, often through toxic or debilitating treatments, said Dr. David Hockenbery, a cancer biologist at Fred Hutch who contributed to the study.

If there were ways that tumors could be tricked into regressing without having to administer cytotoxic drugs or deforming surgeries, it would be a major advance, he said.

A tumor that jumps around

Were familiar with infections that cause cancer: HPV causes cervical cancer and Helicobacter pylori, gastric cancer. The Hutch has even dedicated a research group, the Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center, to studying cancers caused, directly or indirectly, by infection.

But just occasionally, the cancer is the infection.

Such is the case with a contagious cancer in Tasmanian devils, carnivorous marsupials whose habitat has shrunk to the island state of Tasmania off the southeastern coast of Australia. Since the mid-1990s, a deadly facial tumor, spread between devils by biting, has decimated the natural population of devils. Surprisingly, lightning struck twice: A second infectious facial tumor, DFT2, was first observed in 2014.
Venezuelas long-suffering oil industry is ramping up exports even as production continues its inexorable slide.

Exports of crude oil, the commodity that bankrolls the regime of President Nicolas Maduro, are set to reach a four-month high of at least 325,000 barrels a day in August, largely because of diesel-for-crude swaps that up until now have been exempt from U.S. sanctions.

At the same time, output slumped to about 101,000 barrels a day in the week ending Aug. 5, according to a report seen by Bloomberg. Thats a far cry from just three years ago when Venezuela was chur ning out 2 million barrels on a daily basis.

RELATED: Venezuela's fuel shortage set to get worse after refinery halted

Caracas can boost exports even when output is falling thanks to oil kept in storage. Tanks at the main port of Jose and oil-processing facilities known as upgraders are holding an average of 15.6 million barrels this month, the equivalent of 48 days of exports. Thats up by almost half compared with levels seen in January, according to PDVSA internal reports compiled by Bloomberg.

Inventories have risen because of a pandemic-induced drop in demand for fuels. The bankruptcy and subsequent sanctions imposed on Mexican trading oil companies Libre Abordo SA de CV and its subsidiary Schlager Business Group, which helped the regime place 32 million barrels of crude oil in Asia, have also played a part.

The bulk of Venezuelan exports this month, as estimated by shipping reports and ship-tracking data, are going to meet diesel swaps with refiners including Mumbai-based Reliance Industries Ltd., Spains Repsol SA and Eni SpA of Italy.

FUEL FIX: Our energy news. Your inbox. A perfect combination.

China, which used to be the biggest buyer of oil from the Latin American nation, is expected to receive 54,800 barrels a day, the lowest in around three years.

Lower supplies from Venezuela and Iran, both hit by U.S. sanctions, together with restrained output from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners are helping to keep the differentials of heavy and light oil tight.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
OTTAWA - A timeline of events regarding the Canada Student Service Grant program, based on public documents, events and statements from cabinet ministers, government officials, and WE Charity:

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA - A timeline of events regarding the Canada Student Service Grant program, based on public documents, events and statements from cabinet ministers, government officials, and WE Charity:

March 6, 2020: WE Charity staff prepare a concept paper on service learning for public servants at Employment and Social Development Canada.

April 5: Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talk over the phone about how to help students whose summer job and volunteer opportunities were vanishing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finance Department officials are tasked with considering options the next morning.

April 7: Small Business Minister Mary Ng and WE co-founder Craig Kielburger have an introductory phone call in which Ng asks WE to send what it calls a "pre-established proposal'' to help young people launch businesses.

April 7 or 8: Morneau's office contacts the WE organization, among other groups, to get their input on potential programs. Morneau says the call was on April 7, while WE says it was April 8.

April 9: WE Charity sends the unsolicited proposal for a youth business program to Youth Minister Bardish Chagger, Ng, Morneau and Trudeau's office. The price tag is between $6 million and $14 million to provide digital programming and $500 grants, plus "incentive funds,'' for 8,000 students.

April 16: ESDC officials mention WE in the context of the student program in an email discussion with Finance officials.

April 18: Morneau's officials raise the idea of partnering with a non-profit, or for-profit group to administer the program. (ESDC officials suggest the same day that WE might be an option.) Morneau said it was the first time he was involved in any talk about WE and the grant program.

April 19: Wernick contacts Craig Kielburger. WE says the call was to discuss launching a youth service program in the summer and that Wernick asks Kielburger to develop a proposal to fulfil that objective. During the call, Wernick learns of the April 9 proposal for a youth business program and Kielburger agrees to send both proposals.

April 20: Morneau's office contacts WE to ask about its ability to deliver a volunteer program. An official's record of the call notes "WE Charity will re-work their 10-week summer program proposal to fully meet the policy objective of national service and increase their current placements of 8,000 to double.''

April 21: Morneau approves going with an outside organization to run the volunteer program, but no specific group is chosen.

WE's youth entrepreneurship program proposal is included in annex nine of a briefing package about a student aid program that goes to the Prime Minister's Office, chief of staff Katie Telford later tells the finance committee. The proposal is declined.

April 22: Trudeau announces a $9-billion package of student aid, including the outline of a volunteer program paying students up to $5,000 toward education costs, based on the number of hours they volunteer. WE sends Wernick an updated proposal to reflect the announcement. The message is forwarded to Chagger, Ng and Morneau.

April 26: Morneau speaks with WE co-founder Craig Kielburger, but told the finance committee neither of them talked about the Canada Student Service Grant program. Craig Kielburger later tells the committee he only brought up the youth business proposal, not the grant program.

April 27: Volunteer Canada, a charity that promotes volunteering and helps organizations use volunteers well, meets Chagger and raises concerns about paying students hourly rates below minimum wage and calling it volunteering.

May 4: WE sends a third proposal to ESDC, this time with more details and specific to the grant program. Finance official Michelle Kovacevic, who was working on the program, told the finance committee she received it May 7.

May 5: Chagger goes to a special COVID-19 cabinet committee with the recommendation to go with WE for the program. Neither Morneau nor Trudeau is at the meeting.

The same day, a member of the Prime Minister's Office policy team speaks with WE as part of stakeholder consultation, but then directs the organization to ESDC.

WE begins incurring eligible expenses.

May 8: Trudeau finds out that WE is being recommended to run the student-volunteer program hours before a cabinet meeting. He later tells the finance committee that he pulled the item from the agenda and sent it back to the public service for more due diligence because of how the deal could be perceived.

May 21: The public service comes back to Trudeau, he tells the finance committee. The recommendation to go with WE doesn't change.

May 22: Cabinet, including Trudeau and Morneau, approved handing the reins of the program to WE.

May 23: The public service officially begins negotiating a contribution agreement with WE, which would have paid up to $43.5 million in fees to the group.

May 25 to June 3: In a series of meetings with Volunteer Canada, WE suggests the target for placements through the program had gone from 20,000 to 100,000.

June 12: WE co-founder Marc Kielburger says in a video chat with youth leaders that he heard from Trudeau's office about getting involved in the volunteer program the day after it was announced by the prime minister. He later backtracks, saying the contact came the week of April 26 from Wernick, and not the Prime Minister's Office.

June 23: WE Charity Foundation signs a contribution agreement with the federal government. WE signatories include Scott Baker, named as president of the one-year-old foundation and executive director of WE Charity, and chief financial officer Victor Li. Chagger signs for the government.

June 25: Trudeau unveils more details about student aid. A government release notes that WE will administer the student-volunteer program.

June 26: Facing questions about WE, Trudeau says the non-partisan public service made the recommendation, and the government accepted it: "As the public service dug into it, they came back with only one organization that was capable of networking and organizing and delivering this program on the scale that we needed it, and that was the WE program.''

July 3: Citing the ongoing controversy, WE and the Liberals announce a parting of ways and the federal government takes control of the program. Ethics commissioner Mario Dion tells Conservative and NDP ethics critics in separate letters he will examine Trudeau's role in the awarding of the agreement because of the prime minister's close ties to the group.

July 9: WE says it has paid Trudeau's mother Margaret about $250,000 for 28 speaking appearances at WE-related events between 2016 and 2020. His brother Alexandre was been paid $32,000 for eight events, and Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau received $1,400 in 2012 for a single appearance. The organization says Trudeau himself has never been paid by the charity or its for-profit arm.

July 13: Trudeau apologizes for not recusing himself from discussions about WE over his family's longtime involvement with the organization. Morneau also issues an apology.

July 16: Dion says he will investigate Morneau's actions in the affair. Chagger testifies at the finance committee, saying Trudeau's office didn't direct her to go with WE.

July 21: Ian Shugart, clerk of the Privy Council, tells the Commons finance committee there is no evidence to suggest Trudeau spoke with WE before the organization was awarded the deal to run the student-volunteer program.

July 22: Morneau tells the finance committee he just repaid over $41,000 to WE for travel expenses the organization footed for the minister and his family. The Opposition Conservatives call for Morneau to resign.

Trudeau's office says he and Telford have agreed to testify before the committee with a date and time to be set.

The House of Commons ethics committee also calls on Trudeau to testify, and votes to seek copies of records for Trudeau and his family's speaking appearances dating back years. Six opposition members outvote five Liberals to have that committee start its own investigation.

July 23: Conservatives and New Democrats ask Dion to launch a new probe of Morneau over his travel expenses.

July 27: A copy of the contribution agreement with WE Charity Foundation is filed with the finance committee. It lays out the details of the program, including a provision for a maximum contribution of $543.53 million  $500 million for grants, and $43.53 million to WE.

July 28: Craig and Marc Kielburger testify over four hours of sometimes testy interactions with MPs on the finance committee. The co-founders of WE Charity say their history and experience, not ties to Liberal cabinet ministers, landed the group the deal to run the volunteer program. They add they would have never agreed to take part in the program had they known it could jeopardize the work the WE organization has done over 25 years.

They also say WE estimated the cost of the program to be between $200 million and $300 million.

July 29: The Conservatives call on the federal ethics czar to widen his probe of Trudeau to include travel expenses WE covered in addition to speaking fees for his mother, wife and brother. Dion sends letters to the Tories and NDP saying he is expanding his probe of Morneau to look into the $41,000 in WE-sponsored travel.

July 30: In a rare event, Trudeau testifies before the House of Commons finance committee and lays out when he first learned about WE's involvement in the Canada Student Service Grant program. He says WE Charity didn't receive any preferential treatment in the process. He also says it is now unlikely the grants will be rolled out.

July 31: Speaking to reporters, Trudeau says he believed there was no conflict of interest because his family would not benefit from WE running the student volunteer program.

Aug. 13: WE Charity announces that it is scaling back its operations, making dozens of layoffs in Canada and the United Kingdom, while also looking to sell some of its real estate holdings in Toronto.

The same day, WE Charity registers as a lobbyist of the federal government, disclosing 65 communications with federal officials or ministers in 19 different departments or federal institutions, dating as far back as January 2019.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2020.
In the midst of border tensions with China in the Ladakh sector, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the country reposed full faith in its soldiers and no one could grab even an inch of Indias territory while they guard the countrys frontiers.

In a radio address to soldiers on the eve of Independence Day, Singh said, If anyone dares to do this, then they will have to face dire consequences as they have in the past.

The comments come amid heightened tensions in the Ladakh sector where both Indian and Chinese armies have deployed almost 100,000 soldiers and advanced weaponry in their forward and depth areas.

He said, Whatever we do in the realm of national security is for self-defense and not for attacking others. If the enemy country ever attacks us, then like every time we will give them a befitting reply. Military talks with China on disengagement have hit a roadblock due to serious differences between the two armies.

He said history was witness to the fact that India had neither attacked any country nor grabbed anyones territory. But this doesnt mean we will allow anyone to hurt our self-respect.

Singh also paid tributes to the 20 Indian soldiers killed in a brutal skirmish with the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army in Galwan Valley on June 15.

The country can never forget their bravery and supreme sacrifice. I want to assure their families that they are not alone and the entire country stands with them, the minister said.

The PLA lost an unspecified number of soldiers in the clash that has dealt a severe blow to the bilateral relationship and created a huge trust deficit between the two armies.

Singh said the government was taking the necessary steps to meet the operational requirements of the soldiers and keep their morale high. Recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of the post of chief of defence staff in his 2019 Independence Day speech, Singh said the CDS has ensured better coordination between the three services.

Talking about the Indian Air Forces new Rafales, the minister said the jets had begun arriving and their induction marked the beginning of a new era in the countrys military history.

Five of the 36 Rafale jets ordered from France reached their home base in Ambala on July 29.

Singh said the IAFs latest Sukhoi-30 squadron based in Thanjavur would give India strategic depth in the Indian Ocean.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 13:27:50|Editor: huaxia

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YANGON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Seven points of agreement were reached at the ninth Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) held in capital Nay Pyi Taw on Thursday, state-run media reported on Friday.

Government and ethnic armed organizations agreed on the point related to ceasefire and how separate and collective discussions should be carried out for chapters 3 and 4 of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). They also agreed to sign the three parts including framework agreement on the NCA implementation, plans for post-2020 and basic federal principles, into the union accord.

The stakeholders also agreed to hold the Union Peace Conference from Aug. 19 to 21, with 230 representatives in attendance as well as to encourage the non-signatories to sign the NCA.

At the meeting, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, in her capacity as chair of National Reconciliation and Peace Centre, said that it will take time for democratic reform and establishment of a federal union, while the country is working for national reconciliation and peace of the union simultaneously.

The 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference was held in August 2016, May 2017 and July 2018, respectively.

So far, 10 ethnic armed groups have signed the NCA with the government since it was initiated in October 2015. Enditem
C alls are growing for stricter controls on autonomous weapons to prevent the rise of "killer robots", a new report claims.

Campaigners Human Rights Watch said that 30 countries have now said they want a ban on fully autonomous weapons - which do not need meaningful human intervention to be lethal.

Keeping control over these weapons is an "ethical imperative, a legal necessity, and a moral obligation", said Mary Wareham, arms division advocacy director for the group.

Ms Wareham, who also helps run the Campaign To Stop Killer Robots, added: Removing human control from the use of force is now widely regarded as a grave threat to humanity that, like climate change, deserves urgent multilateral action.

An unmanned combat aerial vehicle being tested by the US Air Force in 2019 (Kratos Defense and Security Systems) / Kratos Defense & Security Systems

An international ban treaty is the only effective way to deal with the serious challenges raised by fully autonomous weapons...

All countries need to respond with urgency by opening negotiations on a new international ban treaty."

Countries that have called for a ban on using the weapons include Brazil, Austria and China - although Beijing is not against developing or producing them.

The UK is one of several countries cited as "investing heavily" in the development of autonomous weapons, alongside the US, Russia and China, among others.

Getty Images

Some countries opposed an outright ban at a convention last year, including the US and Russia.

Ben Donaldson, a spokesperson for the United Nations Association - UK, a charity campaigning for deeper international cooperation on global threats, told the Standard: "The UK's desire to be a global leader in tech and an influential player on the world stage depends on our ability to add value to international efforts to address major global risks.

"A stark dehumanisation of warfare is one of the most catastrophic threats we face. UK action to ban lethal autonomous weapons is not only the right thing to do, it is also squarely in our national interest.

The report also notes that the British Government said in 2017 that there must always be "human oversight" in weapons.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence previously said that "there is no intent... to develop weapon systems that operate entirely without human input".

The global coronavirus crisis has provided a lesson on how governments can collaborate to help tackle an international problem, campaigners added.

Ms Wareham said: Many governments share the same serious concerns over permitting machines to take human life on the battlefield, and their desire for human control provides a sound basis for collective action.

While the pandemic has delayed diplomacy, it shows the importance of being prepared and responding with urgency to existential threats to humanity, such as killer robots."
Many of those released talked of severe beatings and injuries at the hands of police - EPA-EFE

Belarusian authorities have released about 1,000 people detained amid demonstrations contesting the results of the presidential election, in an attempt to assuage public anger against a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests.

Around midnight, scores of detainees were seen walking out of one of Minsk's jails. In the early morning, volunteers also saw at least 119 detainees being released in the city of Zhodino just northeast of the Belarusian capital. Ambulances arrived to carry those who apparently were unable to walk on their own.

Many of those who were released talked about brutal beatings and other abuse at the hands of police, and some showed bruises. Some wept as they embraced their relatives.

The releases came hours after Belarus' top law enforcement official apologised on state television for the indiscriminate use of force by police. "I take responsibility for what they say was violence against those people, who happened to be nearby and failed to back off quickly enough," Interior Minister Yuri Karayev said late on Thursday.

The move comes on the day that European Union foreign ministers are due to meet to discuss possible sanctions against Belarus.

Ahead of the meeting, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged them to back sanctions against those who "violated democratic values... and abused human rights" in Belarus.

"I am confident today's EU Foreign Ministers' discussion will demonstrate our strong support for the rights of the people in Belarus to fundamental freedoms & democracy," she tweeted.

Doctors provided medical treatment to many of those released - Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA-EFE

Mr Lukashenko's main challenger, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has been given refuge in neighboring Lithuania, posted a video statement contesting the results of the vote and demanding that the government start a dialogue with protesters.

In five days of massive protests, crowds of demonstrators swarmed the streets to contest the vote results and demand an end to the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly 7,000 people have been detained and hundreds injured.

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The official results said Mr Lukashenko won 80 per cent of the vote and Mrs Tsikhanouskaya only 10 per cent. Police have broken up protests with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.

On Thursday, thousands of workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce the police crackdown and push for a recount of Sunday's vote.

Hundreds of women formed long "lines of solidarity" in several areas of the capital, Minsk. Many were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of detained loved ones.

The human chains grew throughout the day, filling Minsk's main central squares and avenues and spreading to numerous other cities as motorists honked in support.

Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms and insignia in the trash. Several popular anchors at Belarus' state TV stations have quit.

The demonstrations have spread even though the protest lacks leaders. Mrs Tsikhanouskaya abruptly left for Lithuania on Tuesday, calling on her supporters to stop protests in a video that her associates said was recorded under pressure from law enforcement officials before her departure. The 37-year-old former teacher had joined the race to replace her husband, an opposition blogger, who has been jailed since May.

In a new video statement released on Friday, Mrs Tsikhanouskaya again challenged Mr Lukashenko's victory, saying that copies of protocols from precincts where the vote was counted fairly show her winning 60-70 per cent of the vote. She urged the government to end violence and engage in dialogue with protesters.

"The Belarusians will never want to live under the current government," she said. "The authorities have turned peaceful demonstrations into a blood bath."

The massive protests against election results and police brutality have been an unprecedented challenge to Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and earned the nickname of "Europe's last dictator" for his relentless crackdown on dissent. The scope and ferocity of the police clampdown were remarkable even for Mr Lukashenko's iron-fisted rule, triggering widespread anger.

After dismissing protesters as mostly ex-convicts and unemployed, the authoritarian leader kept silent Thursday as the rallies spread quickly and workers at major industrial plants joined them. Some reports said he was preparing an address to the nation.

In a major challenge to Mr Lukashenko, thousands of workers at key factories have joined the protests - Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty

Clearly worried about the possibility of major strikes, Mr Lukashenko warned that they would deepen the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and could lead to Belarus losing its niche in global markets amid intense competition.

"Everyone is fighting for markets, and if we stop we will never be able to resume production," he said. "You must explain it to the people."

He didn't directly address the election and the subsequent protests, but the Belarusian upper house speaker Natalya Kochanova said late on Thursday that more than 1,000 detainees had been released earlier in the day following Mr Lukashenko's order to law enforcement agencies to look more closely into the detentions.

"We don't need a war, we don't need a fight," Ms Kochanova said in televised remarks.

Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights center confirmed that about 1,000 people have been released from jails in Minsk and Zhodino,

"The authorities are obviously trying to de-escalate the situation and ease the tensions, fearing that the furious industrial workers will take to the streets all across Belarus," Mr Stefanovich said.

A protester died Monday in Minsk when, according to the Interior Ministry, an explosive device he tried to throw at police blew up in his hand. Media reports challenged the ministry's claim, alleging that he was killed by police. The place where he died quickly turned into a pilgrimage site, with hundreds of people, including European ambassadors, laying flowers there.

The authorities said that a detainee died in the southeastern city of Gomel, but the circumstances of his death weren't immediately clear.

The brutal suppression of protests drew harsh criticism in the West.

European Union foreign ministers are set to meet Friday to discuss a response, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the 27-nation bloc would "increase the pressure" on Belarus.

In an attempt to ease Western criticism, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said in a phone call with his Swiss counterpart that the country is ready for a "constructive and objective dialogue" with foreign partners on all issues related to the election and subsequent events.
Californias ban on high-capacity magazines violates the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday.

In a split decision, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit gave several reasons for rejecting the states ban. Among them, the court said that high-capacity magazines are protected arms under the Second Amendment and that they are often used for legal purposes and are not considered unusual arms that would fall outside the scope of constitutional protection.

Judge Kenneth K. Lee, who wrote the majority opinion, noted that California enacted the ban on large-capacity magazines, or LCMs, that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition after heart-wrenching and highly publicized mass shootings.

But even well-intentioned laws must pass constitutional muster, he wrote. Californias near-categorical ban of LCMs strikes at the core of the Second Amendment  the right to armed self defense.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a record 11-year bull run of the U.S. stock market to its knees. This, coupled with an oil price crash instigated by Saudi Arabia and Russia, has all the signs of an imminent global recession. Depending on who you trust with your forecasts, most experts are predicting a global contraction that can last anywhere between six months and two years.

The word recession strikes fear in the hearts of startups and established businesses alike  and for good reason. Long-running studies from dozens of countries indicate that global recessions drive a doubling in bankruptcy and unemployment rates as well as a sharp decrease in the number of new businesses formed. On the other hand, new evidence is now showing that  over the longer run  recessions do not impact the eventual success of a business. In a study by the Kauffman Foundation, 8,464 U.S. companies were analyzed against a backdrop of nine recessions and found that their propensity to do an initial public offering was not impacted by economic contractions. In fact, powerhouse tech and non-tech firms such as Apple, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Walt Disney and Krispy Kreme can trace their origins back to various recessions.

Related: Why Active Listening Is a Critical Skill for Founders and Entrepreneurs

As part of my consulting practice, I work closely with entrepreneurs, CEOs, and PE & VC boards over a wide range of corporate strategy and organizational change topics. The number one concern that all of them have, these days, is about making the right strategic calls now so as to better navigate through the upcoming recession and come out of the other end poised for growth. To ensure that there was enough scientific rigor in my feedback to them, I conducted extensive research review, analyzed dozens of companies that bounced back successfully from the 2008 financial crisis as well as interviewed several entrepreneurs on how they are adapting to these changing times  successfully. Here are the four insights that stood out the most:

1. One strategy does not fit all  especially for smaller firms

Given the current news cycle, it is easy to imagine that a recession hits all businesses equally, resulting in similar levels of underperformance. Studies show that this assumption could not be further from the truth. Some businesses do suffer from a sales downturn thanks to a recession while others end up with a sharp increase in sales. Furthermore, the popular doctrine of small businesses being especially vulnerable to recessions is open for debate as well. What small businesses lack in resources and cash they more than make up for in terms of speed and flexibility. We can be sure of one thing: Irrespective of size, your companys ability to adapt quickly is your biggest defense against a recession.

Related: Why Creativity is Key For The Post-Crisis Rebuild

Therefore, make sure you are fully aware of the forces that your business will be exposed to during this time and then pick your battles strategically. You can do so by tracking the health of your biggest customers and their changing needs, investigating the stability and relevance of your existing supplier base as well as deepening your understanding of your companys competitive advantage in this new world order. Work with an independent sounding board in the form of an advisor or a mentor who can analyze and co-create your new strategy with you. The last thing you want to do is to make big decisions with a lens of either excessive pessimism or optimism without checks and balances for either in place.

2. Aim for transformational jumps in productivity  not just cutting costs

Recessions usually trigger large scale layoffs and cost-cutting  irrespective of sectors and company sizes. In fact, as of now, the U.S. is tracking toward historic unemployment levels in the face of the COVID-19 lockdown. Ironically, in a large scale study done on recessions by Harvard Business School, it becomes quite clear that following a single-minded, "cost cut only" strategy is a recipe for disaster. This is because such an approach assumes that talent, technology and opportunity would be easily available for a company once the recession is over. This is usually never the case, and a company that follows just a cost-cutting strategy struggles to gain capabilities and capacity back when the economy returns to normal. Hence performance never bounces back.

It is much better to gear up your organization for a sharp jump in productivity during this lull period. So how do you begin? Start off with the customer. Which of your current customer-facing operations can be simplified or digitized to deliver products and services faster, cheaper and better? Can you simplify propositions and sunset underperforming product lines? Can you invest in technology, equipment or training that will improve performance reasonably quickly? Such a strategy will not only lower your cost structure but will help you leapfrog your competition thanks to better quality products and services. It should be noted that during this process of digital transformation, you will let go of some employees who you no longer need thanks to the productivity improvements you would have made  however, these numbers are likely to be lower than what you would have lost if you were just cost-cutting.

3. Be strategic when discount shopping for assets

Companies, buildings, equipment and land  all become cheaper to acquire during a recession. However, just because an asset is cheap does not mean you should buy it. For example, retail stores losing sales to ecommerce companies should not go on a shopping spree to buy more low-cost store locations  even if the prices appear to be a steal. Such purchases will become a drain on cash and managerial focus when the economy bounces back, creating a drag down on your companys performance. Instead, such retailers could use this time and resources to invest in upgrading their technology stack and digital talent and in the process accelerate their shift towards an ecommerce centric business model.

4. Selectively increase R&D and marketing spend

As with the point above, doubling down on all pre-recession R&D and marketing spend is not a good idea. However, if done selectively, increased spends in these areas are incredible drivers for growth. When it comes to R&D, increase spend on projects that help you double down on your relevant competitive advantage in the new world order. For example, if you are a furniture producer and your customers have become both fashion and price-sensitive thanks to the recession, now would be a good time to invest your R&D budget into exploring new material types and production equipment that can help deliver lower-priced, but fashionably made, pieces of furniture. On the other hand, doubling down on R&D regarding premium materials would not be such a good idea.

Related: 4 Ways to Effectively Manage and Lead Teams Virtually

The same holds true for marketing spend. If it is not relevant to solving customer problems from the lens of the economic crises, do not put marketing dollars behind it. If it is empathetic toward it, double down quickly for market share gain. A good example is Hyundais Genesis, which became a runaway success during the financial crises thanks to a clever marketing campaign and a sharp positioning toward "accessible luxury"  something the other car manufacturers simply could not follow at that time. Hyundai won the prestigious North American car of the year award in 2009 and gained record market share and increased shipments in the face of an otherwise shrinking automotive market.

The best time to change is now

Recessions are a tough time for most businesses, and many companies will fold during this period. Recessions are, however, also an incredible time to drive change in your organization  for the better. We all know the many things we can improve on as well as promising opportunities we can explore through our businesses, but had not found the time to do so, as the status quo was tolerable. With the status quo effectively now over, we should use this time to take some creative risks and raise our companies long-term performance up a notch.

Related:

How Smart Leaders Win During Recessions

AMC Plans to Open Two-Thirds of Its Theaters By September 3rd

The Counterintuitive Way Social Media Can Reduce Stress



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President Donald Trump is lagging badly in the polls. His promises of keeping America great have been shredded by the pandemic. And hes now confronting a female political rival whos uniquely hard to attack.

Trump is in a slump, and his messaging shows it.

While the president has never been known for discipline when it comes to his communications strategy, he unleashed on Thursday especially sharp and sexist criticisms of several female political rivals  including newly minted Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is proving unrelenting in stimulus negotiations.

The rhetoric appeared at odds with his own recent attempts to court the suburban female voters who are turning away from him in large numbers.

Trump also flashed his tendency to say the quiet parts out loud, explicitly stating that he is trying to block funding for the United States Postal Service in order to stop universal mail-in voting during Novembers election.

Those comments were later amplified by White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow, who labeled voting rights funding a really liberal left wish list item, while slamming congressional Democrats for their coronavirus relief package demands.

The unbridled nature of the remarks from the president and his senior aide suggested a new sense of frenzy among Trumps reelection team, which is entering the final months of the 2020 campaign significantly trailing Joe Biden and facing deadlocked negotiations over another round of stimulus.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks at the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Trumps opening salvo on Thursday targeted Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, whom he described in a tweet as the ditzy airhead wife of the MSNBC talk shows other presenter, Joe Scarborough.

In an interview with Fox Business networks Maria Bartiromo less than an hour later, he went on to sling insults at Harris, Bidens running mate.

As he did earlier this week, Trump invoked the California senators prosecutorial questioning of his second Supreme Court appointment, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, during contentious Senate confirmation hearings in 2018.

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Now you have a  sort of a mad woman, I call her, because she was so angry and such hatred with Justice Kavanaugh, Trump said. I mean, Ive never seen anything like it. She was the angriest of the group. But they were all angry.

That broadside came after Harris delivered a personal blow to Trump during her debut appearance with Biden on Wednesday.

He inherited the longest economic expansion in history from Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And then, like everything else he inherited, he ran it straight into the ground, she said at a campaign event in Wilmington, Del.

The president on Thursday next spoke dismissively of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, pillorying the progressive congresswomans policy proposals and seeming to claim she was a poor student in college.

I mean, I wont say where she went to school. It doesnt matter, he said. This is not even a smart person, other than shes got a good line of stuff. I mean, she goes out and she  she yaps.

Ocasio-Cortez graduated cum laude from Boston University.

Finally, Trump homed in on perhaps his most frequent governing foil, Pelosi. He predicted Republicans would win back the House from Democrats in the November election and called the highest-ranking woman in American political history stone-cold crazy.

The president also revealed that his resistance to certain provisions in the stimulus proposal put forth by Pelosi  such as Postal Service funding and election security grants  is rooted in his distrust of mail-in voting amid the pandemic.

[Democrats] want 3 billion dollars for something that will turn out to be fraudulent. Thats election money, basically. They want 3 billion dollars for the mail-in votes, OK? Universal mail-in ballots. They want 25 billion dollars  billion  for the Post Office, Trump said.

Now, they need that money in order to have the Post Office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, he added. By the way, those are just two items. But if they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting.

Trump has argued that mail-in voting doesnt work out well for Republicans, and has repeatedly claimed that the ballot-casting practice results in widespread incidents of voter fraud.

A recent study found that voting by mail does not benefit one party over another, and cases of election fraud in the U.S. are exceedingly rare. Experts acknowledge there are some slightly higher fraud risks associated with mail-in balloting, but only when proper security measures are not in place.

Despite the presidents erratic messaging on Thursday, top White House aides have become increasingly assured about their response to the pandemic  ostensibly the most important factor influencing the elections outcome.

But Trump and Kudlows latest comments on voting-related stimulus provisions are likely to offer further fodder to congressional Democrats eager to cast the administrations negotiating priorities as nakedly political.

Meanwhile, the presidents attacks on Brzezinski, Harris, Ocasio-Cortez and Pelosi undermined his efforts to persuade female voters less than three months from Election Day  appeals that have been criticized as outdated, potentially sexist and rife with racial undercurrents.

Last month, Trump implored the Suburban Housewives of America in a tweet to read an op-ed in The New York Post panning Joe Bidens disastrous plans for Americas suburbs.

The president also boasted last month about pushing low-income housing out of suburban enclaves, tweeting: I am happy to inform all of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream that you will no longer be bothered or financially hurt by having low income housing built in your neighborhood.

And on Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the suburban housewife will be voting for me in November, insisting they are thrilled that I ended the long running program where low income housing would invade their neighborhood. Biden would reinstall it, in a bigger form, with Corey Booker in charge!

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, the Black lawmaker whose name Trump misspelled in his message, responded online: Donaled, your racism is showing.
When India became Independent, there was joy. A long freedom struggle and the sacrifice of millions, over decades, finally led to self-rule  and what a remarkable journey it was , under the leadership of the Mahatma, for in striving for its own freedom, India showed the world the path of non-violent resistance. Indians would, finally, have the sovereign right to decide their own destiny  its Independence also inspired freedom struggles, especially in Africa, inaugurating an era of decolonisation across the world.

But along with the joy, there was a clear recognition that Independence came with tremendous challenges and responsibilities.

For one, the task of maintaining national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity  in the wake of Partition  became even more critical. Foreign observers were sceptical about Indias ability to remain free and united, especially given its diversity and internal lack of political and administrative coherence.

But it was not just the challenge of remaining sovereign. The vision of the freedom movement did not confine itself to merely displacing a set of foreign rulers and replacing them with a set of domestic elites. The movement was not nativist, but democratic in character. Sovereignty was to reside with the people. Those who governed would do so with the consent of the people. And that is why nurturing representative democracy, creating a set of democratic institutions in a society with deep inequalities, and ensuring that freedom for the nation translated into freedom for citizens was the cornerstone of the Indian project. This, then, was the second challenge.

But what was the objective of unity, sovereignty and democracy? Given Indias deprivation, the overwhelming poverty, the inequalities that permeated every sphere, Independence had to mean socioeconomic justice. Political rights had to be accompanied with social and economic rights. And the State had to shape society and battle social ills. The quest for prosperity and justice constituted the third challenge.

But all of this hinged on a fourth challenge. Given Indias breathtaking diversity, its entrenched caste hierarchies, and also its deep intercommunity divisions, especially Hindu-Muslim tensions, social harmony, peace and the accommodation of all groups was central to moving India forward.

Would India be united and sovereign, democratic and free, just and equitable, harmonious and diverse? This was the fundamental challenge presented by Indias Independence. And 73 years later, the Indian project must be judged on this metric.

The national unity project

For India, territorial integrity was sacrosanct. This is true for all nation-states, but in Indias case, the wounds of the past and Partition led to even greater determination. The territory that was Indias, through bonds of civilisation, history, geography, law and culture, would not be allowed to fragment.

India faced repeated challenges to its integrity  be it through Pakistans incursion into Kashmir in 1948 itself, the Chinese offensive in 1962, Pakistans attempts to marry external aggression with a sponsored internal rebellion in 1965, its patronage to terror for the last three decades and its silent conspiracy in Kargil in 1999, secessionist movements in various parts of the country, or Chinas current aggression in Ladakh.

These territorial challenges  including the current one  have constituted a threat. But each time, India fought back. It may not, today, have all the areas it considers its own (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin being the most prominent ones), but the fact that India has remained united, that no secessionist movement has succeeded, that Indian citizens in every corner feel integrated with the national project, is an extraordinary achievement.

But along with unity, there was sovereignty. India was wounded by foreign invasions. And its leadership was clear that it would not entertain any external intervention in its internal decision making process. This post-colonial psychological imprint has been so strong that not only did it refuse to join any Cold War bloc by remaining non-aligned, but even today, speaks of strategic autonomy, self-reliance, and not entering any alliance system. To be sure, in an interconnected, globalised world, there is give and take; absolute sovereignty is a myth. But for most part, India has preserved its right to take its own decisions.

73 years later, it is clear that India has the intent and capacity and track record to resist any attempts to redraw the map of the subcontinent. But as geopolitics shifts, it must be ready for challenges to its unity and sovereignty, directly and indirectly.

The democratic project

To institutionalise the principle that the people were sovereign, India instituted  and has successfully implemented  the principles of democracy. Periodic elections have allowed citizens to choose their representatives. Independent institutions  the Election Commission, an independent judiciary, a free press  have ensured that there is a check on executive power. There is a federal structure with clearly defined division of powers between the Centre and states. A vibrant, noisy public sphere has allowed reasoned discussions to take place to chart the path forward, with democratic participation. Protests and social movements have given a voice to the weak and marginalised. Ideological battles have taken place within a peaceful framework. And India is stable because it is a democracy. This democracy, with the assertion of marginalised communities and the spread of technology, has become deeper.

Yet, there are, today, legitimate questions about the quality of Indian democracy. Elections remain a true peoples festival where citizens exercise their franchise and choose among competing ideologies, parties and leaders. But some other elements of democracy have suffered. There is the rise of illiberalism. Political parties have become personal fiefdoms. Nepotism is rife. There is an intersection between crime, money and politics. There is an overcentralisation of power in select leaders. The federal compact is under strain. Institutions have become weaker, thus curtailing their ability to keep a critical watch on executive excesses. Free speech is often threatened under the garb of community sentiment. Individual liberties are often undermined. And parties resort to the most crude, violent, polarising techniques to mobilise voters in their quest for power.

Make no mistake. The Indian democratic project is a success. No other post-colonial democracy, with Indias level of economic backwardness and social diversity, has sustained an almost uninterrupted democratic run (barring the Emergency interregnum). But just like unity and sovereignty, democracy is not a one-time achievement. It requires constant vigilance, perhaps more so today than earlier.

The justice project

Long before India became Independent, Indias leaders were clear that this independence had to translate into substantial outcomes for citizens at large. The hope was that when India became free, it could finally address issues of structural inequality and backwardness, and citizens would enjoy the right to live with dignity, study, work, and access public services. Through a range of instruments  a mixed economy and somewhat insular approach in the early decades and a more liberalised and globalised economic policy orientation from 1991  India adapted itself to meet these goals. More Indians today have access to basic nutritional intake, education, and work, than ever before. And this is an achievement to be proud of.

But the Indian justice story hinges on growth and inclusion. In recent years, both have suffered. India was seeing a slowdown before the pandemic, and Covid-19 is now set to lead to a severe contraction in the economy. This will have a direct impact on jobs, incomes, and the quality of life.

Inclusion remains a partial story, too, though the failure on this front must be shared by all governments. State institutions  be it public health system or government schools  have not lived up to the mark, thus depriving the most marginalised of critical services. Welfare programmes have helped, from the right to employment to income transfer to farmers. But they have not been a substitute for the fact that India remains deeply unequal; that a large segment of the population works in the unorganised sector with no benefits; that work is irregular; and meeting basic needs remains a struggle for many. The fact that India is a young country, with a productive population, but limited opportunities, can become a serious destabilising factor.

This quest for socioeconomic justice, achievable only through both high growth and more effective inclusion frameworks, remains a challenge.

The harmony project

But, in a way, the most crucial challenge for India was to ensure internal social unity. To achieve this, the drafters of the Constitution and successive political regimes adopted a range of techniques. The State did not turn into a theocracy, like Pakistan. Indias Muslims would be equal citizens, with equal rights. To address the structural inequities of the caste system, untouchability was abolished, discrimination on the basis of caste was declared illegal, and the State took affirmative action measures to create a level playing field.

The fact that this diverse land has remained united is a testament to the vision of the founders. Indias Hindus and Muslims have together coexisted, from villages and towns scattered across the country to political parties. To be sure, there have been riots  some devastating  but they have not upset the larger social equilibrium. In terms of caste, too, more members of backward communities and Dalits have broken free of their chains than ever before in Indian history  through education, representation, reservation, welfare, and their own remarkable endeavour.

Yet, the story remains incomplete  and to some extent disturbing. There has been a turn towards majoritarianism in Indian politics. Minorities  particularly Muslims  have a sense of being excluded from power structures, with their lifestyle, food habits, cultural symbols becoming objects of suspicion. Arguably, Hindu-Muslim division is at its deepest today than at any point in the last seven decades, with the State itself seen as taking one side. Caste, too, remains a fundamental reality, with the political assertion of the marginalised not translating into their economic empowerment. Intercaste marriages may have increased but are still not the norm; atrocities against Dalits are only reported to be rising according to official data; and social divisions persist.

Citizens may coexist, but if they belong to different religions and castes, especially in smaller towns and villages, they coexist by living separately, not the ideal recipe for harmony.

And so, 73 years later, India is a story of success, yet a story of unfulfilled potential. It is a story of democracy which has beaten all odds, yet it is also a story of an incomplete democracy which has miles to go. It is a story of unity, yet a story of unity that is increasingly under threat due to external and internal factors. It is a story of a dream of a just society, yet a story where this quest for justice has hit some barriers. It is a story of remarkable achievement, yet a story of setbacks. It is a story of freedom, but also a story of how all citizens are not yet equally free.

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(Natural News) In exchange for their cooperation in passing another Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) relief bill, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats are demanding that the Trump administration bail out Democrat-run states like California and New York that are in a serious financial hole. But is this really the responsibility of taxpayers who live in well-run states that are financially sound?

Pelosi has repeatedly made it clear that neither she nor her colleagues are willing to make any kind of deal until and unless the cash starts flowing to leftist states. In essence, this is holding the rest of the country hostage, including the tens of millions of people who are still without work and struggling simply to make ends meet.

This continued stonewalling by Pelosi and the Democrats is hurting everyday Americans, in other words  but do they care? The answer is: of course not. They only care about themselves, and since they utterly failed to balance the budgets in their own collapsing states, they now want Trump to swoop in and save the day with taxpayer money from other states.

For at least the past month, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and their fellow Democrat cohorts have been holding out in expectation of a handout, which sadly the Trump administration is poised to offer them. According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the Trump administration is prepared to put more money on the table, and the president is determined to spend what we need to spend to get the job done.

What this suggests is that Trump is planning to cave and give the Democrats what they want, to which we are vehemently responding with: no deal. Under no circumstances should Trump kowtow to the Democrats in bailing out their failed states as a condition of their cooperation in passing a relief bill.

The only thing Democrats know is extortion

In a follow-up tweet to Mnuchins public statements, Trump himself indicated that Schumer and Pelosi now want to meet to make a deal. Trump did not explain why they want to meet, but chided them for waiting all this time to cooperate, allowing previous bailout provisions to expire and put millions of Americans in dire straits.

Where have they been for the last 4 weeks when they were hardliners, and only wanted BAILOUT MONEY for Democrat run states and cities that are failing badly? Trump asked. They know my phone number!

What the Democrats are doing, in essence, is extorting the public trust to save their own butts, all the while blaming Trump for supposedly putting the stock market before American lives, or at least this is what Pelosi claimed in response to Trumps recent executive orders.

It shouldnt be partisan that we would feed our children, Pelosi said, failing to see the irony in her projections. It shouldnt be partisan that we not allow people to be evicted because theyre caught up in a pandemic.

It is Schumer and Pelosi who are turning the whole thing into a partisan battle, originally demanding some $3.4 trillion in coronavirus aid as a contingency for their support. As of this writing, these Democrats have agreed to shave $1 trillion off the ransom.

This is still $1 trillion more than the White House was planning to spend, however, which is why Trump is still not agreeing to it. While Trump is willing to spend more money, Mnuchin says, he is not willing to spend unlimited amounts of money that dont make sense, which is what the Democrats are demanding.

Weve offered more money for state and local [governments], Mnuchin is quoted as saying. But were not going to give at trillion  thats just not a reasonable approach.

For more related news about this dire situation on Capitol Hill, be sure to check out Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

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An all mail-in election amid the coronavirus pandemic is too challenging and risky to depend on for the general election, Boards of Chosen Freeholders across New Jersey said, the day before Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to announce his plans for voting in November.

Freeholders in Morris, Cape May, Ocean, Sussex and Warren counties passed resolutions opposing an all-mail-in election, while Atlantic County is expected to vote on a resolution in the coming days.

Murphy is expected to announce that the November general election, which includes presidential and congressional races, as well as a ballot question on recreational marijuana, will take place mostly through vote by mail ballots.
Ashley Graham and her husband Justin Ervin tied the knot exactly 10 years ago today.

And the couple are still head over heels in love with each other.

Ashley, 32, and her husband marked their 10 year wedding anniversary on Instagram on Friday, where the duo posted gushing tributes and romantic snapshots of their relationship.

Happy anniversary! Ashley Graham and her husband Justin Ervin celebrated 10 years of marriage on Friday

Ashley posted an array of lovey-dovey snaps, including one of the couple cuddling in the pool and a kissing shot.

'I love you more today than I did 10 years ago when I married you! HOW is that possible?! Thank you for trusting me with your heart and making me a better woman everyday. God Bless you Justin! Happy Anniversary!' Ashley captioned the photo montage.

Justin posted a slideshow as well, including snaps of Ashley showing off her engagement ring and another of her breastfeeding their son Isaac.

Ashley looked angelic as she sat in a field, nursing her newborn child.

Double trouble: The couple floated in the water together

The look of love: Graham gazed adoringly at her husband as she wrapped her arms around him

'Thank you for trusting me with your heart': Graham gushed about her husband

Fun-loving: Ashley's slideshow featured a kissing snap, a shot of the couple cuddling in the pool, along with a silly one of Justin making faces

In the caption, Justin lovingly referred to his wife as 'Stink' as he described their accomplishments as a couple.

'10 years ago we both said "I do." That "I do" became a series of moments adding up to "We did!"

'We did travel the world, we did begin a family, we did experience the best of the best and we did conquer the worst of the worst.

'And now we have the pleasure of looking back on 10 years of "We did" and into a future of "WE WILL!"

Making memories: Graham gushed that she loved Justin 'more today than I did years ago when I married you'

Loved-up: Ervin also celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a gushing message and photo slideshow

Aww: Ashley looked angelic as she breastfed their son Isaac in a field

His and hers: Ashley and Justin met at a church, married a year later, and welcomed their son Isaac on January 18, 2020

'Here's to our first decade. Happy anniversary, Stink. I love you!'

While ten years of marriage is quite the milestone, Ashley imagines they will be celebrating in a low-key fashion given the current circumstances.

'First of all, what do you do for 10 years?' Ashley said on Today on Friday. 'And then throw a baby in the mix and then I'm breastfeeding, and we can't really travel to a beautiful location on the other side of the world, so it's like, um, we'll probably go find some sushi in Lincoln...'

Oh boy! Ashley gave birth to her 11-pound baby boy naturally at home

'I love you!' Ervin celebrated his 10 year anniversary with 'Stink'

Ashley and her family are currently quarantining in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, where the new mom has been able to bond to her heart's content with Isaac during the pandemic.

'The biggest blessing out of all of this is that I get to spend this time with him that I never would have been able to carve out for myself,' she explained.

Life as a new mom has been blissful.

'I am in heaven. I love being a mama,' Ashley explained. 'He is so cute and so sweet and so happy. And when my husband and I were naming him, Isaac means laughter, and we really wanted a happy, laughing baby, and sure enough we got him.'

'We'll probably go find some sushi': While ten years of marriage is quite the milestone, Ashley imagines they will be celebrating in a low-key fashion given the current circumstances

Mommy and me: Graham has been grateful the pandemic has allowed her more time than she thought was possible to bond with her child
OTTAWAThe federal government is offering asylum claimants and their immediate families the chance to apply for permanent residency if they worked in direct health care during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino made the announcement Friday in Montreal, almost three months after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government was exploring ways to help asylum seekers who work in dangerous front-line health and long-term-care jobs during the pandemic.

Calling such workers heroes, Mendicino said such an extraordinary service to Canadians should be answered with an extraordinary, one-time pathway to permanent residency  even for those whose claims for asylum were previously rejected by Canadas immigration process. This special pathway will be offered to eligible claimants, as well as to their spouses and dependent children, Mendicino said.

What makes this group so unique and so special is the adversity that they had overcome just to get here, he told the Star by phone on Friday.

And despite the fact that they themselves were very vulnerable, (they) put themselves at a high risk to help others in their community, he said. Even though they dont possess Canadian papers that give them permanent resident status or immigration status, they demonstrated a uniquely Canadian quality by looking out for one other.

Mendicino said the government doesnt know how many people will be eligible for this special program.

Refugee advocates have long pressured the government to accommodate asylum claimants who were called guardian angels by Quebec Premier Francois Legault for working in hospitals and long-term-care centres during the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 9,000 people in Canada this year. On Friday, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers said it applauds the government for recognizing the incredible task these workers have undertaken to care for Canadians during the pandemic.

Others expressed disappointment, however, arguing the government should offer permanent residency to a broader range of asylum seekers and migrant workers in agriculture and other sectors.

As it stands, the offer is for people who claimed asylum before March 13 of this year, were issued a work permit, and worked at least 120 hours between March 13 and Aug. 14 in a designated occupation. Those include nurses, nurses aides, orderlies and assistant orderlies, patient service associates and certain home-support workers, according to Mendicinos office.

Eligible asylum claimants must also have at least six months experience in one of these jobs before they become permanent residents.

Its saying there are people who are essential and there are others that arent, said Hady Anne, an asylum seeker from Mauritius who is a spokesperson for the group Solidarite Sans Frontieres. It denounced the program for failing to include undocumented residents, agricultural workers, international students and refugees working as janitors and in other jobs in long-term-care centres.

Its a discriminatory measure that brings us backwards in the defence of human rights. I am really disappointed and its a real shame, Anne told the Star in French.

NDP MP Jenny Kwan echoed those concerns, stating Friday that it is unfortunate the government set an arbitrary eligibility date and made the special program available only to workers in the health sector.

There are still many essential workers being left out, Kwan said it a written statement. The Liberal government cannot continue to ignore their plight or undervalue their important contributions in keeping Canadians safe.

Temporary foreign workers employed on farms in Canada have died amid large outbreaks of the coronavirus on farms, including three workers at the Scotlynn Growers farming operation southwest of Toronto.

Mendicino said the emphasis of the special program was on those who put themselves at greatest risk by working in hospitals, by working in retirement homes where COVID-19 was ravaging through like a wildfire.

He didnt rule out making it easier for migrant workers in agriculture, for instance, to apply for permanent residence in Canada, saying the government is carefully examining that issue. He also pointed out Ottawa has put millions of dollars towards improving safety for migrant workers during the pandemic.

We will continue to maintain an open dialogue with the migrant workers community to be sure that we are providing them with the supports they need, he said.

With files from Nicholas Keung and Sara Mojtehedzadeh
"The cancellation of annexation is merely an excuse for the Emirates," said Shimrit Meir, an Israeli analyst of the Arab world. "This was in the stars for a long time. And framing it as their success in blocking annexation, and as a quid pro quo, makes Palestinian and Arab criticism less harsh." Benjamin Netanyahu had said he would annex war-won West Bank territory if he was re-elected, starting with the Jordan Valley. Credit:Bloomberg No more than a statement of intent for now, the Israel-UAE agreement, announced by US President Donald Trump, calls for bilateral talks that could eventually produce such concrete achievements as economic relations, collaboration in science and technology, direct flights for Israelis to shop in Dubai or Emirati Muslims to pray at al-Aqsa Mosque, and the opening of embassies in Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, if presumably not Jerusalem. Dennis Ross, a former Middle East negotiator for Republican and Democratic administrations, said that another lure for the Emiratis was the possibility of obtaining advanced weaponry it has long sought, which the United States sells only to countries at peace with Israel to preserve its qualitative military edge in the region. "It doesn't mean the limits are gone, but they're more favourable," Ross said. He said he would expect the UAE to get weapons like advanced drones.

Ross said that the Emiratis had pressed for the agreement with Israel after concluding that Netanyahu was bent on annexation. "Nothing could stop Netanyahu except Trump, so they had to give Trump a reason to say no," he said. "And normalisation did the trick." Sceptics noted that Israel and the UAE had never faced one another in battle, and that their relations had long since ceased to look like those of enemies. The Emiratis have hosted Israeli ministers and athletes, and invited Israel to the Dubai Expo 2020, which was delayed until 2021 because of the pandemic. "It's an agreement to partially normalise ties between two countries who already have partially normalised ties," Ofer Zalzberg, an analyst at International Crisis Group, wrote on Twitter. "Annexation is suspended in order to formalise & publicise those ties." President Trump speaks in the Oval Office on Thursday, announcing that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties. Credit:AP Amos Gilead, an Israeli security expert who once served as an unofficial emissary to the Emirates, said he welcomed any steps toward normalisation but would need to be convinced. "I'm not sure the UAE as I know them will open an embassy in Tel Aviv," he said. "I want to see it with my eyes."

Whatever comes of the more grandiose possibilities sketched out by Trump in the Oval Office, flanked by his Middle East team, and by Netanyahu in a swaggering solo news conference two hours later, the immediate benefit for all three parties involved was clear: it allowed them to change the subject. "This is all about Trump being able to say, 'Look what a great deal-maker I am, I've brought peace to the Middle East,' and about Bibi being able to distract Israelis for a few hours," said Anshel Pfeffer, a biographer of Netanyahu, referring to him by his nickname. Pfeffer had boldly predicted in May that the Prime Minister would never fulfil his annexation pledges. Loading For Netanyahu, the diplomatic coup came as a throwback of sorts to a time before the coronavirus, before he required three elections to defeat a political novice and form a government, before his indictment on corruption charges including bribery threatened to not only end his career but also send him to prison. His stock had momentarily soared early in the pandemic, but it has plunged since: Israel's caseload now is greater than China's, its hospital system is approaching overload and its schools are planning a reopening that many fear will be a disaster.

More than 800,000 Israelis are out of work, and protesters have been flooding the streets and clamouring outside Netanyahu's residence several times a week in a demonstration of sustained political anger that experts say modern Jerusalem has never seen. With his criminal trial set to ramp up early next year, Netanyahu has threatened to take Israel to a fourth election, in hopes of legislating his way out of the dock. But a poll this week showed him again falling short of a majority in parliament. The rabbit-from-a-hat quality to the agreement with the UAE was vintage Netanyahu. "He wasn't functioning the way he was expected to, and this is the first time in a long period where he shows leadership and brings to the table something that no other politician allegedly can," said Meir, the analyst. "The subtext is that he's still got it: He's still a leader, and the others are merely politicians."

While Israeli voters were unlikely to forget their pandemic-related concerns in joy at the news about the UAE, the halt to annexation was welcomed by the centre and left. On the right, some settler leaders predictably cried foul. But Oded Revivi, the mayor of Efrat, a bustling West Bank settlement, praised Netanyahu for turning the threat of annexation to Israel's advantage, even when in reality it was going nowhere. "We're not really paying a price, and yet we're moving forward on normalisation," he said. Dahlia Scheindlin, a left-wing analyst and pollster, said that even Israelis who dislikes Netanyahu saw him as the country's foremost statesman. "He knows that it keeps the crown of 'King Bibi' on his head in the country's eyes," she said. Indeed, Netanyahu crowed to Israeli journalists on Thursday night: "I vowed to bring peace with the Arab countries, and you ridiculed me." He reminded them that he had long promised that Israel could gain international acceptance even without a settlement with the Palestinians. And he rhapsodised about his mastery of power geopolitics, boasting of his meetings with leaders in Oman and Sudan.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Ohio lawmakers who supported a controversial nuclear bailout bill now at the center of a federal investigation relied on a poll that appeared to be crafted to elicit responses that supported their messaging, newly released records show.

The poll was unearthed Thursday in a response to reporters public records requests for material subpoenaed by the FBI in its ongoing investigation into Republican former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. He and four associates were indicted for what federal officials describe as a $60 million bribery scheme to get House Bill 6 passed on behalf of Akron-based FirstEnergy and affiliates, and to make sure the law wasnt repealed.

In the context of the investigation, the poll provides a window into the strategy used by the pro-bailout side to advance their messaging around an attempt at repeal.

At the time of the poll in September 2019, opponents of HB6 were attempting to put a referendum before Ohio voters to repeal HB6. The campaign to thwart the referendum, which federal authorities say was backed by dark money groups controlled by Householder, inundated Ohioans with scary radio and television ads warning about signing a repeal petition that could grant Chinese interests control over Ohios power plants.

Meanwhile, muddying the waters further was another proposal pushed by Rep. Jamie Callender, a Lake County Republican who sponsored HB6, and former Rep. Don Manning, an HB6 supporter who died in March, who wanted a constitutional amendment that would have ostensibly ended foreign ownership of Ohio utilities. HB6 opponents criticized the effort as intended to confuse voters.

Thats where the poll came in. Who commissioned the poll isnt clear, but in Callenders and Mannings Oct. 30, 2019 sponsor testimony on House Joint Resolution 2  the proposed amendment on foreign ownership  the two lawmakers said 79% of Ohioans supported the amendments goals.

The poll from Public Opinion Strategies, taken Sept. 19, 2019, starts off with relatively straightforward questions about the approval of Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, and the legislature.

But energy-related questions seem geared to elicit a certain response from respondents.

Here is the question asked by pollsters on foreign ownership:

For more than 60 years, no foreign investor may have ownership in U.S. nuclear power plants, yet foreign countries and foreign investors may own American natural gas processing plants, water treatment facilities, power plants and wind and solar energy facilities.

Do you believe that a foreign investor, company or government should be banned from having majority ownership in Ohio of any facility, structure or infrastructure which transmits, generates or produces for public use electricity, water, steam, heat, gas, telecommunications or data which is critical to the health and well-being of the public?

Sixty-five percent of respondents said strongly yes, should be banned while another 14% said somewhat yes, should be banned, giving the two lawmakers their 79% figure.

The poll does offer some insights into how effective the messaging was that confused voters on the HB6 repeal referendum. The ads with the Chinese imagery started that August.

The poll indicates that was a carefully tested message, as the same question posed in the Sept. 19 survey was done on Aug. 4  before the onslaught of advertising in the state. It likely contributed to a 10-percentage point shift against foreign ownership of utilities from August to September.

The poll also appears to have been used to generate support for HB6.

The pollster asked: How important is it to you that the two nuclear power plants in the state be saved from closing down?

That wording leaves out the crux of HB6, which added on fee to all Ohio ratepayers bills  regardless of whether they received their power from either two plants.

Twelve percent said it was extremely important and 23% said it was very important. The plurality at 36% said it was somewhat important while 24% said it was not very important.

By crafting the question this way, the results showed 70% of respondents said it was important, even though the numbers dont indicate that it was of significant interest to voters at all.

The poll was just one of hundreds of documents that the Ohio House of Representatives turned over to the FBI following Householders arrest. A House spokesman said the chamber is continuing to provide documents to federal authorities for their investigation.
Dr. Alison Moore, Lead Veterinarian for Animal Health and Welfare at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, has penned the following Q & A feature pertaining to equine strangles.

The following are general questions and answers related to strangles in the racing industry. Always consult your veterinarian if you have or suspect an infectious disease and follow their advice.

What is strangles?

Strangles is an upper respiratory disease caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus equi. It is NOT a virus. This is important because it is not spread through aerosol like respiratory viruses. It is spread through nose-to-nose contact between horses and from contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g stall walls, fencing, fur of barn cats and dogs)/equipment (e.g. twitches, lead shanks, buckets)/clothing and hands. It takes between 3 to 14 days from the day the horse is infected to show clinical signs.

Strangles is frequently diagnosed in Ontario and throughout the year. It is RARELY diagnosed in the racing industry. When it has been diagnosed in the racing industry over the years, it has usually been introduced by an infected horse from another jurisdiction, from auction (companion ponies/miniature horses bought at auction can be carriers) or returning from breaking/training.

What are the signs of strangles?

Classical signs include the development of abscesses under and/or behind the jaw that break open and drain pus. Some abscesses can be quite large and cause difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Not all horses develop abscess however, some only have nasal discharge.

Very rarely, horses can develop abscesses in other areas such as the abdomen and brain and may develop immune-mediated diseases affecting the skin or muscle. Although very rare, these consequences can be fatal.

A fever occurs before any clinical signs of infection are seen but it is often missed by the time the first case is noted. If a case is diagnosed, it is important, therefore, to take temperatures twice daily on any horses exposed to the infected horse. If a fever is detected, the horse should be isolated as there is a brief window (1-2 days) before the horse starts shedding the bacteria from the nose and contaminating the environment and infecting other horses.

Why do we have to take temperatures twice daily?

Fevers develop within cycles. Some horses may develop fevers in the morning, some in the afternoon and some have fevers consistent throughout the day. To maximize detecting a fever twice-a-day temperature taking is recommended. Local veterinarians have found the microchip temperature readings to be unreliable as they differ from the rectal temperature by 1 to 2 degrees.

How do you know if a horse has been exposed?

Any horse that has had nose-to nose contact with the infected horse, has used the same trailer (without cleaning and disinfecting), shared the same paddock, shared the same equipment and/or had the same staff/service suppliers in contact with them in the previous week would be considered exposed. This timeline may vary depending on the clinical signs of the horse and should be discussed with your veterinarian.

How is strangles diagnosed?

There are a few ways to diagnose strangles. The quickest and most sensitive way is by testing for the bacterial DNA through a test called a polymerase chain reaction or PCR test. You veterinarian will ideally do a nasopharyngeal wash which involves putting 30-60cc of warm saline up both nostrils to hit the back of the throat, collecting the fluid that comes back out and sending it off to the lab. Turn around time is 24-48 hours unless its over a weekend. Bacterial culture of the pus may be the preferred method in some situations or done in addition to PCR. This will take longer to get results though (up to a week). Any horse suspected of strangles should be isolated until proven otherwise.

My horse tested positive for strangles but has not shown any clinical signs. How can that be?

Some horses are tested as part of an outbreak to find horses shedding the bacterium. Sometimes a horse will be positive on PCR testing but is clinically normal. There are a few explanations for this.

The horse is early in the disease process and may go on to develop clinical signs. The fever may have been missed. The horse was exposed to a low dose of the bacterium and is presently trying to clear it from its system The horse had a snotty nose that wasnt identified as strangles and, although the signs have gone, the horse is still shedding the bacteria. The horse is a carrier. These are horses that at one time had strangles but didnt completely clear the bacterium from their system. They can shed the bacterium on and off for months to years in rare cases. If you have had the horse for a while or it has been consistently racing the risk of the horse being is a carrier is low however it is worth discussing the possibility with your veterinarian.

How is strangles treated?

Typically, veterinarians dont treat strangles once the abscesses are formed. Treatment with antibiotics at this time can delay maturation of the abscess and prolong the disease. If the abscesses are impairing breathing or swallowing, however, antibiotics are used as an emergency treatment. In some outbreak situations, and only in cases of exceptional biosecurity practices on the farm, veterinarians may treat horses that develop a fever with antibiotics prior to abscess development to stop the spread. Horses do not develop a strong immunity to the bacteria though and, if placed back into a contaminated environment, can become re-infected with the bacterium.

What biosecurity practices should be used?

Isolation  any horse diagnosed with strangles should be isolated from other horses, ideally in a separate and empty barn. If no empty barn is available, the horse should be isolated away from high traffic areas. Horses should NOT leave the isolation barn to jog. They are in there because they are shedding the bacterium and pose a risk to contaminating the outside environment. Horses can be hand walked in a dedicated area not used by other horses or people if necessary. Discuss appropriate places with your veterinarian first. Any horse that has been exposed to the infected horse that develops a fever should also be isolated. If dealing with an outbreak, colour coding the horses has proven useful. Place red tape on the halters/stalls of those with clinical signs (in isolation), yellow tape for exposed horses and green tape for those not-exposed or showing signs. When mucking, feeding, jogging it is helpful to have staff dedicated to the different colours (one group works with the green horses, another with the yellow and another with the red). If you dont have staff, then manage the green horses first then yellow then red. Essentially you are going from clean horses to dirty. This will help minimize spread of the infection in the barn. Clothing, equipment and supplies  for horses in isolation, dedicated equipment (wheelbarrows, shovels, forks, lead shanks, halters) should all stay in the isolation area and NOT leave. Put red electrical tape to mark them if necessary. People mucking, feeding and treating horses in isolation should wear dedicated foot wear (or use foot baths), gloves and coveralls (old training/driving suits work) which should not leave the isolation area. Change right before going in and change before coming out of the area. Staff handling these horses should not handle other (healthy) horses or should do them at the end of the day prior to going home. They should make sure they have a clean set of clothes and footwear and washed their hands prior to handling other horses. Dont forget to clean the coveralls when the isolation period is over. Hay and grain for these horses should be located in the isolation area to minimize contact with the rest of the stable. Cleaning and disinfecting  All contaminated surfaces and equipment (stalls that infected horses have been in and any equipment they have touched e.g. trailers, bits, bridles if recently jogging) should be cleaned first with soap and water to remove debris and then disinfected. Typical disinfectants include Virkon and Prevail. Bleach is broken down by organic debris (manure, pus etc.) so is not ideal in this situation unless areas are thoroughly cleaned first. If you are using foot baths instead of a change of footwear in isolation, the baths must be changed when dirty or, at a minimum, daily. Paddocks  any paddocks used by an infected horse should be closed for 28 days to allow sunlight and dry weather to destroy the bacteria. Signage  people should know that an area contains a horse with an infectious disease and they should not enter so do not enter or similar signs should be posted. Service providers (hay and feed deliverers, veterinarians, farriers etc.) should be made aware of restricted areas.

When is it safe to allow a horse to leave isolation?

Horses should not leave isolation until they have tested negative for the bacterium. Testing should not start until around 30 days after the abscesses have healed. Healing of abscesses is not an indication that the bacterium is gone. Since the bacterium sets up shop in the guttural pouches (very rarely it hides in the sinuses), horses should either have three negative PCR tests by nasopharyngeal wash one week apart OR have a guttural pouch sample taken via endoscope (both pouches done) with a nasopharyngeal wash (to account for contamination of the sinus). The sample can be pooled and submitted as a single sample. These steps to have a negative test are necessary as 10% of horses infected with strangles can become carriers and carriers keep the infection going in the industry.

What if my horse stays positive on testing?

If your horse stays positive on testing, then the guttural pouches should be visualized via endoscopy. Any chondroliths (pebbles of pus) should be removed and the pouch treated with penicillin gel and testing repeated. Sometimes your veterinarian will also do a bacterial culture on samples from horses who repeatedly test positive as the PCR detects only DNA not live bacteria  meaning dead bacteria can also cause a positive test. This would be done after the pouches have been assessed.

Should we vaccinate for strangles?

It is recommended that horses who have been exposed to a horse with strangles should not be vaccinated as there is a risk of developing a serious immune mediated condition. If you have a horse on the same property but far away from the infected horse, you should discuss this pros and cons of vaccination with your veterinarian.

Other resources:

http://oahn.podbean.com/category/strangles/ (this is a 5 part podcast series on strangles for horse owners)

https://thehorse.com/163263/strangles-on-the-farm-what-do-you-do/

http://veterinaryextension.colostate.edu/menu2/equine/strangles.pdf

https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/horse-health-and-sickness/...

https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetStrepequi...

The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.
Zareen Khan says people still assume Salman Khan helps her find work: "I cannot be a monkey on his back"
Energy sources such as wind and solar produced a record 10% of global electricity in the first half of 2020, while coal fell 8.3%, new analysis shows. Experts say however that this shift in consumption, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, is not enough to limit climate change in the long term.

Renewables accounted for 1,129 terawatt-hours in January-June, compared with 992 in the first six months of 2019, a 14 percent increase, according to a report by the independent Ember energy think tank, based in the UK.

Electricity generated from coal -- the most polluting fossil fuel -- fell 8.3% in the first half of 2020.

"This breaks a new record, following on from a year-on-year fall of 3% in 2019, which at the time was the biggest fall since at least 1990," the report said.

"For the first time, the world's coal fleet ran at less than half of its capacity this year."

Dave Jones, senior electricity analyst at Ember said that while 30% of coal's decline this year could be attributed to increased wind and solar generation, the rest was likely due to the economic slowdown caused by Covid-19.

He also points to mild winters in many countries which meant electricity demand for heating was lower.

Ember compiled data collected from 48 countries making up 83% of global electricity production.

It showed that many major economies -- including China, the United States, India, Japan, Brazil and Turkey -- now generate at least 10% of their electricity through wind and solar.

EU generates 21% renewable energy

Britain and the European Union generated 21% and 33% of their power from renewables, respectively.

Star performer Germany rose to 42%, while on the other end of the scale; Russia generated just 0.2% of its electricity from wind and solar.

Overall, the percentage of power drawn from wind and solar has more than doubled from 4.6% in 2015 -- the year of the landmark Paris deal on climate change.

Wind and solar generated almost as much CO2-free power as nuclear power plants, which generated 10.5% of global electricity in the first half of 2020, a figure unchanged from 2019.

"From 2015 it's an incredible amount of growth (in solar and wind), but even at 10% it's not completely transformational," Dave Jones told AFP.

The key is to look at how quickly the emissions are falling, and he points out that it's not fast enough.

"Thirty percent of fossil fuel emissions globally are just from coal power plants, so coal fired power generation needs to collapse quickly in order to limit climate change," said Jones.

Ember says that government stimulus packages will need to be forthcoming to keep up the momentum in renewables, especially after the slowdown during the pandemic.

"We have the solution, it's working, it's just not happening fast enough."

Under the Paris Agreement, nations committed to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Farenheit) above pre-industrial levels, mainly through sweeping emissions cuts.

The accord also aims for a cap of at least 1.5C of global warming.

To reach this, the United Nations says emissions must fall 7.6% annually this decade.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that coal use needs to fall 13% every year this decade to keep the 1.5C objective.

China, the world's leading polluter, reduced its coal production just two percent so far this year despite its economic slowdown caused by the pandemic, but it is far from planning to give it up.
The district also decided that the nursing staff would act as ad hoc contact tracers. We keep flu logs every year, and for the upcoming school year, they told us to note everyone with confirmed cases of covid-19, what spaces they were in and whom they were with. Our supervisors would then send out the appropriate notifications. Paperwork comes with the job, and I was perfectly willing to do any work that would actually help, but this made no sense as a strategy for containing a coronavirus outbreak. Adults have a hard enough time remembering the details of the past 14 days; try interrogating a kid about all the places theyve been and people theyve seen. I didnt see how we could possibly keep records accurate enough to help prevent the spread of the virus. And in a school as large as ours, people are constantly mingling and circulating. It wouldnt be feasible to aim at targeted quarantines over a wholesale school shutdown.
(Photo : (Photo by Simon Dawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)) LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend the Mountbatten Music Festival at Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. (Photo : (Photo by Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)) WINDSOR, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 19: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Sussex depart after their wedding ceremonyat St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England.

Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is revealed to be exploited and had their pictures stolen by Russian hackers, believing to include sensitive photos from the couple's trip to Jamaica, in the podcast about the new biographical book, Finding Freedom.

Express stated that the podcast, Royally Obsessed, discussed the contents of the biographical book that included a narration of the Russian hack. Podcasters, Rachel Bowie and Roberta Fiorito, royal family experts, detailed the hack and claimed that even sensitive photos were recovered in the "Spilling the Tea on 'Finding Freedom'" episode.

Bowie narrated that the hacked photos were uploaded on Tumblr and people thought they were "photoshopped". However, she believes that those photos were real and that they genuinely belong to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Fiorito claimed that the Duke and Duchesses' "steamy" photos from their trip to Jamaica in 2017 were never revealed. The couple's journey is intended to attend a friend's wedding. This caused Prince Harry to be furious about the hack.

The podcast duo believes that those photos were on that level of sensitivity or "steaminess" to cause Prince Harry's "apoplectic" response as stated by the biographic book. The royal experts also believe that the Russians' hack invaded the couple's privacy despite being promised their privacy.

ALSO READ: Who is 'Q'? Thousands of Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit Became Breeding Ground of QAnon Communities Without Us Knowing

Duke and Duchess on Finding Freedom

Daily Mail reports that the newly published biography, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Family, written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, narrated in one part, the couple's experience in being robbed by Russian hackers that took their private photos who then posted it on Tumblr.

Russian hackers targeted the online cloud storage account set up by New York-based photographer, Alexi Lubomirski, where the photos were uploaded. Over two hundred exclusive pictures of the Duke and Duchess were stolen, including some of the Queen's.

The photos also included the couple's never before seen wedding photos that were kept from the eyes of the public. However, people believe, and even the Duke and Duchess say that these photos were fake.

"On September 12 2018, a computer programmer based in Russia managed to hack an online cloud storage account that contained over two hundred unseen photos of Harry And Meghan that had been taken by the photographer Alexi Lubomirski." written by authors' Scobie and Durand in the book.

Alexi Lubomirski is a famed photographer that incorporated a touch of royalty and glamour in his portraits. He is also known to have taken the photos of Hollywood actresses Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. He also took Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement pictures back in 2017.

The famed photographer was breached by Russian hackers and had his work uploaded in the cloud, stolen. This included the Duke and Duchess' wedding photos that the authors, Scobie and Durand, said were "mostly for the trash". The photos stolen were mostly unflattering and have the couples' eyes half-closed.

Finding Freedom's surprising details

Excited to announce that #FindingFreedom, a biography written by myself and @CarolynDurand, will be available worldwide in August.





For the first time, go beyond the headlines and discover the true story of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.pic.twitter.com/KjGD9DcXaV Excited to announce that #FindingFreedom , a biography written by myself and @CarolynDurand , will be available worldwide in August.For the first time, go beyond the headlines and discover the true story of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. https://t.co/A7B06EMaDa  Omid Scobie (@scobie) May 4, 2020

The book's release sparked controversy and talks about the royal couples' personal lives. This led people to believe certain aspects that were unconfirmed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as both royalties deny their connection to the making of the book, despite text messages and the duchess' opinions.

Insider reports ten surprising details about the hit biography, Finding Freedom. This included the initial talks about Prince William having reservations for Markle and his brother, Prince Harry's, early relationship. The book confirmed that the "first interactions" went well, and she was welcomed by Prince William openly.

ALSO READ: Minted CEO Mariam Naficy Shares Succesful Story of Turning Stationery Business into a Multi-Million Dollar E-Commerce Enterprise

This article is owned by Tech Times





Written by Isaiah Alonzo

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A fresh streak of oil spilled Friday from a bulk carrier stranded on a reef in pristine waters off Mauritius which is already reeling from the ecological disaster, as demands mounted for answers as to why the vessel had come so close to shore.

The Japanese-owned MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 and a week later began leaking over 1,000 tonnes of oil into a protected marine park boasting mangrove forests and endangered species.

Mauritius declared an unprecedented environmental emergency last week.

France and Japan have responded to the Indian Ocean island's call for help, along with thousands of ordinary Mauritians who volunteered day and night to clean sludge from the picturesque tropical coastline.

Salvage crews raced against the clock, with the boat threatening to split in two, to pump almost 3,000 tonnes of remaining fuel off the boat.

While the boat's reservoirs were successfully emptied on Wednesday, preventing further massive damage, some of the remaining 100 tonnes of oil stored elsewhere on the boat began to leak on Friday.

"Since this morning the water has again turned black around the Wakashio," said fisherman Alain Francois.

"Authorities tell us it is the waves entering the boat which is removing the fuel in the hold."

A source working on the salvage operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the oil sludge came from the machine room where it was impossible to pump the oil out.

"We can't penetrate this part of the vessel. It is too dangerous. There is a risk of asphyxiation," the source said.

However he said the fresh oil would be captured by floating barriers stuffed with straw and stitched together by Mauritians who have rallied to aid the clean-up operation.

The spill is an ecological and economic disaster for Mauritius, which relies heavily on tourism.

The government has come under fire for doing too little in the week after the ship ran aground, while experts from the Japanese Nagashiki shipping company, which owns the Wakashio, took three weeks to arrive.

Story continues

- 'Unanswered questions' -

Greenpeace wrote a scathing letter to the ship's owners, saying: "many unanswered questions remain. Why was your vessel sailing so dangerously close to the reef? Why have you done so little since the ship ran aground? What will you do to reduce the damage to the environment, and the pain and suffering of those whose livelihoods depend on it?"

The ship's owner has meanwhile pledged to "sincerely" respond to requests for compensation over damage to the marine environment.

"We are deeply conscious of our responsibility as a party directly involved in the case," said Kiyoaki Nagashiki, president of Nagashiki Shipping.

"Regarding compensation, we plan to deal with the issue sincerely based on applicable laws," the head of the Okayama-based company said in a statement.

"We will continue to do our utmost to collect the leaked oil and to minimise the impact of the environmental pollution," he added.

In an interview with AFP on Thursday Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said a probe into events surrounding the disaster was still ongoing.

"The investigation will be able to determine the causes of this accident, the reasons why the boat came so close to our shores and ran aground," Jugnauth said.

"And of course, a general mobilisation at all levels will continue cleaning up and making sure that the oil can be removed from the sea."

str-fb/rcb/ach
NetEase, Tencent and Lenovo benefit from having something that they can sell directly to the consumer  and in the second quarter it was clear there were people willing to buy at least some categories of products. Baidu and others in the ad business, meanwhile, rely on brands having the confidence to spend money, believing that sales will roll in later. Tencent highlights this split with revenue from media advertising  placed on its content platforms  slumping 25% for a fifth straight decline.
Having a quiet beer in a park is fine, but a fine for having a quiet beer is not, Premier Doug Ford says.

Ford is urging local police and bylaw enforcement officers to ease up on tickets during the COVID-19 pandemic  providing people are responsible in taking a tipple.

Theyve gotta be more flexible. Everyone needs a little breathing space, Ford told his daily news conference Friday, saying many people have been cooped up in apartments for months and are just trying to enjoy the outdoors and have some freedom while the weather is good.

Big deal. Who cares if you arent rowdy? the premier, a non-drinker, added as the province reported 92 new cases of COVID-19 and allowed gyms, recreation centres, yoga studios, arenas and similar fitness facilities to have more patrons inside, providing physical distancing of two metres is maintained.

The problem I have is, as Ive said in the past, when a whole bunch of yahoos, a thousand people, are getting out there and going wild, Ford said of drinking in parks. Thats a whole different scenario.

The ticket policies are up to municipal councils under provincial law, said Ford, who waded into the debate over the consumption of alcohol and marijuana now that the federal government has cleared the way for smoking pot in public, while drinking is technically prohibited under Ontario statutes.

Whats the difference? Theyre making it legal to go out and smoke a joint, a doobie, a reefer, whatever the heck they call it nowadays. I wouldnt want my kids walking by with a bunch of guys smoking cannabis or marijuana, but if a couple of guys are sitting there quietly on a picnic bench having a cold little beer, who cares? he added.

Thats just my personal opinion, said Ford, who has relaxed liquor laws during the pandemic to allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol for takeout to boost their revenues with dine-in service not allowed until recent weeks.

Ford also weighed in on the COVID-19 scare at the Brass Rail, a Yonge St. strip bar, and a warning from Toronto Public Health that more than 500 people may have been exposed to an unspecified employee there who tested positive.

You gotta practice social distancing. You gotta put on a mask. I know it sounds ironic talking about that, he quipped. I know it sounds crazy ... when youre talking about the Brass Rail.

Because the number of new cases of the virus across the province has been headed in the right direction, chief medical officer Dr. David Williams and health officials have agreed more people can go to fitness facilities and dance studios at the same time starting Saturday.

That will help more Ontarians get back to their routines and allow gyms to hire back more staff.

We want to help every business we can get back on their feet and recover, Ford announced. Were allowing gyms and recreation centres to increase their capacity limits ... with additional public health restrictions. Up to 50 people will be allowed per room with physical distancing limits in place.

Ontario has averaged 80 cases of COVID-19 daily since last Friday and has reported a total of 562 new infections in the same time period, in which the Ministry of Health said there were five deaths.

Of the provinces 34 health units, 18 had no new cases in the ministry report using information gathered as of 4 p.m. Thursday, while 11 had fewer than five new cases. Ottawa, Peel, Toronto, Hamilton and Windsor-Essex all reported more than five cases.

There were 41 people in hospital with the virus, down two from the previous day, with a drop of three in intensive care to 17  the lowest since the lead-up to the peak of the first wave  with just nine of those patients on ventilators.

Three nursing home residents and 33 health-care workers in long-term care have active cases, and 14 outbreaks remain in nursing homes, where 1,847 residents and eight staff have died, most of them personal support workers.

A Star compilation of data from health units at 5 p.m. Friday showed an increase of 97 confirmed and probable cases in the previous 24 hours, raising the total to 42,548 since late January. There have been 2,827 deaths.
WASHINGTON - Discontent with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is on the rise in the House, as Republicans increasingly fearful of a loss by President Donald Trump on Election Day gear up for an intraparty war over the future of the GOP.

A cluster of GOP lawmakers is starting to privately question whether the California Republican is putting loyalty to the president over the good of the conference. And there is a small group of members discussing whether someone should challenge him for minority leader if Trump is defeated Nov. 3.

The matter bubbled to the surface this week with the primary election of Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fringe House candidate in Georgia who espouses the QAnon conspiracy theory and has made numerous racist comments. Multiple Republicans implored McCarthy to help defeat her by supporting her primary opponent. But McCarthy refused, phoning the candidate in an apparent peace accord before the primary, while Trump embraced her on Twitter this week as a "future Republican Star."

However, the frustration with McCarthy had already been brewing for weeks as Trump's polling has sagged behind presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. According to interviews with more than 10 House Republicans - all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to be frank - some GOP lawmakers are worried that McCarthy has tied the conference too much to Trump, refusing to stand up to the president or act as a buffer to distinguish the conference from him.

Others are also furious that he didn't shield them from a recent Trump campaign demand that House members donate to the president's reelection effort.

"There's no doubt that McCarthy is a Trump loyalist, through and through," said Doug Heye, a former House GOP leadership staffer who has known McCarthy personally for decades. "I think the challenge for everyone in the Republican conference is, at some point there will be a post-Trump world - whether that's coming in three months or later. What direction does the party go?"

One House Republican was blunt in criticism of McCarthy, who Trump has referred to as "my Kevin": "He does nothing but lick Trump's boots. That's all he cares about - so no, it's not helpful."

The feeling, however, is far from unanimous. McCarthy, an affable politico, still maintains a loyal crop of followers, including many conservatives who once viewed him as a foe. He also has raised $82 million for Republicans this cycle, more than the previous two GOP speakers.

"He's our best candidate recruiter, our best fundraiser and our best political strategist - all rolled into one," said McCarthy ally Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "And he happens to have the best relationship, I would argue, out of anyone in Congress with the president of the United States - and that's paid off for us. That's kept us relevant and at the table while we're in the minority."

McCarthy spokesman Mark Bednar pushed back on the notion that McCarthy was in trouble: "House Republicans are united and singularly focused on working with President Trump to renew the American Dream, restore our way of life, and rebuild the greatest economy ever," he said in a statement.

McCarthy's ultimate test will come on Election Day, when not only Trump but the fates of several dozen Republican lawmakers and candidates hang in the balance. If Republicans pick up seats in conservative districts, McCarthy would be more likely to stave off a challenge.

"He becomes damaged goods [if Trump loses], but it could be offset if he is successful in helping the GOP conference win back a bunch of seats," said one senior House Republican. "But if we lose . . . the Republican conference is probably going to be looking for something different in leadership."

McCarthy, 55, has dealt with problems in the ranks before. When Freedom Caucus conservatives drove then-Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, into early retirement in 2015, the same group denied McCarthy the vote to succeed him, accusing McCarthy of being too accommodating to the left.

But McCarthy's move to wrap himself in Trump, and keep the conference in lockstep with the president, has upended that dynamic. Now Freedom Caucus members like Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, are among McCarthy's top allies, while those with complaints hail from the moderate or establishment wings.

McCarthy's embrace of Trump has baffled some who knew the moderate, small-business owner who came to Congress in 2007. But McCarthy, more so perhaps than predecessors such as former speaker Paul Ryan, is a political animal who understands alliances. When Trump won the nomination in 2016, he made a choice: He was going be with Trump, even as his other colleagues were squeamish.

"He changed and became fully committed on the Trump train," said one House Republican. "Kevin has never been a conservative guy; he's one of the most moderate guys in the House if you look at his voting record. But all of a sudden there was this metamorphosis where it was 'Everything Trump.' And look, there's high-risk, high-reward with that."

In 2016, it was McCarthy who persuaded Ryan and other House Republicans not to break with Trump over the "Access Hollywood" tape in which the then-candidate claimed that he could grab women by their private parts with impunity. And during Ryan's tenure as speaker, McCarthy would often encourage the Wisconsin Republican to keep his disputes with Trump private for the sake of unity.

As minority leader, McCarthy has implored his members to do the same, as seen last fall when Republicans rallied together against Democrats' impeachment inquiry. McCarthy was able to unite the far-right and the moderates under one set of talking points, a turn that might have been more difficult in previous years.

But still, some Republicans have questioned whether McCarthy has given Trump too much of a pass. In the summer of 2019, several Republicans implored him to stand up to Trump when the president told four Democratic congresswoman of color to "go back" to their countries of origin, though they were all Americans. McCarthy told one of those people, Rep. Paul Mitchell of Michigan, that Trump doesn't like to be criticized.

In May, despite Trump's massive war chest breaking records, McCarthy worked with the Trump campaign on a plan to get House Republicans to donate to the president's reelection. A few weeks later, news broke that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's 42 most vulnerable members had an average 5-to-1 cash advantage over their GOP opponents, while 30 Democratic challengers outraised their Republican opponents in the second quarter of 2020 - putting Democrats in a prime position to grow their majority.

Some GOP members were livid, wondering why they were called on to help fund the well-oiled Trump money machine when some of their own were in trouble.

Despite the private griping, McCarthy has much pulling in his favor. Beyond raising cash for Republicans, he has relationships that run deep and span the ideological spectrum of the House. He can rattle off the names of members' spouses and remembers where their kids went to college - personal touches that have won him support.

His critics, however, say that personal touch is both a blessing and a curse. Unlike Boehner, whose bluntness rubbed many people the wrong way, McCarthy wants to "tell everybody what they want to hear," as one member put it - and that presents its own problems.

"He's the backslapper who wants to be everybody's friend," said the House Republican. "But when you're the leader, you've got to make some hard choices, and you have to take firm positions . . . . He just does not like to do that."

There's also uncertainty about who would take his place or whether anyone would have the nerve to challenge him. Some Republicans have eyed House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, who recently took a political risk and worked to undermine Greene, realizing how much of a problem she could be for the House.

But while Scalise at one point pondered a McCarthy challenge years ago, the two seem to have made amends and worked together in the minority. Additionally, Scalise has also been loyal to Trump - so if Republicans go in another direction post-election, they could cast their eyes elsewhere.

That's one of the reasons for all the recent chatter surrounding House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who has sought to create a lane for herself where she both supports Trump on most policy matters but isn't afraid to call him out. At a time when Trump wouldn't wear a mask and seemed to make fun of those who did, Cheney tweeted that real men cover their faces. She also backed Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, when the administration turned against him.

Former congressman Carlos Curbelo - a moderate Hispanic Republican who was recruited by McCarthy but lost his seat in the midterm backlash against Trump in 2018 - said the leader has found a way to "get through this tumultuous Donald Trump phase" while also readying the party for a post-Trump future. He has tried to expand and diversify the ranks of the increasingly white and male GOP, he argued. This year, for example, Republicans have recruited a record number of GOP women to run.

"Republican leaders have been in an impossible position for the last four years" because of Trump, but that's not McCarthy's fault, Curbelo said. "To count [McCarthy] out under any scenario is a major mistake. . . . Kevin has proven to be extremely resilient throughout his career."
Trump Is Back On His Birtherism Bullshit And Kamala Harris Is His Latest Target

Donald Trump gained notoriety for falsely claiming that President Barack Obama, who was born in Hawaii, was not a U.S. citizen and was lying about his birthplace. This statement was the genesis of the birtherism movement where people suspected Obama was lying about his nationality and demanded to see his birth certificate. Many people falsely claimed that Barack Obama was a Muslim. And despite there being nothing wrong with being a Muslim, it was a bald-faced lie, a movement rooted in racism and xenophobia. Even after President Obama showed his birth certificate, many people, including Trump, erroneously suggested that the birth certificate was somehow fake and continued with this conspiracy theory.

Donald Trump is now back at it again, but this time, its with Kamala Harris, someone who was unequivocally born in California. In a news conference, Trump said that he heard that Harris doesnt meet the requirements to serve as President or Vice President. Its just another way of Trump trying to use racist rhetoric in order to tear down Black people. It should come as no surprise that this was Trumps plan of action, because its almost exactly what he did to President Obama.

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Accusing someone of being from a different country just because their parents are immigrants  Barack Obamas father was from Kenya, and Kamala Harris parents are from Jamaica and India  is 100% unacceptable and racist. To be clear, Kamala Harris is eligible to be Vice President and President of the United States. She was born in Oakland, California, making her a natural-born citizen, which meets the requirements to serve as either role. To suggest otherwise is to push a false narrative, something that Donald Trump has been doing ever since he entered the political sphere.

While Trump didnt outright say that Kamala Harris wasnt born in the United States and he didnt come to a definite conclusion in his so-called news conference, it was largely implied that he believed that she was ineligible. He said, I just heard about it, Ill take a look. This isnt a new strategy: when Trump was trying to discredit President Obama, he also used the same exact rhetoric of just asking questions and "wondering," but what it really did was spark a conspiracy theory, and thats exactly what he did once again.

There is nothing to look into because the requirements to be a Vice President or President are being a natural-born U.S. citizen, being at least 35 years old, and being a U.S. resident for at least 14 years. Kamala Harris meets these requirements, full stop. The birtherism movement during President Obamas years in office was disgusting and racist, and it looks like history is repeating itself.

Trump resorting to this kind of attack (a.k.a., something not at all based in reality) is a sign that hes nervous. Hes grasping at straws, hoping that the American people wont see through it. But we do, and well show him we do when we vote him out in November.

Header photo via Flickr Creative Commons / Gage Skidmore

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Diana Holiner is currently a student at Emerson College where she is majoring in Visual Media Arts Production. She lives in Dover, Massachusetts and enjoys hanging out with her dog and watching television.
Yet another video of Chicago's night of violence on Monday has emerged showing two men looting a Sunglass Hut.

Two men broke into the Sunglass Hut on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago between 2am and 4am on Monday, August 10.

CCTV footage shows one of the men smashing the window of the shop with a hammer before the other comes in later in the morning.

The video was taken before the whole of downtown Chicago was put into lockdown following two nights of vandalism and looting beginning on Sunday.

CCTV footage captured two looters break into a Sunglass Hut in Chicago on Monday night

A second looter is wearing a black Air Jordan T-shirt, black skinny jeans and Adidas trainers, and does not have a face mask on

In the video, the first suspect wearing a face mask smashes through a window with a hammer before walking into the Sunglass Hut carrying a bag.

The man, wearing a black nike cap and white tank top, begins raiding the shelves and putting pairs of sunglasses into his blue bag.

He begins to walk out of the shop before spotting another pair on another shelf which he takes, before leaving.

The burglar returns briefly afterwards, revealing a possible tattoo, before leaving again and the second suspect enters some time later.

He is wearing a black Air Jordan T-shirt, black skinny jeans and Adidas trainers, and does not have a face mask on.

The second man grabs three boxes from the shop's storage before running out the way he came in

The man grabs three boxes from the shop's storage before running out the way he came in.

Chicago Police said: 'Help the Chicago Police Department identify these individuals. They are suspected of committing a burglary / looting 900 N. Michigan Ave (Sunglass Hut).

'If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Area 3 Looting Task Force at 312-744-8263 or email 630LootingTaskForce@chicagopolice.org.

'You can also submit an anonymous tip at www.CPDTIP.com. If you see these individuals DO NOT APPROACH. CALL 9-1-1.'

Workers clean up broken glass at an Orvis store after violence broke out on Monday night

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown told reporters outside the Water Tower on Thursday evening that the police would arrest anyone suspected of looting.

He said: 'If you come downtown or to anyone of our retail corridors to loot, is doing to arrest you.

If someone is attempting to loot, CPD is going to arrest you. If youre going in and out of stores in an attempt to loot, CPD is going to arrest you.

'If you are carrying or transporting merchandise from a store that has been looted, you will be stopped and arrested.'

A number of stores were looted in Chicago on Sunday night after a false social media post claimed a minor was shot dead by police

More than 100 people were arrested after vandals damaged businesses in downtown Chicago on Monday which led to the entire neighborhood being placed on lockdown, even for those who live in the area.

Most of the trouble happened along the upscale Magnificent Mile section of the city, which is one of the most popular areas that tourists like to visit.

The chaos began on Sunday afternoon when police responded to Englewood where there had been complaints of a man with a gun.

The suspect has not been named but was described by police on Monday as a 20-year-old man with a criminal history that includes charges of burglary, child endangerment and assault and battery.

When officers arrived at the scene, he began running and opened fire on them as they pursued him. The cops returned fire, wounding him, and arrested him. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.

A different story spread among residents of the neighborhood who were told that the police officers had inadvertently shot a child.

Crowds gathered in protest, creating a tense stand-off that lasted several hours and was described by Deputy Police Chief Yolanda Talley as 'very hostile'.

In response to that incident, people on social media organized for a caravan of cars to descend on the city's downtown shopping district to loot.

The looting in Chicago on Sunday night put Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx (left) and Mayor Lori Lightfoot (right) at odds on Monday

Police found out about the posts and within 15 minutes, were downtown but the violence had begun.

Cars plowed through storefronts to give the crowds easy access and despite there being 400 officers dispatched to the area, the cops struggled to keep up with the crowds.

One officer was attacked with a bottle, another had his nose broken and a group of different officers were shot at by drive-by assailants while trying to arrest other looters.

On Monday morning, police were still arresting people at a Best Buy which was among the stores that had been ransacked.

Workers at Rossi's clean up after a night of unrest & looting in downtown Chicago

Some of the city's bridges were raised and tunnels were closed while police tried to regain control of the situation.

Mayor Lightfoot abhorred the violence on Monday morning, calling 'straight-up criminality' that had nothing to do with peaceful protests.

She is resisting calls for the National Guard to be brought in, and says the city's own law enforcement can handle it.

She warned those involved that police were already scanning HD security camera footage to identify and arrest all those involved, saying sternly at a press conference: 'Let's be clear. We are coming for you. We are already at work finding you.'
The new hoarding featuring photos of all 21 victims of the Birmingham pub bombings. It has been erected in the centre of the city as part of the families ongoing campaign for a public inquiry

A giant billboard has been erected in the centre of Birmingham showing pictures of victims of the 1974 IRA pub bombings as relatives of the deceased made fresh calls for a public inquiry.

On November 21 of that year people were enjoying an evening out at the busy Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs when bombs ripped through both bars, killing 21 and injuring 182.

Six innocent Irishmen were jailed for the atrocity in 1975, but had their convictions quashed 16 years later after one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.

Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine (18) died, has worked tirelessly to get justice.

Read More

The Coroner's Court has declined to release documents the families believe contain vital information, including the names of IRA suspects.

"When we first began campaigning we had no plans, no strategy, simply the desire to let right be done by those who were slain over 45 years ago," said Ms Hambleton.

"Campaigning is not for the faint-hearted. It takes its toll in every way possible, but that is par for the course because we are here, living, breathing, whereas our loved ones were not given that opportunity.

"The British Establishment create as many barriers and blockades as it can as a way to slow us down and wear us out in the hope that we will give in.

"Clearly, their own strategies have failed, because we are here to stay, as we will never, never, never give in or stop fighting for those who are not here to fight for justice themselves. We are their voice, we are their army, which is continuing to grow day after day after day."

She acknowledged the support the families have received from the people of Birmingham, along with "our incredible supporters across the UK and the world".

"This billboard that Grant Adams, CEO of (car engineers) Sertec in the city and long-time supporter so kindly donated in memory of our 21, is a further endorsement of his magnificent support for our continued plight seeking truth, justice and accountability," she added.

"It is impossible to express how deep our gratitude is to everyone. Today we must salute them for their unstinting and unconditional support."

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said what happened in the city nearly 46 years ago "must never be forgotten", and this billboard was one way of ensuring that. "We must do more than never forget, we must also achieve justice for the 21," he said.

"The Birmingham pub bombings remain the largest unsolved murder in the United Kingdom's recent history, and for the victims and their families, this is a wrong we have to try and right. Each year the sadness and anger within the city grows that justice has still not yet been served. Last year I called for a panel-led, open public inquiry into the bombings, and this remains a very active conversation with the Home Secretary.

"With a coroner's inquest unable to provide answers as to who the perpetrators were, and an active police investigation open but cold, I believe an inquiry is the only way to get the answers the victims' families and the city of Birmingham deserve.

"The bombings remain the darkest night in Birmingham's history, and despite a huge reconciliation effort, we need full closure, especially for the bereaved families and everyone affected. It is against that backdrop today's billboard is unveiled, and we vow to never forget the 21."
Former vice presidents and presidential election candidate Joe Biden on Thursday called for a nationwide mask mandate to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease.

"Every American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months at a minimum," Biden said in a Fox News report.

He added that the country should issue a nationwide mask mandate immediately, noting the estimates of saving over 40,000 lives in the next three months if it is done. The United States has over 167,000 COVID-19 deaths to date.

The former vice president said wearing a mask can also be effective in asymptomatic cases as they will not infect anyone if they cough, sneeze, or talk.

"When I get occasionally confronted with a person in public about wearing a mask, I say look, this is America, be a patriot. Protect your fellow citizens. Protect your fellow citizens. Step up. Do the right thing. Do the right thing," Biden said.

Currently, the U.S. has a total of 56,000 new cases and has reached over 5.25 million confirmed cases of COVID-19.

President Donald Trump has yet to call for a nationwide mask mandate.

Trump Says No

On Thursday, Trump has rejected the Democratic candidate's call for a nationwide mask mandate to fight the spread of coronavirus disease. He then accused Biden of politicizing the outbreak and disregarding science in fighting the disease.

Trump said it is a shameful situation for anybody to score political points while working to save lives and defeat the pandemic. However, the president favors the idea of allowing state governors to decide if they will impose a mask mandate in their respective states.

Trump added that they urged Americans to wear a mask and told them to wear it appropriately. He noted that he is "a believer in masks."

State Mask Mandate

Around 34 states have imposed a mask mandate to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease. Mississippi recently joined the list on August, requiring people to wear a face covering in public to prevent any spread of COVID-19.

Mississippi governor Tate Reeves said the number of cases is improving, but it does not mean that it is time to step back from its efforts to prevents its spread.

Reeves said they need to continue to work hard in fighting the further spread of COVID-19, saying that "if we can do the little things, it will make a huge difference."

Biden's Running Mate

Meanwhile, as November U.S. election nears, Biden has chosen Kamala Harris to be his running mate. This makes Harris the first Black and South Asian American woman to run on a major position in the U.S.

Harris' selection came after months of Biden's announcement that he was picking a woman to join his presidential run.

CNN reported that Biden was also inclined to consider Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois as his running mate.

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A woman army officer will assist Prime Minister Narendra Modi in unfurling the national flag during the 74th Independence Day function at the Red Fort, said a curtain raiser issued by the defence ministry on Friday. The flag officer Major Shweta Pandey is an EME (electronics and mechanical engineers) officer from the Indian Armys 505 base workshop.

Women officers have carried out such roles in the past and even led marching contingents during the Republic Day parade.

Major Shweta Pandey had earlier this year carried the Tricolour and led an Indian military contingent at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow in June, The event was also attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Major Pandey, a resident of Lucknow, was commissioned into service in March 2012 from officers training academy, Chennai. Her Father Mr Raj Ratan Pandey served as additional director,finance, in UP government and her mother Mrs Amita Pandey is a Sanskrit and Hindi professor.

Major Shweta is B Tech in computer science with 1st division and honours. She has won over 75 medals and 250 certificates in various National and international events such as speeches, debates, extempore,etc during her school and college days. In the academy, she won the Garhwal Rifles medal for topping in tactics.

The unfurling of the flag will synchronise with a 21-gun salute fired by gunners of the 2233 Field Battery (ceremonial), ministry said. The PM will deliver his address to the nation after unfurling the flag.

Before that defence minister Rajnath Singh and defence secretary Ajay Kumar will receive the PM at 7.18 am in front of Lahore Gate of Red Fort. The defence secretary will introduce Lieutenant General Vijay Kumar Mishra, General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, to the PM.

Mishra will then conduct him to the saluting base where a combined inter-services and police guards will present a general salute to the PM who will then inspect the Guard of Honour.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the PM will consist of one officer and 24 men each from the army, navy, air force and Delhi Police, the ministry statement said.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the PM will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Rajnath Singh and the top military brass. The GOC Delhi area will then conduct the PM to the dais on the rampart to unfurl the national flag.
Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 in New York City, on Sept. 20, 2013. (Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images)

Prosecutors: Ghislaine Maxwell Has Been Isolated for Her Safety

Prosecutors said that former Jeffrey Epstein girlfriend and associate Ghislaine Maxwell was been isolated for her safety in a federal jail in Brooklyn, New York.

Maxwell, 58, asked to be released into the general population at the Metropolitan Detention Center and has been subjected to constant surveillance.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Alex Rossmiller said on Thursday that the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is trying to protect Maxwell, according to a letter.

For reasons including safety, security, and the orderly functioning of the facility, BOP has made the determination that, at present, the defendant should not be fully integrated into the dorm-style accommodations of the general population, Rossmiller wrote. He added that the bureau will continue to evaluate Maxwells placement and wont put her in the general population unless it will not pose a threat to the orderly operation of the institution.

Last month, Maxwell pleaded not guilty to eight federal counts related to Epstein including enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sexual acts, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy, and perjury. Namely, shes accused of helping Epstein abuse girls as young as 14 in the early 1990s.

Epstein was found dead inside a Manhattan jail cell in August. Two jail guards were charged in the case for not checking in on him.

In this Sept. 2, 2000 file photo, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, driven by Britains Prince Andrew leaves the wedding of a former girlfriend of the prince, Aurelia Cecil, at the Parish Church of St Michael in Compton Chamberlayne near Salisbury, England. (Chris Ison/PA via AP, File)

Lawyers for Maxwell stipulated that its not warranted because she has never been suicidal and was never diagnosed as exhibiting risk factors for suicide.

Her cell is [still] searched multiple times a day and she has been forced to undergo numerous body scans, her attorneys said, according to the New York Post.

The move came after a federal judge on Aug. 12 declined a request by Maxwell to delay the unsealing of court documents related to her dealings with Epstein. The attorneys sought a three-week-delay, which was denied by U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska.

Given that Ms. Maxwell is not at liberty to disclose this new information because it is subject to the protective order in the criminal action  the Court has no reasonable basis to impose a stay, Preska wrote in an order. Should the protective order in the criminal action be modified to permit disclosure of the relevant information to the Court, Ms. Maxwell may renew her request for a stay of the unsealing process.

Maxwells attorneys had argued there was critical new information that should prevent the unsealing of the documents, but they did not specify what.
- Raila said he would declare whether he would contest for the top seat at the right time

- Murathe had argued it was time for Kenyans to reward the African Union infrastructure envoy with the presidency for his struggle and fight for a democratic Kenya

- The ODM leader's elder brother Oburu Odinga has in the recent past said Raila, with Uhuru's support, would effortlessly emerge the winner in the 2022 elections

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has downplayed Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe's endorsement for presidency maintaining he won't engage in the 2022 succession politics.

The former prime minister insisted he was busy building the nation with his younger "brother" President Uhuru Kenyatta.

READ ALSO: Well-wishers build 2-bedroom house for Othaya family who lived in shanty structure

ODM leader Raila Odinga speaks at an event. Photo: Raila Odinga.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Picha za dadake Millicent Omanga, Anita zinazoonesha alivyojaza

Speaking in Kisumu county on Friday, August 14, Raila said he would declare whether he would contest for the top seat at the right time.

I have stated time and again that my brother, Uhuru Kenyatta, and I wont talk about the 2022 general election until we reach that bridge. For now, he and I are focusing on building this nation and fixing where we went wrong. I am committed to addressing the current problems facing us as a nation, Odinga said in reference to Murathe's endorsement.

Jubilee vice chairman David Murathe said Raila was ripe was for the top seat. Photo: David Murathe.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Dreams come true: 19-year old Bayern defender excited to face his idol Messi in Champions League

Murathe, a close Uhuru ally who wields influence within the ruling party had asked Kenyans to prepare for "President Raila" after the next general election.

He argued it said it was time for Kenyans to reward the African Union infrastructure envoy with the presidency for his struggle and fight for a democratic Kenya.

We think its time Kenyans rewarded the years of struggle of Raila Amollo Odinga. They owe it to him. Its like Mandela, and 2022 will be a Mandela moment. And we would also like to tell him (Raila) to be a transitional president who will then nurture the young generation to take over in 2027, he said on Saturday, August 8.

Oburu Odinga (inset) says Raila now had the system in his favour. Photo: Oburu Odinga.

Source: Facebook

The ODM leader's elder brother Oburu Odinga has in the recent past said Raila, with Uhuru's support, would effortlessly emerge the winner in the 2022 elections.

"Why haven't we gone to State House despite winning, this is because there was something we were missing. It is the system. System is very important and now we are with Uhuru Kenyatta who is holding the system," he said.

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With the Bank of Canadas five-year conventional mortgage rate falling from 4.94% to 4.79%, and the downward trend shown by major banks five-year rates, the slight easing of the stress test might be pointing to better times ahead for hopeful home buyers.

James Laird, president of CanWise Financial, estimated that for buyers with annual incomes of $100,000, the BoCs rate cut would mean that they can now qualify for homes valued at $531,230, assuming a 10% down payment and a 25-year term.

Laird said that this was a marked improvement from the $523,410 level that these buyers would have qualified for in the 4.94% era.
VICTORIABritish Columbias health minister urged those thinking of attending large events where social distancing isnt possible to re-think their plans, warning bylaw officers would be out enforcing COVID-19 rules.

Adrian Dix says parties may not be immediately shut down but there would be consequences for those found flouting the rules.

(Private parties) have been a significant source of problems, he said at a news conference Thursday. I have to say this: if youre thinking of organizing a party, especially one involving alcohol, where theres so specific limits on distancing that youre putting in place, you should not do so.

He said environmental health and bylaw officers would be out checking banquet halls and other places that hold events to ensure the 50-person capacity limit is being respected.

They can expect to be visited, he said of those hosting private events. The rules will be enforced and that will have consequences in the future ... what this is is warning in advance this weekend of what can happen and our expectation, our expectation, that rules will be followed.

His comments come as B.C. reported 78 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the provinces total to 4,274.

No new deaths were reported Thursday, leaving the total at 196.

People between the ages of 20 to 29 now make up the group seeing the largest increase of infections, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.

Those infections have been seen after exposure events, such as parties where young adults have been gathering, she added.

Henry said those in that age range as well as people between the ages of 30 to 39 make up a disproportionate number of the provinces infections.

But she cautioned against criticizing the behaviour of all people in that age group.

I think we have to be a little bit careful about demonizing. Most young people are doing the right things and they are socially responsible, and they care a tremendous amount about their communities and their families. she said.

Henry also revealed some of the responses to the COVID-19 Population Healthy Survey, laying out the toll the pandemic has had on people of different ethnic and racial backgrounds.

About 390,000 British Columbians completed the survey, which asked questions about the financial and societal impact the pandemic had taken on them.

Those who identified as West Asian, Latin American and South Asian respondents were the most likely to report difficulties in meeting financial needs. West Asian, Latin American and Black respondents were the most likely to report job losses caused by the pandemic.

Caucasian respondents reported fewer financial difficulties, but increased alcohol consumption.

Those with lower incomes also reported issues with food security as well as trouble meeting their financial needs.

Read more about:
Only a few hours drive from the Greater Toronto Area, cottage country provides well over 100 waterfalls to explore. Here are two worth exploring, a short car ride away from one another:

Cordova Falls

This is an interesting place to explore and a perfect spot for a picnic. There are at least three little waterfalls along this stretch of the Cordova River, which drops a total of 28 metres. The largest is found immediately below a dam at the southern outlet of Cordova Lake. Here, the Crowe River tumbles down a narrow rocky channel perhaps 100 metres long. The river drops about 10 metres, falling not as one main cascade, but rather in at least five distinct smaller drops, separated by short pools. By walking along a poorly marked trail leading south from the dam, you can get to the lower reaches of the falls.

Middle Cordova Falls is perhaps the most photogenic of the three waterfalls, forming a pretty five-metre-high cascade set among cedars and hemlocks. It is partially hidden behind the Cordova Lake Hydroelectric Generating Station, and is difficult to view up close without a little adventuring. A portion of the rivers discharge that would have flowed over these falls is diverted at the upper falls and delivered 200 metres to the hydroelectric plant by a long, wooden penstock. Opened in 1992, the station generates a peak output of 780 kW, which is enough to power about 50 homes.

The lower falls are the smallest, but are located beside a beautiful rock-floored clearing in the woods. Youll find them hidden at the end of a short driveway on the right side of the road a few minutes drive further south.

Healey Falls

The Trent River drains much of central Ontario, including much of the Kawartha Lakes. As a result, the flow over Healey Falls can be significant, but can also dry up during the summer. Some of the rivers flow is diverted for the power generating station located on-site, but the rest is allowed to fall over a 150-metre-wide series of limestone steps. Each of the hundreds of small steps is a different thickness, varying from thin to massive bedding.

Look for potholes in the bedrock, but also watch out for slippery sections covered in algae. According to Environment Canada, the average stream discharge at Healey Falls is about 50 cubic metres per second, but has varied from as much as 286 cubic metres per second to as little as 0.6 cubic metres per second.

In addition to the falls, Locks 15, 16 and 17 of the Trent-Severn canal are located about a five minute walk to the west. A concrete trail leads up over the long dam structure. The trail becomes a long concrete berm that supports the approach channel to the locks. Use caution here! While the water is only about one metre below the edge of the walkway, there are no railings; if you fell in, youd find it very difficult to climb up the featureless, near-vertical concrete face of the berm. But dont stray too far toward the other side of the berm, either, since the ground is covered in poison ivy!

The walk to the locks also takes you past the Healey Falls Generating Station. The station went into service in 1913 and contains three giant feeder pipes, each 3.6 metres in diameter.

Note from the author: Many waterfall sites in Ontario have been closed to the public this summer due to visitor negligence. Several emergency and high-risk rescues have occurred. Please note that waterfalls can be great, safe places to visit as long as we do so with care and respect.
Earlier this week, New Mexico became the first state in the country to apply for a federal program that would provide unemployed residents with an extra $300 per month.

State leaders said the program, set up by President Donald Trump through executive action last weekend, falls short of what a more comprehensive federal aid package would provide, but said they intend to take advantage of every opportunity to support residents during a period of record-high unemployment.

The state will reach for any tool necessary that can help New Mexicans, state Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley told the Journal.  And were going to pursue that in the most proactive and energetic way possible.

Last weekend, Trump issued a series of memorandums targeting a variety of impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, after discussions in Congress stalled. One such action would provide an additional $300 in federal funding, with states providing an additional match.

The executive order replaces a separate federal program that provided $600 per week to eligible unemployment recipients, which expired in July.

McCamley said the state workforce department submitted its application to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration on Wednesday.

While McCamley said the state is still reviewing federal guidance it received, unemployment recipients can expect to see an additional $300 per week in unemployment assistance, though likely not for several more weeks.

While initial reporting suggested that states were expected to match the federal funds at 25%, the federal government has since issued new guidance. McCamley said the state is following guidelines stating that existing state unemployment payments can act as that local match.

We expect almost every other state to pursue this strategy, he said.

Congressional Republicans and Democrats remain far apart on a more comprehensive coronavirus aid package, with the U.S. Senate now adjourned until September.

In her weekly press conference on Thursday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed frustration the two sides werent able to come together on a broad federal aid package.

Im deeply disappointed in Congress and in the White House for failing to come up with a deal, Lujan Grisham said.

McCamley added that a more comprehensive federal package would help New Mexico and other states reopen safely without causing a spike in COVID-19 cases, eventually giving the economy a boost.

Our preference is for a much broader package that addresses all of those needs, McCamley said.

For now, unemployed New Mexicans dont need to do anything differently to receive funding. McCamley said the state is required to build a different system to process claims, and the disruption may result in changes for claimants. However, McCamley emphasized that the state agency is still learning about new rules for the program, and likely wont have the system finalized for several weeks.

Were building another system from scratch, with new rules, with new reporting requirements, with a new federal agency to work with, McCamley said.
LONDON/CALAIS, France: Britons rushed home from summer holidays in France on Friday after their government said it would soon impose a 14-day quarantine on travellers from across the Channel due to rising coronavirus infections there.

Britain's government announced late on Thursday that it would impose a quarantine from 0300 GMT on Saturday on arrivals from France, giving an estimated 160,000 UK holidaymakers there just over 24 hours to get home to avoid having to self-isolate once back.

The sudden rule change dealt a fresh blow to tourists, airlines and tour operators all hoping for holidays after the pandemic, which has left many travel groups cash-strapped and facing an uncertain future.

Many British tourists headed towards the French port of Calais hoping to catch a ferry or a shuttle train home in time.

"We've changed our plans when we heard the news last night. We decided to head back home a day early to miss the quarantine," one British woman at a service station on the motorway to Calais said after her week in southern France.

In Calais, queues of cars were expected to build on Friday afternoon. Ferry companies were adding extra crossings to help more people get home before the deadline, Jean-Marc Puissesseau, head of the Port of Calais, told Reuters.

The new quarantine rules apply to France, the second-most popular holiday destination for Britons, the Netherlands and the Mediterranean island of Malta, transport minister Grant Shapps said.

Spain, the favourite holiday destination for Britons, came under British government quarantine rules on July 26.

France warned it would reciprocate, causing further headaches for airlines which might have to cancel yet more flights, meaning fresh financial pain and denying them the August recovery for which they'd hoped.

Airline and travel shares tumbled. British Airways-owner IAG was down 6% and easyJet , which said it would operate its full schedule for the coming days, fell 7%.

TIGHTENING QUARANTINE

When Europe first went into lockdown in March, Britain was criticised for not restricting arrivals from abroad. But since June, it has introduced strict quarantine rules for arrivals from countries with infection rates above a certain level.

The tightening quarantine for foreign travel, however, contrasts with the easing of rules at home, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered the gradual reopening of the economy to resume, weeks after pausing it.

Shapps denied that the policies were contradictory, saying that the aim was to keep the reproduction rate of infection below one.

"Being able to open up some of those things but having to close down travel corridors elsewhere is all part of the same thing," he told BBC Radio.

Shapps said he sympathised with travellers but that they should not be entirely surprised, given the fluid situation around the pandemic.

"Where we see countries breach a certain level of cases ... then we have no real choice but to act," he told Sky News.

He ruled out any special assistance for holidaymakers, saying they knew the risks before travelling, with a possible quarantine to France having been rumoured for weeks.

Airlines UK, an industry body representing BA, easyJet and Ryanair , called on Britain to implement more targeted quarantines on the regions with the highest infection rates and to bring in a testing regime.

An EU study showed that imported cases of COVID typically only account for a small share of infections when a pandemic is at its peak, but are more significant once a country has the disease under control.

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| 2020-08-14 07:54:27|Editor: huaxia

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A screenshot of U.S. President Donald Trump's Twitter account shows he tweeted on Aug. 13, 2020 "Historic Peace agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!" together with the joint statement of the United States, Israel and the UAE. (Xinhua)

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to the full normalization of relations, according to a joint statement of the United States, Israel, and the UAE on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump presented the joint statement on Twitter, which said "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders."

The Tel Aviv Municipality Hall is illuminated with the colors of the national flag of the United Arab Emirates in the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Aug. 13, 2020. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

The statement said, "Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world."

Delegations from Israel and the UAE would meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding various areas, said the statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend a joint press conference in the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Jan. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Trump later told reporters at the White House that Israel and the UAE would have an "official" signing ceremony at the White House in the next few weeks.

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.



U.S. President Donald Trump (L) welcomes Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, said that the announcement "immediately stops annexation and the potential of violent escalation. It maintains the viability of a two-state solution as endorsed by the Arab League and international community."

A controversial Middle East peace plan unveiled by the Trump administration in January allowed Israel's annexation of areas of the West Bank, which led to strong opposition worldwide. 
Suzan Romeo, sister of Abdel Massih Romeo, who was kidnapped March 1, appealed to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Aug. 8, to reveal her brothers fate.

Romeo, a Christian, tweeted, I want back my brother Abdel Massih. My brother is in a secret prison. According to his fellow activists, the riot police arrested Romeo and transferred him to a prison at al-Muthanna airport in Baghdad.

On July 30, Kadhimi made a surprise visit to al-Muthanna prison, which is located in a large camp housing Iraqi forces in northern Baghdad.

No prime minister was expected to visit the prisons, especially al-Muthanna, which imprisons protesters who have been taking to the streets since October 2019.

But Kadhimi is showing Iraqis a different look in trying to be responsive to calls for reform by protesters.

Kadhimi spoke to dozens of prisoners, asking them whether or not they are there because they exercised their freedom of expression, requesting the opening of prison records and looking for those detained for freedom of opinion and expression.

Anas al-Azzawi, member of the Office of the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor, "Kadhimis visit is part of his government program to promote human rights and affirm his commitment to fulfill the promises he made to demonstrators and reveal the fate of the disappeared protesters. Hence, this flash visit consists of a confirmation of moral and legal commitment.

He said, The commissioners field monitoring reports indicate that many detainees among the protesters were not registered in the official records  especially in Baghdad.

Azzawi added, We are waiting for other surprise visits to be made by Kadhimi to prisons that do not fall under the security services control. That would engender more confidence in the promises he made and his willingness to reveal the fate of those disappeared and kidnapped  not only those among the protesters.

Kadhimis visit came amid human rights organizations and civilians demands that the fate of those who went missing and are thought to be detained in secret prisons be revealed. These organizations believe that the visit is a mere media stunt that leads nowhere.

In the same vein, Kadhimis move was not welcomed by parliamentarians. Mohammed al-Karbouli, member of parliament for Anbar, criticized Kadhimis visit and said it was just for show. He called on him to reveal the fate of the years-long detainees and the disappeared.

Jurists in Iraq have focused on the secret prisons dossier, although raising it is dangerous. They believe that a number of missing demonstrators are present there. Activists in the Iraqi protests told Al-Monitor that at least 11 protesters have disappeared and are believed to be in al-Muthanna prison or in secret prisons.

None of the Iraqi governments since 2003 has acknowledged the existence of secret prisons, whether governamental, run-by pro-government groups or operated outside its framework.

On Aug. 4, parliamentarian Laith al-Dulaimi gave a testimony on his detention in a secret prison in 2012, when he served as member of the Baghdad Provincial Council.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Donatella Rovera, senior crisis response adviser at Amnesty International, said, Such brief visits that the officials make do not substitute for the needed type of investigation that shall determine the fate and whereabouts of thousands of people who disappeared after getting arrested by the Iraqi security forces and armed militias in the past years.

She added, The disappearances are not limited to the protests but also include the previous years. Thus, the right investigation [to identify] the disappeared detainees need to be conducted in any possible detention place  including the secret detention centers that are under the armed militias control or the so-called Popular Mobilization Units in the various parts of Iraq.

Belkis Wille, senior researcher with the conflict and crisis division at Human Rights Watch, told Al-Monitor, Al-Muthanna prison is a notorious prison complex where many armed groups have their different prisons. Most of the people I know and who have relatives who have disappeared are suspected to be in al-Muthanna. Thus, it makes sense that he [Kadhimi] goes there.

The Iraqi prisons dossier has been unresolvable by the succeeding governments, particularly in regard to the unlisted prisoners in official records and those who have not been brought before a judge although months and even years have passed ever since they were arrested. Today, the coronavirus pandemic has added another problem, portending serious consequences.

Human rights reports indicate that there are more than 60,000 prisoners in Iraq, including 1,000 women, in 13 large detention facilities. The information Al-Monitor obtained shows that Iraqs prisons are seemingly overcrowded, accommodating three times their capacity, which drives diseases and the spread of the coronavirus.

Kadhimi, who was a human rights activist before serving as director of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in 2016 and as prime minister, is facing the major challenge of the secret prisons dossier he inherited from previous governments.

Kadhimis visit to al-Muthanna prison in Baghdad is a bold step. Many protesters are seeking an investigation, and accountability, for those missing and presumed kidnapped or detained protesters, whose fate remains known. Yet social media users circulated information on their presence in al-Muthanna prison in Baghdad.

Improving prison conditions is no easy task. On the one hand, there is a health crisis due to the coronavirus outbreak and prison conidtions are poor. There are detainees who are not listed in official records andpolitical opponents of Kadhimi who would prefer he stay away from this file.
Last year ended on a historic note for tourism in Ghana. The sector, which is the fourth highest foreign exchange earner for the country after Cocoa, Gold as well as Oil and Gas raked in $1.9billion through programmes associated with the Year of Return.



The initiative, which increased arrivals in the country by more than 200,000, is to welcome all people of African descent and more to the West African Country, after 400 years of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown, Virginia.



Central Region, a tourism destination of choice, is the heartbeat of Ghanas tourism which hosts major landmarks of the slave trade including the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, many Forts such as Fort San Diego at Elmina, the Assin Manso Slave Market, as well as the Kakum National Park among others.



However, the unprecedented global travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders since the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in March this year, have virtually ceased tourism activities in most part of the world, piercing the heartbeat of Ghanas tourism, hard.



Impact on tourists and attraction sites



The Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT), managers of the Kakum National Park in an interview with the GNA, disclosed that the facility has within the space of four months lost in excess of GH400,000.00 in revenue due to the COVID-19 outbreak which culminated in its closure.



According to Mr. Michael Amonoo, the Marketing Officer for the GHCT, the situation has affected the organisation's liquidity and rising cost of maintenance over the period.



Mr Amonoo said the COVID-19 situation compelled the GHCT to cancel all of its scheduled visits largely by foreigners which was the main source of revenue for the facility.



Except the labourers and security guards manning the forest reserve and the facility, all other employees are at home," he said.



This situation is virtually the same at the Cape Coast and Elmina castles as the two facilities have been closed since March.



Bearing on Hotels



End of 2019 was very favorable after the Year of Return. We were looking forward to the Beyond the Return initiative but 2020 has given us an unforgettable experience, says Mr Ben Kweku Idun, Chairman of the Ghana Hotels Association, Central Region.



Mr Idun who is Managing Director of Elmina Bay Resort expressed regret about how this years Easter Festivities which usually is their cocoa season compared to Christmas, was celebrated indoors due to the pandemic, making the sector to record huge loses.



We first became aware of the COVID-19 and started feeling the impact in March. It came to us as a complete shock. January and February was okay, we were seeing visitors then suddenly, we started hearing cancellations from Europe, America and other parts of the World that are our largest clients, says Mr Idun.



Eventually, he said, the hotels had to stop operations by March ending as the COVID-19 cases rose and it became very challenging paying utilities and salaries.



Realistically, 2020 does not seem to be the year we anticipated to be slow, having had a successful year of return in 2019. Now there are no visitors to visit our hotels, borders are closed, yet taxes and levies are high, he lamented.



The state of the hotel sector as narrated by Mr Benjamin Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nokans Hotel in Cape Coast was not different as he shared similar predicament which had compelled him to lay off almost half of his staff.



He said the few staff members left at the hotel have been trained to ensure strict compliance to all safety protocols to stem the COVID-19 pandemic as they adjust with the new way of life.



Mr Samuel Obiri Aduama, General Manager of Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast, says the hotel ceased operation in March and reopened just recently.



He also complains of business being slow since re-opening in July, as on the average, the hotel could only do ten percent of rooms available instead of about 40 to 50 percent.



He agrees that more education was needed to get people to understand that the hotel rooms were safe.



Tour Operating Companies not spared



For Mr Micheal Orleans, Executive Director of Torchlight Tours, a Tour Operating Company based in Cape Coast, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a grave impact on his business.



He says the company had to stop operating because there was virtually no business to be done when borders were closed and tourists were not coming into the Country.



Mr Orleans added that the services of tour guides may not be too much needed in the domestic tourism. So until the borders are open, we remain close because of our focus and nature of business.



It has been very difficult depending on ones little savings. We cannot pay our workers. Our office has closed since March and we still remain closed, he said.



Mr Orleans and many others in the tour operating industry were struggling to foot utility bills as well as to pay the full salaries for his five full-time and over 22 part-time staff.



You can talk about domestic tourism but domestic tourism stricture is very small and often driven by family events.



CEDECOM and GTA Support



In July, the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM) realised the huge losses in the hospitality industry and made efforts to assist hotels in the Region to disinfect their facilities to re-open their businesses.



Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures government has put in place, tourism and the hospitality industry has been the most affected, Mrs Dorcas Lomotey, Senior Project Officer of CEDECOM, explained.



According to her, though the hotels have been asked to re-open, they were not in the position to pay for the cost of disinfection exercise which was crucial for their re-opening.



So CEDECOM thought it wise to offer some help to hotels, tourists attraction sites, pubs and restaurants since they have not been in business for a while.



The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) also organised sensitisation workshops and exhibition on COVID-19 guidelines and protocols for tourism and hospitality industry players.



The move was to get them abreast of the industry-specific COVID-19 preventive protocols in preparation for the re-opening of businesses after the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions by the Government.



These initiatives, Mr Idun reckons were very useful in getting them back to business as they did not have a collective guidelines for their operations but insisted business had been slow since their resumption.



Mr Kwame Gyasi, Regional Manager of the GTA, said the revenue of the Authority had been greatly affected as the hotels and other industry players were unable to pay their taxes and levies.



These are really hard times for the tourism industry. I can tell you on authority that some of the hotels have not been able to renew their licenses, he lamented.



What to do



To stay in business, Mr Idun advised his colleagues in the industry to take the opportunity to clean their facilities and make them look very attractive.



What we as hotels and tourism industry players need is a package to help maintain our facilities. We need to make our attraction sites more attractive because tourists need something more than what we have at the moment, he said.



Mr Idun also wants government to do something about the poor road networks across the country.



People will definitely want to find somewhere to go after COVID-19 because they have stayed at home for long. We have to right our wrongs in this period. We have to make sure we maintain our facilities to attract more clients.



Mr Orleans on the other hand, wants government to open the borders especially the airport as other countries have done.



He says government needs to find a way to conduct rapid test at the airport to validate ones status as the fourteen days quarantine period would not be favorable to foreign tourists who sometimes spend few days.



Often when people arrive in the country, they will be quarantined for two weeks. This is very difficult for the tourism industry because most of these tourists have days to spend on holidays. If it continue like this, they will not be encouraged to come, he lamented.



Mr Orleans looks forward to receiving his stimulus package and moving to office as with anticipation that things would become normal in the shortest possible time.



But until then, he would have to continue to remain out of business so far as COVID-19 is around.



Mr Idun for his part, believes Ghanas development hinges on tourism. He says tourism was the most effective way to grow emerging economies and bring them to the path of development.



Therefore, he wants the Government to be very serious and invest in the tourism industry for the country to reap its maximum benefits.



The World Tourism Organisation and other experts



The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in its assessment of the likely impact of the COVID-19 on international tourism, says the sector would see 20 to 30 per cent drop in international tourist arrivals this year 2020.



According to the United Nations Specialized Agency for Tourism, the fall could translate into a decline in international tourism receipts (exports) of between US$300-450 billion, almost one third of the US$ 1.5 trillion generated in 2019.



Some industry players including Professor Ishmael Mensah, an Associate Professor at the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has predicted that Ghanas sector would take between two to three years to fully recover from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Tourism Ministrys hope



Despite the gloomy state of affairs, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs Barbara Oteng Gyasi is optimistic saying; there is hope for the future.



According to her, the Ministry is re-strategising to ensure the sector bounces back with full force when more of the restrictions are eased.



The Ministry has in the interim launched a nine-million Cedis Ghana Development Project Grant Scheme to cushion over 1000 industry players in the Tourism sector.

Source: GNA









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Google has rolled out 50 new features to help schools go virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Google Classroom, combined with Google Meet has become a popular choice for schools for across the world to continue teaching kids amidst a raging pandemic. With institutes likely to remain closed for the rest of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Google has added to some new features to the apps.

The list of features go up to 50 for both Google Meet, Google Classroom, GSuite and other products, all aimed at offering a virtual approach to teaching students. Some of these features include 

1. 10 new languages - Google Classroom will be available in 10 additional Indic languages, and 54 languages globally.

2. To Do Widget - This is a new feature for Google Classroom where students will see a To-Do widget allowing them to add things they wish to complete, while the teacher will see a to-review widget, for them to track progress.

3. Plagiarism check: Google has also introduced originality reports for Classroom and Meet, to help teachers check for plagiarism in assignments. Enterprise users can have an unlimited number of originality reports while the regular subscribers will get five.

4. Mobile data connectivity: An important new announcement is Google Classrooms ability to work with patchy mobile data, to help students living in poor connectivity areas to also join in.

5. Student Interaction Data: Google will also let teachers track how responsive and interactive students have been in their classes. Google will offer engagement metrics for students to help gauge attentiveness.

Google Meet becomes stricter for students

With some students misusing the video conferencing tools to play pranks on the teacher during online classes, Google has introduced some specific features to make things stricter. That includes 

1. A setting that allows the teacher to first join the meeting.

2. Ending the meeting for all participants after the class is over.

3. Accepting or rejecting join requests in bulk.

4. Disabling chat during meetings.

5. Restrictions on who can present during a meeting.

6. Prohibiting participants to join a meeting if they have been removed from the meeting or if entry was denied twice.

In September, Google Meet will add a few more features to make classes more interactive. Things like larger tiled windows with a 7x7 grid to fit up to 49 students in one frame. A collaborative whiteboard for student, background blur, attendance recording, hand-raising, and breakout rooms are expected to arrive by October.

With the new features in place, Google Classroom will certainly begin to feel more like a proper classroom, with the necessary restrictions and controls in place to prevent disruption. Google has also released a bunch of apps to help with smartphone addiction. You can check them all out here.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Letter to the Readers - Mainstreams Lockdown Edition 21, Aug 15 (...)

As we celebrate today our 74th Independence day our first thoughts go back to our valiant freedom fighters  but for whose superhuman sacrifices we would not have been able to enjoy the fruits of freedom. Eight months ago, in December 2019, it was written in these columns:

  there is no gainsaying that with his second victory at the hustings Modi with his Sancho Panza is in a highly defiant mood and has carried on his task of a total overhaul of the country. The de-monetisation of November 2016 played havoc with the economy the consequences of which one is still being forced to bear. After the May 2019 electoral victory the Modi-Shah duo first sought to break the backbone of the people of Kashmir by withdrawing the special status of the region for which purpose the constitutions articles 370 and 35A were revoked  the whole idea being a direct assault on the people of that Muslimmajority area of the thereby exposing the naked face of the present BJP governments anti-Muslim approach. This was accompanied by turning the territory into a zone of Indian occupation, completely reversing this countrys ethos thereby earning the worlds opprobrium with all major political leaders in detention and the people of the region gagged into silence. At the same time, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was transformed into two union territories  those of Jammu and Kashmir and of Ladakh. This kind of arbitrary action was a direct assault on democratic functioning. To take shelter behind the brute majority in Parliament to justify such a step will not wash in the long run since the Modi dispensation autocratic behaviour cannot be concealed before the public at large.

then on the eve of the International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Lok Sabha was made to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019, one of the most arbitrary and discriminatory legislations in the annals of post-independence India. . This legislation alters the basic terms of Indian citizenship and is violative of the core structure and spirit of the countrys Constitution as it effectively excludes and marginalizes the countrys largest religious minority, the Muslim community. This a blatant majoritarian attack on the Muslims in particular, something rarely seen in the countrys post-independence history. The Union Home Minister has lately betrayed his abysmal ignorance of history by seeking to shift the entire blame for this on the Congress, by charging the latter for having partitioned the country on a religious basis. As has been mentioned in a publication this is a brazen and mischievous lie having no connection with our actual history which clearly records none other than Savarkar of the Hindu Mahasabha, worshipped by the BJP as its ideological political pioneer, as the original exponent of the flawed and disastrous two-nation theory that eventually led to the traumatic tragedy of Partition.

Independence, like democracy and peace, is indivisible. If freedom in any part of the world is imperilled, it cannot be secure elsewhere. Hence, what is imperative is that the situation must be brought under control forthwith by revoking all strong-arm measures and resuming the political dialogue.

Indeed, a grim scenario stares us in the face on our 74th independence day.

India today has whittled away many of its prized freedoms and gains of the long freedom movement which fought hard for civil and democratic rights. We were a rare country in the Third World that provided for basic political rights, trade union rights, academic freedom, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and guiding ideals of equality, secularism besides providing universal adult franchise to all. Of course, there was no golden age of freedom, there was corruption, abuse of power, and the system had all sorts of shortcomings. However, since its landslide electoral victory of 2014 (repeated again in 2019) the Modi Government, laden with Hindutva ideals, has jettisoned many of the past achievements. Hindu nationalists, who took no part in Indias freedom movement and whose communal ideology mirrors that of the Muslim League, now peddle their parochial Hindutva movement as the freedom movement, and they are masters at propaganda. Since the independence they have attacked our Constitution which guarantees equality before the law for all citizens, preferring a majoritarian and discriminatory vision. Their authoritarian ideas have filled the air in our country. Sure, there are no tanks on the streets, there is no declaration of emergency, but they have erected the love for a strongman whose government has managed abuse of powers. Laws to finance election campaigns were modified surreptitiously making the ruling party incredibly rich as the main beneficiary of over 90 per cent of the funds. India had a constitutional body, the Union Public Services Commission, which was responsible for the recruitment of a non-partisan bureaucracy via competitive exams, but the Government has created a parallel system to bypass the UPSC by introducing a direct lateral-entry system of people from the corporate sectors so-called talented individuals. This has led to the slow capture of state institutions. In 2018, the government issued a directive to public universities to implement Central Civil Services Rules for their employees, i.e treating them like civil servants who cannot criticise the government; the bureaucrats in the Ministry of Education briefed university administrators to disallow "research in irrelevant areas" and stick to national priorities.

India is now ranked 142 on the World Press Freedom Index. We have seen pressure to get media houses to push out editors unfriendly to the Government, agencies like the CBI or the ED have gone after certain TV networks on grounds of money laundering. Many journalists have lost jobs or faced repeated intimidation via the use of defamation laws or criminal complaints. But most disturbing is the use of private militia or mobs of supporters close to the ruling party to threaten & intimidate journalists, writers, teachers or private citizens in a targeted manner. Often the police has not taken any action against such mobs. In the latest incident of its kind on August 11, three reporters investigating stories on the anti-Muslim violence in northeast Delhi were surrounded by a mob and physically assaulted.

The Modi Government in its second term has been unrelenting in finger-pointing at the so-called anti-national enemy, arm twisting liberal elites and critics within the country, and sidelining religious or ethnic minorities. In Kashmir, many mainstream politicians have been detained over the past year. The recently released political figures in Kashmir point out that all have had to face constant pressure to either quit politics or that they would not speak out against the government when released. We mentioned in an editorial the recent media policy in Kashmir which has censorship with a Capital C written all over it. Writers and intellectuals have been constantly made scapegoats of the establishment. Universities that were once bastions of debate have lost much of that space. Several Delhi University teachers have been summoned or interrogated by the police and are being bullied by the rightwing media as being behind the Delhi riots of Feb 2020 or connected with the Bhima Koregaon Case in Maharashtra or cases in Chhattisgarh. According to The Indian Express, the Assam Police has filed a case against a teacher of Assam University Anindya Sen on August 8 following a complaint regarding hurt religious sentiments from a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad  the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Two stand up comedians have faced flak recently: one is Kenny Sebastian who critiqued the government ban on Chinese Apps; he has become the target of the Hindutva trolls on the internet; Agrima Joshua, another comedian, is facing the music on charges of insulting Shivaji. Targeting of environmental groups happened recently when the Delhi Police blocked the websites of several environmental groups who wanted a debate about the heavy dilution of environmental impact assessment rules that can be potentially devastating since we are a country that has failed us ever since the Bhopal industrial tragedy. We are continually witnessing a rise in loss of urban water bodies, wetlands and the water table is declining, but the Government continues to be on a stubborn course to ignore the environmental question while promoting urbanisation as a panacea. This is a road to disaster. Thousands of hectares of protected forest-lands have been handed over to Industry or for national infrastructure projects. It is clear the ruling elites care two hoots for our environment. The environmental question is clearly linked to our collective health and must become an integral part of broader concerns of all social and political movements.

We express alarm at the violence in Bengaluru city on August 11, triggered apparently due to a Facebook post regarding Prophet Mohammed. Mob violence is not acceptable and this is no way to protest, no matter what the provocation. Everyone who participated in the Bangalore riots must face the law. This incident must not be communalised.

We are pleased to note that Kamala Harris, a United States Senator from California since 2017, has just been nominated as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate for the 2020 election. It is truly commendable that despite racism in the American society a child born of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father can rise to heights in mainstream politics. In India, there is routine discrimination by ordinary Indians against African students living in India and against migrants from Kashmir or the North East, and low representation of minorities and even naturalised Indian citizens are mistreated and name called by major politicians, not just by the communalists of the Far-Right.

There has been a dangerous oil spill in the coastal waters of Mauritius, the Japanese-owned freighter but Panamanian-flagged Wakashio ran aground July 25, 2020 and on August 6, it cracked up and spilt close to 1000 tons of heavy bunker fuel into the waters of the Indian Ocean. India which has long had close ties with Mauritius should have immediately offered help to contain the pollution.

The Stolen Election in Belarus:

We have just witnessed a massively rigged election in the former Soviet republic of Belarus, where the hugely unpopular President in power for the past 26 years was hurriedly declared a winner on August 9 with some 80% votes. The opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who had dared to stand against Lukashenko, had a mass social support; she rejected the election results and complained to the election commission. Thousands come out to protest against the staged electoral victory of Lukashenko. Police and paramilitary forces have been used to quell the protests. The internet has been blocked for the past days in a row and some 6000 people were detained. Now strikes have broken out in public sector factories opposing the detentions. On August 9 Tikhanovskaya went incommunicado and was forced by the authorities to leave for Lithuania. Under duress, she was made to record an apology on video before leaving. We stand with the people of Belarus and hope they will see the end of the Lukashenko dictatorship. People of Belarus need solidarity from all democrats.

By the way, according to The Guardian (in London), the opposition leader Tikhanovskaya was one of the Chernobyl children, affected by the radioactive fallout of the 1986 nuclear disaster in neighbouring Ukraine and whom Irish families hosted for respite and recuperation when she was 12 years old. This is a wonderful story of solidarity by concerned Europeans who helped in their own way. Such bonds are long-lasting and help build a humanist world.

Tributes

We pay homage to Ilina Sen  who passed away in Kolkata on August 9. We offer our condolences to her husband, Dr Binayak Sen, to her two daughters and to her friends across India. Ilina had a lifelong association with the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties and many feminist circles, public health movements and trade unions. She was also a former President of the Indian Association of Womens Studies. Adieu Ilina, we will miss you.

We remember Agha Ashraf Ali, the jovial and well-known educationist from Kashmir who passed away in Srinagar. Salaams to Agha Saheb.

Rahat Indori, the noted Urdu poet and lyricist, passed away in Indore on August 11. He will be widely remembered.

We also offer our tributes to Dr. Chinmoy Banerjee who passed away in Canada on July 29, 2020. Chin, as he was known, was a former teacher at the Simon Fraser University. He had been part of many organisations of the South Asian Diaspora from Indian Peoples Association of North America (IPANA) in the mid-1970s to the Canadian Farmworkers Union in 1980 among others. He will be fondly remembered.

August 15, The Editor
Thousands of mourners are expected to pay their respects to slain soldier Vanessa Guillen Friday during a public memorial and viewing at Cesar Chavez High School where she attended in her native town of Houston.

The viewing begins at noon in the auditorium at the school at 8501 Howard Drive. Prayers and testimonials are expected to be offered through the viewing. A private rosary is planned at about 5 p.m. and will involve the participation of more than 30 children, organized by the soldiers aunt Alma Garcia.

Guillens remains will be in a custom-made casket that was donated and has elements meaningful to the Mexican-American soldier and her family, including images of the flags of the United States and Mexico and the Virgin of Guadalupe.

This is a very painful and difficult moment for the family, said Cesar Espinosa, the director of the nonprofit FIEL Houston who is coordinating efforts between the family and local authorities.

Espinosa added that the memorial is also significant for Houston because Vanessa was a member of our community (who) didnt deserve to die in this way, and we as a community will continue to support and fight with the family so they can get the closure and justice they deserve.

Organizers expect at least 5,000 people to attend the viewing. They ask the public to observe proper social distancing while following the line to enter and exit the facility. When inside, guests must wear a mask and will not be allowed to stay.

Services continue on Saturday with a private religious ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Holy Name Catholic Church north of downtown. Organizers said that elected officials will give speeches at the service.

Guillen will be buried at 7 p.m. at the Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in the East End area, which will also be a private event.

Guillen was killed April 22 inside an armory room at Fort Hood, where both she and her accused killer were posted. He later died by suicide, authorities said. Her remains were found June 30 in a rural area 30 miles away from the Killeen base. The family received the remains on Monday.

.

Guillen has become a national icon in a movement to reform the way in which the military treats sexual assault and harassment. The family and their Natalie Khawam have insisted that Guillen suffered such assaults on more than one occasion but didnt report it for fear of retaliation.

Her death sparked a social media outpour of soldiers and veterans disclosing their cases of sexual assaults , in what is being called the military MeToo movement.

Several organizations and community groups are planning actions in support of Vanessa Guillen on Friday and Saturday. Community organizers are calling Houstonians to join a caravan of vehicles saluting the soldier, starting at 5 p.m. at the Powerhouse Gym, 8404 Park Terrance. It will pass by the cemetery and end at Taqueria del Sol at 8114 Park Place Boulevard. They are asking participants to place yellow ribbons on their vehicles for the caravan.

olivia.tallet@chron.com

Twitter: @oliviaptallet
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Jerusalem  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:31 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e01c41 2 World Benjamin-Netanyahu,Israel,Israel-Palestine-conflict,Israel-annexation,UAE Free

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed "a new era" between Israel and the Arab world on Thursday following a historic US-brokered deal to normalize ties with the United Arab Emirates.

The pact first announced by President Donald Trump includes an agreement from Israel to "suspend" its plans to annex Jewish settlements and territory in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas voiced his "strong rejection and condemnation" of the deal called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League.

In a statement, Abbas called the deal an "aggression" against the Palestinian people and a "betrayal" of their cause, including their claim to Jerusalem as a capital of their future state.

Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, rejected the Israel-UAE pact as "a reward for the Israeli occupation and crimes" and said it "does not serve the Palestinian people".

Speaking after Trump's announcement, Netanyahu said he had agreed to delayed annexation plans, but that the project remained "on the table".

"I will never give up our rights to our land," the right-wing premier said.

Netanyahu told a televised news conference: "Today a new era began in the relations between Israel and the Arab world."

Netanyahu, like many in the Jewish state, refers to the occupied West Bank as Judea and Samaria and claims the territory as part of the historic homeland of the Jewish people.

Israeli plans to annex roughly 30 percent of the West Bank, as outlined in a Trump Middle East peace proposal unveiled in January which triggered global outcry and threats of retaliation against the Jewish state, including from the European Union.

Israel's alternate prime minister and Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, called the agreement "important and significant".

"I call upon other Arab nations to advance diplomatic relations in additional peace agreements," he said.

Once the deal is signed, the UAE will become the third Arab nation to have full diplomatic ties with Israel, following Israeli peace deals with Egypt and Jordan.

Hours after the deal was announced, the Emirati flag was projected onto Tel Aviv's town hall.
An Instagram has documented the shocking cases of sexism experienced by women across Britain during and before lockdown.

Account cutecatcalls, created by London artist Zoe Stromberg, highlights and illustrates the every day experiences documented on the streets of the UK.

In one instance, an elderly care worker told how she was asked by a stranger whether her 'mask matched her knickers'.

Elsewhere, a woman revealed how a man tried to 'smack her bum', then told her she was 'smiling at him' - despite her wearing a mask amid the pandemic.

Meanwhile, one woman documented a case of both racism and sexism, when she was told that 'black girls always look like they want it', while elsewhere a lady was left in tears after being abused by van drivers - before being told 'the police wouldn't believe her anyway.

FEMAIL looks at some of the most shocking sexist encounters documented online.

Account cutecatcalls , created by London artist Zoe Stromberg, highlights and illustrates the every day experiences documented on the streets of the UK. One woman revealed: 'I'm an elderly care worker and I was mid shift and had to stop off for petrol before driving to my next patient. I was at the pump with my masks and gloves on and I was just using the touchscreen to pay when from behind the pump I heard 'Does your mask match your knickers?'. In shock, I looked around the pump and saw a man gesturing to his d***whilst laughing. I instantly tried to get away as soon as possible and just as I shut my car door he appeared and knocked on my window shouting 'Its rude to ignore a man in need' pointing at his d*** again. I drove away just in shock. It literally proves that harassment has nothing to do with what you're wearing, you could barely even see who I was under my mask and clothes.' #covidcatcalls

'Behave, she's only 14', one woman revealed 'A builder screamed this at me, as I walked into the school I worked in at the time. I was 23 and going to work'

One woman said: 'I was on the bus, wearing my mask, and just staring out aimlessly in front of me cos I was pretty tired. A white man then steps into my vision and asks 'Hey girl, are you giving me bedroom eyes?'. To which I told him no I'm literally just staring into space. He then snapped and said 'Well it's not my fault you black girls always look like you want some!' to which he slammed the call button and got off the bus. I sat all the way home trying to figure out how me literally staring into space could be seen as f****ng sexual. I give up.'

A pregnant woman recalled: 'I thought catcalling would stop when you're 8 months pregnant but apparently not. I walked into a bar with friends the other day and an older guy said to me quite loudly in front of quite a few people that he was gutted as he wanted to 'knock me up but someone got there first'. So gross'

Meanwhile one woman said: 'I was walking home and two white men in a truck slowed down and started shouting really horrible sexual things at me. I told them that I was writing down their plate number and I was going to report them to the police. They started to laugh, one of them said 'If you call the police they won't believe you, you're black'. I cried all the way home, because the reality is they were right. I still haven't reported it, and I don't think I will.'

Elsewhere one woman recalled her first experience being catcalled, explaining: 'I was first catcalled when I was 10 years old. It was by a teenager (which now I'm thankful it wasn't an older man- how wrong is that??) who said very loudly 'Who wants to play boob grab?' I had started wearing a padded bra to feel more like an adult woman, but this isn't what I expected....I turned and looked at my sister who was with me. I said 'what...?' Because I was confused at why someone would say that out loud.'

A cashier recalled: 'I have literally been told to smile still despite the fact you can't even tell with a mask. I walked past a man on my way to work and he tried to slap my bum. I moved away and shouted at him to f*** off he said 'I thought you smiled at me'. I was wearing a mask, and even if I was when did a smile mean you can touch me? Especially in a pandemic!' I work as a cashier so many older men say they can tell when I'm smiling or not and it just creeps me out.'

And a teenager recalled an incident of racism, revealing: 'I live in India in Mumbai. I am 14 years old. A couple of days ago I was walking with my parents after buying groceries. Suddenly a group of men come up to me and pushed me and said of the pandemic: 'You b***ard ch*nk this is all because of you'. I ran away. I don't think I've ever cried that hard ever before.'

'I'm a black trans woman and street harassment is something that is just a part of my daily life,' another woman said. 'This is just one thing that happened. I was walking to the store when a man started shouting at me that he wanted to "Tie me up and f*** me". I was too tired, and slightly scared so I just ignored him and carried on. He then got angrier because I ignored him. He started to follow me and shouted 'Isn't this what you wanted? To be treated as a woman? You can't dress up and pretend to be a lady if you aren't willing to have our attention mama! You should be grateful!?'. I just have no words anymore. All I want to do is live my life in peace, but instead I fear for my life every day.'

Meanwhile, Lauren O'Connor, 33, a PR director from Surrey, says she was in the Staines branch of the grocery store when a member of staff approached her with the request, telling her that a male customer had complained about the length of her shorts
By Laman Ismayilova

A documentary "April Hero" will be premiered in September. The film is dedicated to the memory of martyr Babek Abidov, who died in the April war in 2016, which began as a result of the provocation of the Armenian armed forces.

The film shooting is taking place in Zeyva village, Shabran region, a birthplace of Babek Abidov, Trend Life reported.

In the documentary, family members, friends and fellow soldiers share their memories about the national hero.

The film is being shot as project of the Public Association "Assistance to the Development of Regional Media" with the support of the Council on State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations.

The documentary will be aired on ARB Gunesh TV, a member of the ARB Media Group.

The director of the film is Dayanat Rzayev, producer - Veli Turan, screenwriter - Joshgun Beydullayev, photographers - Rizvan Hajiyev and Mais Allahverdiyev.

April War or Four Day War started after Armenias military provocations in 2016.

Six civilians were killed, including two children aged under 16, and 26 people were injured as a result of shelling of Azerbaijans settlements located along the line of contact by Armenia. Numerous public and private facilities, including civil infrastructure, were severely damaged as a result of the offensive, 232 houses, 99 power transmission line poles, three electric power substations, kilometers of water and gas pipes were destroyed.

The Armenian Armed Forces launched the guided-missiles at civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and places of worship. Large-caliber artillery shells fell during the prayer service in one of the mosques.

The battles resulted in the victory of the Azerbaijani Army. Some positions in the direction of the heights around Talysh village of Tartar region, Lalatapa height of Jabrayil region and Jojug Marjanli, Gulustan village of Goranboy region and Madagiz village of Tartar region were liberated. Thus, the myth of criminal Armenian leaders about impassable Armenian trenches was destroyed.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
That coup, one of many since the absolute monarchy ended in 1932, followed a long effort by Thailands urban and royalist elite to curb the influence of Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecommunications tycoon first elected in 2001 on a populist platform and ousted by a coup less than six years later. (He went into self-imposed exile in 2008 to avoid trial on corruption charges that he says were politically motivated.) Despite his long absence, Thaksin retains a loyal following, particularly in the heartland where voters credit him with boosting crop prices and providing cheap health care. Detractors accuse him and his allies of vote-buying, fiscal recklessness and failing to do enough to tackle corruption. His sister, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, also fled the country in 2017 rather than face jail in a criminal case related to a costly policy of paying farmers above-market rates for their rice crop. She also says the charges against her were politically motivated.
Tension in eastern Med, diplomacy at work Dossier at extraordinary EU council

(by Patrizia Antonini) (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, 14 AGO - Tension is high in the eastern Mediterranean after Turkey sent the ship Oruc Reis for hydrocarbon exploration activities within the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) not recognized by Ankara, in an escalation that sees numerous interests at stake, including the Libyan party. Within this renewed strongarm, Turkish Navy frigates and corvettes are accompanying the Oruc Reis and the defense ministry has said that it is ready to protect its country's interests. This is unacceptable for Athens, which is supported by EU partners and Israel.



Diplomacy is at work in an attempt to defuse the situation, with the mediation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the European Council Charles Michel, who spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who spoke with his counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. The dossier is on the table of the extraordinary European foreign affairs council, summoned by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel. Paris however has already strengthened its military presence in the area, sending two Rafale jets and two military vessels while Athens is in a state of alert, with soldiers summoned from summer leave.



Tension is palpable also because, in a display of force, Turkey has started a naval drill in the area south-east of the Greek islands of Kastellorizo and Rhodes and an involuntary incident could imperil the situation.



The escalation comes a week after the signature of an agreement of maritime demarcation between the Greek government and Egypt on August 6. The agreement is in contrast with the accord signed in November between Erdogan and Libyan Premier Fayez Al Sarraj to divide the eastern Mediterranean in exchange for military aid against General Khalifa Haftar (supported by Russia, Egypt and the Emirates). (ANSAmed).




After 12 years in SoMa, during which time it became a hub for all things tech, The Creamery will close permanently today.

Owner Ivor Bradley confirmed the news to SFGATE Friday morning, saying the coffee shop's lease has expired and  in the midst of a global pandemic that has ravaged the hospitality industry  they won't be renewing.

"We would like to thank our regulars, and commuters, and our SoMa residents, and our Giants fans for all there support over the years," Bradley said.

Located kitty-corner to Caltrain's 4th and King station, The Creamery's lore is well documented. Business Insider noted in a 2012 article its most common customers were "various venture capital fund owners and Michael Arrington, former editor of TechCrunch," Arrington  now a venture capitalist  noted in a 2012 blog post that his firm, CrunchFund, "has probably closed ... more deals there than anywhere else," and The San Francisco Chronicle described it as "deal central" in a 2012 piece, "where members of San Francisco's tech scene congregate and caffeinate in equal measure."

Word of the closure spread quickly on Friday morning, with journalists and venture capitalists alike lamenting its closure including The Verge's Silicon Valley editor Casey Newton, who tweeted a short eulogy to the beloved SoMa haunt, calling it "one of the tech worlds favorite gathering places during the early 2010s tech boom."

Fast Company tech editor Harry McCracken likened it to NYC's media power brokering mainstay Michael's. "I havent actually BEEN to the Creamery in a long time, but will miss it. As Michaels is (was?) to NYC media types, it was to the SF tech world."

The Creamery opened in 2012, 16 years after Bradley first arrived in San Francisco. An Irish immigrant, Bradley also owns the next door Iron Cactus.

Grant Marek is the Editorial Director of SFGATE. Email: grant.marek@sfgate.com | Twitter: @grant_marek
Mumbai: The Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR) on Friday announced that they will operate special trains from Mumbai to Konkan in Maharashtra for the coming Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

The CR said in a release that it will run 162 special trips starting August 15 to clear the extra rush, while the WR promised to run 20 special trips from August 17. The booking for special trains "with special charges" will start from Saturday, a CR release said.

Passengers will have to adhere to all the norms and standard operating procedures related to COVID-19 during the travel, it said.

Eight special trains will ply on four routes (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Sawantwadi, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) to Kudal, LTT to Ratnagiri and LTT to Sawantwadi) from August 15 to September 5, it said.

The Western Railway announced that it will run 20 special services from August 17 to August 27.

"Western Railway will run 20 trips of five Special trains -- two from Mumbai Central to Sawantwadi Road, two from Bandra Terminus to Sawantwadi Road and one from Bandra Terminus to Kudal on special fare," it said in a release.

Notably, on Thursday the CR had claimed in a statement that it was ready to run Ganapati special trains for Maharashtra's coastal area, but the state government had not given a final go-ahead.

Every year, lakhs of people travel to their native places in Konkan from Mumbai for Ganesh Chaturthi (which falls on August 22 this time).

In view of the pandemic, the state government has made 10-day home quarantine mandatory for the visitors on reaching their destinations.
We are sharing below a Letter to the Editor submitted to Nature. On May 6, 2020, an article titled China is promoting coronavirus treatments based on unproven traditional medicines appeared on the website of the esteemed scientific journal. The article was internally commissioned and authored by David Cyranoski, the magazines Asia-Pacific correspondent. We found this Nature article to be a reductive and dismissive response to Chinese medical knowledge and its treatment strategies. Given that COVID-19 has led to a global wave of anti-Chinese racism and xenophobia, we felt the journal had an obligation to redress these shortcomings.

We read the article while finalizing our Hot Spots series on Asian Medicines and COVID-19, for the Fieldsights section of Cultural Anthropology. In our Introduction, we noted the importance of taking a closer look at Chinese TCM formulas and their potential applications during the pandemic, both conceptually and empirically. We invite readers interested in more varied and nuanced perspectives on the COVID-Asian medicine interface to browse these essays. Other relevant, recent contributions include the excellent pieces by Banu Subramaniam and Debjani Bhattacharyya and Helen Tilley, which are part of Somatospheres Dispatches from the Pandemic. Engaged academics must stand with practitioners, patients, and consumers of Asian medical traditions in the face of biomedical hegemony while at the same time being critical and empirical in our orientations. Self-serving (mis-)representations, disinformation, and appropriation of medical knowledge and practices clearly go both ways, with Asian as well as Western governments and academic journals playing key roles in these processes.

Our 300-word letter, submitted on May 14, appears below (with minor changes in reference style and a few elaborations for Somatosphere readers). Besides a general notification that e-mail traffic in this section is unprecedented at this extraordinary time, we did not receive any further response within the fifteen-day follow-up time frame. We invite readers to share conspicuous examples of biased biomedical reporting on Asian medicines as well as links to related materials in the comments feed of this post.

To: Nature

Subject: Letter to the Editor

Suggested title: COVID-19, Asian medical traditions, and the politics of science

We are pleased to see that the varied response of Asian medical traditions to the coronavirus pandemic (see Chen 2020; Tilu et al. 2020; Craig et al. 2020) is receiving attention in this esteemed journal. Yet on May 6, 2020, a worrisome news item titled China is promoting coronavirus treatments based on unproven traditional medicines appeared on your journals website. In the article Cyranoski highlights how government policies and economic stakes shape the promotion of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) formulas in and beyond China.

The appraisal of TCM and related therapies in the light of biomedical standards of safety and efficacy has its merits  and limitations. As social scientists, we engage with Asian medical traditions, including in spaces of clinical research, theory, and practice, where terms such as noxious dampness make sense. The Nature article pulled this specific TCM terminology out of its larger etiological context, making the statement that COVID-19 is a disease caused by noxious dampness meaningless (and even ridiculous) to non-specialist readers.

We regret that Cyranoskis critical perspective did not include more reflection on the power dynamics, methodological conundrums, and epistemic violence implicit in the application of biomedically biased evidence-based medicine to Asian scholarly medicines. A subtle element of xenophobic prejudice pervades the supposedly objective assessment of non-Western treatments as dangerous, especially when compared to the stated potential of the experimental drug remdesivir for COVID-19 patients. This antiviral might be deemed more scientifically legitimate, but it should be acknowledged that this medicine  like its TCM counterparts  is also tied up in a web of state funding and the pushing of corporate commercial interests that has been described as disaster capitalism and the pandemic industrial complex (Adams 2020).

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that many patients/consumers use traditional medicines irrespective of endorsement by the pharmaceutical gold standard of double-blind trials, taking small steps away from the paternalism of conventional medicine. But the WHO has conveniently forgotten that TCM also played a significant role in the successful response to the 2003-2004 SARS epidemic (Hanson 2010). Then, and again, the experience-based evidence of Asian medicines benefits seems difficult for the medical orthodoxy to digest.

Five months into the pandemic, we have seen how government responses are reinforcing existing lines of inequality and marginalization, including in the use of Asian medicines. It is crucial for scientists to highlight the complex and often hidden political, economic and scientific processes that reinforce certain biomedical pandemic responses, while sidelining others.

References

Adams, Vincanne. 2020. Disasters and capitalismand COVID-19. Somatosphere, March 26.

Chen, John. 2020. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and TCM: Scientific Research and Clinical Evidence of Chinese Herbs and How Coronavirus is Treated with TCM in China. Webinars and associated clinical resources. eLotus. https://www.elotus.org/content/tcm-resources-covid-19

Craig, Sienna R., Barbara Gerke, and Jan M. A. van der Valk. 2020. Responding to an Unfolding Pandemic: Asian Medicines and COVID-19. Cultural Anthropology Hot Spots, Fieldsights, June 23. https://culanth.org/fieldsights/series/responding-to-an-unfolding-pandemic-asian-medicines-and-covid-19

Hanson, Martha. 2010. Conceptual Blind Spots, Media Blindfolds: The Case of SARS and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Health and Hygiene in Chinese East Asia: Policies and Publics in the Long Twentieth Century, edited by Qizi Liang, and Charlotte Furth, 228-254. Durham, N.C., London: Duke University Press.

Tilu, G., S. Chaturvedi, A. Chopra, B. Patwardhan. 2020. Public Health Approach of Ayurveda and Yoga for COVID-19 Prophylaxis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32310670.

Acknowledgement

The contribution by Gerke and van der Valk is supported by the FWF Austrian Science Fund (grant 30804) through the University of Vienna.

Sienna R. Craig (PhD Cornell University, 2006) is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. She is a medical and cultural anthropologist whose work focuses on Asian medicines, global health, womens and childrens health, and migration and social change.

Barbara Gerke (M.Sc., D.Phil., University of Oxford) is a social and medical anthropologist researching Sowa Rigpa and currently the principal investigator of the Austrian Science Fund project Potent Substances in Sowa Rigpa and Buddhist Ritual at the University of Vienna.

Jan M. A. van der Valk is a biologist (MSc, University of Leuven), ethnobotanist, and anthropologist (MSc, PhD, University of Kent, Canterbury) who has been studying Sowa Rigpa with Gen. Pasang Yonten Arya, since 2012. He is also a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna, in the Austrian Science Fund project Potent Substances in Sowa Rigpa and Buddhist Ritual.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in locating a missing Stapleton woman who was last seen on Aug. 3.

Melanie Garcia, 34, a resident of Maxie Court in Stapleton, was last seen at her residence on Monday, Aug. 3 at approximately 5 p.m., according to a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Garcia is described by police as a Hispanic female, 5 feet 3 inches tall and 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

She was last seen wearing a purple shirt and black flip flops, the statement said.

The NYPD provided a photo of Garcia.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.
Chet has lived in Franklin, TN since 1999 and has experienced firsthand the evolution of the mid-state area, including the growing traffic gridlock in rush hours. "Growth is good," explains Chet, "but it makes travel for everyone a challenge, including our customers. That is why we are excited to announce a new store opening in the coming weeks in Thompson's Station, just south of Franklin and north of Spring Hill, near Interstate 840 on Columbia Pike. The new location will improve the ease of doing business for all customers south of Williamson and Maury counties."

The new facility is roughly 10,000 square feet and is specifically designed for Thompson's Cat Rental Store operations and retail sales of small construction equipment, such as compact track loaders and mini excavators, an industry opportunity segment that is up 25% over the prior year in Thompson's territory. "Our customers have been asking for a store in this area for a long time," states Brandon Cotter, Sales Representative at Thompson. "The I-65 and I-840 corridor provides decades of growth opportunity. It is important for us to be near these vibrant areas making it easier for our customers to access equipment and parts. Next year, we hope to open a similar store in Murfreesboro near Interstate 24 and Highway 231. Both locations are part of our long-term growth strategy in the mid-state area."

Thompson broke ground on the new store in January 2020, just a few months before the world was introduced to COVID-19. "We did consider pausing construction for a brief period," explains Michael Ray Montgomery, Sales Representative at Thompson. "But we had faith in our local communities to continue forward. Serving our customers is serving our community. We are proud to help our customers keep gas, water, and sewer systems running, on-highway trucks moving, and provide power generation to data centers and hospitals. We do much more than move dirt with Caterpillar equipment."

Thompson's rental fleet will offer a variety of equipment, not just Caterpillar, for various construction trades. Explains Chet, "Up to 50% of the rental inventory will be Genie, JLG, and SkyJack boom and scissor lifts, Atlas Copco air compressors and light towers, Cat UTV's, a host of hand tools, portable generators, and more. It will be a one-stop-shop."

Thompson's customer experience team went the extra mile to uniquely design the storefront, ensuring a more retail feel versus an industrial look. "We really wanted something the local community would embrace," explains Brette Shelley, Director of Marketing at Thompson. "The store location is in a high traffic area with residential neighborhoods nearby. We wanted a unique design, yet functional for our operation." Thompson partnered with Corbin Design Group, an Atlanta based company, to help develop the overall design. "The all glass storefront coupled with the wood cedar post design provides more of an outdoor lifestyle feel," noted Brette. "We want our brand image to be welcoming to all, not just contractors. We have been very excited to hear all the positive feedback from the community thus far."

A study recently published from the University of Tennessee's Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research estimates the state of Tennessee's population will grow by over 1 million people the next 20 years with the mid-state absorbing most of the growth. "Additional store locations in Thompson's Station, and hopefully Murfreesboro in the near future, will position us well to help our communities grow," emphasized Chet. "We are also reviewing options for new store locations in the Hendersonville and Gallatin, TN area and Oxford, MS."

Chet Kelley will be the store manager at the new Thompson's Station location. Machine Sales Representatives will include Michael Ray Montgomery, Brandon Cotter, and Roth Nunley. Cat Rental Store sales will be led by Stephen Jolley. The store is expected to open in early September 2020.

Web Resources: www.TMCat.com

For more information about this press release contact:

Brette Shelley

Director of Marketing

Thompson Machinery Commerce Corporation

615-259-5827

[email protected]

SOURCE Thompson Machinery

Related Links

http://www.TMCat.com


(LOS ANGELES, CA) - StandWithUs is disappointed to learn that a Jewish student at University of Southern California has stepped down from student government as a result of anti-Semitic harassment from her peers. USC student government Vice President Rose Ritch announced her resignation in a statement, writing that she has been "harassed for weeks ... because I openly identify as a Zionist, a supporter of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state." She stated that "an attack on my Zionist identity is an attack on my Jewish identity," and that stepping down was "the only sustainable choice I...
My first thought when I first heard of the terrible disaster in Beirut last week was 'Could something like that happen in Dundalk'?

The first answer that came to my mind was 'Probably not! After all, Dundalk is not like the Middle East!' Then, on reflection, I thought, 'Maybe not, but it is probable something quite unexpected will occur near enough to affect us greatly!'

The news brought back to me a memory of a day sitting on a beach in Donegal almost exactly 75 years ago when my father read out an account of the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima in far away Japan. The newspaper report must have been printed some days after the actual event, which occurred on August 6, 1945, but what I do remember was that there was a beautiful summer's day and that I was not really interested in what was happening on the other side of the world.

What my father had to say, however, has remained in my memory ever since.

He looked at me over his old fashioned reading glasses and said 'I hope you will not live to see anything like this in Ireland during your lifetime!'

Now I was old enough at the time to have learned about some of the horrors of the Second World War which was then coming to an end but it was that report that really brought home to me that war was going to be something different from then on.

My father must have seen plenty of the horrors as a result of conflict, including the shooting of his own sister on a street in her native town to become one of the very first civilian deaths of our own terrible Civil War.

Somehow, however, he knew in 1945 that this event in Japan was something different from all that had gone before.

I am not at all boasting when I write that, during the course of my journalistic experience, I have witnessed many violent deaths and injuries, from bombings, shootings and even road accidents that could have been avoided.

I have seen great suffering and sorrow but realise that we here in Ireland have been pretty lucky so far when it comes to terrible.

For that reason I cannot accept the view of some that we are now living through 'the worst of times' because of the present Covid pandemic!

To get back to current events in Lebanon, I am aware that many of my readers may believe that it has nothing to do with us here in Ireland and in Dundalk in particular.

I would ask them, however, to reflect on the fact that over 30,000 Irish soldiers have served in the Lebanon over the course of the past quarter of a century and that many of them have been connected with Dundalk and district. Some of those service men and women in the Middle East have been killed or seriously wounded while doing their duty to try to preserve world peace!

I have no doubt that what happened in Beirut last week was the outcome of conflict and that, indeed, it could happen here.

Maybe not death and injuries in Dundalk on the scale that occurred on the docks of Beirut last week but whose is to say that it could not happen in the nearby crowded cities of Dublin or Belfast or even in places on the mainland of Britain where many Dundalk people are now living?

For that reason I feel that we should be very grateful to people like John Hume and others who have devoted their lives to try to bring peace to places where there is great division!

Who really knows what the future may bring, either as a result of war or environmental disasters? What is certain is that the Doomsday Clock is ticking towards Midnight.

Perhaps the best anyone of goodwill can do is to try to be more friendly and helpful to those with whom we come in contact --- And to pray that it is not you 'For whom the Bell Tolls'!
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now famous for making bombshell moves, and they made another shocking step that may have come at the wrong time.

Months after they officially left the monarchy, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly bought their first US-based home in Santa Barbara.

The New York Post confirmed that the royal couple closed the deal several weeks ago before relocating quietly.

"This is the first home either of them has ever owned," a source told the Post. "They intend to put down their roots in this house and the quiet community, which has considerable privacy. This is where they want to bring Archie up, where they hope he can have as normal a life as possible."

While it may have seem a good news to the family of three, an expert suggested that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have made a wrong move.

Per the new figures published by the National Association of Realtors, the price of the single-family home the Sussexes invested on actually rose by 4.2 percent during the second quarter.

The decreasing supply and excessive demand during the pandemic drove the price surge in the United States.

Renee Grubb, the owner of the Montecito-based real estate firm Village Properties, even expressed his shock over the housing market boom.

"We are seeing jaw-dropping numbers and showings and they really started spiking in June," Grubb told Santa Barbara News-Press. "I can remember a time where in Montecito, there was inventory in the market that would take two years to sell, and now, I am quoting you just a bit over three months."

Santa Barbara Property Is Sussexes' Dream Home?

Meanwhile, another source told Page Six that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle acquired the Santa Barbara property for themselves and not as a guesthouse for Oprah and anyone else.

"This is where they want to continue their lives after leaving the UK. This is the first home either of them has ever owned," the insider said. "It has been a very special time for them as a couple and as a family - to have complete privacy for six weeks since they moved in."

The source added that the couple intends to "put down the roots" in the house where they found considerable privacy.

Previously, the Sussexes lived in Tyler Perry's $18 million mansion in Los Angeles. Although the place is near Meghan's mother, the couple never wanted to make it their permanent home.

In the same house, they experienced high-level intrusions that they wanted to get rid of. For instance, a group of paparazzi tailed them while traveling back to the mansion. It was made worse when several drones flew low above their Beverly Hills residence.

As a result, they hired an A-list security team that would cost them $8,600 per day. However, although they dedicated a huge amount of money to cover their security expenses, they still felt unsafe around the property.

Although their new Santa Barbara home is evidently pricey, nothing can be more important than their family's safety and security.

READ MORE: Weird Royals: Meghan Markle Abandons Pippa Middleton's Wedding Over Ridiculous Media Story
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Shifting nervously in our seats amongst 180 of our fellow medical school classmates, we focused in on the front of the lecture hall as our deans began their annual orientation address. Each of you has worked so hard to get here. No one has gotten to this point by mistake. But also be wary that each and every one of you will experience imposter syndrome during your time here. Everyone will experience it, I promise.

This was our first time hearing those words strung together: imposter, as in a fraud, a deceiver, and syndrome, a term that medical students know all too well to refer to a condition with distinct symptoms. Together, these words refer to a phenomenon characterized by intense feelings of self-doubt in ones own abilities. Someone suffering from imposter syndrome feels that they have only gotten to where they are by slipping through the cracks rather than talent or hard work, and they fear being exposed as a fraud to their peers. Imposter syndrome disproportionately affects ethnic minorities seeking higher education, meaning that those minorities not only have an inherent societal disadvantage in achieving admissions to tertiary educational programs, but also feel fraudulent upon attendance. But why does imposter syndrome exist as an affliction unique to humans? In order to truly understand imposter syndrome, we must dive into its evolutionary origin.

Imposter syndrome may have been beneficial, even essential, for the survival of our human ancestors. One theory postulates that the anxiety associated with imposter syndrome heightened our ancestors fight or flight response, allowing them to anticipate potential threats. In turn, this increased their chances of survival long enough to reproduce and pass these traits along to the next generation. Other theories suggest that the fear of failure associated with imposter syndrome may have led to the development of shame, which served an important function in maintaining close community ties. In the dangerous predatorial foraging lands, our ancestors relied on each other for survival, thus shame developed as a defense to prevent individuals from damaging their social relationships. This shame-based system allowed for regulation of members behaviors and kindled cooperation; in this way, we ensured survival.

With the evolutionary lens, imposter syndrome can be considered an evolutionary mismatch disorder because although it may have been beneficial in primitive environments, it is now considered to be debilitating. In modern society, those who suffer from the stress and anxiety associated with imposter syndrome can experience negative health outcomes, including a weakened immune system, hypertension, depression, and even heart disease. Furthermore, chronic imposter syndrome can lead to burnout, a topic that has gained much attention from the medical and lay communities. This is especially relevant to medical students and healthcare providers, as they are among the most susceptible to burnout due to the intensity of their career path.

Imposter syndrome runs rampant through the medical community, but tends to hit especially hard during medical school when high achieving students are thrust into an intense, fast-paced environment and are no longer the big fish in a small pond, academically speaking. Imposter syndrome in medical school is further cultivated by the stark differences in age and life experiences between students in a single class. Younger students may feel that they are highly inexperienced relative to their older counterparts, while older students may feel out of place amongst the newly minted college graduates. While the diversity is incredibly beneficial, medical school as a whole is inherently built to cultivate imposter syndrome, a fake-it-til-you-make-it attitude. It is only in private conversations that the cracks begin to show, and confessions of ignorance are made.

Although many medical school curriculums have integrated a wellness component, such as mandatory wellness checks, personal development courses, and reflection exercises, they must also address the realities of imposter syndrome and offer techniques to overcome its detrimental effects. The primary step is to break down the barrier of silence and to acknowledge that imposter syndrome affects nearly everyone in this field. Our academic institution did so, but many of our peers do not. We challenge medical institutions to work with students to cultivate healthy and realistic self-perception, or at least provide them with the space to do so.

In the time of coronavirus, with classes being held virtually, imposter syndromes effect on our fellow classmates and us have appeared to somewhat dissipate. Maybe reading the accounts of healthcare workers combating the pandemic, unsure of how to treat coronavirus patients, has shown us directly that even attending physicians can feel lost. Perhaps watching the number of cases rise has left us more determined than ever, past the point of indulging our self-doubt, to finish our training and join the frontlines. Regardless of the reason, our pandemic-driven virtual learning experience has been far less daunting than we had ever expected, enabling us to lessen the grip of imposter syndrome.

Kimia Zarabian and Mai Hasan are medical students.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
The people engaged to ensure that companies financial statements are accurate and above board resigned in large numbers around this time last year. Such auditor resignations seem to have tapered off a year later. There had been sixteen mid-term cessations in August 2019.

There have only been two in August 2020 so far, shows data from corporate tracker primeinfobase.com. The rolling three-month average number has declined from as many as nine last year to one or less in recent months (see chart). A mix of more stringent regulation and auditors being more careful in vetting ...
Its of great concern to me that we wont be able to guarantee the safety of our staff and students, Jackson said about the imminent reopening. I have the perspective of being a covid[-19] survivor and also of walking two families through the unexpected passing of their family members. Its nothing you ever want to do, and to have it happen three times now, I think it makes me see it differently.
A student who revised for exams while having chemotherapy has passed her A Levels with flying colours  and landed a place at a top university to study biomedical science after being inspired to become a doctor by the care she received.

When Kira O'Connor Fitzgerald, 18, felt a mysterious chest pain during her GCSEs in June 2018, she thought it was anxiety, only for two lumps to spring up on her neck over the summer, leading to a diagnosis of stage three Hodgkin lymphoma  an uncommon blood cancer - just after she started sixth form.

Teachers gave her the option to resit the year at a later date but, not wanting to fall behind, the determined teenager, of Swindon, Wiltshire, continued to study - often pouring over notes and flashcards in hospital, during her grueling treatment.

Then, when the Covid-19 pandemic meant her A level exams were cancelled, Kira was forced to leave school and shield, as chemotherapy had compromised her immune system, making her vulnerable.

But yesterday, Kira, who is now cancer free, discovered her hard work had paid off and received A, A, B, on her results - calculated by exam regulator Ofqual using a special statistical model - gaining her a coveted place at St George's University, south London.

Kira O'Connor Fitzgerald (pictured left during cancer treatment, and right, recently), 18, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin lymphoma  an uncommon blood cancer - just after she started sixth form

Thankfully, after receiving her A level results on Thursday, Kira (pictured with her results), who revised for exams while having chemotherapy, passed with flying colours

Despite her youth, fortitude was already part of Kira's make up - having lost her mother Maureen aged just 48, in November 2016 to sepsis - and with her father, Michael, 50, living over 2,000 miles away in Cyprus.

Speaking about her results, Kira, who lives with her brother, Mikie, 28, a gas company worker, said: 'I'm over the moon. The moment I opened my results and saw that I'd got into university was amazing.

WHAT IS HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA? Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells. It affects around 1,950 people each year in the UK. A common early symptom is having a painless swelling in the armpits, neck and groin. Some people also experience heavy night sweating, extreme weight loss, itching, shortness of breath and coughing. Hodgkin's lymphoma is most common between the ages of 20 and 24, and 75 and 79. It has been linked to people with lowered immunity, a family history of the condition, smokers and those who are overweight. Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroids and stem cell or bone marrow transplants. Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement

'It's everything I've worked for over the past two years coming true. I'm going down the biomedical route, which means I'll eventually transfer to medicine and end up with two degrees in six years. I'm so happy to be one step closer to my goal of becoming a doctor.'

Growing up, Kira was always a high achiever, often scoring straight As in exams and showing a natural aptitude for science - making it no surprise to her parents when, in Year 10, aged 14, she decided that she wanted to one day study medicine.

'It was either medicine, or drama,' she said. 'They're very different careers, but I loved them both.'

But in November 2016, tragedy struck when Kira's beloved mother Maureen, who was separated from her father, died of sepsis, which occurs when the body mistakenly attacks itself in response to an infection.

Although she was lost in grief, the remarkable youngster still pushed on with her schooling and was ready to sit her GCSEs in June 2018, alongside her classmates.

Then, on the morning of one of her exams, she woke up with a chest pain, which became so severe that she was eventually taken to casualty at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

'The doctors there thought it was anxiety over my exams, too, so I was sent home to rest,' she explained. 'About a month later, I found a small lump on my neck.

'Being young at the time, I thought, "I've just finished my GCSEs, the doctors told me I was fine, I'll ignore it  it's probably nothing"'.

Then, just after she started in sixth form in September 2018, Kira felt a second, larger lump and decided to see her GP.

Teachers gave her the option to resit the year at a later date but, not wanting to fall behind, the determined teenager (pictured) continued to study - often pouring over notes and flashcards in hospital, during her grueling treatment

Then, when the Covid-19 pandemic meant her A level exams were cancelled, Kira (pictured left during treatment, and right, after) was forced to leave school and shield, as chemotherapy had compromised her immune system, making her vulnerable

She continued: 'Cancer wasn't mentioned at that stage, but the doctor told me it was serious. Being a 16-year-old with no clue, I went home and Googled what the possible outcome could be.

'It was the worst thing I could have done, because it came up with all these pages about cancer.'

Next, Kira had an ultrasound scan, with doctors calling her back just two hours later to tell her they suspected she had cancer.

A biopsy followed and her official diagnosis of stage three Hodgkin lymphoma, meaning it had spread to both sides of her diaphragm, was confirmed on 12 November, 2018  a day after the anniversary of her mother's death.

According to the charity CLIC Sargent, who have given Kira unwavering support, only 120 15 to 19 year olds are diagnosed with this form of cancer in the UK each year, the first sign of which is often a painless swelling of either one, or a group of glands.

But yesterday, Kira, who is now cancer free, discovered her hard work had paid off and received A, A, B, on her results. Pictured, some of the snapchats she would post while in hospital

Her great results have gained Kira (pictured above) a coveted place at St George's University, south London

'It was very surreal and I think my reaction was quite surreal, too,' she said. 'I instantly thought, "Okay, so what happens next?"

'As strange as it sounds, I wasn't upset for me. I was upset for my family. I had not long lost my mum and I didn't want to put them through more heartache. Calling my brother to tell him was one of the worst moments. That made it all the more real.'

Then, before she began treatment, Kira faced the difficult task of telling her teachers and friends what had happened.

She said: 'I was sure I didn't want anything to affect my education, so I went back to school like normal. I walked into my form tutor and said, "I have something I need to tell you." I just blurted it out like it was nothing. He was so shocked.'

Turning down offers to resit her AS Level exams at a later date, Kira then juggled school and chemotherapy, which she had for six months, from November 2018 to April 2019 - documenting her journey on Snapchat and Instagram.

Despite her youth, fortitude was already part of Kira's make up - having lost her mother Maureen aged just 48, in November 2016 to sepsis - and with her father, Michael, 50, living over 2,000 miles away in Cyprus. Pictured, Kira wearing a wig

Speaking about her results, Kira (pictured), who lives with her brother, Mikie, 28, a gas company worker, said: 'I'm over the moon. The moment I opened my results and saw that I'd got into university was amazing'

She continued: 'I documented a lot on social media, because it was really overwhelming replying to the 20 to 30 messages I'd get every day. It was a way of letting people know how I was doing, but also showing them the reality of cancer treatment.

'A lot of people told me they had no idea just how much chemotherapy can affect you. They thought I'd just throw up a couple of times and that'd be it, when actually, I would be bedridden for a good week every month.

'The culmination of physical and mental side-effects was a lot to cope with and I was very up and down. Some days, I'd feel I could take on the world, and others, just getting up in the morning felt like the hardest thing to do.'

For the whole of Year 12  her AS Level year  Kira studied at home or in hospital.

She continued: 'It was nice to be able to do something a bit normal in amongst everything else. I mostly studied at home, but if I felt up to it, I'd bring my laptop to hospital and revise while having chemo.'

Growing up, Kira (pictured when her hair was growing back after chemotherapy) was always a high achiever, often scoring straight As in exams and showing a natural aptitude for science

But in November 2016, tragedy struck when Kira's beloved mother Maureen, who was separated from her father, died of sepsis, which occurs when the body mistakenly attacks itself in response to an infection. Pictured right, Kira wearing a wig

The excellent care she received helped her to decide that medicine, rather than drama, should be her vocation and, inspired by her medical team, she became determined to be a doctor herself.

'I want to help people in the same way I was helped, but it also looks like such an interesting job,' she said. 'Whenever the doctors would speak in medical jargon, or list all the medicines I would be taking, I'd note down what they said and look it up afterwards.

'I liked learning about it. Viewing what was happening through a scientific lens meant I could separate myself from it all slightly, and give myself room to process. It also meant I could translate for my family, if they had no idea what had just been said.'

After finishing chemotherapy in April 2019, Kira threw herself into full-time revision, sitting her AS Levels in biology, chemistry and drama two months later.

But sadly, the results  C, D, D  were not what she had aimed for.

'I've always been a high achiever. I got As in every test I had during treatment, so I was devastated,' she said. 'I didn't want anybody to see me upset, because I knew they'd tell me that, after what I'd been through, it was understandable I hadn't done as well as I'd wanted.

Although she was lost in grief, the remarkable youngster (pictured) still pushed on with her schooling and was ready to sit her GCSEs in June 2018, alongside her classmates

'I felt like I'd let myself down  like the past few months were for nothing. I didn't want to speak to anyone about it, as I couldn't see a way of it changing.

'Getting my grades back up to what they needed to be so I could be a doctor seemed impossible.'

Thankfully, help arrived in the form of Kira's CLIC Sargent social worker, who had been assigned to her by the charity on the day she began chemotherapy.

Sensing that she was struggling to process the emotional toll her diagnosis and treatment were having, he arranged for her to have some therapy.

By talking things through, she accepted that, while her grades were not what she had wanted, the fact that she had sat any exams at all was an incredible achievement.

Then, on the morning of one of her exams, Kira (pictured) woke up with a chest pain, which became so severe that she was eventually taken to casualty at Great Western Hospital, Swindon

Buoyed by CLIC Sargent's support, she threw herself back into her studies after returning to sixth form in September 2019  by which time she was cancer free - for her A Level year.

Happily, in her mock exams, she had vastly improved, scoring A, B, C in chemistry, biology and drama.

'I wouldn't have been able to do it without CLIC Sargent,' she said. 'They helped me process everything, and see that any outcome was okay  I'd still done amazingly to keep up with school.'

Her confidence rebuilt, Kira's thoughts turned to her final exams, which were due to take place in June 2020.

Then, in March this year, the government announced that schools would close and exams would be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A biopsy followed and her official diagnosis of stage three Hodgkin lymphoma, meaning it had spread to both sides of her diaphragm, was confirmed on 12 November, 2018  a day after the anniversary of her mother's death. Pictured, social media posts shared by Kira during her time in hospital

As her immune system is still compromised from chemotherapy, classed as vulnerable, Kira also had to take the extra step of shielding for 12 weeks.

'When the pastoral team at my school told me I had to shield, I kept saying, "I'm fine, I'm fine." But then the tears came,' she recalled. 'I got home and thought to myself, "What now?"

'I know students moan about exams, but I was so disappointed not to sit them. After everything, it was something I was really looking forward to doing, and that chance was taken away.

'I know that, logically, taking exams in the middle of a global pandemic would have been silly, though, so I am happy to be safe and well.'

Along with thousands of other students receiving their specially-calculated results, Kira was delighted to discover on Thursday that she had landed a place at her dream university.

Her current grades are A, B, B - though one B is being appealed and will hopefully rise to an A.

Now, she will be heading off to St George's University in September to study biomedical science with a pathway to medicine - a course that will eventually allow her to become a doctor.

Still cancer free, she continues to be monitored by regular scans.

By sharing her story, she wants to offer hope to young cancer patients and also raise awareness of CLIC Sargent, who helped her in her hour of need.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / Lumist, a leading North American education platform, announced nearly 10 million dollar Series A round financing by Matrix Partners China in December 2019. Jacky and Steven, founders of Lumist, said that this round of financing will be invested in team building, technological development, and product optimization.

"Matrix Partners is very honored to be an investor of Lumist, supporting the team to provide solidified academic services for college curriculums." The Vice President of Matrix Partner China Niu Lixiong claimed, "As Forbes' 30 Under 30, Jacky and Steven are the entrepreneurs we trust. "

As an insightful investor, Mr. Niu invested in Yuanfudao, China's top online education platform with 400 million active users, and VIPKid, which dominated 70% of China's English learning services for children. This time, Mr. Niu believes Lumist has the potential to be just as impactful in North America.

Lumist observes that online tutoring services for college students are in a skyrocketing market on a global scale. According to a 2019 research report from Bloomberg, the total market value of the university-level extracurricular education service market in North America only exceeded 7 billion dollars. The chance to evolve into unicorn startups is conceivable.

There are two core reasons for investment. Firstly, The funding team led by Jacky and Steven represents great ambition with a down-to-earth attitude. After years of development, the company has cultivated visionaries, competitiveness and mature configurations in the process of providing qualifiable college tutoring services.

Secondly, Lumist is a platform that represents higher education with adaptive learning technology. With the foundation it has, Lumist established a strong database with a knowledge scheme for 10 majors in over 100 Universities, including online exam prep, recorded sessions and snap for answers. Lumist also provides the chance for college students on socialwise and academicwise.

Story continues

With the emergence of high-quality services offered by Lumist, the potential of the online educational market will be revealed rapidly in the next few years. Lumist is determined to utilize its funds, insights, and resources to be an innovative figure and provide college students with desired services.

Media inquiry please contact lumist@lumiclass.com

Media Contact

Company Name:LUMI CLASS Co.,Ltd

Person:Zachery Sargent

+1 647-8946787

lumist@lumiclass.com

Website:http://www.lumiclass.com/

SOURCE: LUMI CLASS Co.,Ltd





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/601580/Lumist-Just-Announced-Nearly-10-Million-USD-Series-a-Financing-by-Matrix-Partners-China




Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh OBrien has encouraged people to participate in events taking place around the country both online and at certain heritage sites as part of National Heritage Week.

The annual event celebrates all aspects of Irelands heritage, encouraging communities to engage with their past, thereby creating awareness of the importance of conserving and managing local heritage. National Heritage Week takes place from August 15-23. Minister OBrien said he was looking forward to participating in local events both in person and virtually.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions many of the events will be held virtually, with people encouraged to participate with heritage on your doorstep. Im fortunate to have many heritage sites in my area and will be visiting Swords Castle next week which has a rich 800-year history" he said.

Our heritage is hugely important, it plays a significant role in our lives, it connects us to the past and our ancestors, helps us define our roots and identity and anchors our history. In normal times it is the attraction for hundreds of thousands of visitors to our island each year contributing massively to our local economies.

I would like to commend the Heritage Council and all the Local Authority Heritage Officers along with local heritage groups and organisations who have managed to create a fantastic programme of events despite the ongoing pandemic. I would encourage people to engage with the events online, to participate in the projects and where possible and safe to visit the heritage sites in their area."

See https://www.heritageweek.ie/.
By Kang Hyun-kyungLee Hae-chan, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), had to reappear on KBS 1's "Let's Overcome Flood Damage Together" donation drive as his first attempt to find the donation envelope in the pocket of his suit jacket failed."We had a great tradition of helping each other when times are tough," he said during the special TV program aiming to collect donations for the evacuees and other flood victims, Friday."Our party will work closely together with the government to help the nation overcome these devastating floods."He then rummaged through the pockets of his suit jacket to find the prepared donation envelope. He pulled out his smartphone but failed to find the envelope. After searching continued unsuccessfully for 15 seconds, the TV host kindly asked him to leave the set and take time to find it, which he did.He then showed up again with the envelope and put it in the donation box.
Its tempting to look on current events as unprecedented, with divisions as deep as at any time since the Civil War. An antidote to this ahistorical view is to read (or re-read) historian Paul Johnsons 1983 Modern Times -- especially the chapters titled Americans Suicide Attempt and The Collective Seventies. Moreover, what we are experiencing now, as a renewed suicide attempt gains traction, can be seen as a direct result of those policies and the misconceptions that produced them. As Johnson sees it, a good part of the suicide attempt stemmed from the Vietnam War and the attempt by another Johnson, President Lyndon Johnson, to eradicate poverty.

As historian Johnson sees it, President Johnson believed in the boundless capacity of the American economy to deliver. While President Kennedy found it difficult to educate congress in his social spending ideas, to honor his memory, in the wake of his assassination in 1963, Johnson was able to pass bills to fund "The Great Society.

Johnson writes:

The danger of the kind of welfare state Johnson was creating was that it pushed people out of the productive economy permanently and made them dependents of the state. Poverty increased when families split up, either by old people living apart or by divorce. Legislation often promoted these processes.

Fast forward: the once stable black family has suffered the most. By 2018, 66 percent of black families were headed by single mothers, as were 33 percent of white families.

President Johnson also believed that education was a miracle cure. In the golden years of expansion, new colleges were opening at the rate of one a week. But historian Johnson reports that amassing big new groups of students led to a 49-point decline in verbal and 32-point decline in math skills in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores.

Fast forwarding, we find that all the money poured into education and the efforts to make the tests culturally neutral did nothing to close the gap in group performance on SAT scores. Asians stubbornly outperformed, especially in math skills, and African Americans underperformed. So what is the current solution? Abolish the tests.

Paul Johnson asserts that the well-intentioned expansion of higher education had the unintended effect of fueling student violence. In 1964's "freedom summer" the governor of California had to call in the riot police due to student violence at Berkeley. The next year, 25,000 students invaded Washington to protest against the Vietnam War. In 1968, the National Student Association claimed there were 221 major demonstrations at universities in America. At the Chicago Democratic Convention in August, students fought a pitched battle with 11,900 of Mayor Daley's police, 7,500 of the Illinois National Guard, and 1000 FBI and Secret Service agents.

In 2020, student discontent is further fueled by student debt, now about $1.56 trillion. Increasingly, as prospects for graduates (and those who fail to graduate) ever paying off this debt -- while also being able to afford marriage and raising a family -- shrink, the solution most often offered is Cancel the debt. In other words, shift the burden to the taxpayer.

The attempt by successive presidents to obtain justice for American blacks also produced unintended effects. Johnson reports that while in the 1950s and early 1960s, Federal power had been used to protect blacks from white violence, the initiative in violence shifted to the blacks. Johnson cites as the turning point the night of 10 May 1962, in Birmingham, Alabama. There was a black riot, with police forced onto the defensive and white shops demolished: "Let the whole f*cking city burn," shouted a mob leader, "This'll show the white motherfuckers!" (Sixty years later, the rhetoric has not changed.)

To quote Johnson: The first really big and ugly black riots broke out in Harlem and Brooklyn in 18 July 1964, only two weeks after the epoch-making Civil Rights Act was passed. The violence spread to Rochester in New York State, to Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth in New Jersey, to Dixmoor in Chicago, and Philadelphia. In August 1965 the Watts riots in Los Angeles lasted six days, involved 15,000 National Guardsmen, killed thirty-four, injured 856 and destroyed $200 million of property... The riots in Detroit on 24-28 July 1967 were among the most serious in American history, killing forty-three people and forcing a distraught President Johnson to move in the 18th Airborne Corps of paratroopers, whose commander said he entered a city 'saturated with fear'.

What has changed fifty years later is the identification of many Democratic politicians with the rioters leading to calls (and action) to defund the police rather than punish the attackers and looters. Traveling from city to city, journalist Michael Tracey has documented the large-scale destruction: "From large metro areas like Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul, to small and mid-sized cities like Fort Wayne, Indiana and Green Bay, Wisconsin, the number of boarded up, damaged or destroyed buildings I have personally observed -- commercial, civic, and residential -- is staggering."

When equal opportunity did not rapidly produce equal results, starting in the 1970s, Johnson notes, government began to mandate that private companies receiving government funds or contacts had to employ races by quota and the rights of women, homosexuals, the handicapped and many other collective entities were interpreted by the courts as enforceable against powerful institutions, such as business or government. The result, says Johnson, A growing proportion of business resources and executive time was devoted to responding to litigation: in the 1970s, America had four times as many lawyers per capita as West Germany, twenty times as many as Japan.

While the shutdown of the economy in response to COVID-19 has driven climate change from the headlines, the rise of the environmental movement may yet prove to be the most devastating legacy of Americas earlier suicide attempt. Johnson reports that the 'Conservation Congress' of 1968 passed a series of gigantic acts to impose "Ecotopia" on American business.

Johnson writes: By 1976 it was calculated that compliance with the new [environmental] regulations was costing business $63 billion a year, plus a further $3 billion to the taxpayer to maintain the government regulatory agencies. Total costs rose to over $100 billion by 1979.

Fast forward to 2020, when activists want to replace all fossil fuel by renewable energy. The cost of this is in the stratosphere. Moreover, as critics have pointed out to the disinterest of the mainstream media, the net effect will be to damage the environment. One such knowledgeable critic, Paul Driessen notes: "Just one electric car or backup-power battery weighs 1,000 pounds and requires extracting and processing some 500,000 pounds of various ores. The true costs of green energy are staggering.

Will this second suicide attempt be more successful than the first? In many ways this round dwarfs what Paul Johnson describes. White America in that earlier era did not hate itself. In the 1960s and 70s one could not imagine elementary school children in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States (Lower Merion outside Philadelphia), as part of its cultural proficiency curriculum, being assigned books claiming white people who relate to police officers are complicit in racism. An indignant parent (to whose complaint the school board did not even deign to reply) told the Washington Free Beacon: This book teaches kids not only to defy parents but to hate themselves

Americas suicide attempt has been both cultural and economic. If we do not reverse course, America will be neither a land of opportunity nor a land of freedom.

Victor Davis Hanson offers as a best-case scenario; There will be a counterrevolution because without one there is not much of America left.
A recent email to staff at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute tells those who test positive for the coronavirus but are asymptomatic to keep working.

The facility was hit with a COVID-19 outbreak late last month. The Danville Register & Bee acquired the email shortly after it was sent out.

The email sent on Aug. 4 to SVMHI staff  and meant to be shared with clients  informs them that coronavirus testing would take place on Aug. 5 with results returned by the following Monday.

For staff who test positive, the email informs them that they will coordinate with the local Virginia Department of Health, an infection control coordinator and their own care plans if symptomatic.

However, those who are positive but are showing no symptoms must resume work, according to the email from SVMHI Chief Operating Officer Robin Crews.

"If asymptomatic, CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommends PPE precautions, but continued work routine," she wrote in the email.

Voice messages left for Crews were not returned by deadline Thursday.

But Meghan McGuire, a spokeswoman with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which oversees the mental health institute, offered contradictory advice when asked by the Register & Bee about the safest approach to a positive test.

"If the test is COVID-19 positive, they must isolate," she wrote in an email. "Staff who have received a positive test result are referred to [the Virginia Department of Health's] local health department and are placed out of work until VDH clears them to return to work. We follow the CDC guidelines for returning to work for staff who are COVID-19 positive."

Also, CDC guidance recommends if a person has been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19  but the exposed person is asymptomatic  that person can continue to work while using precautions, including wearing PPE, McGuire said.

Tara Smith, professor of epidemiology at Kent State University in Ohio, also contradicted the advice given in the mental health institute's email and said those that test positive should self-quarantine.

"If that test shows they're positive, then they should be in isolation and should be working with the health department on contact tracing," Smith said.

According to the CDC's website, health care personnel who are not severely immunocompromised and who were asymptomatic during their infection can return to work after at least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 test.

Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute is a 72-bed psychiatric hospital that provides inpatient services including psychiatric care, nursing, psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation and support, and specialized programs for adults aged 18-65 and individuals involved in the justice system.

The facility, which has 183 employees, offers services including diagnosis, medication management, psychological assessment, group therapy, activity therapy, family education and community meetings.

Crews' email also told staff and clients they would only be informed of their tests' results if they were positive. Also, for those with previous positive results, retesting was not recommended, she wrote.

"If you are not contacted, you may assume you were negative as of the test date," she wrote.

McGuire said when she followed up with SVMHI, she was told that every staff member and patient who took the test were give their results, whether they were positive or negative.

"All results were distributed to staff and patients in individual envelopes within five days after the facility point prevalence survey testing was conducted," McGuire told the Register & Bee.

As for the retesting, CDC guidance does not recommend it within 90 days of a positive test unless there are new, worsening symptoms of COVID-19  and only with consultation by an infectious disease specialist or the department of health, McGuire said.

The virus can linger in the cells of someone who has recovered from COVID-19 and can lead to a positive test result, even though that person is asymptomatic and not contagious, Smith said.

As of Wednesday, three staff members and four patients at SVMHI were positive for COVID-19, McGuire said.

"Those patients remain in isolation," she said.

SVMHI's outbreak late last month had four clients and four staff members test positive for the coronavirus.

The facility halted admissions following the outbreak and has been consulting with the health department on when to resume them, McGuire said.

The health department can instruct facilities to cease admissions for 28 days from the most recent positive case, but "they may allow resuming admissions sooner if the facility has implemented the recommended infection control strategies and is in collaboration with the health department on the reopening plan," McGuire said.

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MANDEVILLE, La., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SUNPRO SOLAR announced today that Inc. magazine ranked Sunpro Solar No. 372 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. With a three-year growth of 1,235%, Sunpro Solar is one of the nation's fastest growing solar companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy.

"This honor and our tremendous success in the markets we serve is a strong affirmation that what we are doing is working, and our focus and measure of success will always be on delivering an amazing experience to our customers and employees," stated Sunpro Solar Founder and CEO, Marc Jones. "Our incredible team will continue working together to build a trusted reputation and a sustainable future for communities across our great nation."

Sunpro Solar was named 5th largest residential solar installer in the U.S. by Solar Power World Magazine in July 2020. Sunpro Solar continues to expand as the demand for home solar in the United States rapidly increases. Sunpro Solar offers customers affordable home solar, energy efficiency solutions, and battery storage. As a top solar company in America, Sunpro Solar is proud to bring cleaner energy and lower utility costs to residents across the nation. With over 1400 employees, Sunpro Solar currently operates in 15 states.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 list can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available at newsstands August 18.

About Sunpro Solar

Sunpro Solar is a top solar company in the U.S. that provides affordable solar energy and battery storage solutions to homeowners nationwide. Sunpro Solar was named 5th largest residential solar contractor in the U.S. by Solar Power World magazine in 2020. Sunpro Solar operates in 15 states and is headquartered in Mandeville, Louisiana. For more information, visit https://www.gosunpro.com/.

About Inc. Media

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE Sunpro Solar

Related Links

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Study of Massachusetts patients during pandemic finds that in-person health care visits were not an important risk factor for infection and that necessary, in-person care was safely performed

In the spring of 2020, as Massachusetts experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases in the Boston area, four area hospitals conducted universal testing among all pregnant patients at the time of admission for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. At the time, Massachusetts had the third highest rate of infection in the country. In an analysis of the data collected during that time, a team of investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital found no association between the number of in-person health care visits and risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Results are published in JAMA.

"One major concern in obstetrics, but also in general medicine, is that patients are avoiding necessary medical care because of fear of contracting COVID-19 in a health care setting, but there was no indication that in-person health care affects risk of infection," said corresponding author Sharon Reale, MD, an attending anesthesiologist in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. "Our study provides important evidence that we can do in-person visits safely. Our findings should be reassuring for our obstetrical patients that when they come to the hospital for appointments, they are not increasing their risk of infection."

While some patients could benefit from virtual visits via telemedicine during the spring, pregnant patients are a unique population. Many require multiple, in-person visits for measurements, exams and lab tests to ensure the health of both mother and baby or babies. Since April 19 and continuing through today, four Mass General Brigham hospitals -- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital and North Shore Medical Center -- test all obstetrical patients for COVID-19 when they are admitted. In the study, Reale and colleagues looked at patients delivering between April 19 and June 27, 2020.

To conduct their study, Reale and colleagues used a case-control approach in which patients who tested positive (cases) were matched to those who tested negative (controls) based on gestational age, race/ethnicity, insurance type and the rate of COVID-19 in the patients' zip code. The team also adjusted for age, body mass index and essential worker occupation.

Of close to 3,000 women who delivered during the study period, 111 patients tested positive. On average, patients who tested positive attended 3.1 visits in person (with a range of 0 to 10 visits); patients who tested negative attended an average of 3.3 visits in person (with a range of 0 to 16 visits). The authors conclude that there was no meaningful association between in-person visits and infection among the patients studied.

The authors note that their patient population included obstetrical patients only -- future studies will be needed to confirm if the findings extend to other patients. Reale also notes that Mass General Brigham adopted universal masking early on to help reduce transmission.

"Results will need to be replicated outside of obstetrics, but this should be reassuring and indicate that necessary and important care should be done and can be done safely," said Reale.

There was no funding organization for this study.

###

Paper cited: Reale, SC et al. "Association Between the Number of In-Person Health Care Visits and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Obstetrical Patients" JAMA DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.15242
By Ayya Lmahamad

The volume of production in Azerbaijans Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block of oil fields at the Caspian Sea increased by 12 million tons in the first half of 2020, amounting to 91 million barrels, the blocks major shareholder BP has reported.

According to BPs report, daily production from Chirag platform amounted to 38,000 barrels, Central Azeri to 123,000 barrels, West Azeri to 122,000 barrels, East Azeri to 66,000 barrels, Deepwater Guneshli to 96,000 barrels and West Chirag to 53,000 barrels in the reported period.

Moreover, a total of 129 oil production wells, 42 water wells and 7 gas injection wells have been operated at Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli block and eight oil producing wells have been drilled at the block in the reporting period.

In addition, 9.3 billion cubic meters of gas extracted from Azerbaijan's largest Shah Deniz gas field were exported from the Sangachal terminal in the first half of 2020.

Sangachal terminal has exported an average of 51.1 million standard cubic meters of gas from the Shah Deniz field per day in the first half of 2020.

Furthermore, 9.4 billion cubic meters of gas and 15.4 million barrels of condensate were produced from the Shah Deniz field in January-June 2020. It should be noted that 126 billion cubic meters of natural gas has been produced in Shah Deniz since production began.

Likewise, during the reporting period, the daily capacity of the South Caucasus Pipeline was 32.8 million cubic meters.

Additionally, over 15 million tons of crude oil and condensate, loaded in 145 tankers, were transported through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in the first two quarters of 2020.

The contract for the development of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) oil fields was signed in 1994 extended to 2050 in September 2017.

The shareholders in the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli project are BP (operator, 30.37 percent), SOCAR (25 percent), American Chevron (9.57 percent), ExxonMobil (6.79 percent), Indian ONGC (2.31 percent), Japanese Inpex Corp. (9.31 percent), ITOCHU Oil (3.65 percent), Norwegian Statoil (7.27 percent) and Turkish TPAO (5.73 percent).

The contract on development of Shah Deniz gas field was signed in 1996. Shareholders of Shah Deniz project are: BP (operator, 28.8 percent), TPAO (19 percent), SOCAR (16.7 percent), Petronas (15.5 percent), LUKOIL (10 percent) and NICO (10 percent).

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
ACC facilitates fertilization. Pollen tubes (stained blue) fertilize only some ovules in the presence of less ACC. Successful fertilization, blue dots inside white ovules. Credit, Dr. Wangshu Mou. [This paper] introduces a new plant growth regulator or plant hormone, alongside a small handful of other publications. It isnt a newly identified molecule, but it has never been thought of before as a plant hormone, only as the precursor to ethylene, says Caren Chang, UMD.

Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) have discovered an entirely new role for a well-known plant molecule called ACC, providing the first clear example of ACC acting on its own as a likely plant hormone. Just like in humans and animals, hormones in plants carry messages to signal and trigger essential processes for plant health and functionality, from reproduction to defense. Without these processes, crops cant reproduce and thrive to provide the food we need to feed a growing global population. In a new publication in Nature Communications, researchers show that ACC has a critical role in pollination and seed production by activating proteins similar to those involved in nervous system responses in humans and animals. These findings could not only change textbooks that have previously attributed plant responses to the hormone ethylene instead of ACC, but could also open the door for new research to improve plant health and crop yield.

There are several novel things about this paper, explains Caren Chang, UMD. But the main impact is that it introduces a new plant growth regulator or plant hormone, alongside a small handful of other publications. It isnt a newly identified molecule, but it has never been thought of before as a plant hormone, only as the precursor to ethylene.

Chang, a professor in Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and affiliate professor of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture supported by the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), explains that ethylene is one of the five major plant hormones and has been studied for over a century. It is important for many processes that are vital to plant health and crop production, including fruit ripening, stress responses to flooding and drought, plant disease defenses, germination, and flowering.

In much of the research, ACC has been used in place of ethylene, knowing that its a precursor that plants convert into ethylene. This is because ACC is easy to work with in powder form and can even be sprayed on the plant, but working with ethylene is very difficult because it is a gas. So researchers have used ACC for decades in place of ethylene, and the literature would interpret the observed responses as ethylene responses. What our paper shows is that an ACC response is not necessarily an ethylene response. While ethylene is an important plant hormone with its own set of functions, some of these responses that have been attributed to ethylene through ACC may actually be separate ACC responses, acting as a growth regulator or hormone itself.

This finding opens the door for many papers across decades of research, as well as textbooks and future education on plant hormone responses, to be revised in the event that ACC is actually triggering important plant processes previously attributed to ethylene.

According to Chang, the paper also presents advances in plant reproduction. In the plant reproduction field, there are many steps that are critical in pollination, and one of these steps requires the pollen to reach the ovules to actually produce a seed, says Chang. Our paper shows that ACC signaling in the ovule is involved in getting the pollen tube to turn and effectively deliver the pollen, which makes it essential for seed production. Its probably the first example showing how the maternal ovule tissue actually helps attract the pollen tube. And this isnt a small effect, Chang stresses. The seed number pretty much doubles in the presence of ACC. There is potential here to improve the seed number, which can increase food production in certain crops and have an impact on food security long-term.

Led by Jose Feijo, another professor in Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and affiliate professor of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, another major finding of this paper shows clear connections between human, animal, and plant hormone signaling pathways by identifying a potential receptor for ACC activity.

The most interesting parallel is cell-cell communication, explains Feijo. Animal glutamate receptors are proteins which are needed for information to jump from one neuron to the next, either through an electric impulse or through calcium signaling, which is essential for things like memory. Problems in the processes mediated by glutamate receptors are known to be related to neurodegeneration and depression.

Chang adds, These receptors have been found in the human nervous system, and neuroscientists have been studying them for drug development to treat nervous system issues like depression. They found that ACC can actually affect the nervous system in humans. So we decided to look for the same receptors, named glutamate-like receptors (GLRs) in plants, to see if they respond to ACC in plants. We found that ACC can actually affect GLRs in plants as well.

This finding opens an entirely new avenue of research in plant biology and points to similarities in plants and humans that are currently not well understood. In plants, GLRs all seem to convey functions related to communication, either to bring male and female genes into an egg, or in pathogen or stress alert systems and defenses, says Feijo. Emerging trends suggest that GLRs underlie long distance electric signaling through the plant vascular system, where injury to tissues in one leaf inform the whole plant to create nasty substances to deter insects. All these lines seem to point into the existence of electric communication within plant tissues and organs, and that these functions involve GLRs. This is an interesting parallel evolution of a function for glutamate receptors as they evolved to be associated with the animal nervous systems to perform similar functions.

With ACC as a new candidate activating GLRs and all the newly discovered roles it is playing as a plant hormone, Chang and the team are excited about the directions this work can go. There is still a lot of research to be done to see how this is all happening and can be used in different crops, but all that new research can happen now.

This paper, entitled Ethylene-independent signaling by the ethylene precursor ACC in Arabidopsis ovular pollen tube attraction, is published in Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17819-9.
On Sept. 1, Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse faces off with incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal in the Democratic primary for the 1st Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

There are no Republican candidates this year.

Both candidates responded to a questionnaire from The Republican / MassLive. Their responses are below, with the candidates listed alphabetically.

Alex B. Morse

Age: 31

Address: Linden Street, Holyoke

Current job title or elected office: Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts

Why are you running?

Im running because the people of Western and Central Massachusetts deserve a Congressman who fights for us, not big corporations and wealthy donors. Richie Neal has taken more money from corporations and lobbyists than any member of the House, and instead of using his power as Chairman to stand up to Donald Trump, Neal has repeatedly sided with Republicans to enrich the corporate interests that fund his campaigns, hurting his own constituents. Im not taking any money from corporate PACs or lobbyists, so the people of MA-1 will always know Im fighting for them.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

It all starts with a Congress  and a Congressman  that cares more about big money donors than regular working people. High healthcare costs, the opioid epidemic, crumbling infrastructure, and the never-ending wave of small business closures can be traced to policies made in Washington that put corporate profits ahead of our communities. These policies have taken political and financial control out of our hands. In Congress, Ill push for Democratic reforms that get money out of politics. I would also break from institutional Democrats and offer bi-partisan support for enhancing Buy-American policies to support our labor unions and small businesses.

Census and employment data routinely shows Western Massachusetts falling behind Greater Boston area in growth and prosperity. What solutions would you pursue in Congress?

It starts with investments in broadband and passenger rail. The pandemic has shown just how many jobs can be done remotely, as long as there is quality internet access. Congress has talked about broadband for decades, but has failed to invest in universal access. The same goes for rail transit  particularly the East-West Rail. Its beyond time to invest in both. Lastly, Congress shouldnt determine where every penny gets spent. As a mayor, I understand that cities and towns know best what they need, and increasing community block grants and easing expenditure restrictions will empower them to make those investments.

If crises are opportunities, how can the First District take advantage of the opportunities presented as the county emerges from the coronavirus pandemic?

In the greatest crisis since the Great Depression, we need a response as bold as the New Deal. From investments in infrastructure, to clean energy and regenerative agriculture, to broadband, theres so much work to be done  and jobs to be created  right here in MA-01.

But unless we root out big money in politics, the vast majority of relief money isnt going to benefit working people, but the billionaires who have been making a fortune during this pandemic. Neal may know how Washington works, but Im running to change how Washington works  because its not working for us.

The nation lacks a coherent immigration policy. What provisions do you support, and what do you oppose?

First off, we have to end Trumps horrific, inhumane policy of separating children from their parents at the border. We need to protect DREAMers  permanently  and create a path to citizenship for those who are undocumented. I would also close for-profit detention centers, defund ICE, and end the raids that are terrorizing our friends and neighbors. I was proud to be one of the first mayors in the country to declare my city a sanctuary city, and Ill always stand up to those who use immigration as a scapegoat to turn us against each other.

How do you govern a nation as politically polarized as this one? What can be done to renew confidence in government, in science and in society itself?

I understand why people are divided and have lost faith in our leaders  for too long, our government has worked well for the wealthy and well-connected, but not everyday people. People here are feeling left behind and forgotten, and like their Congressman takes them for granted.

But in Holyoke, weve shown what government is capable of doing with the right leadership. Weve not only turned the city around  weve gotten people involved whod been totally disillusioned with politics. The way you restore trust is by delivering results. Thats what Ive done as Mayor, and thats what Ill do in Congress.

Richard E. Neal (incumbent)

Age: 71

Address: Atwater Terrace, Springfield

Current job title or elected office: Congressman MA-01, Chair of the Ways & Means Committee

Why are you running?

I love this community. Its my home, and were facing serious challenges and I can be of service. My most urgent goal is to give middle class families an economic leg up, and to boost more families into the middle class. I want to find a path out of this economic turbulence that rewards work with real opportunity, economic dignity, and security. That includes guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care (including prescription drugs), ensuring employees return to work safely, and rebuilding Americas infrastructure, including broadband. And it means always protecting Social Security and improving retirement security for future generations.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

We face two enormous and closely intertwined challenges: ending the pandemic and reigniting the economy. This virus is costing us precious lives and livelihoods  we are mourning far too many beloved friends and relatives. And the job losses have unleashed an economic crisis in our district like weve never seen. We cannot pull out of this economic slump without defeating the coronavirus, and it will take effort and sacrifice from all of us. We need leadership and coordination at every level to attack the public health crisis, and we need smart, aggressive economic relief to help families and employers survive.

Census and employment data routinely shows Western Massachusetts falling behind Greater Boston area in growth and prosperity. What solutions would you pursue in Congress?

Much of the gap between Western Massachusetts and Boston stems from Republican policies that cut the taxes of the wealthy and multinational corporations but do nothing to help regular families. Thats why I fought so hard against the 2017 Republican tax law. Lifting our middle class will help close the gap. As Chairman of Ways and Means next year, I would strengthen Social Security, Medicare, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and unemployment insurance. Id also expand access to higher education and workforce development, raise the minimum wage, defend workers right to organize, and enhance the ACA.

If crises are opportunities, how can the First District take advantage of the opportunities presented as the county emerges from the coronavirus pandemic?

Theres no silver lining in a pandemic that has killed more than 150,000 Americans, but some of the ways that life has changed may create new opportunities for our district. For example, the pandemic has made many people reconsider living in crowded, expensive cities, and its opened up vast new telework options. Western Mass can be an attractive destination for workers looking to resettle, particularly with improved broadband and transportation linkages I have fought for.

Furthermore, people often use periods of unemployment to pursue education or training, which can ultimately improve their earning potential and happiness with their careers.

The nation lacks a coherent immigration policy. What provisions do you support, and what do you oppose?

We are a country of immigrants. We need to approach immigration, and immigration reform, with a mind to the humanity and dignity of all individuals. We must remain adamant that any policy that splits families apart does not reflect the deep-seated values that molded this country into the greatest in the world.

I have co-sponsored: H.R. 3239  Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act; H.R. 2214  NO BAN Act; H.R. 1044  Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019; H.R. 541  Keep Families Together Act; H.R. 6  American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.

How do you govern a nation as politically polarized as this one? What can be done to renew confidence in government, in science and in society itself?

These four years have been hard on the country. Renewing trust in government will take time and effort, and every elected leader must help repair the damage. For me, that means that, although these values have always been important to me, Ill make an even more concerted effort to treat others with respect and humility and to listen more than I talk. I will continue to act with integrity, transparency and loyalty to my constituents, and heed science and expertise. Restoring trust in government starts with every one of us in public life striving to be worthy of that trust.
By PTI

LONDON: The World Health Organization says the vaccine approved by Russia this week is not among the nine that it considers in the advanced stages of testing.

WHO and partners have included nine experimental COVID-19 vaccines within an investment mechanism it is encouraging countries to join, known as the Covax facility.

The initiative allows countries to invest in several vaccines to obtain early access, while theoretically providing funding for developing countries.

ALSO READ | Mexico to produce Oxford COVID-19 vaccine pending results, approval

"We don't have sufficient information at this point to make a judgment" on the Russia vaccine, said Dr.Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to WHO's director-general.

"We're currently in conversation with Russia to get additional information to understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken and then what the next steps might be."

This week, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia had approved a coronavirus vaccine that has yet to complete advanced trials in people and claimed, without evidence, the immunization protects people for up to two years.
By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's <GOOGL.O> Google said on Friday it would no longer provide data in response to requests from Hong Kong authorities following the enactment of a new national security law imposed by China.

The U.S. tech giant had not produced any data since the sweeping new law took force in June and would not directly respond to such requests henceforth, it added.

"As always, authorities outside the U.S. may seek data needed for criminal investigations through diplomatic procedures," Google said in an emailed statement.

Google reviewed all requests for user data and pushed back on "overly broad ones" to protect the privacy of users, it added.

The Washington Post newspaper reported earlier on Friday that Google would stop responding directly to data requests from Hong Kong authorities, implying the company would now treat Hong Kong effectively the same as mainland China in such dealings.

The national security law has drawn criticism from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and further raised U.S.-China tensions after Washington's decision to end the former British colony's special status under U.S. law.

Google notified Hong Kong police on Thursday that it would direct officials to pursue any requests for data through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the United States, which involves routing through the U.S. Justice Department, the Washington Post reported.

In July, Facebook Inc <FB.O>, Google and Twitter Inc <TWTR.N> suspended processing government requests for user data in Hong Kong.

Tech companies have long operated freely in Hong Kong, a financial hub where internet access has been unaffected by the firewall imposed in mainland China, which blocks Google, Twitter and Facebook.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Stephen Coates)
NOWGAM: At least two police personnel were killed and one injured after unidentified terrorists attacked a police party and fired indiscriminately in Nowgam in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Friday (August 14). The attack comes a day ahead of Independence Day.

Security forces immediately cordoned off the area after the incident and launched a search operation to nab the terrorists.

Vijay Kumar, Inspector General Police, Kashmir held terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad as responsible for the attack on the police party in Naugam.

"Two terrorists came and started firing on police personnel in which two cops were killed and one suffered injuries. We have cordoned off the whole area. Prima facie, it seems there is a hand of Jaish-e-Mohammad. We are identifying it," Kumar was quoted by ANI.

"We received many inputs. We got an input that terrorists can strike in any area. Our police were on alert. One of the terrorists was hiding behind and started firing. We have identified him. He is from the JeM group. We will neutralise him soon. There was people's movement in the area. That's why police personnel could not fire as it would have resulted in civilian casualties," he said.

Earlier on August 13, security forces busted hideouts of terrorists in Awantipora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district during a raid conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Police along with Army's 50 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 130 Battalion of CRPF.

The terrorist hideout was busted by security forces during cordon and search operation in Barsoo village of Awantipora. A police officer told Zee News that search operation is being carried out by a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army.

Based on the credible input at about presence of terrorists of proscribed outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba in the forest area of Badroo Barsoo, Awantipora police along with 50RR and 130 BN CRPF launched a search in the said forest area.

Police sources said that several incriminating materials, including 1918 AK 47 rounds, two hand grenades, one Ubgl thrower, four Ubgl grenades, half a bag of ammonium nitrate like substance, five gelatin sticks and crude pipe bomb. Security forces have also recovered Rs 5400, food items, utensils, gas stoves, gas cylinder and other materials from the hideout.

On August 7, security forces had busted a terrorist hideout in the Shashitar forested area in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The company will invest Rs 1,500 crore in the business in the next five years through joint ventures (JV) and strategic partnerships, said its top executive. Currently, it has tied up with Morgan Stanley as a JV partner for the warehousing business and will be concentrating on Bengaluru, followed by Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune. The warehousing opportunity has gone beyond lifestyle products and even food and ...

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Delhi has reported 1,192 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday to go past the 150,000-mark for the total number of coronavirus cases registered in the national capital since the outbreak of the disease in February this year. However, only 11,366 of these are currently infected by the disease and under medical supervision.

According to the health bulletin released by the state government, 11 deaths have been reported in the past 24-hour cycle due to Covid 19 taking the death toll to 4178. 790 people have been discharged in the same period, leading to number of recoveries reaching 135,108 in the city.

The city is also placed comfortably in terms of the number of beds available in Covid care facilities such as Covid hospitals, Covid care centres and Covid health centres with more than 16500 beds vacant.

For Coronavirus Live Updates

The state capital currently has 523 containment zones.

On the front of testing, Delhi has also conducted 5,721 RTPCR/CBNAAT/TrueNat tests, 9324 Rapid Antigen tests on Friday. Total number of tests conducted in the city-state has crossed 12 lakh 73 thousand. The figure for tests per million conducted in the city has also improved to 67007.

Number of tests conducted per day has been increasing nationally, with 8,48,728 tests conducted on Friday and over 8 lakh patients tested on Thursday, a big advancement from February when India had conducted its first test in the only lab capable of testing Covid 19 samples in Pune.

Also Read: Defence ministrys special arrangements for celebrations at Red Fort

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has said that he is confident of the countrys coronavirus situation becoming far better in the next two months.

A total of 64,553 new coronavirus cases were reported nationally on Friday morning along with 1,007 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

With this, the countrys Covid-19 count rose to 24,61,191, which includes 6,61,595 active cases, 17,51,556 discharged/migrated and 48,040 deaths.
Google is no longer willing to cooperate directly with Hong Kong authorities due to a new law in China, sources close to the matter have indicated. Instead, its redirecting authorities to make their data requests through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US. The news follows a decision by the company to stop reviewing the requests entirely as the result of a China-implemented law that explicitly impacts Hong Kong.

Whats the deal with the new law?

The law, passed under the guise of national security, potentially forces Google and others in Hong Kong to comply with rules in mainland China. Specifically, those are laws that are widely regarded as a violation of human rights. And it bypassed Hong Kongs political processes to enact it. Summarily, the law makes it a crime to participate in separatism, subversion, terrorism, and foreign collusion. The consequences are up to a life sentence in prison.

With that law in place, Hong Kong residents no longer enjoy the same level of freedom of speech as they previously had. While Google and others are still free to operate there but not in mainland China, arrests have already started. Including the arrest of media mogul Jimmy Lai as well as his sons. Police also reportedly raided the offices of a pro-democracy newspaper owned by a company Mr. Lai founded  Apple Daily.

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Google and others stopped responding to data requests from Hong Kong immediately

Google, Facebook, and Twitter, all of which operate in Hong Kong, reportedly have stopped reviewing requests for user data from authorities. And that took immediate effect with the passage of the law, pending a review of human rights evaluations. It isnt just those who engage directly in the vague crimes who will face repercussions either.

It also explicitly indicts anybody who aids or protects suspects who have been accused of violating the law. And refusing to comply with authorities can also result in arrest. Since Google, as well as other tech giants, have staff in Hong Kong, complying less directly could potentially protect workers too. Thats while also protecting end-users.

As noted above, the search giant now requires Hong Kong authorities to go through the Justice Department review via the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. Thats a process that can take months to complete.
A voter prepares to drop off their ballot into a drop box at Philadelphia City Hall during May's primary election. Read more

The U.S. Postal Service has warned Pennsylvania that some mail ballots might not be delivered on time because the states deadlines are too tight for its delivery standards, prompting election officials to ask the state Supreme Court to extend the deadlines to avoid disenfranchising voters.

The warning came in a July 29 letter from Thomas J. Marshall, general counsel and executive vice president of the Postal Service, to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, whose department oversees elections. That letter was made public late Thursday in a filing her Department of State submitted to the Supreme Court, asking it to order that mail ballots be counted as long as they are received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election date.

If the court agrees, that could increase the likelihood that the results of the presidential race between President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden wont be known for days after the election.

The Postal Services letter came amid false attacks on mail voting by Trump, and as concerns mount nationally about how the coronavirus pandemic could disrupt the 2020 election. For Pennsylvania, a battleground state that was decided by less than 1% of the vote in 2016, the letter warned that certain deadlines for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Services delivery standards.

This mismatch creates a risk that ballots requested near the deadline under state law will not be returned by mail in time to be counted under your laws as we understand them, Marshall wrote in the letter, which was first reported by PA Post.

Marshalls letter represented a significant change to the outlook for voting by mail in the general election, the Department of State told the court in its filing. Before the July 29 warning, the department said, the Postal Service had not indicated the likelihood of widespread, continuing, multiple-day mail-delivery delays presenting an overwhelming, statewide risk of disenfranchisement for significant numbers of voters utilizing mail-in ballots.

The department, which is part of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolfs administration, wants the court to order that mail ballots be counted if they are received by the Friday after Election Day as long as there is no proof (such as a postmark) that they were mailed after that day. State law currently requires that mail ballots be received by 8 p.m. on an election day.

 READ MORE: Philly mail delays are raising alarms about the 2020 election: This is a huge problem

The filing also served to drop the Wolf administrations defense against part of a lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans and supported by Priorities USA, a Democratic super PAC backing Biden. The lawsuit seeks to change the states mail ballot deadlines, among other things. The states reversal underscored the extent to which widespread mail delivery delays, along with Trumps acknowledgment that his refusal to increase Postal Service funding is tied to his belief that mail voting will hurt his reelection prospects, have alarmed Democrats across the state and the country.

Voters can request mail ballots as late as seven days before the election. But election officials urge voters to request and return their ballots weeks earlier, to ensure they arrive on time even with current mail delays.

Some counties set up drop boxes in the primary election so voters could hand-deliver their ballots without relying on the mail. But the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee have sued the state to block drop boxes from being used in November. Philadelphia and some of its suburban counties are hoping to set up election offices where voters can use mail ballots to vote in person weeks before the election.

The USPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Department of State declined to comment beyond its filing.

A new Pennsylvania law allowing any voter to cast a ballot by mail, along with coronavirus fears of in-person voting, led to a huge increase in mail voting during the June 2 primary  and a long wait for results while those votes were counted. Other states have also sought to make mail voting easier during the pandemic. Marshall sent a similar letter to Washington state.

The filing came on the same day that Trump openly admitted that by withholding funding for the Postal Service, the agency would not be able to handle an anticipated surge of mail voting in November.

 READ MORE: The Postal Service needs money for mail-in voting. Trump is opposed to additional funding.

They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, Trump said Thursday morning on Fox Business Network.

Referring to negotiations over a new coronavirus economic relief package that have stalled in part because of disagreements over post office funding, Trump added: If we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting. They just cant have it.

Trumps attacks on mail voting have fueled a partisan divide over the method, with a majority of Democrats voting by mail in the Pennsylvania primary and a majority of Republicans voting in person.

Serious mail delivery delays have impacted residents across the Philadelphia region, largely due to policies implemented by the new postmaster general, who is also a major Trump campaign donor. Those policies eliminate overtime, order carriers to leave mail behind to speed up workdays, and slash office hours.

The changes, coupled with staffing shortages amid previous budget cuts and coronavirus absences, are forcing some Philadelphians to go upward of three weeks without mail, leaving them without medication, paychecks, and bills. Mail is piling up in offices, often unscanned, carriers have said, and routes are going undelivered for days when a carrier is absent.

In the primary, just over half of all votes were cast by mail, a huge jump from about 5% in past elections. And turnout in Novembers election will likely be more than double the primary, meaning there could be several million ballots sent through the mail.

But there have been significant logistical challenges to rapidly scaling up vote-by-mail this year. Election officials struggled in the primary to keep up with demand for ballots, and the pandemic meant every step of requesting and receiving a mail ballot took longer than normal.

County officials warned before the election that thousands of voters could be disenfranchised, and tens of thousands of ballots ultimately arrived after the deadline.

Those officials, as well as advocacy groups, have urged lawmakers in Harrisburg to change the law to widen the window between the deadlines for requesting and returning ballots. While many lawmakers agree that there is a problem, there has been no consensus around a solution. Its unclear whether there will be political momentum to change the law in time for the election.

Legislative leaders didnt immediately comment late Thursday.

Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
Black women make up 7.4% of the population, but hold just 1.4% of executive positions in the US, LeanIn.Org says.

United States business leaders should set targets for recruiting and promoting Black women to tackle a persistent dearth of them in top jobs, a womens equality group said on Thursday.

Black women are just as likely as white men to be interested in becoming top executives, but are held back by discrimination and a lack of support, said LeanIn.Org in a report released on Black Womens Equal Pay Day.

They make up 7.4 percent of the population, but hold just 1.4 percent of executive positions in the US, it said, calling for their advancement to be a stated business priority backed with financial incentives for senior leaders.

Very few companies are tracking representation and setting targets looking at both gender and race, chief executive Rachel Thomas told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

What that means is women of colour are overlooked or left out.

Women from ethnic minorities were found to face a lack of mentorship and connections as well as discrimination over their abilities that left them struggling to progress, with Black women the worst-affected group.

They were less likely to be given chances to showcase their work, opportunities for managerial roles, or help in managing their career path, researchers found.

Black women were also significantly more likely to say they felt closely scrutinised at work, to have a colleague express surprise at their language skills or other abilities, or to feel they had to prove their competence.

While many firms have gender and race diversity targets, fewer than one in 10 aim specifically to increase the representation of Black and other racial minority women, the report said.

If a business determines that targets are what they need to succeed in building or enhancing a culture of inclusion  then targets are one way to go about it, said Dnika Travis, vice-president of research at workplace inclusion organisation Catalyst.

The report also found money was less of a driver for Black women to seek leadership positions than for white women.

Instead, they were more likely to want to be a role model for others like them or to influence the culture of their workplace.

Yasmeen Hassan, global director of womens rights organisation Equality Now, said the disproportionate economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and minorities had highlighted the need for change.

If there is any silver lining to the pandemic, then it is that the disruption in business as usual has forced companies to reflect on existing practices and ways of working, she said by email.
A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Index of turnover in industry 2021, November

Published: 14 August 2020

Turnover in industry decreased by 7.7 per cent in June

According to Statistics Finland, working day adjusted turnover in industry (TOL BCD) decreased in June by 7.7 per cent year-on-year. Among the main industries, turnover declined most in the chemical industry, by 23.9 per cent, and in the forest industry, by 19.5 per cent from one year ago. Seasonally adjusted turnover in industry (TOL BCD) grew by 1.0 per cent compared to May. The exceptional situation caused by coronavirus had an effect on the development of some of the manufacturing industries.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (BCD), % (TOL 2008)

In addition to the chemical and forestry industries, turnover declined by 10.7 per cent in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 4.6 per cent in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, by 2.3 per cent in the electrical and electronics industry and by 1.8 per cent in the food industry from one year ago. Correspondingly, among the main industries, mining and quarrying grew most, by 32.0 per cent from one year ago. Turnover in the metal industry also grew by 0.6 per cent in June.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing by industry, June 2020, % (TOL 2008)

Export turnover decreased most in the chemical industry in May

Among the main industries, export turnover adjusted for working days fell in May most in the chemical industry, by 34.3 per cent from one year ago. Export turnover decreased by 20.0 per cent in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 18.4 per cent in the electrical and electronics industry and by 16.5 per cent in the forest industry. In contrast, export turnover grew most strongly in mining and quarrying, by 93.5 per cent from one year ago. In May export turnover also increased in the electronic and electrical industry, by 31.8 per cent and in the metal industry, by 3.4 per cent.

Annual change in working day adjusted export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing by industry, May 2020, % (TOL 2008)

Domestic turnover decreased in May in nearly all main industries. Domestic turnover in the chemical industry contracted most, by 25.4 per cent from the year before. Domestic turnover decreased in the textile, clothing and leather industry by 11.2 per cent, in the electrical and electronics industry by 9.9 per cent, and in the forest industry by 7.2 per cent. Domestic turnover in the metal industry was 6.9 per cent lower and in the electrical and electronics industry 5.5 per cent lower than one year earlier. Growth was recorded in domestic turnover only for mining and quarrying, up by 12.4 per cent from a year earlier.

Trend series of turnover, export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing (BC), January 2007 to May-June 2020, % (TOL 2008)

The index of turnover in industry describes enterprises whose main industry is manufacturing. The calculation of the indices is based on the Tax Administrations self-assessed tax data which are supplemented with data obtained with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnovers of manufacturing enterprises can vary considerably, especially in the metal industries. The variation is mainly due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major machinery deliveries and projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the delivery had required the work of several months or years.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

In terms of turnover, data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around six weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months. Export turnover and domestic turnover are, for the time being, still released at a delay of two and a half months.

Source: Index of turnover in industry 2020, June, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, Heli Suonio 029 551 2481, myynti.teollisuus@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko

Publication in pdf-format (343.4 kB)

Updated 14.8.2020

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover in industry [e-publication].

ISSN=1798-596X. June 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 19.1.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tlv/2020/06/tlv_2020_06_2020-08-14_tie_001_en.html
Bangkok: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha plans to order an investigation to identify the people behind the student-led protests sweeping the country, even as he promised to resolve the tension peacefully.

Speaking at a media briefing after a cabinet meeting, Prayuth pleaded with protesters not to use demonstrations as a platform to stir unrest and said the government "is being very careful" not to inflame the situation.

A pro-democracy demonstrator wears face paint that reads "End it with our generation" during a protest at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok. Credit:AP

"The majority of people don't agree with this," he said. "We have to look into the demonstrations and who's behind it because there's a lot of money involved. We have to investigate."

Citing the country's economic crisis, the coronavirus pandemic as well as inequality and income distribution, Prayuth said: "We're facing so many problems now, not just the one that has been raised by the protesters. Aren't these more important?"
On Sept. 1, Dan Allie faces off with Kelly Pease in the Republican primary for the 4th Hampden District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

A Democrat, Matt Garlo, is running unopposed in the primary.

The candidates responded to a questionnaire from The Republican / MassLive. Their responses are below, with the Republican candidates listed alphabetically.

Dan Allie

Party: Republican

Age: 61

Address: Union Street, Westfield

Current job title or elected office: Westfield City Councilor, Internet Sales Manager

Why are you running?

I ran for office because as a father, grandfather and a small business owner, I was concerned about the future and what kind of country, education and economic opportunities we were leaving our children. I opposed Automatic Gas Tax increases and worked to put Ending Common Core and PARCC testing on the ballot.

As a taxpayer and an Army veteran, I am concerned about the direction our government is going in, with unelected and unaccountable government constantly increasing taxes and fees, yet unable to build schools, fix our roads or deliver the services that drivers and taxpayers are paying for.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

There is no one most important issue. People are concerned about the impact the Wuhan Virus is having on opening schools, businesses, health care and the affect on jobs and the economy, especially family owned, small businesses. Another great concern is the impact on state and local government revenue and budgets, and how that is going to affect services. People, especially during difficult times are still concerned about government spending, taxes, fixing our roads and getting our economy moving again.

Despite the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, Westfield School officials were forced to cut 27 positions and rely on reserves and the promise of federal funds to keep other teachers. What do you propose to do to help the schools expand programming instead of cutting it?

I voted to approve Mayor Humason using 1.5 million dollars in Free Cash to help the School budget to reduce layoffs.

I have placed 2 questions on Novembers ballot. One is to restore Local Aid. The Lottery was created to provide all revenue after expenses and payouts to cities, for police, fire and education and would help lower property tax. The state has taken about a billion dollars out of the Lottery in the last decade, even in years when the state had billion dollar surpluses. Why is the state balancing its budget on our backs?

How do you ensure the cleanup of wells contaminated by the firefighting foam from Barnes Air National Guard Base is completed, without costing the city millions of dollars?

I voted against spending 7 million dollars to build a permanent facility at Wells 7 & 8, the site of contamination. First, because the federal government policy at the time, did not reimburse for permanent work already done, and I wanted the City to protect itself by obtaining a written agreement that building a treatment facility while the federal government determined whether or not it was responsible, would not affect its decision to reimburse.

Second, the Tighe Carmody Reservoir in Southampton has millions of gallons of excess capacity each day, and Holyoke was agreeable to sell water at very low cost. I have filed 2 motions in the last year to invite the DPW Director to inform the Council why Wells 7 & 8 are not operational. We are waiting until August 4.

What is your position on adding a Massachusetts Turnpike exit between Westfield and Lee? Will it help or hurt your district?

I fully support adding an exit between Westfield and Lee. Drivers have paid for the Mass Pike many times over. Another exit would reduce vehicle and truck traffic on Westfield roads. It should have been done years ago. I would also support an exit near East Mountain Road to reduce truck traffic on Holyoke Road and East Mountain Road.

The state just passed a 17 billion dollar transportation bond bill, but only spends 200 hundred million on road maintenance Not enough of our transportation dollars go to fixing our roads, or solving issues like overburdening our roads with heavy truck traffic.

Kelly Pease

Party: Republican

Age: 54

Address: Montgomery Road, Westfield

Current job title or elected office: Retired Army Veteran

Why are you running?

I have always been community oriented. At a young age I was a volunteer firefighter and a part-time police officer. I then joined the Army, where I served for 20 yrs before retiring. Now that I am back home in Westfield, I am looking for my next opportunity to serve. I believe I have plenty to give and would like to serve the people of Westfield as their elected representative.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

Roads, Schools, and Water. The Water issue is more a city and federal issue, but I will advocate at the state level for funding to help those cities affected by contamination. Roads and Schools are the biggest budget items for every city and town. I will fight for increased funding from the state to help cities and towns manage their budgets better and have better roads. I dont want to raise taxes, I want the state to prioritize those items prior to any other spending. If we cant provide adequate spending for our basic needs then we shouldnt be doing anything else until we do.

Despite the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, Westfield School officials were forced to cut 27 positions and rely on reserves and the promise of federal funds to keep other teachers. What do you propose to do to help the schools expand programming instead of cutting it?

See answer above, but in addition, it looks like this year the school budget will be funded and programs or positions wont be cut in the end. We have to wait for the state to finalize their budget, but it is looking good right now. Last year the State House and Governor did increase school spending for the first time in about 30 years, adjusting the per pupil expenditure for cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Basically, the state needs to provide about an additional one billion dollars (about the same as the lottery money given out) to cities and towns. That would give Westfield an additional five million for schools.

How do you ensure the cleanup of wells contaminated by the firefighting foam from Barnes Air National Guard Base is completed, without costing the city millions of dollars?

At the moment, wells 7 and 8 are in the final approval stages and should be coming on line using filters to remove PFAS contaminates. I am told by the city water department that the filters are lasting longer and passing all the tests from the EPA. This is good news! Once 7 and 8 are on-line, then wells 1 and 2 will follow the same plan to get up and running. The city will continue to monitor and test the progress made and at the state level, Governor Baker and the legislature passed funding for Westfield and other cities dealing with PFAS issues to help off set the cost while waiting for the federal government to step up and pay for something they created. I would advocate for needed funding, since water is a basic need for citizens.

What is your position on adding a Massachusetts Turnpike exit between Westfield and Lee? Will it help or hurt your district?

Since the town of Blandford rejected this proposal, I dont think this should be an issue. The people affected most have rejected it and I think we should respect their decision. If the state were to look at another location for an exit between Westfield and Lee it would impact Westfield two ways. One, it would take people out of our city where they might stop and do business and help our economy. Two, it would reduce the amount of traffic on our road. This would help our roads last longer and be less congested. I think in the end for the City of Westfield it would be a win. It would reduce congestion, but those that need to do normal shopping or want to go to dinner would most likely still stop, which would continue to support our economy.

Matt Garlo

Party: Democrat

Age: 23

Address: Montgomery Road, Westfield

Current job title or elected office: Public Relations & Digital Communications Associate

Why are you running?

I grew up in the same house my father grew up in on Montgomery Road, and my family has called Westfield home for generations. After learning of my passion for legislatures in both D.C. and Albany, Im running for State Rep because I know Westfield best and I brought my skills back to serve my hometown. I can be the bridge that unites our youth and those fighting to make investments Westfield needs to make now to be on their feet in 20 years. In my hometown, I promise to run on Westfield-centric solutions, not steady opposition without a blueprint.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

My districts most important current issue is without a doubt healing the damage of COVID-19. From funding cuts to our schools, major loss of revenue at our businesses, deteriorating mental health, and more difficult struggles with addiction, our recovery must address an entire spectrum of issues. I would address them by demanding maximum state and federal aid toward Westfields forgotten schools and businesses, studying the gaps in our mental health and other healthcare facilities, and investing in prevention and treatment for addiction. Too many parts of our community have regressed in this time, and only cooperation can repair them.

Despite the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, Westfield School officials were forced to cut 27 positions and rely on reserves and the promise of federal funds to keep other teachers. What do you propose to do to help the schools expand programming instead of cutting it?

The Student Opportunity Act was made law with districts like Westfield in mind. Our district has always contributed required amounts to our schools, but doesnt often receive what they should in proportion to spending. As the SOA continues to boost Chapter 70 allocations, I will be a loud voice for Westfields fair share every step of the way. Westfield and Western Mass. have traditionally been left behind when compared to their counterparts out east, and I would use this time of need as a blatant reminder of the SOAs intentions to assist communities like ours.

How do you ensure the cleanup of wells contaminated by the firefighting foam from Barnes Air National Guard Base is completed, without costing the city millions of dollars?

Legislators in my area have kickstarted the PFAS caucus alongside other affected communities in the Commonwealth, and I would follow their lead. Residents of Westfield have already given too much to this crisis, whether financially or in ways concerning their safety. They were never responsible and will never be deemed responsible for the actions of our Commonwealth and the corporations that call it home. This is not only an environmental justice issue, but an accountability issue. Westfields right to fight for this funding has already been acknowledged in the House, and I will be there as a reminder that we will never forget that.

What is your position on adding a Massachusetts Turnpike exit between Westfield and Lee? Will it help or hurt your district?

Over the years, I have heard plenty about how problematic it is to have Exit 2 and Exit 3 so far apart on the MassPike. For businesses, for commuters of the areas in between, and more. I truly think an extra exit could pay off, easing the use of many of our city roads. But many residents of Westfield pride themselves in independence and seclusion that such an exit could disrupt, which I respect and understand. With estimates of an additional exit hovering around $25-32 million, I do not see such a project as a priority of the COVID-era.
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Linkedin Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 14:16 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e0aad6 1 Politics Jokowi,Indonesia,#Indonesia75,Independence-Day,Joko-Widodo Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has called on people to support development amid the health and economic crisis.

In 25 years we will usher in 100 years of independence as we become the Indonesia we aspire to be, Jokowi said in his state of the nation address on Friday during the Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) annual session at the House of Representatives compound in Jakarta, held to commemorate Indonesia's 75th Independence Day, which falls on Monday.

Wearing traditional Sabu clothing from East Nusa Tenggara, he said the crisis could help push major transformation through the implementation of grand strategies and the resolution of fundamental problems.

Our current goal is not only to escape the pandemic but also to get through the crisis. We are taking measures to take a big leap by making the most of out of the ongoing crisis, Jokowi said in his state of the nation address.

He said this period should be used to help the catch up.

Jokowi compared the economic crisis to a computer crash, where many countries had to face stagnation but had the chance to restart their systems.

All countries must undergo a brief shutdown, restart and reboot, he said.

Read also: Jokowi reaffirms Indonesias 'massive downstreaming of natural resources

With 75 years of independence, Jokowi said, Indonesia had emerged as an upper-middle-income country but the ongoing economic crisis was the worst in its history.

In the first quarter, the economy grew 2.97 percent but contracted 5.32 percent in the second quarter. He compared the rates with those of developed countries, which had contracted more than 10 percent.

Jokowi once again emphasized the need for swift action in providing social assistance for people and laidoff workers, while acknowledging the importance of loan restructuring and emergency capital assistance for small and medium enterprises.

It is not an easy task. The government must adjust its programs and carry out budget reallocations quickly, the President said in his speech.

Jokowi also asserted the importance of speed and accuracy in the health sector, especially in providing emergency facilities and medical equipment, enforcing health protocols and accelerating citizen repatriation processes.

We must undertake fundamental reforms in the way we work. Our readiness and speed are being tested, he said.

He also addressed the need for fundamental reforms in the health sector by strengthening the capacity of human resources and developing hospitals, health centers, as well as the medicine and medical equipment industry.

Resilience and capacity of our health service must be improved on a massive scale, he said.

During the address, Jokowi also expressed his appreciation to medical and health workers, as well as to community leaders, volunteers, journalists, national security personnel and civil servants.
Opposition Leader Liza Harvey has vowed schools, hospitals and police stations would stay open even if Queensland businessman Clive Palmer won a massive compensation payout from the the West Australian government.

The mining billionaire has been locked in a dispute with the state over a 2012 decision to assess the proposed Balmoral South iron ore mine in WA's Pilbara region.

WA Opposition Leader Liza Harvey.

Premier Mark McGowan said Mr Palmer was seeking more than $30 billion in compensation, a claim the businessman said was "bullshit".

But the Premier said a win for Mr Palmer would be an "extraordinary cataclysm" that could "bankrupt the state".
An Oxfordshire farmer has been praised by firefighters for his quick thinking after his combine harvester caught fire.

Firefighters from Abingdon were called to their fourth incident of the day on Tuesday (11 August) when the combine burst into flames near Wallingford.

On arrival, the crews said they were faced with a 'small but deep-seated fire'.

Firefighters worked in arduous temperature conditions to access the seat of fire in order to resolve the incident.

Incident Commander Rod Dacombe, from Abingdon thanked the farmer for doing 'exactly the right thing' by calling the fire service and not tackling the fire himself.

"Their prompt call enabled our crews to safely resolve the incident and prevent significant damage to the vehicle," he said.

"It also meant that we werent facing a situation where the vehicle had set fire to the field/crop, which would have led to a very significant incident.

Farmers have been urged to ensure all machinery is cleaned and serviced regularly to ensure there is no mechanical defects that could start fires.

Machinery owners should also store petrol, diesel, fuels and chemicals in clearly labelled approved containers, and separately and secure in locations away from other farm buildings.
The following is a summary of one of many cases across the country compiled in a Hearst Connecticut Media investigation of sexual abuse connected in some way to local affiliates of Boys & Girls Club of America, their staff, volunteers, members and/or attendees. Boys & Girls Club of America said that it does not keep a public list of sexual abuse incidents connected to clubs. If you have a story to share, or have information related to this or other incidents, contact us here.

A former program administrator at the then-Syracuse Boys Club is accused in six separate lawsuits of sexually abusing or overseeing the abuse of 43 boys at the club more than 40 years ago.

The alleged abuse at the hands of Larry Adams took place in the 1960s and 1970s in the pool, locker rooms, offices and hallways of the East Genesee Street club, according to the lawsuits filed in June and July in Supreme Court in New York under the Child Victims Act against Adams, the local club and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The act has provided a limited window extending statutes of limitations in sexual abuse cases. Two additional lawsuits were filed in March 2021.

One of the four lawsuits is filed on behalf of 38 men who all claim similar abuse during the same time frame. Some of the victims were as young as 8 when the abuse started, the lawsuits indicate.

Database: Child sexual abuse at Boys & Girls Clubs

Many of the young boys were repeatedly touched and obligated to observe, perform and engage in sexual acts at the club with club officials or with each other, according to the lawsuits.

Also named as defendants in one of the lawsuits are Jimmy Bivens, a former lifeguard, and Don Whitman, another club employee. They are accused of abusing one boy each, while Adams is accused of being involved in all of the abuse, according to the lawsuit. Two other men - a former club employee only identified as Ted Doe and a former Catholic priest only identified as Ray Doe - are also mentioned as having been part of the ongoing abuse at the club.

The lawsuit claims Adams and other men had unrestricted access to children in the 1970s, that local and Boys & Girls Clubs of America officials ignored the mens suspicious behavior and that the clubs also intended to shame the victims into silence.

"The acts by the Defendants' employees were open, notorious, ongoing, widespread and flagrant to the extent and degree that the Defendant knew of these complaints or should have known of the same, one of the lawsuits indicate about the then-Syracuse Boys Club.

Jeffrey Eysaman, executive director of what is now known as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, said the club is aware of the recently filed lawsuits and takes any allegation that might impact the well-being of youth entrusted to its care very seriously.

Although the alleged incidents took place a long time ago, we understand that time does not take away any pain inflicted on victims and their families, Eysaman said in a statement. We respect those who have brought forward these extremely serious concerns. Our legal counsel aims to work diligently to have these lawsuits resolved in a manner that provides support and comfort to the victims and their families.

The clubs commitment to its members, their families and the community is unwavering, he said.



Boys & Girls Clubs of America has said it cant comment on specific cases, but that safety is its number one priority and that it takes any allegation that impacts the well-being of children very seriously. In its responses to the lawsuits in Superior Court, the organization has denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

Larry Adams, Jimmy Bivens and Don Whitman did not respond to mailed letters seeking comment.

In a court response filed in December 2020, Adams denied all allegations against him.
Hundreds of people in Belarus were being released from jail on Friday after they were detained in a post-election crackdown, with many giving harrowing accounts of beatings and torture.

In a surprise move after five days of protests over strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko's disputed election win, officials said 1,000 detainees would be set free and the interior minister apologised to bystanders injured in the unrest.

Detainees emerging Friday from a detention centre in the capital Minsk told AFP they had been beaten and deprived of food, water, sleep and medical care.

"They burned my hands with cigarettes," said Maxim Dovzhenko, 25, who insisted he had been detained even though he was not taking part in protests.

"They hit me on the head, I am not feeling well, my head is spinning," he said before being taken to hospital.

Mikhail Chernenkov, a 43-year-old entrepreneur, said he was given electric shocks and beaten with sticks in a police station, showing AFP his bruised buttocks.

"This is torture," he said, adding that like many others he was forced to sleep outside because cells were overcrowded. He also said he did not take part in the protests.

Hundreds of friends and relatives were waiting outside the detention centre, where volunteers were handing out food and blankets.

Police say they have detained more than 6,700 people since the protests erupted after Sunday's election, which Lukashenko claims to have won with 80 percent of the vote.

- Thousands form human chains -

Lukashenko's opponents accuse him of rigging the election to defeat his main rival, popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has left the country for neighbouring Lithuania.

Thousands have protested on the streets of Minsk and other cities demanding 65-year-old Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet country with an iron grip since 1994, step down.

Police have used rubber bullets, stun grenades and in at least one case live rounds to disperse the crowds, with hundreds injured.

Story continues

Officials have confirmed two deaths in the unrest, including one man who died during a demonstration in Minsk and another who died in custody after being arrested in the southeastern city of Gomel.

European countries have condemned the crackdown and the European Union was set to discuss possible sanctions on Friday.

In a dramatic show of defiance on Thursday, thousands of people formed human chains and marched in Minsk, many wearing white and holding flowers and balloons, to protest against police brutality.

Similar human chains formed in half a dozen other cities.

Senate Speaker Natalya Kochanova then appeared on state television to say that Lukashenko had ordered officials to review detentions and that 1,000 people taken into custody were being released.

Interior Minister Yury Karayev also appeared and made a rare show of contrition for the authoritarian regime.

"I apologise for the injuries of random people at protests who got caught in the middle," he said.

- 'Campaign of torture' -

In a statement, Amnesty International condemned "a campaign of widespread torture and other ill-treatment by the Belarusian authorities who are intent on crushing peaceful protests by any means."

On Thursday, demonstrators held placards reading "Change!" and "No violence" and wore white bracelets, one of the symbols of the opposition movement.

"We want to show that we, the women of our country, are against violence," said Yekaterina, a 38-year-old hairdresser wearing a white sweater and jacket and holding a bunch of white flowers.

Large groups of workers at several major factories staged walk-outs.

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday claimed the protests showed "clear attempts at outside interference".

Russia is a key ally of Belarus and President Vladimir Putin was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate Lukashenko after the election.

Lukashenko has dismissed the demonstrators as foreign-controlled "sheep" and "people with a criminal past who are now unemployed".

The protest movement arose in support of Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran for president after potential opposition candidates including her husband were jailed.

The official results gave her 10 percent of the vote, but Tikhanovskaya said the election was rigged and claimed victory, demanding that Lukashenko hand over power.

She left for neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday as allies said she came under official pressure.

burs-as/mm/bmm
Pakistan on Friday said that it has "defeated" terrorism and has "come a long way" despite battling "heavy odds" both at "external as well as internal fronts", as the country celebrated its 74th Independence Day.

Addressing the flag hoisting ceremony at the President House in Islamabad, President Arif Alvi urged the people to stay united in order to meet the challenges that are being faced by the country.

He called upon the nation to "stand firm and work for progress and prosperity" of the country.

The President said Pakistan has "defeated the terrorism despite heavy odds. We have overcome the menaces of terrorism and extremism."

He also mentioned the Kashmir issue in his speech.

Alvi expressed "solidarity" with Kashmiris and reaffirmed "Pakistan's support for them in their cause."

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu & Kashmir's special status and bifurcating it into two union territories.

India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his message to mark the Independence Day, said Pakistan has come a long way to battling against odds both at "external as well as internal fronts".

"Today, we reiterate our pledge to remain steadfast and embrace every challenge holding the torch of 'unity, faith and discipline'," he said.

Claiming that Pakistan has controlled the coronavirus pandemic, the President said it was a result of the government's effective smart lockdown strategy.

Pakistan is celebrating its 74th Independence Day with a pledge to make the country a "true welfare state".

The day began with the traditional 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.

Special prayers were offered for the security and progress of Pakistan and the well-being of the people.
Herman Cain has taunted Joe Biden and Kamala Harris from beyond the grave after his account tweeted about their 'completely nuts' campaign - two weeks after he died from coronavirus.

The one-time Republican presidential candidate and ardent Trump supporter, posthumously tweeted on Wednesday, a day after Biden selected Harris as his running mate.

'Just in case you thought Biden's candidacy was going to be anything other than completely nuts, team Trump has released a new video,' the tweet reads.

Cain died in late July from complications associated to the coronavirus. He was 74 years old.

In this 9 February, 2012 file photo, former presidential candidate Herman Cain addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington

Herman Cain's Twitter account sends out a tweet taunting Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris, two weeks after his death from coronavirus

Cain had been ill with the virus for several weeks. It's not clear when or where he was infected, but he was hospitalized less than two weeks after attending Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20. Cain had been co-chair of Black Voices for Trump.

A photo taken at the rally showed Cain, without a mask, sitting closely to other people who also were not wearing any face coverings.

A statement on his Twitter account said he tested positive for COVID on June 29 and was hospitalized July 1 because his symptoms were serious.

After his death, his social media team, which includes his daughter Melanie Cain Gallo, have previously said they would continue to tweet from Cain's account

His social media and website team - including his daughter, Melanie Cain Gallo - announced that they would continue tweeting 'ideas he believed in' from Mr Cain's account.

'We've decided here at Cain HQ that we will go on using this platform to share the information and ideas he believed in.

'He often talked about the site going on once he was ready to step away from it.

'We had hoped he could enjoy reading it in his retirement, but he made it clear he wanted to go on,' Ms Gallo said.

'Herman had an incredible career and was adored by everyone that ever met him, especially me,' Trump said on Twitter shortly after he died. 'He was a very special man, an American Patriot, and great friend.'

Donald Trump pays tribute to 'my friend Herman Cain' as former GOP presidential candidate dies from COVID-19 as he was hospitalized for days after going to a Tulsa rally

Cain briefly rose to the top of polls during the 2012 race for the Republican presidential nomination by highlighting a plan to simplify the tax code.

A longtime Republican, Cain was 'a fierce advocate for conservative principles across the board,' Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina tweeted.

But Alexander said the stories about Cain that often went untold by the media involved what he did in his private life to help others have the same opportunities that he had.

He donated time and money to people evicted from their homes, and those addicted to drugs and alcohol, Alexander said. He mentored young people and worked to end hunger, he said.
A worker at a construction site. Cal/OSHA is responsible for inspecting and investigating workplaces across the state. (David Paul Morris / Bloomberg)

Days after The Times reported "crippling" vacancies at California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health that led at least one employee to use Google Translate to decipher Spanish complaints and kept others from on-site inspections, the agency announced it will temporarily hire retired inspectors.

The agency, better known as Cal/OSHA, said the decision had been in the works for weeks and was not in response to The Times' reporting. Staff have struggled to handle an influx of workplace complaints since the pandemic hit, current and former employees told The Times.

"Please consider this opportunity to play a critical role in fighting the spread of the disease," the Aug. 10 notice read, soliciting retired inspectors to rejoin its ranks. The agency stressed a "particular need" for bilingual speakers.

Spokesperson Erika Monterroza called the move part of a "robust recruitment and hiring plan that includes short term staffing strategies." The agency recently mailed notices to 80 former inspectors and plans to reach out to more soon.

Inspectors are responsible for investigating workplace complaints and responding to reports of injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Monterroza said the goal is to build a "temporary workforce that could be used in a variety of ways to supplement current staffing levels."

Garrett Brown, a former veteran inspector turned watchdog, said he had not yet received a notice to return and could not recall a similar hiring call in the 20 years he worked at Cal/OSHA. Brown has been tracking the agency's decline since he left in 2014, including "crippling" vacancies that have kept some offices less than half-staffed.

If the effort succeeds in drawing retirees back, Brown said, it could provide existing staff with more time to conduct on-site investigations. Current and former staffers told The Times that the agency has largely abandoned in-person inspections, handling most complaints by letters and calls to employers.

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However, Brown and other former staffers, remained skeptical that short-term measures would do much to solve the agency's deep-seated issues surrounding hiring and turnover.

Cal/OSHA's parent agency, the Department of Industrial Relations, was stripped of its hiring abilities amid several audits and a state investigation made public in 2019 that uncovered nepotism and fraud. During an Aug. 6 meeting, DIR Director Katie Hagen said the department was still trying to "earn" that authority back.

One former inspector called the new hiring effort, "desperate," but another said they would return  provided the agency put COVID-19 safeguards in place for at-risk workers.

The agency temporarily shut down its Monrovia office last month after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Employees have continued to share emails with The Times indicating agency officials have been slow to notify staff of potential viral exposures and have only recently begun to create detailed office policies regarding face coverings and other precautions. The agency does not provide COVID-19 testing for staff.

Asked how Cal/OSHA would handle retirees whose older age could make them particularly susceptible to COVID-19, Monterroza said it would place those at risk in positions such as "trainers, consultation staff, policy writers, researchers and more."

Those able to perform on-site inspections would be provided with personal protective equipment and training, she added.
Driving to a police station drunk wasnt the only wrong move a Massachusetts man did Thursday morning, according to police.

Auburn Police Chief Andrew Sluckis Jr. said on Twitter that 27-year-old Ryan Supernor was arrested around 3 a.m. Thursday when he was spotted sitting inside the front seat of a cruiser parked outside the station.

Authorities accuse Supernor of being drunk and driving to the station.

The Leicester man was charged with breaking and entering into a vehicle and drunken driving.

Video released by Sluckis shows a man inside the cruiser as a member of the police department walks outside.

Sluckis told MassLive that Police Sgt. Justin Starkus found the man inside his cruiser as the sergeant went out to go on patrol.

Supernor allegedly told the sergeant he tried to go inside the station to get help after a domestic incident, but said the doors were locked. The sergeant pointed out that the doors were not locked.

Supernor, who was slurring his speech, told the sergeant he was just looking for help, according to the chief. The mans car was parked right next to the cruiser. Police arrested Supernor at the scene.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Aug. 13. Yonhap



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the country suffered serious damage from recent heavy downpours, but it should not accept any outside assistance due to the coronavirus risk, state media reported Friday.



Kim made the remark while presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Thursday to discuss measures to recover from the flood, stressing the importance of not letting up on COVID-19 prevention efforts, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.



"The worsening coronavirus situation around the globe calls for tighter border closures and stricter virus prevention measures, and not allowing any outside assistance whatsoever regarding the flood damage," Kim said during the meeting, according to the KCNA.



Kim stressed the need to restore the flood-hit areas according to residents' needs and in a way that can avoid damage from any flood or natural disaster in the future, saying that he "cannot let the flood victims face the 75th anniversary of the Worker's Party out on the streets."






The Philippine government has ordered people to wear face shields in addition to masks at work and on public transport in order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, officials said on Friday.

The policy, affecting drivers and passengers on public transport, as well as all employees at their workplace, is to take effect on Saturday.

Face shields and masks should always be worn together when interacting with colleagues, clients and/or visitors, according to a message signed by the Department of Labour and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Face shields may be removed according to the demands of the work or when the occupational safety and health of the employees so requires, the circular said.

The Department of Transportation said public vehicles would be in breach of their franchise if they allowed on passengers without wearing face shields on top of the masks.

The additional protocol was imposed after the department of health noted that people leaving their homes to work was causing a lot of new infections.

The department of health on Friday reported 6,216 additional coronavirus infections in the Philippines, bringing the national tally to 153,660, the largest caseload in South-East Asia.

The death toll also rose to 2,442, with 16 new fatalities reported, it added.

The capital region of Metro Manila and four surrounding provinces were placed under lockdown again until August 18, after coronavirus infections spiked following the easing of restrictions in a bid to boost the economy.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the opening of school classes to be deferred to Oct. 5, according to a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

School in The Philippines traditionally starts in June, but authorities had pushed the opening to August 24.

READ ALSO:

Mr Duterte has ruled out in-person lessons until a COVID-19 vaccine is available.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the new postponement would give the countrys education system more time to deal with the logistical limitations areas placed under lockdown were facing.

Learning would, instead, take place at home, either online, via television, radio or printed materials.

Major educational challenges included the lack of devices for students and teachers, as well as the dismal state of internet connectivity in many places in the Philippines, especially in remote communities.

(dpa/NAN)
Succession star Brian Cox has revealed he has recovered from being positive with COVID-19 ..without ever realising he had it.

Im a diabetic, and I went from my usual bloods that I usually have between months, Cox told James Corden on The Late Late Show.

I went there, and they took my bloods, and they took the COVID test. Then my doctor called me and said, Oh, congratulations. Youve had it.

I said What?

He said, Youve had it and youve got the antibodies.

I said, When? When did I have it?'

While that couldnt be determined, Cox explained, I remember I directed a play with my wife in London in December.

And I remember coming here, and for about four days, I had these sneezing attacks. Just sneezing.

He also experienced some tiredness, which he attributed to simple jet lag.

The doctor told me that three of our patients had also these sneezing attacks, and that is an unknown symptom of COVID.

Filming for Succession S3 is yet to begin, but the show is nominated for a slew of Emmys.
A wanted criminal was shot in the leg and overpowered by a team of Delhi Police's Special Cell after a brief exchange of fire, police said on Thursday.

The gunfight with Ajay, wanted in a murder case of Aman Vihar and a proclaimed offender, took place in Sector 37 of Rohini area on Wednesday night.

According to police, the team tried to stop Ajay, who was on a motorcycle, but he accelerated and tried to flee. However, when he was intercepted after a brief chase, he abandoned his vehicle and tried to escape on foot after firing at his pursuers.

"He whipped out his pistol and fired two rounds at constable Atul. One of the bullets hit the bullet-proof jacket worn by the constable. In retaliation, SI Maninder fired at Ajay from his service pistol and hit his left leg. He was then overpowered by the police party. A pistol of .32 bore, with two live cartridges, was recovered from him. He was immediately rushed to the hospital," DCP, Special Cell, Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, said.

In 2013, Ajay, along with his associate Kalu, went to Rohini court where their associate Radhey Shyam was to be produced and tried to free him from custody after attacking the constable who was guarding him. However, they failed as Radhey Shyam was apprehended with the help of other police personnel.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has called for the lifting of sanctions and creating of favourable conditions for humanitarian aid in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official made the statement during the United Nations Security Councils online high-level open debate on pandemics and the challenges to sustaining peace held on August 12.

In his speech, he touched upon deep impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of life that is threatening the peace progress and humanitarian work in conflicted areas across the world.

Minh highlighted the need for comprehensive solutions, stating that Vietnam welcomes the UNSCs adoption of Resolution 2532 on COVID-19 response and on its support for the UN Secretary-Generals appeal for a global ceasefire.

He praised the role of the UN peacekeeping operations in assisting nations, adding that the involvement and coordination of the entire UN system play the key role in the realisation of the commitment to developing peace and sustainable growth.

Minh noted Vietnam and other ASEAN member states have mobilised concerted efforts from the communities to protect peoples health, the economy, and the regional peace and security from COVID-19 harm.

He affirmed Vietnams commitments and called for increasing international cooperation and solidarity to successfully combat the pandemic.

At the debate, participants lauded the approval of Resolution 2532, noting that the fight against COVID-19 is an opportunity for boosting international collaboration and unification within the UN.
Such floating barriers or river-based deterrents could allow the U.S. government to block migrants from fording waters along stretches of the Rio Grande where it is difficult or impossible to build steel barriers on the shoreline. It also could provide the U.S. government a way to install some form of a barrier in areas of Texas where private owners have resisted efforts at eminent domain seizures or proposals to build structures and roadways on their properties.
Former Maharashtra chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to play a key role in his party's preparation for the Bihar assembly polls, a significant development that comes amid some disquiet in the saffron alliance in the state.

BJP sources said Fadnavis has been roped in by the party leadership for the poll preparedness and had recently attended a Bihar core committee meeting of the party.

"He has already begun his work and will play an active role. A formal announcement regarding his responsibility may be made later by party president J P Nadda," a BJP source said.

The development acquires importance as two BJP allies, Chirag Paswan-headed Lok Janshakti Party and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United), have been at loggerheads in the state.

The LJP has conveyed to the BJP leadership, the sources said, its uneasiness about the manner in which the issues raised by it have been dealt with.

Chirag Paswan had recently met Nadda and spoken about a host of issues, they said.

The BJP has been playing a balancing role between its two partners. It has already announced that Kumar will be the NDA's chief ministerial candidate.

BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav has so far been the main pointsman of the party for Bihar affairs. He is also the BJP in-charge for the state.

Party sources said Fadnavis may be made the Bihar election in-charge once the Election Commission announces the schedule.

The BJP has a practice of entrusting its key leaders with the responsibility of handling state elections.

Yadav was the party's in-charge for Maharashtra assembly polls last year.

Late BJP leader Ananth Kumar was the party's in-charge for the Bihar assembly polls in 2015.

The development also comes at a time when Bihar and Maharashtra governments have been trading charges over the handling of the Sushant Singh Rajput suicide case by Mumbai Police.

The matter has taken on an emotive dimension in Bihar, the home state of the actor.
BRIDGEPORT  The grandson of a city councilwoman was behind bars Friday after police said he shot at his sister because she is dating a rival gang member.

Clinton Clint Taylor, 22, who is on probation for a 2016 gang-related shooting, was charged with attempted first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, illegal discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and criminal possession of a firearm.

Police said Taylor, a member of the West Side gang 150 Boys, shot at his sister because she had been dating Asante Gaines, who was recently indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly being a high-ranking member of the Green Boyz gang that allegedly shot at rival gang members outside the Golden Hill Street courthouse on Jan. 27.

Taylors grandmother, Councilwoman Denese Taylor-Moye, attempted to intervene in the investigation, telling her granddaughter to tell investigators that Taylor had fired a BB gun not a real gun, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Thats a lie, Taylor-Moye told Hearst Connecticut Media Friday afternoon. I did not say that. Ill tell you what I am against and thats police officers trying to turn our kids against each other by saying they are in gangs. Thats what should be investigated.

During Taylors arraignment hearing Friday, Assistant States Attorney Justine Moore urged Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton to set a high bond because of the seriousness of the case.

The judge agreed, noting that Taylor has prior assault convictions. She ordered him held in lieu of $500,000 bond and continued the case to Aug. 26.

Taylors lawyer, Frank Riccio, declined comment as he left the Golden Hill Street courthouse.

On July 1, the state Department of Corrections notified Bridgeport police that they had intercepted a call about a shooting in the city.

Based on information in the call, Police Sgt. Jason Amato, head of the gang task force, went to an apartment building on West Avenue where Taylor-Moye and her granddaughter live and found a spent 9mm bullet casing in the parking lot under the building, police said.

Police said they reviewed surveillance video footage from the apartment building and saw a man they identified as Taylor pull up to the building in a white sedan. They said Taylor got out of the car, pulled a handgun from his pants pocket and fired at his sister who was standing a short distance away. He then got back into the car and drove off, police said.

Police said the sister was not injured.

Following the shooting, police said DOC intercepted a call from the sister to Gaines, who is being held in a state prison. Police said the sister told Gaines in the call that Taylor had shot at her but that she was reluctant to go to police because, At the end of the day hes still my brother.

The arrest warrant states that Amato later went to the Taylor-Moye home to interview the sister about the shooting. While Amato was talking to the sister, the affidavit states that Taylor-Moye yelled to her, Just tell them he had a BB gun.

In 2017, Taylor-Moye publicly accused police of exaggerating her grandsons part in a shooting in the Greene Homes housing project. She asked a judge to overrule the police investigation.

Police said Taylor was arrested Jan. 26, 2016, after a high-speed chase through the city following an alleged gang-related shooting in the Greene Homes housing project. Police said there were five young men in the car with three guns.

Taylor was charged with attempted first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit attempted first-degree assault and gun charges.

He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree assault with a firearm and was sentenced to 10 years, suspended after he served 47 months and followed by five years of probation.
Dangerous

Cast: Karan Singh Grover, Bipasha Basu

Director: Bhushan Patel

Karan Singh Grover and Bipasha Basus web show Dangerous is described as a psychological crime thriller around the life of a struggling entrepreneur whose wife goes missing. His ex-girlfriend joins in to investigate the case and in the pursuit of truth, dangerous and hidden secrets are unveiled.

However, structure wise, there are many discrepancies in Dangerous, and the foremost of them is that the film doesnt know what it wants to be. Despite being touted a thriller, it lacks slickness. Furthermore, the rough edges are left untouched.

The struggling entrepreneur, Aditya Dhanraj (Grover) is introduced to the audience as an Indian millionaire based in London. He lives in a posh bungalow called Dhanraj Estate, and is always dressed in sophisticated suits and expensive watches. You know, the typical rich person prototype used by Bollywood for years!

The film suffers from a convoluted narrative and relies too much on recycled-plots and the chemistry between the real life couple. While reteaming of the lead pair after Alone (2015) did create some buzz, they dont really hit a common chord in Dangerous. Throughout the web show, they keep engaging in preachy conversations and discuss life in metaphors that dont seem to have much impact on the narrative.

Dangerous doesnt score well on the music front either, something that the makers are known for.

A bland and cliched plot topped with forced sexual tension makes Dangerous a rather tedious watch.

Bipasha Basu talks about returning to acting after 5 years with husband Karan Singh Grover in the web series Dangerous. Posted by News18 on Thursday, August 13, 2020

The web show is streaming on MX Player.

Rating: 1/5
Apartments with over 3 Covid cases to be containment zones for 7 days: Check BBMP's full guidelines

Mid-Air collision of two IndiGo flights averted at Bengaluru airport; DGCA to probe, take strict action

2 cops deputed for CM Bommai's security held for trying to 'extort' money from drug peddlers

Bengaluru violence: Meerut man who announced bounty on Karnataka MLA's nephew arrested

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 14: A Muslim leader from Meerut, who announced Rs 51 lakh bounty on Karnataka MLA R Akhanda Srinivasmurthy's nephew over alleged derogatory Facebook post, was arrested on Friday evening for allegedly disturbing communal harmony.

The man identified as Shahzeb Rizvi, purportedly announced a bounty of 51 lakh on the head of the nephew of Karnataka MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy for a post on social media that allegedly hurt Muslims' religious sentiments.

Avinash Pandey, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Meerut, said Shahazeb Rizvi, a resident of Rasoolpur village in Phalwada town of Meerut, has been arrested and booked under Sections 153 A (promoting enmity between religious groups) and 505 (2) (intent to incite one community against the other) of the IPC.

Bengaluru violence: 60 more arrested, including BBMP Corporator Irshad Begum's husband

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

The role of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) behind the mob violence in parts of Bengaluru, has come to light and investigation will go deep into it and their connections, Home Minister Basavaraj Bomai had said on Thursday.

Three persons were killed after police opened fire to quell a mob that went on a rampage in D J Halli and adjoining areas on Tuesday night over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshi Nagar MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

The MLA''s residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters, who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and those of his sister.
The agreement reached with Argentina covers initial production of 150 million doses of vaccine developed by Oxford.

A potential coronavirus vaccine developed by the Oxford University will be produced in Mexico if its advanced trials are successful and it receives regulatory approval as cases in the country surpassed half a million.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the agreement with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which also provides for production in Argentina, should result in a vaccine that the government would provide free starting in the first quarter of 2021.

He said on Thursday access to the vaccine would be universal and free in Mexico, which has registered nearly 55,000 coronavirus deaths  the third-highest toll in the world behind the United States and Brazil.

In other countries, they can decide to charge or select who is vaccinated and who not, but so there isnt any doubt and to guarantee to all our people, all Mexicans are going to have access to the vaccine, Lopez Obrador said at a news conference.

Production of the vaccine in Mexico and Argentina would allow for distribution throughout Latin America, except for Brazil, which had already reached its own agreement with the drugmaker.

AstraZeneca said the agreement covers an initial production of 150 million doses for the region, with the possibility of increasing to 400 million doses. Production will be funded by the foundation of Mexican mogul Carlos Slim, once the worlds richest man.





Mexico already has agreements with four vaccine projects to carry out Phase III trials in the country, but this is the first production agreement.

The vaccine, being developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford, is one of the most promising of dozens that researchers around the world are racing to prove safe and efficient.

Mexicos government has been criticised for their management of the pandemic and reluctance to put money into the economic recovery.

Al Jazeeras John Holman, reporting from Mexico City, said: Its not a short-term solution but it is a bit of good news for Latin America, currently the region worst hit by COVD-19.

Mexicos health ministry on Thursday reported 7,371 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, bringing the total in the country to 505,751.

The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
An 83-year-old man was ordered to pay a 166 euro fine after he failed to prevent his pet rooster from crowing at 4:30 in the morning, which some of his neighbors had complained about.

Angelo Boletti, a pensioner from the Italian town of Castiraga Vidardo, in Lombardy, was found to have violated local rules, which state that pets must be kept at a minimum distance of 10 metres from neighboring homes. But the real problem was that the pet in question, a rooster named Carlino, crowed loudly as early as 4:30 in the morning and waking up the neighbors. After receiving several complaints about the birds morning routine, police started monitoring Carlino, and after confirming his early crowing decided to fine the retired bricklayer.

Photo: Estebandrf/Pixabay

Im speechless. What need was there? Boletti told Italian newspaper Il Citadino. They could have told me before about the distance [rule]. I didnt understand.

Emma Perfetti, the mayor of Castiraga Vidardo, told journalists that local authorities had no choice but to take action in this case, because of the numerous complaints from neighbors. Apparently, a police officer staked out Bolettis villa during the night, and confirmed that Carlino started crowing at around 4:30 in the morning and continued to do so until around 6:00 am.

While the 83-year-old complained about not being warned before receiving the fine, Mayor Perfetti claims that he had been visited by police early July and told about the 10 meters from neighbors rule. However, he insisted that the rooster was only there temporarily, and would be gone in less than 20 days.

In his defense, Angelo Boletti said that Carlino had been his pet rooster for 10 years, before being given away to a friend due to the neighbors complaints about his crowing. He had only recently returned, and only temporarily, as his friend was on holiday for 20 days.

The 83-year-old said he plans on appealing the fine to hopefully have it annulled.

Interestingly, this isnt the first time when a roosters loud crows triggered controversial legal battles. Last year, a French family was sued because Maurice, one of their roosters, crowed too loudly in the morning and disturbed some of the neighbors.
August 13, 2020

News

By David Vergun , DOD News

Defense.gov

DOD Tech Chief Lays Out Vision for U.S. Technology Leadership

America's economic and military dominance lies in innovation, and the Defense Department's new technology chief is looking to strengthen and maintain the nation's position as the global leader in emerging technologies.

Michael Kratsios was designated the acting undersecretary of defense for research and engineering on July 13. He also serves at the White House as U.S. chief technology officer, leading national technology policies on artificial intelligence, quantum computing and 5G communications.

In his first remarks as acting undersecretary, Kratsios laid out his vision and priorities at a virtual event hosted by Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

"Great power competition has once again emerged as our nation's greatest security concern," he said. "An emboldened and increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party is building and deploying some of the most advanced weapons in the world while using their newfound economic and technological power to undermine our safety, our security and our freedom."

The United States is responding to the Chinese challenge, and maintaining technological dominance is key, Kratsios said.

Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper has given clear marching orders: modernize the military with advanced technologies and protect those technologies.

"To preserve American superiority and security in the 21st century, we must use every lever at our disposal to protect and supercharge our innovative capabilities," the acting undersecretary said. "When we continually have the most advanced technology, we maximize the lethality of our force, ensure our continued economic and military dominance and promote peace and prosperity for all Americans and all nations who value freedom."

The Defense Department is crucial to this national effort. Kratsios announced three main priorities for the Office of Research and Engineering to advance America's global technology leadership:

1. Leveraging the DOD's unique testing authorities to accelerate innovation.

2. Strengthening the department's research and development partnerships with startups and smaller innovators.

3. Enhancing strategic R&D collaboration with America's international allies.

On his first priority, Kratsios argued that the department's unique authorities and unrivaled testing environments allow DOD to pursue innovation at a scale and scope unattainable by the private sector.

"Perhaps counterintuitively for a government agency, the DOD's research and development enterprise has remained relatively free from regulatory capture," he said. "In our mission to defend our nation's interests and equip our fighting forces, we must take advantage of this freedom to maneuver, leveraging every authority and option we have at the DOD to enhance research and testing."

Kratsios noted that the department's ongoing work to test 5G on military bases is a great example of the advantages DOD can bring to researching and piloting cutting edge technologies.

Explaining the second priority, Kratsios said DOD must continue to invest in research and development and reach out to the private sector and academia to find and advance critical innovations.

"We must do more to bring the incredible advances currently being made in academia and private industry to bear on the department's most difficult challenges," he said.

Recognizing the barriers many startups and smaller companies face in partnering with the DOD, Kratsios said. "We are committed to redoubling our efforts to break down regulatory barriers and bureaucratic hurdles ensuring that all companies, no matter their size, have the opportunity to do business with the department. To succeed against our adversaries, the DOD must truly embrace all parts of our innovative ecosystem."

His third priority doubles down on the importance of the United States engaging with international allies to promote technological advancement.

"Using our combined resources and expertise, the United States and our allies can and will develop technologies that support our mutual defense and counteract authoritarian technologies developed by our adversaries," he maintained. "We will not stand idly by and watch as adversarial nations seek to steal our achievements, weaponize our technologies against us and subvert the free and prosperous order that we and our allies have built."

The new acting undersecretary said he is focused on the future and committed to ensuring that the defense innovation ecosystem  and the entire U.S. innovation ecosystem  remain the envy of the world.

"Every generation of Americans has faced a challenge that defines them," he said. "As we find ourselves, once more, in a world being shaped by great power competition, we can take heart in the knowledge that we will not ignore, or dismiss, or shirk from the obligation before us. With our technology, intelligence, institutions, and resources  and most importantly, our resilience and our spirit  we will prevail and remain secure, prosperous and free."

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The 'Tribute in Light' rises skyward on the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in New York City on Sept. 11, 2019. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

9/11 Light Tribute Canceled Because of Health Risks Amid Pandemic

A light tribute that commemorates those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks will not take place this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced this week.

The Tribute in Light, which sees twin beams of light echoing the shape and orientation of the Twin Towers shine up to four miles into the sky over Lower Manhattan in New York City, will not shine this year, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum says on its website.

This incredibly difficult decision was reached in consultation with our partners after concluding the health risks during the pandemic were far too great for the large crew required, it said.

We hope to resume this iconic tribute for the 20th anniversary.

Instead, the museum and memorial is partnering with a city agency and building owners throughout the city. Buildings across the Big Apple will light up their facades and spires in blue to commemorate the 19th anniversary of 9/11.

The anniversary commemoration at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum usually includes a large crowd that reads off the names of victims of the tragedy, but that will also not take place.

People gather at one of the pools at the National September 11 Memorial following a morning commemoration ceremony for the victims of the terrorist attacks, eighteen years after the day on in New York City on Sept. 11, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

No matter how we looked at this situation, we came to the same conclusion. Public safety must come first, and that necessitates changes to this years program, the memorial and museum said in a statement.

Instead, recordings of family members reading the names will be broadcast via speakers while relatives who feel comfortable attending can stand or sit and listen, as long as they follow social distancing guidelines.

An alternative ceremony is being held by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation that will feature the reading of names.

We have tremendous respect for the 9/11 museum and its leadership. However, not allowing families the opportunity to read the names of their loved ones robs this solemn ceremony of much of its significance, Frank Siller, the foundations chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

That is why we are committed to safely giving these families a chance to honor and remember their loved ones in their own voices.

The ceremony will take place adjacent to Ground Zero.

Organizers are providing masks to attendees and social distancing guidelines will be enforced. The number of speakers is being limited to 140; they will be determined by lottery.
Authorities order an investigation into a video that shows govt forces desecrating the bodies of Taliban fighters.

Authorities in Afghanistan ordered an investigation on Thursday after a video circulated online that appeared to show a group of Afghan troops desecrating the bodies of Taliban fighters.

The two-minute clip, which quickly went viral on social media, surfaced ahead of expected peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban following Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis announcement to release the final batch of Taliban prisoners agreed as part of a US-Taliban deal.

The video, which AFP could not immediately verify, shows a man in military uniform using an axe to smash the heads and faces of what appeared to be two dead Taliban fighters.

Other bodies are seen nearby, and the sound of laughter can be heard as a group of men in uniform watch.

The Taliban said the video was filmed in Zabul province in the countrys south and that government forces had treated the dead fighters barbarically.

Afghan government orders investigation

The ministry of defence said it had ordered a probe into the video showing what appears to be some security forces members acting inappropriately with a number of dead bodies.

If verified that the violators are members of the ANA (Afghan National Army), they will be dealt with, the ministry said in a statement.

The desecration of corpses in Afghanistans war has been a recurrent issue, with several videos emerging over the past 20 years, including one in 2011 showing a group of US marines urinating on three blood-soaked bodies.

That video sparked outrage around the world prompting an investigation and criminal charges.

The latest clip comes as Kabul is set to release about 400 Taliban prisoners ahead of peace talks with the armed group, which has fought US-led forces since it was removed from power in 2001.

Kabul has already freed about 4,500 Taliban prisoners, while the armed group have released about 1,000 Afghan security personnel as part of the February deal signed between the US and the Taliban in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The release of the Taliban prisoners has faced opposition in the country as many of the inmates were involved in brutal attacks targeting both Afghans and foreigners.

President Ghani on Sunday agreed to release 400 Taliban prisoners after an Afghan grand assembly, known as the Loya Jirga, passed a resolution to approve the move.

The intra-Afghan talks, which were initially slated to be held in March, were delayed as the Afghan government was reluctant to release all the Taliban prisoners.

President Donald Trump, up for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants to end Americas longest war, which began nearly 20 years ago.
Inside Hook

In order to enter Canada as an American right now, you have to either A) be an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen, or B) be traveling for an essential purpose (which is approved as non-discretionary/non-optional by the Canadian government). Even if you qualify, theres little guarantee that everyday Canadians will care about the reason for your visit.

Against the backdrop of two wildly different responses to the COVID-19 pandemic  the United States has seen 43,000 more deaths from the virus than Canada has seen total cases  Canadians have taken to actually damaging visiting cars with American license plates, sending a resounding, atypically Canadian message: stay the hell out. In late July, the premier of British Columbia, John Horgan, suggested that Americans consider entering Canada via public transport or by bike, and fell short of condemning local behavior, saying: I cant tell people how to respond when they see an offshore plate.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Across the state, universities are implementing plans they developed for providing world-class learning and research in the fall semester of 2020 while keeping our students safe. These plans are taking effect in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We believe higher education is an essential service that should not be devalued in such an environment. Despite what some skeptics claim, higher educations value proposition remains strong.

Earning a university degree can be life-changing. The benefits are well-documented. The average graduate with a bachelors degree from an accredited four-year university will earn approximately $1 million more during his or her lifetime than an individual with only a high school diploma. And, if you have a university degree, youre one-third less likely to be unemployed.

In todays economy, a college degree will help you secure your first career opportunity, advance in your current career, or transition to a new one.

According to an April 2020 Pew Research Center survey, college graduates also are more protected from the impact of COVID-19. While 46% of those without a bachelors degree say they or someone in their household has lost a job or taken a cut in pay, Pew reports, a significantly smaller share of bachelors degree-holders (37%) say the same.

Similarly, according to Pew, about two-thirds of adults with a bachelors degree or more education (66%) say they have rainy day funds that would carry them through for three months. The shares are significantly lower for those with some college education (43%) or a high school degree or less (33%).

University degrees are great assets not only for individuals, but also for the communities in which they live. Communities with more-educated workforces tend to be healthier, wealthier, and better able to compete in todays global economy.

The Federal Reserve recently reported that, Adults with a bachelors degree or more were significantly more likely to be doing at least okay financially (88 percent) than those with a high school degree or less (63 percent).

The economic impact of Ohios colleges and universities remains strong, at $42 billion (2018 data). One of every 12 jobs in Ohio is supported by the activities of public universities and their students. By dramatically improving the ability to earn a good living, an investment in higher education is still the best path to achieving the American Dream.

Our institutions of higher education help students and communities prosper. University research and development helps drive Ohios innovation economy. Higher wages for college-educated workers tend to push wages higher for workers at all education levels and even lead to higher productivity. Regions with research universities attract high-tech businesses, entrepreneurs, and private and public spending  creating business clusters that attract even more well-educated workers and fuel economic growth.

Bruce Johnson is president of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, an association of Ohios 14 public universities.

Basic research on our campuses improves our lives and our world by tackling societys toughest issues. Basic research also provides tremendous experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, helping to train our next generation of researchers.

Ohios public academic medical centers are playing a direct, vital role in fighting the war on COVID-19. They are treating the sick, researching a vaccine and working on a cure. Many of those individuals accelerated their work to be able to graduate early so they could join the COVID-19 front lines sooner than normal.

The impact is substantial. In spring semester 2020 alone, Ohios public universities awarded degrees to 6,506 physicians, nurses and allied health professionals.

More broadly, our universities develop the workforce needed to meet todays and tomorrows high-skill, in-demand jobs.

For all of these reasons, Ohio must nurture and prioritize a robust higher education community.

The economic fallout of COVID-19  furloughs, firings, pay cuts, shutdowns  has struck a mighty blow, but Ohio is fighting back. We all need to understand that Ohios public universities have never been more critical to the future of our state.

Bruce Johnson is president of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, an association of Ohios 14 public universities.

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* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions, comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
British holidaymakers returning home from parts of Europe began having to quarantine on Saturday under new restrictions, as a second wave of virus infections threatened more disruption and economic chaos on the continent.

The UK opted to remove France, the Netherlands, Malta and several other countries from its list of places exempt from self-isolation rules, sparking a rush for plane, train and ferry tickets by Britons desperate to get back before the 4am (0300 GMT) change.

All travellers arriving from the three countries -- as well as Monaco, and Caribbean island states Turks & Caicos and Aruba -- after the deadline must quarantine for 14 days.

French student Antoine, 23, cut short his holiday to rush back to Bristol, in southwestern England, where he is at university.

"I'm a waiter in a small cafe near college, I can't afford to spend 14 days in the house," he said at London's St Pancras railway station after arriving on a Eurostar train.

France is facing a resurgence of the disease that emerged in China late last year and has so far infected over 21 million people and killed more than 750,000 globally.

French authorities have reported more than 2,500 new cases on each of the past three days -- levels not seen since May.

Meanwhile Germany added most of Spain -- where cases have also surged in recent weeks -- to its list of regions from where arrivals must show a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for two weeks.

Austria urged its citizens to return from popular Mediterranean destination Croatia before similar rules come into effect Monday, while Serbia introduced mandatory testing for travellers from four neighbouring countries.

And thousands of Albanians queued for miles in their cars at the Greek border before tougher entry requirements designed to brake mounting infections began.

The United States also said it was extending a ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico throughout most of September "to slow the spread" of the disease.

Story continues

- Travel rush -

Britain's new quarantine rules, announced late Thursday, prompted a frenzied 36-hour scramble to get home.

Eurotunnel, which operates a drive-on train service for cars through the Channel Tunnel, was fully booked Friday while some air fares from France to the UK were more than six times more expensive than normal.

Fiona Nicholson, 47, a professor from the English city Portsmouth on holiday in southern France, told AFP from Nice airport Friday that she had cut short her trip.

"I had planned to return on Monday but... I changed my flight to go back today so I don't have to go on quarantine."

"I'm sad that I'm missing some holiday but I'm happy to comply."

French holidaymakers in Britain will face tough choices of their own, as Paris pledged to impose a "reciprocal measure".

The Netherlands said it would advise against all but essential travel to Britain, but will not introduce a quarantine of its own for arrivals.

Meanwhile, just 10,000 of the usual 250,000 pilgrims will visit France's Lourdes Roman Catholic shrine Saturday for the annual Assumption mass, with mask-wearing compulsory, according to organisers.

- 'Promising' vaccines -

A slew of data Friday revealed the scale of the economic impact of the virus and punishing lockdowns, with Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark all booking hefty hits to GDP in April-June.

Denmark and Hungary both reported their worst slumps since the early 1990s and Poland entered its first recession since the end of the communist era.

Hopes to break the cycle of outbreaks and lockdowns decimating economies have turned to a vaccine, with Britain saying Friday it has secured access to another 90 million doses of two "promising" vaccines.

Vietnam meanwhile said it was looking to buy a bulk order of Russia's "Sputnik" vaccine, although Western scientists have raised concerns about the speed of its development and suggested that researchers might be cutting corners.

And Washington said it would distribute any vaccine proven to be effective to all Americans for free.

Mexico announced it and Argentina aim to have a vaccine available for Latin America -- now the region with the worst virus toll and most cases -- early next year under a production agreement with drug giant AstraZeneca.

- New NZ strain -

Elsewhere, New Zealand is battling its second outbreak of infections and extended a lockdown of its largest city Auckland by at least 12 days, after officials detected a variant of the virus previously unseen in the country.

The Pacific island nation's initial response to the pandemic was hailed a success, but a run of 102 days with no reported community transmission ended on Tuesday and a cluster of 30 virus cases was recorded in recent days.

Meanwhile South Korea tightened restrictions in Seoul and its surrounding areas Saturday, as the country reported the highest number of new daily infections since March.

But in the US -- which has more registered infections than any other country in the world -- museums, art galleries and other cultural institutions in New York will be allowed to reopen later this month following a five-month shutdown.

burs-jj/pma
Sammi Awuku, the National Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on Ghanaians not to fall for the pranks of former President John Dramani Mahama.



Sammi Awuku stated that the former President has no clue how to make education free, hence cannot implement the free Senior High School (SHS) programme.



According to him, Mahama lacks the blueprint for achieving success.



At a press conference on Thursday, 13th August 2020, Sammi Awuku said; You were in power as Vice President and Head of the Economic Management Team for almost four years, and then as President for four years and some change. In total, you were in power for eight good years. Yet, Candidate Mahama, you failed to implement free SHS! Your endorsement of Free SHS is, therefore, from your own record, not honest. A big lie!



Your current running mate, an educationist, was your Minister of Education. Yet, together, you failed to implement free SHS. President Akufo-Addo pledged way back in 2008 that he would implement Free SHS. You opposed it. You had the opportunity for eight years; yet you failed to implement free SHS, Mr Awuku stressed.



He added; We are told by the NDC now, that it was not up to the Education Minister Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to introduce free SHS and that it was a cabinet decision not to do so. Well, Candidate Mahama, you were the President. It was your cabinet. You were in charge. Yet, you failed to implement free SHS."



And then, along came President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Oseadeeyor! Within eight months  Mahama had eight years oh!  within eight months, Akufo-Addo and the NPP implemented Free SHS.



And now, over 1.2 million young people, mostly from underprivileged homes, have had secondary education. 400,000 of them who met the qualifying mark would still have been left out if it were not for the introduction of the innovative Double-Track which Mahama opposed.



So having seen that it is doable, John Mahama now says that if hes elected, hell implement Free SHS. Anokwa! Should Ghanaians replace the man who dreamed it, believed in it and delivered it for one who never believed it and fought it? he asked.



Once again, Candidate Mahama wants to associate with success but he doesnt know how to solve problems to achieve success. He has no blueprint for achieving success. Between the two main candidates, it is obvious which one truly cares for the youth of Ghana and, therefore, the countrys future? It is Akufo-Addo, Sammi Awuku opined.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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

Featured Video
A toddler in China has cheated death after a steel rod speared the boys skull from the back of his head during an accident.

The one-year-old was playing outside when he suddenly slipped and fell backwards before landing on a metal bar protruding from a manhole cover, his father said.

The young patient is said to be in stable condition after doctors performed a one-hour operation to remove the pole.

The one-year-old was playing outside when he suddenly slipped and fell backwards before landing on a metal bar protruding from a manhole cover, his father said. The picture shows an X-ray image of the young patient after the metal bar rammed into his skull during an accident

The terrifying incident was brought to light when the boy was rushed to a hospital in Jinan city of Shandong province on Thursday.

The father said that his son had been playing outside before suddenly slipping on a wet road and falling backwards.

I ran over to check on him, the parent told Pear Video. [I thought] it was not good because it had rammed into [his head].

The horrified father cut the steel rod off the manhole cover with a pair of pliers and took his son to a local hospital.

A toddler in China has cheated death after a steel rod speared the boys skull from the back of his head during an accident. The young patient is in stable condition, the doctors have said

After examining the boys injury with a CT scan, doctors found that the metal stick had been about five millimetres (0.2 inches) away from puncturing the young patients blood vessels

Dr Wang Guangning, director of neurosurgery at Jinan Childrens Hospital, said that the toddler had been critical condition when he was brought in.

The child was struggling to stay awake when he was brought in, the medic said. He also had a fever.

After examining the boys injury with a CT scan, doctors found that the metal stick had been about five millimetres (0.2 inches) away from puncturing the young patients blood vessels.

During an hour-long emergency operation, surgeons successfully removed the pole from the toddlers head with the help of a microscope.

The young patient is said to have been in stable condition while being treated at the Jinan hospital.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 14, 2020) - Fabled Copper Corp. (TSXV: FCO) ("Fabled" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced private placement of subscription receipts of the Company (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.05 per Subscription Receipt for aggregate gross proceeds of $4,600,000 (the "Offering"). Mackie Research Capital Corporation (the "Agent") was the sole agent for the Offering, and fully exercised their right to increase the size of the Offering.

The Offering was made in connection with a proposed transaction (the "Proposed Transaction"), previously announced in a press release dated July 15, 2020, under which Golden Minerals Company will grant Fabled the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Santa Maria Mine (the "Santa Maria Project") located in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Each Subscription Receipt entitles the holder, without payment of any additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder, to receive one unit of securities of the Company (a "Unit"), upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below) prior to the Termination Time (as defined below). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of Fabled (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.10 until the second anniversary of the date of satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the Proposed Transaction, complete any required work program in relation to the Proposed Transaction and for general working capital purposes.

The net proceeds of the Offering have been placed in escrow (the "Escrowed Proceeds") and will be released to the Company (together with the interest earned thereon) upon satisfaction of the Escrow Closing Conditions. For the purposes of the agreements which govern the Subscription Receipts, "Escrow Release Conditions" include: (i) all conditions precedent, undertakings, and other matters to be satisfied, completed and otherwise met at or prior to the completion of the Proposed Transaction (other than delivery of standard closing documentation and the required closing date payment and share issuance) having been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of the definitive agreement for the Proposed Transaction including, but not limited to completing the new National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report on the Santa Maria Project, incorporating a Mexican subsidiary and obtaining a favorable legal opinion as to title and ownership interests of the Company and other relevant persons in the Santa Maria Project, (ii) there having been no material amendments of the terms and conditions of the definitive agreement for the Proposed Transaction which have not been approved by the Agent; (iii) the Company having received all necessary regulatory and other approvals regarding the Proposed Transaction; and (iv) the Company having delivered all such other documents as the Agent may request for a transaction of this nature in a form satisfactory to the Agent.

If (i) the Escrow Release Conditions have not been satisfied by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on November 12, 2020 (or such later date as the Agent may consent to in writing); (ii) the Proposed Transaction is terminated in accordance with its terms; or (iii) the Company has advised the Agent or the public that it does not intend to proceed with the Proposed Transaction (in each case, the earliest of such times being the "Termination Time"), the Company will be required to refund to each holder of Subscription Receipts the aggregate subscription price paid for the holder's Subscription Receipts, together with such holder's pro rata portion of the interest earned on the Escrowed Proceeds.

In connection with the Offering, the Agent is to receive an aggregate cash fee equal to 8.0% of the gross proceeds from the Offering (of which the Agent received one-half on closing and the other one-half is held as part of the Escrowed Proceeds). In addition, the Company issued to the Agent 7,280,000 non-transferable broker warrants (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the Agent to purchase one Unit until the second anniversary of the date of satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions at an exercise price of $0.05 per Unit.

Additionally, Fabled intends to seek the approval of its shareholders, at a meeting, the date of which is to be announced, to complete a change of its name, which is expected to be changed to "Fabled Silver Gold Corp."

About Fabled

On July 15, 2020, Fabled announced that it has entered into a letter of intent for a proposed transaction under which Fabled will be granted the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Santa Maria silver-gold mine in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. In addition, Fabled has existing copper properties, Muskwa and ChurchKey, located in Northern British Columbia.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O.

Fabled Copper Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

peterjhawley126@gmail.com

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Neither The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61740
Brazil's right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro has hit his highest approval rating since taking office - despite the country's 105,000 deaths coronavirus.

A poll from Datafolha found that 37% of those surveyed viewed his government as great or good - up from 32% in June.

Bolsonaro's rejection rating has dropped by 10 points, with 34% now viewing his government as bad or terrible.

The president, 65, has faced intense criticism for rejecting social distancing and lockdowns to curb the pandemic, which has yet to reach its peak in Brazil.

Bolsonaro, who recently recovered from a bout of Covid-19, welcomed the poll numbers and joked on Twitter: 'Truth, half truth or fake News? Good morning, all.'

Bolsonaro has also been heavily condemned for downplaying the virus and famously compared it to a 'little flu'.

He regularly hit the streets with no face mask until he got infected, shaking hands and taking pictures with supporters at rallies.

The country of 210 million is suffering the world's second-worst coronavirus outbreak - after the US - with 3.22 million confirmed cases and 105,463 deaths.

There were 1,262 new deaths confirmed in the 24 hours to August 14.

Brazil is also seeing an upward trend in cases, with 60,091 new diagnoses made in the 24 hours to August 14.

Datafolha said the poll shows Bolsonaro's main gains have been in the poorer and most vulnerable sectors of Brazilian society.

These areas have received emergency aid to make up for lost incomes.

Bolsonaro, who recently recovered from a bout of Covid-19, welcomed the poll numbers and joked on Twitter: 'Truth, half truth or fake News? Good morning, all.'

His spike in popularity comes as the government makes emergency 600 reais monthly payments to low-paid and casual workers, at a total cost of more than 250 billion reais ($47 billion).

The government is considering extending the payments as they expire in September.

As in many countries, experts believe Brazil's numbers are severely undercounted due to insufficient testing.

In a tribute to Covid-19 victims, the non-governmental group Rio de Paz placed crosses and a thousand red balloons on the sand on the famed Copacabana beach.

Datafolha said the emergency relief program made the most impact on Bolsonaro's approval standing in Northeast Brazil, a traditionally poor region where voters could decide his re-election chances in 2022.

Aerial view of the Vila Formosa Cemetery, in the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where thousands of mass graves were dug to deal with the explosion in deaths

A man holds a Brazilian flag between crosses before releasing red balloons in a tribute to those who have been killed by coronavirus

The president's negative numbers dropped from 52% to 35% in the region.

Like US President Donald Trump, whom he admires, Bolsonaro, 65, touts the anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as promising treatments.

He allegedly took the latter himself, despite a lack of evidence of their effectiveness against COVID-19.

Bolsonaro is on his third health minister since the pandemic reached Brazil five months ago, after falling out with two doctors who previously held the post over their recommendations on containing the virus.

The current interim minister is Eduardo Pazuello, a military general with no prior medical experience.

Pazuello abandoned the call for social distancing, which experts say is essential but the president has opposed.

Datafolha carried out the poll with 2,065 respondents. The margin of error was two percentage points.
Countries among the hardest hit by the coronavirus unveiled further control measures Friday to battle rising cases, hitting summer tourism and aspects of everyday life around the globe.

The US Department of Homeland Security said it was extending a ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico throughout most of September "to slow the spread" of the disease.

Meanwhile Britain added France to its list of countries hit with a mandatory two-week quarantine for returning holidaymakers from Saturday, as Paris confronts a resurgent second wave of infections.

Confirmed cases in France reached levels not seen since May on Wednesday and Thursday, at over 2,500 new cases per day.

Neighbouring Spain said it would close all nightclubs and ban smoking in the street where people are unable to stay at a safe distance, after the country reported almost 3,000 cases in 24 hours on Thursday.

The Canary Islands are the only part of Spain not hit with a quarantine order by German authorities. By DESIREE MARTIN (AFP)

"Personally I think it's stupid, it's over the top," Madrid-based translator Julien Garcia told AFP about the smoking ban.

In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute for disease control added all of Spain except the Canary Islands to its list of regions where incoming travellers must show a negative test for COVID-19 or quarantine for 14 days.

Austria urged its citizens to return from popular Mediterranean destination Croatia before similar rules come into effect on Monday, while Serbia introduced mandatory testing for travellers from four neighbouring countries.

And thousands of Albanians queued in their cars at the Greek border, hoping to squeeze across and return to work before tougher entry requirements designed to brake mounting infections come into effect.

Some people had been waiting for three days in the 20-kilometre (12 miles), 4,000-car jam, an Albanian police source said.

Around the world, the number of confirmed cases rose to almost 21 million according to an AFP tally from official sources, with nearly 755,000 people dead.

The United States has suffered the most deaths at 167,253, followed by Brazil with 105,463, Mexico 55,293, and India with 48,040.

Cross-Channel scramble

France and the Netherlands have now joined Spain and several other European nations on Britain's quarantine list, having at first been granted exemptions.

Eurostar trains to London's St Pancras station from Paris were packed on Friday. By Tolga Akmen (AFP)

French student Antoine, 23, had to rush back to Bristol, where he is at university, cutting short his summer holidays.

"I'm a waiter in a small cafA near college, I can't afford to spend 14 days in the house," he said at London's St Pancras railway station after getting off a Eurostar train.

French holidaymakers in the UK will be faced with tough choices of their own, as Paris swiftly announced a "reciprocal measure", although it was unclear when that might be imposed.

The Netherlands also said it would advise against all but essential travel to Britain, but will not impose a quarantine of its own for incoming travellers.

With more than 41,000 deaths caused by COVID-19, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his handling of the crisis.

Economic blows

A slew of data Friday revealed the scale of the economic impact of the virus and punishing lockdowns, with Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark all booking hefty hits to GDP in April-June.

Countries with the highest coronavirus death tolls, and their respective death rates. By John SAEKI (AFP)

"Never before" has the Dutch economy suffered shrinkage of 8.5 percent in a single quarter, the CBS statistics office said, while Denmark and Hungary both reported their worst slumps since the early 1990s.

Central European heavyweight Poland entered its first recession since the end of the communist era.

The continent's stock markets groaned under strain on the travel and tourism sectors from the new quarantines and the US failure to agree a new round of economic support for citizens.

One bright spot was German vaccine maker CureVac, set to dip its toe into the US markets with an initial public offering raising more than $200 million.

The company is seen as one of the leading contenders in the race to develop to a COVID-19 vaccine and received permission in June to start human trials.

All eyes on vaccines

CureVac's potential vaccine is undergoing testing in Germany. By THOMAS KIENZLE (AFP/File)

Vietnam said it was looking to buy a bulk order of Russia's "Sputnik" vaccine, although Western scientists have raised concerns about the speed of its development and suggested that researchers might be cutting corners.

And Washington said it would distribute any vaccine proven to be effective to all Americans for free.

Mexico said it and Argentina aim to have a vaccine available for Latin America -- now the region with the worst virus toll and most cases -- early next year under a production agreement with drug giant AstraZeneca.

Both Mexico and Peru have now surpassed half a million confirmed infections.

New Zealand is battling its own second wave of infections and extended a lockdown of its largest city Auckland by at least 12 days, giving health authorities more time to trace and contain a variant of the virus previously unseen in the country.

The Pacific island nation's initial response to the pandemic was hailed a success, but a run of 102 days with no reported community transmission ended on Tuesday.

The country has now detected a cluster of 30 virus cases, and genomic tests indicated the latest infections were not the same strain of coronavirus recorded earlier this year.

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Nebraska Legislature Passage of Ban on Brutal Late Term Abortion Practice is a Landmark Victory, says Family Research Council

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Family Research Council

Aug. 13, 2020



WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2020 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Nebraska State Legislature this afternoon approved by 33 to 8 the Dismemberment Abortion Ban, a bill that bans a late term abortion practice that involves pulling the arms and legs off of a living unborn baby.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins responded with the following comments:

"I congratulate Senator Geist and our friends at the Nebraska Family Alliance who, along with many others, worked tirelessly to shepherd this landmark bill across the finish line. I look forward to Governor Ricketts signing it into law. The Dismemberment Abortion Ban will prohibit the particularly gruesome practice of aborting unborn children during later months of pregnancy. This particularly brutal abortion method undermines the sanctity of life, coarsens the medical profession, and numbs the nation's conscience. I thank Attorney General Doug Peterson for re-affirming that his office will vigorously defend this law if challenged."

Quena Gonzalez, Family Research Council's Director for State & Local Affairs, added,

"Dismemberment abortion is, shockingly, the most common method for later term abortions, but in Nebraska dismemberment abortions thankfully account for less than 3 percent. This fact uniquely positions Nebraska to challenge this gruesome practice. The Dismemberment Abortion Ban is an important step in re-affirming the dignity of human life. Today's passage reaffirms Nebraska's commitment to life, and breathes new life into the ongoing struggle to realize the American dream of a prevailing culture in which all human life is valued."



"It is also an important reminder that elections matter: Nebraska is in the conservative Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and President Trump has delivered on his promise to appoint federal judges who respect the Constitution by appointing more than one-third of the current bench in that circuit," added Gonzalez.



SOURCE Family Research Council



CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Joshua Arnold, 866-372-6397



Related Links



www.frc.org


World leaders voiced hope Friday that a historic deal between the UAE and Israel could kickstart moribund Middle East peace talks, even as the Palestinians and their supporters denounced the move to normalise ties as a betrayal of their cause.

The agreement, announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab country, and raised the prospect of similar deals with other Gulf states.

In it, Israel pledged to suspend its planned annexation of Palestinian lands, a concession welcomed by European and some pro-Western Arab governments as a boost for hopes of peace.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the deal did not mean Israel was abandoning its plans to one day annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank.

News of the agreement was broken by US President Donald Trump, in a tweet hailing a "HUGE breakthrough" and a "Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends".

He said leaders from the two countries would sign the deal at the White House in around three weeks, evoking memories of previous Middle East peace signings in Washington.

Establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Washington's Middle East allies, including the oil-rich Gulf monarchies, has been central to Trump's regional strategy to contain Iran, also an arch-foe of Israel.

Palestinian anger

Netanyahu hailed a "historic day" he said would launch a "new era" for the Arab world and Israel.

The Palestinians strongly rejected the deal, calling it a "betrayal" of their cause, including their claim to Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

They also announced they were withdrawing their ambassador from the Emirates, and demanded an emergency Arab League meeting.

Announcing the deal in a joint statement, Trump, Netanyahu and UAE's leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said that they had "agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates".

They added that Israel would "suspend declaring sovereignty" over occupied Palestinian West Bank areas -- an idea proposed in Trump's controversial earlier plan to resolve the conflict.

Sheikh Mohamed quickly stressed in a tweet that "during a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories".

But Netanyahu said shortly afterwards in a television address that he had only agreed to delay, not cancel, the annexations, that the plans remained "on the table" and that he would "never give up our rights to our land".

Among other US allies in the Gulf, both Bahrain and Oman put out statements backing the normalisation deal.

But there was no immediate word from the region's heavyweight Saudi Arabia, which is likely to be cautious owing to the complex political calculations involved.

Annexation relief

The controversial Trump plan, unveiled in January, had offered a path for Israel to annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank, communities considered illegal under international law.

The Palestinians rejected the plan outright as biased and untenable, as did Israel's Arab neighbours, and it sparked fears of further escalation in a tense region.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he hoped Israel's suspension of annexations under the plan could help realise a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

Annexation would "effectively close the door" on negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders and "destroy the prospect" of a viable Palestinian state, he said.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt, which signed a treaty with Israel in 1979 to opposition from across the Arab world, praised the deal on "the halt of Israel's annexation of Palestinian land," and said he hoped it would bring "peace".

His stance was echoed by US allies in Europe.

"The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinian territories is a positive step, which must become a definitive measure," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

Meanwhile non-Arab Iran and Turkey, both supporters of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which controls the Gaza Strip, lashed out at the UAE's "betrayal".

"While betraying the Palestinian cause to serve its narrow interests, the UAE is trying to present this as a kind of act of self-sacrifice for Palestine," the Turkish foreign ministry said.

The Iranian foreign ministry said Palestinians would "never forgive the normalising of relations with the criminal Israeli occupation regime."

The deal marks a major foreign policy achievement for Trump as he heads into a difficult campaign for re-election in November.

His presumptive Democratic challenger for the presidency Joe Biden welcomed the "historic" agreement and called the UAE's move a "badly-needed act of statesmanship".

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DARAG North America has also announced the appointments of Stuart Brown and Helen Weinstein as CFO and general counsel, respectively. They will be based in the companys new US headquarters in Atlanta.

Brown has more than 26 years of financial experience. He has held a number of CFO-level and other senior finance positions with ACE Group, QBE, COSVI and other companies, both in the US and internationally. He began his career at CIGNA Insurance.

Weinstein joins DARAG from Hiscox USA, where she most recently served as vice president and senior legal counsel. Prior to Hiscox USA, Weinstein was in private practice in Atlanta.

The two senior appointments and our Atlanta office launch, together with the recent loss portfolio transfer agreement with Hallmark Financial Services, are all key milestones in the rapid growth and success of our North America business, said DARAG CEO Tom Booth. DARAG North America has the expertise and the appetite to provide effective capital relief solutions to businesses in both the US and Bermuda, and the first 12 months of operations is a testament to this. As our North America team continues to establish our presence and relationships in the local market, we are very excited to welcome Stuart and Helen to DARAG.

DARAG North America is marking one year as a consolidated operation, and our profitable and rapid growth is a great testament to the teams determination, said Daniel Linden, CEO of DARAG North America. Current market conditions present significant opportunities for legacy providers, not least in North America. Our local team has been consistently and systematically growing since its consolidation in August 2019. Stuart and Helen are both recognized leaders in their respective fields, and their extensive experience will contribute significantly to the implementation of our long-term expansion in the region. Building on our achievements so far, we will work together closely to implement the next phase of our strategic growth plan in North America.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Sri Lanka: The Rajapaksa juggernaut mauls Opposition | Apratim (...)

One-hundred fifty out of a total of 225 seats in Sri Lankas new Parliament---elected on August 5---has turned out to be a dream win few political parties can achieve in a democracy. This is what the two Rajapaksas---President Gotabaya, the younger brother, and Mahinda, the eldest of the four and a former President twice elected to the highest office---achieved on the voting day when 71 per cent of the electorate turned up to exercise their franchise.

The Opposition has virtually ceased to exist. A breakaway faction of the oldest party United National Party---presided over by a steadily demoralised Ranil Wickremasinghe, whose political ambitions were stalled every time he aspired to promote himself to the presidency---named Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB or United Peoples Movement) and led by the former UNP leader Sajith Premadasa managed to secure even less than 25 per cent of the votes cast.

The two-thirds majority will now allow the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) untrammelled power to run the country for the next four years till 2024. This obviously brings the spectre of an autocratic rule in the island nation. Political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda remarked,  We have seen in the past when governments have had a two-thirds majority it does not have to worry about checks and balances. In fact, they have untrammelled power, that is what we have observed in both India and Sri Lanka. In the past in Sri Lanka, the governments which had this level of power in 1970 and thereafter in 1977 generated a lot of social discontent. (Arjuna Ranawana, Reuters, Colombo, Aug. 7 2020)

Why have the Sri Lankan voters decided to vote virtually en block for the Rajapaksas who are anything but tolerant of criticism and have never hesitated to resort to strong-arm tactics to silence dissenting voices? A number of factors have acted to make this total switch possible.

When the country elected a mild-mannered and reputedly honest Maithripala Sirisena, who was till then a virtual non-entity in the political sphere and completely unknown to the external world, won a surprise victory over Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015, the cards were stacked in his favour. The country had just emerged from the nightmarish reign of Mahinda Rajapaksa who had completed his two terms in the presidency, and Sri Lanka had been left bloodied, frustrated and embroiled in rank corruption.

The combination of two traditional rivals---the UNP and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)----along with a host of small but articulate political parties and groups, especially activists groups in which almost all the professions were represented, and the socialists and communists (all very minor players but strong in trade union movements and all highly vocal) brought in such a challenge to the Rajapaksas who were also in the SLFP but had split away on the eve of the elections, that the ruling party was simply swept off its feet.

However, within a month of the beginning of its run, the new coalition Yaha Palannaya (good governance) government faced its first challenge, serious allegations of corruption in which Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinhe was found out to be deeply involved. His unstinted backing of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Arjuna Mahendran ultimately drove him to face a presidential commission probing the alleged frauds perpetrated by the bank and the stock exchange. Wickremasinghe perpetuated his crime by refusing to step down as demanded by the Opposition parties led by Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The height of public ignominy was reached when the President and the Prime Minister openly fought each other in Parliament, in the courts and back in the legislature. The outcome of this naked power struggle within the government disgusted the people to no end, and on August 5 this year the result came as little surprise.

The surprise lay in the overwhelming majority the Rajapaksas have achieved. Jayadeva Uyangoda writes, What has come to be seen as a victory beyond all expectations , as the SLPP spokesprson has quickly admitted, seems to have been also made possible by large-scale absenteeism by the UNP voters at almost every electorate. Meanwhile, the overall turnout of voters at 71 per cent is comparatively low in Sri Lankas very high standards of voter participation at any election. (Interpreting the Sri Lankan mandate, The Hindu, Aug. 8, 2020)

There were two other notable trends in the electoral outcome. The first is the decline of the ethnic minority representation as independent political entities. The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachhi (ITAK), the main and most vocal minority party in Sri Lankas Parliament, has lost its electoral strength, coming down to ten from the 16 seats in the previous legislature. Six seats from the Northern and Eastern Provinces have gone to smaller Tamil parties, two of which are aligned with the SLPP. This is something which would have been unthinkable before the elections.

The fragmentation of Tamil political representation is mirrored by the decline of

to just two seats in the two Tamil-majority districts, which they contested alone. There could be a few more Muslim MPs affiliated to the SJB. The second factor is that the two big parties in the new Parliament, SLPP and SJB, are of very recent origin, and they have been formed by breakaway sections of the two main traditional parties, the UNP and the SLFP.

Overall, the glaring contrast between the performances of the immediate past government---the coalition government run by the Sirisena-Wickremasinghe combine and the Gotabaya Rakapksa government just a year old---seemed to ha ve persuaded the voters to incline favourably towards the Rajapaksas. The current Presidents handling of the twin challenge of the CoronaVirus endemic and the resultant economic decline have clearly drawn popular acclaim, and the outcome is self-evident in the election verdict.

Especially, the efficient handling of the pandemic, which has been highly commended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), appears to have convinced Sri Lankans that the model presented by President Rajapaksa by his direct and personal handling of the fight against the deadly virus with the induction of the military and his relentless pursuit of drug barons accompanied by raids on their networks and their immediate prosecution is the right their rivals in the elections, the developments show that Sri Lanka is ready like other democracies to follow strong-arms governments with little tolerance for democratic niceties.

Meanwhile, indigenous Tamils have also served notice on President Rajahs and on on their own community leaders. They have told the Rajapaksas that they are finally done with them and have hence voted emphatically against their party. Similarly, they have delivered a clear message to the mainstream TNA which had in the past obtained their unstinted support, all in the hope that under the friendly Yaha Palanaya government justice would be given on their long-standing demands for fair trials of officers and soldiers of the defence forces for killing innocent Tamils, expropriation of their land by the army and the government in Colombo, their fishing rights which was appropriated in favour of Sinhala fishermen and businesses, employment, and funds for re-stating business in the Tamil-majority areas. One crucial demand which remains unfulfilled even eleven years after the civil war was finished, a verifiable account of the missing Tamil civilians during and after the war, is the worst disillusionment with the TNA for its failure to get the Colombo government moving in this respect.

In the north-east as a hole, there is a clear shift towards the parties aligned to the government in Colombo. We must take note of that, said TNA spokesperson M.A.Sumanthiran. (quoted in Meera Srinivasan, Tamils deliver clear message to leaders, The Hindu, Aug. 8, 2020).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first foreign leader to congratulate Mahinda Rajapaksa on his partys performance, brings home the point that with this victory, Sri Lanka and India have moved closer toward each other. The governments in the two neighbouring countries now enjoy massive, unchallengeable majority in their parliaments, and have a mandate to carry out their respective mandates irrespective of their peoples preferences.

*Apratim Mukarji is an analyst of South and Central Asian affairs and of geopolitics in the Indian Ocean Region. He can be contacted at mukarjiapratim[at]gmail.com


Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the launch of 15 products developed by Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factory Board as part of Atmanirbharta week celebrations of Ministry of Defence, in New Delhi, Thursday, Aug 13, 2020. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar are also seen. A PTI Photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said India cannot depend on foreign governments and overseas suppliers to meet its requirement of military platforms, and self-reliance in the defence sector is far more crucial than any other field.



Singh made the comments after launching a range of new products brought out by several defence public sector undertakings and the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) at an online event.



The products unveiled by Singh included a prototype of Nag missile carrier, a prototype of 8.6x70 mm sniper rifle and an underwater remote operated vehicle. Separately, he also launched a naval innovation and indigenisation organisation of the Indian Navy.



"Security is its first priority for the development of any nation. It is known to all of us that the nations, which are able to protect themselves, they have been able to build their strong image at the global level," Singh on Thursday said.



"We cannot depend on foreign governments, foreign suppliers and foreign defence products to meet our defence needs. It is not compatible with the objectives and feelings of a strong and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'," he added.



In a mega push to boost domestic defence production, Singh on Sunday announced that India will stop import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems under a staggered timeline running into 2024.



India is one the largest importers of arms globally. According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion in capital procurement in the next five years.



"We should not only be able to ensure the fulfilment of our national interests but also be able to help other people in times of need. Self-reliance in the defence sector is far more crucial than any other field," Singh said.



The decision to prune the import list of weapons systems under a year-wise schedule was first announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May while rolling out reform measures for the defence manufacturing sector that included increasing the FDI limit from 49 per cent to 74 per cent under the automatic route.



The defence ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years that included an export target of USD 5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware.



In his address at the online event, Singh said the concerted efforts being initiated by the defence ministry to streamline the procurement procedures and promote domestic defence industry would lead to the development and manufacture of indigenous defence products.



He said the initiatives would bring down India's dependence on imports, and thereby would help in restricting outflow of foreign exchange and insulate India from "external pressure".



Referring to corporatization of OFB, Singh said if government-owned defence industries are to compete at national and international level then "outdated practices" will have to be done away with.



"We need to have modern management techniques, technology infusion and collaborative efforts to help aid the state defence industries serve the country efficiently. With this purpose the government has initiated steps towards Corporatisation of OFB," he said.



Officials said the prototype of Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) developed by Ordnance Factory Medak in association with Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, has the potential for import substitution to the tune of Rs 260 crore initially which may go up to more than Rs 3,000 crore.



They said the defence minister appreciated state-run BEML for the products they came out with like the 150 tonne Dump truck.


"It said that the @karanjohar's @DharmaMovies was informed by IAF about the objectionable portion of the movie and was advised to delete or modify them. However, the Production house has not deleted the scene. This is how these people 'respect' our Forces! #Karan_Johar_Insults_IAF," tweeted a user.

Netizens trolled the filmmaker for the gender bias portrayed in his latest production venture, "Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl".

A hashtag claiming Karan Johar has insulted the Indian Air Force has been trending on Twitter all of Thursday.

"Even after told by Indian Air Force to delete or modify objectionable scenes, Karan Johar's Dharma productions has gone ahead without any cut. Such type of movie makers care about money only and they can even insult Armed Forces for their monetary gains! #Karan_Johar_Insults_IAF," shared another user.

"#Karan_Johar_Insults_IAF. Here we have @karanjohar Who dares to insult @IAF_MCC By showing discrimination towards women (Gunjan saxena) by Indian Airforce on @NetflixIndia. All nationalists r boycotting this Anti-National movie! Karan johar - sudhar jao! (Please mend your ways)," wrote another user.

"Everytym they insult our men who sacrifice their lives to protect us Nd these ****. We want apology from his end. And should also take strict action against them so that they don't disrespect our ppl, our religion and our culture again Boycott them #Karan_Johar_Insults_IAF," tweeted a netizen demanding that the filmmaker should apologise.

On Wednesday, the Indian Air Force wrote a letter to Dharma Productions, Netflix and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), raising objections over wrongly portrayed gender bias in the film.

The film is based on the first Indian Air Force woman pilot Gunjan Saxena, who was part of the 1999 Kargil conflict. The force said that certain scenes and dialogues in the film and trailer portray the IAF in a "negative light".
By PTI

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said while India believes in peace it is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression as shown by its troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh after "some in our neighbourhood", a veiled reference to China, tried to carry out their "misadventure of expansion".

In his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, Kovind also spoke about the 'Aatmanirbhar' initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and allayed fears of foreign investors saying India's self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world, with which it would continue to engage.

Touching upon the COVID-19 pandemic, Kovind said the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of the fight against the disease which has disrupted all activities world over and taken a huge toll.

India's COVID-19 caseload surpassed 24 lakh on Friday after 64,553 more people tested positive and the recoveries rose to over 17 lakh, according to the Health Ministry.

ALSO READ: ITBP awards 294 troops for bravery during recent skirmishes with Chinese in Ladakh

He also complimented the Modi government, noting it is very reassuring to note that the Centre while anticipating the tremendous challenge responded effectively and well in time.

"For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires super-human efforts."

Without taking China's name, the President said "while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge(COVID-19) before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion."

He saluted the brave soldiers who laid down their lives defending the country's borders.

"Those worthy sons of 'Bharat Mata' lived and died for national pride. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members," he said.

Twenty personnel of the Indian army were killed during clashes with the Chinese PLA in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15.

"Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression. We are proud of the members of our Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security."

The President also said construction of the temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya "was indeed a moment of pride for all".

Prime Minister Modi performed the 'Bhoomi Pujan' for the Ram temple on August 5.

"People of the country maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system. The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process."

ALSO READ: Prez approves gallantry award for defence personnel on eve of I-Day, four get Shaurya Chakra

All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony, he said.

Talking about the economy, the President said it has been the tradition of India that "we do not just live for ourselves, but work for the well-being of the entire world.

"India's self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world. It implies that India will continue to engage with the world economy while maintaining its identity."

President Kovind said the overwhelming support India got at the elections for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council is a testimony to the goodwill we enjoy internationally.

The year 2020 had taught some tough lessons to the world as the "invisible virus has demolished the illusion that human being is the master of nature", he said, adding he believed it is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature and ensure that 21st century is remembered as the century when humanity put aside differences and collaborated to save the planet.

The pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny.

In my view, 'human-centric collaboration' is more important than 'economy-centric inclusion', in the present context, he said, adding "the greater this change, the better it will be for the humanity."

He said the second lesson was that "we are all equal before nature and we primarily depend on our fellow residents for survival and growth."

"Coronavirus does not recognize any artificial divisions created by human society. This reinforces the belief that we need to rise above all man-made differences, prejudices, and barriers. Compassion and mutual help have been adopted as basic values by the people in India. We need to further strengthen this virtue in our conduct. Only then can we create a better future for all of us."

He also said it was time for augmenting health infrastructure as public hospitals and laboratories have been leading the fight against COVID-19.

"Public health services have helped the poor cope with the pandemic. In view of this, public health infrastructure needs to be expanded and strengthened," he added.

The President, while speaking about the lessons learnt, mentioned that the pandemic has highlighted the need to accelerate developments in science and technology.

"During the lockdown and subsequent unlocking, information and communication technology has emerged as an effective tool for governance, education, business, office work and social connect. It has helped meet the twin objectives of saving lives and resumption of activities," he said.

He highlighted that government offices as well as judiciary has been extensively using virtual interface to discharge their functions and technology has enabled certain establishments in government and private sectors to work overtime to keep the wheels of the economy running.

"Thus, we have learnt the lesson that adoption of science and technology, in harmony with nature, will help sustain our survival and growth," he said.

Kovind also spoke about the New Education Policy unveiled recently, and said he was confident that with the implementation of this policy, a new quality education system will be developed and this will transform the future challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a New India.

He said when India won freedom, many predicted that our experiment with democracy will not last long..."but we have always nurtured them as our strengths that make the largest democracy in the world so vibrant. India has to continue playing its leading role for the betterment of humanity".

He complimented people for showing patience and wisdom being demonstrated in coping with the pandemic has been appreciated all over the world.

"I am confident that you will continue to maintain caution and act responsibly," the President said.

India has a lot to offer to the global community, especially for intellectual and spiritual enrichment and promotion of world-peace, he said and added, "With this spirit, I offer a prayer for the well-being of one and all".
Kaeser brings nearly two decades of industry experience and expertise in merchandising, product marketing, brand marketing and sales

John Iacoviello retires after 11 years overseeing sales for BSH North America appliance brands Gaggenau, Thermador and Bosch

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BSH Home Appliances Corporation announces that, effective Sept. 1, 2020, Christopher Kaeser becomes senior vice president of sales, BSH Home Appliances, Region North America. Kaeser, who replaces retiring industry veteran John Iacoviello, will be responsible for BSHs sales, as well as developing and implementing long-term strategic initiatives to maximize revenue and profitability through all sales channels.

Chris Kaesers expertise in strategy and business development will serve our company well as he oversees our sales organization for our Gaggenau, Thermador and Bosch brands. Throughout his 19-year tenure with BSH, Chris has demonstrated all of the qualities BSH needs to successfully move forward as we enter this next phase of our business, said Christofer von Nagel, CEO, Region North America, BSH Home Appliances Corporation. While we are thrilled to promote Chris Kaeser to his new position, we also want to thank John Iacoviello for his 11 years serving as our senior vice president of sales. John was instrumental in creating an outstanding sales team at BSH and we congratulate him on his retirement and look forward to building upon this foundation under Chris direction.

Kaeser currently serves as the vice president of sales and marketing for national accounts for BSH. He is responsible for all aspects related to the national accounts channel, including strategy, sales, marketing, merchandising, and training. During his time with BSH, Kaeser also served as vice president of sales for the western region, including the United States and Mexico, director of sales for the western region and senior director of product and brand marketing. Through his experience in these multiple roles, Kaeser has earned a reputation as a strategic developer and business strategist who uses fresh thinking and motivation to help move corporate initiatives forward.

Story continues

Iacoviello leaves a memorable mark at BSH, where he will remain on the companys board of management providing strategic guidance until October 30. Prior to joining BSH, Iacoviello spent 23 years in various leadership roles in consumer electronics and successfully applied his knowledge in that arena to the ever-evolving appliance industry. Known for his ability to build great relationships with customers and uphold BSHs strategic vision, Iacoviello is regarded as a valued mentor to colleagues throughout the organization, as well as his peers, and in 2020 was named to the Dealerscope magazine Hall of Fame.

For more information about BSH Home Appliances, please visit: https://www.bsh-group.com/us/

About BSH Home Appliances Corporation

BSH Home Appliances Corporation produces and markets small and major home appliances that are known across North America for their high-quality and superior innovation. BSH sells its Gaggenau, Thermador and Bosch branded products throughout North America, through distributors, independent appliance dealers, national and regional retailers, builders and large buying groups. BSH Home Appliances Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Home Appliances Group, headquartered in Munich, Germany, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide. Manufacturing facilities are located in New Bern, North Carolina, and LaFollette, Tennessee. BSH Technology and Development Centers are located in Oak Ridge and Caryville, Tennessee and New Bern, North Carolina. https://www.bsh-group.com/us/

Contact:

Heather Gordon

Finn Partners

661-714-3070

heather.gordon@finnpartners.com




A sea turtle ensnared in a fishing trap line and encircled by sharks was rescued by the Coast Guard off the Cape May coast Thursday afternoon.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Shearwater, an 87-foot-long patrol boat, received a call about the turtle in distress and dispatched a team out on the ships small boat 11 miles southeast of Cape May, according to a release. They circled the turtle and distracted the sharks.

Coast Guard officers from the Cutter Shearwater, an 87-foot-long patrol boat, responded to the scene where the turtle was stuck.

Once the sharks vacated the area, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mason Sanders and Petty Officer 2nd Class Carliene Lyon used tools to free the turtle.

This was the proudest day Ive had on this cutter, said Master Chief Petty Officer Anthony Martinez, Officer in Charge of the Shearwater, according to a Coast Guard release. Everybody on the crew rallied around and worked together, and we were able to save that turtle.

Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received the report form the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a Brigantine group that works to free stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles throughout New Jersey.

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Josh Axelrod may be reached at jaxelrod@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
London, Aug 14 : Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen has released a teaser of his tell-all book, in which he claims of helping the US President commit tax fraud and create a back channel to Russia's Vladimir Putin, it was reported on Friday.

"I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them," the Metro newspaper quoted an excerpt from Cohen's book, titled "Disloyal: A Memoir. The true story of the former personal attorney to President Donald J. Trump".

"In some ways, I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man." Cohen, who is serving a three year sentence for multiple crimes including lying to Congress, admitted to being a "demented follower" who acted as Trump's bully, fixer and designated thug.

"I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump's path to power," the excerpt said.

"From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers, I wasn't just a witness to the President's rise-I was an active and eager participant." Cohen also addressed the investigation by former special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's interference in the 2016 election and his role on the Trump Tower Moscow project, the Metro newspaper reported.

When Cohen pleaded guilty, he admitted that he lied when he told Congress that the discussions about the project ended before Trump's campaign began in earnest.

In truth, he said, they continued well into 2016 campaign.

In his book he claims Trump "cheated"' in the election with 'Russian connivance', though he does not say how.

He says Trump tried to "insinuate" himself into Putin's world and his "coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs".

In a court filing, Cohen also said that the book will provide "graphic and unflattering details about the President's behaviour behind closed doors".

He said the book will be based on personal anecdotes and "documentary evidence".

Cohen makes clear that he speaks from a position of knowledge, saying that for 10 years, he was Trump's last call at night and first in the morning and that he was "in and out" of Trump's office "50 times a day".

Cohen was released from prison in May amid concerns over coronavirus but was returned in early July after tweeting about plans to publish the book.

The book is expected to be published in full in September.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
HOUSTON, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Partners LP (Targa Resources Partners or the Partnership) (NYSE: NGLS PR A) announced its monthly distribution on the Partnerships 9.00% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units ("Series A Preferred Units") for August 2020.



Targa Resources Partners LP announced today that the board of directors of its general partner has declared a monthly cash distribution of $0.1875 per Series A Preferred Unit, or $2.25 per Series A Preferred Unit on an annualized basis, for August 2020. This cash distribution will be paid September 15, 2020 on all outstanding Series A Preferred Units to holders of record as of the close of business on August 31, 2020.

About Targa Resources Partners LP

Targa Resources Partners LP is a Delaware limited partnership formed in October 2006 by its parent, Targa Resources Corp. (TRC or the Company), to own, operate, acquire and develop a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream infrastructure assets. On February 17, 2016 TRC completed the acquisition of all outstanding common units of the Partnership. Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent midstream infrastructure companies in North America. Targa owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream infrastructure assets. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling and selling crude oil.

The principal executive offices of Targa Resources Partners LP are located at 811 Louisiana, Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77002 and their telephone number is 713-584-1000.

For more information, please visit our website at www.targaresources.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Partnership expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Partnerships control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Partnership. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the impact of pandemics such as COVID-19, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, the timing and success of business development efforts; and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Partnership's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Partnership does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of Targa Resources Partners LPs distributions to foreign investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Targa Resources Partners LPs distributions to foreign investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

Contact the Company's investor relations department by email at InvestorRelations@targaresources.com or by phone at (713) 584-1133.

Sanjay Lad

Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations

Jennifer Kneale

Chief Financial Officer
Some residents in Brisbane's inner south-east have considered moving to escape aircraft noise following the opening of the parallel airport runway last month.

They have complained about increased flights overhead during evening meals, feeling mentally unwell because of the relentless noise, and seeing shadows on buildings from low-flying planes.

Flight paths over south-eastern suburbs. Credit:BAC

Others said the noise was interrupting them working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the runway opened, there has been a seven-fold increase in noise complaints from the inner-north Brisbane suburbs of Hamilton (15) and Ascot (eight), along with Bulimba (15), Balmoral (14) and Hawthorne (12) on the south side of the river.
Radicals are not my cup of tea, but Im grateful for them. The radicals who brought us Occupy Wall Street and the Bernie Sanders campaign gave the problem of income inequality a prominence it wouldnt have had without them.

The founders of the Black Lives Matter organization put racial injustice at the top of the national conversation. The radical populists who ultimately produced Donald Trump showed us how much alienation there is in Middle America.

Radicals are good at opening our eyes to social problems and expanding the realm of whats sayable.

But if you look at who actually leads change over the course of American history, its not the radicals. At a certain point, radicals give way to the more prudent and moderate wings of their coalitions.

In the 1770s, the rabble-rousing Samuel Adams gave way to the more moderate John Adams (not to mention George Washington, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton). In the middle of the 19th century, radicals like John Brown and purists like Horace Greeley gave way to the incrementalist Abraham Lincoln. In the Progressive era, the radicals and anarchists who started the labor movement in the 1880s gave way to Theodore Roosevelt.
A Chinese woman has given birth to naturally-conceived quadruplets who are two sets of identical twins in a one-in-70-million miracle.

The two boys and two girls were delivered at 32 weeks to their 31-year-old mother, known by her surname Gao, via Cesarean section on Wednesday at a Hubei hospital.

Upon receiving the thrilling news, Ms Gaos husband described it as a blessing from God after his wife had previously suffered three lost pregnancies, reported local media.

A Chinese woman has given birth to naturally-conceived quadruplets who are two sets of identical twins in a one-in-70-million miracle. The picture released by local media shows the first set of identical twins, a girl (pictured left) and a boy (pictured right) after they were born

The two boys and two girls were delivered at 32 weeks to their 31-year-old mother, known by her surname Gao, via Cesarean section on Wednesday at a Hubei hospital. The picture shows the second set of identical twins, a girl (pictured left) and a boy (pictured right) in Hubei

The first set of twins, a girl and a boy, were born at 9:28 on August 12 at the Yichang Central Peoples Hospital, according to Hubei Daily.

They were followed by the other pair of twins, who are also a girl and a boy, one minute later.

The second baby is said to be the heaviest one, weighing 1.87 kilograms (4.12 pounds), while the fourth child weighs 1.17 kilograms (2.58 pounds) as the lightest.

Dr Li Hua, director of obstetrics at the Hubei hospital, said that Ms Gaos delivery was extremely rare as the quadruplets were made up of two sets of identical twins.

The quadruplets, two boys and two girls were delivered at 32 weeks to their 31-year-old mother, known by her surname Gao, via Cesarean section on Wednesday at a Hubei hospital

A 31-year-old Chinese woman, Ms Gao (pictured at hospital) has given birth to naturally-conceived quadruplets who are two sets of identical twins in a one-in-70-million miracle

The odds of delivering two sets of naturally occurring identical twins is somewhere in the range of 1 in 70 million, reports say.

Due to their premature births, the quadruplets have been transferred to the neonatal ward and assisted with ventilators to help them breathe.

Before giving birth to her four babies, the first-time mother is said to have suffered two miscarriages and another lost pregnancy caused by twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Her husband, known by his surname Luo, said that they were thrilled as the children were long-expected by the whole family.

Due to their premature births, the quadruplets have been transferred to the neonatal ward and assisted with ventilators. The picture shows medics taking care of the babies in Hubei

The quadruplets, two boys and two girls were delivered at 32 weeks to their 31-year-old mother, known by her surname Gao, via Cesarean section on Wednesday at a Hubei hospital

'It is also a blessing from God to me,' Mr Gao told reporters.

But the Chinese father is also worried about the financial struggles raising the quadruplets as the only breadwinner in the house, earning only 4,000 yuan (439.17) a month.

Mr Luo told the local newspaper: To take care of the four children, our entire family have been involved. My parents, in-laws and two aunts have all come to help take care of the children.
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Linkedin Bjorn Lomborg (The Jakarta Post) Copenhagen  Fri, August 14, 2020 14:31 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e0cde7 3 Opinion climate-change,climate-crisis Free

It wasnt that long ago when much of the global elite had conclusively decided that climate change was our worlds top priority. Then came a massive sideswiping by a global pandemic, of which we have only seen the first wave, along with an equally massive global recession. It serves as a timely reminder that an alarmism that cultivates one fear over others serves society poorly.

In the BC era  before coronavirus  the World Health Organization famously called climate change the greatest threat to global health in the 21st Century. Even as coronavirus tentacles were already spreading, the glitterati gathered in Davos this January and declared climate accounted for all the long-term biggest risks to the world.

The media happily recounted a steady stream of catastrophic climate scenarios. Campaigners found climate dystopias excellent for fundraising. Politicians in search of votes promised to save us from climate harm with ever-stricter emission regulations.

Not surprisingly, these persistent scare stories have convinced many that the climatic end-of-the-world is nigh. One survey of 28 countries shows that almost half of all people believe climate change will likely lead to the extinction of the human race.

Global warming is a real challenge and a problem we need to tackle. But the alarmism makes it difficult for us to think smartly about climate solutions, and it swamps our attention away from the many other important global issues.

Even before corona, this panic was vastly exaggerated. The UN Climate Panel itself points out that, if we try to measure all the negative impacts from climate change, it would be equivalent to reducing the average persons income in the 2070s by just 0.2 to 2 percent. And this is from a base whereby the UN expects the average person in the 2070s to have an income 363 percent higher than todays income. So even the worst outcome of global warming will mean that we will be only 356 percent richer than today. That is a problem, but not the end of the world.

Take the very real problem of sea level rise. This is often portrayed in near-apocalyptic terms. We recently have been treated to widespread reports that oceans could end up rising much more than what the UN Climate Panel tells us, displacing an astonishing 187 million people. Bloomberg News declared that coastal cities like Miami may drown in 80 years.

In reality, the 187 million number assumes that, for the next 80 years, nobody in the world will do anything to deal with the rising waters. In real life, of course, nations adapt. The very study that gave the 187 million number also shows that with adaptation, the number of people who have to move by the end of the century is just 305,000. The number that made it around the world was exaggerated 600 times. For context, 305,000 people moving over the next 80 years is less than half the number of people that move out of California each year.

Moreover, the exclusive focus on climate change neglects that the world faces many other large challenges that we can engage in so much more effectively. Indeed, this is also what the vast majority of the worlds poor tell us to focus on. When the UN asked almost 10 million people what they regarded as the worlds top priorities, the vast majority  especially from the worlds poor  emphasized better education, health care, jobs, government, and nutrition. Climate ranked 16th out of 16 priorities  right after phone and internet access.

There is an amazing array of effective solutions to many of the worlds ills. Nutrition is one of the worlds top priorities, and for good reason. Effective nutrition in the first two years of a childs life helps develop the brain, improves the educational impact, and results in dramatically better-skilled adults. While nutrition only costs US$100 per child, it boosts the average childs lifetime income by $4,500 in todays money. Essentially, it delivers a 45-to-one return on investment.

The same can be said for many health interventions. While we obviously need to continue to address the corona pandemic, lets remember that the worlds leading infectious-disease killer is still tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is often overlooked, but it mostly kills adults in their prime and leaves children without parents. Yet, for only US$6 billion per year, the world could save nearly 1.6 million people from dying annually.

When my think tank, the Copenhagen Consensus, provided an analysis for philanthropist Bill Gates, he called the money he devoted to such disease prevention the best investment Ive ever made.

Of course, we still need to address climate. Research shows that the most effective way is to dramatically increase investment in green research and development.

This could reduce the price of green energy below the costs of fossil fuels and make everyone switch. Because this would also be much cheaper than our current, ineffective policies that cost us hundreds of billions of dollars each year in subsidies for the current generation of ineffective renewables and in lost economic growth from more expensive energy, our budgets would be able to tackle a much wider range of the worlds top issues.

When false climate alarm makes us insist on invoking climate at every turn, we end up helping the world only a little at very high cost. We can  and must  do more, better and faster.

---

President of the Copenhagen Consensus and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. This article is adapted from his new book, False Alarm - How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
With such a target, exports should grow by an annual average of 5%.

The MOIT expects Vietnamese exports to the European and American markets to expand by 7-10% per year.

In 2025 Vietnam is also expected to import US$330 billion worth of goods, with import growth averaging at 4.9% annually over the next five years.

Domestic trade is expected to contribute 13.5% to GDP in 2025, with annual average growth at about 13.5%. The MOIT aims to have revenue from retail sales and consumer services grow by 9-9.5% per year.

The proportion of retail sales through modern forms of commerce is expected to reach 35-40% by 2025, while the amount of small and medium businesses involved in e-commerce is targeted at 45%.

In the next five years, the proportion of industrial production to gross domestic product is expected at 35%.

The MOIT aims to have annual industrial output growth averaging at 7.5%, within which manufacturing will expand by over 10% per year.
Its safe to say the How I Met Your Mother finale stirred outrage within the fanbase. While some HIMYM fans were thrilled that Robin and Ted finally ended up together after decades of the hopeless romantic chasing after his dream girl, others felt as though years of character development had been destroyed in a matter of minutes because of their courtship. Could a deleted scene between Robin and Ted have saved the notorious finale? Keep reading to find out.

Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders | Jim Spellman/WireImage

Why were fans so disappointed with the How I Met Your Mother finale?

Whether you've met her or not, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in the world! #MothersDay pic.twitter.com/CT4UKxcgeU  HIMYM (@OfficialHIMYM) May 10, 2020

HIMYM fans who hated the final episode of the series argued that the whole premise of the show was centered around how Ted met the mother. Since we find out in the pilot episode that Robin is not in fact the mom, fans felt utterly perplexed as to why she would be the person he ends up with. Fans were also upset because Tracy, (the actual mother,) got minimal screen time and was killed off from the show in a matter of seconds.

Another reason fans were not happy with the ending was because the series spent a massive chunk of time developing Robins relationship with Barney. People grew to love the relationship between the unsuspecting characters, and felt it was totally natural for the two to end up together.

The characters are both extremely independent, both value work as a top priority, and are mutually terrified of commitment. As a couple, they wanted the same things which was certainly not the case with Robin and Ted. In fact, thats the reason why Ted and Robin broke up in the first place.

Because the entire final season revolved around Barney and Robins wedding, fans didnt understand why, after all that effort, they wouldnt even end up together.

What happened in the deleted scene?

Nothing like a beautiful sunrise! Happy #EarthDay from Ted and Robin  pic.twitter.com/lEdxtI32S3  HIMYM (@OfficialHIMYM) April 22, 2020

As the series progressed, it became more and more evident that Robin had lost all of her romantic feelings for Ted. While she truly loved Barney, she flat out admitted to Ted that she no longer had feelings for him.

Yet in the deleted scene that was cut from the finale, we learn that Robin has been thinking about Ted for years, constantly wondering What if?

Robin makes it clear in the deleted scene that she still longs for Ted. This little moment could have changed the whole game for fans by justifying Ted and Robin ending up together.

Josh Radnors thoughts on the deleted scene/finale

Just wanted to make sure this key worked  pic.twitter.com/Xir54mXO6L  HIMYM (@OfficialHIMYM) January 13, 2020

RELATED: What Were Cobie Smulders New Robin Sparkles Lyrics From How I Met Your Mother COVID-19 Parody?

Regarding the deleted scene, Josh Radnor (who plays Ted) spoke on the subject in an interview with Vulture.

It was a scene after they ran into each other on the street. They had lunch the next day. I dont want to go too much into it because they obviously cut it for a reason, but I thought it was a really sweet and sad and funny scene. It also talked about Robin having a run-in with a bull in Spain. Theyre so densely packed, these episodes, and theyre always long. We shot more than could be in the episode, which we always do, so some stuff has to go.

Expressing his opinion on the finale as a whole, he told Vulture that part of what makes the series stand out is that they lead you one way and then they pull you back. He says, You think youre watching one thing in an episode and then it turns out youre watching something completely different. I think that the twists in the finale were in keeping with that.

He also believes that no matter what they did in the final episode, people would still be extremely opinionated about it. Even if the finale didnt end up the way it did, he still believes some people would have been thrilled while others would have been upset, and the fact that people are so enthusiastic about the finale speaks to something really great.
US companies that have strong business ties with China are boycotting the Trump administrations plans to restrict business transactions involving Tencents WeChat app, claiming that such drastic sanctions could jeopardize their great share in the Chinese market.

(Photo/CGTN)

According to Wall Street Journals report on Thursday, more than a dozen major US multinational companies, including Disney, Ford, Intel, Morgan Stanley, UPS, Apple and Walmart, raised concerns in a call with White House officials Tuesday about the potentially broad scope and impact of Trumps executive order targeting China, which is set to take effect late next month, noting that the consequences for US companies could be severe.

For those who dont live in China, they dont understand how vast the implications are if American companies arent allowed to use it, Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal, adding that US companies are going to be held at a severe disadvantage to every competitor.

Being one of Chinas two major third-party payment apps and the countrys most popular social media platform, over 50 million individual businesses were active users of WeChat Pay, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the countrys total. According to WeChats annual report released in January, the number of retail transactions using WeChat Pay surged 62 percent year-on-year.

From taking orders to paying through QR codes, an increasing number of consumers in China use WeChat to hail taxis, pay bills in restaurants, as well as buy scenic spot tickets and book hotels.

Once the ban is initiated, the loss for US companies could be unmeasurable. For instance, Apple spent years building China into a $44 billion growth driver, but without the app that has become an inseparable part of Chinese peoples daily life, Chinese smartphone users may reconsider their attachment to the US tech giant.

Signing an executive order last week, Trump wants to ban transactions with the Chinese companies behind the TikTok and WeChat apps. The order will take effect in 45 days, though the scope of the order is still unclear.

According to Fortune, Tencent executives on a post-earnings conference Wednesday said they believe the ban applies only to WeChat in the U.S. and shouldnt affect its Chinese cousin, known as Weixin, adding that they themselves are still seeking clarity.
AMHERST  The University of Massachusetts Amherst said Friday that it has hired an attorney to conduct an independent, comprehensive review of alleged inappropriate conduct by congressional candidate and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, a former adjunct faculty member.

Natashia Tidwell, a partner at the Boston law firm Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, is asking members of the UMass Amherst community, as well as anyone else who may have relevant facts regarding the allegations, to contact her directly at natashia.tidwell@saul.com or 617-723-3300. She will respect the privacy interests of those who come forward, UMass said in a news release.

Tidwell has experience in Title IX, the federal law regarding sex discrimination in education. She is also a former federal prosecutor and police officer, according to an online biography.

The news release said:

The university believes the nature of the allegations initially raised in the Massachusetts Daily Collegian necessitate a thorough and independent review, with the possibility of including a determination of whether students were subjected to a hostile learning environment as articulated in its campus policies, which are based on and guided by federal and state anti-discrimination law, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Morse said Thursday he had not been contacted by UMass about the matter, but will fully cooperate with any investigation.

Tidwell was one of the attorneys hired by the state Senate in 2017 to do an ethics investigation of then-Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst. Rosenberg ultimately resigned amid allegations his husband at the time, Bryon Hefner, sexually assaulted Beacon Hill staffers.

Also in 2017, Tidwell was named to head in the independent monitoring team overseeing a federal consent decree in the city of Ferguson, Missouri, following the police shooting of Michael Brown and subsequent unrest in that city.

The College Democrats of Massachusetts and its chapters at Amherst College and UMass Amherst sent Morse a letter last week disinviting him from its events and outlining allegations that Morse used his position of power for romantic or sexual gain.

Morse has acknowledged having sexual relationships with college students, but said all were consensual and did not violate school policies.

The allegations have roiled Morse bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal in the Democratic primary Sept. 1.

Morse says the letter and stories about it that first appeared in the Collegian were politically motivated, and hes publicly blamed the Neal campaign and the Springfield political machine. A Morse supporter who was a member of the UMass Democrats has said one student behind the allegations was a Neal supporter.

Hayley Fleming, an Amherst College student who is president of the College Democrats of Massachusetts, said in a message to membership that there were several students who brought forth concerns. Fleming said the College Democrats wont share individual stories out of concern for their safety.

She said she cannot speak to anyones motivations other than her own. But she said she believes College Democrats acted in good faith to protect individuals who felt they were subject to inappropriate behavior.

Fleming also condemned homophobic attacks that followed the College Democrats letter.

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On Thursday, August 20, at 11:00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference on the subject: "Minimum Wage Increase: Trade Unions' Position." Participants include First Deputy Chairman of the Joint Representative Body of Trade Union Associations, Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine Oleksandr Shubin, Chairman of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine, MP Mykhailo Volynets, First Deputy Chairman of the Trade Union of Railway Workers and Transport Builders Oleksandr Mushenok (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be broadcast on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot. Additional information by phone: (050) 383 9729.
A coroner has inspected the Malaysian resort where Nora Quoirin went missing a year ago ahead of an inquest into the teenager's death.

It comes as the 15-year-old's mum, who is from Belfast, says she still believes that Nora was abducted.

Meabh Quoirin said she also hoped a hard-won inquest in Malaysia will answer some outstanding questions.

The girl's disappearance from her family's holiday chalet at the Dusun eco-resort in southern Negeri Sembilan state on August 4, 2019 sparked a massive search operation.

Read More

Her naked body was discovered 10 days later beside a small stream about 1.6 miles from the resort.

Her funeral took place at St Brigid's Church in south Belfast, where she was baptised.

Local media reports said the coroner, prosecutors and the family's lawyer yesterday inspected the resort and the nearby rainforest area where Nora's body was found ahead of the inquest, which is due to begin later this month.

"The coroner took the opportunity to visit the place where the victim stayed and where the body of Nora was found," Negeri Sembilan deputy police chief Che Zakaria Othman said.

He added the three-hour visit was to give the coroner "preliminary insight" on the location of the tragedy.

The Quoirin family's new lawyer, S Sakthyvell, described the site visit as "quite thorough".

"She (the coroner) visited the Dusun resort, the waterfall, she walked in a stream and went to the location where the body was found," Sakthyvell told AFP.

The inquest is scheduled to take place from August 24-September 4 and will hear from 60 witnesses.

Read More

Meabh and husband Sebastien will not be present due to coronavirus-related restrictions, but will be interviewed by the coroner over a conferencing platform.

The couple remain convinced that their daughter, who was vulnerable, had special needs and would not go outside her own front door alone, could not have reached the spot where the body was found.

The location had already been scoured many times during the search operation.

"What we want is that no family would ever go through what we've had to go through," Meabh told The Irish Times.

"What we're looking for is an acknowledgement of the numerous possibilities, and a far greater emphasis on who Nora was and why it is just impossible to believe certain theories about what might have happened."

The Quoirins say they do not want foul play to be ruled out by the coroner.

They say that crucial time and evidence was lost because the Malaysian police insisted on treating her disappearance as a case of a missing person and not as a crime.

"For us it's important that the case stays open in case someone speaks up in the future," Sebastien added.

The lounge window in the chalet was found to be ajar when Nora went missing.

According to Meabh: "Somebody opened that window, and it wasn't us."

A year on the Quoirins say they are coping, while Nora's siblings - Maurice (9) and Innes (13) - are very resilient.

"We are making a memory log of all our best memories of Nora," Meabh said.

"The children look back and think of all the ways in which Nora made them smile.

"She was funny and quirky with them and they remember and cherish that.

"We've had a lot of support from family, friends, professionals and strangers who continue to write to us and visit Nora's grave.

"But, in the end, I'm still absolutely devastated.

"We miss her every minute of every day. It's my little girl; you can't get past that.

"It feels like it happened yesterday.

"She is very much alive as part of our family. We'll always be a family-of-five."
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Presidential Election In Belarus-Authoritarian Regime Persists | (...)

by R.G.Gidadhubli

11th August 2020

In the Belarusian presidential election held on the 9th August 2020, Aleksander Lukashenka won with more than 80 pc vote and his main rival Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya received 9.9 percent of the vote, while three other opposition candidates each received less that 2 percent of the vote. Thus Lukashenka, who has been in power as president of Belarus since 1994, got elected for the 6th time and has made history as the longest-serving president among the post-Soviet States.

Lukashenka has been an authoritarian president emerging from his position as the head of a State Farm and has not allowed any opposition to his leadership during the last 26 years. He has neither promoted nor allowed democratic political institutions to emerge in the country even as the main objective of all independent states after the breakup of the Soviet Union was to bring about transition from the former Communist System to political democracy and market economy. Despite retaining power for a long time Lukashenka has not carried out any major economic reforms. Hence the economic scenario of the country is far from satisfactory. The economy is heavily reliant on agricultural exports to Russia, and more importantly, cheap imports of oil from Russia. Belarusian refineries then process and resell oil at higher prices to European markets and make profits. Only recently he has allowed small-scale entrepreneurship, particularly the IT sector in the capital city of Minsk.

It needs to be noted at the outset that Belarus is a landlocked country with a population of about 9.5 million with Russia in the east, Europe in the west, Ukraine in south and Baltic states on the north. It is a Slavic State as also Russia and Ukraine with predominantly Christian ethnic nationality. Belarus is not endowed with huge resource potentialities and being dependent upon Russia for oil and natural gas getting at lower than market prices when relations are close. But bilateral ties are not always close and consistent. Russia has been making efforts for closer political integration Russia-Belarus but that is not supported by Lukashenka fearing that he might loose his power. Moscow has wanted Minsk to integrate with Russia, pushing for tighter ties under a Union State that was created in the 1990s but exists largely on paper. Belarus which is not democratic and not open society, does not have close and cordial ties with the Western countries.

Coming to the present context, it is important to note that even as presidential elections were held five times as opined by political analysts, they were not Free and Fair elections since Lukashenka exerted total control over the process of election. Hence analysts have rightly contended that Lukashenka has won the election on the 9th August 2020 through a combination of fraud and the repression of the energized opposition. An effort has been made to analyze how Lukashenka has controlled all political institutions in the country and has not allowed any opposition to ensure and pursue his objective to remain in power.

Firstly, on 10th August not accepting the result of election and disputing the figures, thousands of protestors clashed with the police contending that it was rigged and one demonstrator was killed being hit by stun grenade. In fact during this current election campaign, there are reports that hundreds of opposition activists were arrested, and other opposition figures were prevented from running for president. As rightly stated, police and security tactics have marginalized opposition groups, wiped out civil-society organizations, and shut out independent media. Lukashenka has cracked down on his political opponents during the election campaign, with the countrys state apparatus and law enforcement agencies arresting hundreds of people  including journalists, bloggers, and political activists.

Secondly, it was most astonishing that on the 7th Aug Belarusian authorities detained three correspondents of Current Time in the capital, Minsk, just 2 days before the country held a crucial presidential election. The three reporters  Iryna Romaliyskaya, Yury Baranyuk, and Ivan Hrebenyuk were in the course of professionally carrying out their work covering the Belarusian presidential election and yet they were detained. As stated by analysts, Current Time authorities had applied for accreditation for the reporters weeks prior to traveling to the country. Hence as candidly stated by an analyst the failure by Belarusian authorities to grant credentials is yet another example of their contempt for the rights of a free press and the right of Belarusians to uncensored information". On 29th July 33 mercenaries who arrived from Russia were arrested in Minsk about which there were many speculations. Lukashenka alleged that they were sent by Russia to destabilize the country prior to election, which was rejected by Russian officials. According to the Russian authorities, the 33 men were traveling through Belarus on their way to Istanbul before flying to "a third country." As opined by some critics it might have affected bilateral relations between Russia and Belarus for quite some time. Hence to solve the problem the Russian president Vladimir Putin had to intervene and talk to Lukashenka to send them back to Russia.

Thirdly, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old former teacher wanted to challenge Belaruss authoritarian leader, Aleksander Lukashenka and contested the presidential election as her husband was debarred to contest being falsely accused that he was involved in the alleged plot involving Russian mercenaries to destabilize Belarus ahead of election. She was at the forefront of a political wave as she declared her intention was to bring about Peaceful Change in the country. She had immense support which was evident from the presence and participation of several thousands of citizens in her election campaign for five weeks all over the country. In fact opposition candidates, including Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, mustered sizable rallies in cities and towns across the country. Major slogan was We Want Change. The intention of masses was against Lukashenkas authoritarian rule of Belarus for the last 26 years who was seeking the 6th term of office as President.

Fourthly, on 10th Aug as per Russian reports Russian President Vladimir Putins office sent a telegram to Lukashenka to congratulate him on winning reelection and hoped that Russian-Belarusian relations will strengthen to building up integration processes through the Eurasian Economic Union as well as military and political ties in the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Similarly the Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaevs office also sent Lukashenka a congratulatory message.

Fifthly, the West is highly critical of Belarus presidential election. This is evident from the concern expressed by the European Union and the United States over the ongoing crackdown on opposition politicians, journalists, and rights defenders and had urged the Belarusian authorities to hold free elections. In fact on 7th August the EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell issued a statement calling on the Belarusian authorities to ensure fundamental freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly and to guarantee candidates full political rights. He even urged the authorities to immediately release all activists, human rights defenders, bloggers, and journalists detained on political grounds. Considering the on-going scenario, protests and rallies in Belarus during the last couple of months and their likely impact, the Western authorities have reiterated that the countrys sovereignty and independence can only be strengthened by peaceful, free, and fair elections.

In lieu of conclusion, it may be stated that Lukashenka has managed to succeed in his objective to continue as president for the 6th term. But considering growing protests and agitations in the country and denying the people Free And Fair Election and who Want A Change, Lukashenka might face formidable challenges to rule the country in the years to come.

Author:

Dr R.G.Gidadhubli, Professor And Former Director, Center For Central Eurasian Studies, University Of Mumbai, Mumbai
Takalani Netshitenzhe is an experienced executive director with a demonstrated history of working in the Information Communication and Technology space. She is skilled in government, diplomacy, cybersecurity, management, national security, policy and legal research analysis and advisory services and law writing.

Takalani Netshitenzhe, chief officer of Corporate Affairs; executive director at Vodacom South Africa and chairperson of the Vodacom Foundation

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

You're the chief officer of corporate affairs for the Vodacom Group. Tell us more about your role here.

I am now the chief officer of external affairs for Vodacom South Africa, and my role is expanded to include telecommunications regulatory affairs which involves managing regulatory issues, approvals and compliance.

Do you have any role models? If so, who?

You have a successful career spanning a number of years. What are some of the highlights?

Are South African women getting enough of a chance to shine in the tech industry?

We are seeing more women now taking the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects. As part of our skills development program, we spent R149 million on women in 2019/20.

Could you list a few, if any, specific challenges females face in this industry? How do women overcome these challenges?

These negative factors are nurtured by a patriarchal society which encourages men to be aggressive and a winner takes it all.

How do you keep a work-life balance?

What can governments do to help drive female entrepreneurship in SA?

Without removing access barriers to skills development, finances and digital transformation; and without role models, we cannot have sustainable entrepreneurship. However, government alone cannot address societal challenges.

How is Vodacom empowering women entrepreneurs in building successful businesses?

Although the businesses are gender diverse, Forty (40) 100% female-owned businesses are beneficiaries of the innovator trust. We also have a woman farmers program in partnership with UN Women and South African Women in farming where we train women to use information communication technology to enhance their business opportunities.

How do you think South Africa can help in the fight against GBV?

Prevention is key, starting with tackling patriarchy and the social construction of gender identity where the boy-child is socialized to be aggressive, and the girl-child to be submissive and be an object of a mans desire.

What advice do you have to share with the future generation of female leaders?

They must say no, enough is enough!

As we celebrate Women's Month in South Africa. Do you have any words of encouragement for all the women out there?

This #WomensMonth she shares highlights of her career, how women can shine in the tech industry and what Vodacom is doing to empower women entrepreneurs.I am a national security lawyer and diplomat by profession  a public servant at heart who believes in using technology as a tool for development, and that big businesses can make profit whilst at the same time doing good.Vodacom Group simplified its structure from 1 July 2020. Vodacom South Africa, is now a stand-alone operating company with its own MD and executive committee.External Affairs serves as the interface between the company and the external environment. Over and above regulatory affairs, I monitor the evolution of public policies and advise the company for us to respond and implement accordingly, I drive business sustainability ensuring we work towards the attainment of the sustainable development goals, I run the Vodacom Foundation which is the corporate social investment arm of the company, and I also drive internal and external communications.I dont have specific role models. I take different character traits from different people that inspire me such as honesty, integrity, staying truthful to myself and maintaining my privacy. My parents had immense influence on the person that I am.I have had an auspicious career indeed! I was ministerial legal and policy advisor at the age of 28, a career that catapulted me to a security law writer and policy advisor engaging with members of parliament, ministers and presidents. Following extensive law writing, I had management exposure in cybersecurity which saw me selected for studies at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The greatest honor in my career was being a diplomat, representing my country as ambassador in Europe, after which Vodacom found me.There is change albeit slow.In the same year, of the 71 graduates selected, 45% were women. We also run a coding program for girls. Nevertheless, there is still under-representation of women in the ICT sector. Vodacom has 43,5% women representation, 34,4% of women are in senior management, 28,5% are in the Vodacom South Africa Board and 37,5% are in Vodacom South Africa EXCO.Toxic masculinity is one of the biggest challenges in the work place for women, and sometimes also for empathetic men, both in the public and private sector. The corporate work environment is highly competitive, aggressive, and highly target driven thereby demanding long working hours. These factors deter some women from aspiring to executive positions, and those in these positions can feel isolated and very lonely up there.In order to fit in, some women get assimilated into this toxic culture and find themselves wittingly or unwittingly alienating other women and feeling even lonelier.I am personally finding that working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic has been rewarding psychologically. Although I work longer hours than during the pre-Covid-19 period, I cherish my private space and having enough time to myself. I make time to exercise indoors and have more time to reflect on life, and I keep in touch with family and friends online.As policymakers, government needs to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship to thrive, by promoting skills development, financial inclusion and mentorship programs.Partnerships are required with big business for mentorship programs, and with civil society organisations to change societal stereotypes that relegate women to support and administrative positions.We have the innovator trust which is an SMME development agency that Vodacom created at arms length in 2014. It provides business skills development to SMMEs in the ICT sector.So far we have trained 1,200 women across the country and the current phase of training is to introduce an app which will connect these women farmers across the agricultural value chain. So far, 250 women farmers have been registered on the App.We need a multi-pronged approach which focuses on prevention, response and victim and perpetrator support.This should start with parents, and extend to caregivers and teachers where the boy and girl should be socialized to treat each other as equals, and are treated as equals.Young women must defy societal stereotypes that assign gender roles on the basis of biological sex.They must also remember that, education, hard work and luck are key to success - they must demand their rightful place in the classroom and in the workplace as equals.Lets celebrate ourselves as women, we owe it to ourselves, whilst at the same time standing together with good men against gender discrimination, toxic masculinity and patriarchy.
President Donald Trump has requested a mail-in ballot vote for Florida's primary election - despite attacking the voting system and admitting he is starving the US Postal System of money.

Ballots were mailed on Wednesday to both the president and First Lady at the Mar-a-Lago resort - which Trump lists as his legal address - Palm Beach County elections records show.

Both previously voted by mail for the presidential preference primary in March, according to records.

The news marks a climb down - for Florida at least - after Trump's repeated claims that mail-in voting was unsafe and vulnerable to fraud.

Trump's change of tactic comes after he admitted on Thursday that he is starving the U.S. Postal Service of money.

Ballots were mailed on Wednesday to both the president and First Lady at the Mar-a-Lago resort (pictured)

'Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True,' Trump tweeted last Tuesday.

'Florida's Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail!'

Statewide in-person early voting began Saturday in Florida at the same time as it continues to grapple with a high number of coronavirus cases.

There have been more than 8,800 fatalities and at least 550,000 known virus cases since the pandemic began.

Voters are mainly choosing party nominees for Congress and the state Legislature.

While both parties have pushed voters to cast ballots by mail in recent elections, this year there's been a stronger push during the pandemic.

More than 4.2 million Florida voters have requested a vote-by-mail ballot, and nearly 1.5 million had been returned by Saturday morning, according to a Department of State website.

That compares to nearly 1.3 million cast in the entire 2016 primary election.

A resident places his mail-in ballot vote in a drop box in Miami-Dade county on August 11

Trump's change of tactic comes after he admitted on Thursday that he is starving the U.S. Postal Service of money.

This will make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots amid fears it could cost him the election.

In an interview on Fox Business Network, Trump explicitly noted two funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill.

Without the additional money, he said, the Postal Service won't have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters avoiding polling stations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Democrats have put $25 billion for emergency funding for the Post Office in their $3 trillion version of the coronavirus relief legislation.

'That's election money basically,' he told host Maria Bartiromo.

'If they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting,' he explained of both the Post Office funding and the overall Democratic top line number of $3 trillion.

'Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting. They just can't have it,' he said.

President Trump is a frequent critic of mail-in voting, which he claims leads to election fraud - a claim fiercely disputed by critics and even his own party, which fears losing losing votes if its supporters do not mail their ballots.

He and the Republican Party have launched lawsuits in states that have opted to go with universal mail-in voting in November as a way to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump's statements, including the false claim that Democrats are seeking universal mail-in voting, come as he searches for a strategy to gain an advantage in his November matchup against Joe Biden.

Many states are using mail-in voting to combat the coronavirus pandemic; in Washington state where election workers sort ballots in the above voting, mail-in voting has been the normal for years

Eric Severson holds a sign as a few dozen people gather in front of the United States Post Office on Rodd St. to protest recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service under new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in Midland, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)

He's pairing the tough Postal Service stance in congressional negotiations with an increasingly robust mail-in-voting legal fight in states that could decide the election.

Trump's campaign and the GOP are suing Nevada over its new vote-by-mail law.

Nevada officials joined several states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots.

Two states, California and Vermont, moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies.

Five other states have relied on mail-in ballots since even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person, but there is no evidence to support Trump's assertion that voting by mail leads to widespread fraud.

For Democrats, Trump's Fox Business Network remarks were a clear admission that the president is attempting to restrict voting rights.

Biden said it was 'Pure Trump. He doesn't want an election.'

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said it was ' voter suppression to undermine the safest method to vote during a pandemic, and force Americans to risk their lives to vote.'

Negotiations over a big new virus relief package have all but ended, with the White House and congressional leaders far apart on the size, scope and approach for shoring up households, reopening schools and launching a national strategy to contain the coronavirus.

While there is some common ground over $100 billion for schools and new funds for virus testing, Democrats also want other emergency funds that Trump rejects.

Democrats have pushed for a total of $10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on the Covid-19 response bill.

That figure, which would include money to help with election mail, is down from a $25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure.

In this July 31, 2020, file photo, letter carriers load mail trucks for deliveries at a U.S. Postal Service facility in McLean, Va. The success of the 2020 presidential election could come down to a most unlikely government agency: the U.S. Postal Service

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has said that the agency is in a financially untenable position, but he maintains it can handle this year's election mail.

A major donor to Trump and other Republicans, DeJoy is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.

'Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,' he told the Postal Service's governing board last week.

Democrats, and a handful of Republicans, have sent DeJoy several letters asking him to reverse his changes and criticizing what they say is a lack of openness by the agency.

Late Wednesday, Senate Democrats again wrote to DeJoy, this time saying postal leadership is pushing state election officials to opt for pricier first-class postage for mail-in ballots to be prioritized.

'Instead of taking steps to increase your agencys ability to deliver for the American people, you are implementing policy changes that make matters worse, and the Postal Service is reportedly considering changes that would increase costs for states at a time when millions of Americans are relying on voting by mail to exercise their right to vote,' the Democrats wrote.

In a memo to staff Thursday, DeJoy said his policies have brought 'unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels,' but added that the Postal Service 'must make a number of significant changes which will not be easy, but which are necessary.'

'This will increase our performance for the election and upcoming peak season and maintain the high level of public trust we have earned for dedication and commitment to our customers throughout our history,' DeJoy wrote, according to a memo obtained by AP.

Judy Beard, legislative and political director for the American Postal Workers Union, said postal workers are up to the task of delivering mail-in ballots this year.

'We definitely know that the president is absolutely wrong concerning vote-by-mail,' she said.

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., chair of the House subcommittee on government operations, said Trump is acknowledging that he wants to hold up funding for the U.S. Postal Service to hinder Americans from voting.

'The president admits his motive for holding USPS funding hostage is that he doesn't want Americans to vote by mail,' Connolly said in a statement Thursday.

'Why? It hurts his electoral chances. Hes putting self-preservation ahead of public safety, for an election he deserves to lose.'
The beginning of the end of World War II came on Aug. 15, 1945, (it was Aug. 14 here) when Japan surrendered to the Allies just days after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and Nagasaki on Aug. 9.

As World War II was entering its sixth year, Nazi Germany had surrendered in May but the Japanese refused to accept the terms of surrender.

The United States called for the unconditional surrender of the Japanese armed forces on July 26, 1945. Failure to comply would result in prompt and utter destruction, according to history.com.

A uranium atomic bomb called "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. The "Fat Man" plutonium bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. 9.

On Aug. 15, Japanese Emperor Hirohito went on national radio and announced Japans unconditional surrender.

President Harry S. Truman said, This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would.

When the surrender was announced, celebrations erupted around the world  including in Harrisburg.

The front page of The Patriot declared - CITY WILD OVER NEWS; MARCH IN VICTORY PARADE

Harrisburg joined the Nation and the world in its happiest and wildest celebration in history last night.

Within minutes after President Truman announced from Washington that World War II had officially ended, the central section of the city was a teeming mass of humanity.

Traffic was virtually at a standstill in the Downtown area but moved rapidly through all other parts of the city as auto horns, whistles, bells and every other noise-making device was called into play.

With every tick of the clock, persons from outside towns and within the city began to pour into the business section to join the celebrators while others with an aversion to being pushed and shoved according to a crowds will, quietly sat at home and offered prayers of thanksgiving for this long awaited moment.

Stores in the Downtown section, with the exception of several restaurants, were all closed within a half hour after the announcement was made that victory in the Pacific had been won.

Many proprietors closed to allow their own employees a chance to join in the celebration. Others who hadnt intended to close did so to protect their property from hilarious crowds which knew no bounds in enthusiasm.

Virtually all big industrial plants released night shift workers soon after learning the war was over. The ranks of workers thinned out quickly at other places where no plans were made to celebrate the victory.

Men, women and children alike seemed momentarily stunned when they first heard the news but soon let out with hearty shouts of joy.

Romance bloomed spontaneously on virtually all streets as servicemen showed kisses on girls and women with their grasp. And it didnt take the males in civvies long to do the honors with WAVES and WACS who happened along.

Street vendors appeared seemingly from out of nowhere with large boxes of toy cardboard horns which they sold for 25 cents and up, perhaps two or three times the normal price.

Some celebrate V-J Day on Sept. 2, 1945, the day that Japan formally signed the surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri.

On Sept. 3, 1945, The Patriot reported on both the signing and the massing of the U.S. First Calvary Division south of Tokyo awaiting an order from Gen. Douglas MacArthur to march into the city. Behind them were poised an estimated 1,500,000 men who will sweep into Japan immediately to enforce the terms of Japans unconditional surrender, signed yesterday sullen representatives of Emperor Hirohito.

Aboard the USS Missouri, representatives of the 10 Allied nations were bedecked in uniforms of varied colors.

The naval and air might of the victors was to be seen and heard. Hundreds of carrier planes of the United States Third Fleet, led by 45 Superfortresses, passed low overhead in perfect formation.

It also was a bittersweet victory. According to the National World War II Museum, More than 400,000 Americans  and an estimated 65 million people worldwide  had died in the conflict. As historian Donald L. Miller, PhD, wrote in his book The Story of World War II,

It was too much death to contemplate, too much savagery and suffering; and in August 1945 no one was counting. For those who had seen the face of battle and been in the camps and under the bombs  and had lived  there was a sense of immense relief.

READ MORE HISTORY ON PENNLIVE

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Epic Games began offering customers a way to directly buy items for Fortnite on Thursday so as they could circumvent the fees. And just hours later, Apple pulled the app off their App Store and Google did the same soon after.

Epic Games has sued both Apple and Google for removing Fortnite from their app stores on Thursday. This move escalates the dispute between the companies that has been brewing over the recent weeks.

The issue stems from a longstanding Apple App Store rule that states that apps must offer billing through Apple and pay them 30% of revenue.

Epic Games began offering customers a way to directly buy items for Fortnite on Thursday so as they could circumvent the fees. And just hours later, Apple pulled the app off their App Store and Google did the same soon after.

Epic Games told their customers on Thursday that they would begin offering a direct purchase plan for items in Fortnite and instead of paying fees to Apple and Google, they would pass on the savings to customers. Epic Games offered discounts of as much as 20% through its service. Google said in an emailed statement the move violated its store policies but that Fortnite is still available through other means on Android.

Apple said in an email statement that they removed Fortnite since Epic Games in-game changes had the intent of violating App Store guidelines. Apple said that its store has helped in Epic Games success over the decades and that it offers a level playing field for business. Google also issued a similar statement but added that Android allows for multiple app stores, unlike Apple.

Epic Games responded by filing a lawsuit in a California district court alleging that Apples rules with respect to its app store and related payments is anti-competitive. Epic said that they are not seeking money but want Apples practices to be stopped.

Epic Games mentioned in the lawsuit that if not for Apples illegal restraints, they would have provided a competing app store on Apple devices. A couple of hours later, Epic Games filed a complaint against Google as well accusing them of anti-competitive behaviour.

Fortnite has had more than 350 million players over the years, according to the lawsuit, and removing the app from the App Store means losing access to more than a billion iPhone and iPad customers. According to Sensor Tower, sales through the App Store made $32.8 billion for Epic Games in the first half of 2020 which is 20% more that what it made a year earlier.

Grievances over the fees Apple charges developers have reached a boiling point now after developers complaining for years about Apples 15% to 30% fees for the App Store. Apple CEO Tim Cook was recently grilled over this issue at a US Congressional hearing alongside other technology chiefs.

Apple is also facing scrutiny from the European Commission over antitrust complaints and this is an investigation that Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has openly supported. Spotify Technology SA, which has waged a similar battle with Apple, said in a statement that it supports Epic Games crusade against Apple.

Sweeney has also criticised Google, which has a policy similar to Apple. He described the two companies as a duopoly in an interview with Bloomberg Television last month.

Epic Games lawsuit against Apple invokes George Orwells 1984. Shortly after Fortnite was pulled, the official Twitter account promoted a new video short called Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite.

Epic Games has defied the App Store Monopoly. In retaliation, Apple is blocking Fortnite from a billion devices.



Visit https://t.co/K3S07w5uEk and join the fight to stop 2020 from becoming "1984" https://t.co/tpsiCW4gqK  Fortnite (@FortniteGame) August 13, 2020

That is a cheeky shot at the famous Apple advertising campaign you can see above.

(With agency inputs)
BENGALURU, Aug 13 -- Vietnamese rice export prices climbed to their highest level since end-2011 this week, as supplies remained constrained due to coronavirus restrictions in top hubs including India and Thailand.

Vietnams 5% broken rice rates on Thursday jumped to $480-$490 a tonne from $470 last week.

The summer-autumn harvest has ended, and traders havent been able to buy paddy from Cambodia recently as many of the borders with Cambodia remain shut, said a trader based in Vietnams Mekong Delta province of An Giang.

Local traders used to buy around 1,000 tonnes of rice from Cambodia a day in the past.

Preliminary shipping data showed 161,050 tonnes of rice is to be loaded at Ho Chi Minh City port in August, with most of the rice heading to Africa and Cuba.

However, no new export contracts have been signed recently because Vietnamese pieces now expensive compared with competitors, other traders said.

Top exporter Indias 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted at $382-$387 per tonne this week, up from last weeks $380-$385.

Most rice mills are operating at lower capacity due to a scarcity of workers. Since supplies are limited for the exports, traders are raising prices, said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

In Thailand, benchmark 5% broken rice prices increased to $465-$500 from $463-$485 last week, on a strengthening baht.

Supply concern has kept prices higher as we are still not seeing much new supply entering the market from the off-season crop, a Thai rice trader said.

Bangladesh will review the impact of floods on paddy before deciding on importing rice, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said.

Currently, theres no fear of food shortage in the country... A decision to import rice will be taken if the yield of rice is not good and the floods are prolonged.
By Hu Yidao and Zhan Podao

"The People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducts real combat exercises across the Taiwan Strait and its northern and southern ends." This news released by a spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command on August 13 has drawn great attention.

Just as former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou has said, the Chinese mainland's offensive on Taiwan would possibly be accomplished in a single battle within a short period of time. If the PLA really launches military operations against Taiwan, it is capable of launching a general offensive from all directions across the Taiwan Strait, forming a strategic posture to take over the island by the hour.

Therefore, the exercises held by the PLA Eastern Theater Command send an unmistakable message: the military pressure of the Chinese mainland heaped on Taiwan is sure to increase with increasing collusion between the US and Taiwan. As long as Taiwan and the US can withstand the deterioration of military situation across the Taiwan Strait, China is not afraid of the shocking consequences thereby resulted. Regardless of the US military assistance to Taiwan or the strength of the US military, the determination of the PLA and the strong will of the Chinese people can never be swayed and defeated.

Recently, taking advantage of the intensified strategic competition between China and the US, Taiwan and the US have been constantly coming closer and engaged in "salami-slicing tactics", seeking their own political interests at the expense of the Chinese mainlands core interests. Definitely, China will not let things drift. There is no doubt that the exercises launched by the PLA Eastern Theater Command are a clear warning sent to both Taiwan and the US.

On the one hand, this move demonstrates that the PLA's military strength has been greatly enhanced, it is capable of launching military strikes against "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces from any direction across the Taiwan Strait, and securing a full-scale strike across the board.

On the other hand, this also shows that China has stayed restraint and reason. Firstly, this is a piece of news released by a spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command rather than the spokesperson of Chinas Ministry of National Defense. Obviously, the move is limited to a joint operation within the PLA Eastern Theater Command, meaning this is a "low-key approach" to the affair. Secondly, the exercises are significantly smaller in terms of scale, compared with the large-scale military exercises and trial fire of missiles during the Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1996.

The PLA actually has more options to impose military pressure, including fighter jets flying around the island, and even flying over Taiwan Island, testing ballistic missiles over the Taiwan Island, and carrying out military exercises in the eastern waters of Taiwan.

Next, it depends on whether the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities could accurately interpret the signal and rein in on the brink of the precipice in a timely manner. It is up to the DPP authorities to choose between a Taiwan of peaceful development and one involved in severe military confrontation across the Strait, even with the final breakout of war to be ignited by only one spark.

Surely, some experts still hold that although a series of vicious interactions triggered by the US and Taiwan has dramatically escalated the situation across the Strait, there is still little possibility of a large-scale military conflict.

Disclaimer: This article is originally published on WeChat Official Account: Buyidao and translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
YEREVAN.  The closure of companies operating in the tourism sector is temporary, Armenias minister of economy Tigran Khachatryan said on Friday.

"Naturally, in the current situation, there are businesses [in Armenia] that have decided to cease their activities. For example, the amount of sales of travel agencies has decreased by 90% compared to last year," he said.

According to the minister, at the same time, however, the government considers the closure of these businesses conditional.

Khachatryan assured that these companies will resume their activities when the tourist flow is restored. "We expect the [coronavirus-related] restrictions to be eased in the near future. I hope we will receive tourists again this fall. I have almost no doubt that most of the closed companies will return to their activities," the minister said, but noting that this recovery will be gradual.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 02:43:32|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Health Ministry said 83 new COVID-19 cases were reported in government-controlled areas on Friday.

With the new cases, a total of 1,515 infections have been registered in government-controlled areas in Syria since March, according to the health ministry.

China has offered help to Syria to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 15, China delivered the first batch of medical aid, including 2,016 COVID-19 test kits, to Syria. On June 4 and June 24, Syria received another two batches of medical supplies donated by China, including test kits, protective suits, masks, goggles, and infrared thermometers.

On April 23, a video-conference was held between Chinese and Syrian medical experts for sharing the experience in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
Cara Delevingne and Kaia Gerber have added to their growing number of tattoos with matching etchings.

18-year-old Gerber took to Instagram Stories to reveal the identical new slogans, writing "Happy birthday to my solemate, alongside a picture of their feet and hands interlocking over a table.

Next, Gerber shared a close-up of their feet, featuring the word 'solemate' etched over both of their arches.

[Instagram/Kaia Gerber]

Continuing to share more tributes, Gerber then posted another Story reading: "The only person who wears my face on a sweatshirt", with a picture of the actress wearing a white hoodie that had the model's face and name on it.

Recommended Cara Delevingne says she identifies as pansexual

"The best protest buddy", the teen wrote in the following post alongside a picture of the two women attending a Black Lives Matter protest in July.

Celebrities including Once Upon A Time In Hollywoods Margaret Qualley and models Joan Smalls and Georgia May Jagger also paid birthday tribute to Delevingne by sharing photos and messages on Instagram.

"Dear @caradelevingne, man, too much to say. So incredibly lucky to have you as a friend. I love you, happy birthday, wrote Qualley alongside a series of pictures of Delevngne lying on her stomach and another picture in black and white.

Delevingne has been pictured spending plenty of time with Gerber, Qualley and sister Rainey Qually as lockdown eases.

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The Suicide Squad actress split from her long-term girlfriend Ashley Benson in early April, according to People.

The foot tattoo is the latest addition to Delevingnes growing number of inkings. Known to have over 20, the 28-year-old revealed her first tattoo  lion on her index finger  in 2013.
He met his ex-girlfriend on the dating app Tinder.

And now, Roman Kemp has revealed he's joined Bumble in search of dates, just weeks after his split from girlfriend of three years Anne-Sophie Flury.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday evening, the I'm A Celeb star, 27, admitted that joining the app which 'sets you up' has been 'helping him out massively.'

On the look for love: Taking to Twitter on Thursday evening, Roman Kemp, 27, revealed he's joined dating app Bumble

Speaking to camera, Roman said: 'I basically wanna to talk to you today about something that's been helping me out massively.

'Bumble have actually created a date generator - I know, I've actually been waiting for this: a dates generator.

'It's super simple. You enter in a couple of details about what types of dates you love. It randomly selects a few of them, and then it sets you up.

'So you don't have to think about what to do in 2020 on a date, because, it's pretty weird at the moment, isn't it?

Ex: The I'm A Celeb star split from girlfriend of three years Anne-Sophie Flury just weeks ago

Loving it! Speaking to camera, he said: 'I basically wanna to talk to you today about something that's been helping me out massively. Bumble have actually created a date generator'

'Some of my favourites include a virtual cookoff, kayaking and a dance class. I would actually do all of those!'

Roman's admission comes just a week after it was reported that the radio star and Lottie Moss, 22, enjoyed a successful and 'tipsy' date at London's Soho House, according to The Sun on Sunday.

A mutual friend told the publication: 'They have known each other through the party circuit for a few years, but nothing has ever happened before.

'Roman's always thought she was beautiful, and decided to pluck up the courage to ask her out.'

Speaking about their successful date, the source claimed they kissed and said: 'They had a really fun, very tipsy date and have been in touch every day since.'

MailOnline has contacted Lottie and Roman's representatives for comment.

New romance? Roman's admission comes just a week after it was reported that the radio star and Lottie Moss, 22, enjoyed a successful and 'tipsy' date at London's Soho House

The I'm A Celeb host and his neuroscientist girlfriend Anne-Sophie split up in July, after three years together.

The couple only moved in together in January but things went downhill during lockdown and they 'weren't able to make things work'.

Roman met the Swiss scientist on Tinder - and he is said to already back on dating apps to take his mind off the split.

A source told The Sun: 'Roman loved Sophie and things had been going really well for them.

'But being in lockdown is tough for any couple and they just werent able to make things work, which has been upsetting and tough for them both.

'His pals have encouraged him to move on and have got him on [dating app] Raya, which is packed with attractive and creative women.'

The couple had seemed inseparable- even co-owning a pet dog together, called Luna.

Reports believe Anne-Sophie has kept the pooch - who would occasionally appear alongside Roman on Celebrity Gogglebox, but who has been absent of late.

Roman took part in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 2019, and it was Anne-Sophie who flew to Australia to wait for him to come out of the jungle.
U.S. researchers will create a strain of the coronavirus that could be used in possible vaccine trials called human challenge experiments, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in an interview Friday.

The United States isn't committed to embarking on such ethically fraught trials but has begun the process to create a stock of coronavirus strain that could be used to infect people, in case such trials become necessary, Fauci said. He called it a "Plan C or Plan D," a preliminary step being taken because creating a strain that meets exacting regulatory standards will take months. Large, 30,000-person trials that are testing the effectiveness of experimental vaccines are likely to yield results sooner and provide much-needed safety data.

"You generally do [human challenge trials] if you don't have enough infections in the community at any given time to get a signal from the vaccine," Fauci said. "Unfortunately for us, we don't have that problem - we have a lot of infections."

Typically, researchers test vaccines by inoculating people with the experimental drug or a placebo and waiting to see if those who got the real vaccine develop fewer cases or less-severe illness after being exposed to a virus in daily life. To tell if a coronavirus vaccine is 60% effective, Fauci has estimated that 150 to 160 people within the 30,000 participating in each trial need to become sick, for example.

In challenge trials, people would be exposed to the virus after an experimental vaccination. The idea has gained popular support through an organization called 1Day Sooner, which has signed up more than 30,000 volunteers eager to assume personal risk to speed up the scientific race for a vaccine. Reuters first reported Friday that the United States would begin taking steps toward preparing for such trials.

Fauci and others have repeatedly argued that challenge experiments are likely to be slower, more ethically fraught and harder to scientifically interpret than many people appreciate. It takes months to create the coronavirus strains that could be used in such trials to infect people. Fauci said a viral strain would not be ready before the end of the year.

Challenge trials are routinely used against diseases such as malaria, which have rescue medications to prevent or moderate illness. There aren't yet similar treatments for covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. There is also concern that the potential risks of a coronavirus challenge trial aren't yet completely known, because doctors are still learning about the long-term effects of infection. Scientists and companies have said such trials won't be seriously considered until better therapies exist.

Because challenge trials would probably select from people unlikely to develop severe illness and die of the disease, it also may be difficult to extrapolate results to understand whether the vaccine would protect people truly at risk from the virus.

William Phillips, 71, a Nobel laureate in physics, said he has signed up to be considered for challenge trials, even though he knows there is almost no chance he would be selected because of his age.

"As a scientist, what I want is data. And it just seemed to me that challenge trials are a way of getting reliable data more quickly, and more unambiguously, than a standard trial," Phillips said. "From a dispassionate point of view, if you ask yourself: What is the risk-benefit ratio of doing something like this? Sure, you might kill a few people, to put it kind of bluntly, but think of how many people you save if you get a vaccine into circulation earlier."

Even if a challenge trial were pursued, it would not replace other trials. The safety data gathered from the large trials will be essential. But important scientific questions could be answered by human challenge studies if the ethical, scientific and logistical concerns could be satisfied.

Fauci pointed out that scientists could ask targeted questions, learning whether a vaccine completely protects people against infection in their upper nasal passages, for example. Such studies might also help scientists understand how many viral particles are necessary for someone to become sick.

"We are in the process of getting the system going for developing a challenge stock [of coronavirus], even though we really don't consider that something we really will have to operationalize," Fauci said.
Protesters support efforts to redirect public money from the San Diego Police Department on June 8. (Sam Hodgson / San Diego Union-Tribune)

To the editor: Defunding the Los Angeles Police Department is not just about budgets. It's about accountability. ("Defund the LAPD? At this pace, it would take 20 years to hit Black Lives Matter's goal," Aug. 11)

Social justice activists calling to slash law enforcement budgets want to see a radical shift in the way police treat people of color. All too often, district attorneys shield police officers who are sworn to protect and to serve, even as the death toll from police abuse rises.

Qualified immunity protects state and local law enforcement officers from monetary liability for unconstitutional actions if the officer acted in "an objectively reasonable" manner.

District attorneys declining to prosecute officers, police departments declining to fire bad officers, jurors taking the word of officers over Black and Latino witnesses and qualified immunity are all failures of a system that has protected law enforcement from being held accountable in criminal cases and civil cases.

We must dismantle the institutionalized racism that allows police to violate our civil rights.

Luis Carrillo, South Pasadena

The writer is a civil rights attorney.

..

To the editor: Who came up with this phrase, "defund the police"? There's no question that police forces have problems with systemic racism, but "defund" sounds too much like "eliminate," and that's plain stupid.

Put yourself in the shoes of a Chicago cop. You go out every day, reminding yourself that you became a cop to do good. You know the city is chock full of guns, some pointed at you, and everyone is watching your every move.

Now think about being that cop for a day, a week, a year. How would you be?

Rather than defund, we need to redirect. Just as important, we need to provide emotional support for our police officers. Departments should require officers to see a police psychologist regularly  not for any specific reason, but just to talk to someone who may be able to help them cope and learn new skills.

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We need to help our officers become better cops who can deescalate situations, are less likely to make bad judgments and can learn alternatives to exerting force when appropriate.

Buz Wolf, Studio City

..

To the editor: I'm a lifelong liberal Democrat, but it troubles me deeply to see the Los Angeles Times give front-page credibility to Black Lives Matter's push to defund the police.

This is not a Democratic Party policy, nor is it a goal of presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden. Every time I read about a Black Lives Matter spokesperson supporting this lunacy, all I can think of is that "Ghostbusters" song: "Who ya gonna call?"

Alan Segal, San Diego

..

To the editor: When all the payouts have been made from the lawsuits filed resulting from police misconduct during the Black Lives Matter protests, it will be the LAPD that has defunded the city of Los Angeles.

Joseph Gius, Los Angeles
MACOMB COUNTY, MI  A 19-year-old woman accused of using a steak knife to fatally stab a classmate during a fight in a Detroit-area high school has entered a no-contest plea to first-degree murder, according to the Associated Press.

Tanaya Lewis made the plea earlier this week during a pretrial conference in Macomb County Circuit Court. The plea arrangement includes a guarantee that she will be eligible for parole at some point, the AP said.

By entering a no-contest plea, Lewis did not admit guilt, but it is treated the same as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes.

Its in her best interests to do this considering all of the circumstances, Defense attorney Mark Brown said. Its a horrible situation all the way around and this is a fair resolution.

The fatal stabbing occurred on Sept. 12, 2018 at Warren Fitzgerald High School in Warren. Lewis was 17 when authorities say she stabbed 16-year-old Danyna Gibson in the upper chest and back with a steak knife.

Investigators said the fight between the two female straight-A students erupted over a male student, according to the AP.

Lewis age and her inability to understand the long-term consequences of her actions prompted prosecutors not to ask for a life sentence without parole.

This was a calculated, thought-out, intentional event, but because she was 17-years-old (she) lacked the frontal cortex (brain) development to fully recognized the long-term consequences, Assistant Macomb Prosecutor William Cataldo said.
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's untimely demise has left several questions unanswered. Amid this, several shocking allegations continue to surface in the media every day. Sushant's father KK Singh filed an FIR in Patna against Rhea Chakraborty and her family members accusing them of abetment to suicide, siphoning of finances, threats, and other allegations. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently investigating the money laundering angle in the case.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over Sushant's death case after a turf war broke between Mumbai and Patna police.

Recently, Sushant's cousin Neeraj Singh Babloo made some shocking allegations against the Mumbai police.

Sushant's Cousin Alleges Mumbai Police Tampered With Actor's Diary As per Republic TV, Sushant's cousin alleged that the Mumbai Police has tampered with the late actor's diary. He said that the actor used to write diaries for a very long time. Sushant's Cousin Says He Was The One Who Handed Over The Late Actor's Diary To Police The report further stated that Neeraj revealed that he was the one who handed over Sushant's diary to police officials after the incident occurred. He also claimed about having realized that they have tampered with the diary. Babloo alleged that a few pages from the diary were torn. Sushant Had Hollywood Plans, Says His Cousin Babloo claimed that the late actor's diary includes details about him planning to venture into Hollywood. Sushant's cousin further said that they believed the late actor was a Hollywood material and that he was strong mentally. Sushant's Wish In the same statement, Babloo also mentioned that Sushant told him about his wish of sending 100 poor kids to NASA.

The Mumbai police is yet to react to Neeraj Singh Babloo's revelations.

Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM

ALSO READ: Kriti Sanon, Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande Support CBI Probe In Sushant Singh Rajput's Case

ALSO READ: Sushant's Death Case: ED Finds No Substantial Direct Transfers To Rhea Chakraborty's Bank Account
MINSK: Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Friday told people to stay at home to avoid becoming "cannon fodder" for what he said were foreign-backed revolutionaries after huge crowds took to the streets for a sixth consecutive day to demand he step down. Lukashenko, whose claimed landslide re-election victory last Sunday has been branded a fraud by protesters, has failed to quell days of street demonstrations against him despite security forces tough response against demonstrators.

Opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier this week fled to neighbouring Lithuania under severe pressure, called on Friday for more protests and an election recount. That heaped more pressure on the authoritarian leader as he faces the biggest challenge in his 26 years in power. He showed no signs of backing down.

"Dont throw yourselves onto the streets. You must understand that you are being used, and our children are being used, like cannon fodder," Lukashenko said in televised remarks. "Today people have come from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine and from Russia. Aggression against our country has already begun," he said, suggesting anti-Kremlin activists were trying to whip up trouble. He had earlier joked that he was alive and had not fled abroad.

In a video posted on social media on Friday, Tsikhanouskaya asked her supporters to demand an official investigation into allegations that Lukashenko had rigged the presidential election. "Belarusians will never again want to live with the old authorities," she said. "Let`s defend our choice. Don`t stay on the sidelines. Our voices need to be heard."

At least two protesters were killed and thousands detained in this week`s crackdown. The European Union on Friday took its first step towards imposing new sanctions on Belarus, with a diplomatic source saying member states had agreed to task its foreign policy unit with preparing a list of individuals to be blacklisted. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a sixth consecutive day on Friday demanding that Lukashenko step down. Protesters were joined by workers at some of the state-owned industrial plants that are the centrepiece of his Soviet-style economic model.

As the crowd converged on the parliament building on Independence Square in Minsk, at least two helmeted security officers lowered their riot shields, prompting women to run forward to hug them and offer flowers. In a carnival atmosphere, marchers held up balloons, flags and placards saying "we will not forget, we will not forgive". Horns from passing cars blared in solidarity.

In a rare climbdown, the government had earlier apologised for the use of force as it freed more than 2,000 protesters from detention. Several bore heavy bruises and complained of beatings, cramped conditions and starvation rations inside the cells. The government denied abusing detainees.

`GO AWAY`

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for sanctions on those "who violated democratic values or abused human rights in Belarus". Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei told his Swiss counterpart in a call that Minsk was ready for "constructive and objective dialogue with foreign partners" about issues related to the election, the state news agency BelTA reported.

Russia, which has nudged Lukashenko into accepting closer political and economic ties, has expressed concern over what it depicted as attempts by external forces to destabilise Belarus. Russia`s General Prosecutor`s Office said on Friday Belarus had returned a group of 32 Russian nationals after detaining them and accusing them of being mercenaries out to destabilise Belarus. Lukashenko, a 65-year-old who once ran a Soviet collective farm, has faced increasing anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic as well as a sluggish economy and civil rights.

The official election result handed him a landslide victory with 80% of the vote, compared to around 10% for Tsikhanouskaya. Washington said the vote "was not free and fair". Thousands of workers protested on Friday at the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), which makes trucks and buses, chanting "Shame on you!" and "Go!", echoing the unrest seen at several major factories this week.

Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old former English teacher, emerged from obscurity a few weeks ago to take her husband`s place in the election campaign after he was jailed. She has now led some of the biggest protests against Lukashenko since he came to power with the fall of the Soviet Union. Shortly after the election, she fled to Lithuania, saying it was for the sake of her children. On Friday, she called for the international community to facilitate talks with the authorities and said she wanted to set up a council to enable a transfer of power, a proposal that was swiftly endorsed by the president of Lithuania.
The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has blamed his exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the absence of strong democratic culture in the parties.

He also said he was running for the governorship in answer to the yearnings of the aspirations of Ondo citizens.

The deputy governor made the assertions during his official defection to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Akure on Friday.

He said the need to meet the yearnings of the masses is at the heart of his quest to be governor of the state.

Mr Ajayi said he joined the ZLP to put a practical effect on the expectations of the people who were already disenchanted with the two major political parties.

It is obvious that the affirmation of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN as the candidate of the APC coupled with the seeming failure of the PDP to produce a dependable and formidable alternative has dampened the democratic enthusiasm and morale of the people, Mr Ajayi said at a well-attended ceremony which had strict adherence to the COVID-19 rules.

Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu [PHOTO: @RotimiAkeredolu]

To stir hope and rechannel the energy of the progressive electorates, I am teaming up with members of the ZLP, a chunk of most of the other members and my teeming allies from both the PDP and APC.

Mr Ajayi dumped the APC for the PDP, with the hope of securing the partys governorship ticket, but failed.

It was thought he would team up with the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, to provide a strong front against the incumbent, but his ambition was overriding and in spite of pressures from highly placed PDP leaders, he still left for the ZLP.

The PDP had described him as a desperate politician who abused his welcome at the party.

The partys Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, said the PDP would not miss him, as his exit would not negatively affect the party at the polls.

Agboola Ajayi has abused the welcome and privilege accorded him by our party supporters during his brief stay in the party, he said.

He also proved that he is desperate to become the Governor of Ondo State. In the days to come, it will dawn on him that, he has squandered whatever was remaining in his good will with this decision.

Mr Ajayi, who hails from Apoi, in Ese-Odo LGA of Ondo State, is said to have a maternal tie with Mr Akeredolu, whose mother is from the area.

He said he was humbled by calls and demands from critical stakeholders and supporters to run.

He described the ZLP as a credible and dependable platform which had afforded him to form a new alliance to provide a desirable leadership for the state.

Today, I formally join the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), to achieve the noble cause of giving Ondo State a new direction and purposeful leadership, he said.

I call on all my teeming supporters, friends, followers and the admirers of good governance to show commitment and dedication by mobilizing and campaigning for the Zenith Labour Party in their various wards across the state.

The collective wishes and yearnings of the good people of Ondo State remain the impetus for the bid to wrestle the governance of the state from political demagogue.

He was received by the State Chairman of the ZLP, Joseph Akinlaja, and other leaders drawn from across the state.

The ZLP had cleared the way for him to run as its candidate in the election through substitution of the earlier declared candidate, Rotimi Benjamin.

ZLP Spokesman, Felix Olatunde, told PREMIUM TIMES that the former candidate had voluntarily surrendered his ticket and had since shown support for Mr Ajayis candidacy.

He said Mr Benjamin chaired the committee that organised Fridays declaration of the deputy governor.

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for UnitedHealth Group (UNH). Shares have added about 4.7% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is UnitedHealth due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

UnitedHealth's Earnings in Q2 Beat on Lower Payouts

UnitedHealth Group Inc.s second-quarter 2020 earnings of $7.12 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 37.45%. This also compares favorably with earnings of $3.60 per share a year ago.

Better-than-expected earnings were driven lower by an unprecedented, temporary deferral of care in the companys risk-based businesses, as hospital elective payouts were put on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak.

UnitedHealths revenues of $62.1 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.7%. However, the top line improved 2.5% year over year, aided by broad-based revenue growth at Optum and UnitedHealthcare.

Medical care ratio of 70.2% improved 1290 basis points year over year, mainly owing to the temporary deferral of care amid the pandemic.

Operating cost ratio of 16.1% increased 220 basis points due to the health insurance tax, COVID-19 response efforts and business mix.

Total operating cost of $52.9 billion was down 5.3% year over year, mainly on account of lower medical costs.

Strong Segmental Performances

In the reported quarter, the companys health benefits segment, UnitedHealthcare, generated revenues worth $49.1 billion, up 1% year over year. Revenue growth was attributable to strong Medicare Advantage and dual special needs plans, partly offset by a decline in commercial enrollment.

The companys business groups, namely Medicare and Retirement plus Community and State contributed to growth, partly offset by lower contribution from Employer and individual and Global segments. Earnings from operations worth $7 billion were up from $2.6 billion last year, backed by the temporary impact of deferred care, net of COVID-19 treatment costs and the initial impact of a decelerating economy.

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Revenues from another segment, Optum, improved 16.8% year over year to $32.7 billion, reflecting robust contributions from the sub-segments of OptumHealth (up 27.8%), OptumInsight (12.6%) and OptumRx (up 13%). Earnings from operations rose 6.3% year over year to $2.2 billion.

The segment gained from the companys efforts in different areas, which included extending geographic presence and adding distinctive capabilities through strategic acquisitions in infusion services (Diplomat Pharmacy), post-acute care (NaviHealth) and digital behavioral health (AbleTo); launching the Boulder Community Health partnership; providing testing services in California, Indiana and Florida and introducing digital-at-home and rare-disease pharmacy programs.

Decline in Membership Enrollment

The company served 48.4 million people in the quarter, down 2.2% year over year, thanks to lower member enrollment in the Commercial and International business.

During the first six months of 2020, cash flow from operations of $12.94 billion surged 42.1% year over year.

Mixed Capital Position

Cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2020 were $25.59 billion, up 79.7% from the level as of Dec 31, 2019.

Long-term debt of $39.9 billion at June-end was up 8.4% from the level at 2019 end.

2020 Guidance Intact

The company reaffirmed its earlier-issued earnings outlook for 2020 including net earnings of $15.45-$15.75 per share and adjusted net earnings of $16.25-$16.55. Further revisions for earnings will depend on how the COVID-19 pandemic unleashes it effect on the companys business.







How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -22.33% due to these changes.

VGM Scores

Currently, UnitedHealth has a strong Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, UnitedHealth has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.



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A dachshund called Pipsqueak has finally been reunited with her family following a 136-day and 17,000km journey after being stranded in the US due to the pandemic.

The two-year-old dog had been sailing around the world with owners, Guy and Zoe Eilbeck, from Sydney's northern beaches, and their two sons, Cam, 13, and Max, 8.

But when the deadly virus struck in March, the family who had been in Key West, were forced to leave Florida and return to Australia.

The Eilbecks sailed to South Carolina, abandoning their 40ft yacht so they could fly home but a huge amount of paperwork needed to be done before Pip could join them.

She then spent the next five months staying with strangers until she was finally able to jump into her family's arms at Sydney Airport on Tuesday night.

The Eilbecks (pictured from left to right: Cam, Zoe, Max and Guy) were finally reunited with their dog Pipsqueak on Tuesday night after a long five months apart

Pipsqueak the two-year-old dachshund had been stranded in the US after the outbreak of COVID-19

'Over the last five months, Pip has been travelling by boat, by plane, by car, it's been an extremely long journey across America,' Mrs Eilbeck said.

'She's part of our family and it's been five months and that's a long time to miss anybody,' Mr Eilbeck said.

When the family first had to pack up and leave, Pip stayed with some friends in South Carolina.

The Eilbecks then shared their pet's story online urging anyone to take care of her while they worked on bringing her home.

Mrs Eilbeck was shocked to see a string of volunteers offering to help and mind Pip across the US.

The Eilbecks were in tears after welcoming home their beloved sausage dog on Tuesday night at Sydney Airport

The pup had been cared for by a string of volunteers in the US while the Eilbecks worked on bringing her home

Max and Cam Eilbeck are seen with Pip during a holiday to the United States

Those kind-hearted strangers even stayed up until 4am Sydney time to hear of Pip's arrival home.

The sausage dog was almost home weeks ago after she arrived in Auckland on July 23 and then flew to Melbourne.

She was due to finally make her return to Sydney but due to Victorian and NSW border closures, Pipsqueak's flight was cancelled.

Luckily for the Eilbecks, Virgin Australia heard about the stranded dachshund and put her on the earliest flight to Sydney.

'We just can't believe we got her home this was such a team effort and good on you Virgin,' Mrs Eilbeck said wiping away tears.

Virgin Australia crew member, Olivia Cayzer, is seen walking Pipsqueak off the flight into the arms of her family

Virgin Australia crew member, Olivia Cayzer, ushered the pooch off the flight.

'Well I have my own dog at home so I can totally sympathise and know that this dog is part of the family and is treated like part of the family,' she said.

'Whether our guests are furry or human we love them all and so we jumped at this opportunity to help one of our furry friends.'

Glen Moloney, Virgin Australia Group General Manager Cargo said the airline was honoured to be apart of the happy rescue.

'During these difficult times it's nice to be able to put a smile on someone's face and I know it was a real joy for our team to come to the rescue,' he said.

The Eilbecks have since put up their mega yacht for sale but are hoping to continue their around the world journey sometime soon - with Pip by their sides.
Jared Kushner laughed during a Friday afternoon interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour when she gave him the opportunity to apologize on behalf of President Donald Trump for spreading 'misinformation' about Kamala Harris' eligibility to be vice president.

'Look the president is about to do a press conference any minute I'll let the CNN reporters ask him about that,' Kushner said after a brief chuckle. 'Again, we've spent now just as much time on this as we had on the president's historic peace deal.'

At the White House briefing, Trump denied having an issue with a 'strong woman of color' being in the presidential race.

'As you know, none whatsoever,' the president said from the podium.

Jared Kushner (right) laughed during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour (left) when she asked if he wanted to apologize on behalf of his candidate, President Donald Trump, for fanning the flames of a 'birther' theory about Sen. Kamala Harris, Joe Biden's running mate

President Trump also said Friday that he had no problem 'whatsoever' with a 'strong woman of color' in the presidential race. The remarks came after he retweeted a tweet calling Harris 'camel laugh' and fanned the flames of another 'birther' conspiracy theory

Earlier, Jared Kushner wouldn't swat down the 'birther' theory during an interview on 'CBS This Morning'

WHY KAMALA HARRIS IS ELIGIBLE TO BE VP Kamala Harris' right to run for the second-highest office is because she is a natural born citizen - meaning one born on American soil. She was born in Oakland, California. The Supreme Court established in 1898 that only the children of diplomats and (at the time) Native Americans were not natural born citizens - and explicitly that the children of non-citizen immigrants are as American as the children of people born to citizens. The exemption for babies born to members of tribes and bands ended in 1925. No challenge to a presidential candidate's status has so much as been taken up by a court. If she was not a natural-born citizen, as many as 18 million people's citizenship would be in doubt. Donald Trump, Barack Obama and both the men Barack Obama defeated - John McCain and Mitt Romney - all had one parent born abroad. Advertisement

Earlier though, Trump had retweeted posts calling Harris 'camel laugh,' a day after he refused to say she was eligible to serve as vice president - as Kushner, his son-in-law and a top White House aide, refused to bat down 'birther' conspiracy theories about Harris in an earlier interview.

'He just said that he had no idea whether that's right or wrong,' Kushner told 'CBS This Morning' co-host Anthony Mason.

Pressed on whether he and the Trump campaign accepts that Harris is a qualified candidate, Kushner said, 'I personally have no reason to believe she's not.'

'She was born in Oakland, California,' Mason said. Kushner replied: 'Yeah.'

'Makes her a qualified candidate. Why didn't the president take the opportunity to debunk that theory?' Mason asked.

'I have not had a chance to discuss this with him, but again, let his words speak for himself,' Kushner said.

During his back-and-forth with Amanpour, Kushner suggested journalists had merely misinterpreted the president's Thursday's comments about Harris.

'I'll go back to the fact the media often gets distracted and confused by the president,' Kushner said.

Kushner said what Trump said was, 'I don't know anything about that.'

At the Thursday briefing, Trump was asked by a reporter whether he could 'definitively say' Harris was eligible since she was a 'anchor baby,' a negative term for immigrants who have children in the U.S. so that they can achieve citizenship.

'So I just heard that. I heard it today. That she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer,' the president answered. 'I have no idea if that's right.'

'I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president,' Trump went on, adding that the unfounded claims were 'very serious.'

He then asked the reporter to explain what Harris' problem was.

'You're saying that, they're saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country?' Trump asked.

The journalist replied explaining that Harris' parents were born abroad and weren't citizens at the time of her birth in the U.S.

'I don't know about it, I just heard about it, I'll take a look,' Trump said.

Right-wing law professor John C. Eastman wrote an editorial Wednesday that argued that because Harris' parents weren't citizens when she was born in 1964 in Oakland, California then she might not fit the definition of eligibility under the U.S. Constitution.

A number of Constitutional experts said that was flat-out false and Harris' defenders called it racist.

Georgetown University Law Center professor Josh Chafetz told FactCheck.org Eastman's op-ed was nothing but 'racist nonsense.'

'This is only the second time that that has happened in our nation's history. And the first time was with President Barack Obama. So why is it that only the two Black candidates are questioned about the legitimacy of their citizenship?,' Valerie Jarrett, a former top Obama advisor, told the Los Angeles Times.

At the Thursday briefing, President Donald Trump said he has 'no idea' if Kamala Harris is eligible to be vice president, adding that an op-ed that suggested she wasn't was written by a 'very highly qualified, very talented lawyer'

A Newsweek op-ed argued that Kamala Harris (pictured) may not be eligible to be vice president because her parents weren't U.S. citizens when she was born in California in 1964. One prominent law professor called the editorial 'racist nonsense'

Kamala Harris is pictured with her mother Shyamala Gopalan (left), who was born in India, and her father Donald Harris (right), who was born in Jamaica

Eastman had run for California attorney general in 2010, the same year as Harris, but was beaten in the GOP primary, while she won the race.

John C. Eastman wrote a controversial editorial for Newsweek that suggested Kamala Harris wasn't eligible to run for VP. The op-ed was widely viewed as racist and untrue

But a tweet sharing the editorial was retweeted by the Trump campaign's Senior Legal Advisor Jenna Ellis.

'It's an open question, and one I think Harris should answer so the American people know for sure she is eligible,' Ellis later told ABC News.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign never answered DailyMail.com's inquiry on whether the campaign backed Ellis' statement.

Trump's comments echoed the sentiments he pushed about President Barack Obama, the country's first black president.

Businessman Trump was one of the most prominent voices to push the 'birther' conspiracy about Obama, doing so in early April 2011.

Trump, who was mulling taking on Obama in the 2012 election, made a number of bogus claims including that Obama's 'certificate of live birth' was not an actual 'birth certificate.'

The president was trying to push the racist narrative that Obama was born in Africa, where his black father was from.

Obama countered at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in late April by jokingly showing the audience his 'official birth video' - the opening scenes of Disney's 'The Lion King.'

But days earlier, in a move that showed Obama took the political threat seriously, the White House released the president's long form birth certificate.

It wasn't until Trump was running in 2016 that he admitted that Obama was born in the United States - though he also claimed, falsely, that it was Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign that started the 'birther' conspiracy theory to begin with.

Harris is the second person of color to appear on a major party's presidential ballot and the second Democratic politician in recent years that Republicans have tried to suggest was born outside the U.S.
Gemma Atkinson, pictured at the BRIT Awards, has given her followers an important warning. (Getty Images)

Its been a tough week for those of us who are used to the cooler temperatures the UK usually has to offer.

The heatwave hasnt just been difficult on us (hello, sleepless nights)  it has also been a challenge for our furry friends.

Dog walks have had to take place at dawn or dusk and now the stormy weather has caused some animals to hide away until it all passes.

Thats why actor, Gemma Atkinson, 35, put out a timely warning to people with toddlers and pets, encouraging parents to be vigilant about how much their children are crowding their pets during the hot - and now stormy - weather.

In an Instagram post, Atkinson wrote: Having to be even more vigilant today with Mia around the boys! Like us in this heat they are shorter tempered and just cant be bothered. Last thing they need or want is to feel smothered.

She loves stroking them but obviously Im mindful they have to enjoy it too. Shes never alone with them, not only for her sake but for theirs as well.

They were here first and our home is their territory. I know they are calmer when Im around with Mia.

They seem to rest more when Im in the room. Especially Ollie, hes getting older now and sometimes I can tell he just wants to be alone. The only problem so far is that Mia hates me and screams when I wont allow her to drink out of their bowl with them. I know, I know, what a cruel mum I am.

Read more: Monty Don warns of dangers of throwing sticks for dogs

For many people in the UK, the heatwave has made way for some rather stormy weather, which can also affect our pets moods.

According to the Blue Cross, dogs will show theyre anxious by panting excessively, drooling, shaking, yawning and putting their tail between their legs. They may also pace around, whine, bark and drink more.

Simply giving your pet space away from the children is one way to ensure they dont get agitated by excessive heat or storms.

Story continues

Read more: How to get rid of flies in the house

Fans were quick to praise the sensible mums Instagram post.

One wrote: Such a good post, I was taught to respect animals. Leave them alone when theyre eating, dont tease them etc. Youre so right about the heat too, it makes us all short tempered!

Well done. So sensible, Gemma. We can never 100% trust a dog and baby if their [sic] not used to it.
FILE PHOTO: Myanmar migrant workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun leave after the hearing at the Nonthaburi provincial court in Thailand

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Two migrant workers from Myanmar on death row in Thailand for the 2014 murder of two British backpackers had their sentences commuted to life in prison on Friday thanks to a royal decree, their lawyer said.

The two workers, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, were sentenced to death for the murder of David Miller and the murder and rape of Hannah Witheridge, whose bodies were discovered on a beach on the popular tourist island of Koh Tao in September 2014.

The two men were convicted and sentenced in 2015 and the verdict was upheld by an appeals court in 2017 and the Supreme Court in August 2019.

The convictions were mired in controversy with supporters of the two men arguing that they had been framed and that they had initially confessed to the crimes under duress.

Their sentences will be reduced to life imprisonment after a royal pardon decree was published on Friday, their lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat told Reuters.

"The two are eligible under a section in the royal pardon decree to get their death sentences reduced to life imprisonment," Nakhon said.

"They will also have a chance to get their sentences reduced further on good behaviour."

The decree published on Friday said the royal pardons were granted to commemorate the king's birthday on July 28 and to "illustrate the king's clemency".

It was not immediately clear how many prisoners were eligible for pardons or reduction of sentences under different criteria listed in the decree.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Nick Macfie)
New South Wales has recorded another nine new coronavirus cases, including one mystery community infection.

The fresh cases include another student from the Tangara School for Girls, with 21 people related to the school infected.

Another is a staff member at Liverpool Hospital, the third to test positive in recent days.

Officials have insisted there is no ongoing risk to patients at staff at the western Sydney hospital.

But people who were at Liverpool Hospital the same time as the cases are advised by NSW Health to monitor for symptoms and get tested.

The cases were at the hospital from 7am to 3pm on August 6 and August 7, and between 5am and 1.30pm on August 8 and August 9.

NSW residents are advised to self-isolate and get tested if they develop symptoms (pictured, a man arriving from Melbourne into Sydney at the airport and heading to hotel quarantine)

NSW Ministry of Health Dr Jeremy McAnulty said of the nine new cases reported, five were locally acquired and linked to known cases, one was locally acquired with no known source, and three were returned travelers from overseas.

'There are currently 131 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, six in intensive care with five ventilated,' he said on Friday.

St Vincent's College in Potts Point was on Friday closed for deep cleaning and to allow health authorities to contact trace after a student tested positive to coronavirus on Thursday.

It is the third independent Catholic school to shut after being exposed to the virus.

Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta is also closed until August 24 after three cases were linked to the school.

Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook will remain shut until August 24 as well, with its COVID-19 outbreak reaching 21 people as its source remains unconfirmed.

St Vincent's College in Potts Point (pictured) is closed on Friday for cleaning and to allow health authorities to contact trace after a student tested positive to coronavirus on Thursday

St Vincent's College is the third independent Catholic school to shut after being exposed to the virus. Pictured: A sign at the entrance to the school saying it is closed

New South Wales has recorded another nine new coronavirus cases, including one mystery community infection. Pictured: A Sydneysider wearing a mask at the light rail platform at Townhall station in the city's CBD

The outbreak has been linked to a nearby Opus Dei Catholic study centre, Eremeran, which is closed for cleaning after recently hosting five senior schoolgirls.

The state on Thursday recorded its first COVID-19 death since August 1 after a Sydney woman in her 80s linked to the Our Lady of Lebanon Church cluster died.

The elderly woman was the 53rd coronavirus death in NSW and came as the state recorded 12 new virus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday urged residents to carefully monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if any arise.

NSW Health issued a public health alert after a second case was confirmed in a person who worked at the Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club after another person tested positive on Wednesday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday urged residents to carefully monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if any arise. Pictured: Members of the Broadway Shopping Centre team wearing masks while in the complex

Ms Berejiklian told the Today show (pictured) she was deeply concerned with the worrying number of mystery cases which had been recorded in western and south western Sydney

Of the known clusters, there are now: Three cases linked to Our Lady of Mercy School Parramatta

21 cases linked to Tangara School Cherrybrook cluster

11 cases linked to Soldiers Club Batemans Bay

116 cases linked to Thai Rock Restaurant Wetherill Park

70 cases linked to the July funeral events in the Bankstown area

34 cases linked to Thai Rock Restaurant Potts Point

58 cases linked to Crossroads Hotel Casula

Two cases linked to Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club Source: NSW Health Advertisement

Anyone who attended the club during the following times must self-isolate for 14 days, get tested for COVID-19 and monitor their health.

 Friday, August 7, from 5pm to 6.30am

 Saturday, August 8, from 4.30pm to 11.30pm

 Sunday, August 9, from 1pm to 9pm

 Monday, 10 August, from 12pm to 9.30pm

Dr McAnulty said anybody directed to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period must stay in isolation for the full duration, even if their test comes back negative.

'Early testing may not detect an infection, and a release from self-isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community,' he said.

'People who are infected and develop symptoms will do so within 14 days of exposure.'

Dr McAnulty also encouraged Australians to maintain regular handwashing and sanitisation, and to stay 1.5 metres away from other people.

'Wear a mask in situations where you cannot physically distance,' he said.

Ms Berejiklian said she was deeply concerned with the worrying number of mystery cases which had been recorded in western and south western Sydney.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian advised people to wear masks in enclosed spaces and when social distancing can't be adhered to

'The one thing that keeps me me awake is that every week we are getting a couple of cases with no clear identifiable source and that worries us,' she told the Today show.

'What that tells us is in south-western and western Sydney the virus is circulating among the community.'

Earlier this month, Ms Berejiklian advised NSW residents to wear masks in enclosed spaces and when social distancing cannot be adhered to.

'I want to stress it is not compulsory, but it is a strong recommendation from Health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in New South Wales,' she said.

Victoria recorded another 14 deaths and 372 more cases of coronavirus on Friday.
The death toll from last weeks massive explosion in Lebanons capital has risen to nearly 180, with an estimated 6,000 people injured and at least 30 missing, the United Nations said on Friday.

The explosion has affected operations at six hospitals, up from an initial three, and damaged more than 20 clinics in the parts of Beirut worst hit by the blast, the UNs humanitarian affairs agency said in its report.

A preliminary rapid assessment within a 15-kilometre radius of the explosions, has revealed that, out of 55 medical facilities, only half are fully operational and around 40 per cent have suffered moderate to serious damage and need rehabilitation, the report said.

It still wasnt known what caused the August 4 fire that ignited nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in Beiruts port. But documents have emerged in the wake of the explosion that show the countrys top leadership and security officials were aware of the chemicals being stored in the city port.

The blast has changed the face of the capital and forced the government to resign. Lebanons Parliament on Thursday approved a state of emergency in Beirut in its first session since the tragic explosion last week, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger and political uncertainty.

Some 120 schools, used by 50,000 students, have been damaged. More than 1,000 of nearly 50,000 residential units were severely damaged, the UN report said.

At east 13 refugees, including at least two Palestinians, were among those killed and more than 170,000 residents apartments were damaged, according to the UN report.

Despite damage to the silos in the Beirut port, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said food shortages are not expected.

The blast struck Beirut in the midst of a crippling financial and economic crisis, and the UN predicted people may have difficulties restoring or fixing their homes. But at least 55% of buildings assessed were rented, which may allow people to move elsewhere, the UN said.

According to the world body the Beirut port is operating at 30% capacity and the Tripoli port in the countrys north, at 70%. That is allowing for food and goods to continue to flow. The World Food Program is bringing in a three-month supply of wheat flour and grains.

The agency said however it is concerned about a surge in coronavirus cases, particularly as social distancing is relaxed during the widespread volunteering to help those affected by the blast and protests against the government and political elite.

The government resigned on August 10 and the Cabinet remains in caretaker capacity. Protesters are demanding officials be held accountable for the blast.
HAMDEN  Jorge Cabrera can officially celebrate.

With all absentee ballots calculated Thursday, Cabrera won just over 57 percent of votes in the 17th District state Senate Democratic primary against Hamden Councilman Justin Farmer.

Cabrera thanked the voters who went out to polls despite the conditions of the pandemic and those who voted by absentee ballot.

I thank you for your support and look forward to your partnership as we take back the 17th district for working people, Cabrera said. Thats why I ran. I ran because our district deserves better.

Cabrera ultimately led Farmer by about 1,200 votes, according to the Secretary of the State data on Tuesdays primary. He won all seven municipalities in the district.

It is with great reverence to the sacrifices each of us made, that we must now concede this election to Jorge Cabrera, Farmers campaign said in a joint written statement. We congratulate him on his victory.

With the Democratic nomination secured, Cabrera again will face incumbent state Sen. George Logan, R-Ansonia, who defeated Cabrera by 77 votes in the 2018 general election.

This election has the potential to shift the balance of power for working people in our state, Cabrera said. The Democratic Party is just one seat away from gaining a veto-proof majority in the state Senate. If we can band together to defeat the Republican incumbent, we can win real governing power and build a state where working-class people can thrive and leave a better future for their kids.

Cabrera said the district faces many issues including underfunded public schools, a lack of infrastructure and public transportation investment, inadequate economic development plans.

Cabrera commended Farmer for advancing the discussion on these issues and others throughout the primary campaign, including environmentalism, universal health care and economic equity.

I also want to thank Hamden town councilor Justin Farmer for running a strong, issue-based primary campaign, which fostered meaningful dialogue about how to improve the lives of working families in the district, Cabrera said.

However, Farmers team said neither candidate in the general election has a comprehensive plan to address the most pressing issues in the district  income inequality, housing, police violence, energy company monopolies, climate change, health care rights and broadening workers rights for non-unionized labor.

We will continue fighting for what we know to be basic human rights, Farmers team said. These things transcend individual campaigns and party politics. We were always an issues-first campaign, and we will continue to be just that.

Democratic Town Committee Chairman Sean Grace congratulated Cabrera on his primary win and Farmer for running a spirited campaign.

Now it is time for Democrats throughout the district to unite behind Jorge Cabrera and help him win back this seat, Grace said.

On election night Tuesday, Cabrera was leading the vote count, thousands of absentee ballots issued in Hamden were unaccounted for, as Hamdens Registrar of Voters and town clerk did not release any absentee ballot tallies that night.

Every other municipality in the 17th District  Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Naugatuck and Woodbridge  released absentee ballot counts, although their totals remained unofficial because a number of mailed ballots hadnt been received.

By executive order, the governor allowed for absentee ballots postmarked by election day and received by Thursday to be counted in the election.

Farmers campaign criticized Hamdens registrar for not releasing any absentee ballot figures the night of the election.

Our campaign, as well as other organizations including the Hamden Democratic Town Committee, have made clear our concern for the lack of transparency and procedural failures of the Hamden Registrar of Voters office, Farmer and his campaign team said in a statement.

The Hamden registrar and town clerk did not respond to why they did not release any absentee ballot figures on election night.

While these issues likely did not alter the results of the election, our democracy is dependent on every vote being counted in an honest and transparent fashion in accordance with Connecticut and federal election law, Farmers statement said. What occurred with absentee ballots in Hamden was the complete opposite. The general election is too important, and we must address these issues before then. Our campaign remains committed to doing just that over the coming weeks.

mdignan@hearstmediact.com
With Covid-19 cases surging, Odisha government now plans to bring an ordinance to amend the epidemics act for increasing the punishment for non-compliance of the guidelines laid down for containing the spread of the pandemic.

Chief secretary Asit Tripathy said that Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 would be amended to increase the imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or fine which may extend up to 1 lakh or with both. As the state Assembly is not in session, the amendment to the act would be done through ordinance route, the chief secretary said. The move to make the punishment for violation of Covid-19 guidelines tougher was significant as the number of coronavirus disease cases in the state has crossed 52,000 and death toll stands at 314.

Though the Centre had promulgated the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 on April 22 to include protection for healthcare personnel combating the disease and expanding the powers of the central government to prevent the spread of the pandemic, the state government now wants to amend the act for better implementation of the Covid-19 guidelines.

Though the Covid-19 guidelines in the state were being implemented through executive order, it needed a legislative teeth. So the Epidemic Diseases Act is being amended through ordinance. Till now the Centre issued most of the orders on Covid-19 through Disaster Management Act. As health is a concurrent subject, the state is amending the Epidemics Diseases Act to be in better control of the Covid-19 situation, said a senior official of the health department.

Senior advocate Pitambar Acharya said the amendment was necessary as even after imposing certain restrictions under the old act, states are struggling to stem the spread of the disease as there are no specific provisions in the Act which can guide the governments to act in a prescribed manner. It is more than 120 years old and had come at a time when the British officers wanted to limit public gatherings led by the freedom fighters. The old act does not define the term epidemic or disease and has no specific measures or directions to the government to follow at the time of an epidemic. The amendment would help the state handle the pandemic in a better way, said Acharya.

However, senior lawyers said raising the penalty to 1 lakh for anyone found violating the amended Epidemic Diseases Act may be a bit steep. In a pandemic, a slumdweller caught not wearing mask may not be able to fork out 1 lakh if convicted. The enforcement authorities in the state are just coming to terms with the pandemic. 1 lakh fine amount is all fine, but one needs to see how many can pay it, said senior HC advocate Surya Prasad Mishra.

Meanwhile, the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) said on Thursday that one-third population of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) in the Covid-19 epicentre of Ganjam district has developed antibodies to the Sars-CoV-2 virus. RMRC director Sanghamitra Pati said that a sero survey in Berhampur town found 31% prevalence at community level in the municipality area. The survey indicates that 1.5 lakh people in the city were infected with the virus and developed antibodies. At the high risk group level in BeMC, the sero prevalence is 23.4%.

The sero survey was carried out jointly by BeMC, MKCG medical College and RMRC with support from the Health and Family Welfare department, said Pati.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director is warning Americans to keep following the centers recommendations to stop the spread of coronavirus or we could face the worst fall of all.

During an interview with WebMd, Robert Redfield warned that if Americans dont wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands, and be smart about crowds the country could face the worst fall from a public health perspective.

Its almost a tale of two cities. If the American public will really take to heart what Ive asked, wear a mask, the social distance, to use great hand hygiene, and to be smart about crowds, and we all do that. And I keep telling people, Im not asking some of America to do it. We all got to do it, Redfield said in an interview with Dr. John Whyte.

During the interview Redfield also stressed the importance of getting the flu vaccine this fall in order to avoid another jump in the need for hospital beds throughout the country.

I think one of the messages were trying to do is that really switch it from the anti-vax or vaccine hesitancy [to] the campaign of to vaccinate with confidence. You know, and trying to tell the American public, please dont leave this important accomplishment of American medicine on the shelf for yourself, your family, your church, your -- your workforce, he said. The kids who get vaccinated, they basically get protected against death. It also has an impact on the rest of us in terms of severity of illness and hospitalization.

There were 490,600 hospitalizations for the flu during the 2018-2019 season and 34,200 deaths, according to CDC figures.
Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi (C) sits with members of the United Wa State Army following a meeting of armed ethnic groups in Naypyidaw, July 29, 2016.

An umbrella group of ethnic armies in Myanmar announced Thursday it will skip a government-sponsored peace conference next week, citing coronavirus-related travel difficulties and solidarity for a rebel group that was excluded, diminishing already low expectations for the negotiations.

The seven-member alliance, known as the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), includes some of the largest of the ethnic armies that have been at war with the central government for decades and have resisted signing a recent cease-fire with the Myanmar military.

Aung San Suu Kyi won office in 2015 on pledges that included ending wars between the national army and armed ethnic groups that stretch back to the countrys independence from Britain in 1948. To achieve this, she launched the 21st-Century Panglong Conference, and held annual sessions from 2016-18.

The Panglong process, also known as the Union Peace Conference, treats the ethnic groups differently, depending on whether they have signed the cornerstone nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA) in October 2015.

The FPNCCs seven armies are not NCA signatories, and the invitation that the six of them turned down Thursday only covered the opening ceremony of the next talks slated for Aug. 19-21.

The six armies will not be able to join the fourth session of the UPC, mainly due to COVID-19, the FPNCC said in a statement.

The group also said that it was disappointed that its seventh member, the Arakan Army (AA), was not invited. The AA, which is fighting Myanmar troops in western Rakhine state in a war that erupted in late 2018, was declared an illegal association and terrorist group by the government in March.

The FPNCC member groups held a meeting today and decided not to attend mainly because the government didnt invite our allied group, the AA, said Brigadier General Tar Phone Kyaw, second-in-command of the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

We decided not to attend to show our solidarity, he added.

In addition to the AA and TNLA, the armies staying away from the talks next week include the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)/Mongla group, the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP)/SSA-North, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)/Kokang group.

Nyi Rang, liaison officer for the UWSA, Myanmars largest non-state army which leads the FPNCC, told RFA that the ethnic force was in accord with the umbrella groups statement and that he had no further comment.

Talks next week with the 10 ethnic armies that have signed the NCA are likely to focus on technical details and terminology, much like in the previous sessions.

Of utmost importance

Aung Thu Nyein, director of communications at the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar, said it will not matter to the government or to the peace process if the FPNCC members do not participate in the fourth and final round of talks before general elections in November.

The government views the Panglong peace conference as being of the utmost importance for its performance, he said.

So, the government will hold the Panglong conference and portray it as its victory no matter what happens, Aung Thu Nyein said. If it fails to hold the conference, it will be a weak spot for criticism during the election campaign.

Aung San Suu Kyis ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) faces competition from nearly 100 political parties who are putting forward candidates in the Nov. 8 elections to vie for 1,171 seats available in both houses of the national parliament and in state and regional legislatures.

No matter which party wins, however, it is important that the next government continues the peace talks and possibly includes the FPNCC groups in future conferences, Aung Thu Nyein said.

RFA was unable to get a comment from government spokesman Zaw Htay, who is also a member of the states National Reconciliation and Peace Center, which runs the peace negotiations and is chaired by Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

RFA also could not reach Myanmar military spokesmen for comment on the FPNCCs decision to sit out the peace conference.

A clear path

In Naypyidaw on Thursday, representatives from the government, the military, and ethnic armed groups agreed on a draft of the Union Accord Part III to be signed during the peace conference.

First inked at the 2016 round of the Panglong negotiations, the Union Accord comprises a framework agreement for implementing the NCA, steps for implementing the peace process after 2020, and issues pertaining to democracy and basic principles for the federal system that Myanmar seeks to adopt.

Parties who attended the ninth meeting of the Joint Implementing Coordination Meeting (JICM) for the NCA, agreed on seven points, which will be submitted to the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) and signed at the peace talks.

The UPDJC comprises officials from the government, military, and parliament, and representatives from ethnic armed groups and political parties.

The Union Accord will show a clear path to resolve Myanmars ongoing crises  a crisis of politics, a crisis with building a democratic federal union, [and] a crisis on constitutional reform, said Aung San Suu Kyi at the meeting.

But we still have to maintain negotiations on the details of the processes, she added.

Ongoing discussions will include security matters as defined in the NCA plan, said government spokesman Zaw Htay, who also serves as director general of the State Counselors Office.

It will include bilateral discussions and preparations, he said. These security processes are intended to balance the progressing political processes.

Senior Vice General Soe Win, deputy commander-in-chief of the Myanmar military, said that many of the issues discussed at Thursdays meeting have been covered in the NCA.

The meeting wasnt able to cover the main issues as it was hindered by redundant discussions due to misunderstandings, he said.



Reported by Thiha Tun, Kan Tar, and Soe San Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
A man who claimed he has a condition making him "resistant to coronavirus" and another fined for the 10th time are among the latest Victorians to be fined for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

The first man was caught buying cigarettes with a friend in South Melbourne after curfew on Thursday night. He was not wearing a face mask and told police he didnt need one because of a "birth condition that makes him resistant to coronavirus". Both men were fined.

Another man was fined for the 10th time for flouting lockdown rules after he was found more than five kilometres from his Whittlesea home, outside Melbourne, in the inner-city suburb of Richmond.

He told police he was in the city to visit work colleagues but could not produce appropriate documentation and was fined.
The pan-northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Thursday, advised government not to sweep recent all...

The pan-northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Thursday, advised government not to sweep recent allegations by a former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Dr Obadia Mailafia, under the carpet.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, in an interview with Punch, said the allegation by Mailafia that a northern governor was a Boko Haram leader was weighty and should be screened.

The former CBN deputy governor, in an interview with a radio station, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, had said some repentant terrorists revealed to him that a serving northern governor was a Boko Haram commander.

He said, Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits. We have met with some of their high commanders, one or two who have repented. They have sat down with us not once, not twice.

They told us that one of the northern governors was the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same.

Mailafia was on Wednesday quizzed for several hours by the Department of State Services in Jos. After leaving the DSS office, the ex-deputy governor of the CBN said he would not retract the statement he made.

In the interview with Punch, the ACF spokesman, Yawe, said the allegations coming from a former CBN deputy governor were weighty and should be screened.

According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to sweep such allegations under the carpets. He hailed the DSS for inviting Mailafia.

The ACF spokesman said, Given his status as former deputy governor (of the CBN) and the weight of the allegations he raised, the DSS did the correct thing in inviting Obadia Mailafia.

He owes it to the country to shed more light on these allegations. We cannot afford to sweep such allegations under the carpet.

Boko Haram has killed many people, destroyed the lives of many Nigerians, foreigners and Nigerias image in the comity of nations. The allegation that a governor who swore by the constitution and the holy book to defend the lives and property of the citizenry is behind such a satanic group is repugnant and must be properly screened.

Additionally, we fought a costly civil war in terms of human lives and materials between 1967 and 1970. If there is any information that a group is planning a civil war, we should do all we can to verify such information and abort the plan. We cannot afford a second civil war.

Name gov leading BHaram, northern coalition advises Mailafia

On its part, the Coalition of Northern Groups, challenged Mailafia to go ahead and name the northern governor who was the commander of Boko Haram.

According to the CNGs, the fact that Mailafia is sticking to his guns even after his arrest called government to question.

He stated, For instance, he should disclose the name of the northern governor and the extent of involvement of government as he claimed.

Spokesperson for the CNGs, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, stated these in an interview with one of our correspondents in Kaduna on Thursday.

The CNGs said, We look at the Mailafia saga from two perspectives. One is the direct accusation of the involvement of government and in particular, a serving northern governor with the unceasing insecurity and other disturbances in the region. The fact that Mailafia is sticking to his guns even after the arrest has certainly called government to question.

The man has made a serious commitment by claiming that he has reliable intelligence of the existence of such dangerous plot. The authorities should get him to prove his claims, perhaps he can even assist the government.

Middle Belt youths laud Mailafia for insisting on allegations

But the Middle Belt Youth Council condemned the DSS for inviting Mailafia.





The National President of the Middle Belt Youth Council ,Emma Zopmal, who spoke to one of our correspondents in Jos on Thursday, said the Middle Belt people were happy that Mailafia did not retract his statement.

He stated,  We in Middle Belt are happy that the former CBN deputy governor did not retract his statement despite the invitation meant to intimidate him by the DSS because what he said was nothing but the truth. And we are not surprised by his statement at all

On his part, a member of the eighth National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, warned the Federal Government and state governors against harassing the former CBN deputy governor.

Sani stated in an interview with journalists on Thursday after receiving the Africas Legend of Human Rights, award from the Human Rights Writers Association in Abuja.

He stated that government should not make Mailafia a scapegoat after failing to stop Boko Haram insurgency and violence in the northern part of Nigeria.

At the event, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stressed that the government had no right to harass Mailafia.

He urged the media to stand in solidarity with Nigeria Info 99.3FM and protest the N5m slammed on the radio station by the National Broadcasting Commission for airing the programme for which Mailafia was invited.

Sani said, This is a democracy, people in the position of power must learn to respect the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed by the constitution of this country.

We shouldnt use Mailafia as a scapegoat or an excuse. Mailafia is not responsible for the insurgency and the violence, he is only expressing his opinion and that should be respected.

Dont make hero out of Mailafia, Borno Concerned Elders dean advises govt

But the Dean of Borno Concerned Elders, Prof Khalifa Dikwa, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the DSS could decipher Mailafias statement as that of a politician preparing for the 2023 presidency.

Dikwa stated, His (Mailafia) outburst may have been made after he was shown some deceitful theatrics by a political interest or foreign troublemaking intelligence which chose a dramatis personae to act like real repentant Boko Haram, planning to invade a region for a false propaganda to take over the media space as if it is real.

We are dealing with some bad political actors who are readily willing to heat the polity with ethno-religious sentiments, rather than wait for 2023 elections because they cannot galvanise votes in a democracy where numbers matter.

He advised government not t make a hero out of Mailafia. Dikwa recalled that a former President while in office once alleged that there were Boko Haram members in his cabinet.












Police have allegedly told residents in Ellen DeGeneres' Montecito neighborhood that the recent burglary at the TV host's property was an 'inside job'.

On July 4 Ellen and wife Portia de Rossi's $27 million mansion was burglarized, with authorities saying at the time that the couple's home was targeted due to their 'celebrity status'.

And now a newsletter from the Montecito Association, which attempted to put local residents' minds at rest, has reported that the local sheriff told their executive director that the crime was an 'inside job'.

Shock: Local residents in the neighborhood where Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi live and were burglarized last month, have allegedly been told by cops that the burglary was an 'inside job'

The association reassured the residents that the community did not need to worry about more robberies taking place.

The ultra exclusive enclave is home to a host of billionaires and celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande and in recent weeks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

A copy of the newsletter, emailed on August 12, was obtained by The Sun newspaper this week and reportedly reads: 'If it had been a case of outsiders coming in and breaking and entering, I'd have alerted you to be on the lookout and lock up everything.

'According to our very helpful Sheriff Lt Arnoldi, that appears to be an inside job.'

When asked for an update on the case, the sheriff's public information office told The Sun they are continuing to investigate.

The burglary took place on the 4th of July, with TMZ reporting that the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office stating they believe they were, 'targeted due to the victims celebrity status.'

There is no evidence that Ellen or Portia had anything to do with the robbery.

The burglary took place on the 4th of July, with TMZ reporting that the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office stating they believe they were, 'targeted due to the victims celebrity status.'

There was no word on the value of the stolen items taken from the home, though it is believed that 'high-value jewelry and watches' were stolen.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office added they were conducting an investigation to see if Ellen's burglary is connected to other recent home break-ins.

Someone they know? The Montecito Association reported in a recent newsletter that the local sheriff told them the burglary 'was an inside job'

The talk-show host purchased the 8,188-square-foot, Balinese-style home in early 2019 for a staggering $27 million.

The news of Ellen's home being robbed came amid the ongoing drama surrounding reports of a toxic working environment for staff and crew on The Ellen Show.

Portia told PageSix that Ellen is 'doing great' despite the situation.

Several high profile names in the showbiz industry have given their support to Ellen.

Former late-night television legend Jay Leno recently vowed to stand by the daytime talk show host, who he hailed as 'a kind and decent person', as she faces the ongoing workplace investigations into her show.

Victims: There is no evidence that Ellen or Portia had anything to do with the robbery

He tweeted: 'I don't discard a 40-year friendship on hearsay. The Ellen I know has raised over $125 million dollars for charity and has always been a kind and decent person. I fully support her. Jay Leno.'

The pair would often feature on each other's shows, with Ellen appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno many times.

Hollywood legend Diane Keaton, 74, has also shown her support and said she always had a fun experience on her show. She wrote on Instagram: 'I ALWAYS ENJOYED MY VISITS TO THE ELLEN SHOW. I'VE SEEN HOW THE AUDIENCE EXUDES HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE. SHE GIVES BACK TO SO MANY INCLUDING ME. (sic)'

Ellen's home: The talk-show host purchased the 8,188-square-foot, Balinese-style home in early 2019 for a staggering $27 million

The likes of Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Hart, Katy Perry and many more also have her back.

Producers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show have been accused of creating a 'toxic work environment' by several former employees, as well as sexual misconduct claims being placed against two of the show's top executives.

Whilst Ellen was not accused of any wrongdoing in the allegations, she sent a letter of apology to her staff, which caused backlash after Brad Garrett - who appeared on the chat show six times between 2004 and 2007 - accused her of treating some people on the show 'horribly'.
3 1 of 3 Courtesy photo /U.S. Border Patrol Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy photo /U.S. Border Patrol Show More Show Less 3 of 3





A joint operation between local and federal authorities led to the discovery of a stash house along Texas 359, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Agents and Laredo police officers responded to suspicious activity Friday afternoon at a residence in the 3400 block of Texas 359. Authorities encountered an individual outside the house, who was determined to be a Mexican citizen illegally present in the country.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has sent a letter to Secretary-General of Commonwealth of Nations Baroness Patricia Scotland. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Presidents Office, President Sarkissian referred to the Armenian Summit of Minds and ATOM (Advanced Tomorrow) presidential initiative, noting that that they are aimed at fostering technological and humanitarian development at an international level and can become an representational platform for new and unusual ideas and concepts.

The President invited Patricia Scotland to participate in the Armenian Summit of Mind, scheduled on October 10-11 and will be dedicated to geopolitics and artificial intelligence. Emphasizing the great feedback from last years Summit, President Sarkissian hoped it will be a success this year as well.

Among the presidential initiatives aimed at the development of science, technologies and artificial intelligence, President Sarkissian referred to ATOM program, noting that it has already gained interest among global giant technological companies and preliminary cooperation agreements will be signed in the near future with some of them.

At the end of the letter President Sarkissian presented details about the Azerbaijani attacks against Armenia in the recent period, emphasizing that Azerbaijan violated universal values attempting to solve its short-term tasks in a period when the entire world has consolidated against the pandemic.

The Commonwealth of Nations, generally known simply as the Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, nearly all former territories of the British Empire.

Editing and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has said that if a future administration under Joe Biden tried to prosecute Donald Trump, the country would become a banana republic.

During an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday, Mr Giuliani was asked "how damaging would it be for a Biden administration to criminally prosecute a former president?"

"Well, we would become a banana republic", he said in response. "And that's where we're headed."

The comments came as part of a segment titled, "How Kamala Harris would abuse the Department of Justice (DOJ)". Sen Harris, a California senator, was chosen as Mr Biden's running mate on Tuesday.

Sen Harris previously said during her failed presidential run that Mr Trump would be prosecuted for alleged obstruction of justice if she were elected president.

Under her leadership the Department of Justice would have no choice but to pursue criminal charges against Mr Trump due to revelations in Robert Muellers Russia report, the California senator said in 2019.

Mr Biden said in an interview last week that he would not stand in the way of a future Justice Department pursuing criminal charges.

"I will not interfere with the Justice Department's judgment of whether or not they think they should pursue the prosecution of anyone that they think has violated the law," Mr Biden told NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro.

"In terms of saying, 'I think the president violated the law. I think the president did this, therefore, go on and prosecute him'  I will not do that," he said.

Recommended The correct way to pronounce Kamala Harris

Mr Giuliani went on to call Sen Harris a "mean woman" and a "terrible prosecutor" echoing the sentiments of the president, who called the senator "nasty" directly after her announcement as Democratic running mate on Tuesday.

"I thought she was the meanest, most disrespectful of anyone in the US Senate," the president claimed.

During their first appearance as running mates on Wednesday, Mr Biden hit back Mr Trump's attacks on Sen Harris.

It's no surprise, Mr Biden said. Whining is what Donald Trump does best more than any president in American history. Is anyone surprised Donald Trump has a problem with a strong woman?

Sen Harris broadly condemned Mr Trump and his administration but didn't address his specific remarks about her.
On the eve of India's 74th Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the nation.

Remembering with gratitude the sacrifices of India's freedom fighters, he said Indians are fortunate to have had Mahatma Gandhi as the guide of the country's freedom struggle.

Also Read | 74th Independence Day: Here are 15 quotes by India's freedom fighters that resonate even today

Here are the key highlights of President Kovind's speech:

>> The president pointed out that the Independence Day celebrations this year will not be carried out on the usual scale in light of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed the lives of many.

>> He said that through the timely efforts of the Central government, the country has succeeded in containing the spread of the virus and protecting the lives of a large number of people.

>> President Kovind said the nation is indebted to all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who served as frontline warriors in the fight against the coronavirus. He added that all "corona warriors" deserve high praise; they go much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services.

>> Referring to the Amphan cyclone that hit Odisha and West Bengal earlier this year which added to the country's ongoing challenges, he said the concerted efforts of disaster management teams, Central and state agencies as well as vigilant citizens helped minimise the loss of life and property. Floods in the northeastern and eastern states have ravaged the lives and livelihood of people in these regions. Amid such onslaughts of disasters, it is gratifying to see all sections of society coming together to help those in distress, he added.

>> He said the government has provided livelihood to the country's poor through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, a scheme he said helped reduce the pain of job loss during the pandemic. Every month, around 80 crore people received guaranteed ration under this scheme, he added.

>> He also acknowledged the government's Vande Bharat Mission under which over a million Indians have been brought back home.

>> President Ram Nath Kovind also spoke about the Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops in June. He said that at a time when the need is to unite and fight against coronavirus that has affected the world, China attempted to carry out its expansionist activities. He paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the country in the border clash, adding that India is proud of its armed forces, police and paramilitary forces, which guard the borders and ensure internal security.

>> The overwhelming support India received at the elections for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council is a testimony to the goodwill the country enjoys internationally, the president noted.
But the killings and the disparities in wealth and the foreign interference remain, as do those who presided over the war, the "tribal chiefs" of each of Lebanon's sectarian communities. As Arabs across the region saw in 2011 and 2012, it is not enough to say "no" to what has failed, as important as that is. It is also necessary to articulate a "yes" and agree upon what Lebanon is going to be instead. This articulation has to be Lebanese in order to be effective. When I saw French President Emmanuel Macron, a man beset by political dysfunction and protest at home, plying the streets of Beirut after the blast, I was reminded of what the Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk called the "Napoleonic self-regard" of the French, and when some citizens of Beirut cheered Macron's sales pitch I heard the voice of novelist Rabih Alameddine: Beirut is the Elizabeth Taylor of cities: insane, beautiful, falling apart, ageing, and forever drama-laden. She'll also marry any infatuated suitor who promises to make her life more comfortable, no matter how inappropriate he is. Conspiracy theories about who is responsible for the August 4 blast have poured into the crater left behind from every point in the political spectrum. But ultimately those who died were murdered by the negligence of their state.

A series of images of the August 4 port explosion in Beirut. Credit:Twitter: @borzou The Lebanese were already waiting for answers from an international inquiry into who murdered the politician Rafik Hariri, the journalist Gebran Tueni, the author Samir Kassir and others. The country's president has rejected the idea of another such inquiry into the port explosion. Once I believed that the key to reform was to get to the bottom of such questions; now I am not so sure. At the time of Hariri's assassination his allies coined the slogan "the martyrs are our martyrs, the square is our square". But it cannot be that what entitles each faction to a political voice is simply the tally of their dead. Watching young Lebanese act without government help in recent days to clean up the wreckage of their neighbours' homes, I begin to think that it is the rebuilding of Beirut that will show if the country can turn over a new leaf. Beirut has been destroyed a number of times, and each time its reconstruction has had a political cast. After the 1975-1990 war, Hariri - a Sunni backed by Saudi Arabia - formed the company Solidere to rebuild the city. You can see some of Solidere's handiwork in Saifi Square, where the unfortunate bride was having her wedding snaps taken when the blast hit.

Loading The company's approach to urban renewal has been controversial but in the 1990s it was a crucial part of Hariri's profile as a prime minister who could get things done and attract investment dollars, in contrast to the militant "axis of resistance" (Syria, Iran and Hezbollah). Years passed, Hezbollah rose to dominance and Hariri was assassinated. When Israel flattened the southern part of Beirut in 2006 in an attempt to smash Hezbollah, the party made rebuilding through its own corporate vehicle - known as al-Waad al-Sadiq, or "The Faithful Promise" - a big part of its pitch that it could repair the damage, for which it was seen as partly responsible. This "jihad of (re)building" left Hezbollah looking more efficient than the Lebanese state. At that time Solidere was going through severe financial problems (from which it seems to have recovered). The question is whether the latest rebuild can be done along non-partisan lines that give all Lebanese a sense of being invested in the outcome. It is a big ask and many vested interests will oppose such a project. But it could be a first small step in finding a "yes" for Lebanon.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  The Commission on Higher Education trended online due to calls for it to move the opening of classes just like what the Education department announced Friday, but the agency said it cannot do so.

CHED chairman Prospero de Vera III said higher education is not covered by the law that allows the academic calendar for elementary and high school, or Republic Act 11480. The new law allows the President to adjust the school calendar in times of national emergency upon recommendation of the Department of Education.

De Vera said under the Higher Education Act, or Republic Act 7722, CHED issues guidelines for universities in deciding on their academic calendar.

Universities open their school year as approved by their board depending on the way they structure their semesters, De Vera told CNN Philippines News.PH.

De Vera said board of universities factor in preparedness and health conditions on the ground that is why some choose to open as late as October, while others have begun as early as June.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced on Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte approved her recommendation to move opening of classes to October 5 from August 24 due to logistical limitations caused by the modified enhanced community quarantine in parts of Luzon like Metro Manila.
Women are more likely to have adverse side effects of medications as drug doses have been mainly based on clinical trials done on men, suggests a new study.

Researchers found the lack of women in clinical trials resulted in many women overmedicated or dealing with the drug side effects.

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago looked at over 5,000 medical journal articles to review the sex breakdown of clinical trial participants.

The study, which was published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, noted that the common practice in clinical trials is to prescribe the same doses to men and women.

This despite differences in size, body weight, and biological process of their bodies. This resulted in higher blood concentrations and longer elimination times of medications for women.

"When it comes to prescribing drugs, a one-size-fits-all approach, based on male-dominated clinical trials, is not working, and women are getting the short end of the stick," Irving Zucker, who is the study lead author and professor emeritus of psychology and integrative biology at UC Berkeley, was quoted in a Science Daily study.

The researchers found data of over 86 medications approved by the Federal Drug Administration, which includes analgesics, antidepressants, cardiovascular, and anti-seizure medications.

The study found that more than 90 percent of cases, women experience adverse drug effects such as nausea, headache, depression, drowsiness, cognitive deficits, and excessive weight gain.

This also includes hallucination, seizures, agitation, and cardiac anomalies. Women were said to experience side effects at nearly twice the rate of men.

Zucker said that for decades, women were excluded from clinical drug trials, based on unfounded concerns that female hormone fluctuations render women hard to study.

FDA seemed to know the value of individualized dosing based on sex in 2014. It recommended the drug zolpidem, commonly known as Ambien.

It was known that the same dose in women that was recommended for men caused two times the drug level in the body due to differences in metabolism.

The result was drowsiness, which could cause dangerous driving conditions.

The FDA revised its guidelines and recommended sex-specific dosing.

Women in Clinical Trials

Researches have excluded women from clinical drug trials and focused only on men until 1993.

That is when the National Institute of Health started requiring the inclusion of women in any federally supported phase III clinical trial.

However, in 2018, a review of NIH-funded trials showed that only 26 percent of trials reported any outcome data broken down by sex.

"Neglect of females is widespread, even in cell and animal studies where the subjects have been predominantly male," Zucker was quoted.

He also added that even with the inclusion of women in clinical trials has increased, many of these newer studies still fail to analyze the data for sex differences.

Study's Recommendation

Zucker and co-researcher, Brian Prendergast, made several recommendations in their study.

These include system-wide changes, such as creating sex parity in the Department of Health and Human Services' approval process.

These also include industry-level reform, including instruction in sex-difference in drug treatment for doctors.

Check these out:

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Minsk: The Belarusian leadership has begun releasing thousands of detainees and issued a rare public apology in a bid to quell nationwide street protests that pose the biggest challenge to strongman President Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule.

Hundreds of friends and relatives, many of them in tears, stood outside a detention centre in Minsk waiting to give food, water and blankets to people emerging from inside in the early hours of Friday.

A man waves an old Belarusian national flag during a protest in Minsk on Thursday against the results of the country's presidential election. Credit:AP

Some protesters had bruises and described being tightly packed inside cells and complained of mistreatment. Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov denied the prisoners were abused and said all detainees would be freed by morning.

At least two protesters have died and around 6700 were detained this week in a crackdown following Lukashenko's contested re-election that has prompted the West to consider new sanctions on Minsk.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a serious concern for authorities at the Central prison in Thiruvananthapuram, 63 more prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 after rapid antigen tests on Friday. With this, the total number of infected prisoners has gone up to 164.

Meanwhile, the Kerala prison headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram has been shut down for three days after symptoms of COVID-19 were detected in two prisoners engaged in sanitation of the headquarters and its premises. DGP (prisons) Rishiraj Singh issued the orders on Friday following instructions from the state health department.

According to the DGP's order, the headquarters will be opened after disinfecting the office and premises. The headquarters and adjoining prison have become an epicentre of the virus as a total of 101 prisoners have tested positive so far in the rapid antigen testing conducted on Wednesday and Thursday. A cluster is feared to have developed in the prison and its premises.

In addition, a prisoner at a special sub-jail in Thiruvananthapuram also tested positive. The DIG (prisons) has gone into home quarantine. On Thursday, an officer in the prison also contracted the disease. The prison authorities said more antigen tests would be conducted in the coming days. At present, a total of 975 prisoners are in the Central prison at Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram.

Inmates under remand as well as those convicted were among those who tested positive. They will be isolated within the prison and also treated there, since all of them were asymptomatic. A special ward will also be opened in the prison soon for the treatment.

The testing of inmates in Poojappura jail began after an aged prisoner was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Tuesday. This was followed by a rapid antigen test of 107 prisoners on Wednesday out of which 59 had tested positive. On Thursday, 41 more prisoners tested positive. However, the source of the infection remains a mystery.

The capital continues to be the hotspot of the virus spread. On Thursday alone, 434 COVID-19 cases were reported in the district.
Shiv Sena MP on Friday said that his party wants to know the reason behind the death or suicide of as he is also like "our son" and asserted that there is no "political" interfere in Mumbai Police's investigation in the case.

"We have full sympathy for Sushant Singh Rajput's family. Yesterday I just said that they should have some patience but it was shown that I have threatened them. Was that a threat? Trust Mumbai Police. If you think they are not doing a good job then go to They can also approach the UN and CIA," Raut told ANI.

" was also our son. He lived in Mumbai. He was an actor. is Mumbai's family. What enmity will we have? Even we want his family to get justice. We want the secret behind his death or suicide to come out. There is no political affair in the investigation of Mumbai Police," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Anish Jha, lawyer of BJP MLA Niraj Kumar Singh, a relative of the deceased actor said Raut has been given 48 hours to apologise for his recent statements in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

Based on the FIR registered in Patna, on Rajput's father KK Singh's complaint, the filed a case against Rhea Chakraborty, Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya Chakraborty, Showik Chakraborty, Samuel Miranda, Shruti Modi, and others in connection with Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

The investigating agency booked 6 accused and others in sections including criminal conspiracy, abetment of suicide, wrongful restrain, wrongful confinement, theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation.

Responding to Republican Party of India (RPI) chief Ramdas Athawale's claim that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra will fall after Ganeshotsav, the Rajya Sabha MP said: "Those who do not have some work predict things like this. This government will run for five years. There is no internal fight among the three parties."

"We believe that BJP is a strong Opposition with 105 MLAs and standing like a big rock. If we don't do work properly, then it will fall on us. We need the guidance of BJP being a principal opposition," he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
That was easier for Trump to do as a political outsider challenging the great insider, Hillary Clinton. Still, he tries to run now as if he is an outsider, flailing away at Sleepy Joe and other lame nicknames, while his approval ratings slide under the weight of his own record.
As most of us take to the internet for the simplest of tasks, many millennials have also taken to apps and online platforms to invest. Several financial apps such as Fundsindia, Kuvera, OroWealth, Invezta, Kuvera, Zerodha and Groww allow you to invest in a host of mutual funds after spending just a few minutes to get on-boarded.

Start investing within seconds

Ease of transaction is the biggest benefit for millennials. Get the know-your customer (KYC) process done in minutes, completely online, link your bank account and youre good to go. Saurav Basu, Head of Wealth Management at Tata Capital says, The financial apps are providing tutorials to investors, conducting video interactions with the fund managers, educating new investors with blogs, newsletters, etc. that help investors make an informed investment decision. Also, the interface is easy, which makes investing an enjoyable experience.

You can invest in them through systematic investment plans or lump-sums. And some apps also offer corporate fixed deposits and even equity shares. Others offer you goal-planning: buying a care, home, a dream holiday or even a comfortable retirement. Once a timeline by which you want to achieve those is given, the app recommends a bunch of funds to invest in.

Many such apps offer mutual funds through direct plans. These plans do not have distributor costs embedded in them. The savings made in operating expenses remain invested in the fund and thereby start generating returns of their own. Thus, direct plans end up generating higher returns than their regular plans, says Naveen Kukreja, CEO and Co-founder, Paisabazaar.com.

Surat-based investor Kalpesh Sharma is in his late 20s and has just opened an account with an online investment app. So far, he has been investing on his own by browsing through magazines about schemes he felt he should invest in. Eventually, he realised the need for guidance as he saw his mutual fund schemes in losses despite their benchmark indices giving positive returns.

Two years back, he came across an online app that sensitized him to goal-based investing as well as spoke about the importance of a risk profile as a crucial step before investing. Kalpesh was impressed; he opened an account on this app, transferred his existing mutual fund schemes here and started investing. The advisor at this app firm reviewed my portfolio and suggested many changes for repairing the portfolio. From 10 mutual fund schemes, Kalpesh now invests in just four. His portfolio has also been doing well, despite the COVID-19 induced market volatility.

Millennial investors need hand-holding. You must not invest in schemes based on their past performance or just look at recent performance, says Neelabh Sanyal, COO and Co-Founder, Kuvera.in.

The pitfalls in apps

But dont jump right in, just because you get to invest in direct plans. . If youre investing in mutual funds for the first time or are still in your formative years of investments, there are high chances that you need someone to hold your hand. Apps that provide personalised investor guidance in the form of fund recommendations, analysis of market trends and various online tools and calculators for informed investment decision-making hold the edge, says Kukreja.

Although many apps offer a lot of reading material, the onus is on you, the investor, to understand mutual funds first.

Vijay Krishna Kuppa, Co-Founder, Orowealth says, Novice investors don't understand the risks associated with investments, irrespective of the asset class. For example, most people believe that mutual funds are completely safe and give guaranteed returns like fixed deposits.

Some of the investment platforms seem to advertise and recommend specific mutual fund schemes of certain AMCs more than others since they have tie-ups. This is not a legal practice, but some of the financial apps are resorting to this tactics, says Amit Kaushik, CEO of Invezta.

Do a bit of your own research and dont just go with your apps recommendations, with your eyes shut, says Parijat Garg, a financial advisor. Many apps simply sort schemes based on their performances. Whats worse, a sector fund can be compared to a diversified equity scheme, giving you a mis-leading picture.

Is your investment app popular?

Ask around if people have heard of the app through which you wish to invest. Garg says, Go through the customer reviews and user ratings on Google play store or Apple App store and understand typical challenges faced by the existing investors. Consider poor reviews with one or two stars from recent dates and see the challenges investors are facing. This way, you know the shortcomings before signing up and there are no surprises.

The larger the number of funds that your app has tied up with, the better. The information about the settlements, cut-off timings to invest and redemption should be transparent.
Rebuilding Beirut Port Could Prove Controversial, Analysts Say

By Dale Gavlak August 13, 2020

Lebanon's port of Beirut, severely damaged in the recent devastating explosion, has resumed partial operations, according to authorities.

Kuwait has offered to help Lebanon reconstruct and operate the facility as well as others in the cash-strapped nation.

Analysts said China is also eyeing its prospects to rebuild the port as yet another entry way to spread its influence into the eastern Mediterranean. The overtures to Beijing are raising concerns.

Journalist Baria Alamuddin, writing in Saudi newspaper Arab News, has expressed alarm that Iran-backed Hezbollah courted China. She said, "Chinese companies have long sought to play a major role in Lebanese infrastructure projects proposing $12 billion worth of investments in ports, railways, electricity and waste management." But as Alamuddin points out, "Infrastructure projects reliant on Chinese engineers and labor would hardly help reduce Lebanon's 35% unemployment rate."

China's Xinhua news agency reports a Chinese engineering company has been working to rehabilitate one of Lebanon's other ports, Tripoli, creating a berth to accommodate Chinese cranes capable of moving about 700 containers per day.

Professor Habib Malik of the Lebanese American University told VOA that the majority of Lebanese don't want to leave the West or Arab spheres of influence for those of Hezbollah and China.

"If this continues, a Chinese port or two in both Tripoli and Beirut will be coming to a coastline near you, in the Mediterranean," Malik said. "The Chinese set up debt traps for countries and this gets them to fall completely into China's lap. Is this what the U.S and the West want for Lebanon, the Levant and eastern Mediterranean?"

Since 2013, China has embarked on an ambitious, expansive infrastructure project known as the Belt and Road initiative, which involves investing in several nations. Some critics said it leaves host countries with massive amounts of debt. China said no political strings are attached to its investments and loans.

The Middle East Institute's president, Paul Salem, said there are major concerns about China potentially rebuilding Beirut's port. He said it would present a huge geopolitical, long-term issue since a country doesn't just build ports for a year or two.

"China, obviously, is the main builder of ports. It is ready to do so and extend its influence in the Mediterranean," Salem said. "It already has a presence to manage Haifa port in Israel, which has been a huge concern for the United States. It also has a deal with Athens over Piraeus port. If it were to rebuild Beirut port in the next five to 10 years, that would mean for the 21st century, China dominates in terms of trade and also the eastern Mediterranean."

Salem, however, said he does not think that Beirut port will be rebuilt in a major way. Hezbollah, he said, "doesn't want to relinquish the port" and so may possibly have it "patched up." He said it is likely that neither China nor any other country would want to "invest $5 billion in the port, if Hezbollah would continue to keep it at risk." But Salem said he hopes the international community will continue to press Lebanese politicians for badly needed political reform.

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Xiaomi Redmi G gaming laptop has launched with upto 10th generation Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics to boot

Xiaomi Redmi G gaming laptop has launched with upto 10th generation Intel Core processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics to boot. The Redmi G is the first gaming laptop by Xiaomi under the Redmi brand as the company already has thin and light notebooks under its Mi NoteBook and RedmiBook lineup.

The Redmi G has a mecha design with 3D laser engraved moulds on the lid that gives it a rather cool finish that feels in line with gaming hardware inside. The Redmi G has launched in China and theres no word if Xiaomi will bring it to India anytime soon. Currently, Xiaomi sells the Mi NoteBook 14 series in India that starts from Rs 43,999.

Xiaomi Redmi G pricing

The Redmi G gaming laptop comes in three configurations to choose from starting at CNY 5,299 (~Rs 57,000) for the base variant with Core i5-10200H and 60Hz display, CNY 6,299 (~Rs 68,000) for the Core i5-10300H model with 144Hz display and a maxed-out configuration at CNY 6,999 (~Rs 75,000) with Core i7-10750H processor and 144Hz display.

Xiaomi Redmi G specifications

Xiaomi Redmi G features a 16.1-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution anti-glare display with narrow bezels on three sides and upto 144Hz refresh rate. The base configuration comes with 60Hz refresh rate but the rest of the two models come with 144Hz display. It also supports a 100% sRGB colour gamut range and offers 81% screen-to-body ratio with 178-degree wide-viewing angles.

The Redmi G measures 23.1 millimetres in thickness and weighs 2.5 kilograms, so its not your common thin and light laptop but instead offers a full set of features that ensures a smooth gaming performance. It is powered by the 10th generation Intel Core i5-10200H processor running at upto 2.4GHz for the base model paired with NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics followed by the Core i5-10300H variant that comes with NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti graphics. The maxed-out Redmi G is powered by 10th generation Intel Core i7-10750H processor with 2.6GHz base clock speed and is paired with GTX 1650Ti. All variants come with 512GB PCIe SSD storage and 16GB DDR4 RAM.

The Redmi G comes with a full-sized backlit keyboard that offers a 1.5 mm key travel with dedicated numeric keys and trackpad features like Microsoft PTP gesture controls. As for the I/O ports, this gaming laptop has a Type-C port, USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.2 ports, a mini Display Port 1.4, an HDMI 2.0 port, 3.5mm headphone jack and an ethernet port. The laptop is also equipped with two 2W speaker units supported by DTS:X Ultra. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6 module with 2.4Gbps theoretical Internet speeds and Bluetooth 5.1.

It comes with a 55WHr battery that Xiaomi claims can last for upto 6 hours when browsing the web and upto 4 hours when streaming videos online.
Robin HarperThe Chicks will represent the country contingent at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as part of a star-studded lineup that will air over the four-day event later this month.



Other scheduled acts set to appear include Billie Eilish, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Leon Bridges and many more. Theyll deliver a wide range of performances, from classic songs to original material.

This years convention will also feature a rendition of the national anthem from a very special ensemble: A 57-member youth choir representing all walks of life and the nations 57 states and territories. The choir members will perform the patriotic standard from remote locations spanning the country.

Ever since they were ousted from country radio for speaking out against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Chicks have been famous -- and sometimes infamous -- for their political activism. Their most recent album, Gaslighter, doesn't shy away from the group's convictions. It includes the song "March March," the lyrics and accompanying video for which share a powerful statement about social justice and the importance of standing up for your beliefs.

DNC performances will air across four nights from August 17-20 from 9 p.m.-11p.m. ET. In addition to the musical guests, the broadcast will feature appearances from national leaders, advocates and celebrities. More details will be announced in the coming days.

You can watch the official livestream on the DNC website, where youll also find a full schedule and more resources.

By Carena Liptak

Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.




A text of the final agreement released Thursday by the UAE said that Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the Presidents Vision for Peace, the peace plan released by Trump in January 2020. The mapping of those areas hasnt been completed yet, so Israel arguably still has some wiggle room. But an Emirati said the deal reached was for no annexation and a U.S. official agreed, its not going to happen.
The Pentagon is forming a new task force to investigate ufo sightings over US military bases, according to defense officials.

Two defense officials told CNN the task force will hunt and investigate UFOs that have been seen by military aircraft and will be headed up by Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist.

The task force will be officially announced over the next few days, they added.

This comes just weeks after it emerged the Pentagon's once secret UFO hunting department continued to operate over the past decade despite claims it was disbanded in 2012.

US senators have demand more transparency from the Pentagon over mysterious encounters in the skies.

The Pentagon (pictured) is forming a new task force to investigate UFO sightings over US military bases, according to defense officials

Details of the new task force - including its name and whether its investigations will be made public - are not yet clear.

It is also not clear whether the new task force will replace the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force which the New York Times revealed last month was still in operation.

A secret multi-million dollar program named the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program first began in 2007 under the Defense Intelligence Agency before moving to the Office of Naval Intelligence.

In 2017, the Pentagon acknowledged funding the program to investigate UFO sightings but defense chiefs claimed it ended in 2012 citing 'other, higher priority issues that merited funding'.

In July, the Times reported that people who worked with the UFO program through to 2017 and beyond confirmed it continued to exist - but under a different name and office.

Members of the unit insisted some of the objects discovered were items humans 'couldn't make ourselves' and 'vehicles not made on this earth'.

In April, the Pentagon released footage from three sightings of unidentified objects (pictured)

The grainy black and white footage had previously been leaked and the Navy acknowledged they were genuine videos

Donald Trump expressed skepticism over the validity of the footage calling it 'one hell of a video' and saying 'I just wonder if it's real'

In June, US senators demanded to see the Pentagon's UFO files as they pushed for influence over the secretive Navy program.

The Senate Intelligence Committee wanted defense chiefs to publish a report on the Pentagon's UFO program and any phenomena it observes.

The committee said it 'supports the efforts of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force' - appearing to also confirm such a program still existed - but said the public should be better informed of its activities.

The Pentagon's UFO department could now be forced to give reports to the public every six months.

The push for transparency from the Senate came after the Pentagon released three videos showing US Navy pilots encountering UFOs flying over military bases back in April.

The grainy black and white footage had previously been leaked and the Navy acknowledged they were genuine videos.

One of the videos was shot in November 2004 and the other two in January 2015.

In one, a weapons sensor operator appears to lose lock on a rapidly moving object which seconds later suddenly accelerates away to the left and out of view.

The new UFO task force will be headed up by Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist (pictured), according to officials

In another video which is tracking an object above the clouds, one pilot wonders if it is a drone.

The Department of Defense said it was 'releasing the videos in order to clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real, or whether or not there is more to the videos.'

Donald Trump expressed skepticism over the validity of the footage calling it 'one hell of a video' and saying 'I just wonder if it's real'.

'Hazard reports' about the unexplained encounters were then released the following month.

'The unknown aircraft appeared to be small in size, approximately the size of a suitcase, and silver in color,' one report about an incident in 2014 read.

The need to investigate the existence of UFOs stems less out of concern over extraterrestrials, however, and more from the threat posed by real-world US adversaries such as China.

The Pentagon admitted in June that a nuclear detonation in space by Russia or China was among the possible threats to US interests.

The US is particularly worried about China's espionage capabilities, including use of drones and other aerial technology.

Earlier in July, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, the acting chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, told CBS that he was concerned about unidentified aircraft flying over US military bases.

He claimed that China or Russia may have made 'some technological leap' that 'allows them to conduct this sort of activity'.

'Maybe there is a completely, sort of, boring explanation for it. But we need to find out,' he added.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

From the moment that former Vice President Joe Biden announced that Sen. Kamala Harris was joining him on the Democratic ticket, his campaign has made the California senators longtime friendship with his late son Beau a centerpiece of their new relationship.

That friendship, stretching back to when both were state attorneys general and rising stars in the Democratic firmament, may also have helped smooth Harris path to joining Biden on the ticket, as longtime Biden advisers and even some family members remained skeptical in the wake of her criticism during the primary campaign of his record on school busing and work with segregationist senators.

As the veepstakes were still ongoing, the influence of Dr. Jill Biden, the former vice presidents spouse of more than four decades, and Valerie Biden Owens, his sister and longtime campaign manager and confidante, was considered by those close to the family as a potential hindrance for Harris path to joining Biden on the ticket.

While the [Miami] debate was well over a year ago... Dr. Biden and Val certainly carried more hurt from that incident than anyone, one source close to the Bidens told The Daily Beast. The polling and focus groups must have provided them the necessary and decisive clarity to support the decision to add Kamala to the ticket.

For both women, as well as for some donors and longtime advisers in Bidens orbit, the that little girl was me moment made the prospect of Harris being rewarded with a spot on the ticket a tough pill to swallow.

She didnt even endorse until after Super Tuesday, one campaign bundler grumbled, musing that the [electoral] math mustve been undeniable to sway the skeptics in Bidenworld, where staff and advisers often become decades-old friends and where loyalty and trust are the coins of the realm.

Kamala Harris Was in Biden Circle of Trust. Then Came Debate Night.

Even amongst the Council of Elders, as some younger campaign staffers refer to members of the Biden old guard, Dr. Biden and Biden Owens are considered particularly influential in regards to campaign policy, with the latter having effectively helmed Bidens two previous presidential campaigns and Senate campaigns. Biden Owens also moved in with her brother after the death of his first wife and his infant daughter in 1972 to help care for his two sons, which further strengthened their relationship.

Story continues

Theyre very close, said Mike Lux, a Democratic strategist who was a senior campaign staffer during Bidens 1988 run for the White House. Joe Biden relies heavily on Valerie for advice and counsel the vice president, I think, trusts her implicitly on a whole range of things.

That was cause for some concern as Harris name came up in early speculation as a potential running mate. Shortly after Bidens ten-state sweep on Super Tuesday but before she had endorsed his candidacy, Dr. Biden remarked during a fundraiser in Chicago that she admired the senator, but raised eyebrows when she described the debate moment as just like a punch to the gut.

Our son, Beau, spoke so highly of her and how great she was, she said at the time. And not that she isnt, Im not saying that. But it was just like a punch to the gut. It was a little unexpected.

The Biden campaign has downplayed the importance of the first Democratic debate, which occurred more than a year ago, and stressed to The Daily Beast that Dr. Bidens remarks referred to how she had felt at the time of the debate itself, rather than how she felt eight months later.

Rather than feeling a gut punch, one spokesman contended, Dr. Biden actually came away from the debate exchange with more respect for Harris.

Dr. B likes strong women of conviction who can hold their own. She watched Senator Harris challenge her husband on the debate stage and hold her own, said Michael LaRosa, Dr. Bidens press secretary. She considers Senator Harris a role model for girls and women, including her granddaughters, and the perfect governing partner for her husband.

LaRosa also dismissed assertions from two sources close to the former second lady that she was privately flippant following Harris endorsement in March, calling them laughable and 100 percent untrue.

Others in Bidens orbit, including former Sen. Chris Dodd, a member of Joe Bidens vice presidential search committee, were reportedly resistant to Harris even in the final days of the hunt for a running mate. One donor told Politico that Dodd felt Harris had no remorse for the broadside on busing, and that he was pushing for a running mate whose loyaltyand, critics surmised, submissionwouldnt be in question.

Dodd later distanced himself from the alleged remarks in a written statement saying the remarks as reported did not represent my view on Sen. Harris, after a social media firestorm stoked by the #KHive accused him of misogyny and racism. Biden himself offered some accidental insight into his views on Harris days afterwards, when an Associated Press photographer snapped a shot of his speaking notes. The first note under Harris name: Do not hold grudges.

Biden, speaking during their first joint appearance as running mates on Wednesday, highlighted Harris integrity as an opponent, as well as perhaps her most unimpeachable credential in his eyes: her friendship with his late son.

I first came to know who Kamala was through my son Beau, Biden said, noting the big fights that the pair mounted as state attorneys general during the financial crisis. I know how much Beau respected Kamala and her work, and that mattered a lot to me as I made this decision.

Harris, too, emphasized her friendship with Beau, who served as Delawares attorney general before his death from brain cancer in 2015, calling him the kind of guy who inspired people to be a better version of themselves.

He was the best of us, Harris said as Biden looked on, growing visibly emotional. And when I would ask him where he got that from, he always talked about his dad. The love they shared was incredible to watch.

The formation of a Biden-Harris ticket, multiple sources close to the family told The Daily Beast, speaks to a pragmatic understanding of how Harrisyoung, a formidable speaker and debater, and a simultaneously history-making and relatively safe choice of running matewill help the ticket in the final months of the campaign, as well as to Bidens own understanding that sometimes things shake out differently after a campaign.

Joe literally called Barack Obama clean and articulate, and they went on to have an incredibly deep personal and professional relationship, one longtime friend of the family said.

Dr. Biden, a veteran political spouse, also sees in Doug Emhoff, Harris husband of nearly six years and a popular figure on the campaign trailhe once gave leftover cupcakes from his wifes birthday celebration to Bidens campaign team when the candidates ran into each other in an Iowa airplane hangaras a promising future partner in a Biden administration.

Dr. Biden first met Emhoff during the primary debates and developed a friendship after a joint October appearance at a Pride event in Las Vegas. In an all-staff call on Thursday evening, a campaign official told The Daily Beast, Emhoff delivered emotional closing remarks about this experience being welcomed into the Biden family, noting how warm the first few days of the joint ticket have been.

Dr. Biden enjoys her time and conversations with Doug whom I envision she sees as a great partner in the White House, similar to her experience with Michelle Obama, a source close to the Bidens said.

In the end politicians are much more practical than us mere mortals, said John Morgan, a major bundler for the campaign who told The Daily Beast last month that Harris debate performance had been treacherous and who had been hoping that Biden would select fellow Floridian Rep. Val Demings as his running mate. It was his grudge to hold and he chose not to.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Havells India Limited, a technology-led Fast-Moving Electrical Goods (FMEG) and Consumer Durable company is hosting a mega virtual event to celebrate India's upcoming 74th Independence Day. Marking the celebration of a lifetime for the wider Havells ecosystem, the brand has created an opportunity for its channel partners, distributors, retailers, electricians, vendors, associates, and employees across India to join a common celebration platform, Hum Se hai Hindustan. The event will be live streamed on Storytech at 5PM on 15th August 2020 and expects more than 1 Lakh viewers to join in. The event link can also be accessed on the brand's social media handles on Facebook and YouTube and through a browser-based platform as well.

As the pandemic redefines the new normal, Havells takes yet another unique step to engage and enthuse its audience with the first of its kind virtual event within the electrical industry. The virtual event will feature an exclusive interaction with actor Vicky Kaushal and messages from renowned celebrities like Ranveer Singh, Shraddha Kapoor, Mohanlal, Mahesh Babu, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sugandha Mishra, Anu Malik, and Sailesh Lodha. Apart from this, the event will also witness performances by Indian Idol stars and renowned poets.

Since its inception, Havells has borne the flag of Make In India and has cemented its belief of self-reliant India by setting up world class manufacturing plants in India. Implementing Innovation across manufacturing process through AI based solutions, new customer outreach strategies with offline to online push, Havells introduced many measures during this challenging time to address its employees, partners and customers as well. This virtual mega event is yet another step to ensure that Havells stakeholders continue to experience the brand across various touchpoints and create memorable milestones.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Amit Tiwari, Vice President, Marketing said, We are delighted to host the industrys first virtual event to celebrate Indias 74th Independence Day. Havells has always believed in creating a better tomorrow and Hum se hai Hindustan event not only marks the glorious celebration of the countrys 74th Independence Day but celebrates the spirit of a self-reliant India. This is also an occasion to corroborate our commitment to the country, towards creating a stronger local economy and a truly made in India brand. We are thankful to our partners, employees and consumers for supporting our belief and our journey so far

The flag hoisting ceremony will be facilitated by the Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Anil Rai Gupta and respective branch heads during the opening ceremony of the event, followed by the performances such as singing, poetry, etc. The event will be a tribute from Havells family and its channel partners towards our motherland.

Havells plans to reach out to the maximum audiences with a target of one lakh viewers, through its innovative campaigns using aggressive WhatsApp marketing, SMS, emailers which will be the crucial proposition to reach out to its stakeholders.
A 56-year-old man in Georgia will spend more than a decade behind bars after he pleaded guilty to shooting at a police helicopter, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Terry Kielisch was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $54,960 in restitution to cover the repair costs on a Georgia State Patrol helicopter that was searching for fugitives when Kielisch aimed his rifle at it in 2019, prosecutors said in a news release.

Kielisch wasnt a target in that search  but he reportedly told law enforcement he fired at the helicopter because he didnt like it flying near his home, the release says.

When Terry Kielisch aimed and fired a high-powered rifle at a police helicopter, he callously endangered the lives of the officers aboard the aircraft and of any people on the ground, U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine said in the release. The resulting sentence appropriately reflects the senselessness of this attack.

A Blythe man faces up to life in prison after firing at least two shots from a .308 caliber rifle at Georgia State Patrol helicopter while it was being used in a law enforcement operation last year. The helicopter was struck near the fuel lines.

According to Thursdays news release, Kielisch fired two shots at the helicopter using a .308-caliber rifle on March 12, 2019.

Kielish shot near the helicopters fuel lines, forcing the pilot to land, prosecutors said. No one was injured.

A Georgia State Police trooper was piloting the helicopter at the time, and a Richmond County Sheriffs Office investigator was sitting in the passengers seat, prosecutors said.

The helicopter was being used as part of Operation Gunsmoke with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to search for fugitives accused of drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession in Georgia and South Carolina, the news release says.

Kielisch pleaded guilty in February to two counts of assaulting a person assisting an officer of the U.S. and one count of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, The Macon Telegraph reported.
Covid-19 cases could be missed if people are screened for a fever in the morning, scientists have warned.

US experts found flu patients were 44 per cent less likely to have a temperature in the early hours of the day, compared with the afternoon to evening.

Researchers analysed a decade's worth of data from almost 300,000 people who visited emergency departments across the US.

They concluded that morning checks could result in up to half of people who have a fever being missed.

And they warned this would apply to other infectious diseases like Covid-19, even though the study only looked at patients with a fever from flu.

A fever is one of the tell-tale symptoms of Covid-19. If it is not spotted, it could lead to someone going undiagnosed and potentially spreading the virus.

Hospitals regularly take patients' temperatures, and now screening is set to become commonplace in work places, schools and airports.

The study researchers urged for a twice-a-day approach, and for checks both before and after a long-haul flight.

Researchers looked at patients representative of the US (right) and at one Boston hospital (left). Both showed that patients' temperatures were lowest in the morning and highest in the evening, either during a flu outbreak or at a regular time of year

The authors of the study, from various parts of the US, said: 'The results suggest that morning temperature measurements could miss many febrile disease cases.'

They added it 'raises concerns' because workplace and school fever screens often occur during mornings.

The team wrote: 'Temperature screening is usually recommended once daily at morning arrival to workplaces and schools, yet our results suggest the morning could be the worst time.

HOW DO COVID-19 TEMPERATURE CHECKS WORK? Putting a thermometer into an armpit, mouth, ear or other body cavity is known to be the most accurate way to measure temperature. It gives a reading for the body's core temperature, which may rise in order to help fight illness. A high temperature is regarded as anything within the range of 38C and 41C. Temperature scanners  including thermal imaging and temperature 'guns' pointed at the forehead  do not measure the body's core temperature. Instead, they measure skin temperature which, although tends to correlate with spikes in core body temperature, can vary depending on the environment and activity. The devices can only make an estimation of core body temperature by measuring heat radiating from the skin using infrared technology. Therefore the devices are not as accurate as a medical device which takes a patient's' temperature. Derek Hill, a professor of medical imaging science from University College London, told MailOnline: 'They certainly shouldn't be used to say if someone has a fever. But they might be useful for detecting people who need a real temperature check.' If a person is flagged as potentially having a high temperature, they may be denied entry to a venue. But this would depend on the policy of each place. They are controversial because a temperature above the normal range does not necessarily mean someone has the coronavirus - they may be unwell with something else. And people have variations in their temperature daily and women see fluctuations through their menstrual cycle. They can also miss Covid-19 patients who do not have the symptom of a high temperature, or not symptoms at all. The World Health Organization says thermal camera says temperature screening 'may not be very effective' as a singular tool for detecting Covid-19. While the medicine regulator in the UK recently stressed that temperature screening products cannot be used to diagnose Covid-19 because there is not evidence to support their use  and reminded suppliers of they should not make such claims. Advertisement

'Our results raise concerns that morning measurements could miss many (perhaps even half) of the individuals with fevers detectable during evenings, potentially allowing them to go to work, attend school, and travel.'

The researchers recommend that temperatures are taken both in the morning and then later in the day.

'Similarly, departure and arrival screens might both be worthwhile for long flights', the researchers said.

But the team admitted that their findings are only applicable to the use of traditional thermometers, and not screening devices which have lower accuracy.

Temperature screening devices include thermal imaging cameras in airports and thermal 'guns' pointed at the head to give a reading.

These tools are not designed to measure the body's core temperature. They can only give a guess based on the temperature of the skin.

The research, which was posted as a pre-print on the site MedRxiv, was a 'retrospective design', meaning it looked back on data for patients in the past.

Researchers led by Charles Harding, an independent statistical analyst from Seattle, looked at 295,406 American patients.

Some 202,181 came from a nationally representative study of US emergency department visits between December 2002 to December 2010.

The other 93,225 came from a Boston adult emergency department between September 2009 to March 2012.

Therefore the data covers several years (2002 to 2012) in which there were flu outbreaks, including the 2009 swine flu epidemic.

In every outbreak, temperatures - classed as above 38C (100.4F) - were less common in the morning. But it is not clear why.

In the Boston study, fevers were the least common at around 8am, before rising during the early afternoon and peaking at around 10pm.

The pattern was similar in the national cohort, but not as drastic, meaning it was more likely patients were spotted in the morning than in the Boston group.

The researchers explained that the body's temperature naturally drops during the mornings due to the circadian rhythm.

A circadian rhythm - the body's internal clock - helps to regulate the body over the day.

Flu and Covid-19 are caused by different viruses - influenza or SARS-CoV-2, but are both contagious, respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms.

The NHS lists a high temperature as the main symptom of Covid-19 and the CDC lists a fever.

While some Covid-19 patients may never get a fever, instead suffering with other symptoms such as a cough or loss of taste and smell, others may only have a fever.
3D Printing Ceramics Market Research Report by Type (Fused Silica, Glass, and Quartz), by Form (Filament, Liquid, and Powder), by End User - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "3D Printing Ceramics Market Research Report by Type, by Form, by End User - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05951070/?utm_source=GNW



The Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market is expected to grow from USD 81.64 Million in 2019 to USD 272.97 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.28%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the 3D Printing Ceramics to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Type , the 3D Printing Ceramics Market studied across Fused Silica, Glass, and Quartz.



Based on Form , the 3D Printing Ceramics Market studied across Filament, Liquid, and Powder.



Based on End User , the 3D Printing Ceramics Market studied across Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Consumer Goods & Electronics, Healthcare, and Manufacturing & Construction.



Based on Geography, the 3D Printing Ceramics Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market including 3D Systems, Inc., 3DCeram, CRP Group, ENVISIONTEC, INC., EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, ExOne, Lithoz GmbH, Materialise NV, Renishaw plc., Stratasys, Ltd., and Tethon3D.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the 3D Printing Ceramics Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global 3D Printing Ceramics Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05951070/?utm_source=GNW



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European Union foreign ministers are discussing sanctions against Belarus, but it will take time. The U.S. response has been torpid. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he was troubled that peaceful protesters were being treated in ways that are inconsistent with how they should be treated. Sanctions are yet to be determined, he added. Were still pretty fresh off this election and we need to see how things settle out here in the near future. This is thin gruel in keeping with an administration all too willing to give despots the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Lukashenko stole the presidential election and inflicted violence on his own people. It is time for him to go.
Anunt de selectare a participantilor si participantelor la cel de-al doilea curs de instruire din cadrul Programului educational pentru dezvoltarea competentelor lucratorilor de tineret
Nikki's Drive In, a landmark just below the tunnel in North Chattanooga, has been sold for $1,580,000.

The sale of the iconic restaurant that featured burgers, onion rings, fried Gulf shrimp and an authentic jukebox, was to a townhome developer.

It was sold to to 895 Cherokee Townhomes Llc by James E. Jones, son of Charlie and June Jones. They were longtime operators of the restaurant. Charlie Jones died in 2009.

The restaurant has been closed since late March.

Earlier, developers had sketched out plans for townhomes or apartments at the site with a view toward the river and downtown.
In this article 2317-TW

6088-HK

Apple supplier Foxconn is ahead of its competitors in diversifying its supply network in order to avoid getting caught up in the U.S.-China dispute, one analyst told CNBC. Taiwan's Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, is one of the largest electronics contract manufacturer in the world and this week posted better-than-expected results for the second quarter. It is also the top assembler of Apple's iPhones. "It was a very good result," Kirk Yang, chairman and CEO of Kirkland Capital, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Thursday. The company reported a 34% on-year increase in net profit of about 22.9 billion New Taiwan dollars ($778.54 million), driven by its server and computing businesses, according to Reuters. It exceeded analysts' prediction of 17.95 billion New Taiwan dollars, the report said. Foxconn said revenue from key consumer products, mainly smartphones, declined more than 15% from a year ago, as demand for global electronics was hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, the news wire said.

U.S.-China tension

Tensions between the U.S. and China escalated in recent weeks after President Donald Trump issued executive orders banning American transactions with Chinese tech firms Tencent, which owns the popular messaging app WeChat, and ByteDance, which owns the widely popular short video-sharing app, TikTok. The ban is set to go into effect in mid-September though its scope remains unclear. Headquartered in Taipei, Foxconn counts Apple as one of its major customers and assembles the bulk of iPhones for the U.S. tech giant.

Chinese workers assemble electronic components at the Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn's factory in Shenzhen, China. AFP | AFP | Getty Images

One analyst reportedly said that if Apple is forced to remove the WeChat app from its App Store worldwide, it could dent iPhone shipments. iPhone users in China may lose access to WeChat, which is the most popular messaging app inside the mainland and has multiple services integrated into a single app. As such, they may opt to buy other handsets and could potentially hurt the revenue Foxconn generates from Apple. Yang explained that while the risk is there, if people in China do not buy iPhones, they are likely to buy smartphones from Huawei, Xiaomi or Oppo  all of which are Foxconn customers. "So, Foxconn might lose iPhone (revenue) a little bit, but they can gain from other non-iPhone customers," he said, adding that iPhone fans may still buy the device without WeChat and find alternate ways of accessing the app, such as carrying a second device. For its part, Tencent said that WeChat and Weixin, the version of the app that is used in China, are two separate applications. The company said that based on its initial reading of the executive order, the move will likely be focused on WeChat in the U.S.

Local production

Foxconn manufactures and assembles about 30% of its products outside China. Chairman Liu Young-way told an investor conference that ratio could increase in the future, Reuters reported. "I think they are doing the right thing because previously, Hon Hai or Foxconn's business model was always to serve customers locally," Yang said, pointing to the company's local operations in Texas, that used to previously serve computer-maker Compaq, and had a presence in Indiana and California. Foxconn's first U.S. manufacturing facility was in Wisconsin and has attracted some controversies.
John McAfee has the reputation for eccentricity, and the frontman of one of the biggest software vendors. It was posted on Twitter last Monday that he was apprehended for not wearing a face covering. Instead, what he wore over his mouth is a thong underwear that he defended profusely, cited Daily Mirror.

He remarked that he was waiting for government big shots to come. But, he called them slow b----ds. Later, he posted it on his Twitter account.

He later said that it was safe to wear, and he refused to follow the rules. He also posted about authority and wearing masks.

He said that he will not attend the Red Scarf Society meeting, and apologized for it. Puns were given about the authorities who were intent on the mask rules, saying its better to cajole them.

During his arrest, his wife would be handling his Twitter account, and she mentioned about him escaping, or bribing someone, or get the lawyer who will fix everything. Generally saying that her husband will be out in no time.

According to McAfee's wife, it was not about the thong mask on his face but he refused to wear an approved face mask. Both McAfee and his wife were not wearing approved masks. Instead of arresting the couple, the official decided to arrest McAfee only.

Also read: 10 Most Common Mistakes When Using Face Masks

Mrs. McAfee justified her husband's claim that masks are for bacteria, not preventing viral infection. To put the point across, there were pictures of him with a lace thong colored black wearing it.

She recorded a video from their private jet as she left him in Norway, and head back to Munich where they reside in.

On the plane, she wrote that the software specialist told her to go back. He just told his wife that everything would be fine, and he will be free in no time.

Later in a tweet, he informed that he was back in Belarus, but with a black eye, and non-plussed about anything.

He added that it was not possible to relate what happened in Norway, and whatever followed. Some annoyance was expressed but enough sleep will do wonders for him.

Later Tuesday, he told everyone it was a prank, taking to Twitter to share images of news bit about his would be arrest.

He mentioned about the MSM fat check stories, which he said no and showed other things related to his so-called arrest in Norway. His arrest was big news to the media as well.

According to McAfee, the media mentions Norway where he was arrested, but it was not trure.

The Swiss Blick reported all the photos were situated at the airport in Augsburg, Germany, that was near Munich. German authorities cleared that McAfee was never arrested, but he would be quarantined if he was there.

To clear up the air, he tweeted he was in Belarus and that it was just a prank getting arrested for wearing a thong.

Related article: Cloth Face Masks Offer Zero Protection From Virus, Study Shows

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
By Associated Press

JERUSALEM: Israel's agreement to establish diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates marks a watershed moment in its relations with Arab countries, but the Palestinians say it puts a just resolution of the Middle East conflict even farther out of reach.

The UAE presented its decision to upgrade longstanding ties to Israel as a way of encouraging peace efforts by taking Israel's planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank off the table, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rebuffed by insisting the pause was temporary.

From the Palestinian perspective, the UAE not only failed to stop annexation, which would dash any remaining hopes of establishing a viable, independent state. It also undermined an Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for concessions in peace talks  a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians.

I never expected this poison dagger to come from an Arab country, Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official and veteran negotiator said Friday. You are rewarding aggression. ... You have destroyed, with this move, any possibility of peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

President Donald Trump has presented the U.S.-brokered agreement as a major diplomatic achievement and said he expects more Arab and Muslim countries to follow suit. Israel has quietly cultivated ties with the UAE and other Gulf countries for several years as they have confronted a shared enemy in Iran.

ALSO READ: UAE-Israel deal a 'stab in the back' to Muslims, says Iran

In Israel, the agreement has renewed long-standing hopes for normal relations with its Arab neighbors. Netanyahu has long insisted, contrary to generations of failed peace negotiators, that Israel can enjoy such ties without resolving its conflict with the Palestinians. For now, he seems to have been proven right.

Its hard to claim right now that the 53-year-old occupation is unsustainable when Netanyahu has just proved that not only is it sustainable, but Israel can improve its ties with the Arab world, openly, with the occupation still going, wrote Anshel Pfeffer, a columnist for Israel's Haaretz newspaper.

But the Middle East conflict was never between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which have fought no wars and share no borders. And the nature of the agreement will likely force the Palestinians to harden their stance and redouble their efforts to isolate Israel.

The Palestinian Authority issued a scathing statement in response to the move, calling it a betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause, language clearly aimed at inflaming Arab and Muslim sentiment worldwide.

The Palestinians have called for an urgent meeting of the Arab League and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation to condemn the move. But in those forums they will be pitted against the oil-rich UAE, which has deep pockets, allies across the region and even more influence in Washington following the agreement with Israel.

The international campaign is "meant to isolate the Emiratis so that other countries will not take the same step," said Ibrahim Dalalsha, a Palestinian analyst. "Whether it will succeed in this or not, it remains to be seen.

Iran and Turkey lashed out at the UAE, a regional rival, accusing it of betraying the Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims.

But the agreement, and the decision to pause annexation, was welcomed by much of the international community, including Egypt and the Gulf Arab nations of Bahrain and Oman. Many countries, including Germany, France, Italy, China and India, expressed hope it would help revive the peace process.

The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, areas seized by Israel in the 1967 war. Trump's plan would allow Israel to keep nearly all of east Jerusalem, including holy sites sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, and annex up to a third of the West Bank. The Palestinians have angrily rejected the proposal.

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas reiterated his country's support for a two-state solution when he called to congratulate Israel on the "historic agreement with the UAE.

We stand by our position that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East, Maas said in a statement. "Together with our European partners and the region we have campaigned intensively in past months against an annexation and for the resumption of direct negotiations.

That strikes many Palestinians as a return to a similarly unbearable status quo, in which Israel rules the West Bank and expands Jewish settlements while the international community calls for peace talks that never materialize.

Any serious negotiations, or lasting solution to the conflict, will require the Palestinians, who feel they have been brushed aside.

Were now in a situation where everybody is talking about us and no one is talking to us," said Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority. It's a colonial approach," she said, "as though we are just some problem that needs to be addressed without ever speaking to us.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended all contacts with the U.S. after it recognized disputed Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017. In May, the Palestinians cut all ties with Israel, including security coordination, in response to the threat of annexation, and said they would no longer abide by any past agreements with Israel or the United States.

In recent weeks, as the threat of annexation faded amid internal political disputes in Israel, some had speculated the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority would quietly back down, if only to restore the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes collected by Israel.

Now, in the wake of the UAE agreement, many say that's out of the question.

This is not a way for them to climb down from the tree," Buttu said. "Its quite the opposite, I think it keeps them there.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 16:03:40|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

by Han Fang

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- When I was taking pictures at Times Square on New Year's Eve 2020, recording celebrations by people coming from countries around the world, I could not have imagined that I would experience such a flustering and chaotic period two months later.

HASTY DEPARTURE AMID PANDEMIC

In mid-March, my three-year journalist career came to a sudden stop due to a disguised de-facto expulsion of 60 Chinese journalists from the United States by the U.S. State Department, and we were demanded to leave the country immediately by the U.S. side.

Since the novel coronavirus was raging and the number of flights was cut sharply at the time, the Chinese embassy tried to ask for a grace period for us, but only received a cold refusal from the U.S. government.

In less than a week, I handed over my work, packed up my baggage, terminated the rental agreement and closed all the accounts, and managed to grab an air ticket from the Internet ... I had never expected I could have been able to finish all the tiring work with such efficiency.

At a time when COVID-19 was spreading quickly in New York and in the United States as a whole, medical protective equipment was in acute shortage. Under limited time and conditions, the Xinhua regional bureau in North America tried to provide each of us with masks, gloves and disinfectant, but goggles and protective clothing were nowhere to buy.

A flight of more than 10 hours in closed space was extremely risky at the time, especially because we were not adequately protected, which made us panicky during the whole journey.

After arriving in Beijing, from the airport to a designated place of registration and then to a quarantine hotel, I finally entered a hotel room, put down my luggage and felt totally exhausted -- nearly 40 hours had passed since I left New York.

EFFORTS AS JOURNALIST

Now after settling down, I finally have the mood and time to look back on my work experiences in the United States over the past three years.

One question keeps haunting me: what exactly did my colleagues and I do wrong that made the U.S. government come to dread and hate us and can only feel relieved by dispelling us?

The China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important and complex bilateral relationships in the world. I had prepared myself for a difficult journey when I was posted to the United States in 2017.

Nevertheless, born in the 1980s after China and the United States established diplomatic ties, I grew up in the era of China's reform and opening up with the conviction that openness, inclusiveness and common development are the main themes of today's world, whose development has a lot to do with China-U.S. cooperation.

As a journalist, an observer and recorder of history, I was always filled with a sense of accomplishment when I was given a chance to present a real America to readers through my own efforts and deepen the understanding and communication between the two peoples.

I was in charge of editing and releasing news pictures taken by my colleagues stationed across the United States, whose themes ranged from President Donald Trump's White House press briefings, to the New York Stock Exchange, and to newly-launched Disneyland theme parks, constituting real moments of the U.S. political, economic and social life.

Meanwhile, I often volunteered to work on the forefront, using my own camera to record every aspect of American society, and had been impressed by a number of stories I learned during my interviews.

In 2017 when China resumed beef imports from the United States, which had been suspended for 14 years due to the mad cow disease, I flew to the remote U.S. states of Nebraska and Iowa, stepping on cow dung and braving animal blood, to photograph cattle farms as well as slaughtering and processing plants.

Through cooperation with my China-based colleagues, I used a set of photos and videos to illustrate how high-quality American beef traveled across oceans and was finally served on the tables of Chinese consumers.

In 2019, I went to Las Vegas to cover a gathering of eight "Flying Tigers" veterans who aided China during World War II, as well as their family members and Chinese friends. I witnessed how the friendship between the two countries, which bloomed from fire and blood during wartime, has taken its root and been passed on.

Over the past three years, my perception of the United States has grown from being abstract to concrete. With the pictures I dealt with, I have grown to be sympathetic toward ordinary Americans and impressed by the common feelings we share.

I have witnessed investors' joy when stock markets hit new highs, the grassroot people's anger about social injustice, the grief of the families of victims of terrorist attacks or vicious shootings, and the happiness of family reunions during holiday celebrations, and so on.

Why should all these be blamed and stigmatized?

FRIENDSHIP, KINDNESS STILL MY CHOICE

The banishment Chinese journalists working in the United States faced with is just a microcosm of the current of China-U.S. relations, which have been impeded and sabotaged by a certain group of people. Some pessimists depicted a gloomy picture for the future bilateral relations.

However, recalling the people and the events I encountered over the past three years, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel even during this dark time.

I still remember 70-year-old Bill Pellett, a rancher in Iowa who is committed to producing high-quality beef and exporting it to the international market. He and his wife are staunch supporters of Trump, but they are not in favor of the trade war Washington launched against China.

"I think it's good for all of us to understand each other and to share the resources that we have available. Each country ... has different resources, they need to trade to make the world a better place," Pellett said.

I often think of Edward Beneda who lives in Santa Barbara in California. His father Glen Beneda, a "Flying Tiger" veteran soldier who later died in 2010, had his life saved because local people fought hard to rescue him when his jet crashed in central China's Hubei Province.

"We consider the Chinese people as part of our family. I'm not talking about just the ones that saved my father's life, but we have a very profound and strong relationship with all the Chinese people," Beneda, who often goes to local schools in Los Angeles to show the documentary of his father's encounters in China.

I also think of my neighbor in New York, a city where most people are rather isolated from each other.

One day my neighbor approached me to discuss issues related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang. While we could not agree on many things, we also cleared up many misunderstandings. After learning that I would leave America soon, he took his whole family to my apartment to say goodbye regardless of the rampant pandemic and gave me a handmade card.

Because of these unforgettable people and incidents, I will not allow hatred to grip me, though the expulsion, a significant professional setback, has traumatized me. I still believe in the power of friendship. And I am convinced that kindness will win out.

Also in March, in response to the groundless suppression of Chinese media organizations by the White House, China issued countermeasures to reduce the number of foreign correspondents American media outlets posted to China.

By then, the COVID-19 pandemic was peaking in the United States, and some speculated that China would retaliate with the same measures and ask American journalists deprived of work permits to pack up and leave the country right away.

But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "As for when they will leave the country ... we also take into consideration the situation on the ground, including the COVID-19 epidemic. China will be more reasonable and will handle their exit in a more humane way."

I do not know if my American counterparts have already left. I wish for their wellness whether they are in the process of packing or already in their home country. I also hope that they can keep their fond memories of China and will have a chance to come back. Enditem

(Han Fang formerly worked at Xinhua News Agency North America regional bureau as a photo editor.)
Taiwan to seek closer security ties, trade agreement with U.S.: Tsai

ROC Central News Agency

08/13/2020 01:49 PM

Taipei, Aug. 13 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () said on Wednesday that Taiwan will continue to work closely with the United States during her second term, with the focus on establishing a constructive security relationship, beginning negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) and strengthening engagement with other like-minded democracies.

Tsai made the remarks during a speech on Taiwan's diplomatic, security and economic challenges, which she delivered via videoconference with two U.S. think tanks -- the Hudson Institute and the Center for American Progress.

Tsai framed Taiwan's challenges within the "unprecedented effects" of the COVID-19 pandemic, which she said had been not only economic but political.

"While the rest of the world has been distracted in responding to one of the most significant crises in recent history," there have been an increased number of threats to free and democratic societies, she said, citing Hong Kong as an example.

"This has made it all the more incumbent for my administration to prudently manage cross-Taiwan Strait policy in the next four years, so that we can maintain peace and stability, while protecting our freedoms and democracy," she said.

While reiterating her willingness to engage with China, Tsai said Taiwan also needs to build its defense capabilities and ensure that it maintains strong support from "like-minded democracies" such as the U.S.

Currently, said said, the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. "has never been closer."

"Across the board, we share a high degree of mutual trust and a common strategic picture of how we can work together to protect and preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific," she continued.

In that regard, Tsai said, her top priority is to "establish a constructive security relationship" with the U.S., "built on the clear understanding of our shared interests in the region."

A second area of focus, she went on, is to begin negotiations toward a bilateral free trade agreement.

Despite the closer ties between Taiwanese and American businesses, "closer trade relations have been hindered by technicalities that account for just a fraction of two-way trade," she said.

Although not specific, Tsai's comments likely referred to Taiwan's restrictions on pork and beef imports from the U.S., which have been labeled as trade barriers in reports by the U.S. Trade Representative.

In seeking a resolution, Tsai said she will work toward an agreement that "is safe for our consumers and consistent with established scientific standards."

Tsai said she also plans to work with the U.S. to "strengthen engagements with other like-minded democracies."

In practical terms, she suggested, this will involve efforts to garner support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations.

Tsai's speech came shortly after the departure of a delegation led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, the first visit by a U.S. Cabinet official since 2014.

(By Wen Kuei-hsiang and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/J

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March: Women protest against violence following public anger over the presidential election results in Minsk. PHOTO: REUTERS

Thousands of factory workers at key industrial plants yesterday abandoned their posts to rally against the disputed re-election of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, raising the prospect that widespread strikes could finally end his 26-year rule.

At prominent factories, bosses anxiously sought to deny reports of workers downing tools and walking out in protest at Sunday's result and the violent police crackdown that has ensued.

Four days after Mr Lukashenko, a former Soviet collective farm boss often referred to as Europe's last dictator, announced a landslide victory, the protests that began with Minsk's middle class are coursing through working-class neighbourhoods and the factory floors that form the country's engine.

Anger at reports of widespread vote rigging, and the jailing or banning of most of his rivals, has turned to rage over police violence against protesters.

The capital Minsk has seen something resembling urban warfare, with police officers in full riot gear engaged in nightly pursuits of demonstrators.

Police have fired rubber bullets at passers-by, snatched drivers from their cars and roughed up residents for holding flowers in protest. In response, workers at Minsk's iconic Tractor Works downed their tools yesterday to come out in protest outside the factory. Managers at the Tractor Works claimed there was no such walkout.

Meanwhile at the BelAz heavy machinery factory in the Minsk suburb of Zhodzina, workers yesterday marched to local government offices to demand Mr Lukashenko's resignation, an end to violence, the release of all political prisoners and a new election. The factory's press office insisted there was no strike.

Myth

Roman Golovchenko, the Belarusian prime minister, dismissed reports of industrial action as untrue, saying that they aim to "create a myth about some sort of destabilisation".

In a sign that support for the regime is beginning to fade even in state-owned media whose sole job has been to praise it, seven prominent TV anchors have resigned in protest.

Yesterday, groups of protesters thronged in the streets throughout the day, holding flowers and flashing V-signs.

At one church, around 100 people joined an interdenominational prayer against police violence.

"Christian believers cannot be indifferent to what's happening," Tikhon Tilkovsky, a pastor from the Holy Trinity parish of the Reformed Church in Minsk, said.

"We have never seen this unity of Belarusians before. Support for this government is tiny, nothing as big as what the president tells us."

Nearby, at least 2,000 women marched down the city's main street, holding white flowers. Many spoke of their shock at countless stories of police violence against city residents.

"I want my vote for Tsikhanouskaya to be counted fairly," 33-year old Anastasia Kolossovskaya said of the opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is now in Lithuania after she was reportedly forced to flee the country.

"I feel completely defenceless and powerless. There's nothing we can do."

More than 6,500 people have been detained at anti-government protests across Belarus since Sunday night, half of them in Minsk, and at least 100 people have been injured.

Dozens of doctors and nurses came out to the street outside their hospital in Minsk yesterday evening to protest against the government's heavy-handed response.

"We've been receiving so many young people who got seriously hurt and even maimed for life," anaesthesiologist Anton Orkhamenko said.

"Why do their lives have to be broken like that?"

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Blake Nicholson/Associated Press

In another story of a misguided tourist learning why it's important to leave wild animals alone....AP reports that a motorcyclist has survived a violent attack by a bison in the Black Hills of South Dakota, sheriff's officials said.

A bystander's video shows several bikers had stopped while a herd of bison crossed a road in Custer State Park on Wednesday. A 54-year-old Iowa woman got off the motorcycle on which she was a passenger and approached a bison calf, the Custer County Sheriffs Office said.
A bipartisan group of two influential United States senators has introduced a resolution in the Senate, condemning Chinese military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and calling for a diplomatic solution.

IMAGE: IAF chopper seen flying in Leh. Photograph: Mohammad Arhaan Archer/ANI Photo

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5.

The situation deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died.

The resolution was introduced by Senator John Cornyn, Republican Senate Majority Whip, and Senator Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Thursday.

Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus.

The Senate resolution follows the passage of a similar resolution by the House of Representatives as part of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) last month.

"As a cofounder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the US and India. I commend India's commitment to standing up to China and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression," Cornyn said.

The June 15 conflict between China and India, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding Beijing's 'provocative actions' in disputed territory, Warner said.

"This resolution condemns PRC's (People's Republic of China) actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; and encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC," he said.

Warner said the US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values.

"That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.

In a joint press statement, the two senators said the deadly conflict broke out on June 15 on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the LAC that separates China and the Indian regions of Ladakh and Sikkim.

The 'lethal conflict' occurred in the Galwan Valley -- one of the sites of tension in recent weeks -- as the two sides were in the process of negotiating a mutual 'disengagement' of forces.

The last time the border conflict escalated to the point of casualties was in 1975, it noted.

The events leading up to the clashes included fistfights between Chinese and Indian soldiers stationed near Pangong Lake in India's Ladakh state, territorial advances by Chinese forces in Hot Springs and the Galwan Valley, and clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers on the border near India's Sikkim state, the statement said.

Over the past several weeks, there has been outpouring of support from top American lawmakers, across the aisle, against Chinese efforts to grab Indian territories.

Support for India against China has come in the form of tweets, public speeches, House and Senate floor, letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Congressional resolutions.

Several lawmakers have also made a call to Sandhu to express their outrage against China.

Sandhu, who has been meeting top American lawmakers, virtually, on a daily basis has received multiple Congressmen and Senators expressing their strong support to India against China.

Senator Rick Scott last month wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commending the Indian government for the continued efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the boundary issue.

Congressmen George Holding and Brad Sherman, co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, alongwith several other lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna, in July wrote a letter to Sandhu, expressing their disappointment by the events that took place in the Galwan Valley.

Led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and co-sponsored by several others, including Ro Khanna, the House of Representatives in July passed an amendment to the NDAA, which says that China should work toward de-escalating the situation along the LAC with India through existing diplomatic mechanisms and not through force.

In the same month, another NDAA amendment, moved by Congressman Steve Chabot along with Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera, noted US Congress' opposition to Chinese aggression against India in the Galwan Valley and expressed concern toward the growing territorial assertiveness of China.
France and Greece conducted joint military exercises in the region - Greek Defence Ministry/AP

France conducted joint military exercises with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean on Thursday as tensions rose over Turkish oil and gas exploration in disputed waters.

The French government has urged Turkey to halt unilateral prospecting to allow a peaceful dialogue with Greece, its neighbour and fellow NATO member.

The exercises came a day after President Emmanuel Macron pledged to step up his countrys military presence in the area following a telephone call with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister.

Afterwards, Mr Mitsotakis tweeted: Emmanuel Macron is a true friend of Greece and and a fervent defender of European values and international law.

France has dispatched a navy frigate, the Lafayette, and two Rafale fighter jets to the southern Greek island of Crete.

Mr Macron said France was temporarily strengthening its forces to monitor the situation in the region and mark its determination to uphold international law.

Turkey and Greece are already at loggerheads over competing claims to natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. Tensions have been heightened by attempts by a third neighbouring country, Cyprus, which is an EU member, to explore for gas in the area.

A Turkish seismic vessel collecting data on further possible hydrocarbon reserves has been sailing between Crete and Cyprus since Monday. It was dispatched days after Greece signed a maritime agreement with Egypt designating an exclusive economic zone between the two countries.

Turkey and Greece have both signalled a willingness to resolve the dispute but vowed to defend their interests.

Hulsi Akar, the Turkish defence minister, said: We want to believe that common sense will prevail We side with international law, good neighbourliness and dialogue.

This dispute has exposed cracks in the Nato military alliance, already strained by an earlier spat between France and Turkey over the Libyan civil war.

France was the only European country deemed to support renegade Libyan general Khalifa Haftar, who is trying to oust the countrys UN-backed government.

Turkey has helped the Libyan government repel General Haftars offensive. Mr Macron insists that France is now neutral, but last month suspended its participation in a Nato security operation off Libya, accusing Turkey of violating an arms embargo on the North African country. France also accused Turkish warships of targeting a French vessel with their weapons systems, although Turkey said the interaction was friendly.
Turkey accused France on Friday of acting like a bully and stepped up its own charm offensive as EU foreign ministers met to address an emerging crisis in the energy-rich eastern Mediterranean.

The search for oil and gas in disputed waters not far from Cyprus has pitted Turkey against its uneasy NATO ally Greece and the entire EU bloc.

Turkey's decision to send a seismic vessel accompanied by a small navy fleet into the increasingly volatile region on Monday prompted Greece to dispatch in its own military assets to observe what was going on.

France on Thursday also announced it was "temporarily reinforcing" its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean in support of Greece.

That decision only further worsened France's tensions with Turkey -- already high because of opposing approaches to the Libya conflict and other parts of the Middle East -- and saw the diplomatic rhetoric rise another notch.

"France especially should avoid steps that will increase tensions," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on a visit to Switzerland.

"They will not get anywhere by acting like bullies, whether in Libya, the northeast of Syria, in Iraq or the Mediterranean."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday underscored the fraught nature of the standoff by warning of a "heavy price" to pay for those who threaten Turkey's Oruc Reis research ship.

"We can't let even the smallest attack go without an answer," Erdogan reaffirmed on Friday.

Erdogan said "there was something like this" that happened on Thursday but provided no details.

Another warship accompanying Oruc Reis "gave the necessary response. And then they withdrew to their ports," Erdogan said without specifying which nation's ships allegedly attacked Turkey's.

The Greek defence ministry denied being involved in any incident with the Oruc Reis.

Cavusoglu insisted that Turkey was looking for a peaceful solution to the crisis and was only expecting "common sense" from Greece.

"Of course we do not wish to escalate, but Greece should act with common sense," said Cavusoglu.

"We are always on the side of peaceful dialogue."

- 'These tensions are worrying' -

EU foreign ministers are widely expected to reaffirm their support for Greece's interpretation of maritime boundaries and to urge all sides to respect international law.

But Erdogan's ministers counter that Greece is using its control of a few tiny islands off the coast of Turkey to claim an outsized share of the Mediterranean Sea.

It also cites examples of past international agreements that gave the coastal power the right to waters despite another nation's islands near its shores.

Germany has taken a leading role in trying to mediate the dispute.

Erdogan had followed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's urgings and suspended the Oruc Reis mission last month to give talks another chance.

Greece then signed a maritime agreement with Egypt that appeared aimed at countering a similarly controversial one Turkey had signed with the UN-recognised government in Libya last year.

The Egyptian deal was quickly followed by Erdogan's decision to push ahead with the Oruc Reis mission this week.

"These tensions are worrying," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Friday.

"What's important is de-escalation" and for countries "to talk directly to each other".

Erdogan said he agreed with Merkel by telephone on Thursday to "develop a process of protective understanding" with Greece.

"Merkel after speaking to me spoke to (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis). I hope she has expressed the line to him discussed with us."

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'If there is one thing our politicians, especially those with their ear to the ground, understand, it is the reality that their voters want three things from their children's schooling: English, English, English', notes Shekhar Gupta.

One aspect of Modi government's National Education Policy (NEP) has caused some consternation and debate.

It is the prescription that children hereon should be taught in their mother tongue, regional language, or home language (whatever that means) up to Class 5, and preferably until Class 8.

The critics say this is the Hindi-isation on the RSS agenda.

The defenders say the children comprehend much better in their native tongue.

In any case, they argue, that this is only a recommendation and not a compulsion.

But it is the first national education policy being implemented by a government of the nationalist Hindu Right with a full majority.

Compulsion wouldn't have been possible under the current Constitutional scheme of things.

Education is a concurrent. But then, a majority of Indian states, especially some of the most important states, are also being governed by the same party, the BJP.

On balance, the drift is clear.

Compulsion or not, the cue is to pivot to domestic languages instead of English.

The three-language formula in the NEP also says any three as long as two are Indian.

The implication is that English is foreign.

We would have thought that silly definitions like that are employed by sillier Americans, who want their foreign students to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language, the famed TOEFL.

Never mind that they themselves usually can't even spell right.

English is now an international language, often with distinct versions in different countries.

In India, we have variants from north to south, east to west, from King's English to Singh's English.

If the cue from the Modi government towards Hindi or native-language medium is clear enough, chances are that most state governments will fall in line.

Their own schools won't dare defy this.

They might decree something like this for private recognised schools too.

People will again find a way to cut corners: nobody, not even the strongest state can fight market forces.

And if consumers want something as badly as Indian parents want English-medium for their children, they will get it.

You might also then bring back the mystique of the minority institution, the proverbial Convent, now so synonymous with English-medium education in most of India that you can find 'convents' all over the country, named after numerous non-Christians saints such as Kabir, Tukaram, even Ravi Das.

If the Modi government is doing it for political gain, you think so, it needs a fact-check.

Because, over the decades, our politicians have known what works and what doesn't.

They know their voters want English-medium. So, they might say one thing in public, but do the opposite in reality.

Ideological compulsions apart, if there is one thing our politicians, especially those with their ear to the ground, or, as we say in the heartland idiom, 'dharti se judey huye', understand it is the reality that their voters want three things from their children's schooling: English, English, English.

Over the past 25 years, I have learnt the ground-level politics by travelling deep through the states during elections and compiling a series called 'Writings on the Wall'.

This is a metaphor for looking around you, eyes, ears and (the reporter's) nose open to figure out what is it that people want.

Then you see what is it that rival political contenders are offering them.

One who aligns with what the 'janata' want according to the writings on the wall, wins.

If you get this right, you can't read an election wrong.

Unless, of course, you even read the walls with your own predilections or what, again, in the heartland, would be called poorvagrah.

This should also establish my credentials as a native Hindi speaker.

It is on the walls where we first read this message of rising aspiration.

Especially in the two Bihar elections (the first was indecisive) of 2005.

Lalu had been in power with his backward caste-Muslim vote bank and nobody gave Nitish Kumar a chance to throw him out.

Lalu's idea of social justice was still caste-equity, empowerment to fight the upper castes.

His favourite idiom was: 'Phir se samay aa gaya hai, apni laathi ko tel pilao (The time, election, has come again to season your sticks on oil).'

This one, said the pundits, still had such oomph that Nitish stood no chance.

Especially with his 'namby pamby' counter: 'The time when you could be empowered by seasoning your lathis in oil is over. Now you empower yourselves by filling your pens with ink.'

The 'gyanis' might have laughed at him.

But Nitish had the last laugh.

He defeated Lalu, and has been chief minister since.

Nitish won and keeps winning because he read the pulse of his people right.

There was a new flood of aspiration and it needed the fuel of education.

But, then, you can ask me, what does it have to do with the medium of instruction?

Which makes us leapfrog to another 'Writings on the Wall' tutorial (for me), in the West Bengal campaign, 2011.

As with Nitish versus Lalu in Bihar in 2005, now Mamata Banerjee was the David challenging the Goliath in the Left Front, entrenched for 34 years.

We caught up with Mamata Banerjee on the campaign trail at a place called Barjora near Durgapur, with its steel plant the Jamshedpur-Lite of the desperately poor region of West Bengal.

She strode left to right and back on the stage, holding the microphone and, at one high point, started what looked like a rhyme.

It the crowds super-excited.

It went something like 'Aw-e ajgar aashche tere', and the crowd would respond with a full-throated chant: "Aa-aamti khaabo pere'.

Loosely translated, it means, A, or the Bangla equivalent, is for ajgar (python), which is coming after you, 'aa' is for aam (mango), which you pluck from the tree and eat.

But what was the excitement about? Why did it drive that crowd, thousands of the poorest Indians, delirious?

She was reminding them that for decades, the Left Front had condemned their generations to Bengali-medium education while their own children went to English-medium schools and sang 'twinkle, twinkle little star...'

The result, she said, was that while your children were begging for peons' jobs the comrades' children were going to England and becoming barristers.

We know what happened in that election.

Mamata is still in power, the Left is the last of her worries, actually.

Here are two leaders with their ear to the ground.

One swept an election promising knowledge and education.

The other specified it would be in English medium.

Their voters did not come from any entrenched social elites.

Those types mostly don't even go out to vote. Check out the voting percentages in Mumbai's Malabar Hill.

And since we live by the three-example rule, I will give you one more and then rest my case.

Especially as our three examples would be all from different parties and ideologies.

Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh passed orders in 2017 to turn 5,000 (yes, 5,000) government primary schools into English medium so his state could have at least one in each block.

Is Yogi elite? English-obsessed? Westernised? A brown sahib?

He is, on the other hand, a saffron-clad priest.

But he is dharti se juda hua.

He knows what his voters want. That is the wall this NEP will run into if ideology drives this government to push that native-language medium idea too strongly.

By Special Arrangement with The Print

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A research conducted into the "Impact of Technology Adoption: Evidence from Maize and Cowpea Farmers in Northern Ghana" established that agricultural extension remains key to improving farm productivity.



According to the studies expanding easy access to extension services and monitoring of farmer's production activities are highly recommended.



It also recommended the involvement of more stakeholders in the agricultural sector to provide credit and input support to farmers.



That, the report said, would go a long way to help farmers to continue implementing the technologies on the farms.



Mr Emmanuel T. Jumpah, Research Technologist at the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-STEPRI) announced this at Africa Rising Project validation workshop in Accra.



The workshop aimed at gathering more inputs into the study report and share widely the findings and recommendations of the report for greater policy and institutional support at various levels - District, Regional, and National level.



The CSIR-STEPRI has been in collaboration with the Africa Rising Project since 2017 in the area of analysing policies that impact smallholder farmers.



The Africa Rising Project is being implemented in West Africa and East Africa to generate and disseminate technologies for adoption of smallholder farmers for improved livelihoods



In Ghana, the project targets smallholder farmers in northern Ghana engaged in crop ( Maize and Cowpea) and Livestock(small ruminants) production.



STEPRI is currently in collaboration to deliver activities on the impact of technology adoption, drivers of adoption, potential net gains, and net losses associated with various technologies.



The technologies of focus for the current analysis are maize-cowpea intercropping, cowpea living mulch, maize leaf stripping, and rates of fertilizer application.



Mr Jumpah said the main objective is to analyse the potential gains and losses in net farm returns, per capita incomes, and poverty rates of farms that adopt the sustainable intensification technologies/practices to inform policy decisions and private entrepreneurs which sustainable intensification technologies to promote for greater impact.



He said the intervention had achieved some positive outcomes and working to consolidate and sustain the gains is imperative.



"We also recommended that efforts should be made to incorporate more females in subsequent interventions/phase of the project," he said.



He said there was a perceived improvement in productivity, income, agricultural production practices but not gender equity and social cohesion.



He announced that throughout the study lack of financial resources remained the most critical challenge confronting smallholder farmers' adoption of the technologies.



Dr Wilhelmina Quaye, Director of CSIR-STEPRI, said the Council is into various research programmes to inform policies as well as help smallholder farmers to increase yields and productivity.



She said they have experienced researchers who are versed in other disciplines and are ready to collaborate with other institutions or organisations to develop competitive research proposals.



She said one of their mandates is to bridge the gap between the private sector and researchers, adding that their doors are opened for any collaboration in that direction.



"Our research approaches are centred with people, engaging people from all disciplines and we ensure that whatever we churn out as research outcomes are impactful."



Dr Quaye said: "When you take our crop sector, for example, and you look at the current yield level is nowhere close to the achievable and that is why we called you here to further interrogate why we're not achieving the goals".



Researchers, academicians, policymakers, farmers, officials from the private sector, the media, and government ministries attended the meeting.

Source: GNA









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

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:07:37|Editor: huaxia

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) and Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield attend a press conference in Wellington, New Zealand, Aug. 14, 2020. New Zealand's largest city Auckland will remain in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 for 12 more days, with the rest of the country staying in Alert Level 2, as there are currently 36 active cases, 17 of which are linked to the recent community transmission in Auckland. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's largest city Auckland will remain in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 for 12 more days, with the rest of the country staying in Alert Level 2, as there are currently 36 active cases, 17 of which are linked to the recent community transmission in Auckland.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference on Friday the cabinet had unanimously decided to maintain the current alert levels until Aug. 26. The government will review situation and make further decisions on Aug. 21.

"There is nothing to suggest we need to move to a level 4 lockdown at this stage," she said, referring to a stricter lockdown.

This has been the second time New Zealand went into lockdowns, with the previous level 4 lockdown imposed between late March and late April, followed by the previous level 3 lockdown between late April and June 8 when New Zealand declared an initial success of the COVID-19 battle.

Ardern said construction and hospitality services would continue under the Alert Level 3 lockdown, with other restrictions such as no dining out except contactless deliveries or picking up orders.

Under level 3, businesses are required to implement COVID-19 safety measures, and most people are encouraged to work from home and school children learn from home.

"Cabinet also does not want Auckland to be in level 3 any longer than is needed to ensure the outbreak is contained," Ardern said.

Currently, 15 of the 17 community transmission cases are from Auckland, with two confirmed cases from the nearby Waikato region. Therefore, Auckland remains in Alert Level 3 for about two more weeks, with the other part of the country staying in level 2, which relaxes some gathering rules such as allowing less than 100 attendees of weddings or funerals and permitting dine-in.

Meanwhile, the government will protect jobs and businesses with extra support.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said at the press conference the cabinet has made an in-principle decision to extend the wage subsidy, and modify the COVID-19 Sick Leave Scheme to make it more accessible, which is to be announced on Monday.

"The latest COVID-19 outbreak is obviously disappointing, especially for businesses that have just got up and running again. But we have a plan in place to deal with it. We have always said that the best economic response is a strong health response," Robertson said.

The minister said the government has decided that the extended wage subsidy will apply nationwide, particularly given the significance of Auckland's economy to the wider country, and due to the impact Alert Level 2 would have on sectors like hospitality and retail. Enditem
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The Smart Glass market is anticipated to reach around USD 8,223 million by 2026 according to a new study published by Polaris Market Research. In 2017, the automotive segment dominated the global smart glass market, in terms of revenue. North America is expected to be the leading contributor to the market revenue during the forecast period.

Several stringent energy consumption regulations passed by governments worldwide have boosted the adoption of smart glass. Growing concerns regarding environment, increasing need to reduce energy consumption, and growing demand from the automotive sector further support the growth of this market. Additionally, the increasing adoption of energy efficient buildings and reducing operation costs would boost market growth during the forecast period. Other factors supporting market growth include supportive government regulations, increasing awareness, and technological advancements. Increasing investments by vendors in technological advancements coupled with research and development further boost the market growth.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-glass-market/request-for-sample

The smart glass market is majorly driven by factors including increasing energy concerns, and environment consciousness across the globe. The decreasing cost of electrochromic materials has encouraged consumers to switch to smart glass. Limited awareness among consumers had restricted the adoption of smart glass in the past. However, with significant government initiatives and substantial investments, the development of smart glass market has accelerated significantly.

North America generated the highest revenue in the smart glass market in 2017. The increasing awareness among consumers, and rising awareness regarding energy efficient buildings drive the market growth in the region. Consumers are adopting smart glass owing to stringent government regulations regarding energy consumption, and the need to reduce operation costs. Numerous key players have adopted partnership and expansion strategies to increase their share in the North America smart glass market.

The different end-users of smart glass include automotive, architecture, consumer goods, and others. In 2017, the automotive segment accounted for the highest smart market share. The use of smart glass in windows, doors, and windshields in automotive reduces the heat accumulation in vehicles. The consumer electronics segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR.

Browse for full research summary: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-glass-market

The well-known companies profiled in the smart glass market report include Asahi Glass Co., DuPont, Gentex Corporation, SPD Control Systems, View, Inc., Corning Incorporated, Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., RavenBrick LLC, Switch Materials Inc., Scienstry, Inc., ChromoGenics AB, and Innovative Glass Corporation. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.

Smart Glass Market Size and Forecast, 2017-2026 by Type Active Smart Glass Passive Smart Glass

Smart Glass Market Size and Forecast, 2017-2026 by Technology Suspended Particle Display Liquid Crystals Micro-Blinds Nanocrystals Others

Smart Glass Market Size and Forecast, 2017-2026 by End-User Automotive Architecture Consumer Goods Others

Smart Glass Market Size and Forecast, 2017-2026 by Region North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany UK France Italy Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan Rest of Asia-Pacific Latin America Brazil Middle East & Africa



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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:36:54|Editor: huaxia

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VIENNA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Austria, a country with a population of nearly 9 million, has carried out over 1 million COVID-19 tests since the beginning of the pandemic, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said Friday.

"We have exceeded a historic mark," said Anschober at a press conference. "We currently have more tests than ever before."

Austria has conducted up to 12,000 tests in the last 24 hours, said Anschober, adding that there are currently around 3,000 more tests on average than in April.

"In April, we had a positive test rate of 5.5 percent and now we have a 1.5 percent." As a result, Anschober said he saw the pandemic better under control than in the spring.

The minister meanwhile noted that more tests are also one of the reasons for the increasing infection numbers.

With 282 new infections registered as of Friday morning, Austria reported the biggest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases since early April, according to local media.

A total of 22,769 people have tested positive in the Alpine country as of Friday morning. Among the confirmed cases, 725 people have died while 20,499 have recovered, according to the Health Ministry. Enditem
Year Up Pittsburgh will connect young people in need of an opportunity with companies in need of their talent, ensuring a more vibrant community and workforce, said Gerald Chertavian, Year Up Founder and CEO.

In recognition of National Financial Awareness Day, the national nonprofit Year Up announced today that it is launching a new site in Pittsburgh, with classes beginning on February 1st, 2021. The launch will expand Year Ups proven program to create pathways to meaningful employment for Opportunity Talenttalented and motivated young adults that lack access to the economic mainstream.

Year Up Pittsburgh is currently recruiting students for its intensive, yearlong program, which will consist of six months of technical and professional skills training, followed by a six-month internship at a leading financial company. Students can choose from either the software development or information technology curriculum track, and will earn an educational stipend throughout the year. Students will also receive access to a robust offering of online training courses through the Pluralsight platform to better prepare them for their internship roles and future careers. Through the platform, students are able to hone their skills in topics like Operating Systems, Advanced Excel, and Business Analysis, as well as explore advanced techniques in areas like JavaScript or Cloud Computing.

Interested young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 with a high school degree or GED can schedule an online information session here.

Nationwide, 90% of Year Up graduates are employed or attending college within four months of completing the Year Up program, with average starting salaries of $42,000/year.

Young adults are facing tremendous challenges in securing a livable-wage job with upward mobility. Year Up Pittsburgh will connect young people in need of an opportunity with companies in need of their talent, ensuring a more vibrant community and workforce, said Gerald Chertavian, Year Up Founder and CEO.

To apply to Year Up Pittsburgh, young adults must first attend an information session online, after which they will receive an application. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until the class is filled; please apply early as space is limited. Year Up Pittsburgh is planning to hold classes in-person, but they may be offered virtually based on guidance from local officials and the CDC at the time.

In 2018, the federally-sponsored Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education (PACE) evaluation of Year Up showed a 53% increase in initial earnings for young adults randomly assigned to Year Up compared with similar young adults in a control groupthe largest impact on earnings reported to date for a workforce program tested in a randomized controlled trial.

About Year Up

Year Up is an award-winning, national 501(c)3 organization that enables motivated young adults to move from minimum wage to meaningful careers in just one year by providing the skills, experience, and support they need to reach their full potential. Through a one-year, intensive program, Year Up utilizes a high-expectations, high-support model that combines marketable job skills, stipends, coursework eligible for college credit, and corporate internships at more than 250 top companies. Its holistic approach focuses on students' professional and personal development to enable young adults with a viable path to economic self-sufficiency and meaningful careers. Year Up has served more than 30,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up has presence in 27 U.S. cities, including Arizona, Baltimore, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington. Year Up has been voted one of the Best Non-Profits to Work For by The NonProfit Times. To learn more, visit http://www.yearup.org, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Mesoblast boss and major shareholder Silviu Itescu wont be the only one breathing easier now that the ASX-listed biotechs flagship treatment has managed to get the green light from the US regulators advisory committee. It was a close run thing by all accounts and for Itescu and investors in Mesoblast a no vote would have seen a decades worth of work come to a standstill. For his part, Itescu says he wasnt quite as spooked as investors by signs the US Food and Drug Administration's drug advisory council was going to put Mesoblasts treatment under severe scrutiny. The coronavirus has thrust relatively obscure companies into the spotlight and turned some into multibillion-dollar businesses. Credit:Michele Mossop We have been very well prepared for this meeting, we have known what the issues are and weve known what the answers are, he says. Mesoblasts stock, which plunged more than 30 per cent in a single session ahead of the USFDA meeting, roared back to life on Friday, up over 40 per cent. The company had been talking up hopes that its flagship product, remestemcel-L, used to treat acute graft-versus-host disease in children, a severe immune response which can occur after a bone marrow transplant, could also be used for respiratory distress caused by COVID-19. The link with COVID-19 may have played a part in raising the stakes for investors prior to the US hearing.

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The vote by the advisory council on Friday morning Australian time means experts believe remestemcel-L is effective for graft-versus-host disease. This paves the way for the FDA to approve the treatment for use in the US for this illness, which would be a regulatory first. The FDA will make a final decision by September 30. Mesoblast chief executive and major shareholder Silviu Itescu is back in front of potential investors. Credit:Josh Robenstone The rollercoaster three days for Mesoblast is a salutary lesson in how quickly the ground can shift under the feet of biotech companies and their backers. Even before this weeks gyrations, Mesoblasts share price has bounced around this year, from as low as $1.02 to as high as $4.87 over the last six months. Itescu says he hasnt been paying much attention to the share price. Its not a bad idea, especially when it comes to the biotech sector, where high risk, high reward is par for the course and regulators can make or break a company. I mean, volatility is just other peoples perception of risk," he says. Long time Mesoblast backer and executive chairman of Thorney Investment Group Alex Waislitz says the opportunities offered by Mesoblast have never been in doubt but adds that putting money in biotechs isnt for those looking for a sure bet. "It leaves itself open for a lot of volatility. You need to have a long-term perspective on it  you need to have the capacity to deal with the long time between announcements and trials," he says.

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"It's not for the faint-hearted." A COVID-19 launch pad The coronavirus pandemic has fuelled extraordinary volatility in the markets but the fight against the virus has also thrust relatively obscure companies into the spotlight and turned some into multibillion-dollar businesses. The biotech sector, which includes diagnostics, novel drug development and medical devices, is big business. The top 10 healthcare companies on the ASX are worth more than $200 billion alone. 'If you can make substantial differences to patients and their outcomes, you have the ability to create a new industry.' Silviu Itescu, Mesoblast chief executive Australia is renowned for its cutting edge research, and its largest life sciences companies such as CSL and ResMed have grown into multibillion-dollar exports with sustained share price growth. Beyond these household names, there are more than 80 listed smaller pharmaceutical and medical device companies working, often under the radar, to turn brand new therapies into reality.

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And there are big rewards on offer for investors but as Itescu says, the sector also presents significant risks. "Investors should understand that biotech is a highly regulated field  it requires patience, diligence and ultimately youre in the hands of regulators. Having said that, theres got to be more of an understanding of the hurdles but also the rewards, if the tech works and its patented and has an exclusive area of focus, really if you can make substantial differences to patients and their outcomes, you have the ability to create a new industry, Itescu says. While the sector hasnt traditionally been on the radar of many investors, experts say the pandemic has generated awareness of the role of drug and treatment supply chains, which has in turn led to money flowing into the sector. Atomo Diagnostics' experience since listing on the ASX in April illustrates the new-found enthusiasm of investors in punting on stocks involved in testing, treating and eradicating COVID-19. Atomo Diagnostics founder Dr John Kelly. Credit:Kate Geraghty The rapid diagnostic testing startup pitched itself to the market with a test for HIV but quickly shifted its focus to developing a COVID-19 test. Atomo's rapid antibody test was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration last week, launching it into the Australian market. As the pandemic put biotech companies front and centre, its share price jumped. Sitting at 38 on Friday, the business is trading 90 per cent above its initial public offer price. Managing director John Kelly says the swift pivot has served the company well and while investor interest in biotechs is welcome, its what happens once the virus is contained that will be crucial for the sector.

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"I think for a company like Atomo its a bit of a double-edged sword, it's increased interest in the sector, but at the same time there has been such a level of media saturation. "Wed rather grow a steady share price over five years rather than spiking over one year." Atomo is not the only small biotech that has rocketed in recent months. Real-time lung function tracking company 4D Medical soared on its ASX debut in the second week of August, up 117 per cent on its 73 offer price to $1.59. Meanwhile in the US, companies such as vaccine developer Moderna skyrocketed from $US19.23 in January to a high of $US94.84 in July, a 393 per cent increase. 'Take the emotion out of it' Even fund managers that have benefited from the growth of vaccine stocks in recent months urge caution about evaluating investment opportunities in the space. Platinum Asset Management's international healthcare fund portfolio manager Bianca Ogden has been watching companies like Moderna for years. Platinum has been invested in the US biotech since the company's IPO in 2018, when it bought-in at $US23.

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By Associated Press

KABUL: Afghanistan has released the first 80 of a final 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for negotiations between the warring sides in Afghanistan's protracted conflict, the government said Friday. Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council's office, made the announcement.

Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the media, said 86 prisoners were freed. It wasn't immediately known when the remaining prisoners would be freed.

Prisoner releases on both sides are part of an agreement signed in February between the US and Taliban. It calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban held by the government and 1,000 government and military personnel held by the insurgent group as a good will gesture ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations.

Talks are expected to be held in Qatar where the Taliban maintain a political office. Several Afghan leaders told The Associated Press talks could begin by August 20. These negotiations are to lay out a framework for a post-war Afghanistan.

Washington's peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad spent a year-and-a-half negotiating the peace deal aimed at allowing American troops to return home and end America's longest military engagement. US troops have already begun leaving and by November less than 5,000 troops are expected to still be in Afghanistan down from nearly 13,000 when the agreement was signed February 29.

American and NATO troop withdrawal is contingent on the Taliban keeping their commitment not to allow militant groups to use Afghanistan against the United States or its allies. The withdrawal is not tied to successful talks between the warring sides.

Last weekend, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held a traditional council meeting known as loya jirga to get a consensus on the release of a final 400 Taliban he said were accused of serious crimes, saying without explanation that he could not unilaterally decide to release them.

Some of the 400 have been implicated in devastating bombings in Kabul. During a televised talk on Thursday with the US-based Council of Foreign Relations, Ghani warned of dangers they could present to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

But for some in Afghanistan the talks with the Taliban mirror earlier negotiations with other insurgents, including warlord and US-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who many say has a reputation for violence that exceeds the Taliban.

In 2016, Ghani negotiated a peace deal with Hekmatyar, whose Hezb-e-Islami group took responsibility for several bombings in Kabul, including one at a grocery story in the capital that killed a young family. The deal included removing Hekmatyar from the UN terrorist list. His group was also responsible for a 2008 attack on French soldiers - the largest international loss in a single battle in Afghanistan.
An international research collaboration, which includes the University of Bristol, has received funding to discover and accelerate the development of new antibiotics.

The three-year, 1.9 million project, funded by the Newton Fund through the UK Medical Research Council, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and the South African Medical Research Council, aims to discover novel compounds from natural sources that have the potential to be developed into new antimicrobial drugs.

The project will bring together scientists from the UK and South Africa, to establish an Antibiotic Accelerator Hub to significantly boost capacity for discovery of new antibiotics. The focus will be on unexplored, biodiversity-rich habitats, including deep sea and polar environments, offering real potential for new natural product-derived drugs.

There is an urgent need for new antibiotic discoveries to counter the danger posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), widely regarded as one of the greatest threats to global public health.

The impact of AMR is particularly severe in low and middle income countries (LMICs), and in addition to the growing list of bacterial pathogens known to be resistant to treatment, there is increasing concern over sexually transmitted infections caused by resistant Neisseria gonorrhoea.

Alongside medical benefits, the project aims to support future growth in the bio-economies of both countries, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of any new drugs arising from the research with communities from LMICs.

Led by the University of Plymouth in the UK and Rhodes University in South Africa, the Hub research consortium also includes partners in South Africa, who will make up the Natural Product Research Network that will be established as part of the Hub. In the UK, partners include those at universities in Bristol, Leeds, Aberdeen and St Andrews.

The 1.9 million includes 412,000 for a seed project, which will explore the diversity of antimicrobial peptides in South Africa to identify potential new antibiotics. This element is led by Dr James Mason at King's College London and Professor Anabella Gaspar at the University of Pretoria, with contributions from the Universities of Warwick and Sheffield and Public Health England.

Professor in Medical Microbiology Mat Upton is leading the project from the UK. He said: We know there is an urgent global need to accelerate the discovery of new antimicrobial drugs and bring them to market, and this project brings together expertise from the UK and South Africa to create the infrastructure for that to happen.

Natural products and their synthetic analogues are the basis for the majority of antibiotics in clinical use today, and the hope is that this collaboration will go some way towards unlocking the potential resources contained in marine and terrestrial biota in South Africa, one of the worlds most bio-diverse places.

Professor Rosemary Dorrington, Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation South African Research Chairs Initiative (DST/NRF SARChI), Professor in Marine Natural Products Research at Rhodes University, in the Eastern Cape Province, said: This initiative will lay the foundation for a multi-disciplinary drug discovery platform in a region known to be a terrestrial and marine biodiversity hotspot. The establishment of a Natural Products Research Network representing fourteen South African partner institutions, will provide unprecedented access to the chemical diversity of our extraordinarily rich natural resources.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:36:25|Editor: huaxia

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MUSCAT, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Oman on Friday expressed its support for the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) decision on relations with Israel.

"An official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the sultanate of Oman's support for UAE's decision of its relations with Israel, within the framework of the historic joint declaration between it, the United States and Israel," Oman News Agency cited the ministry's statement as saying.

"The sultanate hopes this will contribute to achieving just and peace in the Middle East in a way that serves the aspirations of the peoples of the region to sustain the pillars of security and stability, and to advance the causes of progress and prosperity for all," added the statement.

The UAE announced Thursday that it had reached an agreement with Israel to "conduct full bilateral relations" between the two countries, during a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a joint statement. Enditem
Married At First Sight star Natasha Spencer is certainly putting safety first amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This week, the 26-year-old shared an Instagram photo of herself relaxing in the sun in an skimpy orange bikini.

She covered her famous face with a pair of sunglasses and wore a large white face mask over her mouth and nose.

Careful: Married At First Sight star Natasha Spencer (pictured) sunbathed in an orange swimsuit on Friday with a protective face mask on

Her tattoos were on full display and she held her hand up to her face, revealing her manicured nails and ring.

The star captioned that photo: 'Safety first' and added an emoji wearing a mask over its face.

It comes after her Married At First Sight co-star star Stacey Hampton was arrested and is now facing three charges of ignoring coronavirus restrictions on interstate trips.

The star captioned that photo: 'Safety first' and added an emoji wearing a mask over its face

Police arrested Hampton, 26, at Adelaide Airport on May 6 on her way back from Melbourne - after Instagram photos showed she was wasn't self-isolating.

The law graduate at the time played down the incident as 'a little hiccup' with her essential worker paperwork.

However, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Hampton was actually locked up for several hours and charged with two counts of failing to comply with a direction.

Charges: It comes after Natasha's Married At First Sight co-star star Stacey Hampton (pictured) was arrested and is now facing three charges of ignoring coronavirus restrictions on interstate trips

Police are believed to have told Hampton to go straight home and self-isolate - before they followed her after she left the police station.

They allegedly watched her pick up her her two sons Kruz, two, and Kosta, four, who were separately staying at her mother and friend's homes.

Officers then arrived at her house to give her a summons to appear on a third failure to comply with a direction charge.

'Currently waiting for the cops to come to my house and abuse me. Probably give me another fine,' she wrote in a text to a friend at the time.

Out and about: Police arrested Hampton, 26, at Adelaide Airport on May 6 on her way back from Melbourne - after Instagram photos showed she was wasn't self-isolating. Pictured: One of many photos of Hampton with her friend Anthony Hess on shopping trips during her jaunts to Melbourne

She will face Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 30, facing fines of up to $20,000 and two years jail for each count.

At the time, essential travellers were allowed to enter SA and continue as normal. Non-essential travellers needed to self-isolate for 14 days.

When asked on May 6 about reports she was stopped at Adelaide Airport by police, Hampton claimed it was all a misunderstanding.

Issues: She will face Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 30, facing fines of up to $20,000 and two years jail for each count. Pictured: Anthony shared footage to his Instagram Stories of the law graduate entering Cartier

She told Daily Mail Australia there was 'a little hiccup' at the airport due to state border closures, but insisted everything was 'fine' in the end.

'I had an essential workers clearance form, which they didn't realise I had, so I was fine. They had to look into my clearance, which was fine,' she said.

'It was just over my form [and] whether or not it was essential. Then I proceeded to collect my son from school.'
On Monday, August 10, the White House released a fact sheet about "President Trump's Historic Coronavirus Response." It is  perhaps unsurprisingly  full of shit. While I suppose one could argue that any action taken during a 21st century pandemic is inherently "historic" inasmuch as it has no historical precedent due to the unstoppable forward progression of time, this is not what the brief is actually arguing. Instead, it makes such claims as:

Took early action to cut off travel from China

Built the world's leading testing system from nothing

Enacted mitigation measures to slow the spread

Mobilized public and private sectors to secure needed supplies

Took action to protect vulnerable Americans

Launched effort to deliver a vaccine and therapeutics in record time

Provided support to workers and businesses

Paved way for reopening to get America working again

Surged resources to hot spots as they arose

Confronted China as origin of the virus while Democrats and media cowered

Some of these might raise an eyebrow; others are deliberately vague and platitudinal enough to maybe pass muster, at least at first glance.

But the fact-checking team at Medium has done a fantastic and comprehensively-linked breakdown of each and every one of those "historic" responses  and succinctly eviscerates most of it.

They do give credit where it's due as well; for example:

The U.S. was neither ahead or after the curve in restricting travel from China. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on January 30. The same day, the State Department raised its travel advisory for China to "Level 4  Do Not Travel." In doing so, the U.S. was acting in accordance with many other countries. According to ThinkGlobalHealth, a Council for Foreign Relations program that has tracked the countries that have imposed travel bans on China, 36 countries including the U.S. had imposed travel restrictions by February 2.

So yes, congratulations to President Donald J. Trump for gleefully enacting his xenophobic policies right when the W.H.O. that he despises recommended doing so for non-xenophobic reasons.

Anyway, if you're looking for a comprehensive resource for fact-checking the US coronavirus response, Medium's got you covered.

Fact-Checking President Trump's 'Historic Coronavirus Response' Brief [Coronavirus Blog Team / Medium]

Image: Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead (Public Domain)
Law Offices of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP If you would like to know more about the WB Studio Enterprises Inc. lawsuit, please contact Attorney Nicholas J. De Blouw today by calling (800) 568-8020.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that WB Studio Enterprises Inc., failed to provide their California employees with meal and rest periods as required by California law. The WB Studio Enterprises Inc. class action lawsuit, Case No. 20STCV24867, is currently pending in the Los Angeles Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

According to the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, WB Studio Enterprises Inc. allegedly intentionally and knowingly failed to reimburse and indemnify PLAINTIFF and other CALIFORNIA CLASS Members for required business expenses incurred as a direct consequence of discharging their duties on behalf of DEFENDANT. PLAINTIFF and other CALIFORNIA CLASS Members were also, from time to time, unable to take off-duty meal breaks or rest periods, which has allegedly resulted in DEFENDANT's failure to pay full wages.

Additionally, the complaint further alleges WB Studio Enterprises Inc., committed acts of unfair competition in violation of the California Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code  17200, et seq. (the UCL), by engaging in a company-wide policy and procedure which failed to accurately calculate and record all missed meal and rest periods by PLAINTIFF and other CALIFORNIA CLASS Members. As a result of DEFENDANTs intentional disregard of the obligation to meet this burden, DEFENDANT allegedly failed to properly calculate and/or pay all required compensation for work performed by the members of the CALIFORNIA CLASS and violated the California Labor Code.

If you would like to know more about the WB Studio Enterprises Inc. lawsuit, please contact Attorney Nicholas J. De Blouw today by calling (800) 568-8020.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

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Nine out of 10 parents are concerned that students will catch coronavirus and spread the respiratory illness if school buildings reopen, as many are planned to in the coming weeks, according to results from a new poll commissioned by the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

The online poll of 600 voters was conducted from July 24 to 29 by Echo Cove Research & Consulting. It found that those nine out of 10 parents are at least somewhat concerned that their children will catch COVID-19 if schools open in a few weeks, and 62 percent of them are very or extremely concerned, according to a news release issued Thursday by the MTA.

Parents also worry that children will spread the virus to other family members, according to the MTA.

This poll shows that voters share the same concerns as the MTA and its 117,000 educators, said MTA President Merrie Najimy. By a wide margin, parents and other members of the public do not support opening schools until safety measures are in place. We need to open schools with remote instruction and only move to in-person instruction when it is safe to do so.

Of poll respondents who are not parents, 84% said they were at least somewhat concerned about children catching and spreading the virus.

Sixty-four percent of all parents surveyed have family members who are older than 60 and 28% of them visit their older family members on a regular basis, according to poll findings.

When given the choice between opening schools for all students under the states current guidance versus a remote start to the school year, 78 percent favored opening remotely. That finding came when voters were asked which of the following two statements they most agreed with:

Have all students return to school on schedule, which would require relaxing safety guidelines such as reducing social distancing from 6 to 3 feet and not having children below grade 2 wear masks. This would let parents return to work and allow students to get back on track with their education. (23%)

Have a flexible approach in which remote learning is improved and applied in the beginning of the school year. Then, some students are moved back into schools if coronavirus cases remain low and as health and safety standards are put in place. (78%)

School districts are required to submit final plans for the upcoming school year to the state by Friday. On Tuesday, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley issued new guidance recommending many districts across the state to return to school buildings, indicating the states new color-coded metric for tracking possible spikes in coronavirus cases should inform classroom models.

Springfield has planned a virtual start to the school year. Boston Public Schools has pushed back its start date to Sept. 21 because of the pandemic. Worcester plans to start the first quarter remotely, which the School Committee will vote on Thursday evening.

Voters were also asked about opening colleges and universities. Of both parents and those without children, 90% were at least somewhat concerned about college students catching and spreading the virus if campuses open in the fall. Sixty-eight percent of parents were extremely or very concerned, compared to 74% of non-parents, the poll indicated.

The poll also indicated that 68% of voters feel MCAS testing should be stopped for one year.

Additionally, 65% of all voters, including 62% of all K-12 parents, think that the states public school curriculum should address issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement, including systemic racism, the MTA said. The curriculum subject is supported by 62% of white voters surveyed and 97% of all Black survey respondents.

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The National Green Tribunal has held four companies, including BPCL and HPCL, responsible for creating "gas chamber" like condition" in Mahul, Ambapada and Chembur areas in Mumbai and directed them to pay Rs 286.2 crore for the damaged caused to the environment.

The NGT said though there may be many reasons for presence of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere like vehicular emissions, it cannot be denied that Sea Lord Containers Ltd (SLCL), Aegis Logistics Ltd (ALL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) contribute substantially and predominantly to the VOCs in Mahul and Ambapada villages.

The prolonged exposure to hazardous air pollutants even at miniscule level may weaken the lungs and other organs. Conditions prevailing in the area are sometimes likened to that of ''Gas Chamber'', the tribunal said.

It was only because of these reasons that the companies had been taking actions to arrest the fugitive emissions which were particularly noticeable after 2015 and of late the industries have acted on implementation of action plan, the NGT said.

It accepted the computation of fine by the Central Pollution Control Board and directed them to keep the amount in separate accounts.

The green panel said: CPCB has accordingly assessed the values of VOCs emissions based upon the data provided to them by the companies.

In view of the submissions made by the CPCB and above discussion, the objections of the units regarding use of data prior to control measures and the incorrect application of the formula and methodology are untenable.

The NGT said it was satisfied that all the objections raised by the respondent companies have been duly considered by the CPCB's in-house Technical Committee and the correctness of the conclusion arrived at by the CPCB.

The NGT directed HPCL to pay 76.5 crore, BPCL 67.5 crore, AEGIS 142 crore and SLCL Rs 0.2 crore.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said ten-member joint committee comprising two senior nominees of CPCB, representative of Environment Ministry, state pollution control board, District Magistrate, NEERI, TISS, Mumbai, IIT Mumbai, KEM Hospital, Mumbai and a nominee of Health Secretary Maharashtra, may prepare action plan for restoration measures.

The State PCB will be nodal agency. Plan may in particular provide for dealing with health issues of the inhabitants and measures for control of pollution in the area, treating Ambapada, Mahul, Chembur and contiguous area (as may be specified by the Committee) to be Special Air Pollution Control Area for the restoration plan, the bench said.

The joint Committee will be free to take assistance from any other expert/institution and invite the respondents to key meetings.

It will be open to the Committee to hold virtual meetings. Absence of one or more members for any reason may not hold up the functioning of the Committee if other members feel appropriate to proceed further in such absence. The plan may be executed under the same Committee through the respondents themselves or otherwise, the bench said.

The NGT was hearing a plea filed by Mumbai resident Charudatt Koli seeking execution for control of air pollution in the Mahul, Ambapada and Chembur areas in Mumbai particularly by the companies.

Major contributors to the air pollution were said to be the logistic services, storing oil, gas and chemical items, as well as oil companies releasing emissions of VOCs during loading, storage and unloading or handling of hazardous chemicals at various stages, the plea said.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Geely Commercial Vehicles Group (GCV) agreed on August 11 an all-round in-depth strategic cooperation with Afanti New Energy Technology Group, a Shaanxi-based company working on NEV-related business, to build GCV's operational center in Northwest China and an intelligent charging station.

The yet-to-be-built charging station will integrate the functions of photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation, energy storage, EV charging and battery swapping, the first-of-its-kind for Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.



(Afanti New Energy's WeChat account)



According to Afanti New Energy, the solution combining the four functions not only enables a microgrid system that features more electricity generation methods and a highly efficient energy conversion, but also can serve EVs carrying swapping battery packs by allowing users to timely find a replaceable battery pack using the App matched with Afanti New Energy's self-developed integrated charging station.

The project will kick over the traces of peak shaving and also provide application scenarios for the urban logistics vehicles under Yuancheng, a sub-brand of GCV, that support the separation of vehicle and battery, said the Shaanxi-based company.

The signing of the agreement signifies that the collaboration between GCV and Afanti New Energy has moved into a phase of fully integration. This is also GCV's first strategic cooperation formed with a dealership.

Additionally, two companies will joint explore such areas and businesses as the commercial vehicle (CV) leasing platform, the refit, production and operation of recreational vehicles, the CV-used plug-and-play module, the electric control unit assembly of new energy CVs and the CV battery charging tank technology.
NEW YORK  The New York City Housing Authority has been derided by residents as one of the worse slumlords in the country  a reputation earned by years of dilapidation and disinvestment at the city, state and federal levels.

The latest road map to turn around the struggling agency is the most comprehensive proposal in decades and is crafted to avoid the political pitfalls that have tanked past efforts.

But it faces a big obstacle: Congress would have to shell out significantly more money than it's currently spending to fund the plan. And it would need buy-in from tenants embittered by years of shoddy treatment and broken promises.

One NYCHA scandal after another has exploded on Mayor Bill de Blaisos watch: broken boilers in the dead of winter, pipes and paint laced with lead and mold, elevators out of service stranding the elderly in their homes  much of which the authority had tried to cover up when investigators came knocking. Conditions were so bad that in 2019 a federal court mandated a monitor be called in to oversee reforms.

NYCHA Chair Gregory Russ, tapped by the city and monitor to take over last year, is banking on the creation of a public nonprofit to control more than 100,000 apartments and the approval of rental vouchers to underwrite billions of dollars in financing.

The plan, which he unveiled last month, uses the Department of Housing and Urban Development's own rules in a novel end run around traditional funding formulas. It also hews to Congress' traditional preference for housing vouchers over direct subsidy to public housing. And it avoids mention of selling or leasing parcels of the housing authorities unused land to generate cash  a plan the de Blasio administration floated in 2018 but seems to have since backed away from.

The announcement has the housing world wondering whether this might be the first realistic proposal to improve the deteriorating stock of 175,000 apartments that house nearly half a million New Yorkers.

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Its brilliant, said Council Member Ritchie Torres, a former NYCHA resident who served as chair of the Committee on Public Housing and recently won a Democratic congressional primary. Its the boldest vision for preservation that NYCHA has ever presented to the public.

Its elegance, Torres said, lies in addressing complex political problems with a simple solution: the Public Housing Preservation Trust.

Currently, the federal government provides vouchers used to pay rent for low-income residents. The new nonprofit would leverage the value of those vouchers to finance and manage NYCHAs extensive repair work, a Herculean effort that would amount to one of the biggest public works projects in the citys history. The trust would then hire a reorganized NYCHA as a type of contractor for day-to-day management, which Russ said would be done with the same union workers currently in the authoritys employ.

The nonprofit would be led by government officials  a design that may blunt residents concerns about the reliance on private real estate companies  yet would also be removed enough from governments hands to allow for the use of rental vouchers that have enjoyed more bipartisan support in Washington.

For all of the blueprints ingenuity, though, it is heavily reliant on state and federal approvals, and at its core is essentially asking Washington to foot the bill for systemic repairs  something it has declined to do for decades.

Congress allocates only around 2,000 tenant protection vouchers to New York City public housing annually. The blueprint envisions getting 100,000. In addition, Russ would need permission from the federal government to pool the vouchers into a fund that could then be used as backing for financing.

The plan looks great on paper, but my concern is that NYCHA residents have been told far too many times about ambitious plans to assist them that never materialize, said Lynne Patton, the regional administrator overseeing New York for HUD, in a message to POLITICO. The likelihood of Congress approving 13 times the national [tenant protection voucher] formula allocation, let alone permission to pool it, is slim to none.

And while the fortunes of NYCHA could swing if Democrats take the White House and a majority in the Senate, Patton said getting the amount of money the blueprint envisions is still unlikely.

NYCHA countered that the federal subsidy could come over several years, rather than in one enormous lump, and that the trust would be a nimble organization that could also take advantage of other sources of funding  such as leveraging income from energy savings  along the way, as the portfolio conditions improve.

The long-term implications for NYCHA's plan are that over time the properties become more self-sufficient using reserves to cover most capital costs, and will now have the option to create additional, mission safe, refinancing options, Russ said in a statement. These investments in NYCHAs long term preservation will reduce the dependency on annual capital from Congress over time.

Previous plans to raise billions in capital for NYCHA have focused on leveraging the real estate market. And they have not gone well.

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2019 file photo, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks at a news conference in New York. The New York City Seal appears on the podium that de Blasio speaks from as well as on one of the flags behind him. De Blasio said on Monday, July 27, 2020 that he would be in favor of re-examining if the city seal holds up to contemporary scrutiny after a founding member of a Native American group said the Native American man shown on the seal is

De Blasio put forth a plan for NYCHA in 2015 that went mostly unfulfilled in the succeeding years. Then in late 2018, amid negotiations with federal prosecutors and HUD over the future of the agency, the mayor unveiled an updated proposal, dubbed NYCHA 2.0.

He sought to tap private real estate firms for two elements of the proposal: managing public housing complexes and, in areas that could command high real estate prices, constructing market-rate buildings on open spaces or parking lots. Both have triggered opposition from residents, politicians and candidates for office.

The goal of bringing private management to 62,000 units  about one-third of the authoritys total  is on track and accounted for in Russ blueprint. Those apartments will be placed in the Obama-era program known as Rental Assistance Demonstration  which retains public ownership of land but provides vouchers for private firms to make capital improvements and then act as the landlord, taking the units off the books of the financially strapped authority.

However, the administrations plans for what is known in the housing world as infill development at two Manhattan sites have been blocked by tenants, elected officials and the courts, and the mayor has stopped advocating for it.

The current approach to the infill plan is the biggest headache for the least amount of money, said Moses Gates, vice president of housing and neighborhood planning for the Regional Plan Association, which has called for a public trust model for public housing.

The new proposition doesnt obviate the possibility of private development, which could still raise billions of dollars in capital money. But it presents a far less contentious option that would theoretically stabilize the balance of NYCHAs public housing units while maintaining end-to-end public control.

It does, however, depend on approval from Albany and Washington, D.C. The creation of the trust requires action by the state  far from a certainty, considering the ritualistic bickering that has characterized the relationship between the mayor and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz, chair of the Housing Committee, told POLITICO he has already been working on draft legislation for months and plans to be the sponsor. If he and city officials are able to convince Cuomo and legislative leaders  none of whom have yet weighed in on the notion  that the creation of a public nonprofit is a good idea, then the setup could also put NYCHA in a unique bargaining position in Washington.

In January 2019, HUD reached a settlement with the de Blasio administration following a federal lawsuit over gross mismanagement and deplorable living conditions. The pact, overseen by a federal monitor who declined to comment for this story, requires the city to come up with a plan to eliminate health and safety hazards in every apartment.

The authority says that would cost at least $18 billion more than what it projects to receive in revenue and would involve replacing kitchens, bathrooms and piping, for example, along with installing ventilation systems to tackle mold and rethinking the heating systems altogether. Stabilizing other portions of the properties, including community centers, grounds and cladding, would take another $7 billion.

The latest blueprint aims to achieve all of those goals. And it hinges on a cunningly literal reading of federal guidelines.

Under HUD rules, public housing units that are deemed obsolete are eligible to be transferred out of government control and into the hands of an outside organization. That organization, in turn, is eligible for an especially rich rental subsidy called tenant protection vouchers that are designed to fund the cost of both management and capital repairs. In this case, the newly formed public trust would serve as that outside entity.

By placing the onus for funding on the federal government, NYCHA would put HUD on the spot: Either get on board with the plan, which uses the agencys own guidelines, or reject it and potentially trigger a federal takeover, which several housing experts said Washington does not want.

Theres something clever about using HUDs own rules, said Rachel Fee, head of the New York Housing Conference.

Getting the massive level of investment to bring the entire portfolio up to a state of good repair will require strong advocacy from New Yorks congressional delegation and wading through complex D.C. politics that are currently in flux.

But the toughest audience may prove to be closest to home. In order to convince the state and federal governments that the plan is viable and will not be deadlocked by the same political and legal roadblocks of the past, NYCHA will need buy-in from tenants.

To that end, Russ is aiming for a proof of concept  around 10,000 units moving forward under the newly created trust  by the end of next year that he hopes will help his chances.

And while the plan envisions a reorganized agency that would be more responsive to resident needs and aims to include residents in the economic activity that would be generated, several leaders said they were not briefed nor consulted before the blueprint was released and that the move was part of a long pattern of exclusion.

As far as we are concerned, they continued to violate our civil rights, said Carmen Quinones, a tenant association president at Frederick Douglass Houses on the Upper West Side who has run her own food delivery system during Covid-19, hosted Patton in her apartment and has met with President Donald Trump. There is no inclusivity, yet we are supposed to be at the table. You cant make any plans without us.
Jeep didnt invent four-wheel drive, but they offered it long before it became popular.

Jeeps Cherokee nameplate dates back to the mid-1970s, and has graced five different platforms.

The current one was launched as a mid-size-ish SUV in 2014 and updated this year, with fresh front-end styling and an available 2.0-litre turbo four-pot engine, which my tester had.

In High Country trim with 10 Gs of options, it listed for $51,260.

Believe it or not, thats not bad for a mid-size-ish SUV these days.

Like most modern Chrysler products, the interior is nicely finished in high-quality materials.

The gauges are clear and bright, and the dash top is matte black to reduce glare.

The Nappa leather upholstery is also black, but the interior didnt feel as sombre as you might expect.

The vented and heated seats help you stay comfy year-round.

As usual, it will take some time to figure out what all the screens and buttons do.

There are all sorts of plugs, sockets and connectors to handle the electronics that are part of todays driving experience.

One thing that unfortunately caught my eye was that to get to SatNav from any other screen requires two touches: one to access the SatNav page and a second to get to the map. The map should come up right away.

The screen is nicely integrated into the dash, not looking like it was a grafted-on afterthought.

Cherokee fails both the side-view mirror adjustment test (you cant see whats coming up on your left side), and the ignition-off/lights-off test (we dont need more things beeping at us).

Shame and shame, respectively.

Cherokee handily seats five, although the middle rear-seat rider will have to fight for foot room.

It features sizable and nicely finished cargo space, especially with the split-folding rear seat down.

The button for the powered liftgate is on the side of the opening rather than on the liftgate itself, making it more accessible for everybody, notably the vertically disadvantaged.

The optional (for $995) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 270 hp at 5,250 r.p.m., and 295 lb.-ft. of torque from 3,000 to 4,500 r.p.m.

Unfortunately, when pressed it also produces a fair amount of racket. True, its decently quick, and scores about 1 L/100 km better fuel consumption ratings over the slightly less torquey 3.2-litre V-6. I recorded a low of 8.7 during my test.

Still, if you can afford a 50-grand truck, you can probably afford an extra couple bucks a week for fuel.

And you start with an extra grand in your jeans...

Thanks to the nine-speed automatic transmission, the turbo engine  if driven gently  will be below 3,000 r.p.m. most of the time, and its reasonably quiet at that point.

A manual shift option  pull the lever towards you  is correct: back for upshifts, forward for downshifts.

You can also use the steering wheel shift paddles.

Or just let it shift for itself, which it does well.

Ride quality is fine, and the truck handles decently by class standards.

As usual, I shut off all the nanny systems. They were especially annoying here because the 401 near my place is under construction, and the lane-keeping system was completely flummoxed by the rapidly changing lane markings and pavement surfaces.

There was an issue with shuddering brakes on my truck. At first I thought it was just the rough pavement, but it happened on smooth pavement, too.

Eventually it seemed to fix itself. Would that all mechanical issues could do that...

The sun shade on the optional full-length translucent sun/moonroof (does anybody know the difference?) can be rolled all the way back to let in more light; the roof itself can tilt or roll back about halfway. Personally, Id save the two grand this costs.

SUVs are often nothing more than suburban shopping carts.

But Cherokee has a serious off-road heritage.

To this end it offers Hill Descent Control to ease you down tricky slopes, and an Active Drive 1 system that lets the truck run as a front-driver until it senses the need for rear-wheel traction, at which point the rears automatically come to the party. The theory here is traction when necessary, better fuel consumption otherwise.

This comes with Selec-Terrain, whereby a twist of a knob lets you select settings for Snow, Sand/Mud and Sport, to tailor various mechanical systems to suit.

Sport actually shuts off the directional stability control system on the assumption that youre going to be booting it fairly hard.

You can manually switch this back on and still stay in Sport, which is probably the prudent thing to do.

The default Auto setting will handle most anything youre likely to toss at it.

My tester had the Trailer Tow group ($595), which includes added engine cooling, wiring for trailer lights, a hitch receiver, and interestingly, a proper spare tire.

Thus equipped, Cherokee can haul 1,800 kilograms.

One cool tidbit in modern Jeeps is a small logo in the lower right corner of the windshield, depicting a silhouette of the original Second World War army Jeep, considered by many to be the vehicle that won that war.

Jeeps have come a long way, notably in creature comforts, since then.

But driving one, you can feel a touch of pride in the heritage behind this brand.

And get a capable, comfortable truck in the bargain.

Jim Kenzie is a Toronto-based writer and a freelance contributor for the Star.

Jeep Cherokee High Country

Body style: compact/mid-size SUV, 5 seats

Drive method: Front-engine, front-wheel drive with automatically-engaging four-wheel drive on demand, nine-speed automatic transmission

Engine: 2.0 litre inline four (270 hp @ 5,250 r.p.m.; 280 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3,000-4,500 r.p.m.)

Fuel economy: (regular) 11.2/8.0/9.8 L/100 km city/highway/combined

Cargo volume, litres (cu ft): 731 (25.8) rear seat up / 1,549 (54.7) rear seat folded

Tow rating: As tested, 1,800 kg (4,000 lb.)

Price: High Country base list $40,995, as tested $51,260 excl. taxes.

Website: www.jeep.ca/en/cherokee
Many people will have heard of the Archive of the Indies in Seville city, a very famous building, but perhaps not so many are aware that its history dates back to 1598, during the reign of King Felipe II, when it was built as a market where merchants could exchange their goods. It was known then as the Casa de la Lonja de Mercaderes, and was inaugurated on 14 August.

After Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, Seville was awarded the monopoly on trade and the number of merchants operating in the city increased considerably as a result. As the existing facilities became too small, the traders began using the steps of the cathedral to transact their business because of its proximity to the port, but this had caused conflict with the ecclesiastical authorities and it was decided that they needed premises of their own .

The building, which has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1987, was designed by architect Juan de Herrera and is unsually Italianate in style. The construction started in 1584, and, although it was ready for occupation in 1598, work continued well into the 17th century before the structure was fully complete.

The Casa de la Lonja was two storeys high, built around a large central courtyard of stone with wide proportions, with arches fastened to pillars with half columns.

Within 100 years, Seville port had begun to silt up, trade decreased and the building was barely used and falling into disrepair. In 1785, King Carlos III decided that it should be repaired and used to store all the documentation about the administration of the Spanish colonies which, until then, had been held in Simancas, Cadiz, and elsewhere in Seville, and so it became the General Archive of the Indies.

Today it still contains 43,000 files with about 80 million pages and 8,000 maps and drawings. It is open to the public and is free of charge to visit.
Rain poured over Harris County Deputy Kendal Carter as he dove across rushing water to a dinged up, white Chevy S-10 Blazer, where a man in need of rescue waited on the hood.

Carter made it upstream to the submerged vehicle, clutching the roof and checking inside for more victims. Difficult for him to see in the dark, his only aid came from the flashing police lights that turned the water an alternating red and blue.

Then, the man on the hood jumped.

The deputys eyes popped wide, and flood water swept up the victim. In a split second, Carter lunged, grabbing the man in a neck hold while they fell back with the current to safety.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The rescue was just convincing enough to be real. The victim  another deputy  wasnt actually in danger, and he and Carter were indoors at a swift-water training facility.

It was very realistic, Carter said. It was bringing back flashbacks of the second night of Harvey.

Ten Harris County deputies participated in the training this week , even though most had experienced similar scenarios in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey. Much of those rescue efforts stemmed from pure instinct, however, prompting the Harris County Sheriffs Office to devote more resources to water training and equipment so deputies can prepare for the next major flood event with expertise that they never had during the areas historic storm.

That was a key element that was missing before, said Major Rolf Nelson, who oversees the sheriffs office disaster response. We were going out there and doing the best we could. I think we can be more effective and a lot safer now.

More prepared

The deputies filed in before 7:30 a.m. Monday at the Fathom Academy training facility in Georgetown, east of Southwestern University in the Texas Hill Country.

Inside was a raised 50,000 gallon pool, 4 feet deep and equipped with eight pumps that burst out water to simulate a flood. Four obstacles - stand-ins for trees or poles - sat in the rectangle along with the white Chevy Blazer. Sprinklers simulated the rain and instructors controlled the climate inside to mimic different types of weather.

On Monday, it was humid.

The lawmen sat for several hours in the morning, studying the basics from instructor Rick Cummins, a lean and upright Austin-area paramedic who has 18 swift water rescues to his name.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

They learned hazards they might encounter in the water, signals to ease communication and starters in knot tying. During breaks, the deputies conversations often drifted to some of the rescues they completed in Harvey, like a man who floated along while gripping a cooler that bobbed with a baby inside.

Clad in cargo shorts and pants, T-shirts, and old sneakers or water shoes, the 10 deputies plunged in for the most intensive parts of the training. Theyd stay in the water for the next day and a half.

Cummins said he considers the training space a laboratory. He switches up practices on the fly, asking the deputies to attempt rescues in ways he hasnt seen before. Some strategies he teaches because he learned them from his own rescues - like how crossing rushing floodwater is easier on one foot than two.

A lot of the way I teach is based on my experience in the field and not about what did, but what did not work, Cummins said of the two-day technician level course, which meets standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency.

Already this year, Fathom has trained more than 40 Harris County sheriffs deputies, although Nelson said he hopes to have a total of 90 certified.

The sheriffs office wasnt unequipped to deal with Hurricane Harvey, which struck Houston three years ago this month, the major said. The agency had air boats, shallow draft boats and decommissioned military vehicles for high-water rescues. They used Humvees to respond to routine calls and they had some personal flotation devices and ropes, but no training on how to use them.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

A marine unit has been trained in swift-water rescue for years, Nelson said, although patrolmen are also re-tasked to rescue missions during floods.

Deputy Mark Barboza said he and others made do with what they had during Harvey. But afterward, the sheriffs office sought their opinions on how to better handle future disasters.

After Harvey, they kind of opened it back up to us, he said after completing a drill.

Some of the changes include increasing the air boat fleet - the sheriffs office obtained two more in the last year - and ramping up different types of water training. Theyve purchased over 100 personal floatation devices for rescues, are buying 100 bags of ropes to throw to victims and plan to outfit all rescuers with life jackets.

Ideally, the sheriffs office will have 10 high-water rescue vehicles operating at a time, Nelson said. Nine trained deputies would work on each truck, accompanied by a jon boat and an air boat.

No one can accurately foresee the devastation wrought by every future hurricane, but the area has experienced enough major floods for sheriffs office leaders to know that the training, which is expected to cost about $47,000, is worth the investment. Time and time again, Harris County residents find themselves trapped in their homes or cars during a flood, fearful of whats to come.

Those people feel oftentimes get the impression that theyre on their own, Nelson said. We want to make sure that no one ever feels like theyre in that position.

A good starter

Inside Fathom Academy, the deputies repeatedly withstood pumps blasting water straight at their faces, the force pushing them back. They learned how to let the current safely take them downstream, how to do lateral dives into the water and how to cross a stream on foot.

They dove into the pool while attached to ropes, retrieving a victim in time for other team members to pull them back in. They hauled themselves through moving water and over strainers - horizontal barriers like fallen trees - and they trudged through oncoming rapids, gripping each other in a line to rescue victims in a car or behind a tree. They flipped boats, they paddled upstream.

Not every deputy succeeded at every challenge, but they were eager and uncomplaining, improving each time.

Sgt. Johnny Reyes, who participated in the training, said the sheriffs office would have benefited from all of this knowledge during Harvey.

If we would have had this training, it would have been much simpler, he said. This is a good starter.

Final rescues

The training culminated in five final, multi-rescue scenarios. The victims were unpredictable, and the deputies didnt have every tool at their disposal  sometimes boats, sometimes ropes, but always quick thinking.

In the last round, Barboza freestyle swam from obstacle to obstacle against the current, making his way to the vehicle. He pulled a victim out, locked his arms under hers and fell back into the water, the current taking them to shore. One down.

Deputy Peter Manickos went next, stationing himself at the first barrier and training his eyes on a man climbing out of the car window. He threatened to jump, and Manickos dove for him, grabbing the mans hand. He pulled him down, and they fell back. Two.

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The scenario then broke into a rapid-fire series of rescues. Deputy Jonathan Tirk hauled himself on top of the car, tossed a rope to a woman trapped behind a pillar and missed. He tossed the rope to another, more accessible victim and connected, lugging her in.

Tirk dragged her to the top of the car, but she was unstable, so Deputy Anthony Robicheaux swam out to help. Three.

Trying again, Tirk threw the rope back to the victim hed missed. He pulled her up in one cumbersome swoop, and more deputies traversed to the car as a fifth victim grabbed on to a rope. They took the remaining two to shore. Four. Five.

Tirk stood on the car and yelled to see if anyone else was left in the water. After a minute standing under the sprinklers and flashing sirens, the lights flicked on, once again revealing the setting to be the training facility.

It wasnt an actual storm, but the deputies knew they could be in one soon enough.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
- A presidential aspirant in the upcoming elections has claimed that not more than 10 ministries are needed to run a country

- Kofi Koranteng said the effectiveness of a government cannot be tied to the size of the government

- He explained that it is important for people to elect a leadership structure that applies a science based data driven human-centred consciousness to the way things are done

Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Kofi Koranteng, a presidential aspirant in the upcoming elections, has claimed that not more than 10 ministries are needed to run a country.

According to Kofi Koranteng, having a lot of ministries does not guarantee the effectiveness of a government.

He made this known while speaking at a presidential debate organised by IMANI Africa and JoyNews.

Presidential aspirant, Kofi Koranteng Source: UGC

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Woman who divorced hubby after 6 months cautions women against hacking partners' phones

Kofi Koranteng said:

Efficiency is what gives you effectiveness. Because we are coming in with a science-based data-driven human-centred government we know exactly what needs to be done."

Kofi Koranteng said if Ghanaians give him the chance to become the president of Ghana, he would run a very tight government with only 10 ministries.

He mentioned the Agriculture, Energy, Employment, Entrepreneurial Development, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Health, Interior, Trade and Industry, and Justice as the ministries he would be working with to run the country.

He explained that it is important for people to elect a leadership structure that applies a science based data driven human-centred consciousness to the way things are done.

READ ALSO: 15 Million Ghanaians have bank accounts thanks to MoMo interoperability - Bawumia

In other news, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang says the National Democratic Congress will increase maternity leave from three to four months if they win the December polls. She says they will also ensure women have enough time to themselves during the pregnancy stage.

The former Education Minister noted at an event to mark International Youth Day:

"I sympathise with young mothers, but you will be happy to know when our manifesto is launched that we have increased the maternity leave.

"We have moved it from three months to four months fully paid maternity leave and we are also going to ensure that until the child is nine months, the woman truly has time."

READ ALSO: Education Minister breaks silence on reopening of schools; lists conditions

John Mahama can create 1 million jobs in 8 years" - Sam George:

Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page!

Source: YEN.com.gh
Since he switched camp from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Highlife musician Lucky Mensah has not looked back.



In 2016, the 'Aduu Sumo Akwadu' hitmaker threw his support behind then-candidate Nana Akufo-Addo after being disillusioned by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



And as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) seeks another term in office this year, Lucky Mensah says the NPP and President Akufo-Addo have his full support.



This year, I am still supporting Nana Addo to complete the good works he has started. I supported him in the last elections and he has fulfilled his campaign promises so I am going all out for him. Nana needs another four years to complete the good works he has started.



Everybody should be patient during this election year. Share your thoughts in a civil manner, not by fighting. Like I did in 2016, I am appealing to all my fans and Ghanaians to support Nana Addo to enable him to continue with his good works, he said.



As he has done over the years, Lucky Mensah has released a song titled 'Nana Toaso' in which he encourages the President to continue with his good works.



While the perception is that musicians compose songs for political parties for monetary gain, Lucky Mensah said he doesnt go that way.



I dont do political songs for money. I base my songs on messages. Nana Addo talked about his Free SHS way back in 2008 and even in 2012 I didnt believe he could do it, but in 2016 I had a strong inner conviction that he will deliver on his promise so I supported him and he has indeed delivered, he stated.



Giving his views on celebrities declaring their support for political parties, Lucky Mensah said there was nothing wrong with that. If you are a celebrity and you support a political party and you dont come out openly, what kind of support can you give the party? Dont be a coward, come out openly.



Ghana is for all of us. It happens in the West so why cant we do the same here? It is the opportunists who wait till the party wins and then come out to show their support. Be bold and show your support for the party of your choice, he said.



Lucky Mensah also used the opportunity to urge politicians not to see celebrities who dont support them as enemies.



Politicians shouldnt think we are enemies when we dont support them. When I released Nkratuo in 2010, I received a lot of threats. We are all sharing our thoughts, it doesnt make us enemies.



I have opened the way for other musicians to follow suit so allow us to follow whatever party we want to and dont threaten us for making our choice, he said.



Lucky Mensah added that he would launch Nana Toaso at a yet-to-be-decided date in Accra. Meanwhile, he has a collaboration with Sista Afia coming up titled M3das3n. He also has a Ga song titled Shaa Wele coming up dedicated to his Ga fans.



Aside from music, Lucky Mensah does other businesses that he opened up about.



I have a hotel called Dejojo Mens Hotel at Kwabenya. It went down a bit during the lockdown but is gradually picking up. My wife and I also run a bread business Lucky Mensahs Bakery and it is doing well.



I also have an events centre at Kwabenya, as well as the Lucky Mensah Live Band which plays at programmes around the country and a recording studio, he stated.







Source: Graphic.com.gh









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

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A new home was found on Friday for 25 hatchlings of the endangered black softshell turtle, or, as they are biologically called Nissonia nigricans, a species listed as extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in a bid to boost their population in the wilderness.

The month-old hatchlings were shifted from the pond at Nagshankar temple in Assams Sonitpur district to a facility run by Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) in Biswanath district, where they will be reared for nearly a year before their release into the wild.

Earlier, there have been attempts at taking hatchlings straight from the pond and releasing them directly into the wild. But since they were very small, chances of their survival were rather slim, said Shailendra Singh, TSA, chief, India.

Fridays relocation is the first time that individuals of the species have been transferred from the temple pond to a specialised turtle facility in Assams Biswanath district for their conservation, he added.

The black softshell turtle is native to major rivers and their tributaries in India and neighbouring Bangladesh.

The majority of this species population, however, lives in sacred temple ponds.

The Nagshankar temple pond, which has around 250-300 such turtles, has one of the biggest captive population of the species.

Though the IUCN list mentions the species as extinct in the wild, in the past 10-15 years few black softshell turtles have been spotted in the Brahmaputra river basin in Assam.

Unfortunately, the turtles presence was not documented.

We collected the turtle eggs in April and incubated them artificially in the Nagshankar temple premises. The hatchlings were born in July. We will raise them until they weigh around 1 kilogram (kg), which should take about one year. This will reduce the possibility of predation and increase their survival chances in the wild, said Parimal Ray, project coordinator, TSA.

The organisation has been working with Nagshankar temple authorities and other temple management committees in Assam since 2013 by looking after the upkeep of the ponds and their turtle population.

Simultaneously, TSA has been working on a strategy to rebuild the turtles wild population in the Brahmaputra river basin.

This is an encouraging initiative, as the numbers of the species seen in the wild are low and not meticulously documented. Rearing them in a facility until they are a bit bigger will increase their chances of survival in the wild, said Mukut Chandra Das, divisional forest officer (DFO), Biswanath.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is an assistant editor based in Guwahati. He covers all eight states of North-East and was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times . ...view detail
Have you ever got one of those letters, We are writing to inform you of a security incident involving certain personal information you provided? You likely have and you know how you felt about the business at that moment.

Have you ever had to send one? Imagine having to do that and think about all those customers contemplating your business at that moment. Now imagine that youre Postbank, the banking division of South Africas Post Office. They had taken precautions to protect their and customers data but they now face losses of more than $3 million and must replace 12 million credit cards at an expected cost of approximately $58 million. Fines and loss of customer trust are yet to be determined.

They had protected data with encryption and protected the encryption keys with a master key. Then, one or more employees (likely with privileged user access) gained access during a datacenter move and printed the master key  the key to rule all keys. There was nothing elegant here, no ring of organized criminals, no sophisticated breaching tools  just opportunity and a printer.

No one wants to be faced with that. Losses. Fines. Customer trust. Can your business withstand it? And this is just one example. A quick search on the web shows that stolen Personally Identifiable Information from 386 million consumers was posted online in a hacker forum  for free. In July 2020 alone.

Change is Risky Business

With the level of change today, is it even possible to protect against breaches and risks? Cyber-attacks come from pseudo-amateurs with opportunity and from organized criminals with an evolving arsenal of tools. A large part of the global workforce is now working off-site exposing our networks, systems, and data to new threat vectors and inconsistent protections. Every day brings new challenges, new disruptions, new risks.

So how do we solve the challenge so we can avoid imagining ourselves in the unenviable position of sending out a breach letter?

When it comes to security, it is critically important to always be prepared and a step ahead of change. Why? Change introduces risk. Change is often unpredictable as weve seen in recent months with an instantaneous shift to full-time remote knowledge workers! This is why we always need to be prepared. But how do we get to a state of prepared bliss when day-to-day tasks keep us busy?

Minimize disruptions.

If we reduce firefighting, we can allocate the time saved to strategic planning and implementation to keep security top-notch and further reduce our risk and our firefighting. Security is the constant element amongst all others in our business that cannot fail. The stakes to our brand, regardless of what regulations govern our business, are too high!

When applied to mainframes, these stakes amplify. Mainframes secure over 70% of the worlds mission-critical data. They support our global economy processing 90% of global credit card transactions and hosting core banking applications for more than 90% of the worlds top 100 banks. It is unlikely that any of us can go through an entire day without interacting with a Mainframe.

The good news is that with strategic planning, we can maintain a solid security foundation. The Mainframe has always been a pillar others look up to when it comes to security. It is arguably the most securable IT platform. But digital transformation and unpredictable global events are driving environmental shifts! This can increase risk if we dont keep pace and ensure we implement modern security on all IT platforms.

Whats keeping us busy and holding us back?

Many factors fuel firefighting and hold us back from strategic planning.

Cybersecurity skeleton crews

Complexity and lack of automation

Modern threats without the implementation of modern protections

Cybersecurity Skeleton Crew

High demand has created a shortage of skilled cybersecurity workers. This poses a real challenge as training new employees and building experience takes time before you have a knowledgeable, productive worker ready to make solid, independent security decisions. Where do I find qualified staff? How can I train employees in the skills I need? These are common questions when seeking cybersecurity staff for critical Mainframe infrastructure.

Complexity and Lack of Automation

That crosscut handsaw is an outstanding tool when youre putting up a mailbox post. And it will do the job when youre building a garage  but wouldnt some automation be better? Same question for IT security  wouldnt automation help us get more done and make addressing complex tasks easier? Just as with skilled workers, automation is another key element that requires an upfront investment. It becomes apparent very quickly how automation frees up time for strategic initiatives.

Some large enterprises have 90% of their user accounts and entitlements that need cleanup. Imagine how long that takes to do manually and what doesnt get done as a result. Complexity makes it difficult to see all the risks, and pockets of manual work slow us down and prevent us from being strategic.

Modern Threats without the Implementation of Modern Protections

Firefighting will ensue if we try to solve modern risks with archaic processes. Even the Mainframe, the pillar of security strength, must modernize security efforts as the context of the environment in which it runs continuously changes. As weve connected the Mainframe into networks to expose more value to more users and customers, weve also created more risk. We need to respond to the security, risk, compliance, and privacy needs of today with tools to match. The Mainframe is no longer the machine behind the curtain!

Ive noted some real challenges. Its ok to feel overwhelmed but never defeated. There are steps we can take that will free up some time to ensure we can once again plan, keep pace with change, and even move one step ahead! A platform can only be as secure as we make it through deploying a modern strategy.

Solutions

Building Beyond the Cybersecurity Skeleton Crew

The demand isnt decreasing, so how do we resolve the shortage of cybersecurity workers. Vendors may offer training. For example, at Broadcom, we take steps to help organizations upskill. We offer free online product education  but we also train to a much deeper level. We will train your staff face-to-face as part of our New Hire training. The same classes we deliver for our Associate Software Engineers. Seven weeks of intense training on everything Mainframe  including soft skills, technical topics such as z/OS basics, security, TPX, TSO/ISPF, REXX, and Assembler.

Or, if you are having trouble finding talent, we will invest with you through our Vitality Residency Program. Through the program, we will hire new talent and train them to be Mainframe experts in our products. Once they are fully trained, with initial experience gained through an on-site residency at your business, they transition and become one of your employees fully certified in our solutions  all at little to no cost to you.

Trained workers result in a huge return on the time investment  employees develop skills in the exact areas your organization needs, have access to our experts and a mentor even after they transition to your organization, and gain knowledge that takes the guesswork out of their day-to-day tasks which means less risk. Think about the rapid scramble caused by COVID-19. In such events, we may not be able to scale to rapid security requests with existing skills. Think about the competitive advantage to your organization by taking advantage of a skill-building offer!

Solving Complexity and Simplifying through Automation

Integrating your Mainframe into your SOC or SIEM can solve many issues. Having a consistent dashboard across the enterprise ensures were taking advantage of all available skills and offers opportunities to address vulnerabilities before they become threats. Mainframe security tools from Broadcom support interoperability and integration of data with many popular SIEMS such as Splunk, QRadar, LogRhythm, and others to help you simplify and automate across the enterprise.

Automation is also a good way to gain a large buy-back in time. So  where do we start? Configuration compliance can deliver significant ROI through automation. Let the tools do the work. Get started with MRI Security Essentials and see right through the complexity. Customers have reported a 94% reduction in the time it took to monitor and check their security configuration settings  using an automated tool such as MRI Security Essentials versus manual labor. Or consider applying a tool like CA Cleanup to that user account and entitlements problem.

Modern Threats Solved with Modern Protections

Mainframes are the most securable IT platform, but it isnt automatic. We need to ensure we deploy on Mainframes the same protections we apply to hybrid/cloud systems. A re-evaluation of Mainframe security will highlight modernization efforts that can deliver savings in time and a reduction in risk in the digitally transformed world.

A simple assessment can determine if commonly used distributed security controls  Multi-Factor Authentication, privileged user management, or data classification  are also deployed in the Mainframe environment? You may find that as attention has been focused elsewhere on distributed systems or cloud hot spots, some gaps appeared and need to be filled in Mainframe environments.

MRI Security Essentials is a great starting point and you can also examine tools to help you advance the entire Mainframe security lifecycle on the Broadcom Mainframe Security website. Our solutions work with all three Mainframe ESMs  Top Secret, ACF2, and RACF.

Mainframe environments often process over 100,000 security calls a second! Thats a lot of reason to justify a solid security strategy and a re-evaluation of your efforts. Remember, busy is only in the eye of the beholder and may not move you towards your security goals! Strategic, on the other hand, will result in fulfilling your security goals and better long-term success!

Stop the Firefighting and Advance Your Mainframe Security Today!
Researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) have collaborated to create a universal design schema for navigation technologies to better support people with disabilities in getting from place to place. Although studies about assistive technologies and navigation have become more popular in recent years, the researchers argue that current research has been too narrow in its view of people with disabilities. For this study, researchers worked with technology users with a broad and diverse range of disabilities to find similarities and differences in their navigation preferences. They then used those findings to create a schema that can inform the design of future technologies.

The project was led by Maya Gupta, an alumna of UMBC's information systems program and current UCI graduate student in informatics; Ravi Kuber, associate professor of information systems at UMBC; and Stacy Branham, assistant professor of informatics at UCI. The research was accepted by the 2020 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2020). Although the conference was cancelled due to COVID-19, the research was published in online conference proceedings and made available as a virtual presentation on May 20. The research was funded by Toyota, as part of the University Mobility Challenge to improve navigation experiences.

The participants in this study had visual, mobility, cognitive, and hearing disabilities, as well as disabilities related to aging.

From the data, the researchers were able to identify main themes within the navigation techniques used by people in this study. They revealed key similarities in preferences across people with different types of disabilities, such as experiencing difficulty navigating in the presence of a large crowd. They also noted key differences in preferences, such as closeness of traffic. For example, people with visual impairments preferred to use the noise of nearby traffic as a means of keeping to a straight path, but it caused distraction and disorientation for others.

Based on the preferences of the study participants, the researchers were able to identify a schema for designers to use in order to think about the user experience for people with a range of abilities. This fits within a relevant trend in technology design: universal usability. Being able to create navigation technologies that are usable for as broad and diverse a population as possible helps to promote accessibility for all users. It also decreases stigma against people with differing abilities.

UMBC Ph.D. student Ali Abdolrahmani, who has assisted in conducting interviews with participants and analyzing the collected data, has a personal interest in expanding technology for people with disabilities, as he identifies as blind. "We greatly believe that understanding common needs of different groups will eventually lead to a more universal design for future technologies towards having more equal life experience in the society," he says. The findings of this research can be used to develop prototypes and systems that better support navigation based on an individual's preferences.

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As India gets ready to celebrate its 74th year of independence, Twitter India has dedicated its Independence Day special emoji to dedicate this years celebrations to Indian soldiers.

The social media service unveiled the emoji to honour the Indian Armed Forces, through a vibrant depiction of the National War Memorial, which is located near the India Gate in New Delhi.

This emoji tribute joins the Ministry of Defences special initiative titled #SaluteTheSoldier to pay homage to the lives of the valiant Indian soldiers. The Ministry has also launched a dedicated Twitter account for the National War Memorial (@salute2soldier). Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) will be launching the emoji on the eve of Independence Day, August 14.

Twitter emoji on Independence Day 2020. (Twitter)

The design of the emoji represents the innermost structure of the War Memorial, called the Amar Chakra or the Circle of Immortality.

The emoji will be live until August 18, and can be tweeted in English and several Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Kannada, Punjabi, Marathi, Malayalam, Bengali, Telugu, Gujarati, and Oriya.

Indians living across the globe will be able to participate in Independence Day conversations and celebrate with the emoji using the following hashtags: #IndiaIndependenceDay, #, #, # , #, #, #, #, #, #, #, #, #IDay2020, #NationalWarMemorial, and #SaluteTheSoldier.

This is the sixth edition of an Independence Day-special emoji by Twitter India, having featured creative symbols for the Ashoka Chakra, Red Fort, the Indian National Flag in the previous years.

Twitter observes the vibrant Indian culture with celebratory initiatives and activations for special days, events and festivals. Emojis are one of the most creative means of expression on social media and messaging apps. There are over 2,500 emojis available as of today.

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Fall down seven times. Get up eight times.

Japanese Proverb

New York City is dying  or, at least, so I've read in the newspapers. The New York Post claims that families are fleeing the Upper West Side because of hotels turned into homeless shelters, The New York Times reports that national retail chains are shuttering their Manhattan locations and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is fearful that Billionaires Row has permanently moved from West 57th Street to East Hampton  and along with it a large chunk of New York Citys tax base.

Like every longtime New Yorker, I've seen such claims of its imminent demise before. They weren't proven out then and they won't be this time. The question is not whether New York will ever come back, but when and how. The COVID-19 crisis can be shortened if the city and the state stay the course and adopt the right package of measures to effectively combat the virus through the fall and winter, get schools up and running and bring back residents and businesses sooner rather than later.

Like the mythical Phoenix that rises from the ashes, New York City will make a powerful comeback in the coming years and will once again prove to the naysayers that, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of our death are greatly exaggerated.

In just my lifetime, since the early 1960s, I have witnessed multiple crises that have challenged our great city: in 1968 the assassination of both New York Sen. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. in the same year that student protestors at Columbia University shocked the country by taking over school buildings; the fiscal crisis and rampant crime of the 1970s, epitomized by famous movies such as Death Wish;" the crack epidemic and racist violence in Howard Beach in the 1980s; the first World Trade Center bombing and the Crown Heights riot in the 1990s; 9/11 and the Great Recession in the aughts; Hurricane Sandy, widening inequality and the tragic ascendancy of New Yorks least favorite billionaire to the White House in the teens. Through it all, New York City has persevered. Abandonment, arson and blight have been supplanted by waves of new immigrants and the innovation and rebuilding that was needed to get New York back on track.

And in the first year of this new decade, New York is now very slowly emerging from our greatest challenges ever: a twin health and economic crisis with an overlay of frequent clashes between protesters and police over criminal justice reforms and the widening inequality that the COVID-19 crisis has exposed in an even harsher light.

These past six months have felt like a collective nightmare that we cannot just shrug off and move on  this multiple cascading of crises has brought our city to its proverbial knees: almost half a million New Yorkers have fled the city, the unemployment rate hovers at a mind-boggling 20 percent, small businesses and retailers are shuttering for good, the crime rate is shooting up for the first time in two decades and hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are facing eviction and food shortages that were unimaginable just a year ago.

This is an extremely deep hole to climb out of, so where do we start? Who will rise up, as the New York Times lamented last week, to be the ultimate civic cheerleader like former Mayor Ed Koch and the shrewd uniter of labor and business like former Gov. Hugh Carey in another crisis-ridden era?

We must think strategically in the short-term and medium-term to douse these multiple bonfires. (As famous economist John Maynard Keynes famously said about focusing long-term: In the long run, were all dead.)

First and foremost, we must continue to tamp down the COVID-19 crisis in our city through the scientific mitigation measures that are working: mandatory mask wearing, extreme social distancing, limiting of crowds in indoor spaces, widespread testing and tracing and vigilant hand-washing and hygiene. If these containment measures prolong our economic challenges for the next few months, it is the steep price we have to pay to right the ship of state for the next decade. As the governor reminds us each day, we cant let our guard down  lest we become Florida or Texas or other hotspots in this country that re-opened way too quickly.

Also in the short term, we must prove that public education can be executed well, despite the challenges we face this fall and winter. Right now, City Hall has divergent views from the teachers and principals unions. This will not lead to the smooth, synchronous rollout of the new school year that will be essential. Im a big believer that outdoor learning, at least for middle school and high school students, will be a necessary ingredient to ensure that we have a relatively safe fall semester while we patiently await a vaccine in early 2021. Colleges must also be creative and erect outdoor tents and use their campuses to facilitate outdoor learning.

We also must avert the looming housing crisis  the city should work with residential landlords to devise a program that allows for forbearance in rent payments for those adversely impacted by large-scale unemployment. At the same time, the city and the state need to help landlords get through this period with a combination of tax breaks and bridge loans so that they can work out longer term repayment schedules with their economically challenged tenants.

The city must also figure out how to reverse the retail apocalypse in New York, particularly in Manhattan. Large chains and big restaurants are fleeing, much like the flight of well-heeled New Yorkers to less-crowded suburbs or tax-advantageous states such as Florida. Perhaps this is an opportunity for the city to finally institute commercial rent regulations in return for federal and city subsidies to incentivize new small businesses to open in the emptying retail districts. Can we actually bring back, through targeted subsidies, mom and pop shops that the banks and drugstores and other large chains have chased out of our neighborhoods? Can we convert the overabundance of Class B and C commercial real estate to affordable housing and solve two problems at once?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo joked that hes inviting rich New Yorkers over for home-cooked meals to persuade them not to abandon the city and he more seriously argued that any tax increase would harm those efforts. But the budget gap must be solved, so there is no doubt that increased taxes on the wealthy are necessary. Perhaps, though, they can be enacted by the Legislature for three years and then sunset, to get us through the coming challenging period. If they are not permanent, then these wealthy New Yorkers will have less reason to flee. We can appeal to the civic pride of wealthy New Yorkers to hang in and do their fair share to get our weakened City back on its feet. And a pied a terre tax on those that dont live in New York full time but benefit from its abundant services is a no-brainer in this revenue-starved environment.

But like the 1970s, there needs to be shared sacrifice. City government must do more with less; perhaps eliminating overtime in the NYPD and FDNY and other city agencies could avert mass layoffs. A freeze on both hiring and wage increases for government employees for at least one year may be necessary to stem the looming cuts to city employee headcount, which the mayor estimates to be 22,000 in October, almost 7% of the municipal workforce.

Labor unions will have to get in a room with business and real estate leaders like Kathy Wylde of the Partnership for NYC and Jim Whelan from REBNY, and devise ways to work together to get New York to the other side of this fiscal cliff. In the absence of leadership from City Hall, labor and business and real estate need to fill the vacuum like Victor Gotbaum, Felix Rohatyn and Lew Rudin did in the 1970s. Theres a playbook from that era that our current crop of mayoral candidates should be studying now.

To combat the soaring crime rate, there are a number of fixes that need to be implemented in the coming months. The NYPD should use Compstat to flood the zone with undercover police in illegal gun hotspots and implement an aggressive gun buyback program to get guns off the streets. Much of the increase in crime is in poorer areas of the city; if shootings and violent crime were skyrocketing on the Upper East Side, I suspect even our progressive mayor and his NYPD Commissioner would be forced to attack this problem more urgently than they have done in the past two months.

Policing needs to be redefined and the scope of responsibilities shrunk to crime prevention and reacting to and solving violent crimes; for matters like penalizing traffic infractions or dealing with domestic abuse and mentally ill homeless people, wed be better served by civilian employees who are specialists who will not walk around with a gun. This will start to defuse the tensions that bubbled over this summer throughout the country  and led to protests and some looting in the city  because many New Yorkers are understandably frustrated with continued inaction on meaningful police reform. The NYPD needs more focused job descriptions, so that police are set up to succeed rather than to fail; we need to decriminalize many non-violent crimes like drug possession, prostitution and petty larceny that have contributed to our shameful mass incarceration crisis.

There are so many flames burning in our city right now that its easy to throw up your hands and say that the fire will consume us. In the citys low point in the 1970s, the iconic slogan for New York was the Bronx is burning. Well, the Bronx made an impressive comeback the last two decades and our city will do the same in the next two to three years.

To accomplish this, we need enlightened politicians who are driven less by ideology and performative leadership, but rather by pragmatism and the ability to creatively turn around failing policies and institutions.

If New York is indeed one large corporation, then we need a turnaround artist who can roll up their sleeves to do the hard work of preaching shared sacrifice and can unite all interest groups in the city in a coordinated way to rebuild New York better, more equal and more just than it has ever been.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 12:30:28|Editor: huaxia

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An exhibitor introduces Wisconsin jade to visitors at the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 7, 2018. (Xinhua/Wang Jianhua)

Let business be business; geopolitical issues are too heavy for business to carry. "Let business become the stabilizer for the relationship."

by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Pan Lijun

NEW YORK, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders from both the United States and China have called for recalibrating U.S. policies on China and building up bilateral trust via dialogue, as Chinese companies operating in the United States become less satisfied with the investment and business environment in the country.

Some 19 percent of respondents said they are unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with the U.S. investment and business environment, according to a newly released survey report of 160 Chinese companies operating in the United States conducted by the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC).

The disapproval rate is higher than the 16 percent in 2019 and 5 percent in 2018, according to the survey.

Photo taken on April 27, 2020 shows people posing for a photo with the face masks donated by China's Fujian Province in Oregon, the United States. (Xinhua)

The survey also showed that 26 percent respondents believe that U.S. investment and business environment would decline at least moderately in the next two years, which is roughly in line with 33 percent in 2019 but much higher than 12 percent in 2018 and 5 percent in 2017.

"We have to keep national security concerns in perspective. Not everything is a national security emergency," said Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council in a panel discussion on the occasion of releasing the survey report.

It is "a very negative trend that we need to defend ourselves against," Allen said, adding that both sides should work on building up mutual trust, "which is at a historic low right now."

"It is certainly something that we can achieve together," he said.

Workers of Stonington Lobster Coop collect lobster traps from a lobster boat at a dock in Stonington of Maine, the United States, Feb. 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

The United States should recalibrate the policy of rule of law, said Chris Marlin, president of Lennar International, adding that U.S. laws target certain kinds of countries and actors in a way that may appear to others as discriminatory.

That calls into question the notion of rule of law in the United States, Marlin said.

The China-U.S. relationship needs to be recalibrated, said William Zarit, chairman of American Chamber of Commerce in China, adding that statesmanship is required.

Let business be business; geopolitical issues are too heavy for business to carry, said Ni Pin, president of Wanxiang America Corporation and chairman of CGCC Chicago.

"Let business become the stabilizer for the relationship," said Ni.

Policymakers have to determine what they really want, said Ni, adding that if they want a constructive result, they cannot use a destructive approach. 
Education Minister angry over results downgrading

The Education Minister says he's 'incredibly angry' after the downgrading of A-Level results on the Island.

Dr Alex Allinson has accused the exam board of lowering predicted marks by up to three grades.

Mr Allinson said the education department would work with Island schools to appeal.

"Whilst appeals have already been lodged on behalf of students, this awful situation was entirely preventable if the predicted grades from teachers had been respected. I apologise for the stress and worry this has caused for so many families on our island.", he added.

Exam board Cambridge International said it would "consider each appeal carefully and make changes where needed".
The Indian Army on Friday said that weapons, ammunition and Pakistan currency was recovered after a two-day-long search operation in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, the Chinar Corps said that the search operation was launched on August 11 based on inputs about the presence of weapon and ammunition cache, adding that the recoveries were made on August 13.

Op Trenarian (Dogi Pahad), Baramulla. Search operation was launched on 11 Aug 20 based on inputs about presence of weapon/ ammunition cache. Recoveries made on 13 Aug 20

-3xPistols with magazine & ammunition

-73xAK rounds

-2xDetonator

-15xGrenades

-Pakistan currency.#Kashmir pic.twitter.com/MB1RJsFhBG  Chinar Corps - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) August 14, 2020

In the Operation Trenarian (Dogi Pahad), three pistols with magazine and ammunition, 73 AK rounds, two detonators, 15 grenades and Pakistan currency was found, tweeted the Army.

"Op Trenarian (Dogi Pahad), Baramulla. Search operation was launched on 11 Aug 20 based on inputs about presence of weapon/ ammunition cache. Recoveries made on 13 Aug 20 -3xPistols with magazine & ammunition, -73xAK rounds, -2xDetonator, -15xGrenades, -Pakistan currency," tweeted the Chinar Corps.
Two merchants in Seoul's crowded Dongdaemun Market found positive for coronavirus on Thursday and about a dozen were tested, following about a dozen merchants in Namedaemun Market who tested positive earlier this week.

The number of new cases soared to 104 as of Friday morning, the first time in about 20 days to surpass 100 a day.

A spike in the number of coronavirus infections in the Seoul metropolitan area is raising alarms.

Kwon Jun-wook, the deputy chief of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters, "What we're seeing now is a more serious crisis than the mass infections that were traced to clubs in Itaewon in May."

Kwon added that the latest group infections are cropping up all over the capital after a "silent transmission" phase, unlike the Itaewon infections that were traced to a single location. "It makes them more difficult to trace and contain," Kwon said.

Some 47 out of 56 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday became infected in local communities, and 25 of them were traced to Seoul and 16 to surrounding Gyeonggi Province.

"We're going to have a difficult time containing the spread of the virus this weekend due to the long Liberation Day weekend and large rallies that are scheduled," he added.

Education officials are concerned about a raft of infections in schools that are set to reopen early next month.

"If the situation worsens, we may have to tighten social-distancing measures," Kwon said.
Since the courthouse entrance on the south end of the Hamilton County Courthouse has been closed to any entrance/exit traffic since 9/11, I doubt that it has been given as much attention as professed by the advocates for the removal of General A. P. Stewart. The General seems to have tried to rectify his military career by serving as the first superintendent of the Chickamauga Battlefield and presiding over the reunion of the Blue and Gray veterans in 1893 that had the effect of a sincere effort to heal the wounds and scars of the Civil War.

General Stewart may have fought for the South but he does not carry the baggage of Nathan Bedford Forrest who is charged with the massacre of blacks at Fort Pillow in West Tennessee and being the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

The Daughters of the Confederacy were one of the main groups that claimed that the Civil War was fought over the issue of States Rights and not Slavery.

The grieving widows and mothers of slain and wounded soldiers of the South were instrumental in creating the Lost Cause image that led to the erection and naming of many statues and monuments honoring fallen Rebel soldiers and leaders of the Confederacy.

There is a quote by the poet George Santayana that deserves repeating and it states that Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

The current movement of Black Lives Matter addresses the same issues that have been fought for years by Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman and many other sincere and dedicated individuals who have advocated for an advancement of civil rights for all of the races and not to just benefit their political and financial agendas.

The BLM movement should more appropriately be called American Lives Matter if its objective and goal is to eliminate bias and prejudice from all citizens of our Country.

General A. P. Stewart should not be a pawn in rhetoric designed to divide our country rather than to unify it.

He should be recognized as someone who attempted to overcome his past and tried to unify the veterans of the tragic events of the Civil War.

Taking down monuments does not remove history.

The good intentions of all races to work toward solutions to correct the wrongs of the past and hopeful advancement of the future are the real issues.
A church in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, was shut down, Friday, after a cluster infection of the coronavirus. / Yonhap



As South Korea is experiencing a new wave of community infections of the novel coronavirus in the Seoul metropolitan area, small and medium-sized churches have emerged again as a hotbed of the virus outbreak.



The country reported 85 locally transmitted cases on Friday and 56 on Thursday. The Friday figure marked the highest daily number of domestic infections since 88 on March 31. The sharp gain is largely led by sporadic cluster outbreaks linked to regular services and small group gatherings of Protestant churches in Seoul and its surrounding areas.



According to the health authorities, over the past few days, nearly 200 cases have stemmed from the regions' six churches and one missionary society. Some 140 patients are church congregants and 55 are their family members and friends.



About 72 infections have been traced to a church in Yongin, south of Seoul, while 24 patients have been linked to congregants of a church in Goyang, just north of Seoul.



In another institution in Goyang, 34 followers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and some of them have transmitted the virus to a child care center and an outdoor market in downtown Seoul.



Some 19 people associated with a church in northern Seoul have contracted COVID-19. The Seoul metropolitan government ordered the shutdown of the religious institution, with some 1,900 people to be tested.



At the same time, the provincial government of Gyeonggi surrounding Seoul banned all services and meetings at religious organizations under its jurisdiction to prevent further infections, starting Saturday for two weeks.






Speaking of what the Republicans are planning, President Trump has floated the idea that he might speak from the Civil War battlefield in Gettysburg, Pa., or from the White House. Do you think thats appropriate?

I would describe it as ironic because the party of Lincoln is dead. Its been replaced by the party of Trump. Going to Gettysburg is a reminder of what the Republican Party used to be, but not what it is now. And doing it in the Oval Office  this president has never regarded ethics as any barrier to doing anything. Every ethics lawyer in America worth his or her salt is shaking their head at the notion that you would deliver an acceptance speech or a convention in the White House.

A former D.N.C. chairman, whom I wont name, described the convention as the best week of a terrible job. What has it felt like to have to dial back this big event, one that would showcase the work youve done at the committee?

Well, its a matter of necessity. I mean, this is not about Tom Perezs feelings. This is about making sure that we put on a convention that will highlight our party, our values, our leaders, and give us momentum moving forward. I am so appreciative of the great people of Milwaukee. I am sad that we cant highlight them in even greater fashion. We will do our best to highlight Milwaukee and the great state of Wisconsin, and to a person theyve been tremendous partners. They understand this pandemic and the public safety imperative.

I never lost sight of the fact that our democracy is on fire. Its a five-alarm blaze. Thats what I think about day in and day out. So, yes, its a different convention, and weve had to make some tough choices along the way, but Im proud of what we have done and how we have done it. We have always been motivated by what was safe for people.

Is Milwaukee an automatic pick as a host city in four years because they got robbed this time around?

Lisa, I will not be the D.N.C. chair, OK, in four years. So, that will be a question for my successor.
The U.S. law enforcement agency Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other international investigators will join the Beirut explosion probe, a U.S. diplomat said on Thursday.

According to reports, Lebanon has allowed the FBI to join the investigation.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale said it is one way for Washington to help the country deal with the disaster's effects.

"The FBI will soon join Lebanese and international investigators at the invitation of the Lebanese in order to help answer questions that I know everyone has about the circumstances that led up to this explosion," Hale said in an Aljazeera report.

The Beirut explosion killed more than 170 people and injured thousands. It also caused widespread destruction in the country.

It was still unknown what caused the fire responsible for igniting around 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrates stored for years in Beirut's port. However, records showed that the country's top leaders and security officials were aware of the stockpile.

Lebanese officials agreed on Thursday to name the judicial investigator to lead the probe under the Supreme Judicial Council's auspices that handle crimes violating the country's national security and political and state security crimes.

Hale, who was due to arrive in Lebanon for a two-day visit, is expected to reiterate the American government's promise to assist the Lebanese people in recovering from the destruction and rebuilding their lives.

Washington has offered $18 million in humanitarian assistance to be given by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The United States has been one of the generous donors to Lebanon's armed forces.

Washington sees Hezbollah as a terrorist group and has expressed concerns about the aid not going to the Hezbollah-backed government.

Beirut Explosion Destruction

According to the World Bank's initial assessment, around 50,000 residential units were damaged, while 80 percent of infrastructures were affected. Wastewater systems and an electrical substation were also part of the recorded damage.

Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said the damage is around $10 billion to $15 billion, with about 300,000 people left homeless.

Lebanese officials noted that around 60 historic buildings in Beirut are at risk of collapsing due to the destructive port explosion.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said some 640 buildings were at risk of collapse.

State of Emergency

Lebanon's government has imposed a state of emergency on Thursday, giving the military power during public outrage due to alleged official corruption and political uncertainty.

The blast changed the face of the capital and forced the government to resign on Monday. Before its resignation, the government declared a state of emergency that gave the military the power to impose curfews, prevent public gatherings, and censor media.

Rights lawyer Nizar Saghieh said there is incredible chaos. Saghieh noted that they were waiting for the army to help in the country's reconstruction, and they were not expecting the armed forces to be an extension of power.

France's defense minister is set to arrive in Beirut on Thursday. The country has been leading efforts to help Lebanon rise from the destruction.

France has also been talking to political parties to hasten the formation of a new government.

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FBI: Corpus Christi Navy Base Shooting in Texas 'Terrorism-Related'
And on YouTube, a QAnon channel with over 100,000 followers pushed the conspiracy, too. Remember, we know what pizza was code language for, Daniel Lee, a YouTube personality popular in conspiracy circles, told his audience. The video was viewed 30,000 times.

A Facebook spokeswoman, Liz Bourgeois, said in an email on Friday that its up to our fact-checking partners to determine which claims they rate, and they take a number of factors into consideration. She acknowledged that as of Friday afternoon, there were no fact-checks so far on the widely shared posts falsely tying Ms. Harris to PizzaGate.

Twitter said on Friday that it permanently suspended people associated with QAnon who used many different accounts or tried to evade a previous suspension.

We deploy a number of tools to add context to and address misinformation, including applying labels, not recommending tweets and limiting the reach of tweets, a Twitter spokesman, Trenton Kennedy, said.

YouTube said Friday that it was reducing the spread of borderline content on the video site, including QAnon content, but that the video flagged by The Times did not violate its guidelines.

Harriss Heritage

Falsehoods about Ms. Harriss heritage  in particular that she is not Black  were among the most widely spread misinformation that Zignal Labs tracked. Since Tuesday, the argument had been mentioned over 40,000 times, the company found.

Kamala Harris is not an American Black, said one tweet that collected 2,300 likes and shares after it was first posted on Wednesday. She is half Indian and half Jamaican. She is robbing American Blacks of their history. Kamala is as Black American as Obama.
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Bangkok, Thailand  Fri, August 14, 2020 07:50 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dea21a 2 SE Asia Thailand,anti-government,protest,pro-democracy,lese-majeste Free

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha appealed for unity in a televised address to the nation on Thursday amid almost daily student-led anti-government protests since mid-July.

Demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Prayuth, who first took power in a 2014 coup, and an end to the military domination of politics.

"I am now appealing to every Thai citizen, reaching out to you directly to please say no to the politics of hate and division and to the politics that spreads the disease of tribalism of belief versus belief, or young versus old, or rich versus poor," Prayuth said.

"The future belongs to the young... let the young lead the way and provide the moral leadership to show us all how to take the hard path of collaboration with people who may disagree with us during times of national hardship."

Prayuth earlier said anti-government student protests could face more legal action, adding that authorities should investigate anyone "behind the protests".

So far, two organizers of the anti-government movement have been arrested on charges of violating emergency coronavirus bans on large gatherings. Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 35, and student activist Panupong Jadnok, 23, are now free on bail.

Some of the protests have also broken decades-long taboos by calling for reform of the powerful monarchy, which Prayuth said "went too far". Thailand has strict "lese majeste" laws against insulting or defaming the king, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Prayuth said the government has been restrained in not taking action against student activists who may have broken unspecified laws on social media.

He did not mention the lese majeste laws, but online comments involving the king have been increasingly bold for months.

"When they break the law, there are many people out there who are unhappy with the government for doing nothing about this," Prayuth said.

"The government has been extremely careful."
Michael Cohen, the former longtime personal attorney to President Donald Trump, is promising to release salacious details about his old boss, including an incident involving golden showers in a sex club in Vegas.

Cohen makes the claim in the foreword of his upcoming book about the president, Disloyal: A Memoir.

I know where the skeletons are buried, he writes, because I was the one who buried them.

In the excerpt, Cohen confirms that Trump colluded with Russia to help win the 2016 election, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors.

Instead, he promises to detail in the book how Trump used Russian connivance to cheat during the election.

Cohen also details what hes done for Trump and plans to reveal within the book:

I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trumps path to power. From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trumps clandestine lovers, I wasnt just a witness to the presidents rise  I was an active and eager participant.

Read the full excerpt on the books website.

The reference to golden showers calls to mind a salacious incident detailed in the unverified Trump dossier compiled by former British spy Christopher Steele.

Steele alleged that Trump hired sex workers to urinate on a bed in a Moscow hotel room that had once been used by then-President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama.

The hotel room, the dossier claimed, was outfitted with cameras by Russian intelligence  raising the possibility of a pee-pee tape.

The incident remains unverified, and no such tape has ever surfaced.

However, the report compiled by special counsel Robert Muellers team mentions a text Cohen...

Continue reading on HuffPost
Health Minister Robin Swann has again warned of the need to comply with public health advice as he attributed a rise in positive cases to more people being out and about enjoying the sunny weather.

Derry City and Strabane has had seven positive cases in the past week.

The Belfast and Mid & East Antrim council areas have recorded over 50 cases each in the same period.

Minister Swann said: The weather has been very kind this week and with good weather comes more people out and about, on our streets, in our shops and on our beaches. We continue to see increasing numbers of positive cases across Northern Ireland and whilst that is not unexpected the number of close contacts linked to positive cases has more than doubled since July.

This rise may be attributed to the easing of lockdown measures, but may also be explained by relaxing of attitudes to social distancing.

We cannot become complacent because this virus continues to circulate and sadly continues to have devastating consequences for families. Today my Department has reported 74 new positive cases and sadly one further death. I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person who has tragically passed away. This upsetting news serves as a stark reminder that this virus has not gone away.

I implore everyone to stick with it. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear your mask and do not let this virus take a hold in our society. These measures, while simplistic, are essential to winning the battle.
Students and teachers have protested outside Downing Street over this years A-level results  tens of thousands of which were lowered in a system used to decide grades after exams were cancelled.

Images show a small group of demonstrators holding signs calling for the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, to resign.

One protester had written on her sign being poor does not equal stupid.

A-level results day descended into chaos as 39.1 per cent of teachers estimates for pupils in England were lowered down by one grade or more, according to data from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

While Ofqual insisted there was no evidence of systemic bias, analysis noted the biggest reduction in the proportion of students awarded C grades and above after moderation was recorded within those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The downgrades overall  amounting to some 280,000 entries  were enacted as the nations education officials grappled with the vexing issue of how to determine results in a year in which exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.

The government is coming under increasing pressure to review its moderation and appeals system, with pupils complaining they have been let down, and experts warning poorer students will be affected most due to reassessments which consider schools past performances.

Anthony Costello, from the Independent Sage committee, called for people to "press the government to release the algorithm" used to determine grades to allow experts to assess it in a press conference on Friday.

Fridays protest outside Downing Street started around midday.

The National Union of Student have backed the use of demonstrations for students unhappy with the grading system.

Protests are planned over the next few days, including another outside Downing Street, and one in Liverpool city centre.

A-level student Ophelia Gregory, who said she got moderated down in all her grades but still managed to make her Cambridge offer, is involved in a demonstration planned for London's Hyde Park on Saturday.

Now it is time to get other people into the places they deserve to go, she told The Independent.

"A lot of people are unhappy," she said, adding she thought the protests were "going to keep going" until the government made a U-turn.

There was also growing disquiet among Tory MPs. Robert Halfon, the Tory MP who chairs the Commons Education Committee, called for a wider and quicker appeals system.

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, also called for Mr Williamson to resign.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has called for a U-turn that would see the adjustments to grades scrapped, as they were in Scotland earlier this week.

Mr Williamson, in a statement, said: I know there are some really difficult cases, and we have already put support in place to help those students, including an enhanced appeal process. In addition, our triple lock process means students will be able to accept their calculated grade, appeal on the basis of a valid mock result or sit an exam in the autumn.

Additional reporting by Press Association
South Africa: Cape Town's temporary COVID-19 hospital to close as admissions drop

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says many areas in the province have passed its peak following a decline in hospitalisations, deaths, and the percentage of positive tests overall.

The combined capacity of hospitals in the Cape Town metro, including non-COVID-19 patients is stable at 69%, Winde said during his weekly update.

Meanwhile, the Hospital of Hope at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), which has a capacity of 864 beds, will now close its doors.

According to Winde, the field hospital currently has 57 admissions, down from 91 last week.

Given the capacity in our health platform, the decline of cases in the metro, in particular, the expiry of the contract to use CTICC in September and the low number of admissions at our field hospitals generally, we have taken the decision to decommission the CTICC facility.

He said the province has adequate capacity at the 330-bed Brackengate facility to accommodate patients should the need arise.

The last patient date for the CTICC will be 8 August, with the aim of closing the facility by mid-September. Patients will start being moved to Brackengate facility, which assumes the title of our Hospital of Hope from 14 August.

Once the country's epicentre of the outbreak, the hospital welcomed 1 502 patients for treatment, discharging 1 440 patients (95%) to date.

Unfortunately, 82 people died at the facility, he said.

He believes the state-of-the-art temporary hospital built to deal with the influx of patients made a remarkable difference to the provinces COVID-19 response, allowing acute care capacity free up at main hospitals.

In doing so, it has saved the lives of many people in our province.

The Premier has expressed his gratitude to every nurse, official, doctor, cleaner and admin clerk involved in this Hospital of Hope.

I want you to know that you will all go down in history for what you have done for the people of the Western Cape. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, he said.

Prevent the second wave

As of Thursday, the Western Cape was the third-worst affected province with 100 976 infections with the highest number of deaths sitting at 3 506.

He is pleading with the citizens to prevent the second wave of infections by changing their behaviour.

As we have seen in other places around the world, COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. Until such stage, as there is a vaccine, there is a potential for new waves of COVID-19 infections.

He said they are also continuing with their hotspot containment strategy, centred on effecting the behaviour change needed to prevent new waves.

For this to be successful, we need the help of every person and business. We have to continue to follow the golden rules at all times, otherwise COVID-19 infections will start to increase again, he pleaded.

He has urged people to continue with non-pharmaceutical ways to prevent the virus by wearing a clean cloth mask whenever in public, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the corner of your arm and keeping a distance from others, of at least 1.5 metres.

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser and properly clean surfaces around you, he added.

If you are diabetic, and you start getting sick, you must get tested right away. If you are battling to breathe, you must seek urgent healthcare, he stressed.

He is advising people to stay home if they are sick and call the hotline on 021 928 4102 for more guidance.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 18:02:33|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran recorded 2,501 new COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 338,825 on Friday, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced.

The death toll from the virus in the country rose to 19,331 after 169 new deaths were added overnight, Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the health ministry, said during her daily update.

Out of the new patients, 1,173 were hospitalized, she said, adding that so far, there have been 293,811 recoveries, while 3,956 still remain in critical condition.

The health spokeswoman noted that 2,812,488 lab tests for COVID-19 have been carried out in Iran as of Friday.

She said that out of 31 provinces, 26 are either in high-risk or alert condition over the disease.

Iran announced its first cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 19.

Iran and China have offered mutual help in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

In mid-February, at the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak in China, Iran lit up the Tehran Azadi (Liberty) Tower to show its solidarity with China, and donated 3 million masks to China.

In return, China has delivered several shipments of medical supplies to Iran. On Feb. 29, a five-member Chinese medical team visited Iran for a month-long mission to help Iran fight the pandemic. Enditem
We are in many ways flummoxed by this situation, because as teachers, we are just asking for a response that has parity to the decisions that many other districts have made, said Gompers, referring to the growing number of Chicago area school districts that have reversed course in recent weeks, and now plan to begin the school year with remote learning until further notice due to concerns about the virus.
The United States Imposes Visa Restrictions on Multiple Individuals Undermining Sudan's Civilian-Led Transitional Government

Press Statement

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

August 13, 2020



The United States continues to stand with the people of Sudan and the aspirations of the revolution that ousted former President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. We support the civilian-led transitional government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who took office in September 2019. We strongly believe that Sudan's Constitutional Declaration provides the best roadmap to begin the transition to a just, equitable, and democratic society. Unfortunately, former Bashir-era officials and others continue to undermine Sudan's nascent democracy.

The Secretary of State is implementing visa restrictions under the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212(a)(3)(C) on individuals residing both inside and outside Sudan who are believed to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged, directly or indirectly, in undermining Sudan's civilian-led transitional government's efforts to implement the July 17, 2019, Political Agreement and August 17, 2019, Constitutional Declaration. This would include obstructing the work of civilian ministers, stalling implementation of provisions of the Constitutional Declaration, delaying preparations for drafting a new constitution and preparing for elections in 2022, and engaging in corruption or the abuse or violation of human rights in Sudan, which would weaken the authority of the civilian-led transitional government. Such visa restrictions could include the immediate family members of these individuals.

This decision reflects the Department of State's commitment to work with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the civilian-led transitional government, civil society, and others in their efforts to deliver the ultimate goal of the Sudanese people: "Freedom, peace, and justice."

The list of these individuals is not publicly available; however, any application they may submit for travel to the United States will be adjudicated according to established guidelines.

The United States remains a steadfast supporter of Sudan's peaceful, democratic transition.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:02:49|Editor: huaxia

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by Saud Abu Ramadan, Emad Drimly

RAMALLAH, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The American-sponsored peace agreement reached between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was a breakthrough in the Arab-Israeli relationships, but still provoked and outraged the Palestinians, according to local analysts.

A joint statement said that United States President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced reaching the agreement. They said it is a full peace agreement based on direct bilateral relations.

PALESTINIAN REACTION

Right after the three-way announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chaired an emergency meeting for Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and expressed severe rejection and condemnation of the agreement.

"The agreement blew up the Arab Peace Initiative, the decisions of the Arab League and the Islamic organizations and the international resolutions," the Palestinian leadership said in a press statement.

The statement added that the agreement between Israel and the UAE "is an aggression on the Palestinian people and an abandoning of the Palestinian rights and holy places, mainly Jerusalem and the establishment of the independent state of Palestine on 1967 borders."

Hani al-Masri, director of Masarat Center for Researches and Studies in Ramallah, told Xinhua that the agreement "represents a gift for free to the occupation (Israel)."

"A full normalization in the relations between the two countries for suspending the plan of annexing Palestinian land and not annulling it means nothing because it will lead to the implementation of Trump's vision," al-Masri said.

The prominent Palestinian think-tank noted that a few hours after declaring the agreement, "Netanyahu insisted that his annexation plan is still on the table and Israel will not cancel it."

In 2002, an Arab League Summit held in Beirut, issued the Arab Peace Initiative in the Middle East under the proposal of Saudi Arabia to resolve the Palestinian cause and the conflict with Israel.

Under the initiative, normalization between Israel, Arab and Islamic states only permitted after Israel withdraws from all the Arab and Palestinian occupied territories.

TIES DEVELOPMENT

Ties between Israel and the UAE had witnessed gradual development levels throughout different stations, and the most significant one was in 2019.

In 2015, Israel's Foreign Ministry announced that it inaugurated a diplomatic representation in Abu Dhabi, while the UAE's Foreign Ministry announced that any agreement with Israel wouldn't change the UAE's positions and ties with Israel.

In July 2019, Israeli former Foreign Minister Israel Katz, currently minister of finance, joined the United Nations Conference for Environmental Affairs in Abu Dhabi, met with senior UAE officials, and presented an initiative for regional peace.

Following the significant developments in the ties between the two countries, Israeli analysts said that "the leaders of the UAE became willingness to exit relations with Israel from secrecy to open and opening an Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi is not a dream anymore."

Last March, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, called for speeding up the pace of normalization between the Arab countries and Israel, believing that this would help solve the Arab-Israeli conflict.

MUTUAL BENEFITS

The UAE hopes that the declared agreement with Israel will be one of the means to free the Israeli annexation plan, in which the Palestinians say that the plan would undermine the opportunities of establishing a viable independent state.

The crown prince of Abu Dhabi tweeted the UAE agreed with Israel on putting a roadmap to inaugurate cooperation that will lead to bilateral relations.

On the level of bilateral ties between Israel and the UAE, the agreement will widely open the door for boosting its relationships with other Arab countries and establish economic relations and official cooperation.

Netanyahu had repeatedly said that Israel keeps good secret ties with many Arab countries, such as Bahrain and Oman, where the agreement with the UAE will turn the hidden relationships into open ones.

Officially, the UAE is the fourth Arab country that signed peace agreements with Israel, where Egypt signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979, Jordan signed a peace agreement in 1994 and Palestine signed a peace agreement in 1993.

Jared Kushner, an adviser to Trump and his son-in-law, said the agreement between Israel and the UAE was "historic," expressing hope that other Arab countries would follow the UAE's steps. Enditem
In the case of Sushant Singh' Rajput's death, the Supreme court had asked Centre, Maharashtra govt, Bihar governments, and respondents in the petition filed by Rhea Chakraborty to file their replies.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and the Maharashtra and Bihar governments, respondents in the petition filed by Rhea Chakraborty in connection with the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, to file a written note of all precedent judgments compiled before the court by August 13.

A single-judge bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy, while hearing Rheas plea seeking to transfer the probe in the case registered against her in the matter from Patna to Mumbai, asked all parties to file a written note of all such precedent judgments by Thursday.

Former additional solicitor general Maninder Singh, appearing for the Bihar government, submitted that Bihar Chief Minister had not interfered in the case and added that the recommendation for a CBI probe was based on the advice of the concerned authorities. Maninder Singh said in the apex court that might be in Maharashtra, there might be political pressure but not in Bihar. He asked if they were hiding something in that case. He said that the Maharashtra police had not cooperated the Bihar police in the case.

Also read: No objection to CBI inquiry, says Rhea Chakraborty to SC

Also read: Shared stage with PM Modi, attended mega Janmashtami gala, now Ntriya Gopal Das tests Covid +

Senior lawyer Shyam Divan, appearing for Rhea Chakraborty, raised questions over the manner in which Bihar Police registered an FIR in the case and argued that the matter has no connection with the FIR registered in Patna.

Divan said that there were serious apprehension of bias in the case, the ends of justice would be met if the prayers would be allowed, he needed an impartial and independent probe in the matter. Appearing for Maharashtra government, senior advocate Dr Abhisek Manu Singhvi submitted that the state has filed the detailed probe status report in a sealed cover.

Questioning the Bihar police, Singhvi asked if he could transfer something that he does not own. He added that Bihar government was extremely generous in transferring something that they had no jurisdiction in dealing with, everything was in Mumbai. He said that the father lives in Bihar and sister lives in Chandigarh.

He submitted that the only exception to state consent was If and When the Supreme Court of India comes to the conclusion that there were extraordinary circumstances, then-Supreme Court could transfer the investigation in the case.

He said that it seems that there is so much of sensalization of this case and that every anchor and expert has become a judge, and the victim is the judiciary. Singhvi submitted before that apex court that the Bihar police has no jurisdiction to probe the case and he thinks, it is an issue on how federalism will work in the country.

Former Additional Solicitor General and senior Supreme Court lawyer Vikas Singh appeared for KK Singh, the father of Sushant Singh Rajput. Earlier, the top court had directed the Centre, Bihar and Maharashtra governments, Mumbai Police and the father of Sushant Singh Rajput to file their replies on actor Rhea Chakrabortys plea in the matter.

Also read: No permanent foes or friends in Politics, Gehlot, Pilot all smiles as they come face-to-face, suspensions of two MLAs revoked
Disinfecting a restaurant related to three COVID-19 patients in Hai Duong (Source: VNA)

Hanoi - The National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported six new infections and one more disease-related death on August 14 morning.

Among the six new cases, three are from the northern province of Hai Duong, who all came into contact with the 867th patient.

Three patients are from central Quang Nam province. All of them are relatives of the 722nd patient.

There have now been a total of 911 people testing positive for the coronavirus since the first case was detected back in January.

A further four people have recovered from the virus, taking the total number of patients successfully treated to 425.

Meanwhile, a 61-year-old woman in central Da Nang citys Hoa Vang district became the 21st fatality related to the SARS-CoV-2.

She had a number of underlying medical conditions including type-2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

On July 10, she was admitted to Da Nang Hospital. After being discharged from hospital a week later, she then began showing signs of fever, complained of tiredness and had difficulty breathing. She came back to hospital on July 21.

On July 31 after testing positive for the virus she was quarantined at the Hoa Vang District Medical Centre. Her condition worsened and she was placed on a ventilator to help her breath before being transferred to the Da Nang Lung Hospital.

On August 12, she developed septic shock, acute liver failure, acute kidney damage, a severe drop in blood pressure and irreversible vasomotor disorder. She was pronounced dead at 10pm.

The cause of death has been recorded as pneumonia caused by COVID-19 complications, severe respiratory failure, septic shock with multi-organ damage, hypertension and obesity.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Its not where youre going, its how you get there.

Well, maybe its a little bit about where youre going  especially if youre going to Cleveland. At least the folks at Destination Cleveland hope so.

The city will be featured Sunday on a History channel show called Its How You Get There, which explores different modes of transportation found in different destinations. Featured on the Cleveland episode: the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum at the Cleveland History Center, a boat ride on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie, the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation, the Brew Kettle in Strongsville and Bar 32 at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

Want to meet Julians Alter Ego? He lives in Cleveland. Join Julian and Jenn on a truly unique adventure with unexpected... Posted by Its How You Get There on Monday, August 10, 2020

Emily Lauer, senior director of communications for Destination Cleveland, said the partnership between the tourism agency and the show was forged last year, about the same time the organization was negotiating with producers of The Bachelor about featuring Cleveland in an episode. Filming occurred earlier this summer.

Lauer said she could not reveal how much the agency paid for the episode because of an agreement with the production company, but added that it was in line with the cost of a regionally placed ad in a consumer magazine or a handful of billboards for a regional campaign. It was less than six figures.

She noted that the partnership came about before the coronavirus pandemic, and that its pitch to potential visitors helps Cleveland enter the consideration set of travelers when they are ready to explore again.

Although Destination Cleveland paid for the placement, it did not dictate the coverage. Destination Cleveland provided background information and an initial list of filming locations that centered on our urban outdoor assets and transportation, said Lauer. From there, the producers did additional research and created the story they ultimately wanted to tell about Cleveland.

Previous episodes of the show, in its third season, were filmed in the Florida Keys, Northern California and central Kentucky.

Lauer said the show typically reaches an audience of more than a million viewers.

The Cleveland episode of The Bachelor, meanwhile, which aired last January, was seen by approximately 6 million viewers.

Its How You Get There airs at 8 a.m. Sunday on the History network, and also will be available via streaming on Amazon Prime and reruns on the FYI network.

Related:

Destination Cleveland wont say how much it paid to bring The Bachelor to town
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DRB Capital, LLC ("DRB Capital"), an industry leading annuity purchaser, today announced that it has entered into a definitive long term agreement for financing its acquisition of structured settlement and annuity receivables

The company is also pleased to announce that DRB Capital's present CEO, James Terlizzi, will take on the role of non-executive chairman and will be succeeded as CEO by Jason Sutherland, the company's Senior Vice President, Capital Markets & Senior Counsel.

Terlizzi said of the transaction, "DRB Capital has made remarkable advances in the last few years, and I continue to be confident of its prospects going forward. I have worked with Jason for many years and couldn't pick a better person to take the helm of day-to-day operations. This long term financing will provide the company with the required resources to continue funding and scaling the business as it enters its next stage of growth."

Sutherland added, "This financing transaction validates the quality of our assets and our operation and will help us continue to grow the business and further gain market share. I am honored and proud to be leading a team with such an impressive track record, and we are all looking forward to the opportunities and the growth of DRB Capital."

About DRB Capital, LLC: DRB Capital is a leading purchaser of annuity payments and payments from structured legal settlements. The company offers liquidity and optionality to prospective sellers in need of cash who receive guaranteed and/or life-contingent structured settlements or annuity payments. For further information, visit DRBcapital.com.

SOURCE DRB Capital, LLC
The new Egyptian ambassador to Pakistan, Tarek Dahroug, paid a visit to local daily the Pakistan Observer this week, where he spoke about bilateral relations and the commonalities in the challenges facing the two states in regard to the coronavirus.

During the exclusive interview, Dahroug said that Pakistan has successfully tackled the pandemic of coronavirus and Prime Minister Imran Khans smart lockdown policy has yielded quite promising results. Egypt, too, is making great efforts and is following all the essential health guidelines and SOPs to get out of COVID-19.

Dahroug, who took over the mission in Islamabad in March, visited the offices of the Pakistan Observer on Tuesday for a tour. He lauded the role the daily has played in highlighting Pakistani-Egyptian bilateral relations in various sectors.

Egypt was also affected by coronavirus and there were a number of similarities in ways the two countries were tackling this pandemic, he stated.

The ambassador spoke about bilateral relations, commenting that they were already very strong but that there is a need to further expand them in various directions.

We have to work in culture, we have to work in trade, we have to work in tourism and housing sectors and many other projects where we can work further together, said Dahroug.

The Egyptian ambassador was also briefed by the executive editor of the paper, Gauhar Zahid Malik, and the group managing-editor, Omar Zahid Malik, on the contributions of the newspaper and on its founder, late editor-in-chief Zahid Malik, who had always believed in the need for strong relations between Pakistan and the Arab countries.

The ambassador also applauded Maliks work and prayed for the eternal peace of his soul.

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But there is another message, deeper, more psychological. This was the UAE telling the Iranians and all their proxies: There are really two coalitions in the region today  those who want to let the future bury the past and those who want to let the past keep burying the future. The UAE is taking the helm of the first, and it is leaving Iran to be the leader of the second.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov has said elections should be held democratically in any state, and when assessing their results, one should take into account, among other things, how adequately the authorities act in certain conditions.

"In terms of human rights, I think that regardless of the state in which this happens, elections should be held democratically, because elections are the expression of the will of citizens. In the results of the elections, we must take into account how it happened, how it is perceived by the citizens of the state, how this is perceived by international institutions that observe the elections and how adequately the authorities act in certain conditions," Razumkov told journalists in Chernihiv on Friday, answering the question of how he relates to the events in Belarus.

As reported, Razumkov pays a working trip to Sumy and Chernihiv regions on Thursday and Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:34:59|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Beijing education authorities said on Friday that staff and students shall wear masks at school and only take them off on outdoor occasions where there are no crowds and no contacts.

Primary and middle schools will be put under relatively closed management, and the risks of spreading COVID-19 will be reduced by staggering attendance and keeping a distance of at least one meter, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission said.

Kindergarten children do not have to wear masks, but their teachers and staff do. Regular checks shall be conducted for the attendees, it said.

Beijing has rolled out plans for the opening of schools for the fall semester with a slew of targeted prevention measures.

All teachers, students and staff from low-risk areas must present a green health code to be able to return to school. Those from medium-risk areas shall observe the 14-day quarantine rule and take nucleic acid tests before returning to campuses.

Universities and colleges will pay for nucleic acid tests for students who come from areas outside Beijing. Students entering any building on campus should have their body temperature checked and their code scanned. Enditem
Luchita Hurtado, an artist whose paintings and drawings emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things with a visionary intensity that was almost shamanic, but whose work was recognized by the art world only late in her life, died on Thursday night at her home in Santa Monica, Calif. She was 99.

Her gallery representative, Andrea Schwan, confirmed the death.

A near-contemporary and friend of Frida Kahlo, Isamu Noguchi and Agnes Martin, among other prominent modern artists, the Venezuelan-born Ms. Hurtado was an active participant in the art scenes of New York, Mexico City, Taos, N.M., and Los Angeles, where she had lived since 1951.

Her work spanned Surrealism, Mexican muralism, feminism and environmentalism, and she was associated with Dynaton, a group of mystically minded abstract artists, among them her second husband, the Austrian-Mexican Wolfgang Paalen, and her third husband, the American Lee Mullican. Yet her art was rarely exhibited until the 1970s, and then only sporadically and in small venues until she was in her 90s, when Mr. Mullicans studio manager came across a vast archive of her paintings and drawings.

Working in graphite, watercolor, ink and acrylic, Ms. Hurtado depicted bodies  her own, as well as totemic figures  merging with landscapes and interiors in electric expressions of rootedness and communality. She sought out diverse sources of inspiration, including ancient traditions  cave paintings at Lascaux, France; Olmec heads in La Venta, Mexico; tribal dances in Taos  as well as mid-20th-century schools of abstraction.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 18:43:48|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Administrators in Uganda's capital city Kampala have started a public campaign urging people to report any suspected cases of COVID-19. The campaign comes at a time when the city is reporting an increased number of infections and deaths.

"In the past few days, COVID-19 death cases have been recorded around Kampala City. We now need to be more alert than ever," one of the flyers circulated on social media on Friday morning said.

"If you suspect that anyone has COVID-19 symptoms, call KCCA's toll free numbers for immediate assistance," it added.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is the administrator of the capital, which is home to around 4 million people. It has pledged to collect any suspected patient and take them to be tested, free of charge.

The campaign comes just a day after the Ugandan government announced two COVID-19 cases in two shopping malls, just weeks after they had reopened for business.

The country's health ministry on Thursday said the emerging COVID-19 situation in Kampala is worrying.

Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng said the country has seen an emergence of COVID-19 cases, largely from previously unknown transmission lines in the capital and neighboring Wakiso district.

"This, in essence, signals tougher times ahead and thus, a much deeper need for compliance to the presidential directives, the ministry of health standard operating procedures, and statutory instruments in place for this public health threat," said Aceng.

A total of 79 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in the last 14 days in Kampala, she said, adding that 23 community cases were registered from July 28 to Aug. 3 and the cases more than doubled to 56 from Aug. 4 to Aug. 12.

"This trend implies that we shall be seeing the number of COVID-19 cases go up," said Aceng.

She said that out of the 11 deaths so far registered in the east African country, eight are from the Kampala region alone.

"More so, all (deaths) were identified from unknown transmission lines. It is possible (due to) the phased lifting of the lockdown, the virus may have been imported into Kampala and it appears to have spread among the communities in Kampala," said Aceng.

She said Kampala has registered emerging clusters of transmissions in three business premises in the last one week, with a total of 11 confirmed cases and 316 contacts having been identified.

"These business premises have been recommended for temporary closure. The Ministry of Health working closely with KCCA and partners will intensify response activities to a level to commensurate with the threat at hand," said Aceng.

The minister also said the ministry has launched a rapid assessment survey to determine the extent of the spread of the virus among communities in Kampala, map out the affected areas and implement targeted interventions to prevent further spread of the virus.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has set up a committee headed by a senior military officer to enforce the precautionary measures across the country.

As of Thursday, the country has registered 1,353 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,141 recoveries and 11 deaths since March 21, according to the health ministry. Enditem
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia The leader of a little-known Cambodian political party was arrested Friday for comments about the alleged encroachment on the countrys territory by Vietnam, the second arrest in two weeks related to the politically sensitive subject.

Suong Sophorn, the president of the Khmer Win Party, was arrested for inciting serious social unrest by distorting news about the border issue, said Gen. San Sok Seiha, a spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Police.

He said Suong Sophorn traveled late last month to Cambodias eastern border with Vietnam and made false statements that territory had been lost to Vietnam, causing misunderstanding among the public.

He said Suong Sophorn was being held at police headquarters for questioning before being sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court to be formally charged.

Suong Sophorn is a minor Cambodian politician whose newly formed Khmer Win Party contested the 2018 general election but failed to win any seats. The ruling Cambodian Peoples Party swept the election after a court dissolved the Cambodian National Rescue Party, which offered the only credible opposition challenge.

Rong Chhun, a prominent Cambodian labor union leader and longtime government critic, was arrested two weeks ago for making similar comments about the border and charged with incitement, for which he could face up to two years in prison. At least six of Rong Chhuns supporters have been arrested in the past few days for protesting in a public area while demanding the labor leaders release.

The issue of encroachment on Cambodian territory by Vietnam is a highly sensitive one with domestic political significance because of widespread historical antagonism toward the countrys larger neighbor to the east. Prime Minister Hun Sens government maintains close relations with Vietnam, leading his political foes to accuse him of failing to protect Cambodian land.

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NEW YORK U.S. prosecutors said ensuring Ghislaine Maxwells safety was a key reason she has been isolated from other inmates at the Brooklyn jail where she is being held on charges she facilitated late financier Jeffrey Epsteins sexual abuse of underage girls.

In a letter on Thursday to U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan, prosecutors also said it was at best premature" to require they identify three alleged victims named in Maxwells indictment.

Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Maxwell, 58, has pleaded not guilty to helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse three girls from 1994 to 1997, and committing perjury by denying her involvement under oath.

In an Aug. 10 letter, Maxwells lawyers objected to her being subjected to round-the-clock surveillance and numerous body scans at the Metropolitan Detention Center despite no longer being on suicide watch, and said she belongs in the general population rather than in her cell 21 hours a day.

Prosecutors said Maxwell was isolated for reasons of safety, security, and the orderly functioning of the facility," and that it was appropriate to closely monitor new inmates facing a strong likelihood" of many years in prison.

They nonetheless said jail officials agreed to give Maxwell 13 hours a day to review materials for her scheduled July 2021 trial, rather than the normal three hours.

Prosecutors also said they have acted expeditiously" in turning over materials, and Maxwell can request victims names and make other motions in December after discovery is finished.

Epstein was found hanged at age 66 last August in a Manhattan jail, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell is separately asking a federal appeals court to block the release from a separate lawsuit of a 2016 deposition about her sex life, saying publicity could make getting a fair trial impossible. Oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 22.

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Atlanta prosecutors investigating the killing of Rayshard Brooks have tried to obtain a search warrant to find out who donated to a fundraiser for the former Atlanta Police officer charged with his murder, it has been revealed.

The Fulton County District Attorney's Office last week filed a search warrant application to investigate a possible bail-jumping charge against former officer Garrett Rolfe, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported.

Rolfe, 27, was fired less than 24 hours after shooting and killing Brooks, 27, during a police confrontation outside of a Wendy's drive-thru on June 12.

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Former Atlanta Police officer Garrett Rolfe (left) 27, is facing felony murder charges after shooting and killing Rayshard Brooks (right) during a police confrontation outside of a Wendy's drive-thru in June

Members of the Georgia Law Enforcement Organization launched a fundraising site to help support the police officer after he was fired

He has been charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, and was released on $500,000 bond.

Members of the Georgia Law Enforcement Organization had launched an online fundraiser to collect money for Rolfe's legal expenses, raising more than $500,000 so far.

According to the report, prosecutors sought to obtain information on the organizers of the fundraiser, how much money has been raised and how the funds have been used.

A superior court judge however, denied the application due to a lack of probable cause.

'I did not find there was enough probable cause to sign that warrant,' Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney told the AJC.

Rolfe's attorney, Noah Pines criticized prosecutors' request and questioned their motives, saying the warrant could have been used as 'pretext to intimidate the people who have spoken out on behalf of our client'.

'He could have waited for a ruling before taking further action,' Pines told the paper.

The Fulton County District Attorney's Office last week requested a search warrant for the fundraiser to investigate a possible bail-jumping charge, but the application was rejected by a judge

Rolfe's attorneys recently requested Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard (pictured) recuse himself from the case after he made 'comments to inflame public sentiment against Rolfe'

'Instead he sought to uncover the private information of Americans who donated to Garrett Rolfe's defense because they believed in his innocence.'

It comes after Rolfe's attorneys asked the court to remove Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard from the case last month.

Lawyers argued Howard had repeatedly made comments to inflame public sentiment against Rolfe and issued contradictory statements about whether a stun gun is a deadly weapon they said in a court filing.

'Paul Howard has systematically sought to deprive Garrett Rolfe of a fair trial and impartial jury since the day he announced his decision to arrest Garrett Rolfe,' the attorneys said.

Prosecutors are expected to file a response to the recusal request next week, according to the paper.

Police body cameras showed Rolfe and another officer having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks before the confrontation turned deadly

On Wednesday a judge also declined the DA's request to revoke Rolfe's bond after prosecutors claimed he violated the terms of his conditions by traveling out of state.

Rolfe was granted bond on June 30 under the condition that he adhere to a curfew from 6pm to 6am with exceptions for work, attorney meetings or medical visits.

Prosecutors argued that meant he was to spend each night at home in Georgia, and said his bond should be revoked because they had learned from his lawyers a day after he left that he was on vacation in Florida.

His lawyers countered that the law makes a distinction between home confinement or house arrest and a curfew, and argued the state never requested that he be prohibited from traveling out of state.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick wrote in an order Wednesday that the bond order intentionally didn't specify the address where he would have to stay for his safety and because she anticipated he might have to move while on bond.

She never intended for him to freely travel, observing his curfew wherever he happened to be at night, she wrote, but added that bond cannot be revoked without due process. She clarified and amended the bond order to say that Rolfe 'shall live and reside at one residence within the State of Georgia'.
August 14, 2020

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC ANNOUNCES CASH BALANCE AS OF JULY 31, 2020

Carnival Corporation & plc is disclosing its cash balance as of July 31, 2020 on Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Schedule A contains Carnival Corporation & plc's announcement of its cash balance as of July 31, 2020 .

The Directors consider that within the Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc dual listed company arrangement, the most appropriate presentation of Carnival plc's results and financial position is by reference to the Carnival Corporation & plc U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements.

MEDIA CONTACTINVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT

Roger FrizzellBeth Roberts

001 305 406 7862 001 305 406 4832

The Form 8-K is available for viewing on the SEC website at www.sec.gov under Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc or the Carnival Corporation & plc website at www.carnivalcorp.com or www.carnivalplc.com .

Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features - Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.carnivalsustainability.com, www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.seabourn.com, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com.

SCHEDULE A

On August 14, 2020, Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc (together, the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") is providing an update to investors on its cash and cash equivalent balance, which was $7.9 billion as of July 31, 2020. The balance is consistent with disclosures of additional liquidity measurements taken by the Company during the third quarter, the Company's previously disclosed cash burn rate, customer deposit expectations, and debt amortization.

Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc and their respective subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibits hereto (collectively, this "document"), as "Carnival Corporation & plc," "our," "us" and "we." Some of the statements, estimates or projections contained in this document are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to us, including some statements concerning future results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, reputation, cash flows, liquidity and other events which have not yet occurred. These statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical facts are statements that could be deemed forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. We have tried, whenever possible, to identify these statements by using words like "will," "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "depends," "expect," "goal," "anticipate," "forecast," "project," "future," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "target," "indicate," "outlook," and similar expressions of future intent or the negative of such terms.

Forward-looking statements include those statements that relate to our outlook and financial position including, but not limited to, statements regarding:

Net revenue yields Estimates of ship depreciable lives and residual values Booking levels Goodwill, ship and trademark fair values Pricing and occupancy Liquidity Interest, tax and fuel expenses Adjusted earnings per share Currency exchange rates Impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus global pandemic on our financial condition and results of operations Net cruise costs, excluding fuel per available lower berth day

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. This note contains important cautionary statements of the known factors that we consider could materially affect the accuracy of our forward looking statements and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. Additionally, many of these risks and uncertainties are currently amplified by and will continue to be amplified by, or in the future may be amplified by, the COVID-19 outbreak. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. There may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

COVID-19 has had, and is expected to continue to have, a significant impact on our financial condition and operations, which impacts our ability to obtain acceptable financing to fund resulting reductions in cash from operations. The current, and uncertain future, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, including its effect on the ability or desire of people to travel (including on cruises), is expected to continue to impact our results, operations, outlooks, plans, goals, growth, reputation, litigation, cash flows, liquidity, and stock price

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have paused our guest cruise operations, and if we are unable to re-commence normal operations in the near-term, we may be out of compliance with a maintenance covenant in certain of our debt facilities as of May 31, 2021

World events impacting the ability or desire of people to travel may lead to a decline in demand for cruises

Incidents concerning our ships, guests or the cruise vacation industry as well as adverse weather conditions and other natural disasters may impact the satisfaction of our guests and crew and lead to reputational damage

Changes in and non-compliance with laws and regulations under which we operate, such as those relating to health, environment, safety and security, data privacy and protection, anti-corruption, economic sanctions, trade protection and tax may lead to litigation, enforcement actions, fines, penalties, and reputational damage

Breaches in data security and lapses in data privacy as well as disruptions and other damages to our principal offices, information technology operations and system networks and failure to keep pace with developments in technology may adversely impact our business operations, the satisfaction of our guests and crew and lead to reputational damage

Ability to recruit, develop and retain qualified shipboard personnel who live away from home for extended periods of time may adversely impact our business operations, guest services and satisfaction

Increases in fuel prices, changes in the types of fuel consumed and availability of fuel supply may adversely impact our scheduled itineraries and costs

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may adversely impact our financial results

Overcapacity and competition in the cruise and land-based vacation industry may lead to a decline in our cruise sales, pricing and destination options

Geographic regions in which we try to expand our business may be slow to develop or ultimately not develop how we expect

Inability to implement our shipbuilding programs and ship repairs, maintenance and refurbishments may adversely impact our business operations and the satisfaction of our guests

The ordering of the risk factors set forth above is not intended to reflect our indication of priority or likelihood.

Forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Subject to any continuing obligations under applicable law or any relevant stock exchange rules, we expressly disclaim any obligation to disseminate, after the date of this document, any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect any change in expectations or events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Venezuela on Friday sentenced 15 people to more than two decades in prison over a failed invasion plot that President Nicolas Maduro has said was an attempt to overthrow him.

The sentencing comes a week after two former US soldiers were handed 20 years over the plot that quickly unravelled once armed men landed on the nation's Caribbean shore in May.

Amongst those jailed for 24 years was capitan Antonio Sequea, accused of leading the operation, said Attorney General Tarek William Saab.

He said the 15 Venezuelans had "admitted their responsibility" in the "terrorism, rebellion and conspiracy" charges for the botched May 3 invasion that began in Macuto, less than an hour from the capital Caracas.

Maduro claimed it was a plot to assassinate him and install opposition leader Juan Guaido in his place, and Caracas accused US President Donald Trump of being directly responsible for the raid, in which eight attackers were allegedly killed.

The Venezuelan leader has described the raid as a "remake" of the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, when Cuban exiles covertly financed and directed by the US government attempted to overthrow then Cuba leader Fidel Castro.

Saab said 82 people have been detained over the incursion, including the two Americans: Luke Alexander Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41.

The invasion force trained for the mission in Colombia but Maduro's agents got wind of the plans and were waiting for them.

Washington and Bogota have both denied participating in the invasion.

atm/gm/bc/jm
India takes pride in having largest vaccination programme in the world: PM Modi

From 2014 to 2021: A look at Narendra Modi's Independence Day Turban tradition

Independence Day: 84 security personnel to get top gallantry awards

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 15: President Ram Nath Kovind, the supreme commander of the armed forces, Friday approved 84 awards and decorations, including one Kirti Chakra, nine Shaurya Chakras, five additions of a bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 60 Sena Medals (Gallantry), four Nau Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

No awards have yet been given out for soldiers who took part in Galwan clash, though the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has recommended gallantry medals for 21 personnel who faced Chinese troops in multiple skirmishes that occurred in eastern Ladakh in May and June.

PM Modi Independence Day speech: His salute to jawans at LOC & LAC | Oneindia News

The President approved gallantry awards for defence personnel, including Shaurya Chakra to three from the Army for counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the defence ministry said on Friday.

Wing Commander Vishak Nair from the Indian Air Force was also awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

Those from the Army who have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra are Lt.Col. Krishan Singh Rawat from the elite Special Forces, Major Anil Urs and Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey.

The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for "gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy". It is the third highest gallantry award in peacetime.

India capable of giving befitting response: President Kovind in veiled message to China

The president also approved Sena Medal (gallantry) to 60 Army personnel, Nao Sena Medal (gallantry) to four from the Navy and five Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry) for the Air Force. Bar to Sena Medal has been approved for five Army personnel.

The president has also approved 19 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations, which include eight posthumous for ''Operation Meghdoot'' and ''Operation Rakshak''.

Operation ''Meghdoot'' was launched in 1984 to secure control of the heights predominating the Siachen Glacier. It is, perhaps, the longest operation in modern military history.

''Operation Rakshak'' is also an ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.

When asked whether the soldiers who sacrificed lives in Galwan Valley clashes were not considered, people familiar with the matter said their contribution will be considered for next year's awards.

Twenty Indian soldiers lost their lives in a clash with the Chinese Army, which also suffered casualties but China has not released any casualty figure.

Gallantry awards for defence personnel are announced ahead of every Republic Day and Independence Day.

with PTI inputs
W&M establishes Social Justice Policy Initiative

Housing equity: Caroline Hanley, associate professor of sociology, meets remotely with her research team that is working on the Richmond Eviction Crisis project as part of the William & Mary sociology department's Social Justice Policy Initiative. Photo courtesy of Caroline Hanley Photo - of - Hide Caption

William & Mary students and faculty have formalized and expanded several programs focusing on equity issues in the local community, and added new ones, with the establishment of the Social Justice Policy Initiative in the sociology department.

The program will start this fall and its organizers recently announced the first group of students who will serve as research fellows, research affiliates and interns.

The initiative is a faculty-student collaborative project to engage in policy-oriented and community-based research and advocacy, according to its faculty founders. The SJPI aims to bring sociological and inter-disciplinary research to community-based and advocacy organizations and policy-makers at local, state, national and global levels.

Many of us were already involved in this work and realized that, if we collaborated through this initiative, we could increase the opportunities available to students, benefit from new synergies across projects and strengthen our impact in the community and on policy, said Amy Quark, associate professor of sociology, who will work on three of the projects.

The SJPI is based in sociology but includes faculty collaborators in Africana studies; government; theatre, speech and dance; and modern languages and literatures.

Within the SJPI, students will work with faculty members and external partners such as community organizations or policymakers to research pressing social issues and support their programming and policy advocacy, according to faculty. The initial projects are affordable housing, educational equity, eviction crisis, racial and partisan gerrymandering, food justice and local black histories.

The research fellows and interns were selected through a competitive application process, Quark said. Given that this is the inaugural year of the program and that we launched the initiative amid the deep uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, we were surprised by the deep interest from our students in these opportunities.

After receiving numerous strong applications, faculty members added two more research fellowships and an additional education equity intern. At least two additional interns will work with the York-James City-Williamsburg NAACP and the Let Freedom Ring Foundation of the historic First Baptist Church.

The interns offer another important dimension, Quark said. These internships are designed to give students hands-on experience working with social justice organizations in the community while expanding the capacity of these community organizations to achieve their goals. We have two educational equity interns who will work with The Village Initiative, and we are also working with other social justice-oriented organizations in the community to see if we can support their goals through the initiative as well.

Launching amidst the pandemic has posed challenges, according to Quark. But faculty members have worked hard to design the positions to facilitate work in the blended and remote learning environments in place for fall.

We are excited to be able to engage so many students in meaningful community and policy-based work despite the uncertainties we currently face, Quark said. Unfortunately, our food justice internship, through which W&M students have been offering an after-school club at Matthew Whaley Elementary School for the past three years, will be put on hold for 2020 given coronavirus concerns.

The collaborations give students and faculty a chance to do hands-on research and advocacy along with community engagement.

The Social Justice Policy Initiative provides a mechanism for students to get involved with sociology facultys engaged research on topics that relate to social justice, said Professor of Sociology Jennifer Bickham Mendez, who is working on the educational equity project along with Quark and Associate Professor of Sociology Monika Gosin.

As someone who has devoted her scholarly career to research initiatives that draw on and promote community engagement, I see this initiative as a fantastic opportunity to blend my research and teaching while integrating students into social justice-informed research.

Projects she is involved with that she said will benefit from collaborations with student interns include a research project undertaken in collaboration with Assistant Professor of English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education Katherine Barko-Alva on English language learners school integration at a local high school. Another collaboration with Quark and Kayla Aaron 19 is analyzing data for a project on educational equity and a proposed high school rezoning that occurred in the Williamsburg area in 2017.

Both of these projects are informed by my and my collaborators' work in the community with organizations such as The Village Initiative and in partnership with local schools, Bickham Mendez said. Through such partnerships we have sought to put our skills as researchers and teachers into the service of educational equity and inclusion through advocacy and providing research and teaching support.

I am looking forward to getting started with our student interns, and even under the difficult conditions imposed by COVID-19 I think that we can advance our research goals while staying mindful and attuned to the needs of the local community.

Caroline Hanley, associate professor of sociology, has been working with W&M students on the Richmond Eviction Crisis project for about a year.

Our initial focus was preparing to conduct an original survey of residents in Richmond's high eviction neighborhoods, in partnership with the Legal Aid Justice Center, Hanley said. The pandemic has forced us to put those plans on hold, and to think creatively about how our research can support tenants at risk of eviction and the community organizations that work with them.

This summer she worked with sociology majors Kailyn Small 21 and Emma Schmidt 21 to track Virginia eviction court proceedings.

The eviction crisis in Virginia preceded the pandemic, but COVID has both deepened the need for stable housing and made it harder for tenants to make ends meet, Hanley said. The statewide moratorium on evictions expired on June 29 and there are currently over 12,000 evictions pending in Virginia. We are building a database of statewide eviction court proceedings that will ultimately allow us to understand where the moratorium was violated, and investigate how effectively Gov. Northam's $50 million rent and mortgage relief program is implemented.
The commercial jar blender market is expected to grow by USD 62.64 million during 2020-2024. The report also provides the market impact and new opportunities created due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect the impact to be significant in the first quarter but gradually lessen in subsequent quarters with a limited impact on the full-year economic growth.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005465/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Commercial Jar Blender Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Request challenges and opportunities influenced by COVID-19 pandemic Request a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

The taste of any dish is majorly influenced by the use of the right amount of ingredients and mixing. The use of manual ways of mixing lacks consistency and operational efficiency. This could make the food look less attractive and have a non-uniform taste. Hence, commercial jar blenders are increasingly being adopted by end-users to ensure proper mixing of food ingredients and provide better texture, appearance, and taste to the final dish. This is one of the key factors driving the growth of the global commercial jar blender market.

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR44423

As per Technavio, the growing demand for commercial jar blenders with sound enclosures will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2020-2024.

Commercial Jar Blender Market: Growing Demand for Commercial Jar Blenders with Sound Enclosures

Commercial jar blenders usually make high levels of noise which can be disturbing to customers. This negatively impacts the brand image of the commercial establishment. Hence, end-users are exhibiting increased demand for jar blenders with sound enclosures to reduce noise levels. To capitalize on this trend, vendors in the market are offering a wide range of models with sound enclosures. For instance, Hamilton Beach Brands offers products such as The Quantum 950 Blender HBH950 Series and The Summit Blender HBH850 Series with sound enclosures. Therefore, the rising demand for commercial jar blenders with sound enclosures is expected to positively influence the growth of the market during the forecast period.

"Increase in demand for appliances with certifications and the rise in demand for fruit-based drinks will further boost market growth during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio.

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Commercial Jar Blender Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market research report segments the commercial jar blender market by product (commercial jar blenders for food, commercial jar blenders for drinks, and commercial jar blenders for food and drinks), geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA), and controls (commercial jar blenders with electronic controls and commercial jar blenders with toggle or paddle controls).

The North American region led the commercial jar blender market in 2019, followed by Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA respectively. During the forecast period, North America is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to the thriving foodservice industry in the region.

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

Competitive scenario

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Hussein Malla

ALBANY  The Albany Roman Catholic Diocese has launched a special collection to assist relief efforts in the aftermath of the deadly Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut that killed more than 170 people, wounded more than 6,000 and did billions of dollars in damage to Lebanon's largest city.

The collection will be taken up in parishes throughout the 14 counties of the diocese through Sept. 13.
Judges' magnanimity cannot be stretched to become a weakness against malicious and calculated attack on judiciary, said the Supreme Court on Friday as it held noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt for his two tweets against Chief Justices of India and the top court.

The scurrilous/malicious attacks by the alleged contemnor No.1 (Bhushan) are not only against one or two judges but the entire Supreme Court in its functioning of the last six years. Such an attack which tends to create disaffection and disrespect for the authority of this Court cannot be ignored. The alleged contemnor has attempted to scandalise the entire institution of the Supreme Court, held a three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra.

The court said Bhushans tweets were based on the distorted facts as he made wild allegations against the present and last three CJIs which were undoubtedly false, malicious and scandalous.

The criticism is not against a particular judge but the institution of the Supreme Court and the institution of the Chief Justice of India The alleged contemnor being part of the institution of administration of justice, instead of protecting the majesty of law has indulged into an act, which tends to bring disrepute to the institution of administration of justice, said the bench, which also included Justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari.

The maximum punishment under the contempt charge can go up to six months in jail, with or without fine. The court, in its wisdom, can also pronounce a punishment other than a jail term or a monetary penalty. On August 20, the bench will hear the arguments from Bhushan on the quantum of punishment.

The court rejected Bhushans defence that his tweets, which were published in June, had in fact sought to bring to the notice of this court the serious shortcomings, which demand systemic correction.

It noted: The scurrilous allegations, which are malicious in nature and have the tendency to scandalize the Court are not expected from a person, who is a lawyer of 30 years standing. In our considered view, it cannot be said that the above tweets can be said to be a fair criticism of the functioning of the judiciary, made bona fide in the public interest.

The bench also addressed the submissions by senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who represented Bhushan in the contempt case, regarding the need of the judges to be magnanimous and not use the weapon of contempt in cases of comments on individual judges or fair criticism.

No doubt, that the Court is required to be magnanimous, when criticism is made of the judges or of the institution of administration of justice. However, such magnanimity cannot be stretched to such an extent, which may amount to weakness in dealing with a malicious, scurrilous, calculated attack on the very foundation of the institution of the judiciary and thereby damaging the very foundation of the democracy, it said.

The court added that an attack on the Supreme Court does not only have the effect of tending an ordinary litigant of losing the confidence in the Supreme Court but it may also result in lack of confidence in the mind of other judges in the country.

A possibility of the other judges getting an impression that they may not stand protected from malicious attacks, when the Supreme Court has failed to protect itself from malicious insinuations, cannot be ruled out. As such, in order to protect the larger public interest, such attempts of attack on the highest judiciary of the country should be dealt with firmly, said the bench.

It further dismissed Daves contentions on the requirement of a consent from the Attorney General, which was not obtained in this matter, before initiation of any criminal contempt proceedings.

As far as the suo motu petitions are concerned, there is no requirement for taking consent of anybody, including the learned Attorney General because the Court is exercising its inherent powers to issue notice for contempt. It is equally well settled, that once the Court takes cognizance, the matter is purely between the Court and the contemnor. The only requirement is that the procedure followed is required to be just and fair and in accordance with the principles of natural justice, said the bench.
Health experts warned that the US is more likely to experience the worst fall if the country will not carefully reopen the country and force to reopen the schools amid the global pandemic.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's leading disease infectious expert and one of the significant persons in the White House COVID-19 Task Force, warned that the consequences could be devastating if the country's economy will not be carefully reopened.

During an Instagram interview he told actor Matthew McConaughey "To think that you can ignore the biologic and get the economy back, it's not gonna happen," However, Dr. Anthny Fauici said that the country needs to carefully reopen the economy and at the same time control the global pandemic.

Dr. Fauci also explained how Americans disregard the safety and health guidelines set by the CDC that led to the resurgence of the virus. He noted that if this will happen again, the devastation will go beyond financial problems and it could be psychologically and medically.

He added that if the country will shut down, children may not get their vaccination and people will not go to the hospitals if they have chest pain. He also noted that there could be a lot of different things that will go wrong beyond the economy.

Meanwhile, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield issued also a warning that the country will experience the worst fall in history if the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines will not be followed.

Dr. Redfield said, "For your country right now and for the war that we're in against COVID, I'm asking you to do four simple things: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and be smart about crowds," He also emphasized that everyone must do it.

The CDC Director explained that in his perspective as a public health expert, the country will experience the worst fall in history if these basic measures will not be followed.

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US Military Refutes Breaching Afghan Peace Deal, Calls Taliban's Claim Attention Grabber

Sputnik News

10:24 GMT 13.08.2020(updated 10:26 GMT 13.08.2020)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The allegation that the United States has violated the Afghan peace agreement and used force resulting in civilian casualties is a mere attempt by the Taliban to distract attention from their own continuous violence, US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said on Thursday.

"Allegations by the Taliban of the U.S. violating the agrmnt and causing civcas are false and an attempt to deflect from their con't, escalating violence. We con't to strictly adhere to the agrmnt and call on all sides to reduce violence and work towards peace", Leggett said on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, Taliban* spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused the US of "repeated violation" of the February peace deal, saying that US troops had conducted a drone strike in the Mohammad Agha district of Afghanistan's eastern Logar province, leaving three civilians killed.

This is not for the first time that the Taliban have accused the US of violating the peace deal, which they negotiated for months and sealed on 29 February in the Qatari capital of Doha. Such accusations have been voiced every month since then.

Similarly, the Afghan government and the US have blamed numerous deadly attacks across the country on the Taliban, urging the radical movement to reduce the violence, as it committed to do under the terms of the deal, in order to make it possible to launch the longed-for intra-Afghan talks.

*Taliban is a terrorist group banned in Russia

 Sputnik

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NFU Cymru has written to Welsh government calling for the introduction of new measures to increase the use of British wool in homes and public buildings.

In a letter to the Minister for Housing Julie James, the union called on Welsh government to support farmers by specifying wool rich carpets and other interior fabrics in all government and local authority buildings.

The letter also advocates for wool insulation to be used as part of insulation grant schemes going forward in Wales on existing properties and new builds.

The letter follows a summer in which sheep farmers have seen the price they receive for their wool clip collapse as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the worldwide market for wool.

The situation has sparked a petition which calls on the UK government to make the use of wool mandatory in new home insulations schemes and for insulation and carpeting in public buildings in each of their respective nations.

NFU Cymru livestock board chair, Wyn Evans said in his letter: "You may be aware of the current crisis the British Wool Marketing Board is facing because of the worldwide pandemic.

"This is severely affecting wool prices, demand and the ability to trade this natural, environmentally friendly product. Wales has approaching 5m breeding sheep, for animal welfare purposes sheep must be shorn annually.

"The crisis in wool markets means the price that farmers receive for their wool is only a fraction of their shearing costs, the crisis is therefore impacting right down to primary producers of wool and the rural economy.

We believe there are opportunities to increase demand through the domestic market here in Wales."

Mr Evans said Welsh government could play a significant role in doing this whilst meeting commitments to protect and enhance the environment for future generations.

Wool is a versatile, sustainable product and a fantastic, natural insulator that can help drive improvements in the energy efficiency of new and existing homes," he added.

"We believe its use could be stimulated through grant aid on its environmental benefits. In our view this would be an be an economic and environmental win.
The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office is asking for help from the public in identifying the perpetrator of two seemingly random drive-by pepper spray attacks earlier this week in the Oak Grove area.

Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, two women  one 37 years old, the other 63  were hit with pepper spray from a moving vehicle. One of the incidents took place near where the Trolley Trail crosses Southeast Arista Drive, the other near where the trail crosses Southeast Rupert Drive, just a block away.

The sheriffs office said the attacks appeared to be random.

The vehicle was described as a rust-colored 1990s Isuzu Rodeo or Nissan Pathfinder SUV, officials said, and may have a front fender on the drivers side that is darker than the rest of the vehicle. It appeared to have an evergreen Oregon license plate on the front bumper.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is asking for help in identifying the driver of a vehicle (pictured in upper left) who randomly pepper sprayed two woman earlier this week.

The sheriffs office asked anyone with information about the incidents to call their tip line at 503-723-4949 or by using an online tip submission form. Those with information were asked to reference case #20-017083.

-- Kale Williams; kwilliams@oregonian.com; 503-294-4048; @sfkale

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The remainder of those who had survived the brief Battle of Ambon were condemned to one of the most brutal periods of captivity in military history. By the end of the war, 779 of those 1131 Australians  more than two in every three  were dead. Survivors of Gull Force returning to Australia on a hospital ship in 1945 catch up on the news. Credit:Archive Apart from the Sandakan Death Marches on Borneo in 1945, during which 2434 Allied POWs died, Ambon and an associated POW camp on the southern Chinese island of Hainan amounted to the most abominable chapter of the war. And yet, despite several books and articles detailing the monstrous futility of it all, 75 years after the war few Australians know much, if anything, about Ambon. Perhaps, the story was too overwhelming to be digested by a nation recovering from the war. Perhaps, there were too few left alive to tell it. And perhaps, Australias military and political authorities were so ashamed they wanted to throw a blanket over Ambon and forget it.

There was, it transpired, much that needed forgetting. Apart from the disgrace of sending a battalion into a guaranteed catastrophe, it emerged that in both the Ambon and Hainan camps, senior Australian officers had turned against their own men. Now aged 99, Gilbert is the last survivor of the torment that was imprisonment by the Japanese on Ambon from early 1942 until September 1945. (One other Australian who was captured on Ambon but was transferred to Hainan also survives but according to the Gull Force Association, he does not speak of those years.) Gilbert lives now in an aged care facility in Boronia, an eastern suburb of Melbourne. Each morning, he climbs from his bed and does a series of physical exercises. Apart from fading eyesight, he is free of illness, just as he has been for most of his post-war years.

With the 75th anniversary of World War II at hand  the Japanese surrendered on August 14, 1945, though they didnt tell the POWs on Ambon until September  I rang Gilbert, seeking wisdom about how the human heart might deal with being denied all that is considered normal. Max Gilbert, at 99 the only living survivor of the Japanese POW camp in Ambon. Credit:Jason South He recognised immediately an unspoken part of the question. Yes, he said, all of Melbourne was locked away from normal life now. The pandemic. You just have to go on, day to day, he said. Thats all I can say. He insisted he had long ago come to terms with his broken years, though he still wanted the story to be told, for there was a lonely cemetery on the island of Ambon accommodating more than 2000, half of them Australians.

It had taken him 20 years to jettison the hatred of Japanese that had grown within him during the years of routine beatings, torture, starvation and illness. He no longer hated nor dwelt on the horror. Ive put it all away, he said. He no longer lingered over something else that ate at him and other survivors for decades, either: an abiding contempt for some of the officers of the 2/21st. The truth is that the commanding officer on Ambon, Major George de Verdon Westley, established his own form of punishment for Australians who, starving, dared to raid the officers vegetable garden. Westley ordered a cage of barbed wire be built and had pilferers from the ranks, many suffering malaria and worse, thrown into it, there to be exposed through long nights to the tropical elements. The cage was two metres square. A man could barely move without jagging his skin on the barbs. Another Australian commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel William John Rendell Scott, veteran of Gallipoli and the Western Front, was never forgiven by his men for unthinkable behaviour after he left Ambon to oversee the prisoners transferred to Hainan.

Trying to maintain discipline, Scott took to handing over his own men to be punished by the Japanese. Historian Joan Beaumont (Gull Force: Survival and Leadership in Captivity 1941-1945) and author Roger Maynard (Ambon: the Truth About One of the Most Brutal POW Camps in World War II and the Triumph of the Aussie Spirit) have documented the most shocking incident. A young private, George Roy, of Deniliquin, while sick in hospital at the Hainan camp, took a shower during the period reserved for officers. Challenged, he verbally abused an officer. Scott sentenced Roy to be punished by the Japanese. He waited three months while Roy lay in hospital, and when the boy had recovered enough to stand, insisted the sentence be carried out. Roy was given a choice: stand bound by his thumbs to a crossbar while a Japanese guard flogged him with a pick handle, or have a wire tied from his thumbs to his toes via his testicles and an electrical charge applied.

Roy chose the beating, which was so severe the Australian medical officer at the camp, Dr Bill Aitken, was sure he would die. Roy managed to survive, his body pulped. Scott never recovered his authority or reputation. Gilberts smouldering fury lasted for decades. In 2003, he made clear he wanted the wider public to know about it when he gave a long interview to the University of NSW Australians at War Film Archive. When I phoned this week, he directed me to the old interview rather than expend emotional energy on the subject. He was convinced, his interview made clear, that one of his closest mates in the Ambon camp, a fellow named Jack Morrow, had suffered so much during a stretch in the "cage" that it had hastened his death only weeks before the end of the war. Gilbert  nicknamed "Eddie" after the cricketer Eddie Gilbert, who once bowled Don Bradman  experienced particular grief at losing Eric Stagg, the best mate who helped save his life.
UPPER UWCHLAN-On Friday morning, local public officials and legislators paddled to the site of Mondays Marsh Creek Sunoco pipeline construction spill of about 10,000 gallons of drilling mud to monitor the mitigation process.

State Rep Danielle Friel Otten, D-155th, of Uwchaln and state Sen. Katie Muth, D-44th, of Royersford invited the dignitaries to view the damage and cleanup firsthand. They visited the popular state park lake via paddleboards, kayaks and canoes.

Before inspecting the construction site, on Friday, the parks operation director, James Wassell said that the cleanup was yielding good results.

The ranger was pleased that the rain level was less than forecasted. He said that since the rain held off, Sunoco Mariner East Pipeline workers were able to do a better job than expected. Precipitation would likely flush contaminants into the main portion of the lake from a marsh where the spill occurred.

The lake supplies drinking water downstream to thousands of Chester County residents along the Brandywine Creek.

Wassell said about pollutants appearing downstream that there is nothing showing.

Friel Otten has been a regular visitor to the spill site.

It is Day Five; we have been out here (Marsh Creek Lake) every other day this week looking to see how things are going, Friel Otten said. Today, things are looking better.

The water is starting to clear up a little. The mud is starting to settle down. Unfortunately, it has spread a lot further than it was Wednesday when we were out here last. It looks like they have most of the mud cleaned up in the cove.

We are grateful that Mother Nature helped us by holding off the rain to allow us to continue the cleanup without that acting as another obstacle. The next step is to have some divers come out next week to evaluate the floor of the lake and they will determine what further actions need to take place.

Lisa Coleman of pipeline builder Sunoco/Energy Transfer issued a release on Friday.

She said the company had deployed a number of crews including environmental specialists, professional geologists, operations and construction specialists, along with cleanup machinery such as pumps, vac trucks, tanker trucks, boats, sand bags and turbidity curtains to remediate and restore the area.

Cleanup efforts continue at Marsh Creek Lake and will be ongoing as we conduct assessments, clean and restore the impacted area, Coleman said.

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-157th, of Schuylkill said that the 10,000 gallon spill is alarming.

Im here to make sure our public parks are clean and the air around them is clean so people can enjoy, she said. Public parks are for all of us to enjoy.

State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166th of Haverford, discussed meeting climate change goals.

We cant continue to build fossil fuel infrastructure and reach our goals, he said.

Marsh Creek is a valuable ecological and recreation area and I was very concerned when I learned of the spill.

I wanted to see firsthand the extent of the damage and the progress of cleanup efforts. I was pleased to see both cleanup workers and representatives of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on the scene.

I was also pleased to see that the effect of the bentonite spill appears to be lessening 

The Sunoco Mariner East pipeline weaves across the breadth of Pennsylvania for 350 miles to the refinery in Marcus Hook, Delaware County. Highly volatile liquids would be transported through high-density areas of Chester and Delaware counties along a 1930s-era pipeline right-of-way. The shipped material is destined to be used to produce plastics overseas.

Tony Scheivert, Upper Uwchlan Township Manager, said the drilling accident was extremely unfortunate.

We are doing our best to make sure there is a thorough clean up, the manager said. Its amazing how many of us use the park.

Sandy DAmico is chairperson of the Upper Uwchlan board of supervisors and talked about Sunoco/ET pipeline construction.

Its leaving a trail of destruction, she said. Im disappointed in the lack of transparency and poor communications with local officials.

Lauren Gendall, of West Nantmeal Township, visits the state park at least once per week. Her pooch Daisy hitched a ride on her paddle board.

Its been a long time coming, she said about the accident.

The pipeline right-of-way runs through Ginny Kerlsakes West Whiteland property.

We are grateful for the work and dedication of our government agencies in investigating and overseeing the cleanup, Kerslake said. This spill of thousands of gallons of drilling lubricant into a Chester County natural treasure is just the latest in a long line of accidents and violations on this egregious project.

We hope that the DEP takes real action and pulls their permits for Mariner East once and for all.

Friel Otten considered the impact of the spill.

The volume of mud that has flowed into this lake unfortunately can be detrimental to some of the aquatic life on the bottom of the lake, she said. That aquatic life is really important to the food chain that supports the rest of the ecosystem here at Marsh Creek.

And so it is really important that we do a full and complete clean up. We will continue to be here to see how it is going and to make sure that were holding the operator accountable to ensure this place returns to the way it was before.

In addition to Friel Otten, Muth, Vitali, Shusterman and DAmico, state Rep. Dan Williams, D-74th, of Coatesville came out, as well as Chairman Bill Miller from Uwchlan Township and Rebecca Britton, Vice President of Downingtown Area School Board.
The WHO on Thursday urged countries to invest billions of dollars in searching for Covid-19 vaccines and treatments -- calling it a snip compared to the vast economic cost of the coronavirus crisis.

The World Health Organization insisted it was a smarter bet than the trillions of dollars being thrown at handling the consequences of the global pandemic.

The UN agency's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pleaded for investment into the WHO-led ACT-Accelerator programme, which aims to share global research and development, manufacturing and procurement in a bid to beat Covid-19.

For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here

Citing the International Monetary Fund's predictions of the pandemic wiping out $12 trillion over two years, he urged countries to spend on shared solutions.

"It's the best economic stimulus the world can invest in," Tedros told a virtual press conference.

Funding the ACT-Accelerator, with $31.3 billion needed immediately, "will cost a tiny fraction in comparison to the alternative, where economies retract further and require continued fiscal stimulus packages".

He said spreading the risk and sharing the reward is a better bet than the option some countries have taken, of going it alone in backing one of the dozens of vaccines in development.

"Picking individual winners is an expensive, risky gamble," he said,

"The development of vaccines is long, complex, risky and expensive The vast majority of vaccines in early development fail."

Tedros said multiple vaccine candidates, of different types, were needed in order to identify the best one.

Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on August 13

Russia on Tuesday declared itself the first country to approve a vaccine, even though final stage testing involving more than 2,000 people was only due to start on Wednesday.

Bruce Aylward, who heads up the ACT-Accelerator, said the WHO was still awaiting more details from Moscow.

"We're currently in conversation with Russia to get additional information, understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken, and then what the next steps might be," he said.

The WHO says 168 candidate vaccines are being worked on around the world, of which 28 have progressed to being tested on humans.

Nine of those 28 -- not including the Russian vaccine -- are in the ACT-Accelerator programme.

WHO access to medicines chief Mariangela Simao said that with so many vaccine candidates being worked on, backing just one or two could not be the best bet.

"We don't know which one will be the front-runner, which one will actually prove to be safe and effective," she said.

"We are encouraging countries to join a global facility, because you will have access to more candidates, and you have a better chance to have concrete access... to procure one of the successful candidates."

Coronavirus Worldometer | 15 countries with the highest number of cases, deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic

The European Union said earlier Thursday that it has reserved up to 400 million doses of a potential new coronavirus vaccine being developed by US giant Johnson & Johnson.

On July 31, the European Commission said it had reserved 300 million doses of another potential vaccine being developed by French firm Sanofi. The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 750,000 people and infected more than 20.6 million worldwide since it first emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.

WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan warned that only a small proportion of the global population had actually been exposed to the virus.

"This virus has a long way to burn if we allow it," he said.

"The vast majority of people remain susceptible to this infection.

"We may be in the eye of the storm and we don't know it."

Meanwhile, Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's Covid-19 technical lead, said there were examples from some countries suggesting that an individual may have been reinfected the virus, but "it's still not confirmed".

She said experts would need to look for false positive or negative cases, immune response after infection, and sequencing.


Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt between the planets Mars and Jupiter. In a new study, scientists suggest this dwarf planet contains a large body of salty water under its cold surface.

The researchers describe Ceres as an ocean world - a place that could have the right conditions to support living organisms.

The study was released earlier this month in the publications Nature Astronomy, Nature Geoscience and Nature Communications.

The research is based on data gathered by NASAs Dawn spacecraft, which flew as close as 35 kilometers to the surface of Ceres in 2018. The study provides evidence that the dwarf planet remains geologically active with cryovolcanism - volcanoes that produce icy material.

The scientists say their findings confirm the presence of a reservoir of salty water below the surface that has been slowly freezing. Planetary scientist and Dawn lead investigator Carol Raymond told the Reuters news agency it is this finding that makes Ceres an ocean world, even though liquid does not cover the whole dwarf planet.

In the case of Ceres, we know the liquid reservoir is regional scale but we cannot tell for sure that it is global. However, what matters most is that there is liquid on a large scale, Raymond said.

Ceres is about 950 kilometers around. The scientists centered their work on a 92-kilometer-wide crater formed when a large object hit Ceres about 22 million years ago. The crater has two bright areas caused by salt collections from liquid that reached the surface.

The scientists say the liquid started in a salt water reservoir hundreds of kilometers wide about 40 kilometers below the surface. When the large object crashed into Ceres, breaks in the dwarf planets surface created openings for salty water to escape.

There are several other solar system bodies beyond Earth where there at least appear to be oceans below the surface. These include Jupiters moon Europa, Saturns moon Enceladus, Neptunes moon Triton and the dwarf planet Pluto.

Water is considered a major necessity for life. Scientists want to study whether Ceres was ever home to microbial life.

Planetary scientist Julie Castillo of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory said there is major interest at this point in examining the possibility of life in Cerers reservoir. That is especially true considering it is cold and getting quite rich in salts, she added.

Im Pete Musto.

Will Dunham reported on this story for the Reuters news service. Pete Musto it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

asteroid belt  n. a gathering of any one of thousands of small planets that circle around the sun

dwarf planet  n. an object in space that looks like a small planet but lacks certain technical qualities that are required for it to be classed as such

geologically  adv. in a way that relates to rocks, land, or processes of land formation

reservoir  n. a place where a liquid is stored

regional  adj. a part of a country or world that is different or separate from other parts in some way

scale  n. the size or level of something especially in comparison to something else

global  adj. involving the entire world

crater  n. a large round hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or by something falling from the sky

microbial  adj. an extremely small living thing that can only be seen with a microscope

quite  adv. to a very noticeable degree or extent

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News18 Daybreak | Ashok Gehlot Opts for Trust Vote After Sachin Pilot Truce and Other Stories You Need to Watch Out For

Aug 14, 2020 10:58 AM IST



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Today's Big Stories



Ashok Gehlot Opts for Trust Vote After Sachin Pilot Truce, Counters BJPs No-Confidence Motion



The Ashok Gehlot-led government will move a confidence motion in the Rajasthan Assembly during the session beginning today as the Congress looks to counter the BJPs plan of tabling a no-confidence motion in the assembly despite Sachin Pilot returning to the Congess fold with his flock of MLAs. According to sources, the Congress party will move the Confidence Motion when the house convenes around 11am.Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member assembly, which includes 19 dissident MLAs along with Sachin Pilot who returned to the Congress fold after a long-drawn rebellion and six Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislators who had jumped ship to join the ruling party.



Follow live updates here



Discipline Your Troops, Stop Provocative Acts: China Tells India Onus of Galwan Clash is Not on Them



Sun Weidong, Chinese ambassador to India, has urged the Narendra Modi government to 'conduct a thorough investigation, hold the violators accountable, strictly discipline the frontline troops, and immediately stop all provocative acts to ensure such incidents will not occur again.' If one analyses this incident carefully, its quite clear that the onus is not on China. The Indian side crossed the LAC for provocation and attacked the Chinese border troops. The Indian forces seriously violated agreements on border issues between the two countries and severely violated basic norms governing international relations, Weidong wrote in the magazine.



In Other News



Concerning: The three journalists reporting for The Caravan magazine on the aftermath of the Delhi riots, in a media interaction held at the Press Club of India, said they were assaulted on Wednesday in the presence of police personnel who stood by as mute spectators.



India COVID-19: India has recorded 64,553 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total to above 24.6 lakh. The pandemic has killed more than 7,50,000 people worldwide. Almost half of the deaths reported were in the four worst hit countries: US (1,66,038), Brazil (1,04,201), Mexico (54,666) and India (47,033). Follow coronavirus live updates here



Contempt of court: The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce today its verdict in the suo motu contempt case against activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan for his two tweets allegedly derogatory against the judiciary. A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra will pronounce its verdicts in the matter.



US elections: Donald Trump said he had heard rumors that Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris, a Black woman and US-born citizen whose parents were immigrants, does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumors very serious.



On Our Specials



Weather woes: This year, the monsoon has been good in eastern India, along the western coast, south peninsular region and central India while it has been uneven in northeast so far. Nikhil Ghanekar writes that in north and northwest India though rains have been below par across eastern Rajasthan, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and even in the hill states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, IMD data showed.



Bengaluru riots: As an investigation progresses into the mob violence on the night of August 11 in Bengaluru, the spotlight has fallen on the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI). Deepa Balakrishnan reports that several BJP leaders are calling for a ban on the SDPI now, after its suspected involvement not just in the Bengaluru riots but also in the Mangaluru violence six months ago over CAA as well as the riots in Padarayanapura in the state capital in April when it was declared a containment zone with rise in Covid-19 cases.
The coronavirus pandemic is likely to be a challenge for years to come even with a vaccine, according to pharmaceutical and public-health experts.

While a vaccine will provide some measure of protection to societies around the globe, the virus is likely to flare up from time to time and be constantly battled, much like the flu and other pathogens.

Click here for full Covid-19 coverage

We know this virus is not going away any time soon. Its established itself and is going to keep on transmitting wherever its able to do so, Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist for the World Health Organization, at the How Covid-19 Is Reshaping the Global Healthcare Ecosystem event hosted by Bloomberg Prognosis. We know we have to live this this.

Humanitys record against viruses is poor. Only one virus has been fully driven out of existence in humans  smallpox. The rest are managed, with brushfires stomped out when they flare up.

I think whats realistic to expect is that with a combination of drugs and vaccines we can get to a stable place where the pandemic is manageable, said Novartis Chief Executive Officer Vas Narasimhan. He called the actual elimination of the virus unlikely.

There are 29 different vaccines in human trials around the world, according to a World Health Organization report released Thursday. More than 20 million people have been confirmed infected around the globe, with at least 751,000 killed by the virus.

While the rush to rapidly test vaccines has potentially cut years off of the time before one will be ready, a first round of inoculations will likely go only to health workers and high-risk populations, with the general public having to wait until sometime next year to get a shot.

The longer you wait, the more knowledge youre going to have on the vaccine, Narasimhan said. With reasonable confidence, we could have a safe and effective vaccine before the end of next year that could be used broadly.

Also read: Govt panel on Covid-19 vaccine protocol discusses delivery mechanism

Two of the furthest along vaccines are being developed by Pfizer Inc. and by the University of Oxford, which is working with drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc. But scientists working on the trials said it was important to collect a robust set of data rather than rush to look at early results.

The Oxford vaccine is being tested in the United Kingdom in a 10,000-person trial that has signed up most of its participants. Its set to run for as long as a year gathering results, potentially with an earlier look.

We dont yet have clarity on the timelines for those trials, said Sarah Gilbert, the Oxford professor who has led development of the vaccine. She warned against early looks into the trial -- a process called unblinding -- that can taint the results. We cant have multiple looks at the data, she said.

Pfizer said it, too, would not rush into an early look.

We wont unblind the study too early, said Kathrin Jansen, Pfizers head of vaccine research and development. If we are successful, yeah, we can declare success early.

With vaccines, which are given to healthy people, longer sets of data are crucial to find out how safe they are in the long term and how long protection lasts.

We wont know until we follow patients in clinical trials, in particular the vaccine trials, for six months to a year, said Novartiss Narasimhan.

Ongoing risk

Pandemics like Covid-19 are rare, occurring perhaps as infrequently as once in 200 years, said Neil Ferguson, a professor at Imperial College London who advised the U.K. government on its early-stage response. Yet more new viruses and outbreaks are likely to appear as urbanization and deforestation bring humans and animals into closer contact.

Over the past decade there have been an increasing number of viruses and bacterial infections spilling over into humans, said Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh. As long as we have close contact between animals and humans we will continue to have spillover events. And were seeing that through urbanization, deforestation, having wet markets.

There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of future pandemics, mainly involving the reduction of human interaction with wildlife, Ferguson said. One of the big risks is killing game for food, along with sales in markets in Asia and Africa.

Frankly, stopping those we could reduce the risk, but not completely, he said.

While hundreds of vaccines are in development that could slow or even halt the coronavirus, thats just one step along the way to protection. Covid has wreaked havoc in rich and poor countries alike, suggesting that public health systems have been found lacking even in countries with strong systems of care, according to Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the World Health Organization.

The WHO has been heavily criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said the group failed the prevent the outbreak and is too politically close to China. The U.S. currently has one of the worlds worst ongoing outbreaks.

We havent invested in public health responses, said Swaminathan. The countries that have really responded well have done so because the political leadership took it seriously, took early note of what was happening, and relied on scientific expertise.
On Nov. 7, 1869, a book arrived in the mail at the London home of Charles Darwin, the famous English naturalist and biologist, who is best known for his studies and writings on evolution.

The book, titled Studies in General Science, came from an American writer, A.B. Blackwell, and it impressed the famous scientist.

Darwin immediately sent a response back to the writer of the book:

Dear Sir,

I am much obliged to you for your kindness in sending me your Studies in General Science, over which, as I observe in the Preface, you have spent so much time. In turning over the pages I notice that you quote some statements made by me & very little known to public. I received your work only yesterday.

With my best thanks, yours faithfully, Ch. Darwin

In his friendly response, Darwin had made an inaccurate assumption.

A.B. Blackwell was no sir, she was instead one of the most interesting women ever to call Upstate New York home.

***

Antoinette Brown was born in a log cabin on May 20, 1825 in Henrietta, New York, south of Rochester. She was the seventh of 10 children.

Her parents were religious and got caught up in many of the church revivals that swept through New York State during their daughters childhood. Brown was influenced as well and, at the age of 9, had already publicly proclaimed her faith and been accepted by the elders of the Congregational church her parents attended.

She attended Oberlin College and completed the theological course in 1850. Although her professors allowed to her preach, they refused to license her or allow her to graduate.

(The college would later grant her an honorary Master of Arts degree in 1878 and awarded her a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1908.)

While at the school, Brown became increasingly involved in the temperance, abolition, and womens suffrage movements.

She began speaking publicly and gave a well-received speech at the first National Womens Rights Convention in Worcester, Mass.

The year 1853 was a momentous one for Brown. She attended womens rights conventions in Cleveland and New York, was a delegate at the Worlds Temperance Convention, where she was shouted down by a hostile crowd because of her gender.

On Sept. 15, the Congregational Church in South Butler, N.Y. (Wayne County) made her the first female ordained minister in the United States.

In 1856, she married Samuel Blackwell and largely retired from public activity. Instead she wrote articles for the suffrage periodical, Womens Journal and began studying and writing about physical and social sciences.

Charles Darwin

It was during this period in which her first work was sent to Charles Darwin.

It is impossible to know what Antoinette Brown Blackwell thought of Darwins assumption that the writer of the book he received from America was male. But it might have had an effect on Blackwells writing in her second book.

In a Smithsonian.com article from 2017, Rebekkah Rubin wrote:

At the time, Blackwell made no acknowledgement of this (admittedly minor) oversight. But what happened next suggests that the error did not go unnoticed. In fact, it was this assumption that minds of learning must be, by default, male that she would address in her second bookone aimed squarely at Darwin and other elite male scientists of his time.

In her 1875 work, The Sexes Throughout Nature, Blackwell goes right after the contention Darwin made in The Descent of Man that evolution had made men superior to women. Rubin called the book the first feminist critique of Darwin.

(Darwin wrote, If two lists were made of the most eminent men and women in poetry, painting sculpture, music, history, science and philosophythe two lists would not bear comparison.)

She argued that male scientists like Darwin were biased, relying too much on their learned masculine eminence, looking from their isolated male standpoints through their mens spectacles and through the misty atmosphere of entailed hereditary glamour.

Only a woman can approach the subject from feminine standpoint, she wrote.

Despite no scientific training, Rubin writes that Blackwell relied on math, reason and quantitative data to point out that Darwins conclusions did not take into account the unique characteristics of females throughout all species.

As a whole, Blackwell wrote, the males and females of the same species, from mollusk up to man, may continue their related evolution, as true equivalents in all modes of force, physical and psychical.

Antoinette Brown Blackwell would write four more scientific studies, a novel, and a book of poetry.

A downturn in her husbands financial situation saw her return to public speaking in the late 1870s. She was a regular attendee of conventions of the American Woman Suffrage Association and, later, the National American Womans Suffrage Association.

On Nov. 2, 1920, at the age of 95, she voted in the presidential election, the only pioneer who was at the very first National Womens Rights Convention to vote in the first election following ratification of the 19th Amendment.

She died in 1921 and is buried in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

More on Crusade for the Vote

Suffrage banner brings state GOP convention to a halt in 1918

A Suffrage Army states demands at the front door of a state senator in 1911

Syracuse Herald holds a test vote to gauge citys enthusiasm for womens suffrage

Explore the Post-Standards special Womens Suffrage edition from 1915

Syracuse suffragette Harriet May Mills reflects on her time in suffrage movement

New labor of love National Womens Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls opens later this month

Video and podcasts to get smart on the womens suffrage movement

How Central NY launched the womens suffrage movement

Social justice movement channels spirit of CNY suffragist (Commentary)

Visit key places in the suffrage movement across Central NY (map)

Syracuse women rejoice after the Tennessee ratifies the 19th Amendment

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:31:15|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Asia-Pacific countries continued to see surging COVID-19 cases on Friday as the Philippines recorded over 6,000 new infections, while the lockdown in New Zealand's Auckland was set to continue amid a resurgence of cases.

The number of confirmed cases in the Philippines surged to 153,660 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,216 new daily cases. The DOH said that the number of recoveries further rose to 71,405 after 1,038 more patients recovered.

New Zealand's largest city Auckland will remain in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 for 12 more days, with the rest of the country staying in Alert Level 2, as there are currently 36 active cases, 17 of which are linked to the recent community transmission in Auckland.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a press conference on Friday that the cabinet had unanimously decided to maintain the current alert levels until Aug. 26. The government will review the situation and make further decisions on Aug. 21.

The country confirmed 12 new cases and one probable case of COVID-19, with the 12 cases linked to the community transmission from an Auckland family cluster, amid the second and stronger wave of the epidemic in the country.

The total COVID-19 cases in India have crossed 2.4 million, reaching 2,461,190, as the total deaths crossed the 48,000-mark, reaching 48,040, according to the data released by the federal health ministry.

During the past 24 hours, as many as 64,553 new cases were added to the tally, and 1,007 more deaths were registered.

Malaysia reported 20 new COVID-19 infections, the Health Ministry said, bringing the national total to 9,149. Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a press statement that seven cases are imported and 13 are local transmissions.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh reached 271,881 as over 2,700 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

According to the figure reported by the DGHS under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 2,766 new COVID-19 positive cases and 34 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh.

Thailand reported 17 new COVID-19 cases, all now under state quarantine, with 15 of them being Thais who have recently returned from India. According to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the cases from India include nine men and six women.

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health confirmed 75 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of patients in the country to 37,506.

The COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 2,307 within one day to 135,123, with the death toll adding by 53 to 6,021, the Health Ministry said.

Laos has detected two more confirmed COVID-19 cases, with its total number rising to 22. Lao Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Meaungpak told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane that the two new cases were both Lao nationals who returned to the country from abroad on Aug. 12.

The COVID-19 outbreak in the Australian State of Victoria will likely delay the country's economic recovery by several months, Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Philip Lowe told a parliamentary inquiry.

Prior to the outbreak in Victoria, both the government and RBA were expecting a return to growth for the national economy during the September financial quarter.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared that Australia is "moving heaven and earth" to fight COVID-19 as a man in his 20s became the nation's youngest death.

Cambodia confirmed one new imported case, bringing the total number of infections in the kingdom to 273, said a Health Ministry's statement. The latest case was detected on a 51-year-old Cambodian woman, who arrived in the country on July 31 from the United States via a connecting flight in South Korea, the statement said.

South Korea reported 103 more cases of the COVID-19 as of 0:00 a.m. Friday local time compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 14,873. The daily caseload soared above 100 in 20 days since July 25 due to a surge in small cluster infections and imported cases. Enditem
VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's foreign ministry on Friday warned against travel to Croatia, as concerns grow that vacationers could catch the coronavirus and spread it once they return.

The warning is effective from August 17, the ministry said.

(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle; Writing by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Maria Sheahan)
The exuberant design is even more startling when you realize that this is not a new building, but the renovation of an old one: a former Bank of America branch that, according to Skokie associate planner Mike Voitik, was a Maurice L. Rothschild & Co. store when it was built in 1956. Around 1971, when the building had been turned into a Vignola furniture store, it was a laughably bad example of the Colonial Revival style, complete with a cartoonish clock tower and weather vane.
DGAP-News: avateramedical GmbH / Key word(s): Acquisition



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

avateramedical Acquires Robotics Specialist FORWARDttc Jena, Hanover, Germany, August 14, 2020 - avateramedical GmbH, an innovative German medical technology company, announced today the acquisition of FORWARDttc GmbH, an automation technology company with special focus on robotics hard- and software. The transaction was closed on July 30, 2020. Following successful integration, FORWARDttc will operate within the Group as avateramedical Digital Solutions, alongside the previously acquired avateramedical Mechatronics in Ilmenau, Germany. In the future, the new unit will be dedicated entirely to internal projects of the avateramedical Group. Financial details will not be disclosed. FORWARDttc GmbH was spun off from the Institute of Mechatronic Systems, Leibniz University, Hanover, Germany in 2012, offering a wide range of services in software for robotics, kinematics, visualization and mixed reality, as well as safety and machine learning. The Company was founded by three experienced engineers with backgrounds in mechatronics, robotic systems and software across academia and industry. The founders have already successfully completed several medical robotics projects and are leading a team of 13 full-time employees. Co-founders Prof. Tobias Ortmaier and Matthias Dagen will serve as Managing Directors of avateramedical Digital Solutions; Dr. Jens Kotlarski will be responsible for the innovation management for all software-related topics. avateramedical Digital Solutions will operate from Hanover, Germany, to retain its close ties to Leibniz University. "Our agreement to acquire FORWARDttc represents another milestone in avateramedical's strategy to expand opportunities for future growth and shortened innovation cycles by building up valuable resources," commented Oliver Kupka, CEO of the avateramedical Group. "We are excited for the FORWARDttc team to join avateramedical. This is a unique opportunity to integrate a close-knit team of highly trained specialists, who will provide a permanent and scalable in-house software solution to create substantial and lasting value for avateramedical's customers, our employees, and our shareholders. FORWARDttc's deep understanding of complex areas such as automation technologies, software and mechatronics perfectly complements avateramedical's outstanding expertise in robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery. This substantiates our innovative strength on the threshold to market entry of the avatera(R) system." "The entire team at FORWARDttc is thrilled to join forces with avateramedical," added Prof. Tobias Ortmaier, co-founder of FORWARDttc and Managing Director of avateramedical Digital Solutions. "Our focus on user experience, image processing, cloud computing, virtual reality and AI provides a complementary skillset to avateramedical. Addressing the future software needs, we can support the further development of avatera(R) and contribute to the realization of our ambitious goals. This opens up great opportunities for us to develop further in a cutting-edge technology segment." Matthias Dagen, co-founder of FORWARDttc and Managing Director of avateramedical Digital Solutions, added: "Our down-to-earth, entrepreneurial culture and enthusiasm for new challenges are a great fit to avateramedical's DNA and we are looking forward to further developing 'The German Robot'. As engineers, we know the technical side of robotics - and as human beings we are excited about how the well-thought-out use of mechatronic systems can positively shape our future." avateramedical is preparing for the introduction of the avatera(R) system for robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery, which has successfully completed the CE conformity assessment procedure, into everyday clinical practice in Europe and for a broad market launch. About Prof. Tobias Ortmaier Tobias Ortmaier has been active in the field of medical robotics for more than 20 years. Amongst others, he held positions at German Aerospace Center e.V., KUKA Roboter GmbH, and Leibniz University Hanover where he is leading a group of more than 25 research assistants. His passion is to translate fundamental research to practical applications. He is also a co-founder of the cobot company Yuanda Robotics GmbH. About Matthias Dagen Matthias Dagen obtained his Dipl.-Ing. in mechanical engineering in 2006. Thereafter, he joined the Institute of Mechatronic Systems at Leibniz University and became senior chief engineer and group leader in 2008. Besides founding FORWARDttc GmbH, he is also a co-founder of Yuanda Robotics GmbH where he was part of the management team and responsible for control engineering and safety. About avatera(R) avatera(R) is the first German system for robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery. Tailored precisely to the needs of future users, "The German Robot" enables precise keyhole surgery (so-called laparoscopy) with the highest level of safety for patients and maximum comfort for surgeons and surgical teams. Thanks to avatera's stringent single-use concept, surgeons always work with new, reliable instruments without the risk of cross-contamination and cost-intensive sterilization processes. The use of German servers and the application of German and European data protection standards ensure maximum security for the protection of all sensitive data of clinics and patients. A certified quality management system and the CE mark document the complete conformity of avatera with all legal and formal requirements and confirm the high standards avateramedical applies to the safety and efficiency of the system. avateramedical GmbH is an innovative German medical technology company in the field of robot-assisted surgery at the high tech sites in Jena, Ilmenau and Hanover. The privately financed company was founded in 2011 by Prof. Dr. med. Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg and Dr. Hubertus von Gruenberg and financed by Lars Windhorst to combine the expertise of leading European surgeons, German top managers and excellent German engineers and software developers. avateramedical, with its current workforce of around 200 employees, aims to combine state-of-the-art medical technology with economic efficiency, quality, comfort and reliability. avateramedical GmbH is a subsidiary of avateramedical N.V. For more information, please see https://www.avatera.eu.

Contact



avateramedical GmbH

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Manager Marketing Communication

Phone: +49 (0)3641 2724 181 Media Inquiries



MC Services AG

Katja Arnold / Eva Bauer / Dr. Regina Lutz

Phone: +49 (0)89 210 22 880

Email: avatera[at]mc-services.eu

14.08.2020 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

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WASHINGTON - The top two officials at the Department of Homeland Security are serving unlawfully in their roles, the Government Accountability Office said Friday, dealing a rebuke to President Donald Trump's affinity for filling senior executive roles in his administration with "acting" leaders who lack Senate confirmation.

The GAO, an independent watchdog agency that reports to Congress, said Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Ken Cuccinelli, the acting deputy, are serving in an invalid order of succession under the Vacancies Reform Act.

Democrats in Congress called on the two men to resign, but DHS officials rejected the findings as "baseless."

Trump has repeatedly circumvented the Senate confirmation process by installing appointees to interim positions, and then has left them in those roles indefinitely without a formal nomination or the backing of Congress.

Cuccinelli's formal job title - senior official performing the duties of the deputy secretary - is among the most strained in the administration. The DHS leadership chart also shows him occupying the acting director role at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a job he has had for more than a year without a nomination.

According to the GAO, Trump's installation of Wolf and Cuccinelli violated the law because of the sequence of events following the resignation of DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in April 2019. The official who assumed the title of acting secretary at that time, Kevin McAleenan, had not been designated in the order of succession, the GAO said.

Subsequent personnel moves were also therefore illegitimate, and Wolf and Cuccinelli "are serving under an invalid order of succession," the agency found. The GAO said that it was referring the matter to the DHS inspector general for review and that any further actions would be up to Congress and the IG's office.

The Vacancies Reform Act governs how temporary appointments can be made to positions that require Senate confirmation.

Immigrant advocacy groups already have challenged the legality of Trump administration initiatives by arguing the policies have been implemented by DHS officials who lack legal authority to do so. The GAO finding is expected to trigger a new wave of litigation calling into question DHS policy changes that include blocking asylum seekers, immigrants and others from entering the country.

DHS quickly issued a statement challenging the GAO's conclusion Friday.

"We wholeheartedly disagree with the GAO's baseless report and plan to issue a formal response to this shortly," DHS spokesman Nathaniel Madden said.

The normal nomination process exists in part to encourage executive nominees who will be acceptable to a majority of lawmakers while preserving the congressional oversight role the Constitution established. Trump has said he prefers having senior officials serving in an acting capacity because he thinks it makes them easier to remove.

"I like 'acting,' " Trump told reporters last year. "It gives you great, great flexibility."

The president's disdain for the norms of the confirmation process is especially notable because his own party enjoys a majority in the Senate.

Despite the GOP's control of the Senate, some of the top officials Trump has appointed, including Cuccinelli, would not be able to win majority support there. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warned the White House last year that he would not allow Cuccinelli to be confirmed because of Cuccinelli's prior campaign work targeting moderate Republicans.

The GAO report newly emboldened Democratic lawmakers in going after Trump's appointees and the work they have done while in the Trump administration.

"The determination by an independent congressional watchdog today invalidates actions Mr. Cuccinelli and Mr. Wolf have taken and both should immediately step down from their illegal roles," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. "The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General must launch a top-to-bottom legal review of every decision made by Mr. Cuccinelli and Mr. Wolf during their tenures and report his findings to the public and to Congress."

Wolf was a deputy chief of staff at DHS before rising through the ranks of the department. He was not Trump's first choice for the job, but neither Cuccinelli nor acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner Mark Morgan were eligible for the acting secretary role.

Instead, Wolf was narrowly confirmed for the top policy job at DHS last November, then installed in the acting secretary role the same day. He has played a central role in the government's controversial response to protests throughout the United States this summer, actions some former DHS officials from both parties have said crossed the line.

Cuccinelli, formerly the attorney general of Virginia, has impressed the president with his forceful advocacy for Trump's immigration policies during television interviews. In March, a federal judge ruled that his appointment to lead USCIS was illegal and that he lacked the authority to issue policy directives tightening asylum rules. The Trump administration dropped its appeal of that ruling Thursday.

The GAO noted that it was not examining the question of the consequences of Wolf and Cuccinelli's improper appointments, or the impact on the actions they have taken in those roles, instead referring those questions to the DHS inspector general.

The GAO conducted its review in response to inquiries from House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

In a statement responding to GAO's findings, Thompson and Maloney called on Wolf and Cuccinelli to resign from their roles.

"GAO's damning opinion paints a disturbing picture of the Trump administration playing fast and loose by bypassing the Senate confirmation process to install ideologues," Thompson and Maloney said. "In its haste to circumvent Congress's constitutional role in confirming the government's top officials to deliver on the president's radical agenda, the administration violated the department's order of succession, as required by law."

Since Trump ousted Nielsen in April 2019, the White House has displayed an unprecedented disregard for the Senate confirmation process. McAleenan served seven months without a nomination, and though Trump has effusively praised Wolf, he has not received a nomination for the secretary position.

Across the department, career officials have retired or resigned from their jobs without replacement, and the White House has made no effort to push for the confirmation of its more-recent appointees.

The leadership page of the DHS website shows empty seats and interim appointments across the agencies charged with protecting the country from terrorist attacks and other threats, with more than 20 vacancies and acting chiefs among senior department positions.

In addition to the temporary appointments at DHS headquarters, none of the three agencies that run the country's immigration system - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - have a Senate-confirmed leader.
Narrower School Sexual Harassment Definition to Take Effect as Lawsuits Fail

Schools will no longer have to investigate certain sexual harassment allegations in order to maintain their federal funding.

Starting Aug. 14, new Department of Education (DOE) rules will come into effect changing the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Two lawsuits by 18 Democratic state attorneys general failed to block the rules, as judges concluded the suits were unlikely to succeed.

Previously, schools were required to respond to sexual harassment allegations that were so severe, persistent, or pervasive as to deny or limit a students ability to participate in or benefit from the schools programs or activities.

The new definition is unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal educational access.

Opponents argued that the new definition was too narrow and would force schools to ignore allegations that dont clear the higher bar.

The department said it narrowed the rule to balance it against First Amendment considerations for the social and developmental growth of young students learning how to interact with peers in the elementary and secondary school context [and to] foster robust exchange of speech, ideas, and beliefs in a college setting.

Schools will still be free to handle allegations outside of the Title IX scope as they see fit, as long as they dont claim they are required to do so under federal rules.

If [the DOE] disagreed with a recipients characterization of a proceeding as falling under Title IX and a party dissatisfied with the recipients handling of the proceeding filed an enforcement complaint, [the DOE] would only seek to clarify for the recipient and the parties involved in the proceeding that the situation designated by the recipient as a Title IX proceeding was not actually required under Title IX, the department told the federal court in the District of Columbia, where 17 states sued.

In light of these commitments from the Department, it is hard to see how Plaintiffs are likely to succeed even on their narrow claim that the Department exceeded its authority by mandating the dismissal of complaints alleging non-Title IX harassment, said Judge Carl Nichols, an appointee of President Donald Trump, in his Aug. 12 opinion denying the plaintiffs request to put the new rules on hold while the lawsuit plays itself out (pdf).

For allegations that fit the new definition, schools will have to adopt due process that, among other things, requires that both the alleged victim and the accused can respond to each others arguments, but dont have to do so on their own and in person. Schools will also have to train at least some of its staff to properly handle such allegations. Colleges will be required to hold live hearings, while for K12 schools, hearings will be voluntary.

The states argued that the new rules would be too costly to implement, that they come into effect too quickly given the COVID-19 pandemic, and are too narrow in other regards.

Nichols dismissed those arguments. He said the schools likely already incurred most of the costs, given that the rules are about to come into effect, and that schools have long seen them coming.

The Final Rule is similar to the proposed rule in most respects, and thus schools have had almost two years to analyze and understand its requirements, he said.

The second suit, in the Southern District of New York, also failed to secure an injunction.

While the plaintiffs disagree with the choices made by the DOE, they have failed to show that those decisions were arbitrary or capricious, said Judge John Koeltl, a Bill Clinton appointee, in an Aug. 9 opinion, concluding that the lawsuit wasnt likely to succeed, the rules didnt pose irreparable harm, and the public interest didnt favor injunction (pdf).
KEARNEY  The Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska again is offering its Weatherization Assistance Program.

Through this program, service providers will install, at no charge, energy-efficient measures in the homes of income qualified individuals. This includes:

- Furnace and water heater inspections

- Adding insulation in attics and walls

- Attic ventilation

- Insulating crawl spaces, water heater jackets and water heater pipes

- Weather-stripping and caulking around doors, windows, and general heat waste areas

- Repairing broken windows and doors.

These upgrades can result in an average savings of 24 percent for homes with gas utilities and 11 percent for homes with electric utilities.

Since its founding in 1976, the WAP program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, has provided weatherization services to more than 7 million low-income families.

For more information, call the Community Action Partnership at 308-865-5680 or visit communityactionmidne.com.
Military talks with China on reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have hit a roadblock, with the Indian Army taking the hard line with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) as it (the former) seeks to restore the status quo ante of early April in eastern Ladakh.

According to top officials who spoke to HT on Friday on the condition of anonymity, the Indian Army has asserted that the sanctity of the LAC is non-negotiable. The comments came on a day when defence minister Rajnath Singh assured the armed forces that India will not hesitate to deliver a befitting reply to any attacks from a foreign power.

Five rounds of top-level military talks have failed to break the deadlock due to serious differences between India and China that flared following transgressions by the PLA earlier this summer. Talks are stuck in a stalemate because of the India Armys insistence that the PLA must withdraw to positions held by it as of April 2020, and the Chinese reluctance to restore status quo ante in some areas, said one of the officials cited above.

The Finger Areaa set of eight cliffs jutting out of Sirijap range overlooking Pangong Lakehas emerged as the hardest part of the disengagement process with little hope of immediate resolution. Disengagement has progressed somewhat smoothly at friction points in Galwan Valley and Hot Springs, but its pace remains sluggish in Gogra area.

The Indian Army has clearly told the PLA that shifting of the LAC in any area is not acceptable. This was most recently conveyed on August 2, when corps commanders from the two sides met. There is no question of us budging, said a second official.

There is growing consensus among Indian officials and China experts that military talks are unlikely to deliver further results, and the resolution of the issue will require political and diplomatic intervention.

The PLA is facing unanticipated consequences of its misadventure in Ladakh because of the Indian Armys strong response. It will ultimately have to look for a face-saving exit strategy. We have made preparations for a long haul, said a third official.

De-escalation along the disputed border can only begin after complete disengagement between the two armies on the LAC. The ground situation remains unchanged in Ladakh sector, where both armies have deployed almost 100,000 soldiers and weaponry in their forward and depth areas.

On Friday,a day ahead of Independence Day, defence minister Singh delivered a radio message to the armed forces, saying that the country believes in winning hearts and not land. But it does not mean we will let our self-esteem be hurt. If enemy country attacks us, then we will give a befitting reply like every time, he added.

The Union external affairs ministry separately said that several meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs and corps commanders had discussed the implementation of the disengagement process and further steps to ensure it is completed at the earliest.

Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava noted both sides had made some progress after reaching agreement on the broad principles of disengagement, but more needs to be done. He said translating these principles on ground is a complex process that requires redeployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC.

On August 10, chief of defence staff Gen Bipin Rawat informed a committee of lawmakers that de-escalation in Ladakh could be a long-drawn process but the Indian military is prepared for this and has made all arrangement for the long haul through the harsh winter.

Our position is unambiguous  status quo ante has to be restored and we will not accept any shifting of the LAC. The ball is in Chinas court now. Achieving our goal will take time and we will have to be patient, said Lt Gen (retired) Vinod Bhatia, a former director general of military operations.

The August 2 military negotiations between corps commanders came three days after Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong said his countrys traditional boundary line on the northern bank of Pangong Lake was in accordance with the LAC and there was no case of Beijing expanding its territorial claim.

Suns contention was a clear indication of the Chinese hard line on its claims in the Finger Area. Before PLA grabbed positions on Finger Four overlooking Indian deployments, the Indian Army would patrol right up to Finger Eight that New Delhi considers within Indian territory.

The new positions held by PLA have curtailed the scope of Indian patrols. Fingers Four and Eight are 8 km apart.

During a visit to Ladakh on July 17, defence minister Rajnath Singh said progress in negotiations should help resolve the border dispute but added he couldnt guarantee to what extent the situation will be resolved.

The sizeable Chinese troop presence at friction points, particularly Pangong Lake and Depsang, remains a concern, with Beijing yet to deliver on understandings regarding disengagement reached during the July 5 phone conversation of the Special Representatives on the border issue and meetings of corps commanders.

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At the Irish Cultural Center in West Springfield, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III spoke to supporters and officials about his plans to push more industries and businesses into Western Massachusetts if he is elected to the U.S. Senate, remarking again on the absence of his opponent, Sen. Ed Markey.

My vision for Western Massachusetts is to have a senator that is going to support the vision of Western Massachusetts, Kennedy said adding that there are enormous opportunities but also problems to overcome.

Kennedy traveled to five areas of Western Massachusetts on Friday to receive endorsements from town and city officials as well as discussing advanced manufacturing at Boyd Technologies.

There are structural deficiencies from reimbursement of healthcare costs to lack of infrastructure. [Ill] fight for that every single day particularly as we respond to COVID-19, said Kennedy. Youve got an industry in Western Massachusetts, the tourism industry, that is so critically important for so much of the state that has been devastated over the course of the summer and will be into the fall. Folks need relief.

The four-term congressman, running a close primary race against Markey, announced the Kennedy Jobs and Justice Initiative in July and said he would be crossing the state to speak to residents of different communities.

The initiative would provide federal funding to states, municipalities and tribal communities in need of jobs critical to our reemergence from this pandemic, Kennedy said in a statement on the initiative.

In a survey between July 31 and Aug. 7 of 362 likely Democratic Senate primary voters, including 199 Democrats and 163 independents, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and WCVB poll found that 51% back Markey versus 36% for Kennedy.

Kennedy isnt fazed by the poll saying, the support that Ive gotten across Western Massachusetts today, the support that we get the response that we get every single day across the state is really encouraging.

In the survey, 12% of UMass Amhersts respondents said they remain undecided, and the poll had a significant margin of error at 7%.

I think the country is in a time of crisis and I think the United States senator has a duty to do something, said Kennedy. I think if youre going to try to get that right, you have to be listening to people here in Western Massachusetts. Asking questions and not just saying, hey, we passed a bill in Washington'.

The Kennedy campaign team had previously sent out a news release on July 26 labeled Missing Markey, including several bullet points alleging minimal appearances in Massachusetts communities.

Joe Kennedy III met with West Springfield officals and residents at the Irish Cultural Center. Kennedy officially receive endorsements from Mayor Will Reichelt, Fmr. Mayor Ed Sullivan, and City Councilors Sean Powers, Brian Griffin, and George Kelly. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

You got to be here to listen to those concerns, understand them and not just drop policies in Washington. Understand the unique needs of these communities to ensure that they are empowered to be able to succeed, Kennedy told reporters outside the Irish Cultural Center.

They also marked the case that a digital map released by Markey highlighting communities where hes delivered as a lawmaker actually demonstrated the longtime progressive has been absent in Massachusetts for the last several decades.

Markey fired back in July, saying that if he hadnt gotten the job done in so many Massachusetts communities for decades, he wouldnt be backed by a majority of mayors and state legislators.

Markey noted that 19 state representatives backed him, while only four, from Kennedys own district, supported his primary challenger.

Theyve all endorsed me because they know I stand up and fight for those communities, he said. Dont say Im not doing the job if those people with whom Im partnering are endorsing me in this race. Theyre not with you, theyre with me.

Kennedy told MassLive on Friday that he believes that the western expanse of the state still has a story to tell and its heyday isnt just in the past when it comes to industry.

We were at Boyd Technologies just two hours ago. [Boyd Technologies] is looking at reorganizing supply chains and actually expanding medical device manufacturing here and medical manufacturing for [personal protective equipment] and other critical services, Kennedy told MassLive. Its not a question of lack of vision or talent, determination, or work ethic. Its a lack of structure.

Sen. Eric P. Lesser endorses Rep. Joe Kennedy III at Springfield's Union Station. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

State Sen. Eric P. Lesser threw his support behind Kennedy on Nov. 8, 2019 in his hunt for Markeys seat at Union Station in Springfield.

Outside Springfields train station in November, Lesser and Kennedy highlighted a lack of political will to help western Massachusetts thrive, and framed Union Stations $94 million rejuvenation as a benchmark for how local, state and federal efforts can overcome economic losses that have impacted working families over the last generation.

You need to have strong public transit. You need to have interactivity between economic hubs and east-west rail. You need to have Broadband, there are still 18 communities across the state that dont, Kennedy said on Friday.

Lesser spoke on the floor of the Massachusetts State Senate on July 16 about the disconnect between Western and Eastern Massachusetts, noting that those communities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic were those that were left out of Bostons tech and life sciences boom.

Its the neighborhoods and the zip codes in Boston that were left out as the economy kept going up and up and up for some, and its the communities, indeed, the entire regions, in practically every other part of the commonwealth, that have seen these high rates, including my home community in Hampden County, Lesser said.

The Massachusetts Senate approved nearly $17 billion in borrowing to fund the states transportation system, including nearly $50 million in spending earmarked for the east-west rail project.

We are in the final stages of the MassDOT East-West Passenger Rail Study. The final three options currently being reviewed for the project include service from Pittsfield to Boston via Springfield, Palmer and Worcester, Lesser told MassLive on Friday.

In West Springfield, Kennedy received endorsements from West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt, Former Mayor Ed Sullivan and City Councilors Sean Powers, Brian Griffin, and George Kelly.

He will end his tour in Western Massachusetts in Springfield to meet with City Councilor Malo Brown, who earlier this week dropped his endorsement of Markey.

Martin Luther King III, the oldest son of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, also announced his endorsement of Kennedy for the Senate this morning.

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KSAT 12 viewers will notice big changes to the San Antonio TV station's morning newscasts.

On Thursday, KSAT announced Stephanie Serna as the new "Good Morning San Antonio" anchor. Serna will join fellow anchor Mark Austin, meteorologist Mike Osterhage and traffic reporters and officers Marcus Trujillo and Nick Soliz, She will also anchor GMSA @9." Serna had been the anchor for "GMSA Weekends."

Stephanie has been part of the KSAT family for more than ten years and seeing her growth over that time as a reporter and anchor has been impressive, said KSAT 12 Vice President and General Manager Phil Lane in a news release. As a San Antonio native, she brings an understanding of this community and its residents to the anchor desk, with a genuine warmth that is perfect for a morning audience whos looking to our team to start their day off right. We look forward to her contributions to the morning conversation.

MORE SAN ANTONIO TV NEWS: San Antonio anchor Leslie Mouton parts ways with KSAT 12 after more than two decades

Sarah Acosta is being promoted from reporter to the anchor, replacing Serna on "GMSA Weekends."

"Since joining KSAT in 2018, we have known Sarah was a rising star, so were excited to see her take this next step in her career. said News Director Bernice Kearney.



The moves follow the departure of veteran anchor Leslie Mouton, who resigned in June. Mouton had been at KSAT for over 21 years.



We know our viewers expect more from us and we know how essential morning news is to the greater San Antonio area," Lane said. Now, perhaps more than ever, our audiences are looking to us to keep them informed, help them wade through the challenges of living, parenting, and learning through the pandemic. Our morning teams are vital to our continued success.

Candice.Garcia@express-news.net | Twitter @_candicegarcia
More than 4,000 active-duty troops and family members who need outpatient mental health care each month aren't getting it, and the Defense Department's Military Health System (MHS) can't come up with an explanation, the Defense Department's Inspector General said in a scathing report.

"An average of 53% (4,415 of 8,328 per month) of all active-duty service members and their families, identified as needing mental health care and referred to the [Tricare] purchased care system, did not receive care and the MHS did not know why," according to the report, released Wednesday.

Read Next: Air Force Legend Curtis LeMay Once Bombed the Navy to Prove a Point

In addition, seven of 13 military treatment facilities (hospitals and clinics) and their supporting Tricare network programs "did not meet the specialty mental health access to care standard each month," the report states.

Overall, "We determined that the DoD did not consistently meet outpatient mental health access to care standards for active-duty service members and their families, in accordance with law and applicable DoD policies," it adds.

"This happened because the Defense Health Agency [DHA] lacked a Military Health System-wide model to identify appropriate levels of staffing  published inconsistent and unclear mental health care policies, and did not have visibility of patients who had attempted but failed to obtain mental health appointments," the report states. "As a result, thousands of active-duty service members and their families may have experienced delays in obtaining mental health care, which increase the risk of jeopardizing patient safety and affecting the readiness of the force."

The IG recommended that the DHA develop a single, systemwide model "to identify appropriate staffing levels, update and clarify DoD and DHA policies, develop a method to book patient appointments in the purchased care system, and develop standardized mental health access to care measures."

In response, Army Lt. Gen. Ronald Place, the DHA director, agreed with the IG's recommendations on staffing, measuring access and treatment outcomes, and developing centralized appointment and booking procedures.

In a letter to the IG, Place disagreed with a recommendation to track the reasons for mental health referrals, saying it "would require invasive questioning of beneficiaries, which could increase stigma and reluctance to seek needed care."

The 61-page IG report noted that "military service, especially combat, can carry a psychological cost for the DoD military members and their families who support them. The DoD has the responsibility to effectively identify and treat mental health conditions through a consistent standard of care."

However, the report documents numerous ways in which the DoD is not meeting that responsibility.

Both the Military Health System and the Tricare network have set a standard of 28 days from the time a mental health care referral is ordered to the time of the appointment, but the DoD has consistently failed to meet the standards, the report states.

The DoD and Tricare measured the 28-day standard differently, and both "included only those patients who were able to get an appointment, excluded patients who selfreferred, and considered only the patients' first appointment," the IG said.

The result is that troops and their families may not have been able to see the right provider at the right time, obtain mental health care at all, or receive timely followup treatment, the report adds.

"For example, in June 2019, active-duty service members and their families who were referred to the Tricare network waited on average 57 days [29 days over the standard] for behavioral health care and 79 days [51 days over the standard] for psychiatry" at the Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor in Washington state, according to the report.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: 'Brandon Act' to Give Troops Confidential Mental Health Treatment Gets Senate Boost
ALTON  Alton-based Challenge Unlimited has received the Southern Illinois Hometown Hero Award from U.S. Rep. Mike Bost.

The nonprofit organization was recognized for providing essential custodial service during the pandemic at Scott Air Force Base just east of Belleville IL.

During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, our essential employees have been working on the front lines to help keep our communities safe and healthy, says Bost. Today, Im honored to recognize Challenge Unlimited and their Scott Air Force Base Custodial Crew as Southern Illinois Hometown Heroes. Their hard work and dedication have helped ensure that Scott Air Force Base remains a safe workplace for those stationed there.

Challenge Unlimited is the first and only nonprofit agency in the metro area which matches the temporary staffing needs of businesses with a talented workforce comprised of individuals with all disabilities, the disadvantaged and veterans. For 60 years the organization has been committed to serving individuals with disabilities, while serving as a trusted business partner to private businesses, federal and state government agencies to provide essential facility contracted services to include custodial, groundskeeping, contract packaging, mailroom and food services.

We are extremely honored to receive this award from Congressman Bost, says Charlotte Hammond, president and CEO of Challenge Unlimited. We have partnered with Scott Air Force Base for more than 30 years, and we are very proud of our very dedicated workforce for their perseverance throughout this pandemic.

For 60 years, Challenge Unlimited has been committed to serving individuals with disabilities, while earning a reputation as a trusted business partner to private commercial companies and federal and state government agencies. For more information visit www.CUInc.org or call 618-465-0044.
On the eve of Oregons second special legislative session, House lawmakers held a virtual meeting of the Revenue Committee.

The August 6 meeting was relatively brief and low-key, as legislative economists explained how new business and personal income tax breaks in Congress CARES Act were automatically copied into Oregons tax code.
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Linkedin Darmansjah Djumala (The Jakarta Post) Vienna  Fri, August 14, 2020 09:08 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df2b28 3 Opinion gado-gado,Gastrodiplomacy,food,cultural-diplomacy,diplomacy,tumpeng,international-relations Free

The webinar fever during the COVID-19 period has affected almost all professions. Among them is gastronomy, a science and art that sees food not only from the cooking process but also from the dimensions of history, philosophy and cultural background.

The Indonesian Gastronomy Association (IGA) and the Center for Gastrodiplomacy Studies at, the University of Jember in East Java raised this gastronomic theme, in a webinar on July 24, discussing the national strategy of Indonesian gastronomic diplomacy.

This initiative deserves appreciation. Gastronomic diplomacy is different from culinary diplomacy. If the latter places more emphasis on the process of cooking and the art of enjoying food, gastronomy studies the dimensions of history, philosophy and the cultural setting of food.

Because of the historical, philosophical and cultural dimensions, a gastronomic association with cultural promotion is inevitable. And because it contains cultural elements, gastronomy is included in the cultural diplomacy cluster in the realm of diplomacy. This is the source of the term "gastrodiplomacy".

Positioning gastrodiplomacy properly within the frame of cultural diplomacy will facilitate decisionmakers in designing national strategies to promote Indonesia abroad by using specific Indonesian culinary instruments (cuisine and food).

Gastrodiplomacy observer Anna Lipscomb, from The Yale Review of International Studies (Culinary Relations: Gastrodiplomacy in Thailand, South Korea and Taiwan, 2019), says that because gastrodiplomacy is related to efforts to build the nation's image through food, it falls under the realm of countries diplomatic struggle to foster a sense of mutual understanding between nations.

From her research in the three countries, she concluded that each country seeks to connect its signature foods with its respective "national identities". From this conclusion, it is clear that gastrodiplomacy is not limited to stomach and food matters. More than that, as initiated by the pioneer of gastrodiplomacy Paul Rockower, gastrodiplomacy is an effort to build the image and position of a nation for the creation of a certain "reputation" (nation al brand) through food. From the views of Lipscomb and Rockower, one can derive two concepts related to the image of a nation.

First, there is a national brand that is more related to the visible reputation of a country, and second, a national identity that refers more to the nation's character, traditions, culture and language. Austria, for example, is known for its reputation as the world capital of classical music, the orchestra and one of the United Nations headquarters. But in the context of national identity, Austria is known as a nation with European cultures and traditions, artistic talent and democracy.

So, what is the relevance of the two concepts of the nation's image with gastrodiplomacy? Departing from these two concepts, the understanding of gastrodiplomacy should not only be limited to promoting the visible reputation of a country, such as delicious food. More important than that is projecting a national identity related to national character and culture.

To project Indonesia's image in a broader and more strategic perspective, cultural diplomacy is carried out in a new narrative: to portray Indonesia as multicultural, democratic, moderate, tolerant and respectful of diversity.

It is important to project this image to the international community because in world politics mired with ethnic and religious conflicts, such an image will place Indonesia in the mainstream of global politics. That is, Indonesia can become friends and cooperate with other countries based on national interests.

The new narrative of cultural diplomacy  portraying Indonesia as multicultural, democratic, moderate, tolerant and respecting diversity - should become a reference for gastrodiplomacy.

Every gastrodiplomatic activity must be attached to the new narrative of cultural diplomacy. That way, Indonesian gastrodiplomacy does not merely promote the delicacy of Indonesian food.

Indonesian gastrodiplomacy should communicate that certain foods have symbolic values that project national identity and national character.

Take for example, tumpeng ( yellow rice cone with side dishes) and gado-gado (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce), which are almost always present at every Indonesian gastrodiplomatic event abroad.

As part of gastrodiplomacy, the symbolic and philosophical meaning of the two foods must be narrated to the audience.

The tumpeng pointing up symbolizes that our prayers to the creator will reach him. This is a symbol of religiosity. The yellow rice cone surrounded by colorful side dishes represents the Indonesian people, who are diverse in ethnicities and religions. The side dishes give beauty and delicacy to the diversity of Indonesia.

The same goes for gado-gado. A variety of colorful vegetables when brought together by peanut sauce will taste more delicious than if they were enjoyed separately. Gado-gado is also flexible and moderate in character. Whatever types of vegetables, Indonesian or European, if they are presented in one dish and doused with peanut sauce, the taste remains delicious. It symbolizes flexible and the moderate Indonesian people who can provide the delicacy of friendship on a plate of international relations.

If such symbolic meaning and philosophy are narrated in every international event, gastrodiplomacy has played a role in projecting the image of the Indonesian nation and state. The grand narrative about Indonesia, which is multicultural, moderate, tolerant and respectful of diversity, portrays us as a flexible nation and friendly with all nations in international relations.

The good social acceptance in international relations that Indonesia has through gastrodiplomacy will in turn have a positive impact on other fields of cooperation, especially trade and tourism.

***

The writer is senior diplomat assigned to Austria and the United Nations in Vienna, and doctoral lecturer at the International Relations Department, School of Politics and Social Sciences, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, West Java. The views expressed are his own.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
The Lebanese obstetrician was prepping to deliver a baby at Beiruts St George Hospital, when thousands of tonnes of explosive material detonated less than a kilometre away at the capitals main port.

Two of Professor Elie Anastasiades team of midwives were injured in the blast which ripped open the room, showering windows, doors, metal beams and chunks of the ceiling onto the mother in labour and the medical crew below.

Just metres away on the same floor, a nurse was killed.

Despite sustaining injuries himself, and amid the glass and debris, Prof Anastasiadis knew he had to continue the delivery otherwise the baby and the mother might not survive.

The baby boy was born safely, by the lights of the teams mobile phones.

The problem was the evacuation of the building, we had to deliver there and then or she would be in labour in transit, he tells The Independent.

We had no choice but to continue.

St George hospital, one of the largest in Lebanon, overlooks Beirut port and so was gutted in last weeks blast that killed over 170 people and wounded 6,000 more.

New dizzying CCTV footage of the explosion, shared with The Independent, shows the impact the blast had on the hospital, and especially the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where several Covid-19 patients were intubated at the time.

The medical complex, one of the main facilities treating coronavirus patients, is one of six major hospitals and 20 clinics that sustained material or heavy structural damage from the blast, according to a UN report released on Friday.

In fact half the 55 medical facilities within a 15km radius of the blast epicentre at Beirut port are non-functional.

Aid agencies and rights groups fear this will have a devastating long-term impact on the countrys already ravaged healthcare system and its ability to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

A few minutes before the explosion, CCTV cameras show staff and visitors across the medical facility being startled by a smaller blast.

In the ICU, on the third floor, the nurse goes to the window to check.

By the time she sits back down the pressure wave from the main explosion hits  tearing the tiles, windows and doors from the walls and ceiling. Steel beams fly across the room in tandem with heavy ward doors and steel cabinets.

As the smoke and dust settles in the dark, she scrambles over the counter. Dazed medics, spattered in blood, pick their way through the debris to check on the patients.

Four nurses are instantly killed, one on the sixth floor decapitated by a shard of glass, workers said.

In addition 13 patients and visitors also do not make it.

Among them are five intubated patients, including one suffering from Covid-19. The blast destroyed the hospitals power supply, generator and back-up batteries, meaning their ventilators stopped working.

No elevator was functioning, there was no electricity, so we divided the teams into groups of 10 for every floor. They were climbing stairs with the lights of their cell phones, recalls Alexander Nehme, the hospitals chief medical officer.

Triage was performed on every floor. We left the dead in place, and succeeded in evacuating with our own hands and with sheets, any of the 160 patients who were still alive, he adds.

Despite being wounded and bleeding, hospital staff pull their colleagues and patients out from underneath the rubble and then in the complexs car park immediately start treating the newly injured from the neighbourhood.

They had no other choice, as every single floor from the ground up has been ripped out, Dr Nehme continues.

It was like a skeleton. We were completely non-functional, he says.

St George was one of the countrys main facilities treating coronavirus patients and offering PCR tests. Its 18 Covid-19 patients had to be evacuated, and two died.

It has had to shut down those wards.

The International Rescue Committee warned this week that the number of Covid-19 cases in Beirut has surged by a third since the blast hit on 4 August.

New daily infection rate records have been set over the days since the blast.

Lebanon was already in the grips of an unprecedented financial crisis which had hampered its efforts to response to the pandemic.

Before the blast the country was under a reimposed lockdown as the case number had started to rise. Social distancing is near impossible with a large clean-up and rescue operation under way and the fact tens of thousands have now been made homeless.

Sami Sadi, part of the hospitals administration says they are not sure when they will be able to rebuild most of the hospital, let alone open the coronavirus wards.

It would take a year to get back to normal and as much as $25m to get the hospital functioning again, he says from an office with no roof.

Dr Nehme adds no one could be equipped for a blast of this intensity.

This was beyond any emergency plan you could ever imagine.
Six-year-old Kali Karnatskis lemonade stand looks just like your typical kids summer enterprise.

The big difference isnt what shes selling; its where the profits are going: to the fire department in her hometown of White Haven, Pennsylvania.

Now, the young entrepreneur, who advocates for her local first responders, is being praised for rallying the community in a difficult time.

Kalis reasons for giving her time and profits to White Haven Fire Company #1 are simple: Because I wanted to, because they help other people and I want to help them, she told WNEP.

(Illustration  Firefighter Montreal/Shutterstock)

Six-year-old Kali Karnatski and her lemonade stand (Courtesy of Lauren Karnatski)

The lemonade stand has a prime location in the center of town, across from the post office.

Assisted by her 9-year-old cousin Jared Ellis, Kali is offering up a simple selection of sweet summer refreshments, including regular lemonade, pink lemonade, and homemade cookies.

But this isnt the first time Kali has stepped up to help her fellow citizens. Her mom, Lauren Karnatski, posted pictures on Facebook of an even younger Kali and her lemonade stand from 2019, captioned: One year ago Kali decided to have a lemonade stand and donate the money to local organizations.

Kali Karnatskis lemonade stand last summer (Courtesy of Lauren Karnatski)

This year, Lauren helped Kali get set up again with a new sign for her opening weekend on Aug. 8.

However, with the pandemic impacting business, Kali has had to supply hand sanitizer and a sign reminding customers to social distance. Not even the economic lockdown could keep her from working toward her goal of helping the firefighters who protect the town.

Kalis stand proved a big success around town. Krista Piccolotti, a local mom, brought her kids by to see the display of patriotism and community spirit. Its awesome, its awesome, part of the reason why I wanted to bring the boys by here today, she told the news outlet. Shes doing a great job for the community.

(Illustration  Maria Dryfhout/Shutterstock)

The effort is even more important now, as White Haven Fire Companys usual fundraising channels have been shut down by the pandemic.

Captain David Raudenbush explained, We are struggling a little bit with fundraising and our social club is our main support and with the restrictions, every little bit helps and this is a huge boost.

Raudenbush added, This is awesome. Absolutely awesome theres no other way to describe it. This is a true symbol of community support Kali comes from a great family and we are absolutely proud to serve the community here.

The fire department posted a picture of Kali on Facebook, wearing a mask, selling lemonade on the sunny summers day.

They captioned: I love this community! With a big heart and a strong supportive, loving family behind her, Kali showed exactly what it means to help her community! Thank you, from the bottom of all our hearts, thank you!
Queensland has become Australia's first state to ban gay conversion therapy, a controversial practice aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Doctors, counsellors and psychologists could now face up to 18 months in prison in the state if found guilty of using aversion therapy, hypnotherapy or psychoanalysis.

Some undergo a host of bizarre and extreme practices in the hopes of changing sexual orientation, including exorcism, hugging and even electric shock therapy.

'Behavioural management' is also used, as is giving patients nausea-inducing drugs while showing them a picture of someone of the same sex.

Some practitioners also use counselling or 'repression techniques' to encourage a person to keep their feelings about sex or identity private.

Doctors, counsellors and psychologists could now face up to 18 months in prison in the state if found guilty (stock image)

The Health Legislation Amendment Bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland on Thursday, with 47 to 41 votes.

State Health Minister Steven Miles told parliament being LGBTIQ did not require medical treatment, as it was not an affliction or disease.

He said conversion therapy was 'highly destructive and unethical'.

'No treatment or practice can change a person's sexual attraction or experience of gender,' Mr Miles said, SBS reported.

He has previously called practice 'immoral' and said it has 'long been discredited by the medical sector', in November 2019.

'I strongly oppose any suggestion that being LGBTIQ is a disorder that requires medical treatment,' he said at the time.

'This is an appalling practice that has no place in modern society, let alone Queensland's health system.

'It does nothing but cause harm and devastation to vulnerable members of the community who need and deserve our support and respect.'

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles (pictured) told parliament being LGBTIQ did not require medical treatment as it was not an affliction or disease

Queensland Council LGBTI Health president Peter Black said the ban sent a clear message to Queenslanders conversion therapy was 'harmful in all contexts'.

'People should be nurtured and protected so they can live and love without fear of abuse, ridicule or exclusion,' he said in November.

He said having 'penalties for this dangerous and discredited practice' was important.

'There continues to be a need for education and further research on the harms of conversion therapies, as well as support for survivors of conversion therapies,' he said.

Queensland's decision follows Israel taking a step toward implementing an outright ban in July and several countries - including Malta, Brazil and Germany - partially or fully outlawing gay conversion therapy.

ACT has committed to banning conversion therapy for minors by introducing a bill on Thursday, and the Victorian government beginning public consultation on similar legislation in October 2019.

Queensland's decision follows Israel taking a step toward implementing an outright ban in July and several countries - including Malta, Brazil and Germany - partially or fully outlawing gay conversion therapy. Pictured: The gay rainbow flag being waved in a crowd

But SOGICE Survivors and Brave Network, two advocacy groups led by conversion survivor self-advocates, said they were 'extremely concerned' about the ability of the Queensland government's legislation 'to prevent the harm currently seen among recent survivors'.

'Overwhelmingly, the bulk of harm occurs over time in informal settings (such as pastoral care in faith communities), and not in therapeutic contexts,' the statement read.

'This harm is driven by false and misleading claims made to people over a long period of time. Because of this, legislation aimed solely at health service providers using "therapy" is not going to solve the problem.

'Health professionals are only very rarely involved in conversion practices in 2020, and therefore must not be the sole focus of any legislation or response.'

The La Trobe University and the Human Rights Law Centre found conversion therapy 'pervasive' in Australian faith communities in a report in 2018.

It included at least ten Australian and New Zealand organisations offering the practice.
OTTAWA, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Meladul Haq Ahmadzai CEO of Taleam Systems , the global Coronavirus campaign only benefits Chinas business interests to this day. While most businesses remain closed in Canada, factories in China are still operating to produce masks and ventilators.



Ahmadzai says, Businesses in China are very happy, and they benefit from the global pandemic as long as it continues. He further adds, At a time when medical clinics and hospitals exhausted their COVID-19 supplies, China businesses did not cooperate with Canada in due time.

A few factories from China contacted Taleam Systems to sell their stock, but Ahmadzai did not sign a deal with them.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada started in March, but the medical supplies seemed to be only available to medical professionals. Ahmadzai says, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didnt prepare Canadians for the Coronavirus pandemic as the economy was shutdown too early and limited PPE supplies.

Today, reports confirm that the Canadian government made a bad decision to shutdown businesses without paying attention to the supply needs. The latest report by CBC news can be viewed here on PPE shortages .

Meanwhile, small businesses are struggling as Canadians only spend on essential needs such as food. Ahmadzai signals that Canadas economy is in a recession and that Stats Canadas data shows the economy only grew by 4.5 percent in May mainly due to the food chain operation.

Taleam Systems is a technology business based in Ottawa, Canada. The business provides computer support and products to hospitals and small businesses since 2011. To learn more about Taleam Systems visit the website www.taleamsystems.com

Media contact:

Meladul Haq Ahmadzai

CEO, Taleam Systems

Phone: 613-521-9229




2021 winners: Carrie Taylor (Opheim), Zora Holt (Hinsdale), Jacob Potter, Porter Hopstad (Nashua), Kara Gilbreath, Cooper Reddies, Wyatt Lawson, Emily Cronmiller, Dej Garsjo, Audrey Elletson



To be eligible, student must be attending a school in Valley County for school year 2021-22.
Germany on Friday declared nearly all of Spain, including the tourist island of Mallorca, a coronavirus risk region, further dashing hopes for a swift revival of mass tourism. "They are making night leisure a crime," Ramon Mas, head of Espana de Noche business association, told RNE radio station. He said his group was planning to sue the government for what he sees as a rights violation that puts thousands of jobs at risk. "We are indignant and angry," he said. Some regions such as Galicia and the Canary Islands had curbed smoking in public areas earlier this week.

The increase in infections has led to worries the country could return to the grim situation it experienced in early April when the daily COVID-19 death toll approached 1000, but Illa played down such concerns. Official data shows 62 people have died over the past week, bringing Spain's total coronavirus death toll to 28,617. "The situation is not comparable with March and April," the minister said, remarking that more young people were now becoming infected but patients in general were getting less severely ill. To curb the epidemic, authorities imposed a strict lockdown in the whole of Spain in mid-March that lasted until late June and all but wrecked the country's tourism-dependent economy. Still, many Spaniards hailed the new measures.

"There are many outbreaks and if measures are not taken we will have to lock down again," said Graciela Espino in Las Palmas, on Gran Canaria island. California passes 600,000 virus cases California has become the first state in the US to surpass 600,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. As of Friday morning, local time, there were more than 603,000 recorded cases. The state also has now reported more than 11,000 deaths. Yet despite the grim numbers, there is growing evidence that the surge in infections and fatalities that began when California reopened its economy in May is beginning to slow.

Cars queue at a drive-through coronavirus testing site at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last month. Credit:AP In Los Angeles County, the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus is now about 0.86  meaning that every one infected person passes the virus to an average of 0.86 other people. Last week, the rate was at 0.91. And statewide, an ensemble computer model known as the California COVID Assessment Tool estimates California's overall transmission rate is about 0.96. Hospitalisations are also falling in many regions of California. Statewide, the average number of people who were hospitalised seemed to peak in late July, when an average of nearly 7000 people were in hospitals with confirmed coronavirus infections over a seven-day period; by Wednesday, that number had fallen to 5710. "While our gains might feel slow and our future remains fragile, our success over the last three weeks is real," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday. "We begin to see signs of light."

Canada says new waves could send death toll soaring Canada is planning for a "reasonable worst case scenario" in which new waves of the coronavirus would intermittently swamp the public health system and send the death toll soaring, officials said on Friday. Under the scenario, there would be a large peak later this year followed by a number of smaller peaks and valleys stretching to January 2022. Each peak would exceed the health system's capacity. The system has so far managed to deal with the outbreak but evidence shows that if it does suffer breakdowns, "the mortality goes up really, really high", chief public health officer Theresa Tam told a briefing. Tam declined to say what the chances were of the worst case scenario occurring.

Several of Canada's 10 provinces have reported higher numbers of COVID-19 infections as the economy restarts and restrictions on social gathering are relaxed. "We are planning for a reasonable worst case scenario comprised of a large 'Fall Peak' followed by ongoing 'Peak and Valleys' in which resource demands intermittently exceed the ... health system's capacity to manage," federal health officials said in a modelling forecast. "Increases in infection rates are expected as we continue to support economic and social activities, even with appropriate controls in place." France reports yet another new post-lockdown peak

France declared its capital Paris and the port city of Marseille high-risk zones for the coronavirus on Friday as the government reported more than 2500 new infections for the third day in a row. The seven-day moving average of new infections, which smooths out reporting irregularities, increased to 2041, doubling over the last two weeks. This went beyond the 2000 threshold for the first time since April 20, when France was in the middle of one of Europe's strictest lockdowns. Loading In the wake of these figures, Paris authorities published an updated map where wearing a mask will be mandatory, with whole swaths of the city now covered by the measure, including the famed Champs Elysees, which had been left out of the initial map.
The possibility of consent cannot be countenanced in case of a minor rape survivor (13), the Bombay high court (HC) said while rejecting plea of a rape convict for bail during pendency of his appeal.

The prosecutrix (survivor) at the time of the incident was only 13 years of age, and, as a result, the argument that it could be a consensual act cannot be accepted, said Justice CV Bhadang while rejecting application of Sagar Sahi, a driver, who was, ironically, employed by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working for the welfare of children.

Sahi was convicted last year for raping a minor in 2015 and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years.

He had moved a plea before HC seeking bail during pendency of his appeal against the conviction and the sentence.

It was argued, on his behalf, that the medical report of the survivor would show that there were no external injuries on the person of the rape survivor.

Expressing possibility that the act could be consensual and the rape survivor could be a consenting party, the lawyer of the convict submitted that it was necessary to bring on record the call data record of conversations between the convict and the rape survivor, but the investigating officer (IO) of the case failed to do so.

Justice Bhadang, however, refused to accept the contention as far as consent is concerned.

The judge added that the absence of external injuries cannot be prima face considered a proof in favour of the accused, while citing the definition of rape under section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The judge also pointed out to the irony that the convict was employed by an NGO as a driver to work for the welfare of children but has been charged and sentenced for sexually assaulting a minor.
The country of Spain shall apply, with the exception of the Canary Islands for the Corona-crisis management in Germany as well as a risk area due to high infection numbers. The Federal ministries involved decided, as it was called on Friday from government circles. First of all, the "image"newspaper had reported about it.

"In Spain, a very dynamic eruption shows itself to be done," said a Ministry spokeswoman to the news Agency AFP. The case numbers rose in the Trend, "more and more areas in Spain are again more affected by the pandemic". The spokeswoman said: "The designation as a risk area, is to be prohibition no Border closures and no trip."

in Particular, for the extremely tourism dependent Balearic Islands is another major blow. At the end of July already arranged Quarantine requirement in the UK for returnees from Spain had sparked a slump in bookings. Finally, the popular holiday Islands, but had more Corona new infections registered In the past 24 hours 264 new cases had been reported in Mallorca alone,wrote the "Mallorca Zeitung" on Friday.

On Thursday had been registered for the entire country, almost 3000 new infections within 24 hours. The American Johns Hopkins University reported on Friday night for Spain as a whole 337.334 confirmed Corona-infections since the beginning of the pandemic,28.605 people died. So it belongs to the Coronavirus in the worst-affected regions of Europe. Many parts of the country that currently report increasing case numbers.

For German tourists had to the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) classified previously, the regions of Aragon, the Basque country, Catalonia, Madrid and Navarre as risk areas. This classification is considered to be an important basis for decision-making for travel warnings from the foreign office. Since last Saturday, travellers returning from high-risk areas, a Corona must do Test, otherwise it will face a fine as well as quarantine. The domestic quarantine amounts to a maximum of 14 days or until a negative test result was available, it was said from the Ministry of health.

criticism of the decision

in the face of rising case numbers in many regions of the country, the Spanish government decided on Friday for more drastic measures.Disco thekenund night bars have to remain closed, as the Minister of health Salvador Illa said. Restaurants must close at one o'clock at night, after midnight, no guests may be received.

recommended reading: For Spain's economy, it is bad news  the country is fatal, depending on tourists.

in Addition, should no longer be smoked in the open, if the minimum distance of two metres below, said Illa. He had previously held a crisis meeting with the health authorities of the individual regions of the country, in their competence in health issues. The Smoking ban was issued on Thursday of two regions, the Canary Islands and Galicia. Smokers health organization (WHO), according to the world may be more at risk of getting infected with the Coronavirus, or this pass, because the Smoking fingers and lips touch.

Updated Date: 14 August 2020, 13:19
Commenting on the news that Aer Lingus is to review the viability of its services out of Shannon Airport, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said that it is incomprehensible that Shannon could lose its essential Heathrow slots.

In a recent survey of its members, the unanimous response to losing the London route from companies, was that it would have a very negative impact, in terms of conducting routine business.

Whilst companies may not currently be travelling, they are still looking to a future when connectivity between Ireland and its key markets will be permissible.

The loss of the London-Heathrow connection would have considerable impact as it not only acts as a hub for companies customers and suppliers in Europe but many use it for all onward international travel.

Its not only about companies getting to their markets, its about getting customers to come to Shannon.

As one company put it, if this route was to cease it would have a large impact on our business capability and flexibility that is so crucial to our customers in the EMEA, added Ms Downes.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan has called on all Mid-West politicians to unite around the call for Shannon Airport to be reintegrated under the control of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) with a new management team.

Shannon Airport must be brought back under the control of the DAA. Simply calling for a change of management personnel misses the fundamental flaw in the current structure. Talk of competition between airports on an island of our size was always a nonsensical policy he concluded.

For more Limerick news click here
President Akufo-Addo will, on Monday, August 17 hand over the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Building to the African Union Commission (AUC) in Accra.

The Secretariat, which will administer the free trade agreement for creating a single market across 55 countries, is located along the Liberia Road in Accra.

Together, the 55 countries committing to the programme have a population of 1.2 billion and a total Gross Domestic Product of about US$ 2.5 trillion. So far, 54 countries have signed the Agreement, with 28 countries ratifying same.

Ghana was selected by member states to host the AfCFTA Secretariat in July 2019 during the 12th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit held in Niamey, Niger.

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

Many have said that Ghanas hosting of the Secretariat will promote the country as an attractive regional and investment hub in Africa, boost economic activities, and provide job opportunities for Ghanaians.

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

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

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

The whereabouts of four workers of the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC, remains unknown after Thursdays attack on Penda Mboko by armed men believed to be of the Non-State Armed Group fighting to make of Cameroons North West and South West Regions an independent state called Ambazonia.

According to Franklin Ngoni Njie, General Manager of the CDC, the yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the home of the Rubber Factory Manager of Penda Mboko, Mungo Division of Cameroons Littoral Region at 1:00 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2020.

Unidentified armed men attacked the home of the Rubber Factory Manager of Penda Mboko, Mr. Ali-Malex Achalle, said CDCs General Manager in a statement this Friday.

The assailants shot Agbor Mbi, a 16-year-old student who was reportedly writing the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations. He died on his way to the hospital in Mbanga.

CDCs General Manager said: The house of the Factory Manager was set ablaze. His private vehicle and the Corporations Supervision vehicle were equally burnt down. The Factory Manager and three watchmen (Nkemasong Nicasius, Achou Roland, and Tawlan Peter, aged 48, 49 and 60 years respectively were kidnapped. As at press time, their whereabouts are unknown. The deceased student was a nephew to Mr. Agbor Samuel, a watchman in the Matouke Rubber project.

He regrets that attacks of similar nature on CDC personnel, their dependents and property have been recurrent since the advent of the socio-political crisis rocking the South West and North West Regions.

Ngoni Njie went on to strongly condemn this vicious attack on CDC personnel, their dependents and property.

The incident has been reported to the Administration and the Forces of Law and Order for investigation, said CDCs General Manager.

The CDC is among the hardest hit by the crisis rocking Cameroons English-speaking regions. The company has however assured the national and international public opinion that Government is taking measures to keep the company afloat.

A Statement of Assurance from the management of the company states: Conscious of the ongoing difficulties faced by the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) as a result of the current socio political unrest in the North West and South West Regions, acknowledging the fact that ten of our estates are almost entirely shut down, putting over five thousand jobs at risk, we wish to state that, being the sole owner of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), the State of Cameroon has duly been informed of the prevailing situation.

While waiting for the State to provide a lasting solution to the crisis, all workers of the Cameroon Development Corporation are enjoined to remain calm and forward looking, as management is doing all it takes to ensure that things unfold in their best interest. We are hopeful that the powers that be will do all that is necessary to keep the CDC afloat.
Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis which has hit businesses across segments, Shriram City Union Finance Limited has significantly cut loans to its key set of customers. Compared with the year ago period, the loans to small businesses such as grain merchants have fallen 99 per cent to Rs 20 crore in the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal, Bloomberg reported. Businesses such as grain merchants constitute just more than half of the borrowers of the Non Banking Financial Company (NBFC).

The company is preferring to wait to get more clarity on the recovery of small businesses amid the ongoing pandemic, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yalamati Srinivasa Chakravarti told the global news agency. "Most of the businesses have not come back to their normal level of sales.I have to look at their cash flows much more closely than earlier," Chakravarti added. The bulk of loans applied by borrowers at the NBFC are of less than Rs 15 lakh each.

Shriram City was incorporated in 1986, and is a part of Shriram Group. Shriram City provides specialised services in retail & Micro Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) lending.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a meeting with top bankers and impressed upon them the need to push lending towards the productive sectors for revival of the economy hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-hour long meeting, held via video-conferencing, was attended by CEOs of large public and private sector banks along with heads of NBFCs. The topics on agenda for the meeting included credit products and efficient models for delivery, financial empowerment through technology, prudential practices for stability and sustainability of the financial sector.

Also Read: First coronavirus vaccine: Why the world doubts Russia's claim

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Will PM Modi announce two COVID-19 vaccines on August 15?
A former dean of admissions at Texas Southern University who had a warrant out for his arrest after failing to appear in court turned himself in Friday morning.

Edward Rene, 52, who was charged with theft by a public servant, a second-degree felony, arrived at 9:30 a.m. at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, said Marvin Rodriguez, coordinator of the 228th District Court where Renes case is being heard.

Rene was released Friday morning after paying a $10,000 bond, Rodriguez said.

Rene is accused of stealing nearly $74,000 in scholarship money from TSU law school students by inflating financial awards for two students and pocketing the excess funds, according to the criminal charge. If convicted, Rene faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.

TSUs board of regents brought their concerns about Rene to the District Attorneys Office of Public Corruption last year. Harris County investigators worked with the FBI to investigate Rene, a longtime employee at TSU.

Rene failed to respond to a court summons Wednesday after the Harris County District Attorneys Office filed the theft charge against him earlier this week. A warrant for his arrest was issued Thursday.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Warrant out for arrest of ex-Texas Southern official tied to admissions scandal

Attorney Marcus Esther said Wednesday that he had been helping Rene with some preliminary matters for his case earlier that day, but by that afternoon, he no longer represented Rene. Rodriguez said Rene appeared in court with a lawyer but didnt know the attorneys name. Rene didnt answer his cell phone Friday.

FBI Special Agent Coy Davis stated in an affidavit that two TSU students, who werent identified in court papers, said Rene had offered them scholarships to help cover tuition costs  but they also received tens of thousands of dollars in extra financial aid.

Rene told one student that the excess funds would need to be returned to a charitable foundation to help minority students, the affidavit alleges. Rene gave no name of a foundation, and he told the student to write cashiers checks to him from the fall of 2017 to the fall of 2019 that totaled nearly $47,000.

A second student, who was told that Rene had a family foundation, was initially paid a total of $14,000  double the amount expected, according to the affidavit. When the student questioned Rene about the discrepancy, Rene said it was an accounting error and was asked to reimburse Rene directly with a check, cashiers check, or money order, according to the affidavit.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Former TSU official tied to admissions scandal charged with theft

The double payments continued, court records allege, and the student paid Rene a total of nearly $27,000. The FBI found no evidence of a charitable foundation tied to Rene, and court records allege that all the checks were either deposited in his personal bank account or cashed at his bank.

Joan Bullock, the dean of TSUs Thurgood Marshall School of Law, told the FBI that Rene had sole discretion to award scholarships from the law school, but the money was intended for students.

And Derrick Wilson, director of administration, said several TSU administrators reviewed and approved Renes budgetary requests for scholarship money  but no one ever questioned Rene.

john.tedesco@chron.com

brittany.britto@chron.com
The Polish-Bolshevik war was a founding moment for modern Poland and a crucial moment for Europe, even though the awareness of this may be insufficient. It was the real clashing point of two diverse civilizations

There are crucial moments in history that define the worlds future. For Poland and Europe, one of such moments in the 20th century was the day of August 15, 1920. It was then that Poland newly reborn in 1918 fought a decisive and victorious battle with the Bolshevik forces that aimed to spread the fire of the communist revolution all across Western Europe, devastated by the human and material losses of the Great War. According to the British diplomat Edgar DAbernon, it was the eighteenth decisive battle in world history. The Battle of Warsaw deserves to be listed on a par with the D-Day as a critical turning point in the fight against totalitarianism in Europe. Because of the Iron Curtain that divided Europe as a result of the Yalta Conference, the significance of this specific event to the history of Europe did not get imprinted in the worlds memory as prominently as it deserves. This concerns both mass culture and history textbooks. It is time to finally fill those gaps in European collective memory. The anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw should be celebrated not only in Warsaw, not only in Poland, but in all of Europe. Even though it was Poland that had won on the Vistula River, that victory concerned to a large extent the freedom of European nations  their freedom from the totalitarian darkness of communism.



From a historical perspective, the year 1920 closes a series of events which began with the partitions of Poland by Prussia, Russia, and Austria in late 18th century. The Battle of Warsaw was the culmination of one of the most remarkable episodes of the building of a modern nation in European and global history. The nation without a state, emerging on the ruins of military and political defeat (including numerous Polish uprisings and collapses of successive substitutes of the state) at the time Poland was erased from the map of Europe,which extended from the end of the 18th century to the end of World War I.

The first Polish phenomenon worth mentioning is the scale of transformation of the Polish society from a feudal one to one of Europes most modern civil societies  and, as a matter of fact, without having any state institutions. An enormous network of social, cultural, and sport institutions, like the Soko gymnastic association, financial unions, scientific societies, and school self-education societies can be compared only to reforms during the Meiji period enacted by the strong central power in Japan. The big Polish grassroots revolution of the second half of the 19th century was carried out in defiance of the powers occupying Poland. This is evidence that the Poles were able to learn a lesson from their own history and consolidate around the most modern concepts Positivism, democratic reforms, empowerment of women and social masses. Had there been no victory on the Enlightenments front of education, science, and social thought, there would have been no victory on the military fronts.

The remarkable history of Polands first democratic revolution is not widely known in Europe. Sadly, because it is a tale that equals such gems of literature as Tocquevilles Democracy in America. Soon after regaining independence in 1918, Poland adoptedsome of the most modern social and electoral legislations of the Western world. A shared sense of regained freedom prevailed over prejudice and a temptation to discriminate against wider segments of society. Poland had to build the unity and cohesion of the entire nation. The intellectual work undertaken at the end of the 19thcenturyfound its succession in the pro-state efforts once public institutions were regained after 1918.

The phenomenon of Poland is thus a story of democratization different from that in Western Europe. This is a story of democratization taking place along with the process of regaining independence and significance as a social and political entity. This is a story of modernity being built in defiance of imperialism, absolutism, and despotism of powers that dominated Europe of the 19th century. The story which found its climax in the very demanding test of maturity for the state  less than two years after it regained independence, Poland had to face a totalitarian threat from the Bolsheviks.

The war with the Bolsheviks was a demonstration of an uncommon political unity of the Polish nation. In July 1920, the Government of National Defense was established, with WincentyWitos, leader of the peasant movement, as Prime Minister, and Ignacy Daszynski, one of the leaders of the Polish Left as Deputy Prime Minister. In light of the need to defend the very existence of the newly regained homeland, political differences among the fathers of the Polish independence receded to the background. Polands political elite passed the test of maturity at the most critical moment. The Polish people massively supported the war effort, with an enormous involvement of the Catholic Church. The Bolshevik troops had to confront the nation that was not going to give up its hard-won independence.

The central point of the Polish-Bolshevik war was the Battle of Warsaw, a daring counter-attack on the Bolshevik forces advancing towards the center of Poland, executed by the commanders  Marshal Jozef Pisudski, Chief of Staff Tadeusz Rozwadowski, and operational commanders  General WadysawSikorskiand Edward Smigy-Rydz.

The French renowned military historian Hubert Camonsaw the enveloping maneuver which gave the Poles victory in the Battle of Warsaw as an emanation of the Napoleonic maneuver. With minimal losses, the Poles defeated the enormous Bolshevik army advancing with great impetus towards Western Europe. The war mobilization of the Polish society was remarkable, given that Poland was one of the most devastated countries in World War I. Also remarkable was the response from the Poles, as evidenced by how amazingly fast General Hallers Volunteer Army was formed to soon exceed 100,000 troops.

The press called the Poles victory the Miracle on the Vistula in a clear reference to the Miracle on the Marne of World War I, when the French-British forces stopped the German armies.

The Polish-Bolshevik war was not only about the clashes of huge armies, the spectacular effort of the entire society, or the strategic genius of the commanders. It was also about the struggle between intelligence services  that is cyphers, minds, and intellects. The great hero of the covert front of the Battle of Warsaw was Jan Kowalewski, officer of the Polish military intelligence who broke Soviet cyphers. It was his work that helped get key information needed to create the Polish operational strategy. That unsung hero played a crucial role in halting the Soviet aggression against Europe in 1920. Moreover, during World War II he was an important figure of the Tripod Action which was devised by the Polish government-in-exile in London and aimed at preparing the Allies invasion of the Balkans through making Italy, Rumania, and Hungary withdraw from the alliance with the Axis powers. Alas, under the pressure from Stalin, Roosevelt abandoned the plan to land in the Balkans which was pushed by Winston Churchill. If history had taken a different course, Jan Kowalewski might have saved EastCentral Europe twice from the totalitarian Soviet domination.

The centennial of the Battle of Warsaw is one of the most important anniversaries of todays free Europe. The Poles saved the West from the experience of totalitarian genocide as described by outstanding French historians in the famous Black Book of Communism. The Polish experience of communism with its tragic and long-term consequences for the country and its people is often misunderstood. The legacy of communism is a real problem, one that deforms the social and institutional reality of the countries that underwent democratic transformation. WadysawReymont, the great Polish novelist and laureate of Nobel Prize in Literature, in his novel The Revolt (Polish: Bunt), which he wrote following the Battle of Warsaw, presents an allegory of a revolt raised by animals against man and, parallel to this, he portrays totalitarian mechanisms. He did so twenty years before George Orwell and his famous Animal Farm. Reymont could write this book because the Poles experienced confrontation with communism long before the West did. The Battle of Warsaw was also a culmination of more than five decades of Polands grassroots democratic revolution, one of the most unusual and unwritten histories of Europe of the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century. It is a story of great patriotism, religious devotion, military genius, and the significance of ciphers.

The Polish-Bolshevik war was a founding moment for modern Poland and a crucial moment for the entire Europe, even though the awareness of this may beinsufficient. It was the real clashing point of two diverse civilizations, and no one knew it better that Karol Wojtya, born in 1920, who would later become John Paul II: Since the day I was born, Ive been greatly indebted to those who then took up the fight against the invaders and won, paying the ultimate price. The obligation to repay this debt rests on us all. Today, one hundred years after the victorious Battle of Warsaw, is a perfect opportunity to remind ourselves and the whole of Europe about it.

The text is published concurrently in the Polish monthly Wszystko co Najwazniejsze under a project realized in partnership with the Institute of National Remembrance.Translated by Grzegorz Gortat.

Mateusz Morawiecki is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, historian and economist

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DUBLIN, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Thermocouple Temperature Sensors Market - Growth, Trends and Forecast (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The thermocouple temperature sensors market is expected to register a CAGR of over 3.68% during the forecast period 2020-2025. The increasingly popular trend of the development of smart cities in countries is contributing to the high growth of the electronic security market.

Further, the introduction of advanced technologies in the global sensors market, along with the ever-rising trend of digital transformation in the industrial world, has resulted in a rising demand for sensors, especially for smart sensors.

Moreover, thermocouple temperature sensors are mainly used for thermal management and automatic transmissions systems in the automotive industry. Therefore, the stringent emission norms for automobiles, aggressive development in an autonomous vehicle, and increasing penetration of electric vehicle (EV) globally are some of the major factors driving the market growth. For instance, the Indian government is focusing on creating charging infrastructure and policy framework, so that by 2030, more than 30% of vehicles are electric vehicles.

In February 2019 , STMicroelectronics' has entered into a partnership with Hyundai Autron launch development lab for eco-friendly automotive sensor solutions. The collaboration will provide the environment for engineers to collaborate on pioneering solutions for eco-friendly vehicles, with a focus on powertrain controllers.

, STMicroelectronics' has entered into a partnership with Hyundai Autron launch development lab for eco-friendly automotive sensor solutions. The collaboration will provide the environment for engineers to collaborate on pioneering solutions for eco-friendly vehicles, with a focus on powertrain controllers. However, technical awareness about sensor and heating issues in the extreme condition is the key restraints which hamper the market growth.

Key Market Trends



Automotive Industry is Expected to Register a Significant Growth

The need for temperature sensors for safety and precision measurements of the smart automotive equipment, in order to analyze and produce sensor data timely, is likely to increase because of the miniaturization of the intelligent sensor technology. This is expected to fuel the demand for thermocouple temperature sensors in this application.

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) is a common feature among most of the electric vehicles and high-end models in the mid-range segment the increased sales of electric vehicles among high disposable income regions, such as the United States , Germany , and China , provides an opportunity for the growth of the thermocouple temperature sensors market.

, , and , provides an opportunity for the growth of the thermocouple temperature sensors market. The battery charges used for charging multiple devices in the automotive segment are equipped with temperature-sensing elements that regularly check and monitor the heating issue, as this is a common problem with batteries mostly used in automated vehicles. This helps in increasing the life of devices and decreases damage; thereby, ensuring that the batteries have charged enough.

Therefore, with increasing electric vehicles manufacturing, thermocouple temperature sensors demand is also expected to increase.

North America Holds the Largest Market Share

The United States is expected to have a prominent share in the thermocouple temperature sensor market. The country is one of the largest automotive markets in the world and is home to over 13 major auto manufacturers. Electric vehicle use in the United States has risen rapidly, with an estimated 1% of automotive sales in the US market from electric vehicles.

is expected to have a prominent share in the thermocouple temperature sensor market. The country is one of the largest automotive markets in the world and is home to over 13 major auto manufacturers. Electric vehicle use in has risen rapidly, with an estimated 1% of automotive sales in the US market from electric vehicles. California dominates the US market in terms of sales of electric vehicles (EVs). It's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program is driving the demand for EVs, by requiring automakers in the state to sell a certain percentage of electric cars. US auto market, which is likely to further pressurize automakers to expand their affordable EV offerings, thereby fueling the demand for a thermocouple temperature sensor in the country.

dominates the US market in terms of sales of electric vehicles (EVs). It's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program is driving the demand for EVs, by requiring automakers in the state to sell a certain percentage of electric cars. US auto market, which is likely to further pressurize automakers to expand their affordable EV offerings, thereby fueling the demand for a thermocouple temperature sensor in the country. US aerospace manufacturers are very competitive internationally. In 2017, the aerospace industry contributed USD 143 billion in export sales to the US economy. Companies in the aerospace sector, such as Boeing, won contracts worth USD 12 billion in 2018, to supply 47 new 787 Dreamliner jets to American Airlines. Similarly, the company signed a deal with Singapore Airlines for the delivery of 39 new wide-body jets, worth USD 13.8 billion , in 2017. Such trends are expected to drive the demand for a thermocouple temperature sensor in the country.



Key Topics Covered:



1 INTRODUCTION



2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Introduction to Market Drivers and Restraints

4.3 Market Drivers

4.3.1 Rising Trends of Security and Surveillance

4.3.2 Rapid Technological Developments

4.4 Market Restraints

4.5 Value Chain / Supply Chain Analysis

4.6 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis



5 MARKET SEGMENTATION



6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Maxim Integrated Inc

6.1.2 Keyence Corporation

6.1.3 NXP Semiconductors NV

6.1.4 Honeywell International Inc.

6.1.5 Danfoss Group

6.1.6 Texas Instruments Inc.

6.1.7 Microchip Technology

6.1.8 STMicroelectronics



7 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS



8 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1l7mfm

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The COVID-19 pandemic now sits at the top of list of things pushing Houstonians to a small, nature-filled Texas town.

One developer says one in three calls about homes are from potential buyers in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle. Now, I've never been to College Station, but I've been told it's worth taking a look at  so that's what I did.

COVID VERSUS THE COMMUNITY: Volunteers install Houston's first community fridge in Third Ward

The overall cost of living in College Station is 3.8 percent less expensive when compared to Houston, according to BestPlaces.net. Best Places also reported that the average commute for residents of College Station is 11.3 percent shorter than it is for residents of Houston, and if you've ever witnessed Houston's traffic, you know that is a big deal.

Living in a COVID-19 stricken world, it's important to note that College Station has three major hospitals -- and they're all award winning.

CHI St. Joseph Health was named one of America's best hospitals in 2020 and both Baylor Scott & White and The Physicians Center have received high grades for an outstanding patient experience.

College Station also has a diverse food scene, which, considering its size, says a lot about the "little ol' college town." Whether you're in the mood for barbecue, seafood or fine dining, you can find it in College Station (for probably have the cost too!)

The College Station Independent School District is one of the best too (can you really live in a place where education isn't taken seriously? I think not). It's received both state and national awards, and is also ranked by Niche as the 20th best in Texas with an A+ ranking.

"CSISD has achieved a 95% graduation rate and rates a B (89) in the Texas Student Achievement rankings," the City of College Station's website reported, adding that about 72 percent of their students graduate college, career or military ready.

From the Houston Chronicle:

"Some families treat College Station as a sort of Houston suburb. Zac Henderson, for example, used to commute 45 minutes north from the Energy Corridor to his office off Texas 249 outside of Beltway 8. Now, he commutes an hour south from the edge of College Station closest to Houston. There are a lot of people who drive 15 miles, and it takes them an hour. I just drive 60, Henderson said. That commuting time could become even shorter once a tollway, nicknamed the Aggie Expressway, is completed in 2023 to connect College Station to Houston."

As someone who is not from Houston, one of the many things I've always been told is that it floods... a lot. A lack of connection with nature and said flooding are also contributing factors when it comes to people relocating.

Whether you're in search of green pastures, family-oriented museums, or just a day at one of 61 parks, Aggieland, is the place for you.

"College Station is in Brazos County and is one of the best places to live in Texas," Niche reported. "Living in College Station offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes."
Spc. Vanessa Guillen will be laid to rest this Saturday, Aug. 15 following a public memorial service to be held Friday, Aug. 14.

Guillen's family shared a timeline of events on social media for those wanting to pay their respects to the fallen soldier. The memorial is being held at Guillen's alma mater Cesar E. Chavez High School located at 8501 Howard Dr. in Houston.

Face masks are required if you plan to attend along with practicing social distancing.

HOUSTON MURALS PAY TRIBUTE TO VANESSA GUILLEN: A look at Houston's murals paying tribute to Spc. Vanessa Guillen

"Chavez High School is where Vanessa played soccer, track, cross country, and graduated top 15% of in 2018," said the social media post.

"Friday will not be a day about justice or about our military reform, it will be about Vanessa Guillen. Friday will be the day of Honoring-Remembering-Cheering-Praying-Respecting her beautiful life God gave her."

The following is the timeline of Friday's memorial:

10:50 a.m. - There will be a veterans memorial cruise that will run until noon

From noon until 3:40 p.m. there will be prayer, praise, announcements, testimonials, divine mercy, and more testimonials followed by a break at 5:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - There will be a living rosary

6:30 p.m. - Obsequies

7:00 p.m. - The Guillen family will speak

7:20 p.m. - Praise

8:00 p.m. - Service ends

On Saturday, August 15, the mass and funeral for Guillen will be private and only for close family and friends, according to the post.

There will be a caravan starting at 5 p.m. along the back wall of Powerhouse Gym at 8404 Park Terrace in Houston and will end at Taqueria Del Sol at 8114 Park Place Blvd. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles and place yellow ribbons on their cars.

According to the social media post, the memorial will be live-streamed on the Facebook page: Find Vanessa Guillen.

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Miamis housing affordability crisis got a promise of relief Thursday with the groundbreaking of two projects that will bring hundreds of units to the city.

The pair of developments  one in Allapattah, the other near the Omni  are the first in the county to leverage tax breaks and other incentives offered by Opportunity Zones, created as part of the federal 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to spur development in economically-deprived areas. The program designated 8,764 such zones nationwide; Miami-Dade has 67 and Broward has 30.

A lot of people are not familiar with the tools that are available in order to use Opportunity Zones successfully, said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, who attended both groundbreaking ceremonies and spoke with the Herald.

Like any new program, people will start to use them more once they see what other people are doing, Carson said.

In Allapattah, Related Urban Development Group launched the eight-story Brisas del Este, which will add 120 new affordable and workforce housing units to the existing Three Round Towers site at 2920-2940 NW 18th Ave.

Two of the three towers, which were built in 1970, are part of the $106 million project and will undergo complete rehabilitation, bringing the total of new affordable units to 383.

Architectural rendering of Brisas del Este, a new affordable housing building to be developed by The Related Urban Development Group inside an Opportunity Zone in Allapattah.

One of the towers was extensively renovated in 2018 and currently houses senior citizens.

This is the largest project of its kind in the country, said Michael Liu, director of the Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development Department, which helped fund the project. It shows that affordable housing can indeed work inside Opportunity Zones.

Just a couple of miles away, plans were unveiled for the UNI Tower, a mixed-use development featuring 252 affordable housing units, along with office and retail space, at 1640 NE First Ave. inside the Omni district.

The $75 million building, to be developed by Nir Shoshani and Ron Gottesmann of NR Investments, is expected to begin construction in November and generate 250 jobs.

Story continues

A complex equation

In an interview with the Herald, Carson acknowledged the complexities of Opportunity Zones. Developers, he said, know very broadly that theres some tax relief associated with them. They dont know there are special preferences for the types of grants people get, how much easier we make it to use the different programs by amalgamating the purposes for different agencies. Few of them know you can use Opportunity Zone funds to purchase low-income tax credits.

Architectural rendering of the UNI Tower, a mixed-use project to be located at 1640 NE First Ave. in Miami. The building is located inside an Opportunity Zone and will feature 252 affordable housing units along with office and retail space.

Each of the two new projects were assembled using different tools and resources. The Allapattah project uses a combination of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), available for affordable housing developers; federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) subsidies, which grant local public housing agencies funding to rehab existing stock; and a Purchase Money Mortgage (PMM) of $18 million from Miami-Dade County.

The Omni project uses $8.5 million in property-tax rebates and a $6.5 million grant from the city of Miamis Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, along with the Opportunity Zone capital gain tax deferments. In exchange, the developer commits to limiting rents a portion of the apartments to levels affordable to people with low incomes, defined as 60 to 140 percent of the City of Miamis median income of $49,930.

Without the involvement of HUD and the CRA, this would not have been a mixed-income project, said Mayor Francis Suarez. It would have become another market-rate project. The City of Miami currently needs 50,000 affordable housing units to meet demand, and this will be 252 units in that direction.

But whats also important is this is a downtown project that would have normally been luxury condos or rentals because of its location, Suarez said. Teachers and police officers and firefighters would have never been able to afford living here. Now we have income restrictions and theyre voluntarily imposed by the developer because the financing worked. You mix the Opportunity Zone with a HUD-guaranteed loan and a CRA grant and you create a capital stack that works for the project and serves as a model for the rest of the country.

Construction on both projects is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
Google recently launched People Card, a kind of virtual visiting card that allows people to be easily discovered. Meghna Chettri, Senior Manager  Digital Marketing, State Bank of India, breaks down the intricacies of the new Google People Card, how it works, operating in the new cookie-less world of Google and more.

Google me and youll know all about me!

Google already does!

The new Google People Card is all thats being talked about. Its the trending topic of the moment. It surely sounds like a fun new way to introduce yourself and pass credentials with acquaintances. A short story about who you are, what you do, what you like and other whereabouts. But is everything so philanthropic about this new cool thing?

Also read: IAS First to Integrate with Google Ads Data Hub

Here is my take on this...

I see this as strong move by Google in making a headway towards its cookie-less world. As a part of the People Cards, youll end up entering authentic information about yourself into the Google system. Google will then, in turn, make this a part of the rst-party data set and will be able to serve you ads even while your cookie isnt being tracked.

Let me break down the statement a little further: While Google has basic information about its users in the form of Gmail, Search, YouTube and Chrome, as most of the platforms are logged in using Gmail. Gmail account by itself may not have all authentic information always, for example, the phone number eld associated with your email account is optional and there are no guarantees on the authenticity of the data captured via other elds, therefore, creating a large dependency on the cookie level tracking of user behaviour and interest and bucketing them for serving relevant ads in the current Google eco-system. But in a cookie-less world, Google will not be able to do this so easily! Hence, its imperative to have an authentic source of information available to create the data set build lookalike models and create custom buckets to serve better targeted ads.

Well, without cookies targeting and re-marketing wont be that effective. Isnt it?

Google is creating a better, sharper and authentic users pool for its algorithms to learn from and deliver an unprecedented ad and user experience. Google People Card isnt available for desktops, but only for mobiles as it contributes to more than 90% of trafc across all its platforms and, therefore, even more important to be able to serve relevant ads on the go. For People Card, a user is proactively lling all authentic data, including city, education, occupation, etc., and by doing so may be inadvertently becoming part of the first party data pool of Google. The People Card can be updated only when you login using your Google ID, rening its existing data and segmentations.

One thing Google does best is have a descriptive policy and it does have many for this product, too, your submission will go through an algorithm check and may also fall in manual review in case something is agged.

While Google policy reads that PII information will not be used for the purpose of ad serving, please note that any of the elds in People Card by itself or in combination when not revealing your personal information to third party can be used by Google to serve ads, including your phone number.

Future will tell us how exactly things will work in the new cookie-less world of Google, but for now I am NOT making my Google People Card. But the question is, are you? Do you care?

You can always let me know!
A mother of 11 has revealed she is desperate for more children, even though she's spent almost a decade of her life being pregnant.

Britni Church, 31, from Arkansas City, Kansas, had her first child, daughter Crizman, just a few days after her 16th birthday. She has since welcomed 10 more children -Jordan, 14, Caleb, 13, Jace, 12, Cadence 10, Jesalyn, eight, Christopher, three, and one-year-old triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel - and has spent a total of 10 years pregnant.

However despite the strain of having a super-size family - and the extra-large bills - Britni, who is married to husband Chris, admitted she wants to add to her brood and would want as many as 15 children.

Britni Church (centre) with husband Chris (centre, back row) and all 11 children: Crizman, 15, Jordan, 14, Caleb, 13, Jace, 12, Cadence 10, Jesalyn, eight, Christopher, three, and one-year-old triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel

The full-time mother from Arkansas City, Kansas, says she is desperate to have more children. Pictured, Britni and Chris with eight of their children at their family home in Arkansas

After giving birth to triplets, she now thinks she 15 children is her cut off point for her ever-growing family. Pictured, the five youngest boys: Cadence 10, Christopher, three, and one-year-old triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel

Despite her plans to add more babies to their family, Britni says she would stop if her children told her not to have any more. Pictured, Britni pregnant with the triplets

The enormous family drives a 15-seater Ford Transit to ferry them all around and Chris had to make a custom 12-seater dining table to fit everyone around

To care for their troupe of 11, Britni and second husband, Chris Church, 28, spend $300 (230) per week on groceries, including five boxes of cereal, 66 cartons of milk and 600 diapers.

Britini said: 'I hope we'll try to have another girl still. I don't think I would ever have more than 15 kids but then again I never thought I'd have 11 kids.

'I thought I would have maybe four kids maximum. It does not feel like I have lots of kids - it feels normal.

'If any of the kids said, 'you can't have anymore' l would accept that it's too much.'

Britni and her second husband Chris Church, 28, spend $300 a week on their groceries to keep the large brood fed. Pictured, all 11 children in reverse age order. Right-left: Crizman, 15, Jordan, 14, Caleb, 13, Jace, 12, Cadence 10, Jesalyn, eight, Christopher, three, and one-year-old triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel

Proud parents Britni and Chris with eight of the 11 children on a family day out

The mother had her first child, Crizman, 15, six days after her sixteenth birthday with her ex-husband back in 2004. (Pictured with her first six children)

The mother had her first child, Crizman, 15, six days after her sixteenth birthday with her ex-husband back in 2004.

The pair had married five days before and had another four children together: Jordan, 14, Caleb, 13, Jace, 12 and Cadence, ten.

When the couple broke-up in 2010, Britni went through a carefree phase, partying at weekends and unexpectedly fell pregnant with her sixth child, Jesalyn, now eight, in 2012.

When she was younger, Britni thought she would have a maximum of four children and never anticipated having 11

She married her first husband five days before the birth of their first child and had another four children together: Jordan, 14, Caleb, 13, Jace, 12 and Cadence, ten

When the couple broke-up in 2010, Britni went through a carefree phase, partying at weekends and unexpectedly fell pregnant with her sixth child, Jesalyn, now eight, in 2012

She spent three years raising her children alone as a single parent before meeting husband, Chris, a sub-contractor, at work in 2014.

The couple had their first son together, Silas, five, in summer 2015, a year after meeting, before Britni gave birth to son Christopher, three, in 2016 and surprise triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel, one, in June of last year.

Britni said: 'I felt lots of shame about getting pregnant the sixth time because I always wanted my children to have the same dad.

'But when Jesalyn was born she was so innocent, precious and beautiful. All of the shame went away immediately.

Britni and Chris had their first son together, Silas, five, in summer 2015, a year after meeting, before Britni gave birth to son Christopher, three, in 2016. In June 2019 she gave birth to triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel (pictured)

Britni and her husband Chris were surprised to learn they were expecting triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel, one, adding three more children to the family

'She was perfect. I stopped caring what people thought. I love having a big family - there's always someone to talk to.'

Britni's day starts at 7am when she will see to the triplets before preparing breakfast for her gang of 11 and checking her emails over a quick coffee.

She then makes a start on the twelve loads of washing she has to do per week, while Chris commences the two school runs to get all the kids to school.

The mother starts her day at 7am when she sorts of the triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel (pictured) before making breakfast for all the children

In a week, the mother of eleven is likely to put on twelve loads of washing to keep up all her children's clothes clean. Pictured: Britni holding her newborn triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel

To take all the children to school, husband Chris has to do two trips to get them all there. Pictured, triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel, wearing matching rompers

Britni, who never thought she would have 11 chidlren, hopes to have another baby girl next. Pictured, the triplets Oliver, Asher and Abel enjoying a snack

After lunch, with the older children off her hands, Britni reads books to send the triplets to sleep and catches up on some of her hobbies like crocheting.

She then prepares dinner and cleans up with the help of Chris, before completing any remaining housework and sneaking in an hour to watch her favourite series after the younger kids are put to bed at 9pm.

The family eat meals together at a custom-made twelve-seater table that Chris built and travel around in a fifteen-seater Ford Transit that they bought last year following the birth of the triplets, having outgrown their former twelve-seater car.

Currently each child shares a bedroom in their five bedroom house in Arkansas City, Kansas. Pictured, the family before the birth of the couple's triplets

The couple hope to convert their attic and basement into two extra bedrooms when the triplets get older

The mother and father currently have their triplets sleeping in cots in their bedroom

Each child shares a bedroom in the couple's five-bedroom house and Britni and Chris intend to convert the attic and basement into extra bedrooms once the triplets, who currently sleep in their parent's bedroom, get older.

Britni shares snapshots of life with her entourage of 11 on her Instagram page where she has gained more than 7,000 followers.

She said: 'We get lots of stares when we go out as a family. We've had people buy the whole family dinner on multiple occasions because they're so impressed how well behaved the kids are.'

'If things go well, we hope to build a house in the country by a large pond as Chris loves fishing.

'We'd love to get some animals too. Maybe two dogs and a cat would be a good start.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:51:29|Editor: huaxia

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A Mars probe is launched on a Long March-5 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, July 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

The experience of war makes people value peace all the more. In the interest of peace, the Chinese people are resolved to pursue friendly relations with all other people, defend the gains of the victory of World War II and make greater contributions to mankind.



BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-five years ago, on Aug. 15, Japan announced its surrender in World War II, which marks the Chinese people's victory against the invaders. The courage to fight against evil and darkness China showed in the Chinese resistance war against the Japanese invasion has become significant forces for steering through new challenges, especially when the country faces the threat of hegemonism and blockades to impede its development.

During the 14-year anti-invasion war, China was the major oriental battlefield against fascists, in which it provided strategic re-enforcement to the anti-fascist war elsewhere in the world.

Veterans attend a parade in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 3, 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Xinhua/Wang Dingchang)

The war tested the will, courage and strength of the Chinese people and highlighted the resilience of the nation to overcome major challenges. China has shown the heroism of not fearing violence and fighting to the end, the tenacity and perseverance against challenges and the firm faith in victory over all difficulties.

Now, some politicians in the United States have been making slanderous attacks on China. They used issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and Taiwan to interfere in China's internal affairs, took a number of provocative actions in the South China Sea, viciously attacked China's political system, attempted to drive a wedge between the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people and conducted repressive moves in various domains such as increasing tariffs and suppressing high-tech companies. Their aggressive and blatant bullying behavior crosses the moral line in international relations and contravenes the trend of the times.

Facing the threats, China has clear guiding principles. It does not provoke, and it will not flinch from provocations, either. It will not move to the beat of villains or put up with their wickedness.

On issues concerning China's core interests and national dignity, there is simply no room for it to back down. If China gives up an inch, they will ask for a mile, and they will never stop undermining China's sovereignty and dignity.

Health workers (L-R) Bai Hui, Li Chunfang, Zhao Zhigang and Guo Qin, who have recovered from recent novel coronavirus infections, pose for a group photo at the emergency medical center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 6, 2020. (Photo by Gong Yong/Xinhua)

Much stronger than 75 years ago, China has the determination, resolve and national strength to overcome all challenges. It has the courage, ability and wisdom to prevail over the bullying and tests. No country or individual can hold back the historic march toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The experience of war makes people value peace all the more. As a country committed to pursuing peaceful development and building a community with a shared future for humanity, China believes in rational and practical measures to handle the issues of the Sino-U.S. relationship and will never allow a handful of self-serving U.S. politicians to push the relationship into serious jeopardy.

In the interest of peace, the Chinese people are resolved to pursue friendly relations with all other people, defend the gains of the victory of World War II and make greater contributions to mankind. China firmly believes that justice, peace and the people will prevail. 
A police officer in Essex County who filed suit against the police and borough four years ago, alleging constant harassment and intimidation by the chief, has settled his lawsuit for $675,000, according to court documents.

Merritt Carr, a police sergeant, alleged in court papers that Chief Shelia Byron-Lagattuta embarked on a continuing, systematic and outrageous pattern of abusive and adverse actions.

The alleged abuse started when Carr failed to notify Byron-Lagattuta that another officer in the small police department had accepted a job offer elsewhere, states the 2016 suit, filed in Superior Court of Essex County.

Things got worse when Carr refused to write an unfavorable annual review of a subordinate, whom the chief did not like, according to the suit.

The (police department) has unfortunately been led for the past five years by a megalomaniacal despot who manages her department through intimidation and fear of career ruination, Carr claimed in the lawsuit.

(Byron-Lagattuta) places favoritism over merit and experience, abuses and disregards disciplinary policy, and flaunts her political connections and alliances, Carr said in the suit.

When Carr complained about Byron-Lagattuta to borough officials, he was placed on administrative leave and ordered to submit to a fitness for duty exam, states the suit.

The lawsuit contains several inflammatory claims about the chief, who was the first woman appointed to head the townships police department.

One such claim states Byron-Lagattuta personally delivered a criminal mischief complaint to Justin Bieber just so that she could meet a celebrity and that she engaged in an undocumented police chase that violated the New Jersey Attorney Generals guidelines on pursuits.

Byron-Lagattuta did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment on the lawsuit and settlement.

The case was concluded amicably. As a policy, we do not comment on litigation, Michael Zichelli, borough administrator, said in an email Friday afternoon.

The lawsuit alleged that both Carr and his wife suffered undue stress and anxiety due to the chiefs behavior and harassing phone calls to their home. The suit states the couple was both hospitalized for brief periods after suffering stress and panic attacks.

Carrs causes of action included violations of New Jerseys Family Leave Act, the states whistleblower act and disability discrimination.

The terms of the agreement state Carr will drop his claims against the police chief and the borough in exchange for a $675,000 settlement. The borough will pay another $21,568 to Carrs attorneys, Curcio, Mirzaian, Sirot LLC of Roseland, according to the settlement.

The settlement states that the chief and borough officials make no admission of fault and that the parties agree not to disparage each other.

Carr, who is currently applying for state pension benefits, has agreed not to seek future employment as a Glen Ridge police officer, the settlement states.

Earlier this year, a second lawsuit against the chief, department and the borough was settled under terms that have not been publicly disclosed.

The 2017 suit filed by Byron-Lagattutas former personal assistant, who alleged the chief made inappropriate sexual remarks to her, ridiculed her Dominican accent and created a hostile work environment, was dismissed on June 30 after both parties reached an amicable agreement, court records state.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Women will now be able to take the abortion pill in day hospital, Italys health minister says. At last, some good news for womens rights

Roberto Speranza announced an update of the regulation of medical abortion last weekend. The new guidelines, based on scientific evidence, provide for the medical voluntary termination of pregnancy in day hospital and up to the ninth week. It is an important step forward in full compliance with Law 194 [Italys abortion law] which is and remains a law of civility, he tweeted.

The change in guidelines is the first in 10 years and will allow women to use the abortion pill on an outpatient basis. In a country where seven out of 10 gynaecologists are conscientious objectors and ultra-Catholic groups are particularly strong, the regulation shows an advancement of womens rights.

Before this review, in fact, women needing the abortion drug mifepristone (also known as RU486) had to be admitted to hospital for three days and were able to take the medication only within seven weeks of amenorrhea - one or more missed menstrual periods. Both these recommendations go against World Health Organisations guidelines on medical abortion and differ from the practice of most European countries.

Now, women in Italy will be able to take the mifepristone in day hospital, where theyll be monitored for half an hour. Once assured that the patient is physically and emotionally well, theyll be sent home to take a misoprostol pill 48 hours later.

Heartily welcomed by womens rights and pro-choice organisations, the new change in guidelines is a success for both women and the public health system.

Medical abortion was first introduced in Italy in 2009, almost 20 years after the UK. It involves a simple medication, which causes the cervix to soften and the uterus to contract. The pregnancy is subsequently expelled from the uterus.

Opposed by the church and, now, far-right and ultra-Catholic groups, its use has been hampered over the years. With authorities imposing time restrictions and strongly advising a three-day stay in hospital, fewer and fewer women opted for non-surgical abortions. According to Italys health ministry, only 18 per cent of abortions in 2017 were done using the mifepristone pill.

On the one hand, the prospect of staying in hospital might scare women who are likely to prefer being surrounded by the support of their families and friends. On the other, Italys gender inequalities are particularly pronounced in the domain of work; therefore, women might feel intimidated by the idea of taking days off.

Medical abortion is not only a safe procedure which is less invasive than its surgical counterpart, but can also be easily accessible. This is crucial, especially during a pandemic which saw Italy adopt a strict lockdown. Opting for medical abortions means reducing contact and avoiding women taking up hospital beds unnecessarily.

During the Covid-19 emergency, in fact, abortion rights have been trampled upon. Multiple hospitals across Italy suspended medical abortions, while others had been transformed into so-called Covid hospitals, shutting down all other surgeries, including abortion services.

At the same time, Italian ultra-conservative group ProVita e Famiglia tried to seize the moment with an online petition to block womens abortion rights nationwide, claiming that abortion was not an essential service during a pandemic.

Ultra-conservatives have felt threatened the most by the new regulation, especially after spending years trying to tamper with womens reproductive rights. In 2018, in fact, pro-life activists promoted several municipal anti-abortion motions across the country, one of which of was passed in Verona. Its in that northern Italian city that ultra-conservative groups chose to host the World Congress of Families, which was described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a coalition of far-right, anti-gay, Christian groups.

They were among the supporters of Donatella Tesei, president of the Umbria region. Two months ago, she announced that women in Umbria would no longer be able to access pharmacological abortions in day hospitals or at home. Her decision was met with stark criticism from gynaechologysts, women, and feminist groups.

The new legislation was introduced specifically in response to the controversy surrounding Teseis resolution, which as a consequence has been overturned. However, in a country where most doctors who can carry out abortions are conscientious objectors, often refusing to carry out the procedure, the new guidelines need to be just the first step. Italy needs to do more to protect womens rights.
Around 15 million people in the European Union were unemployed in June, a rise of 700,000 since April, according to Eurostat, Europes statistics agency. Heavily seeding those ranks are people who had been on work contracts. They account for around 4 out of 10 workers in the industries hardest hit by COVID-19, including tourism, catering, restaurants and services where there is direct contact with other people, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
An Oklahoma man who was arrested for shooting an unarmed woman in the back four times after she tore down a Nazi flag outside his home has claimed self-defense.

Alexander Feaster, 45, was charged back in June over the shooting incident involving 26-year-old Kyndal McVey outside his home in the small town of Hunter, north of Oklahoma City.

Feaster is accused of shooting the young woman four times with his AR-15 as she ran away from his home after stealing the Nazi flag on a dare.

He was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and shooting with intent to kill.

Feaster has claimed in court documents that he is a 'patriotic citizen' and 'loyal American' who feared he was in 'imminent danger of death or great bodily harm' when McVey snatched the flag.

Alexander Feaster, 45, (left) was charged back in June over the shooting incident involving 26-year-old Kyndal McVey (right) outside his home in the small town of Hunter, north of Oklahoma City

The court documents were filed as Feaster argued for a reduction to to his $300,000 bond.

In the court filings, Feaster argued that his political beliefs made him a constant target for threats.

He said the swastika flags outside his home 'were associated in the public's consciousness with the Third Reich and National Socialism'.

Feaster argued that McVey should have been charged with theft, trespassing, public intoxication and a hate crime.

Police said McVey was at a party across the street when she was dared to steal one of two Nazi flags from outside Feaster's home in the early hours of June 28.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Feaster used his AR-15 to fire eight shots - four of which struck McVey in the back and lower legs as she ran away.

McVey collapsed in a ditch and a friend administered first aid before first responders arrived.

Feaster has claimed in court documents that he is a 'patriotic citizen' and 'loyal American' who feared he was in 'imminent danger of death or great bodily harm' when McVey snatched one of two Nazi flags flying outside his home

He said the swastika flags outside his home 'were associated in the public's consciousness with the Third Reich and National Socialism'

A neighbor moved their pickup truck in front of Feaster's home to create a barricade for McVey's protection and another witness trained a gun on his house as a precaution.

Deputies who responded to the scene arrested Feaster without incident.

McVey spent several weeks in hospital and underwent multiple surgeries for her injuries.

Investigators say a search of Feaster's house yielded 15 firearms and showed signs he was 'anticipating an incident'.

They found a chair positioned near the front of the house facing the door.

'There was a large ashtray containing several cigarette buts and a handcuff pouch containing handcuffs on a box next to the chair,' the probable cause affidavit said.

'It appeared that Mr Feaster was anticipating an incident to take place and had been watching from that spot.'

A judge granted his motion to lower his bond to $75,000.

Feaster was released shortly after but ordered not to have any contact with McVey.
Awad Abdel-Hameed, a 50-year-old internist, contracted the virus in May

An Egyptian physician in Kuwait died on Friday from the coronavirus, becoming the second doctor to pass away from the disease in the Gulf nation.

Awad Abdel-Hameed, a 50-year-old internist, had been admitted to ICU in Kuwait in May after he contracted the virus.

He recovered and was discharged from hospital, but later suffered a resurgence, Egyptian state news agency MENA reported on Friday.

Abdel-Hameed had worked as a specialist in internal medicine at Kuwaits Al-Amiri Hospital for 18 years.

Tarek Hussiein Mekhaymar, a 62-year-old ENT physician, died on 8 May, becoming the first Egyptian doctor to pass away in Kuwait due to complications from the virus.

Mekhaymar worked at Kuwaits Zein Hospital.

Kuwaits coronavirus case toll reached 74,486 on Thursday, including 489 deaths and 66,099 recoveries, according to the Kuwaiti health ministry.

The country adopted a five-phase plan in June to gradually lift restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

On 1 August, Kuwait banned commercial flights to 31 countries, including Egypt, which it deemed high risk due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The ban came as Kuwait began resuming air travel at a reduced capacity.

On 2 August, the Egyptian foreign ministry said the decision would be reviewed, after a phone call between Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah.

The Gulf countrys cabinet announced on Thursday it would begin the fourth stage of the reopening plan, aiming to restore normality as of Tuesday.

It has decided not to grant all kinds of entry visas to all nationalities, unless the country's coronavirus committee approves.

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During the talks, General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith offered condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people on the death of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu.



He also congratulated Vietnam on recent achievements and spoke highly of its efforts and experience in the COVID-19 combat, expressing his belief that with the Communist Party of Vietnams clear-sighted leadership, the Governments direction, the whole political systems solidarity and the peoples consensus, the country will continue keeping the outbreak under control.



Thanking Vietnam for sharing experience and assisting his country, the Lao leader hoped that the two countries will increase sharing information and supporting each other in the battle against COVID-19.



For his part, Party General Secretary and President Trong thanked Laos for the close coordination with Vietnam in bilateral aspects as well as within the ASEAN framework. He also highly valued the Lao Party and Governments leadership and the Lao peoples solidarity in the drastic implementation of measures to contain the coronavirus and sustain socio-economic development.



He suggested the two countries continue working closely in the fight against COVID-19 so that they can contain the pandemic soon and go on with socio-economic development and improvement of peoples living standards.



During their talks, the two leaders informed each other about the situation of their respective Parties and countries, discussed bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared concern.



They highlighted that cooperation between the two Parties and countries has continually been strengthened in all spheres, helping with political stability and socio-economic development in each nation.



They also affirmed joint efforts will be made to uphold and pass down the special Vietnam-Laos solidarity to future generations.



Besides, the leaders pledged their countries continuation of timely information sharing, close and effective coordination, along with mutual support in international and regional affairs, especially within the frameworks of ASEAN, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms.



Vietnam and Laos will work with Cambodia to effectively carry out the agreement on their Development Triangle Area reached among the three countries Prime Ministers. They will also coordinate with other countries in the management and sustainable and efficient use of the Mekong Rivers water resources for the sake of sustainable development in the region, the two leaders added.
The legendary British classical guitarist Julian Bream, who according to Royal Academy of Music was 'one of the most remarkable artists of the post-war era' passed away on 14 August at his home in Wiltshire.

The legendary British classical guitarist Julian Bream, who according to Royal Academy of Music was "one of the most remarkable artists of the post-war era" passed away on 14 August at his home in Wiltshire, reports BBC. While no causes of his death were reported, his management company confirmed Guardian that he had a peaceful death.

Bream, 87, has received four Grammy awards and 20 nominations in his illustrious career. Born in Battersea in 1933. Bream was primarily a self-taught guitarist. Later he went on to study the piano and cello at the Royal College of Music after receiving a scholarship. As the years passed, Bream's talent took him to places with a series of tours and engaging masterclasses and he emerged as one of the most prolific and best-selling recording artists in classical music.

From 1952 to 1955, he served his nation under UK's National Service scheme and was conferred with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1964 and a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1985.

Post his brief stint in the army, he worked with Peter Pears after replacing Benjamin Britten, whose many compositions are part of Bream's repertoire. In 1960, he founded the Julian Bream Consort, a period-instrument ensemble where Bream played the lute, an instrument he is often credited to have revived a wider interest among listeners and musicians alike. His expertise on both the guitar and lute enabled him to give a pathbreaking texture to the Elizabethan music.

In 2008, he set up The Julian Bream Trust to provide financial aid to the less-privileged-yet-gifted young music students. After an unfortunate accident in 2011, Bream had to discontinue making music owing to health concerns. In an interview with Guardian in 2013, he said, "There's nothing sad about not playing any more. The thing I feel a little annoyed about is that I know I'm a better musician than I was at 70, but I can't prove it."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:53:42|Editor: huaxia

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Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan (1st R) visits a Qatar-aided field hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Aug. 14, 2020. Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan opened on Friday the field hospital, which contains an operation room and emergency rooms, offered by Qatar to assist the health sector in Lebanon. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon continued on Friday to receive support and donations from foreign countries following the explosions that rocked Beirut on Aug. 4, killing 177 people and wounding at least 6000, LBCI local TV channel reported.

Switzerland signed an agreement with Lebanon to start the rehabilitation of Saint George Hospital University Medical Center and Karantina hospital, to enable the Lebanese heath sector to offer services to a higher number of injured people after four hospitals went out of service due to the explosions.

Meanwhile, India offered 70 tons of food products including flour, rice, and lentils in addition to blankets and mattresses since a big number of people have become homeless after the explosions.

India will also send Personal Protective Equipment for the protection against COVID-19 and gloves that can be used during operations.

Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Lebanese Business Council Sufyan Al Saleh donated 137 tons of glasses to be used by people whose houses were destroyed by the explosions.

The glasses will be given to NGOs in Lebanon which will distribute them to the people who need it.

A Kuwaiti aircraft arrived in Beirut carrying food support for the Lebanese.

Also, Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin received a Russian aircraft carrying medical equipment for the Lebanese hospitals.

Moreover, Lebanon's caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan opened on Friday the field hospital offered by Qatar to assist the health sector in Lebanon.

"It contains an operation room, emergency rooms and it is capable of offering proper medical services," Hassan said.

Jordan continued on Friday to send medical equipment to Lebanon through Beirut's airport.
Three Mississippi police officers have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 62-year-old George Robinson following a violent arrest 18 months ago

Three Mississippi police officers have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a black man following a violent arrest 18 months ago.

Desmond Barney, Lincoln Lampley and Anthony Fox have been indicted by grand jury over the death of 62-year-old George Robinson, who had recently suffered a stroke, in Jackson in January 2019.

The officers, who were all Jackson Police Department officers at the time, are accused of pulling Robinson from his car, body-slamming him on the pavement and repeatedly striking him in the head and chest.

Robinson was in intensive care for two days before he died from bleeding on the brain caused by blunt force trauma to the head.

The officers were at the time seeking suspects in the fatal shooting of a Rev. Anthony Longino, a pastor who was shot in a robbery in front of his church.

Two other men were later arrested and charged with Longino's murder.

Desmond Barney, Lincoln Lampley and Anthony Fox, pictured above on Thursday after posting bond, were indicted over the death of Robinson in Jackson in January 2019

Robinson was in intensive care for two days before he died from bleeding on the brain caused by blunt force trauma to the head following the arrest

The indictment was handed down by a Hinds County grand jury on August 5 and accuses the officers of 'willfully, unlawfully and feloniously' causing Robinson's death.

All three officers posted bond on Thursday after turning themselves in, WLBT reports.

A neighbor who witnessed the ordeal had previously said Robinson was sitting in his car in front of his house when the three officers approached him.

They said the officers struck Robinson in the head with a flashlight and body-slammed him to the ground before stamping several times on his chest and stomach.

Multiple people have said Robinson had recently suffered a stroke, which made his movements slow.

'They just snatched him. They were brutal,' one neighbor said.

Police were looking for suspects in the shooting death of Pastor Anthony Longino when they encountered Robinson in his car

Suspects Marquez 'Dog Pound' Hamilton and Bernard Randall were later arrested and charged with the capital murder of Longino

Jackson Police Chief James Davis later said that the officers, who were part of JPD's K-9 unit, arrested Robinson on misdemeanor charges of failing to obey a police officer and resisting arrest.

The three officers were placed on administrative leave at the time as the department's Internal Affairs Division and the FBI investigated the case.

The officers were later reinstated but Fox and Barney went on to work for the Clinton Police Department instead.

Francis Springer, one of the attorneys representing the officers, said that 'evidence will show that the officers are not guilty.'

'These officers did exactly what they are trained to do and used an appropriate level of force,' Springer said.

Jackson's family have previously filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the officers and the city.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-13 23:36:30|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Sept. 24, 2015 shows the national flags of China (R) and the United States as well as the flag of Washington D.C. on the Constitution Avenue in Washington, capital of the United States. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)

"It is not just the depth of dependence, it is also the breadth. Pick through the latest earnings season and you come across countless examples of U.S. tech company executives highlighting their strength in China."

LONDON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The extent to which the U.S. tech sector has become dependent on China is "under-appreciated", said an opinion article recently published by the London-based Financial Times newspaper.

"The two tech worlds are connected via a tangle of wiring," it said, noting that the great uncoupling would cause huge economic pain to hundreds of U.S. tech companies.

It cited Apple as an example. "In a world where many homes in the west are cluttered with its devices, China also offers a vital source of fresh customers," said the article.

Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive, was quoted as saying that "three out of four people in the country buying Mac computers were doing so for the first time; two out of three iPad buyers are new to the product."

Five U.S. chip companies were also used as evidence to prove the U.S. tech sector's dependency on China. "Nvidia, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Intel and Broadcom -- each with a market value of more than 100 billion U.S. dollars -- depend on China for between 25 percent and 50 percent of their sales," said the article.

"It is not just the depth of dependence, it is also the breadth. Pick through the latest earnings season and you come across countless examples of U.S. tech company executives highlighting their strength in China," it added.

Data from both Skyworks and Qualcomm were also quoted as examples. "More than 60 percent of smart phones sold in China now incorporate 5G technology. Qualcomm's shares, too, are close to an all-time high," it said.

The article pointed out that for all the anti-China actions, the market does not believe the United States will be willing to completely pull the plug or that China will opt for damaging retaliation. "This is too complacent," it said. 
Any potential Covid-19 vaccine backed by the Trump administration's "Operation Warp Speed" program is unlikely to receive a green light from regulators any earlier than November or December, given the time needed for a large-scale clinical trial, the National Institutes of Health director said on Thursday.

Track live updates on coronavirus here

In a call with reporters, Francis Collins said he thinks testing a vaccine in at least 10,000 people could potentially give enough evidence of safety and efficacy to clear it for wider use. US late-stage coronavirus vaccine trials launched so far aim to recruit up to 30,000 people.

"I would not expect to see, on the basis of what we know scientifically, that we would be at the point where the FDA could make such a judgment until considerably later than October 1st," Collins said, referring to the US Food and Drug Administration. "Maybe November or December would be my best bet."

He added that he is confident that at least one of the six vaccines funded by the initiative will be shown to be safe and effective by the end of the year.

Also Read | Covid-19 vaccine race mired in politics

President Donald Trump said last week it was possible the United States would have a coronavirus vaccine before the Nov. 3 election, a more optimistic forecast on timing than anything suggested by his own White House health experts.

Collins expects that the first tens of millions of doses of vaccine produced in the United States will be allocated to those most in need, such as patients at higher risk of complications or front line healthcare workers.

COVID-19 Pandemic Tracker: 15 countries with the highest number of coronavirus cases, deaths

The US government has helped finance the development of several vaccines and therapies through the program aimed at accelerating access to medicines to fight Covid-19.

US public health officials last month charged a group of independent scientists and ethicists with developing guidelines to determine who should get the first doses of a vaccine, once one becomes available.

Also Read: Mexico, Argentina aim to roll out Covid-19 vaccine early next year
As a country, we love to celebrate the "resilience" of South African women. In our conversations, and in the spaces we occupy consulting on brands, it's always been so important to us to highlight that while South African women are commendable for surviving in the world's rape capital, it's not something to be celebrated. On a day that is centred around celebrating women, in all their power, how do we move beyond merely putting the spotlight on their resilience?

What do the stats say?

It was interesting to see this year, a shift in the conversation amongst some women online. There were a number of posts on social media being shared by women who no longer want to be called Imbokodo which comes from the saying you strike a woman, you strike a rock. Women, black women in particular, no longer want to be celebrated for enduring hardship. So, in kicking off this conversation, we asked ourselves, how can brands craft messaging that meaningfully engages the role of women in moving society forward?For the purposes of this article, we thought it best to highlight how Womens Day first came about, as the integrity of this day has eroded with each passing year. On 9 August 1956, 20,000 South African women staged a march to the Union Buildings in protest of the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950, which limited the movement of Black Women and in turn, limited the type of opportunities and quality of life that these women could pursue.Fast forward 64 years later, the issues that women face on the home and work front still prove insurmountable  not because of our incapability, but because those in power have failed to address the issues that affect South African women. To top it off, many brands have commercialised this important day and use it to sell their products to women.The foundation to liberate women in South Africa was formed in 1956, however, there is still much work to be done collaboratively amongst men, women, the government, and corporates, if we want to see true freedom in our lifetime.This article was inspired by an informal poll that Solani did on Instagram. She asked women how they would like to be commemorated beyond National Womens Day and Womens Month. To no surprise, many of the responses centred around wanting to get equal pay for equal work; getting seats they rightfully deserve at the corporate table; the eradication of mansplaining; and the desire to receive full pay when on maternity leave.In 2020, South African women are by law, entitled to four months of maternity leave, however, employers are not obliged to pay them a salary during that time. Its reported that only 2 out of every 10 women receive their full pay when on maternity leave. Women are getting financially punished for their biology! We are NOT making this up. Although, we really wish we were.South Africa also has the worlds highest salary inequality. Despite the Employment Equity act 55 of 1998 warning against this, South African women that are employed on a full-time basis earn 22.7% less than their male counterparts. We are afraid to even delve into what is happening in the informal employment space.Source: Global Wage Report 2018/19To bring it closer to home, research done by Mzamo Masito (chief marketing officer - Google Africa) and Bogosi Motshegwa (strategy director and founder at Thinkerneur), highlights that out of the 63 CEOs and Creative Leads in big advertising agencies, only 10 are women.The lack of female representation at the top of the ladder is not a problem that is unique to the advertising industry. There seems to be a growing trend across the board, of only bringing women into leadership roles when companies need saving. Remember the appointment of Nhlamulo Dlomu as CEO of KPMG and how she was used as the scapegoat for the Gupta corruption scandal? Is it not time to hire women to lead-based on true representation and their exceptional skill set? If women can be brought in to clean the mess of men, surely they can be considered as the first option to hire.Numerous studies show that women-led companies and brands tend to perform better than those led by men. Even in a global pandemic, reports indicate that women-led countries are navigating the coronavirus better than countries that are led by men.Our favourite brand case study is the notable turnaround that The Foschini Group (TFG) is experiencing under the brand leadership of Pride Maunatlala as their head of marketing. Foschini has come back from a slow death to a brand that understands the progression of women and how fashion and beauty can be used as a tool for women to confidently tackle lifes challenges.The work that the brand teams at TFG do, is evidently led and championed by women, for women. They dont just talk supporting women, they put their money where their mouth is. The launch of the Foschini Fourways Mall concept store was proof that the brand really is about All Woman as this came with big collaborations with local female-owned fashion and beauty brands.Despite the stats and case studies proving that women consistently lead businesses into the future, were still setting aside a single month for women, and hosting empowerment sessions that are in reality an echo chamber. We use the month to celebrate the first, the only, and the different, amongst women, as opposed to doing a stock take of the overall progression of women.We need to devise tangible short-term and long-term goals aimed at truly empowering women, and ensuring that the Oprah Winfreys, Shonda Rhimes, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcukas, Judy Dlaminis, and Pride Maunatlalas of the world move from being the exception to being the rule in our society.What are the people in power (read men), doing to redress the overt gender inequality in their organizations and businesses? To be continued...
Job Title: Office Manager

Organization: Green

Powered Technology, LLC

Duty Station:

Uganda

About US:

Green Powered

Technology, LLC is an energy and engineering consulting firm based in

Arlington, Virginia. We were established in 2010 with a vision of employing

innovative solutions to sustainably manage the Earths resources and to meet

societys needs. GPTech offers technical, financing, and private sector

engagement expertise, furthering U.S. private sector expansion into emerging

markets. We provide comprehensive client services from project inception to

completion, by delivering solutions that improve operations and compliance,

build institutional capacity, reduce risk, save money, enhance security and

help our clients make more informed decisions about their energy and

infrastructure investments.

We work across three

practices areas, energy, infrastructure and development, to support clients,

such as, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Trade and Development Agency

(USTDA), Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the U.S. Agency for

International Development.

Job Summary: Green Powered Technology is seeking an Office

Manager to provide support on the USAID Architectural and Engineering (A/E)

services project for the Northern Uganda Development of Enhanced Local

Governance, Infrastructure, and Livelihoods (NUDEIL) activity. The objectives

of NUDEIL are to support district local governments in Northern Uganda to plan,

design, and construct small infrastructure projects that will improve the

delivery of services in the education, transport, and water supply sectors. The

office manager will be responsible for the management/administration of the

Green Powered Technologys project field office. An ideal candidate will be

organized, results driven, detail oriented, and able to execute tasks

independently with a high level of accuracy. This position will be located in

Gulu, Uganda.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:



Responsible

for overall coordination of operational tasks of the project with day-to-day

management/administration of project field staff in accordance with the

objectives of the country strategy and donor requirements.



Work

closely with the Chief of Party (COP) and the Green Powered Technology home

office staff to manage the projects financial, operational, and contract

systems and processes.



Oversee

project contract terms, pricing, performance, and schedule in coordination with

the COP and Green Powered Technology home office staff by providing timely and

high-quality process and donor reports.



Ensure

compliance among USAID requirements (i.e., FAR, ADS, FAM), Green Powered

Technology organizational policies, and Ugandan labor laws, while enabling

transparency, accountability, and accuracy.



Analyze

and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner, clearly

communicate monthly and annual financial statements, and oversee all financial

and project/program accounting.



Enhance

and/or develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures of the company

by employing systems that will improve operation and effectiveness of the

project.



Advise

on and lead exploration of software for facility, logistics, contracts, real

estate, and human resources management.



Serve as

primary point of contact for procurement of supplies, services (including staff

hires and consultancy needs), and equipment.



Prepare

contracts, subcontracts, agreements, and purchase orders, and provide subject

matter expertise for all phases of contracts management.



Design

and implement field office policies by establishing standards and procedures,

measuring results against standards, and making necessary adjustments.



Develop

and maintain all administrative systems and procedures necessary for the

implementation of the project and support of the projects staff located in the

Green Powered Technology office in Gulu.



Maintain

organized and well documented personnel and financial data, including preparing

documentation required to hire consultants, preparing labor agreements and

consultant contracts, and securing approval of the COP and other required

approvals.



Coordinate

translation of project documents as needed.



Oversee

the payment approval process to consultants, subcontractors, and vendors.



Assist

with recruitment needs, such as preparing position descriptions, coordinating

interviews, conducting reference checks, and reviewing resumes.



Other

duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:



The

applicant must hold a Bachelors degree in an accounting, business,

engineering, legal, or related technical field, with 6 years of progressively

responsible donor-funded project experience



Experienced

with having final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial

data and reporting and audit coordination for a significant program area



Prior

experience working with USAID-funded programs, preferably in Uganda and/or

Northern Uganda



Knowledge

of Ugandan laws and policies on finance, procurement, and human resources



Technology

savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and

managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and

reporting software



A

successful track record in setting priorities, using keen analytical,

organizational, and problem-solving skills that support and enable sound

decision making



Excellent

communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize,

negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders



Fluent

in English and Swahili, both written and verbal



Previous

experience overseeing a human resource function (preferred)



Ugandan

nationals encouraged to apply

How to Apply:

All suitably

qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online at the link below

Click

Here

For more of the

latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or

find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline






Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of Armenia-related top news as of 14.08.2020:

As of Friday morning, 276 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Armenia, and the total number of cases has reached 41,299 in the country.

Five people have died of COVID-19 in the past one day, and the overall respective death toll is 814 now.

The total number of people recovered so far is 34,164, and the number of people currently being treated is 6,082.

A total of 181,962 COVID-19 tests have been performed to date.

Armenia opposition MP Mane Tandilyan has announced her resignation from the parliament.

"I have health problems for some time, which during this time I have tried to resolve in parallel with my work. However, it became clear that they are now incompatible with parliamentary and active political activity," she noted.

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan became the guest of the HARDTalk program on the BBC.

Speaking about recent tensions on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pashinyan noted that peace can't be achieved through the unilateral actions of Armenia.

"We will be able to have real peace if Azerbaijan will reciprocate Armenian's efforts," he said.

"And I'm first Armenian leader ever saying that any solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be acceptable for the Azerbaijani people too. But unfortunately, Azerbaijani president didn't reciprocate to my proposal," the PM added.

The PM also spoke on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Armenia.

Pashinyan did not agree that his government's actions in the fight against COVID-19 were a failure. According to him, it was too early to make assessments in this regard.

Speaking about opposition in Armenia, the PM said: "I'm very glad that now opposition in Armenia is acting much easier than before the revolution."

The PM also commented on Armenia's relation with Russia and the EU.

"Russia is a strategic partner of Armenia in terms of security," the PM said.

"We are a member of the Eurasian economic union, which is an economic union. And we have a comprehensive, enhanced partnership agreement with the European Union, Pashinyan added when asked who Armenia prefers: Russia, or the EU and NATO.

Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was on hand at the official opening of the Sevan Complex Social Services Center.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Zaruhi Batoyan and Gegharkunik Province Governor Gnel Sanosyan were also present at this event.

Batoyan was presenting the capacity of this center to the PM.

Four foreigners have been arrested in Georgia on charges of illegally crossing the state border, Jnews reported, citing the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

But the ministry did not say which countrys citizens these arresteeswho bypassed the checkpoint and entered Georgia from Armeniawere.

A criminal case has been filed under the Georgian Criminal Code article on illegal crossing of the state borderand which sets four to five years of imprisonment.
STORY LINK Pound to Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) Exchange Rate Rises as Post-Brexit Trade Deal Hopes Return

GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Edges Higher as Hopes for a September Post-Brexit Deal Grow

Canadian Dollar (CAD) Sinks Despite Upsurge in Canadian Manufacturing Sales

GBP/CAD Outlook: Could Hopes of a Post-Brexit Trade Deal Buoy Sterling Next Week?

Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues:

The Pound to Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate rose by 0.5% today, with the pairing currently trading around CA$1.73.Sterling edged higher today on hopes that the UK could secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. This follows comments from David Frost, the UKs Chief Negotiator, to the effect that the UK could secure a deal as early as next month.Mr Frost commented:Our assessment is that agreement can be reached in September and we will work to achieve this if we can. As we keep saying, we are not looking for a special or unique agreement. We want a deal with, at its core, an FTA like those the EU has agreed with other friendly countries, like Canada.However, following Downing Streets announcement that France has been added to the Covid-19 quarantine list, growing fears for UK travel firms have escalate. Consequently, GBP investors are becoming increasingly concerned for the British economys recovery in the months ahead.The Canadian Dollar (CAD) failed to benefit from todays release of the Canadian manufacturing sales figure for June, which rose from 11.6% to 20.7%.Statistics Canada said in its statement:Many factories operated at a much higher capacity in June, with the capacity utilization rate (not seasonally adjusted) for the total manufacturing sector increasing 10.9 percentage points to 73.3%.Still, the capacity utilization rate remained 8.0 percentage points below the June 2019 level (81.3%).Instead, the Canadian Dollar (CAD) has suffered as markets brace for impact as US-Iran tensions continue to escalate. Consequently, confidence in the oil sensitive Loonie has slipped today, dragging down the CAD/GBP exchange rate.A recent IEA report also projected a dismal forecast for oil:For road transport fuels, demand in the first half of 2020 was slightly stronger than anticipated, but for the second half we remain cautious and the upsurge in Covid-19 cases has seen us downgrade our estimates, mainly for gasoline.Pound (GBP) traders will be looking ahead to Sundays release of the UK Rightmove house price index for August. Any improvement could further buoy the GBP/CAD exchange rate.Meanwhile, Canadian Dollar (CAD) investors will continue to eye global economic developments. Any escalation in US-China or US-Iran tensions would drag down market confidence in the risk-sensitive Loonie.The GBP/CAD exchange rate will also continue to be driven by Brexit developments next week. As a result, we could see Sterling climb higher on growing hopes on a September post-Brexit trade deal.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: Pound Canadian Dollar Forecasts
Official: Afghan-Taliban Talks Would Need 'Maximum Flexibility' By Both Sides

By Ayaz Gul August 13, 2020

A senior official in Afghanistan said Wednesday that a team of state representatives will begin formal peace negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar "early next week" to try to negotiate a political solution to the country's long war.

Mustafa Mastoor, the Afghan Minister of Economy, said the peace process has "opened a new chapter of hope" in the war-torn country's history and both sides needs to seize it. He was speaking to an online forum arranged by a Pakistan-based think tank, the Lahore Center For Peace Research (LCPR).

"Negotiations will hopefully start early next week. The Islamic Republic (of Afghanistan) side is fully prepared for a good and a positive start and expects the Taliban side to have the same intentions," said the Afghan minister.

The much-awaited first ever formal peace talks between Afghan warring sides are a product of the agreement the U.S. signed with the Taliban in February to close the nearly 19-year-old war with the Islamist insurgency and withdraw American troops from the country.

Mastoor stressed both sides will need to be ready for compromises to seize "the narrow window for peace" created after years of hostilities to help sustain the dialogue.

"Considering the global experience, they will start with easier issues, moving towards the tougher ones at the later stage. Knowing this noble goal, maximum flexibility and concessions will be needed by both sides," the Afghan minister stressed.

Mastoor went on to caution that the level of exceptions in the run-up to the talks is "realistically low" considering the complexity of the war.

"A win win at the end of the process could be difficult but accommodation of a possible maximum views of both sides for an agreed efficient governance system are feasible and possible," he said.

Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen told VOA on Tuesday that his group stands by the agreement with the U.S. and will enter negotiations with an intention to find a solution to the Afghan war provided the other side also intends to do so, underscoring the deeply rooted mutual trust deficit.

US drawdown

The agreement calls on all American and coalition troops to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in return for the Taliban's counterterrorism guarantees and a pledge to open negotiations with other Afghan groups.

The U.S. military drawdown has already started, bringing the number of U.S. troops from around 13,000 at the time of the singing of the deal to around 8,600. President Donald Trump has said there will be less than 5,000 troops left in Afghanistan by the November U.S. presidential elections.

The intra-Afghan talks were to be launched in early March but they were delayed because of a controversial prisoner swap between the Afghan government and the Taliban, as stipulated in the agreement.

Kabul has promised to release a last group of 400 Taliban prisoners this week that will conclude the swap, removing the last hurdle in the way to peace negotiations.

Stage Set for Afghan Peace Talks as Ghani Orders Release of 400 Taliban Prisoners

A traditional Loya Jirga allowed Ghani to free the prisoners so hoped-for peace talks with the insurgent group could begin

The government, which was not part of the agreement, was required to free a total of 5,000 insurgent inmates in exchange for 1,000 Afghan security personnel the Taliban was holding captive.

The insurgents freed all the detainees and they are waiting for their remaining prisoners to be released before coming to the negotiating table.

Skepticism

Critics remain skeptical about whether the Taliban will stick to its commitments and desist from attempting to regain power after the withdrawal of international forces.

Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based South Asian affairs' expert, while speaking at Wednesday's online conference warned that foreign troop drawdown is strengthening the Taliban's bargaining power and leverage ahead of their talks with Afghan rivals.

"The Taliban knows that potentially it could have a major battlefield advantage and it could easily decide to leave talks and return to the fight if it seas U.S. troops continuing to leave," observed Kugelman.

"The more quickly U.S. troops leave Afghanistan once peace talks start the less likely that there will be a Taliban peace deal," the U.S. expert noted.

Afghan Minister Mastoor in his speech, however, saw the talks with the Taliban a rare opportunity for bringing peace to the country and the region.

Pakistan's Role

"We all know that it was not possible without the support of regional and international players, specifically Pakistan and the United States," Mastoor noted in his speech Wednesday.

Pakistan, where Taliban leaders have for years sheltered among several million Afghan refugees the country still hosts, facilitated the U.S.-Taliban deal by bringing senior insurgent representatives to the negotiating table two years ago.

The presence of insurgents in the neighboring country has long been a primary source of Kabul's political tensions with Islamabad.

"I think the current peace process is another test for both countries. Pakistan, as a neighbor and as a country closer to Taliban, can play a significant role in the peace process and its success as they already played," Mastoor said.

Pakistani officials, however, insist that promoting normal ties, particularly economic and trade connectivity, with landlocked Afghanistan is at the center of Islamabad's policy toward the neighboring country.

"The intra-Afghan process that begins in about a week's time is really an Afghan process," said Moeed Yusuf, an assistant on national security to the Pakistani prime minister.

Yusuf made the remarks on Monday while delivering a public talk at an online forum arranged by Washington's Atlantic Council think tank.

"Pakistan and others will help as much as we can, but we are really desperately hoping for is a constant process that gets to a solution of whatever the Afghans want for their country and you will find Pakistan supporting that," Yusuf said.

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Tens of thousands of Belarusians staged a wave of peaceful protests on Thursday against President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election and an ensuing brutal police crackdown.

In apparent concessions, Belarus announced the release of more than 1,000 detained protesters and the interior minister apologised to injured bystanders.

European countries condemned the police violence, with the European Union set to discuss possible sanctions on Friday.

Crowds stood on central streets in the capital Minsk waving lit-up phones and flowers, and cheering as cars drove past honking horns in support.

Earlier tens of thousands of people formed human chains in the city, many wearing white and holding flowers and balloons, to protest against police brutality during four nights of unrest since Sunday's vote.

Similar human chains formed in half a dozen other cities, local media reported.

Official statements suggested a more conciliatory approach following public outrage at extreme police violence including shootings and beatings.

Senate Speaker Natalya Kochanova said on television that Lukashenko had ordered officials to review detentions and more than 1,000 people taken into custody at protests had been released.

AFP journalists saw men and women emerge from a Minsk detention centre.

The interior ministry has said it has detained some 6,700 people at protests since Sunday.

Interior Minister Yury Karayev said on state television: "I apologise for the injuries of random people at protests who got caught in the middle."

Lukashenko's opponents accuse him of rigging the election to defeat his main rival, popular opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has left the ex-Soviet country for neighbouring Lithuania.

People came out to contest the election results and police used stun grenades, rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannon and, in at least one case, live fire to disperse the crowds.

At least two people have died and hundreds have been wounded in the violence while nearly 7,000 have been arrested.

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- V signs as women freed -

Outside Minsk's Okrestina detention centre, women detainees emerged first in small groups then male detainees, as hundreds of friends and relatives waited.

Many of the detainees looked tired and tearful but some raised V signs and punched the air.

Volunteers handed out food and blankets and offered rides home.

The constitutional court has so far released 569 names of people sentenced to brief jail terms, usually 15 days.

Amnesty International said detainees had testified that they received severe beatings and threats of rape.

Those detained have said they were held in overcrowded cells with insufficient food and water.

- 'Change!' -

On Thursday, demonstrators held placards reading "Change!" and "No violence" and wore white bracelets, one of the symbols of the opposition movement.

"We want to show that we, the women of our country, are against violence," said Yekaterina, a 38-year-old hairdresser wearing a white sweater and jacket and holding a bunch of white flowers.

Large groups of workers at several major factories staged walk-outs, local media reported.

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday claimed protests showed "clear attempts at outside interference".

But leaders of neighbouring Poland and the Baltic states urged Lukashenko to "terminate the use of force against your people immediately".

European Union foreign ministers were set to discuss possible new sanctions on Belarus at an extraordinary meeting on Friday.

Prominent Belarusians have condemned the violence and urged Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron grip since 1994, to step down.

In an interview with RFE/RL, writer Svetlana Alexievich, winner of the 2015 Nobel literature prize, spoke of her shock at the "inhumane, satanic" actions of riot police and urged Lukashenko to go peacefully.

- 'Inhumane actions' -

The interior ministry on Wednesday acknowledged that police deliberately fired on a group of protesters, wounding one.

Officials have confirmed the deaths of two protesters.

Police said the first died on Monday when an explosive device went off in his hand, while his widow told local media he was unarmed.

The Belarusian Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, on Wednesday said a 25-year-old man died after being detained and sentenced to 10 days in prison in the southeastern city of Gomel.

His mother told local media he had heart problems and had gone out to see his girlfriend, not to take part in protests.

- Foreign-controlled 'sheep' -

The protests broke out after authorities said Lukashenko won 80 percent of the vote in Sunday's election to secure a sixth term.

Lukashenko, 65, has dismissed the demonstrators as foreign-controlled "sheep".

The protest movement arose in support of Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice who ran for president after potential opposition candidates including her husband were jailed.

The official results gave her 10 percent of the vote, but Tikhanovskaya said the election was rigged and claimed victory, demanding that Lukashenko hand over power.

She left for neighbouring Lithuania on Tuesday as allies said she came under official pressure.

burs-as-am/kaf
LONDON, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Bank will provide the Commonwealth of Dominica with US$75 million to assist in transformation of the country's digital economy. Honourable Cassani Laville, the Minister for Digital Economy, said that the way business is conducted will improve in Dominica in a government statement on August 11th.

The Government of Dominica introduced the Ministry of Digital Economy to synchronise the island with the way the world has been utilising modern technology, according to the statement. Minister Laville explained that an improved digital economy would mean the reduction of the cost of citizen transactions though the internet.

"There is a regional component of this project that is heavily based on cybersecurity and telecommunications," he said. "There is a component for health, there is a component for education, for travel facilitation, for tourism; there are attendant benefits for businesses, for young entrepreneurs, for education, for support to the private sector, for E-Government, for digitisation and digitalisation. So there are tremendous benefits across the board to see that transformation of the way that we conduct business," Minister Laville added.

"We are going to see travel facilitation with tourism transformed. We are going to find that businesses are able to access greater markets, and we are not only restricted by the numbers in Dominica but we are going to see that we can access the six billion people around the world," he said.

In June, the World Bank provided Dominica with US$16.4 million with which farmers received equipment. Agriculture, food security, the country's climate resilience initiative, and economic recovery from COVID-19 were also supported.

Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme also plays a role in funding public and private sectors. In a webinar with Dubai-based newspaper Khaleej Times, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that Dominica finances its post-pandemic recovery "through a combination of loans, government revenue, including CBI funds, and reduction in recurrent expenditure."

The CBI Programme attracts substantial funds from trustworthy sources and has ranked best in the world for the last three issues of the CBI Index, a report published annually by the Financial Times' PWM magazine. The researchers commend Dominica's focus on integrity and transparency. CBI funding has had a tangible impact on broad aspects of life, as noted in a PricewaterhouseCoopers report. However, only the most vetted investors can qualify for Dominica's prestigious citizenship.

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www.csglobalpartners.com

SOURCE CS Global Partners
Its nice to know that after all these years the pride of Buffalo, Tom Toles, is still 100% in sympathy with the far left regarding President Trumps response to the chaos in the streets of Portland, Chicago, Seattle and New York City. I must admit his contention that all the people want to do is get out and vote is a little puzzling. Did these people mistakenly think that all these demonstrations were actually at polling places and, realizing they were protests against racism, decided to join in only to be confronted by fascistic, out-of-control police ?
Lost your job? Don't panic. Take action instead. (Ross May / Los Angeles Times)

If this was television, the time would be around 10 a.m., and you'd be sitting in a darkened bar, staring into your third or fourth Scotch, wondering how to go home and tell The Spouse you've lost your job.

A bit cliched perhaps, but a lot more plausible than the reality of 2020, the year that started with such financial promise and then devolved  is still devolving  into scenarios so increasingly bizarre we barely react to them anymore. A deadly coronavirus pandemic? Grocery shelves emptied of cleaning supplies, food and toilet paper? Stay-at-home orders. Masks no, then masks yes. Bars, restaurants, gyms, hair salons closed. A collective breath-holding. Restrictions loosened. A new surge of infections. Press replay.

"This was the year I was going to get that raise," you thought. Now it's" I'm being laid off ."

Now you have a mortgage or rent due, a car payment, maybe some children ... and barely anything in savings.

What do you do now?

First, don't panic. That's the initial advice from financial advisors Erin Nelsen, a fee-only certified planner and partner with Asset Planning in Cypress; Chris Browning, a financial analyst who created and hosts the "Popcorn Finance" and "This Is Awkward" podcasts ("Where We Discuss Finance in About the Time It Takes to Make a Bag of Popcorn"); and Louis Barajas, a fee-based certified financial planner at MGO Wealth Advisors in Irvine and author of several books, including "My Street Money," "Overworked, Overwhelmed & Underpaid" and "Small Business, Big Life."

Author and certified financial planner Louis Barajas (Eddie Romero)

Lots of people who started the year with steady, seemingly solid employment are now out of work due to coronavirus. The 4% unemployment rate that looked so rosy in January is now at 11% nationally and nearly 15% in California, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, so you're certainly not alone.

We asked Nelsen, Browning and Barajas for advice on what people should do after losing their jobs. All three agreed that the first step (aside from avoiding Scotch at 10 a.m.) is to stay away from the blame game, especially self-blame.

Story continues

"It takes a huge mental toll; the fact that you've had this massive financial disruption in your life through no fault of your own," Browning said. "Give yourself some grace, and a break, because in a lot of these situations, there's nothing you could have done to make things go differently."

Erin Nelsen is a fee-only certified financial planner and partner at Asset Planning Inc. in Cypress. (Sheri Geoffreys)

Browning said he tasted the poison of self-blame after he and his wife put $27,000 on their credit cards the first few years of their marriage, more than half of their household income. "I really beat myself up about that," he said. "'I went to school for this,' 'I should have planned.' ... I thought about it all the time, even at work. How could I have let things get so bad?"

He and his wife made a budget  several, actually  and ultimately paid off the debt in 2 1/2 years, but the remedy started with talking it out, he said, with his wife and a close friend, who listened without judgment. "You want someone who can be kind to you in their responses, not someone who will beat you up," Browning said.

And if you're honored to be chosen as the designated listener for an out-of-work friend and family member, Browning said it's important to remember your role is supportive listening. "Avoid grilling them with questions like 'What happened?' or  the Mom thing  'Did you say something rude in a meeting?!'"

Financial analyst Chris Browning is the founder and host of the Popcorn Finance and This is Awkward podcasts. (Chris Browning)

The biggest mistakes with money are made out of fear or greed, Barajas said. "You don't want to panic or get scared; that's when the old reptilian brain kicks in with financial knee-jerk reactions. You want to be proactive and prepare."

In other words, don't max out your credit cards while pretending everything will be OK. There's no shame here, Browning said. We're all in the same crazy boat of uncertainty. "This situation is so unprecedented, no one has been prepared for this or even experienced this in our lifetimes."

Instead of wallowing or hiding, now is the time to take a deep dive into your financial situation and make a plan, said Nelsen, who has two college-age children living at home because they both got laid off from their part-time jobs. Both her children were eligible for unemployment benefits, and they're living at home for free, but in exchange, Nelsen said she insisted that they make up budgets and save as much of their money as possible in case they're still out of work when their unemployment checks run out, which in California is after 26 weeks.

"I had them make an inventory of all their expenses and really be truthful about what's necessary and useful versus discretionary spending," Nelsen said. "With my kids, as with most people, you may in your head say something is a 'need' but it's really just a 'want.' They don't 'need' to have their Spotify subscription to live."

All three advisors recommended the free Mint budgeting app for helping people to keep track of their bank accounts and spending  "The last thing you want to do is be incurring more expenses with a budget app that charges a monthly fee," Nelsen said  but, really, the budgeting can be done with anything you're comfortable with, like an Excel spreadsheet or paper and pencil. The trick is to keep trying until you find a system that works, Browning said. He and his wife went through several budgets before they found one that stuck.

The method you use doesn't matter, the advisors said. What's important is that you take action now, before your creditors start calling and you're too depressed to get out of bed. Note also that some financial planning associations are offering free advice sessions, such as the COVID-19 financial planning services offered by the Financial Planning Assn. or the 45-minute virtual financial counseling services offered by the Financial Planning Assn. of Orange County.

And even if you haven't lost your job Browning says he makes a point of going over all his expenses and income every year to make a bare-bones emergency budget, just in case. (It's podcast Episode 193 from March.) That way if disaster strikes, he already knows how much income he'll need to cover the basics and can take steps to find additional income  even if it means delivering pizzas  to fill in the gaps.

Here's where to start:

1. List ALL your expenses



This is a critical first step to understanding what you have to spend each month to stay afloat and what you can let go, at least for now. Pull out a few bank and credit card statements and note where your money goes each month. It's the difference between fixed and variable expenses, Barajas says. Your car or mortgage payment is likely fixed unless you can negotiate something with your lender, but what you spend for food every month is variable. And be sure to check subscriptions on credit cards, such as gym memberships or those little fees for Netflix or Hulu that can add up to hundreds of dollars.

2. Look for budget breakers



People often forget to include expenses that come only annually or twice a year, but real budget busters are even sneakier, Nelsen said, like the gifts we give on birthdays or during the holidays. It's important to recognize those expenses now and decide how you'll face them. If your budget can't allow for gifts, tell people you won't be giving any this year, or that you'll be making your own, she said. "Most people would prefer that you not go into debt than receive a holiday gift from you."

3. Don't avoid the B-word



A budget can set you free because it shows you how much money you have coming in and where it has to go each month. If you have a lot more expenses than income, that's where you start trimming. What expenses can be reduced or eliminated? When you identify the bare-bones expenses and still have a shortfall, that will allow you to make informed decisions. Can I save money by moving in with a friend or relative? Can I negotiate a cheaper car payment or postpone payments on my mortgage? Should I drop data charges from my phone and just rely on Wi-Fi? These questions can best be answered when you have a clear idea of where you stand.

4. Start talking



Once you've identified your household expenses, it's critical to pull in your spouse or partner to discuss how to proceed. Budgeting is a huge source of conflict for couples, who often disagree on what expenses are discretionary, the advisors said, but those talks are easier when you have the actual spending numbers laid out before you. That's why it's critical to look at credit card and bank statements rather than guess that miscellaneous spending is around $100 a month and then discover it's actually closer to $500 and you're out of money, Nelsen said. If there is enough income to permit discretionary spending after all fixed expenses (and saving for emergencies) are covered, divide that pot evenly each month and let the partners spend it as they want, Browning said.

5. Get a letter



Contact your former employer's HR office and ask for a layoff letter stating that you weren't let go for cause or performance issues, Nelsen said. Then ask your former boss or supervisor to write you a letter of recommendation and ask your coworkers to add recommendations on your LinkedIn page.

6. Make the call



Now is the time to inform your lenders about the change in your income due to COVID-19 and see if you can negotiate a more lenient



payment plan. "If you can't make the payments, don't stick your head in the sand," Barajas said. "If you can negotiate a few months of lower payments or not paying, and the lender is in agreement, it shouldn't affect your credit score. But don't wait for them to call you."

7. Other income sources



All three advisors winced at the idea of pulling cash from retirement funds, but since the CARES Act removes the 10% penalty on early withdrawals from IRAs during the pandemic, it might be a last-ditch consideration. "It's probably better than racking up a huge credit card bill at 20% interest that you'll never get out of and digging yourself into a deeper hole," Nelsen said. Another possibility is borrowing from your 401(k), Browning said. Not all 401(k)s permit borrowing, but if that option is available, it's preferable to withdrawals that deplete your retirement funds. For instance, he said, if you have a $700-a-month car payment you can no longer afford, and you can sell the car for enough to pay back your loan, you could consider borrowing $4,000 from your 401(k) to buy a cheaper used car. Just be certain you don't end up selling your car and still owing money on your car loan.

8. What about equity loans?



If you have some equity in your home and were thinking about refinancing before the layoff, it's probably too late unless your spouse or partner can carry the new payments with his or her income. But for people in the middle of a refinance, or thinking a layoff may be coming their way, a refinance with a home equity line of credit (HELOC) could provide some emergency cash if things get tight, Barajas said. "You don't have to pay it if you don't use it, but it's there just in case."

9. What about health insurance?



The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) permits people to keep their group health insurance after they lose their job, but at a cost of up to 102% of the premium. It will likely be cheaper to get a health insurance policy through Covered California, the state's health insurance brokerage, which helps you find coverage you can afford. Covered California is a good option if you and your family are healthy, Nelsen said, but if family members require specialized care, be sure your new policy includes the doctors and facilities where they get treated before you switch coverages.

10. Check your help options



Now is the time to investigate what options are available for help. That includes unemployment, yes, but if you call 211 or visit your county's 211 website, such as 211LA.org, you can find a wide array of assistance available. Start filing for unemployment immediately and check out options for public assistance, housing and food. (Volunteers can also find opportunities to help through these pages.) Or maybe it's time to move in with family and friends, and share expenses there. This situation won't last forever, Barajas said. "It will probably get worse before it gets better, but we should have a vaccine next year, so be careful about making drastic decisions."

11. Get the word out



Don't be shy about sharing your situation and your job search. This is the time to tell everyone you're looking for work, the advisors say. "Tell everyone you know and post it on all your social networks  Facebook, Nextdoor, whatever. Let people know what it is you do and what kind of job you're looking for," Nelsen said, "because you just never know where a lead could come from." And if your job was in an industry that's been devastated by COVID-19 shutdowns, perhaps now is the time to reconsider your career path, Browning said, and consider what other jobs fall into your skill set.

12. In the meantime ...



If things are dire, take whatever work you can find, with the following proviso: Make sure you won't come out worse at the end with low-paying jobs that foist all the expenses on the worker, Nelsen said. You don't want to end up working for free as a delivery driver because your driving expenses take most of the money you earned or your child-care costs exceed your earnings in a warehouse. (Check out Browning's "Side Hustle" podcasts for insights into working in the gig economy.)

But know too that there's no shame in taking a temporary job outside your field, the advisors say. "My pride shouldn't get in the way of providing for my family," Barajas said. "Obviously you're going to be looking for employment [similar to the job you lost], but in the meantime you've got to do what you've got to do to tide you over."

For the record:

12:13 PM, Aug. 17, 2020: An earlier version of this story said Erin Nelsen is a fee-only certified planner and partner with Asset Planners in Cypress. She is with Asset Planning Inc.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly will convene on Friday (August 14) as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to bring a no-confidence motion against the Ashok Gehlot government to the state.

If the government proves its majority, it cannot be challenged for the next six months. The assembly session comes days after the top leadership of Congress announced the return of Pilot and 18 other dissident MLAs to the party-fold.

According to reports, the Rajasthan Assembly will convene at 11:00 am on Friday.

The Congress MLAs, who have been lodged at the Jaipur's Fairmont Hotel for almost a month now, will leave for Vidhan Sabha at 9:30 am on buses. On the other hand, MLAs of Sachin Pilot camp will reach Vidhan Sabha on private vehicles.

A BSC meeting is scheduled to be held at 3:00 pm in room number 102 of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements have been put in place outside the Rajasthan assembly ahead of the start of the session. New guidelines have been issued for those entering the Rajasthan Assembly amid the raging coronavirus cases.

Authorities at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) informed that restrictions have been imposed at the viewer gallery.

A Congress Legislature Party meeting chaired by CM Ashok Gehlot, attended by his former deputy Sachin Pilot among others, was held on Thursday. "The meeting was held in a very cordial manner in which discussions were held on moving the confidence motion in the assembly. All MLAs pledged that they will work with unity under the leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot," AICC general secretary Avinash Pande said.

Referring to Pilot's open rebellion while addressing the legislators, the chief minister asked them to "forget what has happened," leaders who attended the meeting said. "We could have proved our majority even without these 19 MLAs (Sachin Pilot and 18 MLAs who were supporting him) but it would not have given us happiness. We will bring a vote of confidence," CM Gehlot had stated on Thursday.

Speaking of BJP plan to move a no-confidence motion in Rajasthan, Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria had told reporters in Jaipur that the decision to this effect was taken in a BJP legislature party meeting on Thursday. Kataria said, "We are bringing a no-confidence motion tomorrow in the Assembly along with our allies," adding that the proposal was being finalised.

Kataria said even though the political crisis in the Congress has been resolved, all is still not good in that party as "one is going to the east and the other to the west". Notably, the BJP and its ally Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) have a total of 75 MLAs.

The Congress on Thursday, however, revoked the suspension of Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh, two MLAs who had rebelled against the Ashok Gehlot government.

These legislators were suspended from the party's primary membership last month over their alleged involvement in a "conspiracy" to topple the Congress government in the state.

The decision to revoke the suspension of the two MLAs follows a patch-up between the Ashok Gehlot and his sacked deputy Sachin Pilot after the intervention of the party's top leadership in Delhi.

Last month, Congress leader Sachin Pilot had openly rebelled against Chief Minister Gehlot along with 18 other party MLAs. He was then sacked as deputy chief minister and the party's Rajasthan chief.

A Rajasthan High Court will on Friday hear a petition filed by a BJP MLA and the BSP challenging the merger of the latter's six MLAs with the Congress.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:51:26|Editor: huaxia

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NANCHANG, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Global Blockchain Innovation and Development Conference kicked off in Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi Province, on Friday as the country embraces the nascent technology to empower its digital future.

Over 360 officials, economists and experts in the blockchain frontier from home and abroad are attending the meeting, sharing their views on policy support, technology application and latest industrial trends.

"The blockchain industry in China has developed many exciting digital finance solutions," said Zhang Xiaochen, a member of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Digital Economy Task Force.

"Through international dialogue, people from other countries could benefit from China's solutions," Zhang said.

The conference also includes three parallel forums on the application of blockchain in industrial internet, fintech, and social governance.

China BlockChain Think Tank was established at the conference to promote international exchange in blockchain technology, popularize knowledge and cultivate talent in the domain.

China is one of the first major countries to acknowledge the potential of blockchain technology. Starting in 2014, the central bank has been doing research on digital currency. Enditem
NEW HAVEN  The Department of Justice Thursday notified Yale University that it has found the university illegally discriminates against Asian-American and white applicants in its undergraduate admissions process.

The two-year investigation focused on Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, after a complaint was made by Asian-American groups at Yale, according to a press release.

There is no such thing as a nice form of race discrimination, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.

Unlawfully dividing Americans into racial and ethnic blocs fosters stereotypes, bitterness, and division. It is past time for American institutions to recognize that all people should be treated with decency and respect and without unlawful regard to the color of their skin, Dreiband said in a statement. In 1890, Frederick Douglass explained that the business of government is to hold its broad shield over all and to see that every American citizen is alike and equally protected in his civil and personal rights. The Department of Justice agrees and will continue to fight for the civil rights of all people throughout our nation.

Thursday night, Yale President Peter Salovey issued a statement titled Yales Steadfast Commitment to Diversity.

The departments allegation is baseless, Salovey said, Despite producing large quantities of documents and data ... the DOJ concluded its investigation before reviewing and receiving all the information it has requested, he wrote.

I am dismayed that the DOJ inexplicably rushed to conclude its investigation without conducting a fully informed analysis, which would have shown that Yales practices absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent, Salovey wrote. He said Yale will not change its admissions processes in response to todays letter because the DOJ is seeking to impose a standard that is inconsistent with existing law.

Salovey concluded, By bringing people of different backgrounds, talents, and perspectives together, we best prepare our students for a complex and dynamic world. Yales admissions practices help us realize our mission to improve the world today and for future generations. At this unique moment in our history, when so much attention properly is being paid to issues of race, Yale will not waver in its commitment to educating a student body whose diversity is a mark of its excellence.

Scot X. Esdaile, president of the Connecticut chapter of the NAACP, said, This looks like a right-wing reaction from the Department of Justice attacking special measures that were being made to make classrooms equitable on Yales and Harvards campuses.

In October 2019, a federal judge rejected a lawsuit against Harvard University brought by Students for Fair Admissions, a group of Asian Americans who had been rejected by Harvard. The group claimed Harvard favored other people of color over Asian Americans in its admissions policies. The Justice Department filed a brief supporting the plaintiffs in that suit.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs wrote that the university could consider race as a factor in order to achieve a diverse student body. The rich diversity at Harvard and other colleges and universities and the benefits that flow from that diversity will foster the tolerance, acceptance and understanding that will ultimately make race conscious admissions obsolete, she wrote.

Students for Fair Admissions has appealed the decision to the 1st Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Edward Blum, president of nonprofit Students for Fair Admissions, said in an email Thursday, We applaud the Justice Departments extensive investigation into Yales racially discriminatory admissions policies.

The Justice Departments findings of decades-old, purposeful racial discrimination in admissions is not surprising since all of the Ivy League and other competitive universities admit to using racial classifications and preferences in their admissions policies. This investigation reinforces the need for all universities to end race-based admissions policies.

Our nations civil rights laws and Constitution must be interpreted to forbid the use of race and ethnicity in college admissions, Blum said. In our multi-racial and multi-ethnic nation, the admissions bar cannot be raised for some races and ethnicities, and lowered for others.

The Department of Justice found Yale discriminates based on race and national origin in its undergraduate admissions process, and that race is the determinative factor in hundreds of admission decisions each year. For the great majority of applicants, Asian Americans and whites have only one-tenth to one-fourth of the likelihood of admission as African-American applicants with comparable academic credentials, according to the release.

Yale rejects scores of Asian-American and white applicants each year based on their race, whom it otherwise would admit, according to the Justice Department.

Although the Supreme Court has held that colleges receiving federal funds may consider applicants race, the Department of Justice found Yales use of race is not sufficiently limited. Yale uses race at multiple steps of its admissions process, resulting in a multiplied effect of race on an applicants likelihood of admission, and Yale racially balances its classes, the department says.

The Department of Justice has demanded Yale agree not to use race or national origin in its upcoming 2020-21 undergraduate admissions cycle, and, if Yale proposes to consider race or national origin in future admissions cycles, it must first submit to the Department of Justice a plan demonstrating its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law, including by identifying a date for the end of race discrimination.

We would like to secure Yales compliance with Title VI by voluntary means, Dreiband wrote. To that end, Yale must agree not to use race or national origin in its upcoming 2020-2021 undergraduate admissions cycle, and, if Yale proposes to consider race or national origin in future admissions cycles, it must first submit to the Department of Justice a plan demonstrating that its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law. Any such proposal should include an end date to Yales use of race.

The Justice Department said if Yale refuses to comply it will file a lawsuit against the university to force Yale to abide by Title VI.

Because Yale receives millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, it must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a cornerstone civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The Justice Department launched its investigation of Yales admission policies in April 2018. In Fridays letter to attorney Peter Spivack of Washington, D.C., Dreiband wrote: Yale grants substantial, and often determinative, preferences based on race to certain racially-favored applicants and relatively and significantly disfavors other applicants because of their race. Yales race discrimination imposes undue and unlawful penalties on racially-disfavored applicants, including in particular Asian American and White applicants.

Dreiband said the likelihood of admission for Asian American and White applicants who have similar academic credentials is significantly lower than for African American and Hispanic applicants to Yale College, with Asian American and white applicants having one-tenth to one-fourth of the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with comparable academic credentials.

He said, it appears Yales diversity goals are not sufficiently measurable ... not narrowly tailored and that the university uses race at multiple points in its admissions process.

Yales race discrimination dates back more than four decades, to at least the 1970s, and Yales race discrimination contains no time limits, Dreiband wrote. Instead, it appears that Yale intends to continue discriminating on the basis of race, apparently in perpetuity. Indeed, Yale admits that it intends to continue its race-based admissions process for the foreseeable future.

The totality of the information produced by Yale demonstrates that Yales multi-decade use of race continues unabated without any serious effort by Yale to consider an admissions process that is free of race discrimination, the Justice Department letter stated.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
President Trump says his hair needs to be 'perfect' and that current American shower heads do not allow for this - JOSHUA ROBERTS /Reuters

Repeated complaints from President Trump about his hair-care routine at the White House have prompted the US Department of Energy to propose rule changes that would allow increased water pressure from shower heads.

Under a 1992 law enacted by George H W Bush, shower heads in America are limited to allow 2.5 gallons of water through every minute.

However, following multiple moans from the commander-in-chief, the government has proposed a change that would see this limit applied to each nozzle, rather than the shower head as a whole.

Speaking at a White House event on rolling back regulations last month, Mr Trump said: So shower heads - you take a shower, the water doesn't come out.

You want to wash your hands, the water doesn't come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair - I don't know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect.

In December he also told reporters the Environmental Protection Agency would be "looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms."

President Trump is known to take great pride in his hair, but it does not always behave in front of the camera, such as when he boards Air Force One - JONATHAN ERNST /Reuters

"They take a shower, the water comes dripping out, it's dripping out very quietly, people are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times as opposed to once, they end up using more water," Mr Trump said.

Conservation groups argue that the change would create unnecessary waste of both water and energy, meaning it would cost consumers more in the long run.

Andrew deLaski, executive director of the energy conservation group Appliance Standards Awareness Project, told the Associated Press Frankly its silly. The country faces serious problems. Weve got a pandemic, serious long-term drought throughout much of the West. Weve got global climate change. Shower heads arent one of our problems.

Shaylyn Hynes, a spokeswoman for the Department of Energy, responded that the rule change was as much about personal freedom as anything. She said if the rule was adopted, it would allow Americans  not Washington bureaucrats  to choose what kind of shower heads they have in their homes.

The Department of Energy also proposed rule changes to reduce regulations on washing machines. The administration claims its campaign of deregulation will save the average American household $3,100 per year. Critics argue increased water and energy usage would cancel these savings out.

If the proposal advances, it will likely face a court battle, Reuters report.
Holding lawyer guilty of criminal contempt of court through a tweet in June, the on Friday pointed out that the period is considered the blackest in the history of Indian democracy.

In June-end, Bhushan had tweeted to express his opinion that the action or inaction of the last four Chief Justices of India had contributed to the destruction of democracy in the country, without even a formal in the country.

In a 108-page judgment, a bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari said: "It is common knowledge that the era has been considered as the blackest era in the history of Indian democracy."

The bench said that "the impression which the tweet tends to give to an ordinary citizen is that when the historians in future look back, the impression they will get is that in the last six years the democracy has been destroyed in India without even a formal Emergency and that the had a particular role in the said destruction and the last four CJIs had more particular role in the said destruction".

The court said that the attack on judiciary has to be dealt with "requisite degree of firmness", as it "may affect the honour and prestige in the comity of nations."

"Fearless and impartial courts of justice are the bulwarks of a healthy democracy and the confidence in them cannot be permitted to be impaired by malicious attacks upon them."

The court further observed that the "tweets based on distorted facts, in our considered view, amount to committing of criminal contempt".

"An attempt to shake the very foundation of constitutional democracy has to be dealt with an iron hand. The tweet has the effect of destabilising the very foundation of this important pillar of the Indian democracy," the added.

The top court observed that the tweet clearly tends to give an impression that the Supreme Court, which is the highest constitutional court in the country, has in the last six years played a vital role in the destruction of the Indian democracy.

The bench added that while considering whether this criticism was made in a good faith or not, the attending circumstances are also required to be taken into consideration. One of the attending circumstances is the extent of publication. "The publication by tweet reaches millions of people and, as such, such a huge extent of publication would also be one of the factors that requires to be taken into consideration while considering the question of good faith," the court added.

The court cited that Bhushan has been practicing in the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court for the last 30 years and has consistently taken up many issues of public interest concerning the health of our democracy and its institutions, and in particular the functioning of our judiciary and its accountability.

"The alleged contemnor being part of the institution of administration of justice, instead of protecting the majesty of law, has indulged in an act which tends to bring disrepute to the institution of administration of justice," the court ruled.

The top court reminded that the Indian judiciary is not only one of the pillars on which the Indian democracy stands, but also the central pillar and that the Indian constitutional democracy stands on the bedrock of rule of law.

(Sumit Saxena can be contacted at sumit.s@ians.in)

--IANS

ss/tsb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than a dozen retail trade groups are banding together to fight counterfeits on online platforms  most notably e-commerce behemoth Amazon.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association  whose members include big-box chains Walmart and Target  announced today that it has joined forces with the American Apparel and Footwear Association, the Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association and other industry groups to establish The Buy Safe America Coalition.

More from Footwear News

This is a problem that has festered unchecked for too long, said RILA senior EVP for public affairs Michael Hanson. The evidence is overwhelming that these illegitimate sales are happening on dominant online marketplaces, yet big tech platforms, like Amazon, have done very little to crack down on these sales.

Together, the coalition plans to back legislation that would increase the scrutiny of products that appear on digital marketplaces and protect consumers from purchasing stolen goods or counterfeits. Among these is the so-called Integrity, Notification and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers or INFORM Consumers Act that would require online platforms to authenticate the identities of high-volume third-party sellers  defined as businesses that make 200 or more sales a year that amount to $5,000 or more.

The bill, which was introduced in July by United States Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, would enable consumers to view merchants basic identification and contact information, including their names, phone numbers, business addresses and emails. (U.S. Senators Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, and Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, introduced the Senate companion bill in March, while Representative Kathy Castor, a Florida Democrat, is an original cosponsor of this months House bill.)

Story continues

American manufacturers and retailers alike are fighting to survive as they compete with knock-off versions of their own products, sometimes appearing to be authentic, but lacking in quality or safety, Schakowsky said in late July. It is critical for consumers and legitimate businesses be protected from counterfeit, stolen and dangerous products by requiring more transparency on online marketplaces.

Amazon is no stranger to accusations surrounding the sale of knockoffs: As it continues to expand, the online giant has been increasingly reliant on third-party sellers to meet demand, with more than half of its product sales hailing from such merchants, over which the Seattle-based company lacks full control. The situation has strained Amazons relationship with some stakeholders as well as certain existing and potential brand partners, including Birkenstock, which has refused to do business with the e-tailer.

Last February, Amazon acknowledged its counterfeit problem with the launch of Project Zero, which aims to drives down fake product sales with the use of an automated scanning tool and a product serialization service. Two months ago, it doubled down on the battle against knockoffs with the launch of an internal Counterfeit Crimes Unit  which the retailer said is made up of former federal prosecutors, investigators and data analysts  to prevent fraudsters from selling fake merchandise on its site.

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He Knows No Fear (number 9) beats Agitare at Leopardstown

A horse running at odds of 300-1 became the longest-priced winner in the history of racing in Ireland and Britain yesterday.

He Knows No Fear won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Leopardstown, prompting bookmakers to express their astonishment that so many people fancied the three-year-old. The longest-priced winner in Britain had previously been Equinoctial, a 250-1 shot, at Kelso in November 1990.

In Ireland, the biggest outsider to win a race was Killahara Castle at 200-1 in December 2017.

Trained by Luke Comer, He Knows No Fear was 12th of 14 on his debut at Limerick last month at odds of 250-1.

Divine

Despite his huge price at Leopardstown, British bookmaker William Hill took 86 bets on He Knows No Fear.

Here, Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Almost 100 punters lived up to their horse's name and managed to pinpoint the winner.

"These punters have either been struck by divine inspiration or are extremely shrewd form judges.

"They saw the positives from Limerick, where he made no impression from two furlongs out before trailing home a distant 18 lengths behind Comfort Line."
Ken Zhu is hosting a travel show with wife Han Wenwen.

Ken Zhu is hosting a travel show with wife Han Wenwen.

14 Aug  Ken Zhu recently admitted that he is excited about his upcoming travel show, "Xiao Tian Food Travel", especially since he will be doing it with wife Han Wenwen.



As reported on ET Today, the Taiwanese actor, who appeared at the press conference to promote the said show, stated that it has been a while since he participated in a show about Taiwan, and thus hopes to be successful in showing people what has been happening in the island in recent years.



Speaking about his concept of travelling with Han, Ken said that he had once taken his wife to Shikoku, Japan.





"My wife even packed her swimsuits. But after arriving at the location, we found that it was not the 'sunny beach and ocean' as we imagined. But after a few days, my wife slowly understood the intention of the trip. Frequent travelling helps couples get to know each other better," he said.



As for himself, Ken said that he likes to experience local customs rather than going to places that are filled with tourists.



"In the show, we will visit Penghu, Miaoli, Nantou, and other places. Originally, the production unit was worried about typhoons and rain, but those are just something that happens when you travel," he said.



(Photo source: Kenzhuindo Instagram | Han Wenwen Weibo)
Hailing President Ram Nath Kovind's speech on eve of 74th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that his remarks encapsulate the spirit of 130 crore Indians. Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, PM Modi added that the speech highlights the path ahead to build a strong, prosperous and united nation.

"Insightful speech by Rashtrapati Ji. His remarks encapsulate the spirit of 130 crore Indians and highlight the path ahead to build a strong, prosperous and united nation," PM Modi tweeted after the President's speech.

Insightful speech by Rashtrapati Ji. His remarks encapsulate the spirit of 130 crore Indians and highlight the path ahead to build a strong, prosperous and united nation. @rashtrapatibhvn https://t.co/crahJ1mb1K  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 14, 2020

In his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, President Kovind asserted that the bravery of soldiers has demonstrated that India is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression, though India believes in peace. He took a jibe at China saying that "some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion" at a time when "world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity".

He said, "Even while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion. Our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders. Those worthy sons of Bharat Mata lived and died for national pride."

He added, "The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members. Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression. We are proud of the members of our Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security."

Praising the medical fraternity, the President said that all Corona Warriors deserve high praise as they went much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services.

"The nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our fight against this virus. Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes. All Corona Warriors deserve high praise. They go much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services," he said.

"These doctors, health workers, members of Disaster Management Teams, police personnel, sanitation workers, delivery staff, transportation, railway and aviation personnel, providers of various services, government employees, social service organisations and generous citizens have been scripting inspiring stories of courage and selfless service. When cities and towns go quiet and roads are deserted, they work tirelessly to ensure that people are not deprived of health care and relief, water and electricity, transport and communication facilities, milk and vegetables, food and groceries, medicine and other essentials. They risk their own lives to save our life and livelihood," he added.
British holidaymakers voiced fury at the timing of the France quarantine move today amid claims Nicola Sturgeon demanded the cut-off was brought forward.

The new rules on isolating for 14 days will take effect for anyone who arrives in the UK from 4am tomorrow, sparking a desperate stamped to get home by thousands of British holidaymakers.

But sources said the Scottish government insisted that the deadline was earlier after UK ministers initially mooted 4am on Sunday.

Mr Shapps fuelled the chaos last night when he announced the dramatic step, but suggested it would only apply to people who 'come back from Sunday'.

The Department for Transport then clarified that in fact the restrictions come into force from 4am tomorrow.

The news also broke hours later than expected, and following signals during the day that France might escape being struck off the list of 'safe' countries.

Sources said Nicola Sturgeon (pictured at Holyrood this week) insisted that the deadline was earlier after UK ministers initially mooted 4am on Sunday

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the Government had taken 'a practical approach' to the new restrictions

Holiday makers arriving back on a ferry at Dover docks this morning after France was added to the UK quarantine list from Saturday

Government sources insisted the delays were down to the latest figures fro France emerging late in the day, and the quarantine changes then needing to be signed off by the devolved institutions.

They said the isolation had to be introduced on a series of countries including France, the Netherlands and Malta after the seven-day count of cases per 100,000 population rose above 20.

At the daily briefing in Edinburgh today, Ms Sturgeon insisted it had been 'imperative' to act as quickly as possible.

'Where we have a situation where we think a situation in a particular country has deteriorated we cannot hang around before we impose quarantine,' she said.

'There is a real imperative to act as quickly as possible.'

Ms Sturgeon said people across the UK should 'think very carefully' before booking holidays as the rules can change abruptly.

Scottish minister Humza Yousaf added that there was a call with the four UK nations at 9pm, and the changes were announced as soon as possible after that - stressing that they were often reliant on when other countries published new figures.

Travellers trying to return from France to avoid the quarantine restrictions today face paying hundreds of pounds.

Air fares are more than six times higher than normal for flights from Paris to London today, with the cheapest British Airways tickets being sold for 452.

Heavy cost of heading home after France is put on UK quarantine list Travellers trying to return from France on Friday to avoid the quarantine restrictions face paying hundreds of pounds. Flights: Air fares are more than six times higher than normal from Paris to London today. The cheapest British Airways tickets are 452. Flight booking website Skyscanner suggested there were no direct flights from Biarritz to London. The cheapest option it offered was to take one flight to Paris, another to Belfast and a third arriving at London Stansted shortly before midnight, at a total cost of 284. The lowest priced ticket involving just two flights is 579 with Air France, changing in Paris. Eurostar: Cheapest ticket on train from Paris to London is 210, compared with 165 on Saturday, a rise up almost 30 per cent. Ferries: P&O Ferries has limited availability, but one person travelling with a car from Calais to Dover can buy a ticket for 200. Eurotunnel: The cost of taking a car through the Channel Tunnel on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle services on Friday morning is 260. All trains after midday are fully booked. Advertisement

The cheapest ticket on a Eurostar train from Paris to London is 210, compared with 165 on Saturday, a rise up almost 30 per cent.

The cost of taking a car through the Channel Tunnel on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle services on Friday morning is 260. All trains after midday are fully booked.

P&O Ferries has limited availability, but one person travelling with a car from Calais to Dover can buy a ticket for 200.

In more bad news for British holidaymakers, it has been suggested Greece could soon be added to the quarantine list, after a spike in its infection rate, with a record 235 cases recorded on August 12. Daily new cases in the country were in the 30s towards the end of July.

Mr Shapps insisted the Government had taken 'a practical approach' to the new restrictions.

However, the move was criticised by France's secretary of state for European affairs, who said it would lead to 'reciprocal measures' across the Channel.

Clement Beaune tweeted: 'A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.'

Travellers returning to Britain from France today told of their scramble home to avoid having to quarantine.

Student Yasmine Sellay, 24, from Wimbledon, South London, was among a packed Eurostar train that arrived at St Pancras station from Paris this morning.

She said: 'I wanted to get home before the restrictions are enforced. 'I didn't know that France had been added to the UK quarantine list until last night and as I don't want to isolate for a fortnight I came home today.

'I'd been in Paris for a month and a half because it's where I'm originally from and I was visiting family and friends.
By Azernews





By Akbar Mammadov

President Ilham Aliyev has said that the large-scale joint military drills being held between Azerbaijani and Turkish troops are another manifestation of the Turkish-Azerbaijani unity and brotherhood.

He also said that these exercises are a common occurrence and their intensity will increase in the future.

Aliyev made the remarks on August 13 while receiving the Turkish military delegation headed by the National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar who is on a visit in Azerbaijan to observe the last episode of the first stage of the Turkey-Azerbaijan Joint Large-Scale Military Exercises.

Today is the last day of the Turkish-Azerbaijani joint military exercises. The first stage of military exercises is coming to an end. This is a very significant event that once again demonstrates our unity and brotherhood. Exercises have been held in various cities of our country for several days. These exercises are of great importance from the point of view of military cooperation. At the same time, they are very important and useful for the strengthening of relations between our people and brotherhood between nations, the president said, addressing the Turkish military officials.

Aliyev pointed out that over 10 joint exercises are held in both Azerbaijan and Turkey every year.

These exercises have become a common occurrence. There is no need to look for any extraordinary circumstances here. We are also seeing that these exercises have caused some concern in certain countries. But there is no reason for this. This is another manifestation of Turkish-Azerbaijani unity and brotherhood, he said.

The president stressed that as in all areas, the cooperation and collaboration in the military and military-technical spheres are developing rapidly between the two countries.

It is no secret that Turkey currently possesses a strong military-industrial potential and we are benefiting from this potential. We are very delighted that Turkey produces the most sophisticated weaponry and military equipment today. Of course, we want to continue to benefit from these opportunities, as we have done to this day. I am confident that as is the case in all other areas, Turkey will be our number one partner in the area of military-technical cooperation in the near future, Aliyev said.

I believe that the intensity of these exercises will be increased from now on. Naturally, there is a need for this. I am sure that our brothers, the personnel of the Turkish Armed Forces visiting Azerbaijan these days, saw that they are perfectly at home here. I am convinced that after returning to Turkey, they will keep these memories in their hearts, the president concluded.

Aliyev also thanked Turkey for unequivocally supporting Azerbaijan amid Armenias military provocation on the border a month ago that resulted in the death of Azerbaijani servicemen and civilian.

This [support] further encourages us and once again shows how close we are to each other, Aliyev said.

Aliyev described the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations in the political, economic and other spheres as an example for all countries, saying that there are no countries in the world today that would be as close and attached to each other as Turkey and Azerbaijan.

This is a fact based on both historical and ethnic roots. At the same time, we as two brotherly countries are further strengthening this unity through our policies, Aliyev stressed.

In turn, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated his countrys support for Azerbaijan over Armenian provocation on the border, saying that from the first day, all our 83 million people led by Mr. President angrily condemned the latest attack in Tovuz.

We see that these provocations represent a large-scale attack and contradict international law, that this is a continuation of criminal actions since the time of the Khojaly genocide and the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. You are aware of our position on this. Azerbaijan is our brother. We are like two sons of one mother. We do feel perfectly at home here, he stressed.

Akar emphasized that the cooperation between the Turkish and Azerbaijan armed forces have been developing since Azerbaijan gained independence and there is framework military agreements and agreements on cooperation in the field of military education.

We are cooperating in the field of the defense industry. As a logical result of all this, we have a strategic cooperation agreement signed in 2010. Thus, within the framework of these agreements, our trips, contacts and joint presence at exercises are quite natural activities. So far, we have done everything necessary for the sovereignty, independence and security of our countries, and we will continue to do so, Akar noted.

Akar said that exercises are like a laboratory where theory is turned into practice.

We have seen the continuation of our cooperation, not just the completion of these exercises today, but only one stage, Akar noted.

The Republic of Turkey and our 83 million people led by Mr. President are indeed watching this activity here with great love and enthusiasm. As Ataturk said, the joy of Azerbaijan is our joy and its sorrow is our sorrow too. This is truly a natural result of being one nation, Akar continued.

We stand for peace and stability. We are supporters of peace and tranquility not only in the sense of security and tranquility of our countries, we stand for peace and tranquility in the entire Caucasus, in the entire region. On the other hand, we want everyone to know that we will not allow our rights and interests to be violated, and will do everything necessary to protect them, he stressed.

It should be noted that Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces General Yashar Guler, Commander of the Land Forces, General Umit Dundar, Commander of the Air Force of the Turkish Armed Forces General Hakan Kucukakyuzu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Adnan Ozbal? and other military officials were also received by the president.

Turkish Ambassador Erkan Ozoral and Azerbaijani Defence Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov also participated in the meeting.

The Turkish military delegation arrived in Azerbaijan on August 12 evening to observe the joint large-scale military drills held between the two countries' troops, Azerbaijans Defence Ministry reported today.

The military delegation observed the final episode of the first stage of Live-Fire Joint Large-Scale Tactical and Flight-Tactical Exercises of the Land Forces and the Air Force of Azerbaijan and Turkey. The observation of the final episode took place within the framework of the Distinguished Visitors Day of the exercises.

The Turkish military officials visit follows Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramovs and Defence Minister Zakir Hasanovs visit to Turkey on August 11 where they were both received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

It should be noted that The Land and Air forces of the two countries are participating in the military exercises held in line with the agreement on military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, in accordance with the annual plan.

According to the plan, exercises involving the Land Forces were held from August 1 to 5 in Baku and Nakhchivan, while exercises involving the Air Forces were conducted from July 29 to August 10  in Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Kurdamir and Yevlakh.

The personnel, armoured vehicles, artillery and mortars, combat and transport helicopters of the Air Forces, as well as air defence and anti-aircraft missile divisions of the two armies, are involved in the drills.








U.S. agricultural ETFs have been displaying a favorable trend lately thanks to unfavorable weather. The agricultural segment has had a rough run in recent weeks as investors flocked to the stock market. We all know that if the stock market performs well, commodity investing normally loses steam as investors mainly remain invested in equities. However, things have been changing lately.

Whats Behind the Recent Rally of Agricultural ETFs?

In the ongoing rally, corn deserves special mention. The grain is on its way to post weekly gains of more than 5% amid concerns over extensive damage after a storm hit the top U.S. growing region Iowa, per Reuters. Up to 43% of the states corn and soybean crop has been damaged due to the storms, a huge hit to the $10 billion industry.

The USDA said on Aug 12 that U.S. farmers would reap a record corn harvest and the second-biggest soybean crop, thanks to the favorable weather, per Reuters. [This] would normally send prices lower this time of year. However, based on the positive reaction in prices, it is highly likely the bearish data was already taken for granted, said Al Kluis of Kluis Advisors to customers in a daily note, as quoted on agriculture.com.

Moreover, China is expected to continue buying U.S. crops despite the trade tensions. A weaker greenback (thanks to a super-dovish Fed) has also contributed to the rally. Not only corn and soybean, prices of livestock are also on the rise.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures continued to rally on Aug 13, recording about a six-month high price, as exports to China rose. China was a big buyer of U.S. beef in the latest week, with sales of 1,927 tonnes for the period through Aug. 6, the most since 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as quoted on Reuters. Beef slaughter rates continue to jump.

Moreover, corn and soybeans are consumed by livestock feeders. With the storm devastating cornfields, threat to the livestock market has also emerged. No wonder, the storm left livestock prices soaring too.

Story continues

ETFs in Focus

Teucrium Corn (CORN), Teucrium Soybean SOYB, iPath Series B Bloomberg Livestock Subindex Total Return ETN (COW, Teucrium Sugar CANE and Invesco DB Agriculture Fund DBA) have been hovering at a one-month high. These exchange-traded products have gained 4%, 2.6%, 3%, 2.6% and 1.8% in the past five days (as of Aug 13, 2020).

Will the Rally Continue?

There has been a sustained drop in coronavirus cases in the past week at roughly 50,000 new cases per day, per an article published on Yahoo Finance. If the momentum continues, risk-on trade will be charged-up and equities will be preferred over commodities.

Secondly, upbeat economic data are likely to be released in the coming days if the U.S. economic recovery speeds up. This will boost the greenback and mar commodities strength. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak has soured the relationship between China and the United States further lately, which may put the fate of the phase-one trade deal in jeopardy in the medium term. This is yet another threat to agriculture investing.

Investors should note forget that the latest jump in grain prices came on the heels of inclement weather. Once the concern subsides, we might again see bumper crop production. So, the winning trend in the agriculture-space may be short-lived.

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How to mark August 15  the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day? Well, rarely for wars  and all vainglorious breast-beating aside  it genuinely was a rolled gold triumph for the good and the great over the absolutely evil. Yes, history is written by the victors, and yes, the whys and wherefores of all wars are usually complex, but when your principal enemies are perpetrating such atrocities as the Holocaust and the Sandakan Death March  there was never a more morally unambiguous war. Victory in the Pacific Day celebrations on Elizabeth Street in 1945. Credit:Archives Talk about fighting the good fight. And yes, of course, the wild celebrations that famously broke out all over Australia when the news broke  see the dancing man photo  are cherished, and rightly so.

Loading But for us, now, today should be a day of several things: quiet reflection on the horror of how it ended; contemplation of the base reasons for the triumph and how it changed Australia forever  and on a closer, more intimate, level, expressing gratitude to those still alive for us to thank. First things first. Somehow, extraordinarily, all these years on, we have seen no similar use of nuclear bombs on enemy cities, despite the capacity of nuclear warfare having increased by a factor of tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. Of all things, this is the one to be thankful for today. It at least means that the legacy of the tragic death of that mass of Japanese citizens is ongoing  not just ending the war at the time, but also forming an enduring example of why the world must never head down that path again. Oh, the humanity. Beyond everything else, however, the successful conclusion of the war was a triumph of liberal democracy over the insane militarism and totalitarianism that Germany and Japan had so tragically succumbed to in the decades leading to WWII. Both of my parents were veterans  my father having fought at El Alamein and New Guinea, while my mother helped put wounded Diggers back together in New Guinea, Bougainville and Darwin  and both loved, and taught me, words penned by a nameless soldier after the triumph of Dunkirk, printed in The New York Times and reprinted in my fathers battalion newsletter. I offer it as the best example I know of what Allied veterans of WWII felt they were fighting for at the time. British and Allied troops being evacuated from the beach at Dunkirk after the fall of France in 1940. Credit:Universal Pictorial Press

Recite it again, Petey-boy. For in that harbour, in such a hell as never blazed on earth before, the rags and blemishes that have hidden the soul of democracy fell away. There, beaten but unconquered in shining splendour she faced the enemy. They sent away the wounded first; men died that others might escape. It was not so simple a thing as courage, which the Nazis had in plenty. It was not so simple a thing as discipline, which can be hammered into men by a drill sergeant. It was not the result of careful planning, for there could have been little. It was the common man of the free countries rising in all his glory from mill, office, mine, factory and shop and applying to war, the lessons learned when he went down the mine to release trapped comrades; when he hurled the lifeboat through the surf; when he endured hard work and poverty for his childrens sake. This shining thing in the souls of men Hitler cannot attain nor command nor conquer. He has crushed it where he could from German hearts. This is the great tradition of democracy. This is the future. This is victory. And so it was. For Australia the war was an enormous step forward for our independence. Going into the war, the mindset was we had no choice but to fight by Britains side as loyal sons and daughters of the Empire, hence prime minister Menzies famous words on the outbreak of war: "Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that . . . Great Britain has declared war upon [Germany] and that as a result Australia is also at war." War was not so much a moral obligation, but an Imperial imperative. Prime Minister John Curtin pictured during a visit to London in 1944. Credit:Hulton Archive And yet within two years, the new Prime Minister John Curtin was completely changing the primacy of our alliances, announcing, as the Japanese loomed large to our north: Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom. Curtins new found commitment to independence from Britain would be manifested six weeks later when he took on British prime minister Winston Churchill and won when it came to where the Australian troops returning from North Africa should go. Churchill wanted them diverted to Burma to defend against the Japanese invading the jewel in the crown of the British Empire, India. Curtin wanted them to come home to defend Australia.

Loading Even though Australias representative to the United Kingdom, Earle Page, told Churchill that he would endeavour to change Curtins mind, and indeed tried to do so, Curtins response to Pages recommendation was one for the ages: There are numerous geographical centres where an AIF or any other Division would be useful," he said, but from the viewpoint of Australia, "there is none east of Suez of greater importance than Australia [itself]. Rah! And so they did come home, going on to fight with particular magnificence in the New Guinea campaigns. It still stuns me all these years on how underappreciated the performance of the Australian troops were. In the shimmering desert sands of North Africa, at Tobruk, our Rats were the first to stop the previously unstoppable German Army. The following year, in the tropical jungles at Milne Bay and then Kokoda, it was substantially the same troops who were the first to stop the previously unstoppable Japanese army! Diggers on the Kokoda Track, including George Palmer of the 39th Battalion, second from the right. Credit:Damien Parer/Australian War Memorial It was, by any measure, an extraordinary achievement. And so, most of all there is this to say to the handful of Australian men and women who served back then who are still with us. Hopefully you might read these words, or perhaps have them read to you. (If my own father was alive now, hed be 104 and my mother nearly 100.)
Then-California Gov. Jerry Brown, right, and predecessor Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Associated Press)

California voters may have a feeling, when they watch this year's presidential campaign, that they've seen this before  not a change election, but one to change back.

The government was in crisis. A brash leader's years-long effort to blow up the system and make it function like a business had flopped. A logjammed legislature was flailing amid an economic collapse. Voters were incensed  and sick of all the change.

It was a perfect setting for Jerry Brown, a 72-year old former governor and decades-long inside player in Democratic politics, to reemerge in 2010 to argue that he alone could repair a crippled California after the disruptive tenure of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Yet the playbook that seemed unique to Brown and that moment has now reappeared a decade later in the hands of 77-year-old Joe Biden, as he runs his own campaign of restoration against the wealthy anti-establishment disrupter in the White House, President Trump.

Biden, a folksy straight talker, and the cerebral Brown are hardly political soulmates, even if they are both Democrats. Yet their strategies for turning half a century of their own political baggage into an advantage at a time of pitched voter anxiety are strikingly similar.

He is the steady hand, Brown said of Biden, as the former governor reflected on his own 2010 race against Silicon Valley billionaire Meg Whitman at the close of the tumultuous Schwarzenegger era. At a time of chaos and confusion, a steady hand should be the one people pick.

Brown, in his own comeback campaign, assured voters that he had the deep expertise and political acumen to clean up a financial mess that left state government paralyzed. Similarly, Biden says his half a century of public service makes him singularly qualified to restore the soul of America while addressing a pandemic and ensuing plunge in the economy.

The general disquiet with government is similar to what voters felt during Brown's campaign after the nation's 2008 financial crisis, he said. Today, there is a dramatically lower level of confidence, because of the pandemic and economic and general confusion and chaos that comes out of Washington. Whats missing is a sense of public confidence in leadership.

Story continues

Biden, like Brown before him, has pledged to revive what he described as the more collaborative and competent politics of bygone days, when personal relationships could overcome partisanship, and the thought of Washington  or Sacramento  didnt fill voters with such disgust and dread.

The two men also have taken parallel approaches toward their party. Both resisted pressure to follow a more aggressive, louder course pushed by strategists and left-leaning activists.

Jerry Brown got some of the same critiques the vice president is getting right now, said Chris Lehane, a veteran Democratic strategist involved in the 2010 California race, and in Washington politics before that. You would hear, Why not a campaign full of new ideas? Brown understood people were not necessarily looking for a disruption or change. They were looking for stability and calm.

Biden has had the same instinct. The very processes of his campaign reflect that," Lehane said.

Biden campaign co-chair Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles mayor who knows both men well, said their campaign approach is one thing Biden and Brown  who could not be more different  share.

They both know that as much as we may yearn for change in our gut, we want someone who can first and foremost deliver results, he said. Wisdom matters.

Biden keeps plodding along, slowly and steadily, on simple themes of integrity and empathy  just as he did amid the panicky days at the start of the Democratic nomination race this year, when voters in Iowa and New Hampshire soundly rejected him. Brown, too, laid low, resisting pressure to step things up as Whitman spent $100 million over the summer of 2010 on a deluge of advertising.

She became more of an established impression than I was at that point, Brown said. I had the paradoxical benefit of both being the most experienced, but also being a fresher face. Biden is building the same advantage, he said, as Trump exhausts voters with his constant attention-grabbing and erratic, self-aggrandizing statements.

Biden is fresher because he's not suffering the gauntlet of unlimited exposure, Brown said.

Turning down the volume was not always in the nature of either of these Democratic Party elders. Bidens garrulousness had been a career hazard over five decades. And Brown acknowledged that his distaste for boredom, or dissatisfaction with the status quo sometimes moved him to embrace unorthodox ideas during his long career.

Yet those notions were never integrated into his campaign. Instead, Brown said he adhered to the messaging mantra that served the Coca-Cola Co. well over the decades: One sight, one sound, one sell.

Theres so much clutter, Brown said. Theres so many points of distraction that you must present something very clear and simple and understandable.

Those who worked to elect Brown in 2010 now watch with bemusement as attacks on Biden for his past eccentricities, gaffes and regrettable alignments seem to bounce off him. Its familiar to them.

A decade ago, one anti-Brown ad featured a retro LP record, emblazoned with a photo of a young Brown; it spun as the narrator reviewed his decades in politics, and then melted amid the retelling of his alleged failures. The spot, full of timeworn images of Brown, only seemed to remind viewers that he had broad experience.

It probably helped him, said Ace Smith, a longtime advisor. People were looking for someone who could literally walk in and know what levers to pull, how the machine worked, how to fire it up and get it rolling.

The Brown of Whitmans attack ads  with his full head of hair and 1970s attire  looked nothing like the guy who was running 35 years later, Brown said. The ads seemed out of context for new generations of voters, much like the attacks on Biden for positions he has long since abandoned on issues such as the criminal justice system, school integration or relations with China.

Whitman was trying to say what I did in the past was a problem, Brown said. And I countered by saying, 'I know what's needed, I have the experience. I've been through all these things....' That really is Bidens argument.

During his interview with The Times, Brown reached for one of several books written about him, this one published in 1977: Phantom Politics: Campaigning in California. The book is hardly flattering  it's a searing critique of Browns vagueness as a politician.

Brown cited it, however, to dispute the author's argument that simplicity in campaigning is a blot on politics. To the contrary, he said, it's a mark of visionary leadership. Browns favorite chapter title is The Elusive Candidate.

People want a big issue dealt with. And the big issue now is, of course, the virus and then the fiscal integrity of the country, and then the leadership that brings people together, Brown said. Beyond that, youre really into the details, which I think will not get all that much notice.

John F. Kennedy took the same approach, Brown said. So did Franklin D. Roosevelt: He was promising a New Deal. He didnt tell you what the New Deal was going to be, but he said it with confidence.

Trump tapped into that simplicity, Brown added, with his "Make America Great Again" theme in 2016, a pitch that was ripe for that moment. Schwarzenegger, too, as a novice campaigner during the 2003 gubernatorial recall election, simply promised to blow up the boxes of state government.

But when government still wasnt functioning effectively seven years later, one of Brown's most potent attacks against Whitman was a video of her echoing lines Schwarzenegger had used, spliced alongside clips of his versions. Schwarzenegger's "outsider" approach that Whitman sought to copy was out of favor by then. Voters wanted a calm, competent insider who knew how the boxes were built and could put them back together.

Many feel much the same now about the presidential race, Brown said.

People want someone who can lead them out of this mess, and certainly somebody who knows what they're doing is a lot better than someone who doesn't, he said. Not knowing is not good.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 11:37:43|Editor: huaxia

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WELLINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand confirmed 12 new cases and one probable case of COVID-19 on Friday, with the 12 cases linked to the community transmission from an Auckland family cluster, amid the second and stronger wave of the epidemic in the country.

Friday's new cases are in Auckland and nearby Waikato, and one of the cases is in hospital, Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told the daily briefing.

He said 12 of the 13 new cases have already been linked to existing cases and to the Auckland cluster. The 13th case is in hospital and the link is still under investigation.

New Zealand has reported a total of 48 active COVID-19 cases, with 30 linked to the community outbreak, which has brought the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 1,251, Bloomfield said.

Two of the new cases are in Tokoroa in Waikato region, the first cases outside Auckland, the country's largest city, during this round of resurgence of the virus in New Zealand, he said.

"These two people tested positive after being followed up as close contacts from a family member who is one of the Auckland cases," he said.

Bloomfield said 38 people linked to the cluster were already in the Auckland quarantine facility, adding that the number in the Auckland cluster is expected to grow.

"We've seen no evidence of a COVID-19 positive test outside of Auckland which is unrelated to the cluster we're dealing with," said Health Minister Chris Hipkins.

Testing had ramped up at the borders and all frontline workers will be tested by the end of Friday, Hipkins said.

Auckland resumed COVID-19 Alert Level 3 at noon on Wednesday for three days, with the rest of the country going to Level 2, after 102 days without community transmission in the country.

New Zealand went to a month-long national Alert Level 4 lockdown in late March, and declared an early success of the COVID-19 battle in June.

The government will make decisions and inform people of any further alert level changes at 5:30 p.m. local time in advance of the lockdown finishing at Friday midnight. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 09:24:41|Editor: huaxia

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JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Gauteng Province had returned to the open tender system and would publish the list of firms that have received tenders monthly to root out corruption related to procurement of personal protective equipment, a local official said on Thursday.

"For accountability and transparency, every month we will publish every new tender that has been adjudicated and awarded by any department in Gauteng. This is public information that must be known," Gauteng Province Premier David Makhura said at a media briefing.

Gauteng Province is the smallest but the most populated province in South Africa, and also the economic hub of the country. It introduced the open tender system in 2014.

"The open tender system has pushed back the scale of corruption because everybody was able to see transparently when the adjudication of tenders was happening, who got the tender, why they got the tender, and whether they are able to deliver," Makhura explained.

Some senior officials in Gauteng health department have taken special leave after being accused of corruption relating to the awarding of anti-coronavirus tenders since April.

The authorities are investigating all the allegations and a report on the findings would be released soon. Enditem
Azerbaijan Says Russia Has Provided Military Goods To Armenia Since Deadly Border Clashes

By RFE/RL August 13, 2020

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has expressed concern that Russia has provided military supplies to Armenia in the weeks following deadly clashes along the border between the two South Caucasus countries in July.

According to a statement issued by Aliyev's press service on August 13, Aliyev called Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day to seek "clarification of this issue."

Baku claimed that "more than 400 tons" of military goods have been provided by Russia to Armenia "via the airspace of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran" since the clashes erupted.

At least five Armenian servicemen and 12 Azerbaijani servicemen, including a general, were killed during several days of fighting that erupted along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on July 12 and involved the use of heavy artillery and drones.

The Kremlin also issued a statement on the August 12 telephone conversation between Putin and Aliyev, but it did not mention the discussion of the issue of military supplies.

"The presidents discussed regional issues within the context of the tension along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in July. The Russian side stressed the inadmissibility of any action that would lead to the escalation of the situation," the Kremlin said in its statement.

Armenian officials have not commented on the Azerbaijani president's statement.

In the wake of the clashes, the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in which Russia acts as a co-chair along with the United States and France, urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to restart peace talks aimed at resolving the decades-long conflict involving ethnic Armenian separatists over Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia hosts a Russian military base and is a member of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, which entitles it to receive discounted armaments from Russia.

It is believed that since 2011 Azerbaijan has purchased up to $4 billion worth of arms from Russia.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and a delegation of high-ranking military officials arrived in Baku on August 12 to observe the final part of a joint live-fire military exercise involving Turkish and Azerbaijani land and air forces.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-says-russia- has-provided-military-goods-to-armenia-since -deadly-border-clashes/30782083.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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In the wake of the nationwide success of their Store on Wheels campaign, experiential marketing agency Brand Street Integrated (BSI) have announced their intention to expand the scope of this ground-breaking and innovative concept. This second phase will centre around the integration of new partner brands and offer doorstep delivery of a wider selection of essential and non-essential goods and products. Key among these new brands are global food company Borges International Group and India's largest coffee maker Continental Coffee. By serving as a one-stop shop for some of the world's biggest brands, BSI gives its customers the luxury of choice in the midst of the pandemic.

With the Store on Wheels campaign successfully activated and executed in ten metros across India, the next phase of this D2C approach will also be launched in 6 cities, including key tier-II hubs. This stage will also see the on-boarding of over 300 resident welfare associations (RWAs), to add to the 200 RWAs already being serviced.

Going forward, BSI will also pioneer the at-home fashion retail segment through the launch of Style on Wheels  a co-branded fashion platform which will allow customers to look their best for the upcoming festive season from the safety of their own homes. To that end, BSI has partnered with a wide array of national and international fashion brands, including the Aditya Birla Group.

Commenting on this announcement, Mayuresan Gurukkal, Head (South), Brand Street Integrated, said, After the fantastic response our Store on Wheels campaign received, we knew wed hit on a winning formula. Expanding the concept to fashion and clothing was the natural next step. By allowing customers to indulge in some much needed retail therapy while staying safe at home, were helping shoppers take another step towards the new normal. Were thrilled to have partnered with some fantastic brands, and look forward to further iterating on this concept.

BSIs campaign has played a vital role in tackling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by supporting the cause of Stay Safe Inside the Home. Stringent containment measures have seen many people confined to their homes for several months. By establishing a wide network of partnered RWAs, BSI gives brands the opportunity to directly connect with its customer base, bypassing the hurdles of permissions and certifications otherwise required.

On the association, Preetam Patnaik, Head -Marketing, Continental Coffee commented We are excited to be a part of Brand street and have started this pilot on the concept of making our brands  Continental Coffee range (Coffee ..As you like it) available at consumer doorsteps. For our category, consumers stick to their regular habit of having hot beverages as per the schedule, and with the current situation the in-home consumption has gone up. Continental Coffee brings a range of coffee for consumers starting from Instant coffee to filter coffee to premix coffee. We are continuously ideating on multiple ways on how to bring our coffee at consumer doorsteps. We appreciate the strategy of the BSI team in making this model live in a short period and looking forward to great results based on which we can scale it up.

Launched in partnership with 24 brands, the coming months will see this list expanded to include an enormous selection of goods and services from over 50 companies, including leading companies in the technology and sanitisation segments. This multi-brand store will feature the day-one launch of new products, and offer exclusive discounts and offers to customers in partner RWAs.

Kishore Kumar GV, Zonal Business Manager, Borges International Group, said: The word "Store on wheels" sounds very simple and traditional, but it has a great meaning to brands especially in this current pandemic situation, where Customers are restricted to their homes. SOW helped us to eliminate the barriers and took our brand to Customers door step. The prior expertise of handling RWA activities helped BSI to succeed with the SOW initiative. I appreciate the careful selection of RWA and uninterrupted approach towards activity. All the best to Team BSI.

In the past, BSI has planned and successfully executed marketing campaigns for industry leaders like Marico India, JSW India, Sun Pharma, Lupin, Kohinoor Foods, Mosaic India, Tata Broadband, MTR, Tata Sky, Shell India and many more.
Its a familiar moment. The kids want their cereal and the coffees brewing, but youre out of milk. No problem, you think  the corner store is just a couple of minutes away. But if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to the coronavirus, youre supposed to stay put.

Even that quick errand could make you the reason someone else gets infected. But making the choice to keep others safe can be hard to do without support.

For many  single parents or low-wage workers, for instance  staying in isolation is difficult as they struggle with how to feed the kids or pay the rent. Recognizing this problem, Massachusetts includes a specific role in its COVID-19 contact-tracing program thats not common everywhere: a care resource coordinator.

Luisa Schaeffer spends her days coordinating resources for a densely packed, largely immigrant community in Brockton, Massachusetts.

On her first call of the day recently, a woman was poised at her apartment door, debating whether to take that quick walk to get groceries. The woman had COVID-19. Schaeffers job is to help clients make the best choice for the public  sometimes, the help she offers is as basic, and important, as the delivery of a jug of milk.

Thats my priority. I have to put milk in her refrigerator immediately, Schaeffer said.

Most of the time its the simple things, the simple things can spread the virus.

The woman who needed milk was one of eight cases referred to Schaeffer through the state governments Community Tracing Collaborative. Contact tracers make daily calls to people in isolation because theyve tested positive or those in quarantine because theyve been exposed to the coronavirus and must wait 14 days to see if they develop an infection. The collaborative estimates that between 10% and 15% of cases request assistance. Those requests are referred to Schaeffer and other care resource coordinators.

So many people are on this razor-thin edge, and its often a single diagnosis like COVID that can tip them over, said John Welch, director of operations and partnerships for Partners in Healths Massachusetts Coronavirus Response, which manages the states contact-tracing program.

He said a role such as resource coordinator becomes essential in getting people back to a sense of health, a sense of wellness, a sense of security.

With milk on its way, Schaeffer dialed a woman who needed to find a primary care doctor, make an appointment and apply for Medicaid. That call was in Spanish.

With her third client, Schaeffer switched to her native language, Cape Verdean Creole. The man on the other end of the line and his mother had both been sick and out of work. He applied for food stamps and was denied. Schaeffer texted the regional head of a state office that manages that program. A few minutes later, the director texted back that he was on the case.

Schaeffer, who has deep roots in the community, is on temporary loan to the states contact-tracing collaborative and will later return to her job, helping patients understand and follow their prescribed treatments at the Brockton Neighborhood Health Center.

The collaborative said most client requests are for food, medicine, masks and cleaning supplies. COVID-19 patients who are out of work for weeks or who dont have salaried jobs may need help applying for unemployment or help with rental assistance  available to qualified Massachusetts residents.

Care resource coordinators even connect people with legal support when they need it. An older woman employed in the laundry room at a nursing home was told she wouldnt be paid while out sick. Schaeffer got in touch with the Community Tracing Collaboratives attorney, who reminded the company that paid sick leave is required of most employers during the pandemic.

So, now, everythings in place. She started getting paid, Schaeffer said.

There are glitches as the care resource coordinators try to support people isolating at home. Some workers who are undocumented return to work because they fear losing their jobs. When the local food bank runs out, Schaeffer has had to scramble to find a local grocer to help. The free canned goods or vegetables can be like foreign cuisine for Schaeffers clients, some of whom are from Cape Verde and Peru. In those cases, she can reach out to a nutritionist and set up a cooking lesson via conference call.

I love the three-way calls, she said, beaming.

Schaeffer and other care resource coordinators have responded to more than 10,500 requests for help so far through Massachusetts contact-tracing program. Demand is likely greater in cities such as Brockton, with higher infection rates than most of the state and a 28.7% lower median household income.

Massachusetts has carved out care resource coordination as a separate job in this project. But the role is not new. Local health departments routinely include what might be called support or wrap-around services when tracing contacts. With cases of tuberculosis, for example, a public health worker might make sure patients have a doctor, get to frequent appointments and have their medications.

You cant have one without the other, said Sigalle Reiss, president of the Massachusetts Health Officers Association.

Partners in Healths Welch, who is advising other states on contact tracing, said the importance of having someone assist with food and rent while residents isolate isnt getting enough attention.

I dont see that as a universal approach with other contact-tracing programs across the U.S., he said.

Some contact-tracing programs that schools, employers or states have erected during the pandemic cover only the basics.

Theyre focused on: Get your positive case, find the contacts, read the script, period, the end, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs at the National Association of City and County Health Officials. And thats really not how peoples lives work.

Casalotti acknowledged that the support role  and services for people isolating or in quarantine  adds to the cost of contact tracing. She urges more federal funding to help with this expense as well as a federal extension of the paid sick time requirement, and more money for food banks so that people exposed to the coronavirus can make sure they dont give it to anyone else.

Individuals lives can be messy and complicated, so helping them to be able to drop everything and keep us all safe  we can help them through the challenges they might have, Casalotti said.

This story is part of a partnership that include WBUR, NPR and Kaiser Health News.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
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Linkedin Mardika Parama (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:44 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e02819 1 Business Garuda-Indonesia,tourist-destination,Mandalika,borobudur,Bali-Airport Free

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia president director Irfan Setiaputra has urged the government to reconsider its plan to develop 10 new tourist destinations and instead focus on tourism recovery amid the current COVID-19 crisis, which continues to batter the sector.

The 10 destinations refer to President Joko Jokowi Widodos program to develop emerging tourist destinations, including Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara.

The airline suggested that the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry focus its tourism revival effort on a single tourist spot to attract foreign tourists given the slump in visitors in recent months, Irfan stated on Thursday.

When someone buys a ticket to travel, they will only go to one destination. [Too many destinations] might be distracting, he said during an online discussion held by the Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA).

So we [Garuda and the ministry] are currently discussing focusing on one or two destinations so we can bring in domestic and international visitors.

He added that Bali remained the top destination for airlines during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis has battered foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia amid international border closures and travel restrictions. Foreign visits plummeted 59.96 percent year-on-year to 3.09 million in the first half of the year, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data show.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry expects a full recovery of foreign tourist arrivals by 2025, while it estimates foreign tourist arrivals to reach between 2.8 million and 4 million visitors this year, well below the governments initial target of 18 million.

Bali reopened for domestic tourists in late July, and instantly welcomed a rush of around 4,000 passengers via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on the reopening days. It is planning to open its borders to international tourists on Sept. 11.

Read also: Tourism stakeholders focus on infrastructure, long-term investment amid slump

Despite his criticism of the governments tourism development plan, Irfan said he fully supported the Presidents plan to establish a state-owned enterprises (SOEs) holding for tourism and the aviation industry, which he said could integrate the effort to attract high-spending tourists to Indonesia.

The SOEs holding could be effective if we put our focus on the tourism sector. We shouldnt get into the technicalities, but rather work together with state-owned tourism companies to lure in high-spending tourists, he said.

Jokowi previously announced on Aug. 6 that he was considering forming a holding company for aviation and tourism SOEs to help integrate companies management and consolidate the management of airlines, airports, tourist destination operators and hotels.
Salmon farm in Scotland rapped for toxic pesticide breaches

by Rob Edwards

August 13,2020 | Source: The Ferret

A salmon farming company has been reprimanded for feeding a toxic pesticide to fish twice as often as permitted and breaching a safety limit, according to documents released by the Scottish Government.



The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) has been accused by government watchdogs of breaking the rules governing the use of emamectin, a chemical fed to farmed salmon to kill the sea lice that can plague them.



The breach was discovered at a salmon farm in Loch Roag on the island of Lewis in February by Scottish Government inspectors. Subsequent investigations by three Scottish and UK government regulators led to SSC being issued an advisory letter in May.



Campaigners, however, have attacked regulators for failing to take tougher action and essentially turning a blind eye to flagrant breaches. They have highlighted the poor environmental record of salmon farms in Loch Roag, and called on SSC to close down its five sites there.



SSC, which was bought by the Faroese fish farming firm Bakkafrost in 2019, described the breach as marginal and an isolated incident. It said that it was investing heavily to cut the use of pesticides.



Emamectin, marketed as Slice, is discharged from fish farms into sea lochs where studies have shown it harms crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans. The Ferret has reported how attempts by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to introduce a ban have been repeatedly fought off by the salmon farming industry.



Instead, Sepa introduced tougher restrictions on emamectin use by new or expanding farms in October 2017. But these were relaxed in April 2020 in order to help the farms cope with the coronavirus pandemic.



Documents obtained by campaigners under freedom of information law revealed that a salmon sample from SSCs Kyles of Vuia farm in Loch Roag exceeded the maximum residue limit for emamectin. The sample was taken on 26 February 2020.



This prompted a three-month investigation involving two Scottish Government agencies, Marine Scotland Science and Food Standards Scotland, and the UK governments Veterinary Medicines Directorate.



On 5 May 2020 Marine Scotland Science wrote to SSC saying that an inspection of the treatment records showed that salmon had been fed emamectin more frequently than permitted. There had been six treatments in a year, when the maximum allowed was three.



This was possibly a contributing factor for the non-compliant sample, Marine Scotland Science said. It referred the case to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate enforcement team to determine if any further action is appropriate.



The directorate then told SSC on 13 May that emamectin had not been administered in accordance with the marketing authorisation and that this was a breach of the veterinary medicines regulations.



But it added: We have decided on the basis of the information held at present not to take further action on this occasion.



Food Standards Scotland concluded that the breach was not sufficient to declare a food safety incident. The sampled fish was not harvested, and so did not go to supermarkets to be sold to consumers.



Environmental groups pointed out that emamectin breaches had been detected before, including at two of SSCs other fish farms in Loch Roag in 2016. They said that in June 2018 the Kyles of Vuia farm had record-breaking numbers of sea lice, averaging 24 adult female lice per fish.

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Theme(s): Others.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Most of the calls encouraging construction of a mosque as ordered by the Supreme Court are from Hindus, according to sources in a trust formed by the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB), which has been allotted the 5-acre alternative site as per the Ayodhya verdict.

The UPSCWB had on July 29 announced the formation of the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IIFC) tasked to develop the land in Dhannipur village under the district limits of Ayodhya, 20 km from Ramjanmabhoomi premises.

IICF sources said a lot of Hindus are offering to contribute to the mosque construction and development of other infrastructure facilities.

Of the total calls we have received from across the globe showing willingness to contribute to the mosque construction, 60 per cent are Hindus, said a source.

Ayodhya is set to emerge as a unique symbol of communal amity: we saw active participation of Muslims, including two litigants in bhoomi pujan, and now Hindus are coming forward for contributing to the mosque construction, said an IICF member on condition of anonymity.

The Supreme Court, in its November 9, 2019 verdict, directed the state government to identify and allot 5-acre land to the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board for building a mosque in Ayodhya.

The UP government complied with the order in February 2020 and allocated the land to UPSCWB in Dhannipur village.

The Ayodhya district administration handed over the land to IICF on Aug 2, three days before the ground-breaking ceremony of Ram temple.

The trust members would soon visit the village for the demarcation of the area.

According to IICF sources, the trust is in the process of completing bank formalities for having an account and has also applied for a PAN.

There will not be a dearth of funds for the development of the mosque and the additional facilities, said the member.

The IICF has already opened an office in Lucknow. The trust is also in the process of launching a portal by next week to accept donations. Foreign contributions may have to wait for procedural clearances.

The trust claims support of all sections, especially young Muslims.

The IICF trustees, meanwhile, are expected to finalize the architect to prepare a design as the facility complex would also have a community kitchen.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish full diplomatic ties, expressing hope that the accord will lead to Israeli and Palestinian leaders re-engaging in "meaningful negotiations" for a two-state solution.

The joint statement by US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan suspends Israeli annexation plans over parts of the occupied West Bank, which a UN spokesperson said was something the Secretary-General has consistently called for.

READ: How the world is reacting to Israel-UAE deal

"The Secretary-General welcomes this agreement, hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realise a two State-solution in line with relevant United Nations resolutions, international laws and bilateral agreements," the statement said on Thursday.

The UN chief said peace in the Middle East was imperative as the region confronts the grave threats of Covid-19 and radicalisation.

READ: Deal with Israel 'win' for diplomacy, region: UAE envoy

The Secretary-General will continue to work with all sides to open further possibilities for dialogue, peace and stability, the statement said, adding that annexation would effectively close the door for a renewal of negotiations and destroy the prospect of a viable Palestinian State and the two-State solution.

In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the UAE on Thursday became the first Gulf country and the third in the Arab world to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as part of a deal to halt the controversial annexation of parts of the West Bank that Palestinians see as a part of their future state.

READ: Trump announces 'historic peace agreement' between Israel, UAE

Trump took to Twitter to break the news, saying, Huge breakthrough today. Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!.

A White House announcement said that the leaders of the US, Israel and the UAE spoke today and agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

READ: Israel hails UAE deal but Palestinians, settlers, dismayed

A joint statement from the United States, Israel and the UAE said that "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region.

Close neighbours, Jordan and Egypt, are the only two other Arab states to have diplomatic ties with Israel under peace agreements that have weathered several storms over the decades to hold firm.
The Queensland government has backflipped on plans to prevent the publication of corruption allegations against candidates ahead of elections following a furious public backlash.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath introduced the amendments to parliament on Thursday, citing a report tabled by the Crime and Corruption Commission early in July.

Under the proposed changes, complaints about electoral candidates to the CCC would be kept under wraps until investigations became official, or three months had lapsed since the watchdog had been notified.

The Queensland government has backflipped on plans to prevent the publication of corruption allegations against candidates ahead of elections following a furious public backlash. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is pictured

Breaching the law could land a person in jail for up to six months, or face thousands of dollars in fines.

The changes would have also allowed a candidate or the watchdog to seek an injunction to prevent further publication of allegations during the lead-up to elections.

However, in a brief statement on Friday the Queensland government dropped the proposal, citing time constraints.

'Given the limited time for the parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee to consider the law changes the CCC seeks... the bill introduced yesterday in state parliament is withdrawn,' Ms D'Ath said.

The backflip comes after criticism from unions and the Liberal National opposition, who accused the government of trying to silence whistleblowers before the October state election.

'This is another attempt by Annastacia Palaszczuk to cover up her government's appalling integrity record and silence whistleblowers,' shadow attorney-general David Janetzki said.

It comes after the LNP referred former Queensland treasurer Jackie Trad again to the CCC in July, under allegations the former minister interfered with the independent hiring process for the role of under treasurer in 2019.

Ms Trad was referred to the commission in 2019 over an investment property, and again last year over her involvement in the selection of a school principal in her South Brisbane seat.

She repeatedly denied wrongdoing but stepped down from her cabinet responsibilities in May.
UNESCO, UAE begin reconstruction of historic Iraqi church destroyed by ISIS

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Work has begun to rebuild a Christian church in Iraq destroyed by the Islamic State as part of a partnership between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates.

UNESCO announced last week that construction has commenced on the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour in Mosul. Mosul was once Iraqs second-largest city before it was overrun by the Islamic State terrorist group in 2014 but liberated by U.S.-backed coalition forces in 2017.

"With the official approval from The Dominican order, UNESCO  in close collaboration with relevant authorities  will now start the stabilization and rehabilitation of The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour in Mosul, the international body said in a statement.

"This projects component will include all the phases of a stabilization and rehabilitation project  from site clearance and initial survey to the preparation of the detailed design for the actual execution of the works.

The church, also known as Al-Saaa Church, was built in the 1800s and is located at the heart of the Old City of Mosul. The church is also known as The Clock Church because it was gifted a clock in 1880 by Empress Eugenie of France, the wife of Emperor Napoleon III.

As previously reported by The Telegraph, the church was blown up by the Islamic State.

According to UNESCO, the church has always been considered one of the areas iconic landmarks and was a living example of the brotherhood between Moslawis.

The rehabilitation of this church is important not only because of its value as cultural heritage but also as a testimony to the diversity of the city, a proud crossroads of cultures and a peaceful haven for different religious communities over the centuries, UNESCO said.

International Christian Concern, a U.S.-based advocacy group, reports that Al-Saaa Church represents the long historical presence of Christianity in Mosul.

According to UNESCO, the church building also carries architectural value.

Each viewer coming from Nineveh or Al-Farouq Street would see the Al-Hadba Minaret first then the bell tower of the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Hour, or vice-versa, the statement reads. This architectural and urban feature is engraved in the memory and history of the people and of the city and is emblematic of the cultural diversity and peaceful co-existence between its communities.

The project will create a unique on-the-job training opportunity for local heritage professionals and craftsmen.

The rehabilitation project was announced last October as part of the UNESCO-UAE initiative called Revive the Spirit of Mosul. The project aims to reconstruct the historic landmarks of Mosul damaged by the Islamic State.

Another project announced as part of the initiative last October was the restoration of the Al-Tahira Syriac-Catholic Church. The centuries-old church had its roof collapse when it was bombarded in 2017.

The UNESCO-UAE partnership is also working to restore the Al Hadba Minaret and the Al-Nouri Mosque of Mosul, which was built more than 850 years ago.

UNESCO is fostering reconciliation and social cohesion in Mosul through the restoration and reconstruction of emblematic historical sites as part of UNESCOs international initiative Revive the Spirit of Mosul, UNESCO stated.

The initiative will also include the construction of a museum and memorial site to exhibit and preserve remnants of the sites with the community and educational spaces.

The UNESCO-UAE partnership comes as the Arabian country has been devoted in recent years to promoting interfaith harmony.

UAE labeled 2019 its Year of Tolerance. In 2019, UAE hosted a regional religious freedom summit and also hosted the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula.

Last September, plans were announced for the building of an interfaith complex called the Abrahamic Family House in which a church, synagogue and mosque will be built on Saadiyat Island near Abu Dhabi.

The Abrahamic Family House was a result of Pope Francis visit to Abu Dhabi last February. Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Egypt signed off on establishing the interfaith Higher Committee on Human Fraternity.
Dialogue sole solution to dispute with Greece in eastern Mediterranean: Turkish president

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 3:01 PM

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the only solution to Turkey's dispute with EU member Greece over Turkish oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean is through negotiation.

Erdogan said on Thursday that Ankara is not seeking any "adventures" in the region.

"The path to a solution in the eastern Mediterranean is via dialogue and negotiation," the Turkish president said. "If we act with common sense and reason, we can find a win-win solution that meets everyone's interests. We are not chasing any unnecessary adventures or seeking tensions."

Greece, he said, is demonstrating an "ill-disposed" approach, urging Athens to respect Turkey's rights.

Apparently meaning France, Erdogan said Greece is being pushed into taking "wrong steps" in the region by "a country that doesn't even have a coast in the eastern Mediterranean".

"Nobody should think too highly of themselves. Let me be very clear: Don't try to put on a show," the president said.

Tensions escalated in the eastern Mediterranean on Monday after Turkey launched naval exercises off two Greek islands and announced the resumption of its energy exploration research activity in the disputed area.

Turkey dispatched a research ship, accompanied by naval vessels, off the Greek island of Kastellorizo, where Turkey disputes Greek maritime rights. The Turkish vessels are being shadowed by Greek warships.

Turkey had suspended the research activities but resumed them on August 6 when Egypt and Greece signed an agreement laying out the maritime boundary between their exclusive economic zones. President Erdogan denounced that maritime deal as "worthless."

Athens condemned the move as illegal and sought support from European Union allies.

France held training exercises with Greek forces off the island of Crete on Thursday.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan in a phone conversation with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday, also voicing concern about the "unilateral" exploration by Turkey.

France will "temporarily reinforce" its military presence to "monitor the situation in the region and mark its determination to uphold international law," Macron's office said in a statement.

Last month, the French president called for EU sanctions against Ankara for what he described as "violations" of Greek and Cypriot sovereignty over their territorial waters.

Also in July, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Turkey's refusal to halt drilling activities in contested waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea would affect relations between Ankara and the EU.

Ties between Turkey and Greece are in tumult over competing claims to natural gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus and Turkey have argued for years regarding the ownership of fossil fuels in the eastern Mediterranean, where Ankara says Turkish Cypriots are entitled to a share of the resources.

Greek and Turkish officials signaled on Wednesday that they were willing to resolve the dispute over their overlapping maritime claims, but vowed to protect their interests and blamed the other side for the standoff.

Greece and Turkey almost went to war in 1974 over Cyprus, which has since been divided, with the northern third run by a Turkish Cypriot administration and the southern two thirds governed by the Greek Cypriot government.

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MIAMI, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SunPath is pleased to announce that CEO Joseph DiMasi will be presenting at the Benzinga Capital Conference Virtual Deal Room on Tuesday, August 18 at 10:45 am EDT. DiMasi will reveal how SunPath's patented Sunshine InsideTM platform delivers cold sunlightadding no heat load to the buildinginside agriculture environments by way of skinny fiber-optic cabling that can reach into the canopy.

SunPath's patented collection and fiber optic technologies have been shown to deliver up to 10x the energy of PV solar panels driving LEDs, a breakthrough that has received millions in funding from the US Department of Energy and angel investors. SunPath is one of two companies founded by Joseph DiMasi that have received large federal grants for advanced optical technologies. The companies specialize in the advancement of technologies revolutionizing indoor lighting efficiency with fiber optics.

"Sustainable crop production needs energy-efficient and yield-increasing technologies like SunPath to meet the 21st century challenges of population growth and climate change," said DiMasi. "Our daylight delivery platform solves the energy pain point for high-energy-use markets including building lighting, indoor agriculture, and legal cannabis, while sharing healthy full-spectrum sunlight."

To register for the Conference's Virtual Deal Room and attend the SunPath presentation, please visit: Virtual Networking Pass . Registration includes the 1:1 meeting with DiMasi of SunPath.

With the world's population projected to grow to over 10 billion in just 5 years, Controlled Environment Agriculture holds the promise of addressing the coming unprecedented demand on the food supply through increased crop yield while lowering energy usage and production costs.

SunPath's patented collection and fiber optic technologies have been shown to deliver up to 10x the energy of PV solar panels driving LEDs, a breakthrough that has received millions in funding from the US Department of Energy and angel investors.

It was shown that in a recent pilot conducted at a commercial cultivator, the Sunshine Inside PlatformTM successfully increased cannabis dried flower yield by 60-100% across several strains.

"The cannabis industry has entered its next stage of maturity, and commoditization is placing pressure on cultivators," said Joseph DiMasi, CEO of SunPath. "Our mission is to dramatically improve cannabis manufacturing by piping sunlight directly into the plant canopy so our partners can gain significant increase in yieldsand reduce a facility's operating costs and carbon footprint while gaining a significant competitive edge."

In the Virtual Deal Room DiMasi plans to provide an in-depth look into the company's Sunlight as a Service business model, contrasting the limits of the LED lighting and price-performance with the SunPath Sunshine Inside PlatformTM and previewing the next generation SunCatcherTM technological innovation.

SunPath will also announce that with help from their investment banking team at Highway33 Capital Advisory, they will be closing out the remaining $1.5M of the $2.5M SEED round.

About SunPath  SunPath is one of two companies founded by Joseph DiMasi that have received large federal grants for advanced optical technologies. The companies specialize in the advancement of technologies revolutionizing indoor lighting efficiency with fiberoptic daylighting to support a clean energy future. www.SunPathTech.com

Highway33 Capital Advisory  Highway33 is a capital advisory firm for Mergers and Acquisitions, buy-side/sell-side agreements, capital formation, growth and pre-IPO strategies for investors seeking vetted companies in highly regulated markets. For more information contact Highway33 Capital Advisory at 1.800.684.9238 or www.Highway33.com

Media Contact:

David Hofer

1 800-684-9238

[email protected]

SOURCE SunPath
Manitobas back-to-school plan stops short of making face masks mandatory in schools, issuing instead a strong recommendation all staff and students in Grade 5 and up wear them in the fall.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobas back-to-school plan stops short of making face masks mandatory in schools, issuing instead a "strong recommendation" all staff and students in Grade 5 and up wear them in the fall.

Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin is recommending non-medical masks be worn in common areas and whenever physical distancing of two metres is not possible in a school building.

Older students will only be required to wear masks on the school bus, as will bus drivers; otherwise, face coverings are optional. Younger students will be able to wear masks, if they choose to.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Mantioba's chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin.

"Were going to strongly recommend it, and if that doesnt work, we could mandate it  but were not back yet and so, were going to rely on Manitobans to follow recommendations, which they largely have," Roussin told reporters Thursday.

Two weeks after unveiling an outline for September, the province released a 28-page school practice and protocol document Thursday  in part, to address questions that came up when public officials reviewed more than 77 school division and independent school plans.

The document covers everything from strict "no-sharing" rules that will be adopted in schools to new guidelines for school cafeteria and ventilation to how schools can offer field trips during the COVID-19 pandemic, with public health precautions in mind.

Were going to strongly recommend it, and if that doesnt work, we could mandate it  but were not back yet and so, were going to rely on Manitobans to follow recommendations, which they largely have.  Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin on masks in schools

Manitoba has not set aside any extra funding for public schools to implement plans, but Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the province will be working with school divisions to ensure there is equitable access to masks.

The price tag for procuring reusable masks for divisions so they have extra will be "into the millions," Goertzen said, adding schools will stockpile masks to hand out to those who forget them throughout the school year.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Education minister Kelvin Goertzen speaks to the media about COVID-19 and schools re-opening in September at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg on Thursday.

On behalf of the provinces approximately 16,000 teachers, Manitoba Teachers Society vice-president Nathan Martindale said he was disappointed by the update. Martindale said the union wanted the province to require face masks for both staff and students of all ages.

He said the union also wants to see funding to cap class sizes, hire more substitute teachers, and provide rapid COVID-19 testing for teachers.

Fear, uncertainty as schools prepare to open Click to Expand THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski Manitoba Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen speaks at a media news conference at the Manitoba Legislative Building, in Winnipeg, Thursday. Posted: 6:48 PM Aug. 13, 2020 Parents, teachers and administrators have myriad questions about plans to return to school even as the provincial government released its answer key. Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen revealed the provinces COVID-19 school protocols Thursday. The province stopped short of mandating masks and instead strongly recommends students in grades 5 to 12, school staff and others in schools wear non-medical masks in common areas and where physical distancing is not possible. Individual school divisions are expected to release their own plans by Aug. 17. Read Full Story

"Could we not see some sort of staggered return, so that the system isnt overwhelmed right away, and that would give school divisions time to work out details and the plans and fine-tune things?" Martindale added, about the Sept. 8 back-to-school date.

Masks aside, the new document breaks down exactly how schools will handle a COVID-19 case.

If a school community member tests positive, public health experts will begin an investigation by requesting attendance records. They will then notify close contacts and recommend testing and self-isolation, inform a school community about the case and later, issue a public bulletin. Schools will clean and disinfect areas where exposures took place and as a last resort, close a school, if necessary.

Classroom teachers will be required to provide remote instruction for students who are self-isolating, but divisions are expected to set up distance learning for those who will engage in remote instruction all year  an option only available to students who are immunocompromised.

"To be quite honest with you, Im scared," said Patrick Dryburgh, a grades 6-7 teacher in Winnipeg.

Dryburgh, who is entering his 11th year of teaching, said he would feel much more comfortable if the province mandated smaller class sizes to ensure physical distancing (which he suggests could happen if classes are split into morning and afternoon groups). His classrooms windows dont open, so he said he's worried about ventilation.

To be quite honest with you, Im scared.  Winnipeg teacher Patrick Dryburgh

"There's just a lot of things out there that have me very, very concerned at this time; but I will tell you, I absolutely hated teaching from home I love being in the classroom with students, being able to talk to them, so I still want to get back to school, but I think it has to be done smarter," Dryburgh said.

Before Thursdays announcement, NDP Leader Wab Kinew reiterated his partys key concerns about the provinces approach, including a lack of funding for smaller classes and hiring additional support staff.

Dougald Lamont, leader of the Manitoba Liberals, echoed those comments after the announcement. Lamont added the province has yet to address specific challenges schools in First Nations, particularly related to internet connectivity in remote areas, will face this year.

Jen Zoratti | Next A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"For some, I think that theres this feeling that the lights have been off for five months and now were going to turn the lights on, on Sept. 8 and see how this goes," Goertzen said. "Theres been a lot of this thats been happening already, with the partial reopening of schools, summer schools and day camps."

School divisions are expected to release their local plans Monday.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter is ready to assist autoworkers and other workers to organize rank-and-file safety committees at workplaces across North America and beyond. Email the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter at autoworkers@wsws.org to learn more.

The Autoworker Rank-and-File Safety Committee Network is a national organization of workers throughout the auto industry who have organized to oppose the unsafe return to work enforced by the auto companies, the United Auto Workers and other unions. Workers have launched rank-and-file safety committees at Fiat Chryslers Jefferson North and Sterling Heights plants in the Detroit area, at FCA Toledo Jeep Assembly in Ohio, at the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant and the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant.

Facing appalling treatment and the indifference of management and the union, workers at the Faurecia Gladstone Plant in Columbus, Indianaroughly 40 miles south of the state capital Indianapolishave formed their own rank-and-file safety committee in order to fight for safe and humane working conditions. Faurecia is a French-based transnational auto parts manufacturer, with locations in 35 countries, over 120,000 employees, and sales exceeding 17 billion euros as of 2019.

This is the rank-and-file safety committees statement:

***

Brothers and sisters at Faurecia: Our lives are in danger every day we come to work. We all know coworkers who have been infected with the deadly coronavirus here at the plant or exposed to someone who has it.

Management and the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union) wont tell us how many people have COVID-19. They refuse to tell us the truth. How many have been infected? How many more have been exposed? We share what little information there is and we know its spreading.

They put on a show of safety procedures at the entrance: they take your temperature, make you wear a mask, sanitize your feet and your belongings. We know theyre just going through motions.

Were supposed to social distance, but were so close together on some lines that we bump into each other. When someone gets sick at work, they just pull them off the line and move someone else in, and production doesnt stop.

The bathrooms arent cleaned enough. The temperatures can be unbearable. How many of us have gotten sick from the heat? We get no extra break. They even turned the air off in the restrooms so people wouldnt try to cool off in them.

Every honest doctor will tell you that working people on 12-hour shifts seven days a week will destroy your health. Its even more dangerous to do that to us during a pandemic. Now theyre limiting which days we can take off. We are so exhausted coming to or leaving work that we risk getting into car accidents.

Faurecia doesnt want anybody to have a life or have time to relax. They dont care about workers.

They have sped up the lines, making unrealistic targets, then blame us for not hitting the numbers and threatening to write us up. The intimidation and hostility in their working environment is toxic for anyone and everyone. When workers try to blow the whistle, theyre harassed.

The IBEW is just as bad as the UAW, and lets Faurecia do whatever they want to do. That is why we the workers must act and organize on our own.

These are our just demands:

Faurecia must notify all workers of any new cases of COVID-19 and what areas have been affected. The total number of cases must be tracked in real time and made available to workers. This vital information cannot be concealed from us for one day longer.



We demand daily testing for everyone on site, rapid results and the highest-quality health care paid by the company for any one of us or any family members who become ill. Combined with thorough contact tracing, this is the only scientifically proven method to effectively control the spread of the pandemic.



When a case is confirmed, the factory must be shut for no less than 24 hours to sanitize the entire facility and all of its mechanical systems. Regular, daily maintenance and sanitizing must be implemented under our direct supervision. The union and the company have forfeited their responsibility to supervise safe working conditions.



The inhumane work hours and schedules must stop. We cannot maintain good health and effective immune systems if we are exhausted. We demand a return to an eight-hour day, with adequate breaks, and at least two days off per week for rest and leisure, with no loss of pay.



Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems must be upgraded and reconfigured with the necessary air distribution and filtration systems. Management brags about the company being a multi-billion global corporation. They can afford to guarantee safe and comfortable working conditions at all times.



PPE and social distancing procedures must be reviewed and implemented under the direct supervision of the independent representatives of the rank-and-file, consulting with public health experts. All necessary disinfectants and cleaning supplies must be provided by the company.



All production must be stopped for no less than 10 minutes every hour for workers to take off masks, stay hydrated and cool down. It is absolutely unacceptable to have workers drop from heat exhaustion in a multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility.



Whether for taking time to get tested, for speaking up for the fellow workers, or for implementing any of these other safety measures, we will not accept that workers face retaliation, harassment, layoffs, write-ups or other forms of intimidation. Workers who feel ill or have to quarantine for whatever reason must receive full pay and not be penalized for missing work.



Whenever conditions are not safe, we have the right to collectively refuse to work without any threat of retaliation by management or the union.

If you work at Faurecia and agree to these demands, join us and build our rank-and-file safety committee. We are the only ones who will fight for our safety. Everybody knows the company and IBEW wont do it. And neither will the government.

If you work at another plant, form a rank-and-file safety committee to link up with ours. Whether you work at Faurecia in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Michigan, or in Mexico: This is our fight, we the workers are the only force that can stop the virus and save lives around the world!
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police arrested 60 more people in connection with the August 11 riots, with this the total number of arrests have gone upto 206. Among the 60 arrested is Kaleem Pasha, husband of Congress corporator from Nagwara ward Irshad Begum.

Pasha is said to have close political links with both the Congress party and SDPI.

On August 11, angry mobs attacked the house of Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy over an alleged derogatory social media post by the Congress leader's relative. The mob went berserk in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station areas of Bengaluru.

The police opened fire at the unruly mobs and three people died in police firing while over 50 people were injured in the violent clashes. At least 145 people were reportedly arrested a day after the violence had erupted.

Karnataka deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwathnarayan warned the vandals saying that every rioter and arsonist "involved in any way...will be hunted down...no matter where they hide". He also said that the incident created fear among innocent citizens and caused damage to property.

"Every rioter and arsonist involved in any way in last night's disturbances will be hunted down by our government no matter where they hide. The scale and organized nature of the violence confirms that it was entirely orchestrated by these jihadi elements," he tweeted.

The social media post was allegedly made by Congress MLA's nephew Naveen who has also been arrested. Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that a district magistrate will hold an inquiry into the violence.
BUNKER HILL  In response to ongoing federal investigations surrounding Illinois government, state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, is calling on the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to consider including in their final report sweeping measures that would overhaul ethics laws in Illinois.

Whats being proposed is long overdue, Manar said. The last several years have made it clear that there are glaring blind spots in our ethics laws. Transparency and accountability are two principles that I believe are fundamental to a functioning government, and its time that we act.
Shanghai uncle becomes poplular from corner shop

By:Huang Qingyang, Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-08-14 09:39

At only 10.5 square meters, Feng Sunchengs musical instrument repair store, located at No 80 Zhaozhou Road in Shanghai, is well known in the city and has even been recommended as a must-see in Shanghai by a foreign travel magazine. The shop, that has been open for about 20 years, has over 100 different types of musical instruments stuffed in almost every corner.

The life experience of Feng Shuncheng is quite fascinating.

Due to the need of the musicians of the Paramount, Shanghais iconic night club and dance hall, to have their instruments repaired, Feng get a foot in the music industrys door when he was young. Later when he was an adult, he also accompanied several well-known Chinese music stars like Na Ying and Liu Huan.

After learning to playing instruments abroad for a couple of years, he devoted himself into the production and maintenance of musical instruments. Whether Feng has been playing or repairing his watchword has always been craft.

At that time there werent a lot of opportunities overseas for a Chinese to do musical instruments repair work, so I decided to return to my motherland. In recent years people have paid much more attention and respect to craftsmanship. From my perspective, fixing musical instruments is also craftsmanship, said Feng, who has been running this business ever since he rented this small shop in 1999.

Feng himself also made several musical instruments on his own, for example making a Hawaii electric guitar from a thrown-away door plank and an erhu-like new musical instrument using a tea pot.

Nowadays there are a lot of visitors to Fengs small shop everyday. He has become so popular that guests from other provinces have even sent a car to bring him to their homes for piano restoration. The Shanghai Musicians Association has offered a membership certificate to Feng to honour his contribution to popular music in Shanghai since reform and opening-up.

Photo/ Bai Kelin


Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week signed a deal with Clearview AI to license the facial recognition companys technology. According to a federal purchase order unearthed by the nonprofit Tech Inquiry (via The Verge), an ICE mission support office in Dallas is paying $224,000 for Clearview licenses. Engadget has contacted Clearview and ICE for details on the scope of this agreement, as well as what ICE plans to do with its access to Clearviews tech.

The company is able to identify people by matching a photo of them against billions of images it has scraped from social media and other internet services. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Clearview in May for allegedly violating Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. Lawsuits accusing the company of breaking privacy and safety laws have been filed in several other states.

Clearview plans to invoke the First Amendment in its defense. CEO Hoan Ton-That has suggested that since those images are publicly available information, its fair game to scrape them.

Several companies  including Facebook, Twitter, Google, LinkedIn and Venmo  have sent Clearview cease-and-desist notices, demanding that the company stop its data-scraping practice. The company is also under investigation in Australia and the UK over the same issue.

In December, the Air Force agreed a $50,000 contract with Clearview related to an open call for innovative defense-related dual-purpose technologies/solutions with a clear airforce stakeholder need. Hundreds of law enforcement agencies in North America, including the FBI, have used the companys technology as well. However, some, such as the San Diego police department, have banned Clearviews facial recognition tool.
Lebanese are shocked and angry at the scale of the devastation wrought across the capital from last week's explosion in the port of Beirut

Top diplomats criss-crossed Beirut on Friday to supervise growing aid efforts and weigh in on Lebanon's political future, following a deadly port explosion blamed on state corruption.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, which backs Lebanon's Hezbollah, met officials in the capital ahead of a speech by the powerful Shiite movement's chief Hassan Nasrallah calling for the formation of a national unity government.

Zarif's visit coincided with those of the top career diplomat of Iran's arch-foe the United States, David Hale, and French Defence Minister Florence Parly.

Both Hale and Parly have joined calls from the international community for a reform-oriented government that would coordinate aid flooding into the crisis-hit country after the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab's cabinet on Monday.

"For the longer run, we cannot accept more empty promises and more dysfunctional governance," said Hale after meeting the head of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Beshara Rai.

"America is ready to support a Lebanese government that reflects and responds to the will of the people and genuinely commits to and acts for real change."

Zarif said it was for the Lebanese to decide what government they wanted.

"Others should not condition their aid on any change in Lebanon during this emergency situation," he said.

The Iranian foreign minister echoed Lebanese officials in rejecting an international probe into the blast, saying "Lebanon, as an independent country, must be in charge of the investigation".

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is the latest foreign official to beat a path to Beirut as the calls for reform grow shriller

Protesters filled the streets and clashed with security forces in the days after the August 4 explosion, blaming their political leaders for the negligence they say led to the disaster that killed 171 people and wounded at least 6,500.

The tragedy came as a huge stock of hazardous materials stored for several years in a warehouse in the heart of Beirut exploded, despite repeated warnings of the dangers it posed.

The mega-blast revived a street protest movement that had first erupted in October last year against government corruption and a lingering economic crisis.

- 'Far-reaching reforms' -

Hale and Parly met President Michel Aoun separately on Friday and held talks with civil society representatives.

Both insisted that the new government should reflect the will of the people and implement reform

The top US career diplomat David Hale talks with young volunteers in a hard-hit neighbourhood of Beirut, bypassing the politicians many Lebanese blame for the disaster

A new government must have a "mission" and "for a limited period of time, be in charge of carrying out far-reaching reforms", said Parly who oversaw the distribution of aid from the French helicopter carrier Tonnerre.

She said she urged Aoun to speed up the process of forming a government.

The UN's Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis agreed, saying: "Time is of the essence.

"People are suffering and can't wait for endless deliberations," he added after meeting the patriarch.

Diab's successor must be named by Aoun, the target of increasing vitriol from protesters, after consultations with parliamentary blocs representing Lebanon's longstanding political parties -- the very ones that the protesters want to see gone.

Lebanon's Shiite Muslim movement head Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah

Nasrallah on Friday called for the formation of a national unity government -- a model that has existed in Lebanon for years.

"We are calling from now for attempts to form a national unity government, and if that is not possible, then a government that secures the widest representation possible for politicians and specialists," Nasrallah said.

In his second speech since the blast, Nasrallah dismissed the idea of a "neutral government" as a "waste of time," saying there weren't any neutral candidates in the country that could form such a cabinet.

- Fears of 'impunity' -

Lebanese authorities named judge Fadi Sawan, who has a reputation for independence and integrity according to judicial sources, to lead investigations into the explosion.

He will not question current and former ministers on the ammonium nitrate that was stocked at the port, but they will be interrogated by a special judicial body.

Public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat has filed lawsuits against 25 suspects over the Beirut blast, 19 of whom are already in custody, a judicial source said.

Those detained include Beirut port's general manager, Hassan Koraytem, and Badri Daher, director-general of Lebanese customs.

On Thursday, Hale, US undersecretary for political affairs, said the FBI would join the probe "at the invitation" of Lebanese authorities.

France, which on Friday confirmed two French citizens were among those killed in the blast, has opened its own enquiry.

UN experts have called for a prompt and independent investigation, expressing concern at the "impunity" of Lebanese officials.

Families of the blast victims have also called for an international probe.

French Navy helicopter carrier Tonnerre delivered food and construction materials to Beirut on Friday

On Friday, rescue workers continued to recover the remains of those killed in the blast at the devastated Beirut port.

Relatives of three firefighters from the same family, who had tried to put out a blaze that broke out before the blast, were told the remains of two of them had been identified by DNA analysis.
A number of people in Northern Ireland have fallen victim to scams (Tim Goode/PA)

A victim has lost 40,000 in an online romance scam, police have said.

People in Northern Ireland lost over 80,000 in a spate of scams reported on Wednesday.

Scammers employed a variety of means to swindle their victims. Some were cold-called at home by people claiming to be from an online retailer who were told they needed to make a payment.

Others reported being threatened with arrest due to an outstanding fine or warrant.

Another victim was duped by someone claiming to be from a telecommunications company who told them they would receive a refund of 400. While they did received the 400, 15,000 was also taken from their account.

Another victim who had bought items for their business online reported losing 11,000, while another report saw a victim lose 16,000 in an online financial scam.

Other amounts reported as being lost range from 34 to 2,200.

Expand Close PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls (PSNI/PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls (PSNI/PA)

PSNI Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said scammers would do whatever they can to get people's money.

"Scammers dont care who their victim is, they just want their money and will employ whatever tactic is necessary," he said.

"While some of the losses reported to us this week involved significant sums of money to much smaller sums, we understand that any amount of money lost to a scammer is a horrible experience for anyone.

"The threat of fraud, both online and offline, against the public is a constant focus for us and I want to take this opportunity to again appeal to people that on no account should anyone disclose their personal or financial details over the phone; always err on the side of caution.

Scammers are creative and will do whatever they can to con people out of money.

Its also important that if you have older members of family, talk with them and tell them legitimate providers will never seek their personal details, such as banking information, over the phone. This is a really important conversation to have.

Guarding your personal and banking details is essential. Never disclose them to any unauthorised person.

Anyone concerned they have been a victim of a scam either report the matter to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040.

Police can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

For further advice and information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.
India on Friday sent 58 tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid to Lebanon in an air force plane to assist the people affected by the explosions in Beirut on August 4.

The external affairs ministry said a separate consignment of personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical gloves and surgical gowns, is being sent to Lebanon following a spike in Covid-19 cases. This will reach Beirut in the coming days, ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

India stands in solidarity with #Lebanon



Today C-17 of @IAF_MCC delivered 58 MT of humanitarian aid from India to the people of Lebanon to assist relief efforts in wake of the tragic #BeirutBlast.



Read @IndiaInLebanons press release https://t.co/vd4HQaAXtO for more. pic.twitter.com/GeJi8myRCQ  Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) August 14, 2020

The emergency humanitarian aid was despatched on Friday morning in a C-17 heavy lift aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in response to an assessment of requirements by Lebanese authorities.

In response to the massive explosion in Beirut on August 4, we had offered our assistance to Lebanon and sought from them an assessment of their requirement. Based on this, an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft was deployed to deliver 58 MT of emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the government of India to Lebanon, Srivastava said.

The aircraft landed in Beirut a few hours back and the aid has been handed over by our ambassador to senior officials of the Lebanese armed forces, which is coordinating all the relief efforts.

The aid sent by India includes emergency medical supplies, wheat flour, sugar, pulses, and relief materials such as blankets, dignity kits and sleeping mats, which are required by the large number of people left homeless by the explosion.

India demonstrates solidarity with the people of Lebanon in the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Beirut. 58 MT of emergency humanitarian aid, including crucial medical and food supplies, is on its way to Beirut in IAF C17 aircraft, external affairs minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored at Beiruts port blew up on August 4, virtually wiping out the citys commercial hub and damaging many parts of the Lebanese capital. The blasts killed more than 170 people, injured another 6,000 and left nearly 300,000 homeless.

The total damage has been estimated at $10 billion to $15 billion. A preliminary assessment by the World Bank showed some 50,000 residential units were damaged and 80 per cent of residential buildings and infrastructure were affected by the explosions.
By Omar Younis

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - School bus drivers from the second largest school district in the United States led a noisy protest caravan through downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, demanding federal and state funding to help reopen schools safely amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The drivers from the Los Angeles Unified Schools District (LAUSD) were joined by other vehicles as they circled city hall and honked their horns.

"Until they get conditions safe, I prefer us to be at home," said John Lewis, a school bus driver, who has been in the job for 30 years. "I miss work. I love my job, I love the students, the people I work with but I understand why we can't be at work right now because it's just not safe."

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles teachers union and local education officials agreed on a plan for resuming online-only classes at the end of August. California's powerful teachers unions strongly oppose in-person instruction without safety measures that could be difficult and expensive to implement.

Such safety measures would likely require additional funding from the state and federal government.

Austin Beutner, superintendent of LAUSD, who joined the protesting drivers and other school staff, said investment was needed.

"Spread the desks, stay apart, wear a mask, clean and sanitize, redo the air filtration system. We've done all of those things. We also need to test for the virus and provide contact tracing at schools because schools could become a Petri dish," Beutner said.

"Unless we have a health crisis turn into an education crisis, we need to make sure the funding is there for schools," he said.

(Reporting by Omar Younis, Writing by Diane Craft, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Many confused vacationers reached out to Eurotunnel on Twitter, asking questions such as: If I just drive through France without stopping to refuel or use toilet facilities do I need to quarantine in the UK? (The train service replied that they didnt think so, as long as their origin country wasnt on the quarantine list and they didnt get out of the car.)
Ghanaian musician, Barima Sidney, known for releasing controversial songs, has released a heavily controversial song titled papa no.



Papa No has quite surprisingly found its way into popular Ghanaian lexicon after it was first used by Kumawood actress Tracey Boakye in her public social media banter with Mzbel.



Tracey Boakye, in her rants, alleged that a certain man (translated in akan as papa no) had taken good care of her ever since she gave birth to that mans daughter, her 3-month old baby.



The identity of the man still remains shrouded in mystery. As Ghanaians are still struggling to find out all the details and especially the identify the unnamed man, Barima Sidney has already received a song titled Papa no.



Interestingly, it appears NPP footsoldiers have already adopted the song, obviously for political capital, as many of the partys footsoldiers were identified sharing the song on social media, with various political commentaries.

Source: youtube









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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Barr Says Expect Development on Durhams Crossfire Hurricane Probe Friday

Update: U.S. Attorney John Durham on August 14 charged a former FBI attorney with making a false statement.

Original story below.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said that there will be a development in U.S. Attorney John Durhams probe into the FBIs counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign on Friday.

There are going to be significant developments on this before the election, Barr told Fox News host Sean Hannity Thursday night.

But were not doing this on the election schedule, he noted. Were aware of the election. Were not going to do anything inappropriate before the election. But were not being dictated to by this schedule.

Barr said that the development would not be earth-shattering, but provide an indication things are going along at a proper pace, as dictated by the facts in this investigation.

Barr told Hannity that the investigation is going quickly, despite some delay due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. He added that he is satisfied with the progress Durham has made.

Last month, Barr said that the November elections will not delay Durhams investigation and pending report.

Related Coverage US Attorney Probing Spying on Trump Campaign Draws on Vast Experience

Durham was appointed by Barr in May 2019 to examine the origins of the FBIs Russia-Trump collusion investigation, code named Crossfire Hurricane. The investigation seeks to determine whether intelligence collection on the 2016 Trump campaign by top Obama-administration officials was lawful and appropriate, and is assessing whether the FBIs surveillance of former Trump campaign aide Carter Page was free of improper motive.

The investigation was designated a formal criminal investigation in October 2019, which gives Durhams team the ability to issue subpoenas, impanel a grand jury, compel witnesses to give testimony, and bring federal criminal charges. This includes targeting the conduct of current and former senior FBI officials who were involved in obtaining a warrant in October 2016 to surveil Page and sending at least two spies to target Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos.

Barr had signaled in May that he was not expecting former President Barrack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden to face criminal indictments as a result of Durhams investigation, saying I dont expect Mr. Durhams work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man. Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others.

He told Hannity on Thursday that if people crossed the line, if people involved in that activity violated criminal law, they will be charged if the Department of Justice feels that it can prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said in July that he was expecting criminal charges to come out of Durhams investigation.

The FBIs Crossfire Hurricane counterintelligence investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign was launched in July 2016 to investigate allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, including possible links between Russia and any political campaigns.

The investigation was taken over in May 2017 by then-special counsel and former FBI Director Robert Mueller. By April 2019, he concluded that the investigation found no evidence to establish that Trump or his campaign had knowingly conspired or coordinated with the Russian government to sway the outcome of the election, although the Russian government was found to have interfered in the 2016 election.

President Donald Trump recently repeated his allegation that previous administration officials had spied on his campaign both before and after his presidential victory, and committed treason in doing so.

They spied on my campaign, which is treason. They spied both before and after I won. Think of that. Using the intelligence apparatus of the United States to take down a president, Trump said during a live phone interview with Fox Business.

Its the single biggest political crime in the history of our country.

Janita Kan, Ivan Pentchoukov, and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Reiterating that the Mumbai Police is doing its job in probing the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday urged the late actor's family and others to "maintain calm" and let the police do their job.

"The aim is to ensure justice for Sushant. I request the (Sushant's) family members and all others to remain quiet for some time and allow the Mumbai Police to peacefully complete their investigations. All must cooperate with the police probe," Raut told media persons.

Responding to a query, he categorically stated that Tourism Minister Aditya Thackeray's name "does not figure anywhere in any manner at all".

"Aditya Thackeray's name has been floated only by the media. Anybody can mention anybody's name, especially involving the big personalities or their family members, for publicity and creating sensationalism. This has become the media norm in recent times," Raut asserted.

On the oft-repeated demands for a CBI probe, Raut countered: "What different angles will the CBI investigate... Let the police probe get over first. Then, if you are not satisfied, bring in the CBI, or if needed, even the Mossad and KGB."

He pointed out that the issue must be viewed in proper perspective since the CBI has already taken over the probe according to what Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court.

He said that all political parties, and the Sena's opponents and Sushant's family members should wait since the Mumbai Police probe is soon to be completed.

"The Bihar Government has illegally transferred it (the Sushant case) to the CBI. It is clearly and established that law and order is a state subject and this violates the state's jurisdiction in federalism," Raut declared.

Raut's comments came a day after ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi constituent Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar threw his full weight behind the Mumbai and Maharashtra Police forces saying he had "100 per cent faith in them".

Earlier, the MVA had taken a clear stand that since the Mumbai Police are already probing the case professionally from all angles, there's no need to hand it over to the CBI.
A video of a man setting a vehicle on fire has gone viral online.

A local family took it to Facebook and is asking the community for assistance in identifying the suspected arsonist.

Im asking for your help, please. Last night, we were attacked and this person came to burn our sport utility vehicle. (He) put our family in danger, the post reads.

Home surveillance recorded the incident. Laredo Fire Department crews said the assailant poured an accelerant. The fire was extinguished without injuries. Laredo police took over the investigation.

To provide information on the case, call LPD at 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Information provided through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Callers will remain anonymous.
GSI Exchange Ranks on the Inc. 5000 Inc. Magazine's Annual List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies In a market as competitive as the precious metals IRA/401(k) business, it is gratifying to receive recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in America.

Gold Silver International Exchange (GSI Exchange), a leader in the precious metals industry, is proud to announce that it has been included in the 2020 Inc. 5000 -- an annual list recognizing the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States.

Inc. is an American business magazine that publishes print and online content -- articles and videos -- covering one of the most dynamic segments of the US economy: namely, startups and emerging businesses . The Inc. 500 and 5000 list recognizes the achievements of companies competing within this space.

Since its inception in 2014, GSI Exchange has achieved an average three-year growth factor of over 3,800%. In certain segments of the precious metals market, GSI Exchanges year-over-year growth rate has been exceedingly higher, as Anthony Allen Anderson, GSIs Founder and Senior Partner, explains:

In a market as competitive as the precious metals IRA/401(k) business, it is gratifying to receive recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in America. Our dedication to our trade, tireless hours of research, and the never-ending quest for higher volumes allow for margin reduction to benefit those who seek exclusive gold and silver coins not commonly traded on the open markets. The fact we are here receiving this prestigious award is proof that our system is working! While our earnings are impressive, our presence year-over-year is up as much as 58,000% in some areas. GSI Exchange is quickly becoming a household name, and that makes me more proud than anything.

The complete list of companies included in this years Inc. 5000 can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About GSI Exchange

Founded by industry veterans, GSI Exchange is a leading National Coin and Precious Metals Company specializing in wholesale Precious Metals Trading, as well as Direct Sales to the general public. The GSI Exchange Investment Management Team has over 80 years of combined Market Experience and Relationships with most of the biggest suppliers around the world.

With experience successfully placing more than $1 Billion in Commodities and Precious Metals Transactions around the world, GSI Exchange offers Clientele a full range of Customized Precious Metals Portfolios and physical Precious Metals Individual Retirement Accounts (PMIRAs).

GSI Exchange has an almost unlimited inventory of the highest-quality Silver, Gold, Palladium, and Platinum Coins at the most competitive prices.

For more information, visit https://gsiexchange.com/, or call 833-GSI-GOLD.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP)  The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militant sites in the Gaza Strip early Thursday in response to continued launches of explosives-laden balloons from the Palestinian territory into Israel.

The military said its targets included a compound used by Hamas' naval force and underground infrastructure and observation posts. There were no immediate reports of casualties on either side.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars and numerous smaller flareups since the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007.

The enemies have largely observed an unofficial truce in recent months, but recent days have seen a resurgence of the incendiary balloons militants have sent from Gaza that have set off heavy fires in neighboring Jewish agricultural lands.

Israel holds Hamas responsible for all fire out of the coastal enclave. As part of its reprisal, Israel also announced it would halt the import of fuel into the Gaza Strip and reduce the fishing area off the Gaza coast.
When it comes to coronavirus testing, no news isnt necessarily good news.

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said hes seeing an increasing number of residents  who ultimately test positive for COVID-19  get their results from state-sponsored testing later than others who test negative.

He said its his understanding that the state sends out a mass text or email to everyone from a certain site who tests negative. But the positive cases are sent to the Texas Department of Heath and Human Services, which passes the information along to local health authorities.

Related: Texas Gov. doubles down on coronavirus precautions during Beaumont visit

During a recent visit to Southeast Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said state officials are working with different labs and others involved in the testing process to get residents faster results.

The state promised us theyre going to improve, but we cant use that as an excuse, Allen said. So were trying to be proactive and get an alternate place for people to get tested so they can carry on with their lives and take proper precautions.

This also underscores the need for residents to stay quarantined until they have their test results back. Allen said hes seen many instances where even with negative test results, residents have become symptomatic and later test positive.

If they were concerned enough to be tested, they need to continue those precautions, he said.

More Information Coronavirus testing sites When: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday Where: Central High School girls' gym, 88 Jaguar Drive, Beaumont When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday Where: 271 East Lamar, Jasper (use Houston Street entrance) See More Collapse

Top hits: Get Beaumont Enterprise stories sent directly to your inbox

At this time, the coronavirus fight largely revolves around working out these and other kinks and holding case growth steady until leaders get a better idea of how school reopenings will impact case numbers.

Allen and Jasper County Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Olen Bean compared the number of active cases over the past few weeks to a roller coaster  up and down, but within the same relative track.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Newton County had logged a total of 121 positive cases, 21 of which are active.

Jasper County has logged 324 positive cases, 38 of which are active.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
French Prime Minister Jean Castex has led tributes to six French aid workers killed by suspected jihadists in Niger. The ceremony was held at Paris's Orly airport in front of the repatriated coffins, in the presence of the victims' families and several ministers.

"The victims came to Niger to do good and they met evil," Jean Castex said in a sombre speech at an airport lounge of Orly transformed for the occasion into a funeral home.

Dressed all in black, the French prime minister told the relatives of the six victims "the whole of France is in mourning for your children".

The four women and two men were killed on Sunday along with their Nigerien guide and driver in a wildlife reserve about an hour's drive southeast from the capital Niamey.

The victims were aged between 25 and 30 and worked for French NGO Acted.

Shadow of Bataclan

Castex drew comparisons with the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris that shook the country.

Its very likely the same hatred, the same cowardice, the same inhumanity that was at work in Niger and at the Bataclan, Castex said in front of the repatriated coffins of the six at Pariss Orly airport.

The Bataclan was the concert venue where 90 people were killed in one of the coordinated attacks by Islamist militants in the French capital in 2015.

We havent yet been able to put a name to the organisation behind this heinous crime in Niger, he said, adding that it had all the appearances of a terrorist attack.

Accurate remembrance

"It's important that the nation pays homage to them," said Jerome Bertin, head of the victims' organisation France Victimes federation.

"Their families want their commitment to be really cited... they were not tourists killed in Niger but young people engaged in helping the people of this country."

During his near 15 minute speech, Castex sought to respond to these concerns, telling the families: "the whole of France can be proud of your children", citing their commitment and generosity.

Story continues

Acted has decided temporarily to suspend work in Niger but has stressed it will not pull out of the country.

No claim of responsibility

One of the poorest nations in the world, Niger is struggling with incursions by Islamists from both Nigeria to the south and Mali to the west.

In Paris, French anti-terror prosecutors said they would investigate charges of "murders with links to a terrorist enterprise" and "criminal terrorist association".

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault. But France and other countries have warned people against travelling to parts of Niger where militants including Boko Haram and other groups linked to the Islamic State organisation operate.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Michael Rogers has stepped down as Gov. Kevin Stitts education secretary and chief policy negotiator.

He plans to continue his duties as secretary of state.

I will do my best to continue fulfilling my duty under Section 1 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution for a four-year term running concurrently with your term as governor, Rogers wrote in a letter to Stitt.

That section of the constitution says the Secretary of State is appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate. The four-year term is to run concurrently with Stitts term.

Stitt on Thursday announced former Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, would be his new chief policy negotiator. Bingman served in the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House before terming out. Bingman is a former Sapulpa mayor.

Rogers is a former Republican Oklahoma House member from Broken Arrow who served from 2014 to 2018. He decided not to seek another term, citing his wifes health and the workload required of him as chairman of the House Common Education Committee.
Right-wing opposition of Kamala Harris has gone on an all-out attack using an article written by the 2020 Democratic primary candidate's father. The basis of the ill-judged attacks stems from a claim that Senator Harris' is a descendent of Hamilton Brown, a 19th-century slave owner.

Descendent of a slave owner

According to Snopes, social media users began circulating posts in June and July 2019. The posts claimed that one of Harris' ancestors was Hamilton Brown, a slave owner on the Caribbean Island of Jamaica in the 19th-century.

The posts were generally spread after the first round of the Democratic primary debates. During the discussions, Harris talked about racial issues where criticized her primary opposition, former Vice President Joe Biden, and his legislative record on busing, stating it was painful for her as a black woman.

The issues about the senator's racial identities escalated after United States President Donald Trump shared a tweet that stated that Harris was not Black American; rather, she was half Indian and half Jamaican. The original poster of the tweet also continued to spread the claim that the senator had an ancestor who owned slaves in Jamaica.

Recently, however, a right-leaning website, Big League Politics, posted names of what it claimed to be individuals who were kept as slaves by Harris' ancestor.

The post added that the senator was a descendant of Hamilton Brown, an Irish slave owner, who was the namesake of Brown's Town in Jamaica. Brown brought a massive number of Irish migrants to Jamaica and made them serve on his sugar plantations following the British empire's abolishment of slavery.

Also Read: Joe Biden Picks Kamala Harris as Running Mate for 2020 Election, Becomes First Black Woman VP Nominee

Another website, Red State, posted a similar claim that had a headline that read, "When Will Race-Baiting Kamala Harris Acknowledge She is a Descendant of a Slave Owner?"

Similar posts were seen across various right-leaning websites and blogs in January and February of last year. All of the posts based their claims on an account that Donald Harris, Kamala Harris' father, who was also a former economics professor at Stanford University, wrote.

Revealing history

The Jamaica Global Online published a book titled "Reflections of a Jamaican Father," written by Donald and writes his reflections about their history, as reported by Great Game India. The piece wrote about their family's roots in Jamaica. In the book, the former professor stated he was born on the island before traveling to the United States in the 1960s to pursue his career in economics.

During his stay at the University of California studying for his Ph.D., he met Indian cancer researcher Shyamala Gopalan. The two later got married and had their daughter Kamala in 1964.

In his published book, Donald reveals he descended from Hamilton Brown, a 19th-century planet who owned slaves during his time.

Despite the revelation that Harris descended from Brown, who was one of the major plantation owners in Jamaica in the early parts of the 19th century, owned several Irish slaves and argued against the abolition of slavery, a clear line of descent could not be seen between the two.

The lack of supportive evidence as of the moment makes it unclear whether or not Brown really is Harris' ancestor even as her father claims that it was the case.

Related Article: President Trump Says Americans Will Have to Learn Chinese if Biden Wins

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A woman who allegedly snuck through Western Australia's hard border from coronavirus-plagued Victoria has fronted court.

Asher Faye Vander Sanden, 28, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday after she was charged with one count of failing to comply with a direction of the Emergency Management Act.

She was arrested on Tuesday by police at her boyfriend's home in Scarborough on Tuesday, the West Australian reported.

Vander Sanden, who has been in jail since her arrest, appeared via video link wearing a face mask and gloves.

Asher Faye Vander Sanden (pictured), 28, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday after she was charged with one count of failing to comply with a direction of the Emergency Management Act

She made no application for bail and is in isolation while in Bandyup Women's Prison, WA Today reported.

Police allege that Vander Sanden, who is from WA, travelled to the state by road between July 30 and August 11 after discovering she would have to pay for hotel quarantine.

The cost is estimated to have been $2,500.

She had allegedly been granted an exemption to fly to WA from Melbourne on Tuesday but police launched an investigation after she didn't arrive at the airport.

A police spokesman said more charges could follow if it is determined she may have been assisted by an accomplice.

Police allege the Western Australian resident travelled to the state by road between July 30 and August 11 after discovering she would have to pay for quarantine in a hotel for two weeks (pictured: WA border stop in April)

'The vast majority of the WA community are doing the right thing, however everyone is reminded of their obligations to comply with any given direction when entering the state,' the spokesperson said.

Vander Sanden is believed to have tested negative to coronavirus.

If found guilty she could spend a year in prison or be fined up to $50,000.

The case will return to court on August 25.
A delay in certifying the Montgomery Countys appraised property tax values due to the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the budget process for many local taxing entities, including the city of Conroe.

Tax Assessor and Collector Tammy McRae said the Texas Property Tax Code requires an appraisal district to have 95 percent of the appraisal roll settled from protests in order to certify values by July 25.

Many jurisdictions base their tax rates on the amount of revenue generated by property taxes.

However, with the shutdown of the state and county, those protest were slowed dramatically as the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District was forced to work with limited employees and implement social distancing.

Because of that, MCAD was unable to meet the 95 percent by that date.

Tony Belinoski, chief appraiser for the Montgomery Central Appraisal District, said his office had to delay the mailing of appraisal notices from April 1 to April 15 due to the stay-at-home order for the month of April by both the county and the state.

Its delayed protest season and appraisal board operations, he said. We werent able to schedule as many hearing for people on a daily basis.

Belinoski said he expects to have those certifications by Aug. 26.

While Senate Bill 2 requires the tax assessor collector to calculate the No-New-Revenue and Voter-Approval tax rates using the certified estimate of value, questions over with taxing jurisdictions could adopt a tax rate using those estimates has left some officials scratching their heads.

I contacted our county attorney and the law firm that represents the county in our delinquent collections as well as several other individuals, McRae said explaining the tax code states a governing body of a taxing jurisdiction must adopt the tax rate by Sept. 30 or 60 days after the certified appraisal roll is received.

However, she noted, the tax code does not state an entity cannot adopt with certified estimates.

I have asked the taxing jurisdictions to consult with their respective attorneys before adopting, McRae said.

The city of Conroe deferred adopting its budget and tax rate Thursday and is scheduled to tax that action Sept. 10.

This is a highly unusual event, it has not occurred in my 25 years of municipal finance, said Chief Financial Officer and Assistant City Administrator Steve Williams. It is something we are adjusting to.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
This op-ed is being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia. We apologize. The essay, by John Eastman, was intended to explore a minority legal argument about the definition of who is a natural-born citizen in the United States. But to many readers, the essay inevitably conveyed the ugly message that Senator Kamala Harris, a woman of color and the child of immigrants, was somehow not truly American.
Disclaimer The results here are provided for general informational purposes from the CMLviz Trade Machine Stock Option Backtester as a convenience to the readers. The materials are not a substitute for obtaining professional advice from a qualified person, firm or corporation.

Preface

There is a trigger in Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA (NYSE:SQM) that has preceded a large stock move and that move has created a powerful option trading opportunity in the past.

The Short-term Option Volatility Trade in Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA

RESULTS

SQM: Long 40 Delta Strangle

% Wins: 60% Wins: 3 Losses: 2 % Return: 202.7%

Tap Here to See the Back-test

Setting Expectations



Checking the Moving Average

Back-testing More Time Periods in Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA

SQM: Long 40 Delta Strangle

% Wins: 75.00% Wins: 3 Losses: 1 % Return: 242.8%

Tap Here to See the Back-test



WHAT HAPPENED

The strategy won't work forever, but for now it is a volatility back-test that has not only returned 202.7%, but has also shown a win-rate of 60% while taking no stock direction risk.Simply owning puts and calls together, like a straddle or a strangle, can be a huge winner, as it was at the end of 2018. But, equally, it has been a huge losing strategy outside of that time frame. So, the need has arisen -- an empirical and structured trigger that indicates when a large stock move is coming so owning a strangle has a higher probability of succeeding.There is such a technical condition, and we will review it, right now.Here is a quick 3 minute video that demonstrates the back-test:It's time to take advantage of volatility. Fear, uncertainty, doubt, unclear news headlines -- these are all trade-able events. Today we look at exactly what has worked in SQM, and the special technical trigger that starts it off.We will examine the outcome of going long a short-term out-of-the-money (40 delta) strangle (buying an out of the money call and buying an out of the money put), in options that are the closest to 14-days from expiration. But we follow three rules:Let's not worry about stock direction or earnings, let's try to find a back-test that benefits from volatility. Here it is, first, we enter the long strangle.Wait until the day that the stock price crosses below the 200-day moving averagethe stock price is below the 10-day moving average. Here is a nice simple image of the technical requirement:* Use a 20% limit* Close the trade after 10 days, if the limit has not been hit.At the end of each day, the back-tester checks to see if the long strangle is up 20%. If it is, it closes the position. If after 10-days the limit has not been hit, the strangle is closed so not to suffer total time decay.Here are the results over the last three-years in Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA:The mechanics of the TradeMachine stock option backtester are that it uses end of day prices for every back-test entry and exit (every trigger).We can also see that this strategy hasn't been a winner all the time, rather it has won 3 times and lost 2 times, for a 60% win-rate and again, that 202.7% return in less than six-full months of trading.While this strategy had an overall return of%, the trade details keep us in bounds with expectations:The average percent returnwas 30.04%.You can check to see the moment a stock dips below the 200-day MA for SQM on the Pivot Points tab on www.CMLviz.com Now we can look at just the last year as well:We're now looking at 242.8% returns, on 3 winning trades and 1 losing trades.The average percent return over the last yearwas 52.82%.This is how people profit from the option market, its empirical testing, not luck. Trade Machine gives you the capacity to trade beyond luck. This is just one example of what has become a tradable phenomenon in Sociedad Quimica Y Minera De Chile SA.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has called for swift investigations into the assaults of the Tv3 journalist who was brutalised by a soldier in Accra on Wednesday.



The assault follows a TV3 cameraman, Stanley Nii Blewu, who had gone to Tema Station in Accra Central to do a story on the state of sanitation after the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Dapaah had said that the government had achieved 85 per cent of its target of making the capital the cleanest city in Africa.



According to GJA, the soldier asked a police officer to arrest the TV3 crew for taking shots of a clean-up exercise on Wednesday.



The policeman reportedly declined and pointedly told the soldier that the cameraman had not committed any crime for filming the clean-up in a public space.



This infuriated the soldier who then instructed other security personnel and city guards to surround the cameraman for refusing to surrender his phone and camera.



In the words of Stanley Blewu, the soldier kicked my abdomen and left thigh multiple times, hit my right hand with heavy blows several times until my phone fell off and he grabbed it.



The cameraman followed the soldier to the AMA headquarters to retrieve his phone and damaged camera, only to see the soldier busily deleting all the shots.



The soldier brazenly assaulted the cameraman the more, with three strong kicks in the abdomen. That was at the reception hall of the AMA headquarters.



In a move to save his life, the cameraman, was rushed to the PROs office where the soldier again inflicted heavy blows on Stanley Blewus neck.



He reportedly left the AMA office with a swollen arm and excruciating pains all over his body.



In a statement issued and signed by the President of the GJA, Mr Affail Monney and copied to the Ghanaian Times yesterday condemned the awful incident and called for swift probe into the matter.



The GJA views the flurry of brutish attacks on the TV3 cameraman as a barbaric infringement on press freedom guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution. The display of naked impunity and unwarranted attacks on journalists, especially in their line of duty, are also a dent on Ghanas image as a flourishing democracy that highly respects media freedom. The same factors account for the countrys slide down on the World Press Freedom Index, he added.

Source: The Ghanaian Times









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

Featured Video
Detectives are hopeful of bringing charges against at least two of Aaron Brady's accomplices involved in the Lordship Credit Union raid.

The 29-year-old became the first person convicted as part of the transnational investigation when he was found guilty of the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe (41).

Brady faces a mandatory life sentence of at least 40 years imprisonment, with gardai warning the other raiders they will be coming for them.

Gardai believe they have enough evidence to charge at least two other men suspected of being directly involved in the raid on January 25, 2013.

Detectives gathered evidence linking the men, Suspect A and Suspect B, to the robbery of the getaway car three nights earlier as well as other circumstantial and technical evidence tying them to the credit union raid.

Neither suspect has been formally arrested as part of the inquiry but they have given statements to investigators.

The charges gardai hope to secure include robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as well as firearms charges.

The prosecution did not put forward that the murder was carried out as a joint enterprise in Brady's trial and therefore the other suspects are unlikely to be charged directly with the murder.

Suspect A is based between Boston and Northern Ireland but gardai have said borders will not stop them from bringing the gang to justice.

Suspect B, who has also been linked to a spate of ATM robberies, is currently in jail on separate matters.

They cannot be named by court order to avoid prejudicing any future prosecutions.

It follows one of the biggest investigations in the history of the state.

Close to one million pages of material were generated with 40,000 hours off CCTV reviewed and over 3,000 statements taken by investigators.

Although Brady fired the fatal shot which killed Det Gda Donohoe, more than 20 other people of interest have been identified as part of the investigation.

This includes the other four suspected raiders, those who gave them logistical support, and people who provided them with false alibis.

A number of people who lived in the US, where some of the gang fled, have also been identified as persons of interest in the investigation.

Some refused to make statements to gardai, while others claimed they did not have any knowledge of the crime.

Addressing those involved after the trial ended on Wednesday, Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey said: "I also want to make an appeal to people who committed this crime that we will be knocking on your door and we will make sure that you pay for this horrendous act."

Gardai are continuing to work with the Us Department of Homeland Security who placed Brady under surveillance prior to his arrest and deportation in May 2017.

The NYPD also helped gardai by obtaining a DNA profile from Brady while he was living in New York which was compared to an unidentified sample taken from Adrian Donohoe's unmarked garda car at the crime scene.

NYPD officers also deployed an undercover officer to befriend Brady and gain information from him but the ploy was unsuccessful.

US investigators had built up a large amount of intelligence on Brady's movements, habits and work patterns. This included information that his wife, Danielle Healy, returned to Ireland with their son for Christmas in 2016 while the fugitive remained in the US.

A separate investigation is also continuing into the intimidation and interference of witnesses during the trial.

Four witnesses refused to come to court after a campaign of intimidation involving online threats and attacks as well as sensitive material being leaked.

A detective superintendent has been put in charge of that probe and gardai are hopeful of securing prosecutions.
SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - Pakistan middle-order batsman Mohammad Rizwan hit a defiant half century on a difficult batting pitch to guide his side past the 200-mark in their first innings and frustrate England in the second test on Friday.

Having resumed on 126-5 overnight, Pakistan, batting first, reached 223-9 when bad light forced the second day's play to finish early with Rizwan, who was dropped by Jos Buttler on 14, on 60 and Naseem Shah on one.

With Pakistan's first innings stretching into a third day and more rain forecast, a draw is already beginning to look the most likely result. England lead 1-0 in the three-match series.

"We are a bit disappointed we have not bowled Pakistan out  they have played really nicely at times and we have missed a few chances and maybe not been as ruthless with the ball as we could have been," said England bowler Stuart Broad.

After the start of play was delayed by 90 minutes by bad light, Babar Azam and Rizwan managed to negotiate a one-hour session before lunch without further loss.

Azam went shortly after lunch for 47 when he was victim to an excellent delivery from Broad which straightened just enough to shave the outside edge.

A key moment followed when Buttler, diving high to his left, dropped a difficult chance offered by Rizwan.

Buttler, however, made no mistake when Yasir Shah nicked James Anderson's outswinger to him and was out for five as the England bowler claimed his 593rd test wicket.

Shaheen Afridi followed when he was naively run out for a 19-ball duck, setting off from the non-striker's end and getting caught out of his ground as Dom Sibley scored a direct hit.

That left Pakistan on 176-8 which prompted Rizwan to adopt a more aggressive approach, hitting two fours off the same Sam Curran over before driving Chris Woakes to the extra-cover boundary for four more.

England began to show signs of frustration and Pakistan reached 200 thanks to a gift from Woakes who conceded four byes from a loose delivery down the legside, before Rizwan completed his 50 off 104 balls.

Mohammad Abbas was lbw to Broad for two after the tea break before bad light stopped play again.

(Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Ken Ferris and Christian Radnedge)
Courtesy of Katy ISD / sutthinon602 - stock.adobe.com

Since Katy Independent School District students are scheduled to learn virtually through Friday, Sept. 4, parents can participate in meetings to better understand the technology that will be used.

The hour-long Zoom meetings will go over instructions for accessing and using some digital resources that parents and students have through Katy ISD.
Sarah Cooper, the US comedian whose uncanny lip-synch impersonations of President Donald Trump have gained millions of fans worldwide, will star in her own Netflix special, the streaming giant said Wednesday.

"Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine" will be released this fall and feature a variety of satirical political sketches and other vignettes as well as famous guests.

It will be executive produced by Maya Rudolph, whose own Emmy-nominated impressions of Kamala Harris on "Saturday Night Live" have been widely shared since Harris was confirmed Tuesday as the Democrats' vice-presidential candidate.

Cooper, a former Google employee, shot to fame during the pandemic by lampooning some of Trump's most infamous outbursts -- including his suggestion that injecting disinfectant could help fight the coronavirus.

That 49-second clip -- entitled "How to medical" -- saw Cooper lip-synch along to Trump's proposal that bringing "light inside the body" might help combat the disease, while emulating the president's power-posturing body language.

It has been viewed over 22 million times on Twitter alone.

The 40-something Jamaican-born comedian calls Trump her "head writer," and has gained over two million Twitter followers as well as celebrity fans such as former president Barack Obama, comedians Steve Martin and Jerry Seinfeld, and "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Cooper is also the author of best-selling books "100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings" and "How to be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings."

The variety special will be directed by "Russian Doll" star Natasha Lyonne.
America's super rich are throwing parties where guests are offered 15-minute rapid COVID-19 tests and using their private jets to avoid having to stay in hotspots amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

While the US continues to battle the highest number of infections globally and 1,000 Americans are still dying each day, some say Silicon Valley's elite have been carrying on with their lives and socializing as if 'everything was normal'.

Sources told Vanity Fair that the luxurious lifestyles of the country's billionaires is no different to before the pandemic broke out when the majority of Americans were forced into quarantine.

'Coronavirus is a poor person's virus,' a doctor told the outlet.

'All these rich people can't stop themselves,' another person who has ties to tech CEOs and venture capitalists said.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg was spotted last month riding a $12,000 electric surfboard during a vacation with his family in Hawaii

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick is reportedly among those throwing outdoor parties at his $43 million home in Los Angeles

'They just can't stop themselves from throwing parties and going on their jets and socializing as if everything was normal.'

Sources say Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick is among those throwing parties at his home Los Angeles.

Sources say Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick is among those throwing parties at his home Los Angeles. Kalanick's parties, however, are much smaller in comparison to before the pandemic and are now held outside

Kalanick's parties, however, are much smaller in comparison to before the pandemic and are now held outside.

Another unnamed billionaire has also been throwing lavish parties where guests have to have a 15-minute rapid fire COVID-19 test before they are allowed inside, according to the sources.

Some investors in LA and Silicon Valley are also renting mansions in Palm Springs that cost about $50,000 a month just so they can host parties amid the pandemic.

While some billionaires are throwing parties, others have opted to rent or use their own private jets so they can go on vacation.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg was spotted last month riding a $12,000 electric surfboard during a vacation with his family in Hawaii.

The sources say billionaires have also been using their jets to go from COVID-19 safe zones as the outbreak spreads across the country.

One investor was in Miami at the beginning of the pandemic before moving on to Los Angeles and now New York.

Bezos, who in previous years has been spotted sailing around Europe or the Caribbean during the summer, testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee last month

Amazon's Jeff Bezos, who is usually photographed sailing around Europe or Carribean this time of year, recently purchased a $10 million Beverly Hills home (above) located next door to the $165 million compound he purchased just six month ago

The sources say billionaires have also been using their jets to go from COVID-19 safe zones as the outbreak spreads across the country. The demand for private jets has skyrocketed amid the pandemic with inquiries up 195 percent in June compared to last year, according to NetJets

He moved on from each city as coronavirus infections started to grow in each place.

Some are even reportedly paying up to $2.6 million so they can secure international citizenship in foreign countries and escape the United States altogether.

The demand for private jets has skyrocketed amid the pandemic with inquiries up 195 percent in June compared to last year and 60 percent in April, according to rental company NetJets.

While more than 16.3 million are now unemployed in the US amid the pandemic, the wealth of America's billionaires has only grown.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos, who is usually photographed vacationing in Europe or the Caribbean this time of year, recently purchased a $10 million Beverly Hills home located next door to the $165 million compound he purchased just six month ago.

Data taken from mid-March to mid-May shows that US billionaires added $484 billion to their wealth despite the outbreak.

Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffett and Larry Ellison saw their wealth grow by a total of $75.5 billion - or 19 percent, according to the report carried out by Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies' Program for Inequality.

Zuckerberg's wealth increased by $25 billion, Bezos made a gain of $34.6 billion and Tesla's Elon Musk saw his net worth jump by 48 percent in the two months to $36 billion.

A laboratory technician inserts the blood samples of patients to a serologic covid-19 testing machine

Cases have been declining nationally in recent weeks, which has been driven in part by a drop off in cases in the hotspot Sunbelt states where coronavirus surged throughout June and July

It comes as California's case toll from the coronavirus neared 600,000 on Friday.

The most populous US state now ranks fifth in the world behind the United States (5.2 million), Brazil (3.2 million), India (2.4 million) and Russia (910,000).

The death toll in California has now reached 10,870, which is only third behind New York's 32,805 and New Jersey's 15,893.

California's cases, on average, have been trending upwards in the past week despite national infections being on the downward trajectory.

The spike is due, in part, to a backlog of cases from a technical glitch in the state's reporting of data that left COVID-19 infections undercounted during the recent summer surge.

Cases have been declining nationally in recent weeks, which has been driven in part by a drop off in cases in the hotspot Sunbelt states where coronavirus surged throughout June and July.

Deaths in these states, however, appear to be increasing slightly despite showing signs of a decline or at least a plateau earlier this month.

Florida reported a record 277 deaths on Tuesday, while Arizona had a near-record spike of 148 deaths on Wednesday. The spikes could be a result of a weekend-delay in reporting given there is the same steep drop off each week.

Deaths across the country currently appear to be plateauing but are still averaging about 1,000 fatalities per day.

Currently, the total number of infections in the US has now surpassed 5.2 million and more than 167,000 Americans have died from COVID-19.

While the average daily death toll of 1,000 is still high, it remains below levels seen in April when an average of 2,000 people a day were dying from the virus.

The average daily infection toll remains steady at about 53,000, which is down from the 66,000 daily cases being reported just last month.

The death toll in California has now reached 10,870, which is only third behind New York's 32,805 and New Jersey's 15,893. California's cases, on average, have been trending upwards in the past week despite national infections being on the downward trajectory. The spike is due, in part, to a backlog of cases from a technical glitch in the state's reporting of data

Arizona had a near-record spike of 148 deaths on Wednesday after starting to decline earlier this month. Cases have been dropping off rapidly after peaking in July

There has been an uptick in deaths in Florida this week after the state reported a record 277 deaths on Tuesday
Rahul Gandhi gives adjournment notice on giving unhindered access to pasture lands in Ladakh

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Word 'lynching' practically unheard of before 2014, 'Thank You Modi-Ji': Rahul Gandhi

Hindu and Hindutva are not different things: Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi

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Rahul Gandhi slams govt over COVID-19 vaccine, says it needs a 'clearly defined strategy'

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Aug 14: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that India will be one of the nations to produce a vaccine for the novel coronavirus and the process will require a "clearly-defined" strategy.

Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, "the government of India must do it now."

The Congress leader also said that the government will need a vaccine access strategy that is inclusive and equitable, ensuring availability, affordability and fair distribution.

Day to day signs of Coronavirus symptoms: How COVID-19, goes from bad to worse?

"India will be one of the COVID-19 vaccine-producing nations. It needs a clearly-defined, inclusive and equitable vaccine access strategy ensuring availability, affordability and fair distribution. GOI must do it now," the tweet read.

Gandhi's tweet comes a day after he tweeted a graph showing India's upward-moving COVID-19 curve on Thursday which he described as "frightening not flattening".

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

"Corona curve- Frightening not Flattening. If this is PM's 'steady state', then what will a 'deteriorated condition' be like?" the Congress leader had tweeted.

COVID-19: Will COVAXIN launch on August 15?

Earlier, the Congress leader took another swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy's warning that the country's GDP growth may touch its lowest since independence amid the COVID-19 crisis.

He slammed PM Modi using one of his widely popular campaign slogans, "Modi hai toh mumkin hai (If Modi is there, everything is possible)". The former Congress chief attached a screenshot of a media report that carried Murthy's remark.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 11:26 [IST]
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  August 14, 2020  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: The Home Depot, Inc. HD, AbbVie Inc. ABBV, Broadcom Inc. AVGO, 3M Company MMM and Morgan Stanley MS.

Here are highlights from Thursdays Analyst Blog:

Top Analyst Reports for Home Depot, AbbVie and Broadcom

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including The Home Depot, AbbVie and Broadcom. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of todays research reports here >>>

Home Depot shares have modestly outperformed the Zacks Retail Building Products industry year to date (+28.9% vs. +28.5%). The Zacks analyst believes that Home Depots interconnected retail strategy and underlying technology infrastructure have been more relevant amid the coronavirus crisis, delivering record web traffic for weeks without disruption.

The company quickly adapted to consumer needs providing contactless curbside pickup and other fulfillment services, adhering to the safety protocols. This helped boost comps performance across stores.

However, the bottom-line results reflected the impacts of higher costs to steer through the environment, particularly enhanced benefits to associates. Moreover, the company suspended its previously outlined guidance for fiscal 2020, citing the unprecedented impacts of the pandemic.

(You can read the full research report on Home Depot here >>> )

Shares of AbbVie have gained +1.7% over the past six months against the Zacks Large-Cap Pharmaceuticals industrys rise of +1.6%. The Zacks analyst believes that sales erosion due to direct biosimilar competition to Humira in international markets is a big headwind. Also, the decline in HCV drug Mavyrets sales is a concern.

Story continues

AbbVie beat Q2 estimates for earnings and sales. AbbVies key drug, Humira, continues to see strong demand trends in the United States. AbbVie has been successful in expanding labels of its cancer drugs, Imbruvica and Venclexta. It has an impressive late-stage pipeline.

It gained approvals for two new drugs with significant potential, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, in 2019. Both are off to a strong start. Allergans acquisition has diversified AbbVies revenue base into new therapeutic areas, enhancing its long-term growth potential.

(You can read the full research report on AbbVie here >>> )

Broadcom shares have gained +25.2% over the past three months against the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industrys rise of +32.3%. The Zacks analyst believes that Broadcom is expected to benefit from robust adoption of Wi-Fi 6 in access gateway, and solid uptick of DSL and PON products.

Further, synergies from acquisitions of CA and Symantecs enterprise security business are anticipated to bolster the companys presence in the infrastructure software vertical. It is also well poised to address the needs of rapidly growing technologies like IoT and 5G, backed by an expanding product portfolio.

However, increasing lead times remains an overhang. The company estimates semiconductor revenues in the wireless domain to decline in fiscal third quarter as its large North American mobile phone customer, likely indicating Apple, delays the ramp of next-generation smartphones. Also, a highly leveraged balance sheet adds to the woes.

(You can read the full research report on Broadcom here >>> )

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include 3M and Morgan Stanley.

These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.

Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for stay at home technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.

See the 5 high-tech stocks now>>

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) : Free Stock Analysis Report



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T heres a brand new experience for film fans to check out this summer, with the arrival of a floating cinema in London.

Openaire, Merchant Square and GoBoat are joining forces for the new venture, which is due to arrive at Paddington's Merchants Square on September 2.

A total of 16 boats will provide the socially-distanced seating for up to 128 people, with film lovers enjoying screenings while floating on the Regents Canal.

The line-up will include family favourites such as Toy Story and The Lion King, as well as sing-a-long screenings of Grease, Rocketman and The Greatest Showman.

Films will be shown on a 6x3m LED screen, with audio coming via wireless headphones. Guests who don't wish to venture onto the water can choose to watch the screenings from deckchairs in the square.

Films still to come in 2020, from Tenet to Top Gun: Maverick 1 /24 Films still to come in 2020, from Tenet to Top Gun: Maverick Tenet - August 26 Christopher Nolans latest mind-bending blockbuster sees John David Washingtons special agent attempt to prevent a conflict "worse than World War III" through the manipulation of time. It's expected to be the first big release UK film fans get to enjoy in reopened cinemas  in America, that honour belongs to Selena Gomez vehicle The Broken Hearts Gallery. Bill and Ted Face the Music - August 21 Party on, dudes! Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter return to their classic roles for the first time in 29 years. The pair head off on another journey through time, searching for inspiration after being tasked with writing a song that will reunite the world and "save reality as we know it". The film will follow them as they attempt to steal the song from their future selves, encountering very different, muscle-bound versions of themselves in prison. Most excellent? We'll see. Patti Perret/Most Excellent Productions, LLC Mulan - delayed indefinitely Disney's much-anticipated live-action reboot has been delayed until late August. The update on the 1998 animation stars the likes of Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Li Gong and Jet Li, with the official synopsis reading: "To save her ailing father from serving in the Imperial Army, a fearless young woman disguises herself as a man to battle northern invaders in China." A Quiet Place Part II - September 4 Make a sound and you die  its the wonderfully simple premise that made the first film the horror hit of 2018, and now Emily Blunt is back for more. The John Krasinski-directed film picks up shortly after the events of the original, with Blunts matriarch leading her family in the wake of an alien apocalypse. Will we finally get some answers to the film's infamous plot holes? The King's Man - September 18 New spy prequel The King's Man explores the origins of the espionage agency at the heart of the recent Kingsman films. The movie appears to be set around the outbreak of World War One and will feature some of the 20th centurys most notorious figures, including Rasputin and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Being a prequel, there's no sign of Colin Firth or Taron Egerton, but the cast still has its fair share of heavy hitters, with Charles Dance, Gemma Arterton and Ralph Fiennes all putting in a turn. Candyman - September 25 The excellent Jordan Peele produces this fresh take on the cult 1992 horror, which revisits the infamous urban legend that states that the demonic figure with a hook for a hand will appear in the mirror if you say his name five times. The first trailer is especially eerie, and offers a first listen for the the films soundtrack, which puts a dark twist on the Destinys Child song Say My Name  not dissimilar to the way Peele twisted the Luniz track I Got 5 On It so effectively in previous film Us. The Many Saints of Newark  September 25 James Gandolfinis son Michael plays a young Tony Soprano in the upcoming Sopranos prequel, telling the story of the mob bosss rise to prominence in New Jerseys criminal underbelly. The film, which plays out against the backdrop of the Newark race riots of the Sixties, is helmed by Sopranos creator David Chase, which should be a relief to the show's legions of fans worried that its legacy will be tarnished. Getty Images Wonder Woman 1984 - October 2 The film that put the DC universe back on track, Wonder Woman, is back for a sequel. Gal Gadot will step into the role once again, taking on archenemy Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) against the backdrop of the Cold War. Good news for fans of Chris Pine, too; filmmakers have found a way to bring back Steve Trevor, despite his apparent death in the first film. Death on the Nile - October 9 Kenneth Branagh is donning his moustache and preposterous French accent for a second time, returning to the role of Agatha Christie's detective Poirot. The follow-up to 2017's middling Murder on the Orient Express is another classic Christie tale, with Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, Armie Hammer, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Russel Brand among the cast. The French Dispatch - October 16 Wes Andersons love letter to journalism is one of the movies that would have been recognised at the postponed Cannes Film Festival, and it looks to be one of the most visually arresting Anderson features to date. Its possible the strongest cast the director has had to play with, too, with the likes of Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Lea Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothee Chalamet and Bill Murray playing the staff of a European publication. Black Widow - November 6 Scarlett Johansson has had to wait a little longer to star in her first standalone Marvel film, which takes place following the events of 2016 film Captain America: Civil War and sees her unite with her estranged superhero family and face a formidable villain in the seemingly unstoppable Taskmaster. Johansson stars alongside the likes of Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour. Godzilla v Kong - November 20 We cant be the only ones looking forward to seeing two 100-foot monsters knock 10 bells out of each other later this year. Sure, 2019s Godzilla: King of the Monsters was as silly as they come, but this follow-up is going to be bigger, badder and all the better for it. Soul - November 20 This inventive new Pixar animation film follows jaded teacher, musician and New Yorker Joe Gardner, who dreams of playing at the Blue Note jazz club. After falling down a manhole, he becomes a spirit and enters a surreal new world. There, he connects with another lost soul and reevaluates the things important to him in life. No Time To Die - November 25 One of the first movies to be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the 25th Bond movie is the end of an era. The movie, co-written by Fleabags Phoebe Waller-Bridge, marks Daniel Craigs final outing as James Bond after 14 years and five movies in the role. There are rumours that Bond has a daughter in this one, too, so we may well see a different side of the man. Dune - December 18 David Lynchs take on Frank Herberts epic sci-fi novel Dune proved a notorious mess in 1984, and now visionary filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is attempting to put the record straight. The Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 director will tell the story of a planet containing the most valuable material in the universe, called the spice, with performances from Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and more. Coming 2 America - December 18 Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and Wesley Snipes are all on board for this blockbuster comedy sequel. The original tells the story of Prince Akeem (Murphy), who arrives in New York from a fictional African nation in an effort to find a woman interested in more than his wealth and status. The follow-up picks up 30 years later, as Akeem hopes to reunite with his long-lost son. West Side Story - December 18 Master filmmaker Steven Spielberg is rebooting the classic musical, with Baby Drivers Ansel Elgort in the lead role. The remake of the classic tale, itself based on Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, tells the story of a couple from warring street gangs, with stunning music from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Top Gun: Maverick - December 23 Tom Cruise is back in the pilots seat as the legendary Pete Maverick Mitchell, more than three decades after starring in the 1986 original. Fans can expect all the adrenalin and aerial acrobatics of the original, with Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, John Hamm, Glenn Powell, Jennifer Connelly and Jay Ellis all joining Cruise in the case. The first two trailers promise breathtaking aerial aerobatics.

Therell be food available from pasta specialists RaviOllie, with a pop-up kitchen set up on on the waters edge.

Tickets for the experience are on sale now. They can be bought here.

Its the latest cinematic venture in the capital, with open air film screenings and drive-in events taking place after lockdown.
Even as a politician Greiner was a straight talker. He remains so. How many former political leaders have you heard uttering these two words? "I failed." Greiner speaks the forbidden phrase on two separate matters. He was the party statesman tasked with trying to reconcile Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. But trying to engineer a rapprochement between the two Liberal prime ministers was more forlorn a project than peace between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, or the IRA and the Brits. The day after he was elected party president, Greiner declared that "disunity is death". He tells me: "I talked to Tony and I talked to Malcolm, and I talked to others." At this point Turnbull was prime minister. He'd vanquished Abbott. Who had, in opposition, defeated Turnbull. "It's fair to say that when you have two very strong-minded, intelligent individuals with pretty much a lifetime of enmity, there wasn't much goodwill on either side to produce a compromise. "I don't pretend that I produced any new insights. I made the obvious point that it wasn't helpful. And what I believed, though it's perhaps trite to say it, that you can't govern the country if you can't govern yourselves," the old Bob Hawke critique of the endless Howard-Peacock feud.

The discussions were civil, says Greiner: "They were both calm and reasoned. But despite my brilliance, I failed. I didn't manage it." Both men declined a diplomatic settlement, Abbott turned down Turnbull's intimations of a diplomatic posting, and the rest, as they say, is history. Loading Eventually Abbott's chance arrived and he helped instigate the final uprising against Turnbull before the voters of Warringah, in turn, rose up against Abbott. "On the evidence," says Greiner with a hangdog expression , "it had gone too far." Has the Liberal Party finally graduated beyond the cycle of vengeance? Has it overcome the mad pan-political self-indulgence that spun the revolving door on the prime ministership?

"These things tend to reflect the quality of government, performance and leadership. It was almost an accident that, after 10 years of people changing prime ministers at the drop of a hat, Scott Morrison came out of nowhere. There was a little bit of him doing this or that but broadly the manner of his arrival to the position was a blessing." Morrison applied Deng Xiaoping's strategic maxim that guided China until 2012  "hide your brightness, bide your time". Until Peter Dutton challenged Turnbull for the leadership. Morrison abruptly adopted Xi Jinping's dictum  "strive to achieve". He came through the middle and snatched the prize. "The question for Morrison is whether he can manage successfully from the centre? You do need to do that to be successful in Australia. I think Scott has fitted naturally and easily into the centre. The great thing is, he's been authentic. He did invite the media into the church" to film him during worship at Hillsong. "It's not Donald Trump walking across and holding up a Bible when he's clearly not a religious person," Greiner says, referring to the President's notorious photo op when he cleared Black Lives Matters protesters from Lafayette Park in June so he could pose in front of St John's Church. "His church, his rugby league, Morrison hasn't pretended to be something he's not." Not that Morrison is destined to remain long beyond the pandemic. Even with his current sky-high approval ratings. "You can't take the next election for granted," says Greiner. "I think Morrison is entitled to favourite status based on his performance, and Labor is on both sides of the barbed wire fence  you've got to stop the Greens at one end and hold the people of Western Sydney on the other.

"But there's a bit of history  and Churchill is only the most obvious example. You saved your people, and the voters say, Thank you very much, now it's time for a change.' Churchill saved Britain in World War II and they voted him out at the first opportunity." Greiner says Morrison cannot be complacent: "And I know you won't get a different view from Scott on this." Already the induced unity of the pandemic's first wave is a thing of the past. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and the Morrison government are feuding openly over responsibility for the deadly bungling of Melbourne's hotel quarantine. And Labor's Anthony Albanese has set aside bipartisanship to challenge the Morrison government's complacency over the aged care system. Kumbaya is over; contestability is back. Greiner urges Morrison to seize the opportunity for bold reform: "Governments say they need a burning platform to give them the opportunity to make change. COVID is a genuine crisis. Morrison has a genuine burning platform."

OK, but which reforms would he suggest? Greiner says the economy is the inevitable starting point, and, within that, tax reform is the irreducible minimum. The GST needs to go up so that income taxes can come down. And people who will lose in the change should be overcompensated if necessary to bring them along. "You start by looking out to what's best for the economy in 10 years and work back from that." He endorses workplace reform and the whole suite of productivity-improving measures proposed by the Productivity Commission. The NBN is inadequate and needs to be fixed, too, says Greiner: "It's essential to our national competitiveness." He doesn't have a specific fix in mind, just the need for one. Loading As NSW premier from 1988 to 1992, Greiner took the portfolio of Aboriginal Affairs for himself. He was anxious to improve Indigenous wellbeing. This is where he makes his second open admission of failure. He cheers on all possible efforts to "close the gap" between black and white longevity and living standards. Surprisingly, perhaps, Greiner supports the need for a national anti-corruption commission. He created Australia's first one, the Independent Commission Against Corruption. It ended his premiership by making a finding against him, a finding later overturned by the Supreme Court. Too late.
Vicky Kaushal has shared two throwback pictures from his days of working as an assistant director to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. The actor had assisted Anurag on the sets of the 2012 film Gangs of Wasseypur before making his full-fledged acting debut with 2015 film, Masaan.

The Uri actor captioned the pictures, Circa 2010- Jab hum frame se bahar khade hua karte thhey. #GangsOfWasseypur (Year 2010 - When I used to stand out of the frame). While the first picture shows him holding a clapperboard on a set, which has a jeep and two actors talking to each other in a field, the other picture shows him standing adjacent to the wall of a narrow lane in order to keep out of the frame.

The post received more than 350000 likes in two hours. Several of his industry colleagues took notice of the pictures. Filmmaker Guneet Monga and actor Radhika Apte dropped heart emojis to the post. Filmmaker Anand Tiwari commented, Mera hero.

Vicky has also worked with Anurag on the films: Bombay Velvet, Raman Raghav 2.0 and Manmarziyaan. Talking about his rapport with the filmmaker, he had told Hindustan Times in an interview, The relationship I share with [Anurag] is very special. In fact, it has transitioned from being a mentor to a friend now. Along with my father, he was my window into the world of cinema, Bollywood My experience of working with him as an assistant director in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) helped me learn so many things about cinema. From the time I started assisting him to now, when he is directing me again for Manmarziyaan, our friendship has only grown.

He has literally seen me grow from a boy to a man. So, the bond we share is really special. Hes always there to guide me, and of course hes also the one who gives me a reality check, too. I can always turn to him for an honest feedback, he added.

Also read: Bipasha Basu on taking a break after marrying Karan Singh Grover: You have to be there for the people you love

Vicky has now come a long way ever since his days of struggle in Bollywood. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his 2019 film Uri: The Surgical Strike. He is currently working on the Sardar Udham Singh biopic and also has Aditya Dhars The immortal Ashwatthama and Karan Johars Takht in his kitty.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:38:15|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis said on Friday that the UN Security Council's discussions about extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Lebanon are positive, the National News Agency reported.

"The messages, sent by Lebanon's President Michel Aoun on this issue and transmitted to members of the Security Council, had a positive impact on the course of the deliberations," Kubis said during his meeting with Aoun.

Kubis noted that France has begun its preparations for a preliminary draft for the decision of the Security Council, which will be discussed with the member states of the council, in coordination with Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations Amal Mudallali.

UNIFIL's mandate is expected to be extended by the UN Security Council (UNSC) by the end of August.

Lebanon was concerned about a possible change in the mandate of the UNIFIL in Lebanon as Israel wanted UN peacekeepers to have access to all sites in Lebanon, and that the UNSC must be immediately informed of any block of their freedom of movement.

However, Lebanon refused these changes while emphasizing the need to keep the mandate of the UNIFIL to restrict tension on the borders with Israel. Enditem
Mumbai:

India has emerged as the most preferred destination for innovation in Asia and third biggest globally, with Silicon Valley of East Bengaluru leading the charge, says a research by global consulting major Capgemini.

India has been ranked as the No. 1 innovation destination in Asia and No. 2 in the world for new innovation centres, the report said.

Bengaluru, which saw the opening of three new centres between March and October this year and an announcement by Apple to establish a startup accelerator, leads the Indian challenge on innovation and is ranked 5 th hub at global level.

Nine new innovation centres were opened in the country during the period, taking total number of innovation centres to 25. The US leads the list 1ith 146 centres, followed by Britain with 29 and India is at third palce with 24 centres.

The report said there has been noticeable activity in tier-II cities when it comes to innovation, and added that apart from Pune, which already existed on the global map, Jaipur has also entered the list with two new centres.

The research, done by Capgemini Consultings Digital Transformation Institute in collaboration with Fahrenheit 212 and in partnership with Brian Solis of Altimeter, said efforts taken by the government are the prime moving factor for emergence of the country in the list.

This is due in part to the government and other public sector initiatives that seek to establish India as a digitally empowered society and nurture innovation, it said.

Jaipur, Pune and Hyderabad each welcomed two new centres involving partnerships with government during the March-October period, it said.

The number of active incubators in the country increased 40 per cent to 140, with a bulk 66 per cent of them in tier-II and tier-III centres.

Global names, including Cisco, Qualcomm Technologies, general Electric 3M and London-based Internet of things consortium Hypercat have presence in the country on Wednesday, the report said.

The footprint in smaller cities was attributed to the IoT policy for 2016-2020 and the governments startup India initiative launched early this year.

With presence in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Pune, the country accounts for 27 per cent of Asias new innovation centres and is home to a tenth of new global innovation centres.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
As schools worldwide seek to put in place safety measures that allow them to reopen, the latest data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) reveals that 43 percent of schools around the world lacked access to basic handwashing with soap and water in 2019  a key condition for them to be able to operate safely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global school closures since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic have presented an unprecedented challenge to childrens education and well-being, said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director.

We must prioritize childrens learning. This means making sure that schools are safe to reopen  including with access to hand hygiene, clean drinking water, and safe sanitation.

In Vietnam, schools reopened in May with enhanced measures for the safety of students and teachers.

However, the lack of running water and other safe hygiene and sanitation measures in around 30 percent of schools at that time represented a risk for many children.

UNICEF has worked closely with the government and private sector partners to ensure essential supplies of soap, hand sanitizer, and ceramic water filters reached students in schools.

As the new school year approaches, the water and sanitation facilities must be in place to ensure proper hygiene for all students," said Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative in Vietnam.

"An urgent government funding allocation is needed, enabling the Ministry of Education and Training to ensure water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities are available and functioning in all schools.

"This is a critical moment to address and improve school safety, ensuring that if we went into the COVID-19 pandemic with poor hygiene facilities for our children, we emerge having addressed a significant public health achievement."

According to the report, around 818 million children lack basic handwashing facilities at their schools, which puts them at increased risk of COVID-19 and other transmittable diseases.

More than one third of these children (295 million) are from sub-Saharan Africa.

In the least developed countries, seven out of 10 schools are lacking in basic handwashing facilities and half of schools lack basic sanitation and water services.

The report stresses that governments seeking to control the spread of COVID-19 must balance the need for implementation of public health measures and the associated social and economic impacts of lockdown measures.

Evidence of the negative impacts of prolonged school closures on childrens safety, well-being, and learning is well-documented, the report says.

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services is essential for effective infection prevention and control in all settings, including schools," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

"It must be a major focus of government strategies for the safe reopening and operation of schools during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

Other key findings from the report include:

- Of the 818 million children who lacked a basic handwashing service at their school, 355 million went to schools which had facilities with water but no soap, and 462 million to schools which had no facilities or water available for handwashing.

- In the 60 countries at the highest risk of health and humanitarian crises due to COVID-19, three in four children were lacking in basic handwashing service at their school at the start of the outbreak; half of all children lacked basic water service; and more than half lacked basic sanitation service.

- One in three schools worldwide had either limited drinking water service or no drinking water service at all.

- 698 million children lacked basic sanitation service at their school.

The report identifies several resources necessary for COVID-19 prevention and control in schools, including 10 immediate actions and safety checklists.

It builds on guidelines on the safe reopening of schools issued by UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP and the World Bank with practical advice for national and local authorities on how to prepare for safe school reopening and keep children safe when they return to school.

The guidelines include several WASH-related protocols on hygiene measures, use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection, as well as providing access to clean water, handwashing stations with soap, and safe toilets.
The explosive popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe led some in the defense industry to pursue Iron Man-like combat suits for American troops. While there are some viable prototypes in the works, it looks like we may get Captain America's "super soldier" program first.

Though it may not look like the process that Steve Rogers went through, it may be coming within the next 30 years.

In this week's episode of "Left of Boom," Military.com's Managing Editor Hope Hodge Seck talks to Dr. Peter Emanuel and Dr. Diane DiEuliis about a 2019 paper they co-authored for the U.S. Army, Cyborg Soldier 2050.

The paper discusses a Defense Department Biotechnologies for Health and Human Performance Council (BHPC) study group that looked at emerging tech that could enhance human biological abilities across many areas of interest to the Defense Department. These included technological enhancements to vision, hearing, muscular control and "direct neural enhancement of the human brain for two-way data transfers."

Now, super soldiers could end up being Captain America with a touch of Johnny Mnemonic -- just 30 years from now.

Related: Super Soldiers Part 2: The Dark Side (Ft. Edward Barrett and Tony Pfaff)

"Technology is accelerating, and we are entering the fourth industrial revolution, this biological revolution," Emanuel said. "To some extent, we've already seen the integration of man and machine over many years -- in the use of pacemakers. To some extent, we're already seeing mankind become more intimate with technology."

Senior leadership at the Pentagon hates surprises, Emanuel noted, but they know that man and machine will be coming together. The study and the paper are designed to tell the DoD the kind of technology that may be coming and how it might integrate.

One of the ways the military works to solve problems is through the use of Blue teams and Red teams. The Blue team ensures they use technology as effectively as possible. The Red team is designed to think like the enemy. The DoD gave this Red team a year to show the Pentagon what the "cyborg future" might hold and help the top brass get ready for it. The paper is the outcome of that effort.

"What we wanted to do with this workshop was give it some ground truth, actually," said DiEuliis. "What's hype, what's real, what can we expect, what are we potentially going to see in the real world, in the military, in this time frame."

But they didn't cover broad strokes of technology; they decided to focus on areas of most importance to actual warfighters and the willingness of those people to adopt certain technologies.

Listen to Part I of "The Future of Bioenhanced Super Soldiers on "Left of Boom," wherever you listen to podcasts. You can tune in to new episodes of Military.com's "Left of Boom" podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn and Stitcher. Follow Hope Hodge Seck on Twitter @HopeSeck.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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On Thursday, Trump seemed to take a veiled swipe at his attorney general, telling Maria Bartiromo of Fox Business, Bill Barr has the chance to be the greatest of all time, but if he wants to be politically correct, hell be just another guy, because he knows all the answers, he knows what they have, and it goes right to Obama and it goes right to Biden.
" " On the shortest day of the year, also known as midwinter, polar researchers mount street signs during a snowstorm. Posting the street signs on the winter solstice is a tradition for many Antarctic researchers. Stefan Christmann/Getty Images

We tend to think of Antarctica as being a giant, frozen, empty wasteland. If that's the impression you personally have of the continent at the south end of our planet ... congratulations! It is indeed just as huge, frozen and full of a whole lot of nothing as you think it is.

This said, like in all deserts, people do live and work there. In the case of the southernmost continent, the humans there mostly comprise polar researchers trying to figure out what Antarctica's deal is, and the drivers, mechanics, cooks, pilots and electricians who support them and keep the research stations running.

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So, what's it like living and working on the most remote place on the planet?

" " United States scientists arrive by C17 plane at a temporary sea-ice airfield near McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It's the world's only seasonal sea ice airfield, and is used only when the ice is firm enough to support aircraft. Still, the ice flexes unde... George Steinmetz/Getty Images

1. There are a few different ways to live and work in Antarctica.

Antarctica's home to 75 individual research stations, and they're run by 30 countries. Of these science bases, 45 are actively operating year-round  although most are accessible for only a three-month window every year due to weather conditions. Researchers first have their stuff shipped to a base like the U.S. McMurdo Station on Ross Island, which they use as a staging area for their field expedition. Once they're ready for the field, they're taken with all their stuff in a plane and dropped off.

Some researchers work on ships, but not all ships are research vessels. During the austral summer, cruise ships regularly depart from Argentina and travel to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is considered the Banana Belt of Antarctica  it's much warmer than the rest of the continent and it's where virtually all the wildlife hangs out.

" " This view from Observation Hill captures McMurdo Station, the United States research base on the southern tip of Antarctica's Ross Island. McMurdo Station was officially established in 1952, and can support more than 1,200 residents at one time. Alasdair Turner/Getty Images

2. For such a lonely place, you're rarely alone.

Pretty much everybody on Antarctica lives in cramped quarters  either in tents or in dormitories or on ships.

"It's tough not getting any alone time for many weeks at a time," says Dr. Nerida Wilson, an invertebrate marine molecular biologist at the Western Australian Museum, via email. "I've always been based on ships, where the work hours are long and the sleeping quarters are close  often four in a very small bunk room. Being alone requires a) having the time, and b) having a place to go. Because of safety, you can't always roam the decks of the ship alone, so mostly you are in company."

" " Scientists who arrive in Antarctica must undergo survival training. This survival school teaches them how to build shelters out of snow and ice. Danita Delimont/Getty Images

3. The research stations are like small towns  but only kind of.

Very few people overwinter in Antarctica, and the continent has no indigenous population, so nobody was born there, there are no children around, nobody has much of a history there.

"An Antarctic research station is like a remote mining town, but because it's nobody's permanent home, it's everybody's home," says Dr. Jenny Baeseman, a polar researcher and the executive director of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). "Everybody's very friendly and helpful. Everyone feels excited and fortunate to be there."

Because there is 24-hour daylight during the austral summer, the temporary residents work a lot, but in their free time they hang out at the bar or the coffee shop, go to a movie, play trivia. Sadly, the bowling alley the U.S. Navy built at McMurdo in the 1960s closed in 2009.

" " An Antarctic research tent stationed in Victoria Land's Taylor Valley is dwarfed by the Commonwealth Glacier. Hope Productions/Yann Arthus Bertrand/Getty Images

4. The weather can "turn to milk in five minutes."

Dr. David Dallmeyer, professor emeritus in the University of Georgia's geology department, spent 20 years as a naturalist on small Antarctic cruise ships. He also spent a few field seasons out on the ice as well studying the geology of the area:

"My first day in the field, we got dropped off 600 miles inland from McMurdo," he says. "We watched the plane turn into a little speck in the distance, and we started to our field site. Pretty soon the wind came up, a thick fog developed, and all of a sudden I realized we were walking over our own tracks  we were walking in circles. We shut it down, put up the emergency tents and we sat there for two and a half days. I'd say the wind was easily 50 knots."

" " Researchers visit a king penguin colony on rare part of the Antarctic continent not covered in ice. Michael Kai/Getty Images

5. You might need to send the contents of your outhouse back to your homeland.

Depending where your field work is, you might be permitted to cut a toilet in the ice, but Baeseman's team, whose field research was in the McMurdo Dry Valleys  part of the protected 2 percent of the continent not covered in snow and ice (it has been millions of years since the last rainfall)  had to ship all of its human waste back to the United States.

"You can't pee on the ground, and you have to separate the pee and poop into different buckets," she says. "That's easier for men than for women, obviously."

" " Scientists set up shop at the South Pole in buildings created to withstand harsh conditions. Fiona Mcintosh/Getty Images

" " A scientist monitors gamma ray data and weather measurements at the South Pole. Galen Rowell/Getty Images

6. There are no smells.

With the exception of the other humans you're almost constantly around, almost nothing on Antarctica smells. There are no plants or animals to stink up the place.

"When you're coming back on the plane from McMurdo to New Zealand, about three quarters of the way back, you can start smelling plants," says Baeseman. "Your sense of smell is so desensitized that the smell of pollen in the air just washes over you. It's incredible."

" " American scientist Mimi Fujino peers into a hole where an Antarctic ice core sample was removed for research. Galen Rowell/Getty Images

Now That's Weird Out on the ice, it's tough to judge distances. "You look at something and you think 'Oh, that's maybe 4 miles away,'" says Dallmeyer. "Eight hours later, you're only halfway there. There is no reference for distance out there."
T he number of elephants in Kenya has doubled over thirty years, local wildlife campaigners have said.

Elephants are threatened by poaching and the ivory trade, while their habitats have been slashed by half since 1979, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

But the number in Kenya has gone up from about 16,000 in 1989 to nearly 35,000 in 2020, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said this week.

Tourism minister Najib Balala said that the East African country had "managed to tame poaching" within its borders in recent years.

The number of elephants harmed by poachers has dropped from 80 in 2018 to just seven in the first half of this year.

Speaking at an event for World Elephant Day, Mr Balala added: "Today we are also launching the Magical Kenya elephant naming campaign, an annual festival whose objective will be to collect funds from the naming, to support the rangers' welfare.

"This year alone, about 170 elephant calves have been born."

Elephants in the Amboseli National Park in Kenya / Getty Images

Despite Kenya's success story, the picture for elephants elsewhere in Africa looks more bleak. There are just 500,000 in the continent, down from about five million in the early 20th century, according to wildlife campaigners Born Free.

The decline in numbers is largely driven by demand for ivory from elephant tusks, activists say.

About 170 elephant calves have been born in Kenya this year / Getty Images

Kenya has looked to crack down on poachers, setting harsh prison sentences and major fines for anyone caught taking part.

The country's president, Uhuru Kenyatta, even burnt a pile of elephant tusks and rhino horns to make clear the government's attitude to the trade.
An influx of new recreational marijuana businesses could be coming to Michigan some time after Nov. 1.

If that happens, marijuana customers may see lower prices and a greater selection of recreational marijuana. It could also push medical marijuana shoppers, who play an increasingly smaller roll in the Michigan marijuana universe, further to the side.
Before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy revealed his hybrid plan for voting in November, some officials including Warren County freeholders put their opposition to an election without in-person voting on the record.

All of the states approximately 6.2 million voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail, and there will be a select number of in-person polling locations.

This week, Warren County freeholders unanimously approved a resolution opposing an election with only mail-in ballots.

Instead, county officials want there to be a middle ground of in-person voting with mail-in ballots as an option.

Freeholders in Morris, Cape May, Ocean, and Sussex counties have passed similar resolutions opposing an all-mail-in election, nj.com reported.

Warren County Clerk Holly Mackey applauded the resolution, and urged the governor to take the will of the people he serves into consideration.

Mackey said her office has social distancing guidelines and appropriate personal protective equipment for poll workers and voters at polling sites.

Warren County voters should have the right to choose how they want to vote in the upcoming presidential election, period, she said.

People who cannot get out to vote in person, or those with concerns about going to their polling place can request absentee ballots, Freeholder Jason J. Sarnoski said.

Freeholder James R. Kern III said options could also include offering voters multiple days to cast ballots, instead of just on Election Day.

To just push this through and not work with our county clerks on this matter, the people who are the front line of this issue, is wrong, Kern said in a news release.

Kern said sending mail-in ballots to all party-registered voters in the primary was problematic, and resulted in a large amount of returned mail. Other resolutions have raised concerns of potential voter fraud by only using mailed ballots.

State Sen. Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths issued a statement Friday that mail-in ballots should not be mandated, but up to individual voters to decide.

Even top health experts stated theres no need not to have in-person voting. And other regional states, including Connecticut, have shown in-person voting can be done safely. Plain and simple, this is abuse of power. Once again, the Governor is unilaterally changing election law with the stroke of his magic pen, the trio said in the prepared statement. Thats precisely why the emergency powers must be rescinded. One person changing the election statute by himself is ridiculous. Lets respect the election process and not look to politicize it for any perceived electoral advantage.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump requested mail-in ballots for Floridas primary election on Tuesday, CNN reported. A spokesman told the network Trump supports absentee voting, not universal mail-in voting.

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
India will shut China's Huawei Technologies Co and ZTE Corp out of its 5G trials in the wake of strained relations following violent border clashes. The controversial tech companies will be effectively barred from participating in India's 5G trials and networks.

The decision regarding the ban on these companies is likely to be announced in a week or two following the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) approval, sources told Bloomberg.

The Ministry of Communications will implement a government notification issued on July 23 (2020), that proscribes bidders for sensitive projects from nations India shares land borders with.

Also Read: Pentagon to offer military airwaves for high-speed 5G wireless networks

The amended investment rules stated in the notification are enforced by the government in view of national security concerns, the report said.

The ministry will recommence pending discussions regarding approvals for 5G trials by private companies comprising Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd, and Vodafone Idea as they were deferred because of the nationwide lockdown.

India's decision to keep Huawei and ZTE from bidding for its 5G trials resonates with the actions taken by the US, UK, and Australia, as these nations have also raised red flags about these companies' links with the Chinese government.

Also Read: Head start in 5G race for Reliance, next billion users for Google - what Rs 33,737 crore deal means

The US Federal Commission has formally proclaimed both companies as national security threats. Meanwhile, the 5G auction process may spill into next year, the news agency reported.

Although India granted permission to Huawei to participate in its 5G trials earlier this year, the country toughened its stance against Chinese companies following China's actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladkah's Galwan Valley in early May.

The military stalemate, which turned violent in June leading to the killing of 20 Indian Army troops and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers, is now in its fourth month.
I n whats probably one of the weirder twists of the already bizarre 2020, Cardi B is feuding with Tiger King star Carole Baskin.

The 27-year-old has found herself facing heavy criticism from conservatives thanks to the overtly sexual lyrics and imagery in her new single WAP, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, and its accompanying video.

Baskin, however, claimed the WAP video encouraged animal cruelty with its use of big cats.

My guess is that most people won't even see the Photoshopped cats in the scenes because the rest of it is so lurid, the 59-year-old told Billboard. I was happy to see that it does appear to all be Photoshopped That being said, you have to pose a wildcat in front of a green screen to get that image and that doesn't happen in the wild.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's WAP music video - In pictures 1 /21 Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's WAP music video - In pictures Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records Atlantic Records

Bodak Yellow rapper Cardi had no time for Baskins comments and instead reiterated allegations that were made against her by zoo owner Joe Exotic in the Netflix series.

Speaking to i-D, she said: Im not gonna engage with Carole Baskin on that.

Like, thats just ridiculous you know? Oh, Lord. Like, girl you killed your goddamn husband.

Cardi B has hit back at Carole Baskin / Atlantic Records

Baskins second husband Don Lewis went missing in 1997. In Netflixs Tiger King, Baskins rival Exotic repeatedly claims she killed Lewis and fed him to the tigers at Big Cat Rescue, the sanctuary she owns.

Baskin has never been charged with any wrongdoing in relation to Lewis and has repeatedly denied any involvement in his disappearance.

Netflix: Tiger King - In pictures 1 /22 Netflix: Tiger King - In pictures Netflix Netflix Netflix netfliix Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix Netflix JoeExoticTV/YouTube Netflix Netflix TigerKingTV/YouTube Netflix Netflix

Cardi, real name Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, also hit back at criticism about WAPs lyrics.

I always encourage people to be confident, especially when it comes to your sexuality, she said. Some of these men are uncomfortable, theyre not even comfortable being sensual.

Maybe youre conservative, but everybody got a little freak inside them, you know? Every single person.
Majorie Taylor Greene, a fascistic millionaire businesswoman, won the Republican nomination in Georgias 14th Congressional District on Tuesday. Greene defeated neurosurgeon John Cowan in a primary runoff election on Tuesday to replace retiring Congressman Tom Graves.

Greene is a believer of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory which glorifies President Trump, claiming he is fighting a deep state conspiracy of pedophiles, Satanists and Democratic politicians and urging him to arrest and execute his opponents. The theory began with a post on the imageboard 4chan by an individual using the pseudonym Q, who claimed to have access to classified information on the Trump Administration and its opponents.

(Image Credit: Campaign website)

QAnon supporters traffic in anti-Semitic tropes, particularly centered on liberal Jewish billionaire George Soros, a Holocaust survivor. Greene has repeated slanders that Soros turned over Jews to Nazis during World War II, although he was only 14 at the end of the war. She has also claimed that African Americans should feel proud when they see Confederate monuments because they signify the progress made since the Civil War.

Trump immediately hailed the fascists victory, tweeting on Wednesday morning: Congratulations to future Republican Star Marjorie Taylor Greene on a big Congressional primary win in Georgia against a very tough and smart opponent. Marjorie is strong on everything and never gives upa real WINNER!

While the congressional Republican leadership had attacked Greene publicly and sided with Cowan in the runoff, hoping to avoid association with her fascistic views in other congressional districts, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy immediately lined up behind Trump and said the Republican Party would support Greene as its candidate in the November elections.

Greenes victory in the primary makes it likely she will gain the House seat in the fall. Trump won 75 percent of the vote in the district, which comprises largely rural areas and small towns in the northwest corner of Georgia, along the Alabama and Tennessee borders. The retiring congressman, Tom Graves, had no Democratic opponent at all in 2014 and 2016. In 2018 he was reelected with 76 percent of the vote.

For the 2020 election, the Democrats have nominated Kevin Van Ausdal, an IT consultant, who has raised $18,000, compared to the nearly $3 million raised and spent by Greene and Cowan. Greene loaned her own campaign $900,000.

At a victory party where the lone reporter present was ejectedGreenes campaign later said she would not take questions from the fake mediathe Republican candidate launched into a diatribe against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (one of the supposed masterminds of a pedophile conspiracy, according to QAnon), concluding with a threat to kick that bitch out of Congress.

The Republican establishment was against me, Greene said in a tweet celebrating her victory. The D.C. swamp is against me. And the lying fake news media hates my guts. Its a badge of honor. Its not about me winning. This is a referendum on every single one of us, on our beliefs.

A wealthy construction company co-owner who self-funded most of her campaign, Greene won a plurality in the first round of the primary by a 19-point margin. Only a week after, she drew denunciations from leading Republicans, McCarthy and the chair of the House Republican campaign arm Tom Emmer, for a video unearthed by POLITICO that showed Greene demeaning minorities and making racist remarks.

Greene declared the 2018 election of Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN), the first two Muslim congresswomen, as an Islamic invasion of the US government. In a video denouncing Omar and Tlaib, Greene said anyone that is a Muslim, that believes in Sharia law, does not belong in our government."

Let me explain something to you, Muhammad, she said. We already have equality and justice for all Americans. Muslims are not being held back in any way ... what you people want is special treatment. You want to rise above us.

Greene also said that Black and Hispanic men have been generationally held down by being in gangs and dealing drugs. She clumped white supremacists and members of Black Lives Matter together as idiots and said that Democrats are trying to keep the Black people in a modern-day form of slavery.

After the Washington Post published an article about her showing in the June primary, Greene tweeted that Chinese propagandists at the Washington Post are attacking me the same way they attack Donald Trump, and other conservatives.

It is not just a matter of Greenes personal derangement, since she won more than 40,000 votes. The 14th Congressional District includes Paulding County, which made headlines after the administration at North Paulding High School suspended a student for posting pictures displaying hundreds of students crowded in hallways, many without face masks. School board and other local officials have treated COVID-19 as though it was a hoax fomented by Trumps political opponents, not a deadly global pandemic.

Nor is this ultra-right trend in the Republican Party limited to rural Georgia. In just the past week at least three instances of outright racist and fascist sympathies in Republican candidates or officeholders have surfaced.

In North Carolina, the Republican candidate for an open seat in the western tip of the statethe one given up by Mark Meadows when he became White House chief of staffhas posted photos on his Instagram account from a 2017 vacation trip to Adolf Hitlers Eagles Nest retreat in the Bavarian Alps.

Madison Cawthorn, the 25-year-old who won an upset victory in last months primary, over a businesswoman supported by Meadows, posted a picture of himself and his brother grinning in front of the Nazi hideaway. The vacation house of the Fuhrer, Cawthorn captioned the photo, using the Nazi honorific for Hitler. Seeing the Eagles Nest has been on my bucket list for awhile, it did not disappoint.

Another Republican congressional candidate, Laura Loomer, is expected to win the August 18 primary in Floridas 21st Congressional District. Loomer is an ultra-right Jewish Islamophobe who worked for the right-wing provocateurs of Project Veritas, and has been banned from virtually all major social media platforms for vilification and slander of Muslims.

Loomer is one of six candidates in the Republican primary, for a seat where incumbent Democrat Lois Frankel is heavily favored. She is well-financed, having raised nearly $1.2 million, more than all her opponents combined, and has the tacit support of Trump, who has retweeted material promoting her campaign.

The last episode of racist and fascist sentiment in the Republican Party is the crudest. Tom Eckerle, a road commission member in Leelanau County, Michigan, in the rural northern part of the lower peninsula, was forced to resign this work after repeatedly using the racist n-word when asked why he wasnt wearing a face mask at a commission meeting.

Well, this whole thing is because of them n****** down in Detroit, Eckerle said. When told he couldnt use the racial slur, Eckerle responded, I can say anything I want. Black Lives Matter has everything to do with taking the country away from us.

The open embrace of racism in sections of the Republican Party is deliberately encouraged by Trump as part of his efforts to build a fascistic base of support for an authoritarian government.

It also takes advantage of the racialist and reactionary politics of the Democratic Party. Greene, for example, regularly denounces impeachment and the Mueller investigation as examples of deep state subversion of Trumpwhich of course they aremaking use of the role of sections of the military-intelligence apparatus to smear all opposition to Trump.

The racialist politics of the Democratic Party, which asserts that the basic division in American society is between black people and white people, not the class division between workers and the capitalist elite, facilitates and mirrors the racism of the ultra-right.
A single Australian radio producer has revealed why women should date multiple men at once, explaining that it will reduce your chances of a 'broken heart' in the long run.

Triple M radio worker Jana Hocking, 36, said that everyone has fallen victim to a first date crush that leaves them with 'emoji love heart eyes' and eager to uncover more about their prospective partner.

To stop yourself creating a fairy tale life in your head with this person - that won't materialise in real life - Jana recommends having more than one partner on the go before things get serious.

Triple M radio worker Jana Hocking, 36, said that everyone has fallen victim to a first date crush that leaves them with 'emoji love heart eyes'

Poll Would you date two or more men at once? Yes No Would you date two or more men at once? Yes 80 votes

No 122 votes Now share your opinion





'More often then not, within a week or so you're getting anxiety because he's not texting back fast enough. Or you're telling him silly soppy things and planning dates much too far into the future,' Jana told news.com.au.

'I don't mean "sleep" with multiple people, I'm simply saying, why not keep your toe in the pond for a little while longer before you go deactivating your Bumble account because of one good date.'

To avoid becoming infatuated from the outset, plan other dates to keep your options open and your heart protected.

To avoid becoming infatuated from the outset, plan other dates to keep your options open and your heart protected (stock image)

'The distraction method is aimed at calming that anxiety you get when you know you're in deep. You stop looking at the phone so much, relying on one person to provide you happiness,' she said.

Other ways to 'distract' yourself from that waiting period between the first and second date is to go out for a fun night with the girls, take up a hobby or activity like yoga or cooking, listen to a podcast, turn your phone off for an hour and just 'chill out', Jana told FEMAIL.

She believes that having two men at any one time is feasible but any more is a 'juggling act'.

'Plus you forget what you've said on dates and end up telling them the same story twice,' she said.

There are some downsides to employing her strategy though, namely that you could be on one date and run into the other 'date' while out and about.

She believes that having two men at any one time is feasible but any more can be a 'juggling act'

'I once got caught doing the Bondi to Bronte walk in Sydney with a guy, the morning after I had been on a date with another guy who was on the same walk,' she said.

'What was worse is that he stopped to chat and I had to introduce him to my current date.'

Once you've been on a few outings with someone and things are looking more likely to progress, that's when you'll need to decide who you want to be with.

'I think you know something is real once they have done something that would normally turn you off, like farting or having a boogie on their face, and you still like them. Not the most romantic answer but true,' Jana said.
What this office did with the NYPD was to recognize his significance in the international terrorism infrastructure to make sure that we built a case against him that could bring him to the United States and hold him accountable, he said. We believe there is a strong deterrent value in his indictment, extradition, and in holding him accountable in a court of due process in the United States that we hope will end up in a conviction.
By ANI

MUMBAI: Satish Salian, the father of late Disha Salian, has filed a written complaint at Malvani police station in Mumbai against three people for allegedly spreading rumors about her death, the police said on Friday.

Disha Salian, former manager of late Sushant Singh Rajput, had died on June 8 after allegedly jumping off the 14th floor of a building in Mumbai's Malad. An accidental death case was registered in the alleged suicide.

This comes as several rumors and reports are being circulated about the death of Disha Salian. Recently, Mumbai Police had refuted reports that her body was found naked by the police team when they reached the spot.

Earlier this month, BJP leader Narayan Rane had alleged that Sushant Singh Rajput's former manager Disha Salian had not died by suicide by jumping off the 14th floor of a building but was raped and murdered instead.

Meanwhile, public interest litigation (PIL) has also been filed in the Supreme Court for court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Salian's death, stating that her death is interlinked with that of Rajput's.

Salian died on June 8, following which a few days later on June 14, Rajput was found dead at his residence in Mumbai.
Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn has called for "order and peace" in the country but remained silent regarding the recent anti-government student protests urging for reforms of the monarchy in power.

This was while he inducted a new cabinet of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. The ceremony on Wednesday marked the King's first public engagement after the almost unprecedented calls in two student-led demonstrations for curbing the new powers he has acquired since succeeding the throne following his father's death in 2016.

The monarchy's role in a country was addressed wherein condemnation of the institution has been restricted by rigid lese-majeste laws.

According to Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, 21, at the protest, "In the past, there have been statements fooling us by saying that people born into the royal family are incarnations of gods and angels. With all due respect, please ask yourselves, are you sure that angels or gods have this kind of personality?" reported The New York Times.

The head of state gave his blessing to the newly-inducted cabinet members and wished them good health and knowledge to have the capability to perform their responsibilities in accordance with their oaths, reported Reuters.

Aside from order and peace, the King expressed an aim for the happiness of the public.

Meanwhile, Chan-ocha appealed for cooperation in a televised address to Thailand on Thursday in the midst of nearly daily student-led anti-government demonstrations since mid-July.

Protesters are calling for Prayuth's resignation. He was first granted power in a 2014 coup and an end to the politics' military domination.

Also Read: Bangkok Now Back to 'Normal': No COVID-19 Local Transmission for 36 Days

The Thai King did not publicly address the student-led protests. Some of them have contravene "lese majeste" laws on defying the monarchy that hold a maximum of 15-year prison sentence.

Wednesday's initiation of the new cabinet members follows the resignation on July of six ministers under the prime minister in the midst of ruling party internal dispute while the government is besieged by the rising protest movement.

According to Prime Minister Chan-ocha on Tuesday, thousands of student protesters went below the belt after some demonstrators issued a 10-point call for the revamp of the monarchy which is considered semi-divine in Thailand's reserved culture.

No protest leaders have been indicted under the lese majeste laws. However, two key leaders were arrested for sedition and violating coronavirus measures on large gatherings charges prior to being freed on bail.

According to Prayuth, he is calling to Thailand citizens to say no to the politics of hate and division and to the politics that prevails the illness of tribalism of contravening beliefs, old against young, or rich versus poor, reported Yahoo News.

He continued, "The future belongs to the young... let the young lead the way and provide the moral leadership to show us all how to take the hard path of collaboration with people who may disagree with us during times of national hardship."

Related Article: 'Unemployed' Thai Elephants Return Home Amid COVID-19

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 09:30 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df5a0c 1 National anti-sexual-violence-bill,RUU-PKS,house-of-representatives,KPP-RI,Lawmakers,Prolegnas,sexual-violence,sexual-violence-bill Free

The Legislative Womens Caucus (KPP-RI) plans to engage religious organizations as campaigners in an effort to push the House of Representatives to pass the long-awaited sexual violence eradication bill into law.

"They can come from any religion, be it Islam or not Islam. It's time for religious organizations to take a part in the struggle," KPP-RI general-secretary Luluk Nur Hamidah said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

The KPP-RI is currently preparing strategies to include the bill in next year's National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) priority list, after being excluded from the 2020 list at the instigation of conservative elements in the House.

In addition to involving religious group members in the fight to endorse the bill, the KPP-RI also plans to lobby leaders of various political parties to support the deliberation of the bill next year.

Luluk said it aimed to gather five members of each political party faction at the House to join in proposing that the bill be included in next year's Prolegnas. She is hopeful that a number of factions will join in the efforts.

Lawmakers excluded the bill from the 2020 priority list during a meeting of the House Legislation Body (Baleg) in late May, claiming the deliberation of the bill was "complicated". Activists bristled at the excuse, describing it as lazy and ignorant, as data showed high rates of sexual violence persisted in the country.

Perpetrators of sexual violence are usually charged under the Criminal Code (KUHP), which is the product of colonial legislation, which activists claim is insufficient to accommodate the needs of citizens for security and freedom from various forms of sexual violence.

The sexual violence eradication bill, if passed, would add forms of admissible evidence, such as victim statements, psychological reports, electronic information and other documents that provide an opportunity for the victim to meet evidentiary requirements  all of which are absent from the prevailing KUHP.

While a number of Islamic organizations, including Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) women wing, Fatayat NU, voicing support for the bill, some more conservative Muslim groups, such as the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction at the House, have apparently expressed their opposition to the bill.

Those who oppose it argue that the main problem of the bill is that it fails to include adultery as a sexual crime and therefore the bill, by omission, allows consensual sex outside of marriage and at the same time potentially criminalizes a husband who has sex with his wife without her consent.

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), which helped in the drafting of the bill, has rejected these criticisms and says that the bill is merely aimed at eradicating sexual violence.

The bill was first proposed in 2016 after the gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Bengkulu. (vny)
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 14, 2020) - Hydro66 Holdings Corp. (CSE: SIX) (the "Company" or "Hydro66") is pleased to announce that, further to its press releases dated March 31, 2020 and June 2, 2020, it has received the final advances of USD$231,000 and USD$169,000 on August 13, 2020 (together, the "Final Advance") pursuant to a secured convertible loan agreement with David Rowe, a significant shareholder and a director of the Company, and with Robert Keith, a significant shareholder of the Company (the "Loan Agreement"), which together with the previously announced advances, represent the maximum loan amount of USD$1,000,000 (the "Loan") in the aggregate.

In connection with the Final Advance made pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Company issued second ranking secured convertible promissory notes in favour of each lender (the "Notes"). The maturity date of the principal amount, interest and any fees of the Loan is seven (7) years from the date of the initial advances and the rate of interest is 10% per annum. The interest for the initial two (2) years of the Loan shall not be payable until such time as the Loan is repaid in full. For further details on the terms of the Notes please see the Company's news release dated March 31, 2020.

The Company will use the proceeds from the advances for working capital purposes.

About Hydro66

Hydro66 owns and operates an award-winning colocation data centre in Sweden specializing in High Performance Computing ("HPC") hosting. The Company hosts third party IT infrastructure, utilizing 100% green power, at amongst the EU's lowest power prices and within an ISO27001 accredited facility.

Hydro66 is uniquely positioned to capitalize on opportunities in blockchain infrastructure as well as the traditional Enterprise colocation data centre market. The Company provides truly green power at a leading price, purpose-built space and cooling, telecoms, IT support services and 24/7 physical security in their facility in Boden, Sweden.

For more information please visit: www.hydro66.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Paul Morrison

Chief Commercial Officer of Hydro66 UK Limited

paul.morrison@hydro66.com

(+44) 7789 915 147

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements may be discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/61741
I would say if you were going to vote by mail, that you vote early because they will try to say, Well, it doesnt have a stamp, so it doesnt have to be postmarked so well just throw it in the corner,  Pelosi said Friday on MSNBC. Theyre going to do everything they can to slow the mail, and thats just not right. So, again, vote early.
WALLINGFORD  After years of helping run her familys Ecuadorian restaurant in Meriden, Stephanie Guartan is opening a second location in Wallingford this month.

She is aiming to open La Azoguenita Deli & Juice Bar, 211 S. Colony Road, on Aug. 23.

We think its a good way to expand the family business, the family name, she said. La Azoguenita Deli is named after the city where Guartans parents are from in Ecuador.

The building was most recently occupied by Roscoes Traveling Smokehouse, and Anthonys Sub Shop before that.

Guartans family opened their first restaurant in Meriden almost four years ago, under the same name. The family will operate the new location together, with Stephanie Guartan at the helm. Guartans mother will join her day to day in Wallingford and her father and brother will work in Meriden for the most part.

The Meriden deli, 448 Center St., offers a buffet-style array of Ecuadorian food, as well as Italian dishes, a deli counter, breads, and juice bar. Its open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Everyday we have something different going on, Guartan said.

Some of the food options, which vary, include yellow rice, ox tail, chicken marsala, pasta dishes, steamed vegetables and more. The pulled pork and salmon are best sellers, Guartan said.

Guartan said her father Jose, with 25 years experience as a chef, usually cooks the Italian food and her mother, Rosario Youri, focuses on the Ecuadorian specials.

Guartan plans to put her stamp on the Wallingford spot by focusing more on fresh, natural juices, with a smaller version of the buffet available as well.

I know a lot of people now are interested in a healthy lifestyle so I think it would be a good thing to bring, said Guartan, who is also a first year medical student.

When the opportunity presented itself, the 24-year-old decided to take a break from medical school and open the deli in Wallingford. She plans to become a gynecologist.

The Wallingford building is smaller, with four tables indoors. There will also be outdoor tables, Guartan said.

Guartan said the juices are pressed with fresh produce, per order.

The popular Asthma juice includes a mix of green apple, carrots, ginger and lemon. In Meriden, the menu includes about a dozen juices, plus smoothies and sweeter drinks, but Guartan hopes to expand it even more at the Meriden deli.

Meriden resident and artist Mark Lawrence stopped in Friday for his usual order of a turkey, egg and cheese sandwich and green juice.

I love this spot, he said. They have great food, they're great people, I come over here all the time.

Jose Guartan, the primary owner of the Meriden business and father of three, said hes very happy to see the business expand with his daughter and hopes his son opens a third someday too.

Guartan said they choose Wallingford partly out of convenience, since it would be so close to the Meriden spot, but also because they saw a niche to fill.

I hope (people) continue to support us as they have in the Meriden location, she said.

Guartan hopes to do a grand opening special. The delis Facebook page will have details. They plan to be open everyday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

bwright@record-journal.com203-317-2316Twitter: @baileyfaywright
Police claim to have busted a gang of snatchers with the arrest of its two members.

With their arrest, 11 incidents of snatchings, including seven during the lockdown, have been solved.

The arrested accused have been identified as Lovedeep Singh, alias Deepu, of Guru Nanak Nagar of Bhamiyan Road, and Raman Kumar of Peeru Banda, Salem Tabri. Their accomplice, Suraj Kumar of Peeru Banda, is at large.

Lovedeep Singh, alias Deepu

Raman Kumar

Joint commissioner of police (City) Bhagirath Singh Meena said the snatchers were arrested on Thursday while they were commuting on a motorcycle from Gurdev Nagar to Sat Paul Mittal Road.

A motorcycle, 17 mobile phones and two gold chains were recovered from their possession.

Giving details about their modus operandi, Meena said the gang would recce for targets in Sarabha Nagar, Model Town, Ghumar Mandi, near Domoriya Bridge, near Guru Nanak stadium, Bahadurke road and Jodhewal area.

Lovedeep was already facing trial in four cases of snatching and drug peddling. He was bailed out from jail on January 22 and returned to crime.

Similarly, Raman has seven cases of snatching and drug peddling lodged against him. He was released on bail on January 28.

Both accused are in their late 20s and are drug addicts. They took to crime to meet their daily fix of drugs. The motorcycle recovered from them is stolen, the official said.

A case under Sections 379 (theft) and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Division Number 5 police station.
Washington: President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has been hospitalised in New York, according to the White House.

The President is expected to visit his 72-year-old brother at a hospital in Manhattan on Friday, according to White House spokesman Judd Deere. Trump was already scheduled to visit his property in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday.

Robert Trump, left, with his brother and future president Donald Trump at an event in New York in 1999. Credit:AP

The White House did not immediately release details about why Robert Trump had been hospitalised, but officials said that he was seriously ill.

The President has spoken fondly of his younger sibling, who is a fellow New York real estate executive.
If you follow the local food scene, chances are you're aware of Mayor Sylvester Turner's April outing (dare we say gaffe?) to Chili's and the social-media outcry that ensued.

Turner was criticized for patronizing a national chain while touting his support for the local restaurant industry. (Turner's communications director Mary Benton quickly explained the mayor is supporting those Houstonians employed at that location...)

Whatever your take on the situation, the message - however it's interpreted - is an important one: Houstonians who care about the local hospitality industry might consider spending their money at an independently owned establishment instead of opting for a national chain.

Need some guidance on how to swap out your favorite foods? Here's a start:
Father of Boy Killed by Neighbor Unsure Why He Targeted Son

The family of a North Carolina boy, Cannon Hinnant, who was killed by a neighbor said its not clear why the child was killed.

[You] cant imagine what its like to hold your son in your arms with a gunshot wound to the head, and his blood is running down your arms, the boys father, Austin Hinnant, told WRAL-TV during a funeral for Cannon.

There wasnt anything between me and him, any bad blood whatsoever, for him to have a reason to do this, Hinnant told the station in reference to the suspect, 25-year-old Darius Sessoms.

Sessoms is accused of approaching the boy while he played in front of his house and shooting him in the head. Reports said that witnesses saw the incident, including the boys two sisters, aged 7 and 8.

Hinnant also told the station that he and Sessoms were neighbors, and the night before, they drank a beer on the porch.

On the day of the killing, Hinnant said he ran to Cannon after hearing the gunshot outside the house.

I screamed, Somebody, please help me save my son! Help me God save my son, please,' Hinnant said, adding that he saw Sessoms pacing around with a gun in his hand before driving away.

I was looking at him as I was picking up Cannon, he said. I was so full of rage, but I couldnt leave my sons side. I wanted to be with my son.

Darius Sessoms of North Carolina was arrested and charged with the murder of Cannon Hinnant, a 5-year-old boy. (Wilson Police Department)

Police in Wilson have not released any details about the incident, including a motive for the slaying.

Earlier in the week, police charged Sessoms with first-degree murder and is now being held without bond.

Doris Lybrand, who witnessed the shooting, told WRAL that Sessoms ran up to the boy and shot him point-blank before running back to his house. My first reaction was hes playing with the kids, Lybrand said. For a second, I thought, That couldnt happen. People dont run across the street and kill kids.

A GoFundMe page was set up for the child.

A beautiful 5-year-old baby boy riding his bicycle was shot by his neighbor point blank in Wilson, NC. One minute he is enjoying his life, the next it all ends because he rode into his neighbors yard, the page says. As of Friday, about $300,000 has been raised.
Pyongyang will cope with a flood emergency with its own means. For North Koreas leader, the worsening pandemic requires tighter borders. The floods damaged thousands of hectares of land. The Yongbyon nuclear facility is at risk. Lockdown in Kaesong was lifted.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Due to the risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic, North Korea will not accept foreign aid in connection with the countrys latest floods, KCNA reported.

North Koreas official news agency cited leader Kim Jong-un during an emergency meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Kim stressed that the country will face the flood emergency with its own means, and that the worsening pandemic requires an even tighter closure of the borders.

Floods reportedly damaged or destroyed 39,296 hectares of cropland, 16,680 homes and some 630 public buildings across the country, KCNA said.

For 38north.org, a website dedicated to North Korea, the Yongbyon nuclear scientific research centre, which is key to North Koreas nuclear programme, is also at risk.

Meanwhile, Kim lifted the lockdown imposed on the border city of Kaesong, where a deserter was arrested last month after returning from the South. He is suspected of having contracted the coronavirus.

Despite scepticism in the international scientific community, North Korea claims that it has not recorded any COVID-19 cases so far.
Did you know that sometime and not too long ago, that armored personnel and assault weapons were stationed at strategic points in Abia Land?

Could you ever imagine that a hunter and school dropout, terrorized the lion hearted and chased policemen into rat holes, challenging government at all levels compromising some?

Could you recall that journalists, not in the moneyed class were abducted on their way back from a national conference in Akwa Ibom and demanded a demented ransom of 250 million Naira.

Would it shock you to hear that banks closed operations in Aba, not caused by Covid 10 and bullion vans serially hijacked and assaulted with police killed and the driver forced to veer of his destination?

If these sounded like jokes, could you believe that in Igboland, with utmost love for education, that parents withheld their children from schools and defiant husbands who hitherto ignored the opinions of their wives dived under the bed and covered with womens wrapper under the bed or interned in the toilets just for a slight knock on the door at night?

These, like hypothetic cases and worse happened in Igboland and took place in Aba, the most populous city in Abia, noted worldwide for industry and mercantile activities. These are no jokes as you will find out.

The period from 2009 to 2012 wasnt a beautiful experience for Abia State and the Governor, now Senator T A Orji who grew gray hairs overnight due to dare devil armed robberies and sophisticated kidnappings. A bus load of school children of Abayi International School, of mixed classes, numbering 15, were heartlessly blocked and abducted with their driver. In other cases, bullion vans were robbed and people vanished without good traces.

The so-called rich men discarded affluence, disguised into simple clothing and hid their big cars in hovels and villages. Some even wore womens dresses to evade the prying eyes of kidnap scouts. The face mask that is compulsory today would have been easily adopted but its time hadnt come then.

Aba town and environs where most of the kidnappings took place were described by many newspapers as the kidnap headquarters of Nigeria. Even the BBC on 29th Sept 2010, made a special report. People of all walks of life, Clergy and laity, traders and all, scampered into quiet neighboring cities like Umuahia, Okigwe, Owerri and other towns for refuge. Not even the police was left out as Akpa Police station was abandoned after incessant raids. To make matters worse, a royal father and wife were murdered for squealing to the police.

The 2011 election was fast approaching and it was evident in some quarters that some politicians bought into it as many started using their contacts to call for the declaration of a state of emergency in Abia by the Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government. As unbelievable as it sounded, one of the kingpins of the odious act had the boldness to grant a newspaper interview justifying their kidnap hobby. That was Obioma Nwankwo, alias Osisikanwu, a former hunter.

In the heat of all theses, what happened a few months later can only be likened to the bible account of St Mark in Chapter 4 verse 39 when Jesus Christ and his crew of disciples who shouted for help when the waves tossed them in a short and local cruise and nearly submerged their vessel. When Jesus was aroused from his nap, the word peace be still which was let out of his mouth settled the whole life-threatening case as if it never happened. Peace be still is a catchphrase today and rendered in multiple songs in many languages. Not wanting to sound blasphemous, how kidnapping ended in Abia was abrupt and unexpected. An peace returned!

When the then Inspector General of police Mohamed Dikko visited Abia in an official call, he described the security situation in Abia before his visit and how it fizzled out as a case study. For those who do not know, case studies are processes or records of research in the development of a particular person, group or situation over a period of time. The recent issues of crime and criminology in the country now has crowned Abia as a good case study of immense magnitude.

Governor Orji showed the man in him revealing that he wasnt a pushover by employing many strategic maneuvers.

As an astute administrator and a man who abhorred extra judicial killing, he dispatched an executive bill to the Abia State House of Assembly that legislated kidnapping as a capital offence. It is an irony of life that many states today are doing so after over ten years that Abia passed the historic bill. Not resting on his oars, he welcomed military presence so much so that the 82nddiv in Enugu swooped with military might not bothering whose ox was gored. They ambushed the hotspots and den of the kidnappers in the heart of Ukwa West with vast and dank forests termed the evil forest by observers, notably Ogwe and Ugwuati where Osisikankwu raved with his accomplices and other evil lieutenants like Susu, and Onyeme.

All around the state, military hardware became commonplace as if in a war zone, especially in Aba the commercial city and Umuahia the capital, including Ukwa West areas, Port Harcourt Road and the environs that served as hideouts and getaway tracks. Additionally, a helipad was constructed at Isuikwuato to assist the military in aerial reconnoiter flights and hastened actions too. Cozy guest houses were speedily constructed to accommodate the Army, police and navy in Umuahia and Aba. These are still in use till today.

There were more sensitive logistical installations made. They are still in use today and cannot be discussed here. I was amused when people talk about giving account of the security votes and it seemed like telling America to publish the amount they used in Panama or Latin America against the Sandinistas and Iraq.

We seem to have forgotten all these. That is human behavior especially when beset by other problems but I am sure of one man who took this story to his grave and would share with angels if he is lucky. Eze Ahuama from Ukwa West paid a glowing tribute the day the governor visited his community after liberation. In an emotion laden voice he said, I will ever be grateful to you till my last day, even if you do not do any other thing for me and my community. I was a wrestler in my youth and most times hired by close communities to represent them, so I grew up loved and celebrated not fearing any but this little boy Osisikankwu drove me and my wives into exile, but Ochendo you brought me back. Eze Ahuama died about a year after that speech.

Now what have we learnt from the Abia imbroglio? Are we not supposed to use one tough experience to apply to other cases as witnessed world over? Kaduna, Lokoja Abuja highway, Katsina, Adamawa, Borno and other frontline states in the North East have sadder tales and horrible stories worse than the streets of Beirut some years gone.

Gov Zulum of Borno State, a very practical and innovative leader suggested using hunters. We can take advantage of technology profusely available to solve this problem which can be more fruitful while minimize carnage.

Along that line of thought, hunters could be better equipped with complex gadgets like micro chip implants in their Dane guns or belts and slings. Arrows could be modified to take photographs or make videos. These special hunters could equally be trained in martial arts and would be able to defend themselves in case of surprise attacks.

Palm wine tappers and farmers could be trained to play sensitive roles with drones and other soft wares of great interest. Agric and health fumigators can spray sleep inducers in a kidnapper- infested forest. The Nigerian Police could do a lot better with surveillance choppers. The GOC 82nd DIV Enugu, who stormed Osisikankwus camp even if retired, may be useful.

With legislation, there could be a House or Senate Committee on kidnapping to come out with deterrent laws after public hearings with people who have battled kidnapping like legislators and kidnap victims who were forced to watch their activities while in captivity. The list is endless.

Obiamarije Ogbonna, N0 5 Glass gate Rd Ogbo hill Aba.
In mid-2020 U.S. Army forces in Europe received their first M1 tanks equipped with the Israeli Trophy APS (Active Protection System). The Israeli manufacturer began delivering the 261 M1 APS kits in late 2019. These will equip all the M1 tanks in four combat brigades. A few Trophy equipped M1s will also be available for testing and training.

The U.S. Army was late in adopting APS, mainly because not a lot of American operated M1 tanks seemed to need it and the army procurement budget was shrinking. Over the last few years APS came to be seen as a necessity. In 2018 the army finally got the money to upgrade M1 tanks with Trophy. This came after Trophy had been tested on the M1. Those Trophy test kits were removed because the Americans noted a few changes that needed to be made and the Israeli manufacturer made those adjustments before manufacturing the M1 Trophy. Another addition is the addition 62 ARAT (Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles) to the cover the running gear and tracks as additional protection against RPGs, which are often fired at this area to cripple tank mobility. The ARAT tiles add another two tons, in addition to the weight (about a ton) for Trophy.

Trophy has been around since 2009 and has considerable combat experience. Between testing and actual combat Trophy has been fired at over 4,000 times and successfully defeated these attacks by guided and unguided (RPG) missiles. Trophy has accumulated over 500,000 operating hours so far and no vehicle equipped with Trophy has had a crew member injured. The U.S. noted that Western tanks, like the M1 and Leopard 2 are increasingly vulnerable to ATGMs and improved RPGs (Rocket propelled grenades). This was demonstrated in northwest Syria from 2016 to 2018 as Turkey lost over a dozen Leopard 2 and older American M60 tanks to Kornet and other ATGMs. Turkey tried several different defensive solutions but finally selected a Ukrainian APS for their tanks. Israel was not considered because since 2000 Turkey has been ruled by an anti-Israel government.

Israel has been a pioneer in APS development and there are several Israeli firms developing and selling APS gear. One of those firms created the Iron Fist APS, which lost out to Trophy, and all the money to be made equipping Israeli and foreign tanks and other vehicles with APS. So far, several thousand Trophy kits have been ordered or installed and the system continues to be improved. Partly this is because of reports from users but also because there is more than one APS manufacturer in Israel.

The main APS competitor is IMI, which is the Iron Fist APS manufacturer. Despite losing out to Trophy (from Rafael) in a 2010 competition to be the primary IAF (Israeli Armed Forces) APS, IMI continued development. As a result, Iron Fist developed into an APS that is lighter, more compact, easier to install and, on paper at least, has more features. Iron Fist will be equipping lighter American armored vehicles like the M2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). Iron Fist contains heat sensors as well as radar to detect threats and that includes rifle and machine-gun fire. These weapons cannot damage armored vehicles, but it is useful for the crew to know where the fire is coming from. A full-size Iron Fist can also jam guidance systems on some missiles and has a lower false-alarm rate. There is also a lightweight version with fewer of the extras but that can be put on much lighter vehicles like trucks. While Iron Fist has not been proven in combat like Trophy the manufacturer says it has worked well in tests and that was enough to encourage the American and Dutch armies to evaluate it on some of their armored vehicles. The Israeli army also selected Iron Fist for its Nemer heavy IFV.

The U.S. also planned to install the Iron Curtain APS on Stryker armored vehicles. This APS comes from an American firm (Artis) which began development in 2005 and was dropped from consideration in 2018 because the developer seemed incapable of solving some key technical problems. The losses Turkish Leopard 2 (similar to the M1) and older M-60T tanks were taking from ATGMs in Syria was another wakeup call.

Until 2018 Trophy was the only APS most people heard about. In part that was because the first battalion of Merkavas was equipped with Trophy in 2010. In 2011 Trophy defeated incoming missiles and rockets in combat for the first time. This included ATGMs, mainly the Russian Kornet E. This is a laser guided missile with a range of 5,000 meters. The launcher has a thermal sight for use at night or in fog. The missile's warhead can penetrate enough modern tank armor to render the side armor of the Israeli Merkava tank vulnerable. The Kornet E missile weighs 8.2 kg (18 pounds) and the launcher 19 kg (42 pounds). A few weeks before the ATGM intercept Trophy defeated an RPG warhead, which is an unguided rocket propelled grenade fired from a metal tube balanced on the shoulder. As it was designed to do, Trophy operated automatically, and the crew didn't realize the incoming RPG warhead or missile had been stopped until after it was over. That is how APS is supposed to work and Trophy proved to be the most reliable and effective APS out there. By 2012 Israel was convinced sufficiently to equip all the Merkava tanks in an armor brigade with the Trophy APS.

This first APS combat use is a big deal because APS has been around for nearly three decades, but demand and sales had been slow until then. The main purpose of APS is to stop ATGMs but on less heavily armored vehicles, stopping RPG type warheads is important as well. The Israeli Trophy APS uses better, more reliable, and more expensive technology than the original Russian Drozd or its successors, like Arena APS. This includes an electronic jammer that will defeat some types of ATGMs. For about $300,000 per system, Trophy will protect a vehicle from ATGMs as well as RPGs, which are much more common in combat zones. Israel is the first Western nation to have a lot of their tanks shot up by ATGMs and fears the situation will only get worse. Trophy protected several Israeli tanks from ATGM and RPG attacks during the 50 Day War with Hamas in mid-2014 and several other attacks since.

In 2015 a lightweight (200 kg/440 pound) version of its Trophy APS called Trophy LV was introduced. This is intended for MRAPs (heavily armored trucks), IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and other heavy vehicles that are lighter than tanks. The regular Trophy weighs about a ton and is one of several APS models on the market but it is also the one with the most impressive combat record. The Israeli manufacturer of Trophy also partners with American firms to manufacture Trophy and Trophy LV for the U.S. market. But in this case another Israeli firm entered the American market with the similar and more capable Iron First.

Israel first encountered ATGMs, on a large scale, in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. But these were the clumsy, first generation missiles that turned out to be more smoke than fire. More recent ATGM designs have proved more reliable and effective but no nation, except Israel, has yet made a major commitment to APS. That may now change, simply because effective APS like Trophy are available and RPG and ATGM losses are growing.

Most APS consist of a radar to detect incoming missiles and small rockets to rush out and disable the incoming threat. A complete system weighs about a ton. There is also a Trophy Light (weighing half a ton) for lighter, often unarmored, vehicles and now the even lighter Trophy LV for vehicles as small as a hummer.

Russia pioneered the development of these anti-missile systems. The first one, the Drozd, entered active service in 1983, mainly for defense against American ATGMs. These the Russians feared a great deal, as American troops had a lot of them, and the Russians knew these missiles (like TOW) worked. Russia went on to improve their anti-missile systems but was never able to export many of them. This was largely because these systems were expensive (over $100,000 per vehicle), no one trusted Russian hi-tech that much and new tanks, like the American M-1, were a bigger threat than ATGMs. The Americans also noted that the most frequent unexpected attack on tanks was with RPGs, which was why the ARAT was added to Trophy equipped tanks. Trophy is turned off most of the time while the ARAT is always active and the tracks and running gear (wheels) are the most vulnerable to RPG hits.

The latest Russian APS, Arena, has proved very effective against many types of ATGMs because Arena also depends on laser detection and the use of electronic devices to disrupt the control signals going to the ATGM as it approaches the tank. Ukrainian troops encountered this during the last few years while fighting Russian backed (and equipped) separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine (Donbas) where fighting has been going on since 2014.
Ecolog Deutschland, part of the Ecolog International Group, a leading global provider of integrated services, rapid response and mobile infrastructure, technology, environmental solutions, screening and diagnostics and logistics, has been entrusted by the Brussels Airport Company to perform COVID-19 tests at the Brussels Airport.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase across European countries, Belgium's government has announced to double the COVID-19 capacities as part of a nationwide testing platform to perform large-scale tests throughout the fall season. In order to provide travelers with the opportunity to perform a COVID-19 test and to contribute to public safety and customer comfort, the Brussels Airport Company has selected Ecolog in collaboration with Van Poucke Eurofins to set-up a testing facility as well as a mobile laboratory, enabling test analyses on site with a rapid turnaround time.

Ecolog's COVID-19 large scale testing project in Luxembourg, and its rapid screening & diagnostic solution established at various airports in Europe are intended to contribute to the public safety and provide people with the 'peace of mind'. Commenting on the award, Ali Vezvaei, Group CEO of Ecolog International said "At Ecolog we believe ease of access and availability of testing is one of the most effective ways in combating the pandemic. We are delighted to support the Brussels Airport Company in enhancing the safety of travelers."

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company added "Public health has been a top priority for Brussels Airport since the start of the corona crisis. That's why we've decided to go a step further and enable COVID-19 testing at the airport itself in a new mobile lab. For example, anyone returning from a red zone can have themselves tested immediately upon arrival at Brussels Airport. Departing passengers can also have themselves tested there, with a rapid test the results are already available within 3 hours."

Contact:

Ecolog Deutschland

Thomas Hueser

Phone.: +49 (0) 173 578 54 63

[email protected]

www.ecolog-international.com

SOURCE Ecolog Deutschland
Leading Secure Email Platform now Available to Resellers and Channel Partners in Eastern Europe

Posted by Publisher Telecommunication

German provider of enterprise cloud communication services?Retarus?starts to offer its Secure Email Platform in Eastern Europe exclusively through indirect sales channels. To get the ball rolling, Area Business Development Manager Kornel Bogyo is now initially looking for interested channel partners with security expertise in Poland, Romania and Croatia.

Retarus is aiming to entice systems integrators, value-added resellers and distributors to include its Email Security services in the portfolio they offer. Industry leading features and performance, a long list of high-end references combined with ?made in Germany? quality and the corresponding advantages in terms of compliance (GDPR) and last but not least, attractive margins result in a compelling package for new resellers.? Retarus offers cloud services which are highly standardized, yet still allow?its partners?enough options for independent implementation and optimization ? backed up by direct and practical support, even for highly complex customer scenarios.

Attractive partner business model

?We?re offering a very attractive partner business model, which doesn?t rely on complicated certification procedures and complex programs,? emphasizes Stefan Rath, Senior Vice President Sales International. Retarus engages in continuous development of its services to ensure that partners can use them even more effectively and that joint projects with customers can be implemented successfully.

?Customer-specific tailoring offers our partners and their customers clear added value in comparison with standardized security services,? adds Rath. ?Furthermore, the recent European Court of Justice ruling on the ?Privacy Shield? should now also make our service even more appealing to partners in Eastern Europe.?

Email Security plus Transactional Mail

Just recently,?Retarus Email Security?was once again singled out by analyst firm Forrester as the only independent, full-service Secure Email Gateway solution based in Europe[1]. The Secure Email Platform moreover includes Retarus Transactional Email, a high-performance engine for the mass transmission of emails straight from business applications. Potential channel partners in Poland,?Romania?and Croatia are invited to contact Retarus at?partner@retarus.de?or get in touch with Kornel Bogyo directly by calling +49-89-5528-1259.

[1]?Forrester Research, ?Now Tech: Enterprise Email Security Providers, Q3 2020?

With its outstanding solutions and services, intelligent infrastructure, and patented technology, Retarus manages communication for companies worldwide. Retarus\-\- state-of-the-art technologies, highly available data centers, and innovative cloud messaging platform offer maximum security, maximum performance, and business continuity. With experience in steering information flows at the enterprise level, Retarus ensures that information is transferred securely and reliably to the right place, at the right time, in the right format-since 1992 and with now 15 subsidiaries on four continents. Seventy-five percent of DAX 30, half of all EURO STOXX 50, and 25 percent of S&P100 companies rely on Retarus services. Our long-standing customers include Adidas, Bayer, BNP Paribas, Bosch, Continental, DHL, DZ BANK, Fujitsu, Galbani, Goldman Sachs, Honda, Linde, PSA, Puma, Sixt, T?Systems, Singapore Airlines and Zeiss. More information: [url=http://www.retarus.com]www.retarus.com[/url]
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 04:10:32|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- A senior expert of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that although there are some cases suggesting that an individual may have been re-infected with COVID-19, it's still not confirmed.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead on COVID-19 response at the WHO Health Emergencies Program, told a virtual press conference that some people can have PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positivity for many weeks, not just days, and it doesn't necessarily mean that they are infectious for that long.

According to the WHO expert, false positivity or false negativity may also lead to the result that an individual is tested positive again, but that should not be viewed as re-infection.

"What we ideally would like is to look at sequencing. If the virus can be isolated, if sequencing can be done, so we can look and see if somebody has been re-infected," she said. Enditem
European battery makers power up for a green recovery FILE PHOTO: Batteries for electric vehicles are manufactured at a factory in Dongguan

By Kate Abnett, Matthew Green and Norihiko Shirouzu

August 13 (Reuters) - European battery makers are gearing up to take advantage of massive "green" stimulus packages unveiled since the coronavirus pandemic though many acknowledge it will be tough to match the Asian giants that dominate the mainstream market.

While Sweden's Northvolt, and more recently France's Verkor, are making a play for large-scale production, other European companies are focusing on niche markets and new technologies rather than taking on Chinese and South Korean firms with mass production of batteries destined for electric vehicles (EVs).

From Greek battery maker Sunlight to start-ups like InoBat Auto in Slovakia and Switzerland's Innolith, firms say the challenge of building economies of scale fast to compete head on means finding niches is a more likely path to success, for now.

"Having battery giants in Europe, it's still possible," said Sunlight Chief Executive Lampros Bisalas. "We just need to run and catch up and innovate faster than the others."

Sunlight's Greek factory is the world's largest producer of lead-acid batteries for automated guided vehicles, forklifts and energy storage systems and it is now shifting to lithium cells.

But Bisalas isn't going after the EV market dominated by China's Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) <300750.SZ>, Japan's Panasonic <6752.T> and South Korea's LG Chem <051910.KS>, Samsung SDI <006400.KS> and SK Innovation <096770.KS>.

He's focusing on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) production, a type of battery suited to forklifts, locomotives and robots that perform short tasks with breaks in between.

"These markets are billions of dollars," said Bisalas. "We see a very big opportunity there, because we see lithium ion producers, especially from China, being focused on EVs."

Ever since it launched the European Battery Alliance in 2017, Europe has been pushing local firms to develop an industry that should flourish in a low-carbon future and ensure the continent is not reliant on imported products - or technology.

'SOVEREIGNTY CRISIS'

Story continues

Now, China hosts 80% of the world's lithium-ion cell production  the type of battery expected to power the fast-growing EV industry  and most of the capacity coming online in Europe over the next five years belongs to Asian firms.

But the European Union has committed 550 billion euros ($647 billion) to climate protection and clean technologies over the next seven years, and these plans hinge on batteries to store renewable energy - and to power EVs. [nL2N2ES2DR]

Researchers have already identified 13 European battery projects that could be eligible for EU support, in countries including France, Germany, Slovakia and Poland - though some are being driven by Asian manufacturers, such as LG Chem's plans to expand its factory in Krakow. [nL2N2EN1SB] [nL2N2ES2DR]

European EV production is expected to increase six-fold in the next five years and EU leaders expect the battery value chain - from mining to production to recycling - will be worth 250 billion euros by 2025.

But some European startups concede they can't catch up with the large-scale, low-cost Asian incumbents.

InoBat Auto, for example, a Slovak startup backed by U.S. energy technology company Wildcat Discovery Technologies and Czech utility CEZ <CEZP.PR>, is instead heading into the fast lane.

Chief Executive Marian Bocek said the European auto industry's reliance on imported mass-produced batteries has created a "technological sovereignty crisis", forcing manufacturers to design cars around the batteries.

So it is planning to tailor batteries for high-performance vehicles that may need something special.

It plans to bring a 100 MWh (megawatt/hour) production line online next year in Slovakia near Peugeot <PEUP.PA>, Kia Motors <000270.KS> and Jaguar Land Rover's plants - which it said could eventually become a 10 GWh (gigawatt/hour) facility.

There, InoBat will test battery chemistries and make prototypes tweaked to each carmaker's needs.

"Our focus is more on a sort of niche, on-demand battery segment for high-performance vehicles that cannot go to the LG Chems or SK Innovations of the world," Bocek said.

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Analysts say the next generation of batteries must last longer, charge faster and be safer and greener than those on the market now, and that gives European companies a chance.

"That is how Europe can conceive a competitive edge over China," said Wood Mackenzie energy storage analyst Mitalee Gupta. "It will get competitive pretty quickly."

Swiss battery technology company Innolith, for one, is looking for an edge with new technologies.

The company, which bought U.S. battery producer Alevo's intellectual property after its bankruptcy in 2017, said its labs in Germany will have prototypes this year for an NMC 811 cell that will deliver up to 315 Wh/kg (watt hour per kg).

NMC 811 cells include less cobalt than most mainstream EV batteries, which means they have the potential to deliver more power and with cheaper components.

"We cannot just take the same technology which is used, for example, in China or South Korea and copy-paste," said Chief Executive Konstantin Solodovnikov.

In Austria, battery technology company Kreisel Electric said it has licensed its NMC 811 technology to a European-based battery producer, which it declined to name. It already licenses its technology to Vietnamese EV maker VinFast.

Kreisel said it uses an immersion liquid cooling system to solve the fire hazards associated with lithium-ion cells in large industrial applications, giving it an edge over rivals.

'EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE'

But while European firms look for ways into the market, Asian rivals are building more capacity on the continent.

The first European factories for SK Innovation and CATL are under construction while LG Chem already makes batteries in Poland and Samsung has a plant in Hungary.

"We can bring to Europe our advantages in cost and product quality and service," said Susan Zeng, co-president of CATL's European division, which plans to start production in Germany next year.

For now, Northvolt is the only European startup that looks like it will have the scale to take on the Asian giants in its backyard - and its first factory has yet to start production.

Northvolt wants 25% of Europe's battery market within a decade, a goal it says will require 150 GWh of production, more than three times the continent's current lithium-ion capacity.

It raised $1.6 billion in debt financing last month, on top of more than 1 billion euros from backers including the world's biggest carmaker, Volkswagen <VOWG_p.DE>, and Goldman Sachs.

Northvolt's first 40 GWh plant is due to open in Sweden next year. A joint venture with Volkswagen in Germany will follow in 2024 with a potential capacity of 24 GWh and Northvolt has already struck deals to sell production worth 13 billion euros.

"In this market you have to offer scale," said chief environmental officer Emma Nehrenheim.

Julian Jansen, head of energy storage research at IHS Markit, said Northvolt's launch had been extremely impressive. "They're doing it at a speed which has probably caught a lot of people by surprise, and which no one else has been able to do."

Verkor, a French startup whose backers include electrical equipment company Schneider Electric <SCHN.PA>, said Northvolt had shown that European companies could scale up quickly to compete with mainstream rivals.

Verkor plans to build a 16 GWh lithium-ion battery factory in southern Europe by 2023 and Chief Executive Benoit Lemaignan said it would seek 1.6 billion euros next year from private equity firms and public investment banks.

While the project was conceived before the pandemic struck, Lemaignan said the EU's "green" post-pandemic stimulus package was accelerating its plans.

"It's just pushing us even harder and even faster, because it's exactly what is needed now to be developed in Europe."

($1 = 0.8501 euros)

(Reporting by Kate Abnett, Matthew Green, Norihiko Shirouzu; Additional reporting by Nina Chestney; Editing by David Clarke)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:08:08|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Friday donated 1 million pesos (20,519 U.S. dollars) in cash and some personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the Philippine medical frontliners to show China's appreciation and support for their hard work in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian handed over the cash and PPEs during a meeting with the representatives of medical frontliners at the embassy, according to an embassy statement.

Huang expressed his appreciation to the dedication and contribution of the medical frontliners in the battle against COVID-19, and hoped they could stay safe and healthy as the last line of defense against the disease, the statement said.

Huang said the Chinese embassy will continue to provide support and assistance to the best of its ability to the Philippines.

"We firmly believe that the dawn of victory will come at the earliest," Huang said.

The embassy has also donated several batches of surgical masks and other medical materials to several local hospitals recently.

On Thursday, the embassy donated 130 ventilators to the Philippines as part of its commitment to helping the country battle COVID-19.

The Philippines has so far 153,660 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2,442 deaths and 71,405 recoveries. Enditem
Campus News

Defunding police called avenue for eliminating racial, ethnic disparities in law enforcement

Panelists taking part in the Zoom session on defunding the police are, from top left clockwise, moderator Anthony O'Rourke, Rick Su, Allegra McLeod, Monica Bell and Jamelia Morgan. Photo: Kristen Kowalski

by CHARLES ANZALONE

One way to think about defunding is to move away from investing in policing to investing in non-criminalizing forms of service delivery. Its investing in Black communities that have been marginalized and dispossessed through policing for a very long period of time. 

The movement to defund police following a national awakening of systematic racism and brutality presents the opportunity to build a criminal justice system more fair to communities of color and reform penal and punishment bureaucracies, according to criminal law panelists joining a virtual conversation organized Wednesday by UBs School of Law.

The idea of defunding police has become a real political possibility in a way it hasnt before, said Anthony ORourke, professor of law and director of the Advocacy Institute

in the law school, who as moderator started the virtual conversation.

For example, the city of Minneapolis has voted to amend its charter and disband its police department and replace it with a department of public safety. Many other cities have committed to substantially reducing their police budgets.

These recent gains are products of decades of activism by Black-led social movements that seek to abolish policing as we know it and re-imagine law enforcement, ORourke said.

Joining the panel were Monica Bell, associate professor of law and sociology, Yale University; Allegra McLeod, professor of law, Georgetown University Law Center; Jamelia N. Morgan, associate professor of law and Robert D. Glass Research Scholar, University of Connecticut School of Law; and Rick Su, professor of law, University of North Carolina School of Law. A former law professor at UBs School of Law, Su is an expert on immigration law and local government.

More than 130 students, faculty, alumni and other members of the law school and university community attended the program.

ORourke asked panelists  who he called some of the legal academys deepest and most imaginative thinkers about crime, policing and government  what activists mean by the term defunding the police and why these calls are gaining traction now.

Some hear the phrase and assume there is nothing besides defunding, Bell said. But there is also an investment part, and a broader symbolic meaning.

One way to think about defunding is to move away from investing in policing to investing in non-criminalizing forms of service delivery, she said. Its investing in Black communities that have been marginalized and dispossessed through policing for a very long period of time.

The current defunding movement is radical, McLeod said, and seeks to bring about meaningful change, to transform policing practices so they are less racist, predatory and violent. This will require addressing root causes, rather than furthering superficial reforms, she said. Taking resources from police budgets, from prison budgets is only part of the current call.

Divest from penal methods, which consist of up to 40% of municipal budgets, and you invest in meaningful public safety and human well-bring; specifically, affordable housing, public health care, mental health care and quality public education.
France declares Paris and the port city of Marseille high-risk zones after cases reached levels not seen since April.

The French health ministry has reported more than 2,500 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, setting a new post-lockdown daily high for the third day in a row, and taking the countrys cumulative total of cases to 249,611.

An inquiry report into the virus-infected Ruby Princess cruise ship allowed to disembark in Sydney found Australian health officials made a serious and material error.

Worldwide coronavirus cases have surpassed 20.9 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 12.9 million people have recovered, and more than 759,000 have died.

Here are the latest updates:

Friday, August 14

20:30 GMT  Moscow attributes 1,706 deaths to coronavirus in July

Moscows health department said it had recorded 1,706 deaths related to the novel coronavirus in July, a toll it said helped account for a rise of about seven percent in the citys mortality rate compared to the same month last year.

Moscow, the area worst hit by the pandemic in Russia, said it had recorded 10,773 deaths in July, including 1,706 linked to the coronavirus.

The department identified 742 cases in which the coronavirus had been the main cause of death and said 964 others had died of other causes while testing positive for the virus.





20:00 GMT  COVID-19 vaccine developer CureVac shares more than triple after US debut

Shares of German biotechnology firm CureVac BV have soared as much as 222 percent after the firms Nasdaq debut, in the first stock market opening of a company developing a potential vaccine to combat the novel coronavirus.

The stock opened at $44 per share and hit a session high of $51.48 in early trade, compared with the initial public offering (IPO) price of $16 per share.

CureVac Chief Executive Officer Franz-Werner Haas said with the listing, the company now has about a billion euros of cash ($1.18bn) on hand to develop its vaccine candidate and to expand manufacturing capacity in order to meet global demand.

19:45 GMT  Barcelonas Umtiti tests positive for coronavirus

Barcelona has confirmed defender Samuel Umtiti tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Frenchman has not travelled with the football team to Lisbon for their Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich, and is instead isolating at his home as he continues his recovery from injury.

The club says Umtitis polymerase chain reaction (PCR test) on Thursday returned a positive result, yet he is asymptomatic and is in good health.

19:30 GMT  France new COVID-19 cases above 2,500 for third day in a row

France has declared its capital Paris and the port city of Marseille high-risk zones for the coronavirus as the government reported more than 2,500 new infections for the third day in a row.

The seven-day moving average of new infections increased to 2,041, doubling over the last two weeks.

This went beyond the 2,000 threshold for the first time since April 20, when France was in the middle of one of Europes strictest lockdowns.

19:00 GMT  COVID-19 vaccine makers must deliver on time to get paid by US

The United States is tying payments for COVID-19 vaccines to timing milestones for production and approval, according to public documents and to an official from the administration of President Donald Trump. The move puts pressure on drugmakers including Moderna Inc to meet ambitious targets.

In a deal with Moderna announced this week, federal agencies negotiated a sliding scale of payments. The Cambridge, Massachusetts biotechs $1.5bn deal pays out in full if its vaccine receives regulatory clearance by January 31, 2021, according to filings. It receives $1.2bn if it falls short of that timing goal.

Moderna also receives $600m when it can demonstrate it has built out industrial-scale manufacturing capabilities for its vaccine, even if that happens before the drug is authorised by regulators, the filings show.

Read more here.

18:45 GMT  Baseball: Cardinals to resume play Saturday after two-week COVID-19 hiatus

The St Louis Cardinals will return to action this weekend after having a total of 14 games postponed while the team dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak within the club, Major League Baseball in the United States has said.

The Cardinals, who last competed on July 29, will end their two-week hiatus when they play the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in Chicago before concluding the three-game series on Sunday.

18:30 GMT  Argentina sticks with COVID-19 lockdown focused in and around Buenos Aires

Argentina has extended until August 30 restrictions taken against the coronavirus, President Alberto Fernandez said, affirming that the countrys lockdown would continue in its current form in and around capital city Buenos Aires.

The measures, which are more relaxed in less densely populated areas, had been scheduled to expire on Sunday. The only medicine we have found so far is to limit the movement of people and the face-to-face meeting of people as much as possible, Fernandez said.

The plan worked and it is working, but the risk always exists.





18:15 GMT  UK secures 90 million more doses of potential virus vaccine

The United Kingdom has secured access to 90 million doses of two promising coronavirus vaccines, the government said, taking its total orders of potential COVID-19 vaccines to nearly 350 million doses.

The country has struck agreements to buy 60 million doses from United States biotech firm Novavax, and another 30 million doses from Janssen pharmaceuticals, which is part of US giant Johnson & Johnson.





18:00 GMT  Virus lockdown gives South Africa crime holiday: Minister

Crime-plagued South Africa posted a drastic drop in criminal offences, including sexual assaults, during the first three months of its coronavirus lockdown, the police minister has said.

The latest quarterly statistics showed crime dropping by up to 40 percent between April and June, when the country was placed under strict stay-home restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus.

These statistics show major decreases in all crime categories compared to the same comparative period last year, said Police Minister Bheki Cele.





17:45 GMT  Trump says ready to push out coronavirus aid, blames Democrats for holdup

President Donald Trump has said he is ready to act to pump stimulus money into a United States economy hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, a week after his negotiating team failed to reach a deal with congressional Democrats.

The Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives have gone into an informal recess after last weeks talks ended with the parties $2 trillion apart. However, the leaders of both parties said they could recall their members with 24 hours notice if a deal emerged.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Trump said he was prepared to take unilateral action, this time to provide Americans with direct payments as well as money for small businesses and state and local governments. DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP! the president wrote repeatedly in the series of tweets.





17:30 GMT  Oman ends ban on night movement starting August 15

Oman will end the ban on night movement starting from August 15, at 09:00 GMT, Omans supreme committee for dealing with COVID-19 announced on twitter.

Oman has recorded 82,743 coronavirus cases, including 557 deaths and 77,427 recoveries.

16:45 GMT  Canada says reasonable worst-case scenario of coronavirus would swamp healthcare system

Canada is planning for a reasonable worst-case scenario in which new waves of the coronavirus would intermittently swamp the public health system, officials have said.

Under the scenario, there would be a large peak later this year followed by a number of smaller peaks and valleys stretching to January 2022. Each of the peaks would exceed the health systems capacity.

Several of Canadas 10 provinces have reported higher numbers of COVID-19 infections as the economy restarts and restrictions on social gathering are relaxed.





16:30 GMT  Austria warns against travel to Croatia

Austrias foreign ministry has joined Italy in warning against travel to Croatia, as concerns grow that vacationers could catch the coronavirus and spread it once they return.

The warning, which comes after Austria recorded 57 new cases among people returning from Croatia within the last 24 hours, is effective from August 17, the ministry said.

Nearly a quarter of the people whose infections were reported within the past seven days show no symptoms, health minister Rudolf Anschober said. The average age of infected Austrians was 33.7 years.

16:00 GMT  US, Canada, Mexico COVID-19 travel ban extended

The US Department of Homeland Security has said that a COVID-19 ban on non-essential travel through border crossings with Canada and Mexico was being extended until September 21.

The reciprocal travel ban aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus was first imposed in March and has been extended several times since then.

We continue to work with our Canadian and Mexican partners to slow the spread of #COVID19. Accordingly, we have agreed to extend the limitation of non-essential travel at our shared land ports of entry through September 21.  Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) August 14, 2020

15:45 GMT  Germany puts all Spain except Canaries on quarantine list

Germany has added all of Spain, excluding the Canary Islands, to its list of high-risk coronavirus areas, the health ministry said, in a major blow to top tourist destinations like Mallorca.

The decision means travellers returning from mainland Spain or the Balearic Islands must submit to a free mandatory COVID-19 test and face a period of quarantine.

A very dynamic outbreak is evident in Spain. The number of cases is continuing to rise, a health ministry spokeswoman told AFP.

15:30 GMT  Aberdeen players fined for COVID-19 protocol breach

The eight Aberdeen football players who breached COVID-19 protocols and prompted three league matches to be postponed have been severely reprimanded and heavily fined, the Scottish Premiership club said.

Media reported that the players had visited a bar on August 1 in breach of their own COVID-19 protocols and government guidance, following their opening 1-0 defeat by the Rangers.

As a result of our investigation, these players have been severely reprimanded and fined heavily, said club chairman Dave Cormack in a statement.

Contractually, the specifics must remain confidential between the club and each player but, rest assured, the financial fines are in line with the severity of the consequences of their actions, he added.

Our internal investigation is now complete & has confirmed a breach of AFC COVID-19 protocols and government guidance. As a result, players have been severely reprimanded and fined heavily. The Club has chosen to donate these fines to NHS Grampian.  https://t.co/XeiLip63i2 pic.twitter.com/YR2sEU2Ml7  Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) August 14, 2020

15:15 GMT  Albanians rush to enter Greece as virus rules change

Thousands of Albanians formed an enormous queue of cars at the Greek border as they rushed to re-enter the country for work ahead of new virus rules, police said.

The changes came as thousands of Albanians who live and work in Greece, mainly in the agriculture sector, were preparing to return after summer holidays at home.

Under Athenss new rules, daily arrivals from Albania will be capped at 750 after August 16.

15:00 GMT  Greece rolls out more restrictions to fight rising COVID infections

Greece has set a temporary 50-person limit on public gatherings and said restaurants and bars in Athens and other areas must close by midnight, as the country seeks to contain a recent spike in COVID-19 infections.

The deputy civil protection minister said the limit on public gatherings would last until August 24 and be imposed in parts of the country where infection numbers have risen.

Earlier, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged young people to wear masks, reminding them that they are not invulnerable to the novel coronavirus and could unwittingly infect their own families.





14:45 GMT  Brazils Bolsonaro approval rating at highest despite coronavirus: Poll

The approval rating of Brazils right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, is at its highest since he took office last year despite the countrys 105,000 deaths from the worlds second-worst coronavirus outbreak, a new poll showed.

The Datafolha poll found that 37 percent of those surveyed viewed his government as great or good, compared with 32 percent in June, while his rejection rate has dropped 10 points to 34 percent who see his government as bad or terrible.

Bolsonaro has faced criticism for rejecting social distancing and lockdowns to curb the pandemic, which has yet to reach its peak in Brazil.





14:30 GMT  US eyes controversial human challenge trials for COVID-19 vaccine

United States government scientists have begun efforts to manufacture a strain of the novel coronavirus that could be used in human challenge trials of vaccines, a controversial type of study in which healthy volunteers would be vaccinated and then intentionally infected with the virus, according to the Reuters news agency.

The work is preliminary and such trials would not replace large-scale, phase-three trials such as those now under way in the US testing experimental COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, according to a statement emailed to Reuters by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Read more here.

Lab technicians load filled vials of investigational coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug remdesivir at a Gilead Sciences facility in La Verne, California, the US [Reuters]

14:25 GMT

Hello, this is Elizabeth Melimopoulos taking over the live updates from my colleague Saba Aziz in Doha.

11:45 GMT  Spain shuts nightclubs, bans outdoor smoking

All Spanish regions have agreed to order the closure of nightclubs and to ban smoking in outdoor areas when keeping a safe distance is impossible, among other measures aimed at curbing a rise in coronavirus infections, Health Minister Salvador Illa said.

Illa also advised against meetings of more than 10 people, and warned young people specifically not to gather outside to drink alcohol.

Infections have spiked in recent days, bringing the total as of Thursday to 337,334 since the pandemic began.

The regional government of the Canary Islands imposed a smoking ban on Thursday [Borja Suarez/Reuters]

10:45 GMT  Philippines bans chicken imports from Brazil over virus scare

The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on poultry meat imports from Brazil after two cities in China found traces of the new coronavirus in cargoes of imported frozen food, including chicken wings from the South American country.

Shenzhen city authorities identified the chicken as originating from a plant owned by Aurora, Brazils third-largest poultry and pork exporter.

A meat vendor rests at a public market where wearing face masks and face shields is mandatory, in Taytay, Rizal province, Philippines [File: Eloisa Lopez/Reuters]

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday it saw no evidence of coronavirus being spread by food or packaging and urged people not to be afraid of the virus entering the food chain.

10:40 GMT  Dutch economy shrinks by record 8.5 percent

The Dutch economy took its biggest-ever hit from the global coronavirus pandemic as lockdowns brought activity in the country to a standstill, data showed.

The EUs fifth-biggest economy shrank by 8.5 percent in the period from April to June compared with the preceding three months, the central statistics office CBS said.

Never before has such a shrinkage been measured, CBS said in a statement.

More than half of the contraction was due to a sharp fall in household consumption, the statisticians explained.

10:30 GMT  Britons rush home from France to beat quarantine rules

Britons rushed to get back from summer holidays in France after their government said it would soon impose a 14-day quarantine on travellers from across the Channel due to rising coronavirus infections.

The British government announced late on Thursday that it would impose a quarantine from 03:00 GMT on Saturday on arrivals from France, giving an estimated 160,000 UK holidaymakers there just more than 24 hours to get home to avoid isolating.

The sudden rule change dealt a fresh blow to tourists, airlines and tour operators, all hoping for holidays after the pandemic, which has left many travel groups cash-strapped and facing an uncertain future.

Other countries including Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia and Austria are already on the UKs quarantine list [Peter Nicholls [Reuters]

10:15 GMT  EU reaches deal for 300 million vaccine doses

The European Commission has reached a deal with British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca for the purchase of at least 300 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine.

The EUs executive arm, which is negotiating on behalf of the 27 EU states, said the deal also included an option to buy 100 million more doses should the vaccine prove safe and effective.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is being developed in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford.

10:00 GMT  UK lines up more potential COVID-19 vaccine supplies

The UK will buy potential COVID-19 vaccines from US drugmakers Johnson & Johnson and Novavax Inc, the companies said, boosting the number of deals it has with drugmakers as the global vaccine race rages on.

The UK and the United States are in the lead with six vaccine deals with drugmakers each, as companies and governments worldwide work overtime to find a vaccine.

The latest agreements bring the UKs total number of doses secured to 362 million for a population of 66 million.





09:30 GMT  Which countries have not reported any COVID-19 cases?

Coronavirus has been labelled a pandemic and reported in at least 188 countries and territories.

Check out here to find out the few countries that have not reported any cases of the coronavirus so far.

09:00 GMT  One-fifth of inmates in Kashmirs largest jail test positive

One in five prisoners at the largest jail in Indian-administered Kashmir has tested positive for the coronavirus, authorities said, as the health ministry reported a daily nationwide rise of more than 60,000 cases for the third straight day.

Authorities at the central jail in Kashmirs main city of Srinagar said they were preparing to shift some prisoners after 102 of the 480 tested positive.

We are taking extra care and all new entrants are being tested and then quarantined for two weeks, VK Singh, Kashmirs additional director general of prisons, told Reuters news agency.

The Kashmir Valley has reported more than 20,000 cases, of which nearly 5,500 people currently remain infected [Yawar Nazir/Getty Images]

08:30 GMT  Philippines delays start of schools to October

The Philippine government has further delayed the opening of schools across the country to allow for more preparations for distance learning amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the opening of classes to be deferred to October 5, according to a memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

School classes in the Philippines traditionally start in June, but authorities had pushed the opening to August 24. Duterte has ruled out allowing face-to-face classes until a COVID-19 vaccine is available.

Learning will instead be at home  either online, via television, radio or printed materials.

08:15 GMT  Australian officials slammed by inquiry into virus cruise ship

An inquiry into how thousands of passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney from the virus-infected cruise ship Ruby Princess has slammed health and border officials.

The inquiry report released on Friday found it was inexplicable and unjustifiable that health officials made a serious and material error on March 19 when it rated the cruise ship as low risk and allowed 2,700 passengers to leave without waiting for checks for the coronavirus.

It was the mistake that spread COVID-19 across the country as 700 passengers were later found to be infected and spread the virus to friends and relatives around the country.

Watch Al Jazeeras 101 East documentary below.





08:00 GMT  Belgian hospitals stock up for possible second wave

Belgian hospitals are stockpiling drugs and protective kits and putting in place contingency plans amid a continuing spike in new COVID-19 infections that has forced the capital Brussels to make face masks compulsory in public spaces.

With nearly 10,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus so far, Belgium with a population of 11 million has one of the worlds highest death rates from COVID-19 per head.

A laboratory worker checks the coronavirus tests at the CHIREC Delta Hospital in Brussels [Yves Herman/Reuters]

In March and April, when the pandemic accelerated, Belgian hospitals struggled with a shortage of equipment and with administrative hurdles.

We have stocked up on curare, anaesthetics and antibiotics that allow us to last for two or three months during any second wave that might arise, chief physician Michel Dewever at the Delta Hospital in Brussels, told Reuters.

07:45 GMT  Paris declared red zone again

The French government has declared Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone area around Marseille on the Mediterranean coast as red zones with a high coronavirus infection risk, according to a new government decree.

The decree gives local authorities the power to limit the circulation of people and vehicles, to restrict the access to public transport and air travel, to limit the access to public buildings and to close some establishments where there is a high risk of infection.

The measure follows a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections over the past two weeks.

Cyclists ride past the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France [Kiran Ridley/Getty Images]

07:30 GMT  Latest coronavirus figures

Indonesia: 135,123 cases (2,307), 6,021 deaths (53)

Philippines: 153,660 cases (6,216), 2,442 deaths (16)

Russia: 912,823 cases (5,056), 15,498 deaths (114)

Ukraine: 87,872 cases (1,732), 2,011 deaths (0)

Hello, this is Saba Aziz in Doha, Qatar, taking over from my colleague Zaheena Rasheed.

06:45 GMT  UK says it has no choice over quarantine for French arrivals

The UK had no choice but to impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France from Saturday to protect public health domestically, Transport Minister Grant Shapps said.

Its a dynamic situation, and I dont think that anybody  would want us to do anything other than protect public health and public safety, Shapps told Sky News.

That does mean where we see countries breach a certain level of cases  then we have no real choice but to act, he added.





06:35 GMT  New Zealand extends Auckland virus lockdown by 12 days

New Zealand extended a lockdown of its largest city Auckland by at least 12 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced, as authorities struggled with a growing new coronavirus outbreak.

Cabinet has agreed to maintain our current settings for an additional 12 days, bringing us to a full two weeks in total, Ardern said.

Since four people tested positive on Tuesday  the first cases of community transmission in 102 days  New Zealand has detected a cluster of 30 cases.

Most of those cases have been found around Auckland, a city of 1.5 million people who have been asked to stay at home.

Authorities are still struggling to find out how the virus returned to New Zealand, which had earned global praise for its handling of the crisis.

06:15 GMT  Vietnam to buy Russian COVID-19 vaccine

Vietnams health ministry has registered to buy a Russian COVID-19 vaccine as the Southeast Asian country fights a new outbreak following months of no local cases.

Russia said the first batch of the worlds first COVID-19 vaccine would be rolled out within two weeks, rejecting as groundless the safety concerns aired by some experts over Moscows rapid approval of the drug.

In the meantime, Vietnam will still continue developing the countrys own COVID-19 vaccine, state broadcaster Vietnam Television said, citing Vietnams Ministry of Health.

The ministry did not say how many doses of the Russian vaccine it had ordered, or when it expected to receive them. Vietnams home-grown vaccine will be available by the end of 2021, the ministry said last month.

04:54 GMT  Indias death toll now worlds fourth highest

Indias coronavirus death toll overtook the United Kingdoms to become the fourth-highest in the world as authorities reported another single-day record increase in infections.

According to the health ministry, India reported 1,007 deaths in the past 24 hours. Its total rose to 48,040 deaths, behind the US, Brazil and Mexico.

Indias confirmed cases reached 2,461,190 with a one-day spike of 64,553 cases reported in the past 24 hours, the ministry said. The South Asian country reported 66,999 cases on Thursday.





03:53 GMT  New Zealand virus outbreak spreads beyond Auckland

New Zealands Health Minister Chris Hipkins said two of the 13 new infections reported on Friday were found in the North Island town of Tokoroa, about 210km (130 miles) south of Auckland, the site of the countrys latest outbreak.

But Hipkins played down fears the virus could now be rampant elsewhere.

All of the cases so far are connected, they are all part of one Auckland-based cluster, thats good news, he said, adding that the Tokoroa cases were identified quickly.

Police and military personnel check vehicles leaving Auckland at a COVID-19 checkpoint outside the city [David Rowland/ AFP]

03:19 GMT  New Zealand reports 13 new cases

Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealands director general of health, said the country recorded 12 new confirmed cases and another probable case of the coronavirus.

All but one of the cases had been linked to an existing cluster of cases in Auckland, while the 13th was still under investigation.

We are now asking that all positive cases and, where relevant, their family members or household members, transfer to the quarantine Auckland facility in Auckland for those Auckland based cases, Bloomfield said.

02:40 GMT  S Korea logs biggest one-day jump in local cases since March-end

South Korea reported 103 new coronavirus cases, of which 85 were locally transmitted.

The figure marks the highest one-day jump in domestic cases since the end of March, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said authorities will be forced to consider elevating social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area  something policymakers had been reluctant to do over economic concerns  if transmissions continue to rise. Eighty-three of the new cases were logged in the capital.

The vast majority of Fridays cases were reported in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area [Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters]

He pleaded for citizen vigilance during a three-day holiday that continues through Monday and criticised plans by some activist groups to hold rallies in Seoul on the weekend despite the citys ban.

02:00 GMT  North Korea lifts virus lockdown in border town

Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, has lifted a lockdown in a city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries, according to state media.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim made the decision at a party meeting on Thursday. The North Korean leader said it was clear after three weeks that the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for cooperating with the lockdown.

Kim also insisted the country will keep its borders shut and rejected any outside help as Pyongyang carries out an aggressive anti-virus campaign and rebuilds thousands of houses, roads and bridges damaged by heavy rain and floods in recent weeks.

Read more here.

01:45 GMT  Peru surpasses 500,000 cases

Peru surpassed half a million coronavirus cases on Thursday and now has Latin Americas highest death rate, according to health ministry data.

The Andean country has 507,996 confirmed cases and 25,648 related fatalities. Perus death rate stands at 78.6 per 100,000 people, according to a Reuters tally, a number higher than hard-hit regional neighbours Chile and Brazil.

President Martin Vizcarra blamed the recent spike in infections on an uptick in social and sporting events and a lax attitude by the public.

There has been too much confidence on the part of the population, Vizcarra said. Lets learn from history, correct mistakes and now we are united despite the discrepancies in some of the decisions that are made.

Vizcarra on Wednesday banned family gatherings, reinstated a blanket Sunday curfew and extended lockdowns to five more regions of the country as figures revealed a 75 percent surge in infections among children and adolescents.

Images of the 125 doctors who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru are displayed outside Perus Medical College (CMP) in Lima on August 13, 2020 [Ernesto Benavides/AFP]

Funerary employees in protective suits prepare to lower the coffin into the ground during the burial of a COVID-19 patient at the local cemetery in the remote Aymara highland village of Acora, close to the border with Bolivia, on August 9, 2020 [File: Carlos Mamani/AFP]

01:37 GMT  Mexicos caseload tops 500,000

Mexicos health ministry reported 7,371 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 627 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 505,751 cases and 55,293 deaths.

The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

01:10 GMT  Governor of Venezuelas capital district dies of COVID-19

Dario Vivas, the governor of Venezuelas Caracas capital district and strong ally of President Nicolas Maduro, died on Thursday of COVID-19, officials said.

Vivas, 70, a senior member of the ruling socialist party, had said on Twitter on July 19 that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was going into self-isolation.

He died in combat  taking care of his health and all of us in this difficult battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez wrote on Twitter.

Vivas is the first top-level Venezuelan government official to die of the virus, though several have tested positive.

Dario Viva, right, died on Thursday, almost a month after testing positive for COVID-19, according to officials [Federico Parra/AFP]

00:48 GMT  France warns of reciprocal measure over UK quarantine move

Clement Beaune, French junior minister for European affairs, said the United Kingdoms decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France was one that we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure.

France hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible, Beaune said on Twitter.

On Thursday, France recorded 2,669 new infections, its highest daily number since May.

00:32 GMT  France, Netherlands added to UK quarantine list

The UK will impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France, the Netherlands, Malta and three other countries, transport minister Grant Shapps said.

Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN, Shapps said on Twitter.

If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN. If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.  Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 13, 2020

00:18 GMT  Trump attacks Biden on call for mask mandate

US President Donald Trump attacked his rival, Joe Biden, for calling on governors to mandate face coverings in public for the next three months.

We do not need to bring the full weight of the federal government down on law-abiding Americans to accomplish this goal. Americans must have their freedoms, said Trump.

I trust the American people and their governors very much. I trust the American people. And the governors want to do the right thing to make the smart decisions. And Joe doesnt.

Earlier on Thursday, Biden, the presumptive presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, called for a nationwide mask mandate, citing health experts predictions that this could save 40,000 lives over the next three months.





Hello and welcome to Al Jazeeras continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Im Zaheena Rasheed in Male, Maldives.

For all the key developments from yesterday, August 13, go here.
Lucknow, Aug 14 : Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday arrested Dalpat, the man accused of kidnapping and brutally raping a six-year-old girl in Hapur district.

Dalpat, was shot in the leg when he snatched a policeman's gun and tried to flee after his arrest, said the police who managed to arrest him more than a week after the minor girl was attacked.

The girl was kidnapped on August 6 evening when she was playing outside her house in Garhmukteshwar Kotwali area. She was found a day later in critical condition in a field where the accused left her to die. The victim has been undergoing treatment in Meerut and her condition remains critical.

Hapur police chief Sanjeev Suman said: "Dalpat was taken to the site of the crime for investigation after his arrest where he snatched a policeman's pistol and tried to fire at them. He was hit on the leg in retaliatory firing, and has been admitted to a hospital." The doctor at the hospital said Dalpat has a bullet injury in his leg but was out of danger.

Dalpat will be interrogated as soon as he is out of the hospital, a police official added.

Earlier this week, the police had released a photo of Dalpat, days after three sketches were released based on the statements of the girl's parents and neighbours. For the last few days Dalpat carried a reward of Rs 50,000 as police sought information about the attacker and was under pressure to solve the case.

Earlier on Friday, the Amroha police had found a set of clothes, an identity card and a purported suicide note from Dalpat that said that he did not want to be killed in an encounter and was choosing other means to end his life. "I know I will be killed in an encounter and I do not want to die like that. I will choose my own means to end life. Please do not harass my children," the note read.

The police, however, were suspicious about the note and said it could be an attempt to mislead the investigations. "Till we trace him or his body or any evidence to corroborate it, we are not going to rely on the suicide note. We are trying to match the handwriting on suicide note with the original," said a senior police official.

The 'suicide' note were found near Mehmoodpur village in Amroha, where accused Dalpat Singh lived. The villagers had reportedly spotted Dalpat with country-made liquor on the outskirts of his native village on Monday and informed the police. But Dalpat gave the police team a slip.
"World On Fire" (series streaming on SonyLIV); Cast: Sean Bean, Helen Hunt, Julia Brown, Jonah Hauer-King, Zofia Wichlacz, Brian J. Smith, Ewan Mitchell, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Lesley Manville; Created by: Peter Bowker; Rating: * * * (three stars)By Vinayak Chakravorty World War drama for the screen always has a quaint allure. It has an element of predictability, too. The set design, the shot capture, the ominous milieu and protagonists that fill the frames, the drama woven around the horrors of war and the hope of love -- these are all too familiar but all too delightful as the plot moves.

Acclaimed British playwright and screenwriter Peter Bowker scripts "World On Fire", a drama in seven episodes set against several cities in Europe during the onset of World War II. Purists be warned, questions have been raised about historical accuracy of the show, though viewers who prefers not to be strict about authenticity may find it strikingly narrated.

Bowker's script is primarily character-driven, capturing the lives of fictional ordinary people in the first year of World War II across the continent. We meet the young Harry Chase (Jonah Hauer-King) and his girlfriend Lois Bennett (Julia Brown) in Manchester. With the advent of war, Harry must leave for Warsaw to take up a translator's job at the British embassy, leaving Lois to juggle between her factory job and a family that banks on her, including her father (Sean Bean) and brother (Ewan Mitchell).

Away from home, Harry is irresistibly drawn to a Polish girl, Kasia (Zofia Wichlacz). As the story moves, he also gets to know the American war journalist Nancy Campbell (Helen Hunt), who is concerned about her nephew (Brian J. Smith), a doctor in love with a man of colour.

The Nazis capture Poland, Europe stares at ugly war, and the intertwined stories of these fictional characters are in for massive turmoil.

The series entails standard war violence that keeps you engaged, though the interlude drama portions could seem dragging at times. The asset that the series really banks on is its cast. The ensemble cast plays out the protagonists with conviction. "World On Fire" benefits from an all-round show of fine performances.

Where the series slips is in trying to be overtly didactic. There seems to be a certain desperation among makers of fiction for the screen these days to drive home as many messages of political correctness as possible through the story. "World On Fire" does not escape the trap. Characters of the 1940s react to issues such as homosexuality, feminism and refugee woes as if they were living in 2020, and the effort somewhat loses its sheen of authenticity. It is something that prevents an otherwise enjoyable BBC-produced drama from really making the BBC level.

(Vinayak Chakravorty can be reached at vinayak.c@ians.in)
Iconic wrestler Hulk Hogan will be flexing his 24-inch pythons for Niagara Falls artist Jaswinder Singh soon.

The WWE legend will be auctioning off a portrait Singh did of him for an upcoming event, with the proceeds going to a charity of Singhs choice.

This is a really, really special painting, brother, Hogan said in a video posted on his Hogans Beach Shop Facebook page Aug. 8.

Jaswinder hit the nail on the head to make a portrait of the greatest of all time.

Though Hogan doesnt specify what day the auction will be, he indicates it will be next week some time. In classic Hulk style, he also asks: Whatcha going to do when Jaswinder and Hulk Hogan run wild on you?

Living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, Singh says he used wrestling to cope as a child, when he barely spoke any English.

My cousin would help me with my homework, like math, he says. I hated it, because I was struggling, but she promised if I did it we could do a drawing of Hulk Hogan. So I did.

As he became a more accomplished artist, exhibiting in many local galleries, the Stamford Collegiate grad did several artist and athlete portraits. But Hogan remained his favourite, and he dreamed of one day getting a portrait signed.

He saw his chance in 2014 when Hogan appeared at Fan Expo in Toronto. Spotting Singh and his large painting in the crowd, Hogan nudged past security to go meet him.

The following year, Singh visited Hogans Beach Shop in Florida, where he met one of his online friends, Ron Howard (not the actor/director). It was Howard who suggested Singh mail one of his portraits to Hogan so he could sign it and auction it off.

For Singh, the upcoming auction helps erase the pain of not having a Niagara Falls Comic Con this year. He was scheduled to be one of the featured artists for the annual event at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, until it was postponed because of COVID-19.

RELATED STORIES Entertainment Niagara Falls Comic Con cancels September show, plans to return in 2021

Jaswinder is the epitome of an entrepreneur, says Comic Con co-organizer Chris Dabrowski.

Over the past 10 years Ive had the pleasure of getting to know Jas and supporting his artistic efforts. Hard work pays off, and when a pop culture icon like Hulk Hogan asks to partner with you, you know youve made it.

I am really proud of Jas, hes a true inspiration.
Yes, a century: In the aftermath of World War I, the victorious colonialists of Britain and France carved up authority over remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire. The exercise was not a smashing success for anyone involved. But from that turbulent process came a period of British authority over lands spanning the River Jordan, whose rich and contentious history  the first few thousand years, anyway  is recorded in the Bible. From the outset of the British Mandate, as this period was known, the government in London supported the right of the Jewish diaspora around the world to return to a portion of this land and establish a nation.
Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Barwa Bank Q.S.C.

Global Credit Research - 13 Aug 2020

Limassol, August 13, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Barwa Bank Q.S.C. and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit. The review was conducted through a portfolio review in which Moody's reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers. The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody's practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion.

This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future. Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.

Key rating considerations are summarized below.

Barwa Bank Q.S.C. (Barwa) A2 long term deposit rating is driven by the bank's baa3 Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Moody's assumption of a very high likelihood of support from the Government of Qatar (rated Aa3) which translates into four notches of uplift.

The bank's baa3 BCA captures its solid domestic franchise strengthened following the merger with International Bank of Qatar (IBQ), making it the third largest Islamic bank in Qatar. It also takes into account the bank's modestly improved asset quality and profitability. However, these strengths are moderated by high balance sheet concentration and high reliance on market funding.

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This document summarizes Moody's view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period.

The principal methodology used for this review was Banks Methodology published in November 2019. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

This announcement applies only to EU rated and EU endorsed ratings. Non EU rated and non EU endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit.

This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.

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Instagram is to Gucci-wearing buccaneers what The Lonely Planet is to shoestring backpackers. Inspiring everything from jealousy to your next #vacay, the platform is fast becoming where you go to decide where to go (plus: what to do when you get there).

Whether youre after the coolest Byron Bay waterfalls, the best Nasi Goreng in Bali or the quirkiest place to pose on the French Riviera, Instagram has your back.

Inspired by a FOMO-inducing scroll of said platform, and with the world in various stages of lockdown, DMARGE hit up Istanbul-based luxury yacht manager Candas Balci, to ask which lavish destinations his clients will be keenest to head back to as soon as normality resumes.

While Candas told us its a very busy season in Turkey right now thats because his clients can only cruise locally. Once The Pandemic situation eases, Candas says the first places he believes The Super Rich will flock to are: the south of France, Italy, Ibiza, Sardinia and St Tropez.

For one or two years they will stay locally on the Turkish coasts, Greek Islands maybe [which has a more relaxed policy currently in place for visitors] after that  very busy days for Ibiza and St Tropez.

Cannes, Antibes, Portofino, and Monaco are on Candas clients hit lists too.

This in mind, DMARGE researched what youre likely to find in each location. Keen for a peek behind the veil?

These are the destinations some of the worlds super-rich are keenest to head back to, and a brief rundown on each.

St Tropez

View this post on Instagram Sooner than later #sttropez #vivelesvacances #riviera #romyschneider A post shared by SVENJA KATHARINA FRISCH (@svenjakatharinafrisch) on Jul 9, 2020 at 3:04pm PDT

Known for bars, yachts, clubs and beaches St Tropez hit the big time in the 1950s when Brigitte Bardot arrived to film a movie with her then-husband, Roger Vadim. The places youthful exuberance, arty independence and hedonistic living readily secured it a place in most travellers must see locale lists.

The Instagram hashtag St Tropez suggests little has changed, with holiday goers enjoying the sunny French hotspotss natural beauty, local desserts, cakes, shops and sand (theres even a signature St Tropez tan), as well as wishing for a time when theyll be able to return (see: captions like: sooner rather than later and take me back).

Antibes

Its not just British retirees: the young and glamourous also visit Antibes  some of them aboard superyachts (though the exclusive villas the place is known for are not to be sneered at).

Antibes, a coastal city in the Alpes-Maritimes department of southeastern France, on the Cote dAzur between Cannes and Nice, is a place wed argue its hard not to have fun.

Ibiza

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  (@javiittc) on Jun 17, 2020 at 12:35pm PDT

Despite its reputation for sweaty trance music and cheap cocktails, Ibiza is also home to a refreshing landscape, excellent ports for superyachts and  of course  has exclusive clubs and music experiences most inner ear explorers would sell their soul for.

Sardinia

Known for, among other things, pristine waters, roast suckling pig and the mafia, Sardinia truly is a pleasure-seekers paradise. But that doesnt stop travellers from making hilarious faux pas (or engaging in some guilty holiday habits). Our favourites?

The natural but staged photo

View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@auroraacadau) on Jul 12, 2020 at 1:06pm PDT

 and the gratuitous selfie.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carlos Lopes (@lpscarlos72) on Jul 12, 2020 at 5:11pm PDT

Portofino

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel Stories | Leisure (@travelstories.world) on Jul 8, 2020 at 10:37am PDT

Lets be real for a second: Portofino is so fine, almost any holiday indulgence can be excused. In light of that, travellers penchant for posting envy inducing scenes, posing in cliche postures and generally living it up while you slave away in an office can actually be forgiven (though some could still do with a tutorial on how to hold court with a wine glass).

Monaco

Only in Monaco would videos emerge of a holiday goer walking on a treadmill on a superyacht whilst watching formula one.

Your move, Contiki.

Read Next
Queensland's daily tally of new COVID-19 cases has risen from two to three as health officials confirm another crew member aboard a cargo ship off the state's coast has tested positive.

Earlier on Friday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said one crew member aboard the cargo ship had tested positive but subsequent testing of the rest of the crew later revealed another infected patient.

Three existing COVID-19 patients connected to a trip to Melbourne last month have also been released from the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Credit:Bradley Kanaris

Queensland Health said in a statement both crew members would be transferred to shore and admitted to Townsville University Hospital. All other crew tested negative.

The other case in Queensland on Friday was a man in his 30s, who tested positive in hotel quarantine after returning from Sydney. He remained in hotel quarantine on the Gold Coast.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) - Senator Leila De Lima has filed a motion for bail in her second drug case saying that evidence against her are not strong to prove that she is guilty of engaging in illegal drug trade.

Given all the witnesses, opportunities, and time given to the Prosecution thus far, it has failed to present strong evidence that Accused De Lima is guilty of the charge of conspiracy to engage in illegal drug trading, read the second motion before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 205.

This is her second case pending in the same court, where she previously filed a similar motion asserting that evidence against her is weak.

The senator was arrested in 2017 for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison while she was the Justice secretary from 2010 to 2015.

The motion also stated that most witnesses who testified against De Lima admitted that they were just repeating what others stated, regarding her alleged participation in the conspiracy.

Moreover, even those who were presented by the prosecution as having firsthand knowledge on illegal drug transactions inside the national penitentiary, testified that they dont have an idea on the senators involvement, the motion said.

If the said alleged delivery [of money to her house] could not even be proven by competent, credible, and uninterested witnesses, much less can the allegation that Accused De Lima knowingly and willingly conspired with anyone to engage in illegal drug trade, read the motion.

It further said that granting De Lima's appeal to post bail is her constitutional right as there is no sufficient evidence against her.
BOULDER, COThe University of Colorado Boulder published a new dashboard this week to provide the public regularly updated information regarding the status of COVID-19 on campus.

The dashboard provides information on the number of diagnostic tests completed by CU Boulder Medical Services and the number of positive results.

It does not include testing results from CU Boulder staff, faculty, or students who may have been tested at a different site or with their own health care provider, university officials said.

Students moving into residence halls have been asked to complete a COVID-19 test within five days prior to move-in and arrive for move-in only if they have a negative result. In instances where students are unable to get a test completed on their own, the campus will be prepared to test students upon arrival.

This concentrated and proactive approach to testing is expected to lead to an increase in the number of positive cases recorded for the campus, said Dan Jones, associate vice chancellor for integrity, safety and compliance. This safety measure will allow the campus to better identify and isolate students who could have unknowingly spread the virus if they had not been tested.

Students who test positive upon arrival and live within a 250-mile radius of the campus may be asked to isolate in their permanent homes until cleared to move onto campus, with limited exceptions. Students unable to return to their permanent home will be provided with a space to isolate on campus.

With any large group of people coming to our community, particularly from areas where there are high levels of coronavirus activity, we will see increased transmission of this virus, said Jeff Zayach, Boulder County Public Health executive director. We are hopeful that the testing and isolation plan the university has in place will minimize any spread on campus and to the greater Boulder County community.

While the influx of new residents to the community will increase the overall number of people testing positive for COVID-19, Boulder County Public Health encourages residents to monitor the five-day rolling average of percent of positive tests metric as a more accurate reflection of virus activity and risk in the community. The goal is stay below five percent positivity.

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A low rate of positivity can be seen as a sign that enough of the population is being tested to make informed public health decisions. CU Boulder has reserved residential spaces on campus to accommodate students who need to isolate upon move-in or during the semester.

Density in residence halls has been reduced, about half of all courses will be conducted online or remotely and class sizes have been reduced to allow for increased physical distancing. All students must complete a COVID-19 safety and awareness course, wear face coverings while on campus and abide by local health orders.

All students with symptoms will have access to testing through CU Boulder Medical Services. In coordination with Boulder County Public Health, the campus has established its own contact tracing program to quickly track, respond and isolate probable cases. The campus is also going to implement a surveillance testing program to monitor the presence of COVID-19 and mitigate the spread.

This article originally appeared on the Boulder Patch
The Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, has knocked out another Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists camp at Tongule in the Lake Chad area of Northern Borno and eliminated scores of their fighters.

The coordinator, Defence Media Operations, John Enenche, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Enenche said that the air raid was in continuation of the air offensive against terrorist elements in the North East.

He noted that the airstrikes were conducted on August 12, following credible intelligence reports indicating terrorists activities in the village.

He said that the Air Task Force dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets to attack the location after confirmatory intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The mission showed the presence of a sizable number of the ISWAP elements at designated locations.

According to him, the NAF jets took turns in engaging the location, scoring devastating hits on the designated targets and leading to the destruction of the structures as well as the neutralisation of several ISWAP fighters.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commends the Air Task Force for their dedication and professionalism.

He urged them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements in the country, he said.

(NAN)
- Tellurian has scrapped three of its four gas pipelines in its Driftwood LNG Phase 1 project - and thats if the project moves forward at all. Scrapping three of the four pipelines, combined with finding cheaper sources of feedgas, will allow Tellurian to cut costs by 30%. Tellurian could revisit the viability of the pipelines in the future.

- Scorpios offshore support vessel company Hermitage Offshore Services (NYSE:PSV) filed for Chapter 11 protection this week after being unable to reach a deal with its creditors. All of Hermitage Offshores 28 subsidiaries have filed. The company has blamed low oil prices as a result of the pandemic.

- Saudi Aramco this week reported a $6.6 billion profit for Q2, with H1 profits dipping 50% from H1 2019 when net income reached almost $47 billion. Despite the profit shrinkage, Aramco is keeping its nearly $19 billion dividend payout. Aramco is still planning to boost production capacity to 13 million bpd (at some undisclosed point in the future) despite a planned capex cut to somewhere between $20 and $25 billion next year - down from more than $32 billion last year.

- The IEA has cut its 2020 oil production forecast by 140,000 bpd to 91.9 million bpd, sending the FTSE 100 index down 73 points. The IEA cited the airline industrys troubles as a key source of weakness in the oil market.

COVID Market Update

- The IEA has cut its 2020 oil production forecast by 140,000 bpd to 91.9 million bpd, sending the FTSE 100 index down 73 points. The IEA cited the airline industrys troubles as a key source of weakness in the oil market.

- Saudi Aramco this week reported a $6.6 billion profit for Q2, with H1 profits dipping 50% from H1 2019 when net income reached almost $47 billion. Despite the profit shrinkage, Aramco is keeping its nearly $19 billion dividend payout. Aramco is still planning to boost production capacity to 13 million bpd (at some undisclosed point in the future) despite a planned capex cut to somewhere between $20 and $25 billion next year - down from more than $32 billion last year.

- Scorpios offshore support vessel company Hermitage Offshore Services (NYSE:PSV) filed for Chapter 11 protection this week after being unable to reach a deal with its creditors. All of Hermitage Offshores 28 subsidiaries have filed. The company has blamed low oil prices as a result of the pandemic.

- Tellurian has scrapped three of its four gas pipelines in its Driftwood LNG Phase 1 project - and thats if the project moves forward at all. Scrapping three of the four pipelines, combined with finding cheaper sources of feedgas, will allow Tellurian to cut costs by 30%. Tellurian could revisit the viability of the pipelines in the future.

- Capital spending in Albertas oil industry is set to fall by a third this year, at just $16.6 billion. If realized, it would be the lowest spending since 2006. Alberta spends more than half of its total capital spending on oil and gas extraction. IHS Markit estimates that the spending cuts could actually be more, sinking the capex to less than $15 billion for 2020.

Discovery and Development

- GazpromNeft has made a new oil discovery in the Urals region, and is targeting production next year. The discovery at the Roshchinskoye oilfield has geological reserves of 29 million barrels.

- Shell is looking to purchase a 50% stake in private Indian refiner Nayara Energys $9 billion petrochemical project, owned in part by Russias Rosneft. The project will be owned equally by Shell and Nayara and will be completed within five years.

- As Vietnams crude oil production in the offshore Bach Ho field wanes, state-run PetroVietnams Dung Quat refinery is looking for alternatives. It is now testing Russian Sokol crude, where this week it successfully processed its first batch. Dung Qaut has also used WTI and Bonny Light last year.

Regulatory Updates

- Irans actual oil exports could be twice as high as US estimates, Tanker Trackers tweeted this week. The vessel tracking company has cited an Indian vessel that loaded cargo from an Iranian oil tanker before making its way into China. The vessel's ship tracking data did not correctly report the ships movements, nor did China report receiving any Iranian cargo. The incident highlights what many have suspected for months: Iran is probably exporting more oil than is being accounted for.

- The EPA is set to rescind methane requirements that would detect and fix greenhouse gas emissions. One of those is the rule that ensures that companies can detect methane leaks within their systems. The rules wouldnt apply to all wells; rather, to those drilled post-2016 and all future wells. The EPA has stated that the rules were merely duplicates of other rules currently in place.

- An August 10th ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has granted Louisiana local governments a major victory over oil companies, including the ability to use the state courts to seek billions in reparations from oil companies over receding coastline. At risk are Chevron and others who are accused of having destroyed coastal marshes and wetlands in violation of state regulations for the drilling of wells, the construction of canals and the disposal of waste, among other things. The implications are severe for both large and small-cap companies involved and open the door to a downpour of similar legislation.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

- Irans oil, gas, and petrochemical workers strike is now entering its 13th day. The strikes encompass workers from 46 refineries, companies, and factories in 20 separate cities. At the same time, Iran is attempting to counter mounting unrest by publicly considering allowing citizens to invest in domestic oil and gas on an Iranian exchange as part of efforts to counter the enemies oil embargo.

- A tanker that ran aground near Mauritius has spilled 1,300 tonnes of oil into the Indian Ocean, causing a flurry of individual cleanup efforts by locals - some of whom are even cutting off their hair to use to soak up the oil. Mauritius has declared a state of environmental emergency.

- Islamic State-linked fighters have taken control of a port town in Mozambique that serves as a key logistics hub for Total SAs $23-billion natural gas project, which is currently under construction. This is one to watch for high-level risk factors, as it is the third time in 2020 that insurgents have targeted the area, threatening the viability of this project.

- Earlier this month, we noted a secret deal that gave a previously unknown American oil company license to operate northeastern Syrian oilfields. Further to that intelligence, it is emerging that Kurdish forces (Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF) orchestrated the deal in an attempt to ensure loyalty and continued support by fickle American allies who had previously stood by and allowed the Turks to storm over the border and threaten the anti-Assad forces. Now the game will likely be to cut the Turks in on this oil deal and thus remove the Turkish threat to the Kurdish forces in the region.

- Further to the situation involving Iranian shipments of fuel to Venezuela, the Trump administration says it has seized the cargo of four tankers transporting Iranian fuel to prop up the Maduro regime on Thursday. This seizure follows federal prosecutors allegations that the fuel sale in question was orchestrated by a businessman with ties to Irans Revolutionary Guards. While there were questions as to whether the U.S. would be able to enforce a court order in international waters, threat tactics were employed to avoid a physical seizure of the cargo. The threat of sanctions reportedly forced the voluntary handover of the cargo.

Renewables

- Chevron is planning to build 500MW of renewable energy plants in the Permian to power its facilities and is investing in nuclear fusion start-up Zap Energy. Zap is an emerging Seattle-based start-up working on a modular nuclear reactor with the goal of achieving commercially scalable fusion. Both are major steps for the U.S. oil major that has been criticized for lagging behind its European peers who have made quick strides toward an energy transition.

- Equinor has appointed a new CEO to spur its renewable agenda. The new CEO - an engineer - will take over in November. Equinor is still planning to increase its oil and gas output 3% every year over the course of the next six years, although the new CEO said he would be willing to re-allocate capital from oil and gas toward renewables if the opportunities were right. The mandate for the new CEO is to accelerate Equinors development into a broad energy company. The first step to this transition was made a few years ago, when Equinor took on the Equinor name from its former name, Statoil.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi bid farewell to Ambassador designate to the United States of America Kitso Mokaila and High Commissioner designate to India Gilbert Mangole.The two newly appointed are retired politicians who served in the 2014 -2019 Parliament. Mokaila is also former cabinet minister.

Mangole, a former opposition Member of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Mokaila will leave any day from next week depending on the availability of flight connections to their respective destinations. Giving them his final word before they depart, Masisi told them individually that he was very glad that they have acceded to his request to go and serve our country at high positions. He sad he appointed Mokaila to represent the interests of the presidency and this country. "You know the history between Botswana and the USA countries and its people go back a long way.



"Over the years we had enormous projects that we have undertaken with the Americans and skipping over the major projects in the sectors of water, education, infrastructure, human capital development. "There is hardly anybody in senior management in government who did not study and benefitted from the USA". He implored Mokaila to focus his attention on cultivating very warm fraternal and mutually beneficial relationship with the American peoples and to promote Botswana's wildlife and economy given his experience, expertise and contacts.



Mokaila, a former minister of mineral and energy, is well acquainted with the diamond sector and Kimberlite process and hence is the best candidate to promote the country's minerals. Masisi reiterated that his government is committed to transforming Botswanas economy to a knowledge based economy. He said USA is one of the most successful spheres of influence in the knowledge economy space, they have got the infrastructure , human , financial capital assistance necessary to learn from and collaborate with.



He said Mokaila's whole term will be occupied with doing that, whether, it is in the agric space for our beef, our crops and vegetables or fishes , our wild game products ,diamonds , coal ,copper or whatever may come out if the value edition. In response Mokaila said it is an honour and privilege to be given this opportunity to serve the country. "I can only pledge to do my best specifically to the tourism, ITC I go there knowing that I am armed enough".



Turning to Mangole, Masisi said Botswana and India have many commonalties chief among which is the parliamentary  minister influence of democratic dispensation. Now that you are a public servant, it is my hope that with the skills and talents that you have, particularly in the field of economic trade, you can advance Botswanas interests. He said Botswana and India have very strong relations in the diamond space.



"As Botswana we have the resources, but India has the funds and the population, " he said. In response Mangole said he was shocked to receive a call from the president. I never expected what was to come out but when you imparted a request to me and my wife, I felt so honoured that given the recent interactions in the political space you found it fit nonetheless to appoint me to high office. "Let me assure you that I will do my best to fulfil the mandate that you bestowed upon me.



"The bottom line is I am a Motswana first I will do everything in my power of course within the bounds of human error to do my best to serve the country and not disappoint you. "I am very much looking forward to your state visit in India and let me assure you that once that becomes possible, I am sure we will have taken one or two steps" .






























For a book that attempts to demystify some myths around the opinion-splitting figure of Jerry John Rawlings, Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings was bound to create controversies.



It is therefore unsurprising that since it was released, the book has dominated discussions and even led to threats of suits by some people who feel misrepresented by Ahwois account of events under the Rawlings regime.



Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has become a subject of discuourse for writing the forward as well as reviewing a book that in the wisdom of some people, seeks to denigrate the founder of the NDC.



It is however worth noting that, the renowned educationist was not the only person that reviewed the book.



The book passed through the hands of five other prominent Ghanaians some of whom worked closely with Rawlings in his nineteen-year reign as Ghana president.



Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan



The former EC boss is one the eminent Ghanaians who had the privilege of reading the book before its release.



His works on the book was acknowledged by the writer who praised him for making grammatical and editorial corrections.



Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Ghanas longest-serving chairman of the Electoral Commission and the man that I discovered and who ultimately climbed to that position also reviewed the entire manuscript. He paid particular attention to the factual presentation, especially in the areas that he was involved



But he also had time for grammatical and editorial corrections. I still laugh when I remember the quip that he put in his comments, Ahwoi wrote in the book.



Tsatsu Tsikata



The legal luminary was also one of the persons who reviewed the book.



Tsatsus work on the book was focused on his area of specialty which is law.



Tsatsu was not really a reviewer but he helped me out particularly in the area of any possible infractions of defamation laws and for factual accuracy and linguistic correctness.



Nana Ato Dadzie and Totobi-Quakyi



The two long-term NDC members also had some experience with the book before Awhoi finally released it.



Nana Ato Dadzie, Secretary of PNDC and Chief of Staff to President Rawlings and, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, variously Minister of Information and Minister of National Security were two other reviewers. I walked the entire nineteen years working with Rawlings with them, so what I know, they know, Ahwoi stated in the acknowledgment.



Comfort Naa Lomotso Ahwoi



She is the wife of Professor Kwamena Ahwoi and as stated in the book, theyve been married for thirty-five years.



Professor Ahwoi refers to her as the sixth reviewer. Her work he said, drew my attention to sections of the book where traditional patriarchy of the Ghanaian society threatened to show its hand.

Source: ghanaweb.com









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

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A 61-year-old woman has died of COVID-19 complications, the 21st fatality related to coronavirus in Vietnam.

Hanoi officials check the PCR testing task at a local hospital.

The news was announced Friday morning by the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control who also said there has been six new cases detected, including a six-year-old boy.

The latest fatality is a woman from Hoa Vang District in Da Nang City. She had a number of underlying medical conditions including type-2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

On July 10 she was admitted to Da Nang Hospital. After being discharged from hospital a week later, she then began showing signs of fever, complained of tiredness and had difficulty breathing. She came back to hospital on July 21.

On July 31 after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 she was isolated at the Hoa Vang District Medical Center.

Her condition worsened and she was placed on a ventilator to help her breath before being transferred to the Da Nang Lung Hospital.

The number of daily-detected Covid-19 cases in Vietnam.

On Wednesday she developed septic shock, acute liver failure, acute kidney damage, a severe drop in blood pressure and irreversible vasomotor disorder. She was pronounced dead at 10pm.

The cause of death has been recorded as pneumonia caused by COVID-19 complications, severe respiratory failure, septic shock with multi-organ damage, hypertension and obesity.

Meanwhile of the six new cases announced Friday morning, three are from Hai Duong Province, a 72-year-old woman, a 17-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman. They all came into contact with the 867th patient.

Three patients are from Quang Nam Province, a 38-year-old woman, a six-year-old boy and a 79-year-old man. They are relatives of the 722nd patient.

Earlier, on August 13 evening two more deaths related to COVID-19 and 22 new cases were announced. Both patients had serious underlying health conditions.

Of the 22 cases, 14 of them were reported in Da Nang City, two others in the neighbouring province of Quang Nam, one in Quang Tri Province and five imported cases who were quarantined after arriving Vietnam.

The two people who lost their lives were an 83-year-old woman from Quang Nam Province and an 87-year-old man in Quang Ngai Province.

The woman was being treated for heart failure at Quang Nam Hospital since July 27 and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus on August 2.

Her cause of death has been recorded as COVID-19 complications, severe respiratory failure, septic shock, irreversible multiorgan failure colon tumour, and atrophic malnutrition.

The man who died was suffering from hypertension and diabetes type 2 for many years. His cause of death was hypertension, diabetes type two, heart failure due to old myocardial infarction, multiorgan failure and COVID-19.

There has now been a total of 911 people testing positive for coronavirus since the first case was detected back in January.

A further four people have recovered from the virus, taking the total number of patients successfully treated to 425.

Meanwhile, after a number of cases were suspected relating to a patient in Hai Duong City, the administration has enforced strict social distancing measures for 15 days from the stroke of midnight on Thursday night. VNS/VNN

Compiled by Le Ha
Robert McKeown and his 16-year-old daughter gently turned the pages of a 117-year-old Bible this week that is a piece of their family inheritance.

Inside the cover of the pocket-sized book was McKeowns name. But the inscriptions scattered throughout the pages belonged to a different Bob McKeown  the one who had received the Bible as a gift from his mother in 1903, and carried it with him throughout his service in the First World War.

The younger Robert, who goes by the name Doug, hadnt known the Bible-turned-diary existed until that morning. Now, his daughter was reading words penned by her great-great-grandfather at what must have been the most harrowing part of his life.

The two found a flower petal pressed inside, placed there sometime in the past century.

It sends chills up your spine. Its very overwhelming, McKeown told the Star while driving from London, Ont., to Toronto to retrieve the Bible. Its a gift from God that this has happened.

The Bible-owning McKeown entered the war as a private in 1915 and became a captain who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, his great-grandson said. He went on to live long enough to meet Doug and his brother, Dennis, who knew him as great-grandpa Bob.

Doug and Dennis had always been determined to preserve stories about their great-grandfather throughout their lives. Now here was a gateway, in Bobs own words.

It came by way of Toronto resident Theo Poot, who found the Bible discarded in a semi-industrial area, then took to social media, and eventually the Toronto Star, in an attempt to find its roots.

He had limited information to work with: the name Robert McKeown, who was married to Maud McKeown, and an address listed as the place it should be returned if found.

A navy reservist who has researched war artifacts on his own and with his son, an air force member, Poot said he felt he was holding something that would be a treasure to family members.

There was one entry about how it was a really horrible day, five casualties, Poot had said. There were parts of it that were scribbled out  you werent allowed to keep a diary in World War I.

Putting it on a shelf in my house means nothing to me; but if that was my grandad, that would mean the world to me, he said. I would like to return it to where it belongs and enjoy the ride of doing the research.

So he used the name to pull up McKeowns military records, and posted about the Bible on social media, hoping someone, somewhere, might know something. He attracted the attention of 27-year-old TikToker Lindsay Graves, herself a First World War family history researcher, who helped amplify the message about Poots unique find.

It was McKeowns daughters boyfriends sister who read about the Bible in the Star and passed the news onto the family.

Doug and Dennis looked over the details. The names matched. The service records matched. They even had old photos of the house at the address listed, which is no longer standing.

So, 117 years after he had received the Bible as a Christmas present, Bob McKeowns descendants found themselves on their way to bring it back into the family.

When the younger Robert McKeown and his wife, Linda, went to Poots home in Toronto to retrieve the Bible, they struck an instant camaraderie rooted in their shared passion for preserving history, and brought together, ultimately, by McKeowns Bible.

University of British Columbia historian David Borys said that such personal writing from troops during the First World War, even though it was officially discouraged in case of intelligence leaks, was fairly common, and that the resulting records lend a lot to war historians.

Thankfully, we have many of them today and they are extremely valuable windows into the lives of individuals during such unimaginable times.

Correction - Aug. 18, 2020: This article was edited from a previous version that misstated the age of the Bible as 130. In fact, it is a 117.
The city of Worcester is providing free coronavirus testing on Friday from noon to 6 p.m. at Worcester Common outside city hall. Each person tested will also receive a free mask and hand sanitizer.

UMass Memorial Healthcare partnered with the city to provide the free services at 455 Main St.

Appointments for the testing are not necessary.

Those obtaining a coronavirus test can also get a free flu shot with an insurance card.

@TweetWorcester and @umassmemorial are offering FREE COVID TESTING TODAY, Friday August 14th from 12pm-6pm on the City Hall Common. This is a great opportunity to get tested at no cost, and get your flu vaccine! pic.twitter.com/CVGqnmkbpB  Anna Maria College (@goannamaria) August 14, 2020

Health officials are encouraging the public more than ever to get a flu shot this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As soon as the flu vaccine is on the market ... people (should) make an appointment with their primary care physician to get it or when the clinics start to promote it, said Dr. Mark Kenton, chief of the emergency department at Mercy Medical Center.

Complications caused by influenza as well as coronavirus can prove fatal and some populations are at increased risk.

The flu vaccine cannot prevent a COVID-19 infection, but it can protect against the flu and weaken the symptoms from the infection as well.

Worcester saw 70 new COVID-19 cases this week, a decrease from the 97 seen the week prior.

Worcester had gone three weeks straight where there was a week-to-week increase in cases.

On July 16, the city reported 43 new cases and then the following week, the city reported 63 new cases.

The weekly numbers then reached to 88 new cases in the citys July 30 report and 97 new cases in the Aug. 5 report.

Related Content:
School students perform during the full dress rehearsal for Independence Day parade, at Mini Stadium in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir on August 13. (Image: PTI)

If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear: George Orwell

As another Independence Day nears, the shrinking space for freedom of expression in India is a cause for great concern. Over the years the leeway even for reasoned debate has been eroded to such an extent that today one can debate on sensitive topics only by putting oneself at physical risk. Just about anything can be deemed sensitive.

When Article 19 (1) of our Constitution was being drafted by the founding fathers of our nation, they did say that all citizens will have the right to freedom of speech and expression, but then they made it clear that such freedom was not absolute, and was subject to restrictions by the State. The problem arose when they outlined these restrictions without defining them in detail, which meant that the State could find virtually anything objectionable.

For example, violation of decency and morality was one basis on which freedom of speech and expression could be restricted. However, what was indecent and immoral was left to be decided on a discretionary basis. So too for several other restrictions. This has led to States interpreting the law in the manner they deemed fit, leading to a virtual assault on the freedom of speech and expression.

The explosion of social media has led to several situations where inflammatory and objectionable material, which would have never found its way to print, is freely circulated to audiences of hundreds of thousands. The State is certainly justified in taking action when such material is prejudicial to maintenance of law and order, but often such posts have not elicited action. Instead, government after government has been cracking down and arresting those who put up social media posts abusing chief ministers or other government or political functionaries.

In the last two years we have seen such arrests in most states, but notably Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Kerala, Tripura, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Why the Chief Ministers can't sue these people for defamation is beyond comprehension. After all, these are personal posts against an individual who happens to occupy a public office. They may be slanderous, libellous or defamatory, but how are they a threat to the State? Yet such posts are often met with arrests.

During the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, a man in Puducherry who posted objectionable material against Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance and Home Minister P Chidambaram, was arrested despite the fact that at the time of the incident Karti Chidambaram was not holding any public office. Thus, the message is clear. You write critical posts about those in power at your own peril. Everyone from the social media user to the journalist and cartoonist is at risk.

India's rank in the World Press Freedom Index has fallen to a sorry 142 out of 180 countries. RSF, the organisation that publishes this ranking, says in its latest report that the pressure on the media to toe the Hindu nationalist governments line has increased. The co-ordinated hate campaigns waged on social networks against journalists who dare to speak or write about subjects that annoy Hindutva followers are alarming. Criminal prosecutions are meanwhile often used to gag journalists critical of the authorities, with some prosecutors invoking Section 124a of the penal code, under which sedition is punishable by life imprisonment.

Even cinema, a traditional medium of expressing angst against the system is lying low for fear of not knowing who would get offended by what and the consequences of such actions.

To be fair this is an issue where almost every political party must share the blame. Whether it is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Congress, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) or the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or the Trinamool Congress Party (TMC), every party has stifled uncomfortable voices leading to the erosion of a valuable freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Emergency may be an oft quoted example, but over the years there has been a gradual and creeping assault on the freedom of speech and expression. In many ways this has been far more dangerous. The U-turn taken before the Supreme Court by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government on Section 66A of the IT Act shows how all parties wish to retain the power to throttle discordant voices and control public perception. One difference between the earlier days and the present is that those who carry out the assaults on freedom now hunt in packs. Backed by armies of online trolls and paid agents, the creation of a dangerous narrative is a lot quicker.

Freedom of speech and expression is one the core principles at the heart of a true democracy. A genuinely nationalist narrative must ensure that all opinions are heard, however uncomfortable they may be. As Patrick Henry, one of the founding fathers of the United States, said, The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government  lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. In India that time of domination has long arrived. It is time for every Indian to introspect.
Vietnam, China discuss measures to promote bilateral trade

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce jointly held the 9th Meeting of the Vietnam-China Working Group on Economic and Trade Cooperation via an online form for the first time on August 13.









A container truck carrying goods to be exported to China at Tan Thanh Border Gate in Lang Son Province.



The annual event is organised to discuss solutions to address difficulties regarding economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.



Since the organisation of the 8th meeting in December 2019, a number of issues have been handled including Chinas admission of Vietnamese dairy products for export to China, Chinas restoration of exporter status to three Vietnamese companies to export fishmeal to China, and Chinas recognition of the Dong Dang-Pingxiang railway to be eligible to be used to export fruit to the Chinese market.



Notably, Vietnam-China trade revenues were maintained and indeed expanded in the early months of 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.



Director of the Asian and African Markets Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Le Hoang Oanh, suggested the two sides extend clearance times and restore import and export activities of goods at Vietnam-China border markets and gates.



She also suggested market opening for Vietnamese agricultural products and the establishment of a Vietnam Trade Promotion Office in Chengdu city in Sichuan province as well as boosting trade promotion and business transactions on online platforms.



The Ministry of Commerce of China said it would coordinate with the relevant ministries, branches and localities in China to study and implement Vietnam's recommendations while promptly resolving existing issues in bilateral trade relations.



The Chinese side also proposed several issues related to bilateral trade cooperation including Vietnams support for Chinese experts and investors to enter Vietnam, the acceleration of the handover progress of the Cat Linh  Ha Dong urban railway project, and others.



Trade revenue between Vietnam and China reached US$65.17 billion in the first seven months of 2020, up 4.79% over the same period in 2019.



China continues to be the largest trade partner of Vietnam and Vietnam has become the seventh largest trading partner of China.
US spy plane following civilian aircraft in S. China Sea risks confrontation: experts

Global Times

By Guo Yuandan Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/13 0:36:57

A Hong Kong-based media outlet on Wednesday reported that the US military spy aircraft E-8C was first recognized as a civilian flight during a night sortie in the South China Sea, and experts reached by the Global Times noted such a move, if confirmed, will risk involving civilian flights in military confrontations.

The South China Morning Post, citing source close to the Chinese military, reported that an aircraft was initially identified by the air control as a commercial airliner flying at more than 9,000 meters over the South China Sea. It was later identified as a military aircraft when it flew close to Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province.

US military uses multiple reconnaissance aircraft developed on commercial airplane platforms, and they usually follow civil aviation flights as cover when approaching China's airspace, said the report.

The report didn't provide details of the "following" or where the aircraft was when it was identified as military aircraft, but experts warned that such behavior is very dangerous.

A airline pilot told the Global Times on Wednesday that civilian flights have a unique code to communicate with air traffic control and flight information will appear on radar systems. All information regarding civilian flights is part of the civil aviation monitoring system.

Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said that if a civilian flight approaches China's airspace, the monitoring system will receive data via the radar system when it enters a controlled zone.

Civil aviation routes are like open roads where military aircraft are allowed but they seldom use these routes because they may disturb the civilian flights. Military aircraft will be quickly identified as they don't conform to the routine of a civilian flight, and radar signals don't match, Wang told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Flying over the exclusive economic zone without entering China's airspace may not have violated international law, but analysts said a military flight pretending to be a civilian one trying to trick the radar system is risky.

If a military aircraft was attempting to masquerade as a civilian aircraft, the sovereign country's air defense system may trigger a response, Wang said. Another insider also noted such a move by the US military could lead to misjudgments and dangers.

Since the South China Sea is a busy zone with many civil flights passing by, US reconnaissance planes pretending to be a civilian aircraft pose risks to civilian flights, analysts said.

If the US military aircraft is disguised as a civil plane, the chance of being intercepted by the PLA may be much smaller. At least, it would likely confuse the PLA, Hu Bo, director of the Beijing-based think tank the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"But mixing military and civil aircraft can lead to military confrontations and even accidental injuries," Hu said.

The right of navigation and overflight granted by international law to foreign military aircraft and ships is to ensure normal operations. But the US military aircraft and warships' move is an obvious abuse of this legal right and a hostile provocation that seriously endangers China's national security, said Hu.

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This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in the lab.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Snow showers. Temps nearly steady in the mid 30s. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 4F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
"1 hour Intermission" at Shanghai Book Fair

By:Liu Xutong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-08-13 18:40

"Dear readers, welcome to the 2020 Shanghai Book Fair! Today's book fair will end at 5 pm fordisinfection to ensure epidemic prevention." At 16:30 in the main venue of the Shanghai Book Fair this audio will be played repeatedly to encourage people to leave. This is because every day from 17:00 to 18:00 is the time for the cleaning of the venue and disinfection to ensure epidemic prevention, and all readers and booth staff must leave the venue.





After all readers and booth staff have left, the cleaning team of the Operation Service Department of the Shanghai Exhibition Center and exhibitors of the exhibition halls start disinfection work. The staff hold a disinfection watering can and spray disinfectant on the floor. The cleaning staff of the exhibition hall put on plastic gloves to wipe the stairs and armrests.









"Last year, cleaning was the main focus, and this year the main focus was disinfection. All 54 members of the team were dispatched and disinfected eight times a day," said Zhu Yunyi, head of the disinfection and cleaning team at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. He also told reporters that during the exhibition, every day from 8 to 9 in the morning disinfection also took place as well as there being an intermediate cycle of disinfection. After closing, all garbage must be cleaned up before disinfection can take place.
Eastman, the former dean of Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law, where he is a professor, is also a senior fellow at the conservative Claremont Institute. According to his bio on the institutes website, he also served from 1996 to 1997 as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and serves as chairman of the board of the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex unions.
A deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize diplomatic ties should be celebrated as a "historic step," despite the lack of support from Saudi Arabia, according to White House senior advisor and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Under the accord announced Thursday, which the U.S. helped to broker, Israel agreed to suspend plans to annex some areas of the occupied West Bank. It also shores up opposition against Iran, a regional power in the Middle East which the U.S., Israel and the United Arab Emirates all view as the main threat to stability.

Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally and a hugely influential power when it comes to regional policy toward Israel, has remained eerily quiet on news of the accord.

"I do think that we have other countries that are very interested in moving forward," Kushner told CNBC's Hadley Gamble in an exclusive interview on Friday, referring to diplomatic ties with Israel.

"And then, as that progresses, I do think it is an inevitability that Saudi Arabia and Israel will have fully normalized relations and they will be able to do a lot of great things together," he added.

When pressed on Saudi Arabia's silence following the announcement of the deal, Kushner replied: "We just had the first peace agreement in 26 years and now you're saying: 'Well, we want to get somebody else on board right away'." In 1994, Israel and Jordan agreed a peace deal.

"Saudi Arabia has obviously been a great leader in making (modernization) but you can't turn a battleship around overnight," he added.

The deal makes the United Arab Emirates the first Persian Gulf state to normalize ties with Israel and only the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have open diplomatic ties with the country.

On Thursday, Trump described the agreement as a "huge breakthrough" between two "great friends" of the U.S., while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move could pave the way for other Arab countries to sign up to the accord.

The United Arab Emirates' minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, told CNBC's Dan Murphy on Thursday that the peace deal was a "win-win" solution.

The European Union also welcomed the move, saying it would likely help to promote stability in the region.

However, the agreement has been denounced by officials in Palestine, Iran and Turkey. Palestine's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates was recalled shortly after the announcement.

Kushner said during a press briefing on Thursday that Palestine's condemnation of the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates was "fairly predictable."

Palestine has repeatedly urged Arab leaders not to normalize diplomatic ties with Israel until a peace deal to establish an independent Palestinian state has been secured.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 8:30 am ET Friday, the Commerce department will release U.S. retail sales for July. Ahead of the data, the greenback fell against its major rivals. The greenback was worth 106.67 against the yen, 0.9104 against the franc, 1.1814 against the euro and 1.3105 against the pound as of 8:25 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
She's jetted off to Greece for a sun-soaked getaway amid the easing of lockdown restrictions.

And Jess Wright looked sensational as she showcased her incredible figure in a pink bikini while enjoying the morning sun in Mykonos on Friday.

The former TOWIE star, 34, appeared to be living her best life as she posed up a storm by her pool in front of an idyllic backdrop.

Stunning: Jess Wright looked sensational as she showcased her incredible figure in a pink bikini while enjoying the morning sun in Mykonos on Friday

Making the most of her tropical getaway, Jess threw her arms up in the air while displaying her slender pins and taut midriff in the slinky two-piece.

The star allowed her raven tresses to cascade down her back, while she shielded her eyes from the blazing sun with a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Captioning her sizzling array of bikini snaps, Jess said: 'Morning has broken.'

The reality starlet has been keeping her fans up-to-date with her holiday as she's shared a plethora of stunning snaps on her Instagram.

Beach babe: The former TOWIE star, 34, appeared to be living her best life as she posed up a storm by her pool in front of an idyllic backdrop

Earlier this month, Jess left her brother Mark's wife Michelle Keegan in awe as she asked her to be one of her 15 bridesmaids for her wedding to fiance William Lee-Kemp.

The beauty took to Instagram to share a sweet clip of her presenting her loved ones with socially-distanced invitations consisting of a flower balloon and personalised poems.

Actress Michelle, 33, was dressed in a satin robe as she gasped from her doorstep and admitted: 'I'm actually shaking!'

The former Our Girl star was caught off-guard as she sported sleepwear and went make-up free in front of her 2million home in Chigwell.

Living her best life: Making the most of her tropical getaway, Jess threw her arms up in the air while displaying her slender pins and taut midriff in the slinky two-piece

Lovely: The reality starlet has been keeping her fans up-to-date with her holiday as she's shared a plethora of stunning snaps on her Instagram

Michelle couldn't contain her delight as she covered her mouth in shock before gushing: 'Aww Jess, I want to hug you!'

The bride-to-be kicked off the video by teasing her by unique floral invites by The Bloom Room before visiting her sister Natalya's home.

The model, 19, broke down in tears as her eldest sibling asked if she could be her Maid Of Honour.

Reading out the message by Word It Rhyme, the youngest member of the Wright clan said: 'So Natalya's, as I become I as I become a bride I need you by my side, please be my maid of honour.'

How sweet! Earlier this month, Jess left her brother Mark's wife Michelle Keegan in awe as she asked her to be one of her 15 bridesmaids for her wedding to fiance William Lee-Kemp

Woman on a mission: The beauty took to Instagram to share a sweet clip of her presenting her loved ones with socially-distanced invitations

Influencer Jess later went behind the wheel as she explained her lengthy mission while sporting disposable gloves.

The brunette revealed she originally planned to share the invitations over a meal as she explained: 'I'm on my way to deliver my bridesmaids a poem and a balloon flower thing to ask them to be my bridesmaids as I can't get them all together to ask them.

'Originally I wanted to have a dinner and surprise them with these flowers, but please of the pandemic, that's not possible. I'm delivering it on their doorsteps with gloves, standing at least two metres away, if not more.'

The media personality cut a chic figure in bridal white as she visited many of her pals in front of their homes and in the middle of the street.

What a surprise: Actress Michelle, 33, was dressed in a satin robe as she gasped from her doorstep and admitted: 'I'm actually shaking!'

Overwhelmed: The brunette later visited her younger sister Natalya, who broke down in tears as her eldest sibling asked if she could be her Maid Of Honour

On her decision to switch up her plans, the TV star wrote: '2020 has been a strange year for us all.

'I got engaged just before this pandemic, & when rules were eased, told my (many) nearest & dearest that I wanted them to be my bridesmaids, from a distance.

'I hope everyone is keeping safe & we get through this soon & a big thank you to all our NHS & key workers for supporting us.'

Jess will need to enjoy her downtime to its fullest before diving into wedding preparations for her nuptials to her businessman fiance William in June 2021.
Youd like to be watching the scenery, but youre watching the fuel gauge instead. Your electric cars battery is almost empty, and its still a few miles to the next charging station. You turn off the A/C and roll up the windows, hoping to squeeze out a little more range. No luck. The car drifts off to the side of the road, and youre stranded.

Fortunately, a better battery might be no more than a nanoparticle away.

Researchers from Northwestern University, Clemson University, and Sejong University in South Korea have developed new electrode designs for lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries that use graphene-coated nanoparticles to optimize battery performance.

Battery limitations have prevented electric vehicles from making progress in terms of size and range, said Northwestern Engineerings Mark C. Hersam, who led the research. With these new electrode designs, weve been able to improve the energy storage of rechargeable batteries and increase the power they can deliver.

The research was published August 5 in the journal Matter, focusing on the design of one type of electrode, the anode. This followed a cover story in the July issue of the journal Advanced Energy Materials focused on the other type of electrode, the cathode.

Hersam is a Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the McCormick School of Engineering and an affiliated faculty member of the International Institute for Nanotechnology.

Lithium-ion batteries have been the most common type of rechargeable batteries for the past two decades. They are found in everything from handheld personal devices to electric vehicles (EVs) such as Teslas Model S sedan.

However, as engineers try to increase the size and range of EVs, two stumbling blocks have emerged: volumetric energy density, which is the amount of energy that a battery can store relative to its size, and rate capability, which is the amount of power that a battery can deliver.

Both of these parameters are controlled by the batterys two electrodes: the anode (negative electrode), which stores lithium as the battery is charged, and the cathode (positive electrode), where the lithium returns when the battery is discharged.

For EVs to get larger and go farther, the electrodes must enable batteries to pack in more energy and deliver more power during periods of high demand. In this and another recent study, Hersams team focused on the materials used in the electrodes as an avenue for improving their capabilities.

Increasing battery power

Most anodes are made of graphite, and research has not yet identified a universally viable substitute. For devices that need low or moderate rates of power, such as an iPhone or a small electric vehicle, graphite anodes are generally reliable. But for applications that are much more demanding, graphite anodes can become vulnerable to internal short circuits  reducing battery performance and leading to major safety concerns.

Anode materials composed of Li 2 TiSiO 5 (LTSO) have been previously explored as an alternative to graphite, but while the material performs well in some respects, it has poor energy density and electrical conductivity.

Hersams team solved this problem by coating nanoparticles of LTSO with graphene, thereby creating a new material they call G-LTSO. The graphene coating made it possible to preserve the advantages of the LTSO nanoparticles without the drawbacks.

Using this new material, the researchers developed a new anode that provides record-setting volumetric energy density and delivers improved performance at high rates of power  with excellent safety and reliability.

Our research suggests that G-LTSO can be seamlessly employed as a next-generation anode for lithium-ion batteries for high volumetric energy and power density applications, Hersam said.

Improving energy storage

A number of promising candidates have been identified for new cathode materials, with nickel-rich layered cathodes among the most successful. Typically, nanoparticles of the material are packed into a microparticle. Due to the large active surface area of the nanoparticles and their dense concentration within the microparticle, the resulting cathode has a high capacity for energy storage.

The challenge has been that cathodes also require inactive components, like the pathways that transport charge. These inactive components reduce the overall capacity of the cathode, but the cathode will not work without them.

Hersam and researchers from Northwestern and Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea added an ultrathin graphene coating that conformed closely to the microparticles.

The graphene coating made it possible to substantially reduce the amount of carbon used for the transmission pathways and other inactive components without compromising their function.

These electrodes showed unprecedentedly high capacities for energy storage, while the graphene coating is likely to mitigate degradation of the pathways over time, which should result in an exceptional cycle life, said Hersam.

Better batteries and new opportunities

If rechargeable batteries can achieve sufficient energy density and rate capability, then a wide range of new applications would become possible. For example, electric airplanes would be quieter and less harmful to the environment than the gas-fueled planes that fly today. However, li-ion batteries arent currently capable of carrying enough energy or providing the high rate of power that a plane requires to take off and stay aloft.

Improved battery performance would also enhance the viability of renewable energy sources. If the batteries used in solar or wind systems were capable of storing more energy or delivering power to more customers, the costs of those systems would come down.

Researchers believe that advances in electrode design are a critical step.

We see these as scalable solutions for electrode design, Hersam said. Going beyond electric vehicles, our materials could open new possibilities for rechargeable batteries to be used in large-scale applications such as grid-level energy storage.

The study on anode materials, High Volumetric Energy and Power Density Li 2 TiSiO 5 Battery Anodes via Graphene Functionalization, was supported by the Center for Electrochemical Energy Science, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (DOE award number DEAC02- 06CH1157).

The preceding study on cathode materials, Concurrently Approaching Volumetric and Specific Capacity Limits of Lithium Battery Cathodes via Conformal Pickering Emulsion Graphene Coatings, was supported by the Exelon Corporation.

Editors note: Hersam has a financial interest in and affiliation with Volexion, which is commercializing the battery electrode work.
The oldest member of a group of teenagers arrested in January following a dramatic bank heist in St. Catharines will return to court in the fall for sentencing.

Roel Lloyd, 18, appeared in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Friday and pleaded guilty to several charges including robbery, attempted robbery and failing to stop for police.

The Mississauga resident will return to court in September for a sentencing hearing before Judge Joseph De Filippis.

On Jan. 31, shortly before 5 p.m., Lloyd and two others entered the Bank of Montreal in downtown St. Catharines.

Assistant Crown attorney Graeme Leach said the defendant marched into the bank with what appeared to be a handgun. He pushed a customer out of the way and ordered patrons and staff to get down while pointing the gun at different people.

The masked trio were in the bank for approximately three minutes.

A police officer driving near the bank was flagged down by a citizen, and saw the three robbers flee the bank and get into a waiting car. The vehicle sped off, followed by the police cruiser.

Along the way there is a minor collision between the cruiser, a parked car and the suspect vehicle, Leach said.

At that point, police abandoned the pursuit due to public safety concerns. A short time later, the car was spotted near Niagara Region headquarters in Thorold.

When the car blew out a tire near St. David's Road and Highway 406, the four occupants fled the vehicle and ran to the parking lot of the Region building. An air pistol was found in the car.

Court heard a police officer was able to grab Lloyd and place him in handcuffs.

Unfortunately, when hes dealing with Mr. Lloyd one of the other young people actually gets in the constables cruiser and drives off, Leach said.

The officer attempted to stop the cruiser, and momentarily left Lloyd unattended in the parking lot. The defendant attempted to run away, court was told, but was tackled by a Brock University student who was walking in the area.

An investigation subsequently linked the same suspects to a robbery attempt at a Scotiabank on Geneva Street in St. Catharines the day before.

A 15-year-old from Mississauga and a 16-year-old Toronto resident were also arrested in connection with the robbery. They cannot be identified, under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

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Though it's still anything but clear whether Israel will abide by this, Reuters writes of the breaking news that:

Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing, senior White House officials told Reuters.

Related: Lithium-Ion Battery Production Set To Quadruple This Decade

This is a major breakthrough for Israel, as Axios notes that the nation does not have diplomatic recognition in many Middle Eastern countries but has been steadily improving relations in the Gulf, largely due to mutual antipathy toward Iran.

The Trump administration announced the deal is being called the Abraham Accord, with Senior Adviser Jared Kushner saying Muslims will be welcome in Israel.

White House officials confirmed, Reuters writes, that "senior adviser Jared Kushner, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien."

A joint statement issued by the three nations said the three leaders had "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates."

Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates

[emphasis ours]

President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today and agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today's historic achievement.

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit. Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations.

As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world. The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. Working together, these efforts will help save Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives throughout the region.

This normalization of relations and peaceful diplomacy will bring together two of America's most reliable and capable regional partners. Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation. Along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination Today's agreement will lead to better lives for the peoples of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the region.
A 17-year-old boy who dumped the body of a teaching assistant in a wheelie bin will be sentenced today.

Rocky Marciano Price attacked Lindsay Birbeck, 47, in woods close to her home before he later moved her body in the bin to Accrington Cemetery where he buried her in a shallow grave.

His victim was discovered wrapped in two plastic bags on August 24 last year  12 days after she went missing, which prompted a huge search by police and members of the community.

On Wednesday, Price, of Whinney Hall Road, Accrington, was found guilty at Preston Crown Court of her murder, exactly a year on from when she disappeared.

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Mrs Birbeck left her home in Burnley Road, Accrington, for a late afternoon walk to a nearby wooded area known as the Coppice.

She had invited her daughter, Sarah, 17, and Sarahs boyfriend for tea at 6pm, but when she did not return as planned her family raised the alarm.

Price, who was 16 at the time, had been on the prowl in the woods for lone females and is thought to have killed Mrs Birbeck shortly after she entered the Coppice.

His parents took him to a police station several days after Mrs Birbeck was found, when police released a CCTV clip of a young male pulling a blue wheelie bin behind him on Burnley Road.

Price, who has autism and learning difficulties, admitted dragging the bin from the Coppice on August 17, with Mrs Birbeck inside, across Burnley Road to the cemetery.

But he claimed he was not involved in her death and that a mystery man had approached him in the area with the promise of a large cash reward if he disposed of the body.

Mrs Birbeck was identified through dental records and a post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was neck injuries.

Her naked body was heavily decomposed and no evidence of a sexual assault could be found.

Severe compressive force appeared to have been used, according to a Home Office pathologist, which could have been done in several ways including through stamping or kicking, or kneeling on the front of the neck.

An attempt had also been made to cut off a leg, possibly with a saw.

Sentencing will take place from 10.30am.
- Foreign traders whose shops have been closed by Ghanaian authorities have reacted in surprise to the decision

- According to them, the decision is unfair and does not show respect

- One of them wondered why such a decision would be taken when Ghanaians are freely doing business in Nigeria

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Some Nigerians in Ghana have registered their displeasure at the decision by the government to close down the shops owned by foreign traders in Accra.

According to them, Ghanaian authorities are not treating them fairly with respect to the decision to shut down the shops.

One of them, whose identity is not readily available, argued :

"Youve locked the shops completely for eight months; you opened the shops after eight months and assessed every shop here. You gave each one $1,500 and $2,000 to pay to the Ghana Revenue Authority. They have started making the payments. Some of us have regularised our documents. Youre coming to lock the shops. Where do you expect us to recover the money you asked us to pay?"

A group of people closing a shop Source: classfmonline.com

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Ghana earned almost GHc3 billion from Non-Traditional Exports in 2019 - Report

Per a classfmonline.com report, he then wondered if Ghanaians are being treated the same way in Nigeria, as millions of them are engaged in petty businesses but without passports.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that the Presidential Committee on Retail Trade, which operates under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, will begin closing down foreign-owned shops without business operating documents.

The shops are deemed to be illegally operating in retail trade and the committee will begin its work on Tuesday, August 13, 2020. The exercise is expected to begin at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and will then extend to areas such as Opera Square, Zongo Lane, Kantamanto, UTC, and Kumasi.

In another report, the GUTA called for the immediate closure of all retail shops owned by foreigners at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. GUTA argued that the foreign traders are illegally operating there and need to cease operations as soon as possible.

Joseph Oteng, the associations president, revealed that the Association has inspected working documents of such traders and concluded that about 90% of them are breaking the law. He went on to say that the Association will not support any wrongdoing and, for that reason, there is a need for a closure of such shops in order to quell tension in Ghana.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Playstore now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news.

Use the comments section below to share your views on this story.

Do you have a story to share or you have information for us? Get featured on YEN.com.gh. Message us on or Instagram!

Source: YEN.com.gh
The GM logo is seen at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Ramos Arizpe

By David Shepardson and Ben Klayman

(Reuters) - A federal judge in Detroit on Friday rejected a bid by General Motors Co to reinstate a racketeering lawsuit against its smaller rival Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA).

GM claimed it had new information on foreign accounts used in an alleged bribery scheme involving FCA and leaders of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. But U.S. District Judge Paul Borman said GM's "newly discovered evidence is too speculative to warrant reopening this case."

GM said it would appeal the ruling.

"Todays decision is disappointing, as the corruption in this case is proven given the many guilty pleas from the ongoing federal investigation," the largest U.S. automaker said in a statement. "GMs suit will continue - we will not accept corruption."

FCA said, "Judge Bormans ruling this morning once again confirms what we have said from the beginning -- that GMs lawsuit is meritless -- and its attempt to submit an amended complaint under the guise of asking the court to change its mind was nothing more than a baseless attempt to smear a competitor that is winning in the marketplace."

FCA previously compared GM's filing to a "third-rate spy movie, full of preposterous allegations."

When it first filed its lawsuit last year, GM alleged that FCA bribed UAW officials over many years to corrupt the collective bargaining process and gain advantages, costing GM billions of dollars. GM was seeking "substantial damages" that one analyst said could have totaled at least $6 billion.

In July, Borman threw out the racketeering lawsuit, saying GM's alleged injuries were not caused by FCA's alleged violations.

FCA said that as it operates facilities in Italy and more than 40 other countries, the existence of foreign bank accounts is "unremarkable, and certainly not illegal."

FCA is due to merge with France's PSA by the first quarter of 2021.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Ben Klayman; Editing by Dan Grebler and Steve Orlofsky)
A Sydney childcare worker who molested a boy he was babysitting almost two decades ago has been jailed for at least one year.

Drew Monreax, known at the time as Andrew Charles Austin, pleaded guilty to aggravated indecent assault of the six-year-old boy in 1992.

He went on to indecently assault three other boys in 2004 in their homes when he was engaged as their tutor and was jailed for at least 16 months in 2006.

A Sydney child-care worker who molested a boy he was babysitting almost two decades ago has been jailed for at least one year (file picture)

In the NSW District Court on Thursday, Acting Judge Michael Adams jailed him for 16 months with a non-parole period of 12 months for the 1992 offence.

He is to be released on parole on August 25, with his term being backdated to when he first went into custody after his August 2019 arrest.

Austin, then 24, worked at an after-school care organisation and when the boy's mother asked him to babysit her two children one evening, he agreed to do so at his flat.

After molesting the boy, he told him: 'What you did is a really bad thing. If you tell anyone you will get into a lot of trouble.'

A few months later, after Austin stopped working at the centre, the boy was with his family when they saw him a train station.

'The complainant was afraid when he saw the offender and was frightened that he would tell his mother what had happened and that he would be in trouble,' the judge said.

He went to police in December 2018.

In his victim impact statement, the man spoke of the continuing psychological damage caused by the molestation which still affected his emotions and relationships.

'He vividly described how the actions of the offender had caused his childhood to become 'empty, a dark vacuum of nothing but shame, regret, fear and sadness ... (with) a perpetual feeling of humiliation',' the judge said.

'This was exacerbated by being told by the offender that he was the perpetrator and not the victim.'

The judge said sexually interfering with a child only six years of age was patently a serious crime, especially when the child was placed in the care of the offender.

The extent of physical interference was relatively slight with no coercion involved and of short duration, but the psychological consequences were long lasting.

'Overall, I am of the view that the risk of reoffending is low.'
Recap: In what has become a saga of TV drama-like proportions, Epic Game is now suing Google for kicking Fortnite off the Play Store. The move comes just hours after Apple also booted the battle royale title from its store, resulting in Epic suing Cupertino and premiering a video that parodies Apples famous 1984 commercial. All because of Epics new in-app purchase system that leaves the tech giants without their cut.

This all began yesterday when an update for both the Android and iOS versions of Fortnite introduced the Epic Direct Payment option. As the name suggests, it allows players to pay Epic directly for in-app purchases, bypassing the 30 percent cut taken by Apple and Google. While selecting this option meant a 20 percent discount for players, the two store owners werent happy about it.

Apple was first to act, removing Fortnite from the App Store because of guideline violations that are supposedly there to create a level playing field and keep everyone safe. In response, Epic sued the firm, and is seeking injunctive relief to end Apple's "unfair and anti-competitive actions."

The swiftness of this legal action showed the company was expecting such an eventuality. It had also prepared a short animated film that mocks Apples famous 1984 commercial, turning the iPhone-maker into the monopolistic Big Brother character.

It didnt take long for Google to follow suit and remove Fortnite from its store. Google also requires games to use its own payment system for in-app purchases. According to its policy, Developers offering products within a game downloaded on Google Play or providing access to game content must use Google Play In-app Billing as the method of payment.

For the second time in a day, Epic responded with a lawsuit. It is suing Google over alleged antitrust violations, claiming that the Play Stores payment rules constitute a monopoly, and thus a violation of both the Sherman Act and Californias Cartwright Act.

While Epic focused on Apples 1984 ad, the Google complaint highlights its Dont Be Evil motto, which was removed from its Code of Conduct two years ago. Google has relegated its motto to nearly an afterthought, the complaint reads, and is using its size to do evil upon competitors, innovators, customers, and users in a slew of markets it has grown to monopolize.

Unlike iOS, Fortnite remains available on Android via the Epic Games App or the Samsung Galaxy Store on Samsung devices.

It was only last April when Fortnite finally arrived on the Play Store after being available on Android for 18 months. This wasn't something Epic wanted, but the company said Google puts software downloadable outside of Google Play at a disadvantage.

The Google lawsuit also alleges that Epic had reached an agreement with OnePlus to preinstall an Epic Games app on its devices that would allow buyers to seamlessly install Fortnite and other titles, but Google quashed the deal. It was allegedly particularly concerned that the Epic Games app would have ability to potentially install and update multiple games with a silent install bypassing the Google Play Store.

Further, any waiver of Googles restriction would be rejected due to the Epic Games app serving as a potential portfolio of games and game updates, reads the suit.

Expect this to drag on for a long time.
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp (GO) is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) that owns and operates a chain of grocery stores in the United States. That might not sound exciting, but the company is a high-growth, extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products that sells its products through a network of independently owned and operated stores. The company has a niche, offering discounted, overstocked and closeout products from name brand suppliers.

Grocery Outlet has just under 7000 full-time employees and is headquartered in Emeryville, CA. The company is mainly located on the west coast and Pennsylvania. After a big EPS beat and 17 new store openings, there are signs the company's goal to grow is panning out.

A Recent IPO

The company has been around since 1946 and decided to finally IPO in 2019 to grow the business. The stock opened up in the low $30s and is up about 35% since the debut price. While it has failed to print all-time highs in the recent up move, it was close.

Since the IPO, the company has beaten on EPS five out of five times. However, the last report was the biggest beat yet and should propel the stock to new highs before years end.

Surprise Beat on Q2 EPS

Earlier this week the company reported an 82% surprise beat on EPS along with a beat on revenues. Same store sales came in at +17%, while EBITDA was up 38% year over year. The company added 17 new stores in the quarter, bringing GO up to 362 locations in six states.

CEO Eric Lindberg had some comments on the quarter:

"We are very pleased with our strong operational execution in the second quarter. Our financial results reflect incredible teamwork across the organization including our independent operators, distribution center teams, and our corporate staff. While the safety of our communities and the entire Grocery Outlet team is our number one priority, we remain committed to delivering exceptional value to our customers while continuing to extend our reach."

Story continues

Growth and Rising Estimates

The company is in its early stages of growth and excelling in a tough environment. With long-term plans to open up 4,800 stores, investors see massive potential for growth. Because of the great quarter and growth potential, analysts are hiking estimates and price targets.

Over the last 7 days, estimates for next year have ticked higher by 3%, from $1.01 to $1.04.

The quarter was very positive, but there was a big negative an analyst cited as a headwind. While the company is doing well in the pandemic environment, COVID related cost have cut into profitability. However, consumers see value in the companys products, which is helping them gain market share. If those two factors can cancel each other out, earnings can continue and the long-term growth story is solid.

The Technical Take

The stock has been steadily grinding higher since the IPO. The previous quarter saw an earnings beat sold, only to be met with buying a month later. The current earnings report was impressive, so the stock has stalled after pulling back from all-time highs. The 21-day moving average seems to be support for now.

If the stock falls further, look to buyers to step in at the 50-day at $40. If the current levels hold, that means buyers defended the 61.8% retracement drawn from July lows to August highs. A move back over $45 would signal the bulls are in full control and should target the $48-50 area.

The stock will need to grow into its valuation for longer-term targets to work out. For those looking to hold the stock into its expansion, look for the $60 and $79 Fibonacci levels.

In Summary

Grocery Outlet Holdings has big potential to grow and reward investors that get in at current levels. 300 plus stores to almost 5,000 is a lofty goal, but if the earnings story continues, the growth aspect can accelerate. For those investors familiar with Ollies Bargain Outlet and the stock performance there, they should most certainly get familiar with GO.

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Greece is a hugely popular destination with British tourists - GETTY IMAGES

Greece could be added to Britains mandatory two-week quarantine list if the number of Covid-19 cases in the country continues to surge.

Greece is experiencing its highest daily increase in infections since the start of the pandemic and on Friday the government ordered the quarantining of the countrys third-largest migrant camp, on the island of Chios, after a Yemeni asylum seeker and a staff member tested positive for the disease.

If the country is added to the list, it would throw the travel plans of tens of thousands of British tourists into chaos, as it already has for Britons in France, Malta and the Netherlands, who must now go into quarantine for two weeks on their return to the UK.

Greece, which was keen to open up tourism to revive its battered economy, reported 262 new infections on Wednesday, its highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak. On Thursday, another 204 cases were reported.

That brings the total number of infections in Greece to 6,381 since late February, although the death toll remains very low  at just 216.

Read more: Which countries could be next in line for quarantine?

The sharp increase in infections has led the authorities to introduce more restrictions, just as the tourism season is reaching its peak.

On Friday, the government limited public gatherings to no more than 50 people and decreed that restaurants and bars in Athens and the islands of Crete, Paros, Santorini, Rhodes, Kos, Antiparos and Zakynthos must close by midnight.

There has been a particular surge in infections among young people and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, urged them to keep wearing masks in public places. Otherwise, they risk infecting their parents and grandparents once they return from the nightclubs and bars of the Greek islands, he said.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, said on Friday that any country recording above 20 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in a week caused concern and could trigger the introduction of quarantine measures, requiring inbound travellers to self-isolate for two weeks.

Story continues

That means Denmark, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Croatia could all be next in line, according to analysis by The Telegraph of the latest coronavirus figures, with infection rates above 14 per 100,000 and rising.

The same criteria means there are concerns that Greece could also be added to the list.

Irelands infection rate is lower at 10.8. But the week-on-week change has been 47.9 per cent, higher than in France.

Greece saw an infection rate of 11.6 per 100,000 in the week to Aug 13, with the week-on-week change up to 90 per cent.

Mr Shapps told Today on BBC Radio 4: With France and these other countries, Netherlands and elsewhere, the numbers have now just gone above the threshold, which is about 20 cases per 100,000, but measured on a seven-day rolling average.

The quarantine imposed on the migrant camp on Chios includes a ban on anybody entering or exiting the facility. Charities have been ordered to suspend all their programmes and the asylum application process has been halted.

The camp is home to more than 3,800 people  almost four times above capacity. Around 25,000 migrants and refugees live in cramped conditions in the camps on Greeces eastern Aegean Islands, including Lesbos and Kos.

In Aruba and Turks and Caicos, removed from the air bridges list alongside France and the Netherlands, the weekly infection rate was 587 and 289 per 100,000 respectively. But with a population of just over 100,000 in Aruba, and below 40,000 in Turks and Caicos, it requires very few cases to cause infection rates to soar.

A handful of other smaller countries remain on the exemption list, but have infection rates significantly higher than 20 per 100,000. The Faroe Islands saw a rate of 200 per 100,000 in the week to Aug 13. But with a population of fewer than 50,000, it equates to just 98 new cases. A similar picture is emerging in Gibraltar and Monaco, where rates are now above 40.
The demonstrations have spread even though they lack leaders. Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to stop protests in an earlier video that her associates said was recorded under pressure from law enforcement officials while she was still in Minsk. The 37-year-old former teacher had joined the race to replace her husband, an opposition blogger, who has been jailed since May.
100%

Website gnet.tn uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Boostrap. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 111617 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 123390 bytes (120.50 kb uncompressed) and 13710 bytes (13.39 kb compressed).

This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-09-26, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.
Most pastors say adultery shouldn't permanently disqualify clergy from ministry: survey

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Most pastors believe church leaders who commit adultery should withdraw from the pulpit for some time, but only a small percentage believe extramarital affairs permanently disqualify pastors from the ministry.

"Pastors Views on Moral Failure," a new survey of U.S. Protestant pastors by Nashville-based LifeWay Research, finds that most pastors believe a fellow pastor who has committed adultery needs to take time away from the ministry. However, opinions vary when it comes to the duration of the sabbatical.

The survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors found that around one in six pastors (16%) believe an offending pastor should stay gone for at least a year; 3% say for at least three months, and another 3% say at least six months.

Other pastors believe those who commit adultery should remove themselves from public ministry for a longer period of time: 10% say at least two years, 7% say at least five years, and 1% say at least 10 years.

Just 27% of pastors believe those who commit adultery should withdraw from public ministry permanently, and 2% of pastors believe a fellow pastor who has an affair does not need to take any time away. Three in 10 pastors (31%) say they arent sure what the appropriate time frame would be.

Scripture doesnt mince words about adultery, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. From the Ten Commandments, to the apostle Pauls lists of wicked things, to the qualifications for elders listed in 1 Timothy, adultery is not appropriate for a follower of Christ nor a leader of a local church.

While the Bible is clear that this behavior does not fit a pastor or elder of a church, said McConnell, there is much debate over how long this act would disqualify someone from pastoral ministry.

LifeWay found that the ethnicity, education, and denomination of a pastor influenced the likelihood of their response.

The survey found that African American pastors are the least likely to say one who commits adultery should withdraw from the ministry permanently (8%), while Pentecostal pastors are the least likely to advocate for a permanent withdrawal (6%) and most likely to support staying away for at least a year (35%).

Pastors with a bachelors degree (34%) are more likely to select Withdraw permanently than those with a masters degree (27%) or a doctoral degree (22%).

Church size also impacted respondents' opinions: Pastors of churches with attendance of 50-99 (31%) are more likely to select Withdraw permanently than those with attendance of 100- 249 (23%).

Pastors opinions on the subject are a good barometer for opinions across churches, said McConnell. There is widespread disagreement from pastors across denominations, church size, age, race and education levels to quickly restoring pastors who commit adultery to public ministry positions.

Theologian John Piper previously said that standards can vary for what can disqualify a pastor for life because I dont think the Bible gives a clear instruction about how a disqualified pastor can become qualified again.

I dont think this is the kind of issue where the church as a whole will ever have agreement, Piper said. I think every local church should pray and think and study their way through the Scriptures into a position from which the elders can work in unity with regard to these kinds of things.

Still, the Desiring God founder said he considered sins like adultery that are committed after ones conversion and well into ones Christian life to be more serious indications of unfitness for ministry than our sins prior to the new birth and the new creation in Christ.

Adultery after conversion is sinning against the glory of the light of Christ, he continued. Before conversion, we were all in spiritual darkness; we were acting according to our nature.

The issue is that the offense has been compounded by its deeply multilayered betrayal of God, wife, Christian newness, the Holy Spirit, the people of God, the Gospel, the reputation of the Gospel in the Christian ministry.

Megachurch Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, said it's possible for fallen pastors to return to public ministry  if they have demonstrated true repentance. He also recommended that the offending pastor move to a different church.

"There are too many variables to make a hard and fast rule for every situation. Whether a fallen pastor can or should return to ministry depends not only on the pastor's response, but also the congregation's response. Sometimes a genuinely repentant pastor may be able to lead a congregation again, but it may have to be a different congregation. We must balance the very high moral qualifications for pastors found in 1 Timothy 3 with the possibility of restoration for those who truly repent of their sins," said Jeffress.
Around 550 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 at Brass Rail Tavern over the course of four days, Toronto Public Health announced in a news release Friday morning.

An employee who tested positive for COVID-19 was at the strip club, at 701 Yonge Street, during these times:

Aug. 4 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Aug. 5)

Aug. 5 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Aug. 6)

Aug. 7 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. (Aug. 8)

Aug. 8 from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. (Aug. 9)

Anyone who attended the Brass Rail during those periods need to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after their most recent visit, TPH said, adding there is no risk to anyone who was there outside those periods.

Dr. Vinita Dubey of TPH told the Star on Friday that inspectors sent to the Brass Rail on Thursday evening, after the infection was discovered, found a number of areas of non-compliance with provincial and city anti-virus regulations.

She would not give specifics but noted rules require tables to be at least two metres apart, staff to stay distanced from patrons whenever possible, performers to use a plexiglass shield when distancing is impossible, and customers covering faces when not eating or drinking.

Inspectors also found incomplete entries for customer information logs now being used to trace the infected workers potential contacts. They should include names, arrival and departure times and table locations.

Asked if its possible some customers gave false information, because of the nature of the club, Dubey said public health has had the logs only since Thursday and she wasnt aware if that is a problem.

The Brass Rails operator was issued a non-compliance order and given 24 hours to remedy the problems. Inspectors will return Friday. If infractions persist, the strip club could face fines and/or remedial orders including, potentially, a closure order.

The infected staff person is self-isolating at home as are his or her close contacts, Dubey said.

At this point were not aware of anyone else having symptoms and no other confirmed positives related to this place, she said.

At Queens Park, Premier Doug Ford said contact tracing and inspections of the Brass Rail are extremely important, as are distancing and mask wearing even if that seems ironic in a strip club.

I feel sorry for people when they go to their house and tell them that they were at the Brass Rail, Ford told reporters. Thats who I feel sorry for. Sorry for the spouse, seriously. Man, I wouldnt want to be on the end of that one.

Brass Rail posted a message on the front door, laying out next steps.

During this time, we are continuing operations while upholding the highest possible hygiene standards with our staff, one of the signs reads. This is our main priority while we provide our guests with the hospitality and customer service that they have become accustomed to.

RELATED STORIES GTA Toronto landmark Filmores Hotel sold to developer for $31.5 million

The clubs COVID-19 guidelines, according to a sign on the front door, require customers to wear a mask to their seat. At that point, customers can take off masks, and keep them off as long as they remain seated. Brass Rail also requests a customers name, email address, and phone number.

Im not going to pass any comment on the establishment involved, said Mayor John Tory after an unrelated announcement Friday. He did say he was glad public health moved swiftly to address the outbreak risk.

If any bar is found to have broken anti-virus rules, which include a ban on lap dancing, they should faces hefty fines, Tory said, while noting he does not direct police or bylaw enforcement.

There is a special obligation on everybody now operating these kinds of establishments...to follow the rules, since Toronto is in Stage 3 reopening and the risk of outbreaks is higher, Tory said.

I think those that dont follow the rules and flagrantly disregard them, if that is found to be true for anybody, should be severely punished and to me that would include, if it was possible under the law, to have an institution like this closed down.

On social media, some people were questioning the wisdom of letting strip bars, and other types of bars, remain open when Toronto infection numbers are low and dropping and children head back to school soon.

With files from Robert Benzie
Iraq broke its record for daily confirmed COVID-19 cases again on Friday.

There were 4,013 new cases on Aug. 14. The highest numbers were in the capital Baghdad, Erbil in the Kurdistan Region and Basra in the south, according to the Ministry of Health.

Infections have been climbing steadily in Iraq since June. The government has both imposed and lifted restrictions during that time, including business closures snd curfews. Restrictions have varied by governorate and between federal and Kurdistan Region territory. The number of new cases is a single-day record in Iraq.

The virus situation in Iraq has been compounded by other issues. Income dips and job losses increased significantly with the government-imposed lockdowns. In late July, there was a record-breaking heat wave that was made worse by chronic electricity cuts in the country. Demonstrations against the government have continued on and off since October.

The autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north also broke its daily record of new COVID-19 cases on Friday with 667 new cases, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government. It set its last record just Tuesday.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
New Dehli, Aug 14 : Homegrown document scanning app Zoho Doc Scanner on Friday announced to launch text recognition in 12 Indian languages.

The app will be able to recognise text in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Punjabi, and Sanskrit.

"Zoho has strong privacy policies, which the users of Doc Scanner will inherit. We have recently removed all third-party trackers from its website," the company said in a statement.

In the wake of the Indian government banning Chinese apps, including CamScanner, Zoho has made the paid plan of DocScanner free for the Indian users for a year.

In its free version, Zoho Doc Scanner offers features such as unlimited scans, reminders, secure documents, optical character recognition, export as text and search through documents, unlimited workflows and annotate documents, The free version also has features like doc scanner web, auto upload documents, read documents, create folders, export to cloud services and themes.

Zoho Doc Scanner also offers backup and restore feature, translation, and e-signing of up to 10 documents in its paid plan.

Last month, the government barred 47 more Chinese apps from operating in the country, which was largely clones of 59 banned apps.

On June 29, the government had banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, WeChat and UC Browser and Xiaomi's Mi Community over national security concerns.
Cast: Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Natasha Suri, Sonali Raut, Suyyash Rai, Nitin Arora

Director: Bhushan Patel

Producers: Mika Singh and Vikram Bhatt

The latest thriller to hit the virtual screen, Dangerous, is taut, compelling and full of intrigue. After a hiatus of almost five years, actor Bipasha Basu has made a comeback and this time she will be seen on the digital platform acting with her real-life husband Karan Singh Grover in this latest web series, which released on MX Player on August 14.

Watch the trailer here.

Set in suburban London, Dangerous opens with the news that millionaire Aditya Dhanraj (Grover)s wife Diya (played by Sonali Raut) has been missing for almost 30 hours. The London police department assigns the probe to ace cop Neha (Basu), who also happens to be Adityas ex-girlfriend. The abductors demand a ransom of a staggering 3 million Pounds.

What unfolds is the story of hidden secrets and passionate love as we get to know each of the characters and their role in the convoluted saga. Aditya has not gotten over his relationship with Neha, which causes a strained marriage with Diya. He hires one of his closest buddies, Vishal Vashisht (Suyyash Rai) as Diyas driver to keep a watch on her movements as he suspects she is having an extra-marital affair.

Set in suburban London, Dangerous opens with the news that millionaire Aditya Dhanraj (Grover)s wife Diya (played by Sonali Raut) has been missing for almost 30 hours. (MX Player)

Diya is abducted from the gym and an injured Vishal is left on the streets. As we delve deeper into the plot, the mystery around the whodunnit only deepens. Aditya Dhanraj is not the only one, who has secrets to hide. There are many more skeletons that come tumbling out of the closet.

Dangerous is an exciting blend that is thoughtful, exciting and has the feeling of high-octane rush, much needed in thrillers. The plot is tight and each episode brings new twists and turns to the intriguing plot leaving viewers glued to their screens. We soon realise that Vishal is also involved in the crime and there is more to Nehas story than what meets the eye. Gauri (Natasha Suri), the house help in the Dhanraj household, with her mysterious ways and inside information of the house, makes for a prime suspect in the case as well.

After a long break from acting, Basu has come back with a bang with this screen-stealing performance. She is convincing in her portrayal of the admirable cop torn between duty and her feelings for her ex-lover. Her character is the most intriguing, caught between professional frustration and a strong attraction towards Grover.

Grover plays the part of a millionaire torn between his responsibilities and lady love. He gets into the skin of the character, Aditya Dhanraj. Dangerous brings back the sizzling on-screen chemistry of Basu and Grover, which makes for some sweet moments as we delve into the past. The real-life couple was last seen together in the horror movie Alone (2015). They fell in love on the sets of the film and tied the knot a year later. We also see Suyyash Rai, Sonali Raut, Natasha Suri and Nitin Arora delivering commendable performances in supporting roles.

The series is jointly produced by Vikram Bhatt and Mika Singh and the latter has added a much-needed musical reprieve to the plot with songs, which are rare for web series in the thriller genre.

Making its debut online only seems to be adding to its popularity as netizens are following Basu and Grovers Instagram handles to see what is in store. (MX Player)

Making its debut online only seems to be adding to its popularity as netizens are following Basu and Grovers Instagram handles to see what is in store. As Bipasha Basu wrote on her Instagram: A troubled husband looking for his missing wife. Will he find her or will we uncover some #Dangerous hidden secrets? Find out on 14th August on @mxplayer.

Dangerous truly delivers on all counts and is undoubtedly one of the best that MX Player has delivered this year. It has a great story line, a cracking cast and all the right amount of intrigue.

Dangerous premiered on MX Player on August 14. Go on, get your share of thrill.
Mastercard Incorporated MA recently expanded its Accelerate portfolio, which was launched last year to enable the company to work with several fintechs in a simplified manner. The expansion has been carried out through two programs included in the companys Accelerate portfolio  Mastercard Start Path and Mastercard Engage.

Through Mastercard Start Path, the company assesses over 1,500 applications from startups every year and shortlists around 40 of them, which showcase promising technologies. This time, the company has invited 11 new startups to its Start Path program. The main purpose of this initiative, which is a six-month virtual program, is to offer technical guidance and operational assistance to these startups. This will provide startups with the opportunity to grow and add scalability to their businesses.

Worthy of mentioning, the Start Path program has an impressive history of inviting over 230 later-stage startups since 2014 for joining the program. Several startups, which have been part of this program, have raised $2.7 billion in post-program capital and also tied forces with Mastercard, banks, merchants and renowned organizations.

Coming to the second program, Mastercard Engage has been making efforts to connect fintechs, banks and merchants with its strong network of technology partners. Fintechs have been focusing on innovation and enhancement of their payment solutions to better serve consumers considering the global shift toward digital payments.

With regard to this, Mastercard has been expanding its Engage program by signing around 50 new deals with technology partners in first-quarter 2020. Through this program, the company enhances the capabilities of more than 170 technology partners for providing new solutions. These partners, which are part of the Engage program, adhere to Mastercard certification and rules of innovating solutions.

Shares of this company have gained 19.9% in a year compared with the industrys growth of 8.2%.

Story continues

The companys peers, namely, Visa Inc. V have rallied 12% in a years time, while that of American Express Company AXP and Discover Financial Services DFS have lost 18% and 32.4%, respectively, in the same time period.

Notably, digital transactions have been gaining momentum globally for quite some time, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the trend further. This trend is likely to sustain even beyond the pandemic. We believe that the growing popularity of contactless payments and the rising adoption of digital transactions worldwide are likely to position Mastercard well for long-term growth.

However, disruption caused by the pandemic has affected the companys revenues, which plunged 17% on a currency-neutral basis in second-quarter 2020. The decline was primarily due to a decline of 10% and 45% in gross dollar volume and cross-border volume, respectively, on a local currency basis. Dip in switched transactions of 10% also hampered the top line.

Nevertheless, the companys strategy to invest in organic and inorganic growth opportunities bodes well. Mastercards strong brand name, vast business network, global presence, investment in technology, several partnerships and acquisitions should help it easily tide over the current economic difficulties.

The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Appiah Stadium, known to be a darling boy of John Dramani Mahama, has stated emphatically that he is not pimping ladies to the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



He told NEAT FMs morning show, Ghana Montie, that he did not introduce both ladies to the former president as sex toys as widely speculated.



Who am I in the NDC to introduce them to my father [Mahama]? Those two cannot campaign to win power for John Mahama, he told host Kwesi Aboagye.



Tracey Boakye and Mzbel took to their Instagram page, posting videos attacking each other over their relationship with the same 'mysterious' married man.





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Masks being tested were contaminated with four different common viruses, including one that is in the same family as the virus that causes the disease covid-19, Nguyen said. The virus was added to an artificial saliva solution, which was then applied to various parts of the mask before it was placed into the cooker. The study recommends using a towel or some other barrier to protect the mask so it does not touch the appliances inner walls or heating element.
The request for help reached Thanh Nguyen in March, just as the novel coronavirus had begun to ravage the United States, overwhelming hospitals with scores of infectious patients. Could Nguyen, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her colleagues assist local health-care providers with shortages of critical personal protective equipment?

"One thing they mentioned right at the very beginning is the N95 respirator mask, because that is a crucial, essential piece of PPE," Nguyen said. "They already told us that the price has been really high, it's hard to get, they have to recycle instead. They don't know how to do it safely."

So Nguyen and Vishal Verma, an assistant professor in the same department, got to work examining various technologies and chemicals. But it wasn't long before another question emerged: What about people who can't access lab-grade materials and machinery?

The pair didn't have to go farther than their kitchens to find an answer.

"It just happened that both Vishal and myself and a number of our students are Asian, and we cook rice every night," Nguyen said. "We said like, 'Oh, maybe some type of electric cooker might work.' "

She swiftly dispatched one of her students to Walmart with specific instructions. "Look for something at Walmart anyone can buy," she said. "Something easy. They just hit the button."

The student came back with a Farberware multifunction pressure cooker that cost about $50.

In a recently published study, Nguyen and Verma detailed how the dry heat produced by such electric cookers (rice cookers or multicookers such as Instant Pots) may be an effective way of decontaminating medical-grade N95 masks. Using the rice preset on the Farberware cooker and N95 respirators from 3M, a major manufacturer of the protective coverings, the researchers found that 50-minute treatments without pressure at a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit left the masks thoroughly cleaned without compromising fit or filtration efficiency.

"The N95 can be reused using a very simple method," said Nguyen, whose research focuses on pathogen transmission and control. "We are not testing exhaustively every device out there, everything, but we want to show that this concept works. Then people can use the idea and apply to other things."

The study - published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, a peer-reviewed journal - joins a growing body of research that has emerged during the pandemic that evaluates the efficacy of kitchen appliances as a sanitation tool. In February, a team from Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan found that dry-steaming surgical masks in a rice cooker for several minutes had a sterilizing effect, the Taipei Times reported. Taiwan's health minister later demonstrated the technique at a Central Epidemic Command Center news conference. More recently, scientists in Ohio suggested in April that steaming masks in rice cookers could also be effective - a finding that aligns with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on reusing N95 respirators, which lists "moist heat" as a promising method of decontamination.

Nguyen said the work she and Verma have done doesn't contradict past research but rather builds upon it.

"Our study is comprehensive in the sense that we're not only worried about the inactivation of pathogens," she said, adding that the researchers also focused on preserving the mask's effectiveness.

To guide their experiments, the researchers turned to 3M's suggestions for reusing its respirators, which draw on recommendations from the CDC and other federal agencies, according to the study. The company states that an effective decontamination technique must inactivate the target virus without negatively affecting the mask's fit and filtration ability or leaving behind a residue from dangerous chemicals.

Masks being tested were contaminated with four different common viruses, including one that is in the same family as the virus that causes the disease covid-19, Nguyen said. The virus was added to an artificial saliva solution, which was then applied to various parts of the mask before it was placed into the cooker. The study recommends using a towel or some other barrier to protect the mask so it does not touch the appliance's inner walls or heating element.

After the 50-minute cooking cycle, each virus tested was inactivated by at least 99.9 percent, which is the level required by the Food and Drug Administration, the study said. An infrared thermometer was used to monitor the surface temperature of the masks during each cycle, Nguyen said.

Then the masks went through an additional series of tests to assess whether cooking them had compromised their function. Verma said the tests were done in accordance with protocol developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

"After 20 cycles of the dry-heat treatment, we didn't see any significant difference in the filtration efficiency of the respirator," said Verma, who studies aerosols. He added that the masks, which also passed a fit test, still functioned at above 95 percent efficiency.

Sara L. Zimmer, an associate professor of biomedical sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School, praised the researchers for thinking of an alternative method that could help people without access to sophisticated technology. But she cautioned against thinking of the cooker as "a magical cleaner."

Masks are "still going to have skin oils, sweat, other materials," said Zimmer, who is affiliated with the university's Duluth campus and not involved in the research. "The study's authors didn't look at what are the other factors that are going to be happening at the same time you're using these masks, besides maybe acquiring a viral load, that could be problematic over time."

Sanjay Maggirwar, a professor of microbiology, immunology and tropical medicine at George Washington University, said the study was "very well done."

"It's very carefully done and very useful in current days," said Maggirwar, who was also not part of the study. "Scientifically, a very sound paper."

But before people start throwing masks into their electric multicookers or rushing out to buy the appliance, Nguyen stressed that the findings are based on tests done with one type of cooker and a specific brand of N95 mask. If people want to try to replicate the test at home, Nguyen only recommends doing so if the same materials can be used.

"That would be low risk," she said. "Extending it to other devices, other masks and everything else, that would need more study."

The researchers also discouraged people from disinfecting masks in the same appliance they are using to prepare food, according to the study's FAQ page.

Still, Nguyen touted her team's results.

"We looked for a method that is easy to use, not expensive, not involving chemicals," she said. "As long as you make sure you don't have moisture, as long as you can measure temperature and keep the same exposure time, it is very likely to work."
Their flows are dramatically different, too; Megan's a sensual growl and Cardi's a staccato bark. But the personality bursting from each voice  you can easily picture both of them without even seeing "WAP's" music video, which is a whole other delight  makes clear why the women have quickly become two of pop music's biggest stars.
Charges brought against defendants in Ingushetias anti-extremism official murder case

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:34 14/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 14 (RAPSI)  Charges have been brought against 12 defendants in a case over murder of the chief of Ingushetia Republics Centre for Combating Extremism of the Interior Ministry Ibragim Eldzharkiyev, the Russian Investigative Committees press service reports.

Depending on alleged roles in the crime, the defendants have been charged with organizing a terrorist group and participation in it, terrorist attack resulted in a persons death, illegal purchase, transfer, possession and sale of arms and ammunition committed by a group of people, the statement reads.

According to the investigation, the criminals shot Eldzharkiyev and law enforcement officers accompanying him in 2019.

The alleged terrorist group members are held in detention. One of the defendants is on the international wanted list.




Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of nightnor fascism, as a meme from a postal workers union put it this weekis supposed to prevent the United States Postal Service from swiftly delivering the mail. But right now, apparent meddling from the Trump administration on top of a still-raging pandemic has pushed the agency to its limit. Over the last few weeks, overhauls of USPS operations have reportedly thrown its service into disarray. Democrats have accused the administration of trying to sabotage the agency after new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy moved forward with a significant restructuring that imposed a hiring freeze for leadership positions and reassigned or displaced 23 executives.

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The changes were purportedly made in the name of efficiency, but critics fear that it gives more power to DeJoy, a Trump and GOP donor, to undercut the mail-in voting infrastructure that many people will rely on with the ongoing pandemic. In fact, the Washington Post reported on Friday that USPS sent letters to 46 states and D.C. warning that it cannot guarantee that all ballots cast by mail will be delivered in time to be counted for the November election. USPS has also been removing mail-sorting machines that employees rely on in facilities around the country, and there have been delivery delays across the country, which followed changes to how much overtime carriers are allowed to take and transportation cuts.

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How bad does all of this look on the ground? To get a sense, I spoke to a USPS carrier named Aaron who works in Cleveland. (He requested his full name not be printed.) We discussed how the pandemic has affected the agencys mission, whether the new rules and cuts have led the mail to snowball, and why he thinksfor nowmail-in voting should be safe.

Slate: Lets go back. How has the coronavirus affected your job over the past few months?

Aaron: Its gotten a lot busier, because everybodys staying at home doing online shopping. Its been a pretty big uptick in parcel volume. As far as the safety measures, it took a while for them to really get serious and provide masks and make sure that were doing social distancing. Its been a little frustrating watching a lot of my co-workers not take it seriously. They would just keep their masks on their chins and wouldnt social distance properly. It seemed like management was hesitant to really enforce any of the restrictions.

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Im definitely wearing a mask whenever Im going in and out of businesses and whenever Im in the office. I keep the hand sanitizer on me. Ive got a 10-mile route, and I barely interact with people. Its easy to social distance once Im out there. Its kind of funny because people have been bored at home, especially in the beginning, so theyd just wait on their porch and want you to hand them their mail, but it hasnt been too bad. Theyve been very understanding to let me just put it in their box.

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Have the recent changes to USPS leadership and policy affected your day-to-day job at all?

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Theyve stopped calling people in on their days off to try to cut down on overtime, but it doesnt really address the root of the problem, which is that were understaffed. They put in a hiring freeze, which doesnt help either. Instead of volunteering on our days off to come in, theyre giving most of us one to two hours of overtime and longer daysshifting it around a little bit, it seems. Im working about the same amount. Im on the overtime list [of people who used to be called in on days off], so I guess its kind of nice to have an extra day off now.

It does seem silly because its pretty evident that DeJoy came in as postmaster general, took one quick look at the place, and started making big overhauls without really understanding what the core issues are. Im concerned that since he has overseen working conditions like these [pregnancy discrimination cases] at his previous companies, how we may face similar issues as management focuses more on profitability over customer service and employee treatment in the future. Its of note that the Postal Service is just thata service for the American peoplenot a for-profit business, for what thats worth.

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Another issue is the bill that was passed in 2006 under the Bush administration that mandates pre-funding [the agencys pension fund] 75 years into the future. That basically creates this artificial loss in revenue. It seems to be a political move to show us as being perpetually in trouble. It shows that we are unprofitable, because every time they hire somebody, they have to put down on paper that their retirement has been pre-funded. No other company was held to that kind of standard. Its a handicap for the Postal Service.

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What does understaffing look like at your job?

It means more hours. It hasnt been too terrible, and our station system doesnt seem to have been as affected as other peoples. I havent really noticed too much of a delay in mail or service from my route specifically. Ive heard from other people that management is coming in and saying, You need to leave these [mail] trays. Weve always been instructed to deliver all the mail and come back late if we need to, but Ive been hearing that a lot of people are being told to bring back the mail and then deliver it tomorrow, which creates a snowball effect. If youre delivering todays mail tomorrow, and tomorrows mail the next day, it piles up.

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Trays of mail come to us from downtown, most of it comes in already sorted. If it comes in a little bit late, people have been instructed not to wait for it. That means theyll have double the work tomorrow, and it runs them further behind.

Do you think USPS can handle mail-in voting?

Absolutely. We handled the census just fine, and every single person got three or four notices in that time frame. That was nothing for us to really stumble over. Operating the way that we have been would be just fine. We scale up for the Christmas season, which is just an absolute nightmare of packages, and we adapt and make it through just fine. More ballots wouldnt really present an issue under normal circumstances, but weve been hearing about delays under DeJoy.

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Have you been concerned generally about what youve been hearing in the news about USPS?

Certainly. Im three years into my career here, and I just made regular. You start out as a part-time employee for up to about two yearsyoure called a city carrier assistant. Once you make it through that, you get converted into a regular full-time employee. So now Im looking forward to having a long and prosperous career and providing for my family. It kind of sounds like theyre trying to undermine our efforts and turn this into something that can be privatized.

Do you think your job is safe?

I hope so. On good days I remember that the post office is explicitly defined in the Constitution Article 1, Section 8. Theyre going to have to move mountains to get rid of us, but on bad days I see those mountains starting to move.

For more of Slates news coverage, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below.

If you work at USPS or have any information about whats happening there now, please email aaron.mak@slate.com.
Kanye West releases 2020 platform packed with Bible verses: 'Creating a culture of life'

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Billionaire rapper and 2020 presidential hopeful Kanye West revealed his campaign platform on Sunday, a document calling for the fostering of a culture of life in the United States and the restoration of prayer in classrooms.

West, who took to Twitter on July 4 to announce his long-shot candidacy after undergoing a spiritual awakening in recent years, posted the short platform to his campaign website.

While Democrat and Republican Party platforms tend to be thousands of words long and touch on various political issues, Wests platform comes in at just over 400 words.

Titled Creating a Culture of Life, the platform has 10 different sections highlighting West's goals, each capped off with references to different Bible verses. The sections are short and don't go into much detail on how those goals will be accomplished if West is elected.

The first section of the platform calls for the revival of Americas Constitutional commitment to freedom of religion and the free exercise of ones faith. West believes this can be done in part by restoring prayer in the classroom including spiritual foundations.

At the end of the section, the platform cites Psalm 78:4 and states that We will not hide the truth from our children, but will declare to the next generation His praises and wonder.

Secondly, West calls for the restoration of a sound national economy and the reduction of household debt and student loan debt. He then references Jeremiah 29:11 to stress that God has plans to give us hope and a future.

The third bullet point on Wests platform calls for the restructuring of the national education system in a way that serves the most at-risk and vulnerable populations so that they are provided the widest possible range of educational and vocational paths to job opportunities and career success.

West also calls for a strong national defense that is fully prepared but not so quick to tie up our countrys young men and women in foreign quagmires that do not advance our national interest.

When it comes to foreign affairs, the rapper believes the nation needs to ensure that the best interest of Americans is taken into account first and foremost. He believes that the U.S. should project strength, not aggression.

We want trust, but we must also verify. We want fair trade, not one-sided deals that hurt American workers, the platform reads.



The platform also calls for the reforming of Americas legal system so that justice is equitable for all citizens, regardless of race or ability to defend oneself in court.

Recognize the disparity in verdicts and prison sentences, caused by the lack of financial resources or legal assistance, it says before it references Proverbs 20:10 to stress that there will not be differing weights and differing measures.

As the country has been embroiled in national unrest and protests in the months since the death of African American George Floyd in police custody on Memorial Day, West calls for reform to policing in a manner that treats all Americans the same no matter their race, color or ethnicity.

Refocus police forces on real crime, the platform reads. Eliminate federal sentencing guidelines that tie the hands of judges, resulting in ridiculous sentences for the most minor offenses.

The seventh item on Wests platform calls for the U.S. to take care of the environment by pursuing clean air and water initiatives as a national security priority. West wants to make renewable energy a top priority.

He also calls for faith-based groups to be supported as they provide vital local services, giving communities a shared purpose in government.

We will provide ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works, the platform reads, citing Hebrews 10:24.



Finally, the platform states plainly that Creativity and the Arts can be an important source of innovation and development of other national strengths and resources.

Although Wests platform does not specifically touch on the issue of abortion, the platforms title, Creating a Culture of Life," seems to borrow from the Catholic pro-life phrase "Culture of Life."

The phrase indicates objection to the ending of life in the womb through abortion or at the end of life through euthanasia. The term is believed to have been introduced by St. John Paul II in the 1990s.

Although West is most known for his rap songs, he has undergone a spiritual transformation in recent years as he has embraced Christ. He has even led a national Gospel tour that has taken him to preach about Jesus in prisons, youth conferences and megachurches.

In an interview with Forbes in July, West said that God told him to run for president in 2020 and he urged President Donald Trump and Presumptive Democrat nominee Joe Biden to drop out of the race. He also floated the idea of selecting Michelle Tidball, an obscure preacher from Cody, Wyoming, as his running mate.

Its Gods country, we are doing everything in service to God, nobody but God no more, he said.

At his first campaign rally in July, West admitted that he wanted to abort his first child with Kim Kardashian West.

However, his wife decided to keep the baby. He recalled for the audience in South Carolina that he was still living the rappers lifestyle when Kardashian West told him she was pregnant with their oldest child, North, who was is now seven years old. The couple talked about aborting the baby for about three months. His wife even had the abortion pills in her hand one point.

Im in the apartment in Paris and I have my laptop up, and I have all my creative ideas  and the screen went black and white, West recalled. And God said, If you f*** with my vision, Im gonna f*** with yours.

Earlier in July, West slammed Planned Parenthood in his Forbes interview. He said that the abortion giant was created by "white supremacists to do the devil's work."

I am pro-life because Im following the word of the Bible," he said.

In an interview last year with Zane Lowe, he also discussed his spiritual transformation.

"Now that Im in service to Christ, my job is to spread the Gospel, to let people know what Jesus has done for me. Ive spread a lot of things," he explained. "There was a time I was letting you know what high fashion had done for me. I was letting you know what the Hennessy had done for me. I was letting you know all these things, but now Im letting you know what Jesus has done for me, and in that Im no longer a slave; Im a son now, a son of God. Im free."

In 2019, West released his Jesus is King album.
The Philadelphia Tribune building on South 16th Street, Aug. 12, 2020. It is the oldest continuously published African American newspaper in the country and is facing a strike by workers over coronavirus working conditions. Read more

The union that represents employees at the Philadelphia Tribune has accused the publication of forcing staffers to report to work without taking safety precautions against the fast-spreading COVID-19.

Back in their Center City offices since late May, Tribune employees havent been provided with protective gear such as masks, and the facility hasnt been prepared with signs calling for social distancing, union officials said.

Founded in 1884, the Tribune is the nations oldest continuously running African American newspaper. It publishes online at www.phillytrib.com, and its offices are at 520 S. 16th St. Robert Bogle is president and CEO.

Union president Chris Woods, head of District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Workers, said the union has already filed grievances with the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that enforces labor law.

About 10 Tribune staffers are members of the union, which represents some workers outside of health care. A former employee said the staff numbers about 25.

This is a pandemic, and its affecting each and every one of us, Woods said. An employer is required to do everything possible to make sure the environment in which people come to work is safe. He said the union employees may go on strike if conditions dont improve.

Alonzo Kittrels, an independent contractor who is the Tribunes director of administrative services, declined to comment about the allegations. Kittrels, who also writes a weekly column for the publication, said the newspaper had filed a response to the unions grievance.

The Inquirer obtained an undated internal union memo on Wednesday that detailed the allegations of unsafe conditions. The union memo explains that a 1199C investigation found that the Tribune failed to provide even the most basic protections for office workers.

Tribune workers complained that the newspaper wasnt providing employees with masks, nor was hand sanitizer widely available, among other allegations, according to the memo, written by Guild director Barbara Mann and addressed to Woods.

According to orders issued by the office of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf last month, businesses are required to have employees work remotely whenever possible.

Staff writer Juliana Feliciano Reyes contributed to this article.
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / During the week of June 8, the government of the island of Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), detained the documented U.S. fishing boat Rebel Lady, arrested Captain Michael Foy, held the foreign crew without charge, and confiscated 8,000 pounds of tuna and swordfish valued at more than $60,000. Captain Foy was initially denied bail by the local magistrate, Later today, the Tortola High Court will decide on his appeal of that decision. Captain Foy has been imprisoned 67 days as of this writing.

The American Sword and Tuna Harvesters urge all relevant agencies of the United States Government, and specifically the Department of State, to take all possible actions to obtain justice for Captain Foy.

On June 8, the Rebel Lady was drifting outside Tortola territorial waters for several hours, awaiting permission to enter Road Town as she has done more than 9 times in the past year, most recently on April 27th. The purpose of the visits was to fulfill the U.S. Government visa requirement that the foreign crew "go foreign" every 29 days. The Captain and crew do not disembark for this formality. The protocol is: documents are submitted, including COVID-19 health certificates, passports are stamped, and the vessel departs.

On June 9, Captain Foy was instructed to follow a Customs boat into port. There, he was arrested on charges of illegal entry, arrival at a place other than a Port, and operating an unlicensed and unregistered fishing vessel. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) requested and received a denial of bail. In addition, DPP is seeking $511,000 in fines, seizure of the vessel, and up to one year imprisonment for Captain Foy. The catch was seized "to be forfeited and resold to benefit the government," the DPP wrote in a circular.

Captain Foy, who has fished five different oceans and has never been accused of a fishery or customs/immigration violation in his forty years at sea, has been kept in a rat and cockroach infested prison with a court date set for September. Dinners are a piece of bread and tea. Upon initial detainment, Captain Foy was not afforded the bare necessities - a shower, toothbrush and toothpaste, or even a change of clothes - for almost two weeks.

Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ) have beseeched BVI Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. for fair treatment and humane detention. Humanitarian groups such as Amnesty International, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Human Rights at Sea were contacted to investigate the squalid conditions of the Indonesian crew.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Law Enforcement in St. Petersburg, Florida monitors all U.S. flagged fishing vessels with mandatory Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) records. These hourly GPS readings have been made available and are believed to indicate the exact location of the Rebel Lady outside of Tortola's territorial waters. Additionally, NOAA's Greater Atlantic Fisheries Office in Gloucester, Massachusetts has authorized the release of the mandatory camera surveillance records from the Rebel Lady, which indicates where the boat was fishing. Captain Foy's family and friends are confident this technology will prove his innocence.

The Acting Chief of Customs, who was contacted by the Rebel Lady's friend and agent in San Juan the day prior to the boat's arrival, has refused to comment on the case.

About the American Sword and Tuna Harvesters

The American Sword and Tuna Harvesters are fishermen, fish buyers, vessel owners and support businesses who represent a significant harvesting segment of the U.S. Pelagic Longline Industry. We strive for equitable, logic and science based fishery management that results in maximizing the harvest of the United State's allocation of highly migratory fish species to supply the American public with a healthy, renewable food source.

PRESS CONTACT:

Jim Budi

jbudi33@gmail.com

SOURCE: American Sword and Tuna Harvesters

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601777/American-Fishermen-Call-on-State-Department-to-Help-Captain-Illegally-Detained-in-British-Virgin-Islands
A 32-year-old woman has become the latest person in Northern Ireland to die after contracting Covid-19.

Andreea Maftei, who lived in Ballymena but was from Romania, passed away in hospital on Thursday.

The young woman was well-known in the Co Antrim town as an employee of Nobel Cafe on Church Street.

Her father Mircea Serban, who is from Romania, posted on social media that his daughter had passed away due to the coronavirus.

Expand Close Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton Stephen Hamilton / Facebook

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Whatsapp Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton

He said Andrea was killed by this unfortunate virus that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Expand Close Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton Stephen Hamilton / Facebook

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Whatsapp Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton

Originally from the Romanian city of Tecuci, Mrs Maftei is survived by her husband of almost seven years, Ovidiu, who works in construction.

Devastated staff at the cafe were today coming to terms with the loss of their dear friend and colleague as floral tributes to Mrs Maftei were left outside the premises.

The business had been closed for 24 hours earlier this week for a thorough deep clean after the positive case was identified.

Mrs Maftei had been self-isolating and was not in work at the time.

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Nobel confirmed on Wednesday that all other staff members had been tested and returned a negative result.

The business has today stressed that both the Public Health Agency and Environmental Health officers had concluded that Mrs Maftei contracted the virus due to a community based outbreak and not through their food premises.

Expand Close Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton Stephen Hamilton / Facebook

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Whatsapp Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton

Posting on social media Nobel said: Our hearts go out to Andreas loving husband Ovidiu, her parents, grandparents and family circle.

Andrea worked with us for twelve fantastic years, not only was she a trusted employee but a very loyal friend. We are astounded at the news and utterly heartbroken.

Unfortunately, Andrea has been taken from us under horrendous circumstances.

We have sought legal advice and we will not tolerate disrespect or online abuse towards this situation.

We ask you to be kind as we grieve the loss of Andrea and what she meant to us.

Mrs Maftei is the second member of staff Nobel has lost in recent months following the death in June of Roisin ONeill (66) following a battle with cancer.

Expand Close Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton Stephen Hamilton / Facebook

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Whatsapp Flowers left at Cafe Nobel in Ballymena where a worker has sadly died after contracting Covid 19. Photo by Stephen Hamilton

Paying tribute, Nobel added: We know Roisin will be waiting for Andrea and we ask her to look after her.

We are completely and utterly heartbroken. We will miss you forever. We cant put it into words.

Out of respect for Andrea and the shock this has caused for our staff we will be closed today and tomorrow.
People in a mental health crisis are extremely vulnerable. They might be experiencing suicidality, delusions, hallucinations or other symptoms  all of which can be seriously distressing. Though there is a role for law enforcement to intervene when the threat of homicide is imminent, armed officers should serve as a backup for mental health professionals. Many police officers have little or no training on how to deal with a person with mental illness. These untrained, armed first responders can elicit a fear-based response that can exacerbate symptoms and worsen the crisis. In the worst-case scenario, people with mental illness might be killed by armed first responders who are not properly trained. Americans with mental illnesses make up nearly a quarter of those killed by police officers.
At 4am on one day in early August, Truong Thi Chau and her husband, a taxi driver in central Da Nang City, received a phone call from a pregnant woman in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward.

A taxi driver helps a pregnant woman put belongings in the car before going to the hospital.  Photo tuoitre.vn

Immediately, a seven-seat car was sent to take the woman to the hospital to give birth.

A group of taxi drivers in the central city have offered free rides to pregnant women to hospitals amid social distancing with all transport services suspended.

The service was initiated by Tran Ngoc Vu, 29 years old, who learned many pregnant women couldn't find cars to take them to hospital when they fell into labour.

At first, he recruited five local taxi drivers who are his friends living in his neighbouring area in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward.

Their actions became well-known after being shared on social networks, leading more drivers in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province to join the team.

A lot of local taxi drivers in Da Nang have their jobs suspended since the city started social distancing period in late July. As the epicentre of COVID-19 in Vietnam will continue social distancing until further notice, drivers do not know when they can resume work.

Chau said: "Whenever there is a call from pregnant women, no matter if its at midnight or on rainy days, having to travel far or near, we are always ready to go."

As a woman, I understand how hard it is when a woman is in labour, having to bring a lot of stuff but not being able to find any car. Everyone feels mixed up in this situation.

Booking a car in social distancing days is more difficult. Although we have lost income these days due to suspension of transport service, my husband and I still decided to join the team right after Vu offered, she told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Now the team has more than 60 taxi drivers. When pregnant women need help, they just need to pick up the phone and call the hotline.

Nguyen Thanh Viet in Cam Le District called the hotline and will never forget the assistance he and his wife received from a taxi driver.

Only five minutes after the call, the driver came. On the way to the hospital, he advised us not to worry too much and volunteered to take my wife home when she was discharged from hospital, Viet said.

The drivers action was especially meaningful during social distancing, he said.

Tran Ngoc Vu, the founder of the free ride service, said: All of us are aware of risks at hospitals amid the pandemic and tell each other to take preventive measures in the cars and at hospitals.

"We want to join hands with the whole city to overcome the pandemic difficulties," he said.

Each time, we know a baby was born in healthy conditions, we all feel happy and lucky. VNS

Pregnant women cared for in quarantine More than 200 pregnant women are currently being looked after by medical workers and soldiers at a quarantine centre.
Unveiled in 1939, the Pontiac Ghost Car was the first completely transparent car made in America, and eight decades later, photos of it are still a wonder to behold.

Designed to showcase everything that goes into making an automobile in a time when the automotive industry was thriving, the Pontiac Ghost Car was built by General Motors in partnership with Rohm and Hass, the company that invented Plexiglas. The revolutionary material essentially replaced the sheet of metal out of which the cars body was usually made of, thus offering a clear view of the inner workings of the vehicle. To add to its striking appearance, the metallic structure featured a copper wash, the hardware was chrome-plated and the tires were white, instead of the usual black. The Ghost Cars total cost was estimated at $25,000 at the time.

A transparent motorcar, the first ever constructed in the united states, is the most striking of the Fisher Body Division exhibits at the GM highways and horizons building at the New York worlds fair, a 1939 General Motors press release read. Created to show the rigid interior bracing and other features complete with windows that can be raised and lowered, doors that can be opened and closed. The only material lacking being the insulation normally applied to the inner surface working with a new material, a synthetic crystal-clear plastic.

In 1940, a second Pontiac Ghost Car was built for the Golden Gate Exposition Display, an together with the original one toured different Pontiac dealerships in the United States. The eye-catching vehicles were also featured in Pontiac promotional material as well as in automotive magazines.

The 1939 Ghost Car was loaned to the Smithsonian during World War 2, and was auctioned for $308,000 in 2011.

Photos: General Motors via Vintage Every Day
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: Hours after the BJP said it would move a no-trust motion against the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan on Friday, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting here on Thursday evening decided to bring a confidence motion to counter the saffron partys bid.

Sachin Pilot, who had led a rebellion against Chief Minister Gehlot seeking a change in the partys leadership in Rajasthan, also attended the CLP meeting chaired by the veteran leader.

This was their first meeting after their rivalry triggered a political crisis nearly a month ago. Before the CLP meet, the Congress had revoked the suspension of MLAs Vishvendra Singh and Bhanwarlal Sharma.

Both had been suspended from the partys primary membership last month over their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to topple the Gehlot government.

According to political observers, the Gehlot government is no longer in danger after Pilots return to the Congress fold.

However, the BJP is firm on moving the no-trust motion.

ALSO READ | BJP hopes for one more shot at Operation Kamal in Rajasthan amid Gehlot-Pilot patch-up

We will bring in a no-trust motion and our party is fully ready for this. We will like to question how did the government function during the past one month when all its MLAs and ministers were herded together in hotels, said Leader of the Opposition Gulab Singh Kataria.

The decision to push a no-trust motion was taken in a BJP legislature party meeting held here on Thursday.

Most senior leaders of the party state unit attended the meeting, which was presided over by Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

Notably, former CM Vasundhara Raje, who had been camping in Delhi for almost a week, was also present in the meeting.

With the BJPs no-trust motion and the ruling Congress confidence motion slated for Friday, the first day of the Assembly session is likely to be stormy.
Some of Australia's most influential lobby groups have been put on notice over climate change, with mining giant BHP setting standards that require them to advocate for Paris agreement-aligned emissions reductions and stop backing energy policies that favour fossil fuels over renewables.

BHP, the world's biggest mining company, updated its website on Friday with details of its new climate-related expectations of its industry lobbyists  including the Minerals Council of Australia, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association  which have faced shareholder criticism for public-policy positions surrounding fossil fuels.

BHP has been facing a big investor backlash over the climate positions of its lobby groups. Credit:Tony McDonough

Among the miner's expectations are advocacy for targets that increase over time and aim towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as policies to support that transition including a price on carbon.



The new standards also say the associations must ensure their lobbying is balanced  prohibiting them from emphasising the cost of climate action without considering the cost of inaction  and ensure their lobbying does not attack or promote one energy source or commodity over another, such as advocating for coal or against renewable energy. Lobbying that could "unduly exacerbate" policy tensions, such as support for the federal government's use of Kyoto carryover credits to meet national emissions goals, must also be avoided.
The new accord under which the United Arab Emirates and Israel are normalizing relations marks a major shift in Israels dealings with the Gulf states and in the region in general. Brought about with support from the Trump administration, the deal will help cement the legacies of President Donald Trump, Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, and the U.A.E.s Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed. Each country stands to gain something different from the deal: Washington can point to a success at peacemaking, achieving what the Obama administration did not; Abu Dhabi can say it halted Israels threat to annex parts of the West Bank; and Jerusalem can point to this as a new milestone in relations with the Islamic and Arab world.

The deal comes in the context of major tectonic shifts in the Middle East. In May, Greece, Egypt, France, Cyprus, and the U.A.E. slammed Turkey over its increasingly aggressive stance in the Mediterranean. Last month, Israel signed an EastMed pipeline deal with Greece and Cyprus. Egypt, a key ally of the U.A.E., recently signed a different Mediterranean agreement with Greece delimiting maritime jurisdictions. In addition, in July two Israeli defense companies signed a deal to work with a U.A.E.-based company to find solutions in the fight against COVID-19. There has also been an increase in humanitarian-aid flights between the U.A.E. and Israel, despite the countries having no existing relations till now. The picture being painted is of a closer alliance among Israel, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and the U.A.E.

The agreement with Abu Dhabi is the first big peace push in the decades since the Oslo Accords, which Israel and the Palestinians signed in the 1990s. Its important to recall that when Israel was founded in 1948, its immediate Arab neighbors were not only hostile but launched an invasion. Israel initially had relations with states in the wider Muslim world, such as Iran and Turkey. Today the situation is reversed. Egypt signed a peace deal with Israel in 1979, and Jordan followed in 1994. Israel also quietly sought low-level ties with Morocco, Tunisia, and other Gulf states such as Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and the U.A.E. Israel and Qatar are in frequent contact to calm tensions in Qatar-funded, Hamas-run Gaza.

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In contrast to previous eras in which Israels greatest enemies were the Arab states, today Israels greatest adversary is Iran. In addition to stockpiling missiles and building up its nuclear program, the Iranian regime supports Shiite groups in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Syrian dictatorship, and Houthi rebels in Yemen  all threats to Israel. The Houthis, whose official slogan includes the phrase death to Israel, curse the Jews, are currently fighting Saudi Arabia and have also fought U.A.E.-backed forces. Given Irans role in the region, an alliance system linking Jerusalem, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh is clearly in their common interests.

Turkey is also a leading opponent of Israel today, despite diplomatic relations dating back to the 1950s. Turkey slammed the U.A.E. deal and threatened to break off relations with the Gulf state. Hours before Israels deal with the U.A.E. was announced, Netanyahu said Israel was siding with Greece in its recent tensions with Turkey.

As this alliance system grows, Israel and the U.A.E. will effectively complement each others strengths. The two countries have among the highest GDP per capita in the Middle East. Israel is a leader in defense technology, such as the Iron Dome air-defense system, and the U.A.E. is a center of global commerce. With more open relations, these two dynamic economies could become a regional powerhouse. For that to happen, the U.A.E. will have to overcome attempts by Turkey and Iran to sabotage the deal. Netanyahu will have to sideline his governing coalitions more extreme right wing and religious supporters, who prefer annexing the West Bank to ties with an Arab state.

The IsraelU.A.E. accord is only the beginning of a deepening relationship and new strategic consensus in the region. It came about in the shadow of the threats posed by the Iran Deal and with support from the Trump administration. A political transition in the U.S. may affect this new entente, and it may be challenged by further tensions with Iran, Turkey, and terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. For now, the IsraelU.A.E. agreement looks to accelerate a warming trend, ending decades of stagnation in Israels diplomatic relations in the Middle East. It points to a new strategic relationship for Jerusalem and several of the Arab states.

More from National Review
(Newser)  The mail-in voting controversy is intensifying. The Washington Post reports that the US Postal Service has warned 46 states and DC that trouble is loomingthe USPS can't guarantee all ballots cast by mail would arrive back in time to be counted. The reason is because current deadlines for people to request and return ballots, set up in pre-pandemic days, won't work amid the expected surge in mail voting. Some states are scrambling to change their deadlinesincluding Pennsylvania, per the Philadelphia Inquirerbut others have not or cannot do so in time for the election. The Postal Service is asking election officials and voters to realistically consider how the mail works, a USPS spokeswoman says in a statement. Related:

Example: The USPS warned 31 states that voters would have to return their ballots by Oct. 27 to ensure they would be counted.

The USPS warned 31 states that voters would have to return their ballots by Oct. 27 to ensure they would be counted. Obama: Former President Obama doesn't seem to be shy anymore about publicly criticizing his successor. In a podcast, Obama accused Trump of trying to "kneecap" the US Postal Service to discourage voting, reports CNN. "What we've seen in a way that is unique to modern political history is a president who is explicit in trying to discourage people from voting," Obama said on the podcast with his former campaign chief, David Plouffe. "What we've never seen before is a president say, 'I'm going to try to actively kneecap the postal service to encourage voting, and I will be explicit about the reason I'm doing it."

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Elaborating: Obama appeared to be responding to comments Trump made Thursday in which he said he objected to additional money for the USPS as part of a coronavirus relief package, because the money would be used to help manage the surge in mail ballots. "You now have the president throwing in this additional monkey wrench trying to starve the Postal Service," Obama said. "My question is what are Republicans doing where you are so scared of people voting that you are now willing to undermine what is part of the basic infrastructure of American life?"

Obama appeared to be responding to comments Trump made Thursday in which he said he objected to additional money for the USPS as part of a coronavirus relief package, because the money would be used to help manage the surge in mail ballots. "You now have the president throwing in this additional monkey wrench trying to starve the Postal Service," Obama said. "My question is what are Republicans doing where you are so scared of people voting that you are now willing to undermine what is part of the basic infrastructure of American life?" Trump's ballot: The president, meanwhile, has just requested his mail-in ballot for Florida's primary next week, reports USA Today. Trump has drawn a distinction between "absentee" voting, which he says he uses, and "universal" mail-in voting, in which states would mail ballots to all voters. He says that the first is safe but that the second is vulnerable to fraud. Florida, for the record, does not make a distinction on types of mail voting. All such ballots are processed the same way, and anyone can vote by mail for any reason, not just because they are out of state.

The president, meanwhile, has just requested his mail-in ballot for Florida's primary next week, reports USA Today. Trump has drawn a distinction between "absentee" voting, which he says he uses, and "universal" mail-in voting, in which states would mail ballots to all voters. He says that the first is safe but that the second is vulnerable to fraud. Florida, for the record, does not make a distinction on types of mail voting. All such ballots are processed the same way, and anyone can vote by mail for any reason, not just because they are out of state. Machinery: As the debate over mail-in votes unfolds, Vice reports that the USPS is dismantling about 500 mail-sorting machines, or 15% of the total. The move threatens to further gum up the process amid the expected surge in mail balloting.

As the debate over mail-in votes unfolds, Vice reports that the USPS is dismantling about 500 mail-sorting machines, or 15% of the total. The move threatens to further gum up the process amid the expected surge in mail balloting. No meeting: NPR reports that a bipartisan group of secretaries of statethe people responsible for running elections in their stateshave asked to meet with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to get a better handle on how recent policy changes and cutbacks might affect the November election. However, the meeting has yet to be scheduled. "Unfortunately, [we] still haven't had a direct conversation with the US postmaster," New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver tells NPR.

(Read more Barack Obama stories.)
A new 6.85million foreign aid scheme to help workers supplying UK chains like M&S and Primark has been accused of funnelling aid into the pockets of wealthy firms.

Announced by the Government on Thursday, it promises to benefit British consumers by supplying 'affordable, high quality goods from around the world.'

But critics say the scheme helps suppliers to UK high streets by using taxpayer money to 'pick up the bill.'

International development secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: 'This new fund will strengthen vital supply chains for UK consumers, while supporting some of the most vulnerable workers in developing countries. It will make a real difference to people in the UK and abroad.'

Operating with charities including Care UK, the Fairtrade Foundation and Ethical Trade Initiative, it will focus on workers living in in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana (pictured: a textile worker in Dhaka)

The Government will contribute 4.85million to the scheme which has been devised to 'support workers in developing countries during the coronavirus pandemic and help keep some of the UK's favourite products on high street shelves.'

Operating with charities including Care UK, the Fairtrade Foundation and Ethical Trade Initiative, it will focus on workers living in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana.

Retailers who will benefit include M&S, Primark, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Co-op and Waitrose.

But the Government's plan was described as a 'disgrace' by Labour MP Kate Osamor who sits on the Commons International Development Committee.

Ms Osamor told The Guardian: 'It is a disgrace that the government is funnelling the aid budget into the pockets of wealthy businesses like Morrisons and Primark at the same time as it cuts poverty reduction programmes in some of the poorest countries on Earth.'

She added that it is incumbent on British corporations to ensure that suppliers maintain adequate working conditions for employees.

'[These companies] make hundreds of millions in profit each year; the UK taxpayer should not be picking up the bill when they finally decide it's time to improve conditions for their workforce.' Ms Osamor said.

The Department for International Development said that M&S and Care will work together to provide health services for 80,000 textile workers in Bangladesh.

Retailers who will benefit include M&S, Primark, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Co-op and Waitrose

'This is expected to have knock-on benefits for a further 300,000 people in Bangladesh's poorest communities,' DfID said in its press release.

Labour MP Kate Osamor, a member of the Commons International Development Committee, said: It is a disgrace that the Government is funnelling the aid budget into the pockets of wealthy businesses.

A DfID spokesman said: 'UK aid is not going to British businesses. DfID's grant funding is providing support to workers and farmers through civil society partners that are working with businesses and their supply chain.'

Fiona Sadler, head of ethical trading for M&S, said: 'At M&S we have a robust approach to ethical fashion - we know we're only as strong as the communities where we operate and we're committed to helping improve the lives of workers in our supply chain through collaborative initiatives.'
(Newser)  President Trump's surprise announcement Thursday of a Mideast deal involving Israel and the United Arab Emirates is, to say the least, a "big deal," writes Ben Sales in the Jerusalem Post. In a New York Times op-ed, Thomas Friedman goes so far as to call it a "geopolitical earthquake"and one he likes. Under the broad strokes of the deal, Israel agreed to halt plans (at least temporarily) to annex part of the West Bank. In return, the UAE will establish diplomatic ties with Israel, becoming only the third Arab country to do so after Egypt and Jordan, per Al Jazeera. Coverage:

Friedman: This isn't Anwar Sadat going to Jerusalem or Yasir Arafat shaking Yitzhak Rabin's hand, "but it is close," writes Friedman. "Just go down the scorecard, and you see how this deal affects every major party in the regionwith those in the pro-American, pro-moderate Islam, pro-ending-the-conflict-with-Israel-once-and-for-all camp benefiting the most and those in the radical pro-Iran, anti-American, pro-Islamist permanent-struggle-with-Israel camp all becoming more isolated and left behind." He credits Jared Kushner's peace plan for creating the "raw material" from which the deal emerged.

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Key moment: An Axios analysis says a key moment came two months ago when a UAE ambassador wrote an op-ed in the Israeli press saying that Israel had to choose between annexation and normalization. The ambassador, Yousef Al-Otaiba, then brought his proposal to Kushner and White House envoy Avi Berkowitz: his country would recognize Israel if annexation was put on hold. Talks began in earnest among reps from the three nations.

An Axios analysis says a key moment came two months ago when a UAE ambassador wrote an op-ed in the Israeli press saying that Israel had to choose between annexation and normalization. The ambassador, Yousef Al-Otaiba, then brought his proposal to Kushner and White House envoy Avi Berkowitz: his country would recognize Israel if annexation was put on hold. Talks began in earnest among reps from the three nations. Standing O: The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump spoke to Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on speaker phone Thursday, and all three leaders hailed the deal as a step toward peace. Afterward, Trump advisers in the room gave him a standing ovation, and the president seemed "genuinely touched," one official tells the Journal. Then Trump turned and applauded his team. Amazing job, guys, he said. Im very proud of you.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump spoke to Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on speaker phone Thursday, and all three leaders hailed the deal as a step toward peace. Afterward, Trump advisers in the room gave him a standing ovation, and the president seemed "genuinely touched," one official tells the Journal. Then Trump turned and applauded his team. Amazing job, guys, he said. Im very proud of you. Unhappy: The sentiment isn't unanimous. Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the deal a "sham" because it merely suspends annexation. A senior Palestinian official said much the same, per the AP. I never expected this poison dagger to come from an Arab country, said Saeb Erekat. You are rewarding aggression. ... You have destroyed, with this move, any possibility of peace between Palestinians and Israelis. The AP gives his comment context, writing that the deal with the UAE "undermined an Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for concessions in peace talksa rare source of leverage for the Palestinians."

The sentiment isn't unanimous. Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the deal a "sham" because it merely suspends annexation. A senior Palestinian official said much the same, per the AP. I never expected this poison dagger to come from an Arab country, said Saeb Erekat. You are rewarding aggression. ... You have destroyed, with this move, any possibility of peace between Palestinians and Israelis. The AP gives his comment context, writing that the deal with the UAE "undermined an Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for concessions in peace talksa rare source of leverage for the Palestinians." A Nobel? In a New York Post op-ed, Sohrab Ahmari suggests that Trump's America First policies have been vindicated. Ahmari lays out a scene of Trump accepting the Nobel Peace Prize for this, adding that it will never happen. "But it would be true if there were any justice in global affairsor at least, if good sense reigned among the men and women who preemptively awarded a Peace Prize to (Barack) Obama." An op-ed in the Hill by Richard Grenell also makes the case that Trump has proven his critics wrong. He has shown that "not starting new wars, bringing US troops home, and signing peace deals is only possible when an outsider ignores the Washington foreign policy establishment."

(Read more Israel stories.)
Tashkent Hires U.S. Firm To Campaign Against Boycott On Uzbek Cotton

By RFE/RL's Uzbek Service August 13, 2020

Documentation obtained by RFE/RL shows that Uzbek authorities have paid more than a half-million dollars to a U.S. public-relations firm to run a campaign aimed at lifting an international boycott against Uzbek cotton over the country's use of forced labor to harvest the crop.

The documentation includes a copy of an agreement between the Washington-based firm Xenophon Strategies and the export agency at Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.

The agreement was signed on April 14 by the agency's director, Ulugbek Murodov, and Xenophon Strategies CEO David Fuscus.

Tashkent agreed to pay the firm $585,000 for its services, most of which has been already paid.

Rights groups launched a boycott campaign in 2006 to force Uzbekistan to end its long-running state-controlled practice of forced labor -- a policy that forces millions of citizens, including children, to pick cotton and meet harvest quotas.

Foreign Lobby Report, a website that exposes attempts by authoritarian states to influence public opinion, reported in early August that Uzbekistan had started a PR campaign aimed at lifting the cotton boycott.

Foreign Lobby Report says Uzbekistan is the first non-U.S. client of Xenophon Strategies.

The agreement obtained by RFE/RL calls for Xenophon Strategies to prepare and implement strategic efforts to persuade the international community that Uzbekistan has abandoned the practice of using forced labor to harvest cotton.

Lynn Schweisfurth, a specialist on corporate social responsibility at the Berlin-based Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, told RFE/RL that Xenophon Strategies was working together with a German company, Cometis, to carry out the public-opinion campaign for Tashkent.

According to Schweisfurth, the U.S. company paid $6,000 to Cometis in May for its cooperation.

When asked by RFE/RL to comment on the contract, officials at the Uzbek export agency directed all questions to the agency's representative, Murod Rahimov.

But when questioned by RFE/RL by telephone on August 12 about the $585,000 contract, Rahimov said, "it is not possible to answer these questions now," and hung up.

A day after the agreement with the U.S. firm was signed, Tashkent publicly urged a global human rights coalition called the Cotton Campaign to call off its international boycott on Uzbek cotton and textiles.

In its request for an end to the boycott, the Uzbek government cited what it claims has been progress in eliminating forced labor -- as well as economic hardships stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Since coming to power in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoev has gradually introduced laws aimed at eliminating forced labor and child labor.

Mirziyoev has also banned provincial authorities from forcing students and state workers to pick cotton.

In March, Mirziyoev signed a decree abolishing the state's quota system for cotton production.

But nongovernmental organizations, including the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, say forced labor is still rampant in the cotton sector and that some agricultural reforms closely mimic the previous system.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tashkent-hires-us -firm-to-campaign-against-boycott-on- uzbek-cotton/30781779.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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News from the Assistant Secretary for Health
Despite the hefty fines and possible jail time which people could face for breaking their qu
Retired science teacher Annie Pang, 72, who lives near San Francisco, will soon spend part of her day teaching Cantonese to four second graders in one of their homes as part of a pandemic pod. The students attend a Cantonese immersion school and Pang, originally from Hong Kong, is a native speaker. The students will do two hours online every day with their school, and Pang will provide supplemental instruction.

Pang, who retired in 2014, had been working as a substitute teacher for Swing Education, a company that matches subs with schools in need. More recently Swing pivoted to connect teachers with parents creating pandemic education pods.

"This gives teachers another opportunity, without so much stress of dealing with the administration and a district, Pang said.

Concerns over inequities

While providing the possibility of new opportunities for teachers, the pandemic pod trend is also controversial. Because wealthier families have the means to create pods and pay teachers, some say the practice will exacerbate racial and socioeconomic inequities in education.

"It's most definitely privileging some families over others, said Elena Silva, pre-K12 education policy director at New America, a think tank in Washington, D.C. These are the families who are already ahead."

And there may be drawbacks for teachers. There's little job security and few benefits, with hours that may not make up for a full-time position. While the risk of virus exposure would certainly be lower than teaching in-person classes to students in a traditional school, some teachers still have concerns about teaching anything but online. Teachers should also be sure to research tax implications and liability issues.

However, Keller views pandemic pod teaching as a way for her to serve her community. Most of the families she'll be working for are local, and she's looking forward to offering a more personalized educational experience.

"You can develop more of a relationship with these kids because you're working in such a small group, she says.

Others see it as a way to continue their vocation during chaotic times. Preschool teacher Lesley Gramaglia, 52, of Kensington, Maryland, was furloughed after her small, nonprofit preschool closed for the year due to challenges related to instruction during the pandemic. For such young children, the online stuff just isn't a very good teaching tool, she says.

Several families have approached her about teaching in their pandemic pods, but she's mulling both the benefits and the drawbacks.

"The idea is appealing to me, to spend time with a small group of kids each day, Gramaglia says. But everyone is sort of navigating this and trying to figure out what's most comfortable."
By Brian Ellsworth

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition-run congress has opened an investigation into an oil spill that continues to pollute palm-lined beaches along the South American nation's Caribbean coast, legislator Maria Gabriela Hernandez said on Wednesday.

Authorities said last week they were cleaning up the oil slick that washed up on the coast of Falcon state, known for wetlands and nature preserves, but did not provide an estimate of how much had spilled or the cause of the incident. [nL1N2F70W5]

The legislature's environment commission is now asking government institutions, including state oil company PDVSA, for details on what maintenance was carried out at the 146,000 barrel-per-day El Palito refinery, where the oil is believed to have originated.

"We want to know the maintenance schedule, so that we can determine responsibilities," said Hernandez, head of the environment commission, in a virtual press conference.

She said legislators are also asking "which international insurance, which companies do they have, that can compensate for the damages that the oil industry has caused."

The spill was the result of an overflow in late July at El Palito's oxidation ponds, Hernandez said, citing research by environment experts who have tracked satellite images.

A heavy storm contributed to the overflow, she said.

Oxidation ponds typically store refinery waste water.

PDVSA, which operates El Palito, and Venezuela's information ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The possibility that the oil slick could continue to spread westward has set off alarm bells among environmentalists who say it risks contaminating protected wetlands and a bird refuge in Falcon state.

(Reporting by Brian Ellsworth and Corina Pons; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:09:09|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Seventy-five years ago, on Aug. 15, Japan announced its surrender in World War II, which marks the Chinese people's victory against the invaders. The courage to fight against evil and darkness China showed in the Chinese resistance war against the Japanese invasion has become significant forces for steering through new challenges, especially when the country faces the threat of hegemonism and blockades to impede its development.

During the 14-year anti-invasion war, China was the major oriental battlefield against fascists, in which it provided strategic re-enforcement to the anti-fascist war elsewhere in the world.

The war tested the will, courage and strength of the Chinese people and highlighted the resilience of the nation to overcome major challenges. China has shown the heroism of not fearing violence and fighting to the end, the tenacity and perseverance against challenges and the firm faith in victory over all difficulties.

Now, some politicians in the United States have been making slanderous attacks on China. They used issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and Taiwan to interfere in China's internal affairs, took a number of provocative actions in the South China Sea, viciously attacked China's political system, attempted to drive a wedge between the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people and conducted repressive moves in various domains such as increasing tariffs and suppressing high-tech companies. Their aggressive and blatant bullying behavior crosses the moral line in international relations and contravenes the trend of the times.

Facing the threats, China has clear guiding principles. It does not provoke, and it will not flinch from provocations, either. It will not move to the beat of villains or put up with their wickedness.

On issues concerning China's core interests and national dignity, there is simply no room for it to back down. If China gives up an inch, they will ask for a mile, and they will never stop undermining China's sovereignty and dignity.

Much stronger than 75 years ago, China has the determination, resolve and national strength to overcome all challenges. It has the courage, ability and wisdom to prevail over the bullying and tests. No country or individual can hold back the historic march toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The experience of war makes people value peace all the more. As a country committed to pursuing peaceful development and building a community with a shared future for humanity, China believes in rational and practical measures to handle the issues of the Sino-U.S. relationship and will never allow a handful of self-serving U.S. politicians to push the relationship into serious jeopardy.

In the interest of peace, the Chinese people are resolved to pursue friendly relations with all other people, defend the gains of the victory of World War II and make greater contributions to mankind. China firmly believes that justice, peace and the people will prevail. Enditem
At a press conference in Cleveland earlier this month, President Trump warned his Christian followers what they could expect should Democratic candidate Joe Biden defeat him for re-election. No religion, no anything, Trump predicted. Biden will Hurt the Bible and Hurt God because the former vice-president is against God.

Trump must believe that 77-year-old Joe Biden possesses an extraordinary amount of power if hes capable of hurting God. True, Forbes in 2019 estimated that Joe and Jill Biden are worth about $9 million, but even that amount doesnt give one the kind of clout to injure the Lord.

Most Christians believe that God is omnipotent. Indeed, Genesis 17:1 records that God introduced Himself to Abraham with the words, I am the Almighty God. Revelations 19:6 clearly states: For the Lord our God omnipotent, reigneth. Despite their political differences, Republican and Democrat Christians should be able to agree that Trump got it wrong. An almighty, omnipotent God cant be hurt by Joe Biden or any other human being. The poet James Weldon Johnson expressed this truth in a poem titled The Prodigal Son with the words: Young man/Young man/Your arms too short to box with God.

Is Joe Biden capable of hurting the Bible as Trump warned his Christian followers? Highly unlikely. If the Bible is capable of weathering a badly-mangled 1631 reprint, it can surely survive a Joe Biden presidency.

In that year the royal printers in London reprinted the celebrated King James Version of the Bible. A decidedly startling error appears in the wording of the Sixth Commandment. The omission of the word not makes the Sixth Commandment read: Thou shalt commit adultery. The absence of a single word transforms the prohibition of adultery into a requirement to engage in adultery. Small wonder this 1631 printing is often called the Wicked Bible.

While the mangled Sixth Commandment is rather humorous, another error in the Wicked Bible borders on the blasphemous. Deuteronomy 5:24 should read: Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness. The Wicked Bible, however, reads: Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his great-asse The omission of not in the Sixth Commandment can be written off as an innocent mistake. The rendering of greatness into great-asse, however, suggests that the Wicked Bible could have been the victim of deliberate sabotage. Perhaps a rival printing firm wanted to damage the reputation of the men responsible for this 1631 reprinting of the King James Version.

King Charles I, the archbishop of Canterbury and other authorities were outraged by the Wicked Bible. Its printers were summoned to the Star Chamber and fined 300 pounds, which is over 50,000 pounds in contemporary currency. Although orders were given to confiscate and destroy all copies of the Wicked Bible, at least fourteen copies managed to survive. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC owns a copy.

While the Bible cant be hurt, it can certainly be exploited. Trump should know. Joe Biden and so many other Americans castigated Trump when, on June 1, he ordered law enforcement officers to deploy tear gas and flash-bang grenades to dispel peaceful demonstrators so that he would have a clear path to St. Johns Episcopal Church. And why? Did Trump want to worship God? No. He wanted to pose for a photo-op outside the church while holding a Bible in the air. As Trump made clear to a reporter, it wasnt even his Bible.

I recently read a scriptural passage that seems quite appropriate for Donald Trump. Its from Proverbs 6:12-15. A worthless man, a wicked man, goes around with devious speechplanning evil with a perverse mind, continually stirring up discord. Therefore, disaster will overtake him suddenly. He will be broken in an instant, and he will never recover.

In Trumps case, disaster will overtake him suddenly on Nov. 3.

John J. Dunphy is an author, the Godfrey 15th Precinct Democratic Committeeperson and recording secretary for the Godfrey Democrats.
By Online Desk

JAIPUR: A key session of the Rajasthan assembly in which the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government will move a vote of confidence began Friday.

The House assembled at 11 am and paid tributes to former MP Governor Lalji Tandon and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi and other leaders who recently passed away.

After the obituary reference, the Speaker adjourned the House till 1 pm.

Some of the Congress MLAs staying in a hotel here could not reach the assembly on time due to heavy rainfall and traffic congestion.

The city roads are flooded due to incessant rainfall.

The session comes after a month-long political crisis in the state which started with the rebellion by Sachin Pilot and 18 other Congress MLAs.

Gehlot also said it would be 'a victory of truth' during the assembly session that began on Friday.

The Congress government has said Gehlot will seek a vote of confidence after the opposition BJP said it will move a motion of no confidence against it.

ALSO READ | BJP hopes for one more shot at Operation Kamal in Rajasthan amid Gehlot-Pilot patch-up

Changes were also made in the seating arrangements of Pilot and Vishvendra Singh, who were sacked from the state cabinet last month.

While Pilot's chair was placed in the second row from the front, Singh was seen sitting on a separate chair in the last row.

The chief minister chaired a CLP meeting on Thursday where the decision to move the vote of confidence was taken.

The CLP meeting was also attended by the 18 MLAs who had revolted along with Pilot, a party leader had said.

However, the Opposition BJP said on Thursday that the party will move a motion of no confidence against the government.

With the disgruntled MLAs back in the party-fold, following the intervention of the top leadership, the Congress is likely to pass the floor test.

ALSO READ | Rajasthan govt will complete its five-year term under Ashok Gehlot: Pilot camp MLA Vishvendra Singh

Pilot was sacked as the state's deputy chief minister and Gehlot referred to him as "useless", using the Hindi term "nikamma".

At a CLP meeting Thursday, Gehlot urged Congress MLAs to forget the acrimony of the past month and move on.

"As the Legislative Assembly session begins today, It would be the victory of the people of Rajasthan and the unity of our Congress MLAs, it would be a victory of truth: Satyamev Jayate," Gehlot tweeted Friday.

The House, which began at 11 am, has been adjourned till 1 pm.

In a House of 200, the party has 107 MLAs and the support of independents and allies.

The BJP has 72 members.

Special seating arrangements have been made in the House because of the pandemic.

In a House of 200, the party has 107 MLAs and the support of independents and allies.

The BJP has 72 members.

(With PTI Inputs)
Top leaders of Vietnam, Laos hold phone talks

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong discussed Vietnam-Laos relations over the phone with his counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith on August 13, calling for continued coordination in the COVID-19 fight.





Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong (centre) at the phone talks with his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachith on August 13 (Photo: VNA)

During the talks, General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith offered condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people on the death of former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu.



He also congratulated Vietnam on recent achievements and spoke highly of its efforts and experience in the COVID-19 combat, expressing his belief that with the Communist Party of Vietnams clear-sighted leadership, the Governments direction, the whole political systems solidarity and the peoples consensus, the country will continue keeping the outbreak under control.



Thanking Vietnam for sharing experience and assisting his country, the Lao leader hoped that the two countries will increase sharing information and supporting each other in the battle against COVID-19.



For his part, Party General Secretary and President Trong thanked Laos for the close coordination with Vietnam in bilateral aspects as well as within the ASEAN framework. He also highly valued the Lao Party and Governments leadership and the Lao peoples solidarity in the drastic implementation of measures to contain the coronavirus and sustain socio-economic development.



He suggested the two countries continue working closely in the fight against COVID-19 so that they can contain the pandemic soon and go on with socio-economic development and improvement of peoples living standards.



During their talks, the two leaders informed each other about the situation of their respective Parties and countries, discussed bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared concern.



They highlighted that cooperation between the two Parties and countries has continually been strengthened in all spheres, helping with political stability and socio-economic development in each nation.



They also affirmed joint efforts will be made to uphold and pass down the special Vietnam-Laos solidarity to future generations.



Besides, the leaders pledged their countries continuation of timely information sharing, close and effective coordination, along with mutual support in international and regional affairs, especially within the frameworks of ASEAN, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and Mekong sub-region cooperation mechanisms.



Vietnam and Laos will work with Cambodia to effectively carry out the agreement on their Development Triangle Area reached among the three countries Prime Ministers. They will also coordinate with other countries in the management and sustainable and efficient use of the Mekong Rivers water resources for the sake of sustainable development in the region, the two leaders added.
The Odukpong Ofaakor District Police Command in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central Region has nabbed one person out of a gang of three robbers who allegedly robbed a taxi driver of his Daewoo Matiz taxi car at Awutu Kwabone.

According to the driver of the taxi cab, Ernest Asamoah, the robbers who were armed with a locally manufactured revolver, hired him to convey wheel caps to Awutu Kwabone but halfway through the journey, one of them pulled a gun on him forcing him to flee leaving behind his car.

I am a taxi driver who works at Kasoa on the Bawjiase stretch. During the late hours of Wednesday, I was working when an individual stopped me around 7 pm and asked me to take him to Kwabone together with four-wheel caps. When we got to Kwabone, he asked me to drop him at school junction, then suddenly the individual asked me to turn off my engine and bring my belongings and that if shout he will shoot me.

Suddenly two more individuals emerged from a nearby bush and pointed a gun at me. I managed to get out of the car, then suddenly, another car emerged from afar forcing the robbers to enter into my car and speed off. They took away my mobile phone and an amount of money, Ernest Asamoah narrated.

He indicated that after the robbers took the car away, he started shouting drawing the attention of neighbours who quickly mobilized and arrested one of the robbers at a neighbouring town.

After they took my car I shouted forcing neighbours around to chase the robbers and arrested one of them. Ten minutes after they took away my car one of them was arrested.

The Ofaakor District Police Commander, DSP Samuel Amfoh, indicated that the police are working hard to arrest two more suspects who were involved in the car snatching.

In fact, we are gathering information about the other two suspects. The suspect in custody is collaborating with the police and in no time we will arrest the other two, DSP Samuel Amfoh, the Ofaakor District Police Commander said.

He also warned drivers to be wary of criminals on the Ofaakor Bawjiase stretch, adding that they must be discerning when a customer gives them lucrative offers.

---
Islamabad:

Pakistan Army on Wednesday successfully test-fired an enhanced version of an indigenously-designed cruise missile that can hit targets at 700 kms with all kinds of warheads, bringing many Indian cities within its range.

Called Babur after Mughal invader and founder of the dynasty of same name, the missile is part of Babur Weapon System version- 2 because it is enhanced version of earlier missile.

Army said in a statement that it incorporates advanced aerodynamics and avionics that can strike targets both at land and sea with high accuracy.

It is a low flying, terrain hugging missile, which carries certain stealth features and is capable of carrying various types of warheads, it said.

The missile is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational technologies of Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and all time Digital Scene Matching & Area Co-relation (DSMAC), which enables it to engage various type of targets with pinpoint accuracy even in the absence of GPS navigation.

Babur Weapon System is an important force multiplier for Pakistans strategic defence, it said.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, senior officers from Strategic Plans Division, Strategic Forces, scientists and engineers of strategic organisations were present at the launch.

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving yet another milestone of great value and significance. He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists who contributed to the success of this launch.

Expressing his full confidence over the Strategic Command and Control System and the Strategic Forces operational preparedness, General Zubair said that this test further strengthens Pakistan?s Deterrence Capability.

The President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have congratulated the scientists and engineers on successful conduct of the missile test.

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"You must reside in Ward 3, and have been a resident in Ward 3 for at least a year," said borough Manager Christine Hart.
Pune, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global avionics market size is projected to reach USD 75.81 billion by the end of 2027. The increasing product applications will provide the platform for growth for the companies operating in the market. The increasing investments in the research and development of efficient products will have a direct impact on the growth of the market in recent years. According to a report published by Fortune Business Insights, titled Avionics Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By System (Hardware and Software), Platform (Commercial, Military, Business Jets, General Aviation), End-Use (OEM and Aftermarket), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027, the market was worth USD 48 billion in 2019 and will exhibit a CAGR of 9.25% during the forecast period, 2020-2027.





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Avionics is the development and production of electronic instruments that are used in aviation or astronautics. It involves all products that are associated with spacecraft, satellites, and other types of aircraft. Technological advancements will play a huge role in the growth of the overall market in the coming years.

Variations in product offerings and the flexibility enabled through the integration of advanced concepts have led to a wider product adoption in recent years. The increasing product applications have contributed to the increasing demand or products across this industry across the world. The increasing investments in avionics are consequential to the rising applications. Additionally, the presence of several large scale companies will bode well for the growth of the market in the foreseeable future.





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Covid-19 Pandemic to Present Serious Challenges to the Avionics Industry

The recent coronavirus outbreak has created a sense of panic across the world. The rapid spread of the disease has had an adverse effect on several businesses across diverse industries. The efforts taken by governments across several countries to curb the spread of the diseases have forced businesses to shut down completely. It has been a similar scenario in this industry and the past few months have presented several challenges to the businesses in this sector. The rising cases of coronavirus have put people in a state of panic and hesitancy; a primary factor behind the economic downfall in the past few months.

Company Mergers are an Increasing Trend Among Major Businesses across the World

The report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the overall avionics market in recent years. Among all factors, the increasing number of company mergers and acquisitions as well as collaborations among major businesses has made the highest impact on the growth of the market.

Accounting to the increasing applications of avionics across the world, companies are looking to collaborate with other large scale businesses with a bid to maximizing the resources of both the companies. In June 2019, Pattonair announced that it has signed a contract with Safran Ventilation Systems. This collaboration is aimed at the development as well as distribution of advanced logistical support. This will cover a wide range of ventilation products that can be used for avionics, including interior fans. This collaboration will have a massive global impact on the growth of the market, primarily driven by the wide customer coverage of the company across the world.





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North America to Emerge Dominant; Presence of Several Large Scale Companies will Aid Market Growth

The report analyses the latest market trends across five major regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Among all regions, the market in North America is projected to emerge dominant in the coming years. The increasing demand for the product, driven by applications across divers industry verticals will have a huge impact on the growth of the regional market. The presence of several large scale companies will also bode well for the growth of the market in this region. As of 2019, the market in North America was worth 17.62 billion and this value is projected to increase at a considerable pace in the coming years. The market in Asia Pacific will also witness considerable growth in the coming years driven by the rising aviation industry in several countries across this region.



List of the Leading Companies Operating in the Avionics Market are:

Avilution LLC (United States)

BAE Systems (United Kingdom)

CCX Technologies (Canada)

Cobham PLC (United Kingdom)

Collins Aerospace (United States)

Garmin Ltd. (United States)

General Electric (United States)

Honeywell International Inc (United States)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (United States)

Meggitt (United Kingdom)

Nucon Aerospace(India)



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Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Industry Developments  Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis

Quantitative Insights-Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Avionics Market Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Avionics Market Steps Taken by Industry/Companies/Government to Overcome the Impact Key Development in the industry in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Outbreak



TOC Continued!!!







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Industry Developments:

April 2020  Lockheed Martin Corporation announced that it has signed a contract with the U.S. Air Force. The contract is said to be worth USD 50 million and will be aimed at upgrading the advanced avionics suite, which is used to modernizes the U-2 combat aircrafts onboard system.





Have a Look at Related Research Insights:

Connected Aircraft Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Systems and Solutions), Connectivity (Inflight, Air to Air, and Air to Ground Connectivity), Application (Commercial and Military), Frequency Band (Ka-Band, Ku-Band, and L-Band) and Regional Forecasts, 2019-2026

Aircraft Antennas Market Size, Share and Industry Analysis By Platform (Fixed-Wing, Rotary-Wing), By Frequency Band (VHF & UHF Band, Ka/Ku/K Band, HF Band, X Band, and C Band Others), By End-User (OEM, Aftermarket), By Application (Communication, Navigation & Surveillance) and Regional Forecast 2019 to 2026

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (On-Board, ADS-B ground stations), By Fit (Line fit, Retrofit), By Component (Transponder, Receivers, Antenna, ADS-B Ground Receivers), By Application (Terminal Maneuvering Airspace (TMA) Surveillance, Airborne Surveillance), By Platform (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing)and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027



5G in Aviation Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Platform (5G Airport and 5G Aircraft), Technology (FWA, URLLC/MMTC, and eMBB), Communication Infrastructure (Small Cell, Radio Access Network (RAN) and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)), 5G Services (Airport Operations, and Aircraft Operations), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026



Aerostructures Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Component (Wings, Nose, Fuselage, Nacelle, Empennage & Pylon and Others), By Material (Metals, Composites and Alloys), By Platform (Fixed-wing aircraft (Commercial Aircraft, Military Aircraft, and UAVs) and Rotary-wing Aircraft (Commercial Aircraft, Military Aircraft, and UAVs)), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026



Aerospace 3D Printing Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Vertical (Printers and Materials), By Industry Type (UAV, Aircraft, and Spacecraft), By Application Type (Engine Components, Space Components, and Structural Components), By Printer Technology Type (DMLS, FDM, CLIP, SLA, SLS and Others), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026



Aerospace Fasteners Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Aluminum, Steel, Superalloys, and Titanium), By Product (Rivets, Screws, Nuts & Bolts and others), By Platform (Fixed-wing aircraft (Commercial Aircraft, Business Aircraft, Military Aircraft, and General Aviation Aircraft) and Rotary-wing Aircraft (Civil Helicopter and Military Helicopter)), and Regional Forecast 2019-2026





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Since January 2020, the North Korea-linked Lazarus APT has successfully compromised dozens of organizations in Israel and other countries.

The Israeli defence ministry announced on Wednesday that it had foiled a cyber attack carried out by a foreign threat actor targeting the countrys defence manufacturers.

According to the officials, the attack was launched by an international cyber group called Lazarus. The Lazarus APT is linked to North Korea, the activity of the Group surged in 2014 and 2015, its members used mostly custom-tailored malware in their attacks. The group has been linked to several major cyber attacks, including the 2014 Sony Pictures hack, several SWIFT banking attacks since 2016, and the 2017 WannaCry ransomware infection.

The Israeli statement did not explicitly refer to the government of Pyongyang and did not provide details about the attack (the targeted companies, data of the attack).

The cyber-attacks were identified in real time, and thwarted, the defence ministry told AFP. no harm or disruption was caused it added.

Recently Kaspersky experts reported that Lazarus APT Group has used a new multi-platform malware framework, dubbed MATA, to target entities worldwide.

Now researchers from security firm ClearSky provided their own version of the attack, they claimed that the North Korean hackers successfully compromised their targets.

The security firm revealed to have investigated during June-August of 2020 an offensive campaign tracked as Dream Job and attributed with high probability to North Korea. The campaign has been active since the beginning of the year and attackers infected several dozens of companies and organizations in Israel and globally.

The hackers targeted defense, governmental companies, and specific employees of those companies.

This campaign has been active since the beginning of the year and it succeeded, in our assessment, to infect several dozens of companies and organizations in Israel and globally. Its main targets include defense, governmental companies, and specific employees of those companies, reads a report published by ClearSky. We assess this to be this years main offensive campaign by the Lazarus group, and it embodies the sum of the groups accumulative knowledge on infiltration to companies and organizations around the globe. In our estimation, the group operates dozens of researchers and intelligence personnel to maintain the campaign globally.

The Dream Job comes from the social engineering technique used by the attackers that used fake LinkedIn accounts to contact potential victims and use job offerings from prominent defense and aerospace entities as bait.

The state-sponsored hackers spent weeks to establish contact with the victims and compromise their systems in the attempt of stealing sensitive data.

Attackers sent to the victims weaponized spear-phishing messages using a malicious attachment.

ClearSky detailed the offensive tools employed in the Dream Job campaign, below the three infection scenarios identified by the experts:

Infection through a malicious PDF file in an open-source PDF reader, which was altered to fit the groups needs. This is the first time this scenario is revealed publicly.

Infection through a Dotm file, which is downloaded from a breached server, takes the place of the original file, and runs a malicious macro on the target

Infection through a Doc file containing a malicious macro.

The report published by ClearSky includes technical details about the campaign.

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  Dream Job, Lazarus)
The Ashok Gehlot government won a confidence vote in the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday, ending the threat triggered by a rebellion within the Congress ranks in the state.

The motion of confidence moved by the Congress government was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

Replying to the debate on the motion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government.

"I will not let the government topple at any cost even if you make all attempts," he said.

During the debate, the opposition BJP accused the Gehlot camp of blaming it for the infighting within the Congress.

Sachin Pilot, who was sacked as deputy chief minister after he rebelled against Gehlot, intervened in the debate, saying he would fight for the party.

The House later adjourned to meet again next Friday.

Also Read: First coronavirus vaccine: Why the world doubts Russia's claim

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Will PM Modi announce two COVID-19 vaccines on August 15?
In cities across America, calls to defund the police are adding to the challenges that many law enforcement agencies are already facing due to slashed budgets and limited numbers of officers. Now more than ever, its time for municipalities and local police departments to begin considering ways to make policing more efficient.

The right technology can aid local police departments as they address these evolving challenges. Tools like automated license plate recognition (ALPR) software and vehicle recognition systems can be used to create a contactless and efficient form of policing that can help departments manage their budgetary realities while keeping their officers and communities safe for everyone.

Searching for vehicles, not people

Vehicle recognition technology uses strategically placed cameras to read license plate numbers and detect vehicle makes, models, colors and other attributes. When the system receives a hit -- for instance, a plate number that appears on a departments hot list of vehicles that have been reported stolen or involved in a crime -- an officer can be dispatched to approach the vehicle when it stops, minimizing the need for a high-speed chase or potentially dangerous confrontation. Because the technology focuses on the vehicle, it eliminates the potential for profiling by race, gender, age, religion or personal political leanings. It simply provides officers with an investigative lead tied to a vehicle of interest and the ability to move more effectively to the next stage of an investigation.

For example, one of our clients described an incident where a woman was assaulted by a driver and left by the side of the road. The victim called in a report and provided the authorities with a description of the vehicle. Officers entered the description and license plate number into the departments vehicle recognition system, which quickly flagged the vehicle after existing cameras showed it had stopped at a local fast food restaurant. Officers were dispatched to the scene and apprehended the suspect without incident.

Financial and data privacy impacts

This capability also can be a huge boon to departments bottom lines. Police departments rely on state and local funding, but the recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in deep budget cuts that in many areas have led to a reduction in the number of officers on patrol. Defunding local police or moving funds to community programs will further restrict the amount of money that departments have at their disposal. Implementing software that leverages existing cameras and infrastructure, while allowing officers to take a more efficient approach to suspect apprehensions, can help departments continue to be effective even in light of budget cuts.

Part of being good defenders of the community involves protecting citizens privacy rights. Police departments looking at these types of solutions must carefully examine their own data sharing and privacy policies, as well as those of their states and the vendors and agencies theyre considering as partners.

Any vehicle recognition data collected by law enforcement agencies is their data: they own it and should manage it in a way that conforms to agency policies and any governing laws. According to the 1994 Drivers Privacy Protection Act, it is only under a defined permissible purpose that a law enforcement officer can link a vehicle to an individual using systems and databases outside of their ALPR system. This provision protects citizens privacy rights and furthers safeguards to state law and agency policy to help ensure that vehicle recognition data is leveraged by law enforcement in a safe and responsible manner.

Agencies should also review their data retention period as set by state law or agency policies. In one state, the law allows a 90-day data retention policy, but a local organization opted to keep ALPR data for only 30 days.

Data should be shared with other local government departments by the agency that is collecting the data as deemed appropriate and in furtherance of the public safety mission. A local police department, for example, may elect to share data with another jurisdiction as part of a joint operation.

Building bridges

While citizens sometimes express concerns when vehicle recognition systems are first implemented, they often become huge supporters of the program when the department communicates and publicizes the success of the system in apprehending suspects and solving crimes.

Clear communication and transparency about their vehicle recognition programs and policies can assure citizens that the mission is to keep officers and communities safe, while protecting citizens privacy rights.

Local police departments are dealing with enough right now. They need solutions to help them manage the challenges theyre facing while building bridges to their communities. The right technologies can help departments take strides to manage tightening budgets while continuing to honor their pledge to serve and protect.
She is not shy of showcasing her incredible figure in bikinis.

And Elizabeth Hurley looked impeccably stylish as she enjoyed an evening out in London on Thursday evening.

The model, 55, looked on trend in a pair of camouflage pants and a black sequin embroidered vest as she left her city pad wearing a protective face mask for extra safety.

Fashionista: Elizabeth Hurley showed her timeless beauty as she exited her London home for an evening out on the town on Thursday

The actress sported an incredibly stylish pair of camouflage trousers in a satin finish and loose jogger fit that tapered at her ankles.

For her top-half, Elizabeth opted for a sequin black crotchet vest and matching black undergarment.

The Royals star contrasted her outfit with a pair of white sandal heels, while toting a black clutch bag.

The mother-of-one wore her brunette locks in loose waves and opted for natural make-up to emphasise her striking looks.

Camo chic: The model and actress, 55, took camouflage to the next level with her elegant take on jogger trousers, which she paired with a semi-sheer black sequin vest top

Bombshell: The Royals star accessorised her look with a studded black clutch purse and a black face mask to ensure she was completely protected

Last week, Elizabeth was seen out with her son Damian Hurley, for the first time since the tragic suicide of Steve Bing.

The actress and her model son, 18, were left heartbroken when his father, the millionaire filmmaker, 55, jumped to his death from the 27th floor of his apartment building in the Century City neighbourhood of Los Angeles in June.

The mother-son pair have now returned to London after spending lockdown at their Herefordshire mansion, and were spotted running errands in face masks.

Last month, Damian thanked fans for their 'overwhelming kindness' following his father's death which came following a long battle with depression.

The student took to Instagram, where he posted a photograph and shared a gratitude-filled caption alongside.

The message read: 'I'd like to thank you all again for your kindness over the past few days. Your love and support has helped me greatly during this challenging time.'

In another social media post relating to the devastating news, Damian thanked his followers for their kindness and well-wishes, he wrote: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that has reached out following the devastating news.

'I'm trying to reply to as many of you as I can, but please know I will always remember your kindness.

'This is a very strange and confusing time and I'm immensely grateful to be surrounded by my phenomenal family and friends.'
She turned 54 this Friday. And Halle Berry looked agelessly radiant as she marked the occasion with an Instagram picture of herself skateboarding.

Wearing a T-shirt and bikini bottoms, she rode away from the camera down the street but turned back to smile at the photographer.

A rainbow shone in front of her in the picture, which the Oscar-winner captioned: '54....life just gets better and better!'

Happy birthday: Halle Berry looked agelessly radiant as she marked turning 54 with an Instagram picture of herself skateboarding

Halle shared a video montage of herself skateboarding last month in a post marking Fitness Day and reminding her followers to 'HAVE. FUN' while exercising.

She recently posted an Instagram snap of herself frolicking across the beach in a bikini, revealing how impressively she has maintained her knockout figure.

Her orange bikini was reminiscent of the one she wore 18 years ago as the Bond girl Jinx in Die Another Day opposite Pierce Brosnan.

Fit and fab: Halle shared a video montage of herself skateboarding last month in a post marking Fitness Day and reminding her followers to 'HAVE. FUN' while exercising

Halle has two children - daughter Nahla, 12, by her ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, and son Maceo, six, by her third ex-husband Olivier Martinez.

As she begins the next year of her life Halle will see her feature directorial debut Bruised premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

TIFF will occur September 10 to 19 with a hybrid of virtual and in-person events, though industry members and media are barred from screenings, IndieWire reports.

Halle stars as an ex-fighter who has left the MMA business and lost custody of her son, but the film finds her locked in a struggle to regain her child and career.

'Never been a shady beach': She recently posted an Instagram snap of herself frolicking across the beach in a bikini, revealing how impressively she has maintained her knockout figure

Still got it: Her orange bikini was reminiscent of the one she wore 18 years ago as the Bond girl Jinx in Die Another Day opposite Pierce Brosnan

'I didn't really set out to direct it, I set out to act in it. I read the script and I loved it,' Halle explained to iHeart + Variety's The Big Ticket With Marc Malkin.

'And, it was written, at that time, for a 22-year-old white woman, which, obviously, can't be me,' she said, but she persuaded 'the producers that it should be me, and why it would be more relevant in the times in which we're living if it were me.'

She got the part but while looking for a director she found that 'nobody really saw the story that I saw in my head, that I kept talking to the producers about, that they loved. So, finally we just sat down one day and they said: "Why don't you do it?"'

Halle confessed: 'I thought: "I can't direct, this is a big acting role for me, I don't think I should be directing as well." And they gave me so much confidence and helped me realize that: "But nobody understands it like you. It's story telling and we definitely feel confident that you've got the story."

She recalled that 'I put that hat on for a week or so and I thought about how that felt and I realized, after 25 years in the business there is a lot I know about filmmaking.'

The Oscar-winner shared: 'Ive never been the kind of actress that just goes to work, stays in my trailer and says: "Call me when you're ready."'

Before Halle was attached to the project it was slated to star Blake Lively and be helmed by The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes, per Deadline.
Tellurian is deferring all but one pipelines associated with the first phase of its proposed Driftwood liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project, the LNG producer said in an investor presentation.

Tellurian has been trying to cut costs for its Driftwood LNG production and export terminal on the west bank of the Calcasieu River, south of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in view of the depressed market conditions for natural gas amid the pandemic.

Tellurian has achieved cost reductions of 30 percent in its phase 1 planning for the project, including deferring the proposed Permian Global Access Pipeline, the Haynesville Global Access Pipeline, and the Delhi Connector Pipeline, which leaves just one pipeline to feed natural gas to the facility during phase 1.

The company will also focus on sourcing cheap natural gas for the project, which has secured all permits and is shovel ready, if Tellurian decides to move ahead with the final investment decision (FID).

At the Q2 results release last week, Tellurians President and CEO Meg Gentle said:

Tellurian has used the last few months to streamline Driftwood LNG, which is one of the lowest cost projects available globally at approximately $1,000 per tonne.

Tellurian continues working to secure equity partners from around the globe and looks forward to delivering reliable energy in 2024, Gentle added.

Last month, Tellurian sold $35 million worth of new stock to a group of institutional investors to prop up its finances as the outlook for LNG remains pessimistic.

Depressed global LNG demand continues to drive buyers of U.S. LNG to cancel cargoes for loadings in September.

Earlier this year, when demand for natural gas across the world plunged due to the pandemic, buyers began to scrap loadings of U.S. LNG, as gas in storage from Europe to Asia was abundant after a milder winter and the coronavirus that wiped out a lot of previously expected demand.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The pick, when it came, was as remarkable as it was expected: for weeks, the political calculus surrounding Joe Bidens choice of running mate had pointed to California Sen. Kamala Harris as a top contender.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The pick, when it came, was as remarkable as it was expected: for weeks, the political calculus surrounding Joe Bidens choice of running mate had pointed to California Sen. Kamala Harris as a top contender.

Still, there is a difference between prediction and reality, and when Mr. Biden handed down his choice this week, it marked another milestone in Americas halting effort to break its remaining glass ceilings. Ms. Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican scholar father and an Indian scientist mother, is the first Black woman on a presidential ticket, as well as the first South Asian woman.

There is power in that moment, which should be honoured. There is also power in Ms. Harris, who appears to have every skill she needs to flourish in the role. She is brilliantly smart, with a prosecutors flair, and will no doubt be a daunting sparring partner for current Vice President Mike Pence in their debate.

The selection does come with a number of issues the campaign will be challenged to navigate. Last year, before Mr. Biden officially entered the Democratic primary race, Ms. Harris said she believed a number of women who had come forward to state Mr. Biden had subjected them to unwanted touching. One wonders how she can walk that back now.

Meanwhile, Ms. Harriss political past draws some debate. As a senator, she has had a progressive voting record; moreso than Mr. Biden. But as Californias attorney general, she oversaw prosecutions that led to a higher rate of convictions on simple marijuana charges than her predecessor. Even under pressure, she resisted calls to more aggressively investigate police violence.

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To be fair, Ms. Harris did also pursue some criminal justice reforms and work to promote a more equitable justice system for people of colour. But as a result of her actions as attorney general, she is distrusted by many on the left. Choosing someone with this history in the midst of an unprecedented wave of protest against policing will lead some to conclude the Democratic party is uninterested in reconciling its fractured parts.

Carolyn Kaster / The Associated Press Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris arrive for a campaign event in Delaware on Aug. 12.

"The contempt for the base is, wow," tweeted Briahna Joy Gray, former national press secretary for Bernie Sanders campaign.

The question is, will that matter? Elections involving an incumbent are really a referendum on the current office-holder; in this one, the battle lines are clearly drawn. U.S. voters will be motivated largely by incredibly strong feelings on President Donald Trump. There are few voters who are likely to be swayed to the Biden side by the selection of Ms. Harris; there are few left-wing voters likely to be any more dissuaded from voting for Mr. Biden than they already were.

So on an electoral basis, the Harris pick might not move the needle much. Yet it may prove to be an especially history-making decision. Simply stated, Mr. Biden will turn 78 shortly after the election. While there are no immediate concerns with the candidates physical health, the fact remains that Ms. Harris would have a higher chance than most vice presidents of ascending to the Oval Office outside of an election.

Time will tell. What is certain is that Americans are facing a critical election, one which falls during one of the most polarized and pugnacious political climates in the countrys history, at a time when nearly all the republics institutions are in turmoil.

Now, all thats being asked of Ms. Harris is to prove she presents one of the best chances to fix things.
The Open Technology Fund was making important progress to protect Hong Kongers if the Chinese Communist Party shut down communication in and out of the city, said McCaul, who also chairs the House Republican China Task Force. With those efforts having been on hold for weeks now [by the agency], and the [Chinese Communist Party] further cracking down on freedoms in Hong Kong, the singular focus should be to restart OTFs critical programming. USAGM needs to release OTFs funding today.
Burma High Court in Myanmars Kayah State Rejects Militarys Appeal to Increase Farmers Sentences

Military personnel and farmers engage in a dispute over farmland in Myaynigone Village in Kayah State's Loikaw Township in June 2019. / KSFU

YANGONThe High Court of Myanmars Kayah State on Friday rejected an appeal by the military seeking harsher punishments against 21 ethnic Karennis who were sentenced to imprisonment or fined for trespassing and damaging military-owned farmland.

The group of 21comprising 18 farmers and three activists from the Karenni State Farmers Union (KSFU)were released from prison along with 20 other Karenni farmers in early March upon completing their prison terms and paying fines after being sued by the military. The 41 Karenni farmers and activists are from Loikaw and Demoso townships of Kayah State.

However, in the case of the group of 21 farmers and activists, the Myanmar military appealed to the Kayah State High Court in June, asking it to increase their punishments. A district court rejected an earlier appeal by the military in May.

On Friday morning, the militarys appeal seeking harsher punishments against the 21 Karenni farmers and activists from Loikaw Township was rejected by the states High Court, which said the original sentences and fines imposed were reasonable, according to KSFU chairman Khu Tu Reh, who attended the court hearing.

The verdict foiled the militarys bid to create more trouble for the farmers, Khu Tu Reh said.

In May 2019, artillery and infantry battalions started building fences on land in Loikaw and Demoso, despite never having made use of the land, ownership of which was seized from farmers in 1990, according to the KSFU.

Local farmers have worked the land for about 50 years.

Since July 2019, the military has opened more than 50 lawsuits against the 41 ethnic Karenni farmers and activists under articles 447, 427, 353 and 294 of the Penal Code for trespassing, damaging property, performing obscene acts and songs, and deterring public servants from discharging their duties.

At least 12 farmers from the group of 41 faced additional lawsuits under the Public Property Protection Act for destroying the fences built by the military on the farmland. Those 12 farmers had been held in prison for up to six months during their trials.

The jailing and/or fining of the 41 Karenni farmers and activists in March followed Myanmar State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis promise to review disputes involving farmland confiscated by the military, including the militarys lawsuits against Karenni farmers in Kayah State, during her trip to attend the 68th Kayah State Day on Jan. 15.

On Aug. 31, the state High Court is due to rule on the militarys appeal in the cases against 19 farmers (also among the total group of 41 farmers and activists) from Demos Township, according to the KSFU. The military also appealed to the High Court for harsher sentences against them after its appeal was rejected by a district court.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense could not be reached for comment on Friday.

You may also like these stories:

Five Abducted as Feud Between Myanmars Ethnic Rakhine Groups Continues

Myanmar Peace Process Back on Track, Says Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Three Activists Charged for Unlawful Assembly Over Karen Martyrs Day Event in Myanmar
Julia Perkins / Hearst Connecticut Media

Brookfield officials are warning residents to be cautious about using out-of-state tree removal companies as many continue to clean up following tropical storm Isaias.

At least one company from out of the area is traveling around town, offering to remove trees from peoples properties; however, no tree company from out of town has received the proper permits to solicit door to door, town officials cautioned in a message to residents.


Soldiers of the "Hard-boned Sixth Company" of the 74th Army Group of the People's Liberation Army take part in a battle drill in a coastal area of Guangdong province on June 1, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command recently carried out combat exercises in the Taiwan Straits and surrounding waters to verify and boost its interservice joint operation capability, a military spokesman said.

Units from multiple services took part in the exercises in the straits, including their northern and southern ends, Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, the command's spokesman, said in a statement published on Thursday afternoon. It did not give further details of the exercises.

Zhang said they were "a necessary move responding to the current security situation in the Taiwan Straits and were meant to safeguard national sovereignty". The statement did not use a description often employed to describe such operations: "a routine exercise included in the PLA's annual training plan".

He called Taiwan an indispensable part of China, adding that negative acts concerning Taiwan by some foreign nations recently had sent seriously misleading signals to separatist forces and posed a severe threat to regional peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

The operation is an unambiguous warning to Taiwan secessionists and the forces behind them, unlike many previous PLA exercises that often have been described as "not aimed at any third party". The statement directly linked the drills to the current situation in the Taiwan Straits, and also made specific reference to adversaries.

Zhang said the Eastern Theater Command will stay on high alert and take all necessary measures to oppose provocations that aim at "Taiwan independence" and to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At the most recent Defense Ministry news conference, on July 30, Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a ministry spokesman, said that recent moves between the militaries of the United States and Taiwan, such as deploying US troops in exercises in Taiwan, gravely violated basic principles of international relations and US political commitments to China; brought strong negative impacts to diplomatic and military ties between China and the US as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits; and sent misleading signals to Taiwan secessionists.

He urged the US to correct its errors immediately, stop any form of official exchange or military ties with Taiwan and promise that such provocations will never be repeated again.
New Delhi, Aug 14 : Following the devastating twin explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, UN's culture organisation UNESCO has said it will lead the international mobilisation for the recovery and reconstruction of Beirut's culture and heritage.

The explosions at the port of Beirut not only claimed hundreds of lives, leaving thousands injured, it also inflicted severe damages to some of Beirut's most historic neighbourhoods, major museums, galleries and religious sites. The explosion comes at a time when Lebanon was already reeling from a series of other crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNESCO mobilised leading cultural organisations and experts from Lebanon and abroad in an online meeting on 10 August to coordinate emergency and longer-term measures to safeguard the city's severely damaged cultural heritage and rehabilitate its cultural life. The organisation is responding to the Directorate-General of Antiquities of Lebanon's call for support.

In an initial assessment of damage to cultural institutions and heritage sites in the city, Dr Sarkis Khoury, Director-General of Antiquities at the Ministry of Culture of Lebanon, noted that at least 8,000 buildings, many concentrated in the old districts of Gemmayzeh and Mar-Mikhael, were affected.

Among them are some 640 historic buildings, approximately 60 of which are at risk of collapse.

He also spoke of the impact of the explosion on major museums, such as the National Museum of Beirut, the Sursock Museum and the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut, as well as cultural spaces, galleries and religious sites.

He stressed the need for urgent structural consolidation and waterproofing interventions to prevent further damage from approaching autumn rains. Emergency measures were also invoked to safeguard Beirut's cultural life through the mobilisation of artists, cultural professionals, artisans and custodians of traditional knowledge.

(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Hyundai Motor India on Thursday launched a mobility membership program which it says has been designed to provide a one-stop solution for smart ownership and lifestyle needs of its customers. Under the scheme, Hyundai customers will be offered exclusive deals and benefits from different brands.

The company also announced that it would be conducting a special Freedom Drive to celebrate Independence Day this year. The drive will see the company offer special services like complete car sanitization and other value-added services for eight days, from August 14 to August 21.

Meanwhile, the company said that is mobility membership programme offers benefits ranging from discounts on car accessories and car rentals to discounts on shopping, wellness, food, travel, electronics and even on e-learning courses.

In the initial stage, the program will be available for all the new customers who purchase a Hyundai car on or after August 13, while in the later stage, the membership initiatives benefits will also be extended to its older customers.
Even as LIAT Administrator Cleveland Seaforth has made his official call for creditors to submit claims, people holding company property to return them, and those owing money to pay up, there is a suggestion that LIAT could begin operating limited flights.





Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne made the suggestion, even as he revealed that the Administrator will be looking to send home more employees, Antigua News Room (ANR) reported last week.





"One of the possibilities that the Administrator could look at even before the end of the 90 days, even before the completion of the reorganization, is whether or not LIAT should have some presence and maybe to offer some limited flights in the interim, Browne is reported as saying.





Browne reasoned that, given LIATs continued ownership of three aircraft (in fact charged to the Caribbean Development Bank), it may make sense to fly those in the interim, while the administration is taking place.





"Just to have them sitting there makes no sense. Planes are made to work and to be maintained regularly, Browne emphasized, adding, "If theyre able to turn a profit in the interim, they could help to service the outstanding loans.





However, observers are wary of the Antiguan Prime Mi9nisters suggestion, pointing to the prevailing situation as one of extremely low demand for air travel, and the fact that many airports across the market are still shuttered.





And perhaps in an effort to heighten expectations even further, Prime Minister Browne, speaking last Saturday on Pointe FMs Browne and Browne Show declared, "There are several proposals on the table from private entities. There is one entity that has offered a US$25 million investment for 51 per cent of the shares; theres another regional airline that has offered to invest about US$25 million and a few planes for about 60 per cent of the shares in LIAT, and there are at least three governments that have shown some interest in investing in LIAT.





This week, PM Browne spoke of interest from as far away as Africa.





He gave no further details on this interest, but returned to the reality of the situation, that being that LIAT was under the control of an Administrator, who is tasked with determining the real future of the airline.





Amidst Brownes heightened speculation, Seaforth repeated his call to persons who have claims in LIAT (1974) Ltd., whether liquidated, unliquidated, future or contingent, is required to present particulars of their claim in writing to the Administrator not later than Aug. 15, 2020.




Twenty-two vibrant tiny homes are ready to house homeless youth at a new village, built by Youth Spirit Artworks and decorated by local muralists, next to the Oakland Coliseum.

Plus, Britex Fabrics is thriving thanks to a creative Covid-era pivot, the Bay Area sounds off on the pick of our own Kamala Harris for veep, and more local stories to brighten your day.

How one of SF's oldest independent Union Square businesses is pivoting to survive pandemic, SF Gate



In addition to offering curbside fabric pickup, downtown institution Britex Fabrics has sold thousands of $10 mask-making kits complete with funky San Franciscothemed prints. Read more





Drag queens with San Francisco's Oasis hit the streets to deliver food with Meals on Heels show, ABC 7 News

The ladies are serving up socially distant mini drag shows curbside along with cocktails and dinner by Martha Avenue Home Cooked Meals. Read more.

A Celebrity Chef's New Oakland Restaurant Isn't Just About the Food. It's About Revolution., Eater SF



Chopped winner Rashad Armstead's new East Oakland restaurant pop-up Black Food Collective will provide aspiring Black chefs and restaurateurs with a place to work together and show off their culinary talent. Read more





Berkeley nonprofit puts finishing touches to colorful 'tiny house village' for youth in Oakland, Berkeleyside

After three years of work by roughly 1,400 volunteers, Youth Spirit Artwork's tiny house village is nearly complete and ready to house 22 youth as early as the fall. Read more.

'This is HISTORIC': How the Bay Area is responding to Kamala Harris as Biden's VP pick, San Francisco Chronicle



Oakland-born California Senator Kamala Harris will officially be the first women of color to appear on a major-party Presidential ticket. Read more.





The Unassuming East Bay Beach Strewn With Ceramic Treasures, KQED

Hidden below a Costco on a tiny Point Isabel beach in Richmond known as TEPCO beach, you'll find endless pieces of broken pottery from back when the Technical Porcelain and Chinaware Company operated in nearby El Cerrito. Read more.
Three women were arrested Thursday in connection to an assault on a Chilis restaurant worker who was trying to enforce coronavirus seating restrictions.

Baton Rouge police booked Tammy Dabney, 48, on a charge of aggravated second-degree battery, while Erica Dabney, 46, and Rodneka Dabney, 27, face charges of simply battery and disturbing the peace, The Advocate reported.

The women are alleged to have been with a party of more than 11 who wished to be seated together at the Chilis on Aug. 9, McClatchy News previously reported. The group grew angry when hostess Kelsy Wallace, 17, told them she could only seat six people to a table, per the restaurants social distancing rules.

A fight ensued when Wallace called her manager over to handle the situation.

All I knew was to push her back. I reacted, the teen told WBRZ. Thats when her and her daughters, they all came. Theyre like, 20, 30, and the woman that pushed me looked like she was 40. Theyre on me, beating me. Im standing there trying to hit them, trying to get all of them off me.

Wallace said one of the women struck her with a wet floor sign, leaving her with a deep cut above her eye. She suffered other minor injuries in the attack and had to be treated at a local hospital, according to police.

One the teens alleged attackers has since been released on bond, online jail records show.

Police told WBRZ that anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers helped detectives identify and arrest the three suspects.

Authorities said their investigation of the incident remains ongoing, KATC reported.
Wind River Saturday 15/8 Film4 @ 9pm

While tracking a mountain lion in the Wind River reservation a wildlife service agent finds a young woman's body and evidence of a far more dangerous predator. Taylor Sheridan's 2017 drama is a good but very tough watch, a stark and violent look at the way America treats it's own indigenous people. The usually dull Jeremy Renner does nice work here and gets solid back up from Elizabeth Olsen and Graham Greene.

Cool Hand Luke Saturday 15/8 TG4 @ 10.05pm

Luke is a young man from the south with a serious attitude problem. He winds up in jail and realises quickly his failure to communicate is going to cause him all manner of hassle. An honest to goodness masterpiece and one of the films that made Paul Newman a star. Packed full of classic moments and dialogue that you will recognise even if you haven't seen the movie before. Newman is a spendid lead and George Kennedy as a fellow inmate is a force of nature.

Young Frankenstein Sunday 16/8 BBC1 @ 00.15am



The grandson of an infamous scientist inherits his castle and goes to Transylvania to find out for himself what type of experiments his relative took part in. Mel Brook's parody of 1930's horror films is a classic of comedy. Both affectionate of it's source material and more than willing to rip the piss out of it too. It's hilarious. Gene Wilder, Madeleine Kahn, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman and Marty Feldman are all at the top of their game here. SEDAGIVE!



Key Largo Sunday 16/8 RTE1 @ 3.45pm



Crime drama par excellence time. A war veteran arrives in the Florida Keys to visit the family of a dead comrade and finds that all is not well in the hotel they run. John Huston's 1948 thriller is an absolute cracker of a watch. Tense as hell, action packed stuff that's full of the superstars of the era including Humphrey Bogart as the lead, Lauren Bacall, Lionel Barrymore and the fantastic Edward G.Robinson.



Quartet Sunday 16/8 BBC1 @ 10.30pm



A lovely comedy drama set in a rest home for retired musicians. The residents are preparing their yearly show when a new arrival shakes up the status quo and brings unrest to their routine. The always brilliant Maggie Smith takes the lead in this amusing and poignant film with great turns from Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins. Tbh I expected to hate this at first but fell for it big time



Emelie Sunday 16/8 The Horror Channel @ 9pm



Emelie's a different kind of babysitter and the Thompson's find out just how different she is when they hire her to look after their kids so they can celebrate their wedding anniversary. This warped little thriller doesn't exactly nail it's ending but there's plenty here to keep you watching, especially a memorable turn from Ireland's own Sarah Bolger as the titular character. You'll never let your kids out of your sight after this one.



Three Godfathers Monday 17/8 TCM @ 7.30am



Three cattle rustlers on the run across a desert come across a pregnant woman who dies in childbirth. They decide to do their best to bring her child to safety. This 1948 John Ford film is a western take on the tale of the three wise men and a satisfying one at that. John Wayne as Robert Marmaduke Sangster Hightower ( what a name ) gives his usual entertaining performance that suits this film perfectly. A heartwarming watch.

We Own The Night Monday 17/8 Sony Movies @ 10pm



Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. 1988. Two brothers on either side of the law find their lives changed for the worse by their dealings with the Russian mafia. James Mangold's crime drama is in my opinion one of the most underrated crime dramas of this century. A nail biting thriller and an intense family tale and all based on an (almost unbelievably) true story. Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall and Eva Mendes are firing on all cylinders here.



Belle Tuesday 18/8 Film4 @ 6.55pm



Dido Elizabeth Belle was a young woman growing up in 18th century England. She was the daughter of a navy captain. She was also mixed race. Her family standing helped but the colour of her skin caused no end of trouble for her. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is excellent in a well made film about the loneliness and alienation caused by being different. Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson and Matthew Goode offer nice support.



Starry Eyes Wednesday 19/8 The Horror Channel @ 2.40am



A young aspiring actress in Hollywood is willing to go to any lengths to ensure she becomes a star of the silver screen. Any lengths..... A dark and twisted cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and greed. It's also a pretty damn effective horror film that will probably leave you scarred and nauseous when the credits roll so be warned. It's nasty stuff. Alex Esso in the lead does well and is someone to look out for in the future.



Sexy Beast Wednesday 19/8 Film4 @ 10.50pm



Gal is living his best life in the south of Spain. He's sunbaked and happy as a clam. Until the day he finds out his gangster ex partner Don is coming to recruit him for a job. Don is not a nice man. This is a hell of a watch, hilarious and terrifying and sometimes both at once. It contains a Ben Kingsley performance that has to be seen to be believed, it's truly out of this world. Ray Winston as Gal ain't too bad either.



August, Osage County Thursday 20/8 CH4 @ 2.20am



Tensions are running high in the Weston family when sickness and tragedy brings a group of alienated sisters back together again to care for their mother. Things get spicy. Misery is so prevalent in this film that parts of it feel like parody but a tour de force display of acting from an outstanding cast will keep you glued til the end credits. Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Cooper & Margo Martindale amongst many others do exemplary work.



Rogue Friday 21/8 The Horror Channel @ 2.30am

A group of tourists on a boat trip in Northern Australia find themselves trapped on a small island when they are attacked by a massive crocodile. And the tide is rising. Of course it is. A well made, frightening thriller made believable by some effective creature effects and a nice cast that includes Radha Mitchell, Sam Worthington and Michael Vartan. Greg McLean's follow up to Wolf Creek isn't as flat out scary as his debut but its a lot more enjoyable.

No Escape Friday RTE1 @ 10.15pm

Things are looking up for their future when work brings Jack and Annie and their kids to South East Asia. But their new life is soon turned upside down when a brutal political coup breaks out all around them. Ya, ok, it might be problematic in places but it's still a genuinely nerve wracking thriller that you'll watch from behind your pillow. Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan as an ex-mercenary they meet along the way, all put in a good shift.



The Lost Boys Friday 21/8 BBC1 @ 10.45pm



A family moves to a nice beach town to start a new life and finds the place has a far darker side than they could have imagined. This film is as 80's as they come and it's one that is still a delightful watch three decades years later. A scary, gooey, funny and imaginative take on a tale as old as cinema. The 80's vibe continues with a cast that includes both Corey's Haim & Feldman, Dianne Wiest, Jamie Gertz & Jason Patric but Kiefer Sutherland robs the film from all of them with a star making role.
Emergency legislation to protect Western Australia from Clive Palmer's $30 billion damages claim was passed through Parliament late Thursday night without amendment.

The bill was signed off by WA Governor Kim Beazley around 10.30pm. He was on standby waiting to give the royal assent to make the legislation law.

WA Governor Kim Beazley signing the legislation into law. Credit:Nine News Perth

Hours prior, Mr Palmer had sought an injunction in the Federal Court to force the government to abandon the proposed legislation.

He claimed the legislation was meaningless due to previous arbitration rulings finding in his favour in relation to his Balmoral South iron ore project.
Reiterating that the Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra is not yet conducive to reopen the places of worship, the Bombay high court (HC) on Friday refused to interfere with the state governments decision to not allow temples to reopen as of now.

The two-member bench, comprising chief justice Dipankar Datta and justice Surendra Tavade, was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Associate for Aiding Justice, seeking the reopening of places of worship of all faiths.

Advocate Dipesh Siroya, representing the NGO, submitted that as the central government allowed the reopening of temples and the Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra has also improved, the state government should permit temples to reopen. He said that the government may not allow religious functions to be held in temples and also restrict the number of devotees entering the religious institution, but can certainly allow people to enter temples to worship the deities.

Assistant government pleader Nisha Mehra opposed the PIL by pointing out that the state government had rejected representations for opening up of temples on August 12, and a co-ordinate bench has refused a prayer for interim relief to reopen Jain temples for a nine-day festival of the community.

After hearing the petition, the bench refused to accept the claim that the Covid-19 situation in Maharashtra has improved.

Please pray at home, and if you have some love left for humanity, please dont press these prayers, said the bench.

If the situation improves, this court, being the temple of justice, will be the first to reopen, before any other temple opens up for devotees, it added.

When the bench opined that it will accept the decision of the co-ordinate bench, Siroya claimed the decision was only as regards Jain temples, but the PIL was seeking reopening of all places of worship. However, Mehra clarified that the decision was not restricted to only Jain temples, but was applicable to other faiths as well.

The bench has now posted the PIL for further hearing on August 18. It directed Siroya to clarify the status of the petitioner body, after noticing that it has been registered as a company. How can a company espouse cause religious rights? the bench asked.
People greet each other during an opposition rally to protest against police violence and to reject the presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus August 13, 2020. REUTERS-Yonhap



Crowds of protesters in Belarus swarmed the streets and thousands of workers rallied outside industrial plants Thursday to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.



Beginning in the morning, hundreds of women formed long ''lines of solidarity'' in several areas of the capital, Minsk. Many were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of loved ones who have been detained during protests that began shortly after Sunday's vote, which they said was rigged.



The human chains grew throughout the day, filling the main central squares and avenues as motorists honked in support. In Minsk and many other cities, thousands of factory workers also rallied against the police violence, raising the prospect of strikes in a new challenge to the government.



Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms and insignia in the trash. Several popular anchors at Belarus' state TV stations have quit.



Nearly 7,000 people have been detained and hundreds injured in the clampdown on demonstrators protesting the official results that said Lukashenko won 80% of the vote and his top opposition challenger got only 10%. Police have broken up protests with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.



''Belarusians have seen the villainous face of this government. I argued with my husband and voted for Lukashenko. And this is what I got in the end _ I can't find my relatives in prisons,'' said Valentina Chailytko, 49, whose husband and son were detained in protests Sunday. She has been unable to get any information on their whereabouts.



One protester died Monday in Minsk after, the Interior Ministry says, an explosive device he tried to throw at police blew up in his hand. Some media reports have challenged that official version. Neither the ministry nor the media outlets have provided evidence.



Thousands of people converged Thursday on the place where he died, many carrying flowers. European ambassadors also laid flowers at the site earlier in the day.





People take part in a protest rally against official results of the presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, 13 August 2020. EPA-Yonhap



The authorities also confirmed that a detainee died in the southeastern city of Gomel, but the circumstances of his death weren't immediately clear.



Hundreds of medical workers joined the demonstrations Thursday in Minsk and many other cities.



''There is a feeling that a war is going on, but it's a war against us,'' said Mikhail Portnov, a 33-year old general practitioner. ''We, doctors, see the price of this war as no one else. We were ready for violence, but the brutality of it has crossed all limits.''



The unprecedented public opposition and unrest has been driven by the painful economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic and Lukashenko's swaggering dismissal of the outbreak as a ''psychosis.'' The vote and the brutality of the subsequent crackdown _ remarkable even for Lukashenko's iron-fisted rule _ have made the anger boil over. The 65-year-old former state farm director has been in power since 1994 and was nicknamed ''Europe's last dictator'' by the West for his suppression of dissent.



''You can see the election result in the streets,'' said 32-year old engineer Andrei Gubarevich, who joined a demonstration in Minsk. ''Lukashenko has already lost.''



Belarus' Investigative Committee launched a criminal probe into the organization of mass rioting _ an indication authorities may start leveling those charges against some detainees. The charges could carry prison terms of up to 15 years for those found guilty.



The ministry said 103 police officers have been injured since Sunday, and 28 of them were hospitalized. In Minsk and the western city of Baranovichi, people ran over traffic police with their vehicles on Wednesday before being detained.



The brutal suppression of protests drew harsh criticism in the West.



The European Union foreign ministers are set to meet Friday to discuss a response, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the 27-nation bloc would ''increase the pressure'' on Belarus. ''The brutal actions and the arrest of peaceful protesters and even journalists in Belarus isn't acceptable in Europe in the 21st century,'' he told reporters in Berlin.



U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the election wasn't free or fair and urged the government to refrain from violence against peaceful protesters.





A woman holds a flower during an opposition rally to protest against police violence and to reject the presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus August 13, 2020. REUTERS-Yonhap
A 17-year-old has been arrested on charges related to sex trafficking a 14-year-old runaway girl in Florida.

Javier Quintero, 17, of Miami, was arrested Wednesday - the day after the girl's relatives told police that they had seen pictures of her, allegedly being advertised for prostitution, on social media.

Although Quintero is being held at a juvenile detention center, he now faces adult charges of human trafficking of a person under 18, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, possession of child pornography and renting space to be used for prostitution.

Javier Quintero, 17, was arrested Wednesday after being accused of selling a 14-year-old runaway girl for sex on social media

Additional charges against him include custodial interference, unlawful use of a communications device and contributing to the delinquency of a child, according to his arrest report, which was obtained by the Miami Herald.

'This situation is every parents worst nightmare,' Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle told CBS Miami. 'Children like this, our children, can be lost so easily. But I and our law enforcement partners are determined to keep that from happening.'

Police said relatives of the girl - who is not being named - told them late Tuesday about the social media pictures of her they saw. The cops were able to trace the images of the girl back to Miami's Runway Inn, where they found the girl that night.

Rundle said that the girl told police that she had run away from home several weeks prior due to a 'conflict in her household.'

The girl said that she ran away from home and that a friend introduced her to Quintero (pictured) and that they started having sex a week after they met

The girl said that Quintero (pictured) told her that if she had sex with other men, she could make $250 an hour. She said that he then sold her for sex multiple time over three weeks

Police found the girl at the Runway Inn (pictured) in Miami after the girl's relatives told them that they saw pictures of her being advertised for sex on Quintero social media accounts

Investigators said that the girl was introduced to Quintero by a friend and that one week after meeting him, he took her to motels where they would have sex.

Quintero later allegedly told the girl that she could make $250 an hour if she performed sexual acts with other men.

According to Quintero's arrest report, the girl told police that he sold her for sex up to five times a day at hotels - including the Runway Inn and a Days Inn - across the street from Miami International Airport for about three weeks.

She said Quintero told her to get her payment up front, to give it to him immediately so that she wouldn't get robbed and to ensure that the men wore condoms.

She also said that Quintero handled all the arrangements for prostituting her, including providing the hotel room and transportation, while also taking all the money and controlling her living situation.

She told police that the first person who she was sold to was called 'Slime' and that he had paid for sex with Percocet pills.

Police said that they saw a screenshot of a July 19 text that Quintero had kept, in which a 'Slime' offered five Percocet pills and $100 to have sex with the 14-year-old runaway.

While she was being prostituted, the girl said that Quintero gave her marijuana, cocaine, MDMA, Percocet and Dextromethorphan.

Police said that Quintero's Instagram account showed sexual pictures and videos of the girl, including a clip of him touching her breasts.

The videos and pictures appear to have been deleted - only two pictures of Quintero remain on the Instagram page.

After being taken into custody Wednesday, Quintero allegedly told police that he thought the girl was 17.

In Florida, minors ages 16 or 17 can have consensual sex with a partner who is up to 23 years old without it being considered statutory rape.

The girl, however, told police that he knew she was a minor, WSVN reported.

Quintero faces at least a life sentence if convicted on the sex trafficking of a minor charge.
S cientists in London claim to have achieved the worlds fastest-ever internet speed - quick enough download the entire Netflix library a split second.

A University College London-led team used amplifiers to enhance the way light carries digital data through fibre-optic broadband to achieve a record 178 terabits per second - almost three million times faster than the average UK home connection.

Dr Lidia Galdino, who led the research team at a lab in Bloomsbury, said such ultra broadband will underpin the next generation of the internet, supporting mobile 5G networks used by data-hungry applications such as driverless cars and smart cities infrastructure.

The new record was achieved by transmitting data in a greater range of colours than is typically used in optical fibre in order to increase the bandwidth.

For the speed test, Dr Galdino sent computer-generated bits in a 25-mile fibre optic loop around a Bloomsbury lab.

Dr Galdino said she hoped the giant leap in speed will help create 'fast internet for all' / James Tye/UCL

The massive speed increases were made possible by building customised amplifiers to boost signal power, which would be needed at least every 25 miles if deployed commercially.

It meant her super-speeds - the equivalent of 178 million megabits per second - were about 2.8 million times faster than the Ofcom-rated average 64mbps British home broadband connection.

Dr Galdino told the Standard: I managed to achieve the highest bandwidth that has ever transmitted through the internet.

"I think the societal benefit is clear - fast internet for all and a more productive economy.

Its important because internet traffic and data has been increasing exponentially over the last 10 years but we have reached the theoretical limit.

"The one other way to increase the capacity in optical fibre is increasing the range of wavelengths and colours that we can use, which is exactly what Ive done.

This is underpinning the next generation of communication systems.

A global race is underway to make ultra-speed broadband networks available commercially.

In May, a team in Australia used a single micro-comb optical chip containing hundreds of lasers to transfer data across existing networks in Melbourne at a speed of 44.2 terabits per second.

UCL said its new speed is so great that this connection would take under an hour to download scientific data from the worlds first image of a black hole in space, taken using a global network of telescopes, which needed to be stored on half a ton of computer hard drives.

Dr Galdino, lecturer in electrical engineering and also a Royal Academy of Engineering research fellow, is now working to increase the distance her super-fast data can be sent over greater distances.

The projects findings, in collaboration with telecoms firms Xtera and KDDI Research, were published in the journal IEEE Photonics Technology Letter.
Trump Requests Absentee Ballot for Florida Primary After Praising States Safe and Secure Election System

President Trump has requested absentee ballots for himself and the first lady to vote in Floridas upcoming primary, USA Today reported.

The elections website for Palm Beach County, where Trump is registered to vote, shows that he requested the ballots on Wednesday.

A ballot will be picked up and delivered to the presidents Florida residence of Mar-a-Lago before it will travel to Washington, D.C., for their votes. It will then be mailed to Florida officials before 7 p.m. Tuesday, when all mail-in ballots must be submitted.

Florida lawmakers changed the legal wording from absentee to vote-by-mail in 2016, since voters werent required to be away from home to cast their ballot. Florida voters must request a mail-in ballot in order to receive one.

Trump has been vehemently opposed to universal mail-in voting, suggesting that the practice is unsafe and could lead to voter fraud.

With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history, he tweeted in late July. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote??? he added at the time.

However, on Tuesday, the President recommended that people vote by mail in Florida because the state has worked out a very good system over many years.

So Florida has got a great Republican governor, and it had a great Republican governor. Its got Ron DeSantis, Rick Scotttwo great governors. And over a long period of time, theyve been able to get the absentee ballots done extremely professionally. Florida is different from other states, Trump told reporters during a White House briefing.

So, in the case of Florida, theyve done a great job and theyve had tremendous success with it. But theyve been doing this over many years, and theyve made it really terrific, the president added.

Earlier this month, Trump wrote on Twitter that the election system in Florida is safe and secure, tried and true, and encouraged people to request a ballot and vote by mail.

Meanwhile, Trumps campaign and the GOP are suing Nevada over its new vote-by-mail law. Nevada officials joined several states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots. Two states, California and Vermont, moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies. Five other states have relied on mail-in ballots since even before the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic, commonly referred to as coronavirus, raised concerns about voting in person.

In a White House press briefing on Aug. 4, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the President has always said that absentee voting for a reason is different than mass mail-out voting like what Nevada is seeking to do, which leads to mass fraud.

Hes been unmistakably clear that when you have this mass mail-out voting, like what Nevada wants to do, the consequences are real.

McEnany cited an incident in which a postal worker said she went to deliver some of these ballots, and in several cases, found that people had moved or died.

She kept 65 ballots on her first delivery, 100 on her second, the Press Secretary said. It is rife with fraud and with delay, and that is what the President stands firmly against. He wants a free and fair election.

Also this week, Trump said he opposed a deal that would fund the United States Postal Service because Democrats required more than a trillion in funding to bail out cities and states in the package.

They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, Trump said on Fox Business Network, adding, If they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting because theyre not equipped to have it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately characterized the ballots. The president requested absentee ballots, which is referred to in Florida as vote-by-mail. The Epoch Times regrets the mischaracterization.
Photo: (Photo : YouTube/WPTV News - FL Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast)

On Tuesday, a Florida student was attending the first day of her online Zoom class when her mom was shot and killed. Just after eight in the morning, the shooting happened at a home in Indiantown, roughly 30 miles southwest of Port St. Lucie.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said that they took suspect Donald J. Williams into custody that same day. Not only does Williams face charges of first-degree murder, but he also faces felony offenses.

Shooting happened during daughter's online class

The ten-year-old daughter, who was taking an online class for Warfield Elementary, was with six other children at home during the time of the shooting. At a news conference on Tuesday, Snyder said that the student's teacher witnessed the child's reaction during the shooting incident.

See also: Couple Got Angry When Teen Sesame Place Employee Advised Them to Wear Face Masks

He said that since he has never done a Zoom with kids, he is guessing that there are other children online when the incident happened. The teacher said she heard a commotion and realized that there was some type of domestic altercation.

Since the child was still online, the teacher muted the student's button so others could not hear what is happening. Then, she sees that the child put her hands up to her ears. Almost immediately, the computer screen went blank. Snyder believes that the computer was hit with a projectile.

Martin County School District spokesperson sends their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family and children who witnessed the heartbreaking and senseless tragedy. They will provide grief counselors for students and staff who need them.

See also: Mayor Loses Stepdad and Mom Due to Coronavirus Weeks Apart

The district said that law enforcement is investigating what happened. They will continue to respect the privacy of the teacher and their students.

Arguments led to the shooting

The sheriff explained that the investigators believe that Williams and the child's mom, Maribel Rosado-Morales, were arguing. He believes that the two dated before. He said that the suspect went in to confront Rosado-Morales about a video.

Later, the duo talked about Facebook, then the mom smiled at Williams, enraging the latter and leading him to shoot her. The sheriff said that the 32-year-old mom was shot multiple times and died at a hospital.

See also: Man, 90, Dies Happy Even After Contracting Coronavirus from Dying Wife

Thankfully, none of the kids was injured. Four of the children were Rosado-Morales', and two were cousins. The sheriff believes that most of the children witnessed the shooting.

Williams fled after the shooting but was arrested when a bus driver found him suspicious and called 911. The sheriff said that the suspect was trying to go to a place the bus does not travel to. Snyder found a gun in the 27-year-old suspect's bag. Later on, Williams made a full confession but it is not yet clear if he has obtained an attorney.

The sheriff noted that officers were in their home for domestic violence incidents last year, but based on records, there was not an "ongoing problem."
Family laments lack of charges in jail death, Aug. 6

The most shameful and depressing aspect of the case of Soleiman Faqiri is that his family immigrated to Canada on the assumption they were joining a society governed by principles of decency, compassion and justice.

But its treatment of Faqiri demonstrates it is none of those things.

The latest investigation by the OPP is a whitewash and a coverup, and its rationale for not recommending charges is legally ludicrous. Proof again, that asking the police to investigate people with police-like jobs is worse than useless. And I cannot help wondering whether, if Faqiri had not been a brown person and an immigrant, he would have been so brutally treated: beaten to death.

The province should institute a formal inquiry but instead remains silent. Shame on us all.
When cable technicians make home visits these days, they make sure to wear masks. But all too often, the homeowners do not.

"Most customers I go to aren't wearing masks anymore," said a Comcast technician in Stockton, California, who asked not to be named for fear of losing his job.

The technician said he refuses to go inside and fix the TV or internet service if the client won't wear a face covering. Some of his co-workers have gotten sick from the coronavirus and are under quarantine, he said, adding to his sense of caution. "It's very concerning," he said. "I have a family and a 14-month-old daughter at home to think of."

The tension over masks is playing out across the retail landscape as businesses reopen and coronavirus cases soar. But nationwide, cable field workers are a particularly large and vulnerable group. While major retail and restaurant chains, like McDonald's and Walmart, now require that consumers wear masks in stores, cable companies haven't mandated that customers cover up inside their homes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that household members wear masks during any in-home service visit. Some internet providers ask customers to wear face coverings but say it's up to employees whether they feel safe to enter a home and should contact their supervisors if they don't. Compliance has been spotty, making cable technicians uneasy.

Agitations have bubbled up on social media. Last month, a Twitter user suggested that she saw no reason to comply when a cable company asked her to wear a mask while a technician was visiting her home. "What would be the point?" the user tweeted. "I've been here breathing for years!" The user didn't respond to a request for comment.

Fear of getting the coronavirus has created additional stress in what is already a challenging job. Cable technicians drive door to door, visiting dozens of homes each month, sometimes climbing through attics or crawl spaces to install or repair TV, phone and internet service. To the general public, they are perhaps best known for being late.

Recently, the job has become a public service of sorts. During the pandemic, with millions of Americans relying on internet connections to work from home and attend school remotely, cable technicians have been deemed "essential workers" alongside doctors and firefighters. For their employers, business is booming. Last quarter, Comcast Corp. added 323,000 internet customers, the company's best result during that period in 13 years. After schools shut down, Charter Communications Inc., which goes by the name Spectrum, hooked up 448,000 new families and teachers with a free, two-month internet offer.

Cable companies say they have taken several measures to protect their front-line workers, such as giving them hand sanitizer, masks, gloves and boot covers. Companies have tried to address service problems remotely by phone or video chat and have encouraged customers to install equipment themselves to limit in-person visits.

A Charter spokesperson said that technicians should call a supervisor "if they are uncomfortable - for any reason - at a customer's residence or business." Comcast, the largest U.S. internet provider, said it asks customers to wear face coverings and to stay at least 10 feet away from technicians during in-home visits. An AT&T spokesman says technicians must wear masks during in-home visits and "we have equipped them to evaluate customer home visits before entering."

Some customers have complained on Twitter about technicians not wearing masks. In March, a family in Charlotte, North Carolina, was exposed to the virus by a Charter technician who tested positive.

A Charter technician in North Carolina said he visits, on average, about 130 homes a month. About 80% of customers don't wear masks, he said, and some technicians have gotten notes saying "customer has Covid but still needs service."

"We now have masks and gloves, but if the customers don't have to wear them it does no good," he said.

A Comcast technician in the Denver area said he does not feel "overly safe" because more than half of his customers don't wear masks. "My concern comes from the extreme lack of face coverings at the customers' houses I need to enter," the technician said.

In March, a Comcast technician in New Jersey died after being diagnosed with covid-19. According to a Comcast spokesperson, he was likely exposed to the virus at a social gathering outside of work, and the company contacted customers whose homes he had recently entered. The spokesperson said that a "relatively small number" of Comcast technicians nationwide have tested positive for the coronavirus.

In April, the New York Times reported that more than 230 Charter employees have tested positive for Covid-19 but didn't break down how many were technicians. The attorney general of New York has opened an inquiry into the company's handling of employees during the pandemic, the Times reported. The attorney general's office declined to comment on the inquiry, which is ongoing.

At least seven AT&T technicians in the Atlanta area have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Ed Barlow, president of the Local 3204 chapter of the Communications Workers of America. A couple have been hospitalized.

AT&T performs contact tracing when an employee tests positive, notifies coworkers who may have been exposed and provides up to 10 work days of paid quarantine time, a spokesperson said.

Barlow said that in some cases AT&T technicians have requested that customers wear masks and they have refused. Asking customers if they've been exposed to the virus isn't enough, he added, because they might not give an honest answer. "They want their service fixed," said Barlow. "And they know that if they say they tested positive, we're not coming into their home."
The Supreme Court on Friday held advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court over his tweets casting aspersions on Chief Justice SA Bobde and the top court.

A three-judge bench headed by justice Arun Mishra pronounced the judgment at 11 am, and said it will hold a separate hearing to decide the punishment to be given to Bhushan.

We find you guilty of contempt of court. We will hear you on sentence aspect, ruled the bench that included justices BR Gavai and Krishna Murari.

The hearing on the sentencing will be held on August 20.

According to the contempt of courts act, the offence carries a punishment of up to six months in prison or a fine up to Rs 2,000 or both.

Bhushan had posted two tweets, one against the Supreme Court on June 27 and another against Bobde on June 29. He was served notice by the Supreme Court on July 22.

The first tweet, reproduced in the court order, said: When historians in the future look back at the last six years to see how democracy has been destroyed in India even without a formal Emergency, they will particularly mark the role of the SC in this destruction, and more particularly the role of the last four CJIs.

The second referred to the Bobde and was also cited in the order. It said: The CJI rides a Rs 50-lakh motorcycle belonging to a BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] leader at Raj Bhavan, Nagpur, without wearing a mask or helmet, at a time when he keeps the SC on lockdown mode denying citizens their fundamental right to access justice!

Bhushan had refused to apologise for his tweets, contending they are protected by the freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution. He cited the speeches on dissent made by Supreme Court judges DY Chandrachud on February 15 and Deepak Gupta on February 24 to buttress his case.

Deepak Gupta retired on May 6.

Another suo motu contempt petition is pending before the same bench against Bhushan for calling past chief justices corrupt in a 2009 interview to Tehelka magazine.

Bhushan, in that case, had offered an explanation for his statements but the Supreme Court refused to accept it and ruled, on August 10, that it will proceed with the case. That case is now listed for hearing on August 17.

The court closed contempt proceedings against Twitter Inc accepting its explanation that it is only an intermediary and had also shown its bona fides by suspending the controversial tweets immediately after the top court initiated the case.
In a summer without summer blockbusters, can Netflixs Project Power provide the cure for Marvel withdrawal?

Its a tall order to fill. Then again, a Top Gun sequel, a Bond flick and the high-concept Christopher Nolan sci-fi thriller Tenet are among the tentpoles that have been yanked out of the tent, so maybe the field is wide open for anything that comes close to serving the need.

Project Power, being released Friday on Netflix, does come close. Its got a premise that niftily allows it to skirt comic-book superhero franchise territory: Some shadowy organization is using the people of New Orleans as guinea pigs for a super-soldier drug, Power, which will give you abilities worthy of an X-Man. The catch is that the ride only lasts five minutes per dose. The other catch is that your new powers might kill you.

Rapper Machine Gun Kelly's character Newt has an inflammatory reaction to a superhero drug in the Netflix film "Project Power."COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Its got an appealing cast led by Jamie Foxx as ex-soldier Art and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as New Orleans cop Frank, who share a desire to shut down the experiment, and Dominique Fishback as a young dealer who brings them together. It brims with fights, semi-witty banter and enough explosions to cover up at least some of the abundant cliches in the writing.

So far, so good.

The New Orleans setting is nice, even if its established via shorthand: Superdome and Pontchartrain causeway shots, rundown shotgun houses, a plainclothes cop in a Saints jersey. Its 2020 and Katrina references are starting to feel a little dated, but Gordon-Levitt puts a lot of heat into the line, We know what happened the last time we were counting on guys in suits to look out for New Orleans.

So far, so good.

We spend a lot of time waiting for two good guys with contrasting motivations to realize theyre on the same side. Boss fights repeatedly fizzle: The bigger the setup for a villain, the more quickly he or she seems to fall. Theres a part where one of them tries to make her case by bringing up Henrietta Lacks, the Black woman whose living cells were harvested and used in generations of cancer research without the permission of, or notification of, her family. When she says, All of our greatest advancements began in darkness  Its up to the pioneers to light the way, its a villain being villainous. Its also pretty tacky. And then theres a scene where a good guy is patched up in a veterinary clinic by someone whos magically a trauma surgeon.

Not so good.

But some of the lesser fights are quite inventive, so the minions fill in a sense of menace where the Big Bads fall short. Foxx, Gordon-Levitt and Fishback successfully create the sense that their battered, stressed characters are going to take their fight all the way.

Jamie Foxx and Dominique Fishback are shown in a scene from "Project Power."COURTESY OF NETFLIX

All that helps. But what really saves Project Power from simple mediocrity is that it has some heart. Alabama native Jane Chika Oranika, better known as rapper Chika, has a lot to do with that, though her onscreen appearance is little more than a cameo.

Fishbacks character aspires to break out of her constrained life and find success as a rapper, but shes too shy to perform for an audience. Its a trope so tired that other characters in the movie struggle to get past it, never mind the audience. But its Chika who wrote the raps that Fishback finally does start spitting, when pushed to reveal her power. One gets the sense that this element of the film worked so well it might have been allowed to eat up more screen time than originally planned: Theres even a fantasy sequence to make room for more of it without derailing the plot.

Chikas High Rises gets a cameo of its own, and the end credits feature Fishback singing My Power, a new song co-written by Chika.

In a world where comic-book heroes have become the basis of heavyweight film franchises, Project Power is an upstart, kind of a lightweight. Its not quite on par with the best of the breed, but its far better than the worst of them.

It absolutely, positively does feel like a movie that couldve been one hell of a comic book. Thats pretty high praise, in this day and age -- and if its what youve been looking for in summer 2020, Project Power fits the bill.
KITCHENER  Police say a Kitchener man faces numerous charges after reports of a domestic incident in the area of Green Valley Drive on Wednesday.

A 54-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault with a weapon, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, overcome resistance by strangulation, and mischief.

Waterloo Regional Police say the female victim did not sustain any physical injuries.

The man was transported to an out-of-region hospital with self-inflicted wounds that are not life-threatening, police say.
A vintage clothing store in Savannah, Georgia has backed down from a plan to charge only white customers a $20 fee to book appointments to shop, saying it had been slammed with both negative feedback and threats of lawsuits.

Civvies on Broughton announced the new fee on Monday, as it was reopening by appointment only, after being shut down because of Covid-19. The refundable whites-only $20 deposit was introduced because the shop's mostly white staff and owners didnt feel comfortable upholding a digital financial barrier which could prohibit BIPOC [black, indigenous and other people of color] from shopping at our store at this time on top of the limitations already made by online booking, according to a since-deleted tweet.

This is Civvies on Broughton today. pic.twitter.com/A6P8rr6A09  GAGirl1967 Flatten The Fear! (@Tamzilla_52) August 10, 2020

However, the very next day, the owners posted a Facebook message saying it was not our intention to act in any way that might be perceived as discriminatory, and for that we apologize.

Manager Raine Blunk told local ABC affiliate WJCL that the aborted policy was technically legal, but that Civvies had been inundated with thousands of negative comments and messages.



This is not based on racial preference on black people, indigenous people, people of color, Blunk told WJCL. It is based on a fact that that group of people are most likely to be affected by a loss of historical equity, and we are taking a small step toward that as a business to choose to waive this fee temporarily.



Nonetheless, US civil rights law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, among other characteristics.



Before rescinding the policy, Civvies said white people who are unable to pay the deposit could request to speak to the booking manager about other options, but If you are white and refuse to put down a deposit because you believe our policy is unethical, you will not be accepted for an appointment.



Twitter users were unmoved by the apology, which didnt admit that the policy was objectively wrong, and said Civvies was being racist toward white people and making offensive assumptions about non-white customers.

What a shameful and racist way to run a business, not just for whites but for all people of color, one netizen said. Its insulting to all. The place needs to be boycotted and shut down. What an embarrassment to our society.



Wow, it takes a special kind of twisted racist to use racism to fight the supposed racism in their sick mind, said another.

What a shameful and racist way to run a business! Not just for whites but for all people of color! Its insulting to all. This place needs to be boycotted and shut down. What an embarrassment to our society  SJO (@Rossmoorzanner) August 13, 2020

Civvies is an outspokenly political business, raising funds on its Facebook page to pay the bail of Black Lives Matter protesters who have been arrested across the US and featuring a sign in the store that says, We are shopping on stolen land.



The companys website declares, We do not support white supremacy, racism, xenophobia, sexism, transphobia or homophobia in our store. We prioritize the comfort of our queer, trans and intersex shoppers, as well as black folks, people of color and femmes.
A California medical student is raising awareness about the conditions farmworkers like her mother face  all with a single tweet about her summer job.

Gianna Nino was about to finish her summer job picking blueberries in Patterson, Washington, to return to Stanford for Medical School, when she posed a question on Twitter highlighting the disparity between what farmworkers are paid and what fruit costs that quickly went viral with over 230,000 likes and nearly 70,000 retweets.

Im about to finish up my time in the fields, and wanted everyone to know that we (farmworkers) are paid $7 for two gallons of blueberries, she tweeted on July 29. How much do you pay for your blueberries?

I'm about to finish up my time in the fields, and wanted everyone to know that we (farmworkers) are paid $7 for two gallons of blueberries. How much do you pay for your blueberries? pic.twitter.com/Om5fAT7TbP  Yana (@giannanino) July 30, 2020

Nino, 24, a first-generation Mexican-American college student, told Good Morning America that she didnt expect so many people to be so blindsided by the disparity since the fields have been her familys reality for as long as she can remember.

"This has been a reality for my whole life. I've been working there since I was 14 and they've been paying us the same price for the buckets," Nino said. "I was hoping that I could raise some awareness about that."

PHOTO: Gianna Nino on a blueberry farm in Washington where she worked over the summer. (Gianna Nino)

MORE: Essential farmworkers risk COVID-19 exposure to maintain food supply

After earning her masters in epidemiology at Stanford last spring, Nino told "GMA" she was unable to find a summer job in her field of study, so she tapped into her family's roots instead. She went home to Washington and got a job as a farmworker like her mother, Susana Tapia, who Nino said has worked as "a migrant seasonal farmworker across Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon at many different ranches."

Story continues

PHOTO: A palette of blueberries picked by hand on a farm in Washington. (Gianna Nino)

"My family has worked in the fields for 20 years. Farming is something that runs in our family back home in Oaxaca. My grandpa grew his own corn and grew his own food. Families tend to be a little more self-sufficient," she explained. "I felt super attached to farming as something that my family does."

PHOTO: Farmworkers in Washington prepare to harvest blueberries. (Gianna Nino)

Nino said talking about her experience gave her an opportunity to humanize the people "behind the food we eat."

MORE: Farmworkers key to keeping US fed are wary of virus spread

"We have to consider farmworkers as this population that has hopes and dreams and families and goals, and every day that we wake up and we eat our fruit and veggies we don't really think about that," she explained. "I think taking a moment to thank a farmworker -- even if it's on your own personal time -- it really makes the world of a difference when you're out there in 100-degree heat and you think it's an invisible population and no one thinks about you."

PHOTO: Gianna Nino on a blueberry farm in Washington where she worked over the summer. (Gianna Nino )

While much of the feedback she's received has been positive, Nino said that "some of the pushback that I've gotten from the tweet is that I'm not taking into consideration how every step of production cuts into the profits."

"It's not necessarily disclosed what the profit margin for blueberries is, because it is a pretty stark difference for us as workers to see how much they're selling it at the grocery store and to think that us as workers who pick those berries couldn't even afford them."

PHOTO: Pallets of blueberries harvested from a farm in Washington. (Gianna Nino)

Her hope is for more farmers to work on "underscoring the humanity behind your workers."

"Something that I struggled with seeing in years past was that our conditions were not kept up to standards," she said. Nino explained that simple measures like moving bathrooms and hand washing stations closer to them as they work, as well as providing areas with shade, would be a good way for owners to "make an effort to keep adequate working conditions for your workers."

Nino, who is the eldest of four children, first joined her mom picking crops as a teen to help with their family's expenses and put her own paycheck towards "buying school supplies for my siblings."

PHOTO: Stanford Medical student Gianna Nino speaks to 'Good Morning America' about her time working in blueberry fields over the summer. (ABC News)

MORE: Farmworkers in Mexico hit by competition, unsafe conditions

"My family kind of struggled with money growing up," she said. "As seasonal migrant farmworkers we work from late May to early September and that's it. So we have to make our summer earnings last all year. I wanted to contribute to that and help our family survive, and that's when it all started."

Despite current challenges for students amid the coronavirus pandemic, Nino has decided to continue her education at the prestigious Bay Area university.

"Once school starts, I'm really hoping to invest my all into medical school," she said. "I'm a little nervous about what it'll look like, but I want to continue being an advocate for my community to the greatest extent that I can."

Med students tweet shines light on farmworkers: How much do you pay for your blueberries?' originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Doctors, nurses and caregivers at smaller and poorer hospitals and medical facilities across the country are still struggling to obtain the protective gear, personnel and resources they need to fight the coronavirus despite President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that the problems are solved.

Health care workers at all types of facilities scrambled for scarce masks, gloves and other life-protecting gear at the beginning of the pandemic. The White House was letting states wage bidding wars against one another, rather than establish a central national manufacturing, supply and distribution chain.

But now, health care workers say a clear disparity has emerged and persisted. Larger and richer hospitals and practices outbid their smaller peers, sometimes for protective gear, sometimes to fill in staffing gaps. And some of those having the hardest time are precisely where the virus is spreading.

A POLITICO survey of health care workers elicited dozens of stories from the front lines across the country. Reporters did follow up interviews with about a dozen survey respondents, and also interviewed other health care practitioners and policy experts. Some spoke on the condition of anonymity because they feared retribution from employers, as some medical facilities have threatened to fire workers for airing complaints publicly.

Health care administrators say the smaller and poorer facilities are also being outbid in the labor market, as providers compete for a limited pool of trained nurses and specialists who can care for Covid-19 patients amid chronic staff shortages and pandemic-induced industry upheaval. Their descriptions illustrate the shortcomings of a federal response that was initially focused on major hospitals while scores of smaller providers fell through the cracks.

The resulting disparities, especially among long-term care providers who often continue to care for patients after they leave the hospital or whose patients don't require hospitalization but are still infectious, puts an asterisk on Trump's claim that "theyre very much stocked up, theyre in great shape," as he put it at one of his recent briefings.

Story continues

"There's not a single building I work in that has adequate Covid-19 supplies," said a nursing home worker in Colorado, who requested anonymity.

The challenges may persist. On Friday, the FDA included surgical gowns, gloves, masks, certain ventilators and various testing supplies on its list of medical devices in shortage, based on manufacturer reports. The agency has required companies to report potential supply disruptions since May under the CARES Act.

The shortages of personal protective gear, or PPE, has taken a toll. Without adequate protection against a contagious pathogen, thousands of health workers have fallen ill, and at least 922 have died, according to a 50-state tracking project by Kaiser Health News and the Guardian.

Congressional Democrats have repeatedly petitioned the administration for more comprehensive information about lingering shortages and have been frustrated by the lack of up-to-date projections. Just this week, House Ways and Means Chair Richard Neal (D-Mass.) complained that it has taken him months to get information on PPE from the administration  and then it's out of date.

"They've fumbled at every turn," Neal said in a statement.

GetUsPPE, the largest national organization distributing donated equipment, said its received a massive increase in requests for PPE over the past two months, as the virus walloped the Sun Belt states and spread throughout the country. But the group said theres been a noticeable shift in whos pleading for help. Its no longer primarily hospitals, but smaller providers who cant muster the same negotiating leverage.

Those hospitals, at least speaking from experience, are figuring out the supply chains necessary to stock PPE, said Ali Raja, the organizations cofounder and vice chair of emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. What were seeing now is a lot of requests from visiting nurse associations, rehab facilities  the kind of places that take care of patients after they leave the hospital but still have weeks or months of illness.

Health care leaders said these shortages stem from a mismatch of resources, as well as the pandemics shifting nature. While Congress made available $175 billion in coronavirus relief payments to help hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and other care providers, much of the initial funding went to well-resourced hospital systems regardless of need, with more targeted funding rounds coming later.

Unfortunately, at every level of government, there has not been a coordinated response, said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living. And there have been some public health mistakes that were made. Early on, everyone thought that every hospital in the country was going to be overrun with Covid. So the decision was made to put all the resources in the hospitals.

Thats not to say PPE shortages are completely resolved in hospitals. Some front-line workers, even at well-resourced hospitals, say ongoing shortages have forced them to clean and reuse masks and gowns that were intended for single use.

"Its an inappropriate use of PPE, it should be used one time on one patient," said an ICU nurse in Henderson, Nev. who requested anonymity. "When we get sick because of inadequate PPE, its just adding to the problem of short staffing."

Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association, said that rising prices for PPE were putting financial strain on nursing homes and assisted living communities his group represents. He said thats made it harder for some facilities to hire more nurses as theyre also struggling to compete with new bonus payments hospitals are offering to attract recruits.

Given the cost of hero pay, and bonus payments and recruiting bonuses, they cant compete in the market," Warren said. "They cant recruit someone away to work for them because they cant compete in the labor market.

At a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, congressional Democrats argued that exorbitant prices for PPE were emblematic of the Trump administration's failures.

Robert Wiehe, the chief supply chain and logistics officer for UC Health in Ohio, presented data at the hearing showing that his health system had paid up to ten times the normal price for masks and gowns due to shortages. After peaking in April and May, those prices began to decline but remained well above their pre-pandemic levels  particularly N95 masks, which still averaged more than double their normal price throughout June.

The Trump administration has pushed back, arguing it has mustered a massive supply of resources in response to an unprecedented pandemic.

"President Trump has led the greatest mobilization of the private sector since World War II to deliver critical supplies, including face masks, PPE, and ventilators, to the areas that need it most and saving countless lives," White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said.

According to the latest White House estimates, FEMA and HHS have distributed 203 million N95 masks, 855 million surgical masks, 36 million goggles and face shields, 364 million gowns, and 21 billion gloves.

Ways and Means' Neal officially requested information from the administration on PPE distribution in early April. By the time he got it in early August, it was out of date.

"Given the length of time it took for them to even respond to my request, I had low expectations for the details and explanation the Trump administration would have for disbursing personal protective equipment. This really should be one of their highest priorities and unfortunately, it is another example of how ill-prepared they were to handle this pandemic," he said.

In June, an internal FEMA document projected that PPE supply would just barely cover demand if various kinds of single-use equipment could be cleaned and reused. But that forecast assumed steadily declining case numbers, and has not been updated since, according to agency. Health officials and workers say that once another wave of cases crested in July, shortages of PPE and personnel resumed.

A health director for an assisted living community in Texas, who requested anonymity, said she had seen this grim financial calculus play out firsthand, calling it a recipe for disaster. Unlike hospitals and nursing homes, assisted living communities have not received any targeted financial aid through the federal provider relief fund.

When her workplace saw an influx of coronavirus patients in late June, she requested additional nursing staff from her parent company. She was told by a regional operations manager that they were not hiring additional staff because the companys investors would not approve the spending. Since then, as the only registered nurse caring for a community of approximately 100 elderly residents, she said she has overseen more than 60 positive cases and 8 deaths.

Even for unskilled positions like home health aides  who are paid low wages for grueling jobs  labor shortages remain problematic. A home health worker in Ohio said her short-staffed employer saw a dramatic decline in job applications because theres fear attached to working in a health care environment.

While hospitals have generally fared better, doctors and nurses say efforts were hampered by the massive staff furloughs that occurred during lockdown in the spring. With elective procedures paused, hospitals grappled with large revenue shortfalls and cut payrolls to cope.

In April and May, the health care industry reported more than 1.4 million job losses, including 161,600 hospital and 83,800 nursing home jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While hospitals rebounded in June with a gain of 6,000 jobs, nursing homes continued to suffer with an additional 18,300 job losses.

You were just working with less than you started with, said Carrie Kroll, vice president at the Texas Hospital Association. First it was just trying to get people deployed. Now weve been much more focused on trying to figure out how thats getting paid for, and there are only so many people to go around.

An ICU nurse in Las Vegas said that staffing levels at her small hospital fell noticeably while elective procedures were paused, and did not fully rebound when they resumed. She described the harrowing experience of caring for multiple unstable patients in the dead of night without the ability to call for backup because of thin staffing.

The feeling you have when no one shows up to help you, its like ice in your veins, you never forget it, she said. She added that while other nearby hospitals had bolstered nursing staff with $1,000 hiring bonuses, her workplace has not.

Adequate nurse staffing was already a contentious issue before the pandemic  for years, nursing unions have pushed for policies that mandate a minimum ratio of nurses-to-patients. California was the only state to enact such a mandate, but hospitals in the state since March have been able to apply for temporary waivers excusing them from the requirement.

Jessica Vasquez, an ICU nurse at San Joaquin General Hospital, which recently obtained such a waiver, argued that exceeding the ratios would put patients at risk.

You take out the ratios, you mess with safe ratios, theres possibility that this can be life or death for some patients, she said. Theres no way a nurse can give her attention to so many patients."

San Joaquin General Hospital CEO David Culberson confirmed that his hospital had received a waiver for coronavirus-related patient surges in the ICU, telemetry and emergency departments, but stressed that the hospital was "committed to providing as many nurses as possible to all its patients in order to provide optimal patient care and meet staffing ratios." He noted that the hospital had hired additional full-time nurses in recent weeks and was offering nursing staff extra shifts and paid overtime to meet the demand.

Many hospitals that did have funds to hire nonetheless struggled to find staff with specialist training and experience dealing with a highly contagious respiratory disease.

You have people going there that in many cases had literally no idea what they are doing, said Sunny Jha, an anesthesiologist at the University of Southern California. Theyve never worked in an ICU, theyve never worked in a disaster field, they had never worked with Covid patients, and in some cases they had never worked period  this was their first job out of school.



CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misstated Ali Rajas position at GetUsPPE. He is a cofounder.
NEW HAVEN - John Ginnetti was sentenced Friday to serve eight years in prison for repeatedly stabbing and then trying to smother a woman after they had consensual sex at a motel in Branford.

Ginnetti, 71, who had lived in Madison, avoided receiving the maximum sentence, 20 years, for first-degree assault after he apologized to the victim in court and said being incarcerated while awaiting sentencing has finally allowed him to be sober.

But the victim, who during the hearing read a statement describing the lingering trauma of the November 2018 attack, had asked for the full 20 years to be imposed.

Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale, who presided over the jury trial last January, said that in deciding on a lesser sentence he took into account Ginnettis advanced age, lack of prior violent offenses, history of depression and his courtroom statement.

However, the victim sustained serious injuries and her psychological trauma is understandable, Vitale added. The damage appears to be long-lasting.

Vitale outlined the narrative of the case. He said that on the day of the assault, The defendant and the victim went to Motel 6 in Branford for what would become a sexual rendezvous.

Vitale noted both of them were about 70 and had been involved in a consensual sexual relationship. The victim was married, Vitale said.

Shortly before their Nov. 8 liaison, the victim informed the defendant she would not leave her husband and would not rent an apartment with him, Vitale added. The defendant was very unhappy with that news.

Vitale cited the victims testimony during the trial that she had agreed to meet with Ginnetti that day because he had told her they would be getting together with another person who could help her with her poetry. But instead Ginnetti drove her to the motel. There was nobody waiting to help her write better poetry.

But she acknowledged she and Ginnetti did then have consensual sex in the motel room.

However, after that, Vitale said, The defendant bound her in duct tape, stabbed her in the neck, tried to smother her with a pillow and punched her in the nose. She fought back, managed to flee the room and sought help at the front desk.

Meanwhile, Vitale said, Ginnetti fled the room without calling 911. He was subdued by police in the parking lot. He was drinking from what appeared to be a bottle of vodka while sitting in his truck.

Vitale noted the victim sustained three stab wounds to her neck, bruises around her eyes and a fractured nose. She spent four days in the hospital.

Assistant States Attorney Reed Durham said during the sentencing hearing that the victim lost a substantial amount of blood. She was very lucky she didnt bleed to death.

The victim began her written statement by quoting from a book on how trauma might be healed: Trauma is not cured as a narrative with an orderly beginning, middle and an end.

She recalled that during the trial, I described the brutal and savage attack.

The victim called Ginnetti a puppeteer who sought to place the blame on all around him.

I feel profound sadness when I reflect on that day, she said. Why did I expend energy on problem-solving with this man?

Defense attorney Kevin Smith began his statement by saying that since Ginnetti was incarcerated on the day of the crime, he has developed health issues, including diabetes. In an apparent reference to COVID-19 problems in prisons, Smith said, Being incarcerated places him at a higher risk.

Smith said Ginnetti had a life of some success that has been derailed by mental health issues and alcohol and substance abuse.

But Smith said during incarceration, Ginnetti has developed insight into his problems. He has described incarceration as a blessing of sorts.

The court is aware of our self-defense claims, Smith noted. During the trial Ginnetti testified that the victim actually had attacked him with the knife because she became enraged when he told her he was leaving her for another woman. Smith has said Ginnetti did not try to smother the woman; he was holding the pillow over her wounds.

Smith told Vitale that neither Ginnetti nor the victim had offered reliable narratives.

Noting a first-degree assault conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, Smith said more time than that would be inappropriate. He might not survive even that sentence.

When Ginnetti, attired in brown prison garb and a mask, was offered a chance to speak, he addressed Vitale without written notes.

One of the things that has bothered me since my arrest and incarceration was my inability to express to (the victim) my profound guilt, horror and shame at my actions that resulted in her injuries, Ginnetti said. I take full responsibility for it.

Ginnetti said being in prison has allowed me to be sober and to think clearly again about my life, to make amends where possible.

He asked Vitale to put my life into context while imposing the sentence and to consider the hundreds of students he had taught.

Vitale noted Ginnetti had worked as a registered nurse until his license was revoked in 2009 because of alcohol and substance abuse. Vitale acknowledged Ginnetti also volunteered to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

However, looking back on Ginnettis trial testimony, Vitale told him: Your account, frankly, was farcical. Appropriately, it was rejected by the jury. You could not explain how she incurred a fractured nose and multiple knife wounds.

Vitale cited Ginnettis history of depression which corresponded with the death of your brother, who also had substance abuse issues.

Vitale also said that given Ginnettis age, its unlikely he would have a capacity for future violence.

He asked Ginnetti to stand up and then imposed a 15-year sentence, to be suspended after serving eight years, followed by three years of probation. Vitale also imposed a protective order, forbidding Ginnetti to in any way be in contact with the victim for the next 30 years.

Contact Randall Beach at randall.beach@hearstmediact.com.
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Greece and France held a joint naval exercise on Thursday in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Hellenic National Defense General Staff announced.

Four Greek frigates and a French task force fleet comprising the French vessel Tonnerre and the frigate Lafayette participated in the exercise.

Two French Rafale jets also landed and used Souda base as part of the military cooperation between the two countries, the country's AMNA news agency reported.

The training exercise came a day after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the escalation of tension in the region with French President Emmanuel Macron.

"Emmanuel Macron is a true friend of Greece and a fervent defender of European values and international law," Mitsotakis said on his Twitter account after the call with Macron.

Turkey dispatched on Monday its seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis, escorted by Turkish warships to the Eastern Mediterranean after Greece and Egypt last week signed a maritime border agreement for the region.

Greece, which has called on Turkey to withdraw vessels from the area, also deployed warships to monitor the vessel.

Greece and Turkey have been at odds over hydrocarbon rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
That means meeting voters where they are, especially non-English-speaking voters: in communities across the Inland Empire and the Central Valley, where Latino voters casting ballots for the first time may not recognize themselves in campaigns showing white-collar office workers heading to the polls on their lunch breaks; and with shareable content on WeChat or WhatsApp, to reach members of various diasporas.

Mr. Ramakrishnan said that although California is among the best-prepared states for the election, along with Oregon and Washington, the pandemic and questions about disinformation and the funding of the U.S. Postal Service are unique challenges.

[Read about how Facebook will promote voting by mail, even as President Trump continues his erroneous attacks on the method.]

The ultimate goal, Francisco I. Pedraza, an assistant professor and the reports lead author, said in a statement, is to give first-time or so-called low-propensity voters, reassurance that their vote will be delivered  whether they prefer to leave the ballot they filled out at home in a voting-center drop box or mail it in, or vote in person at a polling place where poll workers speak whatever language makes them feel comfortable.

Language skills are a key ask in an effort by the California Secretary of States office to recruit new poll workers, since many who have worked previously are retirees who would be more vulnerable to Covid-19.
If you're like me, you keep seeing headlines popping up about this or that retired military officer lambasting Trump as a dictator and, in some cases, offering war-game scenarios about how to evict Trump from the White House. These officers believe that Trump will lose the election and then, instead of leaving the White House, he will engineer a coup attempt with help from the DHS and those of his many supporters who own guns. (Never mind that it was Obama who already conducted a coup attempt.) Kurt Schlichter, who knows the military, thinks that if things go sidewise in January, many generals would join with the Democrats.

To understand what's happening, you should start with Byron York's excellent rundown of the fantasies that high-level retired officers are putting forward. In their fantasies, Trump, who has consistently abided by the law and with judicial decrees, will suddenly go rogue and, having lost the election, then refuse to leave the White House:

A number of President Trump's most implacable critics are fantasizing about deploying the U.S. military to remove him from the White House on Jan. 20, 2021, based on their assumption that a.) he will lose the election, and b.) he will refuse to leave office on his own. Recently, two retired Army officers speculated about deploying a brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division to overpower Trump's "private army" that they believe the defeated president will use to try to cling to office. Another retired officer, a former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, imagined the military in battle with armed Trump supporters, the result being that "all bets are off as to how much blood might flow." In addition, a group of former government officials, political operatives, and journalists concocted a scenario in which Trump actually won reelection but Democrat Joe Biden refused to accept the result in hopes that the military would side with him against the president.

Read York's article to understand the true lunacy driving these officers' speculation. What's worrisome is that, when a group ironically named "Transition Integrity Project" did a war game about what would happen if Biden, like Hillary, won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College, it was the Democrats who wanted to go nuclear. They imagined Democrat states seceding, D.C. and Puerto Rico joining as states, and a possible military uprising to support Biden.

What should make people nervous is that, while it would once have been inconceivable that the American military would dream of turning the U.S. into a military dictatorship (because that is what always happens when the military is involved in a leadership battle), it's conceivable now. In this regard, there are two articles you should read.

The first is Gene Comiskey's American Thinker article about George Will. What Comiskey describes is a class divide in America, with those people who identify as "upper class" (college-educated; affluent; and too good for Walmart, country music, and hunting) on one side, and the rest of us on the other. Once upon a time, that smug upper class included white-shoe Republicans. Many of them, however, people such as George Will, Jennifer Rubin, Bill Kristol, and several people at National Review, find Trump and his rapport with the hoi polloi revolting and have chosen class over political ideology.

Unfortunately, that schism also exists in the military. High-level officers fancy themselves members of the upper class and have Jennifer Rubined or Bill Kristoled themselves. Once you understand that depressing principle, you should read Kurt Schlichter's analysis of the military in the lead-up to the election. Frankly, it's disheartening.

Schlichter says the Obama years did more damage to the military than most of us can imagine. "Americans are unaware of the devastated culture cultivated by our military senior leadership. ... It's a military that puts Diversity Day before D-Day." Moreover, he believes that the generals will fall in line with the New York Times, rather than with the Constitution. The one saving grace is that a military isn't just generals  although we've learned from watching police at work that every military has an alarming number of general wannabes:

We know we cannot trust this generation of generals to stand up for freedom, but I'd like to think that a good portion of the troops would refuse to enter civilian politics in favor of the anti-American left. Yet, I would have also liked to think that we'd never see law enforcement officers eagerly obeying the fascist decrees of liberal poohbahs. The sight of overeager Barney Fifes hassling citizens about piehole thongs made it clear that for some people oaths come behind the giddy joy of power and keeping their pensions.

The best thing that can happen for America and the United States military is an overwhelming Trump victory, both in terms of popular votes and the Electoral College. With that in mind, this November, vote as if your life depends on it, because it does.

Image: President Trump meets with Senior Military Leadership, from the White House Flickr Feed, Public Domain.
Travellers arriving from France after 4am on Saturday will be required to quarantine for 14 days due to fears over rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the country.

The move came after Boris Johnson said ministers would be absolutely ruthless in deciding on whether to impose the self-isolation requirement.

The Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba have also been added to the quarantine list from 4am on Saturday.

The decision to add France will cause dismay for thousands of British holidaymakers currently in the country.

It was made in response to the spread of the virus, with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.

Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN. If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.  Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) August 13, 2020

The FCO now advise against all but essential travel to #France based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. If you're returning to the UK from France, you may need to self-isolate on your return. More info: https://t.co/JqWcOTBj4J pic.twitter.com/wdsduFpqMu  FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) August 13, 2020

The move will also come as a bitter blow to the hard-pressed French tourism industry which relies heavily on visitors from the UK.

Meanwhile Frances secretary of state for European affairs said the UK decision would lead to reciprocal measures across the Channel.

Clement Beaune tweeted: A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.

The Foreign Office updated its advice to warn against all but essential travel to the country because of the coronavirus risk.

Expand Close Boris Johnson during his visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA) PA / Facebook

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Before the announcement was made, Mr Johnson said: We have got to be absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners.

I think everybody understands that.

Mr Johnson said the Government could not allow the UKs population to be reinfected or the disease to come back in.

That is why the quarantine measures are very important and we have to apply them in a very strict way, he said during a visit to Belfast.

Due to increased #COVID concern, @scotgov intends to remove the countries below from the quarantine exempt list. As of 4am Saturday, you will need to quarantine for 14 days if you arrive in Scotland from these countries.



France

Netherlands

Monaco

Malta

Turks & Caicos

Aruba  Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) August 13, 2020

With Spain already on the quarantine list, it now means that holidaymakers returning to the UK from the two most popular overseas destinations must now isolate for 14 days.

Shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: While we support evidence based measures at the border, its vital that the Government has a joined-up strategy, and recognises the impact of this on travel-related businesses. It is vital that a sector-specific deal is put in place urgently.

That the Government has still not put in place an effective track, trace and isolate system has made matters far worse and made it more likely that we are reliant on the blunt tool of 14-day quarantine.

The Government should publish all of the scientific evidence its decisions are based on and details of any work being done to reduce the time needed to isolate through increased testing and other measures.
Winning trust vote a message to forces destabilising elected governments: Gehlot

India

oi-Deepika S

Jaipur, Aug 14: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BHP saying winning the trust vote in the Assembly is a message to the forces that are trying to destabilise elected governments in the country.

"Winning trust vote in Assembly is a message to the forces that are trying to destabilize elected govts in country. Their every tactic failed in Rajasthan. It is people's unwavering trust in us and unity of our Congress MLAs that has brought this victory," Gehlot told reporters.

"The way BJP had conspired in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, they applied the same technique in Rajasthan, but they have been exposed," he said.

The Ashok Gehlot government won a confidence vote in the Rajasthan Assembly, ending the threat triggered by a rebellion within the Congress ranks in the state.

Ashok Gehlot government wins Rajasthan trust vote

The motion of confidence moved by the Congress government was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

Replying to the debate on the motion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government.

"I will not let the government topple at any cost even if you make all attempts," he said.

During the debate, the opposition BJP accused the Gehlot camp of blaming it for the infighting within the Congress.

Sachin Pilot, who was sacked as deputy chief minister after he rebelled against Gehlot, intervened in the debate, saying he would fight for the party.

The House later adjourned to meet again next Friday.
The Menomonie School Board has censured one its board members, asked him to resign and will file a complaint with police after an aggressive outburst during a school board meeting earlier this week.

The School District of the Menomonie Area voted 5-4 voted Friday to censure board member Jim Swanson after a profanity laced outburst toward board president, David Styer during Mondays bi-weekly meeting. Im not going to let him distort the facts and lie about what Im saying, Swanson said during a discussion about social distancing in the districts reopening plan. Hes deflecting  f*** you. Youre a f****** dictator. Its bulls***.

With Fridays censure ruling, the board has formally requested the resignation of Swanson, and superintendent Joe Zydowsky will file a disorderly conduct complaint to the Menomonie Police Department on behalf of the board.

Swanson has not yet indicated whether he intends to resign.

The censure document provided at the meeting also gives Zydowsky the authority to have Swanson removed from school property if Swanson is disruptive or doesnt act in accordance with agreed upon conduct during a board meeting, conference or extracurricular event.

Also, if Swanson is disruptive at any future school function, he may be banned for a limited time not exceeding one semester from any and all attendance on school property except for board meetings and committees of the board.

Fridays special meeting of the board opened with a brief statement from Swanson expressing regret of his word choice Monday, but also backing his viewpoints he expressed during the same meeting.

I am sorry for my inappropriate, unproductive choice of language in the meeting, Swanson said. This behavior allowed David (Styer) and Joe (Zydowsky) to deflect the conversation on how the proposed school opening plan does not meet the Center for Disease Control guideline and directly contradicts the guidance of the Wisconsin Department of Health that school buildings should not be reopened until schools are prepared to encourage physical distancing by limiting the number of students in a classroom at one time to the amount that can fit while spaced six feet apart.

Swanson continued by saying he felt Superintendent Zydowsky was being condescending and not positively contributing to the conversation.

My reaction also allowed the discussion to be ended by a statement by the superintendent that the CDC guideline is simply opinion. This statement calls into question the commitment of the administrator to put the safety of the SDMA students and staff first. My priority has, and will always be, providing students with the safest environment possible to continue their education unimpeded by concerns for their safety and the safety of their families, especially those with pre-existing risk factors. The safety of our entire community depends on the safety of our children, and I intend to move forward by continuing to advocate for student safety in a respectful, responsible and scientifically accurate manner the community deserves.

One of the major talking points during the near 90-minute morning meeting was the conduct of Styer and Zydowsky. Board members Tricia Thompson and Chris Freeman said their conduct did not properly calm the situation and contributed to Swansons outburst, while maintaining his actions were out of order.

Thompson said the document presented to the board Friday  both issuing a censure to Jim while also approving further actions  is not OK with her and another black eye on the districts face.

Im just appalled and absolutely disgusted by this, Thompson said. I cannot believe the amount of time and effort that went into totally mischaracterizing somebody, especially when we know that there was another board member who is not being called out and should be regarding what that board member said that night too. I love this community, and I love this school district, but reading these kinds of things and thinking at some point when Im not on this board that the people who are parading these kinds of documents are going to continue to make decisions for my children seriously makes me question whether my kids should be going to this school. It breaks my heart.

Freeman said going into Fridays meeting he expected to have a censure be the boards last option if Swanson could not be mediated with, but upon the document being read out loud to those in attendance, he was taken aback and felt the president and superintendent premeditated the approved actions toward Swanson after prior incidents.

This was constructed before the meeting that contains misinformation that has implications that are outside anyones definition of what censure is, Freeman said. This is not a legislative act, it is directly an action and contains information that is not even true. So if you guys want to censure Jim, do it but this is not a censure. The way youve done it is inappropriate.

While some board members called into question the motivations and conduct of the superintendent and board president, others were in full support of the censure and corresponding document.

Board member Charlie Schneider said while others actions werent completely in the right Monday either, he said Swansons actions were egregious and the latest incident in a long line of improper conduct during board activities.

The big difference between what others did that night and what Jim did is that was the first outburst from that person, Schneider said. Ive been on the board since April, and this is the second or third time were having the same discussion about the same person. Were here because of what happened on Monday night and many Monday nights before that. What was done Monday night was truly wrong and not representative of what we want to be as a district.

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The Department of State sent an email to registered mail-in voters Thursday evening with information for how to send in and track their ballot for the general election this November.

Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar wrote that she sent the email to make sure voters do not mistakenly apply for mail-in ballots twice.

This email comes after Gov. Wolf asked the State Supreme Court to extend the deadline to count any letter post-dated before 8 p.m. Election Day, the legal cut off for in-person voting.

Heres what the email said:

Voters should expect to receive a ballot in the mail around September or October this year. Voters can track their ballots from the states website . It will show a ballot as pending until it is received by the state and counted.

Voters who live in the same county as the one they applied in do not have to re-apply for the mail-in ballot.

For people that are moving or will move before the November election, you need to contact your county election office to make sure you still receive your ballot. If you move outside the county, you have to re-register for a mail-in ballot.

If voters decide they dont want to vote by mail, they can contact their local elections office and cancel their mail-in ballot request.

The Associated Press reported Wolfs filing to extend the deadline for mail-in votes came after hours. The filing cited a letter from July 29 from the General Counsel of the US Postal Service, Thomas Marshall, that warned that mail-in ballots are incongruous with the postal services delivery standards.

Marshall said he recommends voters turn in their ballots at least a week before the deadline to ensure it is received and counted on time, according to the Associated Press.

Boockvar said the Department of State stands with Gov. Wolfs push for extending the mail-in ballot deadline.

We asked the PA Supreme Court to extend the deadline for voters ballots to be received by mail, so that every eligible voter can have confidence that their vote will be cast and counted on time, Boockvar said. The Departments action is simple in its goal  to prevent the disenfranchisement of eligible Pennsylvania voters.

There are more than 8.5 million registered voters in the state of Pennsylvania, according to data from the state. More than 1.4 million people voted by mail in the Primary Election, which was the first election after Gov. Wolf signed the election reform law that made voting by mail possible.

To register to vote, by mail or in person, visit the Department of State website.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - State Rep. Jamie Callender, one of the sponsors of Ohio House Bill 6, said late Friday afternoon he wants legislative leaders to turn over withheld documents pertaining to him in the $60 million federal bribery probe thats focused on the legislation.

Shortly after Callenders announcement, HB 6s other sponsor, Rep. Shane Wilkin, a Highland County Republican, said he was OK with the release of his records as well.

Callender, a Lake County Republican who is not charged with wrongdoing and says he was not part of any corruption, first announced on Twitter that the public and FBI need information and clarity about how the bill that bailed out two nuclear power plants became law.

The House has withheld some documents from the FBI based on both legislative or atty-client privilege. Im notifying House leadership that, as an HB6 sponsor, I waive those privileges and urge House leadership to help us give as much info as possible to the FBI and to the public.  Jamie Callender (@JamieCallender) August 14, 2020

Wilkin also said he has nothing to hide.

The Ohio House had not released over two dozen records that the FBI had sought, citing attorney-client and legislative privilege -- which Callender says hes waiving.

But later Friday, on Callenders and Wilkins requests, Ohio House staff sent the records  all emails or email attachments  to the U.S Department of Justice, said Taylor Jach, spokeswoman for Ohio House Republicans.

Jach provided copies of the documents to cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer.

The emails and email attachments were fairly routine.

They included drafts of amendments. In Wilkins email was an economic analysis of HB 6, compared to another energy bill. The analysis was performed by Pat Tully, senior policy adviser for the House Republicans. In Callenders email was a public records request from the Energy and Policy Institute, a watchdog group that describes itself as exposing attacks on renewables. Callenders emails did not include any documents the institute may have received from the records request.

The emails also contained instructions from an Ohio House GOP attorney to the lawmakers, specifying how to search their inboxes and those of their legislative aides to comply with records requests.

HB 6, which passed last year, provides over $1 billion to two nuclear power plants along Lake Erie owned by a former FirstEnergy subsidiary.

The federal government has charged former House Speaker Larry Householder and four associates with conspiracy to commit racketeering, accusing them of spending $60 million to secure the speakers position for Householder, to pass the bill and defeat an effort to repeal it.

Below are the documents. The first window are Callenders documents and the second is from Wilkin.

Other stories:

Ohio House releases HB 6 documents subpoenaed by feds: Capitol Letter

A new campaign aims to oust Ohios top utilities regulator. Who is Sam Randazzo and how is he tied to FirstEnergy?

Ohio House keeping some documents secret from FBI, public over House Bill 6, citing attorney-client privilege
Fire service personnel are back at the Electoral Commissions Accra Regional office after the fire at the premises reignited after it was doused.

The fire originally started on Friday around 2 am and firemen spent hours trying to control the inferno at the office located at Sapeiman near Amasaman

According to the Greater Director of the EC Kwame Amoah, it is not yet clear what started the fire.

He noted that there was a lot of combustible material that may have accounted for the rekindling of the fire.

We wont go now. We will wait for about 30 minutes before we [leave the premises], he added.

The Electoral Commission (EC) says the data centre at its Accra Regional office is 'safe and secure' despite Friday's inferno at the facility.

Part of the warehouse of the office was gutted by initial fire which lasted for about four hours.

The EC said the fire did not affect the main administration block contrary to widespread reports on social media.

It said the fire struck the storage facility of the office and destroyed a number of used items including old forms, ballot boxes and referendum stationery and that its data centre is intact.

A joint team from the security agencies and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) have commenced investigations into the unfortunate incident.

In a separate interview with Citi News, Public Relations Officer of EC, Slyvia Annor said the report on the investigations will be made public when ready.

---citinewsroom
KATHMANDU, Nepal  A landslide caused in part by unusually heavy rain in a district of Nepal bordering China buried dozens of homes early Friday, killing at least 11 people and leaving 27 others missing, officials said.

Shreedhar Neupane, a press adviser to the speaker of Nepals House of Representatives, said on Friday that 38 people in the village of Lidi were believed to have been buried in the landslide. The army has been retrieving dead bodies, Mr. Neupane said.

He said that 11 bodies had been recovered so far, and that five critically injured people had been airlifted to Kathmandu, the capital. Thirty-seven homes in the village, which consists of about 150 houses built on a steep slope, were buried, and a few were swept away, Mr. Neupane said.
Participants at a forum to deliberate on how to eradicate political vigilantism in the Nandom Municipality of the Upper West Region have called for the amendment of the 1992 Constitution to abolish the winner takes all syndrome in country.

The participants were of the view that the winner takes all system was the major cause of political vigilantism, that poses a threat to the country's democratic gains.

Organised by the Upper West Regional Peace Council in Nandom, the forum formed part of the nationwide advocacy campaign by the National Peace Council (NPC) on the eradication of political vigilantism to promote peaceful coexistence before, during and after the December 7, elections.

The participants including; the political party representatives, Traditional Authorities, youth groups, civil society, the Electoral Commission (EC),the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) the security agencies, religious leaders, and the Assembly systems.

They agreed that the winner takes all system was responsible for the situation, where political parties were prepared to do anything including; violence to capture power.

This, they said posed danger to the country's young democratic gains and peaceful coexistence, hence the need for action to amend the constitution to abolish the system.

The participants were taking through The Roadmap for the Eradication of Political Vigilantism in Ghana, The Vigilante and Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999), The Code of Conduct for Political Parties and the Early Warning Signs and Hotspots to Watch in the Nandom Constituency.

Speaking during the opening of the forum, Mr Gabriel Andoh, Head of Finance at the NPC Headquarters noted that the nationwide activity by the Council was geared towards eradicating political vigilantism among the youth.

He advised the youth to focus on getting themselves some employable skills that could gain them employment instead of allowing themselves to be used as tools by unscrupulous politicians for perpetuating violence and causing insecurity in the country in the name of vigilantism.

Rev Fr. John Kuupiel, a Member of the Regional Peace Council noted that God had created systems for them to leave peacefully; one of which was democracy, hence the need for all to cultivate high spirit of tolerance for one another.

According to him, political vigilantes usually would not consider the legitimate needs of the opponent, the reason for the violent acts being experienced around the country, thereby should be eradicated.

"Without peace, there cannot be development, without peace, we cannot live peacefully and harmoniously together, he said and added that the NPC was therefore determined to help eradicate this canker through its nationwide advocacy campaign.

Mr Aasoglenang Thaddeus Arkom, the Nandom Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in a statement read on his behalf paid homage to the late Presiding Member of the Nandom Municipal Assembly and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Francis Korkowie, who according to him, stood for the principle of party politics and not violence.

He said the Nandom Municipal Assembly under his leadership was committed to working for peaceful coexistence among the people and called for the cooperation of all to achieve that.

He lauded the NPC for bringing its advocacy campaign to the Municipality and pledged the support of the Assembly to enable them achieve their objective.

Mr Emmanuel Danyomah, the Upper West Regional Executive Secretary of Peace Council advised the participants to continue to engage their various members on the need to do away with vigilantism, which was of utmost concern to Ghanaians at the moment.

He further advised them to always seek the help of the Peace Council whenever there was disagreement and avoid resorting to violence as a means to addressing their disagreements.

---GNA
A former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman, Mrs. Chinyere Amuchinwa, of over N500 million.

According to Thisday, the police arrested Ohakim and later granted him administrative bail. But the former governor is set to charged to court following a petition, which was signed by Amuchinwas ttorney, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Obasi-Nweze.

In the petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu and the Department of State Services (DSS), Mrs Amuchinwa said the former governor obtained money from her under false pretence and she also accused him of threatening her life.

Amuchinwa claimed that she met the former governor in her hometown Arondizuogu, Imo State, at the funeral of Chief Raphael Obiohas wife where the widower introduced her as an industrious and successful businesswoman.

Stating that they exchanged phone contacts that day, she alleged that Ohakim later called her and requested to hold a meeting with her in her home in Lagos and she obliged.

At the meeting, Ikedi Ohakim told our client that he had land for sale; he showed our client a large expanse of land in Lagos-spanning from the Ikeja Airport to the filling station along Ikeja Airport road. He purportedly made phone calls to the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, whom he claimed was negotiating to repurchase the land from him when he was governor of Imo State. After showing the client the said land, Ikedi Ohakim started demanding money in bits from our client. On some of the days, Ikedi Ohakim pretended to be talking to somebody regarding funds he was expecting, only to revert to our client to request for more monies with a promise that once he concluded the sale of the land in question, he would reimburse our client. On one of the occasions, Ikedi Ohakim pretended to be talking to somebody in Dubai about funds the person was to send to him; he then told the person to be careful because the authorities were monitoring funds from abroad.

The petition stated that at the end of the transaction, Amuchinwa allegedly released the total sum of N500 million in cash and goods to Ohakim.

Amuchinwa added that the transaction fell through after Ohakim allegedly failed to provide the land in question.

However, in response to the allegations, Ohakim, in a statement through his Political Adviser, Emmanuel Chukwu, described the allegations as laughable.

The allegations are, to say the least, most ludicrous and laughable. They all together constitute an elaborate and audacious scheme by Ms Amuchinwa to blackmail, extort and otherwise defame the person of Dr Ohakim.

Ms Amuchinwa presented herself as businesswoman, but did not state the nature of her enterprise and her business address if any. And to be sure, Ms Amuchinwa had filed this counter-petition as an afterthought to an ongoing investigation of her criminal conducts towards Dr Ohakim, based on a petition Dr Ohakim had filed against her and upon which she was arrested as far back as 20th January 2020, seven clear months before she was recruited to file her false petition. We are fully aware of her nefarious sponsors. In purporting to have supplied luxury goods worth N110million to Dr Ohakim, she did not state the exact nature of these goods, evidence of request for the goods, acknowledgement receipt and the address of the transaction. And why would her fake invoices be in foreign currency, especially in Euros when she does not have any shop in Europe? Third, in claiming to have made N500million payment to Dr Ohakim for purchase of land, she dishonestly left out whether such was made through the banking system. As of a fact, if such payment ever existed, it is very easy to track money trail through the banking system. Did she make the payment in cash, foreign currency or how really? Even at that, N500million is certainly a huge sum; so, she certainly would require a large bullion van making multiple trips to convey such quantum cash.

KanyiDaily had also reported how the police arrested a suspect for impersonating Bauchi State Governor and defrauding members of the public of the sum of N37 million.
Concerns about mail-in voting have deepened after the postal service warned officials in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania that some ballots may not be delivered in time.

Additionally, it was revealed President Donald Trump had an Oval Office meeting last week with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy amid allegations the billionaire mega-donor to the Republican Party has put policies in place that are holding up delivery of the mail.

The White House told The Washington Post the meeting was a 'congratulatory' meeting because DeJoy was recently appointed to the position but it came before his tense meeting on Capitol Hill last week with Democratic Leaders Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Worries about mail-in ballots making it to officials in time to be counted are increasing as President Donald Trump criticizes the system but has requested an absentee ballot from Florida

It was revealed President Donald Trump held an Oval Office meeting with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (above) last week before DeJoy's meeting with Democrats on Capitol Hill

Officials in Pennsylvania have asked the state Supreme Court to extend the voting deadline after the U.S. Postal Service issued a warning that not all ballots may be delivered on time

Trump has said he hasn't spoken with DeJoy about the new policies he's put in place in the postal system - including firing executives and limiting overtime work, which DeJoy says is to make the service financially soluble.

With almost 180 million voters eligible to vote by mail in November's contest, worries have been piling up about whether those ballots will make it to state officials in time to be counted. President Trump has been an outspoken critic of mail-in voting but postal workers charge DeJoy's new policies with causing delays that Democrats say could lead to voter disenfranchisement.

Several battleground states that will decide the contest are expected to be affected, including Pennsylvania, where the U.S. Postal Service warned in a July 29 letter that there is a 'significant risk' ballots won't be delivered on time because the state's voting deadlines are too tight for 'delivery standards.'

Election officials there have asked the state Supreme Court to expand voting deadlines in order to make sure every ballot is counted, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

If the state court agrees the result of the contest between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden may not be known until days after Election Day.

Trump won the state by less than 1 percent of the vote in 2016 and this year's contest could be just as close.

State officials, led by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration, wants the court to allow mail-in ballots to be counted if they are received by the Friday after Election Day as long as there is no proof they were mailed after November 2 - such as a postmark.

Pennsylvania law currently requires that mail ballots be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

The state will also set up drop boxes for voters to deposit their ballot instead of having to rely on the mail system.

Several other states are wrestling with mail-in voting issues after governors expanded that option to help combat the coronavirus.

Trump has been a longtime critic of mail-in voting but defends absentee voting. He and first lady Melania Trump have already requested and received absentee ballots in Florida to vote in November's election.

Additionally, the Republican National Committee told the Associated Press it has doubled its legal budget to sue states on the mail-in voting issue to $20 million and is currently involved in about 40 election-related lawsuits.

Meanwhile, President Trump said Thursday he's blocking the coronavirus relief measure because of Democrats' funding request for the Post Office, arguing it's 'election money' for universal mail-in voting.

'Now, they need that money in order to make the Post Office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots,' Trump said in an interview with Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo.

Democrats have put $25 billion for emergency funding for the Post Office in their $3 trillion version of the coronavirus relief legislation - money that President Trump opposes.

'That's election money basically,' he told Bartiromo.

'If they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting,' he explained of both the Post Office funding and the overall Democratic top line number of $3 trillion.

'Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting. They just can't have it,' he said.

President Donald Trump said he was holding up the coronavirus relief talks because he doesn't want a Democratic provision giving additional funding for the Post Office, arguing it will bring about universal mail-in voting

Many states are using mail-in voting to combat the coronavirus pandemic; in Washington state where election workers sort ballots in the above voting, mail-in voting has been the normal for years

Voters in Florida drop off their ballots in the August primary

NO CHECKS WITHOUT A DEAL, IRS INSIDER WARNS An insider with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) believes that Americans may not get their second stimulus check until September if Congress is unable to reach a deal by Friday. Chad Hooper, the national president of the Professional Managers Association, told Grow that the IRS 'is better positioned to issue a second check' than they were in April, but Congress just has to come to an agreement. Otherwise, that would mean Americans, particularly the more than 30 million out of work, may have to wait until September for the second round of relief. However, if lawmakers can strike the deal by this Friday, most stimulus checks could be sent out this month. The first round of relief saw checks of up to $1,200 issued to millions. Advertisement

President Trump is a frequent, fervent critic of mail-in voting, which he claims leads to election fraud - a claim fiercely disputed by critics and even his own party, which fears losing losing votes if its supporters do not mail their ballots.

He and the Republican Party have launched lawsuits in states that have opted to go with universal mail-in voting in November as a way to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

But his comments on Thursday were some of his most specific to date about how he planned to stop mail-in ballots this fall.

'They want $25 billion for the Post Office because the Post Office is going to have to go to town to get these great ridiculous ballots in,' Trump complained.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said mail-in voting is a 'health issue' this year given the coronavirus, which has infected more than 5 million Americans.

'It's a health issue in 2019,' she said Thursday morning on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.'

'It's even more so in the time of the pandemic, so when the president goes after the Postal Service he's going after an all-American, highly approved by the public institution; like as we would say  before you were born  motherhood, apple pie, the Postal Service, an all-American institution,' she added.

And presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden said the president didn't want an election.

'Pure Trump. He doesn't want an election,' he told reporters at an event in Wilmington when asked about the president's comments.

Governors have expressed concern about long lines at the ballot box and pointed out that many election workers are retirees, making them in the high-risk category to get the disease.

And the post office has warned states to keep in mind the time it takes to mail and return ballots in order to ensure timely delivery for the November election. Postal workers have charged that changes put in place by DeJoy - a Republican donor appointed to the job by Trump - have caused mail delays.

It's sparked fears among Democrats the postal service is being politicized ahead of November and that the millions of voters expected to use the system to send in their ballot may be disenfranchised.

DeJoy has denied the allegation.

'Despite any assertions to the contrary, we are not slowing down Election Mail or any other mail,' he said last week.

Nevada, California and Vermont have opted for universal mail-in voting because of the virus. Five states already conduct elections by mail-in ballots. And many other states have allowed fear of the coronavirus to be used as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Other states, like Michigan, are preemptively sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters.

Republicans are suing in several of these states to stop these efforts. They claim mail-in voting leads to 'ballot harvesting' - a process where the voter fills out their ballot but party volunteers mail them in for that voter and other voters. Democrats counter it's merely collecting ballots of those who vote to ensure they are delivered.

President Trump often rails against desires widespread mail-in voting, claiming it will increase chances of fraud and disproportionately benefit Democrats; studies have shown there is very little voter fraud in the United States

President Trump suggested in his press briefing Wednesday that he would not sign off on a relief bill that allocates billions going towards mail-in voting.

'They turned down this bill because they want radical left agenda items that nobody in their right mind would approve,' Trump said of Democrats refusing to agree to the GOP bill proposed at the end of last month.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has denied that politics are at play in the post office ahead of the November election

'The bill's not going to happen because they don't even want to talk about it because we can't give them the kind of ridiculous things that they want that have nothing to do with the China virus,' he said, again referencing mail-in voting and money for the Post Office.

'So therefore, they don't have the money to do the universal mail-in voting, so therefore they can't do it, I guess, right?' he proposed. 'Are they going to do it even though they don't have the money?'

He also argued what Democrats are doing is a bigger threat than to the November election than reports from U.S. foreign agencies that Russia, China and Iran are trying to interfere in the presidential contest.

'It's going to be the greatest fraud in the history of elections,' he argued of the Democrats.

Trump's revelation about his role in blocking the coronavirus relief measure comes as negotiations between the administration and Capitol Hill have stalled.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has tried to blame Democrats for not being willing to negotiate.

Speaker Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have countered they offered to come down from their $3 trillion proposal if Republicans will come up from their $1 trillion one to meet in the middle at $2 trillion.
A barrister and nurses have slammed an NHS health board for an 'unlawful' policy which allows transitioning people to use staff-only female shared facilities, claiming the guidelines 'stop women from voicing concerns'.

Sarah Phillimore, 49, from London, criticised NHS Lanarkshire over their 'Supporting Trans Staff in the Workplace policy', which relates to female shared toilet, shower and changing room facilities.

The barrister, who specialises in family law, tweeted an excerpt from the 28-page document, published last Thursday, which states objections to the policy 'will be dealt with by a manager in a sensitive and understanding way, while not denying the Trans staff member access to facilities appropriate to their lived gender'.

However, Ms Phillimore claims prioritising trans over women's right is 'unlawful' and fears those raising objections may lose their jobs.

Sarah Phillimore, 49, a barristerfrom London, criticised NHS Lanarkshire over their 'Supporting Trans Staff in the Workplace policy', which relates to female shared toilet, shower and changing room facilities

Ms Phillimore, who specialises in family law, tweeted an excerpt from the 28-page document (above), published last Thursday, which states objections to the policy 'will be dealt with by a manager in a sensitive and understanding way, while not denying the Trans staff member access to facilities appropriate to their lived gender'

Above, the tweet posted by Ms Phillimore. She claims that prioritising trans over women's right is 'unlawful' and fears those raising objections may lose their jobs

She shared the guidelines on on Twitter on Monday, saying: 'NHS advice. You will be compelled in a "sensitive and understanding" way to permit male bodies into single sex facilities.'

Ms Phillimore's tweet has led to an outcry on Twitter with many people 'shocked' at the health board's 'discrimination'.

@MammaMi62324411 wrote: 'Oh great. I get told in a sensitive and understanding way that I have no choice but to accept a male-bodied person into a supposedly female-only space. That makes me feel really safe and valued. Not.'

@anne75497482 added: 'NHS Lanarkshire is your policy seriously to force female members of staff to undress in front of males? Have you taken legal advice on the employment law aspect of this? It's clear indirect discrimination (on basis of sex) and repudiatory breach of contract.'

@WyeWorry7 sasdi: 'In short women staff have no rights.'

And Trish Spencer commented: 'I am a resident in this Health Board area and as a retired NHS Board Non Executive Director I'm completely shocked and disgusted by this.'

A female nurse, who wishes to remain anonymous, has also spoken out about the policy, claiming that no-one was consulted over it.

The NHS nurse, who has worked with NHS Lanarkshire for over 20 years, said: 'I was first made aware of the supporting trans staff in the workplace policy produced by NHS Lanarkshire via social media.

Ms Phillimore's tweet has led to an outcry on Twitter with many people 'shocked' at the health board's 'discrimination'

'I have never been asked as a woman about my opinions on this policy or how it would affect me by NHS or union reps.

'Where I work we have four wards which have separate male and female changing rooms. I use the female communal changing room, which is lacking in space and contains one shower and two toilet cubicles.

[The policy] is basically telling women to shut up and if that doesn't work, they could be sacked. We have fought hard for single sex spaces without penises. Sarah Phillimore, barrister

'Sharing toilets does not bother me as we are in individual cubicles. Sharing a communal area to change into and out of my uniform is bad enoughwith females, but a trans woman who self identifies and is possibly still an intact male shocks me and scares me.

'We all start at the same time and there can be many in the changing room. None of my female or male colleagues are aware of this policy nor have they been consulted. We do not know if it is a new policy or an updated policy.

'What about my rights to single sex spaces? I feel as a nurse in the NHS they have not taken how females feel about this into account.'

Speaking today, Ms Phillimore added: 'It's unlawful. It places primacy on trans rights and ignores female sex which is a protected characteristic. It's basically telling women to shut up and if that doesn't work, they could be sacked.

'We have fought hard for single sex spaces without penises. I've had to endure men waving their c***s at me when growing up. I don't want to see a body with an intact penis next to me when I'm changing.'

Kay Sandilands, NHS Lanarkshire director of human resources, said: 'NHS Lanarkshire recognises that trans people are entitled to fair and equal access to all NHS services, including as an employer.' (Above, Monklands Hospital, which is managed by NHS Lanarkshire)

Today, NHS Lanarkshire did not deny the claims that they failed to consult staff about the policy.

Kay Sandilands, NHS Lanarkshire director of human resources, said: 'NHS Lanarkshire recognises that trans people are entitled to fair and equal access to all NHS services, including as an employer.

'The "Supporting Trans Staff in the Workplace" policy is written in line with our duty under the Equality Act 2010. This particular guidance sets out NHS Lanarkshire's responsibilities as an employer of trans people.

'As an employer, we aim to ensure that all of our staff are treated in a fair and consistent manner in an open and fair culture where everyone is valued and respected.

'I would like to reassure all of our staff that we will continue to listen to the concerns of our staff and strive to create a fair and equal workplace for all employees.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:38:06|Editor: huaxia

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to reporters in Istanbul, Turkey on Aug. 14, 2020. Erdogan on Friday said Turkey might suspend its diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or call back its ambassador over UAE's deal with Israel. (Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said Turkey might suspend its diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), or call back its ambassador over UAE's deal with Israel.

"We stand with the Palestinian people. We have not let Palestine be defeated, or let it be defeated," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul.

"I have given the necessary instructions to my foreign minister. We may either suspend diplomatic ties (with UAE) or recall our ambassador," he stressed.

In a written statement issued earlier in the day, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said "the history and the conscience of the region's people would never forgive the hypocritical behavior of the UAE."

Turkey believes that the deal, which would lead to the full normalization of the diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel, would ignore the will of Palestine.

Meanwhile, Turkish Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin tweeted that "their miserable policies will not deter but give only strength to those who believe in justice, freedom, and nobility."

Israel and the UAE on Thursday reached a deal on the full normalization of relations.
This past week, President Trump claimed the election will determine the future of private gun ownership in the United States.

Hes right. And Montana voters choice for the U.S. Senate looks set to determine its balance of power. If they gain control, Joe Biden and Senate Democrats promise to eliminate the filibuster, allowing them to pass any legislation they want with a simple majority vote.

But the Senate wont just determine what gun control legislation gets passed  it will also determine what judges get confirmed.

There are few issues that divide Democrat- and Republican-appointed judges more consistently and completely than gun control. President Trump's 200 federal judicial confirmations have only just brought the courts into balance, with Democrat-appointees still controlling circuit courts for 24 states plus D.C.

The states Democrats control judicially are ones that they also tend to control legislatively. These circuit courts approve any and all of the regulations they get passed, no matter how flagrantly they infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.

Dont expect the Supreme Court to restrain these courts. All four Democrat appointments claim people dont have a right to self-defense. Indeed, they have already noted they will vote to overturn the courts 2008 Heller and 2010 McDonald decisions. Those rulings merely ensured the government could not completely ban guns.

Four Republican-appointed justices clearly care about the right to self-defense. But they wont take up gun control cases for fear Justice John Roberts will side with the liberal justices. He has already done so on religious freedom cases, DACA and Obamacare.

Montanas two current senators are sharply divided who should be on the courts. Sen. Jon Tester voted for Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, who do not believe there is an individual right to self-defense. He opposed Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, who support that right.

Sen. Steve Daines has voted the opposite way.

If Gov. Steve Bullock replaces Daines this November and gives Democrats control of the Senate, that means more judges in the vein of Sotomayor and Kagan.

California shows us what the future of gun ownership can look like. For example, no one has figured out how to meet the states requirement for micro-stamping  a technology by which firing pins will supposedly imprint a unique identifying code on each shell casing. Even if someone could implement this expensive technology, a criminal could circumvent it by simply filing down the pin or replacing it. But handguns that dont meet these impossible regulations will soon be banned. Given the 9th Circuit Courts liberal bent, unless Trump fills another Supreme Court vacancy, Californias restrictions will likely be upheld.

This year, the Democrats' convention platform is focused on a radical gun control agenda. It advocates licensing for gun owners, allowing gun makers to be held liable whenever someone uses a gun to commit a crime or cause an accident, and banning some types of semi-automatic guns based on appearance rather than on function. Neither Tester or Bullock have made any public comments opposing this platform.

Bullock attacks Dark Money groups like the NRA, who are spending millions to try to divide this nation and thwart progress. but he never criticizes the vastly greater amounts that New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg spends. While the NRA spent $18.9 million on all campaigns in 2018, Michael Bloomberg put up $110 million just for congressional campaigns, even more than that on state legislative races across the country.

Montanans cherish their freedoms. It would be ironic if Montanans provide the deciding votes that kill the Second Amendment and Americans right to defend themselves and their families.

John R. Lott Jr. is president of the Crime Prevention Research Center and the author of Gun Control Myths. He lives in Missoula.

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Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court of India (SC) on August 14 held senior advocate Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court in the suo moto contempt case against him over his tweets about the Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde and the apex court.

In his judgement, Justice BR Gavai observed that Bhushan had committed "serious contempt of the Court". The bench will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on August 20.

In July, the top court had initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against the activist-lawyer for his alleged derogatory tweets against the judiciary. The apex court has also initiated contempt proceedings against Twitter India, the social media platform on which Bhushan had posted the comments.

The bench had prima facie observed that Bhushan's tweets "have brought disrepute to the administration of justice and are capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the Supreme Court in general and the office of the Chief Justice of India in particular, in the eyes of general public".

On August 5, the bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, Gavai and Krishna Murari had reserved judgement in the case after hearing Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, who represented Bhushan.

According to Live Law , Dave had submitted that Bhushan was airing only bona fide criticism against the judiciary without any malice.
InSites Consulting Names New MD for South Africa

In South Africa, communities specialist InSites Consulting has promoted Heather Tluczek to Managing Director. She replaces Henk Pretorius, who moves up to Head of Consumer Connections, a global role leading consumer network strategy for the group.



Pretorius is co-founder of the Johannesburg firm previously known as Columinate, which was acquired by InSites in 2018. In his new role, he heads up a team across Romania, South Africa, France and the UK, managing the company's various consumer networks. These include its proprietary crowdsourcing platform eyeka; its creatives network; and Illume, its consumer creator network. 'There is a renewed focus on consumer connection as a critical capability to offering the right blend of people for the right research project. I am excited to be part of this next era for our proprietary networks', says Pretorius.



Tluczek takes over the MD role from her previous position as Research Director (Team Lead), having joined the business three years ago from Kantar TNS South Africa. Commenting on the move, she said: 'Henk implemented the country's first ever market research online community (MROC) under the Columinate brand, and I am committed to ensuring our continued position as the number one online community provider as InSites Consulting South Africa. Our team of talented research consultants in Johannesburg are supported by a wider group of industry experts all around the world. Together we will provide the best service to our clients across customer experience, branding and innovation'.



Web site: www.insites-consulting.com .




When a team led by Grabowski examined nearly 3,000 nursing homes for the factors that led to a covid-19 outbreak, they found some circumstances had more influence than others. Facilities were more likely to have at least one case if they were in urban areas, were not part of chains and had a larger percentage of residents who were African American. The state where a nursing home is located also mattered.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 02:57:25|Editor: huaxia

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A boy wearing a face mask walks on a street in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 13, 2020. Jordan on Thursday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases, increasing the tally of coronavirus infections in the state to 1,320. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Thursday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases, increasing the tally of coronavirus infections in the state to 1,320.

Among the 10 local infections included eight people who had contact with COVID-19 patients from Irbid and Ramtha, and two others in the capital Amman, Health Minister Saad Jaber said in a statement.

Since last week, the kingdom has witnessed a "worrisome" increase in local infections, Jaber said, while calling on citizens to abide by the safety and preventive measures, practice social distancing, and wear face masks.

The minister said a total of 6,700 virus tests were conducted on Thursday, bringing the total tests to 672,344.

China has supported Jordan's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 31, China donated a batch of medical supplies to Jordan to help combat the coronavirus.
New York: The reaction of federal prison officials to Jeffrey Epsteins suicide last year is to blame for onerous conditions a British socialite faces in jail while awaiting trial on charges that she procured teenage girls for him to abuse a quarter-century ago, her lawyers say.

Through the lawyers, Ghislaine Maxwell, 58, has asked a judge to help improve her treatment in a Brooklyn federal jail, saying "uniquely onerous conditions" limit her computer access and frustrate her ability to prepare for a trial scheduled for next July.

Audrey Strauss, acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, at a news conference to announce charges against Ghislaine Maxwell in July. Credit:AP

They said she should be housed in the general population at the Metropolitan Detention Centre rather than under restrictions that would limit her time outside her cell to three hours a day.

"As a result of what occurred with Mr Epstein, Ms Maxwell is being treated worse than other similarly situated pre-trial detainees, which significantly impacts her ability to prepare a defence and be ready for trial," the lawyers wrote.
A wayward emu was taken to an animal shelter after it was captured while running through the streets of a northern New Jersey city.

A woman spotted the long-legged bird on Tuesday morning in a residential neighbourhood near Patersons border with Totowa.

Animal control officers managed to snare the emu, which is about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall.

The emu was placed in a large animal cart and was taken to a shelter, where officials arranged for the emu to be examined by a veterinarian.

Officials were not sure whether the bird had escaped from a farm or was just running out in the wild.

Chief Animal Control Officer John DeCando told NJ.com the emu appeared healthy. He could not determine its age or sex, but I can tell you it needs a bath, DeCando said.

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Its a great honor for Girikon to be part of the Inc 5000 list for consecutive 2 years. We continue to focus on expanding our expertise in the latest Salesforce offerings, Data Management, Data Analytics and Machine Learning.

Inc. magazine today revealed that Girikon Inc. is No. 1245 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

"Its a great honor for Girikon to be part of the Inc 5000 list for consecutive 2 years. We continue to focus on expanding our expertise in the latest Salesforce offerings, Data Management, Data Analytics and Machine Learning. We are looking at continuing the momentum by supporting clients with global operating models to accelerate growth in Americas, APAC and Europe." said Sachin Rathi, Co-Founder, Girikon Inc

While we celebrate being included in Inc. 5000 list for second year in a row, we are also cognizant that year 2020 has been a difficult year for many of us. I will like to thank our Team the Girikonites for their perseverance & our Clients for their confidence throughout this year. With their support and determination, we are poised to come out of 2020 as a stronger organization and continue providing our Clients with a world class service, said Alankar Anibha, Co-Founder, Girikon Inc.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

ABOUT GIRIKON

Girikon enables its clients and partners to maximize their business success through its people, a disciplined approach, technical expertise and knowledge. Girikon is exceptional at Information Technology Consulting and Develop world class software. Girikon is headquartered in US, Phoenix, Arizona with branch offices in Melbourne, Australia, Noida, India and Bangalore, India. Girikon is a Salesforce Silver Consulting Partner, Oracle Gold Partner, Microsoft Silver Application Development Partner and Adobe Technology Partner. Girikon also provides technology services in the areas of Data Management, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence etc.

Girikons Global team comprises of 200+ dynamic, seasoned and qualified professionals who have a vast experience in Information Technology, experience with leading Technology Platforms and vast industry experience.

CONTACT:

USA +1 480-382-1320; http://www.girikon.com

Australia +61 1300-332-888; http://www.girikon.com.au

Enquiries - sales@girikon.com

Feedback - info@girikon.com

LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/company/girikon

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/girikon/

More About Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
Earlier this year, the founders of Stream, a five-year-old, 60-person startup with offices in Boulder and Amsterdam, weren't feeling so great about their prospects. As COVID-19 began its spread in the U.S., some smaller customers of the startup -- whose APIs enable product teams to build chat and activity feeds for their applications -- began to fold.

"It was really scary when [the virus] initially hit, because a lot of our smaller customers went out of business, which made us worry about what would happen to the larger ones," recalls Thierry Schellenbach, who started Stream with Tommaso Barbugli, the lead engineer at his last startup.

"One [larger customer] did go bankrupt, which impacted our numbers." But then a strange thing happened, he says. Companies in education and healthcare and online events and even religious communities began beefing up their online operations, and turning in part to Stream to do it.

Schellenbach understood the impulse. He and Barbugli created Stream to address a pain they felt firsthand at Schellenbach's first company out of college -- a social network that was ultimately acquired for a modest sum by a private equity firm in the Netherlands. Though it grew to "millions of users," he says, its activity feed was routinely failing as the network scaled, given the many moving pieces involved, and it took a "ton of engineering resources to keep it working well."

Because the two knew the world needed more off-the-shelf software and specifically software focused on activity feeds, they began building it themselves.

Yet that's not the only reason the company is gaining traction. Schellenbach attributes Stream's resiliency in the pandemic to a decision 10 months ago to also begin developing a chat API after seeing customers trying to build their own atop their activity feeds. Now schools like Harvard, social media companies like Dubsmash and the health information site Healthline are customers, and investors are beginning to take more notice, too.

Story continues

Indeed, today the company is announcing it has closed a $15 million Series A round that was led by GGV Capital and included 01 Advisors, Knight, seed round lead investor Arthur Ventures and other backers. Among them is Datadog CEO Olivier Pomel and GitHub co-founder Tom Preston-Werner.

The round brings the company's total funding to $20.25 million, and it was raised from many individuals who Schellenbach (based in Boulder) and Barbugli (based in Amsterdam) have never met in person, including the GGV team.

Schellenbach credits GGV for not hewing too closely to old models during these socially distanced days, as did "three or four" VCs with whom he'd spoken and who said he'd have to meet them in San Francisco in order to make a deal happen.

He also traces Stream's fundraising success to the accelerator program Techstars, which Stream entered when it was just two months old back in 2015. As he explains, he and Barbugli had "no VC connections at the time, so Techstars was important to open up the fundraising side of things."

Those references have only bred more references -- and now, more than ever -- it makes a difference, he suggests.

"We're lucky," he says. Stream was introduced to GGV. GGV then introduced the team to Dick Costolo of 01 Advisors . Meanwhile, for "companies trying to raise a seed round, if you don't have clear references, right now, it's tough."

Photo of Schellenbach and Barbugli, circa 2015, courtesy of Stream.
WASHINGTON -- As last Sundays presidential election in Belarus continues to fuel protests and unnerve its leadership, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalists continue to defy unrelenting government pressure to break through an information blockade and provide audiences with reporting they cant get anywhere else.

Our journalists in Belarus have demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage to keep reporting the news in the face of unbridled government interference and outright danger, said RFE/RL Acting President Daisy Sindelar. The governments shutdown of the Internet on August 9 was the latest attempt during a tightly managed election season to control the information space  and to silence RFE/RL -- but we will not allow it.

Targeted attacks against RFE/RLs Belarus Service and Current Time digital network began early in the campaign in response to their reporting on social networks. President Lukashenka twice threatened the Belarus Service, and on June 25 Interior Minister Yury Karayeu openly expressed his displeasure, accusing it of helping to "coordinate street protests with its live news coverage and threatening to revoke the Minsk bureaus official status. That same day, authorities arrested Ihar Losik, an independent blogger and a consultant with the Service on digital strategy. In the ensuing weeks, journalists with the Belarus Service endured detentions, beatings, and harassment, and correspondents with RFE/RLs Current Time network were deported. Police left no doubt about the motive behind their attacks when they grabbed reporters in the middle of live news broadcasts and shoved them into waiting vans.

On election day, despite the chaos in the early hours of the Internet shutdown, RFE/RLs Belarus Service managed to post video live from Minsk and the regional capitals of Brest and Homel, reporting on early polling results that officially handed a sixth presidential term to Lukashenka, who has already served 26 years in office. The Service went on to record street protests and riot police deployments in coverage that was seen around the world. But by August 10, visits from inside Belarus to its website accounted for just 50.5 percent of all traffic, down from 90 percent only days before. Current Time, which earned more than 16 million video views from Belarus on social networks between August 3-9 and saw views from Belarus on YouTube double to 2.1 million between June and August, also saw its audience drop. According to one media monitoring group, the shutdown reduced connectivity in Belarus by approximately 80 percent.

In addition, the Belarus Service responded by pivoting to radio broadcasts, a platform it abandoned several years earlier after completing a digital overhaul of its operations. Since August 11, it has been available on AM 1386kHz from 21:00 to 22:00 and from 23:00 to 0:00, local time, on a frequency borrowed from RFE/RLs Russian Service. Listeners from Minsk and Mahilou have told RFE/RL that they have heard the broadcasts, and drivers in Vitebsk and Hrodna have tuned in from their cars.

Said Sindelar, It is crucial that we have a platform for reaching the people of Belarus that is fully independent of the government. Radio is not a replacement for a free Internet, but it is an additional way for us to provide urgent and uncensored news to our audiences, and we have the agility and expertise to do that.

Some experts have expressed concern that even if general Internet service is restored, authorities have the capability to target individual websites. Moreover, individual SIM cards, which were blocked in numerous cases during the elections to prevent journalists from sending information and video, can be blocked again.

On August 10, President Lukashenka made a veiled but menacing reference to RFE/RL when he stated that there are puppet masters of the protests who reside in the Czech Republic -- where the companys headquarters is located.

Since the August 9 election, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and PEN America have condemned attacks on the media and the targeting of independent journalists in Belarus. On August 6, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning Belarusian government pressure on RFE/RL journalists, among others, and called for a free, fair, and transparent presidential election in Belarus.

About RFE/RL

RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 38 million people in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed over 3.6 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2019. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

----

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joanna Levison in Prague (levisonj@rferl.org, +420.221.122.080)

Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948)
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Linkedin Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:13 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e0060f 1 City Jakarta-psbb,PSBB,large-scale-social-restrictions,Jakarta-administration,anies-baswedan,COVID-19,COVID-19-Jakarta Free

The nations capital has extended the transitional phase of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) a fourth time, for another two weeks starting Friday, as Jakarta's COVID-19 infection rate has shown no signs of slowing.

After taking into account all conditions, consulting with health experts and coordinating with Forkopimda [the Regional Leadership Communication Forum], we have decided to extend the transitional PSBB once again, Governor Anies Baswedan said on Thursday.

Anies said the city would tighten control over activities that might generate crowds in public spaces, especially on weekends and during the celebration of the 75th Independence Day.

Car Free Day and public celebrations for Independence Day, especially competitions that could attract crowds, will be restricted.

Jakarta started the transitional phase on June 5 as it started to gradually relax restrictions in the hope of easing economic suffering, with businesses and offices reopening under new health protocols.

The governor, however, had hinted at the possibility of pulling the emergency brake and reimposing restrictions it previously eased should the number of infections continue to soar.

Read also: Less fun and games as Greater Jakarta limits Independence Day events

On Thursday, Anies reported that the number confirmed cases had reached 27,863, with 981 deaths and 17,838 recoveries.

He said Jakartas positive case rate -- the percentage of positive results from all tests -- had hit 8.7 percent in the past week, a rise from the 7.4 percent recorded in the previous week.

The latest weekly rate is above the figure recommended by the World Health Organization for relaxations, which is 5 percent or below.

Anies said 65 percent of 4,456 isolation beds and 67 percent of 483 intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID-19 patients were occupied, with occupancy rates ranging from 40 to 50 percent in July.

The Jakarta Public Order Agency recorded 64,036 violations against the mask-wearing provision from July 1 to Aug. 10.

Through this [PSBB] extension, together with the police and the military, we will focus on enforcing the rules, especially the use of masks in public, Anies said.
D onald Trump "cheated" in the 2016 US presidential election, his disgraced former lawyer Michael Cohen will claim in an upcoming bombshell book.

Mr Cohen promises to reveal the "skeletons" in the president's closet in Disloyal, A Memoir, which is due to be released in September.

A foreword published online on Thursday says: "Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything - and I mean anything - to 'win' has always been his business model and way of life."

It adds: "My insatiable desire to please Trump to gain power for myself, the fatal flaw that led to my ruination, was a Faustian bargain: I would do anything to accumulate, wield, maintain, exert, exploit power.

"In this way, Donald Trump and I were the most alike; in this naked lust for power, the President and I were soul mates."

The foreword, which runs to some 3,700 words, does not reveal anything new about Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller found in 2019 that Russia made a concerted effort to help Trump secure the presidency four years ago.

But he found no evidence of any criminal conspiracy between Mr Trump's campaign and Russia - although he did reveal that the campaign was in extensive contact with various Russian operatives.

Mr Cohen, 53, worked closely with Trump for years as his "fixer" before turning against him, most publicly in testimony to Congress last year ahead of Mr Trump's impeachment.

He is serving a three-year sentence for tax evasion, false statements and campaign finance violations. The last charge was related to "hush money" to silence women who claimed affairs with Mr Trump before the 2016 presidential election.

Donald Trump / REUTERS

Mr Cohen was released to home confinement in May given the risks of catching Covid-19 in prison. He was then briefly imprisoned again in July.

A federal judge last month ruled Mr Cohen had been subjected to retaliation for planning to publish his book, and ordered him released again.

White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern slammed Mr Cohen for a supposed lack of credibility.

Mr Morgenstern said: "He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales. It's unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump."

Mr Trump has previously called Mr Cohen "a rat," and a liar. Mr Cohen has said he faced repeated death threats from supporters of Mr Trump.
Two charged for spitting, seven fines issued for COVID-19 breaches Police have charged two people with spitting, while another seven $1000 fines have been issued in recent days to people for breaching coronavirus public health orders. In April, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard authorised an addition to the 2010 Public Health act, which aimed to stamp out "intentionally spitting at or coughing on public officials in a way that is reasonably likely to cause fear about the spread of COVID-19." Police said that on Wednesday morning, a 14-year-old boy, who appeared to be intoxicated, boarded a bus at Lane Cove despite being told not to by the driver, who then called police. The teenager allegedly then punched the driver in the head and spat in his face.

Loading In a separate incident, police were called to home on Spit Road in Mosman on Thursday evening to assist paramedics. They allege that, while in the back of the ambulance, a 23-year-old woman spat in the face of two police officers and paramedics, and that she bit the finger of a male officer. She was released from hospital several hours later and charged with assaulting police and a spitting offence. A hotel on Darling Street, Balmain, was issued a $5000 public infringement notice (PIN), for allegedly throwing a party for 30 people on Saturday.

The licensee of a hotel at Macksville has also been issued with a $1000 fine after local officers identified potential breaches during a visit last week. They said that a follow-up check revealed the breaches were not addressed, resulting in the fine. A licensee of business on Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga, was fined $1000, for failing to implement a COVID-19 safety plan. A 45-year-old man from South Kempsey and a 21-year-old woman from Guildford were both fined $1000 for breaching their two weeks of self-isolation, and a Victorian couple, aged 38 and 43, were each fined $1000 for travelling from Victoria without complying with the conditions of their permit. Police say the pair went skiing at Perisher. Inquiry condemns NSW Health's handling of Ruby Princess crisis

Loading Meanwhile, the special commission of inquiry into the handling of the Ruby Princess outbreak commissioned by the NSW government has found several serious errors were made, leading to an "inexplicable" and "unjustifiable" decision to deem the ship low risk. The inquiry report, handed to the NSW government on Friday afternoon, found NSW Healths expert panel made a serious and material error when it conducted its risk assessment of the Ruby Princess on March 18 - a day before it docked in Sydney with COVID-19 positive passengers on board, who were allowed to disembark. NSW Health was criticised for its handling of the Ruby Princess crisis. Credit:Edwina Pickles Clusters linked to Sydney school, Liverpool Hospital and Lidcombe club grow

NSW has reported nine new COVID-19 cases on Friday, prompting authorities to upgrade warnings for those who attended two venues in Sydney's west. There were six new locally acquired cases recorded in NSW the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, including one case with no known source, a second worker at Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club and a third staff member at Liverpool Hospital. It's the second consecutive day of single-digit community transmissions in NSW. It's an encouraging sign as health authorities continue to urge anyone with the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing as they attempt to detect the chains of transmission for a smattering of mystery cases. On Friday, Victoria recorded 372 new cases and 14 deaths including a man in his 20s. Victorian Chief Health officer Brett Sutton said he expected the state's death rate to start "levelling off" as the case numbers stabilise.

The Tangara School cluster has grown to 21, with one more student testing positive for the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2. Two new cases were household contacts of previously reported COVID-19 cases, and three cases were returning travellers in hotel quarantine. Overnight an additional case was identified in a student at St Vincents College in Potts Point. The school is today closed for deep cleaning while investigations and contact tracing are under way. The detection of the second case among staff at the Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club has prompted NSW Health to reclassify anyone who attended the venue at the following times as close contacts, who must self-isolate for 14 days, get tested for COVID-19 and monitor their health. Friday August 7, from 5pm to 6.30am;

Saturday August 8, from 4.30pm to 11.30pm;

Sunday August 9, from 1pm to 9pm;

Monday August 10, from 12pm to 9.30pm.

Close contacts must remain in isolation for 14 days after they last attended the club, even if they test negative. Dooleys Catholic Club at Lidcombe. Credit:Google Maps Testing is available at a drive-through clinic at Auburn Community Health Centre and at Auburn Medlab Pathology. Three Liverpool Hospital staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. They are in isolation and all close contacts have been identified and advised to isolate. The first staff member detected with COVID-19 is linked to a known cluster. The contact tracing team is continuing its work to identify how the other two staff members acquired the coronavirus.

Loading There is no evidence that there is an ongoing risk in the hospital, and patients should continue to visit to receive the medical care they need, NSW Health said. People who were at Liverpool Hospital on August 6 from 7am to 3pm, August 7 from 7am to 3pm, and August 8 and 9 between 5am and 1.30pm are advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested should even the mildest symptoms develop. NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said as COVID continues to circulate in the community maintaining high testing rates is vital. He urged anyone with the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing. There are 131 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health including six people in intensive care units, of whom five are ventilated.
KENT  The Kent Memorial Library and House of Books are holding two author events this month.

A conversation between Kent author Amy Poeppel and author Elinor Lipman, discussing Amys recently published book Musical Chairs, will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 on Zoom.

The book has many referrences to a small town in Litchfield County with a little red brick Library and many other Kent-like locations, said Lucy Pierpont, Kent Memorial Library Marketing and Special Events Director. Im waiting to meet a character I might really know, but alas, Ive only found composites. Its a great book. I dont blame Parade Magazine for adding it to its list of some of the best new books for July 2020.

According to a statement, Amy Poeppel grew up in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Wellesley College and worked as an actress in the Boston area, appearing in a corporate industrial for Polaroid, a commercial for Brooks Pharmacy, and a truly terrible episode of Americas Most Wanted, along with other TV spots and several plays. While in Boston, she also got her M.A. in Teaching from Simmons College.

She is married to David Poeppel, a neuroscientist at NYU and Director of the Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt. For the past 30 years, they have lived in many cities, including San Francisco, Berlin, and New York, and had three sons along the way, according to the statement.

Poeppel taught high school English in the Washington, DC suburbs, and after moving to New York, she worked as an assistant director of admissions at an independent school where she had the fulfilling experience of meeting and getting to know hundreds of applicant families. She attended sessions at the Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Unit and wrote the theatrical version of Small Admissions, which was performed there as a staged reading in 2011. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Rumpus, Working Mother, Points In Case, The Belladonna, and Literary Mama. Read an interview with her on Authors Answer, accoding to the statement.

Elinor Lipman is the author of 14 books of fiction and nonfiction, including Then She Found Me, The Inn at Lake Devine, Isabel's Bed, I Can't Complain: (All Too) Personal Essays, The View from Penthouse B, On Turpentine Lane and most recently, Good Riddance. Her rhyming tweets were published in 2012 as Tweet Land of Liberty: Irreverent Rhymes from the Political Circus. Then She Found Me became a 2008 feature film, directed by and starring Helen Hunt, with Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick. She was the 2011-12 Elizabeth Drew professor of creative writing at Smith College, and lives in Manhattan.

This event is free and open to the public; go to kentmemoriallibrary.org for registration information.

On Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. on Zoom, Kent Memorial Library, Cornwall Library and House of Books will host a conversation between author Roxana Robinson and American writer of poetry, creative nonfiction and plays Honor Moore. They will be discussing their recently published books Dawsons Fall and Our Revolution: A Mother and Daughter at Midcentury.

According to a statement, Roxana Robinsons newest book, Dawsons Fall was published in 2019. She is the author of ten books - six novels, three collections of short stories, and the biography of Georgia OKeeffe. Four of these were chosen as New York Times Notable Books, two as New York Times Editors Choices. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Harpers, Best American Short Stories, Tin House and elsewhere. Her work has been widely anthologized and broadcast on NPR.

Honor Moores newest book, Our Revolution: A Mother and Daughter at Midcentury was published by W.W. Norton earlier this year, according to the statement. Moores previous memoir, The Bishops Daughter, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and a Los Angeles Times Favorite Book of the Year. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The American Scholar, and many other journals and anthologies.

Visit kentmemoriallibrary.org for more information and to register.

NCCC offers Real Estate Principles & Practices Course

WINSTED  The Center for Workforce Development at Northwestern Connecticut Community College is offering Real Estate Principles and Practices, Sept. 21-Dec. 9. Classes will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:35 to 9:35 p.m. using an online format, according to a statement.

This required course for real estate salesperson licensing provides a clear explanation of modern real estate practices and a working knowledge of real estate in Connecticut, according to the statement. Recognized and approved by the State of Connecticut Real Estate Commission, this course meets the minimum 60-hour requirement outlined by the state. Property owners, buyers, sellers, and anyone interested in pursuing real estate careers or operations will find this course beneficial and rewarding, school officials said. .

For more information or to register for Real Estate Principles and Practices, contact Jane Williams, Workforce Development Coordinator, at jwilliams@nwcc.edu,or call 860-738-6444.
Jones, a member of the Blackfeet tribe who grew up in Texas, often uses the framework of horror to examine inequality that Native Americans face. He was drawn to slasher fiction because of its emphasis on justice and order. In the slasher story, wrong is punished, he said. The intent is to rebalance the world, and the world we live in is not like that.

For Indigenous authors, writing themselves into sci-fi and fantasy narratives isnt just about gaining visibility within popular genres. It is part of a broader effort to overcome centuries of cultural misrepresentation.

What most people know about Native people was created by outsiders, so its no surprise that its faulty, said Debbie Reese, who is tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo and founded the site American Indians in Childrens Literature, which analyzes representations of Native people and beliefs in childrens books.

While Indigenous writers are still underrepresented in the literary world, especially in genre fiction, their work is having an outsize impact. Roanhorse won two of the genres most prestigious awards, the Hugo and the Nebula, for her 2017 short story, Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience, and the Locus Award for best first novel for Trail of Lightning. Both works have been optioned for screen adaptations.

Dimalines novel, The Marrow Thieves, which unfolds in a dystopian future where Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow, won the Kirkus prize for young adult literature and is being adapted into a television series. She and Roanhorse have signed multi-book deals with major publishing houses in recent years.

Roanhorse said she started out writing Tolkien knockoffs about white farm boys going on journeys because she figured thats what epic fantasy was supposed to be. After deciding to feature a Native woman as the hero, in 2018 she released Trail of Lightning, the first novel in a four book fantasy series. Set on a reservation after a flood destroys most of North America and reawakens traditional gods and monsters, the series centers on a Navajo woman named Maggie, who has superhuman monster-slaying powers, and features sacred figures from Navajo mythology like Coyote and Neizghani, one of the Hero Twins.
Israel's decision to halt fuel shipments to Gaza grave act of aggression: Hamas

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 1:58 PM

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance movement, Hamas, has strongly condemned the Israeli regime's decision to stop fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip, describing the measure as a "grave act of aggression" that would toughen economic hardship in the besieged enclave.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement on Thursday that "Israel's continued escalation on the Gaza Strip and stoppage of fuel shipments [into the territory] constitute a dangerously aggressive and unpredictable act, and the Occupation (Israel) bears responsibility for all possible consequences."

Barhoum noted that such aggressive policies are aimed at exacerbating the crises facing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, paralyzing their daily lives, and disrupting efforts meant to confront the spread of coronavirus amid regional and international silence.

Earlier in the day, Israeli officials said they would stop fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip in response to Palestinians' launching of incendiary balloons into the occupied territories from the enclave.

The Israeli army attacked targets in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Thursday morning. The military said that Israeli warplanes, combat helicopters and tanks hit a number of targets belonging to Hamas.

"During the attack, military facilities of Hamas's naval force, underground infrastructure and observation posts belonging to the group were attacked," the Israeli army said in a statement..

Gaza-based Palestinian media outlets said the strikes hit targets across the Gaza Strip, from the border city of Rafah in the southern part of the enclave to Beit Hanoun city on the northeast edge of the impoverished territory.

Hamas observation posts were attacked close to Gaza City and Deir al-Balah in the central part of the Strip, media reports said.

Israel also slashed Gaza's permitted fishing zone on Wednesday night in response to the balloon attacks, halving the area from 15 nautical miles to eight.

The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli land, air and sea blockade since June 2007, after Hamas, which has vowed to resist Israeli occupation, rose to power in the enclave, where two million people live.

Since then, the regime has been launching incessant aerial attacks on the territory for, what observers call, self-serving reasons. Since imposing the siege, it has also brought Gaza under three wholesale wars, killing thousands of Palestinians in each.

The crippling Gaza blockade has caused a sharp decline in the standard of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty in the strip.

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In Zimbabwe, an elite sect of brave women who survived domestic violence and sexual abuse are putting their lives on the line to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world - protecting the country's wildlife.

The Akashinga tribe, which means 'the brave ones' in the local Shona dialect, is a non-profit, 100-strong all-female anti-poaching unit that patrols the Phundundu Wildlife Area in the Zambezi Valley.

Their story is told in new National Geographic short documentary - Akashinga: The Brave Ones.

It was founded by Australian former special forces soldier Damien Mander, who uses his experience of serving in Iraq to train the women - recruited from local villages - to take on armed male poachers hunting valuable big game such as elephants and leopards.

For Damien, who taught male rangers for years prior to building the Akashinga - an arm of the non-profit International Anti-Poaching Foundation - these women are the best people on the planet for the job.

The Akashinga tribe, which means 'the brave ones' in the local Shona dialect, is a non-profit, all-female anti-poaching unit that patrols the Phundundu Wildlife Area in the Zambezi Valley

Akashinga was founded by Australian former special forces soldier Damien Mander, who recruited women from local villages to take on armed male poachers hunting big game such as elephants and leopards

Not only do local people have a vested interest in where they live, he told National Geographic, but he also found women were less susceptible to bribery from poachers and 'more adept at de-escalating potentially violent situations'.

He also sought female rangers who have been through trauma, be it AIDS orphans, violence at the hands of their husbands or being abandoned to fend for themselves and their children alone.

Damien reasoned that no one is better placed to protect exploited wildlife than a woman who has suffered from exploitation.

'We thought we were putting [the women] through hell,' he told the magazine of the selection process. 'But it turns out, they've already been through it.'

Damien uses his experience of serving in Iraq (pictured left in Baghdad in 2005) to train the women. He says the skills he got in the military gave him the start he needed in conservation

The film follows a team of potential new recruits as they battle it out for a place within the anti-poaching unit

Their work is making a difference; in the 16 years prior to the Akashinga's arrival, 8,000 elephants in the region were killed - herded by fires, shot, poisoned and snared. Zimbabwe's elephant population currently sits at approximately 85,000.

'Those women, with the arrests that they've made, have been able to break open those syndicates, and drive a downturn in elephant poaching across this entire landscape,' Damien says in a new National Geographic short documentary - Akashinga: The Brave Ones - executive produced by three-time Academy Award winner James Cameron and directed by Maria Wilhelm.

'Akashinga shifts the strategy on conservation of having women come out and do what was perceived to be a male only role. We started this program with 16 women, and now every young woman, every young girl out there wants to be a ranger.

Their work is making a difference; in the 16 years prior to the Akashinga's arrival, 8,000 elephants were killed - herded by fires, shot, poisoned and snared. Zimbabwe's elephant population currently sits at approximately 85,000

The film reveals the vigorous, unforgiving selection process, during which the recruits are exposed to 'the four pillars of misery' - to be hungry, cold, tired and wet for 72 hours

'For so long we've been blinded by our egos from seeing the most powerful force in nature, and that's a woman's instinct to protect.'

The film follows a team of potential new recruits as they battle it out for a coveted place within the close-knit anti-poaching unit.

They are warned by Damien that some of them 'will die doing this job', and that they'll be up against armed men 'willing to kill elephants or anybody that's standing in their way'.

It reveals the vigorous, unforgiving selection process, during which the recruits are exposed to 'the four pillars of misery' - to be hungry, cold, tired and wet for 72 hours.

'We're going to push them to their physical and most importantly their mental limits. We're going to see what they're made of,' Damien says.

The women are warned by Damien that some of them 'will die doing this job', and that they'll be up against armed men 'willing to kill elephants or anybody that's standing in their way'

Many of the women confess what led them to seek out a life as part of the Akashinga unit.

One of the hopefuls, Melody Magonyo, reveals she was married to a man who used to hit and abuse her, leaving her with physical and mental scars.

'After all that had come before I was not going to let this opportunity pass,' she says. 'That is why you see me working with all my strength and with all my heart so that I may prosper at the end.'

The story of the Akashinga tribe featured in the June 2019 issue of National Geographic

The women are put through their paces, taught how to fight and defend themselves, and warned about the dangers of approaching poachers within the 115-square-mile bushland of Phundundu, which borders 29 communities.

Instructor Petronella Chigumbura, 30, a single mother-of-two from Zimbabwe's Mashonaland West Province, says hunters often underestimate their team and make threats.

'Most of the poachers are men so they think that we are not strong, they will say, "You ladies you cannot arrest us".

'They were saying, "When you become Akashinga, I'm going to burn your house, I'm going to rape you, I'm going to destroy your family".

'But I feel it in my heart, when I see you disturbing or poaching or hunting animals, then I will show you I will catch you.

'I love my elephants like my children, so I must protect them like I am protecting my children.'

At the end of the film the women who make it through the recruitment process swear an oath to Akashinga, promising to give their lives for what is now their duty to protect the land and its animals.
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Linkedin Mateusz Morawiecki (The Jakarta Post) Warsaw  Sat, August 15 2020

There are crucial moments in history that define the worlds future. For Poland and Europe, one such moment in the 20th century was the day of Aug. 15, 1920. It was then that Poland, newly reborn in 1918, fought a decisive and victorious battle with the Bolshevik forces that aimed to spread the fire of the communist revolution all across Western Europe, devastated by the human and material losses of the Great War.

According to the British diplomat Edgar DAbernon, it was the 18th decisive battle in world history. The Battle of Warsaw deserves to be listed on par with the D-Day as a critical turning point in the fight against totalitarianism in Europe.

Because of the Iron Curtain that divided Europe as a result of the Yalta Conference, the significance of this specific event to the history of Europe did not get imprinted in the worlds memory as prominently as it deserves. This concerns both mass culture and history textbooks. It is time to finally fill those gaps in European collective memory.

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UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: A man waits to usher in the next person to be tested at the Covid-19 testing station at St Conleths Community College in Newbridge. Photo: Fergal Phillips.

IRELAND is "sleep-walking" towards a major Covid-19 outbreak next autumn unless a radical change in national strategy is adopted.

The warning came as one of Ireland's leading public health experts, Prof Ivan Perry, predicted that with tough new measures Ireland can achieve zero new cases of the virus within just six weeks.

Prof Perry, Dean of Public Health at University College Cork (UCC), is a member of the Zero Covid Island group which has advocated a tough strategy to deal with the virus.

He warned that, without a change in policy, Ireland could be heading for an alarming number of Covid-19 cases next autumn.

Read More

"Without a fundamental change in the current strategy of attempting to live with the virus, we are sleep-walking towards a major surge of infections in October - November of this year, he warned.

If we are willing to adopt more restrictive measures over the next few weeks, there is a real possibility that we can avoid this winter surge, begin to open up our economy and return to near normal life much earlier than is likely with the current policy of temporising with the virus."

The Zero Covid Island group warned that the recent surge in cases was largely the result of "grossly irresponsible behaviour - some by young people, but many by older people."

Prof Perry and the Zero Covid Island group submitted a detailed plan to the Oireachtas - and urged closer coordination between Dublin and Belfast.

"The government needs to adopt and lead on a policy of elimination to get to Zero Covid-19," he said.

"We estimate that we can bring Covid to zero cases per day in between four and six weeks and then begin a cautious return to normal life.

"Many things now open will stay open but no large events will be allowed. There will also be strict control over unsafe high density housing, the meat industry and other major sources of outbreaks. A Zero Covid Ireland allows safe return to work, to school, and will support the recovery of our society and economy."

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The key measures now proposed are:

A ban on all non-essential travel.

Testing and tracking of all incoming people at ports and airports.

More active case finding and contact tracing.

Full adoption of face masks especially for all indoor events.

Even more rigorous hygiene and social distancing campaigns.

The group said Ireland's lockdown showed what can be achieved - and said the overall goal should be returning life and the economy back to nearly normal.

"Due to the efforts of our people, we avoided a surge swamping our health service and we got the number of cases down to single digits a day.

"The policy then became suppression of the virus to a tolerable level, of living with the virus, and awaiting a vaccine.

"But this meant we were always seven to ten days behind the virus in our response. The rising number of cases over the last few weeks shows the limits of this approach. We need to get ahead of this."

The group stressed that the world's best hope of fighting back against the virus is the development of a safe vaccine.

A total of six vaccines are now in clinical trials but, even if those trials proceed satisfactorily, limited supplies of a vaccine will only become available by April 2021 at the earliest.

"However, we may not (have a vaccine). No single measure is perfect but major epidemics are regularly dealt with by combining many imperfect tools  we dont need perfect, just good enough," Prof Perry said.

"We cant close the borders - agreed, but we can test, isolate, and follow up at our ports and airports. Northern Ireland may well decide to test travellers from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) and thats fine.

"The faster the virus goes down, the faster the economy can begin to recover. Going to zero would allow us to focus help on the areas most affected, e.g. tourism and performing arts, and those most dependent on foreign tourists.

"The Irish people respond very well to effective leadership. The way the GAA, and the two vintners associations have responded shows this very clearly. With a clear goal, we have confidence in the Irish people."
he expressed.

The high-ranking official also suggested that "if there is no need to leave the house, then it must not be done. Instead, let's stay with our families," but "if we do it for emergency or for work purposes, let's take the necessary precautions."

Montoya added that the Constitution includes an article regarding the inviolability of homes, and that has been restricted on Sundays. Therefore, the police can enter any property whose residents do not obey the rules.

Measures





In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday afternoon, President Martin Vizcarra indicated that said measure was taken based on the information provided by Health Ministry scientists and medical personnel in charge of monitoring the development of the pandemic nationwide.

Curfew

During the national state of emergency, mandatory social immobilization (curfew) is provided from 10:00 p.m. to 04:00 a.m. the next day, Mondays thru Saturdays.

However, in the regions of Arequipa, Ica, Junin, Huanuco, San Martin and Madre de Dios curfew is in force from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day.

Also, on Sundays, nationwide compulsory social immobilization will be in force all day long until 4:00 am on Monday.

It must be noted that during the mandatory social immobilization strictly necessary personnel, who participate in the provision of food supply, health, financial and restaurant services for home delivery, will be exempted from the measure.



The Peruvian Government has approved Supreme Decree N139-2020-PCM , which declares quarantine entirely focused on 6 regions of the country: Arequipa, Ica, Huanuco, Junin, Madre de Dios and San Martin, as well as on 36 provinces due to an increase in the level of COVID-19 contagion.
Manhattan Tech Support The entire Manhattan Tech Support team is truly wonderful. They are professional, patient and excellent at providing solutions to all of our technical challenges.

Inc. magazine today revealed that ManhattanTechSupport.com LLC is No. 2809 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Joseph Rabinowitz, Co-Founder of ManhattanTechSupport.com, said, Getting ranked on the venerable Inc. 5000 list for the second consecutive year is humbling and exciting. This national recognition is a tribute to our incredible staff, customers, vendors, and the entire ManhattanTechSupport.com family.

Mr. Rabinowitz further commented, Companies are realizing now more than ever, that partnering with the right IT company is critical to all facets of business operations. This environment, coupled with our strong reputation for attaining meaningful results for our clients, contributed to our growth.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About ManhattanTechSupport.com LLC

ManhattanTechSupport.com LLC, an award-winning full-service technology partner for SMBs and enterprises in New York City, specializes in managed IT services including cutting-edge cybersecurity and digital transformation solutions to help businesses increase productivity, stay safe from cyberattacks and foster growth through the efficient use of technology. Distinguished in the industry for world-class customer service and 24/7 availability, we offer companies the full breadth and depth of a sophisticated IT department for one flat monthly fee with no contracts ever. Today, our innovative technology solutions and IT experts continue to create sustained value for our clients through various strategies and initiatives that are tailored to propel SMBs into the future.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
Private Chinese firm Hengli Petrochemical, which operates one of the largest private refineries in China, has boosted its crude oil storage capacity by 22.6 million barrels to a total of 37.8 million barrels, Argus Media quoted the refiner as saying on Thursday.

The new storage tanks at Dalian will help Hengli Petrochemical to optimize purchases for its 400,000-bpd refinery in Changxing.

Over the past few months, Hengli Petrochemical and other Chinese refiners, both private and state-owned, have increased purchases of crude oil, taking advantage of some of the lowest crude prices in years in April.

China has decided that it would increase its crude oil storage capacity, as part of its goal to optimize its energy and crude import needs.

Over the past few months, while the rest of the world continues to struggle with fuel demand recovery in fits and starts, China has been a critical factor in supporting oil prices, breaking crude oil import records. Record Chinese crude oil imports over the past few months have supported still weak global oil demand.

Chinese refiners, both state-held giants and independent refiners in the Shandong province, rushed to stock up on ultra-cheap crude oil, locking in crude for delivery in May, June, and Julyand breaking crude oil import records.

For the first half of 2020, despite the lockdown in the pandemic, Chinas crude oil imports jumped by 10 percent year over year to an average of 10.95 million bpd.

In July, China imported 12.08 million bpd of crude oil, according to official customs data, which was lower than the record-breaking import rate in June but 25 percent higher than the average for July 2019.

After August, the Chinese buying spree may be coming to an end, as oil is not as dirt cheap as it was in April, and China is estimated to have amassed extensive crude inventories in commercial and strategic storage.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The 20 Covid-19-related deaths in Vietnam have many different features compared to patient No. 91, the British pilot.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Truong Son visits Covid-19 patients in Da Nang. Photo: Le Bao - Minh Thuy

As of August 13 evening, Vietnam had recorded 20 Covid-19-related deaths, accounting for 2.2% of the total 905 Covid-19 infected cases.

In addition, hospitals have reported about 12 serious cases with high mortality prognosis. Meanwhile, in the first Covid-19 wave, only 2 very serious cases were recorded, including patients No. 19 and No. 91  the British pilot.

According to Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son, the number of severe cases is still a big challenge for doctors in Da Nang City, the place where the second Covid-19 wave broke out.

We have worked in all hospitals in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Hue and joined the local health workers to cure severe cases. However, due to the relatively severe condition of the patients, who also suffer from other chronic diseases, the prognosis is very difficult, said Deputy Minister Son.

Over the past two weeks, the Ministry of Healths officials and leading health experts have concentrated all resources to treat severe Covid-19 cases.

Compared with the case of patient No. 91, which has been cured, Deputy Minister Son said that the new Covid-19 cases have many differences: Firstly, many patients suffer from many other diseases at the same time, causing complications such as heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure, and exhaustion.

Thus, the response of new severe Covid-19 cases compared to patient No. 91 is very poor. As the patients immunity is poor, when they are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus their situation get worse very quickly.

The most dangerous cases at present are those who have suffered from other chronic diseases, especially those need hemodialysis. There are patients who have been on a kidney machine for more than 10 years, which has resulted in immunodeficiency so it is very difficult for them to fight the virus," Mr. Son said.

Although the Ministry of Health and leading health experts have continuously updated the treatment regimen based on both research and practice, but in fact the treatment is different for each case.

The treatment regimen is just the framework. For severe cases, in addition to on-the-spot consultation, there are also national consultation meetings with the most experienced doctors in the country to make treatment decisions suitable for each individual, said Deputy Minister Son.

Based on the lessons learned from Da Nang, Mr. Son said that the most important experience is not to let Covid-19 to spread among vulnerable groups such as the critically ill people who are being treated in hospitals, the elderly, and the diabetes and kidney failure patients.

Treatment for Covid-19 should be detected early, monitored and treated as quickly as possible to limit the spread of the virus in the body as well as to limit the complications of other diseases or by Covid-19 as the case of the British pilot.

Due to the large number of critically ill patients, Vietnam is urgently implementing research on plasma extraction of the cured Covid-19 cases to transmit to people with severe and serious illness to help them recover quickly.

Many countries around the world are also applying this method. Five cured Covid-19 patients have voluntarily donated plasma.

Thuy Hanh

Vietnamese COVID-19 vaccine set for human trials in October First phase of human trials on a made-in-Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine could begin as early as this October.

US woman donates plasma for Covid-19 treatment in Vietnam An American woman has decided to donate blood plasma to treat Covid-19 patients in Vietnam after she was saved from the disease in HCM City.
Super Cruise enables hands-free driving on more than 200,000 miles of compatible highways in the United States and Canada. General Motors

Super Cruise is General Motors' answer to Tesla's Autopilot: an advanced driver-assistance feature.

The first three-year trials of Super Cruise, launched in late 2017, expire soon, and GM will begin charging customers a subscription fee to keep the technology activated.

The standalone subscription cost for Super Cruise will be $25 per month.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Super Cruise  General Motors' answer to Tesla's Autopilot  launched in late 2017 on the 2018 Cadillac CT6 sedan. It's an advanced driver-assistance system and arguably one of the best things GM currently offers.

But now that the first wave of Super Cruise free trials are about to expire, the automaker wants customers to pay a subscription fee to keep it activated, as first reported by Motor Trend.

Super Cruise is currently offered on a basis of a three-year trial, Motor Trend's Greg Fink writes. Past that, it'll be up to buyers whether they want to keep it turned on.

A Cadillac spokesperson told Business Insider: "After the complimentary connectivity expires, customers in the US can purchase a standalone Super Cruise plan for $25 per month or add Super Cruise to select OnStar and Connected Services bundles for an additional $15 per month."

The spokesperson also said that the cars' adaptive cruise control and lane-centering abilities will continue working whether or not there's a subscription to Super Cruise, however.

Super Cruise started out as only being offered exclusively with the CT6  which was discontinued earlier this year  but Cadillac said in January that the technology will also be offered on the 2021 CT4, 2021 CT5, and 2021 Escalade. It's unclear why it took so many years for Super Cruise to be offered on other models.

Unlike Tesla's Autopilot, Super Cruise uses a camera to watch the driver's eyes to make sure they are paying attention to the road. Drivers are able to take their hands off the steering wheel while it is active. Business Insider has reviewed both and can conclude that the two systems are some of the best driver-assistance systems currently available to consumers.

Story continues

It's also worth mentioning (again) that such systems are not fully self-driving or autonomous and should not be treated as such.

The move to charge users a subscription fee to continue using a feature their car already comes with seems to be part of a larger trend. Business Insider reported in July that BMW is making similar moves, envisioning a future where its cars come with all the hardware for features such as heated seats, but the owners pay a subscription fee to activate them.

Once the Super Cruise trial period ends, it appears that customers will have to pay to renew the service, despite having already paid for the extra hardware that the technology needs in order to work.

Jalopnik reported in 2017 that Super Cruise was a $5,000 add-on to the CT6's Premium Luxury Trim. CarsDirect reported in May that Super Cruise will start at $2,500 on the new Escalade.

"The Super Cruise plan enables the map updates and precise GPS corrections required for Super Cruise to function, and also connects the vehicle to an OnStar Emergency advisor in a case where a driver is non-responsive to escalating alerts," the Cadillac spokesperson told Business Insider.

"As a reminder, in the US, we are providing MY18 CT6 Super Cruise first owners a one-year complimentary extension to their Super Cruise service, once their three-year access expires."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Coronavirus has dealt a massive blow to the aviation industry and with no signs of operations resuming fully any time soon, airlines are trying out various ways to stay afloat. Australian carrier Qantas has found a unique way; liquidating the inventory of its business class supplies.

The airline has begun the sale of business class pyjamas, amenity kits featuring ASPAR skin products, as well as Tim Tams and snacks, things that would normally be offered to passengers travelling in the premium cabins.

At a price of $25 per pack or 4,350 Qantas Points (including delivery), people can send up to 10 packs anywhere in Australia via Qantas.com. The sale has been thrown open starting August 14.

"Qantas has put these items together in a care package that can be sent anonymously as a surprise random act of kindness to a friend, family member, anyone that might be doing it tough or as a treat yourself gift," the airline said in a statement on its website.

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

Qantas Executive Manager of Product and Service, Phil Capps, said the airline orders bulk stock in advance and with minimal flights, has items sitting in storage that could be better used to cheer people up.

"Qantas PJs are always popular, and with people spending a lot more time at home and wishing they were travelling somewhere, we think receiving a surprise pair in the mail will be very well received. And probably very well-worn by the end of all this," Capps added.

So what does the Qantas care pack include?

Each care pack includes: 1 Qantas Business Class sleeper suit L/XL (suitable for most shapes and sizes), 1 Qantas Curates Business Class amenity kit featuring ASPAR Travel Essentials (Sweet Orange and Shea Hand Cream, Ultra Hydrating Face Moisturiser and Sweet Orange Lip Balm), 12 individually wrapped Tim Tams, 200-gram pack of smoked almonds (served in Qantas First Class), a packet of 10 T2 Lemongrass and Ginger tea bags.

Earlier this year in June, Qantas had announced its plan to reduce costs by billions of dollars and raise fresh capital. The plan included grounding 100 planes for a year or more and immediately retiring its six remaining Boeing 747 planes.

The airline had also said it plans to cut at least 6,000 jobs and keep 15,000 more workers on extended furloughs as it tries to survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The Competition Bureau has launched a probe into Amazons conduct to determine whether the online retailer is harming competition.

The investigation, which is seeking confidential information from Canadian businesses, will include a particular focus on potential abuse of dominance, the watchdog said.

The bureau is examining whether Amazon is engaging in conduct on its Canadian marketplace, Amazon.ca, that is impacting competition to the detriment of consumers and companies that do business in Canada, the agency said in a release Friday.

Specifically, it is reviewing whether Amazon policies impact sellers willingness to offer their products at a lower price on other retail channels, such as their own websites or rival online marketplaces.

The bureau is also looking into any efforts by Amazon to tilt consumers toward its own products over those offered by competing vendors, as well as any disadvantage that sellers incur by opting out of Amazons shipping, customer relations and advertising services.

Amazon said it is co-operating with the bureaus probe and will continue working to support small businesses that sell products on Amazon.ca.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this point, the bureau said.

The agencys request for public input comes amid rising concerns of monopoly power in the tech world and questions around the use of sellers data to create rival products.

Last month, CEOs from some of the biggest U.S. tech titans faced tough questions from congressional lawmakers over market dominance and whether they need to be regulated more heavily, or even broken up.

The potential conflict of interest between Amazons role as both a platform to sell goods and a seller of goods itself remains a key area of concern.

The main issue, which came up at the congressional hearing in July, is that Amazon can collect data on its competitors  i.e. sellers who use Amazon  and then develop products that compete with those sellers, said Kean Birch, who heads York Universitys graduate program in science and technology studies, in an email.

Birch pointed to the cautionary tale of Diapers.com, which Amazon elbowed out of the market by discounting rival brands on Amazon.com in 2009 before buying up the depleted online retailer the following year.

Restrictive contractual provisions between Amazon and the sellers in its online marketplace may also be under the Competition Bureau microscope.

If Im some kind of competitor to Amazon  Adidas or Nike, say  one way I could compete would be to say, Hey, because of my lower cost structure, Ill be able to sell products to consumers at lower prices, said John Newman, a former Justice Department antitrust lawyer who now teaches law at the University of Miami.

But if Adidas cant sell any products on its website or elsewhere at a lower price than it sells on Amazon (due to contractual terms), then it makes it harder to do that.

The outcome may be to drive prices down in the near term  the opposite of traditional monopolistic goals  but they could rise down the road as power concentrates in the hands of a dominant player.

This kind of thing could suppress competition, prevent some innovative new company from entering the market and deprive us of all the wonderful but intangible benefits of innovation, Newman said in an interview.

In July 2019, the European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation into Amazon to examine whether its data use violates competition rules. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have also opened investigations into the four Big Tech companies  Google, Facebook Apple and Amazon  to suss out whether they were engaging in monopolistic activities.

The Competition Bureau probe, which kicked off quietly early this year, could result in a negotiated settlement or a case before the Competition Tribunal  if the investigation uncovers any contravention of Competition Act provisions.

Remedies under these provisions are primarily behavioural, including ordering an action to be taken or prohibiting an action from being taken, but can also include administrative monetary penalties, spokesman Jayme Albert said in an email.

It declined to confirm whether a broader investigation of other Big Tech companies is ongoing, as the bureau is required by law to conduct its work confidentially.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2020.
LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reunion Gold Corporation (TSX-V: RGD) (Reunion or the Company) is pleased to announce the restart of field work at some of its gold exploration projects in Guyana and French Guiana. Activities for the remainder of 2020 are focused on advancing exploration at the Aremu North, Oko West and Boulanger projects.



Field work had been temporarily suspended at the end of March due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions and safety precautions, and the Company has implemented a number of new procedures to ensure the well-being of its staff, including the daily monitoring of temperature and blood oxygen levels, both onsite and during travel to and from projects, under the guidance of local medical consultants.

Guyana

Aremu North is part of the Companys Strategic Alliance with Barrick Gold Corporation. Field activities resumed in mid-July and include the completion of additional geochemical sampling and the restart of an approximately 2,000-meter trenching program. Trenching is testing four main prospects identified from an airborne magnetic and radiometric survey completed in Q4 2019, and subsequent geochemical sampling completed in Q1 2020. Depending on the results from this trenching program, a decision will be made to drill test certain targets in Q4 2020.

Oko West is part of a group of permits where Reunion has an option to solely acquire 100% of the ownership rights. Sampling carried out in Q1 of 2020 has defined a 2km long gold-in-soil anomaly that is coincident with a major north-south striking shear zone (see Figure 1 ) identified from an airborne geophysical survey (magnetic and radiometric survey completed in late 2019). This gold-in-soil anomaly is interpreted as the surficial expression of one or more basement-contact parallel structures that may represent the continuation of mineralized units intersected in diamond drilling by G2 Goldfields, located immediately north of the Oko West permits boundary. The Company is currently arranging a new camp and mobilizing heavy equipment to the project. It expects to complete a trenching program once the setup is complete, before initiating a 1,500-meter drill program in late-September.

Story continues

French Guiana

The Boulanger project is located 60km by paved road to the south of Cayenne, the capital city of French Guiana. Following a recent suspension of activities that have allowed for a detailed review and reinterpretation of both the Companys and historical data, field teams have returned to site during the first week of August. A roadcut sampling program along existing tracks that cross the prospect area is underway, along with drill site and access construction, in preparation for a 2,000-meter diamond drilling program planned to commence by the end of September.

At Boulanger, the priority is the advancement of the Crique Filon prospect, where activities aim to expand the potential footprint of gold mineralization interpreted as hosted in multiple parallel shear deformation zones that cross the southern portion of the project. Results from the planned drilling program are anticipated to be available by year-end.

Update on other projects

The Company is pleased to announce that the Dorlin Exploitation Permit (PEX) was renewed on July 30, 2020. The approval of the renewal application which was originally filed in 2015 has extended the validity of the PEX until July 31, 2020. In accordance with the French Mining Code, the filing of the concession application by the holder of the PEX on June 2, 2020 has the effect of extending the validity of the Dorlin PEX while the concession application is being processed. Subject to obtaining the required authorizations, the Company will be able to continue to work on the Dorlin Project in French Guiana.

The Company also announces that it has notified the permit holders of the Waiamu Project in Guyana of its decision to terminate the option agreement due to the disappointing results obtained from our exploration work. The Company will be writing off capitalized expenditures related to that project.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Justin van der Toorn, CGeol FGS, the Companys Exploration Manager. Mr. van der Toorn is a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are subject to several risks and uncertainties beyond the Companys control, including statements regarding plans to complete drilling and other exploration programs, potential mineralization, exploration results and statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions of the Company. Resource exploration and development is highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

About Reunion Gold

Reunion Gold Corporation is a leading gold explorer with a portfolio of projects in the Guiana Shield, South America. The Company is well financed to complete its planned exploration work with the recent completion of a $6 million private placement. The Companys common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol RGD. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) and on the Companys website ( www.reuniongold.com ). For further information please contact:

REUNION GOLD CORPORATION

Rejean Gourde, President & CEO

Paul Fowler, Manager, Corporate Development

Telephone: +1 450.677.2585

Email: info@reuniongold.com

Figure 1: Oko West gold-in-soil anomaly, in relation to the permit outlines and recent drilling carried out by G2 Goldfields Inc. to the north of the project.






The Covid-driven crisis hitting the airline industry is set to deepen with at least seven million aviation and tourism jobs now at risk, according to a leading industry body.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the near-term outlook for recovery in the European aviation market remains highly uncertain due to concern over a second wave of the pandemic and the broader general knock-on negative economic impact that would present.

All of Europes major carriers have either flagged or started implementing job cuts in a bid to slash costs in the face of a near total wipe out of air passenger business due to the virus.

Ryanair has flagged up to 3,000 job cuts because of the crisis and has warned of more if there is a pronounced second wave of the virus. Aer Lingus is seeking to lay off up to 500 of its 4,800-strong staff. The airline is also reviewing its bases at Cork and Shannon airports, where it employs around 350 people, evenly split between the two locations.

The DAA, which operates Cork and Dublin airports, is also seeking 750-1,000 job cuts across the two airports and at its head office in order to stem mounting losses from the shutdown of air travel.

Elsewhere, British Airways  also owned by Aer Lingus parent IAG  is cutting 12,000 jobs and UK rival EasyJet has flagged 4,500 job losses due to Covid.

IATA said that while there has been an increase in flight numbers in recent months, the total number across Europe is still down by more than 50% compared to the same point last year. It said passenger numbers are likely to fall by around 60% this year, which would be the equivalent of 705 million less passenger journeys than were made in 2019.

The groups forecast for seven million job losses across aviation-supported tourism - including airports, hotels, car hire businesses and everything which relies on air travel for revenue - is up from six million just two months ago.

It is desperately worrying to see a further decline in prospects for air travel this year, and the knock-on impact for employment and prosperity. It is vital that governments and industry work together to create a harmonised plan for reopening borders, said Rafael Schvartzman, IATAs regional vice president for Europe.

German airline Lufthansa has walked away from talks with union Verdi over a package to cut staff costs and said it would only return to the negotiating table if Verdi offers significant labour cost savings. Last week, the airline put German workers on notice of compulsory lay-offs, saying the slump in air travel and slow progress in union negotiations meant cuts were unavoidable. Verdi, which is negotiating on behalf of 35,000 Lufthansa ground staff, said the airline was demanding unreasonable pay cuts.

Holiday group TUI is looking at a possible rights issue or divesting parts of its business to bring down its high debt. The group has also reported a 1.1bn loss for the three months to the end of June. Earlier this week, TUI tapped the German government for an extra 1.2bn loan on top of a 1.8bn loan in April.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: Qatar Airways has remained committed to bringing people home safely since the onset of the pandemic, and our commitment to the US, a very important strategic market, has never wavered. We are proud of our repatriation efforts to-date, and we look forward to providing travellers access to even more flights to the US with the resumption of flights to Houston and Philadelphia, two major cities. The addition of these flights brings us to eight US destinations and maintains our position as the largest international carrier in the US, and we look forward to soon returning to all ten of our incredible US gateways.
Parliament has approved an $86 million loan agreement with an Israeli Discount Bank.

Minister for Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, said the loan is to replenish the stock of armoured vehicles for the Ghana Armed Forces.

He said some of the vehicles of the military had not been replaced for over 10 years.

The approval of the agreement on Thursday [August 13, 2020] was not without a challenge as the Minority raised questions about the value for money considerations underpinning the agreement.

A Member of the Minority on the Finance Committee, Richard Acheampong said, we have to take security matters seriously. Quality of product must be ensured. We must procure what can stand the test of time so that it is not like we are throwing out money, because, we are taking a loan facility for this purposeIt is a very expensive facility we are taking so whatever we are getting from it must stand the test of time.

But the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul maintains that the necessary value for money checks are being conducted by the appropriate state agencies including the Ministry of Finance.

Value for money takes various forms. Public procurement will do its own value for money, Parliament will do value for money and the Ministry of Finance will do value for money before the contract is finally executed and concluded.

I can give members assurance that these are top-notch quality equipment that the Armed Forces have been looking forward to for a very long time. I am glad that members are very supportive of it, the Minister said.

The loan facility was agreed between the Ghana government, represented by the Finance Ministry and the Israel Discount Bank Limited.

---citinewsroom
President Donald Trump says hes planning to give his acceptance speech for the GOP nomination at the White House after the U.S. Office of Special Counsel says hes permitted to.

Trump had earlier considered giving the Aug. 27 speech at Gettysburg National Military Park.

According to the New York Post: Ill probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place. Its a place that makes me feel good, it makes the country feel good, Trump said, adding it would also be easiest for law enforcement and the Secret Service.

He also told the Post that he would visit the battlefield at Gettysburg at a later date.

According to CBS News, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel confirmed that federal law doesnt prevent the president from using the White House for a political speech.

The president and the vice president are not covered by any provisions of the Hatch Act, Erica Hamrick, deputy chief of the offices Hatch Act Unit, wrote. Accordingly, the Hatch Act does not prohibit President Trump from delivering his RNC acceptance speech on White House grounds.

The Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939, limits federal, state and local government employees from participating in certain political activities.

A toned-down Republican National Convention will be held in North Carolina starting Aug. 24, with crowd limits related to the coronavirus pandemic. Most parts, including much of the voting, will be virtual.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., arrive to speak at a news conference at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Del., Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020.AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

The Democratic National Convention, starting Monday in Milwaukee, will likewise be small and mostly virtual. Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris are planning to give their acceptance speeches at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del. Biden, a Pennsylvania native, lives in Delaware.

More:

Tribute in Light for Sept. 11 commemoration canceled because of the coronavirus

Trump opposes more money for U.S. Postal Service so you cant have universal mail-in voting

How Joe Biden chose Kamala Harris as his running mate for 2020 presidential race
Global Ukrainian community and the authorities of Ukraine must speak as one powerful voice against the background of the information war waged by Russia.

Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian World Congress, made a corresponding statement at the teleconference held by the UWC leadership with First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar on August 12.

The collaboration of the global Ukrainian community and Ukraine is critical to building support for the state of Ukraine worldwide. As Russia wages information wars, twists history and attempts to whitewash the crimes of the past, we must act together and speak as one powerful voice, Grod said.

The discussion focused on the priorities for cooperation between the Ukrainian World Congress and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as on potential joint public diplomacy initiatives in support of Ukraine.

Paul Grod emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and outlined the areas for future joint projects. Mariia Kupriianova, UWC Executive Director, highlighted some of the recent successful public diplomacy events hosted in June and July this year jointly with the Mission of Ukraine to the EU: Crimea  the path towards de-occupation and an online panel discussion on the Minsk process.

First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar emphasized: It is impossible to overestimate the work of UWC in countering Russian aggression, building a strong European Ukraine and preserving Ukrainian identity worldwide.

Serhiy Kasyanchuk, Director of the UWC Mission to Ukraine, addressed the issues of external labour migration and labour migrant rights protection. He spoke about the suggestion to establish an interdepartmental advisory body recently submitted by the UWC to Prime Minister Shmyhal. Emine Dzhaparova and Larysa Dir, Head of the Department for Worldwide Ukrainians and Humanitarian Cooperation at the MFA Ukraine, highlighted the significance of this initiative.

Stefan Romaniw, UWC First Vice-President, spoke about the recognition of the Holodomor as genocide, as well as recognition of the deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944 as genocide. UWC organizations and Ukrainian communities globally have already held a number of successful information campaigns. In particular, just last month over 10 000 people signed a petition to include the term Holodomor into English language dictionaries.

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Opposition Leader Michael OBrien has repeatedly called for the 51-year-old to resign. "Victorias second wave is down to botched hotel quarantine and failures on contact tracing and testing," he said. "While other states have moved on, Victoria has gone backwards." The state government recently stripped Ms Mikakos of her responsibility for hotel quarantine, allocating the task to former health minister and now Attorney-General Jill Hennessy. While Premier Daniel Andrews played down the move as a "matter of law", it feeds the opposition's narrative of Ms Mikakos losing the confidence of her own party.

The opposition has also accused Ms Mikakos of being in contempt of Parliament after it joined forces with the crossbench, defying the advice of the Chief Health Officer, and forced a bizarre sitting of the upper house. During a raucous question time, Ms Mikakos refused to answer a series of questions about the governments handling of the pandemic and spent the first 20 minutes on her phone. Health Minister Jenny Mikakos in Parliament earlier this month. Credit:Jason South Ms Mikakos hit out at the opposition's tactics, saying they had been dangerously undermining the advice of health officials for months. "I have felt all along that this has been unnecessarily partisan," she said. "The science tells us these restrictions are only going to work if we have 90 per cent complying with them." The MP, now in her 21st year at Spring Street, has opened up about the personal toll of working long hours, often from 6am to 1.30am, to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

"I have been deeply affected by the death toll particularly for those in aged care," she said. "It has been incredibly sad for me to see what has been playing out in our aged care sector, and it's most distressing for the families involved." For a politician who is notoriously private, Ms Mikakos has been revealing a lot about herself recently. First there was the unexpected pause in the middle of a press conference, and the choking back of tears, as she reflected on the rising number of COVID-19 deaths in aged care homes. Loading

The daughter of Greek migrants became emotional as she spoke about the "distressing situation" at St Basil's aged care facility, the source of one of the state's largest outbreaks and home to many elderly Greek Australians. Then, a few days later, she took to Twitter at midnight to deliver a barrage of tweets including an apology for failing to stop Victorias second wave of coronavirus. "Ive worked every day to keep everyone safe. I have put every ounce of energy Ive had into that effort. If it wasnt enough, then Im deeply sorry," she tweeted. One senior Labor MP, who did not want to be named, said while Ms Mikakos was a hard-working MP, her communication skills during the pandemic had not been up to scratch. "She learns her lines but doesnt know her stuff," he said.

In one recent example, the Health Minister told journalists at a press conference that partners or support people could stay at hospital only for two hours after new mothers were moved from the birthing suite to postnatal care. Several hours later, the government clarified its advice, saying there would be no limit to how long partners could remain with new mothers following a birth. Then there was Ms Mikakos' controversial comments in March about Toorak GP Chris Higgins, who treated about 70 patients while unaware that he had coronavirus. Loading

She said she was "flabbergasted" the doctor had continued to treat patients when presenting with "flu-like" symptoms after returning from a trip to the US. Dr Higgins hit back, saying he had very mild symptoms, did not fulfil the governments criteria for COVID-19 testing at the time and took the test "for the sake of completeness". The ministers comments infuriated Australian doctors, who accused her of throwing their colleague under a bus for doing his job. A petition calling for Ms Mikakos to apologise was signed by more than 11,000 people. Dr Cameron Loy, the Victorian chairman of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, said doctors were still "angry and upset" by the ministers comments and refusal to apologise. "[Dr Higgins clinic] had to take down their website and people were camped outside his clinic," Dr Loy said. Loading

He criticised successive state governments for failing to forge relationships with GPs, who he said needed to perform a vital role in stopping the spread of coronavirus. We have almost no contact with the ministers office, Dr Loy said. But Lily DAmbrosio, the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, has only praise for her friend of 25 years. She said shes always admired Ms Mikakos' loyalty and steely resolve. Loading

"That is important in politics when things get tough and it is not infrequent that things get tough," she said. Deep-rooted themes of family and community permeate everything she does, according to Ms DAmbrosio. "We all take our upbringing with us, but for Jenny that is something that always shines through at a professional level. The Health Minister grew up in a working class migrant family in Northcote. "After migrating to Australia from Greece in the late 1960s my parents set to work in Melbourne's factories and building sites making a better life for themselves and especially for their two daughters," Ms Mikakos said in her inaugural parliamentary speech in 1999 as a 30-year-old backbencher swept into government under Steve Bracks.

After finishing year 12 at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School and completing arts and law degrees at the University of Melbourne, she began her career as a lawyer. She left a lasting impression on Jack Stuk, who hired Mikakos when she was in her 20s at his law firm Jerrard and Stuk. "She had a fantastic work ethic," the principal solicitor at KHQ Lawyers recalls. "She always had that ounce of spark. We knew shed go far and thats certainly what happened." She tells The Age shes gravely disappointed about the situation Victorians find themselves in.
House grills Nate over Boss move

BANGKOK: Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk was grilled on Thursday (Aug 13) during a joint sitting of two House committees that demanded to know why he did not indict Red Bull scion Vorayuth Boss Yoovidhya.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Friday 14 August 2020, 10:47AM

Deputy Attorney-General Nate Naksuk is at the parliament in Bangkok on Thursday. Photo: Supplied / Bangkok Post

Mr Nate told panel members questioning his judgement that his decision was above-board and said he welcomed any probe into his financial affairs, reports the Bangkok Post.

It was his first public appearance since sparking uproar by dropping the causing death by reckless driving charge against Mr Vorayuth. He also confirmed on Thursday he had tendered his resignation to protect the reputation of the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), the agency he has served for 40 years.

The charge was dropped due to statements from specialists and witnesses who claimed Mr Vorayuths Ferrari was travelling within the speed limit and that the policeman who was killed had cut in front of his vehicle.

The meeting was held jointly by the House committee on laws, justice and human rights chaired by Palang Pracharath Party MP Sira Jenjaka and the House committee on public independent organisations chaired by Jirayu Huangsap, a Pheu Thai Party MP.

Mr Nate said his decision was based on evidence in the police report and insisted all witnesses who testified about the cars speed were legitimate.

According to Mr Nate, in the report, Pol Lt Col Thanasit Taengchan, from the Office of Police Forensic Science, who examined the scene of the accident in 2012, changed his statement and revised the Ferraris speed from 177km/h to 79km/h.

Mr Nate said prosecutors were following due process when they agreed to consider Mr Vorayuths petitions for fair treatment.

The OAG was criticised for allowing Mr Vorayuth to exploit a technicality to drag out the probe by submitting a petition seeking fair treatment more than six times.

Asked about the role of a panel under the now-defunct National Legislative Assembly in the case, Mr Nate said the panel became involved after Mr Vorayuth petitioned for fairness. The panel was accused of pressuring the police and the OAG to re-investigate the case leading to the dropping of the charge.

Meanwhile, at least 14 police were found sloppy in their handling of the probe into the hit-and-run case, according to a police panel.

Pol Lt Gen Jaruwat Waisaya, deputy chairman of the panel, said the inquiry found the handling by 14 police involved in the case was flawed. For example they failed to take the suspects urine sample for a drug test and did not issue an arrest warrant as recommended by prosecutors.

He said the national police chief would be asked to consider probes against them.
It's bad enough being in business during a pandemic. It's even worse when the business is located on the empty streets of downtown.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It's bad enough being in business during a pandemic. It's even worse when the business is located on the empty streets of downtown.

Without crowd attractions such as the Winnipeg Jets and concerts, with downtown post-secondary campuses empty while students work remotely, and with nightclubs and restaurants offering only partial service, a profitable stream of customers is only a memory for many downtown business owners.

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ offered a bit of good news on Thursday, launching a small-business support program that offers grants of $1,000 cheques, no strings attached.

JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bruce Smedts, owner of White Star Diner at his downtown business on Thursday. Smedts said that with many people working from home his eatery has seen a decrease in customers so he has applied for the micro grant for downtown businesses.

Bruce Smedts, the owner of the White Star Diner, has had five-and-a-half months of struggle, starting with the layoff of his staff in March, and including a break-in that led to $3,200 in damaged windows and doors.

"I pay myself a cheque every five weeks if I can manage that," he said, though he was quick to mention how fortunate he was to have a physician as a partner.

When he heard about the BIZ grant, he was at first skeptical that it came from the province, and that it would have a series of strings attached or restrictive thresholds his business didnt reach based on size and revenue.

"As it turns out, it wasnt, and there arent any strings, aside from being in the downtown business district and experiencing a certain drop in revenue," he said. He quickly filled his application out, too.

You only have to look at my bank balance to see what $1,000 would do.  Bruce Smedts, owner of White Star Diner

The diner has been open since March, and relies on a steady stream of regulars whove taken to buying more than usual to give the diner a boost, but Smedts said it and other downtown businesses have been hit in ways suburban businesses havent: the population he caters to is in large part concentrated in offices, and many have yet to return to work.

Though its a relatively small life-line in the grand scheme of things, Smedts said an extra $1,000 could finally enable him to fix his windows and doors, or actually cut himself a paycheque.

"You only have to look at my bank balance to see what $1,000 would do," he said.

Although reopening has been underway for more than four months, business owners are trying to strike a balance between safety and profitability  attempting to make up for a half-year of dwindling cash flow with more uncertainty ahead.

DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Kate Fenske, CEO of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.

Its with that in mind that the BIZ launched the program that will see 50 small (fewer than 50 employees) downtown businesses with a minimum 25 per cent revenue decrease since COVID-19 each receive $1,000 in one-time funding. Of the $50,000 available, $10,000 is earmarked for Black-, Indigenous- or people of colour-owned businesses.

The BIZ is calling them micro-grants, but with effects of the shutdown of non-essential businesses and other challenges still lingering, they can have macro impacts in the short term for establishments trying to stay afloat.

"The hope is that this small injection of cash can help businesses adapt -- whether it helps them pay for PPE for staff, helps pay the rent, or it goes towards making some adaptations to their websites to better serve customers," said BIZ CEO Kate Fenske in a release.

For Rachella Scarpino, owner and sole employee of dental fabrication lab Keltech Dental, the cash could go a long way.

The hope is that this small injection of cash can help businesses adapt  whether it helps them pay for PPE for staff, helps pay the rent, or it goes towards making some adaptations to their websites to better serve customers.  BIZ CEO Kate Fenske

Keltech was hit hard by the shutdown of the dental industry, with revenues down by more than half, and Scarpinos applications for programs including the federal $40,000 business loan and the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program were denied.

She heard of the BIZ program on the radio, and then two more times Thursday morning, shortly after the grants were announced. She got her application in as soon as she could.

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Assuming her application for the micro-grant is approved, Scarpino said shell put the thousand smackers to use by covering her next months $750 rent, with the remainder going to the following month.

"For me, thats a big help," she said, especially with the fall business picture still far from clear as case counts increase.

The applications will be reviewed by Aug. 17, and the grants will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis, the BIZ said.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
By PTI

NEW DELHI: India on Friday slammed Pakistan over reports that former UN-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar participated in an event hosted by that country's mission in Afghanistan, saying this was not new as Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits, but also encourages them.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India hopes that such participation in public events by a former UN-designated terrorist would not go unnoticed.

Asked about reports that Pakistan got Hekmatyar to speak at an event of a Pakistani mission in Afghanistan, he said, "We have seen the media reports of the participation of the former UN-designated terrorist in an event organised by the government of Pakistan. This is nothing new, Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits, but also encourages them."

In 2017, the United Nations removed Afghan warlord Hekmatyar from its list of designated terrorists, lifting the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo imposed on the insurgent leader who signed a peace pact with the Afghan government.

On the Afghan peace process and the Afghanistan government's decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners, Srivastava said, "We have taken note of the development."

"As far as India is concerned, we strongly support peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. We also support the intra-Afghan negotiations," he said.

To a separate question on whether the Indian mission has congratulated Kamala Harris, whose father is from Jamaica and mother an Indian, on being chosen as the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, Srivastava said, "In general we would not like to comment on the electoral process of any other country."

On the Kerala Gold smuggling case, he said the matter is under investigation of the NIA and the MEA is extending all necessary facilitations for the investigations.
To the Editor:

Re Trump Resists More Funding for Post Office (front page, Aug. 14):

Its been more than a week since Washington States Aug. 4 primary election, and it wasnt considered newsworthy. There were no hourslong lines at polling stations, no uptick in infections since no one had to run a gantlet of virus spreaders to exercise their right to vote, and no one was denied their right to vote for fear of getting sick. Thats because Washington has been voting exclusively by mail for almost a decade. Candidates were elected in both parties, and there has been no evidence of fraudulent voting.

Washingtonians are tired of hearing how fraught with fraud voting by mail is, because we know it isnt true.

Renee Bush

Port Townsend, Wash.

To the Editor:

Since there is no good way to prevent the Trump administrations crippling of the Postal Service heading into the November election, may there be a nongovernmental remedy?

For example, Jeff Bezos, no fan of the president, should be willing to let the delivery of consumer goods slide a bit so that his Amazon empire can reliably distribute and return all the nations mail-in ballots. The label atop each envelope would provide an unimpeachable record of the round trip, acceptable to all election commissions.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of Covid cases in NI. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

One further person in Northern Ireland has died after testing positive for coronavirus - while 74 more cases of the virus have been diagnosed marking a significant spike.

The fatality, who was a woman aged 32, happened on Thursday in the Mid and East Antrim area. It brings the official death toll to 558.

Read More

Some 5,597 tests have been carried out on 4,164 people in the last 24 hours, resulting in the 74 positive cases. This brings the number of cases confirmed in the last seven days to 242 and the overall tally to 6,299.

There are seven Covid patients in Northern Ireland's hospitals, with one person in intensive care.

Three care homes are currently dealing with outbreaks of the virus.

Separate figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) show that there have been 859 coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland since the outbreak began.

The figures also show that four deaths happened in the week ending August 7.

It comes amid ongoing controversy over A-level results, with Stormont's Education Committee passing a motion calling on Peter Weir to award students their AS-level grade, their teacher-assessed grade or their CCEA grade, whichever is highest.

Committee chairman Chris Lyttle urged the minister to intervene, stating that we are in "unprecedented times."

Mr Lyttle said he was aware of a school that had seen its A*-C attainment rate fall from 90% last year to 60% under the calculation model.

He said the minister was "increasingly isolated" in refusing to use the teacher assessments to allocate the grades.

Mr Weir responded by insisting that if teacher predictions were used without standardisation, the results would not have "any level of credibility" because the results would be so much higher than those achieved in previous years.

All exams this year were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic with grades instead calculated through teacher assessments and a computer "standardisation" model.

It has emerged however, that more than a third of A-level grades predicted by teachers were lowered by CCEA.

Read More

Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said a GP had contacted him stating that three pupils who had missed out on university places had presented with suicidal thoughts.

Were you affected by yesterday's A-level results? Contact us at newseditor@belfasttelegraph.co.uk





"This model failed, it failed our children and it failed our young people. As the result of this pandemic, they should not pay the price," he said.

Read More

"We are talking about children and young people, who for the last day I have seen in tears, whose dreams have been shattered, confidence battered and families are very worried and concerned for their wellbeing and their health, and mental health.

I have seen teachers in tears, in shock, they are numb, angry, frustrated and feel patronised. Children have been failed by this system, they've been failed by the Department of Education, they have been failed by the processes of CCEA.

Read More

Follow our live blog below for all the latest coronavirus developments:
ORMOND BEACH, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Command Medical Products is pleased to announce Thomas Black as Command Medical Products' new business development manager.

Mr. Black joins the Command Medical team with over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry with expertise in sales, product marketing and business strategy. As the new business development manager, he will be responsible for building client relationships and sales growth.

"Tom has a demonstrated history of success in our industry that will make him a valuable member of our team," said Stephanie McGee, vice president of sales and marketing at Command Medical Products.

Black was previously vice president of OEM/International sales divisions for B. BRAUN Medical Inc. He earned his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina and is active on various boards in the medical manufacturing sector.

About Command Medical Products

Founded in 1987, Command Medical Products, Inc. is a privately held corporation based in Ormond Beach, Florida offering contract manufacturing services exclusively for the production of medical devices. Command Medical Products offers a full array of device assembly and packing operations from facilities located in Florida and Nicaragua. Core competencies include extrusion of plastics tubing, RF welding, ultrasonic welding, device assembly and packaging services as well as management of injection molding and sterilization services. Command Medical Products is ISO 13485 certified and registered with the FDA. For more information visit www.commandmedical.com or via phone at 386-672-8116.

SOURCE Command Medical Products, Inc.

Related Links

www.commandmedical.com


Throughout the spring, Matt Brezina focused on the silver linings of San Franciscos dreadful new reality. People sheltered in place, health care workers braced for an oncoming coronavirus surge, and some residents started to get very sick or lose their jobs.

But Brezina looked to the positive. San Franciscans had taken over many miles of streets on foot, bicycles, scooters, roller skates and even a unicycle or two. After years of urging by Brezina and other advocates, city officials finally shut some streets to cars to promote social distancing, and long stretches of pavement became paradise.

Brezina, 39, makes his living as an angel investor, but his passion is promoting safe streets. In 2017, he cofounded People Protected, a movement in which volunteers hold hands to form a protected bike lane between riders and zooming cars to advocate for safer bicycle infrastructure.

He created a Twitter account and pretended to be the newly closed-to-cars Great Highway along Ocean Beach, dubbing it the Great Walkway instead. He created numerous web pages with petitions to keep Page Street and Lake Street shut to through traffic and to keep JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park closed to cars. He posted joyful photos of these streets on Twitter constantly.

But in early July, his rapid-fire social media activity slowed with no explanation. On July 30, he finally said why in a response to a friends photo showing a group of people gathered without masks that has since been deleted.

Friends, please be very careful, Brezina tweeted. I was (careful) and still got this thing. Four-plus weeks later, and Im still dealing with symptoms. Im super tired and napping sometimes multiple times a day. My chest still has shooting pains. Please wear a multi-layer mask. Love u all.

I reached out to see if hed be willing to be interviewed, but he declined because he couldnt even manage a phone conversation.

Ive been wanting to share, but I was hoping to be better before doing so, he messaged. I thought I was better this weekend. And then it hit me again.

A few days ago, he was finally well enough to share his story. But hes still a long way from OK  and he wants to let his fellow San Franciscans know that COVID-19 is not just a bad flu. It can mean weeks or longer of debilitating pain and brain fog, and hes scared he might never fully recover.

The Castro district father of two little kids  a baby boy, Makai, and a 2-year-old girl, Andalucia  said he had hardly been leaving his house before he caught the coronavirus. Even in the best of times, a newborn and toddler mean youre homebound and not socializing much.

We were so careful. Were not seeing people, he said. Nobodys coming to our house. Im wiping down groceries ... and we still got this. That tells you how contagious this is.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

He might have contracted the virus while grocery shopping or running other errands. But he thinks he caught it from his brother, a musician whod been living in Mexico and drove back to San Francisco in late June.

They reunited July 1 and spent a few hours together outside. Brezina said they wore masks most of the time, but they were gaiters  the style popular among bicyclists and joggers that one recent study concluded might be worse than wearing no mask at all, because the material breaks up large respiratory droplets into smaller ones that can stay airborne longer.

In any case, Brezina and his brother both got the virus. So did their 64-year-old mother, who lives in the same building as Brezina. So did Brezinas wife, Lauren Nazario, a former high school history teacher who is now staying home with their kids. Even Makai and Andalucia got it. Six people infected, just like that.

The kids symptoms were minor and brief, but Brezina and his wife were knocked out, making it hard to care for two young children. The whole family is better now  except Brezina.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

His symptoms started with a sore throat that kept getting worse. His neck started hurting. Then came the shooting chest pains that sent him to the emergency room in mid-July. Doctors determined he wasnt having a heart attack, although thats what it felt like, and told him to rest, take ibuprofen and wait it out.

Hes waited. And waited.

Do I feel healthy now? No, he said, adding that hes operating at about 25% of normal. I still have chest pain, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, a sore throat. Ive got kind of all of it.

Its scary because you read about the permanent damage, he said. Im worried about my heart and my lungs and my brain. I just dont know.

Brezinas struggles come as more young people are getting sick, and as COVID-19 proves to slam not just seniors with debilitating symptoms. In San Francisco, people ages 18 to 40 make up 48% of all cases. Health officials say younger people are out more  at essential jobs or socializing  and not religiously wearing their masks.

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

Brezina is feeling well enough, at least, to restart his social media love for San Franciscos closed streets  and hes determined to see them closed permanently, even long after COVID-19 is hopefully a distant memory for him and all of us.

Ive been saying this is the silver lining of so much sadness and trauma, he said. Its so important to the future success of cities. I think the political currents are going to be strong to keep these.

Keeping these streets enjoyable and livable permanently is a no-brainer, especially in a city with 1,200 miles of roads and plenty of other options for drivers to get where they need to go.

The California Academy of Sciences and de Young Museum, among other nearby institutions, are already lobbying for JFK Drive to be reopened to traffic so drivers can get there more easily when their doors swing open again.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

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.

But Sarah Madland, spokeswoman for the Recreation and Park Department, said, These street closures have been incredibly well received, and we are getting a ton of positive feedback.

She said bike usage on JFK Drive is up nearly 600% thanks to the closure, and foot traffic has more than doubled. The closures can continue for up to 100 days after San Franciscos shelter-in-place order is lifted and would then need to go through the citys usual approval process to be extended.

Ben Barnett, a spokesman for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said reaction to the Slow Streets program to shut blocks to through traffic has been very positive, and that the agency is looking at how to make some of the closures permanent.

Jodie Medeiros, executive director of the pedestrian advocacy group Walk SF, said theres a huge campaign push to keep many of these streets closed for good.

Im pretty confident there will be some permanence to these emergency measures, Medeiros said. Theres a great need for this, and people during the pandemic have realized our streets can be used for things other than car storage and fast-moving cars.

(Car storage, in advocate speak, means parking spaces.)

Supervisor Gordon Mar, who represents the Sunset District, said the Great Highway has become a unique and almost iconic place in recent months  used not only for exercising, but for public art and Black Lives Matter protests. But he said he wants to ensure traffic moves better on surrounding streets and that the community gets input before supporting its permanent closure to cars.

Brezina, for one, isnt giving up these great new spaces for walkers and bicyclists without a fight. Hed relish a squabble in which its the car backers advocating for change at City Hall.

Now we can be NIMBYs, he said with a chuckle. You want to take away our car-free spaces? Were going to need six years of studies.

San Francisco finally has some European-style outdoor plazas, like the shuttered blocks of Valencia Street and some roadways where kids can safely learn how to ride their bikes, skateboarders can do tricks, and families can walk their dogs right up the middle.

Its so good, Brezina said. What happens is you close those blocks and it gets safer for everybody.

Wed be crazy to give them up. Heres hoping San Franciscans can gather in big numbers again someday soon on these streets to bike, jog, walk  and yes, hug our friends. And heres hoping Brezina is there, happy and healthy as ever.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf Instagram: @heatherknightsf
A luxury smartphone customizer has unveiled an iPhone 12 that is out of this world.

Caviar is accepting pre-orders for a SpaceX-themed device that pays tribute to Elon Musk and includes a small piece of the Dragon capsule.

Dubbed Musk be on Mars, the titanium back panel is engraved with the billionaires signature, along with a detailed image of the spacecraft lifting off to the Red Planet.

The unique smartphone has a price tag of nearly $6,000 but, according to the Russian-based firm, owning it makes you become a member of a space shuttle crew.

Scroll down for videos

A luxury smartphone maker has unveiled an iPhone 12 that is out of this world. Caviar is accepting pre-orders for a SpaceX-themed device that pays tribute to Elon Musk and includes a small piece of the Dragon capsule

Apple has yet to unveil its next generation iPhone, which is set for the fall, but Caviar is not wasting anytime taking advantage of the anticipated smartphone.

The images show a sleek gray and black devices with a titanium back panel that showcases the Dragon capsule shooting off into space.

There is a small circle that encases a piece of the craft and below reads Must be on Mars.

The mission of SpaceX is a space giant, the cornerstone of Solar System colonization, Caviar shared in the description.

The images show a sleek gray and black devices with a titanium back panel that showcases the Dragon capsule shooting off into space

The firm is selling the space-themed device for $5,830 and has only made 19 of them

For the creation of the premiere model in the Discovery Collection on iPhone 12 Pro Caviar designers were inspired the successful flight of Dragon. This is a new era in the space exploration, a new milestone in our history.

This is not just an accessory, this is a valuable artifact. Owning it, you become a member of a space shuttle crew, a piece of history, a hero who conquers the space.

The firm is selling the space-themed device for $5,830 and has only made 19 of them.

Dubbed Musk be on Mars, the titanium back panel is engraved with the billionaires signature

The Dragon capsule is famous for taking NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station (ISS) in May  a mission that returned spaceflight back to the US.

The craft took off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 30.

Dubbed Launch America, the mission was the first time a private company has put astronauts into space  marking a new era for spaceflight.

Pictured is SpaceX CEO Elon Musk

The Dragon capsule (pictured) is famous for taking NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station (ISS) in May  a mission that returned spaceflight back to the US

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a press conference, 'Maybe theres an opportunity here for America to maybe pause and look up and see a bright, shining moment of hope at what the future looks like, that the United States of America can do extraordinary things even in difficult times.'

With Caviars new smartphone, anyone can have a piece of the historical mission.

However, Apple still has to release its upcoming smartphone, which has suffered a number of delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest report regarding the release date notes the iPhone 12 will be delayed until at least October.
Lakeland Dairies has announced a price increase for its July base milk supplies, leading to calls from farm organisations for other processors to follow suit.

In the Republic of Ireland it will pay a base price of 31c/L (including VAT) for milk supplied in July. This represents an increase of 1c/L on the June price.

In Northern Ireland, a base price of 25.25p/L will be paid for July milk. This is an increase of 1p/L on the June price.

Commenting on the price, Lakeland Dairies said dairy markets are delicately poised with demand subdued and milk production across Europe and the US moving into growth.

There is stability, for now, in the markets but the re-emergence of COVID-19 nationally and internationally is concerning especially for the foodservice sector. As well as the supply/demand dynamic and COVID-19, lack of progress on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the UK is worrying."

It said Lakeland Dairies will continue to monitor the market closely in the coming weeks.

IFA Dairy Committee Chairman Tom Phelan welcomed the move and said it confirms that the recent market value improvements means that co-ops can, and must increase prices for July milk.

"International milk price comparisons show that Irish milk purchasers were performing below par. The three participating co-ops Kerry, Dairygold and Glanbia respectively came in 1/100kg (Kerry) and 2/100kg (Dairygold and Glanbia) below the average for the leading European processors.

The other co-ops will be setting their prices over the coming days, and we encourage them to follow Lakelands example and return at least an additional 1c/l to their suppliers."

Last week, Glanbia held its milk price for July supplies, paying a base price of 29.68c/L for supplies, amid what it described as a 'fragile' market balance.

In a statement it said it will pay its member milk suppliers 30.10c/L (including VAT) for July creamery milk supplies at 3.6% butterfat and 3.3% protein. This is unchanged from the June milk price.

Glanbia Ireland (GI) will pay a base milk price for July of 29.68 cpl (including VAT) for creamery milk at 3.6% fat and 3.3% protein, while farmer members will also receive a 0.42c/L (including VAT) payment from Glanbia Co-op on all milk supplied this month as their Share of GI Profit.

Glanbia Chairman Martin Keane said the "current market balance is fragile. Weak global economic data and high rates of coronavirus in many key importing regions are of concern. Market direction will depend on the level of milk supply in key regions and recovery of foodservice demand.
Michael Cohen has claimed that Donald Trump wants to be 'leader for life' in order to avoid prison time and says recent scandals faced by the president's administration are only the 'tip of the iceberg' in bombshell new book.

The foreword of Cohen's book Disloyal, which he titled THE REAL REAL DONALD TRUMP, was published to DisloyalTheBook.com on Thursday afternoon.

Cohen, who wrote the foreword while behind bars in Otisville, New York, said: 'As the months passed by and I thought about the man I knew so well, I became even more convinced that Trump will never leave office peacefully.

'The types of scandals that have surfaced in recent months will only continue to emerge with greater and greater levels of treachery and deceit. If Trump wins another four years, these scandals will prove to only be the tip of the iceberg.'

Cohen said he's convinced that Trump knows he will follow him to prison, calling it 'the inevitable cold Karma to the notorious chants of "Lock Her Up!"'

'But that is the Trump I know in a nutshell. He projects his own sins and crimes onto others, partly to distract and confuse but mostly because he thinks everyone is as corrupt and shameless and ruthless as he is; a poisonous mindset I know all too well.

'Whoever follows Trump into the White House, if the President doesnt manage to make himself the leader for life, as he has started to joke aboutand Trump never actually jokes- will discover a tangle of frauds and scams and lawlessness.'

Michael Cohen (center) has claimed that Donald Trump wants to be 'leader for life' in order to avoid prison time and says recent scandals faced by the president's administration are only the 'tip of the iceberg' in bombshell new book

'Coming Soon,' the president's former fixer and personal attorney wrote in a tweet along with an image of the cover

Cohen previewed the cover of his upcoming book Disloyal on Twitter Thursday morning

COHEN ON.... What he knows: I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them. How Trump works: Trumps theory of life, business and politics revolved around threats and the prospect of destructionfinancial, electoral, personal, physicalas a weapon. Who he was for Trump: I was one of Trumps bad guys. In his world, I was one hundred percent a made man. What Trump made him: An acolyte obsessed with Donald J. Trump, a demented follower willing to do anything for him, including, as I vowed once to a reporter, to take a bullet. How Cohen knows what he writes: I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man. What Trump offers his fans: ...an intoxicating cocktail of power, strength, celebrity, and a complete disregard for the rules and realities that govern our lives. The inner Donald Trump: ...he has a million acquaintances, pals and hangers on, but no real friends. He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets. How Trump instructs his aides: Like a mob boss, using language carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands, while at the same time employing deliberate indirection to insulate himself and avoid actually ordering a hit. What will happen to Trump: Im certain that Trump knows he will face prison time if he leaves office Why Trump wants to be 'leader for life': Whoever follows Trump into the White House, if the President doesnt manage to make himself the leader for life, as he has started to joke aboutand Trump never actually jokes- will discover a tangle of frauds and scams and lawlessness Advertisement

Cohen then said that he almost feels sorry for Trump as he watches him on the evening news.

'I know him so well and I know his facial tics and tells; I see the cornered look in his eyes as he flails and rants and raves, searching for a protector and advocate, someone willing to fight dirty and destroy his enemies.'

'Apart from his wife and children, I knew Trump better than anyone else did,' Cohen wrote, claiming he was the one who pushed him to run for president in 2011 and 2015.

'In some ways, I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man,' he revealed.

'He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets,' he continued. 'For ten years, he certainly had me, and I was always there for him, and look what happened to me.'

The book also includes a flurry of admissions from Cohen, some of which he already pleaded guilty to and was given a three-year prison sentence for.

'I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump's path to power,' Cohen admitted.

'From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers, I wasn't just a witness to the president's riseI was an active and eager participant,' he wrote.

The mention of him witnessing golden showers brings a reminder to the Steele Dossier, which claims Russian President Vladimir Putin has blackmail material on Trump from the time he was in Moscow for the Miss Universe pageant in 2013 and allegedly watched prostitutes urinate on a bed because it had been slept in by the Obama. Trump has denied the claim repeatedly.

However Cohen says the golden showers incident was in Las Vegas - suggesting he might be referring to a trip with Trump to a club there called The Act whose repertoire included stimulated urination by performers on stage. Trump did a deal at the club to take his Miss Universe competition to Moscow, a previous book by investigative journalists revealed.

Cohen, 53, previewed earlier in the day the cover image and title of his upcoming memoir Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump, along with a teaser, 'Coming Soon' in the text of the tweet.

The foreword, however, hints at a series of bombshells in the book.

Cohen says: 'Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors.

'I also knew that the [Robert] Mueller investigation was not a witch-hunt. Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything -and I mean anything - to "win" has always been his business model and way of life.'

He says Trump tried to 'insinuate' himself into Putin's world and his 'coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs'.

'I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates, even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying, "theres no Russian collusion, I have no dealings with Russia... theres no Russia."'

Cohen makes clear that he speaks from a position of knowledge saying that for 10 years, he was Trump's last call at night and first in the morning, and he was 'in and out' of Trump's office '50 times a day'.

'Our cell phones had the same address books, our contacts so entwined, overlapping and intimate that part of my job was to deal with the endless queries and requests, however large or small, from Trumps countless rich and famous acquaintances,' he writes.

'I called any and all of the people he spoke to, most often on his behalf as his attorney and emissary, and everyone knew that when I spoke to them, it was as good as if they were talking directly to Trump.'

Ominously, he writes: 'I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them.'

He describes himself as having been 'at the center of Trump's innermost circle' and that his 'boss' had come to his son's bar mitzvah and told him: 'You're family.'

'I f**king believed him,' he writes.

Cohen tells how he feared he would be killed by Trump's supporters when he gave evidence to Congress after flipping and co-operating with Mueller.

Secret back channel: Cohen says Trump ordered him to find a conduit to the Russian president Vladimir Putin

TRUMP'S NIGHTMARE SUMMER READS Michael Cohen's book - planned for 'late September' comes amid a flurry of books - some of which Trump and his aides have tried to stop - about the president. They include: The Room Where It Happened Both the White House and the Department of Justice tried to gag the former national security advisor's bombshell account which told how Trump begged China's President Xi to help him win the election - and thought Finland was part of Russia Too Much And Never Enough Mary Trump, the president's niece, has become a number one bestseller with her devastating account of her uncle, calling him a sociopath and narcissist and Frankenstein's monster, a victim of a loveless childhood, called a 'clown' and a 'fool' by his own sister and willing to ogle his own niece. His family failed to gag her - and she also revealed how he and Ivana gave cheap Christmas gifts. Rage Bob Woodward, the legendary investigative journalist, will publish his second book on Trump in September. It will include 25 'love letters' between the president and Kim Jong-un with the North Korean dictator calling their relationship something from 'a fantasy film'. Trump has been interviewed by Woodward for the book. Advertisement

'The President of the United States wanted me dead,' he writes - saying that he knew that Trump was like a 'mob boss' who would never directly order a hit but instead spoke in a way 'carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands.'

'I knew how he worked because I had frequently been the one screaming threats on his behalf as Trumps fixer and designated thug.

'The President called me a rat and tweeted angry accusations at me, as well as my family.'

He says he received 'hundreds' of death threats on his cell phone, his email and even in the mail.

'I was exactly the person Trump was talking about when he said he could shoot and kill someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it,' he writes.

Cohen also names AG Bill Barr - who tried to block the book by gagging, then jailing, Cohen - Jared Kushner, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Pompeo as 'new wannabe fixers, sycophants willing to distort the truth and break the law in the service of the Boss'.

The memoir, however, does not come without Cohen owning up to his own actions.

'I made choices along the wayterrible, heartless, stupid, cruel, dishonest, destructive choices, but they were mine and constituted my reality and life,' he wrote.

He says he lost touch with his siblings, became obsessed by money, desperate 'to inhabit the world from the vantage point of private jets and billion-dollar deals, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get there'.

He admits to 'ego, short temper, and willingness to deceive' - but says that his account will allow people to see inside Trump's world.

'It's only gangster who can reveal the secrets of organized crime,' he says of Trump's world, calling himself 'one hundred percent a made man'.

The revelation of some of the book's contents came after a federal court ruled against what a judge said was Barr's attempt to stop Cohen from publishing the tell-all.

The US government made an agreement with federal prosecutors at the end of July to abandon its efforts to impose a gag order on Cohen as he prepares to release his book critical of his former boss.

Cohen was released from prison in May 2020 amid concerns over coronavirus after he served one year of his three-year sentence for pleading guilty to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress.

He returned to prison in early July after tweeting about planning to publish a book alleging Trump used racial slurs against former President Barack Obama and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela.

'Favorable ruling yesterday by the Court as I am close to completion of my book' Cohen wrote of Trump's niece Mary Trump being able to publish her critical book about her uncle.

'...anticipated release date will be late September.' Cohen wrote in another tweet.

Cohen was released from prison in late July after being ordered to return after tweeting and talking about how his upcoming book will reveal Trump's racist comments toward former President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela

The court ruled against Attorney General Bill Barr, who Cohen sued, for trying to issue a gag order against him and sending him back to prison after his May released. The judge argued the move was in violation of Cohen's First Amendment Rights

Cohen was thrown back into prison one week after tweeting that he would release his tell-all book ahead of the November presidential election and claiming it was a 'favorable ruling' that Trump's niece Mary Trump was permitted to publish her own tell all

A week after the president's former fix-it man and personal attorney was released from prison for the second time, where he spent two weeks after refusing to cease speaking to the media, the ruling came in that he could speak with the media and publish his memoir.

The tweet of him touting his new book Thursday is the first time he has posted since being released from prison.

Cohen sued Barr and federal prison officials during his second stint, claiming he was ordered back because of the book.

US Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ordered he be released at the end of last month, saying the government's action was retaliatory and a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Cohen intentionally revealed that the book would be coming out ahead of the November elections.

His will join a list of other pre-Election Day books aimed at ousting Trump, including Bob Woodward's Rage, Mary Trump's Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton's The Room Where It Happened.

Both Mary and Bolton also faced lawsuits from Trump's administration trying to stop their publication, but ultimately the court ruled it was lawful for them to go ahead with releasing their respective memoirs.
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An award winning wildlife photographer has revealed how his passion for capturing the world's fiercest animals was inspired by Sir David Attenborough's documentaries.

Hailing from Russia, Andrey Gudkov has travelled to every corner of the globe as he searched to catch sight of exotic creatures on camera.

In 2015, his photograph of Komodo dragons wrestling in Indonesias Komodo national park won him the Wildlife Photographer of the The Year award and his extraordinary work also been honoured for by the National Geographic.

Speaking to Bored Panda, Andrey said his love for wildlife and animals was born from watching the Sir David Attenborough and BBC nature programmes which aired on Soviet television during his childhood.

He revealed the secret to photographing animals is they are not 'beautiful or ugly', saying: 'The most important thing, in my opinion, is to find something human in the animal and to attempt to convey this through your photograph.

The eyes of an animal are a very important detail; they speak to its character and help us to understand it. Amazement and fear, tenderness and care, wrath, indifference, perplexity all these qualities are intrinsic in the inhabitants of the natural world.'

He has now photographed hundreds of wild animals in their natural habitat and explored every corner of the globe, from Zambia to Borneo.

An award winning wildlife photographer has revealed how his passion for capturing the world's fiercest animals was inspired by Sir David Attenborough's documentaries (Pictured: A lemur posing in Madagascar)

Hailing from Russia, Andrey Gudkov has travelled to every corner of the globe as he searched to catch sight of exotic creatures on camera (pictured: a mother bear and her adorable cub look at their reflection in a lake, photographed in a Finland forest)

Andrey's extraordinary work also been honoured for by the National Geographic (In Uganda, he photographed this touching snap of a baby gorilla giving their parent a kiss)

Andrey said his love for wildlife and animals was born from watching the odd Sir David Attenborough and BBC nature programmes that aired on Soviet television during his childhood (Andrey took this breath-taking picture of a humpback whale taking a deep in Ile Ste Marie Madagascar)

The photographer has travelled across the world to capture images of the exotic animals in their natural habitat (pictured: In Tanzania, a mother cheetah quietly posing with her five cubs looked straight into Andrey's camera)

In another incredible snapshot, Andrey managed to capture this adorable interaction between a giraffe making friends with a bird during a visit to a reserve in Kenya

And it's not just Africa! In coastal France, Andrey took this impressive snap of four white horses galloping to the water at full speed

Andrey has now photographed hundreds of wild animals in their natural habitat and explored every corner of the globe, from Zambia to Borneo (pictured, a mother cheetah roaring at two of her cubs in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania)

Audrey often manages to capture interactions between animals in his eyecatching images (pictured, in Harbin, China, Andrey took captured the tension between these three tigers competing to chase a bird)

Can you feel the love tonight? In Uganda, the wildlife photographer captured this tender moment between two lionesses licking each other's chin

It's a hard life! In another shot from the same trip, Andrey spotted this lioness enjoying some down time on a tree and captured her picture

The wildlife photographer has won awards for his incredible snaps and has also been honoured for by the National Geograph (pictured, Demoiselle Cranes dancing on a snowy day in Japan)

Bear necessities! In Finland, the wildlife photographer and animal fanatic came across a family of bears and captured the cubs climbing a tree

The Russian photographer's passion for animals grew after watching BBC documentaries as a child (pictured, playful baby Bonobo rest on his parent's arms, as spotted by Andrey in the Republic of the Congo)
Cow manure has been turned into renewable biogas and sold back to the National Grid for the first time - and it could present a new source of revenue for farmers.

The biomethane was connected to the Gas National Transmission System at the end of July by anaerobic digestion company BioCow from a farm in Cambridgeshire.

The Murrow Anaerobic Digestion Plant produces the renewable gas - a form of methane - made from cattle manure and straw mixed together.

There will be enough biomethane fed into the grid from the Cambridgeshire farm to meet the annual gas consumption of 10 average households every hour.

The Murrow Anaerobic Digestion Plant produces the renewable gas - a form of methane - made from cattle manure and straw mixed together

The process involves sealing waste in tanks without oxygen, where the material is broken down by naturally occurring micro-organisms into biogas.

Ian Radley, Head of Gas Systems Operations at National Grid said biomethane will play a critical role in helping Britain achieve net zero carbon status.

'Weve collaborated closely with Biocow on this innovative project to ensure we met their needs and connected their site to the National Transmission System,' he said.

Radley added that the move will help the country in its transition to a low carbon economy and paving the way for similar projects in the future.'

The process could help struggling farmers by giving them a new source of revenue by selling manure generated by cattle to the energy production firms.

It would also allow them to offset methane - a greenhouse gas - produced by cattle through the new green initiative.

There will be enough biomethane fed into the grid from the Cambridgeshire farm to meet the annual gas consumption of 10 average households every hour

Chris Waters, Managing Director of Biocow said it was just the first step in the firms efforts to pioneer new and innovative ways to inject green gas to the grid.

'We look forward to continued collaboration with National Grid in the future as we continue to develop our site at Murrow.'

Britain has a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 which will require a huge increase in renewable energy and investment to increase the stability of its energy networks.
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A Platform for Investor Education



(PIE) aimed at enhancing financial literacy was launched on Friday by the Centre for Capital and Risk Management at IIM Bangalore (IIMB) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited's (NSE) Investor Protection Fund Trust.

It is an easy to navigate, free and product-neutral platform that aims to enhance financial literacy, according to a statement issued by the IIMB.

Content is available on PIE on demand, allowing to access at their convenience, it said.

Experts and experienced faculty make the offerings on PIE relevant for the entire spectrum of investors, from first-time to experienced investors, the statement said.

There are four learning modules, each comprising videos, podcasts, deep-dives and blog posts with a separate section for discussion. Animation and data visualisation technology is used to actively engage different cohorts of potential investors, it was stated.

Executive Director of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Nagendraa Parakh, Managing Director and CEO Vikram Limaye and IIMB Director Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan launched the platform with the event being live streamed.

Addressing the virtual gathering of students, faculty and alumni of IIMB, professionals and academics at the launch, Limaye said an increasing number of retail investors, particularly from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, have been actively contributing to Indias growth story, reflecting the booming interest in capital among people from all socio- economic strata.

One of the major reasons behind this change can be attributed to improving investor education via enhanced availability of information on digital media and growing awareness among people about newer financial asset classes apart from conventional fixed deposits and other such avenues, he said.

"The audio content (on PIE) is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to across the country, Limaye observed, adding technology has enabled more people participating in the markets, creating a spurt in the number of investors during the pandemic, according to the statement.

Krishnan said the PIE will benefit from "the innovative research initiatives" by the faculty at IIMB, and will therefore reflect the current developments in financial markets, adding, it will certainly work as an enabler for investors.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Four killed after clashes between protesters and police in the West African country after Alassane Ouattaras decision.

At least four people have been killed in clashes in Ivory Coast as hundreds took to the streets following President Alassane Ouattaras decision to run for a third term this October.

Three people were killed in the central town of Daoukro in clashes between Ouattara supporters and backers of rival candidate Henri Konan Bedie, a security source and witnesses said.

On Thursday, an 18-year-old died in the southeastern town of Bonoua, 50km (30 miles) from the economic hub, Abidjan, in violence between demonstrators and security forces, said Mayor Jean-Paul Amethier.

The police station in Bonoua has been ransacked by angry demonstrators, and the police chief and officers have taken refuge in the courtyard, local resident Herve Niamkey said.

In Abidjan, scattered groups of demonstrators built barricades and burned tyres in response to a call from the opposition and civil society groups.

His candidacy is against the constitution  we dont want a third term, said protester Herve Seka in Anono district.

The government said it had not authorised the demonstrations [Luc Gnago/Reuters]

In the district of Yopougon, police fired tear gas and chased protesters down narrow streets.

Several dozen protesters gathered in Port Bouet, a seaside area of Abidjan, while heavy deployment of riot police maintained order in the upscale district of Cocody, where many politicians live, including Ouattara.

The government announced a ban on protests late on Wednesday in a communique read on state television.

Reset the clock

Despite the violence, Ouattaras Houphouetist Rally for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party announced he would be formally nominated as its candidate at a big rally in Abidjan on August 22.





Ouattara, 78, announced a week ago he would contest the October 31 presidential elections  a move that came after his anointed successor Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died of a heart attack.

The announcement sparked fury among Ouattaras critics, as he has already served two terms and can only contest a third by arguing that a constitutional change entitles him to reset the clock.

The vote is taking place in a country still scarred by a low-level civil war that erupted in 2011 when former strongman Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to Ouattara after losing elections.

The ensuing unrest claimed some 3,000 lives and split the country along north-south lines.

Daoukro is a stronghold of supporters of Bedie, an 86-year-old former president who last month was endorsed by the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI) as its candidate for the election and has called Ouattaras candidacy illegal.

Another candidate is former foreign minister Marcel Amon-Tanoh, 68, who does not yet have the backing of a party.

Gbagbos party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), has yet to name a candidate. Gbagbo was cleared of crimes against humanity last year by the International Criminal Court, although prosecutors are appealing the ruling.

Former rebel chief and ex-premier Guillaume Soro, 47, has said he will contest the vote, but he lives in self-imposed exile in France.

Soro has been sentenced in absentia to a 20-year jail term in Ivory Coast on charges of attempted insurrection.
A proposed mosque coming up on a five-acre site outside Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is likely to be named after the village of Dhannipur where it is located, and not Babri Masjid, senior officials overseeing the construction of the complex announced on Friday.

Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the 15-member trust in charge of the mosque and other utilities, said the name Masjid Dhannipur was at the top of the list of proposed names. Other suggestions included Aman (Peace) Masjid and Sufi Masjid.

We are getting suggestions regarding the name of the mosque. But, of the many, the name Masjid Dhannipur tops our priority list. Most probably, the mosque would be named Masjid Dhannipur, said Athar Hussain, spokesperson for Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF).

The complex is likely to include a mosque, a hospital, a community kitchen, and an educational centre.

The Uttar Pradesh government handed the plot, currently occupied by rice fields 20km from Ayodhya town, to the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board (UPSCWB) earlier this month in accordance with the Supreme Courts November 2019 verdict that cleared the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the 2.77 acre site in Ayodhya. The court also ordered the government to award five acres of land at an alternative site for the construction of a mosque.

But the trust, helmed by the UPSCWB, made it clear that they didnt want to associate the new mosque to the disputed 16th century structure that was demolished by a mob on December 6. 1992. The board has maintained its stand since Day One that the mosque would not be named after Mughal emperor Babur, said Hussain.

A senior official of the trust explained that the trust wanted to steer clear of any controversy and therefore was not in favour of naming the mosque after any emperor. In any case, it is an established tradition that mosques are often named after the locality or region, said Hussain.

The trust has received a number of pledges for donation and other commitments, and specifications and dimensions of the mosque would be decided in the days to come, he said. So far, we have only invited applications from architects all across the country to help with the design of the mosque that would be on the Indo-Islamic theme, added Hussain.

The trust has faced significant opposition from within the Muslim community with a section of people saying that a mosque cannot be constructed on land given by the government. On Friday, the All India Muslim Womens Personal Law Board joined the ranks of those against the construction of the mosque. Shaista Amber, AIMWPLB chief, said, I truly respect the Supreme Court verdict, but I personally believe that a place of worship should not be on disputed land or on given land. I dont think the mosque should be constructed on the allotted five-acre land.

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After the sudden tragic demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, his family, friends and fans across the places were left devastated and are still clueless to what happened on the day of 14th of June. People have been fighting for their favourite star and continue to keep asking for justice for him till this day.

Like the shadow

I am

and

I am not...

~ Jalaluddin Rumi  pic.twitter.com/Ejj1X6LSyV  Sushant Singh Rajput (@itsSSR) October 26, 2019

Sushants former girlfriend and close friend Ankita Lokhande has openly come forward in support of him and has stood as a pillar of strength to his family during this difficult time.



She has now requested all of Sushants fans and colleagues in the industry to join hands for a collective minute of silence in the actor's memory in a campaign called Global Prayers for SSR.

The initiative has been started by the actors family on his two-month death anniversary. She wrote, Its already 2months Sushant and I know u are happy wherever you are.. Everyone pls join tomorrow (15th aug) at 10am and pray for our beloved Sushant.

Ankita has also shared her picture with a note that said, "Post a pic of yours with folded hands and join the campaign #GlobalPrayers4SSR at 10 am(IST) on 15th August. Lets Pray together for truth to shine forth and for God to guide us. #justiceforSushanthSinghRajput #Warriors4SSR #CBIForSSR #GodIsWithUs.

Ankita has been fighting for justice for Sushant on front foot and has been giving back-to-back media interviews so that people can know who real Sushant was. She has also debunked the theory of him being a depressed man in her interviews as she knew some different Sushant altogether during their time together.

With many new revelations every single day, it seems like the case of the mysterious death of Sushant has more layers to it than what meets the eye. People across the globe have been demanding a CBI investigation in this case as Mumbai police havent been able to give answers to what happened to the 34-year-old actor.

We really hope that God gives Sushant and his family the strength to keep fighting for justice.
Publishers, museums and media groups are owed 25million from a collapsed books wholesaler that has just 600,000 available to hand back to them.

Bertram Books was one of just two major national wholesalers supplying books to UK stores when it collapsed in June.

The firm owes money to around 2,500 trade creditors, according to company filings that lay bare the pressures facing the publishing industry.

Debts: Bertram Books was one of just two major national wholesalers supplying books to UK stores when it collapsed in June

The creditors include major publishers as well as smaller independents  many of which will already be struggling after the pandemic shuttered bookshops for several months.

Penguin Random House's distribution company Grantham Book Services is owed almost 2.3million, according to the accounts on Companies House, while Pan Macmillan's distribution group is owed around 1.8million and Oxford University Press more than 1million.

The private equity-owners of Norwich-based Bertrams, Aurelius, put the group up for sale in May, shortly after it was forced to temporarily close its warehouse due to the pandemic.

It went into administration in June, leading to most of its 460 employees losing their jobs, and is still in the hands of administrators Turpin Barker Armstrong.

Some of Bertram's assets have been sold, including its online bookselling division Wordery, bought by Waterstones-owner Elliott Advisers, and its Norwich warehouse, which was bought by former arch-rival Gardners.

The collapse has been described as 'like a bereavement' by founder Kip Bertram, who created the firm with his mother Elsie in two chicken sheds in 1968, before selling it on in 1999.

But Bertram, 76, has disputed claims made by the administrators about why the company was tipped over the edge earlier this summer.

Turpin Barker Armstrong said book wholesalers had been 'suffering from falling demand in recent years due to changes in the distribution model for literature and the rising popularity of e-books'.

The group added: 'These factors, combined with the Covid-19-related closure of many public libraries and educational facilities, meant these businesses could no longer operate viably.'

But Bertram told the BBC: 'It's nothing to do with e-books or Covid-19  people still like to hold and smell books.'

The most recent accounts filed show that in the 16 months to December 2018, Bertram's made a profit of 8.5million.

It is unclear whether the trade creditors will get their money back  though it is thought some may have insurance that covers this type of situation.

As well as trade creditors, Bertram's also owes money to other groups including employees and unnamed un-trade creditors, according to the filings. Aurelius was approached for comment.
Spring ISD families will see notable updates to the student code of conduct this year as the district prepares to start school during the pandemic.

The Spring ISD school board met virtually Tuesday, Aug. 11, to approve revisions to the 2020-2021 code of conduct, including the addition of COVID-related requirements such as wearing masks and social distancing on campuses.

Spring, Klein superintendents outline back-to-school plans: Northwest Houston area school leaders discuss the fall semester and coronavirus

Superintendent Rodney Watson said school would be starting on Monday, Aug. 17, with online-only instruction for the first four weeks due to the pandemic.

Last Thursday night, we did get a sneak peek at our curriculum and all of the great work that our curriculum team and teachers have been working to develop for our families, Watson said. So, were excited to be able to offer that to all of our students starting on Monday.

Director of Student Affairs Thomas Graham said one of the key changes includes how the code of conduct would be distributed this year. Instead of physical copies, families can access the document electronically via the district website. A paper copy can be requested from the Department of Student Affairs at 281-891-6193.

Because we have online registration this year, students and parents will be able to acknowledge that they have downloaded and reviewed the student code of conduct throughout the online registration process, Graham said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID's true toll in Texas is higher than reported, data shows

Graham said once school starts the district will have administrators who will go through the student code of conduct with students and added that once students are back on campus, theyll review the information again.

Students will be able to sign the second page of the student code of conduct as indication that they have reviewed it and it will be stored on the campus for campus record, Graham said.

Graham said the districts COVID-19 procedures and protocols include items that each student is expected to adhere to, as well as items that students shall not do related to COVID-19.

According to the districts student code of conduct revisions outline, students must wear personal protective equipment including masks and/or face shields and follow six-feet social distancing protocols. Equipment cannot display profanity, abusive or disruptive materials.

The outline states that not wearing PPE will count as a dress code violation and that students will be disciplined in agreement with the guidelines listed in the student code of conduct.

Students are not allowed to try to remove the masks of other students or deliberately intrude in someone elses social distance perimeter.

Students must wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom or when blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing. They must also cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing  tossing used tissues in a garbage can or designated receptacle  or use the inside of their elbow.

Trying to cause infections with coughing, sneezing, spitting or expelling any form of bodily fluids or secretions onto another student or staff member is prohibited. If a student deliberately coughs, sneezes, spits or expels bodily fluids onto another person, it may be considered assault. A campus administrator will be notified and remove students to examine the incident, and their parents will be alerted. Disciplinary action will be taken based on the act at a suitable level based on the student code of conduct guidelines.

In addition to the COVID-19 protocols, Graham said vaping pens and devices were added to the list of banned tobacco products in the student code of conduct based off information, feedback and conversations with campus administrators.

Trustee Justine Durant said its important for parents to realize that critical changes have been made to this years student code of conduct.

A lot of them are necessary, precautionary and to ensure safety and so I just want to make sure no parent is caught off guard, Durant said.

Graham said this years the student code of conduct signature will be part of the online registration process.

So, for parents to actually fulfill the registration process online theyll have to acknowledge that theyve downloaded that particular copy and reviewed it, Graham said.

Chief Academic Officer Khechara Bradford said as students will be at home for the first four weeks instruction, the district will be talking with parents and frequently communicating the code of conduct from the start of the school year.

Our goal is to begin Aug. 17 with every student having a device and access, Bradford said. So, really removing any barriers to students having technology access but then also posting (the code of conduct) and having it as part of our beginning of the year routines, procedures and expectations.

Watson said the district plans to continue seeking parent feedback and offering opportunities for them to share with us their experiences with what were developing.

alvaro.montano@chron.com
(TNS)  In any given week, Washington County government sees an average of 345 attempts to log into the countys email accounts.These attacks are from a non-U.S. origin, County Attorney Roger Wickes said in his cybersecurity report at the Information Technology Committee meeting Tuesday morning.The top places of suspicious activity come from outside sources probing the system.We just got some new software so we were going through it to look at our statistics, said Wickes, who would not name the software.The software has prevented any of these foreign entities from hacking into the countys email systems.Theyre out there and theyre looking for our weakness, Wickes told committee members.Wickes encouraged all employees to keep their guard up and pay attention to any suspicious emails. Any employee who find a suspicious email should not open it or forward it, but rather report it to Karen Pratt, the countys cybersecurity officer.We always try to get a message out that says, just because you dont see it, because our software blocks things, doesnt mean its not out there happening, Wickes said.County employees also need to use security protocols when working from home during the pandemic, Wickes said. Keeping public health information and business details private is important.Pay attention, I guess, is the best thing you can do, Wickes said. Be suspicious of everything.Chief Information Officer Teri McNall said the county uses software that blocks emails from other countries.It is a little bit daunting to see all the attempts that are made every week, she said.
The Competition Bureau has launched a probe into Amazon's conduct to determine whether the online retailer is harming competition.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Competition Bureau is asking businesses to come forward for an antitrust investigation into Amazon. An Amazon warehouse north of Calgary in Balzac, Alta., that has reported an outbreak of COVID-19 Monday, May 4, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

The Competition Bureau has launched a probe into Amazon's conduct to determine whether the online retailer is harming competition.

The investigation, which is seeking confidential information from Canadian businesses, will include a particular focus on "potential abuse of dominance," the watchdog said.

"The bureau is examining whether Amazon is engaging in conduct on its Canadian marketplace, Amazon.ca, that is impacting competition to the detriment of consumers and companies that do business in Canada," the agency said in a release Friday.

Specifically, it is reviewing whether Amazon policies impact sellers' willingness to offer their products at a lower price on other retail channels, such as their own websites or rival online marketplaces.

The bureau is also looking into any efforts by Amazon to tilt consumers toward its own products over those offered by competing vendors, as well as any disadvantage that sellers incur by opting out of Amazon's shipping, customer relations and advertising services.

Amazon said it is co-operating with the bureau's probe and will continue working to support small businesses that sell products on Amazon.ca.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this point, the bureau said.

The agency's request for public input comes amid rising concerns of monopoly power in the tech world and questions around the use of sellers' data to create rival products.

Last month, CEOs from some of the biggest U.S. tech titans faced tough questions from congressional lawmakers over market dominance and whether they need to be regulated more heavily, or even broken up.

The potential conflict of interest between Amazon's role as both a platform to sell goods and a seller of goods itself remains a key area of concern.

"The main issue, which came up at the congressional hearing in July, is that Amazon can collect data on its 'competitors'  i.e. sellers who use Amazon  and then develop products that compete with those sellers," said Kean Birch, who heads York University's graduate program in science and technology studies, in an email.

Birch pointed to the cautionary tale of Diapers.com, which Amazon elbowed out of the market by discounting rival brands on Amazon.com in 2009 before buying up the depleted online retailer the following year.

Restrictive contractual provisions between Amazon and the sellers in its online marketplace may also be under the Competition Bureau microscope.

"If I'm some kind of competitor to Amazon  Adidas or Nike, say  one way I could compete would be to say, 'Hey, because of my lower cost structure, Ill be able to sell products to consumers at lower prices,'" said John Newman, a former Justice Department antitrust lawyer who now teaches law at the University of Miami.

"But if Adidas can't sell any products on its website or elsewhere at a lower price than it sells on Amazon (due to contractual terms), then it makes it harder to do that."

The outcome may be to drive prices down in the near term  the opposite of traditional monopolistic goals  but they could rise down the road as power concentrates in the hands of a dominant player.

Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"This kind of thing could suppress competition, prevent some innovative new company from entering the market and deprive us of all the wonderful but intangible benefits of innovation," Newman said in an interview.

In July 2019, the European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation into Amazon to examine whether its data use violates competition rules. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have also opened investigations into the four Big Tech companies  Google, Facebook Apple and Amazon  to suss out whether they were engaging in monopolistic activities.

The Competition Bureau probe, which kicked off quietly early this year, could result in a negotiated settlement or a case before the Competition Tribunal  if the investigation uncovers any contravention of Competition Act provisions.

"Remedies under these provisions are primarily behavioural, including ordering an action to be taken or prohibiting an action from being taken, but can also include administrative monetary penalties," spokesman Jayme Albert said in an email.

It declined to confirm whether a broader investigation of other Big Tech companies is ongoing, "as the bureau is required by law to conduct its work confidentially."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2020.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration formally weakened a major climate-change regulation on Thursday  effectively freeing oil and gas companies from the need to detect and repair methane leaks  even as new research shows that far more of the potent greenhouse gas is seeping into the atmosphere than previously known.

The rollback of the last major Obama-era climate rule is a gift to many beleaguered oil and gas companies, which have seen profits collapse from the Covid-19 pandemic. But it comes as scientists say that the need to rein in methane leaks at fossil fuel wells nationwide has become far more urgent, and new studies indicate that the scale of methane pollution could be driving the planet toward a climate crisis faster than expected.

Andrew Wheeler, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, announced at an event in Pittsburgh on Thursday that he had completed the legal process of lifting the methane regulation. He was speaking in a city at the heart of the nations natural-gas boom, and in a state that will be critical to winning this falls presidential election.

E.P.A. has been working hard to fulfill President Trumps promise to cut burdensome and ineffective regulations for our domestic energy industry, he said. Regulatory burdens put into place by the Obama-Biden administration fell heavily on small and medium-sized energy businesses.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

Trend:

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to the HARDtalk program on the BBC TV channel, Trend reports.

Pashinyan was interviewed by journalist Stephen Sackur. In the BBC HARDtalk program, guests are asked critical and challenging questions, and Pashinyan found himself helpless under such pressure.

Replying to a question about the hostilities in Azerbaijans Tovuz district in July, Pashinyan accused Azerbaijan of being "the first to attack."

In response to this statement, the presenter noted: You claim that the last conflict was unleashed by Azerbaijan, but the other side says the opposite, and we will not be able to clarify this in this program. However, one thing is clear: you have taken a number of provocative steps so far that have exacerbated the situation. For example, why did you, while visiting Stepanakert [Khankandi] in August last year, say 'Artsakh is Armenia' in your speech? It was an open provocation against Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan could not clearly answer this question. Instead, he resorted to traditional historical lies, claiming that Armenians have lived in Nagorno-Karabakh for millennia.

Further, interrupting Pashinyan, Sackur asked an even harsher question.

You are violating four resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on the conflict, which demand the unconditional withdrawal of all Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands. According to international law, your troops are carrying out occupation, and you go there and declare that these territories are yours. Obviously, you are not creating the peace there, Sackur noted.

Pashinyan once again avoided answering, saying that Azerbaijan allegedly carried out ethnic cleansing in the early 1990s against the Armenians living in Karabakh.

The presenter then questioned Pashinyan about the construction of a road to Nagorno-Karabakh.

He asked: I know that your government is building a road from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. This road passes through the territory of Azerbaijan. A number of European MPs in Brussels specializing in Caucasian politics reviewed the plan and considered it a violation of international law. According to MPs, this will strengthen the illegal occupation of Karabakh. Will you stop the construction of this road?"

Once again, instead of providing a clear answer, Pashinyan mumbled that the road was not being built by the Armenian government.

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.
Seasoned Industry Veteran Brings More Than 20 Years of Packaging Experience to the Position

ELSHAM, United Kingdom, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nelipak Corporation, Inc . (Nelipak), a global leader in rigid and flexible packaging, today announced that Jonathan Smith has joined its Elsham team as UK sales director of food packaging. In his new role, Jonathan will oversee the development and performance of sales activities within the region with the goal of maximizing profitability and establishing plans and strategies to expand the customer base and drive growth.



Nelipak has long been a leader in the medical device and pharmaceutical packaging market. With its acquisition of Bemis in Europe last year, it has acquired a leading flexible packaging business that provides solutions for a variety of food and consumer products out of its Elsham facility.

We are thrilled to add Jonathans leadership to the Nelipak sales team to guide our growing food packaging offering, said Roger Prevot, CEO, Nelipak. We look forward to leveraging his deep packaging experience to expand our presence in the UK market.

Jonathan has worked in the packaging industry for more than twenty years and has a proven track record for increasing brand and product awareness and devising marketing and sales strategies that grow revenue. He comes to Nelipak from CCL Label Ltd, where he served as UK sales director for two years. Prior to that, he was the sales manager for UK/Northern Europe with Bemis.

I am excited to join the Nelipak team at a pivotal point for the companys food packaging business, said Mr. Smith. As sales director, I am eager to foster meaningful and mutually-beneficial relationships with new and existing customers in the territory.

About Nelipak

With 10 facilities in the Americas and Europe, Nelipak Healthcare Packaging designs, develops and manufactures custom packaging products that provide superior protection for the food, medical devices and pharmaceuticals markets. Nelipak Healthcare Packaging customers consist of some of the largest and most reputable companies in the world. With over 1,400 employees worldwide, Nelipak is focused on delivering superior quality and customer experience through world class manufacturing at each of its locations.

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CONTACT: Nelipak Marketing Contact: Sean Egan Director of Global Marketing Nelipak Healthcare Packaging +353-91-709-163 sean.egan@nelipak.com Press Contact: Jordan Bouclin SVM Public Relations 401-490-9700 jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com




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MINSK, Belarus - Tens of thousands of people flooded the heart of the Belarus capital of Minsk on Friday in a show of anger over a brutal police crackdown this week on peaceful protesters that followed a disputed election, and authorities sought to ease rising public fury by freeing at least 2,000 who were jailed after earlier demonstrations.

Factory workers marched across the city shouting Go away! in a call for authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to resign after 26 years of iron-fisted rule that was extended in an election Sunday that protesters denounced as rigged.

Fridays crowds grew to more than 20,000, filling central Independence Square.

About a dozen soldiers guarding the nearby government headquarters lowered their riot shields in what the demonstrators saw as a sign of solidarity, and women rushed to embrace and kiss the guards.

As the protesters rallied on the square, Lukashenko dismissed them as puppets manipulated from abroad. During a meeting with top law enforcement officials, he defended the crackdown as a justified response to violence against police by some of the protesters. The Interior Ministry said 121 police officers were injured.

He told officials, however, to avoid excessive force.

If a person falls down and lies still, dont beat him! Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader cautioned people against turning out for protests, saying the country is facing foreign aggression.

Dont get out into the streets. You should understand that you and your children are being used as cannon fodder, Lukashenko said, alleging that people from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine and some members of Russias opposition were fomenting the unrest.

Do you want me to sit and wait until they turn Minsk upside down? he said. We wont be able to stabilize the situation afterwards. We must take a break, collect ourselves and calm down. And let us restore order and deal with those who have come here.

The claim of foreign agitation was greeted with disdain by protesters.

Nobody believes these horror stories about external forces. We are tired of constant enemies and conspiracies,said Galina Erema, 42. He usurped power and has not left for 26 years. This is the reason for the protests.

A messaging app that has been a key communications means for protesters announced plans for marches on Sunday in Minsk and other cities and hamlets of Belarus, an indication that determination remains strong.

Earlier, police didnt interfere as the protesters marched across the city, reflecting Lukashenkos apparent attempt to assuage the opposition by stepping back from the violent police crackdowns seen across the country earlier this week.

The release by the Interior Ministry of about 2,000 of the nearly 7,000 people detained was seen as another move to defuse popular outrage. It said more would be freed.

Many who were released spoke of brutal beatings and other abuse by police, and some showed bruises on their bodies. Some of them wept as they embraced waiting relatives.

The authorities are obviously trying to de-escalate the situation and ease the tensions, fearing that the furious industrial workers will take to the streets all across Belarus, said Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights centre.

Demonstrators have swarmed the streets ever since Sundays election in which officials reported that Lukashenko won 80% of the vote to win a sixth term in office.

His main challenger, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled on Tuesday to neighbouring Lithuania, posted a new video in which she disputed the results of the vote and demanded that the government start a dialogue with demonstrators.

The ferocious crackdown has left hundreds injured since Sunday as police have dispersed the largely peaceful demonstrations with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings. At least one person has been killed.

The brutal suppression of protests drew harsh criticism in the West. European Union foreign ministers said they rejected the election results and tasked officials with drawing up a list of people in Belarus who could face sanctions over their role in the crackdown.

Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence and falsification, tweeted EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the EU wants to significantly increase the pressure on Belarus.

Thousands of factory workers who previously formed the core of Lukashenkos base have joined the protests, denouncing the police crackdown and demanding a new election, raising the prospect of a nationwide strike.

Our entire shop voted against Lukashenko and then we suddenly learned that he won by a landslide, 42-year-old assembly worker Dmitry Glukhovsky said outside the Minsk Automobile Plant, or MAZ. They not only have cheated us but also beaten us up, and no one is going to accept that.

He said that his assembly shop went on strike Friday to demand a new election. More than 1,000 workers could be seen in the factorys yard, shouting Down! in a call for Lukashenko to resign.

At the Minsk Tractor Plant, or MTZ, about 1,000 workers also rallied to demand Lukashenkos resignation and then marched toward the government headquarters. As they reached the centre of the capital, the crowds grew and people stood applauding and motorists honked in support.

We want a new election, a new government and a new life, said 44-year-old engineer Mikhail Marchuk as he marched along with other plant workers toward central Minsk. We will protest until we win.

Workers also rallied at many other major factories in an unprecedented challenge to Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and earned the nickname of Europes last dictator for his relentless suppression of dissent.

Earlier in the day, Lukashenko warned that the strikes would deepen the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and could lead to Belarus losing its niche in global markets.

After the crackdown, police stood back Thursday and Friday as protests grew in Minsk and other cities. Women, many dressed in white and carrying flowers and portraits of detained loved ones, formed human chains on Thursday as motorists honked in support. Dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms in the trash.

The demonstrations have spread even though they lack leaders. Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to stop protests in an earlier video that her associates said was recorded under pressure from law enforcement officials while she was still in Minsk. The 37-year-old former teacher had joined the race to replace her husband, an opposition blogger, who has been jailed since May.

In the video released Friday, Tsikhanouskaya again challenged the election results, saying that copies of protocols from precincts where the vote was counted fairly show her winning 60% to 70%. She urged the government to end violence and engage in dialogue with protesters.

The Belarusians will never want to live under the current government, she said. The authorities have turned peaceful demonstrations into a bloodbath.

She also announced she was setting up a co-ordination council to help ensure a peaceful transition of power.

As Lukashenko faces new Western sanctions, he moved quickly to mend ties with his main sponsor and ally, Russia, after Belarus arrested 32 private Russian military contractors on charges of planning to stage riots before the election.

Moscow has rejected the accusations, saying the men were en route to another country, and alleged that their arrest was a provocation by Ukraines spy agency that had fed misleading information about their mission to authorities in Minsk.

Russias Prosecutor General Office said Friday the contractors have returned home. Another Russian arrested in Belarus, political consultant Vitaly Shklyarov, who also holds Belarusian citizenship, has remained in custody on charges of organizing riots, according to his lawyer.

-

Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Jim Heintz in Moscow, Lorne Cook in Brussels and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed.
Three police inspectors are among 10 officials from Madhya Pradesh who were selected for Union home ministers Medal for Excellence in Investigation this year. They have been instrumental in cracking three different rape and murder cases in which minors were the victims. In two of the three cases, the accused were awarded death penalty while in third case, the accused was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The names of the 10 police officials figured among 121 officials selected from across the country for the honour, as per official information.

The police officers from Madhya Pradesh include Additional Superintendent of Police Hansraj Singh, Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Punnu Singh Parastey, and inspectors Sunil Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar Chouksey, Praveen Kumar Kumre, Arvind Singh Tomar and Gopal Ghasle. Kewal Singh Parte, Deepti Mishra and Priti Patil, all sub-inspectors, have also been given the prestigious medal.

According to police officials, Chouksey, who is presently posted in Bhopal, had investigated a case regarding rape and murder of a seven-year-old in neighbouring Vidisha district when he was in charge of Civil Lines police station. The crime was committed in 2015 and the trial court awarded death penalty to the convict in September 2019. Ravi Toli, who was convicted, was out of bail in connection with a molestation case when he committed the crime.

Expressing his joy over the award, Chouksey said, It was a tough case to crack and our team had to make a lot of efforts to get to the accused. But our efforts ensured justice to the victim and her family.

Chouksey had played key role in arrest of a serial killer Adesh Khambra too in 2018, who belongs to Mandideep in Bhopal and whose accomplices killed more than 30 truck drivers and cleaners and looted goods in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and other states.

Similarly, Kumre had investigated a rape case when he was posted in Piparia town of Hoshangabad district in 2018, in which a four-year-old girl was raped and murdered. Agitated over the heinous crime, people had staged a massive protest and ghearoed the police station. The accused was tracked down after police continued its intensified investigation round the clock and several days at a stretch. The accused was sentenced to capital punishment.

Kumre said, There was tremendous pressure on the entire police force to nab the criminal. We looked into footage of more than 50 CCTV cameras. My jeep was like my residence for four to five days during investigation. We produced all the evidence and the accused was given death penalty.

Tomar had solved a kidnapping, rape and murder case in Ujjain in 2019. The victim was a four-year-old girl who was raped and whose dead body was thrown in Shipra river in June 2019.

He said during intensive investigation more than 50 suspects were questioned when they found a porn video in the mobile phone of one of them. That man turned out to be the accused.

The court delivered its judgment in 84 days and sentenced the accused to life imprisonment till his death.
On Sunday SKY News screens a special Teddy Sheean VC: A Hero At Last as Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert provides an insight into the extraordinary life of Teddy Sheean, the Tasmanian World War II hero who was this week awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

Australias highest military honour for acts of bravery in wartime, the Victoria Cross is awarded to those who, in the presence of the enemy, display extreme gallantry, devotion to duty, valour and self-sacrifice.

Seaman Teddy Sheean died on 1 December 1942 during an attack by Japanese aircraft which sank HMAS Armidale in the Arafura Sea.

After the order to abandon ship, then 18-year old Teddy Sheean stayed at his post, firing as the ship sank, saving the lives of 49 crewmates.

Finally, after an almost 80-year fight to see his valour recognised, Edward Teddy Sheean takes his place as the 101st Australian to be awarded a Victoria Cross, the nations greatest tribute to the bravest of the brave.

As we mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Sky News special will look at Teddy Sheeans early life and feature interviews with the leaders of the campaign who were instrumental in seeing him finally awarded the VC.

Tomorrow (Saturday) 10am AEST, Sky News will have live coverage of the commemorative service marking the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

Teddy Sheean VC: A Hero At Last Sunday Night Special Event at 8:30pm AEST
Governor Greg Abbotts Small Business Team will be hosting a webinar on starting a small business in Texas on Wednesday.

The free webinar will take place 1-2 p.m. It will provide sources of information of entrepreneurs as well as resources that can help small businesses sustain success.

Topics include choosing a business structure; registering a business or business name; registering for tax payments; permitting/licensing in Texas; and where to get free help and advice.

A live question and answer session will also take place for attendees to pick the brains of the expert panel. The session has a maximum capacity of 10,000 attendees.

To register for the webinar, visit https://gov.texas.gov/business/event/governors-small-business-webinar-starting-a-business-in-texas.
Now, all of this may sound like old history. But the raw racism of postwar housing policy cast a long shadow over our society. For the 20 or so years that followed World War II represented a unique opportunity for the middle class to solidify its position  an opportunity that was denied to Black people.

You see, the 50s and 60s were an era both of relatively good pay for ordinary workers and of relatively cheap suburban housing. Wages were fairly high, in part because America still had a strong union movement, and houses were affordable, as long as you had access to those federal housing programs. So millions of Americans got a chance to build some wealth.

Then the window of opportunity closed. Wages, adjusted for inflation, stagnated. Housing prices soared, in part because building restrictions in many suburbs banned multifamily units. And Black families, who were shut out of a rising market at a time when many other Americans were sharing in the fruits of a housing boom, found the financial barriers to homeownership especially daunting.

So Trumps Suburban Lifestyle Dream is basically a walled village that the government built for whites, whose gates were slammed shut when others tried to enter.

What is Biden proposing to remedy at least some of these injustices? Reasonable, significant, but hardly revolutionary stuff  things like expanding rental vouchers while cracking down on redlining and exclusionary zoning. Trump may claim that such policies would destroy suburbia, but that only makes sense if you believe that the only alternative to bloody anarchy is a community that looks exactly like Levittown in 1955.

And its very important to understand that none of the scare talk about a war on the suburbs has anything to do with the usual conservative rhetoric about freedom and not having the government tell Americans what to do. Individual choices and free markets arent what made America such a segregated, unequal society. Discrimination was a statist policy, involving the exercise of political power to deny people free choice.

And it still goes on. What the Black Lives Matter movement has done is to reveal to many white Americans that were still a long way from being a society in which everyone is treated equally by the law, whatever the skin color. (Black Americans already knew that very well.)

But the big difference between the parties now is that Biden and Harris are trying to make things better, trying to make us more like the country were supposed to be. Trump and Mike Pence, by contrast, are basically trying to make open racism great again.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.
Dubai, Aug 14 : Independence Day celebrations at the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai scheduled to take place on Saturday will be livestreamed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it was reported on Friday.

The commemoration will start with Aman Puri, Consul General of India to Dubai and Northern Emirates, unfurling the tricolour at 7.30 a.m., followed by the singing of the Indian national anthem and reading of message from the President of India Ram Nath Kovind, reports Gulf News.

This will be followed by a short cultural programme, which, however, will be attended only by Indian Consulate officials.

"Due to the current coronavirus situation and social distancing norms, it is not possible for the people to come to the Consulate to celebrate this day," a statement from the CGI sent to Gulf News said on Thursday.

"We look forward to celebrating this auspicious occasion virtually. We request people to join us virtually on Facebook page India In Dubai - Consulate General of India, Dubai (@IndianConsulate.Dubai) and our twitter handle India In Dubai (@cgidubai) for live updates," it added.

Latest updates on Independence Day 2020
The Toronto public school board wants to create smaller elementary class sizes this fall  a key demand of parents and educators during the COVID-19 pandemic  but in order to do that, school reopening might have to be delayed a week, or the start-up date staggered, says the chair.

We will probably go for smaller class sizes, and a vote on the issue is scheduled for early next week, said newly elected chair Alexander Brown, the trustee for Willowdale.

But the issue is, where do we put all the kids? In my area, schools are at 100, 110 per cent capacity. We dont have any room. We need time to find space in libraries or community centres or wherever we can to set up those classes.

The city of Toronto is offering to help with extra space required to offer smaller classes, loaning use of community centres or other city buildings.

On Thursday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced new funding for boards COVID costs, and also said they could dip further into their reserves to fund more staff.

While the Toronto board is reluctant to fund all the extra staffing using reserves  it would cost about $20 million for some 200 extra teachers  it is hoping to be able to access some previously promised provincial funding to take as little as possible from its contingency fund.

But Brown said regardless of how the positions are paid for, the board needs about a week to reorganize classrooms and find space, and said the director and previous chair have had discussions with the city about moving into unused public space.

Our goal is to bring in smaller class sizes for safety first, and thats what parents are telling us  they want those smaller classes, period.

However, Brown said, if (the government) told us this about a month ago, we might have been able to do it for the start of the school year.

The Toronto District School Boards plan could see 200 teachers hired and elementary class sizes shrink to 15 to 20 students, depending on the grade. It would mean a shorter school day to accommodate teacher prep time.

After an unrelated event Friday, Toronto Mayor John Tory told reporters the TDSB first approached the city about borrowing space about a month ago, and talks continue.

School board officials have been non-specific in the sense that they havent said, as of yet, We want this community centre or that space, Tory said.

The city offer stands, Tory added, saying we will do our very best, to help ensure kids get back to school safely.

In a formal letter sent to both TDSB and TCDSB officials Friday, Toronto Public Health repeated its earlier recommendation for smaller class sizes and that schools consider pushing back the scheduled September start date or stagger start times for students in order to allow sufficient time for public health measures to be incorporated.

The Aug. 14 letter from Dr. Eileen de Villa, the citys medical officer of health, said that while TPH is generally supportive of the ministrys back-to-school plan, it also made several recommendations to build on those measures.

Physical distancing for elementary school children could be achieved by splitting kindergarten classes into two cohorts, according to the letter, noting that it would require more room and more staff.

It also recommended mandating students and staff fill out a questionnaire as part of an active screening process when entering the school rather than the self-assessment now required under provincial guidelines.

with files from Jennifer Pagliaro

David Rider is the Stars City Hall bureau chief and a reporter covering city hall and municipal politics. Follow him on Twitter: @dmrider

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Mumbai, Aug 14 : Actor Sonu Sood is being hailed as messiah of migrants lately, due to his efforts in helping them reach home during the pandemic-induced lockdown. However, there was a time when things were not so rosy for him here.

Talking about his days of struggle, Sonu said: "I am an engineer, and after my graduation when I went back to my family, I thought I would start a family business there. But I always wished to come to Mumbai. Initially I thought that my parents would stop me from going to Mumbai as I am their only son, but my mother asked me to go and achieve my dreams." "I still remember when I first came to Mumbai, I had Rs 5,500 which I had saved. I went to Film City, paid Rs 400 to get an entry because I was stopped at the gate. I thought that if I roamed around in Film City, a director or a producer would spot me and cast me in their project, which never happened. It is only because of my parents' blessings that I am here now," added the actor, who had started his film career with the 1999 Tamil movie "Kallazhagar".

Sonu opened up on his film journey while shooting for the Azadi special episode of the show "India's Best Dancer".

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
'There is room for cautious optimism following the Harris anointment that America will return this year to more normal politics after the aberration of the Trump presidency,' points out Shreekant Sambrani.

IMAGE: Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event, on her first joint appearance with Presidential candidate Joe Biden after being named by Biden as his running mate, at the Alexis Dupont high school in Wilmington, Delaware, August 12, 2020. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Joe Biden, the Democratic presumptive nominee for president of the United States in the November 2020 election, had hinted about 10 days earlier that Kamala Harris, the junior Senator from California and his one-time rival for the nomination, would be his choice for the vice-presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket.

His formal announcement to that effect on the evening of August 11 did not, therefore, cause any surprises. It evoked from President Donald Trump the expected response, that Harris was a most mean person, presumably referring to her bitter attack on US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation hearings last year.

Biden had declared almost as soon as he clinched the nomination that his choice for the second spot on the ticket would be a woman.

His confidante Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan recused herself from consideration and suggested that Biden should preferably consider a person of colour. That narrowed the field considerably.

Senators Elizabeth Warner and Amy Klobuchar, both candidates for the nomination and on early short lists for the vice-presidential position, were almost disqualified on the race criterion.

Susan Rice, President Obama's former ambassador to the United Nations and national security adviser, Keisha Bottoms, the feisty mayor of Atlanta, and Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago, both much in the headlines because of the unrest in their cities and the Black Lives Matter movement, figured in the new short list along with Harris.

IMAGE: Joe Biden tweeted this picture with the caption 'Let's go win this, Kamala Harris'. Photograph: Kind courtesy @JoeBiden/Twitter

It is easy to see why Harris has got the nod finally. Susan Rice has not contested an election and is not necessarily an asset in drawing votes that would add to Biden's own.

Both Bottoms and Lightfoot have limited and relatively controversial records in office. Harris has been in responsible positions much longer, since 2004, as district attorney of a major city, San Francisco (up to 2011), attorney general of California (2011-2016) and US Senator for the last four years.

There is much more that would recommend her to a pragmatic politician like Biden. While she is of mixed Afro-Jamaican and Indian parentage (which balances Biden's Irish background in the political arithmetic of the US), she is not identified with the rather strident politics and language of the inner city Afro-Americans.

She is urbane, sophisticated and articulate, qualities that enhance her appeal the middle class, middle age urban and suburban America, the key to electoral success.

This vital demographic would be somewhat suspicious, if not actually scared, of the likes of the more harshly spoken firebrand Democratic Congresswomen Karen Bass and Alexandra Ocasio Sanchez.

In fact, Harris comes from pretty much the same background as that of former president Barack Obama -- middle class professional families, highly educated, serious in their pursuit of political careers, and communicating articulately with a vast stretch of the key demographic.

Obama actually said that Harris's life story pretty much resonates with those of like him. A rather distasteful term, Oreo politicians (like the cookie, black on the outside but white on the inside), is often used to describe such politicians.

IMAGE: Kamala Harris on Detroit. Photograph: Rebecca Cook/Reuters

But unlike Obama, Harris has experienced significant racial discrimination first hand. She was part of a Berkeley school desegregation programme when she had just started kindergarten and bussed over a long distance to a white majority school.

After her parents's divorce in 1972, when she and her sister visited their father in Palo Alto, they were not very welcome in children's playgrounds because of their skin colour.

And when she moved to Montreal as a teenager, she attended a school that was mostly white, although not overtly discriminatory.

She has referred to these experiences in her primary campaigns (including rather sharp criticism of Biden for not being fully supportive of school integration) to forge a strong link directly to the Afro-American community, something which Michelle Obama had to do for her husband during his presidential campaign in 2008.

IMAGE: Kamala Harris, right, with her youngest aunt Mahalakshmi.

Harris describes herself as a pragmatic progressive. Her record as a law enforcement officer in San Francisco and later as the attorney general of the state was rather conservative; she took a somewhat harder line on arresting criminals and demanding tougher sentences, which would not sit well with the Afro-American vote block, but would offer greater comfort to the whites.

She has generally adopted what in the US is considered a left-leaning approach, with regard to corporate taxation and health care, espousing many of the ideas and concerns of that doughty warrior, Senator Bernie Sanders, the last standing challenger for Biden.

And unlike Hillary Clinton, she brings no heavy baggage from her past personal or political life.

IMAGE: US Senator Kamala Harris. Photograph: Jana Asenbrennerova/Reuters

Although Harris is no spring chicken at 55, she is almost a whole generation younger than Biden. If he wins the election, on January 20, 2021, he would be the oldest American to occupy the White House, at the age of 78 years and 60 days. The present holder of that distinction, Ronald Reagan, demitted office at the age of 77 years and 348 days in 1989.

Given Biden's history of brain surgeries, the voters would be more than usually concerned about the possible successor, who would be proverbially 'one heartbeat away from the seat of power'. Harris's selection should allay those fears somewhat.

Politics is essentially alchemy of compromise of electoral arithmetic. Yesterday's foes are today's best friends.

George Bush Senior bitterly attacked Ronald Reagan during the presidential primaries of 1980 as a practitioner of voodoo economics, yet ended up being Reagan's loyal vice president for eight years. There is no reason to suspect that Biden and Harris will not get along well despite their earlier rivalry.

IMAGE: Biden and Harris during a campaign stop in Detroit. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Thus from most angles, Biden could not have made a more sanguine choice. But it is far from certain that the Biden-Harris combination will defeat Trump in November 2020.

The incumbent president is well behind in polls, but he was there in 2016 as well. He has not exactly set the Potomac on fire in his first term in office, but neither did George W Bush.

Trump also has seemingly rock-solid support of 40 per cent of the Republicans. He will certainly play up to the gallery by fear-mongering about his Democratic opponents, calling them opportunistic leftists.

Then there is always the feared October surprise, when incumbency or random events could upset earlier calculations.

This year, the great unpredictability caused the world over by the coronavirus pandemic looms ever larger on all activities, including the American presidential election, perhaps more significant for the world than any other single event.

Yet there is room for cautious optimism following the Harris anointment that America will return this year to more normal politics after the aberration of the Trump presidency.

Shreekant Sambrani is an economist.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
The Supreme Court on Friday held lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt for tweets against the court, and chief justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde.

Bhushan had posted two tweets, one on the Supreme Court on June 27 and the second one on CJI Bobde on June 29. He was served notice by the apex court on July 22.

The top court had on August 5 reserved its verdict in the matter after Bhushan defended his two alleged contemptuous tweets saying they were against the judges regarding their conduct in their personal capacity and they did not obstruct administration of justice.

The first tweet, reproduced in the court, said: When historians in the future look back at the last six years to see how democracy has been destroyed in India even without a formal Emergency, they will particularly mark the role of the SC in this destruction, and more particularly the role of the last four CJIs. The second tweet said: The CJI rides a 50-lakh motorcycle belonging to a BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] leader at Raj Bhavan, Nagpur, without wearing a mask or helmet, at a time when he keeps the SC on lockdown mode denying citizens their fundamental right to access justice!

Bhushan, in his affidavit, regretted saying Bobde was not wearing a helmet. He added he failed to notice the bike was stationary and that the CJI was not riding but merely sitting on it.

On July 22, the top court had issued a show cause notice to Bhushan after initiating the criminal contempt against him for his two tweets.

Another suo motu contempt petition is also pending before the same three-judge bench against Bhushan for calling past CJIs corrupt in a 2009 interview to Tehelka magazine. Bhushan had offered an explanation but the Supreme Court refused to accept the same and ruled, on August 10, that it will hear the matter in detail. That case is now listed for hearing on August 17.
1. The Postal Service warned it may not meet some states mail-in ballot deadlines.

In a letter sent in July to states across the country  including the election battleground states of Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan  the general counsel for the Postal Service said their deadlines created a risk that ballots requested near the deadline under state law will not be returned by mail in time to be counted.

He urged states to require residents to request ballots at least 15 days before an election  rather than just the four days allowed under some state laws. It was the latest development in a growing controversy over the new postmaster generals handling of vote-by-mail operations.
President and CEO, Charlotte Dymarkowski stated, Its exciting to be listed among the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies. Its important to note that our growth and success is the result of a company that operates as a team, not only internally, but also with the high-quality contractors, construc

Inc. magazine today revealed that Swanton, Ohio based, Foundation Steel, LLC is No. 3210 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Foundation Steel, LLC was founded by Charlotte Dymarkowski in 2008. Charlotte Dymarkowski is the sole owner of Foundation Steel, LLC. She is the President and CEO of Foundation Steel, LLC. The company provides construction services in concrete reinforcing, structural steel erection, metal building construction, machinery moving and crane rail maintenance throughout Ohio and southern Michigan. Foundation Steel currently employs 204 employees with its field staff primarily represented by the Ironworkers Union. In 2019 Foundation Steel, LLC had revenues of $43,386,953.00.

President and CEO, Charlotte Dymarkowski stated, Its exciting to be listed among the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies. Its important to note that our growth and success is the result of a company that operates as a team, not only internally, but also with the high-quality contractors, construction management firms and owners for whom we work. As a subcontractor, it has always been our goal to make the contractor look good and the project a success. Whether we meet the project owner or not, they are very important to us and we want them to be happy. My employees are equally important to me. While I expect a lot from them and always strive to make them and us better, I consider them family. Theyre important. They are what makes Foundation Steel! My employees have sacrificed and fought to make this company what it is. We also benefit from the unions with whom we partner. We are signatory to the International Ironworkers Union and several local Ironworkers Unions, Operators Union, Carpenters and Millwrights Union. Our goal now is to maintain our level of revenue, increase our efficiency and perfect the integration of all our various processes. We need a little rest from the upward climb then maybe well climb again. For now, we need to shore up what weve built and breathe. Id like to publicly thank all my employees who have gone through the trial of growth with us; you are appreciated!"

For more information contact Charlotte Dymarkowski at charlotte@foundationsteel.net or 419-402-4241.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has spoken about Armenias relations with Russia, the EU, the United States and Iran.

In an interview with BBCs HARDtalk, Pashinyan said Armenia is maintaining good relationships with all of the above mentioned.

Russia is strategic partner of Armenia in terms of security. We are member of Eurasian Economic Union, which is economic union, and we have comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement with European Union and by the way now the European Union is our main partner in our reform agenda implementation. We have quite effective cooperation with NATO, and by the way we are participating in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, in Lebanon, in Kosovo, in Mali, and we have quite effective military cooperation with United States too, the Armenian PM said.

Pashinyan reiterated that by saying strategic partnership he means long-term cooperation, and that at the same time Armenia has good relations with Iran and with the US.

We have good relations with Iran and we are doing our best to keep our good relations with United States and with Iran, and in the same time be fully devoted to our international commitments.

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan
The city hall in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv is lit up in the colours of the United Arab Emirates national flag on August 13, 2020. Jack Guez | AFP | Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates' peace deal with Israel is a "win-win solution" that takes away the "looming threat" of annexation in the West Bank, according to the Gulf country's minister of state for foreign affairs. "We were in Arab League meetings ... and the whole idea was, what do we do to stop this annexation? Somehow, annexation seemed as a looming threat that will undermine any prospects of a two-state solution," Anwar Gargash told CNBC's Dan Murphy on Thursday. His comments were made shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday that both countries agreed to normalize relations, making the UAE the first Persian Gulf state and the third Arab nation to have open diplomatic ties with Israel.

It's a good day for Israel and for the UAE, they both get something out of this that they very much want. Thomas Warrick Atlantic Council

"The UAE was quite active diplomatically and we took an unprecedented step of our ambassador ... saying basically that annexation will just wreck the whole prospect of negotiations and peace, and will affect Israel's prospects of establishing relations with the Arab world," Gargash said. "I can't really pinpoint a certain moment, but the idea developed that why don't we actually create a win-win solution," he added. Thomas Warrick, non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, agreed with the sentiment. "It's a good day for Israel and for the UAE, they both get something out of this that they very much want," he said. "The UAE shows its value as a strategic partner to both U.S. political parties. Israel gets out of their being stuck over the settlements issue ... This gives them a valuable prize, normalization of relations with the UAE." Gargash described the deal as a way of "defusing a real threat" to a two-state solution and "hopefully" allowing negotiations to restart, but not a "roadmap for peace" between Israel and Palestine. "This is really up to the Palestinians, up to the Israelis, up to other traditional brokers such as the Americans," he said.

Criticism of the agreement

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the leadership "rejects and denounces" the treaty, while Turkey released a statement that said history "will not forget and never forgive this hypocritical behavior of the UAE," according to a Reuters report. Iran, a common adversary of Israel and the UAE, also condemned the deal. State news agency IRNA reported that the country's foreign ministry on Friday termed the decision as a "strategic act of idiocy" and said it was a "dangerous" move. Ahead of that statement, Gargash said he wouldn't be surprised by pronouncements from Iran, given that the Islamic Republic still does not accept Israel as a state. "The Arabs, I think have gone beyond that, the Palestinians have gone beyond that," he said. "The Iranian position on this issue is static."
French Prime Minister Jean Castex led tributes to six French aid workers killed by suspected jihadists in Niger as their bodies arrived home in Paris on Friday.

The four women and two men were killed on Sunday along with their Nigerien guide and driver in a wildlife haven about an hour's drive southeast from the capital Niamey.

The victims worked for French NGO Acted and were aged between 25 and 30.

The national tribute in the VIP section of Paris's Orly airport was closed to the media. Castex was joined by several senior ministers.

"It's important that the nation pays homage to them," said Jerome Bertin, the head of France Victimes federation.

"Their families want their commitment to be really cited... they were not tourists killed in Niger but young people engaged in helping the people of this country."

The country, one of the poorest in the world, is struggling with incursions by Islamists from both Nigeria to the south and Mali to the west.

Castex said the aid workers were "very likely" the victims of "the same lack of inhumanity" that took place during the November 2015 attacks in Paris.

"It's very likely the same hatred, the same cowardice, the same inhumanity that was at work in Niger and in the Bataclan, even though we're not yet in a position to put a name to the organisation behind this heinous crime, which has all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack," he said.

In Paris, French anti-terror prosecutors said they would investigate charges of "murders with links to a terrorist enterprise" and "criminal terrorist association".

There have been no claims of responsibility so far.

A judicial source in Paris told AFP the attack was "premeditated" and "targeting Westerners".

French President Emmanuel Macron described it as "manifestly a terrorist attack" and said there would be repercussions.

"We're pursuing action to eradicate the terrorist groups, with the strengthened support of our partners," Macron said.

Story continues

The president did not elaborate on the exact nature of the measures envisaged but Castex said the "odious crime" would not go unpunished.

Acted has decided temporarily to suspend work in Niger but has stressed it will not pull out of the country.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Press release

SHL announces invitation to a Special General Meeting

Tel Aviv / Zurich, August 14, 2020 - SHL Telemedicine Ltd. (SIX Swiss Exchange: SHLTN) ("SHL" or the "Company"), a leading provider and developer of advanced personal telemedicine solutions, announced today that a Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Shareholders will be held on September 21, 2020 at 13:00 (Israel Time), at the Company's registered office, located at 90 Yigal Alon Street, Ashdar Building, Tel Aviv, Israel. The agenda shall include the following matters:

Following the approval of the Compensation Committee and of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") - the approval of the compensation to directors for participation in meetings via electronic means. Following the approval of the Compensation Committee and of the Board - the approval of the 2020 Compensation Policy of the Company. Following the approval of the Compensation Committee and of the Board - the approval of bonuses to the Company's former CEO, and to the Company's CFO and CTO for the year 2019. Following the approval of the Audit Committee and of the Board - the approval of an engagement in a consulting agreement with Mrs. Irit Alroy, the wife of Mr. Yariv Alroy, the Chairman of the Board.

All of the above is more fully set forth in the Notice to Shareholders available on the Company's website.

The record date was set for August 21, 2020.

One or more shareholders holding shares representing at least one percent (1%) of the voting rights at the General Meeting may request the Board, in writing, not later than seven (7) days from the date of the invitation to the Special General Meeting, to include an item on the agenda of the Special General Meeting to be held. Such item shall be included on the Special General Meeting's agenda, provided that the Board found it to be suitable for discussion at the Special General Meeting. Should there be any changes in the agenda of the Special General Meeting due to such shareholder's request, amended ballot and notice shall be available on the Company's website at http://www.shl-telemedicine.com/about-us/investorrelations/ general-meeting not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the invitation to the Special General Meeting.

The invitation to the SGM shall not be published in newspapers. The full invitation to the SGM can be downloaded on http://www.shl-telemedicine.com/about-us/investorrelations/general-meeting/.

For further information please contact:

Martin Meier-Pfister, IRF, Phone: +41 43 244 81 40, shl@irf-reputation.ch

About SHL Telemedicine

SHL Telemedicine is engaged in developing and marketing personal telemedicine systems and the provision of medical call center services, with a focus on cardiovascular and related diseases, to end users and to the healthcare community. SHL Telemedicine offers its services and personal telemedicine devices to subscribers utilizing telephonic and Internet communication technology. SHL is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SHLTN, ISIN: IL0010855885, Security No.: 1128957). For more information, please visit our web site at www.shl-telemedicine.com.

Some of the information contained in this press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. SHL Telemedicine undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
It was 1918, three years after he returned to India from South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi thought he had a mild case of dysentery while in Ahmedabad. Tempted by an offer of kheer made by Kasturba, he went on to be severely affected. This was sufficient invitation to the angel of death, he later wrote in Experiments with Truth . What Gandhi had was a gastric version of the infamous Spanish flu, a pandemic that devastated the world towards the end of the World War I, a gripping story told in Laura Spinneys The Pale Rider.

The state of the world seemed immutable only a year ago. The global braid of politics, economics, dominance and relationships were all knotted together in a way that seemed impossible to redo.

In December 2019, all this changed. A spillover occurred. A virus, normally resident in bats infected a human, in Wuhan, China. Often, the story would have ended there. The human would recover and all would be well. This time, the virus had the ability to infect another human from its first human host and then others. If the 1918 flu pandemic spread like ripples in a pond, the SARS-Coronavirus-2 has spread Covid-19 like a stone-hopping across the pond of earth. Not only has the disease wreaked havoc on the health and livelihood of the most vulnerable, the consequential damage to the worlds economy and morale has been immense. Lives and families are in disarray. The stress and the effect on mental health are not to be underestimated.

On Independence day, as we look back from January 30, when the first case was reported in India, to the present, we need to grasp three strings  acknowledge citizens with pride, grasp the way out of this pandemic, and take a new path  to create a new braid that will hold India and the world together in a more just way.

To anyone unfamiliar with India, it would seem extraordinary how all of India observed lockdowns from the first one onwards. Next, our doctors, nurses and hospitals worked relentlessly. Our administrators from the smallest towns to the big metros have also not rested. Our scientists and engineers, our industry, our farmers, all came together to make extraordinary products for our people and the medical system, defying broken global supply chains.

From within government at every level, and at every level in the bureaucracy, there was and is an unflinching commitment to deal with each aspect of this pandemic. These are extraordinary times where decisions, based on complex and multifarious inputs, have to be taken each day, accepted by all each day, and then implemented. All of this under the relentless, eagle-eyed, and critical watch of the media, of intellectuals, and of disease-analysts; all necessary and natural feedback in a democracy.

Now, as we go two-thirds of the way through this nightmare year, it is more necessary than ever to wake up, take charge and wrest our lives and livelihood back, and not be numbed into inaction, waiting for a miracle to lead us out. In truth, that miracle is here and it is all of us. We have learnt much about the virus and we need to learn a lot more. But, some conclusions from science are very persuasive.

Following them, we can crush the virus and get our lives back. Mask up properly when in company. Observe hygiene. Keep a distance from others, and as much as feasible, stay in ventilated spaces. These are simple to say but often hard to do. Yet, we must keep at it. These acts effectively decrease the spread of the virus.

External help is also at hand. Through the efforts of scientists, we are getting better and faster diagnostics tests. In the near future, we will have access to inexpensive and frequent tests, allowing us to carry on with our activities more efficiently than we could in the early stages of the pandemic. Drugs that mitigate the severity of the disease are available and more will come steadily. Drugs that prevent the disease are more difficult, but large efforts are underway. Increasingly, successful vaccines appear more and more promising. They will come and be rolled out, we expect. Studies are ongoing but it seems likely that those who have recovered will be immune to re-infection at least for a while. So, the time, if ever there was one, for shock and despondency is long over. We need to focus on innovative ways to recover and brighten the lives of every Indian.

While behaviour, drugs and vaccines will give us an exit from the disease, we need to also pull ourselves up into a new route to recovery and prosperity. The fury of the pandemic has brought together our people and their expectations, our industry and its aspirations, our scientists and their purpose, and our governments (at the Centre and the states) at the helm. Analysts, over many years, have lamented the silo mentality in each of our structures and how, if only, we worked with a shared purpose, much can be done. We have worked together during the pandemic, because, now we must work together as that is the only future we have.

Here, science and technology has a critical role and must take courage and place itself at the centre. For the first time in many, many years, people have demanded research, not just the fruits of research. There is an appreciation of and expectation from scientists of every kind.

We, therefore have a responsibly of immense proportions. Speaking in 1941 on language and science, Albert Einstein said that if the goals of a society are clearly articulated, scientists will find the means to reach them. If there is perfection of means and confusion of goals and much of our science has been trapped in this cage  will not move ahead. The pandemic has shaken us to what our goals should be  we must focus on the environment, biodiversity and sustainable development through Aatmavishwaas and Aatmanirbharata.

Ill with flu in the 1918 pandemic, the Mahatma did not flinch and instilled both. On this Independence day, we must take that path again.

K Vijay Raghavan is principal scientific adviser, Government of India

The views expressed are personal
#AHORA - Lambayeque | Ministro @JLMONTENEGROCH se reune con los integrantes del Comando Covid-19 y autoridades locales en el Grupo Aereo N 6 FAP - Chiclayo, con el proposito de articular esfuerzos y trabajar estrategias conjuntas para combatir el virus en la region. pic.twitter.com/2pvyWTWQ8K
President Trump announces the UAE-Israeli deal Thursday at the White House. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

The United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to work toward establishing full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt, for now, Israel's controversial plans to annex occupied West Bank land sought by Palestinians for their future state.

If the UAE establishes formal ties with Israel, it would be only the third Arab country  after Jordan and Egypt  to recognize Israel, and the first Gulf nation to do so.

In announcing the agreement Thursday at the White House, President Trump hailed it as a historic breakthrough that signaled a "new era" of peace in the Middle East. But throughout the region and in Washington, the agreement, while considered important, was seen as a long way from changing reality in one of the world's most conflicted areas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's de facto ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, issued a joint statement with Trump that said "opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies" would spur growth and forge "closer people-to-people relations."

The statement said they would name their pact after Abraham, the biblical father of all three of the region's major religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

In return, according to the statement, Israel would suspend its plans to annex much of the West Bank lands claimed by the Palestinians  a land grab permitted in a controversial and much-criticized "vision" for peace that Trump released this year after months of purported negotiation by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and other pro-Israel members of his government.

Instead, under the agreement announced Thursday, Israel will "focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

On Friday, Iran and Turkey lashed out at UAE over the deal. Iran's Foreign Ministry called the deal a dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims. Turkey said the peoples of the region would never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behavior by the UAE.

Story continues

Israel, almost since its founding more than 70 years ago, has been regarded as a pariah in the region.

Most Arab countries forbid direct travel from their nations to Israel. There is no telephone service between many Arab countries and Israel. With rare exception, conferences in Arab countries will not officially include Israelis. It was huge news recently when the Israeli anthem was played upon the win by an Israeli athlete in an international judo tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Only Egypt, on Israel's southern border, and Jordan to the east have official relations and embassies in Tel Aviv (with Israeli embassies in Cairo and Amman). The isolation has kept a kind of faux seal on Israel's presence, in the view of many Arab countries  and cemented Israel's closest relationships with the U.S., Europe and India, and not its own regional neighbors.

"The UAE-Israel announcement  breaks an important barrier," said Daniel Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Thursday's declaration, the officials involved said, was a prelude to delegations from Israel and the UAE meeting in the coming weeks to forge bilateral agreements in an array of sectors, including tourism, security, telecommunications, technology, energy and healthcare.

Direct flights would be established as well as reciprocal embassies  although it was likely the UAE would go to Tel Aviv and not the disputed holy city of Jerusalem, claimed by both Israel and the Palestinians and controversially recognized as Israeli by Trump, the only world leader to do so.

The statement by two of the United States' most important Middle East allies makes de jure what had been a de facto peace between the two countries. The United Arab Emirates already has a community of some 3,000 Jews, according to Rabbi Marc Schneier, head of a U.S. organization that promotes Jewish-Muslim interfaith relations, and businesses in both countries have long-established commercial links.

Over the last year, relations have grown in the security realm as well, with the two governments working in tandem with the U.S. on containing Iran as well as the Muslim Brotherhood. The UAE this year worked with Israeli authorities to deliver coronavirus assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

But Palestinians, who have been largely left out of U.S.-Israel negotiations, condemned the UAE announcement, saying they felt betrayed. Maintaining a unified international Arab bloc against Israel has long been the Palestinians' most important bargaining tool to gain statehood.

"The Palestinian leadership rejects what the United Arab Emirates has done and considers it a betrayal of Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause," said Nabil abu Rudaineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, alluding to one of Islam's holiest sites in Jerusalem. The UAE action is an affront to Palestinians' "legitimate rights in their homeland" and "an aggression against the Palestinian people."

Crown Prince Zayed said on Twitter that stopping "further annexation of Palestinian territories" was his principal goal and that he and Israel had merely agreed to establishing a "road map towards establishing a bilateral relationship  a far cry from actual normalization of ties.

Furthermore, Netanyahu had already put his annexation plans on hold at least until the U.S. presidential election in November for fear of harming Trump's reelection hopes, diplomats told The Times.

Each leader has an interest in casting this agreement to his political advantage. While Zayed wants to be seen as stopping annexation, Trump  and to a lesser extent Netanyahu  has politics on his mind.

In making Thursday's announcement at the Oval Office, Trump made no secret of his hopes that the deal would boost his reelection chances. He used lofty rhetoric to describe an important but limited deal, suggesting he had found the key to world peace. He lined up several of his government members, having each, one by one in stilted speeches, lavish praise on him more than address the issue at hand.

The Trump administration is widely regarded as the most pro-Israel, and anti-Palestinian, in recent U.S. history; Trump, whose family has business and ideological interests in occupied territories, refused to endorse the decades-old U.S. support for a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state sitting alongside Israel, and he accepted Israeli claims to Jerusalem as its capital with no regard for Palestinian claims.

Later Thursday, Kushner, briefing reporters, incorrectly portrayed Trump's earlier peace plan for the Middle East, claiming it required sacrifices of Israel that brought countries such as the UAE on board. Saying that Trump's approach was game-changing, he told reporters that giving this president "another four years" would lead to an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity for the Middle East.

The announcement of possible Israeli-UAE ties was welcomed almost universally among American Jewish groups and U.S. lawmakers, among whom support for Israel is strong. But there were caveats.

Putative Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden noted that rapprochement was built on "the efforts of multiple administrations to foster a broader Arab-Israeli opening."

The Israel Policy Forum, a pro-Israel organization that supports Palestinian statehood, said it applauded "the historic announcement" and hoped other Arab countries would join.

"Israels broader acceptance in the region is good for Israel and good for American interests in the Middle East," the organization said in a statement. But "it remains the case that suspending annexation and beginning the process of normalization with the UAE is not the same as achieving regional peace or a permanent status agreement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

For Netanyahu, who hailed the agreement as "the opening of a new era, the news provided welcome relief in the midst of one of the most difficult periods in his long tenure as Israels prime minister.

He is struggling to form a government, fight a raging coronavirus outbreak and possibly fight a reelection battle. He faces almost nightly demonstrations against his rule, and he miscalculated domestic reaction to the controversial Trump peace plan.

"This is an important and strategic milestone for new opportunities in our region," said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, a member of Netanyahus right-wing Likud party who rarely sees eye to eye with Netanyahu.

Times staff writers Bulos and Wilkinson reported from Beirut and Washington, respectively. Special correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Policy Institute (BPPI) has commended the Electoral Commission of Ghana for successfully organizing a very fair, firm, transparent and credible voter registration exercise that will prepare electorates adequately into the December 7 general elections.

A statement signed by the Executive Director of the Institute, Paul Apraku Twum Barimah, described the decision by the EC to compile a new credible voter register based on its mandate as an independent state institution as a bold one by a strong state body.

He maintained that the decision to compile a new register makes a lot of sense since it prepares the path for a credible elections in December this year.

Figures from the Electoral Commission (EC) indicates that a total of 16,932,492 potential voters were registered at the end of day 36 of the voters registration exercise. At the end of the Mop-up Exercise, 30,814 persons successfully registered as part of the 2020 Voters Registration Exercise.

The total number of registered voters at the end of the exercise stands at over 16.9 million (16,963,306).

I am confident that the register that will be used for the 2020 Elections is credible Mr Twum Barima stated.

He also called on all political parties to ensure peace in Ghana and work to support the EC in its quest to deliver credible elections come December 7.
The trailer for Netflix's new thriller The Devil All the Time has fans convinced that Robert Pattinson deserves an Oscar for his performance  and the movie hasn't even come out yet.

The 34-year-old English actor transformed his accent to play corrupt preacher Preston Teagardin in the Southern gothic drama, which is based on Donald Ray Pollock's 2011 novel of the same name.

The chilling trailer leaves the plot of the movie largely a mystery, but many viewers are already hailing it as a triumph after getting a taste of Pattinson's hypnotic Southern drawl.

Leading man: Robert Pattinson plays corrupt preacher Preston Teagardin in the upcominig Netflix thriller The Devil All the Time

Set in rural Southern Ohio between World War II and the Vietnam War, the film follows Arvin Russell (Tom Holland), an orphaned young man who is plagued by his past and the sinister characters lurking in the town.

The trailer shows Pattinson screaming about delusions while giving a passionate sermon in a powder blue suit and ruffled shirt.

Fans gleefully shared their opinions about the upcoming film  and Pattinson's performance  in the comments of the YouTube trailer.

'You know what, Robert could have gone down the "heartthrob" route and star in cheesy chick flicks or be a one-hit-wonder after the Twilight franchise was over. But he is really out here showing his chops,' one person wrote.

Showing his range: The 34-year-old English actor transformed his accent to play the character in the Southern gothic drama

Getting a lot of buzz: Fans flocked to the comments section of the trailer to praise Pattinson's performance in the film, even though it has yet to be released

'Wow, Robert Pattinson has such a big presence in this, really starting to look like one of those power house actors who elevate the level of everything they're in,' another shared.

'When Robert Pattinson has that rage scene, [I] can't help but remember Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood,' someone else commented. 'I can't wait to see his acting career flourish in the next years!'

Others were mesmerized by the English star's convincing Southern accent.

'Robert's accent is ridiculous. He transformed himself completely,' one YouTuber wrote, while another asked: 'That southern drawl is coming out of ROBERT PATTINSON's mouth?'

Chilling: The trailer shows Pattinson screaming about delusions while giving a passionate sermon in a powder blue suit and ruffled shirt

They believe: Fans took to Twitter to insist that Pattinson deserves an Oscar for his role in the anticipated film

While many fans were surprised by his Southern accent, he also showcased one in the 2018 comedy Damsel.

But it's the Twilight star's most recent role that has fans envisioning him getting an Oscar nod in the near future, with some taking to Twitter to say he deserves one for this film.

'#TheDevilAlltheTime is absolutely STACKED with talent but... my words #RobertPattinson is coming for that Oscar,' one Twitter user commented.

Another shared: 'Robert Pattinson Oscar campaign starts now.'

Co-star: The trailer shows Pattinson with actress Eliza Scanlen, who plays Lenora Laferty in the thriller

Fan club: Many people gushed about Pattinson's incredible talent after seeing the trailer

'Robert Pattinson is going to be nominated for 10 Oscars this year,' someone else predicted. 'I love this man.'

Many Twitter users also commented on his accent in the film, with one person insisting it was legit.

'Robert Pattinsons accent is actually spot on,' the fan wrote. 'I can name 20 yt guys from my old high school that talked like that.'

And while Pattinson and Holland are getting a lot of buzz online following the release of the trailer, they aren't film's only Hollywood heavyweights.

Bill Skarsgard, Sebastion Stan, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, and Eliza Scanlen are also featured in the drama, which is slated to premiere on September 16.
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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Fri, August 14, 2020 08:15 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dead9b 1 National TerroristSuspect,terrorists,JAD,Densus-88,National-Police,Riau Free

The National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad arrested five suspected terrorists with alleged ties to Islamic State-linked terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) in Kampar regency, Riau, on Tuesday.

The suspects, identified only as SU, TJ, SY, LR and TW, are natives of Kampar who used to work as farmers and food vendors, the police said.

They were arrested following the development of a case in connection with a terrorist suspect, NW, who was arrested on Aug. 1 at his rented house in Parawang, Siak regency, Kampar Police spokesman First Insp. Deni Yusra said on Thursday.

NW had been on the police's most-wanted list for a long time, he said, and the five suspects arrested on Tuesday were alleged to have assisted NW while he was on the run.

Authorities suspected that NW and the five were members of JAD, a militant group believed to have been behind a number of past terror attacks in the country.

According to the police, NW was allegedly involved in assembling explosives and planning an amaliyah -- a term commonly used by extremist groups to launch an attack or suicide bombing -- in some churches in Pekanbaru.

Citing NW's confession, Deni said NW had planned to execute the attack by planting a bomb inside a food cart carrying cilok (skewered tapioca balls) that he sold every day.

NW planned the attack with his partners, namely AZ, ZZ, AM and KH, who had been arrested earlier on June 21, Deni said.

NW was also believed to have planned a suicide bombing at Kampar Police headquarters, he claimed, but Densus 88 managed to arrest them first and foiled the plan.

Deni alleged that the group planned the attacks because they believed that the democratic system in Indonesia was "infidel". The arrested people had also reportedly been involved in the destruction of banners belonging to one of the country's political parties during the 2019 presidential election in Kampar, he added. (dpk)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh (L) - Anadolu

Turkey is granting citizenship to senior operatives of a Hamas terrorist cell, the Telegraph has learned, raising fears that the Palestinian group will have greater freedom to plot attacks on Israeli citizens around the world.

Turkish identity papers seen by the Telegraph show that at least one of 12 senior Hamas members, who are using the country as a base of operations, has received Turkish citizenship and an 11-digit identity number.

According to a senior source, seven of the 12 operatives have received Turkish citizenship, as well as passports, while the other five are in the process of receiving them. In some cases, the operatives are living under Turkish aliases.

Hamas is proscribed by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organisation, while in Britain the group's armed wing has been banned. Hamas says its main goal is to liberate Palestinians from Israeli occupation and establish an Islamic state.

However, Turkey insists the group is a legitimate political movement which has been democratically elected in Gaza.

A senior source in the region claimed of the operatives: "These are not foot soldiers but the most senior Hamas operatives outside of Gaza. [They] are actively raising funds and directing operatives to carry out attacks in the present day.

"The Turkish Government gave in to pressure by Hamas to grant citizenship to its operatives, thereby allowing them to travel more freely, endangering other countries that have listed Hamas as a terror group, the source claimed.

When contacted by the Telegraph about the allegations, a spokesman for the Turkish government declined to comment on what it described as baseless claims against Turkey by a foreign government.

Palestinian members of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, take part in a gathering on January 31, 2016 - AFP

A senior Hamas official denied the allegations, insisting that its members did not operate outside the Palestinian territories and had no role in terrorist activity.

Story continues

The disclosure is likely to alarm the Israeli government and its Western allies, as the former has repeatedly warned Ankara about Hamas activities on Turkish soil.

Turkish passport holders are entitled to visa-free travel to Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Serbia, among other countries. But Turkey is lobbying to extend those privileges to EU countries, where Hamas is feared to be plotting attacks on Israeli citizens.

It comes after a Telegraph investigation revealed that Turkey was hosting some of the Hamas movements most senior figures and allowing them to plan attacks from Istanbul, including an assassination plot against the mayor of Jerusalem. Turkey has denied that it allows Hamas members to plot attacks in its territory.

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, is currently visiting Turkey, where he is due to hold a series of meetings with senior figures -- potentially including Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The two men met last December in Istanbul and posed for a photograph. We will keep on supporting our brothers in Palestine," Mr Erdogan said at the time.

Among those understood to have received Turkish citizenship is Zacharia Najib, the senior Hamas operative who oversaw a plot to assassinate the mayor of Jerusalem, as well as other Israeli public figures.

Jihad Yaamor and Hisham Hijaz, two other senior Hamas officials, are also said to have received Turkish citizenship and passports.

In some cases, the families of the operatives have been granted citizenship. The operatives are considered as active, rather than retired, and are working to raise funds for Hamas and lead its operations, sources said.

Palestinian Hamas police cadets show their skills during a graduation ceremony at the Arafat City police headquarters in Gaza city - AFP

Nearly all of the 12 operatives were released and deported from Israel under the Shalit Deal of 2011, in which 1,027 mostly Palestinian prisoners were set free in exchange for an Israeli soldier.

Israel has repeatedly warned Turkey that Hamas is using its territory to plot attacks, but Ankara has not taken action, prompting accusations that Mr Erdogan is turning a blind eye to terrorist activity. Turkey has denied that it turns a blind eye to terrorism.

Turkish support for Hamas has strained diplomatic relations with Israel, which recently warned it was extremely concerned about the group operating in Turkey.

The disclosure may add to the worries of Western allies about Turkey, which is a member of Nato but has been strongly criticised for purchasing an S-400 missile system from Russia.
Things are slowly starting to open up again in the GTA and, while Ive been enjoying patio visits with friends, Im also having the same conversation everywhere I go: Are you sending your kids back to school? Will you be returning to the classroom in September? Whats going on?

These conversations fill me with anxiety. Im not talking about the usual pre-September anxiety that all teachers face before the start of a new school year. This year, my anxiety has taken a darker turn, as Ontario prepares to open schools for the first time since COVID-19 forced the unprecedented closing of, well, everything, nearly six months ago. Stories like the one reported by Global TVs Travis Dhanraj offering education workers free will and health-care powers of attorney documents for the month of August dont help.

Ontarios Conservative Ford government has revealed its plans for a #SafeSeptember, to widespread criticism. While masking will be mandatory for Grade 4 and above, and there will be cleaning protocols and cohorting in every school, there are stark differences between grade levels. Elementary school kids will head back to unreduced classes, with full days of in-person learning. High school students will have a completely revamped schedule: in-person schooling for only 2.5 hours on alternate days, with 15 students per class. Most learning will still happen online.

Under this plan, my 15-year-old son will spend most of his time learning at home, while my 12-year-old son will be expected to trudge back to class with his new mask collection and a gallon of hand sanitizer the only concessions to our collective changed reality.

Ive been a teacher for more than 16 years  teaching high school English and science  and one of the requirements for this career is being able to think on your feet and adapt to change quickly. Yet this situation has me feeling overwhelmed. My usual first-day-of-school worries have been replaced by a gnawing anxiety, one shared by my education colleagues.

In most discussions about reopening schools, teachers, support staff and administrators are rarely mentioned. Instead, the focus is on students and the chance of kids getting sick. Yet when schools first shut down, the reasoning was that schools were vectors for community transmission. The number of new COVID-19 cases are under control in Canada right now, thanks to our collective vigilance, but reopening schools is the next big step that we as a society are taking  its basically Stage 4 without the fanfare  and the risks will largely be carried by the adults in each school.

At this point in the summer, three weeks before schools are scheduled to reopen and two weeks before teachers are expected to report for mandatory, in-person PD days, I still have no idea how or when I will be teaching. There are simply too many unknowns, each with an uncertain and possibly dangerous outcome. Which means that instead of thinking about normal teacher things, such as lesson plans or what my classes will be like, Im wondering how I will be able to teach effectively, while also keeping myself and my family safe.

These questions should have been answered much earlier in the summer. As a teacher, I will be expected to implement whatever the government, and by extension the school boards, decide. So it is hard to believe that the confusing sample schedules posted on board websites, along with plans for reopening, remain at the tentative phase in mid-August. Worse, different school boards have devised vastly different plans, with seemingly little consultation with each other, as they scramble to implement what the Ford government has demanded. All of which has left me feeling powerless, and deeply disappointed with how the reopening of schools has been managed so far.

As someone who will be on the front lines in a few short weeks, Im left to wait and see what happens next. This has been an exercise in frustration and has led me to wonder what my life outside of school will look like.

Will I be able to safely visit my parents once Ive returned to work? Could my children catch this deadly virus and pass it on to immune-compromised family members without even realizing? Should I update my will? Maybe, possibly, definitely.

And yet, I do want schools to open. Kids need structure; parents need a break. We all want things to return to the way they were, before we ever heard of COVID-19. Schools play an intrinsic role in our society; they represent a sense of normal. Except things arent back to normal, not quite yet.

In the meantime, and for the sake of my own mental health, Ive decided to make the most of each day. While Im bracing for the uncertainty of the upcoming school year, Im also going on bike rides with my kids, visiting my parents, catching up with friends, relishing the summer heat and trying to make the most of this exceptionally peculiar summer while I still can.








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For years, people have debated about the nature of intelligent, extraterrestrial life, including UFO activity, alien abductions and more. However, in spite of this, governments around the world have strongly denied the existence of such phenomena by hiding relevant information and labelling UFOs and alien encounters as natural events.

However, in the last few months, some governments have changed their strategy. And one of them is the U.S. government.

In recent days, a group of congressmen and members of the Pentagon have declared that UFOs are off-world vehicles not made on this earth.

Along these lines, renowned Australian researcher Dr Michael Salla explained in an article posted on Exopolitics.org that this assertion is based on the testimony of Dr Eric Davis, a well-respected physicist who worked a few years ago for EarthTech, a company from Texas involved in advanced aerospace developments. Mr Salla affirms that Dr Davis gave briefings that classified corporate studies were being conducted on the off-world vehicles recovered and held in corporate facilities. Naturally, this means that the US government and military publicly acknowledge that they have conducted secret operations to reverse engineer extraterrestrial craft.

The physicist also declared that Vice-Admiral Thomas Wilson, a high-profile military official, asked from him more information about his works on UFOs in EarthTech. Wilson, who was not allowed to participate in any activity related to this issue has recently expressed that a secret project aimed to reverse engineer a retrieved extraterrestrial vehicle had been carried out a few years ago.

Nonetheless, the extraterrestrial origin of these vehicles does not mean that they necessarily come from outer space. In fact, some ufologists like Alex Collier have spoken for years about underground alien bases in certain locations on Earth, like the Iranian desert or Tibet. This could explain how some of these objects seem to emerge from the sea, the desert or from behind the mountains.

Mr Collier, who has gotten information from direct sources (this means, from aliens themselves), explains that extraterrestrials and humans have worked together to build and operate these bases. Actually, he mentions the special case of two bases in Australia (one in the south, in a location called Pine Gap, and the other in the Great Victoria Desert) that, in his own words, have been built by the CIA. The government and the aliens are both operating in both places, he affirms. However, the UFO expert and contactee says that there are facilities in the Amazon, the Nevada desert (one of them is, naturally, the world-famous Area 51), the Antarctica, Sudan, Egypt, among others.

It is really interesting to see that these secret bases are generally built in remote, almost unreachable areas like deserts or high mountains. Deserts and high mountains (like the Andes or Tibet) have special environmental conditions that make them more appealing to alien activity for two reasons: first, it is a well-known fact that some celestial bodies like Mars show a surface that is almost identical to Earth deserts; and secondly, these locations offer the proper secrecy aliens and government officials need to conduct their experiments. But, what kind of experiments?

For example, some reports suggest that in the underground base located in Dulce, New Mexico, cloning, human and alien crossbreeding, and mind control are common activities. These reports are based on the testimonies of insiders like the late-Phillip Schneider, a researcher who had been hired by a private contractor to perform a classified operation in the area. However, what Mr Schneider found was terrifying.

According to his story, when he and his group entered the underground base, the entities who were working there (in his opinion, Tall Greys) reacted with hostility, killing or severely injuring all the members of the group. He was one of the survivors, but the consequences of this encounter were terribly painful: he developed a carcinogenic reaction in the spot where he was hit by alien weapons.

Nonetheless, from his visitation, the researcher learned that the base had 7 levels (one of them, the third one, included many state offices), each one dedicated to different sorts of experiments: genetic manipulation, mind control, cryogenic storage, among others. Unfortunately, Mr Schneider died in 1996. In spite of being ruled as a suicide, his close friends believed that his death was related to the incident. In fact, his girlfriend asserted that, when she entered his house, all his stuff about UFOs, books on conspiracy theories, and the data of his work was gone, while cash and valuables were still there.

This account could perfectly explain why numberless abductees claim to suffer from health issues after their experiences. And, sadly, why some of them end up dying in extremely questionable circumstances.

In any case, all these valuable evidences clearly suggest that powerful countries like the US, China or Russia, and major aerospace corporations not only know that UFOs are not man-made, but they are also working together with some outworldly visitors to develop new technologies and beyond: they are also carrying out experiments on humans. Nevertheless, these governments generally deny their participation in these activities because they know they are completely unethical. However, as Dr Salla affirms, all this information will astound many working professionals that have ignored decades of testimonial evidence that such programs were being secretly conducted at multiple military and corporate facilities.

Draw your own conclusions
Burma Five Abducted as Feud Between Myanmars Ethnic Rakhine Groups Continues

Arakan Army fighters undergoing military training in Laiza, Kachin State. / The Irrawaddy

YANGONEthnic armed group the Arakan Army (AA) abducted five members of the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) in Rakhine States Ponnagyun Township earlier this week, according to the ALP.

The ALP and its armed wing, the Arakan Liberation Army (ALA), are an ethnic Rakhine revolutionary group formed in 1967 to fight for equality and are based along Myanmars border with Bangladesh and India. The ALP signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015 and is participating in Myanmars peace process.

The AA is an ethnic Rakhine rebel force involved in fierce fighting with the Myanmar military.

Among those abducted are ALP First Joint Secretary Khaing Aung Soe Than, liaison office staff member Khaing Htay and three medical workers from the Rakhine Community Health Workers Association (RCHWA).

According to the ALP, the three health workers were detained by the AA while returning from the funeral of their fellow health worker on Monday.

Khaing Aung Soe Than and Khaing Htay were abducted at their house near Myaunggyi Village, ALP Lieutenant Colonel Khaing Kyaw Hlaing told The Irrawaddy.

In July, the ALP accused the AA of killing three ALA members held in detention. In response to the accusation, AA spokesman Khaing Thukha denied responsibility but said the AA did detain two people for being drunk and disorderly.

In the interview with RFA [Radio Free Asia], Khaing Thukha said they were detained not because they are ALP members, but for being drunk and disorderly, said Lt-Col Khaing Kyaw Hlaing. Khaing Thukha served as general secretary in the ALP and he knows well about Khaing Aung Soe Than. It is hard to believe what he said in his interview that the AA did not detain ALP members.

Some volunteer organizations helping internally displaced people in Rakhine State suggested that the AAs move aims to undermine public trust in the ALP.

According to the ALP, the AA has so far detained ALP members on four occasions, twice in 2017 and twice this year.

A total of 12 ALP members were detained in those incidents and two managed to escape. There are unconfirmed reports that the AA has killed some of the 10 other detainees.

Lt-Col Khaing Kyaw Hlaing also slammed the AA for abducting fellow ethnic Rakhine people. The ALP demanded the immediate release of all ALP members abducted by the AA.

Dozens of ALP members were reportedly killed in an assault by the AA on ALP headquarters on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border in 2017.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

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The restrictions follow similar measures introduced in the US and Canada. Photo: Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Airbnb has announced it will trial to restrict the ability of people under the age of 25 in the UK, France and Spain from renting entire properties, in an attempt to crack down on illegal parties.

The platforms move aims to ensure safety by clamping down on prohibited parties, rowdy and antisocial behaviour to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The trial scheme will stop guests under the age of 25 with fewer than three positive reviews from booking entire homes near their place of residence.

The restrictions, follow similar pilots introduced in June in the United States and Canada, which Airbnb said had reduced the number of unauthorised parties.

READ MORE: From travel to eating out: The social impacts of coronavirus on Britain

Last year, the company banned unauthorised parties at its listings after neighbours in some communities complained about the noise and behaviour of guests  and with COVID-19 there has been greater concern about events where social distancing rules are flouted.

Since the start of lockdown in March several illegal parties were staged through the online rental service, the company has also struggled with bookings like others in the hospitality, travel and leisure industries due to lockdown measures.

Airbnbs director of public policy, Patrick Robinson, said: We want everyone to enjoy the summer safely and while the overwhelming majority of guests on our platform are responsible neighbours, we are absolutely determined to obstruct and weed out anyone intent on causing antisocial behaviour.

We want to do everything we can to be good partners to the communities where hosts live and we hope that our new restriction will make it abundantly clear that there is no home for any unauthorised parties on Airbnb, Robinson added.

Previously, Airbnb was pressured to limit antisocial behaviour after a string of incidents in the US and Canada, saw house parties descend into violence.

The trial measure still allows under-25s to book private rooms and hotel rooms through the platform, while younger guests with at least three positive ratings and no negative reviews can still book entire homes.
BRUSSELS The EUs executive on Friday welcome the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalise diplomatic ties, saying it would benefit both countries and help promote stability in the Middle East.

It is important for both (countries) and for regional stability," a European Commission spokeswoman told a news briefing.

Both countries are our partners and of course  we are committed to a two-state solution and we are of course ready to work on a resumption of the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians."

Under the accord, which U.S. President Donald Trump helped broker, Israel agreed to suspend its planned annexation of areas of the occupied West Bank. It also firms up opposition to regional power Iran, which the UAE, Israel and the United States view as the main threat in the conflict-riven Middle East.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
I wouldn't agree with your impression because all Armenian, all citizens of Armenia thee see and they are living in a democratic country. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this in an interview with the BBC's HARDtalk program, answering the question that many Armenians today think that the hopes for change in the country have not been met.

In 2019, we had the biggest economic growth in Europe, and we had big economic success and our country made tremendous progress in all international ratings in terms of democracy, freedom of speech, independent judiciary anticorruption policy and international magazines, two years in a row recognized Armenia as a country of the year. Like not only in terms of democracy but in terms of economy as well. Yes, of course, the pandemic situation interrupted our fly, but we will continue, Pashinyan added.

Commenting on the criticism of the government in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, Pashinyan said that, Armenia is a democratic country and opposition is free to express himself. And I'm, I'm very glad that now opposition in Armenia is acting much easier than before then, before the revolution.

The host of the program recalled that the Human Rights Watch report on Armenia country in 2020 has concluded that investigations into past violence and excessive use of force by law enforcement remain very limited. Violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination against and segregation of people with disabilities. All of these things persist in Armenia today, he added.

In response, Pashinyan said: Freedom house - renowned organization - announced in its report that Armenia made biggest two years progress in democracy, rule of law, human rights, protection ever within view all existence of that kind of report. FH - internationally recognized organization - said that Armenia made the biggest progress ever within two years.

When asked, There are people inside your country who fear that your agenda right now, isn't so much about, rooting out corruption as hitting back at some of your political enemies. In particular, the decision you've taken to suspend three judges on the constitutional court who were blocking investigations into ex-president Kocharyan. That looks politically motivated is that what's driving you right now? the Armenian PM responded as follows: As far as the constitutional court is concerned, I should stress that we tried to have constitutional court fully compliant with our constitution because we had a description of the constitutional court in our constitution, but we had totally different constitutional court in reality. So we are going and we are doing that to have constitutional court fully compliant with our constitution.

As far as criminal cases are concerned, I should stress that we have courts, we have investigation bodies and we have prosecutor offices. And it isn't me to decide who should be detained and who should be released. Our purpose is the rule of law, independent judiciary, and anti-corruption policy. And the international community recognized our huge success in all those areas.
Hitting out at the Opposition over its criticism of the recent political developments in Rajasthan, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot on Friday described himself as the "strongest warrior" of the Congress and said he would protect his party at all costs.

IMAGE: Congress leader Sachin Pilot addresses a press conference at his residence in Jaipur. Photograph: PTI Photo

Pilot, who has returned to the Congress fold after a month-long rebellion against chief minister Ashok Gehlot, made the remarks during the debate on a motion of confidence moved by the ruling party in the Rajasthan assembly.

During the debate, deputy leader of the opposition Rajendra Rathore mentioned Pilot's name in various matters, including the recent political developments in the state and a Special Operations Group notice issued to him.

The notice was sent to Pilot after the Rajasthan Police claimed to have stumbled upon a plot to topple the Congress government.

"They are taking my name repeatedly. Prior to my seat being changed, I was safe and part of the government. Then I thought why our speaker and chief whip have given me a seat here? I thought for two minutes and then saw that this is a border.

"On one side is the ruling party and on the other is the Opposition. Who is sent to the border? The strongest warrior is sent," Pilot said, interrupting Rathore.

Pilot's seat in the House was changed after he was removed as the deputy chief minister. Earlier, he used to sit next to the chief minister.

"Many things have been said during the discussion on trust vote and many more will be said. Over time, everything will be revealed," Pilot said.

"But I want to say that whatever I or my companions had to say, we have told the doctor about our complaints... After getting the treatment, all of us today... 125 people are standing in the House," he said.

From his new seat, he added, he will ensure the safety of his party.

Following the intervention of the party high command, Pilot and 18 rebel MLAs supporting him participated in a Congress Legislature Party meeting held here on Thursday.

Earlier, Pilot had also met Gehlot separately.

In a House of 200, the Congress has 107 MLAs and the support of Independents and allies.

The BJP has 72 members.

The trust motion in favour of Gehlot governmment was later passed by majority.

Speaking to reporters later outside the House, Pilot said it is not important where one sits but what matters is what people have in their heart and mind about him.

He said the sitting arrangement is decided by the Speaker and the party and he would not like to comment on it.

"Earlier, I was part of the government and now I am not. It is not important where you sit but it matters what people have in heart and mind," he said.

The former chief deputy chief minister asserted that he is fully committed to the state "till his last breath" no matter what speculations and rumours are spread about him.

The government and the party will reap the benefit from the path chosen by the party high command, he said, adding a roadmap will be revealed soon and concerns will be dealt in a satisfactory manner.
Review at a glance









M ost people tuning in to Bruce Hornsby in 2020 probably dont count on prog rock epics, strange ballads about rat kings and jazz fusion, but perhaps they should.

After making his name with smooth-as-silk anthems such as the irrepressible The Way It Is, Hornsby has spent three decades making gently experimental albums away from the limelight of radio-friendly soft rock. Non-Secure Connection is another that flirts with chamber pop, indie folk and a whole lot more.

Hornsby collaborated with Bon Iver on 2019s Absolute Zero and the muted brass and plangent piano on Time, The Thief wouldnt be out of place on a Justin Vernon record.

Elsewhere, Hornsby teams up with The Shins James Mercer on My Resolve  a propulsive track with orchestral swells and the kind of empathic, delayed guitar tones that would get The Edges beanie hat twitching.

The best albums of 2020 so far 1 /14 The best albums of 2020 so far Getty Images Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia Future Nostalgia arrived at the end of March, a ray of light to pierce the lockdown gloom. It was a shot at writing something timeless, taking strands of classic disco and Eighties synth-pop and putting them through a slick, modern filter. On standout tracks such as Dont Start Now and Cool, Dua Lipa hit her target. More than anything though, this was something defiantly fun, a heartening reminder that there are brighter times ahead. Getty Images Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher It would be easy to label Punisher as a sad album, because it is, with heartache and despondency always within an arms reach. But to simply call it that would be to grossly undersell it  the album, also out today, is cathartic, nostalgic, surreal, grounded, darkly comic and, more often than not, weepingly beautiful. The disarming vocals are morbidly quotable (The doctor put her hands over my liver /She told me my resentments getting smaller) and confirm the 25-year-old Bridgers as one of her generations deftest writers. Getty Images for Tibet House Tame Impala - The Slow Rush It took some time to fall in love with Kevin Parkers latest album as Tame Impala. Its layers were dense and meticulously produced, a product of the Australians dogged perfectionism, but when they did eventually unravel, the albums brilliance was revealed in vivid colour. There was squelchy hip-hop and tap-dancing piano on Borderline, alluring sophisto-funk on Breathe Deeper, and dizzying disco on One More Year. Parkers lyrics were typically conflicted, stuck between past and future, but musically, hed never sounded so assured. AFP via Getty Images Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters Fiona Apples fifth album was eight years in the making, and sounded as if it had been simmering for all that time. It was inescapably personal, rattling with homemade percussion, grinding against Apples visceral vocals as she retold traumas of sexual abuse and toxic relationships. But it all coalesced to give momentum to a magnificent release of tension, the sound of a furiously convinced artist. Kick me under the table all you want, she asserted, I wont shut up. Getty Images Run The Jewels - RTJ4 When Killer Mike, one half of Run The Jewels, wrote Walking In The Snow (You so numb, you watch the cops choke out a man like me) he was remembering the tragic death of Eric Garner in 2014. It should have been retrospective; instead, it was hideously prophetic, arriving on RTJ4 amid the George Floyd protests. But these were wide-lens raps  joined by partner El-P, they fired lyrical missiles at the racist police and ruling elite, interspersing it with cutting quips and dark humour. Painful, prescient, and hugely powerful. Getty Images for DIRECTV J Hus - Big Conspiracy Big Conspiracy was the sound of an artist taking his time. The eclectic beats, largely provided by chameleonic producer Jae5, avoided the usual bombast for something understated. The lyrical gaze was sharp, ranging from the legacy of slavery to the grind of everyday life, all of it recounted with clever wordplay. It wouldnt be a Hus album without tales of at least one sexual conquest  the song Cucumber provides it  but all in all, never has the east Londoner been so searingly composed. Getty Images for Nike Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways Bob Dylans 39th studio album, released today, might just be one of his greatest. Before this, eight years had passed without any new original music. Had the old master lulled himself into retirement? The surprise release of a 17-minute song about the JFK assassination did away with any doubts. Its a densely lyrical album, a poetic and historical tapestry, proving that, at 79, the Nobel Prize-winner is still at the peak of his songwriting powers. AFP via Getty Images Georgia - Seeking Thrills Georgias exhilarating second album landed back in January (oh, those halcyon days) and was the sound of an artist brimming with new-found conviction. Arriving five years after her debut, she had finally found her voice  quite literally, shunning the over-produced vocals of before  and a winning musical formula: retro-tinted dance pop, pairing the throbbing echoes of Chicago house with sharp modern melodies. Hollie Fernando Orlando Weeks - A Quickening Former Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks took a mature step away from his indie-rock past on his debut solo album, supplanting it with soft, cloudy atmospheres. A Quickening covered his impending fatherhood, and all of the unknowingness that comes with it. It was minutely intimate  Ill be your blood sugar, he pledged to the unborn child  with his vocals at their most tender and innocent. Jackson Bowley Laura Marling - Song For Our Daughter Another album to ease the pandemic blues, Laura Marling had initially planned an August release, but brought it forward to April. It had an effortlessly classic sound to it  the folky tones of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake chimed throughout  but this album was undoubtedly Marlings own. Her vocals were soaring, sardonic and soothing, singing with all the wisdom of an artist who, still only 30, now has seven albums worth of experience behind her. Getty Images

Theres plenty of eccentricity, too. The amorphous form of the title track makes for enigmatic listening, and the jazz-inflected Porn Hour and Sh**s Crazy Out There are strange to their core. The latter is a paranoid epic that sprawls over five minutes, all delivered with musical theatre-like histrionics.

Its not what you might have expected, and all the better for it
Researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) have discovered an entirely new role for a well-known plant molecule called ACC, providing the first clear example of ACC acting on its own as a likely plant hormone. Just like in humans and animals, hormones in plants carry messages to signal and trigger essential processes for plant health and functionality, from reproduction to defense. Without these processes, crops can't reproduce and thrive to provide the food we need to feed a growing global population. In a new publication in Nature Communications, researchers show that ACC has a critical role in pollination and seed production by activating proteins similar to those involved in nervous system responses in humans and animals. These findings could not only change textbooks that have previously attributed plant responses to the hormone ethylene instead of ACC, but could also open the door for new research to improve plant health and crop yield.

"There are several novel things about this paper," explains Caren Chang, UMD. "But the main impact is that it introduces a new plant growth regulator or plant hormone, alongside a small handful of other publications. It isn't a newly identified molecule, but it has never been thought of before as a plant hormone, only as the precursor to ethylene."

Chang, a professor in Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and affiliate professor of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture supported by the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES), explains that ethylene is one of the five major plant hormones and has been studied for over a century. It is important for many processes that are vital to plant health and crop production, including fruit ripening, stress responses to flooding and drought, plant disease defenses, germination, and flowering.

"In much of the research, ACC has been used in place of ethylene, knowing that it's a precursor that plants convert into ethylene. This is because ACC is easy to work with in powder form and can even be sprayed on the plant, but working with ethylene is very difficult because it is a gas. So researchers have used ACC for decades in place of ethylene, and the literature would interpret the observed responses as ethylene responses. What our paper shows is that an ACC response is not necessarily an ethylene response. While ethylene is an important plant hormone with its own set of functions, some of these responses that have been attributed to ethylene through ACC may actually be separate ACC responses, acting as a growth regulator or hormone itself."

This finding opens the door for many papers across decades of research, as well as textbooks and future education on plant hormone responses, to be revised in the event that ACC is actually triggering important plant processes previously attributed to ethylene.

According to Chang, the paper also presents advances in plant reproduction. "In the plant reproduction field, there are many steps that are critical in pollination, and one of these steps requires the pollen to reach the ovules to actually produce a seed," says Chang. "Our paper shows that ACC signaling in the ovule is involved in getting the pollen tube to turn and effectively deliver the pollen, which makes it essential for seed production. It's probably the first example showing how the maternal ovule tissue actually helps attract the pollen tube." And this isn't a small effect, Chang stresses. "The seed number pretty much doubles in the presence of ACC. There is potential here to improve the seed number, which can increase food production in certain crops and have an impact on food security long-term."

Led by Jose Feijo, another professor in Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics and affiliate professor of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, another major finding of this paper shows clear connections between human, animal, and plant hormone signaling pathways by identifying a potential receptor for ACC activity.

"The most interesting parallel is cell-cell communication," explains Feijo. "Animal glutamate receptors are proteins which are needed for information to jump from one neuron to the next, either through an electric impulse or through calcium signaling, which is essential for things like memory. Problems in the processes mediated by glutamate receptors are known to be related to neurodegeneration and depression."

Chang adds, "These receptors have been found in the human nervous system, and neuroscientists have been studying them for drug development to treat nervous system issues like depression. They found that ACC can actually affect the nervous system in humans. So we decided to look for the same receptors, named glutamate-like receptors (GLRs) in plants, to see if they respond to ACC in plants. We found that ACC can actually affect GLRs in plants as well."

This finding opens an entirely new avenue of research in plant biology and points to similarities in plants and humans that are currently not well understood. "In plants, GLRs all seem to convey functions related to communication, either to bring male and female genes into an egg, or in pathogen or stress alert systems and defenses," says Feijo.

"Emerging trends suggest that GLRs underlie long distance electric signaling through the plant vascular system, where injury to tissues in one leaf inform the whole plant to create nasty substances to deter insects. All these lines seem to point into the existence of electric communication within plant tissues and organs, and that these functions involve GLRs. This is an interesting parallel evolution of a function for glutamate receptors as they evolved to be associated with the animal nervous systems to perform similar functions."

With ACC as a new candidate activating GLRs and all the newly discovered roles it is playing as a plant hormone, Chang and the team are excited about the directions this work can go. "There is still a lot of research to be done to see how this is all happening and can be used in different crops, but all that new research can happen now."

###

This paper, entitled "Ethylene-independent signaling by the ethylene precursor ACC in Arabidopsis ovular pollen tube attraction," is published in Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17819-9.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison extended warm congratulations to the people of India ahead of the countrys Independence Day on August 15.

In his message, Morrison highlighted the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia.

Our partnership is geared for the common good of our region and the global community, and this will be critical as we work to overcome the health, social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, Morrison said in his message.

The deep friendship between Australia and India is about more than trade and diplomacy. Founded on bharosa (trust) and samman (respect) - it is a friendship with depth, and marked by democracy, defence cooperation, diaspora and dosti (mateship), he further said in the message.

The Australian PM also said that India is now our biggest source of migrants. Their presence has contributed to Australia becoming the most successful multicultural nation on earth.

Morrison had held a virtual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June after his visit to India was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several agreements, including one on mutual sharing of military logistics facilities, were signed during the summit on June 4.

Over the last year and a half, both leaders have met four times. Their first meet was in the year 2018, on the sidelines of East Asia Summit in Singapore, followed by the G20 in Osaka in June 2019, then during the G7 Summit in Biarritz in August 2019. The leaders last met during the East Asia Summit in Bangkok in November 2019.
File image

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan is likely to move a confidence motion in the Legislative Assembly during the session that begins on August 14, news reports suggest.

The indication came at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting chaired by Gehlot on August 13. The meeting was attended by his former deputy Sachin Pilot, among others.

The meeting was held in a very cordial manner in which discussions were held on moving the confidence motion in the assembly. All the MLAs pledged that they will work with unity under the leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, news agency PTI quoted All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Avinash Pande as saying.

Earlier on August 13, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it will move a no-confidence motion during the session.

The ruling Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member Legislative Assembly. The BJP has 72.

Yet, according to PRS Legislative Research, the confidence motion is not listed in August 14's House business. Instead, eight ordinances are set to be tabled and a discussion on COVID-19 is planned.

The assembly session is set to begin days after Congress leadership announced Pilots return to the party-fold along with 18 other Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who were seen as his supporters.

Talking about Pilot's open rebellion and return to the party, Gehlot asked legislators to "forget what has happened", reports suggest.

Also read | Would have proven majority even without Pilot, 18 MLAs: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

In his first address after he was removed as the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, Pilot thanked Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi and leader Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to work as the party's state chief for so long.

After the meeting was over, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal told reporters that the party will stand united and will "fight it out" in the assembly.

Everything went on well. Now the Congress party is united. We will fight against the BJP's bad politics. Tomorrow in Vidhan Sabha, Congress party will stand united and will fight it out, Venugopal told reporters.

On August 13, all eyes were on the Gehlot-Pilot meeting, who came face-to-face for the first time after the month-long political crisis which began after the latter, along with 18 other MLAs of the party, openly rebelled against the chief minister.

Pilot and Gehlot shook hands in a moment marking the return of the sacked deputy chief minister and 18 other dissident MLAs to the party-fold, after the intervention earlier this week of the top Congress leadership in Delhi.

AICC general secretaries Venugopal and Pande, National Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, senior leader Ajay Maken and the new PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasara were present in the brief meeting.

(With inputs from PTI)
A woman looks at frozen food in a supermarket in Beijing, China, August 13, 2020. Thomas Peter/Reuters

New Zealand reported its first case of COVID-19 in more than 100 days on Tuesday. It's possible the virus arrived via imported food packages.

The country's health officials suggested the new outbreak may be linked to these frozen goods because one of the infected patients works at a store that orders such items from overseas, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Chinese officials reported similar news this week: Traces of the virus were found on frozen shrimp and chicken-wing packages imported from Ecuador and Brazil, respectively.

The municipal health commission in Shenzhen, where officials detected the contaminated chicken-wing packages, warned residents to be "cautious in buying imported frozen meat products and aquatic products in recent days," according to NBC News.

But experts maintain that the chance of catching COVID-19 from frozen food is slim.

"It is possible, but the virus is not very stable outside the human body," Caitlin Howell, a chemical and biomedical engineer at the University of Maine, told Business Insider.

She added, "freezing or refrigerating the virus can help to extend the period of time that it stays infectious, which is why we think that outbreaks at meatpacking plants were occurring so frequently, but transmission via surfaces still appears to be rare  even when those surfaces are frozen or refrigerated."

So far, the Shenzhen health commission reported that no one who's come in contact with the frozen food products tested positive for COVID-19.

Story continues

You probably don't have to worry about touching frozen food

Chinese health officials have detected coronavirus on frozen packaging before. Frozen seafood packages transported by a foreign ship to Yantai had traces of virus, too, NBC News reported. (The origin of those packages is unknown.) They also found coronavirus on imported frozen foods in Dalian, Xiamen, and Pingxiang last month.

A woman shops in a supermarket in Beijing, China, August 13, 2020. Thomas Peter/Reuters

But those findings are not cause for concern, according to Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Program.

"There is no evidence that food or the food chain is participating in transmission of this virus, and people should feel comfortable and feel safe," Ryan said in a press briefing on Thursday, adding, "people should not fear food, or food packaging or processing, and the delivery of food."

China has tested a few hundred thousand packaging samples and less than 10 came back positive, the WHO reported.

That's because the virus  if it winds up on such packages at all  is unlikely to survive for the time it takes to ship goods from one place to another, according to Rachel Graham, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina.

"Even frozen, on a surface like that, you'll see the virus desiccate and dry out, which renders it completely non-infectious," Graham told Business Insider, adding that the "freeze-thaw process" could kill it as well.

What's more, she said, it's likely that Chinese officials detected viral RNA on the packages, which doesn't pose a big threat.

"While RNA is virologically infectious, practically it is not," she said.

The coronavirus can persist on surfaces, but it's unlikely to make you sick

Bar manager Jack Chrisholm packs supplies for online orders at the Fork & Brewer on April 29, 2020, in Wellington, New Zealand. Mark Tantrum/Getty Images

A person can get the coronavirus if they touch a surface or object that has viral particles on it then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. The lifespan of the virus on objects depends on the type of material: One study found that it took three hours for the virus to leave tissue and printing paper, while other research suggests viral particles can live up to a day on cardboard and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

But the coronavirus typically spreads via airborne droplets (and likely aerosols as well), rather than shared surfaces.

"Throughout the entire pandemic so far, there has continued to be shipping of products all over the world. If transmission via surfaces  whether frozen or refrigerated or not  were a major driver of infection, we would be seeing many case reports on it," Howell said, adding, "the fact that we're not suggests that it is not a major route of infection."

Indeed, the CDC says the virus "does not spread easily" from contaminated surfaces, though the agency continues to recommend that people "routinely clean and disinfect" high-touch surfaces just in case.

Precautions to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission on surfaces

A delivery man for Coupang Jung Im-hong loads packages before leaving to deliver them in Incheon, South Korea, March 3, 2020. Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Howell and Graham both recommend that shippers and shoppers stay vigilant and diligent during the pandemic.

"The best thing that can be done by the manufacturers, shippers, and others in the supply chain is to have a strong, enforced policy of wearing masks, washing hands, and staying home when sick," Howell said.

For individual shoppers, she added, "the best thing for consumers to do is simply to avoid touching their face until they've had a chance to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer."

Your chance of touching a virus-infected surface in a public store is far, far higher than encountering the virus on frozen food, according to Graham.

"It's not something you should be concerned about, but you should continue to be aware of what you touch and then bring to your face. That's going to protect you the most," she said.

Morgan McFall-Johnsen contributed reporting to this story.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to retaliate after suggesting a Turkish ship had been attacked in waters contested by Greece.

The claim came hours after France sent two warships supported by fighter jets to the region experiencing mounting tensions, in an effort to back Greece.

Speaking at an event to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the president's AK Party, Erogan said Greek forces had 'received their first answer' to an earlier warning he made not to attack a Turkish vessel.

The vessel - the Oruc Reis - is searching for oil and gas between Cyprus and Greek island of Kastellorizo.

In his first warning, Erdogan said that attackers 'would pay a heavy price' but did not elaborate further what that might entail.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pictured speaking at an event celebrating the 19th anniversary of the president's AK Party) threatened that any attacks on the Orux Reis - a vessel searching for oil and gas between cyprus and Greek island of Kastellorizo - would lead to the attackers paying 'a heavy price'

Erdogan appeared to suggest in his speech that the Oruc Reis had come under attack and that Ankara had responded accordingly.

'We told them, don't you dare attack our Oruc Reis. You will pay a heavy price if you attack our Oruc Reis, we said. And they got their first answer today,' Erdogan said.

Turkey accompanied the Oruc Reis with several navy ships while its helicopters patrolled the surrounding skies.

He provided no details and immediately moved on to another topic in his wide-ranging address, while the Greek defence ministry denied any involvement.

'No incident happened,' a Greek defence official told the AFP news agency.

In this handout photograph released by the Turkish Defence Ministry, the Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading in the west of Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea

The Oruc Reis vessel is accompanied by a naval convey as it searches for oil and gas in the contested region of the Mediterranean

Tensions between Paris and Ankara increased with the latest French announcement linked to an escalating row in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over gas reserves.

France criticised its NATO ally Turkey over a drone strike this week in northern Iraq, while Erdogan accused French counterpart Emmanuel Macron of seeking to 'bring back a colonialist structure' as he visited Lebanon after last week's catastrophic Beirut explosions.

On Thursday, France said it was 'temporarily reinforcing' its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid tensions between neighbours Greece and Turkey over recently-discovered gas reserves.

The French military said two Rafale jets would arrive Thursday on the island of Crete for a stay of 'several days', after having taken part in a military exercise in Cyprus earlier in the week.

The assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre (Thunder), en route to deliver aid to Beirut after last week's deadly port explosion there, was joined overnight by the La Fayette frigate, previously deployed to Cyprus, and they took part in an exercise with the Greek navy.

In this photo provided by the Greek National Defence, a French Tonnerre helicopter carrier is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean today

In this photo provided by the Greek National Defence, a French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean today

'The purpose of this military presence is to strengthen the autonomous assessment of the situation and to affirm France's commitment to free movement, to the security of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and respect for international law,' said a ministry statement.

Relations between France and Turkey have been icy as President Emmanuel Macron has accused Ankara of violating the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus - claims Turkey rejects.

Turkey is at odds with Greece and the European Union over maritime rights in the Eastern Mediterranean amid a scramble for resources following the discovery of huge gas reserves in recent years.

Last month, Greece announced it had deployed ships in the Aegean in 'heightened readiness' after Turkey announced plans for energy exploration near a Greek island in an area it claims is within Turkey's continental shelf.

Then on Monday, Ankara dispatched the research ship Oruc Reis, accompanied by naval vessels, off the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

In this photo provided by the Greek National Defence, a French Rafale fighter jet at Souda airbase on the island of Crete today

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias urged Ankara to 'immediately' remove the Oruc Reis from Greek waters and Greece deployed warships to monitor the vessel.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday he hoped sense would prevail and dialogue resume, warning: 'The risk of an accident lurks when so many military assets are gathered in such a contained area.'

France, Turkey and Greece are members of the NATO military alliance, but Macron has been critical of Turkey also over its involvement in the Libyan conflict.

Macron told Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday that Turkey's 'unilateral decisions' on gas exploration 'must be stopped' to allow peaceful discussions within NATO, according to the French presidency.

Macron reiterated French and EU solidarity 'for any member state whose sovereignty is challenged'.

Erdogan meanwhile spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday about defusing the row with Greece.

Erdogan 'stressed that he supported solving problems in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of international law and the principles of dialogue and equality', the presidency said.

But he criticised Macron for 'putting on a show' with his visit to Beirut.

Macron was the first world leader to visit Beirut after the devastating explosions on August 4 which killed at least 171 people, wounded thousands more and left an estimated 300,000 homeless.

'Macron's concern is to bring back a colonialist structure,' the Turkish leader said, referring to the years Lebanon spent under French mandate after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

On Thursday, the foreign ministry in Paris criticised a drone strike in northern Iraq that Baghdad labelled a 'blatant Turkish drone attack' in its autonomous Kurdish region.

Iraq said the strike killed two of its high-ranking officers.

Tensions have risen over the last year between Macron and Turkish leader Erdogan, notably when the French leader said the lack of NATO response to a unilateral Turkish operation in northern Syria showed the alliance was undergoing 'brain death'.

The strain worsened in June when France denounced an 'extremely aggressive' intervention by Turkish ships against a French navy vessel participating in a NATO mission in the Mediterranean, a claim Ankara dismissed as 'groundless'.
The pandemic has made a lot of things the new normal and one of them is working from home for most of us. The cases are still on an all-time peak and most people have found ways to work from their houses every day.



Also, most of the organizations are not going to call their employees to office till the end of this year. And there is a chance that people have gotten too comfortable with the whole scenario.

 Unsplash

Initially, the concept of working from home was alien to most of us and now even the corporate companies have found ways to make work productive in everyones comfort space.



According to a report by Economic Times, only 30% of the people want to return to their regular office schedule. The survey was done on 1800 people working from home across 550 companies. The remaining 70% of people prefer working from home and want to continue doing the same.

 BCCL

30% of the people who want to return to the office area are at a managerial level position. The companies that were surveyed include Big 4 consulting companies, e-commerce, MNCs, auto, and banking firms.



However, not all companies are liking the whole work from home culture and asking their employees to return to the office. An IT organization with over 8000 employees has approximately asked 30 percent of its workers to return to regular office routine.

 BCCL

Kamal Karanth, Co-Founder, Xpheno told ET, But as the productivity is high, this company is alright with WFH arrangement for over 80% employees.



The survey also sheds light on how only a small fraction of people are returning to work from companies like Maruti, Tech Mahindra, Myntra, Whirpool.

Do you want to return to a regular working schedule? Let us know in the comments below.
Take a good measure of community resolve, add a helping of natures resilience and sprinkle sufficient portions of common sense and co-operation; a reasonable layer of sound research and science and you have the winning formula.

These are the vital ingredients which have made the Abbeyleix Bog Project such a stand-out success in the world of ground-up, community ownership and partnership conservation.

It started 20 years ago with somewhat of stand-off between the community and state agencies but today it stands out as a credit to both, a beacon of hope in the sometimes battered environment of the landscape and biodiversity.

Today, Abbeyleix Bog is a treasure, a byword for what can be achieved if everyone pulls together and starts singing off the same hymn sheet, the classic win-win situation for the community, conservationists and dare we say the corporate stakeholders.

Above: Abbeyleix Bog Project members meet President Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain

Twenty years ago this week, little did a committed group of community activists and determined conservationists realise or even hope that their actions could achieve so much. They saved the bog, but so much more has flowed and flourished since.

The beauty of it, this is not just all talk or pious notions, albeit endorsed with a Presidential visit and official seal of approval. Abbeyleix Bog may have been a test case, but it has passed the test with flying results.

Twenty years of dedication and determination have not just seen The Bog, as its now best known, grow in the affection of the local and broader Laois community, but its status and esteem has travelled beyond and abroad in the biosphere of national conservation.

Abbeyleix Bog is the test case that proves what we had hoped for is actually possible. A conservation cure; a vaccine of vigilance that restores the bog to good health.

Yes, the bog has grown on people and is loved, cherished and protected now, prized as a gem of which Abbeyleix and Laois can rightly boast. But beyond that the latest science and data has irrefutably illustrated that the bog itself, that ball of soggy sphagnum is also growing, regenerating, replenishing, restoring, right before our very eyes.

The poetry of biodiversity in motion is unfolding in slo-mo and when the scientists stepped out of the moss into the lab in recent weeks, that slow motion journey amounted to an amazing distance being covered.

After two decades of tender, love and care, project after project, painstaking work and effort Abbeyleix Bog has grown and regenerated itself from the close to extinction/exhaustion 1% baseline in 2009, to 13% in this most recent study.

The Abbeyleix Bog Project pioneers, their loyal supporters, volunteers, the community, the collaborators, the numerous stakeholders, the science heads, they all know only too well that in bog and biodiversity terms this is early days, there is still a long way to go but yet this gives great hope; it is something if not to shout about but to whisper with some satisfaction and to even inspire hope for more and better days.

A 12% growth rate in a generation is worth celebrating. The work continues. The Abbeyleix Bog Project is knuckling down for the next phase, the next 100 years.

It is a labour of love and a work in progress.

Abbeyleix Bog Project Chairman, Ricky Whelan, explains: Its fantastic, so many people have contributed to the project over the 20 years and now we can clearly see the success of the restoration efforts to date. It may be somewhat intangible for visitors and followers of the bog project but to have our bog actively growing and functioning as a carbon sink is of huge importance as the world struggles to get a handle on climate change.

The future is promising. Abbeyleix Bog Project recently was granted funding through the National Parks and Wildlife Services National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, facilitated by the Laois Heritage Office and match-funding provided by Laois County Council. The 2-year support will be utilised for a series of ecological studies in preparation for further restoration activities.

The Bog Projects supporters are excited and enthused for the future prospects, not based on idle or idealistic notions but on the strength of the scientific data now emerging, 20 years into their quest. It has significant implications not just for Abbeyleix, but peatland restoration everywhere else also.

The latest study was an Ecotope Survey of the raised bog areas carried out during the early part of July 2020 by peatland ecologists Fernando Fernandez and Willie Crowley (pictured above).

Raised bog ecotope surveys use both biological (species of plants) and non-biological factors (spatial density and occurrence, hydrology, etc) to monitor or provide a picture of the state of specific peatland habitat in Ireland. In an ecotope survey, ecologists crisscross the site and visually identify the individual species of plants, the combinations with other species, as well as the extent of occurrence of the plants.

In the case of raised bogs, the key plants are Sphagnum mosses, a family of specialised mosses adapted to thrive on the wet, acidic and low nutrient conditions of peatlands. Added to that are other mosses, liverworts, lichens and vascular plants that provide an indication on the health of the raised or blanket bog. Mapping or pinpointing the occurrence of these plant species and combinations is done using highly accurate geographic information systems and related equipment.

Sphagnum mosses and other plants that are the key indicators of a healthy bog ecosystem or Active Raised Bog. Since the blocking of drains in 2009 on Abbeyleix Bog, three ecotope surveys have been conducted to track the progress and rate of recovery from 2009 to 2014 and now most recently in 2020 again.

The results speak for themselves. The raised bog areas on Abbeyleix totals around 100 hectares. The active raised bog (ARB - central and sub-central areas) for the respective years were measured as follows with the ecologist in brackets: 2009: 1.122 ha (Fernando Fernandez) - 1%; 2014: 3.188 ha (Mark McCorry, Bord na Mona) - 3%; 2020: 13.784 ha (Fernando Fernandez & Willie Crowley) - 13%

Fiona MacGowan, ecologist and a volunteer at the project, explains, "Central and sub-central are areas of actively growing bog where the Sphagnum mosses are dominant and spreading. Sub-marginal is the next step down in dryness and you'll get less sphagnum here and more heathers but if these areas become wetter (due to the drain blocking) then the sphagnum starts spreading and the area has the potential to become actively growing bog again. Marginal areas are very dry where you have to throw your legs over the high heather! They are associated with the edges where there was cutting in the past and any drains that weren't blocked. Their potential to become active bog again is unlikely."

Pictured above: Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly taken Chris Uys.

Fernando Fernandez puts the latest research data from Abbeyleix in context.

"It is indeed the best largest Active Raised Bog increase in the shortest period of time restoration results we have ever seen in the country, as far as Willie and I know. And we have been looking at bogs since 2003."

Jim Ryan, retired chief scientist for the NPWS and member of the Abbeyleix Bog technical advisory group, too is understandably pleased with the results.

I just checked the NHA Review where the potential active area of Abbeyleix was modelled as 5.7ha. Think we can say that Abbeyleix is now top of the restoration class!"

The Abbeyleix Bog people are pleasantly surprised with the pace of progress, but not just for their sakes, as there is a wider environmental dividend.

Peatlands and bogs, due to its unique plants like Sphagnum mosses, not only capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it also stores the carbon as long as the habitat stays wet. As a collection of hollow cells, Sphagnum mosses also retain rainwater longer and thus prevent flooding.

Pictured above: Original intervention by the community twenty years ago which later led to the Abbeyleix Bog Project

The Abbeyleix Bog Project is a testament to community-led conservation in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, each contributing their own set of knowledge, skills, and resources.

Abbeyleix Bog Project is also a founding member of the Community Wetlands Forum (CWF), a non-governmental organisation networking platform for community-led conservation groups to share skills, knowledge and best practice. The CWF (www.communitywetlandsforum.ie) operates as a special interest group under the auspices of Irish Rural Link (www.irishrurallink.ie) and has more than 20 community group members from 14 counties in Ireland. President Michael D Higgins was the keynote speaker at the launch of the CWFs Strategic Plan in 2017. This event took place in Abbeyleix.

Pictured above: A group of volunteers take a break from vital habitat management work at the bog

Over the last three years Abbeyleix Bog Project has developed a proposed restoration plan for all the cutaway areas of the site. They hope they would be able to secure funding to execute this plan and are exploring various funding options.

Meanwhile a 12% growth rate in the bog regrowth and regeneration in a generation is worth celebrating. The work continues. It is a labour of love and a work in progress.

The Abbeyleix Bog Project is knuckling down for the next phase. Not just the next 20 years, but the next 100 years.

John Whelan

Collage of flora and fauna from the bog, by Chris Uys
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 14:27:25|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A policewoman and two government employees were killed by militants in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targeted attacks in the country, sources said Friday.

In northern Kunduz province, armed militants broke into a house, pulling a female police officer out and killing her on the spot, Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi from Kunduz Provincial Council told Xinhua.

The deceased served in the provincial airport, and an investigation has been launched into the incident, the source added.

In the second attack, two engineers of the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority, a department of the country's Ministry of Power and Water, were killed after gunmen ambushed a vehicle in eastern Parwan province, local media Khaama Press reported.

On July 27, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that civilian casualties in Afghanistan decreased 13 percent in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period last year.

A total of 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded during the period, according to the report.

Targeted attacks were the third cause of civilian casualties after ground engagements and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban, the report indicated.

At least 30 people were killed in targeted attacks in the country last month. Enditem
Reliance Industries Ltd Chairman Mukesh Ambani, 63, is planning to set up a 'family council', which will implement a governance structure in India's biggest business house's succession plan. The family council will have representation from all family members, including Ambani's three children, Akash, Isha and Anant. RIL has not officially come out with any statement on this yet.

Besides the three children, the council will comprise an external family member and an adult member of the family. "The move is part of succession planning of Reliance and will include an adult member of the family, the three children, and possibly external members who will act as mentors and advisors," LiveMint, citing people familiar with talks, reported.

Ambani, who reportedly has plans to hand over reins of his sprawling empire to his three children by next year end, wants to set up the council in order to ensure all family members are on board for the conglomerate's future. The council will address conflicts, if any, arising out of succession plan and ensure a smooth transition.

The council has been proposed in lines of how the global wealthy multi-generational families with diversified interests manage their business empires. As the family sets up the council, the three Ambani siblings could eventually end up getting control of the three main verticals each - retail, digital and energy - while maintaining synergies.

All three Ambani siblings hold separate roles within RIL, with Akash and Isha serving as directors of Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail since October 2014. They both are also on the board of Jio Platforms. Ambani's youngest son Anant Ambani was also appointed additional director to the Jio Platforms board in March. Isha also serves as director of Reliance Foundation.

Mukesh Ambani's plan to set up the 'family council' possibly stems from his bitter rivalry with brother Anil Ambani and eventual split-up of the company their father Dhirubhai Ambani founded in 1973. Meanwhile, the RIL share is trading at Rs 2,125.8, Rs 1.8 down, from the previous day close of Rs 2,127.6 on the National Stock Exchange.

Also read: Mukesh Ambani's RIL in talks with parent ByteDance to acquire TikTok in India

Also read: RIL-Future deal: Mukesh Ambani to retain brand names Big Bazaar, FBB and others
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 08/13/2020



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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.

: All-Stars featured Enzo Palumbo winning the Power of Veto but choosing not to use its golden power during Wednesday night's Season 22 episode on CBS.When Enzo opted out of using his veto on another player, his decision left Keesha Smith and Kevin "KC" Campbell on the chopping block heading into Thursday night's live eviction episode.The : All-Stars broadcast began on Day 2 in the house after the Nomination Ceremony that put Keesha and Kevin on the chopping block. The Head of Household, Cody Calafiore , hadn't established a solid relationship with either of those people yet. Nicole Franzel said it was too bad Cody couldn't nominate Kaysar Ridha and Janelle Pierzina together since they're both such good players and are obviously working together, but the "Safety Suite" prevented that from happening."I don't trust Janelle as far as I can throw her, and I can't even pick her up," Nicole Franzel said.Kevin cried about being embarrassed in the Diary Room, saying he should be playing better than this and he's letting a lot of people down.Kevin, however, decided to put his feelings in a box and try to salvage his game. Cody had to do some damage control because he said he liked Kevin and viewed him as a future potential ally.Cody therefore told Kevin that he'd like to work together down the road and he was really sorry about nominating him.Kevin wasn't sure if he could trust Cody, but he was happy to smooth things over and hopefully remove the target from his back since he's on the chopping block.Meanwhile, Janelle was upset Keesha was on the block and told Kaysar they should try to keep a low profile going forward.Cody explained to Keesha they hadn't spent any time together but she wasn't really his target. Cody insisted he didn't have a target and he was going to let the house figure it out, but he said in the Diary Room he wanted Keesha to go home over Kevin.Keesha realized she needed to win the Power of Veto in order to stay in the house based on Cody's nonchalant behavior and evasive conversation.Kaysar told Da.Vonne Rogers and Nicole Anthony that the first time he appeared on the show, there was a war in Iraq and people view him as being uncivilized and dangerous. And now, Kaysar said he's not happy with society and the way the world is. He said he wants people to have the courage to stand up.Da'Vonne related to what Kaysar had to say and intended to use her platform for something good. Tyler Crispen didn't want to jump into too many alliances early on because he said that came back to bite him later on, but at the same time, Tyler said he couldn't say "no" when someone approached him with a deal.A montage was then shown of Tyler making a deal with pretty much everybody in the house -- including Christmas Abbott David Alexander and Janelle."I know down the road, it's definitely going to come back to get me. It's the complete opposite of what I wanted to do!" Tyler vented in a confessional. Enzo Palumbo called Cody his "brother to the end," saying they were going to be in the Final 2 together. Enzo wholeheartedly trusted Cody and figured they'd have each other's back through the whole game.Cody also had a Final 2 with Nicole Franzel , but he said he had every intention of staying loyal to Enzo -- a fellow New Jersey native -- and sticking with him to the end."In 16, I was loyal to my Final 2 and that's what got me to the end, except this time, I'm taking home the $500,000," Cody said, referencing his alliance with Derrick Levasseur on his previous season.Ian Terry then told his fellow houseguests he's on the spectrum and admitted it wasn't an easy conversation to have. Ian, however, said having autism doesn't define his identity because he's smart and as amazing friends and a girlfriend. Nicole Anthony insisted being autistic is not a limitation and Ian is the epitome of "being capable," especially since he had won his first season and is now playing All-Stars. Nicole Anthony gushed about how she loves Ian and is proud of him.Kevin told David that he'd love to have his support and would never target him if David ended up winning the Power of Veto. He asked multiple people to pick him for "Houseguest's Choice" or play for him in the Veto, including Enzo and Ian.Enzo, however, didn't want to make any big promises he couldn't keep, and Ian gently blew off the situation because he said working for Kevin at this point would be very tricky.Kevin cried and said he must have done something wrong because it was clear no one wanted to work with him.It then became time to pick players for the Power of Veto competition. In addition to the HoH, Cody, and the two nominees, Keesha and Kevin, the three other players who were selected to play were Tyler, Enzo and Ian.Enzo was Kevin's "Houseguest's Choice," and Enzo said nothing was out of the question for him at this point and he planned to play to win.Keesha hoped either Janelle or Kaysar would be picked to play because the threesome had decided to stick together since they're players from older seasons, but that wasn't the case.As for Kevin, he felt immense pressure to win the PoV in order to save himself in the competition.For the Power of Veto competition dubbed "It's Banana," the six participating players were each required to sit on a giant rocking banana and complete 20 reps -- resembling an exercise class -- before stacking produce on a basket in 90 seconds.The goal was to stack as many items on the basket as possible by repeating the instructions.If at any point a player's clock ran out, his or her "peelaton class" would be over and he or she would be out. The player to stack the most produce in the fastest time would win the Power of Veto.In the end, Kevin lost track of his clock and was eliminated from the competition even though he had 18 produce stacked, which was the same number as Enzo, who therefore won the golden power of Veto.Enzo was thrilled to win, saying he competed in this competition for his kids. Keesha admitted she was "so bummed" about Enzo winning because she didn't know where his head was at, but Cody said he was pumped his ally pulled through a win.Meanwhile, Kevin broke down over the fact he had "choked" at the last second when victory was so close for him.After the challenge, Ian revealed he trusted Nicole Franzel the most in the house."Even though we played on different seasons, we've known each other for about five years through the community, and interestingly enough, we're the only winners in this game," Ian told the cameras. Nicole Franzel told Ian that they needed to protect each other because no one in the house would want to see a former winner win twice. The pair therefore made a Final 2 deal, but Ian said he was confident he'd be the first two-time winner ever.Kevin thought there was a chance Enzo might take him off the chopping block since Kevin had asked him to play in the Power of Veto to begin with, but Enzo said he would talk to Cody and feel him out.Kevin felt alone in the house and told Enzo that he didn't have anybody on his side.Kevin realized Enzo wouldn't make a move without Cody's blessing, so Kevin decided to offer Cody the world and "everything" in order to save himself. Cody told Kevin that he wanted him to stay because they had a "bond.""I would love to work with you," Cody told Kevin, who promised Cody he would return the favor.Kevin told Cody that he wouldn't put Cody on the block if he won HoH and he'd also use his "Plus One" on Cody from the "Safety Suite" in exchange for safety this week. Cody acknowledged Kevin was offering up a lot and maybe it would make sense to have Enzo use the veto on Kevin.Meanwhile, Bayleigh Dayton teamed up with Da'Vonne and the girls aligned together. Da'Vonne said neither of them came to play around and it will be "going down" this season.Enzo then caught Nicole Franzel and Ian talking and so he ratted the pair out to Cody. Enzo said he didn't trust Ian and so Cody should watch what he says around Ian.Cody agreed Ian was "a wild threat" since he won his previous season against a legend, Dan Gheesling , and so he considered putting Ian on the block in Kevin's place.It then became time for the Veto Meeting, and Enzo announced he had decided not to use the Power of Veto because it was "too early" to make big moves and rock the boat.Kevin hoped Cody and Enzo could still sway the votes in his favor since they had bonded, and Keesha noted her social game was in "full effect" and she intended to "charm the pants" off everyone.
"Your sources lied to you," the press service wrote on Facebook, recommending that journalists try harder when "designing" scandals.

A report by ZN.ua, a Ukrainian online outlet, claimed on Friday citing an unnamed source that the chief of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak, had allegedly summoned five members of the Central Election Commission and demanded their resignation ahead of the upcoming local elections set to be held across Ukraine in October.

Explaining his demand to CEC officials, including chief Oleh Didenko, Yermak allegedly said this was because the five were [his predecessor Andriy] "Bohdan's people" and that he was conveying the president's will, ZN.ua reported.

Due to the lack of formal grounds for submitting resignation letters, the officials reportedly defied the demand.

Read alsoUkraine's NSDC secretary sees no prerequisites for holding elections in DonbasLater on Friday, the President's Office via its official Facebook page called out the report, claiming it was disinformation and that no fact-checking work had been done by journalists.

"Just check  there were no meetings with the CEC members  neither at the President's Office nor anywhere else, as the ZN.ua website reported. There were no commands, attempts to intervene, or any other such communication with CEC members  none of this. Your sources lied to you," the post reads.

"The Central Election Commission is an independent body and, as an institution, has everything it needs for independent work. If someone needs a scandal, you should at least prepare more diligently the material for "designing" scandals, otherwise it's not even interesting," the comment concludes.

Local elections in Ukraine
Early in The Parallax View, reporter Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) chases after clues to a string of mysterious deaths in a remote fishing town. The locals dont take kindly to the outsider asking questions, but the friendly sheriff intervenes and offers to take Frady to the spot where one of the victims drowned. Even though it looks like Joes relieved for a break in his story, hes still on guard, nervously surveying the way people are looking at him and doubting the sheriffs assuring grin. Somethings not right. When the sheriff takes Joe to the river, he pulls a gun, and its up to Joe to figure a way out of a conspiracy into which hes suddenly thrust.

That heightened sense that no one can be trusted and that there are greater invisible forces at work help give Alan J. Pakulas paranoia trilogy of the 1970s its moniker. Starting with Klute in 1971, followed by The Parallax View in 1974, and ending with All the Presidents Men in 1976, Pakulas films paint a bleak picture of a nation united in chaos. These movies reacted to the tumult ushered in by the Watergate scandal. The Pentagon Papers had revealed a number of ugly truths about the Vietnam War and exposed the existence of COINTELPRO, an illegal FBI surveillance program that intended to destabilize leftist political groups. One of Pakulas films reckons with the ordeal explicitly: in All the Presidents Men, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) piece together the full story behind the Watergate breakin. The other two are more subtle in their approach. In Klute, sex worker Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda) quickly learns that she cant rely on police protection to rid her of a dangerous stalker.

Although Klute gets its name from the detective played by Donald Sutherland, its Fondas sympathetic portrayal of Daniels thats the real star of the movie. Through her character, we see not only the potential dangers of her line of work  abusive johns, drug addiction  but also the neglect and criminalization with which the police regard her mere existence. When Detective John Klute is trying to solve the disappearance of a friend in New York City, he connects with Daniels, since shes one of the last people his friend contacted. She goes on to lead the virginal do-right detective through a world in which he has little jurisdiction.

The two characters isolation manifests in different ways. For Klute, its that almost everyone else has abandoned solving his friends disappearance. For Daniels, its that even in the face of harassing phone calls, physical assault and an unexplained break-in, the police refuse to help her. She lives in constant fear of the next time her peace will be disturbed by an unseen voice, a traumatic reminder of abuse by the unknown man behind it all. The pair find themselves alone in an uncaring world, leaning on each other in an uneasy alliance.

The theme of isolation is even more profound in Pakulas follow-up, The Parallax View. Starring Warren Beatty as a local reporter in Seattle, The Parallax View is the bleakest entry of the three. If Klute is about people who fall in between the cracks of a broken system, The Parallax View emphasizes the helplessness of someone caught in a power struggle far bigger than he realizes. The film homes in on the fear that we are powerless in the face of an invisible, nefarious authority manipulating the lives of its citizens.

The Parallax View ominously begins with the assassination of a politician at the Seattles Space Needle. Its a shocking sequence that echoes the anxieties of the 60s and the tragic assassinations of politicians and civil rights leaders. Years later, something is still amiss. Theres an official story, and then theres the one Lee Carter (Paula Prentiss), a TV reporter, tells her ex-boyfriend and fellow reporter, Frady. She feels like shes being followed and notices that fellow witnesses to the politicians murder are dying. Naturally, she fears something may happen to her, which Frady waves off as an overreaction. When she turns up dead not long after, he realizes she was on to something much bigger than the lone gunman story government officials fed the public. Over the course of many twists and turns, he discovers the Parallax Corporation  an organization that orchestrates political assassinations  and tries to infiltrate their ranks, a perilous operation that ultimately does not pan out well for the intrepid reporter.

In this sense, The Parallax View has a lot to say about what shadowy practices corporations or corrupt officials will implement to maintain their cover. Theres something eerily resonant in the way that journalists and witnesses to crimes have been violently targeted by police or discredited by government officials today, in the weeks following the death of George Floyd. And unlike Pakulas rosier follow-up, All the Presidents Men, The Parallax View also explores the way the media can be manipulated by those giving false information. Its something Frady tries to use to his advantage, by pretending to have been killed in a misreported boating accident. Ultimately, his news savvy isnt enough to save hims.

While All the Presidents Men is based on the true story of how Woodward and Bernstein broke the Watergate news, its inherently much more optimistic about the power of the people against bad government. Over and over again, the two reporters are foiled and stymied by dead-end leads and uncooperative sources, yet their perseverance allows truth to win out. Its more upbeat than the endings of either Klute or The Parallax View.

Regardless, Pakulas fascination with isolation and paranoia heavily factor into the proceedings. Woodward and Bernstein are not readily hailed as heroes; in fact, theyre somewhat ostracized from most of the newsroom, and even most of the papers management. The closer they get to the truth, the higher the stakes become, reaching a climax when the pair realize theyre being bugged by unseen government spies.

Although this trilogy is made up of different movies and characters, All the Presidents Men, Klute and The Parallax View have much in common. Their characters are ordinary Americans from everyday professions who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Theres a shared cynicism about their world that only grows as they learn the truth about power and who wields it, and a shared fear that the government is not doing enough, or even actively making life difficult for our heroes. In addition to these outside forces, theyre also dealing with internal feelings of helplessness and isolation, and theyre left to their own smarts and instincts to get them out of it. Some of these characters may write the headlines of history, while others will purposefully be silenced.

Its too soon to tell what, exactly, art will say about this current tumultuous period in our countrys history. After all, it took a filmmaker like Pakula a decade to adequately unpack it. But until movies can be safely produced and writers have had the chance to process the ways in which the pandemic and police brutality have affected our relationship to government and authority, his paranoia trilogy may be the best reference point we have for grappling with this moment in American history. History, of course, has a habit of repeating itself.

The post What the Paranoid '70s Thrillers of Alan J. Pakula Can Teach Us About 2020 appeared first on InsideHook.
At least two mourners, who visited the family of Sudiksha Bhati after her death, have tested positive for Covid-19, the police said on Friday. Bhati family has called it a conspiracy against them.

Sudiksha, who was a bright student and bagged scholarship to pursue higher education in the United States, had died in a road accident in Bulandshahr on August 10. Her family alleged that she was being harassed by two bike-borne men at the time of the accident. However, the Bulandshahr police have registered an FIR against two unknown persons for rash driving and death due to negligence.

For now two people have tested positive and all necessary measures are being taken to control the situation. Several more tests have been carried out and even the family will be tested, said deputy commissioner of police, zone 2, Harish Chander.

A police spokesperson said the family has had many visitors in the last few days. One of the two who tested positive is a resident of Ghaziabad. Other villagers were then tested and one was positive.
A voter places his ballot in a Camden County ballot drop box for mail ballots, at the Audubon Municipal Building on July 6. Read more

New Jerseys election in November will be mostly mail-in due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on CNN Friday morning.

The state will follow the same approach it followed during its delayed primary on July 7, Murphy said. Every active registered voter in the state will be mailed a ballot, which they can either mail back or drop off in secure drop boxes across the state. A limited number of polling places will also be open to voters on election day.

Murphy said there were small problems that occurred during a local May election in Patterson, where four men  including a city councilman  have been charged with fraud. According to the Washington Post, 19% of ballots cast in that race were disqualified. But overall, Murphy said, the hybrid approach with an emphasis on mail-in ballots was successful during the states primary election in July.

Overwhelmingly, this was successful, Murphy said. You never can say you bat 1.000, but Im pretty sure that we have a higher probability of being struck by lightning than we do uncovering voter fraud.

New Jerseys move comes after the Postal Service warned that some mail ballots in Pennsylvania might not be delivered on time due to the states deadlines, which has prompted election officials to seek an extension from the states Supreme Court to prevent voters from being disenfranchised.

Murphy said the state saw evidence of mail slowdowns beginning in March, with many postal workers sidelined when the pandemic was at its peak in the state. But he said his administration expects the Postal Service to handle the increase in mail-in ballots.

Well stay on them hard, as we have been, Murphy said. And its in everyones interest that it function as well as possible.

President Donald Trump, who has repeated false attacks on mail voting, acknowledged on Thursday that he is opposed to giving the Postal Service funding to help with the delivery of ballots because he thinks it will hurt his re-election changes.

Despite those attacks, both the president and First Lady Melania Trump have requested mail-in ballots for Floridas primary election next week, according to CNN.
A local court here on Friday sent a fraudster, who is also a murder accused, to five-day police remand to get more leads in the investigation of a high profile case.

Involved in 28-crore fraud, the accused has been identified as Gurdeep Singh of Channi Himmat here.

The Jammu crime branch had moved an application before the additional sessions court here to seek police remand of the notorious fraudster and prime accused, who was arrested by the crime branch from Mohali, Punjab, on August 12.

The accused had been absconding for more than eight years to evade arrest in case under sections 406, 409, 420, 468, 471, 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code registered at the Gandhi Nagar police station in Jammu.

The accused had gone into hiding along with his wife and family. During investigation, it had come to the fore that he had fled to the US and Australia in this duration after transferring a huge amount of money to these countries and had also acquired property and business there, said an official spokesperson.

Gurdeep is also involved in three different criminal cases registered at the police stations in Channi Himmat, Batote (Ramban district), besides a money laundering case, he added.

The court observed that the offence attributed to the accused is heinous and non-bailable and allowed his remand to police custody for five days so that further evidence of involvement of Gurdeep and others is collected.
He said 500 to 600 trees in public spaces such as picnic areas were seriously damaged, and thousands of trees in the woods were also harmed or destroyed. Among the trees that were felled or lost limbs were 150- to 200-year-old white oaks near Sauk Lake. Those trees are old, but theyre not considered trees of great significance, said McCabe. The Forest Preserve is home to trees in the 300-year-old range, many of them also white oaks.
But multiple studies have found that there is little to no risk of voter fraud when voting by mail and that voting by mail does not benefit one political party over another, political scientists have said. In fact, studies have shown that voting by mail is safe and increases voter turnout, particularly when there are fewer barriers in place to vote by mail, according to political scientists.
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French President Emmanuel Macron ordered joint military exercises by French and Greek forces yesterday in the eastern Mediterranean, in response to renewed Turkish oil exploration in waters disputed by Greece and Turkey. As the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies pre-existing political and strategic conflicts, the danger of war between the NATO powers is mounting.

On Wednesday, Macron had demanded Turkey stop unilateral decisions on oil exploration. He added he would temporarily reinforce the French military presence in the eastern Mediterranean in the coming days, in cooperation with European partners, including Greece.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed this move, claiming: Emmanuel Macron is a true friend of Greece and a fervent defender of European values and international law.

Yesterday, Frances Army Ministry stated that it would send two Rafale fighter jets and the frigate Lafayette to the eastern Mediterranean. This deployment, it added, aims to stress Frances attachment to freedom of movement, the security of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and the respect of international law. These forces have arrived in the southern Greek island of Crete, while two French Rafales also landed in Cyprus, according to Reuters and Anadolu agency reports.

Frances belligerent intervention came after Ankara announced that its seismic research vessel Oruc Reis would resume operations in disputed waters for two weeks. These announcements have escalated tensions between Ankara and Athens. Turkish officials announced that their fighters and warships will escort the Oruc Reis and auxiliary vessels in the region, which Greek warships are also shadowing.

Greece issued a statement demanding that Turkey immediately end its illegal actions that undermine peace and security in the region. Its armed forces have been placed on high alert. Mitsotakis warned Wednesday of the risk of an accident when so many naval forces gather in a limited area and blamed Ankara for this situation.

A danger of accident that could rapidly escalate an all-out war emerged when Greek coast guards opened fire on a private boat off the island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea on Tuesday. They wounded two Turkish and one Syrian civilian aboard.

The Mitsotakis government has also requested an emergency meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers over the dispute. The EU foreign ministers are to meet today. At another meeting in Vienna, Greek foreign minister and visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are to discuss the growing tensions in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has combined calls for dialogue with threatening language. On Thursday, he said negotiation with Athens as the only way to a resolution in the Eastern Mediterranean, but accused Greece and Cyprus of malicious intent, and added: No country or company can conduct surveys in our areas without our permission.

Erdogan also criticised French President Macrons blatant neo-colonial interference in Lebanon after the deadly blast in Beirut, stating: Macron and others like him only want to bring the colonial period back through their actions in the region.

Cagatay Erciyes from Turkish Foreign Ministry tweeted Monday: Greece claims 40,000 square kilometres of maritime jurisdiction area due to this tiny island [of] Kastellorizo, which lies 2 kilometres from the Turkish mainland and 580 kilometres from the Greek mainland.

In July, tensions over oil exploration in the region nearly escalated into a military clash between the two NATO powers. After German Chancellor Angela Merkel intervened to calm tensions, Ankara stated that it has stopped research activities during the Berlin-backed negotiations with Athens. However, the attempted dialogue collapsed within only a few weeks amid growing rivalries between the imperialist and regional powers for energy resources and strategic advantage.

These conflicts flow from the imperialist-led scramble to re-divide the profits and resources of the regions launched by the 2011 imperialist war in Libya and the proxy war in Syria. The discovery of undersea oil and gas reserves in the Mediterranean has only intensified these conflicts. While imperialist powers wage war to advance the interests of transnational corporations like Frances Total and Italys ENI oil firms, regional powers like Turkey, Greece and Egypt fight for crumbs from imperialist looting operations.

NATOs destruction of Muammar Gaddafis regime in Libya in 2011, in which France played a leading role, has had far-reaching and explosive consequences. On August 6, Egypt and Greece signed an agreement on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions between the two countries. This cut across rival maritime claims agreed by Turkey and Fayez al-Sarrajs Government of National Accord (GNA) in the Libyan capital Tripoli, which vastly expanded Turkeys territorial waters to justify its claims on oil in the eastern Mediterranean.

Last month, the Egyptian parliament approved the deployment of its army to Libya to support French and Russian-backed Khalifa Haftars forces against Italian- and Turkish-backed GNA, whose forces are advancing on the coastal city of Sirte and the airbase at Jufra.

After Macron declared the NATO alliance brain dead last year, Paris declared its support for Cairo in a potential confrontation with Turkey in Libya. The French navy then conducted joint maritime training exercises with Egyptian warships last month in the Mediterranean, in preparation for combat missions against hostile forces.

Israels announcement of full support for Greece only further highlights the growing war danger in the region. In a statement, the Israel Foreign Ministry declared: Israel expresses its full support and solidarity with Greece in its maritime zones and its right to delimit its EEZ [exclusive economic zone]. Israel, Greece and Cyprus are all part of the EastMed pipeline project to transport Eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe via Greece and Italy.

What is ever clearer is that the resources of the eastern Mediterranean and Balkan region cannot be rationally and peacefully developed in the framework of the capitalist nation-state system. As in the 1910s, when the Balkan Wars escalated into World War I between the imperialist powers, growing economic and strategic rivalries in the region threaten to escalate into overt conflict between major military powers, tearing the NATO alliance apart.

The only way to oppose such a development is to mobilise the working class internationally in a socialist and anti-war movement against imperialism.

Under these conditions, bourgeois opposition parties on the both sides of the Aegean support the aggressive, militaristic policies of the Greek and Turkish governments.

Alexis Tsipras, the former Greek prime minister and current leader of the pro-austerity Syriza (Coalition of the Radical Left) party, issued a warmongering call to mobilise the Greek military against Turkey. On Tuesday, he said: The way in which these illegal seismic activities must and can be prevented is known to our Armed Forces since October 2018, when they attempted it effectively. We have full confidence in their abilities.

Faik Oztrak, the spokesperson of the Kemalist Republican Peoples Party (CHP), indicated his partys full support for the eastern Mediterranean policy of the Erdogan government: It is right that the Oruc Reis research vessel is deployed in the area.

The only way out from these growing conflicts is an independent political intervention by the Greek, Turkish, French and international working class on an internationalist and socialist perspective aiming to overthrow the outmoded capitalist nation-state system, the root cause of war.
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.




New Delhi:

A suspected militant linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Jammu and Kashmir.

LeT commander Abu Bakr was killed in a six-hour-long gunfight at a residential building where he was hiding.

Sources said that the encounter has ended and security forces are combing the area to look for other militants.

J&K: Arms and ammunition recovered by security forces in Sopore encounter that killed top LeT commander Abu Bakr pic.twitter.com/pyDZCXkTHC a ANI (@ANI_news) December 14, 2016

Sopore encounter #UPDATE: top LeT commander Abu Bakr killed by security forces. Encounter ends a ANI (@ANI_news) December 14, 2016

Earlier in the day, security forces killed another suspected militant in a separate encounter in Anantnag district. Militants opened fire on a patrol party of army at Beewra in Srigufwara area of Anantnag district this morning, a police official said.

He said the army personnel retaliated, triggering a gunbattle.

The militant, identified as Basit Ahmad Dar, was killed in the encounter. Dar had recently joined Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit.

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In addition to everything else the show aims to achieve, Lovecraft Country, based on Matt Ruffs 2016 novel, reclaims some important territory in the name of Black nerds everywhere, filled as it is with characters who become immersed in a complicated and often difficult to follow Lovecraftian cosmology of creatures, secret societies, wizardry, spellcraft, weird science, confounding encryptions and other mysteries contained in old maps, passageways, relics and lost languages. Relying on their brains as much as their resiliency, these heroes confront evil most often on an intellectual level  whether its a galloping goo-monster with tentacles and teeth, or a sneering pack of White teenage boys who dont want Black people living in their neighborhood.
Both Queen's and Ulster University have said they are willing to work with students to allow them to access higher education after estimated grades were lowered by exam boards.

Over a third of 25,000 A and AS Level pupils got lesser grades than their teachers had estimated and only 5.3% had theirs raised.

All exams were cancelled earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Grades were instead calculated through teacher assessments and a computer-generated 'standardisation' model used by Northern Ireland's exams board CCEA, however the body has recognised that there will be "anomalies" in the results.

This has led to fears that many young people will miss out on a place at university due to the method of calculating the exam results.

Queen's University Belfast has said that it will honour all offers based on the results provided and that it will take into account appeals processes.

"Queen's University recognises that the process by which results are being determined this year is causing additional anxiety for some students," said the spokesperson. "The university will honour all offers on the basis of the results provided by the relevant exam boards and is committed to providing as much flexibility as possible within existing parameters to maximise the number of students able to access higher education in what has been a very challenging year.

"This flexibility includes working with exam boards and students to take account of subsequent appeal processes as far as possible in advance of the start of the new academic year."

Meanwhile, Ulster University will also honour all of the course offers it had previously made and was committed to being as "flexible as possible".

"At Ulster University, we are honouring all offers made on the basis of the results provided by the relevant exam boards and in this very challenging year for students we are committed to remaining as flexible as possible to ensure that all those who wish to access higher education are provided with an opportunity to do so," a spokesperson said.

"Students can call the Ulster admissions helpline where an advisor will provide them with the support and advice they need to make an informed decision," the university added.

"Students can also access a range of options available through clearing on courses such as Animation, Business, Cinematic Arts, Computing Technologies, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Drama, Interactive Design, Photography, Fashion, Journalism, Law and more."
Actress Sanjana Sanghi has come forward to stand by the family of her late co-star, actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She has supported their demand for a CBI probe, for a free and fair investigation in the case.

Recently, Sushant's sister Shweta Singh Kirti shared a series of post on her verified Instagram account, demanding a closure in the probe of the late actor's death, tagging her post with #CBIForSSR. She posted a picture where she is seen holding a placard that reads: "I am sister of Sushant Singh Rajput and I request for #CBIforSSR."

She captioned the image as: "It's time we find the truth and get justice. Please help our family and the whole world to know what the truth is and find closure, otherwise we will never be able to live a peaceful life!!#CBIForSSR Raise your voice and demand #JusticeForSushantSinghRajput #WarriorsForSSR @sushantsinghrajput."

Sanjana shared the post on her Instagram story and wrote, "For you the prayers never have and never will stop. Justice, peace and the truth- have to be served. Always praying that they will be served. This ordeal has been inordinately long and tough.

Shweta had also shared a video and captioned it as: "It's time we find the truth and get justice. Please help our family and the whole world to know what the truth and find closure, otherwise we will never be able to live a peaceful life!! #CBIForSSR Raise your voice and demand #JusticeForSushantSinghRajput #WarriorsForSSR."

Meanwhile, Sushant's Dil Bechara premiered on OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar on July 24 to massive love from the late actor's fans and loved ones. The film is based on the 2014 Hollywood hit, The Fault In Our Stars, which was adapted from novelist John Green's 2012 bestseller of the same name.

It also features Sahil Vaid, Swastika Mukherjee, Milind Gunaji and Saif Ali Khan. The music is by AR Rahman. Disney+ Hotstar had decided to make the film available for free viewing to all, as a mark of respect to the late Sushant.
What is life if not for a glorious mess at every step of the way? And who knows this better than our very own Masaba Gupta? An unconventional life, famous mother, juggling her fashion label, complicated matters of the heart hell, even an unusual name -- can this woman catch a break? Well, the answer to that is a little more complex than a straight-up yes or no. Grab your girl gang and buckets of popcorn to find out in Netflixs upcoming fictionalised series, Masaba Masaba, slated to hit your screens on August 28, 2020.

Inspired by Masaba Guptas story, the series gives you a sneak peek into the contrasting lives she lives -- from the fancy dos she attends with her celebrity friends to moments she is crying into a bottle of wine on the floor of her apartment, Masaba is as real as it gets. Masaba Masaba is a celebration of her life, successes and failures alike, packing in a ton of fun, laughter and tongue-in-cheek humour that is synonymous with her and her actor mother, Neena Gupta.

Starring Masaba and Neena in lead roles, and as themselves, the series also presents an ensemble cast including Neil Bhoopalam, Rytasha Rathore, Smaran Sahu and Satyadeep Mishra in pivotal roles. What's more, the series is also peppered with surprise acts from celebrities like Kiara Advani, Farah Khan, Shibani Dandekar, Pooja Bedi, Gajraj Rao, amongst others.

At the launch of the trailer, producer Ashvini Yardi (Viniyard Films), said, As the producer and creator of this series, I am genuinely excited to bring this first-of-a-kind concept for viewers. Masaba and Neenaji are inspiring women with a story to tell. It is the perfect recipe of fun, wit, inspiration, and emotion, all rolled into one. This series gave us a chance to experiment with a new format of fiction which is based on the real-life moments of a celebrity. We are glad to have partnered with Netflix in bringing this story to a global audience.

Co-writer and director Sonam Nair added, Masaba and Neena Gupta are my kind of women -- confident, hardworking, sassy, and, most importantly, brave. We rarely see women in all their complexities on screen, and this was a chance to show them as they really are, including not just their strengths and achievements, but also their flaws, insecurities and messes. And to show that perhaps famous people are also just people after all. At the end of the day, they also stalk their exes, and suck in their stomachs before walking into a room, and lie to their bosses! Im just waiting patiently (OK very impatiently) for the series to launch on Netflix!

Highs and lows, ups and downs -- despite it all, if there's one thing Masaba Gupta can bet on, it's herself.

Masaba Masaba releases exclusively on Netflix this August 28, 2020.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his seventh straight Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Saturday -- an address that comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, a border standoff with China, and a slew of reforms by the government under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

Modi will unfurl the Tricolour and deliver the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.

Modi will arrive in front of the Lahore Gate of Red Fort at 7.18am, where he will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar. Modi will then conducted to the Saluting Base where a combined Inter-Services and Police Guards will present him a general salute after which he will inspect the Guard of Honour.

The Guard of Honour contingent will comprise one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. The Guard of Honour will be positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the ramparts.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, Modi will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort. Major Shweta Pandey will assist him in unfurling the National Flag and it will synchronise with a 21-gun salute by gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial).

After unfurling the Tricolour, Modi will address the nation.

Modi's address will come 10 days after he performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir movement' that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power.

It also comes amid the border standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the eastern Ladakh. India and China have been holding diplomatic and military talks on disengagement of troops from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

There is also anticipation of more reform measures with the government having already announced measures in various sectors, including agriculture and defence, to realise the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

Over 4,000 people, including diplomats, officials and media personnel, have been invited for the Independence Day ceremony, which is being organised maintaining a balance between dignity of the event and factoring in the Covid-19 protocols, the defence ministry said on Friday.

In the run-up to the Independence Day, Modi last Saturday had launched a week-long garbage-free India campaign and asserted that the Swachh Bharat Mission has been a big support in the fight against coronavirus.

The defence ministry said the seating arrangement has been made under the guiding principle of "Do Gaz ki Doori" (maintaining distance of two yards) between any two guests. It said members of the guard of honour have been under quarantine.

All invitees have been requested to wear masks, it said, adding that an adequate number of masks are being kept handy for distribution at various points of venue.

High security in place

Multilayered security arrangements and a mandatory adherence to social distancing norms are in place for the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort. A security ring, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos and kite catchers, will be placed around the Mughal-era structure.

The Delhi Police has made multilayered arrangements in connection with the Independence Day celebrations. Necessary coordination has been made with other agencies like the NSG, SPG and ITBP.

"All the agencies will work in close coordination with each other to cater to all kinds of threat inputs. SWAT teams and 'Parakram' vans have been strategically stationed," said Delhi Police Additional PRO Anil Mittal.

There will be heavy security deployment along the route taken by Modi to reach Red Fort. Over 300 cameras have been installed for security and their footage is being monitored round-the-clock, police said.

There will be around 4,000 security personnel at the Red Fort and they will stand in adherence with social distancing norms.

Medical booths have been set up at various locations--one booth near the rampart -- one at Madhavdas Park and two booths at 15 August Park -- to cater to any attendee with symptoms related to COVID-19 during the entry. Ambulances will also be stationed here.

Thermal screening at all entry points for the invitees has been planned. A thorough sanitisation of the premises inside and outside the Red Fort is being carried out on a regular basis, officials said.

(With inputs from agencies)
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Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 15:20 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e1031b 1 Business Jouska,Phillip-Sekuritas,money-laundering,investment-mismanagement,OJK,IDX,Indonesia-Stock-Exchange Free

Brokerage firm PT Phillip Sekuritas Indonesia has denied accusations that it gave now-suspended financial advisory firm PT Jouska Finansial Indonesia access to its customers' accounts.

Phillip Sekuritas president director Daniel Tedja said on Friday that the company was merely acting as a sponsor for Jouskas financial education programs, in which it facilitated clients to open a securities account at Phillip Sekuritas.

All customers will be given direct access to their own accounts to make transactions, Daniel said in a statement obtained by The Jakarta Post.

He went on to say that customers securities and investment fund accounts were only accessible by the brokerage firm to help with settlements and fund withdrawals.

Read also: OJK shuts down Jouska, two other investment firms

The statement comes weeks after Jouskas former clients came out on social media in late July, saying their financial advisors were managing their portfolio and investment fund accounts without consent.

A former client uploaded an offering letter and contract he received from the company when using Jouskas services in 2018 and 2019, stating that Jouska would have the right to manage the clients funds, as well as buy and sell stocks in their portfolio.

The clients also said Jouska had been prohibiting its clients from making any transactions for their accounts on their own.

Jouska neither denied nor confirmed the allegations.

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) then instructed Jouska to cease operations over allegations of illegal stock brokerage and investment mismanagement after summoning and questioning Jouska CEO and founder Aakar Abyasa Fidzuno.

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) also said in early August that it was investigating Jouska for alleged money laundering following the suspected illegal investment and fund management.

Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) trading director Laksono Widodo said on Tuesday that the bourse had summoned Phillip Sekuritas for questioning regarding the customers claims. He, however, refused to reveal the results, as the investigation was still ongoing.

Read also: Lifestyle, lack of tech adoption, impediments to Indonesia's financial literacy

Phillip Sekuritas, which is a part of Singapore-based PhillipCapital Group, also stated that it carried out its duties as underwriter for the initial public offering (IPO) of computer hardware-trading company PT Sentral Mitra Informatika, listed under the code LUCK, according to the capital markets prevailing mechanism and regulations.

We ensure that the company and its management do not hold any of LUCKs shares in the primary or secondary market, Daniel said.

Jouskas clients said they endured hundreds of millions of rupiah in losses after the advisor used most of their funds to buy Sentral Mitras shares.

Sentral Mitra, which was listed on the bourse on Nov. 29, 2018, saw its share price increase exponentially from Rp 285 (2 US cents) to its highest level of Rp 2,020 apiece around eight months after its IPO. The companys share price has since dropped to below its IPO price, trading at Rp 194 as of Friday at 11:07 a.m.
Daimler said on Thursday it has reached agreements costing nearly $3 billion to settle civil investigations by U.S. regulators and lawsuits from vehicle owners stemming from a long-running probe into software to cheat diesel emissions tests.

The settlements in principle address civil and environmental claims tied to 250,000 U.S. diesel passenger cars and vans in the United States and include claims from the Environmental Protection Agency, Justice Department, California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Attorney Generals Office.

The German carmaker said it expects the costs of the settlements with U.S. authorities will total $1.5 billion, settling with owners will cost about $700 million and further expenses of a mid three-digit-million EUR (euro) amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements.

A spokesman for CARB confirmed the settlement will reach $1.5 billion and affects 250,000 vehicles nationwide. The agency said it would disclose more details after binding consent decrees with the U.S. government agencies are filed with a U.S. district court, currently anticipated for mid-September.

The maker of Mercedes-Benz cars said it expects an impact on its free cash flow over the next three years as a result, with the main impact within the next 12 months.

Daimler said previously it was the subject of a Justice Department criminal investigation but the status of that probe was not addressed Thursday.

Diesel vehicles have come under scrutiny in the United States since Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to installing secret software on 580,000 U.S. vehicles that allowed them to emit up to 40 times legally allowable emissions.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in 2019 reached a settlement worth about $800 million to resolve claims by regulators and owners that it used illegal software that produced false results on diesel-emissions tests, but still faces an ongoing criminal probe.

In total, Volkswagen agreed to pay more than $25 billion in the United States for claims from owners, environmental regulators, states and dealers. VW also ended sales of diesel passenger vehicles in the United States.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Emma Thomasson; Editing by Susan Fenton and Steve Orlofsky)

Topics Claims USA Pollution
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Linkedin Giulia Paravicini (Reuters) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  Fri, August 14, 2020 07:40 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066de8e09 2 World Africa,coronavirus,COVID-19,antibody,antibody-test,COVID-19-treatment,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

Seven African countries will start administering coronavirus antibody tests from next week, a regional body said on Thursday, as part of efforts to understand the extent of the outbreak on the continent.

"Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco are the first set of countries that committed to it," said John Nkengasong, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, based in Addis Ababa.

Western governments are using antibody tests to find out how many of their citizens have been infected, in the hope that will help them reopen their economies.

Africa has so far conducted 9.4 million coronavirus tests, a 10% increase over last week, Nkengasong said. These tests show whether people currently have COVID-19.

The continent's relative isolation has so far spared it the worst of the pandemic, but low levels of testing in many countries mean Africa's infection rates are likely to be higher than reported, experts say.

As of Thursday, Africa had recorded more than a 1 million cases of COVID-19 and 24,113 deaths, according to a Reuters tally.

Nkengasong said 25 African countries still have full border closures while 23 are imposing testing at entry points.

He stressed the need to harmonize border testing and recognition of certificates in order to facilitate travel.
" " Modern appliances couldn't vacuum away women's desires for life beyond housework. White Packert/ Getty Images

In 1962, famed American pollster Gordon Gallup surveyed 1,813 married, white women around the country for a snapshot of contemporary middle-class motherhood. From their responses, some of which were filtered through husbands uncomfortable with their servile spouses speaking publicly, Gallup concluded that housewives enjoyed the plum position in society. Unlike their male counterparts who had to climb steep and rickety career ladders, U.S. housewives, according to Gallup, "know precisely why they're here on Earth," and strive for two clear-cut goals: being a satisfactory wife and a laudable mother [source: Coontz].

It isn't exactly a spoiler alert to say Gallup's assessment missed the mark. As Betty Friedan would soon after describe in her 1963 book "The Feminine Mystique" as "the problem with no name," being a housewife in the 1960s was beginning to lose its luster like a tarnishing tea service. Contrary to the notion of the 1950s and 1960s as the apex of the American at-home mother, serving as the domestic goddess already was seen widely as an adjunct facet of women's lives rather than its sole purpose. By that time, psychologists and social critics had begun chastising at-home mothers for wasting away in suburbia, coddling their adolescent "baby boomers" with so much maternal affection. But women had yet to toss off their aprons and march out of their kitchens en masse when Gallup began knocking door to door.

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That major transition from at-home to at-work mothers that escalated with Friedan and second wave feminism in the 1960s and 1970s certainly altered domestic dynamics. In 1960, for instance, 27.6 percent of married mothers with school-aged children held jobs; that number had skyrocketed to 70.8 percent by 2010 [sources: Alger and Crowley, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]. In addition to modern women juggling work and motherhood, the demographics of who is joining the new mom ranks -- and when -- has also changed considerably in recent decades. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2008, women over 35 years old with at least some college education made up a greater proportion of the American mothering population than they did in 1990 [source: Livingston and Cohn]. And while briefcases have become the common mom carry-all, wedding bands have fallen by the wayside: As of 2012, a majority of women under 30 years old who are having babies are doing so outside of marriage [source: DeParle and Tavernise].

However, there is one facet of American motherhood that largely has remained unchanged over the past 200 years. Though the constructs, demographics and social values of mothers in the United States have constantly evolved within a larger cultural history of women, since the late 1700s, moms have been regarded as the gatekeepers of the nation's future health and promise.
BEIRUT Claudette Halabi cried out from beneath the rubble of her house for an hour before she died. The neighbours couldnt save her.

We kept hearing the screams. I heard her voice. But we couldnt do anything. It still hurts," said Johnny Khawand, near the remains of her Beirut building. The thundering blast at the port last week had crushed its three floors.

Khawand, born 40 years ago in the same neighbourhood, stayed up all night for the rescue operation. Four died in that building alone, among them Claudette, a widow in her 70s he knew since he was a kid.

In one of Beiruts poorest neighbourhoods, Karantina near the port, people are still reeling from the explosion that flattened homes and killed many neighbours who felt like family.

Everyone knows everyone. Everyone cried when they recalled the explosion.

A week later, the neighbours are struggling to find the money to rebuild, without help from the state in a city that was already deep in economic collapse.

The warehouse explosion killed at least 172 people, wounded thousands and ravaged entire districts. It shattered walls and ripped out balconies in Karantina, a neglected part of the capital.

The cluster of streets, with a slaughterhouse and a waste plant, saw one of the bloodiest massacres of Lebanons 1975-1990 civil war.

Many said the blast did more damage in a few seconds than 15 years of war. With the wreckage at their doorstep once more, families who have spent decades in Karantina have camped out in their apartments. They sleep on the floor or on ripped couches, without doors or windows, not sure how to go on.

OUR LIFE SAVINGS

Im in a nightmare I cant wake up from. I still cant believe Im looking at my mothers coffin," said Claudettes son, George Halabi, who flew in for her funeral.

At the church cemetery, the blast had blown the doors off family mausoleums, sending a stench that encircled mourners.

Its a crime against all of Lebanon," Halabi said. My mother survived the war."

Like many Lebanese, he blamed the sectarian elite that has ruled since the war for pushing the country to ruin.

With the blast under investigation, officials have pointed to a huge stockpile of explosive material stored in unsafe conditions at the port for years.

Months before the warehouse blew up, a currency crash had wiped out Tony Matars savings from his familys linens store.

Our lifes savings are in this house," said Matar, 68, whose grandfather was born in Karantina. It was a paradise."

The shockwaves brought doors, closets, and chairs crashing on his daughter Patricia, 25. She had travelled to Beirut for her sisters wedding, and her broken bones will take months to recover.

Every time I come back home, I relive that moment. I remember how my daughter fell and I cry," said Tonys wife Souad, clad in black.

Her mother had died from cancer just days before. I didnt even have time to mourn her," she said. Can you imagine I thanked God she passed away? So that she did not have to see this."

A CHILDS TRAUMA

Abdou Batrouni, a fisherman, lost his small savings, stashed in a closet in a bedroom that was blown to pieces.

His family has relied on donations and young volunteers who flocked to help from across the country. He and others said no officials visited the district, historically a place where refugees settled, which later also became home to some Syrian families and migrant workers.

Batrounis wife had shielded their two sons, nine and three years old, with her body. They got out without a scratch, but he found one of the boys, Elie, crouched down, yelling I dont want to die, I dont want to die."

Now if I just clap, he gets startled and bursts into tears." The first night, they all slept next to each other on a mattress at the doorless entrance.

Around every corner, neighbours told stories of loss but also bravery. A man who threw himself on his daughter needed dozens of stitches. A woman carried her elderly mother and hid her between two closets.

We all grew up together, we saw each other get married," said Hoda Jouni, who runs a minimarket. We lost everything."

(Writing by Ellen Francis; Additional reporting by Michael Georgy; Editing by Giles Elgood)

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
On Thursday, BJP said that it will move a no-confidence motion against Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, the news comes after Ashok Gehlot govt announced that the party will move a vote of confidence in the assembly on Friday.

The Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan won vote of confidence in the state assembly on Friday by voice vote. Later, Sachin Pilot said to media that the vote of confidence which was brought by the government was passed with a very good majority today in the Rajasthan assembly, despite various attempts by the opposition, the result was in favour of the government.

He said that it had put a full stop on all suspicions that were rising, a roadmap had been prepared for all the issues that were being raised. He added that he had complete faith, that roadmap would be announced timely. Pilot also referred to change in his seat in the assembly.

He said that earlier, he was part of the government but now he was not, it was not important where one sits, but what was in the hearts and minds of people. He said that as far as the seating pattern was considered, it was decided by speaker and party and he does not want to comment on it.

Also read: No permanent foes or friends in Politics, Gehlot, Pilot all smiles as they come face-to-face, suspensions of two MLAs revoked

This has put a full stop on all suspicions that were rising. A roadmap has been prepared for all the issues that were being raised. I have complete faith, that roadmap will be announced timely: Congress leader Sachin Pilot https://t.co/DqfoqaWro5  ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2020

Also read: Seamless, Painless, Fearless: Pm Modis big push for tax reforms

Earlier taking part in the debate Gehlot alleged that the central government was misusing investigative agencies. He asked if agencies like ED, CBI and Income Tax department were not being misused in the country. Pilot also referred to change in his seat in the assembly.

He said that he was safe on the seat he used to sit on earlier, then he thought why had he been allotted a different seat. He said he saw that this was the border  ruling party on one side, opposition on other. He asked that who was sent to the border? The strongest warrior.

Be it me or any friend of mine, we consulted the doctor and all 125 of us are standing in the House today after treatmentThere may be bombardment at this border but we will be the armour and keep everything safe, he added.

Rajasthans Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal tabled a motion for trust vote in the state assembly. Speaker Dr CP Joshi accepted the proposal for discussion and allotted three hours time for the debate.

The two factions in the Congress led by Gehlot and Pilot had come together ahead of the assembly session. Pilot had support of 18 other MLAs. Pilot was removed as Deputy Chief Minister and Rajasthan Congress chief last month after his differences with Gehlot came out in open triggering a political crisis in the state.

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: No objection to CBI inquiry, says Rhea Chakraborty to SC
SCHERERVILLE  Schererville authorities are investigating rumors of planned looting early Friday and are actively patrolling business areas in town.

On Thursday, the Schererville Police Department was made aware of information that indicated a group allegedly plans to loot business areas in town around 1 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday, said Deputy Chief of Police Jeff Cook.

"Schererville police along with surrounding agencies are on alert and ready to take action should an attempt take place," Cook said. "We encourage business owners and citizens to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity immediately."

Cook said police are still working to determine the source of the information and whether it is true or fictitious. Meanwhile, he said Schererville police are on standby.

"We will continue to investigate the rumors while maintaining vigilant patrols of local businesses," Cook said.

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The Bombay high court on Friday refused to stay final year year examinations for under-graduate and post-graduate medical and dental courses, staring from August 17 and August 25 respectively.

We dont think it is proper to stay the examinations, said the bench if chief justice Dipankar Datta and justice Surendra Tavade. There could be students, other than the petitioners who are willing to appear for the physical examination and might have prepared for the same. It would not be proper to stay the examinations behind their back.

The bench was hearing petition filed by 24 students of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) courses from different districts of the state, challenging the decision of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) to hold final year examinations of the courses, requiring physical presence of students for both practical and theory papers.

Their counsel, advocate Kuldeep Nikam, submitted that due to the unprecedented and alarming situation created by Covid-19 pandemic in Maharashtra, it will be difficult for the students to physically appear for the examinations.

He added that the petitioners and other students were not averse to appear for online examinations, as has been suggested by the University Grants Commission. Nikam also pointed out that yesterday itself two medical students have been found infected with Covid-19.

You are doctors. If you are not prepared to appear physically for these examinations, how will you treat patients in hospitals, the judges asked.

It also clarified that that if, however, any of the petitioners do not appear for the examinations starting August 17 and August 25, and later the court finds that they were justified in refusing to appear for the physical examinations, it will order MUHS to hold separate examinations for them.

MUHS counsel, advocate Rajshekhar Govilkar, however, pointed out that all deemed universities in Maharashtra have already held their final year examinations and if post-graduate students do not appear for these examinations, they will not be able to apply for admission to super-speciality courses.

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The Karnataka government has banned the installation of Ganesha pandals in public place as well as the immersion of idols in public water bodies in fresh guidelines issued for the celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi next week.

No public processions are allowed while buying and installing private Ganesha idols or while immersing the idols in wells, said the government order issued on Friday.

"People are requested to worship either in their homes or in temples in a simple way. Those who worship clay idols in their homes must immerse them in their own homes," said the order issued by Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar.

The state typically sees many organisations and resident groups installing pandals at road corners, grounds and gullies to worship idols of the god and celebrate the festival for periods spanning three to 10 days. Idols are immersed in public tanks, lakes and rivers -- often special arrangements are made in Bengaluru's lakes to facilitate this. This year, in view of the spread of coronavirus, all these public celebrations are banned.

Temples where the god is worshipped must sanitise their premises each day. Devotees must be allowed entry with masks only while maintaining social distance. Thermal screening and sanitising at entry points are also mandatory.

Action would be taken under the Disaster Management Act against those violating these rules.

With no drop in coronavirus cases over the last month, the government now plans to ramp up testing yet again. The cost of testing in private labs has been brought down while serological surveys will be taken up across the state. An additional 18 lakh testing kits for RT-PCR tests and 20 lakh antigen tests are being bought.

Plasma therapy will be taken up as part of treatment protocols in all districts in a bid to bring down fatality rates.
Michael Cohen has been spotted on the streets of New York City just a day after revealing bombshell details of his upcoming book about his time working with Donald Trump.

The former lawyer, who was released from prison last month, was seen by DailyMail.com walking back to his Park Avenue home Friday while wearing his mask under his nose.

Cohen was casually dressed in jeans, a gray shirt and sneakers with sunglasses but appeared preoccupied and was seen talking on the phone. He finally pulled his mask up properly as he neared his home and was greeted by the doorman.

Trump's former fixer is sure to ruffle feathers with his new book titled Disloyal, where he reveals that he witnessed a 'golden showers' incident and helped Trump commit tax fraud and lie to his wife Melania.

DailyMail.com spotted Michael Cohen out on the streets of New York City on Friday

Cohen was seen wearing a mask below his nose as he walked to his ritzy Park Avenue home. This comes the day after he published a sneak of 'Disloyal'  his upcoming memoir about his years-long relationship with Donald Trump

The president's former personal fixer finally pulled his mask up properly as he neared his home and was greeted by the doorman

He was casually dressed in jeans and a gray shirt with sunglasses but appeared preoccupied and was seen talking on the phone

Cohen's sighting comes just after he released the foreword of the book, where he makes shocking claims about his time working as the president's personal fixer

In the peek at his memoir, Cohen revealed the 'mob boss' mentality of the president in his foreword, which he titled 'THE REAL REAL DONALD TRUMP.'

'Apart from his wife and children, I knew Trump better than anyone else did,' Cohen wrote, claiming he was the one who pushed him to run for president in 2011 and 2015.

Cohen previewed the cover of his upcoming book 'Disloyal' on Twitter Thursday morning

'In some ways, I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man,' he revealed.

But he also refers to Trump as someone he knew intimately well.

He recalls driving south from New York to testify against the 'real real Donald Trump' in 2019.

'Not the billionaire celebrity savior of the country or lying lunatic, not the tabloid tycoon or self-anointed Chosen One, not the avatar @realdonaldtrump of Twitter fame, but the real real Donald Trumpthe man very, very, very few people know,' the book reads.

In the first part of his book, which was published to DisloyalTheBook.com on Thursday afternoon, Cohen claimed that Trump has 'no real friends.'

'He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets,' he continued. 'For ten years, he certainly had me, and I was always there for him, and look what happened to me.'

The book also includes a flurry of admissions from Cohen, some of which he already pleaded guilty to and was given a three-year prison sentence for.

'I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump's path to power,' Cohen admitted.

Cohen released the forward of his upcoming book 'Disloyal,' about his longtime friendship with Donald Trump where he claimed he witnessed the 'golden showers' incident and helped Trump commit tax fraud, create a secret back channel to Vladimir Putin and lie to Melania

'Coming Soon,' the president's former fixer and personal attorney wrote in a tweet along with an image of the cover

COHEN ON.... What he knows: I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them. How Trump works: Trump's theory of life, business and politics revolved around threats and the prospect of destructionfinancial, electoral, personal, physicalas a weapon. Who he was for Trump: I was one of Trump's bad guys. In his world, I was one hundred percent a made man. What Trump made him: An acolyte obsessed with Donald J. Trump, a demented follower willing to do anything for him, including, as I vowed once to a reporter, to take a bullet. How Cohen knows what he writes: I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man. What Trump offers his fans: ...an intoxicating cocktail of power, strength, celebrity, and a complete disregard for the rules and realities that govern our lives. The inner Donald Trump: ...he has a million acquaintances, pals and hangers on, but no real friends. He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets. How Trump instructs his aides: Like a mob boss, using language carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands, while at the same time employing deliberate indirection to insulate himself and avoid actually ordering a hit. What will happen to Trump: I'm certain that Trump knows he will face prison time if he leaves office Why Trump wants to be 'leader for life': Whoever follows Trump into the White House, if the President doesn't manage to make himself the leader for life, as he has started to joke aboutand Trump never actually jokes- will discover a tangle of frauds and scams and lawlessness Advertisement

'From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers, I wasn't just a witness to the president's riseI was an active and eager participant,' he wrote.

The mention of him witnessing golden showers brings a reminder to the Steele Dossier, which claims Russian President Vladimir Putin has blackmail on Trump from the time he was in Moscow for the Miss Universe pageant in 2013 and allegedly watched prostitutes urinate on a bed because it had been slept in by the Obama. Trump has denied the claim repeatedly.

However Cohen says the golden showers incident was in Las Vegas - suggesting he might be referring to a trip with Trump to a club there called The Act whose repertoire included stimulated urination by performers on stage. Trump did a deal at the club to take his Miss Universe competition to Moscow, a previous book by investigative journalists revealed.

Cohen, 53, previewed earlier in the day the cover image and title of his upcoming memoir 'Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump,' along with a teaser, 'Coming Soon' in the text of the tweet.

The foreword, however, hints at a series of bombshell in the book.

Cohen says: 'Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors.

'I also knew that the [Robert] Mueller investigation was not a witch-hunt. Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything -and I mean anything - to 'win' has always been his business model and way of life.'

He says Trump tried to 'insinuate' himself into Putin's world and his 'coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs.'

'I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates, even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying, 'there's no Russian collusion, I have no dealings with Russia... there's no Russia.'

Cohen makes clear that he speaks from a position of knowledge saying that for 10 years, he was Trump's last call at night and first in the morning, and he was 'in and out' of Trump's office '50 times a day.'

'Our cell phones had the same address books, our contacts so entwined, overlapping and intimate that part of my job was to deal with the endless queries and requests, however large or small, from Trump's countless rich and famous acquaintances,' he writes.

'I called any and all of the people he spoke to, most often on his behalf as his attorney and emissary, and everyone knew that when I spoke to them, it was as good as if they were talking directly to Trump.'

Ominously, he writes: 'I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them.'

He describes himself as having been 'at the center of Trump's innermost circle' and that his 'boss' had come to his son's bar mitzvah and told him: 'You're family.'

'I f***ing believed him,' he writes.

Cohen tells how he feared he would be killed by Trump's supporters when he gave evidence to Congress after flipping and co-operating with Mueller.

'The President of the United States wanted me dead,' he writes - saying that he knew that Trump was like a 'mob boss' who would never directly order a hit but instead spoke in a way 'carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands.'

'I knew how he worked because I had frequently been the one screaming threats on his behalf as Trump's fixer and designated thug.

'The President called me a rat and tweeted angry accusations at me, as well as my family.'

He says he received 'hundreds' of death threats on his cell phone, his email and even in the mail.

'I was exactly the person Trump was talking about when he said he could shoot and kill someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it,' he writes.

'If that sounds overly dramatic, consider the powers Trump possessed and imagine how you might feel if he threatened you personally,' Cohen added.

'The notion that I was being followed or stalked may have seemed crazy; but it was also perfectly logical. I wasn't just famousI was perhaps the most infamous person in the country at the time, seen by millions upon millions as a traitor.

'He also possessed a cult-like hold over his supporters, some of them demonstrably unhinged and willing to do anything to please or protect the President.

'I knew how committed these fanatics were because I'd been one of them: an acolyte obsessed with Donald J. Trump, a demented follower willing to do anything for him, including, as I vowed once to a reporter, to take a bullet.'

Cohen makes clear he wrote the foreword while in prison, putting at the end of it 'Otisville, New York..

But he says he is convinced that Trump knows he will follow him to prison, calling it 'the inevitable cold Karma to the notorious chants of 'Lock Her Up!''

In fact, he says, he believes Trump wants to avoid jail by becoming leader for life, saying he has 'joked about it' and adding: 'Trump never jokes.'

Cohen hints at a semi-sympathetic view of a tortured inner Trump, lost, alone, and without the people he really needs: another Roy Cohn, the pitbull Mafia lawyer of his youth, or, Cohen says - with no self-effacement - Cohen himself.

'Watching Trump on the evening news in the prison rec room, I almost feel sorry for him,' he writes.

'I know him so well and I know his facial tics and tells; I see the cornered look in his eyes as he flails and rants and raves, searching for a protector and advocate, someone willing to fight dirty and destroy his enemies.'

He names AG Bill Barr - who tried to block the book by gagging, then jailing, Cohen - Jared Kushner, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Pompeo as 'new wannabe fixers, sycophants willing to distort the truth and break the law in the service of the Boss.'

The memoir, however, does not come without Cohen owning up to his own actions.

Secret back channel: Michael Cohen says Trump ordered him to find a conduit to the Russian president Vladimir Putin

I lied to Melania: Michael Cohen says he told Trump's wife lies to cover up her husband's infidelities

TRUMP'S NIGHTMARE SUMMER READS Michael Cohen's book - planned for 'late September' comes amid a flurry of books - some of which Trump and his aides have tried to stop - about the president. They include: The Room Where It Happened Both the White House and the Department of Justice tried to gag the former national security advisor's bombshell account which told how Trump begged China's President Xi to help him win the election - and thought Finland was part of Russia Too Much And Never Enough Mary Trump, the president's niece, has become a number one bestseller with her devastating account of her uncle, calling him a sociopath and narcissist and Frankenstein's monster, a victim of a loveless childhood, called a 'clown' and a 'fool' by his own sister and willing to ogle his own niece. His family failed to gag her - and she also revealed how he and Ivana gave cheap Christmas gifts. Rage Bob Woodward, the legendary investigative journalist, will publish his second book on Trump in September. It will include 25 'love letters' between the president and Kim Jong Un with the North Korean dictator calling their relationship something from 'a fantasy film.' Trump has been interviewed by Woodward for the book. Advertisement

'I made choices along the wayterrible, heartless, stupid, cruel, dishonest, destructive choices, but they were mine and constituted my reality and life,' he wrote.

He says he lost touch with his siblings, became obsessed by money, desperate 'to inhabit the world from the vantage point of private jets and billion-dollar deals, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get there.'

He admits to 'ego, short temper, and willingness to deceive' - but says that his account will allow people to see inside Trump's world.

'It's only gangster who can reveal the secrets of organized crime,' he says of Trump's world, calling himself 'one hundred per cent a made man.'

Cohen goes on to criticize himself and the GOP for 'grovelling at Trump's feet'.

'I recognized the childish games, replete with a Trump-like slogan, because I had played them myself. In the pitiful sight of Republicans throwing aside their dignity and duty in an effort to grovel at Trump's feet, I saw myself and understood their motives.

He adds that he had an 'insatiable desire' to appease the president.

'My insatiable desire to please Trump to gain power for myself, the fatal flaw that led to my ruination, was a Faustian bargain: I would do anything to accumulate, wield, maintain, exert, exploit power.

'In this way, Donald Trump and I were the most alike; in this naked lust for power, the President and I were soul mates. I was so vulnerable to his magnetic force because he offered an intoxicating cocktail of power, strength, celebrity, and a complete disregard for the rules and realities that govern our lives.

'To Trump, life was a game and all that mattered was winning. In these dangerous days, I see the Republican Party and Trump's followers threatening the constitutionwhich is in far greater peril than is commonly understoodand following one of the worst impulses of humankind: the desire for power at all costs.'

He said that in the weeks before giving evidence against Trump, he even considered killing himself.

'The time to testify nearing, I asked the sergeant-at-arms for a few minutes of privacy and the room was cleared.

'Sitting alone, my thoughts and heart racing, I had the first panic attack of my life. I struggled to breathe and stand.

'The pressure was too much; I had contemplated suicide in recent weeks, as a way to escape the unrelenting insanity.

'Reaching for a seat, I started to cry, a flood of emotions overwhelming me: fear, anger, dread, anxiety, relief, terror.

'It felt something like when I was in the hospital awaiting the birth of my daughter and son, with so many powerful and unprecedented emotions welling up in anticipation.

'Only now I was that child being born and all of the pain and blood were part of the birth of my new life and identity.'

He also pleaded that the country doesn't make the same mistakes by supporting the president and warned he doesn't believe Trump would leave peacefully in the 2020 election.

'To those who support the President and his rhetoric, as I once did, I pray the country doesn't make the same mistakes as I have made or pay the heavy price that my family and I are paying.

'Given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power.'

The revelation of some of the book's contents came after a federal court ruled against what a judge said was Attorney General Bill Barr's attempt to stop Cohen from publishing the tell-all.

Cohen recalled his experience at his Oversight Hearing.

'Representative Elijah Cummings had the final word, as chair of the Oversight Committee. I sat in silence, listening to this now deceased man with decades of experience in the civil rights movement and other forms of public service, who as a lawyer had represented disgraced lawyers like me.

'He understood that even the least of us deserve the opportunity to seek penance, redemption and a second chance in life.

'Cummings was the lone politician I encountered in all my travails who took an interest in me as a human being. When I reported to serve my sentence, he even took steps to ensure my security in prison. It was a selfless act of kindness for which I will always be grateful.

'"I know this has been hard",' Cummings said to me and the nation, his words hitting me like a kick in the gut.

'"I know you've faced a lot. I know that you are worried about your family. But this is a part of your destiny. And hopefully this portion of your destiny will lead to a better Michael Cohen, a better Donald Trump, a better United States of America, and a better world. And I mean that from the depths of my heart".'

'Representative Cummings concluded by saying, "We are better than this".'

The U.S. government made an agreement with federal prosecutors at the end of July to abandon its efforts to impose a gag order on Cohen as he prepares to release his book critical of his former boss.

Cohen was released from prison in May 2020 amid concerns over coronavirus after he served one year of his three-year sentence for pleading guilty to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress.

He returned to prison in early July after tweeting about planning to publish a book alleging Trump used racial slurs against former President Barack Obama and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela.

'Favorable ruling yesterday by the Court as I am close to completion of my book' Cohen wrote of Trump's niece Mary Trump being able to publish her critical book about her uncle.

'...anticipated release date will be late September.' Cohen wrote in another tweet.

A week after the president's former fix-it man and personal attorney was released from prison for the second time, where he spent two weeks after refusing to cease speaking to the media, the ruling came in that he could speak with the media and publish his memoir.

The tweet of him touting his new book Thursday is the first time he has posted since being released from prison.

Cohen was released from prison in late July after being ordered to return after tweeting and talking about how his upcoming book will reveal Trump's racist comments toward former President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela

The court ruled against Attorney General Bill Barr, who Cohen sued, for trying to issue a gag order against him and sending him back to prison after his May released. The judge argued the move was in violation of Cohen's First Amendment Rights

Cohen was thrown back into prison one week after tweeting that he would release his tell-all book ahead of the November presidential election and claiming it was a 'favorable ruling' that Trump's niece Mary Trump was permitted to publish her own tell all

Cohen sued U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and federal prison officials during his second stint, claiming he was ordered back because of the book.

U.S. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ordered he be released at the end of last month, saying the government's action was retaliatory and a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Cohen intentionally revealed that the book would be coming out ahead of the November elections.

His will join a list of other pre-Election Day books aimed at ousting Trump, including Bob Woodward's 'Fear: The Trump White House,' Mary Trump's 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man,' and former National Security Advisor John Bolton's 'The Room Where It Happened.'

Both Mary and Bolton also faced lawsuits from Trump's administration trying to stop their publication, but ultimately the court ruled it was lawful for them to go ahead with releasing their respective memoirs.

Michael Cohen claims Donald Trump 'wants to be a leader for life to avoid prison' and insists there are more 'scandals' to emerge from the White House with 'greater levels of treachery and deceit'

Michael Cohen has claimed that Donald Trump wants to be 'leader for life' in order to avoid prison time and says recent scandals faced by the president's administration are only the 'tip of the iceberg' in bombshell new book.

The foreword of Cohen's book Disloyal, which he titled THE REAL REAL DONALD TRUMP, was published to DisloyalTheBook.com on Thursday afternoon.

Cohen, who wrote the foreword while behind bars in Otisville, New York, said: 'As the months passed by and I thought about the man I knew so well, I became even more convinced that Trump will never leave office peacefully.

'The types of scandals that have surfaced in recent months will only continue to emerge with greater and greater levels of treachery and deceit. If Trump wins another four years, these scandals will prove to only be the tip of the iceberg.'

Cohen said he's convinced that Trump knows he will follow him to prison, calling it 'the inevitable cold Karma to the notorious chants of 'Lock Her Up!''

'But that is the Trump I know in a nutshell. He projects his own sins and crimes onto others, partly to distract and confuse but mostly because he thinks everyone is as corrupt and shameless and ruthless as he is; a poisonous mindset I know all too well.

'Whoever follows Trump into the White House, if the President doesn't manage to make himself the leader for life, as he has started to joke aboutand Trump never actually jokes- will discover a tangle of frauds and scams and lawlessness.'
Bengaluru: Days after the riots in Bengaluru which left 3 people dead and over 50 injured, an incident of a flag cloth thrown over the statue of Shankaracharya in Sringeri taluk of Chikkamagaluru on Thursday morning has angered the locals. A special team has been formed to probe the incident, which has triggered tension in the district.

The police has removed the piece of cloth and registered an FIR. According to the police, the discarded flag is not related to any political party or organisation, but the mark on the flag looks like a picture of a tomb or Islamic dome. SP of Chikkamagalur has denied any political party or any organisation's connection in the matter.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson S Prakash claimed that there was a connection between the violence in Bangalore and the incident in Chikkamagaluru and demanded answers from the Congress.

"There is a connection between the incident in Bangalore and Chikkamagaluru. Ever since the violence in Mangaluru, continuous efforts were being made to spread violence in the state. Got a chance this time. Now the husband of Congress councilor is arrested along with SDPI, Kalim Pasha is close to KJ George, Congress must answer. DK Shivkumar and Siddaramaiah must explain about their role in the riots."

Other BJP leaders have expressed their anger at the incident and have ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Kannada and Culture and Tourism Minister CT Ravi said, "It is learned that the SDPI flag has been placed on the statue of Sri Sankaracharya at Sringeri and I have instructed the District Police Chief to investigate and take action against the guilty. All must cooperate to maintain law and order."

While BJP's Karnataka vice president Shobha Karandlaje condemned the incident and assured strict action against the culprits.

She wrote, "Intolerance of SDPI is touching peak! Anti social elements are inciting people to propagate their sinister agendas. I condemn the incident of planting SDPI flags on Sri Shankaracharya's statue at Sringeri, serious action will be taken against those who are behind this incident!"

Intolerance of SDPI is touching peak! Anti social elements are inciting people to propagate their sinister agendas. I condemn the incident of planting SDPI flags on Sri Shankaracharya's statue at Sringeri, serious action will be taken against those who are behind this incident! pic.twitter.com/j1S337SR0Z  Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) August 13, 2020

The locals are connecting this incident with the violence that took place in Bengaluru a few days ago. On August 11, an angry mob attacked the house of Pulakeshinagar MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy over an alleged derogatory social media post by the Congress leader's relative. The police opened fire at the unruly mobs and three people died in police firing while over 50 people were injured in the violent clashes.

The mob went berserk in DJ Halli and KG Halli police station areas of Bengaluru.
In my defence, my bad attitude had been cultivated by working the checkout at a large supermarket for several years, a job that killed any enthusiasm I might have had for the service industry.

I secretly thought his wares were disgusting and I did a poor job of keeping my secret. Instead of smiling, nodding, and telling customers how great they looked with giant plastic boils on their ears, I'd roll my eyes at them. Needless to say, I was soon fired. Which even at the time, I accepted as being entirely right and appropriate.

Problem was  I'd lied. Outrageously. At 19, I was grumpy and shy in equal measure. The unfortunate retailer who'd employed me ran a store that sold costume jewellery: bright, bulbous earrings, and chunky, colourful necklaces. The sort of thing that corporate women favoured back in the 1990s.

When I was at university, searching for part-time work, a friend advised me that you could always land a job in retail by telling your prospective employer that you were a "people person". My friend was very convincing, so when I next went for an interview I used her line. And, sure enough, I got the gig.

As a casual, the pay at the supermarket was OK. At least for a student. I had regular shifts, which meant my income was steady. The work itself was awful: standing in the same spot for four hours at a stretch, scanning grocery item after grocery item, with no break. Even toilet visits were frowned upon. They'd time you, too, posting your scanning-rate on a noticeboard, to shame anyone who dared slow down.

I was young, I scanned fast, and my bladder was strong, so I could handle it. And my co-workers were brilliant. Management, not so much. They seemed to go out of their way to make sure you understood that your role on that checkout was entirely expendable.

So it came as no surprise when one of my fellow workers was arrested, marched out by police on a busy workday, to maximise her humiliation. She'd worked in the general merchandise section, a middle-aged woman who'd been at the supermarket for years. I can't imagine that she'd stolen much, as everything there was so carefully accounted for. Yet they'd decided to make an example of her. A public warning to the rest of the staff.

I don't know what happened to her because we never saw her again. I know she had a young family, and I sometimes wonder what she told her kids. I also wonder why she did it. Whether she had financial problems, or if the theft was just an act of rebellion. Perhaps, she was simply sick of being treated as disposable, of being ripped off, every day, by a big corporation, who were making huge profits, while she slaved for scraps. Full-timers like her were paid abysmally. They still are.

As a child, I remember thinking that, when it comes to wages, we have things upside down. Back then, I understood them as a being a bit like dessert: a reward you got for doing something that you wouldn't otherwise do. Like eating brussels sprouts. So it seemed to me that people who did less pleasant jobs  jobs that are boring, dirty or repetitive  should be paid more. On the other hand, those who do interesting jobs should earn less. After all, no one gets ice-cream as a reward for eating cake.
Freeview changes may mean a retune is needed

This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 14th, 2020

Freeview have said if you are missing channels it could be due to recent changes by the provider.

The issue could affect people in north east Wales, and into north west England, and will have surfaced in the last few days.

The work has been described as Maintenance and development of terrestrial TV services sometimes require engineering work on transmitters, and surrounds the move to free up some frequencies for use by mobile broadband services and is a rolling programme throughout this year in the UK.

To restore the channels you may need to retune your TV, however there have been reports that some channels have not returned despite the retune process taking place, and others saying they have lost a large amount of previously accessible channels. There does not appear to be a fix aside from suggestions to choose a different area if possible, and retune again.

Freeview have said that retuning is a normal part of Freeview and most viewers find this straightforward , adding Information and advice on retuning Freeview equipment, including video guides for some of the most popular brands, is available on our website.

Anyone who needs extra help, or who finds they are still missing channels after retuning, can contact the advice line free on 0808 100 0288, where our team will be happy to help, although their website notes

There is also the ongoing Wales v England media battle with many in the area consuming information from England and therefore oblivious via TV news to what is going on in Wales  more important than ever before with the pandemic and health being devolved.

Often during a retune you get the option of which transmitter or area to receive, and people can then decide between options including Winter Hill / The Wrekin / Long Mountain / Moel y Parc / Rhos .

(Top image  an old picture of the Rhos transmitter)
Hyderabad: For every three symptomatic Covid-19 patients, there are 100 asymptomatic patients in Asia, according to analysis by the confederation of medical association of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO).

In India, the stats change to 30 asymptomatic cases to every symptomatic patient tested positive, and 20 go untested. This is because the Indian health system is unable to carry out contact tracing, the social stigma surrounding Covid-19 and the limited understanding of the disease among the population.

The increased spread of cases has been noted in closed environments, crowded places where there is no proper social distancing and lack of ventilation facilities. In India, joint families have been most affected and toilets have been the source of the spread of infection, where there is only one bathroom in households.

In districts, this aspect has come to the fore, as seven to eight residents share one bathroom. Setting up home isolation and treatment facilities in districts has been a challenge due to the limited understanding of the disease, leading to a major caseload on the healthcare set-up.

According to analysis, the virus has behaved in the same manner across cities, districts and countries where the higher viral load, lack of medical intervention and inability to avail medical services in time has led to complications.

Apart from this, co-morbid conditions of heart disease, diabetes, kidney and other organ complications have caused rapid deterioration of the health of Covid-19 patients, leading to death in many cases.

Apart from the lungs, the load of virus has also been found in the heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, and ejected through stools and tears.

Dr K.K. Aggarwal, president, CMAAO, said, In India, we have moved from community mitigation to individual containment. Wearing of masks and following social distancing have to be followed strictly. Only this is going to ensure that there are no spurts of new cases. The flare-up of cases in pockets is a matter a concern and they will continue to occur if preventive methods are not followed strictly.

With densely populated pockets in cities and extended urban areas, India has the maximum number of cases in the South Asia region. Bangladesh and Pakistan follow

India.

The changing climate has shown that there is no significant cross-reactivity with other respiratory viruses or even other coronaviruses. The risk of co-infection has not been noted in the population which is a good sign as the fight is only against SARS-Cov 2.

The issue of negative testing in a CT scan despite high viral load persists in the region. The study said it is very important that the negative test result is not used to rule out infection.

The doubts over a possible relapse of Covid-19 has been negated, as a study of 108 patients in the region has shown that while the test showed positive, culture for the virus was negative. This means the ability of the Coronavirus to reproduce and replicate itself is not present.

For the region to come out of the Covid-19 crisis, surveillance will play a very important role and outbreaks will mean that challenges will persist.
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Tata Steel share price rose 1 percent in early trade on August 14 after the company announced its June quarter earnings.

The company on August 13, reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 4,648.13 crore for the June quarter of FY21. It had reported a loss of 1,615.35 crore in the March quarter and a profit of Rs 714.03 crore in the June quarter of FY20.

Total revenue from operations fell to Rs 24,288.51 crore in Q1 FY21 against Rs 33,769.95 crore sequentially and Rs 35,947.11 crore year-on-year.

Adjusted EBITDA came in at Rs 1,038 crore against Rs 5,530 crore YoY and Rs 4,869 crore QoQ.

On a standalone basis, the company reported a profit of Rs 1,193.27 crore for Q1 FY21 against a profit of Rs 1,538.99 crore YoY and a loss of Rs 436.83 crore QoQ.

At 09:18 hrs Tata Steel was quoting at Rs 417.80, up Rs 4.55, or 1.10 percent on the BSE.
DHAKA, Bangladesh - When the Dharala River burst its banks in early July, Kamal Hossain left his home with five members of his family to take shelter in a school in northern Bangladesh, carrying their most prized belongings: cattle, a few sacks of rice and clothes.

Like him, an estimated 17.5 million people across South Asia are suffering as a result of the devastation of this years monsoon floods. Nearly 700 have died.

A third of Bangladesh went underwater, including Hossains district of Kurigram, after most of its 16 rivers overflowed following torrential rains and violent onrush of waters from upstream India, which was also tormented by the floods as rivers cut their ways from as far as the Himalayan nation of Nepal. Bangladesh, which is crisscrossed by 230 rivers, is the last channel through which waters are drained into the Bay of Bengal.

Experts have long been warning that a densely populated delta country like Bangladesh is one of the worst victims of climate change, and severe and frequent floods indicate that something has gone wrong.

The current major floods affecting millions of people in Bangladesh along with super cyclone Amphan that hit the country a few months ago are both linked to human induced climate now becoming a reality, said Saleemul Huq, a Bangladeshi expert on climate change and director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development.

He said Bangladesh needs to ramp up its diplomacy to convince global powers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as many countries had agreed in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015.

The impact of global warming in South Asia is evident by a steady sea level rise, changes in ambient temperature and rainfall patterns and an increase in cyclonic activity, experts say. More landslides and flooding are projected across the region, which is home to almost one-fourth of the worlds population. Thousands have already been displaced from low-lying islands in the Sundarbans, the worlds largest mangrove forest straddling Bangladesh and India.

When upstream countries like India or Nepal flush out waters, a district like Kurigram pays the price.

Some 300,000 people have either lost their homes or crops. Some 400 small river islands were completely under water, said Mohammed Rezaul Karim, a top government official in Kurigram. This is a great worry for us.

Azmat Ulla, the Bangladesh head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said disasters like floods are becoming more frequent and dangerous.

Waters are going down, but peoples homes and other infrastructures are being devoured by river erosion, he said. Rebuilding their lives is not so easy.

While the national governments are assessing the extent of damage, the European Union said this week it will provide $1.94 million in aid. The support comes on top of the $2.21 million announced earlier this year to support those affected by a series of disasters, including Cyclone Amphan that ravaged India and Bangladesh in May.

In Nepal, a repeat of the deadly 1993 floods that were caused by the biggest rainfall on record could be catastrophic, said Shreekamal Dwivedi, a senior engineering geologist at the governments Venerable Landslides Management Project.

Authorities in one of Indias worst-hit states are also counting losses.

About 5.7 million out of Assams 30 million people have been hit by the deluge with the total loss of property and crops estimated at $306 million. Assam faces floods every year when waters of the Brahmaputra, one of Asias largest rivers that originates in the Tibetan Himalayas, and its tributaries overflow.

After more than 1 1/2 months in shelter, Hossain is preparing to return home, but faces uncertainty over how to rebuild with almost no money in hand. His only choice is to wait for the next harvest two months away.

I have lost everything. I dont know what will happen next, he said.

___

Gurubacharya reported from Kathmandu, Nepal and Hussain from Gauhati, India.

___

This story has been corrected to show that 16 rivers refers to single district, not whole country.
France on Thursday welcomed the Israeli-UAE agreement on normalising relations and deemed Israels decision on suspending the annexation of the Palestinian territories as a positive step.

France welcomes the announcement of normalizing the relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which are important regional partners for us. The decision made amid this context by the Israeli authorities on suspending the annexation of the Palestinian territories is a positive step, which must become a final measure, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on late Thursday.

The minister expressed hope that the Israeli-UAE agreement would also boost the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on a two-state solution, which is the only way to reach fair and stable peace in the region.

On Thursday, Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to normalise their relations, and an agreement on the mutual establishment of embassies is expected to follow in the coming three weeks. In exchange, Israel said it would halt its plans to formally annex parts of the West Bank.

Both ruling Palestinian movements, Fatah and Hamas, have already denounced the agreement. (Sputnik/ANI)
By Express News Service

MALAPPURAM: Several top administrative officials, cops and other COVID-19 frontline warriors in Malappuram who were involved in rescue operations following the Kozhikode air crash tested positive for the virus on Friday. They include the Malappuram district collector, sub collector, assistant collector and district police chief.

Malappuram district collector K Gopalakrishnan who led the rescue operations at Kozhikode airport after the Air India Express flight crashed last Friday told The New Indian Express, "I show no symptoms and my health condition is stable."

As many as 22 officers working under the collector including a sub collector and assistant collector and their security personnel also tested positive for the disease. They have been under observation for COVID-19 since the rescue operations were completed on Friday.

The contact list of the top administrative officials may also include the VVIPs who visted the accident spot at the airport last Friday and Saturday. However, official confirmation of the contact lists of the administrative officials is yet to come.

The latest development has added to the worries of the health department which is also exhausted with continuous efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

Earlier, two Fire and Rescue Service personnel, who were involved in the rescue operation following the Karipur flight crash, tested positive for COVID-19. Their test results came out on Thursday.

On Thursday night, Malappuram district police chief U Abdul Kareem, who was also a big part of the rescue operations, tested positive for the disease. Kareem is currently under treatment for COVID-19 at the Government Medical College Hospital, Manjeri.

He is suspected to have been infected through contact with his gunman who tested positive for the virus recently after the rescue operation.
Lai Mohammed, the Nigeria Minister of information, your complaints that some world powers have rejected selling better weapons to Nigeria to fight insurgency lacks clarity and is humorous.

This is a very disturbing time for Nigerians as insecurity especially the one being committed by Boko haram insurgents continues to destroy lives and properties. Of course, you need better weapons. But the sellers have made human rights as an important condition for arms sales as part of their foreign policy.

Under your Ministry, widespread official impunity on matters of humans rights prevails which is being widely seen and reported now that the world is now a global village via the social media.

Because of the type of official human rights atmosphere and actions under your watch, Ohimai Amaize, a journalist and now former anchor of the Kakaaki Social programme on AIT, fled Nigeria for his life in June of 2019, and has since been granted asylum by the United States of America.

Yet, you wonder why you are not getting powerful weapons to fight insecurity? Under your watch, Rotimi Jolayemi a Nigerian journalist, who sang a poem ( https://youtu.be/W5Q-uk_MvdE) critical of you was arrested, detained but has since been released as the detention was heavily discussed all over the world through the social media especially.

Within the last 24 hours of you appealing to the world leaders to sell Nigeria weapons to fight terrorists, the world is again becoming aware of you putting force on broadcast stations to only broadcast favorable information to your official likings and reportedly unilaterally instituting a new code in which stations will suffer fine for the so-called hate speech in the amount of N5 million.

Under your watch, memo by the National Broadcasting Commission came out warning broadcast stations of sanctions as it relates to insult on the president, governors and legislators by their guests because it is not in our culture to insult elders. This is no longer the primitive and middle ages.

Unfortunately for you this form of indicated human rights abuse against citizens is online. Yet you wonder why this rights-disrespecting behavior by the government are fundamentally a disconnect with the values of the international community that you seek aid from in terms of arms sales for security.

You are making the physical and psychological health and well-being of the nation more insecure by the continuation of Human rights violations at it relates to the abuse of the basic rights of a human being including that of a journalist.

There is no doubt that the full practice of the reality of human rights is a comparatively growing phenomenon in young but troubled nations like Nigeria, but you better start learning fast as the campaign drawing attention to human rights abuses is second by second and the world is watching especially those you need help from against insecurity.

Prof John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American based forensic/clinical/legal psychologist with interest in Civil Rights issues in African settings. Founder of psychoafricalytic psychology. [email protected]
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that any deal to sell Chinese-owned social media app TikTok to an American company must "substantially" benefit the United States and provide "total security."

Trump made the remarks after issuing an executive order banning transactions with TikTok's Chinese parent Bytedance by mid-September after appearing to bless a sale of the popular video sharing app to Microsoft.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) - Despite widespread skepticism that greeted the COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik-V, Moscow's envoy to Manila assured that Russia has nothing to hide about the worlds first coronavirus treatment.

Russian ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev said Moscow will provide all the necessary details to the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration regarding the potential cure.

Yes, of course, all these data are available, definitely. So we have nothing to hide, he told CNN Philippines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced earlier this week the approval of Sputnik-V amid concerns that Moscow might have cut essential corners in its development.

Putin claimed that one of his daughters have taken it and felt well afterwards. However, the announcement of its approval came even before Phase 3 trial has begun.

Khovaev said that all necessary trials will be conducted.

We Russians are responsible people," he said. "We dont like risky undertakings...Thats why we proposed clinical trials.

Although only results from Phase 1 and 2 trials on Sputnik V were presented by Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, around 1,000 Filipinos will join the Russia-funded Phase 3 trial in October.

No competition vs. virus

Meanwhile, Khovaev said there should be no competition on the production of vaccine among nations.

This subject should not be politicized for any reason, its high-time to combine our efforts, not to be involved in any kind of race or unfair competition, he said.

A report by CNN said that Russian officials have offered to cooperate with the United States government in the development of COVID-19 vaccine. However, the Russian medical service did not pique any interest among U.S. officials, the report said.

From the very beginning, we proposed combining efforts, intellectual and technological capabilities in developing the vaccine, efficient and safe," said Khovaev. "Unfortunately, the response was no."

He added, No country, big or small, was able to defeat it (virus). The common enemy can only be defeated through joint efforts.

There are now over 20 million COVID-19 infections around the world, with 760,000 deaths, and more than 13 million recoveries, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Russia has the fourth highest number of infections with more than 900,000 confirmed cases and over 15,000 deaths.

The Philippines has recorded more than 153,000 cases as of Friday, with some 2,400 deaths, and 71,000 recoveries.
OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP via Getty Images

One joke prevalent in the cannabis industry concerns the speed with which things are always changing. Be it taxes, laws, or the tune of elected officials, its common knowledge in the legal marijuana trade that the cement of regulation and public opinion rarely has time to dry before its once more up-ended.



In a sense, the career of Kamala Harris is a perfect example of what her team would likely label an evolution.



Following news on Tuesday that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden had selected Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., as his running mate, a tsunami of cannabis-related analysis poured in. The reason for such a swift and sizable response is due largely to the fact that Harris is the chief senator sponsor of a 2019 piece of legislation that would deschedule cannabis as a federally controlled substance.



Known as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, the bill also includes provisions related to social equity and restorative justice. While the MORE Act is but one of several bills with a similar goal currently working its way through Congress, it will now undoubtedly enjoy greater prominence in light of Harris VP nomination.



The most pressing question, of course, is whether Harris will push Biden  who thus far has declined to support federal cannabis legalization  on the issue.

RELATED: Why were dozens of Bay Area cannabis dispensaries recently robbed?



Polling data suggest that such a move on Harris part would likely yield positive outcomes. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., for one, recently pointed to polling numbers that continually show a larger and larger percentage of the American public voicing approval for cannabis.



The latest years statistics were available, Blumenauer told Marijuana Moment, over 700,000 people were arrested or cited for something that now more than two-thirds of the American public thinks should be fully legal.



Unlike Blumenauer, who has been vocal in supporting cannabis reform since he co-sponsored the seminal RohrabacherBlumenauer amendment in 2010, Harris has a most uneven track record.



If one looks at the fact that Harris sponsored the MORE Act, it might be appealing to assume that the Oakland natives position on the matter is clear. However, in fully assessing whether Harris truly sees cannabis reform as a priority, it is necessary to revisit her past record in office.



For example, during her tenure as San Francisco district attorney from 2004 to 2011, Harris actually increased drug enforcement actions. Her website for one DA re-election campaign, according to Marijuana Moment, touted how shed closed legal loopholes that were allowing drug dealers to escape prosecution" and "increased convictions of drug dealers from 56% in 2003 to 74% in 2006.



In 2010, Harris co-authored a voter guide argument against Proposition 19, which would have legalized recreational marijuana in California, notes the French Toast. At the time, Harris described Prop. 19 as flawed public policy. The legislation would go on to suffer a fairly narrow defeat, with 53.5% of Californians voting against it.



Six years later, Harris also chose not to endorse 2016s Proposition 64, which did ultimately legalize recreational cannabis in the state. Two years prior, during a re-election campaign for attorney general, she outright laughed in the face of a reporter who asked her about her opponents support for legalizing cannabis in California.
The Delhi government has set up a rapid antigen test centre at the interstate bus terminal (ISBT) in Anand Vihar in light of migrant workers returning to the capital with the slow revival of the economy and gradual lifting of curbs that were imposed to arrest the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The move comes at a time when the daily reported cases have come down in the national capital, while they have gone up in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -- the two states from where the maximum number of migrants are trickling into Delhi.

Delhi recorded 1,192 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday, against 3,947  the highest single day spike in the capital  on June 23. Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, recorded 4,512 fresh covid cases on Friday against 605 recorded on June 23. Bihar recorded 3,906 fresh Covid cases on Friday against 206 on June 23.

The rapid antigen test centre was set up on Thursday, said a senior official of the Delhi government. He said till Friday evening, around 450 people were tested at the centre and only six were fund to be Covid-19 positive.

Although the interstate road transport is yet to be allowed, many are reaching Delhi by walking across the border lines that Delhi shares with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. In the next two weeks, the government will set up several such test centres at crucial locations in the citys border areas. Revenue district officials have been entrusted with identifying such locations, the official said.

Millions of migrant workers had left Delhi in the days following the nationwide lockdown imposed on March 25 to arrest the spread of Covid-19. The state government had also set up thousands of centres to provide food and shelter to migrant workers who lost their livelihoods until arrangements were made to send them back to their villages on trains and buses. Thousands of them also set off on arduous journeys back home, covering hundreds of miles, by foot.

Since mid-July, we have seen a large number of workers returning to the city. While it is easier to keep a tab on those arriving by trains, it is difficult to track those coming by foot, said another senior government official, on condition of anonymity.

Currently, interstate road transport is prohibited under the lockdown norms drafted by the central government. But, road transport within states is allowed.The second official said most of the migrants take buses from their respective districts and arrive at Kaushambi  a township in Ghaziabad, on the Uttar Pradesh side of the border. From there, they walk to Anand Vihar, covering a distance of about 4km by foot.

From Anand Vihar, which is in Delhi, they take local buses and go to other areas within the national capital, the official quoted above said.

He further said most individuals who have so far been tested at the Anand Vihar centre are factory workers, construction workers, and self-employed people such as plumbers, electricians, painters, and carpenters, among others. Several of them have also crossed from Bihar to Uttar Pradesh in a similar fashion, before reaching Delhi eventually, the official said.
But there is a catch to the current stalemate: The expired surveillance powers have not lapsed for existing investigations.

Congress specified that the powers would remain available for investigations that already existed at the point the laws expired. Among them are the F.B.I.s ability to obtain business records deemed relevant to a national security investigation, and to get special wiretap authority to rapidly follow a suspect who changes phone lines to evade monitoring.

The F.B.I. has existing, open-ended umbrella investigations into all the major national security threats facing the United States, such as terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State and nation-state adversaries like Russia and China. As a result, until a new rival arises who cannot be characterized as part of the old ones, the bureau may be able to continue business as usual.

But the bills collapse also means Congress has been unable to enact a legislative response to an inspector generals finding of serious problems with the F.B.I.s use of the main part of FISA for wiretap orders in counterespionage and counterterrorism investigations.

A report by the Justice Departments independent inspector general found that the applications used in the Russia investigation to wiretap a former Trump campaign adviser with ties to Russian officials, Carter Page, were riddled with errors and omissions.

A follow-up review by the inspector general that looked at the F.B.I.s preparations to apply for 29 unrelated FISA wiretaps found that there were problems with all of them, suggesting systemic sloppiness. The Justice Department has since told the FISA court that its own further review of those 29 applications found one material omission and one material misstatement, but also said it did not think either made a legal difference.

But the F.B.I. has also conceded that it should not have applied for two renewals of the Page wiretap in 2017, and it has tightened its own rules and procedures for drafting FISA applications. A FISA court judge also imposed additional safeguards. But Congress has not enacted anything.
Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to President Trump, is releasing a book about his ex-client. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)

Just in time for the 2020 election, Michael Cohen and Bob Woodward have written books promising new insider information on President Trump.

"Rage," a follow-up to Woodward's 2018 bestseller, "Fear: Trump in the White House," arrives Sept. 15, and Cohen's "Disloyal" hits shelves Sept. 8. Already available is a buzzy foreword for the latter, which Trump's former personal attorney released Thursday and signed, "Michael Cohen, Otisville Federal Prison, Otisville, New York, March 11, 2020."

"As anyone in law enforcement will tell you, its only gangsters who can reveal the secrets of organized crime," Cohen wrote in the tell-all (and promise-more) intro.

"If you want to know how the mob really works, youve got to talk to the bad guys. I was one of Trumps bad guys. ... This is a book the President of the United States does not want you to read."

Disloyal: A Memoir: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump: Cohen, Michael: 9781510764699: https://t.co/MX5oKMFEWQ: Books https://t.co/uBpy6JJlZs  Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) August 14, 2020

Deeming himself formerly Trump's "demented follower," "fixer and designated thug," Cohen's foreword begins en route to Trump's impeachment trial, where the lawyer testified earlier this year.

"I knew he wanted me gone before I could tell the nation what I know about him," he wrote, apparently believing Trump wanted him dead. "Not the billionaire celebrity savior of the country or lying lunatic, not the tabloid tycoon or self-anointed Chosen One, not the avatar @realdonaldtrump of Twitter fame, but the real real Donald Trump  the man very, very, very few people know."

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The rest of the foreword levels multiple damning allegations against the president, accusing Trump of committing tax fraud, making "deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union" and cheating on First Lady Melania Trump with "clandestine lovers," among other transgressions.

"I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man."

As opposed to Cohen, who calls himself "the least reliable narrator on the planet," investigative journalist Woodward, who helped break open the Watergate scandal that led to Richard Nixon's resignation, has positioned himself as a thorough and objective observer who "conducted hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand witnesses" for "Rage," according to publisher Simon & Schuster.

The forthcoming sequel to "Fear" also contains "notes, emails, diaries, calendars and confidential documents" from witnesses, as well as "25 personal letters exchanged between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that have not been public before."

Additionally, the Pulitzer Prize winner's account will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Trump's responses to the "pandemic, economic disaster and racial unrest" in the United States, featuring multiple exclusive interviews with the president. Woodward did not have personal access to Trump for his last book, which has sold roughly 2 million copies to date, according to his publisher.

"Rage will be the foundational account of the Trump presidency, its turmoil, contradictions and risks," the official description reads. "It is an essential document for any voter seeking an accurate inside view of the Trump years  volatile and vivid."

"Rage" will be published by Simon & Schuster. "Disloyal" will be out from Skyhorse Publishing, which recently published Woody Allen's memoir, "Apropos of Nothing," after Hachette canceled it in the face of public backlash.
Ukraine and Poland are jointly defending democratic European values and international law from Russian aggression, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna has said in an interview with the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

According to her, a hundred years ago, the Ukrainian and Polish peoples heroically fought for the revival of their statehood.

"Today, as a hundred years ago, we are defending the European continent from Russian neo-imperialism together, side by side. We feel Poland's support and assistance on the path to Ukraine's membership of the EU and NATO. We have drawn the right conclusions from our history and are ready to move forward together, helping each other and defending 'Our and Your Freedom' with dignity, developing a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland as equal and independent states," she said.

Stefanishyna stressed that for the second year in a row, young people in Ukraine and Poland have been demonstrating an example of true unity around the common memory of the past and around the desire to build a common European future.

"I am sincerely glad that a young generation of Ukrainians and Poles in the joint initiative 'Flame of Brotherhood' paves the way for good neighborliness and forms a solid foundation for partnership and good neighborly present and future relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland," she said.

According to her, today the Kremlin's neo-imperial policy not only threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent Ukraine, but also tries to shake the unity and solidarity of the entire democratic world.

"Even today, Ukraine and Poland are selflessly defending democratic European values and international law. Russia's aggression is met with decisive resistance not only on the eastern borders of Ukraine, but also here - on the Vistula," Stefanishyna said.

She said that the fact that the European community maintains unity and solidarity in its policy towards Russian aggression is in large part due to Poland's active position as a full member of the EU, NATO, the UN, the OSCE, and other international and regional alliances.

She recalled that Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania had recently formed the "Lublin Triangle" platform that will make the states even stronger, more successful and prosperous in the face of modern challenges and threats.

"History has taught us to be together to win and move forward. Only in this way will we be able to guarantee peace, stability and prosperity for our peoples and for a united Europe," she said.

On July 28 in Poland, the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania announced the creation of the "Lublin Triangle" - a new platform for political, economic and social cooperation.

op
A suspended Harris County civil judge who last year was indicted on federal wire fraud charges has been arrested in connection to an assault involving her estranged husbands girlfriend at a Houston home, her lawyer said.

Police took state District Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas into custody at her Rice Military home Wednesday morning, the lawyer continued, with authorities saying she was accused of firing a shotgun during an argument with a woman Monday night in the 14000 block of Jewel Meadow Drive. Smoots-Thomas, who lost her re-election bid in July, has been out on bond for federal charges and was not permitted to possess a weapon, court records show.

Smoots-Thomas called her attorney, Kent Schaffer, as police arrested her. Schaffer said, citing police, that the allegation involved a fight over her husbands extramarital affair.

Nicole Hensley/Houston Chronicle

She was suspended last November following the indictment over allegations that she spent campaign donations on personal expenses.

Over the past year, Schaffer said, Smoots-Thomas has undergone cancer treatment, been indicted in a federal case and then removed from her bench in the 164th Civil Court.

She's been in a real tailspin, Schaffer said, adding that the cancer is in remission.

Smoots-Thomas has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, court records show. Bond was set at $10,000.

Police said the shooting happened as followed: A woman, now identified as Smoots-Thomas, called her estranged husband and his girlfriend to say she knew the two of them were together at the Jewel Meadow Drive home, court records show. Smoots-Thomas revealed she was going to the home and that, Youre going to see whats up.

She was at the home within 15 minutes and announced her arrival with repeated horn honks, records show. The commotion brought several neighbors outside, some of whom overheard Smoots-Thomas argue with the daughter of her husbands paramour.

When the girlfriend came outside, she was wielding a long board, court records show. The judge then pointed a shotgun out her car window.

The girlfriend tried hitting the barrel away with the long board but Smoots-Thomas opened fire and blasted the house, an investigator detailed in court records. At least three shots could be heard in security footage from a neighbors security camera. Police said the shooter then fled. No one was hurt.

The judge, when reached Tuesday at her home, declined to comment and slammed the door shut.

At the same home, Smoots-Thomas at some point threw her husbands belongings into the driveway and forced her brother-in-law to gather his things. The relative collected more items from inside and found a loaded shotgun behind a door. Smoots-Thomas is alleged to have demanded it back, according to court records.

I need to wipe my fingerprints off the gun, the judge said, according to those records.

At the Jewel Meadow Drive home on Tuesday, a pair of closely-grouped bullet holes above the garage were identified as being from the shooting. A woman who answered the door declined to talk about the shooting because a police investigator was there asking questions. The detective would not elaborate on the investigation either as he walked to his car.

Police spokesman Kese Smith said a resident in the home identified Smoots-Thomas as the suspected shooter.

The shooting was witnessed by at least one other person, Smith continued. A neighbor who declined to be identified said she heard the gunfire and stepped outside as the shooter drove off. She said she heard a woman shout, Why are you shooting at my daughter.

The federal trial on the judges wire fraud charges, stemming from misusing $24,892 in campaign funds, is slated for November. In that case, she was accused of using the money on a home mortgage, private school tuition, a Prada handbag and a ring from Zales.

In a statement, the Harris County District Attorneys Office said their Public Corruption Division was handling the prosecution.

The law applies equally to everyone, including those in positions of power, Assistant District Attorney Stuart Tallichet said.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Belarus Government Shut Off The Internet During Elections

In the aftermath of a contested election Belarus apparently shut down most Internet access in the country and the long-time incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko has returned to office with apparently eighty percent of the vote. Belarusians experienced Internet blackouts and the major social networks, instant messengers, and search engines have been inaccessible, while the rest of the world has been unable to open websites hosted on Belaruss national domain.

Reports that Belarus might disable Internet access during the presidential race first started appearing several days before the presidential election concluded. Major media outlets reported similar information, citing anonymous sources claiming that the blackouts would begin late on August 8, one day before the end of voting.

Outside Belarus, Internet users started having problems accessing websites hosted on the .by domain, which belongs to Belarus. Access to other online resources hosted on servers in Belarus also began to falter. In remarks to the press, Alexander Lukashenko directly blamed the countrys Internet blackouts on hostile foreign actors. Our specialists are now determining where this shutdown is coming from. So if the Internet is working poorly, thats not our doing but an initiative from abroad, the president said.

Officials at RIPE NCC (the Regional Internet Registry for Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia) have expressed doubts about Lukashenkos version of events. Externally shutting down Internet access is extremely difficult in a technical sense and its virtually impossible to maintain for an extended period of time.

In May, the popular opposition blogger Syarhei Tsikhanouski who had declared his intention to run for president was arrested.

A second contender for the presidency, Viktor Babarika, was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy. A third, Valery Tsepkalo, fled the country fearing political persecution.

In mid-July, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Tsikhanouski's wife, registered as a presidential candidate in his stead. If elected, she promised to rule for six months and hold free and fair elections; she drew crowds of thousands and inspired a nationwide protest movement.

When election day came on August 10 ther were numerous reports of ballot stuffing and falsification and when the country's electoral commission reported that Lukashenka had won 80.3 percent of the vote and Tsikhanouskaya 9.9 percent, opposition supporters widely suspect electoral fraud.

Widespread protests followed the election, which saw authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko win his sixth consecutive term.

As of the morning of August 10, Belarusian Internet users were still experiencing difficulties getting online. The country's three largest telecom providers (A1, Life, and MTS) all apologised for outages caused by reasons outside our control, reported the website Tut.By, a popular search engine and news aggregator.

This interruption did not come as a surprise. On July 19, mobile Internet in Minsk was blocked for a short period during a large rally at which Tsikhanouskaya was present.

Meduza: Global Voices: The Cyberwire: Fox News:

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Disconnected: Russia Tests Its Own Internet:
Tamale Guy Chicago, the new restaurant by Claudio Velez, best known as the namesake Tamale Guy whose red cooler offered corn husk-wrapped salvation to food forsaken drinkers at neighborhood bars late into the night, opened its doors Thursday morning in Ukrainian Village.

After a ribbon cutting in front of television cameras, food sold out in about an hour. Despite online ordering, some customers waited about that long too.

Friday morning, before the doors reopened, Velez was back in the kitchen. Partners Pierre and Kristin Vega, husband and wife, manned the front of the store with a few more workers. Online ordering had been paused, but about a dozen customers waited outside for takeout, with one person allowed inside at a time.

With nearly $35,000 from a GoFundMe campaign, organized by a superfan in May after his attempt to cater parties in the West Loop was shut down for lack of licensing, Velez and the Vegas may have an unlikely coronavirus restaurant success story.
With more than $300,000 left in his political committee and only months remaining in his last term as a state legislator, Rep. Mike La Rosa wrote the largest check of his political career on July 2, steering $50,000 to the fund used to elect Republicans to the state Senate.

La Rosa, a Republican from St. Cloud, is not running for the Senate but he did have other aspirations in which the Senate plays a role.

On June 24, days before La Rosa wrote the hefty check, he applied for the Florida Public Service Commission, the board that regulates the states utilities, which pays $132,036 a year.

The chair of the Public Service Commission Nominating Council is Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican, and, if appointed by the governor to the post, La Rosa would have to be confirmed by the Senate. Two other senators, Republican Majority Leader Kathleen Passidomo of Sarasota and Democrat Bobby Powell of West Palm Beach, also sit on the 12-member nominating panel.

The council on Wednesday voted unanimously to nominate La Rosa to the job, sending his name, along with three other candidates, to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday to make the selection. The other nominees sent to the governor are: Donald Polmann, the current PSC commissioner who is seeking to be appointed to another four-year term, Key Largo state Rep. Holly Raschein, and Thonotosassa state Sen. Tom Lee. All are Republicans.

Only La Rosa and Raschein received unanimous votes and, in a rare display of animosity, neither of the Republican senators voted for Lee, a Republican and former Senate president.

Was La Rosas contribution from his political committee intended to send a signal to the Senate and give him an edge? If it was, no one is saying.

Republican state Rep. Mike La Rosa of St. Cloud

Sen. Wilton Simpson, the incoming Senate president who controls the Florida Republican Senatorial Committee that received the contribution, said: Youll have to ask Mike that question. We have many House members who are now running for Senate seats.

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When asked for comment, current Senate President Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican, said he supports Lee.

Personally, I think President Lee is highly qualified for the position, Galvano said in a text message. However, last Friday, Galvano made a last-minute appointment to the nominating council, and his appointee, Michael Rahn, also cast a no-vote against Lee.

La Rosas political committee, Floridians for Opportunity, has raised $748,000 in its six years of existence. In the last two years the committee has received $15,000 from the states largest utility, Florida Power & Light.

La Rosa acknowledged Thursday he has made no similar gift to the Houses Republican political committee, run by incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls, but has spent about $15,000 in individual contributions to various Republican House candidates.

Was La Rosa trying to influence his nomination or the Senate votes? Straight forward, I had no interest in doing that, La Rosa said. I want to see Republican leadership continue. I will continue to help folks over the finish line.

As for Stargel and Passidomo, they both laughed when they heard of the contribution, but said they knew nothing about it. They each had separate reasons for their votes for La Rosa and against Lee.

I have no idea why Mike would have given that, Stargel said. I didnt even know hed given it.

As for Lee, Stargel said he was probably not surprised by her vote. Ive never been a fan of Tom Lee, she said. Hes divisive. He will be with you and, if he was treated poorly, he changes. He stands on the floor and will claim its all about the policy but its not.

Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon

Passidomo said she also didnt know about La Rosas contribution but if you look at the composition of the Senate, its all his friends.

She said she didnt think Lee, who was Senate president from 2004 to 2006 and returned to the Senate in 2012, would be a good fit for the PSC.

He was Senate president for two years and used to being in charge, and I know for the last six years that chafed, she said. Theres a lot of things hed be great at, but not to be an equal member with others.

Passidomo said she thinks DeSantis should choose Polmann, the current commissioner.

I believe that Polmann should be reappointed, she said. I went into the meeting listening, and he is the only one who articulated the role of the PSC. It is not to be a consumer advocate, thats the role of the public counsel. It is not to be an advocate of the utility companies, thats for their lawyers. The role is to put all the pieces together and do what is best for the state.

Lee has his own political committee, Restore the Trust, with about $370,500 in it. He has not made any contributions this year, although he gave $25,000 to the Florida Republican Senatorial Committee last November. Lee said he was aware of the La Rosa contribution but didnt want to comment on it.

He said he respects his Senate colleagues but admits he was surprised by their vote against him. I harbor no ill will, he said, adding, I have a vast capacity to work with my fellow colleagues when they work with me.

If selected by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, La Rosa said he would abandon his political committee. I want Republicans to be re-elected but, as a commissioner or agency head is it right to have a political committee or not? I would side on the area that its not and I shouldnt.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas
SINGAPORE Chinese tech giant ByteDance censored content it perceived as critical of the Chinese government on its news aggregator app in Indonesia from 2018 to mid-2020, six people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The sources said that local moderators were instructed by a team from ByteDances Beijing headquarters to delete articles seen as negative" about Chinese authorities on the Baca Berita (BaBe) app.

In a statement to Reuters, BaBe said it disagreed with the claims and that it moderates content according to its community guidelines and in line with Indonesias local laws.

Those guidelines, which are published on its website, do not mention China or the Chinese government.

Following the publication of this story, BaBe said that before the more localised approach" it currently uses, Babe had some moderation practices in place that were not consistent with our philosophy of having the Indonesian team deciding what is appropriate for its market.

These guidelines were replaced in 2019 and weve since built and empowered local moderation teams to make decisions that suit the local market," the statement added.

It did not immediately respond to a follow-up Reuters query asking which month in 2019 those guidelines had changed.

ByteDance in Beijing said it had no additional comment beyond the BaBe statement. Chinas foreign ministry and its internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

U.S President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down ByteDances short-video app TikTok - widely popular in the U.S., Indonesia and other countries - on national security grounds unless it is sold to a U.S. company. [nL1N2F9037]

Some U.S lawmakers, including Republican Senator Josh Hawley, have raised concerns over TikToks data security practices and allegations that it engages in censorship at the behest of the Chinese government.

If ByteDance will censor BaBe in Indonesia, whats to stop it from censoring TikTok in the United States? Hawley said, when asked to comment on the Reuters story. We shouldnt trust any assurances they make. This is another reason TikTok as it currently exists should be banned in the United States.

A senior Trump administration official also weighed in on the news. Entities such as ByteDance ultimately answer to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have a history of censoring free speech to conform to CCP propaganda," the person said.

Indonesia, a country of 270 million where over half the population is under 30, is one of ByteDances fastest-growing markets. TikTok had more than 147 million downloads in the country, according to data from app analytics firm SensorTower.

ByteDance bought Indonesian news aggregator BaBe in 2018 after TikTok was briefly banned in the country for showing pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy", according to officials.

In seeking to reverse the ban, ByteDance agreed with Indonesian authorities to hire a team of local TikTok moderators and reinforce its presence in the worlds fourth largest country, according to the then Indonesian communications minister and three company sources.

It then purchased the full operations of BaBe, in which it had already been a majority investor.

Soon after, moderation guidelines for BaBe, which uses artificial intelligence to aggregate stories from hundreds of Indonesian media outlets, were crafted by a team from ByteDances Beijing headquarters, two of the six sources said.

BaBe moderators were also told not publish any articles on the TikTok ban while negotiations with the Indonesian government were underway, the people said.

Under the new BaBe guidelines, articles from partner media outlets that were perceived as critical of the Chinese government would either not be republished on the BaBe app or would be taken down from the app, according to the six sources.

Articles with the keyword Tiananmen," a reference to Chinas 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, or to Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, were among those taken down, one person with direct involvement said.

Another direct source described articles about tensions between Indonesia and China over the South China Sea as being banned on the app, even when they came from the countrys official news agency, Antara.

Three of the sources said BaBe was using content guidelines patterned on those used for ByteDances Chinese news app, Toutiao, with some tweaks made for Indonesia regarding the topic of elections as well regarding race, ethnicity, and religion in Indonesia. Sensationalist articles on those topics, which are highly sensitive in Indonesia, would be dropped, they said.

They wanted a non-political happy tone for the app," one of the people said.

The guidelines changed in mid-2020, when it became possible to read articles on previously censored topics on the BaBe app, a separate source said, calling it a learning process for ByteDance."

ByteDance disagreed with this assessment and said guidelines changed in 2019.

A 2019 internal ByteDance presentation reviewed by Reuters describes BaBe as Indonesias top news app with more than 8 million monthly active users and 30 million downloads by the end of 2019.

(Additional reporting by Alexandra Alper in Washington, D.C.; Brenda Goh in Shanghai, Yingzhi Yang; editing by Jonathan Weber and Nick Tattersall and Edward Tobin)

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
The man, later identified as Zachary Greenberg, who attacked conservative activist Hayden Williams at the University of California at Berkeley on Feb. 20, 2019. (Courtesy of Brad Devlin, @bradleydevlin/Twitter)

Man Arrested for Stabbing One Year After Assaulting Activist in Berkeley

The man caught on video assaulting a conservative activist in California last year was arrested this week for allegedly stabbing another man.

Zachary Greenberg, 30, was arrested on Sunday night after officers responded to a report of an assault in progress in Princeton, Calif.

The victim told San Mateo deputies that a male subject got into an argument with him related to him riding his bicycle on the sidewalk.

During the altercation, the suspect stabbed the victim numerous times with a 4-inch pocket folding knife, the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

Deputies located Greenberg and located the knife. The suspect was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for assault with a deadly weapon while the victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Zachary Greenberg in a mugshot released by authorities on Aug. 9, 2020. (San Mateo County Sheriffs Office)

According to the mugshot of the suspect and other pictures, Greenberg is the same man who assaulted an activist on the campus of the University of Berkeley last year. The men also share the same name.

Harmeet Dhillon is a lawyer who is representing Hayden Williams, the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) activist who was attacked by Greenberg in 2019.

Why is this violent criminal still free-ranging around the Bay Area? Dhillon wrote in a social media statement.

A spokesman for the sheriffs office told The Epoch Times that Greenberg is already out of prison on $35,000 bail, with an expected arraignment on November 16. Deputies are aware of the discrepancies in his name, the spokesperson said in an email when asked whether officers were aware of Greenbergs violent past.

Dhillon wondered when Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley would take action in her clients case.

OMalleys office didnt return a request for comment on the latest developments in the assault.

President Donald Trump and Hayden Williams at the CPAC convention in Oxon Hill, Md., on March 2, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Greenberg was charged in March 2019 with three felony counts.

Williams told The Epoch Times that he was manning a table recruiting for TPUSA when Greenberg approached him. Williams pulled out his phone to record the confrontation.

After unleashing expletives and insults, Greenberg punched Williams in the face before fleeing.

President Donald Trump brought Williams up on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference, telling the crowd the man took a hard punch in the face for all of us.

Trump, a Republican, proposed an idea that day to protect free speech on college campuses. He signed an executive order later in the month aimed at doing just that.
Protection zones will be extended through the Grampians, with popular rock climbing and bushwalking areas off limits to the public after the discovery of more ancient cultural material including tools and an ochre deposit.

Traditional owners recently surveying the Grampians, or Gariwerd to its custodians, discovered stone tools, evidence of ancient quarries and archaeological deposits within rock shelters in the national park.

Rock climbers at the Wall of Fools in the Summerday Valley in the Grampians National Park. Credit:Parks Victoria

They also discovered a rare ochre deposit, used for painting and decorative purposes.

Three popular rock-climbing areas that fall within the significant areas will be closed  Taipan Wall, Spurt Wall and Bundaleer  while Parks Victoria works on a longer-term management plan for their protection.
The foreign minister has clearly reiterated Ukraine's position on the issue of resuming freshwater supplies to the occupied peninsula.

Restoration of water supply to Crimea would be possible only in the context of the occupied peninsula's de-occupation, says Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.

That's according to the top diplomat's interview with UA: Ukrainian Radio.

"I'd like to emphasize very clearly that, according to international law, the occupying state bears full responsibility for the situation in the occupied territory. Period. And therefore, we are absolutely confident and calm about the fact that the restoration of water supply to Crimea is possible only in the context of the de-occupation of the peninsula," stressed Kuleba.

According to international law, the occupying state bears full responsibility for the situation in the occupied territory. Period.

At the same time, there is no humanitarian crisis with fresh water in the occupied Crimea whatsoever, chief of Ukraine's diplomacy emphasizes.

Read alsoCourts in occupied Crimea find nine local men guilty of draft evasion"The narrative about the 'humanitarian crisis' was invented by Russian propaganda in order to convince the world that water supplies to Crimea are necessary. There is crisis in water supply to military bases and for heavy industry located in Crimea. People who live in Crimea do have access to water. And therefore, repeating the narrative about the humanitarian crisis means precisely strengthening this Russian signal," Kuleba said.

There is crisis in water supply to military bases and for heavy industry located in Crimea

At the same time, the minister noted that if people actually get affected, ideas will be discussed of the ways to help them.

Why has the issue of water supplies to Crimea resurfaced

On August 7, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal expressed the opinion that Ukraine could resume water supplies to the temporarily occupied Crimea for the needs of the population in the event of a humanitarian disaster.

At the same time, the head of government said that the supply of water for industrial purposes is off the table.
Since March, national arts reporter Geoff Edgers has been grounded by the novel coronavirus. So every Friday and many Tuesday afternoons, he hosts The Washington Post's first Instagram Live show from his barn in Concord, Mass. So far, he has interviewed, among others, comedian Sarah Cooper, magician Penn Jillette, director Paul Feig, musician Annie Lennox and talk show host Chelsea Handler.

Recently, he spoke to cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Here are some excerpts from their conversation.

Q: How have you dealt with the fact that you can't be performing normally this summer? I know you have been playing online, but you obviously must miss playing music to an audience.

A: During (the coronavirus), how much we respond to touch has been taken away from us. You can't touch, you can't hug, you can't shake hands. But what music does, its sound moves air molecules. So when air floats across your skin and touches the hairs of your skin, that's touch. That's the closest thing to someone actually touching you. It's as if you were miniaturized and you're in the middle of a lake. But that lake is a bowl, and that vessel is holding you. That's what music can do.

Q: It's been amazing to watch the musicians, comedians - people who normally play in halls - sitting in their living rooms or on their beds performing for us now. The sound quality isn't the same, and it's not a perfect medium in many ways. But it really does bring us comfort to have that connection.

A: Absolutely. It's so funny because I'm an old guy. So early on, I used to travel with very young children and we didn't have smartphones or video calling. You couldn't call people directly, but would have to go to a hotel. If I was in Europe, I'd go to the operator and say, "Can you book a call?" And then they say, "Go to this phone booth," and you call and you're counting your shekels because, my goodness it adds up. And boy, if you can't afford it, you know you're stuck.

Q: In July, you and pianist Emmanuel Ax recorded a virtual program at Tanglewood. What was that like?

A: We were sitting socially distanced. I'm usually like one foot away from him and I can hear him breathing. But you know what's great? When you know somebody well, you can be six, eight feet away. You sense what they're going to do before they actually even do it. And that's the kind of communication that being live gives you, that kind of palpable, visceral sense of one another. And to be able to play in the Linde Center at Tanglewood, which is maybe one of the most beautiful rooms and designed where you have a natural backdrop. Don't even listen to the music. Look at the tree behind us. It's a glorious tree.

One piece on the program (Beethoven's Cello Sonata No. 3 in A, Op. 69) that Manny and I chose is one of the most celebratory, glorious pieces of music. Manny found out just a couple of weeks ago that in the first edition, Beethoven wrote something in Latin - something like "out of the depths of despair." So imagine Beethoven out of the depths of despair writing this most uplifting, outstanding piece of music. I think it is something we deserve, while we're going through this trifecta of crises - pandemic, racial inequity, economic crisis - that somehow we can actually still come together in whatever way that we can and feel this music.

Q: One of the only things I've covered since the pandemic started was a drive-in concert in New Hampshire at the Tupelo Music Hall. And it was very well controlled, very limited in spacing. Would you perhaps do such a thing if we haven't figured out how to get back into concert halls?

A: Well, personally, I'm dreaming of that because Manny and I have been talking actively, and thinking, "How can we actually do music in such a way that is possible? How could we do it in a different way?" Doing it in a different way for Manny and me could be him playing an electric piano and me playing an electric cello on a flatbed truck. It could be at a drive-in.

But the point is making sure that we are still a community, because if we lose that, we've lost everything. And it's not about how beautiful the sound is or whatever instrument you're playing. And this is Manny, who loves to play on beautiful pianos. Gorgeous Steinways. If he were here, he'd say, "Absolutely, I will do this. I will play for 70 people. I will play for 40 people. I will play for one person." Because if that person gets something, then it's worth it. See? In the end, it's about one-on-one communication. You know, I'm looking at you and I'm seeing little motions. Your face, its body language. Music is actually an extension of our body language, of our brain language. That's what we can offer. And if people want it, then we'll find a way to give it.
By Azernews





By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijans Labor and Social Protection of Population Minister Sahil Babayev and the United Arab Emirates Ambassador Mohamed Ahmed Hamil Al Qubaisi have discussed cooperation in the areas of labor, employment and social protection in a video conference held on August 13, the ministrys press service has reported.

Addressing the meeting, Babayev said that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to development of relations with Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, which are historically connected with religious and cultural roots, as well as expansion of cooperation in various spheres.

Babayev talked of achievements of Azerbaijans socio-economic policies, noting that the main direction of the countrys policy is to ensure the welfare of citizens.

He noted the steps taken to strengthen social protection, economic and social support measures implemented in the country during the pandemic, reforms in the field of labor, employment and social protection in recent years.

Moreover, the minister stated the positive results achieved in improving public social services by applying innovative solutions and building them according to the principle of citizens satisfaction.

Touching upon Armenias policy of aggression against Azerbaijan, Babayev thanked the United Arab Emirates for supporting Bakus fair position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in line with the international law. In addition, he expressed gratitude to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for banning its citizens from visiting Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region for political reasons as of June 2018.

In turn, Ambassador Qubaisi noted that the United Arab Emirates fully supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He expressed the United Arab Emirates interest in developing and expanding bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, especially in the field of labor and social protection.

High on the agenda of the meeting was also the International Labor Centre in Baku that will house the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The sides discussed the creation of legal base for the development of bilateral relations in field of labor and social protection, strengthening efforts in this direction and future cooperation.
As of now, there are 45 e-visa eligible countries.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to start issuing electronic visas (e-visa) to nationals of India, South Africa, and the Philippines from August 14, 2020.

"Ukrainian e-visas are issued for the following extended list of travel purposes: business; private; tourism; medical treatment; cultural/scientific/educational/sports activities; foreign mass media staff," the ministry said on its website.

Read alsoZelensky lifts visa requirements for citizens of six countries

To apply for a Ukrainian e-visa, an applicant should register at the MFA web platform http://evisa.mfa.gov.ua and fill in online application form and upload scanned copies of required documents (photo, passport, document confirming the purpose of the visit etc.). Once an online fee is paid with a MasterCard/Visa card, an e-visa is sent to the applicant's e-mail in pdf. format.

Prior to travel, all applicants should print out their e-visas and later present them (along with their valid passport) to Ukraine's State Border Guard Service officers on entry to Ukraine.

According to the ministry, e-visa advantages are the following: application may be submitted remotely at any convenient time; e-visa can be obtained without visiting a consular post, e-visa application status can be tracked online; all e-visas are issued by the MFA of Ukraine; help & additional information are available at [email protected].

Nationals of the mentioned states may still submit their regular visa applications via standard procedure to Ukraine's foreign diplomatic missions, the ministry said.

So far, there are 45 e-visa eligible countries now: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (except for August 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021), Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Recent visa liberalization introduced by Ukraine
ALBANY  Gov. Andrew Cuomo has earned praise during the pandemic for his skill at discussing coronavirus numbers and details.

Yet there is one statistic the governor and state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker refuse to disclose: The number of New York nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.

It's an important statistic, obviously. We can't fully understand the pandemic's devastating toll on the state's nursing homes without it. We can't know the scope of the tragedy that befell some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

But Cuomo and Zucker are keeping us in the dark.

According to the state's official count, roughly 6,600 nursing home residents died from COVID-19  the highest total of any state. Everybody knows that's an undercount, however, because the number doesn't include nursing home residents who were transferred to hospitals before they died.

Other states don't tally COVID-19 deaths that way, and neither did New York - at first.

But in April, just as the number of nursing home fatalities from COVID-19 started to spike, the state suddenly decided not to count residents who died in hospitals as nursing home deaths. The state said it feared some deaths would be counted twice.

That's the official explanation, anyway. But you don't have to be a wild-eyed conspiracy theorist to suspect the change had something to do with the state's controversial mandate requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients.

If the number of deaths tied to nursing homes is artificially low, the mandate might not look so bad. Provide New Yorkers with the truthful number, however, and the policy would be revealed as disastrous.

Meanwhile, as a ProPublica investigation published in Wednesday's Times Union detailed, there's evidence New York's unusual method of counting COVID-19 deaths led at least one nursing home to "dump" dying residents into hospitals, sometimes with do-not-resuscitate orders.

While the Department of Health said it "will hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law any nursing home that engaged in wrongdoing," it's horrifying that dying New Yorkers would be treated that way. So again, how many nursing home residents died of COVID-19 in hospitals?

We don't know. Cuomo and Zucker won't tell us.

Reporters and state lawmakers have asked for the number repeatedly. There's always an excuse for why it isn't available.

On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that it filed a public records request for the data three months ago, but the health department has refused to release it. The AP story, which estimates that an accurate count would add thousands of deaths to the official total, is headlined, "New York's true nursing home death toll cloaked in secrecy."

Indeed, it is.

Last week, lawmakers pressed Zucker for the number when he testified at a legislative hearing on nursing homes. While Zucker acknowledged the state counts nursing home residents who die of COVID-19 at hospitals, he declined to provide lawmakers with even an estimate of the total tally.

It seems to me that the definition that you are insisting on keeping on the books is one that no other state utilizes and it makes you look better than what yall did," said state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a Democrat from the Bronx who chairs the Health Committee. "That's a problem, bro."

On Wednesday, a full eight days later, Zucker again testified before the committee  and still didn't have an answer. The hubris is stunning.

"We continue to work on it," Department of Health spokesperson Jill Montag told me later in the day.

I emailed Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi to ask how it is possible that the administration has not provided the number, given the importance of the statistic and the state's ability to determine it.

I mean, it's not like we're asking for the number of pebbles on Pluto. This is data that, by Zucker's own admission, the state can access. And yet we haven't been allowed to see it.

Azzopardi didn't respond. Instead, I received a canned statement from Montag saying "New York was an early leader in providing daily facility-specific information" and no state "has been clearer in personalizing the human cost of the pandemic."

That's not entirely wrong. New York has been good about releasing COVID-19 data, which makes the secrecy around nursing home deaths all the more confounding. It leads to an obvious conclusion: Cuomo doesn't want the data released because it would look terrible.

It would reveal the calamitous cost of the mandate forcing nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients. It would show that the Cuomo administration made a costly and tragic decision.

As the Associated Press noted, Cuomo has often used New York's flawed undercount to defend the mandate, contending the state's percentage of nursing home fatalities out of its overall COVID-19 death toll is low compared to other states.

The undercount was also the basis of a health department study that claimed the mandate wasn't responsible for nursing home deaths and instead blamed employees of the facilities.

But that report was a sham. And the truth about nursing homes and COVID-19, I'm sorry to say, isn't what Cuomo wants us to know.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
A former Sydney Catholic college principal who preyed upon boys at his school in the 1970s has been handed a three-year community corrections order.

Peter Nicholas Lennox pleaded guilty in July to indecently assaulting two boys at St Paul's Catholic College in Manly.

The 81-year-old, who has a pacemaker and is diagnosed with depression and diabetes, appeared at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday with a walking stick in hand.

Peter Nicholas Lennox pleaded guilty in July to indecently assaulting two boys at St Paul's Catholic College in Manly

Judge Ian McClintock said Lennox had a 'catalogue of maladies' that might make his everyday existence in the custodial system 'somewhat excruciating'.

But he said victim impact statements tendered earlier in the year made for an 'outline of trauma and bewilderment' and were a testament to the long-term damage caused by the sexual abuse of children.

'They are entitled to grow up free from the defilement of sexual predators,' Judge McClintock told the court.

'The offender was in a very significant position of trust and manifestly abused it on multiple occasions with multiple victims.'

One student, then aged 12, was set upon by the Christian brother after being kicked out of science class in 1977.

Led to a chemical room and questioned about why he was out of class, the Year 7 boy was fearful he was going to get the strap, court documents showed.

The 81-year-old, who has a pacemaker and is diagnosed with depression and diabetes, appeared at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday with a walking stick in hand

But instead, Lennox spent five to 10 minutes rubbing his hand over the crotch of the boy's school pants as the student looked at the ground and cried.

Lennox, who was appointed principal of St Paul's in 1972, also abused a Year 9 student who'd come to his office seeking permission to go home sick in 1974.

Once inside the office, Lennox asked the boy 'Where does it hurt' and 'How sick are you' before directing the 13-year-old to take off his pants and underpants.

When his principal touched his genitals, the boy froze and endured two minutes of abuse.

The victim, now in his 60s, previously said the abuse led to bedwetting and he'd since battled with mental health issues and episodes of homelessness.

After telling friends and his brother, he was ridiculed as though 'I asked for it' and he experienced further pain in having to give evidence at a 2018 trial.

In that trial, the jury was unable to return verdicts on the two charges but did find Lennox guilty of three other crimes committed at Manly and St Patrick's Goulburn.

Lennox served six months in prison and was facing retrial on the remaining charges before the admissions made in July.

He also admitted abusing a third boy, who he called out of class to his office in 1975.

Lennox was first arrested in 2014 and committed for trial in 2015, but health issues caused repeated delays and postponements.

Judge McClintock said he was highly unlikely to re-offend.

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Malaysia may be known to many as a country where all food is delicious, flavorful, and exciting. But we also have our strange sides, like turning stinky beans into ice cream or turning sambal into marmalade.

Perhaps its human nature to be intrigued by the unusual. Either that or our taste buds just want to explore something new. But whatever that fascination may be, weve picked out some of the truly unique food options in Malaysia that may appeal to the freaks in all of us if not the adventurous and brave souls.

Dont worry, weve also included a couple of tame choices for those who choose to err on the side of caution. Who knows, maybe youll even like it.

Petai ice cream

Petai ice-cream by Frozen. Photo: Frozen Artisans

While petai is usually cooked with prawn and sambal belacan (chilli paste), one artisan ice-creamery has taken the popular beans one step further to the dark side with their petai-flavored ice cream.

The guys from Frozen make the unconventional dessert out of freshly-chopped petai and vanilla ice-cream. We dont recommend having these pungent beans, otherwise known as stinky beans, on your first date. But if an adventurous date is what youre after, this dessert will certainly tick all the boxes!

Petai ice-cream is available at all Frozen outlets in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Order a 600ml tub of petai ice-cream online.

Strawberry Sambal

Serving suggestions for strawberry sambal by Abang Strawberry. Photo: Abang Strawberry /Instagram

Tucked in the cool mountains of Cameron Highlands, Pahang is a farm and restaurant that specialises in all things strawberry, like jam, cordial, tea and wait for it strawberry sambal.

Abang Strawberry serves up a pretty unique jar of dried chillies, salted fish, onions, and strawberries. Perhaps youll want to taste the spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory explosion of flavors with your next nasi lemak meal.

Drive up to Abang Strawberry in Cameron Highlands this weekend or order your portion of strawberry sambal online.

Nasi lemak sushi

Nasi lemak sushi (second from top), paired with other sushi sets. Photo: Ruyi & Lyn

Youve probably tried our nasi lemak before, which is a combination of fluffy coconut rice with hard-boiled egg, cucumbers, anchovies, peanuts and sambal. But have you eaten it, sushi-style?

Story continues

Ruyi & Lyn, a contemporary Chinese restaurant in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, serves up this intriguing fusion of Malaysian and Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant serves the sushi with little eggs, peanuts, sambal, and anchovies perched on some coconut milk rice, all wrapped up in thin slices of cucumber.

Nasi lemak sushi is available at Ruyi & Lyn in Bangsar, KL.

Cendol McFlurry

Cendol McFlurry. Photo: McDonalds Malaysia

If youre not too adventurous with your food options (its OK, we dont judge!), McDonalds Cendol McFlurry may be the uniquely Malaysia-inspired dessert youll want to try.

Palm sugar syrup, coconut flakes, and green rice flour jelly are swirled into the familiar sweetness that is McFlurrys signature vanilla soft serve. It tastes just like cendol but made with McFlurry instead of shaved ice, so if youre a fan of both, this is the cool treat you dont want to miss out.

Cendol McFlurry is available at all McDonalds outlets within Malaysia for a limited time.

Nasi lemak cake

Nasi lemak but make it cake. Photo: Eat Cake Today /Instagram

Since everything is a cake now, thanks to the cake meme that took social media by storm last month, we suppose nasi lemak cake wouldnt be such a surprise or would it?

Eat Cake Today, a cake delivery service in Kuala Lumpur, serves what they call a savory and bizarre nasi lemak cake made with coconut-milk infused basmati rice, with a layer of omelet in between, topped with a generous helping of sambal, prawns, anchovies, and peanuts.

Of course, its tied together with healthy slices of cucumber around the edges. A cake cant get any more Malaysian than this, just ask a nasi lemak fan.

Order a nasi lemak cake online from Eat Cake Today.

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This article, Unique, weird Malaysian food combos for the truly adventurous, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters!
Amazon.com can be held liable for injuries due to defective products sold on its marketplace, a California state appeals court ruled on Thursday.

The court said that, like other retailers, Amazon would face liabilities for harm due to its defective products-not just the reseller, USA Today reported.

As said in a Reuters report, the decision reversed a San Diego Superior Court ruling that said Amazon could be shielded from liability. The previous ruling said this is because Amazon just acted as a service provider of the defective products.

Service providers are not subject to California product liability law.

On top of selling its own products, Amazon also lets third-party sellers to post products for sale on its site. The vendors can then store their goods in an Amazon warehouse and ship them directly to the people who buy it.

The ruling, written by Judge Patricia Guerrero of the Fourth District Court of Appeals, was unanimously made.

It stated that "Amazon should be held liable if a product sold through its website turns out to be defective," Business Insider said in its report.

The ruling is a major blow to Amazon, which has fought off lawsuits for years. For years, they have been dodging suits that ask for liability over injury or damage to property.

Amazon had not yet responded to a request for comment on the matter.

What Started the Liability Case?

Talks on Amazon's liability started when a woman, Angela Bolger, suffered from third-degree burns because of a laptop battery. She bought it from a third-party seller, Lenoge Technology HK Ltd., on Amazon marketplace, CNBC reported.

"Consumers across the nation will feel the impact of this," said the attorney for Bolger, Jeremy Robinson.

In Bolger's lawsuit, she alleged that the battery exploded moths after her purchase. She said she suffered burns in her arms, legs, and feet due to this.

Bolger argued that Amazon should be held responsible for the burns.

But Amazon said that they were not liable for the defective product because it did not distribute, manufacture, or sell the product. They said Lenoge was the seller of the faulty battery, not them.

"More than half the units sold in our stores are from independent sellers," the company said on its website.

What was Amazon's Role in the Injury?

The court did not agree with Amazon, saying that they played such a big role. They had to be held liable for the injuries, the court said.

Guerrero wrote that Amazon "placed itself between Lenoge and Bolger."

As the court said, Amazon was involved in getting the product distributed. The company accepted the product, stored it in their warehouse, made efforts to get the buyer came to the site, and gave her a product listing.

The ruling also said that the company received Bolger's payment and shipped the product in their packaging, adding to their role in the faulty goods.

As Amazon also limits sellers' access to customer information, they are forced to talk to buyers through the site.

Amazon also asked for fees on each purchase, the court said.

The marketplace accounts for about 60% of Amazon's sales. It does bring good sales to the company, but it has also been host to unsafe, fake, or defective products.

Despite this, the company has said before that it invests millions of dollars per year to make sure products sold in their marketplace is safe and compliant.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / Just like Steve Jobs, born from a Syrian heritage, has raised his empire to the top from the ground. Tarek Naemo, a businessman, real estate investor, and entrepreneur, earned his business management degrees in Great Britain while working in the private security and counter-terrorism fields in his early 20s.

His job demanded him travel the globe from east to west, which allowed him to create an expansive network of investors and build knowledge about different cultures and society. Tarek mastered how to become a solution for every challenge, as the word impossible was never an option in his career.

In his mid-20s Tarek Naemo took the right step towards building his family, getting married to his wife, Jasmine, and moving to the United States of America to enter the world of Real Estate and business investments. With his experience, he quickly became the shining example of an American success story, while his Mental fortitude was essential for entrepreneurship.

Tarek was always observant and learned that the secret to success is by separating emotions from logic; it was fascinating to learn how he used passion for accelerating his speed to reach his target.

Our conversation with Tarek Naemo transformed from an ordinary conversation to an extraordinary one when he started describing on how our entire financial system is corrupted, broken and simply will not last due to the current era of powerful digital platform technology, while he considers all the currencies around the world are bad money today, because what has and holds value changes radically as technology develops. "These technologies are going to reshape our new world in ways we can't possibly imagine, and it will happen so fast that the human mind will be unable to comprehend it", Tarek said.

Tarek has been investing heavily in financial technology as he sees that blockchain offers the possibility of a new form of 'money' and a new way to simply and safely construct legal contracts and agreements that will power an incredible revolution in human ingenuity and freedom. He warned that investors who are going to ignore the transition at very-least will miss the extraordinary gains, or worse, they could ultimately lose everything. According to Tarek, It's a whole new type of economic power, with a digital dollar and a new world order in place.

Tarek has invested in creating his brokerage firm, America's Elite Realty, that relies on sophisticated data and analysis to target clients, investors, and distressed projects, which served him a golden opportunity to be a managing partner with Richmond Hill Capital in the UK And to partner with DME holdings, KNOWLEDGESTONE DISCOVERY SYSTEMS; millions of dollars in sales volume and successful real estates transaction locally and internationally.

Tarek is the youngest blood in his companies and is very grateful to work closely with his unique, experienced, and well-connected global team that keeps a grip on the company's pulse. The team specializes in turning any distressed project into income-producing, followed by an increase in value and equity.

Tarek Naemo said his biggest advice for all entrepreneurs is to take advantage of today's technology to achieve their goals. He further encouraged everyone to execute their plans today as the opportunity only exists in the crisis!

Name: Tarek Naemo

Business Name: Richmond Hill Capital

Address: Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Email: tarek@richmondhillcapital.co

Phone: 1-404-566-5999

Website: https://www.richmondhillcapital.co/

SOURCE: Richmond Hill Capital

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601801/Tarek-Naemo--The-Youngest-Selfmade-Millionaire-in-Central-Florida--Describing-The-Opportunity-In-The-Crisis
Palestinian protesters burn the flag of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a protest against the peace agreement to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, in the city of Yata, near Hebron, West Bank, - Shutterstock

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president, has threatened to sever diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates and recall his ambassador after the Gulf state signed a peace deal with Israel.

"I gave an order to the foreign minister. I said we could suspend diplomatic relations with the Abu Dhabi administration or withdraw our ambassador," Mr Erdogan told reporters on Friday.

As part of the deal, announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday, the UAE would become the first Gulf state to normalise relations with Israel, which in return is expected to suspend its plans for annexation of the West Bank.

However, the historic peace deal has laid bare tensions between the Middle Easts former imperial powers and youthful, oil-rich nations in the Gulf, with both Iran and Turkey strongly condemning the accord.

On Friday, Tehran condemned the UAEs decision to normalise ties with Israel as an act of strategic stupidity, while Ankara said history would never forgive the Gulf state for its hypocritical behaviour.

"History and the conscience of the region's peoples will not forget and never forgive this hypocritical behaviour of the UAE, betraying the Palestinian cause for the sake of its narrow interests," said a statement by the foreign ministry of Turkey, which once led the Ottoman Empire.

"It is extremely worrying that the UAE should, with a unilateral action, try and do away with the (2002) Arab Peace Plan developed by the Arab League. It is not in the slightest credible that this three-way declaration should be presented as supporting the Palestinian cause."

Meanwhile a spokesman for the foreign ministry of Iran, the former Persian empire, said: "The oppressed people of Palestine and all the free nations of the world will never forgive the normalising of relations with the criminal Israeli occupation regime and the complicity in its crimes.

It also emerged on Friday that the Israeli security agency Mossad is due to lead a delegation to the UAE for further discussions on the deal.

Story continues

Under the terms of the deal, Israel agreed to suspend controversial plans to annex parts of the West Bank in return for a full diplomatic relationship and lucrative trade deals with the United Arab Emirates.

Forging closer links between Israel and Arab nations is a key pillar of Mr Trumps strategy for the Middle East, and the diplomatic coup on Thursday could provide a major boost for US elections in November.

However, setting up diplomatic ties with Israel and increasing trade and cooperation in key security areas, such as Iranian regional influence, has also been a longstanding ambition for the UAE.

Image from Dubai shows the front pages of UAE-based The National and Gulf News newspapers with their headlines reflecting the announcements on the previous day as Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise relations in a landmark US-brokered deal - AFP

In the coming weeks, Israel and the UAE are due to sign bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology and energy, among other key areas.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, described the accord as the greatest advancement toward peace between Israel and the Arab world in the last 26 years.

However, Palestinian leaders were bitterly disappointed by the deal, as though it temporarily removes the threat of annexation, they say it has damaged Arab solidarity on the Palestinian issue.

A senior Palestinian Authority official accused the UAE of a despicable betrayal that had further dashed hopes of any viable talks on creating a free Palestinian state.

It came as Oman, another Gulf state, said it stood by the UAEs decision and hoped it would lead to lasting peace in the Middle East.

There is now fervent speculation about whether other Arab nations will heed calls by Mr Trump to follow suit.

Among those believed to be considering such a move are Bahrain and potentially Saudi Arabia, which cooperates closely with the UAE on foreign policy.
By JoNel Aleccia | Kaiser Health News

MEDFORD  From the outside, it appears to be just another suburban allergy clinic, a tidy, tan brick-and-cinder-block building set back from a busy highway and across the road from an auto parts store.

But inside the offices of the Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon, Dr. Edward Kerwin and his staff are part of the race to save the world.

Kerwin, 63, was tapped this spring to lead one of the nearly 90 U.S. clinical trial sites taking part in the large-scale, Phase 3 test of a vaccine produced by biotech startup Moderna to fight the virus that causes COVID-19.

Dr. Edward Kerwin, medical director of the Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon, has led more than 750 clinical trials during the past quarter-century. Kerwin, an allergist and immunologist, was tapped as the principal investigator for Modernas COVID-19 vaccine trial at the Medford test site. (Jim Craven for KHN)

Starting in late July, Kerwins clinic, set in a working-class region roughly halfway between Seattle and San Francisco, began enrolling up to 40 participants a day for the two-year study. He hopes to recruit as many as 700 volunteers by the end of August.

Theyll join the 30,000 test subjects needed nationwide to determine whether the Moderna vaccine can tame a disease that has infected 5.2 million Americans and claimed the lives of more than 166,000. Another vaccine, produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, a German company, is being tested in nearly 30,000 more recruits.

Its a perfect opportunity for science to come to the rescue, said Kerwin, a lanky figure in a bright-blue shirt and khaki pants. He led visitors to a conference room, took a chair well outside social-distancing range and doffed his mask, the better to explain the magnitude of this moment.

Vaccine trial For more information about volunteering for the Medford-based clinical trial of Modernas COVID-19 vaccine, contact the Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon, CRISOR, via the firms Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Medical-Research-Center/Crisor-1736170769829185/ You also can reach CRISOR at 541-858-1018, or through its website: https://clinicalresearchso.com

He acknowledged it may seem like a surprise that Medford is the site of a clinical trial to halt the worlds biggest medical challenge in a century. But Kerwin, who worked as a NASA scientist before heading to medical school and a career in allergy, asthma and immunology, has led more than 750 clinical trials over the past quarter-century, mostly focused on asthma, lung disease and skin disorders.

He moved to southern Oregon in 1993, choosing the rural Rogue Valley because of its beauty and cultural opportunities, such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. As his medical expertise grew, he built a top-enrolling clinical trial site that coexists with a clinic that treats asthma and allergy patients. Along the way, he established deep roots in the valley, where he founded Bel Fiore, a $10 million winery and vineyard that features a 19,000-square-foot chateau.

Audrey Kuehl, a study coordinator at the Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon, inoculates Trish Malone with Modernas COVID-19 vaccine. Malone had volunteered for several clinical trials before participating in Modernas 30,000-person study. (Jim Craven for KHN)

Even with his experience, however, testing a vaccine to halt a global pandemic is a challenge like no other, Kerwin said. When the call came from Velocity Clinical Research  the North Carolina-based company that operates Kerwins clinic, known as CRISOR, and more than a dozen other COVID-19 trial sites across the U.S.  he paused for a moment.

You take a big gasp and say, Do we have the resources to do this? Kerwin said. You definitely do it, but you want to do your homework.

So far, the testing is going well, he said. Unlike most clinical trials, for which its difficult to recruit enough volunteers, the COVID effort has attracted intense interest. All of Velocitys sites are paying participants $1,962 for the two-year trial, but Kerwins staff of two dozen didnt advertise widely at first.

We would worry our phone would ring off the hook, Kerwin said.

The Medford clinic is the only COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial site in Oregon, so participants have come from as far as Portland, nearly 300 miles north.

Its a prime example of the gamble drugmakers and federal trial sponsors take when deciding where to host large-scale COVID clinical trials. To gauge whether the vaccine works, you need to know theres a good chance participants will be exposed to the virus in the environment. Ethically, in traditional Phase 3 trials, you cant deliberately infect people with COVID-19, a disease with no treatment or cure, though some propose doing just that in controversial human challenge trials.

Southern Oregon has not been a hot spot for COVID-19, with fewer than 500 confirmed cases and two deaths in Jackson County, which includes Medford. But, Kerwin said, its at risk of becoming one, offering the opportunity to vaccinate trial participants before the virus becomes widespread.

As part of the process to test the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Trish Malone of Ashland, Oregon, was tested to determine whether she was infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. (Jim Craven for KHN)

Its almost too late in New York and Arizona, he said.

In the meantime, hes trying to shift the odds that trial volunteers will be exposed to COVID-19 by reaching out to people at greater risk of infection.

So Kerwins team has contacted businesses in industries such as agriculture and food production, where the disease has been known to spread with particular virulence. Locally, that includes employers such as Harry & David, the food retailer famous for its fruit-of-the-month shipments, and Amys Kitchen, the maker of vegetarian frozen meals, which operates a production plant in the area.

The Medford trial site is also emphasizing enrollment of elder volunteers, those age 65 and up, who are at higher risk of serious illness or death from the coronavirus.

One of the first volunteers was Trish Malone, a 68-year-old cultural anthropologist who lives in Ashland. Like many of the other participants, she has enlisted in Kerwins previous clinical trials of devices to treat asthma. When clinic staffers reached out to ask whether shed participate in the COVID-19 trial, she didnt hesitate.

I said, Wow, yes, Malone recalled. Its because of [Kerwin] and his expertise. Little Medford gets to have this testing.

Participating is a way to give back to her community, said Malone, who sat, calm and still, on a recent Thursday as study coordinator Audrey Kuehl sank the injection into Malones left shoulder.

She was fast. It was no pain, and it was fine, Malone said.

Half of the patients in the trial will receive two doses, 28 days apart, of the Moderna vaccine, called mRNA-1273. It uses a snippet of the genetic code of the coronavirus, not the virus itself, to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response to protect against infection. The other half will receive a placebo, or saline dummy shot.

Three study coordinators at the Medford clinic, Kuehl among them, know which patients receive which dose, but the information is kept from volunteers and other staff members  including Kerwin, the principal investigator.

Participants who receive the vaccine may experience some side effects, such as redness at the injection site, muscle soreness, fatigue or headache, Kerwin said. Its a sign the vaccine is working with your immune system, he said.

Four days after her first injection, Malone was disappointed to report no reaction at all. I am bummed, totally bummed, she said. I have no symptoms. I think I got the placebo.

Boxes containing vials of Modernas COVID-19 vaccine, known as mRNA-1273, are refrigerated at the Clinical Research Institute of Southern Oregon in Medford. (Jim Craven for KHN)

That may not be true, of course. Even if it is, Malone said, shes happy to participate in an effort that may help stop the deadly virus.

This a global pandemic, she said. What can I do to help?

The study will run for two years so that investigators can track the longer-term effects of the vaccine. Malone will keep a diary of her temperature and symptoms, if any, and have regular blood tests to determine whether she has antibodies to the virus.

Kerwin is optimistic about the chances the Moderna vaccine will work, agreeing with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, who predicted the study could demonstrate efficacy by November or December. Kerwin estimates that the vaccine could prove 90% effective, though outside infectious disease experts said its far too soon to tell.

Even if the trial shows the vaccine is successful, it would take months longer to produce and deliver enough injections for the U.S. and beyond.

As he enrolls patients and awaits data, Kerwin said, hes mindful of the real-world implications of his work. His mother, in her 90s, lives in a Denver nursing home where, so far, there have been no cases of COVID-19. But the threat looms.

The tragedy of the pandemic has underscored the promise of science  and the interconnectedness of people far beyond this small corner of Oregon.

Immunology has never been more fascinating than it is today, he said. This is a year that reminds us we cannot live in isolation and do not live in isolation from the world.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Egypt's public prosecution has said it is probing the death of leading Muslim Brotherhood member Essam El-Erian.

El-Erian, who was serving various jail terms, died of a heart attack in prison on Thursday following a quarrel with another imprisoned Brotherhood member, according to informed sources.

In an official statement on Friday, the prosecution said it had received a notification from the prison authority on Thursday of El-Erians death.

The prosecution had taken procedures to investigate the incident by examining the body and assigning a forensic doctor to identify the cause of death, the statement added.

The forensic doctor's initial report confirmed that the body was free of any injuries of a criminal nature, the prosecution said.

Two other prisoners in cells adjacent to El-Erian's told the prosecution that his death was "natural without any criminal suspicion," assuring the stability of his heath condition ahead of his death and the regularity of his receipt of treatment from the prison administration," according to the statement.

They also said they "did not notice anything that raised suspicion on the night of the prisoner's death, until they found out about [his death]," read the statement.

The officers in charge of the prison where El-Erian was held, as well as the prison's doctor and medical care director, told prosecutors that his death was natural and stressed he had received treatment and health care procedures regularly, according to the statement.

The prosecution said it would complete the investigation by attaching the Forensic Medical Authority's final report on the cause of death.

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Will there be a New Orleans Carnival in 2021? Those who hoped a meeting Thursday of the Mayor's Mardi Gras Advisory Council would answer that question were disappointed.

The meeting held at Mardi Gras World was mostly a routine discussion of parading practices, conducted as if next year's big party might ... or might not occur.

"I'm cautiously optimistic and hopeful," Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser told the council, which includes city officials and the captains of the city's 30-plus parading organizations.

Committee co-chairman James J. Reiss III, representing the Rex Organization, emphasized that despite the eagerness of the krewes to parade, Thursday's gathering was not meant to pressure government officials into making a rash decision.

"The data (of the coronavirus contagion) will determine when the mayor makes a decision," he said, and that decision may not be possible until fall or winter.

Co-chairman Elroy A. James, of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, said that the way the population behaves now may determine the efficacy of the next Carnival.

"Mask up today, so we can mask up tomorrow," James, wearing a mask emblazoned with the Zulu logo, said.

The council did vote to create a 10-member group of krewe members from the medical community to help advise the mayor on safety proctices.

If krewes are allowed to roll in 2021 Reiss said, "I imagine you'd see parades throwing masks."

Mardi Gras is Feb. 16 and under ordinary circumstances more than 30 parades would hit the streets in the three weeks preceding it. But the unyielding coronavirus pandemic has currently made large gatherings ill-advised, inhibited travel and led to a partial shutdown of the city's famed hospitality industry. And in April, Mayor LaToya Cantrell told The Washington Post that the possibility of cancelling Carnival was "on the table."

But so far the parading organizations, who begin their planning and preparations long before Carnival season, have more-or-less proceeded as if the big party would take place. As of Thursday, no krewe had publicly announced that it has canceled its 2021 parade.

Earlier this week Jefferson Parish krewe leaders and parish officials met privately to begin discussing the Carnival in that suburban parish.

The parish has produced a tentative 2021 parade calendar includes 12 processions, starting with the Little Rascals kids parade on Jan. 31 and finishing with the rumbling truck convoys along Veterans Memorial Boulevard on Fat Tuesday.

It's the same list as last year with no newcomers or dropouts and includes the Pandora parade, the suburban sister organization of the New Orleans-based Krewe of Nyx, which was in the news this spring when a controversial online comment by Nyx Captain Julie Lea prompted a drop in membership in both organizations.

The tentative Jefferson Parish list also includes the Krewe of MadHatters parade, which made its debut in 2020.

A Jefferson Parish representative said that weve had some calls from New Orleans parades, but nothing definite, implying perhaps that some Orleans Parish parades could roll in Jefferson Parish in 2021, if the city does not allow parades but Jefferson Parish does.

In 1979 a police strike in New Orleans prevented parading within city limits, but seven parading organizations, including the superkrewe Endymion, moved their 1979 parades to Jefferson Parish.

Jefferson Parish extended krewes' deadline to apply for a parade permit from July to late August.

+3 New Orleans oldest gay Carnival krewe, Petronius, cancels costume ball due to coronavirus The Krewe of Patronius planned to celebrate its 60th year with its typically over-the-top costume ball at the Frederick Sigur Center in St. Be

Tuesdays meeting in Elmwood began with a brief recap of last years Jefferson Parish Carnival, which apparently proceeded only minor logistical problems. One issue: A representative of the Jefferson Parish Fire Department pointed out that artificial smoke from parade floats can cause confusion among safety monitors and must be addressed.

As the meeting rolled from the past to the future, one krewe representative sardonically quipped, I dont think well have any problems with people wearing masks this year, referring to the COVID-suppressing facewear that have become commonplace.

+7 Nyx former members join forces with Krewe of Freret Mardi Gras parading organization The 600-member Krewe of Freret Carnival parading organization just got a lot bigger, with the addition of hundreds of riders who once belonged

The tentative parade calendar for Jefferson Parish included:

Little Rascals, Sun., Jan. 31, noon

Adonis, Sat., Feb. 6, 11:45 a.m.

Excalibur, Fri, Feb. 5, time to be announced

Madhatters, Sat., Feb. 6, time to be announced

Centurians, Sat., Feb. 6, time to be announced

Atlas, Sun., Feb. 7, time to be announced

Kings, Sun., Feb. 7, time to be announced

Athena, Sun., Feb. 14, time to be announced

Pandora, Sun., Feb. 14, time to be announced

Argus, Mardi Gras, Feb. 16, 10 a.m.

Elks Truck parade, Feb. 16, follows Argus

Jefferson Truck parade, Feb. 16, follows Argus

Correction: The date of the Little Rascals parade was incorrect; it takes place on Jan. 31.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, officials say you should wash your hands frequently, using hand sanitizer if necessary. Just try not to catch fire.

Even as officials urge troops and their families to take precautions against the novel coronavirus, they warn that hand sanitizers are flammable and should be stored appropriately.

The Safety Office at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, issued a warning Aug. 11, illustrating the dangers of alcohol-based sanitizers.

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"An employee at the Department of Energy Federal Contractors Group used an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, as advised by hygiene recommendations. Shortly after the application to his hands, but before the liquid disinfectant had evaporated and completely dried, the employee touched a metal surface which [had] accumulated a static electrical charge, resulting in an ignition source. The ethyl-alcohol based disinfectant flashed, resulting in an almost invisible blue flame on both hands," states a Federal Drug Administration bulletin distributed by the safety office.

"We can never be too cautious. Please exercise vigilance when using these gel sanitizers to ensure it is completely evaporated before touching any metal object and/or other items that often harbor static electricity," said Ron Ross, safety manager with Fort Jackson's Installation Safety Office.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using hand sanitizers containing at least 60% ethanol or ethyl alcohol.

However, some hand sanitizers pose other risks. The Food and Drug Administration warned in June against the use of sanitizers containing methanol, or wood alcohol, which is "a substance often used to create fuel and antifreeze that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin, as well as life-threatening when ingested."

A month later, the FDA issued a further warning, citing "an increasing number of adverse events, including blindness, cardiac effects, effects on the central nervous system, and hospitalizations and death, primarily reported to poison control centers and state departments of health."

It has said it continues to see these figures rise.

-- Bing Xiao can be reached at bingxiao2020@u.northwestern.edu.

Related: Troops in War Zones May Get Priority for a COVID-19 Vaccine
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) told CNN on Friday that the state will conduct its general election mostly by mail as the coronavirus pandemic persists.

Why it matters: Murphy's announcement comes as President Trump has spent the last several months attacking mail-in voting as a practice he claims  without strong evidence  is susceptible to voter fraud.

How it works: The state will send ballots to all active registered voters while also giving them the option to vote in person, Murphy said. It's the same hybrid model used in New Jersey's July primaries.

Those who vote in person will file provisional ballots to ensure they did not already cast their vote via mail.

The big picture: Four states, now including New Jersey, and the District of Columbia have decided to mail ballots to voters before the November election as the pandemic rages on. Five other states  Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington  already conduct universal mail elections.

Flashback: Four men  including a city councilman  were charged with voter fraud after a Paterson, N.J., election this May, the Washington Post reports.

Trump has used those charges repeatedly as an episode of alleged fraud.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh told the Post that scheme would be difficult to reproduce in other cities, much less on a national scale during a presidential election.

What he's saying: "...we've learned some lessons including we're going to have more presence of secure drop boxes and make sure there is that physical, voting capacity," Murphy told CNN.

"There were some very specific issues around the Paterson mail-in ballots during our May local elections, and law enforcement is actually pursuing that. Overwhelmingly, this was successful," Murphy said referring to the hybrid model.

Murphy said he would sign an executive order later Friday to enact the changes, per WaPo.
Optimises the use of space in its properties to extend service offerings and strengthen Ascotts dominant lodging position in the new normal



(TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - August 13th, 2020 - Singapore, 13 August 2020  CapitaLands wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has launched its Work in Residence initiative at participating properties worldwide, leveraging its design strengths to transform selected apartments into conducive work suites which guests can now book on its website. To extend its service offerings to guests, Ascott is also providing its Space-as-a-Service by exploring with multinational corporations (MNCs), entrepreneurs and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) different possibilities to optimise the use of space in its properties. These range from hosting cloud kitchens and Starbucks coffee kiosks, to organising live streaming or fitness activities in its apartments, and serving as parcel collection hubs for convenient pick-up of online orders.

Mr Kevin Goh, CapitaLands Chief Executive Officer for Lodging and Ascotts Chief Executive Officer, said: Ascotts strengths in the long-stay segment have bolstered our resilience against headwinds from the COVID-19 situation. Our record of securing 25 new properties in the first five months of 2020 as well as the addition of six new lyf properties in July are testament to the strong demand for our expertise and products. To ensure that Ascott remains a dominant lodging player in the new normal, we must be agile, continually adapt and develop new business strategies to future-ready our company. We are evolving our lodging products and services to cater to new customer segments, uncover alternative revenue streams as well as deliver greater value for our guests and business partners.

Mr Leong Teng Wui, Ascotts Chief Development Officer, said: With the launch of Ascotts Work in Residence, we are seizing opportunities on the rising telecommuting trend to offer a comprehensive solution for guests to live and work in a safe and private space. Ascotts award-winning interior design service team[1] will work with the properties and owners to leverage our deep design capabilities to reconfigure and customise Ascotts spacious apartments, to not only provide a home away from home, but also create a conducive, productive and well-designed workspace for our guests.

Through Ascotts Space-as-a-Service, we are exploring ways to offer more services to guests while further optimising the use of space at our properties and capitalising on our properties adaptability and central locations to further grow Ascotts business. This adaptive use of space and menu of new services will create an even more productive, conducive and stimulating environment for our guests to live, work, play and innovate in our properties, added Mr Leong.

Launches Work in Residence with on-demand services at participating properties worldwide

With Ascotts Work in Residence, guests, corporates and students seeking alternative location to work-from-home or study can easily book its spacious, conducive and self-contained work suites across over 60 participating properties in more than 30 cities and over 10 countries. Ascotts Work in Residence offers flexibility, convenience and value through its fully-furnished and well-equipped work suites that enable guests to just check-in and start work with minimal disruptions, enabling them to stay productive and connected. Larger apartments with separate living and dining areas, kitchen and individual bedrooms are ideal for project groups.

Guests have the flexibility to choose either daily, weekly or monthly packages. Depending on the length of use and location, the work suites come with a dedicated workstation, regular housekeeping, complimentary coffee and tea or complimentary parking at selected serviced residences. Nespresso coffee machines are also available in selected apartments.

Telecommuting essentials such as high-speed WiFi, wide-screen monitor, webcam for videoconferencing and Bluetooth speakers with microphones are available on demand. To enhance the work-stay experience, task lights, wireless charging stand for tablets and mobile phones, adequate power plugs and USB charging ports, as well as a stationery kit are provided for guests. Guests can also choose from a range of services which include food delivery, grocery shopping, printing, concierge or book-a-chef for in-room dining.

Guests can enjoy a special rate when they book the Work in Residence package with the promotional code WORKSPACE. Guests can also sign up for the complimentary Ascott Star Rewards loyalty membership to earn and redeem points across participating properties worldwide. For corporate bookings, please contact: enquiry@the-ascott.com. For more information, please visit: www.the-ascott.com/work-in-residence.

The launch of Work in Residence follows Ascotts successful pilot, which garnered positive feedback from corporates and guests in countries such as Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey.

Ascott offers its Space-as-a-Service to enhance guest experience

Ascott is optimising the use of space at its properties to enhance guest experience through its Space-as-a-Service initiative.

Starbucks kiosks with coffee at special rates

Ascott has partnered with Nestle to set up Starbucks self-service kiosks in the lobby of its Citadines-branded properties around the world. Citadines Balestier Singapore and Citadines Fusionopolis Singapore are the first in the serviced residence industry in Singapore with these kiosks. Guests at Citadines are able to recharge their day with Starbucks coffee at special rates. The Starbucks self-service kiosks are expected to roll out to other Citadines properties in Singapore by January next year. Plans are also in place to bring the Starbucks self-service kiosks to the rest of the Citadines properties starting with China, Malaysia and Japan by the end of 2020 and Europe in 2021.

Cloud kitchen and parcel collection hub

To offer guests more value-added services, Ascott is leveraging the strategic locations of its serviced residences by exploring with MNCs, entrepreneurs and SMEs to use the space at its properties to host cloud kitchens or as parcel collection hubs. In Singapore, Ascott has partnered with a food technology company to set up a cloud kitchen in the shared kitchen of lyf Funan Singapore to provide in-house guests with more dining options.

In the Philippines, Somerset Alabang Manila is piloting the conversion of under-utilised spaces within the property into a parcel collection hub where delivery firms can sort and store parcels. This will allow guests at Somerset Alabang Manila to receive their deliveries quicker at the property.

Live streaming and fitness studios

Ascotts spacious and well-designed apartments equipped with high-speed WiFi can also be converted into live streaming or fitness studios to provide guests and corporates with a comfortable environment to live, work and exercise. Tapping onto the popular live stream ecommerce business, Ascott Raffles City Shenzhen and Somerset IOC Hangzhou in China have provided selected apartments for live streaming events and photoshoots for long-stay guests which include internet celebrities and corporates from new media and ecommerce companies.

Ascott Raffles City Chengdu and Somerset Riverview Chengdu in China have converted some of their apartments into fitness studios where instructors can reserve them at special rates to conduct classes for the properties guests. In Vietnam, at Somerset Grand Hanoi, Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi and Somerset Vista Ho Chi Minh City, selected apartments have similarly been converted into yoga studios. There are also plans to introduce a referral programme to attract more yoga instructors and practitioners.

At its properties worldwide, Ascott continues to deliver stringent hygiene and cleanliness standards as well as safe distancing. This is demonstrated through its Ascott Cares commitment to continue providing safe homes for guests, and a safe working environment for staff. Ascott has also partnered with Bureau Veritas to provide independent audits and certification for the hygiene and safety standards of its properties worldwide. In Singapore, Ascotts properties such as lyf Funan Singapore, Ascott Orchard Singapore, Ascott Raffles Place Singapore and Citadines Fusionopolis Singapore have been certified with the SG Clean quality mark for upholding good sanitisation and hygiene practices.

[1] Ascotts interior design (ID) service is a unique value-added proposition to property owners and their project development teams. The ID service team ensures that the propertys interior design and execution are fully aligned with Ascotts high standards for its portfolio of hospitality brands. This service is managed by Ascotts experienced-in-house team of hospitality design experts  architects, interior designers and furniture, fixtures and equipment procurement specialists  who have executed successfully many serviced apartment and hotel projects across Ascotts multiple brands over the decades.

About The Ascott Limited

The Ascott Limited is a Singapore company that has grown to be one of the leading international lodging owner-operators. Ascott's portfolio spans more than 180 cities across over 30 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the USA.

Ascott has over 69,000 operating units and about 48,000 units under development, making a total of about 117,000 units in over 700 properties.

The companys serviced residence and hotel brands include Ascott The Residence, The Crest Collection, Somerset, Quest, Citadines, lyf, Preference, Vertu, Harris, Citadines Connect, Fox, Yello and POP!.

Ascott, a wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, pioneered Asia Pacifics first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984. Today, the company boasts over 30 years of industry track record and award-winning brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Ascotts achievements have been recognised internationally. Recent awards include DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2020 for 'Best Serviced Residence Brand'; World Travel Awards 2019 for Leading Serviced Apartment Brand in Asia, Europe and the Middle East; Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2019 for 'Best Serviced Residence Brand'; Business Traveller China Awards 2019 for 'Best Luxury Serviced Residence Brand'; and TTG China Travel Awards 2019 for Best Serviced Residence Operator in China.

About CapitaLand Limited

CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand) is one of Asias largest diversified real estate groups. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it owns and manages a global portfolio worth about S$134.7 billion as at 30 June 2020. CapitaLands portfolio spans across diversified real estate classes which includes commercial, retail; business park, industrial and logistics; integrated development, urban development; as well as lodging and residential. With a presence across more than 220 cities in over 30 countries, the Group focuses on Singapore and China as its core markets, while it continues to expand in markets such as India, Vietnam, Australia, Europe and the USA.

CapitaLand has one of the largest real estate investment management businesses globally. It manages seven listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and business trusts as well as over 20 private funds. Since it pioneered REITs in Singapore with the listing of CapitaLand Mall Trust in 2002, CapitaLands REITs and business trusts have expanded to include Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust, Ascendas India Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust.

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Getting out of lockdown was always going to be far more difficult than getting in. Back in March, when Professor Neil Ferguson came up with those catastrophic death predictions, many people were so terrified that they were practically begging to be locked up.

The government panicked, abandoned its de facto herd immunity strategy and ordered us all to get into our homes and stay there, under threat of causing countrywide carnage and the collapse of the NHS if we didn't comply.

Now, almost six months later, we know that the NHS was not overwhelmed, Prof Ferguson's apocalyptic worst-case mortality predictions did not come true - nowhere near - and it emerged that the code he used to make them was so bug-riddled and poor that a first-year computer science student would be ashamed to produce it. The surge of "Biblical proportions" that Robin Swann, our own health minister, predicted did not materialise either.

Coronavirus remains present, but at much, much lower levels than it was at its peak.

Yes, there has been a recent rise in cases, which must be carefully monitored, and continued caution is required, but thankfully we have not yet seen any corresponding rise in hospitalisations or death figures.

This week it was reported that in England and Wales influenza is killing five times more people than coronavirus and has been since the middle of June. To put that figure in perspective, flu deaths are well below the average of the last five years. We are no longer in the same state of urgent health emergency.

Yet here we are, still stuck, halfway in, halfway out of lockdown. Paralysed by fear. Too terrified of a second surge to move forward, too terrified of economic meltdown to move back.

Our leaders, desperate for the magic golden key which will unlock lockdown, seem to have decided that face masks are the answer.

They have enacted a new law to force people to comply. Mandatory masks in shops, mandatory masks on public transport. Shut up, do it, or face a fine.

Schools are starting to catch this mask fever too. This week Belfast Royal Academy became the first school in Northern Ireland, but almost certainly not the last, to insist that pupils wear masks when they return to classrooms.

It sounds like common sense, doesn't it? Wear a mask to catch coughs and sneezes, to trap the germy droplets before they infect someone else (though I dread to think what state those schoolkids' masks are going to be in by the end of the day, once they've come on and off for lunch and break, been stuffed in a schoolbag, or dropped on the toilet floor).

It's worth remembering, however, that the reason cloth masks aren't used in healthcare settings is because they have been demonstrated to increase rates of infection, in comparison with surgical masks.

Nonetheless, it's true that many eminent scientists support the use of face masks in situations where social distancing is difficult, but others remain far from convinced.

Anders Tegnell, Sweden's chief epidemiologist, has described the evidence for masks as "astonishingly weak" and suggested that making them mandatory could backfire. "The belief that masks can solve our problem is  very dangerous," he said.

Professor Carl Heneghan, director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford, came to public attention when he exposed an absolute howler in the way Covid-19 deaths were being recorded in England, which basically meant that nobody who had been diagnosed with Covid could ever get better.

Even if they were run over by a truck three months after they'd recovered, the death would still be recorded as a Covid death.

This embarrassing discovery led UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock to order an urgent review.

Now, in an interview with this newspaper, Professor Heneghan has said that Northern Ireland's new regulations on face-coverings are a "triumph of opinion and policy over evidence". He added that the Executive should "be honest" with the people about the "very poor quality" of evidence informing their decision to force us to mask up.

It's all too easy to make assumptions that sound plausible but turn out to be incorrect. For instance, lower rates of infection in certain Asian countries where people routinely wear masks does not mean that those lower rates are actually caused by the mask-wearing.

In the absence of high-quality evidence and randomised control trials, that's not science. That's dangerous guesswork.

We all want to find a safe way out of lockdown, but unquestioningly succumbing to mask fever as a universal panacea is not the answer.
Air services between Ukraine and Kazakhstan will be resumed on August 17 after a temporary suspension caused by coronavirus lockdown measures, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii has said.

"The Republic of Kazakhstan is ready to resume international flights with Ukraine on August 17. Safety and compliance with all the necessary epidemiological requirements remain a priority for us in air transportation and other types of transportation. We also reaffirm our readiness and desire to resume flights between our countries," the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry's press service quoted Kryklii as saying.

The ministry also said that in accordance with the minutes of a meeting of the interdepartmental commission on preventing the occurrence and spread of coronavirus disease in Kazakhstan, dated August 11, 2020, it was decided to resume international flights with Ukraine from August 17, 2020. This is stated in an official letter sent by the agency to the State Aviation Service of Ukraine.

Ukraine resumed domestic flights on June 5 and international flights on June 15.

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(Alliance News) - Plaza Centers NV on Friday reported a narrowed interim loss but saw its property book value fall on continued realisations.

In the six months to June 30, Plaza Centers recorded a pretax loss of EUR7.3 million, narrowed from EUR10.8 million the year before.

The company's total revenue & gains rose to EUR1.5 million from EUR978,000.

In the first half, Plaza Centers recorded EUR2.4 million in property write-downs, compared to a EUR500,000 gain the year before.

The company's finance costs dropped, however, falling to EUR6.1 million from EUR10.3 million.

The company's total assets fell to EUR52.8 million at June 30, from EUR56.1 million at the end of 2019. The drop was blamed on the reduction in the value of its trading properties.

The book value of Plaza's trading properties decreased by EUR3 million to EUR37.4 million, due to disposals of land plots in Romania.

Executive Director Ron Hadassi said: "Our active focus has continued to centre on asset disposals, continuing efforts in connection with Casa Radio project in order to receive a government decision confirming to transfer the shares to AFI Europe NV as well as amendment of the PPP Agreement in line with the agreement signed with AFI Europe NV and realise the projects in India, generating cash flows, material cost cutting, tight budget control and the optimisation of the business with the aim of satisfying our obligations to our bondholders.

"In addition, we intend to request the bondholders' approval to postpone the repayment of the bonds from January 1, 2021 in order to allow us to continue with the realisation of the company' objectives. This remains our absolute priority for the next half of the year."

Shares in Plaza Centers were untraded in London on Friday but last closed at 30.00 pence each.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
US Customs Seize Nearly 20,000 Fake Drivers Licenses From China

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago have seized more than 19,000 fake IDs in the first half of this year, with the majority arriving from China and Hong Kong.

According to a news release issued by the CBP, the fake drivers licenses were intercepted at the International Mail Facility (IMF) at Chicagos OHare International Airport between Jan. 1 and June 30 this year.

CBP Chicago said on Twitter: Take a look at these IDssame person, different bio info. Officers in Chicago have kept a tally of how many fraudulent IDs have come through the OHare mail facility. From Jan. 1 to June 30, CBP officers have seized nearly 20,000 counterfeit drivers licenses. The 19,888 seized fraudulent IDs that arrived from China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and South Korea were, in the majority of cases, headed for neighboring states, mainly for college-age students.
(L-R, rear) Senior Advisor Jared Kushner, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien and others clap for President Donald Trump (L) after he announced an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to normalize diplomatic ties, the White House on Aug. 13, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran, Turkey Condemn UAE Over Deal with Israel to Establish Full Normalization of Relations

Iran and Turkey officials on Aug. 14 lashed out at the United Arab Emirate (UAE) following its decision to fully normalize relations with Israel in a deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Leaders from both nations accused the UAE, their regional rival, of betraying the Palestinian cause.

The agreement was brokered Thursday as part of the Trump administrations 80-page Middle East peace plan. It establishes full diplomatic relations between the Gulf monarchy and Israel while halting Israeli plans to declare sovereignty over certain areas, including the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians view as the heartland of their future state.

In a statement Friday, Irans Foreign Ministry described the agreement as a dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims. It also said the agreement was an act of strategic stupidity by the UAE, which will undoubtedly strengthen the axis of resistance in the region.

Turkeys Foreign Ministry meanwhile said the peoples of the region will never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behavior by the UAE.

While betraying the Palestinian cause to serve its narrow interests, the UAE is trying to present this as a kind of act of self-sacrifice for Palestine, the foreign ministry said.

After the deal was established, Trump told reporters Thursday that the historic peace agreementwill allow much greater access to Muslims from throughout the world to visit the many historic sites in Israel.

President Donald Trump, accompanied by From left, U.S. special envoy for Iran Brian Hook, Avraham Berkowitz, Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, President Donald Trumps White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, smiles in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

After half a century, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations, Trump continued. Nobody thought this was something that could happen for a long time. This is the most important diplomatic breakthrough since the Egypt-Israel peace agreement.

I made clear that the problems of the Middle East can only be solved when people of all faiths come together to fight Islamic extremism and pursue economic opportunity for people of all faiths, the president said.

The two countries will open mutual embassies and will immediately cooperate on the development of a vaccine for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.

Turkish officials condemned the UAE over the agreement, saying it had no authority to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians or to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine.

The agreement would make the UAE the first Gulf Arab stateand the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordanto have full diplomatic ties with Israel. The Palestinians say the deal amounts to treason and have called on Arab and Muslim countries to oppose it.

The historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory for Trump as he seeks reelection in November, and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians. Trump has predicted that other countries in the region will follow the UAEs lead.

Trump said the signing of the deal will take place between the Israeli and UAE leaders at the White House in around three weeks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 13:19:17|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 14, 2020 shows released Taliban prisoners in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. TO GO WITH "Afghan gov't releases 80 Taliban prisoners: official" (Afghan National Security Council/Handout via Xinhua)

KABUL, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government freed 80 inmates out of 400 Taliban inmates on Thursday, spokesman of the Office of the Afghan National Security Council confirmed on Friday.

The government released 80 Taliban convicts out of the 400 that the Consultative Loya Jirga, or the Grand Assembly, approved to release, spokesman Javid Faisal said in a statement.

A peace deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in Qatar in February required the Afghan government to free 5,000 Taliban inmates in exchange for Taliban's release of 1,000 soldiers or government staff.

Since early March, the Afghan government had released 5,100, including 500 prisoners who were not included in a Taliban list of prisoners, and Taliban freed 1,000 Afghan soldiers or government staff, but the Afghan government suspended the release of 400 Taliban inmates over their involvement in serious crimes.

On Monday, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani issued a decree to pardon and release the 400 Taliban inmates, one day after the 3,400-member Loya Jirga voted.

Under the agreement, U.S. and NATO-led coalition forces would leave Afghanistan by July next year depending on whether the Taliban outfit meets the conditions envisaged in the agreement, including severing ties with foreign terrorist groups.
Bahrain has extended its congratulations to the UAE and its wise leadership for announcing with the US and Israel an agreement halting the annexation of the Palestinian territories, as a step towards the achievement of peace in the Middle East.

It commended the sincere diplomatic efforts made by the UAE and stresses that this historic step will contribute to the consolidation of stability and peace in the region, a Bahrain News Agencyr report said.

It hailed, at the same time, the great efforts made by the US to reach this deal, in continuation of US efforts to strengthen the world security, stability and peace.

It said the kingdom looks forward to more efforts to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the report said.
The release was approved at the weekend by a gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans called by President Ashraf Ghani

Afghan authorities said Friday they had started to release 400 Taliban prisoners, the final hurdle in launching long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides.

A group of 80 prisoners were released on Thursday, said National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal, tweeting that it would "speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide ceasefire".

Their release was approved at the weekend by a gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans called by President Ashraf Ghani after the authorities initially refused to free the militants, accused of serious crimes including brutal attacks that killed Afghans and foreigners.

Both sides have said they are ready to begin talks in Doha, Qatar, within days of the prisoners being freed.

The prisoners include some 44 insurgents of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks.

Ghani warned on Thursday that their release was a "danger" to the world.

"Until this issue, there was a consensus on the desirability of peace but not on the cost of it," Ghani said in a videoconference organised by a US think tank.

"We have now paid the major instalment on cost and that means peace will have consequences," he added, noting that the release of "hardened criminals" and drug dealers was "likely to pose a danger both to us and to (America) and to the world".

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The personal relationship between Trump and Kim has been a key driver of recent diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang

Kim Jong Un said his relationship with Donald Trump was like a "fantasy film", according to the publishers of a new book on the US president set to unveil 25 private letters exchanged between the two leaders.

The relationship between the pair has been a key driver of recent diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, veering from mutual insults and threats of war to a declaration of love from Trump.

Investigative journalist Bob Woodward obtained messages between the two leaders "that have not been public before" for his upcoming book, according to Simon & Schuster.

In the letters, "Kim describes the bond between the two leaders as out of a 'fantasy film', as the two leaders engage in an extraordinary diplomatic minuet", the publisher revealed on the book's Amazon page.

The book, titled "Rage" and a follow-up to 2018's "Fear", is due out on September 15.

Trump and Kim have met three times, beginning with their landmark summit in Singapore in June 2018, but little progress has been made on efforts to denuclearise the North.

A few months after Singapore, Trump told a rally of his supporters that the two men had fallen in love.

"No, really, he wrote me beautiful letters, and they're great letters. We fell in love," he said.

Negotiations have been deadlocked since the collapse of a second summit in Hanoi in February last year.

But even with diplomacy at a standstill, Trump has frequently boasted of receiving "very beautiful" and "excellent" letters from Kim.

Woodward, a Washington Post reporter, made his name with his coverage of the Watergate scandal and the role it played in the Richard Nixon's resignation from the presidency in 1974.

Trump has sought to discredit several of the claims made in "Fear", which offered an inside glimpse into his chaotic White House and sold 1.1 million copies in its first week.

Story continues

Trump -- who was not interviewed by Woodward for "Fear" -- has called that book a "joke" and "a scam".

But in January this year, Trump said he had sat down with Woodward for the upcoming work.

"I was interviewed by a very, very good writer, reporter," Trump said on Fox News.

"I can say Bob Woodward. He said he's been doing something and this time I said, 'Maybe I'll sit down.'"

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According to information published by the Manila Standard website on August 11, 2020, the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the second Jose Rizal-class multi-role guided missile frigate ordered by the Philippine Navy will be delivered by January or February next year.

According to information published by the Manila Standard website on August 11, 2020, the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), the second Jose Rizal-class multi-role guided missile frigate ordered by the Philippine Navy will be delivered by January or February next year.

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The BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) during its ceremonial launching at Ulsan, South Korea. (Picture source Facebook Philippine Defense Page)

Philippine Navy chief, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said, we are expecting FF-151 January or February 2021, still ahead of the delivery date per contract, which is March 2021.

The BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) is the second ship of the Jose Rizal-class frigate, ordered for future service with the Philippine Navy. As for the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) missile-frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna was designed and built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) based on the "HDF-2600 Frigate Design", which in turn was derived from the Incheon-class frigate of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

Both vessels were ordered by Manila under a PHP16 billion (USD315 million) contract awarded to HHI in 2016, with an additional PHP2 billion set aside for weapon systems and munitions, according to the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The steel cutting ceremony of the BRP Antonio Luna was was held on 17 September 2018 in HHI's shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The keel laying ceremony was held on 23 May 2019 and the ship was launched on May 23, 2019.

Jose Rizal-class frigates are powered by four MTU-STX 12V2000-M41B diesel generators, each producing around 650 kW. The ship can sail at a maximum speed of 25 kn (46.3 kph; 28.8 mph) with a maximum cruising range of 4500 nmi (8,334 km) and an endurance of 30 days. It can accommodate up yo 110 people with a crew 65 sailors.

Jose Rizal-class frigates are armed with launchers one OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid gun, one ASELSAN SMASH 30mm gun, four S&T Motiv K6 .50 cal 12.7mm machine guns, one Close-in weapon system (FFBNW), four LIGNex1 SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles on twin canisters, two SEA triple torpedo tubes for K745 Blue Shark torpedo, two MBDA Mistral Simbad-RC twin launchers and 8-cell Vertical Launching System (FFBNW).

The Jose Rizal-class frigates are also equipped with a flight deck and an enclosed hangar facility to accommodate one AW159 Wildcat naval helicopter. The AW159 Wildcat is a British military helicopter manufactured by AgustaWestland. It is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx designed to serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue, and anti-surface warfare roles.
Tata Group might make a formal bid for the beleaguered national airline Air India by the end of this month. The company has reportedly started its due diligence ahead of its bid. Funding and financial discussions would take place once the due diligence process is over. Tata Group is currently focussing on the viability of the deal.

Company officials said it is too early to comment on funding or the possible business structure at this point. However, they said that there is no plan to bring in a financial partner. "Tata Sons is currently evaluating the proposal and will consider a bid after due consideration and at the appropriate time. There is no plan to bring in a financial partner," said a Tata Sons spokesperson, as mentioned in a report in The Economic Times.

The conglomerate has engaged top legal firms to see through the due diligence process. Tata Group already has two aviation joint ventures -- AirAsia India where it owns 51 per cent stake and Vistara where it has 49 per cent shareholding.

Moreover, there also have been reports that the group is planning to merge AirAsia India and Air India into a single entity after buying out JV partner Tony Fernandes. Fernandes' AirAsia Berhad is the partner in AirAsia India.

Other airlines that have shown interest in the national carrier want to carve out Air India Express so that they are able to bid for the low-cost airline, as mentioned in the daily. Nevertheless, so far, the entire airline is being assessed as one entity, including the real estate assets.

Tata Group would have to navigate a complicated legal procedure if they want to go ahead with the deal. There could be potential non-compete arrangements with Singapore Airlines that is the strategic partner in Vistara, conflicts of interest, and approvals would be required from the Competition Commission of India since the conglomerate would become the dominant player in the Indian aviation sector.

Bidders would have to absorb Rs 23,286.50 crore of debt owed by Air India. Its total debt stood at Rs 58,531.93 crore as on March 31, 2019. The government plans to reduce the debt and offer 100 per cent stake to the bidders. The remaining debt amount would be transferred to special purpose vehicle Air India Assets Holding Ltd.

While the airline enjoys privileges in terms of route allocations and airport infrastructure as it is the national airline, Air India would lose all the privileges once it becomes private.

Also read: Air India flight crash: What is the difference between Air India and Air India Express?

Also read: COVID-19 impact: 21.07 lakh people took domestic flights in July; 82.3% lower than July 2019
PARIS (Reuters) - The French government on Friday declared Paris and Marseille and its surrounding area high-risk zones for the coronavirus, granting authorities there powers to impose localised curbs to contain the spread of the disease.

The declaration, made in a government decree, follows a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections in France over the past two weeks.

On Thursday, France reported more than 2,500 new COVID-19 infections for the second day in a row, levels last seen in mid-April when the country was in the middle of one of Europe's strictest lockdowns.

The government move gives local authorities in Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone area powers to limit the circulation of people and vehicles, restrict access to public transport and air travel, limit access to public buildings and close restaurants, bars and other establishments.

Paris and Marseille had in recent days already made the wearing of face masks mandatory in busy public areas.

Late on Thursday Britain said it would impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France from Saturday because of the spike in infection rates.

The Netherlands and four other countries were also added to the UK quarantine list that already included Spain and Belgium.

Making Paris and Marseilles red zones could have a major impact on tourism, as it could lead other countries to impose quarantines on their citizens returning from those areas.

(Reporting by Jean-Stephane Brosse and Geert de Clercq; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and John Stonestreet)
Armenia has proposed the establishment of an international mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict zone following the latest deadly clashes, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said while being hosted on BBC World News HARDtalk show this week.

During the interview released on Friday presenter of the show Stephen Sackur noted that Armenia and Azerbaijan blame each other for starting the border escalation in mid-July that left at least five Armenians and 12 Azerbaijani servicemen dead.

I can understand the situation of the international community that every time hears mutual accusations about who violated the ceasefire. And this continues again and again for a long time. Thats why we are proposing to establish an international mechanism for investigating ceasefire violations. And this is a valid proposal by Armenia, the Armenian prime minister said.

To the remark of the presenter that nothing has changed in Armenias position on Nagorno-Karabakh since Pashinians coming to power in 2018, the Armenian leader said that peace cant be achieved through unilateral actions of Armenia.

We will be able to have real peace if Azerbaijan reciprocates Armenias efforts, Pashinian said, accusing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev of continuing his war rhetoric and attempting to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by force.

Pashinian reminded that after becoming Armenias prime minister he proposed a new formula for peace.

The formula is the following: any solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be acceptable for the people of Armenia, for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and for the people of Azerbaijan. I am the first Armenian leader to have ever said that any solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be acceptable for the Azerbaijani people, too. But, unfortunately, the Azerbaijani president didnt reciprocate my proposal, he said.

Regarding the mid-July deadly fighting at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Pashinian said: Azerbaijan started a military attack against Armenia. It wasnt a separate action. For a long time the Azerbaijani president has developed a bellicose rhetoric, saying that he is going to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict using military force. As a result of that bellicose rhetoric the Azerbaijani government is facing the challenge to explain to their own society why they couldnt solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through force.

During the interview the Armenian prime minister also answered questions concerning his governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, its human rights record and others.
China opposes U.S-Taiwan official interactions under any pretext: FM

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:10, August 13, 2020

Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Wednesday said China firmly opposed any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan under any pretext.

"Those who play with fire will get burnt," Zhao said, urging certain American people not to have illusions about issues concerning China's core interests.

Zhao made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to make comment on U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who said during his visit to Taiwan that China "chose not to" warn the world about COVID-19 and betrayed the cooperative spirit needed for global health.

Zhao said China had been containing the COVID-19 epidemic in an open, transparent and responsible manner, earnestly implementing its duties and obligations under the International Health Regulations, and actively carrying out international prevention and control cooperation.

Focusing on saving American people's lives, instead of political shows, is what American health officials should do now, Zhao said.

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New Delhi, Aug 14 : Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan on Friday inaugurated a voluntary blood donation campaign at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) dedicated to soldiers and Covid-19 warriors who lost their lives while safeguarding the country and its citizens.

To mark the event, family members of Covid warrior Late Hiralal, who was a frontline health worker at AIIMS, and family members of Kargil Shaheed Lance Naik Rajbir Singh were honoured for their sacrifice.

"On the eve of the Independence Day, the camp is a tribute to both fallen white coat warriors and the Kargil martyrs. We must remember the ultimate sacrifice made by the COVID warriors including doctors, nurses or paramedical staff while saving people's lives in the pandemic," said Vardhan.

The Union Health Minister encouraged the doctors and healthcare workers to come up in large numbers on the eve of Independence Day to donate blood and save the lives of patients.

"In view of Covid-19 pandemic, the number of voluntary donations and blood donation camps saw a significant decline. Blood is required for emergency surgeries, blood disorders like thalassemia, blood cancers and road traffic accidents and trauma cases. Hence the best way to serve humankind is voluntary blood donation," he added.

Vardhan also shed light on the number of coronavirus cases in the country and showed confidence in the scientific developments in the field of treatment and vaccines, asserting that India will soon achieve in the fight against the viral disease.

"India's continuously rising recovery rate and progressively falling case fatality rate have proven the success of the Covid-19 containment strategy. We have successfully ramped up our testing capacity which has crossed more than 8.4 lakh milestone today with more than 1,450 testing labs spread across the country." On Friday, India's novel coronavirus tally crossed the 24-lakh mark with 64,553 new cases in 24 hours, while the death toll climbed to 48,040 with 1,007 more fatalities.

Out of the total 2,461,190 cases, recoveries have surged to 1,751,555 with a record 55,573 more people recuperating in the past 24 hours, taking the recovery rate to nearly 71.17 per cent. The actual caseload of the country are the active cases, which currently stand at 6,61,595.

Notably, the case fatality rate, which is the proportion of people who die from the disease among individuals diagnosed, has dropped to 1.96 per cent, the Ministry said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A Facebook-backed group created to tout the innovation of American tech companies is launching its first ad on Friday, a representative for the group told CNBC.

The American Edge Project aims to "tell the story about the positive impact technology and innovation have on America's economy and businesses, particularly small ones, and how they enhance freedom of expression and our nation's overall security," according to a description on a YouTube video of its first ad.

The campaign, which will run online in large media markets throughout the U.S., shows the positive impact tech companies have had for many consumers throughout the coronavirus pandemic at a time when they are under intense scrutiny for their data practices and potential competition law violations.

While the ad features brands including Facebook, Amazon, Google and Zoom, so far, only Facebook has confirmed its involvement in the coalition, as first reported by The Washington Post in May. The ad itself does not disclose its backers and representatives from the other companies that appear in the ad did not immediately respond to requests for comment about whether they are formally funding the group. The American Edge representative declined to name other backers.

The spot, called "Time for innovation," depicts empty airports, offices and classrooms and then shows people connecting with friends and family through Zoom, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, receiving deliveries from Amazon and googling "how can i help" and "telemedicine."

At the end, the words, "We're distant. But we're not alone," appear on the screen, followed by the American Edge logo with a tagline, "Technology is keeping America connected."
Anxiety afflicts countless people and is one most common and distressing causes of suffering. Christians are not immune to it. Proverbs 12:25 mentions anxiety directly, Anxiety in the heart of man causes anxiety, but a good word makes it glad. Those suffering from anxiety can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and various other symptoms. Anxiety is often triggered by life circumstances and can pull you into the pit. There are numerous biblical references to anxiety. Scripture describes the struggles of people who suffered from anxiety, even though they were faithful servants of God. These men did not suffer because they were sinners. They suffered because they were human and were susceptible to severe pressures. The first humans to express anxiety likely were Adam and Eve after they sinned against God. Fortunately, many Christians suffering from anxiety can find hope in biblical foundations. Here are six biblical figures who struggled with anxiety.

Martha

Martha is a significant New Testament figure, a friend of Jesus, and someone many women can identify. She is mentioned in Scripture three times. She lived in Bethany with her sister, Mary, and her brother, Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. The story she is commonly associated with is one referenced in Luke 10. She is in Bethany, a small town near Jerusalem, where she is hosting Jesus and the disciples. Jesus was known to Martha and her siblings. On the day that Jesus visited, Martha was focused on being a good hostess, for Jesus sake. Her sister, Mary, however, was taking the time to listen to Jesus. This brought Martha great anxiety, which many of us can relate to. Luke 10:40-42 says, Martha, burdened with much serving, came to Him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me. The Lord said to her in reply, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from here. In Marthas life, we see the importance of balancing service with worship.

Job

Job suffered from anxiety after many personal losses. First, he lost his material possessions, then all of his children. Then he was devastated by a grievous physical affliction. He broke out in painful boils. The Bible tells us, Job opens his mouth and cursed the day of his birthWhy did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb, and expire?... Why is light given to him who suffers, and life to the bitter soul, who long for death, but there is note...[they] exalt when they find grace. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, and I am not at rest, but turmoil comes (Job 2:1,11,20-22,26). Job is in a battle in which he does not understand why God is permitting his suffering. He accuses God of being the cause of it. Yet, Jobs endurance glorified God for it answered Satans challenge and showed the unseen spirits, as well as men, then and throughout the ages, that Gods people serve Him, not a mere return for spiritual benefits but because of who He is.

Jonah

Possibly the reason for this was because Assyria was a continual threat to Israels existence, and the prophet hoped that this threat would disappear in their destruction. This is seen in Jonahs words, Therefore now O Lord, take, I pray thee, my life from me for it is better for me to die than to live (Jonah 4:3). The truth is, Jonah could have rejoiced in the forgiveness extended to the Ninevites, but his self-pity blinded his eyes to the mercy of God.

King David

Even kings suffer with anxiety. King David was a man after Gods own heart (Acts 13:22). Israels most illustrious kind  a giant killer from his youth  and here was also a man given to anxiety amid his suffering. As related in some of the Psalms, the anxieties of David stem from any of several probable causes. If you have ever been anxious, you know the symptoms: faintness of heart, endless days, sleepless nights, tears, obsessive fear, and numbness, to name a few. As you read the Psalms, you realize that King David experienced many of the same anxiety symptoms. Yet, even during his anxiety, David is still able to sing praises to God.

Elijah

Elijah grew anxious when he was rebuked while he was anticipating a moment of triumph. His lofty hopes were crushed; he became sick at heart. Up until this point, Elijah had been the epitome of spiritual courage. He now collapses, runs away when Israel most needs his leadership, possibly missing the chance for national repentance, and turns suicidal. He suffered from spiritual anxiety  a specific kind of anxiety that is related to commitment to God. Elijahs anxiety, along with many other biblical characters, alerts us that being committed to God, does not necessarily exempt us from being anxious.

Moses

Moses was worn out. He was weary. He had a lot on him. Think about it. God had come to him in the desert in a burning bush that was not consumed and had told Moses to go get the children of Israel and bring them out of Egypt. Moses tried to tell God that he was not the man for the job. He just knew that God was mistaken. Then God went ahead and insisted. Moses obeyed God and returned to Egypt, he had won the support of his people and confronted Pharaoh on their behalf in the Lords name, and He had done everything right, to the very best of his ability. Then, it all went wrong. At that point, Moses cried out in hopelessness and despair, filled with feelings of futility. He felt that God had let them down. But the truth is, Moses whole ministry would never have come into being if he had not cried out to God from within his earlier anxiety.

We can learn a lot from these six biblical figures who struggled with anxiety. Though they suffered, these men recovered and went on with their lives, serving God. Those who are anxious spend a lot of time sleeping and, in the darkness, rather than the light. Gods Word encourages us to come out of the darkness and concentrate on Him. When we do this, we can find true peace and joy in Him.
Technavio has been monitoring the contact center solutions market and it is poised to grow by USD 5.45 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 9% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005515/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. Technavio's in-depth research has all your needs covered as our research reports include all foreseeable market scenarios, including pre- post-COVID-19 analysis. Download a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the major trends in the market?

Integration of chatbots for better turnaround times is a major trend driving the market growth.

Integration of chatbots for better turnaround times is a major trend driving the market growth. At what rate is the market projected to grow?

The year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 8.76% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 5.45 bn during the forecast period.

The year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 8.76% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be 5.45 bn during the forecast period. Who are the top players in the market?

8x8 Inc., ALE International, Aspect Software Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Five9 Inc., Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., Mitel Networks Corp., and NEC Corp., are some of the major market participants

8x8 Inc., ALE International, Aspect Software Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Five9 Inc., Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., Mitel Networks Corp., and NEC Corp., are some of the major market participants What is the key market driver?

The integration of IVR into contact centers is driving the growth of the market.

The integration of IVR into contact centers is driving the growth of the market. How big is the North American market?

The North America region will contribute 43% of the market share

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. 8x8 Inc., ALE International, Aspect Software Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Five9 Inc., Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., Mitel Networks Corp., and NEC Corp. are some of the major market participants. The integration of IVR into contact centers will offer immense growth opportunities. To make most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

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Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Contact Center Solutions Market is segmented as below:

Deployment Cloud-based On-premise

Type Voice Text Social

Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40027

Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The contact center solutions market report covers the following areas:

Contact Center Solutions Market Size

Contact Center Solutions Market Trends

Contact Center Solutions Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies the integration of chatbots for better turnaround times as one of the prime reasons driving the contact center solutions market growth during the next few years.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist contact center solutions market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the contact center solutions market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the contact center solutions market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of contact center solutions market, vendors

Table of Contents:

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Preface

2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DEPLOYMENT

Market segmentation by deployment

Comparison by deployment

On-premises Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Cloud-based Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by deployment

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE

Market segmentation by type

Comparison by type

Voice Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Text Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Social Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by type

PART 09: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market driver

Market challenges

PART 12: MARKET TRENDS

Strategic partnerships and acquisitions among market participants

Increasing use of analytics solutions in contact centers

Rise of social media channels as medium of contact

PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

8x8 Inc.

ALE International

Aspect Software Inc.

Avaya Holdings Corp.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Enghouse Systems Ltd.

Five9 Inc.

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc.

Mitel Networks Corp.

NEC Corp.

PART 15: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 16: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005515/en/

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Over the past several weeks dozens of current and former Ubisoft employees have come forward with allegations of abuse, harassment, and misconduct that suggest the publisher has spent years building its workplace culture on a bedrock of toxicity and deniability.

High-ranking execs like chief creative officer Serge Hascoet, vice presidents of editorial Maxime Beland and Tommy Francois, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla director Ashraf Ismail were all accused of misconduct, and while they're far from the only names implicated, their status and longevity within Ubisoft highlights the sheer scale of the issue facing the French company.

These revelations and allegations are significant. They indicate Ubisoft is facing an endemic culture crisis that at best stems from years of ignorance, or at worst has been actively cultivated by those in charge at various levels throughout the company.

As the outpouring of allegations continued, multiple anonymous sources told Gamasutra how Ubisoft is run like a "mafia," where abusive family members are protected at the expense of their victims. One current staffer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the issue runs "deeper and wider" than those public allegations indicated, and suggested Ubisoft isn't committed to driving meaningful change, but rather creating a "false culture of growth and transparency."

Following that initial report, we spoke with more than a dozen former and current Ubisoft employees who wished to share their experiences at the studio. What I heard reinforced what others were saying in public and behind closed doors. Harassment, homophobia, sexism, racism, bullying, and manipulation are rampant within Ubisoft studios around the world. Those I chatted with have spent varying lengths of time at Ubisoft Singapore, Ubisoft Montreal, and Ubisoft Quebec, but their stories were similar, as were the names they shared.

Punching down

Ubisoft Quebec is best known for its work on the Assassin's Creed franchise, having led development on both Syndicate and Odyssey over the past decade. I'm told, however, that its successes often come in spite of the inept and abusive management that reigns unchecked at the Canadian studio.

I've spent the past few weeks speaking at length with seven former and current Quebec employees, all of whom have asked to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisal, who explained the studio is "hostile" and "plagued by toxic and abusive people." They told me how one of the biggest offenders at Quebec is Assassin's Creed Odyssey creative director Jonathan Dumont. According to multiple sources, Dumont is an abusive and controlling figure who in many ways embodies many of the problems currently facing Ubisoft.

They claimed Dumont often uses his physical presence to intimidate people by slamming doors, punching walls, or throwing objects, and has verbally abused staff members -- reducing some to tears -- using offensive terms and homophobic slurs. He allegedly also targets women, telling them how to dress or when to smile.

"He is very narcissistic and overall a major bully," said one source. "[He] pushes people to the edge of their mental health regularly, and tries to justify his behavior by saying 'this is how you get things done.' [He makes] various misogynistic and homophobic comments, and when he's called out on them will come out with defenses like 'my mother left my father when she realized she was a lesbian, so I know what I am talking about.'"

Dumont's behavior was an open secret, according to our sources. People complained about his combustive style, but management never offered a concrete solution beyond forcing him to apologize or telling him not to interact with the writing staff directly. Dumont might've been the perpetrator, but Ubisoft management were complicit.

Gods & Monsters quest director Hugo Giard allegedly "shares the same pattern of behavior as Dumont, a source said. He's depicted as an abusive figure by those who've worked with him. A bully who according to one source has "torn people apart" without reason, and someone who specifically targets women and new hires.

"He also likes to make people cry during meetings, especially women. I can't even count the number of people who left the studio because they couldn't stand working with him any more, from junior and senior positions. No one was spared, and he keeps on being empowered despite this, said one source. "Jo Dumont and Hugo Giard are both bullies who did not care about any of the employees who worked with them and promoted a culture of fear. The list of people who left because of them is frightening," added another.

Stephane Mehay, an associate producer at Ubisoft Quebec, is also accused of being manipulative and verbally abusing colleagues. Multiple sources claim they have either witnessed his aggressive behavior or experienced it first-hand. "He's a bully that likes to insult people and push them to the edge," said one source, who added that Mehay will accuse those who struggle with the pressure he puts on them of being "not easy to work with."

Another source tells me how Mehay refuses to speak English to intentionally exclude people, and will even insult his colleagues in French. "Outside of Dumont, I'd say Stephane was probably the main reason why people left," they claim. "He refused to speak in English to intentionally exclude people from conversations, and while speaking in French -- assuming English speakers didn't understand -- would insult the people in the room with us."

'Subtle manipulation'

Marc-Alexis Cote, an executive producer and former creative director at Quebec, is called out on a number of occasions for knowingly enabling that toxicity. While some sources claimed Cote, who's been a senior figure within Quebec for the best part of a decade, treated them well on a personal level, most agreed he knew of the abuse being dished out by senior colleagues and did nothing.

"I always felt like he had my back, but knew he'd never actually step up himself," explained one source. "He knew a lot of what was happening with Jonathan [Dumont] and Hugo [Giard]," added another, "but the work was still getting done and when you're a studio of close to 500 staffers, a few disgruntled people leaving doesn't really matter to them."

Others, however, alleged that Cote was particularly adept at navigating the political landscape within the studio, and would use "more subtle manipulation" to keep Quebec ticking over while advancing his own career. I'm informed that one of his favorite tactics was to make employees compete with each other by promising them the same things, or constantly alternating between "hot and cold" -- praising his colleagues one day before insulting them the next.

"He is narcissistic and extremely manipulative, and has absolutely no care for the health of employees or the studio itself as long as he can keep climbing the ranks," said another source. "He is the one that will empower, legitimize, and even protect the other toxic people in the studio." It's an allegation that tallies with other testimonies, with someone else claiming that Cote has a "direct line to Yves [Guillemot] and [now departed Ubisoft CCO] Serge [Hascoet]" that allows him to protect himself and other creatives with well known toxic behaviors. "Marc-Alexis Cote basically decides who lives or dies at the studio," they add. "His motto 'whatever it takes' says it all."

Sources indicated this behavior is representative of the broader culture at Ubisoft Quebec, describing a studio dominated by internal politics, bullying, and nepotism that actively rewards those who fit the Ubisoft "alpha" mold. That those in power regularly intimidate, harass, and grind down their colleagues is an open secret, and its one Ubisoft refuses to address, they said.

"I think Ubisoft has a culture of allowing creative directors to be aggressive and dominant and they encourage it from editorial. They always chose large, loud, alpha male figures to lead projects and so they saw the bullying and harassment as part of the job," another source told me. "I always found Ubisoft had a hard time firing anyone. They really didn't want to do it. I've worked at places where people being rude, or aggressive, or even too strongly opinionated would get you fired, but Ubisoft would just let people coast unless they did something really publicly bad."

With the publisher allegedly intent on turning a blind eye, its left to those in the trenches to address the glaring issue facing the company, but how can they when the system is rigged against them? Those who do push back are often shot down by their managers and HR, with one source claiming they were subjected to a personality test and chastised for not being a "team player," because they attempted to negotiate their salary.

A global issue

The problems facing Quebec aren't unique. Others with experience working at Ubisoft Singapore came forward with strikingly similar allegations. Sexism, racial insensitivity, harassment, and abuse are allegedly a regular occurrence within the Singapore office, where many of the perpetrators and enablers are people in power.

One person claimed they began experiencing sexual harassment almost immediately upon joining Singapore, with co-workers telling them to "show more career line" -- a phrase that suggests they should show more of their body -- if they wanted a raise and making other comments about their appearance. Another spoke of a "bro culture" that permeates the office, which encouraged "derogatory talk or behavior towards some women," and explained that "racist views were openly discussed in the studio during a normal working day."

For instance, a "huge, almost life size" diagram depicting how slaves were transported to the Americas was allegedly a mainstay in the Singapore office despite staff members raising their objections. They were told it was a "decorative" piece that corresponded to the project at the time. It reportedly remained in place for at least a year.

That culture of "fear and oppression" was once again propagated by those running the show, sources said. Ubisoft Singapore managing director Hugues Ricour was accused by multiple sources of sexual harassment. According to them, Ricour would regularly target women, making suggestive and inappropriate comments about their clothing during office hours, or encouraging them to kiss him at work events. I'm told those involved in these incidents were visibly uncomfortable, but that Ricour's unprofessional and harmful behavior persisted nonetheless. Those who questioned his actions claimed Ricour retaliated by using his influence to make their work life miserable, and while a formal harassment complaint was never filed against the managing director, HR were reportedly aware of the issue.

Justin Farren, who was formerly creative director on Skull & Bones at Ubisoft Singapore but has now moved to Wargaming, was also called out for allegedly bragging on the studio floor that he only "fucks Asian girls" and "never dates white girls." We're told his behavior was reported to management after upsetting an employee who overheard those remarks, but that nothing was done.

Another senior staffer, Jordi Woudstra, who worked as Ubisoft Singapore's marketing product manager before moving to the Discovery Channel in January 2020, was also allegedly a problem. Multiple sources claim that Woudstra inappropriately touched at least one woman employee, despite them firmly telling him 'no.' He allegedly received multiple warnings from HR, which eventually resulted in him being moved to another building and the implementation of a new harassment reporting system. Woudstra, however, was allowed to keep his job until eventually departing of his own accord.

Elsewhere, one former Ubisoft Montreal employee told me how they were sexually harassed by two colleagues. They reported the abuse to HR, but again, nothing was done. Shortly after coming forward they were dismissed for not being a good fit, despite having passed their performance review weeks prior. They were also offered a settlement [pictured here] that would prevent them from injuring Ubisoft's reputation. They declined what they describe as "hush money" and departed the company. The two men accused of sexual harassment still work at Ubisoft Montreal today.

Those I spoke with at Quebec, Montreal, and Singapore explained how HR and management would often push the blame back onto the accusers, asking why they didn't do more to stop the situation. "When I reported [sexual harassment], I was told that my body language wasn't strong enough when I said 'don't touch me,' or that maybe I need to 'stay away from these situations,'" recalled one source.

Another suggested there was "a complete and utter lack of support from HR, to say nothing of broken trust," and claimed those working in HR would actively spread gossip and rumor. "There was no proper infrastructure for reporting, let alone dealing with cases of sexual assault, harassment, misconduct, or other abuse in the office," they continued. "When critiqued about the lack of official support, they went as far as saying they didn't have anything in place because that would 'imply we needed it,' and that it would reflect badly on them."

Complicity and denial

Publicly, Ubisoft has been making the right noises. It recently unveiled a five point plan to address its broken culture that includes allowing independent external consultants to investigate allegations and deploying a confidential third-party platform where employees can report abuse. It has also pledged to review and reorganize the editorial department, transform its HR processes to "better prevent, detect, and sanction inappropriate behavior," and appointed a head of workplace culture alongside a new head of diversity and inclusion. Both of those new hires will report directly to company CEO Yves Guillemot, who's released a number of sympathetic statements promising more action.

When pressed on how this could happen under his watch during a recent investor Q&A, Guillemot, whose corporate representatives have twice declined an interview with Gamasutra, insisted the company has always acted on allegations of abuse. "Each time we've been made aware of misconduct, we made tough decisions," he said. "It has now become clear that certain individuals betrayed the trust I placed in them and didn't adhere to Ubisoft's shared values. So I have never compromised on my core values and ethics, and I never will."

One source, however, suggested that isn't entirely accurate. A former Ubisoft senior leader told me that Guillemot and his direct team stopped them from ousting an abusive member of staff because they were "talented" and bringing more value to the company than causing collateral damage. When they explained to Ubisoft leadership that such a model was unsustainable, their comments were ignored. Im also told that, as well as being protected by those in charge, said abusive member of staff was even rewarded with a substantial amount of company stock.

While it's possible Guillemot didn't know the full extent of the allegations, it's a claim that suggests the long-serving CEO was on at least one occasion willing to place other workers in the firing line to protect Ubisoft talent.

The fresh allegations against key employees within Quebec, Singapore, and Montreal also cast doubt on Guillemot's assertions that Ubisoft has "made tough decisions" each time it's been made aware of misconduct. Although it would be unfair to suggest Guillemot should have personally dealt with every instance of abuse within the company, the buck ultimately stops with him.

"Change should start with a personal apology from the CEO of the company as he needs to take responsibility for this. I have seen no mea culpa, simply blaming others is not a sign of real intent for change," explained that former Ubisoft leader.

"Most serious cases would have reached the Ubisoft leadership team and Yves. It is his company," they said. "Toxic behavior was not encouraged, but not acting decisively only makes the problem bigger and worse over time. I feel bad for HR leadership being blamed publicly as well as some of the studio leaders who tried so hard to fight this system, and create positive change. The reality is they had their hands tied and did what they were told to do. You accept this is how it works or you leave."

Time for a reboot

Another Ubisoft worker I spoke with for our previous report implored me not to lose sight of the bigger picture, and now that image has become even clearer. My conversations with current and former staffers over the past month suggest Ubisoft must do more to forge a brighter future for its employees, and it feels like crunch time for those at the very top, including Guillemot.

It's not the job of victims and accusers -- those who've already left the company and others who continue to suffer in silence -- to start the healing process. That responsibility falls firmly on those in power. Ubisoft must welcome the mighty challenge of rebooting its culture, and it must do so immediately. It won't happen overnight, but as long as there are still abusers and bullies operating with impunity, a permanent culture shift appears unlikely.

Speaking to me about how the company can rise from the ashes of toxicity, Ubisoft Quebec's former director of narrative design Jill Murray said the process has to be painstakingly comprehensive, leaving no stone unturned. Perhaps more importantly, however, the rebuild must be transparent. Ubisoft must be willing to openly identify and address its own shortcomings, and ensure nobody -- no matter their status within the Ubisoft family -- is ever again beyond reproach.

"Real change at Ubisoft has to happen from the ground up and the top down, and it needs to be transparent. Empower employees. Remove business-as-usual executives. Yves Guillemot can't pretend to want change, while installing his cousin [Christophe Derennes] as CEO in Montreal," said Murray.

"To be transparent, don't hire union-busting law-firms like Relais to handle external investigations. Don't make abuse reporters sign confidentiality agreements. Get serious about finding out what the deeper problems are. Many critics and former employees are able to give them important information. Invite them in. Pay them for their service if they're still hopeful and willing to help."

Ubisoft and those named in this report declined to comment on these new allegations, although the publisher again reiterated that it will take each claim seriously. "We wont comment on individual employees. We take any allegations of abuse or harassment very seriously, and each of them will be promptly and thoroughly investigated," said a company spokesperson when notified of our investigation. "Swift, appropriate action will be taken based on the outcomes of these investigations."
As I discussed here, the Washington Post wanted its readers to believe that President Trump was responsible for the rioting in Portland, and that things were fine once he removed troops guarding the federal courthouse. However, the Post could not sustain this absurd line once, after a couple of days, rioting resumed in a Portland devoid of federal troops.

On August 9, the Post finally acknowledged, in a story buried deep in the papers news pages, that after a brief lull following the Trump administrations partial retreat from the city last month, the late-night protests have been ratcheting up this week with a renewed focus on the Portland Police Bureau.

Right. They quickly ratcheted up to rioting. And the lull occurred when protesters decided to change their tactics and move from the downtown area, where the federal buildings are, to a different part of the city.

Although it abandoned the blame Trump for riots narrative, the Post continued to show solidarity with the rioters. Reporter Katie Shepherd leads her August 9 story by turning the floor over to Robert Dorris, a random witness to the riots who is identified only as a 63 year-old Black man. Heres the quote from Dorris:

You cant control peoples anger. Black voices have been silenced. Weve been screaming for years and years about police violence. Every other week it seems like theyre here. I love it. Our voices were ignored. Theyre being heard.

The Post cites no evidence that Black voices have been silenced in Portland or that there is any recent pattern of unjustified police violence in the city. It relies on the say-so of Dorris, whoever he may be.

The Post could have led off its story simply by presenting the facts  people in a mostly White crowd set fire to police union headquarters. It could have quoted the mayor (see below) or someone from the police. Maybe it could have quoted one of the rioters.

By choosing instead to quote a random guy spouting a pro-violence line (I love it) with no evidence, the Post made clear where its sympathies lie. They lie with the rioters whose voices are being heard.

Only at the end of its story does the Post quote Ted Wheeler who, somehow, is both the mayor of Portland and its police commissioner. Wheeler points out that some protesters have committed attempted murder by starting fires in a police building and barricading the exits:

When you commit arson with an accelerant in an attempt to burn down a building that is occupied by people who you have intentionally trapped inside, you are not demonstrating, you are attempting to commit murder. You are creating the B-roll film that will be used in ads nationally to help Donald Trump during his campaign. If you dont want to be part of that, then dont show up.

Attempted murder is bad enough. Helping the Trump campaign is beyond the pale.

[Wheelers] comments riled many people, the Post observes. Whether many people were riled by the attempted murders, the Post did not say. Perhaps Robert Dorris could no longer be reached for comment.

BY THE WAY: The protesters have returned to the federal courthouse area. Last night the police declared a riot there. If the police cant stop the rioting promptly, Trump should send troops back in.
A Jammu and Kashmir police constable, a Special Forces officer and an Indian Air Force pilot are among the 84 security personnel whose names have been approved for top gallantry awards by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of Independence Day, according to a government release issued on Friday.

While head constable Abdul Rashid Kalas of JKP has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra  Indias second-highest peacetime gallantry award  for outstanding bravery, nine security personnel have earned the Shaurya Chakra for valour. The latter is the countrys third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat, Major Anil Urs, Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey, Wing Commandeer Vishak Nair, JKP DIG Amit Kumar, CISF sub-inspector Mahaveer Prasad Godara (posthumous), CISF head constable Eranna Nayaka (posthumous), CISF constable Mahendra Kumar Paswan (posthumous) and CISF constable Satish Prasad Kushwaha (posthumous).

The other decorations awarded are five Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 60 Sena Medals (Gallantry), four Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Lieutenant Colonel Rawat, 1 Para (Special Forces), has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra for an operation near the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir. Rawat and his team waited in ambush for 36 hours before they engaged a group of terrorist infiltrators. Four terrorists were killed in the operation. His citation praises his resolute leadership and conspicuous gallantry.

Major Urs also led an operation along the LoC in which five terrorist infiltrators were killed. His citation says he displayed raw courage, marksmanship and rare combat leadership, while ensuring safety of his team.

During a counterterrorism operation in Kashmir, Havildar Dubey killed a Category A++ terrorist at short range. His courageous action prevented the escape of the terrorists and eventually resulted in the elimination of all four terrorists, his citation said.
Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Foreign industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This bank has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 5.01%.

For the most recent quarter, Bank of Nova Scotia was expected to post earnings of $0.71 per share, but it reported $0.76 per share instead, representing a surprise of 7.04%. For the previous quarter, the consensus estimate was $1.34 per share, while it actually produced $1.38 per share, a surprise of 2.99%.

Price and EPS Surprise

With this earnings history in mind, recent estimates have been moving higher for Bank of Nova Scotia. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the company is positive, which is a great sign of an earnings beat, especially when you combine this metric with its nice Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Bank of Nova Scotia has an Earnings ESP of +3.32% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

Story continues

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.



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The ethnic studies curriculum now entering a public comment period before its scheduled adoption by the state Board of Education next spring is improved from last years rejected abomination, but remains a far cry from what it should be.

In short, closer but still no cigar.

The major improvement is that the new proposed curriculum this time recommends teaching about more forms of historic prejudice than the prior version, sent back to the drawing board almost exactly a year ago because it omitted so much.

For example, the worlds oldest form of bigotry, anti-Semitism, didnt get a mention in the previous version. Now its on the list of just over a dozen forms of historic discrimination and persecution.

Wow! What good news for the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust before and during World War II. They are at least recognized, but how many classrooms will see anything about this actually taught? Yes, a few classes are visited each year by Holocaust survivors telling their stories, but since most are in their late 80s and 90s, its questionable how long that can go on.

Here are just a couple of the major weaknesses of the curriculum plan, which would form the background for making ethnic studies a graduation requirement for California public schools, as it recently became a requirement for any California State University diploma:

The plan instructs teachers to deal mostly with the history of whatever ethnic group makes up the majority of their class. Since most public school students for the foreseeable future will be Latino, that mandates a lot of teaching about Hispanic history.

Perhaps students will learn how smallpox brought to the New World by Spanish adventurers allowed Hernan Cortez to conquer the powerful Aztec and Maya civilizations in Mexico with a force that began with barely 200 men. Perhaps they will be taught how some indigenous Mexicans turned against the Aztecs because of their brutality to those they had previously conquered.

Thomas D. Elias: Virus becomes a major force for inequality The pandemic is exposing - and deepening - disparities in our society, particularly in education, columnist Tom Elias says.

Maybe theyll be taught about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which Mexico ceded 55 percent of its prior territory to the United States after the Mexican-American War, including most of present-day Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Nevada and Utah. Maybe theyll learn that some Mexican-American activists since the 1970s have pushed the concept of Aztlan, a mythical nation that would take former Mexican territory from America, and never mind who has lived there since the mid-1800s.

Its OK to teach about this if done deftly and not as propaganda making students feel victimized. But it would not educate students about the other ethnic groups they will surely encounter while living in the worlds most diverse society. This state, after all, features native speakers of more than 80 languages.

Another weakness: the curriculum still divides Californians into four basic groups, as demanded by the Critical Ethnic Studies Association, an academic group focusing on colonialism and conquest, racial chattel slavery and white supremacist (doctrines).

These folks also dominated the design of last years rejected ethnic studies plan. It failed because rather than work toward racial harmony, it focused on falsehoods, divisive issues and longstanding grudges.

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There was little concentration on achievements of any ethnic group, especially leaving out all positives about European colonists and other white immigrants who designed the country that became the most successful on Earth, both economically and, often, in living up to its democratic ideals.

Ignore that history and students will get a warped education on what it means to be American, how the nation was shaped and how to get along with others who look different from them. Or as Williamson Evers, a visiting scholar at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, said, Theyre leaving out all kinds of ethnic groups  who had to work their way into success, and how they did it. There may be important lessons there.

Its possible the new plan will get more revisions to make it fairer and more accurate, while accomplishing state Schools Superintendent Tony Thurmonds stated goal of promoting a fairer, more just society.

But the plan doesnt get near that yet, so it should be sent back for a second rewrite unless its improved considerably before next spring.

Watch Now: Online data privacy law gives Californians new rights

Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He is author of the book, The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It.
He belonged to a religious family and was the brother of a respected teacher

One eyewitness said he saw the flash of the final round and two young men

effrey Wegbe, 26, died of gunshot wound to his chest on Wednesday in Kilburn

This is a picture of a churchgoer, 26, known as Gucci for his love of the fashion label, who was shot dead by a hooded gunman on the doorstep of his 500,000 London home.

Jeffrey Wegbe was shot in the chest on Wednesday at the property where his mother and teenage sister are also thought to live, according to local sources.

The young man was a well-known figure in the community and had lived in the Kilburn area in north west London for most of his life.

He belonged to a religious family and was the youngest brother of Nathaniel Wegbe, a history teacher and Head of Year 11 at Paddington Academy.

Jeffrey Wegbe, pictured, 26, was shot dead at his home where his sister and mother are thought to live in the Kilburn, north west London, on Wednesday. There have been no arrests

Shortly after the shooting, a neighbour saw one of his brothers arrive at the property demanding police let him pass.

The young man, who requested to remain anonymous, said: 'The brother turned up in a silver BMW about 20 minutes after the police, trying to see what had happened.

'Officers were holding him back because it was a crime scene. He kept saying he wanted to go inside. He said 'I'm his brother' and then shouted 'f**k' really loudly.'

A large blue forensics tent was erected outside the victim's house and police cordons blocked the entrance to the estate.

One of Gucci's childhood friends broke down in tears as she laid flowers at the murder scene.

The 23-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: 'He was the funniest person ever.

'He sold his passport at school just to make money and he officially changed his name to Gucci, his favourite brand.

'People knew him for his character. When he smiled it was so bright because his teeth were as white as Simon Cowell's. And that smile was on 24/7.'

Police forensics work at the scene in Kilburn, north west London on Wednesday following the shooting in the early hours of the morning. The attack has left the estate's residents in fear

The distraught friend was shocked that, among all her friends in the area, Gucci had been killed.

She said: 'He was the last person who you'd think would die young. He was a good boy from a good family of devout Christians. Every Sunday he would drive his family to church.

The young woman added: 'His middle brother looks exactly like Gucci so his mum will be able to remember him.'

Gucci had one sister and two older brothers, the eldest of whom is a teacher at a nearby school, according to a local source,

The source, who did not wish to be named, said: 'His brother Nathaniel Wegbe teaches history at Paddington Academy. He is a role model and has changed thousands of lives for the better.

Police forensic officers work at the cordoned-off scene on Wednesday

He added: 'He was very professional, but we would joke with him about his brothers. We thought they were involved in dodgy stuff, but he would just brush it off.'

Nathaniel Wegbe, who studied at the prestigious Institute of Education at University College London, is head of year 11 and Key Stage Four at Paddington Academy, according to the school's website.

Neighbours reported hearing a burst of up to seven gunshots followed by the screeching of tyres shortly on Wednesday morning.

One eyewitness said he saw the flash of the final round and two young men dressed in black hoodies at the victim's front door.

The pair sped off from the estate in a dark-coloured car driven by a third person, who had been waiting with the headlights on, the neighbour added.

Another neighbour was sitting on the sofa when he heard several shots from his flat which faces onto the murder scene.

The father-of-four, who requested not to be named, said: 'I looked out of the window and saw the two guys.. They were wearing hoodies and dressed in black. The car was black or blue.. The final shot was after a while. As soon as I heard the shot I saw the flash.

'They were in no massive rush to leave. The two guys got into the car and there was a driver waiting. They drove off on Kilburn Park Road. There's only one entrance and exit to the estate.'

Armed police and paramedics attended but the young man died of a gunshot wound, police said.

There have been no arrests.

The 26-year-old's family said: 'Our beloved Jeffrey was killed on Wednesday morning in what can only be described as a senseless violent attack.

A police officer at the address in Kilburn on Wednesday. Neighbours reported hearing a burst of up to seven gunshots followed by the screeching of tyres

'Understandably, we are distraught by the news and ask that you keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.

'We would also like to say a huge thank you to the family, police and wider community for all their support.'

Met Police's Chief Superintendent Roy Smith, said: 'Firstly my thoughts are with the victim's family and loved ones and I know colleagues will be working hard to support them.

He added: 'Officers from every part of the Met are out on our streets using every tactic available to stop mindless violence like this. I am incredibly proud of and grateful to colleagues from both the Met and London Ambulance Service who rushed towards danger to try and save this young man's life - as they would do for any one of us.'

The brutal attack has left the estate's shocked residents in fear, and calling for CCTV cameras and a greater police presence.

One neighbour said: 'I have had to put up my own security cameras because there aren't any here. You never see police around either. This is a new estate, you would think they want to protect it.'
Jaishankar said the plan linking Male to islands of Villingili, Gulhifahu will be the largest civilian infrastructure project in Maldives

NEW DELHI: India announced a $500 million package to fund a project in the Maldives on Thursday to help it connect the capital Male to three nearby islands, stepping up New Delhis diplomatic efforts in a region China has also been focusing recently.

The Indian Ocean island nation, popular with tourists for its beaches and turquoise waters, has become a focal point in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative aimed at building trade and transport links across the region.

On Thursday, Indias Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid that New Delhi will support the Male connectivity project with a grant of $100 million and a new line of credit of $400 million, the Indian foreign ministry said.

Jaishankar said the plan linking Male to the islands of Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi will be the largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives, the foreign ministry said.

EAM (external affairs minister) and Foreign Minister Shahid emphasized that greater connectivity results in prosperity, it said.

India has sought to regain diplomatic influence in the islands after a new administration led by President Ibrahim Solih took power following the defeat of the pro-China strongman Abdulla Yameen in elections in 2018.

Yameen was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to five years in prison last year, after facing allegations of awarding contracts, including for a major bridge connecting Male to the island of Hulhumale and an extension to the international airport, to Chinese companies at inflated prices.

Since November 2018, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, India and Maldives have embarked on a dynamic and ambitious phase of the partnership that builds on our enduring ties based on mutual trust and shared interests, the foreign ministry said.
(Photo : The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF)/Handout via REUTERS) A handout photo provided by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) shows samples of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, in Moscow, Russia August 6, 2020. Picture taken August 6, 2020. (Photo : REUTERS/Kham) A medical specialist wearing a protective suit collects a swab sample from a traveller who has returned from Da Nang, at a rapid testing center for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hanoi, Vietnam August 8, 2020.

Russian government's COVID-19 vaccine called 'Sputnik V' has now stolen the attention of most countries. This came after the vaccine said to completed all the required phases to be identified as an effective medicine. Though it rings to the ears of all health agencies, the United States has a different mindset. They bashed the 'Sputnik V' and told that even monkeys could not be injected with the Russian vaccine.

The U.S. refuses Russia's offer

As first reported via CNN, Russia offered to help in the USA to get doses of the 'Sputnik V' vaccine. They even suggested helping the U.S. Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to effectively make the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, U.S. health officials refuse the offer. CNN was told that America called off the plan saying, "U.S. is not currently open."

Another unidentified U.S. health official said that "There's no way in hell the U.S. tries this [Sputnik V] on monkeys, let alone people."

America thinks that Russia's vaccine is not highly credible since the issues of Sputnik V's lack of proper tests.

President Donald Trump already knew about the vaccine, but no comments from his side. The White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany even slightly mocked the Russian vaccine, saying the American vaccine faces more 'rigorous' clinical trial tests.

Tech Times reported that 'Sputnik V' has only tested 38 people within 42 days of research. After this process, the research concludes that the vaccine was able to pass all the required critical medical tests of Russia. It was not confirmed what the Russian drug is really all about.

"There is a general sense of mistrust of Russia on the American side, and we believe that technologies -- including vaccine, testing, and treatments -- are not being adopted in the U.S. because of that mistrust," one senior Russian official told CNN.

Vietnam and The Philippines show interest in Sputnik V

CNN Philippines said that The Philippines is one of the leading partners of Russia in spreading the Sputnik V vaccine.

Over 1,000 Filipinos are now signed up for clinical trials of the vaccine. Even The Phillippines President Rodrigo Duterte may be injected with the vaccine in May 2021.

Another country that is now buying the Russian vaccine was Vietnam. Reuters reported that the country is now registered to buy the COVID-19 Sputnik V vaccine. And, at the same time, develop their own vaccine.

ALSO READ: Experts Say Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine is 'Scary', But Some Countries Already Pre-Ordered A Billion Doses

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Jamie Pancho

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Rev. Dr. Archibald Mosley is being remembered as a mentor and hero. Mosley, a Carbondale native, died at Aug. 6 at age 95 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mosley was born in Carbondale and attended Attucks High School, where his obituary says he excelled in academics and athletics.

Soon after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order allowing Black Americans to join the Marine Corps in 1941, 18-year-old Mosley enlisted. He was one of the first Black Marines.

During Veterans Honor Fight of Southern Illinois inaugural trip to Washington, D.C., Mosley described his service as a corporal serving in a Marine Corps amphibious unit. His hat, which read Montford Point Marine, and his stories that day told more about his remarkable service.

Mosley was sent to Camp Montford Point, a segregated Marine camp adjacent to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. It lacked the comforts afforded to white Marines, such as hot water and adequate heat.

He served as a weapons instructor before deploying to Guam and Iwo Jima, where he delivered ammunition to the front lines. In 1945, Mosley deployed to Nagasaki, Japan, where the Montford Point Marines were assigned to clean up after the atomic bomb was dropped.

Mosley received numerous medals for his service, delivered decades after he was honorably discharged in 1946. In 2012, the Montford Point Marines were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award presented by Congress, in a ceremony Mosley attended at the U.S. Capitol.

Mosleys experience as one of the first Black Marines marked the beginning of decades of service and many accomplishments. He attended Southern Illinois University and later entered Payne Theological Seminary at Wilberforce University to become a Methodist minister. He earned five post-graduate degrees, including a Ph.D. in communications from Wayne State University.

Mosley taught for more than a decade in Illinois public schools and served as a pastor much longer. In 1966, he moved his family to Michigan, were he also served as a professor and dean at Shaw College of Detroit from 1969 to 1974 and pastored churches in Lansing, Detroit, and Pontiac.

As Mosleys daughters grew older, the family relocated to Michigan in 1966. Mosley became He also served as pastor of Trinity AME Church in Lansing, St. John AME Church in Detroit and eventually Newman AME Church in Pontiac. Mosley was communications coordinator for the city of Pontiac until he retired in 1992.

Longtime friend James McKinley, of Carbondale, described Mosley, who was about eight years older, as a friend, role model and mentor  someone he wanted to be like. He said Mosleys leadership skills were evident as a youth.

He always was the boss. He told us what to do, when to do it and how to do it. He wasnt mean about it. He wanted us to know how to do things better, McKinley said.

McKinley added that he always wanted to be like Mosley, not following his occupation, but his character. I wanted to be the kind of person he was, McKinley said.

Mosley married McKinley and his wife. He told us we were not playing games. If he married us, we were going to stay married, McKinley said.

Elizabeth Lewin, the oldest of Mosleys four daughters, said her father always let them know he loved the Lord first and then his family.

She was given the position as assistant on whatever her father was doing. When Mosley was preaching on a circuit, Lewin learned to drive. He fell asleep on the way home one Sunday. He enlisted his assistant to help drive home. Lewin thinks she was 13.

She doesnt remember her father spanking her or her sisters. "He would sit us down on the couch and a lecture, more of a sermon. He let us know what we did reflected on him, Lewin said.

Lewin said each of his children took a slice of what he did with them into adulthood and their careers. She was a teacher and administrator. They also learned to serve others.

We had to give back. Whatever the Lord afforded you, you have to share, she said.

Mosley was known for his ability to spin a tale and could captivate an audience with his story-telling ability. However, McKinley had a story to share.

His family and two others from Carbondale were living in Chicago after graduating from SIU. They decided to surprise Mosley one Sunday by attending his church service in Lansing. They left Chicago in time for church, not realizing Lansing was in the Eastern time zone. They arrived at the church at the end of the service as Mosley asked those who needed prayer or to dedicate their lives to the front of the church.

McKinley said the three friends, their wives and children just proceeded down the aisle to the front of the church. He laughed, saying it extended the church service because Mosley had to tell the congregation about the visitors, then sing for them.

It was important for us to be there, McKinley said. We always talked about it and laughed.

Visitation for the Rev. Mosley will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in New Zion Baptist Church in Carbondale, followed by private funeral services. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks and physical distancing are required. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale.

Take a peek inside Cairo's historic Magnolia Manor

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Genres : Comedy and Drama



: Comedy and Drama Running Time : 99 min.



: 99 min. Directed by : Shim Yo-han



: Shim Yo-han Starring : Lee Hak-joo, Shin Min-jae

Synopsis : A university student gets kicked out of the dormitory because he failed to apply for a winter semester. He has to get a part-time that provides room and board to survive severe winter of Gangwon Province. He happens to find a job at a surfing guesthouse alhough he has never surfed.
U.S. hostile foreign policy towards Cuba in the past half a century has been a failure, a Cuban political observer and diplomat has said.

Cuba has withstood the U.S. web of sanctions for decades despite undergoing sea changes such as the death of its long-time leader Fidel Castro, said Carlos Alzugaray, 77, a veteran diplomat and political scientist specializing in U.S.-Cuba ties.

"They also thought the death of Fidel Castro (in November 2016) would be a moment of weakness, but it was not," he said.

"And the same thing happened with the presidential transition from Raul Castro to Miguel Diaz-Canel," said Alzugaray, co-president of the Cuba section of the Latin American Studies Association based in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

The long-running trade embargo against Cuba, imposed by a presidential decree of then U.S. President John F. Kennedy in February 1962, has no legal basis and its legality is debatable even according to U.S. laws, the observer said.

"Today it is a very complex network of sanctions that were consolidated and codified in the 1990s" through various laws, including the Torricelli Act, Helms-Burton Act and others, he said.

The Torricelli and Helms-Burton acts, which were passed in 1992 and 1996 respectively, consolidated the U.S. sanctions into law, and also put in the hands of U.S. Congress the possibility of lifting the embargo, a power that was initially a presidential prerogative.

Lifting the embargo has now become much more complex since it has to be approved by a bipartisan Congress, said Alzugaray. "Eventually it could happen that one day they realize the embargo makes no sense, but both Democrats and Republicans would have to agree," he said.

In Cuba, the embargo is more commonly referred to as a blockade, because it effectively blocks other countries from doing business with the island and strangles its economy. Calling it an embargo is "just a euphemism," said the author of three books, and scores of essays and articles on the relations between Washington and Havana.

"In technical terms, (an embargo) is when a country decides not to trade with another, which only prevents direct exchange. But in Cuba's case, there is a set of economic and financial sanctions that transcend trade," and impact third countries, said Alzugaray.

The blockade has an extraterritorial aspect, because the United States demands that subsidiaries of U.S. companies in third countries not trade with Cuba, "which is an extraterritorial application of U.S. law," he said.

At present, Cuba cannot buy on the international market goods that have more than 10 percent U.S. components. At the same time, it cannot export merchandise with more than 10 percent Cuban parts to the United States.

As the current administration of U.S. President Donald Trump seeks regime change in Cuba, the blockade not only continues, but has been intensified, to the detriment of the Cuban people, he added.
Joe Biden wants you to be miserable when you vote. This is not an unusual wish for out-of-office politicians. Miserable people tend to vote against the incumbent.

Earlier this year, Joe Biden faced daunting odds. The economy was stronger than it had ever been, ISIS had been defeated, North Korea had been silenced, Iran had been cowed, bad trade deals had been renegotiated, and the border wall was being built. People were happy.

Then the China virus hit. It was a godsend to Democrats. Its real. It can kill you. And best of all, it has stopped Trumps huge rallies.

Naturally, Democrats want the virus to appear as deadly as possible for as long as possible. Theyve done a terrific job of it. They (including their supporters in the press and the bureaucracy) have kept the China virus in the headlines for the past five months by exaggerating its effects (overstating the numbers of infections and deaths), maximizing its inconvenience (shutting down businesses, schools, and sports), and mandating a constant visual reminder of the ever-present danger (masks for everybody all the time).

Things were going well for them, politically speaking, until the unruly wing of the Democrat Party saw an opportunity in the death of George Floyd and decided to flex their muscles. No one realized how weak the mainstream Democrat Party had become, or how powerful Black Lives Matter and Antifa had become, until they destroyed downtown Minneapolis.

Until then, they had done little more than make nuisances of themselves. Antifa had pulled down statues, broken windows, and disrupted traffic. Black Lives Matter had marched through cities shouting: What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want them? Now! and Pigs in a blanket. Fry em like bacon! Small stuff with little lasting damage, so far as Democrats were concerned. They decided to countenance the violence and threats with silence. And that was when they missed their best chance to distance themselves from all the mayhem that would follow.

The riots that started in Minneapolis quickly spread to Seattle, Chicago, New York, Portland, and dozens of other Democrat-run cities. Local authorities didnt know how to react. After all, the rioters were presumptive Democrat voters.

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Democrat mayors and governors decided to dance with the devil. They would side with the rioters and try to minimize all the damage they did -- political, not physical damage -- with words. They declared the riots to be mostly peaceful protests. They described the anarchy as an expression of love. And they announced that any intervention by the Feds would itself be an unprovoked act of aggression. (I am reminded of a story Abraham Lincoln related in his Cooper Union speech: A highwayman holds a pistol to my ear, and mutters through his teeth, Stand and deliver, or I shall kill you, and then you will be a murderer!")

In this third month of the siege of American cities, nary a word of criticism has passed Democrat lips. Liberal media continue to characterize the riots as righteous exercises of our First Amendment if they mention them at all. In a conversation with Joe Biden, President Obama described the mayhem as an extraordinary mobilization across the country.

Black Lives Matter and Antifa seem to have thoroughly cowed the Democrat Party. Whatever they wish, Democrats shall do. You want us to defund the police? Sure. Paint BLM murals on city streets? Hand me a roller. Dont want us to prosecute rioters? Wouldnt think of it. Looting is payback for long-overdue reparations? Well, yeah. Okay.

Democrats must surely worry about the optics of bowing to the rioters will. But they worry even more about what might happen if they should refuse to do as BLM and Antifa demand. War might break out between the unruly and ruling wings of the Democrat Party, and that could cause them to lose not just the presidency, but possibly both houses of Congress as well. They calculate that their better option is to pay lip service to the gangs and keep the chaos out of the news. Make the pandemic the big story. Thatll keep the voters terrified.

Mark Twain once observed: History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Some of us will recall familiar strains from a half century ago. In 1968 we were beset by a pandemic (the Hong Kong flu), saw riots engulf the nation (incited by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), and held a presidential election between Vice President Hubert Humphrey and former Vice President Richard Nixon. Nixon campaigned on the theme of law and order, and he won.
Madeleine West has suffered from her fair share of critics over the years.

And on Friday, she hit back at trolls after revealing that their 'demeaning' comments had left her in tears.

Posting to Instagram, the 40-year-old shared a teary eyed selfie and explained in a lengthy post that despite their harsh words she will never let the trolls 'win'.

Hitting back: On Friday Madeleine West (pictured) slammed trolls after revealing their 'demeaning' comments left her in tears

'Quick shout out to the trolls who in times gone by, some recent, some long ago, have tried to shut me up and shut me down by posting poison here and in various social forums...I have to get this off my chest,' she began.

The actress went on to reveal that their 'sexist, racist, bitchy, base, cruel, callous' comments have 'demeaned' her and made her question her 'sense of self worth'.

'Today you even made me cry. I suppose that is the nature of social media...it rightfully attracts comment: some delivered like kisses, others dealt like blades,' she added.

Hurtful words: The actress went on to reveal that their 'sexist, racist, bitchy, base, cruel, callous' comments have 'demeaned' her and made her question her 'sense of self worth'

Madeleine accompanied the post with a selfie that revealed her bloodshot eyes from crying.

The mother-of-six was dressed in a black shirt and wore her long brown tresses loose with minimal makeup.

She went on to say that people shouldn't 'justify' their comments on social media just because she is a 'public figure' or write cruel comments 'because they disagree with something I have posted'.

Justifications: Madeleine went on to say that people shouldn't 'justify' their comments on social media just because she is a 'public figure'

The former Neighbours star, added that the trolls will never 'win' and that she will continue to share her thoughts and pictures to the public.

'So to all my little #trolls out there, lurking in the shadows behind your keypads, some of your comments actually scare me,' she said.

'But not enough to stop me sharing stories, not enough to make me shed another tear, not enough to silence me.'

Staying positive: Madeleine added that the trolls will never 'win' and that she will continue to share her thoughts and pictures to the public

Since March, the former Underbelly star and her six children have been staying at her home in Byron Bay amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Madeleine shares her six children, Phoenix, 14, Hendrix, 12, Xascha, 10, Xanthe, eight, and Margaux and Xalia, five, with her ex-partner, chef Shannon Bennett.

The former couple announced their split in September 2018 after 13 years of dating.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday directed the State government to maintain status quo till August 27 for the shifting of administrative offices from Amaravati.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Rakesh Kumar, Justice AV Seshasai and Justice M Satyanarayana Murthy heard about 55 petitions which challenged the government's gazette notification on the Decentralisation Act and cancellation of Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Act.

Counsel for the petitioner told the court that the three capitals are against the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2104 and that there was a provision for only one capital.

Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi argued on behalf of the government and said that the establishment of capital was the discretion of state government. He also asked the court to not continue its stay on the status quo as it was creating problems in shifting the administration.

The High Court clarified that the status quo order issued earlier was due to expire with effect on Friday.

However, it rejected Dwivedi's argument and extended its stay till August 27.

After getting the Governor's clearance on the Decentralisation Bill, the government was preparing to relocate administrative offices - including the Chief Minister's Office - to Visakhapatnam, and the Judicial offices to Kurnool.

CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's government is also planning to lay a foundation stone for the construction of buildings for the capitals soon.
Winnie Harlow was all about wellness during her Thursday out around LA.

The Canadian model, 26, started her day with a visit to Pasadena, Calfornia cryotherapy lab Muscle Lab, where she was joined by a friend.

After that, the statuesque stunner stopped by a vitamin store for some supplements.

Healthy habits: Winnie Harlow went on a wellness journey on Thursday, seen going from the cryotherapy spa to a vitamin shop

She rocked a low-key look for the outing, bundling up in a tie-dye hoodie and track pants with sporty white Puma Kyron sneakers on foot.

Winnie dressed things up with hoop earrings and Louis Vuitton's Reverse Monogram Cannes bag, an accessory that runs around $2540.

Her twists were piled into a stylish knot and she flaunted a dewy, makeup free glow.

While the outing appeared to be all about health, Harlow - real name Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young - didn't wear a mask as she left the spa.

Getting a boost: The Canadian beauty rocked a low-key look as she stocked up on supplements

Maskless: While the outing appeared to be all about health, Harlow didn't wear a mask as she left the spa

But by the time she went to the vitamin spot, the America's Next Top Model alum slipped on a black mask with the words 'West Side' on it in Gothic lettering.

Cryotherapy uses extremely cold temperatures to treat the body, putting people in a chamber that usually ranges between -140 to -230 degrees Fahrenheit for a two to three session.

The practice is said to have several benefits such as reducing inflammation and speeding up the muscle repair process.

Star power: Celebrities like Will Smith are also fans of cryotherapy, which immerses you in extremely cold temperatures to reduce inflammation and speed up muscle repair

Other celebrities have touted the treatment on their social media.

A-listers like Jennifer Aniston, Will Smith, Zac Efron, Alicia Keys, Mandy Moore, and more are all said to be cryo enthusiasts.

Talking about his sessions on Instagram back in 2018, Will said: 'My First Time ever doing Cryo... IT WORKS! I hate Icing. So this was perfect for me. It knocked out all my little Aches & Pains.'
But Jenkins is not just making trouble - there's a point to be made here. The work is about disadvantages imposed on women in the art world, about prejudice against queer pregnancy and conception, about isolation and connection.

The 41-year-old accepts it will provoke discomfort, and probably criticism. Jenkins is no stranger to controversy. In 2013 a "vaginal knitting" performance piece made worldwide headlines, went viral on YouTube and sparked outrage (and abuse) .

Sometime soon, probably next week, Melbourne artist Casey Jenkins will ovulate. Jenkins will send out a notification on social media, a vial of sperm will arrive on their doorstep and, within hours, an audience will watch online as they self-inseminate. In the name of art.

"I had a child a couple of years ago and since then I've become really aware of how there is no place for a person who has primary caring responsibility in the art world," Jenkins says. "It revolves around 6pm canapes and viewings, and you can't do that if you have to do bathtime."

The new performance piece, on the other hand, is dictated by "the erratic and hard to predict" rhythms of Jenkins' body. "One of the things I'm most excited about with this work is that everyone's schedules have been thrown out the window [by the pandemic lockdown], and it's more acceptable to say 'I'm going to be doing a performance when my body is ready and you can come to me', rather than trying to fit my body into these very patriarchal schedules.

"The rest of the world has come into the rhythm of my life now. As a solo parent I don't get out much. I am home alone a lot, or just with my child. People will resonate with it more, realise how a lot of people do live these solitary existences anyway."

Jenkins had planned to try to conceive anyway, but wanted to make it into art. A donor will "drop it at the gate for me" - Jenkins has a medical exemption and everything will comply with Stage 4 lockdown rules. On the livestream, Jenkins will talk to the camera about "some experiences I've had in trying to conceive", then move to the back of the room and insert the sperm with a needle-less syringe, then lie there for half an hour "and that's it", roughly once a month for four months (or until conception).

Jenkins acknowledges, even welcomes, the potential for backlash. "I want it to be as simple and uncontrived as possible - I feel it's quite banal - and I think when you find an action that is at once banal and shocking then you've happened on a point of hypocrisy in society.
Delhi police inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who was killed during the 2008 Batla House encounter, has been awarded a gallantry medal posthumously for the seventh time as the Centre declared bravery medals on the eve of Independence day.

CRPF Assistant Commandant Naresh Kumar also won the bravery medal for the seventh time for undertaking counter-terrorist operations in the Kashmir valley.

The Jammu and Kashmir police has topped the list of Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG) with 81 medals, followed by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) that won 55 medals.

No one has been given the President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) this time.

A total of 926 medals, including gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service medals, have been awarded to state and central police forces personnel, the Union home ministry said on Friday.

The Uttar Pradesh police has been given 23 gallantry medals followed by 16 for the Delhi police, 14 for Maharashtra and 12 for Jharkhand.

CRPF Assistant Commandant Kumar, till recently, was serving with the elite counter-terrorist quick action team (QAT) of the force deployed in the Kashmir valley.

Director of the National Police Academy in Hyderabad and IPS officer Atul Karwal has also been awarded the PMG for the second time, for an operation during which he served with the CRPF.

"Out of the 55 gallantry medals awarded to the force, 41 were awarded for operations in J and K while 14 relate to the operations against Maoists in Chhattisgarh," a CRPF spokesperson said.

BSF Assistant Commandant Vinay Prasad has been awarded a bravery medal posthumously. Prasad was killed in an unprovoked firing by Pakistan when he was out on an operational task with his patrol team in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir in January last year.

Image: Mohan Chand Sharma.
The UK government removed France from its travel corridor list, prompting travel chaos. Photo: Matt Dunham/AP

UK airports are braced for travel chaos after the government added France to its quarantine list, even as transport secretary Grant Shapps said Britons should not be entirely surprised at the move.

Shapps said on Friday that the 160,000 holidaymakers in France should not simply turn up at airports hoping to return to the UK before the new restrictions come into force on Saturday (15 August).

The advice from all the travel operators is very clear  to contact them in advance. Don't just turn up, he said in an interview with Sky News.

I think given what's happened this summer, given whats already happened in places like Spain and the vast amount of coverage about concerns in France and elsewhere, no-one will be entirely surprised.

In addition to France, the government removed the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, the Dutch territory of Aruba, and the British Turks & Caicos Islands from its list of approved coronavirus travel corridors, meaning that travellers from those countries must self-isolate for 14 days if they return to the UK after 4am on Saturday.

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Many direct flights from France to the UK are already sold out, and travellers reported immediate difficulty in arranging a way of returning to the UK.

The price of tickets on Eurostar trains jumped overnight, while all trains after midday on Friday are already fully booked.

Prices from airlines also reflected a surge in demand, as travel operators expect most services to be fully booked within hours.

Shapps said that France was removed from its travel corridor list after the country suffered a 66% increase in the number of positive coronavirus tests in the past week.

Prime minister Boris Johnson had warned hours earlier that the government would be absolutely ruthless in deciding whether to impose quarantine restrictions on travellers from certain countries.

Some 2,524 new cases of the virus were reported by French authorities on Wednesday, the highest figure since the country introduced sweeping coronavirus restrictions in March.
Two apartment buildings, part of a local village, and 36 officers of the ward-level Peoples Committee in the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang have been quarantined after exposure to eight COVID-19 patients.

Of the eight patients, four are linked to the B1 apartment building on Van Don Street and two were traced to the A3 Vung Thung apartment building on Ngo Tri Hoa Street, both located in Nai Hien Dong Ward of Son Tra District.

The two apartment buildings, home to 90 households that accommodate nearly 400 people, were sealed off at 10:00 am on Thursday in accordance with a decision from the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The lockdown is expected to last until 10:00 am August 27, though an extension after that date is possible.

Nai Hien Dong Ward chairman Cao Dinh Hai said that local authorities will temporarily provide each household with food and necessities throughout the duration of the quarantine.

Two of the COVID-19-positive cases linked to the lockdown include a deputy chairman of Hoa An Ward in Cam Le District and a 43-year-old woman living in Yen Ne 2 Village in Hoa Tien Commune of Hoa Vang District.

After Hoa An Wards deputy chairman N.V.S. declared positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday, 36 officers and civil servants working at the headquarters of the ward-level Peoples Committee who had came into close contact with S. were sent to a centralized quarantine facility.

Police officers guard an isolated area in Da Nang, Vietnam, August 2020. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre

The Peoples Committee of Cam Le District also established a temporary task force led by the districts deputy chairman, Vo Thien Sinh, and requested the local police and military command to assist in operating public-service activities of Hoa An Ward.

Meanwhile, the Da Nang Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control also placed part of Yen Ne 2 Village on lockdown from 10:00 am Thursday. The lockdown will end on 10:00 am August 27.

The quarantine measures are meant to ensure peoples safety against the outbreak in Da Nang and to curb its spread as the central city has recorded 310 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths since July 25, when the detection of a 57-year-old local male patient ended Vietnams streak of 99 days with no community-based infection.

The city tested 75,400 people for COVID-19 between July 24 and August 12.

Enhanced social distancing guidelines were previously implemented in Da Nang from July 28 until August 11 to stall the spread of the virus. The period was extended on Wednesday due to continued community transmission.

Local authorities sanctioned 401 cases of violating regulations on prevention and control of COVID-19 with a total fine of VND497 million (US$21,400) between July 27 and August 11.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:18:10|Editor: huaxia

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MOSCOW, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet flew over the Black Sea on Friday to intercept two U.S. reconnaissance planes, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Russian airspace control systems have detected two air targets approaching the Russian state border over the neutral waters of the Black Sea," the ministry's Zvezda broadcasting service said.

A Su-27 fighter of the Southern Military District was scrambled to intercept the targets, it added.

The crew of the fighter jet identified the aerial objects as a U.S. Air Force strategic reconnaissance aircraft RC-135 and a U.S. Navy patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon, Zvezda said.

After the U.S. planes flew away from the Russian state border, the Russian jet safely returned to its airfield, it said.

The Russian aircraft proceeded in strict compliance with international airspace rules, it added.

In the last few weeks, Russian fighter jets were scrambled regularly to intercept U.S. reconnaissance planes over the Black Sea. Enditem
Some school districts have already resumed operations and more will do so in September, but its anyones guess what the story of the 2020-2021 school year will be.

The UN has warned of the potential for long-term consequences if children are confined at home too long. Educators and parents worry that homebound students are falling behind

Working adults who cant afford child care have little recourse if they lose jobs because they cant leave home. In the aftermath of the worst quarter in its economic history, its vital for as many Americans as possible to return (safely) to their jobs.

None of this is enough to dispel doubts about reopening. Physician and CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta announced that hes not ready to send his own children back to school. The American Federation of Teachers has expressed support for strikes if teachers feel not enough has been done to make their schools safe for their communities.

While online learning keeps students distanced, the performance results have been uneven . The same students disadvantaged in normal circumstances have been the worst served. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that students be physically present at school.

States have been wrestling with these issues for months. A number of bills have been put forward that specifically reference the 2020-2021 school year, reflecting a hope that the challenges it presents might come and go. The following are examples from mid-July forward.

SB12 ensures that students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch willeven if their school is closed or if the student is receiving instruction remotely, whether by order or by choice. Itand results, and sets out guidelines by which students can be included in average weighted attendance if they miss days due to illness or quarantine.

HF49 inchanges state law to allow school boards towithout needing permission from the commissioner of education. The term is defined as a plan that provides forms of optional scheduling and personnel.

SB5004 , abill, requires local school boards toin each elementary, middle and high school. It strikes earlier provisions that set ratios for the number of nurses per student, and language stating that school boards should strive to employ them in such proportions.

SB1039 amends the state school code andto rank the performance of public schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

SB1251 , in, creates a committee to make recommendations regarding what should be done in regard to theof the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 during a resurgence of the pandemic during 2020-2021 school year. In March, the U.S. Department of Education published a fact sheet on the potential impact of COVID-19 on required annual assessments of student performance under the act, stating that it might grant waivers to states in some instances.
The Princess Royal has been awarded Army and RAF promotions in recognition of her invaluable contribution and commitment to the military, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

Anne, who celebrates her 70th birthday on Saturday, is now a General in the British Army and an Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force.

Senior members of the royal family receive promotions to mark milestone birthdays and the Queen has approved the move.

The Princess Royal has been awarded military promotions to mark her 70th birthday (John Giles/PA)

Before the appointments Annes rank within the Army and RAF was linked to her existing roles as Colonel-in-Chief and Colonel of a number of regiments and Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Brize Norton.

The promotions bring her rank in the two services into line with her existing rank of Admiral in the Royal Navy.

Three official photographs of Anne have also been released to celebrate her seven decades  taken by celebrated photographer John Swannell.

The MoD said: Her Royal Highness has been hugely supportive of the Armed Forces and undertaken a vast amount of work for the services over many years.

Anne is an Admiral in the Royal Navy. Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

This promotion on her 70th birthday recognises her invaluable contribution and commitment to the military.

This includes long-term links with the Royal Navy, initially through the Womens Royal Naval Service and her promotion to Admiral Chief Commandant in 2012.

More recently, she visited the Royal Logistic Corps in Northern Ireland and paid tribute to the Royal Corps of Signals to mark their 100th birthday in June.
When my wife and I moved to Fort Bend County in the late 1990s, our family and friends were worried. Sugar Land was not yet widely known as one of the best cities in America to live in and raise a family. For months, they insisted on sending us boxes of Lucky Charms, convinced that our new grocery stores wouldnt be fully stocked.

Innocent concerns aside  we eventually broke it to them that we were well supplied with sugary cereals by the local HEB  Sugar Land was the ideal place for my wife Sheeba and I to put down roots. Over the next 20-plus years, we were fortunate to build a home, raise three healthy children and pursue fulfilling careers (teaching for Sheeba and financial planning for me). When I was elected to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees in 2014 and as county judge in 2018, we celebrated those moments as milestones in our unbelievably blessed American Dream.

Achieving that uniquely American Dream  a prayerful life of prosperity, good health and upward mobility  is what I usually choose to highlight when people ask about my journey. But there is another, darker side to that story that has been difficult to digest.

Recently, I shared with my fellow Fort Bend residents some disturbing social media messages that people have sent me over the last several months. I wont go into the details of what these messages say  their ugliness and cruelty speak for themselves  but the common theme is a startling disgust for my status as an American citizen of Indian descent.

They target my accent, the sound of which proclaims my heritage with every syllable. They accuse me of changing my name to trick people, even though it has been in my family for generations, as our Christian community originates from those baptized by the Apostle Thomas during his missions to India almost 2,000 years ago. There are hundreds of these messages, delivered via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and even phone calls.

Many reference the coronavirus as source of their frustration, but their racially motivated malice and anti-immigrant animus are not some new phenomena. Those who must travel great distances from their homes to seek opportunity, prosperity and a better life for their children have long faced similar sentiments; indeed, it even forms a part of the nativity of Jesus Christ.

Even as we are threatened by a pandemic that does not heed borders, this misguided hostility and irrational prejudice has inserted itself further into matters of life-and-death.

Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists five factors that contribute to the fact that racial and ethnic minority groups face a greater risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. Discrimination is at the top of the list. The other factors  disparities in housing, health care, occupation, education and income  all follow from that root cause. Across America, Black and brown people are less likely to be able to work from home or to have paid sick days.

When non-English speakers cant access preventative health care because the brochures and media arent available in their language or shared with their community, they are more likely to end up sick for reasons that an English speaker will never experience. Members of minority communities in America have historically suffered from limited access to high-quality healthcare, and the pandemic has laid bare this deadly disparity. In Texas, the coronavirus has hit Black and Hispanic residents especially hard  they make up 52 percent of the population but compose 63 percent of the lives lost to COVID-19.

As the elected leader of Fort Bend County, I have worked with our incredible and tireless county staff and partners to bridge the gaps in care. We have opened both fixed and mobile pop-up testing sites in medically underserved areas to make testing as accessible as possible, no matter who needs it. Additionally, we have dedicated nearly $20 million to paying the rent, mortgage and utility bills of our residents whose livelihoods vanished overnight.

Despite these efforts, this week marks a grave milestone: more than 100 lives lost to COVID-19 since the pandemic first arrived in our community. Each of these people had families that loved them and aspirations for a better and brighter life. Just as in the rest of Texas and the United States, COVID-related deaths in our county have been disproportionately Black and brown.

Fort Bend County does not have a shield around it that prevents discrimination from affecting all of its residents. But what we do have is a unique opportunity  as one of the most diverse counties in America  to re-examine how we talk to and treat people who are different from ourselves. We have an opportunity to stop and think about the first thing that comes to mind when we see our neighbors. As a community, we can choose this moment to change how we care for each other  and especially how we look out for those who are more vulnerable and less fortunate, or who just look or sound or pray differently.

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote, Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. Freedom is why I chose to make the United States my home more than 25 years ago; the responsibility to defend liberty, equality and justice for all is why I chose to speak up today. In this great country, we have the freedom to make mistakes  but we also have the obligation to learn from them. Let us learn together and move forward.

George is Fort Bend County Judge.
We are pleased to announce that Stephen Boale has joined our firm. Stephen is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, a Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional, and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CGA).

Prior to joining Derek L. Chase & Associates Ltd., Stephen was a founding partner of a boutique insolvency firm in Vancouver which he formed after spending ten years practicing exclusively in insolvency matters with a big four chartered accountancy firm. Prior to that he was an Official Receiver with the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy.

Stephen has extensive experience in personal insolvency proceedings. In recent years Stephen has focused on helping individuals facing financial difficulty and has completed many successful consumer proposals including debtors with tax debts and has been involved in a variety of larger personal restructurings.

He has also worked for secured lenders performing viability assessments, monitoring engagements and administering formal receiverships and agency appointments and has worked with corporate debtors in financial difficulty. He is a former President and Director of the British Columbia Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals.

Stephen has a passion for fishing and likes to give back by being involved with the Chapman Creek fish hatchery in Sechelt.

We are thrilled to have Stephen join our firm. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise both in regards to personal insolvency and corporate insolvency matters. Plus he is just a really good guy. Welcome to the team! - Derek Chase

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Apparent Swatting Call Brings Officers to Home of BLM-LA Co-Founder

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating an apparent swatting call that brought armed officers today to the Mid-City home of Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.

Officers were sent shortly before 9 a.m. to Abdullahs home near Crenshaw and West Washington boulevards on a call that three people were being held hostage by a man with a gun, according to the LAPD.

After the officers were able to verify the safety of the residents, the on-scene investigation determined the call was a hoax, according to an LAPD statement that said the Major Crimes Division will assist in the investigation.

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While police were at the scene, Abdullah repeatedly expressed concern for the safety of her children and fear that officers would escalate the situation, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Streaming live video via Instagram showing armed officers staging outside, she said: I dont know why they are here. They have guns pointed at my house. Theres a helicopter overhead. Nobodys knocked at the door, but apparently, theyve made announcements for people to come out with our hands up. My children are in the house. My children are in the house. I dont know what this is.

An officer on a loudspeaker could then be heard specifically identifying Abdullahs address from outside, before saying, Come out with your hands up.  You are surrounded.

About an hour later, Abdullah spoke about the incident at an event designed to show support for naming her dean of a new school of ethnic studies at Cal State Los Angeles, where she is a professor of Pan-African Studies.

According to KPCC/LAist reporter Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, she told attendees that officers told her they responded to a call of a hostage situation.

We believe its another tactic thats being used to block us from ushering in Black freedom, she said.

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Swatting refers to a prank emergency call made to attract armed police to a particular address without cause  a dangerous act given the potential confusion it causes among all parties and the history of tactical teams using deadly force.

City Councilman Herb Wesson called for an immediate investigation into the incident.
Some of these kids come back and they need a mentor, Morrison said. Thats one of the things we want to do. Were going to start a mentorship program where younger veterans can have a mentor or sponsor in an older veteran. He can guide them in seeking benefits, getting whatever stabilization they need or just be someone to talk to.
Her role as Professor Stromwell in the 2001 hit comedy film Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon, was just one of her many unforgettable performances of her six-decade career.

In a new interview with Vulture, Holland Taylor fondly looks back and recalls her time filming Legally Blonde, as well as how she and longtime partner Sarah Paulson have been coping during these uncertain times in quarantine.

The couple split their lockdown time between their two houses in Los Angeles, which are just a five minute drive between each other.

Coping with crisis: Holland Taylor, 77, shared about how she and partner Sarah Paulson, 45, are coping with quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Taylor and Paulson have been together for over five years. But like most people, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they've had to reconfigure their relationship in order to stay safe.

'We spend the long weekend up at her house, and Im by myself here [Holland's house] for two days, and we spend one day together here [Holland's house] . So we go back and forth.,' she explained of their living arrangement.

At 77, the Pennsylvania native revealed things started to 'feel strange' about four months into lockdown.

Making it work: The Pennsylvania native says she and Paulson go between their two house each week since they went into lockdown mode in March

Going strong: Taylor and Paulson have been together for over five years

Holland confessed that all the moving around from house to house has helped with her state of mind during this 'really, really strange' time, and that she won't be able to go back to work until the dangers of the virus have subsided, with the exception of 'very unique circumstances.'

'I dont know what it will be like when actors can really be in a big film production, 150 people,' she added.

When asked if their living situation is the ideal relationship scenario of having time together and apart, Taylor agreed, for the most part.

'I think it is. I mean, we're mostly together, and we both have a little time where you just don't have anybody to answer to, without any sort of accommodating someone else's plans,' she said.

'So its good for me because I'm older, and I've been so independent all my life, so it works out well.'

Change is good: Holland confessed that all the moving around from house to house has helped with her state of mind during this 'really, really strange' time,

One of Holland's fondest memories from her acting career, that dates back to the mid-1960s, was her time on the set of Legally Blonde.

'Its a very clever idea, and a really charming entry into the area of women's rights and the perception of women in our society,' she said of the comedy that starred Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend by getting a degree at Harvard Law School.

'Reese Witherspoon is just remarkable. She's one of our marvelous actresses who has brought a number of roles that will be indelible culturally, and this is one of them.'

She added: 'And it was just a classic case of playing a professional person who had real resonance with the audience.'

Like many of her roles, Taylor only had a handful of scenes in Legally Blonde, but she made the most of them, to the enjoyment of the legion of fans the franchise still has to this day.

Career highlight: One of Holland's fondest memories from her acting career, that dates back to the mid-1960s, was her time on the set of Legally Blonde
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition is now available in the US, but you cant get it. Sounds confusing? Well, it is available, but not for everyone, as this variant is made for the government, pretty much.

The Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition is available through select partners in the US. Those partners include Black Diamond Advanced Technology (BDATech), goTenna, PAR Government, and Viasat.

The Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition is available in the US, but only for the government

This phone is specially made to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD), and federal government personnel. Its made to run battlefield applications.

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Those apps include Android Precision Assault Strike Suite (APASS), Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Observation Kit (BATDOK), and Kinetic Integrated Low-Cost Software Integrated Tactical Handheld (KILSWITCH).

The phone can also securely integrate with tactical radios, drone feeds, laser range finders, and external GPS systems if necessary.

Samsung actually partnered up with various companies to offer various solutions for robotics control technology, network solution, situational awareness, and virtual health.

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PAR Governments solution actually offers accelerated multimedia sharing, geospatial data, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration.

Remote Health Solutions has even integrated a virtual exam room in this device, which makes it great for secure telemedicine capabilities. Tomahawk Robotics, for example, integrated its universal command and control software in this phone.

DeX is included, as well as Wi-Fi 6, and a ton of other goodies

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition also comes with Samsung DeX, and in-vehicle DeX capabilities. It also supports multiple carrier networks, private 5G SIMs, Wi-Fi 6, and CBRS.

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Whoever uses it can access GoTennas mesh network for off-grid mobile connectivity. Oceus Networks Secure Mobile Device Platform offers a suite of apps that enable the capture of environmental metrics, and sensor data.

The phone also comes with support for dual-tunnel VPN, data-in-transit, and data-at-rest protection. Viasats Mobile Dynamic Defense (MDD) solution provides cyber protection and works in places where theres no network available.

On top of everything, the company also partnered with Juggernaut Case and Kagwerks to make ruggedized military-grade cases and mounts for this smartphone.
Omotayo Adanlawo

A primary school teacher, Omotayo Adanlawo has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Ondo States High Court in Akure for raping a 10-year-old girl after using N50 to lure her.

According to OSRC, the convict had on August 28, 2018, committed the offence in the family house of the victim and threatened her not to tell anyone or she will die.

However, after a few weeks, the girl began to complain of stomach pains and could not also walk properly. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital where a test confirmed that she had been raped.

The victim later opened up and explained that Adanlawo, who also attends the same church with her father, forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.
New Zealanders face an anxious wait on Friday to find out whether three days of coronavirus restrictions will be extended, with 12 new cases reported in the past 24 hours.

Jacinda Ardern and her cabinet will meet at 1pm (AEST) to discuss the restrictions and the Prime Minister is due to announce the decision at a 3.30pm (AEST) press conference.

It's expected that New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, will remain in stage three lockdown while the rest of country could maintain stage two restrictions.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has announced a new three-day lockdown for Auckland. Credit:Getty Images

The country has a total of 48 active cases.
Twelve out of 19 people suffering from meningitis in the southern Spanish province of Seville have tested positive for Nile fever, with the remaining seven samples still pending results, the regional government of Andalusia said today..

Seventeen of the 19 cases tested are hospitalised, with seven people currently in intensive care.

Nile fever is transmitted by mosquito bites, prompting regional authorities in Andalusia to recommend people install mosquito nets and screens in their homes.

The West Nile fever virus produces only mild flu-like symptoms in most cases. However, in a small percentage of cases, it can lead to serious complications such as inflammation of the brain and spinal cord with potentially fatal consequences.

Originally from Africa, the disease has spread in Europe, Asia and North America. Several cases have been spotted in Spain over the past decade.

The virus belongs to the same strand as the Zika virus, which caused outbreaks in North and South America in 2015 and 2018.

Greece has reported 10 cases of Nile fever and one death so far this summer, while Romania has reported 2 cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Control.

The spate of Nile fever in Seville has occurred just as Spain grapples with one of the severest COVID-19 epidemics in Europe with more than 320,000 diagnosed cases and more than 28,000 deaths so far.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin believes a "landing zone" is emerging for a free trade deal between the EU and the UK after Brexit.

Speaking after his first meeting with UK prime minister Boris Johnson, the Taoiseach said there is a will on both sides to reach an agreement as the Brexit deadline fast approaches.

"I think where there's a will, there's a way. It seems to me that there is a landing zone if that will is there on both sides, and I think it is," Mr Martin said.

"My own gut instinct is that there's a shared understanding that we don't need another shock to the economic system that a no-deal Brexit would give, or a sub-optimal trade deal would give, to our respective economies."

Mr Martin said he and Mr Johnson agreed it is "absolutely essential" that a free trade agreement be reached between the EU and UK.

The Taoiseach said Ireland and the UK must develop a strong relationship after Brexit and invest in shared projects on the island of Ireland.

"The last thing we all need now is a second significant systemic shock to our systems, to our economic systems, and that's what a no-deal Brexit would present on top of or alongside Covid," Mr Martin said.

"So I did take from that a genuine view that a comprehensive free trade agreement was in the best interest of all concerned, and that the British government was sincerely seeking such an outcome."

The two leaders met in Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, for the first time, after a meeting planned for last week was cancelled due to the death of former SDLP leader John Hume.

Friendship

Speaking ahead of their meeting, Mr Johnson said he wanted to develop relationships "all sorts of ways - east-west, north-south - you name it".

"I had the honour of meeting the Taoiseach several years ago," Mr Johnson said.

"I am very pleased to develop our friendship and relationship now."

Mr Martin and Mr Johnson had a detailed discussion on Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and UK government plans to celebrate 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland.

Before he arrived, Mr Johnson announced plans to establish a Centenary Forum and Centenary Historical Advisory Panel to work alongside his government to mark the centenary.

Mr Martin said he has never been an advocate for partition, but said people can learn from the comm- emorations of Northern Ireland.

"No one party owns history, no one political party does, no one tradition does," Mr Martin said.

"The challenge for us really is can we organise centenary commemorations in a way that is as inclusive as possible, as respectful as possible of different traditions, but done in a way that brings new insights into what actually transpired 100 years ago.

"That's the spirit within which I and, I think, the British prime minister wholeheartedly agreed.

"That's the spirit within which we should proceed and create a new shared understanding of how we've got to where we've got to today, 100 years on."
MINSK -- Several thousand protesters gathered in front of the main government building in the Belarusian capital to demand a recount of the countrys disputed August 9 election, which handed strongman President Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term and sparked nationwide protests that have been brutally put down by security forces.

The spontaneous August 14 march was led by workers from the Minsk Tractor Works, one of numerous plants around the country where workers have walked off the job. Drivers in passing cars honked their horns in support, and there were few signs of police or security forces.

The demonstration was later joined by railway workers and others. Unverified reports put the number of protesters at as high as 20,000.

Demonstrators demanded that the August 9 election be invalidated, that a new election be held under a new Central Election Commission, and that all political prisoners currently in custody be released.

Security forces told demonstrators that if the protest is peaceful, no force will be used and warned them not to allow any provocations.

After about four hours, the demonstrators dispersed, chanting Every day! to indicate their intention to continue pressing their demands.

The united campaign headquarters of the opposition has called for peaceful demonstrations in cities across the country on August 15 and 16. During a televised meeting with government officials, Lukashenka urged Belarusians not to attend protests, claiming that the opposition wanted to use you and your children as cannon fodder.

He added the accusation that the protests were being organized by foreigners from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Russia.

In remarks on the growing work stoppages earlier in the day, Lukashenka said if the strikes continued, the workers "will not be able to feed" their families.

His remarks televised on August 14 came amid reports that Prime Minister Raman Halouchanka had met face-to-face with striking workers at two major industrial plants in Minsk.

In one of the latest work stoppages, thousands of workers at the Hrodna Azot chemical plant in the western Belarusian city of Hrodna walked off the job and met plant administrators and city authorities.

The workers held up posters, saying "We demand Lukashenka's resignation," "We did not elect him," and "Our votes have been stolen."

WATCH: Strikes Add Momentum To Wave Of Election Protests In Belarus

Hrodna Mayor Mechyslau Hoy, and the plant's director, Ihar Babyr, were at the meeting, where independent labor-union representatives and workers condemned the ongoing crackdown on protesters across the country.

Lukashenka, in power since 1994, was declared the winner of the August 9 poll with some 80 percent of the vote. Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who drew crowds in the thousands at campaign rallies across the country and who has since left Belarus for Lithuania since the vote, finished a distant second with just under 10 percent.

The United States and European Union criticized the vote and condemned the postelection crackdown, as have NGOs like Amnesty International.

On August 13, workers of the BelAZ plant in the city of Zhodzina near Minsk, which manufactures trucks and other construction vehicles and equipment, walked off the job, demanding new presidential election.

Managers of BelAZ, one of the largest industrial facilities in the former Soviet Union, met with the workers in the evening on August 13. No members of the media were allowed to attend that gathering.

One of the plant's employees, a technician who requested his name not be mentioned, told RFE/RL that the workers had put forward four demands: the resignation of Lukashenka and his government, an immediate halt to police violence against protesters, the release of all political prisoners and thousands of protesters detained during the last several days, and the holding a new presidential election with all candidates who had been barred from the recent poll.

According to the employee, the workers warned that they will go on strike if their demands are not handed over to the leadership of the plant by 3 p.m. on August 17.

After the BelAZ workers' protest, Zhodzina city Mayor Dzmitry Zablotski announced a meeting with the workers and other city residents near a shopping mall in downtown Zhodzina in the evening that same day, which was attended by thousands of people.

The workers and other residents demanded Zablotski's resignation after he admitted in front of the people that he was aware of the mass arrests of protesters in the city.

People started chanting "Go away!" and Zablotski left the podium.

A doctor from a local hospital said at the meeting that every day "people with terrible injuries are being brought to us," adding that she had "never seen such injuries in my life."

People at the meeting carried out an impromptu poll with a majority raising their hand to indicate they had voted for Tsikhanouskaya.

Media reports say thousands of workers at more than 20 other industrial facilities and organizations across Belarus are on strike or are about to.

The information has not been officially confirmed, while at some facilities workers said vital part of plants and factories continue to operate.

Meanwhile, Lukashenka, in a televised report on August 14, said that strikes at plants and factories could negatively affect the future of the affected industrial complexes.

"If you want, go on strike, if you want to work, work...Yes, you can walk on the street [to join the protesters]. There are thousands of them. You can join, walk around with them. But even if they give you money, it will last only for two daysand then what? Lukashenka said in a statement.

The 65-year-old authoritarian leader, who is facing the greatest challenge to his 26-year rule, stressed that he is in the country and did not flee, "as our informed ones insist."

His comments came as Halouchanka on August 14 visited the Minsk Tractor Works and MAZ truck-manufacturing plant in the Belarusian capital, to talk to the striking workers.

No further details were immediately available on the outcome of those discussions.

With reporting by Nasha Niva and Tut.by
Walmart's e-commerce platform Flipkart has partnered with a startup backed by spirits giant Diageo to deliver alcohol in two Indian cities, according to government letters seen by Reuters, months after Amazon planned a similar foray.

Flipkart and Amazon's interest in delivering alcohol in India marks a bold move to make inroads into an alcohol market that is worth $27.2 billion, according to estimates by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

The local governments of eastern West Bengal and Odisha states have said that Flipkart can be associated as a technology service provider of Diageo-backed HipBar, an Indian alcohol home delivery mobile application.

Flipkart's customers will be allowed to access HipBar's application on the e-commerce giant's platforms, according to the letters, which have not previously been reported.

Under the arrangement, Flipkart customers will be able to place orders for their favourite tipple, which HipBar will then deliver after collecting products from retail outlets, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

HipBar, 26% owned by Diageo India, and Flipkart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In June, Reuters reported that Amazon had secured clearance to deliver alcohol in West Bengal, signalling the U.S. e-commerce giant's foray into the sector.

West Bengal is India's fourth most populous state, with a population of more than 90 million people, while Odisha's population is more than 41 million. Some states in India, like Gujarat in the west, prohibit alcohol retail.

India's top two food-delivery startups, Swiggy and Zomato, have also started delivering alcohol in some cities, as companies look to cash in on the high demand for booze from people staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amazon on Friday also said it will launch an online pharmacy in India that will serve the southern city of Bengaluru.

Shoppers in India are increasingly going online to buy everything from groceries to electronics during the pandemic.Also read: Mukesh Ambani plans to set up 'family council' to hand over reins of Reliance Industries to 3 children
As exports have been stagnant because of the pandemic, catfish companies are experiencing tough days, anticipating big losses in 2020, reported CafeF.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), catfish is one of the seafood items that has suffered most, with export turnover decreasing by 31 percent in the first half of the year.





Cuu Long An Giang Seafood Import/Export reported a sharp fall of 93 percent in net profit in Q2 compared with the same period last year to VND4 billion. The exporter made a modest profit of VND5 billion only in H1, while the figure was VND113 billion in H1 2019.



Meanwhile, Vinh Hoan JSC (VHC) saw the Q2 profit halving to VND218 billion ($9.2 million). Its H1 profit also halved to VND368 million as it could implement 35 percent of the yearly business plan.



Vinh Hoan is seeking solutions to increase profits through value chains. In addition to the export of traditional catfish products, the company strives to increase revenue from fish fat and fish paste by 20 percent this year. It is expected that the sales of collagen and gelatin products will increase by 60 percent as new factories have been put into operation.



Mekong Seafood (AAM) took a loss of VND595 million in Q2 as its export turnover halved compared with the same period last year. The H1 profit was modest, just VND71 million, far below the targeted profit of VND8 billion this year.



According to Vo Dong Duc, chair of Caseamex, the seafood industry in 2020 bears the dual impact from Covid-19 and natural calamities (climate change, drought and saline intrusion).



After reaching its peak in 2018, the catfish price has been sliding, causing both farmers and businesses to suffer.



Tien Phong in late July reported that the catfish price had been hovering around VND18,000-18,500 per kilogram over the last 1.5 years, with which farmers took a loss of VND3,500 per kilogram.



While catfish breeders were sold at VND21,000-22,000 per kilogram, the production cost was VND30,000.



Since the catfish exports have dropped dramatically because major markets have shrunk, catfish companies have been trying to conquer the home market.



Nam Viet Group, with 1,100 hectares of catfish farming area, can provide 200,000 tones of catfish a year. Its export revenue in Q2 was VND399 billion, just 50 percent of the same period last year, while the profit dropped by 79 percent to VND32 billion, the lowest level since 2017.



However, its domestic sales increased sharply by 113 percent, reaching VND485 billion. This was the first time that domestic sales exceeded export turnover.



The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) believes that if the domestic market consumes 10-20 percent of catfish output, this would be enough to help ease pressure on farmers and seafood companies.

Translated by Kim Chi

Exporters worried as catfish exports to major markets drop Exporters are mulling plans on how to increase shipments to the US and China after Covid-19 ends.
14 August 2020

Disclosure through the National Storage Mechanism

Pursuant to the Listing Rules LR 14.3.11AR to LR 14.3.11DR approved by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom, Public Joint Stock Company Acron (Moscow Exchange and LSE: AKRN) uploaded to the National Storage Mechanism the Prospectus for Global Depositary Receipts of Joint Stock Company Acron listed at the London Stock Exchange since 2008, and Acron's Charter as amended.

Mediacontacts:

Sergey Dorofeev

Anastasiya Gromova

Tatiana Smirnova

Public Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196)

Investor contacts:

Ilya Popov

Investor Relations

Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252)

Background Information

Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It has a wholly owned transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic seaport terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron's subsidiary, North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP), holds mining leases and an exploration permit for ten parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe.

In 2019, the Group sold 7.6 million tonnes of main products to 78 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe and the United States as key markets.

In 2019, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 114,835 million (USD 1,774 million) and net profit of RUB 24,786 million (USD 383 million). Acron's shares are on the Level 1 quotation list of the Moscow Exchange and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs around 11,000 people.

For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has restated his commitment to strengthening the country's decentralisation process.

"It is only through decentralisation that we can see true progress in the country," former President Mahama stated on Thursday at a meeting with the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOSAG) in Accra.

A statement issued by Mr James Agyemin-Boateng, the Spokesman of the NDC Campaign, and copied to the Ghana News Agency quoted the former President as saying it was important to put the destiny of development in the hands of the people; adding without that we cannot progress as a country.

Mr Mahama said the progress made in decentralisation had been rolled back in the last three and a half years alleging that government had assisted in the hijacking of the work of the civil and local government service by political assistants.

---GNA
The Senate adjourned on Thursday until September 8, the day after Labor Day, without reaching a deal for the next round of coronavirus relief legislation.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated that Democrats would pare down their $3 trillion relief bill to $2 trillion if Republicans were willing to compromise and boost their $1 trillion bill up to $2 trillion.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that if lawmakers reach an agreement while the Senate is adjourned, they will come back to Washington to vote on a relief package.

The expanded unemployment benefits Congress passed in March when lockdown measures were first implemented expired at the end of July, leaving millions of Americans who were thrown out of work without the extra $600 a week the CARES Act provided. Democrats have pushed for extending the increased benefits, while Republicans have argued that they should be lowered, noting that some workers are receiving more in jobless benefits than they were making at work.

Another sticking point is funding for the flailing Post Office, which President Trump said Thursday that he is blocking because Democrats want it to bolster universal mail-in voting, which Trump has said would be a breeding ground for election fraud.

Democratic lawmakers want $25 billion in funding for the Post Office as well as $3.5 billion for mail-in ballots, Trump said.

Now, they need that money in order to have the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, the president said. Those are just two items, but if they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting, because theyre not equipped to have it.

Other economic relief measures have also expired, including a federal eviction moratorium.

Over the weekend, Trump took several executive actions intended to provide economic relief for Americans in the absence of a legislative solution from Congress, a move that sparked criticism from at least one Republican, Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska.

Story continues

Sasse was the first Republican to criticize the presidents executive orders on coronavirus relief, calling them unconstitutional slop. The orders, which came after negotiations between lawmakers stalled, included extending the expanded unemployment benefits Congress approved in March, deferring payroll taxes, as well as providing rent and student loan payment assistance.

More from National Review
Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was removed on Tuesday as the vice chancellor of the University of Lagos by the governing council of the institution, has asked a senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, to challenge his purported removal in court.

In a letter to Mr Ozekhome on Thursday, Mr Ogundipe said his removal did not follow due process and that the council violated the universitys establishment law in its action.

There is no love lost between Mr Ogundipe and the councils chairman, Wale Babalakin, in a fractious relationship that dated back to last year.

But the crisis reached a head on Wednesday when the council after an emergency meeting in Abuja announced the sack of Mr Ogundipe for alleged gross misconduct.

Hours later, the council announced the appointment of Theophilus Soyombo, a professor of social sciences, as interim vice-chancellor.

Mr Ogundipe fired back, dismissing his purported removal as a mischievous disinformation, arguing that the extant provisions of the law were not complied with by the council in the decision.

The action of the governing council appears at odds with the law of the university. Only the Nigerian president, who is the visitor to the university, can remove a vice-chancellor after due consultation with the governing council and senate of the university.

The Federal Ministry of Education, which is the intermediary between the president and the university, also said it had not been briefed.

Mr Ogundipe, who became vice-chancellor in 2017, took the first step to seeking legal redress in the letter he wrote to Mr Ozekhome, Punch reported.

I hereby formally brief you to institute legal proceedings against the council, pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, and others based on their illegal and unconstitutional act of purportedly removing me from office as the vice chancellor of the University of Lagos.

I honestly believe that this action was carried out without due process and contrary to the universitys Act and other extant laws governing discipline, suspension and removal of the vice chancellor of the university, Mr Ogundipe, whose tenure should have ended in 2022, wrote.

Senate rejects removal

Meanwhile, the universitys senate has also pulled their weight behind Mr Ogundipe, rejecting the appointment of Mr Soyombo as acting vice-chancellor.

The top academicism decision-making body of the institution on Thursday passed a vote of no confidence in the Babalakin-led governing council.

Due process was not followed in the purported appointment of the acting vice chancellor as the Senate was neither informed nor invited to forward its recommendation to council, Punch reported.

Its functions and its powers have been completely appropriated by the Council in breach of the law.

Senate resolved to reaffirm its confidence in Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, the statement said.

The statement was signed by the Senate chairman, Chioma Agomo, and five other members: Dele Olowokudejo, Oluwole Atoyebi, Folasade Akinsola, Lucian Chukwu and Ayodele Atsenuwa.

Unions kick against removal

Also, staff unions of the university after a solidarity march with the embattled vice chancellor on Thursday asked the council to rescind its decision on Mr Ogundipe.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, and Non-Academic Staff Union  called on the ministry of education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene in the crisis.

Our unions are using this medium to call on the Minister of Education and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission to stop this charade and lawlessness being perpetrated by the Dr Wale Babalakin-led University of Lagos Council given its potentials for causing disharmony and industrial instability in the University of Lagos, they said in a joint statement.

Mr Ogundipe, who participated in the procession from the Senate building to the schools main gate, said he remained the vice-chancellor and called for peace.

I remain dedicated to UNILAG. We are all builders and have all invested so much into this great university. I have been here for 30 years in different capacities.

Lets wait for the directives from the government. I remain a functional member of the union; we are enjoying peace here, lets remain peaceful, he said.

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Meanwhile, a coalition under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Societies for Probity and Good Governance has called on the council to make public the findings of the probe it cited for the sacking of Mr Ogundipe.
Hello Meredith,

A year ago I met a man who was an exchange student in Mexico, the country where I'm from. We met online and we dated for more than two weeks while he was in my city. We had a nice connection and we did many things together. We cooked, read, and even traveled together. When he went home I thought it was over, but we continued to text and he would call me every day. Not only about random things, but romantic things. That lasted for five months. I felt so connected to him and we both said we were sad about the distance and made plans for me to visit in December.

Starting December, when my trip was close, he started to change his attitude toward me, like he was trying to pull away and start reducing the contact. We talked about it and he said it was nothing and that he wanted to see me. Once I was there, he treated me as he did in Mexico and it was wonderful, but before my vacation finished we had a serious talk where he told me he didn't want to be in a relationship with me because he hates long-distance relationships. He said he just wanted to be my friend because he likes me and I was "special" to him. Of course it broke my heart because I was in love with him and he knew it. But he explained that during the last month we were apart, he worked on killing the romantic feelings he had for me.

When I came back to Mexico, he was still sending me cute messages and photos of things we enjoyed together. At first I was avoiding him because of the way he made me feel, but after some time I started to reply his messages thinking that he had changed his mind. Then all of a sudden he stopped replying back and even ghosted me. The last thing I knew about him was that he started a new relationship. We don't talk but we still follow each other on social media. I avoid him completely now, but he still sees my status and stories. Why is he still paying attention?

- Attention
During a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Zelensky, Israels Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel would complete the ratification of the free trade agreement with Ukraine soon.

Benjamin Netanyahu said that his government would soon complete ratification of the Israel-Ukraine Free Trade Area Agreement. Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed this long-awaited step, the press service of the Head of State informs.

During the conversation, the parties also discussed enhancing trade cooperation between Ukraine and Israel.

Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is working to grant Passover, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hashanah holidays the official status.

President of Ukraine invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pay a visit to Ukraine. In response, the head of the Israeli government said that he would be glad to see the head of the Ukrainian state on a visit to Israel, the statement reads.

As reported, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on June 16 that the Israeli Knesset (parliament) plans to ratify a free trade agreement with Ukraine in the coming weeks.

The Israel-Ukraine Free Trade Area Agreement was concluded on January 21, 2019. The Ukrainian side completed the ratification procedure on August 6, 2019.

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The Lok Janshakti Party may withdraw its support to the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, its sources said on Friday after the party accused senior Janaat Dal-United leader Lalan Singh of "insulting" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

LJP chief Chirag Paswan met Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda on Thursday and discussed the matter among other issues, they said.

Paswan has called a meeting of party leaders at party's Patna office on Saturday over the issue, they said.

Lalan Singh had recently taken a swipe at Paswan, saying that like Kalidas he was cutting the branch of a tree on which he was sitting.

The LJP has said Singh's dig was aimed at a tweet of Paswan in which the party president had lauded Modi for his call to several chief ministers, including Kumar, to ramp up COVID-19 tests.

"Lalan Singh has insulted the prime minister. We may withdraw our support from the Nitish Kumar government," a LJP leader said.

The LJP has two MLAs in the 243-member Bihar assembly.

Even if it withdraws the support, it will make no material difference to the government but the development highlights worsening of the ties between the two BJP allies in the state.




MDC Alliance is defiant of the rule of law and bent on abusing court processes, a High Court judge found when dismissing the urgent bid by 14 legislators to stop MDC-T from replacing them in Parliament following their recall.





The 14 contested the 2018 harmonised elections on the MDC Alliance ticket. But the legal position is that the MDC-A was an electoral bloc formed by seven political parties in August 2017 to contest the 2018 harmonised elections with three of these parties being splinter groups from the original MDC. Thus any of the seven parties has the legal right under the Constitution to recall and replace those it nominated on the combined bloc list.





The MDC-T was the largest party in the MDC-A bloc, but the Supreme Court has found after a civil action that changes in the leadership since 2014 were not in accordance with the partys own rules and nullified those changes, which included the elevation of Advocate Nelson Chamisa to MDC-T leadership. That meant that the MDC-T leadership of 2014 now runs the party and it is this leadership which is informing the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate that certain members of the MDC-A bloc no longer represent their nominating party.





The two presiding officers then, in light of previous court judgments, have no discretion and simply have to declare the seats vacant. Once they have informed the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, that body again has no discretion, but to start the process of having the seats filled.





The MDC-A has continually argued that it is a political party that replaced its the parties that came together, and that therefore those who were elected on its ticket belong to the MDC-A, not the original parties. But the MDC-A has been unable to persuade the courts.





Bacilia Majaya, Mucharairwa Mugidho, Annah Nyambo and Nomathemba Ndhlovu were all members of the National Assembly while Senators Gideon Shoko, Helen Zivira, Tapfumanei Wunganai, Meliwe Phuti, Phylis Ndlovu, Herbert Sinamapande, Keresencia Chabuka and Siphiwa Ncube were elected in July 2018 through proportional representation.





They lost their seats in June this year, in terms of section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution, which empowers a political party to expel a member occupying a seat in Parliament as its representative in the event that the member ceases to be its member. They are challenging the validity of their expulsion from Parliament in terms of the cited provisions, saying they were elected on an MDC-A ticket and have nothing any more to do with the MDC-T.





But while that case gradually ascends the civil list to a court hearing, they were seeking a provisional order declaring their expulsion by MDC-T null and void, or at least to stop the process of filling their seats until the main case is decided.





But Justice Pisirayi Kwenda threw out their urgent chamber applications after they failed to prove that their recalls were unlawful. His judgment was based on his interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling and other undisputed evidence placed before the court.





The Supreme Court ruling early this year declared Mr Chamisa an illegitimate leader of the main opposition party and restored Dr Thokozani Khupe as interim leader of all of the MDC-T until an extraordinary congress was convened to elect new leadership.





The expelled legislators, however, stuck to the Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.





In this regard, the judge found the legislators were in defiance of the Supreme Court order and the rule of law.





They seem to be bent on enlisting the company of the High Court in circumventing the Supreme Court judgment, ruled Justice Kwenda.





The judge disagreed with the parliamentarians argument, describing reliance on the Supreme Court judgment as a fallacy, saying this was regrettable.





It is trite that the High Court cannot overturn a Supreme Court judgment. The legal profession derives its relevance from the application of the rule of law of which constitutionalism is the cornerstone. Jurisprudentially, Supreme Court judgments are collectively a source of law, he said.





Justice Kwenda also found that the MDC-A legislators had a burden to prove, not only that they had contested their expulsion from Parliament, but also that their recalls by MDC-T were prima facie unlawful or that, on the face of it, the impugned declarations do not meet the requirements set out in section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.





In my view Section 129(1)(k) creates the rights for a political party to recall a member who is in Parliament as its representative when the member ceases to be its member, he said.





The judge also said the pending applications on the same issue were also unlikely to succeed.





In their applications, the 14 argued that notwithstanding the Supreme Court judgment, which resolved the MDC leadership dispute, they did not belong to the MDC-T. They also wanted a provisional order declaring that MDC-T had no right to nominate persons to replace them in Parliament at all until the case, in which they are challenging the recalls, is decided.





The Constitution requires that once vacancies arise in Parliament, they must be filled within 90 days.





In opposing the two applications, MDC-T argued that the 14 ceased to be its members in June this year, insisting that the declarations it issued were and remained valid because they meet all the requirements set in the law.





The Speaker of National Assembly, Senate President and ZEC argued that they did not expel the legislators from Parliament, arguing that they had no quasi-judicial power to either approve or disapprove the expulsion of the legislators from Parliament by MDC-T.




Circuit Court Judge Justin Angel has sided with Bryan College in a lawsuit in which the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) claimed that Bryan had wrongfully taken control of its $6 million Fort Bluff Camp in 2016.

Judge Angel said the suit by NACA was filed too late and some necessary parties were not sued.

NACA is asking the judge to allow it to appeal his ruling to the Tennessee Court of Appeals in hopes the case will get a full hearing.

Some Bryan officials, including then-president Steven Livesay, joined the NACA board after it was going through difficulties following the arrest of its founder for sexual battery.
A sign is seen at an AstraZeneca site in Macclesfield

By Raul Cortes and Daina Beth Solomon

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Production of 400 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for Latin America could begin early next year, an executive for pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc said on Thursday, as the region's coronavirus death toll stands at nearly 230,000.

In partnership with the Mexican and Argentinean governments, AstraZeneca plans to initially produce 150 million doses, and eventually make at least 400 million for distribution throughout the region, said Sylvia Varela, head of AstraZeneca Mexico.

Home to some 650 million people, Latin America has registered the world's highest tallies for coronavirus cases and deaths, with Brazil and Mexico trailing only the United States in record numbers of fatalities.

"We'll be prioritizing the vulnerable populations," Varela said at the Mexican president's daily news conference, noting that the pricing, while still not final, was not expected to exceed $4 per dose. That could bring the cost of the first 150 million doses to $600 million.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hailed the agreement as "good news" for Mexico, and said the vaccine would be distributed without cost in the country, which ranks third worldwide in number of fatalities.

Lopez Obrador said he expected the country to still be suffering from the pandemic by the time the vaccine goes into production.

Argentina's president flagged the agreement with Mexico and AstraZeneca, Britain's second-largest drugmaker, on Wednesday, noting that the initial supply is meant to reach all Latin America except Brazil.

Brazil earlier this month committed $355 million to purchase and produce the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Mexico-Argentina plan, whose cost is unclear, has significant funding from the foundation of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. A spokesman declined to give a sum.

Varela said Phase III trials taking place in the United States, South Africa, England and Brazil were expected to conclude by November or December, after which the company would seek government approvals.

Story continues

If granted, the company would then transfer technology to Argentina's INSUD Group and Mexico's Laboratorios Liomont at the end of the year, and begin manufacturing in the first quarter of 2021, she said.

The active substance in the vaccine would be made in Argentina and sent to Mexico to be completed for distribution, Varela said.

(Reporting by Raul Cortes and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Dave Graham, Steve Orlofsky and Jonathan Oatis)
Thursday night marked the midway point in the three-year-old trotting filly Gold Series season and it was a pair of first-time Ontario Sires Stakes winners who emerged from the fray at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

In the opening $108,000 division Trina hustled away from Post 10 behind division point leader Warrawee Vicky and followed that filly through the fractions of :26.4, :55.3 and 1:24.3 rung up by pacesetter GP Dreamin. When Doug McNair swung Warrawee Vicky into the outer lane around the final turn, Robert Shepherd and Trina were hot on their heels and soon overtaking the two-time Gold winners. Down the stretch Trina opened up a three and three-quarter length margin on her peers, trotting under the wire in 1:53.4. Warrawee Vicky finished second and She Rocks Kemp closed well to be third.

Shep gave her a great drive. He didnt give up the three-hole and it was just a perfect drive for her, said trainer Blake MacIntosh of St. George, ON. I was really worried about the 10-hole because she can get real grabby on the gate, and then she wants to leave a thousand miles out of there. Thats why we opened her up a little bit, just to try and keep her a little calmer, and it seemed to help her a lot. And Shep did a great job getting her out right behind Dougie (McNair) and sitting in the three-hole the whole way. Not a lot of guys can get them away well out of the ten-hole, trailing.

MacIntosh made the switch from a blind bridle to Swedish blinds after Trina delivered a lacklustre performance in an Aug. 6 overnight at Woodbine Mohawk Park. That effort came as a surprise to the trainer and his co-owners Stan Klemencic and 30 Plus Stable of Trenton, ON, because the Muscle Mass daughter had finished second in the track, Ontario Sires Stakes and Canadian record mile recorded by P L Notsonice in the July 26 Gold leg at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

She qualified great, both times (July 14 and 21), we took her up to Ottawa and she finished second in that record mile up there and last week we raced her in non-winners of two and she just had no fire, she just had nothing, said MacIntosh. Im not too sure what happened, we pulled her blood, but everything came back good, she just had nothing, so we were really concerned about it.

Thursdays victory, a personal best, certainly allayed her owners concerns. The win was Trinas first for the group, who offered up $59,000 for the filly at last falls Harrisburg Mixed Sale, her first win of 2020 and her first in Ontario Sires Stakes action.

In the second $108,000 division driver Louis-Philippe Roy rolled Royalty Deal away from Post 6 and landed in second behind Talahasse Seelster as that filly rang up a :27.4 opening fraction. Roy and Royalty Deal continued to sit behind Talahasse Seelster heading by the :56 half, but had stepped into the outer lane by the 1:24.4 three-quarters. Royalty Deal found another gear in the stretch and was able to keep a neck in front of Magic Cape at the 1:53.4 finish. Modern Mass completed the top three.

I didnt know much about how the filly was until Clark (Beelby) told me before the race that she could be aggressive on the track. I just made sure she stayed quiet during the post parade and going on the gate, and then everything developed for her, said Roy. Shes a big and fast filly.

Roy engineered the win for trainer Clark Beelby and owners Coyote Wynd Farms of Vancouver, BC, who purchased the daughter of Royalty For Life and Cha Cha Glide for $50,000 at the 2018 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale from breeder Stan Klemencic, giving the Trenton, ON resident an interest in both division winners.

Thursdays appearance was Royalty Deals first in the Ontario Sires Stakes program. The filly made just one start at two and developed her skills in six starts against conditioned competition at Woodbine Mohawk Park this season before joining the Gold Series fillies for Thursdays third leg.

The three-year-old trotting fillies will make their fourth Gold Series start at Flamboro Downs on Sept. 27.

Ontario Sires Stakes action continues at the Milton oval on Friday, Aug. 14 with five Grassroots divisions for the two-year-old pacing fillies. The fillies open the program at 7 pm and will also compete in Races 4, 6, 8 and 9.

(OSS)

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Sofia Richie has been keeping her distance from on-and-off beau Scott Disick, 37, while living out her summer fantasies with friends in Malibu.

And the 21-year-old model looked ready for a night on the town in a stunning self-portrait uploaded to her Instagram on Thursday evening.

For the photo, Richie rocked a black long sleeved crop top and a faux leather midi skirt that showed off her enviably toned abdominals.

Stunning: Sofia Richie looked ready for a night on the town in a stunning self-portrait uploaded to her Instagram on Thursday evening

Sofia's golden hair, which was styled in a middle part, flowed about in the wind as she posed with her legs crossed and her hands on the hem of her shirt.

She appeared to be wearing little to no makeup, which made her glowing tan even more impressive.

The daughter of Lionel Richie accessorized her look with a pair of leopard loafers and a variety of silver bangles.

'Leave me here,' captioned Sofia on the post seen by her 6.4million followers.

Night out: Richie escaped her Malibu abode on Wednesday evening as she grabbed dinner with some of her closest female pals at Nobu restaurant

Designer gal: For the outing, she donned a $3,000 Louis Vuitton logo PJ top, which she layered over a cropped vest

Richie escaped her Malibu abode on Wednesday evening as she grabbed dinner with some of her closest female pals at Nobu restaurant.

For the outing, she donned a $3,000 Louis Vuitton logo PJ top, which she layered over a cropped vest.

She paired the designer shirt with a pair of color-blocked denim jeans and some slip on sandals.

Sofia adhered to California's mandatory mask mandate by donning a mask over her mouth and nose as she made her way in and out of the popular restaurant.

Bikini babe: On Monday, Richie flaunted her gorgeous figure as she lounged around in a stunning white bikini and a pair of 'moon boots'

On Monday, Richie flaunted her gorgeous figure as she lounged around in a stunning white bikini and a pair of 'moon boots.'

She paired the two-piece with a sheer white button-down blouse with a pastel design, which she wore open.

She finished the ensemble with some gold chain necklaces, as she got comfortable on a brown corduroy couch.

Richie rested her boots on a coffee table, captioning the photos: 'Keep your feet off the furniture.'

Comfort chic: She paired the two-piece with a sheer white button-down blouse with a pastel design, which she wore open

Nice boots: Richie rested her boots on a coffee table, captioning the photos: 'Keep your feet off the furniture'

Sofia shocked fans on the Fourth Of July when she was spotted with ex Scott Disick for the first time since their split in May.

Despite attempting to rekindle their romance, Us Weekly reported earlier this month that Scott and Sofia 'have simmered down a little' in recent weeks.

'Their relationship has taken a bit of a backseat and it's not either of their main priorities right now.'

A source close to the situation also alleged to the outlet that 'Scott has been making a big effort to refocus on himself and his family.'

Disick shares three children: Mason, 10, Penelope, eight, and Reign, five, with his ex Kourtney Kardashian, 41.
SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass.

Aug. 13, 2020

Vincent Strully

Michael Dukakis

Massachusetts

$30,000

$1 million

Nov. 20

John Kim

the United States

New England University

Southborough, MA

Abu Dhabi

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The New England Center for Children (NECC), a global leader in education and research for children with autism, announced today its 45th anniversary and the kick-off of a year celebrating the breadth and depth of its impact. Founded in 1975, NECC has served more than 13,500 children with autism and their families."When we founded NECC 45 years ago, our vision was a world where autism is not a barrier to happiness, growth and independence," said, Founder and CEO of The New England Center for Children. "From humble beginnings, NECC has grown into the pre-eminent institution for autism education, research and training. We have created a global network of educators, researchers and innovative technology that transforms the lives of children with autism."Throughout NECC's long history, their community of teachers, parents and researchers have worked with each child with extraordinary focus and sophistication to foster his or her independence and maximize skills. All teaching is based on the proven scientific principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which identifies how children learn and what motivates their behavior."The New England Center for Children provides the highest caliber of services in the nation to children with autism," said, NECC Board Member and former Governor of. "NECC's standards are high because their challenge is monumental. They are committed to excellence in everything they do  because those living with autism deserve nothing less."In 1975, Governor Dukakis provided astate grant to NECC. From this seed has grown an international leader in autism education where the lives of children from 18 months to 22 years of age are improved through education, research and technology.Celebrating the Past, Preparing for the FutureTo celebrate the 45th anniversary, NECC announced the annual Children of Promise gala, which last year raised a recordfor the Center, will be held virtually on. The COVID-19 pandemic will force the signature fundraising event to be live broadcast in 2020. The funds will support NECC's comprehensive autism education programs, teacher professional development, research, instructional technology, and vocational programming."The New England Center for Children is a special place whose mission of autism education and research is critically important," said, NECC Board Chair, former President of New York Life, and lead donor for the John and Diane Kim Autism Institute. "From day one, 45 years ago, to today, the builders and keepers of NECC remain the teachers and staff whose work dramatically impacts and improves the lives of thousands of children. From small steps to giant leaps, NECC marches forward to empower people living with autism."NECC's focus on education, technology, and ABA research drives their success in helping transform the lives of children with autism and their families. NECC research is conducted at the school and the results form a continuous feedback of best practice curriculum refinement. The research is also integrated into the Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia, or ACE ABA Software System, a cloud-based teaching system that includes more than 2,185 customizable lesson plans. The ACE ABA Software System is currently used by more than 7,555 students and teachers acrossand in 19 countries.Critical to NECC's success is the staff, nearly 1,300 highly committed and compassionate professionals. These include 184 Board Certified Behavior Analysts, 305 master's level educators, and 19 Ph.Ds. Since 1987, more than 1,550 employees have completed a master's degree onsite at NECC, at no charge, with partner colleges Westernand Simmons University. NECC staff have published 286 studies and given more than 2,440 research presentations at professional conferences around the world.About The New England Center for ChildrenThe New England Center for Children (NECC) is an award-winning autism education center and research institute. Our diverse community of teachers, researchers, and clinicians have transformed the lives of thousands of children with autism worldwide through education, research, and technology. The Center provides comprehensive services to maximize independence: home-based, day, and residential programs, partner classrooms in public school systems, consulting services, the ACE ABA Software System (http://www.acenecc.org), teacher professional development, and research on educational best practices.NECC is committed to staff professional development, partnering with local colleges to provide on-site graduate training and degrees at little to no cost to the NECC teacher. The result is a growing pool of exceptional teachers trained in best-in-class methodologies, whether they continue their careers at NECC or move on to public schools or private agencies. The New England Center for Children is based in, and operates a center in, UAE. Learn more at http://www.necc.org.SOURCE The New England Center for Children
The greatest classical guitarist of the twentieth century died today. I reviewed one of his New York solo recitals for the Daily News back in the Nineties, and have never forgotten how wonderful it was. Heres part of what I wrote.

* * *

Julian Bream, who gave a recital Tuesday at Alice Tully Hall, made his professional debut a half-century ago. When he started out, guitar recitals consisted of fluff: second-rate Spanish pieces, miscellaneous arrangements and transcriptions, encore-type lollipops. Today, classical guitarists have a huge repertoire of challenging music on which to draw, much of itincluding most of the best of iteither discovered or commissioned by Bream. No one since Andres Segovia has had so powerful an influence on guitar playing, and no one has played the guitar better.

Though Breams technique is no longer what it used to be, he remains a master interpreter, as well as an unsurpassed musical communicator. He offered a characteristic program Tuesday: suites by Bach and Visee, striking new works by Leo Brouwer and Toru Takemitsu (the first commissioned by Bream, the second dedicated to him), Isaac Albeniz ever-popular Suite Espanola. He chatted with the audience between pieces, introducing each one simply and memorably. Andmost importanthe played with a range of tone color and expressivity unrivaled by any other guitarist in the world.

* * *

Julian Bream plays the closing Passacaglia from Benjamin Brittens Nocturnal, which he commissioned, premiered, and recorded:
Former 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stated that she is ready to offer help when asked if she would accept a job offer in an administration led by Joe Biden.

Clinton stated at the 19th Represents Summit on Thursday, "I'm ready to help in any way I can," reported New York Post.

According to the former Secretary of State, she will establish a fundraiser for the Biden-Harris campaign and advocate for groups she believes could bolster voter turnout and infrastructure.

Clinton said in a conversation with 19th Washington correspondent Amanda Becker, "I'm ready to help in any way I can because I think this will be a moment where every American - I don't care what party you are, I don't care what age, race, gender, I don't care - every American should want to fix our country,'' reported Daily Caller.

''So if you're asked to serve, you should certainly consider that,'' she added, reported The BL.

On Tuesday, Clinton extended support for Biden's appointment of Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) as his running mate. She called the pair a momentous Democratic ticket.

In the conversation, part of The 19th Represents Summit, Clinton indicated that she will continue to fundraise for Democratic candidates online and in person. She is targetting on defending vote-by-mail and tackling what she labeled as a "hostile takeover" of the United States Postal Service courtesy of US President Donald Trump's administration.

Clinton's tenure was highly condemned by Republicans who were dubious over her overseeing of the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack and the controversy surrounding her private email server which afflicted her 2016 presidential campaign.

Also Read: US President Donald Trump's Space Force Launches Top-Secret Spy Satellites

Upon Biden's declaration of her selection of Harris as his running mate for the upcoming November election, Clinton, who offered support of the presumptive Biden administration, lauded his decision through a tweet.

She wrote on Twitter, ''I'm thrilled to welcome @KamalaHarris to a historic Democratic ticket. She's already proven herself to be an incredible public servant and leader. And I know she'll be a strong partner to @JoeBiden. Please join me in having her back and getting her elected.''

Clinton initially served alongside Biden in the Obama government when she was appointed as Secretary of State.

Earlier this 2020, she offered her recommendation of the former US Vice President. She stated, "I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president,'' reported Fox News.

Clinton formally endorsed Biden in his bid for the presidency in late April.

She condemned President Trump for executing a "hostile takeover" of the US Postal Service. She added that she is concerned that Trump will use the mail service as a tool in order to cast dubious concern on election results in case he loses.

According to Hillary Clinton, in support of Biden's potential administration, she is positive regarding his chances and affirmed that a higher voter turnout will diminish President Trump's chances of bastardizing the results.

"I have every reason to believe that Trump is not going to go silently into the night if he loses. He's going to try to confuse us. He's going to try to bring all kinds of lawsuits," she stated.

Related Article: Donald Trump Second Term Agenda Appears Unclear as He Refuses to Give Out Details

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Non-alcoholic beverages, specifically the kind served at celebrations and dinner parties, used to come off as somewhat uninspired. In terms of flavour, packaging design and branding, they often paled in comparison when positioned alongside their alcoholic counterparts.

Hanneli van der Merwe and her Chris Wium, founders and owners of Two Green Lemons

As an introduction, can you tell us a bit about your backgrounds prior to launching Two Green Lemons?

What is the Two Green Lemons business all about and what inspired its launch?

How has the business grown since its inception?

What made you decide to focus on non-alcoholic premium beverages specifically?

We have realised that consumers, especially the younger legal market is very focused on healthier options. People are more fickle about what they put in their bodies.

Two Green Lemons develops its own brands but it also assists other entrepreneurs with the development of their own beverage products. What made you decide on this dual focus?

From a business perspective weve seen that you need more than one stream of income. Having this development arm provides us with an additional stream of income with different margins than selling products.

Tell us more about your most recent brand, John Ross Virgin Distilled Botanicals. Whats the inspiration behind it and how exactly is it produced?

Are there any unique challenges that come with making a great-tasting non-alcoholic spirit?

You have to focus on creating something that really tastes good and gives the drinker an experience that is just as satisfying and special as with the alcoholic counterparts.

What impact has the Covid pandemic and lockdown had on the Two Green Lemons business?

Whats next for Two Green Lemons?

But the non-alcoholic segment has seen a shake-up in recent years and has truly come into its own, with compelling local offerings ranging from alcohol-free beers and ciders to virgin G&Ts, wines and botanical spirits."Non-alcoholic products are not about sugary drinks anymore, it is about sophisticated sipping," says Hanneli van der Merwe, co-founder of South African specialist beverage developer Two Green Lemons Van der Merwe and her business partner Chris Wium are the brains behind the successful Barker and Quin range of premium tonics and mixers. The entrepreneurs have since broadened their focus by creating an alcohol-free gin called John Ross Virgin Distilled, made from virgin distilled botanicals which are blended together to create a classic non-alcoholic gin, infused with honeybush tannin.In addition to its own beverage brands, Two Green Lemons assists prospective beverage entrepreneurs with the process of developing a unique, premium and marketable beverage. The focus here is on non-alcoholic beverages as well as the non-alcoholic elements of various ready-to-drink alcohol mixes.Here, Van der Merwe shares more on the Two Green Lemons business journey and the growing market for premium non-alcoholic beverages.We both used to work at a cork company that delivered premium natural corks to the wine industry. Chris was in the role of MD and I was the technical manager. That is where we met and started our business, Two Green Lemons Pty Ltd. Chris has 23 years experience in marketing and management, while I studied Oenology at Stellenbosch University and spent the better part of 11 years doing so.Two Green Lemons specialises in non-alcoholic beverages and our business was first inspired by answering the question from the gin community for a local premium tonic water. Premium in the sense that we produce using natural spring water, natural ingredients and package in glass.From the tonic water we built our business to evolve into more flavours of tonic water and also mixers. Lastly, we developed a non-alcoholic spirit that gives our customers the option to either pair with the outstanding gins of our colleagues in the industry or the option for the alternative non-alcoholic if so desired.Today our business has two main avenues:1. Our brands, Barker and Quin Tonic and John Ross Virgin Distilled, and2. Third party beverage development in the non-alcoholic space.Amazingly. We were quite surprised when we started. We have been growing 220% year on year across our products as well as in the development side of the business. There is a large market for non-alcoholic beverages.Interestingly, when we started in 2016 we read that one of the major players in the alcohol field said that alcohol is dead. It was a bit of a profound statement to make, however it is apparent that the non-alcoholic alternatives are appeasing across various brands.The world has started to be very strict about drinking and driving to such an extent that even in South Africa there will soon be zero tolerance.What is interesting is that while pregnant women and recovering alcoholics are fringe customers, our core customer is all about choosing a non-alcoholic lifestyle. They prefer clean living, are health-conscious, more often vegan and mostly fall into the age category of the millennials, however we are seeing a lot of serious CEOs form part of our customer base.This was a very natural progression for us. We got a lot of pull to help other startups create beverages. This started slowly but developed into a whole new area of business. Sometimes its advice on what to do, what not to do and sometimes not to do something at all.You have to sell a lot of tonic waters; they're low-margin and high-volume goods. The lump sums from product development aids cash flow and, most importantly, keeps the creativity in our business alive. You learn something new every day and we absolutely love it!In terms of development we bring authenticity to prospective brands. We listen to the client's idea, we take into account not only their idea, but the person, the brand, the market it is aimed at and from there we create something that is unique and marketable. Lastly, we will only present our customers with a product that is of the highest quality and the type of product that we would also want to market as if it was our own brand.John Ross came about to answer the call for a proper non-alcoholic spirit. The name figures in with our Barker and Quin branding. The stories are intertwined, not intertwined only between the brands, but also settled deep within the heritage of the Spice Route and South African maritime.The contents are inspired by using all the components that are used to distill a real gin - where juniper is your main component, followed by coriander, angelica root, lime, lemon, orange, lavender, etc. Finally, John Ross is soaked in Honeybush tannins to get the beautiful amber colour. This product is therefore filled with antioxidants, it contains zero sugar, zero calories and of course zero alcohol.The two new John Ross drinks are The Mary: Rose and Rooibos and The Herbarium: Sage and Rosemary.It is challenging because it can easily be perceived as flavoured water.We found our success in not marketing John Ross as a non-alcoholic gin, but rather a 'virgin distilled botanical' product.Holistically it has been an opportunity to see what are the most important parts of our business. We could use this time to retain the best and let go of the unnecessary bits. We had the time to look at the business from a critical point of view, which for any entrepreneur is something hard to come by (that is time!).The difficult part for us was the fact that we couldnt and still cant gauge ahead what will happen. Due to this we did some very hard cuts already in April. Cuts in salaries and expenses were limited to production.One of the greatest developments during lockdown was that we got a stage to market John Ross. The consumer definitely became more readily available to absorb information regarding the non-alcoholic segment.Whenever such a big change is forced on your business one should always be looking for opportunities and I think we found that with John Ross and also working on our e-commerce. We also lost our on-consumption business like the alcohol guys and that hole in revenue is gone and remains as such. At the end of the day we are very grateful for what we could achieve in this strange time. We look forward with a lot of positivity for our business and South African in the future.We will be focusing on our two current brands  John Ross Virgin Distilled Botanicals and Barker and Quin Premium Tonic Water  taking what we have currently and building onwards and upwards. We have time to work on our third party projects which will all be launching in spring!Also, we're focusing on e-commerce and our wide export network. We are also always improving and growing! We want to set ourselves apart as leaders in the non-alcoholic segment as brand owners and developers.When life gives you lemons, make tonic water!
The test results of roughly 165,000 Alabama college students expected to be tested in the coming weeks will be included along with the other COVID-19 testing numbers in the state, officials with the Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed Friday.

And while that influx of new data from healthy college students could skew some of the states coronavirus numbers, experts say having more information is never a bad thing.

Dr. Karen Landers of the ADPH said Friday morning the negative test results from the roughly 30,000 tests done on college students so far had not come into the system yet, but that those results would be included in with the rest of the states data.

Landers said that at this time there were no plans to separate out the college test data from other data the state uses to track the outbreak.

Alabama is offering free COVID testing for all college students in the state before they return to campus, and many colleges and universities in the state are requiring students to test negative before showing up for classes. The program, called GuideSafe, is being funded by the state with $30 million received from the federal CARES Act to fight coronavirus.

However, since most of those college students are asymptomatic, they will likely test positive at far lower rates than people currently getting tested in the state, many of whom either have a known exposure to someone who tested positive or are experiencing symptoms. So far, of the 30,000 students tested already, only 0.83 percent of those tested positive.

Thats far less than Alabamas percent positive rate as a whole. The states weekly percent positive rate has been as high as 16.7 percent for the week ending July 18, according to the ADPH dashboard, and was at 12.3 percent for the week ending August 8.

Data not a competition

UAB infectious disease physician Dr. Michael Saag, a co-chair of the GuideSafe college testing program, said he would not be concerned about the new data diluting the information available to the state health department.

As far as diluting out [the data], I wouldnt view it that way to be honest with you, Saag said. I think with the test result comes whats called metadata, information about the individual who was tested that goes to the state, and then it can be parsed at the state level.

Saag said that metadata would still allow health officials to monitor trends in different populations and that knowing what percent of college students are infected is also valuable information.

Were going to learn about this as we go, so I dont think theres any harm at all, Saag said. In fact, I would argue theres benefit to sharing that information with the state health department, sharing it with the community at large, and we can decide which pockets or which groups of our citizens are more likely to be infected.

Saag said with that information, efforts to lower the spread of the virus can be targeting to the places and populations where theyre needed most.

I dont view it as a sort of a competition or something that tells us that were doing good or bad, Saag said. In general, we want test positivity rates to be coming down. That tells us were getting the transmission under control in the state. And wherever we see high rates of transmission, thats okay. Now we know where to go and do interventions to try to mitigate the transmission in that location.

Where will students be counted?

Another key question about the college testing is where the students will be counted: In their home county of residence or the county where they go to school?

Landers said that positive tests discovered during the entry testing will be assigned to the students county of residence, not where they are going to school. Once the student arrives on campus, Landers said the ADPH will follow guidance from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists on how to report the test results.

Saag said that ADPH will determine how and where to count each students results, but in general, counting students in their home counties for entry testing makes the most sense because if they have the virus, they most likely contracted it at home before they arrived on campus.

I think its about where theyve been living over the last two to four weeks that really matters, from a public health perspective, Saag said. Because if they were negative and then they test positive, that tells us that they picked it up in the last two weeks from whatever location they were in, and that to me is what matters.
Breanna Walker

AAACREDIT

AAACREDIT

Ohio, USA, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAACredit is based in Columbus, Ohio and founded by Breanna Walker. Breanna, single mom of twins, knew that she wanted more for her life and her children. After years of struggling with bad credit and making ends meet, she took various courses and mastered the Federal Laws that helped her fix her own credit report. Doing so, eliminated some debt which also helped her organize her finances. I started out with 550 and increased my Credit Score to over 760s, in the matter of months. Without Good Credit, I wouldnt have my car, house or be able to provide stability for my kids. I was able to leverage my credit, to improve my life, family and help me get back on my feet. said Breanna.

After telling her friends and family about how she fixed her credit, they soon wanted her to fix their credit report as well. She knew then, from freely wanting to help others, that this was her passion. What started out, helping herself, friends and family, soon grew to AAACredit, helping clients all over the United States fix their credit.

Majority of Americans have credit issues that's hindering their ability to obtain other credit. Some of them are in a dilemma on how to fix it, while others do not have enough knowledge about establishing and fixing their credit effectively and efficiently. Due to this lack of awareness, most of the customers end up facing more financial struggles and their credit score remaining low.

AAACredit is an all-in-one solution to provide answers to these credit concerns and also dispense solutions to overcome the credit challenges they are facing. At AAACredit, they have years of experience, dealing with every type of report and fixing poor credit scores via removing negative, inaccurate accounts from credit reports and assisting with rebuilding credit accounts.

AAACredit is affordable, trustworthy and provides the client with excellent results, while unlocking deeper value in each customer engagement. At AAACredit, our goal is to help you reach your credit goals and educate you to help you maintain long term goals. Were here every step of the way! said Breanna.

Story continues

AAACredit restoration technique is different and their action plan is tailored based on the customer's credit report. The process is pretty efficient as well. Credit completion is based on the clients report but initial results can be seen usually within just 1-2 months and an average of 6 months. Timeframe to complete is given during the Credit Analysis step but AAACredits target goal is to complete the client's credit file in 6 months and less. The company has had great success with removing bankruptcies, collections, charge-offs, repossessions, medical bills, utilities, credit card debt, inquiries, old addresses, tax liens and student loans from credit reports. AAACredit is confident in removing negative information from the reports, which enables them to offer the clients with a flawless money back guarantee system.

Commenting on the companys foray into the market, Breanna explained; I have many years of experience in evaluating credit and guiding consumers to assert their legal rights. I love making an impact in my client's life! My goal is to help clients improve their overall credibility by removing derogatory marks and/or adding credit enhancements, such as Tradelines. Fixing Credit is my PASSION! I work tirelessly to ensure my clients meet their goals of purchasing a car, home, obtaining personal loans etc. Im driven by RESULTS and very persistent, I do not take NO for an answer because theres always a solution! Majority of Americans have poor credit and I feel its my job to raise awareness that YOU can fix your credit! And I CAN help you!

The company believes that it is their years of experience tied with their technique, process, and passion for client results, that stand them in good stead to make AAACredit, one of the Best Credit Restoration Companies, in this sector in 2020 and years to come.

Media Contact Details:

Name: Breanna Walker

Company: AAACREDIT

Website: https://www.aaacreditcompany.com/

Email: info@aaacreditcompany.com





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WOLFSBURG (dpa-AFX) - Daimler AG, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars, said Thursday that it has agreed to pay more than $2.2 billion to settle U.S. claims over emissions from its diesel vehicles.



The Stuttgart, Germany-based automaker said it reached the agreement in principle with various U.S. Authorities to settle civil and environmental claims regarding emission control systems of about 250,000 diesel passenger cars and vans in the United States.



The company has also reached an agreement with plaintiffs' counsel to settle the consumer class action 'In re Mercedes-Benz Emissions Litigation,' which is pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.



The settlements are subject to the final approval of the relevant authorities and courts.



As per the terms of settlement, Daimler will pay $1.5 billion to U.S. authorities, as well as pay another $700 million to settle a consumer class lawsuit. In addition, the company estimates further expenses of a mid three-digit-million euros amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements.



The German carmaker expects a corresponding impact on the free cash flow of the industrial business over the next 3 years with the main impact within the next 12 months.



Daimler's management board and supervisory board approved the proposed settlements after weighing all aspects in the best interest of the company.



U.S. regulators stepped up their investigations of diesel emissions after Volkswagen AG's cheating scandal emerged in 2015. The U.S. Justice Department asked Daimler to investigate its vehicle-certification process the following year.



Volkswagen admitted to rigging as many as 11 million diesel engines worldwide, including about 600,000 in the U.S. The emissions violations cost the automaker more than $30 billion.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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The West Nile virus, which is transmitted via mosquito bites, has led to an outbreak of viral meningoencephalitis in Seville, in Spains southern Andalusia region. A total of 19 people have caught the infection, which is a condition that simultaneously resembles meningitis and encephalitis. Of this number, 17 have been admitted into hospital and seven into intensive care. There are no vaccines or drugs to treat the hospitalized patients.

The source of the outbreak was initially unknown, but lab tests done on 12 patients in Coria del Rio and La Puebla del Rio, two municipalities on the Guadalquivir River where mosquitoes are common, have shown the cause to be the West Nile virus, the Andalusian regional government confirmed on Thursday.

In the supermarket, two women were fighting for mosquito repellent Carmen Salcedo, local of Coria de Rio

In response to the outbreak, the Andalusian health department has recommended that the 42,000 residents of the areas in question take measures to avoid mosquitoes, such as the use of repellents and nets, and has activated a special protocol, which includes fumigations. We will have preventive measures to fight against mosquitoes, as well as measures to eliminate them as quickly as possible, said regional health chief Jesus Aguirre.

The situation has raised fear in the affected communities, which are already struggling from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

This is like the seven plagues of Egypt. Everything was already dead with Covid-19 and now this comes up, said the owner of a restaurant in Coria del Rio, who wished to remain anonymous. We mustnt frighten people, that would kill business.

While the Biblical reference may seem excessive, the area has seen a surprising list of calamities. Last year, Seville was the site of the largest listeria outbreak in Spains history, with 222 cases, three deaths and seven miscarriages. In January, residents of Coria del Rio discovered that the municipal sewage system was releasing toxic gasses that were harmful to human health. In mid-March, the area  like the rest of Spain  was placed under a strict lockdown in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, and now the West Nile virus is threatening to destroy the local economy just as it was starting to recover from the confinement measures.

Two women in Coria del Rio with a bottle of mosquito repellent. PACO PUENTES (EL PAIS)

In the supermarket, two women were fighting for mosquito repellent, until a store worker told one of them that she could only take two, so she let go of the other four she was carrying. They instill fear in you, and people dont know about the [West Nile] virus, said Carmen Salcedo, a local from Coria de Rio, on Thursday.

But not everyone is being as cautious. On Thursday night, most of the locals were in short-sleeves  even though the Andalusian health department has advised residents to cover their skin with clothing to avoid mosquito bites.

Estrella Plata was walking by the Guadalquivir River in a top and sport shorts: I have not used repellent, so touch wood, because mosquitoes come out at night.

Another local, Jose Antonio Garcia, added: Im cautious. I care, but you have to die of something.

The West Nile virus, which is transmitted by the Culex mosquito common to the area, kills 0.1% of patients, while another 1% suffer meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and its surrounding membranes), 20% develop a controllable fever and 80% are asymptomatic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This summer the two municipal pools in the affected areas will remain closed, leaving residents to cool off as best as possible, mostly in childrens inflatable swimming pools.

Two months in long sleeves is the least of it, said Modesto Gonzalez, the mayor of Coria del Rio. We hope there are no more infections and that the patients can leave the hospital as soon as possible.

Controlling the spread

Health experts say it is difficult to control the spread of the West Nile virus. It is very complicated because the most important vector is the common mosquito. The handful of people who have been infected in Seville means that there are many more cases, around 2,000, estimated Joan Ramon Villalbi, a board member of the Spanish Association of Public Health and Health Administration (Sespas), who added that the virus cannot be transmitted from human to human.

Villalbi is opposed to the use of aggressive chemicals, but Jordi Figuerola, a researcher at the Donana national park biology center, says fumigation may be the only solution, as summer is already underway and mosquito numbers are 30% higher than recorded in 2019.

Ideally we would kill [the mosquito] larvae, but given what we have, we have to try to cut transmission. Fumigating is not a panacea but it has an effect, he explained.

As for the source of the outbreak, Figuerola blames heavy springtime rain and the coronavirus lockdown: People werent out in the country, which meant that water accumulated in uncovered deposits and containers, and these turned into mosquito breeding grounds.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
On Aug 15, Modi will become longest serving non-Congress PM

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Aug 13: In yet another career milestone, Narendra Modi on Thursday became the longest-serving Prime Minister in Indian history of non-Congress origin, surpassing Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure of 2268 days, in all his three terms combined.

Currently, Modi is also fourth longest-serving Prime Minister of India, after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh.

'Transparent Taxation  Honoring the Honest': PM Modi unveils 'fundamental reforms' for taxpayers

Narendra Modi took oath as the 14th Prime Minister of the country on May 26, 2014. He started with his second innings as the PM again on May 30, 2019.

India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru remains the longest-serving prime minister of India so far. His tenure lasted for around 17 years, followed by his daughter Indira Gandhi who served two terms of little more 11 years and nearly five years respectively.

Smiles, handshake as Sachin Pilot & Ashok Gehlot meet after Congress truce | Oneindia News

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who served at the post for 17 years after Independence, remains the longest-serving premier of India so far. His daughter Indira Gandhi served for nearly 16 years. Both Nehru and Indira Gandhi died while in office.

Modi congratulates Lankas Rajapaksas on poll win, expresses confidence on strengthening ties

Dr Manmohan Singh served two consecutive terms of five years each. Before today, Atal Bihari Vajpayee held the distinction of fourth longest-serving prime minister.

Vajpayee occupied the office thrice - first for 13 days from May 16, 1996 till May 28, 1996, followed by his 408-day second tenure from March 19, 1998 till April 17, 1999 and his third and only full term of 1,847 days from October 13, 1999 till May 22, 2004 - bringing the total to 2,268 days.
Say the Air Force selects San Antonio to become the new home of the U.S. Space Command, whose task is to assemble and operate the nations celestial war machine.

Dont smirk. Its a real possibility.

Last week, Express-News reporter Sig Christenson broke the news that San Antonio made the first cut in late July. We dont know for sure how many other cities also are advancing to the next round  one insider put the total at about 15  but we know Houston and Fort Worth are among them.

RELATED: San Antonio in hunt to land U.S. Space Command

That phase was the easy part.

In a May 14 letter, Asst. Secretary of the Air Force John Henderson invited the nations governors to endorse qualified cities in their states looking to vie for the command headquarters. (Its currently located in Colorado Springs, Colo., home of the U.S. Air Force Academy). To nominate themselves, cities had to meet three requirements:

Big population. The cities had to be among the top 150 U.S. metro areas. (Check. San Antonio is the heart of the 24th largest metro area, with a population of 2.6 million as of 2019.)

Military ties. They had to be no more than 25 miles from a military base. (Super double check. San Antonio hosts three bases, including Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the Air Forces premier training ground.)

Nice place to live. The cities had to score at least 50 out of 100 on the AARP Public Policy Institutes Livability Index. (Check, but barely. San Antonios score is 50, the same as Houstons. Fort Worths score is 53.)

The remaining contenders have until the end of this month to submit their proposals. The Air Force is expected to name the finalists in November and select the commands new home in January.

Now Playing: Military reporter Sig Christenson explains Space Command and its potential impact for San Antonio. Video: Luis Vazquez

Big-picture caveat: President Trump created the U.S. Space Command by fiat in December 2018  even though the Air Force Space Command already existed. The new one draws on the work of all branches of the military, not only the Air Force. Will it remain a presidential priority if Joe Biden wins in November? Who knows?

Regardless, San Antonio and other cities are competing for a prize that will employ about 1,400 military and civilian personnel when its fully established, according to Hendersons letter. Current plans have the new headquarters opening in 2026.

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, CEO of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, estimates that the Space Command will need about 400,000 square feet of space for its headquarters campus. Shes spearheading the citys effort to land the command.

But the few available details dont speak to the Space Commands real significance for its host city. For that, Jim Perschbach is a good guide.

Hes CEO of Port San Antonio, the 1,900-acre industrial park on the Southwest Side. More than 80 companies, military agencies and nonprofits work there, employing a total of 14,000 people. Nearly half of them are tied to the Air Force.

The port, the former Kelly AFB, almost certainly will be a key component of the citys bid.

OnExpressNews.com: NASA contractors stake out San Antonios place in space

In Perschbachs view, the Pentagon is undergoing a huge shift in how it handles the development of war technologies, collaborating ever more closely with private-sector contractors. And he believes the Space Command  wherever it winds up  will be governed by that new mindset.

Traditionally, the way the military-industrial complex has worked is the government funded the research and development, and then industry commercialized those technologies  its TV dinners, its the internet, its Tang, its all that good stuff, he said.

Now, the Defense Department is finding a way to militarize commercial technologies.

What that means is youre going to see more and more of the civilian side leading the research and development, and then finding some way to toss it over the wire into the government model, he said.

Take Knight Aerospace, a Port San Antonio tenant that designs and manufactures medical modules for airplanes  essentially airborne ERs and intensive care units. Its not a stretch to imagine the company producing medical pods for space flights.

Or consider Plus One Robotics, another port tenant. The company makes software and equipment that allows robots to see where theyre going, greatly increasing their utility. Thats a handy feature for an army of robots building stuff in orbit.

But if San Antonio is counting on its bench of tech firms to clinch the Space Command  well, scrappy and interesting wont beat cities with longer histories of innovation and entrepreneurship. Thats why the Army Futures Command is in Austin, not San Antonio.

San Antonios bigger strengths include its cluster of cybersecurity firms and the sprawling West Side installation that nobodys supposed to notice or talk about  the National Security Agencys Texas Cryptologic Center.

Add to those assets the Southwest Research Institute, a vastly experienced R&D contractor thats working on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of space projects, and the University of Texas at San Antonio, which is working to make a name for itself in network security. The heads of both institutions are part of the EDF-led team pursuing the Space Command, alongside Saucedo-Herrera, Perschbach and USAAs Wayne Peacock.

But maybe the citys best leg-up in the competition is its long and intimate relationship with the Pentagon.

You can see it in the local economy. The military dwarfs every other industry in San Antonio.

Nearly 74,000 active-duty and civilian personnel worked on bases around the city in 2019, according to the Texas comptrollers office. An additional 137,000 held jobs that depended at least partly on the military, including with defense contractors.

Joint Base San Antonio pumped $41.3 billion into the Texas economy last year.

San Antonio also owes thanks to the Pentagon for the regions burgeoning cybersecurity industry, which swarms with former Air Force intelligence officers and digital warriors whod worked out of Lacklands Security Hill.

But San Antonios ties to the military go way beyond dollars and cents. Theyre historical and cultural.

As Christenson reported, in addition to the Defense Departments uniformed and civilian personnel, San Antonio is home to 235,000 military dependents and 270,000 military retirees and veterans. Those numbers represent a lot of shared, intense experiences  of being uprooted and moved from post to post, of long periods of separation, of loneliness and sacrifice.

That sense of community matters.

USAA, the San Antonio insurance and financial services company, is part of the mix. Its 13 million customers are active-duty and retired military, veterans and their families.

USAA also has a sizable campus in Colorado Springs, the Air Force bastion. A company spokesman said, We are also in regular contact with military leaders in that area to better understand the needs of service members and their families based in the region.

Thats why Peacock, USAAs president and CEO, is deeply involved in the push for the Space Command.

Wayne is one of our biggest economic development assets in San Antonio, Saucedo-Herrera said. Wayne is directly engaged, and so are a lot of others at USAA.

READ ALSO: San Antonios Victory Capital has big outflow of assets following USAA deal

Indeed, Peacock is in full pitch mode. Heres how he summed up the citys argument for the Space Command:

San Antonio is ready-made to be the home of the U.S. Space Command. Were at the intersection of military and business, which gives us a unique ecosystem of R&D, innovation and industry.

Our military, FBI and NSA presence improves network infrastructure and creates an atmosphere for technology innovators to connect with corporations and investors. These assets  coupled with our leading cyber cluster and fast-growing financial sector  have grown a sustainable, multidisciplinary workforce in San Antonio and ample opportunities for military service members, spouses and families.

greg.jefferson@express-news.net
In this Nov. 3, 1999 file photo, Robert Trump (L), joins real estate developer and presidential hopeful Donald Trump at an event in New York. A tell-all book by President Donald Trump's niece cannot be published until a judge decides the merits of claims by the president's brother, her uncle Robert Trump, that its publication would violate a pact among family members, a judge said on June 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Diane Bonadreff)

Trumps Brother, Robert, Hospitalized in NY: White House

Robert Trump, the brother of President Donald Trump, is hospitalized in New York, said the White House on Friday.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany confirmed his brothers hospitalization to news outlets and said the two brothers have a very good relationship.

Trump administration spokesman Judd Deere said that he can confirm the report that the Presidents brother is hospitalized, according to CNN.

ABC News first reported on the development, citing sources that he is very ill, although Deere did not confirm the report.

Trump was already slated to visit his property in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday, according to The Associated Press.

Robert Trump previously worked with his older brother at the Trump Organization.

Earlier this year, he filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family to stop the publication of a tell-all book by the presidents niece, Mary Trump, titled Too Much and Never Enough.

This combination photo shows the cover art for Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man (L), and a portrait of author Mary L. Trump, Ph.D. The book, written by the niece of President Donald J. Trump, was originally set for release on July 28, 2020, but will now arrive on July 14. (Simon & Schuster (L), and Peter Serling/Simon Schuster via AP)

The family stated that her book violated a nondisclosure agreement that she had signed in connection to the money she received from the Trump family. Shes the daughter of Fred Trump Jr., who died in 1981.

New York Supreme Court Judge Hal Greenwald last month ruled that Mary Trump could promote her book ahead of its scheduled publication.

Now that the unconstitutional gag order has finally been lifted, we are sure the White House and America are looking forward to finally hearing what Mary has to say, Chris Bastardi, a spokesperson for Mary Trump, said in a statement at the time.

But the White House denied the contents of the book, saying its fantasy.

Its a book of falsehoods, and thats about it, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters in July. Its ridiculous, absurd allegations that have absolutely no bearing in truth.

Her attempt to sensationalize and mischaracterize our family relationship after all of these years for her own financial gain is both a travesty and injustice to the memory of my late brother, Fred and our beloved parents, Robert Trump also told the New York Times in June about the book. I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Marys actions are truly a disgrace.

The White House has not immediately responded to a request for comment about Trumps hospitalization.
Regional

Naga Independence Day celebrated in Tamenglong

Naga Independence Day celebration in Tamenglong district on Friday. (NP)

Correspondence IMPHAL, Aug 14 | Publish Date: 8/14/2020 12:24:02 PM IST

The 74th Naga Independence Day was widely celebrated at various places in Manipurs Tamenglong district on Friday.

At the district headquarter, the day was observed at Model Baptist Church Tamenglong under the aegis of GPRN/ NSCN Zeilad Region.

Tamenglong and Longmai district Revenue Supervisor Kilonser Longchaibi Gonmei attended the function as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Kilonser Longchaibi Gonmei said that that Framework Agreement was like an architecture designed for construction of buildings.

He said that based on the Framework Agreement that was signed on 3rd August 2015, Naga and government of India will sign the final ink and urged all national workers, Naga armies, civil organisations leaders not to fall into temptation that may arise but proceed straight to see the final destination of Naga aspiration.

He also said that now is time to prepare the stage for Nagas, particularly Tamenglong to place the Framework Agreement.

He informed the Nagas that he would remove whatever disturbance to meet the final destination.

A speech of Ato Kilonser, Th Muivah was read out by GPRN Zeilad Region Secretary Tr Aron.

Zeilad Region central administrative officer George Golmei, representative from four tribes councils also spoke on the occasion.

Pastors, civil organisations leaders, village, ward chairmen, women organisations leaders, rank and files of GPRN/NSCN posted in Tamenglong, leaders from four tribes councils attended the program. One minute silent prayer was observed for the martyrs and their families led by Emmanuel Baptist Church Tamenglong Assistant Pastor Tasinang.

A special prayer thanking God for the signing of Indo-Naga Framework agreement and an early and honourable Naga solution was administration of Zeilad Region Town Centre Church Tamenglong Pastor Dr Guiphanang. A programme was also held at Oinamlong village by Rongmei Naga Council Jiri zone but it was held on a low scale due to the ongoing pandemic.s

In Noney district under Zeilad Region, the 74th Naga Independence Day was celebrated at Khumji (Lukhambi) village jointly organised by Longmai Area Villages Council (LAVC) and Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM).

At Nungba district headquarters, the day was celebrated at a market complex and organized by civil organisations.
The prison cells at Eastern State Penitentiary are abandoned. Frank Olito/Insider

Eastern State Penitentiary is a 9.8-acre abandoned prison in Philadelphia.

In 2019, I took a tour of the ruins and walked through the former cell blocks and prison cells.

The crumbling facades, rotting walls, and haunted history are what creeped me out the most.

The first time I visited Philadelphia was in 2019, and I was struck by the abandoned prison's dark force as my family drove past.

Eastern State Penitentiary. Fidai Photography/Shutterstock

The Eastern State Penitentiary looms over Philadelphia like an ominous fortress. Once a prominent prison for famous inmates, today Eastern State is abandoned but does offer daily tours for $17.

After finally making my way to tour the prison and spending three hours inside its walls, I left with goosebumps.

This is what it's like inside the now-abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary.

I sheepishly walked up to the Eastern State Penitentiary, awestruck by its size and architecture.

The entrance to the Eastern State Penitentiary. Frank Olito/Insider

The looming and ominous building sits on 9.8 acres of land in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood.

When the prison was built in 1829, it was on the outskirts of Philadelphia. But the city expanded around the prison walls, so it now stands awkwardly within the metropolis.

The structure is located deep in the city. Google Maps

The odd placement was jarring. Across the street from trendy bars and restaurants sits this 19th-century prison that resembles a fortress.

The fortress-like architecture was meant to scare people away and keep prisoners inside its walls. In fact, the towers and windows on the exterior are not functional and are all for show.

The exterior of the Eastern State Penitentiary. Frank Olito/Insider

It was surprising to find out that on the other side of the wall, the windows don't exist and the towers have no entrances. The whole exterior is just a facade.

Once I stepped through the main lobby, I was given a map of the premises and learned about the intricate layout of the inner prison.

Aerial view of Eastern State. Getty Images.

The fortress-like exterior hides the radial structure of the inner prison. At the center of the premises, there's a circular room. Off the circular room, there are several hallways that act as cell blocks. The prison was designed to look like a wheel, with each cell block as a spoke.

Story continues

When the prison first opened in the 1800s, there were only seven cell blocks. Eight more were added as prison capacity increased.

Inmates would enter the prison through this hallway and go through the intake process.

Intake hallway. Frank Olito/Insider

Before there were mugshots and fingerprints, inmates were identified solely based on characteristics. In the early days of the prison, the rooms down this hall were where guards took note of a new inmate's physical appearance and behavior to identify him later on.

The first prisoner was booked with this description: "Charles Williams, Prisoner Number One. Burglar. Light Black Skin. Five feet seven inches tall. Foot: eleven inches. Scar on nose. Scar on Thigh. Broad Mouth. Black eyes. Farmer by trade. Can read. Theft included one twenty-dollar watch, one three-dollar gold seal, one, a gold key. Sentenced to two years confinement with labor. Received by Samuel R. Wood, first Warden, Eastern State Penitentiary ..."

When inmates completed their sentences, they would pass through this hallway for the second time to reenter the outside world.

Today, the intake hallway is dilapidated with paint peeling off the walls.

At the end of the hallway is an open room with vaulted ceilings.

The end of the hallway. Frank Olito/Insider

This space foreshadows the elaborate designs that the architect John Haviland used throughout the penitentiary.

At the center of the prison is this room, which was designed to give a view straight down each cell block.

Center of the Eastern State Penitentiary. Frank Olito/Insider

If a guard stood in the center of the room and spun around 360 degrees, the guard could see down every cell block. Today, the room has been refurbished for tours.

Stepping into cell block one, I was instantly transported back to the 1800s.

A cell block. Frank Olito/Insider

In 1787, some thought criminals were victims of their environment and the only way to curb criminal acts was through solitude.

The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons was formed to create a "house of repentance," or a prison where each inmate never left his or her cell. The goal was to prompt inner reflection and to ensure regret or penitence for one's actions. The Eastern State Penitentiary was the first prison in the world to do this.

The doors seen in the cell block today were actually installed much later. When the prison first opened, these doors were actually just small openings to pass food through so the inmate could live in solitude.

A cell door at Eastern State Penitentiary. Frank Olito/Insider

In fact, prisoners slept, ate, and went to the bathroom in their cells.

For 23 hours a day, the only light inmates saw came through a small window in the ceiling.

A cell. Frank Olito/Insider

The Eastern State Penitentiary became known for its vaulted ceilings that were made to resemble a chapel. The small skylight in the vaulted ceiling was meant to be a direct view of the heavens, but, in reality it was the inmate's only connection to the outside world.

For one hour each day, inmates could walk through the door at the back of their cell and enter an enclosed space with an open roof.

The door at the back wall led to their outdoor space. Frank Olito/Insider

The outdoor space was a cramped square with walls built up high. Even outside, the inmates did not come in contact with one another.

Most inmates did not interact with another person - other than guards - until they completed their sentence.

Jail cell at Eastern State Penitentiary. Frank Olito/Insider

Instead of using corporal punishments on inmates like other prison systems, the Eastern State Penitentiary was meant to be more humane, encouraging prisoners to reflect on their behavior in silence.

But in some ways, the new system harmed inmates even more. Since some terms lasted several years, many inmates had mental breakdowns.

This system of isolation as a correctional practice became known as the Pennsylvania System.

A jail cell at Eastern State Penitentiary. Frank Olito/Insider

This system of isolation was implemented throughout the world after the Eastern State Penitentiary became famous for it.

I stepped inside one of the jail cells and the walls instantly felt as if they were closing in on me. I could not imagine staying in one for 23 hours straight.

Inside one of the jail cells. Frank Olito/Insider

People slowly realized that the Pennsylvania System of pure isolation was unbearable on the human condition.

Charles Dickens visited the prison in 1842 and said, "The System is rigid, strict, and hopeless solitary confinement, and I believe it, in its effects, to be cruel and wrong."

In 1913, the Pennsylvania System was abandoned and the isolation practices ended.

Two beds in one cell. Frank Olito/Insider

The prison started bunking two people in each jail cell so they could socialize.

As the years went on, inmate life began to emphasize socialization. For example, prisoners were eating together in the dining halls by 1924.

The dining hall. Buyenlarge/Getty Images

The dining hall is located in cell block five.

Inmates were even allowed to hang out in barbershops, which were located in almost every cell block. Today, the rooms are empty.

The empty barbershop. Frank Olito/Insider

While inmates would usually cut each other's hair, they sometimes even gave the guards a new do. In fact, the guards often brought their families to the prison to get their hair cut as well.

There was also a synagogue on the premises so inmates could gather with people who practiced similar faiths.

The synagogue. Frank Olito/Insider

The synagogue today has been remodeled and restored to its original look.

But violence could also be part of the day-to-day. Sometimes there were fights, riots, and even killings.

Guards used this mirror. Frank Olito/Insider

Guards used these mirrors to see down hallways to ensure every prisoner was behaving.

It became increasingly difficult to control the inmates as the number of prisoners began to increase over the years.

A cell block. Frank Olito/Insider

When the prison first opened, there were 250 prisoners. By 1930, there were 1,800 inmates serving time at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Standing in the abandoned hallways today, it's difficult to imagine more than 1,000 people crammed into this prison.

To accommodate the growing inmate population, the prison built more cell blocks.

A cell block at the prison. Frank Olito/Insider

Eventually, the prison expanded to 15 cell blocks, up from seven.

In all, the Eastern State held 80,000 inmates throughout its time in operation, and some of those prisoners were famous.

A jail cell at the prison. Frank Olito/Insider

The bare bed frames still stand in most of the jail cells, but today the doors are unlocked and open, unlike the way they were when the prison was in operation.

Al Capone was one of the best-known inmates to have served time in the prison.

Al Capone's jail cell. Frank Olito/Insider

From 1929 to 1930, the Chicago gangster Al Capone served eight months at Eastern State for concealing a weapon. His cell was dubbed "Park Avenue" because he enjoyed more luxuries than the other inmates did.

"The whole room was suffused in the glow of a desk lamp which stood on a polished desk ... On the once-grim walls of the penal chamber hung tasteful paintings, and the strains of a waltz were being emitted by a powerful cabinet radio receiver of handsome design and fine finish," the Philadelphia Public Ledger reported in 1929.

Today, the jail cell has been refurbished to look as it did when Capone was serving his sentence. Peeking my head into the cell felt like jumping through time.

While Capone's cell is refurbished, the rest of the prison still eerily stands in ruins.

A cell block. Frank Olito/Insider

Some parts of the prison are in such bad shape that I was not allowed access, like cell block 12.

From crumbling ceilings ...

A ceiling in a cell block. Frank Olito/Insider

The hallways in each cell block were lit by sunlight pouring through the crusted windows and holes in the ceiling.

... to the broken furniture, the entire prison felt like it was haunted - not with ghosts, but by its dark past.

Broken cabinets in an office. Frank Olito/Insider

Broken beds, chairs, tables, cabinets, and toilets were littered throughout the prison as if each inmate left behind a piece of themselves.

As my tour of the Eastern State Penitentiary came to an end, I was left with a chilling feeling.

The second floor of a cell block. Frank Olito/Insider

While the building closed in 1971, Eastern State Penitentiary stands today as a monument to the American prison system. Though I didn't see or feel any ghosts on my tour, I did leave feeling haunted by the way prisoners were treated, and by all the people who passed through those now-crumbling walls.

Read the original article on Insider
Inc. magazine revealed that Sales Xceleration Inc. is No. 2840 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, and No. 27 in Indiana, No. 208 among honorees in the Business Products and Services field, and No. 20 in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. It is an honor to be a part of this list that represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

We are excited to be named on this list for the 2nd year in a row, said Mark Thacker, President, Sales Xceleration. Our growth has remained consistent, even in these trying times, which is a testament to our Advisors commitment to providing cost-effective sales leadership for small to mid-sized businesses, driving revenue growth.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About Sales Xceleration

Sales Xceleration provides business owners with an experienced Sales Consultant to drive sales growth when it is needed most. Sales Xceleration Advisors build sales engines to create record-breaking growth for your business by:



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For additional information, please visit https://www.salesxceleration.com.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. offers. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
The Friday dismissed the bail plea of Unitech Ltd promoter Sanjay Chandra, who was last month granted interim bail for 30 days on "humanitarian grounds" as both his parents had tested positive for COVID-19, and asked him to surrender by August 17.

The apex court also dismissed the bail application of Chandra's brother Ajay Chandra, who is in jail since August 2017.

They both are accused of allegedly siphoning off home buyers' money.

At this stage, we are clearly of the view that since the order dated October 30, 2017 has not been complied with, there is no question of this court directing the release of the applicants (Sanjay and Ajay Chandra) from custody, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said, adding, Both the applications stand dismissed.

The top court in its October 2017 order had asked them to deposit Rs 750 crore with the apex court registry by December 31, 2017.

The bench had on July 7 this year granted interim bail for 30 days to Sanjay Chandra, who was in jail since August 2017.

Later, the court had extended his interim bail till today.

In its order passed on Friday, the apex court said, Sanjay Chandra, who had been granted interim bail by the orders of this court dated July 7, 2020 and July 31, 2020 on the ground of the COVID status of his parents, shall surrender by August 17, 2020.

The bench was dealing with the applications in which both Sanjay and Ajay Chandra have claimed that they have complied with the condition imposed by apex court in its October 2017 order for grant of bail.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for them, said that the amount which has been deposited in the court's registry was in excess of Rs 750 crores.

The applicants have had to suffer incarceration for a period of nearly three years despite the order enlarging them on bail, subject to conditions, as a result of their failure to meet the condition of deposit, Rohatgi said.

Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for Delhi Police, opposed the applications and said the applicants were required to deposit Rs 750 crores on or before December 31, 2017.

He referred to the January last year order of the court and said it had rejected the bail application and expressly observed that since the October 2017 conditions were imposed by a three-judge bench, it was not open to a bench of two judges to modify them.

We find that neither of the conditions for deposit have been complied with by the applicants. Admittedly, an amount of Rs 750 crores was not deposited by 31 December 2017. The amount which has been deposited in the Registry of this Court has been realised as a result of the demonetisation of the assets of Unitech Limited, the bench noted.

It noted that since the October 2017 order, significant events have taken place and the apex court had directed a forensic audit to be conducted by M/s Grant Thornton.

It would suffice to note that it was as a result of the findings in the forensic report that this court issued directions for the taking over of the management of Unitech Limited by a Board which has since been constituted by the Union of India, it said.

The bench noted that it had earlier directed the Centre to ensure that all aspects, which were adverted to in the forensic report, should be investigated by the competent agencies, including with regard to the aspect of money laundering.

Serious findings about siphoning of funds to offshore locations and in regard to the misdemeanour of the erstwhile management have been made in the report of the forensic auditors, the bench said.

The apex court directed Nataraj to file a comprehensive affidavit apprising it about the steps taken by investigating agencies in pursuance to the directions and report of the forensic auditors.

The bench has posted the other applications filed in the matter for further hearing on August 24.

The matter pertains to a criminal case which started initially by one complaint lodged in 2015 and later joined by 173 other home buyers of Unitech projects' -- 'Wild Flower Country' and 'Anthea Project' -- situated in Gurugram.

On January 20 this year, in a respite to over 12,000 hassled home buyers of Unitech, the top court had allowed the Centre to take total management control of the realty firm and appoint a new board of nominee directors.

The apex court had approved the name of retired Haryana cadre IAS officer Yudvir Singh Malik as chairman and managing director (CMD) of the new board and directed that existing board of directors of the company would stand superseded.

In 2018, the top court had directed a forensic audit of Unitech Ltd and its sister concerns and subsidiaries by Samir Paranjpe, Partner, Forensic and Investigation Services in M/s Grant Thornton India.

The forensic auditors had submitted their report which said that Unitech Ltd received around Rs 14,270 crore from 29,800 homebuyers mostly between 2006-2014 and around Rs 1,805 crore from six financial institutions for the construction of 74 projects.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 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
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a historic agreement with the United Arab Emirates in an Aug. 13 press conference. He said that delegations from the two countries will meet in the coming weeks to finalize the details. According to reports on Aug. 14, an Israeli official delegation will travel to the UAE as early as next week to meet with the countrys top leadership. A diplomatic source told Al-Monitor that the composition of the team has yet to be finalized. Channel 12 reported that a senior Israeli official would lead the negotiating team, while Ynet specified it would be Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.

Yesterday, at the televised press conference, Netanyahu acknowledged keeping the negotiations secret and not sharing the news even with his Blue and White partners until the last minute. Neither Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi nor Defense Minister Benny Gantz were privy to the contacts with the UAE. Reports that came out later last night revealed that Cohen and Israels ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, had worked behind the scenes. Cohen had apparently traveled to the UAE on several occasions to advance the agreement, while Dermer was in constant contact with UAE Ambassador to Washington Yousef Al-Otaiba. This morning, Netanyahu tweeted, "I am very grateful to Israels ambassador to the United States, @AmbDermer, for helping bring the historic treaty with the UAE."

In October 2018, Netanyahu made a first, historic visit to Muscat, capital of Oman. Cohen had served as a go-between to finalize the visit by Netanyahu, who at the time was also serving as foreign minister. Israel has now an assertive foreign minister who is very familiar with the Arab world and has served in multiple sensitive security positions  definitely no one likely to leak or ruin a deal with a Gulf state. Netanyahu's explanation for excluding Ashkenazi and Gantz from these developments indicates that the prime minister wanted to keep all the glory for himself.

Netanyahu said at the press conference that other Arab countries are expected to follow in the footsteps of the UAE. So who is next in line? Israels Kan public broadcaster reported this morning that Bahrain is expected to be the next country to establish official ties with Israel. An unidentified US official told Al Quds newspaper that it was just "a matter of time" before Bahrain and Oman followed suit and established ties with Israel. Indeed, Oman said this morning it backed the normalization of ties between the neighboring UAE and Israel.

Israels Foreign Ministry has plenty of professional diplomats who speak Arabic and specialize in the Arab world. For several years now, Israel has had a diplomat stationed in Abu Dhabi as its representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Diplomats who served in Israeli missions in Qatar and in Morocco in the short period after the 1993 Oslo Accords are still working at the ministry. Netanyahu has no reason not to task any of them with advancing ties with the UAE, Bahrain, Oman or other Gulf States.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 14:21:16|Editor: huaxia

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by Xinhua writer Ma Qian

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- During his ice-breaking China visit in 1972, then U.S. President Richard Nixon said in a toast at a state dinner in Beijing that it is "not our common beliefs that have brought us together here, but our common interests and our common hopes."

At the end of the visit, China and the United States issued the Shanghai Communique, which acknowledges a key consensual willingness for the two sides to seek common ground while shelving their differences, and laid a political foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

Unfortunately, more than four decades later, the incumbent U.S. administration seems to be drifting away from that key political guideline as it has launched an aggressive China-smearing campaign, seeking to overturn the truth of the bilateral ties, and is openly bent on inducing change in China according to Washington's design.

While the White House's growingly confrontational stance towards Beijing is partly driven by its re-election anxieties, it also reflects Washington's deep-seated misconceptions about China and the bilateral ties.

Renowned French novelist Gustave Flaubert once put it: "Our ignorance of history causes us to slander our own times." Washington's rampant anti-China campaign exposes its sheer ignorance and arrogance, which has plunged the bilateral relationship into uncharted and precarious waters, posing a grave threat to the stability and development in a world that is wrestling with a twin-challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and a major economic recession.

Despite Washington's increasingly belligerent posture against China, sober minds worldwide have expressed rational and objective assessments of the nature and the benefits of sound China-U.S. relations.

"This engagement has enabled us, as well as the Asia Pacific region and the world, to enjoy unparalleled peace and prosperity," former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said earlier this month in a letter to participants of a virtual dialogue on U.S.-China relations.

Interaction between the two countries has become both a product and a decisive driver of globalization, Mario Del Pero, a professor of international history at SciencesPo, Paris, wrote on The Guardian, stressing that it is the profound interdependencies that define China-U.S. relations and are revealing how particular and determined the bilateral connections are.

At this critical moment for China-U.S. relations, decision-makers in Washington should curb their hotheadedness and make the right choice that bears gigantic significance for not only the two countries, but also the rest of the world.

Most urgently, Washington should ditch its hostile China policy, and return to the path chosen by the two sides in 1972 that has ensured a generally stable development of bilateral ties over the past 40 years.

Nixon said in his toast back in 1972 that "as we discuss our differences, neither of us will compromise our principles. But while we cannot close the gulf between us, we can try to bridge it so that we may be able to talk across it." His words are still relevant today.

To do that, it requires Washington to respect China's core interests and major concerns over issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang, among others.

In the face of Washington's provocation, Beijing has always made cool-headed and sensible responses, and rejects any attempt to create a so-called "new Cold War." Yet that does not mean China will sit on its hands and watch its core interests harmed. Washington's China hawks should not misestimate China's resolve to defend its sovereignty and security, so as to avoid strategic miscalculation.

Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, the dynamic and all-around cooperation between the two countries has brought tremendous benefits to the two peoples and those around the world. Looking ahead, as the human race is grappling with an array of significant common challenges including COVID-19 and climate change, the two sides have more reasons to work together than to turn against each other.

"The past 41 years has not all been smooth sailing for China-U.S. relations ... However, the two countries have always approached their relationship from a historical perspective and with the bigger picture in mind," wrote senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi in a recent article, adding that "no obstacle is insurmountable for the two countries, and the key lies in a true commitment to mutual respect, equality and seeking common ground while shelving differences."

As always, it takes two to tango. China is always ready to work closely with the United States for the welfare of the two countries and the common interests of the wider world. Previous U.S. administrations had made their far-sighted choices before. Those at the helms of America today should prove they have a similar vision to work together with Beijing while tolerating their differences. Enditem
Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) headquarters in Naju, South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of KEPCO



By Nam Hyun-woo



Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) is gaining momentum for its bid to overhaul the country's electricity rating system, and stabilize its earnings which are swayed excessively by oil and other fuel prices.



Calls are growing that KEPCO should promptly adopt new rating system reflecting the fluctuating fuel prices, which will allow the state-run power distributor to be more independent from fuel price cycles and allow consumers to save electricity expenses in the time of low oil prices.



According to KEPCO, it posted an operating profit of 389.8 billion won ($328.6 million) for the second quarter of this year, improving from an operating loss of 298.66 billion won a year earlier.



The aggregated operating profit for the first half of this year stood at 820.4 billion won, also improving from a 928.54 billion won loss during the same period a year earlier.



KEPCO attributed the sharp turnaround to the low prices of oil and other fuels, saying its fuel and power purchasing costs in the first half of this year declined by 2.56 trillion won from a year earlier. KEPCO does not produce power by itself, and purchases electricity from its subsidiaries and private power companies.



Given the decline in KEPCO's sales in the first half of this year, industry officials say the company's profitability was swayed by oil prices, and that the company has a limited capability to cushion the globally fluctuating fuel prices.



KEPCO also admitted that its profitability is "heavily affected by the global oil prices," because its fuel and power purchasing costs, which account for approximately 60 percent of its expenses, are proportional to global oil prices.



The global oil prices crashed to historic lows in the first half of this year, as demand was lowered during the COVID-19 pandemic while major crude-producing nations did not cut production in time.



On the other hand, KEPCO posted 800 billion won and 1 trillion won losses in 2011 and 2012, respectively, when oil prices hovered over $105 per barrel.



Due to this, concerns have been raised on KEPCO's stability, as it adopts a billing system that charges certain set amounts per kilowatt-hours depending on their total consumption levels in a month.



Since this system does not reflect changes in global fuel prices, KEPCO and its subsidiaries have been exposed to risks they cannot control. Also consumers were not able to save electricity costs while oil prices were low.



"Given the global oil prices are anticipated to remain at low levels throughout this year, KEPCO is also anticipated to enjoy solid profits for the rest of this year," an energy industry official said. "It seems to be the right timing for KEPCO to overhaul rating system."



KB Securities analyst Jung Hye-jung said the company's stock prices will be swayed by policies on the rating system and power market, rather than its short-term earnings, adding KEPCO is seeking to win government approval for its rating system overhaul before the end of the year.



In 2011, KEPCO attempted to overhaul its rating system to reflect fuel prices but scrapped the plan due to the oil price hike.



KEPCO remains active to introduce a new rating system, saying it will improve the billing system in a reasonable way. The government also agrees with KEPCO on this, but is not making decisions yet, due apparently to concerns on hikes in electricity costs.



"The government agrees with KEPCO on the direction of the new rating system, but it is not in the stage of making decisions," said an official at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.


HILLSBORO, Ore., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- HIS Innovations Group, a LVL3 portfolio company, has been selected by the Portland Business Journal as the 2020 Manufacturing Company of the Year in the 51-100 Employee Size Category. The Makers & Manufacturing Awards honor manufacturing companies in Oregon and Southwest Washington for outstanding and innovative practices.

With the larger warehouse space, HIS Innovations Group has the ability to increase its on-hand stock allowing for shorter lead times.

Despite the global pandemic of COVID-19, HIS Innovations Group has continued to increase employment, innovate, expand its customer base, meet deadlines, and make progress towards its goals. The HIS team has proven that if there is a will, there is a way.

During 2020, the company has hired over 30 people to its team, bringing the total to 89 full-time employees, which includes a representative in Dublin, Ireland, making HIS Innovations Group a global brand for the first time. There are currently more than 14 open positions available, with plans to fill these within the next few months.

In May 2020, HIS Innovations Group received the keys to a 72,000-square-foot space in Hillsboro, more than double the size of the company's previous location, bringing the combined square footage of its facilities to 89,000. This new, larger space paved the way for HIS to grow its labor force and grow its capabilities across multiple departments. The company purchased and began commissioning several new pieces of equipment, including a CNC sheet and tube laser, three CNC tube benders, a complete powder coat operation center, two robotic welders, and a CNC press brake machine.

HIS Innovations Group has also broadened its industry focus and product offerings to serve the biopharmaceutical industry while continuing to provide components and custom solutions to customers in the semiconductor and research/laboratory industries. In addition, HIS recently completed the UL 508A panel certification to provide in-house electrical engineering.

Throughout the rest of 2020, HIS Innovations Group plans to continue growing its team, increase the size of its cleanroom, have a complete plastics fabrication center, and increase product offerings in both custom projects and off-the-shelf components. What HIS Innovations Group has already accomplished in 2020 is remarkable, and the company has not let COVID-19 get in its way.

About HIS: Established in 1979, HIS Innovations Group (www.hisoregon.com) is an ISO9001:2015 certified, premier manufacturer and distributor of custom and off-the-shelf stainless steel components and systems. These products are used in high vacuum (HV) and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems within the semiconductor, biopharmaceutical, aerospace and defense, national research laboratories, and other industries. HIS also offers early-stage R&D, solution-driven engineering services, rapid prototyping, fabrication, and full-scale production of components and weldments.

Media Contact:

Jason Frank

CEO, HIS Innovations Group; Partner & Founder, LVL3

[email protected]

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  The entry of poultry meat from Brazil will not be allowed in the meantime because of reports of coronavirus traces in some chicken wings, the Department of Agriculture said Friday.

The agency cited China's report that a sample of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil tested positive for COVID-19 during a screening in the Longgang district of Shenzhen.

"With the recent reports from China and in compliance with the countrys Food Safety Act to regulate food business operators and safeguard Filipino consumers, the temporary ban on the import of chicken meat is imposed," the department said in a statement.

The DA said poultry meat is safe to eat, but added it has not yet conducted tests for possible traces of coronavirus.

"The government's current priority is covid testing for our people," said Ronnie Domingo, DA Bureau of Animal Industry Director, in a text message. "DA has not conducted its own covid testing for animals."

From January to July this year, the country imported 523,810 kilograms of chicken wings from Brazil, according to DA data shared to CNN Philippines. The agency said the country has excess supply of fresh chicken this year, adding that it has regular consultations with broiler producers.

The Department of Health said a person cannot contract COVID-19 from eating food that has the novel coronavirus. However, infection is still possible by touching food that has droplets from an infected person and touching ones face afterwards.

"Hindi 'yan [That is not] gastro intestinal route. Its still respiratory route," said Ma. Rosario Vergeire, Health spokesperson.

The World Health Organization also maintained that catching COVID-19 from food or food packaging is "highly unlikely."
Amazon.com can be held liable like other traditional retailers for injuries from defective products sold via its sprawling e-commerce marketplace, a California state appeals court ruled on Thursday.

The decision overturned a San Diego Superior Court ruling that the worlds biggest online retailer was shielded from liability because it acted as a service provider, which is not subject to California product liability law.

In addition to selling its own inventory, Amazon allows third-party vendors to list products for sale on its website. Such vendors may store their products in Amazons warehouses or ship them directly to customers.

From the California Court of Appeal opinion in Bolger v Amazon: As a factual and legal matter, Amazon placed itself between Lenoge and Bolger in the chain of distribution of the product at issue here. Amazon accepted possession of the product from Lenoge, stored it in an Amazon warehouse, attracted Bolger to the Amazon website, provided her with a product listing for Lenoges product, received her payment for the product, and shipped the product in Amazon packaging to her. Amazon set the terms of its relationship with Lenoge, controlled the conditions of Lenoges offer for sale on Amazon, limited Lenoges access to Amazons customer information, forced Lenoge to communicate with customers through Amazon, and demanded indemnification as well as substantial fees on each purchase. Whatever term we use to describe Amazons role, be it retailer, distributor, or merely facilitator, it was pivotal in bringing the product here to the consumer.

The appeals court found that Amazon played a pivotal role in every step of plaintiff Angela Bolgers purchase of a replacement laptop battery from Amazon third-party seller Lenoge Technology HK Ltd, which was operating under the fictitious name E-Life. Bolger alleged that the battery burst into flames while she balanced the laptop on her thighs, resulting in severe burns to her arms, legs and feet.

Whatever term we use to describe Amazons role, be it retailer, distributor, or merely facilitator, it was pivotal in bringing the product here to the consumer, the appeals court held.

Amazon has faced multiple lawsuits seeking to hold it responsible for damage or injuries caused by defective products sold by third parties, including ones based overseas in China, with most courts concluding it is not a seller under various states product liability laws. But a few rulings have gone the other way and have allowed Amazon to be sued.

Both Pennsylvanias and Ohios top courts are currently considering the issue, and federal appeals courts are weighing cases under California and Texas law.

The case decided on Thursday drew friend-of-the-court briefs from plaintiff lawyer groups and corporate groups.

The ruling comes as California lawmakers weigh legislation that would put Amazon and other operators of online marketplaces on equal footing under the states strict liability law.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles and Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Greg Mitchell and Dan Grebler)

Topics California Legislation Amazon
The city of Willis has proposed a higher property tax rate and set a public hearing for the upcoming budget year.

During the special teleconference meeting on Thursday, City Manager Robert Evans said a decision needed to be made as to whether the council wanted to accept or go over the voter-approval tax rate of 62.95 cents per $100 valuation.

The deadline is on Monday to decide if you are going to exceed that amount, Evans said.

This voter-approval tax rate is slightly higher than the current property tax rate of 58.69 cents per $100 valuation that was approved in 2019. The previous year, the council approved a 66.97 cents per $100 valuation.

The current rate of .5869 we would be exceeding that by just a little bit, but that was a big drop from the previous year, Evans said during the meeting. We would still be right around the average over the last five years. I leave that up to yall to deliberate which is the best one, but if we do not choose the voter approval rate that would eliminate some of COLA (Cost-of-Living-Adjustment) for the employees and adding any new positions.

According to information from the Montgomery County Tax Office, this rate is defined as the highest tax rate a taxing unit may adopt before requiring a voter approval at election. An election will automatically be held if a taxing unit wishes to adopt a tax rate in excess of this rate.

Another amount Evans discussed during the meeting was the No New Revenue Rate, which was previously known as the effective tax rate until Senate Bill 2 passed the Texas Legislature in 2019.

The Texas Municipal League information states that the bill, which went into effect in January, reforms the system of property taxation in three primary ways: (1) lowering the tax rate a taxing unit can adopt without voter approval and requiring a mandatory election to go above the lowered rate; (2) making numerous changes to the procedure by which a city adopts a tax rate; and (3) making several changes to the property tax appraisal process.

The Tax Offices information states this tax rate would generate the same amount of revenue in the current tax year as was generated by a taxing units adopted tax rate in the preceding tax year from property that is taxable in both the current tax year and the preceding tax year.

According to the tax rate notice published on the citys website, this years No-New-Revenue Tax Rate for Willis is 49.81 cents per valuation. The growth of the city was taken into consideration during this part of the discussion.

But because there are more property on the rolls, it gets spread out over more people and the rate goes down in the same amount, Evans said. That normally sounds good over the taxes but in our case we have been growing over the last several years and weve been expanding the areas that we are to service and they are already starting to fall behind as you saw between our requests for people.

That is the lowest range, that is the one that you choose to use that rate you do not have to have any special meetings, he continued. We can adopt that rate.

Evans said the council also needed to schedule a public hearing.

We have one tentatively sent up to the county which they required from us on Aug. 26, Evans said.

The council unanimously accepted the recommended voters approval rate of 62.95 cents per $100 valuation and set a public hearing on Aug. 26.

The the proposed budget, which will be updated based on the recently received tax information, was not available by press time. The proposed budget and tax rate is expected to be discussed at the next regular council meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

mellsworth@hcnonline.com
More than a dozen newsrooms of titles still being published have been closed across the US, as publishers cut costs in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The IFJ has hit out at media bosses for failing to consult newsroom unions and urged news outlets to avoid decisions which negatively impact journalists' ability to maintain quality coverage.

On 12 August Tribune Publishing announced that five of its publications will move out of their offices to save money. The affected newspapers are the Daily News, a tabloid based in New York, the Capital Gazette and the Carroll County Times in Maryland, the Morning Call in Pennsylvania and the Orlando Sentinel in Florida. They will continue to publish, but their current newsrooms are permanently shuttered. Parent company Tribune Publishing left open a return to other physical offices when the pandemic situation improves.

Many journalists reacted with disappointment to the decision. Morning Call journalists Stephanie Sigafoos and Jennifer Sheehan explained to CNN Business that this would negatively affect the working culture. "Take the people out of a newsroom, you take some of the soul of the paper," Sigafoos said. Others like Carrie Melago of the New York Daily News and Capital Gazette reporter Olivia Sanchez voiced their discontent on Twitter:

The closing of newsrooms comes at a time when the Covid19 pandemic has increased the financial struggles of many newspapers. While recognising the need for some titles to reduce costs to save jobs unions fear such moves come at the expense of journalists and journalism. The NewsGuild-CWA describes the trend of closing newsrooms as "very troubling" because newsrooms are the physical center of any publication and essential for the collaboration on which news production relies.

In July, seven newspapers belonging to the McClatchy publishing company vacated their newsroom. Reporters at the Miami Herald (Florida), the Charlotte Observer (North Carolina), the McClatchy D.C. office, The State in Columbia (South Carolina), The Modesto Bee (California), the Merced Sun-Star (California) and the San Luis Obispo Tribune (California) will not return to their offices any time soon.

President of the NewsGuild-CWA, Jon Schleuss said: "It appears that Tribune Publishing, which is controlled by a hedge fund, decided to stop paying rent, leading to a lawsuit from their landlord. At the same, Tribune has been pocketing more money and sending it to the executive suites. The journalismtheir bottom lineis suffering. This is another sign that we need local ownership of the news."

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: "We are aware of the impact that the pandemic is having in the media industry and support moves to save costs without sacrificing jobs or quality. However, newsrooms are an essential part of media production. We urge media companies to refrain from cuts which damage the ability of journalists to serve their local communities and deliver quality news. Those companies who have already shuttered newsrooms should create a roadmap to restore physical newsrooms when the pandemic situation improves."
US Company Fined for Importing Sweetener Allegedly Made by Chinese Prison Labor

A U.S. company has been fined $575,000 for importing powdered sweetener that was made by prison labor in China, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on Aug. 13.

The penalty against Pure Circle USA marked the first fine issued by the agency since the passage of a 2015 law that bans the import of goods made by forced labor.

CBP said the company had imported at least 20 shipments of stevia powder and derivatives that had been processed in China with prison labor. Stevia is a plant extract used as a sweetener in sodas and other foods.

The investigation arose after the agency seized a shipment in May 2016 based on a tip-off that stevia produced by a Chinese company, Inner Mongolia Hengzheng Group Baoanzhao Agricultural and Trade LLC, was made with prison labor.

As part of its trade enforcement responsibilities, CBP will hold companies accountable for importing goods produced with forced labor, said Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBPs Office of Trade, in a statement.

Pure Circle said that it did not admit liability as part of the settlement with CBP, and agreed to pay the fine to end the costly investigation.

We have strongly refuted and provided substantial evidence disproving the CBPs 2016 claim that forced labor was used to produce the stevia we source from China, a company spokesperson said in a statement.

CBP has stepped up its investigations of imports suspected to be made with forced labor in China. It has issued 11 detention orders since last September, including four against products from China.

This week, the agency said it would seize all imported garments made by Chinese conglomerate Hero Vast Group based on information that it was using prison labor to produce the merchandise.

The use of forced labor is not just a serious human rights issue, but it also brings about unfair competition in our global supply chains, Smith said at the time.

In June, the CBP seized 13 tons of human hair products worth $800,000 suspected to have been made by forced labor in the region of Xinjiang, China. Activists and researchers believe the hair was sourced from Uyghur Muslim inmates detained in the regions vast network of internment camps.
This policy notes with few exceptions, something Jeras said is confusing to patients and their families. It lists end-of-life situations, but Jeras said her husbands situation didnt seem to fall squarely into that. Doctors said she could say goodbye if they had to intubate him, she said, but what about being with him the days before? With his terminal illness, she said, We dont know if thats going to be two days, two months, or he turns a corner and something else happens.
The Zamfara State Governor, Bello has directed the construction of a N400 million National Open University Study Centre in Gusau, just as he pledged to sponsor an initial 200 students into the university.

The governor gave this directive when he paid a working visit to the headquarters of the university in Abuja on Thursday.

Governor Matawalle said his decision to take the step is borne out of his desire to fast track the development of education in the state.

He said his administration is committed to building a virile youth for the future prosperity of the state.

I am convinced that NOUN is the right institution to assist in that direction because it is not hindered by bottlenecks peculiar to the tertiary education system in this country, Mr Matawalle observed.

He said the government will continue to sponsor students into the university as it has proven itself as a viable avenue for obtaining quality education without hurdles in the country.

Since my assumption of office, I have sponsored 200 qualified students abroad to study critical areas of medical and technology courses where the state is in dire need, Mr Matawalle said.

He said that his administrations commitment to transform the educational sector in the state informed the provision of the highest allocation to the sector in the 2020 budget.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Abdallah Adamu, who received the governor in his office, said the university based its programmes online where students acquire admission, register, study and even conduct their examination online.

Your Excellency, as at today, we have completed our first semester examination despite lockdown arising from the pandemic of covid-19 because the bulk of our business is conducted online, Mr Abdallah said .

He said the northern part of the country is extremely lagging behind regarding its participation in the opportunity provided by the university for effective, quality, cheap and hitch-free education.

As at today, the whole of the three geopolitical zones in the Northern hemisphere of the country have only 17,000 students, compared to the South Western state which, alone, has 37,000 students. Of the over 400 lecturers we interviewed for employment recently, only nine applied from the North, he lamented.

The Northern governors need to work hard to ensure that their indigenes participate in this national opportunity, Mr Abdallah advised.

He commended Mr Matawalle for being the only governor who personally visited the university.
Vietnam will order up to 150 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine Russia has approved this week, with one proportion of the number to be donated by the Russians, according to information released at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Hanoi on Friday.

Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long revealed at the meeting that Vietnam would place an order for the Sputnik-V jab.

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country in the world to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, Reuters reported.

The vaccine, Moscows Gamaleya Institute, is named Sputnik-V, referring to the first artificial Earth satellite the Soviet Union launched into outer space in 1957.

The Russian Embassy in Vietnam already sent a document to the Vietnamese governement, pledging to donate machines, biological medicinal products, COVID-19 prevention equipment, and the Sputnik-V inoculation.

Vietnam will buy 50-150 million doses of the vaccine, a portion of which would be gifted by Russia, according to discussions between Vietnamese and Russian representatives following the document.

No date of selling, buying, or delivery has been specified, pending paperwork.

It is also not immediately clear if Russia will sell Vietnam the shot at the price it has announced.

South Koreas KBS World Radio quoted Alexey Repik, chairman of major Russian pharmaceutical firm R-Pharm, as saying on Wednesday that two batches of the vaccine for one person would be exported at around US$10.

Export rates could be lowered if production increases, he added.

Western experts have accused Russia of not carrying out enough trials before rolling out the Sputnik-V, saying the regulatory approval was granted after less than two months of human testing and in the absence of research data, Reuters reported.

Its approval by the health ministry foreshadows the start of a larger trial involving thousands of participants, commonly known as a Phase III trial, the British news agency said.

Russia countered that such experts are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and are trying to express opinions that in our opinion are completely groundless, Reuters cited Health Minister Mikhail Murashko as saying on Wednesday.

The vaccine would be administered to people, including doctors, on a voluntary basis in two weeks, Murashko added.

Data on clinical trials would be published after having been assessed by Russias own experts, said Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Institute.

Russia has confirmed 913,000 coronavirus cases, with 723,000 recoveries and nearly 15,000 deaths, according to statistics at COVID-19 tracking website worldometers.info.

Vietnam has recorded 911 cases, 430 of whom have already recovered from the disease as of Friday afternoon, the Ministry of Health said.

The Southeast Asian country has documented 21 virus-related fatalities so far.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The US Secret Service requested a Blackhawk helicopter with a fast-deployment commando team to circle the White House after protesters knocked down barriers in May.

The breach on Monday 29 to the outer fence caused Secret Service agents to rush President Trump to an underground bunker in the White House used in years past to protect against the possibility of terrorist attacks while protests raged across the street over George Floyd's death.

Trump and his family were left 'rattled' by the episode, though it is not clear what specifically prompted the Secret Service to take the extraordinary measure, The New York Times reported at the time.

In reaction to the breach, the secret service requested an helicopter from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that could be deployed in a situation requiring a rapid-response to the growing demonstrations focused around the White House.

Pictured: An undated photograph shows the White House in Washington, DC

Pictured: A Blackhawk helicopter in an undated photograph can be seen being used in a rescue operation

The Secret Service form a line outside the White House as agitators attempt to breach their barricade during a protest over the death of George Floyd on Saturday

A protester holds his hands up as police officers enter Lafayette Park on Saturday during a demonstration against the death in Minneapolis police custody of black man George Floyds

The Secret Service pointed out in the letter that they would need 'fast ropes' attached, to deploy a team of six elite soldiers in emergency situations.

In the discussions between the Secret Services and the CBP, it was decided that the attack helicopter was not necessary, though the CBP did agree to provide live information from a plane surveilling DC, as requested by the Secret Service.

'Due to the significant and unprecedented events occurring in the National Capital Region, the U.S. Secret Service is requesting the support from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations,' Kimberly Cheatle, assistant director for the Secret Service's Office of Protective Operations, wrote to CBP acting commissioner Mark Morgan on 5 June.

'CBP's participation in the operational security plan is vital.'

American oversight, a government watchdog, obtained the letter through a public records request.

President Trump (seen above at the White House on Saturday) was rushed to a secret underground bunker by the Secret Service on Friday night while hundreds protested the death of George Floyd across from the White House

The underground bunker, also known as the President's Emergency Operations Center, has been rarely used since the early days of the 'war on terror.' The above image shows then-Vice President Dick Cheney (right) and then-National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (left) inside the bunker on September 11, 2001, moments after terrorists hijacked four airliners

The Washington Post cited 'several' officials involved with the plans, who said the plans were also to thwart similar situations of unrest in other parts of the city.

Secret Service spokeswoman Catherine Milhoan issued a statement without revealing the group's motivations.

'In support of its protective mission, the U.S. Secret Service routinely requests interagency support from federal partners through formal 'request for assistance' letters,' Milhoan told the Washinton Post in a statement.

'Due to the significant and unprecedented events occurring and anticipated in the National Capital Region, the agency followed standard protocol to ensure it had the resources and capabilities that might be required to maintain a safe and secure environment for the people and places it protects and the general public.'

The CBP were also similarly reserved in their responses. Declining to answer questions regarding the June 5 letter, they wrote: 'It would not be appropriate to share specific details of every movement our personnel or assets make'.

'Collaborating with our law enforcement partners, AMO aircrews are capable of providing real-time, live video feeds to ground-based agents giving them situational awareness, maximizing public safety, and minimizing the threat to personnel and assets during national security and public safety events and to transport personnel and supplies as needed,' CBP said in a statement.

Demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd, near the White House on May 31, 2020 in Washington, DC

The CBP is split into two divisions, one which monitors coastlines and borders, and the other which can be tasked with providing birds-eye information on places with large gatherings, such as the Super Bowl and presidential inaugurations.

Though the CBP are utilised to assist the Secret Service in many of these large-scale operations, this was the first time they were contacted to provide an added element of security to the White House, the Washington Post reported.

House Democrats slammed acting Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf for the June 5 request, saying it undermines the First Amendment and called it a 'gross abuse of authority.

'This Administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of Americans of all races who are rightfully protesting George Floyd's killing,' Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee wrote to Wolf in a June 5 letter.

'The deployment of drones and officers to surveil protests is a gross abuse of authority and is particularly chilling when used against Americans who are protesting law enforcement brutality.'

CBP officials claim that their aircraft do not possess the technology to identify people through facial-recognition but they can pick out individuals wearing backpacks or holding weapons.

The request for additional overhead security came days after President Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron were rushed into the White House bunker Friday night after protesters breached one of the barricades outside of the White House complex.

The first family was taken to the underground location around 7 p.m. after multiple people crossed over fences that had been erected to form a barrier around the White House and Treasury Building, The Washington Post reported.

The large size of the crowd took officials by surprise as hundreds gathered outside the White House, some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades.

Trump was angry after reports he was hiding in the bunker - some said he was in there up to an hour - and said Wednesday he was down there to inspect it.

'I go down, I've gone down two or three times - all for inspection - and you go there, some day you may need it,' he said Wednesday on Brian Kilmeade's FOX News Radio show. 'I went down. I looked at it. It was during the day, it was not a problem.'

He denied he was brought their for safety.

'It was a false report,' he told Kilmeade.

.
The CEO of the state-run veterans home in central Jersey should resign for failing to implement basic precautions  sanitizing rooms, segregating patients and providing masks  that could have saved lives during the height of the coronavirus outbreak, a state Senator said Thursday.

Sen. Joseph Vitale D-Middlesex, also said he has asked the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to investigate the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park in Edison, where the coronavirus killed 62 residents and one employee.

Some of those people could still be alive had CEO Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles and her team acted responsibly and swiftly, according to searing testimony from residents, relatives and veterans advocates who testified during a hearing on nursing home performance during the outbreak.

Based on having spoken with residents and their advocates, the leadership has failed them, Vitale said after the three-hour hearing on a package of bills that would increase the oversight of the nursing home industry. It would be unrealistic to suggest no one would have gotten the virus. But it was the spread, the ongoing lack of PPE and how staff were told not to wear PPE, that could have saved their lives potentially.

Glenn Osborne, a retired Marine and president of Menlo Parks resident council, described how front-line employees only sporadically wore masks and other protective gear in March and into April because management said doing so would scare everyone. He saw residents returning from the hospital to the same room and roommate who hadnt contracted the virus yet.

Many of these deaths were avoidable. I asked the CEO in March is there any strategy in place to combat COVID, Osborne said. The reply: Were working on it.

The rank and file employees are outstanding, but they are overworked and underpaid, to say the least. Residents ringing the call bell continue to wait up to 45 minutes for staff to arrive, he said.

I come before you with trepidation and fear - I will be targeted, Osborne said. I respectfully request you intervene and bring much needed change to the veterans home.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

Nancy Caruso told a joint legislative panel that about 15 of her late fathers friends died during the height of the pandemic. She laid the blame at the feet of the CEO and senior leaders who told employees to come to work while they were still sick, and acted too late to segregate the sick from the well residents.

Those veterans should not have died. To this day, things are not being done correctly, Caruso said.

Vitale said he was compelled to call for Schiff-Heedles resignation and pledged to seek a federal investigation after hearing the testimony, as well as feedback from Jack McGreevey, his liaison to veterans in the senators district. People have just started calling his office in the last week, hesitant to speak out of fear of retribution, Vitale said

A spokesperson for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which oversees the three state-run veterans homes, in Paramus, Edison and Vineland, declined to comment on the allegations raised at the hearing because surviving family members are suing the state.

Schiff-Heedles job is secure, spokesman Kryn Westhoven said.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs fully supports the Chief Executive Officers at our three Veterans Memorial Homes across the state, Westhoven said.

On Monday, U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-Dist. 5) and Bill Pascrell (D-Dist. 9) called for the resignation of Matthew Schottlander, the CEO at the veterans home in Paramus after a NorthJersey.com story examined lax infection control practices and questionable decisions. A total of 81 residents and one employees have died there  the highest death count of any long-term care facility in New Jersey.

Schiff-Heedles earns $120,999 for the job shes held since April 2018, according to a state employee database. Past jobs include a 10-month stint as a nursing home administrator at Atrium Health in Hamilton, and operations and marketing manager for CareOne from December 2013 to June 2016, according to her LinkedIn profile. She holds a masters degree in social work.

Several veterans advocates testified in support of a bill, S2787, a bill sponsored by Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex and Assemblyman William Moen Jr. D-Gloucester, that would create a Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Safety.

The Menlo Park home needs oversight, said Gary White, commandant and president of the New Jersey Marine Corps League.

Staffing shortages persist, especially on weekends, he said.

The rooms were not thoroughly cleaned after COVID patients moved out, White said. We begged for testing for residents and staff, White said.

A vote is expected on an array of nursing home reform bills later in the month, Vitale said.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.



Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

Trend:

As a Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan-Israel intergovernmental commission, I was honored to visit Israel for the commission's inaugural session on May 14, 2018, Azerbaijans Minister of Economy and Co-Chair of the bilateral Azerbaijan- Israel Intergovernmental Commission Mikayil Jabbarov wrote in his article published in The Jerusalem Post, Trend reports.

"I specifically asked that my visit start at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center. The tour of the Center left a deep impact on my memory. It helped me better understand the tragic story of the Holocaust and draw certain parallels with recent history of my nation, which also faces genocide, ethnic cleansing and hate crime," the article reads.

"The world lives through the most difficult period inour modern history. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our familiar life pattern. It is claiming thousands of victims every day. It is undermining economic and social pillars of international order, enlarging poverty and slowing development," the author stressed. "In these hard days, Azerbaijan is facing yet another security challenge. As if not satisfied with occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 adjacent districts of Azerbaijan, on July 12, the neighboring Republic of Armenia launched a new large-scale military attack against our country."

Jabbarov reminded that the attack came in the direction of the Azerbaijan's Tovuz district, which is quite far from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

Interestingly, the Tovuz district is located on transit route of key oil and gas pipelines, which carry Azerbaijans hydrocarbons to the world markets. Thus, Armenias aggressive actions present a grave danger to the stability of the world energy markets and threaten energy security of Azerbaijans energy consumers, including Israel, he noted.

"Another reason for Armenias provocative move has to do with domestic situation. Armenias economy is in deep trouble. Corruption is wide-spread. Emigration is rising. Response to the pandemic is mismanaged. Political situation is unstable, with society divided and elite groups fighting with each other. In this light, Armenias government chose a familiar way of distracting peoples attention from domestic troubles to foreign conquest," said the article.

The recent military attack also pursues a goal of undermining an already fragile peace process, so Armenia can indefinitely continue its occupation of Azerbaijans territory, the minister added.

What is even more appalling is that Armenia is taking its aggression to truly global scale, he further noted. In the past ten days, Azerbaijani communities across the globe tried to hold peaceful rallies in moral support to their homeland. In most cases, from Los Angeles to Brussels and from Ottawa to London, they were faced with angry mobs of Armenian radical nationalists. Azerbaijani demonstrators were subjected to verbal and then physical assaults, beatings and stonings.

"Time and again, we see that instead of calm discussion at the negotiation table based on facts and legal arguments, the Armenian side resorts to military aggression, violence and hate crime," Jabbarov emphasized adding that now Armenia is even trying to manipulate relations between Azerbaijan and its foreign partners, including Israel.

In his words, promoting publications in Israeli media, the Armenian propaganda is calling for an end to relations with Azerbaijan through sanctions, embargoes and boycotts.

"I am confident that Armenian arguments will not fly in Israeli society as the Jewish nation is well aware of the realities on the ground. Azerbaijan has always been a meeting place of civilizations and crossroad of trade routes. This explains our tradition of tolerance of others and respect for their beliefs," the article reads. "Azerbaijan is home to an old Jewish community, which never experienced anti-Semitism. Jewish MPs serve in our Parliament and Jewish soldiers shed blood for their homelands flag."

"Unlike Armenia, we are not trying to manipulate our partners agenda. While developing bilateral ties with Israel, we in Azerbaijan are not focusing these ties against third parties. Our efforts are always focused on providing solid contribution to international security, stability and peace. We are trying to promote culture of tolerance and mutual respect. We want to help build bridges instead of walls and the relationships we have pioneered are benefiting our friends already," Jabbarov wrote.
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Linkedin Nina Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 08:30 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dec569 1 National Veronica-Koman,Papua,LPDP-scholarship,Australia,beasiswa,scholarship,activist Free

Civil society group Papua Itu Kita (Papua Is Us) and Jayapura-based publication Jubi have initiated a fundraising movement to support Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman who was recently asked to return government-sponsored scholarship funding for her studies in Australia.

"Papua residents initiated the fundraising because they feel thankful to Veronica who has been a vocal advocate for human rights issues in Papua. They want to help her too," Veronica's lawyer Michael Hilman told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Veronica was asked to return scholarship money totaling Rp 773.8 million (US$52,760) from the Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) that she received in September 2016 to enable her to study for a masters degree in law at the Australian National University.

Hilman said Veronica had paid back Rp 64.5 million out of the Rp 773.8 million scholarship from her own money but he hoped the fundraising could pay off the remaining funds demanded.

He said Veronica was aware of the initiative, which was started on Aug. 11, and fully supported it.

On Tuesday, Veronica, who is currently residing in Australia, posted a statement claiming that the Indonesian government had forced her to return the scholarship money as a form of "financial punishment" for her activism in advocating for human rights in Papua and West Papua.

She also posted on social media on Wednesday that the classes she took in her postgraduate study and all of her essays she wrote were on human rights advocacy in Papua.

"However, the Indonesian government regards my dedication to Papua as [a form of] treason because it has never considered Papua a part of NKRI [the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia]. I'm gladly willing to be abandoned by Indonesia. Hand me to Papua, we have pride too," she wrote

In a written statement on Thursday, the LPDP, which is under the coordination of the Finance Ministry, stated that the request to refund the scholarship was made because Veronica had failed to return home to Indonesia after her studies.

Veronica had previously refuted LPDP's claims saying that she returned to Indonesia to join the Jayapura-based Human Rights Lawyers Association for Papua (PAHAM Papua) in 2018 and she also gave pro-bono legal services to Papuan activists in three separate trials in Timika, Papua, from April to May 2019.

However, the LPDP claimed that Veronica had not yet graduated when she returned to the country.

"VKL graduated in July 2019 and registered her graduation on the LPDP system in September 2019. VKL returned to Indonesia in 2018 when she had not yet finished her studies so she did not return as an alumnus but as an ongoing awardee. Thus, her return cannot be regarded as the fulfilment of her alumnus obligations," the LPDP stated, referring to Veronica by her initials.

Social media users have questioned the LPDP decision saying that many awardees had not returned to the country after their studies but faced no consequences.

"My friend returned to Indonesia, but he received a [job] offer from abroad. He has been working there ever since. No sanctions, nobody is looking for him either," user @leavesomeday tweeted.

Fyi bener sih. Temen ai udah balik ke Indonesia, terus ada offer di LN sampai sekarang gapulang. Ga ada sanksi, dan ga dicariin juga  Leavesomeday (@leavesomeday) August 11, 2020

Siska, a 2016 LPDP awardee in the United Kingdom also claimed fellow awardees had not returned to Indonesia after finishing their studies.

"A friend of mine who studied at the same university as me in the UK has not returned to Indonesia. He is currently working for a private company in the UK," she told Tempo.co.

Another awardee, she said, had got a job in the US before completing her three years obligatory work in Indonesia.
He was elected to the party post in July and told a friend on Facebook: My job is not to unify the party. Good candidates like the ones mentioned above are what unifies us . . . My job is to get turnout up. And to cut back on the vitriol.
The US has formally rescinded 2016 Obama administration limits on oil and gas industry emissions of methane.

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has rolled back regulations aimed at reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane from oil and gas operations, its latest move to unwind environmental rules ahead of Novembers presidential election.

During a visit to election swing state Pennsylvania on Thursday, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) Administrator Andrew Wheeler formally rescinded 2016 limits on oil and gas industry emissions of methane that were set by the administration of former President Barack Obama. The move was criticised by environmentalists when initially proposed last August.

Wheeler said in Pittsburgh that new rules would save $100m a year between 2021 and 2030. The rules will fulfill President Trumps promise to cut burdensome and ineffective regulations for our domestic energy industry, he said.

Methane is the main component of natural gas. It is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but does not remain in the atmosphere as long. Recent scientific reports highlight the major role methane emissions play in worsening climate change.

The new rules remove methane control requirements for the production and processing of oil and natural gas as well as curbs on emissions from transmission and storage.

The rules also exempt smaller oil and gas companies from a requirement that they install equipment to detect methane leaks and change the required schedule for repairing leaks, to respect the realities of the oil and gas industry by allowing deferrals.

The EPA retained a rule issued in 2012 that limits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause smog, which it says already reduces methane emissions.

Health over profits

The American Petroleum Institute (API), a powerful fossil fuel lobby, has said it supports the EPAs revisions even if some of its larger members like Exxon, BP and Shell have come out in support of mandatory methane regulations. Smaller drillers say the Obama rules were too costly for them to comply with.

We support this revision, API regulatory affairs director Frank Macchiarola told Reuters. But we understand that this rule has drawn diverse viewpoints across our industry.

The API said existing VOC regulations have led to methane emissions falling 60 percent between 2011 and 2018.

The rollbacks will be challenged in court, environmental groups and some state attorneys general have said.

EPA must prioritise our health and safety over the profits of oil and gas companies, and we will hold them accountable in court, said Earthjustice associate attorney Caitlin Miller.

In addition to the rollbacks, the EPA also set up hurdles for a future administration to regulate methane by requiring the agency to make a finding that the gas contributes significantly to air pollution before proposing new requirements.

Joseph Goffman, former EPA senior counsel and director at Harvard Law Schools Environmental and Energy Law Program, said reducing methane from oil and gas is necessary to combat climate change.

The purpose of this rule is simply to strew baseless legal obstacles across that path, ensuring that after Trump and Wheeler are finally gone, their successors will have to struggle to achieve urgently needed methane reductions, he said.
Rep. Watkins Faces House Ethics Investigation After Primary Loss

Rep. Steve Watkins (R-Kan.), fresh off a primary loss, is facing an investigation, the House Ethics Committee announced this week.

Watkins, 43, is being probed because he was charged with criminal conduct last month, Chairman Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and ranking member Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) said.

House rules dictate establishing an investigative subcommittee or report to the body with reasons for not establishing a subcommittee within 30 days or a member being indicted or formally charged with criminal conduct.

The committee unanimously voted to establish a subcommittee.

Pursuant to the Committees action, the Investigative Subcommittee shall have jurisdiction to determine whether Representative Watkins falsely reported information to a law enforcement officer; voted in an election district without being lawfully registered to vote; knowingly marked or transmitted more than one advance voting ballot; and/or failed to notify the proper agency of a change of name or address, Deutch and Marchant said in a joint statement.

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) is leading the investigation.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay on July 14 announced the filing of four charges against Watkins.

The representative was charged with interference with law enforcement by providing false information, voting without being qualified, unlawful advance voting, and failing to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of a change of address.

The countys sheriffs office is conducting a probe into the matter.

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) speaks in Washington on July 18, 2018. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Restrictions from COVID-19 delayed the investigation that led to the filings, Kagay said. The charges stem from Watkins voting in a City Council election last year.

After the charges were filed, Watkins told the Kansas City Star over Zoom that what happened was a mistake.

I used my mailing address because thats what we do when we deploy. Before this, I spent most of my career in Iraq and Afghanistan, Watkins said.

I didnt gain any advantage from receiving the wrong ballot. There was simply no motive, which is why this, of course, was a mistake.

Jacob LaTurner, the state treasurer, defeated Watkins in the Republican primary for Kansas 2nd Congressional District, meaning Watkins will only serve one term in office.

Suzanne and I are absolutely humbled by your support. Thank you! Now the real campaign begins and the differences will be clear. Its time for Republicans to unite and win in November! LaTurner said in a statement after the win was declared.

Michelle De La Isla, the mayor of Topeka, won the Democratic nomination for the seat.

The mayor in an Aug. 7 speech told supporters that she wants to protect Kansas residents, who she said are being threatened by division of all kinds.

I will advocate to ensure that every Kansan has access to quality healthcare, meaningful jobs to support their families, a decent place to live, access to quality education, and the roads and bridges needed to move everyone including our rural communitiessafely across our state, she added.

The seat is rated by political handicappers as likely Republican or solid Republican.
By Praveen Menon

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand was scrambling to trace the source of its first coronavirus outbreak in more than three months, reporting 13 new community infections on Thursday, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had sought to eradicate the virus with a hard lockdown.

The resurgence of COVID-19 comes just weeks before a scheduled general election, increasing pressure on Ardern to get the outbreak under control amid growing criticism.

Ardern swiftly reimposed tight movement restrictions in Auckland and social distancing measures across the rest of the country after the discovery this week of four infected family members in the city.

"Once again we are reminded of how tricky this virus is and how easily it can spread," she said during a televised news conference on Thursday. "Going hard and early is still the best course of action."

Officials reported 13 new cases in the community on Thursday, and one overseas arrival who had not left quarantine since arriving in the country, bringing the total number of active cases to 36.

Ardern said it was a positive sign that all 13 new community cases were linked back to one infected family, either via work or broader family connections, and that all were being transferred into quarantine facilities.

She said that experience showed "things will get worse before they get better", and more cases were likely to be reported in coming days.

SEARCHING FOR PATIENT ZERO

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said that he suspected the cause of the outbreak came from quarantine, and that confirmation should come soon.

"I think there's been a breach inside our quarantine system, and I think, when that comes out very shortly, in a matter of maybe less than a day, we'll find out that was the case," Peters told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Peters said he had been informed of the details by a New Zealand journalist.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said health officials were getting "closer every hour" to finding the patient zero of the outbreak.

Story continues

Bloomfield had raised the possibility earlier on Wednesday that the virus had arrived in New Zealand via freight, given one of the initially infected family members works in a cool store that takes imported frozen goods from overseas.

Ten of the new cases were either cool store staff or their family members. The cool store is operated by the New Zealand unit of U.S.-based Americold Realty Trust.

On Thursday, Bloomfield said that importing the virus via freight was considered "a low possibility" as the infection source, but officials wanted to formally rule it out. China has reported the virus on frozen food packaged in South America.

Some prominent local health experts suggested it was more likely the virus had been quietly spreading in Auckland for weeks, despite Ardern's efforts to eradicate it with an initial five week hard lockdown.

This possibility has allowed the major opposition National Party to seize on potential flaws in Ardern's approach ahead of the Sept. 19 election, which she described as a "COVID election" when launching her campaign.

Ardern is on track to easily win the election, according to recent polls, but the National Party is pressuring her to delay the vote until at least November, arguing their inability to campaign gives Ardern an unfair advantage.

Ardern said she will announce a decision on the election date after she reveals on Friday whether lockdown measures will be extended. The election must be held by Nov 21.

Critics are also highlighting the economic impact of an extended shutdown. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Deputy Governor Geoff Bascand told Reuters the resurgence posed "a major risk" to the bank's outlook, given its baseline scenario has an assumption that the virus is contained in the country.

AUCKLAND LOCKDOWN

In Auckland, home to around 1.7 million people, residents were given just hours to prepare for the return to level 3 restrictions on Wednesday, requiring people to stay at home unless for essential trips.

Police set up checkpoints at the city's borders as scores of people attempted to leave to avoid a sustained lockdown, as Ardern warned they would be turned back.

Long queues of people formed at pop-up clinics, with some waiting hours to be tested for the virus, and there was a rush to supermarkets to stock up on essentials.

There was also growing anger at revelations that members of the infected family had visited several tourist sites in the town of Rotorua and an aged care home in the Waikato district, both south of Auckland.

"We can see the seriousness of the situation we are in," Ardern said. "It's being dealt with in an urgent but calm and methodical way."

With 1,238 confirmed cases and 22 deaths, New Zealand's exposure to the virus remains well below many other developed nations.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon in Wellington, Jane Wardell and Colin Packham in Sydney; Additional reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne Editing by Michael Perry)
If you're unemployed or under-employed, MLM (also known as network marketing) might look like a good way to raise cash. But the reality usually doesn't match the promise. One in 13 U.S. adults have tried multilevel marketing at some point, according to a 2018 AARP study. Only one-quarter of those participants, however, made a profit. Nearly half of the distributors lost money; about one-quarter broke even. Of those who came out ahead, more than half earned less than $5,000. And since April, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has chastised 12 MLM companies over claims that they or their representatives have made about seller income during the COVID-19 crisis.

Still interested in MLM? Before you join, figure out if a company is legitimate, advises Kati Daffan, assistant director of the FTC's marketing practices division. Among the red flags are promises of over-the-top earnings potential and an emphasis on recruiting more distributors, rather than selling products, to make money. Look for reports that sellers have to buy more merchandise than they want to use or can resell, she says. And check whether the items to be sold are available elsewhere for a similar price or less.

Finally, consider whether you want to be a salesperson. Do you have a solid sales plan plus a network of people who could be repeat customers?

Many people realize that they don't. The most common reason for giving up, AARP found, was awkwardness in selling to family and friends  who perhaps are facing their own financial difficulties right now. The social media part is frustrating to me, Hoeller posted. I'd like to see family pics and stuff, but not the products.

Every MLM company should disclose distributors average earnings. That average, though, may obscure typical results. Many of these companies have costs associated with them. And they can be significant, Daffan points out. Figures including all distributors are more realistic than those including only currently active ones.

So, if you're an unwilling target of friends pitches, what should you do? When they approach you with a business opportunity, they're reframing the situation, says Chris MacDonald, who teaches business ethics at Ryerson University in Toronto. Once they put you in a situation where they're talking business, you have every right to be businesslike in response. That means it's OK to answer No, thank you. And if they persist? They are demonstrating that they aren't valuing your friendship but treating you as a profit source, he says.
Bala Chauhan By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Family feud and an alleged conspiracy to sabotage the career of the Pulakeshi Nagar Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy by his party rivals and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are emerging as the possible reasons behind the burning down of his house, said sources.

The Tuesday attack on the DJ Halli police station and the MLAs house in Kaval Byrasandra was led by outsiders, say residents of Devarajeevanahalli (DJ Halli,) who are yet to recover from the shock of the violence. There were outsiders in the mob, who gathered before the DJ Halli police station within no time and damaged it. They burnt down Annas house.

He is like a family member to a majority of the people in this area, said Munna, a DJ Halli resident. We are supporters of Anna. How can we think of harming him? asked cable operator Fairoz of Devara Jeevana Halli.

Anna is a very popular politician. He does not differentiate between people on religion or financial status. We have always voted for him even when he was with the JD(S). We vote for Anna and not the party he represents, said Fairoz. On every Eid he stands at the Tannery Road Circle and wishes everyone. On Ganesha (Chaturthi) and St Marys feast, you can find him walking inside the narrow lanes, greeting people, he said.

Attack on Murthy may be work of rivals: Ex-Cong leader

As one speaks to more people in DJ Halli, voices in support of Murthy in the Muslim-dominated area get stronger and the alleged reasons behind the attack on his house become less opaque. A former JD(S) leader, he had joined the Congress in 2017 on a call from his mentor and former CM Siddaramaiah, Murthy told TNIE. In 2018, he defeated his predecessor Prasanna Kumar, who had contested the election on a JD(S) ticket.

Some of his rivals in the party may have joined hands with the SDPI to discredit him even though the latter is the bete noire of Congress Muslim leaders, said a local leader. A former Congress leader told TNIE that the attack on Murthy may have been the handiwork of his rivals within the party and SDPI, which has a stronger organisational skill among the youths in the area. The police investigation should reveal who funded the mob, he said.

Surprisingly, regarding Murthys nephew P Naveen, who had allegedly posted some highly objectionable post on his Facebook page and said to be the reason behind the arson, the MLAs supporters said that the latter had nothing to do with Naveen. Anna is not on talking terms with Naveen. In 2015, Naveen had approached the MLA when he was with the JD(S) for a ticket for the BBMP election, but he refused. JD(S) had fielded Annas wife Shailaja from Ward 48. She lost the election.

Naveen has been holding a grudge against his uncle since then but has used his relationship for his vested interests, said a local leader. Whether Naveen fell into the trap of the SDPI-Murthys rival combo and planned the coup against his uncle, or his Facebook post was hacked is being investigated by the police.

Blasphemy, police inaction behind unrest: SDPI

The Social Democratic Party of India, Karnataka, has condemned the blasphemous act, police firing and the alleged delaying tactics of the police in arresting the culprit for the post. Abdul Hannan, Gen Secretary of SDPI, Karnataka, claimed that the blasphemous post was by Naveen, the nephew of local Congress MLA Akhanda Sreenivas.

He said, When complaints were filed at 7pm at the DJ Halli police station, the police inspector and ACP had asked them to wait for two hours. Even at 11.30pm, the police didnt arrest Naveen. This led to the worsening of the situation. The police resorted to firing which took three precious lives. Had the police acted responsibly, the untoward incidents could have been avoided. Earlier, when a local youth had commented on social media, the police had arrested him within 10 minutes.

But in this case, the police played delay tactics under political pressure, he alleged. Abdul Hannan said the SDPI condemns the police for unnecessarily dragging them into the incident. In fact, the SDPI leaders pacified the mob several times in the presence of police and local Ulemas, he said. He said the SDPI demands that Naveen be prosecuted and that irresponsible police officers be suspended.
The Indian envoy to China Vikram Misri on Friday shared Indias views on the situation on the Sino-India border in eastern Ladakh with a senior officer of the Central Military Commission (CMC) as part of New Delhis ongoing efforts to reach out to different sections of the Chinese government to find a way to resolve the crisis.

The CMC, which is headed by President Xi Jinping, is overall in-charge of the administration of Chinas armed forces.

Misri met Major General Ci Guowei, director of CMCs office of international military cooperation and briefed him on Indias stance of vis-a-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh UT (union territory), the Indian embassy tweeted Friday afternoon.

No other detail of the meeting was available.

Misris Friday meeting with Ci comes two days after he met Liu Jianchao, who is the deputy director of the Communist Party of Chinas (CPC) central committees foreign affairs commission office.

The two meetings held in Beijing this week comes amid several rounds of diplomatic and military negotiations that have been held since June to de-escalate the situation along the line of actual control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

The Indian embassy has not shared details about either of the two meetings  or for that matter why they were held as both the Communist party hierarchy as well as the Chinese government are aware of New Delhis stance on the border.

The Chinese side too has been silent about the meetings

At the top of both hierarchies -- of the CPC and government -- is President Xi Jinping, who is the general secretary of the CPC, and chair of the CMC.

In 2016, Xi took on a new military title as the commander in chief of the militarys Joint Operations Command Centre.

It was not immediately clear if new developments at the LAC led to the two quick meetings in Beijing or whether no progress in the diplomatic and military talks held so far led to them.

The increase in Sino-India diplomatic activity in Beijing could also be seen in the backdrop of reports from India, which say that the disengagement process between the troops of the two countries is not progressing as expected with Peoples Liberation of Army (PLA) troops not pulling back at certain friction points in the region.

Chinese troops are said to have pulled back from the Galwan Valley, the site of the June 15 clash, and certain other friction points but the withdrawal of its troops has not moved forward from the Finger areas in Pangong Tso, Gogra and Depsang as demanded by India, reports from New Delhi say.

A Chinese foreign ministry to the Hindustan Times this week said the At present, the two sides have disengaged in most of the border areas and will continue to coordinate and consult through military and diplomatic channels to further ease the tension and maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas. the statement in Mandarin said.

It has been more than a month since the formal process of disengagement began between the two neighbours, scarred by the deaths of soldiers after decades of no casualties along the disputed boundary.

The graded disengagement began on July 6, a day following a conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councilor Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tensions in the area.

Until now, diplomatic talks have been held under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China border affairs while military talks have been headed by major general-level officers from both sides.
With negotiations for further coronavirus relief stalled in Congress, it's unclear whether or when President Trump's order for an extra $400 of unemployment benefits could reach jobless Americans. (Michael Reynolds / EPA)

With Congress and the White House at an impasse, President Trump recently ordered that people receiving unemployment benefits get an extra $400 a week. The extra funds would be a relief for the more than 15 million jobless Americans who saw a weekly $600 benefit expire at the end of July. But the extra money amid the continuing coronavirus crisis is far from a done deal.

For one thing, California Gov. Gavin Gavin Newsom this week pushed back on the part of the plan that required states to contribute $100 of the benefit, arguing that the state would face massive budget cuts as a result.

So what type of unemployment benefits could Californians see  and, crucially, when?

How much?

That extra $400 would almost certainly be $300 for Californians and residents of other states that say they dont have enough money to contribute $100.

On Tuesday, the Trump administration modified its plan to exempt cash-strapped states from contributing if they already provide at least $100 in state unemployment benefits. Most states already meet that requirement, according to White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow.

That means many people could get $300, half of what they had been receiving through July under the federal CARES Act.

When would the money arrive?

The answer to this is unclear. A central question underpinning Trumps order is this: Is it legal?

From the moment the executive order arrived, it triggered questions of constitutionality, because the power to collect taxes, spend money and write laws rests with Congress. If the order is challenged in court, it could delay or scuttle the whole idea.

If the legality question were resolved, the order would make payments retroactive to Aug. 1. But it would take weeks or longer for those who qualify for the benefits to see them. States would need to set up new systems to administer the benefits, according to employment experts.

In California, the Employment Development Department, which handles unemployment benefits, has struggled to process and pay out claims due to reported staff shortages and outdated technology.

Story continues

So wheres Congress in all this?

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have so far been unable to reach a bipartisan deal on a new stimulus plan. And significant differences remain.

Democrats, who control the House, want a $3-trillion package, although they offered to reduce their proposal by about $1 trillion. Republicans, who control the Senate, want to keep the stimulus around $1 trillion.




Election 2020 Myanmars Largest Poll Monitor Hits Out at UEC After Being Banned From 2020 Election

Poll observers and party representatives monitor ballot counting at a polling station in Yangons Tamwe Township during the 2018 by-election. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

YANGONThe director of Myanmars largest election monitoring group, PACE, called the countrys election commission irresponsible after its spokesperson offered opaque comments on whether the groups monitors have been banned from observing the upcoming general election.

PACE announced yesterday that the Union Election Commission (UEC) had barred it from observing the general election set for November.

When asked about the ban on Friday, however, UEC spokesperson U Myint Naing told reporters during an event in Naypyitaw, Its not true, without offering any further comment. The Irrawaddy made several phone calls to the official for clarification but he wasnt available.

PACE had been planning to observe the Nov. 8 polls by fielding nearly 3,000 observers, which would have been the largest contingent fielded among local election monitoring groups. It has successfully monitored Myanmars elections since 2015, including two by-elections under the current election commissions tenure.

In a notice to PACE dated July 30, the UEC denied the monitoring groups application for accreditation, reasoning that it had been receiving international funding, for all its unofficially registered status. Under the local election monitoring group guidelines issued by the UEC, the group must have an accreditation letter first. After that it requires an approved card for each observer to monitor the polling stations.

PACE has receiving funding from the Department for International Development (DFID/UKaid), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) and Open Society Myanmar. The group publishes its funding sources on its website.

PACE director U Sai Ye Kyaw Swar Myint responded to the remarks of U Myint Naing by describing them as irresponsible.

We can do nothing without the [UECs] accreditation, he added. Following the announcement of PACEs banning, many critics and rights activists harshly criticized the commission, saying its decision to shun the countrys largest monitoring group raised questions over the credibility of the vote.

It remains unclear why the commission would deny the group accreditation now, after giving it a green light in the general election in 2015 and two by-elections in 2017 and 2018.

According to Myanmars laws relating to the registration of non-governmental organizations, registration is voluntary. Moreover, the group said the UEC told election-monitoring groups recently that they would be approved to observe the election regardless of whether they were registered organizations.

PACE responded that the group has faced bureaucratic obstacles in registering, including the commissions refusal to give its recommendation to the group, which is required. The groups director also said it had been open about its funding.

UEC representatives werent available for comment on Friday.

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The Palestinian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates is being recalled, reports the official Palestinian news agency.

IMAGE: The municipality building in Tel Aviv, Israel, is lit in the UAE's national flag following the announcement of a deal to normalise relations between the Jewish state and the UAE, on Thursday. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

The move comes after the UAE and Israel announced a deal on Thursday to establish full diplomatic ties that would see Israel suspend its plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

The Palestinians have slammed the deal, calling it a 'betrayal' of the Palestinian cause and have demanded its retraction, spokesperson of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday.

'The Palestinian leadership rejects and denounces the surprising, trilateral, UAE, Israeli and US announcement,' Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement.

Abu Rudeineh added that the Palestinian leadership equated the move to aggression against the Palestinian people.

'The Palestinian leadership considers the Emirati-Israeli normalization to destroy the Arab Peace Initiative and aggression against the Palestinian people,' Abu Rudeineh said.

Earlier in the day, Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise their relations, and an agreement on the mutual establishment of embassies is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

In exchange, Israel said it would halt its plans to formally annex parts of the West Bank.

-- with inputs from ANI
People greet each other waving flowers and white balloons gathering in a street to protest against the results of the country's presidential election in Minsk, Belarus. (AP)

Minsk: Belarusian authorities released detained demonstrators on Friday after issuing a rare public apology in an effort to quell nationwide street protests that pose the biggest challenge yet to strongman leader Alexander Lukashenkos 26-year rule.

Their release comes ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers later on Friday which is due to discuss possible new sanctions on the Belarusian leadership after its harsh crackdown on post-election protests.

The detainees release and the emollient tone used by two top state officials underscored the vulnerability of Lukashenkos hold over a country seen by neighbouring Russia as a strategic buffer against NATO and the European Union.

Hundreds of friends and relatives, many of them in tears, stood outside a detention centre in Minsk, the Belarusian capital, in the early hours of Friday morning.

They carried food, water and blankets which they gave to people as they were released.

Some of the freed protesters have had terrible bruises and have described being tightly packed inside cells and other mistreatment.

Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov denied the prisoners were abused on Thursday night and said all detainees would be freed by the morning.

They detained everyone, beat everyone, girls, guys, children, who were 15, 14, 13 years old. There was a grandfather who was around 70 with us, said Sergei, one of the freed detainees, who did not give his surname.

At least two protesters have died and around 6,700 were detained this week in the crackdown, which followed a landslide Lukashenko re-election win which protesters said was false because the ballot had been massively rigged.

NEW PROTESTS

A former Soviet collective farm manager, the 65-year-old Lukashenko has faced increasing anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic - which he dismissed as a psychosis - a sluggish economy and human rights.

A new round of protests began on Friday morning as people formed human chains in Minsk. Local media reported more discontent among workers at some big state-run companies which are the pride of Lukashenkos Soviet-style economic model.

Lukashenko, alleging a foreign-backed plot to destabilise the country, has dismissed the demonstrators as criminals and unemployed.

But another presidential ally, Natalya Kochanova, the head of the national state council, said on Thursday that Lukashenko had ordered an urgent review into the detentions.

We dont fight, we dont need war, she said.

Yuri Karayev, the interior affairs minister, apologised for what he said were injuries sustained by random people at the hands of the police.

Lukashenko has sought better relations with the West amid strained ties with traditional ally Russia.

Moscow, which is urging Lukashenko to accept closer political and economic ties, has expressed concern over what it has depicted as attempts by external forces to destabilise Belarus.

Its the same choice [President Bashar al-] Assad had faced in Syria - either you recognise the end is nigh or you go for more violence against your own people, one EU official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

...Should unrest spread around the country, the military would be facing hard choices. If it escalates, at the end of the day no state has the capacity to police the whole country and all its people.
Americas top health insurance companies are experiencing a surge in profits amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic even as the novel coronavirus has sickened or killed a broad section of the population.

The largest health insurance chains, including Anthem, Humana, and UnitedHealth Group, are reporting second-quarter earnings at double the rate from the same period last year. This is mostly due to billions of dollars shed from the abrupt stoppage of medical claims for expensive, elective surgeries and billions of dollars received through the CARES Act, passed in an almost unanimous bipartisan vote by Congress in March.

Most costly operations, such as heart transplants, spinal fusions, and knee replacements, have either been postponed or canceled outright because hospitals have had to concentrate on the influx of COVID-19 patients. Moreover, people have foregone important procedures out of fear of contracting the virus in doctors offices and emergency rooms. In the month of April, when the pandemic was raging out of control, outpatient surgeries for HCA Healthcare facilities fell by 70 percent compared to April of 2019 nationwide. In-patient admissions have also fallen by nearly a third. HCA is Americas largest for-profit hospital network.

Excluding COVID-19 patients, health plans and employers have likewise seen an overall decline in health care use by about 30 to 40 percent, according to Tim Nimmer, the global chief at Aon. Annual costs of patient care are expected to be reduced by about 1.5 percent to 2 percent each month.

One of the highest surges came from Humana, which reported last Wednesday that its net income rose to $1.8 billion for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $940 million for the same quarter of 2019. The pharmaceutical giant Cigna also raked in a higher revenue stream, with its adjusted revenue at $39.8 billion dollars for the second quarter, with $1.8 billion in net income gobbled up by shareholders alone.

Last Wednesday, the retail pharmacy chain CVS Health, along with its subsidiary Aetna, a major insurer, posted far higher earnings than it did a year ago. Its net income for the second quarter reached $3 billion, an estimated $1 billion more than it reported for the same period of 2019, on revenues of $65 billion.

Other health insurance corporations are also celebrating monumental windfalls. This includes Anthem, one of the largest for-profit health insurance companies, whose net income soared to $2.3 billion for the second quarter from $1.1 billion in 2019. UnitedHealth reported net earnings of $6.7 billion, compared to $3.4 billion for the same three months last year.

Due to the extraordinary decrease in costly procedures, these firms have been able to circumvent federal health care laws that require a percentage of the revenue they generate from customers premiums be spent on medical expenses. Most companies must spend approximately 80 to 85 cents per dollar in premiums on health care coverage. The remaining15 to 20 percent is all they are allowed to spend on administrative costs like marketing and consume as profit.

Insurers are currently spending a far smaller portion of their premium revenue on their customers health care costs. CVS, for example, said in its quarterly report that their medical-benefits ratio was 70 percent for the quarter, compared to 84 percent in the same period of 2019. This has translated into millions of dollars in surplus profit for wealthy executives and major shareholders.

Typically, health insurance companies have also been required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to pay out billions in revenue to small businesses and individuals. The Obamacare law, however, grants a three-year window for companies to calculate how much they are required to return.

Nonprofit insurance companies, especially the ones under Blue Cross health care plans, are also witnessing much higher profit margins. While the ACA stipulates that they too are required to pay out a significant amount of revenue through rebates, they can swallow any additional surplus into their capital reserves.

For the companies that own some of the larger pharmacy benefit managers, such as UnitedHealth, there is no limit on how much their networks of doctors and healthcare businesses as well as benefits managers can make. Michael Turpin, a former executive and vice president of USI Insurance Services told the New York Times that the massive profits being reported, dont give an accurate picture of how much money they are making for the insurers.

Doctors and hospital managers are becoming increasingly concerned over the accelerated profits for insurers and the limited accountability that they are facing in their haphazard strategies for addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Colleen M. Byle, a financial officer for Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, which has treated more than 10,000 COVID-19 patients, told the Times that insurers have been given exceptional leeway to profit while doing nothing about health concerns. The government has been funding the providers significantly ... insurers should be sharing that burden, and they havent been.

While the ruling-class has welcomed the pandemic as a profit-making opportunity, suffering for the working-class is reaching unprecedented levels. An estimated 5.4 million American workers have lost their health insurance between February and May from layoffs, according to several research studies on the loss of worker-employed health care plans. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that about 27 million in total are at risk of losing coverage by the end of the year. This would leave millions vulnerable to serious illness and death from COVID-19 or pressing health concerns that would make paying medical bills impossible.

In contrast to large insurance companies, small medical facilities and rural hospitals have struggled to remain open and operational since the pandemic erupted in mid-March. Many small hospitals across the country are on the verge of financial ruin because of the cancelation of elective procedures, one of their few sources of dependable revenue, and have been largely left out of the CARES Act bailout.

In early April, Decatur County General Hospital, the only hospital in rural Decatur County, Tennessee, home to about 12,000 people, was forced to shut down due to the expanding threat of the coronavirus. Most non-essential businesses in the county were already closed because of COVID-19. The hospitals closure created a huge economic toll in the region, as the hospital was one of the countys largest employers and wiped out more than 100 staff virtually overnight. The hospitals human resources director, Melinda Hays-Kirkwood, told NPR, for some people, this has been their only job out of college. Its hard on these employees that have been here a long time.

In Williamson, West Virginia, Williamson Memorial Hospital shut its doors in late April. The hospitalone of many chronically underfunded and understaffed medical facilities in rural areashad filed for bankruptcy last year before the pandemic made it incapable of remaining open. The facility was the only hospital in the coal mining community of Mingo County and had provided treatments for miners afflicted with black lung or injured while laboring deep underground. In recent years, with the collapse of mining in the region and the accompanied social and economic decline, the hospital had been a lifeline for patients who have overdosed on opioids and other drugs.

A research study published by the University of North Carolina found that 172 rural hospitals across the US have been shut down since 2005.




Korea's finance minister on Friday ruled out the possibility of a fourth extra budget as he held out the prospect of economic growth in the third quarter.







"We can fully cover the costs of recovering from heavy rains through such measures as reserve fund without an extra budget," Hong Nam-ki said in a meeting with reporters from foreign media outlets at the government complex in the central city of Sejong.







The government's reserve fund is currently worth about 2.6 trillion won ($2.1 billion).







In July, the National Assembly passed the third extra budget worth 35.1 trillion won to mitigate the economic fallout of the new coronavirus pandemic.







Hong also said Korea can achieve economic growth in the third quarter if exports, the country's main growth engine, improve.







In July, Korea's outbound shipments came to $42.8 billion, extending their slump to a fifth consecutive month amid the fallout of the new coronavirus.







Hong said export simulations suggested that Korea could shift to economic growth in the July-September period, though he stopped short of disclosing figures. (Yonhap)






Pune (Maharashtra) [India], Aug 14 (ANI/BusinessWire India): As a medical practitioner, running one's own practice requires a lot of investment ranging from upgrading to the latest medical equipment and technology, paying staff, medical supplies, expansion of business or renovation work and other daily expenses at the clinic.

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Doctors can pre-pay their loan at no additional cost, any time during the tenor thereby minimizing the cost of borrowing by reducing the interest outgo. However, to avail this part-prepayment facility one must note that while the prepaid amount has no upper limit, it must be higher than the value of three installments.

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This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Terrorists fired indicriminately on a police party in Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar city Friday morning, leaving two personnel dead, officials said.

Police said terrorists opened fire on the police team near Nowgam bypass, injuring three personnel, who were shifted to a hospital for treatment but two of them succumbed to their injuries.

The area has been cordoned off and a hunt has been launched for the terrorists.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Thuingaleng Muivah, the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of extremist group National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM), on Friday said the Nagas would co-exist with India but not merge with it.

In his 74th Naga Independence Day speech, he said the Government of India, through the Framework Agreement that was signed in 2015, had recognized the Naga sovereignty as it speaks of inclusive peaceful co-existence of the two entities sharing sovereign power.

The octogenarian rebel leader said inclusive meant all Nagas in different administrative units and political camps are to be included in the agreement. The co-existence of the two entities is self-explanatory. It means the two peoples and nations will co-exist, he argued.

Political and legal experts admit the terms co-existence and shared-sovereignty apply to two entities, not one entity. The Nagas will co-exist with India sharing sovereign powers as agreed in the Framework Agreement and defined in the competencies. But they will not merge with India, Muivah asserted.

Giving a historical perspective of the Naga movement, he said the Nagas had fought back the British imperialist forces for decades and declared independence on August 14, 1947, on the eve of lapse of the British power. In 1950, he said, the Constituent Assembly of India had invited the Nagas to join the Union of India but it was rejected by the Nagas. He said they had also rejected the offer of joining the Union of Burma.

This historical fact was reaffirmed by the subsequent conduct of plebiscite in 1951 where 99.9% of the Naga people voted in favour of sovereign independent Nagalim, Muivah said.

He narrated how former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had sent armed forces to subjugate the Nagas with brute force. He also spoke about events preceding the NSCN-IMs signing of a ceasefire agreement in 1997 after then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao had officially invited the group for a political talk in Paris, France.

 The unique history of the Nagas was finally recognized by the BJP-led NDA government on July 11, 2002, during the tenure of former Prime Minister of India late Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Late (NSCN-IM chairman) Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and I came to India on official invitations consecutively in 2002, 2005 and 2010 by the Government of India for expediting the negotiations with more seriousness in frequent consultations with the Prime Minister of India, Muivah said.

He said during the talks, the outfit had clearly spelled out the political stand of the Nagas that they were not asking for a sovereign and independent Naga nation from India.

Nagas have been a free and sovereign independent people from time immemorial. Ours is a case of aggression on Nagalim by India and Myanmar. It is the Naga national resistance movement against aggressors where Nagas of all ages, genders, and status except a few traitors are involved

The Naga people have neither accepted the Union of India nor her Constitution at any point of time. History will ever speak of that fact. We will not accept them today and even in days to come. We have also told them that Nagas and Indians are two poles apart in terms of history, race, identity, culture, language, geography, political concept, and faith. Except for the common security and common commercial interests, we have nothing in common, Muivah said.

He also spoke on the contentious issues of separate Naga national flag and Naga constitution.

We are not asking for Naga national flag and constitution from the Government of India. Recognize them or no, we have our own flag and constitution. Flag and constitution are ingredients of our recognized sovereign entity and the symbols of Naga nationhood. The Nagas must keep their flag and constitution, he added.
Nino Napoli rorted Victoria's Education Department while there was an "air of invincibility" among those at the top of the organisation, a court has heard, but his lawyer has called for the former bigwig to avoid jail.

Napoli was general manager of the department's finance unit and responsible for a $5 billion budget when he had an involvement in dozens of suspicious contracts that paid out $500,000 to companies run by his relatives between 2007 and 2014.

Nino Napoli outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court in 2017. Credit:Darrian Traynor

Some of the contracted printing work was done but the money Napoli and his relatives misappropriated was designated for schools. Napoli personally benefited by $95,000, the County Court has heard, part of which he spent on wine, a television, an iPad and his signature toupee.

The 64-year-old's plea hearing continued on Friday, when defence counsel Jim Shaw pointed to a "culture" that existed among the department's top echelon at the time, which included falsifying invoices and approving suspicious contracts.
Welcome to the weekend! Another diverse blend of options for you this time, ranging from electronic music performances to jazz trios, walking the "dream loop" in eastern Luxembourg, cooking a delicious Beetroot Carpaccio, or re-enjoying a classic animation movie in an open-air cinema.

1. Get tickets to den Atelier shows



What: Live music is back!

Where: Den Atelier, 54 Rue de Hollerich, 1740 Luxembourg

When: Starting October 2020 - tickets & info here

Covid-19 has sent shock waves through the music industry. As was the case in Luxembourg, most of the major venues had to shut their doors. Now, with strict regulations and measures in place, it's time to relaunch live music! Den Atelier are hosting new, intimate shows with limited capacity and reserved seating, while maintaining social distancing altogether. Names include Hooverphonic, Chassol and Luxembourg-based KLEIN.

Atelier manager Michel Welter spoke to RTL about the struggle of putting on shows at the moment, amongst other things.

Michel Welter Am RTL-Summerinterview ass de Michel Welter op den Artiste-Secteur agaangen, dee besonnesch warend der Kris gelidden huet.

2. Walk the "dream loop" of Ahn

What: Magical afternoon hike

Where: Parking, 15 rue de la Resistance, L-5401 Ahn

When: Anytime (trees keep out the sun)

This dream trail in the little wine-growing village of Ahn offers a stunning mix of all elements that make up for a wonderful 9km walk. Passing along the steep limestone cliffs of Ahn, follow the path through steep vineyards of Palmberg with glorious views of the Moselle valley. After traversing forests rich in variety, you enter a protected nature area with old beech trees and meadows full of orchids. The last section leads through the valley of Donverbachs with its waterfalls and canyon forest.

3. Listen to energetic jazz trio in Echternach



What: Trifo Apero: Greg Lamy / Marc Demuth / Jeff Herr

Where: Trifolion, 2, Porte Saint Willibrord L-6486 Echternach

When: Friday, 14 August at 5pm - information here

This Luxembourg trio formation, with Lamy on guitar, Demuth on double bass and Herr on drums, has an energetic and rhythmic flair to it that draws on the compositional skills of all three members, who perform globally. Well-arranged original pieces, as well as cover standards from the American Songbook form their extensive repertoire. A great event before floating into the weekend.

 Mike Lamy, Jeff Herr, Marlene Soares

4. Take in electronic night at Rotondes

What: Napoleon Gold + Sun Glitters

Where: Rotondes, 3 Place des Rotondes

When: Friday, 14 August at 8pm - info here

Bewitching arrangements, warm low-pitched vocal samples, and rousing percussion are Napoleon Golds favourite tools when producing his ambient electronic tracks. His partner in crime that night, producer Victor Ferreira  a.k.a. Sun Glitters  has earned a loyal following with music releases, experimental films and graphic works. Their shows are unique, dynamic and full of character.

5. Cook something new: Beetroot Carpaccio

What: Refreshing summer appetiser

Where: Well, preferably it ends up in your tummy!

When: Anytime, but a great lunch starter

Carpaccio is a dish with thinly-sliced meat or fish, mostly raw, and often ordered as an appetiser. But what about a vegetarian alternative, that is just as (or even more) delicious? Beetroot Carpaccio may sound a little odd, but the taste and flavours explode in your mouth if you do it right. By roasting the beetroot, adding flavours of citrus and nuts and topping it off with some goat's cheese you've got yourself a 5* dish. Just have a look around online for new recipes, there's a whole bunch of them - all tasty.

6. Watch "Lion King" at Open Air Cinema

What: Classic story, new animation

Where: Parc Jacquinot, L-3241 Bettembourg

When: Friday, 14 August at 9.30pm - reserve here

Parc Jacquinot in Bettembourg has a wonderful open-air cinema that welcomes the entire family to the best classic movies. Simba, a young lion prince, flees his kingdom after the murder of his father, Mufasa. Years later, a chance encounter with Nala, a lioness, causes him to return and take back what is rightfully his. This is the 2019 version of the classic animation, with incredible graphics.

Crazy NOT Angry Birds

What: Think you know your birds...

Where: Natural History Museum, 25 rue Munster

When: Friday, 14 August - Sunday, 23 August between 10am-6pm

The National Museum of Natural History has an impressive collection of birds: about 3,500 specimens of 1,300 different species are preserved in the museum, which represents about 10 percent of all known bird species. At first sight, birds should therefore be the most well known animals to the general public, especially since with their often attractive colours and songs they do not go unnoticed in nature. However, the biology of birds still hides countless secrets that will be revealed in the exhibition.

Is there an event you think we'd enjoy and like to share with our audience? Feel free to let us know through audience@rtltoday.lu and we may consider it for next week's agenda.

[comments]


Bihar is a state of cultural heritage, of saints and sages, of forts and temples, of pilgrimages, where one can easily find the coexistence of different religion and culture which has mingled throughout these years.

The development in every filed in the last decade, whether it be education or transportation or industrialization, leading us to form a modern state of Bihar. Though I agree that the education needs to improve more and more so that we can stop, in near future, the migration of the students.

No one actually wants to leave his/her home until he/she is robbed out of opportunities. Same is the case with the students of Bihar. They migrate to other state in search of enlightenment, i.e., better education. The irony lies in the very fact that the students of the state from where Gautam Buddha got enlightenment, are wandering in search of education in other states. They are helpless. All they want is quality education which will fix their place in job sectors. Otherwise they will lag behind in the race only because they will be weighed on the parameter of education.

The labors of Bihar are already feeling the heat of mass exodus, certainly we will not want to repeat the same with the students. With the establishment of new Central universities in Bihar, we can hope for the improvement in education system at the higher education level. People of other states believe that apart from Civil Services, the students of Bihar cannot hold a satisfactory position. It's time to show them what a Bihari can do and what they are capable of doing. But, simultaneously, we need to keep in mind that we must serve Bihar even if we have been educated in other states. If we keep distance from our own state, saying that we cannot improve the system of Bihar, then it will remain the same old traditional Bihar. In such case, it will be like saying savage to our own people and we will be double colonized in our own state. We need to decolonize the mind of the youths of Bihar.

Development in every field is important in order to raise the status of our system. We need equal efforts in tourism, transportation, and industrialization. For me, tourism is the Achilles heel of Bihar. Tourism is the only way through which we can fascinate others states. Once they will visit the places, their thinking will definitely change and this is very practical rather than theoretical. Moreover, tourism will also help in strengthening of economic condition of our state. Even PM Modi in one of his famous speech said, India will be successful when UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and other parts of North East India are strengthened. India cannot develop till the eastern part of the country develops.

We have recently seen how the mass evacuation of students of Bihar took place from other states. This must teach us a lesson. I will conclude with: Lets bring back the students of Bihar. Let us take step forward for a modern state of Bihar.

Written by Shahrukh Khan, Araria, Bihar. Aliah University, Kolkata
Students face being forced to take a gap year after Oxford, Cambridge and other universities said they may not have room for them  even if they successfully challenge their A-level grades.

Almost four in ten results were downgraded by exam watchdog Ofqual from the marks submitted by teachers.

This meant thousands of upset students could have missed out on their university offers, with many planning to appeal.

But the entire appeals system is mired in confusion, with little clarity on what form it will take and how long it will last.

Schools, through which appeals have to be made, face a race against time to ensure their pupils can be regraded before the September 7 deadline set by Ucas to meet university offer conditions.

Lucy Lipfriend (right) missed out on a place at Cambridge University after her grades were downgraded, which she thinks could be due to her poor performance in A-level exams last year - which she took when her mother Tina (left) had been diagnosed with breast cancer - being taken into account

But even if students successfully challenge their results, leading universities said yesterday they may have to defer places until next year as they are almost full due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Oxford said it would not be possible to meet ongoing social distancing restrictions if it went above its maximum intake.

A Cambridge University spokesman said: Regrettably there are physical limits to the numbers of students we can accommodate.

The university said it will honour every offer where grades are met, but may need to ask students with revised results to defer entry to autumn 2021.

University College London has also warned that any revised grades that come in after September 18 will mean a years deferral.

Although this is 11 days after the Ucas deadline, it is still not clear whether exam boards will be able to deal with the expected flood of appeals before either date.

Agony of teens left in limbo Lucy Lipfriend has been left in limbo for a second year after missing out on her Cambridge University place. The 19-year-old needed to achieve A*AA in her A-level resits this summer to study theology, religion and philosophy of religion at Clare College. But the teenager, from Northwood, north-west London, was downgraded to three Bs by the computer algorithm after exams were cancelled. She believes this was due to her poor performance in last years A-level exams  which she took when her mother Tina had been diagnosed with breast cancer  being taken into account. Her grades slipped to a C in philosophy, a B in English literature and an E in maths last summer, despite high teacher predictions. Lucy took a year out, planned to resit the exams as a private candidate, and won a Cambridge offer. After exams were axed, her former teachers at St Helens, a private day school in Northwood, submitted grades of A*AA. Three private tutors, who helped her over the last year, predicted three A*s. But her grades were pulled down and her university place hangs in the balance  depending on her appeal. Lucy said: Ive worked really hard for a year and through no fault of my own I havent been able to get a place at the university Ive always dreamt of going to. Grades shouldnt be determined by a computer. I dont think you can necessarily base one students grades on what they may have achieved in the past or what other students that happened to go to their school achieved in the past. Lucy says Cambridge has encouraged her to appeal, but she must get her grades overturned by August 31. Advertisement

The Department for Education is set to tell schools it will cover any costs associated with exam appeals. They are normally charged if appeals are rejected.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb will also lead an appeals taskforce, working with Ofqual and exam boards. But Education Secretary Gavin Williamson remains opposed to a Scottish-style U-turn where students are given original grades based on teachers assessments, sources insisted.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan has told establishments to hold places for applicants challenging A-level grades until they receive their appeal outcome.

Lilly Keeley Watts was left 'absolutely gutted' after losing her place at Durham University, where she planned to study Natural Sciences

But schools, colleges and universities are still unclear how the new appeals process will work and what the likely timescale will be, despite there being little over three weeks until the deadline.

There is a further layer of uncertainty because the Government announced only on Tuesday that A-level and GCSE students will be able to use results in valid mock exams for challenges.

Ofqual has said it is working urgently to set out how mocks will form the basis of an appeal, but further details will not be ready until next week.

On the suggestion that some students could be asked to defer places, Labour MP Justin Madders tweeted: Havent these kids gone through enough already?

On results day on Thursday, Ofqual revealed that 39.1 per cent of teachers estimates for pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more.

Gutted to lose my place Lilly Keeley Watts was left absolutely gutted after losing her place at Durham University. The 18-year-old, who attended The King Alfred School, an academy in Highbridge, Somerset, had been planning to study Natural Sciences. But she gained A*AC grades in her A-levels, with the C in biology costing her her Durham place. She said: To be honest Im just absolutely gutted because I know our school has been hit by science subjects, thats why I got a C in biology. I deserve more than a C in biology. I dont want to be big-headed but I know I would have done better. Im so grateful and Im so proud that I managed to get an A* and an A but because of the C I havent been able to get into my chosen uni. She added: Its just heartbreaking to see my friends upset because of previous results or because of where you live or what school you go to, it just shouldnt determine it. Advertisement

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: We would encourage universities to show some flexibility. Saying these were unique circumstances for students, he insisted: They deserve a spirit of generosity.

Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, of the National Union of Students, said: The Governments failure to ensure an adequate and timely appeals process was in place before A-level results day was wholly avoidable, and they must now act to address this crisis.

Sosan Mirafgan dreams of studying medicine and wants to become a brain surgeon but lost her place at Newcastle University following the grading fiasco

Figures show fewer students than last year have so far found places through clearing.

More than 13,000 applicants have been accepted on to degree courses through the annual process that began on Thursday morning  down 24 per cent on the same point last year.

However, one Oxford college announced it would be accepting all students who had received offers, regardless of their grades.

Worcester College said: We made offers in 2020 to our most diverse cohort ever, and in response to the uncertainties... we have confirmed the places of all our UK offer-holders, irrespective of their A-level results.

I dreamt of being a brain surgeon Sosan Mirafgans dream of studying medicine has been shattered by a computer algorithm. The high-flying 18-year-old student at Newcastle Sixth Form College has lost her place at Newcastle University following the grading fiasco. Her college submitted estimated grades of Bs in biology and chemistry an A in maths to the exam boards. But Ofquals statistical model downgraded her biology and chemistry grades to Cs. Maths remained an A. This means she has lost her university place, which required BBB under a programme which offers lower conditional offers to disadvantaged students. She is waiting to hear about her insurance place. Sosan did not speak English when she arrived in the UK in 2012 with her family as an asylum seeker from Afghanistan. Despite this early hardship, she achieved eight GCSE grades ranging from 5s to 8s at Thornaby Academy in Stockton-on-Tees. Sosan, pictured, who wants to become a brain surgeon, aims to appeal against her results. She said: I was really ready for university. I did so much preparation. I dont know how they made the judgement just on statistics. Its not fair for me or anyone else. She added: I started crying straight away when I opened my results. I dont know what to do now. I could see myself as a medical student. Advertisement

Thousands of schools to defy union 'scaremongering' and welcome children back full-time from next month

By Glen Keogh for the Daily Mail

Thousands of schools are poised to ignore trade union scaremongering and welcome children back full-time from next month, a Daily Mail audit has found.

Town halls across England have worked with schools to draw up detailed plans on how to keep pupils and staff safe and have overwhelmingly pledged a return to a form of normality by the end of September.

The confidence is in stark contrast to the pessimistic tones of education unions but echoes government pledges to get pupils back in the classroom as quickly as possible.

However, concerns have been raised about a lack of clarity on what schools should do in the event of further local, or national, lockdowns, with some pledging to remain open and others warning of immediate closures.

The Daily Mail contacted more than 50 local councils with responsibility for state schools in their area. Of the 19 that responded in detail  representing almost 3,000 schools  all but one pledged to have children back in full-time education by the end of next month. Councils said risk assessments have been undertaken and safety measures will include teaching in class and year-group bubbles, staggered lunch breaks and one-way systems in school buildings.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson in May accused the Unions of 'scaremongering' and insisted a return to schools would be safe

For example, in the Cheshire East area around 170 schools will welcome pupils back next month. And in Leicester, which has already been subject to a local lockdown, a council spokesman said almost all schools intend to have all pupils in class by September 4.

Unions have insisted that more research needs to be done before pupils head back to the classroom. But in May, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson accused them of scaremongering and insisted a return would be safe.

This week, he said a return carried few risks, citing an unpublished Public Health England study, only for reports to emerge that there may be a difference in virus transmission between primary and secondary school children.

But official PHE guidance continues to advise that there is little evidence of schools driving coronavirus infections in local communities.

The National Education Union has drawn up a list of 200 safety demands before schools return  and urged teachers to escalate matters if concerns are not addressed. But critics described the demands as nit-picking.

Commenting on the Mails findings, Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, said: If you were to solely listen to the unions you would think the return to school full-time was impossible, but this audit has shown the attitude from schools and teachers is that if its not impossible there must be a way to do it.

Only THREE PER CENT of staff at Department of Education headquarters were in work on results day

By Jim Norton and Jake Hurfurt for the Daily Mail

As chaos reigned on A-level results day, one might have assumed the Department for Education headquarters would have been a hive of activity.

Yet only 3 per cent of staff in London turned up to the seven-floor office in Whitehall on Thursday, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The beleaguered Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was among just 62 people seen entering the 2,000 capacity building. The dismal attendance on one of the departments busiest days appears to be further proof that civil servants are continuing to ignore calls to return to their desks.

Mr Williamson has faced mounting criticism throughout the pandemic having struggled to assert authority over teaching unions in getting children back to school.

His reputation took a further beating this week after an 11th-hour change to the way A-levels were graded saw him issue a humiliating apology.

And now the Mail  which has monitored the number of staff entering the Departments building between 7am and 11am over the past few weeks  can reveal just a fraction have returned to their desks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urging workers across the country to return to their offices but only 62 Department for Education staff (three per cent) turned up on A-Level results day

The 62 staff recorded arriving on Thursday is in fact a marked improvement on the previous week, when just two dozen turned up. A source said the building was so empty at one point that the lifts were said to be stopping only on the ministerial floor.

For weeks, Boris Johnson has been urging workers across the country to return to their offices  including the Governments own 430,000-strong workforce. There are fears city centre shops and eateries  which rely on footfall from office workers  face ruin if more employees do not return.

And yet, despite calls to lead by example, the Cabinet Office has admitted just one in five civil servants has so far done so.

Attendance records across other Whitehall departments also remain low.

Just 57 people were observed entering the headquarters of the Department of Work and Pensions at the six-floor Caxton House in London on Wednesday.

Though this is higher than the 33 recorded last week, it still equates to just 3 per cent of the 1,700 staff member.

A Government spokesman said: We are consulting closely with employees on ending the default that civil servants should work from home and have ensured workplaces are Covid-secure so civil servants can return safely.
By Nick Brown

August 14, (Reuters) - In late April, a coalition of New Mexico healthcare systems began asking local COVID-19 survivors to donate their plasma, the antibody-rich blood product used to help treat people hospitalized with the disease.

More than 50 people donated in May, but then the numbers starting falling, according to data from Vitalant, a nonprofit blood bank that works with the coalition to recruit donors. In June, 34 people gave plasma to the effort, the data show; in July it was just 29.

The coalitions struggle is not unique. Across the United States, home to the worlds worst coronavirus outbreak, demand is soaring for COVID-19 convalescent plasma, known as CCP, to keep sick patients alive. But the number of willing donors isnt keeping pace, according to interviews Reuters conducted with more than 25 regional hospitals, blood centers and other blood industry players across the country.

Many said they are having difficulty persuading survivors to give plasma, in part because it's a time-consuming process. That has led to a patchy supply that, in some regions, doesnt meet demand. It raises fears of CCP shortages ahead of an anticipated surge in infections in the fall.

The American Red Cross saw its CCP reserve fall more than 70% in July as it shipped plasma around the country faster than it could recruit new donations, said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pampee Young.

The New York Blood Center, a regional blood bank with 19 donation centers in the New York area, said its plasma stock, built during the citys COVID-19 spike in the spring, steadily dwindled in June and July as it sent supply to coronavirus hot spots like Texas and Florida.

Meanwhile, the U.S. governments Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) told Reuters it has put on hold an earlier push to build a national reserve of CCP, acknowledging there isn't enough supply for a surplus.

'DONOR FATIGUE'

The people who spoke to Reuters cited several factors for the challenging climate.

Story continues

It starts with the relatively limited pool of eligible donors. The United States has had more than 5.2 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 5 million survivors, but only a fraction meet the standards to give plasma.

A plasma donor must meet the same criteria as a blood donor, which include age, weight and health restrictions. Further winnowing the field, CCP donors must have tested positive for COVID-19 or its antibodies; many patients with suspected cases never recorded a positive test. They also must be symptom-free for 14 days before donating, per U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

You have to go through 15 or 20 candidates to find a viable donor, said Dr. Henry Wang, an emergency medicine doctor at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston.

The result is that some blood centers ask the same volunteers to give over and over, leading to burnout.

We are definitely seeing donor fatigue, said Dr. Norbert Topf, chief quality medical officer at New Mexico-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services. People get exhausted.

The process centers on an IV needle that extracts blood, harvests its plasma, then returns red cells and platelets to the donors arm. Add in paperwork, health screenings and recovery time and visits can last nearly two hours, said Geoffrey Sorensen, a 33-year-old COVID-19 survivor and plasma donor.

And they can be emotional. Sorensen, of Huntington, New York, lost his grandmother to COVID-19 in March. He fought tears recalling how he spent each of his eight sessions mourning her.

Sorensen said he's glad he gave, but added, If you have a job, and you have a lot of other things to do, I can see where you might say,I went once,...Im done.

Some blood centers said they may be losing potential donors to pharmaceutical companies, which pay premium prices for CCP, and use it to develop antibody-based drugs to battle the pandemic.

Japans Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., for example, is paying donors $200 for each of their first two CCP donations, before slotting them into regular new-donor rates that average about $75.

Nonprofit blood centers do not compensate for volunteer-based donations.

Sean Hemingway, Head of BioLife, Takedas plasma collection arm, said Takeda is paying premiums in respect of the urgency and importance of collecting CCP. He said the company gives donors the option to give the money to charity.

AN IMPORTANT THERAPY

Plasma is the element of blood that carries water, enzymes and blood cells throughout the body. It also carries the antibodies humans form to fight off disease and boost immunity.

With no coronavirus vaccine or cure yet available, infusing sick patients with plasma containing COVID-19 antibodies has emerged as an important therapy.

Several studies have shown plasma infusions may reduce the risk of death for hospitalized patients. A preliminary analysis by the Mayo Clinic, which runs a program facilitating CCP treatment across the country, also found that use of plasma with higher levels of antibodies, earlier in treatment, reduces mortality as compared with patients treated later in the disease, with lower levels of antibodies.

Dozens of doctors interviewed by Reuters earlier this year reported improvements in patients who received plasma early in treatment. (https://reut.rs/3fZW2CR)

An estimated 150,000 doses of plasma have been given to U.S. patients.

BARDA, the federal biomedical authority, in June had requested that blood centers stockpile CCP in hopes of building a 400,000-unit national reserve. But it now realizes that may have to wait.

Unless collections can be increased, its unlikely the country will be in a position to create an inventory, said Elleen Kane, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, BARDA's parent agency.

Long Island resident Diana Berrent, 46, who contracted COVID-19 in March, said she realized early-on the need to mobilize survivors like herself after she came across a blast email from New Yorks Mount Sinai Hospital seeking plasma donations.

Berrent started the Facebook group Survivor Corps to encourage every survivor to donate plasma as many times as they are allowed, she said.

The Fight Is In Us, a campaign to promote CCP donation, backed by nonprofit blood centers and private-sector plasma collectors, uses celebrity sponsors like actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson, and has a website with a searchable listing of donation centers.

Blood banks say such efforts help. We are definitely getting leads from their registrants, said Dr. Susan Rossmann, chief medical officer at the Houston-based Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.

GIFT CARDS AND RAFFLES

Still, banks are scrambling to coax donors.

In California, the Houchin Community Blood Bank is barely meeting demand for plasma, said Brad Bryan, chief executive officer of the Kern County-based facility. Kern has seen more new coronavirus cases in the last two weeks than any California county except Los Angeles. Houchin supplies hospitals in its area and around the country.

It has teamed up with local restaurants to woo donors with gift cards. Houchin is also giving away a daily $1,000 raffle split between two winners  not bad odds, given the modest donor pool, Bryan said.

Hoxworth Regional Blood Center, in Cincinnati, built up a sizable CCP reserve in the spring, when Ohios case totals were low. In June, as rising cases created more potential supply, donor traffic fell off, Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Oh said.

He reckons the decrease may have been due to plasma drifting out of the headlines lately, or the fact that, as people return to work, they have less free time to donate.

To compensate, Hoxworth has relaxed certain donor qualifications, expanded plasma donation hours and improved collection methods to harvest more plasma from each donation.

The good news: Hoxworth has seen a slight uptick in August donations, Oh said.

Other blood banks, too, said this month is looking brighter than last.

They include Arizona-based Vitalant, the nation's second-largest nonprofit blood bank, with 125 donation centers nationwide. But spokesman Clifford Numark said the "emergency" remains.

"Some weeks, what we collect is a little more than we need, sometimes it's somewhat less," he said. "But its always very, very tight."

(Reporting by Nick Brown in New York; additional reporting by Francesco Guarascio in Brussels; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Marla Dickerson)
UAB and Polish researchers propose that the COVID-19 virus acts as a microRNA "sponge" to deplete miRNA levels in ways that aid viral replication and stymie the host immune response.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Why is the COVID-19 virus deadly, while many other coronaviruses are fairly innocuous and just cause colds?

A team of University of Alabama at Birmingham and Polish researchers propose an answer -- the COVID-19 virus acts as a microRNA "sponge." This action modulates host microRNA levels in ways that aid viral replication and stymies the host immune response.

This testable hypothesis results from analysis of current literature and a bioinformatic study of the COVID-19 virus and six other coronaviruses. It is published as a perspective in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

Human microRNAs, or miRNAs, are short, non-coding RNAs with about 22 bases. They act to regulate gene expression by their complementary pairing with specific messenger RNAs of the cell. That pairing silences the messenger RNA, preventing it from being translated into a protein. Thus, miRNAs are a fine-tuned controller of cell metabolism or the cell's response to stress and adverse challenges, like infection by a virus.

The miRNAs are only about 0.01 percent of total human cell and tissue RNA, while replicating viral RNA of a virus like the COVID-19 virus may reach 50 percent of the total cellular RNA. So, the UAB and Polish researchers say, if the COVID-19 virus has binding sites for specific miRNAs -- and these sites are different from the binding sites for miRNAs found on coronaviruses that cause colds -- the more pathogenic COVID-19 virus may selectively sponge up certain miRNAs to dysregulate the cell in ways that make it a dangerous human coronavirus.

The sponge idea is not novel. Viral RNA sponges have been shown capable of removing host miRNA by the Epstein-Barr virus, and sponge activity has also been shown for the herpes and hepatitis C viruses.

There were two human coronaviruses prior to the COVID-19 virus -- whose formal name is SARS-CoV-2 -- that foreshadowed the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 virus. The first was the severe acute respiratory coronavirus, or SARS virus, in 2002; the second was the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, or MERS virus, in 2012. Neither had the high infectivity of the COVID-19 virus; but both were dangerous, causing 774 and 866 deaths, respectively, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In the present study, the researchers used computer-aided bioinformatic analysis to find potential miRNA target sites for 896 mature human miRNA sequences on seven different coronavirus genomes. These genomes included the three pathogenic coronaviruses -- the SARS, MERS and COVID-19 viruses -- and four non-pathogenic coronaviruses.

The researchers found that the number of target sites was elevated in the pathogenic viruses compared to the non-pathogenic strains. Furthermore, they found that pathogenic human coronaviruses attracted sets of miRNAs that differ from the non-pathogenic human coronaviruses. In particular, a set of 28 miRNAs were unique for the COVID-19 virus; the SARS and MERS viruses had their own unique sets of 21 and 24 miRNAs, respectively.

Focusing on the 28 unique miRNAs for the COVID-19 virus, the researchers found that the majority of these miRNAs are well expressed in bronchial epithelial cells, and their dysregulation has been reported in human lung pathologies that include lung cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis and tuberculosis. Furthermore, many of the miRNAs have been proposed to act as tumor suppressors that target the pathways for programmed cell death, or apoptosis, that are supposed to make a cell kill itself when infected, mutated or stressed in other ways. Reduction of those miRNAs has been associated with poor cancer prognosis.

"Hence, the COVID-19 virus -- by its potential reduction of the host's miRNA pool -- may promote infected cell survival and thus continuity of its replication cycle," the researchers said.

The authors gave a detailed explanation of how the virus replicates inside an infected cell, including how the cell assists protein folding and how the virus begins assembly in the cell's endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi system. They also described many of the cellular proteins involved in these steps. This viral replication is known to produce stress and can provoke an unfolded protein response that causes a cell to undergo programmed death.

"Taken together," the researchers said, "the viral strategies to increase the endoplasmic reticulum membranes and endoplasmic reticulum folding capacity and block unfolded protein response-associated translational attenuation, inflammatory responses and apoptosis are critical components for virus production."

The authors then showed, by citing literature, that nine of the specific cellular miRNAs that potentially are sponged by the COVID-19 virus could help achieve those viral needs.

"The host miRNAs potentially controlled by the pathogenic human coronaviruses may be the key to gaining control over a very limited and specific set of miRNAs targets," they said. The researchers used computer-assisted gene ontology programs to find the genes and cellular pathways affected by the pathogenic human coronaviruses, and by the COVID-19 virus in particular.

The pathways they found "further supports the hypothesis that pathogenic human coronaviruses -- including the COVID-19 virus -- utilize the host miRNAs to adjust cellular processes in order to facilitate their viral protein production."

"Our hypothesis will require validations," they said, "starting with the assessment of these miRNA levels in infected tissues and ending with restoring the host miRNA balance with miRNA analogs. Furthermore, completely understanding how viruses take advantage of the endoplasmic reticulum and unfolded protein response pathway may also lead to the novel therapeutic strategies."

This hypothesis by the UAB and Polish researchers, who all contributed equally to the paper, may explain some other biological oddities of the COVID-19 virus.

One is the varying susceptibilities to infection seen among patients, including a more severe morbidity and mortality for older patients. There may be individual differences among patient miRNA profiles, they said, and one "recent study has suggested that COVID-19 virulence in aged patients may be due to a lower abundance of miRNAs, and this may be a contributing factor in disease severity."

Another biological question is how the virus co-exists in its normal animal source -- bats. "Notably," the researchers said, "a recent study proposed that bats, considered as host of origin for the COVID-19 virus, have tolerance to potentially deadly viruses because of specific miRNAs."

###

Authors of the perspective paper, "SARS-CoV-2 may regulate cellular responses through depletion of specific host miRNAs," are Rafal Bartoszewski, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland; Michal Dabrowski, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy, Warsaw, Poland; Bogdan Jakiela and Marek Sanak, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland; Sadis Matalon and Kevin S. Harrod, UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine; and James F. Collawn, UAB Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology.

Support came from National Science Center Sonata Bis and OPUS Program contracts 2015/18/E/NZ3/00687, 2015/17/B/NZ3/01485 and 2014/13/B/NZ3/02393; National Institutes of Health grant DK072482; and the CF Foundation Research Development Program grant ROWE15R0.

At UAB, Harrod holds the Benjamin Monroe Carraway, M.D., Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology, and Matalon holds the Alice McNeal, M.D., Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology.

About UAB Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a part of the University of Alabama System, is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center, as well as Alabama's largest employer, with some 23,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $7 billion on the state. The pillars of UAB's mission include education, research, innovation and economic development, community engagement and patient care. Learn more at http://www.uab.edu.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of three doctoral research universities in the University of Alabama System. In your first reference to our institution, please use University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB on subsequent references.

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PARIS - Prime Minister Jean Castex paid homage on Friday to six French aid workers killed last week in Niger, saying they were likely victims of the same kind of hate behind the 2015 terror attack on a French music hall.

Castex bowed his head before the six coffins draped in blue aligned in a special room at Orly airport in a simple, solemn ceremony for those killed last Sunday along with two others at a reserve for giraffes, 70 kilometres (45 miles) from their base in the capital, Niamey.

The six worked for Paris-based ACTED, another victim for the Swiss-based Impact International and the eighth was an expert guide.

Their deaths are the incarnation of evil, Castex said.

Its very probably the same hate in Niger as at the Bataclan, he said. The attack claimed by the Islamic State group on the Paris music hall and nearby restaurants five years ago killed 130 people.

It is not known who killed the unarmed humanitarian workers, but the French prosecutors office opened a terrorism-linked investigation and Castex said terrorism was the likely motive.

French investigators went to Niger to help in the probe and Castex promised the killers would be relentlessly tracked.

All of France grieves for its children, the prime minister said in his homage at what was described as a national ceremony with two ministers at his side.

The head of another well-known humanitarian group, Pierre Micheletti of Action Against Hunger, took exception to what appeared to him an effort to officially link those killed in Niger with the French state, insisting that the victims did not represent France.

If they are seen as representatives of the state, this exposes us tomorrow, he said in an interview ahead of the ceremony on CNews television, stressing that aid workers represent international humanitarian law.

To hold up the idea that volunteers represent France is to expose us tomorrow to other security dramas, he said, adding that with that image it would not be possible to send volunteers in the future to places where France is politically or militarily engaged.

Thousands of French soldiers are posted in the Sahel region in a fight against Islamic State, al-Qaida and other militants. The operations main base is in Niger.

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Applying for a Proof of Citizenship will allow the foreign-born sons and daughters of Canadians to bypass the immigration process.

How foreign-born children of Canadians get citizenship Applying for a Proof of Citizenship will allow the foreign-born sons and daughters of Canadians to bypass the immigration process.

How foreign-born children of Canadians get citizenship Applying for a Proof of Citizenship will allow the foreign-born sons and daughters of Canadians to bypass the immigration process.

How foreign-born children of Canadians get citizenship Applying for a Proof of Citizenship will allow the foreign-born sons and daughters of Canadians to bypass the immigration process. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Canadian parents automatically pass on citizenship to their children, no matter where theyre born.



At least one biological or legal parent needs to be Canadian at the time of the babys birth. If you can prove your citizenship status to the Canadian government your children will benefit from the perks that come with being Canadian, and you are exempt from coronavirus travel restrictions.

It also works if your parent is Canadian and you were born abroad. However, Canada limits the ability to pass on citizenship to the first-generation born outside Canada only. So it cannot be passed down to grandchildren, for example.

Contact an immigration lawyer

In order to get citizenship status for you or your child, you have to apply for a Proof of Citizenship, which is also called a Canadian citizenship certificate. It costs about $75 CAD and can take around five months to process, according to the Canadian immigration departments website. There may be an option for expedited processing in urgent cases.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides the forms on its webpage for people to download and complete. If the documents are not in English or French you will need a translation of the documents and the translator will need to supply an affidavit. Translations from family members are not accepted.

Documents will need to be clear, easy-to-read, and in colour. IRCC will ask for the original birth certificate that displays the name of the Canadian parents.

You will also need proof that at least one parent was a Canadian citizen at the time of birth. This could include the parents birth certificate, citizenship document, or any other evidence to prove the parents Canadian status.

If, for some reason, the parents name is not listed on the birth certificate, IRCC will accept birth records and documents confirming the name of the Canadian parent. These could be pre-birth orders, court orders, surrogacy agreements or hospital records among others. Adoption orders are not accepted in this case.

IRCC also asks for an explanation as to why the Canadian parents name is not listed on the applicants birth certificate, or why the birth certificate was changed or replaced. If you are not sure, explain why.

Once IRCC receives your completed application they will send and acknowledgement of receipt. If they find your application to be incomplete they will send it back and you will have to fill in the missing elements. If they are satisfied with your application then they will send the citizenship certificate and you will have your proof of citizenship. Welcome to Canada.

Get help applying for Canadian citizenship

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 02:44:30|Editor: huaxia

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HELSINKI, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Finland on Thursday published details of its 2021 draft budget at 61.6 billion euros (72.8 billion U.S. dollars), which will be based on a 7-billion-euro deficit, the Ministry of Finance said in a press statement on Thursday.

As uncertainty persists in the global economy, "national policy decisions must be proactive and strengthen the prospects for increasing exports," the ministry statement said.

Industrial electricity tax is to be reduced to the European Union (EU) minimum in 2021 to help industries. The upcoming EU COVID-19 recovery packages and local measures will be coordinated in Finnish policies, it said.

Finnish Finance Minister Matti Vanhanen said the 2021 budget is based on the presumption that there will be "no second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic". He said the Finnish economy could not endure such an impact and external debt would have to be brought into control.

At a press conference held on Wednesday in Helsinki, Vanhanen warned that "Our exports are at risk of dying down for a long period of time unless the world manages to bring the epidemic under control," the Helsinki Times reported.

Creating demand for exports would depend on stimulus measures introduced by the European Union, he said.

Vanhanen reiterated his estimate that the coronavirus epidemic will leave a roughly 20-billion-euro deficit in the budget for 2020, pushing the Finnish government debt to 132 billion euros in 2021, the Helsinki Times said.

Also on Thursday, the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health elaborated on the compensation of lost work income to posted foreign workers, if they have to be quarantined upon arrival in Finland.

Kirsi Varhila, permanent secretary of the ministry, said that besides all posted workers from the EU area, the benefit of full reimbursement would be given also to posted workers from non-EU countries that have a social services agreement with Finland, which include Australia, Chile, Israel, Canada, the U.S., China, South Korea and India. Enditem
RTHK: Belarus releases detainees in bid to quell protests

The Belarusian leadership began releasing thousands of detainees and issued a rare public apology on Thursday in a bid to quell nationwide street protests that pose the biggest challenge to strongman President Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule.

Hundreds of friends and relatives, many of them in tears, stood outside a detention centre in Minsk waiting to give food, water and blankets to people emerging from inside in the early hours of Friday.

Some of the protesters had bruises and described being tightly packed inside cells and complained of mistreatment. Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov denied the prisoners were abused and said all detainees would be freed by morning.

On Thursday, hundreds of women formed long "lines of solidarity" in several areas of Minsk. Many were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of loved ones who have been detained during protests that began shortly after Sunday's vote, which they said was rigged.

The human chains grew throughout the day, filling the main central squares and avenues as motorists honked in support. In Minsk and many other cities, thousands of factory workers also rallied against the police violence, raising the prospect of strikes in a new challenge to the government.

Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms and insignia in the trash. Several popular anchors at Belarus' state TV stations have quit.

Nearly 7,000 people have been detained and hundreds injured in the clampdown on demonstrators protesting the official results that said Lukashenko won 80% of the vote and his top opposition challenger got only 10%.

Police have broken up protests with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.

One protester died on Monday in Minsk after, the Interior Ministry says, an explosive device he tried to throw at police blew up in his hand. Some media reports have challenged that official version. Neither the ministry nor the media outlets have provided evidence.

Thousands of people converged on Thursday on the place where he died, many carrying flowers. European ambassadors also laid flowers at the site earlier in the day.

Hundreds of medical workers joined the demonstrations Thursday in Minsk and many other cities.

Belarus' Investigative Committee launched a criminal probe into the organization of mass rioting  an indication authorities may start levelling those charges against some detainees. The charges could carry prison terms of up to 15 years for those found guilty.

The ministry said 103 police officers have been injured since Sunday, and 28 of them were hospitalised. In Minsk and the western city of Baranovichi, people ran over traffic police with their vehicles on Wednesday before being detained. (Reuters, AP)

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:35:11|Editor: huaxia

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MADRID, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa announced Friday that nightclubs and night-time bars nationwide will be closed, in part of the latest government measures to curb coronavirus resurgence.

Illa detailed a raft of measures that were agreed at an emergency meeting with regional health officials, according to an online story by Spain's best-selling newspaper El Pais.

"There have been a growing number of outbreaks in recent weeks," the minister explained at a press conference after the meeting. "I am announcing that, for the first time, we have decided to adopt coordinated actions in terms of public health and that these measures have been adopted unanimously."

Illa also said that establishments, such as restaurants, would have to close at 1 a.m. with no new patrons allowed to enter from midnight onward, and the number of people eating at a table was limited to 10.

Other measures include giving new residents and staff at senior care homes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to ensure they are free of the coronavirus. Visits to homes will also be limited to one person per resident with a maximum of one hour.

The minister also said that fines would be levied "in a strict manner" on youngsters who are found to be drinking on the street, El Pais reported.

Another measure announced by Illa on Friday was a blanket ban across Spain on smoking in public if a two-meter distance cannot be observed. The regions of Galicia and the Canary Islands had already introduced such a measure, El Pais said.

Despite notable increases in new cases in recent days, Illa insisted that the current COVID-19 situation was "not comparable with the one that we had in April," because most of the cases being detected recently are mild and are occurring among younger people and are being caught earlier.

Also on Friday, the Madrid regional government announced that it would begin free random testing in areas that are being hardest hit by the coronavirus, such as the districts of Carabanchel, Usera, Villaverde and Puente de Vallecas, and the municipalities of Alcobendas and Mostoles, according to El Pais. Enditem
Why Sachin Pilot called himself the strongest soldier sent to the border

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Jaipur, Aug 14: Sachin Pilot, who returned to Jaipur after a brief rebellion with the Congress termed himself as the strongest warriors who is sent to the border.

Speaking in the Rajasthan Assembly today, Pilot spoke about his changed sitting arrangement in the Assembly. The former deputy CM of Rajasthan said that he wondered why his seat was designated here.

I thought for two minutes and saw that this it eh border between the government and opposition. Who is sent to the border? The strongest warrior, Pilot also said.

Confidence motion moved in Rajasthan Assembly session

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

He added that whatever was to be said or heard, whether about him or any of his companions, we spoken about our ailment to the doctor before whom it was supposed to be raised. After getting the treatment, the 125 of us are standing inside the House. After finishing all the talks, we have entered the House. It does not matter how much firing takes place along this border. Everyone else and I shall keep it protected by being the spears and shields, he also said.

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Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 15:49 [IST]
Dont be surprised if some colour would be missing this festive season.

High-end television sets of 80 inches and above, which are imported, could be missing from stores and e-commerce platforms during the sale season that will begin September-end.

Sources told Moneycontrol that after a July 30 notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which placed import of colour televisions of all sizes in the restricted category, import licence would be granted only to select brands.

The idea is to ensure that brands produce television sets locally. If ever applicant gets a licence, the Make in India mission will be defeated, said an official.

Almost 60 percent of the annual TV sales in India take place during the September-December festive season, mainly because of the heavy discounts and product launches.

Also Read: Here's what boycotting Chinese goods is tough

Who imports colour TV sets to India?

Large-screen TV sets (80 inches and above) are imported by brands like TCL, Samsung, LG, Xiaomi and Sony, since there is no local manufacturing capacity in India.

TCL India Country Manager Mike Chen told Moneycontrol that the brand has applied for a licence to import large-screen TVs.

TV is one of the larger segments under the entire domain of Appliance and Consumer Electronics, accounting for almost 17 million units, with an estimated worth of almost Rs 25,000 crore.

About 30 percent televisions sold in India are imported from countries like China and Vietnam. The government move is to indigenise the production of televisions and lower the reliance on imports.

Why cant companies set up manufacturing units in India?

Setting up a manufacturing facility can cost Rs 50 crore- Rs 100 crore. Even if companies are willing, red-tapism leads to inordinate delays in setting up facilities, industry sources said. The easier route, therefore, is to import.

Also, the skill sets and equipment for making high-end sets are different from those for 32-inch and 40-inch TV sets.

It cannot be said both can be produced in one factory. The raw materials have to be fully imported as there are no manufacturing facilities for the panels and internal parts in India.

Instead of us importing all parts and merely assembling TV sets here, isnt it logical to completely import them? said the head of television business at a white goods firm.

How does import licence work?

The DGFT had said in July that the import of colour TV sets has been moved to the 'restricted' category from the free category. Now, any company that wants to import a colour TV set has to secure a special licence.

Once a candidate applies for a licence, there will be a series of checks initially to verify the credentials of the brand.

If it is an established brand in the Indian market for 4-5 years, it will be considered. If it is a new brand, details about the financial strength of the company and the need to import will be sought, said a government official.

For established brands, there will be no credential-checking. However, details on the need to import will be sought.

The list of manufacturing facilities in India and the cumulative investment in these entities will also be sought. Post this, the company management will be required to explain why the existing manufacturing capacities cannot be used to produce the TV sets here instead of importing them.

Once the details on the need to import are collected, the documents will be further reviewed. For brands that do not have any manufacturing facility in India, clarification will be sought from the company management on the reasons for this and whether they have any future plan for setting up India production plants.

We understand that it will be a lengthy process but are hoping that the products reach us by the end of October. Else, the festive season will be a washout, said the chief distribution officer at a consumer durables firm.

Ever since the China-India clash at the Galwan Valley on June 15 that resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers, the Indian government had toughened its stand on imports from China.

This has led to a pile-up of goods at ports after the customs department sought detailed documents from importers. Even though the pile-up was slowly being cleared from July, close to 21,700 TV sets of 75 inches and above are still stuck at various ports, pending DGFT clearance.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin believes that a "landing zone" is emerging for a free-trade deal between the EU and UK after Brexit.

Speaking after his first meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Taoiseach said there is a will on both sides to reach an agreement as the Brexit deadline fast approaches.

"I think where there's a will there's a way. It seems to me that there is a landing zone - if that will is there on both sides - and I think it is," Mr Martin said after the meeting.

"My own gut instinct is that there's a shared understanding that we don't need another shock to the economic system that a no-deal Brexit would give or a sub-optimal trade deal would give to our respective economies," he added.

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The Taoiseach said he and Mr Johnson agreed it is "absolutely essential" that a free-trade agreement be reached between the EU and UK.

Mr Martin said it is "absolutely essential" that Ireland and the UK develop a strong relationship after Brexit and invest in shared projects on the island of Ireland.

"The last thing we all need now is a second significant systemic shock to our economic systems, and that's what a no-deal Brexit would present on top of or alongside Covid," Mr Martin said.

"So, I did take from that a genuine view that a comprehensive free-trade agreement was in the best interest of all concerned, and that the British government was sincerely seeking such an outcome," he added.

The two leaders met in Hillsborough Castle in Co Down for the first time after a meeting planned for last week was cancelled due to the passing of former SDLP leader John Hume. Speaking ahead of their meeting, Mr Johnson said he wanted to develop relationships "all sorts of ways - East/West, North/South - you name it".

"I had the honour of meeting the Taoiseach several years ago," he said.

"I am very pleased to develop our friendship and relationship now," he added.

Mr Martin and Mr Johnson had a detailed discussion on Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and UK government plans to celebrate 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland last year.

Before he arrived, Mr Johnson announced plans to establish a Centenary Forum and Centenary Historical Advisory Panel to work alongside his government to mark 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland.

The Taoiseach said he has never been an advocate for partition but said people can learn from the centenary commemorations of Northern Ireland.

"No one party owns history, no one political party does, no one tradition does," he said.

"The challenge for us really is can we organise centenary commemorations in a way that is as inclusive as possible, as respectful as possible of different traditions, but done in a way that brings new insights into what actually transpired a hundred years ago," he said.

"That's the spirit within which I, and I think the British Prime Minister wholeheartedly agreed, that that's the spirit within which we should proceed and create a new shared understanding of how we've got to where we've got to today, 100 years on."

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein and the DUP clashed over Mr Johnson's plans to celebrate 100 years since the creation of Northern Ireland.

Speaking after her meeting with Mr Johnson, Deputy First Minister and Sinn Fein leader in the North, Michelle O'Neill said there is "nothing to celebrate about partition".

Ms O'Neill said Northern Ireland was built on "sectarianism, gerrymandering and an inbuilt unionist majority".

She said Sinn Fein will be highlighting the negative impacts of partition on nationalist communities during the centenary celebrations.

Meanwhile, DUP leader Arlene Foster, the First Minister, said she fully supported celebrating the creation of Northern Ireland and insisted history cannot be ignored.

Ms Foster said she hoped the events will be inclusive and added that she regrets that Sinn Fein members will not use the term Northern Ireland.

The DUP leader said she had no problem with Irish commemorations and repeated that history cannot be ignored.
SILVER SPRING, Md. - U.S. productivity rose at a 7.3% rate in the second quarter as the number of hours worked fell by nearly half, the biggest drop-off since the government started tracking the data more than 70 years ago.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In this Wednesday, June 3, 2020 photo, a manager at the Presidente Supermarket uses a forklift to move a shipment of food at the store in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. U.S. productivity fell at a 0.9% rate in the first three months of this year, a smaller decline than first estimated, while labor costs rose at a slightly faster pace. The Labor Department reported Thursday that the first quarter decline in productivity was smaller than the initial estimate a month ago of a 2.5% drop. Labor costs rose at a 5.1% rate, slightly faster than the 4.8% increase first reported.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

SILVER SPRING, Md. - U.S. productivity rose at a 7.3% rate in the second quarter as the number of hours worked fell by nearly half, the biggest drop-off since the government started tracking the data more than 70 years ago.

The Labor Department said Friday that output decreased 38.9%, also the biggest decline ever recorded as hours worked fell 43%, with the coronavirus pandemic sowing economic damage throughout the U.S.

The increase in productivity was the largest since 2009. Labor costs also jumped, rising 12.2%.

Friday's report is the first estimate of second-quarter productivity and follows the first quarters 0.3% decline. The rise in labour costs, the largest since 2014, follows a 9.8% increase in the January-March quarter.

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Defined as the amount of output per hour of work, productivity is the key to rising living standards, and the slow pace of growth in recent years has been a major reason that wage gains have stalled. Productivity mostly lagged during the record long 11-year expansion that followed the Great Recession, confounding economists.

FILE - In this June 11, 2020 file photo, workers on scaffolding lay blocks on one of the larger buildings at a development site where various residential units and commercial sites are under construction in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pa. U.S. productivity rose at a 7.3% rate in the second quarter, the largest quarterly increase since 2009. Labor costs also jumped, rising 12.2%. The Labor Department report Friday, Aug. 14, is its first estimate of second-quarter productivity and follows the first quarters 0.9% decline. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

From 2000 to 2007, the year the Great Recession began, annual productivity gains averaged 2.7%. But since then, productivity has slowed to about half that pace, rising at an average annual rate of 1.4% from 2007 through 2019. The 2019 rate of 1.9% brought some optimism that productivity was on the rise, but the coronavirus pandemic hit in the first quarter of 2020, obliterating the economy and taking virtually every economic indicator down with it.

Economists have warned that the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus would likely hinder productivity in coming quarters.

Last month, the government reported an astonishing 32.9% plunge in second-quarter gross domestic product, the value of goods the country produced in the April-June quarter. It was the sharpest such drop on records dating to 1947, and almost entirely related to the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which has shuttered business temporarily and permanently, sending millions of workers to the unemployment line.

The Trump Administration has predicted a third quarter economic rebound, but many economists think that the economy cant fully recover until the virus is mostly defeated.

The government will issue a second productivity estimate next month.
MUMBAI, India, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CtrlS Datacenters Limited, Asia's Largest Rated-4 Hyperscale Datacenter and managed services provider, has deployed building integrated vertical solar PV system from WAAREE at its Mumbai datacenter facility. The system, with a capacity of about 1 MW, has been installed by integrating solar panels on all four walls of the facility, covering over 5,000 square feet of facade area. It is estimated that solar power system will help provide a CO2 emissions reduction equivalent to almost 7,000 trees per year.

WAAREE BIPV modules were installed on the Rated-4 Hyperscale Datacenter built by CtrlS where Custom designed aluminium rails were used as module mounting structure. Frameless WAAREE BIPV panels were deployed on the facade. Each WAAREE BIPV solar panel was installed with power optimizers to increase energy output from PV systems by constantly tracking the maximum power point (MPPT) of each module individually. They have the capability to monitor the performance of each module.

Mr. Sridhar Pinnapureddy, Founder and CEO, CtrlS Datacenters Ltd, said, "The combustion of fossil fuels has led to dramatic rise in carbon dioxide emissions globally, and it is my belief that as a responsible business it is prudent to embrace clean energy. We are delighted to have partnered with WAAREE to take a major step in deployment of solar energy at our Mumbai Rated-4 Hyperscale datacenter. We chose to install the solar panels on all the four sides of the building instead of roof top solar as it provides large space for absorption of sunlight. We therefore replaced the conventional glass in our data center facility, with solar panels thereby generate higher power through clean energy and thereby reducing carbon footprint. Besides, the WAAREE BIPV panels act as a thermal insulation by blocking the sun and thus also reducing the power consumption of the air conditioning system, thus saving on electricity bills considerably." He further added, "We are delighted to have found a suitable partner in WAAREE, who have played a key role in supporting our innovation in deploying clean energy."

Speaking on this achievement Dr. Hitesh Doshi, CMD WAAREE Energies Ltd, said, "We are happy to be part of such a innovative BIPV project and we are thankful to Ctrl S for not only giving us opportunity but implementing such great idea and making India's first largest BIPV project. WAAREE BIPV technology can be adapted to any building that requires a glass facade, including but not limited to skyscrapers, malls, apartments, modern homes, datacentres and many more existing Buildings, or the ones that are in design stage. The challenge of not only the space to mount Solar Panels is addressed by WAAREE BIPV solutions but also the aesthetics and beauty of building is enhanced by replacing normal glass to solar panels. WAAREE will continue to design and develop products to increase use of solar energy."

About WAAREE Energies

WAAREE Energies Ltd. is the flagship company of WAAREE Group, and has the country's largest Solar PV Module manufacturing capacity of 2 GW. In addition, it is one of leading players in India in EPC services, project development, rooftop solutions, solar water pumps, and as an Independent Power Producer. WAAREE has its presence in over 350+ locations nationally and 68 countries globally.

For further information, please visit: https://www.waaree.com/

About CtrlS Datacenters Limited

CtrlS is Asia's Largest Rated 4 Hyperscale Data Center and serves 60 of the Fortune 500 Global Multinationals and 108 of the ET 500 Indian Companies.

The company is emerging as World's Largest Rated 4 Hyperscale data center. It operates one million square feet of data center space spread across seven data centers located in Mumbai, Noida, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The company has had a zero down time record since inception. The companies Mumbai data center facility is certified as World's first LEED Platinum certified v4 O+M data center by United States Green Building Council (USGBC). It's Mumbai DC2 Rated-4. Its Noida facility is India's only 100% Quake Proof and Air Pollution Free data center facility. Its Mumbai DC2 facility is completed covered by solar panels generating 1 MW of power. The company is soon planning to build a solar park spread across few hundred acres to generate power sufficient to run all of its data center facilities and eventually become carbon neutral.

CtrlS has initiated its plan to expand its footprint by 5 million square feet. The company has acquired the land for construction of 2 million square feet hyperscale data center park in Navi Mumbai, another 2 million square feet hyperscale data center park in Hyderabad, while the plans are underway for 1 million square feet facility in Chennai.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197503/Waaree_Logo.jpg

SOURCE WAAREE Energies Ltd.
Lebanon's parliament approves government's state of emergency across country

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 3:15 PM

The parliament of Lebanon has approved a state of emergency declared by the now caretaker government, which needs the legal authority to put down riots following a catastrophic explosion that ravaged swaths of capital Beirut and pushed the cabinet to resign.

The 128-seat parliament on Thursday approved a two-week state of emergency imposed by a government, which after the resignation of prime minister Hassan Diab on Monday and several of its ministers, is now in a caretaker status.

A few dozen protesters gathered in front of the parliament to bar lawmakers from entering the building and voting for the measure, but police forces outnumbered them and broke them up.

On August 4, a colossal explosion, the biggest ever to hit the Middle East, killed at least 172 people. Some 6,000 were injured.

Dozens of people are still missing, and at least 300,000 people have been displaced as a result of the huge blast, which leveled the whole port of Beirut and a large section of central capital and turned successive apartment blocks into masses of debris and twisted metal.

A large supply of confiscated explosive material that had been stored in a warehouse at the city's port for the past six years is suspected to have caused the massive explosion, whose mushroom-shaped cloud has drawn comparisons with the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 75 years ago.

A day after the blast, the government introduced a two-week state of emergency. But according to the Lebanese law, when such a measure lasts more than eight days, it requires approval from the parliament.

The state of emergence enables the military to close down assembly points and ban gatherings deemed threats to national security. It also expands the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians.

Furthermore, the army can raid homes at any time and place under house arrest any individual suspected of being engaged in activities considered a threat to security.

During the past several days, hundreds of furious people have rallied in the capital to express their strong dissent, accusing the political leadership of endemic corruption, mismanagement and negligence, and blaming the political elite for the devastating blast.

The rallies partially turned violent as dozens of protesters attacked state buildings, inflicting damage.

On Thursday, security forces were heavily deployed in Beirut, stopping protesters from reaching a conference center where legislators convened, ahead of official visits by French Defense Minister Florence Parly and David Hale, the top career diplomat at the US State Department.

In its first legislative session since the explosion, the parliament on Thursday also approved the resignation of seven legislators, who had resigned since last week over the blast.

Parliament speaker urges formation of new government

Additionally on Thursday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri demanded that the formation of a new government is sped up.

After months of a power vacuum in the small Mediterranean country, Diab's cabinet had formed in January to combat corruption and mismanagement, and to revive Lebanon's collapsed economy.

Lebanon's Tripoli port to fill in for ravaged Beirut

Separately on Thursday, Ahmad Tamer, the director of Tripoli port, which is about 80 kilometers north of the capital Beirut, said the smaller port was readying its harbor to temporarily replace that of Beirut.

"The port of Tripoli can stand in for Beirut on a temporary basis, for the time it will take it to be operational again," he said.

Shortly after the colossal explosion, Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council ordered that the port of Tripoli be prepped for "import and export operations."

Two smaller ports of Saida and Tyre can also contribute but their capacity is limited and does not allow for bigger vessels to dock.

The small Arab country relies on imports for 85 percent of its food needs. The UN's World Food Program has already warned that the absence of Beirut port could deteriorate an already alarming situation in Lebanon.

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FILEIn this Thursday, May 28, 2020, file photograph, Colorado Governor Jared Polis puts on his face mask after a news conference about the state's efforts against the new coronavirus in Denver. During a news conference Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Polis said that the state is adding more than 800 new contact tracers to Colorado's coronavirus testing effort. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
By Kacper Pempel and Joanna Plucinska

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland will seek to support its neighbour Belarus by opening its borders and labour market while providing financial support to civil society after a violent crackdown on post-election protests, the Polish prime minister said on Friday,

The unrest in Belarus poses the biggest challenge yet to President Alexander Lukashenko, accused by protesters of rigging Sunday's presidential election to win a sixth term.

Poland's plan, which would also provide scholarships for academics and funding for the independent media, will initially cost around 50 million zlotys ($13 million), Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told the Polish parliament.

"Empathy is not enough - we need to take concrete action," he said.

Soon after Morawiecki's speech, several hundred people took to the streets of Warsaw in solidarity with those protesting in Belarus.

They carried Belarusian and EU flags as well as banners saying "The Belarusian nation needs support!" and "We don't want war, we want freedom."

In Brussels, momentum was growing in favour of sanctions in emergency discussions among EU foreign ministers on Friday.

An EU diplomat said the gathering decided to instruct their foreign policy unit to prepare a list of individuals to be blacklisted, marking a first step towards new sanctions.

Poland's support programme comes after it demanded the European Union host a special summit on Belarus. Morawiecki called for the EU to take further action.

"In this moment, you can't don the mask of neutrality or indifference. If we don't take steps as a united Europe now, then we will let it be known to all of our neighbours that when they are threatened, one can only count on oneself," he said.

Because Poland belongs to the EU's Schengen area, anyone who enters legally from Belarus can travel freely within the other 25 Schengen countries.

Morawiecki reiterated his government's demand that Belarus rerun its elections with foreign observers present, echoing his Czech counterpart, Prime Minister Andrej Babis.

Poland shares a close history with Belarus, home to between 300,000 and 1.2 million people of Polish origin.

(Reporting by Marcin Goclowski, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Joanna Plucinska and Alan Charlish; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Giles Elgood)
President Donald Trump has said that the US would collapse and become the world's laughing stock if the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee Joe Biden wins the November 3 presidential elections.

Trump said Biden's proposed policies were not good for the country.

"Today, we saw Joe Biden continue to politicise a pandemic and to show his appalling lack of respect for the American people. That's what it is. At every turn, Biden has been wrong about the virus, ignoring the scientific evidence and putting left-wing politics before facts and evidence," Trump told reporters on Thursday at the White House.

"The world will be laughing and taking full advantage of the United States if Joe Biden ever became President. Our Country would COLLAPSE! Trump said in a tweet.

Trump's tweet included a Fox News video clipping in which its news anchor was critical of Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal for praising Biden. The Fox News anchor described Jayapal as socialist and a genuine radical.

"Sleepy Joe opposed both the China and the Europe travel bans. You know that. He opposed the China travel ban that I instituted very early and the Europe travel ban that I instituted quite early. If I listened to his advice, hundreds of thousands more people would have died. This is according to many people," the president said.

Trump alleged Biden wants to fling open American borders, allowing the pandemic to infiltrate every American community.

He wants to have ridiculous open borders. I've been saying from the first day I started campaigning for this great office that if you have open borders, you don't have a country. You don't have a country, with open borders. So he wants open borders. The Democrats want open borders, he said.

While Biden will allow rioters, looters and millions of illegal aliens to roam free in our country, he also wants the federal government to issue a sweeping new mandate to law-abiding citizens, Trump alleged.

He wants the President of the United States, with the mere stroke of a pen, to order over 300 million American citizens to wear a mask for a minimum of three straight months. He thinks it's good politics. Different states are different, both in terms of the atmosphere and also in terms of the coronavirus problem, he said.

"If the President has the unilateral power to order every single citizen to cover their face in nearly all instances, what other powers does he have, Trump asked.

The president alleged that Biden rejects the scientific approach in favour of locking all Americans in their basements for months on end.

"We've been dealing pretty strongly over the last number of weeks. But he wants them in the basement for months on end," he said.

"If we did what Biden wanted to do, it would shut down our healthcare system and lead to a massive increase in mortality, including suicide, overdose, heart disease, and countless other physical and mental harms. It is very, very bad on the other side of the equation, when you do something like that. Those shutdowns are very punitive. Very punitive, he said.

Alleging that Biden's approach is regressive, Trump said that it is anti-scientific and it's very defeatist.

It would be very bad for our country. While Joe Biden has been playing politics from the sidelines -- he has no clue -- we've been solving problems and delivering tremendous results.

"The most advanced and robust testing system on the planet; the number one producer of ventilators in the world by far; unprecedented industrial mobilisation -- biggest since World War Two, Operation Warp Speed to delivering lifesaving treatments and, very soon a vaccine, he said.

Trump's comments follow Biden and his vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris' maiden joint public appearance on Wednesday.

At the meet, Harris hit out at President Trump's three-and-half-year tenure. "This is what happens when we elect a guy who just isn't up for the job. Our country ends in tatters and so does our reputation around the world," Harris said.

"More than 16 million out of work, millions of kids who cannot go back to school, a crisis of poverty, of homelessness afflicting black, brown, and indigenous people the most, a crisis of hunger afflicting one in five mothers, who have children that are hungry, and tragically, more than 165,000 lives that have been cut short, many with loved ones who never got the chance to say goodbye," she said.
Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot made two interventions during a discussion on the confidence motion moved by the ruling Congress party in the Rajasthan assembly on Friday, responding to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who named him in connection with the recent political crisis triggered by his rebellion against chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

His first intervention was during the address by Rajendra Rathore, the deputy leader of opposition and a BJP leader who asked why a notice was issued by the Rajasthan Polices special operations group (SOG) to Pilot and why he rebelled against the party.

The 42-year-old former deputy chief minister rose from his seat and said: They are taking my name repeatedly. Prior to my seat being changed, I was safe and part of the government. Then I thought why our speaker and chief whip [Mahesh Joshi] have given me a seat here? I thought for two minutes and then saw that this is a border.

On one side is the ruling party and on the other is the opposition. Who is sent to the border? The strongest warrior is sent, Pilot added.

On Friday, Pilot, who was dismissed as the deputy chief minister on July 14 after his rebellion, sat in the second row  near the opposition benches  in the House. In the last session in March, he sat next to the chief minister in the front row. The new seating arrangement prompted jibes by the Opposition.

The SOG notice that Rathore raked up asked Pilot to record his statement regarding an alleged attempt to topple the Congress government and triggered the revolt that had been in the offing for months. Though the Congress said a similar notice was sent to Gehlot, leaders close to Pilot called it a joke; for it is the chief minister who is in charge of the home department that oversees the police force. Pilots camp said the notice was yet another move to humiliate him and undermine his authority.

Pilot, who announced a truce earlier this week after a dialogue with the Congress high command in Delhi, also said: Having completed all the talks (to resolve issues that triggered his rebellion), we have come to the assembly today. It may rain fire at this frontline, but we all and I will be the shield, club and spear and will protect (the party).

The Tonk legislator rose again during the address of leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, who said the Congress should laud Pilot for its achievements in The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the state. Pilot was the rural development minister from December 2018, when the Congress formed the government, till he lost his portfolios on July 14.

It would be better if you argued on the merits and demerits of the confidence motion, Pilot told Kataria.

He said many things have been said during the discussion on the trust vote. Over time, everything will be revealed, Pilot added.

Whatever I or my colleagues had to say or do, we went before a doctor and after treatment, all of us, all 107 of us, are united in the House, Pilot said amid the thumping of the desk by Congress leaders. He was apparently referring to his Monday meeting with former Congress president Rahul Gandhi that doused his rebellion. Later that night, the party announced the setting up of the panel to look into issues raised by the Pilot and the 18 rebel legislators who backed him and questioned Gehlots style of functioning.

After the assembly was adjourned till August 21, Pilot said outside the assembly that the BJP should not worry about what was happening in the Congress. We dont speak about dagger drawn among the BJP leaders, he said.

During the crisis, a section of the Congress alleged that he was working in coordination with the BJP, though Pilot publicly clarified that he will not join the opposition party.

I have full confidence that the road map (by the Congress high command) will be revealed in a time-bound manner and all our concerns will be dealt with in a satisfactory way, he said.

Pilot said the state government will complete its term and work to fulfil the expectations of the people. We will work together to face challenges related to coronavirus, economic issues, farmers and youth in the coming days, he added.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged residents to watch for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested as fears grow that the virus is circulating in the community.

On Friday Ms Berejiklian told the Today show she was deeply concerned with the worrying number of mystery cases that had been recorded in western and south western Sydney.

'The one thing that keeps me me awake is that every week we are getting a couple of cases with no clear identifiable source and that worries us.

'What that tells us is in south-western and western Sydney the virus is circulating among the community.'

On Thursday, NSW announced 12 new coronavirus cases with four linked to known clusters, three with no known source and five returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

On Friday Ms Berejiklian told Today she was deeply concerned with the worrying number of mystery cases that had been recorded in western and south western Sydney

Pictured, drivers are slowly ushered through a COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi

NSW announced 12 new coronavirus cases on Thursday. Four were linked to known clusters, three with no known source and five returned travellers in hotel quarantine (pictured, a Sydneysider wears a face mask at Town Hall light rail station)

Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook, north-western Sydney, has been linked to 19 cases with the source still unconfirmed.

The school was forced to close for deep cleaning and will reopen its doors on August 24.

The nearby Opus Dei Catholic study centre, Eremeran, has also been linked to the outbreak.

The premises closed for cleaning after recently hosting five senior schoolgirls taking part in a religious retreat.

Our Lady of Mercy College, in Parramatta, has also closed after three cases were linked to the high school.

NSW Health has confirmed that one of the COVID-19 positive cases attended two southwestern Sydney venues while infectious.

People who were at Westfield Liverpool last Thursday and Friday and 5th Avenue Beauty Bar in Wetherill Park on Saturday are considered casual contacts and are advised to monitor for symptoms.

A new public health alert has also been issued for Liverpool Hospital with three hospital staff testing positive to COVID-19.

People who attended the hospital between August 6 and 9 are advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested if even mild symptoms emerge.

Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club has also recorded two cases.

People who attended the Catholic club at specified hours between August 7 and 10 are considered close contacts, and must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.

Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook, north-western Sydney (pictured), has been linked to 19 cases with the source still unconfirmed

There are 135 coronavirus-infected people being treated by NSW Health, with seven in ICU and six of these on ventilators (pictured security guards at pop up testing clinic in Castle Hill in Sydney on Wednesday)

'My strongest message is if you live in south-western or western Sydney and you have the slightest symptom, or you have been exposed as a close contact to one of those venues that have been announced please come forward and get tested and stay home for two weeks,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'It is so important for that to occur because we really worry about that community transmission.'

The state on Thursday also recorded its first COVID-19 death since August 1 after a Sydney woman in her 80s linked to the Our Lady of Lebanon Church cluster died.

There are 135 coronavirus-infected people being treated by NSW Health, with seven in ICU and six of these on ventilators.
But the general manager prohibited Powell from praying in a quiet spot at the airport and instead told her to pray in a dirty stock room, the lawsuit alleges. After Powell continued praying outside the restaurant, the general manager eventually revoked her request to take a prayer break, saying, God will understand, according to the lawsuit.
Lawyers for the two former U.S. soldiers have said their clients rights were violated because the private attorneys were not allowed to represent them in the hearing when they pleaded guilty. Saab rejected the claims, saying the men had public defenders and a translator during the Aug. 7 hearing inside El Helicoide jail in Caracas operated by Venezuelas intelligence police.
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris has been hit by a 'birther movement', with United States President Donald Trump saying he had heard that she does not meet the requirements to serve the White House.

IMAGE: Democratic US vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Wilmington, Delaware, US. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

Former US President Barack Obama was also hit by a birther movement, where his opponents questioned about the origin of his birth.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, 55-year-old California senator, Harris, was named by Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday.

The conspiracy theory about Harris started following a Newsweek Op-Ed by Dr John Eastman, who ran in the Republican primary to be California's attorney general in 2010.

Eastman, who lost the race to Harris, a Democrat, said that there are some questions about the eligibility for the position. The theory was also circulated on social media.

The Biden campaign called opinion piece racist.

"I just heard that. I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right," Trump said in response to a question during a press conference at the White House.

Trump did not give his opinion on it but acknowledged that he has heard about such claims circulating on social media that Harris is not eligible to be the president of the United States.

Harris was born on October 20, 1964, at Oakland in California.

Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica.

If elected in the November presidential elections, Harris would be second in line of succession after Biden, who is the Democratic party's presidential nominee.

As per the Constitution, the President needs to be born in the United States.

Harris is the first black, and first Indian-American and African-American to be selected for this second highest elected office in the country.

During the news conference, Trump said, "I would have assumed the Democrats would have check that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president but that's a very serious -- you are saying that they are saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country."

"I just heard about it. I will take a look," Trump said responding to another question.

Describing this as an unnecessary controversy, National Finance Committee member of the Biden campaign Ajay Bhutoria said that Harris was born in Oakland in California on October 20 in 1964.

'Article Two of our Constitution dictates that a person born in the United States after 1787 be a 'natural born citizen' of the country . She is a natural born citizen and there is no question about her eligibility to run. This puts an end to discussion.

'The whole birther movement is racist and Donald Trump is a disgrace to our country,' Bhutoria said in a statement.

Kamala Harris, like many Americans, is the product of a multicultural family of immigrants, he said.

'Her mother, who travelled to the United States in 1958 to complete a master's degree at UC Berkeley, was the daughter of an Indian civil servant who spent some of his career in Zambia,' Bhutoria said.

Kamala Harris being the vice-presidential candidate has given confidence to the immigrant community, especially the Indo-American community, he said.

'I am telling my kids, tomorrow you could be the future president or vice president , if you work hard and work smart and follow the footsteps of inspiring leaders like President Clinton , Obama , Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,' Bhutoria said.
With three in every 10 of the new coronavirus infections diagnosed in the last 24 hours, Madrid is the Spanish region that most accounted for the significant rise in cases that was reported on Thursday evening by the Health Ministry. In total, the countrys regional governments informed the central administration of 2,935 positives detected the day before, which is 1,000 more than the record figure seen since the deescalation of confinement measures: on August 7, a total of 1,895 new cases were reported.

Not since the end of April has such a rise been seen  although at that point, there was no distinction in the statistics supplied by the ministry between new cases and cases diagnosed the day before. Despite this, Fernando Simon, the director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts (CCAES), played down the high figures during his twice-weekly press conference. Its a gentle rise that allows for the implementation of control measures, he said. The percentage of asymptomatic [cases] is very high, over 50%, and we are detecting a lot of cases very early, he added.

Its a gentle rise that allows for the implementation of control measures Fernando Simon, director of the Health Ministrys Coordination Center for Health Alerts

Thursdays figures saw Madrid report 842 cases, the Basque Country 545 and Aragon 418. These were infections that were diagnosed the previous day, meaning that the lack of data supplied by Madrid on Wednesday due to technical problems had no effect on the figure. Where this was noticeable was in the rise in daily cases, the figure that is produced by subtracting the total infections reported on Thursday (337,334) from the total on the previous day (329,784). The result is 7,550 new infections added in a day, which includes those diagnosed the day before as well as on previous days and whose notification within the centralized Health Ministry system was delayed. Madrid alone accounted for 3,146 of these cases, having supplied two days worth of figures.

Simon explained on Thursday that Catalonia and Aragon are managing to stabilize infections and are even managing to reduce the number of cases in places that have been hard hit by new contagions, such as Lleida. On the other hand, other regions, such as Valencia and Madrid, are seeing gentle and progressive rises, he explained. Right now we are doing things well, he continued. It is true that it is causing us problems to explain this rises that we are observing. They are real, but at the same time a large part of this rise is also due to a significant rise in our capacity to diagnose [cases].

As Simon has done in recent days, he praised the management of the regions in the fight against the virus. Aragon and Catalonia have shown that outbreaks can clearly be controlled, he said. The two regions could serve as a mirror for those that are facing large outbreaks or uncontrolled community transmission in a certain area, he explained. Madrid, Simon added, is one of the regions on which we most need to focus right now.

The 14-day cumulative incidence of the virus is at 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, rate that is currently only exceeded by Luxembourg in Europe

Simon pointed out once again that there is a large range in the percentages of asymptomatic cases that regions are detecting  the higher the percentage, in general, the better the job of contact tracing and monitoring is being done. However, he did not supply the data for this by region. When he did so last week and gave the figure for asymptomatic cases detected in Madrid, which was a relatively low 15%, regional leaders called him disloyal and claimed that the figure was incorrect, later modifying a report from their own public health department that confirmed the figure that Simon had cited.

The cumulative incidence of the virus over 14 days, the indicator that international organizations use to compare the epidemiological situation across countries, came in at 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants on Thursday in Spain, a rate that is currently only exceeded by Luxembourg in Europe. France, with 32, and Germany, with 15, have much lower rates.

There is a major difference between regions, according to the latest figures. Aragon reported 573 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, the Basque Country 181, and Asturias and the Canary Islands 26. Simon said on Thursday that infections need to be lowered as much as possible before September arrives. Its a moment of risk because people who have been in different groups are going to mix once more, he explained, in reference to the reopening of schools, which were closed back in March, and the return to work for many after the summer break. The CCAES director said that classrooms must be reopened, and that if the situation requires it, specific classes or schools will be closed rather than a blanket closure as was seen earlier in the year.

The Health Ministry also reported 953 hospitalizations in the last seven days, and 71 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in the same time period. Currently there are 3,596 beds occupied by patients with coronavirus or who are suspected of having it, with 383 of them in intensive care, Simon explained. The report also detailed that 70 people had died in Spain after testing positive for the coronavirus in the last seven days.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said Thursday that his administration is moving forward to make North Carolinians eligible for a potential federal extension of unemployment insurance benefits.

However, Cooper cautioned that the executive-order proposal from President Donald Trump will not be simple to implement and the potential new $300 federal weekly supplement may be several weeks from arriving, if at all.

The new federal extended UI funding would come from a transfer of $44 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Economists say that funding could last nationwide from four to six weeks, at best.

Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, are advocating for the proposal, which requires states to add $100 to the federal supplement. Money from existing regular UI payments could count as the state's match.

Meanwhile, Cooper is urging Berger and Moore to support increasing the state's regular UI program as the best method to help those furloughed and jobless.
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Linkedin Fuji Anrina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020

Indonesia celebrates its 75th anniversary of independence with a new economic status. Earlier last month, the World Bank raised Indonesias status from that of a lower-middle-income economy to that of an upper-middle-income economy.

Indonesia has now officially joined other big economies like China, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand. With this new status, Indonesia is one step closer to becoming a high-income country, the highest level of economic status according to World Banks classification.

The World Bank uses this classification as a factor to determine a countrys eligibility to use the Banks facilities, including loan pricing. The upgraded status is also expected to improve the investment climate, boost trade and enhance economic the competitiveness of the country.

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Texas Mutual Insurance Company has announced the appointment of Paschal Strong to the newly created position of vice president of underwriting operations. In his new role, Strong will be responsible for Texas Mutuals regional underwriting operations and advancing the divisions data and analytics initiatives.

Strong holds a masters degree in business administration from Wake Forest University and has nearly 20 years of experience in various underwriting management and finance positions. He joined Texas Mutual in 2015 as a senior manager of underwriting at the Dallas regional office. Prior to joining the company, Strong held various underwriting positions at Liberty Mutual.
City Editor

Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has covered statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids.
President Donald Trump has said he will dedicat a good part of his re-election campaign to flipping New York, saying he'd use the reported rise in crime rates in NYC and a promise to lower the infamously high taxes to win over voters.

Crime in his native New York City has been on the rise amid the coronavirus pandemic and Mayor Bill De Blasio has blamed the outbreak while officials have claimed the release of some inmates to decrease the spread of the virus has led to the spike.

He pledged to look into State & Local Tax (SALT) deductions which allow taxpayers in high-tax states such as California, New York and New Jersey to deduct local tax payments on their federal tax returns.

'We're going to look into SALT, we're going to look into crime, we're going to look into all of the things and solve the problems  of many problems that they have in New York.'

President Trump said Thursday: 'I will bring down taxes and I'll make sure that the New York City is a safe place'

Trump said in an interview: 'Who can be happy if you live in Manhattan and your taxes are going through the roof? And your quality of life is way down, and theyre defunding the police?'

Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act put a $10,000 cap on itemized dedications claimed for property sales and income but before 2018 there was no limit.

People who obtain 88 percent of those benefits earn over $100,000. However the standard deduction for single filers is $12,200, $2,200 more than the itemized maximum.

'I will bring down taxes and I'll make sure that the New York City is a safe place... this is a cherished diamond of this country. And we can't let this happen to New York.'

He added: 'Who can be happy if you live in Manhattan and your taxes are going through the roof? And your quality of life is way down, and theyre defunding the police?'

Trump didn't specify his plan to bring down crime in the Big Apple but he has recently threatened to unleash federal troops on the streets after unrest surrounding protests against police brutality and racial injustice.

'Over the last six months what's happened is insane. It's insane. So we're going to try very hard to win New York and that will be the first time... since Ronald Reagan,' he told the New York Post on Thursday.

Joined in an interview inside the Oval Office, he agreed with his political director Brian Jack who said Congressional districts 11  which covers Staten Island  could help gain seats. Mayor Bill de Blasio greets Inspector Isa Abbassi as New York City's second Black Lives Matter mural is painted by volunteers in the Borough of Staten Island on June 19

He agreed with his political director who said Congressional district 11  which covers Staten Island and southern parts of Brooklyn that have seen pro-police protests  could help gain seats. A Trump boat parade is pictured on the Hudson Rover on July 19

Joined in an interview inside the Oval Office, he agreed with his political director Brian Jack who said Congressional district 11  which covers Staten Island and southern parts of Brooklyn that have seen pro-police protests  could help gain seats.

Jack also said 'there's quite a few opportunities in upstate as well,' referring to the 19th district which borders Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts.

'I think we can pick up what, five seats? And that's in addition to trying to win it. I think we can pick up a lot of seats,' Trump said, adding that he gets the vast majority of the votes upstate.

He said his investment in NYC was on the list with several other blue states.

'For instance, we think we're going to win New Mexico, we think we're going to win Minnesota. We think we're, we have a shot perhaps at Virginia because they have a very, very strange governor.'

Trump criticized Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, who blasted him in May for promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19, despite experts advising against it.
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Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 11:59 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dfd8c6 1 Politics puan-maharani,House-speaker,PDI-P,coronavirus,COVID-19,75th-Indonesia-merdeka,75th-indonesian-independence-day,house-of-representatives,#Indonesia75 Free

The state must do everything it can to curb the impact of the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani said on Friday.

The pandemic has posed a serious threat to peoples safety and welfare, she said while noting that all sectors and sources of income had been disrupted.

"The state must be present to save the people from the threat of a health crisis, the threat of an economic crisis and the threat of a welfare crisis by doing all that it can," the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician said in her speech at the annual joint meeting held at the House compound.

Puan went on to say that the government should impose policies and programs to increase health sector capacity, expand social protections, implement large-scale social restrictions and accelerate economic recovery as the pandemic had impacted economic growth significantly.

The government has been granted authority to impose fiscal, state financial and financial stability policies to overcome the pandemic and its impacts, she said, referring to the Law No.2/2020 on the COVID-19 response budget.

"The government is expected to be able to carry out various effective measures, both through policies, cross-sector coordination, fiscal and monetary instruments, as well as consolidating all existing potentials and resources, to immediately restore the countrys social and economic health, Puan added.

The joint meeting among all branches of the government was held to commemorate Indonesias 75th Independence Day, which falls on Monday.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo was also present to give his annual state of the nation address.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee former vice president Joe Biden puts his mask back on after delivering remarks following a coronavirus briefing with health experts at the Hotel DuPont on 13 August 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware: (2020 Getty Images)

The website for anti-facist group Antifa redirected to Joe Bidens campaign website on Wednesday, which led some people to claim that the Democrats are connected to the organisation.

For a few hours on Wednesday, Antifa.com redirected to JoeBiden.com, the campaign website of the presumptive Democratic candidate for president, before it returned back to the original page of the group Donald Trump has described as being run by anarchists.

The president has attempted to categorise Antifa as a domestic terrorist organisation in recent months, following claims that some of its members engaged in violence at Black Lives Matter protests, but he is unable to do so as it is an umbrella term for various anti-facist groups.

While the website still directed to JoeBiden.com, Ryan Fournier, the co-chairman of Students for Trump, tweeted: Oh my God...Antifa.com goes to Joe Bidens website, to which user @SamiFlores replied without evidence: Democrats bought that domain. Why would they do that?

Brigitte Gabriel, who founded national security organisation Act for America and has shown public support for the president, also tweeted: Apparently Antifa.com redirects you to JoeBiden.com  makes sense.

While host of the Dear America Podcast and contributor to Turning Point USA, Graham Allen,wrote: BREAKING: Everyone go to Antifa.com RIGHT NOW!!! ALL OF AMERICA MEEDS (sic) TO SEE THIS!!! RT!

In case they take it down pic.twitter.com/qCboTXCYW2  Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) August 12, 2020

In a follow up video, Mr Allen said: The world needs to see that there is some funny stuff going in and they are going to say it was just an accident, it was just a coincidence. Shut up, no! and added: Share it with everybody now!

Story continues

Later in the day, after the website was no longer redirecting to JoeBiden.com, a journalist from One America News (OAN) asked the president if the Democrats needed to denounce Antifa as a domestic terror organisation.

The far right network, founded in 2013, is often cited by Mr Trump and is known for pushing conspiracy theories and false claims.

Responding to the question at his press briefing on Wednesday, the president said: They should. I think theyre afraid to, and added: In my book, its virtually part of their campaign, Antifa.

The Democrats act like, Gee, I dont know exactly what that is. Take a look at Portland, take a look at any place you want to take a look at  theyre everywhere, he added

Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed that violence at Black Lives Matter protests in Portland and around the country have been carried out by members of Antifa.

However, federal prosecutors have not linked any protest arrests for federal crimes to the loosely organised group of anti-fascist demonstrators.

Read more

Federal arrests show no links to Antifa at protests
A screenshot from Google Street View

SINGAPORE  A 25-year-old woman was charged in court on Friday (14 August) with allowing a man into her house to study during the circuit breaker period. Meanwhile, a warrant of arrest was issued for the man, who failed to show up in court.

Mika She Yuan Wei, a Malaysian, is accused of allowing Chiew Chin Wooi, also 25, into her residence at Edgedale Plains, on 8 and 9 May, to study and take an examination. She is said to have done so between 8.40am and 4.50pm on 8 May, and 9.35am and 4.40pm on 9 May.

She faces two charges of allowing a person who does not live in the same residence into her flat for this alleged breach.

After allegedly allowing Chiew into her house on the second day, She purportedly met another person, an Ang Hui Shian, at Punggol Waterway Point. She is said to have met Ang between 4.45pm and 6pm to pass her a birthday gift.

She was charged for meeting a person outside of her residence in relation to this alleged meeting. It is unclear if Ang had been dealt with for involvement in the incident.

Shes plead guilty mention has been fixed for 24 September.

Man did not return to Singapore

During Shes arraignment on Friday, a Ministry of Health prosecutor told the court that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said that Chiew has not returned to Singapore. His whereabouts were not revealed in court.

District Judge Adam Nakhoda then issued a warrant of arrest for Chiew.

Chiew was expected to be charged with three counts under the Infectious Diseases Act and three counts under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

These are related to leaving his residence, not wearing a mask while outside of his residence, and possibly exposing others to the risk of contracting the disease.

If convicted of any circuit breaker breach, She will face up to six months in jail or a maximum fine of $10,000.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore

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Other Singapore stories:

Man charged for posting online threats on judge who nixed repeal of Section 377A

EPL files police complaint after tracking online abuse of Brighton player to a person in Singapore

COVID-19: Singapore and Japan in talks to finalise limited business travel by September
Teens sue Ariz. Medicaid program, claiming discrimination for not funding trans surgeries

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Two teenagers in Arizona have sued the state's Medicaid program, arguing that the state was violating their civil rights by declining to pay for gender transition surgeries.

Reportsindicate that approximately 100 residents of the Grand Canyon state may be affected by this lawsuit, which is aiming to create a class action for Medicaid recipients under the age of 21 wishing to have their breasts amputated, euphemistically referred to as "chest reconstruction." Presently, Arizona's Medicaid agency bans such surgical procedures.

This particular class is defined in the lawsuit as "individuals who have been unable and will be unable" to acquire coverage through the state's Health Care Cost Containment System "for medically necessary male chest reconstruction surgery because of the [prohibition], and as a result, have faced or will face delayed or denied access to these medically necessary treatments."

Under the banner of anti-discrimination provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the claimants argue that a 1982 state ban on using Medicaid funds is an affront to their civil rights.

The lawsuit goes on to argue that two biological females who came out as transgender a few years ago experienced challenges as puberty started changing their bodies and that they had to rely on breast binders and heavy hoodies, which is not easy in the Arizona summer heat, in order to appear more masculine.



Categorically excluding surgical treatment for gender dysphoria impermissibly discriminates against transgender people, said Asaf Orr, director of the Transgender Youth Project at the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

There is no legitimate justification for Arizonas refusal to provide this critical care to transgender Medicaid recipients. Instead, excluding that care creates unnecessary barriers that prevent transgender young people from thriving in every aspect of their lives and can cause lifelong harms.

Presently, 22 states and Washington, D.C., cover transgender medical practices through government agencies. Eighteen states have no explicit policy and 10 states prohibit it.

The lawsuit comes amid fluctuating laws, policies and regulations pertaining to transgender-identifying people.

In June, the Health and Human Services Department returned to its previous policy definition of "sex" as solely biological, male and female. The Obama-era HHS had added "gender identity" as part of its definition of sex.

Days later, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized "transgender status" as a legitimate category as it relates to sex discrimination employment law in Bostock v. Clayton County. The decision consolidated three cases, two of which centered around gay employees being fired and one transgender-identified male who presented as a woman being fired. How the interpretation in Bostock will be extended and applied in other areas of law remains to be seen.

Last month, several Democratic state attorneys general filed a suit against the Trump administration in an effort to stop the revision of the HHS policy returning agency language and standards to the biological definition of sex.

Transgender activists have long claimed that experimental gender-transition medical practices and procedures such as cross-sex hormones and surgeries are necessary medical care for their mental health and well-being.

Earlier this month, the American Journal of Psychiatry published a correction to a study that was released last year claiming that gender-transition surgeries proved beneficial to the mental health of patients who had undergone such procedures.

Upon further review of the data, the study demonstrated no advantage of surgery in relation to subsequent mood or anxiety disorder-related health care visits or prescriptions or hospitalizations following suicide attempts," the correction note from the authors read.
"Symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased considerably in the United States during AprilJune of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report released Friday. Just over 40 percent of respondents in a June 24-30 survey reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, ranging from anxiety disorder to increased substance use to cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And 10.7 percent of respondents reported having seriously considered suicide over the previous 30 days because of the pandemic. That's a high number, but it was especially prevalent among certain groups.

For example, 25.5 percent of young adults age 18 to 24 said they had considered suicide in June, versus 16 percent of respondents age 25-44 and 3.8 percent of those 45 to 64. Other groups with high rates of suicidal ideation included essential workers (21.7 percent), people with less than a high school diploma (30 percent), Black (15.1 percent) and Hispanic (18.6 percent) respondents  7.9 percent of white respondents said they had considered suicide  and unpaid adult caregivers (32.9 percent). Men (12.6 percent) were more likely to have considered suicide than women (8.9 percent).

"Community-level intervention and prevention efforts, including health communication strategies, designed to reach these groups could help address various mental health conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic," the CDC suggested. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for those needing help, is 1-800-273-8255.

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Dairy farmers who suffered significant milk price cuts in April because of Covid disruptions and have yet to submit their claim to the Dairy Response Fund have now got until 11 September to apply.

The government has extended the deadline by almost a month after it was due to close this week (14 August).

The news comes after figures released by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) revealed only 55 farmers in England have received any money as part of the scheme with only 174 farmers applying up to 27 July.

Only 35 English farmers have received the maximum support of 10,000.

The criteria for the scheme remains the same with qualifying farmers having to demonstrate a reduction in the average price paid for their milk of 25% or more in April 2020 when compared with February 2020.

Successful applicants will be entitled to up to 10,000 each to cover 70% of their losses across April and May incurred as a result of a drop in price.

A government spokesperson said: We understand this is a busy time for dairy farmers and many only recently received their May milk cheques.

"As such the deadline for applications has been extended from 14 August 2020 to 11 September 2020 to provide farmers more time to apply.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) welcomed the announcement, but said the scheme was still 'quite rigid'.

RABDF chairman Peter Alvis said: Summer is typically a busy time for dairy farmers, so we are delighted the government has taken the decision to extend the deadline.

We know the criteria for the scheme is quite rigid but if you think you have a chance of claiming now is the time to do it, so dont miss out.

Further details of the application process and guidance are available on the government's website.
The new centres have been added in Odisha keeping in view the current situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Odisha Joint Entrance Examination (OJEE) committee has added nine new exam centres within and outside the state to conduct OJEE 2020 online.

The new centres have been added keeping in view the current situation arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As per the notification, six new places are in Odisha, while the remaining three are outside the state along with the existing places.

In Odisha, the new exam centres will be in Balangir, Paralakhemundi (Gajapati), Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Nayagarh, Phulbani (Kandhamal).

The new centres outside the state are in Patna (Bihar), Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Kolkata (West Bengal).

Candidates, who have successfully completed their application, are now allowed to make changes in the preference of cities in their already submitted forms.

They will have to visit the OJEE application portal website to change the exam centre as per their convenience.

The window to change the exam centre will be open from 5 pm on 13 August to 16 August 11:59 pm.

A report in The Times of India said that with the addition of new exam centres, OJEE will now be conducted in 21 places in Odisha.

The report quoted OJEE chairman SK Chand saying that no OJEE centres were opened outside the state since 2014.

A report in Careers 360 said that previously 5 new cities were added in the existing OJEE exam centres in order to abide by the social distancing guidelines issued by the government.

The dates for OJEE 2020 have not been announced yet. The entrance examination is conducted for admissions into various undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Odisha.

As per Times Now, the exam was earlier scheduled to be held between 2 and 5 May but was cancelled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

This year the Joint Entrance Examination Cell Odisha will be conducting the special entrance exam for B.Tech admission. Candidates who clear the entrance exam would be eligible for admission in state government or private colleges in Odisha.
HOUSTON -- Two different types of detectable antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) tell very different stories and may indicate ways to enhance public health efforts against the disease, according to researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (S-RBD) are speculated to neutralize virus infection, while the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) antibody may often only indicate exposure to the virus, not protections against reinfection.

The results, published today in JCI Insight, highlight findings from a quantitative serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and N-protein for the detection of circulating antibodies in 138 serial serum samples from confirmed COVID-19 hospitalized patients and 464 healthy and non-COVID-19 serum samples that were collected between June 2017 and June 2020.

Results showed that 3% of healthy and non-COVID-19 samples collected during the pandemic in Houston were positive for the N-protein antibody, but only 1.6% of those had the S-RBD antibody. Of samples with the S-RBD antibody, 86% had neutralizing capacity - meaning they could prevent reinfection of COVID-19, but only 74% of samples with N-protein had neutralizing capacity. When positive for both, 96.5% exhibited neutralizing capacity.

"These findings suggest that detection of N-protein binding antibodies does not always correlate with presence of S-RBD neutralizing antibodies, and that the presence of the S-RBD antibody is the best indicator of any potential protection against reinfection," said senior author Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of Cancer Biology. "We caution against the extensive use of N-protein based serology testing for determination of potential COVID-19 immunity, and we believe that accurate and reliable S-RBD serological testing is needed to carefully identify individuals with neutralizing antibodies in order to help advance recovery efforts around the globe."

At present, some commercially available serological tests confirm only the presence antibodies to the N-protein, with over 200 commercial and hospital laboratory testing facilities currently using these tests. While these tests indicate exposure to the virus, they do not seem to suggest immunity to reinfection. These findings reiterate the need to educate on what an antibody test result mean for each patient, and that public health efforts should focus on ways to encourage patients to continue vigilant safety precautions even with the presence of N-protein antibodies.

"In addition to serological assessment of the general population, we are hopeful these results will aid in rapid assessment of the efficacy of vaccine candidates as they are translated into the broader population," said lead author Kathleen McAndrews, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in Cancer Biology.

###

Luis L. Ostrosky-Zeichner, M.D., and Ramesh Papanna, M.D., of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health) McGovern Medical School, contributed some samples to the study. A full list of co-authors can be found in the paper.

About MD Anderson

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. The institution's sole mission is to end cancer for patients and their families around the world. MD Anderson is one of only 50 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). MD Anderson is ranked No.1 for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" survey. It has ranked as one of the nation's top two hospitals for cancer care since the survey began in 1990, and has ranked first 16 times in the last 19 years. MD Anderson receives a cancer center support grant from the NCI of the National Institutes of Health (P30 CA016672).
Reuters

A former senior adviser to Britain's Boris Johnson said on Monday he was willing to "swear under oath" that the prime minister knew a party was being held at his residence during a COVID-19 lockdown, accusing him of lying to parliament. British media have reported that at least 11 gatherings took place at 10 Downing Street - the prime minister's official residence and office - or in other government departments between May 2020 and April 2021, when COVID-19 rules limited how many people could meet socially. Dominic Cummings, an architect of Britain's departure from the European Union and a former senior adviser to Johnson who left government under acrimonious terms in November 2020, said on Twitter that the prime minister had agreed that the drinks party should go ahead.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  Social enterprises in the country are also suffering from the slowdown in business caused by the ongoing health crisis.

Sixto Donato Macasaet, executive director of the Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc., told CNN Philippines Newsroom Ngayon Friday that more than half of its partners all over the country either had to fully or partially stop operations due low revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FSSI is a sustainable resource institution that provides assistance to businesses with social objectives through loans, equity investments, and capacity building services. It had 80 partners before the pandemic forced many of these social enterprises to either scale down their business or totally close shop.

Macasaet said business began to improve in May, especially for ventures involved in agriculture, food health, information and communication technology, as well as online businesses.

With the pandemic still pulling down the economy, Macasaet advised business owners to find creative ways to survive the crisis. However, he said it was best to consider reducing manpower as a last resort since employees add value to any business.
Dozens of Beiruts health facilities are non-functional the World Health Organisation has warned as the number of coronavirus cases in Lebanons capital surged by a third  sparking fears last weeks port explosion has triggered a secondary health crisis.

The deadly blast destroyed at least three major hospitals, putting them out of service and damaged another two.

The WHO said an assessment of 55 clinics and health centres in the capital showed more than 50 per cent of them are non-functional. An estimated 500 beds have also been lost.

One of the hardest hit was St George, among the countrys main coronavirus treatment and testing facilities.

The hospitals administration shared exclusive CCTV footage with The Independent of the explosion showing the pressure wave ravaging the Covid-19 intensive care ward (ICU), ripping windows and doors out of their frames.

At least 17 nurses, patients and visitors were killed in the destruction.

Lebanons ability to fight the coronavirus pandemic has been decreased by a sixth, Alexandre Nehme, the hospitals chief medical officer told The Independent from its gutted centre. Its 18 coronavirus patients had to be transferred to other centres which are at capacity and struggling amid a shortage of supplies.

Aid agencies have warned of a surge in coronavirus infections since the blast as Beiruts remaining hospitals are forced to juggle those wounded from the blast and the newly infected patients.

At the same time, lockdown and social distancing efforts have been impacted by a massive search and clean-up operation that is underway and the fact that thousands of people are now homeless.

Weve seen the number of Covid-19 cases [in Beirut] jump up by over a third, putting even more pressure on an already overwhelmed health system, said Matias Meier, country director for the International Rescue Committee in Lebanon.

The clean-up operation is vast, the hospitals that remain open are almost full, and those that can still operate are in desperate need of more equipment, he added.

The Lebanese government, battered by an unprecedented financial crisis, was already struggling to contain the pandemic and had just ordered a fresh lockdown when the blast stuck, killing more than 170 people and injuring a further 6,000.

The cabinet has since resigned after the disaster stoked public fury.

Before it stepped down, the government declared the state of emergency that granted the military the power to declare curfews, prevent public gatherings and censor the media, as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security breaches.

Lebanons parliament on Thursday approved the controversial action despite rising popular anger at official corruption and mismanagement.

Investigations are underway into the causes of last weeks blast.

Initial assessments show it was caused by nearly 3,000 tonnes of poorly stored ammonium nitrate, that is used to make fertilisers and bombs, catching fire.

The countrys leadership has come under fire after it emerged both President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab knew about the dangerous stockpile three weeks before the explosion.

The United Nations said on Thursday that 8,000 structures were damaged by the blast, among them 640 historic buildings of which 60 are at risk of collapse.

 Video captures blast at Beirut port

Unesco said museums, art galleries and religious sites had been hit by the blast, many of them located within the historic quarters of Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael that face the port.

Nearby is St George hospital, which directly looks over the epicentre of the blast.

Sami Said, part of the hospitals administration, said the destruction of St George and several other hospitals will impact Lebanons ability to stamp out the coronavirus.

For now, we have no plans to treat Covid-19 patients.
Mike Larkan was sacked along with at least 24 other stars, including Studio 10 host Kerri-Anne Kennerley and journalist Natarsha Belling, in the brutal budget cuts at Channel 10 earlier this week.

And the 56-year-old weatherman has admitted that the news came as a shock - and was delivered hours before he was due to do a live cross.

He tells The Daily Telegraph: 'I was caught off guard. I'll be honest... I was totally surprised when I got the phone call. I just had no idea'.

Out: Weatherman Mike Larkan (pictured) has opened up about his shock sacking at Channel 10 due to budget cuts across the network

Mike went on to say that he's taken his sacking rather well.

'You don't want to hear the news you are no longer in their plan going forward. But, well, I've taken that in my stride,' he said.

He added: 'I've had a good 25 years and I've been lucky to have survived that long. There have been retrenches and I've survived those, but not quite this time.'

Oh no: The 56-year-old news anchor has admitted the news came as a shock - and arrived hours before he was due to do a live cross. He tells The Daily Telegraph: 'I was caught off guard. I'll be honest... I was totally surprised when I got the phone call. I just had no idea'

Earlier this week, staff members were informed that the news and operations department was being 'restructured' in response to the sharp decline in advertising revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The changes are expected to be effective from Monday, September 14.

Channel 10's network director of news content, Ross Dagan, said in a statement about the job cuts: 'The decision to make these changes was a very difficult one and I want to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our friends and colleagues who will leave the network.

Mike went on to say that he's taken his sacking rather well: 'You don't want to hear the news you are no longer in their plan going forward. But, well, I've taken that in my stride,' he said

'It is in no way a reflection of their talent, contribution or passion. They are exceptionally gifted people. We are incredibly proud of them and their work. There is no doubt they will be missed.

'These painful changes reflect the state of the media industry in recent years and the need for all media companies to achieve new efficiencies.

'While our viewers in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will see some on-air changes, we will continue to produce local news and employ local reporters, camera operators and production staff in those cities.'
Bill Ogans of Seattle wears a Seattle Supersonics hat and face mask as he prepares to drop off ballots for the August 4 Washington state primary at King County Elections in Renton, Washington on August 3, 2020. Jason Redmond | AFP | Getty Images

While President Donald Trump continues to drive unsubstantiated claims that increased vote-by-mail efforts this year will lead to voter fraud, election officials warn of another, far likelier threat: delayed results. What's typically regarded as election night could drag on for a week or longer as the coronavirus pandemic changes voting habits and as a crisis at the U.S. Postal Service threatens to disrupt mail-in ballot delivery, experts warn. "We're all going to need to take a deep breath and be patient this year because, you know, there's a substantial chance we are not going to know on election night what the results are, possibly for the presidency, but maybe for many other races that are important to people, and that's okay," Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub told CNN on Monday. "If it takes a little bit longer to count all the votes accurately, that's what we need to do in order to ensure everyone's vote counts," she said. Opinions are mixed among state election officials on whether they expect results to be delayed in November. Because U.S. elections are run at the local or state level there is considerable variation on voting protocol and tabulation systems. Still, many election officials say they've learned lessons from conducting primary elections in recent months. Because of these experiences, some states, such as Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia, told CNBC they're confident that they can report results in a timely fashion. Other states, such as Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Vermont, concede it's harder to know for sure this year and it depends on a range of factors. "We have all gotten used to knowing the results of the election at 10 p.m. on Election Night, sometimes the morning after. It's going to be different this year," Steve Simon, Minnesota secretary of state, said in a press release. "It might take a few days, or up to a week until ballots are all in and counted."

The rise of absentee voting

One of those factors is the shift to mail-in voting. In an effort to avoid the spread of the coronavirus via in-person polling, election officials have expanded vote-by-mail access in dozens of states. This shift was met with resistance from the White House, as Trump began to push a narrative that mail-in voting is dangerous and poses security threats, even as a recent analysis cast the risk of voter fraud at 0.0025%. Trump himself votes by mail and has requested mail-in ballots for himself and first lady Melania Trump ahead of Florida's primary, the Palm Beach Post reported. The fear of the potential of voter fraud is "overblown," said Capri Cafaro, executive in residence at the American University School of Public Affairs and former Democratic leader of the Ohio State Senate. While there's scant evidence of mail-in voting leading to fraud, expanded absentee voting is relatively new to many states and could play a big part in delayed results. "Because there are so many variables, both within the system of voting and throughout the country, because each state is kind of approaching things differently, I think that we certainly should anticipate that this is not going to be what we would see as a traditional or regular election night or election cycle," Cafaro told CNBC. Delayed results could be particularly significant in a swing state such as Florida, which typically sees tight margins of victory, said Susan MacManus, political analyst and former political science professor at the University of South Florida. "If it's close, we have recount rules that require that the ballots be sent back through machines and so forth," MacManus said. "So delays would probably be related to Florida's size and its closeness and the magnitude of those votes that cannot be counted on election night by law."

Pressure on USPS

A recent analysis found that nearly 76% of Americans are able to receive a ballot by mail this year, the highest in U.S. history. But in recent weeks, reports of a slowdown in delivery of personal mail are causing alarm. After New York's June 23 presidential primary, a federal judge declared thousands of mail-in ballots invalid, partly because the U.S. Postal Service was unable to deliver them on time. The delays cast a huge spotlight on the U.S. Postal Service, whose operations have been under intense scrutiny for months. Since at least May, lawmakers and state election officials have publicly worried about the possibility that the USPS, burdened by financial problems, may not be able to handle a large volume of mail-in ballots this November. Earlier this month, the USPS announced a major reorganization attempt that included eliminating overtime, an action that received prompt criticism from those who feared it would compound potential delays. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who was appointed in May and is a major donor to Trump's campaign, contradicted statements made by the federal election commissioner and by multiple secretaries of state who have expressed concern over potential delays. "Despite any assertions to the contrary, we are not slowing down election mail or any other mail," DeJoy said last week. "Instead, we continue to employ a robust and proven process to ensure proper handling of all election mail." But, on Friday, it was revealed by The Washington Post that the USPS has sent letters to 46 states and Washington, D.C., warning that some mail-in ballots for the November election might not arrive in time to be counted. Beyond overtime, the USPS is taking about 500 letter-sorting machines out of commission, a figure that makes up almost 15% of the machines, Motherboard reported. With the cutback, workers expect mail handling to slow down considerably. "It is hard to tell the ability to be able to count the ballots on time, simply because there seems to be some questions surrounding what's happening with the Post Office now," Cafaro said. "I think that certainly it's up to the Trump administration and Congress to ensure that the U.S. Postal Service is up to the task." Republican and Democratic lawmakers are at odds over additional funding to ensure elections run smoothly in the fall. The first coronavirus stimulus bill, which became law in March, included $400 million for the Election Assistance Commission to provide states with grants "to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for the 2020 Federal election cycle." In May, House Democrats proposed an additional $3.6 billion to go toward helping state and local officials carry out the election. But the Republican-led Senate proposal included no such funding. Trump has also been resistant to increased election aid, saying in an interview with Fox on Thursday that he would oppose the Democrats' proposal. House Democrats also put together a $25 billion proposal earmarked for the U.S. Postal Service, but Trump vowed to oppose that as well.

Precedent for delayed results
Tech salaries are on the rise across all major tech hubs, including Silicon Valley ($123,826), Seattle ($109,628) and Boston ($108,438), according to data from Dice Technologys 2020 Tech Salary Report. But the real news is that many emerging tech hubs, with notably lower total costs of living, are doing just as well. These smaller cities and metro areas typically offer a blend of tech and non-tech companies seeking to hire IT workers for software development, computer engineering, cloud computing, IT support, customer service and more.

The following six emerging tech hubs are delivering significant tech salary gains and are pulling in new tech talent and companies thanks to access to venture capital, local universities and colleges and often a lower cost of living, according to Dice.

Columbus, Ohio

The state of Ohio is home to headquarters and outposts of 55 Fortune 1000 companies, including Facebook, which built a complex in central Ohio. Columbus, in particular, is a notable tech hub, and is home to IBMs Watson Health (Explorys) and its North American Center for Advanced Analytics. The city also won a U.S. Department of Transportations Smart City Challenge. Tech job postings in Columbus grew 38 percent over the previous year, and tech workers earn a reported average salary of $92,017 per year, which is up 14 percent from the previous year. Salaries have risen to be almost on par with established tech hub Austin, Texas, where the average tech salary is $95,118 but the cost of living is 12 percent higher.

Columbus ranks in the top 10 cities for tech markets, top 10 for rising startup cities and its in one of four states that provides property tax exemption and incentives for data centers, according to data from JobsOhio. According to Dice, companies such as Accenture, JPMorgan Chase, Huntington National Bank, Careworks and IBM are all looking to hire tech and IT workers in large quantities.

St. Louis

Tech salaries in St. Louis have risen nearly 14 percent over the past year, despite job postings for tech dropping 6 percent. The average tech salary in St. Louis falls just under $98,000, according to data from Dice. Key employers in the area include Boeing, IBM, Wells Fargo, Edward Jones and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, all of which are seeking IT workers in large volumes to fill their ranks. Additionally, Dice notes the federal National Geospatial Intelligence Agencys (NGA) announcement that it plans to build a campus in St. Louis, which will be home to 3,100 employers. St. Louis is poised as a fast growing tech hub, with salaries edging closer to major tech hubs such as San Francisco, where the cost of living is also 56 percent higher, according to data from NerdWallet.

Accenture Federal Services announced in June that the company plans to build an advanced technology center in St. Louis that will bring up to 1,400 jobs to the area in the next five years. CEO John Goodman cited the citys skilled talent, vibrant technology ecosystem and strong commitment to collaboration between government, civic, business, academic and community partners as a draw to the area, according to BusinessWire.

Atlanta

Atlanta is home to the Atlanta Tech Village, which is a small business incubator in the Buckhead community, with 180 tenant companies in its first year. The Atlanta Tech Village is now the fourth largest tech hub in the U.S., with 300 companies as of 2018 and as of 2019, it was responsible for raising nearly $900 million in venture capital financing and had the fourth most tech job postings of any U.S. city. The average salary for tech workers in Atlanta is $94,084 per year, which is up nearly 10 percent from the previous year, according to Dice.

While Atlanta has been championing startups for years, its also attracted the attention of major tech companies. According to Dice, companies such as IBM, Capgemini and Cox Communications are looking to hire tech workers at a significant volume. The report also highlights Home Depot, which is headquartered in Atlanta and is busy hiring IT workers. The city has taken some hits, however, due to COVID-19, with Macys announcing the company will not be bringing its technology hub to Atlantas Midtown technology hub, a move that was set to bring 630 jobs to Atlanta.

Denver

Denvers growing tech hub is known as Silicon Mountain, referring to the citys Rocky Mountain skyline. The average salary for a tech worker in Denver is $102,557 per year, 6.5 percent higher than the previous year, according to Dice. That brings Denvers average tech salary closer to tech hubs such as Seattle, where the average tech salary is $109,628 but the average cost of living is also 41 percent higher.

Tech companies such as Amazon, Netflix, Facebook and Apple all have campuses in the Denver area. In 2019 Amazon announced plans for the expansion of its Denver Tech Hub, adding 400 new high-tech jobs in fields such as cloud computing, software and hardware engineering and advertising, according to BusinessWire. Other key IT employers include Comcast, Bank of America, KPMH and Transamerica, according to Dice. Dice attributes Denvers growth to its available space  major cities such as New York City or San Francisco are congested with tech companies and require higher prices for less square footage, but Denver gives companies enough space to grow.

Dallas-Ft. Worth

Austin, Texas, has always been considered one of the major tech hubs, where the average tech salary is $95,118 per year, according to data from Dice. But Dallas-Fort Worth is emerging as another major Texas tech hub, where the average tech salary grew nearly 6 percent over the past year with tech employees earning a reported average salary of $95,002 per year. Dice notes that local tech companies such as IBM are on the lookout for software developers, network engineers and project managers and Deloitte is hiring for cybersecurity and solutions architect positions. Tech postings increased 5 percent over the past year with key employers for IT jobs, including Salesforce, Lockheed Martin, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Goldman Sachs.

The cost of living in Dallas is 10 percent higher than in Austin and housing costs are 16 percent higher, with the average three-bedroom home selling for over $408,000 in Dallas, compared to just under $350,000 in Austin, according to NerdWallet. Nevertheless, the average cost of living is still lower compared to Seattle, where the cost of living is 44 percent higher than Dallas and the average salary is only around $10,000 higher. The tech industry in Dallas has grown rapidly since between 2006 and 2008 when Texas Instruments and AT&T moved its headquarters to the city. Since then companies such as Oracle, Cisco, Fujitsu Network Communications, HP, Microsoft and Verizon Wireless are just a handful of tech companies that have expanded to Dallas.

San Diego

Silicon Valley has long been the main tech hub of California. But San Diego is becoming an appealing city for tech companies and workers due to its lower cost of living. Tech job listings grew 37 percent in the past year with an average tech salary of $109,428 per year, which grew 5 percent from last year. Amazon expanded to San Diego in 2018, adding 300 tech jobs and companies such as Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm and Booz Allen Hamilton are hiring IT workers at a rapid pace, according to Dice.

San Diego is appealing to tech workers in part because its cost of living is 40 percent lower than San Francisco, according to data from NerdWallet. In San Diego, the median home cost is just under $800,000, while its slightly over $1.25 million in San Francisco. For renters, you can get a two-bedroom apartment for around $2,400 in San Diego, while the same averages around $4,100 in San Francisco.
In light of the novel coronavirus-induced pandemic, India has negotiated to have 'air bubble' arrangements with a few countries.

What is air bubble (travel corridors)?

It is a system established between two countries that consider each other to be safe and allow carriers of both the nations to fly passengers either way without any restrictions.

Today, India announced an air bubble agreement with the Maldives and will resume cargo ferry services.

Also read: Travel Movies To Satisfy Your Wanderlust

Here is a list of other countries that India has an air bubble agreement with:

1. United State of America

If someone travelling to the US has been outside the country for less than a year or presently has an unexpired re-entry permit can travel to the country. Re-entry permit applications should have been filed before the person departing the United States.

If the passenger has been out of the States for more than a year or if their re-entry permit has expired, they will have to apply for a returning resident visa when consular operations are active again.

Reuters

2. The United Kingdom

According to the British Airways, a limited number of flights will fly between the UK and India from August 17. A British High Commission spokesperson said, "From 6 July 2020, we began a phased reopening of some of the Visa Application Centres in India and applications for all visa categories are being processed. As the situation in India continues to develop, we will keep local situations under review, and take further measures if necessary to keep staff and customers safe. Customers are requested to visit the VFS Global website for further details."

People who will be eligible to travel to the UK will be: stranded UK nationals/ foreign nationals transiting through the UK, spouses, accompanying or otherwise. Aside from this, any Indian national holding any type of UK visa which is destined for the UK only will be able to travel to the country. Lastly, seamen holding Indian passports will be allowed if they clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.

Reuters

3. France

According to Air France, all EU and EEA Nationals and Residents, including the UK will be allowed to travel to the country. Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per the MHA guidelines will also be allowed to enter France.

Apart from this, third country foreign nationals or spouses of theirs who have a Permanent Residency in their name can also travel. Lastly, Indian seamen with subject to clearance from Ministry of Shipping can also enter the country.

AFP

4. Germany

People who can travel to Germany from India will need a valid residence permit for the European nation. Family members of Indian nationals travelling to Germany for family reunification or for urgent family reasons will be allowed to enter Germany.

Other than that, healthcare professionals, health researchers, elderly care professionals, foreign experts, transport personnel, seasonal agricultural workers, sailors, foreign students whose studies cannot be carried on outside the country are on the list of people who can fly to Germany.

People in need of international protection as well as diplomats, military personnel, humanitarian aid workers, late repatriates, passengers in transit will be allowed.

AFP

5. Canada

Passengers who are allowed to travel to Canada are stranded Canadian nationals and residents along with any Indian national holding any type of valid Canadian visa. Other than that, seamen holding Indian passports subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping can enter the country.

AFP

Travel safe!

Also read: Emirates To Cover Treatment, Quarantine & Funeral Costs If Travellers Catch COVID On Its Flight
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-13 22:04:50|Editor: huaxia

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Critical COVID-19 cases in Nepal are rising rapidly as the pandemic spread among the elderly and people with existing health conditions, Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population said.

According to the ministry, the number of people held at intensive care units (ICUs) and those who were on ventilators reached 96 on Thursday, a sharp rise from just 22 on July 29.

As a result, the number of deaths is also rising rapidly in the Himalayan country. Nepal's health ministry said on Thursday total death toll in Nepal reached 95 with four more deaths in the last 24 hours.

"The main reason behind surging critical COVID-19 cases is that more older people and the people with existing health conditions are being infected with coronavirus," Dr. Hemanta Chandra Ojha, chief of Zoonotic and other Communicable Disease Control Section at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Health Ministry told Xinhua on Tuesday.

According to him, in the past, most of the patients were young Nepali migrant workers who came back from abroad.

Meanwhile, increased movement of people without restriction after the end of the nearly four-month long lockdown on July 22 resulted in increased infections at the community level.

Nepali officials and doctors said that due to the increasing critical cases, they are facing shortage of ICU beds at designated hospitals for COVID-19 patients particularly in the capital Kathmandu.

Dr. Santa Kumar Das, coordinator of a COVID-19 management committee at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, told Xinhua early this week that all the ICU beds at the hospital were occupied by an increasing number of the critically ill patients.

According to the health ministry, the country currently has 942 ICU beds and 496 ventilators for the COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, Nepali health ministry confirmed 525 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, taking the total cases to 24,957. Enditem
Gender Equality and Family Minister Lee Jeong-ok delivers her opening remarks at the ceremony held to commemorate wartime sex slaves, on Friday at the National Cemetery for Overseas Koreans in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. / Yonhap





By Lee Hyo-jin







The government held a national ceremony Friday to commemorate a memorial day for wartime sex slaves, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.







The state-organized ceremony took place at the National Cemetery for Overseas Koreans in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, with some 100 participants including surviving victim of sex slavery Lee Yong-soo, Gender Equality and Family Minister Lee Jeong-ok, civil activists and students.







The slogan of the event was "In remembrance for the future," implying the victims will always be remembered by future generations.







It is the third annual ceremony since the government designated Aug. 14 as a memorial day in 2018 to commemorate all the women and girls who were trapped in wartime sex slavery.







Aug. 14 is the day in 1991 when survivor Kim Hak-soon first gave testimony about her experiences, exposing to the world Japan's wartime sex slavery practices in the 1930s and 1940s during its 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula.







They were sometimes called "comfort women," a euphemism for girls and women who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese military before and during World War II. Historians estimate that up to 200,000 of them were sent to military brothels. There are currently only 17 known survivors remaining in South Korea, as many of those who came forward have already passed away.







"We hope that today's event will be an opportunity for the young to remember this tragic history and respond to the dedication of the victims," Minister Lee said.







Three students delivered a message of solidarity on behalf of the young generation towards the victims and vowed to follow their example in making a peaceful society.







President Moon Jae-in appeared in a video message vowing to resolve the sex slavery issue based on a victim-centered approach.







"The government will put every effort into taking feasible measures so that the victims' courage and dedication will be met with the restoration of their dignity and honor. We will find the right solution that will be acceptable to the victims," Moon stated.









The ceremony also included the launch of a digital archive (

) established by the Research Institute on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery.







The website offers 526 files related to sex slavery issues, including the latest data collected since the 1990s, when the issue began to gain global attention.







"This is our first step in building an integrated online infrastructure where people can find all related information," Kim So-ra, head of the research institute, told The Korea Times.







"We have also attached translated versions of Japanese and English materials for better accessibility."






Stepan Stepanyan had received the most votes after Mane Tandilyan on the rating election electoral list of the opposition Bright Armenia Party (BAP).

And Stepanyan is 96th on the proportional representation election list of the party.

The BAP informed that once Tandilyans parliamentary mandate terminates in accordance with the law, it will pass to Stepan Stepanyan, the candidate who received the most votes after her in the "rating" election system; Stepanyan is a member of the BAP Yerevan regional board.

As reported earlier, Mane Tandilyan, a member of the Bright Armenia faction in parliament, informed on Facebook that she has to resign as an MP and as a member of the BAP governing board. She has health problems which, according to her, are incompatible with parliamentary and active political activities.
Job Title: Economist

Organization: United

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Duty Station:

Kampala, Uganda

Vacancy Notice: Internal/ External vacancy notice 007/Temp/2020

Position Number: T/01/007/20

Position Grade: NO-C

About US:

The United Nations

High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and coordinate

international action to protect and assist refugees and other persons of

concern. It is constantly seeking talented, compassionate candidates with high

integrity to strengthen its capacity to respond urgently to crises with the

right skills. Given the nature of UNHCRs work, it is essential that its

workforce has the right mix of skills and qualities to fulfill its mandate.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management



Lead the

design and implementation of assessments and other data-driven products related

to the socio-economic welfare of refugees, forcibly displaced persons and host

communities, wherever possible through coordination with the National Bureau of

Statistics and World Bank Country Economist in inclusion of forcibly displaced

into National Poverty Assessment.



Successfully

manage all partnerships and activities in the collection of comparable

socio-economic (poverty) data on forcibly displaced



Contribute

to defining and promoting a vision for the use of socio-economic data,

particularly in planning, programming and advocacy at the country, regional and

headquarters levels.



Maintain

a strong understanding of the state of literature on poverty analysis for

forcibly displaced.



Manage

data collection activities, as appropriate. This may take place at all stages

of data collection (preparation, survey design, sampling, onsite data

collection oversight and supervision and quality assurance, data analysis and

report writing).



Conduct

data analysis using econometric programs (R, Stata).

Data Collection and

Analysis



Consolidate

raw primary and secondary datasets into final datasets to be used for analysis,

as needed. This will involve creating and merging various sources of data and

may require programming matching algorithms, linking up with field staff for

additional information, and performing manual matching.



Clean

all datasets and create all necessary indicators. Work with the research team

to design a thorough plan for data analysis and carry out the coding to perform

this analysis. Common analytical tasks include production of descriptive

statistics and regression analysis for various outputs such as briefs,

presentations and academic papers.



For any

field survey, assist in programming the instrument and developing protocols to

ensure high quality data.



Properly

prepare and document relevant datasets for archiving on the UNHCR Microdata

Library.



Lead the

preparation of research papers including formatting and creating tables,

graphs, and related analysis.



Engage

with country operation, partners and government, as appropriate, in the design

and implementation of data collection and research projects.

Coordination



Ensure

good communication and coordination among members of the country team,

Governments, researchers and partners, serving as a link between these parties.



Lead

drafting and writing of presentations, analytical reports and research and

policy briefs.



Participate

in official missions and deliver capacity building and training activities for

partners and governments.



Identify

research opportunities and contribute to proposals for research partnerships

and funding.



Reflect

UNHCRs positions on policy, advocacy and programming issues as they relate to

the protection, resilience and solutions of refugees with medium-term economic

and social development programmes.



Represent

UNHCR in negotiations and meetings relating to socio-economic profiling of

forcibly displaced and wider partners research in country.



Represent

UNHCR in technical capacity with external actors.



Perform

other related duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:



The applicant

for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Economist

employment opportunity should preferably hold an undergraduate degree in the

field of Economics, Statistics or another relevant field. Required.



At least

six (6) years of demonstrated experience in economics, analysing data and

conducting research is required.



Familiarity

with processes of the World Bank, the African Development Bank or other

international financial institutions, bilateral development agencies or

research institutions is required.



Knowledge

of English is required.

Competencies

Core Competencies



Accountability



Communication



Organizational

Awareness



Teamwork

& Collaboration



Commitment

to Continuous Learning



Client

& Result Orientation

Managerial

Competencies



Empowering

and Building Trust



Judgement

and Decision Making

Cross-Functional

Competencies



Analytical

Thinking



Technological

Awareness



Planning

and Organizing

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies



Familiarity

with displacement and development issues and experience of working with the

private sector is desirable.



Experience

working in applied development economics, poverty modelling, leading primary

data collection effort and data analysis, working with synergies between the

humanitarian-development nexus is desirable.



Demonstrated

skills and experience with measuring welfare through socio-economic profiling,

analysis of large datasets, expertise in utilization of relevant statistical

software (R, Stata), ability to work independently with limited supervision and

deliver high quality products and to think creatively, and to explore, harness

and translate innovative concepts into relevant practical approaches for

programming, policy, and advocacy purposes is desirable.



Functional

skills in drafting, documentation, data presentation, networking, project

management, statistical software (SPSS, STATA, CSPRO), statistics analysis and

data collection and analysis is desirable.

How to Apply:

All Interested

candidates who wish to join the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHCR) should please apply online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 23rd August 2020

For more of the

latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or

find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
BKS Partners, a Tampa-headquartered insurance brokerage and risk management firm has appointed Frank Baker to partner.

Baker joined the firm as a founding member in 2006. He came aboard with experience in Tampas recreational maritime interests and assisted with building BKS maritime practice, including the consummation of a joint venture with national boat dealer Galati Marine.

Over the years, Baker has formed relationships with real estate firms and financial institutions, as well as clients in the healthcare, maritime and hospitality industries, and exceeding annual source and production goals since joining the firm.

BKS Partners is insurance brokerage firm delivering commercial insurance and risk management, private insurance and risk management, employee benefits and benefit administration, asset and income protection, and risk mitigation services to clients throughout the U.S. and abroad.

BKS Partners is an affiliate of BRP Group, Inc., an independent insurance distribution firm. BRP represents over 500,000 clients across the United States and internationally.

Topics Mergers Florida
CLEVELAND, Ohio  One man is dead and two others injured in an early Friday shooting at a gas station in the citys Central neighborhood.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man, one of the three injured by gunfire, on suspicion of murder. Formal charges have not been filed in the case.

Kieondre Lewis, 21, of Cleveland, died in the shooting, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.

The shooting happened about 2 a.m. at the Rapid Stop gas station on East 55th Street and Payne Avenue.

Lewis, his 18-year-old brother, a 19-year-old man and the 25-year-old man were waiting in line to buy food at the gas station when an argument broke out, according to police reports.

The group went outside and fought near the gas pumps, according to police. The 25-year-old man pulled out a gun and pistol-whipped the 19-year-old man in the head.

He fired several shots at Lewis and his brother as they ran away, according to police. Lewis was shot several times in the back and chest, according to police.

Police found him dead on a nearby sidewalk. His brother was shot in the buttocks while running away, according to police.

The 25-year-old man later showed up to University Hospitals with a gunshot wound. Police did not say how he ended up shot.

Lewis suffered a gunshot to the back and died at the scene, according to police and the medical examiner.

Lewis death is one of three fatal shootings in Cleveland in a three-hour span late Thursday and early Friday.

The shootings bring the total number of homicides in the city to 101 for 2020. There were 72 homicides at this time in 2019. The city recorded its 100th homicide last year on Oct. 5, according to Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner records.

Read more from cleveland.com:

Granddaughters husband charged in slaying of 80-year-old Lakewood man who worked as state prison doctor

Cuyahoga County IG report suggests cozy friendship between indicted former jail director, state inspector led to lax jail inspections

Ohio House keeping some documents secret from FBI, public over House Bill 6, citing attorney-client privilege
The Corruption Watch report about alleged procurement breaches by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF) resonated across many corridors yesterday.

The fund is the President and his Number Two's own pet project and so should not fail. It would be unfair for it to suffer any blemish on its integrity as the allegations could possibly do when not handled properly.

In the Zongo communities, there was consternation among the elites whose wonderment could not be downplayed as they subjected the allegations to cognitive examination.

The report alleged that the CEO admitted to overshooting his financial approval limit which prompts the query as to why he did so anyway?

Only impunity would push a public officer to breach standard procedures of doing things or perhaps ignorance.

If the second option of ignorance is the case, we would be hard-pushed not to ask why the man was not given lessons in managing public office and even funds and the consequences for breaches.

Ignorance of standards, unfortunately, cannot save those who indulge in breaches such as the alleged ones we are dealing with.

To be fair to the CEO and to satisfy and manage the curiosity of the average Zongo personality, for whom the President thought out this programme and the taxpayer, delving into the subject is the fairest thing to do.

A couple of months ago, some NDC elements sought to rubbish the operations of the fund heaping unsavoury language on it. It was an outright case of envy because the fantastic concept did not emanate from their party. Therefore, anything put out on the public domain, demands a probe lest the authorities are accused of covering up an anomaly.

The Corrupt Watch report has put the subject to the front burner hence the need to subject the allegations to further and better scrutiny.

This way, the CEO would be able to challenge the charges levelled against him and the targets of the fund getting a better and clearer picture of the story.

The commitment of the President in changing the lot of the indigenes of the country's Zongo communities has remained unwavering and it shows in the constant reference to how government has kept faith with the people of the Zongos, a fact which is indisputable.

Those who are charged with managing such an important state entity should discharge their duties selflessly and in accordance with public service standards. They should avoid the trappings and abuse of their offices because therein lie ingredients for humiliation and loss of dignity.

We appreciate the efforts and time the President put into the Zongo Development Fund project which now fully functional should be protected against things which can cost it its dignity as a public entity.

Anybody who stands in the way of the achievement of the goals of the ZoDF and the good dreams for the Zongos must be stopped.

The project is not about an individual or individuals' interest but a community, downtrodden in its entire history, with its members denied their portion of the national pie.

Source: Daily Guide
Leonid Kravchuk, Ukraines 1st president and representative in the Trilateral Contact Group for the settlement of the situation in Donbas, does not yet see the need to change the venue for meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group due to the recent events in Belarus.

Belarus does not take part in the Trilateral Contact Group. Belarus gave us the opportunity and created conditions for working there. When we get there, there will be opportunities for such work. If there is no such opportunity to hold meetings there [in Minsk], we will then look for another place. At first, there were no Minsk agreements. There were Geneva talks," Kravchuk said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio on Thursday.

According to him, if it is not possible to hold TCG meetings in Minsk, then we can take a completely neutral state, for example, Sweden. We can ask them. This is possible, Kravchuk said.

As Ukrinform reported, on July 30, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed by decree the second president of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, from the position of head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group and appointed the first president of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, to this post.

The next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk is scheduled for August 18.

The presidential election was held in Belarus on August 9. According to preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko gained 80.23% of the vote, while opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya got 9.90%.

On the night of Monday, August 10, protests against election fraud began in Belarusian cities. Security forces brutally dispersed the protesters with rubber bullets, stun grenades, and water cannons. About 6,000 people have been detained since the protests began. At least 250 people have been hospitalized.

ish
The on Thursday inked a deal with the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority to set up a "centre of excellence" in the state's defence corridor to help promote innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in the defence sector.

The deal was signed during the launch of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh through a webinar. UP Chief Minister and other dignitaries too were present at the event.

"With this MOU, the will find solutions of its problems with the help of Centre of Excellence being established in the Defence corridor of UP," an official statement quoted Adityanath as saying.

Expressing his pleasure over the launch of NIIO, the chief minister said with this launch, the indigenisation will be promoted and there will be better coordination between the educational community and industry.

The CM said the defence minister's decision to produce 101 products of defence sector will make the country 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant).

He said in UP, defence and aerospace units have been included in single window system to promote them and several relaxations are being given for the production of defence goods.

"For defence industrial corridor, 1,289-hectare land has been acquired in Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh and Chitrakoot. The UPEIDA is establishing Centre of Excellence with the help of IIT, BHU and other institutions," he said.

During defence exhibitions till now, 23 MoUs have been signed by different companies for UP's defence industrial corridor and investment of Rs 50,000 crore is expected, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Most women in their 20s would be well versed in the world of dating apps like Tinder and Bumble.

But that's certainly not the case for The Bachelor 2020 star Areeba Emmanuel.

The 25-year-old has revealed that she's never swiped right to find a guy and prefers to meet her perfect match in real life.

No swiping right here: Areeba Emmanuel revealed that she's never had Tinder and prefers to meet her perfect match in real life

'Ive never had Tinder I dont believe in online dating and all that crap,' she told 10Play.

'I like going to the bar, turning around, seeing someone standing there and being a little bit of a flirt. I believe in chemistry - thats all I want! Tinder, and all that stuff, you dont have chemistry.'

In an effort to find The One, the home loan officer has instead turned to TV where she is currently trying to win the heart of Locky Gilbert on the Channel 10 dating show.

Looking for love: In an effort to find The One the home loan officer has turned to TV where she is currently trying to win the heart of Locky Gilbert (pictured)

But the Pakistani beauty is set to stir up some drama in The Bachelor mansion next week.

A recent trailer for an upcoming episode revealed that Areeba and Juliette 34, are set to go head-to-head at a cocktail party next week.

In the promo, the two women team up with Kristina Ambramhoff, 24, to try and score more alone time with Locky.

'That b***h is a snake!' A new trailer for The Bachelor reveals tensions will reach boiling point for Areeba Emmanuel (blue dress) and Juliette Herrera (left) at next week's cocktail party

'We made our own group date,' the trio tell the strapping hunk.

Host Osher Gunsberg is then heard in voice-over saying their 'bold move comes spectacularly unstuck' - and with serious consequences, by the sounds of it.

'I just feel ripped off, to be honest. How dare she betray me,' Areeba is heard saying before confronting Juliette.

Tensions rising: While the trailer keeps coy on what happened between the two girls, it clearly has Areeba fuming

While the trailer keeps coy on what happened between the two girls, it clearly has Areeba fuming.

The Sydney-based beauty is seen storming off, saying: 'I don't want to be your friend. That b***h is a snake.'

The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten
Panaji: The Goa government on Thursday signed a tri-partite agreement to carry out German dual vocational education and training in the 10 Industrial Training Institutes of the state, Goa Skill Development Minister Vishwajit Rane said.

The MoU was signed virtually among the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Siemens Limited, and the German-headquartered GIZ, he said.



"Through this initiative, we will ensure optimal Up-skilling of the ITI graduates including green skilling at par with the latest technological developments in the industry thereby remarkably enhancing the employability of graduates from these ITIs," Rane said.

The Goa Skill Development Minister also said that the initiative would address the pressing need of training and enabling India's youth for employment, entrepreneurship and community enterprise.
MUMBAI, India, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- TATA Projects Limited , one of India's fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies, and its consortium partner have completed an important 110-km stretch of the 200-km Surathani-Phuket transmission line project in Thailand. This 500kV transmission line is an achievement since it passes through thick jungles and mountainous terrain.

This project will bring additional electricity to Phuket thereby improving the lives of citizens. Out of the Tata Projects led consortium's 110-km stretch, about 80-km was executed by Tata Projects and the remaining by its partner. The company utilised drone technology for stringing of transmission lines thereby reducing timeframe and avoiding manual work.

Speaking about the project, Vivek Gautam, COO - Tata Projects Ltd, said, "We are proud to complete this important transmission line project which is a true testimony of our top-notch expertise and vast experience. With successful completion of our second transmission line project in Thailand, we have once again proved our execution capabilities not only in India but also around the world. Going forward, we shall continue to deliver projects on-time, using world-class project management techniques and uncompromising standards of safety."

All tower foundations were completed using ready mixed concrete which is a symbol of 100 per cent concrete quality. Additionally, Tata Projects also prepared approach roads for ready mixed concrete trucks.

A unique aspect of this project is that it is the first 500 KV Transmission line passing from Phang-nga province. Phang-nga is a province in Southern Thailand, bordering the Andaman Sea on the West Coast of the Malay Peninsula.

Prior to this Surathani - Phuket transmission line project, Tata Project led consortium had successfully executed an 80-km stretch of 500kV Roi Et 2 - Chaiyaphum 2 Transmission Line project in August 2019. It was the company's first successfully executed transmission line project in Thailand.

About TATA Projects Limited

TATA Projects is one of the fastest growing and most admired infrastructure companies in India. It has expertise in executing large and complex urban and industrial infrastructure projects. TATA Projects operates through its four Strategic Business Groups (SBGs) namely Industrial Systems SBG, Core Infra SBG, Urban Infra SBG, and Services SBG.

The company provides turnkey end-to-end solutions to set up power generation plants, power transmission & distribution systems, fully integrated rail & metro systems, commercial buildings & airports, chemical process plants, water and waste water management solutions, complete mining and metal purification systems.

The company is driven to deliver projects on-time, using world-class project management techniques and has uncompromising standards for safety and sustainability.

Media Contact:

Sandeep Menezes

sandeepmenezes@tataprojects.com

+91-9920074163

Manager Marketing Communications

TATA Projects Ltd.

Naresh Sharma

nareshsharma@tataprojects.com

+91-9010680747

Head Marketing Communications

TATA Projects Ltd.

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London, Aug 14 : The UK government has entered into agreements with two drug makers for purchasing their potential Covid-19 vaccine doses, the companies said on Friday.

As part of the deals, Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutica unit will supply the British government with 30 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate Ad26.COV2.S.

The UK government has also entered into an agreement with US biotech company Novavax for the purchase of 60 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate NVX-CoV2373 and a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess the efficacy of the vaccine in the British population.

Under the terms of the agreement, Novavax will supply 60 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 to the UK beginning as early as the first quarter of 2021.

"It is encouraging that Novavax' recent clinical data shows their vaccine triggers an immune response greater than that in patients who have recovered from the disease," Kate Bingham, Chair of the UK Government's Vaccines Taskforce said in a statement.

"We believe that Novavax has a highly innovative vaccine that could be the first in its class of protein-based vaccine options." With the two new deals, the UK has now placed orders for six experimental Covid-19 vaccines, taking its potential stockpile to 340 million doses, the BBC reported.

Novavax said the Phase 3 clinical trial will be a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy study in approximately 9,000 adults 18-85 years of age in the UK.

The trial is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with the UK government supporting and providing infrastructure to Novavax in the execution of the trial.

The trial will assess the ability of NVX-CoV2373 to protect against symptomatic Covid-19 disease as well as evaluate antibody and T-cell responses.
A nursing officer, who organized ICU care for patients in the most difficult working conditions, a laboratory technician who conducted RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test in most high-risk areas, and a Delhi Police head constable who distributed food packets among poor people and migrant workers are among the 26 corona warriors who will sit in a special enclosure at the At Home function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Independence Day on Saturday afternoon.

Their presence, just as their work, would be special as they would be among the selected batch of people who have been invited to the event amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The AIIMS, countrys apex medical institute, will be presented by four professionals, while three medical professionals will represent the Safdarjung Hospital. Out of the 26 special guests, eight are women, according to the list of invitees available with HT.

Also read: Ahead of Independence Day, President Kovind to address nation today at 7 pm

A total of about 100 guests, including the corona warriors, are expected to attend the programme which will start with a brief speech by President Ram Nath Kovind.

Refreshment including traditional delicacies such as samosas, dhokla, along with tea, would be served by a limited number of waiters who have been tested negative for Covid-19. All guest tables would be named after rivers of India and each guest would be ushered into his or her assigned place.

From senior and junior doctors to nursing officers, technicians, pharmacists, Asha workers to security guards, sanitation workers and house-keeping staff  a wide range of people involved in Indias prolonged battle against Covid-19 will be honoured at the event. The list also includes three Delhi cops and a woodcutter from Nigambodh Ghat.

Also read: I-Day 2020 - Defence ministrys special arrangements at Red Fort

While all 26 Covid-19 warriors have shown exemplary work in their line of duty, head constable Manish Kumar, posted in Community Policing Cell in Dwarka, established a community kitchen to feed 800 needy people daily. He provided dry ration kits to workers who lost their jobs during the lockdown and also helped in installing hands-free sanitiser machines. Kumar distributed 4,400 washable cotton gloves and more than 1,375 litres of sanitizers to police personnel. He also arranged for refreshments, face shields and gloves to police patrols and pickets and was engaged in the regular announcement of guidelines to the public.

Also a poet, Kumar, distributed milk food for the newborns and arranged for water, food and fresh fruits for the migrant workers.

Nursing officer Asha Shabarwal of GTB hospital worked hard to organise ICU care for patients. Kriti Sharma, a laboratory technician, is credited with outstanding work by conducting RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test in most high-risk areas during Covid-19.

Pharmacist Vinod Rohilla arranged for drugs and other items even late in the night without hesitation, in spite of his grandmother being hospitalized.

Amar Singh, a woodcutter in Nigambodh Ghat, helped people at the cremation ground in maintaining social distancing and was always alert when bodies arrived at cremation ground. He ensured that fewer people were present at the time of performing rituals, wearing PPE kits so that infection could not spread to others.

Dr Rahul Tyagi and Dr Ankesh Gupta, senior and junior residents, nursing officer Rekha Kumari and Naresh Kumar, an OT Technician, have been selected from AIIMS to attend the prestigious function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Peace can't be achieved through the unilateral actions of Armenia, we will be able to have real peace if Azerbaijan will reciprocate Armenian's efforts, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told BBC Hard Talk.

"Peace can't be achieved through the unilateral actions of Armenia because we will be able to have real peace if Azerbaijan will reciprocate Armenian's efforts. Becoming prime minister of Armenia, I proposed a new formula for peace," he noted referring to the formula that solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be acceptable for people of Armenia, for people of Nagorno-Karabakh and people of Azerbaijan.

"And I'm first Armenian leader ever saying that any solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be acceptable for the Azerbaijani people too. But unfortunately, Azerbaijani president didn't reciprocate to my proposal," he noted.

Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan launched a military attack on Armenia.

"And it wasn't separate action. Within a long time, Azerbaijani president developed bellicose rhetoric saying that he's going to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict using military force. As a result of that bellicose rhetoric Azerbaijani government is facing the challenge to explain their own society why they can't, they couldn't solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through false," he added.

Host Stephen Sackur, in turn, noted that PM has taken 'a series of provocative actions, which have heightened tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh,' as in August, PM went to Stepanakert in Nagorno Karabakh and make a speech saying that 'Artsakh is Armenia. Period.'

The PM responded: "Every time hearing mutual accusation of each other who started, who violated the ceasefire regime. And this continues, again and again, we think a long time, and that's why we're proposing to establish international mechanism is for a ceasefire for investigating ceasefire violations."

"Second, why I said that Nagorno-Karabakh, Artsakh is Armenia. First of all, Nagorno-Karabakh for several thousand years is populated by indigenous Armenian people. And by the way, Artsakh's name is aged for several thousand years," he noted.

The host suggested not to consider the issue in the context of a thousand-year history, but to turn to the realities of today. He noted that the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that quite clearly demands the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Armenian forces "from the occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan."

"The document of a UN security concert didn't mention the Republic of Armenia or armed force of the Republic of Armenia. There is written about of Nagorno-Karabakh-Armenians self-defending forces. It's first. Second, you proposed to look at reality. Reality is that in the moment of this conflict, 8090% of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh were Armenians. And Azerbaijan tried to clean this land from Armenian and conflict started from this moment," the PM noted.

The host noted that his question concerns Pashinyan's promise to seek peace.

For example, I note that your government plans to build a new road from Armenia into Nagorno Karabakh following a Southern route, which goes through a whole sway of the Azerbaijani territory. Now a group of MEPs in Brussels - who've looked at this plan and who specialize in caucuses politics - have described it as a violation of international law. It will symbolically entrench the illegal occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. We very much deplore this initiative. Will you stop building that road?" Stephen Sackur wonders.

It isn't Armenian government to build any roads in Nagorno Karabakh. It's the Nagorno Karabakh government acting in the framework of interest of its own population. And, you know, in Karabakh people are living. Human beings are living and they have needs. Needs for supplies, needs for food, needs for mobility. And Azerbaijan, by the way, is exercising the policy of isolation and blockade for Nagorno-Karabakh. And by the way, for Armenia too," he said.

The host noted that Pashinyan's strategy resembles the strategy of his predecessors. "Where is the evidence that on this core issue for the Armenian people, you're bringing something different to the table?" The host asked.

"I won't agree with you naming our position nationalistic, because Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are under existential threat.

And what are we proposing? We are proposing Azerbaijan to renounce any possibility of the use of force for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solution. We should agree on a very simple formula. That is no military solution for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the PM said.

When asked if the PM is now ready to say that in the past, especially in the early 1990s and late 1980s, Armenian forces have committed several serious crimes related to human rights violations during the war in Karabakh and is he now ready to admit them and say sorry for them, Pashinyan noted: "Any war is a chain of tragedies. That's why we are saying that let's renounce, let's refuse any possibility of using force for solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and any peace is a compromise and Armenia always was ready and is ready for compromise."

To the clarifying question, is he ready to say sorry as there is even the catalog of the European Court of Human Rights on human rights violations by the Armenian military, Pashinyan noted: "European court has a similar catalog on Azerbaijanis atrocities."

"And we should mention the Sumgait events that happened in 1998 in the late 90s when Azerbaijani government and other Azerbaijanis initiated pogroms against the Armenians of Sumgait city in Azerbaijan, in the Azerbaijani capital," the PM said.

The host continued to insist, I just wanted to know whether you're prepared to take responsibility and apologize for those abuses and crimes committed by Armenia's forces. It's quite simple. Yes or no."

"It should be proved who exercises atrocities. And I think Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan are victims and we can prove that anyway, anytime," the PM added.
Tensions flared overnight in Washington DC after police arrested protesters and shoved them into vans during a late-night anti-police march.

Footage from the scene shows protestors trying to stop a police van from escorting detained individuals by blocking off a road in northwest DC.

Clarence Williams, a reporter on the scene, tweeted a clip with the caption: 'A crowd shouted and tried to block a D.C. police van and officers moved a group of demonstrators from 18th Street NW. One woman was taken into custody during the clash.'

Police declined to answer why people were being arrested to journalists on the scene, the Washington Post reported, adding that early morning calls and emails to the department were not answered.

Tensions flared overnight after police arrested demonstrators and protestors tried to prevent the police vans from leaving the scene. (Pictured)

Tensions flared overnight after police arrested demonstrators and protestors tried to prevent the police vans from leaving the scene. (Pictured)

Tensions flared overnight after police arrested demonstrators and protestors tried to prevent the police vans from leaving the scene. (Pictured)

Earlier on Thursday evening, police are said to have boxed in a group of demonstrators on a sidewalk as they marched through northwest DC, the Washington Post reported.

Some individuals who were outside of the border set-up by the police allege that police used batons and pepper spray to corral them in.

Tysean Hoffman, of Alexandria, said that the protestors were mostly peaceful but there were some instances of fireworks being lit, trash cans being tipped over and one being set alight.

Hoffman said he took his seven-year-old son with him so his son could 'see a police officer and not be scared,' the Washington Post reported.

Marchers told the newspaper that there were around 20 protestors who were surrounded by the police.

One woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the paper she was almost arrested while using ice and water to soothe the pepper spray directed towards her.

One officer, she said, pushed her with a baton and a friend jumped in between her and the officer.

Tensions flared overnight after police arrested demonstrators and protestors tried to prevent the police vans from leaving the scene. (Pictured)

The friend was jumped on by several other police officers who detained him. She said that one officer used pepper spray on her while arresting him.

'All of a sudden, the police got aggressive with us,' the woman said.

Protests in DC have been relatively quiet in recent weeks, however, last month, a few dozen anti-police protesters chanted 'Fascist out' as they rallied outside the Virginia home of Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to demand the removal of federal agents from Portland, Oregon, and other cities.

Demonstrators chanted slogans like 'Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?' and demanded the defunding of police as they rallied in the suburban town of Alexandria, Virginia, on Sunday morning.

The demonstration comes as Wolf blasted Democrats on Sunday for 'sanctioning rioting' and violence against law enforcement.

This morning's protests also come days after Myron Berryman, 51, was shot in the chest when he allegedly charged towards an officer outside the President's residence claiming to have a gun.

The Secret Service say Berryman yelled 'I'm going to kill you. I'm going to shoot you' at agents before he was shot.

Despite the alleged threats, no weapon was retrieved from the scene, sources told The Washington Post. .

At the time, President Trump was inside the White House Briefing Room conducting a press conference which was being televised nationwide.

A Secret Service agent informed the Commander-in-chief of the shooting, and Trump left the room as a security precaution. He returned five minutes later.

In a statement released Monday night, the Secret Service stated: 'The suspect ... ran aggressively towards the officer, and in a drawing motion, withdrew an object from his clothing. He then crouched into a shooter's stance as if about to fire a weapon.'
Improvement Notice issued to Chequers over breach of coronavirus regulations

This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 14th, 2020

Action has been taken against a town centre bar under new powers given to local councils in the coronavirus legislation.

Chequers, located in Church Street, has been issued with an improvement notice by Wrexham Council after it was found to be breach of the regulations with the council saying the venue was allowing people to drink standing up and poor control of customer social distancing.

The council will now work alongside the business to provide further guidance.

The Welsh Government recently strengthened the powers local authorities have to enforce the regulations.

This enables enforcement officers to issue a Premises Improvement Notice to highlight breaches and specify measures that need be taken on premises to comply with the law.

Where notices are issued signs will be displayed in a prominent place to inform people that improvement is needed or that a premises has had to close  to inform the public who is not complying as much as the should be with the new guidance for the health of the wider community.

Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham Councils Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: The premises were in breach of the regulations due to poor control of customer social distancing, no queue-management, and allowing people to drink standing up.

We dont want to serve these notices on businesses, but every establishment must follow the rules to help keep Wrexham safe.

Well work with Chequers to provide further guidance and hopefully help them achieve compliance with regulations in the very near future.

Wrexham Council say that the vast majority of businesses in country borough are managing the risks well and keeping staff and customers as safe as possible.

However there are also calls for customers to help support businesses during this difficult time by following the instructions in place and sticking to social distancing.

Eating and drinking establishments have to take contact details from customers, so please sign in if youre asked to, a move that looks likely to be compulsory in the next Welsh Government regulation review.

If any staff or customers test positive for Covid-19 at any point, this information will help contact tracers get in touch with people they may have come into contact with at the premises.

Councillor Terry Evans, Lead Member for Economic Development, said: Were doing everything we can to support local businesses, and theres a fine balance to strike between keeping people safe and supporting the local economy.

Its absolutely vital that businesses follow the regulations. I cant stress that enough. Its also really important that customers follow the rules when they visit local pubs, bars, restaurants and shops.

Please be kind to staff and listen to instructions. Theyre working in difficult circumstances, and need customers to work with them.

Its up to all of us  as businesses and customers  to help keep Wrexham safe, and the vast majority are doing an amazing job.

If you run a business in Wrexham and youre uncertain about current Covid-19 regulations and how they affect you, you are encouraged to a look at the Welsh Government website.

If you need further advice you can contact Wrexham Council on 01978 298990.

If youre a member of the public and youre concerned about safety arrangements at a premises while shopping, or eating or drinking out, you can find information the Welsh Government website or contact Wrexham Council know of any possible issues.
Premier Daniel Andrews has said 100 Australian Defence Force troops may have been offered to Victoria to help police ensure people were isolating at home, rather than to provide assistance with hotel quarantine.

The ADF on Friday issued a statement saying Defence Chief General Angus Campbell had issued orders for the ADF to be prepared to provide 100 personnel to each state at short notice.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews at his daily media briefing on Friday. Credit:Jason South

It said this was to "support potential requests for assistance from the states and territories for quarantine compliance monitoring and checking of self-isolation orders".

However, Mr Andrews  who told a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday the ADF did not offer any support to Victorias hotel quarantine regime  has suggested the troops were on standby to assist with door knocking and back up for Victoria Police.
The current form of the Indian national flag came into existence after a series of developments and modifications. Likewise the National Anthem, too, has its own history and its fair share of controversy

India's Independence Day celebrations have been closely related to several symbols related to the freedom struggle, but nothing parallels the importance and popularity of the National Flag and the National Anthem.

This year too, as India will celebrate its 74th Independence Day on Saturday, people of the country will hoist the Indian national flag and sing the national anthem on this day amidst much fanfare.

The current form of the Indian national flag came into existence after a series of developments and modifications. An integral part of India's freedom struggle, the Tricolour has a rich history. Likewise, the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, too has its own history. It was originally composed in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore.

Interesting facts about the Indian National Flag

The national flag of India is also called Tricolour or tiranga. It is designed horizontally and consists of three colours - saffron on the top, white in middle and green at the bottom. The flag has Dharma Chakra or Asoka Chakra in the centre. Adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947, the Chakra in the flag has 24 spokes in navy blue colour and symbolises Hindu and Buddhist philosophies and represents ideas of righteousness, justice and forwardness.

The saffron colour of the flag represents the country's strength, courage and selflessness, while the white colour indicates peace and truth as well as cleanliness and knowledge. The green signifies fertility, growth and auspiciousness of India's land.

As per the law, the flag is to be made of 'Khadi', a special type of hand-spun cloth of cotton or silk. The Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission holds the right to manufacture the Natioanl Flag. The Bureau of Indian Standards is responsible for the manufacturing and designing process of the flag.

The country's National Flag is based on the Swaraj flag - the Indian National Congress flag which was designed by Pingali Venkayya.

According to a report by NDTV, the first version of the National Flag of India had green, yellow and red stripes; it was hoisted on 7 August 1906. The flag had religious symbols, eight roses, and Vande Mataram inscribed in it.

For the first time ever, the Indian tricolour will be hoisted at Times Square in New York on 15 August 2020.

A report by Jagran Josh says that the ratio of width of the Indian national flag to its length is 2:3. The national flag should always be taken down in the evening by the sunset. The government has recently allowed hoisting of the national flag at all the central universities in the country.

Interesting facts about the Indian National Anthem

Indias national anthem is written by Rabindranath Tagore and was originally composed in Bengali as Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata. The NDTV report says that the national anthem of India was first publicly sung on 27 December 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress.

During a meeting of the German-Indian Society on 11 September 1942, Subhas Chandra Bose first used the term National Anthem for Jana Gana Mana. It formally became the national anthem of India in 1950.

According to Ministry of Home Affairs, the full version of the anthem and its playing time is approximately 52 seconds.

Interestingly, Tagore translated the national anthem into English on 28 February 1919, titled The Morning Song of India. A Hindi-Urdu version translated by Captain Abid Hasan Safrani also exists ans is called Subh Sukh Chain.

There was also a controversy that Tagore wrote the song as a praise to King George IV. However, the Nobel Laureate quashed those rumours in a letter to Pulin Bihari Sen which was later published in Bichitra (p.709, Dec 1938).

The letter as quoted in The Indian Express, reads: "That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George"

After the controversy refused to die down, Tagore again wrote on 13 March, 1939: "I should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of such unbounded stupidity as to sing in praise of George the Fourth or George the Fifth as the Eternal Charioteer leading the pilgrims on their journey through countless ages of the timeless history of mankind."
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14.08.2020 LISTEN

The Arts and Tourism Writers Association of Ghana (ATWAG), will host a forum on the state of the Ghanaian creative arts sector on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.

The forum which will be in a form of a webinar will be held from 3pm to 5pm via zoom.

This move is in tandem with the quest of the association to engage with stakeholders of the arts, tourism and culture sectors, to know how they are faring, ask questions and proffer ideas to them.

Mark Okraku Mantey, the Interim President of the Creative Arts Council will walk the members through the operations of the arts sector.

This is just one of the activities lined up by ATWAG for the rest of the year.

There shall also be separate webinars on culture, tourism, good writing skills and blogging, in the course of the year.

Apart from these, ATWAG has planned, as part of the activities, to hold an encounter with the political parties later in the year. This will be a platform to engage the political parties on what they have in their manifestos for the arts.

About ATWAG

The Arts and Tourism Writers Association of Ghana (ATWAG) is an association of Ghanaian arts writers/journalists and media workers.

ATWAG seeks to promote arts, tourism, and culture reporting in Ghana while developing the professional capacity and the welfare of its members.

ATWAG is also aimed at promoting co-operation and collaboration among its members and players in the arts, tourism, and culture value chain.
KWP chief Suong Sophorn takes part in a protest demanding the release of union leader Rong Chhun in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, July 31, 2020.

Authorities in Cambodia arrested the head of a small political party on Friday following comments he made criticizing the governments handling of a border dispute with neighboring Vietnammarking the second such arrest in as many weeks.

Suong Sophorn, the president of the little-known opposition Khmer Win Party (KWP), was taken into custody from his home in the capital Phnom Penh by police who failed to produce a warrant, party spokesperson Yin Yoeun told RFAs Khmer Service.

Suong Sophorn was arrested and sent immediately to Phnom Penh Municipal Police Headquarters without any warrant, he said, adding that everyone was stunned by the arrest.

None of the KWPs officials were allowed to visit him in police custody.

Yin Yoeun said party officials are preparing to issue a statement on the arrest and intend to call on foreign embassies to intervene in the case.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesperson San Sok Seiha told reporters Suong Sophorn was arrested for incitement, citing a visit he made late last month to the border with Vietnam where he met with members of the public and made false statements that Vietnam had encroached on Cambodian territory.

He said Suong Sophorn had been arrested based on an order by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor, adding that the politician will be held at police headquarters before being sent to the court to be formally charged.

The KWP took part in Cambodias 2018 general election but failed to win any seats in parliament. Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) won all 125 seats in the National Assembly after the Supreme Court dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) in November 2017 over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

Union leader

Suong Sophorns arrest comes just two weeks after prominent union leader Rong Chhun was officially charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest under Article 495 of Cambodias Penal Code and jailed at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh on Aug. 1.

The Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) president had been arrested a day earlier for claiming the government has allowed Vietnam to encroach on farmland along the border.

Last week, the KWP notified Phnom Penh city officials that it planned to lead a protest on Aug. 16 to demand Rong Chhuns release but was denied permission, prompting the party to release a statement calling the ban a violation of the freedom of expression, democratic principles, and Cambodian law.

Hours before his arrest, Suong Sophorn told RFA he intended to defy the ban and planned to issue a statement about the irregularities he discovered while visiting the border area, even if it meant being sent to jail.

I will never change my position regarding the things I have witnessed [in relation to the border], he said, adding that he had done nothing illegal.

I will fight for the interests of my people. I am a politician. I have my duty to protect our national sovereignty. I have to fight against social injustice. Thats what I am supposed to do.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director of Cambodian rights group Licadho, told RFA that if the authorities continue to arrest people expressing their concern over border issues, it will only increase a perception of the government that it is restricting peoples rights and freedom of expression.

Supporters charged

Rong Chhuns arrest has prompted near daily protests in the capital, one of which was violently dispersed on Thursday by police who arrested six of his youth supporters from the civil society group Khmer Thavarak.

On Friday, two of the arrested supportersChhoeun Daravy and Hun Vannakwere sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and formally charged, according to National Police Commission spokesperson Chhay Kim Kheoun.

Chhoeun Daravy was charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest, while Hun Vannak was charged with obstructing the authorities, he said, while also rejecting claims that police had used violence against protesters on Thursday.

The two people have been charged and placed under provisional detention, he said.

The four other Khmer Thavarak members Chea Kunthine, Tha Lavy, Yang Seang Hay, and Svay Samnanghave been released, Chhay Kim Kheoun said.

RFA was unable to reach Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesperson Kuch Kimlong for comment about the charges facing Chhoeun Daravy and Hun Vannak.

Khmer Thavarak member So Metha said in a post to Facebook Friday that the group is seeking a lawyer to represent the two and requesting assistance on their cases from international nongovernmental organizations. She said that she and other protesters had done nothing illegal in calling for Rong Chhuns release.

Licadhos Am Sam Ath told RFA that the charges against the two Khmer Thavarak members are too severe and urged the court to drop them to avoid international criticism.

He suggested the move was part of a bid by authorities to intimidate young people and discourage them from engaging in democracy and the fight for social justice.

By doing so, the government cannot avoid being criticized for demoralizing young people who want social issues addressed, he said.

This will do more harm than good to the rights and freedoms of people who are longing for justice.

Longstanding border issues

Unresolved border issues between Cambodia and Vietnam, former French colonies from the 1860s to 1954, have sparked incidents in the past, with the construction by Vietnam of military posts in contested areas quickly challenged by Cambodian authorities in Phnom Penh.

In June 2015, activists from the CNRP were attacked by Vietnamese villagers when they went to inspect an area in Svay Rieng province where they said a road built by authorities in Vietnams Long An province had encroached into Cambodian territory.

A joint communique signed by Cambodia and Vietnam in 1995 stipulates that neither side can make any changes to border markers or allow cross-border cultivation or settlement pending the resolution of outstanding border issues.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 10:54:18|Editor: huaxia

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by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Pan Lijun

NEW YORK, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders from both the United States and China have called for recalibrating U.S. policies on China and building up bilateral trust via dialogue, as Chinese companies operating in the United States become less satisfied with the investment and business environment in the country.

Some 19 percent of respondents said they are unsatisfied or very unsatisfied with the U.S. investment and business environment, according to a newly released survey report of 160 Chinese companies operating in the United States conducted by the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC).

The disapproval rate is higher than the 16 percent in 2019 and 5 percent in 2018, according to the survey.

The survey also showed that 26 percent respondents believe that U.S. investment and business environment would decline at least moderately in the next two years, which is roughly in line with 33 percent in 2019 but much higher than 12 percent in 2018 and 5 percent in 2017.

"We have to keep national security concerns in perspective. Not everything is a national security emergency," said Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council in a panel discussion on the occasion of releasing the survey report.

It is "a very negative trend that we need to defend ourselves against," Allen said, adding that both sides should work on building up mutual trust, "which is at a historic low right now."

"It is certainly something that we can achieve together," he said.

The United States should recalibrate the policy of rule of law, said Chris Marlin, president of Lennar International, adding that U.S. laws target certain kinds of countries and actors in a way that may appear to others as discriminatory.

That calls into question the notion of rule of law in the United States, Marlin said.

The China-U.S. relationship needs to be recalibrated, said William Zarit, chairman of American Chamber of Commerce in China, adding that statesmanship is required.

Let business be business; geopolitical issues are too heavy for business to carry, said Ni Pin, president of Wanxiang America Corporation and chairman of CGCC Chicago.

"Let business become the stabilizer for the relationship," said Ni.

Policymakers have to determine what they really want, said Ni, adding that if they want a constructive result, they cannot use a destructive approach. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 01:02:34|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday announced that the United States had confiscated Iranian fuel from four tankers bound for Venezuela, a move to further increase its pressure campaign against Tehran and Caracas.

The Justice Department said in a statement that the U.S. government had confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, which were Luna, Pandi, Bering and Bella, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum.

"With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody," the statement added, without providing further details.

The statement noted that the seizure marks the U.S. government's largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.

Citing U.S. officials, The Wall Street Journal wrote in a Thursday piece that the four tankers were seized at sea in recent days and are now en route to Houston.

U.S. officials expected the seizure would deter shipping companies from dealing with Iran and Venezuela.

The United States in June designated five Iranian tanker captains who helped transport Iranian gasoline to Venezuela.

The seizure announcement came amid a fresh round of U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Earlier this week, the United States introduced a resolution at the UN Security Council to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran despite lukewarm support for the bid.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the arms embargo will be lifted Oct. 18. Tehran made it clear that it would not accept a renewal of the embargo. Enditem
Two Spanish regions attracting tourists introduced outdoor smoking bans Thursday to curb the coronavirus as a top domestic medical body called for a more coordinated response and tougher punishment for rule breakers.

Under a law which came into force at midnight in the northwestern region of Galicia, smokers are forbidden to remove face masks -- which are mandatory -- to smoke in public if it is not possible to maintain a distance of two metres (6.7 feet) between people, in what is believed to be the first such restriction in Europe.

The government of the region, best-known for the Camino de Santiago Catholic pilgrimage, said infected smokers could blow droplets carrying the virus while exhaling.

The regional government of Spain's Canary Islands quicky followed suit. The archipelago is a tourism hotspot off northwest Africa.

The smoking ban in the Canaries will come into effect on Friday along with mandatory wearing of face masks in all public spaces, regional leader Angel Victor Torres said.

The Canary Islands had been the only Spanish region where it was not obligatory to use face masks.

The government had to act "forcefully" in response to a rise in infections, Torres said.

Officials in regions including Madrid and Andalusia said they were considering similar smoking restrictions.

Spain's regions are responsible for healthcare policy, which has led to a patchwork of measures to curb the virus.

'Disputes and rivalries'

The new measures come as Spain grapples with a rise in Covid-19 cases since June 21, when it ended its lockdown measures, one of the world's strictest.

Spain, with a population of 47 million, leads Western Europe with more than 337,000 cases, compared with nearly 252,000 cases of Italy's 60 million inhabitants, which was the first European country to be rocked by the virus.

The Spanish Medical Colleges Organisation said it was "disappointed and outraged" at the lack of a common direction and called for better coordination between the central and regional governments.

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Without a "change in course", the "rise in cases which we have seen will lead us once again to lose control" of the pandemic, it added.

"The disputes and rivalries between political forces and institutions, when they should all be rowing in the same direction, drive us to despair."

The medical body blamed the rise in infection on eased social distancing, family gatherings and visits to nightclubs and bars, and the poor living conditions of seasonal migrant farm workers.

It called on tougher punishments for those who violate social distancing orders and rules to prevent travel within regions to stop the spread of the virus.

Spain's different layers of government provide "contradictory" figures about the virus which "give everyone the impression of a lack of coordination in the fight against the pandemic," it added.

While the smoking bans were applauded by many medical experts, some questioned its effectiveness.

Fernando Garcia, an epidemiologist at the Carlos III institute for health, told AFP the measure was "a bit disproportionate" given the lack of evidence that "tobacco smoke can transmit the disease".

The World Health Organization has said tobacco users could increase the possibility of transmission of the disease since it involves contact of fingers with the lips.

Outside Europe, South Africa has banned the sale of tobacco because it may lead people to drop social distancing while Jordan banned smoking in closed public spaces.

(AFP)
British tourists in France are being charged hundreds of pounds to return home before quarantine restrictions are imposed.

Air fares are more than six times higher than normal for flights from Paris to London on Friday, with the cheapest British Airways tickets being sold for 452.

The lowest priced Eurostar tickets available on Friday morning are 210.

Travellers willing to pay these inflated fares could still miss out due to many services already being fully booked.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the Government had taken a practical approach to the new restrictions.

It was announced on Thursday night that people arriving in the UK from France after 4am on Saturday will be required to spend 14 days in self-isolation due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases there.

The quarantine conditions will also apply to travellers returning from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.

Mr Shapps said an estimated 160,000 holidaymakers are expected to try to return to the UK from France on Friday.

There had to be a cut-off, he told BBC Breakfast.

(PA Graphics)

Its a practical approach as well, which has enabled all fours parts of the United Kingdom  Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England  to implement the same time at 4am where there are no flights in the air, at least tomorrow.

He added: You can always argue one way or the other. We have to make a decision on it and we have to do that based on science and medicine, and thats what weve done, weve taken the advice and implemented on that basis.

The move, which applies throughout the UK, comes after Boris Johnson promised to be absolutely ruthless in decisions about imposing new quarantine restrictions.

The Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England detected a significant change in Covid-19 risk in all six destinations.

Department for Transport officials said data from France shows that over the past week there has been a 66% increase in newly reported Covid-19 cases and a 52% increase in the weekly incidence rate per 100,000 population, indicating a sharp rise in infections.

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The latest 14-day cumulative figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control show 32.1 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.

The move will come as a bitter blow to the hard-pressed French tourism industry which relies heavily on visitors from the UK.

Frances secretary of state for European affairs said the UK decision would lead to reciprocal measures across the Channel.

Clement Beaune tweeted: A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.

Vehicles are driven off of a ferry at Dover after arriving from France on Friday (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Friday morning, Humza Yousaf, Scotlands cabinet secretary for justice, said: These are very difficult decisions that we make.

We make them based on the data we get in front of us and we received data from the French government yesterday evening and its very clear from the analysis that we had to act and act quickly.

There is a period, a window, for them (travellers) to get back. But Im afraid if they cant get back before that, they will have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Theres nothing additional that we will be able to do in terms of flights or by other ports of entry such as sea or rail  certainly nothing the Scottish Government can do.

(PA Graphics)

The decision to add the Netherlands was made after a 52% increase in newly reported cases between August 7 and 13 after a consistent series of rises in previous weeks.

Over the past week, there has been a 273% increase in newly reported cases in Turks & Caicos, a 1,106% increase in Aruba and a 105% rise in Malta.
TV actor Puja Banerjee has revealed that she is expecting her first child with Kunal Verma. The couple is also planning a traditional wedding once the baby arrives. Puja and Kunal had a registered wedding earlier this year and have been in a relationship for almost a decade. In April, they introduced each other as husband and wife on their Instagram handles.

Confirming the news, Puja told Times of India in an interview, Yes, Kunal and I are excited about entering this new, beautiful phase in our lives. I am in a happy space now, and have been enjoying my personal time. In fact, I have not stepped out of my apartment since April.

The actor quit her show Maa Vaishnodevi in June citing personal reasons and has revealed that she would have continued working, but for the pandemic. I would have continued working even during pregnancy, but due to the pandemic, I felt that it was important to take precautions and stay at home. I plan to get back to work by next year and hopefully, the pandemic will be over by then, she told the daily.

She added, We had a lot of dreams for our wedding, and had planned everything to the T. However, the pandemic changed everything and even my mother, who lives in Kolkata, could not attend our registered wedding. I am hoping to have a regular ceremony and do my pheras with Kunal after the baby arrives. Hopefully, my mother will also be able to attend it.

She has worked in Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna and Dev, and appeared on reality shows Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Comedy Nights Bachao.

Announcing her marriage, Puja had posted a throwback picture with Kunal from last years Sindoor Khela (a Bengali ceremony observed during Durga Puja) and wrote on Instagram, This is a pic from last year durga puja sindoor khela. Today was supposed to be our wedding but the situation is such that we have cancelled all our ceremonies although we had registered our marriage before a month. So we are officially married and together forever now. With the blessings of our parents and grandparents we starting our new life. Need all ur best wishes.

Puja and Kunal had donated all the money set aside for their wedding celebrations for the coronavirus relief. Speaking with Hindustan Times about the same, she had said, Like anyone else, I also dreamt of a grand Bengali wedding with family and friends around. All preparations were done, we had made advance payments. But not everything is in our hands. Thankfully, since I was going to start my new show Jag Jaanani Maa Vaishnodevi, we decided to get our marriage registered (in advance).

Also read: Bipasha Basu on taking a break after marrying Karan Singh Grover: You have to be there for the people you love

There are many out there suffering. They need help. Weve distributed part of the money we were going to spend on the wedding to NGOs, funds and charitable organisations and also helped some of our unit members. This is the least we could do, she added.

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Dave has played an instrumental role in the turnaround of our general insurance business and the positioning of AIG as a market leader, noted president and global chief operating officer Peter S. Zaffino, who used to be AIGs chief executive of general insurance on top of his other roles.

I am pleased to announce this well-deserved promotion and look forward to continuing to work closely with Dave and our world-class general insurance leadership team as we continue to build momentum and deliver on our strategy to achieve underwriting excellence and profitable growth.

The elevated leader came onboard AIG in October 2018 in his capacity as president and CEO of Lexington Insurance Company, before being promoted to president and chief executive of North America general insurance middle of last year.

Commenting on his wider remit, McElroy stated: I am proud to lead our global colleagues in general insurance and build on our strong foundation. We remain laser-focussed on underwriting discipline and operational excellence, which allow us to solve complex risk issues and deliver value to our clients, distribution partners, and other stakeholders.

The new EVP, whose credentials include time spent as executive chairman of Arch Insurance Group, is joining the AIG executive leadership team and will report to Zaffino.

We are fortunate to have a deep bench of industry veterans at AIG, asserted chief executive Brian Duperreault, and I know that with Dave at the helm, general insurance will continue to be in excellent hands.

Duperreault, meanwhile, also offered nice words to McElroys predecessor.

I want to congratulate Dave and thank Peter for his tremendous contributions to the turnaround of general insurance, he said. I know that Peter will continue to apply the same level of discipline and rigor as he has in general insurance and with AIG 200 as he pivots more fully to his enterprise-wide role as president and global chief operating officer of AIG.
Renovation

14 August 2020

Darwin's Travelodge Resort has unveiled a multi-million- dollar makeover as the famous Darwin festival of events gets into full swing.

Designed around lush resort-style pools and a waterfall, the Travelodge is an urban oasis in the heart of Darwin's CBD, offering a great short or long stay alternative accommodation offering for both leisure and corporate travellers alike.

As part of the $3.7M Wet Season refurbishment program, each of the hotel's 168 accommodation rooms and 32 self-contained townhouses was stripped to the bones, and new TFE Dreamcatcher beds and bedding, smart TVs introduced alongside upgraded guest Wi-Fi and a fresh new design scheme throughout.

In addition, the resort's popular self-contained townhouses boast new kitchen suites and the introduction of washing machines and dryers provides an additional level of convenience and comfort for guests.

Whilst the five versatile conference rooms (can seat up to 200 attendees) and restaurant area were modernised, and the fitness area upgraded. The hotel also has onsite car parking, is close to public transport and the team can arrange airport shuttles as needed.

TFE Hotels' Cluster General Manager for Darwin, Sid Bhatia, said the refurbishment came just as Trip Advisor announced their Top 25 emerging destinations for 2020 - with Darwin the only Australian city to make the cut.

"Our tropical capital really comes into its own in The Dry," he said. "The weather is fantastic with clear blue skies and balmy nights, and the city's colourful events calendar means there's always something to entertain and amuse."

Bhatia says, Travelodge's new-look rooms capture the essence of the Top End, whilst delivering a scheme that balances modernity with the relaxed tropical resort experience that Travelodge Darwin is renowned for.

Travelodge Darwin Resort's prime CBD location means the hotel is a great choice for leisure and business travellers looking to enjoy the absolute best of the tropical north.
President Ram Nath Kovind, in his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, hailed the country's courage in the face of a global pandemic and expressed his gratitude to the healthcare workers and the government for their efforts to tackle the coronavirus, which has upended lives of people around the world.

Expressing gratitude towards the corona warriors, who have been at the forefront of fighting the battle, he said, "The nation is indebted to all the doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been front line warriors in this fight against the coronavirus," he said. "These are the ideal service-warriors of our nation. The appreciation of these corona warriors is less. All these warriors rise above the limits of their duty, save lives and ensure availability of essential services."

Kovind said festivities on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day will not take place as usual. "The reason for this is obvious. The whole world is grappling with a deadly virus that has caused massive damage to life and hindered all kinds of activities," he said.

Here are the top quotes from the president's speech:

- "On this occasion, we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. Due to their sacrifice, all of us are residents of a free country today," the president said beginning his address.

- "We are fortunate that Mahatma Gandhi was the guide of our freedom movement. The coordination between a saint and a politician reflected in his personality was possible only in the soil of India."

- "Festivities will not take place as usual. The reason for this is obvious. The whole world is grappling with a deadly virus that has caused massive damage to life and hindered all kinds of activities."

- "It is very reassuring that in order to meet this challenge, the central government took effective steps in time, making predictions  were taken. On the strength of these extraordinary efforts, in our vast country with densely populated and diverse circumstances, this challenge is being faced. State governments acted according to local circumstances. The public gave full support.

- Talking about Cyclone 'Amphan', which hit West Bengal and Odisha earlier this year, he said, "The cyclone caused heavy losses, which further increased our challenges. During this disaster, the united efforts of disaster management teams, agencies of the Center and states and vigilant citizens helped to reduce the loss of life and property."

- The President also addressed the sufferings of the poor in the country and said, "The hardest hit of this epidemic has been on the poor and the daily livelihood earners. In this era of crisis, several public welfare measures have been taken to support them, along with virus prevention efforts."

- "The government has given livelihood to crores of people by launching the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana', so as to reduce the pain of losing jobs, moving from one place to another and disrupting life due to the epidemic. Every month, around 80 crore people are being guaranteed ration through this campaign," he said.

- Speaking on the successful evacuation of several expatriates, the president said, "Committed to helping our people in trouble anywhere in the world, more than a million Indians have been brought back home by the government, under the 'Vande Bharat Mission'.

- Lauding the Indian Railways, he said, "The movement of goods and people has been made possible by Indian Railways by running train services in this challenging time."

- "On the strength of our belief in strength, we have extended a helping hand to other countries in the fight against Covid-19. At the request of other countries, by supplying medicines, we have once again proved that India stands with the world community in times of crisis."

- "The self-reliance of India means being capable of self, not separation or distance from the world. It also means that India will also be involved in the global market system and will retain its special identity."

- Speaking on the challenges faced at the border with China, Kovind said, "Protecting the borders, our brave soldiers laid down their lives. Those sons of Mother India, live for national pride and die for that. The entire nation pays tribute to the sacrifices of Galwan Valley. Every Indian has a feeling of gratitude towards his family members. Our soldier's valor has shown that although our faith is at peace, if anyone tries to create disturbance, he will be given a proper answer. We are proud of our armed forces, police and paramilitary forces, which guard the borders, and ensure our internal security."

- "The overwhelming support for the temporary membership of the United Nations Security Council in the recently concluded elections is evidence of widespread international goodwill towards India."

- "We all learned many important lessons in the year 2020. An invisible virus has broken the myth that nature is subject to humans. I believe that the opportunity to adopt a lifestyle based on harmony with nature, by holding the right path, still exists in front of humanity. Like climate change, this epidemic has also raised the consciousness that the destiny of every member of the world community is interlinked," he said.

- "My belief is that 'human-centered collaboration' is more important in the current context than 'meaning-centered inclusion'."

- "The 21st century should be remembered as the century when humanity made united efforts to protect Mother Earth, bypassing differences."

- "Public hospitals and laboratories have played a leading role in countering Covid-19. This service has made it possible for the poor to face this epidemic. Therefore, these public health facilities will have to be made more elaborate and strengthened."

- "The fourth lesson is related to science and technology. Science and technology from this global epidemic  The need to develop technology rapidly has received more attention. Information and communication technologies have been adopted as effective means of governance, education, business, office work and social interaction during the process of lockdown and subsequent unlocking respectively."

- "I believe that the future of our country and youth is bright," the president concluded.
After campaigners successfully removed the GST on tampons, an independent federal MP wants the 10 per cent tax taken off face masks in an effort to encourage more people to wear them.

Former Olympian Zali Steggall - who ousted former Prime Minister Tony Abbott from the Sydney seat of Warringah in the 2019 federal election - has started a petition calling for the protective covers to be exempt from the tax.

Independent MP Zali Steggall wants the GST to be removed from masks. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

"Clearly price point is an issue for many in the community... I think this is an important step the government can take to reinforce that masks are an essential health item," she told Nine News.

Ms Steggall intends to raise the matter with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg when federal Parliament resumes on August 24. She's also writing to state and territory leaders to seek support.
New York City museums will reopen later this month, with timed entry and other precautions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday  but one-third of U.S. museums and attractions won't ever open their doors again, according to a recent survey.

Before the pandemic, museums, zoos, science centers and other historic and cultural attractions across the United States welcomed more than 850 million visitors a year, supported more than 726,000 jobs and contributed more than $50 billion a year to the economy.

Since March, that picture has faded. Many museums have been forced to make staff layoffs and furloughs, temporarily close doors, cut programs, lose revenue and, for those lucky enough to have them, dip into endowments.

Initially, many museums resisted the temptation to tap their endowments to help plug their budget shortfalls, Scott Perry, partner and co-leader of the Endowments and Foundations practice at NEPC, an investment firm, told NBC News. "But as the pandemic has continued on, some of these museums are reconsidering this approach and spending at much higher levels than they otherwise would, he added.

A June survey from the America Alliance of Museums found that as many as 12,000 of America's museums may close for good.

While some have rolled out everything from virtual escape room nights to live-streamed galas and animal cams, these types of activities can't fully replace the regular revenue stream of in-person visits.

For now, such efforts keep museum staff employed and keep the community engaged, said Brendan Ciecko, CEO and founder of museum engagement platform Cuseum. They also generate revenue, which is the best of all worlds.

Other museums have already begun to welcome back visitors, albeit with reduced capacity and restrictions on activities.

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis is following the lead of many grocery stores and shops by offering special gallery hours for at-risk visitors.

Visitors at The San Antonio Museum of Art in Texas. (Elizabeth Leland / San Antonio Museum of Art)

In Texas, the San Antonio Museum of Art is open, with visitors enjoying the additional space required for social distancing. One visitor told NBC News her family felt safe the whole way through their recent visit. The museum is also gaining off-campus fans by offering free downloads of artwork from its collection to players of Nintendos popular "Animal Crossing" game for use in virtual homes or art galleries.

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The IMAG History & Science Center in Fort Myers, Florida, is open with virtual sessions and interactive virtual birthday parties for kids (and adults) with wizard, superhero, Star Wars and other themes.

However, some museums have already announced permanent closures.

In mid-May, the five-year-old World of Speed Motorsport Museum in Wilsonville, Oregon, announced it would close and distribute its funds and assets  which include historic race cars, boats and motorcycles  to schools and other museums.

The museum closure is a strongly felt loss not only because it put Wilsonville on the map as a major new tourism draw, but because the museum had formed a successful partnership with the local community college and 12 area high schools to host automotive classes for hundreds of students, said Mark Ottenad, Public/Government Affairs Director for the City of Wilsonville.

In June, the Childrens Museum in Richmond, Virginia, closed its Fredericksburg branch. This decision was made with a heavy heart, the museum's Executive Director Danielle Ripperton said in a statement. "It is necessary in light of our extended closure and resulting loss in revenue, she added.

In early July, the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles announced its closure after 10 years, promising to donate its collection of prints to a a highly reputable public archival institution.

Other museums around the country may now be grappling with making similar decisions.

Our survey was done before the latest virus spikes that happened in July, said Laura Lott, president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, which conducted the survey. And from what Im hearing, if we did that survey again today it would be worse than in June, given that states are going back a phase and the virus is spiking in different places.

Lott says some museums she has talked with are playing the scenario game about options to avoid closure.

They dont want to talk about it before theyre sure thats what theyll have to do, she said.

Some places are taking matters into their own hands. The Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, started a GoFundMe account to "save Space Camp." Just 17 days in to the fundraiser, the museum has already met  and exceeded its $1.5 million goal.

Not every cultural institution will be so lucky.

"Right now, a lot of places are just trying to stretch resources as far as they can go to give themselves a chance  before making a decision to close, Lott said.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: In a major breakthrough the city police on Friday arrested Nagawara ward Congress corporator Irshad Begaum's husband Kalim Pasha in connection with the DJ Halli Violence which broke out on Tuesday evening after kin of local MLA posted a derrogatory Facebook post insulting prophet Mohammed. BJP leaders made viral his arrest and opposition party is politicizing the issue.

Kaleem Pasha has been named as the 7th accused in the FIR filed by Bengaluru Police naming him one of the conspirators behind the deadly violence which took place on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, 80 accused who were arrested earlier were shifted to Ballari jail on late Thursday night.

Also, Seven teams led by Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil has been formed to investigate the case. Sandeep Patil confirmed that the police on Thursday night have arrested 60 more taking the total number of arrests to 206 so far.

A group of accused who are said to be SDPI functionaries are into police custody for further investigation.

Meanwhile in an interesting turn, after claiming that his social media account was hacked and he had no knowledge of the defamatory post, Naveen, kin of MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy, has turned approver.

According to sources, he has reportedly confessed to have posted the derogatory post.
President Donald Trump donated to Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2011 and 2013.

Trump called Harris the meanest and most horrible senator when asked about her joining the Joe Biden ticket on Tuesday. Yet he gave donations of $5,000 on Sept. 26, 2011, and $1,000 on Feb. 20, 2013, to Harriss re-election campaign for California attorney general, according to state campaign finance records.

A Harris spokesman told the Sacramento Bee that she donated the $6,000 to a nonprofit that advocates for Central Americans in 2015.

Trumps daughter, Ivanka, also gave $2,000 to Harris on June 3, 2014, campaign finance records show.


By Liu Zhen





The US Air Force has deployed three B-2 stealth bombers to the tiny island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for the first time since 2016, as China continues to ramp up its live-fire military exercises

The American B-2A nuclear-capable Spirit bombers took off on Tuesday from the Whiteman air force base in Missouri, flew across northern Australia and on to the militarised atoll that forms part of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The aircraft were refuelled in the air several times, according to information from the US military.







The last time the bombers were deployed to Diego Garcia, which lies about 1,200km (745 miles) south of the Maldives, was four years ago during a period of tension in the

after an international arbitration tribunal rejected Beijing's claims to the disputed waters.







Get the latest insights and analysis from our

on the big stories originating in China.







While the three bombers, with the call signs Reaper 11, 12 and 13, did not pass over sensitive areas of the western Pacific, South China Sea or

, their presence on Diego Garcia is a clear sign of the United States' military strength in the Indo-Pacific, observers said.







"The movement of air-based nuclear power is a demonstration of might," said Zhao Tong, a senior fellow at the nuclear policy programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Beijing.







"There doesn't need to be a strike."






US, China to discuss trade deal amid COVID-19 disruption

AFP, Washington :

Negotiators from the United States and China will on Saturday discuss the "phase one" trade deal signed earlier this year - before the coronavirus slammed the world economy and relations between the two economic powers took a turn for the worse.

Washington and Beijing's January deal represented a partial truce in their months-long trade war, and obligated Beijing to import an additional $200 billion in American products over two years, ranging from cars to machinery to oil to farm products.

But purchases of those goods have been lagging, while US President Donald Trump has stepped up rhetoric against China ahead of what's expected to be a tough fight for a second term in the November elections, raising questions about the deal's fate as well as the possibility of a second phase of the truce.

"The outcome of the trade talk will signal if both sides are willing to continue to keep the deal, which will signal whether the relationship will deteriorate further," said Iris Pang, chief economist for greater China at financial services giant ING.

Neither the US nor the Chinese government confirmed the talks to AFP but the deal mandates meetings every six months after it takes effect, which would be Saturday. Even with tensions high and both countries reeling from the shock of COVID-19 - which has caused a historic contraction in global growth and trade - analysts don't expect the talks to produce major changes in the agreement. And if anything does happen, Washington would be the catalyst.

"Until now, China has been relatively passive and the United States has been relatively proactive," said Raymond Yeung, chief economist for greater China at ANZ bank. "In my opinion, there shouldn't be much change coming from China in terms of trade, cooperation or opening up the market, the key still lies in the US side." The comity of the deal's signing in Washington has been overshadowed in recent months as Washington and Beijing have traded barbs over who is to blame for the coronavirus, which first surfaced in China.

Also worsening tensions are China's crackdown on Hong Kong, which Washington has responded to with sanctions, and the Trump administration's order to bar Chinese internet giants TikTok and WeChat from operating in the US.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in June said China would follow through on its commitments while Washington eyes a second deal, but that same month a Chinese State Council counsellor said the COVID-19 pandemic has had an "impact" on the deal and that relations between the countries are "very unsatisfactory."

The US-based Peterson Institute for International Economics said Chinese agricultural purchases at the end of June were far from where they should be at that point in the year.

They had reached only 39 percent of their semi-annual target, according to US figures, or 48 percent, based on Chinese figures. Beijing "is lagging but it looks like China still wants to commit, despite the escalation of the US-China tensions," said Tommy Xie, head of research on China at OCBC Bank.

Bert Hofman, director of the East Asian Institute in Singapore, said Chinese agricultural purchases may improve later in the year but it will struggle to hit targets for energy products, given low global prices.



However he said language in the agreement would allow both sides to modify the targets in response to a disaster like the coronavirus pandemic, which would be "a good outcome" but could be passed over for political considerations.



"It will be politically hard to change the agreement in the run-up to an election in which President Trump has made containing China a key plank in his re-election campaign," Hofman said. "Rather than amending the agreement, he may prefer to cancel it shortly before the US elections."




Bismah Malik By

Express News Service

E-commerce giant, Amazon has ventured in the online medicine space in India with the launch of Amazon Pharmacy in Bengaluru. The service is likely to be extended to the other cities.

Apart from the non-prescription, traditional Ayurvedic/Unani medicines that were available on the platform under Amazon healthstore category, the e-tailer will now sell prescription medicines.

As a part of our commitment to fulfill the needs of customers, we are launching Amazon Pharmacy in Bangalore allowing customers to order prescription based medication in addition to over-the-counter medicines, basic health devices and Ayurveda medication from certified sellers. This is particularly relevant in present times as it will help customers meet their essential needs while staying safe at home, Amazon India said in response to an emailed query.

Amazon Pharmacy is already operational in several countries including US, UK and Canada. In US, Amazon acquired an e-pharma startup, 'PillPack,' three yaers ago, to gain access to the growing market. In India, the e-pharma market has witnessed further consolidation with the mergers and acquisitions in the space.

The online pharmacy sector which is poised to reach $2.7 billion by 2023 according to an EY report is currently dominated by startups like 1Mg, Pharmeasy, Netmeds, Medlife among others.

The e-pharmacies have driven sales through omni-channel commerce by either having their own physical stores or tying-up with registered brick and mortar stores. Bengaluru based Medlife recently acquired Myra, a two-hour medicine delivery service whereas another major player, Netmeda had acquired an online doctor consultation app, JustDoc.

Besides, Reliance was also reportedly in talks with Chennai based Netmeds to acquire a controlling stake in the firm.

Apart from the M&As, the e-pharmacies have also added a host of features like doctor consultations, voice assistants, diagnostics among others. Although India doesnt have a separate law for the e-pharma sector, the draft rules state that the retailers need to have a valid license to be able to sell prescription drugs. The e-pharmacies have driven sales through omni-channel commerce by either having their own physical stores or tying-up with registered brick and mortar stores.
Pope Francis continued cleaning house in Poland on Thursday following revelations of clergy sexual abuse and cover-up, replacing the powerful archbishop of Gdansk on his 75th birthday. While all Catholic bishops must offer to retire when they turn 75, it is highly unusual for the pope to accept such a resignation on a prelate's actual birthday.

Doing so suggests that Francis was keen to send a signal showing his seriousness about ending the culture of concealment within the Polish church hierarchy.

The pope named a temporary administrator to run the Gdansk archdiocese after accepting the resignation of Archbishop Slawoj Leszek Glodz.

Glodz was featured in one of the devastating recent documentaries about priestly sex abuse and cover-up in Poland that have sparked a reckoning in the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country.

In the 2019 film Tell No One, Glodz is shown eulogizing a known pedophile priest, the Rev. Franciszek Cybula, the personal chaplain to Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, at his funeral despite knowing of his abuse.

Abuse survivors also included Glodz in a report identifying two dozen current and retired Polish bishops accused of protecting predator priests. The report was delivered to Francis on the eve of his 2019 global abuse prevention summit at the Vatican.

The archbishop had been criticized by prominent Polish survivor Barbara Borowiecka, a victim of one of Poland's most famous Solidarity-era priests, the late Rev. Henryk Jankowski. A statue of Jankowski in Gdansk was toppled and eventually removed last year following her revelations.

Borowiecka, whose decision to go public with her story helped kick-start the Polish reckoning, was euphoric when she learned of Glodz's replacement. She forwarded several emails she had sent to the Vatican in the past two years seeking his removal and accusing him of having covered up for predator priests and having discredited victims.

I am so, so happy and shocked, Borowiecka told The Associated Press by telephone. I never expected this news, never in a million years." She noted that she had received violent threats for having dared to go public with her claims, as well as support from ordinary Poles.

The action by Francis was the second time in two months that he replaced a Polish bishop on the same day the bishop turned 75. It follows another decision by the pope to sideline a third Polish bishop pending a Vatican investigation into allegations he covered up for predators.

The Polish bishops conference announced the news of Glodz's resignation in a statement, stressing that Glodz had turned 75 and thus he has reached retirement age and is retiring." The statement provided highlights of his biography.

Anne Barrett Doyle of the online abuse resource BishopAccountability said Francis' decision to remove Glodz on his actual birthday was encouraging and signals his strong disapproval." But she said Francis could do more.

If he is outraged by the archbishop's coddling of abusers, why not publicly denounce him? Why not explicitly fire him rather than give him the dignity of retirement?"

True accountability, she said, would require Glodz to incur penalties proportional to the pain he caused." Konrad Korzeniowski, one of three activists who pulled down the Jankowski statue in Gdansk, said he felt a sense of satisfaction" that Glodz was being replaced.

But he also said he worried that retirement could allow him to avoid responsibility if any cases of abuse involving his priests ever reach Polish courts.

Since he won't be in the position he was before, if he is ever called to testify, he's going to be in a free-handed position where the responsibility will not be the same, Korzeniowski told the AP.

The Catholic Church has long been the highest moral authority in Poland, having played an inspirational role during occupation and foreign rule and supporting the anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s.

But the recent reckoning of abuse has damaged its credibility. Even Poland's most famous Catholic, St. John Paul II, now has his legacy tarnished by his own failure to tackle abuse when he was pope.
HOUSTON, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tokio Marine HCC  Surety Group today announced it has simplified the process for indemnity agreements by leveraging DocuSign eSignature and knowledge-based authentication (KBA) technology to verify the identities of individual signers. This eliminates the need for notaries and physical paperwork, saving time and money for agents, brokers and their clients when executing Tokio Marine HCC  Surety Group indemnity agreements. An early adopter in the specialty insurance industry, Tokio Marine HCC  Surety Group has been employing technological advances in electronic signatures for more than ten years.



Within our Surety Group, along with the entire Tokio Marine HCC organization, we are continuously seeking out new technologies  or in this case, advancements in existing technologies  to simplify processes and create efficiencies within our business. As a leader in our industry in terms of underwriting knowledge and expertise, focusing on innovation gives us another competitive advantage and benefits our customers, said Adam S. Pessin, Tokio Marine HCC  Surety Groups Chief Executive Officer.

DocuSign eSignature and the associated KBA technology digitally verifies the identities of each signing individual via a user-friendly platform and allows users to sign documents electronically on practically any device, from almost anywhere, at any time. In addition, agents, brokers and their clients can be confident that the platform is highly secure, using the leading data encryption technologies available to meet U.S., EU and global security standards.

About Tokio Marine HCC

Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group, a premier global company founded in 1879 with a market capitalization of $30 billion as of June 30, 2020. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tokio Marine HCC is a leading specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Tokio Marine HCCs major domestic insurance companies have financial strength ratings of A+ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings, A++ (Superior) from A.M. Best, and AA- (Very Strong) from Fitch Ratings; its major international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of A+ (Strong) from S&P Global Ratings. Tokio Marine HCC is the marketing name used to describe the affiliated companies under the common ownership of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated insurance holding company. For more information about Tokio Marine HCC, please visit www.tokiomarinehcc.com.

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Contact: Adam S. Pessin, Chief Executive Officer Tokio Marine HCC  Surety Group 310-242-4421








Reading from the letter, Ashcroft disputed a recommendation that Missouri voters who mail their completed ballots no later than Tuesday, October 27, could be assured of arrival by Election Day. He recounted the experience of a voter in St. Louis during the states June municipal contests  she dropped her ballot in the mail six days before the election, he said, but it took 14 days to arrive at an address in the same city and was not counted as a result.
The Iranian oil tanker Fortune is anchored at the dock of the El Palito refinery near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela on May 25, 2020. (Ernesto Vargas/AP Photo)

Officials: US Seizes Iranian Gas Heading for Venezuela

MIAMIThe Trump administration has seized the cargo of four tankers it was targeting for transporting Iranian fuel to Venezuela, U.S. officials said Thursday, as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against the two heavily sanctioned allies.

Last month, federal prosecutors in Washington filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that the sale was arranged by a businessman, Mahmoud Madanipour, with ties to Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. At the time, sanctions experts thought it would be impossible to enforce the U.S. court order in international waters.

A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that no military force was used in the seizures and that the ships werent physically confiscated. Rather, U.S. officials threatened ship owners, insurers and captains with sanction to force them to hand over their cargo, which now becomes U.S. property, the official said.

Prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline. But the tankers never arrived at the South American country and then went missing. Two of the ships later reappeared near Cape Verde, a second U.S. official said.

Both officials agreed to discuss the sensitive diplomatic and judicial offensive only if granted anonymity.

Irans ambassador to Venezuela, Hojad Soltani, pushed back on what would appear a victory for the U.S. sanctions campaign, saying Thursday on Twitter that neither the ships nor their owners were Iranian.

It is not clear where the vesselsthe Bella, Bering, Pandi and Lunaor their cargoes currently are. But the ship captains weeks ago turned off their tracking devices to hide their locations, said Russ Dallen, a Miami-based partner at brokerage Caracas Capital Markets, who follows ship movements.

The Bering went dark on May 11 in the Mediterranean near Greece and has not turned on its transponder since, while the Bella did the same July 2 in the Philippines, Dallen said. The Luna and Pandi were last spotted when they were together in the Gulf of Oman on July 10 when the U.S. seizure order came. Shipping data shows that the Pandi, which also goes by Andy, is reporting that it has been broken up, or sold as scrap, Dallen said.

A man stands along a beach as tanker ships are seen in the waters of the Gulf of Oman off the coast of the eastern UAE emirate of Fujairah on June 15, 2019. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)

As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Nicolas Maduros socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran.

In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital, Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships.

Despite sitting atop the worlds largest crude reserves, Venezuela doesnt produce enough domestically refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid its economic crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions.

The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devicesboth techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.

One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela, the Avantgarde Group, was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions, according to prosecutors.

An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1, a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria. Iran denied the charges and the Grace 1 was eventually released. But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel.

Iranian supertanker Grace 1 is seen from a boat off the coast of Gibraltar on Aug. 15, 2019. (Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the asset forfeiture complaint, an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi. Nonetheless, a text message between Madanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties.

The ship owner doesnt want to go because of the American threat, but we want him to go, and we even agreed We will also buy the ship, according to the message, an excerpt of which was included in the complaint.

By Joshua Goodman
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Linkedin Budi Sutrisno (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 17:22 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e1b8fb 1 National Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,finance-minister,President-Jokowi,throwback-post,1998-crisis Free

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati shared a throwback post on social media of her meeting with President Joko Jokowi Widodo when he was a furniture maker in Surakarta, Central Java, during the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

After recalling how Jokowi overcame and advanced his business during the economic crisis 22 years ago, Sri Mulyani encouraged the Indonesian people to work and study harder for a better future in 22 years to come.

A photo collage that Sri Mulyani posted on her Instagram account, @smindrawati, on Thursday showed a black and white poster revealing her and businessman Jaya Suprana as speakers at an event, also a picture of young Jokowi giving a speech.

On Aug. 14, 1998, Sri Mulyani said, she had been invited by Jokowi to speak at a seminar in Surakarta, in her capacity as an economist from the University of Indonesia, to explain why the financial crisis occurred and how Indonesia could save the economy.

She said the seminar had been sponsored by Jokowi, who was at that time a businessman exporting furniture.

She said Jokowi had been tremendously blessed during the crisis, because export revenue in US dollars jumped more than sixfold at the time.

Indonesias economic growth, she recalled, had fallen sharply to minus 13.7 percent, while the exchange rate of the rupiah against the US dollar dropped from Rp 2,350 to Rp 16,000 per US dollar, causing many companies and banks to go bankrupt.

Pak Jokowi used the windfall profit wisely by increasing production capacity, taking advantage of the crisis to develop his business, she said.

Twenty-two years later, after Jokowi took the Presidential seat and asked her to become his finance minister, another crisis struck, she added.

Under the leadership of President Jokowi, we are overcoming it, she said.

In facing the current difficult times, Sri Mulyani said the government had encouraged economic recovery programs to help people, revive small and medium enterprises as well as to regrow economic activities.

Twenty-two years from now, what can you become? she asks her followers at the end of the post.

[Build] your future by continuously learning, working hard, being honest and being resourceful. Have a steel mentality; dont give up when facing trials and tests. Always pray, she added.
She's the rogue Bachelor star who's earned comparisons to Married At First Sight's Martha Kalifatidis.

And it turns out that Nadine Kodsi's similarities to the former TV bride go beyond their good looks and shared passion for fashion.

Nadine, 30, has an almost identical Instagram username to influencer Martha, 32.

Move over, Martha! The surprising connection between rogue Bachelor star Nadine Kodsi (pictured) and Married At First Sight's Martha Kalifatidis has been revealed

Lebanese stunner Nadine goes by @nadinee__k on the social media site, while Greek beauty Martha is known as @marthaa__k to her 340,000 followers.

Martha is currently the reigning queen of reality TV influencers.

But she may have some competition from fellow fashionista Nadine, who is a dead ringer for the former bride.

Inspired? Nadine, 30, shares an almost identical Instagram username to influencer Martha, 32

Original: Lebanese stunner Nadine goes by @nadinee__k on the social media site, while Greek beauty Martha is known as @marthaa__k to her 340,000 followers

On her Instagram page, Nadine is pictured is pictured wearing the likes of Dior and Balenciaga from head to toe.

She also seems to have a love for Los Angeles, with the brunette posing in West Hollywood and attending celebrity hot spots like Catch LA.

With her defined features, luscious pout and fabulous outfits, the Lebanese stunner is almost identical to Martha.

Spot the difference! Nadine (left) looks almost identical to Married At First Sight's Martha (right)

Style: The Melbourne-based beauty, 30, has a passion for fashion and a designer wardrobe to rival Martha's

Not just a pretty face either, Nadine boasts a master's degree in justice and criminology.

She also runs her own luxury clothing hire business called Wear My Dolce.

In her official Bachelor bio, Nadine says that her perfect partner is 'someone who shares the same morals and values as myself, is respectable and calm, but knows how and when to be a man and can take control.'

Seeing double! The glamorous Nadine owns the same grey knit dress as Martha

Brains and beauty: Not just a pretty face either, Nadine boasts a master's degree in justice and criminology

She adds that they need to have 'a good work ethic' and a love of family and animals.

Martha shot to fame on the blockbuster sixth season of Married At First Sight last year.

Since then, she's gone on to amass almost 340,000 followers on Instagram and endorsement deals with brands like Nip+Fab and Shopback.

Flashback: Martha (pictured) shot to fame on the blockbuster sixth season of Married At First Sight last year

Nadine failed to receive a rose from Locky Gilbert on the first night of The Bachelor on Wednesday.

But despite her exit from the show, the 30-year-old says that we haven't seen the last of her yet.

On Thursday, the fashion entrepreneur took to Instagram to thank fans for the positive comments and support she's received since publicly speaking out against Locky - who she recently branded 'uneducated'.

Looking for love: In her official Bachelor bio, Nadine says that her perfect partner is 'someone who shares the same morals and values as myself, is respectable and calm, but knows how and when to be a man and can take control'

'He's not the one for me': Nadine recently told Daily Mail Australia that she found Locky completely unattractive and that he was 'uneducated'

She said: 'The comments and support have been so positive. Although my time in the mansion was quiet short, I don't regret anything.

'I was totally myself throughout the experience. It was, at the end of the day, an experience, and that's something that I'll take and will be with me forever.

The rising reality star concluded: 'This won't be the last you see or hear of me, that is for sure so stay tuned,' before urging fellow Melbourne-residents to 'stay safe' amid the pandemic.
Mystery death of bees in northern Italy described as "catastrophe."

Italian forestry officials are conducting an investigation into the unexplained death of around four million bees which died in a small area between Brescia and Cremona in northern Italy, reports Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano.

The bees died overnight, between the evening of 7 August and the morning of 8 August, in what farming association Coldiretti has described as a "catastrophe," given the importance of these pollinating insects so vital for biodiversity.

Tests are being carried out on the dead bees and their honey in an attempt to ascertain the cause of their sudden death, which occurred in an area of about six kilometres and affected 130 bee families.

Beekeeping is a particularly active sector in the area in which the bees died - Villagana, Bompensiero, Villachiara, Acqualunga, Azzanello and Genivolta - with around 119 companies in the province of Brescia alone.

"In my experience as a beekeeper I have never witnessed such a violent and massive phenomenon, truly inexplicable even for fellow beekeepers in the area - says Edoardo Mombelli, a beekeeper who, together with his wife Ilenia, manages 250 hives in Quinzano dOglio.

As investigations continue, the Brescia branch of Coldiretti stated: "It is difficult to understand the causes of such a sudden and lethal phenomenon," adding that there is "dismay and concern for an already delicate year, due to the lockdown and climatic changes".
Ranking at the top of this prestigious list reflects the value that our strategic approach to advancing the clean energy economy is creating.

Inc. magazine announced that Resource Innovations, a women-led energy and environmental consulting company, is No. 15 on its annual Inc. 5000 list. The list represents the most prestigious ranking of the United States fastest-growing private companies and is a unique look into the American economys most dynamic segment  its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Based on its strong three-year revenue growth from 2016 to 2019, Resource Innovations also ranked No. 2 in women-led companies, No. 3 in the Energy category, and No. 5 in companies based in California. The firm has multiple locations and staff from coast to coast across the United States, with headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago.

Ranking at the top of this prestigious list reflects the value that our strategic approach to advancing the clean energy economy is creating, stated Resource Innovations CEO and founder, Lauren Casentini. The Resource Innovations team is passionate about building a company that creates impact, and that can only come with the growth and scale that this Inc. 5000 list represents.

Founded in 2016, Resource Innovations delivers strategic energy optimization programs through utilities and partners to communities and businesses across the United States. With deep roots in designing and implementing utility energy efficiency programs, particularly for hard-to-reach market segments, the company is innovating solutions to address the needs of the evolving energy industry.

Leading the companys strategy, vision and growth, Casentini is a seasoned executive in the energy efficiency industry, with over 30 years of consulting and policy expertise. This is her second company to appear on an Inc. 5000 list; her first energy consulting firm, Resource Solutions Group, ranked 402 in 2011 just prior to its acquisition by a private equity-backed firm, where she served on the Board of Directors and executive team that accelerated the companys growth to over 3,000 employees. Casentinis entrepreneurial energy and track record attracted many of the original Resource Solutions Group leadership team to join her in building Resource Innovations.

We have been fortunate to collaborate with supportive colleagues, clients, and partners who share our vision for transforming the energy industry and for bringing the economic, social, and environmental benefits of the clean energy economy equitably to communities and businesses, noted Casentini. The momentum weve built over these past three years is generating exciting results to come.

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Resource Innovations

Founded in 2016, Resource Innovations is a woman-owned and WBE-certified energy consulting firm dedicated to creating equal access to clean and sustainable resources through diverse partnerships. The company's deep roots and broad expertise in resource efficiency, policy development, coalition and partnership building, and market-based technology support enable the delivery of highly successful energy programs, particularly for historically underserved communities and customer segments.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
FILLMORE TOWNSHIP, MI -- Michigan State Police are at the scene of a fatal car crash in Allegan County Friday morning.

The two-car crash occurred around 6:20 a.m. Aug. 14 near the intersection of 141st Avenue and 56th Street in Fillmore Township.

According to Michigan State Police, at least one person was killed in the crash.

At this time, authorities do not know what caused the crash.

As of 8:30 a.m. Friday, troopers were still on the scene as they further investigate the incident, a Michigan State Police official said.

MLive will provide more information as it becomes available.

More on MLive:

Friday, August 14: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

Weekend Show: Asian Street Food, Fitness on the Field and more things to do Aug. 14-16

Wolverine recruiting report: Whats next for Michigan after missing out on Rocco Spindler?
NEW DELHI: With focus on greater connectivity, India on Thursday (August 13) announced a USD 500 million-package to the Maldives to connect Male with three neighbouring islands. It also announced the creation of an air travel bubble between India and the Maldives.

The first flight under the Air Bubble is expected to commence on August 18.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, after a meeting with his counterpart Abdullah Shahid on Thursday via video conference, announced the creation of air bubble with the Maldives to facilitate movement of people from both sides for employment, tourism, medical emergencies among others. The two ministers reviewed the state of 'time-tested' relations between India and the Maldives and noted with satisfaction that the COVID-19 pandemic has not been able to slow down the pace of bilateral cooperation.

He said that this will be the highest ivilian infrastructure project in the Maldives, connecting Male with three neighbouring islands - Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi (new industrial zone) - by the construction of a bridge-and-causeway link spanning 6.7 km. He also announced that a direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives will commence shorty to support the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) in the Maldives through a financial package consisting of a grant of USD 100 million and a new Line of Credit of USD 400 million.

"Once completed, this landmark project will streamline connectivity between the 4 islands, thereby boosting economic activity, generating employment and promoting holistic urban development in the Male region," the MEA statement read.

Maldives is the first neighbouring country with which an Air bubble is being operationalised to facilitate the movement of people, said the government. The air bubble symbolizes India's support to shore up tourism arrivals and revenues in the Maldives. Health protocols in both countries will be strictly followed," it read.

EAM underscored the significance of this service in enhancing bilateral trade and connectivity and in further boosting the economic partnership between the two countries. The cargo ferry service will enhance sea connectivity and provide predictability in supplies for importers in Maldives and exporters in India. It will also reduce logistics costs and times for traders, the statement read.

Jaishankar also announced that the Indian government has decided to extend in-principle urgent financial assistance to the Maldives government, by way of a soft loan arrangement.

The MEA said that since November 2018, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, New Delhi and Male have embarked on a dynamic and ambitious phase of the partnership that builds on our enduring ties based on mutual trust and shared interests.

The 'Neighbourhood First' foreign policy of India and the 'India First' policy of Maldives complement each other and now demonstrate concrete outcomes. Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid expressed satisfaction at the progress that has been achieved in the implementation of bilateral projects and initiatives, especially those under the USD 800 million Line of Credit. Both leaders agreed to continue to work closely together so that bilateral relations continue to be broadened and deepened, the statement noted.
The Trump administration aims to purge Chinese tech companies from the United States, and that has consequences for all of us.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

The Trump administration aims to purge Chinese tech companies from the United States, and that has consequences for all of us.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration recently issued three new national security measures: an expansion of the State Departments Clean Network initiative and two executive orders. The Clean Network initiative forbids the use of Chinese tech in the U.S. telecom system and prevents app stores such as Google Play and the Apple App Store from offering certain Chinese apps.

The two executive orders ban U.S. persons and businesses from doing business with two Chinese companies: Tencent Holdings, owner of the WeChat app, and ByteDance Ltd., owner of the viral video-sharing app TikTok.

Dancing into trouble

At first glance, it seems strange that a social media app aimed at teenagers could be at the centre of a global controversy over national security and privacy concerns. TikTok is best known as a platform for teens and young adults to share short videos of themselves dancing or lip-syncing to their favourite songs.

According to Trump, TikTok is collecting and sending personal data about Americans directly to the Chinese government. The administration is also worried that, in the future, the app can be used as a conduit for spreading disinformation to Americans. At this point, all these fears are hypothetical. TikTok has consistently rejected these accusations  even the Central Intelligence Agency agrees that the app does not pose a threat.

Since 2018, TikTok has been downloaded two billion times worldwide. Its success represents the first real challenge to dominant U.S.-based social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. In the U.S., TikTok has been downloaded 165 million times.

According to a new survey report, the "State of Social Media in Canada 2020," TikTok is now one of the top 10 most popular social media apps in Canada. Fifteen per cent of online Canadians over the age of 18 reported having an account; TikTok is the only Chinese-owned social media platform to achieve a 10 per cent adoption rate in Canada.

Tech fault lines

These actions by the U.S. government represent a major break along a geopolitical and technological fault line between China and the U.S. that has been building for over 20 years and could signal the beginning of a new Cold War between the two states.

In recent years, privacy has become a national security concern in Washington. U.S. policy-makers have been alarmed about the volume of personal data gushing out of the U.S. via social media apps, computer hacking and foreign acquisitions of American firms. This treasure trove of data can be used to build profiles of Americans, commit all manner of financial fraud and even be used for blackmail.

In 2018, the U.S. prevented a company owned by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma from buying MoneyGram over fears that American banking data would be leaked to the Chinese government.

In 2019, the U.S. ordered another Chinese company, Kunlun, to sell Grindr, a dating app for gay, bi, trans and queer people, to an American investor group. The argument was made that the apps database contained sensitive personal information such as a users location, messages and HIV status.

According to the U.S. Department of State, these latest decrees are part of "the Trump Administrations comprehensive approach to safeguarding the nations assets including citizens privacy and companies most sensitive information from aggressive intrusions by malign actors, such as the Chinese Communist Party."

A digital Berlin Wall

At first glance, these measures look like a reasonable response against a repressive government with a reputation for using electronic data to control and imprison its own citizens. But in a bid to divide the online world between itself and China, the U.S. government might have inadvertently started the construction of a new "digital Berlin Wall." And like all walls, this new digital wall can lock people in just as well as it can keep people out.

This lays the groundwork for the end of an open and free internet and may accelerate the creation of a splinternet, whereby a country or groups of countries fracture the world wide web into a series of walled sections shaped according to their own politics. The splinternet is becoming a reality. These crude measures by the U.S. brings U.S. tech policy in line with China and other authoritarian regimes.

In response to these moves, the Internet Society, a group founded in 1992 by internet pioneers Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, warned that "[h]aving a government dictate how networks interconnect according to political considerations rather than technical considerations runs contrary to the very idea of the internet. Such interventions will significantly impact the agility, resiliency and flexibility of the internet."

Challenge to global democracy

With these attempts to extend control over foreign ownership of social media apps and platforms, the internet becomes a tool to limit democratic freedoms. These actions will further legitimize and embolden governments around the world to interfere with or shut down the internet whenever it is politically expedient. Long-term and frequent internet interference can cause the systematic and structural erosion of freedom of expression and freedom of speech.

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Platform ownership matters, especially the foreign kind. Trumps action against TikTok is a gift to Facebook, which recently launched TikTok copycat feature Instagram Reels. Forcing the sale of TikTok in the U.S. will also be a win for whichever company purchases it.

In the long run, however, these executive orders likely will remind regulators around the world, but especially those in the European Union, about the strategic importance of foreign ownership of communication platforms. Citing data privacy and national security, many countries will likely pass new cyber-sovereignty laws, making it more difficult for foreign companies to operate. Long-term fallouts from this policy include increased operating costs, which in turn will impact large tech companies such as Google and Facebook the most.

With litigation pending and talks of fire sales and shotgun weddings to Microsoft or some other western tech company, the fate and legality of Trumps executive measures are still in doubt.

If cyber sovereignty and the splinternet take root, we are in for some troubling times ahead for global democracy. Whether Trump intended to or not, he has set in motion changes that might fundamentally undermine the internet as we know it.

Philip Mai is a senior researcher and director of business and communications in the social media lab at Ryerson University.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: India on Friday welcomed the full normalisation in relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, saying that the two countries are New Delhi's key strategic partners. Speaking at a weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India has always supported peace, development and stability in West Asia.

"The External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) received a call from UAE Foreign Minister on the announcement of full normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel. India has consistently supported peace, development and stability in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood. In that context, we welcome the full normalisation of ties between UAE and Israel. Both nations are key strategic partners for India," Srivastava said.

Please see our statement on full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel.https://t.co/Qt8QvzaZ26 pic.twitter.com/2VFqNFEV8Z  Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) August 14, 2020

Earlier today, Jaishankar tweeted about the telephonic conversation with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel."Deeply appreciate the call today from FM HH @ABZayed of UAE. Discussed the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel announced yesterday," he said.

Deeply appreciate the call today from FM HH @ABZayed of UAE. Discussed the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel announced yesterday.  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 14, 2020

Meanwhile, Srivastava said India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause and hoped to see the beginning of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine for an acceptable two-state solution."India continues its traditional support for the Palestinian cause. We hope to see an early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution," he said.

On Thursday, Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise their relations, and an agreement on the mutual establishment of embassies is expected to follow in the coming three weeks. In exchange, Israel said it would halt its plans to formally annex parts of the West Bank.

A joint statement of the US, UAE and Israel said, "President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today and agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE."

As per the joint statement, delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies and other areas of mutual benefit.

"Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations," the statement read.
The official ceremony of the 75th Commemoration of the End of WWII to be held on the deck of the Battleship Missouri Memorial will include three Legacy of Peace Aerial Parades by historic vintage military aircraft, a group known as the "Warbirds."

The "Warbirds" arrived Tuesday in Pearl Harbor aboard USS Essex for the ceremony "Salute Their Service, Honor Their Hope."

The commemoration in Hawaii is in recognition of the WWII veterans and civilians who contributed to the end of the war and will culminate with the official ceremony on USS Missouri on September 2.

The warbirds flyovers will include: Around Oahu (August 29), Connecting the Military Bases (August 30) and Fly Over the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor to Waikiki (September 2).

August 15, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Japans surrender, which ended World War II.
Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced expansion of its support for GovHack 2020 which is set to kick off on August 14th. A two-day hack event held simultaneously across Australia and New Zealand, GovHack gives competitors 46 hours to create concepts, mashups, and models with open government data. In doing so participants will examine the challenges facing government and communities in new and innovative ways. GovHack is the largest open data hackathon in the Southern Hemisphere.

This year the competition has been fully virtually enabled with the competition schedule, datasets, problem challenges, and team profile pages publicly hosted on hackerspace.govhack.org. In addition, opening and closing ceremonies will be livestreamed; Slack will be used for team communication and mentor support; and many Zoom rooms will be used by all participants and mentors to enable face-to-face collaboration.

GovHack has also worked more closely with private sector partners to improve engagement through the following virtual learning, AI and analytics tools:

As lead corporate sponsor Infosys is creating a dedicated version of its learning platform Wingspan so participants can learn while they work. Within Infosys, some 220,000 employees use this platform to access over 4,000 courses with content provided by in-house experts and over 40 partners.

Infosys will also make the Advanced Machine Learning module of its AI platform Infosys Nia available, giving participants the tools and frameworks to manage and apply rules to the flow of data from creation to storage, as well as the ability to accommodate data in different forms from different locations.

A Robotic Process Automation tool will be made available by Infosys partner UiPath, allowing participants to configure computer software to integrate and even emulate human actions.

Innovations Accelerated will provide professional training and oversight for Digital Facilitators prior to and during the competition, with the facilitators working to ensure teams make the most of mentors. The mentors, provided by partners such as Infosys, will provide virtual guidance to participants.

This year the challenges are focused on ways to learn from the pandemic. Infosys Australia has set the challenge of reimagining the aged-care experience, seeking easily accessible solutions that can keep the elderly safe amidst pandemics. Infosys New Zealand is seeking solutions using emerging technology that can help improve responses to future regional, country or world emergencies. Infosys and Monash University have also set a joint challenge focused on how data could be used across Australia and New Zealand to adopt more proactive approach to safety in the community.

This is Infosys third year supporting GovHack as part of our commitment to nurturing digital talent in Australia and New Zealand. Each year we are super impressed by the calibre of solutions put forward and Im looking forward to seeing what the teams produce this year, working in a virtual environment. I am really keen to see how they harness platforms such as Infosys Nia to apply machine learning to these challenges. Were also excited to announce that our next gen learning platform Wingspan will help this years teams continue their learning journey beyond the hackathon weekend  Andrew Groth, SVP Infosys, Region Head, Australia & New Zealand.

Dr. Campbell Wilson, co-director of the joint Monash University/Australian Federal Police AiLECS research lab said: Keeping our communities safe has been a primary focus for 2020, and well no doubt continue to see an increase in serious societal issues as the pandemic persists. As such were setting participants the challenge of looking at how governments can apply resources to potentially address some of these issues before they escalate and require reactive intervention.

Andrew Phillips, Managing Director and Vice President, UiPath ANZ We are delighted to support our partner Infosys in building digital talent in Australia through the GovHack initiative. The program truly aligns with our goal of democratising automation by providing free and open training through our UiPath Academy. We encourage all participants in GovHack to experience Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and utilise it to find a solution to their problem statement. Skills in automation and artificial intelligence will play an important role in the future workplace, therefore initiatives such as GovHack are a great opportunity to support learning and implementation of these skills.

Jason Weigel, Chair at GovHack Australia said: Every year GovHack brings competitors from around Australia and New Zealand together to respond to a number of challenges that are facing our communities. By addressing these challenges, we aim to make our communities better places for all. In 2020, the competition has moved primarily online in response to the global pandemic but will now see a greater connection between participants and mentors as we digitally connect people from Sydney, Christchurch, Alice Springs, Fremantle, and many more places across Australia and New Zealand.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 46 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With nearly four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Media contacts:

For further information, please contact: PR_Global@infosys.com
Photo credit: Ford

From Car and Driver

As of August 2020, Ford had donated 1.5 million masks to MI Mask Aid, a program to give 4 million masks to low-income residents, seniors, and people in schools.

The automaker says it will have made 100 million masks for donation by mid-2020.

The newly released advertisement titled "Finish Strong" will run during New Year's Day football bowl games alongside ads for the new F-150.

UPDATE 12/31/20: Ford revealed a commercial this morning titled "Finish Strong," narrated by actor Bryan Cranston, that encourages people to act responsibly and help protect each other in the coming months until COVID-19 vaccines can be fully distributed. The ad will run on New Year's Day during the Citrus Bowl on ABC and the Peach, Rose, and Sugar Bowl games on ESPN as well as other NFL games scheduled for Fox on January 3, events during which Ford will also be promoting its new F-150.

As the story below details, Ford has been making and creating personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, and to date the automaker has made 55 million masks. Its goal is to make and donate 100 million masks by mid-2021, Ford said today, and it has also created 20 million face shields, 50,000 ventilators, 32,000 respirators, and 1.4 million washable isolation gowns in partnership with 3M and the United Auto Workers union.

From August:



Ford is donating 1.5 million masks to the state of Michigan as part of the governor's new MI Mask Aid program, which will see a total of 4 million face masks distributed to citizens as another way to keep the coronavirus under something resembling control in the state.



Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the new MI Mask Aid program during a press conference Friday morning, saying that the masks will be available to low-income residents, senior citizens, and schools. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will assist with mask distribution. So far, Michigan has seen 90,392 COVID-19 cases and 6289 deaths from the disease, according to the Detroit News.

Story continues

Ford CEO Jim Hackett spoke at the press conference, saying that the automaker has produced over 72 million pieces "for lifesaving support" during the COVID-19 crisis, not counting the 1.5 million masks it is donating to MI Mask Aid. A million and a half face masks is about one week's worth of production for the automaker, which shifted to making personal protection equipment (PPE) after COVID-19 changed the American economic and personal landscape in March.

Ford told Car and Driver that the 54 million face masks it has made so far have all been used internally by workersuntil now. "We were able to make this donation because we have a surplus of masks from continued production to cover our workforce," a spokesperson told C/D.

If Ford continues to make more than it needs for its employees, other states could benefit from the extra production. "We recognize there are many at-risk communities that have a growing need for PPE, such as masks," the spokesperson said. "We're connecting with our local and national nonprofit partners to determine the best way to address this urgent problem." Ford also announced yesterday that its employee donation match program had raised over $1 million to support COVID-19 related relief efforts around the world, including programs in Brazil, India and South Africa. The fund also made donations to three non-profit agencies in Michigan, including United Way for Southeastern Michigan, The Pope Francis Center, and The Ark, an Ann Arbor folk-music club, which used the money for its "The Ark Family Room Series" livestream programming.

Other automakers are assisting with PPE production as the coronavirus continues to ravage the U.S. Toyota, for example, announced this week that it has partnered with the safety equipment company Bullard to increase that company's ability to produce face shields, respirators and hoods at its Kentucky facility, but Toyota production lines were not converted to build Bullard products. Instead, Toyota helped Bullard figure out how to apply the Toyota Production System to its own production facilities. The result? Doubled production capacity for hoods and respirators and a 700-percent increase in production of face shields between March and April.

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Police in the southern New South Wales (NSW) border city of Albury check cars crossing the state border from Victoria on July 8, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Australian Border Closures Impact on Health, Farming

The federal government is urging state premiers to address healthcare and food supply impacts from border closures.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says state border closures have had serious unintended consequences on agricultural supply chains and regional Australians wellbeing.

Among examples of those whose healthcare has been affected, he says cancer patients in Tenterfield are unable to access treatment in Queensland and a heavily pregnant woman in Moree has been declined a permit to visit Toowoomba to visit her obstetrician.

Agricultural impacts include a Victorian pastoralist being unable to get to Broken Hill to feed and water her 500 cattle, and the flow of silage contractors and grain harvesters being halted between Queensland and NSW.

State health officials need to engage specifically with regional communities and industries at the direction of the premiers to identify workable solutions that keep supply chains open, Littleproud said in a statement on Aug 14.

Keeping all of our agricultural supply chains secure is absolutely critical to ensuring supermarket prices for fresh products remains affordable for Australians, while maintaining some of the best animal welfare standards in the world.

Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham says travel restrictions should be proportionate to the risks of coronavirus across different states.

Hes urging Australians to travel if they can, to help the domestic tourism industry which has taken a $12 billion hit.

Thats shocking news for so many small and medium businesses around Australia, Senator Birmingham told the ABC.

Get out there and pretend that youre overseas and do the types of things you would do overseas whilst travelling around Australia.

Senator Birmingham says he hasnt given up hope on a travel bubble with New Zealand by the end of the year, but he understands both nations are focusing on outbreaks.

I dont think anybody should expect there will be a breakthrough in the next few weeks or couple of months, he told Sky News.

As we get closer to the Christmas period the calls for many people to be able to connect with family and loved ones will get greater.

If it can be done with the concurrence of both countries we would love to see that breakthrough.

Canberra
Sixteen maoists including three commander-level personnel surrendered before the Chhattisgarh police in Dantewada on Thursday.

Dantewada Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Pallav said, 16 maoists have surrendered out of whom three carried rewards on their heads. Most of them belong to the western parts of the Bastar district.

Three of them are commander-level maoists and were carrying rewards on their heads. There are five cases each registered against two and four cases against one Naxal, he added.

The Dantewada SP further informed that the surrendered maoists used to demolish railway tracks and kill Panchayat executives and villagers. Most of the others were ground level militia.

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Trump Condemns Recent Attacks on Press Freedom in Hong Kong

WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump on Aug. 13 condemned attacks on press freedom in Hong Kong, calling the recent arrest of media mogul Jimmy Lai and the police raid on his newsroom a terrible thing.

I hate to see what happened to Hong Kong, because freedom is a great thing, he said at a press briefing, in response to a question from The Epoch Times.

Trumps comments came after Hong Kong police on Aug. 9 made the high-profile arrest of 71-year-old Lai, founder of local pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily; Lai is accused of colluding with foreign forces in violation of Beijings new security law. Nearly 200 police officers also raided the Apple Daily newsroom.

Lai, an outspoken critic of Beijing, was released on bail on Aug. 11, following widespread public support.

I think its a terrible thing, Trump said.

We gave tremendous incentives to Hong Kong, because of freedom. We have now withdrawn all of those incentives, and it will be impossible for Hong Kong to compete with the United States.

Trump signed an executive order in July that ended the United States preferential treatment of Hong Kong to hold China accountable for its oppressive actions against the Hongkongers. He also signed into law a bill that would impose sanctions on Chinese officials and entities responsible for ending Hong Kongs freedoms, as well as banks that do business with them.

The Chinese communist regime recently imposed a national security law over Hong Kong, posing a threat to the citys autonomy as well as the one country, two systems framework.

Beijing tightened its grip on the city with this new law, which criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and foreign collusion with penalties of up to life imprisonment.

We made it very convenient for people to go there, for companies to go there. Weve withdrawn all of that. And the United States will be a big beneficiary from an economic standpoint, the president said.
Scholars, faith leaders sign Philadelphia Statement supporting civil debate, rejecting 'cancel culture'

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A group of scholars and faith leaders, including prominent Southern Baptists like Albert Mohler and Russell Moore, have signed a statement supporting discourse and opposing cancel culture.

Known as the Philadelphia Statement and made public Tuesday, dozens of individuals from different religious and academic backgrounds have signed the declaration.

The statement denounces the existence of social media mobs, cancel culture, and campus speech policing as a threat to the freedom of expression and overall public discourse.

Truly open discoursethe debates, exchange of ideas, and arguments on which the health and flourishing of a democratic republic crucially dependis increasingly rare, reads the statement.

If we seek a brighter future, we must relearn a fundamental truth: Our liberty and our happiness depend upon the maintenance of a public culture in which freedom and civility coexistwhere people can disagree robustly, even fiercely, yet treat each other as human beingsand, indeed, as fellow citizensnot mortal enemies.

It warns that any society which allows people to be shamed or intimidated into self-censorship of their ideas and considered judgments will not survive for long.

As Americans, we desire a flourishing, open marketplace of ideas, knowing that it is the fairest and most effective way to separate falsehood from truth.

Accordingly, dissenting and unpopular voicesbe they of the left or the rightmust be afforded the opportunity to be heard. They have often guided our society toward more just positions, which is why Frederick Douglass said freedom of speech is the great moral renovator of society and government.

Signatories include Russell Moore, president of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky; Ayaan Hirsi Ali, research fellow at the Hoover Institution and founder of the AHA Foundation; Robert P. George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University; Robert Shibley, executive director of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education; Rabbi Pesach Lerner, president of the Coalition for Jewish Values; and Nina Shea, director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, among others.

According to Merriam-Webster, cancel culture is aimed at boycotting or demanding the censorship of another person, usually a public figure, for past controversial statements or actions.

The dictionary website traces the term back to the #MeToo movement and African-American twitter users, who wanted to cut support to celebrities who had committed past wrongs.

There is a performative aspect to canceling, one that (it could be argued) paradoxically amplifies that which it seeks to squelch, if only for the moment, notes the dictionary website.

To cancel someone publicly often requires broadcasting that act, which then makes the target of ones canceling a subject of attention. The objective behind canceling is often to deny that attention, so that the person loses cultural cachet.

In July, Harpers Magazine published an open letter signed by over 150 writers, journalists, academics, and other public figures denouncing modern curbs on free speech.

Titled A Letter on Justice and Open Debate, notable signatories included Gloria Steinem, Noam Chomsky, J.K. Rowling, Malcolm Gladwell, and Margaret Atwood.

The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument, and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish them away. We refuse any false choice between justice and freedom, which cannot exist without each other, stated the letter.

We need to preserve the possibility of good-faith disagreement without dire professional consequences. If we wont defend the very thing on which our work depends, we shouldnt expect the public or the state to defend it for us."
India on Friday said that Pakistan has consistently failed to address core issues in the implementation of ICJ judgment in case.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a virtual media briefing that Pakistan has failed to provide unimpeded consular access to

"Pakistan has consistently failed to address the core issues in the implementation of ICJ judgment in Kulbhushan Jhadav case in its letter and spirit. These issues pertain to the provision of relevant documents as well as providing unimpeded consular access to Kulbhushan," he said.

Earlier this month Islamabad High Court (IHC) had formed a larger bench to hear Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav, who is on death row in Pakistan.

Geo News had reported that the larger bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mian Gull Hassan Aurangzeb, was formed on Friday and it will hear the case on September 3.

The decision came after India continued to pressurise Pakistan into allowing consular access to Jadhav.

Pakistan media had reported earlier that Islamabad Court has said Indian officials should be given an opportunity to present their stance. India had said that it had not received any communication from Pakistan government.

India has also said that Pakistan has blocked all avenues for effective remedy available to it in the case.

Pakistan claims that Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan in 2016 on charges of espionage.

India has rejected Pakistan's allegations and said he was kidnapped from the Iranian port of Chabahar. In early 2017, a Pakistani military court sentenced him to death.

The International Court of Justice upheld India's claim that Pakistan has committed an egregious violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations on several counts.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Helsinski, Finland  Fri, August 14, 2020 08:00 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dea987 2 World COVID-19-infection,finland,face-masks,coronavirus,coronavirus-prevention,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

Finland recommended the use of face masks in public for the first time on Thursday as the number of coronavirus cases rises.

Prime Minister Sanna Marin said masks should be worn in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as on public transport.

People aged 15 or over who will stay for more than 15 minutes in crowded places should wear them, excluding regions where no new cases have been found in two weeks, the public health authority also recommended.

Prior to Thursday, Finland had not officially backed the use of masks.

Health authorities reported 41 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a daily record since the end of May, bringing the total to 7,683 since the beginning of the pandemic. A total of 333 people have died.

Marin also clarified the new quarantine rules for travellers from high-risk countries, following contradictory statements by ministers over a two-week quarantine earlier this week.

She said the government had no legal grounds to order general quarantines but local health authorities and doctors were able to mandate coronavirus tests and quarantine decisions for travellers arriving from high-risk countries.

Marin said anyone arriving from a country with more than 8 to 10 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the latest two-week period should go on a voluntary 14-day quarantine, while authorities would be mandating sanctioned quarantines on travellers from "red-colored countries" where infections are peaking.

The government also decided to recommend returning to remote work whenever possible in regions where infections are on the rise, meaning the region around the capital Helsinki and two others at the moment, Marin said.
WATERBURY  A city man was sentenced Friday to just over a year in federal prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation, the U.S. Attorney said.

Desny Sosa-Hernandez, 41, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham.

The charges against him stemmed from last March.

Law enforcement officers set up two controlled purchases of cocaine in Bridgeport in March 2019 from Sosa-Hernandez and his co-defendant, Edgard Martinez, according to authorities.

On March 19, 2019  after investigators set up the purchase of 300 grams of cocaine from the two men  Martinez drove from his Tolland residence to pick up Sosa-Hernandez in Waterbury, Durham said.

The two then planned to drive to Bridgeport together to finalize the drug transaction, authorities said. But when Martinez showed up at Sosa-Hernandezs home in Waterbury, investigators took them both into custody and seized a bag with 300 grams of cocaine inside Martinezs vehicle, Durham said.

Authorities said when they searched Sosa-Hernandezs house, they found shoe boxes with $18,111 in cash; and a search of Martinezs home led investigators to a handgun, cocaine and items used to process and package drugs.

Sosa-Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine on Nov. 6, 2019. He was released on a $100,000 bond and told to report to prison on Sept. 16.

Martinez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. He was sentenced in May to serve 29 months in federal prison.
Oregon State Police on Thursday said they were withdrawing protection from Portlands federal courthouse over frustration at the county district attorneys decision not to prosecute most of the people arrested in protests there.

Oregon State Police are continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and at this time we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority," OSP spokesman Timothy Fox said in a statement.

The police force is angry at Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidts decision not to prosecute many people detained during weeks of protests at the courthouse, Fox said.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
More than 80% of the 10,600 absentee ballots rejected in Michigans August primary election were due to signature verification issues or because they arrived to clerks office after election day.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Aug. 14 released preliminary data on the rejected ballots. Of the absentee ballots that werent counted: 6,405 were rejected because they arrived after election day, 1,438 were rejected because the voter didnt sign the ballot, 1,111 were rejected because the voter moved, 864 were rejected because the voter is dead, 787 were rejected because the signature on the ballot didnt match the voters signature recorded with the state, 51 voters canceled their ballots, 31 voters sent in envelopes missing ballots, 24 voters didnt confirm their ID and one voter was incarcerated.

Benson stated the majority of disenfranchised voters in last weeks statewide primary could have easily had their votes counted with small changes in law.

The data demonstrates that thousands of people who cast otherwise valid votes were not able to participate in last weeks election solely because the Legislature failed to act ahead of the primary, Benson said. With turnout and absentee ballot numbers expected to double or even triple in November, we could be looking at tens of thousands of Michigan citizens disenfranchised if the legislature again fails to act.

There are three pending bills Benson is calling on Michigan lawmakers to pass, two of which she said would have prevented a majority of ballots, more than 8,600, from being rejected.

One bill, SB 757, would allow clerks to start processing absentee ballots before election day. The second bill, HB 5987, would allow mailed ballots to count if they are postmarked by election day, even if they arrive up to two days later. The third bill, HB 5991, requires clerks to contact voters if the signature on the absentee ballot doesnt match that registered with the state.

The SOS said the number of late ballots may increase as a small number of them continue to arrive to clerks offices. Full data broken down by each county can be found here.

Read more on MLive:

Michigan Secretary of State sending postcards encouraging people to apply online to vote absentee

In must-win Michigan, Trump campaign takes fight door to door as polls show Biden with strong lead

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Faith and Polish Military Tactics Defeated the Soviet Army at the Battle of Warsaw 100 Years Ago

August 15 this year marks the 100-year anniversary of the breakthrough made by the Poles in their fight against the Soviets that led to the Polish victory that stopped Soviet Russia from exporting the communist revolution to Eastern and Central Europe for the following 19 years. The decisive battle which began on Aug.12 in Warsaw, Poland, was lost by the Soviets who started the general retreat on Aug. 18.

Prof. Andrzej Nowak, a Polish historian, publicist, and a professor of humanities from Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland talked to The Epoch Times about the circumstances that led to the Polish victory in the Battle of Warsaw, the aftermath, the significance of this victory for Europe and the world. Prof. Nowak is author of more than 30 books including a book about Soviet-Polish war leading to the Battle of Warsaw The defeat of the evil empire. The year 1920 (in Polish, Kleska imperium za. Rok 1920).

Why Soviet Russia Invaded Poland 100 Years Ago

Russian communist revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) gives a speech from the back of a vehicle in Moscow, an undated photo. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Russia has become the place where, contrary to Marxs expectation, the communist ideology founded in the 19th century in the West, triumphed for the first time. A revolution grounded in communist ideology has gained its first foothold in Russia, Prof. Nowak said.

The combination of Russian imperial traditions with communist ideology gave rise to a specific policy, embraced by Vladimir Lenin and other leaders of the Bolshevik revolution, Nowak said. They wanted to immediately expand the revolution to Europe, where its ideological center was.

Germanythe biggest economic and military power in Europe at that timealso had the largest working class, the strongest workers party, so the goal of Russian Soviet leaders was to fight their way into Germany, Nowak explained.

This objective became more realistic after Germany was defeated in World War I in 1918 when Lenin established the Western front of the Soviet Red Army aimed at carrying out the Bolshevik ambitions to break through Poland to Germany, Nowak said.

A Soviet ministry, (Peoples Commissariat of Nationalities), then headed by Joseph Stalin, was tasked to prepare the military offensive. In his article published in 1918, Stalin called Poland and other countries between Russia and Germany a divider, meaning a thin partition that the Soviet Army needed to break through with its iron fist to reach Berlin as soon as possible.

Bolsheviks wanted communism to triumph not only in the whole of Europe but actually all over the world, Nowak said. However, Bolsheviks had to delay their offensive on the Western front until 1920 due to the outbreak of the civil war in Soviet Russia where they were fighting united anti-communist opposition forces.

The Soviet-Polish War Broke Out

In 1920 the Soviet-Polish war entered its decisive phase when the Soviet Red Army started preparations for a massive invasion of Poland, Novak said adding that he researched Soviet preparations based on detailed documentation he found in military archives in Moscow.

Then-Polish Chief of State and Commander-in-Chief Jozef Pilsudski launched in spring 1920 a preemptive offensive to liberate Ukraine from Soviet domination in anticipation of a Soviet attack. The political goal of his action was to form an alliance between Poland and Ukraine that could protect both countries against either Bolshevik or Russian neo-imperialism and lay the foundation for regional security, Nowak said.

However Pilsudskis plan failed because the Polish military forces were insufficient to protect the sovereignty of Ukraine and Western powers did not deem Ukraines independence as important, Nowak said.

Commander of the Soviet invasion Mikhail Tukhachevsky gave his army of nearly 5 million soldiers, the order, over the corpse of White Poland to Berlin. The Polish army had only about 900,000 troops, according to Nowak.

Bolsheviks used the term White in reference to anti-communist forces while they called their army Red.

Tukhachevskys main objective was to reach Berlin as soon as possible and therefore he devised a tactic to encircle Warsaw to the north thus spreading the lines of communication. This maneuver allowed Pilsudski to inflict a mortal blow to the Soviet army by preparing a superb plan to strike it from the south and on August 15, 1920, the Polish forces smashed the enemy army completely forcing it into a panicked escape. Poland took 100,000 Red Army soldiers prisoner, Nowak said.

Lenin stated at a Soviet communist party conference in September 1920 that it was a unique, unprecedented defeat, the defeat of the Red Army and the defeat of the Soviet strategy, said Nowak.

How Polish Victory Came About

Portrait of Polish President Jozef Pilsudski in uniform, 1927. (Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Lenin should bear some responsibility for the defeat because he ordered to open two fronts at the same time, a task which the Red Army was not able to handle, Nowak said.

In addition to the Polish offensive, Lenin opened the second front led by Stalin on the southwest a few weeks before the offensive on Warsaw with a goal to conquer the southern part of Poland and Southern Europe including Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Romania, and reach Italy. Stalin confirmed to Lenin in a cable that this plan was achievable, Nowak said.

However more important than a misunderstanding and mistakes of the Soviet leadership was the attitude of the Polish soldiers and above all the patriotic national consciousness of the Polish population, Nowak said.

Before attacking Poland, Bolsheviks had made successful conquests in the former Russian Empire by drawing upon slogans of class revenge, anomiesocial instability caused by the erosion of morals, norms, and values in a societyand lack of a sense of national identity of the people who they conquered, Nowak said.

Meanwhile, in Poland, the same slogans did not work. When Bolsheviks called Polish workers and peasants who mainly comprised the Polish army to start shooting at their officers and join the Red Army to conquer Warsaw it had no effect, said Nowak.

Polish soldiers had strong national consciousness and a sense of patriotism and did not want to join Bolsheviks against Polish homeland but decided to defend it, Nowak said.

Poles historically treated Russia as an invader and enemy which annexed a big part of Poland and oppressed Poles, according to Nowak.

Another reason was that Poles were convinced that they have a relationship with the Western, Latin civilization based on Christianity so they believed that Bolshevism [and] communist ideology wanted to subvert, destroy this civilization.

Poland simply turned out to be a mature, European nation in 1920, and not just a mass of class hatred, Nowak said.

Miracle on the Vistula

Some Poles believe that Divine Providence helped the Polish Army to win the Battle of Warsaw and therefore the battle is sometimes called The Miracle on the Vistula. August 15, the day when the Polish Army achieved the breakthrough in the fight coincided with Assumption Day, a Catholic holiday, especially important for Polish Catholics.

According to Catholic Insight, Father Ignacy Skorupka seeing the terror in the eyes of young Polish soldiers lead a line holding a wooden crucifix, meeting his death, uttering for God and for the homeland, on the outskirts of Ossowo village.

Cardinal Aleksander Kakowski said in his diary, according to Catholic Journal: Young soldiers whom I visited in a hospital for the wounded were telling me the details of Fr. Ignacy Skorupka`s death. Meanwhile, the captured Bolsheviks recounted the Mother of God above a priest vested in surplice and holding a cross.

One of the important reasons for the resistance of Polish society to communist ideology was precisely the Christian tradition and deep distrust toward an ideology, which appeared openly under anti-religious banners, Nowak said.

Therefore Poles identified the Bolsheviks mainly with anti-religious propaganda. The majority of them were Catholics, who deeply believed in their religion and treated the Bolshevik invasion not only as an attack on Poland but as the attack on the foundations of civilization and Christianity which motivated them even more to defend their country and their civilization, said Nowak.

Such an attitude was reinforced by the support of the Catholic Church which organized public prayers. Pope Benedict XV strongly supported Polands fight against the Bolsheviks. Many Catholic chaplains joined the Polish army at that time to provide support and some gave their lives in the battle, Nowak said.

The concept of the Miracle on the Vistula  was created with some political objective, Nowak said explaining that Pilsudskis political opposition which held the majority in the Polish parliament tried to detract from Pilsudskis role in the victory. The opposition emphasized various factors contributing to the victory including providential intervention.

Nowak believes that these two concepts are not contradictory because Pilsudski, his chief of staff of the Army and commanding generals, as well as the mobilization of the entire society by the Catholic church and Poles faith, all played a significant role in the victory.

How Europe and US Reacted to Bolshevik Invasion

Western European countries were at that time affected by trauma caused by gigantic losses they suffered in World War I, said Nowak, and did not want to participate in any new war.

They believed that international order should be based on the cooperation of traditional empires and Eastern Europe must be under the control of one of them.

France and the UK did not want to give control over Eastern Europe to Germany since it was considered an enemy defeated in World War I, so they could only negotiate with Russia.

However France wanted to negotiate only with anti-communist Russia, Nowak said. Therefore France treated Poland as a substitute ally and sold large amounts of ammunition and military equipment to Poland without which Poland would not have been able to fight.

The UK however was willing to negotiate with Russia whether or not it was communist, Nowak said. When the Red Army was approaching Warsaw in 1920, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George discussed with Lev Kamenev, the third most important person in the Soviet Politburo and Lenins deputy, the new European order with Poland under Soviet domination.

Lloyd George tried to appease Russia at Polands expense and only required that Soviet Russia stopped its offensive at the Polish-German border as he did not want Russia to merge with Germany, Nowak said. The UK also banned all aid for Poland in 1920.

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson did not take any action on the international arena because the Senate blocked the ratification of a peace treaty after World War I. He was also recovering from a serious stroke at that time, Nowak said.

The Secretary of State in the Wilson administration Bainbridge Colby issued a statement a few days before the Battle of Warsaw stating that the territorial integrity and true boundaries of Russia shall be respected. These boundaries should properly include the whole of the former Russian Empire, with the exception of Finland proper, ethnic Poland,  The aspirations of these nations for independence are legitimate. Each was forcibly annexed and their liberation from oppressive alien rule involves no aggressions against Russias territorial rights, and has received the sanction of the public opinion of all free peoples.

Particularly noteworthy is the initiative of a group of over twenty American volunteer airmen who established Kosciuszko Squadron to support the fight of the Polish army against Bolsheviks, Nowak said. One of its members was Merian Cooper who later produced a famous adventure film, King Kong.

Aftermath of Soviet-Polish War

Poland saved its independence for the next 19 years, Nowak said.

Nowak explained that Lenin was talking about breaking down the small Baltic countries in a week after conquering Poland so it would have been a possibility that countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland could have lost their independence if the Bolsheviks had won.

Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and other Central and Eastern European countries could have also been conquered, he added.

Polands victory over Russia gave these countries a priceless opportunity to develop their economy, culture, language, to bring up one generation and imbue it with ideals of independence before World War II broke out in 1939, Nowak said.

It was very, very important that it was not Soviet culture with the Russian language, but that each country developed its national culture.

These 19 years of independence allowed these countries to withstand World War II and about 45 years of communist rule after the War, Nowak said. It fueled freedom movements in countries under Soviet and communist dominance since 1945 and it gave rise to the 10-million Solidarity movement in 1989 in Poland which dealt a deadly blow to the Soviet empire.

Polish Victory is a Warning for Modern World

For the West, the most important lesson from the Polish victory is that the policy of appeasement by making concessions to an aggressive empire like the Soviet regime at the expense of weaker countries will backfire on those who made such concessions, Nowak said.

Poland stopped the expansionist ambitions of Soviet totalitarian empire in 1920 but in 1939 the Soviet totalitarianism returned, Nowak said.

Germany and the Soviet Union concluded the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in August 1939, which included a secret protocol dividing Poland and the Baltic countries into German and Soviet spheres of influence. It allowed Germans and Soviets to invade Poland in 1939 from West and East in September 1939 at the beginning of World War II while France and Britain did not take any action.

As a result, World War II claimed millions of lives all over the world, and the Soviet Union was not stopped when it expanded its domination to the Central and Eastern Europe in 1945.

During the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1920 the head of the Soviet special security forces ordered to establish a system of concentration camps in Soviet Russia and on conquered territories to detain all opponents of the Soviet rule, Nowak said.

The first concentration camps for dissidents and opponents of the communist rule were created in Soviet Russia in 1918 and preceded a similar form of repression around the world. According to former Soviet military intelligence officer and popular historian Viktor Suvorov, before World War II, Adolf Hitler sent Gestapo officers to Soviet Russia to study the experiences accumulated by the Soviets in creating concentration camps.

The civilization of concentration camps is the basis of the communist ideology, Nowak said.

Communist ideology still governs some countries like China and North Korea where people do not enjoy religious freedom, Nowak said.

In China, Catholics, Falun Gong adherents, and Muslims are persecuted for their beliefs, said Nowak. Independent beliefs not governed by the Chinese Communist Party are persecuted there, he added.




CORNERED President Emmerson Mnangagwa blocked envoys sent by his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa from meeting opposition political party leaders and civil society organisations fearing humiliation ahead of the annual virtual Sadc heads of state summit, which kicks off on Monday next week, emerging details show.





Following a vicious crackdown on individuals critical of the Zimbabwe government, Ramaphosa sent former minister Sydney Mufamadi and former deputy president and speaker Baleka Mbete to Zimbabwe to engage with the government and other stakeholders on the obtaining political crisis underlined by gross human rights abuses.





They brought with them former South Africa's minister of public service and administration Ngoako Ramatlhodi, a special advisor to Ramaphosa in the ruling African National Congress (ANC).





This comes as regional and international governmental organisations, including the traditionally cautious Sadc and African Union, have spoken openly about the need to find a solution to the crisis.





A social media campaign #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, which exploded in the immediate aftermath of the thwarted July 31 protests, brought the world's attention to the human rights violations in Zimbabwe, characterised by abductions and arrests of prominent civil rights activists, opposition politicians and journalists.





Mbete, Mufamadi and Ramatlhodi flew back to Pretoria soon after their meeting with Mnangagwa, Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo and senior government officials at State House on Monday, without meeting opposition parties and civil society organisations as earlier planned.





While government has, in the aftermath of the meeting, claimed the three did not have a mandate to meet with opposition parties, the South African presidency had clearly stated in its statement earlier that the special envoys were expected to engage "the government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders" to identify possible ways in which South Africa can assist Zimbabwe.





With that understanding of the terms of reference, Mbete's delegation made prior arrangements with the South African embassy in Harare to organise meetings with the relevant stakeholders other than the government, only for them to be prevented from meeting anyone by Mnangagwa.





Official sources said the Monday meeting was tense, with Mnangagwa strongly rebuking the envoys of breaching diplomatic protocol by arranging meetings with opposition parties and civil society organisations without his consent.





The envoys expressed concern over reports of human rights abuses and the crackdown on the opposition, journalists and human rights activists. They told Mnangagwa that Ramaphosa, who is also the AU chair, was keen to know what was happening and what role he can play to diffuse tension.





Mnangagwa and Moyo, however, reportedly expressed concern over the three's conduct.





Officials said Mnangagwa and his delegation kept telling the envoys that there was no crisis in Zimbabwe, arguing that the impression that there was a crisis was coming from the countries' Western enemies working with local partners, averments he already had made in his Heroes and Defence Forces Day speeches.





"They produced old videos and pictures which were being circulated on the social media to argue that the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign was being run on old material belonging to the previous administration and insisted that there was no crisis in the country," an official said.





"The president actually accused the envoys of breaching protocol by setting up meetings outside their mandate since their role was to just convey President Ramaphosa's message and to hear the side of the Zimbabwe government.





"He told them that they were just presidential envoys and not a fact-finding mission and as such, they were not mandated to meet everyone else except the president and his team."





Through South African ambassador to Zimbabwe Mphakama Mbete - brother to Baleka - the envoys had already scheduled meetings with MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe and the Political Actors Dialogue through Lovemore Madhuku as well as a number of civil society organisations.





"The common sentiment within was that there is unjustified pressure on government ahead of the Sadc heads of state meeting which is taking place next week, probably so that the country can be put on the security agenda. That is the main reason why they could not be allowed to get a second opinion," a source said.





"The envoys tried to argue that they had a mandate to meet the other stakeholders but were told in no uncertain terms that that would not happen and from there was nothing they could do but pack their bags and return to their country."





As preparations for the Sadc summit gather momentum, government yesterday rushed to pre-empt the agenda, arguing that Zimbabwe will not even be on the table.





"There is no Zimbabwean issue before the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. Neither is there one such issue before the Sadc summit. Definitely, there is no such issue before the continental body, the African Union," Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in a statement last night.





She also said spirited efforts to force regional intervention by South African opposition leader Julius Malema and senior ANC officials have no effect on Zimbabwean diplomatic relations in Africa and beyond.





"Crisis in diplomacy has specific and defined circumstances if that goes beyond day to day banter. All said, there is no crisis in Zimbabwe which needs external intervention under established international treaties and conventions," she said.





Foreign Affairs secretary James Manzou on Wednesday told the state media the envoys had no obligation to meet opposition parties and civic society as that would have been a breach of diplomatic protocol.





"The task of the special envoy is to faithfully deliver the message to the receiving head of state and none other. Upon delivery of the message, the envoy listens attentively to the response of the receiving head of state. After which the envoy returns to his head of state to faithfully deliver the response he would have received.





"Upon delivery he may or may not get further instructions depending on the issue. Just to emphasise that such matters are between the heads of state and none other. This is the diplomatic etiquette or protocol followed during the important bilateral visit to Zimbabwe by special envoys of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, to the head of a neighbour and sisterly country," Manzou, who is Zimbabwe's former ambassador to the European Union, said.





Using his official Twitter account, @Jamwanda2, Mnangagwa's spokesperson George Charamba echoed the same sentiments saying: "Clearing confusion over purpose and mandate of presidential special envoys: Presidential special envoys are deputations between two heads of state. Theirs is to deliver a message from one head of state to another and, to take back the response to sending head of state."





But secretary for external relations in the MDC-A, Gladys Hlatswayo, accused the Zanu-PF government of blocking the envoys because they had things to hide.





"We received invitations through the South African Embassy to the effect that we were supposed to be on standby for a meeting with the envoys. So we prepared for the meeting and waited the entire day only to be called at the end of the day by the South African embassy and being told that unfortunately, the meeting had been cancelled and the envoys were going back to South Africa," she said.





"It is quite clear that the meeting was cancelled because Mnangagwa does not want the envoys to engage with us and others despite having been invited. There was willingness by the envoys to meet with us. So our understanding is that it is Zanu-PF that blocked the envoys from meeting with us because they have things to hide."





This is not the first time Mnangagwa has been accused of frustrating diplomatic overtures.





Sadc leaders were left frustrated early this year by the Mnangagwa administration following his decision to block former South African president Thabo Mbeki from mediating in the proposed dialogue with MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa.





Sadc countries - in particular economic powerhouse, South Africa, and Botswana - were unhappy with Zimbabwe's ongoing social, economic and political crisis, bad investment environment, state interference in public institutions, lack of respect for trade agreements and lack of competition in business.





Mbeki visited Zimbabwe mid-December last year on a Sadc-initiated mission to nudge Zanu-PF and MDC into negotiations. This was after regional leaders realised Harare's problems were caused more by a political crisis than the so-called Western sanctions.





During his visit, Mbeki - famed for brokering the 2009 Global Political Agreement, which brought together Zanu-PF and MDC into a unity government - also met political leaders who are part of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) and civil society organisations.





The former South African president promised to return to Harare by December 30, 2019, to continue with the preliminary talks, but has not done so, amid reports Mnangagwa ignored calls from the respected African elder.




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Linkedin Maha El Dahan, Jeffrey Heller and Steve Holland (Reuters) Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Jerusalem/Washington, United States  Fri, August 14, 2020 08:35 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066ded480 2 World Israel,West-Bank,Israel-annexation,United-Arab-Emirates,UAE,Israel-Palestine-conflict,Palestine,Middle-East,Middle-East-conflict Free

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that they will normalize diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship, a move that reshapes the order of Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran.

Under the accord, which US President Donald Trump helped broker, Israel agreed to suspend its planned annexation of areas of the occupied West Bank. It also firms up opposition to regional power Iran, which the UAE, Israel and the United States view as the main threat in the conflict-riven Middle East.

Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, did not recognize Israel and had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it until now. It becomes the first Gulf Arab country to reach such a deal with the Jewish state.

Officials from the three countries called the accord "historic" and a breakthrough toward peace. But Palestinian leaders, apparently taken by surprise, denounced it as a "stab in the back" to their cause.

A joint statement said Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed had "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates".

The accord will allow the two countries "to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region," it said.

Israel and the UAE are expected soon to exchange ambassadors and embassies. A signing ceremony is due to be held at the White House.

"As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty" over areas of the West Bank as envisioned in a US plan announced by Trump in January, it said.

The agreement, to be known as the Abraham Accord, also gives Trump a foreign policy accomplishment as he seeks re-election on Nov. 3. Speaking in the White House Oval Office, Trump said similar deals are being discussed with other countries in the region.

Trump said the agreement unites "two of America's closest and most capable partners in the region" and represents "a significant step towards building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East."

The UAE said it would remain a strong supporter of the Palestinian people, who hope to create an independent state in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and that the agreement maintained the viability of a two-state solution to the longstanding Israel-Palestinian conflict.

The accord could also be a personal boost to Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption and whose domestic popularity has dropped over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a televised address, Netanyahu said the deal would lead to "full and formal peace" with the UAE and voiced hope that other countries in the region would follow its example. It also entailed acceding to a request from Trump to "temporarily wait" on implementing his annexation pledge, Netanyahu said.

"It's an incomparably exciting moment, a historic moment for peace in the Middle East," Netanyahu added.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, rejected the accord. Spokesman Abu Rudeineh, reading from a statement outside Abbas's headquarters in Ramallah in the West Bank, said it was a "betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa [mosque, Islam's third-holiest shrine] and the Palestinian cause".

Asked if the Palestinian leadership had been aware the deal was coming, veteran negotiator Hanan Ashrawi told Reuters: "No. We were blindsided. ... It is a complete sell-out."

In Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for the armed Islamist group Hamas, said: "Normalization is a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause and it serves only the Israeli occupation."

The UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said the agreement would stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories, for which Israel had been awaiting a green light from Washington.

Senior UAE official Anwar Gargash said the deal had helped defuse what he called a ticking time-bomb. Gargash urged the Israelis and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.

'Nightmare' for Iran

Trump's special envoy Brian Hook called the agreement a "nightmare" for Iran. An Iranian official said the agreement would not secure peace in the region.

Railing against "criminal Israel", Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, a special adviser to Iran's parliamentary speaker, said in a tweet: "Abu Dhabi's behaviour has no justification, turning back on the Palestine cause. W/ that strategic mistake, #UAE will be engulfed in Zionism fire."

Iran and Israel are arch foes. Israel is particularly concerned about suspected Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies. Iran is also involved in proxy wars from Syria to Yemen, where the UAE has been a leading member of the Saudi-led coalition opposing Iran-aligned forces there.

With a population of less than 10 million but the Arab world's second-largest economy thanks to oil, the UAE has exerted growing commercial and military clout in the Gulf and the wider region over the past two decades, much of it aimed at confronting Islamist militants and the influence of Iran.

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues, the joint statement said.

"Everybody said this would be impossible," Trump said.

"Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates' lead," Trump added.

This was already being discussed with other states, he said.
The Formula 1 circus will return to Barcelona this weekend, where Red Bull Racing hope to continue their good form during the Spanish Grand Prix. Peter Windsor talks about the chances for Red Bull in Barcelona in his new video.

In the new video of the former Williams team manager, answers five questions that fans have asked him. The first question towards the Grand Prix of Spain, is whether Red Bull can again compete with Mercedes. During the second Grand Prix at Silverstone Max Verstappen managed to win, but can he do it again.

Red Bull can be in the attack

"Yes, you can. That's because Red Bull-Honda's package has improved enormously after Hungary. Adrian Newey and his team made that car much better in high speed corners. It depends on the tyres though. On Saturday everyone will see which rabbit Red Bull will pull out of the hat," says Windsor in his video.

The battle for pole will be between Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, but which of the two will win this time? ''Valtteri rides better than ever this year and has become much better in braking. However, in Barcelona it's more about being able to drive while braking and there are a few drivers who are great at that: Hamilton, Verstappen and Charles Leclerc'," concludes Windsor.
QUITO, Ecuador, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of Ecuador (the "Republic") announced today that it is seeking the consents of holders representing a majority of the aggregate principal amount Outstanding of all Series of Eligible Bonds to extend the Settlement Deadline of the Republic's previously announced solicitation of consents to certain modifications to the Eligible Bonds and invitation to exchange Eligible Bonds for New Securities of the Republic (together, the "Invitation"). The terms and conditions of the Invitation are described in the invitation memorandum dated July 20, 2020 (as amended, the "Invitation Memorandum"). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Invitation Memorandum.

Pursuant to the Invitation Memorandum, the Republic will terminate the Invitation on August 20, 2020 (the "Settlement Deadline") if the settlement has not occurred by such date; provided that, the Republic has the right to extend the Settlement Deadline to September 1, 2020, with the consent of Eligible Holders representing a majority of the aggregate principal amount Outstanding of all Series of Eligible Bonds, as reasonably determined by the Republic in its sole discretion. The Invitation Memorandum provides that Eligible Holders who wished to have their Consent and Tender Orders certified for the purposes of extending the Settlement Deadline were required to quote a Unique Identifier Code in their Electronic Tender Instruction in Euroclear or Clearstream.

The Invitation is contingent upon the satisfaction of the condition that, on or prior to the settlement of the Invitation, the International Monetary Fund (the "IMF") shall have announced an IMF staff level agreement on a new funded program for Ecuador (the "IMF Condition"). The Republic is in continued negotiations with the IMF to satisfy the IMF Condition.

Accordingly, in accordance with the terms of the Invitation Memorandum, the Republic is seeking the consent of Eligible Holders to extend the Settlement Deadline to September 1, 2020 by contacting directly those Eligible Holders that quoted a Unique Identifier Code in their Electronic Tender Instruction.

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Eligible Holders, or custodians for such holders, of Eligible Bonds may obtain a copy of the Invitation Memorandum by contacting the Information, Tabulation and Exchange Agent at the contact information set forth below, or by download, following registration, via: https://gbsc-usa.com/ecuador.

This announcement is for informational purposes only and is not an invitation or a solicitation of consents of any holders of Eligible Bonds. The Invitation to Eligible Holders of Eligible Bonds was only made pursuant to the Invitation Memorandum.

Ecuador will continue to make (or cause to be made) all announcements regarding the Invitation by press release in accordance with applicable law.

Ecuador did not register the Invitation, the Eligible Bonds or the New Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities law. The Invitation was not made in the United States or to any U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Invitation was only made to (A) "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, (B) "accredited investors" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ("institutional accredited investors") and (C) (x) persons outside the United States, (y) if located within a member state of the European Economic Area or in the United Kingdom, a "qualified investor" as defined in Regulation (EU) 1129/2017, and (z) if located outside the EEA or the UK, is eligible to receive this invitation under the laws of its jurisdiction. Only holders of Eligible Bonds who returned a duly completed eligibility letter certifying that they were within one of the categories described in the immediately preceding sentence were authorized to receive and review the Invitation Memorandum and to participate in the Invitation ("Eligible Holders").

NONE OF THE DEALER MANAGER, THE TRUSTEE, THE INFORMATION, TABULATION AND EXCHANGE AGENT, THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES MADE ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER HOLDERS SHOULD DELIVER THEIR CONSENTS OR TENDER THEIR ELIGIBLE BONDS PURSUANT TO THE INVITATION, AND NO ONE WAS AUTHORIZED BY ANY OF THEM TO MAKE SUCH A RECOMMENDATION.

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The Republic of Ecuador

Ministry of Economy and Finance Av. Amazonas entre Pereira y Union Nacional de Periodistas

Plataforma Gubernamental de Gestion Financiera, Pisos 10 y 11 Quito, Ecuador

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A fresh political row has broken out after the Government published proposals for implementing the long-awaited Troubles pension scheme.

The guidance released on Friday states that anyone convicted of causing atrocities should not be eligible.

Those with a recent terrorism conviction of any sort will also be unable to access the compensation.

Legislation for the pension scheme was approved by MPs last year in the absence of an Executive and was scheduled to open on May 29, but has since been delayed.

Read More

It will see those who were injured during the Troubles receive between 2,000 and 10,000 annually.

The proposals were published by Secretary of State Brandon Lewis, and come amid an ongoing standoff over the implementation of the scheme to support those physically or psychologically injured during the Troubles.

The guidelines added that the Government can step in and overrule an independent board decision, which will judge payments on a case by case basis if it feels they have been breached.

Read More

First Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the guidelines and said it would be "wholly wrong for bombers" to be award a pension, while Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly claimed that it was designed to "protect and reward state forces".

Sinn Fein has refused to proceed with implementation by failing to designate a Stormont department to administer the scheme.

The party believes the Government's approach could exclude thousands of injured republicans.

The Commission for Victims and Survivors said it would be taking legal advice on the impact of the guidance.

Aside from the eligibility row, the Government and Stormont Executive are at odds over who should fund the 100 million scheme.

Mrs Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill believe extra money is needed from the Treasury, but Westminster insists that Stormont should foot the bill.

The new guidelines automatically ruled out anyone injured in an act they were responsible for.

Under the scheme, any injured individuals with a serious conviction - those who were given a 30-month-plus prison sentence - must have their cases assessed by an independent adjudication board to decide whether they are eligible for the payment.

Even if the board sets aside this guidance and awards compensation, the Government said it reserved the right to intervene and veto it.

Mrs Foster believes the guidance was "another small step" towards innocent victims receiving a pension, and blamed Sinn Fein for the delay.

"The blockage remains that the Deputy First Minister has not agreed to designate the Department of Justice [DoJ] to process the pension," she said.

"Whilst Sinn Fein ministers in the Executive agreed to allocate a 2.5m to enable preparatory work to be done by the Executive Office, they have not agreed to the DoJ being designated as the department to drive forward and make the payments.

"Four of the five Executive parties are agreed that DoJ is the appropriate department.

"It is time for Sinn Fein to make the needs of innocent victims, from all over the British Isles and of all political backgrounds, a priority and allow the pension to move forward."

Mr Kelly slammed the guidelines.

He said: "This is entirely discriminatory, it's exclusionary, and it is there to protect British forces during the conflict, and actually to reward them, and to exclude as many republicans and nationalists as they possibly can.

"Their intent here is not about reconciliation, it's not about moving the whole process forward. It's about protecting state forces during this conflict and putting the blame on everybody else."

Mr Kelly also said Sinn Fein did not want to see anyone excluded from the scheme, with the payments administered on the "basis of need".

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said Sinn Fein has "danced on the head of a pin" for long enough and a failure to implement the scheme is a failure to support the victims.
(Repeats Aug. 13 column with no changes. John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)

* Chartbook: https://tmsnrt.rs/3fUX56y

By John Kemp

LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - U.S. petroleum inventories show clear signs of trending lower as consumption slowly recovers from the epidemic and lockdowns, while Saudi Arabia restricts production and directs volumes away from North America.

Total petroleum inventories fell last week for the fourth time in five weeks, and are now down more than 17 million barrels since early July, according to data from the U.S Energy Information Administration.

The drawdown has started to whittle away some of the 222 million barrels built up between the end of March and the end of June ("Weekly petroleum status report", EIA, Aug. 12).

Petroleum inventories are still 148 million barrels (7.5%) higher than at the same time last year and 137 million barrels (7.0%) above the five-year average (https://tmsnrt.rs/3fUX56y).

But the relentless increase in stocks during the second quarter has given way to consistent draws which indicates the market has switched from a production surplus to deficit.

The first phase of rebalancing has been concentrated entirely in crude, where stocks have fallen 27 million barrels since early July, accounting for all the total draw over this period.

Crude inventories, including the strategic petroleum reserve, are still 46 million barrels (4%) above the five-year average, but the surplus has shrunk from 64 million (6%) in mid-July.

The drawdown in crude stocks has been accelerated by a sharp slowdow in crude oil imports, especially from Saudi Arabia.

Crude imports are running well under 6 million barrels per day, close to recent lockdown lows, and among the slowest rates since the early 1990s.

For the fourth week running, imports from Saudi Arabia were well below the average for the past year.

Volume warfare, which sent U.S. inventories surging when extra tankers discharged their cargoes into the United States between late May and early July, has given way to an effort to starve the U.S. market to bring stocks down.

Story continues

By contrast, inventories of refined fuels and intermediate semi-refined products, have not shown a consistent down trend. Distillate fuel oil stocks, in particular, have remained stubbornly high.

Fuel consumption and refinery crude runs are edging slowly higher but remain 8% and 15% respectively below the prior-year five-year average.

In turn, weak fuel consumption and bloated stocks are weighing on product prices and keeping margins, especially for distillates, close to multi-year lows.

By restricting crude processing well below prior-year levels, refiners are gradually digesting the excess stocks built up during lockdown, but progress is much slower than the rebalancing of the crude market.

Related columns:

- Refining margins mired between OPEC+ and recession (Reuters, Aug. 7)

- U.S. crude stocks stabilise as Saudi export surge ends (Reuters, July 30)

- U.S. refiners trim crude processing as recovery falters (Reuters, July 23) (Edting by David Evans)
A study by researchers in South Korea last month suggested that children between the ages of 10 and 19 spread the coronavirus more frequently than adults  a widely reported finding that influenced the debate about the risks of reopening schools.

But additional data from the research team now calls that conclusion into question; its not clear who was infecting whom. The incident underscores the need to consider the preponderance of evidence, rather than any single study, when making decisions about childrens health or education, scientists said.

Some of the household members who appeared in the initial report to have been infected by older children in fact were exposed to the virus at the same time as the children. All of them may have been infected by contacts they shared.

The disclosure does not negate the overall message of that study, experts said: Children under age 10 do not spread the virus as much as adults do, and the ability to transmit seems to increase with age.
The 45-page advisory is an "extensive, technical analysis on specific threats."

The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and FBI released an advisory on cybersecurity on August 13 warning about previously undisclosed Russian malware.

The malware is a set of hacking tools named "Drovorub," the agencies said in a news release, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported.

Read alsoNumber of cyber attacks on Ukraine's government agencies grows by 56% within week

It said a unit within Russia's GRU military intelligence agency  the 85th Main Special Service Center (GTsSS), military unit 26165  was deploying the malware as part of its cyberespionage operations.

The GTsSS, the agencies said, is associated with the hackers who broke into the Democratic National Committee in the months leading up the 2016 presidential election.

That group, known as APT28 or "Fancy Bear," and other Russian hacking groups have been blamed in recent years by multiple Western governments, think tanks, and corporations for carrying out numerous cyberattacks.

The cybersecurity advisory published on August 13 is the latest statement from the U.S. government aimed at publicizing Russian hacking operations ahead of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

The 45-page advisory is an "extensive, technical analysis on specific threats," NSA Cybersecurity Director Anne Neuberger said in the news release.

"By deconstructing this capability and providing attribution, analysis, and mitigations, we hope to empower our customers, partners, and allies to take action," Neuberger said.

The Drovorub hacking tool is designed to break into computers based on the Linux operating system, which is commonly used to run web-based computer servers.

Among the actions that Drovorub enables are file download and upload capabilities, the execution of arbitrary commands, and techniques to evade detection.

The advisory provides guidance to systems administrators and network security specialists so they can defend against the malware. It includes detection strategies, mitigation techniques, configuration recommendations, and other tips to reduce the risk of compromise.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has said, the conduct of the 2020 elections will not be impaired by the Friday mornings fire outbreak that destroyed part of its Greater Accra Regional office at Sapeiman near Amasaman.

The electoral management body assures the public that data at the office is safe and secure as the affected portion is the storage facility for electoral materials.

Public Relations Officer of EC, Slyvia Annor told Citi News, preliminary investigations into the fire incident has also commenced to ascertain the cause of the inferno.

She further disclosed the fire will not affect the commissions work towards the December 7, 2020 polls.

Portions of the Greater Accra Regional Office warehouse was gutted by fire in the early hours of today, Friday, destroying some old election materials that have been stored over the period but thankfully the Ghana National Fire Service was able to stop the fire from spreading to the other offices.

The matter is being investigated by the Ghana National Fire Service as well as the security agencies and as soon as the report is ready we will make it available. It is important to assure the general public that the fire outbreak will not affect the conduct of the 2020presidential and parliamentary elections, she said.

The fire started at about 2:30 am on Friday, August 14, 2020.

According to the police, they immediately informed the Ghana National Fire Service about the outbreak after they received the information.

Four fire tenders from Amasaman, Kotoku, Nsawam and Abelemkpe were brought onto the scene to quench the fire and provide security, a statement from the Greater Accra Command of the Ghana Police Service mentioned.

The EC in a separate statement said the fire did not affect the main administration block contrary to widespread reports on social media.

It said the fire struck the storage facility of the office and destroyed a number of used items including old forms, ballot boxes and referendum stationery and that its data centre is intact.

The Commission entreats the General Public to ignore the falsehood being peddled on social media to the effect that its Data Centre was destroyed by the fire. The Electoral Commission assures the General Public that its Data Centre is safe and secure, the statement noted.

---citinewsroom
D onald Trump has fuelled racist conspiracy theories that Kamala Harris may not be eligible to run for the White House.

On Thursday, the US president told reporters he had heard rumours that Ms Harris did not meet necessary requirements to serve as VP.

Ms Harris became the first woman of colour to serve as a running mate on a main partys presidential ticket when she was named by Joe Biden as his number two.

The California senator, was born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother in Oakland, California in 1964.

Who is Kamala Harris?

However, online misinformation campaigns have pushed so-called birther falsehoods  that she may not be a natural born citizen under the US constitution.

Probed on the alleged rumours regarding her eligibility for one of the countrys top jobs, Mr Trump said: "I have no idea if that's right. I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice-president.

But, he added that he considered the rumours very serious.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump campaign adviser Jenna Ellis reposted a tweet from the head of conservative group Judicial Watch.

The tweet posted by Tom Fitton questioned whether Ms Harris was "ineligible to be vice president under the US Constitution's Citizenship Clause'".

Mr Fitton also shared an opinion piece published by a law professor at Chapman University in California.

In the article, Professor John Eastman quotes Article II of the constitution, saying: No person except a natural born citizen shall be eligible to the office of President".

Prof Eastman's argument is grounded on the idea that Ms Harris may not have been subject to US jurisdiction if her parents were, for example, on student visas at the time of their daughter's birth.

US election: Biden stretches lead over Trump to eight points

Another constitutional law expert told CBS News, that Prof Eastman's suggestion was "truly silly".

Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of Berkeley Law School, wrote in an email: "Under section 1 of the 14th Amendment, anyone born in the United States is a United States citizen.

"The Supreme Court has held this since the 1890s. Kamala Harris was born in the United States."

Meanwhile, Jessica Levinson, professor at Loyola Law School in LA said any suggestion Ms Harris was ineligible for the role was wrong  "full stop, end of story, period, exclamation point.

"Let's just be honest about what it is, she said.

It's just a racist trope we trot out when we have a candidate of colour whose parents were not citizens.

Mr Trump was a high-profile force behind the so-called "birther movement"  the lie that questioned whether Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, was entitled to serve.

Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Mr Trump disavow the claims.
'Alarming spike' in COVID-19 cases at nursing homes in July after June drop

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Nursing homes in the United States have experienced an alarming spike in new COVID-19 cases during July after cases of the virus dropped significantly in June, according to federal data.

A report released Tuesday by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living cites recent data by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that shows there were 8,628 new weekly COVID-19 cases at nursing homes reported on July 19, the last week of data available.

By comparison, the number of weekly COVID-19 cases at nursing homes fell to 5,468 a month earlier on June 21 after having been as high as 9,072 in late May.

With the recent major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we were very concerned this trend would lead to an increase in cases in nursing homes and unfortunately it has, said Mark Parkinson, president AHCA/NCAL, which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities.

This is especially troubling since many nursing homes and other long term care facilities are still unable to acquire the personal protective equipment and testing they need to fully combat this virus.

Weekly reported COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes in the U.S. have plummeted from just over 3,000 reported weekly deaths in late May. After a slight uptick in recent weeks, there were 1,458 weekly COVID-19-related deaths at nursing homes reported on July 19.

On July 14, Parkinson sent a letter to the National Governors Association warning of another potential for outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted living facilities due to the spike in new coronavirus cases that occurred in several states, a shortage of personal protective equipment and testing delays.

Given the fact we are several months into the response of this pandemic and the lack of PPE supplies is still an issue is very concerning, the letter says. We request governors and state public health agencies to help secure and direct more PPE supplies to nursing homes and assisted living communities, especially N95 masks.

Parkinson is also calling for Congress to authorize an additional $100 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services relief fund for all healthcare providers impacted by the pandemic.

Without adequate funding and resources, the U.S. will end up repeating the same mistakes from several months ago, he stressed. We need Congress to prioritize our vulnerable seniors and their caregivers in nursing homes and assisted living communities in this upcoming legislation.

The new report comes as visitation protocols for nursing homes in the U.S. largely vary. Additionally, some state governments have faced scrutiny over their responses to the virus.

In March, many nursing homes and assisted living facilities around the country enacted policies preventing residents from receiving visits from family members.

Many families went months without seeing their loved ones. And in some cases, families were prevented from being with their loved ones when they passed.

Reopening long term care facilities is important for our residents wellbeing and caregivers and providers recognize the importance of visitations of family and friends, Parkinsons letter to the NGA reads. To accomplish this goal, nursing homes and assisted living communities need additional support from federal and state public health agencies in order to protect residents and caregivers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid published guidance for state and local officials in May on how they should phase nursing home reopenings to allow for visits once nursing homes have had no new cases of the virus for 28 days and are able to provide adequate testing and PPE.

According to AARP, scheduled visits are allowed in most states at nursing facilities that have decided to reopen and have met certain requirements. Policies again vary on whether visits must be outdoors. AARP reports that 10 states only allow compassionate care visits for patients with a terminal diagnosis or in an end-of-life situation.

After seeing a rise in nursing home COVID-19 cases in his state, West Virginia Gov. halted nursing home visits again in his state this week, except for in end-of-life situations.

In New York, there has been much controversy surrounding discrepancies in the states figures on the number of people who have died in nursing homes after contracting COVID-19.

With a coronavirus nursing home death toll that was already among the highest in the U.S., the states death toll in nursing homes could be an undercount by thousands because it only counts the number of people who died on nursing home property, not those transported to hospitals.

According to The Associated Press, New Yorks top health official was grilled by state lawmakers last week and the state has failed to disclose how many nursing home patients died from COVID-19 at hospitals.

The family members of loved ones who died in nursing homes have called for an independent investigation into Gov. Andrew Cuomo administrations coronavirus response.

Earlier this year when the pandemic began, Cuomo ordered nursing homes to house COVID-19 positive patients, a decision that has received much scrutiny.

According to the states own numbers, more than 6,600 patients have died in nursing homes after contracting COVID-19.
The nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our fight against this virus, he said.

IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind addresses the nation on the eve of 74th Independence Day in New Delhi. Photograph: @rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday appreciated the "super-human efforts" in containing the magnitude of the coronavirus pandemic in the country and said these are "worth emulating" by the wider world.

In his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, the president complimented the COVID warriors and said the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of the country's fight against this virus.

"All corona warriors deserve high praise," Kovind said in his televised address.

He said it is very reassuring to note that the central government, while anticipating the tremendous challenge, responded effectively and well in time.

"For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires super-human efforts," the president said.

He lauded all state governments for taking measures in accordance with local circumstances.

"People also supported whole-heartedly. With our committed efforts, we have succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saving a large number of lives. This is worth emulating by the wider world," he said.

The nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our fight against this virus, he said.

"Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes. All corona warriors deserve high praise. They go much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services," Kovind said.

These doctors, health workers, members of disaster management teams, police personnel, sanitation workers, delivery staff, transportation, railway and aviation personnel, providers of various services, government employees, social service organisations and generous citizens have been scripting inspiring stories of courage and selfless service, he said.

"When cities and towns go quiet and roads are deserted, they work tirelessly to ensure that people are not deprived of health care and relief, water and electricity, transport and communication facilities, milk and vegetables, food and groceries, medicine and other essentials. They risk their own lives to save our life and livelihood," Kovind said.

He said the country has learnt some tough lessons in 2020 due to the invisible virus which has demolished the illusion that human beings are the masters of nature. "I believe, it is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature."

Kovind said the pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny.

"In my view, 'human-centric collaboration' is more important than 'economy-centric inclusion', in the present context. The greater this change, the better it will be for humanity," he said, adding that the 21st century should be remembered as the century when humanity put aside differences and collaborated to save the planet.

"The second lesson is that we are all equal before Mother Nature and we primarily depend on our fellow residents for survival and growth. Coronavirus does not recognise any artificial divisions created by human society. This reinforces the belief that we need to rise above all man-made differences, prejudices, and barriers," Kovind said.

He said compassion and mutual help have been adopted as basic values by the people in India.

"We need to further strengthen this virtue in our conduct. Only then can we create a better future for all of us," he said.

The third lesson is about augmenting health infrastructure, the president said.

"Public hospitals and laboratories have been leading the fight against COVID-19. Public health services have helped the poor cope with the pandemic. In view of this, public health infrastructure needs to be expanded and strengthened," he said.

Noting that the poor and daily wage-earners are the worst hit by the pandemic, Kovind said, "In order to support them through this phase of crisis, virus containment-efforts have been supplemented by welfare interventions. By introducing 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana', the government has enabled crores of people to earn their livelihood, and mitigate the impact of job-loss, dislocation and disruption caused by the pandemic."

He said in the fight against COVID-19, life and livelihood, both are essential.

"We have looked at the current crisis as an opportunity to initiate reforms to revitalise the economy for the benefit of all, especially farmers and small entrepreneurs. Landmark reforms have been introduced in the agriculture sector. Now, farmers can have barrier-free trade and get the best price for their produce anywhere in the country," Kovind said.

He said the celebrations of Independence Day this year will be rather restrained.

"The reason is obvious. The whole world confronts a deadly virus which has disrupted all activities and taken a huge toll. It has altered the world we lived in before the pandemic," the President said.

Kovind said India also reached out to help other countries in their fight against COVID-19.

"In responding to calls from countries for supply of medicines, India has once again shown that it stands by the global community in times of distress. We have been at the forefront in evolving regional and global strategies for an effective response to the pandemic," the President said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 14

By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend:

Establishing links between medical scientists and doctors of Turkmenistan and Russias Tatarstan will allow combining efforts to counter the coronavirus pandemic, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

This was stated during a meeting of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia's Republic of Tatarstan of Russia Albert Karimov.

The parties noted the high level of bilateral relations in the medical industry and the particular importance of cooperation in the medical industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

The sides also highlighted a high level of ties in a number of other sectors.

During the meeting, it was decided to further expand the partnership in all priority areas of mutual interest.

As earlier Tatarstan Investment Development Agency (TIDA) told Trend, that friendly relations have been established between Tatarstan and Turkmenistan, reflected both in their business ties, and the development of cultural, humanitarian, scientific, technical and economic relations

The Consulate General of Turkmenistan was opened in Kazan in 2019. Last year, Tatarstan took part in the first Caspian Economic Forum in Turkmenistan.

Branches of the leading companies of Tatarstan, such as KAMAZ, Tatneft and IED-Holding, operate in Turkmenistan.

Reportedly, to date, Turkmenistan has no registered cases of COVID-19.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva
(Natural News) BREAKING: Portland, Oregon now stands on the verge of collapse into total lawlessness and anarchy, all by design, as Oregon State Police are pulling out of the city following the decision of the local district attorney to drop nearly all charges against rioters who violently assault law enforcement officials.

Once again, a radical left-wing D.A. is deliberately plunging their own city into chaos, abandoning their duty to uphold the rule of law for the protection of the innocent residents of that city.

In essence, Portland is now being plunged into the kind of lawless, left-wing violence that characterized the CHAZ / CHOP zone in Seattle, which was openly allowed to be taken over by criminal terrorists with the blessing of the Mayor of Seattle and the Governor of Washington (both of whom must face arrest and prosecution for treason).

Portland, Oregon is about to become a Third World war zone run by violent terrorists and gangs. This is what Democrats want, because they hate America.

Oregon State Police troopers are leaving Portland despite continued violence in the states largest city, reports The Epoch Times. Capt. Timothy Fox, a state police spokesman, told The Epoch Times that the decision stemmed from the district attorney overseeing Portland deciding not to pursue some criminal charges.

The Oregon State Police is continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and, at this time, we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority, Fox said in an emailed statement late Thursday.

Law enforcement has had enough; they are escaping Portland while they still can COLLAPSE into anarchy now imminent

Paraphrased, Capt. Timothy Fox just told Portland officials that if they wont even lift a finger to uphold the rule of law, the Oregon State Police arent going to keep risking the health and safety of their own officers to try to stop rioters and terrorists that appear to be fully supported by local Portland officials.

We are now witnessing the willful collapse of Portland into lawlessness and anarchy, all by design, with the complicity of Mayor Wheeler and Governor Brown, both of whom are criminal traitors engaged in acts of open insurrection against the United States of America.

If they will not uphold the law and the constitutional protections of equal justice under the law, they are guilty of dereliction of duty and should be arrested and prosecuted for their treasonous crimes against the people of Portland.

On the other hand, Portland is largely full of libtard leftists who voted for these so-called leaders, so theyre essentially getting exactly what they voted for: CHAOS, lawlessness, murder, violence, economic collapse and treason. When you vote for Democrats who hate America, you shouldnt be surprised when they use the power you gave them to destroy everything they can. Thats their mission.

Portland property values will now collapse, and so will city property tax revenues and sales taxes

Theres no doubt whatsoever that property values will now collapse in Portland as business owners and informed residents take every measure possible to flee the city before left-wing terrorists and rioters burn it to the ground probably while Ted Wheeler watches and applauds his new, twisted, progressivism.

The term Democrat has now become synonymous with terrorism and stupidity, and we are watching Democrats all across America burn down their own cities, plunging them into anarchy by cutting police funding and refusing to prosecute street criminals.

These are all the same treasonous Democrats, remember, who also say no citizen should have a right to own a gun for self-protection. So while the police flee the insanity, and the citizens are banned from buying guns, the local Democrat politicians release violent criminals from the prisons and actually side with terrorists, rioters and arsonists as they burn their own cities to the ground. Then they claim all the problems are Trumps fault.

At some point, watching all this, America must ask the obvious question: Is this what Democrats have in mind for the entire country if Joe Biden wins the election?

Will they disband all police, release all violent criminals from the prisons, then declare anyone a racist if they refuse to allow their small business to be burned to the ground by Black Lives Matter rioters?

Democrats have now crossed the line into the criminally insane, and no one is more criminal or insane than Kamala Harris, who we now know took bribes from church officials to cover up heinous sex abuse crimes committed by church leaders. It turns out theres nothing Kamala Harris wont do for money and power, just like Newsom, Inslee, Brown, granny-murdering Cuomo and all the other left-wing Democrat governors who somehow think theyre hurting Trump by plunging their own local cities into anarchy and economic collapse.

These people are truly the enemies of America. Maybe its time Trump officially designated them as such so that we could start cleaning them out and restoring sanity to our nations great cities.

Learn how to survive the coming global reset. Download my free nine-hour audio book and printable transcript at GlobalReset.news

See the trailer here:
A Florida sheriff facing a primary contest has been arrested following a sex scandal investigation at his previous job involving a female corrections officer and trumped-up stalking allegations.

Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, 54, turned himself in to the jail in Jacksonville on Thursday. He was charged with a felony count of tampering with evidence and three misdemeanor counts of giving false information to law enforcement.

He was released without bond that same day after being processed.

Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels, 54, is seen making a statement maintaining his innocence following his arrest Thursday on felony and misdemeanor charges

Daniels previously worked as the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office jails director. He was elected sheriff of Clay County, just southwest of Jacksonville, in 2016.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed an internal investigation last year into Cierra Smith, a corrections officer more than 20 years Daniels' junior who had been his mistress for six years while he was her supervisor.

Officials said Daniels had tried to get Smith arrested in May 2019 on stalking allegations, and investigators told prosecutors there wasn't enough evidence. Smith resigned while under investigation for misconduct claims.

Daniels' attorney Matt Kachergus told the Florida Times-Union that the timing of the arrest seems suspicious in light of a primary election scheduled for next Tuesday. Daniels remains on the Tuesday ballot, where he faces six Republican challengers.

'It would appear that the timing of this is designed to influence the outcome of that election,' Kachergus said, adding he only learned two days ago that prosecutors planned to file charges.

Daniels (left) has been accused of trying to get his former mistress and subordinate, Cierra Smith (right), arrested on baseless stalking charges last year

Smith said she first met Daniels as a 21-year-old working as a corrections officer under his supervision at the Duval County Jail

To avoid a conflict of interest, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis assigned the case to the State Attorney's Office in Ocala, which does not handle Clay County or Jacksonville cases.

The governor has the authority to suspend local elected officials charged with felonies, though no suspension had been issued Thursday night.

Smith, who continued her affair with the married Daniels for about six years, resigned last year after being found guilty of official misconduct

Just hours after his release from jail, an indignant Daniels, still wearing his sheriff's badge over his breast pocket, released a videotaped statement maintaining his innocence and questioning the timing and circumstances of his arrest.

Daniels insinuated that the State Attorney's Office was pursuing an 'ulterior motive' to impact the primary election when prosecutors decided to bring the charges against him on Thursday.

He characterized the allegations against him as 'baffling' and declared that he is 'innocent.'

'I want you to look past the smoke screen of dirty politics,' Daniels said. 'One thing I take ownership of as a man is my failures as a husband. That has nothing to do with me as a sheriff.'

Daniels claimed that the State Attorney's Office had offered him a non-prosecution deal if he agreed to voluntarily step down, withdraw his name from the ballot before Friday, pay a fine and never run for sheriff in any county in the area.

'Listen, theres been folks whove tried to bully me in my life and thats one thing Ive never tolerated,' he said. 'Ive never tolerated being bullied. Not from a child and certainly not as a man and not as the sheriff of this county.'

The sordid saga began unfolding in 2013, when Smith was a 21-year-old corrections officer at Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and Daniels was 48 years old and the director of the Duval County Jail, according to extensive reporting by News4Jax.

Daniels' wife of more than 30 years, Denis (with him, left), filed for divorce in July 2019

Speaking to First Coast News last year, Smith admitted to having a six-year affair with her married supervisor, which continued even after she wed US Army Lt Larry Smith.

Lt Smith told Folio Weekly that Daniels, who went by the nickname 'Uncle D,' was a constant presence in their lives and acted as a mentor, even offering him relationship advice.

The couple's marriage fell apart in 2017 after the husband allegedly found sexually explicit email exchanges, photos and videos depicting his wife and Sheriff Daniels.

The internal affairs investigation into the lovers began in July 2018 after her by then-estranged husband reported the affair to JSO.

Investigators determined there was sufficient evidence to file departmental charges against Cierra Smith, including trespassing, departure from the truth, failure to be candid, failure to conform with work standards and unbecoming conduct.

An allegation that Smith had sex with her boss at work was not substantiated.

Smith was initially placed on restricted desk duty pending the outcome of the probe. At the conclusion of the investigation, having been found guilty of multiple violations, she was recommended for termination but instead resigned.

In early May 2019, Daniels filed a report accusing Smith, who was reportedly pregnant at the time with her second child, of keeping a gun in her car and following him in a 'manner that caused him great concern.'

He ordered his deputies to arrest the woman for stalking him, but the officers refused to comply, saying there was no probable cause to make the arrest, according to court records.

Two months later, Daniels' wife of more than 30 years, Denise Daniels, filed for divorce, characterizing her marriage as 'irretrievably broken' in the court paperwork.
James Durbin/Midland Reporter-Telegram

After nearing a five-month high with a $1 gain Wednesday, crude prices retreated as the week came to an end, weakened by rising concerns about a resurgence of the novel coronavirus and its impact on global economies as well as the postponement of talks between the U.S. and China this weekend to review progress on their phase one trade agreement.

West Texas Intermediate on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 23 cents, or 0.5 percent, to close at $42.01 a barrel. The posted price ended the week at $38.50 a barrel. Despite two days of decline that eroded Wednesdays jump, prices recorded a 1.9 percent gain for the week.
Kim Kardashian posted a super cute photo with her fluffy Pomeranian pooch Sushi on Thursday.

But all eyes were on Kim.

The reality star, 39, put her fabulous body on display in an itty bitty Skims cami and matching underwear.

Aww: Kim Kardashian posted a super cute photo with her fluffy Pomeranian pooch Sushi on Thursday

Despite being dressed down, Kim looked all glammed up as she posed with her dog cuddled against her body.

With her long lashes, dramatic eye shadow, and head full of long loose waves, Kim was a sight to behold in the underwear snap.

Kim jokingly captioned the snap, 'Say hello to my little friend.'

Kim has been heavily promoting her SKIMS line on her Instagram account, and earlier today was at it again, where she showed off a glimpse of her sprawling fitting room.

Looking fab: Kim showed off her sprawling fitting room on her Insta Stories this Thursday while plugging SKIMS

The reality star flaunted her trim midriff and famous curves as she modeled a few different outfits from her shapewear line.

Various clothes and shoes were strewn around the vast fitting room and a woman could be glimpsed in the background tidying up.

She recently returned from a family trip to the Caribbean in what was allegedly a bid to save her marriage to her third husband Kanye West.

Sizzling sensation: The 39-year-old reality star flaunted her trim midriff and famous curves as she modeled a few different outfits from her shapewear line

'Kim is focused on healing her relationship with Kanye and has been busy taking care of their kids and him,' shared an Us Weekly insider Thursday.

'She has been helping and supporting him a ton while hes been struggling with his mental health and wants him to know and feel that she is there for him through thick and thin,' the source explained to the magazine.

'The quarantine has been hard on Kanye and, in turn, has been difficult for her too. Their marriage definitely faced some hardships and was just hanging on with Kanye not being able to fully be present for their family, but ultimately Kim wants to keep everyone together and work things out for their kids.'

Doting mom: 'Kimye' married in Florence six years ago and share four children - North, seven, Saint, four, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one

'Kimye' married in Florence six years ago and share four children - North, seven, Saint, four, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one.

'They had a good family week in the Dominican Republic,' an insider dished to People magazine over this past weekend.

'Kim and Kanye are getting along. They both seem much happier,' continued the insider on August 9, the day the family arrived in Miami.

A source shed light on Kim's state of mind: 'Between the kids, work, and dealing with Kanye's bipolar episodes, it's been hard for her to think clearly.'

Workspace: Various clothes and shoes were strewn around the vast fitting room and a woman could be glimpsed in the background tidying up

Kanye praised Kim's mother Kris Jenner on Twitter this Tuesday just weeks after denouncing her on Twitter as 'Kris Jong-Un.'

'My mother in law Kris Jenner ... makes the best music playlist,' wrote Kanye, who slammed her multiple times on Twitter last month.

During the Caribbean trip a The Sun insider said Kim 'offered to fully support a 2024 run for president if he got help and listened to the political consultants they hired.'

However the source also claimed that he refuses to budge from the idea of running this year, saying: 'Kanye seems set on what he calls "God's plan" - that he becomes president. He's saying it's a higher calling.'

As seen in 2018: Her latest post comes after she, Kanye and the children returned to the United States following a trip to the Caribbean that was allegedly to save the marriage

Kim flew to Wyoming on July 27 for marriage crisis talks with Kanye and then returned home to Los Angeles while he stayed put.

After his presidential campaign rally on July 19 in which he tearfully revealed he and Kim considered aborting North, he launched into a days-long string of Twitter rants denouncing his wife and his mother-in-law.

He claimed Kim and Kris tried to have him committed and accused his wife of having an inappropriate relationship with the rapper Meek Mill.

Kanye, who called Kris a 'white supremacist' in one of his outbursts, also posted and deleted a tweet claiming he was 'trying to divorce' his wife.

Family matters: 'Kimye' married in Florence six years ago and share four children - North, seven, Saint, four, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one

Amid her husband's Twitter outbursts Kim, who was reportedly livid that he shared the abortion story publicly, made a statement saying the family was 'powerless' to intervene in Kanye's bipolar disorder issues inasmuch as he is an adult.

Kanye eventually suspended the tweet storms, apologizing to his wife 'for going public with something that was a private matter.'

However a few days after his crisis talks with Kim he broke his silence on the social media platform to address the campaign rally.

Sister act: Earlier this week Kim fired up her Instagram page to wish a happy 23rd birthday to 'The funniest and most loyal person on the planet,' her half-sister Kylie Jenner

'I cried at the thought of aborting my first born and everyone was so concerned about me... Im concerned for the world that feels you shouldnt cry about this subject,' wrote the Power rapper.

He followed that up with a Tweet that claimed: 'There is a tactic of 4 Ds Distract Discredit Dismiss To Destroy.'

Kanye continued in the same tweet: 'I am quite alright Take a second and think about what is being projected here.'
Benita Stipp (centre) and Mimi Ferguson (left) react as students at Norwich School, Norwich, receive their A-Level results (Joe Giddens/PA)

Englands exam regulator said it was forced to downgrade thousands of A-level results owing to implausibly high predictions submitted by teachers.

A-level results day descended in chaos as 39.1% of teachers estimates for pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more, according to data from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

The downgrades  amounting to some 280,000 entries  were enacted as the nations education officials grappled with the vexing issue of how to determine results in a year in which exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.

The Government is coming under increasing pressure to review its moderation and appeals system, with pupils complaining they have been let down, and experts warning poorer students will be affected most due to reassessments which consider schools past performances.

A protest by students, parents and teachers is planned for Downing Street on Friday morning, while at least one student is reportedly threatening legal action against Ofqual.

But Ofqual said it had been forced into the downgrades by inaccurate predictions by many teachers, although the vast majority had submitted accurate estimates.

Because there was no opportunity to develop a common approach to grading, the standard applied by different schools and colleges varies greatly, an Ofqual spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

A rare few centres put in implausibly high judgments, including one which submitted all A* and A grades for students in two subjects, where previously there had been normal distribution.

While the proportion of students with A-level grade reductions was largest among those from the most deprived backgrounds, the regulator has insisted there was no evidence of systemic bias.

Schools and colleges were told to submit the grades they thought each student would have received if they had sat the papers, alongside a rank order of students.

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Exam boards moderated these centre-assessment grades to ensure this years results were not significantly higher than previous years, and the value of students grades were not undermined.

After standardisation, the proportion of A-level entries awarded top grades still rose to an all-time high, with 27.9% securing an A or above this year, figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland show.

But school leaders warned of a great deal of volatility in results at individual centres, with some colleges reporting more than half of their grades had been adjusted downwards after moderation.

Overall, in England a total of 35.6% of grades were adjusted down by one grade, 3.3% were brought down by two grades and 0.2% came down by three grades, figures show.

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Some 85% of candidates classed as having a low socio-economic status by Ofqual had been predicted to achieve a C and above by their schools.

But this fell to 74.6% once final grades were calculated under this years new moderation process.

By contrast, the proportion of students from the least deprived backgrounds, or high socio-economic status, awarded a C and above fell by 8.3 percentage points during the process, from 89.3% to 81.0%.

Ministers are now facing calls to urgently review the moderation process in England and to make sure schools and colleges do not face financial barriers when lodging appeals for students.

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, who has written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, is concerned the process may have disadvantaged larger centres  such as colleges.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, called on the Government and Ofqual to review the moderation process in England as a matter of urgency.

A threat of legal action has been made by Curtiss Parfitt-Ford, an A-level student at a comprehensive school in west London, according to The Guardian. Supported by Foxglove, a non-profit organisation that campaigns against the misuse of digital technology, the student has demanded Ofqual corrects defects in the algorithm used to reassess grades, or be taken to court, the paper said.

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Whatsapp Friends Helen Lee, left, and Sophia-Ellis Shipp congratulate each other at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, after opening their A-level results (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Education unions  including the National Union of Students  have called on the Government to follow Scotlands lead and scrap moderated exam grades and use teachers original predicted grades instead.

On Tuesday, Scotlands Education Secretary said lowered marks would be reverted back to teachers estimates following an outcry from students and parents.

The Government announced late on Tuesday students in England would have the safety net of being able to use mock exam results as the basis for an appeal if they are higher than the calculated grade.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for all fees for A-level appeals to be waived in response to thousands of pupils having their results downgraded.

The Welsh Government has already announced there will be no fees for appeals there, but the Department for Education said appeal fees were a matter for individual exam boards in England, adding there was no charge if an appeal is upheld.

Sir Keir also urged the Government to consider the sort of grading U-turn made by the Scottish Government this week.

He said: The unprecedented and chaotic circumstances created by the UK Governments mishandling of education during recent months mean that a return to teacher assessments is now the best option available.

No young person should be at a detriment due to Government incompetence.

Time is running out. We need action in days, not weeks.

Mr Williamson ruled out following the Scottish Government in reversing position.

He told Sky News: When weve consulted widely, when Ofqual consulted widely (on) the whole system of awarding, this is the message that we got from everyone  this is the right approach to go forward.

Youve got to have a system that has checks and balances, that looks at the whole performance and making sure you maintain standards within the exam system, to ensure those results carry credibility.
Massachusetts cannabis company Temescal Wellness has announced it will destroy $2.6 million of previously quarantined vape cartridges following a decision by the Cannabis Control Commission to allow for the sale of cartridges that were quarantined last year.

Temescal Wellness, a vertically integrated company with locations in Framingham, Hudson and Pittsfield, said employees decided as a team that destroying the cartridges was the right thing to do.

We got together as a team, and asked, whats the right thing to do here? Weve always followed our safety and sanitation standards throughout the growing, processing, manufacturing, and selling of our cannabis products, said CEO Ted Rebholz.

Last year, the state banned vape sales for several months as consumers started getting sick with lung illnesses. Sales of newly manufactured vape products resumed in December. Vitamin E acetate has been found in vapes and has been identified as a chemical associated lung injury, or EVALI.

More than 600,000 vaporizer products manufactured by Massachusetts marijuana businesses before sales resumed on Dec. 12 remained in quarantine.

Although the states vaping ban did negatively impact our business, we support the assertion that there may be testing parameter gaps, Rebholz said. Importantly we recognize this is not suitable for our guests. Our team members are some of our most important customers, and the consensus was clear, these products are not representative of the brand weve built.

While vaping continues to be a popular method of cannabis consumption, Linda Katz, the vice president of sales and marketing at Temescal Wellness, said that vape sales are down 24% while consumption of marijuana flower remains consistent and the use of edibles and concentrates increases.

Our customers come to our stores with the confidence that they know our product quality is consistent and produced with high standards. Weve always had this at the core of our companys values, and that doesnt change when faced with tough decisions, Katz said. We intend to maintain our focus on providing products to our guests that improve their quality of life, and continuing to be good stewards of the communities we operate in.

New vape cartridges, and a range of other products, are available at Temescals three locations.

Earlier this month, the Cannabis Control Commission announced that marijuana companies would be able to retest and release, or destroy, cartridges that were quarantined since last years ban. The decision followed three phases of testing and a public comment period.

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After the export of lychee to Japan, it is the turn of longan to enter the Singaporean market and to other new markets in the near future.

These are also two kinds of specialty fruits with high yield grown in a number of provinces in the Red River delta which have been heavily dependent on the purchasing power of the Chinese market.

The penetration of Hai Duong longan into new markets is a success story for the Hai Duong agricultural sector as well as the Vietnamese agricultural sector in general amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the consumption of longan in many farming areas and the import of longan from the Chinese market.

This is also an important basis to affirm the quality and brand of the Hai Duong longan in both the domestic and international market.

The export of longan also brings about a higher income for local farmers as export longan is purchased at prices about 30% higher than the price of longan sold at the domestic market.

Currently, the whole province of Hai Duong has about 50 ha of longan grown according to VietGAP standards which is eligible for export to demanding markets.

Once Vietnamese agricultural products are produced under technical processes such as VietGAP and GlobalGAP, they can overcome the technical barriers of many import markets and be valued at higher prices than being consumed on the domestic market or exported to the Chinese market.

Therefore, agricultural production under regulated standards must be the direction of all fruit growing areas in the country so that the export for consumption of fruit is no longer an issue.

Each locality needs to form large production areas, with the connection between farmers and exporters being on the basis of complying with a closed process from initial production to the end consumption of products.

This also requires farmers to change their mindset from traditional farming based on inherited experience to farming using specific standards and techniques and gradually becoming "professional farmers".

Vietnamese authorities are conducting negotiations to pave the way for the Vietnamese longan to enter the Japanese market.

In addition, Vietnamese pomelo is also being negotiated for export to the Republic of Korea with the procedures expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.

Regarding the European market, the effectiveness of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is creating a significant advantage for Vietnamese agricultural exports.

These are favourable conditions for major fruit cultivation localities to quickly form and develop specialised farming areas with certifications of good agricultural practice to assist seizing export opportunities to fastidious markets while enhancing the added value of Vietnamese fruit.
Former President Pranab Mukherjees medical condition remains unchanged, the Army (R&R) Hospital, where Mukherjee is undergoing treatment since Monday, announced on Friday. The statement issued by the hospital said that the former president is under intensive care and continues to be on ventilatory support. His vital parameters are presently stable, it added.

The hospital, in its morning update on Thursday, had said that Mukherjee is deeply comatose with stable vital parameters and he continues to be on ventilatory support.

Mukherjee underwent a critical brain surgery to remove a clot in his brain after he suffered a fall at his Rajaji Marg residence on Sunday. Rumours about his health condition were doing the rounds on social media, but Mukherjees family took to Twitter to refute them.

My Father Shri Pranab Mukherjee is still alive & haemodynamically stable! Speculations & fake news being circulated by reputed Journalists on social media clearly reflects that Media in India has become a factory of Fake News, Mukherjees elder son and former Congress MP Abhijit tweeted.

His daughter and Congress leader Sharmishta urged media not to call her. Rumours about my father is false. Request, esply to media, NOT to call me as I need to keep my phone free for any updates from the hospital, she tweeted.

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The political resurrection of Kamala Harris has been nothing short of remarkable. It is just nine months since her presidential bid fizzed, two months before the first primary, when she failed to raise funds or support, especially from African Americans.

This week, after being selected by Joe Biden to be his running mate, she is making history  and being embraced and celebrated  as the daughter of a Jamaican man and an Indian mother, both immigrants, and thus the first black woman and first ever Indian American to be on a major party presidential ticket.

Kamala Harris went on the attack against the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus and the economy. Credit:AP

Together, Biden and Harris represent an utter repudiation of the Trump era. Their two faces  the older white guy, the younger black woman  signal the political transformation that is needed, that the next phase in American history will be forged by immigrants and people of colour. But getting there will require, initially at least, competence and experience, belief in government and the ability to right the multitude of wrongs wrought by Donald Trump.

Were going to inherit a nation in crisis, a nation divided, and a world in disarray, Biden said in his email announcing Harriss selection. We wont have a minute to waste.
Here are the main initiatives undertaken by the parties themselves and international mediators since the 1967 Middle East War

President Donald Trump is applauded after speaking in the Oval Office at the White House. (AP)

Jerusalem: A deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates intended to fully normalise relations follows a history of peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians and their Arab allies that have failed to overcome decades of distrust and violence.

Most Arab nations, including the UAE, have not recognised Israel or had formal diplomatic or economic relations with it because of what they regard as Israels thwarting of Palestinians aspirations for a state of their own.

Here are the main initiatives undertaken by the parties themselves and international mediators since the 1967 Middle East War, when Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Sinai peninsula and the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights:

1967 - U.N. Security Council Resolution 242

After the Six-Day War, U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 calls for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict in return for all states in the area to respect each others sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

The resolution is the foundation for many peace initiatives but its imprecise phrasing - is the reference to all territories or just some? - has complicated efforts for decades.

1978 - Camp David agreement

Israels Menachem Begin and Egypts Anwar Sadat agree on a framework for regional peace that calls for an Israeli withdrawal in stages from Egypts Sinai and a transitional Palestinian government in the West Bank and Gaza.

1979 - Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty

The first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country sets out plans for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Sinai within three years. in 1981, Sadat was assassinated by Islamist revolutionaries at a military parade in Cairo.

1991 - Madrid summit

Representatives of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) attend a peace conference. No agreements are reached but the scene is set for direct contacts.

1994 - Israel-Jordan agreement

Jordan becomes the second Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel. But the treaty is unpopular and pro-Palestinian sentiment is widespread in Jordan.

1993-1995 - Declaration of Principles/Oslo Accords

Israel and the PLO hold secret talks in Norway that result in interim peace accords calling for the establishment of a Palestinian interim self-government and an elected council in the West Bank and Gaza for a five-year transitional period, Israeli troop withdrawals and negotiations on a permanent settlement.

2000 - Camp David summit

U.S. President Bill Clinton convenes Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at Camp David. They fail to agree. Another Palestinian uprising ensues.

2002-2003 - Bush Declaration/Arab peace initiative/Road Map

George W. Bush becomes the first U.S. president to call for the creation of a Palestinian state, living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.

2002 - Saudi Arabia presents Arab League-endorsed peace plan for full Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and Israels acceptance of a Palestinian state in return for normal relations with Arab countries. The United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia present their own roadmap to a permanent two-state solution to the conflict.

2007 - Annapolis summit

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert fail to reach a deal at a U.S.-hosted summit. Olmert later says they were close to a deal but a graft investigation against him and a Gaza war in 2008 scupper any agreement.

2009 - Netanyahus Bar-Ilan address

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he would be prepared for a peace deal that includes the establishment of a demilitarised Palestinian state. He also sets another condition: Palestinian recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people.

2013 - 2014 - Washington peace talks/negotiations collapse

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry coaxes Israelis and Palestinians to resume talks. They fail and are suspended in April 2014.

June 2019 - Trump economic plan announced

Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, launches its preliminary stage in Bahrain. He takes an economy first approach, calling for a $50 billion investment fund to boost the Palestinian and neighbouring Arab economies. Palestinian leaders dismiss it.

2019

Netanyahu says he intends to annex West Bank settlements, and much of the Jordan Valley if elected. Later, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo effectively backs Israels claimed right to build Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank by abandoning a four-decade-old U.S. position that they were inconsistent with international law.

Arab League head Ahmed Aboul Gheit says in June 2019 the only acceptable resolution for Arab states is Israels acceptance of the initiative drawn up by Saudi Arabia in 2002.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Raanbhaji, a group of edible wild leafy vegetables, have greater nutritional value and medical benefits than regular market vegetables. The Church is promoting a sustainable development project in 13 villages, inhabited by Siddi, descendants of African slaves. The goal is to encourage younger generations to consume Raanbhaji.

Mumbai (AsiaNews)  "During the period of the lockdown, we instructed people to go back to eating [traditional] wild plants, said Fr Melwin Pais, director of the Sindhudurg Diocesan Development Society (SDDS), in Maharashtra.

The people in question are ethnic Siddis, who descend from African slaves brought to India by Arab merchants, Bishop Allwyn Barretto of Sindhudurg explained.

When slavery was abolished, the Siddi fled to the forests. Here they live isolated, in small villages, marginalised, he added. They work as farmers and manual labourers with few job opportunities.

Under lockdown, hundreds of millions of people became unemployed across India, compounding already high levels of poverty.

For this reason, Fr Pais had the idea of offering a chance for sustainable development by letting village women grow and harvest wild plants.

We organised an information programme about edible wild leafy vegetables (Raanbhaji), said the clergyman.

One elderly village woman, Ms Desai, explained how one can survive and [financially] support one's family with Raanbhaji.

These vegetables are considered healthier and with greater medical benefits than other market vegetables. People have consumed them for centuries. Now, according to Fr Pais, it's time to promote this food also among the younger generations.

The plants in question are: takala (Cassia Tora or wild senna), kurdu (Celosia Argentea), pevga, aloo (potato), ghol (amaranth), mayalu (Malabar spinach), saijan saag (moringa leaves), nalichi bhaji (water spinach), the shoots of kanaki, bamboo, chivari, and others.

Their nutritional value is higher than that of other greens, so much so that a market for Raanbhaji is developing.

Growing and tending to Raanbhaji has become a sustainable development project, promoted by the Diocese of Sindhudurg and Caritas India. At present, it is in place in at least 13 villages.
ALTON  A judge has set a firm Nov. 16 trial date for an Alton woman accused of involuntary manslaughter, even though the court may take significant measures for Corona virus safety.

Circuit Judge Kyle Napp said Thursday that the trial will go on because it has been delayed, in part because of the virus, since February 2018.

Defendant Amber Hampshire, 40, was charged in 2018 with involunary manslaughter and endangering the life or health of a child for allegedly failing to give diabetic treatment to her daughter, Emily Ikue-Rose Hampshire, 14, who died of her illness.

Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons said in 2018 that Hampshire purposely tried to hide her daughters condition.

On Thursday Napp set a trial date after a negotiated plea agreement fell through. The case was set for a plea hearing Thursday, but Hampshire apparently backed out just before the hearing. Hampshire is free after posting $10,000 bond.

Napp said the the jury will hear the case on the trial date, even if she has to take unusual measures such has having the witnesses sitting in the jury box and having jurors listening while sitting six feet apart the courtroom. Arrangements might have to be made for video viewing by the public, she said.

The court wants to move this case along. You should plan Nov. 16 for the trial date, unless I say it is not, she told the attorneys and the defendant. I know people might have other plans, but this takes precedence over that.

Napp said the lawyers must have witnesses prepared to appear, if subpoenaed.

We are going to pursue this case as if there is going to be a trial, Gibbons said, noting that an agreement may still be possible. He said the state is going to be ready with a strong case.

We have more than enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, he said.

In court documents filed shortly after the charges were filed, prosecutors say Hampshire attempted to hide her daughters diabetic condition and indicated the girl may have never received the treatments she needed to survive.

The Madison County States Attorneys Office went after records from medical insurance providers in an apparent effort to document whether defendant Hampshire, ever made claims for medical treatment for her daughter.

Defense attorney John Stobbs said he may filed a motion to suppress a statement before the case is heard by a jury.
It was the acclaimed Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh whom activist Shaparak Shajarizadeh credits with saving her life. Detained in February 2018 for taking part in the White Wednesday civil disobedience movement against Irans mandatory veiling law, Shajarizadeh was placed in solitary confinement while Iranian authorities denied her access to her lawyer. Released, briefly detained again the next month, and again in May while on holiday with her son, she began a hunger strike, initially refusing water. Nasrin came to prison and told me if you want to go on a hunger strike, thats okay, but drink water, Shajarizadeh tells TIME from Toronto, where she has lived in exile since September 2018.

A veteran of the 40-year-long fight for womens rights in Iran, Sotoudeh offered more than just reassurance. Her advocacy focussed international attention on the cases of activists detained for protesting Irans compulsory hijab law. It was thanks to Sotoudehs work as an attorney that Shajarizadeh was released on bail in May 2018. By the time an Iranian court handed down an in absentia prison sentence of 20 years, Shajarizadeh had already left the country with her young son. Nasrin was a pillar for us women at that time, Shajarizadeh says. She would talk to the media about our cases; she made sure the world was watching.

Two years on, Sotoudeh is the one risking her life in a hunger strike, while Shajarizadeh is trying to make sure the world pays attention. Sotoudeh was arrested in June 2018 on ambiguous charges connected to her work as an attorney, not long after defending Shajarizadeh and other activists. She has since been incarcerated at Tehrans notorious Evin Prison, joining other activists and intellectuals behind bars.

This is the second time in less than six months that Sotoudeh has gone on a hunger strike to demand the release of Irans political detainees during the global pandemic. She has once again put her life on the line for imprisoned journalists, womens rights defenders, juveniles, lawyers, religious minorities and environmentalists, says Canadas former justice minister Irwin Cotler, Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR) and part of the legal team representing Sotoudeh internationally, Her courage and commitment are unwavering.

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Iran is currently battling a surge in COVID-19 cases, and while Iranian officials said the country had released around 100,000 prisoners earlier this year, most political prisoners remain behind bars. (The virus can be transmitted easily in prisons and the U.N. has urged governments around the world to free political detainees during the pandemic.) For months, Sotoudeh has called for Iran to release her fellow prisoners of conscience. Political [activists] have been accused of unbelievable acts: espionage, corruption on earth, undermining national security, prostitution, forming illegal channels on [messaging app] Telegram which can keep them behind bars for up to 10 years or even lead to execution, Sotoudeh writes in a letter dated Aug. 11, seen by TIME. From the very start of the judicial process all the way through to sentencing, many suspects are denied independent legal representation or prevented from unrestrained consultation with their lawyers. She writes that since all correspondences remain unanswered, she decided to start a hunger strike on Tuesday.

Iranian women's rights activist Shaparak Shajarizadeh on the sidelines of The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, in Geneva on Feb. 18, 2020. | Fabrice CoffriniAFP/Getty Images

Tehrans Evin Prison has been Irans main facility for the detention of prisoners of conscience since 1972. Months into Sotoudehs initial five-year sentence there, authorities convicted her in absentia on seven additional charges including propaganda against the state, appearing at the judiciary without Islamic hijab, and encouraging prostitution. That brought her total sentence to 38 years and added 148 lashes to her sentence. The heaviest of these additional charges was a 12-year term for promoting immorality and indecency, Sotoudeh wrote in an opinion piece for TIME on International Womens DayIrans legal system obliges her to serve it before she is eligible for parole. Amnesty International has called both of the trials at which Sotoudeh was convicted grossly unfair.

Her first hunger strike, beginning March 16, started days after Iranian authorities announced they had temporarily released 85,000 prisoners. By the end of April Iran said it had released 100,000 prisoners as part of what a spokesman for the countrys judiciary called a significant move to protect prisoners health. But political prisoners were mostly left out of the mass furlough and hundreds remained in crowded, unsanitary quarters where social distancing was impossible.

As of Aug. 14, Iran had recorded over 19,000 deaths as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, already the highest figure in the Middle East. But according to a BBC investigation published on Aug. 3 the death toll could be triple that. And although Iranian officials have described their efforts to protect prisoners from the pandemic as exemplary, the U.N.s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continues to raise concerns over Irans incarceration of prisoners of conscience, including those reportedly ill with COVID-19 symptoms. Leaked letters obtained by Amnesty International in July show that the Iranian government has ignored repeated pleas from senior Iranian officials responsible for managing the countrys prisons for resources to control the spread of COVID-19 and treat infected prisoners. There are signs the virus is spreading inside Evin: out of 17 inmates prison authorities recently tested in a single ward, 12 tested positive for the virus, the Center for Human Rights in Iran reported on Aug. 11.

Sotoudehs initial hunger strike, which lasted six days, was highly effective, according to the Canada-based legal team that represents her internationally. Iranian authorities released prisoners in her ward whom she specifically requested be released, some with health issues or weak immune systems, says Yonah Diamond, a legal counsel at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. (TIME could not independently confirm a connection between Sotoudehs hunger strike and the release of specific prisoners.)

Still, Sotoudehs friends and family worry about her health. Her husband Reza Khandan told TIME in a statement that for the relatives of detained activists the most difficult days are when a family member goes on hunger strike. Khandan also highlights the life-threatening risks of declining food, noting that Iran has had bad experiences with hunger strikes among political prisoners in recent years. In December 2018, activist Vahid Sayadi Nasiri, who was detained in Qom Prison, died in his cell after a 60-day hunger strike.

Shajarizadeh, the exiled womens rights activist, can understand the physical and mental distress Sotoudeh is likely now experiencing. Although she says the symptoms vary from person to person, she acutely recalls the agony of her own hunger strikes. The prospect of Sotoudeh undertaking one when her immune system might need to fight a lethal virus fills Shajarizadeh with fear, she says, but she understands why its necessary. Sometimes, the only thing you have [to fight with] is your life.

Sotoudeh is one of the Iranian womens rights activists featured in 40 Million, a short documentary from director Jeff Kaufman for TIME. It can be viewed at the top of this page.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque is one of 31 locations nationwide that the U.S. Department of Defense is now considering to set up a new headquarters for the U.S. Space Command.

The U.S. Air Force officially launched a competition last May to choose a new, permanent home for the command, and in June, Mayor Tim Keller and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham jointly submitted a letter proposing Albuquerque as the new location. In response, the city will now be considered as a potential candidate for the headquarters in a formal evaluation process, the mayor and governor announced Friday afternoon.

If New Mexico lands the Space Command, it would bring more than 1,000 new jobs to the city, plus contract opportunities for local industry.

New Mexicos defense and science installations as well as our emphasis on a growing aerospace sector should give us an edge for this potential economic driver, Lujan Grisham said in a prepared statement.  I am excited that, with the mayors partnership, Albuquerque and our state are moving forward in this process.

The city and state have a strong case to make, given the extensive defense and space-related infrastructure thats already located here, Keller added.

It almost goes without saying what a boost this would mean for local businesses and jobs, but more than that, a permanent U.S. Space Command headquarters in Albuquerque just makes sense, Keller said in a statement. Our state is already emerging as a center of space exploration and research.

The DOD established the Space Command in August 2019 as the militarys 11th unified combatant command. Its temporarily located now at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.

Not Space Force

The command is separate from the new U.S. Space Force, which President Donald Trump authorized last December as the sixth branch of the U.S. military. The DOD is now rapidly standing up the Space Force, and New Mexico is already front and center in those efforts, given the myriad space-related defense entities housed at Kirtland Air Force Base.

That includes the Air Force Research Laboratorys Space Vehicles Directorate, which is currently leading much of the militarys research and development efforts to modernize space-related defense systems.

The Space Command, in contrast, is a unified combatant command that coordinates all branches of the military when conducting operations in, from or through space, said Scott Maethner, strategy and operations lead for New Space NM, an industry association working to connect New Mexico businesses with emerging opportunities in space. The command will oversee all military space operations, whether thats deterring aggression or defeating adversaries in an attack.

Stiff competition

The Air Force will make a final decision on headquarters location in early 2021, and New Mexico faces some stiff competition. Colorado, Alabama, Florida and Texas are all in the running, among others, and they all have extensive space and defense-related infrastructure, said New Space CEO Casey DeRaad.

But New Mexico also has major assets that make it a formidable contender, including the space-related defense entities that operate at Kirtland, plus extensive military infrastructure in Albuquerque and elsewhere. That includes White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, which offers testing and inland launch capabilities, DeRaad said.

The Starfire Optical Range at Kirtland also offers comprehensive ground-based monitoring of space assets and activity, making it a center of excellence for space domain awareness, DeRaad said. In addition, Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory offer high-tech support capabilities, and Kirtland itself offers extensive base infrastructure to accommodate Space Command personnel and their families.

I think we do have a good chance of coming in among the top contenders, DeRaad said. New Mexico is right up there as one of the key places for consideration.

Contenders must respond by Aug. 31 to the Air Forces official request for proposals, which was released Aug. 1, said Sherman McCorkle, founder of the Kirtland Partnership Committee. New Mexico will score high on military assets and ability to meet the Space Commands mission, although other states could offer lucrative cost-cutting incentives to lure the command, potentially outbidding New Mexico, McCorkle added.

New Mexicos entire congressional delegation is lobbying to land the Space Command.

New Mexico has a long history of leadership in both space exploration and national defense, dating back to the earliest days of the U.S. space program, said Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., in a prepared statement. New Mexico makes perfect sense right now as the best location for the new U.S. Space Command headquarters.
By Azernews

By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijani and Turkish defense ministers Zakir Hasanov and Hulusi Akar have observed the last episode of first large-scale Turkish-Azerbaijani joint drills being held across Azerbaijan, the Defense Ministry reported on August 13.

As part of a Distinguished Visitors Day held during the Live-Fire Joint Large-Scale Tactical and Flight-Tactical Exercises of the Land Forces and the Air Force of Azerbaijan and Turkey, the Heads of the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as the commanders of the types of troops of the armies of the two countries arrived at the training range to observe the final episode of the first stage of the exercises.

First, a briefing was presented on the planning of the exercise, the preparation process for the exercise, the deployment of troops, as well as the tasks that are being fulfilled on a step-by-step basis. After a detailed report on the progress of the exercises on the terrain board, the high-ranking guests got acquainted with the military personnel and military equipment involved in the exercises, as well as observed the practical implementation of the assigned tasks, the ministry noted.

During the joint tactical exercises, the servicemen and units of the armies of both countries have shown high professionalism and skills, the ministry said.

Moreover, the ministry said that the military personnel of the headquarters and units increased the experience in planning and performing joint actions, gained in previous exercises, demonstrated their readiness to cope worthily with the assigned tasks to achieve the strategic goals arising from national interests of both countries.

After the successful completion of the final episode of the first stage of the joint exercises, the guests met with the military personnel, awarded the distinguished servicemen and a photo was taken, the ministry added.

In the end, the delegations and exercise participants were presented with a musical program consisting of military marches of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

It should be noted that The Land and Air forces of the two countries are participating in the military exercises held in line with the agreement on military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, in accordance with the annual plan.

According to the plan, exercises involving the Land Forces were held from August 1 to 5 in Baku and Nakhchivan, while exercises involving the Air Forces were conducted from July 29 to August 10  in Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Kurdamir and Yevlakh.

The personnel, armoured vehicles, artillery and mortars, combat and transport helicopters of the Air Forces, as well as air defence and anti-aircraft missile divisions of the two armies, will be involved in the military exercises.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces General Yashar Guler, Commander of the Land Forces, General Umit Dundar, Commander of the Air Force of the Turkish Armed Forces General Hakan Kucukakyuzu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Adnan Ozbal? and other military visited Azerbaijan on August 12 evening to observe the drills.

President Ilham Aliyev received the Turkish military delegation on August 13 at a meeting where he said that the intensity of joint drills will increase in the future. He also said that Turkey will be Azerbaijans number one partner in the area of military-technical cooperation in the near future.












Cashe Software Chief Executive Officer, Praba Manivasager, says, We are driven by the desire to support these essential care providers with the reimbursement payments they need to continue their essential care services."

Home and community-based services healthcare agencies that are suffering from COVID-19 costs, service disruptions and delayed payments are finding some relief in management software from Cashe that significantly improves their cash flow.

Cashe launched its Pavillio platform in March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to threaten individual health as well as the financial health of their essential care providers. Now, Cashe is helping these care agencies stay afloat with desperately needed operating cash by speeding up their Medicaid reimbursement. The automated system is getting providers paid up to two weeks earlier than they were with manual claims submissions and with a much higher reimbursement rate than the industry average.

A new report by Cashe shows that more than 100 Minnesota-based agencies using their software are now getting Medicaid payments up to two weeks faster than before automating their process. Cashes Pavillio management platform delivers a 98% acceptance rate of first time Medicaid claims, a significant improvement from the industry average of 82% claim acceptance. Costly claim rejections and resubmissions result from factors ranging from coding errors to the increasing complexity and constant regulatory changes that challenge agencies whose core competency is excellent patient care. The cash flow from faster payments allows agencies to keep services intact without disruption for vulnerable patients with disabilities.

Cashe Software Chief Executive Officer, Praba Manivasager, says, We are driven by the desire to support these essential care providers with the reimbursement payments they need to continue their essential care services. Since many of these small agencies are operating at very thin margins, they require the cash flow bi-weekly to pay their caregivers, or they simply cant survive. Accessing a large credit line isnt available to most of them if they continue to experience losses.

Manivasager explained that home health care provider shortages were already a problem before the pandemic hit. Losing more home-health care providers now would put thousands of families into a healthcare crisis. Home-delivered care is typically far less expensive than other types of care, both for individuals and for tax-supported programs such as Medicaid. Cashe is dedicated to keeping the home-care option viable by automating administrative functions so that providers can spend time caring for people.

In addition to supporting agencies with improved acceptance rates, Cashe Softwares billing services team also dedicates time to recovering money for customers by reworking denied claims and non-billed items.

Heather LeClair, Director of Billing for Cashe Software, says, We go to bat for the care providers, and also, for the individuals and families who depend on them. Our mission is to get them every last penny.

Cashe Software, based in Oakdale, MN, has served the Home and Community-Based Services industry since 2004 date. The Pavillio platform, launched in March 2020, brings a new level of automation to home based community care agency management.

Media contact Joanne Henry - jhenry@prforgood.com or Shannon Turner at shannon@cashesoftware.com.

Product contact: Praba Manivasager at sales@cashesoftware.com or pavillio.com
Secondary school head teachers across region express disappointment and concern over A Level downgrading

This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 14th, 2020

The Federation of North Wales Secondary School Head Teachers has expressed its disappointment and concern over yesterdays A-level and AS results.

It comes after around 42 per cent of students grades in Wales were downgraded from their teachers predicated marks.

This is despite a guarantee from Education Minister Kirsty Williams on Wednesday evening that a learners final A Level grade cannot be lower than what they received in their AS Levels.

It was also confirmed that all appeals will be free for Welsh students.

Although the results across Wales were found to have increased slightly on the previous year, the federation say that despite the headline data there are huge disparities in the outcomes of individuals which we cannot track, justify or explain.

Concerns had also been raised by senior education officials yesterday, who said issues raised by schools included a significant disparity between centre assessed grades and grades awarded by WJEC at AS and A Level and grades being downgraded from an A to a D and B down to a U.

There have also been reports of learners of equal ability in a subject which were awarded the same grade by the centre having at least 2 grade difference between them after standardisation by WJEC.

In a statement, the Federation of North Wales Secondary School Head Teachers, argue that using an algorithm that dismisses the work and effort of students is immoral.

The federation says: As schools, we were asked to consider all our internal and external testing data to create rank orders of learners centre assessed grades. We did this with professionalism and fairness to the students we have supported for the last 7 years.

This data in many areas has been dismissed, devalued and discounted. Our rank orders have been overlooked and students moved within them making the allocation of grade impossible to fathom and unfair.

Many universities have downgraded their offers with the absence of international students, resulting in more available places, so many of the young adults involved will thankfully be able to attend the university of their choice.

However this is not enough. Our pupils grades will be with them for the rest of their lives, they will be on their CV for ever.

COVID-19 has already disadvantaged them, but life after COVID, within a recession-hit country, means their outcomes will be even more important than ever as they enter a challenging job market.

Our students have worked for these grades and deserve them; an algorithm that dismisses this is immoral. If there was ever a time for trust it was now.

As professionals, we were promised that any anomalies in school data would be discussed, to allow schools to provide the evidence to justify the centre assessed grades. This had not happened  we have been given no opportunity to provide evidence and no conversations have taken place.

This has been a statistical model, over reliant on AS outcomes and historical data, and dismissive of the opinion of a profession who supported their students over many years.

We were grateful for the WJEC announcement about the review of the appeals system as currently it is unworkable and inhibits our ability to challenge the unfairness of these outcomes. The A-level results day is usually one of the happiest of the year.

This year our children were hurt, confused and left wondering what had gone wrong, just as we are.

This weeks results have challenged our confidence in the system and call into question the structure we have previously trusted; however, our fears for next weeks GCSE results are beyond words.

We would request that changes be made now to protect the life chances and wellbeing of our children and avoid the confusion and heartache our A-level students have had to face.

Catrin Pritchard, Headteacher, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, added: Our students have worked very hard to achieve the grades they need for progression to university and employment.

Whilst many have been awarded the grades they have earned there are some students whose grade is below what they deserve and what teachers assessed them as.

We believe that the standardisation of results has disadvantaged some students unfairly and has prevented them from accessing their choice of university courses.

Today it has been confirmed that the Welsh Parliaments Education Committee has been recalled to examine the results process.

The committee plays a part in holding the Welsh Government and other relevant public bodies to account and is inviting decision-makers to explain what has happened and the measures that have been  and will be  put in place to help those concerned about their results.

Lynne Neagle, Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee: Our Committee has an important role in holding the Welsh Government and public bodies to account on the approaches adopted in response to this pandemic.

Given the significant concerns and complexities surrounding the awarding of exam results this year we will be meeting urgently to seek clarity for those whove been through this challenging process in unprecedented times.

Young peoples well-being, and their ability to plan for their future learning and careers, will be at the centre of our work looking at these issues.

We recognise that these matters are complex and will need detailed, longer term consideration.

However, we believe that there is an important role for us to play now, to ask questions which will ensure that a fair and clear approach is adopted and communicated to the Welsh people as quickly as possible.

The Committee will meet on Tuesday 18 August. It has invited the WJEC, Qualifications Wales and the Welsh Government to provide information on the latest developments and answer questions.
Imagine you had a stroke and can barely speak. Your doctor suggests an experimental drug that is risky but could be highly effective. Your daughter wants you to try it, despite the risk and cost. Your husband is hesitant but the state gives him higher priority in decision making. If you could communicate, you would say, yes, absolutely.

SEE MORE Choose Agents for Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy Carefully

Its a scenario no one wants to think about, but having a health care power of attorney (also known as a medical power of attorney, proxy or agent) that designates who will make health care decisions for you when you no longer can is essential. Without a health care proxy, your written instructions for future medical care may not be carried out if you become incapacitated. Like a living will or a do-not-resuscitate order, a health POA is a type of advance directive and one of several forms addressing different medical decisions, including end-of-life care. For example, if you had dementia or were critically ill, a proxy could:

Consent or refuse diagnostic, surgical, or therapeutic procedures.

Approve or deny admittance to a nursing home or other facility.

Endorse post-mortem procedures such as an autopsy or organ donation.

Few Americans complete advance directives, according to Dr. Timothy Quill, a national expert on palliative care and founding director of the University of Rochester Palliative Care School of Medicine Program in New York. He estimates no more than 35% of people with serious illnesses have advance directives.

Guardianship or Surrogacy

A health POA is your assurance that if your family cant agree on your care, the decision wont fall to a court-appointed guardian or surrogate. The big thing they (POAs) protect against is having to have a guardianship where the courts take your rights and give them to someone else, says Ryan Wilson, an elder law attorney in Silver Spring, Md.

Before it gets to that stage, most jurisdictions allow default surrogates to make decisions, and over half of them establish a hierarchy for relatives and friends, according to a New England Journal of Medicine review. Yet not all states have a process for handling challenges to the surrogates choices, and some only establish decision-making priority for life-sustaining treatment, leaving a void for more routine matters.

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As a last resort, a family member or someone else could file a petition to become your guardian. At this juncture, you lose very important rights, says Catherine McQueen, a principal attorney with Offit Kurman in Bethesda, Md., and it can make the process longer and more expensive.

SEE MORE 4 Legal Documents Everyone Needs on Hand

If there is a dispute over guardianship, a court may appoint a third-party attorney. How that lawyer will represent your interests will vary. For example, Maryland law requires the guardian to advocate for what the person wants, no matter what, while Virginia law directs them to advocate for what is in the persons best interest, says McQueen, who specializes in these cases.

One positive aspect of guardianship is accountability. The guardian must file a detailed report annually (or more frequently, depending on the judges order) that lists care decisions and expenditures.

Whom Should You Choose?

For people who have a health proxy, Wilson encourages them to talk with the person about their values and expectations. Its an uncomfortable position to be in if you havent had that conversation, he says, one that can lead to guilt for the proxy when forced to make an important decision, such as whether to authorize life-prolonging treatments like a feeding tube.

The American Bar Association offers guidelines for selecting an agent to carry out your wishes in a POA and notes that some states prohibit health care providers and care facility operators from serving as a POA, unless that person is a spouse or close relative.

Wilson offers another caveat to consider: Some people make it a co-power of attorney, which can cause problems. He suggests picking one person as a primary proxy and another as a secondary if the primary is unavailable or unwilling to serve. McQueen agrees. She sees cases where a parent does not want to choose between children and makes them all proxies. If one is a problem child and the other two can never get an agreement from the third to make a decision, she says, the siblings are forced to seek guardianship.

While you cannot anticipate every potential scenario, the more you can specify how you would like to be treated, the better. Compassion & Choices, a national nonprofit that advocates letting individuals have more choice over their end-of-life treatment, offers a general values worksheet, as well as a dementia values toolkit, on its website to help you clarify your priorities.

Types of POAs

You will also need to choose one of two types of health POAs. A durable POA takes effect immediately while a springing POA becomes valid only when the person is incapacitated. Which one is better? It depends on the comfort level with whom the agent is, Wilson says.

SEE MORE What Are the Duties for Financial Powers of Attorney?

A springing POA requires certification by one or two medical professionals, depending on state law, before the agent can make decisions.

In an emergency, Wilson says, that process may seem like a long time, but the extra hoop gives some people peace of mind.
HONG KONG, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong Aerospace and Technology Group ("HKATG") and Intelli Global Corporation Ltd. ("IGC") jointly announced that both companies entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, based on respective technological strengths and business network in promoting the "Golden Bauhinia" commercial satellite systems.

Under this agreement, HKATG authorized IGC to resell and bundle its smart city solutions with the satellite data derived from the "Golden Bauhinia" for regions including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, other cities in China and overseas countries. The agreement also includes cooperation in the areas of aerospace industry supply chain, constellation design and planning, satellite manufacturing and international aerospace collaborations etc. Through this partnership, both parties shall utilise their respective resources to jointly promote the development of the commercial satellite industry and its big data applications, in driving the further development of the Greater Bay Area into a smart city cluster. At the same time, both parties will jointly expand their business globally.

About Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group

HKATG is co-founded by eleven outstanding global aerospace scientists and is the first member of the International Astronautical Federation in Hong Kong. HKATG designs, launches and operates the "Golden Bauhinia" satellite constellation covering urban agglomerations, providing near-real-time (less than 5 minutes) all-weather satellite data with 0.5 meter image resolutions.

www.hkatg.com

About Intelli Global Corporation Limited

Intelli Global Corporation Limited (IGC) is co-founded by Mr. Allen Yeung - the former Chief Information Officer of HKSAR Government, Mr. Antoni Vives  the former Deputy Mayor of Barcelona Spain, and Mr. Herbert Che - the former Alibaba Vice President, along with several world renowned smart city experts as company advisors. IGC aims to assists city leaders around the world to realize the great potentials of smart city development, particularly in the areas of smart city top-level design, big data applications, and digital twin city management platforms. IGC has offices and R&D centers in Hong Kong, Hengqin Zhuhai and Beijing.

www.igcexpert.com

Media Contact:

Gwyneth Gu

[email protected]

Tel: 21618363

SOURCE Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group
Former President Pranab Mukherjees medical condition remained unchanged, the Army (R&R) Hospital, where Mukherjee is undergoing treatment since Monday, announced on Thursday.

He is deeply comatose with stable vital parameters and he continues to be on ventilatory support, the hospital said in its morning bulletin.

Mukherjee had to undergo a critical operation to remove a clot in his brain, suffered due to a fall at his Rajaji Marg residence on Sunday. Rumours about his health condition were doing the rounds on social media, but Mukherjees family took to Twitter to refute it.

My Father Shri Pranab Mukherjee is still alive & haemodynamically stable! Speculations & fake news being circulated by reputed Journalists on social media clearly reflects that Media in India has become a factory of Fake News, Mukherjees elder son and former Congress MP Abhijit tweeted.

Mukherjees daughter and Congress leader, Sharmishta, also said that the rumours were false. Rumours about my father is false. Request, esply to media, NOT to call me as I need to keep my phone free for any updates from the hospital, she tweeted.
Delhi Police inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who died in the 2008 Batla House encounter, was awarded the gallantry medal posthumously for his role in a 2007 operation against members of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), officials privy to the development said on condition of anonymity.

Sharma had worked with the Delhi Polices special cell and was among the few decorated officers tasked with anti-terror work.The Union home ministry on Friday released the list of police personnel who have been awarded medals on the occasion of Independence Day.

While 215 personnel have been given the medal for gallantry, 80 were awarded the Presidents medal for distinguished service and 631 for meritorious service.

Sharma, then 44, had suffered three gunshot wounds when he went to capture five suspected terrorists hiding in south Delhis Batla House on September 19, 2008. He later succumbed to injuries at the hospital.He had joined Delhi Police as a sub-inspector in 1989 and received an out-of-turn promotion that made him an inspector in 1995. Usually, it takes a sub-inspector around 13 to 15 years to be promoted to the rank of inspector.

The citation for Sharma, which mentions the act of bravery of the award winner, has not been released as yet.

But officials privy to the development said Sharma was given the gallantry award for his bravery in a 2007 encounter against JeM members. In the shoot-out in Janipur in Jammu on August 11, 2007, Sharma and his team had shot dead Asif alias Qari, a Pakistani citizen, who was then the divisional commander of JeM (Jammu region). Qaris accomplice Zafar Iqbal was arrested after the shoot-out. The two were involved in the attack on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Qari, police said, was later convicted of the crime in 2019.

Other members of Sharmas team -- inspectors Kailash Bisht and Dharender Kumar, sub-inspector Devender Singh, and assistant sub-inspectors Nissar Ahmed Shaik and Pravesh Rathi -- have also been awarded the gallantry medals.

Sharma was also awarded the Ashok Chakra in 2009. This was Sharmas seventh gallantry medal.

Sanjeev Yadav, deputy police commissioner, special cell, who was Sharmas senior in 2008,said,  At the special cell, we are happy that the government has recognised the teams work.

Other special cell officers DCP Manishi Chandra, inspectors Ravinder Joshi and Vinod Badola, along with sub-inspector Banay Singh have also received the gallantry medal for the shoot-out that led to the death of Delhi gangster Surender Malik alias Neetu Dabodhia. Until his death, Dabodhia was one of the most wanted men in the national capital.

This year, the gallantry awards list is topped by the police personnel from Jammu and Kashmir -- they won 81 medals, followed by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with 51 medals.

The home ministry officials familiar with the selection process said a majority of gallantry medals went to these two forces due to their counter-insurgency operations.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- The intense debates over school openings are missing something crucial: numbers. Without them, its essentially impossible to know what to do, or to evaluate what is being proposed.

Heres an analogy. Suppose that the Food and Drug Administration is contemplating a new food safety regulation, or that the Department of Transportation is considering new restrictions on railroads. The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is supposed to require it to identify the gains and the losses  the benefits and the costs.(1)

Those numbers might not be decisive, but theyre needed. In their absence, the decision whether to proceed, or not to proceed, is essentially a stab in the dark.

To be sure, some numbers might be hard to specify. The agencies might not know enough to provide them. But officials have well-established techniques for dealing with that problem. For example, agencies might be asked to disclose the ranges, including the best and worst cases, and their respective likelihoods.

Its true that politics might intervene, and you might not be able to trust the numbers. But when the system is working well, they are checked and rechecked by people who know what they are doing, and arent affected by political considerations.

The decision whether and how to reopen schools is being made by states and localities, not by Washington, and numbers need to inform those choices. The problem is that for school openings (and much more), were mostly hearing abstractions and generalities  expressions of agitation and fear.

On the one hand, reasonable people are pointing to the immense strain on parents of having young kids at home and the many problems with online learning. On the other hand, reasonable people (including teachers unions) are pointing to the risk of an outbreak and a spike in deaths.

In the abstract, these are legitimate concerns. For many school systems, there are going to be trade-offs here. But numbers could make apparently hard questions much easier to answer and could help depoliticize the process.

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Imagine, for example, a school district in which the number of community infections is very low, and in which real experts (epidemiologists and others, not politicians or those influenced by them) say: With appropriate precautions, the risk of a real outbreak is vanishingly small, and we're highly unlikely to lose any lives as a result of opening. In such a district, opening the schools is a no-brainer.

By contrast, imagine a district in which the number of community infections is not low, and in which the experts say: Even with appropriate precautions, the risk of a real outbreak is significant, and over the course of the school year, were likely to lose at least 50 lives as a result of opening. Opening the schools would seem to be a mistake.

In Massachusetts, officials have reportedly moved in the direction of using numbers, with guidance that relies on how much the coronavirus is spreading in relevant districts. Color-coded maps specify whether the risk of spreading is low, moderate or high, based on recent infection rates. If a district is low risk, officials will apparently recommend full-time in-person instruction. If the risk is moderate or high, a district might consider remote-only or some hybrid model.

Thats progress. Its a lot better than pure guesswork. But is it right?

To know, we would need to do at least three things. First, be very clear on the meaning of low, moderate and high. Second, understand the incremental public-health risk if a school district opens, given the specific category into which it falls. Third, turn that incremental risk into the relevant numbers, which include infections and deaths.

Its possible, of course, that public-health specialists, in Massachusetts and elsewhere, have done or are trying to do all of that. It is also possible that its tough to produce the relevant numbers; epidemiologists and others might insist that they would depend on a lot of speculation. For example: How many schoolchildren will end up respecting the protocols? If a large number of them dont, whats the incremental risk?

In the world of regulation, hard or unanswerable questions are not unfamiliar. The experts typically develop scenarios, based on optimistic and pessimistic assumptions. Armed with that information, policymakers are often in a good position to know whether to proceed.

Of course, school districts can maintain flexibility. Some of them might allow full-time in-person classes in the hope that the optimistic assumptions are right. But if those assumptions turn out to be wrong, and if infections spike, districts need a plan to shift to online learning, perhaps in a hurry. (A relevant saying: If you make a plan, God laughs. If you make two plans, God smiles.)

As the school year begins, some of the trade-offs might call for a political judgment, informed but not determined by the numbers. Suppose that the experts say this: If you open, youre unlikely to have anything like an outbreak. But there will be more infections than there would be if learning were online; and over the course of the year, some number of people will die. That number will be small  but above zero.

If thats what they say, the choice might turn out to be very difficult. But here, too, its not unfamiliar. When we regulate or dont regulate automobiles, and when we regulate or dont regulate air pollution, we are making similarly difficult choices.

To make those choices sensibly, and to promote accountability, we need numbers. Lets get more of them.

(1) I served as administrator of that office under President Barack Obama.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Cass R. Sunstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is the author of The Cost-Benefit Revolution and a co-author of Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Lawmakers may gather on August 25.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, Dmytro Razumkov to arrange a special meeting on August 25 to consider a presidential bill on an increase in the minimum wage.

"The president appealed to Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Dmytro Razumkov with a request to hold an extraordinary session of the parliament on August 25, after the Independence Day of Ukraine, and called on Members of Parliament to support the president's bill on increasing the minimum wage," the press service of the President's Office said.

Read alsoWage arrears in Ukraine slightly increase in June to $113.6 mln

Zelensky says that the increase the minimum wage to UAH 5,000 (US$ 182.4) from September 1, which is outlined in the president's bill, is the first phase. During 2021, the next phases of increase are to be implemented.

"I am sure that the lawmakers will vote for the bill submitted by the president of Ukraine to increase the minimum wage to UAH 5,000. Then there will be the second phase of this program  an increase to UAH 6,000 (US$218.9) from 2021. And during 2021 there will be the third phase. We will increase to UAH 6,500 (US$237.1)," the president said.

According to the president, after the increase in the minimum wage, the incomes of public sector employees will grow: teachers, doctors, social workers, as their salaries are calculated using the unified wage scale pegged to the minimum wage.

"These are certain steps towards a truly civilized standard of living in Ukraine. Quarantine continues, but after a serious pause, when neither entrepreneurs nor sole proprietors, many state-owned enterprises have been working for more than two months, it is now very important to give people some support," Zelensky said.

Special session
Utility stocks are often seen as appropriate only for conservative investors, the so-called "widows and orphans" investors. While utility stocks are often seen as approrpirate for those who can't afford to lose money in the market, these names can also provide attractive total returns.

While utility stocks may not have the appeal of a high-growth stock, they can offer solid double-digit returns when bought at the right price.





One utility stock that appears to be priced right is Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK). The stock has lost almost 10% so far in 2020, but this could mean a good opportunity to pick up a solid company on the cheap.

Company background and recent news

Duke is one of the largest regulated utility companies in the country. The company provides electricity to 7.6 million customers in North Carolina, Florida, Indiana, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke also provides gas to 1.6 million customers in Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Duke generated revenue of $25 billion last year and trades with a market capitalization of $61 billion.

In early July, Duke, along with partner Dominion Energy (NYSE:D), called off plans to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline as litigation and cost overruns had driven up the price to $8 billion. The expectation for costs was between $4.5 billon to $5 billion. The project wasn't expected to be completed until 2022.

Due to the cancelation of the ACP, Duke will take a non-cash pretax charge of $2 billion to $2.5 billion. Much of this charge was taken in the most recently completed quarter. Duke had expected the ACP to add as much as 35 cents per share to 2021 earnings.

Duke maintains its five-year $56 billion capital plan despite the removal of ACP. The planned $2 billion investment in the project will instead be shifted toward additional solar investments in Florida, grid modernization and gas distribution programs. Approximately 95% of the capital plan is dedicated to regulated electric and gas projects.

Story continues

The company reported earnings results for the second quarter on Aug. 10. Revenue declined 7.7% to $5.4 billion, which also missed consensus estimates by $435 million. The company took a $1.63 billion charge related to the cancelled project, which resulted in a GAAP earnings loss of $1.13 per share. Excluding this charge, earnings per share decreased 4 cents, or 3.6%, to $1.08. This was 3 cents higher than expected.

As with many companies, Covid-19 had an impact on results. Residential electric volumes were strong, up 5% as customers spent more time than usual at home. On the other hand, electric volumes declined 13% for commercial customers and 15% for industrial customers. In total, electric volumes were down 6%, but ahead of Duke's previous guidance of down 9%. The company said on the conference call that nearly three-quarters of large commercial and industrial customers that were shut down in the second quarter are now resuming operations.

The number of electric customers has increased 1.7% year to date, led by 1.8% growth in the Carolinas. Gas customers has grown by 1.5% so far this year, with Piedmont Natural Gas supplying the bulk of this increase.

Duke expects the coronavirus pandemic will cause electrical volumes to decrease by 4% this year. Total retail volumes are seen as falling 3% to 5%. This is due to an expected drop of 7% to 10% in industrial volumes and a 6% to 9% decrease in commercial volumes. Offsetting this slightly will be a 2% to 4% increase in residential volumes. This will result in a headwind of an estimated 25 cents to 35 cents to earnings per share for the year.

The company is targeting a cost savings program of $350 million to $450 million in 2020. The company has achieved savings of $170 million through the end of the second quarter. The positive impact from these initiatives should make up for the impact from Covid-19.

Duke updated its forecast for 2020. The company maintains its expected adjusted earnings per share of $5.05 to $5.45 for the year, but now guides toward the low end of this range.

Dividend and valuation analysis

Following a 2.1% increase for the Sept. 16 payment, Duke has now raised its dividend for the past 16 years.

The company has raised its dividend by an average of:

3.7% per year over the past three years.

3.5% per year over the past five years.

2.9% per year over the past 10 years.







The most recent increase is below any of the above averages, but that is due to the company targeting a payout ratio in the 65% to 75% range. The new annualized dividend is $3.86, which would result in a payout ratio of 76% based on the low end of Duke's adjusted earnings per share guidance for the year. The 10-year average payout ratio is just under 80%, so lower increases are likely prudent given the company's desire to maintain the stated range.

Making up for mediocre dividend growth is the stock's high yield. Duke currently yields 4.7% based on Thursday's closing price of $82.72. According to Value Line, this is slightly above the average yield of 4.6% that the stock has had since 2010. The current yield looks even better when compared to the five-year average yield of 4.3%.

Using the recent closing price and expected earnings per share of $5.05 for 2020, shares of Duke trade with a forward price-earnings ratio of 16.4. This compares favorably to the average price-earnings ratio of 17.6 and 19.3 for the last 10 and five years.

While the loss of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline will remove some the expected earnings in the short term, Duke has a healthy capital investment plan that should alleviate some of this pain. Therefore, I have targeted a price-earnings ratio range of 16 to 18 for the stock. This would give a price target range of $81 to $91 using the low end of guidance. This would be a 2.1% decrease from the current price at the low end, but a 10% gain at the high end.

The dividend yield at $91 a share would still be 4%, so investors could see a total return of 14%.

Final thoughts

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been a headache for Duke for several years. The end of the project was a significant headwind in the quarter and will be for the year. The company can instead focus on the rest of its business following the cancelation of this project.

Quarterly results were also impacted by Covid-19, but Duke has taken measures to reduce costs that should help alleviate this issue. With the majority of commercial and industrial customers returning to operations, second-quarter results will likely be the low point for the year.

Investors able to overlook the impact from these short-term issues can take advantage of a stock paying a high dividend yield while trading at a below-average valuation. A modest expansion of the price-earnings ratio combined with the dividend yield could result in a mid-double-digit total return.

This type of return should have the eye of all investors. As such, Duke appears to a buy at the current price.

Disclosure: The author is long Dominion Energy.

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With many children scheduled to return to their campuses soon, there are questions around what will happen amid COVID-19.

Dr. Michael Chang, an infectious disease pediatrician with UT Physicians and McGovern Medical School at UTHealth who is also affiliated with Childrens Memorial Hermann, shared some findings and advice.

Getting ready: Katy ISD prepares for back to campus with PPE and demo videos

He said looking at COVID-19 trends in countries across the globe, pediatric cases (in people 0 to 17 years or 19 years, depending on the area) represent a smaller percentage of cases as compared to adults 18 to 50 years old. He emphasized that those results are not because there are fewer children and teens and gave an example that they may make up 25 percent of a population, but instead of having 25 percent of the cases, they may have only 10 percent of the cases.

So proportionally, kids seem to have tested positive less, and they make up less of the cases of confirmed COVID-19 that we know of, and thats been true across multiple countries, Chang said. The numbers differ from country to country. But generally speaking, kids seem to make up a smaller proportion of the total cases.

The greater Houston areas pediatric COVID-19 numbers are a little higher than other parts of the United States, Chang said: about 12 percent of total cases are found in people 0 to 19 years, compared with about 8 percent nationally. He said part of the difference could be that Houston counts differently, including those 0 to 19 years, so there are more people, compared with other parts of the country that just count people 0 to 17 years.

For Houstons youth: Houston joins UNICEF USA for benefit of children

He explained that children 0 to 4 years (or 0 to 9 years in Houston-area counting) have had fewer reported cases nationally than children that are older.

It does appear that as you get older, you are more likely to get the infection or more likely to be symptomatic, said Chang, noting also that older children tend to be hospitalized more for the disease.

Chang said another important trend is that COVID-19 death rates in pediatric patients are very rare and that fewer than 100 children in the United States have died from the disease. He also mentioned when children do get sick, they often have fewer, more mild symptoms.

Children tend to spread respiratory viruses like the flu a lot, but Chang said data with contact tracing has not indicated thats the case with COVID-19. He said more of the spread has come from adults to children but said an important factor is that schools and activities for children closed early in the pandemic. Since children have primarily been at home while adults have been out working and running errands, etc., he said data right now in the United States falls in the context of children not being around each other.

He brought up a few studies with some interesting data. Contact tracing in Israel showed that 12 of 13 family clusters that were studied were cases where an adult spread COVID-19 to the family, not children. When testing was done there, the children had fewer positive tests, Chang said.

Soaring high: Katy Boy Scout reaches new heights as Eagle

A study of 15 families in Chicago showed that child-to-child spread accounted for about 13 percent of the cases and that child-to-adult spread also accounted for about 13 percent of the cases, Chang said.

So most of the cases were due to adults spreading to each other or to the children, he said.

Another study from South Korea suggested that people 10 to 19 years old could spread the virus as easily as adults. Chang said a further review was warranted. But if you look at kind of the whole dynamics of the pandemic, if theres many fewer pediatric cases, even if they spread into, you know, like two adults, and each adult spreads it to two adults, if theres one child but 10 adults, then its still adult-to-adult spread thats really driving kind of the widespread community disease, Chang explained.

He said a study in Ireland had three children ages 10 to 15 years and three adults. Two of the three children and all three adults showed symptoms but went to school. The study contact traced around 1,000 people around them for two weeks and showed no secondary exposures from the children at the school.

However, Chang said that school study and similar ones from Australia and Israel were conducted near the start of the pandemic where once cases were identified, schools closed, followed by whole countries. So he said this situation is different because there is community spread now and schools will be reopening.

Mom talk: Katy ISD moms sound off about new school year amid COVID-19

Chang said there are certain things parents can do to help ease their children back to school during a pandemic. He recommends having them wear a mask for most of a day sometime before in-person instruction begins.

No matter the age of the child, its worthwhile explaining to them why youre doing that and why youre practicing and whatnot, Chang said. I think many parents would be surprised at how well their children can tolerate wearing a mask.

He suggested using good hand hygiene habits at home because they will need to continue them at school, as well as practicing what six feet for social distancing actually looks like. And as students return to school each morning and come home each afternoon, parents should discuss with them whether any new COVID-19 symptoms are happening, Chang said. A cough, trouble breathing and a loss of smell or taste are the main ones he noted. Other COVID-19 symptoms that could also be indicative of other illnesses include fever, runny nose, congestion and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea.

He urged parents to avoid sending children with COVID-19 symptoms to school because they could potentially expose other students or school staff members.

tracy.maness@hcnonline.com
Local mobsters and bikers used to get their hands dirty. Today, Ontarios senior organized crime groups are more likely to recruit younger, lesser-known criminals to do their toughest jobs, experts say.

In the GTA, Mafia and outlaw bikers increasingly turn to the regions 150 or so street gangs to pull off anything from drug shipments to targeted murders, said Anna Sergi, a lecturer in criminology at Essex University in England who has profiled Ontarios organized crime landscape.

Baby gangs are easily groomed by more experienced groups and used as weapons and (as a) disposable army, she said in an email interview.

Sergis assessment of baby gangs making up a dangerous disposable army rings true with Staff Sgt. Scott Wade, head of the Ontario Provincial Polices Biker Enforcement Unit.

Theres a direct connection with street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs, and I see it increasing, Wade said.

Motorcycle gangs use a multi-layered approach to distance themselves from law enforcement, including using street gangs for difficult jobs, Wade said, adding that a lot of junior motorcycle support clubs had their roots in street gangs, or use them to recruit new members.

The arrangement was different in the 70s, 80s and 90s when the bikers themselves were often recruited by GTA Mafia groups to do their dirty work, like moving drugs or carrying out murders and arsons  or the mobsters used their own in-house enforcers.

That includes people like biker Cecil Kirby, who was recruited by local mobsters to beat, bomb and kill before disappearing into a witness protection program after undercover work that sent several top-level GTA mobsters to prison.

There was also Salvatore (Sam) Calautti, a suspect in at least five unsolved gangland hits, including the slaying of Nicolo (Uncle Nick) Rizzuto Sr., father of former Montreal Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto.

He was very good at what he did, said Larry Tronstad, a retired member of the elite Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, which targeted organized crime in the GTA.

Calautti was shot dead in his BMW X6 in July 2013 after attending the stag of a local bookie in Vaughan along with his long-time associate, James Tusek.

Since the murders of Calautti and Tusek, which are unsolved, its a trend for established organized criminals to contract out work to people who know little about who theyre killing or why, police say.

Especially since the Hells Angels established themselves in Ontario almost two decades ago, those grubby jobs have often fallen to the regions various street gangs  Sergi estimates there are roughly 150 such groups in the GTA, with names like the Shower Posse, Afghan Fighting Generation and Dixon City Bloods.

Even if a gang member gets caught and wants to co-operate later with authorities, theyre likely to know very little.

They get these gangbangers for $500, Tronstad said, adding that senior organized crime leaders try to reduce the risk any way they can.

Former Quebec underworld enforcer Normand Brisebois said in an interview that ambitious street gang members often think theyre moving ahead when theyre hired on to do an enforcement job.

He thinks hes going to get somewhere and you never see that kid again, said Brisebois, a former member of a Montreal biker hit squad called the Dark Circle, who also worked for the Rizzuto crime family.

On the other side of the coin, Brisebois said the street gang members are largely anonymous  Thats their best asset, he said.

A 2018 article in the RCMP Gazette by Paul Northcott argues that gang violence is a serious threat to Canadian community safety.

Thats because while crime rates in Canada have declined, gang activity increased, Northcott writes. Gun homicides have also almost doubled over the past four years  and more than half are linked to gangs.

Constant flux characterizes the GTA street gang world, Sergi writes in a 2017 article profiling the regions gangs for Janes Intelligence Review: The relative power of the street gangs frequently shifts, stemming from the atomization of territories and changes in gang leadership because of deaths, murders, and law enforcement activities.

And while established crime groups like the Hells Angels and Mafia often use lower-level gangs to move drugs to keep a low profile from law enforcement, she writes, some street gangs at times achieve a level of sophistication and a reach in criminal markets that challenges the (outlaw motorcycle gangs) operations and increases street violence.

Meanwhile, the hierarchy of senior organized crime in Ontario  Sergi estimates the province is home to 50 Mafia groups  is also in flux.

In the GTA, there was a recent bloody internal feud inside the Mafia network dubbed the Siderno Group after the town in Calabria, southern Italy, but that appears to have been resolved, Sergi writes in the article.

The dominant Mafia group in the GTA is the Calabrian strain called the Ndrangheta, which has global clout, she writes, adding that some GTA families have risen to the point that part of the Ndrangheta decision-making process has been moved to GTA from Siderno.

Through close family ties, arranged marriages, and links with their homeland, Calabrian crime families in Toronto have maintained strong links to the Siderno Group of Crime, she writes.

Sergi sees rough times ahead as the GTA underworld eventually emerges from the pandemic.

I think Toronto has a dynamic underworld and as any city of this kind it will know waves of violence and emergence of new groups and evolution of other groups, Sergi said.

Violence in street gangs is not a sign of sophistication but rather a sign of chaos.

While the street gang forecast is grim, criminologist Irwin Waller doesnt see it as hopeless.

Community programs and intervention can help pull young men out of street gangs, said the professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa, and so can the love of a strong partner or mother, as romantic as that sounds.

A prime time for change often comes when a gang member is in his late 20s and has spent half of his life in street culture, often in the orbit of established biker gangs and Mafia groups.

A woman is often a reason to get out of these gangs, Waller says. Mothers are incredibly important in all of this. They (gang members) dont care, but their mothers do.
The owner of Grupo Insud, Hugo Sigman, confirmed through Radio Mitre that the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford in Argentina has already begun its production and will be ready by December of 2020. Grupo Insud, to which the mAbxience laboratory belongs, a member of the international consortium, has in its hands the manufacture of the doses of the medication against the coronavirus. In the interview, Sigman was optimistic about another advance that his companies are also working on treatment with hyperimmune equine serum. This begins with an investigation at the University of Oxford, which is a scientific group that works with a technology that consists of cloning chimpanzee viruses, to which they grant functions that the virus did not have. And then they inject it into human beings. They worked with malaria, with flu, lately, they were working with SARS flu, also with SARS-CoV-2. They are a very prominent group of scientists, "said Sigman, explaining how the negotiations with the laboratory began. And he added: "When the pandemic occurs, as they had the experience of working with this technique, they apply it to COVID 19 and develop a technology to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine." Likewise, he indicated that they enter into negotiations with AstraZeneca and put some conditions that the laboratory accepted. The CEO had a very supportive vision of the problem because the university asked him that the vaccine had an accessible price and that it be distributed universally, without restrictions, to all countries of the world " AstraZeneca does not have a factory to produce the vaccine, so they contacted us several months ago and with the Carlos Slim Foundation and with a Mexican laboratory of a family friend of ours, Liomont, and they asked us to manufacture the vaccine with a special characteristic: that we start production at risk, "said Sigman this Thursday. The vaccine passed phases 1 and 2, first with animals and then with humans. Its safety was analyzed, that it is not harmful. Now in phase 3, it is tested if it is effective. Once you finish your studies, there is no waiting. AstraZeneca asked that companies work at risk: if the vaccine is approved, it will be sold; if it is not approved, what was done is thrown away, remarked the owner of Grupo Insud. He then indicated that AstraZeneca contacted the Carlos Slim Foundation. His son, Tony Slim, was very active in participating in this. And we are also assuming a very important risk: as a company, we are producing without considering the lost costs as long as there is the possibility that the vaccine cannot be sold . When asked if it can be possible for the vaccine to be produced at risk even before its final approval to have it ready, Sigman replied: That is exactly what is happening. We are going to produce the vaccine at risk. The approval for yes or no will be in December or January and we are going to start producing the vaccine now. We are going to produce a minimum of 150 million doses - a maximum of 250 million - for all of Latin America, except Brazil, which has another agreement. Funding for this comes from the Slim Foundation, the Liomont lab, and ourselves. If approved, we will sell; if not, it will have to be destroyed .
COATESVILLE-The City of Coatesville is saying goodbye to its city manager whos served in that role for the past five years, and hiring from within to fill the position.

On Aug. 10, Coatesville City Council named James Logan acting city manager following the retirement of Michael Trio. Logan has served as Coatesvilles assistant city manager for two years, and he will take over the new position effective immediately.

As Acting city manager, Logan said his responsibilities will include overseeing administrative staff, as well as police, fire, and public works departments. He will also be involved in implementing and managing legislation, and he will advise City Council.

Logan has previously held positions in the Chester County Economic Development Council, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board.

Working in all of those different industries provided me with a very good foundation, said Logan. He added that his tenure as assistant city manager has helped him to better understand how Coatesvilles ordinances are designed to help the community.

Logan acknowledged that he is stepping into this position during a challenging year, in part, due to the coronavirus pandemic. He sees helping Coatesville through these unprecedented times as an essential part of his job as acting city manager.

Our collective goal is to ensure that our residents are informed, that they are protected in the best way that we can protect them, he said. During this time, we still want to provide (residents) with the necessary tools, resources, and information.

The city is also in a unique position in terms of its demographic makeup. Coatesvilles population is 45 percent Black, compared to the total population of Chester County, which is only 6 percent Black. As a result, recent national racial tensions are especially relevant.

Although Logan said, I have not witnessed any tension in the city of Coatesville in terms of the diversity we have here, he added that theres always been a need to raise awareness and educate people.

Logan said hes proud of the diversity of the city and the fact that residents are always willing to bring their issues to the table. In turn, as acting city manager, he hopes to provide the opportunity and transparency for that dialogue to continue.

Coatesville faces numerous challenges as a growing and evolving city. As a city and as City Council members, said Logan, we are always looking at ways to tackle some of these issues.

Logan plans to continue with what he describes as community and business revitalization, a goal that he and his predecessor shared. In 2017, Coatesvilles median income fell $20,000 short of the Pennsylvania median and $60,000 short of the Chester County median.

I dont know if I have a silver bullet for that, but I know one of the things we have to encourage in Coatesville is home ownership, Logan said. In Coatesville, 60 percent of residents are renters, and Logan hopes to create opportunities for these individuals to purchase quality, affordable homes.

He also sees workforce development as a key aspect of boosting the local economy and median income. Logan wants to determine what tools the city can provide its residents to improve upward mobility.

One such opportunity is an eight-week program for young entrepreneurs from Coatesville that teaches the nuts and bolts of how to start a business, Logan said. We hope that the individuals who went through this program will launch their businesses here in Coatesville.

Despite the inherent challenges of this job, Logan is energized and excited to start as acting city manager. My passion comes from being able to interact with people in the community, he said. I love this job. I love the work. I love the people here.

Though Logan said he does not subscribe to a specific philosophy as acting city manager, he cited the following quotation as a guiding message: The sign of a good leader is a leader that empowers others to lead.

Said Logan: I am very grateful, and I appreciate the opportunity to step into this role as acting city manager  I welcome the opportunity to serve this community and its residents.
Jaipur, Aug 14 (UNI) Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan on Friday carried the motion of confidence by a voice vote.

The19 rebels, including former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, supported the government, making it a "cake walk" for Mr Gehlot to continue the rule of the Congress party.

Mr Gehlot, in his address, urged the Congress MLAs to stay united and help the party to retain power.

The Chief Minister gave the credit of the victory to the unity shown by the Congress MLAs and people, who believed in his government. He squarely blamed the BJP in Opposition for pushing the state into a political crisis.

"Winning the trust vote in the Assembly is a message to the forces that are trying to destabilize elected govts in the country. Their every tactic failed in Rajasthan.It is the peoples unwavering trust in us & unity of our Congress MLAs that has brought this victory (sic)," Mr Gehlot wrote on his twitter handle.

He alleged that BJP wanted to repeat what it did in other Congress-ruled states.

"What did you [BJP] do in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Manipur? You have put democracy in danger. Only two people are ruling," Mr Gehlot said.

He categorically refuted the allegations of phone-tapping, saying, "In Rajasthan, we do not have this culture."

However, Mr Gehlot kept former chief minister Sachin Pilot and other rebels out of his address. Previously, he had openly criticised them for 'betraying' the party.

He also trained his guns against Governor Kalraj Mishra, alleging that his august office has lost its dignity. Mr Mishra had rejected the multiple proposals of the Gehlot government to bring Assembly in session.

Mr Pilot, the man of the show, stood by the Congress MLAs throughout the debate and did not speak anything against the party.

When the Assembly convened in the morning, Mr Pilot seemed amused to see his changed seating position, since he lost the post of deputy chief minister.

"Who is at the border? The strongest warrior," he said sarcastically.

Mr Pilot, in a loud and clear message to Opposition BJP, asserted that whatever the issue be, no outsider has the right to interfere in the internal matters of his party.

Replying over his rebellion, Mr Pilot said he and his supporter consulted their ailment with a "doctor" and returned after receiving the treatment. By "doctor", Mr Pilot meant high command in New Delhi and "treatment" was referred to addressing his grievances.

"We [rebels] have entered the House and stand should-to-shoulder with our 125 MLAs," he asserted loudly and confidently.

Earlier in the day, Parliamentary Affair Minister Shanti Dhariwal gave the call for the motion. Speaker CP Joshi allotted three-hours time to debate the confidence motion.

Initiating the debate, Mr Dhariwal took the jibe against the BJP, saying, "Rajasthan mein na kisse Shah ke chali hai na kisse tannashah ki (Neither Shah nor any dictator could rule over Rajasthan).

Mr Dhariwal's reference was towards Union Home Amit Shah and Mughal Emperor Akhbar, who tasted a defeat in battle of Mewar.

Replying to Mr Dhariwal allegations, deputy Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore asked how a party, who is engaged in "elephant-trading", can blame others over "horse-trading"?

Mr Dhariwal's "elephant-trading" remark was apparently towards the merger of Bahujan Samaj Party six MLAs after Assembly polls in 2018, which according to BSP chief Mayawati as well as the BJP, was illegal.

Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said the Congress is trying to blame BJP for not having their own in-house in order.

"You [Congress] are wounded because of quarrels in your own house and now trying to blame us for it. BJP has nothing to do with it," Mr Kataria said.

He also accused the Congress for tapping phones of BJP leaders illegally."Did you indulge in phone tapping with or without permission? You have used the police for your personal work," the BJP leader alleged.

After the trust vote, Speaker C P Joshi adjourned the House till August 21.

As per visuals, the Assembly was seen to be convened, keeping the COVID-19 measures in place. A seat was left vacant between the two members, the session was quite short while many legislative were wearing a mask. However, some were still found sitting or speaking without a mask.

As per the House rules, confidence motion cannot be taken up for at least six months.

With this, political stability in the desert state returned at least for a while. Till there is a truce between the camps of Gehlot and Sachin, Congress can rule the state royally.

UNI PS RJ 2108
Fighting pernicious disinformation and outlandish conspiracy theories such as QAnon will form the basis of a new joint campaign from the European Commission, UNESCO and the World Jewish Congress.

Twitter, which has been the subject of ferocious criticism from cult experts and debunkers for enabling dangerous conspiracy theories to fester and grow, will also join the campaign, the organisations said.

The current climate has provided particularly fertile ground for conspiracy theories that undermine science and facts with pernicious, far-fetched explanations on where the virus might have originated and who is to blame for its spread, the Commission said.

The coronavirus crisis has also given rise to an increased level of online hate speech, racist and anti-Semitic attacks, it added.

Vera Jourova, Commission vice-president for values and transparency, said: Disinformation and conspiracy theories harm the health of our democracies  this has been made very clear in the context of a global pandemic.

Citizens must be equipped with useful tools to recognise and debunk them. To support citizens, public institutions need to work together and with digital platforms, media professionals, fact checkers and researchers, as the European Commission and UNESCO are doing. Despite claims from tech giants such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook that they take the threat of disinformation and hate speech seriously, the platforms have been the breeding ground for hundreds of thousands of conspiracy theory groups and platforms in the past four years.

Claims they have taken the threat seriously are dismissed by lawmakers and experts, who say they have done little to combat the spread of theories that have led to violence and even murder.

Through the use of social media giants, fringe ideas with no basis in fact or reality have now permeated political offices in Western democracies, including the US Congress, where a supporter of the wildly inaccurate QAnon conspiracy theory has just been endorsed by US President Donald Trump.

The QAnon conspiracy contends that political figures such as Hillary Clinton, actors such as Tom Hanks, and celebrities like Oprah Winfrey are part of a secret cabal that eats the brains of children and hosts sex parties involving trafficked children, despite no evidence.

Read More 67 more cases of Covid-19 and no new deaths

It believes a secret US Government operative named Q is delivering nuggets of information onto far-right message boards such as 8Kun that suggest Donald Trump is secretly fighting a war against perceived Hollywood paedophiles, and that it will eventually lead to mass executions against traitors and internment in Guantanamo Bay for Democrats and actors.

As outlandish as it sounds, the movement has now attracted millions of people around the world, including in Ireland.

The conspiracy theory also contends that the Covid-19 pandemic is a ruse that is either fake, in order to place tiny microchips in citizens through fake vaccinations by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, or an engineered virus that gives cover to arresting people such as Tom Hanks, who is believed by some QAnon believers to have been replaced by a clone to maintain the perception of order.

QAnon believers have also predicted that John F Kennedy Jr did not die in a plane crash in 1999, and is set to shock the world by reappearing if Donald Trump is re-elected, taking the place of Mike Pence as Vice President.

Despite the nonsensical nature of the QAnon conspiracy theory, there are millions of users of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube spreading it daily.

UNESCO said as part of the new disinformation debunking campaign, resources would allow users how to recognise conspiracy theories, understand what drives them, refute them with facts and respond effectively to those who are spreading them.

The visual learning resources draw on the expert advice of Professor Michael Butter, author of the Guide to Conspiracy Theories, as well as Stephan Lewandowsky and John Cook, authors of the Conspiracy Theory Handbook.

Prof Butter stressed the important role of education, saying: There is by now a lot of evidence that shows that people who have been taught what conspiracy theories are and how they work are much less receptive to them. It's easy -- education is key. Mr Lewandowsky said that while conspiracy theories may be viewed as light-hearted, they can be dangerous.

Conspiracy theories have adverse consequences on society. This is especially true during a pandemic, when belief in conspiracies can harm or even kill people. It is therefore essential for the public to be informed about how to spot conspiracy theories so that they can be ignored, he said.

The infographics, available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, will be widely disseminated on social media via the hashtag #ThinkBeforeSharing, UNESCO MIL CLICKS social media pages, and through the European Commissions website on fighting disinformation.
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President Donald Trump is expected to hold a press briefing on Friday after lawmakers fail to strike compromise on a new coronavirus relief bill.

For weeks, lawmakers have argued over the contents of the bill, with the parties at odds over enhanced jobless benefits and expanding mail-in voting, among other issues.

As both parties gear up for their respective conventions, an agreement on legislation, let alone passage of a bill, looks weeks away. The House left Washington for all of August pending a deal on pandemic aid. The Senate typically leaves town for the weekend after its Thursday session.

The coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide, with more than 20.9 million confirmed cases and over 760,300 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has had more than 5.2 million cases and at least 167,200 deaths, according to the latest tallies, more than any other country.

The briefing also comes on the heels of a report from the Government Accountability Office which found that the appointments of Chad Wolf, acting secretary of Homeland Security, and Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, are invalid because they did not follow the Vacancies Reform Act guidelines.

In addition, Trump plans to visit his brother who has been hospitalized later on Friday.

Meanwhile, a former FBI lawyer will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign, the AP reported on Friday.

-- CNBC's Jacob Pramuk and Amanda Macias contributed to this report.

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.14

By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend:

The claim of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Treaty of Sevres is a historical fact and was drawn up on the basis of the most progressive ideas of that period is absurd, Azerbaijani MP, Corresponding Member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, professor Musa Gasimli told Trend .

Gasimli made the remark while commenting on the Pashinyans speech at a scientific conference titled "Treaty of Sevres and the Armenian Question" and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty.

According to the MP, the Ottoman Empire withdrew from the First World War on October 30, 1918, by signing the Armistice of Mudros [Greek harbor]. On April 23, about a month after the Allied forces occupied the Turkish Strait in Istanbul on March 16, 1920, the government of the Turkish Grand National Assembly was formed in Ankara under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha. The Peace Treaty of Sevres was signed between the countries that won the victory and the Ottoman State on August 10, 1920, in the city of Sevres near Paris.

Gasimli noted that the Armenians hoped then to realize their dream with the help of the Entente members.

"But their hopes were not fulfilled. For example, the Armenian delegates were told by the British government that their ships could not sail the mountains and rocks of Armenia," he said. "The Treaty of Sevres was rejected by the Turkish Grand National Assembly and was torn apart like a useless piece of paper. The Turkish people started the war for independence. Taking advantage of the fact that the Turkish people fought on several fronts, Armenian Dashnaks opened a new front against Turkey and carried out mass slaughter of the civilian population."

"Once again, Armenians did not become a worthy adversary," the professor noted

The Turkish army soon defeated the Dashnak forces and signed the Peace Treaty of Alexandropol (now Armenias Gyumri city) on December 2, 1920. Bowing its head to Turkey, Armenia was forced to take on a number of commitments, the MP stressed.

"If Pashinyan had read these commitments, he would have changed his tone. I want to remind some of the treaty terms," he said. "Armenia undertook to pay compensation for damage caused during the war, but the Turkish government, showing nobility refused this compensation. In order to monitor the implementation of the treaty terms, a delegate from the Turkish government was to be assigned to Yerevan."

"Further, the [Turkey-Armenia] relations were regulated by the Moscow Treaty of March 16, 1921, and the Kars Treaty of October 13, 1921. Armenia recognized the borders of Turkey, and the Turkish army left Gyumri," Gasimli said.

He added that the modern international borders of Turkey were recognized by a convention signed in [Swiss] Lausanne on July 24, 1923.

"At the conference in Lausanne, the representatives of the states that the Armenians were relying on did not even look towards the Armenian delegates, and they were forced to leave disappointed. Doesn't Pashinyan know this story?! I think he knows," MP said.

"So what does Pashinyan want - for the Turkish army to come again and settle in Gyumri? Will there be a savior for Armenia then? Secondly, why does Armenian leaders so quickly 'forget' the documents signed by them? When you are enemy with someone, you must be worthy enemy," concluded Gasimli.
The container terminal of Xiuying Port in Haikou, Hainan province. [Photo/China News Service]

Nation to take steps to stabilize long-term business confidence

China will strengthen services and help solve operational difficulties for global companies in order to stabilize the long-term business confidence of foreign investors amid the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, government officials said on Thursday.

The country saw foreign direct investment in the nonfinancial sector grow 0.5 percent year-on-year to 535.65 billion yuan ($77.16 billion) in the first seven months of this year, achieving positive growth for the first time since January, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

In July, FDI inflows expanded 15.8 percent year-on-year to 63.47 billion yuan, achieving positive growth for four consecutive months since April.

The government will also step up credit support for foreign trade companies, especially micro, small and medium-sized ones, and extend financial support to major foreign-funded enterprises, which are eligible for low-cost relending and rediscount quotas, said Ren Hongbin, assistant minister of commerce.

Ren's remarks came after the State Council released a guideline on Wednesday to roll out more measures to protect foreign trade entities, support the local growth of global companies and keep supply chains stable.

Under the new government rules, he said, foreign-funded companies are as entitled as domestic firms to the 1.5 trillion yuan relending and rediscount special quota support provided by the People's Bank of China, the nation's central bank.

Moreover, the Export-Import Bank of China's 570 billion yuan in new loans can also be used to support qualified key foreign-funded companies.

More efforts will be made to help foreign trade firms expand market channels, as well as to improve trade facilities and services, including cross-border e-commerce platforms, cross-border logistics and overseas warehouses, Ren said.

He said China will better protect intellectual property rights and the legitimate rights and interests of overseas businesses, as well as make sure that they are willing to invest and develop in China.

The outbreak of the pandemic has prompted many countries to strengthen their already tightened scrutiny over foreign investment.

While some of the policy adjustments directly related to the pandemic may ultimately prove to be temporary, the overall picture is likely to be one of structural change, rather than cyclical, with the pandemic helping to accelerate already existing trends, said Nanda Lau, head of the Shanghai office of international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

In contrast, China is among only a few countries that have progressively opened parts of their economies to FDI and have streamlined their screening processes, said Lau, adding that this is well illustrated by the new Foreign Investment Law and the new negative list implemented in the first half of the year.

To facilitate trade flows and travel, China will add more flights with its major source countries of investment while increasing the total amount of international passenger flights in a phased manner on the condition that COVID-19 risks are prevented, said Zong Changqing, director-general of the department of foreign investment administration at the Ministry of Commerce.

The government's new guideline also urged more support for high-tech industries, stressing the need to encourage foreign investors to invest in the sector.

China is not only the largest manufacturing market and industrial market, but also carries out a lot of technological innovation. All these factors offer multinationals strong confidence to enrich their presence in China, said Peter Herweck, executive vice-president of Schneider Electric SA, a French industrial conglomerate.

Even though the pandemic has added a number of uncertainties to the global economy this year, Schneider Electric's spending in research and development surged 15 percent year-on-year in China in the first seven months of 2020. The company is also eager to recruit more local talent.

Boosted by momentum such as 5G, new infrastructure and next-generation factories, China's investment environment has become more attractive, Herweck said. The company has seen a large number of innovation results from its Chinese teams and partners, and the commercial environment in many sectors has notably improved in China, he added.

Xie Wen, director-general of the goods and services tax department under the State Taxation Administration, said the government will continue to implement preferential tax and fee policies for Chinese exporters as well as foreign companies to ease their operational pressure in the second half of the year.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un replaced the premier he named about a year ago and lifted a lockdown on the border city of Kaesong put in place on concerns a former defector who crossed back from South Korea brought coronavirus with him.

The moves announced in state media reports Friday come as North Korea is facing flooding set to wipe out farmland and deal another blow to its already staggering economy. The premier is seen as a steward of economic management and naming Kim Tok Hun to the post to replace Kim Jae Ryong could deflect blame off the North Korean leader for any hardships coming from a poor harvest.

The official Korean Central News Agency report said Kim Jae Ryong was relieved from the premiership. Kim Tok Hun is a senior cadre who serves as the head of the parliamentary budget committee.

The North Korean economy is facing a serious challenge now and someone had to take political responsibility, said Choi Kang, vice-president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. This looks like a precautionary measure to offset complaints from North Korean people.

Kim Jong Un said at a Workers Party politburo meeting that flooding has taken a toll but North Korea shouldnt accept foreign aid because of the coronavirus risk, KCNA said. North Korea has said it doesnt have any coronavirus cases -- a claim doubted by US and Japanese officials -- and placed Kaesong on lockdown last month after the former defector crossed into the country.

The leader decided to lift the lockdown of Kaesong city based on scientific evidence, KCNA added, noting he also ordered measures to further support flood victims.

North Korea has been hit by flooding since earlier this month, as torrential rains threaten to wipe out farmland and the virus-damaged economy heads for what might be its biggest contraction in more than two decades. The flooding has also impacted its Yongbyon nuclear facility, with waters reaching pump houses for mothballed reactors, the 38 North website said based on an analysis of satellite imagery.

Agricultural production is a key element of North Koreas economy and flooding in its summer months has led to diminished harvest, putting strain on Kim as he battles global sanctions put in place to punish the state for its nuclear and ballistic missile testing. The United Nations World Food Program, which has operations in North Korea, has said about 40% of the population is undernourished, adding food insecurity and malnutrition are widespread.

In addition to damage to farmland, Kims decision to shut borders in January due to the coronavirus slammed the brakes on the little legal trade the state has, and could send the economy this year into its biggest contraction since 1997, according to Fitch Solutions.
A 19-year-old Ugandan has picked nomination papers to vie for the presidency in the upcoming general elections.

Hillary Humphrey Kaweesa said he had always been a leader and was qualified to lead the country.

He said he would fund-raise for the 20m Ugandan shillings (Ksh590,900) nomination fees.

Mr Kaweesa is also required to collect 100 signatures in every district for his nomination. The country has more than 100 districts.

The constitution allows any Ugandan citizen who is above 18 years to vie for the presidency.

The teenager joins legislator Robert Kyagulanyi  popularly known as Bobi Wine  and former army general Henry Tumukunde who have declared interest to run against the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
CIBC looks at the drivers which have the largest impact on major currencies including Sterling using data going back two years. Looking at Sterling/dollar, external factors have a much larger impact than domestic influences with Brexit having little overall impact.

Moves in equity markets are the most important Pound Sterling driver

The biggest impact is from movements in equites and wider trends in risk appetite. When risk appetite is strong and equity markets advance, Sterling/dollar performs well, while the UK currency comes under pressure when UK and global equity markets decline.

Image: CIBC drivers

In overall terms, this correlation is the second-highest among all major currencies.

The second-most important factor is movements in the UK terms of trade. An important influence on the terms of trade will be the degree of strength in the global economy with UK export prices tending to strengthen when the global economy is booming.

Although Sterling reacted extremely strongly to the 2016 Brexit referendum and Brexit-related factors are frequently cited as triggers for Sterling moves, the CIBC data indicates that Brexit factors have had very little net impact over the past two years. Although there have been sharp daily moves, the overall impact has been limited.

UK/EU trade talks will inevitably be a major focus over the next three months at least as the two sides attempt to reach a deal for the post-Brexit regime. There will be daily moves, although trends in the global economy are likely to have a larger impact on overall Sterling moves.

Overall market positioning has also had little overall impact.

Yield factors have also had only a limited UK currency impact, although Sterling does lose ground when yield support declines.

Sterling also remains sensitive to overall volatility in global markets. When volatility is high with big swings in asset prices, the UK currency tends to under-perform. The UK currency performs better when global markets are relatively calm.

AUD/USD linked to copper prices

Looking at other major currencies, the strongest correlation is between the Australian dollar and commodity prices. Other strong correlations are between the Euro and equity markets.

The Canadian dollar is influenced by changes in oil prices and the degree of volatility in global markets.
A judge Thursday said she wasnt convinced that the detention of two men in Bend by ICE agents was unlawful and denied a nonprofit law offices motion for a temporary restraining order against the federal immigration agency.

Its not been made clear that defendants did something wrong or even out of the ordinary, honestly, " U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut ruled in Portland after a nearly hourlong hearing by phone.

The two men, identified in court papers by their initials J.A.C.S. and M.A.Z., were to arrive Thursday at a federal detention center in Tacoma. They had been stopped in Bend in a targeted enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to a U.S. Justice Department lawyer.

Both men are alleged to be undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions and will face deportation hearings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Rice-Stitt said in court.

They were identified for targeted enforcement, apprehended yesterday morning and moved into the vans for transport, he said. Obviously there was a delay in getting out of the Bend area.

Family members and others gathered Wednesday afternoon into late evening hours in a parking lot where the men were held in an unmarked van to protest their custody. U.S Customs and Border Patrol officers late Wednesday used pepper spray on demonstrators after a 12-hour standoff.

Erin Carter, a volunteer attorney with the Innovation Law Lab, had responded to the Crane Commons parking lot in Bend and tried to speak to the two men to offer legal representation but was denied. Another Law Lab volunteer attorney Micaela Guthrie also tried to speak with an ICE officer at the scene but the officer refused to communicate with her, according to court papers.

By 3:30 p.m., Stephen Manning, executive director of Innovation Law Lab, spoke with the assistant field office director for ICE and asked that the two men not be moved out of Oregon until they could consult with attorneys. The request was denied.

Rice-Stitt said ICE wasnt required to allow either man to consult with a lawyer between their detention and booking at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.

I havent seen any legal authority that not providing counsel between an arrest or detainment and booking and transfer is a constitutional violation, Rice-Stitt said.

Innovation Law Lab attorney Nadia Dahab cited a federal regulation that she argued provides the right to legal representation when an agency, including ICE, is making a custody decision.

So are you saying every time an undocumented immigrant is detained, counsel is contacted before they are taken anywhere? the judge asked.

Dahab replied that yes, ICE should have allowed the volunteer lawyer in Bend who agreed to represent the men to argue for their release before they were driven out of state to Tacoma.

Legal assistance is particularly critical for noncitizens at the outset of their cases, who must make important decisions about what claims or defenses to pursue. For such individuals, the assistance of counsel may mean the difference between life and death, Dahab wrote in the legal complaint.

The Innovation Law Lab had filed an emergency motion Wednesday night, trying to prevent the transfer of the two men to Washington. Dahab said taking the men out of Oregon would hamper, if not impede, the ability for the nonprofit law firm to legally represent them going forward.

According to Rice-Stitt, the men were taken to the regional center in Tacoma, where they will have the right to counsel in future immigration court proceedings.

Theres no imminent deportation by any means, he said. Its the very beginning of that process.

The judge set a Sept. 3 hearing on the law firms motion for a preliminary injunction.

Immergut also convinced the federal government to assist lawyers from Innovation Law Lab in contacting the two men by phone.

The Innovation Law Lab lawyers want the court to give them access to every individual arrested and detained in Central Oregon, so that Innovation Law Lab may provide know your rights training to them and written notice of any scheduled interviews or appointments for people arrested or detained in central Oregon by immigration enforcement officials.

Rice-Stitt told the court that the two men were the only ones detained by immigration officials on Wednesday in Bend.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

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Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
A man (40s) has been arrested after another man (20s) was rushed to hospital after a reported stabbing incident in Galway city centre late last night.

The man in his 20s received a number of stab wounds and was rushed to University Hospital Galway but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The incident is reported to have taken place at 10.20pm last night in the Eyre Square area of Galway city last night.

The man aged in his 40s was arrested nearby and taken to Galway Garda station where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

"A knife has been recovered and is subject to analysis," said a garda spokesperson.

"Investigations are ongoing."
Mary Mahan, 71, stands with her granddaughter, Lyric, 4, who she is raising on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Taylor Mill, Ky. Mahan is at high risk for COVID-19 because of both her age and having suffered from breast cancer twice. Due to her risk she has opted to keep Lyric home from preschool for online schooling.

CINCINNATI, Ohio  Lyric was in her daisy-print, summer pajamaswhen she got up and burst into song.

I believe I can fly, she sang, prompting a smile from her Mamaw.

Mary Mahan of Taylor Mill almost wouldnt be surprised if Lyric could. The busy, chatty 4-year-old, does not walk," Mahan said. "She mostly runs.

Mahan, 71, is Lyric's great-grandmother and has raised the child since birth. Lyrics mom has an addiction disorder, and the chronic, relapsing condition has prevented her from retaining full custody of her daughter.

Caring for a child can be hard for a grandparent on any given day, said Mahan. Add the threat of COVID-19 and a looming school year to the mix, and the challenge is downright distressing.

"If I got it, who was going to take care of her full time? Mahan asked, knowing there is no easy answer.

The risk of getting severely ill with COVID-19 or dying from it is greater for people 65 or older, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show. And in Kentucky and Ohio, a lot of seniors are raising their grandchildren.

The opioid epidemic, prompting more removal of children from parents with addiction, has left many children under grandparents' care. The family dynamic isn't new, though. The epidemic simply has added to grandparents and grandchildren living in the same household. People of color are also more likely to live with school-age children, newly released Kaiser Family Foundation research shows, and Black and Latino people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. So they may have an additional risk of getting COVID-19 once kids go back to school.

Mahan's situation is also doubly worrisome: She is at high-risk for getting a serious case of COVID-19 not only because she is 71, but also because she's had breast cancer twice. The latest diagnosis  for which she's been treated and is doing well  was just in March.

Mary Mahan, 71, stands with her granddaughter, Lyric, 4, who she is raising on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Taylor Mill, Ky. Mahan is at high risk for COVID-19 because of both her age and having suffered from breast cancer twice. Due to her risk she has opted to keep Lyric home from preschool for online schooling.

Mahan had hoped Lyric would be off to preschool in a few weeks. The little girl qualified for it, and her great-grandma said Lyric would benefit from having a teacher, school friends and new activities.

Story continues

"She can count and says her ABC's when she wants to," Mahan said. But Lyric is a typical 4-year-old and has trouble focusing when her great-grandmother pulls out the thick preschool learning book and tries to teach her.

Mahan does not consider home-based schooling ideal for Lyric.

Even so, she has relented and arranged a school option that will allow Lyric to attend preschool from home, using a Google Chromebook provided by the school and a teacher reached online.

I am concerned about her going and possibly getting COVID, Mahan said. Even if shes asymptomatic, if she brings it home to me her voice fades.

I hate that shes not going to be able to ride the bus and interact with other children."

About 6% of Kentucky's school-age children lived with seniors in 2018, the Kaiser Family Foundation report shows. In Ohio, the share is 5%. Of course, there are many others who are younger than 65 figuring out their grandchildren's school plan for 2020-21.

Dr. O'dell Owens, president and CEO of the nonprofit Interact for Health, said urban schools are attended by a lot of children who have grandparent guardians and are facing difficult questions about what to do if the children get COVID-19.

"How do you quarantine that child? Where does grandma go?" Owens asked.

Dr. Chaitanya Mandapakala, a St. Elizabeth Healthcare pulmonologist and ICU physician, said grandparents he treats often take part in routine care of their grandchildren even if they're not raising the kids. "They may take them to school and pick them up," he said. They may watch the children when working parents have to go out of town.

There are always risks, said Mandapakala, who treats COVID-19 patients.

"Logistically and practically, it is not possible to be perfect," he said. "We have to do the best we can."

Washing hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap helps to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The two doctors offered these suggestions for grandparents who've decided to send their grandchildren to school:

Make a plan to have children and teenagers wash their hands as soon as they come home from school. For young children, Owens said, "Have them sing the Birthday Song twice" to ensure they've spent adequate time washing.

Have younger children change clothes and give them a bath soon after school rather than waiting until later in the evening.

Have teens take a shower after school. "Every day when I come home I take a shower," Mandapakala noted.

Learn about the disease. Know your risks and how it spreads (most commonly through droplets) and protect yourself accordingly.

Teach and follow basic hygiene.

Limit people coming into your home. If you have a family member babysitting, try to maintain that relationship rather than moving the child from one caregiver to another.

Make a plan with family members about what you'd do if you got sick; what would happen if the child got sick? Know as much as possible in advance.

Holly Specht pulls up the application on her phone that she uses for telemedicine doctor visits from her home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

Have a primary physician or get one ASAP. That way, if you or the child develop symptoms of COVID-19, you can access the doctor quickly (often through MyChart and telehealth).

Make sure your doctor knows as much about your family's limitations with proximity and care of the child and helps develop a plan for you to remain as safe as possible within those limitations.

Is your child ill enough to stay home? A pediatrician shares her tips on dealing with sick days.

If your grandchild seems sick, with a headache, belly pain, fever, coughing or other symptoms, keep her home. Call the pediatrician and follow their advice.

Remember: COVID-19 is new. "We are still learning about it," Mandapakala said. Be familiar with updates on the disease. Use your doctor, health department, studies from infectious diseases experts and institutes or the CDC as resources, he suggested.

Follow Terry DeMio on Twitter: @tdemio

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: COVID-19: Grandparents raising grandchildren back-to-school risks
I am concerned that hundreds of people gathered on Portlands waterfront Saturday evening, most without masks or social distancing, to see Sean Feucht (Hundreds gather at Portland waterfront Saturday evening, without masks, to see controversial worship leader, Aug. 9). The story says Mr. Feucht is a controversial worship leader and political activist who has held similar crowded outdoor services on the beaches in California in defiance of coronavirus restrictions there. Does this give him and his worshippers the right to come to Portland to engage in his so-called Riots to Revival and potentially spread disease further in our community?

These types of gatherings are more dangerous to our community than the mostly peaceful demonstrations for Black Lives Matter and police reform. Where was law enforcement Saturday at the waterfront when hundreds were clearly defying Governor Browns limits on the size of gatherings and the mandate to wear masks and maintain social distancing? Portland would be much safer if the Riots to Revival had been disbanded by police.

The trust in our law enforcement may begin to be restored if officers showed up to truly protect us by disallowing large gatherings. I believe in peoples right to their own religious beliefs, but using this as an excuse to endanger my health and that of my community is clearly inappropriate and dangerous.

Alice Shapiro, Portland
Two midwives have been charged with manslaughter by negligence over the death of a Melbourne mother following a home birth in 2012.

Caroline Lovell, 36, died after giving birth at her Watsonia home on January 24, 2012.

The two midwives who oversaw her birth, Gaye Demanuele and Melody Bourne, were on Friday charged by the Victoria Police homicide squad with manslaughter by criminal negligence.

Caroline Lovell died following a home birth in 2012. Credit:Penny Stephens

For this form of manslaughter, prosecutors must prove the accused owed the victim a duty of care and breached it negligently, both consciously and voluntarily.
The east of Democratic Republic of Congo, a vast nation the size of continental western Europe, is a notoriously volatile region that has been overrun by armed groups for nearly three decades.

According to UN figures, 1,315 people were killed in the first half of 2020, more than triple the toll of 416 over the same period last year.

Here is a fact file:

Ituri

Northeastern Ituri province, which accounts for around half of the deaths, was the theatre of a conflict between 1999 and 2003 among militias from the Lendu ethnic group, a predominantly farming community, and the Hema, made up of traders and herders.

The bloodshed, exacerbated by alleged support from neighbouring Uganda, claimed tens of thousands of lives until 2003 when Operation Artemis -- the European Union's first foreign military intervention -- brought it to an end.

The violence flared again in 2017, this time mainly at the hands of a Lendu militia called the Cooperative for the Development of Congo, or CODECO.

The army launched a crackdown last October, and UN investigators say the unrest spread into new areas after CODECO splintered following the killing of its main leader, Ngudjolo Duduko Justin, in March.

North Kivu

The province is struggling with multiple armed groups that are the legacy of the two Congo Wars of the 1990s that sucked in countries from around central and eastern Africa.

The most notorious of these is the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a mainly Muslim movement that originated in Uganda that was opposed to the rule of President Yoweri Museveni.

In 1995, it crossed the border into DR Congo, which became its base, and it has not carried out any known attacks in Uganda for years.

Since October 2014, the ADF has been blamed for more than 1,000 deaths in the Beni region alone.

It carried out a string of massacres after the army launched a crackdown in October 2019, causing hundreds of deaths.

Farther south, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have regularly targeted civilians and the security forces, and were blamed for the deaths of a dozen rangers in the Virunga National Park in April.

The FDLR are Rwandan Hutu rebels, some of whose founders took part in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

South Kivu

Violence in South Kivu province is concentrated in an enclave called Fizi, pitting Rwandan-speaking Tutsi Congolese, known as the Banyamulenge, against other local ethnic groups, the Babembe, Bafuliro and Banyindu.

Between February 2019 and June 2020, at least 128 people were killed and more than 110,000 people fled their homes, according to UN figures.

Sixty-nine of those deaths were attributed to the Ngumino and Twigwaneho groups, linked to the Banyamulenge.

Armed groups associated with the other communities carried out summary killings of at least 44 people.

In July, armed men attacked the village of Fizi, which is perched on a high plateau overlooking Lake Tanganyika close to the border with Burundi and Rwanda. The toll diverges enormously, from 18 to 200 dead, reflecting the region's remoteness.

Tanganyika

Conflict in the southeastern province of Tanganyika is largely between militias of the Twa, a Pygmy minority, and those of the Bantu majority.

Disputes are typically triggered over access to land and control of illegal mining.
SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Masons is pleased to announce that its leading EDI solution was named a 2020 Category Leader for EDI software by GetApp, ranking in the top out of all listed solutions. Category Leaders are designed to help small businesses evaluate which software products may be right for them. "Our customers have high standards due to the high-stakes nature of EDI needs, and we are pleased that our company and employees have risen to our users' expectations and earned such high marks. It's truly a testament to the value of our offering," says Fiona Beckstrom, Director of Customer Success.

Category Leaders are published on GetApp, the recommendation engine SMBs need to make the right software choice. Category Leaders rankings highlight top-ranked North American software products based on ratings from end-users in five key areas: ease of use, value for money, functionality, customer support, and likelihood to recommend. The list of Category Leaders for EDI software is available at https://www.getapp.com/it-management-software/electronic-data-interchange-edi/category-leaders.

Each year, GetApp ranks the leading business apps based on popular categories to help professionals gather impartial experiences from current customers to assist in their software selection. The information includes unbiased, data-driven rankings, a breakdown of key factors, comparisons, and app scores. App scores are determined by 5 factors, worth 20 points each, for a possible total of 100. Data Masons scored 96 points out of 100.

About Data Masons

Since 1996 Data Masons has been delivering on its EDI Made Simple promise by providing a cloud-based and on-premise EDI platform that integrates any partner or external system into ERP platforms with zero ERP customizations. Data Masons is the leading EDI solution provider for companies using Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management, Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics AX, Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, Acumatica, Macola and SAP. Data Masons EDI's product flexibility and Data Masons' expert service options have made it the ideal partner to deliver high-performance business-document integration. Data Masons is a privately held company headquartered in Sarasota, FL USA, with international offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Sydney, Australia.

GetApp Category Leaders constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-user reviews, ratings, and data applied against a documented methodology; they neither represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, GetApp or its affiliates.

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Oil prices advanced on Friday and were heading for a second week of gains amid growing confidence that demand for fuel is starting to pick up despite the coronavirus pandemic that has slammed economies worldwide. Brent crude was up 14 cents, or 0.3%, at $45.10 by 0043 GMT, heading for a gain of about 1.6% this week. West Texas Intermediate had gained 12 cents, or 0.3%, to $42.36. The US benchmark is heading for a gain of nearly 3% this week. "The situation has improved some, but the market dynamics are still less than stellar," said Robert Yawger, director of energy ...
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Linkedin Moushumi Basu (Reuters) Sundargarh, India  Fri, August 14, 2020 10:08 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df7067 2 Environment activist,climate-activists,climate,climate-crisis,climate-change,environment,India,Archana-Soreng Free

Indigenous researcher and youth activist Archana Soreng first heard the term "climate change" only a few years ago. But she quickly understood that India's tribal communities have been living a climate-friendly lifestyle for generations.

"During my field visits and interactions with the tribes, I realized that concepts ... (such as) green living, rain water harvesting, reducing carbon emission and organic farming are actually being practiced since the time of our ancestors," she said.

"The modern world is basically 'hijacking' these age-old indigenous practices and principles, in its fight against climate change. So why not give the tribal communities their due credit" - and a bigger leadership role in dealing with climate threats, she asked.

Soreng, 24, a member of the Kharia tribe from the remote village of Bihabandh in India's Odisha state, in late July was selected as one of seven youth advisors on climate action to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He said he he hoped the new panel of 18 to 28-year-olds would "provide perspectives, ideas and solutions that will help us scale up climate action".

Selwin Hart, a UN special advisor on climate action, said Soreng "was selected due to her strong work in advocacy and research, (and) in preserving and promoting the traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities".

Read also: Young people face 'altered world', say lawyers for child climate case

'A heavy price'

Soreng, in an interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, said indigenous communities were already among those hardest hit by worsening climate-related threats and problems, from extreme weather to deforestation.

Since she was young, she said, strong cyclones have repeatedly hit her state, with families losing their homes and assets. By the time they recover, she said, another storm comes along.

"Why do the least-polluting tribal communities have to pay such a heavy price?" she asked.

In Soreng's family, activism and tribal ties run deep. Her mother Usha Kerketta is a teacher and women's right activist in her village. Nabor Soreng, her uncle and the first literate member of the family, is a tribal leader and indigenous studies expert.

Since childhood, they said, Soreng has been interested in tribal issues and environmental challenges.

In recent years she has documented the practices and traditional wisdom of Indian tribal and forest groups such as the Paudi Bhuiyan, Juang, Dongria Kondh, Oraon, Santhalis, Ho and her own Kharia tribe.

The effort has aimed not just to help preserve the knowledge but try to see it spread - and to instill greater pride in local the traditional communities, said Soreng, who studied regulatory governance at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and now is a researcher with Vasundhara, an Odisha non-profit focused on the rights, livelihoods and culture of indigenous communities.

As the world battles plastic pollution, for instance, it could learn from indigenous communities that have long used alternatives to plastic, from biodegradable plates made from leaves to toothbrushes of Neem tree twigs or date palm, she said.

Tribal communities need to become entrepreneurs in fighting climate change, she said, creating businesses that bring them an income and cut out the middle men and private companies that usually usurp their ideas and potential profits.

"I want to act as a bridge between the indigenous communities and policy makers in this regard," she said.

Read also: UN chief invites young climate activists to meet, give input

'Taken seriously'

Her foray into climate activism began about five years ago when she joined a university movement for tribal people. Last year she represented India at a Geneva meeting of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR).

She is also a member of the climate secretariat's youth constituency, and has been part of a youth caucus on desertification and land use.

She said it was "exhilarating" to have been chosen for the UN secretary-general's youth group, but she also saw it as "a huge responsibility".

As a member of this international climate forum I will emphasize and propagate the indigenous traditional practices, wisdom and ways of life as sustainable solutions to the growing climate crises," she said, as well as trying to engage more indigenous youth in climate action.

Planet-heating emissions are still rising, however, despite the growth of a global youth activist movement that brought millions to the streets last year.

That has raised questions about whether global leaders are ready to listen to young people and act more swiftly on the climate risks that will fall hardest on them.

Soreng believes they are. The decision to create the youth panel she's joined "shows that young voices are being taken seriously to accelerate global action and tackle the worsening climate crisis", she said.

Social media has helped young people amplify their voices, and many are today more informed, aware and mature on the issues, she added.

But youth input into decision-making needs to be continuous and sustained for long-term impact, she said, and youth groups need to join forces with like-minded others to have real impact.

Soreng's uncle, the tribal leader, believes his niece will have a key role in making that happen.

"I am sure she will connect the local with the global, thus helping the world at large to tackle the climate crisis," he said.
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France has vowed to retaliate after it was added to Britain's quarantine list last night following a surge in coronavirus cases - with more countries set to be added if they cross the threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 people in a week.

Emmanuel Macron's transport minister said France 'regrets the UK's decision' and 'will apply reciprocal measures' after people crossing the Channel into Britain were ordered to isolate for 14 days.

Ministers shut down the 'travel corridor' after France suffered a a spike of nearly 14,000 cases in the space of a week including 2,669 new infections announced last night.

The spike means France has suffered 21.0 cases per 100,000 people in a week, above the threshold of 20 identified by Grant Shapps as the key to Britain's quarantine rules.

The Netherlands (24.5 cases per 100,000) and Malta (56.2) have also been hit with Foreign Office travel warnings after crossing the threshold, joining Spain (58.8) and Belgium (29.4) on the quarantine list.

Switzerland (14.3), Denmark (15.3) and Greece (11.6) are also hovering close to the cut-off point while Portugal (13.5) is still under quarantine rules despite being below the limit.

Germany (8.6 cases per 100,000) and Italy (5.0) are both below the threshold at the moment but both have seen an alarming uptick in cases in recent weeks which have partly been linked to summer holidays.

This map shows the number of cumulative cases per 100,000 people in the last week. Britain has identified a threshold of 20 as the key to its quarantine rules. France was added last night after crossing that threshold - while Switzerland and Denmark are hovering close to it and Germany and Italy have seen an alarming increase in cases partly linked to summer holidays

Spain and France have led the way in Europe's recent rebound in coronavirus cases, but Germany, the Netherlands and Italy have also seen concerning new spikes

Speaking on Sky News this morning, Mr Shapps said France had been 'heading the wrong way' amid a surge in virus cases.

However, he maintained the UK's position that testing at airports would not be enough to head off the risk.

'Testing on return isn't quite as straightforward as its sounds because if you test somebody who's asymptomatic on day one on their return, then it would probably only capture a very small percentage', Mr Shapps said.

Which countries are above the threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 people in a week? SPAIN: 58.8 MALTA: 56.2 BELGIUM: 29.4 NETHERLANDS: 24.5 FRANCE: 21.0 SWEDEN: 18.7 (but quarantine is still in place) DENMARK: 15.3 SWITZERLAND: 14.3 PORTUGAL: 13.5 (but quarantine is still in place) GREECE: 11.6 IRELAND: 10.8 AUSTRIA: 10.3 UK: 9.0 GERMANY: 8.6 ITALY: 5.0 Advertisement

'Clearly you need to have a system which is more accurate than that before you can say to people, you've now been tested, you don't need to quarantine.

'We have seen [the virus] lift across Europe. It's really important that we try our hardest to prevent that from creating the problems that we're all so familiar with.

Scientists at the UK's Joint Biosecurity Centre advised the latest measures be taken after France's cumulative cases per 100,000 people rose above 20 in a week.

'A figure of above 20 causes concern and is one of the key triggers of a country being removed,' Mr Shapps told LBC.

'It does depend on how much a country tests, how many of those are positive and things like how much you can rely on their data,' he said.

Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast that around 160,000 British holidaymakers were thought to be in France at the moment.

'Given what's already happened in places like Spain and the vast amount of coverage about concerns in France and elsewhere, no-one will be entirely surprised,' he said.

'I do sympathise with people - I've been there myself and ended up having to quarantine as a result,' he said, referring to his own curtailed holiday in Spain.

French transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said last night that he had spoken to Mr Shapps about the decision.

'France regrets the UK's decision and will apply reciprocal measures in the field of transport,' he said.

'I told my counterpart Grant Shapps of our will to harmonise health protocols in order to ensure a high level of protection on both sides of the Channel.'

Clement Beaune, a junior minister for European affairs, said France was 'hoping for a return to normal as soon as possible'.

Channel Tunnel operator Getlink warned that many travellers may not be able to get back to the UK.

John Keefe, Getlink's director of public affairs, told Newsnight that the trains were 'already pretty much fully booked' on Friday.

'We just haven't got the space to take everybody who might suddenly want to come up to the coast,' he said.

'So what we are saying to people is amend your booking online, make sure there's space before you travel to the terminal.'

Mr Keefe said there was 'some possibility of adding additional trains in the off-peak periods' but would-be travellers must check online before heading to the terminal.

'The important thing is that people understand that it's not going to be easy to get back and they have to be sensible about this and not get themselves into difficulties,' he said.

Passengers arrive at London St Pancras International from Paris today after it was announced Britons returning from France would have to isolate for 14 days from Saturday

People walk by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which has been declared a high-risk zone for coronavirus in a move which gives authorities new powers to tackle potential outbreaks

FRANCE QUARANTINE Q&A What are my holiday refund rights? If you have booked a package holiday in France, or any other quarantine country, your tour operator should cancel the holiday. You can then claim a full refund. Will I get a refund on my flight, ferry or train ticket? If the airlines continue to operate the route, there is no right although they may offer money back as a goodwill gesture. Ferry operators and Eurostar may offer refunds but most firms will give customers a voucher to rebook at a later date. Eurotunnel says it will give refunds up to 24 hours before travel. And accommodation? If a hotel or villa remains open and available, there is no legal right to cancel and get a refund, although some booking websites, such as Airbnb and Booking.com, do offer last-minute cancellation on some listings. Can I claim on insurance for flights and accommodation? These are unlikely to be covered if the policy was bought after March 10 when most insurers removed cover for Covid-19-related cancellations. Can I claim statutory sick pay in quarantine? No  there is no automatic eligibility to statutory sick pay, unless you meet the required conditions, such as displaying coronavirus symptoms. What happens if you pass through a country on the quarantine list? You don't have to quarantine as long as passengers remain in the car for the whole journey and no one joins them. Advertisement

France last night announced another 2,669 cases of the disease while the 7-day average is now at 1,962, a level not seen since April.

The government today declared Paris and Marseille as high-risk zones, giving authorities more power to impose strict measures at a local level.

Local authorities in Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone region which includes Marseille can now limit traffic, restrict access to public transport and close down bars and restaurants if necessary.

Paris and Marseille, the two largest cities in France, had already made face masks mandatory in busy public areas in recent days.

The move could deal a further blow to tourism if other countries follow the government's lead in identifying Paris and Marseille as high-risk areas.

Health authorities warned last night that virus cases were rising fastest among younger people, in common with trends seen in Spain and Italy in recent weeks.

In mainland France, the pace of growth in cases in the week of August 3-9 was fastest among people aged 15-44, the health ministry said.

Among the new infections were 50 gendarmes based in Tarbes, out of a group of 82 who had just returned from a deployment in Polynesia.

Richard Peabody, an epidemiologist at the WHO's Europe office, warned that compliance with public health measures appeared to be worsening.

'If you take... the pressure off the virus, then it will come back,' he said, calling on European governments to learn the lessons in the first months of the pandemic.

France has seen 30,388 deaths linked to coronavirus - with 17 in the past 24 hours - and 374 people are presently in intensive care.

The UK's Foreign Office said the Netherlands had been added to Britain's quarantine list after a 52 per cent rise in cases between August 7 and August 13.

Malta was added after a 105 per cent rise in the space of a week, while Monaco, Aruba and the Turks and Caicos Islands are also affected.

'The government has made consistently clear it will take decisive action if necessary to contain the virus, including removing countries from the travel corridors list rapidly if the public health risk of people returning from a particular country without self-isolating becomes too high,' the FCO said.

'Government keeps travel advice and the exemptions list under constant review, and the Joint Biosecurity Centre is closely monitoring increases in reported cases in destinations worldwide.

'People planning to travel overseas should be mindful that unfortunately disruption is possible, in order to protect public health, and the government is prepared to remove countries from the travel corridors list rapidly if the public health risk of people returning from a particular country without self-isolating becomes too high.'

Beachgoers enjoy a hot day at a beach in Bormes-les-Mimosas in the South of France earlier this week, with the tourist industry set to suffer a blow as 160,000 British holidaymakers scramble to head home

Germany remains below Britain's threshold with 8.6 cases per 100,000 in the last week, but the daily infection count hit its highest since May 1 today after 1,449 more people tested positive.

The latest spike brings Germany's 7-day average from 985 daily cases to 1,028, the first time since May 6 that it has been above 1,000.

Germany has suffered 7,199 cases in the last week - but would need to reach around 16,750 per week to cross the UK's threshold.

Germany also faced testing chaos this week as 44,000 people had to wait more than a week for their results including around 1,000 who tested positive.

Many of those tested were travellers returning to Bavaria and other parts of Germany after their holidays.

Bavarian premier Markus Soeder - seen as a possible successor to Angela Merkel - was forced to apologise for what he called 'annoying' and 'regrettable' mistakes.

'The entire state government is sorry that these mistakes were made... and that now many people are unsettled,' he said.

Hundreds of people with positive test results were now being informed after officials worked through the night to clear the backlog, authorities said.

Soeder said his health minister had offered her resignation but he had refused it, calling the delay a failure 'not of strategy, but of execution'.

As of Saturday, anyone returning to Germany from an area deemed high risk is required to take a coronavirus test.

Germany has fared better than many of its neighbours in its handling of the crisis, but Soeder said returning holidaymakers would represent a big challenge in the coming weeks.

'The holidays are a big risk for infection in our country,' he said. 'The numbers are increasing and if we are not careful we will be in a very difficult situation in a few weeks.'

Tourists boarding a ship have their temperature checked at the port of Piraeus in Greece today. Greece is currently an approved destination for British holidaymakers

Hundreds of thousands faced a stampede to get home from France after it was added to the UK quarantine list last night. Travellers have 30 hours to make it back to the UK before the quarantine comes into effect. Pictured: Departures at Lyon-Saint-Exupery Airport

Meanwhile, Spain's tally increased by 7,550 cases on Thursday with officials saying that 2,935 of them had come in the previous 24 hours.

Spain has seen more than 27,000 new cases in the last week in the worst rebound in Europe, after infections were as low as 3,000 a week in early July.

Spain has already been struck off Britain's travel corridor list and some hotels have given up hope of UK tourists returning this summer.

'The number of known cases keeps rising in Spain, but it is a mild rise that allows the implementation of control measures,' insisted health emergency chief Fernando Simon.

An enhanced testing programme shows that a majority of the newly infected are asymptomatic and younger, making them less likely to need medical treatment.

Nonetheless, a military emergency brigade this week set up a new field hospital in Zaragoza in scenes reminiscent of the height of the crisis in the spring.

Two Spanish regions have introduced outdoor smoking bans to curb the spread of the virus, saying smokers could exhale droplets that carry the virus.

Galicia and the Canary Islands have both announced the measure in what is thought to be the first such restriction in Europe.

Officials in regions including Madrid and Andalusia said they were considering similar smoking restrictions.

The Canary Islands have also toughened their mask rules in public spaces, having previously been the only region not to make them mandatory.

The Spanish Medical Colleges Organisation said it was 'disappointed and outraged' at the lack of co-ordination between Madrid and regional governments.

'The disputes and rivalries between political forces and institutions, when they should all be rowing in the same direction, drive us to despair,' the body said.

The organisation blamed the spike in cases on looser social distancing, family gatherings and the re-opening of nightclubs and bars as well as the poor living conditions of migrant farm workers.

Spain's different layers of government provide 'contradictory' figures about the virus which 'give everyone the impression of a lack of co-ordination in the fight against the pandemic,' it added.

Italy has also seen an increase in cases, although at the moment they are far lower than in France, Spain or Germany.

The country's 7-day average is now at 434 cases per day, up from 281 at the end of July and barely 200 a month ago.

Italy has ordered tests testing for all travellers arriving from Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain, and banned all visitors from Colombia, in a bid to rein in infections.

A weekly report issued on Thursday said Italy was in a transitional phase 'with a progressive worsening trend.'

Recent infections from early August showed 'important warning signs for a possible increase in transmission' of the virus, it said.
The Pakistan Army on Thursday said it was aware of the threats to the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and security measures were periodically enhanced to deal with the emerging dangers.

Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Army Spokesperson Major General Babar Iftikhar said, The security of the CPEC has been increased. It is a continuous process and its security requirements are increasing as the project is going ahead. We are aware of threats and there is no compromise on its security because this project is linked with the future of our country, the spokesperson said.

He said that the war against terrorism was hard-earned success.

The spokesperson said more than 18,000 terrorists were killed and 400 ton explosive material was seized from militants during the war on terrorism in the country.

He said Pakistan supported the Afghan peace process because peace in Pakistan is lined with Afghanistan.

Peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan and peace along our western borders. So if there is anyone who wants peace in Afghanistan after Afghans, it is Pakistan, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:23:11|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has called on the international community to reject U.S. hegemonic interference in other countries' 5G cooperation, and uphold a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment.

According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed with the Slovenian foreign minister a joint declaration on 5G security during his visit to the country. Earlier in the Czech Republic, he also talked about joint efforts to build a clean network.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Friday at a press briefing that it is preposterous that, as the secretary of state of a country with cyber theft stains all over it, Pompeo should have the audacity to propose the building of a so-called "clean network."

"Now that the so-called 'clean network' seems to be Pompeo's pet phrase, perhaps he should explain to us, why is it that the shadowy figure of the United States can be found in cyber espionage activities from PRISM to Equation Group to ECHELON? Why is it that American intelligence authorities run a 24/7 surveillance of cellphones and computers all over the world, even eavesdropping on leaders of U.S. allies for over a decade? This is apparently the modus operandi of a hacker state," Zhao said.

The U.S. claim of "protecting privacy and the individual liberties of citizens" is nothing but a high-sounding pretext, Zhao said, adding that from meddling in other countries' 5G rollout to openly coercing allies into excluding Huawei, certain U.S. politicians have no scruples resorting to state power as long as it can stop Chinese businesses from getting an edge in 5G.

"I'm afraid what they have in mind is not a 'clean network,' but an 'American Network;' not a 'secure 5G network,' but a 'U.S. surveillance network;' not protection of 'privacy and liberties' of the individual, but consolidation of 'digital hegemony' of the United States," the spokesperson said.

"We believe the world can see certain U.S. politicians for who they really are, reject U.S. hegemonic interference in other countries' 5G cooperation, and uphold a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment," he added.

Zhao said in an era of globalization, 5G development should follow the concept of international consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and politicizing relevant issues or creating cliques will not be conducive to 5G progress.

"Such practices run counter to the fair competition principle and go against the common interests of the international community," he said. Enditem
T-Mobile has been planning the move for some time and is already retrofitting the former Sams Club building, he said. The company wants to move into the site by October.

The big news today is the 500 new jobs, Romanello said. These are new economy jobs, and I think we are going to see more of this. One of the things I am really proud of with this project is we are repurposing a big-box retailer. We are taking a vacant big-box [store] and turning it into an employment center.

Walmart, the parent company of the Sams Club chain of warehouse stores, announced in January 2018 that it was closing the Laburnum Avenue store as part of a plan to shutter 63 Sams Clubs nationwide. The closure cost about 163 local jobs.

The 134,374-square-foot club warehouse building was built in 2009. The building and the 16.4 acres was assessed for $11.5 million in 2020, the countys online property records show.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Henrico Economic Development Authority to secure the T-Mobile project for Virginia. Northam approved a $826,350 grant from the Commonwealths Opportunity Fund as an incentive for the project, which will help cover some of the $30 million investment.
(TNS)  When Silicon Ranch built its 65-acre solar farm in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 2012 to help make the Volkswagen plant the greenest car plant in the world at the time, the 8-megawatt facility was the biggest solar power facility in Tennessee.Eight years later, the Nashville-based developer of solar farms is again building the state's biggest solar array. But the new complex being built in Jackson, Tennessee, to supply the energy needs for a new $800 million Facebook data center in Gallatin will be nearly 10 times as big as the VW solar installation."As the price of solar generation continues to go down and we see more companies wanting to have a greener footprint, I think you'll continue to see more and bigger solar installations," said Matt Beasley, chief commercial officer for Silicon Ranch.The new solar installation is expected to include 220,000 modules and will allow the land under the solar array to keep the land in agricultural production. Silicon Ranch has trademarked this outcome-driven model as Regenerative Energy and is already demonstrating results at Bancroft Station Solar Farm in Georgia, which helps serve Facebook with a 30-megawatt solar farm that was the biggest solar installation when it first opened in Georgia."Our team co-locates clean electricity generation and regenerative agriculture to revitalize degraded soils, enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and sequester carbon in the soil, while restoring functioning grasslands and helping meet the need for decentralized and resilient energy and food systems," Beasley said.Silicon Ranch, which was started in 2011 by two former cabinet officers for former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, has installed about 135 solar farms in 14 states over the past decade and was selected by the Tennessee Valley Authority for the utility's Green Invest program to supply entirely renewable energy for Facebook.In 2018, Facebook pioneered the first project in TVA's Green Invest program, which provides renewable energy at cost to businesses and other power users that are looking to buy entirely renewable energy to comply with their corporate sustainability goals. More than 250 major companies, including Facebook, Google and Amazon, have pledged to eventually become carbon-free to limit greenhouse gas emissions linked with global warming.Since January, Green Invest has generated $1.6 billion in economic activity in TVA's service territory, TVA spokesman Sott Fiedler said."TVA is building the energy system of the future, and we are leading the charge by contracting 1,300 megawatts of utility scale solar in the past two years," said Chris Hansen, TVA vice president of origination and renewables.Silicon Ranch will fund construction of the solar facility and will own and operate the plant. The project will create more than 350 construction jobs, with additional employment for ongoing operations and maintenance, including ranchers and farmers to care for the land as part of Silicon Ranch's holistic approach to land management.The facility is expected to come online in fall 2022."We are thrilled to be partnering with TVA and Silicon Ranch to bring this new solar facility to the grid in support of our operations in the Tennessee Valley," said Urvi Parekh, head of Renewable Energy at Facebook. "The nearly 450 megawatts of new solar energy we are developing with TVA is an important part of our goal to support our global operations with 100% renewable energy."Facebook will support all of its operations with 100% renewable energy by the end of 2020. In addition to Silicon Ranch, Orsed will generate 227 megawatts at a new solar farm being built in Colbert County, Alabama and NextEra will generate 150 megawatts in Lincoln County, Tennessee.The Facebook announcement comes on the heels of three other major Green Invest deals this year: General Motors, Vanderbilt University, and Knoxville Utilities Board.TVA also announced earlier this year an option to purchase approximately 3,000 acres in North Alabama to facilitate development of utility-scale solar."We are on the forefront of a great change that is sweeping the energy industry, and TVA's innovation has positioned us to help communities and businesses meet their sustainability goals while attracting high-quality jobs to our region," said Hansen.
Courtney L. (left) and Gabrielle T. (right) via Yelp

At the end of July, Oakland bookstore Wolfman Books announced that the end was coming. Although they had been selling books online, owner Justin Carder chalked up the permanent closure to uncertainty over when the bookstore would be able to host its poetry, music and arts events again, Wolfman's bread and butter. But some former employees aren't letting the bookstore go down that easy.

On Wednesday, the five former employees  who are part of a collective called Wolfemme+Them  announced their decision to collectively take over the lease to build a new BIPOC- and QTPOC-led community space.
An elite Sydney girls school at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak is being investigated by police after parents accused it of ignoring social distancing.

The cluster of cases at Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook jumped to 20 on Thursday, including 12 senior students and one teacher.

Police officers attended the school, which has been closed this week, on Thursday following the claim of an outraged parent who said choir was still being held along with compulsory mass and communion.

Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook (pictured) has been linked to 19 cases of the deadly virus including 12 senior students and one teacher

NSW Police said they would be investigating any breaches of public health orders.

'The NSW Police Force is working with NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education to determine whether there have been any breaches of current Public Health Orders,' NSW Police said in a statement.

Another mother said her daughter along with some other students 'didn't seem surprised' an outbreak had occurred at the school, The Australian reported.

'She felt (the school) could have been stricter on their procedures (and) people were starting to panic,' the mother said.

One father also said there was a 'sense of distress' as the cluster of infections continues to grow.

The police investigation comes after one worried parent told 2GB's Ben Fordham Tangara was not following health guidelines.

'According to this parent, the school has not been practicing COVID-safe measures,' Fordham said on Thursday.

'They say the primary school has been doing weekly choir, they've continued compulsory mass, students are still taking communion by the hand and teachers have been taking it by the tongue.

'Last Wednesday there was a primary school food stall run by the high school students.'

Deep cleaning continued at Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook (pictured) on Tuesday

But the girls school has strongly denied the parent's claims.

'We absolutely refute the claims made regarding our COVID-safe practices,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'There has been no breach of the rules in regard to any school activities including assemblies, Mass, choirs, and guidance around food items.'

'We have always observed the NSW Government rules and guidelines for schools, leading up to, during, and post-lockdown.

'In term 3, in accordance with NSW Government schools guidelines, this has included following the 4sqm rule for assemblies and Mass, no choirs or singing in any form, and a food stall that observed COVID-safe practices including students following appropriate social distancing.'

The school closed last weekend and will remain shut until August 24 to undergo deep cleaning

Health authorities are still working to identify the source of the cluster of cases at the Cherrybrook school.

'We have some hypotheses but that person is not linked to a known cluster,' NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.

An overnight religious retreat is believed to be the reason for the outbreak in cases at Tangara.

An investigation is underway into reports several Year 10 and 11 students attended an overnight religious retreat in Bargo, 90km south-west of Sydney, before they tested positive, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The school insists it had nothing to do with the retreat and that it was organised by the nearby Eremeran study centre with the Catholic organisation Opus Dei.

'The school has not held any camps or retreats for its students since March 2020, when the COVID-19 restrictions for schools came into place,' a school statement read.

The Tangara School for Girls secondary campus has been closed since Monday and will remain shut until at least August 24.

Health authorities are still working to identify the source of the cluster of cases at the Cherrybrook school (pictured security guards at pop up testing clinic in Castle Hill in Sydney on Wednesday)

All students, staff and support staff at the secondary campus have been ordered to get tested for and self-isolate at home for two weeks, even if a negative test result is returned.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said any extra-curricular activities should not be going on in the midst of the outbreak of cases.

'Extracurricular activities, those excursions, overnight things which you would ordinary do are not acceptable during the pandemic,' Ms Berejiklian said on Tuesday.

'I'm absolutely paranoid about what I do myself, the worst thing to be would be unintentionally give it to others.'
This piece originally appeared in the Conversation

Broad access to testing is one of the most powerful tools to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under control until theres an effective vaccine in use. Diagnostic testing, which is used in medical settings to determine whether someone is infected with the coronavirus, is costly, slow, and overstretched in the U.S. But thats not the only type of test that can be used.

I study public health policy to combat infectious disease epidemics. To slow the spread of the virus, public health programs need to catch more COVID-19 cases and catch them before they spread. Innovative screening tests offer promise because they are inexpensive, rapid, easily mass-produced, and dont require laboratory processing. They can be implemented at large scale for frequent testing in schools, workplaces, airports, and even at home. With screening tests, huge numbers of people could be tested regularly, and contagious people would be identified before they could spread the virus far and wide.

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Ideally, the U.S. could provide frequent, accurate diagnostic testing to the whole population, but diagnostic capacity is struggling to keep up with demand. Screening tests make it possible to test large groups of people frequently, including those without any symptoms.

Screening tests are designed to work in a similar way to the X-ray screening of carry-on baggage at airports. X-ray screening is imperfectsome harmless items may prompt a more thorough search, and some dangerous items might slip throughbut it is fast enough to screen every bag and good enough to catch the majority of potential weapons.

The key, for any screening test, is that it must have a consistent rate of false positives and false negatives. If users knows exactly how accurate it is, then they can correctly interpret their likelihood of having COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration generally verifies the test accuracy during the approval process, but it could also be done by another government agency.

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Many fields of public health employ screening test strategies. For example, thermometer-based screening was used during the SARS and Ebola epidemics. Unfortunately, temperature checks miss a lot of COVID-19 cases because an estimated 40 percent of people with COVID-19 show no symptoms at all. Many COVID-19 reopening plans incorporate temperature checks since they will catch some cases, but a better screening method is needed.

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Several COVID-19 screening tests that cost $1 to $5 each and give a result in around 15 minutes have been developed, and many more are in the pipeline. These tests dont require a laboratory and can be processed on-site. Many use antigen-based testing, which detects specific proteins on the surface of the virus.

Screening tests come in many different forms. The FDA recently granted emergency use authorization to Quidel and BD for antigen tests that use a small, portable point-of-care machine to process samples. Though Quidel reports accuracy rates above 95 percent, the FDA cautions that the rate could be lower because the test hasnt undergone the full FDA approval process.

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One of the most versatile options for testing is the saliva-based paper-strip test, which only requires a paper strip and a test tube. It could easily be used at home.

Many inexpensive COVID-19 screening tests may not be as accurate as diagnostic tests. But screening tests with even moderate levels of accuracy can actually still effectively slow the spread of the virus, as long as the results are interpreted correctly.

Heres how this works.

First, frequent testing catches the vast majority of cases. Someone who is infected but gets a false negative and slips through the cracks is likely to be caught the next time theyre tested. For a test that misses 20 percent of positive cases, the chance of an infected person getting two false negatives in a row may be as low as 4 percent. Its like bailing a boat with a leaky bucket: You just have to bail more quickly to get the job done.

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Second, most people who get false-negative results are unlikely to be contagious. Antigen-based screening tests are good at detecting the high virus levels needed to be contagious. By design, screening tests sacrifice accuracy where it matters least to achieve low costs, speed, and ease of use.

Finally, those who get a screening test need to know how to interpret the results. Diagnostic tests can tell you whether youre infected with a high level of certainty. An inexpensive screening test is not as certain, but is still useful. For example, a positive result would mean that you have a high chance of being contagious, in which case you may want to take a diagnostic test for confirmation and quarantine if possible in the meantime. A negative result would mean that you have a low chance of being contagious, but it couldnt be ruled out. In this case, it would still be important to stay vigilant about COVID-19 transmission.

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While screening tests are not as accurate as diagnostic tests, they are a big improvement over flying blind because they provide useful information about whether someone is contagious. The weather report may not be able to tell you with certainty whether it will rain or not, but it can tell you whether its a good idea to bring an umbrella.

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Several companies are ready to scale up production of screening tests. The primary barrier is the delay in government approval. Its difficult for screening tests like saliva-based paper-strip tests to achieve the performance required for approval as a COVID-19 diagnostic test while remaining inexpensive and easy enough to allow for widespread and frequent testing. By creating new approval pathways specifically for screening tests, the FDA or another government agency could quickly put more of these tests into use.

Those who see the potential of rapid screening tests are already taking action. A group of governors plans to secure rapid tests that have been granted an emergency use authorization without waiting for full FDA approval. This will make it easier for those states to get back to in-person school and work safely. It is no exaggeration to say that innovative screening tests are a game-changing tool to fight the coronavirus and keep it at bay.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
(Alliance News) - Tower Resources PLC said Friday it has been engaged in "detailed discussions" over a loan facility for the the Njonji development at its Thali production-sharing contract in Cameroon.

Tower Resources noted the discussions have involved talk of a USD10 million facility going to the operator for the NJOM-3 well - which is currently in progress- and, subject to the results of that NJOM-3 well, the facility might then be expanded to support the next three production wells and platform planned for Njonji.

"The proposed facility would be secured by the proceeds from the PSC," Tower Resources said.

The operator at Njonji is the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Tower Resources Cameroon SA.

Tower Resources noted it has previously agreed with OilLR Pty Ltd for OilLR to farm in to the PSC to provide up to USD7.5 million for the NJOM-3 well.

"OilLR has not yet made the payment into escrow contemplated by that agreement, which means that the company has the option either to reduce OilLR's investment to USD5 million or to terminate the agreement," Tower Resources said.

The firm continued: "The company also remains in discussions with another potential farm-in partner."

Tower Resources said it is considering its options, with the planned completion date for the well still set at September 15.

Shares in Tower Resources were down 7.2% in London on Friday afternoon at 0.36 pence each.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
<! Ruth Kadiri >

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nollywood actress, Ruth Kadiri has recommended death penalty for politicians and public servants who misuse Nigerias funds.

A bitter Kadiri took to her Instagram page to call for the abolishment of voting in Nigeria until death sentence laws were put in place for unscrupulous politicians and civil servants.

According to her, based on what she had seen in the past, any incoming president or governor campaigning for Nigerians votes and promising them a better Nigeria is a liar!

Based on what I have seen in the past, any incoming president or governor campaigning for your vote and promising you a better Nigeria is a liar! I repeat, they are liars, do not vote for them.

Any political party promising you a better Nigeria is a liar. They have ruled yet, nothing has changed, be wise. Please be wise.

The number one problem of Nigeria is political parties. Best we start voting for political parties so that when a party candidate fails in office, we know were done with that party, no stories.

We should abolish voting in Nigeria until death sentence laws are given to politicians and public servants who misuse Nigerias funds. I said what I said.

Correct me if Im wrong and tell me what your government has done for you, she said.

The 32-year-old actress has acted in several Nollywood movies.

She ventured into Nollywood in the movie Boys Cot and since then has over fifty movies to her credit. As a screenwriter, she has written and co-written several movies, including Matters Arising, Heart of a Fighter, Ladies Men, Sincerity, First Class and Over the Edge.

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President Donald Trump, accompanied by from left, U.S. special envoy for Iran Brian Hook, Avraham Berkowitz, Assistant to the President and Special Representative for International Negotiations, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Trump's White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, applaud in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in Washington. AP



Israel and the UAE agreed Thursday to normalise ties in a landmark US-brokered deal, only the third such accord the Jewish state has struck with an Arab nation, in which it pledged to suspend annexation of Palestinian lands.



The bombshell news was broken by US President Donald Trump, in a tweet hailing a "HUGE breakthrough" and a "Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends".



Establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Washington's Middle East allies, including the oil-rich Gulf monarchies, has been central to Trump's regional strategy to contain Iran, also an arch-foe of Israel.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "historic day" and would launch a "new era" for the Arab world and Israel.



The Palestinians strongly rejected the deal, calling it a "betrayal" of their cause, including their claim to Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.



They also announced they were withdrawing their ambassador from the Emirates, and demanded an emergency Arab League meeting.





Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces full diplomatic ties will be established with the United Arab Emirates, during a news conference on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 in Jerusalem. AP
Portland police and Oregon State Patrol troopers work together to arrest two protesters in front of the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct during continued rioting in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 11, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Oregon State Police Pull Out of Portland as Rioting Continues

Oregon State Police troopers are leaving Portland despite continued violence in the states largest city.

Troopers were helping quell the unrest that has consumed portions of the city since May 28.

Capt. Timothy Fox, a state police spokesman, told The Epoch Times that the decision stemmed from the district attorney overseeing Portland deciding not to pursue some criminal charges.

The Oregon State Police is continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and, at this time, we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority, Fox said in an emailed statement late Thursday.

The state police had also fulfilled their commitment to a two week stint that ended on Aug. 12, he added.

Troopers are returning to the communities that they are assigned to serve and protect. We will continually assess our resources if our partners at PPB need OSP assistance, he said.

The Portland Police Bureau, or the PPB, has struggled to deal with the tumult thats consumed the city almost every night in the past two-and-a-half months. Rioters, some linked to the far-left Antifa network, have repeatedly attacked city, county, and federal buildings and officers as they call for defunding the police.

An Oregon State Trooper watches the crowd from behind a concrete wall near the Portland Police Bureau;s North Precinct in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 11, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

President Donald Trumps administration surged federal officers to Portland on July 4 to guard a federal courthouse that local officers did not protect. Clashes between the officers and rioters drew worldwide attention.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, reached a deal with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 29 that saw state officers step in and help federal and city law enforcement respond to rioting and violent demonstrations. Since then, troopers have been seen on most nights helping control crowds.

Browns office and DHS didnt respond to requests for comment.

Rioters shifted to outlying areas of the city in recent weeks, targeting a county building in east Portland and a police precinct in north Portland. On Wednesday night, they returned to the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse, a federal structure; and the nearby Justice Center, a county edifice.

The Portland Police Bureau declared a riot because of criminal activity and dispersed the mob with tear gas and crowd control munitions.

Security video from inside a Portland Police Association office shows unidentified people tossing flaming debris inside during a riot in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 8. 2020. (Courtesy of Portland Police Association)

Schmidt, the district attorney, told reporters on Tuesday that his office wouldnt prosecute cases of a number of charges, including disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, and riot.

Some of the violations of the law that have taken place during riots are impermissible by any standard, resulting in physical violence, injury, and worse, said the newly-elected district attorney, who bills himself as a progressive candidate.

Others represent the instinctive reactions of people who have been gassed repeatedly, who have been struck with kinetic-projectile weapons, and who have seen other protesters arrested in ways they deeply disapprove of, he added.

Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a response statement that officers are only arresting those who are committing crimes.

The arrests we make often come after hours of damage to private property, disruption of public transit and traffic on public streets, thefts from small businesses, arson, burglary, attacks on members of the community, and attacks against police officers, he said in a statement.
By Peter Nurse

Investing.com - European stock markets are seen opening cautiously higher Friday, with Chinese economic data suggesting a slow recovery ahead of the release of quarterly growth numbers for the eurozone.

At 2:05 AM ET (0605 GMT), the DAX futures contract in Germany traded 0.2% higher, the CAC 40 futures in France rose 0.1%, while FTSE 100 futures contract in the U.K. was flat.

Earlier Friday, data showed Chinas economic recovery continued in July, although not as robustly as many had hoped from the globes second largest economy and one of the most important growth drivers.

Industrial output rose 4.8% in July from a year earlier, below the median estimate of 5.2%, while retail sales were still in negative territory after the year-on-year decline slowed to 1.1%.

The euro zone's preliminary GDP numbers for the second quarter are due late in Fridays session, and the market consensus suggests a drop of 12% compared with the first quarter and 15% compared with the same quarter last year.

Also of interest will be the further course of negotiations between the Trump administration and the Democrats in Congress over the size and make up of the next coronavirus relief package. The Senate formally went into recess on Thursday but could return for a vote on any deal, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. .

In corporate news, Daimler (DE:DAIGn) is likely to be in the spotlight after the German car manufacturer said late Thursday that it had reached agreements costing nearly $3 billion to settle civil investigations by U.S. regulators and lawsuits from vehicle owners stemming from a long-running probe into software to cheat diesel emissions tests.

Oil prices edged higher Friday, heading for a second consecutive week of gains amid signs the energy demand recovery in the U.S. is gaining traction.

Crude closed at a five-month high on Wednesday, helped by encouraging data on U.S. crude stockpiles as refiners ramped up production and demand for oil products improved.

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This is now the third consecutive week of stock declines, with inventories declining by almost 22.5 million barrels over this period, said analysts at ING, in a research note.

More pessimistic reports from the International Energy Agency and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries weighed during the week, but the overall tone within the oil market has turned positive.

The OPEC+ producer bloc, which also includes Russia, will meet next week in the form of its Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee to discuss production levels.

U.S. crude futures traded 0.4% higher at $42.39 a barrel, while the international benchmark Brent contract rose 0.4% to $45.14.

Elsewhere, gold futures fell 0.6% to $1,958.30/oz, continuing to trade in an elevated range just below the $2,000 level. EUR/USD traded 0.1% higher at 1.1820.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:50:39|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 people, including 15 soldiers, were killed and about 11 others wounded in separate clashes in Afghanistan on Friday, authorities confirmed.

One security personnel was wounded when he was patrolling outside a mosque where he detected a motorcycle bomb in Police District 17 of Afghanistan's capital Kabul during Friday prayers at midday, the capital police said.

Terrorists detonated the remote control Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attached to the motorcycle to target worshipers after the prayers.

In northern Badakhshan province, four Afghan army soldiers were killed and two others wounded when an IED explosion struck their vehicle in Kotal-e-Rizgan locality of Argo district at around 10:00 a.m. local time, Sanaullah Rouhani from provincial police told Xinhua.

The army vehicle was destroyed in the blast.

Eight security force members and 10 Taliban militants were killed and five soldiers wounded after Taliban fighters armed with guns and rocket launchers attacked an army camp in Khan Abad district of northern Kunduz province, Qudratullah Safi deputy district chief told Xinhua.

The militants failed to overrun the base after security force repulsed the attackers after heavy fighting.

In eastern Kapisa province, two army officers and one soldier were killed, while two soldiers and two civilians wounded and one soldier was captured by the militants after Taliban stormed an army checkpoint in Sharak locality of Tagab district in early hours of the day, a provincial security source told Xinhua, adding several militants were also killed and wounded during exchange of fire which lasted for hours.

In eastern Nangarhar province, a father and his son were killed after an IED exploded in a village in Kama district, according to Farid Khan from provincial police department.

In neighboring Logar province, Special Operation Police Force of Afghan National Police (ANP) discovered and confiscated an ammunition cache in Mohammad Agha district, the Interior Ministry said Friday.

"The cache contained 100 kg of ammonium nitrate which is used for making IEDs and landmines, 10 various types of IEDS, some amount of ammunition and military equipment," the ministry said in a statement, adding the ANP also found and defused two IEDs on the outskirts of Tirin Kot, capital of southern Uruzgan province.

Since the signing of a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement in late February, Afghan leaders, including President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, have frequently demanded the Taliban to reduce violence.

The militants, however, have intensified attacks, killing and injuring scores of combatants and civilians.

Afghan government have released more than 3,180 Taliban inmates and Taliban freed over 1,000 security force members or government staff since the U.S.-Taliban peace agreement was reached.

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces remain in control of most of Afghanistan's population centers and all of 34 provincial capitals, but Taliban insurgents control large portions of rural areas, staging coordinated large-scale attacks against Afghan cities and districts from time to time. Enditem
India on Friday criticised Pakistan for giving a platform to former UN-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad to speak on the Kashmir issue through events organised by that countrys missions.

Hekmatyar, who now heads the hardline Hizb-e Islami party, participated in a webinar on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir hosted last week by the Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan and said India should learn a lesson from the Afghan jehad and the only solution to the Kashmir issue is to give Kashmiris the right to self-determination.

Mahathir spoke at an event organised in Kuala Lumpur by the Pakistani mission last week to mark the first anniversary of the revocation of Kashmirs special status and criticised Indias actions. During his last stint as Malaysias premier, his comments on the situation in Kashmir and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act had taken bilateral ties to a new low.

Asked about Hekmatyars presence in the webinar organised by Pakistan, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: We have seen the media reports of the participation of the former UN-designated terrorist in an event organised by the government of Pakistan.

This is nothing new. Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits but also encourages them. We hope that such participation in public events by a former UN-designated terrorist would not go unnoticed.

In 2017, the UN removed Hekmatyar from its list of designated terrorists after he signed a peace deal with the Afghan government.

In response to a separate question on Mahathirs presence at the Pakistan government event, Srivastava said: You are aware of the outlook and position of Mahathir Mohamad on this issue. As a saying goes, you are known by the company you keep.

On the Afghan peace process and the Afghan governments decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners, Srivastava said, We have taken note of the development. As far as India is concerned, we strongly support the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. We also support the intra-Afghan negotiations.
The FBI is asking the publics assistance into the mysterious disappearance of Leila Cavett a 21-year-old mother who was last seen on July 26, 2020, hours before her 2 year old son, Kamdyn was found in an apartment complex near the 1860 block of SW 68th Avenue in Miramar, FL. pic.twitter.com/yckcmJLdiF  FBI Miami (@FBIMiamiFL) August 13, 2020

Its been nearly three weeks since a little boy was found wandering alone in Miramar, and there is still no trace of his mother, Leila Cavett.

On Thursday, the FBI shared new photos of the 21-year-old and released a detailed timeline of where she was in the days leading up to her disappearance.

Cavett was seen at a Vero Beach Cracker Barrel on July 24, with Kamdyn by her side. She is then seen at a RaceTrac gas station in Hollywood around 3 p.m. July 25, entering and exiting a Lexus sedan.

Another picture shows Cavett wearing a floral dress and a mask, carrying her son into RaceTrac at about 10:30 p.m. July 25.

The next day, her son Kamdyn was found in the 1800 block of Southwest 68th Avenue, in the area of the Willowbrook Apartments.

The FBI is asking for the publics assistance in the mysterious disappearance of Leila Cavett, Director George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI Miami field office, said at a news conference. Leilas separation from her son is completely out of character. Her family and others in her community are very concerned about her safety and well-being.

On Sunday, July 26, Ebony Williams, who was on her way back from getting vanilla coffee creamer, spotted the little boy in the 1800 block of Southwest 68th Avenue, in the area of the Willowbrook Apartments.

Williams walked around the complex looking for his family, but couldnt find anyone who knew him. So she called Miramar police.

The next day, Miramar police held a news conference and released a picture of the curly-haired boy to try to identify him.

By that night, Miramar police confirmed that detectives were looking into a tip that the boy was the son of Cavett, who according to her Facebook page lives in Atlanta.

Cavetts family from Jasper drove down to South Florida after seeing Kamdyns picture shared widely on the internet.

The boy is in the care of Broward Sheriffs Office Child Protective Investigations Section. Just last week, Cavetts family was granted Zoom visitation with the boy, who is with a foster family.

Hollywood police took over the case when detectives learned that Cavett was possibly seen near the area of Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 441. Her truck was found in a Walmart parking lot.

A week later, the FBI became involved.

Piro said Cavett, who is about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighs about 120 pounds and has Kamdyns name tattooed on her right inner arm and a Jesus fish tattooed on her right wrist, spent time in and around Hollywood, Miramar and Fort Lauderdale Beach before her disappearance.

Leilas vehicle was found unattended on July 28 in Hollywood, Piro said. We are investigating every possibility as to why Leila went missing. Oftentimes, members of the community have information of value, but do not come forward with the information because of a belief it might not be important.

Regardless of how insignificant your information might be, or whether you think we are already aware of it, I urge you to come forward even anonymously and allow the FBI to make that determination.

Anyone with information is asked to call FBI Miami 1-800-CALLFBI or to go fbi.gov/tips.



2020 Miami Herald

Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Houston police are asking local butcher shops to keep an eye out for meat stolen from multiple slaughtered horses in Pearland.

Department spokesman Victor Senties issued the warning Thursday during a news conference. At least five horses have been slaughtered in the Pearland area since May and are thought to have been killed for their meat.

One of those horses belonged to Jodi and Jason Bockel, whose 10-year-old horse Goldie was found dead in late May. Their son found Goldie with a stab wound in the heart and her backstraps and hindquarters missing, Jodi Bockel said.

You could tell they knew what they were doing, she said of the assailants, who remain at large.

We miss her, she added. She was a great horse.

Most of the horse killings were clustered along Hooper Road near the Sam Houston Tollway. Another killing was reported in the 14100 block of Wayside Drive.

Pearland police spokesman Jason Wells previously told the Houston Chronicle that the culprit made precise cuts and removed the meat with care.

Richard Kudo Couto founded the Animal Recovery Mission and ARM Sanctuary and also works undercover to catch horse killers. He has spent more than a decade working on the issue in Florida. In a recent interview with the Chronicle, he guessed that between 30,000 and 40,000 horses a year are funneled through the states black market meat trade.

Generally, the horses are stabbed in the heart rather than shot so as not to awake owners and neighbors, which means horses can take up to 20 minutes to die. But that also suggests the horses are still alive while theyre butchered, Couto explained.

Once the highly valuable meat is cut off, it is often sold for medicinal and magical purposes  as a cure for disease or even for libido problems, he said.

Currie Engel contributed to this report.

julian.gill@chron.com
A quarter of the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge's Upper School's student body is quarantined due to potential exposure to the coronavirus, leading school officials to call for a transition to virtual learning until the end of the month, an email to families said.

The private school sent out an email Thursday alerting families that students in grades 9-12 would not return to campus until Aug. 27.

"Transitioning Upper School to distance learning is a precautionary measure to create a gap between those who have been exposed and those who have not been exposed," a school press release said.

McKinley High shuttered for rest of week due to new coronavirus case, virtual school continues McKinley High School in Baton Rouge closed its doors Thursday for a deep cleaning and wont reopen until Monday after a staff member tested po

Head of School Dr. Carrie Steakley said a quarter of the Upper School students were asked to quarantine after "multiple off-campus social events last weekend."

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"While this news is certainly disappointing for many of you, as it is for us, we must prioritize student safety," Steakley said in the email.

The decision was made and supported by the school's Health Advisory Committee, the email said. The transition to virtual learning does not apply to the school's middle grades students.

Upper School students returned to campus on Aug. 7, according to the school's 2020-21 academic calendar.

Episcopal faculty and staff transitioned to distance learning last spring, according to a school spokesperson. Remote learning will continue "as needed" to provide students with an uninterrupted educational experience.
The Palestinian polity has long been weak, divided between the portions of the West Bank nominally controlled by Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, and his rivals in Hamas, the Islamic militant group that dominates the impoverished coastal territory of Gaza.

The struggle now is not just against Israel, but to remain relevant.

Whatever happens, Im the only thing that needs to be resolved, said Saeb Erekat, the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organizations executive committee and its veteran chief negotiator. Insisting that ultimately, the Palestinian question could not be dismissed or ignored, he added: Im the fact on the ground. Im the real fact on the ground.

There was never a single Emirati who fought the Israelis in any war, Mr. Erekat noted. Theres no war between the Emirates and Israel.

Israel and the Emirates have quietly cooperated for years on security and trade. Israeli ministers have openly visited, and Israel maintains a small office at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, one of the seven Emirates. There is also a synagogue and a resident rabbi there, Levi Duchman, originally from New York.

Palestinian relations with the Emirates, by contrast, have been sour for almost a decade. Abu Dhabi plays host to Muhammad Dahlan, a former Gaza security chief turned vitriolic critic of Mr. Abbas and his nemesis in exile. Palestinian Finance Ministry records indicate that the Emirates have not sent money to the Ramallah-based government since 2014.

They dont even invite us to their national day, Mr. Erekat said.

The Emirates may also have been emboldened by the weariness of the wider Arab public with the Palestinian cause, and by the almost apathetic response to earlier moves by the Trump administration  like recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and moving the United States Embassy to the disputed city  that once would have been explosive.
Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Transocean's CFR to Caa3; negative outlook

Global Credit Research - 14 Aug 2020

Approximately $9 billion of rated debt affected

New York, August 14, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") downgraded Transocean Inc.'s (Transocean) Corporate Family Rating (CFR) to Caa3 from Caa1, Probability of Default Rating (PDR) to Caa3-PD from Caa1-PD, and senior unsecured notes rating to C from Caa3. Concurrently, Moody's also downgraded Transocean's senior secured revolving credit facility to B3 from B1, senior secured notes issued by various Transocean's subsidiaries to Caa1 from B2 and previously-issued priority guaranteed senior unsecured notes (PGNs) to Ca from Caa2. Transocean's Speculative Grade Liquidity (SGL) rating was downgraded to SGL-3 from SGL-2. The rating outlook remains negative.

On August 10 Transocean announced that it had commenced exchange offers to exchange the existing senior unsecured notes for up to an aggregate principal amount of $750 million of the New Senior Guaranteed notes. Transocean also announced that it executed private exchange agreements relating to approximately $397 million of its 0.5% Exchangeable bonds due 2023 for $238 million of newly issued 2.5% Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable bonds due 2027. [1] In addition to exchanging a portion of the company's debt at a significant discount to par, the Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable bonds and New Senior Guaranteed Notes would structurally subordinate the company's existing PGNs and senior unsecured notes. If consummated in the amounts proposed, the contemplated exchanges will be viewed as distressed exchanges, a form of default under Moody's view. In that event Moody's will append an /LD to the PDR indicating limited default.

"Transocean's announcement to engage in the proposed debt exchanges indicates the fundamental challenges its business faces and untenable nature of its capital structure. The oil price collapse following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic poses a substantial challenge for Transocean to improve its cash flow and its weak credit profile, as near-term improvement of offshore fundamentals is unlikely" commented Sreedhar Kona, Moody's senior analyst. "The anticipated gradual erosion of Transocean's liquidity contributed to the downgrade and continued negative outlook."

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RATING RATIONALE

Transocean's downgrade to Caa3 CFR and Caa3-PD PDR reflects the company's rising risk of default in light of its very high financial leverage, diminishing liquidity and Moody's view on overall recovery on the company's debt. The downgrade also considers the challenging offshore drilling fundamentals and limited prospects for the company to improve its cash flow generation and very weak credit metrics.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, deteriorating global economic outlook, low oil prices, and high asset price volatility have created an unprecedented credit shock across a range of sectors and regions. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. Today's action reflects the impact on Transocean of the deterioration in credit quality it has triggered, given its exposure to oil prices, which has left it vulnerable to shifts in market demand and sentiment in these unprecedented operating conditions.

Moody's expects Transocean to maintain adequate liquidity as reflected in its SGL-3 rating (per our anticipated gradual erosion of its good liquidity reflected in its previous SGL-2 rating), because of its still sizable cash balance and borrowing availability under its credit facility. As of June 30, 2020, the company had $1.5 billion of cash and full availability under its $1.3 billion senior secured revolving credit facility, which Moody's expects will be modestly drawn upon in 2021. The credit agreement contains several financial covenants including maximum debt to capitalization ratio of 0.60:1.00, minimum liquidity of $500 million, minimum guarantee coverage ratio of 3.00x and minimum collateral coverage ratio of 2.10x. Moody's expects the company will remain in compliance with its covenant requirements although cushion for compliance will erode going forward. Asset sales are unlikely, given the market conditions for offshore drilling rigs, but could occur to raise some cash since some of the company's assets are unencumbered.

The B3 rating on Transocean's revolving credit facility reflects its superior position in Transocean's capital structure relative to the guaranteed unsecured notes and the unsecured notes, given its security interest in some of Transocean's rigs and strong collateral cushion in the form of a 2.1x collateral coverage ratio covenant requirement.

The Guardian Notes, the Pontus Notes, the Poseidon Notes and the Sentry Notes are rated Caa1, two notches above the Caa3 CFR and one notch below the revolver's B3 rating. The Caa1 rating reflects these Notes' respective security interest in only one or two drillships, as applicable, and the cash flow generated from their drilling contracts, and the potential for any residual claims from these Notes to become subordinated to secured claims at Transocean, which has provided unsecured guarantee to these notes.

The Ca rating on PGNs is one notch below the Caa3 CFR, reflecting the secured debt previously issued, the to be issued New Senior Guaranteed notes (unrated) and the Senior Guaranteed Exchangeable bonds (unrated), to which the PGNs are structurally subordinated. The PGNs are senior to the unsecured notes and have a priority claim, because of the guarantees from certain of Transocean's intermediate holding company subsidiaries, effectively giving these notes a priority claim to the assets held by Transocean's operating and other subsidiaries compared to Transocean's remaining senior unsecured notes.

Transocean's remaining senior unsecured notes are rated C, reflecting their lack of security or subsidiary guarantees, leaving them at the bottom of the capital structure in terms of priority.

The rating outlook is negative, reflecting the continued oversupply of deepwater and ultra-deepwater rigs reducing the likelihood of sufficient dayrate improvement and increase in cash flow for Transocean.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

Transocean's ratings could be downgraded if Moody's view on the company's overall debt recovery or specific debt instrument recovery is reduced.

An upgrade is unlikely in the near term, absent a substantial recovery in dayrates, increase in cash flow and reduction in financial leverage. If Transocean can achieve sequential increases in EBITDA in an improving offshore drilling market while increasing liquidity, reducing leverage and increasing interest coverage above 1x, an upgrade could be considered.

Transocean Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Transocean Ltd., a leading international offshore drilling contractor operating in every major offshore producing basin around the world.

The principal methodology used in these ratings was Global Oilfield Services Industry Rating Methodology published in May 2017 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1062654. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

Downgrades:

..Issuer: Transocean Guardian Limited

....Senior Secured Notes, Downgraded to Caa1 (LGD2) from B2 (LGD2)

..Issuer: Transocean Inc.

.... Probability of Default Rating, Downgraded to Caa3-PD from Caa1-PD

.... Speculative Grade Liquidity Rating, Downgraded to SGL-3 from SGL-2

.... Corporate Family Rating, Downgraded to Caa3 from Caa1

....Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, Downgraded to B3 (LGD2) from B1 (LGD2)

....Gtd. Senior Unsecured Notes (PGNs), Downgraded to Ca (LGD5) from Caa2 (LGD4)

....Gtd. Senior Unsecured Notes, Downgraded to C (LGD6) from Caa3 (LGD5)

....Senior Unsecured Notes, Downgraded to C (LGD6) from Caa3 (LGD5)

..Issuer: Transocean Pontus Limited

....Senior Secured Notes, Downgraded to Caa1 (LGD2) from B2 (LGD2)

..Issuer: Transocean Poseidon Limited

....Senior Secured Notes, Downgraded to Caa1 (LGD2) from B2 (LGD2)

..Issuer: Transocean Sentry Limited

....Senior Secured Notes, Downgraded to Caa1 (LGD2) from B2 (LGD2)

Outlook Actions:

..Issuer: Transocean Guardian Limited

....Outlook, Remains Negative

..Issuer: Transocean Inc.

....Outlook, Remains Negative

..Issuer: Transocean Pontus Limited

....Outlook, Remains Negative

..Issuer: Transocean Poseidon Limited

....Outlook, Remains Negative

..Issuer: Transocean Sentry Limited

....Outlook, Remains Negative

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above.

The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.

REFERENCES/CITATIONS

[1] Transocean Press Releases 10-Aug-2020

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Sreedhar Kona Vice President - Senior Analyst Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Steven Wood MD - Corporate Finance Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653

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Wrexham organisation prepared to hit the road again after receiving Welsh Government support

This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 14th, 2020

A community transport charity forced to cease operation during the coronavirus pandemic has relaunched after receiving grant support from the Welsh Government.

Chariotts secured 17,000 via the Welsh Governments Voluntary Services Emergency Fund which has enabled the organisation to adapt its vehicles to ensure they observe Covid-19 guidelines.

Wrexhams Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths is a keen supporter of Chariotts and recently visited the organisations headquarters to see the modified vehicles.

Chariotts is a charitable organisation that has helped transport disabled people and those with sensory impairments in Wrexham for over 20 years. Many clients have mobility issues which make it extremely difficult for them to rely on public transport.

The Welsh Government funding has been used to convert five of their 9 vehicles so they are better prepared to deal with coronavirus regulations.

Each adaptation cost 900 and will help ensure the safety of passengers and drivers.

The funding has also supported the charity through this challenging transitional period, helping cover the cost of overheads such as car insurance, petrol and electricity bills.

Before the pandemic, Chariotts regularly supported around 1,000 clients in the area, providing a vital lifeline to people who otherwise would struggle to leave the house.

The organisation is currently undertaking between 70 and 80 jobs a month. Pre-Covid, Chariotts would have been reaching that figure in a single day.

Lesley Griffiths MS said: In the current climate, safety is the most important factor for people.

Many regular clients have been indoors throughout lockdown and Chariotts has recognised the importance of inspiring confidence and ensuring people are protected when they venture out into the town.

Chariotts play such a valuable role in the community and I was very pleased to hear how Welsh Government support has helped the organisation survive and adapt during the peak of the pandemic.

Having seen the newly modified vehicles for myself, Im sure they will provide passengers and drivers with the reassurance they need.

Unfortunately, current regulations and social distancing guidelines means Chariotts cannot take wheelchair users at present. The charity are awaiting further guidance as to when this service can start operating once again
Inside a COVID-19 hospital in Bhagalpur, Bihar, dirty with garbage and discarded protective equipment, where 42-year-old psychiatrist Dr Kumar Gaurav is now the top official after some doctors were struck down by the coronavirus and others refused to work.A medical worker wears personal protective equipment (PPE) and a plastic bag over his head as he transports the body of a patient who was suspected to have died of COVID-19, at Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bhagalpur, Bihar. (Image: Reuters)
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai said he was arrested on trumped up charges, pushing back against landmark national security legislation that has raised questions about press freedoms and the future of the democracy movement.

Theyre trumped up. I cant go further on the details, Lai said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Friday morning. Before any evidence, they just claimed and presumed that Im guilty. This isnt the way the law is. I should be presumed innocent. We have never supported the independence of Hong Kong.

He said Hong Kongs future as Asias main financial hub was uncertain if there was no respect for the rule of law under the new security measures.

The future of Hong Kong is the future of any other Chinese city, he added. Without the rule of law, the international financial center will be finished. He added that the law sent a very negative message to the business community in Hong Kong and overseas.

Lai has the highest profile of more than 20 democracy activists so far arrested under the national security law, which bars subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers. Hong Kong police on Monday arrested Lai along with his sons and senior executives of his media company, Next Digital Ltd., on suspicion of collusion under the security law imposed by China on June 30.

Next Digital reversed an earlier decline to rise 32% as of 9:58 a.m. It declined Wednesday and Thursday after a 1,100% gain in the first two days of this week triggered a warning from Hong Kongs securities regulator.

The case has put new strain on already-fraught ties between the US and China, with President Donald Trump calling the arrest a terrible thing at a Thursday briefing. The Trump administration has slapped sanctions on senior Hong Kong officials including Chief Executive Carrie Lam and has led international condemnation of the law, calling it an attempt to crush Hong Kongs political opposition.

Reporters on Monday live-streamed a handcuffed Lai being led through the headquarters of his flagship Apple Daily newspaper. Its vocal criticism of the pro-Beijing establishment and support for last years historic protests helped make it a symbol of the press freedoms guaranteed to the former British colony.

We will persist, Lai said of the newspaper. Theres no doubt.

His arrest was part of an investigation into an online activist group that received more than HK$1 million ($129,000) in funding from overseas bank accounts, the South China Morning Post reported this week, citing unidentified people. Lai told Bloomberg Television that he had never given one cent to the protest movement and had no ties to prominent democracy activist Joshua Wongs political party, which was disbanded as the national security law came into effect.

More Uncertainty

The arrest drew calls among opposition supporters to buy Lais newspapers and stock in his company, fueling a 1,100% surge in its share price and prompting the market regulator to urge investors to exercise extreme caution. The Securities and Futures Commission has requested brokerages transaction records and client information related to Next Digitals shares, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reported Monday, citing unidentified brokers.

The law has injected an additional measure of instability to Hong Kong as a fresh challenge to businesses in Asias main financial hub, which was once known for predictability more than protests. The citys economy had faltered even before the law was enacted in June, following months of often-violent rallies and turmoil fomented by Covid-19.

A survey released Thursday by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong showed almost half of businesses reported feeling pessimistic about the citys business prospects, while others were almost equally worried about surprise retaliatory moves from the US.

One member company described being caught between a rock and a hard place, with mainland Chinese clients unwilling to work with American firms and American firms unwilling to work with companies located in Hong Kong. Frankly impossible to do anything right now, until there is clarity, the respondent said.

Protest Evolution

Lai said Hong Kongs protests have been curtailed by the new security law, but that pro-democracy supporters would find new ways to continue supporting the cause.

The protest movement has been reduced quite a lot, he said. A lot of young people have left or are about to leave. And some of the pro-democracy movement people have stepped aside.

Those that remain are still very strong. And more people are reacting to the national security law in a different way, he said. I think the movement will go on. I dont know how theyre going to go on. We can no long have 2 million people walk on the street. Are people going to scatter into small groups? I think in the future there will be innovation.
So whats the story about being Taoiseach, Micheal? Stefanie Preissner chats with An Taoiseach Micheal Martin for the latest in her series of podcasts, Basically

She's been on stage, her scripts have been turned into acclaimed TV dramas, she writes a column for a leading newspaper and she hosts a massively popular Instagram page.

And now the Mallow writer Stefanie Preissner is storming the internet with her new podcast, Basically, which has already garnered a weekly audience of 10,000+ listeners within a few months of launching.

This week saw Stefanie grill An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, about the political process and what the Fianna Fail party stands for. This continues a theme she's been developing on her Instagram profile where she's been trying to give a low down on Irish politics to her 19.5k followers.

"On my Instagram profile (@stefaniepreissner) I've been giving people impartial advice as to what parties stand for and what policies they have as I feel young people weren't getting it," she said.

"So with the interview with Micheal Martin I wanted to get an idea from him of what was the identity of Fianna Fail,

"It's clear that political parties saw what I was doing and saw that I was getting across to people."

While Stefanie, who is podcasting on Headstuff, the 'Netflix for podcasts', is planning interviews with politicians from other parties including Paschal O'Donoghue and Eoin O Broin, she's also cast her net wide to include other interesting people.

Among the interviews she did for a podcast was one with career and CV adviser Lorcan Nyhan.

"I got a message from an Occupational Therapist who wanted to progress to the next level who listened to the podcast with Lorcan and the message said that she had taken the advice - and she had got the job she was looking for as a result!"

Stefanie is really enjoying life behind the microphone as she is getting to chat with people who have interesting stories to tell.

"I love it - I find I have to be intersted in the person and their story and the questions flow then."

The writer of 'Can't Cope Won't Cope' has also written a number of other series, one for the BBC and another for the US, which are on the cusp of being commissioned.
Government announces package for businesses in Kildare, Laois and Offaly

Topped up Restart Grant Plus

Affected counties will be prioritised for existing grants, loans and vouchers

Funding to promote counties

The Government has today announced a package of measures for businesses in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, which have been adversely impacted by renewed Covid 19 restrictions. The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar TD, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath TD and the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin TD brought forward the package, which received Government approval this afternoon. The measures include:

Topped up Restart Grant

Eligible businesses will now be entitled to a 20% top-up, bringing the new minimum for affected counties to 4,800 and the new maximum to 30,000. Those that applied and received a grant previously, can re-apply and receive a second grant, with 20% additional on the new rate.

Prioritised Applications

1m is being ring-fenced for the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in the three counties to increase engagement with local businesses to ensure they are aware of the loans, grants and vouchers they are entitled to. Applications from affected counties will be prioritised for all existing schemes, including the Sustaining Enterprise Fund.

Promotional Campaign

Failte Ireland is being allocated 1m to undertake a promotional campaign focused on increasing the appeal of these counties to visitors and drive bookings.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar TD said:

Todays announcement is about providing a little bit more help to businesses in Kildare, Laois and Offaly as they manage the next couple of weeks. I know the restrictions have come as a blow just as they were getting back on their feet and we need to help out. The topped-up Restart Grant Plus will provide some much needed cash to help with the costs associated with re-opening and staying open safely and by prioritising applications from the three counties for existing grants, loans and vouchers, we are ensuring they are top of the queue for what is already available. Once restrictions are eased, we want people to come visit the counties so we are also putting money aside for a promotional campaign. These measures, in addition to what is already available, will hopefully provide some practical assistance to manage what is an extremely difficult situation.

Minister Michael McGrath TD added:

The measures announced today represent a genuine effort by Government to address the negative consequences for businesses and the local economy in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, as a result of the restrictions imposed last Friday on public health grounds. The extra grant support for local businesses will be of help, alongside the additional resources being allocated to promote a range of enterprise schemes across the three counties. Its hoped that the funding for a promotional campaign will drive footfall into these counties once the restrictions are lifted. Government will work with local businesses, Chambers of Commerce and other representative bodies to roll out the various supports in the period ahead.

Minister Catherine Martin TD concluded:

I am acutely aware of the difficulties being faced by the tourism and hospitality sectors in Kildare, Laois and Offaly following the regulations announced last week. I welcome the Governments decision to allocate an additional 1m to Failte Ireland for a promotional campaign which will focus on increasing the appeal of the three counties to visitors and drive bookings. Specifically, Failte Ireland will leverage the existing Make a Break for It and Keep Discovering campaigns. The approach will be a mix of county specific promotional activity and also grouping the three counties under their regional experience brand Irelands Ancient East to help bring to life what the counties have to offer. Tourism and Hospitality businesses in the three counties can also avail of the Failte Ireland business supports to guide them through these unprecedented times. These have been developed in consultation with industry experts to meet the immediate and urgent needs of tourism businesses and to help them re-open and recover.

Notes to Editors:

More information on the business supports is available here: COVID-19 supports

There is an existing package in place to help businesses nationally re-open and stay open, through the July Stimulus. The government are:

Extending the wage subsidy scheme to the end of March 2021, supporting viable businesses and jobs, including new hires

Giving companies extra assistance to reopen and stay open through an enhanced Restart grant available to more firms

Providing more and cheaper loan finance through Microfinance Ireland and the Credit Guarantee Scheme

Providing funding to help businesses and get ready for Brexit

Exploiting opportunities in areas like Life Sciences and investing in decarbonisation and digitalisation

Putting in place a six month reduction in the VAT, going down from 23% to 21%

Providing more funding for the IDA to promote Ireland as a place for foreign direct investment

There will also be a six month commercial rates holiday for the vast majority of businesses.

-Ends-

Back to Department News
Hyderabad cops nab Chinese national for running betting racket worth Rs 1,100 crore

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Hyderabad, Aug 14: A Chinese national and three of his Indian associates have been arrested in a crackdown on an illegal gambling racket.

The police said that the racket was being run by a China based company. The Chinese national and his associates were arrested by the Hyderabad police from Delhi. The police arrested the head of the company Yah Hao, Dheeraj Sarkar, Ankit Kapoor and Neeraj Tuli.

The arrests took place after two men from Hyderabad lost Rs 1.64 lakh and Rs 97,000 respectively, while gambling online. The arrested persons have been booked for cheating and conspiracy.

Police busts big cricket betting racket in Kolkata

The firms carried out transactions through two bank accounts. Though most of the money has already been transferred to different accounts the police were able to freeze Rs 30 crore parked in two accounts. The police say that they have unearthed remittances of up to Rs 1,100 crore.

Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar said at a press conference that he servers of the gaming websites are based in China. Data-hosting services are cloud-based in the US but operated from China. The entire technical operation is run by the China-based directors/partners of these companies. The payments were being routed through India-based payment service providers/gateways.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

Online gambling was being organised by luring prospective gamers through Telegram groups. The entry is only through reference and members who introduced a certain number of prospective players are paid a commission. The administrators usually disclose the website on which the registered members can play and place betws. However these sites were changed on a daily basis, the police commissioner also said.

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Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 8:40 [IST]
Together, Spain's airports lost around seven million passengers in the month of July, compared with the same month last year, according to the latest figures released by Spanish operator Aena.

The year-on-year difference is greater in tourist destinations such as the Costa de Sol, with Malaga Airport counting 575,724 passengers in July, 74.2% down on the same month in 2019.

The Costa del Sol did manage to keep its place as the fourth busiest airport in Spain last month, however, behind Mallorca, Madrid and Barcelona and ahead of rival destinations such as Ibiza, Alicante and Gran Canaria.

Looking at the first seven months of 2020 as a whole, Malaga Airport has lost more than eight million passengers, compared with the first seven months of 2019.

The scenario could not be more different from this time last year, when the tourism sector was celebrating an increase of almost four per cent in the number passengers using Malaga's airport in July, as many as 2.2 million.
Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of one Kolade Emmanuel Balogun, who was prosecuted for internet fraud and fraud-related offences.

Balogun was convicted by Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday, following his arraignment by the anti-graft body.

The judge said the convict should pay a fine of N50,000 and to also control traffic at a junction behind the Kwara State Ministry of Physical Planning for three months commencing from August 17 to October 17, 2020.

The charge reads That you, KOLADE BALOGUN (a.k.a Willam Davis, alias Behemoth) sometime in March 2020 or thereabout at Ilorin, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to commit an offence of cheating by impersonation, pretending and representing yourself to be a white man called Willam Davis, alias Behemoth to an unsuspected white woman on dating site called SeekingArrangement as it is contained in your Gmail account: Willamdavis@gmail.com and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 95 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.

The accused person pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him.

The prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Adebayo, in his submission, asked the court to convict the defendant based on his plea, proof of evidence and exhibits tendered.

Also, the defence counsel, Rotimi Oyagbola, urged the presiding judge to temper justice with mercy, arguing that his client is a first time offender.

Justice Oyinloye in his judgement said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt considering the unchallenged and uncontradicted testimonies of the prosecution witness.

The judge said the convict should pay a fine of N50,000 and to also control traffic at a junction behind the Kwara State Ministry of Physical Planning for three months commencing from August 17 to October 17, 2020.

He also ordered that his items like phones and laptops, recovered from him, to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 18:26:21|Editor: huaxia

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by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has topped 48,000 as the government vows to take a full response strategy.

A total of 373 fresh confirmed cases were reported by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) late Thursday, bringing the tally in the country to 48,116.

The number of deaths related to the novel coronavirus has reached 966, with recoveries standing at 34,309, according to NCDC data.

Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, where the country's index case was reported on Feb. 27, has remained the epicenter of COVID-19, with 15,355 confirmed cases, or almost one third of the national total.

Among the confirmed cases in Nigeria, 684 were Nigerian citizens who were evacuated from other countries afflicted with COVID-19.

Those 684 were part of 13,844 evacuees tested from the 14,906 persons evacuated so far, Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, told media in Abuja on Thursday.

"Of the 14,906 evacuees received during this COVID-19 pandemic, close to 80 percent are youths," Mustapha said. "In the coming days, we hope to receive more evacuees from different parts of the world."

A multi-sectoral national emergency operations center activated at Level 3 has continued to coordinate the national response activities across the country.

However, the government said more is needed to combat and ultimately manage the COVID-19 spread.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 said it is working with partners to implement a comprehensive and aggressive engagement response to the pandemic in the country.

Sani Aliyu, coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, told reporters in Abuja on Thursday that in the course of this implementation, authorities have come across a lot of disbelief, apathy, and fatigue, which hampers compliance and behavior change among Nigerians.

"We recognize that behavior change takes time, and if we are to implement a multi-pronged strategy, particularly working with risk communication and community engagement pillar, we should be able to address some of these challenges," Aliyu said.

According to him, in the area of risk communication, the task force has continued to communicate messages and the reasoning behind non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Authorities have published information on testing locations in all states and their phone numbers amid strengthened efforts to enhance community engagement, sensitization and awareness campaigns, Aliyu said.

"There's a lot of campaign going on the social media and TV stations with sharing the experience of COVID-19 survivors willing to share their stories with us," he said. "We are grateful for their consent to do so."

This new approach, he said, is important to helping Nigerians better understand the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Those that will help do this are those who survive the virus because they know it was real," he added. Enditem
Service members, especially those deployed to combat zones, will be considered to be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said Thursday.

"In general, military members are considered to have special priority" for new vaccines and therapies, he said, but stressed that decisions have yet to be made on who will go to the front of the line.

Read Next: Army Unbans Hundreds of Gamers as It Resumes Streaming on Twitch

Deciding which groups will be targeted first for a vaccine still in development is "not an easy question to ask or answer," he said.

"We want to prioritize those at highest risk," including the elderly, those in nursing homes and health care providers, Collins explained.

In an Aug. 6 American Enterprise Institute podcast, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, director of the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed project to develop a vaccine by January 2021, said that he is working with Collins to convene an "independent scientific summit" at the National Academy of Sciences to make recommendations on group priorities.

Collins said the summit will likely convene after Labor Day and make recommendations that would then have to be approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A senior administration official, who joined Collins on a conference call with reporters, ruled out a role for the military in the distribution and delivery of millions of doses of a vaccine once it has been proven to be effective.

Army Gen. Gus Perna, the widely respected head of Army Materiel Command, was brought on as chief operating officer at Operation Warp Speed for his expertise in logistics, but the Defense Department's vast capabilities for moving supplies will not be involved in vaccine distribution, the senior official said.

Instead, a public-private partnership will be formed to deal with distribution, the official explained. He said Perna's main role is in advising and assisting the drug companies working on a vaccine in their own production planning and manufacturing.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: US Troops May Not Get Priority for COVID-19 Vaccine After All
Good morning, Bay Area. Its Friday, Aug. 14, and if you wanted to escape to Alcatraz, your chance is almost here. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Temperatures are expected to hit triple digits in the Bay Area this weekend, a major worry for health officers who fear crowds of sunbathing, beer-drinking, Frisbee-throwing beachgoers spreading the coronavirus around the region.

The number of coronavirus cases has steadily risen in the Bay Area this month, with an average of 1,036 new cases recorded each day  a nearly 27% increase over the daily average of 818 cases in July. Thats much worse than in June, which averaged 393 new cases a day.

Read more about what to expect in terms of the weather and crowds this weekend.

 Weekend heat wave may increase wildfire risk  but not the way you might think.

 Cooling centers will be open. Just wear a mask.

 MicroClimates: Sign up for The Chronicles new climate change newsletter.

 Stop disrespecting our home: Overtourism sparks protests in Tahoe.

Some exceptions apply

Josie Lepe / Special to The Chronicle

A month before fall classes begin, Stanford University reversed course and told undergraduates Thursday that most would not be allowed to move into its housing for the fall and nearly all undergraduate instruction will be remote.

Stanford had previously planned to bring just freshmen and sophomores back to campus in the fall to allow for social distancing in the dorms. For the winter and spring terms, juniors and seniors would rotate in, and freshmen and sophomores would return home.

Stanford had told students that limited in-person classes would be offered for those on campus, but the university had warned students in July that these plans might change. They have, Danielle Echeverria reports.

 California judicial leaders vote to allow tenant eviction hearings to resume Sept. 2.

 Could some Bay Area schools reopen by Labor Day? Three counties kick off waiver process.

 Weekly jobless claims drop below 1 million, but benefits are still in question.

The Rock is back open

Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle

After five months with only fog and wind rustling the nations most famous penitentiary, Alcatraz Island will reopen to visitors Monday.

The islands reopening, which comes as state and local coronavirus restrictions begin to ease, marks one of the last national park sites to welcome back the public since the pandemic began. It also offers a bit of hope for San Franciscos badly shaken tourist economy.

Visiting the island, however, wont be quite the same  at least not right away, Kurtis Alexander reports.

From Heather Knight: A San Francisco man spent the shelter-in-place advocating to make safe street closures permanent. Then he got sick with COVID-19.

Around the Bay

 Californias policy: Sanctuary laws largely prohibit police and jailers from taking part in federal immigration enforcement. They have not yet become a prominent issue in the presidential campaign, but that could change after Joe Bidens latest proposal. Reader poll: Who should fill Kamala Harris Senate seat if she becomes VP?

 Starting from scratch: Wolfman Books, closed by the pandemic, to reopen under new name and ownership.

 Countdown to appeal: San Francisco judge wont stay order for Uber, Lyft drivers to be employees by Aug. 20.

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.

 To be discussed next years session: California wealth tax could become first of its kind in the U.S. under new proposal.

 Kome Japanese Seafood Buffet: Workers win $2.6 million wage theft settlement with Bay Area restaurant.

 Also at Stanford: The university draws fire for revisions to sexual harassment policies.

 Foothills: Palo Alto to open the gates at residents-only park  slightly.

 No fans, some protests: Oracle Park food-service workers plan to picket As-Giants game Friday.

In case you missed it

Peggy Peattie / Special to The Chronicle

What happens when the killer of your loved one dies on Death Row  not by lethal injection but by COVID-19?

Milena Phillips wept when she learned Scott Thomas Erskine, the man who murdered her 9-year-old son, Jonathan Sellers, had died July 3. Though she wasnt quite sure why.

I know hes on Death Row, but it came out of the blue, Phillips said. Maybe it was just the confusion; my emotions were so mixed up. Tears were all I could do.

Jason Fagone and Megan Cassidy report on what happens when a disease, not the state, takes the life of a condemed prisoner.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com.
Early in her career, Claire D'Adorante - now director of Paragon Interface - discovered interior design as a way to blend her passion for creativity with technicality and make a profession out of it. Awarded Professional of the Year in the Architecture and Design class of the Built Environment Category at the 2019/2020 SAPSA Awards, she has more than excelled in her field.

Claire DAdorante, director, Paragon Interface

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

Describe your role as director at Paragon Interface - what does a typical work day look like for you?

Congratulations on being awarded Professional of the Year award in the Architecture and Design class of the Built Environment Category at the 2019/2020 SAPSA Awards. What does the award mean to you?

What have been some other highlights from your career thus far?

As a successful women in leadership, how do you maintain a work-life balance?

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to someone pursuing a career in interior architecture today?

How is Paragon Interface supporting and empowering women in the workplace?

Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share this Women's Month or words of encouragement?

This Women's Month, DAdorante shares with Bizcommunity a bit about her journey thus far in the industry, highlights from her career, and how Paragon Interface is supporting and empowering women in the workplace.I have over 20 years professional working experience in the interior design industry. I began my career in commercial interiors, then explored the different world of retail and residential interiors, but ultimately returned to my love of workplace design. Travelling to Australia in 2007, I worked for a large multi-disciplinary practice there for six years, which helped me to grow my personal design style and experience level. Returning to South Africa in 2012, I took on the role of director at Paragon Interface, which has been an incredible experience, where we secured two of the largest fit-out projects in the country  namely, the new head office for Sasol (67,000m) and the new Discovery Campus (112,000m).The role is incredibly important to me. It means building and developing this business on a daily basis as something of my own and having built a close and amazing team who share a similar design ethos. I am hands-on with my team, I get involved in guiding people in the direction that they are going, including their career paths and growth in the industry, and believe in a collaborative design process that allows peoples creativity to be explored.This award really is a recognition of some of the amazing projects that we at Paragon Interface have had the privilege of being involved with over the last five years. We have been provided incredible opportunities to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of what workspaces can be. I am grateful to so many of our clients for the trust that they have placed in us, which has allowed these outcomes to be possible, as well as my amazing team who together made these visions a reality.The Discovery Place project in Sandton stands out. Its scale was significant, given that you are looking at a 112,000mproject. Very few people in the industry can speak of being part of a project of that magnitude in their entire careers. It was an overwhelming feeling standing in that atrium when we delivered the building. I am proud of the outcome we achieved and how it has been received by the industry, both locally and globally. The project won a 2020 German Design Award for Excellent Architecture  Interior Architecture. It was also the Office Design winner at the prestigious SBID International Design Awards 2018 in the UK. The space itself makes peoples lives better every day. The staff there love the environment, and nothing is more rewarding and fulfilling than that.I see design as an integral part of my life, as Im passionate about what I do  which in a sense makes achieving a work-life balance easy! I try to find time each year to travel either locally or internationally, which allows one to expand your perceptions and thinking, and provides opportunities to freshen ones mind. In my downtime, I enjoy good food and regular yoga and spending time with family and friends.Its a wonderfully exciting and diverse career. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but at the same time its a very rewarding industry thats never boring. You need to trust yourself and learn as much as you can early on. Find a good mentor and a good company to start your career with. The first four to five years are critical, so you need to find a company that can give you a good grounding to enable you to succeed. I also believe in having a very strong work ethic, which is critical to this sometimes quite demanding career.Paragon Interface has always been ahead of our competitors in the industry in terms of enabling women to excel in the profession, as well as developing their personal growth through structured career planning and training. We also have a flexible working policy that assists in supporting our women in the workplace. We have an amazing team of women at Paragon Interface, strong and purposeful, who have confidence, a sense of themselves and who trust their abilities. We currently employ more women than men and at director-level it is an even 50/50 split. Perhaps thats another one of our advantages in the industry!For women in the architecture and design industry, just be yourself and trust in your unique skills to be able to create. This is a wonderfully self-validating profession. For me, there is nothing more rewarding than to be able to create a physical space that impacts others positively on a daily basis. Challenges will always arise, but these are part of life and only serve to make one stronger and more resilient.
Thousands of international travellers are still arriving into Australia every month, despite tight restrictions introduced to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Officials figures show 5,400 overseas visitors arrived into the country in June alone.

The figure was an increase of 56.8 per cent from the previous month, with a quarter being New Zealanders.

Australian residents returning from overseas during the month also increased 17.8 per cent - equivalent to 15,760 trips - from May.

The figure was 98 per cent lower than June 2019, with about 12 per cent returning home from India.

5,400 overseas visitors arrived into Australia in June (pictured, airline passengers arriving off a flight into Sydney before making their way to hotel quarantine for 14 days)

The ABS data also revealed Australian residents returning from overseas during the month increased 17.8 per cent (passengers arriving at the Sydney Airport before hotel quarantine)

EXEMPTIONS FOR OVERSEA TRAVEL Travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid

Travel is essential for the conduct of critical industries and business (including export and import industries)

The person is travelling to receive urgent medical treatment not available in Australia

The person is travelling on urgent and unavoidable personal business

The person is travelling on compassionate or humanitarian grounds

Travel is in the national interest Source: Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs Advertisement

Australia recorded 6.7 million overseas visitor arrivals for the 2019/20 financial year, Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed.

The arrival numbers were down 27.9 per cent on the previous year, and the lowest since 2013/14.

ABS director of migration statistics Jenny Dobak said arrivals increased every month until February, when the impact of COVID-19 started.

On March 20, Australia closed its borders to all non-citizens and non-residents under an entry ban.

It then banned Australians travelling overseas five days later, unless granted an exception.

This means these arrivals are likely to be permanent residents or those with compassionate exemptions.

All travellers arriving in Australia, including citizens, are required to complete a mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

State or territory travel exemptions are available as well in areas with closed borders.

Depending on where an individual is headed, they may be required to self-isolate or complete a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine upon arrival.

'Once the tighter restrictions came into effect on March 20 the drop in visitors arriving was dramatic, being close to 100 per cent,' Ms Dobak said on Friday.

On March 27, foreign cruise ship were banned from docking in Australia, which will remain in place until September 17.

Domestic and international travel restrictions are still in place, and are unlikely to ease until Australia gets on top of the coronavirus outbreak.

During 2019-20, New Zealand was the largest source country with more than a million visitors. China followed with 900,000 and then the United States with 581,000.

The average stay for visitors arriving on a short-term trip for the year was 12 days.

Australia recorded 6.7 million overseas visitor arrivals for the 2019/20 financial year (pictured, a woman arriving at Sydney Airport before making her way to hotel quarantine)

Those from India stayed the longest, spending 53 days on average in Australia, followed by those from the UK with 20 days, New Zealand with seven days and Japan with six days.

Less than 60 international students arrived in Australia in June - a decrease of nearly 100 per cent compared to the 45,980 in the same month the previous year.

Australians took 8.6 million overseas trips in 2019/20. It was a 23.8 per cent decrease on the previous year and the lowest number since 2012/13.
At almost 3 minutes long, Ed Markeys Dealmaker ad lasts an eternity by online standards. But its stuffed with good hookstheres an invisible contract we all signed at birth, it begins, introducing the idea (threadbare and moth-eaten these days) that citizens deserve to expect things from their government. Their own efforts and labor ought to form part of a promise: Every hour we work means longer days of freedom and security. The ad fills each subsequent second oddly, but well enough that I kept watching, curious to see what it would do next. So hilariously overconfident its reassuring, the Dealmaker ad is also sweeping and cheesy and epic enough that my colleague Susan Matthews pondered whether rock and roll cool was back.

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When the government abandons its people, its up to us to rise up and make a revolution. Were fighting for dignity, for justice, and for our future. Join us at https://t.co/NY8pZcBcFE. #GreenNewDealmaker pic.twitter.com/4V558XjrVw  Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 13, 2020

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Like Joe Bidens campaign, it uses the candidates old image to burnish his present candidacy with American nostalgia that shouldnt work. Its tempting to compare this appeal to Trumps Make America Great Again campaign, but whats striking about MAGA is how resolutely it rejects American glamour. The America Trump hearkens back to is racist, suburban, andjudging from recent exemplarspopulated chiefly with soft, stout men with guns they dont know how to hold and murderous trucks they only sort of know how to drive. That leaves some of the cheesier aspects of old Americana unmined: Biden can ride Amtrak and drive cool old cars in sunglasses, while Markey can brag about his union leader milkman dad and tap into a desire for old-school style and flash.

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Subscribe to the Slatest newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

But Markeys ad shares even more DNA with AOCs political image than it does with the Men in Black masculinity the former vice president occasionally favors. There is no way to see that clip of Markey walking the streets of his district in sneakers without thinking of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her worn-out shoes. Its strange to recognizein an ad dripping with macho swagger as it grapples with the challenges of an elderly incumbentthe spry and shady stylings of the Houses savviest member. Its weird to realize that an old white man and a young woman of color are rooting their viability in strikingly similar stories. But they do: AOCs gift is making politics seem not just accessible but worthy and hopeful and fun, and thats exactly the tone Markey strikes. If most political ads reference our cataclysmic conditions by offering bleakly remedial to-do lists filled with projects this country cannot manage, Markeys ad bulges with storytelling verve that embeds Markey in history, makes that history seem cool and relevant, marks his achievements, and then tethers them to the present. It even narrates our current political wreckage as hopeful; the essential people protesting on the streets are responding to the violation of the aforementioned American contract and working to make it true. I found it gratifying to see Black Lives Matter marches filmed the way civil rights marches werewith the chants of protesters framed as noble, the sound of their cries echoing with the righteousness we typically grant movements only in retrospect.

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What saves this from pomposity is sass. Markeys opponent in the primary is Joe Kennedy III, so theres a pleasantly savage edge to the continual repurposing of John F. Kennedys famous ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country speech. Variations of this burn recur throughout the ad. The first instance targets Trump: When crisis hit, Trumps government abandoned America. We asked what we could do for our country. They looked for what they could take. But the second targets the Kennedys, and an idea of service to country that has for too long gone unreciprocated: We asked what we could do for our country. We went out. We did it, Markey says, toward the end. And then he attacks Kennedys whole political philosophy head-on: With all due respect, its time to start asking what your country can do for you.

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The adwhich is largely about political potency, about things accomplished and fishermen savedcouldnt have hit at a more opportune time. On Thursday, when it dropped, the phrase DO SOMETHING was trending on Twitter in panicked response to the Trump administrations ongoing sabotage of the United States Postal Service. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was calling for the postmaster general to be investigated by the USPS Office of Inspector General for corruption, given his purchase of Amazon stock options after his appointment, but the Senate was also breaking for an incomprehensible weekslong recess. The president admitted he wanted to deny the post office funding in order to stop Americans from voting by mail, but the House of Representatives stayed on vacation. As footage circulated of post office boxes being removed in Oregon and perfectly functional mail-sorting machinesincluding ones that are used to sort ballotsbeing taken out of post office facilities for no discernible reason, no one seemed to be doing anything to stop it. And this was only the latest crisis. The pandemic rages on, but it seems Washington will be empty until September, with no deal in place to help desperate Americans.

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Against that portrait of flabbergasting inaction, there was real pleasure in seeing all this wonderfully silly footage of Markey, doing something. Theres nothing particularly new in a politician presenting themselves as a rule-breaker and deal-maker. Trump tries to do this all the time. But after 3 years of empty bravado, its kind of nice to see the affect adopted by a guy who actually passed the laws and did the thingand who still manages to talk in ideals that include rather than despise the people hes supposed to govern.

For more of Slates political coverage, subscribe to the Political Gabfest on Apple Podcasts or listen below.
A Twitter storm erupted recently after journalist Barkha Dutt criticized food delivery startup, Zomato, for introducing 'period leaves' for its women and transgender employees. Dutt wrote on the microblogging site, "Sorry Zomato, as woke as your decision on #PeriodLeave is, this is exactly what ghettoizes women and strengthens biological determinism. We cannot want to join the infantry, report war, fly fighter jets, go into space, want no exceptionalism, and want period leave. PLEASE."

Dutt isn't the only one who thinks that period leave would result in 'ghettoizing women', causing employers to discriminate against them, or not hire them at all. In 2013, when a Russian lawmaker, Mikhail Degtyaryov, a member of the nationalist LDPR party, asked the parliament to give female employees two days' paid leave each month during their menstruation cycle, human rights groups, as well as women groups, were quick to condemn it for the same reason. A similar situation arose in Italy in 2017 when a bill was proposed in the parliament in favor of menstrual leave, and many (including women) opposed it, claiming that it would hurt women's job prospects in the long run, and hence it should not be made into a law.

However, the argument that period leave should not be given because it results in increased discrimination against the same group for whose benefit it is being proposed is not just inherently flawed, but also extremely wrong.

Firstly, if corporate companies which are largely headed by men, don't hire women employees because they have period leaves, then the problem obviously is the corporate companies (men in their management position) who choose to discriminate on the basis of gender and not a policy that is aimed at protecting the interests of women. Therefore, what is required is to ensure that better policies are framed so that such discrimination does not happen, it is surely not to do away with period leaves altogether which actually does help many women.

Not Just a Corporate Policy but a Legal Right

According to a study done in 2017 by Womens fertility and health tracker, Maya, almost 68 percent of Indian women have severe period-related symptoms such as cramps, tiredness, and bloating. For such women, period leaves can be a boon. In fact, period leaves shouldn't just be the privilege that women in white-collar jobs can access, and it is imperative that women from rural sectors, low-income households are also given this benefit.

Media reports claimed that in Maharashtra, thousand of women laborers have surgically removed their wombs just so that they can get work during the harvest season in sugarcane fields. In a garment factory in Tamil Nadu, women were given unprescribed, unnamed drugs when they complained of period pains, which not only cause depression and anxiety in many, but also resulted in urinary tract infections, fibroids, and even miscarriages.

It is imperative that such women can also access period leave, therefore, mere corporate policies formed on a company to company basis, with no standardized law won't be sufficient for our country and what is required is a strong labor law that helps in incorporating period leaves, while reducing the scope of discrimination.

Of course, the naysayers will argue that if such a law is passed, then the discrimination will start at the entry-level itself, and men will be picked over women because they would work for more days each year. However, that discrimination can also be curbed if policymakers can incentivize corporates, private firms, small scale industries, farm owners to hire women for work by giving them tax cuts, or other benefits.

If period leave has to be effectively incorporated, then it would be best if the push came from the government and policymakers. In the state of Bihar, for instance, it already exists. Two days every month has been given out to women government employees since the year 1992 as period leave.

In India, in fact, period leave is an old practice. According to a book published by the state-run Kerala Sahitya Akademi in 1988, titled Kerala in the 19th Century, authored by historian P Bhaskaranunni, the Principal of The Government Girls School in Tripunithura, (located in the erstwhile Cochin) had requested the school management to grant women teachers, and students leave during their menstrual cycle because they mostly skipped school during those days anyway.

The Need To Destigmatise periods

Japan has perhaps had the provision of period leave for the longest time. It was initially incorporated after world war II when women entered the workforce in large numbers, but over the years, lesser women have been availing it.

According to a report in The Guardian, women who want to take leave due to their period pain just apply for regular leave instead of menstrual leave in order to avoid 'embarrassment'. They do not want to let their male colleagues know that they have their periods, because they worry that it might lead to teasing or sexual harassment, and more often than not, they do not want to be 'perceived as weak' by taking such leaves.

These are common problems that women are likely to face if period leave is incorporated in India as well. In fact, the degree may be amplified because until now, the topic of menstruation itself was considered a social taboo in our country. Therefore, there is a need to destigmatize period in workspaces, and to take women's pain seriously, instead of trivializing it, which happens quite often.

Another thing that has to be understood by employers is that productivity or output is not tied to the number of hours an individual spends in office. A female worker can be far more productive after a day of rest during her periods rather than when she is holding her stomach and grimacing in pain, and watching the clock waiting for her work hours to end. Likewise, that female worker can also be equally as productive on the whole as another male worker who doesn't get period leave.

Periods Aren't Just Women's Problem

What Dutt so conveniently forgot in her argument is that it isn't just women who experience periods. Several trans men also experience them and for many of them, it is a painful experience. Therefore, period leave isn't just a woman rights issue, an LGBTQ issue, and above all, it is a human rights issue, that includes a larger cross-section of society (apart from the 49.6 percent of the world population who are women) and many among this cross-section need this kind of leave, therefore, it isn't a proposition one should dismiss within 280 characters of Twitter.

Had the women trade unionists, lobbyists, and activists backed down from asking for paid maternity leave in 1919, stating that women would face discrimination at the workplace if they took leave before and after their pregnancy, then we would never have the rights for paid maternity leave. Of course, our workspaces which are deeply patriarchal doesn't change overnight, and every woman who has set foot in an office in the last 101 years will tell you, that women still face discrimination for their maternity leaves in some way or another, but that doesn't mean that we have failed to normalize maternity leaves in this past century.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/14/2020 -- The global corporate online language learning market is expected to grow at a sluggish pace during the forecast period, according to the AMA study. The growing concern of organisations for the improvement of business communication skills of the employees, increasing adoption of corporate training services, and the increasing smartphone & internet penetration across the world are expected to be some of the major factors aiding into the growth for the market. However, the market is expected to witness a slight decline in the growth during the next few year but it is again expected to rise with a healthy pace after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.



Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/4922-global-corporate-online-language-learning-market



Latest released the research study on Global Corporate Online Language Learning Market, offers a detailed overview of the factors influencing the global business scope. Corporate Online Language Learning Market research report shows the latest market insights, current situation analysis with upcoming trends and breakdown of the products and services. The report provides key statistics on the market status, size, share, growth factors of the Corporate Online Language Learning

The study covers emerging player's data, including: competitive landscape, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are Pearson (United States), Rosetta Stone (United States), Lingoda (Berlin), Busuu Ltd (Spain), Berlitz Corporation (United States), Fluency Corp (United States), Blackboard (United States), Cactus Worldwide Ltd. (United Kingdom) and Fluenz Inc (United States)



Market Drivers

- Growing Concerns of Organisations for Improvement of Business Communication Skills of the Employees

- Increasing Adoption from Corporate Training Providers

- Increasing Smartphone & Internet Penetration Across the World



Market Trend

- Increasing Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Online Language Learning Platform



Restraints

- Availability of Open Source Platforms



Opportunities

- Opportunities for Cloud-based Deployments Propelled by Growing Adoption of Cloud Solutions



The Global Corporate Online Language Learning Market segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below:

by Type (Solutions, Services), Enterprise SIze (SMEs, Large Enterprises), Platform (Windows, IOS, Android), Industry Verticals (BFSI, IT & Telecom, Retail & E-commerce, Manufacturing, Government & Defense, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Transportation & Logistics, Others), Deployment (On-Premise, Cloud-based)



Analyst at AMA have conducted special survey and have connected with opinion leaders and Industry experts from various region to minutely understand impact on growth as well as local reforms to fight the situation. A special chapter in the study presents Impact Analysis of COVID-19 on Corporate Online Language Learning Market along with tables and graphs related to various country and segments showcasing impact on growth trends.



Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa



Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.



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Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Corporate Online Language Learning Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Corporate Online Language Learning market

Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary  the basic information of the Corporate Online Language Learning Market.

Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Corporate Online Language Learning

Chapter 4: Presenting the Corporate Online Language Learning Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying market size by Type, End User and Region 2014-2019

Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Corporate Online Language Learning market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile

Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries (2020-2025).

Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source



Finally, Corporate Online Language Learning Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies in decision framework.



Data Sources & Methodology

The primary sources involves the industry experts from the Global Corporate Online Language Learning Market including the management organizations, processing organizations, analytics service providers of the industry's value chain. All primary sources were interviewed to gather and authenticate qualitative & quantitative information and determine the future prospects.



In the extensive primary research process undertaken for this study, the primary sources  Postal Surveys, telephone, Online & Face-to-Face Survey were considered to obtain and verify both qualitative and quantitative aspects of this research study. When it comes to secondary sources Company's Annual reports, press Releases, Websites, Investor Presentation, Conference Call transcripts, Webinar, Journals, Regulators, National Customs and Industry Associations were given primary weight-age.



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What benefits does AMA research study is going to provide?

- Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario

- Open up New Markets

- To Seize powerful market opportunities

- Key decision in planning and to further expand market share

- Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis

- Assisting in allocating marketing investments



Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market.



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Southeast Asia.



About Advance Market Analytics

Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues.



Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As.



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Common Pleas Judge James Murray Lynn has come under fire for refusing to wear a mask. A court spokesperson says the judge can't wear a mask, due to a medical condition that impedes his breathing. Read more

A veteran Philadelphia judge who has repeatedly refused to wear a mask while on the bench has a respiratory condition that hinders his breathing, a court spokesperson said Thursday.

Family Court spokesperson Martin ORourke said Common Pleas Court Judge James Murray Lynn, 72, does wear a mask while walking through the courthouse, but does not wear a mask during courtroom proceedings due to a respiratory condition for which he has been treated for years.

A July 1 order from the state Department of Health requires face coverings in any indoor location where members of the public are generally permitted, but provides an exception for individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing. ORourke said Lynns condition falls under that exemption.

The explanation came one day after The Inquirer reported that lawyers with the Defender Association of Philadelphia and the District Attorneys Office had complained to Lynns judicial supervisor about his refusal to put on a mask during the pandemic.

In one case, a defendant in a domestic violence case agreed to waive her right to a preliminary hearing because witnesses said they were afraid for their health and safety and did not want to come in the courtroom if Lynn would not put on a mask.

Not only did Lynn decline to wear a face covering when lawyers expressed concern in at least four instances from July 29 to Aug. 6, he also ordered those who came before him to remove their masks, according to a sharply worded letter sent Friday to Margaret Murphy, administrative judge for the Family Division, where Lynn sits.

 READ MORE: A longtime Philadelphia judge wont wear a mask in court, prompting complaints from lawyers and witnesses

If Judge Lynn cannot agree to this reasonable request, the Defender Association may have to reassess our ability to staff this courtroom, wrote Alan J. Tauber, first assistant with the association, in the letter to Murphy.

On Thursday, ORourke said Lynn did not order others to take off their masks, but rather, on very few occasions, Judge Lynn requested that counsel or another party lower their mask while addressing the court when they were inaudible and either the judge or the court reporter could not decipher what was being said.

ORourke noted that the vast majority of cases are being heard virtually. He also reiterated that protective glass has been placed around Lynns bench, where he sits 18 to 20 feet away from lawyers and clients.
LA sheriff concerned after deputies detain Black teens

The Los Angeles County sheriff said Monday he has concerns about tactics deputies used to detain three teenagers at gunpoint after the mother of one said the youths had been threatened by a man holding a knife.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a social media post that he had seen a video of the incident _ which was uploaded by one of the teens mothers to her Instagram profile last week _ and that the matter is being investigated.

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CBS Los Angeles reported that the trio were teenagers. Deputy Juanita Navarro, a spokeswoman for the department, said the youths were not arrested during the incident Friday and had been released at the scene.

An attorney for the teens, Robert Brown, says two of the teens are Black and one is white.

Tammi Collins wrote on Instagram that her son was sitting with friends at a bus stop in the Santa Clarita Valley when a man asked them if they had any drugs and then tried to steal their belongings. She said the man then pulled out a knife and tried to stab them.

Collins wrote that bystanders called police to help the boys, though she wrote that apparently one caller reported that the teens were attacking the man.

Navarro said a caller reported that two Black men in their early 20s had struck a man with a skateboard.

The 11-minute video Collins posted shows at least three deputies pointing their guns at the teens _ including one deputy who had a long gun. The teens obeyed the deputies commands to back up with their hands up and knelt on the ground to be handcuffed.

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Bystanders shouted at the officers that the teens didnt do anything.

The bystanders also tried to advise the teens as they were being detained, saying keep your hands up, keep your hands up! as well as just listen to them and itll be over soon and dont answer any questions until your mom gets there.

After the teens were handcuffed, the deputies argued with the crowd over what happened and what the callers reported.

If they werent doing wrong, we wouldnt be here, one deputy said.

Navarro said deputies could not find the man.

It was not clear if Collins recorded the video but she wrote that she didnt know how she could help her son in the aftermath.

This is something my son and his friends will never forget, she wrote.
Inc. magazine today released its list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States and Service Direct has earned a spot on the prestigious list for the fifth consecutive year. The Inc. 5000 list gives unique insight into the backbone of the American economic engine - independent SMBs. According to Inc., only four percent of honorees achieve this recognition for five consecutive years.

Its an honor and a privilege to be recognized for the fifth consecutive year by the Inc. 5000 and ranked among so many incredible businesses, said Brian Abernethy, Co-Founder and CEO of Service Direct.

We are proud of the hard work our team has put into building human-enabled, smart technologies that help local service businesses achieve their goals, and we look forward to keeping this amazing growth going.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk.

From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

About Service Direct

Founded in 2006, Service Direct has been the most trusted local lead generation solution for service businesses for over a decade, helping thousands of clients across North America grow by generating high-quality, exclusive leads that turn into new customers.

Combining expertise in hyperlocal advertising with proven lead management technologies, Service Direct offers targeted and customized lead generation with pay per lead pricing that provides a cost-effective, transparent, and low-risk way to get new customers.

Based in Austin, Texas, Service Direct is a Google Premier Partner and has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country for five consecutive years. For more information, visit: http://www.servicedirect.com.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/
Landlords hoping to get rid of tenants who have failed to pay rent when the current evictions ban comes to an end on August 23 will face new restrictions if they want to evict them.

Once the eviction ban is lifted, landlords can once again start court proceedings against tenants - something that has been barred during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, new measures quietly announced by the Government last month mean that the process of gaining possession of their property via the courts will not be the same as before the pandemic.

Landlords will have to submit information about how a tenant's circumstances have been affected by coronavirus

The Government has said that landlords will have to carry out additional processes if they want to evict a tenant.

These will include having to submit any relevant information in their claim about how a tenant's circumstances have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic - and a judge will be able to suspend the proceedings if the information is not provided.

The new procedures will take effect after the end of the current evictions ban on August 23.

The ban was introduced at the beginning of the lockdown in a bit to protect tenants from being forcibly evicted during the pandemic.

It was initially introduced for three months and then extended for a further two months.

Timothy Douglas, of ARLA Propertymark - the trade body for lettings agents - said he was concerned about how housing possession cases will be managed once the evictions ban ends.

He said: 'It is vital that the Government has a co-ordinated strategy that prioritises the most serious cases and informs the sector about the changes and what landlords and agents need to do.

'This is important because when the courts re-open there will be a backlog of cases and they will take longer to progress. As a result, it will be even more important that landlords and agents follow the new procedures in full.'

ARLA Propertymark added that the Government needs to be looking to support those with rent arrears due to coronavirus.

Mr Douglas added: 'It is important that we take steps back to normality and both landlords and tenants have access to the justice system, particularly in cases where tenants behave anti-socially or have pre-pandemic rent arrears.'

Judges will be able to suspend court proceedings if the information is not provided

Separately, another association - the National Residential Landlords Association - is calling for more financial support for tenants from the Government.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: 'When the courts do start to hear cases again, it is essential that they deal swiftly with the most serious cases, including those where tenants are committing anti-social behaviour or where there are long-standing rent arrears that have nothing to do with the pandemic.

'To offer security to tenants and landlords badly hit during the lockdown we are calling on the government to introduce a tenant loan scheme to help pay off arrears built due to the coronavirus.'
The Mumbai crime branchs unit 10 arrested two persons who committed more than 10 house break-ins Mumbai, Thane, Dombivli, Nashik and other places during the lockdown. Both were arrested after they broke into a house in Powai on August 9 and stole gold and silver worth 3 lakh. Police officers recovered silver worth 1.5 lakh from the accused.

The arrested accused identified as Shamsul Abdul Quddus Haque, 40, a resident of Bhivandi, and Irfan Salim Khan alias Badal Eknath Patil, 36, from Mumbra, are habitual thieves and have several previous cases registered against them in Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik.

According to police, Shamsul was the mastermind and would roam around in different areas to find houses that are locked. He would carry tools to break open the lock of the doors. He met Khan through a common friend and made him an associate.

The duo allegedly broke into a house in Maya Niwas building near IIT-Bombay in Powai when the residents were not at home. They stole gold and silver ornaments worth around 3 lakh. The owner of the house Jyoti Rajput went out for groceries on August 9, and when she came home, she found her door was open, and the locks were broken. She found her gold ornaments missing from the cupboard.

Rajput approached Powai police station and filed a complaint. Officers of unit 10 were conducting a parallel inquiry, and they nabbed both the accused on August 11 when they were roaming in Filterpada. They were brought to the unit office, and during the inquiry, the accused confessed to the theft. Police recovered the stolen silver worth 1.5 lakh, said deputy commissioner of police Akbar Pathan of the crime branch. The accused confessed to committing more than 10 thefts during the lockdown. The accused were handed over to Powai police station on August 12.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- K92 Mining Inc. (K92 or the Company) (TSX-V: KNT; OTCQX: KNTNF) is pleased to announce results from its financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter 2020 Highlights:

Safety

Strong safety record continues, with no lost time injuries and one of the best safety records in the Australasia region since start of operations.

Proactive and focused management of COVID-19, with no confirmed cases amongst employees. K92 continues to operate and has strong preventative and response plans.

Production

Record quarterly production of 26,847 gold equivalent (AuEq) oz, comprising 25,762 oz of gold, 531,406 lbs copper and 10,867 oz silver.

Record tonnage of 49,311 tonnes treated, a 30% increase from Q2 2019.

Cash costs of US$596/oz gold and all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of US$678/oz gold (2) .

Long hole stoping at the K1 and K2 Veins has continued to perform to design and has provided a notable positive impact on operational flexibility.

Financials

Sold 27,149 ounces of gold, 566,084 lbs of copper and 11,729 ounces of silver. Gold concentrate inventories of 3,439 ounces as of June 30, 2020, a quarterly decrease of 1,474 ounces.

Record quarterly revenue of US$47.9 million, a 105% increase from Q2 2019.

Record operating cash flow (before working capital adjustments) of US$30.3 million or US$0.14 per share and EBITDA of US$29.7 million or US$0.14 per share.

Net income of US$16.9 million or US$0.08 per share.

Balance sheet significantly strengthened, with cash increasing by US$13.1 million to US$34.7 million and debt decreasing by US$4.2 million to US$9.1 million as at June 30, 2020.

Growth

Reported an updated mineral resource for Kora, with a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.1 million ounces at 10.45 g/t AuEq and Inferred Resource of 3.7 million ounces at 9.01 g/t AuEq, representing a +180% and +50% increase from the October 2018 resource, respectively (see May 19, 2020 Press Release  K92 Mining Inc. Reports Significant Resource Increase at High-Grade Kora Deposit).

Surface exploration recommenced in late Q2 following lifting of the COVID-19 State of Emergency (SOE) in Papua New Guinea, targeting nine diamond drill rigs operating by the end of Q3 2020 and ten rigs by year end.

Resumed commissioning of the Stage 2 Expansion and development of the twin incline following the lifting of the SOE. Stage 2 Expansion commissioning is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2020.

Story continues

For complete details of the interim consolidated financial statements and associated managements discussion and analysis, please refer to the Companys website or profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

John Lewins, K92 Chief Executive Officer and Director, stated, The second quarter represented another important step forward for Kainantu, achieving record gold production, mill throughput, cash flow generation and a very significant increase to mineral resources at Kora. During the quarter, our financial position strengthened considerably, with cash growing by $13.1 million to $34.7 million and debt decreasing by $4.2 million to $9.1 million as at June 30th.

Importantly, this was largely achieved during the COVID-19 State of Emergency in Papua New Guinea and was possible due to the tremendous commitment of our workforce and the quality of the Kora deposit. Strong support from all levels of Government in Papua New Guinea, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic has also been a major positive factor in all our achievements to date. The State of Emergency was lifted on June 16th.

During the second half of this year, Kainantu is expected to continue to take significant steps forward. Our Stage 3 Expansion PEA was completed last month outlining a potential Tier 1 asset with ~318,000 ounces per annum AuEq run-rate production at a life of mine average all-in sustaining cost of $362 per gold ounce net of by-product credits that is fully funded at $1,500/oz gold prices. Stage 2 Expansion commissioning and twin incline development are both underway and exploration activity has increased considerably. Currently three separate vein targets on the mining lease and one regional target is being explored, plus two additional drill rigs are arriving on site shortly.





Mine Operating Activities

Three months ended Three months ended June 30, 2020 June 30, 2019 Operating data Head grade (Au g/t) 17.6 16.7 Gold recovery (%) 92.1% 93.2% Gold ounces produced 25,762 18,980 Gold ounces equivalent produced (1) 26,847 19,652 Tonnes of copper produced 241 119 Silver ounces produced 10,867 6,894 Financial data (in thousands of dollars) Gold ounces sold 27,149 18,824 Revenues from concentrate sales US$47,857 US$23,293 Mine operating expenses US$8,027 US$4,369 Other mine expenses US$6,936 US$6,339 Depreciation and depletion US$3,408 US$1,801 Statistics (in dollars) Average realized selling price per ounce, net US$1,631 US$1,258 Cash cost per ounce US$596 US$572 All-in sustaining cost per ounce US$678 US$703



Notes:

(1) Gold equivalent for 2020 based on the following prices: gold $1,500 per ounce; silver $17.75 per ounce; and copper $2.70 per pound. Gold equivalent for 2019 based on the following metal prices: gold $1,300 per ounce; silver $16.50 per ounce; and copper $2.90 per pound. (2) The Company provides some non-international financial reporting standard measures as supplementary information that management believes may be useful to investors to explain the Companys financial results. Please refer to non-IFRS financial performance measures in the Companys managements discussion and analysis dated August 13, 2020, available on SEDAR, for reconciliation of these measures.



K92 has not based its production decisions on mineral reserve estimates or feasibility studies, and historically such projects have increased uncertainty and risk of failure. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Conference Call Information

K92 will host a conference call and webcast to present the 2020 Q2 Financial Results at 10:00 am (EDT) on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Listeners may access the conference call by dialing toll-free to 1-800-319-4610 within North America or +1-604-638-5340 from international locations.

- The conference call will also be broadcast live (webcast) and may be accessed via the following link: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/k92mining20200814.html

Qualified Person

K92 Mine Geology Manager and Mine Exploration Manager, Mr. Andrew Kohler, PGeo, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

For further information regarding the Kainantu Gold Mine, please refer to the technical report with an effective date of April 2, 2020, and entitled, "Independent Technical Report, Mineral Resource Estimate Update and Preliminary Economic Assessment for Expansion of the Kainantu Mine to Treat 1 MTPA from the Kora Gold Deposit, Kainantu Project, Papua New Guinea," available on SEDAR.

On Behalf of the Company,

John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact David Medilek, P.Eng., CFA at +1-604-687-7130.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information, including statements regarding the realization of the preliminary economic analysis for the Kainantu Project, expectations of future cash flows, the planned plant expansion, production results, cost of sales, sales of production, potential expansion of resources and the generation of further drilling results which may or may not occur. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the market price of the Companys securities, metal prices, exchange rates, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, assumptions contained in the PEA, environmental risks, title disputes, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations in PNG, mitigation of the Covid-19 pandemic, continuation of the lifted state of emergency, and regulations and other matters. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.




Hot on the heels of her video for Jollof on the Jet, Nigerian artist and DJ Cuppy has unveiled a surprise for fans with the release of Karma featuring award-winning dancehall star Stonebwoy, out today via Platoon. Taken from her highly anticipated album Original Copy, the single is exclusively available now to tease ahead of the full project, due for release on August 21st.

Stepping out of her comfort zone and into dancehall territories, Karma sees Cuppy effortlessly take to the bashment beat, swapping verses with Stonebwoy, who brings his signature flare to the track. A match made in heaven, the single will leave a lasting impression and have listeners singing Karma whatever the weather.

Discussing the collaboration, Karma is a song that really brings out a different side of me Cuppy enthuses. Its a song that allows me to express myself in a sensual, confident and playful way. This record is so special because it was made during an unplanned trip to Accra, sometimes you just have to go with the flow!

Stonebwoy also adds: 'Karma was a fun one and a big one!! Nothing but good vibes and excited to finally see it out''

Years in the making, the release of her debut album Original Copy will see Cuppy take the vocal reins on themes that range from independence, to love lost and African pride, over a pop-meets-afrobeats sonic bed that she calls neo-afrobeats. To help bring the project to life, Cuppy has called upon a number of star collaborators such as Julian Marley, Wylef Jean, Teni, Ms Banks, Darkoo and more. Her first single off the project, Jollof on the Jet featuring Rema and RAYVANNY, received international acclaim since its release last month, entering the Thriller Billboard charts at #5. Having worked hard to establish herself in the music scene over the years, the multi-hyphenated artists career trajectory continues as the host of Apple Musics groundbreaking Africa Now Radio show.

Hailing from Volta Region, Ghana, Stonebwoy is one of Africas celebrated talents. Earlier this year he released his fourth-studio album Anloga Junction earning him a place in the Billboard World charts.

The Grammy-nominated artist has since collaborated with a slew of international stars, including Sean Paul, Trey Songz, Burna Boy, Kranium, Chris Martin, Samini, and most recently Keri Hilson.

From start to finish, Karma is an insatiable summer jam lining fans up for the release of Cuppys exciting debut album, Original Copy next week.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called on the Trump administration to make mandatory for everyone in the country to wear masks in public for the next three months.



It would save more than 40,000 lives over the next three months, according to him.



'Every governor should mandate mandatory mask-wearing. The estimates by the experts are it will save over 40,000 lives.'



'Every single American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months at a minimum', and 'Every governor should mandate it,' Biden said after a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic with his Vice President candidate Kamala Harris.



President Donald Trump, who for long resisted wearing mask publicly, criticized Biden over his remarks during a White House briefing.



The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that U.S. was unprepared for 'greatest public health crisis' in a century



In an interview with WebMD, CDC Director Robert Redfield stressed the need for many regions in the country to drive the rate of Covid-19 cases sharply. He warned that failure to do so will lead to a dangerous convergence of the pandemic with flu season.



The United States recorded 1215 coronavirus-related casualties in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll in the country to 167242, as per Johns Hopkins University's latest data Friday.



56,794 additional infections were reported in the last 24 hours.



The average daily numbers of newly reported coronavirus cases in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii and Illinois are rising over the past two weeks, according to the New York Times.



A Georgia high school, where students crowded without masks in its hallways on reopening, will remain closed until Monday after 35 people there tested positive for covid-19.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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We are honored to be named as a fast-growing private company especially during this time of uncertainty in 2020, said Dhiraj Sharma, CEO of Simpplr. Not only has Simpplr had triple digit growth but weve also grown the company to support the demand for better company communications.

Simpplr, an employee communication and engagement platform that markets itself as todays modern intranet, today announced that the company placed 826 on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

Simpplrs technology is built to help distributed organizations connect and align their workforces and equip employees with information across multiple locations. By creating a more engaged and connected digital workplace, businesses are able to connect, engage, and drive culture across their entire workforce.

We are honored to be named as a fast-growing private company especially during this time of uncertainty in 2020, said Dhiraj Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder, Simpplr. It has been a busy time for Simpplr as companies transition to work from home and realize the need for a virtual headquarters. Not only has Simpplr had triple digit growth but weve also grown the company to support the demand for better company communications.

COVID-19s abrupt transition to remote work has amplified the need for modern intranets. Companies are realizing their 2020 Communications Tech Stack needs to include a noise-free source-of-truth for formal communications and an easy way to find information within the organizations digital workplace.

Simpplr recreated the corporate intranet with a stunning, consumer-grade user experience and AI-backed technology that personalizes experiences and prevents the intranet from becoming a dumping ground.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

About Simpplr

Simpplr is todays modern employee intranet. Our software helps companies engage their workforce by streamlining internal communication and forging employee connections.

Simpplr partners with many leading brands across industries. Examples include: Workday, AAA, Fox, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, DocuSign, Eurostar, The World Economic Forum, and Columbia University. Our customers are improving productivity, increasing employee engagement, and reducing employee turnover. More importantly, the improved internal communication is helping employees feel connected to their companies.

Simpplr is headquartered in Redwood City, CA with an office in Gurgaon, India, and is backed by Norwest Venture Partners, Salesforce Ventures, and Still Venture Capital.

Visit simpplr.com and join the conversation on Twitter @simpplr.


Bengaluru violence: Tejasvi Surya on Congress-SDPI link; says make rioters pay

BJP MP from Bengaluru South Tejashwi Surya has said that Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa should confiscate properties of rioters and use it to compensate the loss to public property during the recent violence in the city. The MP said that this should be the rule across the nation and those who indulge in vandalism should be made to pay. He also launched a scathing attack on the Congress and accused it of giving political & ideological support to the SDPI. Surya further urged the state government to probe how such a huge crowd could gather in such a short time with petrol bombs and said that the guilty should be given the harshest punishment. 3 people were killed and 60 cops were injured when an unruly mob turned violent over social media posts allegedly made by a Congress MLA's nephew. The rioters had vandalised the DJ Halli police station and also attacked the house of Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivas Reddy. Watch the full video for all the details. ...read more
The Ministry of Information and Communications, on August 13, held a ceremony to debut the akaChain blockchain platform, as part of a programme introducing Make in Vietnam digital platforms.

The launching ceremony of akaChain blockchain platform.

The akaChain, developed by Vietnams largest tech firm FPT Software corporation, supports enterprises in quickly building their business network systems and distributed applications using blockchain technology. It helps shortening the time spent on a number of tasks like electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC), credit scoring, customer loyalty programmes, and origin tracing.

In the coming time, it will be further developed for strengthened security and transparency.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Hung said despite just being established in 2018, the platform has become popular.

He named a number of its successful users, including food group Masan Consumer, Baoviet Insurance, AIA Group, and VPBank.

The official took the occasion to call on digital firms to continue investing in the research and development of advanced technologies of the 4th Industrial Revolution, adding that it will help Vietnam catch up with latest developments in the world and complete its national digital transition.

The introduction of Make in Vietnam platforms is part of the national digital transition programme toward 2025 approved by the Prime Minister.

Calling Vietnamese enterprises to continue investing in research of technology 4.0

Deputy Minister of Information & Communications at the launching ceremony of akaChain blockchain platform.

Invented in 2008, blockchain technology has been developed and improved to become one of the biggest breakthrough technologies with the potential to greatly affect every industry, occupation, everything from finance to production, business and even education, said Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Hung.

Many countries are very interested in blockchain and issued related policies that create favourable environment to promote and develop this new technology. Many state agencies around the world have plans to invest in blockchain to manage financial transactions, assets, contracts, and institutional compliance in the coming years.

In Vietnam, early research and application of this technology will be an opportunity for Vietnam to actively keep pace with the development of the global economy, he said.

With the great potential of blockchain, he emphasized, it is likely that in the near future these technical applications will dramatically transform our lives. The Ministry of Information and Communications praised FPT for "advancing" into this new field, creating a blockchain technology platform to help Vietnamese businesses be ready to integrate with the development of the economy, finance and technology in the future.

The Ministry of Information and Communications calls on digital technology businesses to continue investing in research of new technologies of the industrial revolution 4.0, so that Vietnam can keep up with the latest development trends of the world and complete the target of the national digital transformation plan, said Deputy Minister Hung.

M.T

E-government growth to closely connect with smart city, digital transformation The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has just held a consultation session with businesses about proper strategies for e-government development in the period from 2021  2025, with a vision to 2030.
MIAMI - The Trump administration has seized the cargo of four tankers it was targeting for transporting Iranian fuel to Venezuela, U.S. officials said Thursday, as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against the two heavily sanctioned allies.

Last month, federal prosecutors in Washington filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that the sale was arranged by a businessman, Mahmoud Madanipour, with ties to Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. At the time, sanctions experts thought it would be impossible to enforce the U.S. court order in international waters.

A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that no military force was used in the seizures and that the ships werent physically confiscated. Rather, U.S. officials threatened ship owners, insurers and captains with sanction to force them to hand over their cargo, which now becomes U.S. property, the official said.

Prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline. But the tankers never arrived at the South American country and then went missing. Two of the ships later reappeared near Cape Verde, a second U.S. official said.

Both officials agreed to discuss the sensitive diplomatic and judicial offensive only if granted anonymity.

Irans ambassador to Venezuela, Hojad Soltani, pushed back on what would appear a victory for the U.S. sanctions campaign, saying Thursday on Twitter that neither the ships nor their owners were Iranian.

This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the U.S. propaganda machine, Soltani said. The terrorist #Trump cannot compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran using false propaganda.

It is not clear where the vessels  the Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna  or their cargoes currently are. But the ship captains weeks ago turned off their tracking devices to hide their locations, said Russ Dallen, a Miami-based partner at brokerage Caracas Capital Markets, who follows ship movements.

The Bering went dark on May 11 in the Mediterranean near Greece and has not turned on its transponder since, while the Bella did the same July 2 in the Philippines, Dallen said. The Luna and Pandi were last spotted when they were together in the Gulf of Oman on July 10 when the U.S. seizure order came. Shipping data shows that the Pandi, which also goes by Andy, is reporting that it has been broken up, or sold as scrap, Dallen said.

As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Nicolas Maduros socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran.

In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital, Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships.

Despite sitting atop the worlds largest crude reserves, Venezuela doesnt produce enough domestically refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid its economic crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions.

The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices  both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.

One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela, the Avantgarde Group, was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions, according to prosecutors.

An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1, a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria. Iran denied the charges and the Grace 1 was eventually released. But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel.

According to the asset forfeiture complaint, an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi. Nonetheless, a text message between Madanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties.

The ship owner doesnt want to go because of the American threat, but we want him to go, and we even agreed We will also buy the ship, according to the message, an excerpt of which was included in the complaint.

___

Joshua Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman

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Associated Press writer Scott Smith in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed on Thursday to the full normalization of relations in a deal brokered by President Donald Trump.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump, and two UAE leaders spoke and made the agreement, according to a joint statement from the United States and the two Middle Eastern nations.

This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region, the statement said.

Delegations from Israel and the UAE plan to meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, direct flights, and more.

The two countries will immediately cooperate on the development of a vaccine for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease.

Trump, a Republican, told reporters at the White House: This is a truly historic moment. Not since the Israel-Jordan peace treaty was signed, more then 25 years ago, has so much progress been made towards peace in the Middle East.

Netanyahu said in a tweet that the agreement marked a historic day.

Opening direct ties between two of the Middle Easts most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations, the countries said in the statement.

Per a request from Trump, Israel is suspending declaring sovereignty over certain areas and is focused on expanding ties to other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

Under Trumps Vision for Peace, Muslim worshipers are allowed to pray at Al Asqa Mosque in Jerusalem, and other holy sites in the city should remain open for peaceful worshipers of all faiths.

Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed their deep appreciation to Trump for his dedication to peace in the region and to the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to achieve it, the joint statement said.

Trump unveiled his vision in January. It was aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but the 80-page plan also dealt with other matters.

This is an unprecedented and highly significant development, he said at a White House event with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In the past, even the most well-intentioned plans were light on factual details and heavy on conceptual frameworks. My vision presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, a realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israels security, said Trump.

Emel Akan contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
Anti-government protests against Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko continue to grow, as a police crackdown fails to suppress popular anger over the results of last Sundays presidential election. On Monday, the countrys Central Election Commission declared Lukashenko had secured 80 percent of the ballots cast, decisively defeating his main contender, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. There is a widespread belief that the government, which has been under Lukashenkos control for 26 years, falsified the tally.

Yesterday, thousands of demonstrators poured into the capital Minsk. Protesters are also taking to the streets in smaller cities around the country. Workers at Belarus major auto plant, BelAZa, have gone out on strike, and they have been joined by fellow autoworkers at other enterprises, including metallurgy, electronics and technology, pharmaceutical, fertilizer, ceramics and other factories. Healthcare workers and members of the Minsk Philharmonia have also walked off the job.

Autoworkers at BelAZa factory on strike

The strikes and demonstrations are occurring in defiance of mass arrests and in opposition to the use of police violence to suppress social opposition. As of Thursday, the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs had arrested more than 6,000 people and killed two demonstrators. The OMON, Belarus militarized police force, has attempted to drive back crowds with water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades.

One autoworker at BelAZa told the press that the OMON snatched a fellow worker off the street as he returned home from the factory, and he has not been heard from since. BelAZa strikers have raised an outcry over the fact that the OMON are bussed into neighborhoods in the same vehicles that the workers produce.

The central demand raised so far by protesters and strikers has been for Lukashenkos resignation. Get out! is a common slogan at protests and on picket lines. Demonstrators are also calling for an end to state violence, the freeing of political prisoners, and the holding of new elections. There are also indications of nationalist sentiment, with Long Live Belarus shouted by protesters.

Thus far, social and economic demands do not appear to have come to the forefront of the strikes, but the political oppression faced by the Belarusian working class is entirely bound up with its intense exploitation at the hands of the capitalist classdomestic and foreign alike. Decades of poverty wages, cuts in social spending, and most recently, the governments homicidal indifference to the COVID-19 pandemic, are all fueling social discontent.

The factory walkouts occurred in response to an appeal issued by NEXTA on the social media platform Telegram for a general strike. NEXTA is an online channel run by the former sportswriter and musician turned blogger and oppositionist Stepan Putilo, who currently resides in Poland. He left Belarus because of persecution by the Lukashenko government for his oppositional activities.

Putilo is one of a number of anti-corruption social media personalities who have emerged in recent years, a type that hides support for free-market capitalism under the cover of appeals for democracy. A central demand advanced by NEXTA is for Tikhanovskaya to simply be awarded the Belarusian presidency.

Tikhanovskaya, who entered the race after her husband, another pro-democracy opposition blogger, was arrested, ran a largely empty campaign that appealed to little more than free and fair elections. Portrayed as simply a brave mother and housewife standing against the regime, she was backed by different wings of Belarus right-wing opposition and lauded by the Western media. None of these forces have the slightest concern for the democratic rights of the Belarusian masses, who they look upon as objects of exploitation and political pawns to be used in the broader struggle over the geostrategically important territory occupied by Belarus.

The explosion of popular opposition to Lukashenkoa deeply corrupt, former Stalinist turned wealthy autocratis being utilized by the United States and the European Union (EU) to advance their aims against Russia. Minsk has long been a key ally of Moscow and is the last remaining territorial bulwark against NATO on Russias western frontier.

Washington has been working to draw Belarus into its orbit, and since 2019 has been in the process of restoring full diplomatic relations with the country after a two-and-a-half-decade hiatus. If it is unable to achieve this with Lukashenko, it will work to achieve it without him. Earlier this week, in a staggering display of hypocrisy, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement denouncing ongoing violence against protesters and the detention of opposition supporters in Belarus. These are the very same actions currently being carried out by the Trump administration in major cities across the United States.

Washingtons right-wing, anti-Russian allies in the Baltics, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, are being pushed forward to pressure Lukashenko. Lithuania has given political refuge to Tikhanovskaya, and the three states have outlined a three-point plan that Belarus must adopt if it wishes to avoid punitive measures. In addition to ending the violence and freeing prisoners, the Baltic states are demanding that Belarus create a national council of representatives of the state and civil society, whose goal would be to find ways out of the crisis. This is a set-up, as everyone knows, that Lukashenko cannot accede to without effectively losing political power.

The EU announced Tuesday that it will meet today to discuss sanctions against Belarus, and EU ambassadors made a show Thursday of laying wreaths at the site where an anti-government demonstrator was killed. A statement from Brussels declared that the EU is preparing to take measures against those responsible for the observed violence, unjustified arrests, and falsification of election results.

The EUs efforts to portray it and its member countries as champions of Belarusian democracy and defenders of Belarus peaceful protesters are grotesque. In France, the government beats up, arrests and disperses with brute force yellow vest protesters. In Polandon the very days that demonstrators were being arrested in Belaruspolice were kicking, crushing the necks of, and detaining protesters supporting LGBTQ rights. In Germany, the far-right AfD wields broad sway over the entire political system.

Among the chorus of those condemning Lukashenko is the government of Ukraine, where neo-Nazis hold top military appointments and paramilitary gangs maraud through the country killing opponents.

It remains unclear as to how the protests and strikes will develop in the coming days and weeks. The embattled Lukashenko regime issued an appeal Thursday for citizens to send in video-recordings of the provocateurs it insists are behind the demonstrations. There are some signs that support for Lukashenko within the state apparatus itself is beginning to give way. An audio recording of the head of the Central Election Commission in Vitebsk, Sergei Pitalenko, was released in which the bureaucrat states that the election results were falsified and that officials were instructed by higher-ups to change the vote tallies.

The central question facing the Belarusian working class is one of mobilizing independently of and in opposition to not just Lukashenko, but all the so-called advocates of democracy in Belarus. The battle going on between the regime in Minsk and its domestic and foreign opponents is not one between autocrats and alleged supporters of human rights and freedom.

The imperialist powers, led by the United States, see Belarus as a pawn within their larger struggle to assert control over the Eurasian landmass. This involves, most centrally, military conflict with Russia and China. They are prepared to unleash slaughter in the region, and the Belarusian populationof which 70 percent speaks Russian as its first language at homewill suffer the consequences. Lukashenko, as well as Vladimir Putin in Russia, having failed to come to a deal with imperialism that will allow them to continue exploiting the working class in the vast region under their control, resort to violence and oppression in an effort to hold onto power.

A unified struggle of the working class of Belarus and Russia, linked with fellow workers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, is the only basis upon which both imperialism and the post-Soviet ruling class can be defeated. The program that is required is not one of free and fair elections but of socialist internationalism.
The banning of choirs and recorders, limiting inter-school activities and clarity over year 12 graduations and kindergarten orientations are expected under new coronavirus rules for NSW schools in term three.

The rules also propose suspending extracurricular social activities such as formals and dances for the rest of the term, the Herald has learned, but debate continues over inter-school sport, with concerns a school ban would be unfair while community club sport was permitted.

The plans come as police cleared Tangara School for Girls - the site of a growing COVID-19 cluster - of breaching public health orders, and non-government principals said they were upset Premier Gladys Berejiklian had questioned their COVID-19 compliance.

The Tangara School for Girls cluster has increased to 21 cases. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The Tangara School cluster grew to 21 on Friday, with one more student testing positive. NSW Health reported nine new cases, including three in hotel quarantine and one with a mystery source.
It is very surprising. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, routine transfers were stayed, he said.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra BJP on Thursday alleged that the ministers in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have raked in moolah by transferring officials close to them to plum posts. The BJP state president Chandrakant Patil demanded a CID probe into such transfers of officials.

Patil, who was a revenue minister in the Fadnavis government, claimed that despite an order of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar not to transfer the officials of the finance department, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray led General Administration Department (GAD) lifted the stay on the transfers.

It is very surprising. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, routine transfers were stayed. But later 15 per cent transfers were allowed and as a result, the ministers in the MVA government transferred officials close to them to plum postings. The huge amount of money has been raked in. Those officials, who dont have any political connections and money power, have been met with gross injustice, Patil alleged and demanded that all these issues need to be probed by the CID.

The former revenue minister said that in order to continue the implementation of measures in fight against coronavirus, the government had initially announced that transfers would not be done in the current financial year. This was a policy in May. When the patients of the COVID-19 increased in July and the situation worsened, there was no need to issue an order of 15 per cent transfers of a total working staff, he said.
You know, I go down the streets and I see people lined up just for [donated] food. How is that normal? How is that right? she said, pointing to wealth inequities between Black and White families that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Are we going to vote? Yes. Its an obligation. Its something that you should do . . . because right now, the president we have, we dont want him in office.
has released the first 80 of a final 400 prisoners, paving the way for negotiations between the warring sides in Afghanistan's protracted conflict, the government said Friday.

Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council's office, made the announcement.

officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to the media, said 86 prisoners were freed. It wasn't immediately known when the remaining prisoners would be freed.

Prisoner releases on both sides are part of an agreement signed in February between the US and It calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban held by the government and 1,000 government and military personnel held by the insurgent group as a good will gesture ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations.

Talks are expected to be held in Qatar where the Taliban maintain a political office. Several Afghan leaders told The Associated Press talks could begin by August 20.

These negotiations are to lay out a framework for a post-war

Washington's peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad spent a year-and-a-half negotiating the peace deal aimed at allowing American troops to return home and end America's longest military engagement.

US troops have already begun leaving and by November less than 5,000 troops are expected to still be in down from nearly 13,000 when the agreement was signed Feb. 29.

American and NATO troop withdrawal is contingent on the Taliban keeping their commitment not to allow militant groups to use Afghanistan against the United States or its allies. The withdrawal is not tied to successful talks between the warring sides.

Last weekend, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held a traditional council meeting known as loya jirga to get a consensus on the release of a final 400 Taliban he said were accused of serious crimes, saying without explanation that he could not unilaterally decide to release them.

Some of the 400 have been implicated in devastating bombings in Kabul.

During a televised talk on Thursday with the US-based Council of Foreign Relations, Ghani warned of dangers they could present to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

But for some in Afghanistan the talks with the Taliban mirror earlier negotiations with other insurgents, including warlord and US-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who many say has a reputation for violence that exceeds the Taliban.

In 2016, Ghani negotiated a peace deal with Hekmatyar, whose Hezb-e-Islami group took responsibility for several bombings in Kabul, including one at a grocery story in the capital that killed a young family.

The deal included removing Hekmatyar from the UN terrorist list. His group was also responsible for a 2008 attack on French soldiers the largest loss in a single battle in Afghanistan.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A video shows the horrifying moment two skateboarders crash while going at speeds of 40mph at an illegal skate event.

The horror crash was at a hill bombing event in San Francisco resulting in two skateboarders going to hospital.

Footage shows three skateboarders flying down the hill at great speeds as one wearing a black t-shirt comes off his board.

The horror crash was at an illegal hill bombing event in San Francisco resulting in two skateboarders going to hospital

The two skaters, who may have been going at speeds of up to 40mph collide as one falls and can't out the way of the other

The skateboarder wearing a black t-shirt, left, falls from his board while two other skaters come down the hill behind him at great speeds

As he skids along the ground he tries to crawl out the way of other skaters but before he can move another skater crashes into him.

One onlooker wearing a mask said: 'He knocked him out,' as crowds swarm round the two casualties.

The video of the carnage has gone viral gathering over 79k views on Instagram.

The hill bombing event, which is an impromptu gathering, organized by word-of-mouth and call-outs on social media, drew in hundreds to take part.

Revellers skate down a street as fast as they possibly can usually without helmets, for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Stephen Muro, 26, from Los Angeles, captured the accident on camera on July 11th.

The skateboarder slides along the ground after coming off his board at the impromptu gathering that is organized by word-of-mouth

One onlooker said: 'He knocked him out,' as stunned crowds watch the carnage

He said: 'It's a traditional event that happens once a year where the skateboarders block off the streets and it becomes a free for all hill bomb.

'People do their best to max out on their speed but it's not a competition.'

The skateboarders who brave the jaw-dropping hill, hurtle down it at speeds of up to 40mph.

Stephen said: 'When the guys fell off everyone in the crowd freaked out.

The crowds begin to swarm the boys and try to help before they were taken to hospital and received treatment for head injuries

The boy attempts to crawl out of the way of oncoming boarders but is hit by another boy coming towards him

'Sometimes the ambulance is already on the scene waiting for someone to come crashing down.

'They had to keep coming back after taking multiple people to the hospital.'

Both of the skateboarders whom Stephen didn't want to name, received treatment in hospital for the head injuries but have since recovered and are back skating.
A Camden County man who coaxed sexually explicit images and videos from a child online allegedly paid a hitman $20,000 on the dark web to kill the child, authorities said.

John Michael Musbach, 31, of Haddonfield, was arrested Thursday and charged with murder-for-hire for hiring a hitman to kill the child victim of his abuse, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito alleged in a statement.

Musbach, who pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child by sexual contact in 2017, allegedly paid $20,000 in Bitcoin to get rid of the 14-year-old victim, the statement said. He was scheduled to appear in federal court via teleconference Thursday afternoon, according to the statement.

Special agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security nabbed Musbach by combing through communication he allegedly had with the administrator of a website on the dark web, where he began to ask about how to murder a 14-year-old, according to the criminal complaint. The messages allegedly show Musbach, using the handle agentisai, negotiating a hit order on his victim, unsure if the target was too young, the complaint said.

Alternatively to a gun order, I could place a hit order, Musbach allegedly wrote to the site administrator. However, the target would be 14. Is that an acceptable age or too young? I can budget up to $20k for the order.

A call to Musbachs attorney, a federal public defender, was not immediately returned.

Last year, an informant working with DHS in Minnesota handed over chat logs between Musbach and a website on the dark web that allegedly showed Musbach trying to hire a hitman to kill his victim in May 2016. The alleged hit order came more than a year before Musbach would ultimately plead guilty.

The website Musbach allegedly communicated with was offering hit orders and other violent crimes in exchange for cryptocurrency, the complaint said. The dark web is encrypted online content, but is often used to host illegal marketplaces.

The chat logs show Musbach allegedly pushing to kill the child victim, negotiating a hit price of $20,000 in BitCoin, according to the complaint. After the administrator stopped responding, Musbach allegedly followed up several times before being told that the initial hitman had been arrested for cocaine possession and the hit would cost an additional $5,000, according to the complaint.

After the site administrator changed the terms of the hit and Musbach attempted to cancel and get back his money, the administrator revealed that the website was a scam and would be passing along Musbachs information to law enforcement, according to the complaint.

Unfortunately, our site is a scam, and we pass customer and target information to law enforcement, the administrator allegedly wrote to Musbach.

After the informants tip, investigators were able to tie Musbach to the alleged hit order by linking him to the screenname agentisai and by tracing the money used to buy the Bitcoin to his bank account, according to the statement.

The alleged hit order stems from Musbachs conviction for child pornography, specifically for exchanging sexually explicit photos and videos in 2015 with the victim, who was then 13 years old, the statement said. In the summer of 2015, Musbach began talking to the victim through an Internet Relay Chat website, ultimately asking for and receiving sexually explicit photos and videos of the child, the statement said.

Musbach would also send sexually explicit images and videos to the child, according to the statement.

Months later, the victims parents caught wind of Musbachs messages and told authorities in New York, where the child lived, the statement said. Officers began their investigation and told Musbach to stay away from the victim, according to the statement. The case was passed along to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office when officers learned that Musbach then lived in Galloway.

In late March 2016, officers from the prosecutors office arrested Musbach and searched his apartment, where they seized his cell phone and a laptop given to him by his then-employer, the statement said. Ultimately, Musbach admitted to sending sexually explicit images and videos to the child victim and asking for and receiving the same from the child, knowing the victim was underage, the statement said.

In October 2017, Musbach pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child (the victim) by sexual contact and was given a two-year suspended sentence with parole supervision for life. If convicted of murder-for-hire, Musbach faces up to 10 years in prison.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com.
Joe Bidens choice of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate was met with positive headlines in much of the mainstream media. While progressives were disappointed that Biden skipped over women like Elizabeth Warren and Stacey Abrams in favor of a more centrist candidate, most acknowledged the historical significance of a Black woman on a major partys ticket. The announcement also revived questions and concerns that dogged Harris own presidential campaignin particular about her work as the district attorney of San Francisco and as Californias attorney general. But the right-wing media ecosystem was predictably more negative. In many cases, the criticism was less focused on substantial policy critiques and instead directed at her identity as an ambitious Black woman, often in blatantly racist and sexist ways.

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Well likely see variations on these arguments over the course of the election cycle, including from President Donald Trump himself. Here are the ways that conservative media (ranging from the respectable to the fringe) has been talking about Kamala Harris in her first week on the ticket.

1. Shes a radical.

Most of the newspaper editorials and cable news rants stuck to this theme: Harris is an extremist who will endanger Americans rights and way of life when it comes to health care, firearms, immigration, and environmental policies. While none have been quick to describe Biden as moderate, many have begrudgingly admitted that Biden was the safest choice among the spate of Democratic presidential candidates. The addition of Harris allowed them to attack the opposition with greater urgencyespecially as so many appear to believe Biden might die in office.

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Sean Hannity claimed that her nomination made the pair the most extreme radical far-left out of the mainstream ticket of any major political party in American history. The Washington Beacon ran pieces warning that  Moderate Kamala Harris Just Cosponsored Climate Legislation With AOC and Kamala Harris Brings Gun Confiscation Support to Dem Presidential Ticket. The Washington Times proclaimed, Biden Outsources His Agenda to the Radical Left. The Federalist warned, Why Kamala Harriss Stealth Radicalism Is Worse Than Bernie Democrats Open Radicalism. Several publications also made special note of her support for abortion. Pro-Lifers Rip Biden for Picking Abortion Extremist Harris, proclaimed one Free Beacon headline.

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These commentators criticized coverage of Harris by the mainstream media, particularly the description of her as a moderate. Several conservative outlets, including Fox News, ran stories with headlines disputing that the moderate label, which the New York Times and many other publications used to describe her, made sense for Harris.

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Many commentators also tried to portray Harris as untrustworthy. The panderer to the defund-the-police crowd once compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Ku Klux Klan, but was endorsed by police unions when she was Californias top prosecutor, the New York Post gave as an example. Fox News host Tucker Carlson called her the single most transactional human being in America.

Some analysts did, however, push back on their colleagues. She is not far to the left despite what Republicans are going to try to say, Chris Wallace said on Fox News.

2. She wants to make the U.S. more like California.

Theres a tradition in some political circles of using California as a cautionary tale of the evils of progressive politics. Harris, a senator from California, has invoked some amount of that already.

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Bill OReilly called her a product of San Francisco values. The California that produced Ronald Reagan was a middle-class paradise of low-cost bungalows with great weather and fantastic public services, Michael Brendan Dougherty wrote for the National Review. Now, its a poverty-stricken state where even celebrities have to cheat to get their kids into its colleges. Part of the issue is the prevalence of graft, which Kamala Harris allegedly had no taste for going after when she was attorney general. Harris as vice president would be a sign that Democrats in the White House wouldnt be tough with regulations and cleaning up corruption. Several publications noted her connections to the tech world and deep-pocket donors. Or as the Federalist put it, she is the swampiest of swampers.

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3. Shes a weak choice.

Eric Trump called Harris an early Christmas present on Thursday, citing her poor performance as a presidential candidate. On Fox, Ben Shapiro said that Trump should be overjoyed at the prospect of facing off against her. President Trump should make it very clear that, at this point, hes running against Kamala Harris, he said. Hes not running against Joe Biden. Joe Biden is a stand-in.

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On Fox News, Ari Fleischer called her not that historically exciting to Black voters despite the fact that shes the first Black woman to be nominated for this role. On the other hand, one of the major topics of discussion in mainstream conservative media was what her identity as a Black woman had to say about Biden and the state of the Democratic Party. Some argued that Biden had backed himself into a corner by announcing that he would choose a woman as his running mate, and that it became an inevitability, through the logic of the identity politics he had fallen trap to, that he would have to choose a Black woman.

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Others complained that they would not be able to criticize Harris without being accused of racism or sexism.

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4. Shes nasty and angry.

But plenty of the criticism of Harris was loaded with coded and not-so-coded language.

On Thursday morning, Trump told Fox Business that Harris was a madwoman because she was so angry during the Kavanaugh hearings. He also called her mean, horrible, and extraordinarily nastya term the public would remember being applied to Hillary Clinton.

Nasty wasnt the only gendered attack used on Harris that hearkened back to the Clinton days. She was described as mean, abrasive, overly ambitious, disingenuous, and even a viper.

In fact, in her Machiavellian campaign manipulations, she appeared deeply threatening, Shapiro wrote for Fox. At the very least, Biden should hire a food taster. On air, he called her mechanical, extreme, and manipulative.

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Some critics focused on her demeanor, which they found unappealing. (Harris certainly wasnt picked for her personal charm, Carlson said.) In particular, they seem to be put off by her grating and annoying tendency to laugh at her own jokes.

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The grossest remarks, including those made by Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Rush Limbaugh, mined her relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. Fox Nation host Tomi Lahren had to apologize to Harris after tweeting, Kamala did you fight for ideals or did you sleep your way to the top with Willie Brown?

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5. Shes a bigot.

There were efforts to find offense at some of Harris previous actions, like calling her nasty over her grilling of Brett Kavanaugh, or expressing outrage that she once compared ICE to the KKK. But even more often, critics cited her bigotry against Roman Catholics. Catholic Leader: Kamala Harris Ringleader of the Anti-Catholic Bullying in Democrat Party, ran one Breitbart headline.

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This stems in part from a line of questions she had for a district judge nominee in 2018. The nominee was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization that opposes marriage equality and abortion. [S]uggesting that belonging to a Catholic group with millions of members, which has been an important charity in the U.S. for more than a century, renders an individual unfit to serve as a judge made Harris guilty of reprehensible anti-Catholic bigotry, the National Review summed up.

6. Shes not Black enough.

Some critics have begun to tap into some of the absurd vein of attack they made against Barack Obamas identity as a Black American. Numerous far-right pundits and conspiracists have argued that because Harris parents are Jamaican and Indian, and because she might have had white ancestors, she couldnt claim the cultural identity of an African American.

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7. She might not be a citizen (even though she is).

On Wednesday, Newsweek ran an op-ed by John Eastman, a law professor at Chapman University, arguing that Harris may not actually be a citizen. Although the message hews closely to the birtherism conspiracy theory that Trump levied against Obama, Eastmans argument was both slightly less direct and possibly more insidious: He said that Harris status is in question under an antiquated interpretation of the 14th Amendment because neither of her parents was a naturalized citizen when she was born. (Some conservatives have argued before against this idea of automatic citizenship for those born on U.S. soil. The Supreme Court has long held that they are wrong.)

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Some conservatives understood this line of thinking to be racist and pretty much birtherism under a different guise. Birther-esque Campaign Against Kamala Harris Reeks of Fear and Desperation, one Washington Examiner headline proclaimed. (Newsweek defended the column as a matter of legal debate but did condemn birtherism of the kind Trump practiced as vile lies.)

The racist attack is already being adopted by members of the Trump campaign. Jenna Ellis, a senior Trump campaign adviser, retweeted a tweet with the op-ed. Later on Thursday, a reporter with the right-wing One America News Network asked Trump a question about the op-ed. In his response, he did not come anywhere close to disavowing the theory: I just heard that; I heard it today that she doesnt meet the requirements, he responded. And by the way, the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer. I have no idea if thats right, I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president, but thats a very serious I dont know about it, I just heard about it, Ill take a look.

For more on Bidens selection of Harris, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below.
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Vietnamese telecoms giant Viettel took home the Asias Most Influential Companies title at the 2020 ACES Awards.

The ACES Awards, or the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards, honors sustainable and pioneering businesses in Asia for their influence on people and international relationships.

Businesses that can meet the standards of growth, manpower, creativity, brand influence in Asia, and commitment to sustainability goals are selected to participate in each of the ACES categories.

Military-run Viettel, Vietnams largest telecommunications company, won this years ACES award for Asias Most Influential Companies, the only company in Vietnam to be given the prestigious title.

Viettel, owned and operated by the Ministry of National Defense, is known for its pioneering use of digital technology to create a more tech-savvy society thanks to several of its digital transformation schemes, including a focus on developing e-government management, smart cities, and digital transformations in the health, education, and transport sectors.

The Vietnamese telco also contributes to the development of four other Southeast Asian countries  Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste, and Myanmar  in terms of providing a range of telecommunications, information, and technology initiatives.

Viettels data revenue in its overseas markets reached US$500 million in the second quarter of 2020, 106.2 percent of its target for the period.

E-wallet turnover reached a total of $6 million, equivalent to 127 percent of its goal. The number of e-subscribers using Viettel-owned e-wallet services hit 154 percent of its target.

ViettelPay, an electronic payment ecosystem operated by Viettel, has been gaining a foothold amongst consumers in the country. The platform now boasts over 300 partners across 15 different service sectors.

With over VND50 trillion ($2.15 billion) generated from 40 million transactions last year, Viettel now plans to move into the digital payment arena by offering mobile money.

Known as a pioneer in network security, the military-run group serves as a key provider of security information products and services to government, ministries, sectors, and many large enterprises.

In terms of brand value, Viettel was formerly ranked first in Southeast Asia, 102th in Asia, and 355th in the world by Brand Finance, the worlds largest brand valuation consultancy.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A senior expert of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that although there are some cases suggesting that an individual may have been re-infected with COVID-19, it's still not confirmed.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead on COVID-19 response at the WHO Health Emergencies Program, told a virtual press conference that some people can have PCR (polymerase chain reaction) positivity for many weeks, not just days, and it doesn't necessarily mean that they are infectious for that long.

According to the WHO expert, false positivity or false negativity may also lead to the result that an individual is tested positive again, but that should not be viewed as re-infection.

"What we ideally would like is to look at sequencing. If the virus can be isolated, if sequencing can be done, so we can look and see if somebody has been re-infected," she said.
I can reveal that the eminent actor, now 81, who achieved worldwide acclaim when he starred as Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, has spurned a peerage

His triumphs on stage and screen have helped him amass a fortune of nearly 40 million  which would have been beyond the dreams of avarice when he was a young lad growing up in Wigan.

But, despite these immense riches, not to mention the knighthood conferred on him nearly 30 years ago, Sir Ian McKellen has no intention of cutting himself off from the working man.

Indeed, I can reveal that the eminent actor, now 81, who achieved worldwide acclaim when he starred as Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, has spurned a peerage.

The disclosure is made by author Garry O'Connor, who is bringing out an updated paperback edition of his book, Ian McKellen: The Biography, next month.

'Some of his close friends reliably told me that Ian, in the past couple of years, was offered one,' says O'Connor. 'But he turned it down.'

O'Connor points out that McKellen had qualms about accepting his knighthood in 1991.

'He demanded that it was stated that it was given for 'acting and social activism',' says O'Connor.

McKellen, an indefatigable campaigner for gay rights, is unstintingly generous, indulging friends, old and new, at every opportunity  and playfully reminds them that his role in The Lord Of The Rings franchise has given him the deepest pockets.

Whenever he takes them out for a meal, which is often, he always says 'Gandalf pays', as he picks up the bill.

He also co-owns The Grapes pub in Limehouse, East London, with Evgeny Lebedev, publisher of the Evening Standard newspaper, who was ennobled this month by Boris Johnson.

Perhaps Lord Lebedev can persuade Sir Ian to change his mind about taking up a seat on the red benches.

Whenever he takes them out for a meal, which is often, he always says 'Gandalf pays', as he picks up the bill. He is pictured above in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Late-night drama leaves Fleming shaken and stirred

James Bond creator Ian Fleming's great-niece, Hum, who is epileptic, claims breaking social distancing rules saved her life.

'I had a seizure at 3am so severe I stopped breathing,' says the 30-year-old.

'Luckily, the guy I'd been dating had been with me. Haters can say it was dangerous due to Covid but we'd been socially distanced dating. He'd finally stayed and thank God he had. He awoke to a weird noise and me aggressively twitching. By the time he found a light switch I'd turned blue.'

She adds: 'I now have an Epilepsy Alarm Embrace watch [pictured]. If I have a seizure the alarm alerts my chosen 'care givers'. Not the best arm candy but still worth it.'

James Bond creator Ian Fleming's great-niece, Hum, who is epileptic, claims breaking social distancing rules saved her life. 'I had a seizure at 3am so severe I stopped breathing,' says the 30-year-old

As Harry and Meghan prepare to settle into their 11 million Santa Barbara mansion, I hope they spare a thought for those they left behind at Oxfordshires Soho Farmhouse.

For I can disclose the club, once the couples favourite, endured a lightning strike on Wednesday that did for the pizza shack roof.

It was split by the force of the strike, a club devotee tells me.

The strike narrowly missed one of the staff. He was left with ringing in his ears. Now thats a slice of luck.

Eamonn flies into a rant at 5 mask

Daytime TV anchorman Eamonn Holmes resented paying 5 for a face mask recently.

'I know I should have had my own one but, as I hadn't, I couldn't proceed through Belfast City Airport without a face mask,' he says.

'Very helpfully, I was directed to a vending machine which dispensed one on the receipt of 5.

'Five quid? Just checking to see if they were made by The Dick Turpin Corporation! Daylight robbery.'

Wrong time of the year for Scrooge?

City 'supermum' Dame Helena Morrissey is not shrinking from boosting our battered economy

City supermum toasts Rishi...

City 'supermum' Dame Helena Morrissey is not shrinking from boosting our battered economy.

The mother of nine dined at the Ivy Kensington this week with her husband, Richard, to make the most of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's bill-slashing scheme.

But food wasn't at the top of her agenda when she shared a photo of herself knocking back a Bellini.

'It's come to this!' she joked, 'drink out to help out'.

Helena, who ate a 24.95 sea bass, added: 'Expensive, but the Eat Out To Help Out helps re the bill.'

Food wasn't at the top of her agenda when she shared a photo of herself knocking back a Bellini

Radio 1's new signing, Strictly Come Dancing star Vick Hope, is the station's first Cambridge-educated DJ.

A student linguist, Hope says it wasn't all cramming at her alma mater. 'Sometimes you've got to say: this is a day off, this is a holiday.

'When I was there, my thing was America's Next Top Model.' Useful study for a showbusiness career, at least. Hope is Radio 1's most academically gifted broadcaster since the Oxford-educated Paul Gambaccini.

Who says its presenters are university challenged?

Roald Dahl's daughter Lucy will not let a pandemic quash her creative spirit. The 55-year-old, whose mother was Oscar-winner Patricia Neal, has opened an art gallery in Massachusetts to exhibit her own photographs.

The gallery is called Untamable, inspired by a pal. 'My friend said to me, 'you are untamed, unleashed and you need to be accountable for something',' explains Lucy.

Claudia's lockdown lesson

Claudia Winkleman admits that the homeschooling timetable she devised with film producer husband Kris Thykier for kids Jake, 17, Matilda, 14, and Arthur, eight, had to be revised.

'We put enormous pressure on ourselves to give them organic meals, do science and craft sessions, and then gather to discuss the works of Charles Dickens. That's just not the way it really is. We just have to muddle through as best we can.'

The Strictly presenter's trademark fringe suffered during lockdown, too  it became so long that 'birds and squirrels started nesting in it'.

Kaftans are no laughing matter for comedian Miranda Hart. 'I am never not wearing a kaftan until the day I die,' she says.

'I am planning for that to be aged 120 as life is only beginning to get really good (note to young people). I now find all other clothes oppressive in every way. Kaftans rule. Over and out.'

Baroness Bra's learning curves

'Baroness Bra' Michelle Mone is focusing on lifting spirits amid the A-level results chaos.

Sharing a picture of herself and her beauty blogger daughter, Bethany, 21, she writes: 'Results day: often as stressful for parents as it is for kids. Grades don't define you. I left school at 15 and not many people gave me much hope of being a high achiever.

'As students receive their results, I'd urge you to remember that success is not predetermined by how 'clever' an A4 sheet of paper deems them.'
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Itabo, S.A. ("Itabo") announced today that it has commenced a solicitation (the "Solicitation") of consents ("Consents" or, singular, "Consent") of holders ("Holders") of notes units in an aggregate principal amount of US$370,000,000 (collectively, the "Notes Units") consisting of (i) US$99,900,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.950% Senior Notes due 2026 issued by Itabo (the "Itabo Notes") and (ii) US$270,100,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.950% Senior Notes due 2026 co-issued jointly and severally by AES Andres B.V. and Dominican Power Partners, and unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by AES Andres DR, S.A. (the "Andres-DPP Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a Consent Solicitation Statement (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Consent Solicitation Statement"), dated as of August 13, 2020, to a proposed waiver (the "Proposed Waiver") of certain requirements under the indenture, dated as of May 11, 2016 (the "Itabo Indenture"), by and among Itabo, as issuer, Citibank N.A., as trustee, principal paying agent, registrar and transfer agent (the "Trustee"), and Banque Internationale a Luxembourg SA, as special paying agent and transfer agent in Luxembourg, governing the Itabo Notes. Capitalized terms used in this announcement that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Consent Solicitation Statement or the Itabo Indenture.



The Notes Units are identified by CUSIP No. 00809Y AB4, ISIN No. US00809YAB48 (144A)/ CUSIP No. N01008 AB2, ISIN No. USN01008AB2 (REGS) and each US$200,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes Units consist of (i) US$54,000 in aggregate principal amount of Itabo Notes and (ii) US$146,000 in aggregate principal amount of Andres-DPP Notes.



Itabo is soliciting Consents from the Holders of the Notes Units to the Proposed Waiver to waive the requirement under the Itabo Indenture for Itabo to commence an Offer to Purchase and make a Change of Control Payment in connection with the sale of 100% of the equity of Coastal Itabo Ltd. (the owner of 100% of Itabo's class B shares, which represent 50% of the total number of Itabo's subscribed and paid in shares) to Inversiones Radiante S.R.L. ("Inversiones Radiante"), a member of Grupo Linda (the "Sale"), as further described in the Consent Solicitation Statement. The Sale represents a transfer of all of The AES Corporation's 43% indirect ownership of Itabo.



Subject to the terms of the share purchase agreement and related agreements, AES Dominicana will continue to operate and manage Itabo for at least a three-year period following the consummation of the Sale with an automatic renewal clause. This will ensure that the same standards, policies and level of service will be maintained at Itabo. Upon consummation of the Sale, Grupo Linda will indirectly control Itabo through Inversiones Radiante, which will own 50% of Itabo's capital stock, the Dominican government will continue to own 49.97% and 0.03% will be continue to be owned by former employees of the Dominican Corporation of State Electricity Companies (Corporacion Dominicana de Empresas Electricas Estatales).



The Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 21, 2020, or such later time and date to which the Solicitation is extended (such time and date, the "Consent Date"), unless earlier terminated. The Solicitation is subject to customary conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of valid Consents with respect to a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes Units (the "Requisite Consents") prior to the Consent Date (which Consents are not revoked on or prior to the effectiveness of the Proposed Waiver). The payment of the Consent Fee (as defined below) is conditioned to the consummation of the change of control transaction described in the Consent Solicitation Statement. The Proposed Waiver will become effective with respect to the Itabo Notes upon receipt by Itabo of the Requisite Consents which have not been revoked and the execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") by Itabo and the Trustee (which may occur prior to the Consent Date if the Requisite Consents are received before that date, the "Effective Time"). After the Proposed Waiver becomes effective, all current Holders of Itabo Notes, including non-consenting Holders and all subsequent Holders, will be bound by the Proposed Waiver. However, the Supplemental Indenture, and the Proposed Waiver contained therein, will not become operative and the Consent Fee will not become payable unless all conditions to the Solicitation and the payment of the Consent Fee described in the Consent Solicitation Statement are satisfied or, where possible, waived, including the consummation of the change of control transaction. If the Requisite Consents are not received prior to the Consent Date, the Supplemental Indenture will not be executed, the Proposed Waiver will not become operative and the Consent Fee (defined below) will not be paid.



In the event that each of the conditions to the Solicitation described in the Consent Solicitation Statement are satisfied, including, but not limited to, the receipt of the Requisite Consents and the consummation of the change of control transaction, Itabo will, within five business days following the consummation of the change of control transaction described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, pay to each Holder from whom a Consent is properly received and unrevoked by the Consent Date a fee (the "Consent Fee") equal to US$5.00 in cash for each US$1,000 principal amount of Notes Units. For the avoidance of doubt, since the Itabo Notes trade as part of Notes Units, the Consent Fee shall be calculated in respect of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes Units outstanding.



Holders of Notes Units who deliver Consents but validly revoke their Consent in accordance with the Consent Solicitation Statement prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the Consent Date, or who deliver Consents after the Consent Date, will not receive a Consent Fee. Subject to applicable law, the Solicitation may be abandoned or terminated for any reason at any time, including after the Consent Date and prior to the Proposed Waiver becoming effective, as described above, whether or not the Requisite Consents have been received, in which case any Consents received will be voided and no Consent Fee will be paid to any Holders.



Itabo has engaged Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to act as Solicitation Agent and Global Bondholder Services Corporation to act as Information and Tabulation Agent for the Solicitation. Questions regarding the Solicitation may be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. 388 Greenwich Street, 7th Floor New York, New York 10013 or at U.S. Toll Free: (800) 558-3745/Collect: (212) 723-6106. Requests for documents relating to the Solicitation may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (866) 470-4500 (toll-free), (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers) or by email to [email protected].



This press release is for informational purposes only and the Solicitation is only being made pursuant to the terms of, and subject to the conditions specified in, the Consent Solicitation Statement. The Solicitation is not being made to, and Consents are not being solicited from, Holders of Notes Units in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such Solicitation or grant such Consent. None of Itabo, the Trustee, the Solicitation Agent or the Information and Tabulation Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should deliver Consents. Each Holder must make its own decision as to whether or not to deliver Consents. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and they may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

About Empresa Generadora De Electricidad Itabo, S.A.



Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Itabo, S.A. is a corporation (sociedad anonima) organized under the laws of the Dominican Republic. It is indirectly controlled by The AES Corporation, which, through its subsidiary AES Grand Dominicana, indirectly owns 100% of Itabo's class B shares, which represent 50% of the total number of Itabo's subscribed and paid in shares. As of December 31, 2019, Itabo's total current assets were US$122.6 million. In 2019, Itabo reported operating income of US$64.8 million and net comprehensive income of US$43.7 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information and statements regarding Itabo and the Solicitation. Any statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Itabo will or may occur in the future are forward looking statements, these include among others, statements as to: (i) the Proposed Waiver, and (ii) the expected payment of the Consent Fee. Actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors, such factors might include: changed market conditions, the participation of and level of participation by the Holders in the Solicitation and other factors listed in the Consent Solicitation Statement under "Forward-Looking Statements." Except as required by law, Itabo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change. Do not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Itabo, S.A.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The US Department of Justice says it has found in an investigation that the Yale University is illegally discriminating against Asian-American and white applicants in its undergraduate admissions process.



DOJ said it found the Ivy League university had breached Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.



Yale discriminates based on race and national origin in its undergraduate admissions process. Race is the determining factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year, The Department of Justice said in a press release.



For the great majority of applicants, Asian Americans and whites have only one-tenth to one-fourth of the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with comparable academic credentials.



DOJ said that the two-year probe also exposed the fact that Yale University rejects scores of Asian American and white applicants each year based on their race, whom it otherwise would admit.



Although the Supreme Court has held that colleges receiving federal funds may consider applicants' race in certain limited circumstances as one of a number of factors, the Department of Justice found Yale's use of race is anything but limited.



'Yale uses race at multiple steps of its admissions process resulting in a multiplied effect of race on an applicant's likelihood of admission, and Yale racially balances its classes,' DOJ said.



The Department of Justice has demanded Yale agree not to use race or national origin in its upcoming 2020-2021 undergraduate admissions cycle.



In case Yale proposes to consider race or national origin in future admissions cycles, it must first submit to the Department of Justice a plan demonstrating its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law, including by identifying a date for the end of race discrimination.



Yale strongly rejected the report's findings, and said it would not change its process 'because the DOJ is seeking to impose a standard that is inconsistent with existing law.'



DOJ is reportedly planning to file a lawsuit against the university if it failed to take 'remedial' measures.



DOJ launched an investigation in 2018, when some universities were facing legal challenges that aimed to overturn Supreme Court precedent permitting the consideration of race in college admissions.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Since March, there have been more than 14,000 coronavirus cases on Staten Island. While the number of new cases has tapered off, doctors still urge caution. (SILive, PennLive, MassLive/The Republican)
ALBANY  A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association of America against the state and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo over the closure of gun shops at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

The NRA had claimed in its complaint filed in early April that the closure of the states gun shops during the pandemic amounted to a pointless and arbitrary attack on the constitutional rights of New York citizens and residents.

U.S. District Court Judge Mae A. DAgostino on Friday issued a ruling finding the NRA failed to prove that fielding calls and questions from members following the states decision to shutter gun shops caused a perceptible impairment.

Plaintiffs failure to provide any specific facts to support its assertion of injury-in-fact requisite for organizational standing is dispositive, DAgostino wrote. To allow standing based on these allegations alone would mean that any entity that spends money on an issue of particular interest to it would have standing.

In the NRAs original complaint, the organization claimed the states decision to not include gun shops, weapon distributors and shooting ranges in its list of essential businesses violated the Second, Fifth and Fourteenth amendments.

Officials with the NRA were not immediately available for comment on Friday.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The executive order issued March 20 required non-essential businesses to shutter in-person operations. Other states and municipalities had initially excluded gun shops from their essential business directives, only to allow them after the Department of Homeland Security updated its own guidance to include firearms stores in its list of essential businesses.

Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, applauded the courts decision.

Its no surprise that yet another frivolous suit by the NRA has been laughed out of court, he said. Their brand of destructive political games are bad enough in normal times and are completely beyond the pale during the pandemic.

A week ago, the NRA filed a lawsuit against state Attorney General Letitia James in response to her office seeking to dissolve the Second Amendment advocacy group. James filed a lawsuit alleging NRA's leaders illegally diverted millions of dollars from its charitable mission for personal use while also awarding contracts to close associates and family members, and of allegedly buying the silence of former employees through lucrative no-show arrangements.
Samsung will stop making LCD panels by the end of this year. And it appears the company has expedited the shutdown process already. According to a new report from Korean publication Yonhap News, Samsung Display, the companys display manufacturing division, has reassigned some employees to its other divisions.

Although Samsung plans to replace its LCD line with Quantum Dot LED panels (QLED), the company isnt moving the workforce to its QLED production lines. Instead, around 200 Samsung Display employees have been transferred to its chip manufacturing division.

Additionally, some Samsung Display personnel have also moved to Samsung Biologics and Samsung SDI, the companys battery manufacturing arm. The report doesnt detail the number of employees that have been reassigned to these units.

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Samsung Display shutting down LCD lines

Samsung began to lower its LCD production capacity way back in 2016 when it shut down as many as six LCD plants to make room for OLED production. No wonder it holds more than 90 percent share in the small OLED market.

As for big display panels, Samsung sees QLED panels as the future and is willing to invest big in it. The company has committed to invest $11 billion on this display technology by 2025. It is also exploring other advanced display technologies. A report last month claimed that Samsung Display is working on QNED (Quantum dot Nanorod LED) display technology as well.

In the meantime, demand for LCD panels continues to drop. LCD monitors saw a small surge in demand during the COVID-19 lockdowns but thats about it. Now, with just about four months remaining on the calendar, Samsung Display has begun the shutdown process of its LCD line.

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Whats interesting is that the company is reassigning the workforce to its chip manufacturing sister company. The move is indicative of Samsungs ambition with the chip business. The company last year announced that it would invest a whopping $115 billion in logic chip development by 2030.

The South Korean giant plans to begin constructing a third semiconductor factory in September this year. It hopes to make the new factory in the Gyeonggi Province of Pyeongtaek city in South Korea operational by the end of 2021. Samsung will manufacture DRAM, NAND chips, processors, and image sensors at this factory.

Samsung also recently joined forces with AMD and ARM for its next-generation Exynos chipsets. The company aims to become the No. 1 Android application processor (AP) maker in the world. Moreover, it is also expanding its neural processing units (NPU) team, with reports suggesting the team would grow 10-fold to 2,000 personnel by 2030.
Two protests against the controversial presidential election in Belarus will take place on Saturday in Dublin amid calls for the Irish government to act.

Protesters in Belarus have accused police of brutality in the wake of its presidential election, where authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, was declared the winner of the vote.

The election has been condemned by the EU as "neither free nor fair".

The main opposition contender, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, was then detained before being forced to leave for neighbouring Lithuania.

Read More

At least 200 protesters have been wounded and 6,000 people detained.

Belarusian natives living in Ireland will be holding two protests in Dublin on Saturday afternoon in a bid to get the Irish government to act.

Speaking to Independent.ie, former Belarussian detective Pavel Mialko said that he left the force and came to Ireland in 2006.

[Lukashenko] used police force and violence and when he tried to involve the police in political oppression, I left the job because I couldnt stay, he said.

Now living in Athlone with his wife and three teenage daughters, Mr Mialko still has family living in his home country.

When the state ordered an internet shutdown last week at the height of the protests, he couldnt reach his elderly father and family members.

They switched off the mobile phones for three days, we couldnt reach our relatives.

For three days, I couldnt sleep, we couldnt reach my father, we didnt know what was happening, he explained.

Every Belarusian abroad is shocked by this violence, its not like Ukraine, or Russia or other country. They have completely blocked communication with our relatives.

When he left the country, he was outspoken about his disagreements with the political regime and has not returned to Belarus in 14 years.

To see his relatives and elderly father, he arranged to meet them in neighbouring Lithuania.

I couldnt go back, so I havent been in Belarus since.

I only went to Lithuania once to see my relatives because they live not far from the border, Mr Mialko said

He believes that there is no future for Lukashenko as president in the country and has penned a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney.

In the letter, sent on Wednesday and seen by Independent.ie, Mr Mialko asked the Minister to pose a ban on imports into Ireland from Belarus which are manufactured in violation of human rights.

English language student Alena Arlova, who has been in Ireland for 10 months, tearfully told Independent.ie how she couldnt reach any of her friends or family in Belarus for days amid the shutdown.

I couldnt sleep, its been happening for five days and I couldnt sleep for days.

Its really scary for my friends and family, Im really scared that anything can happen to them.

Originally from Polatsk in Belarus, Ms Arlova lived in Minsk for five years and said that all her friends are there now, in the midst of the violence.

Theyre in the centre of this horror.

The problem is that no-one can help us, she said.

The protests will take place at 11.30am and 2pm at the European Commission Representation offices in Dublin tomorrow.

In a statement to Independent.ie, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that it is monitoring developments closely and that Ireland supports the EUs call for the Belarusian authorities to release all civilians who were unjustly detained.

It added that today it was agreed by EU foreign ministers to initiative sanctions against human rights violations following the Belarusian election.

It has been agreed to initiate a process of sanctions against those responsible for the human rights violations following last Sundays elections.

Minister Coveney strongly supports this step and along with our fellow EU Member States, we will continue to demonstrate our support for the rights of the people in Belarus to fundamental freedoms and democracy, the statement added.
File image

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was left red-faced while attempting a second stint at forming the government in the state, is bracing himself for a comeback to national politics.

He has remained largely in the shadows since the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition government came to power in the state, but there are talks within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which suggest he will have a very 'crucial role' to play in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

The buzz around his appointment has been growing louder since he chaired a core committee meeting of the saffron partys Bihar unit on August 13. In all likelihood, he will be handed over the important charge for strategizing for the Bihar polls.

News agency ANI quoted sources in the BJP as saying: What will be his role in the Bihar Assembly elections has not been decided yet. The central leadership has directed the state leadership to keep Fadnavis up to date with all decisions and developments related to the Bihar elections, the report said.

The former Maharashtra CM has reportedly been tasked with participating in every important meeting related to the Bihar polls, which is due in October-November.

Fadnavis involvement in the Bihar Assembly election comes at a time when there is an ongoing spat between the Maharashtra and Bihar police over the demise of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. It is likely that the investigation into the death of the actor, who hails from Bihar, will be a major talking point in the upcoming elections as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended a CBI probe, even as the Maharashtra administration has been opposing it.

(With ANI inputs)
The logo of of German travel company TUI AG is seen outside of one of its branch offices in Vienna

By Sarah Young

LONDON (Reuters) - TUI, the world's largest tourism company, said it was considering raising new equity from shareholders or selling off parts of the business to reduce debt taken on to survive the coronavirus pandemic.

TUI, which last year took 23 million people on holiday, lost 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) in the three months through June after COVID-19 halted travel, wiping out revenue and straining its balance sheet as it burned through about 550 million to 650 million euros per month.

It secured a second credit line from the German government on Wednesday, adding to a 1.8 billion euro state-backed loan taken on in April, and while the CEO said it might not need to use the latest line, the focus is now on debt.

"A rights issue or whatever kind of measure is something we are looking at," Chief executive Fritz Joussen told reporters on Thursday.

Asked how big a rights issue could be, Joussen said it was "early days", and he did not say which parts of the business were up for sale, although he insisted that any sales would not be distressed.

The state loans are due to be repaid in summer 2022 and banking sources have suggested that TUI could sell all or part of its 49% stake in the Spanish hotel chain RUI Hotels & Resorts.

With the latest German aid package, TUI said liquidity was 2.4 billion euros, giving it confidence it can make it through to 2021 even as the pandemic continues to hit travel, and as it approaches winter when holiday companies generally lose money.

TUI said that it expected normality to return by 2022 and was encouraged by bookings for summer holidays next year which were up 145%. Analysts were sceptical.

"We think plans to reduce leverage in 2021 and reach normalised profit growth in 2022 are ambitious," said Jefferies.

The company's London-based shares fell 5% to 347 pence. The stock has lost 63% of its value in the year to date.

TUI's quarterly underlying operating loss of 1.1 billion euros as revenues plummeted 98.5% to 72 million euros, compared with earnings before interest and tax of 102.3 million euros in the same period last year.

Story continues

Bookings for this summer are down 81% from last year and Joussen said the situation was still "fragile". TUI's recovery was set back by new UK restrictions on travel to Spain.

The company said it was making progress with the cost cuts needed to help it withstand the crisis. It warned in May that it would need to axe 8,000 jobs and save 300 million euros a year.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Additional reporting by Klaus Lauer and Arno Schuetze; Editing by James Davey and David Clarke/Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Senior venture capitalists have described as "worrying" the lack of money coming through for new Irish startups.

While the overall amount raised on both parts of the island reached 545m for the first six months of 2020 - the highest for four years -the figures were skewed by a handful of giant deals, leaving early-stage funding struggling badly.

''The number of companies raising funds declined by over 20pc and the number of companies raising investment for the first time fell by almost 60pc," said Brian Caulfield, a venture partner in Draper Esprit and a long-time investor in Irish tech companies.

"There is also clear evidence that early-stage companies are finding it particularly difficult to raise funding, with only three companies founded since 2019 raising just 340,000.''

The wider figures collated by TechIreland include venture capital (VC), grants and other funding sources attracted by tech companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The headline 545m figure is up 25pc on the first six months of 2019, according to the organisation's study.

Nevertheless, "the headline conceals some very worrying trends,'' said Mr Caulfield.

The chief executive of TechIreland, John O'Dea, said that the overall funding figures so far this year have been "distorted by three very large investments into Fenergo, LetsGetChecked and ALX Oncology, which between them add up to 237m, more than 40pc of the overall funding''.

There was a slight drop in funding into companies outside Dublin, with the exception of Cork, where eight firms raised a total of 88m in the first half of this year, up from 37m into 5 firms last year.

While Dublin saw an increase in funding raised, the number of investment rounds dropped by 27pc compared to last year, according to the TechIreland report.

Meanwhile, funding in Northern Ireland halved from 25m in the first half of 2019 to just 12m during the same period this year. ''Investment is still concentrated in Belfast with little of note in the rest of the province'', said Mary McKenna, an investor based in Northern Ireland.

Despite the concerns over very early-stage companies, some venture capitalists say that they are surprised at how much continues to be invested during the Covid-19 crisis.

"Every VC investor I know assumed capital markets would be shut or suppressed for 12-18 months following lockdowns, including me," said Paul Murphy, a general partner at London-based Northzone. "We were all wrong. It's a funding frenzy out there."
C Shivakumar By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Anuradha (35) and her three-year old child booked a ticket on an Air Vistara flight from Delhi to Chennai on March 22. Since the national lockdown was announced, the mother and child could not travel and Air Vistara did not refund the ticket.

The airlines instead of providing the full refund of the amount collected for the tickets due to cancellation, provided a credit shell, valid up to one year.

R M Kapur, Executive director of Admiralty Marine Services and father of Anuradha says that following the assurances, the date was later postponed to June 27 hoping that Covid-19 pandemic will ease off by

that time. But as the day was approaching, there was a lockdown in Noida and the itinerary was postponed to August 26 hoping the pandemic will ease off again.

As the Covid-19 cases have been mounting in Chennai and fearing whether the child would be able to travel with a mask on for five hours, Kapur wants the travel to be postponed.

The airlines demanded rescheduling charges which goes against the usual norms of providing a credit shell of one year, says Kapur. "This is fleecing in these difficult times. Vistara is happily sitting over the customers money for over five months," says Kapur.

"They should have refunded the money in the first instance. But having the customer's neck in their hand, they forced us to keep postponing our travel even as there are no signs of Covid-19 cases easing." he says.

An Air Vistara spokesperson told The New Indian Express that the airlines had already given two reschedule waivers (as confirmed by the customer) and were ready to offer another. The team is already in

touch with Anuradha and may give her a full refund.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Centre and the airline companies have been asked by the Supreme Court to discuss modalities for full refund of tickets for domestic and international flights which were cancelled

following the COVID-19 lockdown.

A petition is also moved in the Supreme Court where it is submitted that the airlines instead of providing the full refund of the amount collected for the tickets due to cancellation, are providing a credit shell, valid up to one year, which is clear in violation of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAV) of May 2008 issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The CAV clearly states that 'the option of holding the refund amount in credit shell by the airlines shall be the prerogative of the passenger and not a default practice of the airline.'

The office memorandum of the Ministry of Civil Aviation deals with refund of ticket amount collected without levy of cancellation charge and pertains to only those people who booked tickets during the

lockdown period thus leaving out people who booked tickets prior to lockdown but the flights cancelled due to lockdown.
The Ashanti NDC Youth Caucus, a group affiliated to the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) has tasked the leadership of the party to find immediate steps in dealing with threats posed by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi and the controversial Actress and Film Director, Tracey Boakye.



The group says it is worried about the indifferent posture adopted by the leadership of the party in the face of threats posed by actions of the two personalities to the electoral fortunes of the party.



According to them, until the party takes immediate steps to neutralise the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP and also resolves the ongoing social media outbursts by actress Tracey Boakye, the NDC must forget about any hopes of winning the December 7 elections.



In a caution statement issued by the group in Kumasi on Thursday, the Ashanti NDC Youth accused its leadership, particularly those in the Ashanti Region, of sleeping on their job and allowing Chairman Wontumi to overrun them.



"Take the just ended mass registration exercise for instance; how could we have allowed the NPP to reach their 3 million targets, what strategy did we adopt and how come we allowed Chairman Wontumi to prevent us from registering our people" the group queried.



The Group, in its statement signed by their Chairman and Spokesperson, George Padmore and Siaka Moro, urged the party not to downplay the impact the current social media razzmatazz between Tracey and her adversaries could have on the party's chances of winning the upcoming elections.



"The NPP, through its Ashanti Regional Chairman has almost succeeded in dragging the name of our Presidential Candidate and Former President Mahama into the scheme of things; now people are pointing fingers at Former President Mahama and the leadership of our party doesn't want to do anything about it" the Group said.



The statement further noted "Chairman Wontumi is a major threat to us in the region; we must come out with measures to squarely tackle him. If we fail to do this before December 7, we will leave to regret"

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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A former Upland Borough police officer has been charged with sexting an underage girl, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced Thursday.

The law is clear  exchanging sexually explicit text messages with a minor is a crime, said Stollsteimer in a release. Such activity is never acceptable, but in this case  where the perpetrator is a police officer  it is critically important that we call out this unlawful behavior. The Delaware County law enforcement community has zero tolerance for child predators. Even when theyre one of our own.

Justin W. Hazelton, 21, of Havertown, is charged with one misdemeanor count of corruption of a minor for allegedly sending sexually explicit messages to the victim via SnapChat. The girls age was not revealed in the release.

Delaware Countys Department of Children and Youth Services contacted the District Attorneys Office July 17 about a minor that was receiving sexually explicit messages, according to the release. The messages were brought to the attention of CYS by an attorney who was working on an unrelated matter that had caused him to examine the contents of the minors cell phone.

After interviewing the attorney, Detective Steven Bannar of the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division conducted an interview with the minor, who confirmed that she had been receiving the inappropriate messages from Hazelton, according to the release.

Bannar and CID Detective Robert Lythgoe then met with Hazelton, who allegedly acknowledged sending and receiving messages with the minor.

A 2016 graduate of Haverford High School and 2018 graduate of the Delco Police Academy, Hazelton joined the force in Upland part time in November 2018, according to a borough newsletter.

Upland Borough Police Chief Michael Irey said his department conducted an internal affairs investigation upon learning of the allegations and shared information with the District Attorneys Office. Irey said Hazleton was placed on administrative leave during the course of the investigation and resigned from the force shortly thereafter.

He admitted everything to me, said Irey. We stand with the District Attorneys Office in saying no one is above the law. Its an unfortunate situation, especially in todays climate, but prosecuting is the right thing to do and we stand behind the District Attorneys decision.

Hazelton turned himself in at the Media Courthouse with his attorney Thursday, according to the release. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Wilden H. Davis, who set bail at $50,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3 in front of Judge Georgia L. Stone.

I want to thank the hardworking members of my staff, the staff at Children and Youth Services, as well as Detectives Bannar and Lythgoe, said Stollsteimer. This case is a stark reminder to all of us of the risks posed by social media. As difficult as it may be, particularly as children spend more time than ever on their phones, we must all remain vigilant.
By Jake Spring and Ana Mano

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The Chinese city of Shenzhen's government on Thursday identified a Brazilian meat plant owned by Aurora, the country's third largest processor of chicken and pork, as the source of chicken wings that tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The Shenzhen government identified the plant by its registration number in a posting on its website, that when checked against Brazilian records linked it to an Aurora facility in Brazil's Southern state of Santa Catarina.

Aurora, an unlisted company, said in a statement that Chinese authorities had not notified it about the alleged contamination.

Once formal notice is received, Aurora will provide the required information to the relevant authorities, the statement said. Aurora is taking all precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus, it said.

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said earlier that it was seeking clarification on the matter.

"There is no scientific evidence of transmission of the COVID-19 virus from frozen food or food packaging," the ministry said, citing the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

The Shenzhen government said a sample taken from the surface of the imported frozen chicken wings had tested positive.

But the Brazilian ministry emphasized that the Shenzhen government statement said that other samples of the same cargo tested negative, as did everyone who came into contact with the meat.

Registered meat plants in Brazil follow strict sanitary procedures and their products are safe, it said.

As of Wednesday, six Brazilian meat plants remained blocked from exporting to China, according to the Chinese customs agency's website, after they were barred over concerns about coronavirus amid reports of thousands of cases spreading throughout the industry.

Shares in Brazil's largest chicken exporter, BRF SA <BRFS3.SA>, fell by more than 7% in late trading, with others in the sector showing smaller losses.

BRF, whose results were affected by higher production costs due to the pandemic, said testing meat products ahead of shipment to China is "extremely complex."

(Reporting by Jake Spring in Brasilia, Ana Mano and Nayara Figueiredo in Sao Paulo and Dominique Patton in Beijing; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis and Sonya Hepinstall)
Vietnam has increasingly imported coal and crude oil during the social distancing period for thermal power plants.

Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs show that in July, Vietnam imported nearly 4.4 million tonnes of coal at the cost of VND1.4m (USD60) a tonne. In the first seven months, Vietnam imported a total of 36 million tonnes for USD2.5bn.

The total amount of imported coal increased by 46% compared to the same period last year. Vietnam mostly imported from Indonesia, Russia and China. A total of 140,000 tonnes of coal were imported from China for VND6.2m (USD266) a tonne, tripled the average prices from other markets. In July, Vietnam mostly imported from Indonesia. A total of 11.2 million tonnes were bought by VND1.1m a tonne.

Coal imports were VND1.5m cheaper than exports. In July alone, Vietnam exported 410,000 tonnes for USD57m. Coal imports have recently increased. In 2019, Vietnam had to import 43.7 million tonnes of coal for USD3.78bn, an increase of 91% compared to the previous year.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, coal imports increased due to rising demand from thermal power plants. Local coal mining is increasingly difficult and less effective as deeper pits are required.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs said Vietnam mainly exports high-quality coal and also only imports high-quality coal from China for iron refining. Cheaper coal from Indonesia and Russia are used at thermal power plants inside industrial zones.

Vietnam still has many coal-fired thermal power plants including BOT plants and plants providing electricity for industrial zones that have their own coal trading mechanism. That's why many firms imported cheaper coal overseas instead of buying locally.

Vietnam also saw a spike in imported crude oil. The General Department of Vietnam Customs said Vietnam had imported over 7.2 million tonnes of crude oil in the first seven months for USD2.35bn. The amount of imported crude oil increased by 50% compared to the same period last year and the prices were only equal to 65% of the last year prices.

Importing crude oil in the context of falling world prices should benefit local oil refineries. Dtinews

Vietnam receives first coal batch imported from the US The Northern Coal Trading Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin), has received the first batch of more than 21,700 tonnes of coal imported from the US.
Meters old (left) and new . The smart meters allow Peco to establish two-way communication with each customer. Inquirer File Read more

When the coronavirus pandemic hit Pennsylvania, the states yearly winter moratorium on utility shut-offs from December and through March was in effect  preventing low-income households from losing gas and electricity in the cold winter months.

After calls from Philadelphia lawmakers, as well as The Inquirers editorial board, on March 13th the states Public Utilities Commission (PUC) extended the moratorium indefinitely in recognition account for residents financial strain during the pandemic. Now pressure to resume shutdowns for nonpayment is mounting from the utility companies and associated trade groups while consumer advocates, such as Community Legal Services and the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, urge the PUC to stay the moratorium.

The PUC, currently divided with two Democrats and two republicans, has been deadlocked in two previous votes on the matter.

In a letter published August 10, PUC Chairwoman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille wrote that Pennsylvania is not in the same place now that it was in mid-March and that extending the universal moratorium is fiscally unsustainable, and eventually will impact service quality for everyone. The letter calls for public comment ahead of the next PUC meeting on August 27th, when Dutrieuille hopes the matter will be settled.

Like eviction moratoriums, lifting the utility shut-off moratorium in the midst of a pandemic is unconscionable.

According to the most recent reports available from Pennsylvania utility companies, by the end of May, 790,000 residential accounts were in arrears  including 211,000 classified as low-income families. Thats an overall increase of nearly 10% from last year, despite the mild-winter that caused an 8% reduction in the number of accounts behind on gas payments.

With the cuts to unemployment benefits announced by the White House last week amid a 13% unemployment rate in Pennsylvania, and without any plan to help states fund the benefits in place, there is little reason to suspect that these hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania households are now suddenly capable of catching up on their bills since June.

Without access to utilities, it is impossible to comply with social distancing recommendations  or be productive from home. Without electricity, even children in households with internet connection wont be able to virtually log in to school, and adults wont be able to work. With recreational centers still closed, people losing access to utilities will have limited options for places to go to cool down on a hot day.

 READ MORE: A growing number of Philly-area school districts are planning virtual openings, relieving some parents and frustrating others

Further complicating the situation is Trumps effort to gut the United States Post Office. Utility shut-off notices are sent by mail. With weeks-long delays in mail service, households might not be able to get notice on time  removing any chance that they could seek assistance and avoid the shut-off.

Having access to a stable, comfortable, and safe home is arguably more important now than ever. Instead of pressuring the PUC to lift the moratorium, the utilities and associated trade groups should pressure the state legislature and federal government to dramatically expand assistance to households so that debts are paid.

To submit comments about modifying the moratorium on shutoffs must be both electronically filed at the PUCs website, www.puc.state.pa.us, and emailed to the PUCs secretary at rchiavetta@pa.gov by Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Navy Data Platform Aligns, Accelerates Supply-Chain Analytics

US Navy

From Naval Supply Systems Command Business Systems Center Public Affairs

13 August 2020

Navy Data Platform is designed to improve data-driven decision-making at strategic and tactical levels by establishing and optimizing business processes that increase readiness through access to data and self-service analytics.

Data leaders at Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) completed a technical refresh of Navy Data Platform (NDP), a standardized business intelligence and data platform that supports Navy supply-chain data-analytic capabilities, August 9.

"The system's core hardware and software have been completely replaced and will allow our customers faster data processing, expanded storage capacity, and an option for a streamlined migration to the cloud," said Tom Wirfel, data strategy lead for NAVSUP BSC.

Navy Data Platform is designed to improve data-driven decision-making at strategic and tactical levels by establishing and optimizing business processes that increase readiness through access to data and self-service analytics.

"As logistics professionals, we can better manage our systems and parts if we understand the processes that deliver them to us," said Rear Adm. Pete Stamatopoulos, commander, NAVSUP. "We must constantly strive to improve our ability to make smarter decisions, and to make them quickly."

"NDP allows us to take data from different sources and analyze billions of rows of supply and financial data to inform senior-level decision making," said Brian Laird, acting NAVSUP assistant commander for supply chain technology/systems integration.

Angel Rodriguez, director of project engagement for the Data Analytics department at NAVSUP BSC, pointed out key benefits of the refresh.

"While our last production appliance provided 800 terabytes, our new appliance boasts one petabyte of storage and has significantly more processing power," said Rodriguez. "This technology refresh incorporates cutting edge capabilities that will enable us to integrate other data warehouses, enrich existing data quality, implement enhanced data governance, and seamlessly integrate with cloud offerings. This not only furthers our ability to integrate InforM-21 into NDP, but it also lays the foundational framework for self-service analytics and advances the field of supply-chain management throughout the Navy."

Navy Data Platform harnesses data from different Navy systems, brings the data together, and makes it available to analyze quickly in various ways. It can provide reports, dashboards, and in-depth predictive analysis that can identify supply-chain issues preemptively.

"Being able to bring supply-chain data into one place and automate actions eliminates redundancies, reduces the risk for error, and can create significant cost savings," said Wirfel. "NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support, Office of Naval Research, and Navy Sea Systems Command were all able to eliminate redundant systems by utilizing NDP."

Additionally, consolidation of multiple systems presents the potential to create new capabilities that impact Navy readiness.

"Any savings that are created due to these consolidations may allow the Navy to buy readiness by expanding another capability or creating one that we didn't have before," said Laird. "This isn't strictly an IT cost savings or solution; it's enabling readiness."

The technical refresh also makes NDP cloud-ready.

"This system has the capability to transfer all of the data easily to a cloud environment when that decision is made in the future," said Wirfel.

NAVSUP BSC has established a cost model for NDP. Commands who utilize NDP pay a base cost for access with additional capabilities available for added costs.

"By sharing the NDP sustainment costs, it reduces our operating expenses and enables us to be more efficient," said Laird. "We can then re-allocate and invest funds in other supply-management programs to buy readiness elsewhere. It enables more flexibility in working capital funds management."

Another factor driving the cost model is the demand for NDP across the Navy.

"The amount of users has steadily increased. We didn't expect the demand for NDP to be as great as it was," said Laird. "The demand was outpacing the infrastructure. We are now able to invest and build more capabilities into NDP."

New users can request access to NDP through an identity management process. NAVSUP BSC's NDP support team facilitates access and data source requests, and vets approvals as required.

Interested users outside of the NAVSUP Enterprise can contact NAVSUP BSC for more information or visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/public/navsup/ndp/.

NAVSUP BSC is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP, and provides information systems support through the design, development, and maintenance of information systems in the functional areas of logistics, supply chain management, transportation, finance, and accounting.

NAVSUP is headquartered in Mechanicsburg and employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter.

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Pyongyang says it rejects any outside help while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and damage caused by floods.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands have been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries.

Kim, during a key governing party meeting on Thursday, insisted North Korea will keep its borders shut and rejected any outside help as the country carries out an aggressive anti-coronavirus campaign and rebuilds thousands of houses, roads and bridges damaged by heavy rain and floods in recent weeks.

Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency also said Kim replaced Kim Jae Ryong as prime minister, following an evaluation of the cabinets economic performance and appointed Kim Tok Hun as his successor.

During Thursdays meeting, Kim said it was clear after three weeks of isolation measures and scientific verification that the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for cooperating with the lockdown, KCNA reported.





Kim said his country now faces a dual challenge of fending off COVID-19 amid a worsening global pandemic and repairing damage from torrential rain that lashed the country in past weeks.

KCNA said 39,296 hectares (97,100 acres) of crops were ruined nationwide and 16,680 homes and 630 public buildings destroyed or flooded.

It added many roads, bridges and railway sections were damaged and a dam of an unspecified power station gave way. There was no mention of any information related to injuries or deaths.

200804035050195

Kim expressed sympathy with people who were at temporary facilities after losing their houses to floods and called for swift recovery efforts so that none is homeless by the time the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers Partys founding on October 10.

The situation, in which the spread of the worldwide malignant virus has become worse, requires us not to allow any outside aid for the flood damage but shut the border tighter and carry out strict anti-epidemic work, KCNA paraphrased Kim as saying.

Cho Hey-sil, spokesperson of Seouls unification ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the South remains willing to provide humanitarian assistance to the North.

South Korea ties severed

North Korea in past months has severed virtually all cooperation with the South amid a deadlock in larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which faltered over disagreements in exchanging sanctions relief and disarmament steps.

The North in June blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, following months of frustration over Seouls unwillingness to defy US-led sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme and restart joint economic projects that would help the Norths broken economy.

200813042919223

In late July, Kim ordered a total lockdown of Kaesong and had the nation shift into a maximum emergency system after the North reported it found a person with COVID-19 symptoms.

The Norths state media said the suspected case was a North Korean who had earlier fled to the South before slipping back into Kaesong. However, South Korean health authorities say the 24-year-old had not tested positive in South Korea and never had contact with any known virus carrier.

North Korea later said the persons test results were inconclusive and still maintains it is coronavirus-free, a status widely doubted by outsiders.

In an email to The Associated Press news agnecy last week, Dr Edwin Salvador, the World Health Organizations representative to North Korea, said since the end of December, the country has quarantined and released 25,905 people, 382 of them foreigners.
Vice President Mike Pence appeared on Hannity Wednesday night and reacted to the announcement that Joe Biden had chosen Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate just a day earlier. Harris and Pence will square off in a vice presidential debate in October in Utah, and while Harris has shown herself to be a fierce debater, Pence sounded optimistic.

I just have to tell you, you know, I like the matchup, Pence said. Its on, Sean. I cant wait to get back out there.

Later, while expressing enthusiasm for their debate, Pence took the opportunity to attack Harris and Biden.

I think she is a skilled debater, Pence said, but I cant wait to get to Salt Lake City and be on the stage with her to compare Joe Bidens nearly 50 years of public life, the agenda of the radical left, the agenda that shes embraced throughout her political career.

Pence continually tried to paint Harris as a radical, as have President Trump and other Republicans, along with conservative pundits. But throughout her career, progressives have chided Harris for not being progressive enough. Even Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said of Harris earlier in the day, She is not far to the left despite what Republicans are going to try to say. On Tuesday, Fox News White House correspondent John Roberts echoed that sentiment following a statement on Harris from the Trump campaign. Roberts said that the Trump campaigns strategy would be to try to create a narrative that Harris is a left-wing radical despite her record showing otherwise, and Pence stuck to that strategy.

Joe Bidens decision to add Kamala Harris to the ticket confirms everything President Trump and I have been saying, Pence said, and that is that Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have been overtaken by the radical Left.

Hannity airs weeknights at 9 p.m. on Fox News Channel.

Watch Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto fact-check the Trump campaigns claim that Kamala Harris called Joe Biden a racist:

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
LINDON, Utah, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. Magazine revealed this week that Aspen Laser Systems has been selected for its Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. This is the first time the medical device company has been selected for this list, which compiles the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment  its independent small businesses.

Aspen Laser Systems is a medical device company and emerging global leader in photomedicine technology, with a unique focus on photobiomodulation. Photobiomodulation uses laser and light technologies to provide drug free therapeutic treatments for pain relief and accelerated recovery from injury or surgery without side effects by stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself.

"As a first time recipient of this award, we are privileged to be recognized among this select group of highly successful companies," says Charles Vorwaller, CEO of Aspen Laser. "We are more determined than ever to help physicians and medical professionals improve their practices by helping their patients with our advanced therapeutic technologies."

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000 . The top 500 companies are also featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

"The companies on this year's Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business," says Inc. editor-in-chief, Scott Omelianuk. "From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism." Many well-known names, including Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, and Patagonia, gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

About Inc. Media:

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com .

About Aspen Laser Systems, LLC:

Aspen Laser Systems, LLC is a medical device company and emerging global leader in innovative photomedicine technology. Representing management with over 30 years of experience, the company provides expertise in design, manufacturing, production, and regulatory compliance. The company partners with healthcare professionals to bring the best and newest technology, with advanced training and support, that maximizes clinical and financial outcomes. To learn more, please visit: www.aspenlaser.com/ and www.aspenlaseru.com/ .

MEDIA CONTACT :

Aspen Laser Systems, LLC

Brian Probst

801.376.8469

[email protected]

SOURCE Aspen Laser Systems

Related Links

https://www.aspenlaser.com


This article is part of Open Book, a Slate series about the new school year.

The anxiety for teachers right now is palpable. As I trudge through this long Sunday night that is August, and I recall the intense challenges of last spring, Ive found myself worried. I know that this fall, our educational system needs to do many things differently in order to truly serve our students. If we cant reimagine our system, many of our already marginalized students will only fall farther behind.

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I teach second grade in a Title I school south of Seattle. Our school is majority Black and other people of color, and more than 70 percent of our students qualify for free and reduced meals. Many of our students are refugees from Ukraine, Somalia, and South America. We have countless students who have experienced various forms of trauma, such as homelessness, poverty, and hunger. During a normal year of operation, our school struggles to authentically reach and support the various needs of our families, but because of COVID-19, students like mine may have lost as much as an entire year of academic learning, according to the New York Times. As we head into another (possibly very long) stretch of distance learning, I know I need to do more to keep my students connected to their education. Of equal importance is to keep these students connected to the social safety net that is public school.

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Last spring, I struggled with how to engage with my students, as half a dozen of them dropped off and didnt attend class at all. I spent nights worried about how to get through to these 8-year-olds and how to get their families the resources that they needed. My colleagues and I regularly leaned on one another to exchange ideas for what methods of communication worked and brainstormed ways in which we could improve. Ive spent the summer doing more of the same. As we head into the school year, Im facing it armed with specific strategies to lift my students up. If you are an educator, advocate, or parent, and you want to do more for disadvantaged students next year but dont know where to begin, here are a few thoughts on what has worked for me so far, and what I plan to do this year, to get you started.

Compile a Current Database of Resources

When COVID-19 hit, most school districts posted a list of support resources available for families. Ive found, however, that these are often limited to academic and food resources, and my families required a much broader array of support than what was publicized by our district. I had one student, for instance, who was dealing with clinical depression from being cooped up in her small home for so long. Another experienced the trauma of separation anxiety, because she could not see her father, who had contracted COVID-19. My students and their families needed access to health, mental health, financial, technological, child care, food, legal, and even spiritual resourcesand they needed them quickly. I made it my mission to have an updated, personal database of resources at my fingertips, so that when my students were in crisis, I could immediately direct them to the appropriate care.

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Going into the fall, I plan to update my database, since many organizations that were once offering free services have stopped. Ive found its easiest to do this by culling information from various local organizations spreadsheets for services, seeking out places like the Boys and Girls Club, East African Community Services, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit mental health organizations.

I recognize that its one thing to have this resource available; its another to get my families to use it. Ive found continually mentioning it to my students and their families in one-on-one meetings and phone calls, as well as posting it on our class homepage, has been most effective. I have also found that I can never mention it too oftenthe families that need it the most are often embarrassed to ask for help.

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Concerned community members can help in this way, too. Compile a list of comprehensive local resourcesoffer it to administrators at neighborhood schools. If you are on a school PTA, make sure that they disperse it, or volunteer to do so yourself, whether with local flyers or on your schools listserv.

When putting together this list, inquire with these organizations about possible volunteer opportunities. Make a second list of resources for families who want to provide help to those in need and concrete ways in which they can do so. This could be coordinating food delivery and supplies to local families, collecting donations, or offering translation services.

Call, Call, Call

One of the biggest issues educators experienced last springand certainly the biggest issue that I facedwas student engagement after closures. Very few of my students participated in class daily, most popped in and out as their parents schedules allowed, and some couldnt participate at all due to lack of resources. Some districts reported daily absences ranging from 20 to 40 percent of their student population.

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Im steeling myself for the fact that September may be even worse because my students will have never met me in person. It was challenging enough to connect via Zoom with students Id gotten to know intimately through seven months of instruction. I know it will be even more difficult to connect with students whom I dont know yet at all and who dont know me. This lack of established relationship will require us educators to go the extra mile in building meaningful bonds with our students virtually. For me, this means taking advantage of the time Id usually spend commuting to make regular check-in calls with my students and their families.

I dont envision these calls being laborious. I plan to say hi, praise their awesome kid, and remind them of all the resources that are available on my homepage. Im not under the delusion that this method will work for all of my families. There will be some kids (and parents) who wont know how to ask for help. Some dont speak English; others may be completely disengaged. Many of my students parents dont have the luxury to work remotely, or are currently working odd hours or additional jobs to make ends meet, but I remind myself every day of how important it is to continue to reach out. We as teachers need to be prepared to exhaust every possible means of keeping our families engagedthere is so much at stake for our students if we dont.

Dual Pandemics

While all of our students face the negative impact of COVID-19, many of our students face the devastating pandemic of racism. Ive already gone into depth here on this matter, but what Ill say again is that we need to begin the school year with equity in mind. Our Black students and other students of color have been through so much in the past six months, and access to mental health and socio-emotional resources has proved to be scarce. This is another way in which my resource spreadsheet comes in handy. I consult it and try to find organizations that have therapists of color who share my students identities. Taking the time to do this goes a long way with my students and families: By lowering the bar to entry for help, and matching them with therapists who can understand their perspective and their struggle, theres a better chance that theyll begin therapy, and get more out of it.

Academics

For my students who did attend class last spring, I tried to explore and experiment with how to teach effectively through video. My class and I took virtual field trips to the Smithsonian museums, and we completed digital scavenger hunts for information on historical figures. I found that if these activities are done well, kids are really responsive to some of the interactive aspects of distance learning. (See my colleague Matthew Dicks piece on how to make Zoom more engaging for students.)

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One thing that proved especially useful to my student population: Given that so many students werent available for online learning during school hours, my second grade colleagues and I provided both live and prerecorded lessons. I uploaded my lessons to YouTube, and this year, I plan to create a channel dedicated to my classroom. With YouTube, I can create playlists of multiple lessons on a specific topic or skill. For example, this year in addition to live instruction, I plan to do an entire series on the various strategies students can use to add and subtract one-, two-, and three-digit numbers. These resources can be accessed by any student at any time, and they can also be used to support parents in teaching their kids at home.

Lessons Outside

My school is currently planning on virtual instruction for the first few weeks of school, and it will reassess its plan as the situation develops. But for those schools beginning with some level of in-person instruction (and those that plan to eventually transition to opening school), many, including Seattle, are considering some form of outdoor class (most of these plans call for a few hours of instruction outdoors on alternating days of the week). If your district is planning to reopen and isnt considering this potential model, you could still deliver some lessons outdoors with your administrations blessing.

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Many studies have shown that simply spending time outside can have positive effects on a childs mental health, and I have certainly found this to be true with my own students. We often leave the classroom to look for real world examples of math, science, and the other subjects we learn. While the academic learning opportunities outside for my students are wonderful, I find the real magic happens is in the socio-emotional learningconducting a lesson on self-regulation and belly breathing in a calming outdoor environment works wonders for students of all ages. Teaching lessons outside not only provides an opportunity to adequately socially distance but also allows for students to continue to form interpersonal relationships with their teacher and their peers. These types of experiences are critical, especially for younger students, and cannot be mimicked through a screen.

Movement-Focused Lessons

Whether your district is planning to return in person or is gearing up for remote learning, be sure to include some movement in your lessons. Most districts going back to the classroom are looking at reducing transitionskids will have music, gym, lunch, and library all in the same physical classroom. Pandemic or not, students always need an opportunity to get their wiggles out. The lack of movement throughout the school will only exacerbate this, so trying to keep kids active within the walls of the classroom will be a necessity. Kids at home in front of their screens will most certainly need this as well.

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For movement videos and materials, my go-to is BrainPOP. The site has a collection of dances and songs, some of which align with common core standards. Last year, I played these videos through my screen over Zoom and had my class join the activity from home. I find that when I give my students an opportunity to move, it makes all the difference in making learning more engaging, and it also helps them return to a lesson with renewed focus.

Mental Health

Unfortunately, no amount of movement will adequately address the looming mental health crisis that faces our nations youth. Spending hours each day stuck in front of a computer with little face-to-face interaction will have enormous negative effects on students well-being. As Ive mentioned, Ill be calling my students on a daily basis, but Ill also be scheduling one-on-one check-in Zoom meetings with my students. During these meetings, I will teach socio-emotional lessons like deep-breathing and meditation exercises, and Ill ask my students specific questions about life at home. Whats it been like to have Mom working the night shift? Is Grandma feeling better after being sick? Were you able to get outside at all yesterday? The day before? What did you have for dinner last night?

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What Id love to see districts do is supplement the support that teachers can offer with what Im calling communication specialists. As Ive said, one of the major hurdles I encounter with my students is just getting through to themgetting ahold of their parents, getting students to sign into school.

Like all major cities, here in Seattle we have numerous nonprofit agenciessuch as Africatown and El Centro de la Razathat provide after-school programs and opportunities like mentorship and tutoring for kids of all ages. These community-based organizations have very close relationships with our students and families, sometimes even more so than our school system, because they see these kids, their siblings, and their parents regularly, developing familial relationships over many years as opposed to just one school year. How great would it be if schools partnered with these organizations by assigning each family a communication specialist from said organization? The specialist could make house calls to the family once a week to check in; they could help with schoolwork and make sure these families have food and tech support. This would be another way to look out for our under-resourced students to make sure that they have the support that they need during these extraordinarily difficult times.

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As we head into an extremely uncertain and unprecedented year, the most important thing to remember is to pace yourself. Dont try to implement all of these suggestions at once. If one or two of them resonate with you, start there and build out as you have the capacity to do so. We have a long and challenging year ahead of us, and in order for us to best serve our students, we ourselves need to be able to show up whole and ready to work. Because our students are counting on us to deliver the best educational experience possible.
The U.S. Department of Justice building is seen in Washington on July 22, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images)

Justice Department Expands Operation Legend to Indianapolis

The Justice Department on Friday said it had expanded its a law enforcement initiative aimed at driving down violent crime in inner cities to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Over the past few weeks, the department has made several public moves to show it is cracking down on violent crime across the country. It launched Operation Legend, a law enforcement program where federal resources are surged to inner U.S. cities to assist local and state law enforcement officials to tackle violent crime and restore public safety. The program was named after 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while sleeping in his home in Kansas City, Missouri.

The operation began in early July in Kansas City and has since been expanded to eight other cities across the country including Chicago, Albuquerque, St. Louis, and most recently Indianapolis.

Indianapolis has been experiencing a significant increase in violent crime, the department said. Homicides went up by more than 51 percent and non-fatal shootings rose by over 34 percent.

The city has been facing a series of shootings in recent weeks, Rick Synder, the president of the local police union FOP Lodge 86, said in social media posts. Local authorities are investigating a series of deadly shootings in a span of three hours on Wednesday, which has left three people dead. Authorities are also investigating another series of shootings on Thursday and a homicide investigation, Synder wrote. This has pushed the total of homicide cases in the city so far this year to 142. The total of homicide cases in the city in 2019 was 171, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

The department said they will send 40 federal investigators to the city for 45 days, while the Department of Homeland Security will commit 17 agents to the operation. These officers will complement the existing task forces that are targeting crimes related to violent gangs, guns, and drug trafficking. Additional funding will also be provided to assist state and local agencies.

The most basic responsibility of government is to protect the safety of our citizens, Attorney General William Barr said in a statement. Today, we have extended Operation Legend to Indianapolis, a city experiencing an increase in violent crime that no resident of that city should have to accept as part of everyday life.

Snyder said in a social media post that he was grateful for the departments pledge to surge federal resources to the city.

Indianapolis mayors office did not immediately respond to our request for comment in reaction to the announcement.

The news of this expansion comes a day after a prosecutor announced that the alleged gunman who fatally shot 4-year-old LeGend had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Ryson Ellis, 22, has been accused of firing bullets into a home on June 29 while LeGend was asleep on the apartments floor, investigators said.

Barr said the arrest marks a significant step forward in his case and illustrates the potential of Operation Legend more broadly.

The arrest and state charges resulted from cooperation among Kansas City police officers, the FBI, and U.S. Marshals. This development is a model for joint efforts to solve crimes and reduce violence in other cities, Barr said in a statement.

At the time of its launch, the operation faced resistance from numerous cities as it was unveiled during a time when the Trump administration was facing widespread criticism for sending federal agents to Portland, Oregon, to quell rioting around a federal courthouse.

The administration has sought to differentiate the two operations, saying that the federal deployment to Portland was to protect federal property while Operation Legend is an effort to fight violent crime.

The FBI announced on Friday that as part of the operation they are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification of a suspect responsible for the murder of DeShaun Swanson, a 10-year-old boy who was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting at a home in Indianapolis in September 2015.
The hostile U.S. position on the Gazprom-led Nord Stream 2 pipeline project is a breach of international law, according to the majority of EU members, German daily Die Welt reported today.

According to the report, the European Union communicated a sharp note of protest against U.S. interference in the construction of the pipeline to Washington. The note was supported by 24 of the EU's 27 members, Reuters reported, citing Die Welt.

Reuters also quoted a statement it received from the U.S. embassy in Germany, which said, "The United States must act to address the threat to our national security and foreign policy interests," noting, however, that Washington would like to continue cooperating with the EU rather than resort to sanctions to enforce these interests.

However, the EU's communication to Washington stated that "We are highly concerned about the increasing use of sanctions by the U.S. against European companies and interests," and that "The EU considers the extraterritorial use of sanctions as a breach of international law."

The United States last month warned the companies helping Russia to complete the Nord Stream 2 and the TurkStream 2 natural gas pipelines that they should 'get out now' or face the consequences, as the Trump Administration steps up efforts to stop the construction of the controversial Russia-led pipelines in Europe.

The U.S. Department of State is updating its sanctions guidance under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, CAATSA, to include Nord Stream 2 and the second line of TurkStream 2, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in mid-July.

Five European companies are working on Nord Stream 2 with Gazprom, including Shell, OMV, Engie, Wintershall DEA, and Uniper. Each of these is funding the project by some $1.12 billion, the total equal to half its cost estimated at $11.2 billion.

The twin pipe of Nord Stream will carry an additional 55 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to Europe and, more specifically, Germany, whose gas hunger is growing as it shuts down coal and nuclear power plants.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
If youre a working parent in a pandemic, I get it. I am, too, and our time and energy are finite. Fall is looming and we have a lot to prepare.

But if your family has privilege, as mine does, and youre planning a school pod, I have one giant plea. Put your pod aside for the moment. Redirect your time and energy into pressuring the Ontario government to make in-person school safe for all students.

Catching up with your pod planning later will be fine. But letting days and weeks tick by without a viable school reopening plan is a slow train wreck in the making for all of us.

We need the Ontario government to mandate smaller class sizes now.

Pulling your child to make room for others wont work. Class size will keep springing back up to the maximum, as mandated by the government. Public pressure is the only way to protect Ontario kids by capping class size at 15 students or less, as per public health recommendations.

The current Ontario plan for school reopening is already a failure in many ways. These are our options:

Option one: Parents are to send their elementary school-age children into a class of 30, in poorly ventilated classrooms, day after day, without masks from kindergarten through to Grade 3.

Option two: Privileged families can divest from public education, keeping their kids at home with the remote-learning option that further wedges the privileged from the poor.

This is a time when we should be looking back at data from the spring, to sit shamefully with the knowledge that lockdown worked for the rich but not the poor. As the Star reported, Toronto Public Health data shows COVID is infecting racialized people from outer city neighbourhoods at a stunningly disproportionate rate.

I grew up in a working-class family in one of those higher-risk neighbourhoods. Today, my family and I have options. But regardless of where I live, Im the same person who believes in the life-giving potential of public education.

If you believe in public education, too, you can see that these options do not represent true choice. Its a trap. And I am furious that I am being put in this position.

We need to design back to school for the most vulnerable child from the most high-risk neighbourhoods. Keeping that child in mind is what will keep every child safe.

The government should be using bold thinking, informed by the outdoor classrooms of the past (yes, schools operated for decades without a single building, right here in Toronto) to get this generation of children through this pandemic with a minimum of lasting harm.

Instead, Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce are downloading the burden of deciding the future of public education, and its inequities, to individual families. This is wildly unfair.

So put down your pod plan. It can wait. Pick up your phone to call the premier and minister of education. If you care about the democratizing, economy-boosting, care-giving role that public education plays for the entire population, this is your time to tell the Ontario government that you want smaller class sizes now and safe schools for every child.

Hannah Sung is a journalist who writes the newsletter At the End of the Day.

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PPG Industries Inc. PPG announced the introduction of Disinfectant 20R (D20R).

Notably, Disinfectant 20R is an antiviral and antibacterial disinfectant developed primarily to help the companys customers and employees return to business safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Further, D20R is a water-based, ready-to-use disinfectant for hard surfaces.

PPG developed D20R to maximize efficacy against viruses, using its experience in bacterial technologies. Notably, the disinfectant is qualified to European regulatory standards for its virucidal and bactericidal efficacy. It already passed national biocidal registrations in France, Germany, Austria and the U.K.

The disinfectant can be used to sanitize any hard surface at regular intervals, offering a hygienic environment and supporting the safe reopening of businesses. Notably, the company is producing the disinfectant at its Architectural Coatings facility in Genlis, France.

The disinfectant has been checked across a wide variety of PPG coatings to guarantee its compatibility with improved hygiene regimes.

Shares of the company have gained 9.8% in the past year compared with 6.4% growth of the industry.

It recently said that its total net sales for July surpassed its estimates, reflecting a continuation of the strong demand recovery experienced in June.

Factoring in the stronger sales performance in July, PPG now projects sales volumes for the third quarter to be down 6-11% year over year, excluding foreign currency translation. The company earlier expected a year-over-year decline of 8-15%.

Moreover, PPG now expects third-quarter operating margin decrements to be between 10% and 15%, whereas it reported roughly 25% in the second quarter of 2020.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Equinox Gold Corp. EQX, Eldorado Gold Corporation EGO and Royal Gold, Inc. RGLD.

Story continues

Equinox Gold has a projected earnings growth rate of 255.2% for the current year. The stock has rallied around 111% in a year. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Eldorado Gold has a projected earnings growth rate of 2,225% for the current year. The companys shares have gained around 44% in a year. It currently has a Zacks Rank #2.

Royal Gold has an expected earnings growth rate of 62.1% for 2020. The companys shares have gained 7.4% in the past year.It is presently a Zacks #2 Ranked player.

These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.



Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for stay at home technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



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Biden taps Kamala Harris as running mate; 'most pro-abortion ticket' in US history, SBA List says

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Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden selected California Sen. Kamala Harris to be his 2020 running mate, making her the first black woman ever selected as a vice-presidential candidate by one of the countrys two major political parties.

Pro-life activists are criticizing the move, however, with one calling the Biden-Harris ticket the most pro-abortion presidential ticket in American history. Meanwhile, abortion-rights activists are praising the nomination, calling Harris a reproductive freedom champion.

I have the great honor to announce that Ive picked @KamalaHarris  a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the countrys finest public servants  as my running mate, Biden wrote in a tweet Tuesday afternoon.

In a second tweet, Biden explained that his late son, Beau, worked closely with Harris when she served as attorney general of California.

I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse, Biden wrote. I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign.

Harris, 55, was one of Bidens fiercest critics during the 2020 Democratic presidential primary debates, criticizing the former vice presidents past opposition to federally mandated busing to desegregate schools.

.@JoeBiden can unify the American people because he's spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he'll build an America that lives up to our ideals, Harris wrote in a tweet Tuesday. I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.

Harris served as the district attorney of San Francisco from 2004 until she was elected as California attorney general in 2010. She held that position until 2017 when she was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Although Harris ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, she dropped out before the Iowa caucuses as she struggled in the polls.

As a senator, Harris gained prominence by her tough questioning of President Donald Trumps cabinet selections and Supreme Court nominees.

Harris has faced criticism from social conservatives over her ties to abortion giant Planned Parenthood and her prosecution of pro-life activist and citizen journalist David Daleiden of the Center of Medical Progress.

Daleiden and his associate, Sandra Merritt, were prosecuted over a series of undercover videos that showed Planned Parenthood employees discussing the illegal sale of aborted baby body parts.

Instead of investigating Planned Parenthood, she elected to prosecute Daleiden and Merritt.

Kamala Harris is an extremist who supports abortion on demand through birth, paid for by taxpayers, and even infanticide  an agenda rejected by the overwhelming majority of Americans, including millions of Independents and rank-and-file Democrats, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.

As attorney general of California, Harris conspired with the abortion industry to launch a politically-motivated shakedown of brave citizen journalists who exposed Planned Parenthoods role in the harvest and sale of aborted baby parts for profit.

Dannenfelser, who led the 2016 Trump campaigns pro-life coalition, is not surprised that Biden chose an abortion "extremist" as his running mate.

If elected, they will immediately begin rolling back President Trumps pro-life gains, as well as longstanding policies like the Hyde Amendment, she said. They will stack the Supreme Court with pro-abortion ideologues, setting the pro-life cause back for generations. Together, Biden and Harris constitute the most pro-abortion presidential ticket in American history.

Brian Burch, the President of CatholicVote, a national faith-based advocacy organization, said in a statement that Bidens selection of Harris made it clear that his self-styled Catholic identity is something which can be cast aside whenever it's politically expedient.

Like Joe Biden himself, Kamala Harris favors radical abortion policies including late-term abortion paid for by taxpayers, as well as forcing Catholic religious orders like the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide abortion drugs in their healthcare plans, Burch said.

Burch also criticized the senator for her 2018 questioning of Trump judicial nominee Brian C. Buescher about his membership in the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus, which holds traditional Catholic beliefs on same-sex marriage and abortion.

It is clear that a Biden-Harris ticket threatens the values Catholics in this country hold most dear, Burch added.
Nearly 40 people were missing after powerful landslides buried dozens of houses in central Nepal's Sindhupalchok district on Friday, according to media reports.

The landslips descended from uphill Lama Tole at 6.00 am, The Himalayan Times reported.

Security personnel were carrying out rescue operations. Speaker of the House of Representatives Agni Prasad Sapkota had reached the spot and was inspecting the damages and rescue works, the newspaper said.

Sapkota's press coordinator Shreedhar Neupane said over 30 houses were buried and 37 people were missing. The number of missing may increase after a final count.

Neupane said one of the survivors had suffered broken legs and arms. Ten of the rescued were airlifted to district hospitals in Chautara.

Casualties, if any, and property loss was yet to be ascertained, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Madhav Prasad Kafle.

READ | Idukki Landslide: Minister To Ask CM Palaniswami For Aid To Affected Tamil Nadu People

READ | Idukki Landslide Death Toll Rises To 54, 16 People Remain Missing: District Collector
(Natural News) Two Fort Hood soldiers and one soldier from Fort Sam Houston were recently arrested as part of a two-day child sex trafficking sting in the latest bad news coming out of the Texas Army post. The men were arrested and charged with prostitution when they arrived at a location where they believed they would be meeting up with underage girls who they were paying for sex.

The two soldiers from Fort Hood, 25-year-old Spc. Anthony Xavier Antwon and 30-year-old Pfc. Timmy Jones Jr., were hit with felony charges of prostitution under the age of 18. The two men are being held at Bell County Jail on $50,000 bond. Meanwhile, 32-year-old Staff Sergeant Pierre Jean, a combat medic assigned to Fort Sam Houston, was charged with a Class A misdemeanor for prostitution.

They were among nine suspects who were arrested after contacting undercover officers via social media to arrange sexual acts with young girls who they believed were around 15 or 16 years old. They had promised to pay the girls with money, alcohol and drugs. The sting was carried out by the Killeen Police Departments Special Victims Unit in conjunction with the Texas Department of Safety.

The news comes after six active duty enlisted Fort Hood soldiers were arrested for agreeing to engage in sexual acts for a fee as part of a sex trafficking prostitution ring that was carried out in March by the Temple Police Department and the Bell County Sheriffs Department.

Alarming number of violent and suspicious soldier deaths seen at Fort Hood this year

Fort Hood has also been making headlines for a series of suspicious and violent soldier deaths in recent months.

On June 21, the remains of 24-year-old soldier Gregory Morales were found near the base. Officials with the army at first believed he deserted the base, but they now suspect he was murdered. In May, Pfc. Brandon Scott Rosecrans was found dead of a gunshot wound and his vehicle was found burned.

On July 1, the body of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen was found close to the base. Her suspected killer, fellow Fort Hood soldier Aaron Robinson, fatally shot himself as police tried to arrest him.

Robinsons girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, told investigators that he admitted he had killed her with a hammer and put her body in a box, and the two of them dismembered her body and buried it together.

Guillen had confided to her sisters before her death that she had been sexually harassed by a superior and was afraid to report it because of potential retaliation, and it is believed she was referring to Robinson. Her family said she was planning to file a harassment complaint against him the day after she was killed, and investigators believe he became enraged when she informed him of her plans.

A RAND study singled out Fort Hood as having the highest number of reported rapes and sexual assaults out of all the American military facilities worldwide.

Fort Hood was also the scene of a mass shooting in 2009 when a U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and injured 32. A veteran killed three people and injured 16 before killing himself five years later.

So far this year, there have been 23 deaths among the 36,500 soldiers at the post. These include seven suicides, four homicides, two deaths of natural causes, one drowning, one combat-related death, seven off-duty accidents, and one of undetermined cause.

On July 10, Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy ordered a review of Fort Hoods command climate and culture in response to the more recent wave of violent crimes and other complaints.

Sources for this article include:

DCClothesline.com

Stripes.com

CNN.com

KDHNews.com

FoxNews.com
Fishermen who run tuna charter businesses out of North Lake, P.E.I., say the pandemic has all but shut down the industry.

Tuna charters offer clients a chance to fish giant bluefin tuna as catch and release, and often attract anglers from all over the world every September and October.

But as border restrictions due to the pandemic stretch on, fishermen are getting very few calls for charter tours.

Pandemic 'stopped us'

Troy Bruce, who operates Bruce Brothers Fishing Charters with his brother, called the entire season, "a write off."

"The pandemic has basically stopped us," said Bruce.

"With 90 per cent of our clients being either from the U.S. or international, we've done zero so far."

CBC

Bruce said he didn't even bother to set up his boat for tuna fishing this year. He said some fishermen didn't even register for a catch-and-release permit.

He and his brother have a few clients from within the Atlantic provinces that are booked to come in the fall, but he won't have the 75 charter trips he normally does. At about $1,500 per trip, he'll be missing out on tens of thousands in revenue.

Quiet at North Lake

The community of North Lake is usually bustling with tuna charters in late summer, but this year it's quiet at the harbour.

Jeff MacNeill, who runs MacNeill's P.E.I. Tuna and Deep Sea Fishing Charters, decided not to open his business this summer due to COVID-19.

He said it was a difficult decision, but due to health concerns, he said it was the right one.

Submitted by Jeff MacNeill

MacNeill said the loss of the tuna charter business is having a bigger impact on all of North Lake.

"It's devastating to the community," said MacNeill.

"Like the local restaurants, the little canteen, the local stores, gas stations, everybody  everybody's feeling the pinch."

MacNeill said the impact of the pandemic may stretch into next year, which could mean he stops running the charters altogether.

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"This could be the end of the road," said MacNeill.

Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge/Facebook

The Canada International Tuna Cup Challenge, which was to be hosted in North Lake, has also postponed its tournament this year.

Jason Tompkins is co-chair of the event, which sees teams of six compete to catch the biggest tuna over the course of a few days in September.

"It's always a big boost, not only for our charter fishermen, but for the local economy as well," said Tompkins.

Teams were planning to come from as far as Spain, Australia, and South Africa.

Tompkins said over the nearly 50-year history of the competition, they've never had to voluntarily cancel.

"This is the first time we've had to cancel it, I guess by choice, would be the best way to put it."

Now, Tompkins said, the competition hopes to go ahead in 2021.

More from CBC P.E.I.
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In an editorial in its mouthpiece, Saamana, Shiv Sena also said there is the possibility that someone might be misusing Parth

Mumbai: After Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's grand-nephew Parth Pawar demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Shiv Sena said that it would be "foolishness" to make such a demand.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece, Saamana, Shiv Sena also said there is the possibility that someone might be misusing Parth.

"Parth Pawar wrote to Home Minister Anil Deshmukh stating that CBI should prove Sushant Singh Rajput case. He said on social media that some filmmakers should also be investigated," read the editorial.

"It would be foolishness to demand a CBI inquiry in the Sushant case.

Some experienced people are also backing the demand for the CBI inquiry. It should be understood that there is a conspiracy going on to hurt Maharashtra's self-respect and identity under the cover of the CBI probe in the case," it said.

Interestingly, NCP is an ally of the Shiv Sena in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state.

The editorial reiterated that Mumbai Police is competent to probe the case. "CBI investigation in the Sushant case is fine but tell me where is Mumbai Police wrong?" it asked.

"Parth Pawar is new in politics and he was also unsuccessful in winning the Lok Sabha election. He should have to work hard. There is a political gymnasium in his house. Therefore, he has a chance to prepare himself," it said.

"After controversy erupted over his statement, Sharad Pawar said clearly, "Do not give much importance to my grandson's talk." News reports are doing the rounds that everything is not well in the Pawar family and Ajit Pawar has been warned, this is all meaningless," read the Saamana's editorial.

Earlier, Sharad Pawar said he gives no importance to Parth Pawar's demand for a CBI probe in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case and also termed him as immature.

Based on the FIR registered in Patna, based on Rajput's father KK Singh complaint, the CBI filed a case against Rhea Chakraborty, Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya Chakraborty, Showik Chakraborty, Samuel Miranda, Shruti Modi, and others in connection with Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

The investigating agency booked 6 accused and others in sections including criminal conspiracy, abetment of suicide, wrongful restrain, wrongful confinement, theft, criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation.
The World Food Programme said Friday it was rapidly scaling up operations in DR Congo with millions facing "the world's second biggest hunger emergency."

The United Nations agency said it needed $172 million (145 million euros) to prevent millions from plunging deeper into hunger over the next six months.

"WFP is ramping up operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo to meet increasing needs -- a consequence of escalating conflict and displacement, disease, extreme poverty, poor harvests and COVID-19," spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs told reporters.

"DRC is the world's second biggest hunger emergency after Yemen."

The WFP said that 15.6 million people in DRC were considered acutely food insecure, with a further 27.4 million deemed at high risk of facing a rapid deterioration in food security.

The situation was worst in the conflict-hit eastern provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu and Tanganyika, as well as the central Kasai region, where up to 40 percent of people are considered acutely food insecure.

Byrs said malnutrition was pervasive with 3.4 million children considered acutely malnourished.

The WFP said it planned to reach 8.6 million people in the DRC this year -- up from a record 6.9 million assisted in 2019.

As the coronavirus crisis struck, the agency began providing vulnerable assistance recipients with up to three months' worth of food or cash, up from the standard one-month allocation.

"If we do not get adequate funding, we will have to reduce our operations, cut food rations and reduce the number of people we assist," said Byrs.

"This is a very worrying situation."

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U.S. President Donald Trump makes a statement to reporters about reopening U.S. places of worship by declaring them "essential" in the midst of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 22, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

President Donald Trump on Friday refused to say whether he supports the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, which a GOP congressional candidate he's endorsed has repeatedly promoted.

Trump ignored a question about whether he condones Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene's support for the conspiracy, which falsely holds that a network of pedophile Satanists are scheming to oust Trump.

"Well, she did very well in the election, she won by a lot. She was very popular. She comes from a great state," Trump said of Greene.

When AP reporter Jill Colvin asked Trump again to answer her question, he ignored her and called on the next reporter.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump on Friday refused to say whether he supports the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, which a GOP congressional candidate he's endorsed has repeatedly promoted.

Trump ignored a question about whether he condones Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene's support for the conspiracy, which falsely holds that a network of pedophile Satanists are scheming to oust Trump.

Instead, he insisted that Greene, who won her GOP primary runoff on Tuesday, should be celebrated for winning her race "by a lot." Greene is virtually guaranteed to win the general election in Georgia's deep red 14th district.

"Well, she did very well in the election, she won by a lot. She was very popular. She comes from a great state," Trump told the AP's Jill Colvin during Friday's press briefing. "And she had a tremendous victory, so absolutely, I did congratulate her."

When Colvin asked Trump again to answer her question, he ignored her and called on the next reporter.

Greene has repeatedly promoted and endorsed QAnon, calling it "something worth listening to and paying attention to" in a 2017 video. She's also spent years pushing racist, Islamophobic, and other bigoted beliefs, including that Muslims are "invading" the US government and that Black Americans "are held slaves to the Democratic Party."

Story continues

"Recently, there has been a lot of chatter in small circles among those who search for the truth," Greene wrote in a 2018 blog post on the conspiracy website "American Truth Seekers." "There has been an anonymous voice, with obvious intelligence beyond the normal person telling of things to come. They call themselves Q. Make no mistake, Q is a patriot."

Read the original article on Business Insider
OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on Ottawa to provide the provinces with billions in funding for child care  a demand that could help determine whether the minority Liberal government survives.

With the support of the Liberals, the NDP passed a motion this week calling on the federal government to immediately transfer $2 billion to the provinces for child care.

Singh is now upping the ante, calling for another $10 billion over the next four years.

Singh says $2 billion is needed this year just to ensure there are enough child-care spaces available to allow parents  particularly mothers  to go back to work now that restrictions to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are being relaxed.

He says another $10 billion over the next four years is necessary to ensure universal, affordable, accessible child care for all.

With the Bloc Quebecois threatening to bring down the Liberal government this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cant afford to dismiss the demands of New Democrats, whose support could be the key to avoiding defeat on a confidence motion.

The federal government must acknowledge that if we want a recovery, we need to make sure women can get back to work and that means assuring that theres affordable and accessible child care, Singh told a news conference Friday in Victoria, B.C.

He noted the Liberals have been promising to bring in universal child care for more than 20 years.

Now we want to see action. Its not enough to say the words. We need to see Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal government back it up.

The Liberals, with 156 seats, are 14 votes shy of a majority in the House of Commons. Support from the NDPs 24 MPs would ensure the governments survival should the Bloc, Conservatives, Greens and Independent MPs join forces to bring it down.

Singh did not frame his call for child-care funding Friday as a condition for NDP support.

In a written statement later to The Canadian Press, he said: This isnt about us or our support. This is about the government earning the confidence of people across this country.

They do that by keeping their promises, by working with us to fix (employment insurance) permanently so people get the help they need, and by standing by their support of our call for an immediate investment in child care so parents can go back to work knowing their kids are safe at school or at child care.

Among the NDPs priorities is ensuring that employment insurance is expanded sufficiently to ensure no jobless Canadian is left in the cold once the last eligibility period for the $2,000-per-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit ends on Sept. 26. The government has promised a seamless transition back to employment insurance that leaves no one behind but has yet to reveal its plan for doing that.

A recent analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that of the 4.7 million Canadians receiving the CERB as of Aug. 2, 2.9 million would get less benefits or nothing at all under the existing employment insurance system.

Moreover, it said women account for 57 per cent of the CERB recipients who are at risk of being ineligible for employment insurance.

Its not clear that the Conservatives, who have been the most vociferous critics of the Liberal government, would back a Bloc motion of non-confidence.

But New Democrats are relishing the possibility that theyll be able to drive the agenda this fall as the Liberals only significant dance partner.

Back in 2005, the NDP forced Paul Martins minority Liberal government to boost social spending by $4.6 billion over two years in return for supporting that years budget.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2020.

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Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya's challenge to the Belarussian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has thrown her on to the front pages of newspapers the world over. She has gone from obscurity to international fame. The 37-year-old has had her life and her children's lives threatened by an authoritarian regime. She has been hailed as a modern-day Joan of Arc and, also, as an incendiary figure who has left her people to fight a revolution that she started.

In her teens and early 20s she spent her summers in my family's house, in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, as part of Chernobyl Lifeline, a charity started by my father, Henry Deane in 1994. While it's only a part of the puzzle, Sveta's time in Ireland can help us understand her role in the movement to change her country. While in Ireland, she developed a style of leadership in complete contrast to that used by authoritarian bullies the world over.

When my father started his charity, it was an easy sell. Local businesses chipped in. Families took in children and ensured that they had a holiday, were well nourished and left far healthier than when they arrived. Some of these families had money to spare, but most didn't. Most sacrificed. It's unfashionable to remember Ireland's past fondly, and that Ireland, of course, had its share of toxicity. But towns like Roscrea came together every summer to help children from Belarus in a spirit of joy. Did this have an impact on Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya?

To answer this, we need to understand the Belarus of the 1990s and early 2000s. In the early 90s, the communist regimes fell across eastern Europe. Belarus's only stumbled. It went from Soviet satellite to being controlled by a self-described dictator: Alexander Lukashenko. It moved from one climate of fear, repression and state control to another.

The country was no stranger to tragedy. Some 70pc of the fallout from Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine fell on Belarus. The health of a generation of young people was damaged. In World War II, the country suffered far more, per capita, than any other. Almost one in four Belarussians died. One of the many consequences of this was the impact on gender balance. Men in Belarus were relatively rare. Boys were indulged; girls were not. Brilliant and well-educated girls like Sveta were encouraged to hold their tongue while boorish, less capable, more assertive boys were pushed to the front.

Hard-drinking, tough men

This was what leadership looked like in the USSR too. Soviet leaders such as Stalin and Khrushchev emphasised their rural, "rough around the edges" style. They were supposedly self-made men who attributed their success to native cunning and "balls" rather than education and etiquette. Hard-drinking, tough men were not the outsiders in Soviet politics; they were the archetype. This is the model that both Lukashenko emulates and Belarussian boys in the 90s were urged to follow. Girls like Sveta, usually better educated and brighter, were encouraged to take a back seat.

Because of this, Sveta, like many Belarussian children, would never speak about Lukashenko. I remember when every cell in her expression screamed "shut up!" as I made a bad joke about him in front of her teacher. If her teacher impugned her as a "bad candidate" to travel abroad, she would not have been allowed back to Ireland. Only certain children were allowed out of Belarus, and they needed to stay in their teachers' good books to make the cut.

Making the cut was important. The children's health - physical and mental - improved rapidly during their stay. What they saw was Ireland at its best. It was summer. It was a month-long party. The children were celebrated at a succession of events. It was slightly unreal, and I remember telling Sveta and her friends that the opulence lavished on them wasn't typical. Nonetheless, the contrast between Belarus and the Ireland she experienced was stark. Ireland has less than half the population of Belarus. It has fewer natural resources. Yet Ireland, in the eyes of Sveta and her friends, lived in relative luxury while Belarus was economically and culturally haunted.

The children going back to Belarus from Ireland had a mirror held up to their homeland. This made them question the way things were. As a teenager, Sveta had teenage concerns, but as she entered her twenties it became clear to her that if the children of Belarus were to have a better future, change had to happen.

In Ireland, she became a leader. Not the boorish style of leadership typical of Soviet-style dictators. No, Sveta was a leader who smaller children turned to when they were homesick and lonely, lost and afraid. She had overwhelming compassion for young children. They clung to her for comfort when they found themselves in a strange country, far from their parents.

Sveta led, helped, and supported others through compassion. She saw it in the families who hosted the children and she grew into it, as child after child turned to her to translate their fears and concerns to those host families. What she has done these past months has been to translate the Belarussian people's will for change into clear political expression.

It sounds too simple, but if you don't understand this, you don't understand Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya's movement. Compassion is how and why she has led it. She wants to make a better Belarus for her children. And she wants her children to live to see this Belarus. This is why she has led this movement and also why she may need to hand its next stage on to others. She left Belarus for Lithuania this week after losing to Lukashenko in a presidential election widely regarded as rigged. She later released a video saying she did so to protect her children.

Perhaps someone else will, eventually, come to lead a new Belarus. They may look to Russia or they may look to the EU. What really matters is that their form of leadership has more in common with the compassion of Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya than with that of the men she has come to oppose. It is a form of leadership she first came to practise during those summers in Roscrea.

David Deane is associate professor of theology at Atlantic School of Theology in Nova Scotia
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA  The Capistrano Unified School District shared their 2020 Classified Employees of the Year, this week. As with 2020 graduates, each winner was greeted at their home with a yard sign, plaques, and flowers.

A school bus driver, an office clerk, an Independence Facilitator, a Lead Food Service Professional, a custodian, and a school nurse each were celebrated for their individual work that makes the district a better place. Read more about them on the Capistrano Unified School District website.

Patricia Garcia, Aliso Viejo School Bus Driver, is known for her "work ethic, smile and positive attitude," the district wrote in a press release, Wednesday. "She cares deeply for the students and coworkers she transports, valuing their safety and spreading joy."



Yolanda Gascon, Capistrano USD Photo

Yolanda Gascon, San Clemente, Office Clerk, is "the first face most families see when entering the Las Palmas Elementary front office," they wrote. She is bilingual and a former Las Palmas parent.



Safia Hoquq, Capistrano USD Photo





Safia Hoquq, Dana Hills, Independence Facilitator, has worked with CUSD students for 20 years. "She often works with the most challenging students due to her skills as an observer, and her commitment to knowing everything about her students," they said. Hoquq's students see "decreased behavioral issues" due to her involvement, they say.

Carrie Koch, Capistrano USD Photo





Carrie Koch, San Juan Capistrano, Lead Food Service Professional is "articulate, creative and professional," the district says. "She is respected and appreciated for her compassion and fresh ideas," the district says. "She also has dedicated time and resources to raising money for a local family in need," they say.

Arnie Smith, Capistrano Unified School District Photo





Arnie Smith, Vista Del Mar, Custodian, is a beloved member of the Vista Del Mar community, they say. He has worked for CUSD for 30 years, and is a "legacy custodian." He is a frequent participant in school events, and students "covet the annual opportunity drawing to be 'Arnie for the Day.'" Smith plans to retire after the 2020/21 school year, and will be "deeply missed."

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Tracy Vargas, Capistrano Unified School District Photo





Tracy Vargas, Mission Viejo, Licensed Vocational Nurse is masterful in prioritizing the health and well-being of Castille Elementary students, the district says. She is bilingual, and a "bridge for Spanish-speaking students and families." Parents trust her, and children are reassured by her presence, they say.

The list of nominees in each category was long, and all deserved special praise, according to the district. Read more about them on the Capistrano Unified School District website.



The nominees for the 2020 Classified Employee of the Year are:

Child Nutrition

Jorge Enciso, Food Service Worker, District Office, 15 years of service

Rachelle Flores, Food Service Worker, Central Worker, 4 years of service

Lyla Haralson, Food Service Worker, Aliso Viejo Middle School, 15 years of service

Wendy Justesen, Food Service Worker, District Office, 11 years of service

Carrie Koch, Lead Food Service Professional, Central Worker, 12 years of service

Lorenzo Romero-Mendoza, Storekeeper/Delivery Driver, Central Worker, 8 years of service

Maintenance and Operations

Kevin Marron, Custodian I, Dana Hills High School, 2 years of service

Osvaldo Florentino, Custodian III, Don Juan Avila Middle School, 6 years of service

Rigoberto Umana-Choto, Custodian I, Capistrano valley High School, 18 years of service

Gerardo Escobedo, Custodian I, Tesoro High School 15 years of service

Rafael Guitierrez, Custodian I, Shorecliffs Middle School, 6 years of service

Jose Muratalla, Irrigation Specialist, District Office, 18 years of service

Jonathan Portillo Quintanar, Custodian III, Esencia K-8, 5 years of service

Norma Rodriguez, Custodian I, Del Obispo Elementary School, 4 years of service

Arnie Smith, Custodian III, Vista Del Mar Elementary School, 29 years of service

Jerry Valencia, Custodian I, John Malcom Elementary School, 4 years of service

Victor Garcia, Custodian II, Moulton Elementary School, 21 years of service

Rafael Roman, Locksmith, District Office, 32 years of service

Jesus Jose Garcia, Jr., HVAC and Refrigeration Technician, District Office, 15 years of service

Juan Carillo, Custodian III, Aliso Niguel High School, 25 years of service

Office and Technical

Yolanda Gascon, Bilingual Elementary School Clerk, Las Palmas Elementary School, 9 years of service

Kathryn Havard, Office Manager, Bernice Ayer Middle School, 5 years of service

Kelly Hart, School Secretary II, Dana Hills High School, 12 years of service

Kelley Thomas, Office Manager, Las Flores Elementary School, 19 years of service

Sandra Wilbur, School Secretary I, Capistrano Home/Virtual School, 21 years of service

Denice Summers, Office Manager, Fred Newhart Middle School, 6 years of service

Fernando Martinez, Technology Support Specialist I, District Office, 8 years of service

Cathy Boon, School Clerk Elementary, Wagon Wheel Elementary, 11 years of service

Kathy Douglas, School Secretary II, Las Flores Middle School, 6 years of service

Felix Hernandez, Academic Advisor, Serra High School, 19 years of service

Lynne Bell, Academic Advisor, Capistrano valley High School, 19 years of service

Laurie Adams, Elementary School Clerk, Hidden Hills Elementary School, 18 years of service

Terri Boardman, School Secretary II, Tesoro High School, 22 years of service

Guadalupe Brady, School Clerk II, Niguel Hills Middle School, 17 years of service

Stephanie Brizeno, Head Academic Advisor, San Clemente High School, 5 years of service

Wendy Buhrmaster, Office Manager, Moulton Elementary School, 5 years of service

Lisa Cassarino, Academic Advisor, San Juan Hills High School, 13 years of service

Michele Del Toro, Elementary School Clerk, Don Juan Avila Elementary School, 4 years of service

Nathan Dwyer, Technology Support Specialist II, District Office, 1 years of service

Jane Egertson, Office Manager, Bathgate Elementary School, 17 years of service

Rosalva Flores, Elementary School Clerk, George White Elementary School, 7 years of service

Jennifer Fojas, Elementary School Clerk, Arroyo Vista K-8, 5 years of service

Sharon Gibby, Office Manager, Dana Hills High School, 16 years of service

Douglas Hanson, Technology Support Specialist I, District Office 1, years of service

Marie Huffman, Activities Accounts Clerk, Capistrano Valley High School, 6 years of service

Lori Kosky, School Clerk II, Tesoro High School, 17 years of service

Kerri Maxwell, School Secretary II, Arroyo Vista K-8, 14 years of service

Deborah Miller, Academic Advisor, Las Flores Middle School, 7 years of service

Nancy Neyra-Reyes, Bilingual Community Services Liaison, Marblehead Elementary School, 9 years of service

Amanda Stayberg, Office Manager, Vista Del Mar Elementary School, 20 years of service

Sheryl Williams, Office Manager, Arroyo Vista K-8, 5 years of service

Travis Wyatt, Technology Support Specialist III, District Office, 3 years of service

Sian Young, Staff Secretary, Human Resource Services, 21 years of service

Tammy Wilson, Account Clerk II, Transportation, 18 years of service

Stephanie Monarrez, Bilingual Staff Secretary, Transportation, 4 years of service

Linda Dearinger, Senior Staff Secretary, Safety and Student Services, 7 years of service

Patti Grant, Office Manager, Palisades Elementary School, 7 years of service

Rebecca Evenson, Senior Staff Secretary, Human Resource Services, 5 years of service

Dan Kim, Programmer/Analyst, District Office, 3 years of service

Judy Ester, Information Systems Specialist III, District Office, 22 years of service

Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance

Jody Bridwell, Paraeducator, R.H. Dana, ENF, 20 years of service

Emily Engelson, Senior IBI Tutor, Las Flores Elementary School, 10 years of service

Suzanne Hart, Paraeducator, John Malcom Elementary School, 15 years of service

Melinda Harwood, Paraeducator, Vista Del Mar Middle School, 23 years of service

Jana Hertz, Braille Transcriber, George White Elementary School, 29 years of service

Safia Hoqoq, Paraeducator IV, Dana Hills High School, 19 years of service

Judy Anthony, Independence Facilitator, Las Flores Middle School, 13 years of service

Rachael Miranda, Paraeducator, Wagon Wheel Elementary, 14 years of service

Connie Norland, Paraeducator, Vista Del Mar Elementary School, 7 years of service

Jodi Appelgate, Independent Facilitator, Del Obispo Elementary School, 29 years of service

Salina Ayers, Independence Facilitator, Palisades Elementary School, 9 years of service

Mary Beck, Paraeducator, R.H. Dana ENF, 15 years of service

Sandra Lynn Berg, Paraeducator, Wagon Wheel Elementary, 18 years of service

Cindy Goodrich, SLPA, Oso Grande Elementary School, 9 years of service

Angela Jent, Paraeducator, Adult Transition Program, 23 years of service

Karen Keyte, Paraeducator, R.H. Dana ENF, 39 years of service

Kendra Mebus, Paraeducator, Las Flores Middle School, 5 years of service

Bridget Monge, Paraeducator IV, Lobo Elementary School, 5 years of service

Bharti Patel, Paraeducator, Aliso Viejo Middle School, 19 years of service

Amie Pekarek, Paraeducator, San Clemente High School, 3 years of service

Susan Smith, Paraeducator, Adult Transition Program, 22 years of service

Pamela Soltis, IBI Assistant Tutor, Castille Elementary School, 24 years of service

Kimberly Velasquez, Paraeducator, Marco Forster Middle School, 20 years of service

Jamie Warth, Paraeducator, John Malcom Elementary School, 6 years of service

Patricia Wirtz, Paraeducator, Dana Hills High School, 11 years of service

Debra Woolwine, Paraeducator, Adult Transition Program, 14 years of service

Kimberly Doering, Independence Facilitator, Transportation, 16 years of service

Mitravinda Burns, Paraeducator, Transportation, 17 years of service

Tammy Moore, Paraeducator Adult Transition Program, 13 years of service

Susan Korby, Paraeducator, Laguna Niguel Elementary School, 5 years of service

Sonja Slye, Paraeducator, Phillip Reilly Elementary School, 19 years of service

Gabrielle Keyte, Paraeducator IV, R. H. Dana ENF, 11 years of service

Support Services and Security

Rebecca Mejia, Bilingual Community Liaison, District Office, 25 years of service

Tanya Enslen, Library Media Technician, Multiple Sites/Oak Grove Elementary School, 3 years of service

Cynthia Handajani, Campus Supervisor, Arroyo Vista K-8, 4 years of service

Claudia Infante, Bilingual Community Services Liaison, San Juan Hills Elementary School, 9 years of service

Tracey Morris, Library Media Technician, Tesoro High School, 10 years of service

Patricia Novobilski, Campus Supervisor, Arroyo Vista K-8, 12 years of service

Christine Rooth, LVN, Adult Transition Program, 3 years of service

Carmen Tavernetti, Bilingual Community Liaison, Kinoshita Elementary School, 10 years of service

Olivia Vannatta, Student Supervisor, Viejo Elementary School, 13 years of service

Tracy Vargas, LVN, Castille Elementary School, 6 years of service

Amy Wilson, Campus Supervisor, Arroyo Vista K-8, 6 years of service

Transportation

Rhonda Corona, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 19 years of service

Patricia Garcia, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 29 years of service

Lisa Paris, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 4 years of service

James Conti, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 19 years of service

Janice Scott, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 4 years of service

Ira Lewitter, State Certified Instructor, Transportation, 5 years of service

Kathleen Hanley, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 3 years of service

Lima Omar, Dispatcher, Transportation, 22 years of service

Elizabeth Gustafson, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 5 years of service

Pamela Devinci, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 23 years of service

Brian Fultz, School Bus Driver Transportation, 23 years of service

Nader Michael, Route Specialist, Transportation, 21 years of service

Molly Thoman, Route Planner, Transportation, 17 years of service

Bonnie Brandom, School Bus Driver, Transportation, 2 years of service

Read more about them on the Capistrano Unified School District website.



This article originally appeared on the San Juan Capistrano Patch
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 16:11:34|Editor: huaxia

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VIENTIANE, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Laos has detected two more confirmed COVID-19 cases, with its total number rising to 22.

Lao Deputy Minister of Health Phouthone Meaungpak told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane on Friday that the two new cases were both Lao nationals who returned to the country from abroad on Aug. 12.

Both cases, a 30-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, were detected in quarantine centers. They are treated in the designated hospital, Mittaphab Hospital (Hospital 150). Neither of them is in a serious condition, said Phouthone.

Laos announced its first two COVID-19 confirmed cases on March 24. Enditem
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Saturday marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II but for many in Japan August 6 remains a more important date.

On that day in 1945 between 90,000 and 146,000 people died in Hiroshima after the city was hit by an atomic bomb.

And now specially colourised photos of that terrible day as well as of the weeks preceeding it have emerged in a new book to help those alive at the time to remember.

The US bomb, 'Little Boy,' the first nuclear weapon used in war, was dropped on the Hiroshima at 7.31 am.

It wiped out 30 per cent of the city's population and flattened a 4.7 square mile area, leaving another 80,000 residents of the city injured when it exploded with the force of 16 kilotons of TNT.

President Harry Truman decided to use nuclear weapons rather than face a costly invasion of mainland Japan that would cost the lives of an estimated cost of 800,000 US servicemen.

The nuclear attack devastated the cities for months after as survivors, known as hibakusha, suffered the effects of radiation and Japan went into a day of remembrance for those fallen last week.

Smoke rises around 20,000 feet above Hiroshima after the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city by the United States on August 6, 1945. 'Little Boy,' the first nuclear weapon used in war, was dropped on the city, killing between between 90,000 and 146,000 people in the first of the two atomic attacks which ended World War II

Two people walk on a cleared path through the destruction resulting from the August 6 detonation of the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, on September 8, 1945. The bomb dropped on Hiroshima wiped out 30 per cent of the city's population and flattened a 4.7 square mile area, leaving another 80,000 residents of the city injured when it exploded with the force of 16 kilotons of TNT

A battered religious figure stands witness on a hill above a burn-razed valley at Nagasaki. A second bomb, 'Fat Man,' dropped over Nagasaki three days later exploded with the force of 21 kilotons of TNT, killing another 70,000 people and finally prompting Japan's surrender. The bomb flattened buildings within a one mile radius of the blast, more destruction being prevented by the walls of a valley

Colonel Paul W Tibbets Jr, pilot of the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, waves from his cockpit before takeoff from Tinian Island in Northern Marianas, August 6, 1945. After serving in Europe and North Africa earlier in the war, Tibbets was assigned to the atomic bomb project in 1944 and was put in charge of flight tests before he dropped the bomb on Hiroshima

Before the war: Hisashi Takahashi, covering his face with watermelon in the centre, supplied this photo of his family and relatives posing while they eat watermelon around 1932 in Hiroshima, western Japan. Hiroshima was chosen as the target on August 2 ahead of Kokura, Niigata and Nagasaki, partly because US military chiefs believed there were no American prisoners of war there

Hiroshima was chosen as the target on August 2 ahead of Kokura, Niigata and Nagasaki, partly because US military chiefs believed there were no American prisoners of war there.

The pilot of the Enola Gay was Colonel Paul W. Tibbetts, who had served in Europe and North Africa earlier in the war and was assigned to the atomic bomb project in 1944.

The bomb itself was transported to Tinian Island for final assembly on July 26, travelling aboard USS Indianapolis - which was sunk only days later.

After supervising flight tests and tactical training for the use of the bomb, Tibbetts flew the world's first atomic bomb mission on August 6 and dropped Little Boy on the city.

The weapon exploded about 2,000ft above the centre of the city, setting off a surge of heat reaching 7,200F (4,000C) and incinerating both people and buildings.

The heat was so extreme that the only remains of some of Hiroshima's victims were shadows etched into stone where they had last been standing.

Hiroshima, a city which dates back to the sixth century AD, was almost completely destroyed by the blast and nearly half of its residents were killed while many others later died of radiation-related cancers.

Even the survivors battled physical and psychological trauma and were shunned in later years - in particular for marriage - because of the fear of radiation poisoning.

A second bomb, 'Fat Man,' dropped over Nagasaki three days after Hiroshima exploded with the force of 21 kilotons of TNT, killing another 70,000 people and finally prompting Japan's surrender.

Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender in a radio broadcast on August 15, although he spoke such formal Japanese that many of those listening could not understand what he was saying.

The surrender ushered in the end of Hirohito's status as a semi-divine emperor and absolute ruler, although he remained in office as a a constitutional monarch until his death in 1989.

In this US Navy's black and white photo digitally colourised and published by Anju Niwata and Hidenori Watanave, USS Franklin is provided assistance by the USS Santa Fe after the aircraft carrier had been hit and set afire by a single Japanese dive bomber, during the Okinawa invasion, on March 19, 1945

US Army and Coast Guardsmen stand at attention as the American flag is raised over Akashima, Japan on April 2, 1945, an an island a few miles from Okinawa. The island was the venue for the first formal surrender of a Japanese Imperial Army garrison and the 24th Infantry Regiment which accepted the surrender remained on Okinawa until 1946

The first of 20 Japanese emerges from an Iwo Jima cave with his hands in the air on April 5, 1945. The group had been hiding for several days. US troops launched their attack on Iwo Jima in February 1945, aiming to secure its airfields for bombing missions and prevent it from being used as a radar station to intercept US air raids

The photos have been colorized by student Anju Niwata and his professor Hidenori Watanave and survivor Tokuso Hamai.

When Tokuso Hamai saw the colourised version of a picnic held under cherry tree blossoms sometime before World War II, forgotten memories of family members, most of whom died in the atomic bombing, came pouring out.

'In colourised photos, people come to life,' said Hamai, now 86. 'I often played near [the picnic site], and sometimes I would do some naughty things and get scolded by my father.'

The power of a colourised photo to reignite lost memories was eye-opening for Anju Niwata, a student who gave Hamai the picture as a present three years ago.

Niwata, 18, said she hopes it will bring attention to her project with a Tokyo University professor to painstakingly colourise photos using artificial intelligence

Their research seeks to spark lost memories for the rapidly ageing generation who experienced the war.

'Seeing Niwata share the colourised pictures with Hamai, and then watching him recall his old memories one after another, made it feel like the ice around his frozen memories was melting away,' said Hidenori Watanave, the professor who taught Niwata how to colourise monochrome pictures using AI.

Niwata and Watanave call their photo colourisation project 'Rebooting Memories,' and they published a book last month of the colourised versions of about 350 monochrome pictures taken before, during and after the war.

Watanave and Niwata use three different types of AI photo colouring software. The AI is useful in identifying the accurate colours of natural things, such as the sea, the sky and human skin, but it cannot accurately colourise human-made objects like roofs and clothes, Watanave said.

So Niwata and Watanave painstakingly finish the AI-colourised photos by hand to get more accurate colours based on the photo owners' memories and advice from experts.

Japanese Emperor Hirohito (right), meets General Douglas MacArthur (left) at the US Embassy in Tokyo on September 27, 1945. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American five-star general and Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater

Hiroshima resident Hisashi Takahashi and his parents, grandmother and younger brother pose for a photograph in a flower bed of dandelions in 1935. The history of Hiroshima dates back to the end of the 6th century and the current borders of the city were established in 1876, but the city was almost completely destroyed by the bomb

They also look through historical documents and archives that show what the colours should look like. Some photos take a few months to finish.

For Watanave, Twitter has become a powerful platform to pursue the colourisation project.

When he posted a picture of the Hiroshima atomic bomb mushroom cloud that the Al software had colorized as white, a film director suggested that it should be more orange.

Watanave checked the testimonies of those who saw the mushroom cloud and also researched the components of the atomic bomb to see if it could actually make an orangish colour.

After he confirmed that it could, Watanave added orange to the picture.

While the accuracy of the colour is important, Niwata and Watanave said the most vital thing is that the colourised photos match the memories of the photo owners.

This photo combination shows digital colourisation process of the above photo, carried out by Anju Niwata and Hidenori Watanave. When Niwata showed the colourised version of a family photograph to a war survivor who had dementia, he remembered the type of flowers in the photograph

Time, however, is running out; the average age of the atomic bomb survivors is about 83.

There are often moments of wonder when the elderly see the revitalised photos.

When Niwata showed the colourised version of a family photograph to a war survivor who had dementia, for example, he remembered the type of flowers in the photograph; just a few weeks later, he was unable to speak.

Niwata said that publishing the colourisation book during the coronavirus outbreak has made her think about the pandemic's link to the war.

'Our everyday lives have been stolen away by the coronavirus in a flash, which I think resembles what happened in the war. That's why I feel like now is an opportunity for people to imagine (wartime life) as their own experience,' she said.

Watanave hopes that using new technology will help younger Japanese feel more of an attachment to those who lived through the war.

'People are forgetting wartime memories. We need to revitalize those old memories by using the latest method of expression and delivering it to the hearts of many people,' he said.

'By the time we mark the 80th or 85th anniversary, we need to come up with a new way of expressing (wartime memories).'
UP to 20 new full and part-time jobs are to be created at the new Texas department store in Tullamore.

The store which is due to open late September/early October is located in the former ESB shop which is currently undergoing a transformation. Locals have been eagerly watching the transition into what is expected to be a major fashion outlet in the town.

The return of the Texas department store will be welcomed by many who have missed it since its closure in 2007. However, its scheduled opening is dependent on one factor and that is the expansion of the Government's 'Green List' of countries deemed safe to visit, as owner Tom McNamara has to travel abroad to buy clothing for the new outlet.

''We intend opening at the end of September, if not the first week in October. We have to have the green list of countries to open up in order to buy stock. I am hamstrung at the moment,'' said the popular businessman.

Texas will also have an online presence and five people will be employed in this section of the business. The outlet will cater for men, women and children. ''It will be 60 per cent ladies, 20 per cent men and 20 per cent children. We will have something for all age groups. We will carry high end fashion at low prices. In fact I am offering a guarantee, I will refund double the price if anyone can beat our prices.'' challenges Tom.

Tom is now looking for suggestions as to what colour he should choose to paint his premises.

If anyone has ideas then they should log onto his Texas Facebook page and tell him their preferences.

Texas department store began its life on William Street in 1981 in what is now Charming Hand and Foot spa. It then moved into the former Duffy's supermarket also on William Street and crowds flocked from all over Ireland to take advantage of the wide selection of clothing and jewellery at knock-down prices.

Having spent 11 years at that premises, Tom moved to the former Irish Mist facility on Offaly street which by then had become C&C, opening in 1996. Texas spent another 11 years there before selling to Navan businessman Eamon Duignan who had plans to open a shopping centre incorporating the Texas and Tesco stores along with other sites on William Street.

However, the downturn in the economy put an end to that and what was a thriving part of Tullamore has now become a car park. Two local business men have acquired the property in the last number of years.

READ NEXT: PROPERTY IN FOCUS: Take a tour of this Offaly house with stunning sun room now on the market
Few people realize that the United States is involved in a domestic war. It appears to be a war of civilization against anarchy. It is actually a war of civilization against the totalitarian left. These anarchist riots are only a prelude to an attempted leftist totalitarian takeover. The troops confronting the forces of anarchy are a thin blue line, the nation's police forces. They are being handicapped by ludicrous rules of engagement.

The commander in chief, rank-and-file law enforcement, and a majority of the American people are on one side of this conflict. Many local officials up to the level of governor are sympathetic with the insurgents. If they were not in positions of leadership, they would be out on the streets themselves.

This is a conflict where many captains and generals side with the opposition. Nancy Pelosi has tweeted about "Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti." The intelligence agencies and the organizations that provide information (CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS) side with the opposition. The judicial system often sides with the rioters. "Prisoners of war" are captured and immediately released to rejoin the battle. These POWs have been augmented by criminals who were released because of the coronavirus.

Police are being handicapped by rules of engagement that do not apply to the insurgents. Cities like Seattle and Portland have banned the use of tear gas and pepper spray. There do not appear to be any restrictions of the weapons used by the insurgency. In addition to rocks and bottles, they have been using lasers. A laser safety site claims they are used to temporarily flashblind law enforcement. The site warns, "Be wary of any official accounts of eye injuries. They may not be accurate." Revealing where the site stands on this issue is its remark that government claims that three officers may not recover their sight appeared to be untrue. They quote an official: "We've had a number of officers (113) who had days-long blindness. So far, they've all kind of come back, if you will." Yes, "kind of." Insurgents in Portland have also used a mortar to launch commercial-grade fireworks at police.

The current crop of Antifa mayors have been more discreet than former Baltimore mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake, who announced after the 2015 "protests" that "[w]hile we tried to make sure that they were protected from the cars and the other things that were going on, we also gave those who wished to destroy space to do that as well." New York Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins complained, "The men and women are being pelted with rocks, bricks, cars [are] lit on fire. Our hands are being tied."

Who tied the NYPD's hands? According to former mayor Rudy Giuliani, Mayor de Blasio has, in order to circumvent the police commissioner, been calling individual police chiefs and telling them not to enforce the law or make arrests.

This policy is followed in major cities and even in some smaller towns. In Fredericksburg, Virginia, a young mother's car was surrounded by rioters. She called 911 and was informed, "We can't do anything, ma'am. The city told us that this is a sanctioned event." The dispatcher advised her, "We would suggest you call up city hall to let them know about your frustrations." This must have been very reassuring as terrorists were jumping on her car.

The media have gone to absurd lengths to portray these riots as "peaceful protests." A classic example is MSNBC's Ali Velshi claiming, "This is a mostly a protest. It is not generally speaking unruly." He makes this statement with fires raging in the background.



YouTube screen grab.

There has been sparse coverage of the deaths resulting from the riots. A watchdog group found that "all coverage of mass protests and civil unrest on ABC's Good Morning America, ABC's World News Tonight, CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning, the CBS Evening News, NBC's Today, NBC's Sunday Today and the NBC Nightly News between May 28 and June 3" found an overwhelming absence of riot death mentions.

Incidents that would show the insurgents in a bad light are downplayed. The attack on the Ronald McDonald House has been described as unconscionable. This home provides supports for sick children and their families while the child receives medical treatment. More than 30 families and their sick children were sleeping inside when the looters started attacking the building.

John Dietrich is a freelance writer and the author of The Morgenthau Plan: Soviet Influence on American Postwar Policy (Algora Publishing). He has a Master of Arts degree in international relations from St. Mary's University. He is retired from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. He is featured on the BBC's program "Things We Forgot to Remember:" Morgenthau Plan and Post-War Germany.
By Marcy Oster

(JTA)  The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said it will not work with the local chapter of the NAACP over an alarming amount of bigoted and anti-Jewish sentiments on his social media channels and the mosque he leads.

Rodney Muhammad still has yet to fully apologize for his most recent actions, the federation said in a statement updated earlier this week.

The statement also said that while the federation would continue to work with the national office of the NAACP and other local chapters, our obligation to oppose hate and discrimination will preven...
When I was in Lock Boyces office two weeks ago, I looked around at the little world he has created  full of care for animals and service to people  and thought, not for the first time, that he has been too easy to take for granted.

When he retires, or slows down, what will happen to everything he has been taking care of?

Its going to be a rough awakening, I thought  for the community and for me, personally.

Now, in the blink of an eye, people all over are wondering how they, their pets and Patrick County are going to get along without Lock Boyce, a veterinarian of Boyce-Holland Veterinary Services who was found dead at home Monday, at the young age of 68.

He has been my veterinarian for 15 years. I met him in a purely Lock Boyce way.

I had a really weird dog who would require a special veterinary staff to take care of him. Puppy was a feral dog whom I could never touch  not pet, nor attach a collar or leash  but he was loyally at my side for 12 years.

Puppy just showed up at my house one day and lived off the food and shelter I gave my other dogs. Puppy learned quickly and ended up being the most obedient of all three dogs in everything except allowing physical contact. With just the slightest wave of a finger up, down or to a side, he would sit, lie, stay or come.

He used to stay strictly at home until he reached the age of wandering. I tricked him into a cage from running around a corner, loaded the cage up on the back of a pickup truck and drove him to Locks office.

His staff looked in wonder at the weird, wild dog who was going crazy in the cage. Lock said, Theres nothing wrong with him. Hes just a normal dog living as God intended him to live. Its us humans who have messed with the natural order.

They had to shoot him with a tranquilizer gun to be able to do the physical exam, neutering surgery and vaccines.

Meanwhile, I looked around Locks wonderland of an office. It was full of fascinating photographs, including of his veterinary experiences around the world with snakes and primates, and myriad other items. It could be a museum, one where you werent afraid of knocking things over or breaking anything.

That was the start of a long relationship in which he cared for many animals. His prices often were so low I wondered how he would stay in business, and sometimes he didnt even charge at all for treatments and medicine.

He never charged me for any of the times I had to take an animal to be put to sleep. He was caring and compassionate.

His staff members are just as cool as he was and just as compassionate and helpful (and fun to be around, too!).

Now that Lock is gone, I really hope that practice will be able to continue. I hope another veterinarian can come in his place (this is pure daydream on my part, but what does it hurt to dream?), with the same staff.

Talk about tough shoes to fill. That would not be easy at all  to step in after a legend. Among other things, would there be any wall space for that potential new veterinarian to be able to hang any of her or his own photos or mementos? Would she or he take down Locks fascinating stuff or work around it?

Above all, though, in the course of all of this talking about him after his death, Ive come to realize that they great way Lock took care of me and my pets was not unique. Ive heard many dozens of people say that he treated their animals at little to no cost. If I had the time to read all the social media posts that have been made about him, it would more likely be hundreds who have been saying that. Maybe thousands?

Its as if Dr. William Lockhart Boyce did not run a business. He ran a charity, one that provided an immense service to an impoverished area. His charity took compassionate and timely care of the areas animals. Thats just the professional side of the man who did so much else to help others in Patrick County.

I, like maybe you, hope that Boyce-Holland Veterinary Services would be able to remain open. If that happens, though, we all will have to realize that the charitable treatment we received from Lock Boyce is not the norm, and we cant expect someone else to work for free and keep giving us free medicine and supplies.

We will have to welcome a new veterinarian and be ready to start paying a fair price for her or his services, and forgive her or him for not being the one and only Lock. If that can happen, then, Boyce-Holland Veterinary Services staff, Ill be back to see you, and support you, and this time  because I dont think Ive done it nearly enough  Ill thank you all for your great service to my pets and me through the years.

Holly Kozelsky is a writer for the Martinsville Bulletin; contact her at 276-638-8801 ext. 243.

Holly Kozelsky is a writer for the Martinsville Bulletin; contact her at 276-638-8801 ext. 243.

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The Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate(MTTD) at Madina has disclosed that about 90 persons have been arrested and fined for failing to use the Madina-Adenta footbridge.



Station Officer at the unit Chief Inspector Kwame Dosu said the move was to serve as a deterrent to others who intend to get to the other side without using the bridge.



The footbridge is constructed and we are making all efforts for the pedestrians to use it. Sometime ago, we even arrested about 90 and they were all put before the Madina Magistrate court and they were fined, he told Kojo Yankson on the Super Morning Show.



The Madina-Adenta footbridge was completed after much agitation from pedestrians and residents on the need for one, as a way to cut down on the number of persons who die from crossing the highway.



The agitations were sparked again after 22-year-old Mariam, a student of West Africa Senior High School in Adenta lost her life in an attempt to cross the road.



She was killed by a speeding taxi while crossing the highway in front of her school.



Mariams death sparked spontaneous riots by residents living along the highway.



Subsequently, government completed the bridge to facilitate pedestrian usage, however, the police say residents still refuse to use the road.



At times we will be chasing them, when we ask them to use the bridge, they will respond by saying the footbridge is too long.



They cannot use it. When they use it, they take more than 40 minutes before they are able to walk over the bridge, Mr. added.



He, however, said the MTTD has deployed some strategies to curb the situation.



It is not our mandate to be canning people to use the footbridge but when you pursue them, force them, educate them, to use the footbridge and they refuse, that compelled us to sometimes be using canes on them which is not the best.



At times the light will be green, vehicles will be running through the traffic light and you see pedestrians also walking through the vehicles and its causing a lot of danger to their lives, he added.



He further assured that the unit will continue to educate commuters on the need to use the bridge.

Source: Myjoyonline.com









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After almost twelve hours, Orhan "yirtil" Ates has earned himself a spot in the history books as he took down Event #60: $525 Bounty NLHE 6-Handed for $114,584 and $65,593 in bounties to total $180,177 and the WSOP bracelet. He defeated Tobias "juanson" Schwecht heads-up in a field that attracted 3,170 entries to create a total prize pool of a whopping $1,585,000.

Ates' previous best result in the WSOP tournaments here on GGPoker came he finished in 26th place in Event #44: $2,500 NLHE 6-Handed for $11,697 which Kristen Bicknell won for her third bracelet. In the live WSOP events, he reached the final table of the High Roller in the 2019 WSOP International Circuit in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and finished in 14th place in the Main Event in the same year and location. This cash here comes close to his personal record of $185,000 when he finished in third place in an event in Cyprus back in 2018.

For Schwecht, today's result seems to surpass any others he had before today according to The Hendon Mob. The final table consisted of players from nine different countries which showcases the diversity of online poker and the players it attracts from all over the world.

Tomas "CoronaMyAss" Jozonis, Alexandre "STAY_HUNGRY" Reard, Caique "[email protected]" Sanches, Gaurav "Haversham" Sood, Augusto "Betylafea" Hagen, Jeff "PlayingNaked" Hakim, and Arsens "peterpandam" Sakanjans also earned a spot at the final table.

Event #60: $525 Bounty NLHE 6-Handed Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize Bounties Total 1 Orhan "yirtil" Ates Turkey $114,584 $65,593 $180,177 2 Tobias "juanson" Schwecht Austria $82,386 $15,629 $98,015 3 Tomas "CoronaMyAss" Jozonis Lithuania $59,236 $2,174 $61,410 4 Alexandre "STAY_HUNGRY" Reard France $42,591 $13,884 $56,475 5 Caique "[email protected]" Sanches Brazil $30,624 $20,676 $51,300 6 Gaurav "Haversham" Sood India $22,019 $6,521 $28,540 7 Augusto "Betylafea" Hagen Argentina $15,832 $11,854 $27,686 8 Jeff "PlayingNaked" Hakim Lebanon $11,383 $6,332 $17,715 9 Arsens "peterpandam" Sakanjans Latvia $8,185 $6,670 $14,855

Race to the Money and Final Table

As there was a possibility to reenter twice during the three hours of late registration, the players weren't scared of getting their chips in from the start. The first bounties were earned within the first minutes and Dara "OriginalDoke" O'Kearney, Roberto Romanello, and Pascal Hartmann were some of the players fortunate enough to get one.

Roberto Romanello

By the time the registration period really closed, 942 players were left to battle for a cash in this event as 368 of them would get paid at least $680. It would only take 75 minutes before hand-for-hand play would start with five players needing to bust before the rest would be in the money. In the final hand of the bubble, six players would bust with Jehun "honey_tv" Hong as the only player officially min-cashing.

But Chih Wei Fan, "Anti Pro", Galen Hall, and Zachary "Nakinofthefi" Korik had registered before the start of the tournament so enjoyed the benefits of the Bubble Protection feature which meant they all got their buy-ins back on top of any bounties they had earned.

GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu collected another min-cash as did players like Simon Lofberg, Joao Vieira, Conor Beresford, and Dylan "mezcal" Linde. Four hours later, the field was reduced to the final two tables. Dean "RandyLahey" Pitcher and Jingxiang "Fuzzy Wuzzy!" Ong both busted before the final table bubble.

Ates and the Rivers

Ates was the one to burst that final table bubble where he hit a lucky river to eliminate Renato "Songonku" Ribeiro. He overshoved when Ribeiro had pushed his last five big blinds to get the big blind out of the way. The sixes of Reibero found another one to connect with on the flop but the diamonds on the turn and river gave Ates the flush.

Sanches busted to Sanches before the Hakim was halted by Ates. The well-known player held tens and ran them into the kings of Ates and didn't get any help from the board as Ates took a commanding chip lead. It would take forty minutes before Hagen fell to Sanches too. But then Schwecht suddenly started to take away the attention from Ates as he took out Sood to claim the chip lead for himself.

Ates eliminated Sanches when he hit the river against for a straight against the flopped set of aces of the latter. Reard also got rivered in his final hand when he had flopped a pair of deuces but Schwecht hit a straight on the final card on the board. The elimination of Jozonis came a bit easier for Schwecht as he flopped trips immediately to get the tournament to the heads-up stage.

Tobias Schwecht finished as the runner-up for $98,015 including the bounties

Schwecht started the heads-up battle with 76% of all the chips in play and wasn't scared to use that to his advantage. He got Ates down to his final 16 big blinds when he turned a flush against the turned trips of Ates when all the chips went in. The ace on the river paired the board for Ates to survive once again thanks to the river.

Ates then doubled up for the chip lead when he held with pocket sevens and the river didn't deliver a straight to Schwecht. The chips went flying back and forth for another thirty minutes before Ates called the raise of Schwecht queen-ten. The six-trey-queen flop gave Ates top pair so he put Schwecht all-in after the latter bet with the overpair of aces and was called. It looked like he was going to double Schwecht up but the trey on the turn and the miracle queen on the river gave Ates one of the two outs he had to win the tournament and his and Turkey's first-ever WSOP bracelet.

This concludes the PokerNews coverage for today and we'll be back on Saturday, August 15, at 12 p.m. UTC to bring you all the action of Event #61: $300 Monster Stack NLHE 6-Handed.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central Mrs. Victoria Adu together with Alhaji Ibrahim Ismala, the Operation Director at Vice Presidents Office and members of Oda Concerned Senior Citizens Association have presented canoe and 25 pieces of life jackets to farmers in Oda Old Town to enable them to cross the Birim River to undertake their routine farming activities.

According to her, the canoe was procured using the Assemblys Internally Generated Fund (IGF).

Mrs. Adu used the occasion to educate the public especially the taxpayers to honour their tax obligations to enable the Assembly acquires funds to embark on a number of developmental activities in the Municipality to improve the living standards of the people.

Mrs. Adu reiterated government effort in recognizing the roles Agriculture plays in Ghanas development.

She said the government is working assiduously to ensure the agricultural sector becomes attractive for all to invest their capital.

Advising the younger generation, Mrs Adu charged the youth to take advantage of the governments flagship programme to enable them to acquire sustainable jobs rather than engaging in immoral activities.

Mr. Kwaku Attafuah who presented the 25 life jackets on behalf of Oda Concerned Senior Citizens Association to the farmers said the presentation of the life jackets was in fulfilment of the request made to the said Association by the farmers.

The importance of the usage of the jackets, he said would provide safety to people when crossing the Birim River and urged the canoe transport operators to make good use of the jackets.

He further used the opportunity to catalogue some of the achievements of the Oda Concerned Senior Citizens Association and also urged some philanthropists to come to the aide of the farmers.

Alhaji Ibrahim Ismala, the Operation Director at Vice Presidents Office also charged the Assembly to ensure the canoe is insured to make users of the canoe get access to an insurance package, in case of an accident on the Birim River.

He said the government has introduced a number of policies and intervention programmes in the areas of education, roads, health, sanitation, agriculture and among others.

He, however, informed the residents to consider the achievements made so far by the government and vote massively for the New Patriotic Partys Presidential Candidate in the 2020 general elections.

Alhaji Ismala cautioned the younger generation not to allow themselves to be used by politicians in engaging immoral activities which would jeopardize the conduct of the 2020 general elections.
BLACKSBURG  Parents pushed cartloads of mattress pads and mirrors up sidewalks as their children lugged fans and toiletries.

This is the experience, one mother shrugged of the college move-in process, but with a mask.

Virginia Tech students began trickling onto campus on Friday, the first day of a move-in process spread over 10 days to reduce congestion that could quicken the spread of COVID-19.

Nearly every student and family member spotted wore face coverings mid-morning and mid-afternoon as they moved in. Techs mix of in-person and online classes will begin Aug. 24 after months of plans and investments that have reconfigured classrooms, dining halls and dorms.

Anyone who is working in education right now is worried about making the very best choices possible, Frank Shushok, vice president for student affairs, said Friday, standing outside a blue Hokie Helper tent, where volunteers gave directions and passed out water.

Students told him how important it was to them to have a residential fall, Shushok said, with the first day of move-in uncertain until it arrived.

Its just like everything else these days; you just put one foot in front of the other.

About 800 students were expected to move into residence halls on Friday, Shushok said, with a similar number over subsequent days. Normally, he said, 3,000 or more students would arrive daily in a span of about three days.

After months of preparation and a great deal of hard work and planning, the time weve all been anticipating is finally here  our Hokie community is coming back together, President Tim Sands said in a statement. Being together will be different this year, and while some employees and students will continue to connect remotely this semester, our campus will be more active as we find creative ways to live, work, and play under current public health guidelines.

Tech is requiring all students living in university housing to get a COVID-19 test during their two-hour move-in slot. Tests are taking place in Lane Stadium. (The university did not allow media access to the clinic, citing medical privacy, and provided photos and videos afterward.)

The university will analyze the tests itself, thanks to a lab it established in April to assist local health departments with sampling. Located in Roanoke at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, the lab expects to process up to 1,000 tests daily, with results ready within 24 hours.

The lab will get a $500,000 grant to continue testing over 12 months and start an internship program, the state announced on Thursday.

While about two-thirds of Tech students live off-campus, the university expects about 8,600 to move into university housing over the next 10 days. Normally, 10,000 students would live in dorms.

Although Tech has said it anticipated 9,100 students in campus housing, Provost Cyril Clarke told members of the board of visitors on Thursday that more prospective students are opting not to enroll, a phenomenon known as melt.

So we have overall student melt ... which is normal, Clarke said. Its a little high this year due to the circumstances.

While the university as of Tuesday had 6,728 freshmen enrolled, Tech projects that number to fall slightly below its goal of 6,675 when a census is taken in September.

The number of international students enrolled at Tech especially has taken a hit.

As of Tuesday, 129 international freshmen were enrolled, compared to a goal of 437, according to Clarke.

Were going to be pretty close, therefore, in terms of our headcount goal, but I know the board appreciates that the lower count of out-of-state students, due in particular to the enrollment of international students, will have financial consequences, he said.

While most classes this semester are either online or a mix of online and in-person, several students and parents expressed relief Friday at being in Blacksburg.

Chloe DeSanto, a freshman from Richmond, said she was excited to finally be on campus.

I didnt think it was going to happen for a while, DeSanto, 18, said. I thought they were just going to call it off.

While all her classes this semester will be online  which she admits is not great  DeSanto said shes looking forward to the full experience, eventually of college.

This year, that will include tents, outdoor outlets, expanded wireless internet and other outdoor spaces for studying, to a tune of $250,000. The university has spent another $250,000 on plexiglass and similar barriers across the university, as well as $1 million on personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves.

Taylor McWilliams said Friday that she had no qualms about helping her sister, a freshman from Chesterfield, move into the Blacksburg campus, considering the comparatively low number of COVID-19 cases.

Were just waiting for the spike, honestly, McWilliams said, adding that she thinks her sister will be back home by October. I think theyll close in one month.

Outside East Campbell Hall, Ashley Manheim was taking a photo of her mother, Carolyn, who had lived in that dorm before she graduated in 1993.

Im a little bit worried about them, Carolyn Manheim said about Ashley, a 17-year-old from Chesterfield County, and her son, whos a junior. While her son is particularly cautious about all things COVID-19, Carolyn Manheim said, This one  Im not certain about her.

Ill be fine, her daughter said.

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PORT HURON, MI  It is an event that has drawn hundreds of participants in recent years to float down the St. Clair River along the United States and Canadian border. But its an event that U.S. and Canadian police are strongly urging people to avoid this year.

The 2020 version of the 7.5-mile unsanctioned Port Huron Float Down on Sunday, Aug. 16, comes in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has limited the number of people taking part in outdoor gatherings and closed the border between the countries until at least Aug. 21.

Health officials and law enforcement are urging people to avoid the gathering and not cross the border or they may face serious consequences.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer with the St. Clair County Health Department, asked potential participants to consider the event generally attracts a large crowd, oftentimes including people from outside St. Clair County.

We consider the Float Down ill-advised and inconsistent with our appeals for people to follow guidelines that will reduce the spread of COVID-19, said Mercatante. A great concern would be that this would create another outbreak situation similar to those we have seen in other parts of the state (Torch Lake, etc.).

Multiple people who attended a July 4 party at Torch Lake in northern Michigans Antrim County tested positive for the virus.

We encourage people who want to enjoy our beautiful waterways to do so with appropriate watercraft with paddles, sobriety, and social distancing, Mercatante said.

As of Thursday, Aug. 13, St. Clair County has reported a total of 838 COVID-19 cases, with more than 40 in the last seven days, as well as 53 deaths and 699 people recovered.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

With the pandemic shutting down the international border, those who may float over into Canada may face some legal trouble.

Sgt. Penny Hermann of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ontario said those who cross over the border face a fine up to $750,000 and/or six months in jail.

Roughly 1,500 Americans had to be rescued during the August 2016 edition of the event after floating into Canada, at a cost of approximately $9,000 for the city of Sarnia, Ont.

We continue to encourage members of the public to comply with all recommendations from public health experts to help stop the spread of COVID-19, she said.

Hermann added with the large number of people expected to take part in the event, there is an increased risk of them being in close proximity to one another, therefore everyone is encouraged to wear a face mask or covering.

RCMP officers are customs officers under the Canadian Customs Act and screening officers under the Quarantine Act.

Should any Americans wind up in Canada they would be required to answer questions related to any communicable disease they may have and wear a mask.

They will also be required to complete a COVID-19 health screening, customs examination and provide a photo ID.

Anyone who lands in Canada unintentionally will be arrested under the Immigration and Refuge Protection Act. Those who refuse to be screened under the countrys Quarantine Act will also be arrested.

SAFETY MEASURES ON THE WATER

The threat of a strong current adds another element of potential danger for participants.

Justin Westmiller, director of St. Clair County Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said in a COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, Aug. 13, that along with the virus, the river flows at six to eight knots in the area and many people drink along the route.

It creates a dangerous environment. Period, he said. Theres no question about that.

St. Clair County Sheriffs Deputy Steve Campau said higher water levels have led to a faster current, almost double the norm.

He recalled a 19-year-old Fenton man who drowned in 2014 during the event.

Brady Morton reportedly got off his tube and entered the water. He never resurfaced.

He was on a tube with about 40 other people on the river, getting off occasionally to go swimming, according to MLive-The Flint Journal records.

Every year, we have to pull people out of the water and have prevented numerous potential drownings, said Campau. We are going to do our best to prevent any tragic incidents this year during the float down.

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a temporary regulation, requiring all those under 18 to be wearing a life jacket before getting into the water.

Minors who are not wearing a life jacket will be removed with their guardians and put ashore at the nearest spot possible.

As always, we will have boats from our Marine Division and Dive Team on the water all along the course, said Campau.

Other law enforcement agencies taking part in the effort include the Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Coast Guard, Sarnia Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police-West Region, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Campau offered some safety tips for those who still choose to take part in the event:

- Make sure to wear a life jacket and make sure the life jacket is the appropriate size. Make sure it fits properly. If it is too loose, it could slip off when you go into the water.

- Make sure you have a float device that is in good shape. You dont want to be out in the middle of the river and have your float go flat.

- Make sure you have at least one paddle to help you navigate the river.

- If possible, carry a cell phone with you and make sure it stays dry.

- It is also a good idea to carry some other type of device with you to use in an emergency. A small air horn or a whistle that you could blow to alert those around you that you are having an issue.

- This is a long trip from start to finish. Make sure you have plenty of water to drink so you dont become dehydrated.

- Because it is a long trip, alcohol use is not a good idea. Along with intoxication, drinking alcohol contributes to dehydration. If you want to drink, plan on doing it once the float down is over.

- Do not exit the river onto private property. If you do, it is considered trespassing and you may be arrested.

More on MLive:

Search halted for Fenton teen missing on St. Clair River as crews exhaust all leads

Several people at massive Torch Lake July 4 party have tested positive for coronavirus

Three people saved, more than 160 assisted at Port Huron Float Down

Rescue of 1,500 wayward Americans costs Canadian city nearly $9K
Despite tightening U.S. sanctions, Venezuelas PDVSA has managed to ramp up its oil exports this month, with the daily average hitting 325,000 barrels, which was the highest in four months, Bloomberg reports.

The increase comes thanks to diesel-for-crude swaps, Bloomberg notes, which are not covered by U.S. sanctions, at least for the time being.

Meanwhile, production has continued to fall, to a bit over 100,000 bpd, compared with some 2 million bpd Venezuela produced three years ago before the government in Caracas fell in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. For now, however, this low production rate does not affect exports because Venezuela has quite a bit of oil in storage, again thanks to the sanctions but also to the coronavirus pandemic that hit oil demand.

Interestingly, most of the higher Venezuela oil exports are going to India rather than its biggest buyer and creditor, China. China, according to the Bloomberg report, will only receive some 54,800 bpd of Venezuelan crude this month.

The diesel PDVSA receives in return will help the country alleviate a fuel shortage that has added to its already numerous problems. Iran, a fellow sanction target, earlier this year sent five tankers of gasoline in a bid to help Venezuela ease the shortage, but only one made it. The other four, U.S. officials told media this week, were seized by U.S. authorities.

The South American country that is home to the worlds largest oil reserves tried to tackle its shortage by restarting gasoline-producing units, but a refinery closure interfered with these plans. The El Palito refinery had to suspend operations over the weekend due to a technical problem. The facility was producing 20,000 bpd of gasoline before the outage. PDVSA has restarted two gasoline-producing facilities at two refineries and plans to restart a third one within two weeks.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Rice benefited from her close relationship with Biden and a concerted push on her behalf by other alumni of the Obama administration, though not the former president himself. But she had never been a candidate for office before, and Biden was more familiar than most with how much of a vice presidents time is typically spent on political errands. He concluded it would be too risky to pick a running mate who had never been on the ballot.
Nowgam: Vijay Kumar, Inspector General Police, Kashmir on Friday (August 14, 2020) said that Pakistan-backed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is responsible for carrying out the attack on a police party in Jammu and Kashmirs Nowgam in which two cops were martyred.

"Two terrorists came and started firing on police personnel in which two cops were killed and one suffered injuries. We have cordoned off the whole area. Prima facie, it seems there is a hand of Jaish-e-Mohammad," IGP Kumar told reporters.

IGP Vijay Kumar, who visited the spot, said,  We have inputs to suggest that Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit carried out the attack. The terrorists have been identified and they will be neutralised soon.

#Terrorists fired #indiscriminately upon police party near #Nowgam Bypass. 03 police personnel injured. They were shifted to hospital for treatment where 02 among them attained #martyrdom. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) August 14, 2020

"We received many inputs. We got an input that terrorists can strike in any area. Our police were on alert. One of the terrorists was hiding behind and started firing. We have identified him. He is from the JeM group. We will neutralise him soon. There was people`s movement in the area. That`s why police personnel could not fire as it would have resulted in civilian casualties," he said.

Two police personnel were martyred and one other suffered injuries in the attack by terrorists near Nowgam bypass on Friday ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The incident took place after terrorists started firing indiscriminately upon the police party on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Earlier on Thursday, the security forces busted three hideouts of terrorists in Awantipora in South Kashmir`s Pulwama district during a raid conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Police along with Army`s 50 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 130 Battalion of CRPF.
Country hotels are leading the recovery for the Irish hospitality industry as domestic tourists flock to the rural locations for holidays and staycations this summer.

Hotel booking revenue plummeted 90% across the board when Ireland was plunged into the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown at the end of March. Since that low point, regional and country destination hotel booking revenue bounced back 969% to the middle of July, whereas city hotel bookings grew by 372% during the same period  almost two thirds less.

The data was captured by P3 Hotels, which provides booking engine software for more than 250 hotels and hotel groups in Ireland and the UK. It shows the strength of the recovery that domestic tourists have driven for regional and country hotels, where average weekly booking revenue is now greater than it was before Covid-19 hit.

For the four-week period from June 22 to July 19, average weekly booking revenue was up almost 120% on that recorded in January, which was a strong month for hotel bookings. In contrast, city centre locations were down by 51%.

The figures demonstrate how city centre locations are struggling to recover without the international tourists and business travellers.

Phelim Pekaar, CEO of P3, said: The level of bookings hotels receive in January and July is normally very similar. This year, January was a strong month for bookings so for regional and country hotels to be beating those levels in June/July shows the impact that domestic tourists are having this summer.

Its also notable that a lot more people are booking direct through hotel websites, as opposed to through Online Travel Agents (OTA) such as booking.com. This suggests that the market is almost all Irish and they are familiar with the hotels where they are choosing to stay in. Direct bookings are more valuable for hotels  and they are always stronger among hotels which guests know and recognise.

The data, which is based on all completed bookings, is a strong indicator of ongoing demand because it reflects elements of both current and future demand, as opposed to occupancy rate during the dates. Many hotels are also required to operate at reduced occupancy in order to facilitate Covid-19 social distancing regulations.

Patrice Lennon, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dalata Hotel Group, said that while regional hotels were driving the recovery for their Clayton and Maldron brands, lower occupancy rates in city hotels means there is terrific value to be had.

In July 2019, the average occupancy rate across the entire Dalata Group was 90% to 95%, and 85% to 95% in the Dublin market alone. Since fully reopening our hotels at the end of June after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, our occupancy rates have been climbing back up  but the stronger performing hotels are all in regional or destination locations, such as Sligo, Wexford and Galway, Ms Lennon said.

Our Dublin hotels are averaging around 30% occupancy due to the drop off in international business and tourist visitors. The good news for domestic tourists is that this means there are room rates from 99 per night for a double room with breakfast in Dublin  some of our lowest ever rates.

The OCallaghan Collection group of hotels will start to reopen their four Dublin hotels from 10th August. Group Commercial Director Tanya Hadwick said there has never been a better time for an affordable break in the city.

The sheer volume of hotel rooms in Dublin means there are very attractive rates to be had. We have an occupancy rate of just 15% for September at this stage. Reduced occupancy means there are more lower-priced rooms available for guests booking now. When occupancy rates rise there will be fewer of these rooms available. With everything on offer in the city, it really is a terrific time to visit.
Lebanon says its own Judiciary can handle probe into Beirut blast

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 2:27 AM

Lebanon's caretaker justice minister has dismissed calls for an international investigation into the recent deadly explosion in Beirut, saying the country's judiciary can handle the probe itself.

Marie-Claude Najem said on Wednesday the August 4 explosion in Beirut is a "chance" for the judiciary to "prove they can do their jobs and win back the confidence of the people."

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Najem said public pressure and the international coverage of the explosion would also likely push matters in the right direction.

The Lebanese politician has dismissed calls for an international probe into the issue, saying, "My starting point is always the Lebanese judiciary because I don't want to create a system where every time there is an important issue I go to the international. We can use international experts but my role is to try to improve the judiciary here."

She said the investigations have already been "internationalized" as French police officers and forensic specialists were involved in the ongoing investigations into the incident, but their participation was due to the existence of French casualties.

A judicial official said Wednesday that a Lebanese prosecutor is to question several ministers and former ministers over the explosion.

"The interrogations will begin with former public works minister Ghazi al-Aridi," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"If a shortcoming or negligence on the part of one of the questioned ministers is found, the judiciary will have to state that it does not have jurisdiction to sue them," the official said.

The official said the current minister of public works, now working in a caretaker capacity because the government has resigned over the August 4 explosion, would also be questioned in coming days.

Several other former public works ministers, current and former ministers of finance and justice, will also be brought in, he said.

According to latest health ministry figures, the monster explosion at Beirut port killed 171, injured 6,500 and left 300,00 people temporarily homeless.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab's government resigned on Monday amid protests.

The Lebanese judiciary is due to interrogate four former public works ministers - nominally in charge of overseeing the port - on Friday.

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In most cases, a single student or staff COVID-19 case at a newly reopened school in Pennsylvania will not require an immediate shutdown of the building.

But two or more cases within a 14-day period could force at least a short-term building closure, and any school that hits five cases within two weeks would be shuttered for at least two weeks.

The new guidelines are the last big piece of the puzzle for school districts seeking at least a partial return to the classroom for students and teachers this summer, and they once again put a premium on the need for flexibility that teachers, students and their families are all going to have to exercise this fall.

You can have a handful of cases occur in that first week of school so people need to know whats the process, what do we do, how do we handle it, said Mark DiRocco, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. As long as everyone knows that, they can put those protocols in place, inform the staff this is how were going to handle this, inform the parents this is how were going to handle this.

DiRocco said the new guidance is not likely to send districts back to the drawing board on their reopening plans. But he added that it will be very important that the state Health Department keep an open line for schools when the inevitable questions arise about issues like how an extensive a quarantine call to make.

We dont think that the local school superintendent or building principal or school nurse should be making that decision. So when that question is asked, we dont want recommendations at that point. We want a definitive answer... because thats a public health call. Thats not an administrative, educational call, he said.

The new guidance starts with the Wolf Administrations baseline determination of whether a district sits in a county with low, moderate or substantial coronavirus transmission rates based on local case counts and positive test rates over the past week.

The state has already begun issuing those weekly reports, and as of right now only one county, Union, has transmission rates high enough where the state is recommending that all students start the new school year remotely.

Everywhere else, local officials have the latitude to reopen buildings to at least half a schools student body at a time, and most of them are starting with schedules where all students attend school in person for two days a week, in two distinct groups, and then spend the rest of the week working on assignments, projects and tests.

Many more districts, especially in more rural areas that have seen relatively few COVID cases to date, are hoping to fully reopen with in-person instruction for the first time since Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a statewide closure of school buildings last March in an effort to limit the initial spread of coronavirus across Pennsylvania.

In most districts, all students also have the option of choosing an all-remote learning plan, even if their school is planning to offer in-person classes.

School leaders had been waiting for the additional guidance on how to respond if coronavirus shows up in the classroom. Heres what the state is directing:

In areas with low spread and just one case inside a school building over a 14-day period, the advice is to clean areas where the infected person has been and let contract tracing track close contacts for quarantining (people who have been within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 consecutive minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated).

State or local public health staff will need to work with school administrators in those cases to determine whether entire classrooms or other cohort groups need to be quarantined and excluded from the school. That, in turn, could depend, in most classroom settings, on adherence to masking and social distancing protocols.

With two to four cases in a single building over the two-week period , or multiple buildings with single cases who arent from the same household, districts are advised to clean, trace contacts and close those buildings for three days or longer, again depending on the broader community transmission rates.

Schools that get five or more cases should close down for two weeks and the entire building should be cleaned, the Education and Health departments suggested.

The guidance says shutting down facilities allows public health staff the necessary time to complete case investigations and contact tracing, and to provide schools with other appropriate public health advice like cleaning and disinfecting.

In areas where COVID-19 is considered to be at the substantial level of community spread, the agencies say schools should shut their doors and operate with a full remote learning model.

Schools should keep people out of areas where a sick person has been, including buses and vans, and wait 24 hours before directing custodial staff to clean and disinfect. Students should not take part in disinfecting.

Public health officials do not need to be notified every time someone exhibits symptoms, but those people should be isolated and sent home with a referral to get medical attention, the state agencies said.

Flexibility is the key, DiRocco said.

I think the thing that were going to see this year is that this is going to be fluid, said DiRocco. I wouldnt be surprised to see districts change their model of learning once or twice through the first semester until we get a vaccine of some kind.

I think the thing weve all learned through this is were not going to dictate to the virus, the virus will dictate to us.

Capitol Bureau Chief Jan Murphy contributed to this report.
Many people in Ghana including the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) see the founder and leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministry International Rev Dr Isaac Owusu Bempah to be in bed with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) but the man of God has set the record straight.



According to him, it will be wrong for people especially the largest opposition NDC to pin him to the ruling NPP government for the fact that he tipped President Akufo-Addo to retain power in the 2020 general election.



He averred there is evidence to show that God has used him to prophesy for the NDC Presidential Candidate, Mr Rawlings in the 1992 election and the 1996 general election as well.



Setting the records straight on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Prophet Owusu Bempah recalled that God used him to declare victory for former President Jerry John Rawlings against NPPs Prof Adu Boahen in the 1992 general election.



He again recounted that in 1996 general election, God spoke through him that the same Jerry Rawlings was going to win against former President John Agyekum Kuffour.



In Ghana, it is not as if I am prophesying to favour one political party because in 1992 I prophesied that Rawlings was going to win the election and at that time I was only leading prayers at Prempeh Assembly Hall and it happened as I said and so if you trace my prophecies about elections, it does not favour one particular political party and none of them has ever failed unless someone who does not like me will twist my prophecies, he recounted.



He sounded clearly that he will not hesitate to announce it when one day God reveals to him that a Presidential Candidate of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will win a particular general election.



But to be frank with you, if I see that the election will favour the NDC, I will say it as I said about former President Rawlings and former President Kuffour in 1996 where the former won the election as I prophesied, he stated.



In the case of former President Kuffour winning power for the NPP for the first time, he stated that God directed him to carry out specific task of pouring oil at every roundabout in Accra.



When God chose Kuffour to be the next President of Ghana, God showed me what to do to change the leadership so that former President Kuffour will win and so we went to all the roundabouts in the Accra and God directed me to pour oil at every roundabout to change leadership in the country. After the election, Papa Kuffour won the election and my associate pastors are my witness, he recounted.



He therefore indicated that God has used me to prophesy for the NDC to come to power before and I have also prophesied for the NPP to come to before and I am not biased against any political party; wherever God will show me, that is where I will be.

Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com









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ATLANTA, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Packaging International, LLC ("Graphic Packaging"), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC and the primary operating subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK), announced today that it launched an offering to sell $350 million aggregate principal amount of its senior unsecured notes due 2029 (the "Senior Notes") in a private offering in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), subject to market and other conditions.

The Senior Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Graphic Packaging. The Senior Notes will be guaranteed by Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC and Field Container Queretaro (USA), L.L.C., as well as by Graphic Packaging's future material domestic subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under its senior credit facilities and its existing senior notes due 2021, 2022, 2024, 2027, and 2028.

Graphic Packaging intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility under its senior secured credit facility, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the offering and for general corporate purposes.

The Senior Notes and the related guarantees will be offered and sold only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States, to non-U.S. persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Senior Notes and the related guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Graphic Packaging International, LLC

Graphic Packaging International, LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Graphic Packaging International Partners, LLC and the primary operating subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company (the "Company") (NYSE: GPK), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to providing consumer packaging that makes a world of difference. The Company is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions for a wide variety of products to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. The Company operates on a global basis, is one of the largest producers of folding cartons and paper-based foodservice products in the United States, and holds leading market positions in coated recycled paperboard, coated unbleached kraft paperboard and solid bleached sulfate paperboard. The Company's customers include many of the world's most widely-recognized companies and brands. Additional information about Graphic Packaging, its business and its products is available on the Company's web site at www.graphicpkg.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements of Graphic Packaging International, LLC's expectations in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including but not limited to those regarding the offering and the use of proceeds therefrom, are based on currently available information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from Graphic Packaging International, LLC 's present expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions affecting the offering. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Graphic Packaging International, LLC undertakes no obligation to update such statements, except as required by law. Additional information regarding these and other risks is contained in Graphic Packaging International, LLC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Call it retail therapy. "Full House" star Lori Loughlin and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, who will be sentenced later this month for their part in the college admissions scandal, just sprang for a luxurious new home.

The couple picked up a $9.5 million modern farmhouse in the celebrity-filled enclave of Hidden Hills, CA, Variety reports.

This transaction follows quickly after the couple sold their Bel-Air mansion for a reported $18.75 million to the co-founder of Tinder, Justin Mateen.



The final sale price of the Bel-Air residence was a huge discount off their most recent asking price of $28.65 million. They had initially been looking for even morethe home first came on the market at $35 million in 2017.

There are some serious upsides to leaving Bel-Air in their rearview mirror, so let's take an in-depth look at the two luxurious locations.

Goodbye, Bel-Air

The couple may have been extremely motivated to sell, given that the scandal appears to have lost them friends and social clout in the refined 'hood.

The upscale enclave is a Hollywood haven and has been home to stars such as Jay-Z and Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, and Elon Musk, founder of Tesla, at one time or another. The posh neighborhood also regularly pops up when we survey the most expensive home listings in the country.

Right now, 151 homes are on the market in Bel-Air, with the priciest sitting at the vertigo-inducing price of $125 million. The median list price for the neighborhood is currently a robust $4.7 million.

Bel-Air is known for being exclusive, gated, and riddled with luxe mansions. Loughlin and Giannulli's posh property directly overlooked the Bel-Air Country Club and had been stylishly renovated.

Hello, Hidden Hills

Located on the western edge of San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, near Calabasas, this tony town is known for being scaled-down, secure, and a magnet for celebrities.

Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West, the rapper Drake, Miley Cyrus, the Weeknd, and actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith own homes here.

"What makes Hidden Hills attractive for so many celebrities is the fact that it is a small, gated community with only 2,000 residents, says George Penner, CEO of Deasy Penner Podley.

The town is small, but punches way above its weight when it comes to home values. With just 35 homes for sale, which range in price from $1.8 million to $27.5 million, the median list price for a home in Hidden Hills is a jaw-dropping $6.4 million.

As Penner points out, It was developed by A.E. Hanson, the same developer as Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills, which are both known for their ritzy real estate.

Plus, there's another big perk in the new locale for Loughlin, who's become a tabloid fave.

Penner says the area "provides much greater privacy from paparazzi and onlookers.

The couple's new digs

So now that theyve landed in Hidden Hills, what did they get for their multimillions?

A brand-new build. No renovations required! A huge plus in our book.

The six-bedroom, nine-bathroom abode spans 11,748 square feet. The modern farmhouse-style residence is sparkling and features high ceilings, maple floors, and offers luxury country living.

Lori Loughlin's home in Hidden Hills, CA realtor.com

Living space that extends outside realtor.com

Open kitchen and dining area realtor.com

Kitchen with marble island with bar seating realtor.com

Office realtor.com

Bedroom with fireplace realtor.com

Outdoor dining area realtor.com

The open floor plan includes glass sliding doors opening to the outside living area. The custom chefs kitchen, described as a dream" in the listing, has white oak cabinets, marble counters, and high-end appliances. The master suite boasts a fireplace, two baths, and views.

Luxe amenities include a temperature-controlled, walk-in wine cellar, gym, office, and movie theater.

Set on 1.57 acres, the sprawling grounds feature pool and spa, fire pit, barbecue, and views of the hills.

This Hidden Hills home is on a much larger lot and is much more private, says Cara Ameer, a bicoastal agent with Coldwell Banker licensed in California and Florida.

This is why many celebrities choose to buy in Hidden Hillsyou have an estate within a private enclave, yet still maintain a neighborhood/community feel.

Being close to Loughlin's "Full House" alum John Stamos may have added to the appeal. As for their daughter, social media star Olivia Jade, the homes proximity to the sprawling compound of YouTube makeup mogul Jeffree Star is perhaps an added perk.

The couple scored a deal on the home. Initially listed for $11.75 million last January, the place has its price drop to $10.55 million earlier this month, and Loughlin and Giannulli managed to negotiate an additional million-dollar discount.

One big downside

Yet despite scoring a deal on their new Hidden Hills house, there are costs the couple didn't have to pay in Bel-Air.

Namely, dreaded HOA fees.

Their prior home didn't have any homeowners association fees, Ameer says. In Hidden Hills, the HOA fees for this property were $36,250 a year. They run according to assessed value, and could really add up. Especially if the assessed value of the properties increase each year.

That is par for the course in this pricey and private town.

However, having a fully turnkey home to return to after they receive their sentences in the admissions case may well be worth it.

Tomer Fridman with Compass repped the seller. Arvin Haddad with The Agency represented the buyer.

The post All the Upsides (and One Downside) to Lori Loughlin's New Home in Hidden Hills appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
HILLSBORO  The Bank of Hillsboro, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, has donated $5,000 to Imagine Hillsboros Back to School Drive. The money will be used to supply children with clothing and new shoes for the upcoming school year.

This will be Imagine Hillsboros fourth year holding the free clothing shop and we knew going into this year that we would be facing a lot of obstacles, said Back to School Committee member Pacey Collins.

We were worried about being able to fund the shop, she said. We had resigned ourselves to the reality that we might have to turn some students away when we learned that the Bank of Hillsboro was going to make a $5,000 donation to the Back to School Shop. Well have enough to make sure that each student leaves the store better equipped to face whatever challenges await them in the upcoming school year. We are so grateful for the banks generosity.

Bank of Hillsboro was able to offer the donation after applying for a $20,000 grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. The bank is offering a COVID-19 Relief Program consisting of zero-rate advances and grants to support all of its member institutions, such as Bank of Hillsboro, and the communities they serve.

Bank of Hillsboro Senior Vice President and Head of Deposit Operations, Jason Miller, said that after recognizing the need in the communities they serve, they decided to apply for the grant and were thrilled when they received it.

Were distributing a total of $20,000 to six different local nonprofits throughout our service area, said Miller. Imagine Hillsboro is a perfect example of a local nonprofit that has such a big heart for helping those in the community who need extra support right now, and there is nothing more gratifying than being able to stop by and tell them were giving them a donation that will hopefully help ensure hundreds of kids have a good start to the school year.

Imagine Hillsboro was created as part of the MAPPING the Future of Your Community program, part of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. It takes a proactive approach towards revitalizing Hillsboro through community planning and economic development.

Bank of Hillsboro is a 150-year-old bank headquartered in Hillsboro with additional locations in Alhambra, Altamont, Carlyle, Edwardsville, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Keyesport, Pana, Staunton and Vandalia. For more details, visit www.bankhillsboro.com or call 618-656-5804.
With the cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) skyrocketing globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) is now warning the public to avoid routine dental procedures to reduce the risk of infection.

In a new interim guidance released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the health agency advises that routine non-essential oral health care, which includes dental check-ups, oral prophylaxis, and preventive care, should be delayed until there has been sufficient reduction in SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates from community transmission to cluster cases.

The WHO recommends that patients who do not need urgent dental care to avoid going to the dentist for the meantime, since the global number of SARS-CoV-2 cases has increased to more than 20.77 million, with at least 754,000 lives lost.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, effective prevention of oral problems and self-care remains a high priority. Patients should be advised through remote consultation or social media channels on maintaining good oral hygiene, the WHO said.

Further, WHO said that the guidance also applies to other dental procedures, including those for aesthetic purposes. Online consultations are also encouraged to prevent the risk of community transmission, especially that the pandemic is far from over. However, urgent or emergency oral health care interventions can preserve a persons oral functioning, to secure ones quality of life, and to manage severe pain.

Virus spread in oral healthcare settings

Today, health experts have identified high-risk areas where the virus can spread from one person to another. Some locations, where there is a heightened risk of spread, including oral healthcare settings like dental clinics, hospitals, public transportation, and buildings with poor ventilation.

The way SARS-CoV-2 spreads happens through direct, indirect, or close contact with those diagnosed with COVID-19. A person who is infected can spread the virus through respiratory droplets or secretions such as saliva.

In dental clinics, the novel coronavirus can be transmitted by three ways  direct transmission through inhalation of droplets produced by talking, coughing, or sneezing, direct transmission through the exposure of mucous membranes like those found in the eyes, nasal area, or oral mucosa, and through the indirect transmission via contaminated surfaces.

Further, oral health care teams work close to the patients faces for prolonged periods. Further, the procedures usually performed involve exposure to many body fluids that may harbor SARS-CoV-2, such as saliva and blood.

Dental practice also involves aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), which are defined as any medical, dental, and patient care procedure that causes the production of airborne particles, which may contain virus particles.

How to contain SARS-CoV-2 in dental care settings?

To contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in dental settings, the WHO urges that dentists only perform emergency or urgent oral procedures. Routine dental care, such as dental cleanings, consultations, and preventive care, should be postponed until the pandemic is over or until there is low COVID-19 transmission.

Urgent or emergency oral health care may include interventions that address acute oral infections; swelling; systemic infection; significant or prolonged bleeding; severe pain not controllable with analgesia; oral health care interventions that are medically required as a pre-intervention to other urgent procedures; and dental/orofacial trauma, the WHO said.

The WHO also reiterated that dentists should refer patients if they are in doubt to specialized treatment facilities, since addressing the emergency or urgent care appropriately will prevent the need for them to seek treatment at emergency departments of hospitals, reducing the risk of exposure and freeing up space for those who are seeking COVID-19-related care.

The WHO also provided a rundown of how dentists can go about with the pandemic, without risking their health and the health of others. Dentists should screen patients before the appointment through virtual technology or telephone. Also, they should perform triaging when the patient has arrived in the clinic. Make sure that patients seeking urgent care are catered first, and they do not exhibit the symptoms of COVID-19.

Dentists should also develop a remote assessment of their patients to distinguish those seeking urgent or emergency care. The WHO also underlined the importance of disinfection of the clinic, proper infection control practices, improving the clinics ventilation, and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.
Judge allows lawsuit over evangelical foster agency's exemption to HHS rule to proceed

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Correction Appended



A Catholic mothers lawsuit against the state of South Carolina and federal officials for exempting an evangelical Christian foster agency from a federal non-discrimination mandate is allowed to proceed, according to a federal judge.

Aimee Maddonna sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the South Carolina Department of Social Services in February 2019 over state funding being given to Miracle Hill Ministries. The lawsuit was filed after she claimed the agency prevented her from volunteering due to her Catholic beliefs.

Miracle Hill Ministries, one of the states largest foster agencies that previously only worked with Protestant Christian volunteers, was granted a waiver last January exempting it from a Health and Human Services Department anti-discrimination rule enacted under the Obama administration.

Maddonna, who is represented by the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argues that such an exemption is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The clause prohibits the government establishment of religion.

In an order issued Monday, District Court Judge Timothy Cain, an Obama appointee, denied in part a motion to dismiss the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and South Carolina from the lawsuit.

The judge argued that Maddonna has plausibly alleged that Defendants conveyed a message endorsing religion by allowing state-licensed, government-funded [child-placement agencies] to reject prospective foster parents based on religious criteria.

Cain applied the Lemon test, a legal precedent dictating what types of relationships between governments and religious entities violate the Establishment Clause.

Under the Lemon test, governments can be tied to religious entities provided the relationship serves a secular purpose, does not primarily advance religion and does not foster excessive entanglement between government and religion.

Plaintiff has set forth sufficient allegations that Defendants actions had the primary effect of advancing and endorsing religion and, thereby, violate the Lemon test and the requirements of the Establishment Clause, Cain wrote.

Thus, the well-pled allegations in the Complaint sufficiently assert, for purposes of this order, that Defendants have violated both the second and third prongs of the Lemon test and, thereby, set forth a claim for violation of the Establishment Clause.

The judge did, however, grant the governments motion to dismiss regarding claims that they violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Defendants proffered numerous legitimate government interests rationally related to their actions permitting the use of religious criteria by faith-based CPAs, the judge contends.

Accordingly, Plaintiffs equal protection claim for religious discrimination fails as a matter of law and Defendants are entitled to dismissal of that claim.

Americans United, a progressive advocacy group, celebrated the district court order.

Were glad the court agreed that Aimees case can proceed, Americans United Senior Litigation Counsel Kenneth Upton said in a statement.

[W]e look forward to stopping the government from violating our countrys fundamental promise of religious freedom  that it gives us all the right to believe, or not, as we choose, but it doesnt give us the right to discriminate.

Miracle Hill had garnered controversy over their refusal to work with non-Protestant, gay or lesbian volunteers, while still receiving state funds.

Specifically, the HHS waiver allowed Miracle Hill to continue receiving state support so long as the Christian foster agency referred non-Christian volunteers to other agencies.

In a letter sent to then-South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, the HHS Administration for Children and Families explained last year that the foster agency was protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Miracle Hills sincere religious exercise would be substantially burdened by application of the religious nondiscrimination requirement, stated the letter.

 subjecting Miracle Hill to that requirement, by denying South Carolinas exception request, is not the least restrictive means of advancing a compelling government interest on the part of HHS.

Maddonna claimed in her lawsuit that Miracle Hill discriminated against her by not allowing her to volunteer through the program because she's Catholic and not evangelical Protestant.

Maddonna clearly understood that she and her family were ineligible to be trained by or receive placements from Miracle Hill because they are Catholic, stated the lawsuit.

Because of the religious requirements that Miracle Hill inserts into its provision of foster-care services, the Maddonnas were prevented from becoming a foster family or even volunteering to work with foster children.

In July 2019, months after the lawsuit was filed, Miracle Hill announced that it will expand its foster program to include Roman Catholic Christians.

Miracle Hill President and CEO Reid Lehman said in the July 2019 announcement that he and the organization recognize our previous stance has wounded other followers of Jesus Christ.

Our calling as an organization is not primarily to evaluate and emphasize differences between various branches of Christianity or between denominations within Protestantism, stated Lehman.

Rather, Miracle Hills spiritual identity is first and foremost that of brothers and sisters in Christ working together to minister to the needy in Christs name.

Correction: Aug. 13:

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Miracle Hill Ministries was an adoption agency and that they placed children in foster homes. Miracle Hill reached out to The Christian Post to clarify that they do not do adoptions and that it is the South Carolina Department of Social Services that places children in foster homes. Miracle Hill screens potential foster parents on behalf of DSS.
On Thursday, India announced a USD 500 million-package to build infra projects worth $ 500 million in the Maldives and for the largest connectivity project in the island nation to connect Male with three neighbouring islands.

India on Thursday announced a USD 500 million-package to the Maldives for the largest connectivity project in the island nation to connect Male with three neighbouring islands. New Delhi also announced the creation of an air travel bubble between India and the Maldives. The first flight under the Air Bubble is expected to commence on August 18.

These landmark announcements were made during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Maldivian counterpart Abdullah Shahid. The interaction which took place through video conference on Thursday was part of regular high-level exchanges between India and Maldives, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The two ministers reviewed the state of time-tested relations between India and the Maldives and noted with satisfaction that the COVID-19 pandemic has not been able to slow down the pace of bilateral cooperation.

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During the meeting, Jaishankar assured the Maldives government that India stood by its close maritime neighbour and friend in difficult times. Jaishankar made the five announcements including a start of a direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives and Indias decision to support the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) in the Maldives through a financial package consisting of a grant of USD 100 million and a new Line of Credit of USD 400 million.

Jaishankar noted that this will be the largest civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives, connecting Male with three neighbouring islands  Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi (new industrial zone)  by the construction of a bridge-and-causeway link spanning 6.7 km.

Once completed, this landmark project will streamline connectivity between the 4 islands, thereby boosting economic activity, generating employment and promoting holistic urban development in the Male region, the MEA statement read. In a bid to enhance enhancing bilateral trade and connectivity, Jaishankar also announced that a direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives will commence shorty.

EAM underscored the significance of this service in enhancing bilateral trade and connectivity and in further boosting the economic partnership between the two countries. The cargo ferry service will enhance sea connectivity and provide predictability in supplies for importers in Maldives and exporters in India. It will also reduce logistics costs and times for traders, the statement read.

Announcing a creation of Air Travel Bubble, Jaishankar said the Maldives is the first neighbouring country with which an Air bubble is being operationalised to facilitate the movement of people from both sides for employment, tourism, medical emergencies etc. It read that the air bubble symbolizes Indias support to shore up tourism arrivals and revenues in the Maldives, health protocols in both countries will be strictly followed.

Fulfilling Indias commitment under the bilateral Trade Agreement of 1981, Jaishankar conveyed the decision to renew quotas for supply of essential commodities including food items like potatoes, onions, rice, wheat, flour, sugar, dal and eggs as well as river sand and stone aggregates to the Maldives for the year 2020-21. The statement read the quotas assure food security, and the supply of essential construction items, and thereby provide certainty and price stability for such essential items in the Maldives.

Jaishankar also announced that the Indian government has decided to extend in-principle urgent financial assistance to the Maldives government, by way of a soft loan arrangement. Exact modalities of the loan arrangement are being finalised by the two sides, the statement noted.

Expressing a deep appreciation for the steps taken by the Indian Government in meeting the development priorities of his Government, Maldives foreign minister Shahid noted that GMCP will be a new milestone in India- Maldives ties and will anchor the economic and industrial transformation of the Maldives.

Shahid conveyed gratitude for the timely financial assistance being extended by India. He noted that this financial support will help in revival of the Maldivian economy which is grappling with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, according to the statement.

He also welcomed the decision to create an Air bubble and a direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives. Both these steps will further strengthen bilateral trade and the close people-to-people relations between the two countries which forms the bedrock of our dynamic partnership.

The MEA said that since November 2018, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, New Delhi and Male have embarked on a dynamic and ambitious phase of the partnership that builds on our enduring ties based on mutual trust and shared interests.

The Neighbourhood First foreign policy of India and the India First policy of Maldives complement each other and now demonstrate concrete outcomes. PM Modi and President Solih have met four times in the last one-and-a-half years. President Solih is likely to visit India later this year, subject to the COVID-19 related conditions.

Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid expressed satisfaction at the progress that has been achieved in the implementation of bilateral projects and initiatives, especially those under the USD 800 million Line of Credit. Both leaders agreed to continue to work closely together so that bilateral relations continue to be broadened and deepened, the statement noted.

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Queensland has become the first state in Australia to threaten prison time for therapists who try to "cure" homosexuals with exorcisms, hugs and marriage.

New laws were passed by the Queensland Parliament on Thursday to ban health service providers using therapy that "attempts to change or suppress a persons sexual orientation or gender identity".

Health professionals will face up to 18-months behind bars for practicing gay conversion therapy. Credit:iStock

Those found guilty of the practice will now face 12 months behind bars or up to 18 months if the person who received the therapy was a vulnerable person, such as a child.

LGBTI advocates praised the reforms even though they do not apply to pastors and unregistered counsellors within religious organisations.
The officials said that during interrogation Naimuzzaman told the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit that the militants planted two pipe bombs, filled with sand, in the shopping mall on July 31 which were recovered by the CTTC unit.

He said that the bomb blast was thwarted by 'betrayers'.

The bombs were recovered by the CTTC unit.

During interrogation, the arrested militants said that they had formed a JMB cell and planned the attack. However, the information got leaked so the plan was changed.

They confessed that after the plan was changed, it was decided that a terrorist will drop a bomb at a certain place, the official said adding that they communicated with each other using a special online software.

Deputy Commissioner of the CTTC said, "Their group has two to three chiefs, who are called as 'Amir', and are the top leaders. Detailed information is being gathered from them."

The CTTC team claims that militants now longer have the capability to carry out a major attack.

Sheikh Sultan Mohammad Naimuzzaman (26) was arrested along with Sanaul Islam Saadi (26), Rubel Ahmed (28), Abdur Rahim Jewel (30), Sayem Mirza (24) carried out a CTTC raid on a house in Shaplabagh, Sylhet on the night of August 10.

Bomb-making equipments, laptops and mobile phones were recovered from them.

The banned militant outfit terrorists planned attacks in the different parts of the country a day before Eid al-Adha. They had planned to drop bombs on the streets of Purana Paltan on July 24 and planted a bomb in a temple in Sapahar of Naogaon district. on July 31.

They had also planned an attack on Shahjalal's shrine on July 23.

The bombs in Paltan and Sapahar were detonated while they failed due to implement strict police surveillance in Sylhet, Bangladesh police officials claim.

--IANS

sumi/rt
India will give a befitting reply if an enemy country attacks it, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday, sending a clear message to China in the midst of the border row in eastern Ladakh.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with Indian Army and ITBP personnel during his visit to Ladakh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Without naming any country, the defence minister, in a message to armed forces on the eve of the Independence Day, said anyone daring to occupy India's land has to suffer heavy consequences.

He said India believes in winning hearts and not land, but it does not mean the country will let hurt its self-esteem.

"Today the country is confident that no force can occupy even one inch of land while you are deployed. If anyone dares to do it, then he has to suffer heavy consequences and will continue to suffer," Singh said.

He said whatever India does in the realm of national security is always for self-defence and not to attack other countries.

"If enemy country attacks us, then we will give a befitting reply like every time," he said.

"History is a witness to the fact that India never attacked anyone or tried to capture land of another country," Singh added.

He assured the armed forces that government is doing all that is required to maintain their operational requirement.

Singh also paid "special tributes" to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15.

"This country can never forget their bravery and their supreme sacrifice. I want to assure their families that they are not alone, the whole country stands with them," he said.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash with Chinese armies in Galwan Valley. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details.

"Our forces are pioneers in the defending the nation. I assure you that the government is doing all that is necessary to keep your morale high and fulfill your operational requirement," Singh said.

Referring to development of infrastructure in border areas, he also mentioned about the construction of a 80-km-long strategically crucial road in Uttarakhand.

India's ties with Nepal came under strain after Singh inaugurated the road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8.

Nepal protested the inauguration of the road claiming that it passed through its territory.

Singh said the 8.8-km-long Rohtang tunnel is likely to be completed by September.

The tunnel at Rohtang pass in Himachal Pradesh is located at a height of over 10,000 feet.

The defence minister also said that the arrival of five Rafale jets to India marked the beginning of a new era in the country's military history.
BEIRUT The global community should help Lebanon rather than impose its will on the country, Irans foreign minister said while in Beirut on Friday, following the catastrophic blast at the citys port that killed 172 people and pushed the government to resign.

Iran backs Lebanons powerful armed movement Hezbollah, which along with its allies helped form the outgoing government. The United States classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

Mohammed Javad Zarif was speaking after meeting President Michel Aoun, who had earlier met with U.S. and French officials in a flurry of Western diplomacy that has focused on urging Lebanon to fight corruption and enact long-delayed reforms to unlock foreign financial aid to tackle an economic crisis.

There should be international efforts to help Lebanon, not to impose anything on it," Zarif said in televised comments.

He earlier remarked that the Lebanese people and their representatives should decide on the future of Lebanon. It is not humane to exploit the pain and suffering of the people for political goals," he said.

Lebanese had been staging angry protests against a political elite blamed for the countrys many woes even before the Aug 4. blast, which injured 6,000, damaged swathes of the Mediterranean city and left 300,000 homeless. Some 30 people remain missing.

The explosion sharply deepened anger at the authorities.

We cant live like this. The West has to pressure our leaders to save us," said Iyaam Ghanem, a Beirut pharmacist.

U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and French Defence Minister Florence Parly met separately with Aoun on Friday.

Parly in televised remarks later called for the formation of a government capable of taking courageous decisions".

CALLS FOR JUSTICE

Hale said on Thursday the United States FBI would join a probe into the blast at a hangar in the port where highly-explosive material detonated in a mushroom cloud. Hale called for an end to dysfunctional governments and empty promises".

International humanitarian aid has poured in but foreign states have linked any financial assistance to reform of the Lebanese state, which has defaulted on its huge sovereign debts.

Zarif said Tehran and private Iranian companies were ready to help with reconstruction and rehabilitating Lebanons electricity sector, which is a chief target of reform.

Frances navy helicopter carrier Tonnerre docked at the port, where authorities say more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored for years without safety measures.

Aoun told Hale that Beirut needed help to understand the circumstances" under which the nitrate shipment was brought into the port and unloaded, an official statement said.

Aoun has said the probe would look into whether the cause was negligence, an accident or external interference".

Victims and their representatives told reporters that only an independent probe would deliver justice, appealing to the U.N. Security Council for an international investigation and the referral of the blast to an international court.

Is it acceptable that people find their homes shattered, their families killed, their hopes and their dreams killed, with no justice," said Paul Najjar, whose three-year-old daughter Alexandra died in the blast.

State news agency NNA said questioning of some ministers due on Friday had been postponed as the judge appointed for the task said he did not have authority to question government ministers.

The cabinet resignation has fuelled uncertainty. Agreement on a new government will likely be very difficult in a country with deep factional rifts and a sectarian power-sharing system.

Senior Christian cleric Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, who wants Beirut kept out of regional conflicts, said a new Lebanon was being cooked in kitchens" of foreign countries, which he did not name, to serve the interest of politicians.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
DUBLIN, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Incontinence and Ostomy Care Global Market - Forecast to 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

An increase in an aging population, increased utilization of the various incontinence and ostomy care products for the management or treatment of different types of incontinence and ostomy surgeries among patients, a growing inclination towards technologically advanced incontinence and ostomy care products with better therapeutic outcomes and also increasing awareness about the disease and the availability of the wide varieties of products to manage or treat the disease conditions are fuellng growth in the incontinence and ostomy care global market.

The global incontinence and ostomy care global market is expected to reach $24,577.9 million by 2026 growing at a mid single digit from 2019 to 2026, due to an increase in the population prone to aging related medical conditions, a growing prevalence of medical conditions such as women's health related conditions (e.g. childbirth, menopause), inflammatory bowel diseases (crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), oncology (colorectal and prostate cancer) and others diseases.



In addition, increasing awareness & acceptance of the condition of incontinence & ostomy, growing economies and increasing demand for better healthcare facilities in emerging markets is driving the market forward.



The incontinence and ostomy market is segmented by product, utility, application, end-user and geography.



Based on product type, the incontinence and ostomy care global market is segmented into incontinence and ostomy care. The incontinence care segment is the largest and fastest growing product segment and is expected to grow at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026.

Based on disease type, the incontinence care market is classified into urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence. Urinary incontinence accounted for the largest and fastest growing segment and is expected to grow at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026.

Based on product type, the incontinence care market is segment into disposables and implantable device. Among these segments, the disposables segment accounted for the largest revenue in 2019 and it is expected to grow at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026. Implant devices are the fastest growing segment at a high single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026.

In the disposable global market by type, the adult diapers segment holds the highest revenue in 2019 and it is expected to grow at a mid single digit from 2019 to 2026. Incontinence Catheter is the fastest growing segment at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026. Among the overall adult diaper market by type, the underwear & briefs segment holds the highest revenue in 2019 and it is expected to grow at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026. Pads & Guards is the fastest growing segment at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026.

In the implant devices by product type, the Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) segment holds the highest revenue in 2019 and it is expected to grow at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026.

Based on utility, the incontinence and ostomy care global market is segmented into security & leakage control, protection & cleansing, odor control and irrigation products. The Security & Leakage control segment is the largest and fastest growing segment and expected to grow at mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026, due to increasing use of security and leakage control devices for incontinence and stoma management and increasing technological advancement in these devices to increase efficiency.

Based on application, the incontinence and ostomy global market is segmented into women's health related, neurological conditions, oncology, urinogenital diseases, GI Tract diseases and others. The women's health related segment accounted for the largest revenue in 2019 and is expected to grow at mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026. The oncology segment is the fastest growing segment and is projected to grow at mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026 due to increases in the prevalence of prostate, colorectal and bladder cancers.

Based on end-users, the market has been segmented into hospitals, home care, and others that consist of clinics and research institutes. Homecare accounted for the largest revenue in 2019 and it expected to grow at mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026 due to the availability of better and technologically advanced personalized incontinence and stoma management products. Hospitals is the fastest growing segment and is projected to grow at a mid single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026 due to increasing availability of various advanced minimally invasive treatments.

Based on region, the market is segmented into North America (U.S. and Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, France, U.K and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, and Rest of APAC) and Rest of the world (Brazil, Rest of Latin America and Middle East & Africa). Europe accounted for the largest revenue in 2019 and is expected to growing at a low single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026 due to the increasing prevalence of targeted disease in the region, a growing geriatric population, increasing penetration and adoption of advanced products and increasing R&D spending for developing innovative and technologically advanced products.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region and is expected to grow at a high single digit CAGR from 2019 to 2026 due to an increasing geriatric population, increasing demand for better healthcare facilities, increasing penetration of reimbursement schemes in developing countries, growing demand for better healthcare facilities from the population in the region and growing economies of the region, availability of various kinds of incontinence and ostomy management products and increasing medical tourism prospects in the region.

Some of the major players in the incontinence and ostomy care market include Essity AB (Sweden), Coloplast A/S (Denmark), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (U.S.), Unicharm Corporation (Japan), ConvaTec Group plc (U.K.), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), Medtronic plc (Ireland), Ontex (Belgium), Paul Hartmann AG (Germany), Procter & Gamble Company (U.S.), Hollister Incorporated (U.S.), Salts Healthcare (U.K.), First Quality Enterprises, Inc. (U.S.), Abena A/S (Denmark), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Medline Industries, Inc., (U.S.), Domtar Corporation (U.S.) and others.

Key Topics Covered



1 Executive Summary

2 Introduction

3 Market Analysis

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Market Segmentation

3.3 Factors Influencing Market

3.3.1 Drivers and Opportunities

3.3.1.1 Increase in Aging Population

3.3.1.2 Development of Innovative and Personalized Products

3.3.1.3 Increase in Awareness and Acceptance

3.3.1.4 Increase in Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

3.3.2 Restraints and Threats

3.3.2.1 Environment and Disposal Concerns

3.3.2.2 Low Cost Manufactures

3.3.2.3 Alternative Medical Treatment

3.3.2.4 Limited Reimbursement

3.4 Regulatory Affairs

3.4.1.1 ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System

3.4.1.2 ISO 13485 Medical Devices

3.4.1.3 ISO 10993 Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices

3.4.1.4 ISO 14971 Risk Management of Medical Devices

3.4.1.5 IEC 60601-1 Medical Electrical Equipment Standard

3.4.1.6 IEC 60601-1-11 Home Care Safety

3.4.2 U.S.

3.4.3 Europe

3.4.4 Japan

3.4.5 China

3.4.6 India

3.5 Patent Analysis

3.6 Technological Advancements

3.6.1 Smart Diapers

3.6.2 Smart Bags

3.6.3 Wearble Diaper Free Devices (Dfree)

3.6.4 Wearble Pelvic Floor Muscle Stimulation Devices

3.6.5 Advancements in Biomaterials

3.6.6 Increased Absorbence and Antibacterial Solutions

3.6.7 Moldable Technology

3.6.8 Next Generation Ostomy Implants

3.7 Porter's Five Force Analysis

3.8 Supply Chain Analysis

3.9 Reimbursement Scenario

3.10 Pipeline Analysis

3.11 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Market Penetration, Prevalence and Opportunity

3.11.1 Adult Diapers Market Penetration, Prevalence and Opportunity

3.11.2 Ostomy Market Penetration, Prevalence and Opportunity

3.12 Market Share Analysis by Major Players

3.12.1 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Global Market Share Analysis

3.12.2 Incontinence Care Global Market Share Analysis

3.12.3 Ostomy Care Global Market Share Analysis

3.12.4 Adult Diapers Global Market Share Analysis

3.12.4.1 North America Adult Diapers Market Share Analysis

3.12.4.2 Europe Adult Diapers Market Share Analysis

3.12.4.3 Asia-Pacific Adult Diapers Market Share Analysis

3.12.4.4 Rest of the World Adult Diapers Market Share Analysis

3.13 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Company Comparison Table by Product Type, Product Name and Application

4 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Global Market, By Product

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Incontinence Care

4.3 Ostomy Care

5 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Global Market, By Utility

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Security and Leakage Control

5.3 Odor Control

5.4 Protection and Cleansing

5.5 Irrigation Products

6 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Global Market, By Application

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Women Health Related

6.3 GI Tract Diseases

6.4 Oncology

6.5 Neurological Conditions

6.6 Urinogenital Diseases

6.7 Other Diseases

7 Incontinence and Ostomy Care Global Market, By End-User

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Hospitals

7.3 Homecare

7.4 Other End-User

8 Regional Analysis

8.1 Introduction

8.2 North America

8.3 Europe

8.4 APAC

8.5 RoW

9 Competitive Landscape

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Acquisitions and Partnerships

9.3 Product Launches

9.4 Product Approvals

9.5 Others

10 Major Companies Profiled

10.1 Coloplast A/S

10.1.1 Overview

10.1.2 Financials

10.1.3 Product Portfolio

10.1.4 Key Developments

10.1.5 Business Strategy

10.1.6 Swot Analysis

10.2 Convatec Group PLC

10.3 Domtar Corporation

10.4 Essity Aktiebolag

10.5 Hollister Incorporated

10.6 Kimberly-Clark Corporation

10.7 Medtronic PLC

10.8 Ontex

10.9 Paul Hartmann AG

10.10 Unicharm Corporation

Companies Mentioned



3M

11 Health and Technologies Limited

A.M.I. GmbH

Abena AS

Adapta Medical, Inc.

Affluent Medical SA

ALBAAD Massuot Yitzhak LTD

ALCARE Co., LTD

AmeriDerm Laboratories, LTD

Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc.

B. Braun Melsungen Ag

Becton, Dickinson And Company

Betatech Medical

Birchwood Laboratories LLC

Bluewind Medical

Boston Scientific

Bray Group LTD

Caldera Medical Inc.

Care Corporation

Changzhou Medical Appliances General Factory co., LTD

Chiaus ( Fujian ) Industrial Development Co., LTD

) Industrial Development Co., LTD CL Medical

Coloplas A/S

ConvaTec Group Plc

Cousin Biotech

Cymed Ostomy Co

Cardinal Health, Inc.

Cymed Ostomy Co

Daio Paper Corporation

Dipro Medical Devices S.R.L.

Domtar Corporation

Drylock Technologies

Elidah, Inc.

Essity AB

Eurofil Srl

Femeda LTD

First Quality Enterprises, Inc.

Flat-D Innovations Inc.

Flexicare Medical LTD

Flexiprobe LTD.

GT Urological LLC

Helioscopie

Hengan International

Hollister Incorporated

Hunter Urology

InControl Medical, LLC

Implantica Trading Ag

Johnson & Johnson (Ethicon)

Kamal healthcare products private limited

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

LABORIE Medical Technologies

MacGregor Healthcare LTD

Marlen Manufacturing & Development Co.

MedGyn Products Inc.

Mediplus LTD.

Medtronic, Plc

Mega disposables S.A.

Nobel Hygiene Limited

Nu-Hope Labs

OakMed LTD

Ontex

Ostofresh

Ostomy Essentials

Oxmed International

Ostoform LTD.

Ostomycure AS

Paul Hartmann AG

Perfect Choice Medical Technologies

Principle Business Enterprises

Procter & Gamble Company

Resilia Medical Solutions

SAEHAN Co., LTD.

Safe N Simple LLC

Salts Healthcare

Securi-T

Simavita Limited

Sterimed Medical Devices Pvt. LTD

TG Eakin Limited

THT Bio-science group

Tilla Care LTD.

Torbot Group Inc.

TG Eakin Limited

THT Bio-science group

Na'Scent

Trio Healthcare LTD.

Triple W

TZMO SA

Unicharm Corporation

Unique Wellness

Uriclak

Urocare Products Inc

Welland Medical LTD

Wiesner Healthcare Innovation LLC

Zephyr Surgical Implants

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wcv6vi



Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.



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Hillary Clinton voiced her concerns that Donald Trump won't peacefully leave office should he be defeated in the 2020 US election this November.

"I don't want to scare people, but I want you to be prepared. I have every reason to believe that Trump is not going to go, you know, silently into the night if he loses," she said at the 19th Represents Summit. "He's going to try to confuse us, he's going to try to bring all kinds of lawsuits, he'd got his crony Attorney General William Barr ready to do whatever is necessary."

Democrats have voiced concerns that Mr Trump is preparing to contest the election by casting doubt on its legitimacy.

The president has already attempted to derail vote-by-mail by drawing a meaningless distinction between it and absentee voting, and - more directly - by blocking a coronavirus stimulus package that would have expanded voting and funded the US Postal Service.

He has been claiming for months that mail-in voting will lead to rampant voter fraud - an allegation that is unsupported by evidence and rejected by election officials - and said a vote-by-mail election would be the greatest election tragedy "in history."

In addition to attacking mail-in voting's credibility and funding, Mr Trump has suggested he might not leave office if he feels the results of the election are questionable.

During an interview with Fox News' Chris Wallace, Mr Trump was asked if he would accept the results of the election should he lose.

"I have to see. Look, you - I have to see," Mr Trump said. "No, I'm not going to just say yes. I'm not going to say no."

He also suggested changing the date of the election - something he does not have the power to do - until the coronavirus pandemic has subsided or a viable treatment or vaccine is available.

Ms Clinton said she wouldn't be opposed to working in presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's cabinet should he win in November. However, she said she wasn't giving it much thought and was focusing on the election.

"I can't even think yet about the administration. I'm ready to help in any way I can, because I think this will be a moment where every American - I don't care what party you are, I don't care what age, race, gender, I don't care - every American should want to fix our country," she said. "So if you're asked to serve, you should certainly consider that."

Mr Biden has also expressed concerns that Mr Trump will try to interfere with the legitimacy of the election.

In April, he warned that Mr Trump might try to move the election, and more recently, expressed fears that the president would "try to steal this election."

During an interview on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Mr Biden said he was "absolutely convinced" that the US military would remove Mr Trump from the White House if he lost but refused to relinquish his position.
On Thursday, August 13, India and Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Space cooperation. The Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan said that Nigeria is India's largest trading partner in Africa and this agreement is a milestone in India-Nigeria relations. In a tweet MoS MEA, V. Muraleedharan shared the pictures of the event as well.

Glad to join Honble Minister @Dr_OgbonnayaOnu in the signing ceremony of India-Nigeria MoU on Space Cooperation.  is our close friend & largest trading partner in Africa. This MoU is another milestone in | relations. @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @FmstNg @isro pic.twitter.com/nJzmGaseOo  V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) August 13, 2020

India-Nigeria Space Cooperation

On August 13, India and Nigeria signed an agreement on "Cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes at the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Abuja. Minister of Science and Technology of Nigeria, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu attended the event at Abuja while the Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS MEA) V. Muraleedharan and Scientific Secretary of ISRO R. Umamaheswaran we present via video call.

Read | 'ISRO Fast Enlarging Role In Developmental Activities': MoS Jitendra Singh

Dr K. Sivan, the chairman of ISRO had signed the agreement on behalf of India earlier while the Director-General of National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) of Nigeria, Dr Francis Chizea signed the MoU on Thursday.

"The MoU envisages India-Nigeria collaboration in space science, planetary exploration, ground stations, development of micro and mini satellites and joint Space R&D. It provides for capacity building assistance by ISRO, exchange of scientific know-how, exchanges between academic institutes and joint symposiums/conferences. Cooperation in remote sensing, communications and navigation will benefit Nigeria in the fields of forestry, environment, agriculture, mining, watershed development and connectivity," read the press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.

India and Nigeria have been on friendly terms for a very long time now. This space cooperation will allow the two countries to strengthen their bond. The External Affairs Ministry said that India aims to help Nigeria grow potential and aid their socio-economic development.

Read | SpaceX To Launch A Resort At Texas' Launch Facility, Rolls Out Job Openings

Over the years Nigerian nationals have been a part of the short term ITEC courses in remote sensing, GIS and Geoinformatics which are conducted by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun, Geological Survey of India Training Institute, Hyderabad and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Noida which has helped them increase their potential.

"On the occasion, both sides also agreed to sign a subsidiary MOU between New Space India Limited (NSIL), under ISRO, and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), under the Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria, on cooperation in the use of Geospatial Technologies," read the press release.

Read | Virus Precautions As Nigeria Pupils Return To School

Read | Sonam Kapoor Calls SpaceX And NASA's Missions In The Future To Be 'Exciting'
Islamist Insurgents Capture Strategic Port in Northern Mozambique

By Andre Baptista, Sirwan Kajjo August 13, 2020

Islamist insurgents have captured a strategic port in the restive province of Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique, local military officials told VOA.

The takeover of the port of Mocimboa da Praia on Wednesday came after five days of fierce clashes between the insurgents and Mozambican security forces. The insurgents still held the port on Thursday, according to Mozambican officials.

Since 2017, Islamist militants, some of which are affiliated with the Islamic State terror group, have been carrying out attacks against civilians and Mozambican armed forces. The violence has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced over 210,000 others, according to the United Nations.

IS-affiliated media released images showing dead bodies allegedly of Mozambican soldiers, as well as weapons and ammunition seized from the military.

In April 2019, IS claimed the so-called Central African Province, known as IS-CAP. Terror attacks carried out by IS-CAP have so far been limited to Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The recent fighting has reportedly left at least 55 Mozambican military personnel killed and 90 others wounded.

Strategic port

The port of Mocimboa da Praia is a strategic site in Cabo Delgado, particularly for gas companies operating in the resource-rich region.

Several foreign oil and gas firms such as ExxonMobil and Total have investment projects in the area, but they have largely been disrupted due to militant attacks and the coronavirus pandemic.

The insurgents reportedly took control of the port after a Mozambican naval force defending the vicinity ran out of ammunition.

A military source told VOA that a private South African military unit of the Dyck Advisory Group, which provides air support to the Mozambican government in combating insurgents, tried to join the battle. But its involvement was minimal, due to a helicopter refueling stop in Pemba, Cabo Delgado's provincial capital.

"I don't understand why [the towns of] Macomia, Mueda or even Palma were not used" for the helicopter refueling, said the source, who has been embedded with the military in Cabo Delgado's operations.

During the last battle, the insurgents sank one of the HV32 interceptor boats in the port that belonged to the Mozambican military, the source told VOA.

Eric Morier-Genoud, a Mozambique expert at Queen's University Belfast, says while it is not the first time that Mocimboa da Praia has fallen under the control of militants, the "difference is that the government has reinforcement and mercenaries, and they still lost."

"The insurgents said they wanted to stay at once and make it their capital," he told VOA.

Displaced people

Many residents of the affected areas in Cabo Delgado have sought refuge in the nearby province of Nampula.

Salome Said, 70, left Macomia when it was recently attacked by the insurgents.

"Their intention was to kill me," she told VOA. One of them said, 'Leave her. She is an old woman.' That was how I escaped. But my house was set on fire. I lost everything, and ran away from my village to find peace here in Nampula," she said.

Said now lives with her niece. She said the militants killed her 16-year-old grandson and kidnapped other young people, adding that "being alive is a miracle."

There are about 10,000 displaced people, mostly women and children, from Cabo Delgado who now live in Nampula.

Caritas, a charity organization affiliated with the Catholic Church, has provided aid to the displaced families in Nampula.

Orlando Fausto, a bishop who works with Caritas, said his organization has supplied food and other essential needs.

Despite the difficult situation due to the pandemic, "There are more people who are volunteering to make some contribution," Fausto told VOA.

Adina Suhele contributed to this report from Nampula, Mozambique.

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 13, 2020 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces the filing of a class-action lawsuit against Endo International plc ("Endo" or "the Company") (NASDAQ:ENDP) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors who purchased the Company's securities between August 8, 2017 and June 10, 2020, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before August 18, 2020.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com.

The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Endo and its subsidiaries played a far larger role in the opioid crisis than it represented to the market. The Company published false information directed towards healthcare providers about the risks and benefits of its opioid drugs. The facts opened the Company to significant regulatory scrutiny, particularly by the state of New York. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Endo, investors suffered damages.

Join the case to recover your losses.

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

Story continues

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

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The unrest that followed the school meeting, in fall 2018, led to the eventual departure of Gerald Boarman, who had been at the helm for a decade and was credited for boosting enrollment and building up the Maryland schools lush 102-acre campus. He stepped down in late June, his work celebrated in a tribute video in which he was hailed as one of the countrys best headmasters.
Biden may not be willing to adopt a more liberal stance before November, if only because his lead in the polls gives him no reason to change. But although the onetime drug war supporter is not there yet, he has already gone all but the last mile. If he gets to the White House, he will have Harris to escort him the rest of the way.
Oman welcomed the historic normalization of ties between the United Arab Emirates and Israel amid growing signs the Gulf state could be eyeing a similar pact.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement carried by the state-run Oman News Agency said the new accord will fulfill the aspirations of the peoples in the region in sustaining pillars of security and stability."

Israel and the UAE announced their agreement in a joint statement with the White House on Thursday. As part of the deal, Israel has agreed to temporarily suspend plans to annex large portions of the West Bank in exchange for cooperation with the Emiratis on investment, tourism, direct flights and other areas. The two countries will also set up reciprocal embassies.

The UAE is now the third country, after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994, to normalize relations with Israel. Oman has had no formal ties with the Jewish state but enjoyed a brief period of rapprochement in the mid-90s.

Two Israeli prime ministers, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres, each took trips to the country, and after Rabins assassination, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah attended the funeral in Jerusalem. Relations cooled considerably with the outbreak of the second intifada in 2000, prompting Oman to close the trade office that Israel opened in Muscat four years earlier.

Today, Oman remains a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, and in a first for a Gulf Arab state, announced plans to open an embassy in the West Bank city of Ramallah last year. But the new US-brokered agreement, seen among Palestinians as a betrayal by the UAE, earned Omani praise amid growing talk that the Gulf state will be among the next to normalize ties with Israel.

During his announcement Thursday, Trump said the ice has been broken, allowing other countries in the region to follow the UAEs lead in normalizing relations with Israel. Israeli officials have told the Israeli press that they are in talks with Oman as well as Bahrain about similar agreements.

"Things are happening that I can't talk about, but theyre extremely positive," Trump said Thursday.

Signs the countries are growing closer include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus October 2018 surprise trip to Muscat to meet with the late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in what Israel framed as "deepening relations with the states of the region. Not since 1996 had an Israeli premier visited the sultanate.

Shortly after Netanyahus landmark visit, Israels flagship carrier, El Al, was granted permission to fly into Omani airspace. Asked about the potential for formal ties with Israel, bin Alawi told Al-Monitor in September 2019 that everything is on the table.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Friday softened his stance over his remarks on late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajputs death case. Raut had previously said that the actor was not on good terms with his father. The actors family members had raised an objection to Rauts remarks and even asked for an apology.

On Friday, Raut said that he has full sympathy for Rajputs family. Yesterday I just said that they shouldve some patience but it was shown that Ive threatened them. Was that a threat? Trust Mumbai Police. If you think theyre not doing a good job, then go to CBI. he said.

The Shiv Sena MP said that Rajput was our son and Bollywood is Mumbais family.

What enmity will we have? Even we want his family to get justice. We want the secret behind his death to come out, he added.

On Wednesday, Rajputs cousin and BJP MLA Neeraj Kumar Bablu sent a legal notice to Raut over his controversial remarks on the late actors family, his lawyer said.

He had asked Raut to apologize publicly in 48 hours or Raut has told the media that Rajputs father had married twice, which was the reason the slain actor was unhappy with his father. This is completely untrue and baseless, MLAs counsel Birendra Kumar Jha said. Raut, in his response, said that his remarks were based on the information he has.

If there has been any kind of miss on our part, we will think about it. But I will have to look into it. What I have said so far is based on the information I have, Sushants family is speaking on the basis of information they have, Raut had said.

The thirty-four-year-old actor died by suicide on June 14 and was found dead at his Bandra residence by Mumbai Police.
Canada's Competition Bureau announced Friday it is launching an investigation into whether Amazon's conduct on its marketplace has hurt consumers and companies that do business in the country.

The antitrust watchdog said its investigation is ongoing and "there is no conclusion of wrongdoing at this time." The bureau encouraged sellers and businesses to share information with investigators who are zeroing in on whether Amazon Canada is abusing its dominance in the market.

An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in a statement: "We are cooperating with the Competition Bureau's review and continue to work hard to support small and medium sized businesses who sell in our Canadian store  and help them grow."

The bureau said it would examine any Amazon policies that may impact third-party sellers' willingness to sell their products on competing online marketplaces or their own websites, as well as whether merchants can operate a successful business on the marketplace without using Amazon's fulfillment or advertising services.It will also look at any ways in which Amazon may influence consumer shopping habits over third-party sellers who sell competing products.

Many of the issues being looked at by the bureau are also top of mind for regulators in the U.S. and in Europe. Amazon reportedly faces an antitrust probe by attorneys general in New York and California, as well as an FTC investigation into its business practices in retail and cloud computing.

The Department of Justice and the House Judiciary Committee have both opened broad antitrust reviews of Big Tech, with the House Judiciary Committee expected to produce a report on its yearlong investigation into Amazon and other tech giants in the coming months.

The European Union's antitrust watchdog is also reportedly planning to file charges against Amazon over its treatment of third-party sellers.
After the family members of 22-year-old Sahil Singla of Jain Colony, who was found dead in Gurpal Nagar of Sherpur, staged a protest at Sherpur Chowk on the Ludhiana-Delhi National Highway on Friday afternoon, the police lodged a case of culpable homicide against four accused and arrested three of them.

The victims family had accused Sahils four friendsMani, Johny, Rita and Malwinderof administering to him an overdose of intravenous drugs. They had demanded registration of a murder case against the four.

Sahil had gone missing on the night of August 12 and was found unconscious in a vacant plot in Gurpal Nagar the next day. He was rushed to the hospital where he died on August 13.

Rajesh Kumar, father of the deceased, said that Sahil had left the house without saying anything. After he died, the police suspected death due to drug overdose. Kumar added that while scanning CCTV footage, Sahil was seen with his four friends.

He alleged that the police did not lodge any case against the suspects following which they were forced to stage a protest. The protest continued for 30 minutes after which the police pacified the protestors and booked the four.

Inspector Amandeep Singh Brar said that Sahil and the accused had injected drugs. When Sahil had lost consciousness, the accused assumed he was dead, dragged him to the bushes and fled.

He added that the police have registered a case against all four accused under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Malwinder, Mani and Johny had been arrested, while Rita was on the run, the cop added.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Michiganders will likely be wearing masks until Easter, the chief medical officer of Metro Health says.

The comment came Friday, Aug. 14, during a virtual press conference about the Kent County: Back to Work Safely program, a public health surveillance tool being used in Kent County to screen employees for COVID-19.

Dr. Ron Grifka is the chief medical officer for Metro Health, an affiliate of University of Michigan Health based near Grand Rapids. Grifka was one of many health experts and Kent County officials who met virtually Friday morning to discuss the infection rate in Kent County and beyond.

Related: Kent Countys public health surveillance tool is working to slow spread of coronavirus, officials say

As much as I hate to say it, were probably going to be wearing masks until maybe Easter, Grifka said. By that time, well see the end of the respiratory season from winter to spring of next year.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday she will distribute 4 million free face masks to Michigan residents.

The MI Mask Aid partnership will provide masks to low-income residents, seniors, schools and homeless shelters. Donations include 2.5 million masks from FEMA and 1.5 million from Ford.

At a press conference Friday, Whitmer said Michigans case numbers were plateauing, but she would like to see them decline. She urged Michiganders to use masks and stay vigilant.

This virus will not go away just because were tired of dealing with it. The only way we can put a stop to this pandemic, an end to this pandemic, is to take it seriously, Whitmer said.

The community has been doing a great job with hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks, Grifka said.

Its not been easy, its not been fun, Grifka said. It really has helped flatten the curve.

Grifka said he hopes to not see a second wave of the virus hit Michigan but instead believes the state will see two or three ripples.

We saw a slight increase after Memorial Day, the slight increase after Fourth of July, Grifka said. Probably well see a slight increase after Labor Day, but again as people have mentioned, that ripple hasnt been that big and again the community has done a great job.

Grifka said by spring next year, doctors are hopeful they will have a vaccine. Analysts believe that about 50% to 60% of people will participate in the vaccine, and educating the population will be important moving forward, he said.

Grifka said another point of good news was that increased social distancing and mask wearing to prevent COVID-19 will also keep rates of influenza low, which will further help healthcare systems.

The healthcare experts on the virtual call discussed the lower rate of infection in Kent County compared to other parts of Michigan and tools like the screening program that help employees get back to work.

Participating employers use the employee screening test to check for symptoms or recent exposure to COVID-19 every day before people start working.

The confidential data is sent to Kent County Health Department so staff can address COVID-19 hot spots that show up in various zip codes or economic sectors.

The program was modeled after the employee screening that Meijer is doing at 250 locations.

As of Thursday, Aug. 13, there are a total of 6,987 positive cases of coronavirus in Kent County, Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said. The county is reporting a 2.2% mortality rate, which London said was remarkable compared to the statewide rate of 7%.

London said the employee screening test is helping that rate stay low as well as those in the business sector are embracing this message, embracing these tools and doing everything you can to make your workplaces as safe as possible.'

He said Kent County is testing as much as larger counties in the eastern part of Michigan, though Kent has fewer positive cases. Positive cases are trending upward in the eastern part of Michigan, which London described as a red flag.

Michigan reported 1,121 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, which is the highest number since May 14. Increased testing attributed to the higher number of cases. Since the start of the pandemic, Michigan has tallied 90,392 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The community must keep working together to fight the pandemic, London said.

We cant declare victory, London said.

Also on MLive:

Friday, Aug. 14, coronavirus data by Michigan county: 12 counties now in the green zone

4 million free masks to be distributed to Michiganders

Coronavirus school reopenings to take center stage in weekend legislative session: Heres what lawmakers might do
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Linkedin Sausan Atika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 15 2020

In the 19th century, then East Indies lieutenant-governor Thomas Stamford Raffles wrote in the History of Java that Javanese people commonly boiled water and drank it while it was still warm.

That practice remains relevant two centuries later, as more than half of all Indonesian families consume water from sources that provide water deemed unsafe to drink. The rest, or four of 10 families, buy bottled water.

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Treasury yields held steady on Friday as investors parsed through new economic data.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was flat at around 0.706% in early trading, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also little changed at 1.428%. Bond yields fall as their prices rise.

Data on Friday showed retail sales rose 1.2% for the month of July, missing the expected increase of 2.3% from economists surveyed by Dow Jones. However, excluding autos, the gain was 1.9%, which was above the 1.2% estimate.

Electronics and appliance sales saw monthly sales jump 22.9% while clothing increased 5.7% and bars and restaurants, an industry especially battered by the coronavirus, were up 5%.

"Overall, evidence that consumption remains in reasonable shape given the lockdown realities of the pandemic," Ian Lynegn, BMO's head of U.S. rates, said in a note.
Each time she blew out the candles on her birthday cake, Erin Dunham wished for the same thing.

Happiness.

Yet cake after cake, mental-health issues kept getting between her and her wish coming true.

I know thats kind of dark, she says with a laugh.

And right there, with those few words and that candour, Dunham makes it perfectly alright to talk about such things.

Dunham is a kick-ass woman. Shes also a kick-ass restaurateur, business leader, feminist, inspirational speaker, philanthropist, author and mentor.

She is smart, funny, frank, socially conscious and successful.

Hamilton has known that stuff about her for years. She is one of the most feted and beloved entrepreneurs in this city. As CEO of The Other Bird restaurant group, which she co-founded with chef Matt Kershaw, she has given us The Mule, Two Black Sheep, Rapscallion and more.

But the other day, doing back-to-back interviews with a herd of journalists, 38-year-old Dunham shared more of herself. A piece only her inner circle knew.

From childhood, she has had a severe anxiety disorder. At 21, she was diagnosed with bipolar-1 disorder. At times her mind has been a frenzy between manic and depressive episodes, the latter of which has sometimes left her almost agoraphobic.

Kershaw has been in the know for a decade. And Dunham says her fabulous executive assistant has mastered the art of making excuses and cancelling appointments.

Sometimes I have the flu. A lot, quips Dunham.

I have had months buried in depression, she says. Where I cant leave my bed.

A few years ago, during a particularly bad period in her life, Dunham sought help from the mood disorders clinic at St. Josephs Healthcare.

Though she recognized she needed help, she still had a hard time being open about it, even during her intake interview.

Im very good at hiding my mental-health issues. I wanted to be this strong person.

She is grateful to the clinic for giving her the stability she had been struggling for.

My anxiety is virtually gone. Im now a healthy human.

Dunham works at passing on that gift of mental health. She cares deeply about the mental well-being of her employees. She brings in the Canadian Mental Health Association to train her managers. She encourages staff to reach out for help. She understands having a cold or flu isnt the only illness that can keep someone home from work.

Outside of The Other Bird, Dunham has become an advocate, organizing charity events to raise funds for mental health.

So it made sense when St. Joes approached her to ask if she would be this years Community Champion for the Shoppers Drug Mart Love You Run for Women, a fundraiser in support of womens mental health programs at St. Joes. It takes place virtually Sept. 27. To register or donate, go to stjoesfoundation.ca/runforwomen/.

Ironically, those who approached her from St. Joes didnt know Dunham had received treatment at their hospital.

For Dunham, it seemed like the stars were aligning. She could give back. It was time to tell her story.

This is the first time Ive come out about it. I want to give people comfort. Hope.

And what does she wish for now when she blows out her candles?

To stay happy.
Hillary Clinton on Thursday said if she's called to serve in the potential Biden administration that she's 'ready to help' fix the United States.

The former 2016 Democratic presidential candidate was speaking during The 19th Represents Summit when she made the remarks.

'Im ready to help in any way I can because I think this will be a moment where every American - I dont care what party you are, I dont care what age, race, gender, I dont care - every American should want to fix our country,' Clinton said.

'So if youre asked to serve, you should certainly consider that,' she added.

Hillary Clinton on Thursday said if she's called to serve in the potential Biden administration that she's 'ready to help' fix the United States

Clinton served alongside Joe Biden during Barack Obama's administration as Secretary of State.

Her tenure was highly criticized by Republicans who questioned her handling of the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack and the controversy over her private email server.

After Biden announced that he had selected California Sen Kamala Harris as his running mate for the November election, Clinton praised his decision in a tweet.

'I'm thrilled to welcome @KamalaHarris to a historic Democratic ticket,' Clinton tweeted Tuesday.

'She's already proven herself to be an incredible public servant and leader. And I know shell be a strong partner to @JoeBiden. Please join me in having her back and getting her elected,' Clinton added.

Harris was also a topic of discussion during Thursday's summit.

Clinton served alongside Joe Biden (pictured together in December 2016) during Barack Obama's administration as Secretary of State

After Biden announced that he had selected California Sen Kamala Harris (pictured on Wednesday) as his running mate for the November election, Clinton praised his decision in a tweet, saying: 'I'm thrilled to welcome @KamalaHarris to a historic Democratic ticket'

Clinton said she hopes Harris along with women running for political office in the future will receive 'less sexist' media coverage than she did in 2016.

'I still hope, especially with Kamala on the ticket, that the coverage of women running for president or vice president will be less sexist, less sensationalist and less trivializing,' Clinton said.

Clinton, a Democrat, lost in the electoral college to President Donald Trump in 2016 despite receiving more votes than him nationwide.

She said she had talked with Harris and Biden about their campaign.

'They are inheriting a mess of historic proportions,' Clinton said, adding that she did not think the coronavirus pandemic would be over by January when Biden and Harris would take office if they defeat Trump and Vice President Michael Pence.

'I think Joe and Kamala together will be absolutely ready for lots of long, long days and very short nights working to get as much done as quickly as possible,' Clinton said.

Clinton added that she expected Trump to cast doubt on the result of the election if he loses.

'I have every reason to believe Trump is not going to go quietly into the night if he loses,' Clinton said.
"It was all about sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, not at all about their musicianship or songwriting skills or anything. It was all about the salacious stuff that happened  of which there was plenty." Ellwood's film tells a much more rounded story but doesn't skimp on gruesome details either. There's pixie-voiced Wiedlin talking about her brief affair with Schock, for instance, after which the camera cuts to the drummer, looking slightly, well, shocked. "We were girlfriends for a while," she says. "She was the boss in the relationship  Jane broke off with me." She looks sullen, then suddenly breaks into laughter. "It wasn't like either one of us was heartbroken or anything. You think something like that's gonna f--- with the band? No way." More serious was the escalating drug use  Valentine learnt to play the band's songs on a three-day cocaine bender, Caffey admits she was a "full-blown heroin addict", and Carlisle used cocaine heavily for years, though says she has been sober since 2005. Jane Wiedlin and Belinda Carlisle in the band's early days in LA's punk scene. Credit:Melanie Nissen

The film confirms that the Go-Go's were a real band, formed in the crucible of punk, indulging in all the vices and being brutally ruthless when necessary. Schock was recruited while original drummer Elissa Bello was still with the band, and Valentine was drafted in while founding bassist Margot Olavarria was sick. Just like many real bands, they split up over artistic differences and money. "People automatically assume that we were probably put together by some guy, but we did it all ourselves," says Carlisle in the film. "We saw no reason why we couldn't be just as good as the boys or men. We weren't going to be anything but a great band." Not immediately, though. When they started out, they could barely play. "It was DIY and if you were terrible, it was cooler," says Carlisle. "It was pretty screechy," adds Ginger Canzoneri, the woman who would become their manager, at one point selling everything she owned to get the band to England. "I just thought, 'Oh God, that's so great, women pulling together to achieve something'."

Canzoneri would later be dumped as the band opted for someone "more professional", a move that didn't work out. "We should have just stayed with Ginger," says Wiedlin in the film; Canzoneri, meanwhile, chokes up when she recalls being dropped nearly 40 years earlier. Being young, female and photogenic was both an asset and a liability. It helped get their clip for Our Lips Are Sealed  made for $6000 left over from the budget for a clip for The Police  on high rotation on MTV. But it also confined them to the ranks of bubblegum pop in the eyes of many in the industry. "I think women are just generally overlooked," says Ellwood. "Their musicianship and their skill as songwriters I don't think has ever been fully appreciated." Even so, she insists making a case for their inclusion in the Hall of Fame was never her intention. "In fact, while I was editing last October, I was fully prepared to take out the comments about them not being in the Hall of Fame because I thought of course they're going to be inducted. "But when they weren't, we kept it in."

Valentine agrees. "It came up, but I'm not sure it needed to come up. Absolutely we made history, but a lot of women have. Suzi Quatro should be in the Hall of Fame  I wouldn't be a musician if it wasn't for her. "Fanny [one of the earliest all-female groups to chart with their own material] should be in the Hall of Fame. It's a museum, its job is to educate and inform about history, and I do think the lens through which they look at women should be a bit different than sales and stuff, because it's our history, it's women's history in music." But for Valentine, the heart of the Go-Go's story lies elsewhere, in the enduring power of the relationships formed in the crucible of a rock 'n' roll band, bonds that not even being sacked from the band (as she was) or suing them (as she did) can diminish. "It's very much like a family or a marriage," says Valentine, who is now back in the band and would be playing their rather terrific new single Club Zero on tour right now had COVID-19 not got in the way. "People take betrayals and they harbour hurts. It's just part of relationships."
A coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by a unit of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) appeared to be safe and triggered antibody-based immune responses in early and mid-stage trials, researchers said. The candidate has already moved into a late-stage trial, one of a handful of candidates being tested on several thousand people to see if they are effective enough to win regulatory approval.

Sinopharm is testing the potential vaccine in the United Arab Emirates in a Phase 3 trial expected to recruit 15,000 people, as China has too few new cases to be a useful trial site. The state-owned company will also supply the candidate to Pakistan as part of a trial agreement, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The shot did not cause any serious side effects, according to a paper published on Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by scientists who are part of Sinopharm and other China-based disease control authorities and research institutes. The results were based on data from 320 healthy adults in Phase 1 and 2 trials.

The candidate triggered robust antibody responses in inoculated people, but it remained unknown if that was sufficient to prevent COVID-19 infection, researchers developing the vaccine said in the paper.

Also Read:

Sinopharm's chairman told state media last month that a potential vaccine could be ready by the end of this year with Phase 3 testing expected to be completed in about three months.

The novel coronavirus, which has killed more than 750,000 people globally, has prompted a race to develop a vaccine. More than 150 candidate vaccines are being developed and tested around the world.

Russia became the first country to grant regulatory approval to a vaccine after less than two months of human testing, and a shot developed by Chinese firm CanSino Bilogics has been cleared for use in the military. China is leading the development of at least eight vaccine candidates in different stages of clinical trials.
Description

GIS  14 August 2020: Around 67 entrepreneurs who have applied for assistance under the schemes offered by SME Mauritius Ltd are benefitting from support measures for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for a total amount of Rs 3.9 million. To this effect, letters of offer as well as cheques were awarded to the beneficiaries, yesterday, at the SME Mauritius Ltds Branch in Coromandel.

The Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, was present at the event. The assistance schemes are aimed at building capacity, increase the resilience and efficiency of SMEs.

The support extended to the SMEs and comprising several measures pertained to five specific schemes namely: Internal Capability Development Scheme; Technology and Innovation Scheme; SME Marketing Support Scheme; Inclusiveness and Integration Scheme; and SME Utility Connection Assistance Scheme.

In his address, Minister Bholah spoke of the impact of the Covid-19 on SMEs and expressed concerns as to the vulnerability of SMEs in the wake of the pandemic. SMEs, he emphasised deserve particular consideration given that the global economy remains uncertain with no great visibility for these businesses.

However, he further highlighted, there are signs for recovery which will soon emerge. He consequently reiterated Governments continuous support to entrepreneurs in developing their businesses. Moreover, he appealed to entrepreneurs to make the most of the various assistance schemes being put at their disposal.

The Minister also encouraged Mauritians to buy local products and called on entrepreneurs to reinvent themselves by demonstrating their talent, creativity, and ability to adapt with emphasis on innovation and the adoption of new technologies.
Barr: Defund the Police Movement Will Destroy Inner Cities

Attorney General William Barr said that the defund the police movement that was sparked in the midst of Black Lives Matter protests will devastate inner-city communities.

These communities are not going to have the safety, Barr told Fox News on Thursday evening. Now, a lot of the liberals will buy themselves out of that. Theyll go to resort towns and so forth, and theyll escape the consequences of it. But the people in the inner cities wont. Their lives will be destroyed.

Barr said that those communities wont have the opportunity they otherwise would have. Their schools will be overrun by gangs. Thats not caring about black lives, he added.

The attorney general has been a critic of cities across the United States, such as Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York City, that have advocated for cutting funding for or even disbanding their police departments. The movement was part of the protests, civil unrest, and riots triggered by the death of George Floyd death in Minneapolis Police custody.

Ive said repeatedly that, to my mind, there is no more noble profession in our country than serving as a law enforcement officer, Barr said last month at a public event. The police put their lives and well-being on the line every day for us, and their jobs have never been more difficult than it is today.

Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best addresses the press as city crews dismantle the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) area outside of the Seattle Police Departments vacated East Precinct in Seattle, Washington, on July 1, 2020. Police reported making at least 31 arrests while clearing the CHOP area this morning. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best recently resigned after the city moved to slash funding to the police department.

Barr said Best is an example of the highly competent and professional and dedicated police professionals we have in this country, adding that the United States is blessed with that throughout the country.

In a press conference this week, Best said that she resigned after $4 million was cut from the departments budget after a City Council vote.

I really think that we needed to have a plan moving forward. It was highly disappointing not to see that, Best said. It really is about the overarching lack of respect for the officers, she added later.

Seattle was the site of the so-called Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), also known as the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP), which was started in early June before it was disbanded at the end of the month. It came after the police departments nearby precinct building was abandoned before it was reclaimed when the autonomous zone was dismantled. The occupation was tolerated by city officials until two people were shot and killed in the area.
Boyko Borissov seeks an overhaul of the constitution in an apparent effort to defuse weeks of anti-government protests.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has called for an overhaul of the constitution in an apparent effort to defuse weeks of anti-government protests by mostly younger Bulgarians weary of endemic corruption in the European Union member state.

Three-times premier Borissov on Friday promised to resign if lawmakers approved his call for the election of a grand national assembly tasked with drafting amendments aimed, among other things, at improving the efficiency of the much-criticised judiciary.

Thousands of Bulgarians have been rallying in central Sofia since early July to demand the resignation of Borissov and Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev. Hundreds have set up tents on three important intersections in the capital.

It is time not only to change the political system but to restart the country, Borissov, 61, leader of the centre-right GERB party, said in a televised national address.

The unity, statesmanship and stability of the country are not just words for me, he said, adding that he understood the protesters frustration but said it was being exploited by various political factions and local oligarchs.

The protesters swiftly dismissed his plan as an empty gesture and promised to continue their campaign.

The statement of Boyko Borissov, who has still not resigned, is yet another attempt to win time and shows fear, three informal leaders of the protests, who call themselves The Poisonous Trio, said in a statement.

Eroding state institutions

The protesters accuse Borissov of eroding state institutions to serve the interests of private business interests and say Geshev has failed to bring any corrupt high-level officials to account.

Transparency International ranks Bulgaria as the most corrupt country in the 27-nation EU.

Two-thirds of Bulgarias 240 deputies need to vote to approve calling an election for a grand national assembly.

It is not clear whether Borissov will be able to muster the support of two-thirds of Bulgarias 240 members, or deputies, needed to call an election of a grand national assembly.

Borissovs constitutional amendments would cut the mandate of the chief prosecutor to five years from seven and overhaul Bulgarias top judicial body to boost its independence and the accountability of prosecutors and judges. It would also halve the number of parliamentary deputies to 120.

Political analysts said Borissovs plan could strengthen his position.

If parliament approves it, it is good for him  he can quit with dignity. If it does not, he gets credit at least for trying. He also gains time and stays in office while taking over the main goals of the protests, said analyst Parvan Simeonov.

Borissov has previously said his coalition government should serve its full four-year term till next March to avoid plunging Bulgaria into political chaos during the coronavirus pandemic.
The first managing editor I ever worked for started his career at the Chicago Tribune. His name was Cliff Peters and he ran the newsroom at the now-dead Orillia Packet & Times.

I got on the Trib, he said, and I wrote obituaries for six months. Then they let me cover a flower show. And then I interviewed Al Capone.

One night in 1930, Capone wanted to see a reporter and the paper sent my future boss. I went over to his house on the South Side, Peters said, where he announced he was giving money to charity.

What really impressed me, though, was his car on the street outside  a Cadillac. It was a V-16 and it was black. It was one of the greatest cars I ever saw.

That car was expensive, it was exclusive, and it was made-to-order for the man they called Public Enemy No. 1.

But that was then. This is now, and Cadillac has done it again, it seems.

While Cliff Peters was dazzled by that 1930 V-16, I got my first glimpse of the brand spanking new Cadillac Lyriq EV crossover, which was introduced to the world recently via streaming video from the companys headquarters in Detroit.

Lyriq is GMs first all-electric luxury automobile based on the companys next-generation modular electric vehicle platform and driven by its Ultium propulsion system (batteries that support 800-volt technology that will store about 100 kilowatt-hours of energy).

In a word, the car is gorgeous. Theres only one problem: exactly when the Lyriq will be in showrooms  or even built, actually  is a little up in the air. As of today, it wont even go into production for nearly two years, which would be sometime in 2022. As GM North America president Steve Carlisle (who used to run Cadillac and is a former president of GM Canada) told a company meeting: Were looking at a late 2022 introduction as a 2023 model.

As you can imagine, Canadian pricing is not yet known.

Now, another reason I said the car is gorgeous is because its a show car  a concept  rather than the actual production model (a flow-through roof spoiler, a black crystal grille and LED lighting front and rear are pretty spectacular features, for example, that may be there, or not, when the car actually goes on sale). What the virtual reveal showed, executives said, was a vehicle thats about 80 per cent of what it will end up being.

In the video, Carlisle said Cadillac will be led by the Lyriq as the company redefines luxury over the next decade with a new portfolio of transformative EVs. Its the first of what GM is promising will be 20 EVs for sale around the world by 2023.

We will deliver experiences, said Carlisle, that engage the senses, anticipate desires and enable our customers to go on extraordinary journeys.

Very well and good. Sounds terrific, in fact. But what about bread n butter issues like performance and range, which is the biggest challenge for EV manufacturers? Just about all anybody really wants to know about an electric vehicle is how far it will go.

Cadillac says its internal testing shows the Lyriq will go nearly 500 kilometres (485 km, to be exact) on a full charge. Other technology and performance highlights include:

Charging options for home, the workplace (if we ever get back to workplaces) and the road, including DC fast-charging at more than 150-kilowatts and Level 1 and 2 charging rates up to 19 kW.

The battery pack is attached to the underbody to help stiffen the vehicle and allow for a very low centre of gravity. The weight distribution will be about 50-50 (the drive motor will be at the rear). Two drivetrains will be available: rear-wheel drive will be on all models but you can pay extra to have performance all-wheel drive (a second drive unit will be placed at the front).

The latest version of Super Cruise will be on the car, the first truly hands-free driver assistance feature, recently enhanced to include automated lane change and remote self-parking (wow, I can hardly wait to try that one). And Lyriq will recognize the driver as he/she approaches and automatically adjust seat, mirror and climate control systems.

A 33-inch diagonal advanced LED screen will span the entire viewing area of the driver and contain every bit of driving information imaginable as well as infotainment info and controls. A 19-speaker AKG studio system can be had as an option. And the EV will introduce a new road-noise cancellation technology, which will keep the cabin ultra-quiet so you can listen to Saturday Afternoon at the Met and not be disturbed.

Lyriq was conceived to make every journey exhilarating and to drive the brand into a new era while rewarding passengers with a more personal, connected and immersive experience, said Jamie Brewer, chief engineer on the Lyriq project.

It is not only an exceptional EV, but first and foremost a Cadillac.

I bet Cliff Peters and Al Capone, if they were still around, would agree.
Portland officials modified a three-week-old policy that banned communication between Portland police and federal authorities to allow communications with state police and city-based federal staff.

Mayor Ted Wheeler said Wednesday that he and other city officials intended the initial resolution adopted July 22 to ban cooperation only with federal officers sent in July by President Donald Trump. But the city policy was created too quickly and was vague on key points, he said.

It essentially banned city police from communicating with state police troopers whod been temporarily federally deputized to guard federal facilities, including the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse, because it classified them as federal agents, Wheeler said. It also prohibited Portland police from talking to federal staff and security who are based in the city year-round.

City Attorney Tracy Reeve also said Wednesday the policy didnt clarify whether Portland officers found in violation would be subject to the citys existing disciplinary process; it just said that they would be disciplined.

The policy revision spurred sharp exchanges between Wheeler and Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty about how well city officials and the public can trust police officials under the mayors oversight. Wheeler serves as the citys police commissioner.

The new policy, approved by the City Council on 3-1 vote, allows Portland police to communicate and coordinate with state U.S. Marshals Service employees and locally assigned agents with the Federal Protective Service after Oregon State Police troopers leave. Thursday was slated to be the state polices last day stationed in Portland.

State troopers on July 30 took over guarding the courthouse, which became one of several flashpoints in Portland for protesters, after the Trump administration sent federal agents to the city in June to stop people from damaging the building with graffiti, fireworks and other objects.

Brown and federal authorities, including Vice President Mike Pence, worked out the agreement for federal authorities to begin a phased withdrawal as state police took command for two weeks.

Wheeler, who serves as Portlands police commissioner, told his colleagues twice on Wednesday during a public council meeting that federal authorities sent by the president were gone from the city.

But court documents filed Tuesday related to a June lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon against the city over police attacks on journalists and legal observers indicate federal officers not normally stationed in Portland may still be in the city

Allen Scott Jones, deputy director for operations for the Federal Protective Service, said in a declaration that federal officers have been instructed to respond to protests in coordination with state police only if criminal activity is occurring outside the courthouse.

Local law enforcement officers have declared that crimes are taking place there on occasion in August. But no Homeland Security or Border Patrol officers have been seen outside the courthouse since the withdrawal began.

Jones declaration indicated Homeland Security officers are still assigned to protect the courthouse and other federal property in Portland. Federal law enforcement personnel have assumed a reactionary law enforcement presence and once the decision is made by (Department of Homeland Security) leadership that the security of the Hatfield Courthouse and the other federal facilities in Portland are not at risk, FPS will commence the release of DHS component law enforcement personnel assigned to assist FPS in protecting these facilities, he wrote.

The city has allowed Portland staff to communicate with state troopers and have had state police act as an intermediary between city and federal officers, Wheeler said. He said the policy needed to be revised because state troopers were to return to their regular duties outside of the city and the federal courthouse on Thursday.

Federal forces are gone, Wheeler said. And if we want them to stay gone, we must be able to appropriately coordinate with the year-round officials working in that building.

The mayor said Reeve recommended that the council revise the policy and that he and Governor Kate Brown approved of the changes.

Hardesty, the lone commissioner who voted against the revised rule, said she was concerned about Portland police being allowed to communicate with local federal authorities after state police leave, saying it was clear local officers were coordinating with federal officers in July despite the mayor telling the public they werent working together.

Hardesty said she also talked to Brown and said the governor agreed to a proposal that two Oregon State Troopers could remain in the city to keep acting as liaisons between Portland police and city-based federal authorities, rather than have Portland police work directly with federal officials. Money from the Portland police budget would be used to pay the troopers to stay.

I have no confidence that giving Portland Police Bureau the authority to communicate with federal agents wont exacerbate the tensions that already exist in our community, Hardesty said.

I do not support Portland police, as it currently exists, being engaged in any relationship with our federal government at all.

Wheeler said he wasnt aware of the governor being on board with any alternative plan and didnt understand the point of paying extra for two officers who are simply playing telephone. Hardesty responded that shes lost faith that the police bureau can keep a strong line between whats acceptable and what isnt and that she trusts the state police more.

Wheeler said the council has to trust the police bureaus top officials, and he said local law enforcement officials must be able to carry out basic communication with federal officials after state authorities leave.

Hardesty said she felt she couldnt trust Wheeler when he said all Trump-ordered federal officers were out of the city and said trust in the mayors word has eroded among many members of the public as well.

If we could, we would not still have people in the street every single night, Hardesty said to Wheeler. You would not have your police officers declaring a riot every single night.

This week, Portland police declared demonstrations to be riots on Sunday and Wednesday but not the intervening days.

Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, who crafted and introduced the original resolution, said while she was open to discussing expanding the policy, she felt the modifications kept the intent of the idea intact and that she was comfortable voting in favor of it.

This resolution is very narrowly focused on the executive order that brought unwelcome, unwanted, uninvited federal forces into our city to do violence against our community members and to actually escalate tensions on the ground, Eudaly said.

This resolution only serves to clarify a couple things that were not crystal clear in the original resolution and then allow Oregon State police who have been deputized to communicated directly with PPB.

-- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey

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Top diplomats criss-crossed Beirut on Friday to supervise growing aid efforts and weigh in on Lebanon's political future, following a deadly port explosion blamed on state corruption.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, which backs Lebanon's Hezbollah, met officials in the capital ahead of a speech by the powerful Shiite movement's chief Hassan Nasrallah calling for the formation of a national unity government.

Zarif's visit coincided with those of the top career diplomat of Iran's arch-foe the United States, David Hale, and French Defence Minister Florence Parly.

Both Hale and Parly have joined calls from the international community for a reform-oriented government that would coordinate aid flooding into the crisis-hit country after the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab's cabinet on Monday.

"For the longer run, we cannot accept more empty promises and more dysfunctional governance," said Hale after meeting the head of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Beshara Rai.

"America is ready to support a Lebanese government that reflects and responds to the will of the people and genuinely commits to and acts for real change."

Zarif said it was for the Lebanese to decide what government they wanted.

"Others should not condition their aid on any change in Lebanon during this emergency situation," he said.

The Iranian foreign minister echoed Lebanese officials in rejecting an international probe into the blast, saying "Lebanon, as an independent country, must be in charge of the investigation".

Protesters filled the streets and clashed with security forces in the days after the August 4 explosion, blaming their political leaders for the negligence they say led to the disaster that killed 171 people and wounded at least 6,500.

The tragedy came as a huge stock of hazardous materials stored for several years in a warehouse in the heart of Beirut exploded, despite repeated warnings of the dangers it posed.

Story continues

The mega-blast revived a street protest movement that had first erupted in October last year against government corruption and a lingering economic crisis.

- 'Far-reaching reforms' -

Hale and Parly met President Michel Aoun separately on Friday and held talks with civil society representatives.

Both insisted that the new government should reflect the will of the people and implement reform

A new government must have a "mission" and "for a limited period of time, be in charge of carrying out far-reaching reforms", said Parly who oversaw the distribution of aid from the French helicopter carrier Tonnerre.

She said she urged Aoun to speed up the process of forming a government.

The UN's Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis agreed, saying: "Time is of the essence.

"People are suffering and can't wait for endless deliberations," he added after meeting the patriarch.

Diab's successor must be named by Aoun, the target of increasing vitriol from protesters, after consultations with parliamentary blocs representing Lebanon's longstanding political parties -- the very ones that the protesters want to see gone.

Nasrallah on Friday called for the formation of a national unity government -- a model that has existed in Lebanon for years.

"We are calling from now for attempts to form a national unity government, and if that is not possible, then a government that secures the widest representation possible for politicians and specialists," Nasrallah said.

In his second speech since the blast, Nasrallah dismissed the idea of a "neutral government" as a "waste of time," saying there weren't any neutral candidates in the country that could form such a cabinet.

- Fears of 'impunity' -

Lebanese authorities named judge Fadi Sawan, who has a reputation for independence and integrity according to judicial sources, to lead investigations into the explosion.

He will not question current and former ministers on the ammonium nitrate that was stocked at the port, but they will be interrogated by a special judicial body.

Public prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat has filed lawsuits against 25 suspects over the Beirut blast, 19 of whom are already in custody, a judicial source said.

Those detained include Beirut port's general manager, Hassan Koraytem, and Badri Daher, director-general of Lebanese customs.

On Thursday, Hale, US undersecretary for political affairs, said the FBI would join the probe "at the invitation" of Lebanese authorities.

France, which on Friday confirmed two French citizens were among those killed in the blast, has opened its own enquiry.

UN experts have called for a prompt and independent investigation, expressing concern at the "impunity" of Lebanese officials.

Families of the blast victims have also called for an international probe.

On Friday, rescue workers continued to recover the remains of those killed in the blast at the devastated Beirut port.

Relatives of three firefighters from the same family, who had tried to put out a blaze that broke out before the blast, were told the remains of two of them had been identified by DNA analysis.

lar-at/ho/sw/hc
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > The Angst of August: Reading The Recent Political History of India | Anil (...)

by Anil Nauriya

The Temple Construction at Ayodhya at the spot where the Babri Masjid stood is a product of a pseudo-religious movement which one of its early proponents, who later served as Deputy Prime Minister, had once admitted was essentially political in character.

The baggage of RSS-Advani ideas is being thrust on the people with the help of an Enabling Judiciary. The fifth of August that ruling circles seek to mark, to recall the steps taken with regard to Jammu and Kashmir on that day in 2019 and the event in Ayodhya in 2020 has an underlying focus on Hindutva, a doctrine embodying a view of state and nation that runs counter to the Basic Structure of the Constitution of India and the principles of the Republic. [1]

Jawaharlal Nehrus correspondence with President Rajendra Prasad in 1951 sets out an exemplary and necessary standard that a state and those who hold public office must observe, making clear the distinction between attending public religious functions as holders of public office and as private citizens.

However, the present case is one that falls in an infinitely worse category. Dr Rajendra Prasad was not associated with any movement for demolition. The question then was only whether while holding public office he ought to attend an inauguration ceremony of the Somnath Temple as distinct from making a separate private visit on a later occasion. In the present case relating to Ayodhya however, the incumbent Prime Minister associated with a movement that led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid has now gone to Ayodhya in an exhibition of triumphalism for the inauguration of a temple constructed at the same spot.

Although internecine issues between the RSS and the ruling party at the Centre are not my present concern in this article, we cannot ignore the role of RSS control of the BJP and its implications for the polity and society.

The media needs especially to be careful not to buy into the psychological warfare being waged across the country or to contribute to particular outcomes through self-fulfilling prophecies, suggestive discourse or by auto-suggestion.

L K Advanis and Narendra Modis politics have been and are a matter of public record. But we must recall how sections of the media had sought to portray Advanis politics as secular. Hindutva forces also propagated the idea in purported justification of their vandalism that the Babri mosque was a non-praying one (and therefore no more than a "structure") but did not emphasise on how far this was the result of a Court order. The media unthinkingly lapped up the term "disputed structure".

The allegation and notion of appeasement was introduced even in contexts where there was, in fact, no such phenomenon. The fact that the energy behind Hindu law reform of the 1950s did not extend also to Muslims was not an instance of appeasement as is erroneously alleged. It arose out of the assurance, repeatedly given to religious minorities, that no law directly touching them as minorities would be made without their general approval and that such laws would be enacted only when opinion within their respective communities would require it. In a similar fashion, for a long time Hindu law in Pakistan and Bangladesh remained unreformed. Were the governments in those countries appeasing the Hindus? It may be right to criticise the Congress on certain issues, as for example, its pusillanimity over Muslim law reform and other errors on this front. Yet one must not be overawed by the BJP in this context.

The Anna Hazare movement was generated and the 2014 General Elections powered to a considerable extent by the media. The UPA / Congress failed to see this in time. Even a statutory body for the electronic media (on the lines of the Press Council) was not established.

Indian Public Discourse

The public discourse in the media and elsewhere often circulated one-sided allegations based on half-truths. It is not quite true, for instance, that ancient Indian tradition was sweepingly dubbed retrograde in Jawaharlal Nehrus days or after. Respect for the positive features of Indias pre-Muslim heritage was already reflected in such works as Nehrus Discovery of India. The Marxist Socialist, Acharya Narendra Deva (1889-1956), has also in his writings, written at length about how rationally to relate to ancient India.

The media propagated another myth of the "vote bank" at the behest of Mr Advani and the BJP. It is difficult to appreciate how the so-called Muslim vote was treated as having been a "vote bank" of the secular parties if their vote did not go to a particular political party. Contrariwise, the emergence of a majoritarian "vote bank" at the behest of the BJP was treated as a natural development and even sought to be legitimised as such.

How far is it correct to saddle the liberal secular class with responsibility for the social backwardness of sections of a minority community?

The failure of the secular parties to correct their mistakes is self-evident. But it is not correct to suggest that the secular forces " pampered" Muslims. A statement by Dr Manmohan Singh about the minorities is sometimes referred to as proof of this. In fact, whatever the wisdom of the statement, pampering and pauperization in India in the last few decades have little to do with secularist liberals or with any specific religion. There are classes that are pampered. They belong to the elite classes and include persons of all religions. There are people who are pauperized. They belong to the toiling classes and belong to all religions.

The Use of Nationalist for Communal-Sectarian

Yet another practice grew in the Indian discourse and particularly the media.

At some point the Hindu communal-sectarian groups began to be described as "nationalist". This was contrary to the understanding in the course of the freedom movement and in 20th century discourse in Modern Indian history where such groups were correctly identified as "communal" or "communal-sectarian".

The new media discourse resulted largely from the uncritical adoption by it in recent years of the European practice of describing sectarian groups as "nationalist".

From this distortion in discourse two things followed. First, it was an easy step falsely to portray earlier ruling parties as not having been adequately nationalist. Jawaharlal Nehru who had spent years in prison for Indian freedom became now a focus of abuse and defamation at the hands of forces who had stood aside during the freedom movement and had even been implicated in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Second, since the communal-sectarian forces now began to be depicted as nationalist, it was yet another easy step to portray those who differed from them as being anti-national.

It is necessary to re-emphasise here the distinction between the inclusive and sectarian understanding of nationalism. For those who were prone to now being depicted as anti-national were also often from among those who were being excluded from the sectarian understanding of nationalism.

The expression communalism /sectarianism is obviously more to the point than nationalism. Although the use of the latter expression for majority-sectarian forces in India has now become widespread, it is necessary to contest it. For to contest it means questioning Hindu Rashtravad at its threshold. The nationalism (of whatever variety) of Hindutva must never be conceded. It should be stressed that they are destroyers of national unity

But Congress persons seem somewhat hesitant to confront such issues point by point. They are fearful of dealing with various issues which they erroneously pre-designate as the peoples sentiment. They should be guiding this sentiment rather than running around scared.

Paradoxically, with the electoral successes of Hindutva, the word communalism has oddly enough gone out of the dictionary of some writers. So just when communalism grows more powerful and needs to be questioned, it appears to cease to be challenged as before.

Jawaharlal Nehru

As this writer has suggested before, it is necessary to understand that there are two Nehru models in circulation in both the popular and academic understanding. One is the "GandhiNehru model". The other is the post-1969 Nehru versus Gandhi model in which Gandhi and Nehru are presented as being akin to ideological adversaries. The former model has a future while the latter model, propagated in some circles, is erroneous, historically inaccurate and economically reductionist.

Longer-term education will be required to resurrect the secular-humanist- pluralistic framework. In the pre-freedom days the establishment of "National Schools" as they were called to distinguish them from Government schools were established in their hundreds under the auspices of the Congress and Congress-associated or Congress-influenced organisations. What holds the Congress back now? On the other hand, the RSS has set up its chain of schools in the last few decades and is now reaping the rewards of this work. The Congress must tackle the RSS at this level as well. These matters have been discussed in greater detail by me elsewhere and in Mainstream [2]. I have tried specifically to dispose of the apparently widespread impression that Gandhi and Nehru held divergent positions on the secular state or that they understood the expression in a different sense. [3]

It must be stated also that Gandhis view of a secular state was not statist. He saw the interconnections between state and society. In supporting a secular state, Gandhi understood that such a state would have to be backed by society. Instinctively he saw the historical and social relation between a secular state and elements of humanism in society. The relation was later neglected, especially post-1969, and this left the field free for Hindutva forces to grow in society. Six days before Gandhi was shot dead in January 1948 he had in principle endorsed the view that: A well-organised body of constructive workers will be needed ... Their service to the people will be their sanction and the merit of their work will be their charter. The ministers will draw their inspiration from such a body which will advise and guide the secular government.

The real crisis of Indian secularism arose with the snapping of the connection between the Congress and its constructive work dimension. This happened primarily with the split in the Congress in 1969.

The Jana Sangh BJP

The RSS has single-mindedly sought to advance its agenda of destroying Indias secular, humanist and pluralistic ethos. For this, it has relied on a shifting array of personalities, whatever their differences inter se may have been. In 1971 it was Vajpayee who was the main rabble-rouser on behalf of the Jana Sangh. The Jayaprakash Narayan movement in the mid-1970s was deeply impregnated with the RSS. With the rise of Advani, Vajpayee began to be projected as a moderate. Now with the rise of Modi, it is Advani who is sometimes projected as the moderate. Some writers give it a further twist and present the current Prime Minister as the new moderate as compared with his Home Minister. And so the marketing rigmarole goes on.

Much of the media follows the BJP Governments lead in its discourse whether it be on any of the above matters or on developments in relation to Jammu and Kashmir, or on the developments in recent months on the Sino-Indian border or on issues of public health arising from the ongoing pandemic.

Important not to be intimidated by Hindutva

Lest we be swept off our feet by the self-fulfilling prophecy of long-term Hindutva rule, it is useful to bear some points in mind. It is essential not to be intimidated by Hindutva. All those who voted for the BJP in 2014 and 2019 cannot be lumped together within the meaning of political Hindu.

While the Congress and other parties might make various internal changes, it needs to be understood that it is not just Hindu sectarianism, or the political Hindu, that propelled the current dispensation into power. The Congress movement was trounced in the last decade or so by forces larger than Hindu sectarianism. These include:

(a) Western Capital furious over such matters as what was described, not wholly correctly, as retrospective taxation of Vodafone. (b) Indian Capital [including, apart from Hindu, even Parsi Capital (Tatas and Godrej)] furious over the pro-people MGNREGA and the pro-people changes in the Land Laws. [When the UPA Government enacted MGNREGA and modified the Land acquisition regime it should have anticipated a reaction from Indian Capital. Indian Capitals exclusive claim on Indias public financial resources and Land assets was being questioned for the first time on this scale. The Congress should have taken countermeasures in time to keep Indian Capital on a leash.]; and (c) the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) for complex cultural reasons, including of course Hindu communal-sectarian reasons.

Pressure must be brought to bear on political formations and the media to conform to certain norms of decency. There is a pertinent judgment of Justice M C Chagla in the late fifties in the Bombay High Court. He warned of the day when money bags could subvert Indian democracy. When MGNREGA (entailing diversion of public financial resources on which the Money Bags thought they had the first claim) was conceived and expanded and, later, when the new Land laws were enacted in 2013 a reaction from these quarters should have been expected. The Money Bags were not necessarily supporting Hindutva. They were venting their anger at the regime that dented their domination over Indias Land and Capital. In their campaign they roped in Non-Resident Indians living in the United Kingdom and in North America as well as the media which also helped build up a so-called Lok Pal movement that is now little interested in the Lok Pal, having achieved Regime Change.

One should be prepared to defy large numbers if one believes one is essentially correct and the numbers have been misled. The percentage voting figures in successive elections do not conclusively suggest that the so-called secular forces have been discarded. Then there is the question of what has been discarded. The "GandhiNehru model" or the post-1969 Nehru versus Gandhi model in which Gandhi and Nehru are presented as adversaries? I believe that the former model has a future while the latter model is, as mentioned earlier, historically inaccurate and reductionist.

It is to be hoped that Dalit activists will also strengthen the struggle against Hindutva. Increasingly, there is a seeming growth in caste consciousness almost across the board. This is true in the general sense that everyone is influenced by their upbringing and social milieu. But political activism involves years of commitment to common struggles and people do evolve beyond their origins.

The dismissive style has become common especially among those speaking on behalf of Dalits. This reflects a growing disillusionment with society at large and a retreat into a Dalit zone of activism.

Yet, if all that the non-Dalit sections of the polity had was caste consciousness then one wonders where the stringent provisions on atrocities against Dalits and all the Constitutional safeguards came from.

It would appear that there are two main alternatives before Dalit activists. One is to join with all those who are willing to struggle for social change, in which process both Dalits and non-Dalits might find the "other" unsatisfactory or lacking in the "proper" understanding but would at least learn from one another. The other is to dismiss all non-Dalit activism as fake or an eye-wash.

The seeking out of larger alliances and broader solidarities for the purpose of dislodging the BJP is the condition precedent for further movement. However, if that is not possible, the least that can legitimately be expected is that Dalit groups would not align with the BJP at any level. The manner in which Ms Mayawati entered into an alliance with the BJP in Uttar Pradesh within weeks of the Gujarat killings of 2002 is a precedent to be avoided.

[Written on the 78th anniversary of the Quit India Resolution, 8 August 2020.]
The Bengaluru incident highlights law enforcement's failure to maintain an environment where the media can function without fear, the guild said.

New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India on Thursday termed as "reprehensible" the separate incidents of assault on journalists in Delhi and Bengaluru and demanded that police authorities must quickly take necessary steps to initiate action against the guilty in both the cases.

In a statement, the guild "unequivocally condemned" the recent attacks on journalists while they were on duty.

"Three journalists working with The Caravan were allegedly assaulted while they were in northeast Delhis North Ghonda neighbourhood on 11 August to report on a complainant in the recent communal violence case in the capital," the guild said.

They also say they were subjected to communal slurs, threatened with murder and sexually harassed, it alleged.

"On the same day in Bengaluru, as many as four journalists belonging to India Today, The News Minute and Suvarna News 24X7 were reportedly attacked by the city police," the guild said.

These journalists at that time were on duty, reporting on the vandalism and police shooting in the wake of a mob violence in the city, it said.

"Both attacks are reprehensible. The freedom of the media to discharge its responsibilities without fear or harassment is an important and indispensable attribute of a functioning democracy," the guild said.

The case of assault on journalists working with The Caravan shows a dangerous trend where communally inspired people can assault and harass journalists with impunity in the presence of an indifferent police, it said.

The Bengaluru incident also highlights the failure of the law enforcement agencies in maintaining an environment where the media can function freely and without fear, the guild said.

"The Editors Guild of India demands that the police authorities in Delhi and Bengaluru take cognisance of both the cases and quickly take necessary steps to initiate action against the guilty," the statement said.
Officer Tou Thao as he told onlookers to stay on the pavement as George Floyd was arrested: (Minneapolis Police Department)

Newly released bodycam footage from one of the officers at the scene of George Floyds arrest, shows an emotional crowd pleading with police to get off him in the moments leading up to his death.

The footage, that was made available by the Minneapolis Police Department on Thursday, is from the bodycam of Tou Thao, one of the four officers fired after Mr Floyds death on 25 May, according to HuffPost.

Mr Floyd died after his neck was knelt on for more than eight minutes by Derek Chauvin, who at the time was a Minneapolis police officer but has now been charged with with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Mr Thao, Thomas Lane and J Kueng, the three other officers at the scene of his arrest, have also been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

In the bodycam footage a crowd of onlookers pleaded with Mr Thao to help Mr Floyd, as he attempted to get them to leave the scene of the arrest.

As Mr Floyd shouted I cant breathe at least 20 times, multiple onlookers started to film the incident and one man shouted at Mr Thao: Youre just gonna let him keep his hand on his neck like that? Youre a b**** bro. Thao youre a b**** bro.

The man then pleaded with the officer to help Mr Floyd, and asked: You gonna let him kill that man in front of you, bro? and added: Hes not even f*****g moving right now.

The officer then responded: This is why you dont do drugs, kids, as he ordered the crowd to stay on the pavement and away from Mr Floyd.

A woman, who identified herself as a Minneapolis firefighter, then asked the officer: Let me see a pulse, but Mr Thao shouted at her to back off!

In response, another man in the crowd then pleaded with Mr Thao to check his pulse, and added: You bogus, bro. Dont do drugs, bro?...You call what hes doing OK?

As the crowd became more emotional, the officer pushed a man back onto the pavement who had attempted to get closer to Mr Floyd, as a woman shouted: What the f*** are you doing? and added: Hes dying.

Story continues

Prosecutors submitted Mr Thaos bodycam footage earlier in the week, while on Monday Mr Lane and Mr Keungs videos were released on the order of Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Cahill.

The footage from the officers bodycams showed Mr Floyd pleading with police as they put him in their vehicle shortly before he died.

Mr Floyds death sparked months of Black Lives Matter protests, that are still taking place today, in every state in the US in opposition to police brutality against African Americans.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office is prosecuting the case, has asked that all four officers are tried at the same time. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 11 September.

Read more

New George Floyd videos show medics waited three minutes before CPR
I was looking for my grandmother. That meant spending a warm fall day in a reading room among reference books, microfilm reels and acid-free folders.

I had stolen the day from a meeting in Charleston, S.C., to stop over in Raleigh, North Carolinas capital and home to its archives. I felt anxious. It wasnt the time crunch, though the doors would close at 5:30 sharp. I rushed through the Guilford County voting records, driven by a need to discover my grandmothers story of the 19th Amendment. Halfway through the afternoon I knew I had struck out.

As a historian, I break silences. I was writing a history of Black women and the vote, and spent most days in old records recovering their words, their actions and an entire social movement. Usually I work as part of a community of historians who tell stories about Black womens struggles for power. Together, we make a good bit of noise every time we open a dusty box, unfold a long-ago creased letter or turn the page of a diary.

But this search was mine alone. Where had my grandmother been on Election Day in 1920? When did she finally vote? These questions gnawed at me. They led me to hours of looking for clues in the faces of the old family photos that hang on my office wall.
Finnish telecom equipment company Nokia has said it will terminate its employees currently working on a Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) project if the state-owned company doesn't clear its pending dues worth over Rs 900 crore.

The company has said the non-payment of dues by BSNL has adversely impacted its cash flow and it will have no option but to take the cost-cutting measures amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"The non-payment by BSNL has adversely affected our cash flow which will now force us to take some major cost cutting measures to sustain ourselves in these difficult times, including terminating our employees dedicated to BSNL account," Nokia's August 4 letter to BSNL CMD P K Purwar says, reported The Economic Times.

Also read: 2,313 km, Rs 1,224 crore, up to 400 GBPS: How OFC connects Chennai-Andaman, Nicobar

The state-run telecom company owes Rs 910 crore to Nokia, Rs 600 crore of which is payable since January. Despite assuring that it'll pay back the dues on a monthly basis from April, BSNL continued to default on its payments, said Nokia.

As per Nokia, many of its employees were working on the BSNL project. The company has been retaining them for the past four months to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call not to lay off employees in difficult times due to COVID-19 pandemic in India, it said.

However, Nokia has said it will now have no option but to take such steps if the BSNL does not clear the pending dues in time. State-run BSNL had partnered with telecom gear maker Nokia to offer businesses private 4G services.

Also read: Will adopt wait and watch strategy in 'dream job', says Nokia's new CEO Pekka Lundmark
GVCs Poor Retail Figures Buoyed By Strong Online Performance

August 14 2020

GVC Holdings, owner of the partypoker brand among many, released its interim financial figures for the first six months to June 30, 2020, on August 13.

It should not be surprising to discover the majority of the companys key financial indicators were down compared to the same period in 2019, some falling by double percentage points.

The gambling industry around the world has been battered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Majors sporting events, the bread and butter for companies with sportsbooks, have only just begun returning to some sort of normality.

Betting Shops Were Forced To Close

The British Government ordered all non-essential business to close their doors to the public in March. Betting shops are considered non-essential so GVCs vast estate of moe than 3,000 shops, mostly Ladbrokes and Coral, closed and remained so for more than three months. Ultimately, this resulted in a 50% drop in like-for-like Net Gaming Revenue.

Coral Poker migrates to partypoker; Ladbrokes to follow

GVCs European Retail Net Gaming Revenue also plummeted 48%, which reflects forced venue closures in Europe.

Punters flocked online to continue gambling and this benefited GVC with Online Net Gaming Revenue increasing 21% with double-digit growth in all major markets. Gaming, which includes casino and online poker, soared 31%, for example.

Investors learned GVC achieved its target of operating at cash neutral throughout the lockdown period thanks to its decisive response to the impact of COVID-19. They also learned Ladbrokes and Coral brands have now been fully migrated onto the GVC technology platform, helping to accelerate the estimate 20 million worth of cost saving synergies within the group.

New CEO Lays Out Plans For the Future

New CEO, Shay Segev, who took over the reins from the outgoing Kenny Alexander in July 2020, address the companys shareholders in a brief statement.

Given the unprecedented trading environment, GVC has delivered an encouraging performance in the first half, underlying the strength of our diversified business model and the expertise, adaptability, and dedication of our people.

These results show that we have a strong foundation. As a technologist, I have a huge admiration for what Kenny and the rest of my colleagues have achieved but I am also determined to pursue a programme of continuous improvement as we focus on our four technology-enabled priorities. These are leading the US market, organic growth, expanding into new markets, and being the most responsible operator in our industry. Our industry-leading technology will enable us to grow responsibly and sustainably, using our data-driven customer insights to ensure all of our customers have an enjoyable and safe experience while gaming with us. That is how we will deliver greater and more sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

Shareholders initially reacted positively and the companys share price increased 785.60 pence per share to 800.00 pence per share. Those gains have been wiped out this morning with shares in GVC Holdings currently trading at 768.26 pence per share. This could be due to automatic sale orders coming into play once the share price hit the round figure of 800.00 pence, however. The fact the company has decided again paying a dividend could also be affecting the share price.
Trump Announces UAE to Open Diplomatic Ties with Israel

By VOA News August 13, 2020

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish diplomatic ties, a development that is part of an agreement to stop Israel's annexation of occupied land in the West Bank sought by Palestinians for their future state.

This announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab country and the third Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. Egypt and Jordan have been the only Arab nations with active diplomatic ties with Israel.

Trump tweeted the joint statement between the three states, and later told reporters in the Oval Office it was "a truly historic moment."

When VOA asked Trump if he supports Israel's annexation of Palestinian land, Trump did not respond directly, saying only, "We're talking to Israel about that right now."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later told reporters, however, that Trump asked him to suspend his West Bank annexation plans and that they were "delayed" but "not canceled."

Trump added, "Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates."

The joint statement said that delegations would meet in the next few weeks to discuss and sign deals concerning direct flights, security, telecommunications, energy, tourism, and health care.

"Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations," the statement reads.

The UAE and Israel also plan to "immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and development of a vaccine for the coronavirus," the statement added.

UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Al Otaiba said the "announcement to fully normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is a win for diplomacy and for the region that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that the pact with the Arab country was "A historic day."

The normalization of relations between the two countries is a victory and a setback for the Palestinians, who have depended on Arab support in their quest for independence.

While Thursday's agreement halts Israel's annexation plans, the Palestinians have long urged Arab nations not to establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a deal to establish an independent Palestinian state has been reached.

"Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it's been doing to Palestine illegally & persistently since the beginning of the occupation," tweeted Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official.

Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, said the deal involving UAE is "a stabbing in the back of our people."

Iran clerical leaders did not immediately react to the agreement, but the country's Tasnim news agency said the normalization of ties between the two countries is "shameful."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said of the deal that "this is a remarkable achievement for two of the world's most forward leaning, technologically advanced states, and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region."

The agreement gives Trump a rare diplomatic achievement ahead of the November U.S. presidential election.

But Netanyahu may be hedging his bets before the election by halting his annexation plans. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he would oppose any Israeli efforts to annex lands wanted by the Palestinians.

Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report.

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Reading the 'National Enquirer' and 'Globe' magazines dramatically raises readers' chances of contracting a killer disease leading to death, according to doctors.

How do I know this?

I conducted the research personally, polling multiple sources (me, myself and I) and tomorrow I have an appointment to see a doctor who will not have treated any tabloid reader.

The evidence is incontrovertible: tabloid readers are an aging demographic (witness this week's ads for hearing aids, oxygen dispensers, Life Alert alarms, computers "designed especially for seniors' and Medicare supplements) and falling circulation figures that suggest readership is dying off.

This may seem unscientific and illogical bordering on insane, yet this is precisely the rationale behind many of the stories in this week's tabloids.

"Defecting Chinese Sub Spills Secrets To U.S.!" reports the 'Enquirer.'

A Chinese A-94 Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine allegedly gave itself up to US authorities in San Diego, California, and its crew of 240 defected, according to the 'Enquirer.'

Why haven't we heard about this "World Exclusive!" from a gloating Trump administration or outraged Chinese officials?

Perhaps because a U.S. Navy spokesperson said that it has "nothing that indicates those reports are factual."

The story reportedly originates with Paul Preston, founder of the Movement for a New California State'  a man clearly with his finger on the pulse of the nation  who claims "he heard about the submarine from a high-level military contact." Can't argue with that, can we?

"Clinton Cancer Nightmare!" screams the 'Globe' cover story, claiming that former President Bill Clinton has "Wasted Away To Frail 137 lbs." This is the same tabloid that claimed last September that Clinton had only "months to live," allegedly "ravaged by Parkinson's and a failing heart!" In fact, the rag gave him "six months to live" in 2010, and he's still here.

This time Clinton is allegedly "battling a terrifying skin cancer nightmare." Tabloid-friendly doctors who "have not treated Bill Clinton" reportedly "are now fearing the worst." Well, they would, wouldn't they?

'Us' magazine jumps on the factually-challenged bandwagon with its cover story about singing lovebirds Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton: "Gwen & Blake  Ready For Baby! Name picked & building a nursery."

Congratulations! When is the little one due?

Don't ask 'Us' mag, because as their story eventually reveals, Gwen isn't pregnant. An unnamed source claims "They're trying. They'd love to have a child together." Right. Better put down a deposit on a pre-school while they're at it.

As ever, the British Royals are easy targets for the fantastical conclusions leaped to by the tabloids.

"Prince Andrew Evidence Destroyed By Police! Sex Scandal Cover-Up!" reports the 'Globe.' "Cops Shred Andrew Sex Case Records!"

Well yes . . . and no.

Buckingham Palace guard duty logs are reportedly routinely destroyed after two years, so evidence that Prince Andrew returned to the Palace in the early hours of March 11, 2001, would have been shredded after March 2003  long before there was any criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes. It was hardly a deliberate destruction of criminal evidence.

Why do the logs matter?

The 'Globe' claims that the official documents would have shown that Prince Andrew was at Buckingham Palace that morning. This would allegedly demolish Andrew's claim to have been at home with his daughters 50 miles away in Berkshire the previous evening, rather than having sex with one of Epstein's sex slaves on the night of March 10 as she alleges.

But even if the Palace logs still existed they would not prove that Andrew did not spend the evening with his daughters; they would only prove that in the early hours of the following morning he was in London. The two are not mutually exclusive, and the "shocking cover-up" alleged by the 'Globe' is nothing more than routine housekeeping.

"Royal Bride Bea Escaping to America! Just like cousin Harry," reports the 'Enquirer,' ignoring the fact that Prince Andrew's daughter Princess Beatrice moved to New York in 2015 and since 2017 has divided her time between the Big Apple and London. Following her July marriage she is reportedly "running away to America!" which is certainly one way of describing her life for the past five years.

The tabloids can't ignore Harry and Meghan, of course.

"Harry in Position to Open Yoga Studio!" claims the 'Enquirer.' Meghan's mom, yoga teacher Doria Ragland, has allegedly been giving Harry yoga lessons, prompting an unnamed insider to assert: "Pals say he's become obsessed with the idea of opening a yoga studio." Right. If Meghan's mom fed him spaghetti bolognese one night presumably he'd be obsessed with opening an Italian restaurant.

"Meghan's One Ungrateful Birthday Girl!" claims the 'Enquirer.' The Queen posted kind wishes on social media for Meghan's 39th birthday, as did Prince William and Kate, but were allegedly upset that neither Meghan nor Harry phoned to say "thank you." Because as we all know, it's standard protocol that when anyone wishes you a happy birthday on social media: you must phone them up to thank them in person. The fair and balanced 'Enquirer' calls it "just another day of 'whatever Meghan wants, Meghan gets.'"

'Us' mag devotes a two-page spread to its dubious report: "All Hail King William & Queen Kate! William and Kate are on the fast track to succeed Queen Elizabeth, bypassing the heir apparent, Prince Charles."

How many times do we have to remind the tabloids that the Act of Settlement of 1701 prohibits a monarch from naming their successor. The law demands that Charles inherit the crown. Yes, he could then choose to abdicate if he wishes, but insiders note that Charles has been training all his life for the job and is unlikely to hand over the crown to his 38-year-old son, especially while Charles has so much he still hopes to achieve.

Jeffrey Epstein's sex scandal continues to fascinate the 'Enquirer,' whose cover story promises readers a "Who's Who On Epstein's Island of Sin. All the A-List names exposed & what really happened!"

But this "blockbuster special report" is just a rehash of old and recently-released court documents listing public figures who were named in Epstein's flight logs, along with self-confessed sex slave Virginia Giuffre's allegations from her semi-autobiographical memoir  which is her version of events, and not exactly "what really happened."

At the opposite end of the journalistic spectrum, 'People' magazine devotes its scandal-free cover to "Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos  Our Wild, Wonderful Family!"

It is as fascinating an insight into this orthodontically-blessed family as one would expect.. "We love each other," they say. "But we really like each other." Shocking. 'People' mag calls this week's edition its "Family Issue," which is exactly as exciting as it sounds.

Thankfully we have the crack investigative squad at 'Us' mag to tell us that Lucy Hale wore it best (though with only 20 per cent of the votes she can't be too happy about it), that as a child Soleil Moon Frye had a horse named Butterscotch Freeway (didn't we all?), and that the stars are just like us: they go running, play in the sand, collect their mail, wash their car and get takeout. Enlightening, as ever.

Onwards and downwards . . .
Montauk Brewing Co.s beer. Photo: Montauk Brewing Company

Long Islands Montauk Brewing Co. is being attacked for its pro-Black Lives Matter statement. The statement was posted outside the brewery and is a rather standard message of support[ing] the movement with all our hearts and an acknowledgement that they have donated and will continue to support organizations that further the cause. This was apparently too controversial for some. Montauk Brewing Co. has subsequently been barraged with messages on its Facebook and Instagram from Blue Lives Matter types  a real thing people say  getting in a huff.

As happens, commenters have taken over their social media, with many saying they are never going to buy Montauks beer again. Others write that the brewery will be bankrupt soon enough because what you support has no base and full of lies, Blue Lives Matter!!! When Antifa shows up at your door call BLM, and Blue lives matter ! Never again ! Pouring your shit beer down the drain. The last is a solid self-own repeated by others, including one person who writes, Never going to drink that piss again! (As a food website, we feel comfortable saying: Please, do not drink piss.) A number of one-star reviews have cropped up on Yelp from New Yorkers saying this company supports a terrorist, racist organization and police officers are being attacked for no reason.

When the BLM protests spread to Long Island in June, the Long Island Press reported that some residents responded with intolerance to the dozens of peaceful anti-police brutality protests. Residents of Merrick tried to block a march through a largely white community, the publication reported, while the owner of Huntingtons Tutto Pazzo called protesters savages and threatened to throw watermelons at them. In West Babylon, a driver tried to run over protesters while yelling White lives matter! (Video of the incident can be seen here.) In Smithtown, people called BLM protesters racial slurs, including the N-word.
A man has been charged in the shooting death of a four-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, boy whose killing sparked a federal anti-crime task force that has sent hundreds of federal agents to several cities to fight violent crime.

Ryson Ellis, 22, of Kansas City, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action in the death of LeGend Taliferro, who was struck by a bullet June 29 while he slept on the floor of his father's apartment.

Ellis allegedly shot blindly into the back of the Citadel Apartments unit where the boy's father, Raphael Taliferro, lives and had taken in his sister who has a child with the suspect.

She alleged he had hit her in the head a few days before the shooting and some of her brothers, including LeGend's father, had an altercation with Ellis, KSHB-TV reported.

Ryson Ellis, 22, of Kansas City, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. LeGend Taliferro, four, was struck by a bullet June 29 while he slept on the floor of his father's apartment in Missouri

President Donald Trump holds a photo of LeGend Taliferro as he speaks at a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday

Ellis' mother also allegedly threatened them with a gun so she grabbed their child and left to stay with her brother and the four-year-old.

Ellis allegedly was driven to the home by a female friend on the night of the killing after going to a club. That woman said she sped off as soon as she heard gunshots.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker said Ellis was 'cowardly' when he fired several shots into the apartment where LeGend was thought to be safe.

She said investigators ran into several dead-ends until a community member came forward with important information. The mother of Ellis' child provided them with social media information.

Ellis was arrested Thursday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was being held on no bond, Peters-Baker said.

Federal authorities named the anti-crime task force Operation LeGend in the boy's memory.

Under the program, which is being overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice, federal agents have been sent to cities with high crime rates to work with local law enforcement to investigate violent crimes.

President Trump met with LeGend's family - including his mother, Charron Powell - when the program was announced.

The operation has since expanded to several cities, including Chicago, St. Louis and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The charges were announced at a press conference with the child's parents on Thursday

United States Attorney General William P. Barr poses for a photo in the East Room with the family of LeGend Taliferro following remarks from President Trump on 'Operation Legend: Combatting Violent Crime in American Cities' at the White House on July 22

LeGend Taliferro's father Raphael Taliferro listens during an event while wearing a face mask with his son's images

A portrait of first lady Martha Washington over looks a display of seeking information posters for Vernado Jones Jr., Legend Taliferro and Jacqueline Vigil last month

Powell, LeGend's mother, said at the news conference she was 'grateful that we are in the steps to justice,' but also expressed sadness for her son's alleged killer and the violence in Kansas City.

'This is a lose situation, for my family, and including his,' Powell said of Ellis. 'We have to take it a step farther and calm the violence down.'

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison said the case was 'precisely the type of case that this operation was designed to solve and we are very pleased that his case is one step closer to bringing justice to little LeGend and his family.'

He said Operation LeGend has resulted in more than 200 arrests since it began in Kansas City, including 16 people suspected of participating in homicides.

Attorney General William Barr said in a statement Thursday the arrest in LeGend's case resulted from cooperation between Kansas City police and several federal agencies.

'This development is a model for joint efforts to solve crimes and reduce violence in other cities,' Barr said.

'I thank the state and local law enforcement officers who helped make possible this important step in bringing justice to LeGend, to his family, and to his community.'
Sterling Group, a Houston-based private equity firm, is armed with $2 billion to invest in North American industrial businesses.

The firm, which acquires controlling interests in manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies, closed its fifth and largest fund since its founding in 1982, reaching its target in four months.

Getting investors on board during a pandemic shook up the process.

It definitely resulted in a very challenging fund raising market, as so much of fund raising has historically been done in person, said Franny Jones, the firms managing director of investor relations. Our investors are committing to a 10 year partnership.

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Ordinarily, potential investors would spend a full day at Sterlings offices on the 24th floor of Nine Greenway Plaza to hear the pitch.

When the pandemic hit in the beginning of March, that really limited peoples ability to travel and our ability to fund raise in the traditional way, Jones said. We quickly had to pivot to doing a lot of those meetings through videoconferencing.

Sterlings Fund V is among 225 funds to close worldwide in the second quarter, according to Preqin, a company that tracks investment activity. The fund count  the lowest in five years  is down from 425 in the second quarter 2019.

Funds raised $110 billion globally in the second quarter, according to Preqin, down from $150 billion the year earlier.

Sterling, which invests in businesses with enterprise values from $100 million to $750 million, expects to begin marking purchases for the new fund in the beginning of 2021, Jones said. The time frame for deploying the funds is six years.

Kirkland & Ellis served as legal counsel for Fund V, which, like previous funds, will primarily target corporate carve-outs  acquiring a division or segment of a larger company  and family businesses. Sterlings previous fund, which closed in 2015, totaled $1.25 billion.

Sterling typically holds investments for three to five years with a target of tripling its money during that time frame, Jones said. The businesses are ultimately sold to other private equity firms or to strategic companies in the same industry.

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Investments have included DexKo, a major manufacturer of trailer axles created by carving out smaller divisions of two larger companies; Evergreen North America Industrial Services, an industrial cleaning business based in La Porte; and, most recently, Stripe-A-Zone, a North Texas provider of striping services for roads, highways, airports and parking lots as Sterling gains a foothold in the road safety business.

Families, who often sell for liquidity reasons or because the next generation is not interested in running a business, often stay on to grow the business, Jones said. Employees are typically offered the chance to invest alongside Sterling through equity offerings and options programs.

Were looking to help management take advantage of opportunities that have been there, but they havent had the time to focus on, Jones said.

The pandemic, Jones said, could create opportunities to grow companies coming out of downturns.

We are finding conversations about new partnerships are picking up.

katherine.feser@chron.com

twitter.com/kfeser
(Corrects Aug 14th story to add Novavax to list of companies the U.S. has vaccine agreements with; updates figures for total U.S. investment)

By Carl O'Donnell

NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The United States is tying payments for COVID-19 vaccines to timing milestones for production and approval, according to public documents and a Trump administration official, putting pressure on drugmakers including Moderna Inc to meet ambitious targets.

In a deal with Moderna announced this week, federal agencies negotiated a sliding scale of payments. The Cambridge, Massachusetts, biotech's $1.5-billion deal pays out in full if its vaccine receives regulatory clearance by January 31, 2021, according to filings. It receives $1.2 billion, if it falls short of that timing goal.

Moderna also receives $600 million when it can demonstrate it has built out industrial-scale manufacturing capabilities for its vaccine, even if that happens before the drug is authorized by regulators, the filings show.

U.S. government payments to other drugmakers are also conditional on launching clinical trials no later than early fall and building out manufacturing capabilities by the end of the year, two senior administration officials told Reuters, adding that terms varied by company.

The deal terms add financial risk for the drugmakers and increase pressure for speed that has worried some public health advocates. HHS and Moderna declined comment; other drugmakers had no immediate comment on Friday.

Other drugmakers did not publicly reveal details on the specific terms of their agreements with the U.S. government, though Pfizer has said its deal with the government for its joint vaccine with BioNTech only pays out if it receives regulatory approval.

The United States has allocation agreements with Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer Inc, BioNTech SE , Sanofi SA, and GlaxoSmithKline Plc.

It also has a claim on 300 million doses of AstraZeneca Plc's vaccine in exchange for helping finance its research and development efforts and 100 million doses of Novavax's vaccine in exchange for funding its manufacturing ramp-up.

Analysts already have said drugmakers may struggle to recoup billions invested in vaccine development at U.S. treatment prices that so far range from $20 to $42 per person.

Story continues

Administration officials have said they expect the U.S. governments' Operation Warp Speed vaccine development program to deliver an inoculation by the end of the year. President Donald Trump has said he thinks a vaccine could be available before the November 3 presidential election.

To obtain regulatory approval, a vaccine must reduce incidents of infection with the novel coronavirus by 50 percent compared to people who are not inoculated and demonstrate a high level of safety.

Experts say ongoing vaccine trials, which must enroll tens of thousands of people and wait for them to be exposed to the coronavirus, could produce usable results soon or as late as mid-2021, raising questions about drugmakers' ability to meet the administration's timelines.

Shares of Moderna have more than tripled since it announced in January it was developing a vaccine. Moderna has never produced an approved vaccine.

But the implied U.S. government payment per course of treatment for Moderna's drug, $30.50, could decline to $24.50 if it doesn't receive approval of its vaccine by January 31, 2021.

The United States, through its Operation Warp Speed vaccine development program, has set aside more than $9 billion to lock in deals for COVID-19 vaccines in advance of any of them receiving approval from regulators.

(Reporting by Carl O'Donnell, editing by Peter Henderson and Nick Zieminski)
BY Greg Vitali

Times Guest Columnist

Recently, a number of powerful Pennsylvania building trades union leaders lobbied for the passage of two bills that would hurt Pennsylvanias efforts to reach its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Some Democrats cast votes for both bills. Democratic legislators must resist pressure from union leaders to protect and expand fossil fuel jobs. Instead they should help create good green jobs.

In early July, the Pennsylvania State House passed H.B. 2025, which would effectively block Pennsylvanias entrance into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI is a 10-state cap-and-trade program designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector.

Pennsylvania emits almost 1% of the worlds greenhouse gas and about 30% of these emissions come from its electric power sector, mainly coal- and gas-fired power plants. RGGI is the most important climate change initiative of the Wolf administration.

In the days prior to the vote on H.B. 2025, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Pa. State Building and Construction Trades Council and other local building trade unions lobbied in support of the bill. The AFL-CIO in a letter to State House members specifically cited the loss of jobs in the coal industry as a reason for their support of the bill and their opposition to RGGI.

Union support combined with the expected support of the fossil fuel industry resulted in the bill passing easily with 26 Democratic House members voting yes. The bill is now in the Senate where its fate is uncertain.

A week later, the Pennsylvania State House and Senate both considered H.B. 732, which would provide tax credits totaling up to $663 million over the next 30 years to new Pennsylvania companies that purchase and use natural gas in the manufacture of petrochemicals and commercial fertilizer derived from petrochemicals.

These companies emit large quantiles of greenhouse gas. They burn natural gas as a fuel source releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. They also they leak methane, another powerful greenhouse gas.

Laborers International Union of North America and Pa. State Building and Construction Trades Council lobbied for H.B. 732, citing the creation of prevailing wage jobs to construct these plants. The bill passed both chambers easily with significant Democratic support. Gov. Wolf recently signed the bill into law.

In January of 2019, Gov. Wolf signed an executive order establishing a statewide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 calling climate change, the most critical environmental threat facing the world.

We cannot reach this greenhouse gas reduction goal by enacting legislation like H.B. 2025 and H.B. 732. To the contrary, we must join RGGI and do other things like increasing the states Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, expanding the energy conservation provisions of Act 129 and electrifying our transportation sector. This will create good green jobs,

The influence of building trade unions on Democratic legislators was key in the passage of both H.B. 2025 and H.B. 732. Unions are traditional allies of the Democratic party. They are a difficult force to resist.

It is understandable that unions view legislation through the narrow lens of their own jobs. This will not change anytime soon. But Democratic legislators must resist this union pressure and vote with a broader societal focus.

State Rep. Greg Vitali D-166 resides in Havertown. Email him at gvitali@pahouse.net.
A statue of George Washington is seen in the National Cathedral in Washington in a 2015 file photograph. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

George Washington Statue Toppled, 6 Arrested

A statue of Americas first president was torn down in California late Thursday.

The statue of George Washington stood in the neighborhood of Grand Park, on Hill Street.

Six people were arrested, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

LAPD officials said the statue was toppled over and vandalized.

Officers recovered a gas mask, laser pointer, helmet, goggles, arm protectors, and a change of clothing to conceal identity, the department said in a statement, urging anyone with information to call the LAPDs Central Division at 213-833-3750.

Video footage and pictures on social media showed the statue lying on the ground, completely ripped down from its pedestal. One of the videos had the hashtag BlackLivesMatter.

The LAPD arrested 6 suspects after a statue of George Washington was toppled over & vandalized in Grand Park on Aug 13. Ofcrs recovered a gas mask, laser pointer, helmet, goggles, arm protectors & change of clothing to conceal identity. Any info call Central Division 213-833-3750 pic.twitter.com/D2GPinroT3  LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) August 16, 2020

The lifesize bronze figure shows Washington, a legendary Revolutionary War military leader who became the United States first president, in military uniform.

It is a copy of an original granite sculpture crafted by French Jean-Antoine Houdon, according to the Los Angeles Department of Arts and Culture.

The original was shipped and installed in the Virginia State Capitol after being created in Paris in 1796. With permission from the Virginia General Assembly, approximately 30 copies of the statue were made. One copy was acquired in 1933 by the Womens Community Service, an auxiliary of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and presented to the county on Feb. 22, 1933, the birthday of Washington.

The suspects were identified as Elizabeth Brookey of Burbank, Christopher Woodward of Los Angeles, Anna Asher of North Hollywood, Andrew Johnson of Glendale, Emma Juncosa of Losa Angeles, and Barham Lashley of North Hollywood.

Its at least the second statue of Washington to be toppled in the wake of George Floyds death on Memorial Day.

Vandals in Portland tore down a Washington statue in mid-June.

Activists, some of whom are linked to the Black Lives Matter movement, have sought to take down statues and memorials they argue commemorate racist figures. Washington owned some slaves.

Correction: This article was updated with the number of people arrested.
As Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government delivered its much-anticipated and revised plan to reopen schools this fall, there was still one important question left lingering in the air.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government delivered its much-anticipated and revised plan to reopen schools this fall, there was still one important question left lingering in the air.

Is the provincial government doing everything it can to ensure families and students are safe when they return to in-person education?

The province is certainly doing a lot. The revised protocols released Thursday address a dizzying array of issues that schools, teachers and students will face this fall.

Having said that, the plan as presented falls well short of comprehensive. That is due, in part, to the fact that so many of the finer details are being left to individual school divisions and schools. That makes sense; there is a huge variation in the size, shape and design of individual schools.

But beyond local variants, Manitoba's plan continues to feature alarming quantities of uncertainty and vagueness on some of the biggest and most important issues: such as non-medical face masks. Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, has made non-medical masks "required" (Manitoba-speak for mandatory) on school buses, but only "strongly recommended" when students (grades 5-12) are in class.

Education minister Kelvin Goertzen (left), and Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, spoke to the media about COVID-19 and the re-opening of schools in September. (Mikaela macKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Why demand that masks be worn in buses but not in class? Echoing current epidemiological thinking, Roussin acknowledges that masks are very helpful in any indoor space where social distancing is compromised.

So, why not just require/mandate masks for older students? Roussin's reluctance defies explanation.

"This has been the approach in Manitoba," Roussin said. "We've made public health recommendations; Manitobans have largely stepped up and followed them."

Although that is fundamentally true, it's not really the issue here. Concerns expressed by many people connected to the public education system involve the need for more clarity and conviction, and perhaps a healthy dose of "better safer than sorry."

School divisions understand the need to go beyond minimum requirements, with some already taking steps to acquire masks and other personal protective equipment on their own and make their use mandatory. The province responded, offering to acquire masks for all divisions and schools. But they wouldn't mandate their use. The hesitation that Roussin and Goertzen are demonstrating is starting to cause concern among the public.

An Angus Reid poll released Thursday showed 40 per cent of Manitobans think pandemic measures have not gone far enough. That is the highest proportion of respondents demanding increased public health measures of any province.

Education minister Kelvin Goertzen delivered the much-anticipated and revised plan to reopen schools this fall. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

The poll results are no doubt the result of two glaring facts about the pandemic in Manitoba.

First, despite a recent surge in confirmed cases, we've got a very low incidence of COVID-19 and would like to keep it that way. Second, we've got a premier who somehow believes he is in an actual race with other provinces on removing social and economic restrictions. Mandating masks runs contrary to that public relations campaign.

There was a time when Manitoba officials did not hesitate to take firm, definitive action to control the virus.

At the outset of the pandemic, Roussin issued unambiguous, strongly worded public health orders to force businesses to close and citizens to remain at home as much as possible. The need for unambiguous, strongly worded public health orders is no less important now than it was then. Maybe more so given the fact that it's not clear yet whether the province's return-to-class plan will work.

Look at the questions about social distancing. Goertzen is confident schools can welcome students to classrooms but there are obvious practical limitations. Consider that when movie theatres reopened across Canada in late July, capacity in individual theatres was reduced by 60 to 80 per cent to ensure a two-metre gap in all directions. Although a classroom isn't the same as a movie theatre, both feature rows of seats that put us in close contact with people in front, behind and on both sides.

What is the capacity of the average classroom if it has to reduce its capacity by up to 80 per cent? We will see.

There was a time when Manitoba officials did not hesitate to take firm, definitive action to control the virus.

There are similar questions about the augmentation of virtual or remote learning.

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Last spring's sudden, forced experiment with virtual education revealed that many students, even ones who normally do well in school, struggled with the lack of structure that comes with learning at home. We desperately need a better plan in case the return to school doesn't work out.

Lamentably, there are no firm plans on how to improve virtual learning. Again, we will have to wait and see.

With only three weeks or so until classes resume, this has become less of a plan and more of a leap of faith: reopen schools, identify problems and, using a fail-fast mindset, identify solutions as quickly as possible.

Has the provincial government done all it can to make the return to school as safe as possible? It has done a lot and could do more.

The only thing that is certain is that as Manitobans with school-age children get ready to face the disquiet surrounding this fall's return-to-school plan, we will need fewer strong recommendations and more firm orders.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Pain & Gain, You're Next, The Woman In Black.

Take your pick from dog tales, tall tales, spooky tales and unbelievable true tales as TopFilmTip brings you the best films on TV for Friday, 14 August.

Some films may require a Sky subscription.

Elephant weathers slings and arrows of dogmatism as he tries to save microcosm from destruction and Seussian allegory in Horton Hears a Who! 12:45pm Film4

Multiple lives of a reincarnating pup trace the life lessons, loves and licks of cross section of society in feel-good family fun A Dog's Purpose 2:30pm Film4

Elderly home-invaders discover fountain of youth in neighbouring aliens Floridian pool in Ron Howards sExtra Terrestrial characterful curio Cocoon 4:30pm Film 4

Psychopathic gangster Frank Sinatra holds household hostage in plot to assassinate the POTUS in electrifying thriller Suddenly 5:00pm Talking Pictures

Closeted maths prodigy navigates murky cause and consequence of cryptography in remarkable tragic true story The Imitation Game 6:45pm Film4

Defrauded of pensions, blue collar service team plan poetic justice upon penthouse swindler in feel good felonious fun Tower Heist 6:50pm Sony Movies

Morose widower travels to remote marsh house and encounters infanticidal ghost in Gothic fog bound British chiller The Woman in Black 9:00pm Horror Channel

Read more: The most underrated Bond film

Fake family cross drug thugs and boarders in smidge smuggling, one liner-fuelled criminal comedy We're the Millers 9:00pm ITV2

Awkward foppish hunk falls for well-seasoned beauty in standard setting, endearing British comedy of intimate errors Four Weddings and a Funeral 9:00pm Film4

Bullitt, poster, Steve McQueen, 1968. (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images)

Tasked with guarding mob snitch, suave suited detective swiftly suspects political scheming in iconic car chasing classic Bullitt 9:00pm ITV4

50 years after his brutal torture Englishman seeks out his Japanese tormentor in effort to escape vortex of trauma The Railway Man 10:45pm BBC One

Unwanted fur coats, sneaky smuggling and stone cold murder when an incorruptible cop investigates a heroin kingpin American Gangster 10:45pm ITV1

Story continues

Fiscally ruined everyman Jack OConnell takes TV stocks tipster hostage in Jodie Fosters taut Wall Street thriller Money Monster 11:05pm Sony Movies

Inspired by his polyamorous relationship, physiologist articulates admiration for female power in courageous and unconventional comic book film Professor Marston and the Wonder Women 11:20pm Film 4

Body building imbeciles extort millionaire's assets in fingerprint BBQing, ludicrously preposterous true crime comedy Pain & Gain 11:55pm Channel 4

Family gathering in remote manor is attacked by anonymous assailants in brain-blending, skull-busting synthy grindhouse horror You're Next 12:50am Horror Channel

Brain munching zombie brainiac, sexually slandered vampire and virginal human put aside differences to battle alien onslaught in Werner Herzog teen-comedy curio Freaks of Nature 2:40am Horror Channel

With their husband/father away, a household of sisters and their mother unsteadily unite in wholesome period piece Little Women 3:25am Sony Movies

Everything coming to streaming in August:

New on Sky Cinema in August

Coming to Disney+ in August

New on Netflix UK in August

New on Amazon Prime in August
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / Progressive Planet Solutions Inc. (TSXV:PLAN) ("PLAN" or "Progressive Planet"), an emerging leader in the commercialization of natural pozzolans to reduce the carbon footprint of cement production, is pleased to provide a shareholder update.

Research Partnership with University of Alberta

Throughout the world, fly ash is generated as a by-product of burning coal for electricity generation. Fly ash is used as a supplementary cementing material in blended cement mixes. The supply of fly ash is directly related to the amount of coal which is combusted in power plants which in many parts of Canada, and the world, are scheduled for decommissioning or are already being decommissioned.

In December 2019, PLAN announced a strategic relationship with the University of Alberta to conduct work with respect to improving the slump of the natural pozzolan from its Z-1 Quarry so that it possesses similar rheology to commercially available fly ash.

We have now received the final report from the University of Alberta. The report was originally anticipated in May 2020 but was delayed due to restricted access to University of Alberta's research facilities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The research was focused on improving the rheology of concrete which substituted 20% of Portland Cement with 20% of our proprietary blend of Z-1 Zeolite and pulverized post-consumer glass. The target compressive strength was 30 MPA.

The original testing intended to test both the rheology and the compressive strength of our proprietary blend after 28 days of curing and 56 days of curing.

Final rheology results of the Z-1/pulverized glass blend were superior to the rheology of the fly ash blend.

The 56 day compressive strength tests were unable to be completed due to the restricted access. The second set of cylinders were crushed at 98 days once access was restored. The cylinders had a range of compressive strength from 37 to 41 MPA.

"We were pleased that we were able to exceed the rheology of the benchmark fly ash blend and extremely pleased to see the compressive strength significantly higher than 30 MPA at 98 days. Pozzolanic concrete is known to continue gaining strength over time as it cures and these tests confirmed our belief that we have an excellent product to bring to market once final CSA and ASTM protocol testing is completed," stated Steve Harpur, CEO.

The CSA and ASTM tests which we expect to complete over the next nine months include the following:

Compressive strength (CSA A3004-E1),

Alkali-silica reaction (CSA A23.3-28A),

Sulphate resistance (CSA A3004-C8),

Air void (ASTM C462), and,

Freeze thaw resistance (ASTM C666, as referenced in CSA A3004-E1).

Comminution Toll Processing

PLAN has now completed the design and construction of its comminution plant. The plant was built to enable easy disassembly and has functional capability to size reduce rocks from six inches down to 5 microns.

The new plant is expected to deliver its rock powder order next week to a customer in Alberta. The customer owned the product and delivered it for processing. As a result, PLAN has no inventory carrying costs for this third party comminution order.

In addition, our first delivery of rock dust made from our own inventory of glacial moraine will be delivered to a customer in BC next week.

PLAN intends to use this same equipment to produce its proprietary blend of Z-1 Zeolite and pulverized post-consumer glass after it completes final testing of this product.

Resignation of COO

We wish to announce that our COO, Mike Wypych, has resigned his part-time position with PLAN to accept a full-time position as a Mining Engineer. We wish Mike the best in his new position and are grateful for the valuable contribution he made during his time at PLAN.

ABOUT PROGRESSIVE PLANET

Progressive Planet is an emerging leader in supplying solutions for a livable planet by developing low carbon, pozzolan-based, cementing products which replace equivalent amounts of Portland Cement and fly ash in concrete. The production of Portland Cement is the second largest global generator of CO2 emissions.

Progressive Planet operates its flagship Z1 Zeolite Quarry in British Columbia and is earning an 100% interest in the Z2 Natural Pozzolan Property near Falkland, BC and earning a 100% interest in the Heffley Creek Metals and Natural Pozzolan Property. All three properties are within a one-hour drive of Kamloops, BC, an industrial hub with rail access to Canadian and US markets.

For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact us:

1-800-910-3072

Investors@progressiveplanet.ca

www.progressiveplanet.ca

Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Progressive Planet Solutions Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601759/PLAN-Provides-Shareholder-Update
Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Manor Park released the following statement following the death of a resident who had previously tested positive for coronavirus:

Manor Park is deeply saddened to report the death of a resident who had previously tested positive for COVID-19. An 88-year-old male resident of Helen Greathouse Manor Assisted Living passed away this morning. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of our resident as well as our employees who provided his care.
Trump has repeatedly resisted making his tax records public and refused to release his tax returns, defying precedent.

The Manhattan district attorney on Friday said in a court filing that Donald Trump was not entitled to greater protection from a grand-jury subpoena for his tax returns just because he is president.

District Attorney Cyrus Vance was responding to an argument by Trumps lawyers that the president deserves extra protection from what he called harassment.

Vance last August issued a grand jury subpoena to Trumps accounting firm, Mazars USA, demanding eight years of his business and personal returns and other documents.

Trump has repeatedly fought efforts by lawmakers and prosecutors to obtain his tax records, which should shed light on his financial dealings. He also defied decades of precedent as a candidate by refusing to release tax returns.

Trump filed his latest challenge to the grand-jury subpoena last month, after the US Supreme Court ruled that he was not immune from state criminal investigations while in the White House. The high court said Trump could battle the subpoena on other grounds.

Vance is asking a judge to dismiss Trumps case.

Grand jury deliberations are secret but Vance has suggested the investigation may involve possibly extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization, the presidents business, including alleged insurance and bank fraud.

Vance said on Friday that Trump is not entitled to extra protection from a subpoena unless it would significantly interfere with his presidential duties.

The Supreme Court has made clear the presidency is only implicated if there is a conflict between judicial proceedings or a subpoena and Trumps public duties, Vance said. Trump did not raise arguments that meet those standards, he said.

On Monday, Vance called Trumps claims that the subpoena is overbroad and was issued in bad faith incredible and unreasonable.

He also rejected Trumps claim that the grand jury investigation concerned only hush-money payments made in 2016 by the presidents former lawyer Michael Cohen.
Iran and Turkey have strongly condemned Donald Trump's Middle East peace deal which has established full diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

State TV says Iran's Foreign Ministry called the historic deal a stab in the back to all Muslims.

Turkey said the peoples of the region 'will never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behavior' by the UAE.

State TV says Iran's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a historic deal establishing full diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Iranian president Hassan Rouhani pictured above

The UAE, which has never fought Israel and has quietly been improving ties for years, said the agreement put a hold on Israel's plans to unilaterally annex parts of the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians view as the heartland of their future state.

But the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the UAE had no authority to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians or 'to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine.'

Iran, in the ministry statement, called the normalizing of ties between the two countries a dangerous, 'shameful' measure on Friday and warned the UAE against Israel interfering in the 'political equations' of the Persian Gulf region.

'The UAE government and other accompanying governments must accept responsibility for all the consequences of this action,' the statement said.

In a deal brokered by the U.S., the UAE and Israel announced Thursday they agreed to establish full diplomatic ties and Israel will halt plans for annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

Officials applaud after President Trump announced the deal

Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government is now going to have full relations with the United Arab Emirates, whose de facto ruler is Abu Dhabi's crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed

The agreement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state - and the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan - to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

They announced it in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

Iran said in the state TV report the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE revealed the 'strategic stupidity' of the two countries and said it 'will undoubtedly strengthen the axis of resistance in the region.'

The ministry statement called the deal a 'dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims.'

Turkey has had diplomatic relations with Israel for decades, but under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has positioned itself as a champion of the Palestinians. Turkey and the UAE support rival camps in the conflict in Libya.

The historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory for U.S. President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is 'committed to annexing parts of the West Bank' but agreed to 'temporarily suspend' those plans in order to sign the deal with the UAE

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounts to 'treason,' and should be reversed

Hossein Amirabdollahian, advisor to Iran's Parliament speaker, criticized the deal on his Twitter account on Friday.

'UAE's new approach for normalizing ties w/fake, criminal (hash)Israel doesn't maintain peace & security, but serves ongoing Zionists' crimes,' he said.

Iran's former chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei, said in a tweet the UAE has been making itself 'the paradise of Israel' for the last 10 years.

'No Muslim zealous warriors and no Arabs betray Palestine, only nerveless stabs from behind,' he said.

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed both the agreement and the decision to suspend annexation and called to congratulate his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on 'this historic step.'

'We stand by our position that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East,' Maas said in a statement.

'Together with our European partners and the region we have campaigned intensively in past months against an annexation and for the resumption of direct negotiations. We are also ready to actively support such a process.'
"David has done a solid job navigating the COVID crisis," said Justin Gmelich, a partner at the hedge fund King Street and longtime Goldman markets executive before that. He praised the firm's flexible work-at-home policies and the insights that analysts and traders had provided him as a client, although he said he had concerns about the talent pool because at least a half-dozen senior traders had left the bank since Solomon's ascension. With nearly half the bank's employees under the age of 30, his messaging appears attuned to the mores of a changing finance industry. Already, Solomon  a yogi and music lover  had brought a different vibe to the job, ripping up the firm's stodgy dress code and talking about bringing one's "whole self" to work. In managing Goldman's response to the virus, he is also becoming an unlikely poster boy for a softer era on Wall Street, where personal well-being can take precedence over profits and displaying anxieties isn't a matter of embarrassment. Solomon, 58, did stumble into a minor scandal recently while indulging his favourite hobby. Last month, he took the stage to DJ at a concert in New York's affluent Hamptons beach community, while a large crowd partied in close quarters. The gathering drew the ire of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who demanded an investigation. A spokesman for the state's health department said the inquiry was continuing. "David admits it was a mistake to participate, and he's told people at the firm that," a Goldman spokesman, Jake Siewert, said of the Hamptons concert. Siewert added that Solomon had put live events on hold for the foreseeable future but planned to continue recording electronic music.

Since the earliest days of the coronavirus, Solomon had been watching it make its way from China to the United States and worried about its potential economic impact. In early February, he spoke with David Tepper, a well-known stock investor and Goldman alumnus, who had read a dire forecast for the virus in medical journal The Lancet. The two were at a Super Bowl event in Miami, and Tepper said he had come to believe the illness could hobble the United States. "I was struck by the fact that he was more worried than I was, and I was worried," Solomon recalled. He began working on larger-scale contingency plans. Loading By the end of February, Solomon's senior team was holding regular 6.30 am meetings to discuss what Goldman should do to safeguard both its employees and its business if the virus spread more widely. In March, after the coronavirus was declared a pandemic and most of Goldman's workers went home, Solomon chose to go into the office daily. To lead, he said, was to show up physically. "For me, it doesn't seem right the CEO of Goldman Sachs goes out to, you know, a country house, a suburb or some other place, and is not in charge, in the office, because that's what we do," he said in a phone interview in late June.

For now, with everyone dispersed, Solomon has sought new ways to keep in touch with workers. "Your jobs are safe during this crisis," he said in an audio message distributed to the firm's workers April 2, noting that Goldman would provide additional family leave to employees. He attended an after-work "geek-out" session for employees on the topic of winemaking and sipped the wine under discussion as he watched. All 150 participants had received the same bottle from the bank. In late May, after a black man, George Floyd, was killed by a white police officer, touching off nationwide protests over racial injustice, Solomon encouraged employees to speak more openly about race and intolerance. Fred Baba, a managing director in the firm's markets division, responded with an email to a small group of colleagues discussing his experience with racism and describing the previous few months as "demoralising." Loading The email, which argued for mentoring people of colour and supporting minority-owned business, soon inspired a Goldman podcast with Baba and an op-ed article on Bloomberg. Solomon also convened an emotional town-hall meeting on race, during which he choked up as black partners shared their anguish over police violence toward black people.
Appeals Court Upholds America's All-Male Military Draft

By VOA News August 13, 2020

A federal appeals court in New Orleans upheld America's all-male military draft system Thursday, citing a lack of authority to overturn a 1981 Supreme Court case that deemed the practice constitutional.

The decision overrules a 2019 lower court ruling. The appellate court held that "only the Supreme Court may revise its precedent."

Arguments for the case began in March after a lawsuit filed by the National Coalition of Men and two male individuals challenged the male-only draft, which has not been used since the Vietnam War. Unlike today, women were largely barred from combat at the time of the 1981 high court case, the plaintiffs argued, making the ruling outdated.

The three-judge panel unanimously acknowledged the validity of the plaintiff's argument, stating that "the factual underpinning of the controlling Supreme Court decision has changed," but such a shift in policy "does not grant a court of appeals license to disregard or overrule that precedent."

Women were first permitted to enroll in the U.S. military academies in 1976. They began serving in active combat roles in the 1990s.

Although the draft was suspended in 1973, men ages 18 to 26 are still required to register and are liable to be called into service in the case of a national emergency.

Earlier this year, a federal commission suggested including women in the draft.

"The commission concluded that the time is right to extend Selective Service System registration to include men and women, between the ages of 18 and 26. This is a necessary and fair step, making it possible to draw on the talent of a unified nation in a time of national emergency," the commission's final report said.

Plaintiffs may seek a rehearing before a full 17-judge appeals panel or they may appeal the case to the Supreme Court. Harry Crouch, president of the National Coalition for Men, said organization leaders will discuss their next move with attorneys.

Marc Angelucci, one of the attorneys arguing for the National Coalition of Men, was shot to death in July. Authorities later connected Angelucci's killing in California to Roy Den Hollander, who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound the day after an ambush in New Jersey killed U.S. District Judge Esther Salas' 20-year-old son and wounded her husband.

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Two-year-old trotters found themselves in the spotlight Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park as the oval hosted finals of the Pure Ivory Series for fillies and the Millard Farms Series for colts and geldings.

The boys were up first in the $79,000 Millard Farms Series, and the undefeated

Macho Martini kept his perfect record intact thanks to a 1:54.4 triumph in the rich final.

With Bob McClure at the controls behind the son of Muscle Mass-Peach Martini, Macho Martini got away fourth while stablemate On A Streak shot to the top from Post 8 and supplied the field with a first quarter clocked in :27.2. As the field moved into the backstretch, McClure started up the engine on Macho Martini and asked him to march to the lead.

Macho Martini brushed to the lead and proceeded to lay down middle splits of :57.3 and 1:27 before kicking into gear and firing home in :27.4 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over On A Streak in a career-best clocking of 1:54.4. Lucky Rascal took home the show dough.

Determination of Montreal, QC owns the colt who was a $37,000 purchase from last falls Harrisburg Yearling Sale. Four wins from four starts has helped the youngster boost his bankroll to $140,433.

Macho Martinis stablemate Donna Soprano established a new series record thanks to her 1:55.1 triumph in the $84,500 Pure Ivory Series for trotting fillies.

Bob McClure floated off the gate from Post 9 and watched Rubys Are Nice throw down an opening quarter clocked in :28.2. Donna Sopranos stablemate, Dicentra, attacked first over and took command at the half in :58.1. She was still in command at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1, but Donna Soprano was rallying off cover and charging hard. Donna Soprano trotted her own final quarter in :27.1, and that was good enough to earn her the win by 3-3/4 lengths over Dicentra. Amazone Duharas was third.

Determination of Montreal, QC shelled out $190,000 at last falls Harrisburg Yearling Sale for Donna Soprano, who is now two-for-two to kick off her career. The lions share of the loot lifted her cash stash to $52,250.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results  Woodbine Mohawk Park.
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

As an emergency room nurse, Kristin Dorow thought she understood the complexities of her job. Each shift brought a different, and sometimes exciting, challenge but she felt adept at quickly assessing and treating a patient. When COVID-19 patients started flooding her Austin, Texas area hospital, work  and life  started getting tougher.

Its just this physical and mental exhaustion  (I'm) constantly going through in my mind, Is that person sick? Am I at risk? Dorow, 39, told TODAY. Ive seen my co-workers and myself cry. Its just overwhelming and its scary. You dont really have an outlet."

Dorow is not alone.

Kristin Dorow is a nurse based in Austin, Texas who has struggled with her mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. (Courtesy Kristin Dorow)

In April, many were shocked by the story of Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency room doctor in New York City, who died by suicide. Her family told Savannah Guthrie they believed she felt overwhelmed by those sick with COVID-19 who she just could not help.

"She said, 'People are just dying in the waiting room before they even get in. There aren't enough hookups for the oxygen to help them. They're not getting admitted fast enough. We can't keep up,'" Jennifer Feist, Breens sister said during the TODAY interview.

Breen had admitted that she struggled to even get up sometimes. The family believes that the culture in medicine prevented Breen from asking for help.

"She couldn't stop working, and she certainly couldn't tell anybody she was struggling," Feist said. "And that needs to be a conversation that changes. People need to be able to say they're suffering and to take a break."

Experts agree. People on the front lines of COVID-19 are facing increased stress and its taking a toll on their mental health. But for many, talking to a therapist or taking medication could impact their ability to practice and they worry what asking for help might mean.

Story continues

Stigma in mental health is high  especially among health care workers, Dr. Cecilia Livesey, chief of integrated services in the department of psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They have always been told they are the ones who are helping and caring for people. Caring for the care provider is a new idea.

Related: "When all this is over, whenever that is, I'll have some serious healing to do," Krista Perry, an ICU nurse in Arizona, told TODAY.

The need is there

In late May, Livesey helped launch Cobalt, an online platform for immediate mental health support for Penn Medicine employees. To date, nearly 10,000 people have used the platform and there were 60 cases of suicidal thoughts. While this highlights the need in one hospital system, research from Italy, China and now New York City reinforces that those caring for coronavirus patients experience much strain.

57% of health care workers experienced acute stress, nightmares, detachment, in this current pandemic. Forty-eight percent had depression, 33% had anxiety, said Dr. Lori Plutchik, a New York City psychiatrist, citing numbers from a recent survey of New York City-based health care workers.

"These numbers are incredibly high," noted Plutchik, who is a co-founder of Caring for Caregivers, a program that offers psychotherapy to front-line physicians. Yet, those in health care are often reluctant to seek help, she told TODAY.

Dr. Daniel Saddawi-Konefka agreed.

Health care workers dont do a good job of taking care of themselves. We have higher rates of suicide. We have higher rates of depression and burnout in the general population, Saddawi-Konefka, a critical care physician and anesthesiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. For some reason, we just dont seek help. So, youve got that as your baseline and then on top of that you put on all these other stressors. And its not a recipe for anything good.

Helping the helpers

Saddawi-Konefka and Ariel Brown, Ph.D. and neuroscientist based in Arlington, Massachusetts, started the Emotional PPE Project, a directory that provides contact information of volunteer mental health practitioners to health care workers, at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic.

Ariel Brown is one of the founders of the Emotional PPE Project, a directory that connects volunteer mental health practioners with health care workers who are suffering.

We want to be able to help people really protect themselves on the inside from the effects of COVID, Brown told TODAY. Thats where the emotional PPE came in because in a similar way seeking professional support will help to mitigate these effects of the virus on your emotions, your brain and your mental health."

Saddawi-Konefka saw firsthand how the pandemic impacted himself and others. Suddenly, what many thought they knew about medicine changed and tough decisions became even harder.

Imagine that unfortunately its the end of life for one of your patients, and now the family is faced with the decision  because of visitation policies  of deciding which one of the children gets to say goodbye to their mother, he said. When you see grief and people hurting and, frankly, I think it is a little bit of primary trauma.

Plutchik and her colleague, Marianna Strongin, a therapist, heard from health care workers that they felt overwhelmed and burned out from the pandemic. The founders of Caring for Caregivers asked their New York-based mental health peers to volunteer for therapy. When a health care employee contacts the group, they are matched with a therapist.

Related:

This is really a grassroots effort, Strongin told TODAY. We offer free therapy to front-line doctors and nurses for up to three months. When those three months are over we obviously encourage our front-line doctors and nurses to work with their therapy and mental health.

In North Carolina, clinical psychologist Stephanie Zerwas also observed many of her co-workers were suffering. She started Project Parachute to provide therapy to front-line employees both in her area and across the country. Project Parachute has therapists in 40 different states.

I called it Project Parachute because I wanted to soften the emotional landing, she told TODAY. It can be really helpful to have a container for all these big thoughts and feelings that are separate from the workplace. Having a trained therapist who can really empathize and listen to what youre talking about and reflect back what they are hearing  can help.

All of the programs offer anonymous help, which makes it easier for health care workers to call without fearing repercussions.

Dorow, the Texas nurse, felt that asking for help meant she was weak. But as she experienced more stress and woke up frequently at night in a panic wondering if she made a mistake, she reached out to Emotional PPE.

It helps, she said. I think deep down, we all know its normal to go through these times where youre anxious or stressed or depressed about whats going on in the world around us. But to hear someone else say that, someone who doesnt know me personally  it really made me feel better.
Insect apocalypse? Not so fast, at least in North America LiveScience

Why the Mauritius oil spill is so serious BBC

COVID-19 gives Sri Lankas threatened elephants a reprieve Channel News Asia

Feds say Yale discriminates against Asian, white applicants AP

Syracuse University Warns Students That They May Be Punished For Not Acting To Confront Bias Motivated Speech or Conduct Jonathan Turley

A California appeals court just ruled that Amazon is legally liable for defective products sold on its site by third parties Business Insider

#COVID19

Comparison of Estimated Excess Deaths in New York City During the COVID-19 and 1918 Influenza Pandemics JAMA. From the discussion:

This cohort study found that the absolute increase in deaths over baseline (ie, excess mortality) observed during the peak of 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic was higher than but comparable to that observed during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City. However, because baseline mortality rates from 2017 to 2019 were less than half that observed from 1914 to 1917 (owing to improvements in hygiene and modern achievements in medicine, public health, and safety), the relative increase during early COVID-19 period was substantially greater than during the peak of the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Not just the flu

Weve hit the iceberg: NCAA medical adviser warns as fall season sinks Politico and CDC director warns of worst fall in history if people dont follow COVID-19 guidelines The Hill

Coronavirus: Nearly two-thirds of Aucklands COVID-19 border, isolation staff had never been tested a week ago NewsHub. Holy moley!

The Coronavirus Is Never Going Away The Atlantic

Why the U.S. Is Losing the War On COVID-19 Time. Good, but omits health care-for-profit and federalism. Too much about leadership, too little about systems.

Biden, Harris call for all states to mandate masks after first joint Covid-19 briefing Politico. Not substantively different from what Trump is doing.

Its Not Who Has the Most Deaths; Its Whos Doing What to Prevent the Spread FAIR

COVID-19 vaccine will be free for Americans: officials Agence France Presse

What looks like aerosol tranmission in three other choirs. Thread:

I have now heard of 4 #COVID19 outbreaks in choirs and I am worried that choirs will not be back for a long time. Here a story on @BBCNews about a choir with a link to a traveller from Wuhan mid December: https://t.co/qeErjKypnS (1/n)  Pleuni Pennings #BlackLivesMatter (@pleunipennings) May 11, 2020

From May, still germane; we now have additional examples besides the Skagit Valley Chorale. (Two are from non-English language sources.)

Prince Georges County Is Limiting Free COVID-19 Tests DCist. Take that, worker bees.

The Disproportionate Effects of COVID-19 on Households with Children Liberty Street Economics
In the past decade, global forced displacement has increased in scale and complexity. 1% of humanity or about 80 million people have been forced to flee their homes because of violence, persecution and conflicts. That is 60 times the population of Estonia. Each one of these represents a complex and unique life story, but the common thread is that for every single one of them, the ties to their families, their friends, their home, their neighbourhoods were abruptly and violently cut off by an external force, with no fault of their own. Contrary to what is often portrayed, the majority of persons forced to flee from their homes stay in their own or flee to the immediate neighbouring countries, and not to Europe. Developing regions are hosting 85 per cent of displaced persons globally, with the least developed countries providing protection for one-third of the global total.Only 17% of the worlds refugees are hosted in high-income countries.

Many Estonians grandparents and great-parents were impacted by similar forced displacement and deportations. Estonian collective memory knows well the feeling of losing your sense of belonging, and having to rebuild it, sometimes again and again. It is tough, and emotionally and physically draining. Many Estonian refugees who fled for their lives got international protection and a chance for a new life thanks to the generosity of many countries around the world, from close by in Sweden to Australia and Canada. This helped them rebuild their lives in their country of asylum and, in the process, forge new ties with new neighbours, new neighbourhoods, and the society in which they now lived in.

For todays refugees, such as the families who have had to flee from the war in Syria, those escaping from human rights abuses in Afghanistan and other countries, the same sense of belonging has been lost. Helping to forge these ties with the new society is what helps them to rebuild their lives and continue pursuing their dreams, like everyone else.

Estonia is a remarkable success story in restarting and establishing a democracy with accountable public institutions, respect for human rights and thriving economy. Thanks to this progress Estonia has become an active participant in international affairs and welcomed refugees already for more than 20 years. Although the number of refugees living in Estonia is small, in recent years considerable achievements have been made in building up a system to welcome and integrate refugees.

The integration of refugees into a new country is a two-way process between refugees and their host communities, which poses both challenges and opportunities. While Estonia and its people provide a welcoming environment that allow refugees to enjoy their basis human rights just as other citizens, the refugees on the other hand participate in integration programs, and comply with the laws of their host country. There are a number of important ways how both the State and the people of Estonia  young and old alike  can make refugees more welcome, ranging from the more practical issues such as housing, employment and social support, to citizenship, sociocultural orientation and language learning. In Estonia, each refugee or a refugee family benefit from a range of support measures, including a support person that facilitates settling in.

Last year, UNHCR asked refugees in Estonia for their views on how they were welcomed and what their plans are. It can be seen that the measures Estonia have in place do contribute to an increased sense of belonging in Estonia. Indeed, more than three-fourths of close to 40 respondents are planning to stay in Estonia. In addition to potential of long-term residence, almost 70% agreed that obtaining Estonian citizenship is important to promote and improve integration. Even bigger share of surveyed refugees emphasized the importance of learning the local language, develop new skills to find employment, enroll in sociocultural courses and build ties with the local population.

Such data show that refugees perceptions on integration are not just about long-term expectations or permanent residence in the country. It is about becoming integral part of the local population by learning the language, culture and social norms, as well as building bridges with local institutions and grassroots societies. This momentum should be used by further strengthening integration efforts at both national and local levels.

In a world that is undergoing a major pandemic, while violent conflicts and persecution have not stopped, more help is needed for those who are displaced  in the countries next to conflict areas, to which Estonia generously contributes, but also to give a new life chance to those most vulnerable refugees in need of resettlement. Estonia has invested a lot over the years in developing refugee integration, but statistics show that fewer and fewer refugees are able to benefit from it. Considering the increasingly dire situation of refugees, now is the time to show solidarity. Everyone can make a difference, every action counts.

UNHCR hosts a panel discussion on Saturday, 15th August at 13.00 at the Equal Treatment Stage at the Opinion Festival where refugees discuss their identity and belonging since they have received asylum in Estonia.

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Dr. Ravi Somayazula is Pleased to Announce Their 250+ Google Review

Dr. Ravi Somayazula and Body By Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics is pleased to announce that they now have over 250 Google reviews, plus many five-star ratings on Yelp, RealSelf, and Facebook. Based on Dr. Ravi's outstanding client feedback, extensive academic qualifications, leadership positions, board certifications, hospital affiliations, and peer-nominations, the highly-distinguished surgeon holds numerous coveted awards, including Texas Super Doctor 2019, Castle Connelly's Top Doctors 2019, America's Best Physicians 2018, and Houston's Top Doctors 2019.

Highly-esteemed, board-certified Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Ravi, is the founder of Body By Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics. Dr. Ravi prioritizes the safety of each patient and builds a patient-doctor relationship established on trust. He is one of the most sought after plastic surgeons because of his phenomenal results. The exceptional plastic surgeon specializes in breast augmentation with implants, mommy makeover transformations, Tummy Tucks and BodyTite PRO minimally-invasive skin tightening treatments for men and women by InMode.

Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics in Houston also features Dr. Swapna Gopathi, MD, specializing in innovative, non-invasive treatments for anti-aging treatments, facial rejuvenation, physician-quality skincare, injectables, fillers, and micro-needling.

Dr. Ravi shares, "Communication is key to developing a good relationship with any physician, and I am always available to answer questions and explain things in detail." Dr. Ravi strives to ensure that each patient is comfortable and well cared for during each visit, beginning with the initial consultation and continuing throughout their entire plastic surgery experience.

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Patient Reviews:

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CopperPoint Insurance Cos., a western-based super regional commercial insurance company, announced a new regional structure led by regional presidents.

The company has organized its core 10 state western footprint into three regions:

California Region

Southwest Region: Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico

Alaska and Pacific Northwest Region: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon

Regional presidents have been named for each region with overall responsibility for underwriting, regional profitability and growth, budgeting, forecasting, distribution relationships, talent management, community relations, among other functions.

Dave Kuhn assumes an expanded role as regional president for California, in addition to his position as executive vice president, enterprise distribution. Dana Ferestien who most recently was senior vice president, general counsel & liability claims for Alaska National, has been promoted to regional president for Alaska and Pacific Northwest. A Southwest regional president will be named in the future.

Craig Nodtvedt, who serves as president, Alaska and Northwest, announced his retirement effective Sept. 1. Nodtvedt joined Alaska National Insurance Company in 2001 and was promoted to President in 2005.

The company has also released a new CopperPoint family website (copperpoint.com). The goal of the new website is to provide agency/broker partners and customers access to services and information to manage their business insurance needs.

CopperPoint is a provider of workers compensation and commercial insurance solutions. CopperPoint Mutual Insurance Holding Co. is the corporate parent of CopperPoint Insurance Cos., Pacific Compensation Insurance Co. and Alaska National Insurance Co.

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(Photo : David Awschalom/University of Chicago) Scientists Kevin Miao, Chris Anderson and Alexandre Bourassa work on quantum research in the Awschalom lab at the University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. (Photo : David Awschalom/Univesity of Chicago) Postdoctoral researcher Kevin Miao works on quantum research at the University of Chicagos Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.

University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering scientists discovered a simple tweak can extend quantum systems life for up 10,000 times longer than before.

According to the study published on Aug. 13 in Science Daily, scientists claim the technology would revolutionize quantum communication, computing, and sensing. According to Phys.Org, while the technique was tested on a particular quantum systems class called solid-state qubits, it is assumed to work as well on other kinds of quantum systems. These include molecular quantum systems and superconducting quantum bits.

Argonne National Laboratory senior scientist and Chicago Quantum Exchange director David Awschalom, the study's lead author, said this would lay the foundation for "new avenues of research in quantum science." The Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering said this discovery has broad applicability and simple implementation that would impact many quantum engineering facets as well as allows new research opportunities that were impractical in the past.

Postdoctoral researcher Kevin Miao said they did not try to eliminate the noise in the system, but tricked the system into believing there is no noise. This has kept the system coherent for a long time. The approach is far different from physically isolating the system from the noise as well as keeping all materials pure, which is expensive.

The UChicago scientists added a continuous alternating magnetic field to the usual electromagnetic pulses that were used to control quantum systems. They have rapidly rotated the electron spins by altering this field, then allowed the system to release the rest of the noise.

Miao related the principle to a merry-go-round ride wherein people were all yelling. "When the ride is still, you can hear them perfectly, but if you're rapidly spinning, the noise blurs into a background," he said.

On July 23, the U.S. Department of Energy presented a blueprint for the future quantum Internet in an event in Chicago. Yet, challenges on fundamental engineering continue as Quantum states need an extremely quiet and stable space because they can be distracted easily by background noise.

The small mod allows longer coherence

This minor tweak has made the system to stay coherent by up to 22 milliseconds, which four magnitude orders higher than before. This is also far beyond any reported electron spin system in the past or much quicker than a blink of an eye, which takes about 350 milliseconds.

Awschalom also said the fix could lead to breakthroughs in almost all areas of quantum technology while creating "a pathway to scalability." This could also extend the storage of information about quantum electron spin practical, which will enable more complex operations in quantum computers and transmit quantum information from spin-based devices to farther networks.

Miao noted that a lot of candidates for quantum technology were pushed aside because they could not keep quantum coherence for a long time. He suggested having them re-assessed since their method could immensely improve coherence.

UChicago's system has completely adjusted some forms that usually destroy quantum coherence including temperature fluctuations, physical vibrations, and electromagnetic noise.

"The best part is, it's incredibly easy to do," said Miao adding that they used complex science in the process, but a clear-cut logistics for changing the magnetic field.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is looking to counter next weeks Democratic National Convention with travel to several swing states including Wisconsin, which was to have hosted the Democratic gathering.

Trump campaign announced Friday that Trump will host events aimed at attacking his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, on Monday in Wisconsin and Minnesota and on Tuesday in Arizona.

Democrats moved their campaign completely virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic. Republicans also cancelled nearly all of their convention, scheduled for the following week, because of the outbreak.

Trumps events in Mankato, Minnesota, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, are being billed as remarks on Bidens failures on Jobs and the Economy. Tuesdays speech in Yuma, Arizona, is advertised to be on Bidens failures on Immigration and Border Security.

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Cybersecurity is not sufficiently maturity across public-sector organizations.

According to the 2020 SolarWinds Public Sector Cybersecurity Survey, only 57% of IT operations and security decision-makers from across the government identified their agencys cybersecurity functions as mature. Respondents said budget constraints and a lack of confidence in their teams ability to keep up with evolving threats are the biggest roadblocks to cybersecurity maturity.

These responses arent surprising. Just when security teams find ways to block a specific attack, bad actors pivot to new tactics and techniques. Its a constant game of cat and mouse, and it can feel like the rules are rigged against security professionals. To make matters worse, the digital ecosystem is expanding. More endpoints, more services and greater reliance on the cloud are adding to the workload of security teams.

With this in mind, here are five ways public-sector IT professionals can bolster their agencys cybersecurity maturity.

1. Make endpoint protection a priority

A key finding from the survey is that organizational maturity -- even for technologies that have been around for some time, such as endpoint protection -- is lacking in government. While 57% say theyre most mature in endpoint protection, over 40% are not.

The challenge for security teams is as the network perimeter expands, particularly across remote offices and employees personal devices, endpoint protection solutions can be costly to acquire and deploy.

One way around this dilemma is to analyze the risk profiles of the various endpoints. With this insight, security teams can prioritize critical or at-risk assets, such as servers over end-user systems. If budget remains an issue, agencies can also leverage existing technology investments, such as security capabilities in Windows, to enhance protection across lower risk assets to ensure there are no blind spots within the organization.

2. Understand cutting-edge solutions dont equal maturity

Even as foundational solutions like threat intelligence, endpoint protection and identity and access management evolve, too often organizations gravitate toward products with the loudest bells and whistles, many of which include features they dont really need. These costly solutions can spread resources and investment dollars too thin and even undermine organizational security maturity.

With costs rising and budgets shrinking, agencies must adopt a risk-based approach and prioritize security investments to address key problems, vulnerabilities and exposures. Because the market is flooded with very mature, cost-effective and capable solutions that can drive cybersecurity maturity where its needed most, IT pros dont need to chase the latest shiny object.

3. Leverage automation

One way to move the needle on cybersecurity maturity is to leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning. AI and ML allow security teams to be more effective with the resources they have. Next-generation automated security technologies can complete tasks such as identifying potential threats, detecting unauthorized behaviors, applying intelligence to qualify incidents, countering and blocking attacks before execution, stopping unauthorized movement of data and more.

As AI and ML become more prevalent in the security marketplace, agencies can evolve their cybersecurity architecture to respond to changing digital threats.

4. Go beyond checking a box

Security maturity is more than a check in a box. It can be easy to deploy technology or train employees once and think the risk to the agency is mitigated. But IT environments, threats and risk tolerance evolve over time. To be truly effective, a cybersecurity program must continually improve to address gaps in the cybersecurity program.

Theres good news. Both the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Energy Departments Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response group provide cybersecurity frameworks and maturity models as guidelines. Whichever is chosen, the more focus placed on cybersecurity -- across all functions -- the better the outcomes will be.

5. Establish a culture of cybersecurity awareness

Technology alone cant drive cybersecurity maturity. The entire agency must commit to a multifaceted security program acknowledging the cybersecurity risk posed by employees and contractors.

Fifty-two percent of respondents to the survey cited uninformed or careless insiders, including contractors, as their top threat. Thats why agencies must work on building their security culture. Instilling common sense in the workforce around what to look out for, best practices and what to do in certain scenarios can make a significant difference in an agencys security posture.
I was checking my Instagram feed today and was absolutely appalled at what I saw. Twenty-four-year-old Korey Johnson posted a video to her IGTV documenting a chilling experience about going on a run with her friend Camille. They were both sexually harassed by a strange man who neither of them knew on their daily exercise route. Not only did he spew lewd comments at both females, but he followed them for the remainder of their run.

Originally we planned to ignore him because that was the best way for us not to get hurt, but that didnt work.  So we turned around and said, Sir, can you please leave us alone?

As they neared Koreys home and the man became more belligerent and relentless, the two women entered a nearby hotel pleading for the hotel staff to lock the doors, and the man began to beat on the windows, detailing explicit actions he hoped to perform to her friend. And amidst the commotion a female Caucasian guest at the hotel exclaimed, Who let this monkey in? As Korey and Camille frantically worked with hotel staff to contact law enforcement the unidentified female sneered, Well yall clearly know him. Is that your baby daddy?

Instances like this illustrate the harrowing reality of what its like to be a woman of color in America. Our stories are seen as incredible and in situations when we are truly victims, many times we are treated as if we instigate the situation, as depicted in Korey Johnsons account. But this trend of dehumanization of Black women doesnt stop with Koreys account; these stereotypes even affect children.

When Robert Kelly was acquitted in his 2008 child pornography case, a juror from his trial stated he did not believe testimony from Black women because of how they dressed and the way they act. And a 2019 article from the ACLU reports, Black girls are perceived to be more independent, more knowledgeable about sex, and in less need of protection.

The assignment of more adult-like characteristics to the expressions of young Black girls is a form of age compression, writes Dr. Monique W. Morris, founder of the National Black Womens Justice Institute, in a Georgetown Law report. Along this truncated age continuum, Black girls are likened more to adults than to children and are treated as if they are willfully engaging in behaviors typically expected of Black women. This compression [has] stripped Black girls of their childhood freedoms [and] renders Black girlhood interchangeable with Black womanhood.

As a black woman hearing these tragic stories, the first thought that comes to mind is that I must defend myself at all costs, but several times self-defense can bring harm as well. At the mere age of 16, Cyntoia Brown shot and killed a 43-year-old man who kidnapped her with the intent of rape. Upon showing her his gun collection at his home, Cyntoia fired those same shots that would save her life but change it forever. She was sentenced to 51 years in prison for first degree murder and was just released in January of 2019, after 15 years of incarceration. Countless women such as Alexis Martin, Cece McDonald and Tondalo Hall have also been subjected to similar punitive measures that are absurd in comparison to their crime.

Amendment XIV Section I of the U.S. Constitution says, No state shall  deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

These cases are a result of a massive disconnect between the laws in our country on paper and in practice. African Americans are supposed to receive equal protection, according to our Constitution, but many times are subject to racial profiling and wrongful incarceration for petty crimes or even while innocent. These assumptions dont only cost innocent Black people their freedom, but dealing with them on a daily basis is draining.

What this unidentified woman at the hotel didnt know was that Korey Johnson is not somebodys baby momma but a Howard Law alumnus. She knows the power of her voice, how to utilize it and carry herself respectfully. But irrespective of socioeconomic status and education, Black women deserve to be respected. PERIOD. Mitigating instances like these begins with a dialogue  because in order to bring about change, people must understand why we are petitioning for it in the first place. We must respect others to be respected, and dealing with racism is no exception.

Victoria is a freshman at George Washington University, where she is majoring in political science.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan has expressed hope that inbound tourism to Armenia will resume in autumn this year.

There are businesses that shut down during the coronavirus outbreak, he said at a news briefing. Compared to last year tourism turnover dropped more than 90%. Because there is no inbound tourism, these organizations have no income. We find the shutdown of these companies to be conditional, because they will immediately reopen when tourism flows will be restored, he said.

He hoped that by late autumn tourists will start arriving to Armenia from some directions.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
New York police have arrested a 22-year-old man in the murder of a teenager who was stabbed three times before he was set on fire in the Bronx.

Adones Betances faces murder and manslaughter charges in the death of 18-year-old Winston Ortiz, who died after the Wednesday attack in Highbridge

Betances was described as being the brother of the victim's 15-year-old girlfriend. It is believed that Betances took issue with the age gap in the couple's relationship, ABC 7 reports.

Adones Betances, 22, was arrested in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Winston Ortiz

NYPD say Ortiz identified his attacker when they arrived to the scene of the Wednesday attack in Highbridge

Ortiz is said to have identified his assailant to authorities as they arrived to the scene at the apartment building at Woodycrest Avenue.

Police say Betances did not live in the building and was waiting for Ortiz when he arrived at the apartment.

As he was being led out the police precinct, Betances declared that he had been framed.

Ortiz, 18, was stabbed three times before being doused with gasoline and then having a lit match thrown at him around 3pm on Wednesday afternoon, leaving him in critical condition.

Police have revealed that the suspect entered the building just before Ortiz did and then carried out the brazen attack.

Neighbors rushed out of their apartment and were able to put out the flames using buckets of water before EMTs arrived.

Late on Wednesday night, Ortiz's aunt posted a heartbreaking message on her Facebook page announcing the death of her nephew.

'Today we found out our oldest nephew was brutally murdered in NY. He fought hard for his life until he could no longer fight and passed away this evening. I am begging all of my friends to share our GoFundMe as no parent should outlive their child let alone worry about how to pay for funeral arrangements. My heart is so broken into pieces and beyond consoling.'

One woman who saw Ortiz ablaze and poured water over him told the New York Post that it had shaken her up.

Betances was described as being the brother of the victim's 15-year-old girlfriend

The teenager was stabbed three times in the chest before having gasoline poured on him and then set alight with a flicked match in the hallway of a Bronx apartment block, pictured

'I stepped outside. I saw flames,' said the 34-year-old woman, who did not want give her name.

'I thought her apartment was on fire. And when I go over there, I saw a guy in flames all over his body.

'I got very scared because I have my girls here,' she said. 'It's really concerning.'

The woman said that a recent spate of violence in the neighborhood had left her feeling unsafe.

'Unfortunately in the neighborhood we feel like we're not safe,' the mother said. 'There was a shooting yesterday around the corner. We may need to have some police around the area.'

In Tuesday's shooting, two men were shot by the corner of the building.

A 21-year-old man was struck seven times while a 37-year-old man was also shot.

Ortiz was arguing with his attacker before the assault occurred at the Bronx apartment block
Nearly 660 delegations attend national mourning of former Party leader Close to 660 delegations of Party and State leaders, ministries, localities, peoples armed forces, and diplomatic offices, as well as representatives from international organisations paid tribute to late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Le Kha Phieu at a national mourning held in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and his home province of Thanh Hoa on August 14. Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong and former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung sent wreaths to the function. Prominent among those attending the mourning were Politburo member and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Politburo member and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Also attending the event were former Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former Presidents Tran Duc Luong, Nguyen Minh Triet, and Truong Tan Sang; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; and former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An. Phieu was born on December 27, 1931 in Dong Khe commune, Dong Son district, the north-central province of Thanh Hoa, and resided at 7/36/C1 Ly Nam De, Cua Dong ward, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. He started participating in revolutionary activities in 1947, and joined the Communist Party of Vietnam on June 19, 1949. He was a member of the Party Central Committee of the 7th and 8th tenures, a member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat of the 7th tenure, a Politburo member of the 7th and 8th tenures, and the General Secretary of the Party Central Committee from December 1997 to April 2001. Also he was Deputy to the National Assembly of the 9th and 10th tenures. After a period of illness, despite the wholehearted care by the Party, State, medical group and his family, he passed away at 2:52 on August 7, 2020, of serious illness and old age at his home. Over more than 70 years of his revolutionary activities, he made great contributions to the glorious revolution cause of the Party and the nation. He was awarded with the Golden Star, an insignia of 70-year Party membership, and many other noble Vietnamese and international orders and medals. National mourning for former Party leader held in localities National mourning for former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Le Kha Phieu were held in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and his home province of Thanh Hoa on August 14. A delegation of Laos led by Politburo member and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and another of ambassadors, representatives of international organisations in Hanoi paid last respect to the late leader. Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo affirmed that Phieu was a close comrade and friend of the Communist Party and people of China. US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J.Kritenbrink wrote that former Party leader Phieu played an important role in the Vietnam - US cooperation, including his support for the Vietnam  US bilateral trade agreement in 2000 and hosting the Vietnam visit by US President Bill Clinton in November 2000. His contributions laid a foundation for growing friendship between the two nations, the diplomat stressed. Cambodian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Sok Dareth wrote on the funeral book that the former Party leaders passing is a great loss of the Vietnamese Party, Government and people, and Cambodia has also lost a close friend who made outstanding contributions to the development of the bilateral friendship. Russian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Aleksei Popov said as a true patriot, Phieu dedicated his whole life to the struggle for national independence and prosperity and also made great contributions to the cause of developing trust and friendship between the two nations. Cuban Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Indira Lopez Arguelles also expressed the most profound condolences to the Vietnamese Party, Government and people, saying that the late leader will live forever in the mind of all people. Foreign leaders send condolences over former Party leaders passing Indonesian Government, President of the National Assembly of Nicaragua, and leaders of several foreign political parties have sent condolences to the Vietnamese Party and State leaders and family of former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Le Kha Phieu over his recent passing. In the message, the Indonesian Government affirmed that the former Party leader made great contributions to the struggle for national independence and dedicated his whole life to the Vietnamese people. In a message to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong, Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Kazuo Shii spoke highly of the late Vietnamese leaders dedication to the national independence and development, as well as ties between the two Parties and friendship between the two peoples. President of the National Assembly of Nicaragua Gustavo Porras Cortes also cabled condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people. President of the Labour Party of Mexico Alberto Anaya Gutierrez, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Mexico, and the Central Committee of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador conveyed condolences to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong. General Secretary of the Marxist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Nayef Hawatmeh and head of the External Relations Committee of the Moroccan Party of Justice and Development El Orani Slimane also sent condolences to the CPV Central Committee. Chairman of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party Mamdouh Habashi expressed condolences to the CPV Central Committees Commission for External Relations. On August 14, ambassadors and representatives from international organisations paid tribute to the late leader in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Ceremonies held overseas for former Party leader Vietnamese embassies in the Republic of Korea (RoK), Russia, Australia, France, Italy, China, South Africa and Israel held ceremonies on August 14 to mark the recent passing of former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Le Kha Phieu. Staff at the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK, led by Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung, observed one minutes silence in commemoration of the late Party leader. The embassy opened a funeral book online from August 14-15. Representatives from the embassies of Laos, Brunei, Brazil, Ethiopia, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, Bahrain, France, the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Argentina, Oman, and Kuwait in the RoK expressed their profound condolences to the family of the late leader, the Vietnamese Government and people. In Moscow, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh delivered a eulogy on the life and revolutionary career of Phieu and his contributions to the cause of national construction and development. The funeral book is opening from August 14-17. On the morning of the same day, Russian political parties and embassies of ASEAN member states, European, African, and Latin American countries also cabled messages of condolences to the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and the family of the late leader. Together with the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, the Vietnamese Consulates General in Sydney and Perth also held a tribute service and opened funeral books from August 14-17. Lao Ambassador to Australia Sisavath Inphachanh wrote that Phieu made important contributions to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos, and his legacy will be forever remembered. The same day, similar ceremonies took place in France, Italy, Hong Kong and Kunming of China, South Africa and Israel to show respect to Vietnam's former Party leader. VNA
The FBI and San Francisco police arrested a man they described as a street gang member Friday for allegedly killing a 15-year old boy last year.

Fernando Madrigal, known as Nando, was arrested on suspicion of murdering the 15-year-old boy, who was not identified, in the furtherance of gang activity, said Craig Fair, special agent in charge of the San Francisco FBI office.

While the victim was not named, the arrest appears directly linked to the slaying of Dayvon Hann in July 2019.

Fair said the victim was singled out because he lived in the Mission District, where he was shot near his home. San Francisco police responded and summoned an ambulance but the boy, who had been shot in the back, was not breathing and first responders were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead on the scene 10 minutes after being shot, Fair said.

This murder was senseless and horrific, Fair said.

The FBI described Madrigal as a member of the Mission District Nortenos, a street gang he said has a long history of violence, murder, drive-by shootings, stabbings, and beatings. Authorities believe Madrigal killed the boy as part of a meaningless territorial dispute with a rival gang. Fair said.

Madrigals arrest was the result of a painstaking year-long investigation that proved his gang involvement, Fair said. The investigation included examination of his social media accounts, he said, specifically mentioning Instagram.

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.

Fair said the FBI and San Francisco police will continue to work together to find violent offenders within gangs.

No one should be afraid to walk in their own neighborhood, and no one deserves to lose their son or daughter to gang violence, Fear said. This level of violence is unacceptable.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @ctuan
SHENZHEN, China The IBC Mall in Shenzhens Luohu district was sealed off and under police supervision on Friday evening, with around 200 people queuing outside waiting for COVID-19 tests from medical personnel in protective suits.

An official Guangdong Health Commission WeChat account channel said the alert was prompted by a COVID-19 case at the mall.

The confirmed case was a 41-year-old woman who had been working inside the Alibaba-owned supermarket Freshippo as a temporary brand promotor until Aug. 2, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The worker was diagnosed in her home city of Lufeng, in Guangdong, the commission said. Three of her family members also tested positive.

An outbreak in the city of Urumqi in the far western region of Xinjiang in July was thought to have originated with a mall worker.

On Monday, Shenzhen authorities announced three Chinese citizens returning to the southern city from Russia had tested positive for the virus while in quarantine.

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A 44-year old commercial driver, Tony Abbey has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit court for allegedly having sex with his 17yearold daughter.

Abbey aka Abdul-Raman is alleged to have had sex with his daughter when she was 15 years at Nima in Accra. The victim got pregnant and accused aborted it.

Abbey after the abortion started having sex with the victim again.

Charged with incest, Abbey has pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Mrs Christina Cann, admitted Abbey to bail in the sum of GH60,000.00 with three sureties one to be justified.

The Court ordered that the title deed of his landed property should be deposited at the Court's Registry.

Prosecution was also asked to file their disclosures and serve same on the accused person and his lawyer.

Prosecution did not object to the grant of bail.

The matter has been adjourned to September 7.

Narrating the facts of the case, Prosecuting Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire said the complainant is the mother of the 17 year old victim and Abbey is the father of the victim.

Chief Inspector Atimbire said, in the year 2017, the victim came to stay with the accused to attend school at Nima in Accra.

Prosecution said, a year later Abbey started having sex with the victim and she became pregnant.

According to prosecution, Abbey aborted the pregnancy and warned her not tell anyone.

Prosecution said in March, this year, accused started having sex with the victim again before she left for a boarding school.

"In June 2020, the complainant visited her mother at Ashiaman after school vacation and narrated the incident to her, Prosecution said.

The Prosecutor said the victim's mother reported the matter to the Department of Social Welfare, Ashiaman who in turn invited the accused and handed over Abbey to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, (DOVVSU).

Prosecution said a medical report form was issue to the complainant to seek medical attention.

The matter was then referred to Nima DOVVSU and when accused was interrogated, he admitted the offence in his caution statement.

GNA
This debate is particularly potent as activists sense a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make progress on issues ranging from police violence to mass incarceration to health and inequality. And it comes as Socialism in America  long a predominantly white movement  attracts younger and more diverse adherents.

Many leftist and liberal scholars argue that current disparities in health, police brutality and wealth inequality are due primarily to the nations history of racism and white supremacy. Race is Americas primal wound, they say, and Black people, after centuries of slavery and Jim Crow segregation, should take the lead in a multiracial fight to dismantle it. To set that battle aside in pursuit of ephemeral class solidarity is preposterous, they argue.

Adolph Reed and his ilk believe that if we talk about race too much we will alienate too many, and that will keep us from building a movement, said Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, a professor of African-American studies at Princeton University in New Jersey and a socialist who has given talks to D.S.A. chapters and is familiar with these debates. We dont want that  we want to win white people to an understanding of how their racism has fundamentally distorted the lives of Black people.

A contrary view is offered by Professor Reed and some prominent scholars and activists, many of whom are Black. They see the current emphasis in the culture on race-based politics as a dead-end. They include Dr. West; the historians Barbara Fields of Columbia University and Toure Reed  Adolphs son  of Illinois State; and Bhaskar Sunkara, founder of Jacobin, a Socialist magazine.

They readily accept the brute reality of Americas racial history and of racisms toll. They argue, however, that the problems now bedeviling America  such as wealth inequality, police brutality and mass incarceration  affect Black and brown Americans, but also large numbers of working-class and poor white Americans.

The most powerful progressive movements, they say, take root in the fight for universal programs. That was true of the laws that empowered labor organizing and established mass jobs programs during the New Deal, and its true of the current struggles for free public college tuition, a higher minimum wage, reworked police forces and single-payer health care.

Those programs would disproportionately help Black, Latino and Native American people, who on average have less family wealth and suffer ill health at rates exceeding that of white Americans, Professor Reed and his allies argue. To fixate on race risks dividing a potentially powerful coalition and playing into the hands of conservatives.
14.08.2020 LISTEN

The Minority in Parliament has kicked against attempts by government to securitize royalties, known to be a preserve for traditional authorities.

The Minority side in Parliament on Friday, August 14, 2020, threatened to boycott proceedings in the House over a request for the approval of an agreement between the government and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) known as Agyapa Royalties Limited.

The agreement is in relation to a gold royalties monetization transaction where the government seeks to raise revenue for development on the back of royalties from the mining sector to the tune of US$1 billion.

According to Ranking Member on Parliaments Finance Committee, Cassiel Ato Forson, the agreement if passed will shortchange Ghanaians.

What we are asking for is the cash flows throughout the year of the transaction. Yet they are failing to give us that information so we do not have the cash flows. Again, we are asking for the prospectus because they said they are going to the stock exchange to raise money on the back of this US$1 billion. Yet they have failed to give us the prospectus. In fact, what we needed to know was the cost of the transaction.

They havent given it to us, only for the Minister [of Finance] to tell us that so far, they have spent US$2 million. We want to know who theyve paid the US$2 million. The government is hiding something sensitive from this Parliament and we have said that until we get this information, we the members of the Minority will not be part of this transaction being approved on the Floor of this House, he insisted.

There were reports that the Minority also alleged that the company in question was originally known as Asaase Royalties Limited but the name was changed to Agyapa Royalties Limited under questionable circumstances.

NPP MP rebuts claims

But responding to such claims on Eyewitness News, the Member of Parliament for the Sekondi constituency, Andrew Egyapa Mercer insisted that the supposed change of name of the company was false.

He also rejected claims that royalties are the preserve of traditional authorities.

That assertion that royalties are sent to traditional authorities is false. There is a formula for distributing mineral resources. 70 percent goes to the government of Ghana and the rest is distributed in accordance with the formula that is contained in the mining leases.

He explained that the government is seeking to channel its portion of the royalties into better use for the benefit of the country.

It is governments portion that it gets annually that it is seeking to set up an SPV pursuant to the Minerals Income Investment Act 2018 which set up the Minerals Income Investment Fund to put the SPV on the London Stock Exchange, raise equity of up to 49 percent, equivalent to about US$500 million, to enable government spend those funds without paying interest or increasing the debt stock of the country and use those revenues to fund its development agenda.

Egyapa Mercer was confident that the transaction agreement will be approved by Parliament before they go on recess later on Friday, August 14, 2020.

 citinewsroom
Lucknow, Aug 14 : The Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday arrested a man accused of kidnapping and brutally raping a six-year-old girl in Hapur district more than a week after the incident.

Earlier, the Amroha police found a set of clothes, an identity card and a purported suicide note of the accused Dalpat Singh. The note said that he did not wish to be killed in an encounter. "I know I will be killed in an encounter and I do not want to die like that. I will choose my own means to end life. Please do not harass my children," the note read.

The police, however, had their suspicion about the note and said it could be an attempt to mislead the investigations.

"Till we trace him or his body or any evidence to corroborate it, we are not going to rely on the suicide note. We are trying to match the handwriting on the suicide note with the original," said a senior police official.

The items, including the 'suicide' note were found near Mehmoodpur village in Amroha, where Dalpat lived.

The locals in the village had reportedly spotted the accused with country-made liquor on the outskirts of his native village in Amroha on Monday and had informed the police but the accused had left by the time the police team arrived.

The girl was kidnapped by Dalpat on August 6 evening when she was playing outside her house in Garhmukteshwar Kotwali area of Hapur. She was found a day later in a critical condition after the accused her left her to die in a field.

The girl is now undergoing treatment in Meerut and her condition is said to be critical.
A U.S. Postal Service carrier walks past a statue of President George Washington in front of Independence Hall in Old City, Philadelphia on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Read more

There is a plot against American democracy unfolding in plain sight.

On Thursday morning, after months of attacks on the U.S. Postal Service and vote-by-mail, President Donald Trump admitted that the two efforts are connected as a part of one voter disenfranchisement effort. In a Fox Business Network interview, Trump said that the sticking point for him in the negotiations over a new coronavirus economic relief package is post office funding: If we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting. They just cant have it.

Then, on Thursday evening, Inquirer reporters Jonathan Lai and Ellie Rushing broke the news that USPS warned Pennsylvania that some ballots wont be counted in the November election because of Pennsylvanias tight deadlines for requesting and casting ballots  citing overwhelming risk to voters. Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar submitted a letter to the states Supreme Court, requesting they extend deadlines so ballots that arrive up to three days after the election can be counted.

In the June primary, tens of thousands of ballots arrived late and were only counted because Gov. Tom Wolf and local courts extended deadlines. Since then, Trump donor-turned-postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, has issued new policies  such as prohibiting overtime  that have caused massive mail delays. In Philadelphia, some residents have gone up to three weeks without mail.

Trumps voter disenfranchisement campaign and assault on the Postal Service is an insult to voters, county election officials working tirelessly to ensure the integrity of the upcoming election, and the core values of American democracy.

 READ MORE: Trumps assault on Postal Service attacks much more than voting | Editorial

In the midst of this crisis, and without a deal on the next relief package amid a recession, Senate Republicans who have been abiding Trumps efforts shamefully adjourned until after Labor Day. They should immediately resume session and fund the Postal Service  as well as provide aid to the many struggling across America.

In Pennsylvania, state lawmakers should also work quickly to change the deadlines in the vote-by-mail law to ensure that every vote that was cast on time is counted. The Supreme Court should extend the deadline if lawmakers fail their duty  but that can open Pennsylvania to litigation after the election. In addition, all counties should plan on having many ballot drop-off boxes well ahead of the election, another measure that Trump opposes.

Trumps effort will discourage some people from voting by mail when we will likely still be in the midst of a pandemic in November. Voting in person will be a risk  particularly to poll workers who are volunteers and tend to be older. To have as many polling stations open as possible on Election Day, young, healthy Pennsylvanians who are less at risk for severe COVID-19 should consider volunteering as poll workers.

There is no one way to block Trumps attack on democracy. With less than three months until the election, ensuring the integrity of the American vote will require all levels of government and ordinary citizens to step up. Its not too late to stop this threat to American democracy.
Click the photo to watch the video.

Xiamen University in Fujian Province has sent 296 students in 22 consecutive years to educate children in remote areas of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Since 2017, five to eight college students have traveled to Minning Township in Yinchuan for two weeks of the summer break to run after-school hobby clubs for local kids.

Wang Wentao, who is 9 and a half years old, said he learned about paper Mobius strips while attending a hobby club.

"Unlike normal paper, the strip has a surface of only one-sided," he said. "I think it's very interesting. I want to know more interesting things in the world."

In addition to teaching math, the college students teach painting, reading and science, among other things.

College student Jiang Pengzhou said that she liked the photos shared by her peers from visits in previous years and decided to join them.

"It's important for the children in remote areas to know that there's a bigger world outside their villages," said Jiang. "Our support education will plant seeds in their dreams, and someday those seed may sprout and their dreams may come true."

Video edited by Yang Xiaolong and Zhou Xiaotong

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)
On Aug. 11, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced that Kamala Harris would be his running mate for the upcoming election. If the two were to win the election in November, Harris would be the first Black woman to ever hold the office of vice president.

After the historic announcement, dozens of celebrities took to social media to express their support for Harris.

And while many people may be fans of the senator from California, Harriss social media accounts reveal that shes an even bigger fan of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Kamala Harris and Meghan Markle have a lot in common

Kamala Harris | Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Although Harris and Meghan look different physically unique, the two have more in common than many realize. Its fair to assume that these similarities provide the common ground that allows Harris to empathize with Meghan so deeply.

Both Harris and Meghan were born in CaliforniaHarris in Oakland, and Meghan in Los Angeles. They are also both biracial, as Harris was born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, while Meghan was born to a Black mother and a white father.

As women of color involved in their respective political communities, both Harris and Meghan spend a lot of time in the public eye. Both women face a high level of scrutiny from the media and are frequent topics of discussion in mainstream culture.

Harris admired Meghan Markle for years

This is incredibly important. We must remember that its a sign of strength to show emotion.



Meghan, we are with you. https://t.co/h8jo7MRZjr  Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) October 19, 2019

RELATED: The Top Celebrity Reactions to Kamala Harriss Vice Presidential Nomination

Harris has been a big fan of Meghan for years and often reshares Meghans social media posts with her own thoughts added in.

Last year during a trip to South Africa, Meghan participated in an intimate interview with British television network ITV. During the interview, she shared how difficult life had been for her since becoming a major cultural figure.

Harris shared a snippet of the interview and added, This is incredibly important. We must remember that its a sign of strength to show emotion. Meghan, we are with you.

Senator Harris and the duchess agree on human rights issues

The only wrong thing to say is to say nothing." Thank you, Meghan, for this powerful statement. pic.twitter.com/tDf26TSgNz  Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) June 5, 2020

Although the royal family typically tries to stay out of controversial issues, Meghan used her platform to speak out against police brutality in June. Addressing her former high school, she put her support behind the Black Lives Matter movement and encouraged students to be part of the change.

Harris showed great gratitude for Meghan taking a stand. She reposted the video, saying: The only wrong thing to say is to say nothing. Thank you, Meghan, for this powerful statement.

The two women come from different walks of life, but they clearly share identical perspectives on human rights issues.

Kamala Harris and Meghan Markle will participate in the same digital summit

Although the two have yet to share a stage in real life, Harris and Meghan will both be featured speakers on a digital summit hosted by news agency The 19th*. Harris will be hosting a keynote conversation earlier in the day, while Meghan will be interviewing Emily Ramshaw, the news outlets founder.

The 19th*s commitment to reporting and storytelling that lifts up those who are too often underrepresented in the media has never been more important, Meghan said in a statement to Glamour.

Im looking forward to asking the co-founder what it means to build a media outlet with gender equity, diversity, and community at its core.
The blue whirl consists of three different flame structures that swirl together into one otherworldly blue ring, according to new research.

The blue whirl is a small, stable, spinning blue flame initially discovered in 2016 in experimental studies of turbulent, sooty fire whirls, also known as fire tornados.

It burns a range of different liquid hydrocarbon fuels cleanly with no soot production, presenting a previously unknown potential way for low-emission combustion.

Blue whirls evolve from traditional yellow fire whirls, said Professor Elaine Oran, a researcher in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University.

The yellow color is due to radiating soot particles, which form when there is not enough oxygen to burn the fuel completely.

Blue in the whirl indicates there is enough oxygen for complete combustion, which means less or no soot, and is therefore a cleaner burn.

We now know that blue whirl will burn all of the fuel available as it exits a burner or from a surface.

To simulate how blue whirls emerge, Professor Oran and colleagues coupled 3D, time-dependent equations that describe the motion of viscous fluid substances to a model for fuel conversion and chemical energy release.

They started by simulating experimental conditions, then tweaked physical parameters such as fuel and air size and velocity in their calculations until a blue whirl materialized.

They showed that a blue whirl is composed of three different flames  a diffusion flame and a premixed rich and lean flame  all of which meet in a fourth structure, a triple flame that appears as a whirling blue ring.

They also found that vortex breakdown  a fluid instability that occurs in swirling flows  enables the blue-whirl structure to emerge.

The flame and flow structure revealed by the simulations serves as a fundamental base to further investigate how to create the blue whirl in a more controlled way, said Xiao Zhang, a PhD student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland.

It leads pathways to answering more complex questions.

Examples of such questions are: How can we create blue whirls on different scales? Can we bypass the transitional, sooty, dangerous fire whirl stage and create the stable and clean blue whirl directly? said Joseph Chung, a PhD student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland.

The newly developed algorithms and models also provide great exploring tools to find these answers.

The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

_____

Joseph D. Chung et al. 2020. The structure of the blue whirl revealed. Science Advances 6 (33): eaba0827; doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aba0827
Iran and Turkey lashed out at their regional rival UAE on Friday over its decision to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing it of betraying the Palestinian cause, even as much of the international community welcomed the move.

The US envoy to Israel, meanwhile, said Israels plans to annex West Bank was not off the table.

Irans foreign ministry called the US-brokered deal a dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims.

Turkey said the peoples of the region will never forget and will never forgive this hypocritical behaviour by the UAE.

The UAE, which has never fought Israel and has quietly been improving ties for years, said the agreement put a hold on Israels plans to unilaterally annex parts of the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians view as the heartland of their future state.

But the Turkish foreign ministry said the UAE had no authority to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians or to make concessions on matters vital to Palestine.

The agreement would make the UAE the first Gulf Arab state - and the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan - to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. The Palestinians said the deal amounts to treason and have called on Arab and Muslim countries to oppose it.

The official Palestinian news agency says the Palestinian ambassador to the UAE is being recalled.

Germanys foreign minister Heiko Maas welcomed both the agreement and the decision to suspend annexation and called to congratulate his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on this historic step. China also said it welcomes any measure that helps in easing tensions between Middle Eastern countries and promotes regional peace and stability.

The US ambassador to Israel said Israel has not abandoned its plan to annex the West Bank despite Thursdays agreement.

Its not off the table, its just something that will be deferred until we give peace every single chance, David Friedman said at a news conference alongside President Donald Trump.
MOSCOW/NEW YORK Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday proposed a video summit with the United States, Britain, France, China, Germany and Iran in a bid to avoid confrontation and escalation" at the United Nations, where Washington is trying to extend an arms embargo on Tehran.

The issue is urgent," Putin said in a statement, adding that the alternative was only further escalation of tensions, increasing risk of conflict - such a scenario must be avoided."

The 15-member U.N. Security Council will announce later on Friday the result of a vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution to extend the weapons ban. Diplomats say it is bound to fail and put the fate of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers further at risk.

If the United States is unsuccessful it has threatened to trigger a return of all U.N. sanctions on Iran using a provision in the nuclear deal, known as snapback, even though Washington quit the accord in 2018. Diplomats say the United States could try to do this as early as next week.

Putin said Russia, which is an ally of Iran in the Syrian civil war, remained fully committed to the nuclear deal and that the aim of a video summit would be to outline steps that will allow to avoid confrontation and escalation of the situation in the security council."

He also said leaders could discuss establishing reliable security and confidence building measures in the Persian Gulf" adding that this could be achieved if we combine the political will and constructive approach of all our states and the states in the region."

U.S. President Donald Trump wants to negotiate a new deal with Iran that would prevent it from both developing nuclear weapons and curb its activities in the region and elsewhere. He dubbed the 2015 nuclear deal - reached by the Obama administration - the worst deal ever."

The 13-year-old U.N. arms embargo is due to expire in October under the 2015 accord that prevents Tehran from developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief.

Diplomats warn that if the United States triggers a sanctions snapback the process would be tough and messy. They say several countries would argue that Washington legally could not activate a return of sanctions and therefore simply would not reimpose the measures on Iran themselves.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Unscheduled transit flights will not be allowed to land at the Delhi airport for four hours in the morning and three hours in the evening on Independence Day, its operator DIAL said Friday. The Delhi International Airport Ltd said scheduled flights will operate as normal.

According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), transit flights cannot land at the Delhi airport between 6 AM and 10 AM as well as between 4 PM and 7 PM on August 15. DIAL said the NOTAM is applicable only for chartered (not-scheduled) flights.

It said there will be no impact of the NOTAM on helicopter operations of the Indian Air Force, Border Security Force and the Indian Army. The airport operator added that the state-owned planes and helicopters can fly with the governor or the chief minister.

Also read: COVID-19 pandemic: IndiGo to operate Hyderabad-Aurangabad flight daily from Aug 19
Covid-19 will spread more this winter and public toilets will be one of the riskiest places to catch it, scientists advising the Government say.

The experts warned public toilets can become crowded and are likely to harbour the virus on numerous cold surfaces.

Transmission of the virus through faeces and urine is also a risk, the team said, but admitted more research is needed to confirm this.

In the latest batch of documents released by SAGE today, experts also called for the word 'lockdown' to be banned.

The Independent Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours said the word suggests 'punishment' and 'blame', which had left Leicester locals feeling like 'lepers' and the 'laughing stock' of England.

These are among a treasure trove of papers presented to SAGE, the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, over recent months to help guide ministers through the crisis.

The newly-released papers released today also revealed:

Testing people returning from holiday twice - once at the airport and once several days later - could reduce the need for 14-day quarantine;

'Local lockdowns' could damage the economy in the long-term if people stay clear of the area in the future in fear of catching Covid-19;

HIV positive people are 63 per cent more likely to die 28 days after getting Covid;

'Super spreader' events are most likely to occur in crowded places where people have to talk loudly.

Covid-19 will spread more this winter and public toilets will be one of the riskiest places to catch it, scientists advising the Government say (stock)

The Independent Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours said the word 'lockdown' should be banned because it connotes 'punishment'. Pictured, an information board in Blackburn with Darwen, a Covid-19 hotspot in England

Leicester local said they felt like 'lepers' and the 'laughing stock' of England when they were the only city to be put in 'lockdown' while the rest of the country moved on

Spread of Covid-19 will increase in the winter - and public toilets are one of the riskiest places

Environmental transmission  the spread of Covid-19 outside homes and in public places  will increase this winter, scientists said.

And the most risky area of all will be public toilets, they believe.

In the 42nd SAGE meeting, held on June 18, experts warned during the winter, the virus can survive for longer surfaces.

There is less sunlight, humidity and hot temperature - all of which are thought to kill the virus by disabling its DNA.

The minutes of the meeting said: 'SAGE noted that public toilets pose a comparatively high risk of transmission, with the main transmission route in that setting being from surfaces.

'This is due to a combination of low levels of natural light, confined spaces an the risk of faecal or urine transmission.'

Numerous studies during the course of the pandemic that suggest the virus can spread between people via excrement.

But there needs to be more research into this area, SAGE said.

There is a low risk of infection from treated wastewater, scientists said, but it become a problem if there is heavy rainfall.

The term 'lockdown' should be banned, as Leicester locals describe feeling like 'lepers'

The word 'lockdown' should be banned as the UK moves towards tackling Covid-19 with a more local approach, it's been urged.

There are concerns the word, which so accurately encompassed Britons' lives for months, is associated with 'punishment' and 'blame'.

The Independent Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (SPI-B) 'strongly recommend national government, PHE, the media and others cease using the term "local lockdown"' and instead switch to 'area of intervention'.

The sub-committee of SAGE added: 'The language of a "lockdown" is inherently punitive. It is critical to start to reframe the issue by moving away from this punitive language as well as from an overall punitive approach.

'Areas experiencing the reintroduction of restrictions should not be subject to "blame".'

Leicester was the first area in England to go into a 'local lockdown' on June 30 because infections soared well above the average.

Since then a number of other hotspots including Oldham, Blackburn and Darwen, have hurtled towards the same fate due to rising cases, with local health chiefs warning if people did not get their act together, a lockdown would come into place.

SPI-B cited an investigation by the LSE Anthropology team of the local intervention applied in Leicester and how it impacted people that lived there.

It said: 'The "lockdown," because of its name and its targeting on Leicester was understood as a "punishment".

'People felt that they had been forgotten but also had become the "Lepers of Leicester" or the "Pariahs of Leicester".

'They felt "ashamed" and like a "laughing stock" because they were still "in lockdown" after the national day of lessening of restrictions on 4th July.'

The Leicester investigation also supported a number of other problems with the arrangement of local lockdowns highlighted by the SPI-B.

These included mixed and unclear messaging from the Government, confusion over lockdown geographical boundaries and exacerbation of divisions in society, particularly among different ethnicities.

'Overall, Government decision-making that led to the intervention divided opinion on perceived legitimacy,' LSE Anthropology said.

Testing people returning from holiday twice could reduce the need for 14-day quarantine

Current rules requiring holidaymakers to quarantine for 14 days could be slashed by repeat testing, SAGE said.

In their 42nd meeting on June 18, advisers acknowledged the potential to cutting the self-isolation period by several days.

Passengers arriving at St Pancras International station on August 14 after the Government reimposed a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving from France later than 4am on Saturday

The group reviewed several papers that analysed how useful repeat testing was. It would require testing someone on their arrival to the airport and several days later.

Results showed 'double testing travellers could enable quarantine duration of less than 14 days'.

The best day to take a Covid-19 test was between five and eight days after exposure.

That means if someone catches the virus on the last day of their holiday in Spain, it would likely show up on a test eight days after they come home. Therefore, if it is negative, they are free to leave quarantine.

And, if travellers are tested twice a few days apart, it significantly rules out the possibility of an initial false negative result at the airport, SAGE said.

That is, it makes sure that those who have the virus are definitely spotted and the test was not incorrect.

It could shave off three to seven days, according to experts commenting on the papers.

Linda Bauld, a professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said if someone was tested a second time on day five, and it came back negative two days later, they may only have to quarantine for seven days, instead of 14.

If the second test was on day ten, it may only save three days off granted the result came back within 24 hours.

Keith Neal, an emeritus professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at University of Nottingham, said double testing is not likely to be 'cost effective'.

He said: 'Testing at one week will only find asymptomatic cases assuming those with symptoms get themselves tested.

'As most cases do produce symptoms then testing will only identify the minority of cases that would otherwise be missed.'

A paper from Public Health England in June for SAGE modelled how 'double testing' could work.

It showed that testing people seven to ten days after arrival was 14 times better at detecting cases of Covid-19 than just once on arrival.

'Local lockdowns' could damage the economy in the long-term as people stay clear of the area

'Local lockdowns' will 'inevitably' cause economic damage in the long term, behavioural experts have warned.

The SAGE sub-committee SPI-B said: 'An area identified as a Covid-19 "hotspot" may become known as a place to avoid for fear of contracting Covid-19.

'Local lockdowns' could damage the economy in the long-term, scientists said. Pictured: Shopkeepers in Oldham, where Covid-19 infection rates are the highest in England

MANCHESTER MAYOR URGES AGAINST OLDHAM LOCKDOWN WHICH WILL HARM THE POOR Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham has urged ministers not to 'overreact' by sending Oldham into a full lockdown. He called on Number 10 not to introduce 'knee-jerk measures', as coronavirus cases continue to increase in some parts of Greater Manchester. It comes just days after Oldham council leaders said they were in discussion with the Government about a local lockdown, which could come into force 'within days' if the virus wasn't controlled. Speaking at a weekly media briefing last night, Mr Burnham said: 'What worked in Leicester is not necessarily going to be right for Greater Manchester, given the interconnected nature of the city region, and I think we're going to have to have a very considered approach to this rather than crude measures which become further divisive among different communities and different boroughs. 'We need to be proportionate, targeted and focus on measures that are going to work. 'That is the thrust of the letter we have sent to Government today - no knee-jerk measures but work with us to get whatever interventions we do right and obviously make them as effective as possible.' Oldham Council said on Wednesday that despite additional measures being put in place in the borough two weeks ago, the number of positive cases has continued to increase. Mr Burnham agreed that the figures were a 'major cause for concern', but he wanted the town to be given another week to allow more time for current restrictions worked. 'While figures have been worrying this week we must also not kind of overreact, there is a danger of doing that,' he said, according to the Manchester Evening News. Mr Burnham said a full lockdown could cause 'serious difficulties' for people living in the region.

'You would have to consider what a lockdown would do to an area like Oldham on the Leicester model,' he said. 'It could have serious implications for businesses, serious implications for people's mental health. 'Why are our poorest communities being hit? It's because of the inability of many people in those places to self-isolate and this is a real gap in our defences and we're leaving poorer communities exposed to this virus if we don't fix this.' Advertisement

'If economic decline ensues, people will be less likely to visit the area; an area that people do not want to visit will become an area in which people do not want to live.

'If families no longer move there or current residents move away, the area will suffer long term economic damage.'

A reduction in travel in and out of the area and using businesses will 'further depress local finances'.

Experts warned areas under stricter rules will already be feeling financial strain.

The paper noted local lockdowns so far, including the ones imposed in Leicester, have come at a cost to the area's economy which have already been crippled by the blanket measures introduced on March 23.

In Leicester, businesses will have invested time and money to prepare to re-open on July 4 before they found out it wouldn't be possible on June 30.

This expenditure, coupled with a loss of income, 'will impact local business and also local government finances... meaning less money to spend on services'.

HIV positive people are 63 per cent more likely to die 28 days after getting Covid

People with HIV are 63 per cent more likely to die 28 days after catching the coronavirus than those who do not have it, a study revelaed.

The research was prompted by an early concern about the lack of data on HIV and COVID-19.

The analysis included records from 47,539 patients who were hospitalised with laboratory confirmed (or highly likely) COVID-19 from January 18 to June 18.

It covered 207 centres across the UK enrolled into the ISARIC CCP-UK study - an international research cohort.

Around 0.24 per cent of the patients were HIV positive, of which 90 per cent had taken antiretroviral therapy - medicine which suppresses the viral load in the body so it is undetectable.

Researchers led by Professor Anna Geretti, of the University of Liverpool, were primarily looking at how many patients in the HIV negative and HIV positive groups died by 28 days.

It found a 63 per cent raised risk of death among the HIV-positive people once age and state of health on admission were taken into account.

HIV positive patients whose disease had progressed the most were more likely to die, as well as patients who also had diabetes and obesity.

But the analysis showed no impact of ethnicity on outcomes after hospitalisation.

Because the study only included 115 HIV positive people, of whom 26 died, it makes it harder to prove the results are statistically significant and not just by chance.

On top of that, there are likely gaps in information on the HIV patients' health, including what type of medication they are on.

Charities the British HIV Association (BHIVA), Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), National AIDS Trust (NAT) and NAM aidsmap welcomed research into the links.

But they urged the findings, published as a pre-print paper without scrutiny from other scientists, should be interpreted with caution.

Super spreader events are most likely to occur in crowded places where people talk loudly

'Super spreader' events are most likely to occur in crowded places were people have to talk loudly.

It is already known that the gathering of huge groups of people may not return to normality until a Covid-19 vaccine is found because of the risks one singular, highly infectious person spreading the virus to several others.

But SAGE has further dampened any expectations of events such as music gigs, or the opening of bars and nightclubs in their former glory, returning in the foreseeable future.

Since hospitality venues re-opened in England on July 4, government advice has warned against music and noise - including showing live sport - because people talking loudly or shouting poses a serious risk of spreading coronavirus.

In any situation where a person has to speak loudly to get their voice heard, such as when there is loud music, there is the potential for them to spread the coronavirus and cause an outbreak, SAGE suggested.

Talking loudly may mean extorting more droplets from the mouth - and droplets are the main route of Covid-19 transmission.

SAGE said on June 18 said: 'Environments linked to super-spreading events tend to be internal, crowded locations where it may be necessary to speak loudly.'

On the same section, it said: 'Studies of cluster tracing have highlighted that schools and possibly universities to not appear to be centres of super spreading events (low confidence).'

The meeting discussed the difficulties in managing an outbreak linked back to one highly contagious person.

If a cluster of cases occur after one event - a party for example - it can be assumed it was caused by a superspreader.

However, if that person spreads the virus to dozens of people at multiple different venues, it is difficult to identify where and who the spike in cases came from, making contact tracing challenging.
Bill de Blasio was captured on camera turning his back on a bakery manager who had asked for help for his struggling business during a 'photo op' with the New York City mayor who was visiting Chinatown to promote local businesses.

In the video, which was tweeted by a New York Post reporter on Tuesday, Patrick Mock, 26, was seen explaining the difficulties 46 Mott Bakery has faced since the pandemic hit the city in mid-March.

'We've been taking a hit since January,' Mock is heard telling de Blasio, who appears to be listening to the man at first.

Scroll down for video

Bill de Blasio (pictured Tuesday) was captured on camera turning his back on bakery manager, Patrick Mock, who had asked for help for his struggling business during a 'photo op' with the New York City mayor who was visiting Chinatown to promote local businesses

A bakery manager tells de Blasio that his business is suffering from reduced foot traffic in Chinatown: Were all hurting. pic.twitter.com/9qCLi2IOXX  Elizabeth Rosner (@elizameryl) August 11, 2020

'We lost our Chinese New Year, our busiest day of our community; the most festive holiday that we have,' Mock told de Blasio.

Mock was referring to the racist fear-mongering about the coronavirus that started shortly after the virus broke out in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Asian-American business owners in New York City said at the time that virus fears caused a decline in sales, particularly around their busiest holiday, the Chinese New Year, which occurred on January 25, 2020.

'Then COVID happened and we're all hurting,' Mock continued. 'We need help,' Mock said as the mayor started to turn away.

In the video, it's unclear what the mayor said before he turned his back on Mock.

Mock later told the Gothamist that de Blasio was 'there to do a photo op' in order to 'promote outdoor dining in Chinatown'.

'But photos are cheap right now. We need help in our community,' he added.

'I finally got his attention. I was speaking the truth. I started getting emotional, but I was just speaking about what we needed in the neighborhood. And he was just like, "Alright I got to move on to the next part, this is off schedule. I got to move on".'

Mock said de Blasio (pictured holding an ice cream cone on Tuesday) was 'there to do a photo op' in order to 'promote outdoor dining in Chinatown'

De Blasio took a tour of stores in Chinatown to encourage New Yorkers to support businesses stigmatized since the start of the coronavirus outbreak

De Blasio has been criticized on multiple fronts for his response to the coronavirus pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, defunding the New York City Police Department, his decision to not delay the reopening of schools in the fall and the rise of homelessness in the city (pictured)

Mock told the news site: 'Me explaining it to him and him walking away, it just shows, like  maybe he knows there's a problem, but there's nothing he wants to do or say to give us a confidence boost.'

New York has doled out $40billion in unemployment benefits to 3.3 million New Yorkers in over five months, up from $2.1billion in benefits processed in all of 2019.

Over a third of the states unemployment claims came from workers in particularly hard-hit industries: retail, accommodation and food services, and health care and social assistance.

De Blasio has been criticized on multiple fronts for his response to the coronavirus pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, defunding the New York City Police Department, his decision to not delay the reopening of schools in the fall and the rise of homelessness in the city.

On June 30, the City Council voted, under de Blasio's suggestion, to strip $1billion from the NYPD in response to intense calls from BLM protesters who surrounded City Hall and the courthouse, vandalizing it and staging demonstrations for days.

A large chunk of the cut was eliminating the jobs of more than 1,000 rookies who were due to graduate from the police academy in July. A plain clothes anti-crime unit was also disbanded.

At the time, it had only been a few weeks since NYPD cops struggled to contain looting across the city and there were already complaints from top brass that the force didn't have the resources it needed.

Since then, crime has shot up - with shootings and murders on the rise - and homelessness spreading. As part of his pandemic response, de Blasio has moved 13,000 homeless people into hotels.

New York City principals penned a letter to de Blasio this week urging him to delay the reopening of schools for in-person learning in the fall, but the mayor has insisted that children will be safe while also admitting that there may be some cases of the coronavirus

There are more than 5.2 million cases of the virus in the US with at least 167,071 deaths

So far in 2020, more than 1,000 people have been shot in New York City  twice the number recorded last year.

Homicides are also up 50 per cent, according to statistics.

The mayor has also faced calls to delay the September reopening of schools in the city.

New York City principals penned a letter to de Blasio this week urging him to delay the reopening of schools for in-person learning in the fall, but the mayor insisted that children will be safe while also admitting that there may be some cases of the coronavirus.

'Look, you're talking about professionals. Unions will always sound various alarms and unions will say things sometimes in a very dramatic fashion,' de Blasio said on Tuesday.

'I spent a lot of time with educators over the years and they are in it to help kids. And right now the way to help kids is to get back in person with them and give them the support they need. Kids have been through so much,' de Blasio added. 'Teachers are going to show up and get the job done.'

De Blasio then admitted that some schools would likely eventually get cases of the coronavirus.

'There's been research that shows a lot of schools are not gonna have a case in the beginning; they'll maybe eventually have a case in the school. We'll deal with that.'

New York City has recorded more than 234,000 cases since the outbreak started in mid-March. More than 23,000 people have died in the city.
That works fine if the future is going to mimic the past, Bucaro said. But if we think the future is going to be more intense, more variable or more dynamic, then that is not the right way to go. The problem is that, at this point, we dont have a better method.
For Americans, getting rid of Donald Trump as their president may be remembered as the easy part.

But getting rid of Trumpism  with all the rot and venality that has come with it  will be far more challenging.

Thats what makes the choice this week of Sen. Kamala Harris as Joe Bidens vice-presidential running mate so potentially historic.

By the end of Trumps term in January, the death toll in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic is expected to exceed 300,000 people. The American economy will be in its worst shape since the Depression. And millions of Americans, denied basic health care and adequate financial assistance, will be plunged into poverty for the first time.

In addition, the corruption of the Trump administration  after four years in office  will have embedded itself deeply in the connective tissue of Americas Congress, courts and civil service.

This means it will take the skills of a relentless forensic investigator to restore the integrity of American democracy, and the ambition of a Franklin D. Roosevelt  the radical Democratic president in the post-Depression 1930s  to rebuild the country.

Perhaps to the surprise of many Americans, both aspects seemed to be on display in the high-voltage unveiling this week of the Democratic ticket of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

In spite of the absence of crowds due to the pandemic, the event received widespread praise on social media and generated an unprecedented boost in fundraising for the Democratic ticket.

In his choice of Harris, Biden not only gave his own presidential campaign a boost, but he has made what historians may well remember years from now as his most consequential decision.

As the daughter of two American immigrants  a Jamaican-born father and an Indian-born mother  Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman to be on a major-party ticket.

Her selection is particularly timely given the momentous series of mass protests and marches throughout the U.S. that have highlighted anti-Black racism in all its forms.

Unquestionably, her candidacy is a testament to the importance of the enormous Democratic voting bloc comprising African American women. But her full racial identity extends well beyond that. In addition to her late South Asian mother, she is part of an interracial marriage and has two Jewish stepchildren who call her Momala.

As a former California prosecutor and attorney general, Harris is also a superb interrogator, regarded as one of the best in Congress. She was electrifying in her recent cross-examination of Trumps attorney general, William Barr, and of Justice Brett Kavanaugh after he was nominated for the Supreme Court.

Her skills were evident again during Wednesdays formal announcement of her selection. A key part of her first speech as the nominee was a detailed takedown of Donald Trumps tenure as president. That is expected to be her role during the campaign, freeing up Biden to focus more on the high-minded vision of what the Democrats intend to do once in office.

Harriss debating skills will virtually ensure that Trumps doltish vice-president, Mike Pence, will be under considerable fire when they meet at the televised vice-presidential debate scheduled on Oct. 7.

From the perspective of history, there is another reason why Bidens choice of Kamala Harris may be so important. He may well have selected the person who will become the first woman president in American history.

If Biden takes office in January, he will be 78 years of age, the oldest president in history. Biden has not indicated whether he would run for a second term, but he has described himself as a bridge to a new generation of leaders, and this has led many to assume that he would leave office after one term.

If so, that would certainly place a Vice-President Kamala Harris, now only 55 years of age, as the front-runner to replace Biden in 2024.

But when the Democrats meet at their convention next week, the spotlight will still be on their presidential nominee who, according to the latest polls, is well ahead of Trump in both the national count and in key battleground states.

During Wednesdays unveiling of Harris, Joe Biden gave more hints that the Democrats, once in office, may use FDR as their model for rebuilding the country after Trumps disastrous tenure.

In the 1930s, President Roosevelt passed a series of groundbreaking economic reforms known as the New Deal that eased the misery of the Great Depression and laid the foundations for the modern American welfare state.

Although known for decades as a cautious and moderate politician, Biden has worked closely in recent months with Democratic progressive leaders such as senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. They appear to be shaping a party platform that will propose sweeping remedies to the economic, public health and racial crises that are exploding throughout Trumps America.

As Trump himself must realize, this would be the ultimate of political ironies.

Will Novembers election throw out a Republican administration that has been far more extremist, intolerant and inept than most Republicans would have ever imagined?

And will this be followed by a Democratic administration that will become far more progressive, pioneering and radical than most Democrats would have ever dreamed possible?

Tony Burman , formerly head of CBC News and Al Jazeera English, is a freelance contributing foreign affairs columnist for the Star. He is based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyBurman

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Mining magnate Andrew Forrest is adding academic firepower in his fight to clean up the tech sector after his likeness was used to swindle a Western Australian woman out of nearly $700,000 in an online scam.

Mr Forrest's Minderoo Foundation will spend $20 million on setting up the Tech Impact Network that will see revered academics from some of the world's most prestigious universities come together to tackle issues in the tech sector.

Andrew Forrest and the scam ad using his likeness. Credit:Bloomberg/Supplied

Last year, Mr Forrest's image was used in a cryptocurrency investment scam that saw a Bunbury woman lose $670,000. The fake online trading platform used links to fake news reports of Mr Forrest endorsing the scheme on LinkedIn and Facebook to make it seem legitimate.

It led the Fortescue Metals founder and chairman to slam Facebook in a letter sent to its founder Mark Zuckerberg in November 2019, where he warned innocent people were losing their life savings and warned an organised effort was needed to combat the lack of accountability.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das (PTI)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) central board has approved the transfer of Rs 57,128 crore in surplus as dividend to the government for the accounting year 2019-20, the central bank said in a release on August 14. The Board also decided to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.5 percent.

The Central Board met under the Chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das, through video conference. This was the 584th meeting of the Central Board, the RBI said in a release.

The Board reviewed the current economic situation, continued global and domestic challenges and the monetary, regulatory and other measures taken by RBI to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the RBI said.

The Board discussed the proposal of setting up an Innovation Hub and various areas of operations of the Bank during the last year.
T he number of people infected with coronavirus in England has remained steady for the second week in a row, official figures suggest.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said an estimated 28,300 people tested positive for Covid-19 outside of hospitals and care homes between August 3 and August 9, or about 0.05 per cent of the population.

This is unchanged from the previous week of July 27 to August 2. According to the ONS, July figures showed an increase in cases which has since levelled off.

An array of new lockdown measures, including bans on indoor meetings in Greater Manchester and other parts of northern England, as well as ordering quarantine for travellers returning from Spain, appears to have halted the spike.

People wearing protective equipment in London / AFP via Getty Images

But the number of cases has not gone down and there were an average of 3,800 people a day in England getting infected with virus between August 3 and August 9.

This is up from an average of 3,700 in the previous week, but down from an estimated 4,200 infections the week before.

The ONS said in an update on its website: "There is some evidence of a small increase in people testing positive for COVID-19 in July 2020 after a low point in June, but this appears to have now levelled off."

Cases appear to have remained steady for two weeks / AFP via Getty Images

The ONS uses statistical modelling to estimate how many people have had the virus, rather than just relying on tests themselves. This means that the figures it gives are estimates.

The figure of 28,300 people with coronavirus could be as high as 40,700 or as low as 19,000, the ONS said, while the 3,800 new cases a day might be as high as 5,900 or as low as 2,300.

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Its numbers provide a more consistent picture than Government figures because the number of people it tests has remained the same since April, whether or not they have symptoms.
Californias energy-grid operator imposed rolling blackouts Friday evening for the first time in 19 years.

With the rare move, the California Independent System Operator sought to preserve the stability of the system that provides power for tens of millions of residents and businesses. The last time grid managers implemented this kind of power cut was in 2001, when the state was in the throes of an electricity crisis.

The effect was felt promptly in Northern California, as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. began shutting off power to large blocks of customers for up to an hour at a time. In a news release, the utility said that each rotating block of blackouts could affect up to 250,000 customers.

An online map provided by PG&E showed outages across the Bay Area, but by early evening, San Rafael and nearby areas appeared to be hardest-hit, with more than 48,000 customers out of power. Other cities, including San Francisco, San Jose and Vallejo, also saw significant outages, though it was not clear if all were linked to the rotating power cuts.

Shortly after 9 p.m., PG&E said it would impose no more blackouts for the evening, and crews began restoring power.

The agency, which manages most of the states electrical grid, had earlier asked residents to not use major appliances between 3 and 10 p.m. Friday. Managers urged people to turn off unnecessary lights and set air conditioners to no lower than 78 degrees if possible, in the hopes of staving off the sweeping power outages. The blackouts ended up being required anyway.

Grid managers may issue additional requests to lower electrical usage as the heat wave continues into next week.

In recent days, the system operator had tried to seek additional energy supplies from the market as forecasts indicated a far-reaching heat wave was in store, spokeswoman Anne Gonzales said.

That has not materialized, and we think its probably due to the widespread heat wave thats occurring across the western U.S., Gonzales said. We used all the tools we have to stimulate supply. Now its up to demand.

The spike in electricity use is caused in large part by home air conditioners in the hottest areas of California, including parts of the the Bay Area.

The prolonged nature of the heat wave adds another challenge.

The buildings dont have a chance to cool down. The infrastructure doesnt cool off. People are not getting that nighttime cooling relief, Gonzales said. It just means that air conditioners have to work harder and longer to cool spaces.

Cloud cover also reduced some of Californias ability to generate power from solar panels, further constraining the grid, Gonzales said.

Even though California recently entered the most dangerous stretch of its wildfire season, PG&E does not currently intend to intentionally turn off power to prevent more blazes in the coming days.

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.

PG&E power lines have started major infernos in recent years, including the states deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record in 2018. The company has turned to forced blackouts as a way of preventing more disasters during dry, windy weather that knock vegetation into power lines or break critical pieces off high-voltage electric equipment.

The current danger, by contrast, is that some homes could lose power if electrical equipment buckles amid prolonged high temperatures.

We refer to this type of weather as a heat storm, much as we would refer to heavy rain and winds during the winter as a winter storm, said PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith.

Just as high winds and rain can knock down power lines and cause outages, so too can intense heat  especially when it lasts for days  break PG&E equipment, Smith said.

That may prove particularly true in communities where the grid was not designed with sustained heat waves in mind, unlike in the Central Valley, where temperatures often linger in the triple digits this time of year.

To help ease burden on the grid, PG&E encouraged residents to draw their drapes, unplug phone chargers and power strips and, for those who have pools, to have their pumps run overnight. Frozen bottled water can also come in handy to help refrigerated food last longer if the power goes out, Smith said.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
As Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka finds himself increasingly embattled at home in the face of the most widespread protests of his 26 years in power, the 65-year-old leader must also navigate a difficult test in the international arena.

The authoritarian Lukashenka has launched a severe crackdown using stun grenades, internet blackouts, brute force, mass detentions, and live ammunition against demonstrators who have taken to the streets to protest an allegedly fraudulent election result in the countrys recent presidential vote.

Lukashenka was previously battered by his mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic but, after a week when Belarusian authorities have violently suppressed demonstrations and Lukashenkas main rival, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, left for Lithuania, the country finds itself in a deep crisis.

As protests swell across the country, the deepening domestic standoff is creating a geopolitical conundrum for Lukashenka and Belaruss European Union neighbors and Russia -- as well as major powers like the United States and China -- who are all searching for a way to further their interests while preventing the domestic situation in Belarus from escalating into deeper unrest.

[Lukashenka] is embattled on all fronts in a way that he hasn't been before, both domestically and internationally, Nigel Gould-Davies, a former British ambassador to Belarus and a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told RFE/RL.

A Turning Point

Over the years, Lukashenka has cemented his reputation as a political survivor -- weaving between Moscow and the West to leverage Belaruss strategic position -- while in recent years welcoming in Chinese influence and investment to gain space to rebuff Russia.

Chinese President Xi Jinping was the first leader to congratulate Lukashenka on winning the contested election and offer support, but Beijing has otherwise remained quiet amid the widespread demonstrations and the brutal crackdown against them.

Postelection Crackdown In Belarus Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election, widely seen as fraudulent.



The EU is facing strong calls to impose sanctions and the bloc said that it is reassessing relations with Lukashenkas government as it holds an August 14 EU foreign ministerial meeting to discuss Belarus.

The United States has similarly expressed deep concern over the election results and the unrest in Belarus comes on the heels of Washington restoring diplomatic relations after a decade-long break and a landmark February visit by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

For Russia, the postelection turmoil comes after a period of rising tensions between Minsk and Moscow over Russian loans, subsidized energy, and Kremlin efforts to further integrate Belarus through a Union State treaty. While Russian President Vladimir Putin did congratulate Lukashenka on a "victory" at the polls, his statement implied conditions for Russian support, and Moscow is looking for ways to gain leverage over a weakened Lukashenka who is desperate for help.

This puts the Belarusian leader's long-standing international game under immense strain as the pressure against him at home continues to grow -- with large factories and other companies going on strike and making demands on August 14.

The situation now is different than in previous years. Belarusian society has passed a turning point, Katsiaryna Shmatsina, a research fellow at the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies in Vilnius, told RFE/RL. Lukashenka can increasingly only rely on repression at home, which leaves him isolated and vulnerable abroad.

Playing The China Card

China has emerged as a growing political and economic force in Belarus, with Minsk increasingly looking to Beijing as a place from which to receive loans and investment, while also courting China for political support.

In addition to Xi being the first foreign leader to offer support to Lukashenka following the election, the Belarusian presidents first appearance after the election was at a major investment project where CITIC Construction, a Chinese state-owned company, functions as general contractor.

The optics were clearly intentional, Olga Kulai, a Minsk-based expert on Chinese-Belarusian relations, told RFE/RL.

Kulai said the appearance was meant to show that Lukashenka enjoys Beijings favor and that China will continue to be an important partner for Belarus in the future.

In recent years, Chinese money has financed new roads, factories, rail links with Europe, and a sprawling industrial park on the outskirts of Minsk that has already drawn more than $1 billion in investment from 56 foreign companies, including Chinese technology giants Huawei and ZTE.

Belarus has also positioned itself as an important launching pad on the EUs doorstep for Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and increasingly turns to Beijings patronage, with Beijing opening up a $15 billion line of credit to the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus last year.

But Lukashenkas current crackdown on peaceful protesters could make Belarus a less attractive partner to China.

It really undermines the importance of Belarus to China, Kulai said. Beijing is a practical partner and they are looking for a stable country that is integrating [with] the world economic system and especially into the EU structures -- and this is not what Belarus is now. Its a domestic mess, but also a mess for foreign affairs.

Bent But Not Broken

With Belaruss strategic value to China waning and the EU weighing a tough response, Russia is hoping to capitalize on the current chaos.

Minsk remains highly dependent on Russia, with Moscow operating as Minsks largest creditor and Belaruss key exports are derived from products made with subsidized Russian oil. Belarus is also a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and Collective Security Treaty Organization.

But while ties between Belarus and Russia are close, they remain dysfunctional.

Moscow began raising energy prices in 2018 to eventually match the market rate and Lukashenka has at times taken a tough stance against the Kremlin, positioning himself as a bulwark against Russian attempts to erode Belarusian sovereignty at home and its ties to the West.

During the presidential election campaign, Belarusian authorities claimed to have arrested 33 Russian mercenaries in Belarus working for the Vagner Group, a private military company, ostensibly sent to cause mischief.

Amid the current protests and threat to Lukashenkas hold on power, the Kremlin is concerned about growing violence and is supporting him, while looking to make a deeper push for Moscows goal of further integrating Belarus into Russia once the current situation calms.

Putin is worried that Lukashneka is too weak and he is in a situation right now where he cant get out well, so Russia will be ready to interfere in one way or another, Tatiana Stanovaya, the founder of the political consultancy R.Politik and a scholar at the Carnegie Moscow Center, told RFE/RL. The Kremlin knows that Lukashenka will have to lean more on them in the future, so they would like to see him weak but not broken in order to keep as much leverage as possible.

But exactly how far Lukashenka would be able to concede to Moscows wishes remains to be seen. The Belarusian president has in recent years promoted the Belarusian language and identity and past attempts to develop the Union State between the two countries have faced popular resistance.

If Lukashenka hangs on to power he will be weakened, but that doesnt mean Russia can get its way with him, Michael Carpenter, a former senior U.S. Defense Department official and ex-director for Russia on the National Security Council, told RFE/RL. If anything, this outpouring of civic activism means that hell need to be careful and cant bend completely.

Searching For A Response

The fast-moving situation on the ground in Belarus leaves few easy options as EU and U.S. officials look for a punitive response to the protests and Minsk's heavy-handed crackdown that is being widely condemned.

In addition to the meeting on August 14, EU foreign ministers will also gather on August 27 and 28 in Berlin and could prepare new measures against Minsk for their leaders to approve when they meet at a September 24 summit in Brussels. The presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have also offered to mediate with Lukashenka in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

If the EU were to impose sanctions on Belarus over its current abuse of human rights, it would mark the end of its attempted rapprochement with Minsk that began in 2016 when sanctions were lifted after the release of a batch of political prisoners. The United States faces a similar issue, having relaxed its own sanctions and recently approving a new U.S. ambassador to Minsk, where the last ambassador served in 2008.

That rapprochement came in part from Minsk positioning itself as a neutral bulwark against Russian ambitions after Moscow's illegal annexation of Crimea and war in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

But Gould-Davies said that such a viewpoint should be treated with suspicion.

There were always extreme limits on how far Lukashenka was willing to reach out to the West, he said. The West has been played for long enough and it makes no sense to allow Lukashenka to play cards that have little or no meaning.

Those original sanctions came in the aftermath of Belaruss 2010 presidential election, which also saw mass arrests and widespread repression from the authorities. Following that break in relations with the West, Belarus moved closer to Russia, which it turned to for political and economic support.

Carpenter, who served at the White House on the National Security Council during that period, said there should be a very hard policy response with sanctions and asset freezes that target the regime itself, but stopped short of calling for sectoral sanctions that could hurt the wider population and force Minsk to seek assistance elsewhere.

This time around we need to do a better job of distinguishing between the population and the government, said Carpenter, who is currently the managing director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement and a foreign policy adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

"We also need to engage more," he added. "We cant just sanction the country and then forget about them."
Beginning in 1973, this policy was applied outside the South as the problem was redefined from state-enforced separation of the races to racial isolation, regardless of the cause. This became an article of faith, an assertion that quickly came to be treated as what the asserters of it lacked: evidence. They asserted that Black children in Black-majority schools do not flourish  in terms of aspirations and confidence  as much as other Black and White children do. Busing, which proceeded in the absence of empirical justification, caused White flight to suburbs, leaving too few Whites to produce the supposed optimum (70 percent) for urban schools.
Four teenagers have been arrested by the Police for allegedly kidnapping a six year old boy and demanding N2.6million ransom in Bauchi.

The teenagers were among 32 suspects paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Lawal Jimeta, for various crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, dealing in hard drugs, printing of fake Nigerian currency at the Police Headquarters on Thursday.

One of the four suspects, Muhammad Isa, 18, told journalists in an interview, that he was pushed into the crime to raise capital to start a tailoring business.

Isa, who is a student of AD Rufai College of Education and Legal Studies, was arrested along with three of his friends for allegedly kidnapping a six year old who is the son of their neighbour at Anguwan Borno also known as Jaja in the Bauchi metropolis.

He said he was lured into the crime by his friend, Abdulgafar Adamu, 18, saying he could not resist the idea because he needed the money badly.

When Abdulgafar told me about the plan I accepted immediately. The boy was kidnapped, and offered to keep him in my house. I lied to my parents that the boys mother was seriously sick after an accident and was hospitalised.

I learnt tailoring and even had a shop built due to the COVID 19 pandemic, things were tight and I was looking for money to start my business. I told my father but he said he had no money, he said.

The 200 Level Civil Law said after a day his mother became suspicious and demanded to visit the abductors boy mother in hospital but Isa and his friends bought time as they contacted the hostages father.

Isa said Adulgafar, after hatching the plan, also involved Usman Muhammad, a 16 year old student of FOMWAN Secondary school, Bauchi.

I invited the boy Abubakar Mohammed whom I know very well to accompany me to buy doughnuts nearby and we took him to Usmans house and hid him there, the Senior Secondary 2 student said.

Abdulgafar said when he told his friends, including Ahmed Usman, a 15 year old SS two student of Special School Toro, they all agreed.

Later I regretted my action and wanted to withdraw but I could not summon the courage to tell my parents or anyone, he said.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
Presidential debates do not always pack a punch, despite efforts by debate questioners to provoke a rhetorical fight. Or two or three.

But memorable provocations from various Democratic debate stages last year included the exchange on school busing between candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. A product of community busing to desegregate Berkeley, California, public schools as a child, Harris swiped at Biden for opposing, in the 1970s, those desegregation efforts. While Biden implied his objection was grounded in federal versus state autonomy, the exchange established a not-so-subtle portrait of Biden as the white old-timer in Washington and Harris as the Black, younger, accomplished woman with a story to tell. He was the former senator who once worked with segregationists; she was the child who would grow up experiencing the hurdles of inequality.

Those dueling portraits morphed into a unity campaign Tuesday with Biden's announcement of Harris as his vice presidential running mate. As any smooth and well-resourced rollout would include, the Biden-Harris campaign websites merged instantly, featuring glowing photos of them together, smiling, arms hitched, no whiff of the grueling early primary exchange between the pair. That's how it goes when a presidential nominee chooses a former adversary for the No. 2 slot.

Among the key underlying questions as the race for the White House heats up: Will Harris on the ticket help Biden win crucial Midwest states that could sideline President Donald Trump? Do VP picks hold much sway anyway? We're not thinking about reliably blue Illinois, but Michigan and Wisconsin, which both went for Trump by tiny margins in 2016.

After a weekend of rampant looting in Chicago, amid the lingering coronavirus pandemic, during a summer of violence dominating nightly newscasts and tension over the role of police, the selection of Harris, a former district attorney and attorney general, slides into the "good timing" category. If voters here are searching for a law-and-order candidate, Harris can stack her resume against the incumbent president's.

During the primary election, she was forced to defend her record in law enforcement. Progressives bristled at the notion of an aggressive prosecutor running for the nomination. And while she will continue to reap criticism from the far left wing of her party for her role prosecuting defendants, any willingness she shows to move toward the center would hold the potential to draw more centrist Midwesterners. These are voters who were willing to give Trump a chance the first time _ but who have grown disillusioned; Trump voters from 2016 who are simply exhausted by the sharp partisan divisions he magnifies with his tweets and his rhetoric. Can she bring them over?

Harris cannot claim to be a moderate Democrat. But her record as a prosecutor and attorney general could be the nudge that reluctant, more conservative-leaning Democrats and independents would embrace.

Illinois is not competitive territory in the November election. In the March primary, the top two Democratic finishers, Biden and Bernie Sanders, received roughly 1.59 million votes statewide. In the GOP primary, Trump with only nominal competition received about 520,900 votes. Even factoring the many caveats to those numbers, Illinois' voters for years have been loyal to the Democratic nominee.

Aside from those calculations, Harris will showcase her American story as the daughter of immigrants. Her father, Donald Harris, born in Jamaica, came to California as a young man to study, as did her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, from India. They divorced when she was young, but their stories as successful academics who achieved the American dream is a story above partisan implications.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the city's first female Black mayor, told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC that she "burst out in a huge grin" when she learned of the Harris pick. "She's tough," Lightfoot said, according to Politico, "she's fearless and more importantly she's going to bring into the conversation lots of people who are looking to her as a leader and will see themselves in her and will be proud that she is on the stage at a national level."

Harris was seen as a front-runner to join Biden, and now that his decision has been announced, party faithful have plenty of reasons to feel energized. Next, it will be up to Biden and Harris to build a convincing case that a broader coalition should join their cause.

Can they?

-- The Chicago Tribune
It is a rare pleasure to watch a writer at the top of her game extract from the bewildering moment we are living through, truths that most of us are too overwhelmed to articulate or even to see. From the streets of New York and London, Zadie Smith fashions gritty lockdown vignettes as she wrestles with how the pandemic has laid bare the flimsy superstructure of our lives. How does one find meaning once the illusion of control and purpose has been stripped away? What happens to time when the usual rituals are gone? And, in relation to Black Lives Matter, has America metabolized contempt? Here, Smith brilliantly posits racism (against blacks) as a virus brought to America by slave-traders. She used to think there would one day be herd immunity if enough black people named the virus and showed how it spread. Not any more. Lockdown will end, but not for all.

Every day Jesmyn Wards parents would tell her, You will go to college. It was to be her ticket out of the daily grind in the poor, rural, mostly black community in Mississippi where she grew up. After she got her degree at Stanford, however, the doors to another life didnt magically open. She couldnt find work, she went back home to live, her brother was killed by a drunk driver, Hurricane Katrina devastated her part of the world. Although, her dream of becoming a writer seemed doomed, a little voice inside her wouldnt let her give up. She persisted and persisted and persisted. And eventually went on two win two National Book Awards for Fiction. While this illustrated, real-life fable about the value of hard work and determination is very much in the tradition of the All American Dream, it is also a salutary corrective to the popular fairytale of overnight success.

Boys & Sex

Peggy Orenstein

Souvenir Press, $29.99

Credit:

We hear all about the prevalence of pornography, date rape, the locker-room mentality. But what is happening inside young mens heads? As Peggy Orenstein shows, its much more than a matter of sex on the brain. In conversations with more than 100 young men between the ages of 16 and 22, she was privy to many raw revelations that revealed a deep desire for more expansive ways of being a man. In these moving case studies, we meet young men struggling with conflicting social messages about respect and sexual conquest; boys who want closeness but lack the social skills to achieve it. In a telling admission, one sexually active college student said that the most intimate act hed ever engaged in was holding hands. This is not just a book about sex. Its a spotlight on how traditional masculinity stunts men sexually and emotionally, and the toll it takes in the lives of us all.

The Last Lighthouse Keeper

John Cook with Jon Bauer

Allen & Unwin, $32.99
Covid has affected everyone, but one group of workers has been especially hit.

They can no longer do what they have done for generations, if not centuries. And yet their plight has attracted surprisingly little attention, let alone concern.

They are members of the Royal Family. Their job is mostly to rush around the country shaking hands with people.

Sometimes we go to them, but mostly they come to us. A glance at the much-abbreviated daily Court Circular tells the sad story.

They have been well and truly furloughed  though without getting 80 per cent of their salary that lesser mortals have been able to claim. The calculation might prove tricky.

He was invited to be the guest editor of the Today programme nearly three years ago and used it, unsurprisingly, to deliver messages close to his heart. Im afraid to say I declined the opportunity to present the programme that morning. I knew what would happen

But they have another duty to fulfil. Its called being in the news. If the Royal Family operated under the radar, avoiding the cameras, we might start forgetting it exists and then wonder what exactly is the point of it.

Which is why Palace spin doctors go to such lengths to make sure reporters and photographers are always there when the handshaking and unveiling of plaques is going on.

Naturally, some pictures have more value than others. The basic rule of thumb is that one snap of Kate in a pretty dress doing anything with her lovely toddlers trumps all the others, no matter what they are doing. Unless, of course, they are Harry and Andrew.

Both have dominated the headlines to the exclusion of pretty much every other royal story and both, in very different ways, have raised serious questions about how we perceive the Royal Family.

Andrew has tried his best to make himself invisible since that catastrophic interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight nine months ago.

Perhaps his brief appearance this week riding through the grounds of Windsor Castle was designed to demonstrate that life is going on as normal for him. But its not.

This past week has been a vintage one. Only yesterday, we had the news that they have bought a house in California. By house I mean, obviously, a vast mansion thats more akin to a luxury country club than to, say, Frogmore Cottage, which had been intended to be their home in this country.

The Queen may have relieved him of all his royal duties and silly titles, but he is still HRH Prince Andrew and he is still a ticking bomb at the heart of the family.

Harry and Meghan are a different kettle of fish. They are the journalists gift that simply keeps on giving  though for very different reasons.

Scarcely a week goes by without journalists throughout the land offering up their thanks for yet another story about them that will have the nation gobbling up every word with a mixture of horror and hilarity.

This past week has been a vintage one. Only yesterday, we had the news that they have bought a house in California.

By house I mean, obviously, a vast mansion thats more akin to a luxury country club than to, say, Frogmore Cottage, which had been intended to be their home in this country. Youll remember it. They still owe the taxpayer a couple of million for renovating it to their taste.

Their new home cost 11million, which is, apparently, a fraction of its true value. But its the background of the previous owner that has attracted the greatest interest.

With their uncanny ability to commit PR suicide, Harry and Meghan bought it from a Russian oligarch who has allegedly threatened to chop up his wife. Maybe they didnt know about that. Maybe its just rotten luck.

But they did know about the other big story of this past week: the publication of that massively hyped book that promised to reveal the true story of their relationship and their self-isolation from the Royal Family.

Nobody knows exactly how much help they gave the authors, but what a spectacular own goal it turned out to be.

The brilliant Richard Kay summed it up perfectly in the columns of this newspaper: Page after page drips with self-pity and indignation sandwiched between dollops of oily sycophancy.

The title, Finding Freedom, was disconcertingly suggestive of Nelson Mandelas great autobiography Long Walk To Freedom. In Mandelas case, it was freedom from 27 years in jail and a life lived under an inhuman apartheid regime. In Harry and Meghans case, it was freedom from  what exactly?

To most eyes it was freedom from a life of the most extraordinary privilege. Not just the creature comforts that only vast wealth can buy, but freedom from the sort of pressures that even the wealthy cannot always escape.

Harry was free to make choices. If he wanted publicity for some of his praiseworthy charity work, it was his for the asking.

Andrew has tried his best to make himself invisible since that catastrophic interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight nine months ago. Perhaps his brief appearance this week riding through the grounds of Windsor Castle was designed to demonstrate that life is going on as normal for him. But its not

True, he was occasionally snapped doing stupid things as a young man, but nobody really minded and anyway nobody made him do stupid things. It was his choice. He was free to marry the woman he loved  and the nation applauded him for it.

And he had a pulpit. When he spoke, the nation listened. He was invited to be the guest editor of the Today programme nearly three years ago and used it, unsurprisingly, to deliver messages close to his heart.

Im afraid to say I declined the opportunity to present the programme that morning. I knew what would happen. I would want to ask what his minders would regard as impertinent or embarrassing questions and that would be the end of that.

My then editor Sarah Sands tried hard to get me an interview with his father, but Charles wanted only to talk about trees and I wanted to talk about other things as well. No deal.

Maybe the Palace remembered that I have form. I filmed a BBC TV interview with Prince Philip on his 70th birthday.

It was pretty boring except for a section when he got very cross because Id asked him why the Queen hadnt helped him out when he had to sell his racing yacht because of the expensive upkeep. The Palace complained and the BBC cut it out.

I did try to get an interview with the Queen herself. Shed invited me to one of her private lunches at Buckingham Palace and, when we were having a coffee in the anteroom afterwards, I popped the question. It was a one-word answer: No.

Again I tried, putting the case that I had carefully prepared. She listened politely and then another: No! followed by: Whats more, Mr Humphrys, if one were ever to do such an interview it would most certainly not be with you!

I made one more attempt when she came to open New Broadcasting House. She brushed me aside pretty sharply. Fair enough. Why shouldnt she? Shes the monarch.

And if this nation is united behind anything, it is that the Queen has done a pretty good job in her 68 years on the throne. She has scarcely put a foot wrong. Respect and affection for her are at stratospheric levels.

Even a lifelong republican like me can accept that the monarchy is safe. But the Royal Family is different.

I conclude by wishing happy birthday to Princess Anne. Shes 70 today. Shes still the most hardworking of the lot. And the way that shes dealt with her own children, by not making them HRHs, proves that she doesnt believe in it, either

The nation is perfectly entitled to ask what is the point of it if one of its most senior members wants to live abroad, make great piles of cash and no longer wants to do the hand-shaking duties.

Of course, there are still loyal subjects entranced by the Royal Family. For them the marriage of an otherwise obscure princess is an occasion for national rejoicing.

But it was noticeable that when another of them wed during lockdown with no more fuss than the girl next door, the nation broadly approved.

And I wonder how many young people even know the names of the lesser royals, however grand the titles of their parents.

In pre-lockdown days I was asked to present some awards at a royal palace. In return for my time, I would have the honour of being presented to HRH the Earl of Wessex.

I declined politely on the grounds that bowing wasnt really my thing and, anyway, I wasnt sure who he was. The email I got back was surprisingly sympathetic.

If that sounds a bit childish, forgive me, but cant we at last acknowledge that the age of automatic, unearned deference has come and gone  however distantly you may be related to the Queen?

But may I conclude by wishing happy birthday to Princess Anne. Shes 70 today.

Shes still the most hardworking of the lot. And the way that shes dealt with her own children, by not making them HRHs, proves that she doesnt believe in it, either.
Minsk: Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on Friday for more protests and an election re-count, piling pressure on the authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, as he faces the biggest challenge in his 26 years in power.

In a video posted on YouTube from self-imposed exile in Lithuania, Tsikhanouskaya asked supporters to demand an official investigation into allegations that Lukashenko rigged last Sunday's presidential election.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on people to continue protesting. Credit:AP

At least two protesters were killed and thousands detained in a violent crackdown this week. The European Union is considering new sanctions on Belarus, which is seen by Russia as a strategic buffer against NATO and the EU.

"Belarusians will never again want to live with the old authorities," Tsikhanouskaya said. "Let's defend our choice. Don't stay on the sidelines. Our voices need to be heard."
A judge has opened the door for a divorcee to get her hands on around 450 million she is owed by her Russian billionaire ex-husband in the latest round of a long-running legal battle.

Tatiana Akhmedova, who lives in London, was awarded a 41.5% share of businessman Farkhad Akhmedov's 1 billion-plus fortune by a British judge in late 2016.

Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, who analysed the case at a trial in the Family Division of the High Court in London, said Ms Akhmedova should walk away with 453 million.

Tatiana Akhmedova (pictured) is awarded her Russian billionaire ex-husband's 340m superyacht and 110m art collection as Farkhad Akhmedov refused to hand over 450m owed

But judges have heard that she has so far pocketed about 5 million and that Mr Akhmedov has not 'voluntarily' paid a penny.

Mr Akhmedov has said that, because he and his ex-wife, who is from eastern Europe, are not British, and were not married in Britain, a British judge should not have made a decision.

Ms Akhmedova says Mr Akhmedov, a former oil and gas trader, has tried to put assets beyond her reach and she has taken legal action in Britain and abroad in a bid to get hold of what she is owed.

That has led to her becoming embroiled in litigation with a number of trusts based in Liechtenstein, into which Mr Akhmedov has transferred assets.

A judge analysing the latest stage of that litigation has made rulings in Ms Akhmedova's favour.

Mrs Justice Gwynneth Knowles had been told how Mr Akhmedov had transferred a super-yacht, the Luna, worth around 340 million, and an art collection, worth around 110 million, into the ownership of a number of trusts in Liechtenstein.

Mr Justice Haddon-Cave had said the yacht and art collection should be transferred to Ms Akhmedova.

But trustees had asked Mrs Justice Knowles to release them from their 'obligations to execute transfers'.

They said orders telling them to transfer the yacht and art collection would 'require' them to act in 'violation of the law of Liechtenstein'.

Mrs Justice Knowles has refused their application.

The 340m superyacht Luna owned by Russian billionaire Farkad Akhmedov (pictured docked at Port Rashid in Dubai) was formerly owned by Chelsea FC owner Roman Abrahmovic

Timur Akhmedov the son of Farkhad Akhmedov, is fighting to stop personal financial information being made public after becoming embroiled in divorced parents' battle

Trustees of two Liechtenstein trusts, into which Mr Akhmedov had transferred 'monetary assets', had also said proceedings brought against them in London by Ms Akhmedova should be halted and shelved.

Mrs Justice Knowles has also refused those applications.

The judge analysed arguments at virtual hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in June and published a ruling on Friday.

Ms Akhmedova has also taken legal action against her 26-year-old son Temur, who she says is his father's 'lieutenant'.

Temur, a London trader, disputes allegations made against him.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 14:14:47|Editor: huaxia

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Indian policemen conduct search operation near the site of a militants' attack on policemen in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 14, 2020. Two policemen were killed and one wounded in a militants' attack in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday, police said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two policemen were killed and one wounded in a militants' attack in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday, police said.

The police party was attacked at Nowgam area in the outskirts of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Militants today fired indiscriminately upon a police party near Nowgam Bypass area. Three police personnel were wounded and they were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment, where two succumbed," a senior police official posted in Srinagar said.

Following the attack, authorities rushed government forces to the area to search for the militants responsible for the attack. No arrests have been made so far.

Reports said militants managed to escape after carrying out the attack.

The attack, which triggered panic in the city, came ahead of the Independence Day celebrations when authorities have sounded an alert in the region to thwart attempts by militants to disrupt the official celebrations.

In every district headquarter and major town, including Srinagar city, authorities have set up barricades on roads and searching vehicles.

A guerilla war has been going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989. Militants usually attack government forces by resorting to firings or grenade attacks.

The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region. Enditem
By ANI

KATHMANDU: Balaram Baniya, the Nepali journalist who reportedly wrote an article on Chinese encroachment in Rui village, has been found dead, police said.

The 50-year-old journalist's body was found at the banks of Bagmati River near the hydropower project area in Mandu, Himalayan Times quoted the spokesperson at District Police Office (DPO), Makwanpur, as saying.

A team deployed from Area Police Office in Bhimphedi fished out his body from the river and sent it to Hetauda Hospital. Baniya was last seen walking along the banks of Balkhu river. His location, according to his mobile phone, showed the same, after which the phone was switched off.

His family had filed a missing report with the police, following which a manhunt was launched to trace him, Kathmandu Post reported. "As per the application received for his search, which also contained his photo, it has been verified that the body that was found was that of journalist Baniya," according to the DPO.

According to Kathmandu Post, Baniya was associated with Kantipur Daily, a Nepali newspaper, since the paper's initial days. He used to cover politics and parliament and later did extensive reporting on governance and bureaucracy. He reportedly wrote an article highlighting the Chinese encroachment in Rui village located in Gorkha district.

The journalist's death comes amid the strained bilateral relations between India and Nepal after the Himalayan nation included the Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its controversial new political map.
Jammu & Kashmir police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have bagged a bulk of gallantry medals this Independence Day--81 and 55 out of 215--on the back of successful counter-insurgency operations in the Union Territory, the home ministry said on Friday.

Naresh Kumar, an assistant CRPF commandant who has led quick action teams of the paramilitary force during gunbattles, has received his seventh gallantry medal within four years. Officials said Kumar, 35, has taken part in many operations in which terrorists were gunned down. CRPF spokesperson M Dhinakaran described Kumar as an officer with the sharp tactical acumen and indomitable courage.

Indian Police Service (IPS) officers Sandeep, Gurinderpal Singh, and Atul Kumar Goel, who are posted in Jammu & Kashmir insurgency-hit South Kashmir, have got the medal for gallantry for the first time. Two other IPS officers from the Union Territory, deputy inspector general Vidhi Kumar Birdi, who is on deputation with the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and Tejinder Singh, have been awarded the medal for a second and third time.

Goel arrested suspended police officer Davinder Singh in January this year while he was ferrying two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists in his car to Jammu. Davinder Singh has since been charge-sheeted for anti-India activities.

Among the majority of the 215 gallantry awards, 123 personnel are being awarded for their gallant action in Jammu & Kashmir, 29 personnel for their gallant action in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas and eight personnel for their gallant action in the north-east region, the ministry said in a statement.

Security forces have eliminated over 130 terrorists till July end this year. The recruitment of locals in terror ranks has come down due to action against terrorists.

As many as 23 Uttar Pradesh police personnel have also got the gallantry medal. They include seven members of an inspector general Asim Arun-led team that killed terror suspect Saifullah in Lucknow in March 2017. The Delhi police have 16 awardees, Maharashtra (16) and Jharkhand (12). The remaining recipients are from the other states, union territories, and central armed police forces.

As many as 80 officers from across the country have been awarded the Presidents Police Medal for distinguished services while 631 have received the Police Medal for meritorious services. In all, 926 police personnel have been given medals in three categories.

CRPFs deputy inspector general, Annie Abraham, who has served in Jammu & Kashmir, is among the recipients of the medal for distinguished service. Eight Intelligence Bureau (IB) and six Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers have also received the medal. Among 631 officers awarded the medal for meritorious services, 26 are from CBI and 28 from IB.

Abdul Rashid Kalas has been awarded Kirti Chakra posthumously while deputy inspector general Amit Kumar of the Jammu & Kashmir police has been decorated with Shaurya Chakra. The two were involved in a counter-insurgency operation following the 2019 Pulwama attack. Three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were killed in the operation.

Central Industrial Security Force officers Mahaveer Prasad Godara, Eranna Nayaka, Mahendra Kumar Paswan and Satish Prasad Kushwaha have also been awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously. They died while trying to douse fires in Delhi in March 2019 and in Mumbai in September 2019.
BEIRUT - Ibrahim Raad's family watched their television screen in horror as the mushroom cloud soared and the shock wave shattered Beirut. The screen flickered on and off because of local power cuts in their northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, bringing news of fresh carnage each time it restarted. And all the while their phones were silent.

No word from their eldest son.

Ibrahim wasn't even meant to be in Beirut. When Lebanon's economic crisis began to bite, his mother had asked that he drop out of school to find a job. But she only meant that he should find one in Tripoli. Up until the day he packed his bags and left, she never imagined that he would leave for the capital.

More than a week after 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate exploded, obliterating Beirut's port and destroying swaths of the city, their phones are still silent and their home is a picture of grief.

"Why doesn't he call us?" Ibrahim's mother, Rania, keeps asking of her 19-year-old son. "He needs to call us. He needs to come home."

Beirut's death toll has passed 170, and more than 6,000 people are wounded. As Lebanese and foreign civil defense teams comb through Beirut's rubble, no one here knows the true number of missing. Ibrahim's family has no idea if he is alive or dead.

International groups and Lebanese pathologists say that there are probably dozens of people missing and that there are dozens of unidentified remains to identify still.

The Lebanese Red Cross puts the number of missing people reported to the organization at 38. Lebanon's government maintains no centralized list.

"There is no list of the missing so we can look for them," said Marwan Abboud, Beirut's governor. "Usually, in situations like this, you put together a list and then you search. We're searching without a list. We don't know when the search operations should end."

Families of the missing - in Lebanon, in Syria and in farther flung parts of the globe - refresh news feeds on their cellphones, share photos of their loved ones on social media and then just wait, as fear settles in their stomachs.

In Beirut's badly damaged hospital wards, families of the wounded and missing flooded the corridors and nearby sidewalks on the night of the blast. At four major hospitals, doctors described conducting triage on the wounded as families and friends of those missing gathered around, displaying photographs of those unaccounted for.

"The woman I can't forget was old, she was carrying a photograph," said Joseph Khalil, at Beirut's Geitawi Hospital. "She said that she'd visited three hospitals before this and she couldn't find him. I can't get her out of my mind."

Across Beirut this week, medical groups have set up tents where relatives can provide DNA to help identify missing relatives. Ibrahim's family would like to share DNA samples, but from Tripoli they don't even know where to begin. They know only Tripoli and no one in Beirut but their son.

Rania has shared Ibrahim's picture on social media with her phone number. The only takers were journalists.

"No one has seen him, no one knows anything," she said, her voice trembling as she broke into tears. "What do we do? He's gone and we're still here. Tell me. What do we do?"

As the oldest child of seven, Ibrahim was cheeky as a boy, Rania said, interviewed in her home on Thursday. One day, he slammed the door behind her when she walked into the bathroom and then danced uproariously to music as she yelled at him while stuck inside. Years later, he would copy his father, Jamil, once a driver for the city's teachers, sitting on a lounge chair and pretending to turn the steering wheel as he told his brothers and sisters to settle in for the ride.

As he grew older, life got more difficult. The country was in a slow-burn economic crisis even before the latest financial crisis, which has seen the value of the Lebanese currency plummet and food prices triple.

Ibrahim dropped out of school to help the family earn money but moved repeatedly between jobs. Jamil wanted him to find something steady, and they had a fight. Ibrahim felt inadequate. In confidence, both told relatives they were eager to reconcile. But when they came together, they argued more and more.

One night in late December, Rania asked finally that he find a permanent job. "It never occurred to me that he would head to Beirut. It's not what I told him . . . it's not what I asked," she said.

He left quietly from the cramped apartment in early January. He called the family occasionally, but as fights with his father intensified, Ibrahim stopped calling. The number they had for him went out of service. From time to time, Rania checked in with friends who knew him, but she knew he wanted to be alone, and she knew he knew how to get in touch.

Then came Beirut's blast, and the silence.

In Tripoli on Thursday, the family felt lost. They could ill-afford to put food on the table, let alone pay a driver who would take them the two hours to Beirut. If they even got there, Jamil said, they wouldn't know what do to. "It's a city. It's huge," he said. "We wouldn't even know where to start."

Amid the wreckage of Beirut's port, international and Lebanese search teams aided by sniffer dogs continue looking for any remains of the missing. The work in the scorching heat is slow, as bulldozers shift aside mounds of dirt and debris kicked up by the force of the blast. There may also be remains beneath mountains of corn that spilled out of a demolished grain silo.

Each day, a few bodies are found. On Thursday, a firefighter's body was found in the sea, still trapped in his car.

Pathologists examining the human remains have become distraught. "Can I admit that we have cried as we did it?" said Hussein Chahrour, a medical examiner with Lebanon's Justice Ministry. He said he had counted and bagged up more than 40 body parts in three days.

"We don't even know how many people there are," he said. "It might be the head and the leg of one person," or it might be the remains of several.

Rania, in the meantime, waited on her balcony on Thursday. Ibrahim didn't come home. When she heard a car cruising past, with rap music blaring, she was sure it was him. It wasn't.

Jamil was wracked with guilt. When Ibrahim last called earlier this summer, his sister said, the pair fought again. "Now he blames himself," she said. "We asked him why he didn't ask him to just come home." Jamil had no answer.

Broken, he hung his head.

- - -

The Washington Post's Nader Durgham, Sarah Dadouch and Loveday Morris in Beirut and Suzan Haidamous in Washington contributed to this report.
In a quiet corner of San Francisco International Airport late Thursday, 10-year-old Raghad Saleh wept in her mothers arms.

The Yemeni girl landed Thursday night in the Bay Area  her new home  after being stranded with strangers in Egypt for six weeks. Raghad dreamed of this moment and recorded her wishes on a video The Chronicle had translated from Arabic.

The girl hugged her sisters tightly before turning toward her mother, Sumayah Albadani. The two held each other in a long embrace.

Im so happy Im reunited with my siblings and mother, said Raghad in Arabic, through an interpreter. I cant describe it.

The Saleh family shared an emotional reunion Thursday after a frustrating saga that highlighted the complexities of U.S. immigration policy in the age of COVID-19.

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo granted Raghad a visa this week, after refusing her one in February, Amir Naim, the familys attorney, said. Raghads mother and two siblings  who received visas in February  arrived in the United States on July 1. They had stayed with the child in Egypt for as long as they could.

The Chronicle featured the Salehs story in July as they tried desperately to bring Raghad home, begging the embassy to make an exception for a 10-year-old girl. Helping the family were the local chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Yemeni American Association.

Its a very happy moment for me and for my community, said Mohamed Albadani, vice president of the Yemeni American Association, who joined the family at the airport Thursday and worked closely with the family on Raghads case. After waiting one month and a half, and seeing a 10-year-old separated from her family, its a happy moment for us.

The family had tried to leave Yemen, their war-torn homeland, for years. Raghads father, Abu Bakr Saleh, made it to the United States in 2016, joining his father in San Francisco and preparing to send for Albadani and their children as soon as he was settled. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen had long since closed because of the 5-year-old civil war there. So the family traveled to Egypt last October to wait.

Saleh and Albadani have four children: Ahmed, 14, Asma, 12, Raghad, 10, and Maya, 8.

The visas came through in February  all but Raghads. The family may never know why.

At first, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo assured the Salehs that it would take only a few weeks to fix the mix-up and grant the child a visa. That was before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

In March, the Trump administration suspended visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Then, in June, President Trump signed a proclamation banning most immigration to the U.S. through December, citing high unemployment and public health concerns.

The Salehs are among thousands of families whose lives were upended by the sweeping immigration restrictions. Visas for most workers, visa lotteries and temporary immigration visas have all been curbed. So has most family-based immigration, which lets a U.S. citizen or permanent resident sponsor an immediate relative for a green card. Thats the program the Saleh family used.

Its a problem that shouldnt have happened to begin with, said Naim, referring to the familys case. This is a 10-year-old girl, shes not a threat to anybody, she has nothing to do with any of the reasons theyre putting out these proclamations.

Were happy that they issued the visa eventually. But there are hundreds of thousands of people in similar situations, he said.

With their visas just hours from expiring on July 1, Raghads mother left for the United States with Ahmed and Asma, leaving Raghad with a neighbor in Cairo until they could all be together again. Saleh had brought Maya to San Francisco in March.

Albadani had asked the embassy in Cairo if she could extend her visa so that she could wait with Raghad in Egypt. But embassy officials refused, forcing Albadani to choose between leaving her daughter or forfeiting her own visa.

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 was the hardest moment of my life, Albadani told The Chronicle in Arabic in July, speaking through an interpreter.

A spokesperson for the State Department, which oversees U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, declined to comment on Raghads case Tuesday, saying visa records were confidential.

For several weeks in June, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo told Naim that it could not process Raghads visa application because of President Trumps proclamation banning most immigration to the U.S. The embassy gave no time frame for when  or if  it would authorize her departure.

But suddenly, the embassy emailed Naim on Sunday saying there was a visa in Raghads name. Her ticket to America. Her ticket to reunite with her family.

Raghad got her visa the next day, and her family hurried to get the girl on a plane. Her father returned to Cairo to accompany Raghad on the flight home. They flew first to New York on Wednesday, and to San Francisco on Thursday.

The family plans to make Raghad a special dinner and hopes to go sight-seeing throughout San Francisco.

Their story in America now starts, Albadani said.

Its like we werent here before, she said. Now we can start our lives.

Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
Despite recent breakdowns in COVID-19 stimulus negotiations on Capitol Hill, Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts believes talks will resume soon and lawmakers and the Trump administration will eventually come to a deal.

In an interview with The Republican editorial board and MassLive, Neal, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said that even with Democrats and Republicans at odds over a range of aid proposals, he believes there is some agreement on a few parameters going forward.

He cited general agreements to provide another round of stimulus checks to Americans; tax credits for employers who retain workers; more funding for small businesses; and more money for hospitals because weve got to defeat the virus before the recovery gets underway.

I expect negotiations will proceed in the near future, he said, based on his conversations this week with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We need to do another round of stimulus.

Larry Kudlow, the Trump administrations top economic adviser, told reporters on Thursday that he didnt want to bet on anything when it comes negotiators sealing a deal anytime soon.

While President Donald Trump, Democrats and most Republicans have largely agreed that another relief package is required to blunt the pandemics economic fallout, talks collapsed last week.

After a phone call between Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday, Pelosi said the parties were miles apart and Mnuchin claimed Democrats have no interest in negotiating, NBC News reported.

I can tell you right now its a stalemate, Kudlow said outside the White House Thursday. The Speaker wants a $2 trillion commitment from us, were not going to give it. There are too many asks on their side that dont fit, that dont have anything to do with COVID for that matter.

Democrats argue that a $1 trillion Republican proposal includes non-COVID-related items, including funding for a new FBI building they allege benefits Trump by blocking a new hotel from being built near one of the Trump Organizations hotels.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved a $3 trillion aid bill nearly three months ago.

In a news conference Thursday, Pelosi highlighted that since Democrats passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act on May 15, more than 3.7 million Americans have been infected with coronavirus and about 77,000 have died.

When we passed that legislation it was designed to meet the needs of American people in relationship to the coronavirus crisis, she told reporters, based on science, economics and institutional expertise. At that time, Mitch McConnell said we need to pause. He hit the pause button. Clearly, the virus did not take a pause.

Pelosi blasted Republican lawmakers for claims that testing is overrated ... tracing doesnt work. Theyve mocked the masks, the distancing and the rest, but it has to be done until we have a vaccine.

This administration and the Republicans in Congress have never understood the gravity of the situation, she argued.

Pelosi pointed to a chart showing the $60 billion Democrats proposed to invest in food stamps, food banks, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and other food security issues compared to $250,000 from the GOP; $100 billion for anti-eviction and rent assistance from Democrats, zero from Republicans; Democrats $75 billion for coronavirus testing and Republicans $16 billion; Democrats $300 billion for education and Republicans $105 billion, the bulk of which, she said, only goes to schools fully opening.

The differences between Democrats plan to combat the coronavirus & the meager proposals presented by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress could not be more stark. #FamiliesFirst pic.twitter.com/ThtsuQOIAX  Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 13, 2020

Does that say anything about a value system? she said.

Nearly 20 Republican senators say they will not sign on to the $1 trillion proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, arguing that the $3 trillion already spent by the federal government in recent months is already a big enough strain on resources.

McConnell previously blasted the HEROES Act as a liberal wish list.

Pelosi on Thursday repeated Democrats consistent assertion that states and local governments need a significant infusion of cash or they will be firing or furloughing people.

More than 1.5 million public employees have already been laid off during the pandemic. If more teachers, health care workers, first responders, maintenance and sanitation workers lose their jobs without federal assistance, Pelosi said, they will simply file for unemployment benefits, so what are we saving there?

Democrats have pushed for nearly $1 trillion in state and local aid. For a town-by-town breakdown of how much aid the Democratic proposal would deliver in Massachusetts, read here.

Neal said Democrats were willing to move in the direction of a smaller number on state and local aid, but he cited Gov. Charlie Baker, who recently urged the federal government to provide the aid, as one of many state leaders planning ahead with the expectation of heavy budget shortfalls.

That becomes a calamity, Neal said, given the challenges of the pandemic and economic recovery. Theres broad support for state and local aid, which I still believe will be the engine that pulls the train.

Trump and Republican lawmakers say they do not want to bail out states and communities led by Democrats. They argue too many states are managed poorly, particularly those with bloated pension programs. But the state and local funding approved in the HEROES Act goes to all states, cities, towns and tribal governments across the nation  regardless of the political affiliation of the communities leaders.

We agreed on money for schools, money for child care, money for small businesses, second payments on the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses that have been particularly hard hit, more money for vaccines, hospitals ... we even agreed to state and local aid, just not the ridiculous trillion dollars that they wanted, Mnuchin said in a recent Fox Business interview.

Kudlow highlighted that the presidents recent executive actions, after talks broke down Friday, provided crucial assistance in a short-term $400 unemployment insurance boost following the recent expiration of a $600 enhancement that was approved as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in late March. But several Democratic and Republican lawmakers have claimed the presidents executive actions will prove ineffective or unconstitutional.

McConnell on Thursday blamed Democrats for holding up the stimulus, which most lawmakers agree will likely include direct payments of at least $1,200 to tens of millions of American adults earning up to $75,000, and $2,400 to married couples earning up to $150,000. Those earning higher amounts will receive scaled down payments.

No family in middle America is saying: Thank goodness the Democrats are blocking cash payments to me, money for my kids schools, and money for vaccines until Manhattan millionaires get a tax cut! McConnell said Thursday. What American families everywhere want is an outcome.

No family in middle America is saying: "Thank goodness the Democrats are blocking cash payments to me, money for my kids schools, and money for vaccines until Manhattan millionaires get a tax cut!"



What American families everywhere want is an outcome. pic.twitter.com/wsoLaPKaH5  Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) August 13, 2020

For more on the stimulus checks in the latest GOP proposal, read here.

Related Content:
* Protests over alleged election fraud continue

* Authorities free some detainees arrested in crackdown

* Freed people complain of beatings, terrible conditions

By Andrei Makhovsky

MINSK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Belarusian authorities on Thursday began releasing some of the thousands of people detained in a crackdown by strongman President Alexander Lukashenko that has prompted the European Union to consider imposing sanctions.

Some of those released in the capital Minsk had bruises and described being tightly packed inside cells and complained of mistreatment, including beatings.

A spokeswoman for the interior ministry declined immediate comment.

People outside the Okrestina detention centre, some in tears, waited in the hope of gleaning news of friends and relatives inside. Police and soldiers with machine guns drove them away when they got too close to the entrance.

The government said that 700 more people had been detained in a fourth night of clashes on Wednesday between police and protesters.

Demonstrators say Lukashenko swindled the election to extend his 26-year-long rule of the eastern European country. Lukashenko, alleging a foreign-backed plot to destabilise the country, has dismissed them as criminals and unemployed people.

Sergei, one of the freed detainees, said there had been 28 people in a cell that would normally contain five. Prisoners took turns to sleep, he said, and were given a single loaf of bread to share out over two days.

"They did not beat me in the cell, they took me out of the cell and beat me there," said Sergei, who declined to give his last name.

Reuters could not independently verify his account.

A new round of street protests began on Thursday with people forming human chains on the streets of Minsk.

In a town northeast of Minsk, workers from state-run haulage and earthmoving equipment manufacturer BelAZ walked out of the factory in solidarity with the protesters.

Lukashenko has sought better relations with the West amid strained relations with traditional ally Russia.

The EU partially lifted sanctions, imposed over Lukashenko's human rights record, in 2016, but will weigh new measures against him and allies on Friday.

A former Soviet collective farm manager, the 65-year-old Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for more than a quarter of a century but faces increasing anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a sluggish economy and human rights.

Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations human rights chief, has condemned the detention of 6,000 people by police, "including bystanders, as well as minors, suggesting a trend of massive arrests in clear violation of international human rights standards". (Writing by Matthias Williams Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Islamabad:

Pakistan is wary of powerful countries pressurising smaller nations to exempt India in the admission process to the NSG and feels that strategic stability in South Asia would be undermined if Pakistan's application was not treated equally with that of India.

Pakistani official suspect that powerful countries could force the smaller partners to support India's Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership bid despite a growing realisation for a criteria-based approach for joining the 48-member elite grouping.

"We are pretty confident that NSG countries would not go down the exemption way, but if they ultimately do so and give exemption to India," Director General of Disarmament at the Foreign Office Kamran Akhtar said while speaking at a workshop on 'Defence, Deterrence and Stability? in South Asia. "...there would be serious repercussions not just for Pakistan, but also for other non-nuclear weapon states that may feel being unjustly denied their right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy," he said.

At the same time, Pakistani officials feel encouraged by growing support in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for establishing criteria for membership of non-NPT countries, Dawn reported. "There are a lot of countries that now recognise the need for a criteria-based approach rather than granting exemptions, but pressures are still being exerted on smaller countries," he said. The workshop was jointly organised by Islamabad-based think-tank Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) and London?s International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

Last month in Vienna NSG members, for the second time in a year, failed to reach consensus on the admission of non-NPT countries. The NSG members have been divided between countries demanding strict adherence to the NPT criteria and the bloc wanting to embrace India immediately.

A growing support within NSG has been noted for developing criteria for non-NPT states and the Chinese proposal for a two-step approach for new admissions which involves developing criteria in the first stage and then inviting applications for the membership. He said it was now up to NSG countries to decide if they wanted the group to be seen as being driven by political and commercial interests or else they would want non-proliferation goals to be strengthened.

The official warned that strategic stability in South Asia would be undermined if Pakistani application was not treated equally with that of India. Pakistan has been pushing for its membership in the group by adopting a uniform criteria for any new country to join NSG despite US backing for India to join through a selective wavier of conditions. Foreign Office's Additional Secretary Tasneem Aslam said the issue of membership of non-NPT countries was deeply linked to strategic stability in South Asia.

"Today, the NSG stands at crossroads, once again, as it considers membership for non-NPT states. An even-handed and non-discriminatory approach by the NSG at this juncture would be of far-reaching significance for strategic stability in South Asia and global non-proliferation efforts," she said.

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Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 15:04 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e0ebcb 1 National Jokowi,omnibus-bill-on-job-creation,omnibus-law,75th-Indonesia-merdeka,75th-indonesian-independence-day,#Indonesia75 Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has pledged to produce policies that protect human rights and the environment, noting that speed and accuracy should not be exchanged for carelessness and arbitrariness.

Dressed in traditional Sabu attire from East Nusa Tenggara, the President delivered the speech during an annual state of the nation address before members of the countrys executive, legislative and judicial branches at the House of Representatives compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Friday.

He said high flexibility and simple bureaucracy should never be achieved by sacrificing legal certainty, anticorruption efforts and democracy.

All policies must focus on environmental friendliness and promote the protection of human rights, he said.

Jokowi went on to say that the government had always made serious efforts of corruption eradication and added that measures to prevent corruption had be intensified through simple, transparent and efficient governance.

The law must be enforced without discrimination. The upholding of democratic values cannot be compromised. Democracy must continue without disrupting the speed of work and legal certainty, as well as the noble values of our nation, he said.

With his speech, Jokowi appears to respond to criticism over how his government has pressed ahead with the deliberation of controversial bills, including the omnibus bill on jobs.

Critics of the bill said some of its provisions would dismantle the protection of workers and laws to protect the environment.

On Thursday, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) urged the President and the House of Representatives to stop the deliberation of the bill, one of the Presidents flagship legislation efforts, saying it had the potential to violate human rights.

Komnas HAM said it had found several areas of concern, including the potential rolling back of worker protections, the expansion of central government powers and threats to environmental protection, and that the bills criminal provisions would unfairly benefit the rich.

Also on Thursday, labor groups said they planned to hold a massive protest in front of the House compound to demand that the government and House stop the deliberation of the bill. They would still stage the protest despite agreeing with the House to form a team with members of the working committee of the bill, which is aimed at finding common ground on changes to the 2003 Labor Law proposed in the bill.

The labor groups and the lawmakers are set to hold the teams first meeting on Aug. 18, according to the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI).

A member of the House Legislative Body (Baleg), Hendrawan Supratikno, said lawmakers had resolved the deliberation of 75 percent of the draft, explaining that public hearings during the Houses recess period had been quite effective in smoothing matters out.

"It will be passed before the next recess [of the current sitting period] on Oct. 9, said the politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
20 cities across Spain monitor almost 10 million people daily to contain virus spread

Spain's largest cities are using GoAigua technology to test their population for COVID-19 spread. These cities have implemented a widespread surveillance system that is efficiently testing entire cities every day, at a neighborhood and building level, by detecting the virus in sewer systems.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005853/en/

Risk maps used by health officials in the City of Valencia on SARS-COV-2 concentration in the sewer (Graphic: Business Wire)

Spain was one of the first countries to be hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Right behind Italy, Spain hit a record high of 100,000 cases in March 2020, and had to lock down its population for nearly two months. Today, with over 300,000 cases reported and reopening underway, it remains one of the top 15 nations of reported cases globally.

With the help of GoAigua, more than 20 cities with a combined population of almost 10 million people implemented a detailed sampling plan that includes collecting samples from manholes every other day at specific times and locations. This data is then integrated into GoAigua's analytics software, where it is combined with demographic, socioeconomic, health, and water-consumption data in real time. Thanks to this revolutionary tool, health officials are getting a near-real-time picture of how the virus is spreading in the cities' neighborhoods. They are able to anticipate official data up to a week in advance, take granular action proactively, and save millions of Euros in PCR testing for the population as they direct testing to the most affected areas.

As an example, the City of Valencia, Spain's third largest city with a population of approximately 1.5 million, is using GoAigua's analytics solution to continuously monitor the concentration of coronavirus per liter water, which in combination with other parameters can be normalized to predict the prevalence of the virus in each neighborhood. The solution also provides information about nursing homes, available hospital beds, and average income, which is of great help to the city's health officials as they make resource decisions on a daily and weekly basis. See more about the work in Valencia [https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-53587722/coronavirus-tracking-new-outbreaks-in-the-sewers]

"The GoAigua COVID-19 surveillance solution is having widespread success in detecting, containing, and focusing resources to combat the spread of the coronavirus," said Pablo Calabuig, CEO of GoAigua US. "This holistic program is the convergence of epidemiology, hydraulics, and economic resources. We are delighted to contribute to the worldwide focus on combating this pandemic."

GoAigua is starting to implement the COVID-19 monitoring system in the US. The solution promises to save millions of dollars in health department resources, and help cities and universities reopen safely. For more information on GoAigua's COVID-19 surveillance solution, visit [https://www.idrica.com/case-studies/goaigua-sars-analytics-early-warning-system-detection-covid-19/].

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005853/en/

Contacts:

Pablo Calabuig

203 893(2961) pablo.calabuig@go-aigua.com

www.goaigua.com
VICTORY!

It was the one-word headline that the people of Syracuse had wanted to see spread out across the front-page of the Post-Standard for almost four years during World War II.

And now, finally, on the morning of Aug. 15, 1945, it was finally there.

Beneath that all-important word, the newspaper carried the important details from Japan:

Japan yesterday unconditionally surrendered the hemispheric empire taken by force and held, at most, intact for more than two years against the rising power of the United States and its Allies in the Pacific War. The bloody dream of the Japanese military caste vanished in the text of a note to the Four Powers accepting the terms of the Potsdam ultimatum of July 26, 1945.

Crowds celebrate the end of World War II near the corner of Salina and Fayette in Syracuse on the evening of Aug. 14, 1945. Joe Rensin | The Post-Standard

It is probably safe to assume that many of that mornings Post-Standard were read by people just returning home from celebrating the news of the American victory the night before or through bleary eyes from one of the biggest parties the city had ever seen.

The newspaper reported that Syracusans grabbed a hold of every noisemaker they could find, whether it was pots and pans, car horns, whistles, or the horns being sold on every corner for 25 cents, to celebrate "the best news of the past 3 and a half years."

It was said people gathered downtown, "as if they had a previous engagement." Police officers directed traffic so that the whole width of S. Salina Street was open for an impromptu pedestrian parade.

Cars were loaded to capacity, young boys and girls sat on fenders or stood on running boards. One two-seat coupe carried 15 youngsters.

Celebrations were noisy and spontaneous, but they were peaceful and happy, with no major destruction reported by police. The Post-Standard said that the celebrations were "in tune with the hopeful new era."

Lacking ticker tape, the streets of the city were covered in torn leaflets and office stationary thrown from the Chimes Building and other office buildings.

Soldiers and sailors and marines, "with lipstick-smeared faces," linked arms with strangers, sat on shoulders, and joined civilians in "snakelines" through the streets.

And it was not just young people. Husbands and wives with children joined the party. A "gray-haired woman" was blowing a noisemaker with all of her strength.

Another woman, about 60, on East Genesee St., was clapping two kettle-tops together.

Syracuse celebrates the surrender of Japan on the night of Aug. 14, 1945.

A car parked near the Onondaga Hotel was spotted with four women and one man inside, with tears streaming down their faces.

When the news of the surrender made it to the Persian terrace room of the Hotel Syracuse, waitresses told diners and several employees, with loved ones in the service, began to weep quietly.

Milt Hert and his trio were on stage but decided to not play their usual bouncy tunes, but instead their first full number was The Star Spangled Banner, which brought the diners to their feet.

Kids celebrate the end of the war while riding on a "jalopy" in downtown Syracuse on Aug. 14, 1945.

For more quiet reflection, many in Syracuse gathered at Assumption Church for prayers.

V-J Day in Syracuse.

Cars crowd Salina Street on the evening of Aug. 14, 1945.

Four sailors celebrate the end of World War on Aug. 14, 1945 on Salina Street.

- Pages from the Aug. 15, 1945 edition of the Post-Standard celebrate the news of the surrender of Japan, ending World War II. This E.W. Edwards department store advertisement triumphantly declares, "It's Over Over There!" Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm

- Pages from the Aug. 15, 1945 edition of the Post-Standard celebrate the news of the surrender of Japan, ending World War II. A sentimental ad from Dey Brothers. Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm

- Pages from the Aug. 15, 1945 edition of the Post-Standard celebrate the news of the surrender of Japan, ending World War II. The Addis Company ran this ad on the day the news of Japan's surrender arrived in Syracuse. Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm

READ MORE

75 years since the end of World War II: CNY vet says It made me who I am

1945: Syracuse celebrates victory in Europe and moms on Mothers Day

1945: Syracuse soldier raises first American flag over Tokyo; enrages General MacArthur

This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958.

Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
The 19th Amendment, ratified a century ago on Aug. 18, 1920, is often hailed for granting American women the right to vote. And yet most Black women would wait nearly five decades more to actually exercise that right.

As the centennial of that Constitutional landmark arrives amid weeks of Black Lives Matter protests that have called for greater recognition of Black womens contributions to society, historian Martha S. Jones aims to make sure that the Black American women who fought for voting rights will not be forgotten in her forthcoming book Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All.

TIME talked to Jones about the deep roots of this activism, which often predated the work of the famous white suffragistsand which still informs present-day debates over what history is worth remembering and how to chart a path to racial equality in the future.

TIME: In your book, you describe the 19th Amendment as marking a turn for Black women, but not in the way people might think. How so?

JONES: Its a landmark moment when the U.S. Constitution includes an amendment that prohibits government from using sex as a criteria for voting rights. Like with any constitutional amendment, theres a great deal more required in order to give it teeth.

In the case of the 19th Amendment, even as its ratified in August of 1920, all Americans are aware that many African-American women will remain disenfranchised. The 19th Amendment did not eliminate the state laws that operated to keep Black Americans from the polls via poll taxes and literacy testsnor did the 19th Amendment address violence or lynching. Some African-American women will vote with the 19th Amendment. Some are already voting in California, New York and Illinois where state governments have authorized womens votes. But many Black women faced the beginning of a new movement for voting rights in the summer of 1920, and its a struggle they will wage alone because now the organizations that had led the movement for womens suffrage are disbanding.

Story continues

Whats going on in the world in 1920 that leads to this moment?

One way to tell this story is that white suffragists launch, by 1913, a two-pronged campaign for a federal amendment. Alice Paulhead of the more radical, more confrontational wing of the movement that will hold public parades and processionswill picket the White House to pressure both the President and Congress to put forward a womens suffrage amendment. At the same time, figures like Carrie Chapman Catt are working through more conventional political channels to win the ear and ultimately the mind of men like Woodrow Wilson. This two-pronged approach gains a momentum, particularly during years of the First World War. There are ultimately enough lawmakers in Washington who are willing to endorse or send to the states a constitutional amendment. And that then opens another chapter, because there still is a matter of persuading state-level lawmakers to ratify the amendment and that campaign will culminate in August of 1920 in the state of Tennessee, which is the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment.

Members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association marching from Pennsylvania Terminal to their headquarters on Aug. 28, 1920, after welcoming home Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the Association, on her arrival from Tennessee. | Bettmann Archive

And Black women are left out of this campaigning?

Yes, Black women are set at a distance quite intentionally because, in order to hold onto the support of many white southern women, its necessary to keep the organization distant from African-American women. And its also the case, that, implicitly, the promise is that the amendment will not interfere with the disenfranchisement of African-American womenso its not a campaign premised in womens universal voting rights, but its a campaign premised in the process of selective voting rights for white American women.

You cite a really interesting example of the disconnect between the two groupsthe attempt to build a monument to mammies. How did that attempt factor into the campaign for voting rights?

The United Daughters of the Confederacy, the organization responsible for many Confederate monuments that litter the American landscape, proposes a monument in Washington, D.C., and that would have been a monument to the so-called colored mammies of the South, to some mythical version of enslaved women who were loyal to the southern slave-holding families, who were apolitical in their disposition, who were contented as enslaved people.

Black women know that if a monument to this mythical figure becomes part of the national landscape, its one more instrument in their political disenfranchisement. The mammy figure isnt an endorsement of Black womens political aspirations or their political capacities. I write about the women of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), who organized to oppose the monument. That monument is defeated even as many other Confederate monuments, as we know today, were successfully installed both in Washington and across the country.

Hallie Quinn Brown, the president of the NACW, said if southern white women want to erect a monument to formerly enslaved women, they can do it by encouraging their lawmaker husbands to pass civil rights legislation that would guarantee to Black Americans decent housing, education, healthcare and more.

Read more: Confederate Monuments Have Come Down in Cities Across America. What Should Take Their Place?

Your book argues that Black women voting-rights activists predated the famous white suffragists. What are the roots of that story?

Oftentimes historians place the start of the suffrage movement in 1848 at a meeting in Seneca Falls, N.Y. Seneca Falls was not the important meeting we might have thought. It was a small local meeting. African-American women were not present. So my question in writing Vanguard was, Where were Black women if they didnt come to the Seneca Falls meeting? That prior spring, in Philadelphia, they were organizing to attend a conference of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of the large Black religious denominations of the period. In that church, there is a fight brewing over womens rights, specifically church women who want licenses to preach. So even before Seneca Falls, Black women are organizing together about their rights.

Part of the lesson out of Vanguard is that if we only look for African-American women suffragists in organizations put together by white American women, were going to be disappointed in the sense that their numbers will be smallor, in the example of Seneca Falls, nonexistent. At the same time, if we follow African-American women to where they are and listen to what they have to say and watch what they do, turns out they are as interested in political power and the problem of sexism as any community of American womenbut theyre doing that work on their own terms. This is the story all the way through.

Who was the earliest Black womens voting rights activist you found in your research?

One of the questions I had was, Where did Black womens political philosophy come from? One of the signatures of Black womens suffrage has become this dual critique of racism and sexism. To understand the roots of that, go back to the beginning of the 19th century. A Black woman Methodist preacher, Jarena Lee, needs a preaching license to make a living and writes a memoir in 1836 on ways she confronts sexism in her denomination. I write about Maria Stewart, a widowed teacher in Boston in the 1820s, who is deeply concerned about the future of African American communities that have made the transition from slavery to freedom. She first writes a pamphlet and then is invited to step to the podium. These are the foremothers of what becomes the core idea that animates Black womens quest for political power and political rights.

A circa 1849 image of preacher Jarena Lee pictured in the title page of her memoir. | FotosearchGetty Images

You discuss a myth about Sojourner Truths Aint I A Woman speech. What does that myth say about how we frame, and how we mischaracterize, Sojourner Truth?

One of the aspirations of this book is to take Black women out of myths, out of snapshots and snippets, and into the fullness of their own lives and their ideas as well as their activism. We learn a great deal from historian Nell Painter, whose biography of Sojourner Truth in the 1990s aims right at the myth, to show us the woman, to show us the life. One of the things she does is have us look side by side at two versions of the so-called mislabeled Aint I A Woman speech, to appreciate that there was a contemporaneous, written recording of the speech she gave in Akron, Ohio, in 1851, that does not include the phrase Aint I A Woman at all. Its many years later that another writer takes a kind of license with the speech and invents this refrain.

Truth, over the course of her lifetime and subsequent to her lifetime, has been the object of myth-making. [This is] true for other women in Vanguard as well; they are held out at moments when they are convenient or they seem to serve another argument or purpose. But too often we dont get the full sense of their lives and how they are connected to their own histories and the histories of other Black women. Truth was a formidable speaker, but she wasnt a woman of the South, not a woman of the country. Professor Painter points out she likely spoke with a Dutch accent rather than a Southern accent. So Aint I A Woman recasts Sojourner Truth as a woman of the South, a woman of country origins, and while there are elements of that recreation that are in the spirit of Sojourner Truth, we know the writer takes those libertiesdespite having been present for the original speech.

A circa 1880 portrait of American abolitionist and feminist Sojourner Truth. | Hulton ArchiveGetty Images

You also explore the Black women who fought for their right to vote in the years between 1920 and the Voting Rights Actincluding Rosa Parks. You frame her political awakening as partly to do with an experience with sexual harassment in the middle of the Great Depression. How does that incident connect to the fight for voting rights?

Rosa Parks is someone who is deeply engaged, in her politics, with the problem of sexual violence, something that grows out of her own experience. Vanguard is an effort to fill her out rather than leave her as a mythical figure. We miss her voting rights work because we focus on her role in the bus boycott, but her very first foray into politics is going to be with local voting rights activists and E.D. Nixon, and shes going to be part of some of the very risky early voting rights organizing in Alabama that predates even Selma.

Rosa Parks speaking on Mar. 25, 1965, at conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights. | Stephen F. SomersteinGetty Images

One of the threads that distinguishes Black womens quest for the vote from other voting rights campaigns is the idea that voting rights might very well be a tool for resisting and opposing sexual harassment and sexual assault. I place the origins of that in the stories told by enslaved women who arent speaking expressly about politics but put their own experiences of sexual violence into the public sphere. Then we come to the modern era and the stories of Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer, women in the modern civil rights era whose politics are affected by influenced by sexual violence. We can tie it all the way to the #MeToo movement in Tarana Burke, who continues to center those concerns for us. The story of racism is often told from the perspective of men; Black women experience racism in a ways that are distinct and defining for them, and sexual violence is a good example of that.

What lessons do you want readers to take away from the book?

I hope the book helps us to more insightfully, more rootedly understand the Black women who are running for Congress this year in record numbers, who will turn out in the polls in the high-90 percents in November, and are on Joe Bidens shortlist, like Val Demings, who credits her political career to one of the women in my book, Mary McLeod Bethune. I hope Vanguard is a book that helps us understand the women political leaders of our own time and inspire the next generation of girls and young women to take politics as part of their possibilities in the future.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has taken an exception to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Changes (MoEFCC) draft environment impact assessment (EIA) notification, 2020, and pointed out that the document in its current form has ignored the sensitivity required for ecological conservation and also to achieve sustainable development goals.

Baghel has drawn Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekars attention to the gaping holes in the draft EIA notification, 2020.

He made an impassioned plea that the key environmental policy guideline should be in consonance with the rights of the tribals and rural bodies in a state such as Chhattisgarh.

Also read: Centre gets 1.7 million suggestions on draft EIA

Bastar, Surguja, Koria, and Kavardha have been included in the Scheduled Area under Article 244 (1) of the Constitution (Fifth Schedule), which provides protection to these areas against such laws that are derogatory to the land rights of indigenous population of Chhattisgarh. At the outset, an executive action by way of a notification cannot override the statutory protection granted under FRA (Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers [Recognition of Forest Rights] Act, 2006) and PESA (Panchayats [Extension to Scheduled Areas] Act, 1996). The EIA notification, 2020, should be in consonance with the rights of the tribals and panchayats, the CM stated in his letter to Javadekar.

Baghel cited that the section 4 of the PESA Act empowers a gram sabha/panchayat to prevent alienation of land and to approve plans and projects. It is also mandatory to consult with a gram sabha/panchayat before acquiring land for a developmental project and rehabilitating the local population affected by the commercial venture.

He pointed out that the draft EIA notification, 2020, glossed over the mandate and did not make it mandatory for the project proponent to get any such approval from a rural body that grossly undermined the rights and interests of panchayats in Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)-dominated areas of Chhattisgarh.

Baghel raised the issue of extending exemption to large number of projects from public hearing as per the policy draft, which, he argued, would adversely affect the rights of the forest-dwellers to conserve, manage and protect forests in line with section 3 of the FRA, 2006, which deals with the right to minor forest produce (MFP), a key source of sustenance for the SC and ST population of Chhattisgarh.

He also expressed concern over the dilution of panchayats power under section 5 of the FRA, 2006 that deals with protection of wildlife, forests, bio-diversity, adjoining catchment areas, water resources and ecological-sensitive zones.

Also read| Draft EIA objections: Aaditya Thackeray says voice of people and mother nature must be heard

The draft EIA notification, 2020, states that levelling of the land without any tree felling and geo-technical investigations does not require prior green clearance. Levelling of project sites may have impact on landscapes, mountains slopes causing soil erosion and can trigger landslides. Geotechnical investigation for roads, hydropower projects and other ventures, which involve heavy construction activities, may have serious impact on the environment, the CM stated.

The draft EIA notification, 2020, grants wide discretion to the executive to define certain terms like projects involving other strategic considerations (clause 5, sub-clause 7) without providing guidelines or broad contours to determine its scope.

The notification leaves it to the executives wisdom to decide its scope and ambit, where there is ample room for subjectivity and arbitrariness that cannot be wished away, he added.

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The communities with the highest rates of new cases relative to their populations all lie along the border with Mexico or on the Gulf Coast: Brownsville-Harlingen, Eagle Pass, Rio Grande City, Corpus Christi and Laredo, according to data compiled by The New York Times.

Four of the five metro areas with the worst death rates in the country over the last two weeks were also in the South Texas border region.

The numbers underscore the virulence of the virus in Texas, where officials have struggled to both keep the state open and curb infection. More than 300 deaths were announced in the state on Wednesday, and the state is approaching a total death toll of 10,000.

Representative Filemon B. Vela Jr., a Democrat whose district includes Brownsville and Harlingen, said that in late June, he did not know anyone who had the virus. Now, he said, he knows hundreds.

In one day, I had four people who I knew die, he said.

In Laredo, hospitals have been at or near capacity every day. The state turned a local Red Roof Inn into a 106-bed temporary hospital for coronavirus patients with mild cases, but local leaders have been urging officials to allow patients with more serious cases in.

We see an unprecedented amount of death, said Dr. Victor Trevino, the top health official in Laredo. When the state opened, thats when we saw the infection rate increase dramatically.

Vela and other congressional Democrats in Texas have criticized Gov. Greg Abbotts handling of the states reopening. When Abbott, a Republican, reopened the state in phases beginning May 1, he lifted the states stay-at-home order and prohibited local officials from adopting their own. After cases increased, Mr. Abbott paused the reopening, ordered bars to close and issued a mask mandate for most Texans.

Shutting down the bars isnt enough, said Vela, who called on the governor on Thursday to issue stay-at-home orders in hard-hit counties or allow local officials to put them in place.

On Thursday, Abbott met with officials in the West Texas city of Lubbock and warned the public about what he called COVID fatigue. In remarks to reporters, he urged Texans to continue to wear masks, though he was without one as he spoke at an indoor news conference.

If people do not continue to, in a very disciplined way, maintain the highest level of standards, what you will see is an acceleration of the expansion of COVID-19, the governor said.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed artificial intelligence software for powder bed 3D printers that assesses the quality of parts in real time, without the need for expensive characterization equipment.

The software, named Peregrine, supports the advanced manufacturing "digital thread" being developed at ORNL that collects and analyzes data through every step of the manufacturing process, from design to feedstock selection to the print build to material testing.

"Capturing that information creates a digital 'clone' for each part, providing a trove of data from the raw material to the operational component," said Vincent Paquit, who leads advanced manufacturing data analytics research as part of ORNL's Imaging, Signals and Machine Learning group. "We then use that data to qualify the part and to inform future builds across multiple part geometries and with multiple materials, achieving new levels of automation and manufacturing quality assurance."

The digital thread supports the factory of the future in which custom parts are conceived using computer-aided design, or CAD, and then produced by self-correcting 3D printers via an advanced communications network, with less cost, time, energy and materials compared with conventional production. The concept requires a process control method to ensure that every part rolling off printers is ready to install in essential applications like cars, airplanes, and energy facilities.

To devise a control method for surface-visible defects that would work on multiple printer models, ORNL researchers created a novel convolutional neural network -- a computer vision technique that mimics the human brain in quickly analyzing images captured from cameras installed on the printers. The Peregrine software uses a custom algorithm that processes pixel values of images, taking into account the composition of edges, lines, corners and textures. If Peregrine detects an anomaly that may affect the quality of the part, it automatically alerts operators so adjustments can be made.

The software is well suited to powder bed printers. These printers distribute a fine layer of powder over a build plate, with the material then melted and fused using a laser or electron beam. Binder jetting systems rely on a liquid binding agent rather than heat to fuse powdered materials.

The systems print layer by layer, guided by the CAD blueprint, and are popular for the production of metal parts. However, during the printing process, problems such as uneven distribution of the powder or binding agent, spatters, insufficient heat, and some porosities can result in defects at the surface of each layer. Some of those issues may happen in such a very short timeframe that they may go undetected by conventional techniques.

"One of the fundamental challenges for additive manufacturing is that you're caring about things that occur on length-scales of tens of microns and happening in microseconds, and caring about that for days or even weeks of build time," said ORNL's Luke Scime, principal investigator for Peregrine. "Because a flaw can form at any one of those points at any one of those times, it becomes a challenge to understand the process and to qualify a part."

Peregrine is being tested on multiple printers at ORNL, including as part of the Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) Demonstration Program that is pursuing the world's first additively manufactured nuclear reactor. TCR is leveraging ORNL's rich history in nuclear science and engineering, materials science and advanced manufacturing to develop a microreactor with newer materials in less time at a lower cost, ensuring the future of this important carbon-free energy source.

"For TCR in particular, you could have a scenario in which the regulator will want detailed data on how a part was manufactured, and we can provide specs with the database built using Peregrine," Scime said.

"Establishing correlations between these signatures collected during manufacturing and performance during operation will be the most data-rich and informed process for qualifying critical nuclear reactor components," said Kurt Terrani, TCR program director. "The fact that it may be accomplished during manufacturing to eliminate the long and costly conventional qualification process is the other obvious benefit."

ORNL researchers stress that by making the Peregrine software machine-agnostic -- able to be installed on any powder bed system -- printer manufacturers can save development time while offering an improved product to industry. Peregrine produces a common image database that can be transferred to each new machine to train new neural networks quickly, and it runs on a single high-powered laptop or desktop. Standard cameras were used in the research, ranging in most cases from 4 to 20 megapixels and installed so they produce images of the print bed at each layer. The software has been tested successfully on seven powder bed printers at ORNL so far, including electron beam melting, laser powder bed, and binder jetting, as detailed in the journal Additive Manufacturing.

"Anything we can do to help operators and designers know what works and what doesn't helps with the confidence that the part will be okay for use," Scime said. "When you have a 3D map of every pixel where the network thinks there is an anomaly and what it thinks the problem is, it opens up a whole world of understanding of the build process."

As the monitoring system has evolved, Scime said researchers are able to combine the image data with data from other sources such as the printer's log files, the laser systems and operator notes, allowing parts to be uniquely identified and statistics from all parts tracked and evaluated.

The AI software was developed at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL, a U.S. Department of Energy user facility that works closely with industry to develop, test and refine nearly every type of modern advanced manufacturing technology.

"There's no place else like the MDF where this machine-agnostic algorithm could have been developed, simply because we have so many machines and so many builds going on all the time in the course of our research," Scime said. "Access to data is key. Here, we have the ability to place sensors easily and the technicians to make sure everything works and that we're getting our data. With the variety of scientific expertise available here, it's been easy to find experts to help with all the challenges involved."

In other process control work, MDF researchers are developing methods to monitor for defects on the subsurface of builds and to detect porosity that may form in deeper layers, including the use of photodiodes and high-speed cameras.

"We've been doing welding for hundreds of years, but additive has only been around for a couple of decades and we don't know what the problems look like in some cases," Scime said. "Machine learning techniques allow us to collect and analyze a lot of data quickly. We can then identify those problems and gain the knowledge we need to better understand and prevent anomalies."

###

The work was sponsored by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office and the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, which funds the TCR program.

ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE's Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit https://energy.gov/science.
In a message on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Japans bishops are urging the countrys citizens to free themselves from preconceptions and bias against the displaced people in society and accept and protect them, living in harmony with them.

By Robin Gomes

"There are many internally displaced persons in Japan today," noted Bishop Michiaki Yamanouchi of Saitama, president of the Catholic Commission of Japan for Migrants and People on the Move. He made the comment in a message posted on the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan (CBCJ), for the Catholic Churchs World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on September 27.

Reflecting Pope's message

Forced like Jesus Christ to flee is the theme that Pope Francis has chosen for the 106th edition of the observance this year. In a message for the occasion, the Holy Father calls for attention and new policies for the worlds growing number of internally displaced people (IDPs) and embraces all who are suffering precariousness, abandonment, marginalization and rejection as a result of Covid-19.

Bishop Yamanouchis message on behalf of the Japanese bishops is entitled, Accept, protect, encourage, and live in harmony with internally displaced persons, like Jesus Christ, who cannot help but flee.

Japan's displaced

The Japanese bishops pointed out IDPs in Japan are those who have lost or fled their homes for various reasons. Some are undocumented and have been detained in immigration facilities for long periods. Some have been provisionally released but are homeless, while others are forced to live on the streets.

In Japan, there are also the so-called net cafe refugees or the cyber-homeless, a class of homeless people who sleep in 24-hour internet or manga cafes. Although these places originally provided only internet services, some have expanded their services to include food, drink, and showers.

Ogata - a model

As a model of how to treat IDPs, Bishop Yamanouchi pointed to the figure of Sadako Ogata of Japan, the first woman to be named the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the first Japanese national to hold that position. During her tenure of office from 1991 to 2000, she highlighted the reality of IDPs in the world.

During the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War, Ogata went beyond the established limits and helped the almost two million Kurds, a mix of refugees and internally displaced persons in Iraq. "This was the moment when the light shone on the IDPs," the Japanese bishops pointed out.

Discovering Christ's face in IDPs

"I believe that the Pope is calling us to look at the realities of our society and to go beyond our narrow points of view," concluded the bishops message, inviting the Japanese people to discover the face of Christ in the faces of refugees, migrants and displaced persons who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, homeless and in prison.

Origins World Day of Migrants and Refugees

The United Nations also commemorates migrants and refugees, but separately on different days. Instituted in December 2000, International Migrants is observed on December 18. World Refugee Day was first celebrated on June 20, 2000, after the UN General Assembly instituted it in December 2000.

On the other hand, the origins of the Catholic Churchs World Day of Migrants and Refugees goes back much further to 1914, a few months before World War I. Moved by the drama of millions of Italians who migrated abroad since the start of the 20th century, Pope Pius called on all Christians to pray for migrants.

A few months later, his successor Pope Benedict XV instituted the Day of the Migrant to support spiritually and economically the pastoral work for Italian emigrants. Today, the Vatican has a special Section on Migrants and Refugees.
Scale Capital said it reached a deal with AT&Ts DirecTV to provide programming to two million customers in Venezuela.

An investment firm has announced it is resuming satellite TV transmissions for Venezuelans whose service was cut abruptly due to United States sanctions aimed at driving President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The firm, Scale Capital, said on Friday it reached a deal with the AT&T subsidiary DirecTV Latin America to take over the subscription service, providing programming to two million customers across Venezuela  more than 40 percent of the countrys subscription TV market.

We are very excited about this launch and we want to thank all parties for their support, Scale Capitals director Jacopo Bracco said in a statement. The firms website lists its address as Santiago, Chile.

Dallas-based AT&T did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DirecTV abruptly ditched its popular satellite TV service on May 19, citing US sanctions that banned it from broadcasting channels that were required by Maduros administration.

Scale Capital did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press asking whether the two channels  Globovision and PDVSA TV  will be aired.





The administration of President Donald Trump is running what it calls a maximum pressure campaign aimed at ending the socialist leaders rule, saying he has led the once-wealthy oil nation into ruin.

The abrupt end to DirecTV service prompted Venezuelan officials to accuse the company of denying its citizens rights to information.

A month after the TV service stopped, Venezuelan authorities jailed three Venezuelan DirecTV executives. One of them, Carlos Villamizar, said before surrendering to authorities that he was innocent because he had no prior knowledge of the decision made by executives in the US.

With the new deal, one of the three men had been released from jail, said a source familiar with the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk. The source said the other two should also soon go free.

Also on Friday, a coalition of nations including the US, the European Union and many countries across the Americas published a statement urging a return to democracy in Venezuela and repeated a call for fresh presidential elections.

Many of the countries were also from the Lima Group and the International Contact Group that had formed to help seek a solution to Venezuelas political and economic crisis that has led to roughly five million residents fleeing.

Many of those nations recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as the countrys legitimate interim leader, arguing Maduros re-election was fraudulent.

The statement called on all Venezuelan political parties and institutions to take steps towards creating a transitional government to hold a fresh election.

We call for an end to all political persecution and acts of repression, the statement says. The current pandemic and Venezuelas overwhelmed public health care system have added urgency to the need to end the status quo.

Maduros government has set congressional elections for December 6 to seat new members of the National Assembly, the last branch of government controlled by Guaidos opposition coalition. The opposition recently said it will boycott the vote, calling it a farce.

In a sign of mounting pressure against Maduro, the European Union said on Tuesday it will not send observers to monitor those elections, citing a lack of fair conditions.

Maduros government did not immediately respond to the call for a fresh presidential election. The socialist leader often accuses Washington of leading a campaign against his socialist nation to install Guaido as its puppet aimed at exploiting Venezuelas vast oil wealth.
<! John Legend Chrissy Teigen and their kids-: Baby No. 3 on the way >

Chrissy Teigen is pregnant with her third child with John Legend.

According to US Magazine, the American model showed her baby bump in John Legends Wild music video, which was released on Thursday.

Chrissy, 34, frolicked at the beach with her husband, 41, and their two kids  Luna, 4, and Miles, 2  in the video before standing at the shore with Legend.

Legend hugged her from behind. And then Chrissy cradled her budding belly as the camera zoomed in.

The Utah native retweeted Vevo after the videos release, and the tweet promised a beautiful surprise.

Amid speculation, Teigen simply posted a smiling-heart emoji on Twitter.

Watch the Vevo Video: https://youtu.be/279RNoP5UyU

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Joe West walks to the beat of his own drummer.

Hes always been that way.

When AMP Concerts approached West to perform a show as part of its coming drive-in music series, West jumped at the chance.

Its my first drive-in concert, he says. AMP Concerts had a successful one a few months ago. Im trying to wrap my head around it. I dont know how different it will be with what we usually do. There will be a big jumbo screen, so that will change the experience.

West has been regularly performing at the Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid on the patio. But with this show, there is an opportunity to play for a bigger crowd.

With health restrictions still in place in New Mexico, West has been ready to get back onstage.

During his show, West will be joined by Bill Hearne.

West says the stage will be set up higher than normal. Hearne will be on his own stage, performing with enough distance from the rest of the band.

West says band members will all be socially distanced and wearing masks when not singing.

Its funny, because I started thinking, How Im going to play to an audience of cars?  he says. Ill have to make jokes like, This song goes out to all of the Toyotas. It will be a great show.

West is a staple in the local music scene with his quirky, offbeat and melodic style  which has been described as theatrical folk music.

Hes been releasing music since the mid-1980s and continues to push himself artistically.

Over the past few years, West has created a rock opera, produced music for film and television, originated a conceptual radio show, created a film festival and founded a theater company that performs his dark horror-comedies with original live music.

With the pandemic slowing down his professional life, hes taken time to outline his next steps.

Hes been working on new theater pieces, as well as new music.

I think the silver lining to the pandemic is that local artists are in the spotlight, he says. There are not huge tours coming through right now, and theres a renewed focus on the local musicians right now. It feels really special to have that happening.
Chalet View Lodge The Inc. 5000 is the most persuasive evidence I know that the American Dream is still alive and we're honored to be included, says Alex Hickman, President/CEO of Chalet View Lodge.

Inc. magazine today revealed that Chalet View Lodge is No. 3242 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

The Inc. 5000 is the most persuasive evidence I know that the American Dream is still alive and we're honored to be included, says Alex Hickman, President/CEO of Chalet View Lodge.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

More about Chalet View Lodge

Chalet View Lodge, is an iconic resort ensconced in the heart of the California Sierra Nevadas rugged landscape. Fifty-one miles north of Truckee and 54 miles northwest of Reno, this alpine wonderland of 8,500 foot peaks, nicknamed "the Lost Sierra" and dotted with turquoise lakes, is decidedly untrammeled.

Set among 15 sprawling acres of rolling meadows and towering pine trees, the intimate 52-room property was created exclusively for destination weddings or for those looking for a unique experience where guests can spend a weekend together at their own private oasis. Accommodations combine an eclectic modern attitude with a zen-influenced aesthetic. Guests can choose from a resort guest room, rustic cabin, terrace suite or villa. The difference is in the details, borrowed from residential living at its most sublime.

CONTACT: Alex Hickman, (503) 778-0737, alex@chaletview.com

http://www.chaletviewlodge.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
DOJ Announces Largest-Ever Seizure of Iranian Oil in Violation of Sanctions

The Justice Department (DOJ) on Friday confirmed the United States seized a significant amount of fuel shipments in four tankers from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to Venezuela.

Approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum were confiscated in what was described as the largest-ever seizure, according to DOJ officials.

With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody, the agency said. After enforcement of the U.S. forfeiture order, Irans navy forcibly boarded an unrelated ship in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum, but was unsuccessful.

It came after the United States filed a complaint that sought to force four foreign-flagged oil tankers, including the M/T Bella, the M/T Bering, the M/T/ Pandi, and the M/T Luna last month. Officials said the oil product shipments were in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Authorities found that the four ships were assets of the Revolutionary Guards, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, the agency said.

Iran had planned to transport the gasoline to Venezuela, a supply line that both Tehran and Caracas have flaunted in defiance of U.S. sanctions. Washington has imposed sanctions on both countries to choke oil exports and deprive their governments of their main source of revenue.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department declined to comment on the record on Thursday. Neither Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA nor Venezuelas oil or information ministries responded to requests for comment.

Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 14, 2013. (Mehdi Ghasemi/ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States has previously threatened to impose sanctions on any shipowners and vessels involved in oil trade with Venezuela and Iran.

Over the past several months, tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified following a series of incidents. Iran briefly seized the British-flagged Grace 1 tanker, accusing it of violating sanctions.

Months later, the United States authorized the airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Revolutionary Guards official and head of the shadowy Quds Force, near Baghdad. Iran then fired a barrage of missiles at U.S. military bases in Iraq, causing dozens of minor injuries.

Last month, Irans government issued an arrest warrant for President Donald Trump over the death of Soleimani, but U.S. officials told Fox News that it is merely a propaganda stunt that no one takes seriously. Soleimani is accused of playing a role in the deaths of hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the region, and he was accused of plotting future attacks on U.S. assets.

Reuters contributed to this report
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Twenty-two-year-old Tania Moreno hung on the fence at Cesar E Chavez High School, staring at the street, waiting for her friends casket. After months of marches and vigils, she had come with a group  Team Vanessa  to say goodbye to a woman whose memory and legacy they intended to keep alive.

Four months had passed since 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen disappeared from her Fort Hood post. Six weeks had passed since a work crew found her body, bludgeoned. On Friday afternoon  her remains now released by investigators  family, friends and strangers during an hourslong visitation mourned while also knowing their fight wasnt done.

Over the weeks after Guillen went missing, the young womans case drew a mounting national outcry, shining a spotlight on concerns over how the Army handles sexual assaults and how it treats women of color. Her story galvanized people nationwide such as Team Vanessa, whose members early on passed out missing person flyers and who now gathered in matching yellow shirts.

Just because were laying her to rest this weekend doesnt mean that this journey is over, Moreno said. We still have a lot of work to do. We still have to continue to fight for justice and continue to fight for answers that the family deserves.

Since she was a child, Guillen dreamed of being a soldier. By the end of 2018, she had completed her training and moved to Fort Hood  but after 16 months she found herself wishing she could leave. She struggled to tell her family what was wrong. They are not good people, she told her mom.

On Friday, her mom and other family members  Guillen was one of six children  sobbed in front of her casket, while Guillens fiance, Juan Cruz, still struggled to believe she was dead, finding himself instead thinking of things to tell her. He felt like he was in a dream, he said, and either couldnt or didnt want to wake up.

Her sisters death had changed her, Lupe Guillen told those in the auditorium. But her sister  known for hard-work and athleticism  gave her strength to face it. This afternoon wasnt about politics, she said; it was about remembering her sister, a young woman who loved chocolate, whose grandmother cherished her hugs.

Remember Vanessa, I love you, always and forever, Lupe Guillen said. And when Im in the soccer field, its for you. When I run, its for you.

Now Playing: Vanessa Guillen remembered at a public viewing at Cesar E. Chavez High School in Houston. Video: Hadley Chittum/Houston Chronicle

The day Guillen disappeared, two other sisters drove into the night to Fort Hood. Every day after became a battle. They pushed to get a search going in earnest, to change how military sexual harassment claims are processed, to see her remains released.

The familys lawyer said they were grateful to President Donald Trump, whom they met in July, for helping them be able to bury her. (A private funeral is scheduled for Saturday.) And they remained hopeful Congress would pass the #IamVanessaGuillen bill to allow service members to send sexual harassment and assault claims to a third-party agency, rather than up the chain of command.

Friday afternoon, the family needed to see an outpouring of community support, said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, who helped to organize this and past events. Espinosa also wanted the community to have a moment to mourn as the movement pushed forward in her name.

(T)his fight is not a one-week fight, Espinosa said. Its not a one-month fight. Its not a one-year fight, but rather a fight thats going to take many years to come to fruition.

Outside, posters hung on fence of the southeast Houston high school  the same school where the 5-foot-2 gymaholic impressed the football team with her ability to bench-press. Justice 4 Vanessa, read one sign. Por ti marchamos, read another. There also hung a pair of cleats with the word hero.

Among hundreds who paid their respects were veterans, former classmates and girls in flowing dresses. They passed through the auditorium spaced out, adhering to social distancing because of the coronavirus. A wall of turquoise and yellow balloons served as a backdrop, alongside varied flower arrangements, some made with Guillens favorite roses and sunflowers. A mariachi band, paid for by pop singer Becky G, played. The proceedings ended that evening with a rosary.

The casket had arrived earlier in an ornate white carriage, chosen from the same company used by George Floyds family and drawn by a team of white horses. A grandmother watching, though she didnt know Guillen, began to cry.

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Indeed, many there in the August heat expressed a connection with Guillen even though they never met her. For one, it was because the day she went missing was the same as his birthday. For another it was because her grandson was found dead at Fort Bliss. The parents of a third immigrated from the same Mexican village as Guillens parents.

We came to say our final goodbyes, said Sofia Rangel, a 47-year-old Houston ISD teacher who felt the young woman could have been one of her students.

And though the moment offered closure for some, they also echoed calls for continued push for change. Retired U.S. Navy Chief Amparo Balderas, 38, of San Antonio, hoped there would be a congressional investigation into the killing. (The man authorities say killed her fatally shot himself July 1; his girlfriend awaits trial.)

Her classmate Taylor Pereyra said she hoped efforts would be taken seriously, as so much still needed to be done.

It took Vanessas short life to get peoples attention, said Air Force veteran Larissa Martinez, a survivor of military sexual trauma. Theres no doubt that her story will continue to be a catalyst for change.

Outside among young mourners was Gina Giannou, 82, sitting on a bench with her adult son. She remembered being Guillens age. She felt on top of the world then, she said. The native Houstonian had also thought that morning about her brothers who  at ages 23 and 27  died during their military service.

Tears soaked into her face mask.

This is something that shouldnt happen, Giannou said. The dismembering of a human life  a beautiful young humans life  this should have never happened. You guys are our future.

Hannah Dellinger contributed to this report.

emily.foxhall@chron.com

olivia.tallet@chron.com

currie.engel@chron.com
Big Tech CEOs are under fire for their market power. At a time when the country is not united about much, we watched the executives of Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google face hostility from both sides of the aisle. It turns out that tech monopolies are one foe upon which we all agree.

In venture capital, we know the issues well. Our startups compete in a landscape dominated by these incumbents. In one view, the startup ecosystem benefits from the role these giants play. Startups build off the technologies they spin out. Venture investors reinvest the capital incumbents provide when they acquire successful startups.

The other view is less rosy. This perspective recognizes that market concentration is a dampener on innovation. Venture capitalists are less likely to fund startups that compete against monopolies core products. There is a name for this: innovation kill zones.

Innovation kill zones are real. Try pitching a venture firm on your new search engine. Or how about that ad network you have dreamt up. You get the idea. Big Tech has moats that entrench their market power. These moats drive down the odds of funding a startup that competes against them.

As a startup investor, I see this often. For example, I will meet yet another founder who wants to disrupt Microsofts LinkedIn. They will have a clever plan to build a better professional social network. I always pass on the investment. It is nearly impossible to overcome the monopoly LinkedIn enjoys. It is but one example of an innovation kill zone.

The entrenchment of Big Tech has worsened. The five largest domestic companies by market value are Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Facebook. Combined, they represent 18% of the total market value of the U.S. stock market. In a clear signal of their market power, they operate with gross profit margins between four to eight times the S&P 500 average.

In the 20th century, the United States led on antitrust. We ensured that we had competitive free markets. But we can no longer claim this. Europe adopted the U.S. regulatory model and has kept truer to it than we have. For the past 20 years, Europe has taken the lead in creating competitive markets.

Competition requires free entry of new competitors. A company competes not only with existing firms but also with upstarts building better products and approaches. You do not have robust free-market competition without this. This innovation drives the American economy. Without free entry into markets, innovation grinds to a halt.

The solution is to restore the free entry by startups. The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission must root out kill zones so that startup innovation can thrive. These agencies have both the authority and the support of the country to do so.

In some cases, this could involve traditional breakups. Breakups, though, are an old frame for thinking about antitrust. With technology companies, breakups risk the double sin of doing too much and not enough  too much by degrading tech products integrated consumer experiences; too little when a breakup leaves behind the same problems we seek to fix. Splitting Facebook into parts replaces one entrenched data monopoly with several.

There is a better remedy. It is to create data portability, open standards and interoperability for their monopoly products. The data pools these companies hold are their most valuable assets. Our government needs to build the pipes into their moats.

How could that look? Imagine third-party app stores. Apple would certify compliance for security, ethics and privacy. If Apple did not act in good faith, the Federal Trade Commission could oversee certification. The App Store, with its hefty 30% revenue toll on the entire app ecosystem, would have to compete on price and services. Imagine the same approach forcing Facebook to open its social graph. Competitors would interoperate with Facebook the same as Instagram and WhatsApp do today.

There are efforts under way that deserve support. The Data Transfer Project is a voluntary collaboration by some of these companies to respond to these criticisms. It is laudable, but it is not an industry-wide effort. Nor is it satisfactory in its results so far. Meanwhile in Congress, the bipartisan-sponsored Access Act would force data portability and interoperability.

These changes would open the gates to true competition. Innovation would thrive as entrepreneurs unleash their creative energies. New experiences and products would emerge in social media, search, app delivery, commerce and so on. The economy and consumers will be the winners.

Paul Arnold is a venture capitalist in San Francisco and the founder of Switch Ventures. His great-grandfather, Thurman Arnold, led the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice from 1938 to 1943.
She has perfected the Love Island slo-mo walk for her bombshell arrivals in the villa.

And Laura Whitmore joked that the slow-motion action makes EVERYTHING sexy, as she demonstrated by pouring a cup of tea in a hilarious Tik Tok on Friday.

The Love Island host, 35, revealed making a brew in real time is an unspectacular event, as she donned a dressing gown and wore her hair in a messy bun.

Work it! Laura Whitmore joked that the slow-motion action makes EVERYTHING sexy, as she demonstrated by pouring a cup of tea in a hilarious Tik Tok on Friday

However once she added the slo-mo effect, it become an although more glamorous affair, as she donned a sexy red floral dress and added a slick of make-up.

Laura elegantly poured out a cup of builders tea before bringing it to her lips for a sip, while teasing the camera with a sultry wink.

She wrote alongside the clip: '#learnontiktok EVERYTHING looks better in #slomo.'

Ha! The Love Island host, 35, revealed making a brew in real time is an unspectacular event, as she donned a dressing gown and wore her hair in a messy bun

Wow: However once she added the slo-mo effect, it become an although more glamorous affair, as she donned a sexy red floral dress and added a slick of make-up

Transformed: Laura elegantly poured out a cup of builders tea before bringing it to her lips for a sip, while teasing the camera with a sultry wink

Love Island: The slo-mo walk into the Love Island villa was made famous by the late Caroline Flack, who hosted the programme between 2015 and 2019

The slo-mo walk into the Love Island villa was made famous by the late Caroline Flack, who hosted the programme between 2015 and 2019.

During a recent interview with The Times, Laura spoke about how she is still grieving for her friend Caroline after she tragically took her own life in February aged 40.

Laura said: 'The past six months are a blur, I haven't fully coped with it. I don't think I ever will.'

Everything! She wrote alongside the clip: '#learnontiktok EVERYTHING looks better in #slomo'

Spot the difference! Laura playfully showed the difference between real time and slo-mo

The Irish presenter went on to say how Caroline, who presented Love Island before handing over the roles to Laura amid her impending court case, had texted her to tell her she wanted her to get the job.

Laura said she loves presenting the dating show but the circumstances in which she was offered the job were devastating.

Love Island was cancelled this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic after launching its first winter series with Laura at the helm earlier this year.
GREENWICH  Work from 37 local atrists will be on display and for sale at the Art Society of Old Greenwichs Summer Pop-Up Exhibit at the Greenwich Botanical Center in Cos Cob.

The show, featuring 63 entries across six categories of mediums, was judged by Parsons School of Design art history professor Barbara M. Laux.
San Francisco state Senator Scott Wiener has introduced a new bill to decriminalize adult men having sex with boys and he and his allies in the media are smearing all opposition as "homophobic" and "anti-Semitic."



From The Federalist, "No California Shouldn't Decriminalize Adult Sex With 14-Year-Olds":

LGBT activists have pushed reasonable notions of equality to its limits with obscene perversions. State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco -- the same lawmaker who co-sponsored a bill in 2017 to remove the felony penalty for knowingly exposing another person to HIV -- has introduced a bill, Senate Bill 145 to give judges more flexibility in sentencing gay men who abuse minors.



Under current law -- which Wiener, who is gay, describes as "horrific homophobia" -- a straight 24-year-old male who has sex with a 15-year-old girl can avoid being put on the sex-offender list if the judge feels the situation does not deserve it, but a gay man in the same scenario with a similar-aged boy would not be given the same option.



Wiener's argument is one of evolving social standards. In 2015, the California Supreme Court upheld the long-standing separation of vaginal sex from other forms of sex-based on the misguided idea that if pregnancy occurred, placing the father on the sex-offender list could ruin his chances of providing for his family. The extreme of the scenario would be an 18-year-old man with a 17-year-old girlfriend.



Wiener's bill, however, is not so straightforward. He argues all forms of sex should be treated equally under the law.



The Law Will Protect Exploitation of Minors



Moreover, while there is room for flexibility in a ruling in which a boy turns 18 while his girlfriend is still 17 and her father presses charges, the bill defines the age minimum at 14. Recognizing that minors cannot legally consent to sex, Wiener argues that if a minor age 14 to 17 voluntarily has sex with an adult who is less than 10 years older, the judge should decide based on the individual facts of the case whether the adult should be placed on the sex-offender registry. Data provided by Wiener's office states, "[A]t least 2,400 people on the [CA] sex-offender registry, and potentially hundreds more, have been convicted of non-vaginal sex with a minor age 14 or older."

According to the media, you're "homophobic" and "anti-Semitic" if you oppose this bill.







LGBTQ Nation:







The Jewish News:







Wiener himself similarly painted all opponents of the bill as homophobes and anti-Semites, writing: "Those who think homophobia & antisemitism are over are not paying attention."

Thread: This week, Ive been the target of violent, homophobic, antisemitic attacks from the QAnon/anti-vax right, including death threats (screenshots below). All b/c Im authoring SB 145 to end discrimination against LGBTQ youth on sex offender registry. https://t.co/Yvq0n0JQlc  Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) August 6, 2020

I have thick skin, but this has been scary, particularly with the assassination of a federal judges son last week. There is so much misinformation about SB 145 & its hard to track where it starts. Those who think homophobia & antisemitism are over are not paying attention.  Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) August 6, 2020



The left loves to talk about "extremism" on the right and yet NAMBLA is effectively now part of the mainstream for the Democratic Party in California.



As I reported last week, San Francisco has approved an ordinance to reopen gay bathhouses in the name of aiding the city's "economic and cultural recovery" while most small businesses are shut down and STDs are at record levels.





Reopening Gay Bathhouses Will Aid 'Economic And Cultural Recovery,' San Francisco Supervisor Says https://t.co/5seUQdeVrm  Marc (@Proven_Right) August 11, 2020



This is what the left calls "progress."



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The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has completely upended Hollywood practices, yet the blockbuster production for Jurassic World: Dominion may have found a way to survive.

New behind-the-scenes photos show how the dinosaur thriller is trying to create a safe environment for its cast and crew.

The thriller's safety procedures are outlined in a 107-page safety manual covering 'everything from the infrared temperature scanners the cast and crew encounter upon arrival to the vacuum-sealed meals provided by masked workers standing behind plastic partitions in the takeout-only cafeteria.'

Life finds a way: Jurassic World: Dominion has continued filming amid the coronavirus pandemic thanks to extreme safety procedures detailed Thursday in The New York Times

One of the first safety measures instituted was separating the crew into two groups.

Workers that construct sets or build props aren't essential on set and are kept off, while a smaller group called the Green Zone is made up of director Colin Trevorrow, the camera and sound crew, and the cast.

Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are both reprising their lead roles, while Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill will return to the fold.

Part of the strategy for Jurassic World: Dominion revolves around frequent COVID-19 tests, and all crew members in the Green Zone are test three times per week.

The set is fogged with an antiviral mist before each scene is filmed, and social distancing is encouraged by orange cones laid out on set and between chairs.

Safety first: A 107-page manual dictates procedures, and the set is fogged with antiviral mist before use while cast and crew members are testing three times per week

Separated: Most of the crew is kept off set, while the director, cast and camera and sound crew are part of the Green Zone that's allowed on set, though they have to wash their hands repeatedly

Multiple sinks have also been installed, and cast and crew members are required to wash their hands every time they return to set.

The constant testing and safety procedures don't come cheap, and the production is spending $9 million just on coronavirus measures, which could account for the entire budget of an independent film.

'We are able for this little moment to be in the world that were creating and leave the rest of the world behind,' Trevorrow said over the phone.

Early images from the set showed Chris Pratt and another actor walking into the forest while a microphone operator held a boom microphone at a distance while wearing a mask.

Another set photo showed a masked worker as she carefully adjusted an animatronic Compsognathus, a tiny dinosaur that was used to chilling effect in Steven Spielberg's 1998 sequel to Jurassic Park, The Lost World.

Back at it: Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will reprise their lead roles from Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom on Dominion, which is spending $9 million on precautions

Cooped up: A hotel was rented for the cast and crew. After quarantining for 14 days, they're allowed to roam the hotel and masks are optional; still from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

An image of a white tented entrance revealed how workers arrive on set every morning, and large signs instructed them to sanitize as they arrived.

The doors were also divided, with one going straight to set for Green Zone members and another taking everyone else away from the set.

Though much of Jurassic World: Dominion was filmed in Hawaii, large sequences were shot in London, as the current surge in coronavirus cases in California and much of the country makes it difficult to film in the US.

The production took the unusual step of renting out an entire hotel for the cast and crew, who initially had to quarantine in their rooms for 14 days.

But once their quarantine ended, everyone was allowed to roam the hotel as they pleased, and masks weren't required.

Jurassic World: Dominion is currently scheduled for a June release next year
PHILIPSBURG:--- As I observe the development on our island since the last election which was held earlier this year, Im unpleasantly surprised about the level of distrust in the new parliament. While I am in opposition to the coalition government, I want to state that I believe this parliament has a very open stance and issues, more often than not, are handled based on merit and not according to party lines.

My opening statement is made, in an attempt to project where we are and where we are heading. Moreover, we must ask ourselves a simple question: what price are we willing to pay to get where we think we should arrive? Having stated the above and realizing the damage COVID19 has done to the world economy and ours in particular one must also open enough to state that the immediate future doesnt look very bright for the country. I believed and will still maintain such, that we had an edge on many countries because we have a huge trust fund that would have kick-started our economy. To this day I believe this to be the case but I do not believe that we are getting the best that can be had and this in my humble opinion is for a great part on not having the right people on the right place.

Politics is what gets us elected, but political commitments can also cause demise and in the worst cases it is not just a politician or a political party that suffers, sometimes it is the country. The RFT (Rijks Financieel Toezicht/Kingdom Financial Supervision) law stipulates what the role of the CFT is; this does not include advising on our emergency liquidity funding and evaluating the stimulus and relief programs such as the SSRP.

To make matters worse, it has become evident that since the Caribbean members of CFT spoke out in May of this year against the advice by the chairman of the CFT, they have been sidelined and seemingly dont even participate anymore in meetings. Is this a form of corruption?

Is the State Secretary Knops and the Kingdom Council of Ministers concerned that the advice from CFT may be based only on the opinion of the European Dutch members in other words one-sided? Are we concerned? Once again we are now being told by the CFT, that we didnt qualify for the liquidity support as we didnt meet the criteria of the 12.5%; the subsidized entities didnt make 12.5% cuts to the salary packages of their staff, the civil servants didnt comply either as they want it repaid and thats not allowed not even years later. The 10% voluntary cut the parliamentarians took cannot be seen as part of the 25% cut they took. These are just simple examples that show that the CFT is hell-bent on ensuring that we fail. Evaluate the 130% maximum norm based on the salary of the Prime Minister, which is the maximum payment that can be made to top management and consultants and how this relates to capacity. We are always told that we do not have the capacity, however, in an effort to attract qualified people, we are no longer allowed to offer suitable salaries and benefits. A lawyer for God's sake earns at least US$ 250,- per hour right here in St. Maarten. So we cannot even ask for legal advice. This is just comical. What is not comical is when advisors are sent by way of BZK and charge you more than stated above. When we look at the entity that was presented to us by the Dutch government, we need to understand and agree that it contains many good proposals which we ought to implement. At the same token, there are also suggestions that could be harmful such as a blanket value-added tax of 12.5%. On the other hand, the proposals do not come without merit.

For years subsequent governments have talked about implementing tax reform, but we are yet to see any evidence of this. I have campaigned on tax reform and together with several colleagues, I have requested a meeting on this topic since March of this year. What disturbs me is the fact that we always seem to be reacting instead of acting. Requested meetings must be honored; politics needs to know its place at the door of parliaments hall but we arent there yet. We have made a counter-proposal to the Dutch Government and that will be presented to them and hopefully, they will realize that the countries government is willing to work on reform but not on a takeover. Our autonomy is NOT FOR SALE.

Many people are experiencing extremely difficult times and cannot even afford basic necessities. This situation is being used as leverage to turn the people against the government and force the leaders into submission. A practice we are all too familiar with; but it is not becoming of a

democratic country, which I hope we all are in our kingdom. Implementing new conditions as you go along to suit your agenda will not work in St. Maarten.

St. Maarten needs to prepare itself for a big no from Holland on its proposal by having a plan in place to remain afloat. The big question is;

Whats that plan? In my opinion as I stated before on the floor of parliament, we should have all government owned companies evaluated

on their market value and have our OWN entities like SZV or APS purchase a part of the assets with a golden share to be able to protect their

investments. Similar strategies have been used at the airport and in the past at the harbor. We will have the buyback option as government

after a set number of years (5-10). All shareholders get equal share dividend and they have influence in the development of the companies.

This above means that the government needs to only come to parliament with a proper proposal and get permission for the sale of the company shares.

This will raise money for governments coffers and with a proper plan, approved by parliament by means of a budget amendment.

NO NEED FOR PERMISSION from the Netherlands and or the CFT. We need to be bold but honest with what we are doing.

We are an autonomous country, whether you like it or not and we are bound to each other constitutionally. The people of the country chose

this status and the people are the ones that can change that respectfully. I fully support the move to the United Nations to once and forever

finalize the decolonization process; the court case initiated by St. Eustatius clearly proved that the process is not completed.

This position is further supported by the advice given to the country Curacao in 2012 just prior to the killing of MP Hermin Wiels.

St. Maarten has survived worse than an arrogant Dutch government which seems to be intent on destroying our country and its people only

to regain full colonial powers. But they will not be successful. We are ready to work together respectfully, are they?

To the government of the Netherlands, stop hiding behind the CFT; be upfront with what is being offered and what price were expected to pay;

then based on fair and open discussions well decide whether the deal on the table will benefit the people on both the short term and long term.

MP Claudius A. Buncamper
We are from a South Korean company looking to import wood pellets. Sellers should inform us on:

1. How many type of woods you manufature and what they are

2. What is the price by each of your order quantities? Price for each tons?

Please tell us everything in FOB dealership price.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

#COVID19

At reader request, Ive added this daily chart from 91-DIVOC. The data is the Johns Hopkins CSSE data. Here is the site. Here are the four United States regions, plus US data.

Since Georgia has been in the news, I thought Id look at Georgia and its surrounding state: Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina:

And here are the same states, adjusted for population:

(I adjusted for population to see if there was something uniquely bad about Georgias political economy. It does not seem so. Florida, on the other hand

This chart also includes positivity, starting with the highest (worst): Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. None beat the WHO standard of 5%, although North Carolina, at 6.25%, approaches it.

CA

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article244842457.html#cardLink=row5_card3

deaths

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/08/12/us/covid-deaths-us.html

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had one weapon left and both knew it: treachery. Frank Herbert, Dune

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

The electoral map. July 17: Georgia, Ohio, ME-2 move from Leans Republican to Toss-up. Continued yikes. On July 7, the tossup were 86. Only July 17, they were 56. Now they are 91. This puts Biden at 278, i.e. over 270. August 10: Still no changes.



Click the map to create your own at 270toWin.com

So, taking the consensus as a given, 270 (total)  204 (Trumps) = 66. Trump must win 66 from the states in play: AZ (11), FL (29), MI (16), NC (15), PA (20), and WI (10) plus 1 to win not tie = 102. 102  66 = 36. So if Trump wins FL, MI, NC, and PA (29 + 16 + 15 + 20 = 80), he wins. Thats a heavy lift. I think Ive got the math right this time!

2020

Biden (D)(1): Joe Biden: For The Next 3 Months, All Americans Should Wear A Mask When Outside [NPR]. Biden: Every single American should be wearing a mask when theyre outside for the next three months, at a minimum.[1] Every governor should mandate mandatory mask-wearing.[2]  [1] Bidens advice is outright wrong, in fact dangerous, because it takes no account of aerosol transmission indoors (see the Skagit Valley choir superspreading event, and Japans Three Cs). Advising against wearing a mask in a closed space, especially when crowded and in close contact, is actively dangerous. Bidens pronouncement augers extremely poorly for a competent response to Covid from a Biden Administration. Either Bidens advisors (e.g., Ronald Klain) arent, er, listening to the science, or Biden isnt listening to them. [2] Biden advocates simple federalism (in essence, subsidiarity) but in no way different from what Trump is doing. Biden (D)(2): The President Was Not Encouraging: What Obama Really Thought About Biden [Politico]. But behind all the BFF bonhomie is a much more complicated storyone fueled by the misgivings the 44th president had about the would-be 46th, the deep hurt still felt among Bidens allies over how Obama embraced Hillary Clinton as his successor, and a powerful sense of pride that is driving Biden to prove that the former president and many of his aides underestimated the very real strengths of his partner.  A bit soap opera-esque, but interesting. Biden (D)(3): The Kamala Harris identity debate shows how America still struggles to talk about multiracial people [Vox]. For multiracial people, defining their racial identity in America is a complex and fraught issue. And what the energy expended on debating Harriss identity tells us is that we still have a long way to go when it comes to talking about multiracial people in America.  Sure, whatever. The issue isnt America, or even Harris, does or does not do. The issue is what the Democrat Party does. In the argot of the political class  party apparatchiks, the press, public intellectuals, the NGOs  identities are mutually exclusive siloes. I mean, the slogan is Black Lives Matter. It isnt People of Color Matter, let alone Black and/or South Asian Lives Matter. The first slogan goes down with the political class so well because it dovetails neatly with their worldview. Note this is a semantic argument purely; personally, Im happy that Harris has a cosmopolitan ancestry; its rich and interesting. But thats not how Democrat identity politics is framed. So its interesting to watch them try to wriggle out of the ideological trap they built for themselves and then happily climbed into. Biden (D)(4): Yes, Kamala Harris Is Eligible For Vice President [Jonathan Turley]. Birthright citizenship has been a subject of debate from the time that the 14th Amendment was adopted. There are arguments on both sides of the currently accepted broad interpretation of the language. Many of our closest allies reject the concept of birthright citizenship. However, the case law is strongly supports Harris. In 1898, in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, the court found that the child of Chinese immigrants was still a citizen under the 14th Amendment because he was born on U.S. territory. His parents were here legally as permanent residents. Moreover, the language of the 14th Amendment does not clearly support the exclusions raised by Eastman. It states All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. Most reading that language have concluded that it allows for birthright citizenship for anyone born  in the United States. The 14th Amendment starts and ends as a model of clarity, stating that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. But between those two phrases, Congress inserted the words and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. Those six words have perplexed scholars for 150 years. The dominant view of law professors is the line as a whole guarantees that anyone born within the United States becomes an American citizen. But some believe that the caveat means you must be here in a legal status, that if you are not a American citizen, then you are a legal resident. Biden (D)(5): Some Questions for Kamala Harris About Eligibility [John Eastman, Newsweek]. The language of Article II is that one must be a natural-born citizen. The original Constitution did not define citizenship, but the 14th Amendment doesand it provides that all persons bornin the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens. Those who claim that birth alone is sufficient overlook the second phrase. The person must also be subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and that meant subject to the complete jurisdiction, not merely a partial jurisdiction such as that which applies to anyone temporarily sojourning in the United States (whether lawfully or unlawfully).  I think anybody whos stayed in a foreign country for any length of time, especially as a resident or expat, knows that they are subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and it doesnt matter much whether its partial or not. Can the foreign country put you in jail? Tax you? Heck, yeah! Eastmans strained reading defies common sense. Biden (D)(6): What Kamala Harris Means For Joe Bidens Campaignand the Democratic Partys Future [Time]. [Biden] all but anointed an heir, positioning Harris as the future standard bearer of a party in transition. More than most would-be presidents, Biden was choosing not just a governing partner, but the woman who would lead the Democratic Party into the future.  In other words, machine politics? The Chicago Way? Biden (D)(7): Left wing rankled by choice of Harris for VP [Politico]. Already, Harris is being described by pundits as the frontrunner in the next open Democratic primary, whether its in 2024 or 2028. Progressives said that means they could be locked out of the White House for more than a decade. We might be looking at 12 years of neoliberal power at the top of the Democratic Party because of the specter of a very young and ambitious  as most politicians are  person on the ticket, said Norman Solomon, co-founder of the left-wing group RootsAction.org. Thats a real fear.' Biden (D)(7): Biden Campaign Gets Kamala Harris Quickly Up To Speed On Candidates Plans For Presidential Funeral Service [The Onion]. Here are the Bible verses I want to have read, along with a seating chart. Were still hashing out the list of speakers, but well definitely have you, Barack, and Jill offer remarks, and then well end the ceremony with the orchestra playing Danny Boy.' Biden (D)(8): Biden Vows To Return Nation To Era When Press Didnt Bother Reporting On Presidents Scandals [Babylon Bee]. Sanders (D)(1): Congratulations to @KamalaHarris, who will make history as our next Vice President. She understands what it takes to stand up for working people, fight for health care for all, and take down the most corrupt administration in history. Lets get to work and win.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 11, 2020 Health care for all: She was right. https://t.co/ayTpiEnBr3  Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) August 13, 2020 How long did it take for Kamala to walk that back? Sanders (D)(2): One month ago @SenSanders proposed that we produce and distribute high-quality masks for every American at no cost. A mandate is an idea, free masks for all is a plan. https://t.co/4O5Rhf5SuN  Michael (Noble Continuation) (@OmanReagan) August 13, 2020 Trump (R)(1): Its Way Too Soon To Count Trump Out [FiveThirtyEight]. Nor has it been that uncommon, historically, for polls to shift fairly radically from mid-August until Election Day. Furthermore, there are some reasons to think the election will tighten, and President Trump is likely to have an advantage in a close election because of the Electoral College.  Many imponderables, including (as I have been saying) a (colorable) vaccine, an economic rebound, and (as we have seen today with the UAE/Israel deal) a foreign policy triumph. And then, of course, shenanigans. 81 days is a long time in politics! Trump (R)(2): Trump: A lot of people think Edward Snowden not being treated fairly' [New York Post]. President Trump polled his aides on Thursday about whether he should let anti-surveillance whistleblower and leaker Edward Snowden return to the US from Russia without going to prison, saying he was open to it. There are a lot of people that think that he is not being treated fairly. I mean, I hear that, Trump told The Post in an exclusive interview in the Oval Office, before soliciting views from his staff. Trump (R)(3): Trumps Surrogates Are Campaigning Across The US In Luxury Buses In A Bid For Suburban Women [Buzzfeed]. Goodbye, stadium-sized rallies (for now). Theres a pandemic, and the president just isnt into half-filled venues where people are forced to social-distance because of the coronavirus. Instead, the presidents son Eric Trump and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump are leading their own crusade of surrogates on nationwide tours in big luxury buses  one red, the other pink. The event brought more than 100 people to Salfordville, a small township in southeast Pennsylvania where nothing ever happens, according to Greg Wagner, a Trump supporter who lives nearby and told BuzzFeed News, This is the biggest thing ever.'  Oddly, this reminds me very much of the retooled Clinton campaign in 2008 (after Obama was said to have wrapped it up with early wins). The Clintons (both of them) barnstormed small venues with SMS-driven tech (working class people have complex schedules). They ended up winning the popular vote, albeit by a small margin. There are votes in towns where nothing ever happens. West (I)(1): Why Kanyes Presidential Platform Is Good News [The American Conservative]. By contrast, Wests platform is clear, concise, and meant to be reador, who knows, maybe rapped. In fact, because its so brief, in its ten, er, commandments, its worth seeing in its entirety. And as we can see, in addition to mostly center-right prescriptions about personal values and societal veritieseach one anchored in a Bible versethe West platform includes, in points 4 and 8, very specific adjurations against foreign quagmires and military aggression. The point here is not to argue that West should be president. After all, a man who calls his political party The Birthday Party might be judged as lacking, shall we say, the requisite seriousness for the post. Yet if we ease up on the political calculations, we might step back and admire the cultural and social artistry of West, a man who pledges a kinder and gentler America Hes a man, also, who speaks in language that crosses racial linesindeed, a man whose very own family (he is married to Kim Kardashian) transcends racial categories. * * * PA: Trump-Appointed Judge Demands Evidence of Mail-in Voting Fraud [Bloomberg]. The Trump campaign and Republican National Committee sued Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar and local election boards on June 29 over their plan for mail-in balloting for the November 3 elections. Trumps team claimed the plan provides fraudsters an easy opportunity to engage in ballot harvesting, manipulate or destroy ballots, manufacture duplicitous votes, and sow chaos. U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan in Pittsburgh on Thursday asked the campaign to put forward previous examples of such fraud. Plaintiffs shall produce such evidence in their possession, and if they have none, state as much, said Ranjan, who took his seat on the bench in August 2019. He gave the campaign until Friday. PA: USPS says Pennsylvania mail ballots may not be delivered on time, and state warns of overwhelming risk to voters [Philadelphia Inquirer]. The U.S. Postal Service has warned Pennsylvania that some mail ballots might not be delivered on time because the states deadlines are too tight for its delivery standards, prompting election officials to ask the state Supreme Court to extend the deadlines to avoid disenfranchising voters. The warning came in a July 29 letter from Thomas J. Marshall, general counsel and executive vice president of the Postal Service, to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, whose department oversees elections. That letter was made public late Thursday in a filing her Department of State submitted to the Supreme Court, asking it to order that mail ballots be counted as long as they are received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election date.

RussiaGate

Ex-FBI lawyer, accused of falsifying document in probe of Trumps campaign, to plead guilty [WaPo]. A former FBI lawyer has agreed to plead guilty to altering an email that helped justify surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser as part of the 2016 investigation into Russian interference in the election, according to his lawyer and a person familiar with the matter. Kevin Clinesmith, who worked in the FBI general counsels office, is expected to admit he doctored an email so it said that former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page was not a source for the CIA, even though Page had had a relationship with the agency. Relying on what Clinesmith had said, the FBI ultimately did not disclose Pages relationship with the CIA as it applied to renew a warrant to monitor him as a possible agent of a foreign power. The case is the first against someone involved in the Russia probe brought by U.S. Attorney John Durham, who was specially tapped by Attorney General William P. Barr to broadly look into how the FBI handled that matter.  This time weve got him! Oh, wait

Realignment and Legitimacy

He set out to mobilize Latino voters. Then the virus hit [Associated Press]. Across the U.S., the coronavirus outbreak is disrupting Latinos long and difficult climb up the political ladder. The disease has disproportionately sickened Latinos, destabilized communities and impeded voter registration ahead of the November presidential election. In North Carolina, only 5,000 Latinos have been added to the voter rolls since mid-March, less than half the number added during the same period four years ago. The virus and the economic fallout it triggered is crashing down on Latinos just as they hit an electoral milestone. For the first time, there will be more Latinos eligible to vote than any other minority group  32 million, the Pew Research Center projects. Morse cites link between allegations, state party volunteer [Berkshire Eagle]. I think evidence will soon show that it was even an attorney for the Massachusetts Democratic Party that, in fact, drafted the email to me on [Aug. 6] that was then printed, word for word, in the Daily Collegian in the first place, Morse said in an interview with The Eagles editorial board Thursday. In his interview, Morse said he believes the allegations put forward by the College Democrats, first published Aug. 7 in an unbylined story in the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, helped spur not only national media interest, but the largest single-day of fundraising in his candidacy. Weve had the best fundraising week of the entire campaign, since Friday. [Wednesday] alone, we raised $130,000 from over 3,000 individual contributions. In one day. Our previous high day was $27,000, Morse said.  That the story was unbylined is a really interesting detail. Thomas Frank on Anti-Populism, Plus Bidens Most-Stoned Moment Ever (podcast) [Useful Idiots].  Well worth a listen. Thomas Frank book tours are always exciting! * * * What Really Scares Voting Experts About the Postal Service [The Atlantic]. From a sheer numbers perspective, none of the experts I spoke with doubted that the Postal Service could handle a vote-by-mail election, even if every one of the nations more than 150 million registered voters stuck their ballot in a mailbox. As one noted to me, a presidential election might be a big deal, but in postal terms, its no Christmas. The Postal Service processes nearly 500 million pieces of mail every day, and it annually handles more than 3 billion pieces in the week before Christmas alone. I dont worry about their capacity, Amber McReynolds, the former director of elections in Denver, who now runs the National Vote at Home Institute, a mail-balloting advocacy group, told me.  However, capacity can be throttled, which is what DeJoy appears to be doing. Nevertheless, this cant be a real problem, because otherwise Democrats would not have left on vacay without doing something about it. The article goes into a lot of detail and is well worth a read. Saying the quiet part out loud: SoUPSFedexbig opportunity here. Just offer to deliver any election ballot for freeor honor the postage on itand get it there by Election Day. You'll overnight become the most beloved and respected organization in America. Go onit's the right thing to do.  David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) August 14, 2020 Election commission orders top voting machine vendor to correct misleading claims [Politico]. The federal Election Assistance Commission has rebuked the nations top voting-machine maker over marketing materials that the panel says deceptively implied the companys voting machines are EAC-certified. The commission admonished Election Systems & Software over promotional literature and statements on its website that appear to assert, falsely, that voting machines the company sells with embedded modems have been sanctioned by the EAC under its testing and certification program. This isnt the first time ES&S has faced accusations of making fabricated or misleading assertions about its voting machines.ES&S will play a major role in the November election. The company has previously said that more than 33,000 DS200 optical scan machines with modems are in use in 11 states and the District of Columbia but has never identified which jurisdictions this includes beyond D.C.  [puts head in hands].

Stats Watch

At reader request, I added some business stats back in. Please give Econintersect click-throughs; theyre a good, old-school blog that covers more than stats. If anybody knows of other aggregators, please contact me at the email address below.

Manufacturing: July 2020 Headline Industrial Production Improves But Remains In Contraction [Econintersect]. The headlines say seasonally adjusted Industrial Production (IP) improved month-over-month  but remains deep in contraction year-over-year. Our analysis shows the three-month rolling average improved.

Productivity: 2Q2020 Preliminary Headline Productivity Significantly Improved [Econintersect]. But: Doing a productivity analysis during a major recession is a waste of time as productivity should crater especially since the government has paid business not to layoff staff.

Consumer Sentiment: Preliminary August 2020 Michigan Consumer Sentiment Marginally Improves [Econintersect]. Surveys of Consumers chief economist, Richard Curtin, makes the following comments: Consumer sentiment remained largely unchanged in early August from the July reading (+0.3 points) or the April low (+1.0). Two significant changes since April have been that consumers have become more pessimistic about the five-year economic outlook (-18 points) and more optimistic about buying conditions (+21). he overall confidence in economic policies fell to the lowest level since Trump first entered office (see the chart). The policy gridlock has acted to increase uncertainty and heightened the need for precautionary funds to offset lapses in economic relief programs and to hedge against fears about the persistence and spread of the coronavirus as the school year gets underway. Bad economic times are anticipated to persist not only during the year ahead, but the majority of consumers expect no return to a period of uninterrupted growth over the next five years.  So long, aggregate demand

Consumer Confidence: Analysis: Impact of Executive Orders on Consumer Confidence Unlikely to Boost Spending [Morning Consult]. Consumer confidence remains steady in the wake of stalled negotiations in Congress and executive orders from the White House. Morning Consults Index of Consumer Sentiment reads 86.71 as of Wednesday, unchanged from 30 days prior. The relative stability of consumer confidence in the wake of President Donald Trumps executive orders indicates that the economic impact of the funds will be proportionate to the total value of the government spending, without an additional boost from increased consumer confidence. The same was essentially true when the CARES Act was signed into law. Differences between consumer and investor confidence are likely to persist given their different reactions to the spread of the coronavirus, meaning that recent gains in the stock market are unlikely to translate into increases in consumer confidence or spending as they did prior to the onset of the pandemic.

Inventories: June 2020 Business Inventories Decline Again [Econintersect]. Headlines say final business sales data (retail plus wholesale plus manufacturing) improved month-over-month. The rolling averages improved. Inventories declined but remain somewhat elevated. This is a better report than the previous month. This is a strange recession where normally inventories rise  but the coronavirus recession caused inventories to fall. Our primary monitoring tool  the 3-month rolling averages for sales  improved.

Leading Indicators: 07 August 2020 ECRIs WLI Improvement Continues But Remains In Contraction [Econintersect]. ECRIs WLI Growth Index which forecasts economic growth six months forward improved but remains in contraction.

Leading Indicators: Third Quarter 2020 Survey of Professional Forecasters Predict Higher Growth in the Current Quarter, Followed by Recovery [Econintersect]. The outlook for the U.S. economy in the current quarter looks brighter now than it did three months ago, according to 35 forecasters surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The forecasters predict the economy will expand at an annual rate of 19.1 percent this quarter , much stronger than the prediction of 10.6 percent from the last survey. On an annual-average over annual-average basis, the forecasters expect real GDP to decrease 5.2 percent this year but to recover and grow at an annual rate of between 2.2 percent to 3.5 percent over each of the following three years.  19.1% would certainly gave Trump a bit of a tailwind. But is it realistic, if a school re-opening debacle takes place?

* * *

Commodities: Stranded Assets Risk Rising With Climate Action and $40 Oil [Bloomberg]. When you see a half-constructed building thats been abandoned, its a sign the project no longer made economic sense. Theres an argument that trillions of dollars worth of investments to tap new supplies of oil and gas might suffer the same fate, leaving deposits of oil in the ground and turning them into what are known as stranded assets. What had seemed like an abstract debate has been made very real by the sharp drop in oil prices in 2020, leading some major companies to shift plans away from fields where drilling is costlier or whose deposits are more carbon intensive.  Thats a damn shame.

Commodities: U.S. energy supply chains may be in for more upheaval as oil refiners reconsider the direction of their business. Phillips 66 plans to transform a San Francisco-area oil refinery into a plant that produces a biofuel known as renewable diesel one of several such projects in the pipeline as big U.S. refiners weigh their operations against reduced demand for fossil fuels and tightening environmental regulations [Wall Street Journal]. Many expect global oil consumption to remain depressed for years, but the appetite for renewable fuel is likely to grow amid laws aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One firm projects that U.S. renewable-diesel consumption will roughly double over the next decade to around 1.1 billion gallons a year.

Shipping: Commentary: 20-foot container crunch may impact harvests [American Shipper]. The U.S. agriculture industry has faced numerous headwinds during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with harvests just around the corner, there is a trend developing that could impact the availability of the industrys desired 20-foot containers. Containership lines blank sailings over the past few months sparked a strategy for importers to favor 40-foot containers instead of 20-foot boxes. This was an effort to import as much product as possible given the limited shipping space available. As result, the supply of 20-foot containers has been constrained. Therefore, this has increased the price of 20-foot equipment, making it even less desirable to use. As a result, there is fear of an impending 20-foot container shortage. Agriculture products like soybeans on the other hand, are heavier, of lower value, and have tighter margins. They also require blocking structures to secure the load from shifting during transit. These structures are heavy and add to a loads overall weight. With weight limits applied to trucks, using a 40-foot container might not make financial sense for the agricultural exporter. It all depends on the shipping rate.

Apparel: Apparel companies are undertaking a balancing act with their big stockpiles of unsold goods. Merchants from elite fashion houses to mass-market chains are saddled with an inventory glut following monthslong closures during the pandemic and now they are looking for ways to get rid of the excess without angering waste-conscious consumers or harming their brands.  [Wall Street Journal]. In France, the government this year even barred companies from destroying unsold, usable goods. The European Union has proposed a similar ban for the entire 27-nation bloc. That has left companies with more clothing, and many are turning to charities as an inventory outlet. U.S. nonprofit Good360 expects more than $660 million in donations this year, double what it received last year.

Tech: Google tests new profile cards that let you add yourself to search results [The Verge]. Google is testing a new user-created public profile system called people cards, which will let users create their own profile (including their job, links to their social media platforms, a brief bio, and more) that will appear directly in Google search results. Its similar to how celebrities and businesses already appear. The new cards are only being tested in India in English to start.  Here am I! Come get me!

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 73 Greed (previous close: 72 Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 72 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Aug 14 at 12:19pm. Falling back to mere Greed from Extreme Greed.

Health Care

How The Pandemic Humiliated Critics Of Medicare for All [Walker Bragman, Too Much Information]. When the novel coronavirus first arrived in the United States, it spurred on remarkable message discipline among Americas political class. The consensus that emerged on both sides of the aisle dictated that no matter what happened, Americans ought to be glad they do not live in a country with socialized medicine. [N]ow, just a few months later, these arguments completely and utterly fail. New infections are still surging in the U.S. while countries with national health care programs have long since gotten a handle on the virus. On Tuesday, the U.S. reported more new COVID cases in a single day than Italy, France, and the U.K. reported last month combined, and roughly 45 percent of their total deaths.  Not to mention Taiwan (single payer), South Korea (universal, partial single payer), Vietnam (socialist), and Thailand (universal, partial single payer).

The Plan That Could Give Us Our Lives Back [The Atlantic]. Michael mina is a professor of epidemiology at Harvard, where he studies the diagnostic testing of infectious diseases. He has watched, with disgust and disbelief, as the United States has struggled for months to obtain enough tests to fight the coronavirus. In January, he assured a newspaper reporter that he had absolute faith in the ability of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contain the virus. By early March, that conviction was in crisis. The incompetence has really exceeded what anyone would expect, he told The New York Times. His astonishment has only intensified since. Many Americans may understand that testing has failed in this countrythat it has been inadequate, in one form or another, since February. What they may not understand is that it is failing, now. In each of the past two weeks, and for the first time since the pandemic began, the country performed fewer COVID-19 tests than it did in the week prior. The system is deteriorating. Why has testing failed so completely? By the end of March, Mina had identified a culprit: Theres little ability for a central command unit to pool all the resources from around the country, he said at a Harvard event. We have no way to centralize things in this country short of declaring martial law.'  I can imagine the screaming if Trump did that! The solution: Rapid testing. The whole article is well worth a read!

I should react to this in horror:

But I would kinda like a mask like that. (In fact, Im imagining a clear plastic, astronaut-style helmet!)

Black Injustice Tipping Point

Getting killed by police is a leading cause of death for young black men in America [Los Angeles Times]. About 1 in 1,000 black men and boys in America can expect to die at the hands of police, according to a new analysis of deaths involving law enforcement officers. That makes them 2.5 times more likely than white men and boys to die during an encounter with cops.

The Biosphere

Games

Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store [The Verge]. Apple has removed Epic Games battle royale game Fortnite from the App Store after the developer on Thursday implemented its own in-app payment system that bypassed Apples standard 30 percent fee. The decision marks a significant escalation in the feud between Epic and one of the worlds most dominant mobile software marketplaces. It also comes at an especially fraught time for Apple as the iPhone maker navigates antitrust concerns over its operation of the App Store and the rules it imposes on certain developers.Following the removal, Epic revealed a carefully calculated series of responses, including an antitrust lawsuit seeking to establish Apples App Store as a monopoly and a protest video that aired on YouTube and within Fortnite itself mocking the iPhone makers iconic 1984 ad and calling on gaming fans to #FreeFortnite by supporting its fight against Apple.

Class Warfare

Not bugs. Features:

NEW: The recession is largely over for the rich. The working class remain in deep pain. -Stocks r near record highs

-Home values at all-time highs

-Jobs r back for affluent Meanwhile

-Jobs less than 1/2 recovered for low-wage workers

-$600 UI expired https://t.co/csGZqYefLN pic.twitter.com/c88yBcCeVo  Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) August 13, 2020

Same as it ever was:

News of the Wired

Buddhist food: how the healthy, vegetarian dishes full of seasonal ingredients can imitate meat with funguses and plants [South China Morning Post]. Customers  most of them middle aged or seniors  come in early. In Buddhism, we have a term called chi wu, mandating no eating after lunch, Hui says. He explains that after 17 to 19 hours of fasting from noon to the dawn of the next day, its believed the practitioners mind, as well as palate, gets cleansed and purified, which is deemed to be a crucial step in the path to achieving spiritual perfection. With benevolence and compassion at the heart of Buddhism, fasting is considered the only way to viscerally feel the pain and agony of the starved and poor. While this was a strict rule that all Buddhists adhered to in the past, it is changing as peoples lifestyles evolve. Buddhism holds that nothing on Earth is fixed, and that nature should be allowed to take its course. While most Buddhist followers today eat dinner, they tend to have an early and light one, Hui says.  My eating schedule is 180 different. Perhaps I should change!

Not Frank Gehry:

Why Our Pets Have Become Super Needy During the Pandemic [Bloomberg]. Problem No. 1: Your pet is overstimulated. Owners never leave, Miller says. The dog isnt given any downtime. Their routine, for years, was to relax and hang out a lot. Overstimulation can be particularly acute if children are involved. And not only with dogscats suffer, too. Theyre like, How come youre invading my space all day? Youre supposed to be gone.'

Web browsers need to stop [Drew DeVault]. Enough is enough. The web and web browsers have become Lovecraftian horrors of an unprecedented scale. Theyve long since left scope creep territory and entered oh my god please just stop territory, and are trucking on through to hitherto unexplored degrees of obscene scope. And we dont want what theyre selling. Google pitches garbage like AMP and pushing dubious half-assed specs like Web Components. Mozilla just fired everyone relevant to focus on crap no one asked for like Pocket, and fad nonsense like a paid VPN service and virtual reality tech. [2020-08-14: It has been pointed out that the VR team was also fired.] Microsoft gave up entirely. Mozilla just hammered the last few nails into their casket. Safari is a joke. Google is all thats left, and theyre not a good steward of the open web. The browsers are drowning under their own scope. The web is dead. I call for an immediate and indefinite suspension of the addition of new developer-facing APIs to web browsers. Browser vendors need to start thinking about reducing scope and cutting features.  Obviously, everybody should use apps, and URLs should be completely hidden away.

The Linux-based PinePhone is the most interesting smartphone Ive tried in years [Android Police].  A phone with hardware you can replace (batteries, e.g.) and open source software (17 flavors of Linux). Also, on this phone, when you turn something off, you can be sure its actually off:

i am actually shaking, someone finally did it  hardware killswitches for different parts of a mobile phone pic.twitter.com/Uw6WRQYQRK  yomna (@rival_elf) August 13, 2020

* * *

Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (TH):

TH: This image doesnt quite capture it. The brim of the road lined with these tiny lavender flowers when I didnt have an opportunity to stop was quite pretty. I wish Id had time to work on this in LightRoom or PhotoShop.

* * *

Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals:









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If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!
Technavio has been monitoring the project logistics market and it is poised to grow by 32.15 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of about 3% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005503/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Project Logistics Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. Technavio's in-depth research has all your needs covered as our research reports include all foreseeable market scenarios, including pre- post-COVID-19 analysis. Download a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., CEVA Logistics AG, DB Vertrieb GmbH, Deutsche Post AG, DSV AS, FedEx Corp., Kuehne Nagel International AG, Nippon Express Co. Ltd., United Parcel Service Inc., and XPO Logistics Inc. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

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Demand for project logistics from the automotive industry has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. However, lack of infrastructural facilities might hamper the market growth.

Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Project Logistics Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Project Logistics Market is segmented as below:

Service Transportation Warehousing Others

Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America



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Project Logistics Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The project logistics market report covers the following areas:

Project Logistics Market Size

Project Logistics Market Trends

Project Logistics Market Industry Analysis

This study identifies the rising adoption of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the prime reasons driving the project logistics market growth during the next few years.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Project Logistics Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist project logistics market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the project logistics market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the project logistics market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of project logistics market, vendors

Table of Contents:

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Preface

2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY SERVICE

Market segmentation by service

Comparison by service

Transportation Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Warehousing Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by service

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

Digitization of logistics

Rising adoption of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI)

Sustainable approach to logistics operations

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

CEVA Logistics AG

DB Vertrieb GmbH

Deutsche Post AG

DSV AS

FedEx Corp.

Kuehne Nagel International AG

Nippon Express Co. Ltd.

United Parcel Service, Inc.

XPO Logistics Inc.

PART 14: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 15: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005503/en/

Contacts:

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Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

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Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden (L) and vice presidential running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, arrive to conduct their first press conference together in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 12, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Postal Workers Union Endorses Joe Biden for President

One of the largest U.S. Postal Service (USPS) workers unions announced it would endorse presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden for president and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) for vice president.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) said in a statement Friday that on behalf of nearly 300,000 active and retired letter carriers, we are proud to endorse Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to lead this country as president and vice president.

Vice President Biden is  was  and will continue to be  a fierce ally and defender of the United States Postal Service (USPS), letter carriers, and our fellow postal brothers and sisters, it added. NALCs endorsement and our support come down to Joes steadfast support of us and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of all working people throughout this great nation.

It came after President Donald Trump said he opposes funding to the USPS pushed by Democrats in their latest funding package.

But on Friday, the president told a news conference that he would agree to the $25 billion in funding if Democratic lawmakers make concessions.

Sure, if they give us what we want, Trump said in response to a question asking about it at a news briefing, adding that Democrats are blocking aid for Americans after talks stalled last week.

A view shows U.S. postal service mail boxes at a post office in Encinitas, California in a 2013 file photograph. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Previously, the president said that mass mail-in voting could lead to voter fraud.

Now they need that money in order to have the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots. Now, in the meantime, they arent getting there. By the way, those are just two items, Trump told Fox News this week. But if they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting, because theyre not equipped to have it.

Democrats have claimed that Trump is trying to rig the election with his recent statements about the USPS.

And the union said that its decision to endorse the former vice president is in part due to what we have seen from the current administration with regards to the Postal Service.

This pandemic threatens the very survival of USPS, NALC said. Yet, while postal employees are on the front lines providing essential services to the public every day, the current administration refuses to provide the necessary financial relief that would strengthen the agency during this pandemic.

COVID-19 talks are expected to restart in September when members of Congress return to Washington.
Irish detectives are hopeful of bringing charges against at least two of Co Armagh man Aaron Brady's accomplices involved in the Lordship credit union raid.

The 29-year-old became the first person convicted as part of the transnational investigation when he was found guilty of the capital murder of detective garda Adrian Donohoe (41).

Brady now faces a mandatory life sentence of at least 40-year imprisonment with gardai warning the other raiders - some with strong links to Northern Ireland - that they will be coming for them.

Gardai believe they have enough evidence to charge at least two other men suspected of being directly involved in the credit union raid in which the officer was shot dead on January 25, 2013.

Detectives gathered evidence linking the men, Suspect A and Suspect B, to the robbery of the getaway car three nights earlier as well as other circumstantial and technical evidence tying them to the raid.

Neither suspect has been formally arrested as part of the inquiry but they have given statements to investigators.

The charges that gardai hope to secure include robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as well as firearms charges.

The prosecution did not argue that the murder was carried out as a joint enterprise in Brady's trial and therefore the other suspects are unlikely to be charged directly with the murder.

Suspect A is currently based between Boston and Northern Ireland but gardai have said borders will not stop them from bringing the gang to justice.

Suspect B, who has also been linked to a spate of border ATM robberies, is currently in custody in an Irish jail on separate matters.

They cannot be named by court order to avoid prejudicing any future prosecutions.

It follows one of the biggest investigations in the history of the Irish state, run from Dundalk Garda Station with the assistance of other units including the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).

Close to one million pages of material were generated with 40,000 hours of CCTV reviewed and over 3,000 statements taken by investigators.

Although Crossmaglen man Brady was the gunman who fired the fatal shot which killed Mr Donohoe, more than 20 other people of interest have been identified as part of the investigation.

This includes the other four suspected raiders, those who gave logistical support to the gang, as well as people who provided them with false alibis.

A number of people who lived in the US where some of the gang fled to after the murder have also been identified as persons of interest in the investigation.

Some refused to make statements to gardai, while others claimed that they did not have any knowledge of the crime.

A separate investigation is also continuing into the intimidation and interference of witnesses during the trial.
Over 100 pro-life Democrat leaders urge Biden, Democratic Party to soften stance on abortion

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A group of more than 100 Democratic politicians, including a governor and members of Congress, have signed a letter urging the Democratic Party to soften its stance on abortion.

Democrats for Life of America released an open letter on Friday urging the Democratic National Committee to moderate its views on abortion.

The letter, which was emailed to the press earlier this week and embargoed until Friday morning, expressed concerns that the Democratic Partys position on abortion was alienating voters.

Many Democratic leaders support abortion at any time, for any reason; this position is opposed by 79% of Americans, read the letter in part. The 2016 Democratic Platform endorses taxpayer funding of abortion, opposed by a supermajority of the population.

The same platform endorses taxpayer funding of abortion in developing countries, opposed by three-fourths of voters.

The letter went on to say that in 389 out of 435 Congressional districts, a majority of voters support a ban on abortion after 20 weeks.

When Democratic leaders support late-term abortion, they push many voters into the arms of the Republican Party. Many people holding pro-life views are single-issue voters, the letter added.

An extreme position on abortion rights violates our commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Polling consistently shows that one in three Democrats are pro-life. We must respect and include these 21 million Democrats.

The letter called on the DNC to avoid passing a federal law codifying the United States Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and to maintain the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer dollars from paying for elective abortions.

Notable signatories of the letter include Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards; Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Dan Lipinski, D-Ill.; former Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., and Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, the father of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.

In a statement sent to supporters on Friday, Democrats for Life of America Executive Director Kristen Day said the letter represented an unprecedented call for change on the DNCs abortion stance.

Never before in history have so many Democratic politicians challenged their own party on abortion, said Day, adding that she believes the party is at a breaking point.

State legislators realize that taxpayer-funded abortion on demand is a losing issue. If we really care about defeating Donald Trump in November, we have to bring our position in line with mainstream America.

Last month, around 100 faith leaders and pro-life activists released an open letter to the DNC, asking them to end their endorsement of abortion extremism.

Some of us are registered Democrats and some of us are not, but we appreciate the Democratic Partys stated commitment to human rights, equality, and fairness, read the July letter.

Accordingly, we urge the Democratic Party to embrace policies that protect both women and children: legal protection for pre-born children, improved prenatal care for women in need, especially women of color, alternatives to abortion, and a comprehensive culture of life free from violence, poverty and racism.

As part of the effort to reelect Republican President Donald Trump, supporters have highlighted the Biden campaign's positions on abortion.

When presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden announced that Sen. Kamala Harris was going to be his vice-presidential running mate, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser described the campaign as the most pro-abortion presidential ticket in American history.

If elected, they will immediately begin rolling back President Trumps pro-life gains, as well as longstanding policies like the Hyde Amendment, said Dannenfelser, whose organization endorsed Trump.

They will stack the Supreme Court with pro-abortion ideologues, setting the pro-life cause back for generations. Together, Biden and Harris constitute the most pro-abortion presidential ticket in American history.
Two men were taken into custody Friday in east Alabama, accused of distributing drugs that left one man dead.

Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver announced the arrests of Markus L. Davenport, 32, of Cedar Bluff, and Justin L. Long, 28, of Gaylesville. Their arrests followed a federal indictment issued in the Northern District of Alabama.

The investigation began in 2018 after the death of Cody Bleu Brewster at a home near Cedar Bluff. Shaver said Brewster died after he ingested illegal drugs containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. The sheriffs office and the Drug Enforcement Administration carried out the probe.

Davenport and Long are indicted on a charge of drug distribution resulting in a death. The case will by prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office.
Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York and other major cities are experiencing a breakdown of order  violence and conflict that is a mixture of left-wing revolution, racial unrest and old-fashioned crime. Whatever else they might have in common, all these cities are governed by progressive Democrats, and all owe their current disorder in some part to the failure of progressive Democratic policies on the issue of public safety.

That should be an advantage for a Republican president running for re-election. What is unclear is whether President Trump can make it work for his campaign.

What has been striking to many observers of the rioting following the March 25 death of George Floyd has been the degree to which local officials allowed  and sometimes seemingly encouraged  the forces of disorder to run wild in their cities.

In early June, a crowd in St. Paul, Minnesota, looped a rope around the neck of a statue of Christopher Columbus near the state capitol and pulled it to the ground. Looking at a video of the event, the question is natural: Where are the police? Certainly no one tried to stop the destruction. In the wake of Floyds death in police custody, the city council, following the phrase popular on the left, instead voted to defund the police.

Scenes of unrest erupted around the country. In Seattle, after several nights of violent protests, an anarchist group took over a police precinct building and then a six-block section of city, which they renamed the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, or CHAZ. (It later became known as CHOP, for Capitol Hill Organized Protest.)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan did nothing to stop it. Durkan said the occupation had a block party atmosphere and might turn into a summer of love. Media coverage followed her lead.

Now, emerging accounts of CHAZ/CHOP show that life in the zone was more dystopian hell than summer of love. Violence. Looting. Property destruction. Armed men demanding protection money. Businesses disappearing, with years of work lost. The disaster lasted for 24 days until the rioters showed up at Durkans house, and the mayor finally took action to shut it all down.

But that did not stop the disorder in Seattle. On July 24, weeks after the zone was closed, the citys police chief sent a message to residents and businesses. The city council had outlawed pepper spray and other crowd-control tools, the chief said, so police would have no ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large violent crowd. The unspoken message from the city to its residents: Youre on your own. On Tuesday, faced with massive cuts to her department, the Seattle police chief retired.

The situation in Portland, Oregon, has become a national issue  and embarrassment. For more than 70 nights, rioters have attacked the substance and symbols of the rule of law: the U.S. courthouse in the city and various police facilities. For weeks, armed officers of the Department of Homeland Security protected the federal courthouse. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler condemned federal law enforcement and claimed repeatedly that the presence of those forces, ordered there by President Trump, was responsible for the mayhem.

Then the feds left, and the riots continued, mostly targeting city police. Wheeler recently lost his temper with the rioters, telling them, You are not demonstrating, you are attempting to commit murder. But who encouraged them in the first place? In the end, even after all the violence, the worst thing Wheeler could say was that the disorder might help to re-elect Trump.

New York has not had nightly Portland-style demonstrations. But Mayor Bill de Blasios policies of slashing the police budget, weakening police crime-investigating abilities and freeing prisoners has resulted in a horrendous crime wave that has people fleeing the city. Shootings were up 201% in the four-week period ended Aug. 2, compared with the same period in 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported, while the number of shooting victims rose 165%, and the number of homicides climbed by 50%. Increases like that have not happened in decades.

Chicago has seen its already-horrendous violent crime rate spike again  murders up 55% since this time last year. And then, on Monday, hundreds of looters attacked the citys Miracle Mile shopping area, smashing windows, stealing anything they could carry and at one point getting into a shootout with police. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pronounced herself shocked by the violence, although it is not clear why she would have been. Lightfoot has said she would welcome federal help to go after licensed gun dealers; other than that, she wants federal law enforcement to stay out.

Other cities with progressive leadership are discussing proposals to defund the police. They often deny that they want to actually defund the police; they simply propose to redirect police funding to other purposes, like mental health treatment or affordable housing. But the bottom line is, as progressives discuss weakening police forces around the country, the threat of violence and disorder grows.

This is an election year. Election years are times for partisan arguments. They dont have to be nuanced. They dont have to be subtle. And one Republican message this year is: The people who are tolerating and even cheering on the forces of disorder are Democrats. What will the Democratic candidate for president, Joe Biden, do about that?

Probably not much. Do not look for Biden to have what in the 1990s was called a Sister Souljah moment  to take a stand against extremists on his own side. Instead, Biden, who has apologized for his role in the Bill Clinton-era crime bill, is trying to play both sides of the street. For example, he has said that he does not support defunding the police, but when interviewed by progressive activists who asked whether he would support redirecting funds away from police, he agrees.

Down in the polls, time running out, President Trump faces a daunting reelection battle. But the failure of progressive governance to ensure public safety around the country has given him an opportunity, if he can take it.

Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.
NEW DELHI: A lab technician raped a 17-year-old girl inside a Delhi government hospital on the pretext of providing her a job. The incident took place on August 9.

The victim registered a complaint at a police station after which the police arrested the accused and booked him under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to police, the girl got in touch with the lab technician at the hospital through her friend, following which they became friends. Since she was also looking for a job, he asked her to meet her at the hospital on the pretext of getting her a job. He later took her to his lab's cabin and allegedly raped her.

After returning home, she narrated the incident to her family.

On August 11, she along with her mother approached police and filed a complaint. A medical examination was conducted and the accused was arrested in connection with the incident.

"We have registered a case under various sections of rape and POCSO Act at the North Avenue police station. The accused has been arrested and we are investigating the matter," a senior police officer said.
Pakistan's is heading in the right direction after two "very difficult" years, Prime Minister said on Friday, as he vowed to tackle the electricity problem so that the country's industries could compete with nations like India and Bangladesh.

In a televised message on the occasion of Independence Day, he said the confidence of the business community on the was returning.

"We had a very difficult two years. We didn't have foreign exchange and couldn't pay our debtsWe have avoided a huge crisis because we didn't default. But I know it hasn't been easy for the people, he said.

He said that improvement was visible from the recent upsurge in the stock market and revenue collection.

Despite the pandemic, our tax collection in June exceeded our targets," he said.

Khan said exports also were up, despite the coronavirus crisis that has wreaked havoc on the global He said the tax collection during the last month remained more than the target.

The Prime Minister said his government gave an unprecedented incentive package to the construction industry which would help to uplift at least 40 other allied industries.

He also said that successfully coped with the threat of COVID-19 and it would also help to enhance economic activities.

But Khan warned that this does not mean we have won this battle as he urged people to follow the official guidelines.

Referring to the power sector, Khan said was generating expensive electricity due to the agreements signed in the past, which resulted in an increase of circular debt.

However, he said that the government had reached an agreement with independent power producers which would lead to a reduction in the cost of electricity production.

Khan said Pakistan's industries could not compete with other nations in the region, like India and Bangladesh, as their cost of production was low due to cheap electricity.

He said that was created to become an Islamic welfare state where the law was supreme and everyone had equal rights regardless of their race, caste or religious beliefs. Khan said the country would realise that dream.

The Prime Minister also showed solidarity with the people of Kashmir, vowing to continue diplomatic and moral support to their struggle for their right to self-determination.
(JNS)  Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said on Monday that she would not endorse the presumptive 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. In fact, its not clear that she will be endorsing any candidate at all.

Residents come up to me and say, Rashida, I dont know. I hear Joe Biden this, Joe Biden that. I say, Listen, do we need another four years of Trump? No. Then what I need you to do is go out there and focus on that,  the congresswoman told Newsweek. If the ultimate goal is to get rid of [U.S. President] Donald Trump, that...
Some residents of Buobai in the Asokore Mampong Municipality are up in arms with the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka over a land originally earmarked for a Faecal Plant Project.



The 19.06-acre land, which is at the centre of a long-standing controversy involving the residents, the late chief of Kenyasi, Barima Owusu Agyemang, Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly and the MP, is now partly owned by the Municipal Assembly and the aggrieved residents.



But the residents who believe they own the entire land are accusing the MP of forcefully taking away their property without any justification.



They contended that they genuinely acquired the land from the late Chief of Kenyasi and have in their possession all the necessary documents to prove their claims.



Alhaji Ibrahim Osman, Leader of the group at a press conference to register their displeasure about what they described as "the MPs determination to deny them what rightfully belongs to them", called for the government's intervention to settle the matter.



He said in 2012, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly demolished their buildings which were at various stages of completion, claiming the land had been allocated to the assembly by the same chief for the faecal plant project.



Alhaji Osman further explained that after the creation of the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly they sought the help of the MP and the then Chief Executive, Mr. Nuru Hamdan to assist them to reclaim their land.



Upon further consultations, according to him, the assembly agreed to give them half of the land while keeping the remaining half for government projects in 2016.



He said they later realized that the government had no right over the land and went back to the current Kenyasi chief to petition him over the injustice.



The chief, according to him, had told them that the land did not belong to the government and even challenged the assembly to provide documents covering the land.



They are therefore serving notice that they would take over the land and Mr. Muntaka who had been at the forefront of the government fight should stay away.



The MP, however, denied the allegations levelled against him when contacted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA).



He said the land was properly acquired by the government through the KMA as far back in 2000 for the Faecal Treatment Plant Project and made copies of the documents available to the GNA.



Leadership of the group, he said, approached him to assist them to reclaim the land because they had also been allocated the same land by the late chief of Kenyasi after the new assembly was carved out of the KMA.



He said he led the process until an agreement was reached between the assembly and the group that part of the land should be allocated to them.



As I speak, the assembly's portion has been earmarked for a Hospital and whoever encroaches does so at his or her own risk since it belongs to the assembly," he told the GNA.

Source: GNA









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University officials declined to answer additional questions, including how much UW-Madison has raised in matching funds and whether the university is hopeful the partnership will move forward in the three remaining years of the agreement.

A Foxconn spokeswoman did not provide answers to a list of questions sent Monday. The company said in a statement last summer that it remains committed to engineering and research at UW-Madison.

$3B in incentives

Wisconsin landed the company's first U.S. factory after then-Gov. Scott Walker offered more than $3 billion in tax incentives if the company meets jobs goals. The project has been a political hot potato, garnering praise from Republicans and fueling skepticism from Democrats as plans shifted.

Some critics saw several company announcements relating to University of Wisconsin System campuses in 2018 as a ploy to drum up good publicity for Walker as he mounted a re-election bid. Walker lost his re-election bid in November of that year.
(Newser)  Indias coronavirus death toll overtook Britain to become the fourth-highest in the world with another single-day record increase in cases Friday. According to the Health Ministry, India reported 1,007 deaths in the past 24 hours. Its total rose to 48,040 deaths, behind the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. Indias confirmed cases reached 2,461,190 with a single-day spike of 64,553 cases reported in the past 24 hours, the ministry said. India is behind the United States and Brazil in total positive cases. More than 70% of people infected in India have recovered. The daily increase in newly reported infections was around 15,000 in the first week of July but jumped to more than 50,000 in the first week of August, the AP reports.

story continues below

The ministry cited its testing efforts, with more than 800,000 tests in a single day, taking cumulative tests to more than 26 million. Health experts say it needs to be higher, given India's population of 1.4 billion. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea reported 103 new virus cases Friday, one of its biggest daily jumps in months, as officials expressed concerned that infections are getting out of control in cities. Some 83 of the new cases were in the Seoul area. Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi province near Seoul, issued an administrative order to shut down the provinces 15,779 religious facilities, mostly Christian churches, for two weeks to slow the spread of the virus. And North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in Kaesong, near the border with South Korea, where thousands had been quarantined for weeks. (Mexico recently overtook Britain for the grim No. 3 spot.)
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Often treated with contempt and disdain, ragpickers rummage through waste to eke out a living. Most of them live and die on the street. The story of Prabhavathi (60), who was found dead on a pavement in Otteri 45 days ago was similar, but what no one knew is that she had saved almost `2 lakh and seven sovereigns of gold among the waste in her makeshift house. Even her sisters were unaware and were living in a platform.

Prabhavathi (60) lived with her sisters Rajeswari (62) and Vijayalakshmi (58) on a pavement in Otteri. On June 25, Prabhavathi was found dead. Her sisters begged for help from the public, but in vain. Eventually, inspector Rajeswari from the Secretariat Colony police station performed the last rites.

The sisters have a makeshift structure in Otteri but on Wednesday I found them staying on a pavement. When asked, they said that the house is filled with garbage and waste picked by them. We, as a team, pitched in some money and sought help of the corporation, said inspector Rajeswari.

While clearing the waste piled up in sacks, they found a pot full of coins and another sackful of currencies. Police were also surprised to find seven-sovereign jewels. The money was counted and it amounted to around Rs 2 lakh, apart from soiled currencies of Rs 500 and 1,000 denomination for the value of Rs 40,000. Inspector Rajeswari said that the cash and jewels will be handed over to the sisters after the house is completely cleaned.
Hundreds of thousands of British tourists face being forced to quarantine for two weeks on their return home after the government added France, the Netherlands and Malta to its list of virus trouble-spot destinations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's administration warned Britons against all non-essential travel to these countries and said the quarantine requirement would come into force from 4 a.m. Saturday.

The measures, to deal with a surge in Covid-19 infections, are likely to spark a chaotic scramble for tickets on flights, trains and car ferries for 160,000 Britons currently holidaying in France. The French government said the decision was regrettable and warned it would lead to reciprocal action.

"The biggest priority has to be to protect our hard-won gains in getting the virus under control and not re-importing it as people return home," U.K. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Times Radio on Friday. "It's a public health issue we simply can't turn our backs on."

The extension of quarantine requirements reflects growing concern in Johnson's team over the resurgence of the virus in Europe and parts of the U.K. at a time when the government is trying to drag the country's badly damaged economy out of recession.

Johnson announced late Thursday he will allow more sectors of the economy in England to re-open from Saturday, including theaters, casinos and beauty parlors. But penalties for people who flout the rules will be increased, with maximum fines for repeat offenders rising to a maximum of 3,200 pounds ($4,180). More localized lockdowns may be imposed to deal with flare-ups.

"Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus, but we must remain focused and we cannot be complacent," Johnson said in an emailed statement. "That is why we are strengthening the enforcement powers available to use against those who repeatedly flout the rules."

Along with cracking down on the virus, the government's urgent priority is rescuing the economy. Figures this week showed the U.K. suffering the hardest economic slump in Europe, with GDP shrinking 20.4% in the second quarter, the most since records began in 1955.

The tourist industry, including the aviation sector, have suffered among the heaviest blows, while the leisure and hospitality sector in the U.K. has been reopening cautiously, with government subsidies to encourage consumers to dine out.

In plans announced late Thursday, the government said from Aug. 15:

--Indoor performance venues can re-open.

--Wedding receptions can take place with up to 30 guests at a sit-down meal.

--Indoor play centers, bowling alleys, skating rinks and casinos can open.

--Beauty salons, tattoo parlors, spas and barbers can offer "close contact" services.

Johnson said before the announcement on France his government would be "absolutely ruthless" in making decisions over imposing quarantine rules on more countries. With British schools on their summer breaks, many families are taking vacations, and the announcement will mean some holidaymakers are unable to return to work when they get back.

In the last month, the U.K. has reimposed quarantines on other countries including Spain, the Bahamas and Belgium.

During broadcast interviews Friday, the transport secretary said the quarantine decisions were mainly based on outbreak data for individual countries, with concerns being triggered where the number of cases rose above 20 per 100,000 of the population.
The Government has been accused of 'losing control' of illegal immigration, with an asylum policy which is a 'no lose' situation for those who manage to reach Britain.

A think-tank which campaigns for tougher border controls called for a review of the amounts paid to asylum seekers by the taxpayer, suggesting they are a 'pull factor' which attract illegal entrants.

Migration Watch UK, in a report published today, also said only a tiny minority of those who arrived illegally by boat have been removed since Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned last August: 'We will send you back.'

More than 5,466 have arrived since the start of September, it said.

But only 3 per cent, or 169 people, have been removed under European Union rules which state migrants must claim refugee status in the first safe country they reach.

A migrant boat arrived on the Channel coast this morning in a rigid inflatable boat close to the Port of Dover, the 11th day running people have arrived in Kent. Those in it were arrested by local police.

A migrant boat arrived on the Channel coast this morning in a rigid inflatable boat close to the Port of Dover. Those in it were arrested by local police

The pressure group also noted the UK took three times as many asylum seekers from other EU states as it sent back - 2,390 came here between 2017 and 2019, while just 786 were returned.

A spokesman for the group added: 'For many illegal entrants, getting to the UK is a no-lose option.'

Alp Mehmet, the think-tank's chairman, said: 'The Government have lost control of illegal immigration across the Channel.

'As well as deterring people from setting out, they must address the pull factors.

'A major review is essential, including revision of the law on payments to asylum seekers.'

Its report highlighted the 39.60 a week that is paid by the Home Office to each asylum seeker, many of whom are also entitled to free accommodation.

It said official figures from the National Audit Office suggested there are a total of 150,000 asylum seekers in the UK.

Yesterday THU migrants in lifejackets and masks were brought into the Port of Dover aboard a Border Force patrol boat before being taken ashore by officials.

It was the tenth consecutive day of arrivals - a record - including a daily high of 235 on Thursday last week.

The Government has asked for military assistance, which so far has taken the form of two RAF surveillance planes, but proposals to send armed forces to the Channel to deal with small boat crossings have come under fire from France.

Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart said earlier this week that sending the Royal Navy into the Channel would be a 'declaration of maritime war'.

One Conservative MP retaliated by suggesting Britain should invade Calais.

Sir Edward Leigh MP - who has represented Gainsborough, Kent since 1983 - yesterday/on Wednesday tweeted: 'Problems with cross-Channel migrants?

'We should never have lost Calais in 1558. Why not take it back?

'On second thoughts, cheaper to pay the French a few million to stop them on the beaches.'

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has told Tory MPs that the asylum system is 'broken' as she promised to introduce laws that would 'send the left into meltdown'.

In a briefing to backbenchers, Miss Patel said the system was being 'exploited by leftie Labour-supporting lawyers' who were doing everything they could to stop the Government removing people.

New laws - with the provisional title of the Fair Borders Bill - is expected early next year.

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has told Tory MPs that the asylum system is 'broken' as she promised to introduce laws that would 'send the left into meltdown'

The Mail revealed in May that it will include measures forcing failed asylum seekers to lodge all their grounds for appeal at the beginning of a case, rather than being able to drip-feed new elements of a claim in order to delay a final ruling and avoid removal from the UK.

It is understood the Bill could also contain other new immigration measures which will depend on the results of Brexit negotiations and separate talks with France, which opened this week.

Numbers arriving yesterday THU are yet to be confirmed but 71 migrants came on six boats on Wednesday.

Miss Patel's newly appointed Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, former Royal Marine Dan O'Mahoney, said: 'These crossings are dangerous and unnecessary and I am determined to stop them.

'The minister and I met with French officials in Paris on Tuesday for discussions on how to advance joint working on making the small boats route for illegal migration unviable.

'We will continue to go after the heinous criminals and organised crime networks putting people's lives at risk.'
The body of a 20-year-old Colorado woman found at a makeshift campsite in 1993 has been identified through DNA, reigniting the search for the person or people responsible for her death.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office announced on Thursday that Rebecca 'Becky' Ann Redecker was identified more than 27 years after her death thanks to investigative genetic genealogy.

Deputies responded to a report of a body found in the woods in the Pike National Forest on June 15, 1993, Sheriff Tony Spurlock said, adding that he was a deputy when the remains were first uncovered.

Rebecca 'Becky' Redecker has been identified as the 'Jane Doe' who was found dead at a makeshift campsite in Colorado in June 1993

The body was found in these woods in the Pike National Forest, less than 72 hours after the woman's death

Her body had been at the campsite for less than 72 hours when it was located, reported CBS Denver. It's unknown how she died.

Having failed to identify her, the woman was buried as Jane Doe at a cemetery in Castle Rock and the case went cold.

'Over the years the case had been looked at several times to see if any new investigative tools may assist in identifying the remains,' department officials said in a statement.

In 2012, investigators exhumed the woman's body to take a DNA sample. It was entered into a national database but failed to produce a match.

In January of this year, the sheriff's office teamed up with United Data Connect, a Denver-based forensic science company, to sequence the DNA sample obtained in 2012 and conduct genetic genealogy analysis.

Police had tried and failed to identified the dead woman, and she was laid to rest as 'Jane Doe'

In 2012, Jane Doe's body was exhumed and a DNA sample was extracted for analysis

Experts spent months building dozens of family trees of DNA matches before Redecker's father was identified in May.

Then in July, a cold-case detective received new information that ultimately led to the positive identification of the remains as belonging to Redecker.

The cause of death remains undetermined, Spurlock said.

A timeline released by the sheriff's office offered a glimpse into Redecker's seemingly turbulent life, punctuated by frequent moves and two separate stays at group homes in Colorado Springs and Denver between 1989-1991. She was likely homeless at the time of her death.

'I had no idea that this case would haunt me for 27 years,' said Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth, who was a new detective assigned to the case in 1993. 'Theres now a family that we know this girl belonged to. She is someone. She is no longer our Jane Doe. Thank God for that.'

Thanks to genetic genealogy, Jane Doe was positively identified as Redecker. It is still unknown how she died, or who was involved in her death

Redecker's short life included stays at group homes, and she was likely homeless at the time of her death

Sheriff Spurlock said the department is in touch with her mother and brother, who are cooperating and providing new information about Redecker, KMGH-TV reported.

The sheriff said his detectives want to talk to anyone who knew Redecker, or who she may have been spending time with in the summer of 1993.

'I cannot stress enough that if you knew anyone, or you knew Becky, or you had anything connected in Beckys life, please call our office, and help us identify the suspect, or suspects that were responsible for her death, and leaving her body, in the National Forest, without a name for all these years,' Spurlock said.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact deputies. Metro Denver Crime Stoppers is also offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest of the those involved.
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal attorney, has released a foreword to his new book in which he calls the president "a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man," and again accuses him of cheating in the 2016 presidential election.

Cohen also makes reference to "golden showers in a sex club in Vegas," without specifically stating that the Mr Trump took part in such acts, and "catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers."

"Apart from his wife and children, I knew Trump better than anyone else did," Cohen writes in the foreword to the book 'Disloyal,' which was teased online on Thursday.

"In some ways, I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man," he adds.

The Independent contacted Donald Trump's campaign for comment.

While the book itself has not yet been released, the foreword contains several damning allegations against the president. Mr Cohen claims that his former boss "had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors."

"Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything  and I mean anything  to 'win' has always been his business model and way of life," he wrote.

"Trump had also continued to pursue a major real estate deal in Moscow during the campaign. He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs. I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates," he wrote.

Cohen also references sex acts in the release but does not say whether Mr Trump took part.

"From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trumps clandestine lovers, I wasnt just a witness to the presidents riseI was an active and eager participant."

Cohen, who previously described himself as Mr Trumps personal fixer, was handed a three-year prison sentence for lying to Congress and campaign finance violations involving hush money to women who have claimed to have had affairs with the president. He was released from jail in May this year to serve the rest of his sentence at home as part of measures designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

He was briefly sent back to jail for allegedly violating the terms of his release by writing a tell-all book, before a judge ruled that was "retaliatory" and therefore illegal.

Trump's attorneys had tried to block the release of the book, claiming Cohen had signed a non-disclosure agreement that prohibited him from talking about his work with the now-president.

While he was behind bars, Cohen  while seeking home detention  wrote that he was an enabler for the Trump Organisation, lured by its magnetic, charismatic and powerful figurehead.

In a six-page sworn affirmation filed in a US District Court in December, Cohen said that everything he thought was important and valuable has been painfully revealed as derived from a Faustian bargain in which he cast the president as the Devil, to whom Cohen sold his soul and foolishly frittered away his integrity on behalf of the president.
IT major on Friday announced extention of its support for GovHack 2020 in and

The two-day hack event, which begins on Friday, is being held simultaneously in and and gives competitors 46 hours to create concepts, mashups, and models with open government data, according to a statement.

In doing so, the participants will examine the challenges facing the government and communities in new and innovative ways, it added.

This year, the competition has been fully virtually enabled with the competition schedule, datasets, problem challenges, and team profile pages publicly hosted, it said.

It added that the opening and closing ceremonies will be livestreamed.

GovHack is the largest open data hackathon in the southern hemisphere, the statement added.

"As lead corporate sponsor, is creating a dedicated version of its learning platform Wingspan, so that participants can learn while they work. Within Infosys, some 2,20,000 employees use this platform to access over 4,000 courses with content provided by in-house experts and over 40 partners," the statement said.

will also make the Advanced Machine Learning module of its AI platform Infosys Nia available, giving participants the tools and frameworks to manage and apply rules to the flow of data from creation to storage, it added.

Infosys has set the challenge of reimagining the aged-care experience, seeking easily accessible solutions that can keep the elderly safe amid the coronavirus pandemics. Infosys is seeking solutions using emerging technology that can help improve responses to future regional, country or world emergencies.

"This is Infosys' third year supporting GovHack as part of our commitment to nurturing digital talent in Australia and New Zealand," Andrew Groth, Senior Vice-President, Infosys, Region Head, Australia and New Zealand, said.

He added that each year, the company is super impressed by the calibre of solutions put forward and "I'm looking forward to seeing what the teams produce this year, working in a virtual environment".

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The career of British film director Alan Parker, who has died aged 76, in some ways embodied a number of the major problems confronting filmmakers over the last several decades. A genuinely popular director of no small talent, he subordinated his critical instincts to a popularist slickness, with predictably damaging results. He leaves an interesting but frustrating body of work that regularly hinted at considerably more than it could or did achieve.

Parker was born in 1944 on a north London working class housing estate. His father was a painter for an electricity company and his mother was a dressmaker. He became interested in photography, and when he left school at 18 took a post room job at an advertising agency.

Alan Parker

Many in the British film industry came out of advertising. Here Parker first met David Puttnam and Alan Marshall, who produced many of his films. Other directors followed the same route, including Ridley and Tony Scott and Adrian Lyne.

Aside from hands-on involvement in some kind of creative endeavour, Parker saw advertisings main strength as being very egalitarian, lacking the kind of class distinction  other jobs had.

He said, Advertising didnt care where you came from, but if you were half bright, they gave you a chance. He moved from office boy to copywriter.

Parkers progress through the egalitarian advertising structures coincided with the emergence of a new realist school of British film and television-making. Films like Karel Reiszs Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) and Lindsay Andersons This Sporting Life (1963), and television dramas like Ken Loachs Cathy Come Home (1966) turned towards the working class.

This had a wider impact. Working class actors, with regional accents, were becoming major stars.

Parkers development makes clear this success was two-edged. Advertisings egalitarianism was based on being able to sell products, which shaped Parkers approach to filmmaking. For all its edginess, its embrace of other voices, it was an establishment vehicle.

Midnight Express (1978)

It did, however, give Parker the chance to become a director. Attempting to overcome the poor quality of English television commercials, there was a lot of experimenting in the basement of the agency.

Jobs were distributed roughly according to expertise. Without a real role, Parker was left to say Action! which any idiot can do. Then I realised I could also say Cut! And one day I shouted at an actor, No, no, thats not whats wanted! and everybody looked at me, and suddenly I was a director.

He began testing his skills. When Puttnam bought the rights to some Bee Gees songs, Parker wrote an accompanying screenplay about two friends at a comprehensive school, Melody (1971). Parker did some second-unit directing and shot the montage sequences.

He directed shorts for his own company, and an award-winning BBC television drama The Evacuees (1975). Scripted by Jack Rosenthal, this work portrayed two Jewish boys evacuated from Manchester to Blackpool during the blitz. Parker directed children well, as his debut feature confirmed.

Bugsy Malone (1976) was a musical parody/pastiche of 1920s gangster films, starring children. Energetic fun, it demonstrated a considerable knowledge of cinema history. Parker described it as not so much an homage as a collection of fond memories of double bills that I had devoured as a kid.

Parker showed a certain flair for musicals, as he would again with Fame (1980) and, above all, The Commitments (1991).

Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine in Birdy (1984)

This flair however, also allowed him to unleash a tendency for well-made effect over more critical content. He once described working on Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) as one of the most miserable experiences of my creative life, but its overblown extended pop promo feel was efficiently done by the former advertising director.

His sound visual instincts allowed him often to create something watchable even with thin material, like the voodoo private eye thriller Angel Heart (1987).

Much better was the still powerful Birdy (1984), where he turned William Whartons account of post-Second World War trauma into a post-Vietnam study of physical and psychological damage, with Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine both excellent.

One of Parkers better qualities was a refusal to make the same film repeatedly. He said he thought it would be incredibly boring to do the same kind of subject 20 times, or even to make films in the same place, when youve got the whole world to explore. Right from the beginning, I didnt want to be pigeonholed.

The instinct was healthy, although it could not always overcome his inclination to showboat. After Bugsy Malone came Midnight Express (1978) a graphic and overwrought account of the imprisonment of American Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) in Istanbul for drug smuggling. Oliver Stone later apologised for over-dramatising the screenplay.

Despite its shortcomings, the film pointed to one of Parkers stronger characteristics throughout his work. There is always some kind of sympathy with the underdog. This is positive enough, but not quite enough.

It is at its strongest in The Commitments, contributing to this being generally Parkers strongest film. Working largely with unknown performers, his adaptation of Roddy Doyles novel about a working class band in Dublin was passionate and convincing. Parker said he wanted to make it because I identified with the kids in the film. Comparing their life with his own background, he said, I suppose deep down that the dreams and aspirations I had when I was a kid are very close to theirs.

This only gets you so far. The later Angelas Ashes (1999) did not go much beyond a rather sentimentalised presentation of Frank McCourts memoir of his poverty-stricken Irish childhood, despite excellent performances. As the WSWS noted at the time, Parker appealed to his own background as proof that he can recreate social relations as they are, but is unable to achieve this with any depth due to his philosophy of simply giving the audience what he supposes it wants!

The limitations were even more apparent with Mississippi Burning (1988), a decade earlier. Again, there was something healthy in the instinct. The film portrays an investigation into the disappearance of three civil rights workers in 1964, echoing the actual murder of James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman. It took the unpardonable form, however, of portraying the FBI, the brutal instrument of class rule in America, as the champion of civil rights.

Parker defended the film on the basis that Its fiction in the same way that Platoon and Apocalypse Now are fictions of the Vietnam War, but admitted the viewpoint was his own. I think all films in a way are manipulative. You have a point of view, you know what you want to say.

His next film Come See the Paradise (1990) offered a more plausible picture of the FBI, presenting them rounding up Japanese-Americans for internment during World War Two. This was not the result of any political epiphany after the criticism he had received for Mississippi Burning, however, and did not signal any great change in his outlook.

Parkers political nadir came with The Life of David Gale (2003), his last feature. In the production notes he spoke of quickly becoming inured to the function of the death chamber that supposedly formed the critical content of the movie. As we noted, Obviously, such a person cannot be entrusted to produce a work that offers a compelling argument against capital punishment or any other social ill.

Too often his healthy resistance to parochialism led him away from deeper engagement with the conditions underlying what he was showing. He admired British film director Ken Loach but said he could not be so outspoken.

This in effect meant a rejection of any anti-establishment stance. Refused permission to film at the Argentinian presidential palace for Evita (1996), he invited the films star, Madonna, to meetings with President Carlos Menem to clinch the deal.

Although commenting that he was not making movies for 14 intellectuals at the Cinematheque in Paris [but] films that have to find a wide audience, he did turn down the opportunity to direct several blockbusters. He argued that this was further evidence of him going against the grain, saying Ive spent my whole life walking in the opposite direction of everybody else.

That, too, operated only within certain limits. He was a very establishment rebel. A chairman of the British Film Institute, he was knighted in 2002. That year he became the first chairman of the UK Film Council, a funding body established by Tony Blairs Labour government to reinvigorate the British film industry.

Typically enough, Parker saw his documentary A Turnip Heads Guide to the British Cinema (1985) as an impolite and anarchic satirical provocation against the pomposity, stupidity, pretension and avarice of the film industryespecially the people who comment on and critique it, while still boasting that it went on to win the Press Guild award for best documentary.

Yet his films visual qualities, their exuberance, assured touch, even their sometimes-misplaced social instinct, point to something worthwhile and interesting that did not find adequate expression, or rarely. Much of his work is an attempt to make good choices. Yet if Parker is rarely completely satisfying, he remains one of the more entertaining directors to emerge from that difficult period.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:34:18|Editor: huaxia

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TRIPOLI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The National Center for Disease Control of Libya on Friday reported 439 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country so far to 7,050.

The center said in a statement earlier on Friday that it received a total of 2,338 suspected samples, of which 439 tested positive, adding that 38 patients have recovered while 3 died.

The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Libya so far is 7,050, including 816 recoveries and 135 deaths, the center said.

Since the first case was reported in March, Libyan authorities have taken a series of precautionary measures against the pandemic, including closing the country's borders, closing schools and mosques, banning public gatherings and imposing a curfew.

China donated medical aid to Libya in June to help the country's pandemic battle, including

834 nucleic acid diagnostic kits, 5,000 medical protective suits, 15,000 N95 face masks, 100,000 surgical masks, 5,000 pairs of goggles and 5,000 pairs of medical gloves. Enditem
Georgia is among the 'green' countries from which Israelis may return home without having to go into 14-days mandatory quarantine, announced Minister of Transport of Israel Miri Regevhe who set August 16 as the target date for reopening, reports Israeli media outlet Globes.



The countries in this category were determined in accordance with the rate of infection with Covid-19 prevailing in them. The list of green countries will be revised once every two weeks.



At this stage, the plan to reopen Israel's skies does not include entry for foreign citizens, Agenda.ge reported.



In addition to Georgia, Italy, the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Estonia, Canada, Rwanda, Denmark, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece and Austria are on the list of countries from which Israeli citizens may return to Israel without going into isolation.



To note the Council of the European Union updated the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be gradually lifted on July 31 and the list still includes Georgia.



Georgia has opened its borders for travellers from Germany, France, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia unconditionally. All five countries have also opened borders for Georgia.
The Commandants Office for the state of emergency declared in Armenia is working on creating an opportunity to test persons arriving in Armenia for the coronavirus in the premises of the airport. This is what Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, Commandant for the state of emergency Tigran Avinyans spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan told Armenpress, touching upon the lifting of the restrictions of the state of emergency by which the ban on entry of persons without Armenian citizenship into the territory of Armenia.

It is envisaged that if a person isnt hospitalized upon entry into Armenia, he or she will self-isolate for 14 days, but in the course of 14 days he or she can get tested and stop self-isolating in case the result of the test is negative.

Vahan Hunanyan stated that if the person isnt tested at the airport, he or she is immediately taken to the place of self-isolation and has no right to leave the place of self-isolation, even for getting tested.

The lifting of the restriction has regressive force and extends to those who have arrived in Armenia in the course of the 14 days preceding August 12.

During its special session on August 12, the Armenian government decided to extend the state of emergency declared on March 16 and extended until August 12, extending it from August 12 (5 p.m.) until September 11 (5 p.m.).
Foxx has been criticized as being too lenient after the lootings earlier this summer during the fallout from the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. After the mayors news conference, Foxx pushed back with her own a few hours later, insisting that her office approved charges for the vast majority of looting-related felony arrests.
HAIKOU CITY, China, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- China Pharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: CPHI) ("China Pharma," the "Company" or "We"), an NYSE American-listed corporation with a fully-integrated specialty pharmaceuticals subsidiary based in China, today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter Highlights

Revenue increased 46.8% to $3.8 million in the second quarter 2020 from $2.6 million in the same period of 2019;

in the second quarter 2020 from in the same period of 2019; Gross margin was 30.5% in the second quarter 2020, compared to 6.4% in the same period of 2019;

Income from operations was $0.1 million in the second quarter 2020 compared to loss from operations of $0.8 million in the same period of 2019, an improvement of approximately $0.8 million ;

in the second quarter 2020 compared to loss from operations of in the same period of 2019, an improvement of approximately ; Net income was $0.01 million in the second quarter 2020 compared to net loss of $0.84 million in the same period of 2019. Earnings per common stock was $0.00 per basic and diluted share in the second quarter 2020, as compared to loss per common stock of $0.02 per basic and diluted share in the second quarter of 2019.

in the second quarter 2020 compared to net loss of in the same period of 2019. Earnings per common stock was per basic and diluted share in the second quarter 2020, as compared to loss per common stock of per basic and diluted share in the second quarter of 2019. We completed a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers in the second quarter of 2020. This one-time business contributed approximately $1.7 million to our revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020 .

Ms. Zhilin Li, China Pharma's Chairman and CEO, commented, "The COVID-19 outbreak continued to have a substantial negative impact on our sales of pharmaceutical products. Many people try to avoid going to the hospital for fear of cross-contamination or potential infection. However, the majority of our existing products are prescription drugs. The macro-environment has negatively impacted our drug sales in this period. Fortunately, we completed a one-time foreign trade business this quarter. Due to the continued spread of COVID-19 in the international community, COVID-19 testers have become an urgently needed product in many markets. We have actively leveraged market information as well as our expertise to complete the order in an efficient manner." Ms. Li continued, "along with the lasting efforts to place emphasis on the marketing and sales of our current exiting pharmaceutical products, we continue to explore in the field of comprehensive healthcare. Comprehensive healthcare focuses on people's daily life, aging and disease and pays attention to all kinds of risk factors and misunderstandings affecting health. We aim to leverage our expertise in the PRC for the development, manufacture and commercialization of pharmaceutical and comprehensive healthcare products for the benefit of human health."

Second Quarter Results

Revenue increased by 46.8% to $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. This increase was mainly due to a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers we completed in the second quarter of 2020. Because of the market demand for COVID-19 related products, we received an export order for diagnostic test, which we purchased from a third party. This one-time business contributed approximately $1.7 million to our revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020. This is a milestone of our continuous efforts to explore various niche markets, products and regions based on our experiences and abilities.

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, our cost of revenue was $2.6 million, or 70% of total revenue, comparing to $2.4 million, or 94% of total revenue, for the same period in 2019. The decrease in cost of revenue was mainly due to a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers we completed in the second quarter of 2020.

Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.1 million, as compared to $0.2 million during the same period in 2019. Our gross profit margin in the three months ended June 30, 2020 was 30.5% as compared to 6.4% during the same period in 2019. The increase in our gross profit margin was mainly due to a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers we completed in the second quarter of 2020.

Our selling expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Selling expenses accounted for 19.3% of the total revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to 19.7% during the same period in 2019. Because of adjustments in our sales practices, and reform of healthcare policies, we reduced number of personnel and expenses to efficiently support our sales and the collection of accounts receivable.

Our general and administrative expenses were both $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. General and administrative expenses accounted for 8.6% and 13.0% of our total revenues in the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Our operating income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $0.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $0.8 million during the same period in 2019.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $0.01 million, or $0.00 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to net loss of $0.84 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted common share for the same period a year ago. The decrease in net loss was mainly the result of a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers we completed in the second quarter of 2020.

Six Months Results

Revenue was both $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The first three months in this year was impacted by COVID-19 outbreak in China, however there was one-time revenue from the selling of COVID-19 testers around $1.7 million, leading the revenue back to prior year performance.

Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.3 million, compared to $0.8 million in the same period in 2019. Our gross profit margin in the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 24.3% compared to 14.9% in the same period in 2019. The increase in our gross profit margin was mainly due to a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers we completed in the second quarter of 2020.

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $0.6 million, as compared to net loss of $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease of net loss was mainly due to a foreign trade of COVID-19 testers we completed in the second quarter of 2020.

Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 million compared to $1.1 million as of December 31, 2019.

Our net accounts receivable was both $0.6 million as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, cash flow used in operating activities was $0.2 million, as compared to cash flow provided by operating activities of $0.2 million for the same period in 2019.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call at 8:30 am E.T. on August 14, 2020 to discuss the results of the second quarter of 2020. Listeners may access the call by registering via the link below:

http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/7427437

A replay of the call will be accessible through August 22, 2020 by dialing 1-855-452-5696 or 61-281-990-299 for international callers, Conference ID # 7427437.

About China Pharma Holdings, Inc.

China Pharma Holdings, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a diversified portfolio of products, focusing on conditions with high incidence and high mortality rates in China, including cardiovascular, CNS, infectious, and digestive diseases. The Company's cost-effective business model is driven by market demand and supported by new GMP-certified product lines covering the major dosage forms. In addition, the Company has a broad and expanding nationwide distribution network across all major cities and provinces in China. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Hainan Helpson Medical & Biotechnique Co., Ltd., is located in Haikou City, Hainan Province. For more information about China Pharma Holdings, Inc., please visit www.chinapharmaholdings.com. The Company routinely posts important information on its website.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to: the achievability of financial guidance; success of new product development; unanticipated changes in product demand; increased competition; downturns in the Chinese economy; uncompetitive levels of research and development; and other information detailed from time to time in the Company's filings and future filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

- FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW -

CHINA PHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)













June 30,

December 31,



2020

2019









ASSETS







Current Assets:







Cash and cash equivalents

$ 1,813,544

$ 1,074,979 Restricted cash

222,996

109,908 Banker's acceptances

11,251

45,756 Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful







accounts of $17,342,097 and $17,575,100, respectively

595,733

635,371 Other receivables, less allowance for doubtful







accounts of $23,715 and $22,729, respectively

86,065

46,643 Advances to suppliers

277,900

404 Inventory

3,852,972

3,588,824 Prepaid expenses

397,374

77,120 Total Current Assets

7,257,835

5,579,005









Property, plant and equipment, net

15,631,653

16,313,827 Operating lease right of use asset

90,289

136,779 Intangible assets, net

185,244

205,611 TOTAL ASSETS

$ 23,165,021

$ 22,235,222









LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY







Current Liabilities:







Trade accounts payable

$ 1,025,098

$ 1,366,330 Accrued expenses

180,719

189,880 Other payables

3,753,356

3,560,332 Advances from customers

592,961

505,398 Other payables - related parties

2,152,161

2,071,986 Operating lease liability, current portion

93,510

91,306 Current portion of construction loan facility

2,118,794

2,150,168 Current portion of lines of credit

1,200,650

- Bankers' acceptance notes payable

222,996

109,908 Total Current Liabilities

11,340,245

10,045,308 Non-current Liabilities:







Construction loan facility

1,977,541

2,150,168 Lines of credit, net of current portion

706,264

- Operating lease liability, net of current portion

-

48,701 Deferred tax liability

742,450

753,444 Total Liabilities

14,766,500

12,997,621 Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)







Stockholders' Equity:







Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized;







no shares issued or outstanding

-

- Common stock, $0.001 par value; 95,000,000 shares authorized;







43,579,557 shares and 43,579,557 shares outstanding, respectively

43,580

43,580 Additional paid-in capital

23,590,204

23,590,204 Accumulated deficit

(26,620,246)

(25,972,402) Accumulated other comprehensive income

11,384,983

11,576,219 Total Stockholders' Equity

8,398,521

9,237,601 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$ 23,165,021

$ 22,235,222











CHINA PHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)





















For the Three Months

For the Six Months



Ended June 30,

Ended June 30,



2020

2019

2020

2019

















Revenue

$ 3,770,723

$ 2,569,408

$ 5,534,678

$ 5,498,681 Cost of revenue

2,620,925

2,405,860

4,190,441

4,678,603

















Gross profit

1,149,798

163,548

1,344,237

820,078

















Operating expenses:















Selling expenses

727,642

505,866

1,053,737

984,557 General and administrative expenses

322,445

334,550

711,004

763,367 Research and development expenses

30,044

66,008

78,863

135,926 Bad debt (benefit) expense

(5,318)

10,092

24,928

23,404 Total operating expenses

1,074,813

916,516

1,868,532

1,907,254

















Income (loss) from operations

74,985

(752,968)

(524,295)

(1,087,176)

















Other income (expense):















Interest income

1,212

12,119

1,598

15,376 Interest expense

(63,144)

(97,254)

(125,147)

(184,034) Net other expense

(61,932)

(85,135)

(123,549)

(168,658)

















Income (loss) before income taxes

13,053

(838,103)

(647,844)

(1,255,834) Income tax expense

-

-

-

- Net income (loss)

13,053

(838,103)

(647,844)

(1,255,834) Other comprehensive income - foreign currency















translation adjustment

5,796

(811,164)

(191,236)

24,701 Comprehensive income (loss)

$ 18,849

$ (1,649,267)

$ (839,080)

$ (1,231,133) Earnings (loss) per share:















Basic and diluted

$ 0.00

$ (0.02)

$ (0.01)

$ (0.03) Weighted average shares outstanding

43,579,557

43,579,557

43,579,557

43,579,557

CHINA PHARMA HOLDINGS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)



For the Six Months



Ended June 30,



2020

2019









Cash Flows from Operating Activities:







Net loss

$ (647,844)

$ (1,255,834) Depreciation and amortization

1,305,070

1,575,870 Bad debt expense

24,928

23,404 Inventory write off

-

111,533 Changes in assets and liabilities:







Trade accounts and other receivables

(305,183)

(284,126) Advances to suppliers

(279,380)

(10,615) Inventory

(14,136)

960,946 Trade accounts payable

(323,470)

223,562 Accrued taxes payable

279,748

(43,632) Other payables and accrued expenses

(79,967)

(369,547) Change in bankers' acceptance notes payable

115,468

(781,626) Advances from customers

95,579

31,548 Prepaid expenses

(323,553)

(31,309) Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities

(152,740)

150,174









Cash Flows from Investing Activities:







Purchases of property and equipment

(840,449)

(73,538) Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

(840,449)

(73,538)









Cash Flows from Financing Activities:







Proceeds from lines of credit

1,919,818

- Payments of construction term loan

(142,209)

(147,475) Proceeds (payments) of related party payables

90,551

(231,252) Net Cash Provided by) Used in Financing Activities

1,868,160

(378,727)









Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

(23,318)

768 Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

851,653

(301,323) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period

1,184,887

2,460,527 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period

$ 2,036,540

$ 2,159,204









Cash and Cash Equivalents

1,813,544

1,655,892 Restricted cash

222,996

503,312 Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period

$ 2,036,540

$ 2,159,204









Supplemental Cash Flow Information:







Cash paid for income taxes

$ -

$ - Cash paid for interest

$ 118,374

$ 178,991









Supplemental Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:







Issuance of banker's acceptances

$ -

$ - Accounts receivable collected with banker's acceptances

270,453

378,585 Inventory purchased with banker's acceptances

304,520

399,455 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations

-

233,629

SOURCE China Pharma Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.chinapharmaholdings.com


She has become a popular social media influencer and brand ambassador since debuting on this year's season of Married At First Sight.

And Natasha Spencer used her platform for good on Wednesday, reminding Instagram fans to ensure 'safety first' amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A photo shared to the social media site saw the 26-year-old wearing a face mask and sunglasses while sunning herself in Sydney, in the skimpiest of orange bikinis.

Taking no chances! Married At First Sight's Natasha Spencer (pictured), 26, wore a face mask while sunning herself in a TINY orange bikini on Wednesday

Natasha showed off her sensational figure in the scant swimwear as she took a selfie from above.

She used one manicured hand to conceal the sun's rays, drawing attention to her disposable white face mask and aviator sunglasses.

'Safety first', Natasha captioned the sizzling selfie, alongside a face mask emoji.

Using her platform for good: 'Safety first', Natasha captioned the sizzling selfie, which was taken in Sydney. Australians have been urged to wear a face mask to stop the spread of COVID-19

Fans commended the reality star for bringing attention to an important issue while looking incredible at the same time.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged Australians to wear a face mask in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is mandatory in Victoria.

Natasha rose to fame in this year's season of MAFS, tying the knot in a non-legally binding ceremony with Mikey Pembroke.

Claim to fame: Natasha rose to fame in this year's season of MAFS, tying the knot in a non-legally binding ceremony with Mikey Pembroke (right)

They had a rather tumultuous relationship, deciding to leave the experiment after weeks of fighting and a sex joke.

Natasha pushed Mikey to breaking point after revealing he 'only lasted 10 seconds' in the bedroom.

The couple made the mutual decision that they are better off as friends at a commitment ceremony, and were applauded by the relationship experts.
juan moyano / Alamy Stock Photo

En espanol | Here's advice from the Justice Department on dodging fraud during the pandemic. It says some scams are known, some are just emerging.

1. Independently verify the identity of any company, charity or individual that contacts you regarding COVID-19.

2. Check the websites and email addresses offering information, products or services related to COVID-19. Be aware that scammers often employ addresses that differ only slightly from those belonging to the entities they are impersonating. For example, they might use cdc.com or cdc.org instead of cdc.gov, which is the legitimate website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

3. Be wary of unsolicited emails offering information, supplies or treatment for COVID-19 or requesting your personal information for medical purposes. Legitimate health authorities will not contact the general public this way.
An award-winning creative producer has been forced to announce that she is not available for sex after she received an inappropriate message whilst searching for freelance work.

Emma Thomas, from London, was using LinkedIn to put her skills as a creative producer and project manager on the job market when she received the proposition from a man, who she did not name, looking to buy her company.

Ms Thomas, who specialises in edgy PR events and is known as Miss Cakehead in the business, has worked for high-profile brands including Twitter, Cadbury, UberEats and Kopparberg, but was still targeted by a man looking for a sexual partner, rather than an employee.

She shared the exchange on LinkedIn alongside a lengthy post calling out 'men preying on young girls' using the platform.

Emma Thomas, from London, was using LinkedIn to put her skills as a creative producer and project manager on the job market when she received the proposition from a man

She shared the exchange on LinkedIn alongside a lengthy post calling out 'men preying on young girls' using the platform. Pictured, a screen shot of the text

The unidentified man made contact with Ms Thomas on LinkedIn before contacting her via text where he asked her if she was available for work before adding: 'How would you feel if I paid you for some company and time of yours?

Ms Thomas took to LinkedIn to publicly share her experiences along with screenshots of the suggestive messages she received.

She wrote: I AM NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEX. Anyone reading my CV will see I am a kick a**e creative producer / project manager / creative not a sex worker! I am also f***ing furious.

I am so angry that anyone should try to take advantage of the dire job situation right now in such a way.

Feel freaked out and utterly degraded, something which I am sure will have a huge impact on my job hunting psyche today.

Ms Thomas said that while she is made of tough stuff she is shocked and feels sick worrying for the young girls who will be preyed on in the same way whilst looking for a job.

The woman, from Margate and London, said the messages she received made her feel 'freaked out and utterly degraded'

The creative producer and director, who goes by the name Miss Cakehead, took to LinkedIn to share her disgust at the inappropriate responses

She said the text message she shared in the post, which began by asking her if she was still looking for work, had made her feel so happy and positive that clients were looking for freelancers after a lull during the pandemic, then the harasser asked to buy her company.

Ms Thomas added: To be honest I am left feeling really heartbroken about our industry in general.

In 2020 can women really not put their phone number on their CV!

Ms Thomas believes that the same man has been contacting vulnerable women whose incomes have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: There can be no doubt in anyone's mind the only reason he thought he could do this is because I was vulnerable.

Trying to coerce me into doing something I clearly dont advertise, like booking a builder to bake you a cake.

As one of the #forgotten5percent, who is a sole director of a Ltd company, hes right I am vulnerable. I have had no government help as the career I have spent years building up plummeted off a cliff face.

The creative producer has been turned down for numerous admin roles and jobs in supermarkets for being too experienced.

Tomer Cohen, Global Head of Product at LinkedIn responded to Ms Thomass post, thanking her for bravely sharing what happened to her and vowed any such behaviour on LinkedIn would not be tolerated

Due to the amount of attention the post has received, over 1.5 million views, Ms Thomas says she is unable to use her LinkedIn account to look for work.

Ms Thomas added: I have stopped looking [for work] - its just broken me. The story going viral has made my LinkedIn profile almost impossible to use.

While she has received some responses from employers after the post, Ms Thomas says that the PR and events industry is on its knees.

The post was met with a tide of support, as well as entitled comments from men mansplaining how to get a job and telling me I shouldnt have said I had transferable skills, Ms Thomas said, in some ways thats been more upsetting than the initial text.

I had no idea that people held these sexist views until now, 90 per cent of the workforce I work with are men. And my best friends are men. Its been an eyeopener.

But many of the men [who are doing the harassment] are hiding behind blank profiles, for the ones that have employment history I am contacting their HR department, I've had enough.

Ms Thomas's message: Judge people by the ability to do their job not their sex or looks, anything else is discriminatory.

Other LinkedIn users shared their disgust at the inappropriate messages and suggested the social platform needs to do more to protect its users

Tomer Cohen, Global Head of Product at LinkedIn responded to Ms Thomass post, writing: Emma, thank you for bravely sharing your experience, and I want you to know you are supported by our LinkedIn community.

While the interaction in your post did not happen on LinkedIn, we're listening carefully and working hard to make sure LinkedIn is a safe, professional, and trusted environment.

Harassment has no place on LinkedIn. It is completely unacceptable and would not be tolerated. To keep you and our members safe, our teams work every day to stop inappropriate behavior, including new protections you'll start seeing soon.

I appreciate you sharing your experience and standing up against harassment.

Ms Thomas has said she does not believe LinkedIn has done enough to stop sexual advances being made on their platform.

She said: LinkedIn needs to do more to help users report comments not just block people, some of the things that have been said to me like Im flat-chested, and look trans could be triggering for others, not just me.

Ms Thomas said these types of sexual advances have been seen before in the case of Charlotte Proudman, who accused a lawyer of using LinkedIn 'like Tinder' after he commented on her profile picture.

Ms Thomas tweeted in response to LinkedIn: I think you need to try and do better than give it lip service- my post has had over 1.6 million views - resonating with so many different women.
[August 13, 2020] Contact Center Solutions Market Analysis Highlights the Impact of COVID-19 (2020-2024) | Integration Of IVR Into Contact Centers to Boost Market Growth | Technavio Technavio has been monitoring the contact center solutions market and it is poised to grow by USD 5.45 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 9% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005515/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to transform the growth of various industries, the immediate impact of the outbreak is varied. While a few industries will register a drop in demand, numerous others will continue to remain unscathed and show promising growth opportunities. Technavio's in-depth research has all your needs covered as our research reports include all foreseeable market scenarios, including pre- & post-COVID-19 analysis. Download a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts Frequently Asked Questions: What are the major trends in the market?

Integration of chatbots for better turnaround times is a major trend driving the market growth.

Integration of chatbots for better turnaround times is a major trend driving the market growth. At what rate is the market projected to grow?

The year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 8.76% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be $ 5.45 bn during the forecast period.

The year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 8.76% and the incremental growth of the market is anticipated to be $ 5.45 bn during the forecast period. Who are the top players in the market?

8x8 Inc., ALE International, Aspect (News - Alert) Software Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Five9 Inc., Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., Mitel Networks Corp., and NEC (News - Alert) Corp., are some of the major market participants

8x8 Inc., ALE International, Aspect (News - Alert) Software Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Five9 Inc., Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., Mitel Networks Corp., and NEC (News - Alert) Corp., are some of the major market participants What is the key market driver?

The integration of IVR into contact centers is driving the growth of the market.

The integration of IVR into contact centers is driving the growth of the market. How big is the North American market?

The North America region will contribute 43% of the market share The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. 8x8 Inc., ALE International, Aspect Software Inc., Avaya Holdings Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Enghouse Systems Ltd., Five9 Inc., Genesys (News - Alert) Telecommunications Laboratories Inc., Mitel Networks Corp., and NEC Corp. are some of the major market participants. The integration of IVR into contact centers will offer immense growth opportunities. To make most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free. View market snapshot before purchasing Technavio's custom research reports offer detaied insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024: Segmentation Contact Center Solutions Market is segmented as below: Deployment Cloud-based On-premise

Type Voice Text Social

Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40027 Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The contact center solutions market report covers the following areas: Contact Center Solutions Market Size

Contact Center Solutions Market Trends

Contact Center Solutions Market Industry Analysis This study identifies the integration of chatbots for better turnaround times as one of the prime reasons driving the contact center solutions market growth during the next few years. Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Contact Center Solutions Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist contact center solutions market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the contact center solutions market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the contact center solutions market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of contact center solutions market, vendors Table of Contents: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT 2.1 Preface

2.2 Preface

2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market size and forecast 2019-2024 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DEPLOYMENT Market segmentation by deployment

Comparison by deployment

On-premises - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Cloud-based - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by deployment PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY TYPE Market segmentation by type

Comparison by type

Voice - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Text - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Social - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by type PART 09: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA - Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market driver

Market challenges PART 12: MARKET TRENDS Strategic partnerships and acquisitions among market participants

Increasing use of analytics solutions in contact centers

Rise of social media channels as medium of contact PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

8x8 Inc.

ALE International

Aspect Software Inc.

Avaya Holdings Corp.

Cisco Systems (News - Alert) , Inc.

Enghouse Systems Ltd.

Five9 Inc.

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories Inc.

Mitel Networks Corp.

NEC Corp. PART 15: APPENDIX Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors PART 16: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005515/en/

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Earlier, Ukraine's authorities asked that a number of those apprehended near Minsk be extradited to Kyiv as part of a probe into crimes committed in the Donbas warzone.

Belarus government handed over to Russia 32 Russian citizens earlier detained by security operatives tipped that a large group of fighters had been deployed to sow destabilization amid the election campaign.

The move followed a relevant request by Russia's Prosecutor General, the agency's press service reports, in line with the Convention on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Cases.

The 33rd member of the group in question remained in Belarus as he is the country's citizen, the report adds.

Read alsoRussia's Wagner mercenaries detained in Minsk claim were transiting to Turkey "to see Hagia Sophia"

It should be noted that earlier, Ukraine's authorities asked that a number of those apprehended near Minsk be extradited to Kyiv as part of a probe into crimes committed in the Donbas warzone.

At the same time, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova has not been officially invited to Belarus to discuss extradition, her Office's press service said. That's despite the fact that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on August 6 had told subordinates to invite chief prosecutors of Ukraine and Russia to consider the situation with the detained mercenaries.

PMC Wagner troops in Belarus

On July 29, fighters with PMC Wagner were detained in Belarus. Thirty-two were apprehended outside Minsk, and one more was detained in the south of the country.

Among detainees were those who had fought against Ukraine in Donbas, Ukrainian authorities said.

Belarus' law enforcement agencies reported that they had been tipped about the deployment of more than 200 foreign fighters to destabilize the country during the presidential election campaign.

Belarus asked the Ukrainian authorities to verify the detainees' involvement in crimes committed in Ukraine.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:05 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dfef90 2 Entertainment the-rock,Dwayne-Johnson,Hollywood,Netflix,film,actor Free

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been named Hollywood's top-paid actor for a second year running, heading a list dominated by lucrative Netflix contracts.

The former professional wrestler banked $87.5 million in the year ending June 2020, according to Forbes' annual ranking.

That figure -- slightly down from last year's $89.4 million haul, but comfortably ahead of second-placed Ryan Reynolds ($71.5 million) -- was boosted by Johnson's $23.5 million fee for upcoming Netflix action flick Red Notice, as well as endorsements.

Netflix shelled out more than a quarter of all the paychecks collected by this year's top 10.

Others benefiting from the streaming giant's $140 million A-lister splurge included Reynolds (Six Underground and Red Notice), third-placed Mark Wahlberg (Spenser Confidential) and fourth-placed Ben Affleck (The Last Thing He Wanted.)

Read also: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is highest-paid Instagram celebrity, with 184 million followers

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda made his debut on the list after Disney paid $75 million for the movie rights to the smash hit Broadway production, which soared on Disney+ streaming last month.

Perennials such as Bollywood megastar Akshay Kumar and martial arts legend Jackie Chan returned to the top 10, as did Will Smith and Adam Sandler.

Largely absent this year were the cast of Marvel's Avengers films -- who dominated last year -- with the record-breaking franchise taking an extended break from the big screen.

But Vin Diesel, lynchpin of the ever-popular Fast & Furious franchise, returned at number five with $54 million.

The ranking does not include actresses, who will be featured in a separate list next month.

The top 10:

1. Dwayne Johnson ($87.5 million)

2. Ryan Reynolds ($71.5 million)

3. Mark Wahlberg ($58 million)

4. Ben Affleck ($55 million)

5. Vin Diesel ($54 million)

6. Akshay Kumar ($48.5 million)

7. Lin-Manuel Miranda ($45.5 million)

8. Will Smith ($44.5 million)

9. Adam Sandler ($41 million)

10. Jackie Chan ($40 million)
International

School set ablaze in Afghanistan

Kabul, Aug 13 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/13/2020 1:17:07 PM IST

Unknown armed men set a school ablaze in Taluqan city, the capital of Afghanistans Takhar province, on Thursday, a local official said.

Provincial police spokesman Abdul Khalil Asir confirmed the incident to Xinhua news agency, saying: The second floor of Abu Osman Taluqani school was completely burned due to unknown reason at around 3.30 a.m. today. Asir also said that investigation had been initiated to determine the reason for the incident.

Three other schools were set on fire in Takhar province over the past couple of years. The locals and officials have blamed Taliban militants for the incidents. But the militant group, which outlawed schools for girls and modern education for boys during its six-year reign, has denied its involvement.
New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) India on Friday welcomed the establishment of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and called for early resumption of talks between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian leadership.





UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan called up External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and briefed him about the developments.





'Deeply appreciate the call today from FM HH @ABZayed of UAE. Discussed the full normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel announced yesterday," the External Affairs Minister tweeted.





Most Muslim countries do not recognise Israel and therefore, do not have any relations with Tel Aviv. After establishing normal relations with Israel, UAE becomes the third Muslim country after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic relations with Israel.





External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, while welcoming the establishment of ties between Israel and the UAE, said India perceives West Asia as its 'extended neighborhood' and that both Israel and UAE are 'key strategic partners of India'.



'India has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia, which is its extended neighbourhood. In that context, we welcome the full normalisation of ties between UAE and Israel. Both nations are key strategic partners of India.'





He, however, said that India continued its traditional support for the Palestinian cause.





'We hope to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an acceptable two-state solution,' he added.

UNI RB RJ 2256
Spokesperson of Pakistan Army says Iran-Pakistan border fencing project has the support of both the neighboring states and would be completed by the end of year 2021, Trend reports citing IRNA.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar responding to a question of IRNA at a press conference at army headquarters on Thursday said the project is being carried out to enhance the security arrangements along the borders.

It is supported by both the governments and I am sure it is going to help out in curbing lots of problems that keep surfacing because of these borders being porous, said the military spokesperson.

We are doing it for the good of both the countries, noted Major General Babar Iftikhar.

Earlier in his opening remarks he said measures are being taken at the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders as part of the border management, which includes border terminals, scanner biometric system, border posts, forts and fencing.

He said that more than 1000 border posts are being built at the border with Iran, out of which 400 posts and forts have already been completed and the rest are being set up.

He stressed that people on both sides of the frontier will benefit and terrorism can be stopped through managing the border.

"The capacity enhancement of Front Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan is being done for effective border management, added the official.

"On the Pak-Afghan border, fencing on more than 1,700km has been completed. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 730km and in Balochistan, 980km have been fenced."

To another question of IRNA Major General Babar Iftikhar said that Afghans are our brothers and all the stakeholders involved in facilitation of peace process, may it be Pakistan, may it be Iran, all have played very positive role.

While this peace process is progressing very positively there are chances of some vested interests trying to spoil this process and the international community is very well aware of those vested interests, he noted.

Earlier Pakistans Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information Lieutenant General (retired) Asim Saleem Bajwa while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had said that fencing of 900 km Pakistan-Iran border is in full swing and 100 km work on the project would be completed soon.

Iran-Pakistan share 959 km long border which separates Sistan and Baluchestan and Balochistan provinces of the two countries.

It begins at the Koh-i-Malik Salih mountains and ends at Gwadar Bay in the Gulf of Oman. It passes through a diverse landscape of mountain ridges, seasonal streams and rivers.
A former San Antonio man alleges he went to pick up a glass Coca-Cola bottle while shopping in an H-E-B two summers ago when the container suddenly, violently, and without warning, exploded.

Juan J. Palomo was left with a serious injury to his right hand and permanent vision loss to his right eye, according to a lawsuit he filed this week against H-E-B and Dallas-based Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.

Palomo, who was 66 at the time, seeks more than $1 million in damages from the two companies.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio man sues H-E-B after cashier allegedly whacked him with cucumber

H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos didnt have an immediate comment on the lawsuit, and an email to Coca-Cola Southwest wasnt immediately returned.

H-E-B has just said, hey, its not our fault, said San Antonio attorney Raul Trevino, who represents Palomo. They denied liability. Coca-Cola was kind of working with us until we sent out a demand (letter) and then they denied liability, too.

The alleged incident occurred Aug. 25, 2018, at the H-E-B at 2130 Culebra Road.

Palomos family took him to University Hospital from the grocery store, Trevino said.

Glass blew into (Palomos) eye and he now cant see out of the eye, Trevino said.

Palomo also suffered lacerations on his right hand and no longer can use it, his lawyer added.

Palomo worked as a landscaper in San Antonio. However, after the incident, he was deported to Mexico for being in the U.S. illegally, Trevino said. Palomo had been in the U.S. for about 30 years.

Doctors in Mexico have told Palomo they cant remove the pieces of glass still in his eye because they are too small and theres a risk of causing even more damage, Trevino said.

The suit accuses both H-E-B and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, which distributes beverages for the Coca-Cola Co., of products liability and gross negligence.

By the fact that this happened shows some negligence through the manufacturer or the persons handling (the bottle), Trevino said. Palomo is not liable because he wasnt doing anything out of the ordinary.

On ExpressNews.com: H-E-B loses its cool over competing coolers

Palomo alleges the bottle was defectively designed in that the casing was not explosion proof.

A safer alternative design was available that would have prevented or significantly reduced the risk of the occurrence in question without substantially impairing the products utility, the suit says.

Both H-E-B and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages should have known the the risk of harm that might arise, the suit adds.

Palomo says he has incurred medical expenses and suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and lost wages.

The suit was filed Wednesday in state District Court in San Antonio.

Patrick Danner Patrick Danner covers banking, insurance, business litigation and bankruptcies. To read more from Patrick, become a subscriber. pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
Outdoors retailer Kathmandu received millions in emergency funding from the US government intended for struggling small businesses, which the company applied for just days before raising $200 million from its shareholders.

US-based subsidiaries for Kathmandu's footwear company Oboz and recently acquired surfwear brand Rip Curl both applied and were deemed eligible for the country's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was implemented by the government early in the year as part of a coronavirus stimulus package.

Kathmandu, through its Oboz and Rip Curl subsidiaries, has received millions in US government funding intended for struggling small businesses. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The scheme was pitched as an incentive for US small businesses to keep workers on their payroll during the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic, offering companies forgivable low-interest loans of 2.5 times their average monthly payroll costs.

Public data on the scheme shows Oboz got approval for a loan of between $US350,000 and $US1 million ($488,000 and $1.4 million) to cover its 26 employees in the country. Rip Curl was granted between $US2 million and $US5 million. In total, the two companies claimed between $US2.35 million and $US5 million.
Riots, rolay (fight), wand (disdained divide), ghadar (destruction), are just few of the terms Partition survivors remember the harrowing event by. As SAHAPEDIA found, the stories of those who were uprooted from their land, forced to leave their homes, life and even loved ones behind have occasionally been captured in the arts, in the form of paintings, literature, theatre, short films and cinema.

However, unlike the other forms, the subject of Partition was carefully and sparingly addressed in cinemaboth in India and Pakistan. But more so by the latter, primarily for logistical reasons. In 1947, while India had several centres of film-making, such as Bombay, Poona, Calcutta and Madras, Pakistan just had Lahore. Even then, as film-maker Karan Bali wrote for a website, the two major studios in Lahoreowned by Hinduswere razed to the ground during the communal riots. Some professionals, such as writer Saadat Hasan Manto and others, migrated to Pakistan, but most stayed back in India. Limited resources and funds impacted the struggling establishment of the Pakistani film industry. East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, even more so.

The wounds from Partition were deep, which would explain why the film industries of both countries took their time to make movies around the subject. In India, the Nargis-Karan Dewan starrer Lahore (1949) was one of the earliest films on events around the Partition. A decade later Saifuddin Saifs landmark Punjabi film, Kartar Singh (1959), was released in Pakistan. In the following decades, only a handful of films have touched upon the subjecta quick Google search shows a meagre 45, most under a heavy shadow of patriotism, instead of focusing on the suffering that every human faced regardless of their religion and caste. The stereotypes of blaming the other existed, as did a show of hate. However, of late, many in the Pakistani film-making community have been talking about shifting the focus to the shared sufferings and emotions that Partition brought to the common people.

Mehreen Jabbar, renowned director of Ramchand Pakistani, a 2008 film on the relationship between India and Pakistan, believes that the film industries of both countries have never adequately given the real account of Partition. I think the films reflect the government of the day in both countries. A large majority of people are unaware of how complex Partition was. We get stuck in our vision of what it meant and do not want to upset the general public.

While that may be so, there have been several Pakistani film-makers who have tried to sensitively depict one of the bloodiest chapters of the subcontinent. Of those, three very important ones are: Kartar Singh (1959), Sabiha Sumars Khamosh Pani (2003) and Raza Mirs Lakhon Main Aik (1967).

Kartar Singh is regarded a gem in Pakistani cinema for its balance and sensitivity. Set in a pre-Partition harmonious eastern Punjabi village where Hindu, Muslim and Sikh families live in harmony, the film does not flinch while showing the horrors of Partition and the riots. The human element comes in the form of Kartar Singh who, despite developing some animosity with a Muslim villager, tries to unite him with his sibling, but ends up getting shot.

While Lakhon Main Aik is set in 1967, the events of 1947 play a fundamental role in the doomed love story of an abandoned Hindu girl, raised in Pakistan after her father goes missing, and a Muslim boy. Things change once her father re-enters her life. Written by Zia Sarhadi, a leftist who made social-realist films like Hum Log (1951) and Footpath (1953) in India before moving to Pakistan, the film is highly regarded for its sensitive treatment of human emotions. In Pakistan, the lone criticism for the film was its subplot, wherein the young girls taking a bullet to save her Muslim lover was seen as insinuating redemption. Made after the 1965 Indo-Pak war, when sentiments against the neighbouring country was high, the treatment of the film in not entirely vilifying the Hindu protagonists was seen as being more sympathetic to India than Pakistan. So much so, that Noor Jehans controversial bhajan in the film, Man mandir ke devta was banned on radio in Pakistan, ironically adding to its popularity.

Sabiha Sumars Khamosh Pani is yet another stellar movie. Although set in Zia-ul-Haqs Pakistan of 1979, when Islamic fundamentalism was rising, the film is wrought with Partition ghosts of 1947. Ayesha (Kirron Kher) survives her Sikh familys insistence to jump into the well to save her virtue from Muslim mobs, only to be later shunned by her sonan extremistand choosing to jump into a well rather than face his barbs once he finds out about her identity.

A similar storyline is followed in Chandraprakash Dwivedis 2003 adaptation of Amrita Pritams novel Pinjar, about Puro, a Sikh girl who was abducted, kept, converted to Islam. Changing her identity to Hamida, she marries a Muslim man, Rashid, amid the chaos of Partition.

Also read: Khuda Haafiz movie review: Vidyut Jammwal will find you and he will kill you in this entertaining but flawed thriller

Interestingly, more than cinema, Pakistani theatre has adapted and showcased many productions around the theme of Partition, doing much greater justice to the grief, anger and sense of displacement that came with it. Ajoka Theatres adaptation of Mantos Toba Tek Singh is one such example. TV serials and short films have also been more open to delving into the stories of those who were displaced and scarred by Partition, much more than the mainstream film industries. One such example is HOME1947, a series of seven short films by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinnoy. The production narrates Partition stories through the perspective of the people who lived through the event and bear the wounds on their soulstheir memories of life before Partition, missing the places and people they left behind. Zameen, a migrant from India to Pakistan, remembers the house he left behind, a woman recounts leaving her friend when she migrated at 17, and how they managed to communicate in the years to come. In Midnight Fury, a man remembers his mother being murdered by goons. The touching and simple narration includes him remembering the very details of what his mother was wearing when he saw her murdered right in front of his eyes.

The subject of Partition is not easy to portrayirrespective of which side of the Radcliffe Line the film-maker resides. And while modern directors consciously and conflictingly work towards achieving an objective rendering, there is a sincere pursuit of a sensitive and humane approach that is already visible in the current narratives.

Huma Sadaf is a freelance journalist based in Pakistan. This article is part of Saha Sutra on www.sahapedia.org, an online resource for South Asian arts, culture and heritage.

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How this ISIS operative from Mangaluru lured her victims and converted them to Islam

ISIS selling PPE kits amidst pandemic to raise funds for terror

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Islamic State is reportedly raising money by seeking bogus PPE kits and face masks at the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ISIS allegedly used a website called facemaskcenter.com as a front to peddle fake N-95 masks, according to a senior Department of Justice official cited by CBS News. The official also said that the ISIS COVID-19 fraud is just a slice of the overall criminal activity that is designed to spread fear surrounding the virus.

The report also said that the targets of the ISIS were hospitals, nursing homes and first responders.

France sends ventilators, test kits to assist India in coronavirus fight

Terror organisations have been using the Internet heavily during the pandemic to indulge in online scams. With funds drying up, terror groups such as the Al-Qaeda and Hamas have used the social media and cryptocurrency to raise money for their operations.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

It may be recalled that the US authorities had recently 2 million USD and over 300 cryptocurrency accounts.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 12:31 [IST]
CHICAGO (AP)  Cook County's states attorneys office on Thursday announced 42 people have been charged with felonies in connection with the looting of stores along the citys premier retail street that occurred earlier this week.

Prosecutors said among the charges filed include one for attempted murder and 28 for burglary and looting, in addition to aggravated battery, resisting a police officer, theft and criminal damage to property.

I am committed to keeping our communities safe and continuing to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to demand accountability and seek justice for the people of Cook County, States Attorney Kim Foxx said in a statement.

Foxx, who is up for reelection later this year, has been criticized as being too lenient after the looting earlier this summer during the fallout from the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Earlier this week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Foxx should make sure there will be consequences for Mondays widespread looting.

Our expectation is that this is going to be treated with the level of seriousness it should be. Period, Lightfoot said.

Foxx pushed back, insisting her office approved charges for the vast majority of looting-related felony arrests resulting from Junes violence and looting.

Hundreds of people descended on downtown Chicago early Monday following a police shooting on the citys South Side that wounded a 20-year-old man. Vandals smashed windows of dozens of businesses and made off with merchandise, cash machines and anything else they could carry, according to authorities.

Police said officers shot Latrell Allen after he fired at them several times. Allen was charged with attempted murder. The state's attorney office didn't make clear if tthe charge against Allen is the attempted murder charge it announced Thursday.

The city has imposed a curfew in the central business district that is in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. that will be in effect until Monday.
More than 50,000 jobs are at risk in the West End of London if there is not a drastic increase in shoppers and commuters, business leaders said yesterday.

Weeks after its 1,200 shops were given the green light to reopen, the number of people heading to the West End remained down by close to two thirds in July, compared to the same period last year.

The world-famous shopping and hospitality district supports 216,000 jobs and business leaders have let out a warning cry that close to one in four could go in a wave of failed businesses and redundancies.

Ghost town: Weeks after its 1,200 shops were given the green light to reopen, the number of people heading to the West End remained down by close to two thirds

The wider retail sector is already suffering under the weight of the three-month lockdown followed by weak demand exacerbated by social distancing.

Close to 27,000 jobs have been shed by Britain's biggest retailers with Boots, WH Smith and Marks & Spencer leading the charge.

In addition, at least 53,000 have been laid off by independent retailers, according to data from the Federation of Small Businesses.

Yesterday, the country's premier shopping streets, where visitors usually flock to visit the world's most famous brands' flagship stores, made a desperate plea for help.

Hundreds of thousands of commuters, who head into town for dinner, drinks or the theatre, continue to work from home

One of the West End's most high-profile residents, Selfridges, has already axed 450 jobs across its four stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

City centre shops are being hit by a crash in the number of foreign tourists, who usually spend 4.3billion in the West End each year, according to data from PwC.

At the same time hundreds of thousands of commuters, who head into town for dinner, drinks or the theatre, continue to work from home.

West End: By the numbers 216,000 Number of people employed in the West End of London 63 per cent Drop in footfall last week compared to same week in 2019 3.2billion sales lost by retailers, pubs and eateries close to the centre during lockdown 5billion Potential loss of sales if people do not return to the West End 23 per cent Proportion of public who are confident to use public transport 39 Number of West End theatres

Suburban shops, restaurants and pubs benefit to the cost of cities.

On the first day that the Government ended its official work from home advice just one in six office workers was expected to commute in, according to a survey of 36 large companies by the Mail.

The change in advice only boosted the number of those visiting West End businesses by a tenth  piling more pressure on ministers to beef up its back to work message.

Overall the number of people heading there, which usually averages close to 22m every month, was down by 63 per cent in July, according to business partnership, the New West End Company (NWEC).

Ros Morgan, chief executive of Heart of London Business Alliance, which represents 500 businesses, said: 'The Government needs to actively encourage businesses to safely open their workplaces to their employees and provide encouragement for people to start using London's public transport again.'

NWEC claims its members may be forced to axe 50,000 jobs as businesses watch up to half of the area's 10billion annual sales evaporate.

Such an avalanche of job losses would inevitably have a knock-on effect on the rest of the economy. One of the major sticking points for city centres is shoppers' perceptions of public transport.

One of the West End's most high profile residents, Selfridges, has already axed 450 jobs across its four stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester

Just one in four members of the public feels confident travelling on public transport, even though most trains are operating at a small fraction of total capacity.

This contrasts with 43 per cent of shoppers who are comfortable heading into shops. More than one in three have visited bars and restaurants in the last six weeks, buoyed by the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.

Retailers are demanding clearer messaging on transport to build customers' confidence.

But shops are forecasting that fewer than half of London office staff will be back in their workplaces even in the run-up to Christmas.

It is a glacial pace of recovery for cities, and, with furlough tapering off in the next ten weeks, tens of thousands more workers face the axe.
Their collection is alive, breathing, 300 stories told in art, all loaded with meaning. The arrestingly beautiful Stewart Hoosan painting of the big country of Calvert Hills Station in the Northern Territory where he grew up greets you as you walk in the door. There's the daringly vivid colour of the abstract Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori works in the media room, the wooden, snarling Aurukun camp dogs, the earthy palate of Jack Britten painting his Bungle Bungle country. The bright almost cartoonish Betty Conway depiction of visiting the waterhole at Tempe Downs, the people floating in the water, the haphazard cars. We always take three vehicles or more the artist once said of the painting in case of getting bogged or stuck. There is a powerful painting by Joan Stokes about running away from the police who have come to steal the children of the Stolen Generation and another that shows a white overseer locking the gate to the good water. We got to know her quite well, says Dame Rosie of Stokes. A lot of it was her dreamtime, which was so much pain. Included within the collection are works by Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori as seen on the left wall, and above these is a work by Paji Honeychild Yankarr. Credit:John Feely

The paintings seem to vibrate on the walls, to murmur and hum. Each one is particular to the country of the artist, how they see their world; they are memory and knowledge and stories handed down. Every image has a soul. This is a house full of spirits and dreaming, full of layers and layers of information. It is a perspective, a dimension that most people never see, the country through the collective eyes of so many First Nation people, often portrayed from an aerial view of a landscape that is sentient and ever-changing. It is a collection that has been bought to be lived with, slept with, eaten with, admired. And it is, says Michael, peaceful. We never get sick of it. The zany, the exuberant, the poignant, the storytelling, the wild colour splashes, the allegorical stories of Aboriginal life, the energy and fervour; they all have so much to offer.  In addition to big names like Nora Wompi, Jukuja Dolly Snell, Prince of Wales from Darwin, Patrick Mung Mung, Paddy Bedford, Queenie McKenzie, Terry Nagamandala Wilson, James Iyuna, Mabel Juli and Arnhem Land bark painter John Mawurndjul, the collection, from across the country, includes weaving, clay, wood, wire and fibre sculptures, ceramics from the Hermannsburg potters west of Alice Springs, relatives of Albert Namatjira, shells decorated with pearls from the Kimberley, a pair of shoes painted by Keturah Nangala Zimran, bark paintings from Arnhem Land and, hanging from the ceiling, artworks made from ghost nets that are left in the sea by fisherman and entangle the marine life from Thursday Island. The Horton collection features vibrant paintings by artists from Warlayirti Artists in Balgo, Western Australia. Credit:John Feely

For Dame Rosie there is an emotional connection to the work; this collection is about love. It is not about investment, says dealer, Suzanne O'Connell. She won't buy because works are popular or not popular; she has to fall in love with them. It is a friendly, warm collection. Dame Rosie wants the art to be happy. On the very rare occasion she doesn't feel a work is happy in the location she has chosen, or it doesn't like us, it will be moved along to a place where it might be happier. Walking with her around the pieces, you see an intimate relationship. She is visibly moved by each one in a different way; it could be from her relationship with the artist from many trips to communities to meet them or perhaps from knowing their story. Cara Pinchbeck, senior curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of NSW, was on a trip with the Hortons to the Kimberley last year. She saw, she says, how they respond to art and artists and have conversations with them. They are open, honest people with heart. 'They respond to art and artists and have conversations with them. They are open, honest people with heart.' Cara Pinchbeck, senior curator, AGNSW There is mischievous chatter, Rosie believes, from the 45 painted rainforest region Bagu fire sticks assembled on the floor of the living room, that invoke mystical spirits of fire. The ceramic fire sticks have faces. Some of them are quite ancient. Dame Rosie chats back to them.

When I have been away the first thing I do is come and see how they are. And I swear they smile. Everyone thinks I'm nuts. I put them here because they didn't like being on the wall, they told me. If you put them in the wrong place they get sniffy. When they first came on the market, she bought half of them and Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art bought the other half. Michael Horton in the kitchen among many weavings from across Australia, including works from Maningrida Art Centre, Northern Territory. Credit:John Feely The Hortons are in their 80s and have told their children that they won't inherit the collection. The Horton Contemporary Aboriginal Art Collection will eventually go to the Art Gallery of NSW. It is far too big to give to one person anyway, says Michael. What would they do with it? They already donate a painting every year to the Brisbane Children's Hospital  so many of the patients are young Aboriginal children and they absolutely relate to it, says Michael. They have also bought and bequeathed five other major pieces to the Art Gallery of NSW. Dame Rosie Horton. Credit:John Feely

And they watched the comparably fabulous Laverty art collection of Dr Colin and Mrs Liz Laverty being broken up around the time of his death in 2013. The Lavertys were mentors to us, says Michael. Our whole philosophy, says Dame Rosie, has been we've bought the art, we love the art and we want the art to go on feeling safe and loved and that has been our whole modus operandi, to look after the art. "It is going to go somewhere where it's loved and looked after and not just left for someone to walk in and say, right, we're getting rid of this and we're getting rid of that. The collection goes unencumbered so they can use as they see fit. And we feel very happy about that. 'We love the art and we want the art to go on feeling safe and loved. And that has been our whole modus operandi.' Dame Rosie Horton The Hortons were never collectors until Dame Rosie had an epiphany on an art cruise around Australia's northern coast nearly 20 years ago. I walked into this gallery and couldn't believe what I saw. I'd never seen art like that. A switch turned on.

A year later she bought her first piece, a flower painting by Angelina George who happened to be sitting by the desk when she visited the Karen Brown Fine Art Gallery in Darwin. I couldn't believe that this tiny under-five-foot Aboriginal woman had done these colossal paintings. And she said it's easy. She gets a huge canvas and she sits on the ground and she starts at the top or the bottom depending on how she feels. And as she went along, she rolled it up. And when she got to the end, she unwound it and it was perfect. She said, 'I pretend I know I'm a bird and I'm painting what the bird sees'. Every corner is a home for art. Credit:John Feely But back then, Michael said 'if you like it so much, you can buy it yourself'. When she told her banker in New Zealand what she was buying, he initially refused to send her the money, saying she was irresponsible. Dame Rosie prevailed, as you suspect she always does. Now Michael painstakingly catalogues the collection. Michael sees it from a different angle, she says. "He is the intellectual side, I'm the fluffy side. Curator Cara Pinchbeck says if a work refers to a botanical species, a particular plant, he will research that plant".

They have since bought more paintings from Angelina George and each one of her five sisters, known as the Joshua sisters. We are very fond of Angelina, says Dame Rosie. Michael ended up having breakfast meetings with Angelina, and she would teach me words. Terracotta pots by Dawn Ngala Wheeler from the Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation reference the Ntaria church in the Northern Territory where her father was the pastor. Credit:John Feely From there, says Dame Rosie, we just became more and more captivated.Their recent acquisitions of bark paintings from Arnhem Land, says Michael, have given us so much joy. For many years, the couple has lived between Auckland and the Gold Coast. Dame Rosie doesn't like to be away from the collection for too long. When they are in New Zealand, I come over every month to check they are all happy and everything is fine and then go back. But they have been stuck in Australia because of COVID-19 for the past six months. They haven't said to me 'for God's sake, go home, we are sick of you' yet. She mentions that there is another painting being delivered this afternoon and Michael doesn't know about it. Will he mind? Yes.
President Donald Trump says he can win New York state, which would make him the first Republican presidential candidate to do so since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Over the last six months whats happened is insane. Its insane. So were going to try very hard to win New York and that will be the first time  is that since Ronald Reagan, I guess? Since Ronald Reagan, Trump told The New York Post in a new interview Thursday.

Trump said he believes his former home state is in play against Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in the 2020 election because of an increase in violent crime and high taxes.

I will bring down taxes and Ill make sure that New York City is a safe place. I mean, this is one of our cherished  this is a cherished diamond of this country. And we cant let this happen to New York, Trump said. Were going to look into SALT, were going to look into crime, were going to look into all of the things and solve the problems  of many problems that they have in New York.The state sued the Trump administration last year over the 2017 tax overhaul that capped SALT (State And Local Tax) deductions at $10,000.

President Trump needs to stop lying, Gov. Andrew Cuomos communications director Peter Ajemian told the Post. All income tax rates are lower today than when Governor Cuomo took officethe only person who raised New York State taxes was Trump with SALT.

Trump, who was born in New York and famously lived in NYCs Trump Tower for years, changed his primary residence to Florida last year and has frequently criticized Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Trump said that he plans to make campaign stops in New York state and his advisers think the GOP can flip as many as five congressional seats, including in Upstate New York. The Trump-friendly 22nd District, where Utica Democrat Anthony Brindisi beat Claudia Tenney by less than two points in 2018, is expected to be one of the top battlegrounds in November.

The Post reports Trump also showed reporters a map of New Yorks 2016 presidential election results, featuring much of the state in red. Trump won more counties than Democrat Hillary Clinton, but lost the state by nearly 22 points largely due to downstate voters.

According to 270towin.com, New York has primarily been a blue state since the Great Depression. A Republican presidential candidate hasnt received more than 40% of the states popular vote since George H.W. Bush in 1988; Reagan was the last GOP candidate to win the state in 84 with 54% of the vote.

Who would not vote for me? Trump asked the Post. We did well last time, but to get over 50 percent is hard for a Republican. But were putting New York in play. Were going to play it very strong and very hard. And we are going to try to win New York.
Mike Pompeo

The US looks forward to strengthen the bilateral partnership with Pakistan by expanding trade and working together to protect fundamental freedoms in the years to come, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said as he greeted Pakistanis on the occasion of their 74th Independence Day.

Pakistan is celebrating their Independence Day on Friday.

"On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and the American people, I extend greetings and best wishes to the people of Pakistan as you celebrate your Independence Day," Pompeo said on Thursday.

"The United States looks forward to strengthening our bilateral partnership by expanding US-Pakistan trade and working together to protect fundamental freedoms in the years to come," he said.

For more than 70 years, the US and Pakistan have worked together on issues of critical importance, Pompeo said. "Last year, despite many challenges, we have made notable progress in advancing the Afghan peace process, and our health and economic cooperation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is saving lives," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:21:57|Editor: huaxia

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CHENGDU, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Air China has resumed flying on the route linking Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Germany's Frankfurt that was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is the first direct route between western China and Europe that has resumed since a reward and suspension mechanism was announced by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The route is flown by an Airbus A330-200 every Thursday. The first flight took off at 12:35 p.m. Thursday, and the return flight brought 182 passengers back to Chengdu on Friday.

Air China said it has formulated plans on epidemic prevention and control for the resumption of flights.

China has resumed regular passenger flights to 20 countries, Wu Shijie, deputy director of the Office of Aviation Safety of CAAC, said on Thursday.

In July, the country's civil aviation industry handled a total of 370,000 flights, with an average daily volume of 11,941 flights, according to CAAC statistics. Enditem
Anthony Michael Hall (seen last year) has apologized for a hotel pool tirade

Famed 1980s 'Brat Pack' actor Anthony Michael Hall has apologized after launching into an expletive-filled tirade and flipping off other guests in a hotel pool.

Hall, 52, was caught on camera on Wednesday the South Congress Hotel pool in Austin, Texas as he laced into other guests for an unspecified 'disrespect' he said they'd committed.

'I am deeply sorry for my words and actions and ask for forgiveness from anyone who I may have offended,' Hall told TMZ in an apology to the hotel's entire staff, his family, and everyone who witnessed the incident.

'As a result of a misunderstanding and miscommunication between myself and some hotel guests, the situation needlessly and regrettably escalated,' he said.

Hall, 52, was caught on camera on Wednesday the South Congress Hotel pool in Austin, Texas as he laced into other guests for an unspecified 'disrespect' he said they'd committed

Hall displayed his middle fingers as he launched into a cuss-filled tirade at other hotel guests

In footage obtained by TMZ, Hall can be seen repeatedly flipping off several other pool patrons, calling them 'disrespectful' and telling them they are 'full of s***.'

It's not clear from the video what started the dispute, but witnesses claim that Hall was being rude to the other guests, blasting his music and cursing in front of kids in the pool.

When he was asked to tone it down, the dispute apparently began, with Hall cursing.

At one point, Hall refers to the woman filming his tantrum as Rosie O'Donnell and splashes water toward her.

Citing sources, TMZ reports that hotel security was called, and that Hall left the pool area without incident. Police were not called.

Hall made his acting breakout at age 13 in 1983 as Rusty Griswold in National Lampoon's Vacation, where he caught the attention of the film's screenwriter John Hughes.

Hall repeatedly flipped the bird (left) and then splashed water in anger at the poolgoers (right)

Hall (seen with Haviland Morris in Sixteen Candles) was a member of the 'Brat Pack' of young actors in teen coming-of-age films of the 1980s

His roles in roles The Breakfast Club (above) and other teen coming-of-age movies established him as the iconic nerd of 1980s cinema

Anthony Michael Hall and Kelly Lebrock are seen above in the 1985 film Weird Science

Hughes went on to direct Hall in Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science, typically playing characters who are likable geeks.

The roles established him as the iconic nerd of 1980s cinema, as well as a member of the 'Brat Pack' of young actors in teen coming-of-age films of the era.

In more recent years, he had the leading role in the USA Network series The Dead Zone from 2002 to 2007, and has made TV guest appearances on shows including Community and Z Nation.

Hall has spoken openly of his troubles with alcohol, which began in his teens, but says that by 1990 he was fully sober.

In 2016, the Los Angeles District Attorney charged Hall with felony assault with serious bodily injury following a September 13 confrontation with a neighbor at Hall's Playa del Rey condominium complex.

He pleaded no contest in the case and avoided jail time, getting three years of probation instead.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani reacted with a three-day delay to The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council's letter to the United Nations Security Council demanding an extension to the arms embargo against Iran.

Rouhani told Persian Gulf states' leaders on Wednesday August 12 that "Iran's military power is in the interest of the whole region."

Meanwhile, he repeated several times in his statement made during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that "Iran's weapons and military power are not going to be used against our neighbors."

Meanwhile he warned the Persian Gulf heads of states that "The United States might take advantage of them for its own interests."

Rouhani's comments about not using Iranian weapons against the Gulf states were made while people and the media in the region still remember That Yemens Houthis targeted Saudi Arabia with Iranian missiles. Saudi officials and their regional allies have officially charged that the Houthis used missiles delivered to them by Iran against Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis drone attacks on Saudi oil installations have caused tremendous damage, however, Iran denies involvement in the strikes.

Meanwhile, after one of the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Hossein Shariatmadari, the editor of Kayhan newspaper who has been appointed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei provocatively headlined his report on the event as: "Ansarullah Fires Missiles on Riyadh. Next target Dubai."

Iran also threatened in January that it will attack Dubai in case of any retaliation for an Iranian strike on U.S. bases in Iraq.

Earlier, various Iranian military commanders and other civilian officials including Ali Aghamohammadi, a senior adviser to Khamenei had threatened since mid-2010s that Iran might target U.S. and British interests in the Gulf states, particularly in Dubai in case U.S. threats against Iran intensifies.

Meanwhile, Iranian forces have been accused of disrupting the security of the United Arab Emirates several times by attacking civilian shipping in its ports.Iranian military commanders including IRGC commander Hossein Salami and President Hassan Rouhani have occasionally warned that U.S. interests in the Persian Gulf region are within reach of Iranian forces.

The UN Security Council has issued several resolutions and enforced an arms embargo against Iran during the past 13 years. Nonetheless, upon the conclusion of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the Council issued resolution number 2231 according to which the embargo will end on 18 October 2020.

The United States has been trying to ensure that the arms embargo against Iran is extended beyond October 2020. Washington presented a new draft resolution to the Security Council on Tuesday and asked UNSC members to express their views about the draft by mid-day on Wednesday.

Rouhani also tried to cast doubt on the origins of the GCC letter: "It is not clear who was in favor and who was against the letter. It was not an official session. It was one person's decision who asked for putting Iran under pressure by extending the deadline for the end of the embargo."

He said any new plan to extend the embargo would be a gross violation of the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) and those who table such moves will be responsible for its consequences.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote in an article in Iran Daily that the UNSC members will stop the United States move which he called "an attempt to destroy what has remained of international law and multilateralism."

In another development, Iran's UN Envoy Majid Takht Ravanchi wrote in a tweet that the new draft resolution presented by the United States violates Resolution 2231," and said he was sure that the UNSC would reject it.
Driver of the Nissan Dualis (2nd from left) being led away under police escort. Inset: The Nissan Dualis SUV, essential to the case, showing its blown right front tire that brought it to a halt.

In a dramatic police operation which culminated around 10am in Campden Park on Sunday 9th August, three persons were taken into police custody, in relation to an earlier incident in Peruvian Vale that left one man dead.





According to an eye witness account of what transpired in Campden Park, police officers were seen alighting from three vehicles, two of which carried private licence plates.





The officers surrounded a Nissan Dualis SUV, registration number PY826, which was stuck in traffic, and demanded that the passengers disembark.





The driver, a male, is said to have failed to comply with the police order and set the car in a forward motion away from the lawmen.





One of the police officers opened fire hitting the front right tire of the vehicle, causing it to have to come to a stop.





When the jeep came to a halt, a male and a female passenger surrendered to the officers, but the driver had to be physically removed by the lawmen. They were all taken into police custody and taken, it is alleged, to different locations.





According to reliable information, the driver, (name to come), who goes by the nickname Russian, was recently released from prison.





Robbery botched  one dead





A police officer who was involved in the Campden Park operation said that the incident which developed there came as a result of another incident that took place in Peruvian Vale, in the wee hours of Sunday.





The report is that Campden Park resident Keithon James, 20, was shot dead by police when they, having been summoned to a report of burglary at the Go 2 Restaurant, returned fire after being shot at by the deceased.





According to a relative of James, he is the son of a former police officer popularly known as Wanga, who is now a practising lawyer in the British Virgin Island (BVI).





James was jailed for two months in December 2018 for threatening a witness in an attempt murder case against him. He was freed, July 2019, of the attempted murder charge.





His death followed closely on that of Juan Abbott-Balcombe, 29, who was shot and killed by police in Langley Park, Georgetown. A police report claimed that he opened fire on officers after he was instructed to stop and drop a gun he is alleged to have had in his possession.

Acting on Intelligence





THE VINCENTIAN understands that the police operation in Campden Park was mounted based on intelligence the lawmen received following the Peruvian Vale incident.





The operation began with the lawmen trailing the Nissan Dualis SUV as referenced, in three vehicles.

According to reliable source, a number of persons who were recently released from prison have since been detained in relation to the Peruvian Vale incident.





The Nissan Dualis SUV, meanwhile, was transported by a flatbed tow truck to Kingstown where it was expected to remain under police guard.





Police Investigations into the robbery and related incidents are said to be ongoing
Diane Bondaress/AP/Shutterstock Robert Trump (left) and his older brother Donald Trump in 1999

Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert, has been hospitalized and the president plans to visit him, the White House said Friday.

Robert's exact condition was not immediately clear and White House aides did not respond on the record to further questions about his health.

Trump, 74, told reporters at the White House that Robert is in the hospital and "having a hard time."

I have a wonderful brother," Trump said. "Weve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one  thats a long time. Hes in the hospital right now and hopefully hell be alright. Hes having a hard time.

The president did not answer a question about what caused Robert to be taken to the hospital.

ABC News, which first reported Robert's hospitalization, cited multiple sources describing the 71-year-old as "very ill."

According to the network, Robert had been in intensive care in June in New York City.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Donald Trump (right) hugs his brother Robert Trump (left) after delivering his acceptance speech in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City

Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Donald Trump, Ivana Trump, Robert Trump and Blaine Trump at the Rainbow Room in New York City

Amid his health issues, Robert fought a legal battle this summer against his niece, Mary Trump, over her scathing tell-all about the president and their family  which included scenes of the younger Robert sometimes being tormented by his older brother.

Robert went to work with his family's real estate businesses after a stint on Wall Street but, according to the BBC in 2018, he was "said not to court publicity and prefers a quieter life."

The president's brother told Page Six in 2016 that he was gainfully retired" and living on Long Island.

The Trumps' oldest brother, Fred Trump Jr., died in 1981 after years of alcoholism. The eldest Trump brother was Mary's father and died at 42.

Story continues

Mary had engaged in a legal battle with her uncles, Robert and Donald, this summer over the release of her new memoir.

Robert unsuccessfully argued in court this summer that Mary had violated a 2001 confidentiality agreement she had signed with her uncles by releasing the book.

"I and the rest of my entire family are so proud of my wonderful brother, the president, and feel that Marys actions are truly a disgrace, Robert told The New York Times in a statement in June.

A court ruled in favor of Mary and she released the best-selling book in July.

Robert had largely remained outside the public eye in recent years, despite his older brother's daily headline-grabbing statements and actions as president.

He was previously married to Blaine Trump for 25 years before they got divorced in 2008.

Robert was on hand to celebrate his brother's 2016 election win  hugging the president-elect, after the latter delivered his acceptance speech, and then went to find his brother in the crowd at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City.

Robert also has two older sisters: retired U.S. appeals court judge Maryanne Trump Barry, 83, and 78-year-old Elizabeth Trump Grau, who worked in banking.
Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

A historic oil industry downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic has yet to reach bottom for drilling rig operators who this week saw the rig count continue to fall despite higher commodity prices.

The number of active drilling rigs in the United States fell to 244 on Friday, according to the Baker Hughes Rig Count. The figures mark a three-rig decline from the previous week and a 74 percent drop from the 935 active rigs one year prior.
Two common variants in the KIF3A gene increase the risk of young children having a dysfunctional skin barrier and developing the skin condition atopic dermatitis. This, in turn, can allow environmental exposures to more easily cross the skin barrier and contribute to the development of food allergies and asthma as they grow up.

These findings, led by scientists at Cincinnati Children's, were published online Aug. 14, 2020, in Nature Communications. The first author was Mariana Stevens, PhD, and the senior corresponding author was Gurjit Khurana Hershey, MD, PhD, Director, Division of Asthma Research.

The study sheds new light on the genetic and molecular mechanisms at work in atopic dermatitis, a common condition (also known as eczema) that affects as many as 20 percent of all children. Although eczema usually resolves as children age, many children with disrupted skin barriers go on to develop more severe conditions including asthma and food allergies.

The study findings could make it easier to identify which children with eczema are most likely to progress to other allergic conditions. This would allow lifestyle interventions and other preventive therapies to be targeted toward high-risk children. The study also suggests a new target for potential treatment.

"Food allergies are rising and the causes are not entirely clear," Hershey says. "This study adds evidence to a rising theory that skin health is more closely connected to lung and gut health than many have suspected."

Two tiny SNPs play big roles in skin health

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a common genetic variation in a DNA sequence. In this study, researchers found two SNPs in the KIF3A gene that were confirmed through a series of experiments in children, as well as preclinical studies in mice, to play direct roles in developing eczema.

These SNPs (rs11740584 and rs2299007) are linked to increased water loss through the skin, dry skin and the characteristic damage seen in atopic dermatitis. Measuring the rate of this type of water loss is one method for determining how severe a child's eczema may be.

Proper function of the KIF3A gene is important because it helps cells form their primary cilia, a structure on cell surfaces that acts as an antenna to receive important signal information from other cells. Previous studies led by experts at Cincinnati Children's and others have already shown that malfunctioning KIF3A in lung tissue can lead to asthma. Likewise, malfunctions of the same gene in gut tissues can increase risk of food allergies.

Now, this study helps connect both of these allergy risks to a damaged skin barrier, which allows more allergy-triggering substances to get inside our bodies to prompt immune system over-reactions.

"We are working to better understand how skin, gut and lung health are connected. In fact, we have a grant from the National Institutes of Health to further study this connection," Hershey says.

Development underway for screening test

The research team at Cincinnati Children's has begun searching for drug compounds that might someday be useful in restoring the disrupted functions of the KIF3A gene. But the first next step based on this study will be to continue an ongoing hunt for a rapid screening test.

The new study in Nature Communications builds on findings from two other studies published earlier this year from Cincinnati Children's scientists.

In February, a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reported that the allergy risk posed by atopic dermatitis was higher than having a parent with allergic disease.

Then in April, a study in the same journal demonstrated the value of using pain-free tape stripping as a less-invasive tool than skin biopsies for gathering data about skin health.

The goal, Hershey says, would be to use skin tape strip samples to quantify KIF3A expression as a possible tool for predicting disease risk. The team is studying this approach in a group of 600 children from the Cincinnati region who were identified with atopic dermatitis early in life. This group, the first cohort of its kind in the US, will be followed for five years to directly evaluate the ability of KIF3A genetic variations and skin expression to predict disease risk.

###

About this study

This study included Cincinnati Children's co-authors from the divisions of Asthma Research, Biomedical Informatics, Developmental Biology, Human Genetics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology. The work also included collaborators from the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Department of Surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Funding sources include an NIH grant shared by three co-authors (U19AI70235); six agencies of the National Institutes of Health that support the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project; and a grant from the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1 TR001425).
One of the positive outcomes of the Covid-19 pandemic is the heightened levels of collaboration across platforms and disciplines.

Charmaine Cunningham, Associate Professor Peter Hodkinson and Professor Lee Wallis

Responsibilities

Challenges

Working together

We broke down siloes across different organisations and disciplines. It helped, of course, that a lot of the normal bureaucracy was set aside under the circumstances, but, with many barriers having been dismantled, we hope that we can continue to work together and find a way of taking the lessons learned and the good practices followed forward, said Professor Lee Wallis, head of UCTs Division of Emergency Medicine and of emergency medicine for the Western Cape Government.UCT has four postgraduate programmes in emergency medicine, including a registrar programme that trains qualified doctors as specialist emergency physicians. So it is not surprising that it was drawn in to respond to Covid-19 in March. Not only do the registrars rotate through various public sector emergency centres in Cape Town as part of their standard training,With all emergency medical services stretched to their limits, government was grateful to the university for allowing me to pull in members of the division to work on Covid-19. Their expertise, experience and flexibility were invaluable," he said.Writing provincial policies; and the design, development, set up, testing, staffing and operating of systems and infrastructure, including those required by the Covid-19 hotline and intermediate care bed facilities were among the Covid-19 responsibilities undertaken by members of the division (typically in collaboration with other teams).UCT Emergency Medicine staff were also involved in the planning of palliative care procedures, oxygen supply, the transportation of patients and the management of dead bodies  all this while keeping abreast of their academic responsibilities.Associate Professor Peter Hodkinson, along with several others from the university, was co-opted onto the Covid-19 hotline service at the Disaster Management Centre at Tygerberg Hospital during March, April and May. In June, he was moved onto the floor of the Hospital of Hope at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).Hodkinson and Charmaine Cunningham, a lecturer in the Division of Emergency Medicine, were involved in the intermediate care bed facilities."Field hospitals are typically set up in war situations or for emergency incidents, such as that created by the explosion in Beirut, and are assembled to treat traumatic injuries. Establishing a large, temporary hospital to treat medical conditions like Covid-19 is not something that had been documented and tested," Cunningham said.Even though such facilities had been set up elsewhere in the world, our work began when Europe and the [United States] were at their peaks, which made it difficult to access information. This meant we had to work out everything, including processes, staff and equipment requirements from scratch, she said.Another challenge was presented by how priorities and requirements changed. Cunningham explained: Initially, the intermediary hospitals were designed for the kind of patients who were sick but did not need acute hospitalisation. They were kind of step-down facilities. Then, as we learned that the disease progression was not as straightforward as we had thought and realised that our expectations of patients did not coincide with the needs of other hospitals, we saw we would have to accept sicker patients and the setup had to be adjusted.Among the logistical problems of the intermediate care bed facilities was getting patients home. This was resolved by making use of so-called Red Dot taxis, which comprised about 100 minibus taxis that were idle during lockdown. The vehicles were sanitised and used to transport people to isolation facilities, and those who had recovered in hospital, home.I never realised how difficult it could be  without the standard procedures of normal hospitals  to get 20 people out of a hospital, dressed, with their medication, with their discharge letter and in the taxi going home, said Hodkinson.Despite the challenges that teams faced under stressful and uncertain conditions, Wallis, Cunningham and Hodkinson concurred that the way teams  whether provincial, private or academic  pulled together was exemplary.Cunningham added: It was amazing how the teams got together and how people worked together. I mean, we pulled it off over such a short time. It took us a month to get the hospital at the CTICC together.Architects, builders, contractors, technical staff, outsourced services and healthcare workers came together. We collaborated across teams that previously we did not even know existed. That is amazing  and proves that we can do things when we have to.Among the lessons learned, Cunningham added, was the need for an effective project management system or dashboard to expedite communication between different teams and help avoid the duplication of activities and procedures.Wallis said: Weve been talking to one another across different platforms, disciplines and organisations on a daily basis during the pandemic. We need to take what we have experienced and set up systems and procedures to enable us to communicate quickly and coherently in all instances.Hodkinson agreed: We hope that a lot of things that we learned and put in place will be ongoing and will help our health systems in future. We found, for example, that the function of an intermediary hospital can be enormous and, since our hospitals are often overflowing, we are hoping to continue with this idea of intermediary hospitals.
MOSCOW - After waves of post-election protests in Belarus against the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, the opposition appeared to get a boost Friday as its self-exiled leader called for rallies in every corner of the country.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - whose campaign said she was pressured into leaving the country earlier in the week - resurfaced in a video from Lithuania calling for peaceful weekend protests "in every city."

She later announced the formation of a council to ensure the transition of power if Lukashenko were toppled and to "restore the rule of law in Belarus," she said in a statement.

The European Union, meanwhile, agreed to start the process of imposing sanctions against Belarusan officials involved in the crackdown.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, claimed he easily won over Tikhanovskaya in an election Sunday whose result have been widely denounced as rigged. Clashes between security forces and protesters quickly erupted in the most sweeping challenges to Lukashenko's grip on the country.

The protests have grown increasingly violent and workers at several state-owned factories and other major enterprises across the country have walked off the job. Tikhanovskaya's video could provide more momentum to rallies that had endured despite appearing temporarily leaderless.

Lukashenko appeared on state television Friday saying: "For now, I am alive and not abroad." He quickly pivoted to "discuss the construction sector."

Then in a message that the regime is refusing to capitulate, the Central Elections Commission announced its final election results: Roughly 80 percent of the vote went to Lukashenko. Tikhanovskaya, a surprise opposition candidate after her activist husband was arrested, received about 10 percent, according to the state count.

E.U. foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions on Belarusan officials involved in the violence.

They will draw up a list of targets in the coming days, two diplomats familiar with the discussions said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity while the meeting was ongoing.

"The authorities are taking their own people hostage," said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, whose country is sheltering Tikhanovskaya after she fled Belarus early Tuesday. "Aggression always instigates aggressive resistance. And if people previously were calmed down many times, no one knows how big is the threshold this time."

Linkevicius said Tikhanovskaya was pressured by Belarusan authorities into leaving the country after an hours-long meeting at the Central Elections Commission late Monday.

Then the next day, Tikhanovskaya released an emotional video saying she "made a very difficult decision" and "God forbid you face such a choice that I had to face." In a second video, released roughly an hour later that appeared to be taped from inside the Central Elections Commission building, Tikhanovskaya read a prepared statement that asked her supporters to stop protesting and said, "The people of Belarus have made their choice" in the election.

Tikhanovskaya's supporters believe that statement was coerced. On Friday, she reasserted that independent vote counts indicated much higher support than in the state election figures.

"In districts where the commissions counted honestly, my support stands at 60-70 percent, and even at 90 percent" in one Minsk neighborhood, she said in the video.

"We've always said that our choice should be protected only by legal, nonviolent methods, while the authorities have turned citizens' peaceful protests into bloodshed," she added.

Some European diplomats said they had relatively little leverage to influence the overall outcome of the unrest in the country, which is not an E.U. member.

Sanctions, as inevitable as they might be, will simply drive Lukashenko further into the Kremlin's arms.

"Authorities will be weaker, and that means Russia will have more chances to pressure," Linkevicius said. "I assume they will abuse Belarus even more, politically and economically."

In what appeared to be a gesture toward Moscow, Belarus said it released 32 men the country said were Russian mercenaries who were sent to incite riots ahead of the election.

The group, arrested in late July, were believed to be part of the shadowy Russian paramilitary Wagner outfit, security analysts have said. They added that it was likely the men were using Minsk as a transit hub to Africa - a common practice that would have been cleared with authorities in Belarus.

Belarus initially announced 33 men were taken into custody. The reason for the discrepancy in the numbers was not immediately clear.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during a visit to Europe this week, has not specified any possible U.S. response to the Belarus election and unrest. Washington restored diplomatic relations with Minsk for the first time since 2008 and signed a deal to sell oil to Belarus earlier this year.

"We were incredibly troubled by the election and deeply disappointed that it wasn't more free and more fair," he said in Prague during an interview Thursday with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

For now, European diplomats say they are focused on halting the violence and pushing Belarusan authorities to free opposition activists and protesters they have imprisoned in recent weeks.

The European Union, however, appeared to be holding back from full-scale sanctions against Belarus that would cripple its economy but that might eliminate their ability to escalate their response if the political showdown grows worse.

"This is an almost impossible situation," said Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, whose country, along with Lithuania and Poland, has been among the European leaders of the response to Belarus because of their border with the country.

If Lukashenko clings to power, he said, "Putin can be very happy. Lukashenko is going to be fully in his control, and that's where we'll be for the next two to three years."

European diplomats say there is little chance that Belarus is following the path of Ukraine, where pro-European protests toppled a Moscow-allied president in 2014.

"If you look at Belarus currently, we don't have any illusions," Rinkevics said. "It's not striving for Europe. It's very tied to Russia. It's not like in Ukraine, where you had a clear European path."

Artyom Shraibman of Sense Analytics, a Minsk-based political consultancy, said the Belarusan decision-makers are so "overwhelmed with the domestic pressure" that "they have no time to think about sanctions from abroad."

In several videos posted to social media, crowds of striking factory workers are asked to indicate whether they voted for Tikhanovskaya, with the vast majority responding by standing, raising their hand or cheering. In a sign of a few cracks in Lukashenko's regime, several police officers and one government official have resigned in protest.

"This is not just a solidarity chain on the streets anymore," Shraibman said. "Now the country has turned to full strike mode, and that's something that's harder to suppress, even if you instill some state of emergency."

- - -

Birnbaum reported from Riga, Latvia.
By Tomoyuki Tachikawa, KYODO NEWS - Aug 14, 2020 - 21:53 | World, All, Japan

The recent arrest of a female Hong Kong pro-democracy activist under the national security law pushed by Beijing has made Japanese aware of the severity of human rights issues in the territory, stirring up anti-Chinese sentiment among them.

Agnes Chow, dubbed "Goddess of Democracy," played a key role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement that called for democratic change in the former British colony and she has delivered her messages to around 500,000 followers on Twitter in Japanese.

Related coverage:

Japanese come out in support of arrested Hong Kong activist

Hong Kong activist, media mogul released after arrests: local media

Media mogul Jimmy Lai vows to fight on for Hong Kong freedom

As conservative Japanese lawmakers, who place importance on the alliance with the United States, have urged Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to review his diplomatic strategy toward China, Chow's arrest may become another trigger to complicate ties between Beijing and Tokyo.

"Agnes Chow is well-known in Japan. If China wants to maintain amicable relations with Japan in the midst of escalating tensions with the United States, it should not have arrested her," a diplomatic source in Beijing said.

In the wake of her arrest, which has been reported for consecutive days, a larger number of Japanese people have "eventually recognized China as a country that ignores human rights," the source said. Her fans "will never forgive the Chinese Communist Party."

The 23-year-old pro-democracy activist, who has appealed the plight of Hong Kong in fluent Japanese on television and via social networks, has attracted media attention. She said she taught herself the language as she was absorbed in Japanese comics and animations.

What came to her mind during the detention were the lyrics of the hit song "Fukyowaon (Disharmony)," which depict a firm stance against pressures from others, sung by popular Japanese all-female dance performance group Keyakizaka46.

Chow has been "active" in discussing "Hong Kong's quest for a more democratic political system to Japanese people in Japanese," said Stephen Nagy, a senior associate professor at International Christian University in Tokyo.

A 42-year-old Japanese male worker in Beijing said, "I have become interested in Hong Kong affairs since last year thanks to Goddess of Democracy, although I know she said in the past that she did not like this nickname."

Chow also received media exposure when massive demonstrations sparked in Hong Kong by a now-withdrawn extradition bill with mainland China morphed into an anti-government movement in 2019, with protesters seeking a probe into police use of force.

After the former student group leader was arrested on Monday, the hashtag #FreeAgnes was trending on Japanese Twitter in an outpouring of support for Chow.

The hashtag had been used by more than 178,000 Twitter accounts as of Tuesday afternoon. At least another 57,000 had used a hashtag saying in Japanese, "We protest the arrest of Agnes Chow."

In late June, the mainland enacted the national security law for Hong Kong to crack down on what it views as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, apparently aiming to quell protests against the pro-Beijing government in the territory.

Since then, many Western nations, including the United States and Britain, have been lambasting the sweeping legislation for jeopardizing freedoms and human rights in the special administrative region, where democracy is supposed to be guaranteed.

Under China's "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong was promised it would enjoy the rights and freedoms for 50 years following its return to Chinese rule in 1997.

In July, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order to fully end the special treatment extended to Hong Kong under American law, saying he will hold China accountable for its "oppressive actions" against the people of the territory.

Chow was released one day after she was arrested for alleged breaches of the national security legislation, but she is "set to be prosecuted," a source familiar with Chinese politics said.

Speaking to reporters outside a police station, Chow said she had been arrested four times while engaging in social activities in Hong Kong. The latest one, however, was the "scariest," she added.

"The reason for arrest I was told was that I colluded with foreign forces by using SNS since July," but "I don't understand why I was arrested" as the accusations were vague, she said. "The national security law was certainly used for political suppression."

Another diplomatic source in Beijing said, "If more Japanese people feel sympathy for her, anti-Chinese sentiment would grow further, hurting relations between the two countries."

China-Japan ties have been improving by effectively shelving their territorial dispute in the East China Sea and they are believed to be eager to work in tandem to revitalize their economies hit hard by the pandemic of the new coronavirus.

Nevertheless, the enforcement of the national security legislation and Chow's arrest would prevent the two Asian powers from getting any closer.

Nagy said, "Japanese businesses will watch the situation carefully to test whether the arrest of Chow and others is eroding the business environment in Hong Kong and mainland China."

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping's first state visit to Japan since he took power in 2013, which has been delayed owing to the virus epidemic, may not be realized against a backdrop of backlash from the public at home and the United States.

A Japanese government source in Tokyo said, "Given future relations with China, it is extremely difficult to invite President Xi to visit Japan."
Hong Kong: Hospital nurse initially tests positive

The Hospital Authority today said that a female nurse of Kowloon Hospital who preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 most likely contracted the virus from the community.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the authoritys Chief Manager (Clinical Effectiveness & Technology Management) Dr Linda Yu said the nurse, who works in the extended care ward, last performed duties on August 11.

"We understand that her family member was confirmed positive on August 12, and she developed symptoms on the same day.

So we believe that the likely source of the transmission is from the community.

The nurse presented with a sore throat and fever and attended the Accident & Emergency Department of United Christian Hospital on August 12.

Her test result was preliminarily positive on August 13 and she was admitted to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for treatment under isolation.

The nurse wore appropriate personal protective equipment as well as performed vigilant hand hygiene at work.

She did not come into contact with any COVID-19 patients while performing duties in Kowloon Hospital and was not required to perform high-risk medical procedures for patients in the past two weeks.

The Kowloon Hospitals infection control team immediately initiated contact tracing. Initial investigations indicated that three staff members in the ward have had meals with the nurse during breaks.

One of them has been listed as a close contact and will be quarantined. The other two staff members have been classified as other contacts and will be put under medical surveillance.

No patient has been classified as a close contact.

As a precautionary measure, COVID-19 tests were arranged for 24 patients in the ward and other staff members who have worked with the nurse in the ward.

All the test results were negative.

Dr Yu emphasised that healthcare workers are well protected from the virus.

Because our healthcare staff have infection control training and they wear appropriate personal protective equipment, we believe that the risk of transmitting the disease to others in the hospital is low."

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Trump administration has seized the cargo of four tankers it was targeting for transporting Iranian fuel to Venezuela, U.S. officials said Thursday, as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against the two heavily sanctioned allies.

Last month, federal prosecutors in Washington filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that the sale was arranged by a businessman with ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. At the time, sanctions experts thought it would be impossible to enforce the U.S. court order in international waters.

A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that no military force was used in the seizures and that the ships weren't physically confiscated. Rather, U.S. officials threatened ship owners, insurers and captains with sanction to force them to hand over their cargo, which now becomes U.S. property, the official said.

It is not clear where the vessels or their cargoes currently are. Prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline. But the tankers  the Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna  never arrived at the South American country and then went missing. Two of the ships later reappeared near Cape Verde, a second U.S. official said.

Both officials agreed to discuss the sensitive diplomatic and judicial offensive only if granted anonymity.

Iran's ambassador to Venezuela, Hojad Soltani, pushed back on what would appear a victory for the U.S. sanctions campaign, saying Thursday on Twitter that neither the ships nor their owners were Iranian.

This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the U.S. propaganda machine, Soltani said. The terrorist #Trump cannot compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran using false propaganda."

As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro's socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran.

In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital, Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships.

Despite sitting atop the world's largest crude reserves, Venezuela doesn't produce enough domestically refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid its economic crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions.

The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices  both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.
TRENTON  Already embroiled in litigation, the Diocese of Trenton has been freshly accused of negligence for its failure to prevent childhood sex abuse.

Three lawsuits filed in Mercer County Superior Court on Thursday allege the diocese had negligently retained child-molesting priests who posed a dangerous condition toward youthful parishioners on church property.

These priests include former clergy members Ronald R. Becker, Douglas U. Hermansen and Joseph F. McHugh, men previously identified by the Diocese of Trenton as sexual predators.

Becker, who died in 2009, previously had assignments at the Incarnation Church in Ewing and Holy Angels in Hamilton. He engaged in unpermitted sexual contact with a 12-year-old vulnerable child in 1982, according to the allegations in a plaintiffs lawsuit.

McHugh, now deceased, previously had assignments at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade and Saint Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton Square. From approximately 1980 to 1982, McHugh molested a child aged 10 to 12, according to the allegations in another plaintiffs lawsuit.

McHugh also pleaded guilty to third-degree endangering the welfare of a child by sexual conduct in 2005, receiving five years of probation at his 2006 sentencing hearing in Monmouth County Superior Court, records show.

Hermansen, an ex-priest removed from ministry, previously had assignments at St. Raphael in Hamilton, St. Rose of Lima in Freehold and as a chaplain at Notre Dame High School in Lawrence. From approximately 1985 to 1986, Hermansen is accused of sexual abuse on a child aged 12 to 13, according to a separate lawsuit filed by a third plaintiff.

The Diocese of Trenton last year publicly identified 31 former clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor, including Becker, Hermansen and McHugh.

Greg Gianforcaro, the attorney who filed three separate civil-action complaints against the Diocese of Trenton on Thursday on behalf of three childhood sexual abuse victims, said his clients are going to require counseling, therapy for the rest of their lives, and they did nothing to deserve that.

We are looking for accountability, he added. They are looking to get their voice back, and they are looking for accountability.

Gianforcaro previously represented the victim in McHughs criminal case.

Being involved at that sentencing, he said Thursday in an interview with The Trentonian, I can tell you it was an emotional day for my client and his family and it absolutely meant a lot to them that McHugh was being convicted. That was a big day.

There is no doubt that there are many many more McHugh, Hermansen and Becker victims out there, no doubt, Gianforcaro alleged, especially when it comes to Becker and McHugh.

In the civil complaints filed Thursday, the plaintiffs all claim to have suffered sustained physical, emotional, and psychological injuries, along with pain and suffering.

The plaintiffs demand a trial by jury and monetary damages.

Another attorney, John W. Baldante, represents at least 10 plaintiffs in active lawsuits accusing the Diocese of Trenton of negligence, saying the institution failed to provide a safe environment and protective culture to children and other parishioners within the churches, sacristies, schools, rectories and other facilities overseen by the diocese.

The diocese does not comment on matters of litigation.

These civil-action complaints in Mercer County Superior Court are a microcosm of the widespread sex abuse scandals rocking the Roman Catholic Church worldwide.
Health workers across the country looked on in horror when New York became the global epicenter of the coronavirus. Now, as physicians in cities such as Houston, Phoenix and Miami face their own COVID-19 crises, they are looking to New York, where the caseload has since abated, for guidance.

The Guardian sat in on a conversation with two emergency room physicians  one in New York and the other in Houston  about what happened when COVID-19 arrived at their hospitals.

Dr. Cedric Dark, Houston: When did you start worrying about how COVID-19 would impact New York?

Dr. Tsion Firew, New York: Back in February, I traveled to Sweden and Ethiopia for work. There was some sort of screening for COVID-19 in both places. On Feb. 22, I came to New York City, and nothing  no screening. At that point, I thought, "I don't think this country's going to handle this well."

Dark: On Feb. 26, at a department meeting, one of my colleagues put coronavirus on the agenda. I thought to myself, "Why do we even need to bother with this here in Houston? This is in China; maybe it's in Europe?"

Firew: On March 1, we had our first case in New York City, which was at my hospital. Fast-forward 15 days and I get a call saying, "Hey, you were exposed to COVID-positive patients." I was told to stay home.

Dark: My anxiety grew as I saw what was happening in Italy, a country I've visited several times. I remember seeing images of people dying in their homes and mass graves. I started to wonder, "Is this what we'll see over here? Are my colleagues going to be dying? Is this something that's going to get me or my wife, who's also an ER doctor? Are we going to bring it home to our son?"

In March, we repurposed our urgent care pod, which has eight beds, into our coronavirus unit. And for a while, that was enough.

Firew: In late March, health workers without symptoms were told to come back to work. It felt like a tsunami hit. I've practiced in very low-resource settings and even in a war zone, and I couldn't believe what I was witnessing in New York.

The emergency department was silent  there were no visitors, and patients were very sick. Many were on ventilators or getting oxygen. The usual human interactions were gone. Everybody was wearing a mask and gowns and there were so many people who came to help from different places that you didn't know who was who. I spent a lot more time on the phone talking to family members about end-of-life care decisions, conversations you'd normally have face-to-face.

In New York, the severity of the crisis really depended on what hospital you were at. Columbia has two hospitals  one at 168th and one at 224th  and the difference was night and day. The one on 224th is smaller and just across the bridge from the Bronx, which was hit hard by the virus.

There, people were dying in ambulances while waiting for care. The emergency department was overwhelmed with patients who needed oxygen. Its hallways were crowded with patients on portable oxygen tanks. We ran out of monitors and oxygen for the portable tanks. Staff members succumbed to COVID-19, exacerbating shortages of nurses and doctors.

My friends who work in Lower Manhattan couldn't believe some of the things we saw.

Dark: I went to medical school at NYU and have a lot of friends in New York I was checking in with at the time. I thought that in Houston, a city that's almost as big, we had the conditions for a similar crisis: It's a large city with an international airport, it attracts a lot of business travelers, and thousands of people come here each March for the rodeo.

In late March, a guy about my age came into the hospital. It was the first day we got coronavirus tests. A few days later, a nurse texted me that the patient had tested positive. He hadn't traveled anywhere  it was proof to me that we had community transmission in Houston before any officials admitted it.

You became infected, right?

Firew: In early April, I became sick, along with my husband. I never imagined that in 2020 I would be writing out a living will detailing my life insurance policy to my family. Walking from my bed to the kitchen would make my heart race; I often wondered: Is this when I drop dead like my patient the other day?

A few days before I got sick, the president had said that anybody who wanted a test could get one. But then I was on the phone with my workplace and with the department of health begging for a test.

It was also around that time that a brown-skinned physician who was about my age died from COVID-19. So I knew being in my mid-30s wouldn't protect me. I was even more worried when my husband became ill because, as a Black man, his chances of dying from this disease were much higher than mine. We both recovered, but I still have some fatigue and shortness of breath.

When did cases pick up in Houston?

Dark: We saw a gradual increase in cases throughout April, but it stayed relatively calm because the city was shut down. The hospital was kind of a ghost town because no one was having elective procedures. Things were quiet until Texas reopened in May.

I remember when I lost my first COVID patient. He started to crash right in front of me. We started CPR and I ran the algorithms through my mind trying to think how we could bring him back, but kept ending up at the same conclusion: This is COVID and there's nothing I can do.

It's like serving on the front lines of a war. We initially struggled to find our own personal protective equipment while the hospitals worked to secure the supply chain. Although that situation has stabilized, a lot of patients who come in for non-COVID reasons wind up testing positive. COVID is everywhere.

Our patient population is heavily Latino and Black and, for a time, our hospital had some of the highest numbers of COVID cases among the nearly two dozen hospitals in the Texas Medical Center network. It's revealed the fault lines of a preexisting issue in terms of inequities in health care.

As area hospitals fill up, they reallocate additional floors to COVID patients. Who knows, if we don't get this under control, maybe one day the whole hospital will be COVID.

Firew: Now I'm just chronically angry. The negligence came from the top all the way down. Our leaders do not lead with evidence  we knew what was going to happen when states reopened so quickly.

Dark: Yeah, this was completely avoidable, had the governor [Texas Gov. Greg Abbott] decided not to open up the economy too fast.

How are things in New York now?

Firew: There have been several days where I've seen zero COVID cases. If I do see a case, it's usually someone who has traveled from abroad or other states.

People are coming in for non-COVID reasons. Recently, a woman in her early 40s came in with a massive lesion on her breast. She'd started experiencing some pain three months ago, during the peak of the pandemic, and was too frightened to come to the hospital. To make matters worse, she didn't have insurance and couldn't afford the telehealth that many had access to.

By the time she made it to our hospital, the mass had metastasized to her spine and lungs. Even with aggressive treatment, she likely only has a few months to live. This is one of the many cases we're seeing now that we are back to "normal"  complications of chronic illnesses and delayed diagnoses of cancer. The burden of the pandemic layered with a broken health care system.

Dr. Tsion Firew is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Columbia University and special adviser to the minister of health of Ethiopia.

Dr. Cedric Dark is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a board member for Doctors for America.

This conversation was condensed and edited by Danielle Renwick.
India on Friday called on China to work jointly for complete disengagement and de-escalation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), saying the future of the bilateral relationship is dependent on the situation along the disputed frontier.

The external affairs ministry emphasised the need to complete the disengagement process at the earliest shortly after Indian envoy Vikram Misri met a senior general of Chinas Central Military Commission (CMC) in Beijing to brief him on New Delhis views on the situation along the border in eastern Ladakh.

Misris meeting with Maj Gen Ci Guowei, director of CMCs office of international military cooperation, came two days after the envoy met Liu Jianchao, deputy director of the Communist Party of Chinas (CPC) central committees foreign affairs commission. The meetings are part of Indias outreach to the Chinese leadership to resolve the standoff.

President Xi Jinping heads CMC, which is responsible for the administration of the armed forces. Misri briefed Maj Gen Ci on Indias stance vis-a-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh UT (union territory), the Indian embassy tweeted without giving details.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava told a news briefing that several meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs and corps commanders had discussed the implementation of the disengagement process and further steps to ensure it is completed at the earliest. More meetings are likely in the near future, he said.

We, therefore, expect the Chinese side to sincerely work with us towards the objective of complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas as agreed by the Special Representatives, Srivastava said.

This is also necessary and essential in the context of the overall development of our bilateral relationship. As external affairs minister [S Jaishankar] had noted in a recent interview, the state of the border and the future of our ties cannot be separated, he added.

Srivastava said completing the disengagement as soon as possible will require the two sides to work together. While we would like the ongoing disengagement process to be completed at the earliest, it is important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides, he said.

The process of thinning out tens of thousands of troops deployed by both sides has run into problems at some friction points, particularly Pangong Lake and Depsang, people familiar with developments said.

Srivastava noted both sides had made some progress after reaching agreement on the broad principles of disengagement, but more needs to be done. He said, Translating these principles on the ground is a complex process that requires redeployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC.

He added, It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions.

Engagements through diplomatic and military channels to ensure complete disengagement are in line with the agreement of the Special Representatives on the border issue  National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and foreign minister Wang Yi  that early and complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC and de-escalation from India-China border areas in accordance with bilateral agreements and protocols and full restoration of peace and tranquillity was essential for the smooth overall development of bilateral relations, Srivastava said.

The Indian envoys two meetings in Beijing this week followed several rounds of diplomatic and military negotiations held since June. They also came against the backdrop of experts suggesting political intervention at the highest level is required to end the impasse.

The Indian embassy hasnt shared details of the two meetings, or, for that matter, why they were held as the Communist party hierarchy and the Chinese government are aware of Indias stance on the border. The Chinese side too has been silent on the meetings

At the top of the hierarchies of CPC and the government is President Xi, who is the general secretary of CPC and chair of CMC.

Chinese troops are said to have pulled back from the Galwan Valley, the scene of the June 15 clash that resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and unspecified Chinese casualties, and some friction points, but the troop withdrawal hasnt moved forward in the Finger Areas of Pangong Lake, Gogra and Depsang.

Sameer Patil, a fellow for international security studies at Gateway House, said the Indian envoys meetings in Beijing reflected a fresh effort by the leadership in New Delhi to push forward the disengagement after discussions at the diplomatic and military levels failed to yield results.

Between the bad and worse options available to India, the best way out is political intervention at the highest level. However, if the Chinese side doesnt show any inclination to disengage even after this, that is a signal with significant implications and it could further jeopardise the entire relationship, he said.

India has very little manoeuvring room left as domestic opinion is completely anti-China. It is now a game of who blinks first, he added.
When George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, his death sparked outrage and protests across the United States that have continued through the summer.

Unlike earlier deaths of black men and women at the hands of law enforcement, Floyds death launched nationwide soul searching and broader recognition that the United States suffers from systemic racism.

While traditionally reticent to take on controversial social issues, government contractors have not been isolated from the increased awareness and anguish over the impact racism has on society and the business world.

Executives from a spectrum of GovCon firms have shared in interviews how their companies reacted and the actions they have taken to address social justice issues at their companies. For many addressing systemic racism is both a moral obligation as well as a business imperative.

This is not a time to be silent, said CNSI CEO Todd Stottlemyer. You need to speak clearly and unequivocally about social and racial justice; its just the right thing to do.

Stottlemyer has been very active on his personal social media accounts talking about racial and social justice, including his view on how the U.S. cannot live up to the words in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution until the country addresses those issues. He is not alone.

Its an issue that kind of transcends all, said Viraj Gandhi, CEO of Paradyme Management. Thats why it is important for every industry to tackle it.

When you can consider the diversity of the GovCon workforce, social and racial justice issues become personal very quickly.

We recognize the disproportionate negative impact of recent events on our African-American colleagues and our communities -- they are significant, disheartening, and frightening, said Leidos CEO Roger Krone.

I focused on three main questions in my interviews with executives. Why the issue is important to government contractors? What are companies doing? How do they make sure the actions will have a lasting impact?

The comments by Krone, Stottlemyer, and Gandhi on why social justice issues are important were echoed by all of the executives I spoke with.

Maximus CEO Bruce Caswell also shared that employees expected to hear from their leadership. They want to understand what we are doing to stand with them to address these issues, Caswell said.

Axiologic Solutions initially put out a statement supporting social justice on social media and the company website. We had several employees reach out and say, Is that all you are going to be doing? said Tom Stauber, a managing partner at Axiologic.

Step one for many was to simply listen and to facilitate conversations across their company. I was told these conversations should not be senior leaders talking to the company, but leaders listening.

We spent the first couple weeks holding listening sessions with our employees to give them an opportunity to share what was on their minds, said Michelle OHara, chief human resources office for Science Application International Corp.

For senior leaders to just listen can be a challenge but listening is important. Focusing on the listening was a bit hard because your initial reaction is to want to act quickly, OHara said.

You have to understand your employees are scared, especial your African-American employees, said Charlene Wheeless, who has run marketing and communication operations at several large companies, mostly recently for Bechtel Corp. She now is an independent consultant.

For many companies, other actions either moved forward in step with the listening sessions or quickly followed them. Companies either created new diversity and inclusions groups or bolstered existing structures. The rolex of these groups ranged from mechanisms to continue the conversations to groups that will recommend for actions companies can take.

Dont just say great things, but look at your practices, your policies and the unspoken practices around your paths to success, Wheeless said.

Companies are taking several actions in light of what executives are learning via these listening sessions. These include training for employees, managers and senior leaders. In the case of SAIC, the board of directors will be taking some of the same training.

Other activities include finding ways to support employees who want to get more involved in community activities and organizations that address social justice issues. Corporate giving is also being reviewed by many companies as are relationships with historically black colleges and universities.

The concept of unconscious bias was raised by several executives and even in the short months since Floyds death awareness seems to be increasing. There is a need for training in that area because often well-intentioned people dont understand how their words and behaviors are interpreted.

Like several of the companies I spoke with, SAIC is launching an education program focused on micro-aggressions, unconscious bias and racism in the workplace. The training is starting with 2,400 of SAIC leaders and managers.

We want to create a baseline understanding of the issues because weve learned that everyone seems to be at a different level of understanding, OHara said. The training will roll out to all employees and the board.

Weve hired an outside advisor to help educate and advise both management and the board, OHara said. We see this as being a shared accountability and responsibility for advancing inclusion and diversity just as there is around business and finance.

There also is agreement among the executives that diversity is good for business.

We have to truly live out that value statement around diversity and inclusion where people, anybody, would want to be part of my company and really believe that they do belong, Stottlemyer said. It's not only an imperative because it's the right thing to do. I also think it's very good for my business.

OHara points to research that has shown diversity fosters creativity and innovation. But along with diversity, inclusion is critical. People really need to be given an opportunity to be heard, to participate and to have opportunities, she said.

That is one of the lessons from the conversations on race that the companies have started. We have to ensure that we are creating an environment where employees feel that they can voice concerns about hard topics, Caswell said.

Making a culture of inclusion permanent is something all of the companies voiced concerns about. Executives spoke about the need to bring more minorities into senior management ranks but that takes time. Many of the changes will take time as well. But they also recognize the need to be intentional.

You have to have a process and culture that is always pushing on these issues, Axiologics Stauber said.
It may sound perverse, if not masochistic, to say that Ive spent weeks of quarantine watching autopsies. But these procedures have been the ultimate escape: Taking place in a distant, fictional environment, they usually involve an agent of death that isnt a volatile, out-of-control virus but a volatile, out-of-control human being. (At least a relentless persons range is limited.)

I refer to the many homicide post-mortems in the addictive BBC thriller Silent Witness, which may be the only television drama whose title character is a corpse.

Created by Nigel McCrery, a writer and former police officer, Silent Witness is also Britains longest-running crime series and one of the most enduring anywhere  at 23 seasons, it surpasses even Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Like that American production, Silent Witness features a central female character, has survived multiple cast changes and is not headed for the morgue itself. The BBC has announced at least two more seasons in which this shows brilliant forensic scientists will toil over the remains of unlucky people.

Silent Witness also offers some of the fun of Law & Order: spotting future stars in their early careers. Ive seen Idris Elba as an ambitious young boxer, Benedict Cumberbatch as a callow university student, Jodie Comer as the unfortunate subject of an exorcism and Daisy Ridley as a guilt-ridden teenager. But the most poignant performance is that of Daniel Kaluuya, who, in the 2008 episode Safe, plays an adolescent trying desperately to keep his little brother from being lured into working for a remorseless gang. (A warning: Dont count on happy endings.)
Vietnam has logged its 21st coronavirus-related death  a 61-year-old woman in the central city of Da Nang.

The patient, who was the countrys COVID-19 patient No. 585, had a history of type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, according to a statement released on Friday morning by Nguyen Trong Khoa, the Ministry of Health official in charge of COVID-19 control in Da Nang.

The woman was admitted to Da Nang Hospitals geriatric department from July 10 to 17. Afterward, she returned to her home in Hoa Vang District and came down with a fever.

She was then readmitted to Da Nang Hospital where she received emergency treatment from July 21 to 28. Doctors then transferred her to the intensive care ward once she began showing symptoms of fatigue and difficulty breathing.

She was screened for COVID-19 on July 31 and the result later came back positive.

From August 1 to August 6, the patient was quarantined and treated at the Hoa Vang District Medical Center.

She was diagnosed with pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, along with a confirmation of several underlying conditions including type-2 diabetes, hypertension, complications of urinary tract infections, and multiorgan failure.

On August 5, she showed signs of respiratory failure and vasomotor disorders and doctors decided she needed support from intubation and a ventilator.

On August 6, she was put on an ECMO machine and transferred to the Da Nang Hospital for Lung Diseases for further monitoring.

On August 11, she was removed from ECMO and treated with therapeutic plasma exchange.

Her health worsened the following day and she began showing signs of septic shock, acute liver failure, acute kidney damage, a severe drop in blood pressure, and irreversible vasomotor disorders.

The patient passed away at 10:00 pm on August 12.

Her death was attributed to pneumonia and severe respiratory failure caused by COVID-19, septic shock with multiorgan damage, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

Vietnams coronavirus tally has reached 911, with 425 having recovered and 21 fatalities as of Friday morning.

The ages of COVID-19 patients who have died in the Southeast Asian country range from 33 to 87. Most of them had severe pre-existing conditions.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
By Felix Onuah

ABUJA (Reuters) - Overturning a U.S. ban on Nigerians seeking immigrant visas will take "enormous resources", but the nation is making progress, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday.

Nigeria was among six countries in an expanded version of U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban, announced in January, which blocked their citizens from obtaining U.S. visas that can lead to permanent residency.

U.S. officials cited issues such as sub-par passport technology and failure to sufficiently exchange information on terrorism suspects and criminals.

Nigerian Interior Minister Ogbeni Aregbesola asked the U.S. ambassador in Abuja to drop the ban, but also chaired a committee to address U.S. concerns.

In a statement on Thursday, Buhari said that after suggestions from a report by the committee, they had "fully resolved" two out of six U.S. concerns, "substantially satisfied" two others and had made "some progress" on the last two.

But he said they were still drafting a "workable plan" for the report's full suggestions, which require "enormous resources."

"I am delighted that this progress, especially the uploading of Lost and Stolen Passport and Travel Documents, has been acknowledged by the United States Government," Buhari said.

A U.S. embassy spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Buhari said Nigeria would harmonize citizen identification data held by different parts of government, create a national criminal management system modelled on INTERPOL and start a national criminal DNA laboratory.

His statement did not specify what Nigeria had done already. A spokesman for Buhari directed questions to Aregbesola, who could not be immediately reached.

Nigerians can still obtain visas for study, work and travel in the United States, but, in the 2018 fiscal year, just 8,000 Nigerians obtained immigrant visas.

(Writing by Libby George; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Two words summed up Tamani Jayasinghes exuberance for the first Indian American and Black woman to run for vice president: Kamala Aunty.

That title of respect that goes beyond family in Asian circles immediately came to mind when Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate. So the 27-year-old with Sri Lankan roots tweeted it as a wink to others who understood the significance of the term.

The fact that she is both Black and brown is what makes this so exciting. The Asian American experience is one that is complicated and nuanced and robust, said Jayasinghe, who works in financial communications in New York. I feel connected to that.

Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, often focuses on her identity as a Black woman. At times during her political career, as she ran for California attorney general and senator, some didnt realize she was of Indian descent. In her first remarks as Bidens running mate on Wednesday, she spoke of her mothers roots but described herself as the first Black woman to be nominated for the vice presidency on a major party ticket.

Still, the possibility she would be the U.S. vice president, which already has triggered sexist and racist commentary, created instantaneous glee among South Asians worldwide and put the spotlight on her as the first person of Asian descent on a major party presidential ticket.

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group of eligible voters. More than 11 million Asian Americans will be able to vote in November, according to a May report by Pew Research Center.

The choice  Biden and Harris made their debut Wednesday  inspired social media musings of celebrating the Hindu festival Diwali at the White House and drawing room talks about the U.S. senators mothers journey from Chennai to California. Indian government officials of all parties noted the choice as historic, while actress Mindy Kaling  she once made masala dosa with Harris  deemed it thrilling. A top headline in The Times of India, one of the worlds most widely read English-language newspapers, read, A daughter of Chennai, Kamala blooms in US.

She is one of us, said Aleyamma Keny, a retired nurse in suburban Chicago.

The 74-year-old woman, who immigrated from southern India to the U.S. in the 1970s, said Harris joining the ticket felt like a family member had accomplished something. Like many others, Keny saw her own immigration story in the candidates mother.

Harris has called her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, her biggest influence and frequently invoked stories about the cancer researcher and civil rights activist who died in 2009. Gopalan first came to America in 1958. She attended the University of California at Berkeley, where she met and married Jamaican immigrant Donald Harris and had Kamala and her sister before the couple divorced.

Gopalan took the sisters to India to visit relatives and gave both, Kamala Devi Harris and Maya Lakshmi Harris, names rooted in Indian culture. (Kamala means lotus, Devi means goddess. Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth.)

Harris mother came to the U.S. at a time when Indians were scarce and raised her biracial daughters with the understanding that the larger American society would see them as Black. She took them to civil rights protests and wanted them to become confident, proud Black women, Harris wrote in her 2019 book, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.

A graduate of Howard University, Harris has made clear that she is both confident and proud of her Black identity. In a March 2019 radio interview, she answered a question about her identity by saying: Im Black, and Im proud of being Black. I was born Black. I will die Black, and Im not going to make excuses for anybody because they dont understand.

She did take steps during her presidential campaign, before she dropped out in December, to talk about her Indian heritage. Without much fanfare, she released a video via social media featuring photos of her Indian grandfather and talked of her visits as a child to see him.

In her speech Wednesday, Harris noted her parents heritages but ended with saying Biden is the only person whos served alongside the first Black president and has chosen the first Black woman as his running mate.

President Donald Trump struggled Wednesday to define her candidacy, repeatedly calling her nasty. Shes already been the subject of the false notion that shes ineligible to run because her parents were not born in America.

Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016, the same year three other Indian Americans  including Pramila Jayapal of Washington  won their first House terms. The first Indian American congresswoman, she said Asians also celebrated Harris as a Black woman.

It isnt just that we want her to be an Asian American sister for us. She really is representative, this biracial piece is representative of the experiences that so many immigrant communities have had, learning from the leadership of Black communities, she said. So we want her to claim all of us and we will all claim her.

Madhuri Patel, who immigrated from Gujrat, India, at the age of 6 and grew up in predominantly white Iowa, said Harris multi-layered identity would make her a more effective leader. She hoped Harris could unify the country.

For me, its always been really important that you have someone who understands the experience of being marginalized within our communities, the 45-year-old Chicago attorney said.

Zafar Bokhari, a Chicago State University professor who immigrated from Pakistan in the 1980s, said Harris was a role model for his children.

Despite skepticism about her foreign policy if elected, he said seeing a woman from the Indian subcontinent as a possible vice president was inspiring.

This is quite an achievement and I really admire the way she has presented herself, he said. She has earned this position and I respect that.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 04:13:46|Editor: huaxia

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SANTIAGO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chile on Thursday reported 380,034 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) since the onset of the pandemic and 10,299 people have died from the disease.

In the past 24 hours, tests detected 1,852 new cases and 94 more deaths were registered, according to the Health Ministry.

Of the new infections, 1,343 people were reported as having symptoms.

Some 1,259 patients are hospitalized in intensive care units, including 203 considered to be in critical condition.

Chilean health authorities said 353,131 former patients have recovered from the disease, while 16,604 cases are currently considered to be active.

Chile is under a state of catastrophe declared months ago to better enforce lockdown and social distancing measures with the help of the army and police force, including a nighttime curfew. Enditem
The government is set to turn to drone technology in the fight against desert locusts, with Kenya likely to become free from the voracious pests in the coming weeks.

According to FAO, Kenya has made significant progress and could be declared insects free at the end of the month.

Cyril Ferrand, FAOs resilience team leader for East Africa, said that only two out of the 29 counties in Kenya that were infested by desert locusts in February are yet to contain them.

In the coming days, that will drop to one county, and within three weeks Kenya should be free of large-scale infestations altogether, Ferrand said in a statement issued in Nairobi Thursday.

Agriculture CS Peter Munya identified the two counties as Samburu and Turkana, where all the efforts have been directed.

And despite making significant progress in eliminating the second generation locusts, Kenya faces the threat of possible re-infestation in February next year.

Mr Munya said the current swarms in Uganda, Somalia and Ethiopia are expected to be blown by wind towards Kenya next February.

The Minister added that the country is prepared to curb the menace. To this end, the Agriculture Ministry on Thursday announced it will dispatch drones to the affected areas.

The announcement followed a successful practical demonstration on the use of drone spraying technology in the control of locusts and quelea birds at Kilimo House grounds on Wednesday.

The demonstration was facilitated by Nairobi-based commercial drone operator, Astral Aerial, a subsidiary of cargo airline Astral Aviation.

Agriculture PS Prof. Hamadi Boga was present during the demonstration, briefly taking control of what looks like an Agras T16 (correct me if Im wrong), one of the most advanced agricultural drones.

As Kenya wins the fight against desert locusts, I held a practical demonstration on the use of drone spraying technology. This technology will be helpful in controlling migratory pests, said Boga.

Drones increase the safety, coverage and effectiveness of crop spraying exercises.

According to the T16 drone maker, Shenzhen-based company DJI, one T16 drone can spray insecticides over 10 hectares of farms every hour.

An operator can control five drones at the same time without actually being on the field. The T16 can also dodge obstacles automatically.

The T16s upgraded radar system can sense the operating environment during the day or at night, without being affected by light or dust. It has greatly improved flight safety with forward and backward obstacle avoidance and a horizontal FOV (field of view) of 100, double that of previous DJI agricultural drones. It can also detect the angle of a slope and adjust to it automatically even in mountainous terrain, DJI touts the unmanned aerial vehicle on its website.

The T16 provides different modes for flat ground, mountains, and orchards, to meet most operational needs. Up to five T16 aircraft can be controlled by a single T16 remote controller simultaneously, doubling the efficiency of single-pilot operation.

The photos from the demonstration on Wednesday.
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has warned against fake news in the fight against terrorists in Nigeria.

The President of MSSNLagos, Saheed Ashafa, made this known while reacting to questions from journalists during the organisations ongoing virtual annual conference expected to end on Sunday.

It will be recalled that there had been reports that the Islamic human rights association, Muslim Rights Concern was accused of collecting money from a terrorist group, the Islamic State for West Africa Province.

A statement from the MSSNLagos on Friday quoted Ashafa as describing the allegation as devilish.

He noted that it was an attempt to silence the Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, and Muslims.

Ashafa added, We read with utter disappointment the fake news being circulated that ISWAP is sponsoring MURIC. Unfortunately, nothing is farther from the truth. It is a clear move by some intolerant Christians to paint MURIC and its director in a bad light.

We must be cautious of cyber-bandits, fake news merchants, and their accomplices trying to undermine the war against terrorism. They are determined to cause disunity in the country, hence their attempt to blackmail MURIC, which has been outspoken against Christianization of the country.

This is indeed an attempt to blackmail Muslims, which will not succeed. Islam is a religion of peace and encourages peace.

"Such news can only be shared by sponsors and others benefitting from the insecurity and will not relent in ensuring that the status quo remains or political merchants and agents of darkness working for their Godfathers in highly placed positions. Their plan is to deploy all resources at their disposal to ensure they continue to profit from the misery of others. But they hit a wrong target this time around.

We urge security agencies to turn their searchlight to the promoters of this fake news and propaganda. They must be found and brought to book.

SIGNED:

Saheed Ashafa (PhD),

Amir (President),

Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria,

Lagos State Area Unit.

08173291878


Kia Stinger. Kia

Kenneth Gaughan of Washington, D.C., is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $2.1 million in coronavirus relief loan funding.

Additionally, he is being accused of using the money to buy himself a yacht, a row house, and a Kia Stinger.

Gaughan is also facing a separate charge of defrauding the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., of $472,000 from 2010 to 2018.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

More than $525 billion in loans have been approved through the US government's Paycheck Protection Program, intended to help businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. But one man is accused of instead spending $1.5 million of that on a house, a yacht, and a brand-new Kia.

A criminal complaint that was unsealed on Tuesday said Kenneth Gaughan, 41, from Washington, D.C., has been arrested and charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $2.1 million in PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loans relief funds, according to the United States Department of Justice.

The complaint alleges that Gaughan requested and obtained his short-lived millions by applying on behalf of several companies that all falsely claimed to register emotional support animals. He is being accused of forging paperwork and bank records, and charged with one count of bank fraud, one count of the theft of government funds, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

After receiving the money, the complaint said Gaughan used it to buy a $300,000 yacht, a $1.13 million row house, and a $46,000 2020 Kia Stinger.

In addition to arresting Gaughan, authorities also seized the yacht, the Stinger, and Gaughan's investment and bank accounts. They are also filing a civil forfeiture complaint against the row house.

The unsealed criminal complaint also shows that Gaughan was charged in a separate embezzlement plot. He was accused of stealing more than $472,000 from the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., from at least June 2010 through April 2018. He worked there as Assistant Superintendent.

Story continues

The charges in the complaint, the DOJ notes, are still allegations.

Gaughan isn't the only person to be accused of using COVID-19 relief funds for unrelated purchases. Business Insider previously reported on two others accused of fraudulently obtaining relief funding and then using the money for personal purchases.

The first was a Florida man who was accused of buying a $318,000 Lamborghini Huracan and going on a "spending spree." The second was a Texas man who was accused of buying a Lamborghini Urus with the stolen funds, as well as funding a pickup truck, a Rolex, real estate, and visits to night and strip clubs.

Unlike the previous two, the charges against Gaughan do not involve a Lamborghini. Perhaps the $1 million house purchase spurred a need for some modesty.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The running mate to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer in the 2020 elections, Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang says an NDC government will increase the period of maternity leave from three months to four months.



She said this forms part of the many policies listed in the partys 2020 manifesto that proves that it cares about Ghanaians.



I sympathize with young mothers, but you will be happy to know when our manifesto is launched that we have increased the maternity leave [period]. We have moved it from three months to four months fully paid maternity leave and we are also going to ensure that until the child is nine months, the woman has part-time, she said at a gathering to mark International Youth Day.



Reacting to a question on the NDCs plans for improving social support and care for vulnerable groups and women, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the NDC has demonstrated that it cares more about Ghanaians and there are many interventions and developments undertaken by previous NDC governments.



It was during the time of John Evans Atta Mills that Kotokuraba market was initiated, it was completed by John Mahama and there is a daycare in that place. It was during the time of John Mahama that the Kejetia market was initiated and completed, there is a daycare in that place. Who cares more about women? she quizzed.



She added that with her at the highest level of decision making in government, more policies that will ensure inclusion and social justice will be delivered.



She further suggested that she represents the interest of women and if the NDC is voted into power, decisions will be taken to advance the cause of women and the marginalized in society.



Ghanas labour law grants women a maternity leave period of at least 12 weeks in addition to her annual leave.



During the period of her leave, she is entitled to be paid her full remuneration and other benefits to which she is otherwise entitled. The maternity leave period could be increased by two weeks in extraordinary circumstances.



Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang at the gathering also gave indications of plans by an government to introduce a pensions and insurance scheme for farmers.



We have seasonal workers. We should think about them too. When it is the lean fishing season, what do the fishermen do? We should bring them in. In our manifesto, we are talking about insurance for them. Making contributions to insurance and pensions schemes, she said.

Source: citinewsroom.com









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Lucknow, Aug 14 : The Ram versus Parshuram battle in Uttar Pradesh has now made veteran Congress leaders demand that a Brahmin leader should be projected as a chief ministerial candidate for the 2022 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

With Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) trying to outdo each other by announcing installation of Parshuram statues in Lucknow -- each bigger than the other -- the Congress feels that by announcing a Brahmin as a chief ministerial candidate, the party can win over the community that is presently disgruntled with the BJP.

"Brahmins are not too keen on going towards the Samajwadi Party which is a pro-OBC party and the BSP with which they have had a poor experience in 2007. The BJP has not treated Brahmins well and the party's growing outreach towards OBCs is also making them uncomfortable.

"If the Congress takes the initiative of projecting a pro-Brahmin posture, it could be a gamechanger for us," said a former UPCC president.

He further said that if the Brahmins align with the Congress, Muslims would also shift en masse to the party and a sizeable number of Dalits would follow suit.

Senior leaders of the Congress believe that until 1991, Brahmins were with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

"It was after Narsimha Rao became Prime Minister in 1991, that top Brahmin leaders like Narain Dutt Tiwari were side-lined. Around the same time, the Ayodhya movement gathered momentum and all Hindus, including Brahmins, went into the BJP fold," he stated.

It was the Congress that gave the first six Brahmin chief ministers to Uttar Pradesh including Govind Vallabh Pant, Sucheta Kripalani, Kamlapati Tripathi, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, N.D. Tiwari and Shripati Mishra.

Brahmin leadership in the Uttar Pradesh Congress almost faded away after the party lost power in 1989 and the party did not hand over reins to state Brahmin leaders after that.

Jitendra Prasada and Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi were given charge of the state Congress unit but they did not play the Brahmin card.

Konark Dixit, a young Congress leader, recently expelled for speaking against UPCC president Ajay Kumar Lallu, said: "Brahmin pride has been bruised by the BJP governments. The party high command should make conscious efforts to placate the community and if it does so, the party will bounce back into the political mainstream in UP." He said that in 2017, the Congress had picked up momentum when it declared late Sheila Dixit as its chief ministerial candidate. "The Congress slogan for the 2017 assembly polls - '27 Saal UP Behaal'-had caught the people's imagination but then the party forged an alliance with SP at the last minute and all efforts proved futile," he said.

The killing of gangster Vikas Dubey after his arrest, has further irked the Brahmin community.

Dubey, accused of killing eight policemen in Bikru village on July 3, was shot dead in an alleged encounter, hours after he had been arrested from Madhya Pradesh.

"No one is defending Vikas Dubey but the law does not allow any government to kill a man who has already been arrested. Is it a coincidence that all his five accomplices who were killed in exactly similar encounters, were Brahmins? The UP police certainly need some good script writers to justify its deeds," said another senior Brahmin leader in the Congress.

BSP president Mayawati, after the Vikas Dubey encounter, had also tweeted that "The government should not do any such thing that would make the Brahmin community feel scared, terrorised and insecure." Even as the Congress high command shows reluctance in making up its mind on playing the Brahmin card, at least two party leaders -- Jitin Prasada and Swayam Prakash Goswami -- have started promoting issues related to Brahmins.

"At the moment, data tells us that Brahmin killings are disproportionately high, more than the other castes," said Jitin Prasada who is heading his Brahmin Chetna Parishad.

Swayam Prakash Goswami, who is leading Brahma Sena, said, "There is no doubt that the Brahmin community has been pushed into political oblivion and we have to regain lost glory."
British officials have ordered another 90million doses of experimental coronavirus vaccines in support of efforts by pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson and Novavax.

If all the vaccines pre-ordered by the UK are successful and go into production the country will have a massive stockpile of 340million jabs - enough to give every person in the country five each.

Britain's 'buy first, test later' approach may be its best chance of getting a working jab, said the Vaccine Taskforce chief, who admitted most of the Covid-19 jabs won't work.

As part of the new deals with the US-based drug companies, officials will fund clinical trials of the jabs in Britain.

If they are proven to work they could be given to members of the public as soon as the middle of next year. It is not clear how much money the UK has spent on the deals.

The global race for a vaccine - seen as the only viable way to stop the coronavirus - has received promising boosts in recent weeks as early trial results have emerged.

The first clinical trial of one of the UK's biggest hopes, a jab made by Oxford University, showed signs that it produces an immune response and is safe.

News of Britain's latest deal comes after Russia this week announced that it has approved its own vaccine after trials on just three dozen people, provoking concern from scientists that it is rushing into experiments without data to prove it is safe.

The UK has agreed to support Novavax in its attempts to make a coronavirus vaccine, offering funding and support for it to be trialled and manufactured in the UK (Pictured: A lab technician at a Novavax facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA)

The deals with Janssen Pharmaceuticals - which is owned by Johnson & Johnson - and Novavax are the latest in a string of agreements the British Government has made to get its hands on a vaccine.

Companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Valneva have all also received orders for their jabs.

Officials are taking a spread-betting approach ordering stacks of numerous types of jab in the hope that at least one of them will work.

Deals for a total 340million doses have so far been announced for the nation, which has a population of around 67million people.

It means the UK is set to get early access to six vaccines, which work in four different ways. Officials are hedging their bets because nobody knows which, if any, will ultimately be successful. It may even be necessary to give people more than one vaccine to get a strong immune response.

And it may be the case that if a vaccine cannot stop coronavirus from spreading, it could reduce the severity of a patients symptoms to prevent deaths.

Until clinical trial results appear, it is unclear whether people are likely to be given just the best-performing jab or a combination of different types.

Kate Bingham, a biotech investory and the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, said it is unlikely that all the vaccines being developed will work.

She told Good Morning Britain: 'The issue is we don't know which, if any of these, may work, because there have been no vaccines against any human coronavirus.

RUSSIA'S VACCINE WAS WAVED THROUGH AFTER TESTS ON ONLY 38 PEOPLE Vladimir Putin's coronavirus vaccine was waved through after tests on only 38 people and causes side-effects including pain and swelling, according to official paperwork. The much-trumpeted Russian drug was registered after just 42 days of research, Fontanka news agency says - and its effectiveness is said to be 'unknown'. One of the documents submitted for registration says that 'no clinical studies have been conducted to study the epidemiological effectiveness,' despite Putin's claims that the vaccine has passed 'all the necessary tests'. There are also questions about the vaccine's ability to create sufficient antibodies, after Putin said his own daughter had already developed them after being injected. Russia has made the vaccine race a matter of national prestige and has named the product 'Sputnik V' after the former Soviet space satellites, prompting fears that safety will be compromised for the sake of Russia's image. Scientists yesterday criticised Putin for the 'reckless and foolish' move which they say could make the pandemic worse if the vaccine proves dangerous or ineffective. Advertisement

'What we're doing is we've chosen six of the most promising vaccines across four different vaccine types and we're hoping that one of those will work. It would be a nice position if they all work but that's not likely.

'The reality is that most will fail. And we want to be sure that if any one is shown to be effective and safe, that we have rights to it.

'I'm an optimistic person... I would be confident that we will find something that will work.

'I'm not sure it will be a sterilising vaccine, which means it will prevent all infection, but I'm reasonably confident that we will find a vaccine that will reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce death so that we can actually turn this into a flu-like disease as opposed to a much more severe, potentially lethal disease.'

Janssen's vaccine is currently going through its first in-human trials on a group of 1,045 adults over the age of 18 in the US and Belgium.

The jab is named Ad26.COV2-S, recombinant, and is a type of jab called a viral vector recombinant vaccine. It works in a similar way to the one being made by the University of Oxford.

Proteins that appear on the outside of the coronavirus are reproduced in a lab and then injected into the body to stimulate an immune reaction.

The 'Ad' part of the vaccine's name means it works using an adenovirus - a virus best known for causing the common cold - as a vehicle to transport the coronavirus genetics into the body.

In this way the jab can create the illusion of the body being infected by Covid-19 - forcing the immune system to react - but not actually cause an illness.

Novavax's jab, named NVX-CoV2373, has already progressed through early human trials.

In tests on 131 adults between the age of 18 and 59, the vaccine appeared to be safe and to provoke an immune reaction in 100 per cent of people who received it.

People were given two doses of the jab three weeks apart and the immune response appeared to get stronger after the second dose, the trial found.

Novavax's candidate is also a recombinant vaccine and transports the spike proteins found on the outside of the coronavirus into the body in order to provoke the immune system.

The company said the immune response it produced was 'robust' and four times stronger than the one in people who had actually had Covid-19.

Ms Bingham said the speed at which vaccines are being created to try and beat the coronavirus is like nothing the world has ever seen.

She told GMB: 'If you think this is a virus we only learnt about in January and I'm now talking to you about a portfolio of vaccines, three of which have already got substantial clinical data which could be ready by the end of the year.

'That is an astonishing, unprecedented development speed. The people who are responsible for that should go down in the history books.'

Global efforts to create a vaccine took an unexpected turn this week when the Russian government announced it had approved a jab made in the country.

President Vladimir Putin said his own daughter had been injected with the vaccine, such was his confidence in the jab.

But scientists were sceptical and it later emerged that there have not been proper safety tests or experiments to see if the vaccine works.

The jab was waved through after tests on only 38 people and causes side-effects including pain and swelling, according to official paperwork.

The much-trumpeted drug was registered after just 42 days of research, Fontanka news agency says - and its effectiveness is said to be 'unknown'.

One of the documents submitted for registration says that 'no clinical studies have been conducted to study the epidemiological effectiveness,' despite Putin's claims that the vaccine has passed 'all the necessary tests'.

There are also questions about the vaccine's ability to create sufficient antibodies, after Putin said his own daughter had already developed them after being injected.

Scientists criticised Putin for the 'reckless and foolish' move which they said could make the pandemic worse if the vaccine proves dangerous or ineffective.

While Putin said his daughter had suffered no side effects worse than a high temperature, Russian news agency Fontanka claimed there were a long list of 'adverse events' (AEs) which occurred 'frequently and very often'.
AB-2150 is a step towards fostering an innovative business climate in California, without jeopardizing consumer protections. California is a giant economy whose regulatory approach will have impacts worldwide - Ben Weiss, COO of CoinFlip

CORRECTION: CoinFlip and the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition (BAC), today, announced efforts to support AB-2150, providing a pathway towards greater regulatory clarity for the virtual currency industry, were successful with Thursdays unanimous passing of the bill by the California Assembly. Ben Weiss, COO of CoinFlip and board member for the BAC, testified in favor of the legislation, introduced by ASM. Ian Calderon. The bill will initiate a yearlong stakeholder process where the states most important regulatory agency will suggest new frameworks for digital assets while maintaining strong consumer protections.

AB-2150 is a step towards fostering an innovative business climate in California, without jeopardizing consumer protections. California is a giant economy whose regulatory approach will have impacts worldwide, said Weiss. The state will lead the federal government that is slow to provide regulatory clarity. If we dont act now, we will continue to lose much-needed businesses and jobs to countries that have moved quicker in this sector.

Since February, CoinFlip and the BAC have worked diligently behind the scenes in support of the bill. Its passing mandates the Department of Business Oversight to conduct a study on the viability of a California equivalent to the Proposed Securities Act Rule 195: Time-Limited Exemption for Tokens.

AB-2150 will help set up California as a hub for the burgeoning cryptocurrency and blockchain industry by encouraging virtual currency businesses to operate in the state, encouraged by regulatory clarity, continues Weiss. Because the federal government has yet to provide a clear taxonomy of digital assets, regulatory uncertainty has caused many businesses to leave the United States, taking jobs and innovation with them.

Currently, companies operating in the U.S. face uncertainty about securities regulation at both the state and federal levels, stymieing innovation in comparison to other countries. California has been steadily losing market share of the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry since 2012. As California experiences a significant budget crisis, the state must consider innovative approaches to bolstering the economy and attract businesses to employ Californians. CoinFlip and the BAC look forward to further regulatory transparency and progress fundamental to the future of the virtual currency industry in California and the U.S.

About CoinFlip:

CoinFlip is the leading Bitcoin ATM operator in the world, with over 780 installations across 41 states and support for 10 types of cryptocurrencies. Striving to provide the best cash-to-crypto experience available, CoinFlip offers 24/7 customer support, registration in minutes, and the industrys most favorable exchange rates. Founded in 2015, CoinFlip is headquartered in Chicago.

For more information, please visit http://www.coinflip.tech and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Delia Mendoza

Venture PR

(310) 500-9273

delia@venturepr.co

About the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition:

The Blockchain Advocacy Coalition has spearheaded California's progress in blockchain policy for the last two years. We began by organizing the effort to pass the first two blockchain bills in CA in 2018- including AB 2658 which formed the state Blockchain Working Group. In 2019 we sponsored AB 953 and worked to improve AB 1489- CA's bitlicense-lite. We've hosted roundtables with Governor Newsom and Treasurer Fiona Ma, provided expert testimony for over a dozen hearings and facilitated presentations on blockchain technology for regulators with the Department of Business Oversight. This year we are proud to sponsor AB 2004 and support AB 2150 and SB 373. We provide customized political strategy plans for our board members and retain Niemela Pappas and Associates to amplify our lobbying efforts.

Executive Director Ally Medina has a decade of state and local policy experience. She was appointed as an advisory member to the state Blockchain Working Group, served on Governor Newsom's technology transition team and is a council member for the city of Emeryville, CA.

Media Contact:

Ally Medina

Blockchain Advocacy Coalition

ally@blockadvocacy.org
LANXESS is continuing to weather the crisis well and is confirming its forecast for the full year. The specialty chemicals company still anticipates EBITDA pre exceptionals of between EUR 800 million and EUR 900 million for 2020.

In the second quarter of 2020, LANXESS recorded a significant impact on its business results from the coronavirus pandemic, as expected. EBITDA pre exceptionals fell by 20.3 percent from EUR 281 million to EUR 224 million. Earnings were thus at the midpoint of the range of between EUR 200 million and EUR 250 million that was forecast in May. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was almost stable at 15.6 percent, against 16.3 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Business with consumer protection products in the Consumer Protection segment developed very positively, but weak demand from the automotive industry squeezed earnings in the other three segments, especially Engineering Materials.

As expected, after the huge slump in the global economy we felt the effects of the coronavirus crisis much more strongly in the second quarter than in the first three months of the year. However, our stable positioning, strong liquidity, and high cost discipline are continuing to get LANXESS through this challenging time well. Besides, we are already seeing initial signs of a recovery in Asia. I therefore remain confident, even though a rapid macroeconomic recovery cannot be foreseen at present, said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG.

Group sales amounted to EUR 1.436 billion in the second quarter of 2020, down 16.7 percent on the previous years figure of EUR 1.724 billion. Net income from continuing operations rose significantly from EUR 96 million to EUR 803 million. At the same time, net financial liabilities decreased from EUR 1.74 billion to EUR 929 million. This was attributable to proceeds from the sale of its stake in chemical park operator Currenta, which LANXESS concluded at the end of April. The company used this cash inflow to further strengthen its sound balance sheet: Compared to the end of 2019, the equity ratio has risen from 30 percent to 37 percent.

Segments: Consumer Protection remains strong

In the Advanced Intermediates segment, both business units recorded weaker demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Sales fell by 19.8 percent from EUR 585 million to EUR 469 million, also due to lower prices. At EUR 100 million, EBITDA pre exceptionals was 12.3 percent down on the prior years figure of EUR 114 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals increased to a pleasing 21.3 percent, against 19.5 percent in the prior-year quarter.

The coronavirus pandemic also led to a significant decline in sales volumes in the Specialty Additives segment, particularly due to lower demand from the automotive, aviation, and oil and gas industries. Sales fell by 20.4 percent from EUR 506 million to EUR 403 million. At EUR 63 million, EBITDA pre exceptionals was 29.2 percent down on the prior years figure of EUR 89 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals decreased from 17.6 percent to 15.6 percent.

In the Consumer Protection segment, sales and earnings continued to develop positively. This was particularly due to strong business with agrochemicals in the Saltigo business unit. Continued good demand for disinfectants in the Material Protection Products business unit also contributed to the increase in earnings. In addition, there was a positive portfolio effect from the acquisition of the Brazilian biocide manufacturer IPEL. Sales rose by 21.9 percent from EUR 247 million to EUR 301 million. At EUR 68 million, EBITDA pre exceptionals was 41.7 percent higher than the prior years figure of EUR 48 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals climbed to 22.6 percent, against 19.4 percent in the prior year.

In the Engineering Materials segment, the coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact, continuing to result in weak demand from the automotive industry. At EUR 244 million, sales were down 33.2 percent on the prior years figure of EUR 365 million, also due to lower prices. EBITDA pre exceptionals fell by 56.9 percent from EUR 65 million to EUR 28 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals of 11.5 percent was below the figure of 17.8 percent posted in the prior-year quarter.
In this Aug. 5, 2020, file photo, wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID19, elementary school students wait for classes to begin in Godley, Texas. As schools reopen around the country, their ability to quickly identify and contain coronavirus outbreaks before they get out of hand is about to be put to the test. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) Read more

Fed Chair Jay Powell said it best: The path forward for the economy is extraordinarily uncertain and will depend in large part on our success in containing the virus.

With major health and economic risks tied directly to school reopenings, maybe the most critical economic decisions being made right now are being made by school board directors.

So, who are these people? School board candidates usually claim they want the best education possible, but their reasons for running can be vastly different. Some are parents who have a direct stake in making sure funding for high-quality education is as high as possible. Some are citizens who want to control the cost of education. Some see the school board as a stepping-stone to higher elective office. And some just want to serve the community.

But they all come equipped with their own personal and political biases. And maybe, most important, few are health professionals, child psychologists or economists. They are being asked to make incredibly complex school reopening decisions for which, through no fault of their own, most are not prepared.

The issues they face are massive. First, there are the health concerns. Here, school boards have generally looked toward the experts. Unfortunately, trusting the experts these days is not in vogue and there are sometimes good reasons to have doubts.

Take the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When school reopening guidelines were released, they contained significant safety restrictions. Then the president complained and, suddenly, the CDC determined that it had to review the guidelines. Presto-chango, the requirements became less restrictive. Unfortunately, that raised questions about political interference, diminishing trust in the guidelines.

So, whom should the school boards listen to? How about the local experts, the county health departments?

Good idea? Well, maybe, or maybe not.

Consider the experience of my school district, Council Rock. It held a virtual school board meeting in early July that drew more than 2,200 people and included the Bucks County health director, David Damsker. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2DCRX0xs7c)

Damskers recommendations were interesting. No school-based screening or testing would be required. Instead, teachers would screen themselves and parents would screen their children. While indicating that children were generally not at risk, he made no differentiation between those who were aged 5 through 8 versus 15 through 18. Other recommendations included two students to a seat on buses; no required masks for students; three-feet distancing, not six feet; and if a child is sick and sent home, brothers and sisters could remain in school.

But a curious proposal was what he called his modified quarantine, whereby those who may have been exposed would not be required to quarantine at home but could stay in school and simply wear a mask. Should a school board trust a local health official who creates his own modified quarantine guideline?

Damskers comments, which strongly supported in-class school reopenings, affected many school board decisions in central and lower Bucks County. Council Rocks board has elected to bring students back to their classrooms in late September, albeit without following all of Damskers recommendations. A number of other districts, however, reversed their earlier decision to have an in-class reopening, opting instead for virtual learning through the first marking period, which ends around mid-November.

Regardless of what the experts say, school boards also have to consider the views of parents.

Its not surprising that parents have a range of anxieties. First, theres the health issue. Not only do they worry about their children getting sick, but they also are anxious about their children bringing the virus home and infecting them or others at risk.

Parents are concerned about the quality of in-school education versus virtual learning. The spring virtual-learning experience did not go well, in no small part because districts were unprepared for the sudden closings. The hodgepodge of approaches and guidelines created challenges for students, teachers, and parents alike. The resulting in-school bias is understandable.

But parental fears go beyond health and education quality. The dilemma parents could face is having to choose between their income and their childs health.

For some parents, their position on reopening comes down to finances. If a child is home, parents who cannot work from home might have to quit their jobs or pay for child care, which could be expensive or unavailable. Child care for working parents has been an issue for decades, but is now a problem for more than just the working poor.

Consequently, keeping schools closed could potentially reduce the labor supply, lowering household incomes and spending. The resulting slower economic growth is why some are pushing so hard to reopen sooner rather than later.

Finally, school boards must listen to their teachers and school staff, who are among those most at risk but often the least considered. For example, Damskers presentation and his departments guidelines included little about teacher safety.

But the experiences in Israel, South Korea and now in U.S. school districts that have reopened indicate that teachers face real danger. They are the new front-line workers. Understandably, they dont want to endanger themselves if there are less risky alternatives, such as virtual learning.

Which gets us back to the issues of health and economics. The huge gamble is that reopening schools for classroom learning, which might lessen economic impact, will not add to the already surging number of virus cases and deaths.

However, if reopening classrooms leads to a further resurgence in the virus across the country, the business closings we experienced in early spring may have to be revisited, and that would set back the economy dramatically.

And who are the people being asked to decide how much health and economic risk should be taken? School board directors, who never signed up for that responsibility.

And that is why school reopenings place the economy at such great risk.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

A coalition of advocacy groups is calling for a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting by officers of a man who had called police to report a home invasion early Tuesday.

APD Forward spokesman Barron Jones said bystander accounts of the shooting of 50-year-old Kenneth Reiss raise serious questions about how officers handled the situation and whether lethal force was necessary.

Were calling on Chief (Michael) Geier to be open and transparent with the community about the events that took place, Rogers said. The community deserves a thorough, transparent and prompt investigation of the incident.

Rogers asked that the Albuquerque Police Department release any footage of the incident, including from body, dash and neighborhood security cameras, to show how it escalated to a fatal shooting.

Officers responded around 1 a.m. after Reiss called 911 to report that he had shot two intruders at his home near Garfield and Vassar SE.

When officers arrived, according to police, Reiss fired at them before they gave chase and shot him. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.

Police have said little else about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation, but videos from a neighbor show officers opening fire on Reiss after finding him behind a vehicle.

Officers walked into a dangerous situation where shots had already been fired and an individual fired at those officers, APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said. Tragically, a life was lost and people are grieving that loss.

He said a thorough investigation is underway into the facts and evidence, including the handgun and bullet casings found at the scene. Following that investigation, Gallegos said, APD will provide a review of the incident, including video and audio from lapel cameras worn by officers that night.

The shooting has led to an uproar from the community as friends say Reiss, part owner of a university-area bar, would never open fire on police, and criticize APDs actions.

Andrew Benson, who knew Reiss for 25 years, said he finds APDs assertion that Reiss fired at them impossible.

Im not one to delve into some conspiracy bandwagon, but somethings not right, Benson said. It just doesnt make sense.

He said through many conversations the pair had over the years  talking about firearm bans, school shootings and the like  Reiss was always an advocate of not having guns.

It just doesnt seem to be in his character, said Benson, who said he was in disbelief on hearing of Reisss death through Facebook.

Its still hard to believe. Im still processing it, he said. Ive always known Ken to be a very caring and loving father and husband to his family  to everyone he knew. He knew a lot of people and had a lot of friends and supporters.
New Delhi: India on Friday sent 58 mt relief to Lebanon in the aftermath of Beirut explosions that killed more than 150 people and rendered several homeless. In a special Indian Air Force's C17 aircraft India sent the emergency humanitarian aid, including crucial medical and food supplies.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "India demonstrates solidarity with the people of Lebanon in the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Beirut" by sending relief to the country.

India's relief material was received by Indian envoy to Lebanon Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan in the presence of representatives of the Lebanese government. He tweeted, "India is a dependable partner! We supplied relief material this morning for the Lebanese people in the aftermath of the terrible tragedy of Aug 4. I wish to thank MOFA and Lebarmy Official for their coordination."

India had expressed its condolence on the incident at the recent United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs UNOCHA meeting on Lebanon.

Extending India's condolences to Lebanon on the "terrible human tragedy", Indian Envoy to UN TS Tirumurti said, "We are shocked by the loss of human lives and the widespread destruction this has caused in Beirut. We pray for strength to families to overcome their great loss." Five Indians were injured in the incident.
OWENDALE  A variety of financial issues have been the recent focus of the Owendale Village Council, which recently approved the hiring of a couple of firms to assist with finances.

The council approved contracting with Grapp-Lerash, a CPA firm in Saginaw, to conduct the annual village audit, and they hired Top of the Hill Services of Gagetown to perform the bookkeeping for the village.

CPAs Grapp-Lerash will do the annual audit for a $6,000 fee, and Hill Services will do the bookkeeping for the village for $500, explained village Clerk Randy Howard.

Howard also told the council that the application he submitted for a grant to pay off the water tower bond was denied.

There is still a $98,000 principal balance on the water tower, he said. It will be paid off in 2032.

On the issue of finances, Treasurer Manuel Thies reported there are approximately 20 customers who are late with their utility bill payment, which equals a past due total of about $4,000.

Also, the council was advised the amount of revenue sharing the village receives from the state is expected be reduced. How much of a reduction, has not been determined yet.

Another money issue that had been before the council was having to replace the catch basin at the intersection of Fifth and Foster streets as part of the construction project at Vita Plus.

The council had agreed to spend $3,500 to replace it.

Concern was that the existing crock was not strong enough to withstand the weight of the large trucks, explained Howard. However, upon inspection, it was discovered the existing crock is in excellent condition, and is stronger than the crock they were going to install, so the village didnt have to do that.

There could be a possible increase coming in water and sewer rates.

Howard and DPW Superintendent Steve Sweatland recently spent a day with a representative from Michigan Rural Water Association, who was in the village to performed a water and sewer rate analysis.

We should have his findings in time for review at the August council meeting, said Howard. Last increase was April, 2016, from $5 to $5.50 per 1,000 gallons.

During the last village meeting, Police Chief Anthony Wood reported he was looking into possible grant monies that may be available to help with expenses of the police department, but he said he is not aware of any at this time.

He also noted there is a body camera for sale by the Harbor Beach Police Department that he will check on the price and report back to the council.

Some of the other money issues that were discussed included: getting a price quote to repaint the traffic lines on Main Street and on Fourth Street, getting a price on doing crack sealing on streets, and checking with DTE on the cost of replacing street lights with energy efficient LED lights.
The cover to the reissue album and tribute to Mirah's "You Think It's Like This but Really It's Like This." Read more

Mirah

You Think Its Like This but Its Really Like This

(Double Double Whammy *** 1/2)

Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn grew up in Bala Cynwyd, and then she went to school at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.  as did feminist rockers Kathleen Hanna, Courtney Love, and two thirds of Sleater-Kinney  so shes closely associated with the Pacific Northwest indie-pop sound of the early 2000s.

She recorded four albums there for K Records, working with multi-instrumentalist producer Phil Elverum. These near-perfect marriages of smart, confessional songwriting and warmly inventive arrangements were all deeply personal.

You Think Its Like This, released in 2000, was the first of them, and this auspicious debut is now getting a well-deserved rerelease, with a bonus: a full-length tribute album in which 16 artists, including Elverum (as Mount Eerie), cover Mirahs songs.

The songs are startlingly good and have stood the test of time. That goes for everything from the clattering Gone Sugaring, about a family outing tapping trees for maple syrup in the wilds of Pennsylvania to the risque Murphy Bed about space-saving furniture thats useful for sleeping, among other things.

Mirahs musical range is impressive, as is her influence on a new generation of unabashedly vulnerable songwriters. Several of them who have Philly connections make standout contributions here.

Allison Crutchfield of Swearin turns in an unadorned La Familia, asking the eternal question, If we sleep together, would it make it any better? Sadie Dupuis, performing under her Sad13 solo stage name, delivers a fraught This Dance. Shamirs fragile Pollen is heartbreaking.

 Dan DeLuca

Kathleen Edwards

Total Freedom

(Dualtone ***)

For a decade in the early 2000s, Kathleen Edwards released four acclaimed albums of emotionally forthright, rootsy songs. But after touring for 2012s Voyageur, Edwards soured on her music career and opened a coffee shop and cafe in the small Canadian town of Stittsville, Ottawa.

The aptly named Quitters has been successful, but Edwards eventually found herself missing writing and performing, and now she returns with Total Freedom, an album about recalibrating and starting anew.

Edwards ruminates on the end of relationships, on how feelings fade, on aging and keeping options open, on the freedom of isolation. The tone, even when colored with regret, is mostly optimistic. The arrangements focus on acoustic guitars, with reverb-soaked electric leads.

Like Rosanne Cash, Edwards sings with a clear-eyed sincerity and a comforting steadiness, whether on sober ballads like Ashes to Ashes and Birds of a Feather or on the gently rocking Hard on Everyone and Options Open.

On the opener, Glenfern, Edwards recounts her past: We bought a rock-and-roll dream; it was total crap. / We toured the world and we played on TV. / We met some of our heroes. / It almost killed me. / And I will always be thankful for it.

We can be thankful that she has reevaluated, and reactivated, her rock-and-roll dream.

 Steve Klinge

Hot Country Knights

The K Is Silent

(Capitol ***)

Remember the Hot Country Knights? Big in the 90s? Of course you dont. The band is a new creation by country star Dierks Bentley and some of his Nashville musician pals. With The K Is Silent, they deliver a hilarious send-up of bro-country cliches. Its the Spinal Tap of country music.

There is plenty of macho country rock, of course, starting with the theme-setting Hot Country Knights, and Travis Tritt joins the fun for Pick Her Up (in a pickup truck, naturally). The Knights also attempt to start a new dance craze with Moose Knuckle Shuffle.

Country hunks always like to show they have a sensitive side, so the Knights serve up some earnest balladry, too. Mull It Over is a romantic plea couched in allusions to a popular 90s male hairstyle (I swear Ill love you longer than the hair on my shoulder). Asphalt is the confession of a rambler obsessed with womens backsides.

No country act of this stripe could leave without a ridiculously over-the-top display of patriotic fervor, and the Knights oblige with the faux-live sing-along, The USA Begins With US.

 Nick Cristiano
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Paris, France  Fri, August 14, 2020 07:30 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066de8282 2 World workplace,workplace-safety,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-cluster,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,virus-cluster,novel-coronavirus Free

Workplaces are the main clusters of coronavirus infection in France and companies should have staff work from home as much as possible after the August holidays, one of France's top coronavirus experts said on Thursday.

Weekly health ministry data shows that since May 9, private and public companies have accounted for 22% of 609 clusters of infection. Nearly a third of these clusters are currently under investigation by health authorities.

The data - which excludes retirement homes and individual families - also showed that health institutions accounted for 16% of all clusters and extended families accounted for 14%.

Prisons and public transport, including trains and planes, accounted for only one percent of clusters and schools and universities only 4%.

"Given that companies have the highest rate of virus infection clusters, we should make the wearing of masks mandatory in all enclosed spaces, including in private companies," Eric Caumes, head of infectious diseases at Paris hospital La Pitie-Salpetriere, said on Franceinfo radio.

Where possible, companies should continue to ask their staff to work from home, he said.

"Teleworking is reasonable," he said. "It is important to prevent infection between colleagues."
India appoints new envoy to Bangladesh

India has appointed Vikram Kumar Doraiswami as the countrys new high commissioner to Bangladesh, one of New Delhis closest allies.

Doraiswami, presently additional secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs, is expected to take up the assignment shortly, the Indian government said in a statement on Thursday.

Doraiswami replaces Riva Ganguly Das, who will take over as secretary (East) at Indias external affairs ministry.



Source: bdnews24.com




On Sept. 1, David K. Bartley, Patrick B. Beaudry and Patricia A. Duffy face off in the Democratic primary for the 5th Hampden District seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

There are no Republican candidates for the seat. There is also no incumbent in the race  the winner in Novembers general election will replace state Rep. Aaron Vega, who is stepping down at the end of his term.

The candidates each responded to a questionnaire from The Republican / MassLive. Their responses are below, with the candidates listed alphabetically.

Dave Bartley

Age: 54

Address: Hillcrest Avenue, Holyoke

Current job title or elected office: Attorney; Ward 3 City Councilor

Why are you running?

Public service is in my blood. My Dad, the last person in western Massachusetts to rise to Speaker of the House, inspired me to first run and both of my parents influence me daily to do whats best for the City. Moreover, I really do love public service. As readers know, Holyoke is my home. What many readers may not realize is this city has a tremendous legacy of leadership in Boston but its voice in recent years has fallen flat. If anyones followed me in the city council, they probably have noted my passion for the issues and for debate. Trust me, Ill speak up in Boston just as much. My politics are this: if its about Holyoke then Im all in.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

There are numerous important issues (plural) facing Holyoke but here are just two. First, our schools, once a proud resource, need to be freed from receivership. Second, Holyokes governmental leadership needs a major makeover. Let me explain as last years school vote is telling on both fronts. Virtually every top elected City official campaigned FOR last years school tax override. I opposed it and I publicly campaigned AGAINST it. As we now know, the override ballot question was vaporized by the electorate. With new leadership in Boston (and in City Hall for that matter) Holyokes voice will be heard and our schools and our City, in my opinion, WILL once again thrive.

How has the coronavirus pandemic changed your campaign platform and legislative goals, especially when it comes to the economy, education, health and emergency preparedness?

Its renewed my fervor to help, work harder, and give back more. Holyokers new and old want a healthier, more prosperous, life for themselves, their families and our city. We also accept that our city takes on more than its share of the States burdens but I am going to demand that other municipalities step up. I will work as hard as I can in whatever position Im in to effectuate change and ensure Holyokes goals are realized.

Holyokes public school district is entering its sixth year under state receivership, and there seems to be no end game in sight. What steps do you plan to take at the local and state levels to help the city regain control of its public schools?

No end game? Thats being kind. Heres reality: The former receiver had no plan and left Holyoke worse off. To me, THE step that is needed starts with communication from the DESE secretary and the current Receiver with one specific goal: how to terminate receivership. The DESE Secretary and the Receiver need to proactively and regularly communicate with all Holyoke residents on what benchmarks are needed to be met by students, teachers, administrators, parents and, indeed, Holyokers. I say to them: tell us what you want! We will get it done and then we will politely escort the receiver and the DESE secretary out the door. As for our buildings, I am in favor of modernized schools that provide a healthy, safe and inspirational surroundings and finding a fair formula in order to pay for it.

Who should be held accountable for the COVID-19 crisis at the Holyoke Soldiers Home? Are there additional steps the Legislature should take to help prevent such a tragedy in the future? Are you in favor of a major renovation and expansion of the facility?

Were all accountable and this includes me. Collectively, we need to do more. Moreover, every single state official had a role in this disaster. The Legislature should take immediate corrective action steps and heres one: equally fund Holyoke and Chelsea! How outrageous is it that Holyokes Soldiers Home with a larger population of Veterans annually receives LESS MONEY than Chelseas Soldiers Home? Again, lack of leadership. I am in favor of any plan that treats our beloved seniors and our beloved veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve. Such a plan begins with equal treatment and equal funding.

Patrick Beaudry

Age: 33

Address: Florence Avenue, Holyoke

Current job title or elected office: Manager of Public Affairs, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission

Why are you running?

Elections are about the future. After years of watching our community continue to struggle, I felt as though I owed it to the community that has given me so much to put myself out there as an option for voters seeking a brighter future here.

Much of what ails Holyoke must be addressed at the state level as weve maxed out our ability to raise revenue locally. I am seeking to be a strong voice on Beacon Hill that will ensure Holyoke gets its fair share for the disproportionate amount of support we provide to some of Massachusetts most vulnerable.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

The greatest issue facing Holyoke is the Commonwealths failure to provide its fair share to our community. Our continued support for some of Massachusetts most vulnerable means weve had to work twice as hard as neighboring communities to maintain essential services and a good quality of life.

For too long, we have been asked to serve the needs of Bay Staters who did not fall into crisis in Holyoke but have rather been funneled into our community by state programs that continue to divide Massachusetts 351 municipalities into haves and have nots, rather than more evenly dividing that critical responsibility.

How has the coronavirus pandemic changed your campaign platform and legislative goals, especially when it comes to the economy, education, health and emergency preparedness?

I pulled papers for the 5th Hampden District seat in a very different world back in February, yet in many ways my priorities have remained the same. Pandemic or not, Holyokes State Rep. needs to remain laser focused on education and economic development, as well health care and public safety.

During the first few months of COVID, I made hundreds of calls to voters introducing myself and seeing if I could connect them with any services they may be finding themselves in need of. Over and over, these Holyokers told me they want a strong social safety net in Massachusetts.

Holyokes public school district is entering its sixth year under state receivership, and there seems to be no end game in sight. What steps do you plan to take at the local and state levels to help the city regain control of its public schools?

Ensuring the Commonwealth stays true to its promise to aggressively expand funding to school districts like Holyokes in the recently passed Student Opportunity Act is one of the most important tasks for our next State Representative. There are tens of millions of potential dollars on the line for HPS, but there must be urgency in its implementation.

I also believe Holyokes next State Rep. is responsible for holding the State Receiver accountable to our residents and am eager to work with Receiver Vazquez Matos to outline a transparent pathway to a rapid return of our schools to local control.

Who should be held accountable for the COVID-19 crisis at the Holyoke Soldiers Home? Are there additional steps the Legislature should take to help prevent such a tragedy in the future? Are you in favor of a major renovation and expansion of the facility?

The Baker Administration is accountable  all the way to the top.

A major renovation will not only put our local tradespeople to work during the construction process and ensure future infectious outbreaks are more easily contained, but will furthermore offer our veterans - Bay Staters who put it all on the line for us  the dignity of such amenities as private restrooms they have long since deserved. We are overdue for such investments to honor those who served.

Patricia Duffy

Age: 56

Address: Florence Avenue, Holyoke

Current job title or elected office: Legislative Aide to Rep. Aaron Vega

Why are you running?

Im running because of my deep love for the city of Holyoke. Im running because Im ready to take my experience with union and community organizing and my understanding of the issues facing Holyoke to fight for equitable education funding, fair housing opportunities, workers rights, and access to health care. My years working as Rep. Vegas legislative aide has gained me strong relationships in the State House, experience writing and advocating for legislation, and the ability to solve constituent issues, especially the hundreds of unemployment claims and challenges facing small businesses that arose during COVID-19.

What is the most important issue facing the district, and how would you address it?

Our schools are where our diverse community comes together in the pursuit of a strong education for our children. My top priority is to protect the equitable funding we secured as part of the Student Opportunity Act. Im already a part of two powerful advocacy groups  one of legislators and staff advocating for full implementation of the funding, and one made up of Holyoke Public Schools staff and local service agencies working directly with students and their families. The latter group is meeting weekly to ensure the needs of Holyokers are being met during the pandemic.

How has the coronavirus pandemic changed your campaign platform and legislative goals, especially when it comes to the economy, education, health and emergency preparedness?

The pandemic has only reinforced my longstanding priorities of supporting public schools, fighting for a health care system that provides care for all, and supporting economic development that emphasizes workforce training and affordable housing. The pandemic has uncovered inequities that have been building for years. The federal government is continually failing to lead us responsibly through the pandemic. Therefore, strong, stable leadership in state government becomes all the more important. That being said, in the crisis of the pandemic I do find hope. I see our community pulling together to take care of each other.

Holyokes public school district is entering its sixth year under state receivership, and there seems to be no end game in sight. What steps do you plan to take at the local and state levels to help the city regain control of its public schools?

The Commonwealth is looking for signs of progress beyond the data of improved test scores and increasing graduation rates. What DESE wants is a signal that Holyoke has come together to prioritize public education. I have the track record and the relationships to bring disparate voices to the table to work together on a concrete plan for our future. I will meet regularly with the receiver and in turn address his plans with teachers, students, their families, and our elected officials  especially our school committee. In short, I will hold the receiver accountable to the best interests of our community.

Who should be held accountable for the COVID-19 crisis at the Holyoke Soldiers Home? Are there additional steps the Legislature should take to help prevent such a tragedy in the future? Are you in favor of a major renovation and expansion of the facility?

This unacceptable breach of trust was precipitated after Superintendent Barabani resigned and the Homes appropriations requests dwindled. I believe Secretary Urenas agenda of holding costs down no matter what prevailed. Clearly caregivers didnt feel safe coming forward with their concerns. We must act on ongoing investigations (I will serve as staff for the legislative investigation) and support renovation and expansion. A tragedy of this proportion requires us to take a step back and look at systemic causes like our inequitable healthcare system as well as specific failures in order to make sure its not repeated.

This is one in a series of posts about the candidates who will appear on Western Massachusetts ballots on Sept. 1.
Ceiling Tiles Market Research Report by Product Type (Gypsum, Metal, and Mineral Wool), by Application (Commercial, Educational, Healthcare, Industrial, and Residential) - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19

New York, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Ceiling Tiles Market Research Report by Product Type, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913771/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Ceiling Tiles Market is expected to grow from USD 6,438.55 Million in 2019 to USD 9,359.54 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.43%.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Ceiling Tiles to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Product Type, the Ceiling Tiles Market studied across Gypsum, Metal, and Mineral Wool.



Based on Application, the Ceiling Tiles Market studied across Commercial, Educational, Healthcare, Industrial, and Residential.



Based on Geography, the Ceiling Tiles Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Ceiling Tiles Market including Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Chicago Metallic Corporation, LLC, Grenzebach BSH GmbH, Knauf, Odenwald Faserplattenwerk GmbH (OWA), ROCKFON, Saint-Gobain S.A., SAS International, and USG Corporation.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Ceiling Tiles Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Ceiling Tiles Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Ceiling Tiles Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Ceiling Tiles Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Ceiling Tiles Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Ceiling Tiles Market?

6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Ceiling Tiles Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913771/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Disability activist, social entrepreneur and founder of The Valuable 500 initiative, Caroline Casey, has told CNBC that business needs to be at the forefront of accelerating change to end the "disability inequality crisis," as the world emerges from the coronavirus crisis.

"This problem is too big for governments and charities alone to resolve. It needs the most powerful force on this planet, which in my mind is business," she said.

"As we reset our system, our recovery needs to be inclusive of everyone. There are no more excuses."

Casey told CNBC that disability is "still not understood as valuable," but with the exclusion of people with disabilities estimated to cost countries up to 7% of their annual GDP, according to the International Labour Organization, business needs to understand "the value, not just the cost" of inclusion.

She said people currently consider a disability as something more akin to being weak or dependent, "but actually this is an incredible market that has insight and innovation and potential."

Casey, who is registered legally blind, said she hid her own disability at work until she was 28 years old, mistakenly thinking that if she spoke up about it she wouldn't have the same chances.

She launched The Valuable 500 initiative  a "global movement putting disability on the business leadership agenda"  at the World Economic Forum, Davos in 2019.

Named to emulate the Fortune 500 list of top global companies by revenue, the movement aims to sign up five hundred of the world's largest multinational and private sector companies to commit to unlocking the "business, social and economic value" of the more-than 1 billion people living with disability worldwide.

Nearly 300 companies have already signed up across 30 countries, including Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Black & Veatch, Tommy Hilfiger, Voya Financial, Calvin Klein, Greene King and Roche Pharma UK.
White Rivers Media, earlier today, launched three assets under its title101 Marketing Insights for a Post-pandemic World by Indias top marketers & entrepreneurs, a free eBook; Better World Initiative, a creative responsibility program to amplify social causes; and its digital showreel for 2020 encapsulating 8 years highlights. These releases were a part of the independent, award-winning agencys 8th-anniversary celebrations, themed To Infinite Possibilities. The intent was to add value to the different stakeholders of the agency, namely patrons, peers, and the public.

The new publication 101 Marketing Insights for a Post-pandemic World by Indias Top Marketers & Entrepreneurs, delves into the industry learnings through the times of COVID. It strings together the collective wisdom of industrys top-ranking leaders, most influential trendsetters, and key decision-makers who are changing the face of digital marketing in respective ways.

It leads with three touchpoints: Learnings from a COVID-infected market, leanings into the future marketing strategies, and lessons for all those who are new to digital marketing. It ends with a greater understanding of the post-pandemic consumerism and marketing essentials.

If you too want to know what Indias top marketing minds are planning for the post-COVID era, you can download the eBook https://unlk.in/101MarketingInsights_PostPandemic/



The Better World Initiative is a not-for-profit marketing platform, where the agencys creative forces bring their skills to the table, and theres a seat for anyone and any brand that has a story, which the world needs to hear. This initiative is their pledge to be catalysts for better and to use creativity for good. It is established as a mouthpiece for those who help others. It brings together designers, managers, videographers, and writers who believe in marketing for a cause to publish with the sole purpose of helping those in need right now.To learn more about this initiative, kindly visit https://bit.ly/BetterWorldIntiviative_WRM

"The pandemic has been our time to learn. Our anniversary, however, presented the perfect opportunity to celebrate those learnings. So here we are, taking a humble initiative to string that knowledge together and impart it to the entire marketing ecosystem. Our compilation of '101 Marketing Insights' is a handbook for marketing in the post-pandemic world with opinions from India's most recognised and celebrated marketing leaders; we thank each one of them for contributing. However, we are not only focused upon catalysing effective change within the digital ecosystem and prepare it for a new world. We are also ensuring that the new world is a better place for everyone to live in. Our Better World Initiative takes us one step closer to fulfilling the objective," said the Co-founders Shrenik Gandhi & Mitesh Kothari.

They also launched a showreel, where they have flexed the creative muscle. The snazzy demonstration walks viewers through select application areas and their representative projects, letting them a glimpse of the agencys 8-year journey.

White Rivers Media is one of Indias most awarded independent digital marketing agencies of 2019 with a team strength of 140+ people. Based out of Mumbai and Delhi, the agency was founded by Shrenik Gandhi and Mitesh Kothari in 2012. In the last 8 years, White Rivers Media has worked with some of Indias well known and reputed brands like Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Productions, T- Series, Balaji Motion Pictures, ALTBalaji, Zee Studios, Viacom 18, Sony Entertainment Television, Gatsby India and MEA, Dun & Bradstreet, Cholamandalam and more. The company is driven by the vision of bringing global digital marketing trends to India and creating innovative digital solutions for Indian brands and international brands in the country.
According to the BMC Disaster Control, a portion of the ground-plus-one floor structure was undergoing internal repairs when the accident occurred around 4:30 pm at Kurla Thakkar Bappa Colony, Vatsala Nagar.

Mumbai: One person was killed and five others were injured, including one seriously, when part of a building came crashing down at Chembur in northeast Mumbai on Thursday.

After receiving information, police and firefighters rushed to the spot. According to officials, "There was a chawl of 1+1 structure where construction work was going on. There were six people working there, of whom five have been shifted to hospital as they were injured. One person has succumbed to injuries."

Of the victims, Prabhu S. Khadare, 55, was brought dead to the Rajawadi Hospital while Ayub Shaikh, 57, who was seriously injured, was rushed to the Sion Hospital.

Four others -- Vijay Gaikwad, Ratanlal Bhingade, Shahrukh Pathan and Hasim Ansari -- are undergoing treatment at Rajawadi Hospital where their condition was described as stable.
Stanislav Schubert, a documentary filmmaker from Novosibirsk, has restored the world's northernmost movie theater on West Spitsbergen Island. After a long interval, the restored movie theater showed the Soviet-era war blockbuster They Fought for Their Motherland on June 22.

The unnamed movie theater is located in the town of Pyramiden on the Spitsbergen (Svalbard) Archipelago, 1,200 km from the North Pole. Although the town was mothballed in 1998, people have been living and working there since 2007.

Schubert decided to relocate to Spisbergen as a movie theater projectionist after talking to a friend he had studied with at the motion picture cameramen's department and who had visited the archipelago as a tourist.

"The movie theater was rather well-preserved and had its own power supply, but it was necessary to fix the old Mir movie projectors and install a sound system. Local residents supported me, helped fix the wiring and unload old movies from the archive. My superiors also wanted to reopen the movie theater. Everything came together about a month later," Stanislav Schubert recalled.

This rather large movie theater used to seat 400 people because the town had a population of about 1,000 in Soviet times, he added. Today, the permanent population is no more than 60 people.

"The building has a restroom and plumbing, but the movie theater has no heating because the town's boiler room lacks the capacity. Only the projectionist's room and the restrooms are heated. Moviegoers are left to their own devices. Naturally, the club that operated year-round in the Soviet era is now closed in winter because of the freezing Arctic weather," he noted.

It was planned that the restored movie theater would become part of a guided tour for tourists visiting Spitsbergen, and local residents see the movies as a pleasant distraction as well.

"This is especially true when there is no television or internet access. People from Tajikistan who have been living on the island for many years and who do all the maintenance work here liked the movies more than anyone else," Schubert added.



The building is also used as a community center and hosts disco parties and even concerts, just like in the old days.

"People from neighboring Barentsburg have visited; they have their own performers and even amateur rock and punk groups," Schubert said.

The movie theater usually shows feature films for local residents on weekend evenings. On weekdays, it offers movies for tourists, that is, short documentaries about Spitsbergen or the development of the Arctic, mostly.

According to Schubert, the towns of Barentsburg and Pyramiden have about 2,000 movies, mostly in good condition. The list includes many famous titles, including classics by Sergei Eisenstein, as well as others, released through the late 1980s, that is, up to the 1987 thriller, "The Cold Summer of 1953." There are movies by Andrei Tarkovsky, Nikita Mikhalkov, as well as foreign classics, such as "Spartacus", "Cabaret", "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" and others.

"Some Like It Hot' is a favorite for polar explorers and tourists. Old Soviet-era newsreels are also popular; they make people feel nostalgic," Schubert said, commenting on moviegoers' tastes. We even have some Soviet movies in Norwegian, and the foreigners from nearby towns like them very much.

Schubert said the movie theater would show vintage movies for movie buffs and tourists visiting Spitsbergen.
President Donald Trump says he wants to save the suburbs. First step: He needs to build a time machine to go back to the dated demographic hes been talking about.

Maybe the president can splurge on a DeLorean, so he can get back to this timeline by the Nov. 3 general election, flux capacitor willing.

Trump has been bragging for two weeks about ending a looming wave of low-income housing allegedly about to wash over suburbia, imperiling the American dream.

Its a racist, George Wallace-esque trope  the suburbs as white refuge under attack  that misses decades of demographic and political trends. Maybe thats why the effort is falling flat.

The suburban housewife will be voting for me, Trump tweeted Wednesday. They want safety & are thrilled that I ended the long running program where low income housing would invade their neighborhood.

Trump must not know that most parents work and how untrue that Leave It to Beaver depiction of family is.

He went on to claim former Vice President Joe Biden would reinstall the program and put in charge U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, a Black politician who made opposing housing discrimination part of his presidential campaign.

Asked at the White House on Wednesday to explain his talk of invasion, Trump alleged a Democratic effort to destroy suburbia and specifically linked that notion to Black, Asian, and Hispanic people moving to and living there.

This all tracks back to the Trump administrations two weeks ago undoing the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule put in place in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama, adding to the 1968 Fair Housing Act, passed to combat segregation and discrimination in housing.

 READ MORE: What is the fair housing rule and how will its repeal affect Philly?

The rule required local governments to study and address discrimination in housing. It did not set off a low-income suburban housing boom.

Trump, however, does have something to fear in Phillys suburbs  voters who dont want to see him win a second term.

The suburbs have steadily become more racially and ethnically diverse, and the suburban housewife is increasingly likely to speak Spanish, Arabic, or some other language. (More than 2.5 million people in the Philadelphia suburbs speak a language other than English, according to the Census Bureau.)

In eight years, from 2010 to 2018, the Philadelphia suburbs went from 80% white to 76%, according to the latest census estimates. And theyve become better educated, too: The percentage of adults with bachelors degrees is up from 41% in 2010 to 46% in 2018.

Voter registration trends show Democrats are consolidating support in the dense southeastern counties of Pennsylvania, otherwise known as the suburbs.

 READ MORE: Trump is struggling, but Pennsylvania Republicans have an important advantage compared with 2016

Democrats capitalized on that in the midterm elections two years ago. Clout suspects that is Trumps real fear  of suburbia, not for it.

Heather Heidelbaugh targets Josh Shapiros ambitions for higher office

Heather Heidelbaughs first television commercial as the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania attorney general takes aim at the not-so-distant political ambitions of her incumbent opponent, Democrat Josh Shapiro.

Ill keep our community safe, keep politics out of the office, and serve my full term, Heidelbaugh says to the camera, sticking the landing on that last phrase.

Shapiro is widely expected to run for governor in 2022 when Gov. Tom Wolfs second term wraps up.

How widely? Clout asked Wolf about that future race for governor on Election Day last year. Thats my guy there, Wolf said, nodding toward Shapiro, who declined to comment about 2022.

Heidelbaugh, a Pittsburgh trial lawyer, has staffed her election squad with veterans of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomeys campaigns. Toomey is seen as mulling a bid for the Republican nomination for governor in 2022.

Any hits Heidelbaugh lands on Shapiro in the 12 weeks between now and the Nov. 3 general election could, by proxy, help Toomey in a race two years from now. Her campaign said its spending $200,000 to air the ad on television in the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre media markets.

Shapiros camp, asked if he had ever promised to serve a full second term, responded: The promise AG Shapiro makes is to wake up every day focused on protecting people over powerful special interests. There are too many important battles to wage right now to be speculating about what might happen in politics years from now.

Shapiro holds a significant cash advantage, reporting $4.14 million in his campaign account as of June 22, while Heidelbaugh had $208,871.

Heidelbaugh is getting a boost from the Commonwealth Leaders Fund, a political action committee founded and funded by conservative activists. The PAC, which gave her $50,000 in June, has booked $435,000 worth of air time to support her, according to the ad tracking firm website Advertising Analytics.

The rest of Heidelbaughs ad serves as an introduction to voters of a candidate who lacks strong name recognition. Her personal story is about overcoming early struggles in life.

My dad left us when I was just 8, she says. I know what its like to grow up hungry, to go to bed cold, to get knocked down and to get back up. I understand the problems people face. And I know how to help.

Quotable:

Suburban housewives? Really? Women go to work. The average American family has two parents working, and thats out of necessity and thats out of talent and wanting to use your skills.

 U.S. Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of Delaware County during a virtual Women for Biden event Thursday.
Britain has said it will reimpose a quarantine on travellers from France and the Netherlands as of the weekend, prompting Paris to quickly announce a reciprocal measure. The announcement comes after the French government reported a rise in new infections in the last 24 hours.

"Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN," transport minister Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter.

"If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."

French junior minister for European affairs Clement Beaune said that it was "a British decision we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure".

France "hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible," Beaune said on Twitter.

On Thursday France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May.

In its weekly briefing, the French health authorities said there was a significant rise of infections among young people (15-44) in urban areas.

It said that the number of people under 40 being admitted to hospital had increased over the past three weeks.

In total, 30,388 people have died in France since the beginning of the epidemic, 17 of those in the last 24 hours.

Spain, Andorra, Belgium, Bahamas on the list

Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out "travel corridors", such as from France, which exempted travellers arriving from certain countries from having to self-isolate.

But it reintroduced the quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain in late July, catching airlines by surprise -- as well as thousands of Britons leaving for their holidays.

Britain reimposed quarantine for travellers from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas last week.

With more than 41,000 deaths caused by the Covid-19 disease, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his handling of the crisis.
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Beyrouth, Lebanon  Fri, August 14, 2020 20:05 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e2256a 2 Entertainment Russel-Crowe,Beirut,Lebanon,Beirut-blast,actor,cinema,Anthony-Bourdain Free

Hollywood star Russell Crowe said Thursday that he donated funds to help rebuild a blast-hit Beirut restaurant on behalf of late food icon Anthony Bourdain, who loved its traditional dishes.

The decades-old Le Chef restaurant, located in the heart of a trendy Beirut district, is a beloved neighborhood place renowned for its home-style cooking.

It was blown to pieces by the August 4 explosion that killed 171 people, wounded at least 6,500 and ravaged swathes of Beirut.

The Oscar-winning Crowe, best known for his role in the 2000 action film Gladiator, said on Twitter that he made the donation "on behalf of Anthony Bourdain".

On behalf of Anthony Bourdain.

I thought that he would have probably done so if he was still around. I wish you and LeChef the best and hope things can be put back together soon. https://t.co/VHYCJujJ6y  Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) August 13, 2020

"I thought that he would have probably done so if he was still around," Crowe said of the celebrity chef and travel journalist who committed suicide in 2018.

"Hope things can be put back together soon."

Read also: Actors, popstars raise funds to support victims of Australian bushfires

Crowe's $5,000 donation was made on a GoFundMe page set up by fans of Le Chef, a restaurant popular with tourists as well as locals in the Gemmayzeh neighborhood that was among the hardest-hit by the explosion.

The online fundraiser raised nearly $11,000 in less than 24 hours, just $2,000 short of its target.

Le Chef is where Bourdain had his first meal when he and his crew where trapped in Lebanon for a week in 2006 because of a month-long war with Israel.

It is featured in the highly-praised Lebanon episode of his No Reservations series.

"Really good food, very traditional," Bourdain says of the restaurant in the show, calling it a "nice mix" of old and new.

It's a "good first meal in Beirut".
The United States did not accept Russia's offer to help the country with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.

Russian officials told CNN on Thursday that they proposed "unprecedented cooperation" with the Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the U.S. agency body set to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. However, the officials said the "U.S. is not currently open" to Russia's medical advances.

A senior Russian official told CNN that there was a general sense of mistrust of Russia on the American side. The official added that Russia believed that technologies, including vaccines, testings, and treatments, are not being adopted in the U.S. because of that doubt.

On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said President Donald Trump was briefed on the new Russian vaccine, but noted that U.S. vaccines go through "rigorous" testing.

McEnany said American vaccines go through Phase 3 testing and high standards.

Other U.S. officials told CNN that the vaccine from Russia is considered half baked that it hadn't piqued U.S. interest before the rollout.

A U.S. government public health official said: "There's no way in hell the U.S. tries this (Russian vaccine) on monkeys, let alone people."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughter had taken the vaccine developed against the novel coronavirus, Russia announced on Tuesday. But tests are yet to be completed, and some experts have expressed doubts about the claims, the CNN reported.

Russian officials noted that Russia is willing to give information about the vaccine and allow U.S. pharmaceutical companies to develop and produce it.

Recently, Russia claims that some American firms are interested in the vaccine, but their names have not been disclosed.

After the U.S. declined Russia's offer, the Russian sources maintained that Washington should consider adopting the vaccine Sputnik V to save American lives.

"If our vaccine proves to be one of the most effective, questions will be asked why the U.S. did not explore this option any deeper, why politics got in the way of access to a vaccine," a senior Russian official told CNN.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Russia's sovereign wealth fund said at least 20 countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America had expressed their interest in the vaccine.

Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte said he is so confident about the result of the vaccine, as per KTLA. Duterte also stated that he would take the vaccine when it arrives in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the foreign minister of Mexico on Thursday said Mexico is in talks with Russia about the vaccine.

Reports said Russia had not released any scientific data on the testing of Sputnik V, and there have no verified reports on the vaccine's claimed safety or effectiveness.

In April, Russia enacted a law that eliminates the requirement of the crucial Phase 3 trials that need to be conducted before the vaccine's approval. The law allowed researchers to fast-track the vaccine's development process, according to KTLA.

The Sputnik V vaccine will gradually be rolled out to high-risk people before Russia's mass vaccination in October.

Check these out:

Fauci on Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine: "I Seriously Doubt That It Is Safe and Effective"

LA Mexican Consulate Opens New Coronavirus Testing Center for Latinos

Lack of Women in Clinical Trials Leads to Dosage Problems, New Study Finds
Indian flyers holding any kind of valid visa under the 'Air Bubbles' agreement can travel to the UK, the US, Canada and UAE, said the Director-General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India.

"Under bubble agreement any Indian holding any kind of valid visa can travel to Canada, UK, US and UAE," said DGCA India in a statement.

According to the earlier guidelines issued by the European Union amid the COVID-19 pandemic, only those holding essential visa were allowed for travel abroad.

Recently, Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Puri had confirmed that more air bubbles with other countries are in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, India has not allowed entry of all type of visa holders into the country except for those holding essential visa approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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In another effort to let the genius brains around the world help NASA with its missions, the US Space Agency is now inviting applications from university-level engineering students for its quest to harvest water on the Moon and Mars.

NASA calls it the 2021 Moon to Mars Ice and Prospecting Challenge.

NASA

NASA explains the struggle faced by the astronauts on such expeditions in a recent post. It says that water is essential for many actions on such celestial missions, whether to drink, grow plants or make rocket propellant. It is, on the other hand, also heavy and expensive to bring to such destinations from Earth.

The idea is then to meet these needs of water through water harvesting on the destination itself. The good news, NASA claims, is that water is more abundant in our solar system than previously thought.

An example of this lurks in the shadows of the Moons South Pole with a potential for hundreds of millions of tons of ice. But the question remains, how to harvest it?

The real challenge

NASA Artemis Mission (Image: NASA)

"The water we'll find when the next men and first women explore the lunar surface for the Artemis program is liable to be mixed with contaminants that need to be removed before drinking, or use as fuel," says Douglas Terrier, NASA chief technologist.



NASA thus wants ideas from eligible undergraduate and graduate student teams to overcome this issue. The main goal of the task would be to harvest as much water as possible from simulated portions of lunar and Martian surfaces.

NASA wants the participating students to design as well as build hardware that can identify, map, and drill through various subsurface layers. The hardware should then be able to extract water from an ice block in a simulated test bed.

This artist's concept shows an astronaut on Mars, as viewed through the window of a spacecraft. (Representative Image: NASA/ JPL-Caltech)

In addition, each team will have to identify critical differences in the performed operations between Earth, Moon and Mars. The teams will then have to describe the essential modifications needed for each of the scenarios.



Process Flow

Those interested in the challenge must submit a project plan with detailed concept design and operations by November 24, 2020.

NASA will select up to 10 teams in December which will receive a $10,000 development stipend to build and test their systems over a period of next six months. The teams will then have to demonstrate their capabilities in a three-day competition at NASAs Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, in June next year. Travel stipend might also be provided to top performing teams to present their idea at various NASA events.
Mr Sammy Awuku, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said that the Party will outdoor its manifesto for the 2020 General Election on Saturday, August 22.



He said the manifesto would contain the first term achievements of the Party and amid the COVID-19 pandemic and also programmes to be initiated for the next four years if given the nod in the December polls.



Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, Mr Awuku said the country needed decisive leaders who could make concrete decisions to solve the myriad of challenges the country was facing.



The December 2020 race is for leaders who act with swiftness to protect the present and future of the people. This is why were are appealing to the electorate to give the Party another chance to advance development, he said.



Mr Awuku said the NPP had a good track record of managing the economy even in distress conditions such as COVID-19, which he said had thrown the economy of developed countries off gear.



He said the NPP had demonstrated its good will by introducing social interventions including, the Free Senior High School, benefiting 1.2 million students, restored training teachers and nursing allowances in first year of office, introduced the Ghana Card and provision of ambulances to all districts.



Mr Awuku said most sectors of the economy had witnessed tremendous changes, citing the implementation of the Planting for Food and Jobs and the One District, One Factory policy programmes.



He said the track record of the performance of the NPP, especially under the Fourth Republican Constitution, had proven that: This is a Party that can be trusted when given the mandate.



Mr Awuku said that good development policies ought to be sustained for a considerable number of years to deliver the intended positive results.



Mr Awuku said Mr John Dramani Mahama, the former President and the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress failed the nation and that his government did not manage the economy well.



Mr Mahama has been in government for eight years so whatever good intention he had, could have been done during that time, he urged the electorates to retain the NPP in power.

Source: GNA









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BEIJING, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), a leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter 2020 Financial and Operational Snapshots

Net revenues were RMB512.5 million ( US$72.5 million ), representing a 7.3% decrease year-over-year.

( ), representing a 7.3% decrease year-over-year. Gross billings (non-GAAP) were RMB531.5 million ( US$75.2 million ), representing a 21.3% increase year-over-year.

( ), representing a 21.3% increase year-over-year. Gross profit was RMB412.9 million ( US$58.4 million ), representing a 9.7% decrease year-over-year.

( ), representing a 9.7% decrease year-over-year. Net loss was RMB126.1 million ( US$17.9 million ), compared with RMB12.9 million in the second quarter of 2019.

( ), compared with in the second quarter of 2019. Net loss margin, defined as net loss as a percentage of net revenues, increased to 24.6% from 2.3% in the second quarter of 2019.

New student enrollments were 82,597, representing a 10.2% increase year-over-year.

As of June 30, 2020 , the Company's deferred revenue balance was RMB3,066.6 million ( US$434.0 million ).

[1] New student enrollments for a given period refers to the total number of orders placed by students that newly enroll in at least one course during that period (including those students that enroll and then terminate their enrollment with us, excluding orders of our low-price courses). In June 2019, we introduced low-price courses, including "mini courses" and "RMB1 courses," to strengthen our competitiveness and improve customer experience. We offer such low-price courses mainly in the formats of recorded videos or short live streaming.

"While the COVID-19 pandemic in China was effectively constrained during the second quarter, due to the varying work resumption requirements in different regions, the average resumption rate of our Wuhan campus and Beijing headquarters, was about 80%. Against this backdrop, we are pleased with maintaining steady growth in the second quarter, thanks to our self-developed collaborative online office system, efficient operation management and rigorous execution. Our net revenues in the second quarter of 2020 reached RMB512.5 million, in line with our guidance," said Mr. Tongbo Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Sunlands. "In addition, our gross billings achieved year-over-year growth for the first time in the past five quarters, increasing by 21.3% to RMB531.5 million compared with the prior-year period, thanks to our strategy to diversify product and service offerings, continuous expansion in training course categories, improved efficiency of our sales team, as well as the tremendous efforts from all of our employees.

"In response to the growing number of individuals seeking post-graduate degrees, we have focused our efforts on strengthening our master's degree-oriented programs in order to capture the growth opportunities, in addition to increasing our students' willingness to pay for incremental courses and maximize their overall engagement. Gross billings of master's degree-oriented programs for the second quarter of 2020 reached a new high of RMB135.2 million, up 58.7% year-over-year and accounting for 25.4% of total gross billings. At the same time, based on student demands and new market trends, Sunlands is also actively expanding our course offerings in multiple categories, including professional certifications and trainings related to new occupations as well as new skills and hobbies training catering to person's diverse interests. Also in the quarter, our STE programs have maintained a solid market position and market share. Looking ahead, we are confident to maintain the market leading position of our existing service categories and continuously improve the learning effectiveness of our students through technical and operational advancement. We are also optimistic to capture the market opportunities and create more cross-selling possibilities as we develop new contents and firmly execute on our nimble and efficient student acquisition strategy." Mr. Liu concluded.

Ms. Selena Lu Lv, Chief Financial Officer of Sunlands, said, "During the second quarter, our net revenues declined 7.3% year-over-year due to the decrease of gross billings last year. However, we are pleased that even given the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and severe macroeconomic environment, our gross billings achieved a more than 20% year-over-year growth, reaching an important inflection point, and giving us confidence in its continuous growth in the future. On the expense side, we continued our pursuit of cost structure optimization, achieving 33.9% and 33.6% reductions in administrative expenses and R&D expenses respectively compared with the same period last year.

"Going forward, our focus remains on the diversification of our online courses and the improvement of our technology and operational capabilities. We believe more product offerings will translate to bigger addressable market for us and higher cost leverage, as well as increasing repurchasing potential from our students, whereas technological and operational improvement provides our students better experiences, which will further strengthen our brand image and reputation, and ultimately improve our referral rate. We will also continue diversifying our student acquisition strategy and upgrading the conversion model, all in an effort to further improve our sales conversion rate and efficiency, and drive sustainable long-term growth." Ms. Lv concluded.

Financial Results for the second quarter of 2020

Net Revenues

In the second quarter of 2020, net revenues decreased by 7.3% to RMB512.5 million (US$72.5 million) from RMB552.7 million in the second quarter of 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease of gross billings last year.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues increased by 4.1% to RMB99.6 million (US$14.1 million) in the second quarter of 2020 from RMB95.7 million in the second quarter of 2019, which was primarily due to an increase in expenses related to service fees to educational institutions.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased by 9.7% to RMB412.9 million (US$58.4 million) in the second quarter of 2020 from RMB457.0 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Operating Expenses

In the second quarter of 2020, operating expenses were RMB560.0 million (US$79.3 million), representing a 12.3% increase from RMB498.7 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Sales and marketing expenses increased by 25.2% to RMB487.9 million (US$69.1 million) in the second quarter of 2020 from RMB389.7 million in the second quarter of 2019. The increase was mainly due to increases in (i) compensation paid to our sales and marketing personnel; and (ii) spending on branding and marketing activities, including investments in broadening our diversified student acquisition channels.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 33.9% to RMB56.1 million (US$7.9 million) in the second quarter of 2020 from RMB84.9 million in the second quarter of 2019. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in compensation expenses.

Product development expenses decreased by 33.6% to RMB16.0 million (US$2.3 million) in the second quarter of 2020 from RMB24.0 million in the second quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the compensation incurred related to our product and technology development personnel during the quarter.

Other income

Other income increased to RMB17.5 million(US$2.5 million) in the second quarter of 2020 from RMB9.0 million in the second quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to the value-added tax exemption offered by the relevant authorities in an amount of RMB15.0 million during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Net Loss

Net loss for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB126.1 million (US$17.9 million), compared with RMB12.9 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per share was RMB18.70 (US$2.65) in the second quarter of 2020.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had RMB1,079.4 million (US$152.8 million) of cash and cash equivalents and RMB288.6 million (US$40.8 million) of short-term investments, compared with RMB1,402.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and RMB217.6 million of short-term investments as of December 31, 2019.

Deferred Revenue

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had a deferred revenue balance of RMB3,066.6 million (US$434.0 million), compared with RMB3,228.8 million as of December 31, 2019.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were incurred primarily in connection with IT infrastructure equipment and leasehold improvement necessary to support Sunlands' operations. Capital expenditures were RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) in the second quarter of 2020, compared with RMB2.2 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Financial Results for the First Six Months of 2020

Net Revenues

In the first six months of 2020, net revenues decreased by 3.5% to RMB1,077.6 million (US$152.5 million) from RMB1,116.9 million in the first six months of 2019.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues increased by 8.5% to RMB196.5 million (US$27.8 million) in the first six months of 2020 from RMB181.2 million in the first six months of 2019.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased by 5.8% to RMB881.1 million (US$124.7 million) from RMB935.8 million in the first six months of 2019.

Operating Expenses

In the first six months of 2020, operating expenses were RMB1,127.7 million (US$159.6 million), representing a 1.5% increase from RMB1,111.4 million in the first six months of 2019.

Sales and marketing expenses increased by 6.6% to RMB945.7 million (US$133.9 million) in the first six months of 2020 from RMB887.0 million in the first six months of 2019.

General and administrative expenses decreased by 16.6% to RMB144.6 million (US$20.5 million) in the first six months of 2020 from RMB173.4 million in the first six months of 2019.

Product development expenses decreased by 26.7% to RMB37.4 million (US$5.3 million) in the first six months of 2020 from RMB51.0 million in the first six months of 2019.

Other income

Other income for the first six months of 2020 was RMB46.5 million (US$6.6 million), compared with RMB9.3 million in the first six months of 2019.

Net Loss

Net loss for the first six months of 2020 was RMB191.7 million (US$27.1 million), compared with RMB125.8 million in the first six months of 2019.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

Basic and diluted net loss per share was RMB28.28 (US$4.0) in the first six months of 2020, compared with RMB18.38 in the first six months of 2019.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were incurred primarily in connection with IT infrastructure equipment and leasehold improvement necessary to support Sunlands' operations. Capital expenditures were RMB8.0 million (US$1.1 million) in the first six months of 2020, compared with RMB3.3 million in the first six months of 2019.

Outlook

For the third quarter of 2020, Sunlands currently expects net revenues to be between RMB500 million to RMB520 million, which would represent a decrease of 5.2% to 1.4% year-over-year.

The above outlook is based on the current market conditions and reflects the Company's current and preliminary estimates of market and operating conditions and customer demand, which are all subject to substantial uncertainty.

Exchange Rate

The Company's business is primarily conducted in China and all revenues are denominated in Renminbi ("RMB"). This announcement contains currency conversions of RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to US$ are made at a rate of RMB7.0651 to US$1.00, the effective noon buying rate for June 30, 2020 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into US$ at that rate on June 30, 2020, or at any other rate.

Conference Call and Webcast

Sunlands' management team will host a conference call at 7:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time, (7:30 PM Beijing/Hong Kong time) on August 14, 2020, following the quarterly results announcement.

The dial-in details for the live conference call are:

International: +1-412-902-4272 US toll free: +1-888-346-8982 Mainland China toll free: 400-120-1203 Hong Kong toll free: 800-905-945 Hong Kong: +852-3018-4992

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. When prompted, ask to be connected to the call for "Sunlands Technology Group." Participants will be required to state their name and company upon entering the call.

A live webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sunlands' website at http://www.sunlands.investorroom.com/.

A replay of the conference call will be available 1 hour after the end of the conference call until August 21, 2020, by dialing the following telephone numbers:

International: +1-412-317-0088 US toll free: +1-877-344-7529 Replay access code: 10147049

About Sunlands

Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is the leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education. With a one to many, live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree and diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as online professional courses and educational content, to help students prepare for professional certification exams and attain professional skills. Students can access its services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company's online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company's proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use gross billings and EBITDA, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes.

We define gross billings for a specific period as the total amount of cash received for the sale of course packages, net of the total amount of refunds paid in such period. Our management uses gross billings as a performance measurement because we generally bill our students for the entire course tuition at the time of sale of our course packages and recognize revenue proportionally over a period. EBITDA is defined as net loss excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, interest income, and income tax expenses. We believe that gross billings and EBITDA provide valuable insight into the sales of our course packages and the performance of our business.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP measure has been provided in the tables included below. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. As gross billings and EBITDA have material limitations as an analytical metric and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider gross billings and EBITDA as a substitute for, or superior to, their respective most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Sunlands may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sunlands' beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: Sunlands' goals and strategies; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its brand and services; its ability to retain and increase student enrollments; its ability to offer new courses and educational content; its ability to improve teaching quality and students' learning results; its ability to improve sales and marketing efficiency and effectiveness; its ability to engage, train and retain new faculty members; its future business development, results of operations and financial condition; its ability to maintain and improve technology infrastructure necessary to operate its business; competition in the online education industry in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to Sunlands' corporate structure, business and industry; and general economic and business condition in China Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Sunlands' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and Sunlands does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

Sunlands Technology Group

Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

The Piacente Group, Inc.

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

Email: [email protected]

Ross Warner

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

Email: [email protected]

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)





As of December 31,

As of June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB

US$ ASSETS











Current assets











Cash and cash equivalents

1,402,226

1,079,409

152,780 Short-term investments

217,640

288,592

40,848 Prepaid expenses and other current assets

180,881

229,306

32,454 Deferred costs, current

243,447

232,379

32,891 Total current assets

2,044,194

1,829,686

258,973 Non-current assets











Property and equipment, net

545,675

532,728

75,403 Intangible assets, net

1,176

1,531

217 Right-of-use assets

598,991

571,995

80,961 Deferred costs, non-current

205,488

194,316

27,504 Long-term investments

40,026

65,100

9,214 Deferred tax assets

85,513

37,111

5,253 Other non-current assets

447,639

447,024

63,272 Total non-current assets

1,924,508

1,849,805

261,824 TOTAL ASSETS

3,968,702

3,679,491

520,797













LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

























LIABILITIES











Current liabilities











Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses











and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to











Sunlands Technology Group of RMB209,727 and RMB228,875 as of











December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

435,225

590,013

83,511 Deferred revenue, current (including deferred revenue, current of the consolidated VIEs











without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of RMB1,162,938 and











RMB653,595 as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

1,670,076

1,503,501

212,807 Lease liabilities, current (including lease liabilities, current of the consolidated VIEs











without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of 22,659 and











RMB16,730 as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

40,236

37,888

5,363 Payables to acquire buildings (including payables to acquire buildings of the











consolidated VIEs without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of nil and nil











as of December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2020, respectively)

61,540

61,540

8,710 Long-term debt, current (including long-term debt, current of the consolidated VIEs











without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of nil and nil as of December











31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

32,500

32,500

4,600 Total current liabilities

2,239,577

2,225,442

314,991

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-continued (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)





As of December 31,

As of June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB

US$ Non-current liabilities











Deferred revenue, non-current (including deferred revenue, non-current of the











consolidated VIEs without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of











RMB1,096,482 and RMB845,371 as of December 31, 2019 and June 30,











2020, respectively)

1,558,694

1,563,068

221,238 Lease liabilities, non-current (including lease liabilities, non-current of the











consolidated VIEs without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of











358,467 and RMB347,324 as of December 31, 2019 and June 30,











2020, respectively)

616,246

605,213

85,662 Deferred tax liabilities (including deferred tax liabilities of the consolidated











VIEs without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of 4,415 and RMB4,310 as of











December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

87,954

37,834

5,355 Other non-current liabilities (including other non-current liabilities of the consolidated











VIEs without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of RMB135 and RMB135 as of











December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

11,469

9,801

1,387 Long-term debt, non-current (including long-term debt, non-current of the consolidated











VIEs without recourse to Sunlands Technology Group of nil and nil as of











December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

193,125

176,875

25,035 Total non-current liabilities

2,467,488

2,392,791

338,677 TOTAL LIABILITIES

4,707,065

4,618,233

653,668

SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT











Class A ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 796,062,195 shares











authorized; 1,830,183 and 1,914,702 shares issued as of December 31, 2019











and June 30, 2020, respectively; 1,728,006 and 1,728,641 shares











outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

1

1

- Class B ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 826,389 shares











authorized; 826,389 and 826,389 shares issued and outstanding











as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

-

-

- Class C ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005, 203,111,416 shares











authorized; 4,258,686 and 4,174,167 shares issued and outstanding











as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020, respectively)

1

1

- Treasury stock

-

-

- Additional paid-in capital

2,363,999

2,338,482

330,991 Accumulated deficit

(3,244,587)

(3,436,292)

(486,376) Accumulated other comprehensive income

142,435

159,285

22,545 Total Sunlands Technology Group shareholders' deficit

(738,151)

(938,523)

(132,840) Noncontrolling interest

(212)

(219)

(31) TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

(738,363)

(938,742)

(132,871) TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

3,968,702

3,679,491

520,797

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)





For the Three Months Ended June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB

US$ Net revenues

552,690

512,482

72,537 Cost of revenues

(95,677)

(99,591)

(14,096) Gross profit

457,013

412,891

58,441













Operating expenses











Sales and marketing expenses

(389,678)

(487,882)

(69,055) Product development expenses

(24,045)

(15,970)

(2,260) General and administrative expenses

(84,947)

(56,136)

(7,946) Total operating expenses

(498,670)

(559,988)

(79,261) Loss from operations

(41,657)

(147,097)

(20,820) Interest income

24,635

6,317

892 Interest expense

(3,654)

(2,941)

(416) Other income, net

8,981

17,521

2,480 Loss before income tax expenses

(11,695)

(126,200)

(17,864) Income tax expenses

-

224

32 Loss from equity method investments

(1,190)

(173)

(24) Net loss

(12,885)

(126,149)

(17,856)













Less: Net (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interest

(92)

45

6













Net loss attributable to Sunlands Technology Group

(12,793)

(126,194)

(17,862) Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of











Sunlands Technology Group:











Basic and diluted

(1.87)

(18.70)

(2.65) Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss











per ordinary share:











Basic and diluted

6,831,112

6,749,309

6,749,309















UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Amounts in thousands)

















For the Three Months Ended June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB

US$ Net loss

(12,885)

(126,149)

(17,856) Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax effect of nil:











Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments

33,868

(2,513)

(356) Total comprehensive income/(loss)

20,983

(128,662)

(18,212) Less: comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling











interest

(92)

45

6 Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Sunlands Technology











Group

21,075

(128,707)

(18,218)

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (Amounts in thousands)





For the Three Months Ended June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB Net revenues

552,690

512,482 Less: other revenues

(228)

(4,194) Add: tax and surcharges

29,923

34,554 Add: ending deferred revenue

3,227,949

3,066,569 Add: ending refund liability

-

202,651 Less: beginning deferred revenue

(3,372,174)

(3,105,517) Less: beginning refund liability

-

(175,006) Gross billings (non-GAAP)

438,160

531,539





























Net loss

(12,885)

(126,149) Add: income tax expenses

-

(224) depreciation and amortization

9,176

11,325 interest expense

3,654

2,941 Less: interest income

(24,635)

(6,317) EBITDA (non-GAAP)

(24,690)

(118,424)

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, or otherwise noted)





For the Six Months Ended June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB

US$ Net revenues

1,116,905

1,077,581

152,522 Cost of revenues

(181,150)

(196,503)

(27,813) Gross profit

935,755

881,078

124,709













Operating expenses











Sales and marketing expenses

(887,012)

(945,737)

(133,860) Product development expenses

(51,002)

(37,365)

(5,289) General and administrative expenses

(173,384)

(144,638)

(20,472) Total operating expenses

(1,111,398)

(1,127,740)

(159,621) Loss from operations

(175,643)

(246,662)

(34,912) Interest income

48,944

13,137

1,857 Interest expense

(7,385)

(6,128)

(867) Other income, net

9,279

46,549

6,589 Loss before income tax expenses

(124,805)

(193,104)

(27,333) Income tax expenses

-

1,718

243 Loss from equity method investments

(1,010)

(326)

(46) Net loss

(125,815)

(191,712)

(27,136)













Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

(82)

(7)

(1)













Net loss attributable to Sunlands Technology Group

(125,733)

(191,705)

(27,135) Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of











Sunlands Technology Group:











Basic and diluted

(18.38)

(28.28)

(4.00) Weighted average shares used in calculating net loss











per ordinary share:











Basic and diluted

6,842,421

6,779,346

6,779,346















UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Amounts in thousands)





For the Six Months Ended June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB

US$ Net loss

(125,815)

(191,712)

(27,136) Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax effect of nil:











Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments

(2,537)

16,850

2,385 Total comprehensive loss

(128,352)

(174,862)

(24,751) Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling











interest

(82)

(7)

(1) Comprehensive loss attributable to Sunlands Technology











Group

(128,270)

(174,855)

(24,750)

SUNLANDS TECHNOLOGY GROUP RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (Amounts in thousands)





For the Six Months Ended June 30,



2019

2020



RMB

RMB Net revenues

1,116,905

1,077,581 Less: other revenues

(9,614)

(10,988) Add: tax and surcharges

52,819

69,757 Add: ending deferred revenue

3,227,949

3,066,569 Add: ending refund liability

-

202,651 Less: beginning deferred revenue

(3,286,025)

(3,228,770) Less: beginning refund liability

-

(128,478) Gross billings (non-GAAP)

1,102,034

1,048,322





























Net loss

(125,815)

(191,712) Add: income tax expenses

-

(1,718) depreciation and amortization

18,438

20,483 interest expense

7,385

6,128 Less: interest income

(48,944)

(13,137) EBITDA (non-GAAP)

(148,936)

(179,956)

SOURCE Sunlands Technology Group

Related Links

www.sunlands.com


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Chinese tech giant ByteDance censored content it perceived as critical of Chinas government on its news aggregator app in Indonesia from 2018 to mid-2020, six people with direct knowledge of the matter told the Reuters news agency.

The sources said local moderators were instructed by a team from ByteDances Beijing headquarters to delete articles seen as negative about Chinese authorities on the Baca Berita (BaBe) app.

In a statement to Reuters, BaBe said it disagreed with the claims and that it moderates content according to its community guidelines and in line with Indonesias local laws.

Those guidelines, which are published on its website, do not mention China or the Chinese government.

Following the publication of this story, BaBe said before the more localised approach it currently uses, BaBe had some moderation practices in place that were not consistent with our philosophy of having the Indonesian team deciding what is appropriate for its market.

These guidelines were replaced in 2019 and weve since built and empowered local moderation teams to make decisions that suit the local market, the statement added.

It did not immediately respond to a follow-up Reuters query asking which month in 2019 those guidelines had changed.

ByteDance in Beijing said it had no additional comment beyond the BaBe statement. Chinas foreign ministry and its internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down ByteDances short-video app TikTok  wildly popular in the US, Indonesia and other countries  on national security grounds unless it is sold to a US company.

Some US legislators, including Republican Senator Josh Hawley, have raised concerns over TikToks data security practices and allegations that it engages in censorship at the behest of the Chinese government.

If ByteDance will censor BaBe in Indonesia, whats to stop it from censoring TikTok in the United States? Hawley said, when asked to comment on the Reuters story. We shouldnt trust any assurances they make. This is another reason TikTok as it currently exists should be banned in the United States.

A senior Trump administration official also weighed in on the news. Entities such as ByteDance ultimately answer to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have a history of censoring free speech to conform to CCP propaganda, the person said.

Lucrative market

Indonesia, a country of 270 million where more than half the population is under 30, is one of ByteDances fastest-growing markets. TikTok had more than 147 million downloads in the country, according to data from app analytics firm SensorTower.

ByteDance bought Indonesian news aggregator BaBe in 2018 after TikTok was briefly banned in the country for showing pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy, according to officials.

In seeking to reverse the ban, ByteDance agreed with Indonesian authorities to hire a team of local TikTok moderators and reinforce its presence in the worlds fourth largest country, according to the then Indonesian communications minister and three company sources.

It then purchased the full operations of BaBe, in which it had already been a majority investor.

Soon after, moderation guidelines for BaBe, which uses artificial intelligence to aggregate stories from hundreds of Indonesian media outlets, were crafted by a team from ByteDances Beijing headquarters, two of the six sources said.

BaBe moderators were also told not publish any articles on the TikTok ban while negotiations with the Indonesian government were under way, the people said.

Under the new BaBe guidelines, articles from partner media outlets that were perceived as critical of the Chinese government would either not be republished on the BaBe app or would be taken down from the app, according to the six sources.

Articles with the keyword Tiananmen, a reference to Chinas 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, or to Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, were among those taken down, one person with direct involvement said.

Another direct source described articles about tensions between Indonesia and China over the South China Sea as being banned on the app, even when they came from the countrys official news agency, Antara.

Non-political, happy tone

Three of the sources said BaBe was using content guidelines patterned on those used for ByteDances Chinese news app, Toutiao, with some tweaks made for Indonesia regarding the topic of elections as well as race, ethnicity, and religion in Indonesia. Sensationalist articles on those topics, which are highly sensitive in Indonesia, would be dropped, they said.

They wanted a non-political, happy tone for the app, one of the people said.

The guidelines changed in mid-2020, when it became possible to read articles on previously censored topics on the BaBe app, a separate source said, calling it a learning process for ByteDance.

ByteDance disagreed with this assessment and said guidelines changed in 2019.

A 2019 internal ByteDance presentation reviewed by Reuters describes BaBe as Indonesias top news app with more than 8 million monthly active users and 30 million downloads by the end of 2019.
Aliaksandr Bukatsich/iStockBy PATRICK REVELL, ABC News



(ZHODINO, Belarus) -- Workers at some of Belarus largest manufacturing plants declared strikes on Thursday in protest of violence from the security services, a sign that the demonstrations that have gripped the country since last Sundays contested election are continuing to swell.



Hundreds of workers at the large Belarus Auto Factory (BelAZ) in the town of Zhodino were filmed walking out of the plant, chanting "Long live Belarus." There were also reports of strikes at several other plants, including the state-run Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) and Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ).



Local media quoted the workers at BelAZ as demanding a repeat of Sundays election that ended in a landslide win for Belarus long-time authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko amid allegations of widespread vote rigging. The workers also reportedly called for riot police to be expelled from the town.



Thousands of protesters also demonstrated across Belarus in many cities and towns. Videos and photos showed many protesters forming what they call "chains of solidarity," standing in long lines along roads waving objects painted with the red and white flag that is a symbol of the anti-Lukashenko opposition.



The protests appeared to be growing despite four days of brutal crackdown from the authorities since the election. The security services have deployed heavily armed riot police and interior troops against the peaceful protesters each night, using stun grenades and rubber bullets indiscriminately. Hundreds of people have been injured and at least one killed since Sunday. Belaruss authorities have acknowledged security forces opened fire with live ammunition on demonstrators in the town of Brest on Tuesday night, wounding one person.



Authorities have said theyve detained close to 7,000 people since the protests began. Minsks jails are reported to be overflowing, according to local journalists and accounts from those released. Hundreds of people have been gathering outside jails looking to find relatives who disappeared overnight during the protests.



The announcement of the factory strikes was a potentially significant development, signalling that the discontent in also shared among groups considered part of Lukashenkos traditional base.



Lukashenko, often referred to as "Europes Last Dictator," has been in power for 26 years but in recent months has seen a groundswell of opposition. In Sundays election he was challenged by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a former teacher and stay-at-home mother who only joined the race after her husband -- a popular blogger -- was jailed and barred from running.



Tikhanovskaya attracted huge support from people fed up with Lukashenko and angered with his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which he has dismissed.



Belarus elections commission on Thursday published what it said were the final results of the election, that bumped up Tikhanovskayas share of the vote to 14.92%, and reduced Lukashenkos to 64.49%.



But many people in Belarus believe the real result is still very different and the protesters are demanding the election be held again.



In a video that went viral in the country, workers at the autoplant in Zhodino are seen confronting a local mayor who has come to speak with them. A man shouts asking how many of the crowd voted for Tikhanovskaya -- virtually every workers hands shoot up.



Tikhanovskaya left Belarus for Lithuania on Tuesday, suggesting she had faced threats to her family. But the protests, which are largely leaderless, have continued.



Many people demonstrating told media on the ground they had been moved to come out because of the violence from the security services.



The main difference now is that well again people protest across the country, everywhere, because everybody feels fed up, Hanna Liubakova, a journalist based in Minsk said by phone on Wednesday.



"People are so angry. They have so many reasons for discontent. And this will not disappear," she said.



Two presenters from state television said they were resigning on Wednesday night in light of the situation in the country. A number of prominent Belarusian celebrities have also posted statements condemning the violence from police.



There have been growing calls in Europe for the European Union to impose sanctions on Lukashenko over the crackdown. Germany, Lithuania, Latvia and Sweden have spoken publicly in favor of sanctions, ahead of emergency talks between EU foreign ministers on Friday.



Reuters on Thursday reported the EU was likely to impose sanctions on Belarus as soon as the end of this month.



The U.S., which restored diplomatic relations with Belarus only last year after a decade pause prompted by a previous crackdown, has so far not joined those calls. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday criticized the violence and said the election had not been free and fair.



He said the U.S. was studying its options, mentioning the possibility of stopping recently agreed oil deliveries to Belarus, but noted "were still pretty fresh off this election."



"What is it that we believe that we can do, not just the United States unilaterally, but in a multilateral way to deliver good outcomes for the Belarusian people," he said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. "And we need to see how things settle out here in the near future."



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
The Coronavirus pandemic has bitterly stung the entire Universe as day in and out there are cases of the disease across countries.



Ghana has equally been gravely impacted by the pandemic disease; the nation currently has recorded over 40,000 cases.



Although the number of recoveries/discharges in the country has seen a significant growth, the situation still not safe until a vaccine or cure has been discovered to curb the disease.



Scientists across the globe are working tirelessly and assiduously to find the possible vaccine to treat the COVID-19 but the virus is said to be very stubborn, in other words it keeps mutating; hence giving the scientists a tough nut to crack.



Addressing the issue, Deputy Health Minister Dr. Okoe Boye sought God's help and intervention in the situation.



According to him, the strength of the scientists has overwhelmingly been challenged by the novel disease and it will take God to guide the scientists to find either the vaccine or cure to treat it.



"He is with us, He is bigger than the virus. And when a Scientist tells you that he's looking up, it means he has met a very dangerous situation . . . Sometimes, the science alone cannot help you to be optimistic but you must believe that someway [somehow] we shall overcome and that is an important aspect of management of a crisis."



Dr. Okoe Boye warned scientists not to play God but rather be optimistic that the fight will be over some day with the guidance of God.



In fighting this disease, "the leader cannot afford to be pessimistic. The last person to express fear should be the pilot and we, in direct leadership of this disease, should be the last people to speak in a way that shows that we're God," he stressed.



Watch his full submissions below:





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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A 40-year quest to retrace extraordinary life of activist Mary Talbert

Mary B. Talbert seated at table. Photo: The Buffalo History Museum

By CHARLOTTE HSU

In the materials that I have, her philosophy stays true: Shes on this path to make America all that it should be, to make the liberal documents upon which this country was built a reality for all Americans.  Lillian Williams, associate professor Department of Transnational Studies

Lillian S. Williams is writing a biography of Mary Burnett Talbert. A century separates the lives of these two women, but they share much in common: Both are educators and community activists. Both are deeply committed to the fight for social justice. Both are tireless in their work. Talbert, born in 1866, was an early 20th-century reformer, described by the National Womens Hall of Fame as a civil rights and anti-lynching activist, suffragist, preservationist, international human rights proponent, and educator. She served as president of the National Association of Colored Womens Clubs (NACWC), rose to become a vice president of the NAACP, helped found multiple NAACP chapters, and spoke nationally and internationally to advance an array of causes. She was the first woman to receive the NAACPs Springarn Medal, the organizations highest honor. She died in 1923. Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Transnational Studies, College of Arts and Sciences. An expert on U.S. social and urban history, much of her scholarship has sought to preserve the history of women and African Americans. For more than 40 years, retracing and celebrating Talberts remarkable life has been part of that work. To conduct this research, which is still underway, Williams has journeyed across the United States, visited Europe, collected Talberts letters and speeches, sifted through meeting notes from organizations that Talbert joined, walked the corridors of myriad libraries, pored over microfilm, and clocked countless car and airline miles in pursuit of newspaper clippings and other historical files. Im fascinated by her, Williams says. And when I look at her story, it talks about tenacity, it talks about vision, it talks about the efforts  I mean, consistent efforts  to improve life for other people. In the materials that I have, her philosophy stays true: Shes on this path to make America all that it should be, to make the liberal documents upon which this country was built a reality for all Americans. At the turn of the 20th century, once slavery ended, there was a huge demand for Black labor, and sharecropping emerged, and then with the industrialization of the South, again a need for African American labor and convict leasing emerged. Black people were criminalized, Williams says. Walking on the wrong side of the street, looking a white person in their eyes. Being wealthy was a crime, because you challenged the status quo that essentially said that African Americans were inferior, incompetent and incapable of anything, especially if it involved the intellect. It was in this era that Talbert did her work.

UB faculty member Lillian Williams has been researching the life of activist Mary Talbert for 40 years. Photo: Douglas Levere

Preserving Black history for future generations

In 1989, The Buffalo News published a story on Williams quest to learn about Talberts life. By then, Williams was more than a decade deep into her research on Talbert. Though a book-length biography is still in progress, she has published a number of shorter articles on Talberts life. She has also worked persistently to bring local and national recognition to Talberts legacy through writing, lectures, media interviews and historical recognition projects. In 2005, Williams teamed up with Madeline Scott, president of the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, to successfully nominate Talbert to the National Womens Hall of Fame. Williams strengthened the applications historical narrative. The naming of Talbert Hall at UB also resulted from Williams efforts. As a UB graduate student in the 1970s, Williams nominated Talbert for the honor, preparing a proposal that was selected by a campus committee. Earlier this month, the university renamed Putnam Way, the roadway that encircles the academic Spine, after Talbert, replacing the name of James O. Putnam, a lawyer and politician who served as UB chancellor from 1895-1902 and expressed racist views. Williams work on Talbert also intersected with other research endeavors. Williams 1999 book, Strangers in the Land of Paradise: The Creation of an African American Community, Buffalo, New York, 1900-1940, included discussion of Talberts achievements. In relation to the NACWC, which Talbert led from 1916-20, Williams edited the microfilm edition of the associations papers, preserving NACWC history and making correspondence, convention programs and minutes, handbooks and other records accessible to future historians. She catalogued the NACWCs papers, and preservation is so crucial, Barbara Seals Nevergold, co-founder of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women, says of Williams. Nevergold also notes that Williams was one of the founders of the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier, which has created expansive microfilm collections of records of African American organizations and individuals in Western New York. Efforts like these set a bar for the idea that African American history was important, that it was extant, that it could be retrieved  that it should be preserved and made available for current researchers, Nevergold says. Thats a tremendous contribution.

Telling Talberts extraordinary story

Mary B. Talbert oval portrait. Photo: The Buffalo History Museum

Nevergold  who has known Williams since the 1960s when the two taught at the same junior high school  says Williams enduring interest in Talbert is helping to illuminate the life of an important historical figure who has often been overlooked. Mary Talbert is an extraordinary individual, Nevergold says. We talk about American history being broader than just traditionally what has been in the history texts. Mary Talbert provides some very early examples of someone that we would want to have children understand and know and be inspired by. Talbert grew up in Oberlin, Ohio, a center of abolition and liberal thinking at the time, Williams says. Talberts parents were entrepreneurs: Her father ran a barber shop, and her mother ran a boarding house and restaurant near Oberlin College, where Talbert enrolled after finishing high school at age 16. Upon receiving a degree from Oberlin in 1886, Talbert moved to Arkansas, where she taught and then served as a high school principal. In 1891, she married William Talbert and joined him in Buffalo, where he was a city clerk and realtor. Their only child, Sarah May, who became a composer and pianist, was born in 1892. Williams says it was around the turn of the 20th century that Mary Talbert became a prominent voice in public life, lecturing on causes such as the womens right to vote and making important contributions to organizations such as the NAACP and NACWC. As Talberts biography in the National Womens Hall of Fame states, With conscious intent, she bridged the generation of 19th-century abolitionists and freedom seekers: Tubman, Douglass, Truth, and others, and the developing civil rights leadership of the 20th century. Elements that drove Talbert to protest injustice and fight for change included her familys wealth, her education and her religious convictions, Williams says. The breadth of Talberts advocacy was astounding: Locally, she was active in Buffalos Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, which had operated as a meeting place for abolitionists and a stop on the Underground Railroad. She started a church literary society that addressed social issues affecting African American people, lobbied the news media for fair coverage of African American people and was a charter member of Buffalos Phyllis Wheatley Club, an organization of African American women that established kindergartens for Black children, purchased and donated books to the library, hosted mothers groups and fought for human rights and woman suffrage. Founded in 1899, the Buffalo group became an affiliate of the NACWC. Talbert also devoted energy to national causes. As NACWC president, she led efforts to purchase and restore the home of Frederick Douglass, now a National Historic Site, and campaigned for prison reform in the Jim Crow South. She shed light on this issue, Williams says. In the South, you saw the criminalization of children and incarceration of children as young as 5 years old. Mary Talbert traveled throughout the South and explored these circumstances and spoke out against them. The NACWC, in response, began to establish a number of reform institutions so they could house these babies, so that these children would not be imprisoned with adults. Talbert also helped build the NAACP, founded in 1909. She served as an NAACP vice president and board member, and as national director of the organizations anti-lynching crusade, raising about $12,000 for that cause through speaking engagements alone, Williams says. Williams also discovered that Talbert helped to start branches of the NAACP in the South and West. Internationally, Talbert served as a Red Cross nurse during World War I, wrote to European leaders, protested atrocities tied to colonialism and advocated for the rights of children born out of wedlock as a delegate to the International Council of Womens conference in Norway in 1920, Williams says. In 1922, Williams adds, Talbert joined other former NACWC presidents and founded the International Council of Women of the Darker Races that brought together women from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and women of color in the United States to address white supremacy and its impact upon their constituents. Talbert had a gift for forming coalitions and connecting with varied audiences, from national and international leaders to grassroots activists, says Sibyl E. Moses, a reference specialist for African American history and culture at the Library of Congress who has helped Williams locate many records pertaining to Talbert. Moses, who is also a public historian, engaged Williams to write a multi-part series on Talbert for a magazine Moses edited  The Phyllis  which covers the history of the Order of the Eastern Star and other womens organizations affiliated with Prince Hall Freemasonry. Talbert was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (PHA) and the first Worthy Matron of Naomi Chapter #10 in Buffalo, into which Williams also was initiated, Moses says. Mary Talbert was a role model for social activism, Moses says. She used her national networks with organizations such as the NACWC and the Order of the Eastern Star (PHA) to facilitate an agenda that was in the interest of the race. She could speak to people from all backgrounds, and she encouraged everyone to be well-prepared and knowledgeable.

A fight spanning generations
(Natural News) Republican lawmakers, led by Senator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, are demanding answers from the federal government about the actions of Planned Parenthood as they operate using funds that were improperly obtained through the CARES act.

Last month, Planned Parenthood appeared on the list of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recipients. The PPP was set up as part of the CARES Act to provide small businesses who were affected by the economic shutdown because of the pandemic with economic relief.

At least 43 affiliates of Planned Parenthood throughout the nation received funds from the PPP and CARES Act legislation to the tune of somewhere between $65.8 million and $135 million. Although the PPP has already informed the affiliates that they must return the funds because they were not eligible, a group of 29 Republican senators is asking how they were able to receive the money in the first place.

A letter addressed to the Treasurys Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Brian Miller, said that Planned Parenthoods own statements suggest that the organization knew they were not eligible for PPP loans but applied anyway. The senators are asking how they were granted the loans despite their ineligibility and whether any of the affiliates knowingly gave false information in the application process.

Loeffler wrote on Twitter that she was proud to be leading the call for this investigation and said that Planned Parenthood must be held accountable for their actions.

Speaking to the Epoch Times, Representative Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said that the PPP program was set up to help businesses that have 500 employees or fewer. Planned Parenthood employs 16,000 people and has $2 billion in assets. This loan was not meant for them, he stated.

He added that he believes their actions were fraudulent and that they should be prosecuted. He said that while some companies who took the money but were found to be ineligible have since returned it, many Planned Parenthood affiliates had yet to do so.

He has proposed an extension of the Hyde Amendment called the Abortion Provider Loan Elimination Act, which would ban federal funding for groups that kill unborn babies as a medical procedure. His proposal has 23 co-sponsors, all of whom are Republicans.

Republicans also want answers about Planned Parenthoods organ harvesting

A second letter from 28 Republicans was addressed to Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Chris Wray asking for updates on federal investigations into Planned Parenthoods sale of aborted baby parts.

In 2015, videos were released by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) showing key figures in the abortion industry discussing their fetal organ harvesting practices on video. They contained an explicit description of how the face of an aborted baby whose heart was still beating was brutally cut open so they could harvest his brain.

Their discussion indicated that they carried out several federal crimes that are related to altering abortion procedures for reasons not related to the mothers health and profiting from human tissue trafficking.

Their letter said in part: We urge you to investigate not only the extent to which Planned Parenthood was involved in the sale of fetal tissue, but also the disturbing descriptions by Planned Parenthood workers of infants born alive who were left to die or killed through organ harvesting.

In June, the CMP released footage taken from the sworn testimony of the officials involved in the original investigation in which they admitted they knew the babies had been born alive and implied they were killed soon afterward.

Last year, 67 Congress members wrote a similar request to Barr and Wray asking for an update and an explanation of why no action had been taken.

It remains to be seen just how far these lawmakers will get in their search for answers, but it is absolutely clear that Planned Parenthood needs to be held accountable for acquiring federal funds improperly and using them to support their horrific practices when the money should have gone to more honest small businesses that were struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

TheEpochTimes.com

TheEpochTimes.com
Inamorata CEO Emily Ratajkowski tenderly kissed her husband - Uncut Gems co-producer Sebastian Bear-McClard - while on a beach in East Hampton, New York on Thursday.

The 29-year-old DNA Model has 'learned a lot' about herself being married to the 39-year-old Independent Spirit Award nominee over the last two years.

'It's been interesting being in quarantine and married,' Emily told British GQ in May.

PDA: Inamorata CEO Emily Ratajkowski tenderly kissed her husband - Uncut Gems co-producer Sebastian Bear-McClard - while on a beach in East Hampton, New York on Thursday

'We are in a good partnership': The 29-year-old DNA Model has 'learned a lot' about herself being married to the 39-year-old Independent Spirit Award nominee over the last two years

'I feel like a lot of people will end up divorced. But my husband and I are in a good partnership.'

The rent-dodging Tribeca couple have no plans for children but they dote on their '80lb' German Shepherd Columbo, whom they adopted on May 11, 2019.

Ratajkowski - who's penning a nonfiction book of essays - also bonded with three gal pals on the sand.

Worryingly, no one in the London-born SoCal native's posse protected themselves and others from the coronavirus pandemic by wearing a mask or face covering.

Family portrait: The rent-dodging Tribeca couple have no plans for children but they dote on their '80lb' German Shepherd Columbo, whom they adopted on May 11, 2019

Hey girl! Emily - who's penning a nonfiction book of essays - also bonded with three gal pals on the sand

Pandemic: Worryingly, no one in Ratajkowski's posse protected themselves and others from the coronavirus pandemic by wearing a mask or face covering

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order way back on April 15 'that all people MUST wear a mask or face covering in public' and that includes Long Island beaches.

Suffolk County makes up 43K of the 229K confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City, which has lead to 23,610 deaths (1,998 in Suffolk) as of Thursday - according to Johns Hopkins University.

But not wearing a mask meant catching a rare glimpse of Emily grinning as she and her friends commuted on beach cruisers.

Ratajkowski covered up her phenomenal 5ft7in figure in $80 forest-green Inamorata 'Serra' sweatpants, a black T-shirt, and white New Balance sneakers.

Including Long Island beaches: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order way back on April 15 'that all people MUST wear a mask or face covering in public'

Grim: Suffolk County makes up 43K of the 229K confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City, which has lead to 23,610 deaths (1,998 in Suffolk) as of Thursday

She has teeth! But not wearing a mask meant catching a rare glimpse of the London-born SoCal native grinning as she and her friends commuted on beach cruisers

Representing: Emily covered up her phenomenal 5ft7in figure in $80 forest-green Inamorata 'Serra' sweatpants, a black T-shirt, and white New Balance sneakers

The Lying and Stealing actress' five-piece 'Summer Sweats' collection nearly sold out just 10 hours after it officially launched that same day.

Emily's three-year-old swimwear brand with co-founder and best friend Kat Mendenhall has branched out to lingerie, loungewear, and now a line of basics.

'We're really lucky because we [sell] only direct to consumers, not wholesale. So in some way the business was set up for [the age of COVID-19],' Ratajkowski said.

'Almost all sold out! Some sizes left!' Ratajkowski's five-piece 'Summer Sweats' collection nearly sold out just 10 hours after it officially launched that same day

Due out in 2021! Sebastian's next producing effort is former child star Owen Kline's long-delayed feature directorial debut - a comedy called Two Against Nature - alongside the Safdie Brothers and Scott Rudin (posted in 2018)

'We're still selling right now. But we'd just got a new office space in January and hired two more team members this year, so this wasn't part of the dream, no.

'We basically do launches every two or two-and-a-half weeks, so everything's now shifted. To be honest, we have always been making it up as we go along anyway.'

Sebastian's next producing effort is former child star Owen Kline's long-delayed feature directorial debut - a 2021 comedy called Two Against Nature - alongside the Safdie Brothers and Scott Rudin.
A Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Police constable, a Special Forces officer and an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot are among the 84 security personnel, whose names have been approved for top gallantry awards by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, according to a government release issued on Friday.

While head constable Abdul Rashid Kalas of J&K Police (JKP) has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra -- Indias second-highest peacetime gallantry award -- for his outstanding bravery, nine security personnel has been conferred on the Shaurya Chakra for their valour.

Shaurya Chakra is the countrys third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees are Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat; Major Anil Urs; Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey; Wing Commandeer Vishak Nair, JKPs deputy inspector-general (DIG) Amit Kumar; Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) sub-inspector Mahaveer Prasad Godara (posthumous); CISF head constable Eranna Nayaka (posthumous); CISF constable Mahendra Kumar Paswan (posthumous); and CISF constable Satish Prasad Kushwaha (posthumous).

The other honours awarded are five Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 60 Sena Medals (Gallantry), four Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Lieutenant Colonel Rawat, 1 Para (Special Forces), has been awarded Shaurya Chakra for an operation near the Line of Control (LoC), J&K.

Rawat and his team waited in ambush for 36 hours before they engaged a group of terrorist infiltrators. Four terrorists were killed in the operation.

The citation praises his resolute leadership and conspicuous gallantry.

Major Urs had also led an operation along the LoC in which five terrorist infiltrators were killed.

The citation says that he displayed raw courage, marksmanship, and rare combat leadership, while ensuring the safety of his team.

During a counter-terrorism operation in J&K, Havildar Dubey had killed a Category A++ terrorist from a close range. His courageous action prevented the escape of the terrorists and eventually resulted in the elimination of all four terrorists, says the citation.
Airlines flew 2.1 mn passengers in July, against 1.9 mn in June.

Domestic air traffic grew 6 per cent in July on a month-on-month (MoM) basis amid decline in seat occupancy and restrictions on flight movements in Kolkata.

While the number of flights increased in July, compared to June, industry wide load factor declined to 52.7 per cent in July, from 54.8 per cent in June.

Airlines flew 2.1 million in passengers in July, against 1.9 million passengers in June.

On a year-on-year basis, air traffic fell 82 per cent as total flight movements continue to be around 30 per cent of normal levels.

Among airports, Delhi saw big gains.

Delhi airport handled 23 per cent of total passengers handled by all Indian airports - a rise from 18 per cent in pre-pandemic times.

This is the highest passenger share handled by any Indian airport after resumption of domestic air services, the airport operator said.

IndiGos market share crossed the 60-per cent mark for the first time.

Its share increased from 52.8 per cent to 60.4 per cent on a MoM basis, while those of other airlines declined in the same period.

Domestic flights resumed on May 25 after a two-month suspension.

Demand remains weak and a majority of tickets are for one-way trips and booked closer to travel date.

Sources said traffic growth was modest due to suspension of flights for a few days in Kolkata in the last week of July.

Moreover, Mumbai and Chennai continue to see restrictions on total movements.

There will be improvement in business once restrictions ease, said an executive from a private airline.

Cancellation rates also remained high. Vistara cancelled 22 per cent of its flights, while Air India and AirAsia cancelled 12 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively, of their flights in July.

Sources said Vistara had cancelled a large number of flights to smaller stations due very low demand.

These were not for technical reasons.

"The flights were cancelled 72 hours before departure and passengers were given the option to reschedule their journey, an executive said.

Vistara shares all data with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, according to the regulators guidelines.

"We have substantially stabilised our network, which would significantly reduce our cancellations as well.

"Our steadfast effort remains on providing a safe and hassle-free flying experience to customers, an airline spokesperson said.

Photograph: Reuters
New Delhi: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday (August 14) won the vote of confidence in the Rajasthan Assembly. The motion was tabled by Cabinet Minister Shanti Dhariwal in the Assembly.

The Speaker gave three hours for a debate on the motion. The confidence motion was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

Replying to the debate, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government. "I will not let the government topple at any cost even if you make all attempts," he said.

The opposition BJP accused the Gehlot camp of blaming it for the infighting within the Congress. Sachin Pilot, who was sacked as deputy chief minister after he rebelled against Gehlot, intervened in the debate, saying he would fight for the party.

The vote of confidence passed with a very good majority today in the Rajasthan Assembly. Despite various attempts by the opposition, the result is in favour of the government, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who returned to the party fold, told media after the vote on the motion.

Sachin Pilot said, "This has put a full stop on all suspicions that were rising. A roadmap has been prepared for all the issues that were being raised. I have complete faith that roadmap will be announced timely."

The BJP had earlier stated that it would move a motion of no-confidence motion, but it did not move it.

Notably, the House later adjourned to meet again next Friday.

Initiating the debate on the motion, Rajasthan Parliamentary Affair Minister Shanti Dhariwal blamed the Centre for trying to "topple" the governments in Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Goa, using money and power, but said a similar attempt in Rajasthan would not succeed.

Referring to Akbar, he said the Mughal emperor had to taste defeat in Mewar of Rajasthan during his quest to expand his empire. Similarly, BJP's attempts to topple the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government were defeated, he added.

In Rajasthan Assembly of 200, the Congress party has 107 MLAs and the support of Independents and allies. The BJP has 72 members.
Eight people have allegedly died by suicide in separate incidents in Uttarakhands Kumaon region in the last week, police said.

A man and a woman allegedly killed themselves in Dineshpur area of US Nagar district by consuming pesticide. They were found dead on Thursday morning, said police.

We rushed to spot after getting information and took the bodies of the man and the woman into our possession and sent them for the postmortem. Both were reportedly in a relationship and had eloped from their respective houses over six months ago. They were brought back by their respective relatives, said Dinesh Fartyal, in charge, Dineshpur police station.

Fartyal said the villagers spotted the bodies on Thursday morning. The man was 22-years-old while the woman was 23. The man was unmarried while the woman had got married three years ago and had a daughter. She was staying with her husband who works in Delhi. Some days ago she had come to her parental house due to some dispute with her husband. She was put under quarantine in Pantnagar and from there she had gone back to her parental house. It is likely they started to meet again, he said.

On Thursday, the duo consumed pesticide according to the villagers. We are yet to receive the postmortem report to ascertain the exact cause of their death, he said.

In another incident, a 17-year-old youth allegedly killed himself in Nanital on Thursday. Satyendra Gangola, sub-inspector at Mallital police station in Nainital said the teen had entered the bathroom of his house after a fight with his parents and there he killed himself.

On Wednesday, two private hospital employees including a staff nurse, allegedly died by suicide in US Nagar. Kailash Bhatt, in charge, police station, Rudrapur said the 23-year-old staff nurse was working at a private hospital on Kichha road. She killed herself on Wednesday. The nurse hailed from Haldwani area of Nainital and used to stay in a room of the hospital itself. Bhatt said she left behind a suicide note wherein she alleged a staff member of the same hospital for beating her and prompting her to take the extreme step. We are looking into that matter and waiting for a complaint from her relatives, he said.

In another incident, a 22 year old man who was an employee at a private hospital in Kelakhera area of US Nagar, allegedly took his life on late Tuesday night. His body was found on Wednesday morning by a staff who then informed the local police

On Sunday, a prisoner lodged in the central jail in Sitarganj area of US Nagar district in Uttarakhand allegedly killed himself inside the toilet of the jail. The 51-year-old jail inmate, who hailed from a village under Nanakmatta police station in US Nagar, was serving life imprisonment in the Central jail in a murder case that took place in 1994. He was convicted for the murder in 2004, the police said.

Last Friday, a 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, who were reportedly in a relationship, were found dead in Nanaksagar dam in US Nagar district. The couple hailed from Bareilly area of Uttar Pradesh and had gone missing from their home since August 3. They had come to Nanakmatta town of US Nagar on Thursday where they stayed in a hotel before being found floating in the dam, the police said, adding prima facie it was a case of suicide.

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WHO Appeals for $76 Million to Help Lebanon

By VOA News August 13, 2020

The World Health Organization is making a worldwide appeal for $76 million in aid to Lebanon a week after a massive explosion in Beirut devastated the port and destroyed hospitals, clinics and stores of medical supplies.

"In particular, we are concerned about the return of COVID-19 in Lebanon. We have launched an appeal for $76 million and ask the international community to support the Lebanese people and show solidarity with them in every way possible," WHO regional program director Rana Hajjeh said.

She added that the WHO is also concerned about the psychological suffering of those who were wounded, lost loved ones or are homeless after the blast.

WHO officials said the explosion put three hospitals totally out of commission and left three others only partially open. It cut the number of hospital beds by as many as 600. Half of Beirut's 55 primary health care clinics cannot function.

WHO emergencies director Rick Brennan said there were 309 new coronavirus cases in Lebanon on Tuesday and that people, including those at hospitals, have relaxed protective measures.

The WHO has already brought in tons of medical and surgical supplies, including protective gear, and reported that 11 emergency medical teams from around the world are in Beirut.

Ammonium nitrate that had likely been improperly stored at the port for years is the widely suspected cause of the August 4 explosion in Beirut that killed at least 170 people and injured 6,000.

The blast also destroyed or heavily damaged buildings across the Lebanese capital.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Montgomery County Animal Shelter is still operating through appointments and continues to have success is finding shelter animals forever homes.

In March following the announcement of the first COVID-19 cases in the county, the shelter began limiting its intake of animals but soon moved to an appointment only system.

Adoptions and intakes are going well, said MCAS Assistant Director Mark Wysocki adding the appointment system allows the staff to manage the number of people in the building. The rescue and foster groups have really stepped up to pull from the shelter to transport and adopt locally.

While the shelter cant host a large adoption event, Wysocki said they are doing a clear the shelter event and have waived all adoption fees through the month of August.

Foster: Foster Clinic times and days will remain the same. If you come to the foster clinic, stay in your vehicle or maintain social distancing outside of the facility and check into the wait list at https://app.waitwhile.com/welcome/mcasfoster. The wait list becomes available for sign in only during the scheduled days and times. If you have any urgent needs please contact Foster.Coordinator@mctx.org. Sign up for a foster appointment at https://app.waitwhile.com/book/mcasfostering.

Adopt: To adopt an animal, go to https://app.waitwhile.com/book/mcasadoption to schedule a time. The shelter will be doing fee waived adoptions to eliminate the handling of cash and credit card terminals during this time.

Volunteer: Volunteers who are already volunteering with MCAS will still be able to volunteer. Keep in contact with Volunteer.Coordinator@mctx.org as well as scheduling your volunteering time on the online portal. The shelter will limit the number of volunteers on property. Please note that if you come to the shelter you may be required to answer some screening questions before being allowed to enter the shelter.

Wellness: The Wellness Center will still be operating as normal by appointment. Staff will be asking people to be diligent in practicing social distancing when they are at the facility. To book an appointment for wellness please visit, https://app.waitwhile.com/book/wellnessmcas

If you are interested in fostering or adopting one of these pups you can contact the shelter at shelter.counter@mctx.org and/or schedule an appointment.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
Almost six months after a vehicle-lifting suspect died in police custody in February, police have booked the Division Number 5 SHO and two ASIs for his custodial death.

The action came after a local court on Friday dismissed an application filed by the police seeking a stay on a previous court order to lodge the FIR.

The trio  SHO sub-inspector Richa Rani, ASI Charanjit Singh and ASI Jaskaran Singh  have been booked under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code and the Contempt of Court Act.

Deepak Shukla, the deceased.

Deepak Shukla, 27, an insurance company employee, had died at the civil hospital on February 27 after being allegedly tortured by the Division Number 5 police in custody.

His family had approached the court on February 26, hours before his death, alleging police torture. Though Deepak was moved to the civil hospital on the courts order, he had died on February 27.

Following protests by his family on February 28, commissioner of police Rakesh Agrawal had suspended the SHO, the two ASIs and one constable Mandeep Singh. But, the SHO was reinstated after a few days.

On the familys plea, a court on March 6 had ordered the police to lodge an FIR against the SHO, the two ASIs and other police personnel, but the police did not take any action and sought a stay by the court on lodging the FIR.

Dismissing their plea on Friday, the court of additional session judge Arun Kumar Aggarwal stated that though the accused cops had claimed that it was the jail authorities and not them, who failed to follow the court order and jail manual, the factual aspects of the case were a matter of investigation after registration of the FIR.

ANOMALIES IN PROBE

Deepaks uncle Rakesh Shukla had informed the court that on February 22, police had called Deepaks wife Preeti and informed her about his arrest in a vehicle-lifting case.

Even though Deepak was arrested on February 22, police did not present him in court until February 24, when he was sent to judicial custody.

Even then, the police kept him in illegal custody and shifted him to the jail only on February 25. Rakesh had also claimed that the police had earlier sought a bribe of Rs 1.15 lakh for not registering a case against Deepak, and that they had paid them Rs 25,000.

The police had subsequently informed the court that they were late in taking Deepak to jail due to delay in his medical examination, following which the jail staff refused to admit him.

To this, the court had questioned them that if they were late in taking the accused to jail on February 24, why did they wait till 1pm on the next day to transfer him.

Further, the jail record did not have any mention of Deepak being taken to jail on February 24. The record reflected that he was taken there at 5pm on February 25.

There, Deepak had complained of severe pain in his legs and nausea and was taken to the civil hospital for treatment on February 26, but he died. The autopsy report had suggested that the body had seven injury marks.

The family had later also filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking FIR against the errant cops.

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Dublin, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Films Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020-2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4% globally during the forecast period.



Growing demand for single-use detergent packaging and increasing government policies & shift towards environmentally friendly materials are driving the market. On the flip side, higher costs of PVA films and limited applications are hindering the market growth.



The polyvinyl alcohol film market is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for the unit-dose packaging.



Asia-Pacific region represents the largest market and is also expected to be the fastest-growing market over the forecast period owing to the increasing consumption from countries such as China, India, and Japan.



Key Market Trends



Growing Demand for the Unit-Dose Packaging

Polyvinyl alcohol films are widely used in single-use packaging applications and are expected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period.

Polyvinyl alcohol films are bio-degradable plastics films and are free from halogens such as chlorine. PVA films start disintegrating when they come in contact with water. Because of their chemical composition, polyvinyl alcohol films break down into harmless compounds with less impact on the environment when compared to any other ordinary plastic film.

Polyvinyl alcohol films are used in single-use packaging units such as detergents. Films are compatible with detergents and are decomposed when contacted with water. North America is the largest market for detergent marketing and is expected to grow during the forecast period.

PVA films are used for packaging of dyes, pigments, cement additives, and other harmful chemicals, to limit human contact to the harmful materials and the films dispose of when contacted with water. The growing textile and building & construction industries are expected to drive the market.

The growing need to restrict materials that pollute the environment along with government policies to promote green initiatives is expected to drive the market for polyvinyl alcohol films during the forecast period.

Story continues

Asia-Pacific Region to Dominate the Market

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the market for polyvinyl alcohol films during the forecast period due to an increase in demand from countries like China, South Korea, and India.

India and China are the leading markets for agrochemical packaging. Growing innovations in agriculture and increasing use of pesticides and fertilizers is expected to drive the market for PVA films during the forecast period. India's agrochemical and forestry have 14.6% GDP share in 2018-19. In FY 2019, the Indian government allocated INR 11 lakh crore (~USD 143.34 billion) for the agriculture sector and other related activities.

The polarized panels manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol films are used in LCD panels, lenses and others. South Korea is the leading manufacturer of displays and home for the largest electronic spearheads in the industry like Samsung and LG, the production of displays is expected to drive the market during the forecast period. As per the Korea Electronics Association, Korea made about USD 21,838 million in revenue through displays in the year 2019.

The aforementioned factors, coupled with government support, are contributing to the increasing demand for polyvinyl alcohol films market in the Asia-Pacific during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape



The global polyvinyl alcohol films market is partially fragmented with players accounting for a marginal share of the market. Few companies include WaterSol, NIPPON GOHSEI, KURARAY Co., Ltd, Amtrex Nature Care Pvt. Ltd., and JEVA PACKAGING Ltd.



Key Topics Covered



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Assumptions

1.2 Scope of the Study



2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Growing Demand for Detergent Packaging

4.1.2 Government Policies and Shift Towards Environmentally Friendly Materials

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Higher Costs and Limited Applications

4.2.2 Other Restraints

4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis



5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 Application

5.1.1 Unit-Dose Packaging

5.1.1.1 Detergents

5.1.1.2 Agrochemical

5.1.1.3 Disinfectants

5.1.1.4 Others

5.1.2 Laundry Bags

5.1.3 Embroidery

5.1.4 Polarizing Panels

5.1.5 Others

5.2 Geography

5.2.1 Asia-Pacific

5.2.2 North America

5.2.3 Europe

5.2.4 South America

5.2.5 Middle-East & Africa



6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements

6.2 Market Share (%)/Ranking Analysis

6.3 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players

6.4 Company Profiles

6.4.1 AICELLO CORPORATION

6.4.2 Amtrex Nature Care Pvt. Ltd

6.4.3 Anhui Dingzheng Packing material Co. Ltd.

6.4.4 Guangzhou Plastic Industrial Group Co. Ltd.

6.4.5 JEVA PACKAGING Ltd.

6.4.6 Joyforce Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd.

6.4.7 KK NonWovens (India)

6.4.8 KURARAY Co. Ltd.

6.4.9 NIPPON GOHSEI

6.4.10 NOBLE INDUSTRIES

6.4.11 WaterSol



7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

7.1 Growing Demand for Bio-degradable Products

7.2 Other Opportunities



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uxwkxr

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




By Andrei Makhovsky

MINSK (Reuters) - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko on Friday told people to stay at home to avoid becoming "cannon fodder" for what he said were foreign-backed revolutionaries after huge crowds took to the streets for a sixth consecutive day to demand he step down.

Lukashenko, whose claimed landslide re-election victory last Sunday has been branded a fraud by protesters, has failed to quell days of street demonstrations against him despite security forces tough response against demonstrators.

Opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier this week fled to neighbouring Lithuania under severe pressure, called on Friday for more protests and an election recount.

That heaped more pressure on the authoritarian leader as he faces the biggest challenge in his 26 years in power.

He showed no signs of backing down.

"Dont throw yourselves onto the streets. You must understand that you are being used, and our children are being used, like cannon fodder," Lukashenko said in televised remarks.

"Today people have come from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine and from Russia. Aggression against our country has already begun," he said, suggesting anti-Kremlin activists were trying to whip up trouble.

He had earlier joked that he was alive and had not fled abroad.

In a video posted on social media on Friday, Tsikhanouskaya asked her supporters to demand an official investigation into allegations that Lukashenko had rigged the presidential election.

"Belarusians will never again want to live with the old authorities," she said. "Let's defend our choice. Don't stay on the sidelines. Our voices need to be heard."

At least two protesters were killed and thousands detained in this week's crackdown. The European Union on Friday took its first step towards imposing new sanctions on Belarus, with a diplomatic source saying member states had agreed to task its foreign policy unit with preparing a list of individuals to be blacklisted.

Story continues

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a sixth consecutive day on Friday demanding that Lukashenko step down. Protesters were joined by workers at some of the state-owned industrial plants that are the centrepiece of his Soviet-style economic model.

As the crowd converged on the parliament building on Independence Square in Minsk, at least two helmeted security officers lowered their riot shields, prompting women to run forward to hug them and offer flowers.

In a carnival atmosphere, marchers held up balloons, flags and placards saying "we will not forget, we will not forgive". Horns from passing cars blared in solidarity.

In a rare climbdown, the government had earlier apologised for the use of force as it freed more than 2,000 protesters from detention.

Several bore heavy bruises and complained of beatings, cramped conditions and starvation rations inside the cells. The government denied abusing detainees.

'GO AWAY'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for sanctions on those "who violated democratic values or abused human rights in Belarus".

Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei told his Swiss counterpart in a call that Minsk was ready for "constructive and objective dialogue with foreign partners" about issues related to the election, the state news agency BelTA reported.

Russia, which has nudged Lukashenko into accepting closer political and economic ties, has expressed concern over what it depicted as attempts by external forces to destabilise Belarus.

Russia's General Prosecutor's Office said on Friday Belarus had returned a group of 32 Russian nationals after detaining them and accusing them of being mercenaries out to destabilise Belarus.

Lukashenko, a 65-year-old who once ran a Soviet collective farm, has faced increasing anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic as well as a sluggish economy and civil rights.

The official election result handed him a landslide victory with 80% of the vote, compared to around 10% for Tsikhanouskaya. Washington said the vote "was not free and fair".

Thousands of workers protested on Friday at the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), which makes trucks and buses, chanting "Shame on you!" and "Go!", echoing the unrest seen at several major factories this week.

Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old former English teacher, emerged from obscurity a few weeks ago to take her husband's place in the election campaign after he was jailed. She has now led some of the biggest protests against Lukashenko since he came to power with the fall of the Soviet Union.

Shortly after the election, she fled to Lithuania, saying it was for the sake of her children. On Friday, she called for the international community to facilitate talks with the authorities and said she wanted to set up a council to enable a transfer of power, a proposal that was swiftly endorsed by the president of Lithuania.

(Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky and Vasily Fedosenko in Minsk; Additional reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber, Andrew Osborn, Alexander Marrow and Maria Kiselyova in Moscow, Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels and Anna Ringstrom in Stockholm; Writing by Matthias Williams/Andrew Osborn; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Frances Kerry)
I used to eat a ton of Claudios tamales at Bar DeVille right around the corner for close to a decade, said Brad Bolt, bartender and managing partner of the highly influential bar that closed in 2017. Bolt now owns Neon Wilderness, the cocktail bar in Wicker Park, which is closed temporarily. I used to have them so often that I had to make them a treat about once or twice a year, he said, holding his order of a half dozen chicken, a half dozen pork and a couple of bottles of Topo Chico sparkling water.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 01:49:53|Editor: huaxia

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File video: The Iranian fuel tanker Fortune docked on May 25, 2020 at a port of El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. "With this arrival, with the ship Fortune and the other ships that are already in Venezuela's territorial sea, in the exclusive economic zone, and that will continue to arrive in Venezuela, the self-determination of the people is expressed. We have the right to freedom of trade, to bilateral cooperation with any country in the world such as this, which has deep roots," says Tareck El Aissami, Venezuela's Minister of Petroleum. (Xinhua)

U.S. officials expect the seizure would deter shipping companies from dealing with Iran and Venezuela.



WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday announced that the United States had confiscated Iranian fuel from four tankers bound for Venezuela, a move to further increase its pressure campaign against Tehran and Caracas.

The Justice Department said in a statement that the U.S. government had confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, which were Luna, Pandi, Bering and Bella, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum.

"With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in U.S. custody," the statement added, without providing further details.

The statement noted that the seizure marks the U.S. government's largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.

Photo taken on May 29, 2019 shows the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Citing U.S. officials, The Wall Street Journal wrote in a Thursday piece that the four tankers were seized at sea in recent days and are now en route to Houston.

U.S. officials expected the seizure would deter shipping companies from dealing with Iran and Venezuela.

The United States in June designated five Iranian tanker captains who helped transport Iranian gasoline to Venezuela.

The seizure announcement came amid a fresh round of U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Earlier this week, the United States introduced a resolution at the UN Security Council to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran despite lukewarm support for the bid.

Under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the arms embargo will be lifted Oct. 18. Tehran made it clear that it would not accept a renewal of the embargo. 
An American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington. (Associated Press)

A former FBI attorney plans on pleading guilty to making a false statement in the first legal salvo fired by a federal prosecutor investigating the origins of the U.S. probe into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

The felony charge, which was filed Friday in Washington's federal court, is part of a plea deal between the prosecutor, John Durham, and Kevin Clinesmith, 38, an attorney who used to work in the FBIs office of general counsel.

Under the deal, Clinesmith will admit that he altered the meaning of an email that agents relied upon in seeking to renew court-approved surveillance of Carter Page, a former Trump campaign advisor who was suspected of being a Russian agent. Page was never charged with any crime.

"Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email," Clinesmith's lawyer, Justin Shur, said in a statement. "It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility."

Clinesmiths misconduct was disclosed in a report released in December by the Justice Departments inspector general that sharply criticized how the FBI handled its secret surveillance on Page in 2016 and 2017. Even so, the felony charge is certain to be championed by President Trump and his political allies as they seek to call attention to the conduct of federal law enforcement and intelligence officials who investigated possible collusion between his 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow.

By citing disparaging text messages from Clinesmith and other FBI employees, the president has accused law enforcement officials of plotting a coup against him. Court documents laying out the allegations against Clinesmith do not allege or reveal such a conspiracy.

Clinesmith's wrongdoing affects only a narrow aspect of the Russia investigation  the surveillance of Page. It does not call into question the decision to start the probe, nor the gathering of intelligence by U.S. spies that determined that Moscow wanted to help Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump and Atty. Gen. William Barr have said the investigation was improper and worse, but the inspector general did not find any evidence that it was politically motivated.

Story continues

The charge came in a "criminal information," a court document that can only be filed with the defendant's consent and signals a plea deal has been reached. The criminal case is the first brought by Durham, the U.S. attorney in Connecticut who was tapped last year by Barr to investigate how the FBI and intelligence agencies investigated Russia's interference in the 2016 campaign and Moscow's potential collusion with the Trump campaign.

The attorney general ordered the Durham investigation shortly after releasing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's report in April 2019 that found that Trump's aides welcomed Russian offers of help during the race but failed to find evidence of a criminal conspiracy involving Moscow and Trump's campaign and associates.

Barr has been a sharp critic of the Mueller investigation and earlier FBI probe into Russia's interference, calling it "abhorrent" and a "grave injustice." In a news conference unveiling the Mueller report, Barr defended Trump from accusations of obstruction of justice by saying the president was entitled to feel frustrated and angry by the probe.

Trump has cheered on Barr's efforts to unravel the Russia investigation, and the president told Fox Business on Thursday that he wouldn't be satisfied if only "lower guys" were charged.

"I hope they're not going to be politically correct and say, well you know, we want to go, just get  let's get the lower guys that forged the documents going into FISA. Let's just get a couple of the lower guys," Trump said. He added, "Bill Barr can go down as the greatest attorney general in the history of our country, or he can go down as just an average guy."

In an interview Thursday night with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Barr had hinted that Durham would be taking action Friday. Tomorrow there will be a development in the case, Barr said. You know, its not an earth-shattering development but it is an indication that things are moving along at the proper pace.

Barr has said that former Vice President Joe Biden and former President Obama are not targets of the probe and expects more information to be disclosed by Durham before election day. Democrats have expressed concerns that such revelations could violate Justice Department rules barring disclosure of information that could influence a coming election.

I have said there are going to be developments, significant developments, before the election, Barr told Hannity. But were not doing this on the election schedule. Were aware of the election. Were not going to do anything inappropriate before the election.

In court papers, Durham alleged that Clinesmith was helping FBI agents in 2017 prepare to renew a warrant application under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) to spy on Page, whom the FBI suspected of being a Russian agent. An FBI agent asked Clinesmith to check with an unidentified intelligence agency  the CIA, according to people familiar with the matter  to see if that was true that Page had been an agency source; the former Trump advisor had just made such a claim in a media interview.

The FBI would have to disclose such a relationship in any warrant application because it would be considered exculpatory.

Clinesmith received an email from a liaison at the CIA that referenced an earlier memo from the spy agency that noted Page had been approved as an operational contact" from 2008 to 2013, the court papers allege. The CIA memo disclosed information that Page had provided the agency about his interactions with Russian intelligence officers.

Clinesmith, however, told an FBI agent on June 17, 2017, in an instant message that Page was never a source. Later that day, he forwarded the liaison's email to the FBI agent, altering it to falsely state that Page was "not a source" for the CIA.

The court papers did not go beyond what Justice Department Inspector Gen. Michael Horowitz disclosed about Clinesmith's misconduct in his December report examining the origins of the Russia probe. Clinesmith's actions were among the 17 errors and omissions uncovered by Horowitz in how FBI agents and government lawyers in obtaining warrants to spy on Page from the FISA court.

In a conclusion sharply at odds with Barr's assessment of the investigation's origin, however, Horowitz determined the FBI had proper justification to launch the probe. His team also uncovered no evidence that politics influenced the inquiry despite reviewing over 1 million pages of records and interviewing more than 100 current and former officials.
By PTI

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government on Friday transferred five IAS officers, including senior bureaucrat Anuradha Mall, the current chief executive officer of the state disaster management authority.

Mall, a 1988-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the director general of Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) in Ahmedabad, a notification by the Home Department stated.

Mall has replaced K M Bhimjiyani, who has been made the settlement commissioner and director of land records in Gandhinagar.

On his return from long-term training abroad, 2003- batch officer P Swaroop has been appointed as the municipal commissioner of Vadodara, it was stated.

He has replaced N B Upadhyay, who had been shifted to Gandhinagar as the secretary of cooperation and animal husbandry, under the state Agricultural, Farmers Welfare and Cooperation Department.

Upadhyay has replaced Manish Bhardwaj, who has been appointed as the full-fledged secretary of that department, the notification said.
GARY  The Gary Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint Aug. 21 to Aug. 23, officials said.

Police are cautioning that drivers waved into the checkpoint can expect minimal delays. Officials ask that drivers have their driver's license and vehicle registration readily available.

The department is urging the Gary community to plan ahead for their evenings out by either identifying a designated driver or by using a ride share service.

Police say they hope to reduce the number of impaired drivers and alcohol-related crashes.

"The life you save could be your own," a Gary police statement reads.

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The UK must stop demonising refugees and consider its own role in creating the circumstances they are escaping from, campaigners say.

Thousands of migrants have risked their lives to reach the UK this year by crossing the English Channel in everything from kayaks to a paddling pool.

The list of countries they hail from is diverse, but many have left nations wracked by conflicts the UK has been linked to in some way.

Places like Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Libya have all seen direct British military involvement in some form.

Meanwhile, a small number of migrants have been seen coming from Yemen, which is suffering what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

Bahri Yanbu, the Saudi state-owned cargo ship, arriving in Sheerness in Kent, which was believed to be carrying Belgian arms destined for use in the war in Yemen (TP/Dover Strait Shipping/PA)

UK-built and licensed Typhoon and Tornado warplanes have been used in combat missions by Saudi Arabia in the ongoing conflict.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss announced last month that the UK would resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia after fresh analysis by the Government of alleged violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) involving Saudi air strikes in Yemen concluded any breaches were isolated incidents.

The Home Office has not provided numbers of how many people from Yemen have crossed to the UK by small boat in 2020.

However, analysis by the PA news agency of the available data reveals that at least 23 of the boats intercepted by Border Force have contained one or more people who said they were Yemeni nationals.

SNP MP Alison Thewliss, who is a member of All-Party Parliamentary Group for Yemen, told PA the Government has a responsibility to refugees and criticised its response to small boats crossings.

She said: I think it has been really difficult for people to get out of Yemen really, given the circumstances it has been in.

Historically the numbers of Yemenis that have made it here has been quite a low number.

Ms Thewliss called on the Government to establish safe and legal routes for people wishing to claim asylum in the UK.

Story continues

Commenting on the UKs sale of arms to Saudi Arabia, she said: We are selling arms to one party in a conflict, we really have to step up and take more responsibility than (we) normally would.

Saudi Arabia cannot be trusted to use the arms that we sell them responsibly. We should not be selling to them, its as simple as that.

On the wider small boats issue, Ms Thewliss said the idea of sending the Navy in to deal with people in rubber dinghies is outrageous and said the Government was using it as a distraction from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In February PA revealed how a Saudi Arabian cargo ship feared to be carrying weapons for the Yemen conflict made a cloak-and-dagger stop at a UK dock under cover of darkness.

Andrew Smith, of Campaign Against Arms Trade, said: The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is the worst in the world.

It is a crisis that has been exacerbated and fuelled by UK-made arms and the UK governments support for the brutal Saudi-led bombardment.

Many of the people crossing the Channel have left terrible circumstances.

They are people that deserve empathy and solidarity, not the kind of scaremongering and scapegoating that we have seen from Boris Johnson and his colleagues.

Governments like the UK must stop demonising refugees and consider their own roles in creating the circumstances that people are escaping from.
The former head of the Boston police union who was accused this week of sexually assaulting a young girl over several years and trying to escape being arrested is now being held on bail, though prosecutors lamented the fact he could not be detained based on his alleged dangerousness due to current state law.

Patrick Rose, previously the president of the Boston Police Patrolmens Association, was accused of touching the girl multiple times from when she was 7 to 12 years old, according to a Massachusetts State Police criminal complaint filed in West Roxbury District Court.

The alleged assaults were reported mainly in Roses West Roxbury home but also at a drive-in movie theater, the court records showed.

He was accused of showing pornography to the girl as well, exposing himself to her and raping her, the complaint read.

The 66-year-old man was arraigned Thursday in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on five counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and individual counts of aggravated rape, enticement of a minor, open and gross lewdness and dissemination of matter harmful to a minor, according to Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollinss office.

In a statement, Rollins pointed out prosecutors could not request that Rose be detained based on a dangerousness hearing, which allows authorities to request an order of pretrial detention for no longer that 120 days in district courts and 180 days in Massachusetts Superior Court.

Roses alleged offenses, under state law, made him ineligible to be considered for a dangerousness hearing, despite the heinous and egregious nature of the multiple charges against [him].

The state Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that the charge of child rape does not involve the predicate level of force or threat of force necessary to qualify under the dangerousness statute.

I personally find this reprehensible and intend to advocate for a cure that is victim and child focused, Rollins said.

Assistant Suffolk District Attorney Audrey Mark, chief of Rollinss child protection unit, instead requested that bail be set at $250,000 in light of evidence that Rose tried to evade arrest. The mans defense attorney argued that his bail be set at $5,000.

The West Roxbury resident was held on $250,000 bail the night before his arraignment, but it was later set at $100,000, according to the district attorneys statement.

Rose was also ordered to wear a GPS monitor, surrender his passport, stay away from the victim, have no unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16 and give up any guns as well as his license to carry.

The 14-year-old girl who authorities said was assaulted by Rose reported the alleged abuse at a Boston police station earlier this month, the criminal complaint said.

The victim told authorities about the assaults during a forensic interview that took place at Rollinss office Tuesday, according to the prosecutor.

Because of the former union heads previous position within the Boston Police Department and the patrolmens association, Rollins determined the investigation should be led by state and not local police, the district attorney said.

Rose was arrested in Needham on Tuesday. The investigation remains ongoing, according to Rollinss office. His case is expected to return to court Sept. 10.

There is no greater betrayal and breach of trust and morality than sexual violence against a child, the district attorney said. While this man was molesting and harming an innocent child, he was standing in judgment of others as a sworn member of law enforcement. He has dishonored the badge of the Boston Police Department and I intend to hold him accountable.

While the victims and witnesses of a crime should call 911, there are more resources available to report suspected crimes against children and for survivors of abuse to receive help, Rollins noted.

In the Boston area, survivors of child abuse and exploitation as well as their caretakers can get services at the Childrens Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, which can be called at (617) 779-2146.

Survivors may also call the Child Protection Unit in Rollins office at 617-619-4300, and anyone who believes a minor in the state may be the victim of abuse can call the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families risk hotline at 1-800-792-5200.

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NEW DELHI: Nearly two months after the Galwan Valley clashes in eastern Ladakh, China has now called for a probe into the incident and urged India to punish the violators.

According to news agency ANI, a report published in China-India Review, a monthly journal of the Chinese embassy in India, the Chinese Foreign Minister-State Councillor has urged India to conduct a thorough investigation and hold violators accountable for the Galwan Valley incident.

In the report, the Chinese Foreign Minister-State Councillor has also urged India to strictly discipline its frontline troops and immediately refrain from provocative acts to ensure such incidents won't occur again.

Despite India's repeated stance that the June 15 Galwan Valley incident was the result of Chinese aggression, Beijing continues to blame the Indian forces for the violence. However, this is not the first time China has sought a probe into the incident. On June 17, two days after the incident, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had made the same demand when he spoke with EAM S Jaishankar to de-escalate tensions.

All this comes at a time when intelligence reports have claimed that the violent stand-off between border troops in India and China at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh in June this year was not merely a coincidence, but was ''planned well in advance'' by China.

Separate reports by US intelligence agencies and Indian security agencies have shown that China made a lot of preparations before infiltrating Finger 4 to Galwan and Hot Spring areas. The neighbouring country had already deployed some modern latest technology equipped weapons in some areas.

Although reports of the deployment of these tanks at Tibet by China were reported by some publications last year, China's intention became clear when it started infiltrating the LAC-adjacent Indian areas.

The T-15 (ZTPQ) tank weighs 30 tonnes and has a 105 mm gun, due to which it can be used easily in hilly areas. It is also being claimed that these tanks can also be moved from one place to another by helicopter. However, this report is yet to be verified.

As a precautionary measure, the Indian Army has already deployed T-90 tanks, considered to be very modern, at the LAC in view of reports of deployment of T-15 tanks by China.

China had, in fact, started strengthening its airbase adjoining the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) deploying fighter jets at Nagri Gunsa Airport (Ngari Gunsa), just 200 km from Pangong Tso in Ladakh.

During the 2017 Doklam standoff, Chinese and Indian troops were placed on high alert over a dispute near the Bhutanese border. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a standoff in Doklam from June 16, 2017, after India stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28, 2017.

Defence experts associated with China believe that there are 14 airfields in total in three sectors--northern, central and eastern. Recently, a report by the US Air Force's China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) has revealed that China has deployed 36 aircraft at the Hotan airbase of Xinjiang in addition to Nagri Gunsa Airport, including 24 J-11, six J-8 fighters, two Y-8G transport aircraft, two KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, two MI-17 helicopters and CH-4 drones.
Kareena Kapoor Khan is inching closer to 40, but the Veere Di Wedding and Good Newwz actor seems to be getting younger and younger every day. Taimurs mommy, who like most of us, is quarantining at home with the little Nawab and husband Saif Ali Khan, but continues to shoot, work and workout from home. Most recently, the actor did a photoshoot at her Mumbai home for the cover of Filmfare magazine wearing Saif Ali Khans shirts as she posed, and Saif displayed one of his many talents as he took some gorgeous shots of the Bollywood beauty.

Kareena looked stunning as always as she sauntered around her house in satin, silk, line and cotton shirts, among others, as she posed for the magazines cover that celebrated her completing 20 years in Bollywood. Kareena captioned the post, I love love love Saif... for lending me his shirts and for his photography skills.

Wearing delicate stacked gold chains, sporting a subtle smokey look that is signature to Kareena and her tousled her gave her the perfect just out of bed look. Kareena is quite the fitness fanatic, and her toned form did not for one second give away the fact that the actor is pregnant.

Interestingly enough, although Bebo denied in the Filmfare interview that she was pregnant, saying, Its all up to God and destiny. Theres no planning as such. I never planned the first one. Im not going to plan my

life ahead either. Right now, we just have to have faith and keep the positivity going. However, a day later, a statement was released by Saif, an reposted on Kareenas fan page, that confirmed the good news, We are very pleased to announce that we are expecting an addition to our family !! Thank you to all our well-wishers for all their love and support.

In the Filmfare interview Kareena also shared how she felt about turning 40 next month, given the ageist nature of Bollywood, Youre as old as you look.Simple as that. Not that I want to look sweet 16. Im proud to be 40. Im proud to have worked for 20 years. With Gods grace, I will continue working for the next 20 years and proudly so at 50 or 60.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for failings in the aged care system's response to the coronavirus pandemic but pushed back against calls for a national advisory body.

The aged care royal commission on Thursday urged the government to consider setting up a dedicated aged care national co-ordinating body to advise on the sector's pandemic response.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says some days the coronavirus gets the better of governments and systems. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Asked whether he supported the proposal, Mr Morrison on Friday said the aged care response centre the Commonwealth had established in Victoria  where 188 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19 and there are more than 1122 active cases  already mirrored that body.

In royal commission hearings about the coronavirus response this week, senior counsel assisting Peter Rozen, QC, said the federal Health Department and aged care regulator had failed to develop a plan for the sector.
A paedophile who sent Theresa May a picture of herself with her head chopped off was found guilty of including fake poison in the envelope.

Self-proclaimed 'follower of Jesus' Dr Christopher Doyle, 54, sparked a counter-terrorism investigation when he posted an envelope containing white powder and a poster of the Conservative MP beheaded with the word 'Pravda' in Russian. Prada translates to truth.

Prosecutors said Doyle wanted anyone who opened the letter to suspect the powder - which was later to discover to be harmless citric - was poison.

But Doyle denied that he included the powder himself, instead saying he believed MI5, MI6 or the government had opened his letter, were angered by what he had written, and must have planted the citric themselves.

He also said he would 'rather be hung for a sheep [than] for a lamb' - a proverb meaning that if he did do it, he would have used a real poison as the punishment would have been the same either way.

The envelope was addressed to 'Theresa May, C/O: The Nazi Party at the House of Commons in Westminster, London'.

Doyle was found guilty of intending a person to believe a substance was noxious in a four-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Paedophile Dr Christopher Doyle, 54, (left) who sent Theresa May (right) a picture of herself with her head chopped off was found guilty of including fake poison in the envelope

A second envelope contained a volatile message criticising Mrs May's policy towards alleged Russian involvement in the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and Salisbury survivor Sergei Skripal.

He also included a cartoon of staunch Putin critic Mr Litvinenko who was killed by radioactive polonium-210 in November 2006.

When police raided Doyle's home in Fir Street, Widnes, they discovered 389,418 indecent images of children on his computer.

He previously admitted downloading the files, but in a four-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court he denied sending a substance intending a person to believe it was noxious.

Prosecutor Joe Allman said Doyle's actions 'had the potential to cause great alarm, not least to those ordinary men and women who deal with the mail addressed to political leaders in Westminster'.

Certain secure mail is collected from Royal Mail sorting offices in London and taken to a screening facility, run by Swiss Post.

Mr Allman said staff wearing protective equipment in a sealed-off area then examine this mail for hazardous substances.

One 'greatly concerned' worker identified Doyle's letter as suspicious and found the powder inside, at around 8.45am, on April 5 last year.

A second envelope contained a volatile message criticising Mrs May's policy towards alleged Russian involvement in the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko and Salisbury survivor Sergei Skripal (pictured with his daughter Yulia)

He and his colleagues cleared the area and called 999, before specialist police officers carried out tests and seized the evidence.

The envelope was stamped March 28 at Warrington Mail Centre and a mixed DNA profile on the stamp pointed to Doyle.

When told why he was being arrested on May 24 last year, he replied: 'Yes I wrote to Theresa May, but I didn't put white powder in it.'

During an interview Doyle stood by this denial, but revealed he also sent another letter to Theresa May, one to Boris Johnson and one to Jeremy Corbyn.

He said the letters to the two Conservatives contained the same card criticising their attitude towards Russia.

However, he said in the others he gave his name and address, and didn't include the picture of Theresa May beheaded.

He said the letter to Jeremy Corbyn praised the then-Labour leader - who he described as a 'Child of Plato' - for criticising the Tory stance on Russia.

Doyle said the other letter to Theresa May included a picture of himself in a Russian T-shirt, because he had loved Russia since he was 10.

He also included a cartoon of staunch Putin critic Mr Litvinenko (pictured) who was killed by radioactive polonium-210 in November 2006

Asked whether he put a fake toxin in the letter, he said he would 'rather be hung for a sheep [than] for a lamb' and could have included a real one.

Doyle said: 'To me it's just facile, it's pathetic, there's no way. You don't know me, no one in this room knows me, but I mean if you ask someone, "would Chris do that?", they'd say 'no, but if he hated someone you know, he might put a real toxin'.

'I wouldn't, but you know, they know that I'm not going to do something pathetic, I'm not a pathetic style person, I would never ever do that.'

'I'm not Jesus, I'm a sinner'

The jury wouldn't have been told about Doyle's conviction for sex offences or past crimes, but for a comment he made when giving evidence.

While being questioned by his barrister, Mark Pritchard, Doyle said 'I've been told not to say this', then added he was 'a follower of Jesus' and the ways of Plato.

He said he would never do anything to cause fear to anybody, unless he was doing it in the way of Jesus.

During an interview Doyle stood by this denial, but revealed he also sent another letter to Theresa May, one to Boris Johnson (left) and one to Jeremy Corbyn (right)

Because he made these assertions of his positive character, prosecutors were successful in a bad character application and told the jury he had three previous convictions.

These include common assault in 1998, three counts of malicious communications in 2010 and his admission in February of downloading indecent images.

Asked about the assault, Doyle told the jury: 'I'm not Jesus, I'm a sinner, everyone sins, every Christian sins, that's a simple fact.'

Asked how downloading indecent images fit with following Jesus, he said: 'Of all the things I've done in my life, this is if not the top, sorry, if not the gravest shame of my life, it's right up there.'

He claimed the Category C images - the least serious category - were 'completely non sexual', but Mr Allman said that was 'not true' and they included naked children in sexual poses showing their private parts.

Doyle said many were downloaded from Flickr, some from a Russian website, and others were photos and drawings by famous artists, including ones for sale by Sotheby's auction house, he claimed.

Doyle said he found them 'beautiful and artistic', hadn't seen them as sexual, and insisted many were of fully clothed children and were in fact legal.

However, after Mr Allman read a vile description of two indecent images portraying naked children in sexual poses and asked whether they were 'artistic' or for sale at Sotheby's, Doyle accepted they were probably 'two of the most damning'.

The jury unanimously found him guilty after two hours and 15 minutes of deliberation.

Judge Anil Murray adjourned sentencing until September 3 for a pre-sentence report and extended Doyle's conditional bail.

He said: 'On the face of it the combination of both offences are very serious and it's likely to lead to an immediate custodial sentence, but I need to know more about him before I make the final decision.'
Russel Kirsch who invented the pixel in 1957 died at the age of 91 at his home in Portland, Oregon. Pixels are digital dots used to display photos, videos, and more on phone and computer screens.

Back in 1957, Kirsch created a small, 2-by-2 inches black-and-white digital image of his 3-month-old son, Walden. That was among the first images ever scanned into a computer, using a device created by his research team at the US National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institutes of Science and Technology), news agency AP noted.

His work paved the way for satellite imagery, CT scans, virtual reality, and Facebook, the Wired cited a 2010 article about Kirsch. That first square image, that article said, measured a mere 176 pixels on a side just shy of 31,000 pixels in total. Today, the digital camera on the iPhone 11 can capture roughly 12 million pixels per image.

What was unique about the pixels was that they were square. "Squares was the logical thing to do," Kirsch told the magazine in 2010. "Of course, the logical thing was not the only possibility but we used squares. It was something very foolish that everyone in the world has been suffering from ever since."

The images, however, looked blocky or jagged and that is where the term 'pixelated' came from.

Kirsch later developed a method to smooth out images by using pixels with variable shapes instead of the squares. Initially, the images were binary, capturing only black or white, but Kirsch and his team discovered that by scanning the image multiple times at different thresholds they could create a grayscale image by stacking multiple scans, as per DPreview.

This technology allowed Kirsch and his team to develop algorithms that laid the foundations for image processing and image pattern recognition. Kirsch's invention also helped NASA with its earliest space explorations, including the Apollo Moon landings.

Born in Manhattan in 1929, Kirsch was the son of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Hungary. He was educated at the Bronx High School of Science, New York University, Harvard and MIT and worked for five decades as a research scientist at the US National Bureau of Standards. In 1951, while still in school, Kirsch joined the National Bureau of Standards as a member of the Standards Eastern Automatic Computer (SEAC) team, which was in charge of handling the US's first programmable computer.

Russell Kirsch is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan, by children Walden, Peter, Lindsey and Kara, and by four grandchildren.
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New Delhi, Aug 14 : After three successful editions, Lexus India announced the fourth edition of its prestigious Lexus Design Award India 2021. The annual design competition offers professionals, students and design enthusiasts across the country a chance to exhibit their originality. The participants will need to manifest their core ideas basis on three key principles of the brand- Anticipate, Innovate, and Captivate, along with outlining how their designs would cater to the needs of the ever-changing society.

With the aim to craft a better tomorrow, the Lexus Design Awards India channelizes creations and designs. As the world is battling the Covid-19 pandemic, the LDAI 2021 continues to build a stage for individuals in stride to make the world a better place. The awards stand on the guiding principle of 'Design for a Better Tomorrow.' Lexus India will embark on a digital journey with this edition of the awards.

Commenting on the commencement of the LDAI 2021, PB Venugopal, President, Lexus India said, "We are delighted to announce the fourth edition of the Lexus Design Award India. Lexus India is invested in supporting design philosophy that challenges "Status Quo" to look at design solutions that craft a better tomorrow. The awards provide a platform for the design fraternity to showcase their talent in solving challenges and captivating the hearts and minds of the consumers. The past editions have received an overwhelming response with stellar entries by the very talented Indian design community. We believe this year, we will surpass the earlier editions and are definitely looking forward to "Designs for a better tomorrow".

The finalists from the conceptual category will receive an exclusive mentorship program led by stalwarts of the design industry. The program will allow candidates to get valuable recommendations and ideas from experts, which can greatly influence to refine their projects.

The call for entries are open from 6th August 2020 to 6th October 2020. Applications and entries can be found at www.lexusindia.co.in/en/discover-lexus/lexus-design-award-india.

(N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in)
Be sure to read the fine print and find a plan that works for you. Standard policies may not include things like earthquakes, termite damage, or certain types of flooding. If these are relevant to you, look into additional coverage.

The cost: Varies depending on coverage, home value and additional factors

CONDO INSURANCE

Many condo owners think their condo corporations commercial condo insurance covers their unit, too. This is not the case. It is limited to common areas like the building structure, its exterior and shared spaces like the lobby or elevators. Youll need a personal condo policy to protect your own unit, its upgrades and contents (including those stored in your locker).

Personal condo insurance isnt legally required, but most mortgage lenders consider it mandatory. You should too, says Steve Totani, a real estate broker with Zolo Realty in Toronto.
Americans Forget Climate Change as CCP Virus Dominates Airwaves

Experts show public's perception of environmental risk has waned

Researchers at the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder have found that with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus dominating media coverage in recent weeks and months, large numbers of Americans have turned their attention away from worrying about climate change and the environment to focus on the global pandemic.

If a threat seems physically distant, far in the future, too abstract or if we are just too distracted to notice it, our perception of risk declines, senior author Leaf Van Boven, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boulder, told Science Daily. Climate change is the prototypical example.

Instead of using a questionnaire to ask a sample of the population what they were worried about, Van Boven and fellow researchers from CU analyzed Google search behavior to estimate public concern for the issue of climate change. The researchers found that as media coverage of the CCP virus increased, interest in other areas of public concernincluding climatehad plummeted.

Greta Led the Way

The most recent spike in U.S.-based Google searches on the issue of climate change came in late September 2019. Interestingly, the peak in interest coincided with the visit of then-16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg to the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York, where she delivered a speech to world leaders.

Greta Thunberg speaks at the United Nations during a summit on climate change, in New York City, on Sept. 23, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Thunberg accused politicians of coming to young people for hope in the face of impending climate catastrophe before accusing global leaders of stealing her childhood and her dreams for the future with their empty words.

As the video of Thunbergs speech spread on television and social media, web searches for the term climate change reached levels that analysts had not seen in years. At the end of 2019, Thunberg graced Time magazines cover as its Person of the Yearwith the magazine claiming that it selects an individual based on how much they are perceived to have influenced events that year.

By the summer of 2020, however, Google analytics data showed that searches for information on environmental issues had reached new lows, as the CCP virus crisis monopolized headlines around the world.

Perceptions of Risk

Van Boven told Science Daily that directing ones attention to an environmental risk for even a short period of time can make it appear to be more frightening and, thus, cause the observer to consider it to be more in need of resolution. On the flip side, Van Boven said, if you are not actively paying attention, the risk seems less dangerous and less important to address.

Smoke emerges from a large stack at the coal-fired Brandon Shores Power Plant in Baltimore, Md., on March 9, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Previous research in the field of human behavior had shown that human beings have a finite capacity for attention to risk, the researchers said, with the human mind conditioned to prioritize one threat to human welfare at a time. Furthermore, humans tend to rely less on reason in determining the level of risk associated with a threat, but to lean on their intuitive perception of the risk at handor how something feels in the moment, Van Boven explained.

The researchers explained that as media coverage of the CCP virus has increased, other issues are no longer being prioritized in the minds of Americans. Study co-author, Kellen Mrkva, pointed to a recent Gallup poll showing that only 2 percent of Americans view climate change as the most important issue facing the nationdown from 5 percent of respondents in late 2019.

Its all COVID all the time right now, Van Boven said.

Pandemic Trumps Climate

A July 24 Harris Poll conducted for Fortune magazine seems to confirm the CU Boulder research.

Battered by pandemic and economic collapse, do Americans have the capacity to care about the environment? Not so much, says Harris Poll CEO, Will Johnson, citing data collected by his organization.

Exclusive poll: Amid COVID-19, Americans dont care about climate change anymore https://t.co/h8iDKEiMjr  FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) August 10, 2020

According to Harris Poll research from December 2019, American adults judged climate change to be the number one issue facing society, said Johnson. Today, it comes in second to last on a list of a dozen options, ahead of only overpopulation.

Johnson said that more than a third of Generation X male respondents now say climate change is unimportant, though the issue remains a concern for retirement-age women and millennial men.

Johnson also noted with concern that when the CCP virus crisis comes to an end, American adults say they intend to return to modes of behaviorin terms of consumption, transportation and energy usethat will increase their carbon footprints.
By ANI

AMRITSAR: A Congress Member of Parliament from Amritsar city has written to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene and stop harassment of Sikh girls in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Gurjeet Singh Aujla highlighted the case of Jagjeet Kaur, daughter of head granthi of Gurudwara Shri Nankana Sahib, who was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married to a Muslim boy. She is now named as Aisha by using coercive and unlawful methods.

"The current controversy has shaken me from inside and being aggrieved in my personal capacity as well as representing the Holy City Amritsar and being a true believer of Sikh religion, myself condemn the incident that happened with the helpless young girl from Sikh community", he wrote to Imran Khan.

ALSO READ| Civil society members in Nepal protest against atrocities over Hindus in Pakistan

He added, "Prime Minister, the Sikh Community being the true warriors and hard workers are spread all over the world in almost every country, this controversy has led to the outbreak of a major resentment towards the working of your government. I know that with the intervention of your office, this controversy is very well within your powers as you are the head of the legislature of your country to resolve this current issue with immediate effect".

Aujla said that if Imran Khan fails to address the issue, he will take the matter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I, first of all request you to resolve this issue in a very peaceful, fair, judicious manner or else this matter shall be taken up by me with our Prime Minister and also at international levels/forums to ensure that speedy justice is delivered and no such oppression, harassment and coercion shall be tolerated at any cost", he wrote.

Sikhs in Pakistan continue to face persecution by the hands of majority Muslims. In 2009, the Taliban imposed Jizya (yearly taxation) on non-Muslims and demolished the houses of 11 Sikh families in Orakzai Agency for refusing to pay ransom.

Many Sikhs in the country have been target killed, gurudwaras destroyed and land forcibly occupied by the Islamists in the past few years.

On 27 July 2020, it was reported that the Gurudwara Shaheed Bhau Taru Singh, which is the site of Bhai Taru Singh, had been forcibly taken over and was converted into a mosque and named as Masjid Shahid Ganj.
Security has been beefed up in the city and other areas of West Bengal, particularly in border areas, ahead of the 74th Independence Day on Saturday, senior police officers said.

Some added arrangements have also been made in the wake of the militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which two policemen were killed on Friday, they said.

Adequate measures have been taken for the Independence Day programme tomorrow. All entry and exit points of Kolkata have been kept under surveillance. All units have been briefed on the security plan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Establishment) Gaurav Sharma told PTI.

At least three watch towers have been erected at Red Road, the venue of the official Independence Day celebrations in the city, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will unfurl the national flag.

Quick Response Teams, Heavy Radio Flying Squad vans, and members of combat forces of the city police will be present around the venue, Sharma said.

Drones will also be used to keep a vigil on proceedings in and around the city, the officer said.

All police stations have been alerted and Naka checkings throughout the city will be stringent as a part of the security arrangements, Sharma said.

Keeping in mind the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all police personnel including officers will have to wear masks and maintain physical distancing, the IPS officer said.

The sitting arrangements at the Red Road venue have been made keeping in mind the physical distancing factor. The programme would be held before a nominal number of spectators, official sources said.

Though not many travellers are coming to the city these days because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the police are keeping an eye on hotels and lodging facilities, Sharma said.

These establishments are being constantly monitored as we do not want to take any chance. We have sought details of those staying there. All vehicles coming in and going out of the city will be scrutinised. Sand bag bunkers have been set up at several key locations, another Kolkata Police officer said.

Security arrangements elsewhere in the state have also been enhanced with a focus on its international and state borders, an officer of the West Bengal Police told PTI.

Foolproof arrangements have been made throughout the state especially in the border areas to avoid any untoward incident, the officer said.
A bipartisan group of two influential US senators has introduced a resolution in the Senate, condemning Chinese military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and calling for a diplomatic solution.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The situation deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died.

The resolution was introduced by Senator John Cornyn, Republican Senate Majority Whip, and Senator Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Thursday.

Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus. The Senate resolution follows the passage of a similar resolution by the House of Representatives as part of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) last month.

"As a cofounder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the US and India. I commend India's commitment to standing up to China and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression," Cornyn said.

The June 15 conflict between China and India, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding Beijing's "provocative actions" in disputed territory, Warner said.

"This resolution condemns PRC's (People's Republic of China) actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; and encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC," he said.

Warner said the US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values. "That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.

In a joint press statement, the two senators said the deadly conflict broke out on June 15 on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the LAC that separates China and the Indian regions of Ladakh and Sikkim.

The "lethal conflict" occurred in the Galwan Valley one of the sites of tension in recent weeks as the two sides were in the process of negotiating a mutual "disengagement" of forces. The last time the border conflict escalated to the point of casualties was in 1975, it noted.

The events leading up to the clashes included fistfights between Chinese and Indian soldiers stationed near Pangong Lake in India's Ladakh state, territorial advances by Chinese forces in Hot Springs and the Galwan Valley, and clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers on the border near India's Sikkim state, the statement said.

Over the past several weeks, there has been outpouring of support from top American lawmakers, across the aisle, against Chinese efforts to grab Indian territories.

Support for India against China has come in the form of tweets, public speeches, House and Senate floor, letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Congressional resolutions. Several lawmakers have also made a call to Sandhu to express their outrage against China.

Sandhu, who has been meeting top American lawmakers, virtually, on a daily basis has received multiple Congressmen and Senators expressing their strong support to India against China.

Senator Rick Scott last month wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commending the Indian government for the continued efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the boundary issue.

Congressmen George Holding and Brad Sherman, co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, alongwith several other lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna, in July wrote a letter to Sandhu, expressing their disappointment by the events that took place in the Galwan Valley.

Led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and co-sponsored by several others, including Ro Khanna, the House of Representatives in July passed an amendment to the NDAA, which says that China should work toward de-escalating the situation along the LAC with India through existing diplomatic mechanisms and not through force.

In the same month, another NDAA amendment, moved by Congressman Steve Chabot along with Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera, noted US Congress' opposition to Chinese aggression against India in the Galwan Valley and expressed concern toward the growing territorial assertiveness of China.
Harkness Tower on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Conn., on Sept. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)

Yale University Illegally Discriminates Against Asian, White Applicants: DOJ

Yale University was found to have illegally discriminated against Asian American and white applicants in its undergraduate admissions process, the Department of Justice announced on Friday following a two-year-investigation.

The DOJ found that the Ivy League school violated the Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Acta civil-rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. In particular, the department found that Yale discriminates based on race and national origin in its undergraduate process. The DOJ has notified Yale (pdf) of its findings.

There is no such thing as a nice form of race discrimination, Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division said in a statement. Unlawfully dividing Americans into racial and ethnic blocs fosters stereotypes, bitterness, and division.  The Department of Justice agrees and will continue to fight for the civil rights of all people throughout our nation.

Following its findings, the DOJ has demanded that Yale agree not to use race or national origin in its upcoming 2020-2021 undergraduate admissions cycle. It adds that if the university plans to consider race or national origin in future admissions cycles, it has to first submit to the Department of Justice a plan demonstrating its proposal is narrowly tailored as required by law, including by identifying a date for the end of race discrimination.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, the university said it categorically denies the DOJ allegation. It said it is proud of its admissions practices and will not change them on the basis of such a meritless, hasty accusation.

When the DOJ started its investigation in September 2018, Yale President Peter Salovey issued an open letter to the Yale community, where he stated that Yale does not discriminate in admissions against Asian Americans or any other racial or ethnic group. He also wrote that Yales policies have resulted in an outstanding and increasingly diverse student body, which has not come at the expense of applicants of any racial or ethnic background.

Race is Determinative Factor: DOJ

Students walk on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, on Oct., 2009.(Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

But the DOJ has said its investigation found that race is the determinative factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year at Yale, and that for the great majority of applicants, Asian Americans and whites have only one-tenth to one-fourth of the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with comparable academic credentials.

Yale rejects scores of Asian American and white applicants each year based on their race, whom it otherwise would admit, the DOJ said, adding, Although the Supreme Court has held that colleges receiving federal funds may consider applicants race in certain limited circumstances as one of a number of factors, the Department of Justice found Yales use of race is anything but limited.

Yale uses race at multiple steps of its admissions process resulting in a multiplied effect of race on an applicants likelihood of admission, and Yale racially balances its classes, the DOJ announced.

Yale said in a statement to The Epoch Times that it is dismayed that the DOJ has made its determination before allowing Yale to provide all the information the Department has requested thus far, adding that it has been fully cooperating with the DOJs investigation.

Had the Department fully received and fairly weighed this information, it would have concluded that Yales practices absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent, the university said.

Yale said its selection process looks at the whole person and considers a multitude of factors, including their academic achievement, interests, demonstrated leadership, background, success in taking maximum advantage of their secondary school and community resources, and the likelihood that they will contribute to the Yale community and the world.

Harvard Case Ongoing

A seal hangs over a building at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Nov. 16, 2012. (Jessica Rinaldi//File Photo/Reuters)

The DOJ previously accused Harvard University of racial discrimination in its admissions process, and in August 2018 made its argument in documents filed in federal court, saying that Harvard had failed to show that it does not unlawfully discriminate against Asian Americans.

Then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement at the time that no American should be denied admission to school because of their race.

A federal judge in October 2019 ruled that Harvards affirmative action policiesalleged to be racially discriminatory against and adversely affects Asian Americanswere legally sound. Massachusetts-based District Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama appointee, wrote that race-conscious admissions will always penalize to some extent the groups that are not being advantaged by the process, but this is justified by the compelling interest in diversity and all the benefits that flow from a diverse college population.

The ruling, based on Burroughss argument that diversity considerations are more important than the adverse affects to impacted individuals, has been appealed, with arguments scheduled in September.

The DOJ also filed an amicus brief for the case, with Dreiband commenting that, Unconstitutionally partitioning Americans into racial and ethnic blocs harms all involved by fostering stereotypes, bitterness, and division among the American people.

The Department of Justice will continue to fight against illegal race discrimination, he said.

The case may ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

Janita Kan and Matthew Vadum contributed to this report.
Like most actors, Bryce Dallas Howard is used to showing up on film sets knowing what lines shes supposed to say, when shes supposed to say them and, often, not much more. Things are very different on Jurassic World: Dominion, one of the first major Hollywood studio films to restart production since the coronavirus pandemic led to a global shutdown in March. Before agreeing to return to Pinewood Studios outside London, Howard and other members of the cast grilled producers and executives from the studio behind the movie, Universal, through a series of Zoom calls and ...
WASHINGTON  As U.S. Sen. John Cornyn launched his last re-election campaign, his campaign manager, Brendan Steinhauser, remembers the senator telling him: If the Republican Party looks like me in the futurewere not going to be able to survive.

Cornyn spent the next several months not worrying about the Democrat running against him  who he easily defeated  but instead trying to diversify his base, running ads on TV and radio in five different languages, sending campaign staff to naturalization ceremonies, Holi festivals and more.

The efforts drew national attention, and theres evidence they worked. Exit polls show Cornyn narrowly won the Hispanic vote, closing what had once been a 20-percentage point gap.

But that was 2014.

As Cornyn seeks his fourth term in the Senate, early polling indicates he is down again among minority voters  and this time his opponent, Democrat MJ Hegar, has plans to invest heavily in outreach to Black and Latino voters including targeted advertising, with spots on Black radio stations in the coming weeks.

And she has made attacking Cornyn for xenophobic and bigoted comments  such as wrongly blaming Chinese cultural practices for the coronavirus outbreak  a central part of her campaign, hoping to diminish his standing among Asian-American voters, a rapidly growing and increasingly important voting bloc, especially in the suburbs.

EARLY POLLS: As Texas US Senate race tightens, Democrats commit $1 million to MJ Hegar

There is no doubt that Cornyn remains the favorite in the tightening Senate race, and his campaign has far more money than Hegars  at least $14 million to around $2 million for her. He has also made recent moves in the Senate that may appeal to minority voters  successfully pushing legislation to create an Emancipation Trail between Galveston and Houston and to establish a National American Latino Museum in D.C., as well as trying in vain to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Cornyn has also been a leading GOP voice for the Senate to pass a bill reviving the popular Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and hes thrown his support behind sending stimulus checks to families with mixed immigration status, among other things.

But this time Cornyn shares the ticket with President Donald Trump, who has often leaned into racial antagonism as a campaign tactic  most recently warning of an invasion that will destroy suburbia. A fundamental question in the race will be whether Cornyn can avoid blowback against Trump, even as he remains a steadfast ally to the president.

Cornyns campaign says it will keep reaching out to minority voters  and political scientists say he cant afford to lose many of those who voted for him in 2014.

While its unclear to what extent the concerted outreach efforts will be repeated this cycle, the Cornyn campaign plans to win over voters by focusing on the senators record on issues, including immigration and trade.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Were not backing away, said Travis Considine, a spokesman for the campaign. We are not taking anyone for granted. Everyone matters and, to us, we want this to be about the issues.

Two recent trips to the Rio Grande Valley illustrate the early work both campaigns say they plan to put in.

Working in The Valley

Cornyn last week was at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, meeting with local leaders and touting federal coronavirus relief funding that has gone to communities there. His campaign sent an email to local media touting the senators support for beefing up border security, boosting trade with Mexico, extending protections for young people brought to the country illegally and more.

Hegar also recently made a trip to the Valley, one of the few in-person campaign stops she has made since the coronavirus outbreak, to meet with health care professionals and elected officials about COVID-19 and to tour areas damaged by Hurricane Hanna.

This will be a key battlefield in the race, said Sylvia Gonzalez-Gorman, a political scientist at UT-RGV. Even if Cornyn matches the 48 percent of the Latino vote that he won in 2014, that might not be enough to carry him, she said.

Gonzalez-Gorman said many of the issues that Hegar has made central to her campaign  especially expanding access to health care  are issues that will resonate with Latinos, who have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus.

But Hegar cant just assume minorities will show up and vote for her, political analysts say.

Hegar desperately needs record turnout by Black and Hispanic voters if she wants to have a shot, said Matthew Hayes, a political scientist at Rice University.

The few public polls released since Hegar won the nomination July 14 have showed her leading Cornyn among minorities. That includes a Quinnipiac University poll that showed Hegar with a commanding lead among Black voters  73 to 11  but a much closer race for the Latino voter, with Hegar leading Cornyn 41 to 38 and 17 percent still undecided.

Hegars campaign says it is well aware of the work to be done. Hegar has hired staff to oversee outreach to Black and Latino voters  something Cornyns campaign has yet to do as it has focused so far on regional outreach.

The day after Hegar claimed the partys nomination in a bitter runoff with state Sen. Royce West, she called Carroll Robinson, chairman of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats. The group had accused the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Senate Democrats campaign arm, of trying to undercut Wests campaign by telling donors not to give to the longtime Dallas senator, who hoped to be the states first Black U.S. senator. The DSCC denied those allegations.

The coalition warned at the time that if Black Democrats come to believe the United States Senate primary was rigged against Senator West, it will only hurt MJ Hegar in the general election, if she wins the runoff election.

It appears that isnt the case, as Robinson said the coalition never had a problem with Hegar, but with the DSCCs involvement. He said the group is all in on Hegar, and that Hegar has done everything in a short period of time I would expect a candidate to do to go all out to reach out to the African American community.

Robinson said hes talked to her a handful of times since and that anytime he gives someone her cell phone number, within a day or two they have talked to her. He said her campaign is also working to get on Black radio stations in the next week or two, if not sooner.

You cant ask for much more, Robinson said.

Mixed messaging

Hegar also stands to gain from the Texas Democratic Partys outreach efforts. The state party says it has contacted more than 3.5 million voters through text messages and phone calls over the last two weeks alone. Three million of them were minorities, including, the party claims, every registered Black voter in the state.

Its all the more reason Cornyn must build the kind of momentum he had in 2014, said Joshua Blank, research director at the University of Texas at Austins Texas Politics Project.

Cornyn cant afford to lose a significant share of the vote Republicans have historically received from minority voters and still expect to win, if the state is still as competitive as it was in 2018, Blank said. Cornyn has to continue to appeal as much as he and the Republican Party can to voters of color in Texas  but its going to be increasingly hard as he is one of the presidents most consistent defenders.

Blank said that even as Cornyn has made moves in the Senate that may appeal to minority voters, he still has made the effort more difficult for himself.

Cornyn denied systemic racism existed after the death of George Floyd, even as he pushed for a federal anti-lynching law. And he compared taking down Confederate statues and renaming military bases to tearing pages out of history books  just days before he backed Senate legislation establishing a commission to look into renaming Fort Hood and other military bases named for Confederate military leaders.

These are not a set of issues and concerns he has a ton of experience and practice listening to and mobilizing into legislative action. It's not really his turf, Blank said. Not only does it seem like hes not really operating from a set of core convictions he can clearly articulate, its not clear hes really thought much about these issues.

Cornyns remark blaming Chinese cultural practices for the coronavirus outbreak is another potential liability.

The Asian American voting population in Texas is growing at a much faster clip than those of other groups. There are now just under 800,000 eligible Asian American voters in Texas  a group that grew by 46 percent from 2012 to 2018, compared with a 12-percent rise in the statewide eligible voting population, according to data from APIA Vote.

On that front, the Senate race in Texas may be a test of how engaged those voters will be beyond the presidential race, said Varun Nikore, president of AAPI Victory Fund, a super PAC focused on mobilizing Asian American and Pacific Islanders. He said there is evidence that Asian-Americans are motivated to vote against Trump, but the group has still historically voted at lower rates than others.

While folks generally may be excited, and a lot of this excitement has to do with being anti-Trump, that is not enough. You still need to connect a lot of dots, Nikore said.

It could be MJ Hegars constituency to lose, but she still has to put in the effort  and Cornyn still has to put in the effort, if he is hoping to at least quell the number of AAPIs who may have conservative ideals but want to vote against the president.

ben.wermund@chron.com
A federal judge Thursday tossed a case brought by six San Antonio barbershops against State Farm Lloyds for losses sustained after they were forced to shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Senior U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra said he sympathizes with the plaintiffs, but he granted the insurers motion to dismiss the case.

While there is no doubt that the COVID-19 crisis severely affected (the) businesses, State Farm cannot be held liable to pay business interruption insurance on these claims, Ezra said in a 19-page ruling.

The lawsuit was brought by Shayne Brown, owner of Diesel Barbershop, Henleys Gentlemens Grooming and Outlaws & Gents Grooming.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio barbershops sue State Farm after coronavirus insurance claims denied

Brown told the San Antonio Express-News in April that orders by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and Gov. Greg Abbott directing nonessential businesses to close had cost the shops a combined $1 million in revenue.

The action was the first of its kind filed in San Antonio by attorney Shannon Loyd. She has since filed additional lawsuits on behalf of other businesses in the same predicament, including restaurants owned by star chef Jason Dady.

Were obviously disappointed, especially for our client, Shayne Brown, Loyd said. We always knew the State Farm policy was the toughest for policyholders just because its language is more buttoned-up than all of the other policies that were dealing with.

No decision has been made on whether the barbershops will appeal Ezras ruling, Loyd said.

We accept the courts sound decision since we do not collect premiums to protect against viral pandemics, State Farm spokesman Chris Pilcic said in an email. Commercial losses caused by, or resulting from viruses are not covered and are, in fact, specifically excluded within our commercial policy.

The suit was filed April 8 in state District Court but five days later was removed to U.S. District Court in San Antonio.

Within days of closing the barbershops, Brown filed claims with State Farm asking it to cover the loss of business income. The insurer rejected the claims.

Browns shop then sued State Farm for breach of contract for wrongfully denying coverage and other claims.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio chef Jason Dady sues over restaurants lost businesss

The barbershops argued they sustained and will sustain covered losses under the terms of the policies.

State Farm countered that the policies required that there be physical damage to the property and that the damage be the result of a covered cause of loss, which it said the virus is not.

The barbershops responded that the language in the policies allows for a partial loss, including the loss of use of the properties because of the shutdown orders.

The judge found no direct physical loss suffered by the barbershops.

Judge Ezra seemed to focus, at least from my review, on the accidental direct physical loss to property rather than what most of the other policies have, which is direct physical loss of or damage to the properties, Loyd said. I know it seems like a subtle difference, but its a really big difference. The other policies broaden the potential for coverage, she added.

Ezra relied on other court rulings in reaching his decision, noting a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that determined that the loss needs to have been a distinct, demonstrable physical alteration of the property.

Even if the judge had found the policies language ambiguous, he said the policies contain a virus exclusion, which bars the barbershops claims.

Patrick Danner Patrick Danner covers banking, insurance, business litigation and bankruptcies. To read more from Patrick, become a subscriber. pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
China Showcases New H-6J Bomber During Drills in South China Sea, Reports Says

Sputnik News

14:20 GMT 13.08.2020(updated 14:38 GMT 13.08.2020)

BEIJING (Sputnik) - China's new Xian H-6J bomber has been demonstrated to the public for the first time during drills in the South China Sea, national media reported.

According to the Nanfangwang news outlet, H-6G and H-6J bombers have recently carried out multiple flights to participate in exercises in the region. The H-6J jet was showcased for the first time.

H-6 is a license-built version of the Soviet Union's Tupolev Tu-16 strategic heavy bomber. It is designed to carry thermonuclear weapons.

On 6 July, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused the United States of trying to undermine the stability in the South China Sea

, following a US naval exercise in the region.

On 4 July, the United States' Nimitz and Ronald Reagan carrier strike groups, joined by a B-52 Stratofortress bomber, conducted a maritime exercise in the South China Sea as the country celebrated Independence Day, while also coinciding with Beijing's own military exercises near the disputed Paracel Islands archipelago (known in China as the Xisha archipelago), located in the region.

A Sputnik

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Hurtado was a painter whose works straddled eras, styles and continents. Key among her works are a series of paintings from the late 1960s and '70s that rendered aspects of women's bodies as surreal landscapes and others that featured the nude female form as viewed from a woman's perspective, often hovering over bright, patterned rugs. They were paintings that novelist and critic Yxta Maya Murray, in Artforum, described as being "less about the pleasures and trajectories of her body than about its suspension in otherwise throwaway moments."
Concerns about water quality in Sydney's main reservoir following last summer's bushfires have prompted the government to continue to operate the city's desalination plant even as dams near capacity.

Warragamba Dam on Friday reached 99 per cent capacity after recent rains lifted water levels by one-eighth in a week, WaterNSW data shows.

Across the network, Sydney's dams were 97.5 per cent full having doubled since February rains effectively ended the region's drought. Nepean reservoir continues to spill, while most others are more than 94 per cent full.

Despite the high dam levels, the government has also left in place level 1 water restrictions. Sydney residents are only permitted to water their gardens with a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can or a bucket before 10am and after 4pm.
A furious Premier Doug Ford is railing against Ontario Lottery and Gaming for awarding executive fat cats big bonuses in the middle of a pandemic that has closed casinos.

With some 15,000 private-sector gambling employees laid off due to COVID-19, Ford, whose government floated publicly owned OLG a $500-million line of credit three months ago, expressed outrage at the unacceptable payouts.

For all these big smart guys, they arent too frigging smart, the premier thundered Friday.

Youve got to be sitting around the table and think, is this prudent to do this? And I understand the legal ramifications. I was told that the lawsuits will be flying everywhere. Well, save it. Maybe this year ... they should forgo a bonus. Theyre making big bucks, he said, noting departing OLG president Stephen Rigby earns $765,406 a year.

Theres a couple thousand people that are struggling, cant put food on the table, and they sit back (and on) the television and radio news and listen to these big wigs  the fat cats, I call them  all making a fortune.

Ford said he has called Peter Deeb, whom he appointed as OLG chair, onto the carpet and would be having a word with Finance Minister Rod Phillips, whose ministry oversees the gambling agency.

Im going to be very, very clear about this. The finance minister knows about this. Hes going to deal with this issue. I talked to Mr. Deeb today and I told him how frustrated I am about this, he said.

Believe me, I dont hold back on anyone. I dont care if its my grandmother at the chair, theyre getting a tongue lashing, simple as that. Its not fair to the 15,000 people out there.

The provincial gambling giant  which, unlike private operators, has not been forced lay off staff  defended the bonuses that are based on last years results.

OLG made performance-related payments to all eligible OLG employees for the year prior to the pandemic, consistent with OLGs employment obligations, said the corporations Tony Bitonti.

These payments were earned for work completed last year and were paid out with board approval last week, said Bitonti.

Last year, OLG generated $2.3 billion for the province to help fund important priorities such as health care and education, he noted.

However, Bitonti also confirmed that OLGs compensation program is currently under review.

Any compensation decisions for this years work will be subject to this review, he added.

The agency would not disclose the amounts of the bonuses.

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said Ontarians deserve answers, not just tough talk from Ford.

The premier thinks it is OK to give nothing more than a tongue lashing to top OLG executives, or the fat cats as he calls them, for their exorbitant bonus payouts while there are over 15,000 ... employees who havent worked in five months, said Schreiner.

It is also interesting that OLG also received a $500-million loan when the pandemic hit. In light of these bonus payouts, the premier should demand a full accounting of how that coveted government money was spent.

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

Read more about:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:35:22|Editor: huaxia

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FRANKFURT, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of Frankfurt Peter Feldmann has recently invited popular Chinese video-sharing app TikTok to set up its new global headquarters in the German metropolis, several German media outlets reported.

Feldmann's letter of invitation to ByteDance, a Chinese tech firm and owner of TikTok, was first reported by Journal Frankfurt on Wednesday, and later also by Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung and Der Spiegel.

Frankfurt boasts one of the world's busiest internet hubs and a large number of data centers, as well as many well-trained professionals in the region, Feldmann was quoted as saying in the letter, who also noted the city's central location in Europe and excellent connections with China through partner city Guangzhou.

Frankfurt is an ideal location for IT companies and especially for TikTok's international headquarters, Feldmann was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, ByteDance has taken note of the invitation and told Journal Frankfurt that the company is very pleased about Frankfurt's interest.

ByteDance is considering setting up TikTok's headquarters outside the United States to better serve customers worldwide, but is not yet possible to comment in detail about the potential location, according to a ByteDance spokesperson who was quoted by Journal Frankfurt.

ByteDance currently has a branch in the German capital Berlin. Enditem
(Natural News) Plagues of mice had stripped bare more than 120,000 hectares of German farmlands, reported authorities. Farmers suspect that the succession of arid summers, among other factors, had enabled field mice to reproduce at a rate that had not been seen since the 1970s.

Farmers said that the mice had been tunneling under the fields for months and eating the roots of crops, thus leading to significant crop loss and, in turn, income loss. In fact, authorities report that as much as a quarter of crops and arable land are affected in the central state of Thuringia.

Some farmers argue that although atmospheric changes are to blame for the boom in the numbers of field mice, the reduction in the use of rodenticides also helped them flourish. But a number of animal groups disagree, citing instead the effect of fox hunting on the populations of foxes, field mices natural predators.

Succession of droughts led to an increase in field mice populations

Torrential rainfalls, thunderstorms and flash flooding seen in parts of Europe could not be further removed from the situation that Germany has been facing recently.

Lack of rain and high temperatures have German farmers approaching their third summer of drought, and authorities are concerned that this could cause further economic loss.

In fact, since mid-March of 2020, some regions had received less than 10 liters of rainfall per square meter of land compared to the usual 50 liters of rainfall per square meter, said agricultural minister Julia Klockner.

Similar trends had been apparent in the summers of 2018 and 2019. Experts speculate that the sparse precipitation enabled field mice to reproduce at a rate that farmers had not seen for decades.

German farmers in the affected regions also reported noticing an increase in the populations of voles in their fields. These are smaller, stockier rodents similar to field mice that are common across farmlands in Europe.

Limited and impractical options outside of rodenticide use

Despite the huge damage that both the drought and the field mice had done to crops, more is to be expected, said Klockner. For this reason, she called for an immediate reappraisal of rodenticide regulations.

The German Farmers Association (DBV) lauded Klockners initiative, stating that farmers must be given the means to protect their harvest.

The group cited strict regulations on rodenticides as the biggest hurdle keeping farmers from controlling field mice population.

However, not all groups were on board with Klockners decision. Magnus Wessel of the Association for the Protection of the Environment and Nature said that poison was not a solution. (Related: RAT POISON USE has resulted in new super rodent rats that are immune to chemical poisons.)

The side effects of easing regulations on rodenticides would be enormous, he said, as farmers also risk killing off the endangered common hamster. Birds could also ingest rodenticide-laced seeds and die as a result.

Outside of rodenticide use, farmers are also considering leaving their fields unsown for an entire winter to starve the field mice, but this isnt a viable option for most.

Some farmers, on the other hand, are considering plowing the ground to get rid of the burrows. But given the drought, plowing could further harm the soil and make it less suitable for arable farming in the future.

Exploring a safer and more natural approach to curbing field mice populations

Instead of increasing rodenticide use, animal groups are calling for a ban on fox hunting instead. Foxes are natural predators to field mice and other small rodents in agricultural fields. In fact, each one can consume between 3,000 to 5,000 field mice every year. Therefore, in eating the mice, foxes control their numbers.

However, sport hunting is threatening fox populations in the wild. Recent reports estimate that sport hunters kill 400,000 foxes in Germany every year. Stricter regulations or a total ban on this practice could allow fox numbers to grow again and match those of the field mice.

In addition, Wessel suggested that overhauling Germanys agricultural management could also help curb field mice populations. This overhaul would include developing a more diverse agricultural landscape featuring hedges and smaller fields that could encourage birds and foxes to visit and scour the fields for mice.

Learn more about the effects of drought on the environment at Environ.news.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

Reuters.com
By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan accounted for 18.7 percent of total volume of fuel imported to neighbouring Georgia in January-July in 2020, becoming second largest fuel supplier to Georgia after Russia, local media reported with the reference to the Union of Oil Products Importers of Georgia on August 13.

The countrys fuel exports to Georgia in the reporting period amounted to 114,000 tons.

It should be noted that Georgia imported 212,800 tons of fuel from Russia during the reporting period. Additionally, Romania was third with 110,300 tons.

Georgia imported a total of 608,300 tons of gasoline and diesel fuel, which is by 4.6 percent or 27,000 tons more than in the same period last year.

It should be noted that in the first half of the year, Azerbaijan increased export of oil and petroleum products to 773,515 tons, which is by 2.4 times or 453,817 tons more than in the same period in 2019. Gas exports amounted to 6.5 billion cubic meters, which is by 16.9 percent more than in the same period last year. In addition, some 14.7 million tons of oil (including condensate) were exported in the first half of 2020, which is approximately by 900,000 tons or 5.9 percent less than in the same period of 2019.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
China: 84-y-o Christian ordered to pray to Xi over God; cross replaced with image of CCP ruler

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Authorities in China replaced a cross in the home of an elderly Christian man with an image of Xi Jinping and ordered him to pray to the countrys president instead of God as part of the Chinese Communist Partys efforts to sinicize Christianity.

The 84-year-old man in Shanxi Province, China, was among a number of Christians in several provinces ordered to remove Christian imagery from their homes and replace them with pictures of Communist leaders, religious rights magazine Bitter Winter reported.

The township [Chinese Communist] Party [CCP] secretary asked me to take down and throw away the cross and told me to pray to Xi Jinping from then on, the unidentified Christian told Bitter Winter. Xi Jinping is a man, not God. I feel saddened for the cross being taken down, but there is nothing I can do.

Similar reports have emerged from at least five provinces over the last few months, with authorities urging believers  often low-income households reliant on government assistance  to replace crosses and images of Jesus in their homes with posters of Communist Party leaders, or lose welfare benefits.

In June, a village official in Lin County repeatedly ordered villagers through social media to remove all religious symbols from their homes, Bitter Winter reported.

He stated that the cross symbolized heterodox teachings, which should be purged as per orders from higher authorities. If not, they will be held criminally accountable. The official stressed that impoverished households must replace the symbols with images of Xi Jinping, the outlet said.

Officials in Lin County threatened to cancel poverty alleviation allowances if Christians refused to discard their faith-based books and other items. One Christian told Bitter Winter that every household was ordered to display portraits of Xi and that residents were to provide photos of themselves beside them.

In the southeastern province of Jiangxi, officials tore down crosses and other Christian imagery in the homes of officially recognized Three-Self Church members. When challenged, the officials told believers they were implementing state-issued orders.

Though reluctant, the impoverished Christians had to remove the symbols since the officials threatened to cancel their subsistence allowance if they disobeyed. People must follow the party that gives them money, not God, the officials claimed, Bitter Winter said.

It was previously reported that in April, the government of Xinyu city in the southeastern province of Jiangxi canceled a disabled Christians minimum living subsidy and a monthly disability allowance of 100 RMB (about $14) because the believer continued to attend worship services despite government orders.

In 2017, CCP officials visited believers homes in Yugan county of Jiangxi province and removed 600 Christian symbols from Christians living rooms, and hung 453 portraits of the Communist leader in their place, according to a report from the South China Morning Post.

SCMP, a newspaper that kowtows to the communist regime, claimed the move was part of a state-sponsored campaign to alleviate poverty in the region since some CCP members believe families faith is to blame for poverty.

Many poor households have plunged into poverty because of illness in the family. Some resorted to believing in Jesus to cure their illnesses, the head of the CCP campaign told SCMP. But we tried to tell them that getting ill is a physical thing, and that the people who can really help them are the Communist Party and General Secretary Xi.

Last year, authorities with the CCP removed the Ten Commandments from nearly every Three-Self church and meeting venue in a county of Luoyang city and replaced them with the presidents quotes.

Following the implementation of revised religious regulation rules in February of 2018, Communist officials have shut down churches, arrested congregations, and attempted to rewrite the Bible in efforts to free religion from perceived foreign influence,

Chinas campaign to sinicize religion originated in a speech by Xi at the National Religious Work Conference in April 2016. At the time, Xi stated that in order to actively guide the adaptation of religions to socialist society, an important task is supporting Chinas religions persistence in the direction of sinicization.

Persecution watchdog Open Doors USA ranks China at No. 23 on its list of 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The nonprofit notes that while Chinas constitution protects the right to religion, houses of worship are often tightly controlled and even shuttered if deemed too large, too political, or invite foreign guests.
LANSING (AP)  Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers quick ascension to the national stage  and onto Joe Bidens list of potential running mates  has left Democrats excited about what her future may hold and thankful that she will continue to lead Michigan.

Two years ago, Whitmer was on her way to a resounding victory in the battleground state. A year ago, she was struggling to get legislative traction for her signature campaign promise of fixing the roads.

But in the past six months, Whitmer has delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trumps State of the Union address, confronted the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and been vetted as Joe Bidens running mate. He announced Kamala Harris as his pick on Tuesday. Whitmers profile rose yet more during a flurry of TV appearances in the spring in which she criticized the federal response to the COVID-19 outbreak, leading Trump to dismiss her as the woman in Michigan.

Its really been a meteoric rise in less than two years, said Jill Alper, a Michigan-based Democratic strategist.

Though Republicans have accused Whitmer of auditioning to be the running mate during a pandemic, Alper said she has only wanted to be the governor of Michigan. That has been her focus. Thats what shell stay focused on. But her future is definitely bright because this process has shone the light on her.

The 48-year-old Whitmer, a former legislative leader and interim county prosecutor, is up for reelection in 2022. Her job approval rating, once under water, has risen during the coronavirus crisis despite the restrictions she has ordered to curb the virus.

The extra attention she has received, along with her close relationship with Biden, will help if he defeats Trump and also open doors to new donors outside Michigan. If she wins in two years, she would be positioned if she decided to seek another office.

Being governor has been more of a nationally profiled job in the age of COVID because there were hot spots and governors who stepped up and took on a president who wasnt doing the things they thought needed to be done, Alper said.

Whitmer, who will speak during next weeks virtual Democratic National Convention, flew to Delaware last week to meet with Biden. She was one of 11 finalists he interviewed in the final nine days before he made his pick.

She agreed to intensive vetting despite having sent word to Bidens team earlier that she no longer wanted to be considered. Whitmer said she had plenty on her plate and that Biden should choose a Black running mate following the police killing of George Floyd, according to a high-ranking Michigan Democrat familiar with the process. The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, said Biden asked Whitmer to stay in the mix.

Now she can fully focus on major issues ahead  not just the pandemic and legislation related to the start of the school year, but also a projected $3 billion shortfall in the budget year that starts in October.

Her relationship with the Legislature has never been worse. Majority Republicans sued to challenge her use of emergency powers to issue new coronavirus orders, saying she acted beyond her authority. The sides later were able to patch a hole in the current budget thanks to federal help. Yet with an additional round of aid from Congress in doubt, the negotiating skills of Whitmer and GOP leaders will be put to the test.

Also this fall, Democrats are looking to win back control of the House for the first time in a decade, which would improve Whitmers chances of enacting her legislative agenda. And around the corner are her 2022 bid for reelection and crucial battles for the Senate and House after redistricting.

Republicans reacted to Bidens announcement by deriding Whitmers ambition.

Michiganders need a governor thats focused on Michigan, not their political future, said Tori Sachs, executive director of the group Michigan Rising Action. Whitmer just isnt ready for the big leagues, said state Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox.

Democrats laughed off the criticism, saying it was refreshing for Michigan voters to see their elected leaders in the national spotlight for positive reasons, especially following the Flint water crisis.

It seems like a compliment, if anything, to me, said Josh Pugh, who works as a consultant for liberal groups and organized labor. The public has viewed Whitmer favorably despite conservatives groups protests, according to polling.

Theres certainly something to be said for a leader who is able to keep their head through all of that and come out on the other side looking stronger, Pugh said. It should excite every Michigan Democrat headed into 2022 that weve got an incumbent governor in very strong standing, whos earned every bit of that standing.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15)  Despite Russias offer of its Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines, the Science and Technology Department said discussions are underway with other vaccine manufacturers around the world.

DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena made the announcement via a Facebook Live broadcast of the DOST Report, an online show created by the same unit producing the agencys flagship science and technology television program DOSTv.

Iba-ibang pathways ang aming dinadaanan dito. Unang-una, andun yung ating mga ineexplore na collaboration agreements for clinical trials with institutions that are leading in the development and coming from countries with bilateral agreements on science and technology, research and development, dela Pena said.

[TRANSLATION: We are using different pathways here. First, there are collaboration agreements we are exploring for clinical trials with institutions]

Dela Pena said some of the countries their group is having discussions with are China, India, Japan, Canada, and the United States  this is aside from their meetings with Russia, which recently offered their vaccine to the Philippines. Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev reiterated that there is nothing to hide about the Sputnik-V coronavirus jab, saying data is available about the vaccine.

READ: Russia has nothing to hide about Sputnik V, says envoy

Sec. Dela Pena also said clinical trials for Sputnik-V will commence in October and may end by May of 2021  same as the earliest date Malacanang announced earlier this week about how soon President Rodrigo Duterte can get vaccinated with the Gamaleya Institute-made vaccine.

Mahaba-habang proseso dahil iaanalyze pa ng experts dito yung data na ibinibigay nila bago tayong magsimula ng clinical trials, Dela Pena said.

[TRANSLATION: This will be a long process because experts will analyze the data they (Russia) will give before we start clinical trials.]

The secretary also said the vaccine will have to be approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or FDA before it can be used.

In the meantime, the DOST is also waiting on the final list of vaccines from the World Health Organization which would be used for trials in the Philippines.

Six vaccines from China, the US, and the UK are currently in the third stage of clinical trials.

Dela Pena said three hospitals have been eyed for vaccine trials: the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and Manila Doctors Hospital  both in the nations capital, and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, also the Philippines premier coronavirus testing facility.
Israel attacks Gaza Strip from air, land for 2nd night in row

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 6:23 AM

The Israeli military has launched aerial and ground attacks against targets across the Gaza Strip for a second night in a row, while Tel Aviv tightens its grip on the blockaded territory's fishing activities and fuel imports.

It claimed in a statement that warplanes, attack helicopters and tanks struck a number of positions belonging to the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement, which runs the territory, early Thursday.

Reports coming out of Gaza and videos of the strikes that circulated online, however, showed residential buildings and agricultural land have also been hit.

Gaza-based media said the strikes hit targets across the Gaza Strip from Rafah in the southern part of the occupied territory to Beit Hanoun in the north.

The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to the launch of incendiary balloons from Gaza over the past several days.

According to the report, dozens of balloon-borne devices were launched into southern parts of the occupied territories on Tuesday and Wednesday, igniting over 80 fires.

Flying fiery kites and balloons has become a new mode of protests by Gazans since March 2018, when the Tel Aviv regime began a crackdown against anti-occupation demonstrations near the fence separating Gaza from the Israeli-occupied land, killing and injuring many people.

Israel, however, blames the launch of incendiary balloons on Hamas.

Tel Aviv targets fuel supplies to Gaza

Hours after the raids, Israel also announced Thursday that it was halting the "import of fuel into the Gaza Strip."

Gaza media also said Israel banned fuel from entering the Kerem Shalom crossing between the southern Gaza Strip and the occupied territories until further notice.

On Monday, Israel closed Kerem Shalom to commercial traffic with exceptions for fuel, food and humanitarian goods.

Israel cuts Gaza fishing limits

A day earlier, Israel had also slashed Gaza's permitted fishing zone.

COGAT, an Israeli military body, said the fishing zone would be halved from 15 nautical miles to eight.

The restriction on the Gaza fishing zone would remain in place "until further notice," it said.

Under the Oslo Accords signed in 1993, Israel is obligated to permit fishing up to 20 nautical miles, but this has never been implemented.

Israel maintains a heavy naval presence off the coast of the impoverished Palestinian enclave, severely affecting the livelihood of some 4,000 fishermen and at least 1,500 more people involved in the fishing industry.

Over the past few years, Israeli forces have carried out more than a hundred attacks on Palestinian boats, arresting dozens of fishermen and confiscating several boats.

The economy of Gaza has also suffered from years of Israeli and Egyptian blockades.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli blockade since June 2007. It has caused a decline in the standard of living as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.

Israel has launched three major wars against the enclave, killing thousands of Gazans each time and shattering the impoverished territory's already poor infrastructure.

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In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the UAE became the first Gulf country and the third in the Arab world to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as part of a deal to halt the controversial annexation of parts of the West Bank that Palestinians see as a part of their future state.

US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to break the news saying, Huge breakthrough today. Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!.

A White House announcement said that the leaders of the US, Israel and the UAE spoke today and agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has often boasted about Israel's close relations with states in the Arab world under his leadership, even without normalised ties, tweeted minutes later simply saying, "Yom Histori" (Historic Day) in Hebrew.

UAE's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was a bit guarded in his Twitter message saying The UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship, highlighting that "an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories".

Netanyahu in a nationally broadcast statement said the move ushered in a new era in Israel's relations with the Arab world.

He said Trump administration has asked Israel to put its West Bank annexation plans on hold.

He said the plans were on temporary hold and that implementing annexation would be done with US coordination.

A joint statement from the United States, Israel and the UAE said that "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region".

Close neighbours, Jordan and Egypt, are the only two other Arab states to have diplomatic ties with Israel under peace agreements that have weathered several storms over the decades to hold firm. Many believe that the big diplomatic breakthrough is going to politically boost Trump's electoral prospects and also strengthen Netanyahu as he battles regular protests calling for his resignation due to the corruption trial against him and failure in the proper handling of the coronavirus crisis.

According to the joint statement, delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit.

Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations, the statement said.

The statement also said that, as a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the UAE, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

Netanyahu had previously planned to annex parts of the Israeli occupied West Bank, viewing the White House's plan released in January as an opportunity to extend Israeli sovereignty to parts of the disputed territory.

In recent months, UAE officials have been vocal in warning Netanyahu against plans to annex much of the West Bank and Jordan valley.

UN, Arab and European officials warned that the move would effectively end any hope of a two-state solution with an independent Palestine that has East Jerusalem as its capital.

Under the deal, the UAE and Israel will also immediately expand cooperation on the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus.

Working together, these efforts will help save Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives throughout the region.

There has been speculation about the normalisation of ties since the UAE attended the January White House reception during which President Trump presented his Vision for Peace, and expressed appreciation for the UAE's related supportive statements.

The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the statement said.

"As set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem's other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths, said the statement.

Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations, it said. Describing it as a historic day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that it is a significant step forward for peace in the Middle East. The US hopes that this brave step will be the first in a series of agreements that ends 72 years of hostilities in the region, Pompeo said.
Attorney General William Barr praised Operation Legend after a murder charge was announced for the alleged killer of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, whose death sparked the Department of Justice operation.

Todays arrest of LeGend Taliferros suspected murderer marks a significant step forward in his case and illustrates the potential of Operation Legend more broadly. The arrest and state charges resulted from cooperation among Kansas City police officers, the FBI, and U.S. Marshals, Barr said in a statement. This development is a model for joint efforts to solve crimes and reduce violence in other cities. I thank the state and local law enforcement officers who helped make possible this important step in bringing justice to LeGend, to his family, and to his community.

Ryson Ellis, 22, was charged Thursday with felony counts of second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced at a news conference in Kansas City.

Ellis faces up to life in prison and is being held at Tulsa County Jail in Oklahoma.

Taliferro was shot and killed on June 29 as he slept in an apartment building in southern Kansas City.

In the days leading up to the shooting, Ellis had allegedly assaulted a woman, identified as the sister of LeGends father, who was in the apartment at the time of the shooting. The woman said she has a child with Ellis. Ellis was injured in a confrontation afterwards with the womans brothers at his residence, during which the woman threatened the brothers with a gun.

LeGends death spurred the creation of Operation Legend, a federal anti-crime initiative which the DOJ described as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative across all federal law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight the sudden surge of violent crime.

Last month, the operation sent more than 200 federal agents from the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals office to Kansas City, which has seen a 40 percent spike this year in homicides over last year. More than 150 people have been arrested in the city as a result.

Story continues

Federal agents have also been sent to Chicago, Albuquerque, Cleveland, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Memphis, and Detroit as part of Operation Legend.

Although LeGends suspected murderer has been arrested, Operation Legend will go on, Barr said.

More from National Review
President Assad has announced a new head of the army's communications, following the arrest of General Ma'an Hussein, who was accused of being part of an espionage network writes Zaman Al-Wasl.

Syrias Bashar al-Assad has appointed General Mueen Qassem as head of the armys communication department, replacing General Maan Hussein who was arrested over links to an espionage network.

In late June, the Syrian security, backed by Russian Intelligence reports, dismantled an espionage network, including Hussein and top security and army officers, a well-informed source told Zaman Al-Wasl.

The source said the espionage network is most probably linked to the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Qassem, the new director has come from the Air Force Intelligence with a notorious background in cracking down on Assads opponents.

The main mission of the communication department, which coordinates with security and military services, is to spy on Syrian telecommunications, and monitor local TV channels, and social media accounts.

The State Intelligence, backed by information and data from the Russian intelligence, tracked the network following the death of Irans Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani on Jan. 7, 2020, in Baghdad.

At the time, initial reports accused a Syrian agent of providing information about the Soleimanis movements inside Syria and the exact time of his departure from Damascus airport before his death in a US drone attack two hours later.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
PHILADELPHIAAs the dozen law enforcement officers  from borough cops to federal agents  learned the techniques Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor Alexandre Quintella taught them in his Folsom studio last month, their faces filled with an unmistakable emotion, one that cops rarely express.

Wonder.

Wonder at all they didnt know. Wonder at all they could.

For years, Quintella, 49, has offered officers free Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes at his Quintella MMA studio in Delaware County, believing the martial art can save the lives of officers and the people they encounter.

But few officers took him up on his offer  until this year.

Now, they are interested, Quintella said.

As police officers have come under scrutiny after the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, individual officers, and some departments, are seeking out jiu-jitsu training for its restraint and submission tactics.

We dont teach officer to be a fighter, Quintella said. We teach them how to control people without hurting people.

While some Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques involve choke holds, Quintella doesnt teach those to the officers in his class. Instead, he shows them how to fall backward and how to get up; how to block a kick; what to do when someone grabs your wrist (or your gun); how to tire out an opponent; and how to use pressure points to gain submission.

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu (which means gentle art in Japanese), much of the training is focused on grappling on the ground and using pressure points to make a person submit, no matter their size.

When the five-foot-seven, 175-pound Quintella put a six-foot-two, 300-pound federal agent in his class in an Americana lock, forcing the agents arm into an L shape on the ground, the agent tapped out in seconds.

Im going to go cry in my car, he said. It was not clear if he was joking.

But more than physical skills, jiu-jitsu instills humility and confidence, Quintella said.

Police in America sometimes think they are Superman because they have the badge and the uniform, but you are not Superman if you dont have the knowledge, he said. Most police officers in America dont really know how to defend themselves.

Prospect Park Police Chief Dave Madonna, who has trained with Quintella since 2018 and put several of his officers through the course, said theres zero doubt that hes less likely to reach for a weapon now that hes a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

You think youre a tough guy because you wear the badge and gun, but you quickly learn there are people who arent police officers that could easily take you down, Madonna, 54, said. As the training continues, you gain confidence, and that confidence is built from the humiliating experiences. It translates to life on the street.

Quintella, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Shotokan karate, and muay Thai, was the first civilian to train police special forces in his hometown of Belem, at the mouth of the Amazon River.

Back in the day, we had a lot of problems with police shooting people because they didnt know what to do, he said. So when someone would try to fight them, theyd shoot.

The connections he made through that training led the professional fighter to become a bodyguard for Brazilian politicians. Despite his success, Quintellas only dream was to come to America.

In 2008, with $400 (U.S.) in his pocket, Quintella came to the United States, first to California and then to Wilmington, Del. He began teaching martial arts at a Brandywine Valley academy, while also cleaning houses and working as a bar bouncer.

For five years, Quintella worked those three jobs before he was able to open his first martial arts academy in 2013 in Norwood. He moved to his current location on MacDade Boulevard two years ago.

Quintella offers his free class to officers twice a month. Even though its the same class each time, many police officers come more than once, and others have signed up for continued training with Quintella or at other area studios.

If you ask me, Why you do everything for free? For two reasons: One, because I am a smart man, he said. Two, because I want to give back to this country what this country gave to me.

Madonna, the Prospect Park chief whos turned many officers on to Quintellas class, said officers have to take it upon themselves to pursue additional training.

If you think youre going to win some type of deadly encounter on the street by what you learned in the academy, you are wrong, he said. You need to invest time and money in yourself, and you cant count on your police department to do it for you.

As Quintella wrapped up his class for officers, he reminded his students that a badge doesnt earn someones respect, a person does, and that they should always try to talk through a situation first.

Its smart versus strength, not strength versus strength, he said.
The grieving family of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput has found support in Asha Devi, the mother of 2016 Delhi gang-rape victim, has extended her support to the family, demanding justice for the late actor who was found dead on June 14 at his Mumbai residence.

She told a news channel, I was hurt when I saw Sushants sister come on national television and request people with folded hands. I havent met their parents or even talked to them but I was hurt because I have faced similar situation during the long legal battle while fighting for justice for my daughter.

I just want to tell Shweta Singh Kirti and Sushants family that the truth will come out and you will get justice. Have faith. The case is with the Supreme Court, Bihar Police and all the public are with you. Der hai, andher nahi hai aapko insaaf zarur milega (It may be delayed but you will get justice eventually). Mumbai Police should also help them, she added.

She further talked about the familys feelings and told the channel, I heard some minister asking for peace to be maintained. But someone who lost his young son, what will that old father do? How much of peace can he maintain? It has been two months since the death, your polics havent even filed an FIR and you are asking them to be at peace? Someone who lost his son may never achieve peace, not in his entire life.

I just want to tell Sushant's family that the entire nation is there with you: Asha Devi, Nirbhaya's mother tells TIMES NOW. | #TimesNowForCBIForSSR #60DaysOfSushantInvestigation pic.twitter.com/nhtvvPAH6a  TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) August 14, 2020

If you are listening to me, I would like to ask Sushants father to have some patience and faith in the Supreme Court. The court will certainly hand over the case to CBI. Believe in the judicial system of the country., if your son has been murdered, you will get justice.The central and Bihar governments are with you, the entire nation is there with you, she added.

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput was planning move to Hollywood, generating Rs 50 crore, reveal diary pages shared by sister Shweta

Sushants family filed an FIR in the case in Patna, naming the actors girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her family. They have been accused of abetment to suicide and money laundering, among many other charges. Sushants death also triggered debates about nepotism in the film industry and the importance of de-stigmatising mental health. Demanding a CBI probe in the matter, Shweta had posted a video on Instagram Thursday.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Deputies from Marion County in Florida are now barred from wearing facial coverings at work, after their sheriff ordered to do so, authorities revealed on Wednesday.

Sheriff Billy Woods has released the order while the state still grapples with its high COVID-19 cases. Contradicting the explicit guidelines set by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which states that masks can help curb the spread of the virus, the sheriff said that there is no conclusive evidence to prove the claims.

According to Yahoo! News, more than 900 department employees in the county are directed to follow the order. Woods also said that his decision is not up for debate or discussion.

With a population of around 365,000, Marion County lies in the heart of Horse County Florida. The county seat is located in Ocala just 40 miles from Gainesville.

Ocala also has its own police force that employs around 300 people, about one-third of which are sworn law enforcement officers. It has the second biggest police force in the county. Ocala has not imposed any policy which prohibits or mandates the usage of masks, however, it stated that officers and civilians are encouraged to wear face coverings according to a spokesperson from the police department.

Meanwhile, some situations are also exempted from Wood's order. Places or settings where masks are necessary such as hospitals, nursing homes, jails, schools, or an alert about COVID-19 from dispatch are on the list of exemptions.

Read also: Dog from North Carolina Who Died Due to 'Acute Illness' Tests Positive for COVID-19

According to NBC News, Woods said that he already anticipated pushback from the community. But he advised the county's employees to just walk away from those who will criticize his directive.

Moreover, Woods told his deputies that if someone calls them out they should immediately respond that the sheriff ordered that masks are not required. He said that after that, the burden of accountability to the person should then be transferred to him.

On top of this, the policy will also be imposed in full force inside buildings run by the sheriff. It was also noted that civilians who will enter the said buildings will also be barred from wearing masks.

Based on the policy, civilians who will refuse to remove their masks will be asked to leave the premises and their contact numbers. They will then be called and invited to the building once an employee is already free to meet them.

According to Woods, the directive is being done in order to ensure clear identification and communication of everyone entering the lobby, He also referenced that the hatred towards law enforcement that is currently going on in the country is what pushed him to impose the policy. However, he emphasized that all the lobbies in the departments are equipped with glass barriers, thus, the virus cannot easily go thru.

Meanwhile, according to a spokesperson from the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, Woods did not consult the local health department before he issued the directive. But the spokesperson noted that the department of health, fully recommends everyone to adhere to the advisory of the CDC and WHO to use face masks or coverings especially in places where social distancing is not practiced.



Related article: Russia's COVID-19 Vaccine Could Cause Harm, May Open a Pandora's Box

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The father of a five-year-old boy shot dead in the yard of his North Carolina home in front of his two sisters has 'no idea' why their neighbor allegedly targeted his family.

Darius Sessoms, 25, who lives next door with his parents, is charged with the murder of Cannon Hinnant after the shocking shooting on Sunday left the local community dumbstruck and police searching for any kind of motive.

Cannon's heartbroken father Austin said he has lived beside Sessoms and his parents for eight years and while he wouldn't say they were friends, there was 'no bad blood whatsoever' between them and no previous confrontations.

Austin remains devastated and confused after revealing Sessoms shared a beer with him on the porch just hours before he allegedly shot Cannon in the head at point-blank range as the young boy played on his bike.

Scroll down for video

Austin Hinnant says he has no idea why his son was allegedly shot by their neighbor

Cannon Hinnant, 5, was riding his bike in front of his father's house in Wilson on Sunday when Sessoms approached and shot him in the head. A motive has not been found

'I have no idea why he would kill my son in front of his two sisters and his cousin, no idea,' Austin told WRAL.

'There was never anything between me and him, no bad blood whatsoever for him to have a reason to do this.'

He added that he would regularly check in on Sessoms' parents to see how they were doing and they had a good relationship.

Austin said that he had even invited Sessoms over to eat the previous evening, having noticed him sitting in his car alone and looking like he had a lot on his mind.

Darius Sessoms, 25, was charged on Monday with the murder of five-year-old Cannon Hinnant in North Carolina

'The Lord says to love our neighbor. I have plenty of food to go around. I just wanted to be nice,' he said.

'I noticed him sitting in his car, like he had a lot on his mind.'

He added to the Wilson Times that nothing about Sessoms had ever alerted him to the fact that he may be a danger to his family.

'I have no idea why he did what he did,' Hinnant said. 'It was literally out of nowhere. He puts a gun to my son's head and shoots him.'

The day his son was killed, the family had carried out their normal Sunday routine, attending church and having something to eat before Cannon, his two sisters and their cousin took to the front yard to play.

'They were just playing in the yard like any other day,' Austin said.

His fiance had been keeping an eye on the children but stepped inside for a brief moment when they both heard the gunshot in the front yard at around 5.30pm.

'The first thing that went through my mind was maybe he just fell off his bike,' he said. 'The closer I got to him, the more I realized it was something far more serious.'

Austin said that Sessoms was still standing in the yard in front of his parents' house and pacing with the gun in his hand when he came to the front yard but that he couldn't leave his son's side.

'I screamed, "Somebody, please help me save my son! Help me save my son, please",' he said.

'[You] can't imagine what it's like to hold your son in your arms with a gunshot wound to the head, and his blood is running down your arms.

'I was looking at him as I was picking up Cannon,' Austin added. 'I was so full of rage, but I couldn't leave my son's side. I wanted to be with my son.'

Sessoms fled shortly afterward, driving off as Austin's fiance called the police.

A neighbor ran to help the family with an EMT bag but Cannon could not be saved.

'Everybody just loved Cannon. He lit up the room,' Austin said of his son, adding that it was heartbreaking that he died while riding his bike, one of his favorite things to do.

'That is why this is so horrific to me,' he said. 'He was doing something he loved.'

Cannon Hinnant was set to start Kindergarten on Monday. The family is devastated by his death with some family saying they have known the suspect, a next-door neighbor, for years

Hinnant was playing in front of his father's house with his seven-year-old and eight-year-old sisters when he was shot in the head at point blank range on Sunday evening. The childrens' home is pictured, with the five-year-old's bike circled

Sessoms' parents live right next door and the families know each other

Police are still investigating to establish a motive for the murder

However, the young father also hit out at social media posts claiming that race played a role in his son's death.

'This is no racial issue,' he said, adding that he is praying for those who are making negative comments online.

'It didn't matter what color, male or female, he just had that love and joy in his heart,' Hinnant said of his son. 'He loved everyone.'

'Me and his mother and all of Cannon's family do not want Cannon's name to be forgotten,' Austin added.

'We are not stopping until the world knows Cannon's name. We want justice.'

A funeral for Cannon was held on Thursday evening with hundreds turning out to pay tribute to the young boy who is said to have loved riding his bike and nature.

'We shouldn't even be here,' his grandfather Merrill Race told ABC News.

'That's evil. I never met this guy in my life, but that is one evil dude. He's there where he should be,' Race added of Sessoms.

A memorial service was initially set for Friday night but has since been postponed at the family's request, as they feel it is too soon.

Grandfather Merrill Race, pictured, called Sessoms 'one evil dude'

Hundreds gathered at Cannon's funeral on Thursday evening, pictured

Cannon Hinnant with his mother Bonny Waddell in a post she shared on Facebook

The family has now postponed a vigil meant for Friday night as it is 'too soon'

Wilson Mayor Carlton Stevens said he spoke to Cannon's mother, Bonny Waddell, to offer support to the family and learned of their decision.

'Today has been overwhelming to say the least. Tonight we are honoring Cannon and tomorrow he will be laid to rest,' the family said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

'The family feels that the Vigil at the courthouse for Friday night is a little too soon! We are going to honor Cannon in the next few weeks and we will announce it.'

Sessoms was taken into custody by Wilson police around 24 hours after he allegedly approached Cannon in front of the young boy's father's house at 5:30pm Sunday and shot him in the head.

He lived next door to the family, and the killing is not believed to be random, although no motive is known.

A GoFundMe established by a family member says that the young boy rode into Sessoms' yard.

The community is shocked by the young boy's death

'Sunday, August 9, 2020 a sweet soul named Cannon Hinnant was taken from this world over a senseless act,' it reads.

'A beautiful 5 year old baby boy riding his bicycle was shot by his neighbor point blank in Wilson NC. One minute he is enjoying his life, the next it all ends because he rode into his neighbor's yard.'

The fundraiser has since raised more than $300,000.

The young boy was set to start Kindergarten on Monday and had just learned to write his name.

'He was just a loving kid,' his mother Bonny previously told the Wilson Times. 'He had the biggest heart.'

'It's devastating. No one should ever have to bury their child. No mother should have to go through this.'

The family previously said they have known the suspect for years and did not believe he could be capable of murder.

'We used to play together and I never thought he'd kill someone. A mother now has to lay her son to rest at 5 years old which she should never have to do. He'll never be forgotten,' Rachel Pipkin, a cousin of Cannon's mother told CBS.

Police were called to the scene on Archers Road at around 5.30pm Sunday where Hinnant was found with a gunshot wound.

The young boy's grandmother Lori Hinnant posted to Facebook straight after the shooting spreading the word and sharing an image from the scene.

'Ok y'all I am distraught...I took my daughter to my son's to play with her nieces and nephew and my grandson Cannon was shot by his neighbor in the head....the boy was about to shoot all the kids...All I am asking for right now is prayers y'all!!' she wrote.

The young boy's grandmother asked for prayers just after the shooting

She also posted a picture of the scene to Facebook on Sunday evening

A GoFundMe established for the family claims the young boy rode into Sessoms' yard. Pictured are the childrens' abandoned bikes on the scene after the shooting

Emergency responders tried to save Hinnant and he was taken to the Wilson Medical Center but later died.

Sessoms was immediately identified as the suspect.

He fled the scene in a black 2019 Toyota Corolla and was later located by authorities in a residence in Goldsboro.

Police charged him with first-degree murder on Monday, and he is being held with no bond.

He made his first ten-minute court appearance virtually from Wilson County Jail on Tuesday morning.

Wilson County District Court Judge John Britt read Sessoms his rights and the charge he is facing. The suspect said he would be seeking his own attorney to represent him.

His probable cause hearing was set for August 25.

According to the Wilson Times, Sessoms was previously convicted of felony larceny of firearms in Wilson County in March 2016, misdemeanor maintaining a place for a controlled substance in Wake County in April 2016 and felony marijuana possession in Nash County in November 2016.

Court records also show that Sessoms has two pending counts of felony maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance in Wilson County.

Sessoms fled in this car but was apprehended by authorities 24 hours later

Sessoms appearing in front of a judge via video link on Tuesday morning

Goldsboro Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service task force assisted in his arrest.

'The Wilson Police Department sends its sincerest condolences and prayers to the family of Cannon during this tragic time,' a police spokesperson said Monday.

Neighbor Doris Labrant witnessed the shooting through her window from across the street.

Cannon Hinnant is being buried Friday

She told WRAL she saw Sessoms run up to the young boy, put the gun to his head and fire before running back to his own house.

'My first reaction was he's playing with the kids,' Labrant said. 'For a second, I thought, 'That couldn't happen'. People don't run across the street and kill kids.'

On seeing Hinnant's father's reaction, however, she realized that the shooting was real and ran to lock herself inside and call 911.

'Austin ran out of that house screaming and picked him up. They'll never get over it,' she said.

'You don't expect to see somebody shoot someone.

'It's almost like seeing a movie and then all of a sudden it dawns on you it's not a movie.'

She added that Sessoms' parent lived on the street for about 28 years and that she had not previously heard any altercations between the families.

'There was no yelling, screaming,' she claimed.

If anyone has any information that could help, they are urged to contact Wilson Police at (252) 399-2323 or Crime Stoppers at (252) 243-2255.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 11:07:10|Editor: huaxia

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WUHAN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- No new confirmed, asymptomatic or suspected cases of COVID-19 were reported in central China's Hubei Province Thursday, the provincial health commission said Friday.

By Thursday, Hubei still had four confirmed cases, who all arrived from overseas, as well as one asymptomatic case in the city of Yichang.

There were 116 close contacts still under medical observation in Hubei by Thursday.

Hubei has reported a total of 68,139 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 63,623 cases have been cured and discharged from hospital. The disease has claimed 4,512 lives in the province. Enditem
ALBANY  A federal judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association of America against the state and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo over the closure of gun shops at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

The NRA had claimed in its complaint filed in early April that the closure of the states gun shops during the pandemic amounted to a pointless and arbitrary attack on the constitutional rights of New York citizens and residents.

U.S. District Court Judge Mae A. DAgostino on Friday issued a ruling finding the NRA failed to prove that fielding calls and questions from members following the states decision to shutter gun shops caused a perceptible impairment.

Plaintiffs failure to provide any specific facts to support its assertion of injury-in-fact requisite for organizational standing is dispositive, DAgostino wrote. To allow standing based on these allegations alone would mean that any entity that spends money on an issue of particular interest to it would have standing.

In the NRAs original complaint, the organization claimed the states decision to not include gun shops, weapon distributors and shooting ranges in its list of essential businesses violated the Second, Fifth and Fourteenth amendments.

Officials with the NRA were not immediately available for comment on Friday.

The executive order issued March 20 required non-essential businesses to shutter in-person operations. Other states and municipalities had initially excluded gun shops from their essential business directives, only to allow them after the Department of Homeland Security updated its own guidance to include firearms stores in its list of essential businesses.

Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, applauded the courts decision.

Its no surprise that yet another frivolous suit by the NRA has been laughed out of court, he said. Their brand of destructive political games are bad enough in normal times and are completely beyond the pale during the pandemic.

A week ago, the NRA filed a lawsuit against state Attorney General Letitia James in response to her office seeking to dissolve the Second Amendment advocacy group. James filed a lawsuit alleging NRA's leaders illegally diverted millions of dollars from its charitable mission for personal use while also awarding contracts to close associates and family members, and of allegedly buying the silence of former employees through lucrative no-show arrangements.
Discerning Ghanaians as the wheels of Elections 2020 heat up radically through the flooding of mainly traditional and non-traditional media platforms by politicians to reach out to the electorates.



They have a Constitutional duty to serve as barometer to sanitize our landscape.



Discerning citizens cannot be passive observers



Discerning citizens cannot be passive observers, but actively get involved in the democratic process by demanding accountability from those who seek to govern. Participating in the democratic process does not only mean voting, but also the ability to exercise certain rights and responsibilities.



As politicians parade through the various communication media to propagate their Political Gospel, it is the responsibility of discerning citizens not to be consumers of what is thrown out; but to interrogate it from a neutral perspective the realities of these campaign promises.



Discerning Ghanaians must be proactive and probing to ensure that the right thing is done, we cannot seat down for few politicians under the slogan of service to the people, to cheat us every four years. Are our political office holders really serving the interest of the citizens or their own interest? The time to interrogate it is now.



Electioneering offers grounds for propagating falsehood, half-truth, conscience buying, and sometimes creation of confusion among the people for political advantage. The duty of some politicians is to blemish the truth, it is therefore the mandate of discerning citizens to do things in the national interest.



The two sets of facts and truths



Mr Akoto Ampaw a seasoned lawyer in 2012 noted that in Ghana, what we can confidently say is that truth and the fact of any major public issue do not exist, and cannot be identified or found. Rather, we have two set of facts and truths: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) set of facts and truths on the one hand, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) set of facts and truths on the other hand.



He said this deplorable situation created fertile grounds for propagation of prejudices, misconceptions and stereotypes in place of truth, national coherence in diversity and tolerance.



Now if you cough in a certain way you are tagged NPP; and if you sneeze in a certain way you are tagged NDC, these are the creations of the political groupings to silence the greater majority of citizens who do not want to be tagged.



Discerning Ghanaians must therefore ignore name tagging and go all out to defend and project national interest truthfully; whoever emerges as President and a Member of Parliament is going to be the leader for the next four years starting from January 7, 2021. We are all major stakeholders in electing personalities to serve and not to lord it over us.



Election 2020 offers discerning Ghanaians the opportunity to actively contribute to the deepening of constitutional affairs and democracy in Ghana through effective and responsible participation not as submissive activists and passive onlookers.



Champion politics of tolerance



Discerning Ghanaians must also begin to champion politics of tolerance and respect for the equal dignity of all human beings which constitute the foundations of a democratic, pluralistic society.



They must reject any political activity that seeks to divide people, divisive politics is an affront to the tenets of the Constitution.



As a matter of principle, it is necessary for Discerning Ghanaians to rise up and demand sanction or even prevent all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred based on intolerance including; religious, racial, ethnic, xenophobic, gender or sexual orientation.



Speaking on exposure to hidden prejudices, hate speech stereotypes and misconceptions: approaches to a responsible use of content and language in 2012; Mr Ampaw, said our political parties are organised simply as electoral machines with accession to political power along with the benefits that go with this as their overriding goal.



The critical functions of parties in the promotion of tolerance, diversity and enlightenment on their programmes are for the most past banished.



This zero-sum approach to politics nurtures and institutionalizes political opportunism, patronage and a Machiavellian approach to multi-party democracy, notwithstanding the pious statements that our political leaders occasionally make.



In this zero sum game, there appears to be no real or compelling values that our parties and political leaders feel obliged to observe in their quest for political power at all costs.



He said in all these, the interest of the people that the parties claim to represent is largely lost, and truth and the facts are sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.



Mr Ampaw revealed that politicians through their control of some traditional media and alliance with journalists fed on longstanding ethnic prejudices, intolerance and hostilities to mobilise one ethnic group against another.



Propagation of hate speech can lead to dire consequences



He warned that, propagation of hate speech can lead to dire consequences for those journalists that engage in or encourage it or allow their media to be used to project it.



There is an individual price to be paid for such expressions and conduct, quite apart from the incalculable damage it can do to society as a whole.



He said the media can make a positive contribution to the fight against intolerance, especially where they foster understanding between different ethnic, cultural and religious groups in society.



During the First Republic, efforts were made to develop among Ghanaians a deep sense of national identity, in our ethnic diversity, but that has over the years gradually chipped away by politicians for their own selfish ends.



Hidden and sometimes not so hidden stereotyping and prejudices against other ethnic groups have been and are regularly exploited by politicians to advance their selfish bid to capture power.



Discerning Journalists must play active roles as a third party



Discerning Journalists must begin to play active roles as third party that can facilitate peace and conflict resolution by: representing all sides in non-aggressive manner, exposing the sources of conflict and social and cultural differences and highlighting the similarities between parties.



Focusing on peace and human creativity to uphold human rights, helping readers become aware of the situation as it really is and not as propaganda, based on prejudice and preconceptions.



Mr Ampaw said Journalists must avoid use of offensive language, analyse language of insults; swear words, language that is melodramatic or sensational, casting aspersions, language that humiliates and violates human dignity, and language that is discriminatory on their media platforms.



Journalists must avoid judgmental adjectives



Journalists must avoid words, adjectives that are judgmental and labeling: vicious, cruel, brutal, barbaric, inhuman tyrant, savage, ruthless, terrorist, extremist, fanatic, fundamentalist, tragic, destitute, devastated, defenseless, pathetic, demoralized, genocide, assassination, massacre, and carnage. Journalists must strive for reality without embellishment, he said.



In your reportage you ought to be on the active look out for such destructive aberrations. But you can only do that if you are aware, conscious of what such stereotyping means and actively work to present, he said.



Takes various forms: The ingrained ethnic stereotyping and prejudices that we find replete in our local languages  tracing their origins in the past, but which as a democratic society we should no longer tolerate.



Consciously avoid all forms of expression, which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred based on intolerance (including religious, ethnic, racial, sectarian, gender, sexual orientation.



Journalists must adhere to principles



The most effective way for journalists to contribute to credible and transparent Election is to internalize the principles developed in the Ethical Codes of the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association and contribute in making the media a vehicle for the promotion of truth, public enlightenment, tolerance in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural diversity .

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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After officially leaving the Firm in April, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle settled in the U.S. to "carve out a progressive new role."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shown their intention to stay on American soil for good, as they reportedly moved out from their rented Los Angeles home and bought a $14.6 million mansion in upscale Montecito, Santa Barbara known as "The Chateau."

Prior to the move, multiple outlets also revealed that the couple has started the work to create their new non-profit organization called Archewell. As cited by The Daily Telegraph, the new charity of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will involve emotional support groups, multimedia education, a wellbeing website and charity services -- with their main headquarters situated in the U.S..

Aside from their upcoming organization, the couple has also been delivering compelling virtual speeches that involve social and political issues.

Considering all what they have done so far, a lot of fans are wondering if Meghan plans to enter politics. After all, there have been speculations that she wants to run for president in the future.

Having said that, we take a look at the possible signs that Meghan is considering becoming a politician sooner rather than later.

Duchess Meghan Gets Political With BLM Speech

During the onset of the Black Lives Matter movement this 2020, the 39-year-old former royal delivered a powerful message to the graduates of her alma mater, Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.

This is also said to be the first time that Meghan Markle made a virtual speech since their royal exit.

In her video, she urged the young girls to use their education and voice to take action against racism.

Meghan also revealed that the BLM movement has inspired them to divert their focus and turn their attention to causes involving equity and justice issues.

A source told the Daily Mail that the runaway royal believes that she is destined to return to the U.S. to help fight systemic racism. With that, she reportedly "hasn't ruled out a career in politics."

Meghan Markle's Political Connection

Amid the issues surrounding their controversial but unofficial biography "Finding Freedom," Meghan Markle's connection in the political sphere has been highlighted.

Written by longtime royal journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the bombshell book claimed that Meghan befriended Canadian First Lady Sophie Trudeau after being introduced by her former BFF Jessica Mulroney.

Aside from the wife of Canada's Prime Minister, the Duchess of Sussex is also reportedly in regular email contact with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

There was even a point where she sent bouquets to Meghan's Frogmore Cottage when she gave birth to her son, Archie.

Meghan Markle Wanted to Become a Diplomat

Before being known as Rachel Zane from her hit legal series "Suits" and joining the royal family, Meghan wanted to be a diplomat.

With her degree in international relations at Northwestern, she traveled to Buenos Aires for a six-week internship in the U.S. embassy where worked as a junior press officer.

At that time, she was certain what she wanted to do in her life, so she took the Foreign Service Officer Test in Argentina. Unfortunately, she was not able to pass the grueling three-hour exam which covers geography, math to pop culture.

"If she had stayed with the State Department she would have been an excellent addition to the U.S. diplomatic corps," Markle's former boss, Mark Krischik, said.

READ MORE: Kylie Jenner Twitter: 3 Times Twitter Tried to Cancel Kylie
Community support is vital if a new initiative is to be successful in helping local children stay engaged in learning at home as schools turn to virtual instruction in response to COVID-19.

The Carlisle Community Action Network has joined with Dickinson Colleges Center for Civic Learning & Action to launch a Civic Innovation Competition aimed at helping students in grades K-12.

Youth and adult teams have until midnight on Aug. 24 to submit an initial proposal in the form of a concept paper outlining their creative solution and an implementation plan.

A panel of judges will then review the proposals and, on Sept. 1, announce a slate of semi-finalists to participate in a virtual Civic Innovation Workshop scheduled for Sept. 5 and 6. The team selected as the grand prize winner will receive $2,000 from the college and its solution could be implemented in the Carlisle community by late September-early October, said Gary Kirk, executive director of the center.

The idea for the competition stems from recent discussions between CAN and Dickinson College representatives over the impact the pandemic could have on the upcoming school year. COVID-19 is forcing schools this fall to rely on remote or blended learning models that remove students from the hallmarks of a typical school year  connecting with teachers and mentors, time with friends, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Students are going to be doing a lot more self-directed learning, Kirk said. They may not have direct interaction with their teacher at all times. There is concern that these students will need additional support.

The goal of the competition is to design an approach that would connect volunteer role models and mentors with youths who lack the interaction and relationship-building they get from a normal school setting.

For this to work, we need good participation from the community, Kirk said. We are on a short timeline to try and get ideas and to build the support structure to make the most innovative and feasible idea a reality.

Expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation would come in handy for those wishing to serve as judges, he said. As for mentors, a variety of skill sets would be valuable to help the semi-finalists refine their solutions.

Aside from volunteers, competition organizers seek financial backing beyond the $2,000 to turn around a solution as quickly as possible to help students and their families. To volunteer or to offer financial backing, contact Kirk at engage@dickinson.edu.

To be eligible, each team must have two to seven members, the majority of which reside in Cumberland County or are faculty, staff, students or alumna of Dickinson College.

There is a Youth Division of teams consisting of children who are under 18 and enrolled in a K-12 school system. They are allowed one adult adviser or mentor who is not an official team member. Adult Division teams must consist of one or more members ineligible for the Youth Division.

Only one team, youth or adult, will be selected as the grand prize winner. Key questions to consider are:

How can the community provide developmentally appropriate social and emotional support when youths are not in a traditional classroom?

How can the community ensure that all students have access to resources that increase their chances for a successful school year?

How can the community support students in independent learning?

What is the best way to provide individual learning support on a large scale when access to teachers and mentors might be limited?

For families with multiple children, how can the community support complicated schedules that might conflict with work and other responsibilities?

Proposals and implementation plans will be judged on feasibility, expected outcomes, alignment with community needs, creativity and the effective communication of the concept.

For more information on the competition, visit: https://www.dickinson.edu/civicinnovation

Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com.

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Holidaymakers can now go to Fiji thanks to a little known travel loophole.

Australians have been stopped from travelling internationally since March 25 due to coronavirus.

But the Blue Lanes Initiative allows Australians to travel to Fiji's Port Denarau by yacht following 14 days of uninterrupted quarantine at sea, with vessels not allowed to stop at any other ports.

Boat owners must also present a negative COVID-19 test - more than 100 tourists have taken advantage of this since the initiative began a month ago.

Kris Fothergill, his wife and four children, who are from the Gold Coast, have been sailing the Pacific Ocean since May 2019.

The family, who go by Sailing With Six on social media, docked in New Zealand at the beginning of this year and while the plan was to head to Fiji in May the family were delayed.

However, this meant they could take advantage of the Blue Lanes initiative.

Kris Fothergill (front, right) and his family have taken advantage of the Blue Lanes initiative and are now docked in Fiji

'When borders shut due to coronavirus, sailing vessels weren't going anywhere besides home,' Mr Fothergill told Daily Mail Australia.

But we weren't ready to go home and have no plans to return to Australia in the near future.'

Mr Fothergill said his family arrived in Port Denarau in late July after nine days at sea.

The family were required to have a negative COVID-19 test when they left New Zealand and after the 14-day quarantine period.

'Ignorance isn't bliss. We are aware [of the pandemic] and the last thing we want to be doing in endangering people here,' Mr Fothergill said.

'But because we were coming from New Zealand, which up until a couple of days ago was COVID-free, we were confident we wouldn't be a burden and could contribute to the local economy.'

Mr Fothergill said the locals were happy to see the family and described the island as 'apocalyptic'.

'We are on the western side of the island and there are all these hotels and sandy beaches with no one on them,' he said.

New Zealand woman Jo Pullin and her family have also taken advantage of the initiative, the ABC reported.

Mr Fothergill said his family, who document their travels on a Facebook page called Sailing With Six, arrived arrived in Port Denarau in late July after nine days at sea (pictured: boats anchored in Port Denarau)

Mr Fothergill said the locals were happy to see the family and described the island as 'apocalyptic'. Pictured: Plantation Island

The family-of-five arrived in Port Denarau after 10 days at sea.

Mrs Pullin said she wanted to meet Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and thank him personally for allowing them into the country.

She said said in a video that was shared to the Mr Bainimarama's Twitter page that it was a great way to escape the New Zealand winter and put money into the Fiji economy.

Mrs Pullin had similar comments regarding the 'heartbreaking' situation.

'The place was deserted  last year it was pumping, there were people [and] boats everywhere,' Mrs Pullin said.

'They were quite keen to know if more people were going to be turning up.'

Mr Fothergill (family yacht pictured) said the locals were happy to see the family and described the island as 'apocalyptic'

Fiji had just 27 cases of coronavirus and recently reached 100 days without any cases of community transmission.

In June 2019 there were 85,000 tourists to Fiji compared to just in the same month 413 this year.

Port Denarau general manager Cynthia Rasch said it was the safest way to start opening up the country and the move was 'low-risk'.

Fiji had just 27 cases of coronavirus and recently reached 100 days without any cases of community transmission

The Department of Home Affairs has strict guidelines on when Australians are allowed to leave the country.

These include whether your travel is in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, such as the provision of aid, if it is essential to business, for medical treatment or urgent and unavoidable personal business.

Other reasons include if your travel is of national interest, if it is on humanitarian grounds and 'urgent and unavoidable personal business'.

No one can leave the country without an exemption based on the mentioned reasons.
An employee tends papaya tree in a tropical fruits greenhouse in Wanchang Township of Yongji County, Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Aug. 12, 2020. Yongji County has encouraged local farmers to grow tropical fruits such as papayas and bananas in the pursuit of agricultural structure optimization. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
As part of our Women's Month content feature and in the build-up to our panel discussion with some of this year's Gerety Awards all-female South African executive jury members, taking place in September, Jessica Tennant, senior editor: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity, interviews this year's jury to find out what a woman has to do to get onto an advertising jury, what the opportunity means to them and the significance of these Awards given the current state of gender equality...

The Awards recognise the best advertising (not just advertising made for women) through the female lens. Comment on the significance of this given the current state of feminism / gender equality / womens empowerment.

As part of its call for entries campaign, the Awards sent purple moustaches to prominent female leaders in the advertising industry, and asked them to pose for a picture with the question: What does a woman have to do to get onto an advertising jury? How would you answer that question  what does a woman have to do to get onto an advertising jury?

All comfort has done is maintain the status quo. We have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be fearless to truly prevail and build our legacy or at least start the conversations.

What did you think of the campaign?

What are you most looking forward to or excited about with regards to taking part in this years Gerety Awards judging?

What is your hope for the next or future generations of women in advertising / the advertising industry?

And what is your key message to fellow women in advertising this Womens Month?

The Gerety Awards, founded by Joe Brooks and Lucia Ongay is relatively new, having launched in 2019. It brings together all-female juries from across the globe to shortlist the best in advertising  all advertising, not just advertising made for women  through the female lens.The Awards was named after Frances Gerety, the copywriter who coined the slogan a diamond is forever. So, instead of categories, the Awards are judged by cuts (as in diamond cuts), of which there are 10.This year, there are a total of 180 new jury members from 30 different countries. Pre-Covid-19, judging sessions were hosted in each host city and the shortlists submitted to the international grand jury of creative experts for final evaluation, but of course, this years judging sessions are having to take a different format. Joe Brooks explains that the judging would have taken place at the VMLY&R offices, with Jacquie as the ambassador. The date had been set for Monday, 1 June and we would have judged and discussed a number of categories of entries from around the world. The same week judging sessions would have taken place in London, New York, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Melbourne, Milan, Istanbul, Helsinki and Berlin. Due to the corona, all judging is taking place remotely and online over a four-week period with group calls in the middle of the judging to discuss favourite pieces.This years South African executive jury includes: Jacquie Mullany, ECD, VMLY&R; Mpume Ngobese, MD, Joe Public; Sanche Jansen van Rensburg, ECD, Avatar; Simone Bosman, founder and creative, Osu & Kumalo; Neo Segola, ECD, FCB Africa; Sarah Dexter, CEO, Mullen Lowe; Nadia Mohamed, marketing director, McCain; Emma Strydom, head of design, Network BBDO; Juliet Honey, creative, Freelance; Suhana Gordhan, ECD, FCB; Linda Notelovitz, director/producer and founder, Life Design; Liezel Bygate, marketing director, Bliss Brands; Monalisa Zwambila, CEO, Riverbed; Loli Bishop, producer, Freelance; and Fiona O'Connor, creative director, Havas. Look out for our online panel discussion featuring some of these remarkable women in advertising in September after the shortlists have been announced.Next up, Nadia Mohamed, marketing director at Mondelez International, who believes that encouraging women to make optimal use of our distinctly feminine psychology in service of achieving our goals can only improve the current state of corrosion in the gender equality journeyTwo words come to mind empathy and care. So many women have been the dissenting voices helping each other rise. Millions of women are saying its enough, for example #MeToo. Thank you Tarana Burke for igniting that movement.Encouraging women to make optimal use of our distinctly feminine psychology in service of achieving our goals can only improve the current state of corrosion in the gender equality journey. A node of thanks to the Gerety Awards for the brave point of view and positioning, which will have a significant impact on the industry for generations to come. I'm honoured to serve as part of the jury and movement.Firstly, when women identify what is holding them back, this helps to recognise what investments they needed to make them grow across participation forums.Understanding the societal, organisational and personal factors that may hold women back from offering all that they have to contribute to organisations and advertising juries. Challenge the internal glass ceiling (psychological glass ceiling). The psychological glass ceiling is defined as the barriers erected in womens own minds that influence life defining decisions that we make and has a similar effect on our lives as external barriers do. (Austin 200)Secondly, is fear that we wont be regarded as good enough. Fear has a very concrete power from keeping us from doing or saying the things that are our purpose which unfortunately allows people and systems to count on our silence to keep us exactly where we are. Keeping things comfortable means being quiet because thats comfortable.The campaign was fresh and synchronised in its approach, the emphasis on the prowess of the female lens and forthrightly taking a brave stance to encourage the balance and shift required in the industry.Excellence. Advertising that approaches brands with confidence and not from a place of deficient is critical for business performance going forward, which will gain a brand and organisation fair acknowledgement and recognition.Understanding the roadmap of the role of advertising - personal, practical and political:The personal is knowing what a brand stands for and owning an emotional territory.The practical is the level of the brand experience that adds practical value to consumers daily lives.The political is the brand's passion and point of view. Every company operates on laws of limited liability and thus owes every society a duty of care. How does a brands advertising showcase its role in society?Female leaders in advertising can empower other women by supporting and collaborating and challenging the organisational and systemic historical barriers that hinder women from being successful. Mentorship programmes and sponsorship programmes are effective approaches to empowering other women in the industry. An investment into these programmes at junior level is sacrosanct.Mentoring: to enhance self-awareness.Role models: exposing our teams to interesting women events so that they can see powerful women in leading roles within advertising. You cant be what you cant see, See it, be it.Lastly, dialogue: encourage dialogue about gender differences, gender-based violence, what is harassment, owning their power, using their voice, defining boundaries, the right to say no within the work environment.Our job as women is to ensure that each of us gets heard. We need to co-sign a code of conduct that says: Its our job, our duty to help other women rise, greatness comes not from a position but from helping build the future. We have an obligation to pull each other up. We lift and others rise.
The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to stay the final year dental (BDS) and post-graduate medical exams scheduled to be conducted by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) later this month.

A bench led by Chief Justice Dipankar Datta was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) opposing the MUHSs decision to mandate the physical presence of students at exam centres.

The PIL, filed by some students through advocate Kuldeep Nikam, had sought that the exams be deferred or, the Nashik-based MUHS be directed to hold the exams online in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As per the petition, the final year BDS exams are scheduled to begin from August 17, while the PG medical exam is slated for August 25.

The bench, however, noted that a bunch of petitions had been filed by medical students seeking different things.

While some pleas opposed the exams, some wanted the authorities to conduct them.

The court was also informed that the Supreme Court, too, was presiding over similar pleas.

Besides, the court said staying the exams at the last hour could prove detrimental to the interest of those students who might be prepared for the exams and ready to appear for them physically.

The MUHS argued that holding the final year exams was imperative as students would not be able to move to the next level and pursue specialities if they did not take these exams.

It said that many deemed universities had already conducted their final year exams and the PG students in the states colleges will be at a loss if they didnt complete their tests.

Also, we need these students to graduate. Completing these exams will get the students to graduate and be able to help us fight against coronavirus, MUHS counsel RV Govilkar said.

The court also questioned the petitioners saying, You are doctors. If you dont want to appear for exams physically then how are you going to step out to treat patients? The court said it did not think it proper to issue a stay order at this stage.

The MUHS was at liberty to go ahead with the exams as scheduled. Those who wished to appear for the exams were free to do so, the court said.

If any of the petitioner students wish to refrain from appearing for the exams, and are able to make a case at the finals stage of hearing for the university to conduct exams for them separately at a later stage, such a direction will be issued, the HC said.

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Friday in Vienna.

Pompeo is in Austria to discuss a variety of issues including European energy independence, the security of 5G wireless networks and the threats to both posed by Russia and China.

The United States and Austria, along with other countries in Europe, notably Germany, are at odds on numerous issues, including the construction of a Russia-to-Germany pipeline known as NordStream 2 that the Trump administration says is a security threat to the U.S. and its allies in Europe because it will make them dangerously beholden to Moscow for energy.

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions and threatened more penalties on European companies and countries that participate in the nearly completed project.

Pompeo is in Austria on the third leg of a four-nation tour of eastern and central Europe that has already taken him to the Czech Republic and Slovenia.

He will wrap up the trip in Poland on Saturday.
A website that allegedly helped to fund Islamic State was seized - REUTERS

The Justice Department says it has seized millions of dollars from cryptocurrency accounts that militant groups, including al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, relied on to finance their organisations and violent plots.

Law enforcement officials said the groups used the accounts to solicit donations, including by trying to raise money from the sale of fraudulent personal protective equipment for the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials described it as the largest-ever seizure of virtual currency funds related to terrorism. It is also part of a broader Justice Department goal of disrupting the financing of extremist organisations, including those designated as foreign terror groups.

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are favored for illicit transactions because they are perceived as hard to trace, and one of the groups singled out on Thursday explicitly encouraged donations by telling potential contributors that the money trail would be difficult for law enforcement to untangle, the department said.

The legal action, which included undercover law enforcement work and a forfeiture complaint filed in Washington's federal court, is meant to deprive the organisations of funds needed to buy weapons and develop fighters, Assistant Attorney General John Demers said in a conference call with reporters announcing the case.

Bitcoin is favoured by the groups because transactions can be difficult for law enforcement to trace - REUTERS

"This action shows that law enforcement remains a step ahead of them," said Demers, the department's top national security official.

The department said it has confiscated about $2 million so far, in addition to more than 300 cryptocurrency accounts, four websites and four Facebook pages related to the schemes.

The seized funds are expected to be turned over to a fund for victims of terrorist attacks, officials said.

One prong of the U.S. investigation targeted the military wing of Hamas, known as the al-Qassam Brigades, which last year began a public fundraising campaign through social media to solicit Bitcoin donations while reassuring potential donors that such contributions would be untraceable and used for violence, officials said. It also posted on websites instructions for how to anonymously make donations.

Story continues

Law enforcement officials ultimately seized more than 150 cryptocurrency accounts that they say laundered funds to and from accounts operated by the al-Qassam Brigades. Also Thursday, prosecutors unsealed criminal charges against two Turkish individuals accused of acting as money launderers related to the cryptocurrency.

"Without funding, you cannot have these operations conducted," said Michael Sherwin, the acting US attorney for the District of Columbia. "The focus here was a very proactive effort to target these organisations in a very wide-scale manner."

The department also identified a scheme that officials say was shepherded by an Islamic State associate who officials say manages certain hacking operations for the group.

Prosecutors say the man, identified as Murat Cakar, registered a website in Turkey to sell face masks and other protective gear to help prevent Covid-19. The masks were produced by a Turkish company and not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration despite being advertised as such.

The Justice Department said it seized that site as well as four related pages used for the scheme and for Islamic State funding.

Another scheme by al-Qaeda and affiliates sought to raise funds through Bitcoin for attacks even as the groups purported to act as charities, according to the court documents.

Last month, an undercover agent for Homeland Security Investigations, part of the Department of Homeland Security, messaged the administrator of one supposed charity seeking to make donations. The administrator replied that he hoped for the destruction of the United States, and shared a Bitcoin wallet address for the purpose of receiving funds.

"Bullets and bombs is all affordable, but the drone stuff, its very hard to unless u have like anti aircraft stuff which is like millions of dollars," the administrator wrote, according to court documents. "Here they shoot it with a ground to air missile ... its possible to hit them but hard. Or a 23mm machine gun. U know those big guns attached to a car."

The investigation involved officials from multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and HSI.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:13:06|Editor: huaxia

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COPENHAGEN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Denmark's gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 7.4 percent in the second quarter compared to the first quarter this year, according to figures released on Friday by Danmarks Statistik, a Danish governmental organization under the Ministry for Economic and Interior Affairs.

The historic downturn represents the largest decline in Danish growth since figures began to be calculated on a quarterly basis in the early 1990s.

"It is of course not nice reading. It testifies that we are in the midst of a crisis of historical dimensions with continuing major economic challenges as a result of the coronavirus," Danish news agency Ritzau quoted Minister of Finance Nicolai Wammen as saying.

However, the minister believed that the crisis will be short-lived. "Fortunately, there is some indication that improvement is on track. The latest key figures show that the second quarter marks a turning point and that the curve for the Danish economy is now going up again."

Helge J. Pedersen, chief economist at Nordea, the largest financial group in the Nordic region, also echoed the view of the minister. "The housing market is booming, retail trade is at its highest level for more than ten years, consumer and business confidence is rising, unemployment is falling and industrial production and exports are growing again," Ritzau quoted Pedersen as saying.

Denmark's GDP decline is not as large as in most of the European countries. The GDP fell by 11.9 percent in the EU as a whole in the second quarter, according to Danmarks Statistik. Enditem
A statue of Christopher Columbus, which was toppled to the ground by vandals, is loaded onto a truck on the grounds of the State Capitol in St Paul, Minn., on June 10, 2020. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Man Charged for Toppling of Christopher Columbus Statue

Prosecutors in Minnesota on Thursday filed a criminal damage to property charge against a man who admitted to being involved in the toppling of a Christopher Columbus statue.

Michael Forcia, 56, and others took down the statue in St. Paul on the ground of the Minnesota State Capitol on June 10. The toppling was captured on video, including by news cameras.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said that the charge would likely be dealt with in an atypical manner.

Given the impact of this action on residents across our state and the divisive reactions it has engendered, we believe administering justice in this case requires an extraordinary stepthe active engagement and participation of our community, Choi said in a statement.

We are working on developing a restorative process to give voice to those divergent opinions and bring people who hold them together to determine how best we hold Mr. Forcia accountable while healing our community from the harm that was caused. By employing restorative principles in a way that unites rather than divides us, we have a greater opportunity to achieve true justice for our community, to respond more meaningfully and in due time, rather than waiting more than a year for an adversarial trial that would not provide adequate closure for our community and likely create additional division. The pursuit of justice should always seek to unite a community rather than divide it.

Forcia told KARE 11 after helping topple the statue, After we were done, I was told that, yes, I will be arrested, I will be charged with criminal damage to property.

But thats part of what happens, so Im willing to take that, he said.

A man stands with his fist raised on the spot where a statue of Christopher Columbus was toppled by vandals on the grounds of the State Capitol in St Paul, Minn., on June 10, 2020. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

According to a criminal complaint, Forcia told police officers hours after the statue was toppled that hed been trying to tear it down for two years.

Forcia admitted to creating a Facebook event page that organized the gathering that led to the statue being taken down.

Forcia is the leader of the Twin Cities chapter of a group called the American Indian Movement. The national movement president, Frank Paro, told others that he did not sanction the organization and, in fact, was trying to actively keep people from attending the toppling, Nigel Perrote, the tribal liaison for the state Department of Public Safety, told investigators.

Perroto also said that Forcia had been warned by police officers about the consequences of pulling the statue down.

Mr. Forcia said that the statue is coming down that day and he did not care about the potential consequences, officers wrote.

The estimated cost to repair the statue and the surrounding area totaled $154,553.

A female was also identified as an organizer of the event. Despite admitting to organizing the gathering and handing a bundle of rope to Forcia, she has not been charged.

Forcia, who refused to tell investigators the names of anybody else involved in the event, told investigators that he took the statue down in an effort to teach others about racism.

Forcia faces up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, says the nation is facing two crises at the same time  fighting the spread of the coronavirus and coping with extensive flood damage. But Mr. Kim has ordered his country not to accept any international aid for fear that outside help might bring in Covid-19, the state news media reported on Friday.

Mr. Kim, who spoke during a meeting of the ruling Workers Party Politburo on Thursday, said that he sympathized with the great pain of families who had lost their homes to the floods and were living in temporary shelters.

But he said the situation, in which the spread of the worldwide malignant virus has become worse, requires us not to allow any outside aid for the flood damage but shut the border tighter and carry out strict anti-epidemic work, according to the Norths official Korean Central News Agency.

The double-whammy calamities of the pandemic and floods have exacerbated Mr. Kims economic troubles. The Norths economy, already hamstrung by the sanctions imposed by the United Nations for its nuclear weapons development, has gone into a tailspin this year as fear of coronavirus infections cut deeply into its exports and imports with China, the countrys primary trading partner.
SEOUL, KOREA / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / An authentication platform company, ROWEM(CEO An, Taeho) is hosting a global conference on the subject of 'S. Korean IT's Suggestion for Post-Corona Era' on August 20th at the Conference Room of 63 Building.

The upcoming conference will be divided into two sessions. In the first session, the rapidly progressing 4th industrial revolution will be diagnosed and key problems and solutions to overcome them will be discussed. In the second session, authentication and security, privacy problems and solutions, which have become most critical in the global society that is becoming hyper-connected, and a new model of internet environment for all global web users will be proposed.

Speakers who will be attending the conference are Hoh In, a chair of Korea Society of Blockchain, Kook-Hyun Jang, a chairman of Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK), Emanuel Pastreich, a president of The Asia Institute, and experts from various fields.

Furthermore, FPT Information System from Vietnam and LGU+ from S. Korea will also be attending this conference.

An, Tae-Ho, the CEO of ROWEM, announced, "The purpose is to remove the obstacles that hinder the popularization of the 4th industrial revolution, such as security, alleviation of cost burden, and ease of use to make it possible."

He also said, "Our hope is to propose a technology that will freely connect myself and the world in the society that will have undergone change after COVID-19 and for S. Korea's technology to lead the future society."

He described the purpose of planning by saying, "It is to have a dialogue about the future and discuss the direction of S. Korea's IT with representative IT specialists from around the world."

Media Contact

Company Name: ROWEM Co, LTD

Contact Name: Media Team

Telephone. +82 02.2103.5116

Fax. +82 02.2103.5138

Email: info@rowem.com

Website: https://www.rowem.com/

SOURCE: ROWEM Co, LTD

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601738/ROWEM-an-Authentication-Platform-Company-Hosts-Conference-on-S-Koreas-IT-Topic-in-the-Corona-Era
About once a week, Tucker Carlson starts his Fox News show with a screed about how American cities are collapsing because of Democrat leaders who dont care about violence or whatever, and other rich folks who attended selective liberal arts colleges. And this week, Thursday was the lucky day. Tucker devoted the first 13 minutes of Thursdays episode to an incoherent and conspiracy-fueled rant about how horrible life is in American cities.

This kind of insanity is happening everywhere, even in small bucolic beautiful cities like Bend, Oregon. In Bend, local officials allowed hundreds of protesters to trap ICE officers who were transporting violent criminals, a standoff resulted for hours, until federal reinforcements arrived, Tucker whined, though his grasp of the facts of the situation is certainly misleading.

Its actually not clear what the detainees on the ICE buses were being charged with, as ICE and the federal officers who assisted them during this protest declined to say what they had done, beyond just claiming without providing any details that they had a history of criminal violent behavior. No specific information, but that didnt stop Tucker from credulously believing ICE.

Also Read: Tucker Carlson Guest Jokes Kamala Harris' Last Name Is 'Extremely African' (Video)

In any case, the rant continued on.

So whos doing this to our cities? Strictly speaking, you know the answer. Its BLM and Antifa, crazed ideologues, grifters, criminals, antisocial thugs with no stake in society and nothing better to do than hurt people and destroy things, said Tucker, whose writers may have watched The Dark Knight before writing this speech, having echoed a sentiment that Alfred expressed in that film about the Joker.

For the record, 63 percent of Americans support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Also Read: Tucker Carlson Absolutely Loses His Mind Over Biden Picking Kamala Harris as VP (Video)

Those are the ones you see on TV, every country has people like that, its part of the human condition. America always has had people like that. Whats changed is that the destroyers now have the full support of our professional class. Thats whats different. The Democratic Party coddles the mob you see on TV. Our elites fund the Democratic Party, Tucker kept going.

Story continues

So America cities didnt collapse by accident. Sociopathic children may have burned Wendys and looted the Gucci store, but rich adults made it possible. They paid for it all. Find a prosecutor who refuses to keep violent criminals in jail, and the chances are George Soros put him there.

Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson is a millionaire TV host who attended the prestigious little Ivy liberal arts school Trinity College.

Also Read: Tucker Carlson: Media Attacked Sturgis Rally Attendees for Being 'Too Masculine' (Video)

You can watch the quoted portion of Tuckers ravings from Thursdays episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight in the video embedded in this article.

Read original story Tucker Carlson: BLM Protesters Are Thugs With No Stake in Society (Video) At TheWrap
While daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases in Alabamas largest metro area have declined from a late July surge, Jefferson Countys top health official says mandatory masks will likely be in place through the winter flu season.

Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said Friday in an online press conference that he could not say whether Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris would extend the statewide order requiring people to wear face coverings in public, but that he expected masks in Jefferson County would be required through the winter.

The face coverings will have a double benefit, protecting us against the spread of not only COVID-19, but influenza, Wilson said. So, I dont know what the state is going to do, but here in Jefferson County it is very likely Im going to be pushing to continue face coverings through the flu season.

Just an advance warning, some people might not like that, but were going to have to be real cautious.

Wilson expressed guarded optimism about Alabamas COVID numbers over the last two weeks, but said the state still has a long way to go in fighting the disease.

Im somewhat encouraged, Wilson said. The last couple of weeks, our number of new cases per day, and our percent positivity rate on individuals who have been tested has begun to decline some.

Keep in mind though that this is a slight improvement from being in a pretty bad place with really high numbers. So we still have a long way to go, but nonetheless, these are encouraging signs.

Wilson said the statewide mask order thats been in place since July 16 seems to have had an effect in reducing the number of COVID cases.

I do believe now that we have pretty good evidence that our face covering orders and our help from the public in wearing face coverings has made a difference, Wilson said.

At the press conference, UAB-St. Vincents Health System CEO Will Ferniany said that hospitalizations have dipped from those summer peaks, but that hospitals like UAB are still operating at 90 percent capacity or more.

UAB hospital, from March until about July 20, was treating anywhere between 60 and 70 [COVID] patients a day, like clockwork, Ferniany said. And then on July 20 it started going up, and it reached a peak of 130 about a week and a half ago and now is starting to come back down.

Ferniany said UAB currently has 97 COVID in-patients, about 40 of which are in the intensive care unit. With additional space being dedicated to COVID patients, Ferniany said the hospital is still operating near capacity.

We have opened back up and are basically full again with patients who need care, Ferniany said. They didnt go away when COVID came, so were running a pretty full hospital now with neurosurgery, cardiovascular and other tertiary type things, trauma, that people need.

Schools, flu and Labor Day

But any optimism is guarded. Many schools across the state are returning to in-person learning over the next few weeks, potentially providing new pathways to spread the virus. The Labor Day holiday is looming, after the state saw large spikes in cases after Memorial Day and Independence Day. And, finally the arrival of flu season this fall could further stress the states hospital system.

Wilson said that some cases in schools were inevitable. The Alabama Department of Public Health released additional demographic information on its COVID dashboard showing that more than 7,000 Alabama children between the ages of 5 and 17 have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak started.

We saw a pretty big increase in cases among children towards the end of June, Wilson said. And so its out there, and there are going to be kids coming to school who may have it before they get to school, and teachers as well and other other staff.

Its inevitable. But we want to do everything we can, as kids go back to school, to reduce the spread within school so that schools can stay open.

Wilson said the department is exploring setting up new testing sites so that children can be tested more quickly after the semester starts, but those plans are in the early stages.

We will be working with our local pediatrics community to try to do the best we can to make testing very convenient and easy to do for our children if they need it, Wilson said.

Wilson also urged everyone to continue wearing masks in public and to start thinking now about getting their flu shot this year.

We need everyone over the age of six months to get a flu vaccine this year, Wilson said. We push for that every year, but this year its more important than ever.

We have no reason to think that somebody cant get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, which could be a deadly combination. We also have to continue to do everything we can to protect our hospitals from getting overwhelmed with the combination of these two different diseases. 

Testing status and quarantine times

Wilson said that he conducts regular check-ins with facilities offering COVID testing in Jefferson County, and that while some people experienced long delays in getting tested and receiving the results in July and August, the backlog seems to have eased.

It seems that things have improved some since about three or four weeks ago, Wilson said. They reported to me that most of the laboratories that theyre working with now have about a 24- to 72-hour turnaround whereas, three or four weeks ago that had gotten much worse.

Wilson also said that there was some confusion about what to do while waiting for test results. He said that on July 31, the department issued an order instructing test sites to provide an infographic on what to do while awaiting test results, as well as a quarantine order that can be used as documentation for employees not to return to work while awaiting their test results.

Wilson also said people who have had exposures to someone who tested positive for COVID need to self-quarantine for 14 days whether they get tested or not.

If you have been in close contact with somebody with COVID-19, which means your definition is within six feet of that person for 15 minutes or more, then you need to stay at home and not interact with others for 14 days, Wilson said.

Wilson said that 14-day isolation period is required even if you test negative for COVID because the tests might not catch a COVID infection if you havent had the virus long enough.

If youve had a close contact, and you get tested, and you have a negative test, you still have to stay in quarantine for 14 days, Wilson said. And thats because 14 days is the maximum amount of time from being exposed to the virus where you can still develop symptoms and become positive.

Theres a lot of confusion about that, but what that means is if you had a contact with somebody, you cant just run out and get a test and it be negative and then you can just go back to doing whatever you were doing before. It doesnt work that way.
WATERLOO REGION  Anti-mask groups have taken to social media, keeping track of businesses in their community that arent enforcing COVID-19 protocols.

Black Listed and White Listed Businesses CANADA, a Facebook group where Canadians post about restaurant and stores that arent following strict mask protocols, mentions close to 50 Waterloo Region businesses in posts and comments.

The group, which has moved from public to private, features members calling for boycotts of restaurants and stores that require masks for service, and gives tips and tricks for skirting other protocols, like giving false information when asked for contact information in case of outbreak.

The page is run by The Line, a national advocacy group that has been a strong opponent of Canadas COVID-19 response, taking aim specifically around protocols it sees as unjust to civil liberties.

Mandatory mask bylaws have been front and centre.

While the region has passed a mask bylaw, its manager of health protection and investigation points out it doesnt fall on the business to enforce compliance

The region continues to take an education-first approach, asking people to comply with the bylaw and educating them on the importance of protecting each other, said Aldo Franco. The bylaw does not require business owners and operators to ensure bylaw compliance.

The regions public health unit can carry out inspections on businesses, but it isnt monitoring Facebook pages to see who is complying.

No, we respond to complaints made to [Waterloo Region] public health and follow up on a priority basis based on a risk assessment, he said.

Public health regularly conducts inspections on restaurants, food retailers, spas, salons, piercing and tattooing businesses and recreational water facilities. In any given year, it completes nearly 7,000 inspections.

In the wake of COVID-19, questions have been added to the inspection report to include COVID prevention measures that would be checked when public health inspectors conduct routine inspections, or they would use those same questions now while responding to complaints. Questions are related to reopening legislation, physical distancing, infection prevention and control, cleaning and sanitizing.

Inspections and investigations are generally unannounced. The results, including any infractions, are posted online.

For some, the decision not to wear a mask that helps stop the spread of the virus in public situations is due to health concerns. For others, its seen as an infringement on their freedoms. At its worst, some groups are citing a variety of conspiracy theories that believe masks are a governments attempt at controlling the population.

But citizens sharing their experiences at local businesses is not illegal. Neither is choosing not to wear a mask.

The situation challenges the policies of tech companies like Facebook, who have vowed to do better not to give a platform for groups that pose a threat to society.

Were working to remove content that has the potential to contribute to real-world harm, including through our policies prohibiting coordination of harm, sale of medical masks and related goods, hate speech, bullying and harassment and misinformation that contributes to the risk of imminent violence or physical harm, a Facebook company spokesperson sent in a statement.

Facebook said it removes content that could cause harm to people. When dealing with fake news  like conspiracy theories about the origins of the virus  it is reducing its distribution so less people see it, and trying to provide them with more context about why its false.

An important question we face is how to balance the ideal of giving everyone a voice with the realities of keeping people safe and bringing people together. Facebook is an open platform for voices around the world. Allowing speech from all viewpoints is the responsibility of an open platform  and when you cut off speech for anyone, you cut off speech for everyone.

So, when it comes to monitoring Facebook, it can often come down to the individual group administrators.

Kitchener recently hosted an anti-mask demonstration sponsored by the advocacy group Hugs Over Masks.

The event had its own Facebook group, but organizers also reached out to other prominent groups in the region for advertising.

Thats when Saudia Rahamat, an administrator of the group CareMongering-KW: Kitchener-Waterloo Community Response to COVID 19, was forced to make a decision with the other administrators based on their groups core principles.

They chose not to advertise the event.

We have a responsibility to ourselves and to each other, and an event that is promoting actions that deliberately go against health guidelines is dangerous, and we didnt feel we needed to give them a platform to spread that misinformation.

There is a nuance, she said, understanding that you dont want to get into a situation where you censor speech to the point where no one feels comfortable voicing their opinion.

But when it comes to public health, and promoting a message that isnt based in science, thats where she draws the line.

Were a group that was created to help people through COVID-19, she said. If were going to feature posts about how we support our front line workers, then we have to do what we can to fulfil that promise.

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A glamorous young hairdresser was caught with ice in her handbag as well as a switch knife and weighing scales.

Police raided the home of Claire Elizabeth Gregory, 30, in Logan in south Brisbane last November and found 0.7g of the drug along with a set of scales covered in powder.

Gregory was unable to explain any of the items found in her bag and was charged with three offences, the Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard.

The 30-year-old was on probation at the time and had also been charged with travelling in a stolen car.

Claire Elizabeth Gregory, 30, (pictured) was caught with 0.7g of ice and a switch knife in her bag

She had been in the vehicle in January 2018 but it wasn't until her fingerprints on the passenger window were found that she was charged in August, 2019.

Gregory's lawyer, Bruce Affleck, said the offences resulted from the bad 'culture' at her previous home, The Courier Mail reported.

Gregory pleaded guilty to the three charges in relation to the drugs as well as one offence related the stolen vehicle.

She has since moved in with her mother.

Magistrate Clare Kelly placed the hairdresser on a further nine months of probation and no convictions were recorded.
Contributed photo

Gerard Jerry Canadeo celebrated his 100th Birthday July 9 Born in Queens, NY, Canadeo came to Connecticut in 1943, where he married his wife, Madeline Orio, and had three children. Throughout his 70 years in West Haven, Canadeo worked for the state of Connecticut, and has been very involved in the Lions Club. He has also been an active member of St. Johns Vianneys Church, where he volunteered every year until he was 95 for the annual carnival, raising money for the church. Compassus coordinated with his daughter to arrange a car parade to celebrate the special milestone. The City of West Havens fire and police departments attended, leading the parade with family, friends, Louis P. Esposito, Jr. (Mayors Chief of Staff), and Compassus team driving decorated cars. Canadeo waved to everyone from his lawn, while his daughter passed out goodie bags and thank you notes. After the parade, Canadeos 90-year-old sister, friends and family gathered to continue the celebration with a framed letter sent by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania, and a citation sent by Mayor Nancy Rossi to honor his100th birthday.
Pilots, aviation aficionados and families from all around will make a trek to Oologah on Saturday morning, whether by air or road, to celebrate the lives of Will Rogers and Wiley Post on the 85th anniversary of their deaths.

Ongoing for more than three decades, the Will Rogers & Wiley Post Fly-In at Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, about 35 miles northeast of Tulsa at 9501 E. 380 Road near Oologah, will offer plenty of socially-distant sights to see and vendors and activities for all, including 19th century games for kids.

At the time of their deaths, (Rogers and Post) were aviations biggest boosters, said Pat Reeder, a spokeswoman for Will Rogers Memorial Museums. Wiley actually invented the first spacesuit, though they didnt call it that back then. And Will Rogers never piloted, but he loved to fly. He even put postage stamps on his clothes and flew on a mail plane.

The friends died Aug. 15, 1935, in a plane crash in Alaska, and their deaths set off a period of national mourning, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Weather Alert

.An arctic cold front will move across the region on Wednesday, causing rain to change to snow Wednesday afternoon and evening. ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 6 AM CST THURSDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of one to two inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Indiana, western Kentucky and southern Illinois. * WHEN...From 4 PM Wednesday to 6 AM CST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute, especially along the Ohio River. The transition from rain to a wintry mix and snow may not occur closer to the Tennessee border areas until after 7 PM CST. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures and wind chills, and falling snow will cause hazardous travel. Freezing of residual moisture on roads from rain earlier Wednesday could also cause some icing of roadways. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. &&
Online vehicle seller Vroom Inc is seeing more demand for used cars than we can currently fulfill" due to the coronavirus pandemic, with a 20% increase in demand in U.S. cities that may indicate people are buying cars as they migrate to the suburbs, the companys top executive said on Thursday.

Even with an uncertain stimulus package, even with current unemployment levels, the demand is really strong," Vroom Chief Executive Paul Hennessy told Reuters. As the V-shaped recovery hit us in May, weve been doing everything in our power to add cars because customers want them.

Hennessy spoke to Reuters the day after Vroom posted second-quarter results.

Investors were disappointed in Vrooms third-quarter revenue forecast, sending its stock down more than 15%.

Hennessy said Vrooms forecast reflects the fact its average selling price has come down a lot as a result of the pandemic.

Americans typically become more frugal and favor used cars in uncertain times.

It is a lower revenue, but were expecting to make more dollars per unit than we thought," Hennessy said.

So the numbers that really matter  the profit that we make from the car  are intact.

Online sales still only account for around 1% of the roughly $840 billion Americans spend annually on around 40 million used cars. But after numerous U.S. states went into COVID-19 lockdowns in March, the advantage of socially-distant online sales has come squarely into focus.

Hennessy said sales in pandemic-hit states like California, Texas and Florida remain very strong" and Vroom has seen a 20% increase in demand in U.S. cities.

Thats either people who want to get away for a week and need to exit the city," he said, or theres a migration from the cities to suburban areas and we think customers are securing cars because theyve got a new life."

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un could be forced to continue with testing its missile capabilities after United States President Donald Trump boasted that he helped avoid the possibility of World War 3, say experts.

Rising missile testing

Kim's rise to power has caused a massive surge in the country's missile testing program. Some experts believe the tests would later lead to a third world war as two unidentified projectiles were seen fired out of the nation in March amid the world's focus on the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Express, North Korea conducted ten missile exercises last year out of an astonishing 119 tests since the supreme leader took his seat in power that has gone for nearly nine years.

Tensions between the two countries have continued to rise and especially with the United States president due to North Korea's increasing number of missile tests after communication between the two nations have collapsed.

Trump previously claimed that war was possible and would have broken out if he did not intervene. Experts believe that the US president's actions and taunting of North Korea's Kim could lead the supreme leader to inevitably conducting far more missile tests.

Sources from the United States studied North Korea earlier this year to find evidence that the country is conducting military exercises as other nations were busy dealing with the global health crisis.

Also Read: United States to Acquire 100 Million Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine From Moderna

The Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) researchers discovered certain events which caused North Korea to test its missile capabilities in the past.

Victor Cha cautioned that the country's previous weapons testing suggests that whenever the midterm or presidential elections in the United States approach, North Korea is always prepared to increase its military programs.

Hostile actions

The expert said that Trump's hostile actions are another factor that could result in violent battles. Cha said prolonged lack of communication between the United States and North Korea causes the two nations to be prone to increased missile and nuclear testing.

One such example is when a North Korean spokesperson said the country was disappointed with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks about continuing sanctions against the country.

During his statement, Pompeo said the United States was no longer interested in conducting negotiations with North Korea and that even if the two leaders develop a good relationship, it would not be enough to shift hostile US policy.

Previously, North Korea has also targeted South Korea with thousands of artillery rockets and was ready to rain destruction if a war ever broke out between the two neighboring countries., as reported by Forbes.

The potential threat has caused South Korea to work on developing a missile system that can protect its citizens from incoming missile attacks. However, the main factor that is holding the project back is the cost, more so since there are other ways to counter the attacks.

As part of its new five-year, $250-billion defense plan, South Korea announced its intention to create a rocket-defense system based on Israel's Iron Dome. The project also involves the first aircraft carrier of Seoul.

Related Article: Trump to Abolish Payroll Tax in 2021 If He Wins November Elections

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AXA SA is in talks to sell its Greek operations to Italian insurer Assicurazioni Generali SpA, according to people familiar with the matter, as part of its plans to ditch business lines deemed surplus to requirements.

The two companies and their advisers are in discussions about a deal for the unit, which offers life and general insurance products and could be valued at around 150 million euros ($177 million), the people said. No final decisions have been taken, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the matter is private.

Representatives for AXA and Generali declined to comment.

AXA currently sells insurance products in Greece through a long-term distribution agreement with Alpha Bank AE. The business serves 576,000 customers in the country and generates revenue of more than 160 million euros, according to its website.

AXA is seeking to raise funds by divesting peripheral operations under Chief Executive Officer Thomas Buberl, who wants to focus on property and casualty insurance following a $15.3 billion purchase of XL Group Ltd. in 2018. Paris-listed AXA is considering the sale of its business in Singapore and a general insurance venture in Malaysia, Bloomberg News has reported.

The company is also exploring ways to shore up its finances amid the pressures of the coronavirus crisis. Profit at AXA sank in the first half as it booked a 1.5 billion-euro charge for claims related to COVID-19. It warned of further shocks from the pandemic, scrapped growth targets and canceled a payout to shareholders.

AXAs shares were down 30% this year through Thursday, giving it a market value of around 43 billion euros.

Generali CEO Philippe Donnet said in July that the current economic crisis also presented new opportunities. Donnet said Generali had as much as 3 billion euros earmarked for acquisitions and would consider mid-size deals in the insurance and asset management sectors. Generali last month abandoned exploratory talks about an acquisition of U.S. asset manager BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. because of differing opinions on valuation, people familiar with the matter said.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics AXA XL Generali Life Assurance (Thailand) Plc.
A couple who drove home to England from France were astonished to find an asylum seeker hidden in their bike rack.

John and Debbie Marriott spent two weeks holidaying in their camper van before catching the ferry at Calais.

Nearing their home in Worthing, West Sussex, the pair joked about mysterious noises behind them.

But when they pulled up at their house, they were astonished to see an arm pop out of the tarpaulin covering their two bikes.

John and Debbie Marriott spent two weeks holidaying in their camper van before catching the ferry at Calais

A Sudanese youth who claimed to be 15  despite looking older  climbed out, having spent six hours wedged inside. Police collected him from the property.

The incident happened on Monday, as Home Secretary Priti Patel was patrolling the Channel with the Royal Navy and vowing to stop dinghies full of migrants flocking across from France.

Former policeman Mr Marriott, 59, said they had arrived at Calais for their 3.45pm ferry and went to a supermarket to buy some lunch.

When we pulled in there we saw two men talking on phones.

They were just hanging around the camper van car park so they really stood out. When we came back out, there was one stood at the back of our van, hanging about by our cycle bikes, which were covered in tarpaulin.

I checked the bikes were there and the camper van was packed and everything appeared to be there. I still dont know how I didnt see him.

A Sudanese youth who claimed to be 15  despite looking older  climbed out, having spent six hours wedged inside. Police collected him from the property

There were zero checks when we got back to the UK and we just drove straight off the ferry.

During the two-hour drive to Worthing, the couple heard repeated banging, but put it down to their belongings becoming dislodged.

Mrs Marriott said: More checks need to be made. It isnt safe.

It doesnt bear thinking about what it would have felt like to find a dead body there instead. The problem is getting worse.

Yesterday, at least 11 migrants ignored thunderstorm warnings and crossed the Channel in a dinghy from France. The group was intercepted by police and Border Force officials in Dover.

More than 900 people have arrived in the last ten days. So far this year, 4,500 have illegally crossed the Channel.
There is tension mounting at Tiptoe Lane at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra following a decision to close down retail shops owned by foreigners.

The Presidential Committee on Retail Trade under the Ministry of Trade and Industry decided to take on foreign-owned shops in Accra from today, August 13, 2020.

The taskforce undertaking the exercise says its action is in line with recommendations from the committee probing the impasse between Ghanaian traders and the foreign counterpart.

According to the retailers, the closure has become necessary following the refusal of the retailers to regularise their documents as directed by government.

But in a confrontation with the taskforce, some of the retailers stated that they had taken steps to regularise their documents.

They havent given any reason why they are locking these shops. They said the Minister of Trade and Industry asked them to come there without a reason. Meanwhile, weve complied with all theyve told us to do. Why would they lock the shops? Why cant they verify if weve complied or not? Why are they only interested in locking the shops? They should check our documents, he exclaimed.

They gave us an assessment from the Immigration. We went there with them. Some people have submitted their documents to the Immigration. Customs didnt ask us to do anything. All the institutions that have asked us to do something, we have complied. I dont know why they are locking the shops. They were supposed to come today to check the compliance. When they came, they didnt ask us any questions. They just started locking the shops, he lamented.

Security officers aiding the taskforce have been compelled to use force as the foreign retailers continue to resist the closure of their shops.

---citinewsroom
Workers at a Winnipeg Canada Goose factory are raising a stink after the maker of expensive parkas closed washrooms in its building, forcing them to use outdoor portable toilets that they say are cleaned only every four days.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Workers at a Winnipeg Canada Goose factory are raising a stink after the maker of expensive parkas closed washrooms in its building, forcing them to use outdoor portable toilets that they say are cleaned only every four days.

Some workers have resorted to using their 30-minute break to leave the property, at 1450 Mountain Ave., to find a public washroom. Others go to work with their own commodes, which they keep in their vehicles. Meantime, managers use separate washrooms in the building, which are designated for them, and do not have to use the portable potties.

Staff bathrooms at the Canada Goose factory have been out of service for weeks.

Workers' washrooms have been out of service for three weeks. One worker, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were told maintenance was being conducted on the facilities.

It's unfair to expect factory staff, most of whom are minorities, to use the portables, she said.

"Some people dont like to use public washrooms either, but its a lot better than the porta-potties at work," said the worker. "Theyre in very, very bad condition and only get cleaned every four days, and its in worse condition because of COVID-19."

She said she takes her break when her husband can leave his job to pick her up. They spend her break driving around to find a public washroom.

"Theyre in very, very bad condition and only get cleaned every four days, and its in worse condition because of COVID19."  Anonymous worker

"Canada Goose is a company that prides itself on being for the people and supporting people, but they dont support their own workers," she said. "They dont treat them well, or even as humans."

The Winnipeg Free Press reached out to Canada Goose for comment but did not hear back.

Jo Ann Pinera, who interned with Workers United and spent time at the factory, said she is outraged.

"Ive spent a lot of time studying the company, Canada Goose, understanding what the inside looks like, interviewing workers inside who are working in an environment of fear."

JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The outdoor portable toilets get cleaned every four days.

Pinera is a part of Winnipeg Youth United, an activist group that draws attention to workers rights issues, community education and student issues.

"Weve had some workers reach out to us and told us the situation had been going on for three weeks," said Pinera. "The fact that were hearing about this three weeks later (shows) that they work under an environment of fear and they dont want to speak out about whats going wrong inside for fear of losing their job."

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The group has organized a protest at the Mountain Avenue factory at 3 p.m. Friday.

"The fact that were hearing about this three weeks later (shows) that they work under an environment of fear and they dont want to speak out about whats going wrong inside for fear of losing their job."  Jo Ann Pinera

"This issue has to be shared with people in our community because it obviously is, from my perspective, a violation of human rights and health and safety concerns, especially in the wake of a global pandemic," said Pinera.

She said the group has members who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of colour, and workers' rights is an issue close to them. She added 95 per cent of garment and factory workers are BIPOC and migrant workers.

"The fashion and garment industry, including large luxury brands such as Canada Goose, rely on the hard work of workers that are primarily BIPOC and immigrants," she said. "Its important that we do not turn a blind eye to the injustices that happen in our communities. We want to make a meaningful change to dismantle the unacceptable working conditions that these workers work under."

kellen.taniguchi@freepress.mb.ca
Yang Jiechi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of the China Central Committee (CPC) and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, laid a wreath in tribute to the late leader at a ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in China on August 14.

Chinas Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the Standing Board of the National Peoples Congress Li Zhanshu, and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference Wang Yang also sent flowers to the pay homage to the late Party chief.

Yang Jiechi expressed his deep sympathy over Phieus passing and a belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnamese people will turn this grief into strength in order to gain greater achievements in the building socialism.

The Chinese Party, Government, and people attach great importance to friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, and stand ready to work together with their Vietnamese counterparts to promote the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai said the Vietnamese Party, State, and people treasure ties with China and will join the Chinese side in efforts to enhance bilateral relations.

On the same day, representatives from many Chinese ministries and agencies along with ambassadors of foreign countries in China visited the Vietnamese Embassy to pay their respects to the late Vietnamese leader.

The condolences book at the embassy will remain open until August 15.

A similar ceremony took place at the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos on the same day, which saw the attendance of Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith, Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou, and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonesay Siphandone, among others.

Writing in the condolences book, Bounnhang Vorachith said the passing of the former Party chief is a great loss to the Vietnamese Party, Government, and people.

The Party, State, and people of Laos have also lost a comrade and close friend, he said, stressing Phieus significant contributions to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

At another ceremony in Cambodia, Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Quang Minh praised Phieus contributions to the fight against the genocidal regime in Cambodia.

Vice President of the Senate Sim Ka, head of the Inspection Commission of the Cambodian Peoples Party Ek Sam Ol, Secretary of State at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eat Sophea, and Chairman of the Cambodian National Assemblys foreign affairs committee Chheang Vun led delegations to the ceremony.

Services were also held by Vietnamese embassies in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Egypt.

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu passed away at 2.52am on August 7 at his home.

Over the course of his more than 70 years of revolutionary activity, comrade Phieu made substantial contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation. He was awarded a Golden Star, an insignia for 70 years of Party membership, and many other Vietnamese and international orders and medals.
The government of Ireland has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nigerian government for the return of 5.5 million stolen by a former military head of state, Sani Abacha.

The Irish minister for justice, Helen McEntee, said the return of the asset followed a forfeiture order by a high court in Ireland in 2015.

Ms McEntee also disclosed that the asset were frozen in a Dublin-based bank account by her countrys anti-graft agency, Criminal Assets Bureau, in 2014. This was after a team of legal representatives from Nigeria approached the Irish government regarding the return of the loot.

I am very pleased to sign this Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and Nigeria, the minister said on Thursday in a statement published on the Irish government website.

This represents the culmination of a long process which began with an internationally led investigation. The Criminal Assets Bureau took part in this international operation which led to the freezing of over $1 billion in funds worldwide, of which approximately 5.5 million was identified in a Dublin based bank account.

The minister also said the agreement, which is the first between the Irish government and Nigeria, is in line with its international obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption.

The return of these assets will be the first time that Ireland has taken such action and will be a concrete demonstration of Irelands commitment to international cooperation in the fight against corruption and to assisting countries which have been adversely affected by corruption in the past, and is in line with our international obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption.

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PREMIUM TIMES had reported the Nigerian Minister for Justice announcing the recovery of a $311 million asset of the late Mr Abacha repatriated from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

The recovery followed a tripartite agreement signed in January between Nigeria, the Island of Jersey, and the United States of America, as part of Nigerias efforts to recover more stolen funds stashed abroad.

Nigeria had also recovered other tranches of Abacha loot, including the latest, US$308 million laundered by Kebbi State governor, Mr Bagudu, from Jersey.

In 2006, another $723 million Abacha loot was returned to Nigeria from Switzerland but the use of the recovery was largely unaccounted, Transparency International said.

Mr Abacha was a notorious kleptocrat and is listed alongside Indonesias Suharto and Mobutu Seko of Zaire (now DR Congo) among the worst state official thieves in the world by Transparency International. It is estimated that Mr Abacha stole between three billion and five billion dollars, most from Nigerias oil wealth.
The monitors said that the process went smoothly, with no major irregularities or violations recorded

The Arab League observation mission sent to monitor this weeks Senate elections in Egypt has praised the voting process, saying it was conducted in a calm, safe and organised atmosphere in accordance the election-related laws, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported.

In an initial report on the voting issued on Thursday, the mission hailed the National Election Authority for taking all proactive measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 during the process.

The report also stated that all possible means and logistics needed for the votes were provided and the process went smoothly, with no major irregularities or violations recorded.

The mission also cited a noticeable turnout by female voters and noted the number of women working in poll stations or running for the Senate.

There are 111 female candidates competing in the elections; 91 are running individually and 20 are running on closed lists.

The first round of voting was held on Tuesday and Wednesday; a run-off round is scheduled for September.

The final report of the mission will be issued soon.

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Two-hundred and thirty Vietnamese citizens stranded in Malaysia due to border closures caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were brought home on Thursday.

Flight VJ7012 and the returning Vietnamese nationals on board landed at Cam Ranh International Airport in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa at 1:30 pm on Thursday.

Each passenger had their health checked and body temperature measured by medical workers immediately upon landing.

None showed any sign of sickness, and all were brought directly from the airport to a military-run facility in neighboring Ninh Thuan Province, where they will undergo 14 days of government-mandated COVID-19 quarantine.

A vehicle carries Vietnamese citizens brought home from Malaysia to a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine facility in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Minh Tran / Tuoi Tre

According to Le Vu Chuong, director of Ninh Thuan Provinces Department of Health, the provincial Center for Disease Control sampled the returnees for COVID-19 testing on the evening of their arrival. Results of the tests are still pending.

Ninh Thuan vice-chairman Le Van Binh has urged health staff and military personnel involved in the repatriation initiative to remain calm, cautious, attentive, and careful to avoid mistakes at all costs during the implementation of the quarantine period for the 230 citizens.

Vehicles carry Vietnamese citizens brought home from Malaysia to a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine facility in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Minh Tran / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam, which has logged 911 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic first hit in January, requires that all arrivals from foreign countries be quarantined for 14 days.

Among the country's confirmed COVID-19 patients, 327 were imported while 584 were the result of community transmission.

The Southeast Asian country has documented 425 recoveries from the disease and 21 virus-related deaths.

A vehicle carrying Vietnamese citizens brought home from Malaysia is disinfected before entering a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine facility in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Minh Tran / Tuoi Tre

Officers inspect a room inside a facility for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Photo: Minh Tran / Tuoi Tre

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Pompeos Nixon Speech, the Beginning of a New Era in China Relations

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeos landmark speech Communist China and the Free World has been heralded as the beginning of a new era in global affairs and a marked shift in foreign policy towards Beijing.

Sydney-based Dr Jin Chin, chair of the Federation for a Democratic China told The Epoch Times on Aug. 13 that the speech was the moment Chinese democracy activists have long been waiting for.

According to Chin, since the United States and the Peoples Republic of China entered formal diplomatic relations, U.S. administrations from both sides of the aisle have been naively and wishfully engaging with the regime.

Dr Jin Chin, chair of the Federation for a Democratic China (Supplied)

The Federation for a Democratic China has been active since 1989 and was established in the wake of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Pompeos speech in late July called on like-minded nations to induce change in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The speech was delivered at the Richard Nixon Library and Museum, symbolising the enormity of the change to the 50-year engagement strategy that has underpinned U.S.-China relations since its establishment by former President Richard Nixon in 1972.

Pompeo noted though that ultimately Nixon regretted engaging with the regime and feared he might have created a Frankensteins monster by opening the world to the CCP.

Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai welcomes U.S. President Richard Nixon during his official visit to Beijing, China on February 21, 1972. Richard Nixon sought to play the China card as a way to gain an advantage in the contest with the Soviet Union. (AFP/Getty Images)

From now on, the secretary of state said nations could not be satisfied by merely getting tough on Beijing, and instead, called on governments to induce China to change in more creative and assertive ways.

We must also engage and empower the Chinese people  a dynamic, freedom-loving people who are completely distinct from the Chinese Communist Party, Pompeo said.

But changing the CCPs behaviour cannot be the mission of the Chinese people alone. Free nations have work to do to defend freedom, he continued.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers a speech on Communist China and the future of the free world at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library on July 23, 2020, in Yorba Linda, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)

For Chin, Pompeos speech indicates that the international community is now reaching a crossroad where the civilised world cannot co-exist with the CCP.

If the free world fails to realise this live-or-die conflict with the CCP (the last stronghold of totalitarianism) then the CCP will defeat the free world and dominate it, he said.

Chin says the potential fall of communism in China was becoming clearly visible in recent years with a host of external and internal pressures coalescing on the regime.

He said there were three likely scenarios for Beijings rule going forward. The first was Beijing holds tightly to power and continues its economic decline.

The second, could see the regime respond to intra-party tussles with political purges and reforms, further weakening the totalitarian structure of the CCP.

A demonstrator wearing a mask painted with the colours of the flag of East Turkestan and a hand bearing the colours of the Chinese flag attends a protest of supporters of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority and Turkish nationalists to denounce Chinas treatment of ethnic Uighur Muslims, in front of the Chinese consulate in Istanbul on July 5, 2018. (Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

Lastly, he argues the CCP could collapse almost overnight like the former Soviet Union.

I speculate that the third scenario is most likely, Chin said. The ethnic minority regions and Taiwan may take advantage of the situation to exit Greater China.

A scenario that has some credence given the break-up of the Soviet Union saw many countries formerly tied to the Russian-led union quickly reassert their independence.

Chin pointed to former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-huis proposal that a Greater China could become seven greater autonomous regions, namely Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, South China, North China, and Northeast China.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Taipei on Jan. 22, 2020. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

In the post CCP era, the chance would be very slim for Greater China to rebuild a united and constitutional democracy with all ethnic minorities remaining, Chin said.

That would be the tough and harsh reality the majority of Chinese will face when the CCP is no more, he added.

The CCP has been given a golden opportunity to choose the best way for China and the Chinese people. However, no CCP leaders have had the insight and sense of historic responsibility for the nation he concluded.
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Markets regulator Sebi on August 14 imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh each on three public sector financial institutions -- SBI, LIC and Bank of Baroda -- for not complying with the mutual fund norms.

Sebi observed that State Bank of India (SBI), Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) are the sponsors of SBI Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual Fund and Baroda Mutual Fund, respectively, and they also hold more than 10 percent stake each in these mutual funds.

In addition, LIC, SBI and BoB are also sponsors of UTI AMC and hold more than 10 percent stake individually in the asset management company (AMC) and trustee company of UTI MF.

This is not in conformity with the requirement of mutual fund regulations, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in three separate orders.

The regulator amended the mutual fund regulations in March 2018, wherein a shareholder or a sponsor owning at least 10 percent stake in an AMC is not allowed to have 10 percent or more stake in another mutual fund house operating in the country.

Entities not in compliance with the requirement was given time up to March 2019 to comply with the requirement.

UTI AMC is promoted by four public sector financial institutions as sponsors -- SBI, LIC, BoB and Punjab National Bank (PNB) -- with each of them currently holding an 18.24 percent stake in the fund house, while private equity firm T Rowe Price International holds 26 percent stake in UTI AMC.

Sebi noted that the three entities have not denied the fact that they have not complied with the provisions of MF regulations although they stated that the IPO (initial public offering) process for divestment of their shareholding in UTI AMC has been initiated and sale of its stake in UTI Trustee company is in the process of finalisation.

They further said the IPO of UTI AMC will be completed by September-end.

Sebi, in the orders, said the entities have violated the provision of mutual fund norms and are liable for penalty. Accordingly, the regulator has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh each on them.

In December 2019, it directed the three entities to dilute their stake to below 10 percent in UTI AMC by December 2020. In this regard, the regulator said "the proceedings initiated against the entities wherein order has been passed by Sebi's whole time member and the present adjudication proceedings are two separate proceedings and does not have bearing on one another."

It had added that Sebi may initiate action against the entities for the non-compliance with the provisions of mutual fund norms.
TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. ("Supreme Cannabis") (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1) and Khalifa Kush Enterprises Canada ULC ("KKE"), have mutually agreed to terminate their exclusive consulting services agreement ("the Agreement") entered into on December 6, 2018.

Supreme Cannabis and KKE amicably part ways in order to re-focus their resources on opportunities in their respective businesses. Supreme Cannabis will continue to address the ultra-premium category through its 7ACRES Craft Collective brand extension, which recently introduced Pink Kush to three new provinces, expanding distribution to Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. KKE will continue to build its leading premium brand in the U.S. while also pursuing international growth, developing and marketing unique cannabis related products.

Supreme Cannabis remains focused on compliance with all Health Canada regulations and direction. As disclosed in Supreme Cannabis' Q3 FY2020 Financial Statements, as at March 31, 2020, Supreme Cannabis recorded an impairment of assets related to the KKE agreement, resulting in a revised carrying value of $nil. The Company determined that the value of the agreement was negatively impacted by current Health Canada direction.

About Supreme Cannabis.

The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc., (TSX: FIRE) (OTCQX: SPRWF) (FRA: 53S1), is a global diversified portfolio of distinct cannabis companies, products and brands. Since 2014, the Company has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing, premium plant-driven lifestyle companies. Supreme Cannabis' portfolio of brands caters to diverse consumer experiences, with brands and products that address recreational, wellness, medicinal and new consumer preferences.

The Company's brand portfolio includes, 7ACRES, Blissco, Truverra, Sugarleaf and Hiway. Supreme Cannabis' brands are backed by a focused suite of world-class operating assets that serve key functions in the value chain, including, scaled cultivation, value-add processing, centralized manufacturing and product testing and R&D. Follow the Company on Instagram , Twitter, Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube.

We simply grow better.

About KKE.

KKE was founded in 2018 and is the first expansion of KKE outside of the U.S. with plans for growth in additional countries all over the world.

KKE products were first commercialized in the U.S. in 2015. The company has achieved much success with the creation of high quality and highly sought-after products in the legalized marijuana market.

Forward-Looking Information.

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute "forward-looking information", "future oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, targets, performance achievements, prospects or opportunities is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "could", "should", "would", "outlook", "forecast", "anticipate", "foresee", "continue" or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking information is current as of the date it is made and is based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by us at the relevant time in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. However, we do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur. For additional information with respect to certain of these assumptions, risks or factors, and risk factors relating to the Common Shares, reference should be made to the Prospectus Supplement and the Shelf Prospectus, the Company's annual information form dated September 17, 2019 for the year ended June 30, 2019 and material change reports filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities available at www.sedar.com, and such other continuous disclosure materials as may be filed from time to time by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

SOURCE The Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc.

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https://www.supreme.ca/


2006 was a defining year for affirmative action in The Shell Petroleum Development Company  the Anglo Dutch Oil Multinational which is the largest international oil company in the country.

It was the year that a woman was first appointed into the companys Board of Directors and she scored a first not just in Shell but in all the IOCs as Shell was the first among them that allowed Nigerians to be appointed into its Board of Directors.

Diezani Alison-Maduekwe was the first woman to be appointed when she was named Executive Director External Relations of Shell. She joined the company in 1992 and in less than fifteen years was a Director. This was no mean feat especially when feminists were agitating for a better deal for women in the IOCs. This feat was only surpassed by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe who became a Director in just nine years.

Diezani is Ijaw and the daughter of a former traditional ruler in Bayelsa State. Her appointment helped to calm frayed nerves in the oil rich but highly troubled region that excellence and commitment to duty still paid off in Nigeria.

Academically, she was prepared for the job as she had her first degree in architecture from Howard University in the United States and a Masters in Business Administration from Cambridge Judge Business School as a British Council Chevening Scholar in 2003. She had worked as an architect in the US before returning home and joining Shell in 1992.

It was no surprise that in 2007 she caught the attention of the then President Umaru Musa Yaradua when he appointed her as the Minister for Transport  the first female in the country to get the plum job.

After the death of Yaradua and the coming into power of Goodluck Jonathan, he moved her to the juiciest of ministries  Petroleum where she was also the first female to get the appointment in 2010.

No sooner had she settled down to work that allegation of graft and abuse of office was leveled against her especially by the anti-corruption online watchdog, Sahara Reporters. Her luxurious lifestyle was splashed online and her alleged mind boggling acquisitions of eye popping properties around the globe surfaced. Kola Aluko, her alleged associate wasnt also spared from the searchlight. She was the most followed minister by the media in Jonathans cabinet.

After the electoral loss of her boss in 2015, she knew that her time was up and the day of reckoning was at hand which explains why she fled on a self imposed exile to the United Kingdom in a similar way that the late Umaru Dikko, the then Transport Minister in the Second Republic did.

There was a story that made the rounds that she and Buhari actually travelled on the same flight to the UK but the no nonsense former General rebuffed all her entreaties for them to have a talk.

She has been in the land of our former colonial masters since 2015 and all attempts to extradite her to face trial back home by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have all ended up in a gargantuan fiasco.

Assets, jewellery, properties running into billions of naira have allegedly been recovered from her. There was even a strident call for her removal from the hall of fame among Chevening Scholars as she had been thoroughly demonized without a proper court trial. The media is indeed very powerful and has rightfully earned its sobriquet as the fourth estate of the realm.

There are allegations that she has been frantically trying to get the citizenship of the Dominican Republic and even gifted their Prime Minister a property so as to avoid being extradited back home. Some years ago, she attempted to court the sympathy of the beleaguered populace by releasing some gory pictures of herself battling cancer to popular journalist, Dele Momodu.

Momodu denied being paid in doing any hatchet job on her behalf and opined that he was only doing his job as a journalist without any pecuniary reward in sight.

She has maintained her innocence and has given the public the omerta treatment.

Her husband, Rear Admiral Alison Maduekwe wrote his memoir last year and warned her not to dip her hands into the cookie jar before she took up the appointment to serve her motherland. He visited her in the UK and from the pictures he shared, she seemed to have recovered rather remarkably from the cancer scourge.

In a virtual event she stirred the hornest nest when she blasted internet fraudsters popularly known as yahoo yahoo boys when she said:

The ones that have swag, the Yahoo Yahoo boys as my son would say; these, in short, are the role models they are looking at. These are the ones that reinforce negative societal norms and values.

This is a travesty of an unfolding tragedy for us. Why have I spent time talking about fatherless homes and the impact it has on our children? The truth of the matter is that an irresponsible boy tends to become an irresponsible man and it is, therefore, a vicious cycle. If you plant yam, you cannot harvest plantain.

She also added:

There are no shortcuts to working your way up the ladder of life. Progressing in life, in work and relationships  marital or otherwise  is always dependent on consistent effort and hard work.

As we create more responsible young men, we will generate more responsible fathers which will, in turn, engender a more sustainable society and build a greater nation of successful Ijaw men and women.

Her statement naturally resulted in a backlash from the public as she was not an appropriate role model to dish out such an advice. If she was that innocent her traducers say, why has she been doing everything to avoid coming back home to face her trial? Just recently, she was appointed a commissioner of trade and investment by the Prime Minister of the Dominican Republic, Roosevelt Skeritt and was handed a diplomatic passport to protect her from any sort of extradition from the UK.

A clear conscience fears no accusation. What is preventing her from returning back home to at least clear her name? It was in the same cabinet that she served that the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-iweala who has gotten many board appointments and is currently gunning to be the head honcho at the World Trade Organization and Akinwunmi Adesina who is angling for a second term in office at the African Development Bank after being cleared of all the accusations leveled against him. Why arent they on the run?

It is an insult on our collective intelligence to pontificate from abroad while mind boggling allegations of graft running into billions of dollars is heaped on her without her wanting to ensure that she faces a fair trial. The hypocrisy is extremely nauseating. While I am not backing cyber crimes, the mindless looting and brigandage that goes on by public officials is partly responsible for many youths turning to crimes online to eke out a living.

She even mentioned her son in her rant. Was it not the same son who was captured on camera in a yacht? What honest work has he done to be able to afford such a holiday? The way and manner our ruinous elite toss us up and down is rather tragic.

The relationship between the Nigerian masses and elite is akin to what obtained in George Orwells Animal Farm where the pigs ended up being worse than Mr. Jones who they overthrew.

The EFCC should take this affront by Diezani as the fuel needed to perfect her extradition back home. Nigeria shouldnt be reduced to a comedy circus where all sort of obscene entertainers hold sway.

Until she is proven innocent in a court of competent jurisdiction, Diezani should keep quiet on matters bordering on public morality as she doesnt have the moral high ground to lecture the emotionally battered and scarred public.

Who knows whether her recent comment wasnt part of a public relations spin to launder her image? The soapbox should be far away from her till she does the needful by clearing her name back home.

Her two cents on corruption is definitely not needed by the youths.

Tony Ademiluyi wrote from Lagos and edits www.africanbard.com
Turkey's COVID-19 cases in risk groups are increasing, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Friday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"The number of severe patients rose to 656. The data showed that there is an increase in the number of people who are in the risk groups due to their age or disease and who were infected with COVID-19," the minister tweeted.

Turkey confirmed 1,226 new COVID-19 cases on the day, raising the total diagnosed cases to 246,861, Koca said.

Meanwhile, 22 people died in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 5,934, he noted.

Turkish health professionals conducted 70,192 tests in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall number of tests to 5,592,072, he said.

A total of 923 patients recovered in the last 24 hours, raising the total recoveries to 228,980 in Turkey since the outbreak, Koca added.

The rate of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients is 7.8 percent and the number of seriously ill patients is 656, he stated.

Turkey reported the first COVID-19 case on March 11.

Turkey and China have supported each other in the fight against COVID-19.

Chinese doctors and medical experts held video conferences with Turkish counterparts to share China's experience in treating coronavirus patients, protecting medical workers, and controlling the spread of the virus.
The former turns the employee or the owner into an agent of the state, at least in the mind of selfish fools. It creates a confrontation that, as we have seen in appalling viral video after appalling viral video, provokes sometimes frightening and destructive tantrums on the part of adults who have come to believe that masks symbolize fear, weakness and submission to government whims. They yell about tyranny and howl about their rights. They throw things. They threaten. They fake cough in peoples faces.
Shana Caro, a 31-year-old scientist at Columbia University who grew up in White Plains, N.Y., has lived in Borneo, Costa Rica, Uganda, Kenya, Oxford, and a tiny town in the Netherlands called Wageningen.

Georgina Emerson (left), 34, the founder and director of Teach About Women, a nonprofit organization based in her native New York that educates and champions for gender equity, has lived in Lyon, France, Santiago, Chile, Paris, and walked across Northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago.

The many roads traveled by Ms. Caro and Ms. Emerson eventually led to each other, via the dating app Hinge, in February 2018.

Its like we traveled the world only to find each other at home, in New York, said Ms. Caro, who is also a junior fellow at the Simons Foundation, where she studies the evolution of social behavior in birds. In September, she will also be starting a fellowship at the University of Texas in Austin.
London, Aug 14 : The number of deaths due to smokeless tobacco in India is on the rise, say researchers, adding that deaths due to it globally has also gone up by a third in seven years to an estimated 350,000 people.

According to the study, South and South-East Asia continue to be a hotspot with India accounting for 70 per cent, Pakistan for seven per cent and Bangladesh for five per cent of the global disease burden due to smokeless tobacco.

The research, published in the journal BMC Medicine, comes at a time when there are concerns that spitting - a behaviour common among those who chew tobacco - is likely to transmit the Covid-19 virus.

"The study has come at a time when Covid-19 is affecting almost all aspects of our lives. Chewing tobacco increases saliva production and leads to compulsive spitting," said study researcher Kamran Siddiqi from the University of York in the UK.

There are concerns that spitting - a behaviour common among those who chew tobacco- is likely to transmit the virus to others.

"In acknowledgement of this, India, for example, has already taken a positive step by banning spitting in public places to reduce the transmission of COVID-19," Siddiqi added.

The study estimated that in 2017 alone smokeless tobacco resulted in more than 90,000 deaths due to cancers of the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus and accounted for more than 258,000 deaths from heart disease.

Millions more have their lives shortened by ill-health due to the effects of chewing tobacco-based products, the study reveals.

Researchers compiled the figures using data from 127 countries and extracted from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease Study and surveys such as the Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

"Smokeless tobacco is used by almost a quarter of tobacco users and most of them live in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh," Siddiqi said.

In the UK, South Asian communities also consume smokeless tobacco products which too needs to be regulated just like cigarettes, according to the researchers.

"We have an international policy in the form of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, to regulate the supply and demand for tobacco products," the study authors wrote.

"We need to apply this framework to smokeless tobacco with the same rigour as it is applied to cigarettes," they noted.
India will take "equal and proportional measures" to protect domestic manufacturing if other countries continue imposing restrictions or barriers on Indian goods, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on August 14. He also said that if some countries continue exporting low-quality goods or dumping products or routing exports through India's free trade agreement (FTA) partners, India would take actions.

"Many FTA countries do not allow access to Indian goods, even though they are part of FTA protocols. They put non-tariff barriers or other restrictive measures. Gone are the days that India is going to sit and lie back and just take that...," the minister warned.

He said India will have to plan its own measures whether it is by way of anti-dumping duty or some restrictions. "We will have to take equal and proportional measures to protect India's domestic manufacturing."

The minister said while addressing the 10th meeting of Finland Chambers of Commerce in India.

Goyal also said that the government is looking at providing 'plug and play' infrastructure, faster clearances, more affordable finance and lower logistics cost to invite businesses to India.

"We would like to be a preferred and trusted trading partner of countries engaged in global trade and countries that believe in transparent and rule based honest systems of government and I think Finland and India are best suited to work as partners," he added.

The annual bilateral trade volume between India and Finland is USD 2.5 billion and it is "barely the tip of the iceberg" and if both the countries work together, "we can see a quantum jump in our business".

Replying to a question, he said India has rarely used export restrictions and for exports, import of raw material is allowed freely.

Any import restriction is imposed after a lot of thought and if Indian goods do not get fair and equitable access in other markets, he added.

On a question that MNCs in India are not taken as local vendors when it comes to participation in government procurement, the minister said problems come when such companies set up just "screw-driver" operations.

"Our current system is that we normally look at Make In India based on value addition. In some cases 20 per cent, and in some cases 50 per cent," he said.

Referring to his interactions with auto companies on Thursday, he said if auto firms are importing components just to assemble cars and sell in Indian markets, which is big and growing, "then really you are not bringing in too much value to the Indian ecosystem".

He said that companies should do Make in India in true sense so that it adds significant value in the Indian manufacturing ecosystem.


Two fighter jets attached to a naval aviation brigade under the PLA Eastern Theater Command take off simultaneously from a military airfield in East China's Zhejiang Province for a recent flight training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yaxun)

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Thursday announced that it held consecutive live-fire drills in the Taiwan Straits and its northern and southern ends. It said that "a certain major country" has been continuously making negative moves on the Taiwan question, which has sent the wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" forces. Therefore, the drills are aimed at the current security situation in the region and to safeguard national sovereignty, according to the spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command.

The PLA often carries out exercises in the East China Sea. But it is rare for the Eastern Theater Command to talk about the regional situation directly, and single out a particular major country. It is also the first time that we see in media reports that the drills cover the Taiwan Straits and its northern and southern ends.

US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar just wrapped up his Taiwan visit. The new National Defense Authorization Act includes a proposal to invite Taiwan to join the US-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises next week. These constitute a trend, as the US and Taiwan upgrade ties and take even more dangerous steps.

This is a salami-slicing tactic that is destroying the status quo in the Taiwan Straits. The Tsai Ing-wen authorities keep coordinating with the US Indo-Pacific Strategy to contain the Chinese mainland.

The drills of the PLA Eastern Theater Command send a clear warning to Taiwan and the US, which declare the Chinese mainland's firm will that it will not sit still in the face of US and Taiwan provocation, and erosion of the "one China" principle. Taiwan and the US should abandon their illusion that they can smoothly upgrade their official ties, as this process is bound to be accompanied by the risks they could hardly bear.

Military actions are the ultimate card the mainland plays to deter "Taiwan independence" forces. The Anti-Secession Law has put the Democratic Progressive Party in awe. The recent drills by the Eastern Theater Command sends a clear message that the mainland's military pressure on Taiwan will increase together with the increasing collusion between the US and Taiwan, and that as long as the US and Taiwan can bear the worsening situation in the region, the Chinese mainland fears no "shake."

The PLA has more options to impose military pressure, including fighter jets flying around the island, passing the "middle line" of the Straits and even flying over Taiwan Island, testing ballistic missiles over the Taiwan Island, and carrying out military exercises in the eastern waters of Taiwan, until Taiwan is completely haunted by the thought that a war will break out anytime.

The Chinese mainland will not allow Taiwan to increase its bargaining chip to seek "independence" by acting as a strategic US pawn. The increasing collusion between Taiwan and the US will only lead to greater risks for the island, including severe turbulence and uncertainties in its economic environment. The comprehensive losses of doing so will far exceed the gains, and Taiwan will likely push itself to the dangerous brink of war.

The US must not overestimate the deterrence it could pose by military intervention in the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese people generally no longer believe that US military could dominate the battlefield once a war breaks out there. The Chinese people have enough courage to safeguard their national sovereignty by engaging in the military showdown with the US across the Straits, when all the other options fail. And we are confident we will win. We don't want to go that far, but no country should think about separating Taiwan from China using salami-slicing tactics or intimidating the mainland.

Taiwan authorities can choose between a peaceful developing island and a place filled with severe military confrontation, where a hot war could be detonated by a tiny spark. In the past, the PLA's military drills took place in the Taiwan Straits. Currently, they are occurring in the Straits and its northern and southern ends. If Taiwan authorities go further in the future, the PLA's military exercise will emerge in the Straits, in its northern and southern ends and in eastern water of Taiwan, as part of around-the-island drills. Then, PLA fighter jets will carry out exercises above Taiwan.

The drills of the Eastern Theater Command show that the PLA is capable of launching a general offensive from all directions in the Taiwan Straits, and seize the island in hours. DPP authorities should use their final rationality. They should know that being a piece in the US chessboard could lead to checkmate. The day may come suddenly when they get swellheaded.
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Dear Chuck,

My wife and I are considering buying a house now although its a year earlier than we planned. We dont know if the low rates will be available next year. Should we go for it?

Buy or Hold?

Dear Buy or Hold,

You and your wife are not the only ones with this mindset. Homeownership is on the rise in different parts of the United States. People have been stuck at home with time to research available inventory in different parts of the country. The historic low mortgage rates and pandemic fears along with the flexibility of remote work are propelling many to buy. Some are seeking to leave areas where crime and disruptive protesting have impacted their livelihoods.

It is a good time to buy a home, but only if you are ready. Lets look at the trends first then some pros and cons of buying now.

(Image source: https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2020/07/29/homeownership-rate-continues-to-rise-in-2020/)

You can read Zillows Forecast here. I have pulled some of the highlights which point out that rates are low, but so is inventory:

Low mortgage rates are poised to stay for a while, so buyer demand should stick around even as seasonal headwinds start to form. Although, there are some storm clouds gathering. Broader uncertainty due to the surge in coronavirus cases and the prospect of disappearing fiscal support pose looming limitations as well. Historically low levels of for-sale inventory also has the potential to thwart the strong gains the housing market has recently enjoyed, and while for-sale inventory rose slightly in June, inventory remains significantly below last years levels. The coming months will be a true test of the housing markets enduring strength and resilience.

It Is Good to Buy a Home

There are benefits to homeownership that include safety, security, and accessibility to desired education and lifestyle opportunities. Habitat for Humanity acknowledges the crucial role of homeownership in society:

Habitat for Humanity knows that safe, decent and affordable shelter plays an absolutely critical role in helping families to create a new cycle, one filled with possibilities and progress. Affordable homeownership frees families and fosters the skills and confidence they need to invest in themselves and their communities. The outcomes can be long-lasting and life-changing. Studies conducted by academics and experts draw a straight line between housing quality and the well-being of children. Surveys of Habitat homeowners show improved grades, better financial health, parents who are more sure that they can meet their familys needs. Wherever we work, we witness tangible evidence that strong and stable homes help build strong and stable communities.

Dont Jump in Over Your Head

The biggest financial decision most of us ever make is buying a house. Too often in America, we find couples who are house poor. This means that they were convinced they should stretch to buy a home in their preferred neighborhood, their preferred school district, or with their preferred amenities, only to get several months into it and find they stretched too far.

If your total housing expense  which includes your rent or mortgage, insurance, taxes, maintenance, and utilities  is 40% or more of your total income, it will likely cause financial stress. Plus, it restricts the ability to give, save, and invest.

Keeping your total housing expense at 30% or below will relieve a great deal of stress. Have a look at our free mortgage amortization calculator. Be sure to include these items in your budget:

Utilities

Homeowner association fees

Property tax

Maintenance and repairs

Moving costs

Landscaping

Furniture and decor

A Case for Holding Off

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content (1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV).

It is always good to be patient. I am curious as to why you were planning to buy a year from now. If you were waiting to save more for a down payment, or to be in a better position with moving expenses, by all means, wait. Those who are content and patient make far better decisions than those who are hasty and impatient.

Dos and Donts

Do have 20% or more of the purchase price for a down payment.

Do have at least 3 months in an emergency savings account before you purchase the house.

Do have at least $10,000 set aside for moving, repairs, and unexpected costs.

Dont buy more than you can comfortably afford.

Dont buy a home that is not likely to improve in value.

Dont make improvements that will cause you to lose money in the long run.

I hope this helps you to make a better decision. My guess is that mortgage rates will be low for quite some time, so be patient and make a wise decision that will bring you and your family years of joy.
Commonwealth Bank has apologised after millions of Australians were unable to use their web banking services or physical bank cards on Friday evening.

"Were aware some services are not available and are urgently investigating. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience.", a spokesperson for the bank said just after 7.30pm.

Half an hour later, the spokesperson said that services were returning to normal and that the bank would continue to monitor the situation.

"We apologise to all our customers affected by this interruption on a Friday evening," they said.
NEW DELHI: Bihar Police BPSSC Recruitment 2020 has released a notification for competitive examinations to fill 1998 posts of Police Sub Inspector and 215 Deputy Under Inspector (Attendant) under the state Home Department (Reserve Branch) for the year 2020.

The online application process to fill forms for Bihar Police Sub-Inspector Recruitment 2020 by BPSSC will commence from August 16, 2020. Candidates are advised to visit the official website of BPSSC  bpssc.bih.nic.in to fill the registration.

The BPSSC recruitment 2020 registration process will begin on August 16, 2020 and continue till September 24, 2020.

BPSSC Recruitment 2020 important dates:

BPSSC registration online application: August 16, 2020

Last date for BPSSC online registeration: September 24, 2020

Vacancy details:

Sub Inspector: 1998 posts

Sergeant: 215 posts

The pay scale for the posts is Rs 35,400 - 112,400.

Educational qualification: A candidate is required to have a graduate degree from a recognised college university on or before August 1.

Age limit: For male candidates belonging to unreserved category, the minimum age limit is 20 years and the maximum should be 37 years, as on January 1, 2020. On the other hand, for female candidates, the minimum and maximum age restrictions have been fixed at 20 and 40 years.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Myositis Association (TMA) is pleased to announce that Grammy Award winning artist, Peter Frampton, will open TMA's Virtual International Annual Patient Conference scheduled for September 11-13, 2020. Frampton is among the most celebrated guitarists in rock history. Frampton was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a rare degenerative muscular disease, and recently completed his Farewell Tour in the United States. Frampton is a staunch public advocate for awareness of IBM and increasing research and research funding for myositis diseases.

TMA's Virtual International Annual Patient Conference is TMA's premiere myositis patient education event. For more than a quarter-century, TMA has provided the world's largest myositis patient, care partner, industry and global expert gathering at its Annual Patient Conference. This conference provides a unique opportunity to come together to address myositis research, technological advancements, clinical care best practices, support, resources and helps to empower myositis patients worldwide.

TMA's Virtual Annual Patient Conference will bring together over 500 people living with myositis, their family members, and the medical community to learn how to live more fully with one of these rare, debilitating diseases of the muscles. This year's Annual Patient Conference theme, @Home, unites us virtually from around the world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19.

Featured among the weekend's 34 expert speakers will be members of TMA's Medical Advisory Board, comprised of 21 of the world's foremost myositis experts from such distinguished US institutions as University of Pittsburgh, Washington University, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Myositis Center, the NIH, University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University, Oregon Health & Science University, Tulane University, UCLA, UC Irvine, and SUNY-Bingham. These experts will be joined by their international colleagues from France, United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. Peter Frampton said, "It's the researchers and the clinicians who fill me with hope. I have to thank them all, for everything they do for us. We as patients become the recipients of their expertise and insight."

In addition to expert lead sessions, this conference will offer unique opportunities for patients, family members, and care partners to connect and re-connect with other myositis patients, care partners, experts and industry partners in one of TMA's interactive chat rooms or social events. Attendees with have opportunities to gain new insights, engage in thoughtful dialogue, share experiences, ask questions, support one another or just catch up and learn about tips and tricks others have discovered for coping with myositis. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with our 15 exhibitors and sponsors at their exhibit booths.

Additionally, TMA is offering unique interactive programming to bring the virtual experience to life, "We know that no matter how engaging the sessions are, people need more from these virtual events than just listening to engaging speakers. TMA is excited to offer powerful interactive sessions including our cook-a-long which will get our members up and moving and learning critical skills for adaptive cooking," says TMA Executive Director Mary McGowan. "Our virtual tour of a recent home modification will allow attendees to journey along with a fellow member as he works on the challenges of home modification himself to accommodate his debilitating disease. And our networking and fireside chat sessions will allow the community to come together in communion to share and support one another in face-to-face chats with the support of our trained support group leaders. This promises to be an extraordinary global event.

About Myositis

Myositis is a rare autoimmune disease of the muscles that causes muscle damage and chronic disability. With severe weakness, pain, fatigue, debilitating skin rashes, and other often life-threatening symptoms, patients find it difficult to perform even simple day-to-day activities, including walking, climbing stairs, and raising their arms to comb their hair.

Myositis has several forms, including dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, necrotizing myopathy, and juvenile forms of the disease. Patients may also face other life-threatening disorders, such as interstitial lung disease, antisynthetase syndrome, difficulty swallowing, and a higher risk of cancer and other diseases. There is no cure for myositis.

About The Myositis Association (TMA)

The Myositis Association is the leading international nonprofit organization committed to the global community of people living with myositis, their care partners, family members, and the medical community. TMA has provided over $7million to help advance the field of myositis research and TMA provides patient education and support, advocacy, and physician education. To learn more about myositis go to www.myositis.org .

SOURCE The Myositis Association

Related Links

myositis.org


Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:24:36|Editor: huaxia

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BANGKOK, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand on Friday reported a whopping 17 new COVID-19 cases, all now under state quarantine, with 15 of them being Thais who have recently returned from India.

According to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the cases from India include nine men and six women.

All the 15 tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug. 12, while they were in state quarantine in Thailand's eastern province of Chon Buri, and were all asymptomatic, said Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, the CCSA spokesman.

The other two were a Thai returnee from the United States and a Thai student who returned from Australia.

Taweesin said the government's Travel Bubble Plan is now shelved as second wave infections are sweeping across many countries including New Zealand.

"It is very costly to treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19, it costs the health and well-being of citizens as well as the Thai economy," said Taweesin, "Our Thai skies will remain closed for now."

The Ministry of Education on Thursday granted full resumption of class attendance in all schools across the nation.

The ministry, however, admitted that it is eyeing the situation with a tinge of anxiety and caution.

The ministry said it will see if any infection will occur after two to three weeks of schooling.

Cumulative infections in Thailand, to date, are 3,376, with 3,173 recoveries and 58 deaths, while 145 others are still being treated in hospitals. Enditem
New Delhi: Markets ended with marginal losses for the second straight day on Thursday.

After opening on a positive note, the BSE Sensex pared all gains to settle 59.14 points or 0.15 per cent lower at 38,310.49. The NSE Nifty slipped 7.95 points or 0.07 per cent to finish at 11,300.45.

Here are Stocks in focus on August 14, 2020

ICICI Bank

The board of the ICICI Bank is scheduled to meet today to decide on the details of the QIP.

Hero MotoCorp

The country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp on Thursday reported a 95.38 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 57.78 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, on account of lower sales due to coronavirus pandemic. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 1,256.69 crore during April-June period of previous fiscal.

Eicher Motors

Eicher Motors on Thursday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 55 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, with sales adversely hit due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 452 crore in April-June period of last fiscal. Total revenue declined 66 per cent in first quarter to Rs 818 crore as compared with Rs 2,382 crore in the same period of 2019-20, Eicher Motors said in a statement.

Tata Steel

Domestic steel major Tata Steel on Thursday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 4,648.13 crore for the quarter ended June, mainly on account of reduced income. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 714.03 crore during the same period a year ago, Tata Steel said in a BSE filing. Total income dropped to Rs 24,481.09 crore during the quarter under review, from Rs 36,198.21 crore earlier.

BPCL

Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) on Thursday reported nearly doubling of net profit in the June quarter after inventory gains offset a decline in refining margins and fuel sales. Standalone net profit in April-June stood at Rs 2,076.17 crore compared with Rs 1,075.12 crore a year back, the company said in a regulatory filing.
What lies beyond the pandemic? MassForward is MassLives series examining the journey of Massachusetts businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.

___________

The coronavirus pandemic has done all it could to dismantle Worcesters Renaissance. Dozens of restaurants across the city navigate through uncertain futures. Concert and performance venues have been emptied for months. College campuses are vacant.

On Thursday, though, Worcester fought back with a pair of ceremonies that injected life into the citys future.

City officials celebrated as the final beam of steel became part of Polar Park in the morning. A few hours later, many of the same faces broke ground on Table Talk Pies 120,000-plus square foot bakery within the former Crompton & Knowles Complex in the Main South Neighborhood.

Its perfect bookends to a great day in Worcester, City Manager Edwards Augustus Jr. said. Ill tell you, 2020 has been a sucky year in Worcester, a sucky year in the country between COVID and all sorts of other challenges, but its so nice to have days like today where we can remind ourselves of all the progress thats going on in the city.

Despite all the speed bumps 2020 laid out in front of each project, officials said Polar Park is scheduled to be complete on time in April of 2021, and Table Talk Pies facility should open in August of 2021.

39 Polar Park topping off ceremony

When the company announced the project in January, the original completion date for the new bakery was June of next year.

The delays havent soured Table Talk Pies owner Harry Kokkinis.

The one advantage we have is people love to eat pies. No matter its good times or bad times, Kokkinis said. Pies are a comfort food.

Kokkinis compared the pandemic to the Great Recession of 2008 when the company continued to invest in itself.

As long as the virus doesnt impact peoples desire to eat pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, I think well be OK, Kokkinis said.

As the city prepares to climb out of the pandemic in 2021, Table Talk Pies will be adding at least 50 jobs as it moves to its new home.

Table Talk says it plans to employ 180 full-time operation staff at the new location, including 130 current full-time production staff that will relocate from the Kelley Square bakery. More than 60% of Table Talks employees live in Worcester.

As part of the Tax Increment Financing policy with the city, all employees would earn $15 an hour within six months after beginning at the company.

This day is not just a groundbreaking for a building, its groundbreaking for opportunities, Augustus said. Theres going to be decades of people who are going to come to work every day at Table Talk and with the paychecks theyre going to earn coming here every day, theyre going to put their kids through college. Theyre going to buy a house. Theyre going to do all the things that are a part of the American dream.

Table Talk Pies was founded in 1924 in Worcester by Theodore Tonna and Angelo Cotsidas, two Greek immigrants who came to the U.S. looking to better the lives of their families.

Kokkinis said the company never wants to lose sight of its roots, including its current home. The company has started to speak with parties potentially interested in the Green Street location, nestled next to Polar Park.

Now that we finally figure out our home and stuff, were starting to look at that a bit, Kokkinis said. All I know is we want to make sure Table Talk still has a presence in Kelley Square and that our store is still there. That old building, 153 Green Street, that means a lot to us.

Table Talks new home is seven acres of blank canvas ready for demolition and construction.

As it searched for the location, Kokkinis mother had only one request: that Table Talk Pies remain in Worcester.

I can finally go back to telling my mom, I listened to you this time, Kokkinis said.

Related Content:
The company awarded a potential $135 million state contract doesnt appear to have been penalized for its past work building Floridas dysfunctional unemployment system.

Neither a negative recommendation by the states unemployment agency nor $8 million in penalties appears to have counted against Deloitte Consulting before it was selected for the new contract, according to a Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald review of the Agency for Health Care Administrations bid process and the companys applications.

A critical factor that boosted Deloittes odds in scoring the new contract was that the bidding process the agency created for the job of overhauling the states Medicaid data intentionally downplayed each companys past performance.

Any fines levied against the companies by a government agency since 2014 counted for just 10 out of a possible 1,000 points. Despite being penalized $8 million during the duration of its work on Floridas unemployment system  which was partially covered in the five-year time frame  Deloitte scored a perfect 10 out of 10. (Deloitte representatives assert the firm has not had any involvement in Floridas unemployment system since 2015.)

The companys top competitor, Accenture, scored just 1 out of 10.

And although the Department of Economic Opportunity responded no when asked whether it would hire Deloitte again, the scoring system the state created does not appear to include penalties for a negative recommendation.

Asking for answers about bid process

Deloitte also netted a positive recommendation from a different state agency for recent work. Accenture got positive marks from two state agencies  and no negative reviews.

Two state lawmakers are now saying the states bidding laws should be rewritten because of Deloittes latest award. State Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, called it egregious.

This is what Im calling for, an overhaul of how we rank bids, the whole bid process, Rouson said. It seems to me that prior negative experience that causes an investigation should factor more heavily in future bidding.

Story continues

Agency for Health Care Administration spokeswoman Katie Strickland declined to comment. Since the state announced last week that it would award Deloitte the contract, two bid protests have been filed, preventing the state from answering questions, she said.

A screenshot of CONNECT, Floridas $63 million unemployment insurance website.

The agency has also refused to release selection committee notes that might help explain why Deloitte edged out Accenture, saying that whatever notes might exist were not a public record under Florida law.

They also did not release records indicating whether Deloitte was penalized for its work building the state unemployment system, or how much each company bid on the project, citing an exemption in Florida public records law that allows private companies to keep trade secrets from becoming public information.

In winning the Medicaid contract, Deloitte edged out Accenture by just 14 points, scoring 755 compared to 741. Although five companies bid on the project, including IBM, Deloitte and Accentures top scores allowed them to move on to negotiations with the state.

Negotiating while CONNECT was failing

The agencys team of negotiators settled on Deloitte this year even while CONNECT, the unemployment system the firm built, was melting down. More than a million Floridians waited months to receive unemployment checks, with many begging lawmakers, state officials and reporters for help. Some said desperation led them to contemplate suicide. Many are still waiting for help.

Deloitte successfully negotiated the contract even as Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the firms work in news conferences. On May 4, DeSantis said he was opening an investigation into the companys 2011 contract with the state. He said that while hes not happy that Deloitte was selected for the Medicaid contract, he cant legally intervene.

One of the only tools the state has to stop Deloitte from finalizing the deal is to cancel the procurement process outright and have firms reapply. That could delay the project for at least another year.

Obviously, I dont want Deloitte getting contracts, personally, because were investigating what happened with the unemployment system, DeSantis said at a Tuesday news conference.

DeSantis said that during negotiations, Deloitte dramatically lowered its initial bid, which tied the hands of state officials.

However, the agency did not have to decide on the company based on price. Under state law, the agency had to decide which company provided the best value, a vague term that gives state officials wide discretion in awarding multimillion-dollar contracts in a complicated process that can take years to play out.

During the states negotiations to overhaul the SunPass toll system, the Florida Department of Transportation discarded its own bidding rules in choosing Conduent, prompting competitors to file protests. In a highly unusual move, the department then in 2015 paid one of the protesting firms $3.6 million to go away.

The most recent contract won by Deloitte earlier this month would overhaul how Florida handles its Medicaid program. Its a change the federal government has been pushing for nearly half a decade, and the upgrades will be funded 90% by the feds.

Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, has long agreed the state is in need of such an overhaul, arguing Floridas current system is not equipped to properly track patients through various state agencies.

Allowing government entities to communicate with each other more easily is essentially what Deloitte was asked to do when it won the bid to build Floridas unemployment system, Harrell said. The company did not build such a system, she said.

Harrell said Deloittes winning the Medicaid contract calls into question the entire state bidding process.

Because of the many problems weve had with the unemployment system, were going to be looking very carefully across the whole enterprise, Harrell said.
Exchange Income Corp., the Winnipeg company that owns regional airlines in Manitoba and the East Coast as well as a number of other aviation, aerospace and manufacturing companies, reported revenue down 25 per cent and net earnings down 81 per cent for the second quarter.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Exchange Income Corp., the Winnipeg company that owns regional airlines in Manitoba and the East Coast as well as a number of other aviation, aerospace and manufacturing companies, reported revenue down 25 per cent and net earnings down 81 per cent for the second quarter.

But company CEO Mike Pyle said traffic on its airlines, which includes Perimeter Aviation and Calm Air, is back up to around 50 cent after having fallen to about 10 per cent of its previous volume.

The company recently completed the acquisition of a small U.S. window company and its Newfoundland aviation company, PAL Aerospace, was recently awarded a 10-year contract with Netherlands Defence.

During the quarter, the company continued to pay its shareholders a dividend, reduced its net debt and funded capital projects.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 50 cents, or 1.2 percent, to USD 41.72 a barrel at 0301 GMT, while Brent crude futures were up 40 cents, or 0.9 percent, at USD 44.80 a barrel.

Oil prices climbed on Monday, supported by Saudi optimism on Asian demand and an Iraqi pledge to deepen supply cuts, although uncertainty over a deal to shore up the US economic recovery capped gains.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 50 cents, or 1.2 percent, to USD 41.72 a barrel at 0301 GMT, while Brent crude futures were up 40 cents, or 0.9 percent, at USD 44.80 a barrel. Both benchmark contracts fell on Friday, hurt by demand concerns, but Brent still ended the week up 2.5 percent, with WTI up 2.4 percent.

"Comments from the weekend from Aramco are the driver at the moment," said Michael McCarthy, market strategist at CMC Markets and Stockbroking.

Saudi Arabian Aramco's Chief Executive Amin Nasser said on Sunday he sees oil demand rebounding in Asia as economies gradually open up after the easing of coronavirus lockdowns. "He painted a rosy picture on the outlook for demand in the Asian region," McCarthy said.

On the supply side, Iraq said on Friday it would cut its oil output by a further 400,000 barrels per day in August and September to compensate for its overproduction in the past three months. The move would help it comply with its share of cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, together called OPEC+.

The sharper cut will take Iraq's total reduction to 1.25 million bpd this month and next. "Saudi Arabia and Iraq forging better relationships over the oil deal are excellent for the compliance outlook," AxiCorp market strategist Stephen Innes said in a note.

The Saudi and Iraqi energy ministers said in a joint statement that OPEC+ efforts would improve the stability of global oil markets, accelerate its balancing and send positive signals to the markets.

While hopes grew on stalled talks between US Democrats and the White House on a new support package for cash-strapped US states hit by the coronavirus pandemic, delays in reaching a deal weighed on the market.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin both said they were willing to restart talks on a deal to cover the rest of 2020. "The longer this drags on the worse it is for the demand scenario," McCarthy said.
GUILDERLAND  Rezsin Adams, a diminutive woman who left a giant impact on activism in her adopted hometown of Albany over six decades, died Wednesday after several years of declining health. She was 93.

Even if the Grannies for Peace rally outside the state Capitol had only one granny on a given week, she probably was about 5 feet tall, wore eyeglasses and a slogan-emblazoned sweatshirt and had flaxen hair that silvered over the years. That was Adams.

At an Albany County Democratic Committee meeting more than 40 years ago, after Albanys monarchical mayor, Erastus Corning II, called for voice acclamation of the committees entire slate of candidates and only two nays were heard, one came from Adams.

When students got arrested in the 1960s and 70s for protests against the war in Vietnam, police shackled Adams alongside them. In 1990, at age 63, she was arrested for the last time, again during a demonstration with students opposed to a new foreign conflict, the Gulf War.

I dont ever recall knowing a spirit as indomitable as hers, said Jackaline Ring, president of the Center Square Association, of which Adams was one of the earliest members, having moved to the Albany neighborhood in 1959, a year after the associations founding.

When, at age 79, Adams was still climbing Center Square stoops to solicit signatures for Democratic candidates, she was shocked to discover that Ring was an enrolled Republican as a result of being an appointee of former Gov. George Pataki.

Thats not possible! Ring recalls Adams saying. Ring added, She seemed shocked that a Republican had snuck onto the block. I told her that was my party affiliation but it wasnt where my heart was, and she seemed to understand.

She was a neighborhood and social-justice icon, said Richard Conti, who has represented Center Square and surrounding neighborhoods in the citys Sixth Ward on the Common Council since the late 1990s. Although Adams initially opposed his candidacy, they became friends. Conti said, When we went door to door meeting voters, she'd always want to go to that next door, no matter the hour.

In addition to elections and the activism that led to handcuffs, Adams helped with breakfasts for the homeless several mornings a week into her late 80s, cooked lasagna and pies every month for 39 years for an activist group she co-founded, sued the government over land use and tax assessments, ran a mimeograph machine in the basement of her Chestnut Street home for untold thousands of mailings, visited China many times as a member of the U.S. China Peoples Friendship Association and babysat generations of children, always donating the proceeds to one of her causes.

Among them was Save the Pine Bush, a community organization Adams helped establish in 1978. It was so busily litigious in its opposition to the development of the inland pine barren in Albany and Schenectady counties that, on the groups 25th anniversary, Adams noted it was the first time in its history that Save the Pine Bush didnt have a pending court case.

Adams activism started early, at age 10, when the Bronx native was scolded by teachers at P.S. 102 for collecting pennies to donate in support of communist forces in the Spanish Civil War. She opposed the Vietnam and Gulf wars, rallied for feminist causes and abortion rights, co-founded the Social Justice Center in Albany in 1981, cheered on young activists demonstrating at Albany International Airport in 2017 after President Trump banned visitors from Muslim-majority countries and broadcast a WRPI radio show about activism for about 20 years. Though she rarely if ever introduced herself on the air, her Bronx accent was so distinctive that strangers would identify her from having heard her reading articles about progressive causes and movements.

We were at the (carousel) at the State Museum, and someone told her, I used to listen to your show. That sort of thing happened a lot, said Frances Adams, Rezsin Adams daughter. A retired university librarian in New York City, Frances Adams said, I am proud of everything she did.

Injustice in many forms was so obvious to her that she felt she had to do something about it, said Lynne Jackson, who, in her early 20s, met Adams at a Common Council hearing about developers requests to build housing in the Pine Bush. They went on to spend decades fighting together as leaders of Save the Pine Bush.

I didnt meet her until that night, but Id certainly heard of her, and even then she was spoken of in reverent tones, Jackson said.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Despite the fervor Adams felt toward her causes, She was gentle and kind, said Nancy Burton, who, with Adams help, successfully ran an insurgent campaign for a seat on the Common Council in 1977, holding it for three terms. Burton, who was later elected city comptroller, added, The only anger in her as a person was the righteous anger for human rights and environmental protections. Burton and Adams were arrested together in 1985, during an anti-apartheid demonstration. Their families spent December holidays together for decades, Burton said.

Adams first name, Rezsin, was pronounced with an h in the middle, as Burtons husband, Peter Leue, found out early on. Invoking one of Hollywoods Gabor sisters, Adams told Leue, Like Zsa Zsa. Her name is Hungarian, in honor of her mother's heritage.

Born in the Bronx on Feb. 13, 1927, she was the daughter of Emil Benjamin and Ruth Pollack-Benjamin, liberal parents who let her roam the city even at a young age. Her father ran three stores that sold greeting cards  said to be the first in the city to carry the Hallmark line  and the family had a weekend home on the Connecticut border.

At the University of Rochester in the late 1940s, Adams majored in biology and worked at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole on Cape Cod. There, one of her teachers was Rachel Carson, who in 1962 published "Silent Spring," a seminal book on environmentalism.

Adams met her future husband, Ted Adams, another student, on her 18th birthday in a bar in Rochester. They married two years later and raised two children, moving to Albany when Ted got a teaching post. An English professor at the University at Albany, he died in 2011. Although she had earned a masters degree in physiology, Adams held only a few paying jobs, in early adulthood, otherwise making a career of her volunteer activism.

Adams told the Times Union in 2017 that she began protesting a war in the early 1960s before it had a name. "A young minister from Schenectady came to our meeting with a map and he pointed to Vietnam, which we didn't even know how to spell or pronounce at the time," she said.

The activism slowed only in the past few years. Adams cherished being in her beloved Chestnut Street home from 1959 until 2011, when she moved to an apartment down the block. For the past year or so, she had lived in care facilities in Colonie and Guilderland, where she died on Wednesday.

In additions to Frances Adams, Rezsin Adams is survived by son-in-law David Patterson, son David Bleecker-Adams, daughter-in-law Elaine Bleecker-Adams and grandchildren Esme and Zayda Bleecker-Adams.

A memorial service is planned for the future. Frances Adams said that while her mother did not designate specific recipients for donations in her memory, she would have considered any liberal or progressive organization that gets donors fired up to be a worthy cause.
It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression, said Republican Senator John Cornyn

Washington: Two American senators on Thursday introduced a bipartisan resolution in the Senate condemning China's aggression towards India to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control between the two Asian giants.

The resolution by Senator John Cornyn, who is the Republican Senate Majority Whip, and Senator Mark Warner, who is ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, follows instances of Chinese military forces harassing Indian patrols as well as increased troop deployments and infrastructure construction in contested areas.

Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus. As a co-founder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the United States and India, Cornyn said.

I commend Indias commitment to standing up to China and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter stand-off in several areas along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since 5 May. The situation deteriorated after the 15 June Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died.

The 15 June conflict between China and India, resulting in the deaths of approximately 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding the People's Republic of China's provocative actions in disputed territory, said Warner. This resolution condemns PRCs actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; and encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC, he said.

The US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values, it said. "That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, Warner said.

In a joint press statement, the senators said that the deadly conflict broke out on 15 June, 2020, on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that separates the People's Republic of China (PRC or China) and the Indian regions of Ladakh and Sikkim.
Turkey vowed to continue fighting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Iraq a day after a Turkish drone strike targeting the group killed Iraqi border guards.

On Wednesday, Turkeys Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it wants Iraqi cooperation against the PKK but is prepared to act unilaterally.

Our country is ready to cooperate with Iraq in this regard, read a statement published by the state-run Anadolu Agency. However, if the PKK presence in Iraq continues to be tolerated, Turkey is determined to take the necessary measures for the security of its borders, wherever it may be.

On Tuesday, a Turkish drone strike killed two Iraqi border guards and their driver in the Bradost area of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Bradost is a mountainous area close to the Turkish border. The strike targeted a meeting between the border officials and PKK fighters. Kurdish peshmerga forces control the Kurdistan Region, but federal Iraqi forces have a presence near the border.

The PKK fights for greater Kurdish political and cultural rights in Turkey. It has long based itself in the Qandil Mountains along the Kurdistan Regions border with Turkey. Both the Iraq federal and the Kurdistan Region governments have called on the PKK and Turkey to stop operating in the area. Turkey and the United States consider the PKK a terrorist organization.

Turkey regularly targets the PKK in Iraq. Ankara began an expanded air and ground offensive against the group in the country in June.

After the strike that killed the border guards, Iraq canceled a planned visit by Turkeys defense minister. Past condemnations from Iraqi authorities have failed to stop Turkeys attacks. Turkey maintains several military bases in northern Iraq.

Last week, Turkey struck apparent PKK targets in the Kurdistan Regions Sulaimaniyah province near the border with Iran.
On July 25, the MV Wakashio, a freight vessel owned by the Japanese firm Okiyo Maritime Corp., a subsidiary of Nagashiki Shipping Co. Ltd., collided with a coral reef barrier near the southern coast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Nearly two weeks later, on August 6, the vessel began to leak approximately a thousand metric tons of its fuel into the surrounding waters. This week, as the spill grew from covering 3.3 km2 to 27 km2, the Mauritian government claims to have successfully pumped 3,000 of the remaining 4,000 tons of fuel from the ships hold.

MV Wakashio hull damage. Source: submitted to the WSWS by a Mauritian worker

The spill will have a devastating impact on the surrounding areas incredibly biodiverse ecology. The vessel ran aground approximately a mile off the coast of the Ile aux Aigrettes (Egrets Island) and the Pointe DEsny Wetland. The former is home to a large number of rare and endangered wildlife and includes the worlds only remaining patch of Mauritian dry coastal forest. This particular terrain is hypothesized by scientists to have been the preferred habitat of the now extinct species that was native only to this exact region of the worldthe dodo bird.

Pointe DEsny Wetland was established in 2001 as an area covered under the Ramsar Convention, which is also known as the convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. In 2017, when the Ramsar Conventions leadership partnered with United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) World Heritage Center (WHC), the area became an officially protected site by the two conventions.

The fuel leak also threatens the Mahebourg fishing reserve, which lies barely a few miles to the north of the grounded freighter. Happy Khambule, the senior climate and energy campaign manager for Greenpeace Africa, stated that [t]housands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe dEsny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius economy, food security, and health.

Copernicus Sentinel data 2020. Source: Wikimedia Commons

On August 7, the Mauritian government under Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth (Militant Socialist Movement/MSM) declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance. The administration then mobilized the countrys National Coast Guard (NCG) as well as the assistance of Polyeco, a privately held waste management firm based in Greece. French President Emmanuel Macron issued a tweet of support for the Jugnauth government and announced that that France would be deploying teams and equipment, which would consist of both from military and civilian personnel from the nearby French overseas department and region of Reunion.

The Greenpeace International senior portfolio manager and former environmental advisor to the Mauritian Prime Minister Mokshanand Sunil Dowarkasing (MSM) announced that the cleanup involved removing the remaining fuel from the vessel while avoiding breaking vessel in half, which could result in the further release of the toxic liquid.

Like many shipping vessels, the MV Wakashio was registered in a country unrelated to its owners, in this case Panama. Shipping lines shop around for countries with looser regulations in a system referred to as flags of convenience. This enables them to pay lower wages, provide worse accommodations for their crew, and cut corners on maintenance. In 2019, ships registered to Panama accounted for 30 percent of all ships detained for failing port inspections across the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius, Madagascar, and eastern coast of Mozambique. Map data  OpenStreetMap contributors

The disaster has sparked widespread concern by the Mauritian population. As a measure of this outpouring, a public Facebook group of more than 40,000 members was created specifically for the purpose of civilian volunteers to coordinate cleanup activities. There have been many reports of Mauritians of all ages donating locks of their hair to be used for the absorption of the leaked fuel.

In the wake of the recent July 11 protests against the Jugnauth administration, the popular concern for the environmental impact of the fuel spill has also taken on a broad anti-government character. As the WSWS reported, last months demonstrations were held in response to the savage austerity policies that were carried out in the name of protecting the Mauritian population against COVID-19. Jugnauth has also received bitter criticism over his handling of the situation facing its thousands of stranded maritime workers who have spent months waiting to be returned from marooned vessels around the world. The government was widely denounced by workers for implementing exorbitant repatriation fees as a boon for its major tourism companies.

A Mauritian worker, in a statement given anonymously to the WSWS for fear of retaliation by the state, denounced the role of the Jugnauth administration in the handling of the MV Wakashio disaster. I think our government is at fault, completely. The NCG was aware that there was a potential problem, and while they were in a position to do something about it, they didnt take any action.

MV Wakashio Oil Spill on southern coast of Mauritius Island. Map data  OpenStreetMap contributors

Referring to the exclusion of local Mauritian news outlets at Jugnauths press conferences which were recently held in Blue Bay, a coastal area close to the spill, the worker continued, our Prime Minister is acting like a dictator now. All of the civil servants are his own menthe police commissioner, the law, and the speaker in parliament. Many Mauritians really want Jugnauth to resign.

The worker also denounced the administrations recent crackdown on free speech, which has included the April 15 arrest of Rachna Seenauth, a former assistant to the Mauritian president, for creating a social media post that satirized the Jugnauth government. They have agents all over the internet just to patrol social media. If you post something that the Prime Minister doesnt like, hell send the police to arrest you without any warrant. Just imagine. 

Sundays Forbes article, in which its author practically salivates over what he doubtlessly views as potentially profitable solutions to global environmental shipping crises, makes clear that American business views such events not as crimes against the quality and safety of human life, but rather as opportunities to wrench profits from untapped markets. Whilst the technological revolution in favor of sustainability is being led by many innovative technology companies, policy making lags far behind. The disaster in Mauritius shows there is a need for(t)he creation of a global Ocean Mission Control to support local authorities around the world, particularly in poorer countries who would otherwise lack critical scale to access such resources. The governance of such a resource will need to be more akin to an agile, purpose-driven Silicon Valley startup than traditional international structures.

While Mauritian workers correctly oppose the blatant corruption of the Jugnauth government and the business interests it represents, they should be wary of attempts to channel their opposition behind both national and imperialist capitalist drives to profit from the Wakashio ecological disaster. There exists no genuine contingency for democratic rights or environmental protection among the political representatives of the Mauritian bourgeoisie, nor among the international capitalist class.
Balaram Baniya, the Nepalese journalist who reportedly wrote an article on Chinese encroachment in Rui village, has been found dead, police said.

The 50-year-old journalists body was found at the banks of Bagmati River near the hydropower project area in Mandu, Himalayan Times quoted the spokesperson at District Police Office (DPO), Makwanpur, as saying.

A team deployed from Area Police Office in Bhimphedi fished out his body from the river and sent it to Hetauda Hospital.

Baniya was last seen walking along the banks of Balkhu river. His location, according to his mobile phone, showed the same, after which the phone was switched off.

His family had filed a missing report with the police, following which a manhunt was launched to trace him, Kathmandu Post reported.

As per the application received for his search, which also contained his photo, it has been verified that the body that was found was that of journalist Baniya, according to the DPO.

According to Kathmandu Post, Baniya was associated with Kantipur Daily, a Nepali newspaper, since the papers initial days. He used to cover politics and parliament and later did extensive reporting on governance and bureaucracy. He reportedly wrote an article highlighting the Chinese encroachment in Rui village located in Gorkha district.

The journalists death comes amid the strained bilateral relations between India and Nepal after the Himalayan nation included the Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura in its controversial new political map.

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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 14.08.2020 - The immense scale of the explosion in the Lebanese capital on 4 August has severely affected the country's health system. On 13 and 14 August 2020, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs sent more Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit experts to Beirut.

The powerful explosion which occurred on 4 August 2020 damaged a large number of the city's hospitals. Four hospitals were severely affected and there is now a shortage of 500 beds which are urgently needed. Switzerland is therefore sending another six medical experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) to Beirut to provide assistance with healthcare for mothers and their children.

The Federal Air Transport Service aircraft flew the SHA members from Bern-Belp Airport to Beirut on Friday 14 August 2020, carrying on board an additional 1.5 tonnes of medical supplies for surgical operations, paediatric care and obstetrics. A rapid response team deployed by Swiss Humanitarian Aid, which falls under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), has been working in Beirut since 6 August 2020.

Damaged schools and hospitals

The shock wave caused by the explosion damaged countless buildings in the capital, including hospitals. An SHA construction expert in Beirut is currently overseeing the repair work on two hospitals, one of which will soon be able to start treating patients again. The Swiss team has already checked the stability of more than 80 public buildings in the city.

Thousands of pupils to return to school

The explosion also damaged more than 120 schools. Repairing these schools is essential so that the thousands of children and young people who have been affected can continue their education. With Switzerland's support, six schools should be ready by the start of the new school term in September.

CHF 5 million for the people of Beirut

Switzerland responded quickly to the humanitarian emergency caused by the explosion. Of the CHF 5 million in relief aid released by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, CHF 4 million has been allocated to the city's schools and health facilities. The remaining CHF 1 million will be halved between the Lebanese Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

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Belarus opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya issued a statement on August 14 in which she hailed the protests against the controversial election results and urged the countrys authorities to stop violence against the protesters.

According to a web translation of the new footage, Tsikhanouskaya said there was a need to stop violence on the streets of Belarus and urged the authorities to do so, and to take part in dialogue. She thanked those who, she said, refused to take part in criminal orders against citizens, and mentioned factory and utility workers who had gone out on strike.

Tsikhanouskaya left Belarus for Lithuania on August 11, Tut.by reported.. She said she made the decision to leave Belarus to protect the wellbeing of her family.

The protests and demonstrations have the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko for his sixth term with an overwhelming majority. Tsikhanouskaya claims the vote was rigged. Credit:   /Country for Life via Storyful
Fans have called out Victoria Beckham after she posted a picture to Instagram of son Brooklyn Beckham and his fiancee Nicola Peltz which appears to be Photoshopped.

The portrait, which was shared on Tuesday, shows the recently engaged couple posing in front of a sunset, with Beckham kissing Peltz on the cheek.

Initially fans flooded the fashion designers comments with praise, though it quickly turned to speculation.

Referencing the fact that Peltz is wearing a midi dress from her new fashion line, Beckham had captioned the picture: The sweetest couple at sunset @brookynbeckham and @nicolapeltz, looking so amazing in the #VBPAW20 rose print dress!

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Users noted that Peltz had previously shared a near identical photo except for the background. They suggested that the background had been changed from Peltz's post of the couple in the same pose standing in a city square.

While one Instagram user wrote: Thats cute but whats with the photoshop? its still beautiful [Sic]

Another pointed out that the apparently edited location made it look like theyre walking on water.

The 43-year-old has not yet responded to the speculation.

When Peltz posted the photo with the same pose earlier in the week she had simple captioned it baby b.

The couple became engaged last month, with the actress's diamond engagement ring worth a reported 300K.

21-year-old Beckham shared the news alongside a photo taken by his younger sister Harper Beckham.

Two weeks ago I asked my soulmate to marry me and she said yes, he wrote in the caption.

David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments Show all 20 1 /20 David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments For a reception hosted by Donatella Versace in London in 1999, the famous pair wore matching black leather outfits. In an interview with People magazine, David reminisced about the look and said: 'It was a lot of leather. We still have those outfits.' AFP/Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments Walking through Downtown New York in 2002, David wore a blue and white tracksuit with pristine white trainers while Victoria sported a more sophisticated outfit in a pair of wide-leg jeans, black stilettos, a grey jacket, and white tank top. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments David and Victoria Beckham attended the 2003 MTV Movie Awards wearing matching white outfits. The former pop star sported a lace-up Dolce and Gabbana dress white her husband wore a white tuxedo and his hair slicked back into a low ponytail. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments The pair arrived at an event at the Royal Albert Hall in 2004 with Victoria sporting yet another black corset top and black satin skirt and David wearing a black velour jacket, white shirt, jeans and a rosary bead necklace. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments The couple held hands as they left an event at Claridges Hotel in 2004, with Victoria dressed in a tangerine-coloured dress while David wore a black suit. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments The former singer wore a green corset and white midi skirt for The David Beckham Academy launch in Californian in Jun 2005. Meanwhile, the former Real Madrid footballer wore a grey suit with an open white shirt. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments Victoria wore a sheer floor-length floral-embroidered dress for her appearance at the Laureus World Sports Awards in 2005. Meanwhile, David wore a black tuxedo and a white shirt. Getty Images for Laureus David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments The couple matched in khaki and muted tonal outfits for the ninth day of the 63rd Venice Film Festival in 2006. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments For the Sport Industry Awards 2007, Victoria wore a black shift dress and a short blonde crop hair do' while her husband donned a black tuxedo, white shirt, and black top. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments Matching in an array of grey tones, the couple perfectly complemented each other's style at this Macy's event in 2008. Victoria wore a dark grey shift dress with thigh-high black boots while the former Manchester United star wore a pinstripe grey suit and black tie. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments The couple cut a demure figure at the 2008 Met Gala, which ran under the theme 'Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy' in New York. For the occasion, Victoria wore a white Giorgio Armani evening dress coat from the designer's autumn/winter 1989-90 collection, while her husband posed in a black tuxedo with a black bow tie. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments Attending an Adidas launch event in 2009, David kept it laid back in a grey hoodie, red and white shirt, and jeans while Victoria wore a figure-hugging black strapless dress and matching-coloured stilettos. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments Arriving at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, the pair looked elegant with the former Spice Girl dressed in a grey strapless gown from her autumn/winter 2012 collection and David in a Christian Dior suit. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments For the 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion'-themed 2014 Met Gala, the pair sported a matching white uniformed look, with Victoria dressing in white strapless self-designed dress with Jacob & Co jewellery. David posed in a white jacket, black trousers, and a black bow tie. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments For the British Fashion Awards in 2015, the couple wore matching black ensembles, with David dressed in a black tuxedo while his wife posed in black cropped trousers, jacket, and T-shirt. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments For the opening of the new Ken Paves Salon hosted by Eva Longoria in 2017, David and Victoria wore matching navy ensembles, with the former footballer dressed in a navy-coloured jacket, trilby hat, and white T-shirt, while Victoria sported a navy-coloured dress. David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments David and Victoria attended the Louis Vuitton Menswear autumn/winter 2018 show in Pairs both wearing loose-fitting trousers and long-line coats. For the occasion, the fashion designer sported a burgundy-coloured rollneck, candy-striped shirt, and orange trousers while her husband sported an all navy ensemble and white trainers. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments The pair jetted to Monaco to attend the draw for the UEFA Champions League tournament in 2018. Victoria posed on the red carpet in a classic LBD from her eponymous label with a pair of black strappy sandals, while David sported a black tuxedo and white shirt. AFP/Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding in May 2018, Victoria opted for a 1,495 navy midi dress from her pre-spring/summer 2019 collection and pair of coral pumps, while her husband dressed in grey coattails. Getty Images David and Victoria Beckham's most memorable fashion moments During London Fashion week in February 2019, David wore a camel-coloured trench coat with a white T-shirt while the former Spice Girl wore a black suit ensemble with a white chainmail-print shirt. Getty Images for YouTube

I am the luckiest man in the world. I promise to be the best husband and the best daddy one day. I love you baby xx.

The couple have been in a relationship for around nine months and returned to the UK earlier this summer after spending lockdown together in New York.
SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Anti-India rebels in Indian-controlled Kashmir attacked a police party in the disputed regions main city Friday, killing two officers and injuring another, police said.

Inspector-General Vijay Kumar said militants sprayed bullets at the police from a narrow lane on a busy highway in Srinagar amid heightened security to counter any possible rebel attacks on the eve of Indias independence day on Saturday.

Reinforcements of counterinsurgency police and soldiers were searching the area for the attackers.

None of the rebel groups that have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989 immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kumar said police have identified the attackers and would soon "neutralize them.

The attack comes amid near-daily fighting between Pakistani and Indian soldiers along the highly militarized frontier that divides Kashmir between the two nuclear-armed rivals.

India and Pakistan each claim the divided territory of Kashmir in its entirety. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.

Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
On the night of August 14, for the first time in five nights of protests, security forces did not try to disperse the protesters that held a peaceful rally at the Government House in Minsk, Belarus. By 17:00, many people gathered at the government building on Independence Square in Minsk, where the CEC is also located. The main requirement of the audience is a recount of votes. Several thousand people chant "Army with people!" and " Conversation!". The rally was peaceful and ended at 21: 00 with a minute of silence. After that, the audience went for a walk along Independence Avenue. During the rally on the square, riot police lowered their shields, many girls hugged the security forces and gave them flowers and balloons.
South Africa: Mantashe withdraws appeal against 2010 Mining Charter ruling

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) says the decision by Minister Gwede Mantashe to withdraw his appeal against the 2010 Mining Charter ruling, paves the way for certainty on the legal status of the 2018 Mining Charter.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the department said Mantashe has decided to withdraw his appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal against an April 2018 ruling by the High Court in relation to the (now repealed) Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry, 2010 (the 2010 Mining Charter).

The 2010 Mining Charter was repealed by the 2018 Mining Charter.

The withdrawal of the Ministers appeal does not signify any change of position in relation to the transformative measures in the Mining Charters. On the contrary, it paves the way to legal certainty over the current 2018 Mining Charter, which strengthens, enhances and extends the transformative measures that were previously set out in the 2010 Mining Charter, the department said.

In 2019, the Minerals Council, previously known as the Chamber of Mines, instituted proceedings in the High Court to take the 2018 Mining Charter on review. Its review application was heard by a full bench in May 2020.

During the course of the hearing, the department said, it became apparent that it would be prudent for the Minister to abandon his appeal in respect of the 2010 Mining Charter.

This is because some of the important issues, in relation to the 2018 Mining Charter, that were before the full bench would also have been heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal in relation to the 2010 Mining Charter.

The full bench expressed concern that this overlap may delay it in pronouncing upon all of the issues in the review of the 2018 Mining Charter. It was against this backdrop, and on advice from his legal team, that the Minister decided to withdraw his appeal in respect of the 2010 Charter, the department said.

The full bench, on 30 June 2020, ordered that the Minerals Council join the parties representing affected communities, trade unions and black economic empowerment entrepreneurs in the review proceedings in respect of the 2018 Mining Charter. It also ordered the Minerals Council to pay the costs of the application.

The department said the full bench will consider the merits of the review of the 2018 Mining Charter once the Minerals Council has complied with the Order made on 30 June 2020.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Biden could have gone another way. If he had chosen Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), for example, he would have empowered a large section of his party that is seeking a break from its foreign policy past. Progressive Democrats are pushing for smaller defense budgets, less foreign intervention, more respect for sovereignty in other countries and the withdrawal of U.S. troops abroad. Biden and Harris are promising a robust U.S. foreign policy in which America re-invests in multilateral organizations, confronts adversaries including Russia and China aggressively, and pushes the promotion of liberal values such as democracy and human rights.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he will attend the next Senate hearing on alleged corruption and irregularities at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

We have to go. We have to respect the institution's order for me to be present, Duque told CNN Philippines in an interview on Thursday.

The Senate Committee of the Whole, where all senators are members, has held two hearings on the issues hounding the government-managed health insurance company.

Some senators expressed hope that Duque will join the third hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, as they questioned the health chiefs silence on the PhilHealth mess.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier noted that Duque was the "big elephant" that was missing in the room during previous legislative inquiries.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said that she expects Duque to tell what he knows about the supposed irregularities within the agency. She has pointed out that the DOH chiefs experience and connection with PhilHealth date back to 2001.

Among the issues hounding the government-managed health insurance fund is its implementation of interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) funds or cash advances given to hospitals to ensure liquidity amid the COVID-19 crisis. A resigned officer from the corporation claimed during one of the Senate hearings that senior officials pocketed funds from the IRM. PhilHealth refuted the accusation.

Senators also raised the possibility of favoritism on IRM releases, but PhilHealth officials denied the allegation, saying they followed existing rules and regulations on the provision of cash advances.

CNN Philippines Correspondent David Santos contributed to this report
Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

A study comparing coronavirus exposure in London and Stockholm casts more doubt over herd immunity.

It found that the two capital cities had the same infection rate  17%  earlier in the summer.

This is despite the UK and Sweden taking very different approaches to the coronavirus pandemic.

Unlike the UK and most other countries, Sweden opted against strict lockdown measures.

This decision was taken partly in the belief that herd immunity was achievable.

Sweden's state epidemiologist predicted that 40% of Stockholm would have antibodies by May.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Stockholm and London both had the same coronavirus infection rates earlier in the summer, according to a new study, casting yet more doubt on the herd immunity theory.

Unlike most European countries, Sweden did not implement strict lockdown measures in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Instead, it allowed shops, bars, and restaurants to remain largely open and students to attend school.

The United Kingdom like most other countries imposed a nationwide lockdown, with Boris Johnson's government closing offices, schools, and the hospitality industry, and restricting social contact between individuals.

Sweden's state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, who is widely credited as the architect of the country's contentious response to the pandemic, justified Sweden's response by saying countries that imposed strict lockdowns would most likely suffer large second waves later in the year, whereas Sweden's would be smaller.

In April, he predicted that by May 40% of people in the Sweden's capital Stockholm would have developed coronavirus antibodies.

However, a study carried out by University College London academics and published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, estimated that the level of infection in Stockholm in April was actually around 17%  the same level as in London, according to analysis of tests carried out in England's capital in April and May.

Story continues

The study poses a further challenge to herd immunity  the theory that a population will become immune to the coronavirus when at least 60% of people catch it.

Sweden opted against strict lockdown measures partly in the belief that this level of infection was achievable in the foreseeable future.

Dr Simon Clarke, a professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, told The Daily Mail newspaper: "Natural herd immunity, generated by letting COVID-19 sweep through a population, may have been an appealing notion to some because of the lack of a lockdown or curbs on people's freedoms, but it was nothing more than an idea which lacked supporting data.

"The Swedish experience of attempting to achieve this, compared to other Nordic countries responses, resulted in much higher numbers of infections and deaths per capita, in addition to a prolonged outbreak," he continued.

"These findings should prove a salutary warning, that appealing concepts and theories require supporting data when people's lives are at stake and should not be used to fit pre-conceived narratives."

5,770 people in Sweden have died after testing positive for coronavirus as of Wednesday morning, giving it one of Europe's highest death tolls per capita.

The figure is far higher than in neighboring countries with similar political systems and social customs. Its per-capita death figure is more than five times Denmark's, more than 11 times Norway's, and almost 10 times Finland's.

The UK 'nearly trod the same path' as Sweden

Anders Tegnell. ANDERS WIKLUND/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

There is currently insufficient evidence that coronavirus antibodies provide immunity to the virus. People who catch a virus usually develop antibodies, which can be measured by tests.

It is not clear, howver, whether having antibodies offers total  or even partial  immunity to COVID-19, or how long such an effect may last.

A study by Kings College London published last month found that while 60% of people with the coronavirus had "potent" antibodies, just 17% had the same level of potency three months later. The potency of the antibodies fell by as much as 23 times over the three months and in some cases antibodies were undetectable at the end of that period of time.

The findings put "another nail in the coffin of the dangerous concept of herd immunity," Jonathan Heeney, a professor of virology at the University of Cambridge, said at the time.

Prime Minister Johnson's UK government has denied initially trying to pursue a strategy of herd immunity before it was warned that it would lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

An Italian health minister in June said Johnson revealed his plan to pursue herd immunity in a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on March 13, a little more than a week before the UK entered a countrywide lockdown.

On the same day, Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser to the UK government, said he believed the UK would be able to achieve herd immunity.

The scientists behind the research, UCL's David Goldsmith and Eric Orlowski, said: "Lest this strategy seem like just the traditional risky Swedish exceptionalism, we in the UK would do well to remember we nearly trod the same path.

"Right now, despite 'strict (but tardy) lockdown' in the UK, and the more measured Swedish response, both countries have high seven-day averaged Sars-CoV-2 death rates when compared to other Scandinavian and European countries."

Read the original article on Business Insider
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President Trump on Friday refused to answer a direct question on whether or not he supports the QAnon conspiracy theory during a press briefing.

Why it matters: Trump congratulated Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who vocally supports the conspiracy theory, on her victory in a House primary runoff earlier this week  illustrating how the once-fringe conspiracy theory has gained ground within his party.

The backdrop: QAnon is a far-right conspiracy theory that purports without proof that posts by an anonymous internet user from within the federal government are alluding to a secret war that the "deep state" is waging against Trump.
Customers today are scrambling to book last-minute appointments after Boris Johnson gave beauty salons the green light to reopen.

The struggling industry was given a shot in the arm as the Prime Minister last night announced that salons could finally reopen this weekend.

After five months without treatments, customers are now racing to book long-overdue appointments for eyelash extensions, eyebrow threading, facials and waxing.

Many have hit out the PM for the eleventh hour announcement, complaining that they are now unable to reschedule treatments at such short notice.

Customers are now racing to book long-overdue appointments for eyelash extensions, eyebrow threading, facials and waxing

Though the move is good news for customers and workers alike, some salon owners have pointed out they are still unable to reopen as their towns remain in localised lockdowns

Though the move is good news for customers and workers alike, some salon owners have pointed out they are still unable to reopen as their towns remain in local lockdowns.

One customer tweeted: 'Beauty salons can offer close contact services again from Saturday...why is this being announced on a Thursday night? Do they think appointments just come out of thin air?'

Another added: 'I pushed my eyelash extensions appointment back to September earlier today.'

Tattoo studios, beauty salons, spas and hairdressers will all be able to offer additional services from Saturday, including front of face treatments such as eyebrow threading.

Facials, eyelash treatments and the application of make-up will also be permitted alongside Botox injection and beard trimming.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said allowing these services would 'give these often small, independent businesses a much-needed boost as we progress with our plan to kickstart the economy to protect jobs and incomes.'

However, workplaces must still remain Covid-19 secure, with regular cleaning and hand washing taking place.

The struggling industry was given a shot in the arm as the Prime Minister last night announced that salons could finally reopen this weekend

Skin care guru Caroline Hirons penned an impassioned letter to the Prime Minister asking for the government to open beauty clinics on August 15

THEATRES, CASINOS AND BOWLING ALLEYS - WHAT IS NEXT TO REOPEN UNDER LOCKDOWN? Theatres, casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England from this weekend as the Government resumes its easing of lockdown restrictions. From Saturday August 15 socially distanced audiences will be allowed back into indoor venues, while wedding receptions of up to 30 people will also be permitted. Here is what will change in England: - Can I go to the theatre again? From Saturday audiences will be able to return to indoor theatre performances and music venues in England, so long as they adhere to social distancing. Under the new Government guidelines, such venues will have to operate at a reduced capacity and limit ticket sales to ensure distancing can be maintained inside. There could also be increased delays between performances as venues will be required to undertake 'deep cleans' before the next audience arrives. Those on stage will also have to keep to social distancing rules. - Are sports venues going to reopen? The Government said it will resume plans to pilot a small number of sporting events in order to test the safe return of larger crowds. This will begin with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre on Saturday and Sunday. If venues are able to successfully keep fans socially distanced, sports arenas could reopen to supporters from October 1. - What about weddings? Wedding receptions for up to 30 guests will be allowed from Saturday, but only in the form of a sit-down meal in a location that adheres to Covid-19 guidelines. Ceremonies remain capped at no more than 30 people and should be kept 'as short as reasonably possible', the Government said. - What will change for barbers and beauty salons? Tattoo studios, beauty salons, spas and hairdressers will all be able to offer additional services from Saturday, including front of face treatments such as eyebrow threading. However, workplaces must still remain Covid-19 secure, with regular cleaning and hand washing taking place. - What else is going to reopen? Casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, and indoor play areas will be allowed to open their doors to customers for the first time since the lockdown was imposed. The Betting and Gaming Council has welcomed the move for England, but has urged Scotland and Wales to follow suit, claiming many casinos 'are on the brink'. Nightclubs, dance halls and sexual entertainment venues will remain closed. - Wasn't this due to happen earlier in August? The lockdown restrictions were due to be eased on August 1, but a spike in coronavirus cases at the time resulted in them being paused for two weeks. Advertisement

The move comes after the beauty industry issued a rallying plea urging Boris Johnson to reopen the sector as it continues to lose millions of pounds and countless job losses.

Skin care guru Caroline Hirons penned an impassioned letter to the Prime Minister asking for the government to open beauty clinics on August 15.

The letter, delivered to Downing Street on Wednesday night, called on the government to give the green light for salons to reopen as staff have been left for five months without an income.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris told MailOnline that the sector had been 'forgotten' amid the pandemic with workers 'left adrift and financially in ruin'.

After a rise in Covid-19 infections at the end of July, and with less than 24 hours' notice, Boris Johnson announced he was back-pedalling on his plan to allow a number of businesses, including the remaining parts of the beauty industry, to reopen on August 1.

He said he was 'squeezing the brake pedal' on lifting coronavirus restrictions further.

The letter, delivered to Downing Street last night, calls on the government to give the green light for salons to reopen as staff have been left for five months without an income

The PM said the scheduled August 1 return of casinos, bowling alleys and close contact services like beauticians would be pushed back to August 15 'at the earliest'.

Caroline Hirons' Beauty Backed initiative calling for a government u-turn had the support of MPs, the British Beauty Council, beauty brands and retailers and makeup artists.

The beauty sector contributes nearly 30 billion annually to the UK economy alone with 370,000 people - or one in every 60 jobs - employed by the industry.
New Delhi:

In a major flip flop, the home ministry cancelled renewal of FCRA licence of Greenpeace India and two NGOs run by activist Teesta Setalvad on Wednesday, three months after "inadvertently" allowing their registration for five more years.

Renewal of FCRA licence of Greenpeace India, Teesta's NGOs Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace stands cancelled with immediate effect, a home ministry official said.

The ministry also ordered review of recent renewal of FCRA registration of 13,000 NGOs to look into the possible goof ups of existing rules.

The ministry also ordered a probe by the Computer Emergency Response Team-India to ascertain whether there was hacking of government software systems as there have been several instances where licences of NGOs under scrutiny were renewed automatically.

Government ordered that applications of all "red-flagged NGOs will have to be vetted by Joint Secretary handling home ministry's Foreigners Division.

Orders, generated online, renewing FCRA licence of Greenpeace India, Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace stand "null and void" and the licence to these NGOs stands cancelled and they cannot receive foreign funds, the official said.

Registration of these three NGOs was renewed for five years in September. While licence of Greenpeace India, Sabrang Trust were cancelled by the government in the past, Citizens for Justice and Peace was put in prior permission category, thus preventing it to receive foreign funds without government permission.

The home ministry had seen embarrassing moments two months ago when similar lapses were witnessed in "automatic renewal" of licence of Zakir Naik-run NGO -- Islamic Research Foundation -- leading to suspension of four officials including a Joint Secretary.

Licence of IRF was later cancelled by the government permanently after declaring it as a terror outfit. The three NGOs were accused of "prejudicial affecting public interest" of the country and alleged violation of various provisions of FCRA.

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Ramallah, Palestine  Fri, August 14, 2020 14:30 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e0c5e0 2 World Palestine,Israel,Israel-Palestine-conflict,Israel-annexation,Israel-UAE,envoy Free

The Palestinian Authority on Thursday announced the "immediate" recall of its ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in protest over the country's deal to normalize ties with Israel.

"At the request of President Mahmud Abbas, the Palestinian foreign ministry has decided to immediately recall its ambassador to the United Arab Emirates," Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al-Maliki said it a statement sent to AFP.

The Israel-UAE deal was also rejected by Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza strip and is a rival of Abbas's Fatah party.

But Abbas and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh spoke following the deal's announcements, despite tensions between the two camps, a Hamas source told AFP.

"All Palestinian factions are united to reject normalization [with Israel]," the source said.
Simon Cowell has been banned from all dangerous hobbies by girlfriend Lauren Silverman after breaking his back in a freak accident on an electric bike, according to reports.

The media mogul, 60, who has often relished his time on jet skis, scooters and quad-bikes, underwent six hours of surgery to insert a metal rod into his spine last week after falling from his new Swind EB-01 bike at his Malibu home.

And now it is thought that Simon's girlfriend, 43, is putting a stop to his thrill-seeking ways for good amid reports she has banned him from all high-octane activities.

Putting the brakes on: Simon Cowell has been banned from all dangerous hobbies by girlfriend Lauren Silverman after breaking his back in a freak accident on an electric bike, according to reports (pictured last year on an electric bike)

A source told The Sun: 'Lauren doesn't want him to ride one of those bikes again, so he's agreed with his friends and family to get rid of them as soon as he's out of hospital.

'The power of the bike was unbelievable when he changed the setting up to the second one. The bike just flew into the air.

'Thankfully he let go of the bike as he fell backwards and it didn't land on him.'

MailOnline has contacted Simon's representatives for comment.

It was revealed on Monday that the media personality underwent six hours of surgery to insert a metal rod into his spine on Saturday after falling from his new Swind EB-01 electric bike - which can reach speeds of up to 60mph.

Adrenaline junkie: The media mogul, 60, has often relished his time on jet skis, scooters and quad-bikes (pictured on a jet ski in Barbados last year)

Disappointment: But now it is thought that Simon's girlfriend, 43, is putting a stop to his thrill-seeking ways for good amid reports she has banned him from all high-octane activities (pictured previously on a quad-bike in the Caribbean)

Speaking exclusively with MailOnline, sources close to the family said: 'He's in good spirits and knows he had a lucky escape and that this could have been worse.'

And Simon is already back on his feet walking around and even taking work calls despite reportedly facing 'weeks' of physiotherapy.

The family sources added to MailOnline: 'He's doing really well considering everything.

New rules: 'Lauren doesn't want him to ride one of those bikes again, so he's agreed with his friends and family to get rid of them as soon as he's out of hospital,' a source has said (pictured together last year)

'He's been walking around already, obviously he has to be careful, which is expected considering surgery was only one day ago.

'Simon has even been working yesterday and also today he's been on emails on his iPad since early morning. He's in good spirits and knows he had a lucky escape and that this could have been worse,' they added.

Simon's ex Terri Seymour has also revealed that he has already taken a few steps and been trying to get back to his busy work schedule.

Speaking with ExtraTV, Terri revealed that Simon is in good spirits and said she had spoken with his long-term partner Lauren Silverman on Monday.

Painful: Simon broke his back on Saturday when his new $21,500 electric bike 'flew up in the air' after he tried to change gears while riding it in the courtyard of his Malibu home (pictured in 2019)

New: Simon was testing out his new bike when he accidentally fell and broke his back (stock image of the Swind EB-01)

Terri said: 'He's on his iPad, making phone calls, working. He actually just took a few steps. Lauren just told me he's already bossing her around.'

However Terri, who dated the mogul from 2002 until 2008 and has remained on good terms with her ex, said it will be some time before Simon is back to his usual self, adding that he's 'going to need a lot of physical therapy'.

She said: '[The impact of the fall] was one centimeter away from his spinal cord, that is true. It's bad and he is in agony. It could have been so much so much worse.'

A source also told The Sun it could take Simon 'weeks' to recover from the accident and that he could have to wear a back brace.

Power: The Swind EB-01 is said to have an official top speed of 60mph but able to go up to 80mph with 'a little tinkering' (stock image of the electric bike)

From his hospital bed: Simon broke his silence after breaking his back, posting an update to his Twitter and Instagram feeds

They said: 'He has a long and difficult road ahead. It's going to take him weeks, and maybe months, to get back to where he was. And if ignores the doctor's orders then it will be very bad news for him long term.'

Simon broke his back when his powerful new $21,500 Swind EB-01 electric bike 'flew up in the air and did an accidental wheelie' after he tired to change gears.

The music boss is thought to have been 'surprised by the power' of the bike and knew immediately that he 'was in trouble' with son Eric, 6, and stepson Adam, 14, watching on.

On Sunday night, Simon tweeted: 'Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.'

He went on: 'I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages.'

He then added in a second tweet: 'And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone Simon.'
Remarks by President Trump Announcing the Normalization of Relations Between Israel and the United Arab Emirates

August 13, 2020

Oval Office

10:51 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. This is very important. This is a big event. And I want to just congratulate all of the people standing behind me because they have done an incredible job. This is something that hasn't been done in more than 25 years.

Just a few moments ago, I hosted a very special call with two friends  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates  where they agreed to finalize a historical peace agreement. Everybody said this would be impossible. And, as you know, Mohammed is one of the great leaders of the Middle East.

After 49 years, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade, and security.

This is a truly historic moment. Not since the Israel-Jordan peace treaty was signed more than 25 years ago has so much progress been made towards peace in the Middle East.

By uniting two of America's closest and most capable partners in the region  something which said could not be done  this deal is a significant step towards building a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East.

Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates' lead. And I want to just thank them for being  it's not surprising, knowing Mohammed so well. It's not surprising. They are in that lead position. And normalize relations with Israel. We are already discussing this with other nations  with very powerful, very good nations and people that want to see peace in the Middle East. So you will probably see others of these, but this is the first one in more than 25 years.

This deal will allow much greater access to Muslims from throughout the world to visit the many historic sites in Israel  which the Muslims want to see very badly and have wanted to see for many, many decades  and to peacefully pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a very special place for them.

My first trip as President was to Saudi Arabia in May of 2017. In my speech to the assembled leaders of 54 Muslim countries  every single one was by their leader, their number-one leader. It was an amazing  really, an incredible event. A very important event. I made clear that the problems of the Middle East can only be solved when people of all faiths come together to fight Islamic extremism and pursue economic opportunity for people of all faiths.

And when you look at what's happening, you're seeing a lot of progress is being made that nobody thought could possibly be made. And things are happening that I can't talk about, but they're extremely positive.

I want to thank the leaders of Israel and the UAE for their courage and for their leadership to forge this tremendous agreement. It will be known as the "Abraham Accord." And I'd like to ask our ambassador, David Friedman, to please explain why we're doing and calling it the "Abraham Accord."

David.

AMBASSADOR FRIEDMAN: Thank you, Mr. President, and congratulations to you on brokering this historic peace agreement.

Abraham, as many of you know, was the father of all three great faiths. He is referred to as "Abraham" in the Christian faith, "Ibrahim" in the Muslim faith, and "Avraham" in the Jewish faith.

And no person better symbolizes the potential for unity among all these three great faiths than Abraham, and that's why this accord has been given that name.

THE PRESIDENT: It's a great  great thing. I wanted it to be called the "Donald J. Trump Accord." (Laughter.) But I didn't think the press would understand that. I didn't do that.

Avi, say a few words, please.

MR. BERKOWITZ: Thank you, Mr. President. It's really been the honor of my life to work in your administration. I think this re-  reaffirms your commitment to Israel, to stability in the region.

It's just a historic accomplishment, and it's  it's peace. Peace is a beautiful thing, and it's something that everybody in the country should celebrate, I hope. And I'm just so honored to  to be here and to serve in your administration.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you've done a great job. And Jared has done a fantastic job. People don't really understand the things that he's able to do. He's done a fantastic job on this. And you and your team  nobody else could have done it. I don't think anybody else could have done it.

Jared, say a few words, please.

MR. KUSHNER: Thank you, Mr. President. And I would like to say that  I want to thank the President for his leadership on this historic peace effort.

The President, like with all things, urged us to take an untraditional approach. You can't solve problems that have gone unsolved by doing it the same way that people before you have tried and failed.

The President takes untraditional approaches. He does things in different ways, but he uses common sense and he tries to unite people by focusing on common interests, as opposed to allowing them to focus on their common grievances.

And what happened was, here  is we were able to achieve results that others were not able to achieve, and this will advance the region, and this will advance the whole world.

I would like to say to the people of the region  Muslims, Jews, Christians  that this does give hope that the problems of the past do not condemn you to a future with conflict. There is a lot of hope and a lot of potential, and this will benefit you and this will also benefit people here in America. Because in America, we used to have a big dependency on the Middle East for gas and for oil. Thanks to your leadership, America is now energy independent. We no longer have that.

But a lot of American soldiers have fought for securing our allies in that region. And making more peace there lessens our need, as a country, to have as many soldiers in that region and lessens our need to have as many conflicts in that region.

And obviously, radical extremism, which we see as a cancer that has infected so many areas in the world  a lot of the extremists have used these conflicts to  to recruit people and to say that the mosque is under attack and that Muslims don't have access to the mosque.

And now this will enable people to take flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi directly to Tel Aviv. Muslims will be welcome in Israel, and this will create better interfaith exchange.

So this is a tremendous step forward for peace in the world, for  for America, for  for Israel, for Abu Dhabi. And all would not have been possible without your leadership. So I just want to thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you, Jared. What a great job. And what Jared said is so, though  we don't have to be there anymore. We don't need oil. We don't need anything there except friendship. We have some great friends. These are two countries that have been great friends, and we've been great friends to them. But we no longer have to be there.

It started off when we had to be there, but as of a few years ago, we don't have to be there. We don't have to be patrolling the straits. We're doing things that other countries wouldn't do. But we put ourself, over the last few years, in a position where we no longer have to be in areas that, at one point, were vital. And that's a big statement. But we are there for our friends, and we always will be there for our friends.

Robert, would you say a few words please?

MR. O'BRIEN: Mr. President, thank you. The point I want to make, Mr. President: You inherited a Middle East that was a mess when you came to office, and this is one more historic step in bringing peace to the Middle East.

First of all, there was a caliphate that was raging  an ISIS caliphate. And that physical caliphate was destroyed, and you brought justice to al-Baghdadi. You reassured our friends in Israel, who had suffered at the end of the last administration, with a U.N. resolution. You moved the capital to Jerusalem. You recognized the Golan Heights.

In the broader region, you had a very difficult situation in Afghanistan, where we were  soldiers were  American soldiers were coming home injured; wounded; sadly, in some cases, dead. You brought a  you've got a peace agreement now with the Taliban, and we're going to have less than half the number of troops in Afghanistan that were there when you started your term of office.

And now you've brought about this historic peace deal between the UAE and Israel. This is the first time in 25 years that Israel and an Arab country have normalized diplomatic relations and entered into a peace deal. And they're the two most capable countries in the Middle East  two very capable, very skilled, very innovative allies of the United States. So, it's great for Israel, it's great for the UAE, but it's also great for the American  the American people.

So, you came in  you came into office with a region that was  that was really aflame, and you brought peace to that region, and there's more to come. And so it's an honor to be part of your team, Mr. President, and to serve under your leadership.

THE PRESIDENT: We do have a lot more to come in the Middle East. A lot of very positive things are happening, and you'll be seeing that taking place. But where we can get a leader like UAE to head the band and get along with Israel, that's a big  that's a very big step.

Would you please say a few words? You have done such a fantastic job.

MR. HOOK: Thank you, Mr. President. The Trump administration made history today. It's been an honor to be a part of this team that Jared has led.

Peace between the Arabs and the Israelis is Iran's worst nightmare. And no one has done more to intensify the conflict between Arabs and Israelis than Iran.

And what we see today is a new Middle East. The trend lines are very different today. And we see the future is very much in the Gulf and with Israel, and the past is with the Iranian regime. It clings to power on the basis of brute force that has lost the  it is facing a crisis of legitimacy and credibility with its own people. And the President's maximum pressure campaign has achieved historic results.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Great job you've done.

Would you like to say something?

MAJOR GENERAL CORREA: Yes, sir. As a  as a soldier who has been in every war since Desert Storm, it is an honor and a privilege for your leadership, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and Prime Minister Netanyahu to get to peace.

So, your vision and those leaders' vision on what we can do in the future is just incredible. So, I would thank you, as a soldier.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Would anybody like to say a few words? Anybody here? Because you were saying plenty of words during that negotiation. (Laughter.) So they got very quiet in front of the media.

SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Mr. President 

THE PRESIDENT: That happens  that happens on occasion.

SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Mr. President 

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, Steve.

SECRETARY MNUCHIN: It's a historic moment. Thank you for being  letting us all be part of this. It is really extraordinary. Nothing is more important than peace. This is an unbelievable moment.

And I would just echo what Brian Hook said: Your maximum-pressure campaign  under your leadership, we've had the strongest sanctions on Iran. And your commitment to make sure that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon is part of the most important legacy for peace in the Middle East.

THE PRESIDENT: So, which is easier: dealing with the Democrats or dealing with the Middle East? (Laughter.)

SECRETARY MNUCHIN: Well, a lot of people never thought you'd get a  this type of deal.

THE PRESIDENT: I tell you, I think 

SECRETARY MNUCHIN: So I'll be hopeful that we can deal with the Democrats.

THE PRESIDENT: I think the Middle East is more reasonable, actually. (Laughter.)

I'd like you two guys to say a couple of words. You've been so instrumental. Please.

MR. GREENWAY: Sir, it's a privilege to serve in your administration. This is a remarkable achievement that'll stand the test of time, and we look forward to the prosperity and the peace this brings the Middle East and the ways we'll be able to leverage that for the United States' national interest.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

MR. GREENWAY: So, it's a privilege, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.

MR. VANDROFF: And I would just echo what Rob said. It's  thank you for the opportunity to be part  and especially, I want to thank Avi and the opportunity to serve in his negotiating team to do something so historic. That  thank you for this opportunity, Mr. President. This really changes the world.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you all very much. This is very exciting. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Do you have any questions? Do you have any questions on this accord?

Q Mr. President 

THE PRESIDENT: Steve, go ahead, please.

Q Could you just describe the tenor of the conversation you had with the two other leaders? Was there any hesitation on their part 

THE PRESIDENT: No.

Q  in reaching this deal?

THE PRESIDENT: No. It was like and love. It was a tremendous relationship that's been built up over the last, I would say, year. Before that, it was very tense, as everything in the Middle East is. It's very tense. It's a very tense place. But it's becoming less tense, and I have great relationships with all of the leaders. And some of  some are enemies against each other, and I get along with both.

That's, I guess, the big thing; people don't understand that about me. I actually  I've gotten along. Remember, when I was elected, they said the war will start with somebody within days, and I've kept us out of war.

You look at North Korea. Everybody said, including President Obama, that's the biggest problem. Everybody said you'd be at war. Well, we're not at war. It would have been a war if I wasn't elected, if it was somebody else.

No, we're  we're doing very well in the Middle East. And I'll tell you what: It's been an incredible thing.

But, no, it was tense, but the relationship has become a very good one with  between UAE and Israel  and also with other countries, many other countries.

And I think you'll be seeing some very exciting things, including ultimately with the Palestinians. I think that's going to be happening at some point because it makes a lot of sense for them to let it happen.

Q Do you support annexation of Palestinian land by Israelis at this point?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we're talking to Israel about that right now, actually.

Q What about the snapback option on Iran? Do you support that?

THE PRESIDENT: Oh, you really know you're stuff, don't you? (Laughter.) Well, we're not going to talk to you about that. We're going to work something out, and then we'll talk after it's completed. But it'll be a very satisfactory 

Q Why now did they come to an agreement?

THE PRESIDENT: We've been working on this for a long time. It's been a labor of love for a lot of the people in this room. And a lot of them love Israel, and a lot of them love the Middle East, and they love the countries that we're talking about 

MAJOR GENERAL CORREA: Yes, sir.

THE PRESIDENT:  like UAE, as an example  standing right here. And it's been a labor of love. They know it has to happen.

And I don't want to be speaking too much about it, but if you look, what's happened since I broke up that ridiculous Iran nuclear deal  money isn't going to some horrible, horrible groups. And you haven't seen the kind of terrorism that you saw before.

Now, I don't like saying it, because all of a sudden, they'll say, "We've got to do something." But you know what? They're not getting money because Iran isn't giving money, and I appreciate that. But Iran is going through very difficult times, and I appreciate that.

And I'll say this, and I can say it very publicly, that if I win the election, I will have a deal made with Iran within 30 days. They make a very fast deal. They're dying to make a deal, but they'd much rather negotiate with Sleepy Joe Biden than with us.

Q Why haven't you already done that, sir?

THE PRESIDENT: But we'll  we'll be having a deal made very, very quickly. But, you know, rightfully, they're waiting until after the election because they would  there's nothing China, Iran, Russia, all of them would like to see more than have Trump be defeated, where they could deal with Joe Biden, because that would be like a dream.

And this was something that was very exciting. We thought this would be the first country. He's a great leader; Mohammed is a great leader. And we're very happy that he was the first country, I would say. And you can see many other things happening in the Middle East over a fairly short period of time. But this is the first time in more than 25 years and  and UAE is big stuff.

The UAE is very powerful, very strong 

Q Do you know when the dele- 

THE PRESIDENT:  has one of the strongest militaries. It's big stuff.

Q Do you know when the delegations are going to meet specifically?

THE PRESIDENT: Very soon. I guess they'll be setting up the meetings. Do you have any time?

MR. O'BRIEN: I think in the next several weeks, Mr. President. And then we expect that there will be a meeting here at the White House, with the  the leaders as well.

THE PRESIDENT: There will be an official signing at the White House over the next few weeks. Okay?

And other than that, we'll meet you at 5:30 or so, and we'll talk, and we'll actually take one of your questions. Okay? Thank you. Thank you everybody. (Applause.)

END

11:08 A.M. EDT

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Lloyd Silverstein was helping a customer in his Hayes Valley store Optical Underground when he was approached by someone asking him to sign a neighborhood petition. As a board member of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA), he knew there was a petition coming soon addressing the increase in homelessness, specifically tent encampments in the neighborhood, and so he signed it with just a glance at the paper. He said he saw many fellow merchants had signed, so he didnt think much about it.

It wasnt until a few days later that he found out he signed the wrong petition. The HVNA had indeed drafted a petition, but the one Silverstein signed, advocating for a tent-free Hayes Valley, wasnt it. Silverstein said he wasnt the only one that, in his words, was bamboozled.

I signed it since I was with a customer, Silverstein said. It's a decision I regret. I had seen other merchant names on the list. In my opinion, this was intentional deception. I dont know what the intent was.

The tent-free petition went viral on Twitter on Aug. 10 after public outrage that it did not mention alternative housing solutions or how to care for the displaced individuals.

While Silverstein acknowledged there were many problems brought on by the increase in tent encampments since the pandemic began in March, the petition HVNA had discussed creating involved a more humanitarian approach to moving homeless residents. The associations petition listed three proposed safe sleeping sites and demanded that those sites include essentials like bathrooms, meals and security. The association is still collecting signatures on its website, as is the tent-free petition.

Silversteins name and store have since been removed from the tent-free petition at his request, but he said the damage has already been done. Hes received two emails and one Instagram message from customers letting him know they would no longer be supporting his business. He said another nearby store had a large order canceled, and restaurant owner Kim Alter of Nightbird had been verbally threatened. Hes worried that this mistake could be the last straw for an already struggling Hayes Valley.

This all comes at a time when most businesses are struggling, Silverstein said. Nineteen businesses have already closed during this time. It would be a shame that these businesses arent patronized because of this.

Alter confirmed she signed the tent-free petition thinking it was the HVNA petition and has since been "sent a few screenshots of people threatening to loot, boycott, yelp bomb and find our homes and burn them down."

"We are at a point [in society] where any random person can post or say anything, with no research or conversation and start a thread of mistruths with no thought of the consequences that this would bring to small (women) owned business who have been employing people throughout this entire SIP, paying their employees' health insurance while not taking paychecks for ourselves, cooking for the food insecure communities and in our spare time we have been doing charity work, whether it is for bakers against racism or fighting to feed immigrants," Alter said in an email to SFGATE. "And this one tweet storm can break down months of work that multiple individuals have been putting forth to find solutions to the homeless issue we have been facing in Hayes Valley."

While SFGATE wasnt able to contact all of the merchants listed on the petition, several did confirm they had a similar experience to Silverstein. MaryMar Keenan of MM Clay, who has since gotten her name removed from the petition and signed the HVNA one, said, "I should have read the fine print, as they say. I wrongly assumed the petition had the support of the HVNA, which was circulating a more thoughtfully worded petition focused on the same fundamental problem. That said, I dont presume that the other petition was crafted with bad intent towards the unhoused, and therefore Id encourage the authors to clarify their position on safe sleeping sites, humane relocation and the like, so your readers can determine for themselves."

Others caught the difference and chose not to sign, like Dark Garden Corsetry. Owner Autumn Adamme said her store manager on duty at the time chose not to sign the petition once she read it.

Others claim their names were added without their permission. One retail stores name is included and it displays the name of a store manager who doesnt work for the business anymore.

The tent-free petition was sent to city officials on July 22. A homeless sweep of the area was done on July 31.

It just turned our stomachs that this sweep happened because of this petition, Adamme said. Making sweeps is inhumane and unsafe and incredibly short-sighted.

The organizers of the tent-free petition reached out after this article was published, stating that they believe "multiple civic engagement efforts had an impact on the outcome on 7.31" and alleged there was also a third petition going around the neighborhood. On the petition website, it says the petition was created by a small grassroots coalition of neighbors in Hayes Valley that are advocating for a better, brighter, cleaner and safer community.

This is something we did need a solution to, but we wanted them moved somewhere safe where mental health and bathrooms were provided, Silverstein said.

Jennifer Laska, HVNA vice president, said she believes that the petition confusion began because one of the authors of the tent-free petition was a founding member of HVNA almost 20 years ago. She said HVNA sent a letter addressing the petition confusion on July 26. It's unfortunate drama. I think everybody has been frustrated with the lack of response to people being taken out of shelters and ending up in the streets and the conditions in the streets, Laska said. But businesses already struggling in Hayes Valley are seeing a backlash as a result of this ... I would caution those rushing to judge our businesses in Hayes Valley.

Editor's note, Aug. 14, 2020, 10 a.m.: This article has been updated to include additional information from Kim Alter of Nightbird, the tent-free petition organizers and HVNA board member Lloyd Silverstein.

Tessa McLean is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her at tessa.mclean@sfgate.com or follow her on Twitter @mcleantessa.
A member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Baraza/Dass constituency, Musa Mante, has been killed by suspected gunmen.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that Mr Mante was killed on Thursday at his residence in Dass.

The source said that gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, invaded the house of the deceased at the wee hours of the night, firing shots at him.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command in state, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident, adding that the gunmen kidnapped the two wives and a son of the deceased lawmaker.

Details are still sketchy but it will be made available to newsmen later, the PPRO assured.

(NAN)
Julian Assange's lawyers are to decide whether to seek a further delay to his extradition battle after the '11th hour' submission of further allegations by the US.

The US government made a fresh extradition request to have the WikiLeaks founder sent from the UK based on charges in a new superseding indictment.

Assange, 49, faces 17 charges under the US espionage act and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.

He is accused of working with former US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents.

A hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court was today told the US sought to expand alleged conduct within the charges through a third version of the criminal indictment against him.

The US government made a fresh extradition request to have the WikiLeaks founder (pictured in January) sent from the UK based on charges in a new superseding indictment

Assange, 49, faces 17 charges under the US espionage act and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. Pictured: Protesters outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today

Prosecutor Claire Dobbin explained this included extending the group of people Assange is alleged to have conspired with beyond Ms Manning.

The WikiLeaks founder has yet to be arrested over the latest indictment, full details of which were not read out in court.

The extradition hearing, originally set for May, was postponed due to coronavirus lockdown measures and was rescheduled for September 7 at the Old Bailey.

What charges does Julian Assange face in the US? The US Department of Justice has charged Wikileaks founder Julian Assange with 18 crimes - 17 under the Espionage Act and one under computer hacking legislation. Officials say Assange, as the founder of WikiLeaks, endangered US informants in Iran, Syria, China, Iraq and Afghanistan by publishing unredacted documents that identified them. The 18 charges against Assange, filed in Virginia last year, are: Count 1: Conspiracy to receive national defense information Counts 2-4: Obtaining National Defense Information Counts 5-8: Obtaining National Defense Information Counts 9-11: Disclosure of National Defense Information Counts 12-14: Disclosure of National Defense Information Counts 15-17: Disclosure of National Defense Information Count 18: Conspiracy to Commit Computer Intrusion (Hacking) New claims against him not disclosed in court today. Advertisement

Florence Iveson, representing Assange in court today, said US prosecutor Gordon Kromberg had submitting a 33-page additional affidavit explaining the second superseding indictment on August 12.

She said the '11th hour' submission of the document was 'astonishing and 'potentially abusive', claiming the US was 'seeking to add a considerable amount of conduct and seeking to extend the case significantly'.

Ms Iveson said lawyers had not been able to take full instructions from Assange over the third version of the indictment against him.

Assange, who spoke only to give his name, date of birth and to confirm he had heard the judge, attended the short hearing via video-link from Belmarsh prison.

His father John Shipton watched the proceedings from the public gallery, alongside other supporters.

Ms Iveson argued the new material should have been provided 'at a much earlier stage', adding it could affect the evidence of witnesses in September.

She called on district judge Vanessa Baraitser to 'exclude' the new alleged conduct within the charges, claiming it was the only way 'to achieve justice'.

Ms Dobbin said Mr Kromberg had explained how the US had continued to conduct investigations into alleged criminal conduct by Assange that had not been included in the earlier indictments.

She said: 'It's lawful and common for US prosecutors to continue investigating a defendant's criminal conduct after he's been arrested and charged.

'He's explaining how it is that in the American system there can be superseding indictments.'

Ms Dobbin said all of the alleged conduct in the first superseding indictment was also in the second, but it added 'further parties' to the conspiracy allegations, beyond Ms Manning.

She said the new indictment 'does not fundamentally alter the basis upon which extradition is sought'.

Judge Baraitser highlighted Assange 'has not yet even been arrested' in relation to the new extradition request and further delay to his case 'should be avoided'.

She told the court she did not have the case management powers to handle the defence's exclusion request.

She said it was up to Assange's legal team to decide whether to make an application to vacate the case to give them more time, despite the consequences being 'extremely unattractive'.

Assange (pictured, his father John Shipton outside the court today) is accused of working with former US analyst Chelsea Manning to leak hundreds of thousands of classified documents

A hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured, protesters today) was today told the US sought to expand alleged conduct within the charges through a third version of the criminal indictment against him

Ms Iveson said she and her colleagues would use 'best endeavours' to make their decision by August 19, but warned they may need until August 21.

Adjourning proceedings, Judge Baraitser told Assange that depending on his lawyers' actions this was the last administrative hearing for his case.

She said he is due to be physically present when his full extradition hearing takes place next month.
A hidden truth about Connecticut trees  damaged underground roots, withered by a punishing drought four years ago, may have resulted in heavier-than-expected outages in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias, an Eversource Energy-supported think tank at the University of Connecticut has determined.

Eversource has been criticized for underestimating the severity of the storm damage. It had a third of the crews on hand at the storms outset that it would eventually require to restore power to customers.

UConns Eversource Energy Center issued Friday a timeline of storm predictions it sent as Isaias worked its way up the Eastern Seaboard. The storm knocked out power to more than 700,000 Eversource customers in Connecticut. The company planned for fewer than 400,000 outages.

An outage prediction model the center relies on had not been updated to reflect the possibility of tree damage in a 2016 drought, which was sufficiently severe to trigger water emergencies in a number of Connecticut communities as reservoirs were drained and aquifers depleted, center officials said. Drought conditions have returned this summer, though have not reached the severity of four years ago.

The 2016 drought also killed off a fungus that had kept at bay gypsy moth caterpillars, the centers report stated, resulting in many trees being under additional stress in eastern and south-central parts of Connecticut.

Eversource created EEC at UConn as part of a settlement with the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, after an inquiry into the companys responses to the 2012 storm Sandy and Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween noreaster the prior year.

EEC feeds Eversource predictions based on the Global Forecast System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which predicts storm tracks, winds, precipitation and other factors within 18-mile bands. EEC then refines those predictions to differentiate possible conditions every few miles, applying differing scenarios based on historic storms, leaf coverage and other factors.

While Isaias lacked the sustained wind speeds and flooding of Sandy in 2012, like Tropical Storm Irene the year before it arrived in August when trees still had their full canopies of leaves, making it more likely that winds would rip big trees up by the roots, the report states. And Isaias was disintegrating as it crossed Long Island Sound into Connecticut, creating pockets of hurricane-force winds including a tornado in Westport confirmed by the National Weather Service.

Even the extreme prediction underestimated the impact of this storm, said Diego Cerrai, assistant research professor at the UConn School of Engineering and a manager in the schools Eversource Energy Center. We think there is a combination of some factors that made this storm even more damaging than was predicted.

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority plans to hold hearings to address the performance of power companies Eversource and United Illuminating before and after Isaias. A separate hearing on Aug. 24 will address higher utility bills customers have received this summer.

Eversource should be taking a hard look at their storm preparedness and response, stated Connecticut Attorney General William Tong in an email Friday. That is expected and appropriate. That is not a substitute for a thorough PURA investigation.

Correction: Due to a reporting error, an initial version misstated the focus of an Aug. 24 PURA hearing, which will address higher customer bills.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
The Western Air Command (WAC) looks after both the crucial borders with China and Pakistan.

New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Thursday flew fighter aircraft MiG-21 Bison at a frontline air base under Western Air Command to send a message that the air force is all prepared to take any challenge from adversaries.

The Western Air Command (WAC) looks after both the crucial borders with China and Pakistan. The Western Air Command has over 200 bases placed under its command and has been involved in all major operations in India. Due to its geographical location, the Command has always been the hub-centre of all operational activities during any operation, including Kashmir Operations 1947-48, Sino-Indian Conflict 1962, Indo-Pak War 1965, Indo-Pak War 1971, Operation Pawan 1986 (Sri Lanka) and Operation Safed Sagar 1999 (Kargil).

Indian Air Force said on Thursday that the Air Chief Marshal was briefed by the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the base on the readiness and operational status of the lodger units located at the base.

Bhaduria reviewed the operational preparedness of the base and interacted with air force personnel serving on the frontlines. He urged the air force personnel to maintain the highest standards of readiness. He also appreciated their efforts in preserving IAFs combat potential during the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic.

The Indian Air Force has kept almost all its air bases under the Western Command at a very high level of readiness in view of the over three-month border row with China in eastern Ladakh.

Last week, IAF Vice Chief Harjit Singh Arora had visited Daulat Beg Oldie Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Ladakh, where Chinese have intruded in the Depsang plains in an attempt to dominate this strategically important sector which is near Aksai Chin. During the visit Air Marshal Arora also flew Chinook and Light Combat Helicopter in Ladakh.

Indian Air Force has already deployed Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fighter aircrafts to advanced positions to counter threat from China.

IAF Apache attack helicopters and Chinooks helicopters are also active in Leh and are carrying out day and night operations. Chinook has been used to rapidly transport heavy weaponry and men to the high altitude areas along the LAC under tough weather conditions.
President Ram Nath Kovind indirectly hit out at Chinas expansionist designs, praised Indias response to coronavirus pandemic as an example before the rest of the world, cited the ground breaking ceremony at Ayodhya for building of the Ram Temple as example of Indias unity in diversity and hailed the new education policy as instrument of change in the country during his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day.

The President also took note of the destruction caused by Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal and Odisha earlier this year.

It is reassuring to note that the Central government, while anticipating the tremendous challenge, responded effectively and well in time. For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires super human efforts. All state governments took measures in accordance with local circumstances. People also supported wholeheartedly. With our committed attitude we have succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saving a large number of lives. This is worth emulating by the wider world, he said lauding Indias collective response to the global pandemic.

He went on to praise the essential service providers led by the medical professionals.

The nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of the fight against this virus. Unfortunately many of them have lost lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes, he added.

President Kovind also highlighted that India had generated enormous goodwill by reaching out confidently to other countries that needed help.

In responding to calls from countries for supplies of medicine, India has again shown that it stands by the global community in times of distress. We have been at the forefront involving regional and global strategies to the pandemic, President Kovind said, adding that the whole world was recognizing the Indian value of considering the world as one family.

He went on to cite the overwhelming vote in favour of Indias candidature for the non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security council to reinforce his point about Indias global standing.

President Kovind also mentioned Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana announced by PM Narendra Modi as a measure that helped the poor mitigate the impact of the disease. He also took note of the Vande Bharat mission to bring back Indians stranded in foreign countries.

He also stressed on the governments policy of self reliance to say, Indias self reliance means self sufficiency without alienating or distancing from the world. The world now realizes what our sages had said long ago, the global community is but one family, Vasudaib Kutumbkam.

On the Galwan Valley clashes with China, he said, Some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion, our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders, those worthy sons of Bharat Mata lived and died for national pride. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley, he said.

Speaking on another important event this year, President Kovind said that the beginning of the construction of the Ayodhya Ram Temple was a moment of pride for all.

Only ten days ago, construction of the temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi began, in Ayodhya. It was indeed a moment of pride for all. People of the country maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system, he said.

He also lauded the newly introduced National Education Policy (NEP) as the means to provide futuristic education children and youth while will transform future challenges into opportunities paving the way for a new India.

I am confident that with the implementation of this policy, a new quality education system will be developed and this will transform the future challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a New India. The National Education Policy spells a long term vision with far-reaching impact. It will strengthen the culture of Inclusion, Innovation and Institution in the sphere of education, he said.

Presidents address on the eve of the 74th Independence Day comes in a year marked by the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the economy and other spheres of life.

Even the I-Day on Saturday will be celebrated under restrictions placed on the number of visitors at the iconic Red Fort and observance of special safety protocols during the curtailed programme to keep the highly contagious disease at bay.
(Newser)  The pandemic has killed many more New Yorkers than the 9/11 attacksand officials don't want the annual commemoration of the terrorist atrocity to add to the total. Organizers say the "Tribute in Light," in which two columns of light are beamed into the sky from the former World Trade Center site, has been called off this year because they don't want infection to spread among the workers, the Wall Street Journal reports. "This incredibly difficult decision was reached in consultation with our partners after concluding the health risks during the pandemic were far too great for the large crew required to produce the annual Tribute in Light," the 9/11 Memorial & Museum said in a statement, per CNN.

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Setting up the display of 88 "Space Cannon" lights, which stretches four miles into the sky and can be seen from up to 60 miles away, requires more than 40 electricians and stagehands to work closely together for more than a week, Scott Campbell of event producer Michael Ahern Production Services tells the New York Times. Michael Frazier, a spokesman for the 9/11 museum, says that this year, the anniversary will be honored by buildings across the city lighting their spires and facades in blue. (This year, families will not be reading out the names of victims at the museum.)
The president also said the country is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been on the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 pandemic

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday addressed the nation on the eve of Independence Day, and said that doctors, nurses, and other health workers are "national heroes" in the fight against COVID-19. He also referred to the Galwan Valley clash, and without naming China, said that India is capable of giving a "befitting response to aggression".

"The nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our COVID-19 fight. Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes," the president said in a televised address.

He also said that it was "very reassuring" that the Centre had tackled the pandemic "effectively and well in time".

"For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires super-human efforts," he added.

This year, he said, the Independence Day celebrations at Delhi's Red Fort is bound to be "restrained" due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking about the conflict with China in Ladakh's Galwan Valley on 15 June in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives, Kovind said, "Even while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion."

"Those worthy sons of 'Bharat Mata' lived and died for national pride. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members," he said.

"Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression. We are proud of the members of our armed forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security."

Kovind also spoke about the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought to allay fears of foreign investors saying India's self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world, with which it would continue to engage.

Kovind also paid tribute to freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi. "We are fortunate that Mahatma Gandhi became the guiding light of our freedom movement. As much a saint as a political leader, he was a phenomenon that could have happened only in India," he said.

The president added that construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya "was indeed a moment of pride for all". The ground-breaking ceremony for the temple was performed on 5 August.

"People of the country maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system. The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process."

All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony, he added.

Kovind also lauded the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana and repatriation exercise for Indians stranded abroad amid pandemic.

Kovind praised the Centre's new 'National Education Policy saying that it "spells a long term vision with far-reaching impact, and that it will strengthen the culture of inclusion, innovation and institution in education."

"Imparting education in the mother tongue has been given emphasis in order to help young minds grow spontaneously... It is a right step in this direction," he added.

In conclusion, Kovind said, "We have learnt some tough lessons in the year 2020. The invisible virus has demolished the illusion that human being is the master of nature. I believe, it is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature."

He was also quoted by Hindustan Times as saying, "Like climate change, this epidemic has also raised the consciousness that the destiny of each member of the world community is interlinked. My belief is that human-centered collaboration is more important in the present context than meaning-centered inclusion."

With inputs from agencies
Greece, Spain tighten virus rules amid rise in cases: Greece has extended a midnight curfew on bars and restaurants, as well as a 50-person cap on public gatherings in areas with increasing coronavirus cases. Compared with other countries in Europe, Greece has stayed clear of a major outbreak. Since it reopened this summer for tourism and holidays, however, cases have climbed, and officials are raising the alarm. Similarly, Spain issued a ban on nightclubs, late-night drinking, and smoking and drinking in public after it recorded 2,935 new cases on Thursday. Spain was one of the epicenters of the virus in March and April, and the country went into a strict lockdown to flatten its curve. Since reopening, however, the tourism-reliant country has seen sharp spikes in new cases.
An off-duty conductor climbed out of the wreckage of a derailed ScotRail train and walked a mile to the nearest signal box to raise the alarm, it emerged last night.

The unnamed staff member managed to escape a carriage and run to alert operators after the service derailed on Wednesday morning close to Carmont Railway station, near Stonehaven.

Passenger Chris Stuchbury, 62, was killed alongside train driver Brett McCullough, 45, and conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, in the horror crash.

Six others were rushed to hospital and four firefighters were injured while helping in the aftermath of the derailment.

Mobile phone signal in the area is notoriously bad and this is thought to be the main reason the off-duty employee had to walk to get help  prompting the railway authorities to immediately shut the line.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps yesterday said he understood the conductor managed to escape the train and alert operators, while a member of the public raised the alarm having seen smoke billowing from the trees.

An off-duty conductor climbed out of the wreckage of a derailed ScotRail train (pictured on Wednesday) and walked a mile to the nearest signal box to raise the alarm

Flames are pictured coming out of one of the carriages following the accident near Stonehaven yesterday morning

With the police notified around 9.40am, it was not long before the first responders were on the scene.

Police Constable Liam Mercer and a colleague received one of the earliest messages that something had happened on a 'flood-hit' line in Kincardineshire.

The PC spoke to and was praised by Mr Shapps, who visited the site of the train wreck to see the damage for himself.

Mr Shapps said: 'PC Liam Mercer answered a call and along with a colleague were the first emergency responders.

Three died and several others were also taken to hospital, including four firefighters who were injured while helping to deal with the derailment

Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and the Scottish Government's Michael Matheson (pictured here arriving) both visited the area on Thursday to meet members of the emergency services

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps speaks to the media during a visit to the scene of the derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Crash came a MONTH after experts raised fears over landslips Wednesday's horror derailment that killed three people and injured several others came just four weeks after track operators were warned of a spike in dangerous landslips. A ScotRail train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in an area recently hit by major flooding. Track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash. Meanwhile, in a visit to the site, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment. His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before yesterday's horror derailment. An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months. It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'. Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: 'The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.' In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is 'challenged' by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods It added: 'Our climate is changing and we're seeing more and more of these types of incidents. We are acutely aware they must be addressed and we have drawn up comprehensive plans to do so. There is no quick fix but we will continue to review the way the railway operates in extreme weather and build resilience into all of our plans.' Advertisement

'He walked towards the scene and clearly being there first with that scene in front of you  he just said to me, his training kicked in right away.

'He did not hesitate and got involved straight away and started helping people.

'It's extraordinary and humbling. And there are many others like him. I pay tribute to the brilliant work they have all done.'

Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson, also on a visit to the derailment site, praised the 'courage and determination' of the off-duty conductor.

He said he too had been humbled by the response of the emergency services.

The train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in the area, which had recently been hit by major flooding.

On Thursday, track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash.

Meanwhile, during his visit to the site, Mr Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment.

His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before Wednesday's derailment.

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.

It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'.

Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: 'The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.

'It is so important that the sector employs best practice if we are to meet all the pressures on the network in the future and to make sure the railway plays its full role on climate change and reducing carbon emissions.'

In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is 'challenged' by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods.

It added: 'Our climate is changing and we're seeing more and more of these types of incidents.

'We are acutely aware they must be addressed and we have drawn up comprehensive plans to do so.

'There is no quick fix but we will continue to review the way the railway operates in extreme weather and build resilience into all of our plans.'

Pictured: Father, 62, from Aberdeen who was a passenger on ScotRail train which derailed on 'flood hit line' is named as third victim of tragedy

Pictured: Chris Stuchbury, 62, who was killed when a ScotRail passenger train derailed near Stonehaven yesterday

A father who was a passenger on the ScotRail train which derailed on a 'flood-hit' line in Aberdeenshire yesterday has been named as the third victim of the tragedy.

Chris Stuchbury, 62, died alongside train driver Brett McCullough, 45, and conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, when a service derailed yesterday morning close to Carmont Railway station, near Stonehaven.

Mr Stuchbury, who has family in Burghead, Moray, was confirmed among the dead after his family shared an image of them together to social media, the Daily Record reported.

Friends of the devastated family were quick to share their sympathies, with one writing: 'My heart is broken for you all.'

Six others were rushed to hospital following the crash, while four firefighters were injured while helping in the aftermath of the derailment.

The train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in the area, which had recently been hit by major flooding.

Today, track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash.

Meanwhile, in a visit to the site, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment.

Train driver Brett McCullough (left), 45, tragically died alongside conductor Donald Dinnie (right) when a ScotRail passenger service slipped from the tracks near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire on Wednesday

His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before yesterday's horror derailment.

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.

How the Stonehaven train tragedy unfolded 6.38am: Despite heavy rain overnight in the area, the train left Aberdeen station as normal, bound for Glasgow Queen Street. 6.53am: The train calls at Stonehaven station as normal, before departing and heading south. Between 6.53am and 9.40am: After leaving Stonehaven, the train continued south, before encountering a landslip, caused by torrential rain. It began to return north to Stonehaven, initially remaining on the southbound line before crossing at Carmont onto the northbound line. It then hit a second landslip and derailed while returning to Stonehaven. 9.40am: First reports of the incident were received by Police Scotland at 9.40am, but it is unclear if there was a delay between the derailment and it being reported. There remains a gap of several hours between the train leaving Stonehaven and the derailment being reported to police. Network Rail Scotland told MailOnline the exact timeline will emerge as the picture of events becomes clearer. 9.49am: Network Rail Scotland reports that a landslip on the same line at Carmont means that services are no longer running in the area. Advertisement

It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'.

Speaking when the report was published last month, HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser said: 'The last year saw significant increases in flooding, earthwork failures and trains striking trees on the line, which had a big impact on the number of delays on the network.

'It is so important that the sector employs best practice if we are to meet all the pressures on the network in the future and to make sure the railway plays its full role on climate change and reducing carbon emissions.'

In its response, Network Rail said the railway was designed for a temperate climate and is 'challenged' by prolonged periods of high and low temperatures, storms and floods.

It added: 'Our climate is changing and we're seeing more and more of these types of incidents.

'We are acutely aware they must be addressed and we have drawn up comprehensive plans to do so.

'There is no quick fix but we will continue to review the way the railway operates in extreme weather and build resilience into all of our plans.'

Today the rail infrastructure body said it will use in-house engineers, specialist contractors and helicopter surveys to inspect other high-risk routes following yesterday's crash.

All 'higher risk' sites where railway lines have been built through ground excavation and are similar to the location of yesterday's fatal accident will receive these 'supplementary specialist inspections'.

Dozens of sites across Britain will be assessed.

Network Rail also said it is working with meteorologists to strengthen the information it receives about flash flooding caused by extreme weather, so it can improve the way it deals with train operations.

Yesterday, British Transport Police's chief inspector Brian McAleese said an investigation into the derailment would be directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

He added they 'will also be working closely with them along with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Road and Rail to establish the full circumstances of how this train came to derail'.

Today, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and the Scottish Government's Michael Matheson have both visited the area and met with members of the emergency services.

Mr Matheson said the derailment was an 'absolutely tragic event'.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: 'My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by this, particularly to the families and friends of those who were killed in this incident yesterday.

'My thoughts are very much with them and I also hope those injured in the course of this incident are able to make a speedy recovery.'

Train in Kent smashes into landslide but is NOT derailed and passengers are safely evacuated  just a day after similar incident in Scotland killed three

Passengers were evacuated from a train in Kent today after it got stuck in mud which washed onto the track during torrential rain - just a day after a derailment killed three in Scotland.

The Southeastern service got caught on the line near to West Malling following reports of a landslide due to heavy thunderstorms and rain across Britain this week.

A total of 18 passengers were evacuated safely and a geotechnical expert has been called to the scene to assess the landslide, Kent Live reported.

Network Rail later revealed it will be working overnight to clear mud which had been washed onto the line near West Malling.

It added: 'It's looking good but theres a chance it could take longer so we're advising passengers check before you travel tomorrow morning.

'We turned the power on to move the train and the water and muck started steaming - we'll have to turn it off again before the mud gets cleared...'

The incident caused rail disruptions between Swanley and Maidstone East, which are expected to remain in place until the end of the day.

Southeastern explained 'a train has struck an obstruction on the line near West Malling, meaning trains can't run in either direction between Otford and Maidstone East.'

The Southeastern service became unable to move on the track near to West Malling following reports of a landslide due to heavy thunderstorms and rain across Britain

It added that emergency response staff are currently at the scene and are working to clear the obstruction to allow the train to move forward.

They will then assess the extent of any damage to the line, a statement added.

Kent Fire and Rescue were reportedly at the scene alongside British Transport Police, Network Rail and Southeastern.

It comes a day after a ScotRail train derailed and crashed on a 'flood-hit' line near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire yesterday, killing three.

Chris Stuchbury, 62, died alongside train driver Brett McCullough, 45, and conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, when a service slipped from the tracks close to Carmont Railway station yesterday.

Six others were rushed to hospital following the crash, while four firefighters were injured while helping in the aftermath of the derailment.

The train slipped from the tracks after hitting a landslip in the area, which had recently been hit by major flooding.

A total of 18 passengers were evacuated safely by police and a geotechnical expert has been called to the scene to assess the landslide

The incident caused rail disruptions between Swanley and Maidstone East, which are expected to remain in place until the end of the day

Today, track operator Network Rail announced that engineers will carry out detailed inspections of dozens of high-risk trackside slopes with similar characteristics to the site of the Aberdeenshire crash.

Meanwhile, in a visit to the site, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed it was 'far too soon' to say whether cutbacks to Network Rail contributed to derailment.

His comments come as it was revealed National Rail had been warned about the network's resilience to severe weather just four weeks before yesterday's horror derailment.

Southeastern explained 'a train has struck an obstruction on the line near West Malling, meaning trains can't run in either direction between Otford and Maidstone East'

An annual health and safety report by rail safety watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), said there were six times more flooding events on Britain's railways in 2019-20 than during the previous 12 months.

It also noted a spike in landslips, demonstrating the 'vulnerability' of the network, and criticised Network Rail's plans to address climate change and extreme weather, which it said were 'not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events'.

Network Rail has been contacted for comment.
South Africa: SA reflects on Cuban doctors' deployment

Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has reflected on the important role played by the Cuban Brigade in assisting South Africa's efforts to combat the Coronavirus.

Joined by the Cuban Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez Verson during a virtual meeting, the two talked about the work of the Cuban doctors, who arrived in South Africa in April, as the country grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Eastern Cape was allocated 12 medical officers, which included four biomedical engineers, two epidemiologists, and two biostatisticians.

The medical officers have been resourceful in Primary Health Care as this is their specialty. Their data analytics and information management has been key in assessing the impact of intervention strategies.

The biomedical engineers have been critical in the design, installation, adjusting, repairing and provision of technical support for biomedical equipment, the Minister said on Friday.

In the Gauteng province, members of the Cuban Medical Brigade were distributed throughout all five districts while some have been doing work with the central office.

They are mainly working in quarantine and isolation sights, ward-based contract tracing, epidemiological surveillance and in hospitals where there has been noticeable nosocomial spread, the Minister said.

In the Northern Cape, the brigade is doing outreach services in critical areas of need.

They are clinical leaders to the management teams and assist in the screening, testing and quarantining of patients. The Northern Cape Department of Health has attested to the invaluable contribution of the Covid-19 personnel from the Brigade, the Minister said.

Eight medical officers have been deployed to various facilities in Limpopos five districts to boost case management.

Three clinical engineering technologists, one hygienist and one biostatistician are stationed in Capricorn District. The deployments were based on areas where it was identified there was a shortage of human resources.

Their presence, said the Minister, has helped to reduce the workload.

Their presence has reduced workload and pressure on staff members, provided much needed relief, improved processing of data and contributed to improved data reporting that feeds into the daily situational report on COVID-19 in the province, the Minister said.

Health technologists also assisted with the assessment of non-functional equipment.

The 28 strong team deployed to the Western Cape, consisted of health professionals with experience in planning, execution and the management of public health.

They were fully integrated into the clinical teams working alongside the South African health professionals in order to strengthen the provinces response to COVID-19, the Minister said.

Meanwhile, 17 members of the brigade were deployed to the Free State. Their allocation addressed issues of staff shortage and this led to an improvement in data collation in the province.

Whilst this is not an exhaustive account of the activities of the members of the brigade, the reports reassure us that we have invested well in this initiative with trusted allies during a critical phase of the national COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister said.

Ambassador Verson said South Africa has provided an excellent working environment for the doctors.

Since their arrival in April, they have been treating nearly 30 000 patients and they have saved 166 lives. Many of our doctors are working in quarantine. Our biomedical engineers have achieved impressive results, he said.

The results of 31 Cuban biomedical engineers include 787 equipment repairs.-SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Former President Barack Obama slammed President Donald Trump on Friday, accusing his administration of undermining the U.S. Postal Service and attempting to suppress votes during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Everyone depends on the USPS. Seniors for their Social Security, veterans for their prescriptions, small businesses trying to keep their doors open," Obama said on Twitter in a series of posts.

"They can't be collateral damage for an administration more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus."

Trump's Democratic predecessor urged eligible voters in states with early voting options to "do that now."

"The more votes in early, the less likely you're going to see a last minute crunch, both at polling places and in states where mail-in ballots are permitted. Then tell everyone you know," Obama said.

Obama Tweet 1

Obama Tweet 2/3

The tweets marked the latest broadside against the Trump administration from Obama, who in the runup to the 2020 election has grown more open in his criticism of the White House.

During his eulogy late last month at the funeral of former Rep. John Lewis, Obama had called out the efforts by "those in power" who are "doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting  by closing polling locations, and targeting minorities and students with restrictive ID laws, and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision, even undermining the Postal Service in the run-up to an election that is going to be dependent on mailed-in ballots so people don't get sick."

The USPS has come under intense scrutiny in recent months. Lawmakers of both parties have voiced concerns about drastic operational changes made by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major donor to Republicans and Trump-supporting committees, which have led to reports of widespread mail delays.

Democrats in particular fear that the changes could impact the 2020 presidential election between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, where more voters than ever before are expected to cast their ballots by mail.
New Delhi :

People can use old Rs 500 notes for paying utility bills or buying medicines till Thursday mid-night as the government has decided not to extend exemptions beyond December 15.

At the same time, mobile recharge facility with old Rs 500 notes will not be available. However, people can deposit invalid Rs 500 currency in their bank accounts.

Exemptions for use of old Rs 500 notes will end on December 15 midnight, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das tweeted.

That means old 500 currency notes will not be acceptable at medicine shops and for paying public utility services such as payment of electricity and water bill etc.

The government had already withdrawn some of the relaxations like booking railway or plane tickets and payment at petrol pump and toll plaza by using the old Rs 500 notes.

Exemptions for use of old Rs.500 notes will end on 15 Dec midnight.Sections of media reporting wrongly as if it's tonight.  Shaktikanta Das (@DasShaktikanta) December 14, 2016

While cancelling legal tender of 500 and 1,000 notes on November 8, the government had allowed them to be used for utility bill payments for the first 72 hours. This deadline was extended repeatedly and the last extension was granted till December 15.

In between, the government withdrew use of 1,000 rupee notes for utility bill payments and discontinued use of even 500 ones for services like purchase of petrol and diesel at petrol pumps as well as buying air tickets at airport counters.

Also read: RBI asks banks to reserve CCTV footage to spot currency hoarders

Since the demonetisation announcement, the government has been pushing towards promoting digital transactions and has come out with a package to incentivise cashless payments.

Now petrol, railway tickets and insurance policies of PSU companies will cost less if bought through debit/credit cards or other digital modes. The government also waived service tax for payments up to Rs 2,000 made through cards and decided to do away with transaction fee for payment to the central government departments and PSUs.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:18:12|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian anti-terror squad has arrested 15 alleged militants who have recruited combatants to fight in Syria and held military-style training camps for terrorist strikes, a police officer said on Friday.

The militants have financed and supplied logistics for a terrorist cell of the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT) operating in Poso district of Central Sulawesi province, National Police's spokesman Awi Setiyono said.

The militants, who were arrested on Wednesday in the capital of Jakarta and West Java province, are members of a terrorist cell of outlawed Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has been affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group, the spokesman said.

"They are grouped in the JAD and serve as facilitators for those wanting to go to Syria. And they had sent logistics to the MIT and provided funds for it," he said.

The arrest brings the number of the militants nabbed by the Indonesian anti-terror squad to 72 since June, according to the police.

A total of 1,276 Indonesian nationals have joined IS terrorist groups abroad, including that in Syria, according to Minister for Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly.

The government has rejected the repatriation of Indonesian IS combatants who have been classified as foreign terrorist fighters and pledged allegiance to the IS group, according to the government.

However, children aged under 10 years old without parents will be returned to their home country, it stated.

Indonesia has been stricken by a string of suicide bombings since years ago, and most of them have been masterminded by the IS group. The deadly attacks, which also involved women and children, have killed dozens of people and wounded scores of others. Enditem
By Trend

Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev met with members of the US Jewish Committee (AJC), the consulate general told Trend.

By the invitation of the Los Angeles office of the committee, which is one of the most influential Jewish organizations in the US and the world, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in LA and Dean (Chairman) of the Consular Corps in LA Nasimi Aghayev made a presentation dedicated to Azerbaijan at a videoconference with the participation of AJC leaders and representatives of ACCESS, its youth wing.

Having provided detailed information on the history of independence of Azerbaijan, Aghayev noted that in 1918, the Azerbaijani people created the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first Azerbaijani republic, which went down in history as the first secular democratic state in the Muslim world and the first Muslim country that gave women the right to vote.

Talking in details about the existing traditions of interreligious harmony, tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, the consul general noted that in the country where the majority of the population are Muslims, people of Christian, Jewish and other religions, along with Muslims, live in peace, harmony, mutual understanding and conditions of good neighborliness.

The consul general stressed that Azerbaijan is successfully cooperating with Israel, as well as with AJC in various fields, and these relations are expanding every year thanks to mutual high-level visits.

Aghayev spoke about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the policy of aggression and ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan, the latest provocation of the occupying country, as well as the violence committed by radical Armenians against members of the Azerbaijani community in LA on July 21.

He emphasized that the Azerbaijani side highly appreciated the fact that AJC immediately after the events harshly condemned these atrocities and noted it as a good example of the solidarity of the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples, which they have always shown to each other both in good and difficult time.

Following the presentation, Aghayev answered questions of the videoconference participants.

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Linkedin (Xinhua) Hefei, China  Fri, August 14, 2020 13:09 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e04e5e 2 News China,travel,tourism,coronavirus,COVID-19,tourist-attraction Free

As trans-provincial travel in China resumed after months-long suspension due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the usual hustle and bustle returns to tourist attractions across the country.

"I received over 20 guests from Hebei and Inner Mongolia today, a big improvement compared with previous months," said Huang Min, a tour guide based in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on July 14 that travel agencies and online tourism companies were allowed to resume their trans-provincial group tours gradually. The resumption has unleashed the domestic travel demand of Chinese people who had been confined to their homes for months to prevent the spread of the virus.

Since July 29, popular tourist destinations across the country have received nearly three times the tourists compared with last quarter, according to a report released by the country's major online travel agency Trip.com Group.

"The resumption of trans-provincial travel has boosted the tourism sector. Take Hongcun (a historic village in Hongcun Town), for example, its average daily visitors have increased to more than 3,000, nearly half of the number in the same period last year," said Hu Weimin, marketing director of Yixian County Hui Huang Tourism Group.

According to Hu, as the resumption comes ahead of the summer vacation, family travel has become quite popular, registering an increase of nearly 60 percent.

Travel agencies that encountered financial difficulties due to the epidemic have also returned to work.

Trip.com Group's report showed that over 4,000 travel agencies have launched domestic travel products on its platform.

Liang Jianzhang, chairman and co-founder of Trip.com Group said in the first half the year, travel agencies had to rely on short trips to survive and the revenue only accounted for one-tenth of their previous income.

Read also: China eases travel restrictions for Europeans

Liang added that outbound tourism usually accounts for half of the revenue for travel agencies and 40 percent of their earning comes from cross-provincial travel.

Wu Minghua, a 34-year-old from Guangdong, said tourists like himself had to sign an undertaking that mentioned about complying with anti-epidemic measures such as daily temperature screening, among others.

"We were told before the trip that vehicles will be disinfected every day to ensure a clean and safe environment for passengers," said Wu.

Due to the impact of the epidemic, small-scale and customized tour groups began to gain popularity, said Li Kang, head of a travel agency in Hefei, capital of Anhui province.

"People are willing to pay more for quality service and strict health and safety protection measures," Li said.

As scenic spots are busy preparing for a major inflow of tourists, local tourism departments also introduced incentives to attract visitors from outside the region. Provinces such as Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, and Guizhou announced free tickets or big discounts to tourists.

"Hongcun will allow free entry for children under 16 when they travel with their parents," said Hu.

"We are eager to seize the opportunity by offering tailored services to meet demands of tourists amid the recovering tourism market," said Li.

Topics :

This article appeared on the China Daily newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
So for many Lebanese, their greatest hope for credible answers about the blast that wrecked much of their capital may lie with outsiders. Families of the dead and survivors on Friday called on the U.N. Security Council for an international investigation. Others pin their hopes on the French forensic police who have joined the probe and FBI investigators are expected to take part. Two French investigating magistrates have been assigned to the case, the Paris prosecutors office said Friday.
There was a higher incidence and severity of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among patients seen at a large, academic medical center in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prior three years, according to a new study published in Radiology.

Our study showed a higher incidence of physical IPV, both in absolute numbers and proportion, with more severe injuries despite fewer patients reporting IPV. This indicates that victims are reporting to health care facilities in the late stages of the abuse cycle. Fear of contracting infection and closure of ambulatory sites might be preventing victims of mild physical or emotional abuse from seeking help compared to the pre-pandemic era." Bharti Khurana, M.D., principal investigator and director of the Trauma Imaging Research and Innovation Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts

Social distancing has proven to be effective for controlling the spread of coronavirus but with negative socioeconomic and psychological impacts. Service-oriented economies have seen increased unemployment and a higher incidence of substance and alcohol abuse and mental health disorders.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, reports of IPV have increased worldwide during mandatory "lockdowns" to curb the spread of the virus.

Dr. Khurana and colleagues set out to assess the incidence, pattern and severity of injuries related to IPV at Brigham and Women's Hospital during COVID-19 pandemic. The demographics, clinical presentation, injuries and radiological findings of patients reporting physical abuse arising from IPV between March 11 and May 3, 2020, were compared with the same period over the past three years.

Data from 26 physical IPV victims from 2020 (37+/-13 years, 25 women) were evaluated and compared with 42 physical IPV victims (41+/-15 years, 40 women) from 2017 to 2019. While the overall number of patients reporting IPV was lower, the incidence of physical IPV was 1.8 times greater during the pandemic. Five victims of severe abuse were identified in 2020 (5/26=19%) compared to one each of the previous years.

The total number of deep injuries (injuries to deep internal organs) was 28 during 2020 versus 16 from 2017 to 2019. The number of deep injuries per victim was 1.1 during 2020 compared with 0.4 from 2017 to 2019. The incidence of high-risk abuse defined by mechanism (injuries due to strangulation, stab injuries, burns or use of weapons such as knives, guns and other objects that could inflict deep injuries) was 2 times greater. Patients with IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to be ethnically white. Seventeen (65%) victims in 2020 were white, compared to 11 (26%) in the prior years.

"During the pandemic, victims experienced more injuries to the chest and abdomen compared to prior years," said coauthor Babina Gosangi, M.D., assistant professor of radiology at Yale New Haven Health in New Haven, Connecticut, and former emergency radiology fellow at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "For instance, one victim sustained multiple bilateral rib fractures with right pneumothorax and bilateral lung contusions--requiring hospital admission for more than 10 days--after she was repeatedly punched in the chest. Another victim was stabbed in the abdomen and had lacerations to the liver and kidney."

It is challenging to help IPV victims in the time of the pandemic when health care providers are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. In addition, alternative options for IPV victims to seek help have decreased. Many ambulatory clinics are no longer seeing as many patients in person due to the virus and are instead pivoting their services to virtual consultation. Telehealth visits limit the opportunity to visualize bruises or other signs of physical trauma and hamper the ability of the health care provider to gather nonverbal cues.

It may also be difficult for victims who are at home to report IPV, and health care providers may be omitting IPV screening questions altogether on these calls due to patient's limited privacy. Therefore, the role of radiologists in identifying victims of IPV through imaging exams has become crucial.

By recognizing high imaging utilization, location and imaging patterns specific to IPV, old injuries of different body parts, and injuries inconsistent to provided history, radiologists can identify victims of IPV even when the victims are not forthcoming.

Dr. Khurana, who is also assistant professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School in Boston, sees this as an opportunity for radiologists to use their expertise in providing patient-centered care and play a critical role in facilitating early intervention, preventing life-threatening injuries and saving lives by early identification of IPV victims.

"As health care providers, we are missing opportunities to identify victims early in the cycle during the pandemic," she said. "There is under-reporting by the victims, accentuated due to fear of seeking care due to COVID-19. At the same time, IPV-related injuries may be getting overlooked or misinterpreted, as our frontline physicians are overwhelmed by a vast number of COVID-19 patients in the Emergency Department."

The researchers emphasize that radiologists and other health care providers should proactively participate in identifying IPV victims and reaching out to vulnerable communities as an essential service during the pandemic and other crisis situations.
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The America my parents grew up in is gone.

The America that I, a 31-year-old millennial, grew up in is quickly disappearing in what Im calling the war on religion, liberty, and justice for all.

The current pledge of allegiance goes like: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

This very pledge I grew up reciting every morning at school has now become offensive to many mainly because it mentions God in it. But by the very nature of being offended by that one word our nation is slowly becoming The Divided States of America.

This division has been boiling under the surface for some time. But with recent global events, namely COVID-19, it has brought to the surface these issues. Many rioters are rioting now for reasons unrelated to police brutality. For example, a recent story of rioters burning bibles and an American flag made headlines: Rioters carrying 'Black Lives Matter' signs threw Bibles into a fire in front of the federal courthouse in Portland and burned an American flag, leaving bystanders wondering what that act of arson had to do with protesting against police brutality.

Many churches are coming under fire and being blamed for spreading COVID-19 when you can go to Walmart or The Home Depot and come into close contact with people while you use the self-checkout. For example, The New York Times published a story on July 8 and updated on July 10 stating, The virus has infiltrated Sunday services, church meetings and youth camps. More than 650 cases have been linked to religious facilities during the pandemic.

Albert Mohler, in an article published by The Christian Post, noted that the piece, published on July 8 and updated on July 10, listed 650 confirmed novel coronavirus cases linked to 40 churches  365 of those infections cited by the Times were in Union County, Oregon, many of which were reportedly linked to a church following a wedding that was attended by guests from out of town. That would be 650 cases against a confirmed 4.75 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Mohler responded to such criticism in that he was taking issue with how much attention the Times gave to the number linked to the churches with its headline and story.

This war isnt an attack on just the religious. I am a Christian and I can tell you it goes beyond just that. Our nation has become so politically divided that religion, liberty, and justice for all has become fair game in political agendas. Its more about power, money, and how much control someone can have.

Do masks work? I honestly dont know.

Will there be a tracer of some kind in a COVID-19 vaccine? Maybe. I dont know.

What I do know though is that the very freedoms America has been known for since her founding are in jeopardy. And the 2020 election along with a global pandemic are bringing these issues to a tipping point. Social media giants, such as Facebook, have been coming under fire recently for apparently having a bias toward conservatives and censoring some of their posts. Some believe that this is just an example of tech giants trying to monitor free speech. Committee chairman Ted Harvey told FOX Business in a statement that Facebook is "determined to restrict free speech and attack those who dare to support President Trump."

Thousands are screaming for justice all across the country for people like George Floyd and others. A petition on Change.org called Justice for George Floyd has been signed by more than 19 million people and counting, demanding justice. As of May 29, there have been arrests made, but how many others are still awaiting arrests for justice to be held? This goes for victims of other crimes too and not just police brutality.

To say there is not a war on religion, liberty, and justice for all is to be blind to what is happening in our nation today. Im not suggesting everything that is happening is for a just cause and is right but what I am suggesting is there is an anti-American spirit at work in our nation. A spirit to cause division and chaos. As a Bible-believing Christian I know that this war is a spiritual battle. The spirit of the antichrist is at work. The enemy of our souls thrives when a nation is running wild with wickedness and sin and strife.

Im not going to blame a specific person or political party, but I will say there is evil in our backyard. But thats not the endgame for this article.

I simply want to bring to mind that there is indeed a war waging on American soil. As an American pastor who values my faith, liberty, and justice for all, I want to use my voice to encourage people, mainly other Christians, to stand firm in this fight. As a Christian, I want to encourage people to be on their knees praying for our leaders and our nation. This is a war that will not be won at the election polls, online in social media battles, or in protests and riots. This is a war that can only be fought with folded hands and bent knees. We must pray constantly and do everything in love.
A flaring incident occurred Friday at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, sending a plume of smoke into the air.

Flaring is a safety measure involving the release of chemicals enacted by a refinery when there is a problem.

This morning at approximately 11:20 a.m., the Chevron Richmond Refinery experienced flaring activity due to an upset at a process unit, the company wrote on its Facebook page on Friday afternoon. Our workforce quickly worked to resolve the issue and flaring is currently stopped. As we continue to make adjustments, intermittent flaring is possible.

No shelter-in-place order was issued. John Gioia, a Contra Costa County supervisor, said a county hazmat team was on site with air quality officials. The source of the problem is unknown, he said.

The company said that a Community Warning System Level 1 was issued because of the visibility of the smoke. Level 1 is the lowest warning and requires no community action.

There is an important distinction between a fire and a flare, said Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, addressing widespread but incorrect reports that the refinery experienced a fire. A fire is something thats out of control and can really be dangerous. A flare is what happens when something in the plant goes haywire and is a planned safety reaction. It doesnt look like theres any lasting danger or impact on the city, he added.

It is unclear what chemicals have been released.

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.

Goia, who could see the smoke from his home, said the plume appeared to be staying high. (High plumes are generally better than low ones from a health perspective.) He also said the smoke appeared to be darker than usual, which would be linked to whatever the cause of the flaring was.

Danielle Echeverria and Anna Kramer are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com, anna.kramer@sfchronicle.com
August 15 marks the occasion of Independence Day in India, and this year we are celebrating 74 years of independence from the British Rule. After almost two centuries under imperial rule and after countless sacrifices and struggles, Indians won their freedom on August 15, 1947. Men, women and children lost their lives with pride in uprisings against the British, and managed to successfully drive them out of our motherland.

Observed as a national holiday across the country, Independence Day honours the sacrifices and dedication of the bravehearts who aimed for one goal - to simply be free from slavery of the colonisers. People all over the country host flag hoisting ceremonies and sing the national anthem to celebrate the day filled with patriotic spirits.

ALSO SEE: 74th Independence Day: I-day celebrations around India amid coronavirus pandemic

The sheer depth of pride felt by every Indian as they look at their countrys tricoloured flag unfurl, is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, these flag hoisting ceremonies will not be organised this Independence Day, but citizens are encouraged to do the same in their own homes and with family only in lieu of social distancing.

Quotes

One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives. - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength. - Jawaharlal Nehru

Forget not that the grossest crime is to compromise with injustice and wrong. Remember the eternal law: you must give if you want to get. - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

If yet your blood does not rage, then it is water that flows in your veins. For what is the flush of youth, if it is not of service to the motherland. - Chandra Shekhar Azad

So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.  B.R. Ambedkar

We have believed, and we do believe now that freedom is indivisible, that peace is indivisible, that economic prosperity is indivisible. - Indira Gandhi

It is easy to kill individuals, but you cannot kill the ideas. Great empires crumbled, while the ideas survived. - Bhagat Singh

You give me your blood and I will give you Independence! - Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. - Jawaharlal Nehru

Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. - Jawaharlal Nehru

Wishes

Freedom is the way God intended us; it is something we are born with. Something that no one can take away from you. Lets celebrate Freedom! Happy Independence Day.

Freedom doesnt see colours or shapes. There is enough hate and violence in the world, and now we need to build a better future, full of love, unity and understanding. Heres to a wonderful Independence Day!

We are blessed to have a right to speak and to be heard. A right several brave souls fought for. Lets take a moment to think of their sacrifice and what they had to pay for the freedom we enjoy.

Our forefathers bought our freedom with their hard work and sacrifice. Now we must work hard to create a better nation for generations that follow. Happy Independence Day!

My love for my nation is boundless. My love for my people is endless. All I desire for my country is happiness. Let me be the first person to wish you a special Happy Independence Day!

Lets salute our great nation on its Independence Day! I hope you all feel grateful for the freedom you have and are proud of the nation you were born to. Jai Hind!

To our freedom fighters, to our soldiers, to our heroes of the nation, they are the reason we are still alive, and we will never forget their sacrifice. Happy Independence Day!

May your spirits rise with the flag today! Happy Independence Day!

Today let us take some time to value our nation and never forget the sacrifices from those who gave us freedom. Happy Independence Day!

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A Texas-based anesthesiologist has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison and ordered to pay more than $82.9 million in restitution for his part in a $200 million healthcare and insurance fraud scheme, according to federal attorneys.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox reported that Richard Ferdinand Toussaint, Jr.  who is already serving a 41-month federal prison sentence for a separate health care fraud conviction  in March 2018 pleaded guilty to his involvement in the Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas fraud scheme, admitting to one count of conspiracy to pay health care bribes and kickbacks and one count of illegal remuneration under the Travel Act.

Toussaint will serve new, 66-month sentence concurrent to the 41-month sentence.

In plea papers, Dr. Toussaint, 61, acknowledged that he teamed up with co-defendant Dr. Wade Neal Barker, a bariatric surgeon, to launch Forest Park Medical Center, a physician-owned hospital for bariatric and spinal surgery patients, in 2008. Together with Forest Park hospital manager Alan Andrew Beauchamp, Dr. Toussaint, Dr. Barker, and their colleagues conspired to steer lucrative patients  particularly those with high-reimbursing, out-of-network private insurance  to the now defunct hospital by paying surgeons for referrals.

Most of the kickbacks, which totaled more than $40 million, were disguised as consulting fees or marketing money, doled as a percentage of surgeries each doctor referred to Forest Park, Dr. Toussaint admitted. Email correspondence proved he and Dr. Baker were kept up to date about how much surgeons were being paid.

Instead of billing patients for out-of-network co-payments, instituted by insurers to de-incentivize the high costs associated with out-of-network treatment, Forest Park allegedly waived co-insurance, assured patients they would pay in-network prices. Because they knew insurers wouldnt tolerate such practices, they concealed the patient discounts and wrote off the difference as uncollected bad debt.

Dr. Toussaint was one of 18 convicted in the scheme.

Defendants who pleaded guilty before trial include: Wade Neal Barker, Alan Andrew Beauchamp, Kelly Wade Loter, David Daesung Kim, Israel Ortiz, Andrea Kay Smith, Frank Gonzales, Jr., Andrew Jonathan Hillman, and Semyon Narosov.

Defendants convicted at trial include: Wilton McPherson Mac Burt, Jackson Jacob, Douglas Sung Won, Michael Bassem Rimlawi, Shawn Mark Henry, Mrugeshkumar Shah, and Iris Kathleen Forrest.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense  Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Wirmani, Marcus Busch, Mark Tindall, and Gail Hayworth are prosecuting the case.

Source: U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas

Related:

Topics Texas Fraud USA
Conservationists in Mauritius are navigating unchartered territory as they struggle to assess the damage from the Wakashio oil spill in one of the island's most ecologically sensitive areas. All efforts have been deployed to protect the fragile ecosystem, which has existed for millions of years.

Even in my worst of nightmares, I would never have thought something like that could happen to us, says Dr Vikash Tatayah, conservation director of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF).

We are used to cyclones, droughts or an invasive species, its part of nature and we know how to cope with that. But we never thought we would have to face an oil spill.

The Japanese-owned Panama-flagged Wakashio ship ran into Pointe dEsnys coral reef barrier, south-east of Mauritius, on 25 July within a few kilometres of various protected sites.

The preliminary investigation in Mauritius indicates that the captain of the ship, Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, was celebrating a birthday party with his crew as the ship head off-course towards Pointe dEsny  which explains why the Mauritian National Coast Guard's emergency calls received no response from the Wakashio.

The freighter ran aground two kilometres from the Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve, home to many unique plant, bird and reptile species. Just north lie four islets, Ilot Fouquets, Ile de la Passe, Ilot Vacoas and Ilot Marianne, part of national parks and nature reserves.

Wakashio started leaking oil on 6 August near two UNESCO Ramsar sites of international importance: Blue Bay marine park and Pointe dEsny wetlands, which provide habitat to rare plants and animals and are crucial for the preservation of the ecosystem.

Oil washed ashore at Ile aux Aigrettes, Ilot Phare and Ilot Vacoas. The government said Ile aux Aigrettes had been successfully cleared.

Lost conservation efforts

Tatayah tells RFI it will take years to recover. The MWF has already started moving the more vulnerable plants and animals from the islets to a safer location on mainland Mauritius.

Story continues

Some endangered species or plants might face greater risk of extinction. Were looking at years of conservation work which are going to be lost, Tatayah said.

The Wakashio was transporting over 4,000 tonnes of oil. Most of it has been pumped out of the ship.

Eight hundred tonnes of oil leaked in the southeastern lagoons and around 700 tonnes have been retrieved from the sea and coastline.

We avoided what could have been an irreparable disaster but still 800 metric tonnes of oil leaked into our lagoon, the conservationist adds.

It is an immense stress on our environment. We are used to restoration of habitat, weve been doing this for 40 years. But weve never done 'depollution'," he says.

He fears that as plants absorb polluted water through their roots, the toxic chemicals may lead to the extinction of some species.

The pollutants are now also to be found in insects, the food for our birds and reptiles. We have no idea how this will affect the whole food chain."

Unchartered territory

The Ile aux Aigrettes islet lies some 850 metres off the coast of Mauritius. It became a nature reserve in 1965 and the MWF initiated conservation efforts in 1985 to protect some of the rarest species in the world.

Even if the bulk of the rescue mission on the south-eastern islets is over, we do have to regularly monitor the fauna and flora because of the damage caused by the oil spill, says Tatayah, admitting that he does not know what the long term effects may be.

But because the air is still full of petroleum vapour, we are currently only spending a few hours on Ile aux Aigrettes, wearing protective equipment, while we used to spend the whole day and even stay there.

Birds sanctuary

The 26-hectare Ile aux Aigrettes is home to some 500 birds, as well very rare plants and reptiles.

The Pink Pigeon, unique to Mauritius, has been restored from near extinction in 1990 with a population of only nine birds. There are now over 400 of them with 20 on lle aux Aigrettes.

The small songbirds Mauritius Fody or Cardinal and the critically endangered Mauritius Olive white-eye have also been successfully reintroduced to the islet.

The MWF team rescued 12 Mauritius Olive white-eye and six Mauritius Fody from the islet and moved them, in captivity, to Black River.

The south-eastern islets are the nesting place of seabirds. On Ile au Phare, the paille-en-queue or white-tailed tropicbird nests on its lighthouse.

If we do not manage to clean up in the next few months, there will be an increasing risks for those seabirds to get oiled because as Mauritius moves into summer, it corresponds with their breeding season, Tatayah explained.

There is also the added problem for seabirds to find food which has not been contaminated.

Unique native plants

There are hundreds of thousands of native plants on Ile aux Aigrettes, including 40 endemic plant species.

One of them is the Ile aux Aigrettes Ebony (Diospyros egrettarum). It is one of the 12 Ebony species unique to Mauritius which are only found in lowland forests. Prior to the arrival of humans, Mauritius was covered with Ebony forests. Today, less than two per cent remains.

Mauritius endemic lowland coastal forests, which were originally millions of years old, have been completely eradicated by man from the coastline of the mainland. These unique plants are now only to be found on the 10,000-year-old Ile aux Aigrettes where it has been preserved from destruction.

MWF removed the plants from its nursery to the mainland.

Reptiles paradise

Some reptiles, endemic to Mauritius and extinct on the mainland, live on a few surrounding islets.

The Telfair's skink and Gunthers gecko, which used to be found only on Round Island, were reintroduced to Ile aux Aigrettes over a decade ago.

Ilot Vacoas, Ile de la Passe, Ilot Marianne and Ile aux Fouquets have remnant reptile populations of Bojers skink, Boutons skink and the Night gecko.

The idea was to ensure that the reptile population from Ilot Vacoas was translocated to the other islets. This process is working really well, Tatayah declared.

The rescue mission underway involved moving some of the reptiles, like the Bojers skink, to Mauritius for the time being and then to UK for safety.

The Night gecko and the critically endangered Bojers skink are unique to Mauritius and are currently to be found among the south-eastern islets. Having been separated from the northern population on Round Island and Gunners Quoin several thousands of years ago, they now present a unique genetic makeup.

Geckos are very important for pollination and insect control of invertebrates.

Aldabra tortoises

As the tortoises endemic to Mauritius went extinct in 1844, Aldabra giant tortoises from the Seychelles were brought in 2001 to Ile aux Aigrettes because they are the genetically closest to the Mauritian species, and could fulfil the same essential functions within the ecosystem of the island.

The smaller ones have been moved to mainland Mauritius as part of the rescue mission.

Ecotourism

The activities on Ile aux Aigrettes have almost grounded to a halt because of the oil spill.

Tatayah believes it will be several weeks before MWF could consider reopening the island to the public.

We were planning to receive 18 thousand people this year through our eco-tourism and education tours, he said.

The oil spill and Covid-19 have severely slashed funds needed to finance our conservation work.

The foundation has been receiving donations, in response to the oil spill, from various platforms. The conservationist admits facing an immense task ahead to recover from the oil spill disaster.

I sometimes want to cry but, in our business, we cannot just give up, said Tatayah. The cost of this shipwreck for our society, our environment is immense.
Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has questioned claims of Russia developing the world's first vaccine against COVID-19, citing absence of clinical trials data on and "more advanced" programmes elsewhere.

Referring to the novel coronavirus vaccine developed by Moscow-based Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Mazumdar-Shaw said that the world had not seen any data from the vaccine candidates phase-I and phase-II human trials.

"If launching a vaccine prior to completion of Phase-III trials is acceptable to Russia, well so be it," Mazumdar-Shaw told news agency PTI.

"But it doesn't make them the world's first vaccine as several other vaccine programmes are even more advanced," she added.

Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the novel coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions View more How does a vaccine work? A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine. How many types of vaccines are there? There are broadly four types of vaccine  one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine. What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind? Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time. View more Show

On August 11, Russia had announced that it had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine called Sputnik-V. Gamaleya institute, which has developed the vaccine, works under the Russian Healthcare Ministry.

The first dose of the vaccine was reportedly administered to Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughter. Putin had also claimed, without any evidence, that the immunization provided by the vaccine protects people for up to two years.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the Russian vaccine is not among the nine it considers to be in advanced stages of testing.

We don't have sufficient information at this point to make a judgment on the Russia vaccine, said Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to WHO's director-general.

Also Read - Explainer | Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V: How safe is it? And why India needs to be cautious

Sputnik-V is a so-called viral vector vaccine which is based on human adenovirus fused with SARS CoV-2s spike protein to stimulate an immune response in the body. It is said to be similar to a vaccine candidate being developed by Chinas CanSino Biologics.

It was earlier reported that a number of individuals belonging to Russias political and business elite had been given early access to the experimental vaccine. Russian billionaires and government officials reportedly started getting shots of a potential vaccine as early as April.

More than 100 possible vaccines are being developed around the world to try to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. At least four are in final phase-III human trials, according to WHO data.
Mark Hoffman, MBR / Associated Press

The Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party says the organizers of the DNC "messed up" by not scheduling any members of the party from this state to speak.

And after she was chosen as Joe Biden's running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris follows Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as the latest target of President Donald Trump's "birtherism."
US to Investigate Beirut Blast, Diplomat Says

By VOA News August 13, 2020

U.S. senior diplomat David Hale said in Beirut Thursday the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation will join Lebanese and international investigators in a probe into the recent explosion in Lebanon's capital city that killed scores of people and injured thousands of others.

During a visit to one of Beirut's neighborhoods that was heavily damaged by the blast, the U.S. undersecretary for political affairs said the FBI would join the investigation at the invitation of Lebanese authorities.

Hale said the FBI's participation in the probe is one way the U.S. is helping the country cope with the aftermath of the massive explosion.

Hale is scheduled to meet with Lebanese officials over the next two days. The U.S. Embassy said Hale was to emphasize the need for reform when he meets with officials.

Lebanon's Parliament met Thursday for the first time since last week's blast that killed over 170 people. A state of emergency was declared after another night of protests as citizens continue to cry out for accountability. Plus, an update on the Japanese bulk carrier that struck a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius and leaked 1,000 tons of oil. And how scientists plan on bringing back the Malaysian variant of the Sumatran rhinoceros.

Earlier Thursday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for the speedy formation of a new government as lawmakers approved the government's two-week state of emergency after the recent devastating explosion that killed scores of people and injured thousands of others.

Lebanese state media said Berri urged lawmakers at parliament's first legislative session since the August 4 blast to begin "speeding up the formation of a (new) government."

Lawmakers have begun consultations on forming a new cabinet, a process complicated by divisions in a country governed by a sectarian power-sharing system.

Parliament approved the state of emergency to suppress resurgent protests over corruption, mismanagement and negligence by the long-entrenched political elite.

Hundreds of people have been injured in clashes with security forces who fired tear gas.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced his government's resignation Monday night in the aftermath of the blast. The resignations were confirmed at Thursday's legislative session.

The Lebanese government took office in January with support from Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah and other parties. Hezbollah, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, and its allies have a majority of seats in parliament.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Hale "will underscore America's willingness to support any government that reflects the will of the people and is genuinely committed to and acting upon such a reform agenda."

The massive blast, which killed 172 people, injured about 6,000 others and left about 300,000 homeless, is blamed on the detonation of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored for six years at the Port of Beirut.

Rebuilding is expected to cost billions of dollars. Economists have forecast the damage could erase up to 25% of the country's economic output.

Humanitarian aid is being provided to Lebanon, but foreign countries have made clear they will not provide funds to help the country avoid economic collapse without reform.

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DETROIT, MI  At least 22 lawsuits are filed in the Eastern District of Michigan federal court against the owners of two Midland County dams that failed and caused massive flooding earlier this year. State agencies are named as defendants in another related case.

The federal lawsuits name Boyce Hydro LLC, Boyce Hydro Power LLC, Boyce Michigan LLC, Edenville Hydro Property LLC, owner Lee W. Mueller, and various related entities and individuals as defendants. Many were filed by citizens who own properties in Midland County that were affected by flooding caused by the May 19 failure of the Edenville Dam and breach of the Sanford Dam.
Lexmark Lexmarks compact, user-friendly devices are great fits for any small workgroup looking for a color printer or MFP they can count on for reliability and high-quality output, said Kaitlin Shaw, Associate Director of A4 Hardware at Keypoint Intelligence.

Lexmark, a global imaging solutions leader, today announced that Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab honored the Lexmark CS431dw and the Lexmark CX431adw with their prestigious Summer 2020 Pick Awards for Outstanding Color Printer and MFP for Small Workgroups.

The Lexmark CS431dw and CX431adw are small workgroup dynamos that pack consistent color output into a lightweight and compact footprint. Built for reliability, performance and security, these units print up to 26 pages per minute* and offer expandable input for longer print runs. The units come with a 2.8-inch touch screen standard and connect easily via Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet or the cloud.

Lexmarks compact, user-friendly devices are great fits for any small workgroup looking for a color printer or MFP they can count on for reliability and high-quality output, said Kaitlin Shaw, Associate Director of A4 Hardware at Keypoint Intelligence. Producing vibrant colors, clean lines, and clear text, image quality should more than meet the needs of general office use. Small workgroups can also rest assured that these devices will keep them productive given their strong performances, combined with how easy to use and maintain they are. And flexible mobile and cloud support means productivity can continue beyond the workstation.

This award validates Lexmarks commitment to providing devices that combine enterprise-class reliability and security with small-business-friendly size, speed, pricing and ease of use," said Brock Saladin, Lexmark senior vice president and chief revenue officer. Lexmark partners expect us to deliver reliable, high-quality products their customers can count on. This award affirms that small workgroups can rely on these Lexmark color workhorses to meet their needs for years to come.

These devices are also sold via channel partners as devices in the Lexmark GO Line series.



The Lexmark CS431dw is sold as the Lexmark C3426dw.

The Lexmark CX431adw is sold as Lexmark MC3426adw.

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Lexmark creates innovative imaging solutions and technologies that help customers worldwide print, secure and manage information with ease, efficiency and unmatched value.

Lexmark and the Lexmark logo are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab

Keypoint Intelligence is a one-stop shop for the digital imaging industry. With our unparalleled services and unmatched depth of knowledge, we cut through the noise of data to offer clients the independent insights and responsive tools they need in those mission-critical moments that define their products and empower their sales.

For over 50 years, Buyers Lab has been the global document imaging industrys resource for unbiased and reliable information, test data, and competitive selling tools. What started out as a consumer-based publication about office equipment has become an all-encompassing industry resource. Buyers Lab evolves in tandem with the ever-changing landscape of document imaging solutions, constantly updating our methods, expanding our offerings, and tracking cutting-edge developments.

About Buyers Lab Pick Awards

Buyers Lab Picks stand alone in the industry and are hard-earned awards as they are based on rigorous testing, including an extensive durability assessment and evaluation of key attributes such as usability, image quality, and value. Each product that passes our lab test earns Buyers Labs Recommended or Highly Recommended seal and our Certificate of Reliability, with the best performers qualifying as Pick contenders.
President Donald Trump holds up a photo of LeGend Taliferro, a victim of a crime, during a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 13, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

Murder Charges Announced in the Killing of 4-Year-Old Namesake of Operation Legend

A prosecutor on Thursday has announced charges in the killing of 4-year-old LeGend M. Taliferro, who was shot while asleep in his home in Kansas City, Missouri, in June.

Ryson Ellis, 22, has been charged with second degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced.

Ellis has been accused of firing bullets into a home at Citadel Apartments from an area behind the building. Investigators said the bullets were fired through a privacy fence and a sliding glass door. At the time, Taliferro was asleep on the floor inside the apartment when he was struck. The child was brought to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

A witness in the parking lot said the suspect of the gunman had a fade cut and facial hair on his chin, which matched the general description of Ellis, according to court documents (pdf).

Taliferros aunt, who was inside the apartment, told investigators that she was asleep on the couch at the time of the shooting, the court papers said. She said she has a son with Ellis and provided investigators with contact information.

The woman said a few days ago she was struck in the head at her residence she shared with Ellis. The 22-year-old then yanked their child out of her arms and left, investigators said. The woman complained about the assault to her brothers who then went to confront Ellis. One of the brothers is Taliferros father who lived at the Citadel Apartments. Taliferros aunt also moved in with her family after the incident, out of fear that Ellis would harm her, the court papers said.

She said during that time she had received threatening social media messages from Ellis and his mother. She said she filed a police report regarding the incident and also filed an ex-parte against Ellis.

Police obtained surveillance video from the night of the shooting and determined that a rental car was used. Investigators interviewed the person who had driven the car that day. The individual told investigators that on the night of the shooting, she had a party at her home. She left the party with an unnamed individual and Ellis, who asked her to take him to Citadel Apartments. When they got there, Ellis got out of the car. She later heard gunshots and Ellis eventually came running back to the car, where she then heard a gun hit the floor, the court papers said.

She then drove to her residence then left Ellis and the other occupant in the car. She told investigators that she only learned later that someone had been killed.

Investigators said following the shooting, they received numerous tips naming Ellis as the suspect.

LeGend Taliferro became the namesake of a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crimes: Operation Legend. It first launched in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of President Donald Trumps promise to assist cities that have been hit by a recent string of violence, the Justice Department (DOJ) said. The operation has since been expanded to Chicago, Albuquerque, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Memphis.

The operation involves surging federal agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and other resources to supplement state and local law enforcement agencies in fighting crimes such as ones involving violent gangs, gun, and drug trafficking organizations.

Attorney General William Barr said the arrest marks a significant step forward in his case and illustrates the potential of Operation Legend more broadly.

The arrest and state charges resulted from cooperation among Kansas City police officers, the FBI, and U.S. Marshals. This development is a model for joint efforts to solve crimes and reduce violence in other cities, Barr said in a statement.

Although LeGends suspected murderer has been arrested, Operation Legend will go on. Inspired by this success, federal law enforcement will continue working tirelessly to support state and local partners in our shared mission to keep the American people safe and enforce the rule of law, he said.

Trump called the arrest really good news during a press conference on Thursday.

At the time of its launch, the operation faced resistance from numerous cities as it was unveiled during a time when the Trump administration was facing widespread criticism for sending federal agents to Portland, Oregon, to quell rioting around a federal courthouse.

Local authorities of the cities have generally been receptive to the expansion of the operation saying that they accept the support as long as it complements the already existing law enforcement work in the cities.

House Democrats during a recent Judiciary Committee hearing with Barr criticized the operation and grilled the attorney general over the initiative. During the hearing, Barr pushed back criticism, saying that the characterizations were an attempt to conflate Operation Legend and the federal deployment in Portland, Oregon, which the Trump administration has faced intense scrutiny for.

Youve conflated two different things. The effort, like [Operation] Legend, is to deal with violent crime.  That does not involve encountering protesters, as you refer to it. Civil disturbance is a different set of issues, Barr said. And I just reject the idea that the department is flooded anywhere in an attempt to suppress demonstrators.

Correction: An earlier version of the article incorrectly identifies the city of the prosecutor who made the announcement. The prosecutor is from Jackson County.
In an interview with Al-Ahram Editor-In-Chief Alaa Thabet, Ahmed Abul Gheit warned against Iranian and Turkish schemes which are aimed at obliterating the Arab national states

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit has warned against what he termed "the Iranian-Turkish schemes of hegemony" in the Arab region and their catastrophic consequences for Arab national security, noting that the current conditions in the region require more attention in order to preserve the interests of the Arab world.

In an interview with Al-Ahram Editor-In-Chief Alaa Thabet, Abul Gheit said these two regional powers, which are seeking to control the region's potentials and capabilities, are using divide and rule tactics, a policy that was once used by the colonial powers.

He warned against Iranian and Turkish schemes which are aimed at obliterating Arab national states and turning them into sectarian districts that can be controlled by armed militias.

Every erosion of an Arab states territory is a reduction in the sovereignty and independence of the Arab world as a whole, he said, pressing the need to fight this looming danger.

Responding to a question on the massive explosion in Beirut seaport last week, Abul Gheit said he immediately travelled to the city to view the damage caused. Alas, the blast left the city resembling a war zone. It is a real national disaster," he said.

The devastation caused by the blast is a new addition to the dilemma of Lebanon, he said, as it is already suffering from political and economic crises. The situation in the country should not be left to sink any further, he added.

Abul Gheit offered to help Lebanon, noting that the Arab League has already sent shipments of humanitarian relief aid to Beirut and is doing its utmost to mobilise international support for the country.

After the blast, he worked, in coordination with the Lebanese authorities, to include an item on the agenda of the leagues Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) pertaining to Lebanon, noting that such an item is very important for dealing with the impact of the widespread damage caused by the blast, and not only the urgent relief operations.

He asserted that the Arab League has vast potentials, for through its specialised organizations and joint Arab action it can help Lebanon handle the impact of the disaster.

Abul Gheit said that when he returned from his field visit to Beirut, he wrote a letter to the Arab foreign ministers to convey to them his assessment of the situation, update them on the outcome of his meetings with the countrys political leaders and brief them on his views regarding the urgent support needed by the Lebanese people in the current phase.

Switching gear to the Palestinian cause, Abul Gheit said the topic will remain a central issue in the Arab world, voicing hope that a new American administration, which may be elected in November, would realise that the so-called "American peace deal" is unacceptable, and that it would move to revive a new peace project based on direct negotiations between the two sides on the basis of the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as a capital of Palestine.

He also voiced his relief over the blocking of Israel's annexation plan, noting that various countries have rejected the plan, and describing it as "rashness" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to come out of his political crisis by exacerbating tensions in the region.

The Arab League chief also noted that Arab countries and the Arab League have played a key role in standing against Israels expansionist plan through diplomatic contacts with all countries to warn against its dire consequences.

Responding to a question on the league's role in countering the Turkish aggression against Libya, he said that the situation in Libya has become very complicated in all its dimensions -- military, political and economic.

There are deep differences between the Libyan parties, Abul Gheit said, adding that they have their own different visions on emerging from the current stalemate. He noted that the danger of the conflict is increasing day after day in view of the various foreign military interventions and the use of mercenaries and foreign fighters in the country.

He asserted that the Arab League has adopted a clear stance regarding the settlement of the Libyan crisis, saying that such a settlement should be through a peaceful political track agreed upon by the Libyan leaders and under the sponsorship of the United Nations.

The solution to the conflict in Libya should not be a military one, he stated. It should be an all-inclusive solution, he added.

Abul Gheit also reiterated that such a settlement could never be reached in the presence of foreign interference and regional imperialistic schemes that threaten the country's security and stability, adding that all such interventions are totally rejected and condemned by the league.

He also said that the position of the international community has been made clear through the UN Security Council and all the countries and organisations which attended the Berlin conference.

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In an action that demonstrates the bipartisan contempt of both corporate parties, Democrats and Republicans, for the interests of the vast majority of working people, the US Congress went into a month-long recess Thursday, taking no action to alleviate the worst economic and public health crisis in a century.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives began its August recess last weekend, while the Republican-controlled Senate held brief daily sessions until Thursday before taking its own recess. The Senate is not scheduled to return until Tuesday, September 8, the day after the Labor Day holiday, while the House will be on vacation even longer, until Monday, September 14.

Under the terms of the Senate recess, even if there were to be an agreement between the two sides which have been negotiating, the congressional Democratic leadership and the Trump administration, any individual senator can block consideration of the deal until the full Senate reconvenes. That means that no action will be taken to address the unemployment crisis until some time next month.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) talks with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) talks with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) (Erin Schaff/Pool via AP)

As a result of the deadlock in talks between the Democrats and the Trump administration, the $600-a-week federal extended unemployment benefits expired on July 31, as well as a ban on evictions in properties insured or partially financed through federal agencies, about 40 percent of the total.

The congressional recess means that nearly 20 million unemployed workers who have depended on the extended federal benefits will now have to live without them for another four weeks, added to the two weeks worth of payments they have already lost.

The congressional recess will include the nominating convention of the Democratic Party, August 17-20, followed by the Republican convention August 24-27. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris, then Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, will take part in lengthy and stage-managed coronations, which would have been scenes of endless partying and fund-raising, but for the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prevented thousands of delegates from physically assembling at the convention sites.

The scale of the money flow is demonstrated by the report that the Biden campaign raised a record $26 million in the 24 hours after Biden announced his selection of Harris as his running mate. There are numerous reports of the gusher of money from Wall Street into the coffers of the Democratic campaign. Trump, of course, will rake in similar support from millionaires and billionaires reveling in his tax cut for the wealthy and his continual boosting of the stock market.

While the two parties of big business stage their celebrations, the working class faces a grim reality of rising death tolls from the coronavirus pandemic and a million new applications for unemployment insurance every week of this summer.

Despite the colossal impact on the living standards of millions of workers, it does not appear that the sticking point in the talks was the level of unemployment benefits. Neither party favored continuation of the $600-a-week payment, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leading Democrats had repeatedly indicated their willingness to compromise at a lower level, perhaps as little as the $400-a-week Trump signaled support for in the executive order he signed this week.

The most important issue, according to leaks to the press carried out by both sides, was the question of federal aid to crisis-stricken state and city governments, devastated by the economic collapse that has driven down tax revenues, but compelled by state constitutions to balance their budgets, which will require massive across-the-board cuts in all public services.

According to Pelosi, the Democrats were seeking $915 billion in federal aid to cities and states, while the White House offered only $150 billion, plus some additional flexibility in repurposing funds previously allotted to the states in the CARES Act passed in late March.

The White House apparently insisted, according to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, that any money to aid the states would come with severe restrictions. You cant use that money to bail out pensions, he said.

Pelosi responded in kind, claiming that she would not resume talks until the White House agreed to split the difference between the $3.5 trillion bill passed by the House in May, and the $1.2 trillion bill offered by Senate Republicans last month. Until they're ready to do that, it's no use sitting in a room and let them tell us that states should go bankrupt, she said.

Other issues included increased funding for election security and for the US Postal Service, to enable it to handle the flood of mail ballots expected because of coronavirus restrictions on in-person voting. Trump has been adamant that he will not sign any legislation that allows the USPS to handle a surge of mail ballots.

The two sides characterized their positions with mock intransigence, as though they were fighting a titanic battle over principle. The truth is that deadlock and delay serve the purposes of both sides.

Trump is using his executive orders, issued Saturday without a shred of constitutional legality, to posture as the defender of the workers thrown out of their jobs by the pandemic. Pelosi adopts the same pretense, warning that people will die if there is no deal struck on extending benefits.

While they engage in this supposed battle from the opposite sides of phony barricades erected on Pennsylvania Avenue, both factions in Washington represent the interests of the same class, the financial aristocracy and its military-police apparatus.

This is apparent from the fact that in March they reached agreement in a matter of hours when it was a question of bailing out Wall Street and corporate America in the CARES Act. Similarly, both parties have rubber-stamped massive Pentagon funding billsmost recently topping $750 billionensuring that the military arm of US imperialism never misses a meal.
Zoe Kravitz showcased a stylish yet minimal all-black ensemble as she went for a walk in New York city on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Big Little Lies star was on the move while going bra-free in a black cropped tank top that highlighted her toned midriff and displayed her tattooed arms.

The actress stayed on theme with a flowing set of black slacks and a comfortable pair of black leather flats.

Back in black: Zoe Kravitiz, 31, looked fierce in an all-black ensemble while out for a stroll in Manhattan on Thursday

Zoe blocked out the morning sun with a slim pair of black sunglasses, and she added a splash of color with a hot pink handbag slung over one shoulder.

The 5ft2in beauty was in her own world as she listened to headphones connected to her phone, and she practiced proper coronavirus safety procedures by social distancing and wearing a simple black mask.

Missing from the Fantastic Beasts actress' stroll was her husband Karl Glusman, whom she married in June last year at her father Lenny Kravitz's Paris estate.

She and the 32-year-old Love star had been dating since 2016, before getting engaged in February 2018.

Fit figure: The Big Little Lies star was on the move while going bra-free in a black cropped tank top that highlighted her toned midriff and displayed her tattooed arms

Minimalist: The actress stayed on theme with a flowing set of black slacks and a pair of black leather flats

According to Page Six, the High Fidelity star made a stop while out at Ray's Bar in Manhattan's Lower East Side for a pop-up event put on by Gotham Burger Social Club.

According to the burger chef, Mika Puma, Zoe wanted to try out the signature smash burger single.

'OMG, This is the best Fn burger Ive ever had!' Puma claimed she said after he checked in on her.

Yum! Zoe stopped by the Justin Therouxowned Ray's Bar for a smash burger at the Gotham Burger Social Club pop up, which the chef Mike Puma claimed she was a big fan of

Parting is such sweet sorrow: Zoe had kind words for her colleagues on High Fidelity after Hulu announced the show's cancellation after one season earlier this month

Zoe called out her former network Hulu last week for a lack of diverse programming after her series High Fidelity was canceled.

The adaptation was a gender- and race-swapped adaptation of the 2000 and the Nick Hornby novel.

Zoe played Rob, the owner of an in indie record store. The role was played by John Cusack in the film version.

After initially posting kind words to her costars and colleagues, she let loose on the network with a sarcastic reply to a consoling comment from Tessa Thompson.

'I will miss you alllllllllllll so much,' the Thor: Ragnarok star wrote.

'@tessamaethompson it's cool,' Zoe replied. 'at least hulu has a ton of other shows starring women of color we can watch. oh wait.'

All alone: Zoe sarcastically replied to Tessa Thompson's condolences and noted Hulu's lack of shows starring women of color
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Linkedin Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 13:22 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e06cd1 1 Business Jokowi,State-of-nation-address,MPR,red-tape,regulatory-reform,industrial-estates,industrial-park,#Indonesia75 Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has reiterated his commitment to eliminating overlapping regulations and developing more industrial parks across Indonesia.

Regulatory reforms must be carried out. Regulations that are overlapping, complicated and misleading [for] those [who] are at risk must be put to an end, Jokowi said in a televised state of the nation address at the Peoples Consultative Assembly on Friday.

Read also: What you need to know about Batang industrial zone development

Red tape prevented Indonesia from climbing up the World Banks ease of doing business ranking last year, hence why the country has been ranked 73rd since 2018. The President wants the country reach the 40th position this year.

To achieve the goal, the Jokowi administration has proposed an omnibus bill on job creation to carry out regulatory reform. It seeks to attract investment by revising 79 laws and more than 1,200 articles deemed harmful to Indonesias ease of doing business.

In addition to regulatory reform, the government is also developing industrial parks, such as the Batang industrial park in Central Java and one in Majalengka regency, West Java, to solve land acquisition issues usually faced by investors.

The government is planning to develop at least 27 industrial parks, according to the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). Most of them will be developed outside Java Island.

Similar industrial estates will also be built in various regions all over Indonesia, always taking into account cooperation with community entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium enterprises to provide employment opportunities for the unemployed young generation and boost equitability of development in all corners of the country, said the President in his speech.

Consequently, a favorable national ecosystem for the expansion of quality employment opportunity must be established.

Read also: Guide to omnibus bill on job creation: 1,028 pages in 10 minutes

We dedicate all of this to a fair national economy that caters to the interests of workers and job seekers in order to alleviate poverty by providing the widest possible quality employment opportunities.

The Indonesian economy contracted 5.32 percent in the second quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic hit demand and disrupted the supply chain. As a result, around 3.7 million individuals have lost their jobs so far this year, according to data from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), with the number expected to hit around 10 million by the end of the year.

The speech came at a time when the government is pushing forward the conclusion of deliberation of the omnibus bill at the House of Representatives amid heavy scrutiny from observers, international institutions and labor unions that say the bill could jeopardize environmental protection and labor rights.
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Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and six other cabinet-level officials on Thursday received formal notification of a criminal probe into their handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

News of the notifications was confirmed by Conte's office. In a statement, the prime minister's office said the decision to transfer the case to a special court for ministers was a formality.

Soon after the notices were served, Conte went to social media to defend his government's actions during the pandemic.

"The decisions made were highly challenging, sometimes painful, and were made without a manual and without guidelines or protocols for action," Conte said. "We acted on the basis of science and conscience without pretending to be infallible."

Italy was the first country outside of Asia to face a major outbreak of the coronavirus. COVID-19 went on to sicken more than 250,000 people in the country while claiming more than 35,000 lives.

Most indicators show Italy has had the outbreak largely under control since late April. The government began lifting lockdown measures starting in early May.
The European Commission said on Friday it had reached a deal with British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca for the purchase of at least 300 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine.

The EU's executive arm, which is negotiating on behalf of the 27 EU states, said the deal also included an option to purchase 100 million more doses should the vaccine prove safe and effective.

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Bibles The Monkey That Goes Bananas About the Word of God: Book 2: Follow the Way of Love: a captivating tale about Bibles the Monkeys adventure of spreading to the world the power of God and the love that He has for everyone. Bibles The Monkey That Goes Bananas About the Word of God: Book 2: Follow the Way of Love is the creation of published author Steve Axtell, a prophetic teacher and creative director of Ride to Worship. Steve has always had a heart for children and loves to see kids operate in the gifts.

Axtell shares, Take an adventure with Bibles the Monkey in book two, Follow the Way of Love. Go camping with Bibles and his family and friends on a beautiful river where he meets new friends and God teaches Bibles about ways of love. All of nature follows the ways of love and shouts how wonderfully and fearfully we are made in the image of God. Love always imparts itself. God is love and wants to impart His nature in us as believers.

While camping, the Holy Spirit takes Bibles on a wild adventure of dreams and teaches him to follow the Lord, which is to follow the ways of love. And everywhere Bibles looks, he sees how love imparts itself. How everything reproduces after itself including God in us.

God spoke through Isaiah the prophet, I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.

In the beginning, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27). When we learn to follow the ways of love, we will be truly made in the image of God. And our joy shall be made full.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Steve Axtells new book is a wonderful creation that reminds the young children to glorify God by sharing the love that He blessed upon them. For if they follow the way of love, it leaves an impression and makes a great difference.

View a synopsis of Bibles The Monkey That Goes Bananas About the Word of God: Book 2: Follow the Way of Love on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Bibles The Monkey That Goes Bananas About the Word of God: Book 2: Follow the Way of Love at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Bibles The Monkey That Goes Bananas About the Word of God: Book 2: Follow the Way of Love, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
JACKSON, MI  From a look inside a Jackson elementary school as it opens for the start of the school year amid the pandemic, to thousands of people from attending a music festival dubbed Michigans Woodstock despite a pandemic, a lot has been going on in the area.

Here are some headlines you might have missed this week.

How the first week of school went inside a Michigan elementary

Hunt Elementary School Principal Mary Jo Raczkowski-Shannon is comfortable in her claim that the beginning of another school year isnt her first rodeo.

But its hard to ignore the difference greeting her this year in her 22nd year on the job. The novel coronavirus has definitely shaken things up.

Not even a pandemic could stop this tribute to Michigans Woodstock

Its certainly not the summer of 69, but the spirit of Michigans Woodstock is alive and well outside the small town of Jonesville.

The original Goose Lake Music Festival began 50 years ago on Aug. 7, 1970 in a field along the shores of Goose Lake in eastern Jackson County.

Headlined by bands like Jethro Tull, Chicago and Bob Seger, it drew roughly 200,000 members of the youth counterculture from all over the country to Leoni Township.

Man accused of heroin death, raping witness sentenced for lesser charge

A man who pleaded guilty to one charge after a hung jury could not decide if he supplied a fatal dose of heroin to a woman and raped a witness to keep her and her husband quiet has been sentenced.

William Amison pleaded guilty March 10 to one felony charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver less than 50 grams, court records show.

Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain, on May 20, sentenced Amison, 38, to four to 20 years in prison. His earliest release date is Dec. 13, 2020, because he had credit for serving 43 months, records show.

Independent candidate running for Jackson County sheriff

An Independent candidate is running for Jackson County Sheriff.

Joseph Beaman, 50 of Summit Township, filed to run July 15 and the 900 nominating signatures were approved in late July. Hes running as an Independent because he said he believes theres no place for partisanship in law enforcement.

I really felt compelled to run, he said. When I saw the final tallies for the Republicans  and I know Val (Cochran) Toops from some other contact through the community, I just wasnt satisfied and I thought I had something to bring to the race.

New social media policy allows city of Jackson to delete improper comments

Officials may delete comments or block users who engage in harmful or discriminatory discussion in posts on the city of Jacksons social media pages.

Jackson officials adopted a social media policy on Monday, Aug. 10, that gives staff the right to delete comments they see as inappropriate or harmful. Repeated violations could result in a user being blocked from the citys social media platforms, according to the policy.

911 calls decrease in Jackson County because of stay home order, official says

Calls to 911 in Jackson County have decreased in 2020.

Theres about a 7 percent decrease in this years calls through July 21, compared to the same time frame from 2019, data from Jackson County Central Dispatch shows.

Dispatch has received 117,515 through July 21, Emergency Dispatch 911 Director Jason Hamman said Monday, Aug. 10. He gave a presentation at the virtual meeting for Jackson County Board of Commissioners Public Safety and Transportation Committee.

Jackson High School graduates 257 students in 4 separate ceremonies

Jackson High School graduated 257 students in four separate ceremonies at Withington Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Principal Monica Pierce said she is proud of the class.

These students were always the ones we could count on, Pierce said. They have done a great job of persevering through this.

Ceremonies for Jackson High students were held at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. This allowed school officials to keep the gatherings to 100 people, per Gov. Gretchen Whitmers executive orders designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Ceremonies were streamed on YouTube due to the limit on tickets.

Michigan woman celebrating 105th birthday with help of community

The most tenured resident of Hillsdale Hospitals MacRitchie long-term care unit is readying to celebrate her 105th birthday.

Marie Peter turns 105 on Saturday, Aug. 15, and hospital staff is asking the community to join in a drive-through parade at 11:30 a.m. to help her celebrate.

$82K given to Hillsdale County schools to support safe in-person learning

Hillsdale County schools are getting some help in covering the costs of personal protective equipment as the start of the new school year approaches.

The Hillsdale County Community Foundation and Hillsdale Hospital are donating $82,000 for masks, hand sanitizers, thermometers, sanitizing stations, gloves, sprayers and cleaning supplies needed as students head back to class Sept. 8 amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Jackson ax-throwing bar builds outdoor lanes for use during pandemic

Ax-wielding athletes will soon be seen in a Jackson alleyway -- not on a horror movie set, but at a bar.

Axe Play, a bar and ax-throwing venue at 133 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Jackson, reopened on Aug. 1 with a planned special addition: A fenced-in target area for parties to throw outside.

The owners built the outdoor lane to comply with Michigans executive orders due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, which limits the business to 25% capacity. The limited capacity can be challenging to get groups involved in the sport and the outdoor lanes could mitigate that.
Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., introduced a resolution calling on China to repay U.S. bondholders more than $1.6 trillion of sovereign debt, including interest, that pre-dates the country's Communist government.

The measure will be co-sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R.-Tenn, and a House measure led by Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn. is forthcoming. Resolutions lack the force of law held by a bill, though they reflect the will of lawmakers.

The bonds, which are backed by gold, were issued by the Republic of China as far back as 1912. The governments leaders fled to Taiwan following the end of Chairman Mao Zedongs revolution in 1949. Beijing maintains Taiwan is part of China, and under international law, successor governments are responsible for the debts of their predecessors.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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A threat actor has released the databases of Utah-based gun exchange and hunting sites for free on a cybercrime forum.

On August 10th, a hacker has leaked online the databases of Utah-based gun exchange for free on a cybercrime forum.

He claims the databases contain 195,000 user records for the utahgunexchange.com, 45,000 records for their video site, 15,000 records from the hunting site muleyfreak.com, and 24,000 user records from the Kratom site deepjunglekratom.com.

According to the experts at cybersecurity intelligence firm Cyble, the leaked databases were hosted on the same Amazon AWS server.

The databases were allegedly stolen on July 16th, because this is the latest date on user records in each database.

The leaked data includes login names, hashed passwords, and email addresses.

BleepingComputer, who received the data from Cyble, confirmed that many of the email addresses listed in the databases belong to registered users of the sites.

BleepingComputer also attempted to notify impacted websites, but have not received any response.

It is not confirmed that all of the leaked data is legitimate, anyway, experts suggest users change their password immediately.

Users that share the password at another site should also change the password

Using unique passwords prevents a data breach at one site from affecting you at other websites you use.

To check if your information has been exposed in this and other data leaks, you can search for your email using the Cybles Am I Breached data breach monitoring service.

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  hacking, gun exchange)
Jamie Foxx in Netflix super-powered thriller 'Project Power'. (Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/Netflix)

Project Power directors Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost have a massive list of extra super-powers that didnt make it into the movie  but theyre not banking on a sequel just yet.

The new Netflix thriller centres on a dangerous drug that gives the user a super-power for five minutes, including everything from chameleonic camouflage to bladed arms.

Jamie Foxxs mysterious loner Art is on the hunt for the supplier of the illicit substance, which brings him into the orbit of small-time dealer Robin (Dominique Fishback).

Read more: Foxx on the importance of black superheroes

Its an action-packed tale  penned by The Batman co-writer Mattson Tomlin  in which Schulman and Joost showcase some high-octane superhero sequences, but there could have been many more.

Theres a version of this movie that has, like, twice as many powers, Schulman told Yahoo Movies UK.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost on the set of 'Project Power'. (Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix)

The movies conceit is that the drug utilises adaptations from the animal kingdom  including, notably, the unique predation techniques of the pistol shrimp  in order to give humans extraordinary powers.

Joost said: We have a massive list of powers, and their corresponding animals.

Read more: Everything coming to Netflix in August

Schulman added: We pared it back because, every time you pull a power out or shorten an action scene, it allows more room for the dramatic scenes.

And thats the heart of the movie for us  the relationship between Robin and Art.

Jamie Foxx as Art and Dominique Fishback as Robin in 'Project Power'. (Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix)

With so much material waiting in the wings, a follow-up would certainly have plenty to work with, but Schulman isnt counting his chickens just yet.

If you start a Reddit chat thread, maybe you can get the demand going, he said.

But I dont think we would ever presume that something should have a sequel until the fans ask for it.

Read more: Netflix turning The Old Guard into franchise

Schulman and Joost rose to prominence with the documentary Catfish and went on to helm two entries in the Paranormal Activity franchise for Blumhouse, including the well-reviewed Paranormal Activity 3 in 2011.

Story continues

They were approached for Project Power after producers saw their 2016 techno-thriller Nerve, which featured Dave Franco and Emma Roberts taking part in a social media game gone wrong.

Read the full interview with Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost, in which they discuss the relationship between comedy and horror, making the step up to big-budget filmmaking and the reason why the movie was made in New Orleans...

Yahoo Movies UK: I wanted to start by asking about the script for this, which was quite an in-demand spec screenplay with lots of people circling it. How did it get to your door?

Ariel Schulman: The producers, Bryan [Unkeless] and Eric [Newman], had seen Nerve and really dug it. They thought we might be able to do something fresh with this one, so they called us out of the blue.

Did you know as soon as you got the chance to read it that it was something special?

Henry Joost: Yeah, I think we knew right away. I remember I called Rel after reading about 10 pages and I said I think this should be our next movie, if we can get the job.

In terms of your previous work, this was quite a big step up budget-wise. Was that daunting at all for you?

AS: Yeah, its a big responsibility when someone says we think you can do this. Our last movie cost X amount of dollars to make and they said it looked like it cost X plus Y amount of dollars, so we said thats very nice. They said they believed in us to make a big action/sci-fi movie and that kind of encouragement goes a long way.

The script felt so clear to us and I think we both had a very clear vision of what it could look and feel like. You dont get too distracted with what it costs or how big it is. You just try to make it the thing its supposed to be.

HJ: You just stick to the plan. We had amazing support on this film too, with our producers, and all of our heads of department were really great and experienced people. In particular, our stunt coordinator Kevin Scott. It was our first time working with him. He came in and was very supportive and protective of us. He said: I can see you guys have really good ideas. I know that youre used to driving a Mazda Miata, but youre driving a semi truck on the highway now. It can still go fast, but its not as manoeuvrable as youre used to.

That turned out to be the best metaphor, I think, for the experience. At this level, the crew is bigger, the size of the movie bigger, the actors are bigger, everything is bigger. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I think that once you know how to drive it, its just as powerful.

Its interesting what you said about making movies look more expensive because I confess that when I wrote that question, I had to check how much Nerve cost because it looks more expensive than it is. I really loved it and I wish more people had seen it.

'Project Power'. (Credit: Netflix)

AS: Thanks! Its still got legs, I think. We started making movies really, really cheaply and independently while basically working in every department of the crew. Catfish, we spent $2,000 on or something like that to shoot the movie. Those kind of skills were very helpful and the Paranormal Activity films were very helpful and Nerve too. We always feel like theres a way to get it done and the more obstacles and challenges ahead of you sometimes just makes you more creative.

It also seems like no matter how big a budget is, its still never quote-unquote enough and you are forced to be endlessly resourceful. But thats part of the fun for us.

Read more: Project Power screenwriter updates on The Batman

Definitely, and I think a lot of that fun comes across with the super-powers that the characters have. When you got the project, were all of the powers written into the script, or were you able to bring in your own?

HJ: There were a few powers that we brought in later. I would say it was maybe 50-50. Do you think thats right, Rel?

AS: Yeah, fire power was there, ice power, a handful of them.

HJ: Maybe 60-40. Some of the later powers, like the character we call Knifebones and the stretchy guy, came later.

Some of them are fantastic. Knifebones, I think, was one of my favourite moments in the whole film.

Machine Gun Kelly gets fiery as Newt in 'Project Power'. (Credit: Netflix)

AS: Sometimes necessity breeds invention!

Were there any cool ideas for powers that you had and then either couldnt film or couldnt fit into the final cut?

HJ: We have a massive list of powers, and their corresponding animals.

AS: Theres a version of this movie that has, like, twice as many powers. But we pared it back because, every time you pull a power out or shorten an action scene, it allows more room for the dramatic scenes. And thats the heart of the movie for us  the relationship between Robin and Art. To be able to have a 10 or 12 minute sequence in the veterinarians office for them to become friends, I dont think you often find that in an action movie. It was important to us to make room for that.

One of the real dramatic elements of the film is its New Orleans setting. There are very pointed lines of dialogue referencing very real events. How important was that side of the story to you guys?

HJ: It was very important. The movie wasnt originally written for New Orleans. It was written for Portland, Oregon. We explored several cities to shoot in and New Orleans just felt like the place where this could happen. It wasnt that it couldnt happen in New York or LA, but it would just be a bigger thing somehow and more of an internationally known thing.

Having spent a lot of time in New Orleans, particularly after Hurricane Katrina working on a documentary and having seen the government response to that, we felt like this was definitely a place where a drug like this could be overlooked and could fly under the radar.

Its fascinating to hear that because, when you watch the film, you cant imagine it being anywhere but New Orleans.

Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 'Project Power'. (Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix)

HJ: We spent a lot of time working with Mattson and we scouted locations with the writer, which I think is unusual. Part of our process is adapting the film to fit the location and to suit the actors. For the location part, we had Mattson there with us, and we would see something and get really excited, like the abandoned amusement park or the incredible graffiti installation where Art meets Newt.

So wed decide we wanted to shoot somewhere, then we could work with Mattson to change the script to fit that location and fit the nuances and eccentricities of the city.

The cast is an interesting mix of very established names and newer stars were being introduced to. Could you talk about finding the cast and striking that balance between bringing new talent to the fore and using established names?

AS: Great, Im glad that comes across.

HJ: I think we wanted the Robin character to be someone you might be familiar with, but felt more like you were being introduced to on a big scale. We knew Dominique was good enough to potentially steal the show, and I think she does. Joe [Gordon-Levitt] and Jamie [Foxx] were gracious enough to recognise her talent and let her do that, which turned out really well.

Read more: Joseph Gordon-Levitt discusses acting return

So that was important because thats the core of the movie. Outside of that, we wanted it to feel like New Orleans, which is this gumbo of diversity and range of opinions.

I think its a fascinating world to be in. You mentioned the importance of the stunt team earlier. How difficult was it to get the big, super-powered sequences right and make them really fly?

'Project Power'. (Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix)

HJ: It took a lot of work and a lot of collaboration between many departments. We had a fantastic stunt team led by Kevin Scott and the fight choreographer Cory DeMeyers, who also happens to play the Camouflage Man. He sort of moonlighted as one of the performers in the movie.

Read more: Star Wars stunt coordinator reveals on-set secrets

They were there with us full-time in New Orleans, working out the fight sequences and choreographing. We would come in on afternoons and weekends and see what they were up to, tweak it and work out with them. At the same time, we were developing how we were going to shoot the movie with Ivan Moran, our VFX supervisor, who is brilliant, and our long-time friend and DP Mike Simmonds.

It was really a team effort. So much work goes into that and so much planning. Theres no way to really wing it.

You guys have been working together on films for a very long time. Did it present any extra challenges to have two directors working on a movie this big or did it make it easier to have someone to bounce things off?

AS: Henry is just infinitely smarter and more capable, so its very useful for me. He makes me seem a lot better. There was a point when we were shooting maybe 15 or 16 nights in a row, in the rain, and I got really sick and I could barely speak. But I could sit and watch the monitor and talk on a headset to Henry and tell him what the camera was picking up while he was standing in front of the camera and working with the actors that day.

HJ: Its kind of a superhuman job sometimes. I dont know how one person does it.

AS: Oh my God, much respect to any solo directors.

HJ: Its hard for two people!

I have to ask the obvious question. This is such a rich world and youve got your big list of powers. Is there a chance of a sequel and, if there is, would you be willing to come back?

Henry Joost, Jamie Foxx and Ariel Schulman on the set of 'Project Power'. (Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix)

AS: Well if you start a Reddit chat thread, maybe you can get the demand going. But I dont think we would ever presume that something should have a sequel until the fans ask for it.

I guess thats one of the joys of Netflix, that its immediately available to this really huge audience?

AS: Yeah, isnt it cool?

HJ: Its unprecedented. How many people will have the opportunity to watch this movie straight away?

AS: And if wed made it with a studio, Im not sure when it would be able to come out.

I wanted to ask you briefly about your experiences making Paranormal Activity films. Its a completely different end of the spectrum in terms of scale. What did you learn from making those films that youve been able to transfer into these bigger-budget projects?

AS: The most important thing was that we learned how to work within a studio system, with a bigger and more experienced crew than what we had previously been working with, which was basically ourselves and some of our college friends. I think it proved to be a really excellent training ground. We consider that our film grad school.

'Paranormal Activity 3'. (Credit: Paramount/Blumhouse)

And if they phoned you up tomorrow and asked you to make another one?

HJ: I would say that Id like to read the script.

Its interesting to me that superhero movies and super-powered stories tend to attract directors whove worked in horror. Do you think theres a reason for that linkage?

AS: I think horror is an awesome training ground for any filmmaker. It gives you a really direct sense of cause and effect and what kind of effect a scene can create on an audience. Seeing Paranormal in the theatres and seeing people audibly react and wanting them to be as loud as possible really turned us on to the idea that a quiet audience may not be our favourite kind of audience. I think in horror you can really measure the effectiveness of the scene.

Read more: Paranormal Activity 7 set to reinvigorate franchise

HJ: Theres kind of a genre-balancing in horror also, or at least in some horror. Youre bouncing between the story, the characters and also the tension that I think, in a good horror movie, exists throughout. We really tried to introduce humour into our Paranormal Activity films, which is something we cant really help doing and tried to do in [Project Power] too. Theres a very close relationship between being tense and nervous and laughing. The difference between gasping and screaming and laughing is not that big.

Ariel Schulman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt on the set of 'Project Power'. (Credit: Skip Bolen/Netflix)

You mentioned there that a quiet audience is not really your thing and, with that in mind, is it a shame that Project Power wont be seen on a big screen?

HJ: I wish it was, and I think it wouldve been if not for COVID. There was going to be a small theatrical release. I wish I had a window into everyones living room watching it. An extremely creepy window, like a magic window that I could look through any time I wanted. I would just like to see peoples reactions. Thats one of the best parts of being a filmmaker. So I guess well have to rely on Twitter and Reddit and text messages.

AS: Oh, theyll let you know!

HJ: But I think the value for us of having this movie come out now and hopefully entertaining people at such a difficult time far outweighs the necessity to have it in a movie theatre. I would much rather it came out now than in six months when it might be able to have a little theatrical window.

Project Power is streaming on Netflix as of today.
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A police officer at your door at 3am is rarely good news. When your husband is a policeman himself, and you have signed up to a life of kissing him goodbye each day, quelling the anxious voice in your head as you dash off a late-night 'Love you' text, or a sleepy, dawn 'See you later' as he heads off for a shift, that stranger in uniform is your worst nightmare.

Exactly a year ago Lissie Harper, a beautiful young newlywed  who was still awaiting her wedding video, who'd yet to go on honeymoon and whose ring still felt heavy, new and shiny on her finger  was woken in the early hours by a loud knock on her front door.

Befuddled with sleep, she opened the door and invited the officer in. 'He said there'd been a road traffic collision and, as we sat down, I asked if Andrew was OK. He said: 'Andrew has died'.

'I remember saying: 'Are you sure? But we just got married'. I realise that didn't make sense but somehow, in my head, it made what he was telling me impossible to believe.'

But of course, it did make sense. Lissie, now 29, and Andrew, 28, had been married for just four weeks. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Her husband, PC Andrew Harper, a Thames Valley police officer, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was killed in the most barbaric way imaginable  dragged by a speeding getaway car for more than a mile on country roads, until his body was so battered it was no longer recognisable as human.

So horrific was the crime that many tears have been shed for the brave young officer, even by those of us who never knew him.

A national outcry followed the 'not guilty to murder' verdicts  celebrated with whoops, cheers and pats on the back by his feral killers from the travelling community  as well as the shorter sentences handed down to them for the lesser crime of manslaughter.

In her first shattering interview, one year after her hero PC husband was dragged to his death by teenage thugs, Andrew Harpers widow Lissie shares her heartbreaking photo album and rages

First love: Lissie and Andrew, both aged 16, the year she agreed to be his girlfriend (left) and aged 17 after joining college together (right)

Last picture: Andrew and Lissie at their best friend's wedding just four days before his death

To mark the first anniversary of Andrew's death today, and to launch her campaign for Harper's Law, which would mean an automatic life sentence for anyone who kills a police officer or other on-duty emergency services worker, Lissie is speaking for the first time and exclusively to the Mail about the horror and heartache she has endured.

In the first of two emotional accounts, she talks of the huge vacuum left by her 6ft 5in, 'funny, goofy, kind-natured and nurturing' husband, her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life.

She also speaks of her steely determination to amend the law that means his killers will be eligible for parole in only a few years.

'In killing Andrew, a good, hard-working, honest, loving man, they have taken a life that was so precious and subjected me to a life sentence without him,' she says.

'For this to be allowed to happen it's clear that our justice system, supposedly designed to protect us all and which Andrew devoted his life to defending until the very end, is broken.' Yesterday there were memorial services taking place across the Berkshire force area, to mark the anniversary of his death. A wreath was laid and a minute's silence observed.

Andrew had wanted to be a policeman for as long as Lissie had known him and joined aged 19.

Albert Bowers (left) and Jessie Cole (right). Henry Long, 19 - the ringleader who was driving the Seat Toledo, seen deliberately swerving into verges as he dragged Andrew's body along the road - was sentenced to 16 years in prison after admitting manslaughter. His friends Bowers and Cole, both 18, were each sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter, which they will serve initially in a young offenders' institute. All were found not guilty of murder

Pictured left to right, Henry Long, 19, received 16 years while Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were handed 13-year prison sentences after they were convicted of manslaughter

He had all the right qualities, she says. 'He was clever and always very proactive and protective, as well as compassionate. He liked to help people. He also had a strong sense of right and wrong.'

Tall, dark and handsome to boot, to Lissie he was perfect  and she had no doubt at all that he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. 'Andrew and I grew up together so, losing him, I feel I've lost a whole part of myself.

'I miss everything about him  the hugs, the kisses, him coming in and scooping me up, giving me love. It's crippling. We had a honeymoon booked in the Maldives in September, which I had to cancel, and were planning on trying for a baby when we got back.

'Andrew would have been a great dad and having a family with him is one of the many things his killers have taken from me.'

The raw hurt Lissie still feels over all that she lost is distressing to witness. A tiny, fragile young woman  just 5ft 3in and a child-like size 6  you almost want to scoop her up and protect her from any more pain, just like her loving bear of a husband would have done. 'When I first learned how Andrew had died, all I could think was: 'I'm not strong enough to deal with this',' she says, her eyes filling with tears. In fact nothing could be farther from the truth.

Such special moments: Andrew got even closer to Lissie, both 19, when he moved in with her family

A daredevil duo: Lissie and Andrew, 21, loved adventures, such as skydiving here in 2012 (left) and the young lovers show how close they are on a trip to the Thames in Henley, aged 17 (right)

Lissie's apparent fragility belies an inner steel which has provided her with the remarkable strength to first present the eulogy at her beloved husband's funeral at Oxford's Christ Church Cathedral and later to read statements to the world's media this past year.

To the horrified public who had followed details of the case, this quiet, dignified young widow seemed the very antithesis of the lawless, morally-devoid killers who sneered and jeered their way through court proceedings.

Henry Long, 19  the ringleader who was driving the Seat Toledo, seen deliberately swerving into verges as he dragged Andrew's body along the road  was sentenced to 16 years in prison after admitting manslaughter.

His friends Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 18, were each sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter, which they will serve initially in a young offenders' institute. All were found not guilty of murder despite widespread incredulity as to how any driver or passenger could not know the car they were in was pulling a man behind it  as the three claimed in their defence.

If they behave themselves in jail they may serve no more than half of these sentences, before being granted parole  a prospect which fills Lissie with dread.

Another wonderful memory: Its 2014 and Lissie and Andrew meet a koala on Australias Magnetic Island

Lissie described Andrew as 'the kindest, loveliest, most selfless person' after he was killed while trying to stop a burglary

Truly, madly, deeply in love: Ever adventurous, snorkelling on their seven-month trip around the world in their early 20s

Andrew Harper and his wife Lissie

'It won't be long before they're out and they'll still be young,' she says. 'They will be able to get on with their lives  a privilege they have taken away from Andrew.

'The type of lives that they were living, committing crime and giving nothing back to society, was detrimental to everyone, and I've no doubt in my mind that when they are released they will go straight back to that lifestyle.'

Lissie last spoke to Andrew at 10pm on the night he died, having been asleep when he left for work at 6am. She'd been delighted when he said they should spend some money having a website put together as a shop window for her online design business, seeing it as further evidence of his faith in, and support for, her.

She fell asleep soon afterwards only to be woken a few hours later by that fateful knock on the front door. 'At first I thought it was Andrew, that maybe I'd locked him out or something, which has happened before.

Lissie Harper, the widow of Pc Andrew Harper, leaves the Old Bailey after the sentencing

'When I looked out of the window, I saw a man in a police uniform, and I thought maybe Andrew had come back with someone . . . that maybe he was there.'

When told the terrible news, Lissie remembers starting to hyperventilate and, fearing she was going to be sick, ran upstairs to the bathroom where she lay on the floor, sobbing into a towel.

Taking deep breaths now before she can continue, she adds: 'The police officer came upstairs to check I was OK and I remember thinking, 'He's got a job to do, he needs to know I'm OK, so I'd better go downstairs'.'

The officer called her parents and as they were waiting for them to arrive, he told Lissie: 'Ten people have been taken into custody.' 'I was very confused because, until then, I'd just assumed Andrew had been involved in a car accident on his way home,' says Lissie.

'I said: 'What do you mean? It's not murder though is it?' And he said: 'Yes, we think it was'. That made me even more distraught  it wasn't an accident, somebody had taken Andrew's life.' They had, in terrible circumstances.

At around 10.30pm on August 15, 2019  more than four hours after his shift should have ended  PC Harper and a colleague responded to a request over their police radio to go to Stanford Dingley in Berkshire where a group of youths had been reported stealing a quad bike.

Working late, to see the job through, was just typical of Andrew, says Lissie and happened a lot.

'He wouldn't have just palmed off on the next shift without doing his part,' she says.

As he attempted to apprehend the thieves, Andrew unwittingly stepped, with both feet, into the loop of a tow-rope attached to the back of the criminals' car, and as they sped off, was lassoed by his feet. He was pulled for more than a mile, and swung from side to side like a pendulum, along country lanes towards the A4 before eventually coming free.

His distressed colleague, who chased after the vehicle in their unmarked BMW  spotting PC Harper's belongings, including his stab vest, en route  found him dead in the road having suffered 'catastrophic injuries'.

PC Harper (pictured), a 28-year-old newlywed who was a traffic officer for Thames Valley Police, died horrifically August 15 last year

While Lissie's family did their best to shield her from the horrific details of how Andrew died, she was told that she could not see his body. It was said to be so badly mutilated that one witness mistook it for a deer.

'Not seeing Andrew's body after he died has made it even harder for me to believe that he's gone,' says Lissie. 'But I sat beside his closed coffin in the chapel of rest and told him that I loved him, that everything would be OK, and one day we'd be together again.

'I asked if I could have his wedding ring because I wanted to wear it on a chain around my neck, but they couldn't find it.'

To make up for it, her sister Kate, 31, had a heart charm on a gold bracelet engraved with 'I Love you Lissie' in Andrew's handwriting which was copied from the notes he wrote for his wedding speech, delivered just a month earlier, on July 18. The couple exchanged vows in front of 50 relatives and friends, followed by an evening reception for an additional 30, in an outdoor temple at Ardington House, a Georgian manor at the foot of the North Wessex downs in South Oxfordshire.

Lissie, who was given a card from Andrew on the morning of the wedding which read 'Life is slippery . . . take my hand', looked like a Disney princess in her vintage-style dress, with lace detail and veil, while her groom, dressed in a navy-blue, three-piece suit, could have easily passed for her handsome prince.

In his handwritten speech, which Lissie has kept, he said she looked 'more perfect than I could have ever imagined' adding: 'Lissie, you are without a doubt the closest example of perfection that I have ever encountered.'

Lissie was equally smitten. Shy of public speaking before Andrew's death, she penned a reading that her brother's girlfriend delivered outlining the many reasons she was marrying him, including: 'I love your massive shoes (size 14) that you leave about for me to trip over. I love the little notes you leave me when you go to work. That you don't mind sleeping nearest the door when we go away, just in case.'

Andrew's protective, caring nature was one of the things that made Lissie first fall for him. He joined her secondary school in Year Eight and, employing an age-old teenage boys' flirting technique, spent the next two years attempting to win Lissie over by throwing paper aeroplanes and notes with drawings of silly faces on them at her across the classroom. Lissie, then a pretty brunette, liked him from the start but, despite him asking her out countless times, insisted that dating would spoil their friendship.

Lissie with Andrew on their wedding day at Ardington House in Oxfordshire in the summer of 2019

It was a month after her 16th birthday, and two months before his, that she finally made Andrew's dreams come true by agreeing to be his girlfriend.

'He was very tall, already 6ft 5in, and lanky, with rosy cheeks and very shy, although he had lots of friends,' remembers Lissie, smiling at the memory of the young Andrew.

'He was funny, always goofing around and making me laugh, but also really kind-natured and nurturing, offering me his coat if I was cold and making sure I had enough to eat.

'He was more mature than a lot of boys that age, he had part-time jobs and was in the Army cadets and, from the age of 16, he rode a moped to school.'

Lissie believes Andrew's maturity and caring nature were partly the result of his early life experience. His mother left the family home when he was four and his younger brother, Sean, just one.

Thames Valley Police officer PC Andrew Harper, 28, (right) with a colleague

The two boys were raised by their father, at the same time as he was setting up a stairlift fitting company, and later their stepmum, Karen, mother to their half-sister, Aimee, now 21.

Andrew took his role as big brother very seriously, always looking out for his siblings and, throughout their 12 years together, also Lissie and her family.

The young sweethearts went to Henley College after GCSEs, Andrew to do A-levels in business and environmental science and Lissie to study art and design.

'Those early days, they were carefree, as they are when you are teenagers. We had a big group of friends, and loved going to the cinema and things like that. And food: Andrew loved food  he would get through a lot of food, as I'm sure his stepmum Karen will attest!'

Aged 18, Andrew moved in with Lissie's family  mum Julie, who works for the Blue Cross charity, dad Simon, 56, who owns a car restoration company, sister Kate and brother Jake, 24.

The couple, who took a sabbatical and spent seven months travelling around Africa, Asia and Australia in their early 20s, were 25 by the time they moved out of the five-bed detached, having saved up a deposit for their own home. Julie and Simon say they loved Andrew, who would cook, volunteer to empty the dishwasher and take advantage of his great height to change lightbulbs, 'like a son'.

His and Lissie's new home, a one-bedroom Grade 2 listed cottage on the bank of the River Thames in South Oxfordshire was small but idyllic, complete with original fireplaces.

'We were so excited on our first night there in our new home,' recalls Lissie. 'We ordered a pizza delivery and had to eat it sitting on the floor as we didn't have a table and chairs.'

Andrew, ever the traditionalist, asked Simon for his daughter's hand in marriage during a family holiday in Norfolk in the summer of 2016. Simon, who had long introduced Andrew to friends as his 'future son-in-law' had no reservations about agreeing. However, the young officer took his time, enlisting Lissie's sister Kate to help him choose the perfect engagement ring  an aquamarine stone set in rose gold and encircled with diamonds, bought at an antique jewellery shop in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Undated handout file photo issued by Thames Valley Police of 28-year-old PC Andrew Harper and his wife, Lissie

It was May 2017 when he finally got down on one knee and presented it to her, on a clifftop overlooking Italy's Amalfi Coast in Sorrento.

Lissie recalls: 'He said, 'We've been together since we were 16 and I couldn't imagine my life without you. I'd love us to be together for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?'

'I said 'Yes!' and we both laughed then Andrew, who filmed it all on his phone, had a little cry.'

Lissie was working hard establishing her fledgling linoleum print business while Andrew did regular overtime to help cover the outgoings.

This was a source of stress for Lissie, who admits to being anxious by nature and would lie awake at night worrying about not bringing in enough money. 'We used to talk a lot at night because I'd be struggling to sleep, worrying about things, like wanting to be able to contribute more, and he'd say: 'Quiet that monkey chatter in your brain, we're a team!',' she says, smiling fondly at the memory.

'Andrew had an enviable ability to just focus on the important stuff and not worry about any-thing else.'

Lissie breaks down recalling one night when she was struggling to sleep, worried by fears about her own mortality, when Andrew told her: 'Death's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just another adventure.'

Both were big fans of adventures, from bungee jumping and skydiving to paragliding and swimming with dolphins.

There was nothing they hadn't tried on their travels.

Height of romance: Andrews proposal to Lissie on a Sorrento clifftop in 2017

Man and wife: Lissie and Andrew sign the wedding register following their marriage in July last year

Sealed with a kiss: The happy couple are minutes into their marriage. Tragically, just four weeks later, Andrew was dead

Looking through their photographs is bittersweet  Lissie hasn't been able to bring herself to watch their wedding video, which arrived shortly after Andrew died. Following Andrew's death, Lissie stayed with her family until May, before finally returning to her cottage after her mum suggested she adopt a British shorthair rescue cat, Bernard, who curls up in the double bed beside her, filling at least a little of the huge hole left by Andrew's passing.

However, as a lifelong worrier, Lissie says that now the very worst thing she could have imagined has happened, losing the love of her life, she no longer lives in fear. 'I used to worry about Andrew going to work at night.

'Everything seems more frightening in the dark, and also whenever he rode a motorbike, although he promised me he was always careful, which he was,' she says.

'There were allegations that the killers' relatives were intimidating jurors during the trial and then, on the day they were acquitted of murder, when I requested a retrial, my car was keyed.

'I can't be sure who did that but I do know that Andrew's killers and their supporters would probably rather I faded quietly into the background. But I've no intention of doing that.

'Sadly, nothing I do will bring Andrew back, but I know he would be proud of me for seeking to bring about a change in the law [backed by the Police Federation] which will hopefully act as a deterrent to anyone considering doing to one of his fellow frontline workers the terrible thing they did to him.

'Those who are not deterred by it deserve to spend the rest of their lives behind bars, not be out walking the streets in a few years, as Andrew's killers will be.'
One woman, who declined to give her name, narrowly avoided being taken into custody as one officer pushed her with a baton as police tried to secure the scene. The woman said a friend jumped between her and the officer. Several other police officers detained him and one officer used pepper spray on her as they arrested him, she said.
Mrs. Shanis was a driving force behind the Philadelphia Art Alliance and many other cultural organizations for years. Read more

Carole Price Shanis, 86, an innovative interior designer and longtime cultural philanthropist, died Saturday, July 18, of dementia and cancer.

Although Mrs. Shanis was born in Brooklyn, she adopted Philadelphia as her own after marrying local attorney and retail executive Joseph Shanis in 1987. Introduced by mutual friends, the couple went on to serve in leadership and philanthropic roles in many cultural organizations.

The city meant a lot of her, said her son, Jonathan Price. She was always into philanthropy.

Over the years, Mrs. Shanis and her husband became involved with, among other groups, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Marian Anderson Award, Friends of Rittenhouse Square, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance, or MANNA. In 2002, MANNA gave the couple its first Outstanding Community Leadership Award.

Mrs. Shanis was particularly active as president and chair of the board of the Philadelphia Art Alliance. She helped shift the focus of the group, considered one of the first multidisciplinary art spaces in the United States, from avant-garde artists to contemporary craft and design as it fought to remain relevant over the last 30 years.

More recently, she worked closely with David Yager, the president of University of the Arts, when the alliance was absorbed by the university in 2017.

She was a very tough negotiator, Yager said, noting that he and Mrs. Shanis often haggled over details of the acquisition over breakfast. But I could see the passion that she had for art. She drove the whole [project]. I found a friend in the process, and I dont normally do that.

Mrs. Shanis was so adamant that the art alliance survive during some tough financial years before the acquisition by the university that she and her husband personally covered some of the groups expenses.

I just couldnt move over or give up until something like this was done, she said in 2017.

She had an amazing commitment to keep [the alliance] alive, Yager said.

Away from the office, Mrs. Shanis loved to attend and throw parties. She and her husband attended many galas, hosted the Marian Anderson Award dinner for years, and dined with the likes of entertainers Gregory Peck, Oprah Winfrey, Elizabeth Taylor, and Quincy Jones.

She always told me shed help throw my parties, Yager said.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mrs. Shanis ran an interior design business out of her home in Manhattan and then Long Island, and was involved with design trade organizations. She designed the interiors of her family homes, and carried that artistic inclination with her the rest of her life. She enjoyed shopping and concerts.

She was always dressed elegantly, with her jewelry just perfect, Yager said. I found her wonderfully charming.

Laurie Phillips, a friend and colleague, said, She always said, Only the best will do. 

In addition to her son, Mrs. Shanis is survived by daughter Jennifer; stepdaughter Nona; stepsons Donald and Harry; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and former husband Joel Price. Her husband died in 2017.

Services were at West Laurel Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the University of the Arts Art Alliance, University of the Arts Office of Advancement, Att: Andrew Pack, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102.
North Korea says it is relaxing a lockdown on a border city imposed after a defector sneaked back into the country

North Korea said Friday it had lifted a three-week lockdown that was imposed on a border city after a defector believed to be carrying the coronavirus sneaked back into the country.

The secretive nation has insisted it has had no cases of COVID-19 -- a claim international experts say is unlikely, given the spread of the disease around the world.

Authorities in July said they were imposing a lockdown on Kaesong city when a 24-year-old man, arrested after crossing the heavily fortified border from the South, was found to be displaying symptoms of the coronavirus.

"It has been proved the situation of anti-epidemic work has been kept and controlled stably", Leader Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying by the state-run KCNA news agency.

Kim "expressed thanks... to the people in the locked-down area for having remained faithful to the measures taken by our Party and government, despite the inconvenience in their living under quarantine".

North Korea's medical infrastructure is seen as woefully inadequate for dealing with any large-scale outbreak.

Pyongyang closed its borders in late January -- the first country in the world to do so -- in a bid to protect itself against the coronavirus.

It imposed tough restrictions that put thousands of people into isolation, but analysts say the country is unlikely to have avoided the contagion.

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Bengaluru: Youth, including those from a minority community, decided to protect a temple when a mob was going on a rampage here after being irked over a social media post on an allegedly communally sensitive issue.

A video of the youth quickly forming the human chain to protect the Hanuman temple on Shampura Main Road has gone viral, even as the mob was indulging in arson.

The human chain was formed on Tuesday night as a result of some quick thinking while violence sent shock waves across DJ Halli, KG Halli and neighbouring areas of Pulakeshinagar.

"We saw the rioters coming in groups towards the temple and their intention seemed to damage it. Then we decided to form a human chain to protect it," a youth who wished not to be named, said.

He expressed fear that any damage to the temple could have complicated things further.

On Tuesday night, a mob had gone on the rampage at Pulakeshinagar irked over the social media post allegedly put out by a Congress legislator's relative, with the government terming the violence as a well-planned act.

Three persons were killed when police opened fire to quell the mob and scores of others, including over 50 police personnel, sustained injuries in the violence that stretched till the wee hours of Wednesday.

The mob had set on fire the DJ Halli Police Station, besides damaging Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy's property for his nephew Naveen had allegedly posted some objectionable content in the social media about a week ago.

State Revenue Minister R Ashoka had dubbed the violence pre-planned with an intention to spread it in other parts of the city. Naveen has also been arrested.
The Stalbaum couple around 1949, a few months before they got married. Credit: Courtesy of the Stalbaum family

After 70 years of marriage, the coronavirus tore Margie and Werner Stalbaum apart. But Margie, who was positive for COVID-19, wasnt the one who died. It was Werner, of natural causes  and maybe of loneliness.

In early June, when 87-year-old Margie tested positive for the virus in the Cedar Park nursing home where they lived together, she was transferred to a different facility in nearby Round Rock to be isolated.

When their granddaughter Serena Bumpus visited Werner during that period, she talked to him through a window. Werner, who was 88 years old with dementia, would point at his wifes empty bed, looking as if he didnt know what was going on.

Part of me wonders, and the rest of my family wonders, did he think she had already passed? said Bumpus, who is a nurse. And he just thought, Its time for me to go be with her.

The coronavirus pandemic has been a constant and precarious balancing act between limiting the spread of the virus and the need for life to go on. In few places has this balance been more delicate than in long-term care facilities, where elderly and medically fragile residents have been deprived of visits from loved ones for almost five months.

For some families, that wait is ending as the state rolls out new rules to allow visitation again in certain nursing homes and assisted living facilities, but it remains unclear how many facilities can  or will  start allowing visits. And some families say the damage to their loved ones from prolonged isolation has already been done.

As the pandemic reached the U.S.  and began ravaging nursing homes soon after  most states with coronavirus outbreaks closed visitation at long-term care facilities. Recently, some states have begun allowing visitors again as the COVID-19 curve flattened.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott shut down visitation in mid-March. That order remained in effect for 145 days until Aug. 6, when the state eased restrictions for facilities that dont have any active COVID-19 cases among residents or confirmed cases among staff in the last two weeks.

Of Texas 1,215 nursing homes, 56% still had active cases on Thursday while more than 15% of the 2,000 assisted living facilities have reported active infections.

Once a facility determines it can allow visitors, the next step is to get approval from the state if it decides to resume visitation  and thats up to each facility, Texas Health and Human Services spokesperson Kelli Weldon said in an email. Weldon added that the state doesnt yet have a list of facilities that have been approved to resume visitation.

Its up to families to contact the facilities to find out whether they are able to allow limited visitation. Even facilities that meet the requirements cannot allow physical contact between residents and visitors, state officials said.

Genny Lutzel holds a photograph of her mother, Paula Spangler, 80, outside her home in Rockwall on Aug. 06, 2020. Lutzel hasn't seen her mother, who lives in a nursing home and suffers from Alzheimer's, since March due to COVID-19. Credit: Ben Torres for the Texas Tribune

Genny Lutzel stretches her hand as she describes her experience visiting her mother through a window outside of a nursing home, outside her home in Rockwall on Aug. 06, 2020. Lutzel hasn't seen her mother, who lives in a nursing home and suffers from Alzheimer's, since March due to COVID-19. Lutzel stopped visiting her mother through a window because, she says, "the experience for her (mom) is very confusing" due to the Alzheimer's. Credit: Ben Torres for the Texas Tribune

Genny Lutzel covers her mouth as tears fill her eyes while holding a photograph of her mother, Paula Spangler, 80, outside her home in Rockwall on Aug. 06, 2020. Lutzel hasn't seen her mother, who lives in a nursing home and suffers from Alzheimer's, since March due to COVID-19. Credit: Ben Torres for the Texas Tribune

FIrst: Genny Lutzel holds a photograph of her mother. Center: Lutzel shows how she touches the window when she visits her mother. Last: She is afraid she wont hug her mom until someone declares her to be actively dying, she said in an interview. Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune

For many families, this is not acceptable.

My mom has Alzheimers, she is nonverbal," says Genny Lutzel, whose mother Paula is in an assisted living facility in Rockwall, near Dallas. "Everything in her world is sensory, sensory touch, sensory communication. And we cant touch.

COVID-19 has been so devastating in long-term care  with close to 22,000 infections and over 3,100 deaths in Texas since the beginning of the pandemic  that facilities are fearful of allowing any visitors and wary of putting more pressure on their staff, who will have to supervise every minute of the visits, said Jude Goodson, former executive director of Orchard Park at Southfork, an assisted living facility south of Houston.

Goodson said the pandemic has put facilities under tremendous financial pressure because of expenses like protective equipment for staff and technology to keep the residents in touch with their families. Meanwhile, revenues have dropped because of fewer new admissions and more deaths, she said.

With severe financial issues, where is that extra staff [to manage visitations] going to come from? Goodson said.

Roadblocks to visits

Abbotts March order halting visitation didnt halt the spread of COVID-19 among some of the states most at-risk residents. After the governor allowed businesses to gradually reopen in May and June, infections in nursing homes and assisted living facilities soared. In July, more than 11,000 of their residents were infected, and 1,350 died  more than four times the totals for June.

While families were banned from entering the facilities, infected staff members brought the virus to work with them, health experts say. Once inside a facility, it spreads like a wildfire, Phil Wilson, the acting executive commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said during a webinar about the new visitation rules on Aug. 7.

The visitation rules are taking effect even as cases in nursing homes and assisted living centers are still growing, with deaths in long-term care facilities still making up for a third of the states overall toll. More than 1,100 new cases have been reported over the past week, a 54% drop compared to the last week of July  which saw some of the highest case numbers of the pandemic  but still more than double the weekly average for June.

Under the new rules, in addition to being COVID-free, nursing homes  the hardest hit facilities  will also have to test their staff every week, which has been difficult to achieve because of limited access to testing.

Testing has been an ongoing challenge, Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association, which represents long-term care facilities, said last week after the new rules were published. Facilities can perform their own testing, using federal funds allocated for COVID-19, but without that federal money, Warren said it can cost facilities up to $15,000 a week to perform tests.

In July, the state tested all residents and staff in only about 7% of long-term care facilities, either through requests by the facilities or through quick response teams the state deployed after outbreaks were reported. In August, the state plans to test residents at 9% of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

At the end of July, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services started sending devices to nursing homes that can perform antigen tests on-the-spot within minutes; 372 have been allocated so far at Texas more than 1,200 nursing homes. Antigen tests are taken by nasal or throat swab like other tests, and while faster, they generate more false negative results than other kind of test.

But the new requirement to test all staff weekly could be a Catch-22 for nursing homes: those with no active case arent prioritized to receive those testing devices.

I dont see how a nursing facility can test staff weekly without point-of-care testing [with the federally-supplied devices], said Patty Ducayet, the states long-term care ombudsman, adding that she has no evidence that the state is fulfilling the remaining need.

Isolation kills too

Lutzel said she has been visiting her mom through a window since March.

I know theyre doing everything they can, but there is just no substitute for a family member, she said.

Scientists have long studied the effect of social interaction on the brain; the pandemic has offered a grim occasion to measure the consequences of the lack of interaction.

Isolation can lead to mental and physical decline, said Dr. Carmel Dyer, professor and executive director of the Consortium on Aging at UTHealth in Houston. Anxiety and depression increase with social isolation.

One thing that our brains like the most is social interaction, says Dr. Janice Knebl, professor in geriatrics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

Both said several of their patients in long-term care have shown signs of declining health at a much faster pace than the normal course of aging or dementia.

Leora and Aretha Carter have also noticed the rapid decline of their mom, Willie Mae Carter, who is in Ridgecrest Retirement and Healthcare in Waco, during their weekly through-the-window visits.

She had dementia but could still recognize us even if it took a minute. Now she wont even get up out of a chair. I understand shes 90 years old, but it occurred so quickly, Leora Carter said.

She had a chance to do an outside visit with her mother in mid-May, but being six feet apart was hard, and the ritual hug to say goodbye was impossible.

Dyer said people with moderate to severe dementia are not always aware of the reasons why their loved ones cant visit or hug them and might feel abandoned.

The new state rules allow for a failure to thrive exception to the visitation ban, which has to be documented and is only allowed at facilities that meet the other requirements.

Under the exception, if a physician diagnoses a decline in a residents physical or mental health, one person can be designated to be the sole visitor for that person, and not just in end-of-life situations as has been the case.

Signs of a failure to thrive include weight loss, decreased appetite, poor nutrition, and inactivity, reads the new emergency rules for nursing facilities.

For Renee Griggs, the fact that rules are different for different facilities creates a lot of confusion.

Her mother suffers from dementia and lives in an assisted living facility called The Grandview of Chisholm Trail in Fort Worth. When she talked to the facility on Friday, they didnt know if they could or were going to allow visits.

Griggs said her mother has lost 16 pounds since January, and shes gone from remembering her daughter to being disoriented and incontinent.

Even though COVID itself is not killing my mom, the consequences of the disease are killing her, she said.

She picked her mother up last week on Friday for an essential doctors appointment. She still has not driven her back to the facility. I just couldnt do that, she said.

The Stalbaum family thinks Werner Stalbaum could be another victim of the virus who never contracted it.

Werner and Margie Stalbaum in May 2020, about two months after Texas nursing homes were locked down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Courtesy of the Stalbaum family

Margie Stalbaum was her husbands lifeline, and putting her in quarantine took away the one person who kept things familiar, Bumpus said.

They had never been apart for so long, she added, and Werners health declined quickly after his wife was transferred.

Bumpus had a chance to visit her grandfather in his last hours, because of the exception to the visitation ban for compassionate end-of-life care. Bumpus said what she saw still haunts her; in 18 years of nursing, she said she had never seen such a look of defeat on everyones face, including residents and the staff.

That day, Margie Stalbaum was still waiting for a second test to come back negative so she could be reunited with her husband. She learned through a wrought iron fence, through masks and distance, that the love of her life was gone.

She could hardly formulate a sentence after she returned to the Cedar Park facility, Bumpus said, adding that she believes isolation caused her grandmother to become disoriented.

Only at Werners funeral did it become clear that Margie didnt fully grasp what had happened.

And so when she is rolled up to the casket to say goodbye, she looks at my aunt and says Oh my god, he died, Bumpus said.

Disclosure: Texas Health Care Association and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
7digital Group was the top riser this week, rocketing 143 per cent to 1p on the back of a contract with US video platform Triller.

The digital music companys catalogue of more than 80million tracks will be available to Triller users when editing videos.

Triller has been on the news lately as it could potentially to replace TikTok in the US if the White House ban goes ahead.

TikToks parent ByteDance has just over a month to find a potential buyer in the US, otherwise transactions with the Chinese company will be prohibited under an order signed by Donald Trump.

7Digital Group is a digital music firm which has a catalogue of more than 80million tracks

Washington is looking to disrupt the companys activity over concerns of personal data use.

If it goes ahead, Apple and Google wouldnt be able to provide it on their app stores, hindering its growth.

As events unfold, Triller is reportedly seeking fresh funding of US$250million that value it at US$1billion, a huge jump from Octobers valuation of US$130million.

Graphene was supposed to be the new super-strong, superconductive nano-material destined to transform all areas life.

Who would have thought it would have found commercial traction in super-safe Covid facemasks? Directa Plus, up 9 per cent, is the second AIM firm to come to the market with a graphene-enhance mask, following Versarien, which has significant orders for its PPE product lines.

Turning to the wider market, the AIM All-Share was up 2 per cent to 951, outperforming the FTSE 100 index which was flat at 6,043.

Sticking to the risers, N4 Pharma soared 67 per cent to 9p on the back of positive results of its study to evaluate COVID-19 applications of Nuvec, its delivery system for cancer treatments and vaccines.

Oiler Westmount Energy surged 44 per cent to 21p after it was announced that the Stena Carron drillship has arrived at the Tanager-1 wellsite, offshore Guyana.

Directa Plus is the second AIM firm to come to the market with a graphene-enhance mask

Sector-mate Angus Energy climbed 34 per cent to 1p after securing an off-take agreement with Royal Dutch Shell for the entire production from the Saltfleetby Gas Field onshore England. It is also to submit its application for an extended well test at the nearby Balcombe site next week.

In the IT sector, digital transformation firm The Panoply Holdings shot up 37 per cent to 137p after unveiling two significant contracts signed with HM Land Registry worth up to 4.8million in total.

On the contracts front, remote site service provider RA International jumped 20 per cent to 55p on the back of a new US$60million deal with a large engineering and construction firm in Southern Africa.

Meanwhile, Horizonte Minerals advanced 22 per cent to 4p after signing up five international banks  BNP Paribas, ING Capital, Mizuho Bank, Natixis, and Societe Generale  to arrange a US$325million debt facility to get work underway at the Araguaia ferro-nickel project in Brazil. This was seen by the market as a major tick in the box for the asset and a vote of confidence in the management team, led by Jeremy Martin.

Online retailer ASOS added 10 per cent to 4,754p after lifting the profits expectations for the full-year after stronger than anticipated demand for its clothing lines.

Online retailer ASOS added 10 per cent after lifting the profits expectations for the full-year after stronger than anticipated demand for its clothing lines

Among the fallers, pharma services provider Proteome Sciences tanked 25 per cent to 3p after admitting the 71 per cent jump in half-year revenues to 600,000 saw a disproportionate increase in costs due to re-stocking, so loss before tax widened 15 per cent to 480,000.

Satellite communications equipment firm Global Invacom Group dropped 20 per cent to 6p after admitting a fall in anticipated orders as the US, one of its significant markets, continues to be severely impacted by COVID-19.

Likewise, computer training company Pennant International slipped 18% to 33p after warning turnover for the 2020 financial year will be around 14mln, against last years 20mln revenues, due to continued coronavirus disruption to its contracts.

PetroTal shed 14 per cent to 11p after shutting down the Bretana Oil Field in Peru following protests against the government, as activist groups feel local communities are not receiving their fair share from oil activities.

Finally, oncology drug development consultancy Physiomics lost 7 per cent to 6p after chief executive Jim Millen sold 597,332 shares at 6.45p each to cover the cost of his exercise of options, so he now owns 1.42 per cent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.14

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Germany amounted to $817.2 million over 1H2020, compared to $769.3 million during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee.

The share of Germany in total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover stood at less than 1.9 percent during the reporting period compared to 1.7 percent during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export to Germany amounted to $133.2 million over the period from January through June 2020, compared to $151.1 million during the same period of 2019.

Germanys share in total volume of Kazakhstans export amounted to less than 0.5 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.5 percent during the same period of 2019 indicating it was also flat year-on-year.

In turn, Kazakhstans imports from Germany slightly exceeded $684 million over the reporting period, compared to $618.1 million during the same period of 2019.

Germanys share in total volume of Kazakhstans import amounted to 4.1 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 3.5 percent during the same period of 2019.

The total volume of Kazakhstans trade turnover amounted to $42.5 billion over the period from Jan. through June 2020 which indicates a decrease from $46.1 billion during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export amounted to $26 billion during the reporting period of 2020 ($28.6 billion in the same period of 2019), whereas import amounted to $16.5 billion ($17.5 billion in 2019).

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Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
The Otu of Igarra, High Chief Joseph Mayaki Akpeji, has donated the sum of 1 million naira to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 19th Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu.

He made the donation on behalf of the Eziobe traditional council, Akoko Edo when the APC candidate visited his palace.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu and his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, were accompanied by the former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Francis Alimikhena, the member representing Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Deputy Majority Leader, Comrade Peter Akpatason, and other leaders of the APC.

According to High Chief Joseph Mayaki Akpeji, the Otu of Igarra and head of the Eziobe traditional council, the 1 million naira donation was an expression of his support for the APC and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, particularly with the sound plans highlighted in his SIMPLE agenda manifesto to develop the state and improve security through partnership with the traditional council and other community heads, and to aid his campaign in delivering its message to the entire 192 wards of the State and score the majority votes on September 19.

Joined by the Oshemi of Igarra, Oshimdase of Igarra, and the Oshidu of Igarra, High Chief Joseph Mayaki Akpeji prayed for the candidate and his running mate after endorsing them and declaring to offer full support to the APC during the campaign and at the polls.

We shall send a powerful delegation to Benin for your inauguration after the expected peaceful and successful election. We have all resolved to support you and to cast our votes for you in Igarra as a whole, the Otu of Igarra said.

We will do all we can to support your election in the September 19, 2020 governorship election in the state.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mallam Gani Audu, who thanked the traditional ruler for his donation and blessings, were decorated with the traditional Igarra Itowoji clothes to symbolize their acceptance and adoption as the preferred candidate in the election.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate was also at the palace of the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II, where he further assured the traditional rulers of his plans and readiness to maintain active collaborations and partnership with them in the development of their domains if elected as the next Governor of the State.

Ize-Iyamu said traditional rulers and other community heads hold important roles in the state as one of the closest forms of leadership to the people and the custodian of their cultural values. He promised to bring to an end the era of them being treated as mere ceremonial office-holders and actively involve them in the governance of the state.

He said: In my documented SIMPLE agenda manifesto, we recognized the pre-eminence of traditional rulers. It is not enough to give them ceremonial attention, traditional rulers must be part of the running of government because of the special roles they play and their closeness to the people. A partnership between traditional rulers and the government, for instance, can help solve the problem of insecurity with effective monitoring and intelligence gathering.

I am able to show you this document to your Highnesses because the Bible says where there is no vision the people perish. For the past four years, we have had a government without a clear cut agenda, Ize-Iyamu said.
Onus of Galwan clash not on China says Chinese enjoy in embassy magazine

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Chinese Ambassador to India, Sun Weidong said that the onus is not on china for the Galwan Valley incident in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred.

Writing in the Chinese embassy magazine China-India review, which is published in New Delhi, he said if one analyses the incident closely it's quite clear that the onus is not on China. The Indian side crossed the LAC for provocation and attacked the Chinese border troops. The Indian forces seriously violated agreements on border issues between the two countries and severely violated basic norms governing international relations.

India-China standoff: The importance of Misri meeting Liu

"We urge the Indian side to conduct a thorough investigation, hold the violators accountable, strictly discipline the frontline troops, and immediately stop all provocative acts to ensure such incidents will not occur again," he also said.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

"In any relationship, there are ups and downs. The recent border issue and unfortunate incident between China and India should not detract from the forward-looking vision of the bilateral partnership charted by our two leaders, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Sun said in the signed piece.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 8:48 [IST]
Kumasi-based serial caller and an ardent supporter of former President John Dramani Mahama, Frank Kwaku Appiah popularly known as Appiah Stadium made a shocking revelation on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie when discussing the viral give-and-take between two female entertainers and some reportedly esteemed Ghanaian gentleman.



The duo, Tracey Boakye and Mzbel took to their Instagram page, posting abusive videos attacking each other over their relationship with the same married man.



Speculations are rife as to who that mysterious married man seen posing in numerous pictures with the ladies is.



But, Appiah Stadium has stated emphatically that both Tracey Boakye and Mzbel are not John Mahamas "taste" when he wants to have a side chick.



He told host Kwesi Aboagye that the former President would not be interested in Tracey Boakye or Mzbel.



Even someone composed a song that Mahama likes big butts, but Mzbel and Tracey Boakye asses, I doubt, he said.



He also dismissed reports of John Mahama having a child with Tracey Boakye.







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Cornelius Van Der Ploeg (pictured), 64, asked his children if he could spend 30 minutes alone with his wife Cherith and later came out of her bedroom and said: 'I throttled her'

The estranged husband of a terminally-ill nurse has been jailed for life after he suffocated her in 'an act of mercy' when she had only days to live.

Cornelius Van Der Ploeg, 64, asked his children if he could spend 30 minutes alone with his wife Cherith and later came out of her bedroom and said: 'I throttled her.'

He admitted her murder and was told he must serve a minimum term of five years and 187 day in jail.

Norwich Crown Court heard how Mrs Van Der Ploeg, 60, was dying of lung cancer after being diagnosed with the illness in 2019.

She had lost much of her sight and her ability to speak and had expressed a desire 'not to be a burden on her family'.

But the court was told although she had mentioned ending her life at a clinic in Switzerland, she could not do so as she did not want to implicate her children.

Mrs Van Der Ploeg and her husband had split up two years earlier, but he continued to support her at her home in Highfields, Costessey near Norwich, Norfolk.

Van Der Ploeg visited her on February 15 and told two of their four children who were caring for her that he wanted 30 minutes alone with her.

He admitted her murder at Norwich Crown Court (pictured) and was told he must serve a minimum term of five years and 187 day in jail

Prosecutor Tony Badenoch QC said the couple's son saw his father with 'his head on her pillow.'

He later realised his mother who had worked in the radiology department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, was pale and not breathing.

When Van Der Ploeg, of Telford, Shropshire, returned to the kitchen, he told his children: 'I throttled her.'

But his son would not listen and tried to throw him out of the semi-detached house.

Police were called by the children and when officers arrived, former driving instructor Van Der Ploeg told them: 'It's me you want.'

He added he 'hated to see his wife suffer so much' after 39 years of marriage and had killed her in 'an act of mercy'.

Van Der Ploeg later told police 'she was in so much pain'. He said they had previously discussed death and she had told him: 'Don't let me suffer.'

He told officers 'I couldn't see her suffer any more.'

The court heard Mrs Van Der Ploeg had returned home for 'end of life care' at the start of the year after undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A moving victim statement from one of her daughters said her father's horrific and shocking actions had robbed her of precious time with her mother.

Mrs Van Der Ploeg and her husband had split up two years earlier, but he continued to support her at her home in Highfields, Costessey near Norwich, Norfolk (general view)

She said: 'We don't know why dad did what he did. We can only assume its because it's the only thing he could do to help with mum's suffering.'

She insisted he was not an evil person and admitted he 'would not have done what he did if mum had not been in such a bad way'.

But she added: 'I know that he did it out of love and not hate but it was not his decision to make.'

'There were days where we cried and tried to keep each other strong. Doing what needed doing to try and keep mum as comfortable as we possibly could.

'We went to bed at night, saying our good nights and our farewells to mum, as there was no guarantee that she would still be with us when we woke up in the morning. We were hoping for a peaceful end to mum's suffering.

'Unfortunately, we do not know if Mom's final moments were peaceful. The loss of our dear mother, has of course affected us greatly. However, the crime did not take my mother away from me, the cancer did.'

The daughter described her mother as 'a strong, independent and private woman' who 'did not want to be in the position she found herself in with the disease having taken so much from her'.

She said she had been unable to properly grieve the loss of her mother while having daily visits from the police, 'going over and over what dad had done'.

The procedure caused her more anxiety than her mother's death and led to her not being able to grasp 'her mum was gone forever'.

She added she did not know whether she would speak to her father again.

Judge Stephen Holt descried it as a 'sensitive' and 'tragic case' in which Mrs Van Der Ploeg knew the 'end of her life was inevitably coming'.

The judge said there was 'no doubt at the time of her death she was suffering greatly and in serious pain from the cancer'.

But he added: 'It was not right for anyone to make a choice over life or death.' Van Der Ploeg broke down and wept during the hearing.

Elizabeth Marsh QC, defending, said he had killed her in an 'act of mercy' and had 'extinguished her suffering' out of love, rather than hate.

She said the victim was 'terminally ill', had an 'end of life plan' and was twice told she had just days to live.

Ms Marsh said she had a 'settled wish to terminate her own life before pain overwhelmed her or she became a burden'.

She added Van Der Ploeg, who came to the UK with his wife from South Africa in 2011, insisted he did right by Cherith and by his children even if it was 'wrong in law'.

Detective Inspector Lewis Craske, of the Norfolk and Suffolk joint major investigation team, said after the hearing it was a 'sad' case which had left a family 'to pick up the pieces'.

Describing Van Der Ploeg's actions, he said: 'In his view it was an act of mercy to either help Cherith or help the family to be able to move on.'

But he insisted it was 'misguided' and all he achieved was to rob her family of the precious time she had left with them.

He said: 'That was taken from them by him and his decision to do what he did. I feel really bad for the family.

'It didn't end like they expected it to end. They didn't expect to be told by their dad that he was a murderer.

'He didn't say to the family what he was going to do but just acted on his own decision to do it.'

Mrs Van Dr Ploeg was born in Rhodesia, qualified as a nurse in 1998 and worked in Johannesburg before emigrating to the UK.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital described her in a statement as a 'much-loved colleague' and 'mentor'.

It said: 'Dedicated, inspiring, courageous, kind and special. Tributes to Cherith Van Der Ploeg will form a permanent memorial to the Staff Nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

'A memorial tree artwork features tributes from colleagues to the nurse, known as Cherry to her colleagues, and friends in the interventional radiology department at NNUH.

'The memorial will be placed in the staff room of the new Norfolk Centre for Interventional Radiology at NNUH as a constant reminder of the type of person and nurse we should all aspire to be.'
Public Health England's counts of new daily coronavirus cases still includes 30,000 people who were counted twice before July, MailOnline can reveal.

Although the total number of people infected has been adjusted down to 313,798, as of yesterday, the sum of all the daily increases amounts to 344,384.

When the Government split its statistics into 'pillar one' and 'pillar two' tests, 30,000 Covid-19 patients were found to have been counted twice and the overall tally had to be redone.

Although the grand total was changed six weeks ago, officials have been unable to show exactly where and when the duplicate tests happened.

It is the latest in a string of issues with Government data about the pandemic, with it emerging that Public Health England was recording anyone who ever tested positive as a victim, even if they died in a car crash months after recovering.

There are now five separate measures for fatalities across the UK and experts have dubbed the handling of official statistics 'confusing'.

And today it emerged 1.3million counted tests have been removed from the official government total because they were counted twice.

Case figures are just an 'estimate' of the real prevalence of the virus, accounting for around a third of the real number of infections because thousands of patients will never develop any symptoms.

But the numbers are still critical for understanding the progress of the outbreak and letting experts analyse the size of the outbreak.

And the daily updates released by the Government will become ever less accurate as the number of people catching the disease gets lower because inevitable false positive results will skew the number to look higher than it really is, experts say.

Public Health England has not adjusted the number of people being diagnosed each day and has shaved off 30,000 positive tests that were counted twice, but it is not clear when or where the people were double-counted

GOVERNMENT WIPES OFF 1.3MILLION SWAB TESTS OFF ITS COUNT The Department of Health has wiped 1.3million swab tests off its count of the number of tests done - a staggering 10 per cent of the total, it emerged today. The Government has repeatedly boasted about the number of tests it is capable of doing - with capacity now reportedly at around 340,000 per day - but it has now emerged one in 10 tests have been counted twice, The Guardian reported. The double-counted tests had been done between May 14 and August 12, but the total number of tests 'made available' before and after the adjustment is unclear. The Government describes tests as 'made available' because it includes tests sent to people's homes that are counted whether someone takes the test or not. It says a total 13,785,297 tests had been completed by yesterday, Wednesday August 12. In a statement on the website on Wednesday the Department said: 'An adjustment of -1,308,071 has been made to the historic data for the "tests made available" metric. 'The adjustments have been made as a result of more accurate data collection and reporting processes recently being adopted within pillar 2.' The error reportedly came to light in July but was not corrected until this week. Advertisement

Professor Carl Heneghan, an evidence-based medicine expert at the University of Oxford, has followed the Government's data closely throughout the epidemic.

He said the issue appears to have come from when the Department of Heath split testing into pillars one and two.

Pillar one refers to tests done in hospitals and medical facilities while pillar two is members of the public who are tested in drive-through, walk-in or home tests.

Professor Heneghan told MailOnline: 'There is seemingly a problem when you start to introduce pillar one and pillar two tests - they seemed to be double counting tests.

'Somebody would have a pillar two test and then gone into hospital and had a pillar one test, and they thought it was two people.'

He said it was unsurprising that data errors were creeping and that some allowances should be made because of a difficult situation, but that it is 'vital' that numbers are correct.

Professor Heneghan said: 'If the number of cases is wrong, the case fatality rate and everything gets skewed.

'It is vital they're correct but, to be honest, it doesn't surprise me there have been areas where you've had discrepancies that need to be corrected.'

He added: 'It does concern me and I think it's important that data and epidemiology is transparent and it's clear that [decisions] actually are based on up to date info.

'What we're interested in is understanding trends, and information has to be correct for that.'

Numbers of people diagnosed with the coronavirus are updated each day by the Department of Health and Public Health England.

While the Department of Health is responsible for organising the tests, carrying them out and reporting the results back, PHE controls the statistics.

On July 2 officials consolidated their counts of the cases and as a result the total number of people diagnosed dropped by 31,388, from 315,145 to 283,757.

This shows more than 31,000 people had been counted twice in the Government's testing system up to the end of June.

But despite the total number being updated, the daily numbers were never changed.

The data still shows that May 1 had the highest number of cases of any day in the epidemic so far, with 6,201, and that 33,760 people were diagnosed in that week, from April 27 to May 3.

The daily new numbers of cases in England add up to a total 344,384, with a peak of 6,201 people getting diagnosed on May 1

But the total number of cases was adjusted on July 2, where a drop of more than 30,000 cases can be seen. No further details about the decline have been offered

NEW CASES 'MAY NEVER HIT ZERO' BECAUSE TESTS ALWAYS PRODUCE FALSE POSITIVES Experts say the number of people being diagnosed with coronavirus will never drop to zero if the UK keeps doing hundreds of thousands of tests - even if they virus is truly gone. Because the swab tests used to diagnose people with Covid-19 are not perfectly accurate, they will always produce false positive results. A false positive is when someone gets a positive result even though they don't actually have the disease. It can be caused by a cross-reaction, such as another type of coronavirus being picked up by the test, or by faults in the testing process. The accuracy of swab tests being used in the UK is unclear but one paper submitted to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) estimated that the false positive rate is 2.3 per cent, The Telegraph reported. This would mean that for every 1,000 people who test positive, 23 people would be wrongly told they were infected. As the true number of cases becomes ever lower, this false positive group begins to make up a larger and larger proportion of the numbers announced. Even when the reality is that there are no cases in the group being tested, false positive results will still occur because the tests aren't perfect. Oxford University's Professor Carl Heneghan told MailOnline: 'You get to a point where there's a greater chance the test result is wrong than it is right. 'Are we picking up people who have had virus some time ago and still have RNA in their body?' He told the Telegraph: 'It looks like well struggle to get out of this. Were now in a spiral of bad data.' Advertisement

But the true number of cases diagnosed in that week cannot be confirmed because hundreds or thousands of those people could have been counted twice.

Dr Simon Clarke, a cellular microbiologist at the University of Reading, said the official data was 'a bit of mess'.

'My understanding is it's still basically an estimate,' he said. 'It also needs to be remembered that the diagnoses is way below what the [Office for National Statistics] thinks the real numbers of cases are...

'I think it is confusing for people. A lot of people think the numbers they see are it - that that is how many cases there are - but it's not.'

A spokesperson for PHE said: 'As we make clear on the dashboard, the total figure for people testing positive was revised at the beginning of July when we identified a number of people who had been counted more than once after receiving multiple tests.

'The daily figures were not changed retrospectively as they reflected the historical record of the number of positive test results reported to PHE on any given day, which may include multiple tests from one individual.

'So the sum of daily cases would not be expected to equal the number of people who tested positive.'

The discrepancy is just one in a string of issues with the Government's coronavirus data.

Officials this week confirmed they were changing the way they count the number of people who are dying because PHE had been including anyone who died of any cause after a positive test for Covid-19.

Even someone who tested positive in March, then recovered and died after getting hit by a bus in August would have been included in the Covid-19 death toll.

Now the Department of Health is including only people who die within 28 days of their diagnosis, in an attempt to reduce the number of people included wrongly.

NHS England and the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been using the 28-day cutoff throughout the outbreak.

As a result of this change the official death count dropped by 5,000 this Tuesday, from 46,706 to 41,329.

PHE will still publish weekly stats showing how many people died within 60 days of a positive test, to try and include people who have long stays in hospital or long-lasting Covid-19 illness.

And it emerged today that the Department of Health has wiped 1.3million swab tests off its count of the number of tests done - a staggering 10 per cent of the total.

The Government has repeatedly boasted about the number of tests it is capable of doing - with capacity now reportedly at around 340,000 per day - but it has now emerged one in 10 tests have been counted twice, The Guardian reported.

The double-counted tests had been done between May 14 and August 12, but the total number of tests 'made available' before and after the adjustment is unclear.

The Government describes tests as 'made available' because it includes tests sent to people's homes that are counted whether someone takes the test or not.

It says a total 13,785,297 tests had been completed by yesterday, Wednesday August 12.

In a statement on the website on Wednesday the Department said: 'An adjustment of -1,308,071 has been made to the historic data for the "tests made available" metric.

'The adjustments have been made as a result of more accurate data collection and reporting processes recently being adopted within pillar 2.'

The error reportedly came to light in July but was not corrected until this week.
School districts across Massachusetts must submit their plans Friday for how they will reopen for the 2020-2021 academic year during the coronavirus pandemic.

The deadline for municipal education officials to send their reopening plans to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was previously Aug. 10, but DESE Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley extended it to Aug. 14.

Tasked with creating three reopening plans by the state - a fully remote one, a full-time in-person model and a hybrid of the two - districts must finalize their plans, submit their documents to DESE and release them publicly to their communities as well.

Finalized reopening plans must include an analysis of facilities with a goal of 6 feet of social distancing, though 3 feet is the minimum acceptable distance. A remote learning option for families who would rather keep their children at home and transportation strategies must also be included in districts plans.

In a memo Riley sent to superintendents and other educational leaders Aug. 5, the DESE commissioner noted that districts should submit a plan prioritizing the model voted on by their school committee or board of directors.

The plan should also address the other two learning models, and districts should be ready to move among the different models during the year, depending on the circumstances, the memo said. Final plans should also reflect any feedback DESE provided on the districts preliminary plan.

He added that the state agency has provided districts who requested a later submission date with more time to allow for municipal meetings to take place as needed.

The deadline comes as several large school districts, from Springfield to Boston, have already finalized their plans for reopening in the fall.

The Springfield School Committee announced last week that the citys public schools will operate remotely come fall with a possibility of transitioning to a hybrid model after the first marking period.

In Boston, home to the largest school district in Massachusetts, education officials released plans last week that included a hybrid academic model as well as on that is fully remote. However, a final decision on which plan the district will go with has yet to be made.

The Worcester School Committee, which was also considering hybrid and remote models, unanimously approved a plan Thursday for students to kick off the academic year online.

The communitys school district, which serves more than 25,000 students, will have children and teenagers learn remotely the first quarter, which lasts from Sept. 15 to Nov. 16.

Students are then expected to return to physical classrooms after the first quarter ends, and city education officials will reevaluate to see if the district should shift to a hybrid model.

According to DESE, a remote learning model must include a system for tracking attendance, a policy for issuing grades for online academic work and a method for teachers and administrators to regularly communicate with students parents and guardians.

Districts should also include information about the technology platforms, staffing model, curriculum and instructional materials they will employ, DESE said.

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I remember as a pastor having one of my most active families be one where one of the spouses had grown up in a traditional Baptist household in the South, and the other was Jewish and had grown up in a Jewish household in the Northeast, said Derrick Harkins, national director of interfaith outreach at the Democratic National Committee. They were one of my most active and engaged families.
When the magician Kris Nevling was released from prison two years ago, he had been incarcerated for most of his life.

What kept him sane, he said, was practicing magic, mostly card tricks. He was physically small and struggled with addiction, but magic made him feel valued and powerful. In prison everyone has a nickname, he said. And mine was always Magic.

Nevling, 43, ultimately served 23 years in Pennsylvania on charges including drug possession and theft.

He started learning magic at 16. On a weekly trip from the juvenile detention center to the library, he found magic books and started writing letters to every magician he could find listed in the Yellow Pages, asking for tips.
New Zealand's status as one of the few "COVID-free" countries in the world ended abruptly this week, when four cases emerged in Auckland, with the cluster growing quickly.

The country as of Sunday morning has 56 active cases.

Fighting for her cause: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Illustration: Joe Benke Credit:

It took Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern just seven hours to decide Auckland would go back into lockdown, and the rest of the country moved to a higher-than-previous level of restrictions.

Her decisive yet empathetic response to the outbreak drew favourable comparisons to Australia's leaders, who have acted with less certainty despite higher case numbers and seem to be descending into internecine power struggles just when we really need them to hold it together.
Days after giving the Atmanirbhar push to the Defence sector with an embargo on the import of 101 items, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday launched Konkurs Missile Test Equipment and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment, which have been indigenously designed and developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Earlier the products were imported from Russia.

The Konkurs Missile Test Equipment (KMTE) and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment (KLTE) are designed for checking the serviceability of Konkurs - M Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and Konkurs - M Missile Launchers respectively.

India's treasury will see a substantial foreign exchange saving after the indigenisation of the products.

The two indigenised products were virtually launched by the Defence Minister from Delhi in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Secretary (Defence) Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and CMD, BDL Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Directors, CVO and senior officials present at Hyderabad.

Photo credits: ANI

READ | India Issues Import Embargo On 101 Defence Items; Delivers Boost To 'Aatmanirbhar' Push

READ | Ban On Import Of 101 Items Big Step Towards Atmanirbharta, Will Save Crores: Rajnath Singh

Launching NIIO

The Defence Minister on Thursday also launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) through an online webinar. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Adityanath and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

"The NIIO puts in place dedicated structures for the end-users to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat," said a press statement from the Ministry of Defence.

The NIIO is a three-tiered organisation with the Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) bringing together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation, provide apex level directives. A working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects. A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has also been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame, the press statement said.

According to the press statement, during the launch event, the Indian Navy signed Memorandums Of Understanding (MoUs) with Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA); Raksha Shakti University (RSU), Gujarat; Maker Village, Kochi; and, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).

Photo credit: ANI

READ | These Are The 101 Defence Items On Which India Has Announced An Import Embargo

READ | Chidambaram Mocks Centre's 101 Items Embargo List; Says 'promised Bang, Gave Whimper'

Giving the Atmanirbhar Bharat push in the Defence sector, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a massive statement last week announced that the Ministry of Defence' embargo on imports of 101 items to boost indigenous defence production. Under the initiative, items worth almost Rs 1,30,000 crore each are anticipated for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force while items worth almost Rs 1,40,000 crore are anticipated by the Indian Navy would be encouraged to be manufactured indigenously.

(With inputs from ANI)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

Trend:

In the current difficult geostrategic situation, the protection of national interests both in the system of international relations and due to critical conditions in the region is of strategic importance and is extremely urgent, Azerbaijani MP Hikmat Babaoglu told Trend.

Babaoglu noted that the recent events have reaffirmed that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, demonstrating determination in the matter of national issues, protects the military-political interests of the country, and in doing so demonstrates adherence to principles.

"The fact that President Ilham Aliyev raised and asked to clarify a number of important issues during the last telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin is extremely important from the point of view of protecting national interests," he said.

"The matter is that Russia has been continuously arming Armenia for a long time. This has been continuing since the beginning of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Back in 1997, Russian General Lev Rokhlin revealed the fact that Russia had donated arms to the country-occupant Armenia for $1 billion, which was a colossal amount by the standards of those years," said the MP.

"After the military-political provocation committed by the Armenian army on the border between the two countries on July 12-16, 2020, it becomes clear that Russia continues to arm Armenia. This is absolutely unacceptable. First of all, arming the occupying country by Russia contradicts international law. Secondly, it doesnt correspond to its mission as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, and thirdly, it is inconsistent with the country's historical, political and moral responsibility in the region, because arming Armenia means supporting the occupation of Azerbaijani lands," noted Babaoglu.

"Moreover, this is an attempt to legitimize the status quo in the region and, finally, to ignore the national interests of Azerbaijan as a strategic partner. None of the abovementioned can have any legal or political justification," he stressed.

"If the Minsk Group cannot carry out its mission, then the co-chairs should be changed, and other members of the Minsk Group should take over the mediating mission of the co-chairs. The most suitable country for this role is Turkey, which bears historical, political and moral authority in the region. Even during the establishment of the Minsk Group, Turkey's co-chairmanship was seriously considered, but, unfortunately, this did not happen," the MP said.

"Thus, at this difficult historical stage, Russia should not aggravate the situation in the South Caucasus region. The situation in the region is already difficult by arming Armenia, the occupier. On the contrary, Russia should make efforts, as never before, to resolve the problem. The continuation of the occupation can aggravate the situation not only in the South Caucasus, but also on the southern borders of Russia as a whole, which in no way meets the interests of both Russia and Azerbaijan," added Babaoglu.

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.
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Non-Woven Abrasives are manufactured when abrasive grains are fused with nylon fibers and are bonded together with the help of synthetic resins such as phenolic, epoxy, and others. The global non-woven abrasives market is projected to grow significantly on account of increasing demand from major end uses such as transportation, building & construction, textile, electrical & electronics, industrial machinery, and others. Growing demand from transportation and electrical & electronics industry due to increasing demand of both vehicles and portable electronic devices and rising applications of abrasives in electrical industry is anticipated to drive growth of the market. Additionally, the developing countries along with developed economies are rapidly taking up infrastructural developments, wherein non-woven abrasive is majorly used. On the backdrop of the growing environmental concern and regulatory norms against the conventional fuel based automobiles around the world is fuelling demand for electric vehicles. Moreover, the global abrasive Market is estimated to grow at considerable CAGR during 2017 to 2023 to drive demand of the products forward. However, the major constraining factor operating in the market is a volatility in crude oil prices which may affect the resin prices to negatively impact non-woven abrasives Industry.

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Non-woven abrasives Market- Competitive Landscape

The global non-woven abrasives is a highly mature market with significant number of major players operating into the market. The market is primarily driven by flourishing construction, automotive and transportation equipment industry. The market is greatly concentrated by the presence of significant number of large players yet, 3M, Saint-Gobain, Mirka Ltd., Hermes Schleifmittel GmbH, Zhengzhou Kingshark Abrasives Co., Ltd. are the key manufacturers in this market. Almost all of these market participants are primarily adopting the expansion and product launch tactics to strengthen their market position. Growing automotive industries, and continuously rising demand from construction and industrial tools & equipment, along with the collaborations and agreements between manufacturers, distributers, and marketing firms are key market forces operating in the market for the growth of the demand for non-woven abrasives. Considering these trends, the global non-woven abrasives market is likely to witness competition over the forecast period of 2017-2023.

Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:

December 8, 2017- 3M, the U.S. based technology innovation company, entered into agreement with KUKA Robotics Co., Ltd. and FERROBOTICS Co., Ltd. of Germany and unveiled the joint polishing station with the theme of "technological innovation and power-making" at 3M Shanghai R & D Centre. The leaders of the tripartite parties aspire to jointly build the first joint polishing mill in Asia and join forces to focus on the technological innovation and research and development of the grinding process and promote the revolutionary development in the grinding field.

April 20, 2017- The government of India have plans to promote use of technical textiles in the country with the textile ministry already having discussions on the subject with ministries of agriculture, urban development, health, and surface transport. The ministry plans to soon have meetings with other crucial ministries such as defence, railways, and heavy industries. This favouring conditions on part of government is anticipated to propel growth of the market in this region during the years to follow.

October 12, 2017- The U.S. based global chemicals manufacturer and exporter, Huntsman Corporation launches a new inks for color-fast technical textiles scope of responsive inks that deliver exceptional light-and weather-fastness for digital printing of polyester strands. TERATOP XKS HL inks are designed to enable mills to produce technical textiles with the most astounding colour -fastness performance for the automotive, outdoor furnishings and home textiles industries.

November 22, 2017- China based Hismer Bio-Tech expressed its plans to manufacture biomass fiber from an exceptionally irregular source: shrimp and crab shells. The raw material used for this purpose is around 10,000 metric tonnes of the shell waste, which is procured from from seafood preparing organizations in China's ports of Qingdao, Yantai, Dalian and Ningbo a year for the generation of somewhere in the range of 6,000 tons of biomass fibers. It has turned into the world's biggest marine renewable manufacturer.

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The National Organiser of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammi Awuku has called on Ghanaians to reject former President John Mahama and extend the mandate of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in December 2020.



According to him, despite making numerous promises ahead of the polls, John Mahama lacks the blueprint to implement such policies.



John Mahama says he will implement Free SHS when elected. Should Ghanaians replace the man who dreamed it, believed it and delivered it for one who never believed it, ridiculed it and fought against it? Once again, candidate Mahama wants to associate himself with success, but he does know how to solve the problems to achieve the success story. He has no blueprint for achieving this success he dreams of.



The concept of Free SHS for 1.2 million teenagers is too complex for the NDC candidate and the party. Between the two main candidates, it is obvious which one truly cares for the youth of Ghana and therefore the country Ghana. Definitely, it is Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he said at a press conference organised on Thursday, August 13, 2020.



Sammi Awuku at the event urged on Ghanaians to ensure that they come out in their numbers to vote for President Akufo-Addo so he could continue with his good works.



NPP is ready for December 7, 2020. For Ghanaian voters who came out in their numbers to register during the voters registration exercise, the real show of your civic duty is to come out in your numbers on Monday, December 7, 2020, to vote. Come out, observe all the protocols and vote for your welfare, on the ballot paper, vote for your wellbeing, on the ballot paper, vote for the future of your children, on the ballot paper, vote for your community, on the ballot paper, vote for your country Ghana. Vote for the NPP and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to protect and build on our gains as a party and our nation.



On December 7, make a strong decision and choose hope over hopelessness, make a bold decision to choose competence over incompetence, on the ballot paper choose prosperity over poverty and again choose strong leadership. Vote for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Source: citinewsroom.com









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Today the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates jointly announced an agreement whereby Israel and the UAE have fully normalized their relationship. President Trump tweeted:

Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates pic.twitter.com/oVyjLxf0jd  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020



The communique paints an optimistic picture:

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit. Opening direct ties between two of the Middle Easts most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations.

Lets hope so. What did Israel give up? Not much:

As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the Presidents Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

For how long will Israel hold off on annexing Judea and Samaria? The agreement makes no specific commitment.

The UAE and Israel expressed their appreciation to President Trump:

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan express their deep appreciation to President Trump for his dedication to peace in the region and to the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to achieve it.

My friend Roger Simon comments enthusiastically.

The UAE will only be the third Arab state to recognize the Jewish state, but its decision is likely to inspire others that have long been on the fence, including major regional player Saudi Arabia.

Roger points out the Associated Presss grudging acknowledgement of the agreement:

In time-honored mainstream media fashion, the Associated Press does its best to downplay President Trumps brokering a mutual recognition pact between Israel and the United Arab Emirates by calling it a rare diplomatic win.

The AP is no longer capable of reporting any news story straight. But does anyone care? Roger doubts that todays news will have any perceptible political impact. No doubt he is right. This is one more in a long series of achievements for which the Trump administration will get little, if any, credit. But there are those who appreciate it.
Portland State University (PSU) says it will disarm its campus police force, more than two years after officers from the department shot and killed a Black man who was trying to break up a fight close to campus.

Oregons largest city is approaching 80 consecutive nightly protests following the alleged murder of George Floyd, the Black man who died after being pinned by the neck by a white Minneapolis police officer in May.

Thursdays announcement also came as Oregon state police began withdrawing from their Portland assignment to protect a federal courthouse that has become a flashpoint in the months-long, sometimes violent protests.

PSU President Stephen Percy said the decision to have officers patrol the campus unarmed is the first step in a broader policy to reimagine safety at the state-funded university in the heart of the city. The university has more than 26,000 students, although many commute to class.

Over the past few weeks we have listened to many voices across our campus, Percy wrote in an email to campus announcing the change. The calls for change that we are hearing at PSU are ringing out across our nation. We must find a new way to protect the safety of our community, one that eliminates systemic racism and promotes the dignity of all who come to our urban campus.

Activists had been calling for Portland State to disarm campus police long before Floyds death.

The campus police officers were given guns for the first time in 2014 following a contentious decision that came despite concerns raised by students.

Then, in June 2018, two campus officers fatally shot 45-year-old Jason Washington, a Navy veteran and employee of the US Postal Service, near a bar just outside the boundaries of the universitys campus.

A report by the Portland Police Bureau found that college police officers fired 17 times and Washington was struck nine times. Oregons medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, a designation used for statistical purposes.

A grand jury ruled that the two officers should not face criminal charges.

Washington had been out drinking with friends when his group got into a confrontation with another group outside a bar called the Cheerful Tortoise just off campus in downtown Portland.

A lengthy report released three months after the June 29, 2018, shooting, as well as footage pulled from the officers body cameras, show Washington had a gun in his right pocket when he tried to come to a friends assistance during a fight.

After killing him, officers found a legal permit to carry a concealed weapon in Washingtons wallet.

As campus police arrive at the scene, a man shouts several times, He pulled a gun on us! He pulled a gun! as he points to Washington, who appears to be trying to keep his friend from a fight.

At that point, Washingtons visibly intoxicated friend breaks away and begins punching another man until he is kicked by a third person in the head and knocked out.

As Washington tries to pull the man away from his unconscious friend, one PSU officer grabs Washingtons arm from behind and tells him to back away from the fight. A black object that appears to be a gun is visible protruding from Washingtons right hip pocket at that moment in body camera video.

Washington stumbles backwards and falls to the ground as someone says, Hes got a gun!





Washington gets up, takes several steps away and turns to face the two officers as they shout at him to drop the gun.

The medical examiners report quotes one of the officers as yelling, Do not pick up the gun! just before the officers fired 17 shots in very quick succession. It is not clear from the video if Washington had already picked up the gun when he was shot.

Toxicology reports show Washington had a blood-alcohol content of more than three times the legal driving limit.

Portland State hired two independent firms, one to examine the schools policy of arming campus police and another to conduct its own investigation into the shooting.
But one has to wonder why Jack and others have an interest in making a grand overture to law enforcement so visible in the first place.

Back the Blue or Blue Lives Matter isnt so much a show of support for law enforcement but a direct response to Black Lives Matter and its calls for police accountability. Its co-opting a phrase meant to make an important point about the state of racial relations and turning it on its head.

Its the idea perpetuated by some law enforcement leaders: that officers are uniquely under attack as evidenced by Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police Chairman Jerad Lindsey stating there is a national anti-police narrative following the shooting of two Tulsa police officers in June and the growing call that financial divestment from police departments is necessary.

But absent is an acknowledgment of the deaths of Black citizens that sparked global protests and criticism of the profession.

Law enforcement has always and will continue to be revered regardless of whatever disapproval might be present. The entity has enjoyed profound privilege and empowerment associated with the job. Theyve never been under a real threat of societal erasure as a collective.
Kuleba: Russia diplomatically wishes well to Belarusians, but we understand that Belarus, weakened and rejected by West, will be easy prey for Kremlin

Russia is interested in weakening countries where it wants to strengthen its positions, and a weakened Belarus, rejected by the West, will be easy prey for the Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said in an interview to UA: Ukrainian Radio, reports Censor.NET media.

"It is in Russia's interests to weaken the countries where it has an active foreign policy and where it wants to strengthen its positions. Diplomatically, of course, Russia wishes good to the Belarusian people, but we understand that a weakened Belarus, alienated by the West will be an easy prey for the Russian Federation," he said.

According to the minister, therefore, Ukraine builds its policy, proceeding from the fact that Ukraine needs an independent and sovereign Belarus after this crisis.
Yang Bin, a human rights lawyer based in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, was recently informed that her law firm wouldn't be renewing her contract, and that the authorities plan to strip her of her license to practise.



Yang said the move came after she sheltered then fugitive rights activist Xu Zhiyong, who has called on ruling Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping to resign.



"It had been raining very heavily back then," Yang said. "That afternoon, I got a call from someone saying they were from the village committee."



"Then they came to my home to search it," she said. "No sooner had I opened my door than a lot of police officers shoved their way in."



Xu was detained that day at Yang's home in Guangdong's Panyu city after several months on the run in the wake of a Dec. 13 gathering of dissidents and rights activists in the southeastern port city of Xiamen.



Yang had also shown public support for late whistleblowing Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who later died of coronavirus after being reprimanded by police for trying to alert the authorities to the danger, in the early weeks of the pandemic.



Protecting vulnerable people



But Yang said she had already run afoul of the authorities for taking human rights cases protecting some of the most vulnerable people: rural residents facing government land grabs and forced evictions.



"It started at the end of May 2019. In fact, the case was not even that sensitive," she said. "It was helping the residents of Guangji village in Yunnan. There was a serious conflict with the government over land acquisition and house demolitions."



"Several villagers were arrested and sentenced. When these villagers were released from prison, the local people beat gongs and drums, and held up a banner to welcome the released villagers home at the end of their sentences," Yang said.



"The authorities then detained all of them for creating unrest."



"The initial reason that the law firm declined to renew my contract was because I took this case and wrote about it. The [local] justice bureau and my law firm both told me to delete the post, but I refused. So the law firm responded ... by saying that I should leave."



"I feel pretty helpless right now. This situation is ridiculous. The cancellation of my license ... is caused by a lack of protection for freedom of speech in China," she said.



"That's the root cause, regardless of whether it had anything to do with Xu Zhiyong or Li Wenliang," Yang said.



Overseas study, a fund for victims



A source familiar with Yang's work said she had always gotten involved in rights cases, setting up a public fund for victims and going overseas to study.



"All these events have been taken into consideration by the government," the source said. "Now they are using them as evidence for their settling of accounts with her."



The Guangdong justice bureau hasn't set a date for Yang's license hearing yet, but has informed her that she has a right to defend herself and make a statement.



Yang said she hasn't ruled out making a formal complaint about her treatment.



Reported by Gao Feng for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The prospects are good for some progress  both chambers are controlled by Democrats who agree on the very basics, particularly on policies relevant to the police killings that most recently ignited mass protests. George Floyd was killed after Derek Chauvin knelt on the back of his neck, ignoring Floyds desperate pleas, as fellow officers looked on. Breonna Taylor was killed in her home at night after police executed a no-knock warrant, which allows police to enter a home without warning. Virginia House and Senate Democrats have both indicated they would prohibit neck restraints and no-knock warrants, and require officers to intervene when fellow officers misuse force.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
When the pandemic hit. Ben Buckwold was nervous and didnt know what was going to happen to his Winnipeg educational publishing company, ESL Library.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (522 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the pandemic hit. Ben Buckwold was nervous and didnt know what was going to happen to his Winnipeg educational publishing company, ESL Library.

For most of its nearly 20 years in business the 28-person operation emailed its English-language training materials in PDF form to about 10,000 ESL schools around the world, which would then print and photo-copy the content for students.

But with schools closing and so much uncertainty about what the classroom scenario would look like in the medium term, continuing to get the companys content into the hands of the schools was not going to be so straightforward anymore.

The company had been working on creating interactive digital tools, but that was for sometime in the future.

So Buckwold and his team had to scramble.

"It (creating an interactive software platform) was something that had planned to be developed in a year or two and suddenly it had to be done over a period of a few months," he said. "Our team came together really well and we were able to deploy these innovative new features."

At the same time, what had once been seen as a tough sell  to convince the schools to make the switch to an online interactive platform  also became a lot easier during the pandemic.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic it took two years to get 100,000 homework assignments done online. In the last four months, theres been more than seven million completed.

So far things have gone very well for ESL Library. In addition to rapidly deploying a research and development project more and more school divisions are seeking out its interactive digital media (IDM) solution.

ESL Library is one of a number of digital media shops in Winnipeg which have leveraged their technology know-how and market awareness to remain relevant and, in some significant cases, add staff and grow during the lockdown.

In some cases the pandemic has been coincidental to the growth. But what isnt a fluke is that while live-action film and video production has almost shut down, animation and computer-generated content production has not broken stride.

Doug Darling, president and CEO of Tripwire Media Group, said during normal times his corporate video production company would do an equal amount of live action and animation work. But during the past five months several jobs switched to animation and it eventually allowed Darling to hire back the three production people who had to be laid off when the initial shutdown occurred.

Coincidental to the unprecedented pause in the global economy, Tripwire completed a large animation project for popular social media company TikTok, featuring 12 different pieces that explain a new advertising platform the site has in the works. (The geopolitical spat the Chinese-owned site currently finds itself in has delayed the rollout of the program.)

Among other things, that kind of project is an example of another phenomenon that makes the IDM world particularly able to adapt. On the TikTok work, Darling collaborated with people in San Francisco, New York and Beijing.

"It was a great process," he said. "Everyone we talked to was very professional and great to work with."

Liz Pelton, the business development manager for New Media Manitoba, the industry association, said the organization has been working hard to stay connected with its members and do what it can so that they not only survive but can get positioned for growth.

"What we have seen is a very fluid environment," she said. "What we are also seeing is that they really are weathering the storm."

Some companies are doing much more than that. Flipside XR has just completed a project with an Emmy Award-winning animation production company from Los Angeles which utilized Flipsides technology that allows for real-time animation production in virtual reality.

Les Klassen, the CEO of Flipside (which grew out of a previous virtual reality production company called Campfire Union) said the pandemic did not necessarily create the opportunity for his company to work with the Hollywood studio, but the timing of what could be a significant breakthrough for the technology has put it in great demand.

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"I just got off a call with Dreamworks and NBC Universal has been calling," Klassen said."Were getting calls left and right."

Among other things Flipsides technology can allow Klassen to direct a live production with actors in several different locations while they are all immersed in the same digital environment.

In addition to the fact that IDM companies are already working with the kind of tools that are perfectly suited for remote collaboration  ESL Library closed its offices in mid-March and Buckwold said its likely the company will not reopen the office preferring to continue working remotely with productivity up  the tools are in great demand.

Mobile app developer Tactica has been hiring and has its staff up to 22 people. Digital mobile applications for the health-care sector and many others are on the rise.

Kevin Glasier, the founder and CEO of Tactica said, "I definitely wish the pandemic has not happened and if I could press a button and make it go away I would. But at the same time our company is growing and we are seeing opportunity out there."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Abhay is back with a thrilling second season. Heres a little refresher to get you up-to-speed with where we left Abhay in the first season.

ZEE5, Indias largest con-tech brand, has earned a name for its platform when it comes to dishing out some of the best crime-thrillers you can watch in the web-space. Be it Kaali, Lal Bazaar, or Mafia, their shows have always kept the viewers guessing and enthralled. And now this independence weekend, you are n for a treat as one of their most successful franchise, Abhay is back with a thrilling second season. Heres a little refresher to get you up-to-speed with where we left Abhay in the first season.

In the second season, Kunal Kemmu as Abhay is back to what he does best. Hunting murderers and arresting criminals as he applies his novel deductive methods, Abhay has a knack for getting into the criminals mindset and solving the most difficult of cases. All of this is not without him fighting his own inner demons at the same time. But this time around, its not going to be an easy task as he is dealing with an array of villains, each one of which will top the other in how sinister they are. Heres a look at the trailer for Abhay 2:

Every good hero has a foil. Batman has the Joker. Thakur has his Gabbar. Abhay is just about to meet his, in the form of the fantastically maniacal Ram Kapoor, whose name is not to be revealed, yet. The good poster boy, the ideal husband and the jovial side-kick, Ram Kapoor has played it all. But his role in Abhay 2 might just be his best yet. He oozes villainy, his cackles might give you nightmares, and being a mastermind he knows exactly how to play his cards, also playing Abhay as he pleases. If you dont believe just how much Ram Kapoor suits the moniker of a super villain, just take a look:

Abhay, while dealing with Ram Kapoors tricks and riddles, also has a showdown with The Wicked Killer. In a surprising turn. We have Chunky Pandey playing a dreary and scary villain. On face, he looks like an everyday man. But at night, his killer instincts take over and he runs on a rampage. You will be surprised by how well Chunky, an actor known for his comic takes, melds himself into a role that requires him to be a frightful figure. And he does it with aplomb! All you need to be convinced by his acting chops is watch him:

As if these two were not enough, Abhay is also going to have to figure out how to put a stop to another devious serial killer. Bidita Bag plays a devious sex-worker who kills her victims in a unique and gruesome manner, one which you need to see to believe it. Dont let us spoil that for you, but take a sneak peek:

Apart from this gallery of villains, Abhay 2 is also laden with other brilliant actors who play their characters with the utmost sincerity. Be it Raghav Juyal as the damaged adult who resorts to villainy, Indraneil Sengupta, a cop who isnt without his shades of grey, & Asheema Vardhan who plays a schizophrenic villainous character with such grit you cant help but empathize with her; Abhay 2 is filled with superb twists, great story writing and interesting characters.

Season 1 of Abhay was a great success, and Kunal was lauded for his realistic and gritty approach to the lead character. Season 2 takes it up by multiple notches. It is grittier, darker, much larger in scope, and full of villains that will haunt you, and actors who play them will surprise you with their never-before-seen avatars.

We highly recommend a binge-watch of Abhay 2. You wont be disappointed. So log on to ZEE5 and get watching!

This is partnered Content.
Ramallah, Aug 14 : Russia will soon open its trade representative offices in Palestine, according to Moscow's Ambassador.

Gocha Buachidze made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with Palestinian Economy Minister Khaled al-Osaily in the West Bank city of Ramallah, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Palestinian Economy Ministry said in a statement that the Russian trade offices will be located in three Palestinian cities of Bethlehem, Hebron and Nablus on the West Bank.

"The trade offices will help strengthen the economic cooperation relations, increase the volume of commercial exchange between the two sides, and pave the way to making mutual Palestinian-Russian investments in Palestine," Buachidze was quoted as saying.

The Russian envoy said his country would send medical supplies to support the Palestinian government's efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Al-Osaily and Buachidze also agreed to start preparations for holding a meeting of the Joint Governmental Palestinian-Russian Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation in the coming weeks.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has urged the United States Postal Service to reverse cuts that have slowed deliveries, calling the post office a "lifeline" for people in rural communities.

Collins raised concerns about the cutbacks Thursday, the same day President Donald Trump said he opposed increased Postal Service funding in part because of his objections to expanding mail-in voting.

In a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Collins said she wanted to see him "promptly address" delays in mail delivery.

"The USPS continues to be a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for seniors, veterans, and those in rural areas who are depending on reliable mail delivery for essential goods and services that might otherwise be unavailable," Collins wrote.

The senator said she feared cost-cutting measures at the USPS could drive customers away, "worsening the crisis facing the Postal Service."

In the COVID-19 relief package passed by the House, Democrats have asked for billions in increased funding for the Postal Service and help for states coping with a November election where many voters may prefer to vote by mail. But negotiations have stalled between Democrats and the White House over the aid package, which would also include expanded unemployment benefits and help for American hit by the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, arrives for a meeting with a select group of Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, and Trump administration officials in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill March 20, 2020 in Washington.

Trump said Thursday he opposed a funding increase for the Post Office and linked the issue to mail-in voting.

"They (Democrats) need that money in order to have the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said on Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria."

"They want $3.5 billion for something that will turn out to be fraudulent. Thats election money, basically," he said.

The president told reporters later that he wouldn't rule out signing COVID-19 relief legislation that included increased Postal Service funding.

Story continues

Trump on the Postal Service: Trump opposes new funds for U.S. Postal Service, saying he doesn't want to help expand vote by mail

Fact check: New postmaster general invested in Postal Service competitors

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., also wrote to the Postmaster General, saying in a letter last week that the USPS's service changes could "negatively impact mail delivery for Montanans and unacceptably increase the risk of late prescriptions, commercial products, or bill delivery."

The two senators both said they supported increased funding for the Postal Service in a COVID-19 relief package.

Both Daines and Collins face competitive re-election contests this fall. Polling shows tight races, and the two incumbents have both been outraised by their Democratic challengers.

Democrats have hammered the Trump administration over changes in service at the Postal Service, arguing the cuts would disrupt the increased numbers of mail-in ballots submitted this November.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Thursday the Postal Service was a "pillar of democracy" and vowed to oppose cuts.

"There are people who think that the post office is election central in this election," she said. "Maybe the president thinks that, too, and that's why he wants to shut it down."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sen. Collins breaks with Trump, calls for Postal Service to reverse cuts
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation on August 15, India's 74th Independence Day, from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort. During his I-Day speech, the PM is expected to make an important announcement on the 'One Nation One Health Card' scheme.

This is being done to keep the health records of every citizen of the country in a digital format. Under the 'One Nation One Health Card' scheme, a person's medical history records, including all the treatments and tests that the person has undergone, will be digitally saved in this card.

Hospitals, clinics, and doctors will all be linked to a central server. However, it is completely up to hospitals and citizens, whether they want to opt for the 'One Nation One Health Card' scheme or not.

A unique ID will be issued to every citizen who opts for this card, through which he/she will be able to log in to the system.

The scheme will be implemented in a phase-wise manner. A budget of Rs 500 crore has been allotted for the first phase of the plan.

The biggest advantage of this scheme is that any person who visits a doctor or a hospital in India, won't have to take all his/her prescriptions or reports together. The doctor will be able to see the patient's records through a unique ID.

Health Card will be made on the lines of Aaadhar Card. It will, however, not be mandatory and beneficiaries can choose to opt-out of it.

Full measures will be taken to keep people's personal information secure. Through this scheme, an attempt is being made to change the health scenario of our country.

According to the sources, the scope of the 'One Nation One Health Card' scheme will be gradually extended so that not only clinics and hospitals, but medical stores and medical insurance companies can remain connected on the server through this scheme.

The privacy of the people will be of utmost importance. A doctor or a hospital will be allowed to access a person's records only when he will give permission for the same.
The Company's operations and performance, while still impacted by COVID-19, showed a steady recovery in the second quarter.

A total of 4,066 hotels with 296,307 hotel rooms were in operation as of June 30, 2020 , compared to 3,998 hotels and 292,716 hotel rooms as of March 31, 2020 .

Total revenues decreased 21.4% to RMB216.0 million ( US$30.6 million ) [1] for the second quarter and decreased 26.8% to RMB373.4 million ( US$52.8 million ) [1] for the first half of 2020.

Net income decreased 26.3% to RMB93.7 million ( US$13.3 million ) [1] for the second quarter and decreased 69.5% to RMB79.6 million ( US$11.3 million ) [1] for the first half of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) decreased 47.2% to RMB91.4 million ( US$12.9 million ) [1] for the second quarter and decreased 54.7% to RMB138.9 million ( US$19.7 million ) [1] for the first half of 2020.

Core net income (non-GAAP) decreased 40.2% to RMB74.6 million ( US$10.6 million ) [1] for the second quarter and decreased 56.8% to RMB93.7 million ( US$13.3 million ) [1] for the first half of 2020.

Net income per ADS (basic and diluted) was RMB1.01 (US$0.14) [1] for the second quarter, and RMB0.90 (US$0.13) [1] for the first half of 2020.

Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB0.72 (US$0.10) [1] for the second quarter, and RMB0.91 (US$0.13) [1] for the first half of 2020.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. (NYSE: GHG) ("GreenTree", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our"), a leading hospitality management group in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter 2020 Operational Highlights

As of June 30, 2020 , the Company had 35 leased-and-operated ("L&O") hotels and 4,031 franchised-and-managed ("F&M") hotels in operation in 343 cities across China , compared to 30 L&O hotels and 2,925 F&M hotels in operation in 300 cities as of June 30, 2019 . The geographic coverage increased by 14.3% year over year.

, the Company had 35 leased-and-operated ("L&O") hotels and 4,031 franchised-and-managed ("F&M") hotels in operation in 343 cities across , compared to 30 L&O hotels and 2,925 F&M hotels in operation in 300 cities as of . The geographic coverage increased by 14.3% year over year. During the quarter, the Company opened 111 hotels, a decrease of 23 comparing to 134 hotels in the second quarter of 2019. Among the hotels opened, 1 was in the luxury segment, 28 were in the mid-to-up-scale segment, 50 in the mid-scale segment, and 32 in the economy segment. Geographically speaking, 5 hotels were in Tier 1 cities [2] , 34 in Tier 2 cities and the remaining 72 in Tier 3 and smaller cities in China .

The Company closed 43 hotels, 5 due to brand upgrades, and 20 due to their non-compliance with the Company's brand and operating standards. The remaining 18 were closed for property related issues. The Company added a net opening of 68 hotels to its portfolio.

, 34 in Tier 2 cities and the remaining 72 in Tier 3 and smaller cities in . The Company closed 43 hotels, 5 due to brand upgrades, and 20 due to their non-compliance with the Company's brand and operating standards. The remaining 18 were closed for property related issues. The Company added a net opening of 68 hotels to its portfolio. As of June 30, 2020 , the Company had a pipeline of 1,087 hotels contracted for or under development, among which 54 hotels were in the luxury hotel segment, 215 in the mid-to-up-scale segment, 439 in the mid-scale segment, and 379 in the economy segment.

, the Company had a pipeline of 1,087 hotels contracted for or under development, among which 54 hotels were in the luxury hotel segment, 215 in the mid-to-up-scale segment, 439 in the mid-scale segment, and 379 in the economy segment. The average daily room rate, or ADR, for all hotels in operation, was RMB142 , a decrease of 17.4% year-over-year.

, a decrease of 17.4% year-over-year. The occupancy rate, or OCC for all hotels in operation was 63.4%, compared with 81.1% in the second quarter of 2019.

The revenue per available room, or RevPAR, which is calculated by multiplying our hotels' ADR by its occupancy rate, was RMB90 , representing a 35.4% year-over-year decrease.

, representing a As of June 30, 2020 , the Company's loyalty program had more than 49 million individual members and over 1,560,000 corporate members, compared to approximately 46 million and over 1,520,000 corporate members as of March 31, 2020 . The Company had approximately 93.7% of room nights sold directly.

[1] The conversion of Renminbi ("RMB") into United States dollars ("US$") is based on the exchange rate

of US$1.00=RMB7.0651 on June 30, 2020 as set forth in H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal

Reserve Board and available at https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/current/ [2] Tier 1 Cities refers to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou; Tier 2 Cities refers to the 32 major

cities, other than Tier 1 Cities, including provincial capitals, administrative capitals of autonomous

regions, direct-controlled municipalities and other major cities designated as municipalities with

independent planning by the State Council.

"I am proud of the Q2 results we achieved, especially considering the difficult environment that we operated under as a result of COVID-19. Through it all, our business remained resilient and highly adaptable. We continued to serve and protect our guests, our sales recovered, and we returned to profitability," said Mr. Alex Xu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GreenTree. "I know it was not easy for our staff and franchisees who worked tirelessly to guarantee the safety and health of our guests. I know it was a real challenge for anyone in the hospitality industry to overcome the headwinds from COVID-19" continued Mr. Xu.

"I am also proud of our staff and franchisees for what they delivered this quarter. We quickly adjusted our operations and marketing campaigns to meet evolving consumer preferences and weaker market conditions. We protected our margins thanks to our flexible cost structure and the measures we implemented over recent quarters and that we will continue to implement for the rest of 2020. As a result, our organic same-hotel RevPAR, excluding hotels under requisition, temporary closures, and impact from consolidated entities, deceased 22.2% in the second quarter to 112 RMB. Our overall performance was better than the average across the hospitality industry in China. Our occupancy rate has rebounded and exceeded 75% on average during the second half of July, exceeded 82% during the first two weeks of August, up substantially from 65% in the second half of May.

With the Chinese government's efforts to bring the spread of COVID-19 under control, domestic tourism and business is gradually bouncing back. On July 15, 2020, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism lifted restrictions on inter-provincial travel. The lifting of these restrictions has stimulated business travel and summer travel and helped the hospitality sector to deliver steady and improved performance. With assistance and support from the government and our business partners, together with our core strengths such as our large and loyal membership and strong operational capabilities, we are well positioned to deliver another year of outstanding service to our guests, strong performance to our franchisees, and sustainable growth to our shareholders."

Second Quarter of 2020 Financial Results



Quarter Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Revenues









Leased-and-operated hotels 60,510,976

50,337,339

7,124,788 Franchised-and-managed hotels 214,419,775

165,652,625

23,446,607 Total revenues 274,930,751

215,989,964

30,571,395













Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Revenues









Leased-and-operated hotels 112,336,802

84,137,483

11,908,888 Franchised-and-managed hotels 397,887,057

289,248,472

40,940,464 Total revenues 510,223,859

373,385,955

52,849,352

Total revenues for the second quarter of 2020 were RMB216.0 million (US$30.6 million) [1], representing a 21.4% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of COVID-19, which resulted in declined RevPAR of L&O hotels and F&M hotels, renovation of 5 L&O hotels, delay in new hotel openings, as well as partial reduction and extension of sublease income recognition. Total revenues for the first half of 2020 were RMB373.4 million (US$52.8 million) [1], representing a 26.8% decrease.

Total revenues from leased-and-operated hotels for the second quarter of 2020 were RMB50.3 million ( US$7.1 million ) [1] , representing a 16.8% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was primarily due to RevPAR decrease of 47.1%, renovation of 5 L&O hotels, and partial reduction and extension of sublease income recognition, and partially offset by the revenue contributed by 6 L&O hotels of the Urban Hotel Group ("Urban"). Total revenues from L&O hotels for the first half of 2020 were RMB84.1 million ( US$11.9 million ) [1] , representing a 25.1% decrease.

for the second quarter of 2020 were ( ) , representing a 16.8% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was primarily due to RevPAR decrease of 47.1%, renovation of 5 L&O hotels, and partial reduction and extension of sublease income recognition, and partially offset by the revenue contributed by 6 L&O hotels of the Urban Hotel Group ("Urban"). Total revenues from L&O hotels for the first half of 2020 were ( ) , representing a 25.1% decrease. Total revenues from franchised-and-managed hotels for the second quarter of 2020 were RMB165.7 million ( US$23.4 million ) [1], representing a 22.7% year-over-year decrease. Initial franchise fees increased by 0.5% year-over-year, mainly attributable to the gross opening of 111 hotels and contribution from historical amortization under ASC606, which was adopted since the first quarter of 2019. The 24.3% decrease from the second quarter of 2019 in recurring franchisee management fees and others was primarily due to the delay in new hotel openings and RevPAR decrease of 35.2%. Total revenues from F&M hotels for the first half of 2020 were RMB289.2 million ( US$40.9 million ) [1], representing a 27.3% decrease.



Quarter Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Initial franchise fee 13,243,838

13,313,072

1,884,343 Recurring franchise management fee

and others 201,175,937

152,339,553

21,562,264 Revenues from franchised-and-

managed hotels 214,419,775

165,652,625

23,446,607













Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Initial franchise fee 25,996,787

26,365,904

3,731,851 Recurring franchise management fee

and others 371,890,270

262,882,568

37,208,613 Revenues from franchised-and-

managed hotels 397,887,057

289,248,472

40,940,464

Total operating costs and expenses



Quarter Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Operating costs and expenses









Hotel operating costs 78,939,817

94,916,577

13,434,570 Selling and marketing expenses 16,353,634

11,999,656

1,698,441 General and administrative expenses 39,768,385

48,143,971

6,814,337 Other operating expenses 65,350

41,123

5,820 Total operating costs and expenses 135,127,186

155,101,327

21,953,168













Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Operating costs and expenses









Hotel operating costs 158,939,661

184,679,850

26,139,736 Selling and marketing expenses 41,029,736

29,840,978

4,223,716 General and administrative expenses 65,500,871

76,889,542

10,883,008 Other operating expenses 107,974

1,198,272

169,605 Total operating costs and expenses 265,578,242

292,608,642

41,416,065

Hotel operating costs for the second quarter of 2020 were RMB94.9 million (US$13.4 million) [1], representing a 20.2% increase year-over-year. The increase was mainly attributable to higher rents, higher depreciation and amortization, and the consolidation of operation costs of Argyle Hotel Management Group (Australia) Pty Ltd ("Argyle") and Urban. Argyle's costs increased compared to one year ago, primarily due to rents for 2 L&O hotels in development. Excluding the impact from acquired entities, hotel operating costs for this quarter decreased 6.2%, which was primarily due to a decrease in salaries of hotel staffs and regional general managers, and decreases in utilities, consumable, food and beverage, which resulted from the declined occupancy rate. For the first half of 2020, hotel operating costs were RMB184.7 million (US$26.1 million) [1], representing a 16.2% increase.



Quarter Ended

June 30,

June 30,

June 30, 2019

2020

2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Rental 19,039,168

35,806,000

5,068,010 Utilities 4,891,420

3,172,300

449,010 Personnel cost 8,495,301

9,332,835

1,320,977 Depreciation and amortization 7,174,031

10,588,191

1,498,661 Consumable, food and beverage 6,931,925

6,789,575

961,002 Costs of general managers of franchised-and-

managed hotels 23,045,469

20,691,454

2,928,685 Other costs of franchised-and-managed hotels 7,306,217

5,476,527

775,152 Others 2,056,286

3,059,695

433,073 Hotel Operating Costs 78,939,817

94,916,577

13,434,570













Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

June 30, 2019

2020

2020

RMB

RMB

US$ Rental 39,647,433

62,908,982

8,904,188 Utilities 11,045,983

7,592,490

1,074,647 Personnel cost 17,289,575

19,563,480

2,769,031 Depreciation and amortization 13,698,236

21,927,026

3,103,569 Consumable, food and beverage 13,769,076

15,540,443

2,199,607 Costs of general managers of franchised-and-

managed hotels 45,490,112

41,334,102

5,850,462 Other costs of franchised-and-managed hotels 12,992,800

9,979,587

1,412,519 Others 5,006,446

5,833,740

825,713 Hotel Operating Costs 158,939,661

184,679,850

26,139,736

Selling and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2020 were RMB12.0 million (US$1.7 million) [1], representing a 26.6% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly attributable to sustainable reductions in costs for advertising and meals. Excluding Argyle's and Urban's expenses, selling and marketing expenses in this quarter decreased 37.6%. For the first half of 2020, selling and marketing expenses were RMB29.8 million (US$4.2 million) [1], representing a 27.3% decrease.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2020 were RMB48.1 million (US$6.8 million) [1], representing a 21.1% year-over-year increase. The increase was primarily attributable to higher depreciation and amortization for our property and equipment, increased consulting fees, and the consolidation of expenses from Argyle and Urban. Additionally, a one-time bad debt regarding to account receivable due to COVID-19 was accrued. Excluding the impact from acquired entities and accrued bad debts, G&A expenses decreased by 21.6%. General and administrative expenses for the first half of 2020 were RMB76.9 million (US$10.9 million) [1], representing a 17.4% year-over-year increase.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB121.1 million (US$17.1 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 38.2%. Gross margin was 56.1%, compared to 71.3% a year ago. The decrease was primarily due the impact of COVID-19. Gross profit for the first half of 2020 was RMB188.7 million (US$26.7 million) [1], representing a 46.3% year-over-year decrease.

Income from operations for the second quarter of 2020 totaled RMB62.7 million (US$8.9 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 55.7%. The decrease was mainly due to decreased revenues resulting from lower RevPAR, delays in new hotel openings, and certain extension of sublease income recognition. Operating margin, defined as income from operations as percentage of total revenues, was 29.0%, compared to 51.4% a year ago. Income from operations for the first half of 2020 totaled RMB99.9 million (US$14.1 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 60.6%.

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB91.4 million (US$12.9 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 47.2%. Adjusted EBITDA margin, defined as adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) as a percentage of total revenues, was 42.3%, compared to 63.0% a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the first half of 2020 was RMB138.9 million (US$19.7 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 54.7%.

Net income for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB93.7 million (US$13.3 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 26.3%. Net margin was 43.4%, compared to 46.2% a year ago. The year-over-year decrease was primarily due to revenue decrease partially offset by gains from investments in equity securities. Net income for the first half of 2020 was RMB79.6 million (US$11.3 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 69.5%.

Core net income (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB74.6 million (US$10.6 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 40.2%. The core net margin, defined as core net income (non-GAAP) as a percentage of total revenues, was 34.6%, compared to 45.4% one year ago. Core net income (non-GAAP) for the first half of 2020 was RMB93.7 million (US$13.3 million) [1], representing a year-over-year decrease of 56.8%.

Earnings per ADS (basic and diluted) for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB1.01 (US$0.14) [1], down from earnings per ADS of RMB1.26 one year ago. Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB0.72 (US$0.10) [1], down from RMB1.23 a year ago. Earnings per ADS (basic and diluted) for the first half of 2020 was RMB0.90 (US$0.13) [1] up from RMB2.59 one year ago. Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB0.91 (US$0.13) [1] for the first half of 2020, decreased from RMB2.11 of 2019.

Cash flow. Operating cash inflow for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB58.3 million (US$8.2 million) [1] as a result of recovery from COVID-19 and improved operating performance. Investing cash outflow for the second quarter of 2020 was RMB46.2 million (US$6.5 million) [1], which was primarily attributable to short-term investments, investment in property, and loans to franchisees. The investing cash outflow was also partially offset by repayment of advances for investments, as well as repayment from franchisees. Financing cash inflow was RMB3.0 million (US$0.4 million). Operating cash inflow for the first half of 2020 was RMB9.9 million (US$1.4 million) [1]. Investing cash inflow for the first half of 2020 was RMB108.8 million (US$15.4 million) [1]. Financing cash inflow for the first half of 2020 was RMB13.4 million (US$1.9 million) [1].

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, investments in equity securities and time deposit. As of June 30, 2020, the Company had a total balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short term investments, investments in equity securities and time deposits of RMB1,714.0 million (US$242.6 million) [1], as compared to RMB1,613.9 million as of March 31, 2020. The increase from Q1 was primarily attributable to cash inflow from operating activities, changes in fair value of equity securities, proceeds from disposal of investments, and offset by loans to franchisees and investment on upgrade decoration.

COVID-19 Update

With the Chinese government's efforts to bring the spread of COVID-19 under control, domestic tourism and business is gradually bouncing back. According to the STR data, the occupancy rate of hotels in China has been improving steadily during the second quarter and reached 63.1% during the last week of July, up substantially from the low of 8.4% during the week of February 9, 2020. Although new COVID-19 cases were reported in Beijing and Dalian in the middle of June, the outbreak quickly came under control thanks to local governments' effective measures and an adequate supply of nucleic acid detection test kits. With the economic environment improving, business traveling gradually returned to normal starting late June.

On July 15, 2020, The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that the restrictions on cross provincial travel would be lifted. The lifting of these restrictions will stimulate business travel and summer travel and help the hospitality sector to deliver steady and improved performance. With all the endeavor and assistance from the government and our business partners, most franchisees have now resumed business operations. Our occupancy rate has rebounded and exceeded 75% on average in the second half of July, exceeded 82% during the first two weeks of August, up substantially from 65% in the second half of May.

Guidance

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Company expects a decline in total revenues in the third quarter of 2020 of 8%-13% year-over-year, and a decline in total revenues of 10%-15% for the full year 2020, compared to 2019.

The guidance set forth above reflects the Company's current and preliminary views based on our recovery speed and may not be indicative of the final financial results for future interim periods and the full year.

Conference Call

GreenTree's management will hold an earnings conference call at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on August 13, 2020 (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on August 14, 2020).

Dial-in numbers for the live conference call are as follows:

International 1-412-902-4272 Mainland China 4001-201-203 US 1-888-346-8982 Hong Kong 800-905-945 or 852-3018-4992 Singapore 800-120-6157

Participants should ask to join the GreenTree call, please dial in approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the call.

A telephone replay of the call will be available after the conclusion of the conference call until August 20, 2020.

Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows:

International Dial-in 1-412-317-0088 U.S. Toll Free 1-877-344-7529 Canada Toll Free 855-669-9658 Passcode: 10146314

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.998.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and core net income, as we present it, is a useful financial metric to assess our operating and financial performance before the impact of investing and financing transactions, income taxes and certain non-core and non-recurring items in our financial statements.

The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and core net income should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by other charges and gains we consider to be outside the ordinary course of our business.

The use of Adjusted EBITDA and core net income has certain limitations because it does not reflect all items of income and expenses that affect our operations. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are significant components in understanding and assessing our operating and financial performance. Depreciation and amortization expense for various long-term assets, income tax and share-based compensation have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA and core net income does not consider capital expenditures and other investing activities and should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our depreciation and amortization, interest expense/income, gains/losses from investments in equity securities, income tax expenses, share-based compensation, share of loss in equity investees, government subsidies and other relevant items both in our reconciliations to the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance.

The term Adjusted EBITDA and core net income is not defined under U.S. GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA and core net income is not a measure of net income, operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assessing our operating and financial performance, you should not consider this data in isolation or as a substitute for our net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure that is calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our Adjusted EBITDA and core net income may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and core net income or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA and core net income in the same manner as we do.

Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and core net income, to the consolidated statement of operations information are included at the end of this press release.

About GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd.

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. ("GreenTree" or the "Company") (NYSE: GHG) is a leading hospitality management group in China. As of June 30, 2020, GreenTree had a total number of 4,066 hotels. In 2019, GreenTree ranked among the Top 12 worldwide in terms of number of hotels in "World's Largest Hotel Companies: HOTELS' 325", published by HOTELS magazine, and was as well the fourth largest hospitality company in China in 2019 based on the statistics issued by the China Hospitality Association.

GreenTree has built a strong suite of brands including its flagship "GreenTree Inns" brand as a result of its long-standing dedication to the hospitality industry in China and consistent quality of its services, signature hotel designs, broad geographic coverage and convenient locations. GreenTree has further expanded its brand portfolio into mid-to-up-scale and luxury segments through a series of strategic investments. By offering diverse brands, through its strong membership base, expansive booking network, superior system management with moderate charges, and fully supported by its operating departments including Decoration, Engineering, Purchasing, Operation, IT and Finance, GreenTree aims to keep closer relationships with all of its clients and partners by providing a brand portfolio that features comfort, style and value.

For more information on GreenTree, please visit http://ir.998.com

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to," "confident," "future," or other similar expressions. GreenTree may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about or based on GreenTree's current beliefs, expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry, are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: GreenTree's goals and growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; trends in the hospitality industry in China and globally; competition in our industry; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and other regions where we operate; the regulatory environment in which we and our franchisees operate; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided, including the forward-looking statements made, in this press release are current as of the date of the press release. Except as required by law, GreenTree undertakes no obligation to update any such information or forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the information is provided or statements are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

---Financial Tables and Operational Data Follow---

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets



December 31,

June 30,

June 30, 2019

2020

2020

RMB

RMB

US$ ASSETS









Current assets:









Cash and cash equivalents 319,847,701

452,608,736

64,062,609 Short-term investment 437,279,026

191,176,808

27,059,321 Investments in equity securities 207,007,926

173,261,027

24,523,507 Accounts receivable, net of allowance 99,701,226

120,470,392

17,051,477 Amounts due from related parties 31,739,731

29,439,855

4,166,941 Prepaid rent 18,794,665

8,872,415

1,255,809 Inventories 2,537,717

2,790,179

394,924 Other current assets 66,004,017

44,818,677

6,343,672 Loans receivable, net 82,312,201

145,035,382

20,528,425 Total current assets 1,265,224,210

1,168,473,471

165,386,685











Non-current assets:









Restricted cash 22,312,522

22,169,900

3,137,946 Long-term time deposits 560,000,000

590,000,000

83,509,080 Loan receivable, net 121,563,742

172,337,304

24,392,762 Property and equipment, net 614,936,505

631,423,774

89,372,235 Intangible assets, net 496,280,316

493,363,778

69,831,110 Goodwill 100,078,236

100,231,487

14,186,846 Long-term investments 398,637,701

422,585,859

59,813,146 Other assets 76,957,992

50,332,514

7,124,105 Deferred tax assets 160,488,193

168,657,703

23,871,949 TOTAL ASSETS 3,816,479,417

3,819,575,790

540,625,864























LIABILITIES AND EQUITY









Current liabilities:









Short-term bank loans 60,000,000

70,000,000

9,907,857 Accounts payable 15,296,042

18,185,038

2,573,925 Advance from customers 40,105,627

32,347,707

4,578,521 Amounts due to related parties 3,518,031

1,469,730

208,027 Salary and welfare payable 42,650,527

44,054,228

6,235,471 Deferred rent 5,179,664

6,265,589

886,837 Deferred revenue 231,925,272

224,959,453

31,840,944 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 302,448,361

276,933,394

39,197,378 Income tax payable 93,909,177

47,490,213

6,721,802 Total current liabilities 795,032,701

721,705,352

102,150,762











Deferred rent 17,821,686

20,887,160

2,956,386 Deferred revenue 410,807,248

378,729,312

53,605,655 Other long-term liabilities 118,112,511

135,731,808

19,211,590 Deferred tax liabilities 195,303,547

199,317,796

28,211,603 Unrecognized tax benefits 261,641,717

258,431,806

36,578,648 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,798,719,410

1,714,803,234

242,714,644











Shareholders' equity:









Class A ordinary shares 219,526,699

222,587,070

31,505,155 Class B ordinary shares 115,534,210

115,534,210

16,352,806 Additional paid-in capital 1,152,108,217

1,149,280,404

162,670,083 Retained earnings 308,698,533

401,194,544

56,785,402 Accumulated other comprehensive income 65,300,854

69,116,862

9,782,857 Total GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. shareholders' equity 1,861,168,513

1,957,713,090

277,096,303











Non-controlling interests 156,591,494

147,059,466

20,814,917 Total shareholders' equity 2,017,760,007

2,104,772,556

297,911,220











TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 3,816,479,417

3,819,575,790

540,625,864

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income



Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$ Revenues





















Leased-and-operated hotels 60,510,976

50,337,339

7,124,788

112,336,802

84,137,483

11,908,888 Franchised-and-managed hotels 214,419,775

165,652,625

23,446,607

397,887,057

289,248,472

40,940,464 Total revenues 274,930,751

215,989,964

30,571,395

510,223,859

373,385,955

52,849,352























Operating costs and expenses





















Hotel operating costs (78,939,817)

(94,916,577)

(13,434,570)

(158,939,661)

(184,679,850)

(26,139,736) Selling and marketing expenses (16,353,634)

(11,999,656)

(1,698,441)

(41,029,736)

(29,840,978)

(4,223,716) General and administrative expenses (39,768,385)

(48,143,971)

(6,814,337)

(65,500,871)

(76,889,542)

(10,883,008) Other operating expenses (65,350)

(41,123)

(5,820)

(107,974)

(1,198,272)

(169,605) Total operating costs and expenses (135,127,186)

(155,101,327)

(21,953,168)

(265,578,242)

(292,608,642)

(41,416,065)























Other operating income 1,639,842

1,762,982

249,534

8,546,295

19,093,913

2,702,568 Income from operations 141,443,407

62,651,619

8,867,761

253,191,912

99,871,226

14,135,855























Interest income and other, net 17,759,532

14,107,924

1,996,847

34,228,543

24,721,184

3,499,056 Interest expense (700,350)

(1,727,991)

(244,581)

(1,385,475)

(2,738,246)

(387,574) Gains/(losses) from investment in equity securities 15,902,581

42,534,583

6,020,379

75,837,051

(12,640,335)

(1,789,123) Other income, net 1,860,961

-

-

2,690,742

-

- Income before income taxes 176,266,131

117,566,135

16,640,406

364,562,773

109,213,829

15,458,214























Income tax expense (49,050,930)

(24,399,003)

(3,453,454)

(103,216,322)

(30,576,563)

(4,327,831) Income before share of (losses)/gains in equity investees 127,215,201

93,167,132

13,186,952

261,346,451

78,637,266

11,130,383























Share of (losses)/gains in equity investees, net of tax (114,566)

553,487

78,341

(287,797)

948,331

134,227 Net income 127,100,635

93,720,619

13,265,293

261,058,654

79,585,597

11,264,610























Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests 1,376,781

10,621,047

1,503,311

2,332,314

12,910,415

1,827,351 Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders 128,477,416

104,341,666

14,768,604

263,390,968

92,496,012

13,091,961























Net earnings per share





















Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.26

1.01

0.14

2.59

0.90

0.13 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.26

1.01

0.14

2.59

0.90

0.13























Net earnings per ADS





















Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.26

1.01

0.14

2.59

0.90

0.13 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.26

1.01

0.14

2.59

0.90

0.13























Weighted average shares outstanding





















Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 67,113,004

68,286,954

68,286,954

67,064,583

68,286,954

68,286,954 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 34,762,909

34,762,909

34,762,909

34,762,909

34,762,909

34,762,909























Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax





















Foreign currency translation adjustments 11,020,015

(1,181,225)

(167,192)

(3,782,503)

3,816,008

540,121 Comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax 138,120,650

92,539,394

13,098,101

257,276,151

83,401,605

11,804,731























Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests 1,376,781

10,621,047

1,503,312

2,332,314

12,910,415

1,827,351 Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders 139,497,431

103,160,441

14,601,413

259,608,465

96,312,020

13,632,082

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$ Operating activities:





















Net income 127,100,635

93,720,619

13,265,293

261,058,654

79,585,597

11,264,610























Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating a

ctivities:





















Depreciation and amortization 8,150,042

16,339,200

2,312,664

15,820,814

32,005,845

4,530,133 Share of losses/(gains) in equity method investments 114,566

(553,487)

(78,341)

287,797

(948,331)

(134,228) Interest income (2,452,171)

(2,097,419)

(296,870)

(10,413,809)

(4,841,860)

(685,321) Bad debt expense (5,890,482)

12,009,289

1,699,805

(4,999,113)

17,928,925

2,537,675 (Gains)/losses from investments in equity securities (15,902,581)

(42,534,582)

(6,020,379)

(75,837,051)

12,640,335

1,789,123 Foreign exchange gains (324,322)

(1,367,301)

(193,529)

(528,439)

(209,869)

(29,705) Share-based compensation 6,260,341

-

-

11,109,792

232,558

32,916 Income tax expenses related to dividend distribution or retained profits 3,955,452

4,089,529

578,835

7,799,944

8,089,529

1,144,999























Changes in operating assets and liabilities:





















Accounts receivable (5,850,767)

(44,819,542)

(6,343,794)

(23,868,928)

(38,698,091)

(5,477,359) Prepaid rent -

5,586,585

790,730

711,581

9,922,250

1,404,403 Inventories (280,089)

156,836

22,199

1,168,794

(237,377)

(33,599) Amounts due from related parties (25,151)

715,354

101,252

(21,551)

1,510,197

213,755 Other current assets (7,010,607)

(5,488,452)

(776,840)

186,182

14,827,078

2,098,637 Other assets (7,453,225)

(3,332,215)

(471,646)

(12,142,854)

(9,014,522)

(1,275,923) Accounts payable (2,228,556)

1,602,850

226,869

1,970,109

2,888,996

408,911 Amounts due to related parties 899,112

(30,278)

(4,286)

832,348

(2,048,301)

(289,918) Salary and welfare payable 2,313,943

3,390,002

479,824

(5,049,650)

1,372,751

194,300 Deferred revenue 9,218,777

(8,125,238)

(1,150,053)

4,825,701

(39,043,755)

(5,526,285) Advance from customers (607,442)

(5,183,719)

(733,708)

(2,278,224)

(7,757,920)

(1,098,062) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 2,668,564

76,631,257

10,846,450

28,261,232

(28,104,147)

(3,977,884) Income tax payable (51,216,175)

(30,267,700)

(4,284,115)

(27,333,112)

(46,418,967)

(6,570,178) Unrecognized tax benefits 22,867,582

(17,495,140)

(2,476,276)

28,914,333

(3,209,911)

(454,333) Deferred rent (1,558,697)

(910,363)

(128,854)

(1,851,268)

4,151,399

587,592 Other long-term liabilities 2,545,743

4,624,768

654,593

3,593,469

17,619,297

2,493,850 Deferred taxes (272,719)

1,599,014

226,327

4,997,435

(12,368,615)

(1,750,664) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 85,021,773

58,259,867

8,246,150

207,214,186

9,873,091

1,397,445























Investing activities:





















Purchases of property and equipment (4,451,361)

(18,550,705)

(2,625,682)

(13,511,310)

(41,628,937)

(5,892,194) Purchases of intangible assets -

(9,075)

(1,284)

-

(9,075)

(1,284) Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment 1,000,000

11,125

1,575

1,300,000

11,125

1,575 Acquisitions, net of cash received (234,660,607)

(1,255,807)

(177,748)

(244,660,607)

(1,255,807)

(177,748) Advances for acquisitions (47,866,700)

-

-

(47,866,700)

-

- Repayment of advances for investments -

35,440,000

5,016,206

-

35,440,000

5,016,206 Purchases of short-term investments (28,283,130)

(46,420,027)

(6,570,328)

(210,512,312)

(147,690,027)

(20,904,167) Proceeds from short-term investments 40,774,393

3,567,419

504,935

756,830,368

398,634,105

56,422,995 Increase of long-term time deposits (20,000,000)

-

-

(460,000,000)

(30,000,000)

(4,246,224) Purchases of investments in equity securities (22,060,000)

-

-

(24,036,351)

-

- Purchases of long term investments -

-

-

(249,464,401)

-

- Proceeds from disposal of equity securities 36,617,830

-

-

145,221,744

-

- Dividends received from investment in equity securities -

2,540,418

359,573

-

2,540,418

359,573 Proceeds from disposal of equity method investments -

6,380,000

903,030

-

6,380,000

903,030 Loan to related parties (106,979,750)

(19,850,000)

(2,809,585)

(116,979,750)

(185,366,500)

(26,236,925) Repayment from a related party 116,979,750

20,639,679

2,921,357

116,979,750

186,156,179

26,348,697 Loan to third parties (135,835,219)

(1,200,000)

(169,849)

(151,775,219)

(3,200,000)

(452,931) Repayment of loan from third parties 121,280,219

-

-

121,280,219

-

- Loan to franchisees (13,460,000)

(47,721,778)

(6,754,580)

(31,590,000)

(146,451,778)

(20,728,903) Repayment from a franchisee 1,973,956

20,199,572

2,859,064

7,267,353

35,215,035

4,984,365 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (294,970,619)

(46,229,179)

(6,543,316)

(401,517,216)

108,774,738

15,396,065























Financing activities:





















Distribution to the shareholders -

-

-

(208,025,814)

-

- Proceeds from short-term borrowings -

-

-

-

10,000,000

1,415,408 Capital contribution from non-controlling interest holders -

2,978,387

421,563

10,390,000

3,378,387

478,180 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities -

2,978,387

421,563

(197,635,814)

13,378,387

1,893,588























Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted

cash 3,249,707

1,167,214

165,208

(8,440,253)

592,196

83,820 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted

cash (206,699,139)

16,176,289

2,289,605

(400,379,097)

132,618,412

18,770,918 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period 1,073,645,827

458,602,346

64,910,949

1,267,325,785

342,160,223

48,429,636 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period 866,946,688

474,778,635

67,200,554

866,946,688

474,778,635

67,200,554

GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results



Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$ Net income 127,100,635

93,720,619

13,265,293

261,058,654

79,585,597

11,264,610























Deduct:





















Other operating income 1,639,842

1,762,982

249,534

8,546,295

19,093,913

2,702,568 Gains from investment in equity securities 15,902,581

42,534,583

6,020,379

75,837,051

42,534,583

6,020,379 Share of gain in equity investees, net of tax -

553,487

78,341

-

948,331

134,228 Other income, net 1,860,961

-

-

2,690,742

-

-























Add:





















Other operating expenses 65,350

41,123

5,820

107,974

1,198,272

169,604 Income tax expense 49,050,930

24,399,003

3,453,455

103,216,322

30,576,563

4,327,832 Share of loss in equity investees, net of tax 114,566

-

-

287,797

-

- Interest expense 700,350

1,727,991

244,581

1,385,475

2,738,246

387,574 Share-based compensation 7,326,131

-

-

12,175,582

232,558

32,916 Depreciation and amortization 8,150,042

16,339,200

2,312,663

15,820,814

32,005,845

4,530,133 Losses from investment in equity securities -

-

-

-

55,174,918

7,809,503 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) 173,104,620

91,376,884

12,933,558

306,978,530

138,935,172

19,664,997

























Quarter Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2019

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$ Net income 127,100,635

93,720,619

13,265,293

261,058,654

79,585,597

11,264,610























Deduct:





















Government subsidies (net of 25% tax) 233,981

779,513

110,332

5,048,981

13,212,085

1,870,049 Gains from investment in equity securities

(net of 25% tax) 11,926,936

31,900,937

4,515,285

56,877,788

31,900,937

4,515,285 Other income (net of 25% tax) 1,395,721

-

-

2,018,057

-

-























Add:





















Share-based compensation 7,326,131

-

-

12,175,582

232,558

32,916 Losses from investments in equity securities -

-

-

-

41,381,189

5,857,127 One-time provision of bad debt -

9,501,082

1,344,791

-

9,501,082

1,344,791 Income tax expenses related to dividend

distribution 3,955,452

4,089,529

578,835

7,799,944

8,089,529

1,144,999 Core net income(Non-GAAP) 124,825,580

74,630,780

10,563,302

217,089,354

93,676,933

13,259,109















































Core net income per ADS (Non-GAAP)





















Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.23

0.72

0.10

2.11

0.91

0.13 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.23

0.72

0.10

2.11

0.91

0.13

Operational Data



As of June 30, 2019 As of June 30, 2020 Total hotels in

operation: 2,955 4,066 Leased-and-owned

hotels 30 35 Franchised hotels 2,925 4,031 Total hotel rooms in

operation 236,557 296,307 Leased-and-owned

hotels 3,803 4,359 Franchised hotels 232,754 291,948 Number of cities 300 343













Quarter Ended As of June 30, 2019 As of June 30, 2020 Occupancy rate (as a

percentage)



Leased-and-owned

hotels 70.5% 46.5% Franchised hotels 81.3% 63.7% Blended 81.1% 63.4% Average daily rate (in

RMB)



Leased-and-owned

hotels 216 173 Franchised hotels 171 142 Blended 172 142 RevPAR (in RMB)



Leased-and-owned

hotels 152 80 Franchised hotels 139 90 Blended 139 90



Number of Hotels in Operation Number of Hotel Rooms in Operation

As of June 30, 2019 As of June 30, 2020 As of June 30, 2019 As of June 30, 2020 Luxury 19 21 4,017 4,388 Argyle 19 21 4,017 4,388 Mid-to-up-scale 152 296 15,357 26,682 GreenTree Eastern 96 118 10,200 12,509 Deepsleep Hotel 1 2 62 161 Gem 18 32 1,669 2,896 Gya 11 28 918 2,348 Vx 17 28 1,397 2,260 Ausotel 9 11 1,111 1,521 Urban Garden and others* / 77 / 4,987 Mid-scale 2,348 2,610 198,176 212,674 GreenTree Inn 1,931 2,047 166,183 173,519 GT Alliance 295 316 22,994 24,176 GreenTree Apartment 3 10 180 488 Vatica 119 124 8,819 9,026 City 118 Selected and others* / 113 / 5,465 Economy hotels 436 1,139 19,007 52,563 Shell 436 574 19,007 25,017 City 118 and others* / 565 / 27,546 Total 2,955 4,066 236,557 296,307

* Others include other brands in each segment of Urban.

For more information, please contact:

GreenTree

Ms. Selina Yang

Phone: +86-21-3617-4886 ext. 7999

E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Nicky Zheng

Phone: +86-21-3617-4886 ext. 6708

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

In Shanghai

Ms. Constance Zhang

Phone: +86-138-1645-1798

E-mail: [email protected]

In Hong Kong

Ms. Karen Hui

Phone: +852-9266-4140

E-mail: [email protected]

In US

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd.

Related Links

www.998.com


Gayle King opened up about turning down a major job opportunity to take over her friend Oprah Winfreys show for the sake of her young children.

It would be great for me, itd be really great for me. But that wouldnt be fair to them, the CBS This Morning co-host explained to Drew Barrymore on the debut episode of the actresss new digital series The Art of the Interview.

The two were discussing their early dreams of having a nuclear family and their subsequent disappointment when they both ended up separating from their respective husbands and the fathers of their children. It was as if I was letting them down, Barrymore revealed of her feelings when separating from Will Kopelman back in 2016. King, who Barrymore refers to as her parenting icon, explained just how she learned that she couldnt focus keeping the family intact, but instead about keeping her children happy no matter what  even when Oprah offered King her show.

[Oprah] was talking about giving the show up because she wanted to go into acting. She wanted go to into acting, she wanted to act full-time because she loved acting. So her plan was, you move to Chicago and well incorporate you in the show, so at the end of the year, I can sort of pass the baton, King explained. And I was reallyimagine a huge opportunity. I was really excited about that. And the kids were, you know, we were divorced so they were still young and then I realized that that wouldnt be fair to them.

King shares her now-grown daughter, Kirby, and son, William Jr., with her ex-husband William Bumpus. At the time that the opportunity came about, King was still focused on raising them to feel loved and secure, and worried that moving for work wouldnt be the best for them.

So in the end, I just decided to not take her up on that offer. But favorite daughter, Kirby, favorite son, Will, their wellbeing to me was more important than whatever career opportunity I could have had at the time, King said. And I dont regret that.

Story continues

Barrymore went on to explain the sacrifice that she made for her and Kopelmans daughters, Frankie and Olive, when she decided to move from California to New York so that the children would be 10 blocks from their dad and not across the country.

The actress called the divorce the hardest decision Ive ever made in my life. However, she said that staying close to Kopelman for the sake of her children allowed her to move forward from her guilt. Ultimately, I ended up finding my way, tremendous happiness, a wonderful group of friends, a life that was conducive, Barrymore said.

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White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said the U.S. is currently in the middle of a very serious historic pandemic, adding that he has concerns about some regions seeing upticks of coronavirus.

Speaking at a National Geographic panel moderated by ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, Fauci said he is not pleased with how things are going.

We certainly are not where I hope we would be, we are in the middle of very serious historic pandemic, he added. When you look at other parts of the country  this is the thing thats disturbing to me  is that were starting to see the inkling of the upticks in the percent of the tests that are positive. We know now, from sad past experience, that thats a predictor that youre going to have more surges.

The U.S. currently has more than 5 million COVID-19 infections and at least 166,000 deaths.

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The sample of wings tested by health officials in China found coronavirus was present. Other products and people who came in contact with the wings all tested negative for the virus, however.

The CDC said there is no evidence that handling or consuming food is associated with COVID-19 transmission and the risk of contracting the virus by touching an infected surface or object is very low.

189,000 deaths forecasts

A forecast by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects nearly 189,000 coronavirus deaths in the country by Sept. 5. The projections, published Thursday, estimate a low of 181,375 deaths to a high of 201,431.

Georgia Gov. drops lawsuit over Atlanta mask order

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has dropped a lawsuit over Atlantas mask mandate.

Kemp announced the lawsuit in mid-July after Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced an order requiring masks to be worn in public places. Kemp now says he will file an executive order to address the issue.

I sued the City of Atlanta to immediately stop the shuttering of local businesses and protect local workers from economic instability, Kemp said, according to The Hill. Given this stalemate in negotiations, we will address this very issue in the next Executive Order. We will continue to protect the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians.

The order is expected to allow cities to keep mask mandates on the books but only make them enforceable on municipal property.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut is calling on the state Department of Correction to implement better oversight of inmates after a Windsor man died from an apparent suicide by strangling himself with an agency-issued cloth mask.

Daniel Ocasio, 32, was found unresponsive with a ligature around his neck in his cell at the Corrigan-Ragdowski Correctional Center in Uncasville early Wednesday during a routine tour, according to DOC officials.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has ruled Ocasios death a suicide.

Correction officials believe he used the cloth mask issued by the agency and made by other inmates to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the states prisons.

The Department of Correction has a constitutional and moral responsibility to keep the people it incarcerates safe, Connecticut ACLU Executive Director David McGuire said. Daniel Ocasio should still be alive today, and the DOC had a duty to prevent his death. We expect and demand the DOC to complete a full investigation into how it allowed someone to die like this on its watch.

Ocasio had been held since Aug. 5 on $10,000 bond after being charged by Plainfield police with violating a protective order, third-degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and third-degree burglary.

Court records show a judge ordered Ocasio during his arraignment to receive mental health attention while incarcerated. The judge did not require Ocasio to be on suicide watch, court officials said.

Correction officials said Ocasio was quarantined for 14 days when he entered the prison system in accordance with the settlement of a lawsuit filed against the DOC and Gov. Ned Lamont by the CT ACLU.

As part of the quarantine guidelines, Ocasio was supposed to be regularly monitored for symptoms of COVID-19, the settlement said. It is unclear if Ocasio received any mental health services or was flagged as a suicide risk since he was incarcerated.

The CT ACLU filed two lawsuits in state and federal courts to seek better hygiene conditions, more social distance and a release of medically fragile inmates since the pandemic has impacted the state.

As part of the federal lawsuit settlement, the DOC is required to give each inmate two cloth masks manufactured at the prisons as part of a work program. According to DOC policy, staff should wear masks at work in situations where they cannot socially distance from others.

Staff can wear surgical masks, cloth masks made by inmates or coverings they bring from home. The settlement required inmates to be given two cloth masks and one new cloth mask per week during the pandemic. Masks must be replaced upon request if they have been torn or damaged, the settlement said.

The infection rate at the states prisons is about 8 percent with 1,344 testing positive for COVID-19 and seven inmates dying with the disease. Statewide 4,450 people have died with COVID-19. The state has had about a 1 percent positive test rate in the past month.

DOC officials said the inmate mask policy will be reviewed as part of the investigation by the agency and state police into Ocasios death.
A crucial session of the Rajasthan Assembly will begin on Friday where chief minister Ashok Gehlot will move a vote of confidence to prove the majority of his Congress government.

The chief minister chaired a Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting at his residence on Thursday, where the decision to move the vote of confidence was taken.

Also Read: Gehlot, Pilot meet; BJP, Congress talk floor test

This came three days after a patch-up between Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, who had rebelled against the chief minister over his style of functioning. Gehlot said he could have proved his majority even without the support of Pilot and 18 of his supporters, but that would not have given him happiness.

We could have proved our majority even without these 19 MLAs but it would not have given us happiness. We will bring a vote of confidence, the chief minister said. Pilot was also present at the CLP meeting on Thursday and both the leaders shook hands and flashed victory signs.

Also Read: Forget what happened: Sachin Pilot among audience, Ashok Gehlot hits reset

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, said that the truce between the two factions is temporary and announced it will move a no-confidence motion in the state Assembly. This government wont last long, former chief minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje said on Thursday.

Speaker CP Joshi can use his discretion to decide whether to allow the government or the BJP motion, according to analysts. An official at the assembly secretariat, who did not want to be named, said the governments trust motion was likely to get preference. This has been the tradition of the house, said the official.

With the return of the rebels, the Congress alone has 107 legislators, including the speaker, in the 200-member House where the majority mark is 101. It also appears to have the support of all 13 independents; three of them backed Pilot and have now pledged support to Gehlot. Five MLAs from other parties, too, back the government in the House. On the other hand, the BJP (72) and its ally Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party (3) have a total of 75 seats.

The Gehlot government has already indicated that it is keen on a floor test despite the truce because the party thinks it is the perfect way to send across a message of unity. A floor test will also give some breather to Gehlot to let him put his house in order since a motion can be moved only once in a session.

In a related development, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday issued a whip for the second time to six of its MLAs in Rajasthan to vote against the Congress in any no-confidence motion or any other proceedings in the state Assembly.
Trump Announces 'Historic Breakthrough' Between Israel, UAE

By VOA News August 13, 2020

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a U.S.-brokered deal, President Donald Trump announced Thursday.

Trump is calling the agreement the "Abraham Accord" after the father of three monotheistic religions founded in the Middle East  Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It is only the third peace deal Israel has made with an Arab nation since Israel became an independent state in 1948.

Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan said they hope the "historic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East."

"Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates' lead," Trump said, during an Oval Office announcement where he was surrounded by members of his administration who helped broker the deal.

Emirati Muslims can now pray in the historic Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam, Trump added.

Netanyahu had warm words for his newest diplomatic partner.

"And to the people of Abu Dhabi and its leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, I say, 'Salam Alaikum, Shalom Aleichem. Peace onto thee. Peace onto all of us,'" he said.

Officials in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi, were more circumspect.

"Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region," said senior UAE official Anwar Gargash. "But I think we used our political chips right."

Annexation plans

The agreement at least suspends Israeli plans to annex large parts of the West Bank, which Palestinians want as part of a future state.

Netanyahu says annexation plans are on "temporary hold" while Gargash said the agreement is a "death blow" to what he says was Israeli aggression.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, who opposes Israeli annexation plans, said, "The United Arab Emirates and Israel have pointed a path toward a more peaceful, stable Middle East," he said adding that a Biden administration will seek to build on this progress.

A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Guterres "welcomes this agreement, hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two state-solution in line with relevant U.N. resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements."

Palestinian anger

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with his senior aides late Thursday. His spokesman called the deal "treason" and urged the UAE to cancel the agreement. The spokesman urged other Arab countries not to follow suit "at the expense of Palestinian rights."

Abbas is recalling his ambassador to the UAE, the official Palestinian news agency said.

The UAE is the third Gulf Arab country to normalize relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan, and the first in the Gulf.

While Israel and the UAE have never fought a war and there was almost no chance of one breaking out, the UAE has always rejected closer ties with Israel because of lack of progress toward a Palestinian peace agreement.

But Middle East analysts say the UAE shares Israel's contempt for and distrust of Iran and its proxies and militant groups such Hamas.

Patsy Widakuswara, Margaret Besheer, Wayne Lee and Madeline Hart contributed to this report.

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A prison inmate in Connecticut this week hanged himself in his cell with a cloth mask that had been issued to him as part of an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, correction officials and the states chief medical examiner said.

The inmate, Daniel Ocasio, died on Wednesday after he was found at 5:07 a.m. with a ligature around his neck while he was sitting on a bunk at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Uncasville, Conn., the states Department of Correction said.

The chief medical examiner, Dr. James Gill, ruled on Thursday that Mr. Ocasios death was a suicide.

Mr. Ocasio, 32, who lived in Windsor, Conn., had been held at the prison, in southeastern Connecticut, since Aug. 5 on an outstanding charge of third-degree burglary, prison officials said. He had been unable to post a $10,000 bond.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia Friday cuts the sod for the construction of $100 million Accra-Tema Beach Road Improvement Project.

The project, totalling 26.6 kilometre, starts from the Black Star Square through to Tema Community Three, which forms part of the Accra Metropolitan Intelligence Traffic Management System, and would be completed within 24 months.

The project is being constructed by the Messrs Gansu International Corporation for Economic and Technical Cooperation and Messrs China Major Bridge Engineering Company Limited.

The Accra -Tema Beach Road is the Southernmost arterial road in the Greater Accra Region by the classification of the Department of Urban Roads and links the western and eastern parts of the national capital, Accra.

Portions of the road have been dualized under earlier projects whilst other sections are single carriageways with limited capacity.

The project has two major components namely; the coordination of all the traffic signals in the Region and the development of a Traffic Management Centre to manage them to minimise traffic challenges.

The completion of the dualization of the Accra- Tema Beach Road between the Black Star Square to Tema Community Three would ease traffic congestion along the stretch.

The project seeks to improve the traffic capacity along the stretch to ensure the safety of commuters and other road users.

The project would go through communities like Osu, La, Teshie, Nungua, Tema Community Three and Sakumono.

At the groundbreaking ceremony at Nungua, Vice President Bawumia said the Akufo-Addo led Government had begun constructing six major interchanges across the country and at the various stages of completion.

They included Accra-Tema Motorway Interchange First Phase, Pokuase Interchange, Tamale Interchange, Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange, Nungua Barrier Interchange and Takoradi PTC Interchange.

The Vice President stated that since 2017, the Akufo-Addo's Government had asphalted a total of 595 km of roads in urban areas, particularly in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast and Takoradi.

Additionally, there are ongoing 84-km Accra inner city roads and 100-km Kumasi inner city roads being funded under the Sinohydro Development Project Agreement, whilst various feeder roads upgrading were underway across the sub-urban areas to boost economic activities and productivity.

Mr Kwasi Amoako-Attah, the Roads and Highways Minister, on his part, said the Akufo-Addo's government was putting his promises into action as the President declared the year 2020 as the "Year of Roads".

Giving more information about the Accra-Tema Beach Road Project, Mr Amoako-Attah stated that the contractors would construct new culverts and bridges to improve the flow of running water, erect streetlights to improve lightening along the stretch and walkways to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

The Minister gave the assurance that the government would pay requisite compensation to those who would be affected by the construction works.

Mr Amoako-Attah assured of his Ministry's determination to supervise the construction works to ensure value for money.

Nii Odaifio Wulentsi, Nungua Mantse, expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for making real his promises and pledged the cooperation and support of the traditional authorities in the area to ensure timely completion of the project.

He was of the conviction that the completion of the road project would boost economic activities in the area and improve their livelihoods.

GNA
YEREVAN.  Still a year ago, we were receiving disturbing news from Lebanon, from the local Armenian community, and this explosion already became the reason for Armenias representative to get acquainted on the spotboth with the problems caused by the explosion and from the past. Armenias High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Zareh Sinanyan, said this at the press conference Friday, referring to his recent visit to Lebanon.

He noted that during the visit, he had had meetings with representatives of the Lebanese Armenian community, and visited the apartments of the Armenians affected by last weeks powerful and deadly explosion in Beirut to assess the damage caused.

Touching upon the topic of repatriation, Sinanyan noted that it is not correct to say that the Armenian government pursues a policy of repatriation towards Lebanese Armenians. "To say such a thing means that we [Armenia] are in the role of dictating, we are creating a situation that people want to come to Armenia. Regardless of our will, a situation has been created in Lebanon, as a result of which people want to come to Armenia," he added.

Sinanyan added that in 2019, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation had conducted a survey among Lebanese Armenians, as a result of which it turned out that 58% of respondents said they would leave Lebanon in the coming years, and 49% said they intended to move to Armenia; this survey was conducted among 521 Lebanese Armenians.

The diaspora commissioner of Armenia also noted that at present, 25,000 Lebanese Armenians were citizens of the Republic of Armenia.
Project Power is the latest action thriller to hit Netflix. The films rich backdrop is a character in itself. And it has fans wondering where Project Power is set, and where it was filmed.

Jamie Foxx in Project Power | Netflix

Project Power is set in New Orleans

Netflixs Project Power tells the story of Robin (Dominique Fishback), a reluctant young drug pusher who is trying to help provide for her moms ongoing medical treatment. When she realizes that her cousin, Newt (Colson Baker, aka Machine Gun Kelly) has taken a drug that gives him superhuman powers, she joins a mysterious man named Art (Jamie Foxx) and a cop named Frank (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) to try and stop the drug from spreading.

The film is set in New Orleans, Louisiana. And it features scenes depicting the rich backdrop and culture of the iconic American city.

RELATED: Project Power: 7 Awesome Jamie Foxx Movies to Watch Next

The Netflix movie was filmed on location

Unlike many Hollywood projects that are filmed in Canada or Europe, and then made to look like the United States, Project Power was actually filmed on location in New Orleans. Production for the movie took place in December 2018.

The film features a number of New Orleans neighborhoods, including buildings from the Lower 9th Ward and the old Six Flags amusement park. Many of the outdoor scenes feature notable city landmarks,

RELATED: Project Power: Is the New Netflix Movie Based on a Comic Book?

The Project Power screenwriter chose New Orleans as the setting for a reason

When talking to Forbes, Project Power creator/screenwriter Mattson Tomlin revealed that he initially envisioned Portland, Oregon as the setting for the film. But he ultimately changed the backdrop to New Orleans because of its history and character.

Theres the way that New Orleans was treated during Katrina and really forgotten in that time, and that all felt like it had to inform the script, the world around us, Tomlin said. Why Power had been brought to this city and this shadowy organization thinking that they could really get away with it in New Orleans.

In a separate interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Tomlin said that he scoped out a number of other places before settling on New Orleans. Its such a cool city, its such a distinct city, he said. It has, in terms of the thematics of the story, real history that helped reinforce the story we were telling about people in control and the government and all of that stuff.

In the film, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a New Orleans cop who vows to protect his city. Tomlin noted that the city served as part of the characters origin story as well as his motivator.

A lot of his motivation [is from] being this guy who is born and raised in New Orleans, who had been through there, who has lived there his entire life, and is tired of New Orleans being treated like the little guy, Tomlin told Forbes. He really becomes a champion for the city in a way that I think is pretty lovely.

Project Power is currently streaming on Netflix.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.14

By Nargiz Ismayilova - Trend:

Azerbaijan exported oil and oil raw materials worth over $189.3 million to Ukraine in the first seven months of this year, Trend reports on August 14 referring to the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

According to the service, the volume of oil and oil raw materials exported from Azerbaijan (on the TNVED (Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature) code 2709) amounted to 645,379 tons (66.85 percent of total exports).

Ukraine did not export oil and oil raw materials from January through July 2020 and in 2019.

In the first seven months of 2020, Azerbaijan exported 19.5 million tons of oil in the total amount of $6.3 billion, which is a decrease of 48.6 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

Meanwhile, the volume of export of petroleum products amounted to almost 705,700 tons, which is 15.4 percent more than in the same period of last year.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @IsmailovaNargis
(BESA Center via JNS) - In recent years, the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran have expressed a common desire to formalize their comprehensive strategic partnership (which has not yet entered into force) by cooperating in such areas as trade, energy and production capacity. Their willingness to work together arises from historical ties tracing back to the ancient Silk Road, as well as from complementary economic and political interests. A strategic partnership between Tehran and Beijing constitutes a win for both sets of national interests.

In January 2016, shor...
My Jim Crow parents used time-honored African storytelling to pass on their meaningful lessons and history to me. Growing up on land owned by white sharecroppers, my mother and father picked cotton in Mississippi and Tennessee from the age of three. While in elementary school, my father told me about a white store owner who attempted to cut off his right hand when he was nine because the store owner felt my father disrespected him by correcting him for giving back the wrong amount of change. I was taught at a young age that justice does not roll like a river, nor righteousness like a never-failing stream, for people of African descent (Amos 5:24). For me as an adult, justice feels far away.

Where in American society can I see proof of righteousness and justice for disadvantaged racialized people? Education? According to a 2019 report by EdBuild, schools with mostly racial/ethnic students received $23 billion less in funding than white school districts. Economics? Brookings reports the net worth of a typical white family is ten times greater than their black counterparts since most wealth is inherited. The long-term effects of involuntary or forced labor such as slavery, convict leasing, and black codes means white citizens possess an average household wealth of $171,000, compared to $17,150 for African Americans. Health care? A Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention analysis reveals 55 percent of US coronavirus cases come from black and Hispanic people, who make up 31 percent of the population. The Navajo Nation has the most cases per capita in the United States. Poverty, essential worker roles, and chronic health conditions combined with limited access to health care makes the least the most vulnerable. Personally, I have multiple relatives who have died or acquired lifelong health complications due to COVID-19.

With whom in our society should I engage whose principles and practices demonstrate a true commitment to treating all citizens as equals, every day, in every aspect of life? Should I seek out disciples in the church to be God's agents for racial justice? Is the church committed to correcting the wrongs of poverty and racism, loving the outsider, feeding the food insecure, clothing the naked, and visiting the imprisoned as Jesus commanded (Matt. 25)?

Christian scholars criticize the church for falling short. In The Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby argues thattoo many Christian leaders refuse to publicly speak out against racism. Tisby writes, "Nowadays, all the American Church needs to do in terms of compromise is to cooperate with already established and racially unequal systems. Christian leaders are compelled by the Scriptures to develop anti-racist behaviors and actions. Jesus willingly left the crowds behind when they rejected righteousness and justice. Jesus let a rich man walk away sad because of his unwillingness to repent and do right by the poor (Matt. 19). Jesus upset crowds who refused to acknowledge him as the Son of God (John 6), and Jesus told crowds they could not be his disciples if they werent willing to deny themselves and prioritize him over all earthly relationships (Luke 14).

Church leaders must not fear thinning crowds in the search for true worshipers (John 4). True worshipers are committed to justice because God is just and cares that we act right, do right, and make right. Racial justice cannot be an exception. The Bible commands us to love the immigrant as we love ourselves (Lev. 19:34). If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?a Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?? (Matt. 5:4647).

But then Jesus shared a meal and the good news of salvation with the despised chief tax collector, Zacchaeus. Convicted by Jesus kindness, Zacchaeus decided to do right and make right. He stood up and professed to the Lord, Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount (Luke 19:8). Likewise, Jesus sought after a despised Samaritan woman who worshiped a distorted image who could not save her and made himself known as the true living water to satisfy her spiritual thirst (John 4).

To worship God in Spirit and truth means to rightfully view God as a mighty force for justice.

To worship God in Spirit and truth means to rightfully view God as a mighty force for justice. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern (Prov. 29:7). The righteous show love to the poor and no favoritism to the rich (Lev. 19:15; James 2:34). Pastors must not cater to rich or generous tithers in their congregations who oppose resolving racial conflict because it disrupts their comfort. To worship God in Spirit brings discomfort. To worship God is to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him (Rom. 12:1).

The bodies and blood of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Monterrosa, Breonna Taylor, and Andres Guardado, lost at the hands of police, are precious in Gods sight. Although justice has not been served in a court of law, God will avenge his people and judge righteously (Heb. 10:30). Christ-centered believers from all ethnic backgrounds should desire and seek redress for these victims, and for all the oppressed (Isa. 1:17).

To truly worship God is to resemble Moses, who chose mistreatment with Gods people rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25). Enjoying privileges derived from racial injustice is wrong, not only because racism is evil but because it opposes Gods vision for kingdom diversity (Rev. 14:6). All Christians everywhere are commanded to love mercy, act justly, and walk humbly with our God (Mic. 6:8). This means diligently working to dismantle racism and unjust systems. The body of Christ must illuminate Gods love to humanity.

As my husband and I continue the oral tradition of storytelling to our children, we will recount the abundance of Gods love for us and hopefully narrate the atonement and redemption made by true worshipers who modeled his beloved community. As Jesus told the Samaritan woman, the hour is here and the time is now for true worshipers. The time is now for the true worshipers to persist in the fight for justice individually and institutionally, in churches and communities.

Sheila Caldwell is chief intercultural engagement officer for Wheaton College.
The two Middle East nations forge a new relationship in a move that reshapes politics in the region.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have announced they are establishing full diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump.

A joint statement issued by the US, Israel and the UAE on Thursday said the deal would advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the leaders of the three nations.

Trump tweeted the joint statement and later told reporters in the White House it was a truly historic moment.

But a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounts to treason and should be reversed.

Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates pic.twitter.com/oVyjLxf0jd  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020

Here are five things you need to know about the UAE-Israel deal:

1. First Gulf state to normalise ties with Israel

With the announcement of the deal, the UAE becomes the first country in the Gulf to open diplomatic ties with Israel. After Egypt and Jordan, it is also only the third Arab state to normalise such ties.

The joint statement said delegations from the UAE and Israel will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, telecoms, security, healthcare, culture, the establishment of embassies and other areas of mutual benefit.

2. Delays annexation of Palestinian land

As part of the deal between the two nations, Israel has agreed to suspend declaring sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, a statement from the White House said.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said he agreed to delay the annexation plans as part of the normalisation deal with the UAE, but they remain on the table.

Netanyahu said that in agreement with Trump, he had only delayed the plans, and that he would never give up our rights to our land.

Earlier this year, Netanyahu had announced he would annex one-third of the already illegally occupied West Bank  including parts of the strategic Jordan Valley  in line with Trumps controversial so-called Vision for Peace Plan for Israelis and Palestinians.

Meanwhile, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash, in an interview with Sky News Arabia on Thursday, said peace with Israel had helped dismantle a ticking time bomb that was threatening the two-state solution.

Palestinian demonstrators gather in front of Israeli forces during a protest against Israels plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank at Asira ash-Shamaliya near Nablus in the occupied West Bank [File: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters]

3. Strategic Middle East Agenda

The Israel-UAE agreement will also pave the way for a so-called Strategic Middle East Agenda, according to the joint statement, which will expand diplomatic, trade and security cooperation in the region.

Along with the US, Israel and the UAE share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination, the document said.

4. Access to Muslim sites

The statement also said as per the Vision for Peace Plan, Muslims would be allowed to visit and pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, located in a 35-acre compound referred to by the Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif or the Noble Sanctuary.

All Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalems other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths, said the statement.

The compound is situated in a part of East Jerusalem occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, a move that has not won international recognition.

Israeli police stand guard in front of the mosque doors as Palestinian Muslims gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was closed as a precaution against the coronavirus [File: Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu]

5. Coronavirus vaccine

Israel and UAE will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus, the joint statement said.

In June, Netanyahu had said Israel will join forces with the UAE in the fight against the pandemic, despite the lack of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The same month, the UAEs state-run news agency, WAM, said two companies from the Gulf nation will work with two Israeli companies on medical projects, including those to combat the novel coronavirus.
Jose Filomeno dos Santos was accused of embezzling $1.5bn from national sovereign wealth fund he oversaw for five years.

Angolas Supreme Court has handed a five-year jail sentence to Jose Filomeno dos Santos, the son of the oil-rich countrys former president, for fraud when he headed the national sovereign wealth fund.

Dos Santos, 42, was summoned before the court in December over allegations he tried to embezzle up to $1.5 bn from the sovereign wealth fund, which he oversaw from 2013 to 2018.

Nicknamed Zenu, dos Santos, son of ex-President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was charged with stealing $500m from the fund and transferring it to a Swiss bank account.

For the crime of fraud  and for the crime of peddling influence  the legal cumulus condemns him to a single sentence of five years in prison, judge Joao da Cruz Pitra said on Friday.

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Three co-defendants, including the former governor of the National Bank of Angola (BNA), Valter Filipe da Silva, were sentenced to between four and six years in prison for fraud, embezzlement and influence peddling.

All four were acquitted of money laundering charges. They have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Zenu is the first member of the former presidential family to be prosecuted as part of an anti-corruption campaign led by President Joao Lourenco, who came to power in 2017.

In February, Angolan investigators froze the assets of Zenus billionaire half-sister, Isabel dos Santos.

She is being probed for a long list of crimes in Angola, including mismanagement, embezzlement and money laundering during her stewardship of the state-run oil giant Sonangol.

Lourenco has mainly targeted the family members of his predecessor, who appointed relatives and friends to key positions during his 38-year rule  leaving a legacy of poverty and nepotism.

Isabel has vehemently denied the accusations against her and denounced Luandas actions as a politically-motivated witch-hunt.

Only a small elite have benefitted from Angolas vast oil and mineral reserves.

The southwest African country has been slow in recovering from a 1975-2002 civil war. Large pockets of the population live in poverty with limited access to basic services.
Bells will toll across Brisbane at midday on Saturday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Victory in the Pacific Day is the day Australians finally celebrated the end of the war  on August 15, 1945  after Japan formally surrendered to the Allies.

Crowds gather in Brisbane to celebrate VP Day on August 15, 1945. Credit:Australian War Memorial

A small ceremony will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance in Brisbane at 11am, with Ann Street closed from Creek Street to Edward Street between 9.30am and 1.30pm. Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will both attend.

With large-scale gatherings still banned under COVID-19 restrictions, a video installation organised by RSL Queensland will project images from the war across City Hall.
Teachers are demanding clarity and enforcement of guidelines on how to protect themselves and their students if they return to the classroom, and they have a right to do so.

Teachers who agree to go back into the classroom for face-to-face learning will suddenly find themselves in the same position as healthcare workers  on the front lines in a pandemic that already has killed millions of people  more than 7,000 of them in Pennsylvania alone. Teachers will greet hundreds of students on back-to-school day, and its not unreasonable to say that one of them just might be carrying the coronavirus into their classrooms.

As far as doctors know now, most kids dont get seriously ill or die from the virus. But some do. And it also seems to be true that most young, healthy people dont get seriously ill or die from the coronavirus. But many do. The most baffling thing about this virus is many people dont really know if they have it or not  until they get sick and possibly infect other people.

This is why Rich Askey, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, is speaking up for teachers and demanding that all school districts commit to following the guidelines the state Secretary of Health has just issued  no exceptions.

Live On with Joyce Davis We'll talk about how teacher feel about going back to school. There are many things to consider, first among them, safety. Get your respectful comments and questions ready for today's discussion. Posted by PennLive.com on Thursday, August 13, 2020

The infection rate among children is going up now, Askey said this week on Live On with Joyce Davis, which aired on PennLives Facebook Page. And he also is concerned many teachers have underlying health conditions that may make them especially vulnerable to serious complications or death from the coronavirus.

PSEA Assistant Communications Director Chris Lilienthal said the organization is asking the state to put enforceable statewide rules in place that make it absolutely clear what school districts are supposed to do to keep everyone safe in our schools.

Right now, the resources from the state departments are recommendations, he said, and school districts are free to follow them or not.

Students get off the bus at Hunt Elementary School in Jackson on Friday morning, Aug. 7, 2020. The school is the first in Jackson County to open for the year amid the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

And theres the rub. If school districts are free to pick and choose  to reopen, whether or not the virus is spreading in their areas, to not enforce mask wearing or even hand washing  it puts both teachers and students at risk. And think about what that will mean for entire families if a child brings home the virus to an 80-year-old grandmother or a father on chemotherapy.

PSEA is right to call attention to this major loophole.

Schools should not be permitted to reopen if there is clear evidence of increased cases in their districts. Even if these schools reopen, they wont stay open for long. Students will get sick; teachers will get sick, and they will bring the virus back into their homes and communities.

The state should be mandating schools keep people out of places where a sick person has been, including buses and vans. And it should be the law that these places be disinfected. Yes, it will cost a lot, but thats the price of opening in a pandemic.

In this photo posted on Twitter, students crowd a hallway, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at North Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga. The Georgia high school student says she has been suspended for five days because of photos of crowded conditions that she provided to The Associated Press and other news organizations. Hannah Watters, a 15-year-old sophomore at North Paulding High School, says she and her family view the suspension as overly harsh and are appealing it. The photo has sparked alarm among parents around the U.S. about schools taking a lenient approach toward enforcing public safety measures as schools reopen this month. In Alabama, seeking penalties against a school district or against school officials is difficult. (Twitter via AP, File)AP

Look at what has happened in Georgia. In suburban Atlanta, schools opened, and now more than 1200 people are in quarantine and two high schools have had to close -- all within a few days of opening. Do we really want that to happen here in Pennsylvania?

Do we really think it cant?

The state also should enforce its recommendations for areas where the spread of the virus appears to be waning. Students and teachers must be regularly monitored and must stay home if they are sick. We all know the temptation many parents have to send a sick child to school so they can get to work. But such lapses in judgment could be deadly during a pandemic.

At the very least, the state must mandate that all schools enforce the three very basic guidelines doctors repeat often:

Wear a mask

Maintain 6-ft social distancing

Wash hands regularly

We join PSEA in calling on the state to enforce the guidelines just issued to school districts. One district cant take these steps while 10 others go their own way.

There are likely to be naysayers, but its hard to understand why anyone would object to making sure everyone does everything they can to keep teachers, children and their families safe.

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.

And please subscribe to Battleground PA to stay abreast of the issues in the 2020 elections!
7-y-o boy with autism kicked out of sister's baptism by priest for being 'distraction'

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A New Jersey mom is demanding an apology after her son, who has autism and is nonverbal, was kicked out of a Catholic church by a priest for dropping a toy during a private baptism ceremony.

On Facebook, Julia Vicidomini said the Rev. Luke Duc Tran, the priest at Christ the King Church in Hillside, kicked her 7-year-old son, Nicky, out of her baby daughter Sophia's baptism.

According to Vicidomini, Nicky finds comfort in bringing toys to public places and was playing in a candle room adjacent to the baptism when he dropped a toy and it clattered on the floor.

"Out," the priest said, according to a video posted to Vicidomini's Facebook page. "This church is not for play."

"Yes, he was playing with a toy where he should not have been, however, the way the priest kicked him out of the church was completely rude and disrespectful," Vicidomini wrote in a caption accompanying the video.

"I was told it would, in fact, be a private celebration for just our family, no one else," Vicidomini explained. "With this information, I felt more comfortable taking Nicky as he doesnt do well with a full Mass and large group settings."

Vicidomini and her husband, Marc, have decided to leave the church where she grew up after discussing the incident with the priest and receiving an unsatisfactory response.

"My husband told him that he thought a priest, of all people, would be more sympathetic to a child with special needs, that he was completely unprofessional and ruined our celebration. He told him our family deserved an apology," Vicidomini wrote. "The priest came outside to speak to our family but instead of apologizing he began to try to justify the reason he kicked our child out, again saying he was distracting him."



Vicidomini told NBC that her son "thankfully" did not understand what was happening and left the church with her mother-in-law. Still, she said it was "painful" to witness the priest interact with her son that way, adding the incident shows there is still much to be done to educate others of those with disabilities."

The Archdiocese of Newark, in a public statement, apologized for the incident.

"On behalf of the parish and the Archdiocese of Newark, we offer our heartfelt apologies for the abrupt behavior demonstrated by one of our pastors on Saturday during a private family ceremony," read the statement obtained by WABC. "The pastor was unaware that the sibling playing in a nearby candle room during the ceremony has autism."

"The pastor did not understand the child's behavior, he felt unprepared to respond appropriately, and his reaction to the situation was not pastoral. He acknowledges and is regretful for the mistake," it continued.

The archdiocese also said that its Office for Pastoral Ministry with Persons with Disabilities is working with the Vicidomini family "to ensure that there is greater awareness in working with individuals with disabilities."

Vicidomini said she is still hoping for a personal apology from the priest.

"The Bible speaks of welcoming all Gods children, but there was no compassion in this instance," Vicidomini told NBC. "Since sharing our story, others have shared stories of their own family members with special needs being shunned from the church. We want to continue spreading awareness that this is just not right.

A similar incident occurred in February when an 8-year-old boy was denied First Communion by the Saint Aloysius Parish in Jackson, New Jersey, due to his autism.

A survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research of 1,000 Protestant pastors and 1,002 American Protestant churchgoers found that nearly every pastor (99%) and churchgoer (97%) says someone with a disability would feel welcomed and included at their church.

However, just half of churches (50%) provide an additional teacher to aid a person with special needs in a class, and only 29% say their church provides classes or events specifically for people with disabilities.

Tim Lucas, the pastor of Liquid Church in Parsippany, New Jersey, told The Christian Post that in general, the Church is 30 years behind culture when it comes to special needs.

[Churches] dont have the manpower and muscle even if theyre passionate about it, he said, adding that it takes intentional effort to make families that have special needs feel at home.

Heather Avis, a mother to three adopted children  two of whom have Down syndrome  shared with CP simple, practical ways the Church can make room for those who typically dont have a seat at the table.

The thing with people with different abilities is that everyone is so different. Its about meeting the needs of the individual where theyre at, Avis said. Its as simple as asking parents, what does your kid need? thats huge.

I wish, she added, it was as simple as do these five steps to be more inclusive, but really thats not how this community works. Its about meeting people where they are, creating genuine relationships, and being willing to adjust for the one. Its the radical idea of, 100 of us are going to shift everything so one person can be a part of our church."
NDC National Organizer Joshua Akamba

14.08.2020 LISTEN

The National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Hamidu Akamba has expressed shock at Rev. Kusi Boateng Secretary to the Board of National Trustees to the National Cathedral for accusing the NDC grassroots mobiliser of allegedly attacking religious leaders.

Akamba has described as blatant lies and further dare the Man of God to name those he is alleged to have attacked or render an unqualified apology to him for forgiveness.

His comment follows an interview the General Overseer of the Power Chapel Nationwide Church Rev. Kusi Boateng granted to a Kumasi-based Radio FM days ago to react to claims by former President Mahama who said President Akufo-Addo and the NPP are fond of vilifying religious leaders for expressing their views on national issues.

According to him, the NPP government has treated religious leaders better than past governments. He further noted that Mr. Mahama should channel his energy to calling Joshua Akamba and Johnson Asiedu Nketia to order because they are on record to have insulted pastors in the country.

I think if the Former President has any advice to give, he should first start from his own house; the likes of Joshua Akamba and Johnson Asiedu Nketia are very much on record to have insulted and denigrated Pastors in this country, Rev. Kusi Boateng said as quoted by Mynewsgh.com.

Reacting to the allegations by the pastor, the National Organizer of the NDC in a statement to ModernGhana News has described those claims as blatant lies. He denied ever attacking any religious leader as he dares Rev. Kusi Boateng to provide proof for his claims.

I wish to use this medium to dare Rev Kusi Boateng, to name any religious leader I have attacked and on which platform I did same, Mr. Akamba stressed.

He adds, I respect his opinions on national issues but needs to restrain from peddling such blatant lies against my person."

Joshua Akamba further advises the Pastor not to see his role as Secretary to the Board of National Trustees to the National Cathedral as a National Executive position of the New Patriotic Party but carry out his duties with candour and sobriety.

Read the full press statement from Joshua Akamba below:

NAME ANY RELIGIOUS LEADER IVE ATTACKED OR RETRACT SUCH LIES - AKAMBA TO REV KUSI BOATENG

My attention has been drawn to some disparaging comments made by the General Overseer of the Power Chapel Nationwide Church Rev Vincent Kusi Boateng against my person on a Kumasi based radio station and reported by Mynewsgh.com

In his usual attempt to critique anything Mahama/NDC, the Secretary to the Board of Trustees for the National Cathedral peddled blatant lies, when he suggested that I, Joshua Hamidu Akamba have the penchant of attacking religious leaders who oppose the NDC.

I have enormous respect for noble men of God and have never privately or publicly, attacked any religious leader in the country.

Im amazed, that Rev Kusi Boateng enjoys disagreeing with every stance of the NDC and continue to hail the Akufo Addo government in all his media engagements but finds it problematic when others disagree with him or any decision by the NPP.

I wish to use this medium to dare Rev Kusi Boateng, to name any religious leader I have attacked and on which platform I did same.

The Scripture admonishes true men of God not to move around as slanderers among men - Leviticus 19:16.

I will further advise him, not to see his role as Secretary to the Board of National Trustees to the National Cathedral as a National Executive position of the New Patriotic Party but carry out his duties with candour and sobriety.

I respect his opinions on national issues but needs to restrain from peddling such blatant lies against my person.

I expect him to substantiate the falsehood peddled by mentioning any religious leader I have attacked publicly or retract and unreservedly apologise.

I must also reiterate, that the decision to spend over 100 million dollars to build a National Cathedral in a nation where no bed syndrome continues to take away innocent lives, remains an irresponsible decision.

Exodus 23:1 - You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

Many Thanks.

Joshua Hamidu Akamba

National Organizer

National Democratic Congress
The opposition leader, fearing for her safety and her family, has been forced to flee. Peaceful protests have been met with violence: Hundreds wounded, two dead. People have disappeared into detention, violently pulled off the streets. And every night around 6 p.m., before the most brutal police violence begins, the internet is shut down. Belarus is under attack from its own government.

Whats happening in my country didnt start on Sunday, when a blatantly rigged election returned President Alexander Lukashenko, the countrys autocratic ruler of 26 years, to power  and provoked a wave of resistance. No: Belarusians have lived under state violence for decades. But in its intensity and its brutality, in its effort to punish the Belarusian people for dreaming of something better, the repression marks a new low in the countrys history.

Rigged elections are nothing new to Belarus; Mr. Lukashenko could not have prospered so long without them. But this time the fraud  the official results had Mr. Lukashenko, who has faced increasing discontent about his rule, with close to 80 percent of the vote  was so offensive, so humiliating, that Belarusians experienced it as dehumanizing. To reclaim their dignity, they took to the streets.
This is a very bad and stupid and dangerous and criminal thing to do, said Boris Johnson on Monday, in response to a spike in people crossing the Channel in small boats.

The prime minister, speaking hours after 20 Syrians arrived on Kent shores in a dinghy, proceeded to state that people arriving on boats were able to remain in the country despite blatantly coming here illegally.

His claims that the crossings are illegal, wrong and stupid have been met with broad condemnation from lawyers and charities. They say that not only are his remarks just noise and rhetoric, but that they also carry some considerable inaccuracies.

It isnt criminal: it is legal to cross the Channel via unauthorised routes to claim asylum

There is no lawful restriction against people choosing the country in which they want to seek asylum, and the people crossing the Channel are not committing any unlawful act in doing so, according to Christopher Desira, human rights and immigration solicitor at Seraphus law firm.

The 1951 Refugee Convention, a legal document which defines the term refugee and outlines their rights, features no obligation for refugees to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach  so it is legitimate for someone to pass through France and then claim asylum in Britain.

It is then up to the UK to decide whether or not to grant asylum. Under the Dublin III Regulation, the UK has lawful means to transfer those people to the country where they first claimed asylum, so long as this can be proven. But their entry into the UK is not illegal in itself.

Mr Desira criticised Mr Johnsons comments for being just another attempt to dehumanise the people doing this, so we can treat them in numbers and as criminals, and not understand what theyre doing and why.

It isnt very bad: there is no other way for people to claim asylum in the UK  and why shouldnt they?

The idea that crossing the Channel on a small boat amounts to cheating their way in or jumping the queue is false. People have the right to claim asylum in the UK, and the routes for doing this from outside the country are few and far between  and often very difficult to access.

Currently, due to travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, there is in fact no lawful way to reach the UK on refugee or humanitarian grounds, according to immigration lawyer Colin Yeo.

There is a tiny proportion of those refugees who reach Europe who are desperate to reach the UK specifically and because there are no safe or legal routes to reach our country, they sometimes take extreme measures, he says.

At least two are known to have drowned doing so in 2019 when there were fewer of these small boat crossings. The government cannot prevent people wanting and indeed trying to come here but they can work with the French to offer alternatives to these dangerous crossings.

With this in mind, it is also important to remember that the number of people who seek asylum in Britain (44,800 in 2019) is far below that in EU countries such as Germany, which takes in around four times as many, and France, which takes three times more than the UK.

 Minister Nick Gibb says boats could be used to block Channel migrants

Last year, there were around five asylum applications for every 10,000 people resident in the UK, while across EU countries there were 14 asylum applications for every 10,000 people, according to the Commons Library.

More than half of people who claim asylum in Britain obtain refugee status and provide a net contribution to the UK, indicating that they are people who want to work and contribute to society and the economy.

If there is no safe or legal route through which they can request protection and start a new life in Britain, it is inevitable that some will attempt to reach UK shores via unauthorised means.

It isnt stupid: people have valid reasons to come to the UK after fleeing persecution

The vast majority of people trying to cross to the UK do so because they have close ties with people in the country or its culture, according to Frances Timberlake, coordinator at the Refugee Womens Centre, a small charity supporting migrant women and families in Calais and Dunkirk.

A lot of the families here are Iraqi Kurds, and theres a large Kurdish community in the UK, so basically everyone I work with has very close family members or friends and community links to people in the UK, she explains.

For the majority of people we work with its also linked to colonialism. They come from countries that had a former British presence in them, so have quite a strong link to British culture, British media, the English language. A lot of people from Iraq for example who have worked with British forces or British oil companies. Its very much linked to the UKs presence abroad, and that creates a stronger sense of connection.

With this in mind, it is important to remember that people have made irregular Channel crossings going back decades, and the rise in the use of small boats is likely to represent more of a shift in method than a new phenomenon of stupid journeys.

Rob McNeil, from the Migration Observatory, says most of those who are now crossing on boats would have previously been crossing on lorries via the Channel Tunnel  and that fortified security by the British and French governments was likely to have been a key factor in people switching to a different route.

This is to some extent one of those situations where you squeeze things in one place and it creates a bubble somewhere else, in so far as the UK and French governments have spent an extremely long time working on preventing a new Jungle being created in Calais, and trying to crack down on people entering the UK in the back of lorries, he says.

The more that becomes a physical deterrent, irrespective of the extent to which it succeeds in preventing people from moving, the more people are going to be looking for alternative approaches to doing things.

On this note, Frances adds: I would use stupid to describe most of the policies the UK has proposed so far, which have totally failed.

They havent limited the strength of smuggling or trafficking groups at all. It hasnt limited the number of crossings being made. Its just forced them to more dangerous routes, and its not saving any money. Thats what is dangerous and criminal.
A sentencing this week for a Winnipeg man who admitted downloading child pornography became the focus of what kind of evidence a court is obliged to consider after a judge questioned his duty to view the criminal material.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A sentencing this week for a Winnipeg man who admitted downloading child pornography became the focus of what kind of evidence a court is obliged to consider after a judge questioned his duty to view the criminal material.

Its a common scene played out in court when an offender is being sentenced for child pornography offences: a prosecutor asks a judge permission to show court a "representative sampling" of the child abuse material so the court may properly gauge the seriousness of the crimes committed.

Its a request that is almost always granted, but on Wednesday, provincial court Judge Tim Killeen pushed back on that request, arguing viewing the material would subject the child sex abuse victims to further victimization at his hands.

Rhys Busch, 24, pleaded guilty last year to one count of possessing child pornography. Busch was arrested in August 2018 after an investigation by the Winnipeg Police Services internet child exploitation (ICE) unit revealed he had downloaded 254 images depicting child sex abuse and 74 child sex abuse videos.

"I think sometimes there is a view that the Crown advances this evidence because it wishes to evoke an emotional response from the court. That is not why the evidence is being advanced in this case."  Prosecutor Michelle Bright

The material depicted girls as young as three involved in explicit sex acts with adult men, sometimes with their hands and feet bound.

Prosecutor Michelle Bright said the images provided the court with the best evidence of the offences committed, likening them to surveillance video capturing the commission of a crime.

"The court is being asked to make significant determinations regarding the offenders moral culpability," Bright said. "From the Crowns perspective, the best possible evidence is available from (the images captured on) his devices.

"I think sometimes there is a view that the Crown advances this evidence because it wishes to evoke an emotional response from the court," Bright said. "That is not why the evidence is being advanced in this case. Its being advanced for a reason."

Killeen, grudgingly agreed to the request, citing case law obliging him to view the material if asked to by the Crown, but said he was capable of appreciating the grave nature of the images without watching them himself.

"Im also aware of the victimization that occurs when somebody who has been the victim of child sexual abuse that has been captured on video is played over and over again. It seems to me that we will do that once more in this case, with me being the one who is being compelled to victimize the children."  Judge Tim Killeen

"You are entitled to play this, if you see fit," Killeen said. "So be it, I will be compelled to watch it. But I can tell you I can anticipate how disgusting this will be.

"Im also aware of the victimization that occurs when somebody who has been the victim of child sexual abuse that has been captured on video is played over and over again," he said. "It seems to me that we will do that once more in this case, with me being the one who is being compelled to victimize the children."

Its good that judges recognize how viewing child sex abuse material revictimizes victims, but its wrongheaded to say judges shouldnt be obligated to view the material when requested  its their job, said Monique St. Germain, general counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

"Our court system is designed to deal with all sorts of horrific things," St. Germain said. "When we are talking about this sort of imagery, its not like youve seen one youve seen them all When the Crown is requesting to put a representative sample forward, its in large part to ensure that the judge is well aware of what material this particular offender found to be sexually enjoyable. You cant really understand that from a word description."

Relying on a word description would also open it up for the defence to downplay the seriousness of the images in a given case, St. Germain argued.

"When (child sex abuse survivors) talk about being revictimized, they are talking about the viewing by offenders who are viewing it for the purpose of a sexual release. Thats a very, very different purpose than what a judge would be viewing it for."  Lawyer Monique St. Germain

St. Germain said victims may not like the idea of judges watching images of them being sexually abused, but they recognize it as an important part of the sentencing process.

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"When (child sex abuse survivors) talk about being revictimized, they are talking about the viewing by offenders who are viewing it for the purpose of a sexual release," St. Germain said. "Thats a very, very different purpose than what a judge would be viewing it for. A judge is in a position of power and authority where they are essentially responsible for keeping society safe from people who are enjoying this type of material. The only way they can really do that is if they understand exactly what the individual before them had."

The Crown is recommending Busch be sentenced to 18 months in jail, his lawyer Amanda Heslop six months, arguing he has been on restrictive bail conditions for two years with no breaches of his order.

Busch, who court heard has been undergoing therapy, told Killeen he is ready to accept whatever sentence he sees fit.

"What I did was wrong," he said. "I need to pay for it and whatever you decide I should serve, I will do it."

Killeen reserved his decision. A sentencing date has not been set.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
Poland Offers New Support for Belarus Civil Society, Media

WARSAWPoland will seek to further support its neighbor Belarus by opening its borders and labor market while providing financial support to civil society, Polands Prime Minister said on Friday, after a violent crackdown on post-election protests. The protests in Belarus pose the biggest challenge yet to strongman President Alexander Lukashenkos 26-year rule. The protesters accuse Lukashenko of rigging last Sundays presidential election to win a sixth term.

Belarusian women, one of them carrying a poster reads My brother is not a criminal, rally in solidarity with protesters injured in the latest rallies against the results of the countrys presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 13, 2020. (AP Photo)

Polands multi-step plan, which would also provide scholarships for academics and funding for the independent media, will initially cost around 50 million zlotys ($13.45 million), Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told the Polish parliament.

Empathy is not enoughwe need to take concrete action, he said. Polands support program comes after it demanded the European Union host a special summit on Belarus. Morawiecki called for the EU to take further action.

Police use truncheons on protesters during a mass protest following presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 10, 2020. (Sergei Grits/AP Photo)

In this moment, you cant don the mask of neutrality or indifference. If we dont take steps as a united Europe now, then we will let it be known to all of our neighbors that when they are threatened, one can only count on oneself, he said.

Earlier on Friday, Polands Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said Poland was bracing for an influx of Belarusian migrants. You need to consider support for people who need to pass the border quickly, but we must be responsible for our European partners, that is, the Schengen border, Przydacz told the Catholic radio station Siodma9.

A couple hugs after being released from a detention center where protesters were detained during a mass rally following presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 14, 2020. (AP Photo)

Because Poland belongs to the EUs Schengen area, anyone who enters legally from Belarus can travel freely within the other 25 Schengen countries.
AISS Foundation appointed Chairman Sokol Beljeri (top left), Board Member Masood A. Javed (top right), Secretary Anna Maroules (top right) and Board Member Allegra Nokaj (bottom right). We have a lot of work to do to advance the education system and this will be remembered for generations to come...thank you for trusting me in helping to make this world a better place. I will do my best to advance this mission.

The American International School System Foundation announces the appointment of a new Chairman, new Secretary and two board members.

Sokol Bejleri is filling the role as Chairman for the board of the AISS Foundation and Anna Maroules is filling the role as Secretary. Masood A. Javed and Allegra Nokaj will be joining the AISS Foundation Board.

We have a lot of work to do to advance the education system and this will be remembered for generations to come...thank you for trusting me in helping to make this world a better place. I will do my best to advance this mission, Bejleri said of his appointment.

Sokol Bejleri serves as Vice President of STV Group, an award-winning firm in New York City. Bejleri joined STVs Construction Management Division in 2010 and served as the lead project executive in multiple programs for the company, which is ranked among the countrys top companies in a vast array of fields that include engineering management, consulting, education, corrections, rail and mass transit and more.

Previously, Bejleri had experience in oil production and was hired as the General Director of the Sheqishte Production Affiliation, where he diligently served until 1994. Valuing his hard work and dedication, the Albanian government appointed him as CEO of AlbpetrolAlbanias largest and primary Oil and Gas Corporation. Mr. Bejleri remained at this position until 1996 and showed unprecedented success, making Albpetrol one of Albanias most profitable industries.

Bejleri ran a successful election for a seat in Albanias parliament in 1996 and was later appointed as Secretary of State on Mines and Energy, where he served until his departure to the United States in 1997. Bejleri has been an AISS Board Member since 2009.

Bejleri was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and has invested time and energy in implementing environmentally friendly designs and policies.

Bejleri was born in Fier, Albania and graduated with distinction from the University of Tirana with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He completed his Master's Degree at Aspen University in Colorado.

Anna Maroules is assistant to Dr. Munr Kazmir of Direct Meds, and serves in many capacities assisting Dr. Kazmir with his role as CEO. Prior to her role at Direct Meds, Maroules opened and operated Shift Auto Parts Inc., in 2012.

Maroules graduated from Adelphi University's Honors College, obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and Marketing.

In the interim, she spearheaded events such as Week Without Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness and served as a volunteer for the United Nations.

Maroules received a Paralegal Certification from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2006 and later pursued an MBA specializing in Accounting and Finance, graduating from William Paterson University in 2009, while working full time at Rheuminations, Inc., a well-known Non-Profit Lupus Foundation in New York.

Allegra Nokaj is an intern assistant for Vice Chairman, Munr Kazmir, of the American Jewish Congress. Nokaj assists the Vice Chairman in fundraising and policy initiatives. She is also a freelance journalist and conducts daily stories for the online publishing platform Medium.

Previously, Nokaj interned at Dan Klores Communications in New York, NY and as a social media strategy intern at Soul Cafe. Soul Cafe is a non profit organization in Newcastle, Australia that seeks to place highly disadvantaged guests on a path towards increased safety, health and purpose.

Masood A. Javed is a Personal Assistant to Peter G. Peterson and Joan Joaz Cooney at Peter G. Peterson Management in New York, New York. He is Co-founder and Board Manager of the Fusion Muslim Community Center, where he hosted a national organization of Youth Muslims weekly gatherings.

Javed volunteers at the Muslim Community Center of Paramus, NJ, where he was heavily involved in Ramadan Iftar arrangement, daily prayer service and a Ramadan community gathering.

The American International School System Foundation is a U.S. non-profit teaching American values through primary education to children in Pakistan. By providing a world-class education to Muslim children, The American International School System Foundation is helping them become more prosperous, secure, democratic and able to stand up against violence and extremism.

For more information about the American International School System Foundation call (201) 383-6983 or visit https://americanschoolfoundation.org.
KABUL - Afghanistan has released the first 80 of a final 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for negotiations between the warring sides in Afghanistans protracted conflict, the government said Friday.

Javid Faisal, spokesman for the Afghan National Security Council, made the announcement. Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said 86 prisoners were freed. It wasnt immediately known when the remaining prisoners would be released.

Prisoner releases on both sides are part of an agreement signed in February between the U.S. and the Taliban. It calls for the release of 5,000 Taliban held by the government and 1,000 government and military personnel held by the insurgent group as a good will gesture ahead of intra-Afghan negotiations.

Talks are expected to be held in Qatar where the Taliban maintain a political office. Several Afghan leaders told The Associated Press talks could begin by Aug. 20.

The negotiations are to lay out a framework for a post-war Afghanistan. Washingtons peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad spent a year and a half negotiating the peace deal aimed at allowing American troops to return home and end Americas longest military engagement.

U.S. troops have already begun leaving and by November less than 5,000 troops are expected to still be in Afghanistan down from nearly 13,000 when the agreement was signed Feb. 29.

American and NATO troop withdrawal is contingent on the Taliban keeping their commitment not to allow militant groups to use Afghanistan against the United States or its allies. The withdrawal is not tied to successful talks between the warring sides.

Last weekend, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held a traditional council meeting known as loya jirga to get a consensus on the release of a final 400 Taliban he said were accused of serious crimes, saying without explanation that he could not unilaterally decide to release them.

Some of the 400 have been implicated in devastating bombings in the capital Kabul, During a televised talk Thursday with the U.S.-based Council on Foreign Relations, Ghani warned of dangers they could present to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

But for some in Afghanistan the talks with the Taliban mirror earlier negotiations with other insurgents, including warlord and U.S.-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who many say has a reputation for violence that exceeds the Taliban.

In 2016, Ghani negotiated a peace deal with Hekmatyar, whose Hezb-e-Islami group took responsibility for several bombings in Kabul, including one at a grocery story in the capital that killed a young family. The deal included removing Hekmatyar from the U.N. terrorist list. His group was also responsible for a 2008 attack on French soldiers  the largest international loss in a single battle in Afghanistan.

Also on Friday, a small bomb hidden in a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Kabul just as worshipers were finishing their prayers, wounding a police officer. No one immediately took responsibility but the Islamic State group has in the past targeted mosques in Afghanistan.

The IS affiliate in Afghanistan has been targeted by Afghan security force, U.S. troops and the Taliban. A Department of Defence official previously said the peace deal with the Taliban is also intended to recruit the insurgent group into a co-ordinated fight to rid the region of IS.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Defence Ministry said it is investigating a video circulating on social media purporting to show Afghan army personnel mutilating Taliban corpses.

The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, tweeted that the footage is deeply shocking ... investigation needs to be swift and open. If crimes are proven the criminals must be identified and held responsible.

____

Gannon reported from Islamabad

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called the vocational training system "clunky and unresponsive" to industry demand for skills. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Flagging a new approach to funding, similar to the health system which ties a fixed amount of dollars to specific outcomes, but with no new money on offer, Morrison wants more consistency in course subsidies. He has also pointed the finger at states and territories for dropping their funding commitment to vocational training by an average of 25 per cent in the past 10 years. At the same time, the NSW government has commissioned Sydney businessman David Gonski and former public service chief Peter Shergold to work out how the state can address its skills shortages and improve the delivery of vocational training. The loss of more than 25,000 apprentices and hundreds of thousands of jobs around the country since the onset of the pandemic after Faurby started the job in January has made the challenges he faces more urgent. While business groups have welcomed Commonwealth subsidies for existing apprentices, they want a bigger funding commitment from governments for new apprenticeships and the VET sector overall. Faurby wants industry to be more committed to hiring apprentices.

The role vocational education and training (VET) has to play in addressing looming skills shortages and retraining legions of jobless Australians to support an economic recovery after the summer bushfires and pandemic, is more important than ever. So what does this former shipping company manager turned NSW bureaucrat bring to the table? After studying to be a mechanical engineer at a university in Denmark, where he met his lawyer wife, he moved into leadership roles and completed a business degree. "I got excited when I was asked on the back of engineering to go out and lead engineering organisations. I was never on the tools," he says. He eventually went to work for multinational shipping and ports giant Maersk, a job that took him all over the world and finally to Australia in 2010.

When it came time for Maersk to move Faurby on to his next location in 2011, his wife and two children made it clear that they wanted to stay put in Mosman. They are now Australian citizens. Loading "I came home to my wife and family one day and said 'folks we are moving again' and they just looked at me and said, 'no we are not because we've fallen in love with this country'," he says. "So had I, so we decided to stay." His experience leading Maersk's Australian subsidiary, Svitzer, helped him get a job running the privately operated Sydney Ferries in 2011. He did that for five years before getting the top job at the State Transit Authority which is getting private operators to run its buses. When the opportunity came up to lead TAFE, he didn't think twice. Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, his main focus has been putting hundreds of TAFE courses online, while training 5000 teachers and VET instructors in how to make that quick transition. He is also trying to automate some assessment and administration tasks to lighten teacher workloads.

Loading The pressure to get the online learning job done quickly at the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown forced TAFE to demonstrate some agility. Hundreds of free short courses were offered to help people who have lost jobs to start finding their feet. Faurby doesn't own policy mistakes of the past, and there are many including severe funding cuts and a competitive funding system that allowed dodgy private operators to flourish. TAFE NSW has just teamed up with four universities including Western Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and the University of NSW to provide skills training needed for the Aerotropolis in Sydney's west. Western Sydney University vice-chancellor Barney Glover says TAFE NSW was "essential" in helping deliver the training needed. Faurby is also talking to universities and schools about how they can work together to combine vocational training and subjects taught at university and school towards a single qualification. The aim being, to "make the pathway for students from high school in and out of vocational education and university as easy as possible".

For instance, TAFE could provide training in robotics, hygiene and health care to compliment academic subjects such as maths and biology. "There is a great opportunity for leveraging and creating a bridge between what happens in vocational training with what happens at university." Professor Adrian Piccoli, who heads up the Gonski Institute for Education at the University of NSW, believes there should no longer be a division between vocational and university qualifications. Credit:Janie Barrett Faurby's not alone in that thinking. It's an idea that has the support of industry and former education minister Adrian Piccoli. Piccoli, who now heads up the Gonski Institute for Education at the University of NSW, believes there should no longer be a division between vocational and university qualifications. He says VET certificate qualifications should be looked at as ''micro-credentials'' that could count towards a degree.

"Let's call it all higher education," he says. "What is the difference between an apprenticeship and an undergraduate degree? Other than the academic snobbery around it. Loading "A Certificate I is a micro-credential that you could add to with other micro-credentials to ultimately get you to a degree." Similarly, Piccoli believes vocational courses taught at HSC level should be on par with other subjects that count towards an ATAR. But greater consistency in the quality of VET courses in schools needed serious attention because "some schools do it better than others". Megan Lilly, head of workforce development at the Australian Industry Group says she is in favour of ending the "binary choice" between vocational and university qualifications and having a "blended tertiary system".

"But we need to still value the vocational or applied elements of it," she says. "We can't let it all drift to academic because we then will be creating a new set of problems including skill shortages. "I absolutely agree that you should be able to get a blend of vocational and academic within a qualification and count other qualifications." When it comes to vocational learning in schools, Lilly says "if it's not done well, they shouldn't do it". "They should go to an external partner whether that is a TAFE college or other training arrangement ... in alignment with the needs of the local economy and employers". Faurby says TAFE NSW would offer online courses to all schools by 2022.

TAFE needed to be "clever" about the way it spent government funds, while looking for commercial opportunities to sell its wares to industry. "In that sense I certainly see TAFE as a business," Faurby says. He also hopes to welcome thousands of international students when international borders reopen. But the NSW government along with Faurby strongly reject speculation by unions and NSW Labor that they are out to "privatise TAFE". That's not to say Faurby won't be trying to exploit commercial opportunities while retaining what he says will be a strong commitment to TAFE a public provider of services. He likes the idea of competitive funding in the VET sector, which Labor and Coalition have supported to varying degrees, to keep it on its toes.
Just one in 16 people in England were infected with Covid-19 during the first wave of the pandemic, a major study has found.

The figure accounts for around six per cent of the nation, the equivalent of 3.4million people.

But the same data from Imperial College London researchers suggested 17 per cent of black people and 12 per cent of Asian people have already had the virus.

Experts carried out a mass Covid-19 surveillance study involving 100,000 volunteers who used home-testing kits to check for antibodies, which reveal if someone has previously been infected.

The results, which come amid a spike in cases across England, suggest the country is far from reaching herd immunity - when enough of the population has been exposed to a disease that it can no longer spread.

And the data adds to evidence that shows BAME people face a higher risk of getting infected and becoming severely ill or dying.

Scientists have yet to pinpoint exactly why they face a greater risk - but experts have speculated it could be down to ethnic minorities being more likely to be poor and therefore in worse health, and more likely to work in public-facing jobs where they are more prone to catching the illness.

Around six per cent of the population, one in 16, in England were infected with Covid-19 by July 13, a study by Imperial College London has found. (Stock image)

WHY ARE BAME PEOPLE MORE AT RISK OF CORONAVIRUS? Experts say there is unlikely to be one sole reason as to why ethnic minorities are more likely to become severely ill or die from the virus. People from ethnic minority backgrounds make up a large amount of the NHS workforce. This exposes them to bigger loads of the virus more often because they come into face-to-face contact with gravely ill patients. Having a high viral load - the number of particles of the virus someone is first infected with - gives the bug a 'jump start', scientists say. Members of ethnic minority communities are twice as likely to be affected by poverty, and are often hit the hardest by chronic diseases. Those living in poverty smoke and drink alcohol more and are more likely to be obese - all of which increase the likelihood of chronic health conditions. Patients with pre-existing health troubles struggle to fight off COVID-19 before it causes deadly complications such as pneumonia. People from poorer backgrounds are also more likely to use public transport more often and live in crowded houses - driving up their chance of catching and spreading the virus. Advertisement

The programme suggested a total of 13 per cent of people living in London had Covid-19 antibodies, compared with less than three per cent in the South West of England.

Meanwhile people working in care homes (16 per cent) and health care (12 per cent) returned far higher results than people who were not key workers, at five per cent.

The study found 17 per cent of black volunteers had antibodies while the categories of Asian and 'other' ethnic minorities had 12 per cent each. The figure among white volunteers was five per cent.

People aged from 18-34 showed the highest incidence of antibodies, at eight per cent, while over-65s had the lowest rate at just three per cent

The major study also found that coronavirus killed around 1.23 per cent of all infected patients and 3.4million people in England may have been infected with Covid-19.

Professor Graham Cooke, who led the research, told The Times: 'Clearly the numbers are still very big and that explains the high levels of mortality we've seen, but as a proportion of the overall population it's still relatively small, except in some groups where the prevalence is higher, such as for people of Asian and black ethnicity.'

He added: 'It means that if we had relaxation of the lockdown completely, we wouldn't have a very protected population so we would expect the virus to return. I think that has implications for decisions that are made.'

Department of Health data shows only 313,798 cases have been diagnosed since the outbreak began.

But hundreds of thousands of infected Brits were not tested during the height of the crisis, either because of a lack of swabs or because they never had any of the tell-tale symptoms.

Counting how many people who have coronavirus antibodies is, therefore, the most accurate way of calculating how much of the population has already been infected.

But research has suggested that antibodies decline three months after infection  meaning only a fraction of true cases during the peak of the crisis in March and April may have been spotted.

Experts have been baffled over the true infection fatality rate of the disease since the start of the pandemic in December. Antibody surveillance studies have produced wildly different results across the world, ranging from as low as 0.25 per cent to 1.4 per cent. One study even suggested it was as high as 7.4 per cent

HOW DEADLY IS COVID-19? Experts have been baffled over the true infection fatality rate (IFR) of the disease since the start of the pandemic in December. World Health Organization chiefs first claimed the infection-fatality rate was 3.4 per cent but last week changed its estimate to 0.6 per cent. Antibody surveillance studies have produced wildly different results across the world, ranging from as low as 0.25 per cent to 1.4 per cent. The lowest the IFR could possibly be in the UK is 0.06 per cent, if all 66million people living in Britain had already had the coronavirus. That estimate is based on the UK's 46,000 confirmed victims, who have tested positive for Covid-19 and died potentially months after recovering. The figure is still 0.06 per cent for the revised death toll of 41,000. If the WHO's estimate of 0.6 per cent is true, then it would mean around 6.8m people in Britain have already had the disease. Advertisement

And some people may never develop antibodies at all, so the true number of cases will always be a mystery.

The Imperial study is in line with estimates from other antibody surveillance studies, including one led by a team at Cambridge University.

Cambridge academics  who have been making forecasts based on an array of data  last week calculated around eight per cent of England has had the disease.

The Imperial study also found volunteers in the most deprived areas of the country were slightly more likely to have antibodies than those in the wealthiest areas, at seven per cent compared with five per cent, while those in households of more than six or seven people (12 per cent and 13 per cent) were more likely to have had Covid-19 than those in single or two-person households (five per cent).

Smokers were slightly less likely to have antibodies than non-smokers  at three per cent compared with five per cent  while 32 per cent of people with antibodies had shown no symptoms, a figure which rose to 49 per cent of those aged older than 65.

One of the scientists behind the study said that the coronavirus outbreak in the UK appeared to have been 'widely dispersed' from the start.

The first patient to die with Covid-19 in the UK was recorded on March 5, when it was thought there were only 90 cases in the UK.

Professor Helen Ward told BBC Breakfast: 'What was interesting (about the study) is that we can tell from people who reported not only having a positive test, but we also asked about their symptoms so we can actually track for most people - the 70 per cent of people who reported symptoms - when they think they were infected.

'And it did start in January, February, and actually it started right across the country, so you can't say that it started in London and spread out.

'Right from the beginning it was widely dispersed.'

Health Minister Edward Argar hailed the study as an important development in Britain's fight against the coronavirus.

'Large scale antibody surveillance studies are crucial to helping us understand how the virus has spread across the country and whether there are specific groups who are more vulnerable, as we continue our work to drive down the spread of the disease,' Mr Argar said in a statement.

Pictured above are graphs displaying the UK's death and infection totals before the Covid-19 death toll was revised yesterday. The number of infections thus far is in fact around 315,000

'We don't yet know that antibodies provide immunity to coronavirus, but the more information we can gather on this virus, and the easier we can make it for people to participate in these studies, the better equipped we will be to respond.

'The British public have already played a massive part in helping to keep the country safe and I'd urge them to consider signing up to one of the many vital surveillance studies taking place over the coming months as part of our national testing effort.'

The study's authors also cautioned there was still no firm evidence the presence of antibodies meant people could no be re-infected with the virus.

Professor Graham Cooke, the research professor of infectious diseases and research lead at Imperial, said: 'Using the finger-prick tests suitable for large scale home testing has given us clearest insight yet into the spread of the virus in the country and who has been at greatest risk.

'These data will have important implications as decisions to ease lockdown restrictions in England.'


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Facebook has launched 'Voting Information Center' on Facebook and Instagram platforms, with a view to boosting the number of Americans vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November.



The social media giant's latest initiative is expected to help 4 million voters register this year, and help them navigate a 'confusing election process'.



The new Voting Information Center will act as a one-stop-shop for information on how to register and vote. It will also include a tool for people to sign up as poll workers across the country. For the center, Facebook sources information from state election officials and other nonpartisan civic organizations.



The move follows the company's announcement in June about conducting the largest voting information campaign in American history.



People can access the Voting Information Center directly from the menu on Facebook and Instagram, and can use it to check if they're registered to vote. If they are not, they can register through a link that takes the users directly to their state website or the company's nonpartisan partner.



Due to the pandemic, many states are making changes to the voting process. Facebook will send notifications at the top of Facebook and Instagram targeted by age and location, which will give relevant information to users in their respective states.



The new center comes after Facebook's COVID-19 Information Center, which has been providing accurate and authoritative information from health authorities about the pandemic since March.



As part of its preparations for the 2020 U.S. elections, Facebook in June added a feature to allow U.S. users to turn off seeing political ads in their Facebook and Instagram feeds. The company has been accused of spreading misinformation about previous elections, including the 2016 U.S presidential election.



Facebook also included a feature in the Ad Library that will enable users to track ad spending for US House and Senate races, in addition to spending for the candidates in the Presidential race.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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14 August 2020

A hotel and a hub, Node Kyoto's charm extends far beyond its impressive accommodations. Presented to resemble the private home of an art collector  albeit one with 25 guestrooms  the Seiichiro Takeuchi-designed property stands out for its seamless amalgamation of warm hospitality, world-class art and a community spirit. Here, collaborative exhibitions, pop-up shops and guest gallerists combine for a cultural programme that serves visitors and locals alike in a privately-owned boutique setting. Bolstered by interiors from Indian Creek Fete Kyoto, and furniture and lighting designed by Takeuchi, the five-storey structure captures the atmosphere of an intimate gallery space, while an in-house bar and a restaurant specializing in farm-to-table fare both elevate Node Kyoto to a sublime experience-focused environment. www.designhotels.com/node-kyoto

Japan's cultural capital has a new draw to add to its surplus of treasures. Node Kyoto, an industrial-chic property situated in the city's Nakagyo Ward, introduces a unique boutique hotel concept where art and hospitality comingle to great effect. Anchored by a rolling program of events and exhibitions that frequently touch on themes of art, design, fashion and music, Node transcends the standard hotel experience and presents a cultural hub in the heart of the city. Taking its name from the word 'node'an intersection or a redistribution pointthe hotel facilitates a cross-cultural exchange between both local residents and the city's domestic and international visitors. An impressive art collection of over 60 pieces, including work by the likes of Gerhard Richter, Barry McGee, Bernard Frize, Tomoo Gokita, Shinro Ohtake, Nobuyoshi Araki and Yukimasa Ida, is displayed in both public spaces and guestrooms for an unmatched luxury: a fully immersive modern art experience that is relaxed in its presentation, but entirely serious in its curation.

Carved from a new build designed by Seiichiro Takeuchi, a Kyoto-based architect who worked with architecture luminary Tadao Ando for a decade, Node Kyoto's carefully plotted layout and interiors perfectly complement its in-house art concept. Architecturally, the primary challenge was the long, narrow and rectangular plot of land presented, as well as meeting the requirements of Kyoto's strict building regulations, enforced to protect the historic city's landscape. The resulta five storey reinforced concrete and glass constructionoffers a neutral backdrop to the plethora of art on offer by way of marble-like ceilings, ash-hued walls and cement finishes, while simultaneously creating a soothing ambiance.

To maximize the number of guestrooms on the limited patch, Node's blueprint incorporated a variety of room types and configurations, lending an individual and distinct air to each space while effectively utilizing the area afforded to the hotel. Along with the guestrooms this is most evident in Node's heart, the lobby, which embodies the atmosphere of a gallery-like living area and library, thanks to the presence of both bespoke and antique furnishings, a verdant floral ceiling centrepiece and a deluge of books, sculptures and tchotchkes that encourage guests to linger and idle. It is also in the lobby that the core concept of Node Kyoto as an art collector's residence is fully realized, with the expanse doubling up as an exhibition space during collaborative cultural events, or for the hotel's own art.

The concept continues in the 22 guestrooms and three suites, where diagonal metal-coated ceilings are matched with dark textures, aged white oak flooring and Takeuchi-designed furniture honed from marble and iron for a mood that is at once sultry, eclectic and contemporary. Additional pieces created in India and Sweden, and custom designed by Indian Creek Fete Kyoto join the studio's tapestry of plush velvets, lighting by Kyoto-based artist Junpei Ohmori, and exquisite fittings from German brand Scarabeo. As in public spaces, each accommodation is accompanied by a unique piece of art for a final flourish and the unique opportunity for guests to engage with a series of masterpieces up close and privately. This exclusive art experience and mood of elevated luxury is further heightened in the hotel's Junior Suites, which take on the guise of stylish apartments with all the comforts of home, including living areas, kitchens, oversized beds and open closets.

A popular gathering spot in the evening, Node Kyoto is rounded out with an in-house restaurant to rival the glut of eateries in the surrounding area. Centred on a farm-to-table concept, the international bistro-styled

menu is ideally matched to the hotel's dominant style of hospitality where long lounging is actively encouraged, and provenance is paramount. A double height bar, overlooked by expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and a six-metre living wall, and specializing in organic wine and spirits naturally segues into the sceney lobby for a smooth continuation of the hotel's overarching laid-back vibe.

Location

A short walk from the major shopping streets and department stores of the city, Node Kyoto is ideally placed for an exploration of local retail and foodie attractions. Cultural events, such as the annual Gion Matsuri festival, are within touching distance thanks to the hotel's central location while year-round draws like Nishiki Market, a colorful narrow street known as Kyoto's Kitchen, offer visitors an immediate and concentrated flavor of the city.
An administrative officer in a Tripura district selected performers for this years Independence Day celebrations, to be held on Saturday, via online in a bid to avoid overcrowding because of the prevailing raging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.

Chandni Chandran, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Kanchanpur, in Tripuras North District invited entries online  between August 6 and 13 -- for solo music and dance contests.

The winners of the competition have been invited to perform in the sub-divisional-level Independence Day celebrations programme on Saturday.

The participants have been divided into three distinct age categories such as 5-10, 11-15, and 16 and above for the solo music and dance competition on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day celebrations programme.

The participants were asked to perform a dance on any patriotic song or sing any patriotic song on a social media platform and share online with me along with their name and age-group. We selected winners from each group and invited them to perform at the sub-divisional-level Independence Day celebrations programme on Saturday, said Chandran.

The SDM authorities have selected nine winners  three and six for solo music and dance category, respectively  from among 40 participants.

The winners will also be honoured with trophies and certificates. ASHA (accredited social health activist) workers, and paramedical staff, who are in the frontline battling the Covid-19 pandemic, will also be feted on the occasion, the SDM added.
On Monday April 13, King Mohammed VI held high-level talks with the President of Cote DIvoire Alassane Dramane Ouattara and the President of Senegal Macky Sall.

The phone conversations focused on the alarming evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic on the African continent and its potential socio-economic impacts on African countries.

King Mohammed VI proposed an African leaders initiative aimed at establishing an operational framework to accompany African countries in their various phases of managing the pandemic. According to a statement from the royal cabinet, This is a pragmatic and action-oriented initiative, enabling the sharing of experiences and best practices to address the health, economic and social impact of the pandemic.

The Ghana Morocco Old Students Association (GHAMOSA) has showered praises on His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco for his Africa COVID 19 initiatives.

Since last weekend, upon the King's instructions several African countries have been receiving medical supplies and aid from the Moroccan government. The aid is intended to provide protective medical equipment to support 15 African countries in their efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It is composed of nearly 8 million face masks, 900,000 visors, 600,000 hygiene caps, 60,000 coats, 30,000 liters of hydroalcoholic gel, as well as 75,000 packs of chloroquine and 15,000 packs of Azithromycin. The 15 beneficiary countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, Chad and Zambia

Mr. Peter Panyin Anaman, President of Ghana Morocco Old Students Association GHAMOSA reacting to this generous gesture from the Moroccan King said During a pandemic of this nature where every country is more concerned about how to manage their resources to control the situation in their countries, it will take an upright, selfless, patriotic, visionary and Pan-Africanist leader to think about other vulnerable African neighbors. We are very proud of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, we appreciate his love for Africa and salute the kind of leadership he is given Africa in the fight against COVID-19.

Even though Ghana is not a beneficiary of the Moroccan medical aid, we are very happy for our fellow Africa beneficiary countries and joined them in appreciating His Majesty King Mohammed VI for such thoughtful generous gesture. The kind of education we received in Morocco did not only prepare us to serve and care for our individual countries but most importantly to serve and care for the continent. Our stay in Morocco opened us up to other African countries. We now have friends across the continent that we met during our studies in Morocco, so we care much about what happens in all the 15 African beneficiary countries. It is in this spirit we stand with all the 15 beneficiary African countries to show our highest gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government and the people of Morocco. This pandemic is a test which pushed us to strengthen our solidarity with each other, he added.

The Ghana Morocco Old Students Association (GHAMOSA) will continue to hold His Majesty King Mohammed VI in highest esteem and the people of Morocco close to our hearts. We will continue to work closely with all relevant institutions in Ghana and anywhere in the world to support His Majestys vision for our continent and promote the good work the Kingdom of Morocco is doing for Africa," he concluded.
J ust nine per cent of Brits think they are likely to go on a foreign holiday this year, with one in five already having cancelled plans, a new Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey has revealed.

As part of its bid to gauge the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on British society, the ONS surveyed 2,500 people between August 5 and 9 and analysed responses.

The survey takes in answers from Brits as young as 16 and those over 70, with breakdowns of results by sex and identified at-risk groups that have been advised to take additional precautions during the pandemic.

The ONS researchers found nearly 30 per cent of adults said they were either likely or very likely to go on holiday in the UK this year, with just nine per cent thinking of planning to go on holiday abroad.

Holidaymakers rushed to return to the UK on Friday / Lucy Young

The survey also suggested the UK Government list of countries requiring two-week self-isolation on returning home is having an impact.

The report found 62 per cent of adults were very unlikely to travel abroad on holiday if they had to self-isolate at home for two weeks on returning, with one in five adults already having cancelled travel plans abroad because of self-isolation rules.

Just one in 10 respondents said they would make travel plans with the knowledge that they would have to quarantine on return.

The findings contrast starkly with data from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) for 2019, which suggested that 64 per cent of British people took a foreign holiday in 2019 and 72 per cent went on holiday within the UK.

Around one third of respondents said their reason for not planning a single so-called staycation or foreign trip in 2020 was that their household could not afford it.

Meanwhile, of adults who told researchers their well-being had been affected by the pandemic, 18 per cent of said they were worried about losing their jobs.

Rishi Sunak has urged spending as the UK heads into recession and people fear for their jobs / REUTERS

Many respondents said they now view the economy, which officially went into recession this week, as a bigger problem for the country than Covid-19 itself.

Nearly one in four (23 per cent) said they think the economy is now the most important issue facing Great Britain .

The survey also found one in four Brits still feel uncomfortable leaving their house due to Covid-19.

However, more than seven in 10 adults said they had met up with other people to socialise this week. But of those, only 47 per cent said they always maintained social distancing, with 8 per cent saying they never maintained social distancing, or did not very often.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Thursday that France and the Netherlands would be added to the list / REUTERS

The report comes as British holidaymakers cancelled plans last minute and scrambled back from France on Friday order to avoid a 14-day quarantine after a late-night announcement from the Government.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Thursday that France and the Netherlands would be added to the list of countries requiring quarantine on return to the UK due to their rising numbers of coronavirus, with the rule coming into force at 4am on Saturday.

The scurry saw one-way air fare costs for Paris to London flights soar above 450, with the lowest priced Eurostar tickets available on Friday morning priced at 210.

All easyJet flights from Amsterdam to London were sold out, with the cheapest fares offered by British Airways for travel on the route on Friday are 327 - compared with 128 on Saturday.

Mr Shapps insisted on Friday morning the Government had taken "a practical approach" to the new restrictions, and said there "had to be a cut-off" point. The quarantine conditions will also apply to travellers returning from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.
Youths queue up at Ulsan Bukgu Public Health Center in Ulsan's Buk-gu District, Thursday, to receive a checkup on possible COVID-19 infection. Yonhap



The number of daily local virus cases in South Korea jumped to an over 4-month high on Friday as sporadic clusters in the greater Seoul area piled up, forcing health authorities to consider raising the level of social distancing to stem further spread.



The country's new daily coronavirus cases, including 85 locally transmitted ones, reached 103 on Friday, raising the total caseload to 14,873, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).



The number of newly identified local infections marks the most since 88 on March 31.



The daily tally nearly doubled from 56 new virus cases reported Thursday and also marked the highest level since July 25, when new virus cases reached 113.



Domestic infections have recently bounced back as cases mostly linked to sporadic clusters in Seoul and adjacent areas jumped.



The KCDC warned that the greater Seoul area is teetering on the brink of another spike in virus cases and that the easing of social distancing guidance may be rolled back if the upward trend continues.



Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government is considering strengthening the infection preventive measures in Seoul and neighboring areas by one notch to Level 2.



In June, South Korea adopted a three-tier social distancing scheme, under which the country is currently at Level 1 distancing measures. Level 2 could be applied if daily infections exceed 50 for 14 straight days but remain under 100.









Health authorities remain on higher alert as cluster infections continued to spring up at various venues, including churches, marketplaces and schools.





Students of Jukjeon High School in Yongin's Suji-gu District wait for their checkup on possible COVID-19 infection, Thursday. Yonhap
HK commerce secretary slams US move to label local goods 'Made in China'

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/13 19:58:40

Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah on Thursday accused the US of violating WTO rules by deciding to label "Made in Hong Kong" goods as "Made in China" from September 25, saying Hong Kong will definitely take action to protect its rights and interests.

Yau made the statement after a meeting with major local commerce chambers on Thursday, where they discussed the US move.

Yau said that the US' unilateral, barbarian action ignores facts and violates international rules, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government severely condemns this move and strongly objects to it.

He stressed that tere is an international set of rules of origin that all countries respect, and the US' move doesn't comply with WTO rules nor the rules of origin. "As a separate customs territory, Hong Kong has the right to use the 'Made in Hong Kong' label," Yau said.

Hong Kong is part of China and the "one country, two systems" principle is an institutional ad-vantage granted by the motherland, under which Hong Kong can join international organizations, enjoy commerce and trade autonomy and act as a separate customs territory, Yau said, adding that these principles are in line with the Basic Law.

He pointed out that the US' move shows ignorance of Hong Kong's special tariff status and its standing as a WTO member, resulting in unnecessary difficulties.

Yau said the impact of the US' move on Hong Kong's exports will not be too big because the city exports about HK$4 billion ($516 million) worth of products to the US annually, but some companies and industries may be affected.

In the long run, the US' barbarian action would weaken Hong Kong companies' willingness to do business with the US, he said.

Hong Kong's international trade scale is No.7 in the world, and it does business with almost all countries. "The Hong Kong SAR government will put forward a strong and fair argument for actions that damage the city's rights and interests, which is also important for maintaining bilateral trade," Yau said.

Imports from Hong Kong to the US will be labeled "Made in China" instead of "Made in Hong Kong" from September 25, according to a notice published on Tuesday by the US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

Ren Hongbin, assistant minister of commerce, said at a press briefing on Thursday that Hong Kong's standing as a separate customs territory is not granted by the US; rather, it has a legal basis in the WTO and is accepted and recognized by WTO members.

He said that Hong Kong has played an important role in the Chinese mainland's foreign trade since the start of reform and opening-up, and will continue playing its role with the signing of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between the mainland and Hong Kong.

"We will take measures to promote economic integration between the mainland and Hong Kong. We'll further promote opening-up under the CEPA framework, support Hong Kong joining the establishment of the Belt and Road Initiative and boost the establishment of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to promote Hong Kong's stability, prosperity and development," he said.

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Donald Trump was the national leader of the grotesque, racist birther movement with respect to President Obama and has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart on every single day of his presidency, a Biden campaign spokesman said in an email. So its unsurprising, but no less abhorrent, that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched, demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation.
The Ontario government is upping funding for school boards COVID costs  as teacher unions up the pressure on the province to address their back-to-class concerns.

On Thursday, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced $50 million for school ventilation systems, $18 million in supports for online learning and said he will allow boards to dip further into their reserves to hire extra staff or find extra space for smaller classes.

Boards will be able to access about two per cent of these funds, freeing up about $500 million, with the government filling in the $11 million gap faced by a handful of boards that no longer have any reserves.

Lecce, however, has not changed class sizes in elementary schools, which remain a huge concern for parents and educators.

But while teacher unions were warning of imminent danger, the provinces chief medical officer disagreed, said he would not approve of reopening schools if he felt they were unsafe.

Meanwhile, in an email to Toronto District School Board trustees, Interim Director Carlene Jackson said much of its $131 million in reserves is already committed to benefits funding and carry-overs in IT projects and educational programming.

Staffs position is that because this money is already set aside for future obligations, using these funds would lead to future financial risks for the board, she wrote. It would not be prudent or good financial management if we were to use a large amount of reserve funds to cover the entire cost of smaller class sizes.

Jackson, a chartered professional accountant who in October will become the provinces first comptroller general, said the board is considering whether to use a small amount from reserves, plus previous provincial funding it must apply for, to hire extra staff.

Moving to smaller elementary classes of 15 or 20 students, depending on the grade, is estimated to cost $20 million for the Toronto board, Canadas largest.

Lecce, speaking at Queens Park, said contingency funds are rainy day funds in effect for extraordinary expenses and needs. We face a very difficult time, adversity in our economy and our society, and in the health of our children. Now is the time to put those tax dollars, respectfully, to work.

He said he believes boards can hire and find space before school restarts, and said many have already been working on it.

It allows school boards, in conjunction with their front-line workers, and parents most especially, to make those investments where they cant and where theyre needed. and I think thats important to have an element of flexibility and latitude.

Lecce also announced that the province is mandating that for students who take part in online learning this fall, 75 per cent of it must be live video conferencing or synchronous.

The government has previously announced $309 million for staffing and personal protective equipment, among other needs, to help boards cope with COVID-19.

A growing number of groups, experts and teacher unions are calling for the province to delay the start of the school year.

The provinces four teacher unions are now calling for a meeting with the education ministry and Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton arguing the school reopening plan fails to meet the requirements set out in the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and puts students and school communities in significant and imminent danger.

The provinces plan does not take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect teachers and education workers as is required, says a letter sent Thursday, in part because it does not limit class sizes which would allow for physical distancing.

However, Dr. David Williams, the provinces chief medical officer of health, said he believes it is safe to reopen under the provinces plans, which include mandatory masks for students starting in Grade 4.

NDP Health Critic France Gelinas said Lecces announcement offers absolutely no comfort at all to parents, school staff and students who are anxious and afraid about sending their children back to crowded classrooms in September.

She also called the $50 million for ventilation system pitiful.

Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation, said this plan provides no assurance that boards will spend their reserves on decreasing elementary class size and fails to address secondary class size ... it will do little to provide parents, students, and educators the confidence they deserve.
With schools closed and education being imparted only through online and on-air modes in the wake of the corona pandemic, a whopping 58,000 plus students enrolled in Class 9 to 12 in intermediate colleges of the Sangam city had no access to a smart phone, laptop, tablet or a TV, revealed a recent survey undertaken by the office of the district inspector of schools (DIoS).

These students accounted for 19% of the total enrolments in government-run, government-aided and unaided intermediate schools of the district, conceded officials.

The findings of the survey also indicated that a large number of students enrolled in these institutions were unable to benefit from academic content being provided online through YouTube as well as on-air through Swayam Prabha a group of 32 DTH channels devoted to telecasting high-quality educational programmes 24X7, using the GSAT-15 satellite.

These primary facts have emerged in the survey undertaken in the district to assess the reach to academic content being provided through various mediums during the pandemic in the last four months, said RN Vishwakarma, DIoS,Prayagraj.

He said that the education department was committed to ensuring that each and every students enrolled in various institutions was able to get full benefit of the academic content being provided so that studies were not affected. Even as we are trying to get every student to access online or on air education content, we are striving to get participation of different sections of society to help in this mission, he added.

The comprehensive survey covered 1057 schools of Prayagraj, including 33 government-run, 181 government-aided and 843 unaided secondary schools. These institutions presently had 3,06,470 students, including 77,163 enrolled in Class 9, 1,06,793 in Class 10, 51,324 in Class 11 and 71,190 in Class 12, officials said.

The survey found that out of these, 61,590 students of Class 9, 91,350 of Class 10, 43,365 of Class 11 and 51,939 of Class 12 had access to smart phones, laptops, tablets, TV and internet connections.

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Rank 8 | Yale University | Country: United States.

The United States Justice Department, on August 13, accused the prestigious Yale University of discriminating against Asian-Americans and white applicants in its undergraduate admission procedure.

After conducting a two-year-long investigation, the Justice Department observed that the university has been violating civil rights law, The New York Times reported.

This is the second time the Justice Department openly confronted an Ivy League school. In 2018, it had backed Asian American students when they had accused Harvard of discriminating against them to favour students of Hispanic and African American origin.

The department also accused Yale of violating Supreme Court rulings by using race as a predominant or determining factor in admissions.

Announcing the Justice Departments decision, Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, said: There is no such thing as a nice form of race discrimination. Unlawfully dividing Americans into racial and ethnic blocks fosters stereotypes, bitterness and division.

Yale, however, junked the allegations as baseless and justified its admissions process saying the university reviews the 'whole person' while deciding whether to admit a student. This, they reportedly said, involves more than their academic achievements, such as interests and leadership qualities that could contribute to the Yale community and the world.

Notably, Trump administration has been against race-based admissions at elite universities and had rapped Harvard for the same reasons as Yale. Just like Harvard had maintained it is important to achieve true diversity by admitting students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds, Yale also said it will not waver in its commitment to educating a student body whose diversity is a mark of its excellence.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- President Donald Trump called Rep. Max Rose a fraud during an interview with the New York Post, and said he was upset that the congressional freshman voted to have him impeached, the media outlet reported Friday.

In Sept. 2019, Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) described the Trump administration as one of the most corrupt in history, but said he vehemently opposed efforts by some Democrats to impeach the president.

After details of the Ukraine controversy came to light, however, Rose announced that he supported an impeachment inquiry and ultimately voted in favor of impeachment.

I upheld my oath to the Constitution because, after all the testimony and facts, I felt it was the right thing to do, Rose said earlier this year.

Donald Trump greets guests following a Wagner College commencement where he received an honorary degree.Staten Island Advance

According to the New York Posts report, Trump referred to Staten Island as Trump country and said Rose should get the boot, stating the people of Staten Island should not be represented by Rose.

Thats really Trump country. I know everything about Staten Island. Ive spent a lot of time in Tysens Park and Grymes Hill and all the different locations. I love Staten Island. But he shouldnt represent the people of Staten Island, hes too weak, Trump said in the exclusive interview.

The president endorsed Roses opponent in the congressional race, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, on Twitter in February.

@NMalliotakis is running for Congress in NY, I know her well, we need her to defeat Max Rose, who voted for Impeachment! Nicole is Strong on Crime & Borders, #2A, Cutting Taxes, & she Loves our Military & Vets. Nicole has my Complete & Total Endorsement! Trumps February tweet said.

He told the Post she would do a great job if she won the congressional seat.

Donald Trump and Ralph J. Lamberti before breakfast at Staten Island Borough Hall in 1986. (Staten Island Advance photo)Staten Island Borough Hall

The president went on to call Rose, who he referred to as Joe Rose at one point during the interview, a puppet for Pelosi, again referring to the impeachment vote.

He also described his own phone call with the president of Ukraine -- among the central issues in the impeachment inquiry -- as a perfect phone call.

Malliotakis campaign spokesman Rob Ryan said, President Trump is right; Max Rose is a fraud and a puppet of Nancy Pelosi.

In a statement to the Post, Rose said: I dont know what kind of nonsense the presidents advisers are feeding him, but right now the American people dont care about campaigns -- theyre worried about unemployment benefits expiring, their health, or their jobs. If the president realized that, maybe his approval rating wouldnt be as bad as [Mayor Bill] de Blasios.

While my ego is a bit bruised that he couldnt even get my name right, I will survive. I wish the President was more focused on securing a deal that extends unemployment, increases funding for small businesses and testing, and ensures New York does not go bankrupt from fighting COVID-19. But even if hes checked out, I am not and will continue fighting for a deal, Rose told the Advance/SILive.com.

Trump also said that hes going to put New York in play and hes going to try very hard to win New York, something a Republican hasnt done in a presidential election since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

Trump said he would be able to solve all of New Yorks problems, specifically mentioning high property taxes and the recent increase in crime.

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Congolese artist Chris Shongo paints on the outside wall of the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Kinshasa on June 18, 2020.

Beyond Covid-19

Building a research industry

For countries like the DRC, it was a bitter blow given that it was still battling other viral epidemics. These included the second deadliest Ebola epidemic , the worlds worst measles outbreak , and an ongoing cholera outbreak Considering the DRCs fragile healthcare system, Covid-19 was an additional burden the country could not afford. Before the country even had an approved response plan and strategy, it was counting cases in double digits and struggling to reassure its population.As restrictive measures and protocols aimed at combating the pandemic were finally announced, you did not need to be a public health expert to realise that many were poorly adapted to the countrys situation. They were mostly transposed from major European countries.Nevertheless, the response team  composed of highly experienced professionals  worked out a plan. They relied mainly on tracking and testing suspected cases, isolating confirmed cases and admitting severe cases to hospitals. But implementation has been hard.The biggest stumbling blocks have been the lack of infrastructure, equipment, funds and information. In addition, partners that the country has always relied on in previous disease outbreaks have also been overwhelmed by Covid-19.The DRC was therefore obliged to spearhead and manage its response to the pandemic with less operational involvement of its usual international partners. And it is fair to say that it has not performed as brightly as it should have.Whats been shown to be missing is the capacity to autonomously anticipate, prevent and prepare against major public health threats. You would expect that with the countrys experience of dealing with infectious diseases over the past four decades its institutions would be equipped to spontaneously develop and perform surveillance and testing. You would also expect that those institutions would rely on research to take evidence-based measures.This has not been the case.Over the years, the countrys leaders have demonstrated very little interest in equipping it with better laboratories and hospital capacity, better working conditions, and funding for biomedical training, research and development.Theres a great deal of evidence that places the blame on the extreme politicisation of many sectors in the country. But its undeniable that scientists also share the blame. For one, they have not communicated loudly and clearly as a unified community to the countrys leaders as well as to the population.It is irrefutable that a makeover is necessary to improve the DRCs public health system as well as its capacity to prevent and respond to diseases more efficiently. So what needs to be done?First and foremost, the country needs to develop a well-structured and supported scientific and innovative research industry.Such an industry would allow the country to better comprehend its challenges, hence helping set up appropriate prevention, response and development strategies that are relevant to its local short- and long-term needs.To date the country has passively relied on the foreign expert opinions (sometimes lacking evidence) and assistance to make lifesaving decisions, including treatment protocols. It cannot continue to rely on one-size-fits-all measures established overseas while knowing the large diversity and specificity that countries in Africa are blessed with.The DRC has played a key role in studies that led to the recent discovery and development of promising Ebola virus treatments and vaccines. This major contribution has always been, unfortunately, the result of isolated Congolese scientists fighting to make a difference without much support from their country.I would argue that the lack of a national system to support science and research explains the absence of perspectives built from the DRCs Ebola experience. These perspectives would assist in the undertaking of research programmes to find solutions to other diseases and pathogens.The country should identify its weaknesses and build on that to improve itself and better protect its future.To catch up to the never-ending war on infectious diseases as well as on the competition, DRC must consider several reforms.A strictly regulated and structured research industry is key to an efficient prevention and response programme. The country must, therefore, establish an institution  or agency  charged with raising and managing funds to support biomedical and health research. Its job would also be to normalise the countrys health research priorities according to an established evidence-based plan.This proposed institution should be composed and ran by biomedical and health scientists and experts.Such an organisation needs to be kept away from political interference. It must develop a transparent system to manage programmes as well as ensure that discreet protocols are used to assess proposals. This approach would also create a stimulating environment for real scientists and researchers. In turn this would motivate them to push boundaries and start living for the future.Alongside this, existing relevant institutions need to be revitalised. The countrys academic and research institutions must be moulded into platforms promoting collaborations between locally based scientists and experts. Doing this would promote the strengthening of the countrys scientific community and capacity, which in turn would stimulate stronger international collaborative enterprises.Additionally, such an endeavour would promote innovation and development driven by experts acquainted with local challenges.The proposed reforms must be supported by the government through clear and detailed planning and budgeting.The new research body would need to submit its plan and budget request to the government, where it would be discussed before being addressed and voted on by the parliament. This process would take into consideration public health priorities for the coming year established together with nationwide field experts and the Ministry of Public Health.Initial yearly budgets would not have to be exorbitant. Just enough to establish the organisation and support narrow and strategically identified projects in the early years.This is not reinventing the wheel. Rather, this is how all countries with strong health, research and development stature have progressed over the years to establish themselves as world leaders in global health and innovation. Examples include the National Institute of Health in the United States, or the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to name only a few.Such a bold endeavour requires making deep reforms that must be solidified by strong and clear laws in parliament to chaperone these critical transformations. Parliament must understand the importance of the public health and biomedical research industry, and open this debate together with academics and scientists.Whether the post-Covid-19 era will see the tide swinging in the DRCs favour will be entirely up to its capacity to innovate and respond. Its ability to look back and objectively evaluate its performance, to learn from its mistakes, and implement reforms will decide its future.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article
Xinfadi, the largest wholesale market for fruit, vegetable and meat supplies in Beijing, is to reopen starting Saturday, around two months after its business was suspended for causing a COVID-19 epidemic resurgence, a local official said Thursday.

Zhou Xinchun, executive deputy head of Fengtai District, home to the farm produce market, said part of the market will reopen Saturday, recovering 60 percent of its normal transaction volumes for fruit and vegetables, while the rest will resume business before Sept. 10.

The 112-hectare market, which suspended operations on June 13, provided about 70 percent of Beijing's vegetables, 10 percent of its pork, and 3 percent of its beef and mutton.

Since June 11, Beijing has reported 335 confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to a cluster of infections in the Xinfadi wholesale market. By Aug. 6, all of the patients had been discharged from hospital after recovery.

The city successfully contained the epidemic's resurgence within the space of a month, and it has not reported any locally transmitted confirmed cases linked to the market since early July.

NEW MEASURES

After its reopening, the market will cease its retail business, closing its doors to individual consumers, Zhou told a press briefing. All sellers and buyers should first complete real-name authentication before entering the market for transactions, Zhou said.

A 1,000-square-meter vegetable market has been set up outside the wholesale market to meet the demands of nearby residents.

Customers shop in a vegetable market set up outside the Xinfadi wholesale market in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Before becoming eligible for trading, sellers must first register information on their farm produce, while the market will pilot electronic trading to ensure that all the commodities and transactions are traceable, the official said.

Amid a slew of tough anti-epidemic measures, the wholesale market will establish a regular COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control mechanism, Zhou said.

At the entrance to the market, people will have their body temperatures screened, while a facial-recognition system will ensure that all information relating to those entering can be traced. All the stalls will be disinfected once a day, and the market will be thoroughly disinfected once a week.

Third-party testing institutions will set up operations in the market to conduct regular nucleic acid tests on the environment, goods, packing materials and public tools.

A staff member collects swab samples from an agricultural product for COVID-19 test in a temporary trading area at the Xinfadi wholesale market in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

Meanwhile, all the underground and semi-underground spaces in the market will be closed for transactions in order to reduce the potential risk of infection, according to the official.

Local authorities will beef up supervision of the market, setting up public-health monitoring sites to provide guidance on disinfection and training on anti-epidemic knowledge, and to monitor the health condition of all market staff, Zhou said.

Authorities will also set up a special agency to strengthen supervision of food security at the market, as well as its refrigerated warehouses and cold chains, he added.

BUSINESS RETURNS TO NORMAL

Mao Yongxi, a vegetable wholesaler at the market from central China's Henan Province, was excited to hear that the market would soon be reopening.

"My business will return to normal, as people are returning and the market will do well," said Mao, who has been trading at Xinfadi for 20 years.

After the temporary closure of the market on June 13, Mao was allowed to continue his business at temporary vegetable trading areas set up nearby by local authorities.

"With several temporary trading areas having been put into operation, my business is recovering. Finally, the day is coming when the market will reopen," said Mao.

Zhang Yanwei, a fruit merchant from east China's Shandong Province, was also affected by the closure.

A merchant unloads apples in a temporary trading area at the Xinfadi wholesale market in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

"I was quarantined for more than 20 days and was trying to make up for lost time and reduce my losses," said Zhang, as he unloaded boxes of apples in a section of the market already back in business since late July.

More than 200 merchants have resumed business so far, operating in an area of about 9.7 hectares.

"Now the market is disinfected every day, so we feel very safe," said Zhang.

Vehicles now spray disinfectants all around the open area, and inspectors carry out nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 on the farm produce in every shop.

Market personnel can now be identified by the different vests they wear: wholesalers in red, purchasers in yellow, management personnel in blue, and bus drivers in green.

"All of us are asked to wear vests," Zhang said. "We can't trade without wearing vests, and it's convenient for management."
Philippine police have arrested six Chinese nationals who were allegedly behind a crime syndicate and rescued eight sex workers, including two from Vietnam, who were forced to work for them, Philippine media reported this week.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the primary arm of the Philippine National Police, raided three residential villas inside the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, north of Manila, on Tuesday, according to Inquirer.

The raid was the latest operation by Philippine authorities in their efforts to crack down on syndicates linked to mainland China, Benar News reported.

The move came after a tip-off regarding the operation of a group of Chinese who were accused of prostituting females for foreigners in the area that targets Chinese POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) as customers, according to Tempo newspaper.

As a result of the raid, six Chinese nationals, aged 25-34, who were allegedly maintaining the prostitution den, face anti-trafficking charges. Investigators also seized the marked money used in the operation.

The female victims include six Chinese women whose ages range from 28 to 34, and two Vietnamese women, aged 30 and 31.

This was not the first time that Chinese syndicates were known to operate in the Philippine city. In June this year, police killed two Chinese nationals with alleged ties to a kidnap gang that preyed on their compatriots.

Data from the Philippine government revealed that around 200,000 Chinese nationals work in the country, mostly in the gaming industry, Benar News said.

As many as 75 Chinese nationals were deported from the Philippines on Wednesday for their involvement in illegal online gaming operations which were busted in December last year.

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The quarantine rules have left swimmer Chloe McCardel holding her breath  as the rising tide of Covid cases on the continent may force her into self-isolation.

The 35-year-old plans to swim to France tomorrow, but must reach land for her 21-mile journey to count as an official cross-Channel trip.

She plans to stay in the country for less than ten minutes before she returns to Britain, but is still not sure if she must quarantine afterwards.

The 35-year-old plans to swim to France tomorrow, but must reach land for her 21-mile journey to count as an official cross-Channel trip

Miss McCardel, from Australia, holds multiple world records, including the longest ever unassisted ocean swim  41.5 hours in the Bahamas, covering more than 77 miles.

She received special dispensation from the Australian government to travel to the UK amid the pandemic, and has already swum the Channel 34 times, including three crossings this month alone.

Miss McCardel is due to set off at around 10am and expects to reach France some ten hours later. She is pictured during her last swim

The record, held by British swimmer Alison Streeter, is 43.

Miss McCardel is due to set off at around 10am and expects to reach France some ten hours later.

I stand up on land for a couple of minutes, then its back in the water, swim to the support boat, and head back to England, she said.

We dont go anywhere near the border officials or passport control, so Im hoping technically the quarantine thing wont apply.

Miss McCardel said she wants her crossing to raise awareness of domestic abuse during lockdown, having escaped from an abusive relationship herself.
Being big in the social media business is no simple game, he said.

The TikTok data seen by The Times shows that the number of daily U.S. users in July whom the company estimated to be 14 or younger  18 million  was almost as large as the number of over-14 users, around 20 million. The rest of TikToks U.S. users were classified as being of unknown age.

TikTok does not rely only on users self-reported dates of birth to categorize them into age groups. It also estimates their ages using other methods, including facial recognition algorithms that scrutinize profile pictures and videos, said two former TikTok employees and one current employee, who declined to be identified because details of the companys practices are confidential.

Another way TikTok estimates users ages, these people said, is by comparing their activity and social connections in the app against those of users whose ages have already been estimated. The company might also draw upon information about users that is bought from other sources.

In a statement, TikTok said: As is standard practice across our industry, the company conducts high-level age-modeling to better understand our users and allow our safety team to better protect the safety of our younger teens in particular.

TikTok primarily uses the classification system to inform corporate strategy, according to the people with knowledge of the matter. TikToks policy teams use the numbers to create rules for moderators to follow, deciding, for instance, what should be done if an underage user is communicating with an adult on the app.

One of the former employees, who left TikTok this year, said the app did not use the classifications to automatically restrict or take down videos that might be from users under 13, or to secure permission from those users parents or guardians.

This raises the question of whether TikTok is responsible for acting upon what it knows about those who are under 13, particularly in light of last years F.T.C. fine for violating the federal childrens online privacy law.
COBOURG  Cobourg Police are asking any witnesses to come forward as they continue to investigate after a pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle early Friday morning.

The injured pedestrian was found just south of the Division Street and James Street East intersection in Cobourg just before 4:30 a.m., police said.

The pedestrian was taken by paramedics to Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg and was later airlifted by Ornge to a Toronto hospital in critical condition.

The intersection remained closed off all Friday morning while Cobourg police, with help from the OPPs technical traffic collision investigation team, continued to investigate.

Witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage of the collision can call Det.-Const. James Egas at 905-372-6821 ext. 2202 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or online at stopcrimehere.ca.
ELLINGTON  An Ellington man who authorities say sexually assaulted a young girl and was seeking another minor for his sex dungeon was sentenced Friday to nearly 29 years in federal prison.

Simon Hessler, 49, formerly of Ellington, was sentenced to 347 months  28 years and 11 months  in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, on child exploitation offenses, according to a news release from US. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham.

In October 2018, Hessler was identified by a Connecticut State Police detective as a person possibly linked to sex trafficking minors, the news release said. Hessler started talking with the detective, who was undercover.

Authorities said Hessler told the undercover detective that he had a sex dungeon on the top floor of his office building, full of things like cages, stocks, handcuffs and whips. Hessler offered to pay the detective $500 for two days of slave training and limitless sex with a 12-year-old described as a DCF child, the news release said.

Once the detective agreed, Hessler required the child be left in a trailer near a hotel he ran in Manchester, and told the undercover detective to send him a picture of the child gagged, blindfolded and handcuffed before he would give him the location of the cash payment, authorities said.

When the undercover detective sent Hessler a photo of what appeared to be a child bound on the floor of a trailer, authorities said, Hessler told the detective where to find the money, Durham said. On Nov. 13, 2018, Hessler was arrested after he got out of his car and walked toward the trailer.

After his arrest, investigators found a USB drive in a safe in Hesslers sex dungeon in Vernon, according to officials. The drive had thousands of photos and videos of child pornography and child erotica, including what investigators said was about 60 images of a specific girl who was younger than 12, Durham said.

Authorities said the investigation revealed that between July 2016 and November 2018, Hessler sexually abused the girl, and used a cellphone to produce images of the abuse.

Hessler has been detained in state custody since his arrest. He pleaded guilty in federal court to production of child pornography on Dec. 11, 2019.

He was also charged in the Hartford and Tolland judicial districts with related state offenses.

On Dec. 17, 2019, Hessler pleaded guilty to several state offenses, including two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, two counts of risk of injury and multiple counts linked to his attempt to commit commercial sex abuse of a minor under the age of 13, unlawful restraint and attempt to commit intentional cruelty.

Hessler is expected to be sentenced to 30 years in jail on the state offenses, according to the federal authorities. The judge ordered Hesslers federal sentence to run concurrently with his state sentence.
MOSCOW  They were undaunted by reports of torture, live ammunition and the threat of arrest.

Tens of thousands of factory workers, women clutching white flowers and balloons and young protesters flooded the streets of cities across Belarus, including Minsk, the capital, for the fifth straight day on Friday.

Resign, they shouted, their chants aimed at longtime President Alexander Lukashenko, who is facing his biggest challenge since taking power 26 years ago after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is known as Europe's "last dictator."

Demonstrations erupted Sunday night as polls closed in the Belarusian presidential election when Lukashenko moved to declare victory with 80 percent of the vote over opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

Workers at state-owned manufacturing enterprises began to join the protest on Thursday and labor strikes calling for Lukashenko to step down began to spread across the country, despite reports of mass arrests and beatings by security forces. At least one demonstrator was killed.

They were joined by thousands of female protesters forming solidarity chains and many wearing white T-shirts, ribbons and bracelets, to represent peace, although others featured a red stripe, echoing the old Belarusian flag.

As the crowd in Minsk converged on the Parliament building on Independence Square, at least two helmeted security officers lowered their riot shields, prompting women to run forward to hug them and offer flowers.

Image: Opposition supporters protest against presidential election results in Minsk (Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters)

Seemingly emboldened by the groundswell of support, Tikhanovskaya  who fled to neighboring Lithuania on Monday after saying her family was threatened  resurfaced on Friday.

Calling for an end to the violence, for mayors across the country to join the protesters and for the state to enter into a dialogue, Tikhanovskaya, a former English teacher, said in a video message on YouTube that her countrymen no longer want to live with the old authorities.

Tsikhanouskaya, who emerged from obscurity a few weeks ago to take her husband's place in the election campaign after he was jailed, added that most of the country did not believe Lukashenko won the election.

Story continues

We have always said that we have to defend our election using only legal, nonviolent means, but the authorities have turned the publics peaceful protests into a bloodbath, she said. The situation is critical.

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In a separate post on the Telegram messaging app, she called for the creation of a coordinating committee of labor leaders, political figures and opposition candidates to begin working out a peaceful transition of power.

We are ready for dialogue with the authorities, the post said. Taking into account what is taking place across the country, and the need to take urgent measures to restore the rule of law in Belarus, I -- Svetlana Tikhanovskaya -- initiate the creation of a coordinating council to ensure a transfer of power.

Her comments came as allegations of torture and beating by security forces flooded social media and proliferate online  further exacerbating public anger toward the government.

Pictures posted online and verified by NBC News have also shown detainees at a police station in Minsk strewn out along a courtyard.

Image: Employees of Grodno Azot company protest against presidential election results in Grodno (Reuters)

Reports from protesters released from detention centers have detailed accounts of torture and humiliation. Other videos and audio clips shared on social media have featured the audible screams of detainees apparently being tortured by the authorities.

In a video shared by the independent outlet Mediazona, Minsk residents stood outside one of these detention centers chanting hang in there to those being held inside.

Another video, published on TikTok, showed battered and bruised protesters being treated by medics when released from a detention center Friday.

Authorities in the country  which neighbors Russia, Poland and Ukraine and has a population of around 9.5 million  said Thursday they had arrested around 7,000 people across the country, although they later released about 1,000 people.

Natalya Kochanova, speaker of the upper house of the Belarusian Parliament, said Friday that the release was authorized by Lukashenko after considering the requests of the labor collectives who are now protesting against him. Kochanova added that Lukashenko promised to investigate the facts behind the arrests.

Those released were under the obligation not to participate in unauthorized activities, and minors were handed over to their parents," Kochanova said. "We don't need unrest. We don't need war."

Image: (Sergei Gapon / AFP - Getty Images)

Lukashenko, 65, who has alleged a foreign-backed plot to destabilize Belarus and dismissed the demonstrators as criminals and the unemployed, later emerged to address state industry workers directly.

Im still alive and I havent fled abroad as some of our vaunted, informed compatriots are drumming up that the president has fled the country and is now abroad, said Lukashenko, who once ran a Soviet collective farm.

Warning them that their strikes will destroy the Belarusian economy, he added: Today you dont produce 10 tractors, they dont go to the market, and tomorrow the Germans will come with the Americans. The Russians will bring their equipment.

His words appeared to have little effect, as more and more workers joined the national strike and took to the streets.

Matthew Bodner reported from Moscow and Matthew Mulligan from London.
In one way at least, he still is that soldier.

I dont cry over deaths, he said. I dont know why, but it pert near has to be that I saw so much of it.

It was a death that Bacon didnt see, though, that still haunts him the most.

It happened during the fighting as he and his partner were firing their mortar at enemy positions.

Their sergeant came running up and directed them to a new place to set up, so Bacon grabbed the ammo while his partner grabbed the gun, and off they ran.

They hadnt gone far when they heard a blast somewhere behind them  the familiar sound of a Japanese artillery shell.

They kept running.

It was only later that they noticed their sergeant was not behind them.

We waited and waited. He never showed up, Bacon said. That round had hit him, killed him.

Bacon knew his own gun had been the enemys intended target.

That round wouldve taken it out  and us, too, if my sergeant hadnt come down there and told us to move.
New Delhi:

Income Tax Department in Gujarat is likely to send notices to around 5,000 tax payers in the state for depositing cash more than Rs 1 crore post demonetisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes on November 8.

"After demonetisation, (the) I-T department has sent notice(s) to more than 3000 tax payers in Rajkot only. Including Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara, total figure could cross to 5000,' Gujarat Congress CA Cell President, Kailash Gadhvi said.

According to sources, banks were expected to share details of large cash deposits after December 1. But, I-T department has already started to retrieve this information early.

People failing to explain their income could be asked to pay 85 per cent penalty.

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An aerospace supplier is looking to build a plant in Kerr County and bring hundreds of new jobs to the Hill Country, local officials said Thursday.

Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing, based in North Dakota, is expanding to Kerrville, with plans to add 400 jobs over 20 years.

KMM manufactures circuit cards, wire harnesses and fiber optic products for aerospace and aviation companies, as well as the military. The company makes parts for aircraft ranging from commercial airliners to military jets.

They manufacture and assemble the entire nervous system for these aircrafts, said Gilberto Salinas, executive director of the Kerr Economic Development Corp. This is truly a game-changing project, and not just for Kerrville, for but for the entire Texas Hill Country.

Kerrville City Manager Mark McDaniel said hell announce details of KEDCs incentive deal, approved to lure KMM to the area, on Monday. Without providing specifics, he said Thursday that the agreement with KMM will run for 25 years.

The KMM jobs will pay about $42,000 per year on average, plus benefits.

These are living-wage jobs that will support families and keep our kids here, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said. This is the kind of economic development were looking for.

KMM also secured a $900,000 cash grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund, a deal-closing fund that state officials use to sway firms that are considering other locations to come to Texas.

The Texas Workforce Commission also gave KMM a $367,000 grant to train 200 workers. San Antonios Alamo Colleges will provide some of the training, Salinas said.

On ExpressNews.com: Tax-break program to cost Texas $1 billion a year by 2022. Tesla soon will be a beneficiary

The plant will be adjacent to the Kerrville Municipal Airport.

Salinas said other towns in Texas, as well as communities in South Dakota and North Dakota, also competed for the KMM facility.

He said KMM chose Texas because of the state incentives and the business-friendly climate. But he said the company settled on Kerrville because of the local workforce and the proximity to clients in aerospace and aviation, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which are based at Port San Antonio.

On ExpressNews.com: Wolff: San Antonio a quiet leader in advanced manufacturing

Don Hedger, president of KMM, founded the company in 1987 after he spent 20 years working in Phoenix, Ariz., designing aviation equipment for a Honeywell subsidiary.

After two decades in Arizona, the Kildeer, N.D., native returned home to western North Dakota to start KMM, which has grown to about 400 employees. The Hedger family still owns the company.

The manufacturing facility in Kerrville will be KMMs fourth. The other three all are located in North Dakota.

Salinas said he hopes the manufacturing site will spark an aerospace and aviation manufacturing cluster throughout Central Texas.

Texas already has a presence with SpaceX, Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada Corp. Firefly is in Austin, and Tesla is coming to Austin, Salinas said. Now you start marrying the aerospace and automobile sectors, where before they were two separate trajectories that are now starting to converge. Thats where were going to have an opportunity.

Four hundred jobs for a community of 25,000, Salinas said of Kerrville. Thats our Toyota, thats our Space X, thats our Tesla.

diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net
vishwasvr BHPian

Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 242 Thanked: 593 Times

Re: In a first, Isuzu dealers now allowed to service other brand's cars



Anyway, MyTVS had great vision, mission blah. But when it came to grassroot level execution, it was a massive disappointment. They sold fake spares at 4 times the OE part cost, claimed they had a ''warehouse'' but actually had just simply outsourced to cheap,fake spares dealers in JC Road in Bangalore, kept constantly pushing for parts sales, almost non existent marketing, promised the garages insurance tie ups and barely materialised, Royal Sundaram had goofed up with so many customers. They promised customers the moon at the time of purchasing insurance but when it came to claims, they goofed up and didn't stand by their word. Terrible experience.



Having said this, I'm not sure how long this will last. If this has to work then MyTVS better pull up their socks or else they'll end up ruining the partnerships with everyone. Conceptually, looks great. I've dealt with MyTVS and it was a nightmarish 3 year contract with them. I will not give more details about it because I've gotten "banned" for "apparently promoting" what I do for a living.Anyway, MyTVS had great vision, mission blah. But when it came to grassroot level execution, it was a massive disappointment. They sold fake spares at 4 times the OE part cost, claimed they had a ''warehouse'' but actually had just simply outsourced to cheap,fake spares dealers in JC Road in Bangalore, kept constantly pushing for parts sales, almost non existent marketing, promised the garages insurance tie ups and barely materialised, Royal Sundaram had goofed up with so many customers. They promised customers the moon at the time of purchasing insurance but when it came to claims, they goofed up and didn't stand by their word. Terrible experience.Having said this, I'm not sure how long this will last. If this has to work then MyTVS better pull up their socks or else they'll end up ruining the partnerships with everyone. Last edited by vishwasvr : 15th August 2020 at 08:38 .


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New Delhi:

Union minister Kiren Rijiju mocked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday for stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "terrified" of him being allowed to speak inside Lok Sabha, terming the remark as the "biggest joke" of the year.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament, the minister of state for home affairs said it is the Congress party which is very scared as it has to defend utterances of its vice-president.

"Everybody feels that it is the biggest joke of the year that Rahul Gandhi says Narendra Modi is scared of his oratory skill. If he speaks will there be an earthquake or the balloon will burst.

Read | Rahul claims he has 'information that will explode PM Modi's balloon'; BJP says Cong VP has lost patience

"I don't think anyone takes comments he makes seriously. Congress itself is very scared of when Rahul Gandhi speaks as the party has to defend his words.

That's the level of threat he poses to his own party," Rijiju said.

Earlier, talking to the media, Rahul had claimed Modi is "personally terrified" of him being allowed to speak inside Lok Sabha because he has information that will "explode" the Prime Minister's balloon.

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The Ministry of Defence is organising an Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony on August 15 at Red Fort in Delhi, maintaining the balance between the sanctity and dignity of the national function while factoring in precautions related to the Covid-19 scenario.

All invitees have been requested to wear masks. Besides, an adequate number of suitable masks are being kept handy for distribution at various points of venue. Similarly, the availability of hand sanitizers at pre-defined locations has been done. Display boards are placed discreetly to attract the attention of invitees.

Participation to the event is only through invitation and members who do not have formal invites have been requested to refrain from coming to the venue. About 4,000 plus invites have been issued to officials, diplomats, members of public, media etc.

Also read: Fewer guests, police in PPE at Red Fort for August 15 celebrations

Thermal screening at all entry points for the invitees has been planned. Thorough sanitization of the premises inside and outside the Red Fort is being carried out regularly.

Adequate medical booths at four locations have been set up - near the rampart, at Madhavdas Park and a couple of them at 15 August Park. The booths will cater to any attendee who is detected having any symptoms related to Covid-19 during the entry. Ambulances would also be stationed at the four locations.

The seating enclosures and walkways have been laid with wooden flooring and carpeting to facilitate seamless movement of guests, at the time avoiding overcrowding of people. Additional door frame metal detectors, with adequately spaced markings, have been provided to avoid queuing and to ensure smooth passage of all the invitees. Most of the parking areas have been brick-lined and paved to ensure smooth entry and exit of vehicles.

Also read: For 1st time in 61 years, no spectators at Independence Day function at Attari

Members of the Guard of Honour have been under quarantine to bring in safety. The guiding principle for seating has been do gaz ki doori - 6 feet distance between any two guests seated during the event.

With an eye on safety, NCC Cadets have been invited to witness the event (instead of young school children) and they will be seated at Gyanpath.

In order to sensitize the invitees towards Covid-19 related safety measures, a special advisory for following the guidelines has been issued along with each invitation card. A  request card would be placed on each seat for the invitees to exhibit restraint and patience during dispersal after the conclusion of the function. Traffic Police advisory will also contain a note on the matter.

An orderly dispersal plan has been put in place for implementation through the controlling officials at various enclosures. In this regard, cooperation of all invitees will be earnestly and consistently requested.

Ceremonial drills have also factored in social distancing norms as well as other precautionary measures.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The use of 'Swasa', the N95 face mask which PM Narendra Modi donned during Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for temple construction in Ayodhya on August 5, moved the manufacturers who decided to ramp up the manufacturing capacity to more than double by making 70,000 pieces a day.

The IIT- Kanpur backed start-up -- Espin Nanotech Private Limited -- is currently producing around 30,000 face masks a day from its production unit spread over 4,000 sq ft space on IIT-K premises. Now the manufacturers have collaborated with a Gujarat-based entity to expand the capacity to 70,000 pieces a day, sources claimed.

This is indeed a great moment for the company that the Prime Minister showed trust in us by wearing our indigenously developed Made in India product during the auspicious occasion in Ayodhya, said the companys director Sandip Patil said.

Even the firm has tied up with Flipkart for marketing of the masks. Moreover, Espin Nanotech has also launched a dedicated e-commerce site, swasa.in, to sell Swasa face mask, a Made in India product.

The IITK sources claimed that the startup had invested about Rs 3 crore and had plans to invest another Rs three crore in the next 2-3 months to augment the manufacturing capacity. The cost of each mask from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per piece.

Made up of ultra-soft fabric, Swasa, the anti-bacterial, and anti-viral face mask allows easy breathing, provides an adjustable ear loop, and is claimed to be effective for 100 hours of usage.

The manufacturers are planning to launch other categories of face masks, including self-cleaning and odour removal masks in an affordable range.

The manufacturers claimed that the product was developed last year to offer protection against bacteria and viruses in November 2019, much before the outbreak of the pandemic. It was aimed at providing protection against heightened air pollution that was hitting many cities including Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, and other cities across the country.

The company even exported the product to Thailand, Malaysia, European countries, etc before the exports of medical safety products were banned with the spread of the deadly virus.

Earlier, the Centre had turned to the premier research institutions, including the IITs, for developing tech-enabled solutions to deal with the pandemic and come up with affordable safety gear, including masks. Over the past months, IIT-K had taken the lead in coming up with several products, including face mask, ventilators, etc.
The S&P 500 has surged nearly 18% over the past three months, approaching a new all-time high. This has caused the price-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 to cross north of 29 as I write this, which is more than twice the median average of the index since its inception. At the same time, the dividend yield has shrunk below 1.8%.

Finding value and income remains elusive in the current market, but there are stocks that offer the best of both worlds. One name that remains my favorite is Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ).





Verizon, which remains the number one phone carrier in the country, trades with a price-earnings ratio that is below its 10-year average and with a yield of more than 4%. Let's look closer at the company to see why it is a solid buy for investors looking for value and income.

Quarterly highlights

Verizon reported second-quarter earnings results on July 24. Revenue declined slightly more than 5% to $30.5 billion, but came in $455 million ahead of what Wall Street analysts had been expecting. Adjusted earnings per share were lower by 5 cents, or 4.1%, to $1.18. Earnings per share results were 3 cents above estimates.

Much of the decline was attributed to Covid-19, which Verizon estimates reduced earnings per share results by 14 cents. Part of this was due to costs associated with Covid-19, but traffic at physical store locations diminished significantly as well. Service revenue was also impacted by less roaming among customers, particularly in areas outside of the U.S.

Total retail postpaid net additions were 352,000 for the quarter. Of these, 173,000 were phone additions. Total postpaid churn was 0.78%, compared to 1.02% in the prior year. Looking at just wireless phones, postpaid churn declined 18 basis points to 0.58% year over year, an industry best mark. Certainty, some portion of this low churn rate is due to customers not being able to visit competitors and change service, but Verizon has a long history of maintaining its customer base. The average retail postpaid phone churn rate over the past four quarters is 0.82%.

Story continues

The consumer segment produced revenue of $21.1 billion, which was a 4% decrease from the previous year. Equipment revenue fell nearly 18%, while wireless service was down almost 3%.

Verizon did see solid improvements on several key metrics. This segment had more than 5 million postpaid device activations during the quarter. Postpaid wireless phone subscribers were a net 76,000, easily beating consensus estimates of a loss of 100,000. Included in this is 199,000 postpaid smart phone additions. This helped Verizon see a slightly uptick in its wireless retail connections to 94 million. Retail postpaid phone churn was 0.51% compared to 0.72%. Service revenue was down 1.7%, mostly due to the previously mentioned lower roaming revenue.

The phone upgrade rate was 3.7%. As 5G service begins to turn on in cities in the U.S and as well as the rest of the world (Verizon tested 5G service to customers traveling to South Korea in early August), phone upgrades should pick up at a brisk pace.

Fios video net adds were down 81,000, which is an issue that the company has faced for several quarters now. Consumers continue to forgo large bundles from providers in favor of lower-priced streaming services. This is an area I expect Verizon to continue to struggle with as consumers reduce expenditures. On the other hand, Fios internet added 10,000 subscribers.

Verizon's business segment had a 3.7% decline in revenue to $7.5 billion. Phone gross adds were down almost 17% and gross additions overall decreased 3.7%, again on limited customer interaction. Phone upgrades increased 2.7%. Business had 280,000 net additions, 14% below the second quarter of 2019. Postpaid phone churn fell to 0.90% from 0.97% in the previous year.

Media sales fell 24.5% to $1.4 billion due to limited customer interaction. Verizon did see an increase in traffic to owned and operated properties, showing that content remains in high demand.

Verizon also reaffirmed its guidance for the remainder of the year and expects adjusted earnings per share in a range of down 2% to up 2% compared to 2019. At the midpoint, this would be earnings of $4.81 per share for 2020.

Overall, Verizon had a decent second quarter. Results on the top and bottom lines were lower than the previous year, but ahead of analysts' estimates. The company's phone churn rate remained very low. Results were impacted due to store closures, but a low single-digit decline in Verizon's two largest businesses isn't terrible considering the environment during the quarter.

Balance sheet, dividend and valuation analysis

Verizon's balance sheet ended the quarter in a much better position compared to the previous year. The company also repaid net debt of $4 billon during the quarter. Current assets stood at $37.3 billion, with $7.9 billion in cash and equivalents. Total debt was $112.8 billion, but the company has current debt of just $6.7 billion.

Cash flow from operations increased $7.8 billion to $23.6 billion in the quarter. Even though capital expenditures were higher by almost $2 billion, the company's free cash flow still improved from $7.9 billion to $13.7 billion. Granted, some of this was due to the timing of tax payments. Excluding these two items, free cash flow was $8.6 billion, still 73% higher year over year.

The company distributed $2.5 billion in dividends during the quarter, which equates to a free cash payout ratio of 29%. The year-to-date free cash flow remains low at 43%, which is much improved compared to previous years.

In 2019, Verizon distributed $10 billion in dividends while generating $16.9 billion in free cash flow for a payout ratio of 59%. The average payout ratio for the period from 2016 to 2018 was nearly 100%.

Verizon, even with a hefty dividend, is demonstrating an improved free cash flow. This should help ensure that the dividend remains safe.

The earnings per share payout ratio also shows that the dividend is safe. The company is expected to distribute at least $2.46 this year (Verizon should provide a raise for the early November payment). Using expected earnings per share, this would be a 51% payout ratio, which compares favorably to the 10-year average payout ratio of 66%.

Shares of Verizon offer a 4.2% yield. The 10-year average yield is 4.8%, but drops to 4.5% when looking at just the last five years. Based on dividend yield, the stock looks slightly overvalued.

Using the more traditional method of valuing stocks, Verizon looks undervalued. Shares trade at $58.33 at the moment. Using the midpoint for 2020 guidance, the stock has a forward price-earnings ratio of 12.1.

Shares have averaged a price-earnings ratio of 13.7 since 2010 and 12.2 since 2015. Using the five- and 10-year average valuations as a guide, I have a target price-earnings range of 12 to 14. Therefore, my price target range for the stock is $58 to $67 using company earnings per share guidance. At the low end, this is a very slight decrease from current levels. At the high end, the stock would return 14.9%. Add the dividend yield if the stock were to reach $67, and the total return would be 18.5%.

Final thoughts

Verizon's second quarter was better than expected in terms of revenue and earnings, but still showed a decline from the previous year. The low churn rate shows customer loyalty and net phone additions were better than expected.

Shares of Verizon trade below the historical average yields, but the stock offers a yield more than twice that of the S&P 500. The stock also trades at the low end of my valuation range. The downside doesn't appear to be too great, but the potential total return is almost 19% from the current price. For this reason, I continue to rate shares of Verizon as a buy.

Disclosure: The author has a long position in Verizon Communications.

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LINCOLN  The Nebraska Supreme Court found Friday that a convenience store was not liable for an accident in which a customer was struck by a pickup while filling up her car tires with air.

Rita Sundermann had sued Hy-Vee, claiming that the stores free air pump was in a dangerous, high-traffic location without warning signs. The lawsuit also alleged that the original design of the convenience store was not followed, increasing the danger.

In March 2012, Sundermann parked her car on the north side of a Hy-Vee convenience store at 156th Street and West Maple Road in Omaha, where the air compressor was located. Her parking spot was in one lane of a busy, two-way driveway used by customers entering and leaving the store.

She testified that she knew the spot was in a dangerous position, but that she was looking and listening for traffic as she crouched down to fill up her tires on the north side of her vehicle. She was struck by a pickup that was backing up from parking stalls used by employees across the drive.
Actor Antonio Banderas was 60 years old on Monday, but he certainly didn't get to celebrate the round number in the way he would have expected up to a few months ago.

Instead he marked the day by announcing that he has tested positive for Covid-19 and that he will be quarantining until he recovers.

"I'd like to add that I'm feeling relatively well, just a bit more tired than usual, and confident that I'll recover as soon as possible," he said in a statement. He added that he would use his time in self-isolation to "read, write, rest and continue to make plans".

Banderas, who says he has reached the age of 60 "full of hope and excitement" for the future, came to a turning point in his life in January 2017 when he suffered a heart attack.

"I saw death was close, there was a point when it felt like I was going. Is it just going to end like this? How stupid, I thought," he said to SUR last year.

That was a wake-up call, a warning that he was living life too fast, but also a revelation. The actor, who hadn't stopped in 35 years of career, packed up and came home to his Malaga, to start a new quieter period of his life.

Just two years after that heart attack, however, Banderas played one of the best parts of his life; the alter ego of filmmaker Pedro Almodovar in Pain and Glory (2019). The film brought him not just his first Spanish film academy (Goya) award for Best Actor - until then he only had an honorary Goya - but also an Oscar nomination this year.

Banderas's return to Malaga however came with a new project close to his heart, the creation of his own theatre in the city he grew up in.

The Soho CaixaBank project opened last autumn with the musical A Chorus Line, which in September will embark on the tour of other Spanish cities that was held up by the coronavirus lockdown.

Meanwhile Banderas celebrates his 60th birthday with the satisfaction of having fulfilled a dream but with the responsibility of keeping it going.

The pandemic interrupted the theatre's spring programme and as yet no date has been given for new performances at the theatre. It has however one date on its agenda for next year - the scaled-down 2021 Goya awards ceremony to be presented by Banderas and the head of his SohoTV production company, Maria Casado.

First though the actor could find himself with yet another trophy. A Chorus Line is a candidate for the Best Musical award in Spain's Max theatre prizes, due to be given out at a gala in Malaga on 7 September.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A federal grand jury charged the former owner of an international adoption agency, accusing her and others of taking part in the fraudulent procuring of adoptions, according to an indictment unsealed Friday.

Margaret Cole, 73, of Strongsville was the longtime owner of European Adoption Consultants, whose business closed when the FBI raided its offices in 2017. She is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and making false statements to U.S. and Polish officials.

Her attorney, Roger Synenberg, declined to comment because he had not seen the charges.

Two others associated with the company, Debra Parris, 68, of Lake Dallas, Texas, and Dorah Mirembe, 41, of Kampala, Uganda, were charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Attorneys for Parris and Mirembe were not listed in court files.

Parris worked for the adoption agency, while the indictment said Mirembe provided adoption-related services to Coles agency.

Cole founded her business in 1991 after her 6-week-old daughter died from sudden-infant-death syndrome. She told The Plain Dealer in 1995 that she started the agency after others had denied her adoption attempts because she was more than 40 years old and already had children.

European Adoption Consultants operated in Bulgaria, China, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Honduras, India, Panama, Poland, Tanzania, Uganda and Ukraine, according to federal officials.

The indictment accused the three women of taking part in two different schemes, one involving children from Poland and the other Uganda.

In the case involving Poland, the indictment said Cole and Parris worked to transfer a child in 2015 from Poland to Parris relatives, who were not eligible for inter-country adoptions.

The charges said a client had sought to adopt one child, but the child had a sibling, and there was pressure to take both children. Parris relatives took the second child.

The indictment said the child later had been injured with Parris relatives. The charges said Cole lied to authorities in Poland to keep profiting from the adoption of children there.

In the investigation in Uganda, the indictment said Parris and Mirembe paid bribes to judges and welfare officials to adopt children from 2013 to 2016. Many of the children whose adoptions were procured through bribes and fraud were not properly determined to be orphans, the indictment said.

One of the people who worked for the company, Robin Longoria of suburban Dallas, also admitted to paying bribes to Ugandan officials to gain adoptions, according to the charges.

She has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. She is expected to learn her sentence in October.
(TNS)  The Sonoma County, Calif., public health laboratory has begun receiving equipment to reduce coronavirus test turnaround times and triple the number of tests processed daily by the lab to between 900 and 1,200, health officials said Thursday.Meanwhile, late Thursday night county health officials reported 144 new virus infections, the highest single day total during the pandemic, to boost the county's total COVID-19 cases over the 4,000 mark to 4,063.The new test-processing equipment, paid for by the California Department of Public Health, also will sharply reduce the county's reliance on state-funded virus testing sites in Petaluma and Santa Rosa that depend on national commercial labs like Quest Diagnostics to process local virus tests. The state is expected to close those sites statewide as early as September, officials said.Quest and other commercial labs deluged with great demand nationwide have been dogged by virus testing backlogs that had caused some people in the county to wait as long as 10 or more days to learn if they've contracted COVID-19. Quest said Monday it has cut test-processing waits to two to three days.Rachel Rees, director of the county's public health lab, said the county is preparing to take on the virus test volume now being handled by the two local state-funded sites and process the tests with the new equipment, planning to work 24 hours a day seven days a week to process them.The state testing sites in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, where residents have been going for several weeks for free virus tests, have the capacity to test more than 500 people a day. The public health lab now has the capacity to process between 300 and 400 tests daily.Dr. Sundari Mase, the county's health officer, said the newly acquired testing equipment gives the county more independence over local testing and the ability to keep turnaround times to under 72 hours. Anything greater than that is an impediment to area public health efforts to identify and stop the spread of the virus, she said.Dr. Rees said the public health lab's existing coronavirus testing process is the same one the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in March. The new equipment is made by Massachussets-based PerkinsElmer, a global life sciences and health care technology company.Rees said the new equipment can process test specimens of about 94 patients in the same time the old hardware examines the specimens of 29 patients, making it much more efficient. She said the new equipment also features robotics technology that greatly reduces the amount of repetitive tasks performed by the lab's microbiologists."It will really help out our microbiologists because they can get repetitive stress injuries" from the amount of transferring test liquid vials by hand during the diagnostic process.Rees said the new test-processing equipment is coming in multiple shipments. The local public health lab already has received the key unit that extracts the genetic material from the virus in the processing. Another such unit is on the way.She said the reagent kits, or chemicals necessary to run the tests, have also been received and are expected to be installed on Monday. The immediate benefit of operating the new equipment will be an increase in lab efficiency and less work for lab staff.But the "flip side," she said, is that dramatically increasing the virus test volume will require more workers at the public health lab."We do need more staffing, because when there's more specimens there's always more work," Rees said.The county has signed an employment contract with a staffing agency to provide four clinical lab scientists that will allow its lab to operate 24 hours daily. The first of the four lab scientists is scheduled to start working here Sept. 8.Rees envisions the public health lab being able to ramp up to processing 900 to 1,200 virus tests a day after two of the four additional scientists start working with the new PerkinsElmer equipment.Currently, a small team of about a dozen professionals process the county's highest-priority coronavirus tests in the public health lab, including tests from local contact tracing of people exposed to the virus, surveillance testing of individuals conducted during outbreaks or at places with great potential for transmission and other high-risk cases.The team includes five microbiologists, three public health lab technicians and two staff members borrowed from the county's environmental health division, many of them working 12- to 14-hour shifts to keep turnaround times to less than 72 hours."The microbiologists and everybody in the lab are working overtime and really doing their best to respond to the emergency," Rees said.
Damascus, Aug 14 : The US forces have sent 40 truckloads of military gear into Syria from Iraq, state-media reported.

The trucks, escorted on Thursday by US military vehicles when they entered from a crossing between Iraq and Syria, reached the "illegal" US bases in the countryside of the northeastern province of Hasakah, Xinhua news agency quoted a state-media report as saying.

Thousands of truckloads of US military gear have entered Syria through the illegal crossings on the Syria-Iraq border over the past months, the report added.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported on the development on Thursday.

It said the shipment is the second to enter the war-torn country in August.

On August 5, the US brought in 30 truckloads of logistic and military equipment from its bases in Iraq to the countryside of Hasakah.
A DJ fears she has become a victim of racial profiling after she found police inside her new apartment - ten days after she moved in - following reports of 'wild parties' and 'drug use'.

Kaylee Golding, 22, had only just moved from Birmingham into the flat in Newham, east London, when the officers turned up on August 9.

Ms Golding, who has featured on Radio 1 and BBC Radio WM (serving the West Midlands), claims that the police were called by a neighbour.

She said officers told her they were responding to a complaint about drug use and wild parties during lockdown.

However, Ms Golding, who has been left shaken and confused by the incident, said she doesn't 'do any drugs'.

A DJ fears she's a victim of racial profiling after she found police inside her new apartment - ten days after she moved in - following reports of 'wild parties' and 'drug use'. Kaylee Golding (above) had just moved from Birmingham into the flat in Newham, east London, when officers turned up on August 9. She has presented BBC Radio 1's Early Breakfast, as part of the station's schedule of new DJs over Christmas and the New Year

Ms Golding, 22, said officers told her they were responding to a complaint about drug use and wild parties during lockdown. However, the DJ, who has been left shaken and confused by the incident, said she doesn't 'do any drugs'

She first moved to London four years ago to attend Westminster University and recently returned after spending much of lockdown in Birmingham.

Ms Golding moved to the Royal Docks to live with her brother and a friend - but her excitement to be back was short lived when she was confronted by officers.

'It was me and my partner in the living room, cooking dinner,' she said. 'We heard "Police, police!" - but because it was a busy area, we thought it was someone else.

'I thought it was getting louder so went to go and check. At the bottom of my hallway were police officers. My door was closed but it wasn't locked. They let themselves in.'

From Kiss FM to The Beat and the Beeb: Who is Kaylee Golding? Kaylee Golding has presented BBC Radio 1's Early Breakfast, as part of the station's schedule of new DJs over Christmas and the New Year. She has won a number of awards including Best Specialist gold 2018 and 2019 and Best Interview gold and silver 2019. The 22-year-old is head of production at The Beat London 103.6FM and has worked at a variety of radio stations, including Kiss Fm, Capital Xtra and The Beat London. She currently presents Saturday Drivetime on The Beat London 103.6FM - and also hosted a specialist urban show on student station Smoke Radio for three years. Kaylee began presenting at the age of 14 for Punch Records festival station Bass.FM. Advertisement

Ms Golding said her brother then began questioning the police more about the reason for the visit.

'We hadn't done anything wrong and the police said that with my brother questioning him, he could have taken it further.

'They said there was drug use and continuous parties during the lockdown at this apartment. They could see nothing was happening. I was so confused.

'As the conversation continued, they asked me how I "got this place" and "was it a council house".

'[The officers] had no mask and were within one metre from me, in my home leaning on my walls. It was a bit hypocritical barging in without any warning, not asking if any of us are high risk. You just invited yourself into our home.'

Ms Golding believes the incident was a result of racial profiling from her neighbours.

'I have always gone about my life thinking this exists,' she said.

'I have never had bad neighbours. I am on edge. It's really disheartening. Why couldn't you have just knocked on the door and got to know me.

'We've got to the point where people say don't blame it on race, but it comes to a certain point when I think what can I blame it on? What reason is there?'

Ms Golding has been left traumatised by the incident and fears leaving her home.

'I feel extremely uncomfortable. Everyone knows me as a happy, carefree person. I didn't come out of my apartment, I didn't want to be seen in the reception or speak to the concierge,' she said.

Ms Golding continued: 'I am on edge to do my work and play it out loud, to watch TV, to have my windows open. All it takes now is for one neighbour to not be happy with us to call the police.

'My occupation is a DJ. It's confusing. If we do play music, we have to be aware that they will contact our landlord. This doesn't make any sense.

Ms Golding believes the incident was a result of racial profiling from her neighbours. 'I have always gone about my life thinking this exists,' she said. 'I have never had bad neighbours. I am on edge. It's really disheartening. Why couldn't you have just knocked on the door and got to know me?'

'They came expecting to see drugs and now I shouldn't be playing music because if I do they can contact my landlord. I have been here for 10 days. This is just ridiculous.'

The Metropolitan Police Service said: 'Police are aware of a complaint against officers in Newham. The complaint follows a call to police on Saturday, August 8, stating that an address in Newham was involved in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and cannabis use.

'On the afternoon of the next day, two officers from the local safer neighbourhoods' team attended the address. On arrival, they reported they found the front door open, but they knocked until an occupier came to the door.

'They asked to come in and discuss the matter, to ensure privacy, and were then admitted to the hallway. A conversation took place where the reason for the police attendance was explained.

'No offences were detected. The officers left the scene and recorded the visit on the appropriate log for an ASB matter. Following the visit, a complaint was received from a person who had apparently been informed of the visit.

'The complaint has been passed to the North East Command Unit for attention.'

... and on the same day, Labour MP Dawn Butler was stopped by police in east London

In a separate incident on the same day, Dawn Butler MP accused the Met Police of racial profiling after she was stopped while travelling in a car in east London.

The former shadow equalities minister said she had agreed to meet local police commanders to discuss 'taking the bias out of the system'.

The Met said the stop was a mistake due to an officer incorrectly entering the car's registration number.

Ms Butler said the car was being driven by a black male friend and it was pulled over by two police cars.

She said officers said the car was registered in North Yorkshire and took the keys while checking the registration.

They then admitted there had been a mistake, that it was registered to the driver and apologised, she said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department will temporarily suspend COVID-19 testing next week to reorganize its strategy after hiring more staff now that CARES Act funding has been approved by the Jackson County Legislature. The pause will be in effect for one week and testing will resume Aug. 24
I read with some dismay State Rep. Jamie Callenders Aug. 12 commentary on the need to subsidize the Perry nuclear power plant in Lake County (Ohio and Lake County still need the policy of HB 6). Mr. Callenders more important reason for supporting House Bill 6, which he now wants to repeal and replace with another rescue package, was protection of the hundreds of jobs and millions of tax dollars associated with Perry. To this I reply: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, all nuclear disasters.

Perhaps Mr. Callender should confer with state Rep. Casey Weinstein, author of the opposing commentary strategically run just below his in the paper (We need a new energy vision for Ohio). Mr. Weinstein referenced employment of not hundreds, but tens of thousands of jobs associated with renewables in Ohio. Perhaps Mr. Callender could engineer many of those jobs in Lake County, should the Perry nuclear plant be shut down. Now, that would be progress.

Rosanne Grekian,

Parma
BY THE NUMBERS

Dow futures indicated a decline of nearly 80 points at today's opening bell as lawmakers depart Washington without a broad relief package agreement. S&P 500 futures were slightly lower while Nasdaq futures were mostly flat, after a mixed Thursday session in which the S&P again fell short of registering a new record closing high. (CNBC)



* Treasury yields come off highs after jobless data beats estimates (CNBC) The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3% Thursday for its second positive session in a row, while the 30-stock Dow and benchmark S&P declined 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. The major averages remain on track for a positive week, which would be the second consecutive for the Dow and the third straight for the S&P and Nasdaq. It's a busy morning for economic data. Retail sales for July are out at 8:30 a.m. ET, with consensus forecasts calling for a 2.3% increase following a 7.5% jump in June. Second-quarter productivity is released at the same time. It is seen posting a 4.4% annual rate increase following a 0.9% decline during the first quarter.



At 9:15 a.m. ET, July industrial production figures will be released. Economists expect a 2.8% increase following a 5.4% rise in June. Then at 10 a.m. ET, the University of Michigan releases its preliminary August Consumer Sentiment Index. It's expected to fall to 71 from the final July reading of 72.5. At the same time, the government is out with June business inventories, seen falling 1.2% after declining 2.3% in May. There are no earnings reports of note today.

IN THE NEWS TODAY

STOCKS TO WATCH

Applied Materials (AMAT) reported adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.06 per share, 11 cents above estimates, while the maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment also saw revenue beat Wall Street forecasts. Applied Materials also gave an upbeat current-quarter forecast amid rebounding demand. Baidu (BIDU) beat estimates on the top and bottom lines for its latest quarter, but the Chinese search engine giant's shares are under pressure on news that its video streaming service iQIYI (IQ) is the subject of an SEC investigation. The SEC is seeking financial records dating to the beginning of 2018 as well as documents relating to various acquisitions and investments. CureVac (CVAC) will begin trading on the Nasdaq today after selling 13.33 million shares at $16 per share in its initial public offering, valuing the company at about $2.8 billion. The German biotech company is among those using messenger RNA technology to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. AutoZone (AZO) announced plans to hire more than 20,000 U.S. employees. The auto parts seller is taking the action in response to rebounding demand from both retail and commercial customers. Tesla (TSLA) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas to "equal weight" from "underweight", who revised his opinion on the automaker's stock based on the improving prospects for Tesla building an electric vehicle battery supply business. Ventas (VTR) was upgraded to "outperform" from "sector perform" at RBC Capital, which points to improving trends for senior housing. Ventas is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates senior housing and health care properties.

WATERCOOLER
DUBLIN, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hospitality Property Management Software (PMS) Market - Growth, Trends, Forecast (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The hospitality property management (PMS) software market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.85% over the forecast period (2020-2025). The PMS software helps the hotel to effectively manage, organize, and schedule their mundane activities including front office workflow, guest check-in & checkout, assigning rooms to guests, delegating housekeeping tasks and billing, etc. In short, PMS automates and streamlines the operations to save working hours and offer a better experience to guests.

The hospitality industry is witnessing growth from technology disruption due to increasing online travel agencies and hotel aggregators. These companies are rapidly adopting cloud-based solutions like PMS and other SaaS platforms to scale their growths in the industry. The rise in the number of SME hotels especially in the emerging markets like Asia-pacific is driving the deployment of property management software market.

is driving the deployment of property management software market. Additionally, hotels are increasingly concentrating on optimizing their operations to reduce lead time. As these solutions are inexpensive, the adoption rate has increased in recent years. These companies in the industry are also emphasizing on analytics of their serviceability to gain more insights which enable scope for improvement in their operations.

However, owing to multiple challenges for integrating PMS into existing infrastructure, the adoption has been limited to an extent in the hospitality industry with large business adopting it for improved productivity and efficiency in managing multiple units.

The scope of the study for the hospitality property management (PMS) software market has considered both on-cloud and on-premise deployment both for PMS in the hospitality industry for all sizes of hotels across the world.



The market for hospitality property management software is moderately consolidated due to the presence of a few companies dominating the market. Also, these companies are extensively investing in offering customized solutions to customers. Moreover, the startups in the market are attracting fundings from investors. Further new entrants in the market are expected to drive fragmentation.



Key Topics Covered:



1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Deliverables

1.2 Study Assumptions

1.3 Scope of the Study



2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Market Drivers

4.2.1 Growing Adoption from Small & Medium-scale Hotels

4.2.2 Stronger emphasis on business optimization and Customer Retention to Drive Growth in New Markets

4.3 Market Restraints

4.3.1 Integration Challenges with Existing Solutions

4.4 Industry Value Chain Analysis

4.5 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis



5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 By Deployment

5.1.1 On-Premise

5.1.2 Cloud

5.2 By Hotel Size

5.2.1 Small & Medium-scale

5.2.2 Large Scale

5.3 Geography

5.3.1 North America

5.3.2 Europe

5.3.3 Asia Pacific

5.3.4 Rest of the World



6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Micros Systems. Inc. (Oracle)

6.1.2 Agilsys, Inc.

6.1.3 Infor Inc.

6.1.4 Cenium AS

6.1.5 Realpage, Inc.

6.1.6 FCS Computer Systems

6.1.7 Hoteliga International S.p. z.o.o

6.1.8 Console Group



7 INVESTMENT ANALYSIS



8 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS



Companies Mentioned

Micros Systems. Inc. (Oracle)

Agilsys, Inc.

Infor Inc.

Cenium AS

Realpage, Inc.

FCS Computer Systems

Hoteliga International S.p. z.o.o

Console Group



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8zr4m4

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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KYODO NEWS - Aug 14, 2020 - 15:39 | Feature, All, Japan, Coronavirus

As the chaos linked to the coronavirus pandemic causes a spike in unemployment, the bleak economic prospects of Japanese working-age people are increasing concern that the nation's already low birth rate could slip further, deepening the country's aging crisis.

Japan, home to one of the world's longest-living populaces, is also the most aged society, with the highest percentage of elderly people anywhere in the world.

In 2019, people aged 65 or over made up a record 28.41 percent of the country's total population, according to government data released Aug. 5.

Combined with dwindling numbers of newborns, which dropped below 900,000 for the first time ever last year, the world's third-largest economy has a shrinking working population to draw on at a time when soaring social security spending to cover pensions and medical care for the elderly is weighing heavily on the budget.

"Japan lost the equivalent of the population of Tottori Prefecture" last year, said Masaji Matsuyama, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party member in the House of Councillors, in an interview in contextualizing the record 500,000-plus decline in the population of citizens in the 47-prefecture country in 2019.

It was the 11th straight year that the population of Japanese nationals declined.

The number of foreigners grew 199,516 to a record 2.87 million for the sixth straight year of growth. Only Shimane Prefecture did not see an increase in its population of foreign residents.

"Some private-sector surveys have predicted that the number of births might even dip below 700,000 next year due to the coronavirus' influence. This is an emergency," said Matsuyama, who served as minister in charge of countermeasures for the declining birth rate between 2017 and 2018.

The country's total fertility rate -- the average number of children born per woman during their reproductive years -- stood at 1.45 in 2015.

It was lower than 1.84 in the United States, 1.92 in France, 1.85 in Sweden, 1.80 in Britain, 1.50 in Germany, but higher than 1.35 in Italy, 1.24 in Singapore and South Korea, 1.20 in Hong Kong and 1.18 in Taiwan, according to the Cabinet Office. All figures were from 2015.

Japan began encouraging people in earnest to have more babies in the early 1990s following the so-called "1.57 shock" -- when the fertility rate dropped to 1.57 in 1989, sinking below 1.58 recorded in 1966, a so-called "hinoe-uma" (fire-horse) year.

In 1966, Japan saw a sudden drop in fertility rates due to a superstition that says girls born in a hinoe-uma year, which occurs once every 60 years, develop fiery tempers and might kill their future husbands.

Since the 1.57 shock, the Japanese government has adopted several measures to boost the birth rate, from building more nursery schools to facilitate mothers' workplace participation to providing more child benefits and reducing costs for prenatal checkups.

The measures, however, have failed to stem the decline. The country's fertility rate, which hit a high of 4.54 in 1947 in a postwar baby boom, plunged to a record-low 1.26 in 2005.

The rate recovered slightly to 1.45 in 2015, but has since trended back down to 1.36 in 2019, the fourth consecutive year of decline.

"The state must show the public now that it is serious about dealing with the problem," said Matsuyama, who is chairman of the LDP Policy Board in the upper house.

He said, "bold policies" are required to motivate young people to have and raise children.

One such step Matsuyama is calling for is providing a minimum 1 million yen ($9,400) lump-sum for every child born, which was among a set of proposals compiled in April by the policy board tasked with counteracting the falling birth rate.

Meanwhile, Makiko Nakamuro, a professor at Tokyo's Keio University, said the government must "reverse its way of thinking" and start to allocate more of the budget for children and education if it wants to stem the falling birth rate.

"Based on data provided by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the proportion of Japan's expenditure for public education to its gross domestic product is at the lowest level among advanced countries," Nakamuro said in a separate interview.

The expert on education economics said the country's budget has been "giving more, maybe excessive, considerations to elderly people rather than for children."

She is critical of a free preschool education and nursery program, both introduced on Oct. 1 last year.

The government should have "increased the number of nursery schools, as there are not enough nursery schools in Japan, before providing free services," Nakamuro said.

Around 20 years ago, nursery schools had "a welfare-like role" to play in helping low-income households earn a double income, according to Nakamuro.

"But now, many high-income households have two incomes," she said. Nursery school fees are decided based on the parents' incomes, and they become higher in proportion to the incomes.

"Making (attendance) free means giving bigger benefits to higher-earning brackets. Giving tax money to people in high-income brackets grossly deviates from the principles of social security."

The Cabinet approved policy guidelines in late May aimed at boosting the fertility rate to 1.8, calling for the provision of more public funds for fertility treatments as people are marrying later in life, resulting in a growing need for such, often expensive, treatments.

The guidelines also recommended increased allowances for child care leave to prod more fathers to take paternity leave, and more generous child benefits.

However, bureaucrats are skeptical about whether the state can secure financial resources to implement such measures since the coronavirus pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the state coffers.

"Financial resources are nowhere in sight," said one government official involved in efforts to turn the declining birth rate tide.

In April 2017, a government institute forecast Japan's population including foreign nationals, currently at 127 million, will fall below 100 million in 2053 and hit 88.08 million in 2065 when people aged 65 or over will account for 38.4 percent of residents.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Is breastfeeding safe during the coronavirus pandemic?

FOCUS: Japan single mothers, female "nonregular" workers hard hit by virus

Japanese women feeling pressured by rise of perfect "mama": study
Financial aid pledged for frontline health workers in COVID-19 fight





Health workers tend to a COVID-19 patient at the Hue Central Hospital in Thua Thien-Hue province (Photo: VNA)

The Ministry of Health and the AIA (Vietnam) Life Insurance Co. Ltd on August 13 signed an agreement on financial support worth 23 billion VND (992,000 USD) for frontline medical workers in the COVID-19 combat.

The assistance, for the period of between April and December 31, is part of AIA Vietnams extension and expansion of its special financial aid for the frontline medical force in the fight against the coronavirus disease.

It now covers all doctors, nurses, caregivers, technicians, pharmacists, pharmaceutical staff, administrative workers, ambulance drivers, security guards, cooks, other workers, and volunteers who have labour contracts with medical establishments, temporary hospitals and testing centres that provide testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said Vietnam has obtained certain achievements in the pandemic fight and won high evaluation from the people and international friends.

He attributed the attainments to the responsible engagement of health workers and other forces on the frontline, noting that the communitys practical support will be a source of encouragement for them to continue dedicating to the COVID-19 combat.

He also took this occasion to ask AIA Vietnam to keep assisting the development of health care in remote and disadvantaged regions of the country.

OVs students make video to encourage Vietnam amid COVID-19

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Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) students based worldwide have produced a video clip aimed at providing encouragement for their homeland in the battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

The 10-minute clip sees the OVs students explain how they regularly stay updated with news from the nation, despite living and studying abroad.

Each student who appears in the video also expresses their sincere thanks to Vietnamese people who have been directly participating in the coronavirus fight, and display their pride at the country successfully limiting the spread of the virus among the community.

Indeed, OVs students state their belief that the nation will continue to emerge victorious against the epidemic.

"Wherever we are, OVs students always share common love toward our homeland, says Huyen Trang, who is currently studying in Japan.

Through the video clip, we also desire to extend our gratitude to the frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 disease, she adds.

In the video, the students can be seen shouting, Vietnam co len, as a call to encourage the country to keep fighting.

This comes after the Vietnamese Student Association in France (UEVF) launched an array of activities aimed at supporting health workers working in Da Nang amid the second COVID-19 wave in the country.

They are calling on all members to unite as a contribution to Da Nang's efforts to overcome the challenging pandemic situation, with the donation being sent to the UEVF's account and transferred to the country.

Fines to be issued for breaching COVID-19 prevention rules

A number of people have been punished for violating COVID-19 prevention rules as localities across the country strengthen measures to prevent the outbreak from spreading.

The southern province of Dong Nai will fine people for not wearing face masks or not disposing them properly, following similar policies in Hanoi and HCM City.

From April 12, a VN200,000 (US$8.5) fine will be imposed on people who are not wearing masks in public.

The provincial police was assigned to coordinate with local authorities to patrol the area and detect unregistered residents and suspected cases to send them to quarantine centres.

The provincial Peoples Committee asked the Health Department to work with other agencies in preparing facilities, medicines and human resources to receive Vietnamese returning to the country on repatriation flights.

It was necessary to tighten the management of concentrated quarantine centres, preventing people fleeing the centres. All violations should be strictly dealt with.

Dong Nai Province has recorded two COVID-19 infected cases.

The province has isolated 182 households with about 900 people in Bien Hoa citys Quang Vinh ward for 14 days starting on August 3.

More than 400 are quarantined at provincial concentrated facilities and about 2,300 others are monitored at home.

In the northern province of Quang Ninh, the police summoned a woman from Uong Bi Citys Thanh Son Ward for spreading false information related to COVID-19.

On July 27, she used a personal Facebook account to post false articles about Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam's statement on the COVID-19 situation and the tourism sector. They contained misinformation about the pandemic as well as prevention and combat measures, misleading public opinion and hampering pandemic prevention and control work.

On July 27, she admitted to the police that the information posted on her Facebook page was false. She removed the post and committed not to do so again.

Two men from the northern province of Hai Duongs Gia Loc District have also been punished for posting misinformation relating to Deputy Prime Minister ams statement on COVID-19.

They have been asked to remove the articles and ordered to pay a VN5 million (US$214) fine.

Health Ministry gives support to two central hospitals in COVID-19 fight

Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long on August 13 gave gifts worth 2 billion VND (86,360 USD) to two major hospitals in the central provinces of Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Nam, to help them fight COVID-19.

Both Hue Central Hospital and Quang Nam Central General Hospital are providing treatment for a number of COVID-19 patients in a critical condition, Long said, citing a report from the treatment sub-committee of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

In addition to medical supplies, the ministry has also sent leading experts to support the hospitals in treatment, he added.

He lauded the effort of staff at the two hospitals in recent days and urged them to continue working hard.

Medical centres told to step up COVID-19 prevention measures

Health care facilities have been told to step up screening measures and early tests for SARS-CoV-2 for patients and health workers with symptoms.

The Ministry of Health sent a letter early this week to cities and provinces Peoples Committees on strengthening supervision and promoting measures of COVID-19 prevention and control in health care establishments.

Heads of Peoples Committees were told to instruct relevant agencies to carry out measures of pandemic prevention and infection control amid the increasing number of people infected with the disease across the country and the high risk of infection in health care facilities.

Directors of health care establishments should continue to review, consolidate and strictly implement regulations on disease infection prevention and control measures and urgently overcome existing problems when detecting risks and dangers in pandemic prevention, as well as list and follow up all on medical staff, patients and cases related to urgent notifications of the Ministry of Health.

Patients and medical staff with symptoms and those with an unclear epidemiological history should be given early tests to ensure rapid detection and timely quarantine.

Directors of medical establishments and heads of relevant units are responsible for failures of pandemic prevention.

Previously, the Ministry of Health issued a decision setting up five special teams to inspect the COVID-19 prevention and control at medical facilities.

Businesses, organisations lend support to Hanoi in COVID-19 fight

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Hanoi on August 13 held an event to receive donations from businesses and organisations to help with COVID-19 prevention and control work in the capital city.

The donors included the Hong Ngoc Hospital which presented 20,000 sample collection kits worth 2 billion VND (over 86,200 USD), and the Vingroup which also donated 20,000 sample collection kits worth 1.2 billion VND.

Chairwoman of the VFF Committee of Hanoi Nguyen Lan Huong said Hanoi has done well in containing the pandemic in the first and second phase, but the city is facing certain difficulties at present.

She said to ease the burden on the Government and the medical sector, the support of organisations, businesses and philanthropists is valuable.

Earlier, on August 11, the Vietnam Dairy Products JSC (Vinamilk) also presented 50,000 COVID-19 sample collection kits worth 5 billon VND (214,676 USD) to Hanoi.

On August 6, a meeting of the municipal steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control unveiled that Hanoi was facing difficulties purchasing medical equipment for testing. Local authorities and health department have asked philanthropists to donate kits for Real-time  PRC tests.

All medical facilities in the capital are capable of testing between 9,000 and 10,000 samples a day.

One village and two blocks locked down in Da Nang

Da Nang has quarantined one village in Hoa Vang District and two blocks including Vung Thung and Van Don apartments in Son Tra District as 14 COVID-19 patients were reported in early August.

The city released a statement on Thursday (August 13) that quarantine will last until August 27, and it would extend the isolation for several weeks after that.

The city said two residents of Yen Ne 2 Village in Hoa Tien Commune, 20km from the city, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on Wednesday (August 12). The two cases were related to visits and care of relatives at the General Hospital  a COVID-19 hotspot.

Meanwhile, 12 people, including six living in the two blocks in Nai Hien Dong Ward tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between July 25 and August 11.

Villagers and residents were urged not to go out, and medical checks will be conducted daily as well as chemical spraying.

Mass tests have been conducted for all residents and villagers to prevent wide infection in the community.

Lockdown measures remain in place at the general hospital and Le Son Nam Village in Hoa Vang District, the city said.

Earlier, lockdown at two hospitals and residential areas along three streets was lifted as all 3,000 residents and 1,400 medical staff tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 twice after two weeks of isolation.

Nearly 240 Vietnamese citizens brought home from Malaysia

Nearly 240 Vietnamese citizens were repatriated from Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur on a flight from budget airline Vietjet Air on Thursday.

The flight was arranged by Vietnamese authorities, the Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia, and the carrier, together with competent agencies of the host nation.

The Vietnamese Embassy sent staff to the airport to assist them with boarding procedures.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, disease prevention measures were carried out during the flight. Upon landing at Cam Ranh International Airport in the central province of Khanh Hoa, crew members and all passengers were given heath examinations and quarantined.

The repatriated will be quarantined for 14 days at a military facility in Ninh Thuan Province.

Anyone showing symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as fever, coughing or breathing difficulties will be placed under the monitoring of Ninh Thuan Centre for Disease Control, and be treated at Ninh Thuan Province General Hospital or the provinces Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Disease Hospital.

Vietnamese authorities and overseas missions plan to arrange similar flights to fly more Vietnamese citizens home, depending on their need and quarantine capacity at home.

One-year-old baby girl among patients to recover from COVID-19

Ten COVID-19 patients, including a one-year-old baby girl, have made a full recovery in Da Nang City along with two others in the central Quang Nam Province.

The total number of people successfully treated for coronavirus now stands at 421.

The baby was among ten patients released Thursday morning from Hoa Vang Field Hospital in the central city.

Hoa Vang Medical Centre director Nguyen Dai Vinh said all will continue isolation and monitoring for the next 14 days.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son praised the work of medical staff in the region and said the recoveries were a good sign showing that the country is heading in the right direction.

He said: The remaining patients will continue to be provided with the best medical services and appropriate treatment plans.

Son said that this initial achievement was thanks to the great support from leading experts in resuscitation, pathology, cardiology, and artificial kidneys fields to support hospitals in Da Nang City, especially the Hoa Vang Field Hospital and Da Nang Lung Hospital.

In addition, Da Nang also received more than 100 physicians from Phu Tho, Binh Dinh and Hue provinces to coordinate in treatment and resuscitation activities.

Also on Thursday morning, two other patients were discharged from Quang Nam Central General Hospital after they tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 three times.

They are a 42-year-old woman from Nam Phuoc Town, Duy Xuyen District and a 28-year-old man from Thang Binh District.

Both will also be closely monitored and quarantined for the next two weeks.

As of Thursday morning, the Ministry of Health had reported a total of 883 COVID-19 cases, with 18 deaths.

Nearly 240 Vietnamese citizens brought home from Malaysia

Nearly 240 Vietnamese citizens were brought home from Malaysia on a flight of budget carrier Vietjet Air on August 13.

The flight was arranged by Vietnamese authorities, the Embassy of Vietnam in Malaysia, and the carrier, together with competent agencies of the host nation.

The passengers included pregnant women, people with illnesses, children under 18, the elderly, workers with expired contracts, and those in extremely disadvantaged circumstances. The Vietnamese Embassy also sent its staff to the airport to assist them with boarding procedures.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, disease prevention measures were carried out during the flight. Upon landing at the Cam Ranh International Airport in the central province of Khanh Hoa, crewmembers and all passengers were given heath examinations and quarantined in line with regulations.

Vietnamese authorities and overseas missions plan to arrange similar flights to fly more Vietnamese citizens home, depending on their need and quarantine capacity at home.

Japan, Singapore to ease COVID-19 travel restrictions from September

Japan and Singapore agreed on August 13 to ease travel restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic from September, targeting businesspeople and expatriates, on condition they take measures to prevent infections.

"We will just need to confirm small details before the resumption of reciprocal visits," Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi was quoted by Kyodo News as saying after reaching the agreement with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan at their meeting in the Southeast Asian country.

The minister is on a four-day trip to Singapore and Malaysia, starting from August 12.

On August 13, he will travel to Malaysia for talks with Mohamed Azmin Ali, the country's minister of international trade and industry, and Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

After returning to Japan, Motegi will then visit Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar from August 20 to 25.

Japan has forbid foreign travellers from 146 countries and regions from entering the country, even if they are permanent residents or long-term residents.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government confirmed 206 new coronavirus infections on August 13, surpassing the 200 mark for the second straight day.

Philippines reports over 4,000 new COVID-19 cases on August 13

The Philippines reported 4,002 new cases of COVID-19 on August 13, along with 1,403 recoveries and 23 deaths.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 147,526, the highest in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, 70,387 patients have recovered and 2,426 died.

The Philippines is planning to test a Russian-made vaccine against the coronavirus in October.

Indonesia also recorded 2,098 new cases on August 13, raising the tally to 132,816. The same day, COVID-19 claimed 65 more lives, taking the total fatalities to 5,968.

The same day, Malaysia confirmed 15 cases, with the total now at 9,129.

In Myanmar, 361 more cases of COVID-19 were reported in the morning of August 13. The country said more than 50 percent of high schools have re-opened since July as the number of new cases is on a declining trend.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VNN
MIAMI, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Does your business have a business continuity plan? A Disaster Recovery Plan? Even a Pandemic Plan? Does that plan include any of the processes to provide remote access to employees? Can your business continue its normal operations? Is your data replicated to another data center, branch office, or even the cloud for that matter in the event of a weather-related incident that may destroy your infrastructure?

THE RACE TO TELECOMMUTING

Business Continuity - COVID19

Today businesses are scrambling to not only implement these remote worker plans but also to add in safeguards for their data. All this has been brought to light due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As you can see in the news, the outbreak has some similarities when compared to weather-related incidents. An example of this is the cancellation of major events and the temporary closing of many businesses.

GETTING STARTED

Many businesses today do not have a teleworking solution and therefore are unable to send employees home for extended amounts of time. Implementing a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan is essential in keeping your business working and servicing its customers during these difficult times. An important aspect of the planning is making sure your staff or the enterprise connected reliably to its systems and therefore engaged during work hours.

REMOTE ACCESS SOLUTION

With a multitude of options for remote-access then which one is the right solution for your business. It all depends on the platforms or systems used today and the amount of staff that will be accessing them. There is also the issue around the security of that data and how your business plans to protect it now that everyone is remote. Many healthcare and financial businesses may need to take into account compliance issues such as GPDR, HIPAA, or PCI compliance. Is your business compliant at this time?

As a full service Managed IT Services provider, we can your organization with establishing a Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Plan and most importantly a secure reliable teleworking solution for your employees.

As an authorized partner with many different technology companies such as DELL, Cisco, Microsoft, Citrix, Fortinet, Avaya and many others enables us to provide the right option for your business and budget.

For more information schedule your free consultation here and learn how we can help your employees stay connected to your business securely and reliably.

Joint Network Systems

1100 Brickell Bay Drive

Miami Florida 33231

Tel: 866-JNS-NETS

www.jointnetworks.com

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Public officials in Oregon and Washington are sending a stern message to those visiting trailheads and recreation areas across the region this weekend: park illegally and you might get towed.

The U.S. Forest Service tweeted out a photo Thursday showing a car being towed from a trailhead parking area in the Mount Hood National Forest, along with a warning that law enforcement agencies would ticket and tow parked vehicles that pose a danger to public safety.

Earlier in the week, the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office issued a warning on Facebook about illegal parking at a popular stretch of the Clackamas River, where 16 cars were towed Sunday.

Forest service and state park officials said Friday that while illegal parking is nothing new, its been a bigger problem this summer as huge crowds have flocked to natural areas across the region amid the coronavirus pandemic that has canceled summer plans.

Illegal parking can be a nuisance to other drivers and pedestrians, but also poses a serious risk when cars block access to emergency vehicles, they said.

We dont tow away cars lightly, said Heather Ibsen, spokeswoman for the Mount Hood National Forest. Theyre not towing just to make a point, theyre towing to help make sure an ambulance can get through.

The two primary scenarios that would call for a tow truck are cars blocking emergency access to trailheads and recreation areas, where search and rescue teams are often sent for help, and cars parked in a roadway itself.

Any car thats parked over the line into a road is subject to being towed, according the Oregon Department of Transportation. That violation is a frequent occurrence at some popular recreation areas with limited parking.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office tows a car parked illegally on a road along the Clackamas River.Clackamas County Sheriff's Department

Marcus Mendoza, spokesman for the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office, said one of the most problematic areas his department oversees is a stretch of the Clackamas River between Barton Park and Carver Park, where thousands of people show up to float the river on warm weekends, many parking along the narrow shoulders of Springwater Road.

Its the same story every year, every hot weekend, Mendoza said. We dont want to tow them but were going to.

Mendoza said he wouldnt be surprised if 100 cars wind up getting towed along that stretch by the end of the summer. Instead of parking along the road, he recommends people simply float a different stretch of the Clackamas River just a little farther upriver, starting at Milo McIver State Park which has an ample public parking.

Even state parks with sizable lots have seen parking woes, particularly on the north Oregon coast.

Chris Havel, spokesman for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, said rangers have started closing the entrance gates on some day-use parking lots on the coast, only allowing people in once enough cars have left. That kind of crowding sometimes leads to people parking along the side of U.S. 101, which can pose safety issues as pedestrians walk down the side of the highway.

Its worse than we have ever seen it, Havel said of this summer. We do what we can, but we can only control what happens inside the parking lot.

Havel said rangers will occasionally leave citations or call for a tow, but only if a car is blocking emergency access and needs to be moved immediately. Oswald West State Park is one of the worst spots for illegal parking, he said, especially since its three parking areas are located along the side of U.S. 101.

Surfers and beachgoers walk along Short Sand Beach at Oswald West State Park. Some state park sites on the north Oregon coast reopened to the public Friday, June 5, more than two months after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Columbia River Gorge is another problem area, particularly the popular Angels Rest Trail, officials said. The small trailhead parking lot is managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and when that lot fills up, people tend to park on the shoulders of the Historic Columbia River Highway, which is managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Both agencies said the parking there has long been an issue, and expect it to be especially bad this weekend: The Angels Rest Trail reopened Tuesday for the first time in nearly five months, after closing in March to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Multnomah Falls also reopened Tuesday, along with the Wahkeena Falls and Horsetail Falls trails, and a stretch of the historic highway that had been closed to both cars and cyclists. All are busy recreation areas, and all pose serious parking concerns.

Even in the best of times parking is a major problem in the gorge, ODOT spokesman Don Hamilton said. Were expecting major crowds in the gorge this weekend with Multnomah Falls and some of the waterfalls open again. A lot of those locations have limited parking.

Hamilton said towing in the Columbia Gorge remains rare, but that anyone parked illegally shouldnt be surprised if it happens. Most cars that are towed, whether in the Columbia Gorge, on Mount Hood, or at the Oregon coast, are parked in areas that are clearly marked with no parking signs, officials said.

Still, coming off a trail to find your car missing could be an alarming experience, especially in more remote areas with little cell service. Removing one safety hazard could produce another, as stranded drivers are left to find a way home on their own.

The forest service followed up its initial tweet about towing with a clarification that cars are towed as close to the same recreation area as possible, but forest officials said Friday that cars are sometimes taken to nearby towns like Sandy and Boring.

The Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said its deputies typically cite drivers $120 and up for illegal parking infractions, and only tow a vehicle if its blocking a lane or an entrance or exit to a recreation area. Cars are typically towed to Gresham or east Portland, and drivers usually learn their cars have been towed when they call 911 to report them missing or stolen, the sheriffs office said.

Mendoza said that serious issues following a tow rarely happen, if ever, at least as far as his agency knows. And just like parking illegally in a disabled parking space, those who break the law should have known better, he said.

I think the onus is on the person who chose to park in a hazardous area, Mendoza said. Unfortunately theres consequences to our actions sometimes.

Multnomah Falls reopens to visitors amid the coronavirus pandemic with several new public heath precautions in place, including one-way paths, social distancing and a face mask mandate. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The message agencies have been pushing to the public is to simply avoid recreating at peak days and hours, if possible, and to come with backup plans or simply go home if theres nowhere safe to park.

Catherine Caruso, spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest, said illegal parking is just one issue that arises with crowding at recreation areas.

This summer, rangers have also seen more litter and trash left behind, and are increasingly concerned about human-caused wildfires as campgrounds continue to fill and trailheads remain busier than ever. Search and rescue operations can also be stretched thin with so many people, and could be hampered by cars blocking narrow forest roads.

Those issues may be more pronounced this summer, but none of them is new, Caruso said.

The truth is these are endemic issues, she said. We have issues with trash, we have issues with human waste, we have issues with people parking illegally.

Towing may help remove individual hazards, and could help educate people about the dangers of parking illegally, but forest officials dont expect the problem to vanish overnight  especially as more people are drawn to the Northwests natural attractions this summer.

Were really happy to have so much interest and so many people out enjoying the forests, Caruso said. But while youre out there, take some personal responsibility and do the right thing.

--Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB

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TORRINGTON  Community Health & Wellness Center celebrated National Health Center Week Aug. 12 with a community event at the centers Torrington location on Migeon Avenue.

The centers health care team provided 58 COVID-19 tests and handed out prizes, gave a NARCAN demonstration and provided information on the centers services. State Rep. Michelle Cook, D-Torrington, was one of the special guests.

Among the participating organizations was Friendly Hands Food Bank, led by executive director Karen Thomas, which has served the community for nearly 30 years; New Opportunities, which met with attendees to determine if they are eligible for a $200 or $400 gift card; the Susan B. Anthony Project, and Apex Community Care.

According to a statement, CHWC provides medical, dental, behavioral health and addiction services to over 7,000 patients who otherwise might not have access to healthcare. The Health Center is dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of individuals as well as the overall health of the broader community. The center has continued to provide services during the coronavirus pandemic via in-person appointments, as well as via telemedicine visits, and has been offering free weekly pop up COVID-19 testing at locations in Torrington and Winsted, accoding to the statement.

CHWC is located at 469 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, and 10 Center St., Winsted, with the following satellite locations: FISH of Torrington, 332 South Main St., Torrington; Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert St., Torrington; The Open Door Soup Kitchen, 160 Main St., Winsted; YMCA Emergency Shelter, 480 Main St., Winsted; Torrington Soup Kitchen, 220 Prospect St., Torrington; and Oliver Wolcott Technical School, 75 Oliver St., Torrington.

For information go to www.chwctorr.org or call 860-489-0931.

William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty launches virtual selling tool

STAMFORD - William Pitt-Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty recently launched a new program for sellers branded the Virtual Selling Blueprint, developed to provide a comprehensive path for selling property remotely. The blueprint offers sellers and agents a system for completing all phases of the real estate transaction in a virtual world, from listing to showing to closing, according to a statement.

We are fully equipped with the tools and support to sell any home virtually, said William Pitt Sothebys International Realty Litchfield County brokerage manager Kristine Newell, who spearheaded the project, in a statement. Utilizing our technology, the blueprint not only outlines the entire selling process with step by step instructions and templates, but ensures the seller has full control over how their property is viewed. From the moment the seller contacts us, we work with them to determine how to sell their property in the manner that best fits their needs.

Beginning with an intake form to gather information on a sellers preferences, the blueprint then connects that seller with a technically skilled agent via video chat to tour the property and discuss market value. The agent can be available either through video conferencing or in person with social distancing throughout the selling process, depending on the sellers wishes, officials said in the statement . The blueprint also addresses marketing aspects such as virtual home staging and professional photography services including virtual tours and videos. Sellers decide how buyers see their home, whether virtually or in person in accordance with the sellers needs and local guidelines. Offers and contracts can be reviewed and signed electronically.

The blueprint is one of several new initiatives the company has undertaken recently to adapt to a virtual selling environment. In May, the company launched a new digital marketing suite branded Listing 360, designed to drive consumers to interactive property brochures capable of highlighting any listing-related element from photos to embedded 3D tours and videos, floor plans, property disclosures and more. Most recently, the company created its A Market Unrivaled marketing campaign to inform those potentially thinking of listing of the current unprecedented sellers market in the areas the company serves.

For more information, visit williampitt.com.

Nuvance Health hospitals earn AHA awards

DANBURY  Nuvance Health hospitals Vassar Brothers Medical Center and Danbury Hospital have earned the American Heart Associations Mission: Lifeline Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks, according to a statement.

Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, its critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication, according to the statement.

The American Heart Associations Mission: Lifeline programs goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 911 call, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. The initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines.

According to the statement, Vassar Brothers Medical Center and Danbury Hospital earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for quick and appropriate treatment through emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries in heart attack patients coming into the hospital directly or by transfer from another facility. Danbury Hospital also received the American Heart Associations Gold Plus award for its continued success in using the Get with the Guidelines - Heart Failure and Target: Type 2 Diabetes programs.

In addition, Nuvance Healths Putnam Hospital in Carmel, NY, earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Associations Get with the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospitals commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence, according to the statement.

For more information about the heart and vascular services at Nuvance Health, visit https://patients.healthquest.org/services/heart-and-vascular/. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org.

CJR receives grant to enhance services

LITCHFIELD A grant from the Robert G. and Marguerite M. Derx Foundation has enabled the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR) to expand behavioral and mental health services for children and young people in northwest Connecticut during a time when the need for such assistance has increased significantly, according to a statement. Specifically awarded to help meet the growing demand for services among students attending The Gilbert School in Winsted, the Derx Foundations $15,000 grant has enabled CJR to increase the hours of a part time clinician seeing 40 to 50 students annually to full time. It was anticipated that the Derx Foundations grant would enable CJR to serve 75 students, ages 12 to 18, by the end of the summer, according to the statement.

We have already exceeded the number of young people we expected to help through the program expansion made possible by the Derx Foundation, said Jennifer Grant, Director of CJRs Wellness Center and Behavioral and Mental Health Services. As of the end of June, we had worked with 76 Gilbert School students, with an additional 13 young people referred for services, she stated.

According to Gilbert School principal Susan Sojka, the prevalence of mental health issues in adolescents is high and can pose serious barriers to their social and educational development.

Through our partnership with CJR, we have been able to provide ongoing support for our students and their families, and to provide a higher level of care, she said, including crisis intervention, assessment, short term and long term counseling, and support in the community.

Sojka noted that the collaboration allows for Gilbert students to be seen year-round, during the day and after school. As the Principal of The Gilbert School, I have seen our students have academic success, remain in school and show improvement in their social/emotional well-being as a result of the support given by CJR staff. Through the collaboration with CJR and our school faculty and staff, students of The Gilbert School have been given the appropriate services, support and resources, and lives continue to be saved and enhanced through this partnership, she said.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a very high demand for behavioral health services, reported CJR President & CEO, Daniel Rezende. Thanks to the expertise and dedication of our staff, CJR was able to pivot very quickly to ensure continuity of care for the children, youth and families we help. Our Wellness Center and its behavioral and mental health programs were on the cutting edge of these changes, he added. We have been providing care through telemedicine and Zoom, and have supplemented services by adding virtual group meetings for youth enrolled in our programs as well as support groups for parents. The students and families we serve at The Gilbert School have also had access to these services, he said.

According to Grant, many public schools have found that it is increasingly expensive to address the behavioral health needs of students. Funding salaries and benefits to maintain staff to work with these students can be prohibitively expensive. As a result, only those students with the most severe learning disabilities and behavioral issues are seen by behavioral health professionals retained by the schools. This is one of many reasons the CJR Wellness Center has seen a surge in interest and referrals, she said.

Ms. Grant noted that telemedicine has actually made many services more accessible as transportation barriers are removed and youth and families actually find it easier to make appointment schedules. This has been an unexpected benefit of the program adaptations we made to ensure delivery of services during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

For further information on the Connecticut Junior Republic, contact Hedy Barton, Director of Development and Public Relations, at 860-567-9423, extension 252; or by email: hbarton@cjryouth.org.
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE  Indigenous tribes have their own cultures, languages and customs, but two common threads run through them  high esteem for their elders, and the heavy impact COVID-19 has had on Native communities.

Disparities in elder income, health and overall wellness were not brought on by COVID-19, but the pandemic has shone an unforgiving light on some of the issues elders face.

From Navajos in remote towns like tiny Leupp to the president of the tribal nation, the mission has been clear: Protect the elders.

Defend Our Community

When the pandemic first hit the U.S., Leupp, about an hours drive east of Flagstaff, was not a hotspot for infection. But working at Sams Club in Flagstaff, Monica Harvey, 37, noticed firsthand how difficult it had become to get essential goods such as toilet paper and food.

Harvey grew concerned for the elders in the Leupp area who, like many of the 174,000 who live on the reservation, often have to travel long distances for supplies and haul their own water to cook, bathe and wash their hands.

Harvey founded Defend Our Community , a grassroots group delivering supplies to elders in need. The organizations volunteers have helped more than 100 elders and developed countless relationships that will stay with them forever.

I didnt want to wait for the numbers to rise, Harvey said. We knew what was needed.

Harvey was joined by Terrah Whitehair, Emmy Slowtalker and others. Together they work tirelessly from Harveys home to strategize shopping trips and then sanitize and pack care packages. In the summer heat, the only cooling comes from three fans. Natural light flows in through a single window.

Whitehair and Slowtalker, who also are from the Leupp area, jumped right into the work, gathering supplies and making deliveries.

We were only going to do a couple, said Slowtalker, 43. And then it turned into a need for more and more people.

The effort evolved by word-of-mouth. Locals started asking for their grandparents or other relatives to be added to the list. Volunteers got names and directions to homes from community members and often asked their own parents to make calls to verify the information was correct.

Although the focus is on Navajos 70 or older, Defend Our Community has made exceptions.

A lot of our elders on the reservations dont have reliable transportation, said Whitehair, 39. A lot of them are home alone. Theyre widowed. Sometimes, it just feels like theyre forgotten.

Defend Our Community volunteers ready supplies for distribution to Navajo elders. Sometimes, it just feels like theyre forgotten, says Terrah Whitehair, fourth from the left. Photo courtesy of Defend Our Community

Across the U.S., the 65 or older population increased to 52.4 million in 2018 from 38.8 million in 2008, and its projected to reach 94.7 million in 2060, according to the Administration for Community Living . The agency, which includes the Administration on Aging, is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Likewise, the numbers of elderly American Indians and Alaska Natives also have been increasing. In 2018, according to the Census Bureau, an estimated 290,000 people identifying as Native American alone  or 10.4% of the population  were 65 or older.

Elders, considered the most respected members of Indigenous communities, hold immense cultural wisdom. Because of their age and life experience, they are looked to as pillars of knowledge who pass down traditional teachings to next generations.

But too often, they also need the most aid.

The National Indian Council on Aging reports that twice as many American Indian and Alaska Native elders live below the poverty line compared with the general U.S. population. And 10% of older American Indians need help eating as opposed to 3% of the general population.

In 2017, almost half of older American Indian and Alaska Natives had at least one disability, according to the Administration for Community Living.

Defend Our Community helper Eija Jensen unloads care packages at a Navajo elders home. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has been urging tribal members to come together to take care of elders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Defend Our Community

Laura Schad, a member of South Dakotas Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and program information coordinator for Partnership With Native Americans, said in an email that these obstacles may make it more difficult to follow safety guidelines related to the pandemic.

Many elders live in multigenerational households, challenging social distancing recommendations, Schad said. Some elders, especially Navajo, live independently in traditional homes. Those lack running water and common utilities  and this, again, complicates the CDC recommendations of frequent hand-washing.

In part because of these income and health disparities, COVID-19 has hit Native American communities hard. As of Aug. 11, the Navajo Department of Health had reported more than 9,000 cases and more than 470 deaths on the Navajo Nation Reservation.

President Jonathan Nez has been urging Navajos to come together to take care of elders during the pandemic.

I challenge the Navajo people: Lets protect them by staying home, he said during a virtual town hall on June 9. Its our responsibility as family members.  Ive seen some elders, tears running down their face, saying, My kids dont visit me.

The sentiment was echoed by Vice President Myron Lizer, who said that supporting elders during the pandemic and well beyond is beneficial for all.

Love for our elders means we all win, he said.

Looking out for family

The leaders of Defend Our Community have been both heartened and haunted by the elders theyve met.

During one delivery, Whitehair and Slowtalker approached a trailer home and called out for the man who lived there but got no answer. They found him lying on the ground between some cinder blocks.

Because diabetic ulcers had destroyed the feeling in his feet, the elder had stumbled and couldnt get up on his own.

Whitehair and Slowtalker got him out of the 102 degree heat, then called his relatives to see whether someone could check on him after theyd left. No one called back.

It turned up more of an angry side, Slowtalker recalled. How can we treat our elders like this? All of these things are running through my head like why, why, why, why, and I didnt have the answers.

Members of Defend Our Community, along with some other elders, have taken to keeping watch on the man.

Not all trips are met with sadness. Other deliveries have connected Whitehair, Harvey and Slowtalker with distant family members and helped them forge new bonds.

At the end of the day, Harvey said, we approach as strangers with masks, but  we leave being called granddaughter or daughter or baby.

Each elder, Whitehair said, has inspired us in a special way.

For these women, their own relatives served as inspiration for their work.

Harveys grandmothers are living, but shes driven by the thought they easily could have been among those taken by the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

It just broke my heart to think that could be my grandma, she said. And I dont want to lose her to this invisible enemy that were fighting against.

Added Whitehair: I think we just kind of forget who our first teachers were, and that was our grandparents. And for me, both my grandparents have passed on. So its been kind of like, how do I give back? How do I make my grandparents proud?

Volunteers with Defend Our Community are, from left, Emmy Slowtalker, Terrah Whitehair and Aimee Hanley. The group is distributing necessities to elders across the sprawling Navajo Nation Reservation. Photo courtesy of Defend Our Community

Since moving back to Leupp six years ago, Harvey has been connecting with the community. The pandemic has helped her find a way not only to give back but to build new relationships.

Among her earliest supporters was her manager at Sams Club.

I explained to him what we were doing and that our community isnt getting any help, and he just told me Stop right there, and he reached into his pocket and literally handed me $100, she said.

She accepted the money, then began to cry.

Note: This story originally appeared on Cronkite News . It is published via a Creative Commons license . Cronkite News is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University

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DuckDuckGo, a search engine, has recently been marked as a preferred search engine on Android devices in Europe. The reports have proclaimed that it is commissioning the analysis concerning the ratio of people selecting other search engines except for Google if they get the chance to choose between different options.DDG has presented some studies to examine the expected change in behavior of the user with the provision of the search engine menu.Previously, Android users have just one search engine i.e. Google as default. The European Union has recently studied this issue, stating that Google sets itself as a search engine in its affiliated operating systems.This system has been marked as illegal and against set trust rules, driving Google to a significant amount of fine that is $5 billion . Along with this, Android has decided to alter this setting and proffer its users with the new feature of selecting the search engine of their own choice as a default.According to the recent report by DuckDuckGo , this change can considerably affect Google's market share. The research studies have revealed that 20% and 24% of the population in the US and UK would prefer search engines other than Google.Considering this, it has reported that Google can lose approximately 15% to 20% of share in the market of technology due to the loss in its consumers because a low number of selections of Google means a substantial profit for other search boxes in the market.Presently, Google's mobile market has recorded a 98% share in both the UK and Australia and approx. 95% in the US, which is relatively high.One of the reports has also claimed that even if people don't prefer any other search engine in place of Google initially, they do at least try other options if been provided before making a permanent choice of default search engine. This practice can eventually lead Google to be overruled as it has to be placed as the last preference. However, the studies have also shown that the placement of search engines has shown no effect on their selection rate in the mobile market.Google has been ordered to impose the list related to preferred search engines on Android phones and other devices. It is also not allowed to roll out this implementation itself all over the world.However, it is still unclear when this implementation will get enforced. Yet, it is expected anytime soon but only in Europe. Still, DuckDuckGo hopes that this feature would reach the mobile market globally as its estimation is only based on its experimental research in Australia, UK, and the US.Read next: Google Is Creating a Worldwide Earthquake Detection System Powered By Android Smartphones
For the 4th Time, Avanti Systems USA Appears on the INC 5000 I am thrilled that Avanti Systems USA has been honored for a fourth time on this years Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies in America. It is truly rewarding to have the hard work from everyone on the team recognized for 4th time!

Inc. Magazine today revealed that Avanti Systems USA has been once again listed on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

I am thrilled that Avanti Systems USA has been honored for a fourth time on this years Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies in America. It is truly rewarding to have the hard work from everyone on the team recognized for 4th time!  Matthew Gordon, President & CEO

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 18.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About Avanti Systems USA

Avanti Systems USA is renowned for the innovative design, manufacturing and distribution of interior glazed solutions, including acoustic solutions, operable walls and door systems. Led by design, our sophisticated technologies and attention to aesthetics have extended us to the forefront of the interior glass wall market.

For more information visit http://www.avantisystemsusa.com

CONTACT: Chris Cunniffe, (914) 934-5591, ccunniffe@avantisystemsusa.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
Irish waters could be overrun with EU-registered fishing vessels which will be prevented from entering British seas in the event of a hard Brexit.

While Britain is gearing up to police its waters post-breakaway, fears have been raised the Naval Service is so understrength it won't be able to deal with the forthcoming onslaught.

Fisheries organisations have expressed grave concerns our navy is so depleted it won't be able to cope. It has been suggested the only way to protect our waters from illegal fishing is to ask other European navies to send over ships to check their own trawlers.

Britain has ordered five new naval vessels designed for fishery protection patrols  three of which are already operational.

By contrast, the Naval Service had to tie up two ships 14 months ago due to lack of crews and a further two look likely to follow suit before the end of the year.

Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South & West Fish Producers' Organisation, said the richest fishing grounds off the continent are in Britain and Ireland.

Mr Murphy expects an onslaught of EU vessels to enter our waters if the British closes her seas off to foreign trawlers next January.

Read More West Cork flooding forces elderly residents to leave their homes

If you put all the players onto the pitch at the one time what's going to happen to the grass? You will destroy it.

Mr Murphy pointed out that the waters off our coasts are some of the richest spawning grounds anywhere in the world and overfishing will not just kill their productivity for Irish boats but will ultimately destroy the ecological system for everybody.

The Naval Service has been depleted because the Government is not giving it the resources it needs. I feel for them because they are doing a fantastic job. My biggest fear (in relation to fisheries protection) is the depletion of the navy.

"We don't see them as the bad guys, we see them as our friends and we need them out there in numbers."

He described it as absolute madness that as an island nation, with a sea mass 10-times our landmass, we have allowed the naval service to run down to such an extent.

Mr Murphy also pointed out the naval service has rescued many fishermen in distress over the years and helped to recover the bodies of people who weren't so lucky.

Cork South-West Independent TD Michael Collins said he was also very worried at the prospect of Irish seas being overfished by other nations as a result of Brexit, especially as the naval service is so understrength.

We won't be able to adequately patrol these waters with the small number of vessels we'll have. I think maybe it's time that we asked our EU colleagues to send ships over here to police their own fishermen, Mr Collins said.
Number of coronavirus related deaths and staff testing at Wrexham Maelor Hospital released by health board

This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 14th, 2020

There have been thirteen coronavirus related deaths at Wrexham Maelor Hospital since the start of the month, with local figures being revealed for the first time.

Figures have also been released detailing progress of the testing of all staff locally, showing that around 500 staff have been tested over the last four weeks.

There had been no current death data for Wrexham Hospital, however earlier this month a North Wales MS claimed there had been 12 deaths in five days at the Wrexham Maelor after publishing information in higher level update bulletins.

The regular reason for not giving detailed local information was to protect the identity of patients. However first death in Wales was announced by Welsh Government, and included the age, the fact the person had underlying health conditions and passed away at the local hospital.

On Tuesday we asked a now regular data related question again at the lunchtime Welsh Government briefing, querying if anonymised localised death data by date would be released for Wrexham and other hospitals in Wales.

Earlier this week Wrexham.com also submitted Freedom of Information requests to the Health Board and Council to get the local death data, as well as requesting copies of daily updates that have been circulated as an informational update to the outbreak in the Maelor Hospital.

Today Mark Polin, chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, disclosed partial information dating back to the start of this month with some extra context around the figures.

Mr Polin told us: Analysis of data on deaths is complex, with each death being subject to a clinical review.

This data is for all inpatient deaths where the deceased had a recent positive coronavirus test.

This does not necessarily mean that the patient died as a direct consequence of coronavirus.

Nor does it mean that the deceased contracted coronavirus in hospital, and indeed many patients were admitted with coronavirus.

The datasets that we share weekly includes local authority level data for Covid-related deaths, separated to show those deaths in hospital and other settings, published by the Office of National Statistics.

However we recognise that this data, due to the death registration process, is published by the ONS two weeks or so after the death.

Deaths which are also subject to the coronial process may also be delayed from appearing in ONS data, due to a death certificate not being available until the completion of a coroners inquest.

We recognise that the previous dependence upon ONS data reporting may give an incomplete picture. For this reason, I enclose data for deaths within the Maelor since 1st August, in order to provide as complete and transparent a

Therefore the number, which is 13 since 1st August, should be interpreted cautiously.

Initially we treat each case as if the coronavirus was contracted in hospital, to ensure that every opportunity for early learning and intervention is considered and implemented immediately.

This approach does not mean that every case of coronavirus was contracted in hospital, and this assignment is revised subsequently if the more detailed clinical case review identifies that the deceased individual had coronavirus when admitted.

We consider this to be a suitably cautious approach to ensure immediate learning and subsequent, deeper, learning.

We are limited in terms of the detail of information we can provide; it is important that we have undertaken sufficiently detailed clinical case reviews, and that individuals cannot be inappropriately identified by the release of detailed information, particularly in advance of an appropriate discussion with families.

However I can confirm that there are no untoward variables that have been identified, that sit outside of the expected profile of deaths related to a community outbreak, with two thirds of the deaths being in frail individuals over the age of 80, and similar numbers of men and women.

Previously no details of confirmed cases were being released for the Wrexham Maelor, despite asking for the figures several times. At the end of July the Health Board conducted a u-turn and subsequently provided an imprecise figure, and then daily updates.

In the latest update yesterday, a spokesperson for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has said: As of this morning there are 32 confirmed COVID-19 cases at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. We have not seen any new confirmed COVID-19 cases at the hospital in the last five days.

On Tuesday we asked the Health Board about the claim a week ago by the First Minister that all staff at the hospital are being tested, requesting a progress update including figures of the overall staff numbers, how many had a completed testing process, how many were awaiting results and how many were awaiting testing.

In response Sue Green, Executive Director, Workforce and Organisational Development, told us today: Wrexham Maelor has approximately 2,500 staff working as part of acute services such as emergency services, medicine and surgery.

We have tested in the region of 20 per cent of these staff since the 6 July, with a number of staff tested more than once. We are continuing to test all symptomatic staff and those working in areas identified as outbreak areas 

There have been 48 members of staff who work at Wrexham Maelor Hospital who have tested positive for COVID-19 since 6th July.

This includes staff who have experienced symptoms and staff who had not. It also includes staff who have not been in work in the period before the positive test and are not associated with the current outbreak.

We are committed to testing all staff if necessary in order to ensure their safety and that of our patients, and are working closely with colleague in Health and Safety and Public Health to ensure we continue to apply a risk based approach to testing in line with national guidance.

Having reviewed the data, we have agreed a further prioritised testing plan for asymptomatic staff whose role requires them to move from clinical area to clinical area, for example, medical staff who need to see patients across different wards.

This plan is being developed by a multi-disciplinary team including colleagues from Public Health, Health and Safety, and Occupational Health, and is ready to go live week commencing 17 August.

It is important that we are clear on how the results of these tests will be properly analysed and appropriate action taken as a result.

This will inform decisions regarding further testing required. This programme has not delayed or impacted the existing testing of symptomatic staff and referrals have continued to managed as quickly and effectively as possible.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants arrested American-born activist Bilal Abdul Kareem in Syrias Idlib province Thursday, his stepson said in a video posted to social media.

Abdul Kareem was taken from his car and taken into custody by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants alongside his driver, identified as Abu Mohamad al-Homsi, near the city of Atmeh in the Idlib countryside, the stepson said.

The arrest followed Abdul Kareems interview of Racquell Hayden-Best, wife of Tauqir Sharif, a British aid worker arrested in June by the militant group. Hayden-Best claimed on Abdul Kareems social media outlet, On the Ground News, that her husband had been tortured by the militants.

It was the second time in a week that Abdul Kareem had publicly discussed allegations that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has tortured captives.

Abdul Kareem has been more openly critical over the last several months of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the militant group in control of much of Idlib province and designated a terrorist group by the United States and the United Nations.

Sharif was stripped of his British citizenship in 2017 over alleged links to al-Qaeda. Abdul Kareem has been based in rebel-held northwest Syria since at least 2014, and has rubbed elbows with Jabhat al-Nusra figures in the past.

Abdul Kareems WhatsApp number has not been used since late Thursday afternoon, according to Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute in Washington. Bilal was lying low, Lister told Al-Monitor. He knew he was wanted.

Born Darrell Lamont Phelps in upstate New York, Abdul Kareem is an Islamist-aligned independent reporter covering Syrias civil war, offering rare access to journalists seeking to expose the brutality of living under airstrikes by Russia and the Assad regime. He has worked with CNN, the BBC, Al Jazeera and Sky News.

He sued the US government in 2017, alleging he is on a kill list and that he had survived five US drone strikes.

A federal court in Washington dismissed his lawsuit, siding with the federal governments position that his case cannot proceed because the information he seeks is classified.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has recently been working to rebrand himself, publicly appearing alongside tribal leaders in Idlib and at displaced persons camps.

His group has rounded up a number of critics and figures allegedly aligned with more radical groups in recent months, since Turkey agreed to Russias demand to rid the area around the M4 highway of ill-defined extremists in exchange for a cease-fire in the rebel-held province.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham wrested control of much of Idlib province early last year from Nour al-Din al-Zenki militants, expanding Jolanis influence in the last opposition holdout of Syrias nearly decade-long civil war.
BOZEMAN, Mont., Aug. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Helix has secured its reputation as a global leader in Next-Generation Sequencing solutions for over two decades. Today, they have been included in the esteemed Inc. 5000 list of rapidly growing American companies. Out of the 6 million business in the United States, Golden Helix has been honored with a spot in the annual list for the 2nd consecutive year.

Being ranked in the top 5000 places, Golden Helix is among some of the fastest growing and highly respected companies in both size and revenue  a testament to the company's focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.

"We are ecstatic to be named among the country's leading companies. Next-Generation Sequencing is here to stay, and we are very appreciative to be experiencing global adoption of our solution stack," said Dr. Andreas Scherer, President and CEO of Golden Helix. "Our industry-leading CNV analytics capabilities in conjunction with state-of-the-art clinical workflows to diagnose cancer and rare diseases have differentiated ourselves in the marketplace. On top of that, we provide secure and scalable enterprise deployment capabilities with our data warehouse solution."

Of the tens of thousands of companies that have applied over the years, only a fraction of them makes the list more than once. The recognition comes on the heels of Golden Helix also being recognized by Healthcare Tech Outlook on its list of Top 10 Genetic Diagnostics Companies of 2020.

"The whole team at Golden Helix would like to thank each of our customers and partners for helping us become one of the fastest-growing biotech firms in the country," said Dr. Scherer. "I also want to thank the entire team at Golden Helix for all the creativity and dedication over many years in a competitive marketplace. We're honored to receive this recognition among so many remarkable companies."

About Golden Helix

Golden Helix has been delivering industry-leading bioinformatics solutions for the advancement of life science research and translational medicine for over 20 years with 1,000s of users around the world. With their solutions, hundreds of the world's top hospitals, testing labs, pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic research organizations can harness the full potential of genomics to identify the cause of disease, improve the efficacy and safety of drugs, develop genomic diagnostics, and advance the quest for personalized medicine.

Delaina Hawkins

Golden Helix, Inc

(406) 999-0176

[email protected]

SOURCE Golden Helix Inc

Related Links

http://www.goldenhelix.com


A scientist is pictured working at Oxford Vaccine Group's laboratory facility at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford. Photo: Steve Parsons /AFP/Getty

Britain has entered into agreements with two more pharmaceutical companies to buy millions of doses of their potential COVID-19 vaccines, as it pushes to secure hundreds of millions of vaccine doses from companies around the world.

The UK government entered into a deal with US-based Novavax (NVAX) to purchase 60 million doses of its vaccine. Novavax said in a statement that the government had also agreed to collaborate on Phase 3 trials, ie testing the vaccine on large numbers of volunteers, in the UK from the third quarter of this year.

The government has also inked a deal with US pharma giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) for 30 million doses of its vaccine candidate being developed by its Janssen Pharmaceutica company, plus an agreement to buy 22 million more in the future.

READ MORE: Germany sceptical about Russias COVID-19 vaccine claims

The UK has been on a huge shopping spree to secure coronavirus vaccines from companies with promising candidates. According to Reuters, in total it has made agreements to buy 362 million vaccine doses in total; the population of the UK is 66 million.

It agreed with Pfizer (PFE) and BioNtech (BNTX) to buy 30 million doses of its potential messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, and to take 60 million doses from Frances Valneva, and 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine in development.

Germanys BioNTech and Pfizer announced at the end of July that they had started late-stage human trials of its vaccine on some 30,000 people.

READ MORE: BioNTech reports quarterly loss as it pushes ahead with COVID-19 vaccine trials

There are currently over 25 potential vaccine candidates in clinical trials around the world, according to the World Health Organisation, with smaller biotech companies partnering with large drugmakers to speed and fund the processes.

Russia announced at the weekend that it had approved the worlds first COVID-19 vaccine, but has drawn criticism from global health experts for not adhering to strict testing protocols.

Listen to the latest podcast from Yahoo Finance UK
(Natural News) To keep area residents safe from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), police in Melbourne, Australia, are reportedly now breaking into homes and smashing car windows without permission or warrant in order to perform so-called spot checks on potential violators of the regions draconian new lockdown rules.

With some of the strictest stay at home orders in the world, Melbourne, Australias second largest city, has become a full-fledged medical police state virtually overnight. Locals are no longer allowed to even leave their homes after dark without fear of persecution by the police, which have been given radical new police-state powers to keep everyone in check.

After local politicians recently declared Melbourne to be in a state of disaster due to the plandemic, the hammer quickly dropped on the publics ability to live, work and play. A curfew is now in place between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am, and people are only allowed to leave their houses for work and essential health, care or safety reasons.

During non-curfew hours, Melbourne residents have been given permission by the government to shop for food or other essential items, as well as to receive or give care to others, exercise or work. But under no other circumstances are people allowed to leave their homes  and if they do, they could be raided by police or have their personal property destroyed.

On at least three or four occasions in the past week weve had to smash the windows of people in cars and pull them out of there so they could provide their details because they werent telling us where they were going, they werent adhering to the chief health officer guidelines, they werent providing their name and their address, stated Victoria police chief commissioner Shane Patton unapologetically about the horrors his police force is inflicting on otherwise innocent violators of the states lockdown provisions.

This is clearly the biggest job, the biggest commitment that we have at the moment, its the most important commitment for Victoria police and that is enforcing the chief health officer guidelines, he added.

Similar totalitarian behavior is taking place in the United States as well, including in Los Angeles where area residents are now being told that their utilities will be shut off if they violate the citys social distancing guidelines. Check out the following episode of The Health Ranger Report to learn more:

Take a stand, America, or this same tyranny will happen here

Residents of Melbourne are also prohibited from going to school, attending church services, and even visiting their friends and family members for any reason except to provide care. Face masks are also mandatory at all times outside the home, even when a person is all alone in a park or open field.

People caught not wearing a mask without a lawful excuse are subject to a $200 on-the-spot fine, reports indicate, while those who breach the stay at home orders are being ticketed for $1,652 a piece. Anyone who breaks quarantine after testing positive for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) faces an on-the-spot fine of $5,000.

The Constitutions of the Free World have been systematically violated, with almost no concern from the people (and even with their support!), lamented one LifeSiteNews commenter about how freedom is being abolished under the guise of protecting public health.

Freedom is gone, this same commenter added. It may be already much more serious and irreversible than most think.

Instead of solving real crime, the police are being used to undermine civil liberties under the false pretense of public health, wrote another. Its the state causing the problem, not Covid-19.

More of the latest news about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) is available at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Newser)  A female motorcyclist was attacked by a bison Wednesday night in South Dakota's Custer State Parkand was likely saved because the animal ripped off her pants. Witnesses say the 54-year-old Iowa woman got off her bike and started approaching a bison calf when the adult bison charged her. It swung her around but did not gore her; its horn was caught in her belt and jeans, and eventually tore them off, at which point the woman fell to the ground unconscious and the bison went back to the herd. She was taken to the hospital but her injuries were not considered serious, KELOLAND News reports. Visitors are advised to stay away from bison, the Argus Leader notes. (Read more bison stories.)
Nigerian man lands in jail after he tries to buy Baba Ramdev's Patanjali ghee with cloned card

India-Nigeria sign MoU on space cooperation

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 14: India and Nigeria signed an agreement on space cooperation on Thursday, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said.

Calling Nigeria India's close friend and the largest trading partner in Africa, Muraleedharan said the MoU is another milestone in the relations of the two countries.

"Glad to join minister @Dr_OgbonnayaOnu in the signing ceremony of India-Nigeria MoU on space cooperation. Nigeria is our close friend and largest trading partner in Africa. This MoU is another milestone in India-Nigeria relations," he said in a tweet.

Glad to join Honble Minister @Dr_OgbonnayaOnu in the signing ceremony of India-Nigeria MoU on Space Cooperation.  is our close friend & largest trading partner in Africa. This MoU is another milestone in | relations. @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia @FmstNg @isro pic.twitter.com/nJzmGaseOo  V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) August 13, 2020

In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Nigeria on 'cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes' was concluded at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Muraleedharan through video link. Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, Federal Republic of Nigeria, attended the event in Abuja.

ISRO Scientific Secretary R Umamaheswaran was also present through video link from ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru, the statement said.

The MoU envisages India-Nigeria collaboration in space science, planetary exploration, ground stations, development of micro and mini satellites and joint space research and development, the statement said.

"It provides for capacity building assistance by ISRO, exchange of scientific know-how, exchanges between academic institutes and joint symposiums/conferences. Cooperation in remote sensing, communications and navigation will benefit Nigeria in the fields of forestry, environment, agriculture, mining, watershed development and connectivity," it added.

Over the last 12 years, 49 Nigerian nationals have attended various short-term ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) courses in India in the fields of Remote Sensing, GIS and Geoinformatics, conducted by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun; Geological Survey of India Training Institute, Hyderabad; and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Noida, the statement said.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

The above MoU will further enhance India's capacity building assistance to Nigeria, it said.

On the occasion, both sides also agreed to sign a subsidiary MoU between New Space India Limited (NSIL), under ISRO, and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), under the Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria, on cooperation in use of geospatial technologies, the statement said.

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Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 9:22 [IST]
Kylie Jenner got an earful from the designer Michael Costello after sharing a photo of herself in a colorful jewel-encrusted Balmain dress on Wednesday.

Costello jumped into the comments after being incensed about Kylie's decision to tag the brand's creative director Olivier Rousteing.

The 37-year-old designer claimed the 23-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star regularly ignored the work of lesser-known designers and only promoted well-known brands.

Roasted: Kylie Jenner, 23, came under fire from fashion designer Michael Costello, 37, for tagging well-known designers on Instagram but not tagging her outfits from lesser-known personalities

'Thank you my love @olivier_rousteing for the most perfect bday dress,' Kylie tagged her post, which seemed to have set off Costello.

'Thank you Oliver [sic] for the perfect bday dress. And thank you to the no name designers who work tirelessly around the clock on custom looks who she wont tag , mention or @ . . . Unless its paid,' he wrote in the comments.

'And thank you to the glam team who always gets tagged no matter what. (this post has nothing to do with me as Kylie only wears something from me once a year and Im lucky if I get a decent pic to post,' he continued.

'No shade to any of her team who styles her and no shame to the glam team . Even though we know you can not wait to unfollow me and drag me for filth!'

Costello accused the cosmetics mogul of promoting designers who were already established and not in need of the publicity.

Publicity contest: Costello claimed that Kylie mostly tags high-profile brands and their well-known designers on Instagram, 'unless it's paid'

Sharing the wealth: The designer, who said Kylie wears his outfits 'once a year,' wrote that she should tag more of the 'no-name' designers she sometimes wears; shown in November 2019

'Its sad that designers work so so so so hard on these opportunities to dress these gorgeous popular women and they only tag the major high end designers like Oliver [sic] but forget about the other ones.'

Costello claimed that his comment wasn't in regard to his own brand, 'but it definitely has a lot to do with the la designers why not tag at least one ? Not all the time but maybe once in a while.'

The comment had amassed at least 2,000 likes, though it appeared to have been hidden at some point.

Some of Kylie's stans came to her defense and pointed out that she tagged other brands, though they listed well-known labels that seemed to prove Costello's point.

Not helping: Some of Kylie's stans came to her defense and pointed out that she tagged other brands, though they listed well-known labels that seemed to prove Costello's point

A pattern? Kylie didn't respond. A month earlier, some followers claimed she 'refused' to tag a Black-owned LoudBrand Studios after wearing one of its outfits on Instagram

Kylie didn't bother to respond to the comment, which came a month after some followers claimed she 'refused' to tag a Black-owned fashion brand after wearing one of its outfits on Instagram.

During a trip to the Utah luxury resort Amangiri, Kylie wore a dress from LoudBrand Studios, but didn't tag the item on her post, which featured her sipping on a refreshing spritzer.

'Ok this is just a reach,' Kylie responded in the comments. 'Why would i ever REFUSE to tag a brand and block comments. this is completely false. i think this brand is amazing and i wanted to show support and will continue to do so. everyone go check out @LoudBrndStudios.'

She wore the outfit in a subsequent post, which was tagged, and she also directed her fans to the brand in her Insta Stories later.
The Venezuelan literature prize Romulo Gallegos was once one of the most prestigious in Latin America and the Spanish-language world, with writers such as Mario Vargas Llosa, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Roberto Bolano among its winners.

But ahead of its awarding in November for the first time in five years, a politically polarized debate is raging between Venezuela's authorities and those opposed to the "dictatorship."

Usually given out once every two years, the Romulo Gallegos -- named after a Venezuelan novelist and statesman -- was first awarded in 1967 to Peruvian Vargas Llosa, who would win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010.

"It's a prize that quickly acquired great prestige because it became the 'boom' prize," Gustavo Guerrero, Spanish-language editor at French publishing house Editions Gallimard, told AFP.

The "boom" refers to Venezuela's golden years in the 1960s and 1970s, when oil revenue propelled its economy to among the top in Latin America.

"It was the era of liberal democracy," said Guerrero, a Venezuelan.

The Romulo Gallegos award passed from one set of illustrious hands to another as Colombian Garcia Marquez picked it up in 1972 and Mexican Carlos Fuentes followed in 1977.

Things started to change during the reign of late former president Hugo Chavez (1999-2013) as in 2005 "the Venezuelan government intervened in the formation of the prize's jury," said Guerrero.

Cuba, a staunch Chavez ally, even "imposed members of the jury. From that point you felt the prize was starting to lose its autonomy."

With the first award since 2015 due soon, a flurry of criticism is drowning out literary merits being judged.

For Venezuelan novelist Rodrigo Blanco Calderon, who lives in Spain, the prize is nothing more than "a propaganda instrument to legitimize the Chavist dictatorship" of President Nicolas Maduro.

The young writer points to the "massacres" of students during anti-regime demonstrations in 2014 and 2017, the "mass exodus" of Venezuelans and last year's report by the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights that warned of the "erosion of the state of law" in Venezuela, as reasons to boycott the award.

Story continues

- 'Born politicized' -

"The jurors are all in one way or another affiliated to Chavism. It's practically the kidnapping of a prize," said Blanco Calderon.

Alongside other authors, chiefly Venezuelans, he's called on colleagues not to buy into the "farce."

"You only need to look at the works in contention to see that the Romulo Gallegos prize has become a hotel for tourists of the Chavist dictatorship," he wrote on Twitter.

Fellow Venezuelan living in exile, Maria Perez-Talavera, withdrew her novel "Eran de Madera" to avoid becoming "an instrument of a politicized literature platform."

That elicited a stern rebuke from the Romulo Gallegos Center of Latin American Studies, which hands out the award.

"The prize was born politicized," it said in a statement titled "Cultural Trumpism."

Curiously, the statement mainly attacks US President Donald Trump, accusing him of "aggression" in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and of trying to "destroy" the award.

One of the jury members, Colombian writer Pablo Montoya, the last award winner in 2015, hit back at the accusations in a column in Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.

"It's wrong to say that we -- jurors and candidates -- are the sorry pawns of a regime," he said.

Just under 200 writers are in the running, but not Venezuela's Karina Sainz Borgo.

"I won't legitimize a regime that isn't democratic," the author of the book "The Daughter of the Spaniard," told AFP.

And given the gaping hole in the regime's finances, she added: "I'm not even sure they can pay the prize," which is worth around $95,000.

gde/jb/ob/bc/acb
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has commissioned two water systems in the Central Region under the Additional Financing Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project (AF-SRWSP).

The AF-SRWSP is a $45.7 million World Bank credit facility aimed at expanding access and ensuring sustainable water supply and sanitation services to rural and small-town communities in eleven regions of the country.

Under the AF-SRWSP, nine community water systems, costing over GH73 million, have been added to the existing 17 in the Central Region to increase water coverage from 63 to 70 per cent.

The GH73.4 million water project, funded by the World Bank through the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company Limited, has increased the water coverage in the region from 63.8 per cent to 70.4 per cent.

More than 187,000 people from 146 communities in eight districts of the Region would benefit from the project, which started in 2017 and completed in March, 2020.

In that vein, two ceremonies were held at Amasamkrom, a community in the Mfantseman Municipality, and Gyeakrodua in the Awutu Senya West District on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 to officially inaugurate the facilities.

They are the Anomansa Cluster Water System, which would provide potable water to more than 7,000 residents from 19 communities in the Mfantseman Municipality and Papase Cluster Water System, expected to benefit more than 48,000 people from 15 communities in the Awutu Senya West District.

The GH73.4 million project, funded by the World Bank through the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company Limited, has increased the water coverage in the region from 63.8 per cent to 70.4 per cent.

About 184, 000 people in 146 communities across eight districts in the Central Region are benefiting from the project under the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation project.

Costing GH73.4 million, the project was financed with funding from the World Bank and covers areas in saline belt due to problem with ground water.

The CWSA had grouped the beneficiary communities into nine clusters for efficient and effective management of the various systems.

The beneficiary districts included Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Agona West, Mfantsiman municipal, Assin South district, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa , Gomoa West and Awutu Senya.

The Sustainable Rural Water Sanitation Project started in 2017 includes the laying of 564.4 kilometres of pipes in nine clusters.

The project component also includes health and sanitation education, institutional development and the construction of 6,118 toilets for households.

Speaking at separate ceremonies to commission the facilities, President Nana Akufo-Addo, said completion of the projects was a manifestation of Governments commitment to increasing water for all.

The Government would not relent in its efforts to achieve parity in water supply, he said.

The President was confident that the water systems would go a long way to help the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goal Six, which demanded that every household be provided with potable water supply and sanitation.

Additionally, Government had secured funding for the construction of two community water projects to increase access to potable water to 150 rural communities in the Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra, Oti and Volta regions, while contract had been awarded for the construction of 654 mechanised boreholes across the country.

He admonished the people to maintain the water facilities, which had come at a significant expense to the taxpayer.

OTHER WATER PROJECTS

The President said the government had also secured funding for two other rural water projects for 150 communities in the Ashanti, Eastern, Greater Accra, Volta and Oti regions.

He also urged the CWSA to work to link the supply of water to support small-scale enterprises, particularly those under the One-District, One-Factory (1D1F) initiative, to promote local industrialisation.

I urge you to also sustain the fight against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by adhering to established protocols, His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo appealed.

SECTOR MINISTER

On her part, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, noted that the facilities would not only ease the daily burden on women and children of having to search for water but would also help to retain many children, especially girls, in school.

Further, she revealed that the Government, through her Ministry has awarded contracts for the construction of six hundred and forty-five (645) mechanized borehole systems nationwide.

To ensure our more water for all agenda, The Minister of Sanitation Water Resources and its agencies will continue to work to get water to all Ghanaians, she indicated.

THE CWSA CEO

Engineer Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), explained that the AF-SRWSP was designed with focus on finding solutions to the many water quality challenges faced by rural communities.

He said the CWSA, therefore, collaborated with the Ghana Water Company Limited to pump excess water from its treatment centres to supply the beneficiary communities.

Over 565 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipes were laid, seven booster stations constructed with two of them being hybrid, nine water management offices, eleven tanks and 403 stand pipes were constructed in addition to 6,118 household latrines.

He said the CWSA had deployed its technical staff to the clusters to ensure proper management of the facilities to provide uninterrupted potable water supply.

To ensure increased access and availability to rural communities within the catchment areas, Mr Siabi said smart taps had been installed where people could access water through tokens.

Ing. Worlanyo Siabi, indicated that, the agency would continue to work in the interest of Ghanaians at all times with particular reference to provision of quality water.

He said more employment opportunities had been created as part of reforms embarked by the board and management of the CWSA, We have recruited 1,152 professionals, including engineers and revenue staff, to manage the water resources and urged beneficiary communities to support efforts to maintain them.

APPRECIATION

Residents in the beneficiary communities expressed appreciation to the government for its role in providing infrastructural development in the country and assured the President of their commitment to ensuring that the facilities are put to good use.
Most Americans oppose religious exemptions from COVID-19 lockdown restrictions: Pew

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Most Americans oppose giving houses of worship religious exemptions from COVID-19 lockdown regulations, according to a new survey by Pew Research Center.

In findings released Friday, Pew found that 79% of respondents said religious institutions should be subject to the same social distancing guidelines as secular businesses and entities.

Respondents who identified as evangelical Protestant were more likely to support giving houses of worship more flexibility, nevertheless 62% of them also opposed exemptions.

Pew found a partisan divide, with 93% of Democrat and Democrat-leaning respondents opposing exemptions versus 65% of Republican and Republican-leaning respondents agreeing.

Pew based its findings off a survey taken July 13-19 among 10,211 adults in the United States, with a margin of error for the full sample being plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.

The survey also found that evangelical Protestants were less likely to believe that their churches should remain closed during the pandemic compared to other religious groups.

Eighteen percent of evangelical respondents said their churches should be closed, versus 27% of Catholics, 40% of mainline Protestants, and 41% of black Protestants.

 amid reports that some clusters of the virus have been tied to religious gatherings, many Americans who regularly attend religious services express support for instituting a variety of restrictions and modifications at their own places of worship, explained Pew.

At the time the survey was conducted (July 13-19), only 13% said their house of worship should be open to the public just as it was before the outbreak.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many congregations in the U.S. opted to cancel in-person worship services and other gatherings.

However, some churches have argued that state orders demanding that they halt in-person gatherings and remain closed are unconstitutional and treat them unfairly compared to secular organizations.

For example, a church recently sued Nevada over a state order that required it to limit in-door service attendance numbers to 50 people while allowing casinos to have 50% capacity.

The church wanted to hold services for up to 90 members, 50% capacity, while fully complying with social-distancing rules and other required measures, but was denied.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court decided without comment to refuse to hear an appeal from the church, allowing the state order to remain in force.

Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greears church, The Summit Church of Durham, North Carolina, recently decided to cancel in-person worship services for the rest of the year. Instead, members will be gathering in small groups at people's homes.

In an interview with The Christian Post published Tuesday, Greear explained that his church wanted to follow state guidelines to inform our decisions in order to protect our congregation and the public at large.

The message we seek to send to our congregation and to our community is that, even when we are unable to gather as a large church on the weekend, the Summit Church is not 'closed' because the church exists everywhere the members of the church live, said Greear.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with all of our being. He commanded us to make disciples.
According to the classification as a Corona-risk area the Federal Foreign office has issued an official travel warning for the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. "In front of non-tourist travel to Spain, with the exception of the Canary Islands is currently being warned because of the high infection numbers," the Ministry announced on Friday in its updated travel and security for Spain.

On Friday afternoon, the country was with the exception of the Canary Islands  due to high infection numbers to the risk area. The Federal ministries involved decided. "In Spain, a very dynamic eruption shows itself to be done," said a Ministry spokeswoman to the news Agency AFP. The case numbers rose in the Trend, "more and more areas in Spain are again more affected by the pandemic". The spokeswoman said: "The designation as a risk area, is to be prohibition no Border closures and no trip."

in Particular, for the extremely tourism dependent Balearic Islands is another major blow. At the end of July already arranged Quarantine requirement in the UK for returnees from Spain had sparked a slump in bookings. Finally, the popular holiday Islands, but had more Corona new infections registered In the past 24 hours 264 new cases had been reported in Mallorca alone,wrote the "Mallorca Zeitung" on Friday.

Tui's package holidays to Spain

The travel group Tui, the Saturday scheduled to travel to Spain says. The customer would be offered to all destinations transfers to other travel, for example, to the Canary Islands, as a Tui spokesman said on Friday night in the dpa. Because you have not contact details of all customers to take, you also contact to the travel agencies. Travelers are already areas in the affected holiday, offer, Tui, to fly you earlier than planned to go home.

On Thursday had been registered for the entire country, almost 3000 new infections within 24 hours. The American Johns Hopkins University reported on Friday night for Spain as a whole 337.334 confirmed Corona-infections since the beginning of the pandemic,28.605 people died. So it belongs to the Coronavirus in the worst-affected regions of Europe. Many parts of the country that currently report increasing case numbers.

For German tourists had to the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) classified previously, the regions of Aragon, the Basque country, Catalonia, Madrid and Navarre as risk areas. This classification is considered to be an important basis for decision-making for travel warnings from the foreign office. Since last Saturday, travellers returning from high-risk areas, a Corona must do Test, otherwise it will face a fine as well as quarantine. The domestic quarantine amounts to a maximum of 14 days or until a negative test result was available, it was said from the Ministry of health.

Updated Date: 14 August 2020, 18:20
Shonaleeka Kaul By

As 15th August dawns tomorrow, it may be instructive to revisit the Indian nationhood debate, which is clearly alive and kicking as seen in the recent controversy surrounding a Bollywood actor spouting what people with greater credentials have also been telling us for a while nowthat there was no India before the British colonised us.

This is, ironically, exactly what the colonisers had us believe. In 1880, for example, Sir John Strachey, the British administrator who trained the Imperial Civil Services of India, would begin his lectures saying: The first and most important thing to learn about India is that there is not and never was an India! A century and a half later, some influential Indians are still denying the existence and even the possibility of an India in premodern times. Thus in 2005, the then prime minister in a speech at Oxford University practically thanked the British for colonising India and bestowing on this ancient land such beneficial aspects as the railways and civil services.

Underlying his controversial gratitude was the assumption that not only did these British institutions modernise India, they also unified it for the first time. Two years later, a leading historian called India an unnatural nation in his book, implying, like the former PM, that modern developments such as British rule and the freedom movement forced a diverse and disconnected bunch of regions and peoples into one artificial and unhistorical entity called the Indian nation. In other words, a country as vast and heterogenous as India could never have been considered one, and all attempts since 1947 to forge a unified nation have been nothing more than a precarious statist project rather than the culmination of a long and rich past.

But what does history actually tell us? Unlike a nation-state, a nation is first and foremost a notion: the jointly held sense of belonging to a common territorial and cultural entity that a people name and assert; a community of emotion, belief and praxis. And anyone who has even a working acquaintance with some of the master texts of Indian civilisationthe Ramayana, Mahabharata and Mahapuranas (5th century BCE to 5th century CE)will immediately recognise this notion of a felt community and common bounded entity that is affirmed and named as Bharatvarsha in these hoary texts.

The Mahabharata defined it broadly yet resonantly as the land north of the sea and south of the Himalayas. The Vishnu Purana even spelt out Bharatavarshas ethnic boundaries thus: The country north of the sea and south of the Himalayas / Is Bharata and her children are Bharati. / A thousand yojanas from north to south, / It has kiratas in the east and yavanas in the west (Vishnu Purana 2.3, verses 1, 8) Kiratas is a reference to the people of Assam and yavanas to those settled in Greater Punjab. Can there be a more explicit and inclusive self-understanding of the nation called India?

And then there are other, later testimonies such as that of Xuan Zang, the Chinese pilgrim who travelled to India in the 6th century and wrote that as he stood in Nagarahara (modern Jalalabad in Afghanistan), west of the Khyber Pass, he felt he stood at the gateway to the country called Indu. That he referred to India is evident from the way he described this country, again, in classical terms as bounded by the snowy mountains to the north and the sea on three sides, extending to an area of 90,000 li (Chinese mile) and inhabited by 70 different kingdoms.

Thus the view that India was too vast and diverse to ever be one nation ignores the fact that the ancient Indian concept of nation could well recognise and embrace that vastness and diversity, and acknowledge alongside a common unified sphere of cultural circulation. Perhaps there is no greater evidence of this historical idea of India than the stellar example of Adi Shankaracharya, the seer-intellectual who in the 8th century established the supremacy of Vedanta or advaita, i.e. unified consciousness beyond multiplicity and form.

Starting from his home town of Kaladi, Kerala, Shankara undertook three famous digvijayastours of philosophical conquest of the land, intensely debating and defeating the varied local scholarship, from Kapalikas and Pashupatas to Mimamsakas, Vaishnavas, Shaktas, Jainas, Buddhists and so on, first in Tamil Nadu, then Andhra, Vidarbha, and Karnataka, whereafter he reached Gujarat, onwards to Ujjayini (MP), Bahlika (Bactria), Shurasena (Mathura), Darads (Gilgit Baltistan), Kuru-Pancala (Punjab, Haryana), and then Kamarupa (Assam), Gauda (Bengal) and Koshala (UP).

The fitting culmination of these advaitic travels was in Kashmir at the renowned centre of all learning, Sharadapitha, today in PoK. Indeed the Shankaracharya temple at Srinagar still stands witness to this epic visit as also to the incredible centrality of the far north of India to the imagination of its far south, and vice versa. Shankara also established mathas in the four cardinal directions: Badrinath, Puri, Shringeri and Dvaraka, symbolically evoking the extent of the Indian nation. S Radhakrishnan therefore called him a shrewd political genius and patriot. However, Shankaras pan-Indian voyages also subtly demonstrate the ancient idea of India: a sphere peopled by great diversity of thought but unified by a consciousness that pierced through the illusion of multiplicity.

Shonaleeka Kaul

Associate Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, JNU

(shonaleeka@mail.jnu.ac.in)
DUBLIN (dpa-AFX) - Ireland's trade surplus increased in June as exports rose and imports fell, figures from the Central Statistics Office showed on Friday. The trade surplus increased to EUR 6.589 billion in June from EUR 6.305 billion in May. In the same month last year, the trade surplus was EUR 4.936 billion. Exports rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.0 percent monthly in June, and imports decreased 2.0 percent. On an unadjusted basis, exports increased 15.0 percent annually in June, while imports declined 8.0 percent. Data showed that exports to Britain decreased 18.0 percent on year in June, while imports rose 8.0 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
He's a deranged character who terrorizes the women of Belfast - breaking into their homes and brutally murdering them.

Yet instead of being terrified over the horrors of serial killer Paul Spector and his crimes, viewers of The Fall are obsessing over Jamie Dornan's good looks.

The Irish-born hunk, 38, played the murderer - who adopts a charming persona as a family member and caring medical expert in his day-to-day life - through the show's three series, which have proved hugely popular once again after airing on Netflix.

One viewer wrote: 'Haven't come across a series this good in ages. Me nerves are gone watching it. Jamie Dornan is also the sexiest serial killer ever!'

Instead of being terrified over the horrors of serial killer Paul Spector and his crimes, viewers of The Fall are obsessing over Jamie Dornan's character (above) and his good looks

The Irish-born hunk (pictured right), 38, played the murderer - who adopts a charming persona as a family member and caring medical expert in his day-to-day life - through the show's three series

Reaction: The thriller is proving hugely popular once again after airing on Netflix. Pictured, a viewer admits she thinks Jamie's character is the 'sexiest serial killer ever'

Another said: 'I just finished the first season of The Fall and I'm obsessed. Can we take a moment to appreciate the amazing Jamie Dornan?

A third questioned: 'Nearly finished The Fall on Netflix and is it weird I still fancy Jamie Dornan even though he's a serial killer?'

While a fourth admitted: 'Hooked on The Fall and I seriously have more of a crush on Jamie Dornan than ever before.'

The psychological thriller, which first aired on BBC Two in 2013, was released on Netflix earlier this month, four years after its finale.

The psychological thriller, which first aired on BBC Two in 2013, was released on Netflix earlier this month, four years after its finale. Pictured, viewers react to Jamie's character

It's been steadily climbing the Most Popular Titles category on the streaming service as first-time viewers and firm fans enjoy the cat-and-mouse drama set in Belfast.

The award-winning show follows the fate of serial killer Paul Spector as Gillian Anderson's Superintendent Stella Gibson tries to track him down.

Scenes in the third series see Jamie showcasing his toned physique while showering, leaving viewers feeling hot under the collar.

But despite its popularity, the show has previously been criticised for its depiction of violence against women, but showrunner Allan Cubitt denied the claims, describing it as a 'dissection of a certain kind of male view, an exploration of misogyny'.

The award-winning show follows the fate of serial killer Paul Spector as Gillian Anderson's Superintendent Stella Gibson (pictured together) tries to track him down

It's been steadily climbing the Most Popular Titles category on the streaming service as first-time viewers and firm fans enjoy the cat-and-mouse drama set in Belfast. Pictured, Jamie in the drama

But it wasn't only Jamie's good looks being praised by viewers, with fans taking to Twitter (above) to applaud the 'great' drama

The Fall also made a household name out of Jamie, who landed the lead in the Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise after his performance.

When recalling how he prepared for playing the role of a serial killer, Jamie admitted that he stalked an unsuspecting woman to 'what it felt like to pursue someone like that'.

After questioning, 'Can we get arrested for this?', he confessed to the LA Times in 2015: 'On the tube, which is our underground system ... this is a really bad reveal: I, like, followed a woman off the train one day to see what it felt like to pursue someone like that.'

Jamie added that he followed her for a bit and recalled: 'It felt kind of exciting, in a really sort of dirty way. I'm sort of not proud of myself.'

But he does believe that it helped him to get inside the head of his character.
U.S. President Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner said that more Arab countries may soon announce normalized ties with Israel, following an American-brokered agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.



"We hope this is an icebreaker where Israel can now normalize relations with other countries," Kushner said at a press briefing shortly after Trump announced the pact, adding that he thought there was a "very good chance" of another Israeli-Arab deal within months.



Kushner said that the administration had also been in talks with other Arab states to normalize ties with Israel. He suggested that more announcements will come over the next 90 days.



"We have a couple who were upset that they werent first," Kushner said. "But  we will work very hard to create more and more normalizations over the coming time ahead."



"I do think that this makes them more inevitable," he continued. "But it will take trust being built and dialogue being facilitated. Hopefully, this makes it easier for others."



At one point, he was asked which other countries were in the mix. "Who is next?" Kushner asked back. "You will find out next."



Earlier Thursday, in a joint statement with the US first issued by Trump, Israel and UAE said they had reached a historic to set up full diplomatic relations, the third such agreement the Jewish state has struck with an Arab country after Egypt and Jordan, Times of Israel reported.



This marked the first peace deal in the region since 1994, when Israel normalized relations with Jordan.
Shimla: Two people were killed and two were injured when boulders fell on two vehicles near Hanogi Temple on the national highway in Kullu district due to heavy rain early on Friday.

Police said the accident took place at 5.20am when two men were on their way to Chandigarh in a mini truck carrying vegetables and had stopped to pay obeisance at the temple. Suddenly, boulders came rolling down on them. While Amrit Pal, 27, a resident of Dhamai village in Hoshiarpur district, was buried in the debris, his companion was injured.

The boulders also fell on another truck on its way to Kullu, killing driver Gurmukh Singh, 27, of Samur Khurd village in Una district, on the spot. His companion was injured in the incident.

The injured were identified as Manish Kumar, 24, of Rajatalab village in Varanasi district and Sushil Kumar, 26, of Gopipur in UPs Jaunpur district.

Police rushed the injured to the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Zonal Hospital in Mandi, superintendent of police Gurdev Sharma said, adding that the road has been cleared for traffic.
A 'devil' dog who mauled a miniature pinscher to death in London attacked a woman as she walked her border cross terrier three weeks earlier, it was claimed tonight.

The victim, known only as Zoe, 44, claims she was left with 'a hole in her arm' after she tried to separate the leadless bullmastiff from her pet Sid at around 8.30pm on July 16.

She believes the 'devil' dog is the same animal which attacked Renata Aladenika's miniature pinscher Rocco in Woolwich Common on Sunday.

Ms Aladenika, 18, had taken four-year-old Rocco for a half-hour walk when she claims the bullmastiff rushed over, sank its teeth into her dog's neck and shook him 'like a rag doll'.

The victim, known only as Zoe, 44, claims she was left with 'a hole in her arm' after she tried to separate the leadless bullmastiff from her border cross terrier (pictured) on July 16

Zoe told how she had taken two-year-old Sid for a walk when the 'devil dog' lunged at her pet and she was bitten on the arm and foot. Pictured: Her injuries

The student then filmed the bullmastiff's owner as she dragged her dog away from the scene, while Rocco lay bleeding in the grass and Ms Aladenika sobbed 'he's dying' and 'I don't know what to do.'

The miniature pinscher suffered catastrophic haemorrhaging in his neck and had to be put down the following day.

Ms Aladenika's mother Dorothy tonight told MailOnline how several dog owners have since come forward to claim they have had frightening experiences with the bullmastiff.

Among them was Zoe, who told how she had taken two-year-old Sid for a walk last month when the 'devil dog' lunged at her pet and she was bitten on the arm and foot.

She had to have an emergency tetanus jab after the wounds turned septic the following day and was left with a 'hole in her arm', she added.

Harrowing footage captured the moment Renata Aladenika (pictured) begged for help after her miniature pinscher was mauled to death by a leadless 'devil' dog in London on Sunday

Zoe said the attack took place near Woolwich Common in south London - and despite calling police she claims no action was taken against the owner.

'I saw that video and recognised the dog straight away because it's the same one which attacked me,' she said.

'I was walking my border cross terrier, Sid, at night by the common.

'There was a young teenage lad walking with a bullmastiff. The kid had the dog's lead slung over his shoulder and the dog was walking by his side.

'But all of a sudden when the bullmastiff saw my little dog, it went for him and I had to grab it and actually pull it off mine.

'The dog snapped back and bit me on the arm and the foot. I shouted at the kid that he should keep a dog like that on a lead but he didn't seem to care.

'Luckily my wounds did not require stitches or hospital treatment. Although they did turn septic 24-hours later and I had to pay for an emergency tetanus jab at a local chemist.

Ms Aladenika, 18, was walking Rocco in Woolwich Common when she claims a bullmastiff (pictured) rushed over, sank its teeth into her dog's neck and shook him 'like a rag doll'

Heartbreaking photographs captured the devastated pet owner as she said goodbye to her 'best friend' Rocco - whose injuries were so severe he had to be put to sleep

'I thought that dog was a danger and could do serious harm to a child or another animal so I reported the owner to the police right away - but that was three weeks ago and clearly they haven't done anything about it.

'Had they done so then this miniature pinscher wouldn't have been attacked and its owner wouldn't have to go through the heart ache of having her beloved pet put to sleep because of its injuries.'

Zoe is unsure whether the bullmastiff was snapping at her or Sid when she was bitten.

The pet owner added that others in the area have mentioned incidents with the same dog, and it still allegedly does not wear a muzzle.

Mrs Aladenika, whose daughter Renata witnessed the attack on their dog Rocco, also revealed how a woman with a Staffordshire bull terrier claimed she 'had a very narrow escape' with the same dog.

Another person claimed to have seen an attack by the same dog on a chihuahua.

Ms Aladenika (pictured near where Rocco is buried) shared footage of the aftermath in a bid to unmask the owner who she claims offered to give her a lift to a vets but then fled with her dog

Ms Aladenika, from Charlton, south east London, said: 'It felt like this giant devil dog versus our tiny Rocco.' Pictured: Rocco before the attack

It was also reportedly claimed that the dog wasn't so aggressive until it was attacked by two German Shepherds.

Speaking today, Mrs Aladenika said: 'A lot of people have come forward.

'I've had about six people contact me, one of the ladies was bitten by the dog when she tried to separate her dog from it.

'Another told me the owner was making flippant comments about how if the dog had a muzzle on she would let it go face to face with her little dog.

'This dog seems to go for smaller ones for some reason, it seems to have a hunger for chasing down and attacking smaller dogs.

'I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg.'

She also revealed how a woman claiming to be the owner of the bullmastiff contacted her through Facebook today 'saying how devastated she is.'

The teenager (pictured with Rocco) decided to video the aftermath so she would have evidence of who was responsible

'She sent me a long message saying how badly she felt about the situation, and she was trying to put across the point that her dog was mild tempered and this was all hearsay and out of character,' Mrs Aladenika added.

The mother added the woman claimed she had returned to the park to look for her daughter after the attack, but couldn't find her.

'I want to give her the benefit of the doubt, I don't think she's a horrible person, but I do think she was negligent after seeing her dog with that pattern of behaviour,' she added.

'I'm just devastated, that's all I can say. I don't wish anybody ill I just want to move on.

'I think she should take responsibility for her actions.'

The family launched a GoFundMe page to help with the 1,300 vet bill after the attack, and have now raised more than 1,911. The remaining funds will be donated to Mind and the RSPCA.

Speaking of the incident on Sunday, Metropolitan Police said: 'There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.'

The force has been contacted for comment on the further claims.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:15:26|Editor: huaxia

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Visitors queue to view Xing Ya, father of the giant panda cub Fan Xing, at Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, the Netherlands, Aug. 14, 2020. The giant panda cub, born on May 1 in the Dutch Ouwehands Zoo, has been named Fan Xing, the zoo announced on Friday. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)

THE HAGUE, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The giant panda cub born in the Dutch Ouwehands Zoo has been named Fan Xing, the zoo in Rhenen, central Netherlands, announced on Friday.

The cub was born on May 1 this year. Over 22,000 votes were cast worldwide and Fan Xing became the close winner. He Kang, He Shun, Dan Qing and Xing He were the other options, according to the zoo.

"Fan is the abbreviation for Fan Gao, which refers to Van Gogh in Chinese," Ouwehands Zoo said in a statement.

"Van Gogh is among the most well-known Dutch artists in China, so the word Fan could be seen as a connection to the Netherlands. Xing is from the cub's father Xing Ya. Xing means star in Chinese, which symbolizes hope and the right direction."

"The birth of the panda cub symbolizes the friendship between China and the Netherlands... With the panda cub, we also have a new 'ambassador' for both peoples," Chen Ribiao, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to the Netherlands, said at a name announcement ceremony.

"The arrival of this panda cub will encourage us to continue to push for biodiversity and the protection of wild species, including giant pandas," said Chen.

The giant panda is an endangered species that is only found in the wild in China. An international breeding program was established to protect the species and the pandas in the Ouwehands Zoo are part of this program.

The cub's parents, father Xing Ya and mother Wu Wen, arrived at Ouwehands Zoo on April 12, 2017. According to the arrangement with China, newborn Fan Xing can stay in the Netherlands for four years. After that, it will go back to China to continue to contribute to the breeding program. Enditem
Kamala Harris is partly of Indian descent, not wholly. But most of us in India would do well to remember that she is running for an election in the United States (US), not in India.

This is a crucial difference to keep in mind when commentaries will begin to be written that she is not owning her Indian-ness enough. I know, because I wrote once that Harris needed to embrace her Indian heritage more. I still stand by that. But I am not the one running for vice-president.

Harris will run as a Black woman. Thats the key reason why the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, picked her, apart from her other obviously stellar qualifications such as being a US senator, former attorney-general of the largest American state, relatively younger age  55 to Bidens 77  and, for a vice-presidential nominee, an ability to throw a punch. I think he came to the conclusion that he should pick a Black woman, Harry Reid, a former top US Senate Democrat, told the New York Times. They are our most loyal voters and I think that the Black women of America deserved a Black vice-presidential candidate. Its an electoral compulsion, plainly. And Indians  and Indian Americans, specifically  should set aside for now their expectations of seeing Harris be more Indian.

It will not be easy because as electioneering gets underway, Harris will be all Black. The Biden campaign will deploy her as their chief conduit to African American voters, the countrys second-largest voting bloc. They will be critical in the key swing states of Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Virginia and vulnerable Republican-ruled states.

Through all that, Harris will find the time and opportunity to signal her Indian-ness, insist people who have known her for years. And that will invariably be a reference to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer researcher, who passed away in 2009.

Harris often tweets pictures of her mother to mark special occasions and milestones in her life. Never her father, Donald Jasper Harris, a Stanford professor.

Appearing with Biden for the first time after being named his running mate, Harris spoke of her mixed heritage. She dwelt most expansively and feelingly, however, on her mother, for inspiring her to a life in public service, which would land her a place in history books, as the first Black woman on a presidential ticket.

On November 3, or whenever the results are declared in what is likely to be the most unpredictable election yet, she might become the first woman vice-president, of whichever party, colour or ethnic origin.

Gopalan, a diminutive woman from Chennai, who studied at Lady Irwin College in Delhi before heading out to the US, will remain Harriss abiding link to India, though Harris still cant make a dosa, as she confessed to Mindy Kaling in a video they shot months before. But she deserves a break, from some of us.

The views expressed are personal
(Natural News) Mike Schmidt, the new district attorney for Multnomah County in Oregon, which has jurisdiction over Portland, announced on Tuesday, August 11, that his office will not be prosecuting cases brought up against Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters. Schmidt claims that this move, which flies in the face of all logic and reason, would lead to a safer community.

Schmidt won the Multnomah County district attorney race held back in May on a progressive and reform-minded platform. His term was supposed to start on January 1, 2021. However, the Democratic governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, appointed Schmidt to serve out the term of the former incumbent, Rod Underhill, who retired on July 31.

These demonstrations are being used to righteously express grief, anger and frustration over the senseless act of violence, and the countless other abuses people of color have endured throughout history at the hands of the legal system, said Schmidt during one of his first press conferences as Multnomah Countys new DA.

The new district attorney said that he wants to be responsive to the demands of the rioters. This new policy of not pursuing charges against a vast majority of them is just the start. (Related: Acting DHS Secretary Wolf: Retreat of federal officers from Portland has only made the riots worse.)

Listen to this breaking news episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants to force President Donald Trump to pass a trillion-dollar bailout to save states run by the Democratic Party, such as Oregon, from bankruptcy and total collapse.

Schmidt pledges to selectively uphold the law

According to Schmidt, the county will only be pressing charges on demonstrators who have been arrested for theft, property damage or assault. This means that many rioters who were arrested by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) will have their charges dropped. Many of these Antifa and Black Lives Matter individuals were arrested for rioting, disorderly conduct or for disobeying a direct order from the police.

This radical policy will apply for all charges placed on rioters dating back to May 29, when the civil unrest in Portland began, which virtually grants total amnesty to a significant number of criminals, who Schmidt believes are just peaceful protesters.

However, these prosecutions will come with caveats. Any case that includes a charge of either resisting arrest or assaulting a police officer, for example, will be subjected to the highest level of scrutiny by the deputy district attorney tasked with reviewing the case. Considerations will also be given once the DAs office takes into account the chaos of a protesting environment, such as if a charge was placed upon a rioter after the PPB used tear gas and other crowd-control munitions en masse.

Furthermore, while Schmidt has agreed to move forward with cases of property damage, his office will be seeking alternatives to jail or prison time if the suspect in question has only caused financial harm, such as when they destroy private property. These alternatives will include restorative justice options, such as a victim meeting with a defendant to decide on an appropriate way the criminal can make amends.

If we leverage the full force of the criminal justice system on individuals who are peacefully protesting and demanding to be heard, we will cause irreparable harm to them individually and to our society, said Schmidt. The prosecution of people exercising their rights to free speech and assembly in a nonviolent manner takes away from the limited resources that we have to prosecute serious crimes and to assist crime victims.

Listed below are all of the charges that the new Multnomah County District Attorneys Office will decline to prosecute, especially if the charges are linked to the recent civil unrest):

Riot (unless the charge is accompanied with another that is not on the list)

Harassment

Interfering with a peace officer or a parole and probation officer

Escape in the third degree

Disorderly conduct in the third degree

Criminal trespass in the first and second degree

Portland Police Union to new DA: Hold rioters accountable

Schmidts new policies are already receiving a ton of backlash, especially from law-abiding citizens and PPB officers who will now have a much harder time maintaining order. Daryl Turner, the president of the Portland Police Association (PPA), the police union that represents rank-and-file members of the PPB, has gone so far as to accuse Schmidt of neglecting his duties as a district attorney.

Seven days into his new job and @DAMikeSchmidt is already getting the heat from PPA Prez Daryl Turner. pic.twitter.com/2kM4mIyXlA  Alex Zielinski (@alex_zee) August 7, 2020

In a letter sent by the PPA, Turner urges Schmidt to hold the rioters accountable for their criminal actions. The letter was sent after another night of rioting in Portland, where demonstrators started a fire and boarded-up entrances to the PPBs East Precinct building.

Step up and do your job; hold the rioters accountable, read the open letter. If there is no consequence for crimes from the District Attorneys office, there is no reason for criminals to stop the chaos.

Even a former district attorney has weighed in on the situation. Josh Marquis, a retired DA for nearby Clatsop County, said that for the first time in his career, a district attorney is now making prosecution decisions essentially based on the political views of the demonstrators and his own.

According to data shared by the DAs office, since May 29, the PPB has charged demonstrators with misdemeanors 417 times and with felonies 133 times. Of these charges, 313 were for interfering with a police officer and 44 were for rioting. Furthermore, 352 of the misdemeanor cases did not cause any bodily harm. This means that thanks to Schmidts policy of being lenient towards rioters, a vast majority of these cases will not be prosecuted, and hundreds of rioters will be able to walk away without any convictions.

The release of hundreds of criminals is bound to cause a lot more upheaval in Portland. Stay updated on the latest events to occur in this crime-infested city by subscribing to Rioting.news.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

OregonLive.com 1

MultCo.us

PortlandMercury.com

OregonLive.com 2
SPRINGFIELD  Police are investigating a shooting after a man walked into Mercy Medical Center suffering from a gunshot wound Thursday afternoon.

The victim suffered from a non-life-threatening injury, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman.

The citys ShotSpotter audio system detected a shooting at about 4:15 p.m. on Dwight Street. While officers were at the scene investigating the activation, hospital officials reported that the victim walked into the emergency room, Walsh said.

The departments Detective Bureau is investigating the crime, he said.

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Nepals Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and the ruling partys executive chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda met again on Thursday to sort out their differences and resolve the intra-party rift, with the sources here expecting a breakthrough soon.

The two leaders one-on-one meeting at the Prime Ministers residence at Baluwatar in Kathmandu. This was their first meeting after a week.

The details of the meeting have not been disclosed. The sources close to the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) said the talk ended on a positive note. Sources said as Prime Minister Oli agreed to hand over the total command of the party to Prachanda during the meeting, an agreement could be closer.

The leaders are expected to meet on Friday too.

Oli during a television interview on Wednesday said that the ongoing intra-party tussle will be settled down within five days. Oli and Prachanda have held at least ten meetings in recent weeks to sort out the differences between them. But, as the Prime Minister did not accept the condition of a one-man-one-post, the talks failed. Oli has refused to give up his post as prime minister as well as a co-chairman of the NCP.

A bitter internal feud has been brewing in the ruling NCP since the last few weeks after top party leaders, including Prachanda, demanded Olis resignation, saying his recent anti-India remarks were neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate. They are also against Olis autocratic style of functioning.

The differences grew further after Oli said that some of the ruling party leaders are aligning with the southern neighbour to remove him from power after his government issued a new political map incorporating three Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

The two leaders are also engaged in tightening their grip within the party with the escalation of the intra-party feud.
The womans mother said she has not been able to visit her daughter in the hospital because of coronavirus concerns. She said she saw her daughter by video and that she was able to make a couple of moves with her arm. She was not able to speak.
Thousands march in a peaceful demonstration in Papua New Guinea, in recognition of the First International Day against Witchcraft and Sorcery Accusation.

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

For many people, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery are echoes of a history long gone. But for others, it is still a very real threat.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has acknowledged that beliefs relating bad things that happen to people considered witches is still a reality in numerous countries around the world. As a result, human rights are violated. The OHCHR lists some repercussions suffered by people accused of witchcraft as beatings, banishment, cutting of body parts, and amputation of limbs, torture and murder. People particularly at risk are women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities particularly persons with albinism.

Local Bishop raises awareness

Bishop Donald Lippert of Mendi, in Papua New Guinea, has been raising awareness about this problem through social media. Bishop Mendi hopes his social media campaign denouncing such practices will help the Church to face the problem and eradicate it.

Sr Lorena Jenal reported the torture and burning of three women on Easter Sunday in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. They had been accused of the death of a man who had a history of asthma and kidney ailments. That episode was followed by the accusation of sorcery against six other women in the same area.

"Those who torture and kill women accused of sorcery are clearly guilty of the crime they are reporting, Bishop Lippert said last Saturday. He urged people to observe the first International Day against Witchcraft and Sorcery Accusation, held on 10 August, saying Let us all observe it together, pray together and act to stop the violence related.

On Friday, the Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands posted information about last Mondays event. The article, complete with photos, reports that about 3,000 people from the Diocese of Mendi with members from other Churches marched peacefully in Momei Oval, a township of Mendi.

It is reported that students and staff of a primary school, people with roles in the local community and health care, members of youth and womens groups, civil authorities and religious leaders took part in the demonstration. Placards read: Do not to kill innocent mothers, fathers and young women and Respect the dignity of persons.

Problem in context

Father Pius Hal represented the Diocese of Mendi in his capacity of Vicar General. Rather than being something faced by a few people, he said, many women in the area are exposed to such accusations and the violence it brings. Some, he explained, even have to flee their homes. "In many areas of Southern Highlands, Father Hal explained, many think that there is no natural death and that every death must have a clear cause. Unfortunately, when this happens the poor and defenceless are blamed for the death of a person.

His recommendation is that autopsies replace the practice of consulting witch doctors. The word of a qualified medical personnel to declare the cause of death may stem the hiring of bush doctors who need no proof to blame innocent and vulnerable people of witchcraft or sorcery, Father Hal stated.

Underreporting

Representing the Family and Sexual Violence unit, Sgt Jimmy Suaip said that the crimes committed against those accused of witchcraft often go unreported. "Many women were hanged, tortured and killed in the remote villages of the province but relatives do not report to us in fear of retaliation, he said.

Common moral duty

Public Solicitor Jenny Karenge said at the event that shelters and safe houses are needed in the province to welcome women facing the threat of violence. She says everyone has a moral duty to protect women and to fight against Sorcery related issues.

Follow-up online event

A panel discussion on the issue is set for Tuesday, 18 August 2020 via the social media conferencing platform Zoom. Anyone interested in joining the discussion is asked to contact Fr Ambrose Pereira via e-mail.
K Srinath Reddy By

Malcolm Gladwell, the celebrated author, was posed a question by a viewer in the Munk Dialogues webcast from Canada in April 2020. He was asked what, in his view, could be the best thing to come out of the global pandemic of Covid-19. Without any hesitation, Gladwell said it would be the resurgence of public health as a widely respected discipline. He went on to say that public health was a major influence in advancing human health and well-being in the 20th century, giving the examples of many infectious diseases that have been quelled, like smallpox, poliomyelitis and HIV-AIDS. Despite these successes of public health, technological advances in illness care disproportionately captured the limelight and resources.

He could have well added the ongoing, but only partially successful, battle against tobacco and the more successful but still needed programmes to reduce maternal and child mortality. When public health is confronted by powerful commercial interests that oppose action against unhealthy foods, polluting industries, tobacco and alcohol, policymakers and sections of the public are swayed to act against public health evidence and advice. However, even in some incontrovertible areas like clean water and sanitation, services are not made universally available while economic growth is pursued zealously through lopsided models of development.

Gladwell also pointed out that the highly renowned hospitals of the US could make little impact on Covid-19 as the health system became dysfunctional due to shortages of nurses, personal protection equipment and testing kits. Top-heavy tertiary healthcare tottered when the weak legs of the health system gave way. Others have pointed out how all the smartly designed apps could not substitute for well-trained contact tracing personnel, whether in the US or UK. Doctors in highly rated hospitals in America have railed against hospital managers cutting expenses on nursing and other support staff as well as protective equipment in pursuit of the single-minded obsession to maximise profits. Lessons for India are there as our corporate hospitals are letting business managers, representing investor interests, dictate clinical practice patterns.

The former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, N N Vohra, recently recalled that public health officers were an important part of state health services several decades ago. He was chairing a webinar on a holistic healthcare response to Covid-19 organised by the India International Centre on 8 August 2020. Drawing on his distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service, which gave him familiarity with the organisation and functioning of the health sector, he recommended that public health competencies must be built up again in the health services as a high priority.

Public health has been marginalised in our health planning and services, both through low investment in capacity building and negligible engagement of available expertise. Tamil Nadu has had a designated public health cadre for many years. Odisha has recently followed suit. The National Health Policy of 2017 aims to establish public health management cadre in all states. However, progress has been extremely slow, due to the lack of directive from the state-level political leadership and opposition from clinicians who are concerned about losing opportunities to occupy administrative positions in district and state health services. Even the Central government has not set an example by creating a public health cadre at the national level.

Public health needs greater presence at multiple levels of public services, in the health sector and beyond. Diverse areas of expertise and a variety of functions contribute collectively to protection and promotion of public health. From virologists and entomologists to epidemiologists and health economists, and from statisticians to social scientists, the field is large. Public health nutrition, public health law and public health engineering are allied domains of public health knowledge and practice. Public health management is pivotal to the successful delivery of health programmes and improving service delivery at all levels of healthcare.

Public health nurses, community health workers, sanitary inspectors and food inspectors must lead at the frontlines. A variety of allied health professionals and AYUSH doctors too can be trained for performing public health functions at the community level. Public health professionals are better at risk communication and community mobilisation, which are much-needed skills during emergencies like the pandemic. Creating such diverse expertise and utilising them appropriately is vital to the protection of the population.

Institutional capacity must be created and supported for training public health professionals who can provide high-level expertise, as well as public health practitioners who can deliver routine services to the population and ensure success of national health programmes. Clinicians should not resent the emergence of these cadre as the efficiency of health services will improve and those who are devoted to patient care can do so without worrying about system defects that result in inadequate staff, stock-outs of drugs and equipment, and poor information systems. They will also not have to deal with an avalanche of patients whose disease could have been prevented from occurring or advancing to a severe state.

Covid-19 provides an opportunity for strengthening our public health systems. Let us not lose that opportunity, lest we have to use the mask as a fig leaf to cover our future public health failures.

K Srinath Reddy

President, Public Health Foundation of India (Views expressed are personal)

(ksrinath.reddy@phfi.org)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand is 'going hard and going early' after learning from the coronavirus outbreak in Australia, extending stage-three restrictions in Auckland by a further 12 days and keeping the rest of the country under stage-two restrictions.

Ms Ardern said Kiwis can expect more cases as part of this cluster and flagged delaying the countrys September 19 election, with a decision on whether to dissolve the parliament being made on Monday.

"There are signs we have found this outbreak relatively early," she said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern discusses the COVID-19 outbreaks in Auckland. Credit:Getty Images

The new outbreak in New Zealand has shocked Australia's closest ally after it pursued a seemingly successful elimination strategy that had seen no cases of community transmission for 100 days until Tuesday.
A two-year-old boy has been rescued 43 days after he was kidnapped from a market in Mexico, allegedly by an infertile woman who paid two children to lure him away from his mother.

More than a hundred agents raided a home in the municipality of Cintalapa de Figueroa on Thursday - 125 miles from the city of San Cristobal de las Casas where Dylan Gomez was kidnapped on June 30.

Chiapas state attorney general Jose Luis Llaven said Dylan was found with his abductor, identified only as 23-year-old Margarita due to Mexico's due process law.

'His health is very good. He was checked by a pediatrician,' said Llaven at a press conference Friday attended by the boy and his mother Juana Perez.

'Fortunately, the conditions in which the accused had him were humane, she fed him and cared for him. She says that she became fond of the child.'

Perez said her 'little fat boy' seemed a bit shocked when they reunited but that he had recognized all of his loved ones.

Juana Perez (right) was reunited with her two-year-old son Dylan Gomez (left) 43 days after he was kidnapped at an outdoor market in Chiapas, Mexico

Juana Perez (right) said her two-year-old son Dylan Gomez (left) was shocked when he saw her but that he recognized all of his loved ones

Margarita (pictured), the 23-year-old woman who was arrested Thursday by more than 100 agents who were searching for a two-year-old boy she allegedly abducted on June 30

Llaven said the 23-year-old woman confessed that she spent two days in San Cristobal de las Casas looking to kidnap a child as a way to entice her ex-boyfriend to resume their relationship.

The couple had reportedly broken up because she could not get pregnant.

Perez was working her market post, where she sells fruits and vegetables, when she asked Gomez and her other son to walk over to her mother's table.

It is then that Margarita allegedly approached two other children, and deceived them by asking them to assist her in getting Gomez, whom she identified as her son, because 'he is too stubborn and does not want to leave with me.'

She allegedly paid the two other children $1 each for their help.

While searching for her son Dylan Gomez (right), Juana Perez (left) sought the help of Mexico's president and almost interrupted his daily press briefing at the National Palace

Two children (pictured) admitted they were paid $1 by a woman who lied about being the mother of Dylan Gomez before she kidnapped him June 30

Margarita (first from left) walks with the two children (middle and right) she paid $1 to help lead Dylan Gomez to her before kidnapping him in the Chiapas municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas

Dylan Gomez was found in good health and was seen by a pediatrician

Surveillance cameras showed Gomez being led away by the two children.

Margarita spent the night with Gomez at a hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas while the frantic search for the missing boy was underway and then hailed a taxi the following morning to Cintalapa de Figueroa.

During the search for her son, Perez tried interrupting Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's press briefing July 22 to plead for his assistance in finding Gomez and participated in a demonstration outside the National Palace.

Llaven said he will seek the maximum prison sentence of 75 years for Margarita.

Juana Perez holds a banner with her son's photo outside the presidential palace in Mexico City on July 22, the same day she tried to interrupt a president's daily press briefing to seek help in finding her two-year-old boy. Dylan Gomez Perez had been missing since June 30 and was found in good health Thursday

The older sister of one of the girls who lured Dylan away was among three women arrested during the hunt for the two-year-old - after cops discovered 23 kidnapped children in a separate home in southern Mexico.

The kidnapped children were being kept and forced into hard labor.

The horrifying discovery came in July in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, while authorities were looking for the whereabouts of Dylan.

Chiapas state prosecutors said Tuesday that most of the children were between two and 15 years old, but three babies aged between three and 20 months old were also found during a raid at a house in the Tlaxcala neighborhood.

Some of the 23 abducted children who were rescued by the police in Chiapas, Mexico, on Monday while they were searching for Dylan Esau Gomez Perez. Authorities shared this photo of some of the children having a boxed lunch after their rescue

The indigenous colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas is popular among tourists and it is common to see children and adults hawking local crafts like carvings and embroidered cloth on its narrow cobblestone streets.

However, few visitors to the city suspected that some of the kids selling trinkets had been snatched from their families and kept in deplorable conditions.

The Chiapas state prosecutors' office said in a statement that the children 'were forced through physical and psychological violence to sell handicrafts in the center of the city,' adding the kids showed signs of 'malnutrition and precarious conditions'.

'According to the children, many of them were forced to go out on the streets to sell things, and moreover they were forced to return with a certain minimum amount of money for the right to get food and a place to sleep at the house,' said state prosecutor Jorge Llaven.

According to video presented by the prosecutors, many of the children slept on what appeared to be sheets of cardboard and blankets on a cement floor.

Three women - identified as Maribel o Maria, Maria Hortensia and Juana - have been detained in the case and may face human trafficking and forced labor charges.

The children were handed over to child welfare authorities.
ATLANTA (AP)  A judge on Wednesday declined a prosecutor's request to revoke the bond for the officer who killed Rayshard Brooks, but she clarified that the conditions of his bond do not allow him to vacation out of state.

Garrett Rolfe, 27, faces 11 charges, including felony murder, in Brooks killing on June 12. Rolfe was granted bond June 30.

One of the conditions of his bond is that he have a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with exceptions for work, attorney meetings or medical visits.

Prosecutors argued that meant he was to spend each night at home in Georgia, and said his bond should be revoked because they had learned from his lawyers a day after he left that he was on vacation in Florida. His lawyers countered that the law makes a distinction between home confinement or house arrest and a curfew, and argued the state never requested that he be prohibited from traveling out of state.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick wrote in an order Wednesday that the bond order intentionally didn't specify the address where he would have to stay for his safety and because she anticipated he might have to move while on bond.

She never intended for him to freely travel, observing his curfew wherever he happened to be at night, she wrote, but added that bond cannot be revoked without due process. She clarified and amended the bond order to say that Rolfe shall live and reside at one residence within the State of Georgia.

While the Court is not revoking Defendant's bond at this time, the Court is more than surprised at Defendant's approach to complying with his conditions of release, she wrote. Defendant faces charges related to the killing of another human being, and whether he believes these charges are warranted, he was given the privilege of limited freedom while these charges pend. Should he and his attorneys have any question as to the meaning of the conditions of his bond, they should seek clarification from the Court before acting, rather than hoping for continued release after acting.

Story continues

Police body cameras showed Rolfe and another officer having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks for more than 40 minutes after complaints that the 27-year-old Black man had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendys drive-thru lane on June 12.

But when officers told him hed had too much to drink to be driving and tried to handcuff him, Brooks resisted. A struggle was caught on dash camera video. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and fled, firing the Taser at Rolfe as he ran away.

An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back.
HALIFAXNova Scotia has changed its rules for the use of non-medical masks in schools, saying new federal guidelines mean younger students will be required to wear them when classes resume on Sept. 8.

Education Minister Zach Churchill announced Friday that all students in Grades 4 to 12 will be required to wear a mask while inside school, except when they are seated at desks two metres apart that face the same direction.

Masks must also be worn in hallways and other common areas if a two-metre distance cannot be maintained.

When the province unveiled its back-to-school plan on July 22, the mask requirement was limited to high school students.

Robert Strang, the provinces chief medical officer of health, said the change reflects new scientific evidence that has confirmed children as young as 10 can spread COVID-19.

Churchill also announced the province will conduct a school-by-school assessment of all ventilation systems to ensure equipment is operating properly, and that includes the windows in older schools that have no other means of bringing fresh air into the building.

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Unnao case: Delhi HC asks Sengar's brother to decide hospital for treatment in custody

India

oi-Ajay Joseph Raj P

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted time to expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's brother, who was sentenced to 10 years for his role in the custodial killing of father of Unnao rape victim, to decide in which hospital he wanted to get medical treatment while in custodial parole.

Convict Atul Singh Sengar, sought eight weeks parole on the ground that he has multiple health issues and has to undergo surgery in Kanpur.

According to reports, the CBI counsel submitted that considering his medical condition, he shall be granted custody parole as he is an influential person and shall not be released.

COVID-19: Will COVAXIN launch on August 15?

Justice Vibhu Bakhru asked Atul's counsel to decide at which of the hospitals in Delhi he would like to get medical treatment and also made it clear that if he chooses a private hospital, the costs will be borne by him.

During the hearing, the CBI counsel also raised the question as to why Atul was not filing an appeal against the trial court's judgement convicting and sentencing him in the custodial death case, and has instead filed a plea for parole.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

On March 13, a trial court had sentenced Sengar, Atul and five others to 10 years imprisonment for the death of Unnao rape victim's father in custody.

It is reportedly said that Sengar and his brother were also directed to pay Rs 10 lakh each as fine within three months to legal heirs of the deceased, including the rape victim, as compensation.

The father of the rape victim was arrested at the behest of Sengar in the Arms Act and had died in custody on April 9, 2018 owing police brutalities in custody.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 9:12 [IST]
New Delhi: The government has confirmed that it has received interest from Bhutan to be part of COVID-19 vaccine trials.

Indian envoy to Bhutan Ruchira Kamboj said, "The Government of India has received information related to Bhutan's interest in being part of the COVID-19 vaccine trials. We understand that private companies who have developed the vaccines will be conducting trials in keeping with the established protocols for such procedures."

The Indian envoy said this in an interview with the Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel on the eve of Indias 74th Independence Day.

Three vaccines are being developed in India by - Oxford-Serum institute with phase 3 trial taking place, Bharat Biotech-ICMR vaccine with phase1, 2 underway & Zydus Cadila whose phase 2 trial is underway.

Bhutan imposed lockdown a few days ago after a COVID-19 case was detected in the country.

The Indian envoy also assured that in "solidarity" with the Bhutanese government, New Delhi will "ensure uninterrupted movement of essential as well as non-essential commodities to Bhutan" amidst the COVID pandemic and "India will always stand alongside Bhutan".
Pa. dropped four states, including a popular vacation destination, from its coronavirus travel quarantine list on Friday.

Domestic travelers going to or coming from North Carolina, Wisconsin, Utah, and Nebraska are no longer being asked to voluntarily quarantine for 14 days once they arrived in or return to the Keystone State.

Seventeen states continue to be on the list, however, which can be seen below. The quarantine is not required nor is it enforceable, but Gov. Tom Wolfs administration has repeatedly asked residents and guests to do the right thing to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

You can get COVID-19 during your travels," the Pa. Department of Health website says.

You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread COVID-19 to other people including your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.

Here are the states still on the Pa. coronavirus recommended quarantine list:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Kansas

Louisiana

Mississippi

Missouri

Nevada

North Dakota

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

More coverage:
JACKSON COUNTY, MI  Labor for Kristy Thumsers first five children took a while, so she assumed her sixth child would be the same.

The baby had a different idea.

Thumser ended up giving birth to a son in an ambulance parked in her Jackson County driveway on Monday, Aug. 10, because there wasnt time to get to the hospital.

I didnt want to have a driveway baby, she said. I was just totally freaked out. You hear of these things happening, but you never think its going to happen to you.

Thumser was at Henry Ford Allegiance Health on Sunday, Aug. 9, ready to deliver the baby. But she left around 10:30 p.m. because, although she was having contractions, other signs showed the baby wasnt quite ready to come yet.

By 1:30 a.m. the next day, her contractions had intensified. Still, Thumser said she and her husband Russell didnt rush back to the hospital because her previous labors had taken a while.

But, when she got sick in the yard as they were leaving, Thumser knew they wouldnt make it in time. They called 911.

(When the ambulance arrived) I was like, Come on, you got to hurry up, Thumser said. ... Thankfully they got me in the ambulance. It was a matter of minutes.

When the paramedics examined Thumser, it was time for her to push, paramedic Shannon Coleman said. She gave birth to Russell Thumser Jr. in the ambulance in her driveway at 2:42 a.m.

Neither Coleman, nor her partner had delivered a baby before.

We see a lot of different things in the ambulance but to deliver a healthy baby, and the mom healthy, it made me feel like I was on cloud nine, Coleman said. Everyone was happy. It was just a surreal experience.

There wasnt time to give Thumser pain medicine and it was her first birth without it, she told Coleman.

She was a champ, man, Coleman said. No pain meds.  She made it look easy. I know she was in a lot of pain and I know its not ideal to deliver in the back of an ambulance but she is a champ.

The paramedics stayed calm throughout the birth, which Thumser said she appreciated.

It was absolutely amazing how calm they were, she said. They were both super giddy because  theyre trained for it  but neither one had experienced it.

Little Russell was seven weeks premature and weighed 4 pounds, 14 ounces. So, hes currently in the neonatal intensive care unit at Henry Ford Allegiance Health,

Hes doing great, Thumser said. Hes doing really, really well.

Read more from MLive:

Michigan woman celebrating 105th birthday with help of community

Independent candidate running for Jackson County sheriff

Meterless parking continues downtown, 1 street assessment passes but 3 fail at Jackson council meeting

Jacksons interim city manager appointed to full-time position

Jackson ax-throwing bar builds outdoor lanes for use during pandemic
Officers said they responded to a call on Sunday about a young man in Englewood with a gun. When police arrived and confronted the young man, he ran away, they said, turning and shooting at them in the process. Police said they returned fire, wounding the young man. Officials said the police were not wearing body cameras at the time and that there is no video of the incident to validate their account.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 01:11:23|Editor: huaxia

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VIENNA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen Friday expressed regret over the United States' withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement when meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the presidential office said.

The issue was raised by the president while meeting Pompeo in the Hofburg, the presidential office said after the meeting.

The president also said an economic restart in Europe after the COVID-19 lockdown must be sustainable.

President Donald Trump announced in June 2017 that the United States would withdraw from the UN Paris climate change agreement that aimed to combat climate change, accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future.

Pompeo arrived in Austria on Thursday on his third leg of a four-nation tour that has already taken him to the Czech Republic and Slovenia. He will also pay a visit to Poland. Enditem
New Delhi:

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday accepted HY Metias resignation after the state Excise Minister was accused of being involved in a sex scandal.A

The alleged scandal came to light after an RTI activist Rajashekar Mulali alleged that Metias act with a woman who approached him for a favour was recorded in a CD, reports say.

Huge furore was created over the incident following which Karnataka CM discussed the issue with police.

The chief minister had reportedly asked the state intelligence to thoroughly probe the case and report to him if such a CD really existed.
ALBANY - It has been nearly a month since the Hudson Valley entered phase four of reopening, but owners of fitness centers and wedding venues said they are still waiting for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to release guidance on how they can safely reopen.

New: Cuomo says guidance for gyms to reopen in New York coming Monday

Despite coronvirus infection rates remaining low across the state, many businesses - including gyms, yoga studios, wedding venues and theaters - remain shuttered and are in limbo when it comes to when or how they can reopen.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many industries to shut down, including the sprawling wedding sector, which encompasses not only venue operators but caterers, photographers, florists and other small business owners.

You cannot leave the 12 million Americans that make up the wedding and event industry: unemployed, uninformed, unqualified for adequate aid, and unable to make a living,said Amy Hardisty, owner of White Hall Events. You cannot leave 2.5 million couples unable to get married safely this year. Despite being part of a $72 billion industry, we are not big businesses, we have not been bailed out, and most importantly, we have not been addressed in any reopening plan.

Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hudson Valley, held a virtual news conference Thursday calling on the state to work with these business owners and provide guidance on reopening as extended closures could force many small businesses to close permanently.

The news conference was held prior to a legislative hearing on COVID-19s impact on the workforce, where lawmakers peppered labor officials and union leaders with questions regarding unemployment benefits, ensuring personal protective equipment for employees as well as addressing fears of retaliation by employers if workers report unsafe conditions at a business establishment.

No one is asking for a rush to reopen. We all agree health and safety must be our top priority, but the state has fallen down on the job by refusing to even acknowledge the plight of these particular industries that have been totally left behind, Serino said. I am hearing from countless constituents who are at a loss as the state has gone radio silent, refusing to answer questions or provide even a timeline for when they can expect to receive guidelines that would allow them to plan for a safe reopening. Its not right.

When the Times Union requested an update on the status of guidance for those businesses from Cuomos office Thursday, Jason Conwall, a spokesman for the governor, did not directly respond.

Conwall said the governors actions with respect to gyms and fitness centers are consistent with the powers he was granted by the Legislature, all which were intended to curb the rise of infections across the state.

They also allowed us to avoid subsequent spikes of infection. Reports show that infections are rising in more than 35 states, and that officials in those states have been forced to re-close businesses and other parts of the economy that were opened too early, Conwall said in an emailed statement. Every public opinion survey has shown an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers support our reopening approach. We understand that some people arent happy  but better unhappy than sick or worse.

Cuomo also has suggested during his coronavirus task force briefings that other states have seen issues with the virus when gyms reopened, an assertion fitness center owners say is not grounded in facts.

Kristi Redl, a managing partner of All Sport Health and Fitness in Fishkill, said the center has been in contact with other fitness centers across the country and is unaware of any COVID-19 spikes attributable to gyms reopening.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Business owners said they also have developed plans to safely reopen, including adding cleaning stations, limiting the number of people who can enter a facility and spacing out equipment, but state officials seem unwilling to meet at the table, said Don Murphy, vice-chairman of the New York State Fitness Alliance.

The frustrating part is many of our industries have created plans and guidelines, he said. If there is something that is missing from those plans, there needs to be a transparent dialogue on what is concerning them, so we can make the changes and reopen.

Business owners stressed the importance of reopening to ensure establishments do not shutter permanently as millions remain unemployed and the state relies on the revenue generated by those businesses to fund essential services and operations.

Labor Department Commissioner Roberta Reardon said the state has paid out nearly $14 billion to more than 3.3 million jobless New Yorkers in the last five months.

Thats staggering and sobering, Reardon said of the statistics, noting that New York paid $2.1 billion in unemployment benefits for all of 2019.

The commissioner also sought to reassure legislators who expressed concern about the labor department being able to handle additional spikes in unemployment claims should a second wave of the virus hit New York. The department was inundated with claims early on in the pandemic, which caused delays in processing and dispersing payments.

Because there was such an overwhelming surge of cases we had a backlog because we couldnt get to them, Reardon said. We know what were doing now with the improved systems that we got. We know how to get the help that we need, so I am very prepared for anything that comes.
ATLANTA and NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine revealed its 2020 Inc. 5000 list and West Physics Consulting earned a spot at No. 3897 on this most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. For the 8th time, West Physics appears in the Inc. 5000, with a 3-year revenue growth rate of 91 percent. The list represents the most successful private enterprises in America. West Physics joins other well-known veterans of this list, such as Intuit, Zappos, Under Armor, Microsoft, and Patagonia, to name a few.

"We are very excited to have been ranked on the Inc. 5000 list for the 8th time and we believe that this validates our core values of strong customer service, superlative technical expertise, and innovative service offerings," stated Dr. Geoffrey West, President of West Physics. "As the healthcare industry continues to consolidate, healthcare organizations are seeking a medical physics provider that can provide a highly dependable turn-key service in a cost-effective manner across their entire healthcare network. We believe that our continued growth is a direct result of a committed team providing consistent, reliable, best-in-class medical and health physics services on a regional, national and international scale for our clients."

West Physics, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading global provider of integrated diagnostic medical and health physics testing and radiation safety consulting services. West Physics serves over 3,500 client sites, including hospitals, freestanding imaging centers, mobile imaging providers, and physician offices throughout the 50 U.S. states, federal territories, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. West Physics specializes in assisting healthcare providers in maintaining their accreditation with organizations such as The Joint Commission, the American College of Radiology, the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, RadSite, and in radiation regulatory compliance with state and federal agencies. For more information, please visit www.westphysics.com .

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

CONTACT:

Gregg Daversa

Vice President, Business Development

(770) 435-9186

[email protected]

SOURCE West Physics Consulting, LLC

Related Links

http://www.westphysics.com


The Ashok Gehlot government won a confidence vote in the Rajasthan assembly on Friday, ending for now the threat triggered by a rebellion within the Congress ranks in the state.

IMAGE: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot with his ex-deputy CM Sachin Pilot. Photograph: PTI Photo

The motion of confidence moved by parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident Congress MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

During the discussion, Pilot said he will fight for the Congress as its "strongest warrior".

Replying to the debate on the motion, chief minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government.

"I will not let the government topple at any cost even if you make all attempts," he said.

Gehlot said the crisis had come to an end in a beautiful manner and this had hurt the Bharatiya Janata Party.

What was done in Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Madhya Pradesh? Elected governments are being toppled and democracy is under danger," he said, accusing the BJP of targeting Congress governments.

Without taking names, he alleged that a Union minister was involved in the conspiracy to topple his government, saying this had become clear after some audio clips surfaced.

The indirect reference was to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who has earlier rejected the Congress allegation.

The BJP had earlier said it will move a no-confidence motion against the government, but called off the move after the Congress itself announced that it will seek a floor test.

During the debate, the opposition BJP accused the Gehlot camp of blaming it for the infighting within the Congress.

Gehlot dismissed the opposition allegation that his government was misusing the Special Operations Group of the Rajasthan Police, and also indirectly countered the Pilot camp's claim that the dissident leader had been targeted by the unit.

He reminded that he too got an SOG notice, seeking any information on attempts to topple the government.

The chief minister also rejected allegations that the MLAs' telephones were tapped.

Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria targeted Gehlot over his comments against his now sacked deputy and questioned how Pilot became useless after the formation of the government, when he had strengthened the party while in opposition.

Mocking Gehlot for keeping his loyalists holed up in hotels for a month, the BJP leader said if the government had a majority it could have proven it earlier.

He also questioned the Congress government over the deployment of the state police at hotels where the MLAs were staying.

The rebellion by Sachin Pilot ended earlier this week after the intervention of the party's top leadership in Delhi, which assured that his grievances will be heard. On Thursday, Gehlot and Pilot shook hands.

Pilot intervened in the debate, reacting to remarks by Kataria and Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore.

Referring to his seat being changed -- earlier he sat next to Gehlot as the deputy chief minister -- Pilot said he is now placed at the 'border' between his party and the opposition in the House.

"Who is sent to the border? The strongest warrior is sent," he said.

The House maintained social distancing. Two members sat on benches meant for three and additional seats were placed. Pilot said in the second row on one such seat between two benches.

Indirectly, he also referred to his meeting with the party high command.

"But I want to say that whatever I or my companions had to say, we have told the doctor about our complaints, he said, adding that the MLAs were now all together in the assembly after receiving the treatment.

BJP state unit president Satish Poonia said while the Congress talked about horse-trading, it had indulged in elephant-trading with the induction of six MLAs who were elected on Bahujan Samaj Party tickets in the 2018 assembly polls.

The Bahujan Samaj Party's election symbol is the elephant.

The BSP has challenged the merger in the Rajasthan High Court, which is expected to pronounce its verdict on Monday. Its petition is being heard along with a similar plea by BJP MLA Madan Dilawar.

The BSP-Congress merger in the state took the ruling party's strength in the 200-member assembly to 107, and it also has the backing of some independents and allies.

The BJP has 72 members.

After the confidence vote, the House adjourned to meet again next Friday.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crawford United Corporation (OTC: CRAWA), a growth-oriented holding company serving diverse markets, today reported results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020.



For the quarter, sales were $18.6 million compared to $24.5 million in the same period last year, a decrease of 24%. In this quarter, the Company recorded operating income of $0.5 million compared to operating income of $2.8 million in the same period last year. Net income was $0.2 million, or $0.07 per fully diluted share, compared to $1.8 million, or $0.57 per fully diluted share in the same period last year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, sales were $43.9 million compared to $46.4 million in the same period last year, a decrease of 5%. In this six-month period, the Company recorded operating income of $3.7 million compared to operating income of $5.4 million in the same period last year. Net income was $2.3 million, or $0.69 per fully diluted share, compared to $3.6 million, or $1.12 per fully diluted share in the same period last year.

For the quarter and the six months ended June 30, the increases in selling, general and administrative expenses were related to the acquisition of Marine Products International in January. The decreases in sales, operating income and net income were due to the impact of COVID-19. The pandemic significantly weakened customer demand across the Company's business segments, particularly in late April through May. The Company took immediate actions, including aggressive management of working capital, elimination of non-critical capital expenditures, reductions in salaried compensation, cuts in discretionary spending, permanent headcount reductions, and temporary layoffs. In June, consolidated revenue improved as demand from key end markets began to recover, resulting in a positive net income for the month and the quarter.

Brian Powers, Chairman and CEO, stated, Although we faced challenging market conditions in the second quarter as a result of the global pandemic, we remain confident in our ability to pursue and achieve long-term strategic priorities. Crawford United has the stability required to explore opportunities for growing our revenue and improving our profitability, with an eye towards future acquisitions. We will maintain and build upon our strong relationships with key customers and suppliers as we continue to emerge from the current economic situation.



Story continues

About Crawford United Corporation. Crawford United Corporation is a growth-oriented holding company providing specialty industrial products to diverse markets, including healthcare, aerospace, education, transportation, and petrochemical. The company currently operates three business segments. The Aerospace Components business specializes in highly complex precision components for customers in the commercial and military aviation industry, offering complete end-to-end engineering, machining, grinding, welding, brazing, heat treat, and assembly solutions. The Commercial Air Handling business is a leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing highly customized, large-scale commercial, institutional, and industrial air handling solutions. The Industrial Hose business is a premier manufacturer of flexible interlocking metal hoses and a distributor of a full line of branded silicone, plastic, rubber, hydraulic, marine and fuel hose products. For more information, go to www.crawfordunited.com .

Information about Forward Looking Statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements made regarding the companys future results. Generally, these statements can be identified by the use of words such as guidance, outlook, believes, estimates, anticipates, expects, forecasts, seeks, projects, intends, plans, may, will, should, could, would and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward looking statements, or other statements made by the Company, are made based upon managements expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including, but not limited to, those specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, actual results of the Company could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include the Companys ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including the acquisition of MPI Products Inc. (dba Marine Products International), and manage the larger operations of the combined businesses, the Companys dependence upon a limited number of customers in the aerospace industry, the highly competitive industry in which the Company operates, which includes several competitors with greater financial resources and larger sales organizations, the Companys ability to capitalize on market opportunities in certain sectors, the Companys ability to obtain cost effective financing and the Companys ability to satisfy obligations under its financing arrangements, statements related to the expected effects on the Companys business of the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and impact on the demand for the Companys products, actions that governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic, including mandatory business closures and restrictions on onsite commercial interactions, the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on global and regional economies and economic activity, the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth, as well as the risks described from time to time in the Companys reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further information on potential factors that could affect the financial results of the Company and its forward-looking statements is included in its most recent Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as may be required by law. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Brian E. Powers

Chairman & CEO

216-243-2449

bpowers@crawfordunited.com

Crawford United has a great future behind it.









CRAWFORD UNITED Financial Highlights (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Sales $ 18,576,588 100 % $ 24,514,636 100 % $ 43,858,162 100 % $ 46,350,723 100 % Cost of Sales 15,077,549 81 % 19,287,703 79 % 34,150,980 78 % 36,293,902 78 % Gross Profit 3,499,039 19 % 5,226,933 21 % 9,707,182 22 % 10,056,821 22 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,968,519 16 % 2,435,380 10 % 6,038,513 14 % 4,694,197 10 % Operating Income 530,520 3 % 2,791,553 11 % 3,668,669 8 % 5,362,624 12 % Interest charges 235,289 1 % 284,579 1 % 532,710 1 % 550,652 1 % Other (income) expense, net (12,394 ) -0 % 25,535 0 % 58,967 0 % 1,661 0 % Income before Income Taxes 307,625 2 % 2,481,439 10 % 3,076,992 7 % 4,810,311 10 % Income tax expense 78,788 0 % 649,960 3 % 772,585 2 % 1,233,374 3 % Net income $ 228,837 1 % $ 1,831,479 7 % $ 2,304,407 5 % $ 3,576,937 8 % Net income (loss) per common share Basic $ 0.07 $ 0.66 $ 0.70 $ 1.30 Diluted $ 0.07 $ 0.57 $ 0.69 $ 1.12 Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 3,317,665 2,755,916 3,314,573 2,755,764 Diluted 3,319,264 3,212,798 3,316,217 3,196,151




Ask Dr. Land: Why is Billy Graham's statue being installed in US Capitol important?

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Question: What is the significance of Billy Graham being placed in the Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol?





By act of Congress in 1864, each state in the United States is eligible to have a statue of two of its deceased citizens deemed worthy of this great honor. As states were added to the union, overcrowding became a problem. So, beginning in 1933, each state was allotted one statue in Statuary Hall and one other statue that would be given prominent locations in designated areas of the Capitol.

Also, states could replace a statue with another deceased citizen deemed more worthy. This is what happened in the case of Billy Graham. Dr. Graham was not eligible until his homegoing in his 100th year in 2018. Within a few months of his death, the North Carolina legislature began the process of replacing Governor Charles Brantley Aycock with Billy Graham, a process now completed, and the Billy Graham statue is being sculpted as you read this column.

Who was Charles Brantley Aycock? This is where the story gets really interesting  and encouraging. Gov. Charles Aycock was a North Carolina politician, best known today for instigating and leading a race riot in 1896 in order to violently overthrow a duly elected black majority local government. It is hard to imagine why Gov. Aycocks statue was still in Statuary Hall in the first place.

In any event, how encouraging that he is now being replaced by Billy Graham, perhaps the greatest Christian evangelist since the Apostle Paul. Dr. Grahams statue will depict him as he was in the 1960s, Bible in hand, preaching the Gospel of his Savior.

Few men have known the personal fame and adulation that Billy Graham experienced, but he remained an incredibly humble man his entire life according to those who knew him best. His son Franklin Graham responded to the news by saying, My father would be very pleased that people thought of him this way, but he would want people to give God the glory and not himself.

And that is so true. The Billy Graham Library (documenting his incredible life and ministry) is Charlottes number one tourist attraction. And the library does fulfill Billy Grahams goal that it might magnify Jesus, not Billy Graham.

It often amused me to hear people say in Billys later years, Who will be the next Billy Graham? My answer always was, What makes you think we will get another one? It took us two millennia to get the first Billy Graham  a boy born and raised on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina that God empowered to preach Jesus to more people than anyone ever has. Back to the significance of Statuary Hall. Billy Graham is replacing an infamous segregationist. How fitting that is. And, Billy Graham was one of the pioneers for racial equality in America. He and Martin Luther King Jr. became great friends through the years until Dr. Kings tragic assassination in 1968. Both were Baptist ministers and both were committed to bringing about racial reconciliation both in America and in their native South.

In 1953, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was holding a crusade in Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Graham had made a point that his crusades would always be integrated. When ushers put up ropes to segregate the audience, Graham told the head usher to take down the ropes, and when the usher refused, Billy Graham took them down himself. When the ushers threatened to put them back up again, Dr. Graham informed them, Either these ropes stay down or you can go on and have the revival without me. That was a courageous stand in 1953. But Billy Graham always knew what the Bible said, and he knew it condemned racism from Genesis to Revelation, and he was not going to compromise his crusades or the name of Jesus.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had the opportunity to visit with Billy Graham four times. In the first such meeting in 1972, when we were both back stage of the Southern Baptist Convention waiting to speak, I had the chance to thank him for leading the crusade in which my father made a confession of faith in Jesus as his Savior in Houston in 1953. He was always gracious, polite, and clearly on fire for Jesus. I had the privilege of attending his funeral, and the most memorable part of that funeral to me, and by observation and from sharing, clearly for many others as well, was when one of his daughters gave her tribute to her father. She explained that she got married young. She had to leave the marriage because it was an abusive relationship. She had young children. She wanted to be married again, and she met a man whom she thought would be her husband. Both of her parents counseled her to go slowly and make certain before moving into a second marriage. She disregarded their advice and got married, and she had to flee months later for her safety. With her small children she had nowhere else to go but to go home to her parents. Then, as an aside to the audience, she said, You women in the audience know that you never want to embarrass your father, and when your father is Billy Graham. . . . So she was driving home to Montreat and taking the long winding road up the hillside to her parents home, wondering what her reception would be. Were they going to say, Well, we told you. Then she pulled into the side of the house, and there in the circular drive was her dad waiting for her. As she pulled up and got out of the car, he gave her a big bear hug and said, Welcome home, thus proving to all of us that he was what we thought he was  a man of God  demonstrating the way God greets us whatever has transpired.
Tyrone James, General Secretary of the Opposition NDP, has written to the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), requesting that it allocates radio time to the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Godwin Friday.

A letter signed by Tyrone James, the New Democratic Partys General Secretary, was dispatched to Dionne John in her capacity as General Manager of the National Broadcasting Corporation, in protest of what appears to be deliberate efforts to deny NDP President and duly appointed Opposition Leader Dr. Godwin Friday, access to NBCs broadcasting resources.





The August 7 communique lamented the fact that, "Dr. Friday has requested access to the national radio station [NBC Radio705] to communicate to the nation on matters of public interest and importance. He has still not been allowed such access. Indeed, it is noticeable that NBC 705 does not even attend Dr. Fridays media conferences, despite invitations to do so.





The letter also chronicled attempts "to address the matter by NDPs Public Relations Officer Laverne King.





These efforts included "several messages that were left at the radio station "about two months ago by PRO King. According to James, these messages were not acknowledged so, "she then visited the station to discuss the matter and enquired if slots were available in the month of July. She was informed that all slots were booked out. After further discussion, she was told that someone would get back to her within two weeks. No one did.





James was also moved to remind the stations General Manager of the constitutional validity of Dr. Fridays office as Opposition Leader as he tabled another request for access. "The Leader of the Opposition is a constitutional position in our system of government. As the person holding that position for the time being, Dr. Friday has a responsibility to address the nation on matters of public interest and importance. Accordingly, he is requesting a weekly slot on the national radio station, NBC Radio 705.





We reached out to Colvin Harry, NBC Radios Progamme Manager, who opted "not to speak about that at the moment.





However, he acknowledged receipt of James missive and intimated that his management team was "in the process of going through the letter. Though, he said, "Im not sure if anybody else would be willing to comment on it; at least not at this moment.





Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is currently allotted at least 2 hours every Wednesday morning as he delivers weekly updates to the stations Morning Cup listeners and viewers via its Facebook live stream. That show is hosted by Colvin Harry.





A similar situation was recently resolved in another Eastern Caribbean jurisdiction when the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party threatened to bring legal action against "the government and state-run ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation for infringing on the rights of the people.





Earlier this year, the SKN Labour Party accused the state owned media outlet of "contravening their constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association and the right to be protected from discrimination.





In an unprecedented move, ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation responded by allocating equal air time to all registered political parties ahead of the St. Kitts and Nevis general elections, LoopNewsCaribbean.com reported.








There have been discussions on the problems with the sale of Armenian agricultural products in Russia during a session of the Eurasian Economic Commission. This is what Minister of Economy of Armenia Tigran Khachatryan told reporters today, commenting on journalists question on the steps that the Ministry of Economy has taken to solve the problem and prevent the repetition of such actions in the future. The minister stated that the nature of what happened doesnt imply discussions with the state economic institutions in the Russian Federation since it was in the private sector and there is no economic ground. Khachatryan added that, nevertheless, the Ministry of Economy was constantly in contact with the Embassy of Armenia and the circles that were helping ensure the sale of Armenian agricultural products.

Asked if the Armenian side has any guarantee that such things will never happen again, Khachatryan stated that Armenia is working in this direction and is holding working discussions and consultations and added that the issue has also been discussed with the Eurasian Economic Commission.

In the wake of escalation of the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Armenian exporters of agricultural products faced problems with sale of their products. In particular, the Azerbaijani owners of certain markets refused to provide spots for the Armenian exporters to sell their products.
Vingroup donates 20,000 SARS-CoV-2 testing samples worth VND1.2 billion. Photo: VNA

Accordingly, the Hong Ngoc General Hospital supported 20,000 SARS-CoV-2 testing samples worth VND2 billion; Vingroup supported 20,000 SARS-CoV-2 testing samples worth VND1.2 billion; the Party Committee of the Hanoi Beer Alcohol and Beverage Joint Stock Corporation donated 1,200 bottles of hand sanitizer, 24,000 bottles of purified water, worth VND110 million; and the association of orchid plantation in Hanois Ba Vi district donated VND56 million.



Recognizing and highly appreciating the businesses and organizations care for and responsibility sharing with the city's fight against COVID-19, President of the VFF Hanoi Nguyen Lan Huong said that the prevention and control of the pandemic had been carried out strongly by the city. Hanoi has well controlled the pandemic in the 1st and 2nd phases; however, it also meets difficulties in the 3rd phase, she added.

She confirmed that to better the fight and share burden with the Government and the health sector, the support from organizations, businesses and sponsors is crucial. The deed contributes to bringing peace for the city in particular and people nationwide in general, she went on to say.

After the receiving ceremony, the VFF Hanoi transferred 40 body temperature machines to the city Health Department to serve the pandemic prevention effort.

Earlier, on August 11, VFF Hanoi President Nguyen Lan Huong and leaders of the city Health Department received 50,000 SARS-CoV-2 testing samples worth VND5 billion from Vinamilk Company./.
Naa Abdulai Dawana, the Chief of Nakore, has appealed to government to consider providing boreholes to all schools in the area to enable children practise proper handwashing when schools re-open.



This, he said would help the schools have access to constant flow of water to properly observe the COVID-19 protocols especially frequent washing of hands with soap under running water.



Naa Dawana said this at a durbar at Nakore organised by the National Population Council on the theme Putting the brakes on COVID-19: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls now.



The durbar forms part of activities marking the celebration of the 2020 World Population Day.



On the issue of electricity, Naa Dawana noted that only 15 per cent of the total population had access to electricity and appealed to the government to address the situation to promote night learning among students in the area.



Madam Mary Gyasi, the Deputy Upper West Regional Population Officer, explained that the objective of the programme was to create awareness on the health and rights of women and girls amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.



Madam Gyasi pointed out that women and girls had diverse experiences in the Upper West Region in terms of safeguarding their health and rights.



She expressed worry that parents lacked access to adequate information on reproductive health issues, formal education and the fear of exposing their children to information they deemed inappropriate.



That, she said, led teenagers to make decisions that affected their health and safety.



Madam Gyasi was, however, optimistic that females attaining higher levels of education could help improve on their confidence and also help them to take independent decisions in the face of cultural hindrances.



Mr Dambia Osbert Salifu, the Presiding Member for Nadowli-Kaleo District Assembly, highlighted that majority of children in rural Ghana especially the Upper West Region did not have access to basic household technologies, which made it difficult for them to participate in the ongoing virtual studies.



He was of the view that the pandemic would be stopped if the Region underwent attitudinal change by religiously observing all the recommended COVID-19 protocols, adding that the virus was real.

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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'I challenge BJP spokespersons that they have no idea what their party's ideology is because they believe it is only Modi's party now.'

IMAGE: Congress Spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi seen on Aaj Tak on the issue of the Bengaluru violence shortly before he died of a heart attack.

The sudden demise of the Congress's national spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi shortly after participating in a news television debate on Wednesday, August 12, night has triggered a discussion about the nature of such debates, with several party leaders, including Ahmed Patel, saying how news debates have been reduced to a 'potentially fatal activity'.

Some Congress leaders accused Bharatiya Janata Party Spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra of using 'vile language' against Tyagi, while others demanded his arrest.

Tyagi was last seen on Aaj Tak in a debate on the Bengaluru violence, in which Dr Patra was also a participant.

Doctors at the Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad, where Tyagi was taken to by the family, said it was during the television debate that Tyagi suffered a heart attack and passed away soon after.

Congress Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill wrote a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javdekar on Thursday, August 13, asking him to enforce a strict media code of conduct to 'curb sensationalist, slanderous and toxic nature of televised media debates' in the light of Tyagi's tragic demise.

"TV debates should be about issues that affect countries and they are not doing that," Professor Gourav Vallabh, national spokesperson for the Indian National Congress and a regular talking head on news television channels, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Rajiv Tyagi's death is shocking because he died after his participation in a TV debate. Do you feel you are under tremendous pressure while participating in TV debates?

(During) Wednesday's debate, Rajivji was in pressure for sure.

I can understand that because as a Congress party spokesperson I go on television debates.

We take this pressure during the debate all the time.

We have to control our anger all the time on TV.

On TV debates, if you see the title of the debates, they have only one agenda, as to how to divide society on any issue.

If not that, they will take up an issue which will show the ruling party, BJP, winning and the Opposition losing.

Even before the TV debates begin, the title of the debate itself will show a tilt towards the ruling party's agenda.

BJP spokespersons attack us on the personal front.

They don't stop there, but also target our families.

They humiliate our leaders, our clothes and our religion.

If I am wearing a tilak on my forehead they will comment on that too.

This is regular practice.

Once I wore a coloured jacket, then the BJP spokesperson tried to give a (communal) colour to it.

All other panelists quietly listened to all the insults that were showered on me.

When our party spokesperson's chance comes to speak, TV anchors either mute our volume or don't give us sufficient time to explain our viewpoint.

If not that, they take a break in the programme or our network fails so we disappear from the television screen.

Moreover, they pitch three spokespersons of the BJP against us.

One will be from the BJP, one from the RSS and the third person will be a BJP supporter who will be not associated either with the party or the RSS.

Moreover, the anchor always supports the BJP.

Is this the reason we got Independence?

Haven't you conveyed to the TV anchors or channel owners that they are intentionally siding with the government during debates?

Who do we talk to?

You just go by the record and check one-month-old debates on TV.

There were three important issues before the nation that had to be tackled.

The first one is COVID-19.

India will soon have 25 lakh patients.

We are breaking world records on COVID-19, but there are no television debates on this issue.

Secondly, you see the national education policy.

How many people discussed this issue on prime time debates?

This NEP will affect our coming generations'S lives, but no one is talking about it.

Thirdly, the environment policy of the Modi government which is going to affect people.

But no TV debate discusses these things.

On the contrary, you will see debates like Asli Hindu banam nakli Hindu (Real Hindu versus Fake Hindu).

Now TV channels decide who is a true Hindu!

I read in our scriptures that this can only be decided by the shankaracharya.

If these TV anchors really want to find out who is a real Hindu, why don't they call the shankaracharya and speak to him?

I too will come and let the BJP also come for such debates.

Whoever knows more about Hinduism will win.

Let us do that.

But no, they are not doing that.

I really wonder where these TV debates are going to take our country.

Why don't you boycott TV channel debates?

My point is, do the right kind of debates on TV.

Boycotting TV debates is not the solution.

We have to fight this illness and we have to cure it.

The biggest condolence we can give to Rajiv Tyagiji is that we do debates on different subjects and in a decent manner.

For this reason, our elders sacrificed to get freedom.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us the Constitution of India so that we do not hurt other people.

You want to debate about religion, please do.

But call the shankaracharya to the debate, not some TV anchor who will judge these issues.

TV debates should be about issues that affect countries and they (anchors) are not doing that.

You said Congress spokespersons don't get enough time, but then in one minute you clean bowled BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra when you asked him how many zeroes are there in a trillion and he could not reply.

I do that all the time to him.

He makes personal comments on me, but I do not get affected by it.

Every individual is different.

Some are very emotional, some are less emotional.

It all depends on person to person.

Once, there was a discussion on the Ram Charitra Manas and I countered him with questions to which he could not answer.

He has an agenda to come on TV debates to give wrong information to the people and deflect the attention of the people from the real issues facing the country.

When I ask him hard-hitting questions, he just evades giving an answer.

In a democracy one can have ideological differences, but on TV debates one sees more personal attacks. Why has the level of TV debates fallen so low?

Because their (BJP) mission is to suppress other people's voices.

The only mission they have is to spread their false narrative.

Television news debates are very poisonous.

Yesterday I was in a debate with the man whom you are talking about (Sambit Patra)..

Some people get very emotional in the debates and they get affected by it.

They feel bad.

When my rival in the debate starts attacking me personally, I understand that he has lost his case.

If I have substance in my debate, I will never comment on your religion or what you are wearing.

I will never do that because I am confident of my substance in my debate.

During debates, Patra calls Congress spokespersons 'Jaichand' and your party as a 'traitor'. How do you take it?

You feel bad and there is no doubt about it.

It is bad to cross a decency level.

I don't respond to them in his language because I have learnt from Mahatma Gandhi that one must not respond with bad words to your opponent even if he is using bad words against you.

They don't have answers, so they insult you and humiliate you.

Once, I asked can you say who was Jaichand?

No one in TV panelists had any answer.

It is because they do not read India's history or even their own party's history.

I challenge BJP spokespersons that they have no idea what their party's ideology is because they believe it is only Modi's party now.

Do you have a personal friendship with Sambit Patra off the screen?

I am neither friends nor enemies with him.

After the debate if he does a namaste, I too do namaste.

I have nothing against him.

I feel he is as much an Indian as I am.

I have no ill feeling towards him, but he has in him against me.

He wants to prove he is more Hindustani and Hindu than me.

If there is ever an exam on these things, he will come last.

Hindu religion teaches sarv dharma sambhav (All religion are equal).

Hindu religion says that one must respect all other religions.

If someone does not do that, then how can he be a Hindu?

Your party critics say the Congress is trying to score brownie points over Rajiv Tyagi's death?

I feel sad to hear such things.

Rajiv Tyagiji was a deshbhakt (patriot) and he fought his ideological battle with all honesty and with sincerity.

If you see his last debate, then you will find that he was insulted for his religion and the tilak he was wearing on his forehead while on TV.

He did not respond in anger, but spoke with decency.

This is what India is all about.

This is Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and Lord Ram and Lord Krishna's teachings.

Do you also feel Patra should be arrested for causing Rajiv Tyagi's death?

I don't know what was trending on social media, but whatever is the truth, every Indian knows.

What I felt is true, I post my video on my Twitter account.

The more you dig into social media trends you will only find there is hate, venom and nothing more.

Therefore, I would not want to comment more than this.
Every weekday, we deliver the news in under five minutes in podcast form. Listen to the podcast at this link or on your favorite app including iTunes, Spotify, Alexa and Google. Episodes are available every day on syracuse.com. Subscribe/Follow and rate the podcast via your favorite app
NAIROBI, Kenya  Zareen Bandhoo was at work last week in the central Mauritius town of Curepipe when she heard that oil was spilling from a ship into the island nations pristine lagoons.

In the days since, as Mauritius has confronted one of its worst environmental disasters, Ms. Bandhoo has been hard at work. She has donated money and food for cleanup operations, and has teamed with friends and colleagues to help limit the damage to the islands picturesque coast. Together, they made makeshift booms from fabric and sugar cane leaves to contain the oil, collected hair and plastic bottles to absorb and clean up the slick, scrubbed contaminated beaches, and raised awareness online about the extent of the damage.

Their efforts are representative of the grass-roots initiatives undertaken by Mauritians amid mounting anger and frustration that officials did not act soon enough to address the spill  even though the Japanese-owned bulk carrier ran aground on a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on July 25.

This could have been avoided, said Ms. Bandhoo, 24, who works as an assistant in a food supply business.
Port Colborne Optimist Club is encouraging the importance of literacy with a book giveaway Saturday.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., families are invited to the Village Hall Sanctuary at Elm and Charlotte Streets to come in and select from thousands of books that will be available.

The club has about 7,000 books in stock and will start the day with about 2,000 that children can choose from, said president Janet Pilon.

Well take it from there, she said, adding that more will be brought to site if the initial amount depletes before the end of the day.

The books are donated by First Book Canada.

The Optimist Club has offered a program in the last three years where volunteers visit local schools to hand out books.

With COVID-19 putting a stop to that in the 2019-20 academic year and uncertainty about the upcoming months at schools, the weekend giveaway seemed to be a good fit, said Pilon.

Kids can take two books, and also choose as many as theyd like from a free-for-all table as well, she said.

Titles available will suit reading levels from kindergarten to Grade 8, said Pilon.

A maximum of 50 people are permitted indoors at the same time during Stage 3 of the provinces reopening, but Pilon expects no more than 20 will be allowed in at once during the event.

Hand sanitizer will also be readily available, she said.

The venue for the event is the former First Presbyterian Church, located at 176 Elm St.

Kris Dube is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Welland Tribune. Reach him via email: kris.dube@niagaradailies.com
: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his seven ministerial colleagues on Friday self-quarantined themselves after 23 state government officials, who were part of the rescue operation after a plane overshot the runway in heavy rain near Kozhikode last week, were tested Covid-19 positive. Vijayan, governor Arif Mohammad Khan were among those who visited Kozhikkode after the accident claimed 18 lives.

Governor is yet to announce his decision.

In a statement, Vijayans office said the chief minister will be unable to unfurl the Tricolour on Independence Day on Saturday and tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran will preside over the ceremony in his place.

Malappuram district collector K Gopalakrishnan and police superintendent U Abdul Kareem are among the 23 tested positive for the disease. They supervised the rescue work with local people on Friday last.

Health minister K K Shaialaj and police chief Loknath Behra are among others who have self-quarantined themselves. Some district officials were put under quarantine after some of those injured in the accident tested positive for Covid-19.

Some symptoms were there since yesterday and later it was confirmed positive. This is part of our job. I am relieved we could limit the death toll to 18, said Gopalakrishnan, who reached the spot in 20 minutes and took command of the rescue work.

The Central Industrial Security Force earlier on August 11 asked its personnel, who were part of the rescue operation, to go into quarantine. Kondotty, where the airport is situated, was a containment zone when the accident took place. Several residents rushed to the scene to help in the rescue work. Union civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Air India have lauded their efforts.

Kerala reported 1,569 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths on Friday, which took the toll from the disease to 140. The states infection tally has gone up to 41, 246.

Shailalja has said the cases were likely to peak by next month and experts have warned daily cases will go up to 15,000. Kerala was the first to report a Covid-19 case in the country in January.

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The overt nature of the sexism Ferraro faced was evident at the time; in retrospect, it is astonishing. Vice President George H.W. Bushs press secretary called her too bitchy. She was asked if she could bake blueberry muffins (I sure can  can you? Ferraro retorted) and interrogated about her willingness to push the nuclear button. On NBCs Meet the Press, Ferraro was asked, Do you think that in any way the Soviets might be tempted to try to take advantage of you simply because you are a woman?
By Allison Proffitt

August 12, 2020 | In a virtual symposium this weekrescheduled from a live event in Ugandathe National Institutes of Health launched a new program: Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa). The program will leverage data science technologies and prior NIH investments to develop solutions to the continents most pressing public health problems through a robust ecosystem of new partners from academic, government, and private sectors.

Im particularly excited about DS-I Africa because I think it comes at a particularly incredible time of growth and opportunity, said Francis Collins in a pre-recorded opening keynote video. Africa is very well situated to play an increasingly significant role in this area of scientific opportunity.

Africa carries unique populations, genes, and exposures, according to the program snapshot. Therefore, tools developed in high-income countries that are based on European populations data often cannot be applied in the African context. Though data science expertise exists in Africa, it is scarce and scattered throughout the continent. Health data scientists are needed to conduct policy analyses as Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of data science research in Africa present challenges. There is a high need for clinical decision support due to a critical shortage in the medical workforce.

Collins pointed out several African organizations that are already leading the way on data science: the African Academy of Sciences, African Open Science Platform, and Data Science Africa. Data science, Collins pointed out, can be done without some of the large infrastructure investments required of other scientific disciplines. It requires talent; it requires some internet connection. And then a great deal of things can happen, he said. Among those great things, Collins highlighted data science exploration of genomics data and environmental exposure data as areas in which data are plentiful and well-trained data scientists could make significant progress.

The DS-I investment currently totals $58 million and comes from the NIH Common Fund, and is meant to particularly encourage public-private partnerships. This isnt a traditional NIH grant, Collins said. We want to see partnerships that go beyond the traditional academic research arenapartnerships that connect up with government, the private sectors, with NGO partners. And we want to be sure this is focused in a way that solves health challenges in Africa in a sustainable way. That probably cant be done by any single institution.

Collins encouraged buy in and investments from African governments. We want to move the way in which research is funded from what you might call donorship to something I would now call, ownership, Collins said, hoping this funding model will build the countries own economies and workforces.

Ten Year Plan

The DS-I Africa plan is currently calling for funding applications for at least four awards: an open data science platform and coordinating center; research hubs; research training programs; and ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) research.

The applications can either be direct awards to African institutions or awards to U.S. institutions in partnership with African institutions. Regardless of the applicant organization, the training programs must focus on building institutional capacity at one or more African institutions and train African researchers. Applications are due November 24, 2020 with projects slated to begin in September 2021.

In all four areas, DS-I Africa aims to develop solutions to the continents most pressing health problems through a robust ecosystem of new partners. Data sciences hubs should be dedicated to research in key health programs. Data science training programs must focus on building institutional capacity at one or more African institutions and train African researchers. Third, the Ethical Legal and Social Implications of data science research in Africa will be explored, particularly around how artificial intelligence and machine learning could be applied to human health. Finally, an Open Data Science Platform & Coordination Center will, Collins says, pull the efforts together in what, he hopes, will be a trans-African network.

African Investment

The symposium announcing the new program included several speakers from organizations across Africa highlighting the importance of data science to Africa. Beatrice Murage, Philips Healthcare Africa, said data science offers the opportunity to leapfrog existing technologies and solutions. The African population is generally young, entrepreneurial, and tech-curious, Murage said, but there is a talent and leadership shortage. Were hoping to be able to use data science to gap these two challenges, she said.

In the past, there have been parallel initiatives from academia and industry, Murage said, training efforts that did not necessarily align with industry needs. By the time [newly trained data scientists] do get to industry, the industry feels that theyre not ready, or theyre not well-suited, she said. For instance, she hopes training will equip data scientists to have a customer focus so that they can build solutions well-tailored to specific pain points, and that they learn to prioritize business models and solutions that are sustainable and scalable.

But Murage is very hopeful that Africa will be able to build its own talent pool. We hope as we build the talent inside of Africa, we can get to a place where people outsource to us in terms of data science, she said. Philips is passionate about strengthening the entire ecosystem, she said, and is particularly concerned about leaderships, economics, and information. We are always aware that there is no silver bullet. When we are trying to address the challenges in the continent, we need to be able to partner together with other organizations be they academia, be they general corporate, be they government entities, or be they nonprofit organizations.

Government Buy-In

Collins emphasized that the DS-I Africa program should include significant investments and contributions from African governments so that the programs and outcomes are owned from within. Through his talk, David Moinina Sengeh, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and Chief Innovation Officer for Sierra Leone, argued that African country governments wont be opposed to investing in data science. Sierra Leone, he said, has already invested heavily in innovation and a national digital strategy.

The Sierra Leone government is committed to using data science for governance, Sengeh said. For example, Recently we worked with some partners to build models for a 100m by 100m grid population estimate informed by spatial satellite data, and the most recent household census. Sierra Leone was able to use that data to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sengeh called such efforts evidence-based policy making. Its quite common for people to make policies based on their gut feelings, or based on history, or based on perception. What we want to do, here in Sierra Leone and in government, is to use evidence-based policies, he said.
The General Assembly returns to Richmond on Tuesday for a special session. Democrats are there to enact police reform and other social justice legislation in the wake of the George Floyd killing. Republicans are there to talk about the budget and limiting the power of the governor to issue emergency orders.

The police and budget issues arent very interesting because they break down along predictable partisan lines. The question about gubernatorial power, though, is far more intriguing because while it begins as a partisan question, its really far more complicated. Just how extensive should a chief executives emergency powers be? Thats a question nearly as old as the republic  Alexander Hamilton dealt with the presidents emergency powers in the Federalist Papers  and in theory we ought to be able to debate the question without a partisan tint. In practice, though, thats impossible because right now we have a Democratic governor and a pandemic thats become politicized so naturally Democrats are likely to be inclined to take a broader view of the governors emergency powers than are the Republicans. Its hard to debate philosophical questions like the proper balance of power between the executive and the legislature in an academic fashion when theres actual power involving your party  and the other party  at stake. Rhetorically, Republicans have the better argument: The legislature should be doing more, and it would be empowering to the people, state Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, told The Roanoke Times' Amy Friedenberger. Democracy is a good thing. I know that a dictatorship is very efficient, but thats not the way free people should be governed.

What if youre a Democrat who thinks that Northam has generally done the right things policy-wise, but you think Republicans have a point about balance-of-powers? Thats not an unreasonable point of view. Where you stand often depends on where you sit and this is one of those. In Virginia, we have Republicans arguing that the legislature should curtail the governors vast emergency powers. In Washington, the dynamics are completely reversed. There we have a Republican president who has taken an expansive view of presidential power and Democrats who think Congress should be more assertive while Republican legislators are mostly silent. We guarantee that if there were a Democratic president, Republicans would suddenly find new interest in congressional checks-and-balances. Likewise, Virginia Democrats might not be so supportive of gubernatorial power if there were a Republican governor. Thats the danger of any executive power: Each party needs to imagine that power in the hands of a president or governor they dont like.

In any case, heres what Virginia Republicans have proposed. Newman has introduced a bill that would limit an emergency order to 30 days without General Assembly approval. If the legislature doesnt act, a governor could re-issue the order for another 30 days but no more. State Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, has introduced a bill to limit such orders to 45 days without legislative approval.Del. Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham County, has a proposed constitutional amendment that do the same thing. Whatever you think of Northams policies, these Republicans proposals to curtail gubernatorial power dont appear out of line with the rules that exist in some other states where there are limits to how long a governor can declare a state of emergency (heres the obligatory reference to states as laboratories of democracy.)

Georgia mandates that if the governor declares an emergency as a result of a public health emergency he or she must automatically call the legislature into session.

In Kansas, a governor may only declare an emergency for 15 days unless the states Finance Council says it can last for 45  that council consists of the governor and eight legislative leaders, from both parties.

The District of Columbia isnt a state but wants to be. It allows the mayor to issue emergency declarations for only 15 days but has created a 90-day exception for declarations related to the current pandemic. After that, the city council has to approve anything.

In Minnesota, a governor may only declare an emergency for 30 days unless its extended by the states executive council, which consists of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, and attorney general.

In Alaska and Utah, an emergency order may only last for 30 days unless extended by the legislature.

In Montana, the governor has to call a special session within 45 days of an emergency declaration or it expires.

In Wisconsin, an emergency declaration can only last for 60 days unless extended by the legislature.

At least 25 states give the legislature the power to cancel a gubernatorial declaration of emergency at any time. Other states dont appear to impose any significant limits on gubernatorial declarations of emergency, according to a list compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures. North Carolina is on the opposite end; its state code specifically says that an emergency can last as long as the governor deems it necessary, so in theory a governor can declare an emergency on day one and then could spend all four years in office operating under the declaration. Hawaii likewise says the governor shall be the sole judge of the existence of the danger, threat, or circumstances giving rise to a declaration of a state of emergency.

Newmans proposal mirrors the law in an American territory  the Virgin Islands. The Suetterlein and Wilt proposals are similar to Montana. Dont expect either of these proposals to go far in a General Assembly currently controlled by Democrats inclined to defend their partys governor  although some may silently wonder whether Republicans dont have a point. Imagine how Democrats would react if President Trump took a more energetic approach toward fighting the virus and was issuing order after order about how Americans should conduct themselves during the pandemic. (Never mind that these are really state powers, not federal powers  were trying to make a point to show how both parties are often inconsistent). The real problem here is that most emergency declarations deal with short-term emergencies  floods, blizzards, earthquakes, maybe the occasional riot. Here we have something  a virus  that might be around for years. How should government be structured to deal with that?
YEREVAN.  The 23rd assistance program adopted by the government yesterday will apply to tourism-related sectors: catering, hotel business, and travel agencies. The total cost of this nine-month program could reach about 6 billion drams. The government intends to subsidize the salaries of some employees in the above-mentioned sectors. The minister of economy, Tigran Khachatryan, said this Friday, presenting the details of the anti-crisis programs adopted by the government, and which are aimed at eliminating COVID-19s negative economic consequences in Armenia.

According to him, the government has held a number of discussions with companies and trade unions from the aforesaid sectors, on the basis of which an assistance program has been developed. "Discussions have shown that these companies prioritize staff retention," said Khachatryan, adding that the government has the same goals.

The first condition for being eligible for this assistance program is to have at least three employees, Khachatryan explained, adding that this assistance program will apply to companies that have been established until March 31. "We intend to encourage companies in the sector that, despite the difficulties, have managed to retain more than 70% of their staff. These companies will receive subsidies in the amount of the salary of every third employee, which is more than 33% of the payroll," the minister said.

He added that the companies that have not been able to maintain the required percentage of their staff will also be able to benefit from this assistance programbut at 25% of their payroll.

Khachatryan noted that the peculiarity of this program is that it covers a long period of operationnine months, and this is due to forecasts that tourism-related sectors in Armenia will be able to recover only by next spring. He noted that the main condition for the duration of the program is the maintenance of existing indicators; if the sector starts to recover faster and reaches 70% of the previous turnover, the program will be stopped.

The minister stressed that this program does not apply to individual companies, but to all the mentioned sectors in general.

According to the government, the potential beneficiaries of this program have about 23 thousand employees; thus, the salaries of 5 to 6 thousand employees will be subsidized. The minister added that in nine months, the amount of this aid will reach about 6 billion drams.
For beer lovers, it may sound like a tragic waste. For those who abhor waste, it is a tale of the circular economy that could play a vital part in our future. Millions of liters of unsold beer in southern Australia were this year converted into biogas that was then used to power a wastewater treatment plant. The beer that went stale was one of the many commercial casualties of the coronavirus pandemic. When Australia went on lockdown in the spring, pubs, bars, and restaurants closed, leaving tons of produce unconsumed. But rather than taking a loss on the beer, South Australian breweries gave the beer to the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The Glenelg plant produces biogas from organic waste and sewage sludge, and the biogas is then used to generate electricity. And, according to the plants management, the ales and lagers the digesters received as a result of the lockdowns were a very welcome addition to the usual mix.

Beers high calorific load and methane potential means its perfect for co-digestion and by adding around 150,000 litres of expired beer per week, we generated a record 355,200 cubic metres of biogas in May and another 320,000 cubic metres in June, which is enough to power 1,200 houses, said the plants production and treatment manager Lisa Hannant.

Biogas may have been overlooked in the renewable energy drive, but it is a renewable energy source in its own right. Any and all organic waste can be turned into biogas. All you need is a so-called digester: a sealed tank where the waste is heated so anaerobic bacteria can do their job more easily. Their job? Consuming the organic matter and producing biogas.

Related: Why Wireless Charging Is A Waste Of Energy



At 60 percent methane and 40 percent carbon dioxide, biogas can then be used like natural gas to power electricity turbines, the difference being that unlike natural gas, biogas is renewable. Of course, not all waste is equal, and not all waste makes for good biogas feedstock. Fibre-rich waste, for example, is not particularly good because it takes a lot longer for the bacteria to digest it. But beer worked a charm.

Like high-octane fuel, however, beer is a costly feedstock for digesters. But regular waste is not. Many places around the world turn their organic waste into biogas. As of 2014, the biggest producers globally were China, followed by the United States and Thailand, with India and Canada completing the top five. The fact there is no more recent data easy to find online highlights the way biogas has stayed out of the limelight, which, according to the managers of those hungry South Australia digesters, is not particularly fair.

Biogas is a versatile fuel. Besides power generation, it can be used for all the things natural gas is used for: transport, heating, and cooking, too. Yet, according to one report, there are major challenges to its wider adoption.

One of these is the availability of feedstock. Odd as this may sound, given that we produce waste constantly, it is one of the biggest barriers to the large-scale adoption of biogas as a fuel, according to this study. Then there is the infrastructure problem, related to the bigger high-cost problem. For now, it appears biogas is most suitable for small-scale production facilities that dont cost so much to build and operate. But if beer keeps going stale at the rate it has been over the pandemic, maybe we will see a spike in biogas production.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Carol Ofori, seasoned voice-over artist, radio presenter, TV host and motivational speaker has been the voice to many of South Africa's most loved brands and is also known for hosting her weekday radio show, Queens of Grace, on Radio 2000, and for presenting SABC 2 parenting talk show, Raising Babies 101.

Radio host, voice-over artist and TV presenter, Carol Ofori.

Whats it like literally being the voice for some of the biggest brands in South Africa?

Do you feel enough is being done by companies and brands to portray powerful women in media?

Do you think the future of media/radio will benefit from more female leadership?

Women are incredible leaders and do so with finesse. If we just look at how women across the country are running households alone. Households are the backbone of our society  and without a good, solid foundation, children are lost. Leadership is within us  we may not all be assertive and commanding  but we all have our own flair in which we lead.

What are your personal tips on getting to the top in this competitive industry, specifically as a woman?

What is your hope for the next or future generations of women in media/radio industry?

And what is your key message to fellow women this Womens Month?

Anything youd like to add?

For Women's Month, we sat down with Ofori and asked her if she thinks enough is being done by companies and brands to portray powerful women in the media. Here she shares some of her thoughts on this and more...It is exciting and fun. I love doing voice-overs so much and feel like every new job is a challenge. It took a long time to get to this point though. My radio career and voice over career started at pretty much the same time, way back in 2001.More could definitely be done. It's incredible how many women are pioneers in so many industries but their stories are not told enough. That is why I have a segment called Shero on my show and I highlight women in different industries doing remarkable work.Absolutely, I do believe that.Map your way before you enter this business, know exactly what you want and what you are willing to do to get there. That way you are not easily swayed and thrown into something you would rather not be doing. Also, be kind to yourself, mistakes are bound to happen, what matters most is what you learned from the mistakes.I hope to see more women leading in this industry. I would like to see more women in all aspects of media and broadcasting from behind the scenes to in front of the microphone and camera. I would also like to see more content speaking to women and womens issues holistically.You are awesome. You are phenomenal. You are doing a great job. Even when things get tough, pick yourself off and face another day like the queen you are. Take on lifes challenges like the queen you know you are.I love the month of August. August for women pushes you to be the best you can be, in so many ways. And, while its a month where we celebrate ourselves, I am also celebrating a milestone in my marriage. This month I celebrate my sixth wedding anniversary with my wonderful husband.You can catch Carol Ofori on Radio 2000 (9am to 12pm) and on SABC 2 presenting Raising Babies 101  also available on YouTube. Connect with Ofori on Facebook: Carol Ofori, Twitter: @CarolOfori and/or Instagram: @CarolOfori
As Congress and the administration grapple with the expiration of supplemental unemployment benefits for millions of Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth noting that another important relief provision is also expiring soon.

Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has been instrumental in protecting the paychecks of thousands of federal contractor employees and maintaining the health of the industrial base. By giving federal agencies the authority to reimburse contractors for costs associated with granting leave to employees who are temporarily unable to work due to facility closures, Congress is helping people make ends meet during this difficult time while simultaneously ensuring preservation of critical pieces of our industrial base.

Without such authority, more people would lose their jobs, more companies could fold, and the government could lose access to highly experienced and skilled members of their workforce who are critical to supporting national security, defense and other federal mission areas.

Section 3610 is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2020most likely many months before the majority of government facilities will be back to operating at their pre-pandemic levels. While Senate Republicans have introduced funding for 3610 for the Department of Defense and NASA via the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act, they failed to include the accompanying authorization needed to allow the provision's continued use by any agency beyond fiscal year 2020.

The failure to achieve a more comprehensive deal on the larger package prior to the August recess leaves many company and contractors in uncertain territory and having to consider new scenarios for their workforce moving forward. In all likelihood, any opportunity to authorize the much needed extension to Section 3610 will not come until mid to late September given the congressional calendar and potential legislative vehicles to carry such a provision. Whether agreement is reached on a new COVID relief bill or as an anomaly on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded into the new fiscal year, it is critical that Congress extend the authorization for all agencies through 2021.

Thousands of contractors will remain unable to access their work locations and unable to telework yet are expected to be maintained in a "ready state." Without 3610 relief, the government risks losing these valued members of the industrial base to commercial companies and would then face future increased recruitment costs and a loss of experienced workers, which in turn will create mission risk. The effects of not renewing 3610 authority could be even worse for small businesses that do not have the resources to weather the ups and downs of the pandemic the way a larger contractors might.

Without an extension, continuity of government operations through the COVID-19 crisis will be threatened, as would the ability of the private sector to maintain its capability to fully support agency missions into the future.

Services companies such as mine that support federal agencies have documented how important Section 3610 has been to our workforce and operations. Many of our employees who work in the intelligence community must report to SCIFs (sensitive compartmented information facilities) that serve as workspaces built to ensure the security of classified information. The type of work performed at SCIFs cannot be performed at home. These employees are anxious to get back to work, but due to the pandemic, government and contractor personnel who work at SCIFs have been forced to work in shifts to allow for proper social distancing.

Section 3610 is a lifeline for these workers, ensuring that they are paid and kept in a "ready reserve"even on days when they have been sidelined due to social distancing in limited SCIF space. As government agencies reopen their facilities, the virus continues to impact the workforce as individual cases of the virus close down facilities for cleaning and sanitization.

With government workers spread across the nation and disparity in the impact of the pandemic in various communities, it is critical that government agencies have the flexibility and the authorization to keep the workforce safe while ensuring continuity of vital government operations. Section 3610 provides that flexibility.

At my company, we see the human impact of COVID-19 on a weekly basis; recently four employees tested positive in Huntsville, Ala., where the company performs critical work for both Defense and civilian agencies. In addition to the importance of government continuity of operations, there is a trickle-down effect at the state government level if Section 3610 is not extendedwith more workers added to unemployment rolls and a decrease in spending in support of local businesses. For cities like Huntsville, whose economy depends heavily upon government employees, diminished support from the federal government could have a devastating impact on local businesses and communities.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Kaskela Law LLC announces that it is investigating Plantronics, Inc. ("Plantronics" or the "Company") (NYSE: PLT) on behalf of the company's stockholders. The investigation seeks to determine whether the members of Plantronics' board of directors violated the securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to Plantronics and its stockholders.

Current Plantronics stockholders who purchased or acquired shares of the Company's stock prior to August 7, 2018 are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq.) at (484) 258 - 1585, or online at http://kaskelalaw.com/case/plantronics-inc/, to discuss this investigation and their legal rights and options.

Recently a securities fraud complaint was filed against Plantronics in federal court on behalf of investors who purchased shares of the Company's stock between August 7, 2018 and November 5, 2019. According to the complaint, during that time period Plantronics and certain of the Company's senior executive officers engaged in an "illicit channel stuffing scheme designed to deceive investors into believing Plantronics' costly acquisition of audio video conferencing company, Polycom, Inc., had transformed the stagnant headset company into an overnight growth story."

The complaint further alleges that "[t]he truth about Defendants' fraud was revealed through a series of disclosures between June 18, 2019 and November 5, 2019, when the Company, unable to continue its channel-stuffing scheme, announced sales integration and channel consolidation issues, declining quarterly revenues, poor financial guidance and an outsized reduction of channel inventory. These disclosures caused Plantronics shares to plummet, erasing billions of dollars in market capitalization and causing investors to suffer substantial damages."

Current Plantronics stockholders who purchased or acquired shares of the Company's stock prior to August 7, 2018 are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC to discuss this investigation and their legal rights and options. Kaskela Law LLC represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com.

CONTACT:

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KASKELA LAW LLC

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Military families once again can get a free premium membership to the nanny and babysitter website Sittercity, thanks to a recently refreshed Pentagon Sittercity military discount program.

The freebie, announced Aug. 10, is paid for by the Defense Department and offered through its Military OneSource service. Although the release does not specifically mention Sittercity, following the registration steps on the Military OneSource site leads users to the Sittercity website for registration.

The new free memberships are available active duty, National Guard and reservist families,; surviving spouses; medically discharged troops and their families; and military retirees and former troops up until 365 days after their last day of service. Officials did not specify how long the service will be available.

Although the Military OneSource site states that the benefit is only available to Coast Guard families on Title X orders, multiple Coast Guard spouses were able to access the free membership without that status.

Sittercitys military discount freebie connects users with service providers for baby-sitting, housekeeping, pet-sitting and other caretaking jobs. Although a free membership allows users to see details for local care help, messaging potential hires requires the paid "premium" membership.

The previously offered DoD membership program, originally rolled out in 2010, came to a halt in 2015 when the Defense Department opted to end their contract with the company, citing decreased need. Like the newly extended service, that program gave military-affiliated users free premium memberships, worth about $140 per year.

The refreshed Sittercity military discount program seems to mirror the old one and is available to "eligible military families," according to the Pentagon's release.

Over 230,000 free monthly memberships were provided to military families between 2010 and 2015, Military.com previously reported, and cost the DoD $1.65 million during those years.

This story was updated Sept. 1 to reflect Military OneSource stated rules for Coast Guard users.

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The Ministry of Finance has released the first tranche of funds for the free water supplied to Ghanaians under the COVID-19 pandemic combat and impact mitigation measures.

At a media briefing in Accra on Friday,7th August 2020, to throw light on the subject, the Chief Executive of Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), Engineer Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi (MV), assured the public, particularly the water service providers that the Government has not, and would not, renege on its promise to absorb the cost of free water to the public for the period April to September 2020.

He rebutted the claim by a non-state pressure group, Association of Small Towns Water Supply Systems, that Government has failed to honour her obligation to reimburse providers for the free water served the Ghanaian populace since April 2020. Rather, the Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, has already released some funds to start payments to the free water benefactors.

Any publication (such as Herald Newspapers dated Wednesday 5th August, 2020 with the headline Private Water Suppliers Kick Against Govt Free Water Directive) that seeks to portray Government in a negative light and dampen the spirit of the free water providers should be ignored. Instead, the providers should continue their service and bide their time a little as their claims are validated and funds channeled through the District Assemblies to commence payments.

Its never true that government has reneged on its pledge to pay the WSMTs, Non  Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other service providers. The plan is that the service providers are to submit their data and bills for the free water that has been consumed by communities from April to June through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) for validation before payment is done but the process has been fraught with some challenges hence the delay, he indicated.

The CWSA Chief Executive was emphatic that the Government was committed to alleviating the plight of Ghanaians hence the extension of the period of free water for another 3 three months. Elaborating on the process to date, and steps being followed to speedily release the free water funds, he enumerated the benefactors, the claim submission and reimbursement procedures, the bottlenecks to expedited payments and the CWSA approach to resolving the challenges.

The water providers other than CWSA and GWCL include:

Communities (through their Water and Sanitation Management Teams); Non-Governmental Organizations; Private, profit-oriented organizations Individual water service providers

According to the Chief Executive, when the Government announced the free water programme, it also requested budgets for same from CWSA and GWCL. The CWSA took the initiative to publish guidelines for the compilation of such budgets from all water service providers by requesting that the MMDAs serve as the first points of collation and verification while CWSA Regional offices would support the MMDAs validate the submissions. The CWSA Head Office then did the national level collation and transmission to the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.

The challenges that have pushed against the quick disbursement of the funds include:

Delayed submission of bills from water providers.

Data not provided in accordance with guidelines.

Inaccurate water consumption data.

Unpaid huge electricity bills before the Free Water period were submitted as part of cost of current free water.

Inclusion of capital cost expenditure as part of free water bills.

Non-submission of bills by some communities and providers.

Communities that have broken down water systems also submitted bills for free water.

Some water service providers sold the water to communities and yet submitted bills.

All the same, the CWSA is following these modalities in compilation of free water data, submission to government for the release of funds and disbursement of the funds to water service providers through the MMDAs as follows:

Free water provided and corresponding bills are to be documented and submitted to the MMDAs by water service providers immediately after the end of each month. MMDAs are to verify and compile the bills and submit same to CWSA Regional Office. CWSA Regional Offices will validate and compile the bills according to MMDAs, carry out field checks to confirm free water provision and submit validated bills from water service providers to CWSA Head Office. CWSA Head Office will collate all Free Water Bills and submit to the Ministry of Finance through the Ministry of Sanitation and Water resources for the release of funds and payment to the MMDAs MMDAs make payment to water service providers.

Engineer Worlanyo Siabi took the opportunity to highlight the far-reaching measures that Government had taken to institute sustainable measures for continuous supply of safe water to Ghanaians.
Joe Bidens selection of Kamala Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and a South Asian mother, both immigrants, is historic and inspiring.

Biden had an embarrassment of riches among his options. But, Harris comes with the benefit of being tough as nails, a true fighter, and one who has already been tested in this cycle on the trail.

But, its important to assess not only the impact of her policy positions and credentials, but also the cultural resonance of her selection. She is the first Black woman in such a position on a major party ticket, one who embraces her mixed race heritage. That comes with important advantages, but also some complexities.

One thing Harris brings to the ticket is the enthusiasm she generates, and that is no small thing. One misstep Hillary Clinton made in 2016 was the selection of Tim Kaine as her running mate. No matter how nice a person he was or how strong his resume or how great the chemistry was between the two, his selection as her vice president plopped down like a wet rag.

Harris arrives with an abundance of enthusiasm, sorely needed by Biden, especially among those who relish inclusion. She is a smart, accomplished woman who will no doubt appeal to many other women, particularly when the inevitable sexist attacks begin.

But sexism is a stubborn and insidious thing in society, and the benefit the ticket gets from her being a woman may be counterbalanced by the shadowy gender bias that helped undermine Clinton.

Harris mixed-race, daughter-of-immigrants, interracial (her husband is white) marriage story also has appeal, particularly in Americas big liberal cities that attract many immigrants. She is also multiracial at a time when numbers of people identifying as such are on the ascent, especially in the West, where Harris is from.

In the South, her amazing, very American story, could find some resistance from those who look askance at it, even if they never verbalize it.

Most southern states arent swing states, but it seems to me that while voting matters most within states, the amorphous feelings people get about a candidate, positive or negative, transcend states and wash over the whole country.

As with many mixed-race people in America, Harris has made identity choices that link her to particular parts of herself, finding a way to make a oneness of twoness.

Harris chose to attend a historically black university and enter a prominent and powerful Black sorority. This positioning should place her in good stead with many Black people, particularly women. But that must be weighed against the fact that some other Black people, particularly Black men, still have real reservations over her record as a prosecutor.

This is something to keep an eye on. Although Black people as a group consistently vote overwhelmingly for Democratic presidential candidates, a gap between Black men and Black women has been growing in recent elections. According to exit polls in 2008, that gap was just 1 percentage point. In 2012, it was 9 percentage points. In 2016 it was 12 percentage points.

Over that period, Black womens support of the Democratic candidate held relatively steady, from 96 to 94 percent. It was the support of Black men that fell appreciably.

Trump believes it is among Black men he can shift the math a few percentage points with his focus on the economy, his own steps on criminal justice reform and his demonizing Latin American immigrants as threats to Black prosperity.

Furthermore, it would be a mistake to overplay a connection between the recent racial justice and police reform protesters and Harris. They may not be on the same page as she is. In some cases, they are on opposite pages. They are protesting a system that Harris was part of. Biden, with his problematic record on criminal justice, is already an issue.

And while Harris sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, is indeed powerful within the Black community, the Black sorority and fraternity class is not always aligned with the Black activist class.

Many civil rights leaders of the 1960s were members of historically black fraternities and sororities  Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson, Thurgood Marshall. But for decades now, including when I was in college, there has been a real tension between young activists and these Greek-letter organizations.

The Greek-lettered groups are seen by many as elitist and out of touch, not at the vanguard of the fight.

Months of campaigning are still ahead of us and only the election result will truly tell us about the impact of Harriss being chosen by Biden, but its wise to avoid oversimplifying from the start. Harris, like any politician and any person, is complex and her addition to the ticket will come with pros and cons, even among Democrats, even among Black people.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 16:52:46|Editor: huaxia

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A woman has her face protected at a market in Manila, the Philippines on Aug. 14, 2020. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 153,660 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,216 new daily cases on Friday. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 153,660 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,216 new daily cases on Friday.

The DOH said that the number of recoveries further rose to 71,405 after 1,038 more patients recovered.

The death toll also increased to 2,442 after 16 more patients died.

The country's capital Metro Manila topped the regions in the Philippines with the highest number of new cases reported on Friday with 3,848.

The Philippine Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual media briefing that nearly 114,000 Filipinos of working age have contracted the COVID-19.

"If you look at the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19, the bulk of the cases is within the productive age group, ages 20 until about 59 years old. These are the people who go out to work and return to the families after work," she said.

Vergeire said these working people can be considered the drivers of infections in the country.

Other drivers of infections in the Philippines include the returning overseas Filipinos and the locally stranded individuals (LSIs) or the Filipinos from the provinces that got stuck in Metro Manila when the coronavirus lockdown was imposed in mid-March.

"We have imported cases, the returning overseas Filipinos and the LSIs, and we also have the community transmission. So the drivers of the infections are those that go out of their houses and when they return to their houses they infect the other members of the households," she added.

DOH data showed that a total of 240,019 overseas Filipinos have returned to the country since the outbreak of the pandemic. Among the returning overseas Filipinos, DOH said 5,041 have contracted the disease and five have died.

"We have the clustering of cases in the level of communities or villages, the towns, the cities and the provinces," Vergeire said.

The DOH earlier said that it has monitored a total of 1,107 clusters of coronavirus infections across the country. In Metro Manila alone, it said it monitored 17 clusters in the community, workplaces and health facilities.

"That is why we should be vigilant. People should do their part in preventing more infections because we are seeing an increasing community transmission and clustering of cases," Vergeire added.

The government said its 105 COVID-19 laboratories have tested nearly 1.8 million Filipinos so far since COVID-19 emerged in the country in January. Enditem
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  Assigning Cabinet members to oversee COVID-19 response strategies of cities and provinces under lockdown will improve pandemic response and should slow down new infections, a Malacanang official said.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who also serves as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, justified the appointment of so-called "big brothers" and "big sisters" to each of the cities and towns in Metro Manila as well as for Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, saying the changes should prod better coordination of policies.

The idea was patterned after how the government arrested the surge in COVID-19 cases in Cebu City back in June. That required a full month under the strictest quarantine rules and the presence of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu in the field to address issues on testing, contact tracing, isolation, and treatment of patients.

"Because of the experience, the success that weve had in Cebu City, much in the same way, we want to be able to duplicate that here in Metro Manila," Nograles told CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday. "We consider each and every city of Metro Manila as Cebu City and then assign at least one Cabinet member doon sa siyudad na 'yan [in that city] to act as overseer, coordinator, enabler of the LGU (local government unit)."

RELATED: 14 barangay officials, organizers to be charged for Cebu City festival parade

The response will still be led by the local governments, but the Cabinet officials will serve as "bridge" to the national task force.

Senator Nancy Binay on Thursday questioned the new strategy and dubbed it an ill-prepared plan. Nograles refuted this, saying the new approach will give the IATF a fresh perspective on how response measures translate on the ground.

Nograles has been assigned alongside Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as the caretakers of Quezon City, which counts over 8,000 cases. He said he has touched base with the city government for a six-step approach, which includes strategies to control local transmissions, expand the health system capacity, identify areas of outbreak, and manage "importation" risks or the transfer of infected people from neighboring areas.

A focus area would be in coordinating the names and details of residents who went through swab testing, so that the city hall can deploy a team to do contact tracing as soon the test results come out positive for the coronavirus. He added that they will also push for hospitals to allot more COVID-19 beds, as well as hire more health workers to look after patients.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday Cabinet officials do not have the authority to block or impose new rules for the cities they handle.

Still, Nograles thinks it would be helpful for IATF members to learn both the situation on the ground as well as the "bird's eye view" of the national situation. Such arrangement should make it easier to cascade IATF rules to the local governments, and vice versa.

"I guess with the number of cases rising, mas marami siguro 'yung concerns na kailangang bigyan ng mabilis na solusyon [there are more concerns which need to immediate solutions]. Its really a learning process for all countries and all governments," he added.

Metro Manila's fate will be decided on August 17, a day ahead of the end of the two-week lockdown meant to curb new infections. Nograles said the IATF already had recommendations for the next two weeks, but is still subject to the appeal of mayors and governors before it is submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte for final decision.

Roque earlier said Metro Manila will likely shift to relaxed quarantine rules with improving conditions and with no public funds to support the poorest families displaced by lockdowns.

RELATED: Extended MECQ highly unlikely with no new sources of cash aid funds  Roque

"There is some wisdom naman in (going into a) less restrictive category as long as i-impose natin yung mga localized lockdowns, especially kung saan nagkakaroon ng mga clustering of cases [There is wisdom in (going into a) less restrictive category as long as we impose localized lockdowns, especially in areas where there is a reported clustering of cases]," Nograles added.
He said the new policy will strengthen the culture of inclusion, innovation and institution. "I am confident that with the implementation of this policy, a new quality education system will be developed and this will transform the future challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a new India. Our youth will be able to freely choose their ...

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The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is one of the most visited museums in the state.

With no visitors inside the building since mid-March, staffers continued to work from home.

Yet there were plenty of projects that needed to get done.

One of them was the Dino Wall, in the atrium near the animatronic Bisti Beast.

In April 2019, work began on installing the robotic dinosaur. The Bisti Beast specimen was discovered in 1997 in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness in the Four Corners by museum research associate Paul Sealey.

The Bisti Beast fossil was excavated in 1998 and collected by museum Curator of Paleontology Thomas Williamson, Ph.D.

The Japanese-made robot arrived in May 2019.

The Dino Wall will feature information about the Bisti Beast, as well as other species of dinosaurs. The wall is about 12 feet tall by 18 feet long.

The NMMNHS teamed up with Albuquerque-based Electric Playhouse on the wall.

In front of the wall is a touchscreen panel that the museum worked on with Corrales-based technology company Ideum.

The touchscreen has been finished, and work on the wall continues, says Dave Lundy, curator of exhibits. Were hoping that the work will be done when the museums are allowed to open again.

Lundy says the two projects are part of the plan to revamp the atrium inside the museum.

He says the touchscreen by Ideum not only gives information about the dinosaur itself, but also about where the dinosaur lived.

The museum wants to highlight the New Mexico side of natural history and science, he says. This effort is about telling a story.
Northern Ireland will take longer to recover from the impact of Covid-19 than the Republic, with recovery here not expected until 2024, according to report.

In contrast, the EY Economic Eye anticipates that the Republic's economy will recover to 2019 levels a year earlier.

In Northern Ireland, it forecasts that nearly 70% of job sectors face taking longer than five years to recover - across the border it is 40%.

EY predicts 38,000 job losses in Northern Ireland this year, and 25,000 next year. And while the toll of job losses is steeper this year for the Republic - with 9.7% of jobs going instead of 4.2% - it predicts that the Republic will return to growth in jobs next year.

The report from business advisors EY is written by its chief economist Neil Gibson and manager Eve Bannon.

It says economic recovery has begun across the island of Ireland as people return to work and start spending again.

But it adds that "for many markets across the world, the hardest yards are still ahead and the fear of a second wave and future economic disruption is prevalent".

While it forecasts a steeper slump in GDP for the Republic - 10.8% while Northern Ireland is at 10.4% - it warns that Northern Ireland's economy will take longer to recover to 2019 levels.

The southern economy is predicted to rebound by 6.6% next year, although Northern Ireland's bounce-back will be more muted at 5.5%. The report also said the picture for unemployment in Northern Ireland had been clouded by the widespread use of the furlough scheme, which has preserved the jobs of 240,200 people over lockdown.

In addition, 76,000 people in self-employed roles have received support from the government's self-employed income support scheme. Overall, it said that Covid-19 had a more widespread impact than most commentators expected. It has made its predictions on the basis that there will be no further national lockdowns, though it remarked that localised lockdowns were likely.

It noted the Republic's economic recovery in the last five years had left it in a good position to spend to support the economy.

GDP figures this week showed that the UK entered recession in the second quarter of the year, with a 20.4% slump - its steepest-ever fall.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the figures "confirm that hard times are here".
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Business inventories in the U.S. showed a continued decrease in the month of June, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday. The Commerce Department said business inventories slumped by 1.1 percent in June after tumbling by 2.3 percent in May. Economists had expected business inventories to decline by 1.2 percent. Retail inventories led the way lower, plunging by 2.6 percent in June after plummeting by 6.2 percent in the previous month. The report said wholesale inventories also slid by 1.4 percent in June after falling by 1.2 percent in May, while manufacturing inventories rose by 0.6 percent after inching up by 0.2 percent. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said business sales soared by 8.4 percent in June after surging up by 8.5 percent in May. Manufacturing sales skyrocketed by 9.8 percent, while wholesale and retail sales spiked by 8.8 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively. With sales jumping and inventories slumping, the total business inventories/sales ratio dropped to 1.37 in June from 1.50 in May. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Fall is right around the corner and with the colder temps comes the threat of a potentially catastrophic flu season that could overwhelm already-strained hospital systems across the nation.

Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield said in an interview with WebMD that if Americans don't take every precaution to stem the spread of COVID-19, 2020 could become "the worst fall from a public health perspective, we've ever had."

EXPERTS WEIGH IN: How can you tell if you have a cold, the flu, or coronavirus?

The CDC recommends that 60 percent to 70 percent of Americans get the flu vaccine, but only about 47 percent do so. Redfield said his goal for this year is to get that number up to 65 percent. More than 190 million doses are projected for the 2020-21 season, which is more than the 175 million dose record set during the previous season, per the CDC.

"Some people don't realize. In the last 10 years, 360,000 people died in this country from flu. Flu is a major cause of death," Redfield told John Whyte, chief medical officer at WebMD. "This is the year I'm asking people to really think deep down about getting the flu vaccine."

Redfield added part of the mission to increase flu vaccinations involves addressing the anti-vaxxer movement. In Texas, anti-vaxxers have fought back against COVID-19 contact tracing, alleging the public health measure that has been used for decades to track the spread of disease infringes on their constitutional rights, the Houston Chronicle reported.

"Clearly, when we look at the mortality that we see with flu, one thing is for certain. The kids who get vaccinated, they basically get protected against death," Redfield said. "So by getting that flu vaccine, you may be able to then negate the necessity to have to take up a hospital bed. And then that hospital bed can be more available for those that potentially get hospitalized for COVID."

On HoustonChronicle.com: 'A significant concern': How Houston health officials hope to prevent a flu-plus-COVID surge

The CDC recommends the public prepare to get a flu shot in September or October. Depending on how the pandemic continues to play out, where and how to get a vaccine may change. The CDC is working with health departments to develop contingency plans on how best to provide flu vaccines during a global health crisis.

Gov. Greg Abbott last week called on Texans to get a flu shot, warning the upcoming season would be "prolific" and that if not taken seriously, "hospitals across Texas will be completely overrun."

"As we continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for the upcoming flu season, Texans must remain vigilant in our collective efforts to maintain infection control," Abbott said. "It is vital that every Texan continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid group gatherings, and frequently sanitize their hands. These best practices will aid in our efforts to reduce the spread of both COVID-19 and the flu."

As of Thursday evening, Texas is now at 530,562 COVID-19 cases and 9,748 deaths, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of state data. The Houston region is now at 127,247 cases total and Harris County is at 89,425 cases total.

For more information on where to find a flu vaccine, visit this website, or speak with a primary care physician. For more information on the flu, visit the CDC website.

rebecca.hennes@chron.com
GENEVA The World Health Organization said on Thursday it saw no evidence of coronavirus being spread by food or packaging and urged people not to be afraid of the virus entering the food chain.

Two cities in China said they had found traces of the coronavirus in imported frozen chicken wings from Brazil and on outer packaging of frozen Ecuadorian shrimp, raising fears that contaminated food shipments might cause a new outbreak. [nL4N2FF076]

People should not fear food, or food packaging or processing or delivery of food," WHO head of emergencies programme Mike Ryan told a briefing in Geneva. There is no evidence that food or the food chain is participating in transmission of this virus. And people should feel comfortable and safe."

WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said China had tested hundreds of thousands of packages and found very, very few, less than 10" proving positive for the virus.

Brazils Agriculture Ministry said in a statement that it was seeking clarification on the Chinese findings. Ecuadors production minister, Ivan Ontaneda, told Reuters that the country maintains strict protocols and cannot be held responsible for what happens to goods after they leave the country.

More than 20.69 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and almost 750,000? have died, according to a Reuters tally.

The WHO urged countries now that are striking bilateral deals for vaccines not to abandon multilateral efforts, since vaccinating pockets will still leave the world vulnerable.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing, a move Moscow likened to its success in the Cold War-era space race.

Moscows decision to grant approval before then has raised concerns among some experts. Only about 10% of clinical trials are successful and some scientists fear Moscow may be putting national prestige before safety.

The WHO does not have enough information to make a judgment on the expanded use of the Russian vaccine, said Bruce Aylward, WHO senior adviser.

The vast majority of the population of the world is susceptible to this disease," he told the briefing. The second thing that we are seeing is the stringency of the application of control measures is dropping. People are coming closer togethermasks arent being used the way that they should etc.

So any levelling of the disease that we are looking at is just lulling you into a sense of false security  because it has lots of space to still cause trouble," Aylward added.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 18:34:44|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif announced here on Friday that private Iranian companies, not only the government, are open to cooperation with Lebanon in all fields, LBCI local TV channel reported.

Zarif arrived in Beirut on Thursday evening in a visit of solidarity with Lebanon. His remarks came following his meeting with Lebanese caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Charbel Wehbe.

Zarif affirmed the firm and permanent stance of Iran about Lebanon's capacity to make decisions regarding its future, stressing that Iran stands by the free options that Lebanese take.

"Lebanon is the only party authorized to decide in this area," noted Zarif, adding that no foreign parties should take advantage of the tragic situation to impose their policies.

The two officials also discussed the potential of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of reconstruction, power generation and medical support.

Lebanon's capital Beirut witnessed two huge explosions on Aug. 4, which killed at least 177 people and wounding 6000.

The explosions pose a great challenge while the country is already facing its worst economic crisis in its history, prompting delegations from different countries to visit Lebanon and offer support in different fields. Enditem
The South African ministry of health revealed in a statement on Thursday that more than 27,000 health workers tested positive for Covid-19, likely caught while doing their job since the start of the pandemic.

This tally includes 6,027 health workers from the private sector while the number of health workers who contracted the infection from the public sector is 21,333, and 240 health workers have died due to Covid-19-related complications, of which 203 (85%) belong to the public sector.

Out of the total number of the infected medical personnel, 1,644 are doctors, 14,143 are nurses, while 28 were port health workers and 11,545 belong to other miscellaneous categories in the healthcare system.

The ministry statement said, The overall infection rate amongst health care workers as compared to the total number of cases identified nationally is 5% which is well below the global average of 10%".

The statement further paid tribute to the deceased soldiers who succumbed to the infection while insisting on serving people till the very end, and sent condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues of "these valuable members of the society".

An investigation has been started earlier this month by the health ministry, over the surging numbers of health workers contracting the virus while doing their jobs.

It was found that the main reasons causing the increasing number of infections among medical teams were the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), the uncontrollable surge in cases, and shortage of staff.

Notably, the situation started to subside in the country over the past few days; as the infection rate has significantly dropped down while the recovery rate has soared lately.
This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy.

This week Forbes broke the story that Jared Kushner, de facto chief of President Donald Trumps reelection campaign, has been speaking regularly, almost daily, with Kanye West since Wests July 4 tweet declaring that he is running for president. Regular conversations between the head of one presidential campaign and an opposing candidate looks like coordination and is highly irregular. Depending on what theyre talking about, they may be breaking campaign finance laws.

A provision of federal law known as the soft money ban prohibits candidates and their agents like Kushner from soliciting contributions that exceed amount limits or come from prohibited sources (e.g., foreign contributions). Federal law defines contribution broadly to include any gift  of money or anything of value made by any person for the purpose of influencing any election for Federal office and anything of value includes all in-kind contributions. Contributions from one candidate committee to another are limited to $2,000. And the FEC by regulation defines solicit to mean to ask, request, or recommend, explicitly or implicitly, that another person make a contribution, donation, transfer of funds, or otherwise provide anything of value.

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If Kushner has explicitly or implicitly requested or recommended that West spend money on Wests candidacy, with the motivation of having West siphon votes from Joe Biden, then Kushner has arguably violated federal law by soliciting in-kind contributions from West to Trump in excess of the applicable $2,000 contribution limit. Under this theory, every dollar West spends on his campaign with Kushners encouragement is an in-kind contribution. And West has spent well in excess of $2,000 on his campaign efforts to date, including, for example, payment of $35,000 filing fee to the State of Oklahoma to have his name on the ballot.

Kushner knows all of this; hes been through this illegal solicitation business before. As I explained in a summary of a section of the Mueller Report, Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated Kushner and other members of the Trump campaign for possible illegal solicitation of an in-kind contribution from Russian foreign nationals at a 2016 Trump Tower meeting. Mueller concluded that team Trumps solicitation of opposition research on electoral opponent Hillary Clinton could constitute an illegal solicitation of a contribution from a foreign national. But Mueller decided not to prosecute Kushner and others, in part, because of a lack of evidence that Kushner knew at the time that what he was doing was illegal (knowledge of the law is necessary for a criminal conviction in this area), and because of possible challenges proving the value of the solicited opposition research.

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In addition to the federal law soft money solicitation restrictions, federal law coordination restrictions may also be applicable to the actions of Kushner and West. Federal law provides that expenditures made by any person in cooperation, consultation, or concert, with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate  or their agents, shall be considered to be a contribution to such candidate.

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Whereas the focus of the soft money solicitation analysis is on Kushner, the starting point for coordination analysis is Wests specific expenditures. In this instance, the analysis is complicated by the fact that baked into the coordination legal framework is the notion that the spender is intentionally trying to help the candidate with whom they are coordinating. West may be sincere in his efforts to win the presidency. That said, in an earlier interview with Forbes, West indicated he knows his campaign would help Trump. As Forbes Randall Lane also reported, West has been a vocal Trump supporter and texts from West to me earlier this summer repeatedly ended with the sign-off Trump 2020.

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But Forbes reports that those close to West are worried about his mental healthand concerned that Kushner is taking advantage of him for the benefit of the Trump campaign. For these reasons, combined with Kushners experience with this area of law, scrutiny for possible campaign finance violations is more appropriately placed on Kushner than on West.

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The fact that these news reports have given rise to public commentary clearly setting out what the law prohibits makes it more difficult for either one to claim ignorance of the law going forward.

As noted in the opening paragraph, whether Kushner is violating the federal law soft money solicitation provision depends on what Kushner and West are discussing in their almost daily conversations. The Forbes story quotes West saying to associates: Jareds scared and doesnt want me to run because he knows that I can win. The story goes on to explain:

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That message, the sources close to West acknowledge, is the exact one that will embolden West to stay in the race. If you know him for more than 20 minutes, you know that will work, says one West confidant. Adds another: Hes just like a kid. The more you tell him he cant do a thing, the more hell do it. he has a tremendous drive to prove people wrong.

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One of Wests close associates described their understanding of Kushners conversations with West as reverse psychology. Forbes reporter Randall Lane concludes his piece by aptly referencing Kushners earlier run-in with campaign finance law solicitation restrictions noting: Others prescribe less malicious intent, though that narrative would require a level of naivete that would rank up there with sitting in a meeting at Trump Tower with Russians who promise to have dirt on Hillary Clinton.

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If Kushner has literally been discouraging West from running for presidenteven if hes using reverse psychologyhes probably not violating the federal law soft money solicitation restriction. Though the FEC regulation defining solicit includes both explicit and implicit requests for campaign help, the regulation goes on to state that the communication must contain[] a clear message asking, requesting, or recommending that another person make a contribution  or otherwise provide anything of value. Reverse psychology seemingly would not qualify as a clear message. Kushner may have found a reverse psychology loophole in federal campaign finance law. But if Kushner is going beyond discouragement, for example, providing West with political intelligence about states in which West would do better or worse, then Kushner may be making illegal in-kind contributions to the West campaign and the argument that Kushners illegally soliciting campaign support from West is strengthened.

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Other reporting this week about a lawyer, who represents the Trump campaign in an election-related Wisconsin lawsuit, submitting Wests paperwork to qualify for the ballot in Wisconsin only adds to the perception that the Trump campaign is encouraging Wests candidacy for Trumps own benefit. The Trump campaign is pushing some legal boundaries. Common Cause will be keeping an eye on this matter, ready to file a complaint if and when sufficient evidence emerges that the Trump campaign has gone over the line.

More From Just Security:

Supreme Courts Trump v. Mazars Ruling Gave Attorney-Client Privilege a Boost in Congress

A Conflict of Interest Raises Questions for State Departments Top Lawyer

For more election coverage, subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts or listen below.
GENEVA, Switzerland Three rockets landed in the vicinity of Baghdad airport near a military base in the complex that houses U.S. forces, the Iraqi military said, after one of the busiest weeks of attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq for months.

The incident caused no casualties, the military said.

It followed at least five attacks directed at U.S. interests in Iraq this week, including four blasts against convoys carrying supplies to bases housing U.S. forces, a rocket attack on an air base north of Baghdad and a rocket attack near the U.S. Embassy in the capital.

Washington blames such attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups. Iran has not directly commented on the incidents but little-known groups believed to be connected to Iran-aligned militias have claimed some attacks.

Fridays attack took place as Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi prepares to travel to the United States for talks about Iraqs future strategic relationship with Washington.

It also comes after Israel and the United Arab Emirates, two regional opponents of Iran, announced they would normalise diplomatic ties, a move that some commentators say provides a fresh challenge to Irans power in the Middle East.

Iraq, where U.S.-Iran tensions have often spilled over into violence, seeks to avoid being drawn into any regional conflagration.

The Middle East came close to a full conflict in January after a U.S. drone strike killed the Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad airport.

Iran-aligned militias have sworn to avenge their deaths.

The militias see Kadhimi as having firmly sided with the United States since he took office in May, after he ordered an arrest raid against one powerful Iran-aligned group and has indicated he wants to rein in the paramilitaries.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Left: Dr. Keith Rowley  pictured on Election Day after casting his vote. (Credit: AFP) Right: Kamala Persad-Bissessar, leader of the opposition United National Congress, captured here after casting her vote. (Credit: WPF)

As of Wednesday 12th August, 2020, two days after the general election in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, that countrys Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) had not released preliminary results of the election.





However, this did not deter the incumbent Peoples National Movement (PNM) from declaring itself victor, claiming 22 of the 41 seats at stake, and allocating the remaining 19 to the main opposition United National Congress (UNC).





Should this result stand, it means the PNM lost one seat and the UNC gained two, taking one from the PNM and the other that was held by the Congress of the People (COP).





None of the other 17 parties or four independents who contested the election made any impact on the result, according to the PNM.





And while Dr. Keith Rowley, political leader of the PNM, by 10:30pm on Monday night was saying, "I have always said that the people of TT can be trusted to do the right thing when called upon so to do, in declaring his party victorious, UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar just before midnight, in a defiant mood, declared that she had no intention of conceding to the PNM, albeit in the absence preliminary results.





In fact, she gave early notice that her party intended to call for recounts in at least five seats, three of those considered to be marginal seats.





And in his victory address to a small gathering at the PNM Headquarters (Balisier House), Port of Spain, Dr. Rowley gave a hint about his future in politics. "This, ladies and gentlemen, could easily be my last term in politics, local media quoted him as saying.





He had a special word for the young people, recognising them as being "largely responsible for the PNM victory, and committed his incoming government to "ensuring our young people are developed in such a way that when I am no longer in a position to announce an election victory, that the country will not be deprived of the leadership that it deserves.





The nineteen political parties and four independents who contested the August 10 election accounted for a total of 150 candidate.





Only the PNM contested in all 41 constituencies, with the UNC opting not to contest the two seats in Tobago, preferring to concentrate on the 39 constituencies in Trinidad.





Of note to many cultural enthusiasts across the region was the fate of Winston Gypsy Peters who contested the Moruga/Tableland constituency on a PNM ticket. He was defeated, albeit unofficially, by the UNC candidate Michelle Benjamin who, interestingly, was one of twelve victorious female candidates in the election  seven coming from the PNM and five from the UNC.





According to the EBC, there were 1,134,136 persons registered to vote in the August 10, 2020 election.

(Sources: Trinidad Newsday, Trinidad Express, Loop News)




BANGKOK Thai authorities arrested a student leader on Friday over an anti-government protest last month, police said, just a few days before a big demonstration scheduled for Sunday.

Student groups have rallied almost daily around the country since July 18, calling for an end to military influence over Thai politics after a disputed election last year kept junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister five years after he first took power in a 2014 army coup.

Parit Penguin" Chiwarak, 22, was arrested on the outskirts of Bangkok while traveling to a protest, a video posted on his Facebook page showed.

I would like to invite you to go to the investigating officers responsible for this case," said a man who identified himself as a member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police in the video, citing a courts arrest warrant before at least four other men physically carried Parit into a car.

The video was apparently shot by a friend of Parits and posted to his page.

We can hold him for 48 hours for questioning," Police Major General Somprasong Yentuam, deputy Bangkok police chief, told reporters.

Once we are done, we will take him to a court to request for pre-trial detention," he said.

Somprasong said Parit will be charged for breaching internal security by raising unrest and disaffection," as well as for breaching coronavirus regulations banning public gatherings by helping organise a demonstration on July 18.

Human Rights Watch said the charges should be dropped and he should be immediately released.

Police on Friday also asked a court to revoke the bail for human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 35 and student activist Panupong Jadnok, 23, whom they arrested on the same charges as Parit last week, Human Rights Watch said.

Prime Minister Prayuth has appealed for unity in light of the student-led protests, and said the government has been restrained with the protesters.

The student protest groups plan to stage a large protest on Sunday to intensify their demand to reform the military-backed constitution and call for new elections.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
In similar cases in Michigan and Washington, D.C., insurers won by arguing that coverage was not warranted because the COVID-19 virus travels through the air, and thus does not cause physical damage.

Bough ruled that the presence of the virus was not a benign condition. The judge also noted that the plaintiffs plausibly alleged that particles were a physical substance that attached to and damaged their property, which rendered the property unsafe and unusable.

However, the judge did not rule on the cases merits. The plaintiffs are business owners based in Missouri and Kansas.

Reuters reached out to Cincinnati Insurance  a subsidiary of Cincinnati Financial  for a comment, but the firms lawyers did not immediately respond to the request.
Appointment

14 August 2020

Director of Brand & Marketing, Nini Andersen,brings expertise in brand management and marketing communications developed over eight years of working in progressive leadership positions within the design, lifestyle, and retail sectors. Nini's broad experience and fresh perspective on branding and marketing a city-center hotel secured her selection for the role. Since joining Villa Copenhagen during the hotel build and restoration in 2019, Nini has been instrumental in communicating the hotel's identity as a sustainable wellbeing hub for the many and not the few, while nurturing a symbiotic relationship with the Danish capital's residents that champions the local way of life. Nini holds a master's degree in Marketing Communications and Management from Copenhagen Business School, in addition to a master's degree in Branding, Advertisement, and Communication from INSEEC Business School in Paris, France.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday asserted that the bravery of soldiers has demonstrated that India is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression, though India believes in peace. Addressing the nation on the eve of 74th Independence Day, President Kovind took a jibe at China saying that "some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion" at a time when "world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity".

He said, "Even while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion. Our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders. Those worthy sons of Bharat Mata lived and died for national pride."

He added, "The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members. Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression. We are proud of the members of our Armed Forces, paramilitary forces and police personnel who protect the borders, and ensure our internal security."

Praising the medical fraternity, the President said that all Corona Warriors deserve high praise as they went much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services.

"The nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our fight against this virus. Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes. All Corona Warriors deserve high praise. They go much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services," he said.

"These doctors, health workers, members of Disaster Management Teams, police personnel, sanitation workers, delivery staff, transportation, railway and aviation personnel, providers of various services, government employees, social service organisations and generous citizens have been scripting inspiring stories of courage and selfless service. When cities and towns go quiet and roads are deserted, they work tirelessly to ensure that people are not deprived of health care and relief, water and electricity, transport and communication facilities, milk and vegetables, food and groceries, medicine and other essentials. They risk their own lives to save our life and livelihood," he added.

The celebrations of Independence Day this year will be rather restrained asserted President Kovind. "The reason is obvious. The whole world confronts a deadly virus which has disrupted all activities and taken a huge toll. It has altered the world we lived in before the pandemic," he stated.

He said that it is very reassuring to note that, the central government, while anticipating the tremendous challenge, responded effectively and well in time. "All state governments took measures in accordance with local circumstances. People also supported wholeheartedly. With our committed efforts, we have succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saving a large number of lives. This is worth emulating by the wider world," he added.

The President said, "I believe that in the fight against COVID-19, life and livelihood, both are essential. We have looked at the current crisis as an opportunity to initiate reforms to revitalise the economy for the benefit of all, especially farmers and small entrepreneurs. Landmark reforms have been introduced in the agriculture sector. Now, farmers can have barrier-free trade and get the best price for their produce anywhere in the country. The Essential Commodities Act has been amended to remove certain regulatory restrictions on farmers. This will help raise farmers income."

The President stated, "We have learnt some tough lessons in the year 2020. The invisible virus has demolished the illusion that the human being is the master of nature. I believe, it is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature. The pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny. In my view, 'human-centric collaboration' is more important than 'economy-centric inclusion', in the present context. The greater this change, the better it will be for humanity. The twenty-first century should be remembered as the century when humanity put aside differences and collaborated to save the planet."

"The second lesson is that we are all equal before Mother Nature and we primarily depend on our fellow residents for survival and growth. Coronavirus does not recognize any artificial divisions created by human society. This reinforces the belief that we need to rise above all man-made differences, prejudices, and barriers. Compassion and mutual help have been adopted as basic values by the people in India. We need to further strengthen this virtue in our conduct. Only then can we create a better future for all of us," he added.

He stated, "The third lesson is about augmenting health infrastructure. Public hospitals and laboratories have been leading the fight against COVID-19. Public health services have helped the poor cope with the pandemic. In view of this, public health infrastructure needs to be expanded and strengthened."

"The fourth lesson relates to science and technology. The pandemic has highlighted the need to accelerate developments in science and technology. During the lockdown and subsequent unlocking, information and communication technology has emerged as an effective tool for governance, education, business, office work and social connect. It has helped meet the twin objectives of saving lives and resumption of activities," he added.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Except for the absence of repairs and improvements, things have changed quickly at Albuquerques Rising Phoenix apartments.

The problem-plagued complex in the Southeast Heights has been placed in receivership after the owner, Mihail Koulakis of Texas and his MKJS Investments I and II, relinquished control.

Kathleen Danuser of the international company Greystar Real Estate Partners, which has an office in Albuquerque, was appointed as the receiver of the property by 2nd Judicial District Court Judge Erin B. OConnell. The order appointing Danuser was filed July 27.

Fannie Mae, the Federal National Mortgage Association, which is listed on the court filing as the plaintiff, will provide $2 million to Greystar to secure the property and make all necessary repairs and improvements to bring it into compliance, said assistant city attorney Andrew Coon.

According to the receivership order, Danuser will serve as the receiver until the court enters another order terminating or discharging her. She will be paid $1,000 a month, plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The receiver is also authorized to eventually sell the property on behalf of the owner, subject to court approval.

Coon, who is also a member of the citys Abandoned and Dilapidated Abatement Property Team, or ADAPT, said Greystar will send weekly progress reports on property repairs and improvements to ADAPT.

It was just last week that the property owner agreed to modified terms of a nuisance abatement agreement that required a number of repairs, improvements and safety measures be completed before Aug. 17. Failure to have met that deadline would have resulted in the city taking the landlord to court, according to City Council President Pat Davis, in whose district the Rising Phoenix apartments are located.

It was Davis who asked the City Attorneys Office to fast track legal remedies after he visited the complex on July 9 and saw that the apartment owner had done absolutely nothing toward fixing problems by target dates set out in a nuisance abatement agreement the owner had previously signed.

Among the violations described in the nuisance abatement agreement were exposed wiring and other electrical problems, broken windows and doors, bathrooms and kitchens without hot water, missing or nonworking fire extinguishers, and vacant apartments that had been occupied by trespassers engaged in criminal activity. According to the nuisance abatement agreement, between September 2018 and September 2019, Albuquerque police officers responded to complaints at the apartment complex that included aggravated assault, aggravated battery, arson, auto burglary, auto theft, breaking and entering, robbery, robbery with a deadly weapon, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, larceny and various drug-related offenses.

In addition, the inspection conducted by members of several city departments in October 2019, also found an accumulation of discarded items outside some buildings, including trash, old mattresses, weeds and syringes.

It is unclear how many people are living in the complex or how many of the units are Section 8 or otherwise subsidized.

The online website, apartments.com, says the complex was built in 1975 and has 511 units in its two-story buildings, which are spread out over six addresses on the property located off Louisiana SE, just north of the New Mexico Veterans Memorial.

An attorney representing the owner previously told the Journal that many of the issues existed when his client bought the sprawling complex in 2018 as a distressed property.

Some of those problems, he said, were a result of homeless people who congregate at nearby Phil Chacon Park entering the complex and breaking into and vandalizing vacant apartments.
Paddy McGuinness attends charity fundraiser for Beechwood cancer care at PRINCIPAL on November 23, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carla Speight/Getty Images)

Paddy McGuinness decided to put his own spin on Jeremy Clarkson's annual A-Level tweet by making a little jibe at the presenter.

As he has done every year for the past few years, Clarkson told followers disappointing results needn't be something to worry about by pointing out his own success.

He wrote on Thursday: "A level results not great? Dont worry, I got a C and 2 Us and Im currently building a large house with far reaching views of the Cotswolds."

Read more: Take Me Out axed by ITV after 10 years

A level results not great? Dont worry, I got a C and 2 Us and Im currently building a large house with far reaching views of the Cotswolds  Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 13, 2020

Inspired by the 60-year-old's tweet, McGuinness used it to joke about Top Gear.

"A level results not great? Dont worry, I got a C and two Us and Im the host of the worlds biggest motoring show, Top Gear," the father-of-three wrote, adding a wink emoji.

A level results not great? Dont worry, I got a C and two Us and Im the host of the worlds biggest motoring show, Top Gear.   Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) August 13, 2020

The 47-year-old took over hosting the car show last year, four years after Clarkson's contract with the programme was terminated in 2015.

Clarkson was dropped from the show after a "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon, which allegedly saw the latter struck in the face.

He went on to sign up to The Grand Tour series for Amazon Prime along with Richard Hammond and James May, who left the BBC programme when Clarkson was axed.

Earlier in the year he said he probably wouldve left Top Gear by now even without the dismissal.

Paddy McGuinness (left), The Stig (centre) and Chris Harris attending the Top Gear Season 28 Premiere held at Odeon Leicester Square, London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

Top Gear welcomed McGuinness to the presenting line-up in the 27th series along with Freddie Flintoff, joining the already established Chris Harris.

Read more: Paddy McGuinness back to filming Top Gear after crash

The new additions proved successful as an increase in viewing figures has promoted it to BBC One from BBC Two.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:23:01|Editor: huaxia

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By Ronald Ssekand, Zhang Gaiping and Cao Kai

KAMPALA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- As African countries continue to battle the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic, they are making gains on the frontline against massive swarms of the desert locusts that have been threatening the region's food security.

Experts in different countries attribute the gains against the voracious migratory pests to combined country, regional and international support.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in its update report in April warned that the locust upsurge continues to remain alarming, particularly in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, where it poses an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods.

Faced with this threat, Eastern African countries ramped up measures, conventional and unconventional, to fight the deadly insects which were exacerbating an already precarious situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has ravaged economies, forcing thousands out of employment and unable to fend for themselves.

Countries with support from development partners including international financiers like the World Bank availed financial and technical resources to fight the locusts.

Cyril Ferrand, the FAO resilience team leader for East Africa, recently said the region has made significant progress towards eradication of the locusts.

Ferrand said in late July that for the case of Kenya, within weeks, the country should be free of large-scale infestations.

He said only two out of the 29 counties in Kenya that were infested by desert locusts in February are yet to contain them.

"We are still assessing the damage, but we have noticed abnormal poor livestock body condition in areas where desert locusts were present," said Ferrand.

He said that in Turkana County in northern Kenya, sorghum crops with around 15 to 20 percent damage to the yield linked to the pests had been reported.

The expert said from the beginning of January to the end of June, FAO and regional governments had cushioned nearly 600,000 hectares from desert locusts.

"We estimate that so far we have killed over 400 billion locusts in the entire region. That is really a lot. That is 400 to 500 billion locusts that were prevented from damaging crops and range lands," said Ferrand.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said that the country has succeeded in the fight against the locusts that migrated from neighboring western Kenya to the eastern and northern parts of the country.

The country's military working with the locals are fighting the swarms using hand spray pumps instead of waiting for spray aircraft, Museveni said.

The government has studied the movement of the locusts, he said, noting that the military would spray them even at night when the migratory insects cannot fly.

Uganda has already deployed over 2,000 soldiers and 835 civilian personnel, including agriculture extension officers.

China is among the countries that have donated chemicals and equipment to help Uganda fight the locusts that were threatening the country's food security.

"It (donation) will take us very far in this effort of ensuring food security for the people of Uganda," Vincent Ssempijja, Uganda's minister of agriculture said on June 10 while receiving the Chinese donation.

Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, said the 20 tonnes of chemicals and equipment is aimed at boosting Uganda's efforts in minimizing the impact of the desert locusts.

FAO Uganda earlier warned that the locust invasion could severely threaten food and nutrition security for about 1.3 million people in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country.

According to the ministry of agriculture, the country's ongoing efforts have started paying off. The ministry said the efforts have averted a potential loss worth about 800 million U.S. dollars arising from protection of food and cash crops in the affected areas.

Ferrand warned that Ethiopia is still infested with a second breeding generation, and also partly re-infested by swarms from Kenya.

He said that FAO is fighting the second generation of desert locusts that have been successful but the threat of possible re-infestation towards the end of the year calls for enhanced surveillance.

The number of food insecure people in East Africa is estimated to increase this year to more than 41 million as a result of COVID-19, including 14 million who are estimated to live in urban areas, according to a joint announcement earlier this month by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the World Food Programme (WFP), as they jointly called for the promotion and development of socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns across the East Africa region in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Urban populations in East Africa are highly vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly 35 million people, or 58 percent of the urban populations living in informal settlements who are at high risk from its impact," the UN Habitat and WFP warned in their joint situation update.

The FAO and its partners also stressed that COVID-19-inflicted movement restrictions and border lockdowns are also disrupting food logistics and supply chains, which in turn has reduced food availability and increased post-harvest losses in parts of the region.

"Restrictions are impacting the movement and supply of agricultural inputs, including labor, fertilizers, pesticides and equipment, thus posing serious challenges to foodproduction," the joint statement read.

As of July 22, 2020, the additional humanitarian requirements, on top of government resources, for food security, nutrition and livelihood support are 3.4 billion U.S. dollars for seven IGAD member states that are Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.

"These requirements are just 33 percent funded, leaving a funding gap of 2.3 billion U.S. dollars, as per country-level humanitarian response plan, flash appeals, inter-sectoral COVID-19 response plans, and the global COVID-19 humanitarian response plan," according to the joint statement.

"This requires urgent attention considering that many governments will likely face significant difficulties responding to this large-scale crisis on their own," it added. Enditem
Ive worked with him and known him closely for over 20 years, Hagel said. I know what hes about. I know the kind of human being he is. I know the honesty he brings, the competency he brings.

This isnt the first time Hagel has crossed the aisle to support a Democrat for office. He backed another one-time Senate colleague, Nebraska Democrat Bob Kerrey, in his 2012 Senate campaign against Republican Deb Fischer.

Top GOP officials at the time downplayed the impact of Hagels endorsement by noting that he had alienated many Republicans with his sharp criticism of President George W. Bushs handling of the Iraq War and pointed questioning of Sarah Palins fitness to be the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee. Fischer went on to win that Senate race by a double-digit margin.

Trump campaign officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Hagels backing of Biden, but Nebraska Republican Party Executive Director Ryan Hamilton questioned its effect.
TOWAMENCIN  Township officials paused Wednesday night to remember a young resident who lost her life last week, as friends and family plan a vigil in her memory for Friday night.

The true tragedy of the storm was the tragic loss of one of our most innocent residents, 5-year-old Eliza Talal. The board asks that we have a brief moment of silence for Eliza and her family, said supervisors Chairman Chuck Wilson.

Talal was last seen around noon on Aug. 4 and was reported missing shortly after, as Tropical Storm Isaias poured roughly eight inches of rain across the area. Her body was recovered the next morning at Fischers Park, about a mile and a half from her familys home on Spring Valley Road.

Wilson led the townships supervisors and staff in a silent commemoration for Talal at the start of their board meeting Wednesday night, before noting that neighbors have established a GoFundMe page to support Talals family, and are planning a candlelight vigil to honor Elizas memory at 7 p.m. on Friday at Fischers Park, located at 2235 Bustard Road.

Lansdale resident Kylene Spade, whos coordinating the event, said members of the Towamencin Township Police Department will help coordinate and direct parking. She also recommended that people carpool or walk if they live within a safe walking distance to the park.

Additionally, Skippack Pharmacy owner Mayank Amin will be distributing masks.

While Spade said she didnt know Elizas family, she hopes that people will come together that evening with candles in hand, which will be available for those interested.

While Fridays itinerary is not set in stone, Spade said that Elizas godparent will speak, and organizers plan to play a few of Elizas favorite songs such as Change the World from Sesame Street and Idina Menzels rendition of Into the Unknown from Frozen II.

It highlights that she was a joyful little girl, Spade said.

Staff writer Rachel Ravina contributed information to this story.
- Donita Nose recently went through one of the most difficult challenges in her life

- She tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease and she needed to be confined at a hospital

- Raffy Tulfo learned about the situation of the comedienne and the bill that she needed to pay

- The broadcast-journalist pledged huge amount of money as his way of helping Donita

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Donita Nose revealed to the public that Raffy Tulfo is one of the people who willingly helped her when she got hospitalized due to the novel coronavirus disease.

KAMI learned that the prominent broadcast-journalist gave huge amount of money to the comedienne so that she can be discharged from the hospital already.

Raffy Tulfo (Photo from flickr)

Source: UGC

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Donita initially mentioned that her bill at the St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig City went as high as 600 thousand pesos.

She only needed more than 300 thousand pesos because there were other people who generously helped her in settling her hospital fee.

However, Raffy still gave half a million pesos to the Wowowin host to be able to pay her bill and other non-hospital needs.

May mga tumulong naman pong iba. May naipon naman po ako, yung sa akin po, kahit papano, ilalagay ko na din yung pera kong natitira, Donita quipped.

Donita, hindi na kami bibili ng kung ano-ano sayo. Ako na mismo nagsasabi, babayaran ko ang balanse mo diyan sa St. Lukes Isarado ko na sa 400 [thousand] Napaka-swerte mo, 100 [thousand] kay Mar. Meron ka nang 500 [thousand] the TV5 anchor responded.

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Watch the video below:

Raffy Tulfo, or Rafael Teshiba Tulfo in real life, is one of the most famous broadcast-journalists in the Philippines. Many people praise him always because of his willingness to help.

Just recently, he also pledged a huge amount of money to John Regala. The embattled actor could not contain his emotion because of the good news.

Meanwhile, Kris Aquino posted about her first meeting with the prominent TV5 reporter. She commended him for warmly welcoming her on his show.

POPULAR: Read more news about Raffy Tulfo!

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Source: KAMI.com.gh
(Natural News) Blood pressure medications might reduce the risk of cardiometabolic conditions, but researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that healthcare professionals might be doing more harm than good in prescribing more intense medications.

Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, their results demonstrated that patients admitted for non-cardiac conditions but had high blood pressure had a greater risk of readmission, falls, fainting and renal damage if placed on intensified blood pressure treatment.

Timothy Anderson, the lead author of the study and an internal medicine specialist based in San Francisco, noted that their findings suggest increasing blood pressure medications in patients admitted for non-cardiac conditions is not beneficial.

Increasing blood pressure medication upon discharge raises the risk of hospital readmission

To determine if the intensification of blood pressure medication influenced a patients health after discharge, the team studied a cohort of 4,056 patients aged 65 or older that had high blood pressure.

The patients had been hospitalized in the Veterans Health Administration facilities from 20112013 for non-cardiac conditions.

It appeared that patients placed on higher doses of blood pressure medication upon discharge had higher rates of hospital readmission. In fact, their risk of readmission is 21.4 percent higher than patients that remained on their prescribed treatment (17.7 percent).

Furthermore, the intensified blood pressure treatment neither reduced the risk of heart disease nor enhanced blood pressure control a year after discharge. On the contrary, it led to a greater risk of falls, fainting and renal damage in 4.5 percent of patients placed on the said treatment just a month after discharge.

In a similar vein, 3.1 percent of patients that remained on their current blood pressure treatment upon discharge exhibited an elevated risk of the same adverse events a month after discharge.

All in all, these results indicate that intensified blood pressure treatment after hospitalization is not beneficial, said Anderson.

It also appears that healthcare professionals assigned to outpatient care, not inpatient clinicians that might prescribe more medications, are best consulted regarding treatments post-admission, he added.

More guidance needed in managing high blood pressure during hospital admission

Its not uncommon for blood pressure readings taken during hospital admission to be inconsistent.

Past studies found that inconsistent readings or fluctuations during hospital admission are often the result of pain, stress, anxiety and the use of different medications during hospital admission, not heart disease and other cardiometabolic conditions.

That being said, these fluctuations might lead clinicians to place patients on an intensified blood pressure treatment to help control blood pressure better. But as Anderson and his colleagues found, intensifying blood pressure treatments is not necessarily the best course of action given such a case.

In 2018, Anderson and another team of UCSF researchers found that one in seven adults aged 65 or older admitted for non-cardiac medical conditions is placed on intensified blood pressure medications upon discharge.

Published in the British Medical Journal, their results demonstrated that more than half of the intensifications occurred in patients that had raised blood pressure readings during their admission but had stable readings prior.

In addition, the team found no significant differences in the rates of intensification among patients that do require tight blood pressure control and those that dont.

Their findings also indicate that the decision to place patients on intensified blood pressure treatment upon discharge is often based on inpatient blood pressure readings, not outpatient readings that might indicate improvements over the course of the admission.

Therefore, healthcare professionals assigned to outpatient care might be better equipped than inpatient clinicians in doling out recommendations and treatments for post-discharge care.

Taken together, the findings of both studies suggest that more control is needed to curb the possible harmful effects of intensified blood pressure treatment in older patients.

Healthcare professionals might also require more guidance in managing raised blood pressure during hospital admission. (Related: Homeopathic remedies for high blood pressure.)

Learn more about high blood pressure and its cardiometabolic complications at Heart.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

JAMANetwork.com

BMJ.com
Justice Minister Naomi Long has said she plans to bring forward proposals to make upskirting a specific offence early next year.

Upskirting is the invasive practice of taking an image or video of underneath somebody's clothing without their consent.

Responding to an Assembly question put to her by Green Party MLA Rachel Woods, the Alliance leader stated that, subject to Executive approval, she intends to bring forward legislative proposals to make upskirting an offence in a Justice Bill planned for the Assembly in early 2021.

The voyeuristic practice became a specific criminal offence in England and Wales in April 2019 following a campaign led by 27-year-old writer Gina Martin.

It was already an offence in Scotland.

Ms Martin spent 18 months fighting to make upskirting a specific offence after two men took a picture up her skirt at a festival in 2017.

Teachers' union NASUWT has been lobbying to criminalise upskirting here since a high-profile case involving a male teenager who was prosecuted for filming two teachers at a school in Co Fermanagh.

Read More

Timothy Boomer was found guilty in February 2019 of committing acts of outraging public decency after taking upskirt pictures of two female teachers at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School (formerly Portora Royal School) between 2015 and 2016.

Boomer was aged 14 and 15 when he committed the offences, and 18 when sentenced.

He was sentenced to a 20-hour restorative order. A conviction in England and Wales is dependent on proving that the person carrying out the act was doing it for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification, or humiliating, distressing or alarming the individual.

Justin McCamphill of NASUWT welcomed Mrs Long's statement and hopes the legislative proposals here will go further than the law in England and Wales.

"The NASUWT have been campaigning for this measure for a long time," he said.

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"We represented the two victims in the Enniskillen Royal Grammar upskirting case and through that case we realised that there was a deficit in the existing legislation.

"It's important to note that we don't simply want to copy the provisions that exist in the rest of the UK, but want a law which makes all upskirting carried out intentionally and without consent to be made a criminal act."

After Boomer was sentenced, the union had said the two women had been left with post-traumatic stress disorder.

North Down MLA Miss Woods stated there was a "clear need" for a specific law to tackle upskirting and said she was looking forward to developing the proposals with the Justice Minister and her department.

"We will also have a responsibility to look at this as part of the justice committee as well," she continued.

"I am a member of the committee and this has come up in our discussions.

"At the moment we're looking at the Domestic Abuse Bill and we were talking about a lot of other things that Northern Ireland does not have.

"We are the only part of the UK that does not have legislation that is specific to upskirting.

"I am really glad that it is a priority for the minister and I absolutely look forward to working on this.

"It is absolutely degrading, humiliating and a complete violation for people who have experienced upskirting."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 12:33:12|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he intended to give his speech accepting Republican presidential nomination at the White House lawn, drawing criticism by Democrats, according to U.S. media reports.

"I'll probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place. It's a place that makes me feel good. It makes the country feel good," the New York Post quoted Trump as saying in an exclusive interview.

The president earlier this week floated the idea of giving the speech at either the White House or Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the monumental battlefield in the American Civil War now transformed to a national military park.

Trump told the New York Post that he would visit Gettysburg at a later date.

"We'd do it possibly outside on one of the lawns. We have various lawns, so we could have it outside," Trump said, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as a reason.

Trump's intent to give the speech at the White House triggered criticism from the Democrats, who said it would be both illegal and unethical for the president to do so.

"Whether it's legally wrong or ethically out of the question, it shouldn't even have been something that was expressed," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday.

"For the President of the United States to degrade once again the White House, as he has done over and over again by saying he's going to completely politicize it, is something that should be rejected right out of hand," the California Democrat added.

The coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 5 million people and killed more than 160,000 in the United States, has forced the Republican Party to scale back its national convention -- scheduled for Aug. 24-27 -- by moving most of the activities online and only holding some business meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Trump scrapped the part of the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, due to skyrocketing COVID-19 caseloads in the state. He originally planned to give the acceptance speech there on the last day of the convention.

The president still insisted on having a big crowd of supporters at his speech, telling the New York Post that "it's very big, a very big lawn. We could have a big group of people." Enditem
Leslie David Baker of The Office fame shared some of the racist messages he's been receiving online.

The 62-year-old actor began getting harassed by bigots after kicking off a campaign to fund a potential web series about his beloved character Stanley.

Baker decided to share the hateful messages to make a point, telling social media followers: 'For those of you who don't believe racism is still alive in the world... here's the proof.'

Vile messages: The Office's Leslie David Baker shared shocking, racist messages he's been sent in order to send a message about racism in the United States

Leslie excited fans of The Office when he teased the possibility of a Stanley-focused spin-off called Uncle Stan: Coming Out of Retirement on Instagram last month.

Most people were tickled at the thought of the grumpy salesman's return. Kickstarter for the potential project quickly hit its $300,000 goal.

While Baker's plan was simply to celebrate the character, some inundated him with hate.

'For those of you who don't believe racism is still alive in the world... here's the proof,' he wrote while posting screenshots of epithet laden rants and graphic photos he's been sent.

Proof: 'For those of you who don't believe racism is still alive in the world... here's the proof,' he wrote while posting screenshots of epithet laden rants and graphic photos he's been sent

Everyone loves a comeback! Leslie excited fans of The Office when he teased the possibility of a Stanley-focused spin-off called Uncle Stan: Coming Out of Retirement on Instagram last month

'Our goal has simply been to entertain and give the fans a quality series,' he went on 'These rants are evidence that there is still a great deal of work that needs to be done here in America regarding racism.'

'Bigotry and hate will not be allowed to eradicate art or Black people. Enough said,' Baker finished.

His Office castmate Angela Kinsey consoled her friend in the comments, writing: 'Leslie, I am so sorry. That is horrible and makes me sad. I love you so much. You bring so much joy to so many. I cant wait to see the Uncle Stan show!'

Leslie also addressed the messages during an interview with ComicBook that day, saying: 'America has a very sick problem with racism and racists.'

Positive vibes only: 'Our goal has simply been to entertain and give the fans a quality series,' he went on

No room for hate: His Office castmate Angela Kinsey consoled her friend in the comments

But Baker said he wasn't ignoring the ugliness, but instead confronting it.

'In order to affect change, you can't just press the delete button and pretend that it didn't happen or say, "Oh, it'll go away," If I press the reset button, press the delete button, wipe it off the screen, then everything is okay,' he explained.

'America has done that too long and too often, because when you confront people and you acknowledge that these things are happening in this country, people say, "Well, that makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to have that discussion. I don't want to talk about it,"' Baker continued.

'Or they will scream that in some way it's reverse discrimination [that] exists, which is no such thing. Nothing like that exists.'
(Alliance News) - NewRiver REIT PLC on Friday said David Lockhart as stepped down as non-executive director following the conclusion of the annual general meeting.

The real estate investment trust first announced Lockhart's resignation at the time of the publication of its annual results in June.

At the time, Non-Executive Chair Margaret Ford said: "I am very pleased that David has agreed to assume a new role as senior adviser to the company. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank David for his wise counsel and very significant contribution during his tenure, and I am delighted that we will continue to benefit from his vast knowledge and expertise as he assumes his new role."

Shares in NewRiver closed 1.2% higher at 61.80 pence each on Friday in London.

By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  A 24-hour lockdown before and after disinfection should be enforced as soon as a COVID-19 case is confirmed in a workplace, according to the governments new guidelines.

The building must be locked down for 24 hours prior to disinfection to lessen transmission to sanitation personnel, the Labor and Trade departments said in a joint memorandum circular released on Friday.

The building may only be opened 24 hours after the disinfection process, the order read. This means a lockdown of at least two days when an employee tests positive for coronavirus.

In the event of case clustering, or when there are two more confirmed infections from the same facility, employers are encouraged to come up with their own company policies on the temporary closure of the workplace, disinfection, and intensified contact tracing.

Employers are highly encouraged to send their employees for testing once every quarter and to shoulder the cost for such.

In a public meeting with local officials in Cavite this week, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez made it clear that the government does not require RT-PCR and rapid antibody tests for employees to be allowed to report to work.

He said only those with symptoms or are close contacts of infected patients should undergo RT-PCR testing, considered as the gold standard in detecting the virus.

Prior to the testing, employers should inform the local government units that have jurisdiction over the workplace and the employees residences for proper monitoring.

The government issued interim guidelines on the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the workplace when quarantine restrictions were eased in May.

The supplemental guidelines came after health authorities raised concerns over COVID-19 transmissions in offices. The order covers all private establishments and takes effect immediately upon publication and filing with the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Intensified contact tracing

The government has also made it mandatory for customers and visitors to complete a Contact Tracing Form upon entering a private establishment or business premises. They will be asked to provide their full name, address, contact information, and date and time of visit.

The forms should be surrendered to the companys Human Resources officer for reference and safekeeping.

Contactless forms are encouraged, but must be handled with confidentiality and disposed of after 30 days.

Isolation areas, safety officers

Lopez earlier announced some of the new rules, including requiring large and medium companies, or those with an asset size of above 15 million, to set up isolation facilities with dedicated restrooms. There should be one isolation area for every 200 employees.

Malls and buildings shall have at least one isolation area near the entrances. Companies that are unable to establish an isolation area may make arrangements with a temporary treatment and monitoring facility nearby, or with local authorities.

READ: Isolation centers, protocol officers soon required in some workplaces  DTI

Companies should also designate a safety officer, or an employee who will be trained by the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure that health protocols are observed, including the wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing.

Meanwhile, the government has lifted the ban on dine-in at office canteens as long as there are proper barriers and social distancing.

Lopez said businesses that fail to comply with any of the government's guidelines will be warned at first, but repeat offenses will lead to temporary closure until the requirements are met.
(Natural News) After announcing her as his running mate, Joe Biden gushed about how Kamala Harris is supposedly a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the countrys finest public servants. But how can this be true when Kamala was a quintessential bad cop during her tenure as San Franciscos chief prosecutor?

In his book Profiles in Corruption: Abuse of Power by Americas Progressive Elite, Peter Schweizer explains how Kamala failed to prosecute even one case of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests, despite having numerous cases thrown her way.

During the 13 years that Kamala was a district attorney, and later attorney general, she systematically covered for the big guys while betraying the little guys  though you are unlikely to hear about any of this from the mainstream media, which is worshiping Kamala almost to the degree that it worshiped Barack Obama.

While at least 50 other major cities at that time were busy prosecuting pedophile priests for molesting and raping young boys, Kamala would strangely hide vital records on abuses that had occurred, Schweizer contends. Kamala also retaliated against a district attorney who tried to do the job that she refused to do, almost as if she herself was secretly guilty.

The bombshell details show that while Harriss predecessor, former San Francisco District Attorney Terence Hallinan, had launched an aggressive investigation into priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco accused of sexual abuse, Harriss campaign to unseat Hallinan showed an unusual influx of unparalleled donations from high-level officials of the Catholic Church, writes Dr. Susan Berry for Breitbart News.

By the way, more news about corrupt Kamala is available at KamalaHarris.news.

Kamala Harris is complicit in allowing innocent children to be sexually victimized by Roman Catholic priests

The very same woman who now wants to control the amount of red meat that Americans are allowed to eat was nowhere to be found in pursuing actual justice against heinous child sex abusers who were taking advantage of innocent children within the confines of religion, which is about as heinous as it gets.

Harris had no particular ties to the Catholic Church or Catholic organizations, but the money still came in large, unprecedented sums, Schweizer writes, noting that Kamala maintained deep financial ties to the religious child sex abusers she sought to protect.

Over the course of many years, various Roman Catholic organizations and individuals trying to protect the reputation of their religion amid compiling evidence of pedophilia among its leadership essentially paid off Kamala to keep these crimes under wraps  and it worked marvelously.

Though Harris has touted her early career as a sexual crimes prosecutor, after she won her run-off campaign against Hallinan, her office actually worked to cover up the records of claims of sexual abuse by priests of the San Francisco archdiocese, Dr. Berry further notes.

Kamalas office claimed at the time that it did this to protect the child victims of sex abuse at the hands of Catholic leadership. But how does burying vital records and refusing to prosecute criminals in any way amount to protection? The only people protected were Kamalas donors, which just goes to show the type of person she actually is, despite all the praise and worship from the mainstream media.

When Harris attempted to shift the blame for hiding the records to Hallinan, her predecessor responded that she engaged in the kinds of deals that have allowed the church sex scandal to go on as long as it has,' Dr. Berry further reveals, pegging Kamala as being complicit in these sex crimes against children.

Is this monster really the best pick for vice president, and possibly even president in the event that Biden either croaks or is removed from office for being mentally impotent?

Read more about Kamala Harris at KamalaWatch.com

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com


CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen appreciated against its key counterparts in the European session on Friday amid risk aversion, as the UK expanded its list of countries that face a quarantine requirement by including France and weak China data triggered uncertainty about the pace of economic recovery.



China's industrial production grew less than expected in July while retail sales dropped 1.1 percent from last year, confounding expectations for an increase of 0.1 percent, raising doubts over the country's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.



Thousands of people have had their holidays plan thrown into disarray after the U.K. government added France, Malta and the Netherlands to its coronavirus quarantine list.



France, the second-most popular overseas destination after Spain for Britons, warned that it would reciprocate.



Reversing from its early lows of 80.96 against the loonie, 76.54 against the aussie and 70.09 against the kiwi, the yen climbed to 2-day highs of 80.50, 76.15 and 69.65, respectively. The yen is seen finding resistance around 78.00 against the loonie, 72.00 against the aussie and 68.00 against the kiwi.



The yen spiked up to 2-day highs of 125.74 against the euro and 116.98 against the franc, after dropping to 126.47 and near a 2-year low of 117.64, respectively in early deals. The next possible resistance for the yen is seen around 122 against the euro and 113.00 against the franc.



The yen edged higher to 139.35 against the pound and 106.67 against the greenback, up from its early lows of 139.89 and 107.04, respectively. If the yen climbs further, 135.00 and 104.00 are likely seen as its next resistance levels against the pound and the greenback, respectively.



Looking ahead, U.S. retail sales and industrial production for July, business inventories for June and University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index for August are scheduled for release in the New York session.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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The National Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammi Awuku has descended heavily on the flagbearer of the opposition NDC, John Dramani Mahama over his failed Hope City promise.



According to Sammi Awuku former President Mahama swindled Ghanaians with the $10 billion Hope City project.



Working with his very good friend, Roland Agambire, amidst a great fanfare; amidst the brass band, accompanied by international superstars, candidate Mahama went to cut the sod for the $10billion Hope City project.



He promised thousands of jobs and the construction of multiple skyscrapers, comprising businesses, shopping malls and residential facilities. Not knowing he has not even acquired the land for the project, Sammy Awuku said.



Sammi Awuku, addressing the media at a press conference on Thursday, August 13, 2020, at Alisa Hotel said the promises of the John Mahama 2020 campaign team will equally not be fulfilled because the candidate failed to deliver on many of his lofty promises when he was President.



He described him (Mahama) as the Chief of Lies.



To him, John Mahama is not interested in the outcome and the impact of the project on the lives of the people. He is not interested in the value of money. So when candidate Mahama says he is going to invest $10 billion in infrastructure, Ghanaians must treat it not as a promise but as a threat; not as an infrastructural solution but as a financial scandal...Ghanaians should be worried because of the inflated cost of these projects, he said.



Former President Mahama, In 2013, made international headlines when he launched a project to build a $10 billion IT hub at Prampram, a town close to the capital city, Accra, within three years.



The laudable project dubbed Hope City promised to be Africa's tallest building at a height of 270m.



Investors said it will be built on empty land and will employ about 50,000 people and house 25,000 people.



The project never came to fruition.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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Boston University responded to criticism it received on social media on Wednesday after announcing it would award posthumous degrees to students who die.

In a move that even faculty are calling tone-deaf, the college announced on June 12 that effective this fall, students who die before completing their degree program will receive their degrees posthumously.

The announcement comes as the university prepares to reopen this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Daily Free Press, BUs student newspaper, the university did not formally announce the new policy, nor did it notify the community.

This policy is not a result of the pandemic and we sincerely apologize for the insensitive timing of the announcement, Colin Riley, a university spokesman, told the Boston Globe.

Boston University has issued posthumous degrees in the past, but it had no official policy prior to the announcement, the Daily Free Press reports.

Merry White, a professor of anthropology at Boston University who attended a rally on Thursday about the colleges decision to reopen in the fall, said the college has been kind of tone-deaf.

They have been sort of digging themselves into a hole on this matter, White said, referring to the administrations response to the health crisis, including its plans for reopening.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15)  Private school groups sought clarification from the Department of Education (DepEd) if private schools are included in the order to defer the school opening to October 5.

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) said the private education sector is ready for the previous August 24 opening of the new school year with various teaching and learning delivery methods on hand to replace traditional face-to-face classes.

Our preparations for remote learning have been motivated by our desire to resume school operations for the benefit of our learners and also the welfare of around 300,000 teachers and other personnel who are at risk of being laid off from work or work without pay should the school opening be pushed anew to October 5, COCOPEA said in a statement.

COCOPEA managing director Joseph Noel Estrada said that more than half of their members have started their classes, while others are expected to begin this month. COCOPEA represents 2,500 private schools nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said its members previously submitted to DepEd their learning continuity plans, health and safety protocols, and school calendar.

Given their compliance with the submission of those requirements, CEAP appealed to DepEd that the revised school opening on October 5 should only be applied to public schools.

COCOPEA asked the government to give private schools the discretion to adopt their own calendar, arguing this is allowed under Republic Act No. 7797.

COCOPEA also appealed to DepEd to offer the private education sectors online and distance education resources to public schools to hasten their readiness in the upcoming school year.

In a media briefing on Friday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced President Rodrigo Duterte approved her recommendation to move the school year opening from August 24 to October 5 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Briones cited logistical limitations brought by the imposition of modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna in proposing for the six-week postponement of school opening.

Although private schools are also under DepEd's regulation, the government will not stop those that have already started their classes, the DepEd chief said.
Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Joint Coalition Forces Intercept, Destroy (1) Bomb-Laden UAV, (2) Ballistic Missiles Launched by Iran-Backed Terrorist Houthi Militia Toward the Kingdom

Saudi Press Agency

Thursday 1441/12/23 - 2020/08/13

Riyadh, Aug 13, 2020, SPA -- Statement by the Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki stated the following:

"Joint Coalition forces intercepted and destroyed this morning a bomb-laden UAV launched to target civilians and civilian objects in (Khamis Mushait), and (2) ballistic missiles launched this evening by the terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia in a deliberate, systematic targeting of civilians and civilian objects in (Khamis Mushait).

The Houthi militia continues to violate the international humanitarian law, and launch these failed terrorist attempts to target civilians and civilian areas. Such actions continue to threaten regional and international security and undermine all political efforts to end the coup and reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue to undertake all proportionate measures to tackle these hostile, terrorist acts in accordance with the Customary International Humanitarian Law."

--SPA

21:04 LOCAL TIME 18:04 GMT

0024

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Twelve monks passed the annual Dharma debating exam and were accredited as Geshe Lharampas  the highest academic degree of Tibetan Buddhism  at Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, on Monday, China News Service reported.

The new Geshe Lharampas are from some key monasteries in different cities and prefectures of the Tibet autonomous region.

The monks attended a weeklong preliminary examination in Lhasa's Gandan Monastery in July last year. The annual exam usually consists of sutra debate of content in the five volumes of Tibetan Buddhism teachings, along with tests focused on other cultures.

Following strict examination and assessment by the evaluation committee, Chogyal Nampal of Champaling Monastery, won first place on Monday, while Lobsang Choklang of Tashilhunpo Monastery came in second and Ngakwang Kunchen of Drepung Monastery won third.

During the award ceremony, the 12 new Geshe Lharampas were presented with five-colored silks, monk's robes and cash by Meng Xiaolin, vice-chairman of the regional government. They were also presented with degree certificates.
Actor Brian Cox says a recent test revealed that he has COVID-19 antibodies, despite not having experiencing any of the usual symptoms.

Talking to James Corden on The Late Late Show, Cox says he hadnt realised hed had a bout of the virus as he never felt anything.

Appearing via video link from London, the 74-year-old Succession star told Corden that his doctor had tested him for coronavirus while he was undergoing routine blood tests for his diabetes.

My doctor called and said, oh, congratulations youve had it [COVID-19], Cox explains, And youve got the antibodies.

Read more: Succession S3 hoping to shoot before Christmas

I said, When? When did I have it?

James chats with Brian Cox on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN on the CBS Television Network. (CBS via Getty Images)

His doctor wasnt able to tell him, and asked the actor if and when he had experienced symptoms, but Cox said he couldnt recall ever having had the telltale coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to his sense of smell or taste.

Coronavirus: what happened today

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Cox went on to say that he thinks he might have caught it while directing a play in London in December, 2019. He says when he returned home to his home in Massachusetts he experienced a bout of tiredness and sneezing attacks which he, at the time, attributed to jet lag, but he now believes may have been symptoms of coronavirus.

Brian Cox, winner of the Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama for "Succession", 2020. (Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

He says a recent test shows he still has COVID-19 antibodies.

Sneezing is not currently recognised as a symptom on the novel coronavirus by the NHS, WHO or the CDC, and the first cases of the new virus were first formally recorded in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The first cases of coronavirus cases in the UK were recorded in York on 31 January, 2020.

James chats with Brian Cox on THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN on the CBS Television Network. (CBS via Getty Images)

Coxs take on Joshua Sobols Sinners ran at the Playground theatre, London in February 2020.

The actor was on the show to discuss his award-winning performance as media mogul Logan Roy in HBOs hit drama Succession, which hopes to start shooting its third season soon after it was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Although he wouldnt be drawn on what happens in the third season, he revealed he knows where the show is going and that its jolly exciting.
Join Avi Melamed, one of Israel's most respected intelligence analysts in Middle East affairs, for the third and final installment in his lecture series hosted by Temple Israel's Adult Education Committee on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m.

This virtual presentation, titled "Israel as an Obstacle in Turkey's Quest to Revive the Ottoman Empire," is free and open to the community. The program will discuss President Erdogan's aspirations to restore the glory days of the Turkish Ottoman Empire and to rule the Middle East. In less than two decades, he has single-handedly changed Turkey from a secular...
Since Vanessa Guillen's death, murals honoring her life began popping up all over Houston. Parking lots and sidewalks became filled with flowers, prayer candles, and balloons as people began visiting the make-shift memorials to pay their respects.

FUNERAL DETAILS: Public memorial and private funeral slated for this weekend

After painting the large mural of Guillen on the side of the restaurant Taqueria del Sol with his mother, local street artist, Alex "Donkeeboy" Roman Jr. began recruiting other artists to create their own murals dedicated to Guillen. Businesses throughout Southeast Houston, where Guillen was from, offered up walls and fences to artists so they could show their support.

"We didn't have to know [Vanessa Guillen] on a personal level to do something like this,"said Lupe Flores, owner of Kid-N-Play Daycare, who donated her daycare's fence to be painted. "As a Latina business owner, I felt moved by Vanessa's story,"she added.

Check out the beautiful murals and read more about them below:
Police in North Yorkshire have attended four suspected poaching incidents after calls from vigilant farmers and landowners.

North Yorkshire Police was called out to deal with four incidents of suspected poaching in just two days.

The calls follow the launch of a campaign urging residents in rural areas to report all such incidents to the police.

In the early hours of Tuesday 11 August, a farmer challenged a group of men with dogs in a Vauxhall Zafira, suspected of poaching on land near South Otterington, Northallerton. The suspects made off, following a search of the area by police.

And in the early hours of Wednesday 12 August, police officers attended land at Danby, near Whitby.

Although suspected poachers had left the area, details of a vehicle involved were obtained from a witness.

Last week North Yorkshire Polices Rural Taskforce launched a campaign urging farmers and landowners to report any suspicious activity that could be linked to poaching, such as unusual vehicle movements or lights in darkness.

It follows the launch of Operation Figaro, North Yorkshire Police's campaign to proactively target poachers to put a stop to their illegal activity. T

The work runs alongside Operation Galileo, a national campaign bringing together forces particularly affected by poaching.

Inspector Matt Hagen, of North Yorkshire Polices Rural Taskforce said officers understood the impact of poaching on farmers' livelihoods.

He said: Poachers often have no regard for farmers and landowners, causing thousands of pounds of damage to crops.

"Victims are often intimidated or even threatened with violence if they challenge offenders, leaving them feeling vulnerable to further crimes, particularly in isolated areas.

On average, police are called to more than 50 incidents of suspected poaching in North Yorkshire every month.

Incidents tend to increase significantly from August onwards, during and after harvest time.
Editor's note: Throughout the Fall semester, News@TheU will share short posts about the student Public Health Ambassador Program put in place to assist in efforts to provide resources and educate people on requirements and guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about the program, which involves 75 students, here.

Andrew Wiemer and Lindsey Woods, the Student Affairs administrators who spearheaded the Public Health Ambassador program. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020:

For Andrew Wiemer, director of the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, the public health ambassadors are campus heroes.

These students are role models for our campus. They have worked tirelessly throughout the semester to make sure everyone is safe, Weimer said. They have truly made a positive impact for everyone.

Wiemer, along with Lindsey Woods, assistant director of the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, were tasked early on in the summer to shape the Public Health Ambassador programsomething that had never been done before.

It is a very historic program. For campuses across the nation, we were a model for them. And our ambassadors helped pave the way to our success. Were certainly grateful for their efforts on our campus, and I know for a fact, other campuses are grateful for what theyve done for them as well, explained Woods.

Wiemer reported that he is very happy about how the program has shaped up. In the beginning we were all creating a program that we had never done before. And for us to be able to put something together in a very quick time, I think was a phenomenal tribute to where we are today as an institution, he said.

He explained that the biggest obstacle throughout the semester has been the fear of the unknown. We hired 75 students and engaged them across campus in order to be as productive as possible, but we didnt know what was going to happen in our community and how the spread was going to impact our campus, explained Wiemer. This is an obstacle we continue to always try to understand and try to keep up with.

One way they overcame the obstacles that came their way was by being adaptable and innovative throughout the semester. As soon as we learned something new, whether it was related to the virus or policy on campus, we made sure that the ambassadors were educated on those things, so that they could educate the campus community. And we did that throughout the entire semester. I think that was really indicative of the success of this program, Woods said.

According to Woods, her favorite part of the Public Health Ambassador program was the opportunities she has had to collaborate with the students.

I worked very closely with the ambassadors. And from day one, it was evident that these students wanted to be a part of this program. And they wanted to keep the campus safe in order to keep it open, said Woods. The ambassadors are some of the most motivated students I have ever interacted with. They are incredibly passionate about this cause, and they understand the work and difference theyre making.

Wiemer explained that the success of this program was also made possible with the initial vision of Patricia A. Whitely, vice president for student affairs, and with support from other University leaders. From the very beginning, it was evident that the campus administration was incredibly supportive of this project manifesting, he recounted.

I think what has also been really cool is weve been able to collaborate with other parts of the university we usually dont work with, including facilities, operations, and planning; our team in dining services; folks at the Shalala Student Center; and housing and residential life, said Woods. They all have shown us that they are fully supportive of the students in this role and recognize it as a need on our campus.

As this semester comes to an end, both Wiemer and Woods are already working on how to implement the Public Health Ambassador program for the spring.

We continue to learn more and more each day about the virus. But for us to look forward right now, we will need to have ambassadors. We are still trying to figure out how it will be structured, but we anticipate having a presence on campus, said Wiemer.

Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU

Deandre Athias, a junior majoring in public health, uses his role as a way to break out of his shell and keep the University community safe. Photo: Ashley A. Williams/University of Miami

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020:

Before joining the Public Health Ambassador program at the University of Miami, Deandre Athias considered himself to be a shy, quiet person who avoided conflict at all costs.

Today, the junior from Snellville, Georgia is months into his role and has found himself stepping more into the spotlight for the sake of safety.

I was given this platform and I wanted to use it in the best way, said Athias, a public health major. Ive learned how to deal with conflict in a positive way. Theres a right way and a wrong way to approach somebody about their mask.

One year before the world would come face-to-face with the coronavirus pandemic, Athias had decided to change his major to public health. When he learned about the Public Health Ambassador program, he saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.

I wanted to come back to campus and I also wanted to make sure everybody was safe, said Athias. I knew that I had to do my part.

At the University, Athias is responsible for monitoring zone 4which includes the Dooley Memorial Classroom Building and the School of Nursing and Health Studies. His shift is typically in the evenings.

As the end of the semester approaches and winter break commences, Athias said he is looking forward to rejoining the program next semester.

I feel like, students are going to be going home, and well be out of school for almost two and a half months, said Athias. People may think, I can do whatever I want for that time. Public health ambassadors are going to be needed more than ever in January.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

Public health ambassador Ashley Phillips reminds peers to stay safe and practice healthy behaviors as the holidays draw near.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020:

As the end of the fall semester quickly approaches, Ashley Phillips, a public health ambassador, has encouraging words for the University of Miami community.

We are almost at the finish line, and we can do it if we all work together. With only a few weeks until the semester is over, we need to end strong and healthy, said Phillips.

As a sophomore majoring in nursing, Phillips knew she wanted to apply to the ambassador program in an effort to help strengthen her future career in the medical field.

I thought it was a great idea to get further involved in the community to help curb this major disease and help maintain healthy behaviors on campus, explained Phillips. Throughout this semester Ive learned how to deal with a lot of different personalities, and I think the skills Ive grasped will definitely carry on to my future career as a nurse.

She said her favorite part about being a public health ambassador is being able to play such an imperative role in the success of campus safety.

I think its important for students like us to be present on campus because people honestly forget. This is such a new concept and new way of living, so having that peer-to-peer reminder helps us reach our goal as a safe campus overall, she explained.

According to Phillips, mostly everyone on campus has been receptive to the protocols.

Its great to interact with so many people on campus who are willing to play their part to slow the spread, said Phillips. I also have loved having the opportunity to meet new people along the way that I otherwise wouldnt cross paths with.

She urged everyone to remember their healthy practices during Halloween and the upcoming holiday season.

This year Halloween looks very different. I hope people will still continue to stay safe and avoid large gatherings. These few weeks leading up to the holidays are the most important because we want to avoid spreading the virus to those back at home who may be at risk, Phillips said.

She explained that it is important to keep wearing your mask and to continually wash your hands.

People need to make sure theyre doing their part on and off campus, she said. Its important to constantly have these reminders in the back of our minds because at the end of the day Canes care for Canes, and its up to us to take care of each other for the well-being and positive future of our campus.

Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU

Public health ambassador Ryan Garay reminds the campus community to keep up the good work as we approach the upcoming holiday season. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Monday, Oct. 12, 2020:

Combating the coronavirus is a marathon not a sprintthat is the message Ryan Garay, a public health ambassador, wants the University of Miami community to remember. As we approach the mid-point of the semester, Garay said that he hopes to keep encouraging everyone on campus to do their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

As we progress through the tail end of the semester, lets keep doing what were doing to keep our numbers low. We as a community have created strong habits of wearing masks and have learned how to acclimate to this new normal. So lets keep going strong, especially as we approach the holiday season, he said.

In an effort to keep the numbers low, Garay urges his fellow peers to remember to actively practice safe behavior both on and off campus because it is the perfect example of what Canes Care for Canes is all about!

Garay, a junior majoring in exercise physiology, said his overall experience working as an ambassador has been very positive. I think the community at first wasnt exactly sure what our role was. But as weve gone through the weeks, I think we shaped well as a program that has helped encourage and motivate everyone on campus to practice safe behaviors, he added.

He explained that being part of the program has also been a learning experience for him. Its definitely helped my interactive skills, and Ive learned how to approach people with a positive attitude. I think the program as a whole has been working on making sure our roles promote constructive encouragement, Garay said.

He has enjoyed meeting and collaborating with other public health ambassadors as well. I think the Butler Center has brought together a nice group that represents a wide range of students who are looking to help the community. There is a genuine belief among us that we want to help the UM community stay safe, said Garay. Its been a very rewarding experience to see the appreciation from our fellow peers who we interact with on a daily basis.

- Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU

Joshua Wooten, a public health ambassador, supervises all five zones on the Coral Gables Campus to ensure things are running smoothly. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020:

Following a rousing first year at the University of Miami that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Joshua Wooten was willing to do whatever it took to make the return to campus possible.

Today, the sophomore from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is a grateful team lead for the Universitys Public Health Ambassador Program.

I knew that this position would give me a lot of responsibility in terms of holding myself accountable and being in charge of others, said Wooten, a marketing major in the Miami Herbert Business School. I felt like it was important for individuals to step up and take on that role to make sure that were all doing our part.

In his role as team lead, Wooten is responsible for managing all five zones on the Coral Gables Campus during his shift. Using Microsoft Teams to communicate, Wooten serves as a bridge between his team and the administration.

I make rounds and make sure that everything is going smoothly with all the other public health ambassadors. Im there if they need any additional supplies or run into something that makes them feel uncomfortable, said Wooten, who hopes to work in the front office of a professional basketball team one day.

So far, Wooten said, his interactions with the campus community have been mostly positive. Students, faculty, and staff have welcomed the ambassadors with open arms as many understand the need to remain healthy.

One thing I wanted our program to do is be an example for the rest of the world by showing that we can maintain a safe environment, said Wooten. I am confident that we are effective in that as other universities are adopting the program model now.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

Luke Pyron said participating in the Public Health Ambassador Program has been a worthwhile experience. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Monday, Sept. 28, 2020:

Working as a public health ambassador has become more than just a job for Luke Pyron, a senior at the University of Miami double majoring in biochemistry and religious studies.

I'm glad I have the opportunity to do my position and although it is tiring work, I find it a worthwhile experience at the end of the day. And I feel like the university is doing everything with a high degree of positivity, said Pyron.

Established this fall by the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, the Public Health Ambassador Program, which aims to promote a culture of healthy living and accountability, has not only become respected and accepted among University students, faculty, and staff, but it has also become widely popular among other higher learning institutions. Other colleges and universities across the nation have implemented similar programs.

I think it's a great thing that theyre creating similar programs, because I feel like the model here is working, said Pyron. I feel that if more universities adopt the model and put their own changes to it, we can see what makes it better, what makes it worse, and try and find one common solution.

Two to three days a week, Pyron is tasked with monitoring zone 5 of the Coral Gables Campus, which includes the School of Law, Cox Science Building, and the College of Arts and Sciences. He said since starting his job, he has had mostly positive interactions. One thing I like about the position is that I've gotten to know the areas of campus I patrol better than the back of my own hand, said Pyron.

Regardless as to how long this pandemic is going to last, we need to treat it as a learning experience for everyone, he said.

To Pyron, becoming an ambassador felt like the right thing to do and is yet another way for him to do his part as a Cane, to keep others in his community safe. For the past month and a half, Pyron said he is also more appreciative of his institutional leaders and administrators for their sensible responses and thoughtful procedures throughout this critical time.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

Public health ambassadors meet and greet peers. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Monday, Sept. 21, 2020:

Allie Frago is in her first year at the University of Miami and she couldnt be prouder about being on campus, learning, and interacting with her peers. While taking a break in between classes Monday, she stopped by the Public Health Ambassador Programs meet and greet event to check in and thank them for their service.

I see ambassadors all the time, pretty much everywhere on campus, said Frago, an accounting major from Miami. Having them on campus is really awesome because its nice having someone around reminding those who need it to follow the guidelines.

Lindsey Woods, assistant director of the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, said the centers Canes for a Change week is always one of the most inspiring times of the fall semester. It allows students across the campus to engage with campus partners and learn more about student organizations that engage in service and leadership at and beyond the University.

This group has been a pleasure to work with, said Woods. Honestly, theyre one of the most respectful and enthusiastic groups I have ever worked with. Each of them is always so ready to assist.

University leaders stopped by the event to praise the public health ambassadors for their tremendous efforts thus far.

I am proud of our student ambassadors for really taking control, being in the forefront, and helping other students, said Ryan C. Holmes, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. This program has been one that has been emulated by other universities. We are leaders, and it shows.

Its critical to keeping the University safe and open, said Steven K. Priepke, senior associate dean of students. We really are so grateful, and they are such a great group of young people who are really motivated to do the right thing.

Shifting gears from their usual workload, ambassadors Kyle Romero, Ashley Phillips, and Andrew Smith offered passersby a fanny pack, cup, or water bottle while also informing them about the work they do on campus to enhance the COVID-19 prevention efforts.

We are so happy to be out hereeven in the rain today, said Romero, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry. Its been exciting to get to know some many people while keeping the campus safe.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

Anna Davis reminds the University of Miami community to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols while visiting the weekly farmers market on the Coral Gables Campus. Photo: TJ Lievonen/University of Miami

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020:

The weekly Well Canes Market on the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus is back. While much of the community is thrilled with the news, public health ambassador Anna Davis wants to remind everyone to adhere to the protocols that have been put in place.

Its important to wear your mask and try to go at a time when theres likely to be less people, so that you can avoid large crowds. Keep your distance and maybe wait in the Foote Green until theres space available to still maintain 6 feet of distance, Davis pointed out.

Davis is one of the 75 public health ambassadors who work to ensure that higher-traffic areas on campus continue to stay healthy and safe.

Anytime there is an event on campus that pops up, the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, which manages the ambassador program, makes open shifts available to have added coverage to that area, she explained.

Davis, a senior double majoring in psychology and public health, said she applied to the program because she wanted to be involved on campus this semester in a unique way.

I knew that the campus was going to look very different, and I felt like it was a really great way to stay involved and have that peer connection with other people at school, she said. I also just wanted to do my part in helping the slow of the spread and helping the campus stay open.

As a team leader, Davis always makes sure her role as an ambassador is one of an educator and not an enforcer.

In my experience, I find that if youre friendly with people on campus and approach them in a more empathetic way and not as someone who is looking to get them in trouble, theyre definitely more responsive, said Davis.

Remember that its important to think about the safety and health of others. We need to keep reminding ourselves to be responsible so that we can continue to be on campus this semester, is the message Davis wants to relay to the University community.

I think its really important for people to understand why we have to follow protocols, she added. I feel like if you understand them, then you are more inclined to follow rules. And if we follow these rules, then thats how were going to keep the campus open.

- Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU

Transfer student Camila Treptow explains why her personal experience with COVID-19 inspired her to take on this peer-to-peer education role. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Friday, Sept. 4, 2020:

Camila Treptow felt like it was her duty to apply to the student Public Health Ambassador Program after the COVID-19 pandemic hit home in early July.

My whole family tested positive for the virus. Thankfully, my family and I only had mild symptoms, but I feel horrible for the people who unfortunately had worse symptoms, she said. I knew after my experience, I wanted to do everything possible to stop the spread because I personally know how bad it makes you feel and how easily it spreads.

As a recent transfer student, Treptow knew she wanted to take extra responsibility during her first semester as a Cane to help share the importance of working together to help slow the spread of the virus.

We have to help each other and protect each other. Its all about teamwork to make this situation better. Wearing a mask not only protects yourself, it protects everyone around you, said Treptow.

She believes students like her are the best people to spread that message.

People tend to mostly listen to people who are around their own age and in the same kind of situation. For example, when your parents tell you something, you tend to not listen as much as if your friend told you the same thing and you can relate, she explained.

She said her first month of the job has been positive.

Its been pretty awesome. Im very happy with how the students and faculty have reacted to the program. Almost everyone on campus is taking it very seriously, Treptow said. Its just a couple people here and there who have to be reminded by the rules, but Im really pleased with how UM is taking everything very seriously,

Treptow, who is a biology major, hopes to go to medical school in the future and become a pediatrician. She thinks her job as an ambassador will help in her future career.

Doctors in my family have told me that you learn most from interacting with people, she said. In this role, I will be able to witness human behavior, which I believe is really important if I want to study medicine.

 Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU

Michael Antonietti, a senior majoring in biochemistry and nutrition, looks forward to a future career that includes public health.

Monday, Aug. 31, 2020:

The new Public Health Ambassador Program has positively affected several aspects of campus life since classes resumed on Aug. 17. For one senior, it has motivated him to tweak his post-graduate plans.

Just four weeks into the job and Michael Antonietti, a senior majoring in biochemistry and nutrition, has changed his plans of applying to a M.D. program and instead will apply to a M.D./M.P.H. dual degree program. The Chicago native said his new role, coupled with how marginalized groups are disproportionally affected by COVID-19, has helped him understand another side to medicine thats often overlooked.

Its important to understand social determinants, he said. Doctors are so much more than medicine. I want my future patients to be able to talk to me about anything.

Since his first year at the University of Miami, service has been a large part of Antoniettis life. He was previously involved with the Butler Center for Service and Leadership and learned about the Public Health Ambassador Program from the Butler Centers assistant director, Lindsey Woods.

I felt it was my responsibility to my classmates. I want to be the one to set the example and lead the way, he said.

A self-proclaimed people person, Antonietti enjoys his ambassador role and is pleasantly surprised of most students positive response to his presence. Hes stationed in zone five of the Universityan area of campus that covers the Richter Library and Foote University Green; Ashe Administration Building; School of Law; Ungar, Cox Science, and Knight Physics Buildings; and the College of Engineeringand said he spends more time refilling hand sanitizer stations than having to tell people to wear their masks.

Its more about working with the Dean of Students and the facilities team providing wipes, ensuring proper signage is up, and making sure hand sanitizers arent running out than anything, he said. I think everyone understands that we have to make sacrifices if we want to be on campus.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

University of Miami senior Evelyn Menkes fulfilled a personal desire by becoming a public health ambassador and promoting health and safety during the pandemic. Photo: Evan Garcia/University of Miami

Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020:

When Evelyn Menkes received the email about the University of Miamis Public Health Ambassador Program, she felt compelled to apply.

Service has always been a large part of Menkes undergraduate career thanks to the Universitys Butler Center for Service and Leadership. Through diverse developmental responsibilities and leadership roles, she said, the Butler Center has expanded her leadership knowledge and skills exponentially.

Since its my last semester, I wanted to be able to give back in some way, said Menkes, who aspires to be a physician one day. They showed me the beauty of volunteering and social justice.

According to Menkes, the public health ambassador program has provided an opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to her since becoming a Cane.

Im from New York, so COVID-19 really hit my area heavily and I felt so helpless in the beginning. I felt like there was nothing that I could do back then, she said. Now that Im back in Miami, I feel like its my responsibility to prevent it from spreading.

Now weeks into her new position, she said the response by students, faculty, and staff, has been positive.

One of the biggest things Ive had to deal with are the people who dont know who we are and are just interested in finding out what our job is, she said. Its my responsibility to have a conversation and educate those people.

In addition to her new role as an ambassador, this semester Menkes is also the president of Alternative Breaks and co-chair of the Canes Emergency Response Team.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

Senior Fedelene Camille explained that it is important for every member of the University community to do their part to keep each other healthy. Photo courtesy Fedelene Camille

Friday, Aug. 21, 2020:

As Fedelene Camille navigates her second week of a markedly different fall semester at the University of Miami, she can sense a new community forming among her peers on the Coral Gables Campus.

I love that were meeting people; I love that were networking. But I also serve as a reminder that you have to social distance, said Camille, one of 75 public health ambassadors hired by the University. For the most part, students have been really responsive, positive, and respectful.

Camille, a senior studying biochemistry and molecular biology, aspires to be a medical doctor one day. Coincidently, she was looking for a job this semester and once she received an email about the program, she jumped at the opportunity to apply.

I find this job very rewarding and to know that I have an impact on the health of others, said Camille. As a senior, I think its really great I can contribute and be part of a team that is helping to keep campus open and safer by encouraging and informing peers about healthy behaviors.

Camille has worked two shifts so far in the area around the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center, a popular meeting spot for students. She said the presence of ambassadors on campus has become valued.

We are becoming recognized now by our shirts. So, when they see me approach, I dont even have to tell someone to do somethingthey automatically see me, and theyll fix their mask or something, said Camille.

Overall, she is proud and excited to be fulfilling such an important role on campus. One day, she said, she looks forward to applying the knowledge she is learning today towards her future career.

For now, she will continue to try and keep the campus safe for everyone.

I think its important for everyone to play their role, she said. If you see something, say something.

 Ashley A. Williams/News@TheU

Alexandra Fioto shares why she thinks its important for Canes to care for other Canes. Photo: Mike Montero/University of Miami

Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020:

Its cool to care. Thats the message Alexandra Fioto, who is a public health ambassador, wants her fellow peers to know. As she roamed about campus during her first week on the job, she made sure to remind the community about the important guidelines the University of Miami has put into place to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

I aim to lead by example, and I think peer-to-peer influence is so important. If I show that Im following the guidelines, I think others will want to follow them too, explained Fioto.

The senior said she decided to sign up for the program because she wants to make a difference.

I just really wanted to get involved and do my part to make sure that Im making campus and school a safe place for everyone. At the end of the day, this program is not designed to get people in trouble; instead, its supposed to positively influence the campus community, she explained.

Her goal as an ambassador is to remind everyone that it is important for Canes to care for Canes.

Everyone should be adaptable during these unprecedented times. Ultimately, everyone wants to have that campus experience, so we all have to do our part now in order to work toward that. I think having a positive attitude toward the policies and changes is only going to help us get to that point, Fioto said.

Fortunately, she has seen that people are doing their part.

Ive had to remind people about the proper way of wearing their masks, but everyone is very polite. And as soon as I ask them to fix it, they comply, she explained.

As one of the captains of the University cheerleading squad, Fioto hopes the campus can eventually get to a point where she can reunite with her teammates and practice what she loves to do.

Right now, we are not allowed to gather for practice, so Im looking forward to any opportunity for a return. Cheer has been my passion and its brought me so much happiness, so being able cheer again would make me really happy, she said.

Until then, she noted that she will continue to work hard as an ambassador and as a marketing studentone who aspires to enter the cosmetic industry when she graduates.

Im very interested in beauty and skin care; so, hopefully Ill be able to get a marketing job in that field, Fioto said. I also really enjoyed my business classes, so Ive also been considering the opportunity of going to law school. Theres lots of exciting stuff ahead.

 Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU

First-year student Jacques Calixte is one of 75 public health ambassadors on the Coral Gables Campus. Photo: Mike Montero/University of Miami

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020:

For Jacques Calixte, a first-year student at the University of Miami, being involved in several roles simultaneously is nothing new.

Im used to a lot of responsibility. I was the type of person in high school who took on every single club and sport. So applying for the role as a public health ambassador felt natural, Calixte pointed out.

When Calixte heard about the creation of the public health ambassadors, who would support the safe reopening of the Coral Gables Campus, he thought it would be a perfect learning opportunity. He was one of 75 students selected for this important role.

As part of the 2020 class of high school graduates, Calixte explained, I personally know what it feels like to be affected by COVID-19. And as an aspiring physician, I thought it would be interesting to apply the love that I have for the health field. I really wanted to do something that would be able to help the community, so applying to this job felt like the best option.

As an ambassador, he hopes to continually keep educating people throughout the semester. I just hope that people come up to me and ask me for information, and I hope to keep informing people and help influence them in following important guidelines, said Calixte.

He also admitted that he would use his role as an ambassador to meet new people and become familiar with campus.

Im getting the opportunity to learn a lot about different parts of campus before other incoming freshmen. Ive gotten lost a couple of times, but this role has made the process of coming to UM easier, he said. I actually have run into a couple of familiar faces while walking around, and Ive made friends with people who have asked me for help.

Calixte was happy to report that his first week on the job was successful. I only had to give out one mask throughout the whole week. The main problem Ive come across is that people arent wearing their mask correctly. So, Ive just had to remind them. But people have been very compliant about following the policies, he said.

Overall, Calixte is looking forward to starting his journey as a Cane. Im so excited to finally join the UM community, he exclaimed. Ive heard a lot of great things, and everyone is really supportive. I know this year is going to look different, but I do hope I get to experience what its like to truly be a Cane!

 Amanda M. Perez/News@TheU
Representative image

Anuj Puri

From the dawn of independence to today, the Indian real estate sector has come a long way. Yet, the goal of a roof over every Indian's head has never been a more urgent compulsion. As we usher in our 74th year of independence, there is still a long way to go. COVID-19 has highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing  rental or buy  across the country's cities where most migrant workers come to seek a living.

The incumbent government's Housing for All by 2022 initiative is inching closer to reality. RERA too has made considerable progress.

However, the coronavirus pandemic savagely underscored the absence of affordable rental housing in major cities, resulting in a mass exodus of migrants with no income during the lockdown. The government shifted gears on its flagship scheme and included affordable rental housing in it.

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

Getting the Cabinet's nod recently, Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) under PMAY (U) is clearly an attempt to bridge the shortfall of affordable homes across Indian cities. A unique initiative, this scheme aims to give the urban poor access to proper affordable rental housing close to their workplaces and reduce dependence on slums, informal settlements and remote peri-urban areas.

All states will be asked to develop such products and encourage private partnerships. The move will not just regularise the rental housing market across the country but also add another asset class for developers to consider.

The ARHC scheme is to be implemented via two models:- By utilising existing Government-funded vacant homes by converting them into ARHCs under Public-Private Partnership.

- Construction, operation and maintenance of ARHCs by private/ public entities on their own vacant land.

To begin with, the government plans to use about one lakh unused housing units built under the JNNURM and the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY)  the previous governments urban upgrade and housing programmes - to provide rental housing. The monthly rentals for homes under ARHCs are likely to be fixed between Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000.

To attract private participation, the government has also rolled out special incentives such as use permission, 50% additional FAR/FSI, concessional loans at priority sector lending rates and tax reliefs at par with affordable housing to develop ARHCs on their own available vacant land for 25 years.

However, low yields may be a major deterrent for private participation. While funding for such projects would be at concessional rates, many developers who have bought land at steep prices in the cities earlier on may find the proposition unattractive. Will the government unleash further incentives?

To replace India's archaic 70-years-old rental laws, the government initiated the Draft Model Tenancy Act 2019 last year. The housing and urban affairs ministry is now looking to approach the Cabinet for its approval.

The Model Tenancy Act aims to bridge the trust deficit between tenants and landlords by clearly delineating the obligations of tenants and landlords. To ensure speedy redressal of disputes, it also proposes to establish Rent Court and Rent Tribunal that will hear appeals for matters connected to rental housing. This Act can fuel the rental housing supply pipeline by attracting more investors, and more rental housing stock will help students, working professionals and migrant populations to find urban accommodation.

Five years after the implementation of this ambitious scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has made steady progress across states. As on date, a total of 1.06 crore homes have already been sanctioned in the country, of which 33 percent or approximately 35.18 lakh homes are completed while another 66.23 lakh units have been grounded for construction.

A sharp 180 percent rise of project completions was seen between December 2018 and early August 2020  from 12.58 lakh homes completed back in December 2018 to over 35.18 lakh homes as of August 2020.

Of the total homes sanctioned, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number (20.16 lakh homes), followed by Uttar Pradesh with over 15.95 lakh homes and Maharashtra with over 12.34 lakh homes.

In terms of completion, out of the total 35.18 lakh houses completed, Uttar Pradesh is top on the list with more than 5.34 lakh homes already completed, followed by Gujarat with 4.22 lakh homes and Maharashtra with 3.44 lakh homes.

In more than three years since its implementation, RERA is shaping up into the consumer-empowering force it was envisioned to be. As of July 31, 2020, more than 54,153 real estate projects and 41,583 real estate agents have been registered under RERA across the country. 50,322 complaints have been disposed of by the authorities across various states/UTs, according to data by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Out of this, nearly 60 percent of cases were resolved in the last year alone.

According to the latest readings on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUHA) website:

- About 33 states/Union Territories have notified rules under RERA; One North Eastern State (Nagaland) is under process to notify the rules. Rules in UTs of Ladakh will be notified soon. West Bengal has enacted its own legislation, which has been challenged before Supreme Court and MoHUA has filed its affidavit to annul it.

- Around 30 states/UTs have set up the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Regular - 25, Interim - 05). Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya and Sikkim have notified the rules but yet to establish Authority.

- About 24 states/UTs have set up Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (Regular -16, Interim  08). (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Sikkim are under process to establish).

- Regulatory authorities of 26 States/UTs have operationalised their websites under the provisions of RERA. (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Puducherry are under process to operationalise).

Meanwhile, the RBI has taken steps that have, to some extent, eased the woes of the sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic. From repo rate cuts to loan moratoriums, and from an infusion of liquidity for NBFCs and HFCs to a one-year extension of the CLSS scheme up to March 2021, there has been considerable action.

Most recently, the RBI opened up the window for restructuring loans to companies, individuals and MSME under mandated safeguards. This has given also given something of a breather to the liquidity-strapped industry.
- Gretchen Ho made waves on social media with her latest project amid the COVID-19 crisis

- The popular TV host and athlete donated dozens of bikes to deserving workers

- She posted on Twitter that many Filipinos need a bicycle to make a living in these difficult times

- After learning about her project, netizens praised the Kapamilya star for helping others and empowering them as well

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Gretchen Ho (Photo from Gretchen Ho's Twitter account)

Source: Twitter

Gretchen Ho impressed a lot of netizens with her latest project amid the COVID-19 crisis.

KAMI learned that the popular TV host and athlete donated dozens of bikes to deserving workers.

According to Gretchen, many Filipinos need a bicycle to make a living in these difficult times.

Netizens praised the initiative of the Kapamilya star, commending her helping others and empowering them as well.

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Because a BIKE can spell the difference between keeping a livelihood or not

Lets empower people to continue fighting for their dreams by giving them a ride, Gretchen said.

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Gretchen Ho is a television host and former volleyball player in the Philippines. She played volleyball for the Ateneo Lady Eagles from 2008 to 2013. Her popularity rose when she became a co-host on Umagang Kay Ganda, TV Patrol, and The Score.

She went viral online months ago due to her friendship with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. Many netizens commented that Gretchen and Vico seem to be a good fit for each other.

When the mayor was summoned by the NBI for his COVID-19 initiatives, Gretchen was one of the public figures who defended him. Gretchen Ho tweeted: wrong move and Its really #AprilFoolsDay.

Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters!

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While breaking a lease is generally a big no-no, sometimes theres no way around it. Life happens, and certain circumstances might warrant getting out of your rental situation.

Breaking a lease can be complicated, and it can be costly, says Dylan Lenz, CEO of Naborly, a modern-day property management software for landlords. The lease agreement from your landlord and local regulations will have specific details around how to break your lease, what penalties you'll be tied to, and which situations allow for it.

Each state and city has its own set of regulations for terminating a lease, so do some research before moving forward. You should also read your rental agreement to see what it says about breaking your lease. Doing so will help you avoid a slew of issues, including a lawsuit by your landlord to recover outstanding rent, debt collectors, damaged credit, and problems finding new housing.

Is it really time to break your lease? Here are six situations where it may make sense to do so.

1. New job

Yes, relocating for a job is a fully legit reason to break a lease. But tenants should be well-prepared before they talk to their landlord.

Since you're still legally on the hook for rent payments lasting the duration of your lease, broker Bill Kowalczuk of Warburg Realty in New York says to minimize the chance of losing too much money, tenants should try to find a new tenant on their own. And they should do so before telling their landlord they need to break the lease.

I just had this happen with a property I represent, says Kowalczuk. The existing tenant found someone new to move in, who would pay $150 less than what they were paying. So the tenant who was leaving made up the difference for the amount of time left on her lease. Everyone was happy.

2. Financial hardship

A significant change in your financial situation is reason enough to break a lease. The hope is that your landlord will take your circumstances into account and wont charge you a penalty for breaking the leaseso documenting evidence of your hardship is important.

The pandemic has rocked our economy, and we're seeing a surge of layoffs and furloughs, says Lenz. People are in difficult financial situations right now and are making big decisions because of it, like moving back home or opting for a small, cheaper apartment.

If you've experienced financial difficulties from unexpected job loss, you can always try to negotiate a deferred rent payment plan with your landlord instead of breaking your lease.

3. Bad landlord or unit

Several states have constructive eviction laws that allow renters to move out without penalty when a landlord does not provide habitable housing.

One example: A tenant is entitled to break a lease where a unit is unwarranted (illegal) and does not have a certificate of occupancy on file with the city, says Joseph Tobener, a tenant rights lawyer at Tobener Ravenscroft in San Jose, CA.

Tobener says another justified reason to break a lease is the landlord hasnt provided repairs and the broken amenities are substantially interfering with the tenancy.

To break a lease for substantial interference, the issues have to be serious, like no heat, sewage overflows, constant late-night noise issues, or cockroaches and rodents, says Tobener.

4. Buying a new house

Youve dreamed of owning a house since forever, but youre stuck in a lease. Still, the promise of homeownership may be too good to pass up (hello, low interest mortgage rates!) and you have to break your lease. So what penalties would you face?

If you are thinking of buying a home, keep the lines of communication open with your landlord. You may be able to work out a cash payment to buy your way out of a lease. Some leases have home-buying" clauses, which allow tenants to jump ship early for a small fee.

5. Divorce

Divorce can get sticky, especially when it comes to working out all the details, including living arrangements.

If living together to ride out the lease isn't an option, experts suggest working with a legal representative to draft and sign a lease transfer agreement that places all the tenant obligations, such as full payment of outstanding rent, to the spouse still residing in the unit.

6. Military assignment

You just moved into a sweet pad, but three weeks later you receive orders for a new military assignment. Fortunately, a federal law called the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is on your side and allows active-duty members to break their lease for official military orders.

Active-duty members must provide their landlord with a written notice of their plans to vacate and a copy of their official military orders for a change of station for more than 90 days. They will typically have to continue to pay rent for the remainder of the month and the next month.

The most important steps to take are to be aware of what's in your lease agreement and spark an open line of communication with your landlord early to get the best result for both parties, says Lenz.

The post 6 Situations When Breaking Your Lease Makes Sense appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
The synthetic strain would be used in studies where patients are purposely infected to test a vaccines efficacy.

US government scientists have begun efforts to manufacture a strain of the novel coronavirus that could be used in human challenge trials of vaccines, a controversial type of study in which healthy volunteers would be vaccinated and then intentionally infected with the virus, according to the Reuters news agency.

The work is preliminary and such trials would not replace large-scale, phase-three trials such as those now under way in the United States testing experimental COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc, according to a statement emailed to Reuters by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

US officials organising the fight against the pandemic have been under pressure from advocacy groups such as 1 Day Sooner and others that see challenge trials as a way to speed up tests of a COVID-19 vaccine. Most vaccine trials rely on inadvertent infection, which can take time to occur.

Some drugmakers, including AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, have said they would consider human challenge trials to test COVID-19 vaccines if needed.

Should there be a need for human challenge studies to fully assess candidate vaccines or therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2, NIAID has begun investigations of the technical and ethical considerations of conducting human challenge studies, the agency statement said.

That includes efforts to manufacture a suitable SARS-CoV-2 strain, draft a clinical protocol and identify resources that would be required to conduct such studies.

Small challenge studies would be done in small isolation units to control the virus. Larger challenge studies involving 100 people or so would have to be done in multiple locations, adding months of preparations to coordinate the studies.

Such trials are typically done when a virus is not widely circulating, which is not the case with COVID-19. Many scientists consider human challenge trials of the novel coronavirus unethical because there are no rescue therapies for those who fall ill.





Earlier this week, Johan Van Hoof, global vaccines chief for J&J, said in an interview with Reuters that the preparations for such trials are under way across the world, and the company is following those preparations.

Van Hoof said such trials would offer a testing option in case the virus stops circulating widely, but the company would only move forward with such trials if the ethical issues are resolved and an effective treatment is available.

Dr Anna Durbin, a vaccine researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who has run a dozen challenge studies, estimates it could take nine to 12 months to set up a human challenge trial, and another six months to coordinate testing across multiple testing sites.

NIAID said it is continuing to prioritise field trials to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates, but it opened the possibility to challenge trials for future generations of vaccines or treatments.

Dr Dan Barouch, a vaccine researcher at Harvards Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, who helped design and conduct animal studies on J&Js COVID-19 vaccine, said he is not aware of any manufacturers planning human challenge studies.

In the setting of a pandemic that is raging, you dont need it. You just do a trial and get a real result, he said.

Customers wait in line to shop for food at a Food 4 Less grocery store during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Los Angeles, California, in August [Mike Blake/Reuters]

Moreover, vaccine trials would have to be done in healthy young people, said University of Maryland School of Medicines Dr Kathleen Neuzil, co-leader of the Coronavirus Vaccine Prevention Network, which was formed by NIAID and is testing COVID-19 vaccines.

A 20-year-old in a challenge study isnt really going to give us the answer of will this vaccine keep an older person, someone with chronic kidney disease, from ending up in the hospital, she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 11:24:35|Editor: huaxia

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SYDNEY, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Health officials and experts were optimistic that an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Australian state of Victoria was in decline, as the result of stricter containment measures came into effect.

On Friday, Victoria recorded 372 new virus cases and a further 14 deaths, continuing a steady pattern of decline in daily infections since peaking at 725 on August 5.

While the figure is higher than the 278 infections reported on Thursday, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said the apparent effectiveness of stricter testing and tracing efforts remained the cause for "cautious optimism".

"There will be up days and there will be down days. This will not be a straight-line progression."

Biostatistician and epidemiologist at the University of South Australia, Prof. Adrian Esterman told Xinhua that he was confident that Victoria's case rates would continue to decline over the coming weeks.

"The cases have definitely reached their peak and are coming down, even though there's a bit of a blip today," Esterman said.

"You get this sort of seesaw jagged pattern going up in an epidemic and we're seeing it coming down in the epidemic."

According to Esterman, modelling showed that Victoria's virus reproduction figure had dropped to 0.8 following the introduction of stage 4 social distancing restrictions and more widespread use of face masks.

With case numbers significantly lower than earlier in the crisis, the job of contact tracing was also becoming far more effective and manageable for the thousands of people assigned to the job in Victoria.

"If each infected person has got 10 contacts and you've got 200 of them, that's 2,000 people to do contact tracing with and that's an enormous task," Esterman said.

"But if you're getting 400 or 500 cases a day it's totally unmanageable. So logistically, it means that they can actually control what's happening whereas they can't with much larger numbers than that." Enditem
The collateral damage from the pandemic continues: Young adults, as well as Black and Latino people of all ages, describe rising levels of anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts, and increased substance abuse, according to findings reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a research survey, U.S. residents reported signs of eroding mental health in reaction to the toll of coronavirus illnesses and deaths, and to the life-altering restrictions imposed by lockdowns.

The researchers argue that the results point to an urgent need for expanded and culturally sensitive services for mental health and substance abuse, including telehealth counselling. In the online survey completed by some 5,400 people in late June, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was three times as high as those reported in the second quarter of 2019, and depression was four times as high.

The effects of the coronavirus outbreaks were felt most keenly by young adults ages 18-24. According to Mark Czeisler, a psychology researcher at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, nearly 63 per cent had symptoms of anxiety or depression that they attributed to the pandemic and nearly a quarter had started or increased their abuse of substances, including alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs, to cope with their emotions.

Its ironic that young adults who are at lower risk than older adults of severe illness caused by COVID-19 are experiencing worse mental health symptoms, Czeisler said.

A survey of about 5,000 people done in April, during the earlier days of the pandemic, Czeisler said, suggested that tremors in the mental health firmament were beginning to surface.

Already in April, high percentages of respondents reported they were spending more time on screens and less time outside than before the pandemic, which translated into more virtual interactions and far fewer in person. They noted upheavals to family, school, exercise and work routines, and to their sleeping patterns. All of these are factors that can contribute to the robustness of mental health.

But why do young adults appear to be crumbling at rates far greater than older people?

Czeisler said that the team hoped to conduct more research along those lines. He mentioned one direction of inquiry that could prove especially illuminating: measuring the extent to which people can tolerate uncertainty, or the ability to accept the unknown, because now there are so many questions, especially for young people, about relative risk, duration of the pandemic and what their futures will look like.

In this latest survey, nearly 41 per cent overall reported symptoms of at least one adverse reaction, ranging from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly 11 per cent said they had suicidal thoughts in the month leading up to the survey, with the greatest clusters being among Black and Latino people, essential workers and unpaid caregivers for adults. Men were more likely to express such feelings than women were.

The researchers, who represent a joint effort largely between Monash University and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, said the symptoms were less pronounced in older groups, perhaps an indication that their longer life experience has been beneficial to helping them ride out the current turbulence.
According to Maria Jose Sastre, the president of the Coiba College of Nursing in the Balearics, the islands have the lowest ratio of nurses per person in Spain. This is 5.5 per one thousand inhabitants, whereas the national average is 5.8.

Coiba also suggests that the ratio of nurses in Spain is the lowest in Europe. In other countries it is up to 16 or 17 per one thousand people. The pandemic has demonstrated, says Sastre, that the number is "not enough". She believes that the problem lies with education and training and a lack of professional health personnel in the Balearics. "If university places do not increase over the next seven to eight years, we will not have health staff."

The lack of nurses has influenced the work of Covid-19 tracers. Sastre explains that their work is not easy. The interview part and follow-up have to be done by health personnel. There is also an administrative element that Coiba feels should be done by others in order to allow the nurses to concentrate on the main task.

The regional ministry of health is meanwhile training new tracers. On Monday, a course for another thirty will start. The goal is to have 250 tracers in all.
Two cities in China have found traces of the new coronavirus in cargoes of imported frozen food, local authorities said on Thursday, although the World Health Organization downplayed the risk of the virus entering the food chain.

A sample taken from the surface of frozen chicken wings imported into the southern city of Shenzhen from Brazil, as well as samples of outer packaging of frozen Ecuadorian shrimp sold in the northwestern city of Xian, have tested positive for the virus, local Chinese authorities said.

Shenzhen authorities identified the chicken as originating from a plant owned by Aurora, Brazils third-largest poultry and pork exporter.

As confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, the discoveries raise fresh concerns that the coronavirus that causes the disease can spread on surfaces and enter the foodchain. A day earlier, officials started investigating whether the first COVID-19 cases in New Zealand in more than three months were imported by freight.

Viruses can survive up to two years at temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius, but scientists and officials say there is no strong evidence so far the coronavirus can spread via frozen food.

People should not fear food, food packaging or delivery of food," the World Health Organizations head of emergencies programme Mike Ryan told a briefing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Agriculture Department said in a joint statement there is no evidence that people can contract COVID-19 from food or from food packaging."

Brazils Aurora, which is unlisted, said it had not been formally notified by the Chinese authorities of the alleged contamination. The company said it takes all possible measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and there is no evidence it is spread through food.

Brazils agriculture ministry said it was seeking clarification from Chinese authorities.

Reuters could not immediately reach the Ecuadorean embassy in Beijing.

Shenzhens health authorities traced and tested everyone who might have come into contact with potentially contaminated food products, and all results were negative, the citys notice said.

It is hard to say at which stage the frozen chicken got infected," said a China-based official at a Brazilian meat exporter.

The Shenzhen Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters said the public needed to take precautions to reduce infection risks from imported meat and seafood.

The health commission of Shaanxi province, where Xian city is located, said authorities were testing people and the surrounding environment connected to the contaminated shrimp products, which were sold in a local market.

In addition to screening all meat and seafood containers coming into major ports in recent months, China has suspended some meat imports from various places, including Brazil, since mid-June.

Seven Argentine meat processing plants are temporarily not exporting to China because they have registered cases of COVID-19 among their employees, a source from the Argentine agricultural health agency Senasa said on Thursday.

The first cluster of COVID-19 cases was linked to the Huanan seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Initial studies suggested the virus originated in animal products on sale at the market.

Li Fengqin, who heads a microbiology lab at the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment told reporters in June the possibility of contaminated frozen food causing new infections could not be ruled out.

Xinfadi market, a sprawling food market in Chinas capital of Beijing, was linked to a cluster of infections in June. Authorities said the virus was found in the market on a chopping board on which imported salmons were handled.

How the virus entered Xinfadi market in the first place is yet to be determined, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest update of the investigation in July. The market will be reopened from the weekend.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
New Delhi: HDFC Bank Ltd on Friday announced the launch Shaurya KGC Card for the armed forces that would cater to over 45 lakh Indian armed forces personnel.

The product is based on the Kisan Credit Card guidelines by the government. The key benefits of the Shaurya KGC Card includes  Life cover of Rs 10 lakh as against Rs 2 lakh for an average card; simple and easy documentation that doesnt require the personnels physical presence to accommodate nature of his job and his availability, the bank said in a statement.

The Shaurya KGC Card will provide armed forces personnel with finance for agricultural requirements like production of crop, post-harvest maintenance and consumption needs. They can also avail of this funding to purchase farm machinery, irrigation equipment or construct storage structures etc, HDFC added.

The loan facility has been designed keeping in mind the financial needs of the armed forces and can be availed by visiting HDFC Bank Branches or applying the loan through recently launched HDFC Bank e-Kisan Dhan app. The loan facility can be also availed by dialling an all India Interactive Voice Response (IVR) toll free number (1800 1209655), HDFC Bank said.

The Bank said that it has already disbursed over five lakh agri-loans and has set up 12 Krishi Dhan Vikas Kendras across India.

Shaurya KGC Card was launched digitally from Mumbai by Aditya Puri, Managing Director, HDFC Bank on the eve of Indias 74th Independence Day.

Its an absolute honour to launch this product for the armed forces and their families. Coming from an Air Force family, I have seen from close quarters the sacrifices they make and hardships they go through - the personnel on duty and their families back home. I feel like my career is complete now that were able to do something for them. With this, we have an equally good product for armed forces brethren as we have for farmers. This is our Independence Day gift to our protectors, Puri said.
Amazon Alexa devices were discovered to be vulnerable to an attack by hackers that would have given them access to your voice history, personal data and Alexa account

Amazon Alexa devices were discovered to be vulnerable to an attack by hackers that would have given them access to your voice history, personal data and Alexa account. The vulnerability was demonstrated by Check Point Research in a report where it can be seen that a bad actor can use this flaw to access the victims personal information, voice history with Alexa and other private details.

Amazons Alexa devices include smart speakers, smart displays and other home automation products. Alexa skills are installed to extend the voice assistants capability to control more devices by voice commands. Amazon sold over 200 million Alexa-powered devices last year which makes it one of the more common IoT products that people buy.

The researchers at Check Point Software Technologies found that some Amazon subdomains could have been exploited by hackers to send a malicious link to users. These links seem to be genuine and users could mistake it for an official Amazon tracking link but it redirects to a malicious page which raises a request to get into your Alexa account and access your private information.

We conducted this research to highlight how securing these devices is critical to maintaining users privacy. Thankfully, Amazon responded quickly to our disclosure to close off these vulnerabilities on certain Amazon/Alexa subdomains. We hope manufacturers of similar devices will follow Amazons example and check their products for vulnerabilities that could compromise users privacy, said Oded Vanunu, Head of Products Vulnerability Research at Check Point.

Amazon Alexa Security Vulnerabilities

Amazon did take stock of the situation almost immediately and has seemingly fixed the vulnerability. While the researchers have suggested that hackers could have easily gained access into users private information, collecting bank account details but Amazon refutes this claim stating that all bank details are redacted from Alexas responses.

In a statement to Wired, Amazon said that The security of our devices is a top priority, and we appreciate the work of independent researchers like Check Point who bring potential issues to us. We fixed this issue soon after it was brought to our attention, and we continue to further strengthen our systems. We are not aware of any cases of this vulnerability being used against our customers or of any customer information being exposed."

This isnt the first time a flaw has been discovered in smart devices as both Amazon and Google have often been demonstrated to be vulnerable to hackers. Having said that, we recommended our readers to be vigilant of smart devices and use the physical microphone disable button occasionally.
In her second shift in front of cameras, the health minister provided an update on coronavirus developments.

Luxembourg's Health Minister Paulette Lenert, having already been present at this morning's education press conference, this afternoon presented an update on Luxembourg's COVID position, prevention methods and future plans.
Imphal/Itanagar, Aug 14 : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has asserted that the Centre's ongoing peace talks with the NSCN-IM in Delhi won't affect the territorial boundaries of his state.

The Union government has assured that the views of the Manipur people would be heard before a final agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) was inked, Singh told the media in Imphal late Thursday evening.

Various civil society organisations in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam have strongly voiced their opposition to any decision that affected the territorial boundaries of these states.

United Committee Manipur (UCM), one of the influential civil society groups, has again urged the government and state leaders to make their stand clear on the issue.

The UCM said it always welcomed the peace process in the north-eastern region but would not compromise on any agreement that affected the territorial integrity of Manipur in any way.

According to officials in Nagaland, a nine-member NSCN-IM team led by its chief negotiator Thuingaleng Muivah has been holding informal talks with the Centre since Monday in New Delhi as a prelude to formal parleys expected to begin after August 15. Some significant development on the issue is expected by September.

While officials of the Home Ministry and the Nagaland government refused to say anything on the talks, the NSCN-IM delegation has expressed resentment against Nagaland Governor RN Ravi, who is also the Centre's interlocutor for parleys with various Naga outfits.

The NSCN-IM and intelligence sources said that while many of the 31 demands of the Nagas have been almost resolved, differences remain over a separate flag and separate Constitution.

In the last couple of months, the NSCN-IM has been criticising the central government for what it called the delay in the talks.

Meanwhile, reacting to some organisations' demand to replace Ravi as the government's interlocutor in the peace talks, 14 Apex Naga Tribal Hohos of Nagaland and the Lotha Hoho, in separate statements, have backed his continuance of an interlocutor.

In another development, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union has reiterated that there are no Nagas in their state, as claimed by the NSCN-IM, and asserted that any "territorial changes" while finding a solution to the Naga problem would not be tolerated.

Nagalim, a long-pending demand of the NSCN-IM for a separate Naga state, encompasses the Naga-inhabited areas of Myanmar as well as parts of north-eastern states bordering Nagaland. The Nagalim map the outfit published a few years back includes Tirap, Changlang, Longding, Anjaw, Lohit, and Namsai districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Student and social organisations in Assam are also opposed to any settlement that affects the territorial boundaries of the state.

The NSCN-IM has held a number of rounds of negotiations with the central government in Delhi and even outside India after signing a ceasefire pact in August 1997. The Modi government signed a "framework agreement" with the NSCN-IM in 2015.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Job Creators Network (JCN) hosted a call with Vice President Pence and small business owners. The topic was the Trump Administration's efforts to help the small business community, boost the economy, combat the pandemic, and reform healthcare.

On the call, Vice President Pence said, "In the last three months, we've gained 9.3 million jobs  more than during the entire Obama Administration. That's a credit to America's job creators and entrepreneurs. You are reopening your businesses, while putting the health of your employees and customers first. JCN has been  and continues to be  a leading voice on the imperative of reopening the economy. JCN was a leading voice on Capitol Hill for the PPP negotiations. Your organization has brought together thousands of job creators who employ millions. We're going to get through this pandemic together. As the President has repeatedly said, 'We're going to bring this economy back bigger and better than ever before.'"

Alfredo Ortiz , JCN President and CEO, released the following statement:

"We appreciate Vice President Pence taking time from his busy schedule to have a dialogue with JCN's small business owners. The Trump Administration has been  and continues to do  an incredible job supporting our small business community. Their tax cuts and regulatory reforms kicked off the greatest economic boom in history. And then, when the pandemic struck, they came to the rescue again  starting with the Paycheck Protection Program, which saved 51 million jobs, and continuing with the recent executive order suspending the payroll tax. The President promised a 'V-shaped' recovery, and he is delivering. JCN will continue working closely with the Administration to keep America moving in the right direction. We are grateful to the President, the Vice President, and all the members of their team."

During the call, former HHS Secretary and JCN Senior Healthcare Fellow Dr. Tom Price briefed the Vice President on the JCN Foundation's "Healthcare for You" initiative. "Healthcare for You" was produced with the input of 25,000 Americans  the largest healthcare market research ever conducted  and will enact personalized healthcare reform. Newt Gingrich and seven Republican Governors have already endorsed it. To learn more, go to HealthcareForYou.com .

SOURCE Job Creators Network
A citizen is tested for coronavirus at a temporary facility at Dongdaemun Market in Seoul, Friday, following an outbreak at the marketplace. / Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



COVID-19 has spread rapidly in Seoul and neighboring areas in recent days due to sporadic outbreaks at churches, large-scale marketplaces and fast food branches, renewing concerns over a new wave of the contagion, according to health authorities Friday.



New daily cases in the country exceeded 100 the previous day for the first time in about 20 days, with the number of locally transmitted infections jumping to an over-four-month high.



Amid the worsening situation, authorities are considering raising the level of social distancing to prevent further transmission of the contagious disease.



According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), the country added 103 cases including 85 locally transmitted ones, Thursday, taking the total caseload to 14,873.



The number of newly identified infections increased rapidly from 56 detected Wednesday and 54 Tuesday, while the number of locally transmitted infections was the highest since 88 on March 31.






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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France  Fri, August 14, 2020 14:15 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e0a101 2 World Israel,UAE,United-Arab-Emirates,Palestine,Middle-East-conflict,Middle-East,Israel-annexation,Israel-Palestine-conflict Free

Israel and its Arab neighbors have waged eight wars and struck rare peace accords.

After Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed Thursday to normalize relations, here is a brief overview of milestone events.

Creation of Israel and wars

Israel is created on May 14, 1948, formed out of part of Palestine three years after the end of World War II when the Nazis killed more than six million Jews.

Israel immediately comes under attack by its Arab neighbors -- Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria -- but repulses them.

More than 760,000 Palestinians are driven out or flee, becoming refugees.

In 1956, Israel attacks Egypt alongside Britain and France, which are seeking to overturn the nationalization three months earlier of the strategic Suez Canal.

They eventually withdraw under pressure from both the United States and the then Soviet Union.

In June 1967, Israel wins a crushing victory over its Arab neighbors in the Six-Day War.

It seizes the West Bank including east Jerusalem from Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt.

In 1973, Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur to try to win back their lost territories, but are repulsed.

First peace treaty

The year after the historic visit in 1977 by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem, Israel and Egypt agree on peace terms after talks brokered by the United States.

The Camp David accords are the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab state.

The peace treaty is signed in 1979 by Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin and Sadat.

In 1978 and again in 1982, Israel invades civil war-wracked Lebanon in a bid to halt cross-border attacks by Palestinian militants.

Israeli-backed Lebanese militiamen kill hundreds of civilians in the Sabra and Shatila Palestinian refugee camps on the outskirts of Beirut.

Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon until 2000.

Peace treaty with Jordan

A second peace accord, with Jordan, follows in 1994, signed by prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Abdel Salam Majali.

The Wadi Araba Treaty formally ends 46 years of war between the two neighbors.

Intifadas, Oslo accords

The first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, erupts in 1987.

It ends in 1993 when Israel agrees to limited Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza as an interim step towards a comprehensive peace agreement, which has yet to emerge.

The so-called Oslo accords are sealed with an historic handshake between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Rabin, who is assassinated two years later by a Jewish extremist.

The second intifada breaks out in 2000 when right-wing Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon pays a provocative visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in annexed east Jerusalem.

The Israeli army reoccupies much of the West Bank in a series of large-scale military operations and begins building a separation barrier between the two communities that in places cuts deep into occupied territory. The intifada ends in 2005.

In 2005, Israel withdraws all troops and settlers from Gaza after 38 years of occupation.

It imposes a crippling blockade after Islamist group Hamas seizes control in 2007.

It carries out three deadly offensives against the territory in six years, the latest in 2014.

Trump's support

In December 2017, US President Donald Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a declaration condemned by the Palestinians who regard east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

In May 2018, Washington transfers its embassy to Jerusalem.

In March 2019, Trump formally recognizes Israel's 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights.

On January 28, 2020, Trump unveils a controversial Middle East peace plan which provides for the annexation of swathes of the West Bank by Israel.

On August 13, Trump, in a surprise announcement, says that Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a "historic" peace agreement. In the deal Israel pledges to halt annexation of Palestinian lands.

Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu says the agreement means "a new era began in the relations between Israel and the Arab world".
Former Northern Territory police assistant commissioner Peter Bravos has been found not guilty on rape charges.

Bravos had been on trial over an alleged attack on a female colleague after a night out at a ball almost 16 years ago.

But a Supreme Court jury on Friday acquitted the 53-year-old in relation to two counts of rape.




Detained journalist, Hopewell Chinono will remain in custody until August 18 when Magistrate Ngoni Nduna is expected to rule on the suitability of his lead defence lawyer to continue in that position.





The State, led by Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi is pushing for lead lawyer, Beatrice Mtwetwa to recuse herself from the case on allegations of disrespecting the courts.





Mtetwa is alleged to have posted on her Facebook page titled Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law saying: Where is the outrage of the international community that Hopewell Chinono is being held as a political prisoner?





His life is in serious peril. Raise awareness about his unlawful imprisonment. Do not let him be forgotten. You or someone you love could be the next one abducted from your home and put in leg irons. SPEAK OUT.





But Mtetwa, who is representing Chinono in a case in which he is being charged with inciting public violence, argued that the allegations of contempt, stemming from a Facebook page being run using her name, had no legal basis.





She denied being the owner of the page and was backed by her client Chinono who said the page belonged to a film documentary maker who is not based in Zimbabwe.





The matter has become a trial within a trial, as Mtwetwa was before the courts to re-apply bail for Chinono on changed circumstances.





She accused the State of trying to choose a legal counsel for the accused which is completely unheard of.





Prosecutor Mabhaudhi is calling on the courts to remove the lead counsel from the case and we finalised the submissions today, said lawyer, Roselyn Hanzi after the trial.





The Magistrate has said that he needs time to write the ruling which he is going to deliver on Tuesday, 18 August, so that means the bail application is not going to proceed until we have the ruling and we know the position of our lead counsel Beatrice Mtetwa in this case.





The decision by the magistrate means, Chinono, who was arrested with politician, Jacob Ngarivhume on the same charges, will spend yet another weekend in prison and will not know his own fate until the fate of his lawyer has been decided.





A number of attempts to have both the High Court and Magistrates Court grant them bail have so far failed.





This forced their lawyers from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to re-apply for bail on changed circumstances given that the date for the planned action passed, with the demonstrations considered a non-event.





The hearing for Chinonos new application began on Wednesday before Nduna following the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays while that for Ngarivhume was pushed to Monday.





But Chinonos hearing took a twist when the State alleged that Mtwetwa, through a social media page being run using her name, had disrespected the courts.





Meanwhile, the High Court granted an application by Chinono and Ngarivhume challenging the suspension of their rights in prison, with the court ordering the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services to allow the two access to their lawyers food and clothes, within reasonable administration restrictions, access to doctors of their choice and personal protective equipment in light of the Covid-19 outbreak while in remand prison.





The ruling followed complaints by the defence that their clients were being denied time and privacy with their lawyers as well as food provided from outside prison.
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has presented vehicles to three institution to support their efforts in improving sanitation in the country.



In separate ceremonies on Thursday (August 13,2020), the Minister of Sanitation, Ms Cecilia Dapaah, presented 24 mechanised tricycles for waste collection to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), three pickup trucks to Ministry of the Interior and two water tankers to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA).



The tricycles were funded by the government of Ghana and the African Development Bank at a total cost of GH1.2 million under the Greater Accra Sustainable Sanitation Development Project (GASSLIP).



The two water tankers, on the other hand was funded by the World Bank at the cost of $110,000 and aimed at enhancing the efforts of the CWSA to improve water delivery in rural communities.



While, the ministry in collaboration with waste management company, Zoomlion Company Limited presented three pickup trucks to the Ministry of the Interior on behalf the Ghana Police Service.



The pickup trucks was to help the police support MMDAs in enforcing the sanitation by-laws.



Improve sanitation

Ms Dapaah, speaking to journalists explained that their effort was all geared towards improving sanitary conditions in the Ghana.



She noted that the beneficiary assemblies would be allocated one mechanised tricycle, to collect solid waste within their municipalities.



Although, acknowledging that one was inadequate, she said they were making provisions for more tricycle to support the assemblies to enforce the sanitation by-laws.





In view of the water tankers, she said it would augment the efforts of the Ghana Water Company to provide water for people in rural communities especially in the era of COVID-19.



She, however, commended the Ghana Police Service for their support over the years, and encouraged them to continue in their support to enforce the sanitation by-laws.



She urged them to use the pickup trucks to support the assemblies to ensure cleanliness in the communities.



Mechanised tricycles



The Coordinator of GASSLIP, Mr Stephen Ackon, in a brief statement said the tricycles could collect twelve 240 litre bins or twenty-five 120 litre bin at a time.



The mechanised tricycles for the collection of waste is covered and has a spy hole which helps to determine whether the tricycle is full or not. Mechanically, it can also lift the bins and dump it into the container which is about three cubic metre, he noted.



Appreciation



The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Adentan Municipal Assembly, Mr Daniel Alexander Nii-Noi Adumuah, speaking on behalf of the MCEs, the Chief Executive Officer of CSWA, Mr Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi and the Minister for the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery thanked the ministry for the gesture and promised to use the vehicles for its intended purpose.

Source: graphiconline.com









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

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George Poikayil By

Express News Service

KASARAGOD: Vellarikundu police on Thursday arrested Albin Benny (22), a trained automobile mechanic, for the murder of his 16-year-old sister Ann Mary, and an attempt to murder of his parents Benny Olikkal and Bessy.

"The murder of Ann Mary was ruthless and diabolic," said inspector K Premsadan, station house officer of Vellarikundu, who investigated the case.

Albin tried to eliminate his parents and sister -- residents of Arinkallu in Balal panchayat -- to usurp the family property, said the officer.

"If everything went as per Albin's plot, he had planned to pass off the three murders as suicide," he said. But not everything went as per his "much-rehearsed plan", the inspector said.

'He saw her dying slowly'

On July 30, a Thursday, Albin asked his mother Bessy and sister Ann Mary to make him ice-cream, according to the police.

Ann Mary, who had cleared class X and was waiting to join higher secondary school, decided to whip a bourbon ice-cream and bought the ingredients from a bakery in Vellarikkundu. The mother and daughter made two buckets of ice creams -- one was placed in the freezer while the second was kept in the fridge.

By evening, the ice-cream was ready and all the four members of the family consumed it. That night, the inspector said, Albin, emptied half a tube of Ratol paste into the ice-cream bucket placed below in the fridge.

On the morning of July 31, Ann Mary mixed the ice-cream in both the buckets and placed it in the fridge.

"That evening the father and daughter consumed it but Albin excused himself saying he had throat pain," said the officer.

Bessy had just a bit because she found the taste to be foul. She asked Albin to give the rest of the ice-cream to the dog.

Since the morning of August 1, a Saturday, Ann Mary started vomiting and suffered diarrhoea. Her father first took her to a homeopathy clinic and then to a cooperative hospital in Vellarikkundu.

After several tests, the doctors concluded on August 4 that she had jaundice because her liver was not in good condition; her eyes had turned yellow, and so was her urine.

The same day, Benny's elder brother took Ann Mary to his house at Pulingoth near Cherupuzha in Kannur district saying allopathy did not have the medicine for jaundice and that there was a good practitioner of alternative medicine near his house.

But her condition worsened and on August 5, she was taken to a private hospital in Cherupuzha where she died.

Cherupuzha police registered a case of unnatural death because Ann Mary's father too started to show similar symptoms for which he was taken to MIMS in Kozhikode.

"MIMS found that 80% of Benny's liver was damaged and he could be saved only with a liver transplant," said Premsadan.

The transplant would cost around Rs 35 lakh and the medicine would cost Rs 35,000 every month, said a neighbour.

With no money, the family brought back Benny and admitted him to the Taluk Hospital in Payyannur.

Meanwhile, Ann Mary's post-mortem revealed the presence of yellow phosphorus -- an ingredient of Ratol paste -- in her body.

Rat poison is slow to act but seriously damages the liver, said the inspector.

"All these while, Albin ruthlessly stood like a spectator and did nothing to save the lives of his father and sister. It will be a miracle if Benny survives," he said.

Incriminating evidence

Even before Cherupuzha police formally handed over the case to Vellarikkundu, district police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah asked Premsadan to begin the investigation into the case.

Vellarikkundu police sealed the house and managed to get hold of Albin's mobile phone. "He stayed in his relative's house but we kept a watch on him. He was not given an inkling that he was a suspect," said Premsadan.

The police checked the search history on his phone and found that he had Google-searched information on rat poison and how it could affect the human body and children.

"Then we checked with the shops in Vellarikkundu and found a shopkeeper who said Albin bought rat poison from his shop on July 29, a day before he asked Ann Mary to make ice-cream," said the inspector.

The motive?

Benny is a hardworking farmer with four acres of land. He has a pig farm, poultry farm, and rubber trees to tap.

Albin completed an automobile mechanic course from an industrial training institute (ITI) in Kottayam but he did not look for a job. "At home, he did not help his father nor did he do any other work. That was a cause of friction between the two," said Premsadan.

He did not enjoy a good relationship with his sister either.

"Albin spends a lot of money. He has several female friends from whom he used to borrow money from to live a fast life. He found his father and the rest of the family a hindrance to his lifestyle," said Premsadan.

The officer said Albin wanted to usurp the land not to work but to sell it off for some quick bucks.

He had earlier mixed Ratol paste in chicken curry but it did not work. "So he checked Google to find the right dosage," said the inspector.
By Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has agreed to buy at least 300 million doses of AstraZeneca's <AZN.L> potential COVID-19 vaccine in its first such advance purchase deal, which could weaken plans led by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a global approach.

The European Commission, which is negotiating on behalf of all 27 EU member states, said the deal included an option to purchase 100 million additional doses from the British drugmaker should its vaccine prove safe and effective.

The EU's bilateral deal mirrors moves by the United States and other wealthy states, some of which are critical of the WHO's initiative, and further reduces the potentially available stock in the race to secure effective COVID-19 vaccines.

The move converts into an EU agreement a preliminary deal with AstraZeneca that was reached in June by Europe's Inclusive Vaccines Alliance (IVA), a group formed by France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands to secure vaccine doses for all member states.

The Commission declined to disclose the terms of its agreement with AstraZeneca but said its deals are aimed at financing part of the upfront costs to develop vaccines. The funding would be partial downpayments to secure the shots, but actual purchases would be decided at a later stage by each EU state.

"This new agreement will give all EU member states the option to access the vaccine in an equitable manner at no profit during the pandemic," AstraZeneca said in a statement.

The EU said it has been in advanced talks over the past two weeks with Johnson & Johnson <JNJ.N> and Sanofi <SASY.PA> for their vaccines under development.

It is also in talks with Pfizer <PFE.N>, Moderna <MRNA.O> and CureVac for upfront purchases of their potential COVID-19 vaccines, EU officials told Reuters in July.

WHO BLOW?

The EU move could complicate efforts led by the WHO and GAVI, a global alliance for vaccines, to buy shots on behalf of rich and developing countries with a separate scheme.

Story continues

The Commission has urged EU states to shun the WHO-led initiative because it sees it as too expensive and slow, EU officials told Reuters in July.

Now the Commission is openly saying that vaccines bought from AstraZeneca, and from other vaccine makers, could be donated to poorer states, effectively taking on the very task that the WHO is pursuing with the so-called ACT-Accelerator Hub.

Brussels has publicly said that its purchasing scheme is complementary to the WHO's, but in private told EU states that there may be legal issues if they joined the WHO programme.

Bruce Aylward, the WHO senior adviser who leads the ACT-Accelerator Hub, downplayed fears that bilateral deals could scuttle the WHO's multilateral push.

He said late on Thursday that some countries that have reserved vaccines for their populations had also expressed interest in participating in a global rollout.

"You hear a lot of panic about buying, deals, etc. But we have a couple of months to work together as a global community," he said, adding that pooling risks and buying together was the ideal solution.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio in Brussels; Additional reporting by John Miller in Zurich; Editing by Jason Neely, Alexander Smith and David Goodman)
A conference that was supposed to draw some prominent right-wing figures to rural Polk County in late August has been canceled after being postponed several times, according to the organizer.

Yet AmeriCon! is still selling tickets for as much as $2,000, with the promise of meeting noted PizzaGate conspiracy promoter and One America News Network correspondent Jack Posobiec, commentator Dinesh DSouza and others famous in right-wing circles.

Posobiec was retweeted and praised by President Donald Trump as recently as May. DSouza has been one of the most prolific right-wing voices in recent decades. Trump pardoned DSouza on a felony campaign finance violation in 2018.

The now-canceled conference in Rickreall would have been one of the more headline-grabbing political events of the 2020 election cycle, which has unfolded during a pandemic that has cut into in-person political events.

A spokesperson for the Polk County Fairgrounds said it would no longer host the event because of the states coronavirus restrictions.

Polk County is in Phase 2 of reopening and can have outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people, and indoor gatherings of up to 100. The AmeriCon! website advertised space for 600. Tickets remain for sale Thursday.

Organizer and former Oregon congressional candidate Joey Nations says the event is canceled. Nations said refunds have been offered, but said he has no control over the website selling tickets, because he said he does not operate it.

Theres no way we can hold the event with (Gov.) Kate Browns orders in place, Nations said in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive Aug. 6. Venues just arent able to accommodate what we had in mind.

Juanita Broadrick, who accused President Bill Clinton of sexual assault, was scheduled to speak, as was gun advocate Andrew Pollack, whose daughter was killed in the Parkland, Florida high school shooting in 2018.

Also set to speak were several Oregon conservatives, including Nations and Paul Romero.

Nations, of Salem, is known to many Portlanders for his involvement in physically fighting anti-fascists at the Portland waterfront in August 2017 with Joey Gibsons right-wing group Patriot Prayer. Nations lost to Amy Courser in May for the Republican nomination to run against Democratic Rep Kurt Schrader in Oregons 5th District.

Despite the loss, Nations is still raising money through his campaign website, operating a Thin Blue Line Raffle for a black and blue rifle.

Romero lost to QAnon supporter Jo Rae Perkins for the Republican bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley.

Nations and Romeros campaigns are listed as Patriot Level sponsors of AmeriCon!, along with Oregon Women for Trump, a jazz vocalist, a Salem gun store and a Dallas, Oregon independent trucking company. Patriot Sponsorship is listed on the conference website as spending $2,000, in exchange for six VIP tickets and time with the conference speakers, among other perks.

All American Sponsorship, which costs $1,000, was purchased by The Sutherland Family, and a Washington metal fabricator.

The conference was initially scheduled for May, then postponed until June, then until August 29.

America First Solutions LLC, is listed on the conference website as the host. A company by that name does not exist in Oregon, according to state business records.

Its a surprise to me if this business doesnt exist, Nations said in an email. The guy who told me he ran it told me that was his business name, and its his logo at the bottom of the AmeriCon website.

Nations identified the operator of America First Solutions as Cole Rainey, a Salem Republican in his early 20s who has testified to state legislators about various conspiracy theories, including George Soros and the United Nations pushing gun control efforts to spur a global tyranny, that he also promotes on a website. Nations said Rainey is in charge of the conference website.

Messages left at a number listed for Rainey to verify his involvement in AmeriCon! and America First Solutions has not been returned.

Campaign finance filings show Nations campaign paid America First Solutions, the non-existent company, $600 of campaign funds during the first three months of 2020. Nations said he was paying the local consulting firm, to organize AmeriCon!

Nations said the money raised by AmeriCon! was not used for his campaign, even though he used campaign funds on the event. He said all money brought in from the event is being refunded as he closes his 2020 election committee and prepares for a 2022 run.

Also listed as speakers on the website was Oregon clothing company owner Brett Miller, founder of Oregon Women for Trump Carol Leek, comedian Alex Elkin and the Kurt Van Meter Band, an Oregon country music act.

Of the speakers, Posobiec and DSouza are the most well-known in the mainstream. However, a conference lineup on Nations website said right-wing commentator and former Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka was originally slated to speak. Trump announced in July that Gorka will be appointed to the National Security Education Board.

Gorka has a history of Islamophobic comments, and some Democratic U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns over his apparent ties to a Hungarian Nazi group.

DSouza has been in conservative circles for decades. His modern prominence is tied to a number of books and documentaries critical of the Obama administration and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. His most successful was the conspiratorial 2012 film 2016: Obamas America, partially funded by part-owner of the Chicago Cubs, Joe Ricketts, according to the New York Times.

DSouza was scheduled to promote his new book at the conference.

Posobiec has promoted conspiracy theories for years, most notably the PizzaGate child trafficking conspiracy theory credited for his rise to prominence.

PizzaGate is considered somewhat of a precursor to the currently prominent QAnon conspiracy, which also largely revolves around a claim that liberal elites are trafficking and harming children while engaging in ritualistic abuse. The QAnon theory has been growing in popularity among right-wing circles and brought attention to Oregon in May, after QAnon supporter Perkins won her Republican primary race. Her almost-certain defeat in the general election against longtime Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley will still likely draw national attention.

-- K. Rambo

krambo@oregonian.com

@k_rambo_

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.


Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents





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'Space salsa' adds spicy kick to astronaut freeze-dried food



August 14, 2020  Move over astronaut ice cream: a retired science teacher's new recipe is ready to heat up the world of freeze-dried space food.



Danny's Rocket Ranch Space Salsa, created by educator and self-professed "space nerd" Danny Jaques, is set to officially launch for sale on Saturday (Aug. 15). Online orders began Friday for the new spicy space dish.



"This is my delicious southwestern recipe, adapted for flight into space to our astronauts," Jaques describes on the Danny's Rocket Ranch Space Salsa website. "Using space-age technology, the freshness of this tasty salsa has been frozen in time  ready to be unlocked and enjoyed anywhere... the moon, Mars, or in your home!"



A portion of the space salsa sales will go to support sending kids to Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. For all but 10 years of his 36 years teaching, Jaques escorted hundreds of students to Space Camp. He was inducted into the Space Camp Hall of Fame in 2010.



Astronaut enjoyed



Jaques has been making salsa  the fresh, terrestrial type  for his family and friends for 30 years, but it was not until he brought a batch with him to a Space Camp pool party in 2018 that he got the idea that his salsa could go much further.



It was at the event that Jaques spoke with Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, a fellow educator and geologist who was the first Space Camp alum to become a NASA astronaut. Metcalf-Lindenburger launched on the space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2010.



"I said, 'Hey Dottie, do you think the people up on the ISS would like my salsa?'" recalled Jaques, "and she said sure. And I got the idea, I didn't know how I was going to do it, but I was going to come up with a way so we could sell it and raise money for Space Camp scholarships."



Metcalf-Lindenburger remembers encouraging Jaques to pursue the endeavor.



"I enjoyed Danny's salsa while we were at the Hall of Fame reunion; I think I ate a quarter to a half of a jar that he brought for the celebration," she said.



Tasty on Earth, the kick from Jaques' salsa might be especially appreciated by those in space. Microgravity affects astronauts' sense of taste, dulling the flavor of many foods. Jaques formulated the salsa to be thick enough to stick to foods.



"Spices are always a favorite in space  Tabasco, sriracha sauce, salsa, pesto, garlic paste, wasabi, etc., provide the strength of flavor we need and enjoy!" said Metcalf-Lindenburger.



For consumption on Earth... and beyond



First thinking that he would need to dehydrate the ingredients himself, Jaques discovered he could source the tomatoes, green chile, onion, garlic and other components of his recipe as individual freeze-dried products. Mixed together with his blend of spices, it was then just a matter of working out how much water was needed to reconstitute the salsa and refine its flavor.



"I targeted medium [heat], so some people are going to say it's not hot enough and some are going to think it's too hot. I have 'Martian Mild' and 'Martian Hot' salsas in the pipeline," he said.



Jaques converted part of his property in Ignacio, Colorado  his "rocket ranch"  to be a commercial kitchen and is mixing and packaging the salsa himself.



"I am hand packing each one of them," said Jaques. "I am targeting 200 units a day, which translates to about a thousand units a week."



"And if I can get to a thousand units per week and I'm selling that, making and selling that much, I will be a pretty happy camper," he said. Packets of Danny's Rocket Ranch Space Salsa sell for $6.49 each and will be available initially at select stores in Colorado and at the Space & Rocket Center, as well as online.



Although there are other dehydrated salsas on the market, Jaques believes that his is the first to be aimed at consumers both on and off the planet. Fresh salsa, in small quantities, has been launched to the space station before, so Jaques is hopeful that his freeze-dried recipe, with a shelf-life of at least two years, will be of interest to NASA.



"I always wanted to be an astronaut, like many of us that go to Space Camp," said Jaques. "I may not make it as an astronaut, but boy, if I can get my product into space, that would be just as good."



Danny's Rocket Ranch Space Salsa adapts retired science teacher Danny Jaques' southwestern recipe for spaceflight by using freeze-dried ingredients. (SpaceSalsas.com)





Danny Jaques, creator of Danny's Rocket Ranch Space Salsa, with astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger. Both are Space Camp alum and members of the Space Camp Hall of Fame. (Danny Jaques)



(SpaceSalsas.com)



 2022 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
A middle school teacher in the Township of Union alleged in a lawsuit that a custodian who engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student went on to sexually assault her at work.

The 39-year-old gym teacher at Burnet Middle School filed suit Wednesday in Superior Court against the custodian, the school board and Superintendent Gregory Tatum. She claims school officials knew about the complaints about the custodian but didnt take any corrective action.

The custodian did not respond to a request sent to his work email seeking comment. The school board president and superintendent did not respond when asked if the man was still working for the district.

The custodian first worked at Central 5 Middle School when the suit claims he engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student on school property during an unspecified day. The students father told Tatum - who was the schools principal at the time - that he would notify law enforcement, the suit said.

The district, the suit said, did not take any corrective action against the custodian and transferred him to Burnet Middle School instead.

If the school district and the board of education or any of their administrators has reason to believe that a teacher or employee is a danger either to other teachers or other students, they have the ability to take the proper course of action, the womans attorney, Ernesto Cerimele, told NJ. Advance Media.

Obviously the proper course of action isnt transferring that person to a different school.

Between September and December 2019, she claims the custodian sexually assaulted her on three occasions.

In one instance, the suit says, he pushed her into the physical education office assigned to male teachers and shut the door. He moved her to a chair, pounced on top of her and pressed himself between her legs, the suit says, but she pushed him off.

She told other employees what happened, and they acknowledged that the custodian will never learn his lesson, the suit said.

The custodian also went into her office on a later occasion, put himself on her and attempted to kiss her, the suit says. She screamed and clenched her teeth shut and he licked her cheek before leaving, the suit claims.

The woman immediately told administrators and the school board, the suit says, and school officials acknowledged they received previous complaints about him. She continues to be employed by the district but is out on workers compensation while undergoing regular therapy, her attorney said.

Its unclear if the custodian has any pending or past criminal cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct. The Union County Prosecutors Office did not respond to a request for comment and Cerimele declined to comment when asked if his client attempted to file charges.

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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.
Walgreens ordered extra flu vaccines. The Houston Health Department will administer flu shots at drive-thru clinics. And Baylor College of Medicine has created an influenza task force to develop strategies for vaccinating its workforce.

From the trenches of a monthslong war against the new coronavirus, health care providers are turning their focus toward a known enemy: one they can hold at bay with vaccines.

And theyre hoping an additional emphasis on flu shots could prevent a flu and COVID surge this fall and winter. Both Gov. Greg Abbott and Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently emphasized the importance of flu shots that public health officials are stressing.

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID and the flu: Gov. Abbott warns Texans of dangerous convergence this fall

There is significant concern with other viruses increasing and prevalent in the community in the fall and the winter that well be maybe not overwhelmed but quite busy, said Dr. Peter Bigler, chief medical officer for Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group.

Last flu season, between October and April, the CDC estimates there were 410,000 to 740,000 flu hospitalizations. Between 24,000 and 62,000 people died, according to the CDC .

COVID-19 has claimed more than 160,000 lives in the U.S. since March.

Certainly, I think everyone is concerned because we are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. S. Wesley Long, medical director of the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory at Houston Methodist, and we fully expect that until we have a COVID-19 vaccine, we will likely continue to see the virus sort of ebb and flow based upon human behavior.

The relevant behaviors  wearing a mask, working from home, maintaining a healthy distance from others, obsessively washing hands  are humanitys only protection against COVID-19.

They happen to protect against the flu, too. In temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere (where the typical flu season is April to September), the World Health Organization says the influenza season has not commenced.

Globally, influenza activity was reported at lower levels than expected for this time of the year, WHO reported Aug. 3 using data from mid-July.

Thats providing local experts with some hope that Houstons flu season might not be too bad.

This will be a really unpredictable season, said Inyang Nora Osemene, professor and interim chair for the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Health Sciences at Texas Southern University. We are hoping for the best, but we dont know.

However, shes concerned there might not be enough vaccines to meet this years likely heightened demand.

Vaccine manufacturers have projected creating 194 million to 198 million doses. Thats roughly 20 million doses more than the record 175 million during the 2019-2020 flu season, according to the CDC.

But there are 330 million people in the U.S.

Redfield of the CDC said in a Wednesday interview with WebMD that getting the flu shot is crucial. Last year, fewer than 50 percent of people got the flu vaccine. His goal this year is 65 percent.

So by getting that flu vaccine, you may be able to then negate the necessity to have to take up a hospital bed. And then that hospital bed can be more available for those that potentially get hospitalized for COVID, he said.

To help with an expected uptick in demand, the CDC is providing additional flu vaccines to be administered nationwide. This includes 200,000 doses for Houston and Harris County, a portion of which will be administered by the Houston Health Department, said LaTasha Hinckson Callis, administration manager for the departments Immunization Bureau.

These doses, which are in addition to what the city of Houston buys each year to administer at its four health centers, are being prioritized for adults with higher risk. They will be administered to seniors, groups with historically low flu vaccination coverage (including African American and Hispanic adults), in areas that have seen a higher number of COVID-19 cases and to the uninsured/underinsured.

We dont want to overwhelm the hospital systems, Hinckson Callis said. We dont want to see outbreaks of diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.

While its possible to get sick with the flu even after receiving a flu shot and developing antibodies  to be clear, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine itself but rather may still get sick after coming into contact with an influenza virus  Long said people who get the shot are less likely to be hospitalized.

But with symptoms so similar to COVID-19, including fever, cough, body aches and a sore throat, its going to be initially difficult (prior to receiving test results) to determine if patients have COVID-19, the flu or even a head cold.

How sure will we be? Long asked. Because its going to affect treatments.

Dr. James McDeavitt, senior vice president and dean of clinical affairs for Baylor College of Medicine, said not knowing if patients with respiratory symptoms have COVID-19 could mean health care providers continue their practice of donning and duffing protective equipment between each patient. This practice can add 15 minutes per patient, though McDeavitt added that drive-through testing sites could be a way to decrease the need for repeatedly changing protective equipment.

Unfortunately, theres so much overlap in symptoms, said Bigler, with Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group. Theres certainly not just a science but an art to diagnose the patient accurately.

Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

On HoustonChronicle.com: COVID's true toll in Texas is higher than reported, data shows

What worries him is a report that roughly 20 percent of people who tested positive for COVID-19 also had another pathogen, according to an article published in the JAMA medical journal. Bigler hopes none of his patients catch both the flu and COVID-19.

That would be quite worrisome, he said. I would be concerned for even the healthy patients.

To help prevent this, Bigler said Baylor St. Lukes Medical Group is considering drive-through vaccinations.

More Information Symptoms for COVID-19 and Influenza COVID-19: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fatigue Muscle or body aches Sore throat Congestion or runny nose Headache Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Loss of taste or smell Flu: Fever (or feeling feverish/chills) Cough Fatigue Muscle or body aches Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Headache Vomiting and diarrhea (this is more common in children than adults) Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention See More Collapse

Walgreens and CVS, with about 195 and 190 locations in the greater Houston area, respectively, are having pharmacy team members wear masks and face shields. Customers must also wear masks, and they will have their temperature taken prior to receiving a flu shot.

The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine in September or October (August is generally too early because the recipient will have less protection later in the flu season), though getting a flu shot late is better than never. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop to help protect against the flu.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

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14.08.2020 LISTEN

An 18-year old unemployed, Kwaku Mensah was on Thursday August 13, 2020 sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by Bibiani Circuit Court in the Western North Region for defiling a four-year-old girl.

Kwaku Mensah who lives at Dabiasem, a suburb of Dadeaso in the Western North Region, pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Owusu Agyeman, the prosecutor, told the court, presided over by His Honour Yaw Owoahene Acheampong that on, July 5, this year, at about 22:00 hours the victim's mother sent her to give corn to the suspect after he requested for it but he decided to defile the girl after taking the corn.

He added that the four-year-old child was abandoned in a bush for about four hours after he was defiled by the suspect.

Prosecution further stated that, the victim was found tied up in a pool of blood almost 5:pm and rushed her to the Dadieso Hospital but she was later referred to Juaboso for treatment.

Police at Dadeaso upon official complaint arrested Kwaku Mensah the next day and was arraigned before the Bibiani Circuit court after days of investigation.

A medical report of the victim indicated that she suffered multiple tears on the walls of her vagina with her hymen broken.

Kwaku Mensah was charged with the offence after investigations, the prosecutor added.

Father of the victim Mr Robert Akwasi Boakye who spoke to OTEC News Kwame Agyenim Boateng after the judge said he was happy with the judgement

He however explained that the vagina of her daughter has been completely damaged, forcing her daughter to pass stools in her genitals.

He added that the victim now passes bowels in pain and will cry throughout the period. "We have done our best but running out of money and will appeal to Ghanaians to support us, he said.
O'Malley is a well-known real estate attorney who focuses her practice on retail and office leasing within mixed-used properties for many large public and private real estate companies. She has represented WS Development for many years and helped lead their commercial leasing of 7.6 million square feet of mixed-use retail, office, residential, and hospitality projects in Boston's Seaport District. Other high-profile projects include representing Samuels & Associates in the redevelopment of the Landmark Center and representing Federal Realty Trust in the retail and office leasing at Assembly Row in Somerville.

O'Malley began her career as a civil rights advocate and is passionate about women's rights. While in college and law school, she volunteered at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Through this work, she saw firsthand that knowledgeable, compassionate legal support was not easily accessible to rape survivors and their families. To help fill that gap, O'Malley organized and led legal advocacy trainings so that other volunteers were empowered to advocate on behalf of survivors throughout the legal process. She helped launch the Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) in 2003, which is the first nonprofit law center in the country dedicated to serving the critical legal needs of sexual assault survivors. O'Malley also serves as co-chair of the statewide Sexual Assault Response Unit, which supports sexual assault survivors with intellectual and development disabilities, a particularly vulnerable portion of the community.

As co-chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee, O'Malley not only facilitates the firm's extensive pro bono program but serves as the lead for many clients including the VRLC, Physicians for Reproductive Health, and Sociedad Latina. She has also been deeply involved in pro bono affordable housing projects at Goulston & Storrs, and her work for Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation helped create hundreds of safe, sustainable and affordable housing units in Dorchester.

A fierce advocate for women in the workplace, O'Malley has been a voice for equity, retention, promotion and work-life balance for women at the firm. She has mentored countless client and industry contacts as well as junior attorneys within the firm, with many of these young women then moving into leading roles and maintaining key relationships with clients. In 2019, she served as co-chair of the Northeastern University School of Law's annual Women in the Law Conference.

O'Malley is also on the Advisory Board and teaches at Georgetown University's Advanced Commercial Leasing Institute and is a frequent speaker at the ICSC Law Conference. She received her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 1994 and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Boston College in 1991.

About Goulston & Storrs

Collaboration is not just a pillar of our strategy; it is the key to our competitive advantage and approach to clients, community, and each other. As you get to know us, you will find that Goulston & Storrs is a modern, vibrant firm where the practice of law is pursued with deep expertise and diligence. It is a place where serious business is conducted with genuine camaraderie. It is a place where mutual respect drives open discussion, fresh ideas, and optimal solutions for our clients.

To learn more about our attorneys and clients, please visit our website or sign up to receive real-time news here.

Contact:

Liz Cerasuolo Amy Blumenthal Director of Marketing & Business Development Blumenthal & Associates PR Goulston & Storrs PC (617) 879-1511 (617) 574-0556 [email protected] [email protected]



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YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian authorities are seeking to do everything possible to have a high court fully compliant with the constitution, PM Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with BBC HARDtalk.

We tried to have a constitutional court fully compliant with our constitution, because we had description of the constitutional court in our constitution but we had a totally different constitutional court in reality so we are going [ahead] and we are doing that to have a constitutional court fully compliant with our constitution, he said, referring to the ruling blocs parliamentary decision on suspending several justices.

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan
A recent crime spike, including a surge of shootings, is giving some New Yorkers another reason to leave.

Thats especially true for newer arrivals, whove only known a city where the murder rate has plunged over the past 30 years, boosting real estate prices and fueling economic development in what became the safest big city in the U.S.

I never felt unsafe until this past month, said Kat Tanita, a 31-year-old Instagram influencer who left Soho in July to live with family in Connecticut after a theft from a storage room in her building. The rise in crime is what made me decide to move for my own safety.

Manhattan Empties

The exodus from New York started in March when the city locked down, with the absences most notable in wealthier neighborhoods where residents fled for second homes or took advantage of low mortgage rates to relocate to the suburbs.

While its hard to know how many people have left for good, as of early July close to 20% of Manhattans population had decamped, according to Arpit Gupta, a professor at New York University who has studied the citys population movements.

The city, of course, is still far safer than it was in decades past, but increased violence and paranoia that New York is slipping back toward the bad old days is pushing more people out. Gill Chowdhury, a broker at Warburg Realty, said hes working with four sellers who are leaving because of crime.

Rachel Shehy, 25, moved to New York five years ago with $300 in her pocket and found work as a nanny. In March, she relocated along with a family to East Hampton to ride out the pandemic. Now, shes back in her Upper West Side apartment and wants to leave the city.

Residents in the neighborhood have complained about a growing homeless population and drug use. Shehy, who says she was recently chased by a man with a knife, is applying for jobs outside the city, including back in the Hamptons, and will move in with family in Ohio if that doesnt work.

Im getting the hell out, she said.

Theres also been a real slow down in demand for apartments in gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Flatbush and Crown Heights, that were hot just a few months ago but are now close to increased violence, according to Levi Gold, principal broker at Urban Pads.

Recent Arrivals

Many of the people who live in the areas where shootings have surged dont have the option to leave. Poorer neighborhoods have also been hit hard by coronavirus and resulting job losses. In that sense, the pandemic has revealed a new strain of inequality, according to a study by the New Schools Center for New York City Affairs.

In East Harlem, its the recent arrivals in gentrified buildings who are departing, said Raquel Plaza, 26, who grew up in the neighborhood. Shes seen fewer police in the area and suspects its because they are angry about the Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality.

In the 75th Precinct, which covers East New York, Brooklyn, there have been 58 shootings this year, up from 35 a year earlier, and 21 murders, compared with eight in 2019.

Fireworks for two months that didnt let us sleep, shootings every single night  its a war zone, said Elizabeth Figueroa, 58, who moved to East New York about 40 years ago and doesnt expect to leave.

Murders Jump

Shootings have surged nearly 80% across the city so far this year. As of Aug. 9, there had been 244 murders, up from 189 in the same period a year ago. In 1990, there were 2,262.

For New Yorkers who lived through the 1980s and 1990s, the current crime rates arent terribly alarming. Still, the trends are enough to keep some longtime residents away for the time being, especially when Broadway is dark, the subway is a source of anxiety and restaurants and bars are mostly off limits.

Kip Cosson, who moved to New York in 1986 and recently relocated upstate, plans to return to his rent-stabilized apartment in the West Village when the time is right.

But the graphic artist and childrens author, who sells his T-shirts and books at street fairs that are currently shut down, isnt in a rush.

These are desperate and crazy times in the world, he said. Im just glad Im away from New York City.

With assistance from Natalie Wong.

About the photo: Police ballistic markers stand at a crime scene in Brooklyn where a one year old child was shot and killed on July 13, 2020 in New York City.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
The conviction of Aaron Brady for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was not only a great result for the State, its Garda force and every law-abiding member of the community.

It also sent a clear signal to organised crime gangs and terrorists that they cannot rely on witness intimidation to influence the outcome of a court trial in their favour.

In some high-profile cases in the past, we have seen how intimidation campaigns by associates of those in the dock have worked to varying degrees.

And in the long-running Brady trial, it was successful enough to result in five of the seven prosecution witnesses, who had potentially incriminating evidence against him, to decide not to give evidence.

Read More

The jury did not know until after they had heard during the trial from two witnesses - who said Brady had made admissions to them in New York that he had shot a garda - that there were another five people, who had been listed to give similar evidence.

At least three of those suspected of being involved in intimidation in this jurisdiction have now been identified by a team of detectives set up to focus specifically on that aspect of the case.

The team, drawn up from the Dublin-based national bureau of criminal investigation and led by a superintendent, was detailed to work independently of the large group of gardai assembled to investigate the murder.

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It is concentrating particularly on the social media leaking of parts of one witness statement and gardai said progress is being made with those inquiries.

The murder team, meanwhile, is painstakingly building up a case towards bringing a criminal prosecution against Brady's associates, who took part directly in the murder and robbery at Lordship credit union, Co Louth, as well as another seven suspected of providing logistical support. This logistical support includes sourcing and hiding the getaway car, disposing of items afterwards and driving "scout" cars on the night of the shooting.

The level of intimidation used against potential witnesses was second only to the pressure exerted by the Provisional IRA on key witnesses in the non-jury Special Criminal Court trial of a terrorist gang, who shot dead Det Garda Jerry McCabe during a botched raid on a post office van in Adare, Co Limerick, in June 1996.

Four men were charged with the capital murder of Garda McCabe.

Within hours of the shooting, anti terrorist gardai were in no doubt about the identity of the gang involved.

At the time, that gang was the main "fundraising" unit of the IRA, based in the State, and the prime suspects were quickly identified. But both the IRA and some Sinn Fein members continued to deny any members of the Provisional republican movement were responsible until after the four men were convicted.

Read More

They were then immediately accepted as IRA prisoners, and Sinn Fein fought a lengthy campaign for their early release, as part of the Northern Ireland peace process.

It was clear from the early stages of the prosecution's case that there were problems.

The three main witnesses whose evidence was vital in securing a conviction for capital murder all declined to support what they had said earlier in their statements.

Two of them were then deemed to be hostile witnesses, while the third - who had previously stated that the gang had returned to his house after the Adare incident - refused to testify and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

One of three other witnesses, also playing a pivotal role in the prosecution, later admitted he had received a warning that his house would be burnt out. Gardai were satisfied all six were victims of intimidation.

The State was eventually forced to accept a manslaughter plea by the four men.

The case resulted in changes in the legislation, allowing witnesses who might be subject to intimidation, to give evidence by video link.

It became an offence for people to try to trace witnesses, who had been relocated as part of the witness security programme.

And what had been a common law offence to seek to intimidate witnesses in the context of contempt of court, was replaced by a new statutory offence, specifically targeted at witness intimidation, with a penalty of up to ten years imprisonment.

The conviction of Brady on capital murder means he will be sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.

The jury had to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt, to reach that decision, that Brady knew he was shooting a garda on active duty or was reckless as to whether or not Adrian Donohoe was a garda.

The last people to be sentenced to 40 years in jail for capital murder were Michael McHugh and Noel Callan, who were both convicted after Garda Sgt Paddy Morrissey was shot dead following a chase at Rathbrist, Tallanstown, Co Louth, in the wake of an armed robbery outside an employment exchange in Ardee in 1985.

McHugh was initially sentenced to death, but this was commuted to 40 years penal servitude by then President Patrick Hillery, seven days before his execution was due to take place.

It was intended that the sentence would be served without remission.

But in 2013 lawyers for Callan brought a case in the Supreme Court, challenging the refusal to consider him for a reduction.

The court found that Callan was entitled to be considered for the standard 25pc remission for good behaviour while he was in jail. Callan was released in November 2015 and McHugh was let out the following month. Both had served 30 years.

A similar sentence now awaits Brady when his case comes before the court again in October where victim impact statements will be heard by the judge before delivering his decision.

The death penalty was abolished here in 1964 for all offences, apart from the murder of gardai, prison officers and diplomats.

It was finally removed altogether in 1990.

The last man to be legally executed here was Michael Manning, who was convicted of murder and rape in Limerick in 1953 and hanged the following year.
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Linkedin Baz Ratner (Reuters) Amboseli National Park, Kenya  Fri, August 14, 2020 08:05 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066deac7d 2 Environment Kenya,elephant,animals,conservation Free

Kenya's elephant numbers more than doubled between 1989 and 2018, thanks to increased anti-poaching efforts, the tourism minister said on Wednesday.

Kenya had just 16,000 elephants in 1989, and this rose to more than 34,000 in 2018, Minister Najib Balala said.

"In the last couple of years, we have managed to tame poaching in this country," he told reporters during a visit to the Amboseli National Park.

The number of elephants poached so far this year stood at seven, down from 34 in all of 2019, and 80 in 2018.

While at the park, Balala participated in attaching a tracking collar to a bull elephant and naming of a pair of twin calves, as part of a naming campaign for elephants to be done next August.

Read also: Sri Lanka rangers spot possible rare baby elephant twins

Poaching had surged in past years in Kenya and other sub-Saharan African countries, where gangs killed elephants and rhinos to feed Asian demand for ivory and horns for use in folk medicines.

In 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta set fire to thousands of elephant tusks and rhino horns, destroying a stockpile that would have been worth a fortune to smugglers and sending a message that trade in the animal parts must be stopped.

The government has put in place stiffer penalties - longer jail terms and bigger fines - on anyone convicted of poaching or trafficking in wildlife trophies, saying poaching was harming tourism, a major foreign exchange earner.

Balala said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of foreign tourists visiting Kenya was expected to drop by 80 percent to 90 percent in 2020 and 2021.

Topics : Kenya elephant animals conservation
NEW DELHI: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday (August 14) extended warm congratulations to India ahead of the country's Independence Day on August 15. In his message, Morrison used Hindi words to describe the friendship with India as he mentioned that it is founded upon 'bharosa' (trust) and 'samman' (respect) and marked by democracy, defence cooperation, diaspora and 'dosti' (mateship).

"The deep friendship between Australia and India is about more than trade and diplomacy. Founded on bharosa (trust) and samman (respect) - it is a friendship with depth, and marked by democracy, defence cooperation, diaspora and dosti (mateship)," Prime Minister said while hailing the relations between two nations.

"As a longstanding friend of India, Australia joins wholeheartedly in its celebration of independence and extends our warm congratulations to the people of India," he added.

The Australian PM said that "India is now becoming our biggest source of migrants". "Their presence has contributed to Australia becoming the mostsuccessful multicultural nation on earth," he stated.

"It is because of our shared values, interests and objectives that Prime Minister Modi and Iannounced the historic elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnershipin June this year," Morrison wrote on his message to India.

"Our partnership is geared for the common good of our region and the global community, and this will be critical as we work to overcome the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

In June, PM Modi had held virtual summit with Australian PM Morrison after his visit to India was cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown.
East Carolina University cops shut down 20 parties just days into the new semester amid fears gatherings will lead to an uptick in coronavirus infections.

Officers said one of the parties was crammed with around 400 students.

This year's cohort of 5,500 students began arriving at halls on August 5, as a spate of unauthorised welcome celebrations took place over the opening weekend.

The parties violate the state ban on large gatherings of more than 10 people, enforced in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.

According to the University's website there were 28 new diagnoses among students in the week to August 8 and two among staff

Most of the celebrations were 'manageable' in size of between 25 and 50 people in attendance, Lt Chris Sutton told McClatchy News.

But around 400 students attended one of the gatherings, which was held several blocks away from the university in an area predominantly filled by off-campus housing, The Virginian Pilot reported.

Sutton said the party was mainly attended by college age revelers who dispersed when authorities arrived.

Students found to be throwing a party with more than 25 people will be given a warning first, but further violations could mean school-related consequences or even state charges.

'We've really had to change policing methods over the last several weeks due to different events across our country and now we're having to wrestle with a pandemic since our students have returned to campus,' he added.

The university allowed students to return this summer, and although classes began on Monday, students are not required to undergo virus testing before returning to campus.

Guidelines on how to remain safe amid the pandemic have been published on the ECU website and all faculty, staff, students and visitors are required to wear face coverings

According to the University's website there were 28 new diagnoses among students in the week to August 8 and two among staff.

That was up from 11 diagnoses the week before - eight among students and three among staff.

Guidelines on how to remain safe amid the pandemic have been published on the ECU website and all faculty, staff, students and visitors are required to wear face coverings.

At the time the document was released the University said: 'For us to return, we must accept less independence, more guidelines and rules, and several key community expectations.

'We must work together. We hope you will accept this important responsibility for our community and our university.'

Across North Carolina there have been around 141,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and 2,313 deaths.
Satellite imagery suggests recent flooding in North Korea may have damaged pump houses connected to the country's main nuclear facility, a US-based think-tank said.

Analysts at 38 North, a website that monitors North Korea, said commercial satellite imagery from August 6-11 showed how vulnerable the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Centre's nuclear reactor cooling systems are to extreme weather events.

The Korean peninsula has been hammered by one of the longest rainy spells in recent history, with floods and landslides causing deaths in both North and South Korea.

Located on the bank of the Kuryong River, about 100km north of North Korea's capital Pyongyang, Yongbyon is home to nuclear reactors, fuel reprocessing plants and uranium enrichment facilities thought to be used in the country's nuclear weapons programme.

The five-megawatt reactor - believed to be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium - does not appear to have been operating for some time, and an Experimental Light Water Reactor (ELWR) has not yet come online, but such flooding would likely force a shutdown, the 38 North report said.

"Damage to the pumps and piping within the pump houses presents the biggest vulnerability to the reactors," the report said.

"If the reactors were operating, for instance, the inability to cool them would require them to be shut down."

While there was more flooding downstream, it did not appear to reach the Yongbyon facility's Uranium Enrichment Plant and by August 11 the waters appear to have somewhat receded, 38 North said.

North Korea's state media has not mentioned any damage to Yongbyon, but reported that senior leaders had been touring flood-stricken areas, delivering aid and providing guidance on how to stop high waters from damaging crops.

South Korea's Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the 38 North report, but said it is monitoring developments related to North Korea's nuclear programmes and maintaining co-operation with the US government.

At a summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam in 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered to dismantle Yongbyon in exchange for relief from a range of international sanctions imposed over North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

At the time, Mr Trump said he rejected that deal as Yongbyon is only one part of the North's nuclear programme, and was not enough of a concession to warrant loosening so many sanctions.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The Ohio Department of Health notified Cleveland that 24 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in city residents, Mayor Frank the Jacksons administration announced Friday.

No new deaths were reported. There have been 92 deaths of Cleveland residents attributed to the coronavirus. The average age for those who have died was 72 years old.

The new cases lift Clevelands total confirmed cases to 4,635. The new deaths involved patients ranging in age from under 5 years old into their 80s.

Cleveland Department of Public Health has identified an additional 553 probable cases. Those cases, an expanded definition from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that captures suspected cases where there is no confirmed test, lifted the citys total caseload to 5,134.

Those infected have ranged in age from less than 1 year old to more than 100 years old. The average age is 42 years old.

Twelve percent of those cases required hospitalization, according to the Cleveland Department of Public Health.

Fifty-four percent of the cases involve women. About 58% of all those infected are African American. About 19% are white. Asian residents comprise about 1% of the cases. Race is unknown for 13% of the cases.

The Cleveland Department of Public Health will work to identify any people who were in close contact with the newly confirmed patients to determine who now would require testing or monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19.

The number of newly reported confirmed and probable coronavirus cases increased 1,131 on Friday to a total of 106,557, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

This newly reported case figure is lower compared to recent days. Also, relatively lower are the positivity testing rate and hospitalizations -- including coronavirus patients in intensive-care units and on ventilators.

Gov. Mike DeWines statewide mask order has been in place for three weeks. In cities where there have been COVID-19 hotspots, mask orders have been in place longer.

On Monday, many Ohio children return to school. They, too, will have to wear masks in most cases. Physicians have said masks are the most important coronavirus prevention for children in schools, followed by social distancing, hand-washing and surface cleaning.

The number of reported deaths increased 29 on Friday to a total of 3,784. That was the only figure in Fridays report that went up compared to recent days.

As of Friday, Cuyahoga County reported 9,699 cases of coronavirus. That figure includes 887 classified as probable cases. There were 419 reported deaths. The numbers exclude the cases from the city of Cleveland.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions updated tally on Friday reported 5,228,817 cases and 166,317 deaths in the United States.

Those numbers tend to lag other reporting sites.

Johns Hopkins University of Medicine reported that as of Friday evening its tally showed 5,297,876 people had become infected with the coronavirus. By its tally, deaths in the United States totaled 168,181.

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Morwell, population 13,000, ends only a few hundred metres from the mine and was blanketed in toxic smoke and particulate matter, leading to an estimated 23 deaths. Only 150 kilometres from Melbourne, for a few weeks the inferno failed to gain real attention outside the Latrobe Valley.

Today, it seems almost quaint that a catastrophe could be so localised as to be virtually ignorable. Yet this was the case in 2014 with the Hazelwood Mine fire. For 45 days the open-cut mine, with walls taller than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, glowed with a fire that raged throughout its subterranean network of fissures and crevasses.

Tom Doig's book, freshly released from embargo following a court case against the mine's owner, is an attempt to redress this blind spot.

Like its subject, Hazelwood is constructed of raw materials. Doig's interviews allow the narrative to focus on key people in real-time as the stories emerge: of the fire, the interminable inaction of authorities and the eventual self-discovery of the community as a potent political force. Their voices are allowed to speak for themselves. This is an important point. Doig could have been more visible, layering discussion on the follies of neoliberalism throughout the narrative, but his book is leaner for his restraint.

Those in the community, who were raised within the paternal corporate statelet of the Latrobe Valley, must discover in Hazelwood that a fair and just Australia, where those with power act in the best interests of the people, is a myth. The sense of betrayal is palpable as each concentric ring of authority failed to respond to the escalating crisis.

First, the mine's owner had reduced safety staff to skeletal levels. When the fire ignited, sprinklers had been sold for scrap, access roads lay in disrepair and the mine was overgrown with flammable scrub. Contractors were called in, told to work within the toxic inferno without proper safety gear then tasked to prioritise protecting expensive mining equipment.

The local member left his seat for a vote in Melbourne during the catastrophe's crucial opening phase and then the police failed to evacuate Morwell's vulnerable population even as some developed chronic pulmonary conditions.
The French military helicopter-carrier 'Thunder' has arrived in Beirut to help in the rescue and clean-up operations following last week's deadly blast, which destroyed much of the city's port. It coincides with a visit from the French Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly.

The French military vessel, Tonnerre (Thunder), carrying 350 military personnel and supplies arrived in Beirut on Thursday evening and was to unload its cargo on Friday.

An underwater de-mining patrol checked the area before allowing the ship to dock.

Beirut port and the immediate surrounding area was ravaged by two massive explosions on 4 August, which killed nearly 200 people and injured thousands more.

The blasts were caused by a supply 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate which had been stored at the port for six years.

Several countries, including France have sent teams of rescue workers to assist Lebanese authorities as the complex clean-up continues.

The arrival of the military ship coincides with the visit of French Defence Minister Florence Parly who arrived on Thursday and will stay 24 hours in Lebanon to meet local officials.

She will also inspect the operations carried out by Thunder.

Military expert General Dominique Trinquant told France Info that Thunder is like a "Swiss Army knife" as it has multiple functions  serving during the peak of the Covid-19 crisis as a field hospital, for example.

Trinquant said the vessel was carrying fire trucks, among other items, as a donation to the Lebanese authorities whose vehicles were destroyed in the blasts.

Thunder also transported 75,000 army rations, large quantities of flour, since much of Beirut's reserves were destroyed in the blasts, as well as medical supplies, tools and building equipment such as plaster, glass, and cement.

Some 350 troops aboard are to assist with the clean-up of debris at the port, an task likely to take several weeks.

French President Emmanuel Macron was the first world leader to visit the city after the explosions, and oversaw a United Nations summit to raise international aid for the country.

Story continues

The Lebanese people welcomed the French president's intervention, but called for all aid to go directly to the people. They expressed anger over what they say is a corrupt political leadership.

The government of Prime Minister Hassan Dian resigned on Monday and will remain in a caretaker mode until a new cabinet is formed.

Anti-government street protests, which started last year, have intensified despite the government's resignation.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:45:48|Editor: huaxia

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MOGADISHU, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) forces on Friday killed four senior al-Shabab militants and captured Kurtunwarey district, a major stronghold for the group in southern Somalia, officials said.

SNA Commander, Ismail Abdimalik Malin told reporters that the successful operation by the special forces (Dahab) was aimed at flushing out terrorists and disrupting their plans to terrorize the residents in the Lower Shabelle region.

"We killed four senior al-Shabab militants and injured several others who were in a meeting by the time of the operation in Kurtunwarey district, a stronghold town of al-Shabab militants, we also took control of the town and released civilian prisoners in cells," said Malin.

He said the forces safely destroyed unexploded bombs safely during the operation, adding the forces are still pursuing the militants who ran towards Sablale town in the region.

The commander said the operation will be intensified in the area until all the terrorists have been flushed out. Enditem
Protesters clashed at the Azerbaijani Consulate in Brentwood in July. (Google)

A 55-year-old Armenian priest has alleged in a lawsuit that a Los Angeles police officer struck him in the stomach with the end of a tactical gun and then violently kicked him in the chest as he sought to regain his balance at a recent protest.

Father Armen Bagramyan, a priest in the Armenian Apostolic Church, claims the officer's actions during a demonstration outside the Azerbaijani Consulate in Brentwood in July represented excessive force and violated his civil rights, sending him to UCLA Medical Center in an ambulance.

He also says they came despite the fact that Bagramyan had been helping police maintain order throughout the day.

"On numerous occasions, Father Bagramyan positioned himself between protesters and law enforcement and would speak to protesters via megaphone, instructing them to comply with the officers commands," the lawsuit says.

Video of the incident reviewed by The Times appears to show the officer shove a bright green gun  designed to shoot tactical projectiles  into Bagramyan, who bends forward. The officer then appears to kick the priest, enraging members of the crowd.

"A priest?!" one man yells. "A fing priest?!"

Another video shows Bagramyan, in a traditional frock with a large cross hanging around his neck, holding on to the end of the officer's gun just before he gets kicked.

Greg Kirakosian, Bagramyan's attorney, says the priest had been blindsided by the officer shoving the barrel of the gun in his stomach, and had grabbed the gun as part of a "knee-jerk reaction" as he doubled over.

"He grabs the object that just pummeled his stomach," Kirakosian said. Then, "the officer gives this nice, like, 'This Is Sparta'-type kick," he said, a reference to the 2006 film "300."

As other officers step into the fray, the masked officer who kicked Bagramyan raises his gun and points it at the crowd.

Josh Rubenstein, an LAPD spokesman, said the incident is being investigated by the department but he could not comment on the pending litigation.

Story continues

The July 21 protest was organized by the Armenian Youth Federation. Hundreds of people marched to the Azerbaijani Consulate, where they were met by a smaller group of Azerbaijani counterprotesters. The incident became violent, as bottles flew through the air, and several people were injured.

The protest followed the eruption of violence earlier in the month in Tavush, a northern province of Armenia near the border of Azerbaijan. Allegations of violence and territorial encroachment have been lobbed back and forth between the two countries.

Bagramyan claims he had been working tirelessly during the L.A. protest to "maintain peace" and deescalate tensions between Armenian protesters and Azerbaijani counterprotesters, and never represented a threat to officers.

"Father Bagramyan spoke to numerous LAPD officers, provided them with water, and even prayed with them," the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims. "Moreover, throughout this period and following the scuffle, Father Bagramyan was seen and heard on a megaphone working tirelessly with LAPD officers to maintain peace and quell the unrest."

Bagramyan claims he suffered "severe pain, bruising and internal injuries" as a result of the encounter, and is suing for unspecified damages.

The LAPD has said it is also investigating three alleged hate crime assaults on Azerbaijani protesters at the event. It also said one officer was injured.
Many Britons were rushing back from France and the Netherlands before the quarantine restrictions go into force on Saturday

European stocks slumped on Friday at the end of a largely positive week for global equities

dragged down by fears of a second wave of coronavirus cases and the stalemate in Washington over a new stimulus package for the US economy.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index finished the day down 1.6 percent after the British government reimposed a quarantine for travellers from France and the Netherlands, prompting Paris to promise a "reciprocal measure."

The Paris CAC 40 index also retreated 1.6 percent and Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.7 percent.

Wall Street stocks had an uneventful day, finishing a positive week little changed. Markets have largely shrugged off Washington's inability to make progress on another stimulus bill, despite a bad coronavirus outbreak in the United States that continues to cloud the economic outlook.

In Europe, rising COVID-19 cases in some areas have prompted fresh restrictions.

In addition to Britain's quarantine, Germany put all of Spain except on its quarantine list except for the Canary Islands.

Spain, for its part, closed nightclubs and banned smoking and drinking in the streets to try to stem a rise in infections.

"If European governments were hoping to salvage something tangible from the 2020 summer holiday season these recent setbacks are unlikely to help," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.

Shares in British Airways parent IAG tumbled 4.8 percent.

The updated quarantine "is sadly yet another blow for British holidaymakers and cannot fail to have an impact on an already troubled aviation industry," IAG said in a statement.

The UK government said the change would kick in Saturday at 0300 GMT, sparking an exodus among the estimated 160,000 British holidaymakers in France after a rise in coronavirus cases there.

- US stocks near records -

Back in the US, economic data continued to point to a sluggish recovery.

Story continues

Industrial production rose 3.0 percent in July, the third consecutive monthly increase but a slower gain than in June, the Federal Reserve said.

Despite the mediocre data and broad expectations that unemployment will remain at high levels for some time as the US struggles to contain the coronavirus, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq stand near all-time highs.

"The recovery in equity markets has been stunning, partly reflecting the huge amount of stimulus that has been unleashed," said a note in Oxford Economics.

"However, a further deterioration in the health situation or the absence of additional fiscal support are two key downside risks that are likely not fully discounted."

The Oxford Economics note warned that Washington's failure to approve a new stimulus package "will minimize chances of a sustained economic rebound."

- Key figures around 2050 GMT -

New York - Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 27,931.02 (close)

New York - S&P 500: FLAT at 3,372.85 (close)

New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.2 percent at 11,019.30 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 1.6 percent at 6,090.04 (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 0.7 percent at 12,901.34 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.6 percent at 4,962.93 (close)

EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 1.1 percent at 3,305.05 (close)

Tokyo: Nikkei 225: UP 0.2 percent at 23,289.36 (close)

Hong Kong: Hang Seng: DOWN 0.2 percent at 25,183.01 (close)

Shanghai: Composite: UP 1.2 percent at 3,360.10 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1839 from $1.1814 at 2100 GMT

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 106.62 yen from 106.93 yen

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3086 from $1.3067

Euro/pound: UP at 90.46 pence from 90.41 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.5 percent at $42.01 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $44.80 per barrel

burs-jmb/cs
A Coupang employee is busy with parcels to deliver in Seoul's Jongno-gu District, Friday. Yonhap



South Korea's convenient and super-quick online shopping culture has been a relief for many who opt to stay home during the new coronavirus pandemic.



Almost every item one can think of  from pet food to paper straws  is delivered to doorsteps in two or three days at the latest, with big online retailers promoting "twilight" or "rocket" delivery services that ship items in just a few hours as they vie for a bigger stake of the competitive market.



But this comes at a price that often goes unseen. Tens of thousands of delivery workers, toil six days a week, taking on hourslong extra tasks, such as categorizing items and loading them on trucks, in addition to delivering the parcels to homes.



A 2018 report by the Korea Transport Institute showed that delivery drivers worked 12.7 hours a day, 25.6 days each month on average. This translates to much longer working hours compared with the 52-hour workweek scheme the government is pushing for.



A labor union of parcel delivery workers has a much more grim estimate of working hours, which it says ranges from 12 to 16 hours. It says that, with the new coronavirus, shipping volume has also jumped by 30 to 40 percent.



In addition to the long hours and arduous physical work  which can involve carrying a dozen 1-liter mineral water bottles to a third-story flat without an elevator  a spike in shipments, mostly attributed to the virus pandemic, coupled with the country's damp and wet summer weather and new social convention of wearing face masks that make breathing more difficult, have changed things for the worse for delivery workers.



But this will stop  at least for a day  on Aug. 14.





On Aug. 14, when parcel delivery workers nationwide took a historic day-off for the first time in nearly three decades, a conveyor belt at a logistics company in Seoul remains motionless. Yonhap



Major delivery companies that control around 80 percent of the market  including CJ Logistics, Lotte Global Logistics, Hanjin and Logen  as well as the national post service have agreed to designate Friday as a "refresh day for delivery workers."



With Aug. 15 being Liberation Day, which is celebrated as a public holiday here, many delivery workers are expected to enjoy a three-day weekend holiday for the first time in nearly three decades.

The decision came as a labor union representing delivery workers demanded a symbolic holiday for delivery drivers, pointing out harsh working conditions for the workers who are usually special contract workers.



This means that rather than being employed by a company, most delivery workers are heads of one-man companies that are not protected by labor law since they are employers not employees.



For now, most seem to be happy with the "no-parcel day."



Many online shopping mall owners have uploaded posts, reminding customers that delivery is not available on Friday and thanking delivery workers for their hard work.



On social media, consumers are posting messages of gratitude, with some sharing photos of vitamin drinks or little treats left out for workers to have between deliveries.



President Moon Jae-in also mentioned the special holiday in a July 18 tweet, touting the delivery workers as serving "leading roles" in overcoming the new coronavirus, along with medical workers.





Hanjin's delivery trucks at the company's one of the distribution depots in Seoul remain idle. Yonhap
A US official says Lebanese authorities invited the FBI to help investigate, French investigators are also taking part.

The FBI will join Lebanese and other international investigators in the probe of the enormous explosion at Beiruts port that killed more than 170 people, injured thousands and caused widespread destruction, a US diplomat said on Thursday.

Lebanese authorities had invited the FBI to take part, and it is one way that Washington can help the country deal with the effects of the disaster, said US Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale as he toured the Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, which was damaged by the August 4 blast.

The FBI will soon join Lebanese and international investigators at the invitation of the Lebanese in order to help answer questions that I know everyone has about the circumstances that led up to this explosion, he told reporters.

Lebanese army soldiers carry aid boxes past a destroyed car near the scene of last weeks explosion at the port of Beirut, Lebanon [AP Photo/Hassan Ammar]

It is still not known what caused the fire responsible for igniting nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that were stored for years in Beiruts port. But documents have emerged that show the countrys top leadership and security officials were aware of the stockpile. French investigators are also taking part in the probe.

Lebanese officials agreed on Thursday on naming a judicial investigator to lead the probe under the auspices of the Supreme Judicial Council, which handles crimes that infringe on the countrys national security, as well as political and state security crimes.

The US Embassy said Hale is expected to reiterate the American governments commitment to assist the Lebanese people in recovering from the tragedy and rebuilding their lives. He will also stress the urgent need for embracing fundamental reforms by Lebanons leaders.





So far, Washington has offered $18m in humanitarian assistance provided by the US Agency for International Development and the state and defence departments.

The United States is one of the largest donors to the Lebanese armed forces. But Washington views Hezbollah, a powerful political player in the government and parliament, as a terrorist group. US officials have expressed concerns about aid not going to the Hezbollah-backed government.

The government resigned on Monday but remains in a caretaker capacity. The resignation came nearly a week after the deadly blast that wrecked the capitals port and damaged neighbourhoods across the capital.

The World Bank, in a preliminary assessment, said about 50,000 residential units were damaged and 80 percent of residential buildings and infrastructure were affected, aside from the destruction to the port. Wastewater systems in central Beirut and an electrical substation in one neighbourhood also were severely damaged, it said.

Beyond the human tragedy, the economic impact of the explosion could be large, the report said, including a decline in trade, economic activities and government revenues.

An earlier estimate from Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said the blast caused $10bn to $15bn in damage, with nearly 300,000 people left homeless.

On Thursday, Lebanons Parliament approved a state of emergency in Beirut in its first session since the explosion, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger over official corruption and mismanagement and political uncertainty.

Lebanese Army soldiers are deployed during a protest after the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]

The disaster has raised popular fury towards Lebanons leaders to a new level as the country reels from an unprecedented economic and financial crisis, along with the coronavirus pandemic.

Before it resigned, the government declared a state of emergency that gave the military the power to declare curfews, prevent public gatherings and censor the media, as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security breaches.

The move has been criticised by rights groups and others who say the civilian government already was operating with increased powers because of the coronavirus outbreak. Some pointed to the military crackdown on protesters last week, fearing the extended powers could lead to silencing dissent.

Parliament approved the state of emergency on Thursday, eight days after it was imposed as is legally required. But it was not clear if the body had technically extended the government decision for 15 days or simply imposed the state of emergency starting from Thursday, said rights lawyer Nizar Saghieh.

There is incredible chaos, Saghieh said. He said the state of emergencys only justification is to extend the power of the state and security agencies and control the opposition.

We were waiting for the army to help in reconstruction, not be an extension of power, he said.

Lawmaker Simon Abi Ramieh called on parliament to form a committee to investigate the blast, protesting that it convened to vote on the state of emergency which is still in effect since the government passed it.

We are living in a state of institutional blunder, he said. We are in a place and the Lebanese people are somewhere else  The public wants to know the truth behind the negligence that led to the explosion.

Lebanons political landscape has been shaken by the blast. Before resigning, the caretaker prime minister proposed early elections, an idea that was not supported by the parliamentary speaker and other political groups.

Since the resignation, there has been a flurry of closed-door meetings and political haggling to form a government that meets the approval of domestic and international powers. Lebanons complicated sectarian-based political system requires the prime minister to be chosen from among Sunni Muslims. It was not clear if there would be a national unity government  which would mean the participation of all political parties  or an emergency transition government.

Frances defence minister was due to arrive in Beirut on Thursday amid a flurry of foreign visits to the stricken country. France has been leading efforts to help Lebanon emerge from the drastic blow, including talking to political parties to hasten the formation of a new government.
Waco police arrested a 30-year-old woman Wednesday morning on driving while intoxicated and aggravated assault charges after she chased at least two cars and intentionally crashed into one, later telling police she thought she was chasing a pedophile who had kidnapped a girl, arrest affidavits state.

Officers arrested Cecilia Celeste Fulbright, of Waco, at about 10 a.m., after she crashed into a barrier near the gas pumps at H-E-B on North 19th Street, police reported.

A driver called police at about 9:20 a.m. to report a small red car had chased them on North 19th Street but that they were able to get away, according to the affidavit.

About 20 minutes later, another driver reported the red car was chasing her and that the driver, Fulbright, was yelling at her and rammed her car multiple times before the caller pulled into the H-E-B parking lot on 19th Street, the affidavit states.

"Ms. Fulbright pursued (the driver) through the parking lot striking her again and an uninvolved Dodge Durango before Ms. Fulbright crashed into a cement pylon at the gas pumps," police reported.

The other driver was uninjured.
Three women are accused of assaulting a 17-year-old restaurant hostess in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because they were upset their large group could not all be seated together due to coronavirus social-distancing rules, police said.

The incident occurred Sunday after a large group of women entered a Chili's restaurant and asked to be seated at the same table, Baton Rouge police said in a news release.

"The employee advised the group that due to social distancing requirements, the business only allowed six at a table," the release said.

The employee was then physically assaulted by multiple people in the group, police said. She was treated at a local hospital for her injuries.

Three of the women, Tammy Dabney, 48, Rodneka Dabney, 27, and Erica Dabney, 46, all of Baton Rouge, were arrested Thursday in connection with the incident, police Sgt. Don Coppola Jr. said Friday.

Kelsy Wallace (Courtesy Lorraine Williams)

Tammy Dabney faces charges of aggravated second-degree battery. Erica Dabney and Rodneka Dabney face charges of disturbing the peace and simple battery.

It was not clear if any of the three have lawyers. Attempts to reach the three suspects Friday were not immediately successful.

Coppola said anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers helped lead to the arrests and that the investigation is ongoing.

A request for comment to the Chili's media relations office did not receive an immediate response.

Police did not identify the Chili's worker, but she has been identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Kelsy Wallace.

Wallace was not available for an interview Friday, but her aunt, Lorraine Williams, who started the GoFundMe, said her niece is haunted by the assault.

"Emotionally she is a wreck," Williams said in a telephone interview Friday. "She has a lot of nightmares and fears."

Wallace has begun seeing a behavioral therapist because she is showing signs of anxiety, Williams said.

"She doesn't like to be alone," Williams said, adding that Wallace has been having trouble sleeping at night. "She just went to bed this morning."

Story continues

The aunt said the assault occurred after Wallace refused to seat a party of 13 at the same table because the restaurant's per-table limit is six due to the coronavirus.

Wallace, a high school senior, had to have stitches above her eye after the incident and had a chunk of her hair pulled out, her aunt said.

Wallace told People that one woman in the group of customers pushed her, and she pushed her back.

"I was kind of fighting for my life," Wallace told the magazine. "I was really scared, calling out for my mama."

She said she does not plan to return to her job, saying the incident "really has taken an emotional toll on me; not just physically, but emotionally as well."
[Follow our live coverage of the Biden inauguration.]

WASHINGTON  President Trump on Thursday encouraged a racist conspiracy theory that is rampant among some of his followers: that Senator Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic vice-presidential nominee born in California, was not eligible for the vice presidency or presidency because her parents were immigrants.

That assertion is false. Ms. Harris is eligible to serve.

Mr. Trump, speaking to reporters on Thursday, nevertheless pushed forward with the attack, reminiscent of the lie he perpetrated for years that President Barack Obama was born in Kenya.

I heard it today that she doesnt meet the requirements, Mr. Trump said of Ms. Harris.

I have no idea if thats right, he added. I would have thought, I would have assumed, that the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president.

Mr. Trump appeared to be referring to a widely discredited op-ed article published in Newsweek by John C. Eastman, a conservative lawyer who has long argued that the United States Constitution does not grant birthright citizenship. Ms. Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, was born in 1964 in Oakland, Calif., several years after her parents arrived in the United States.
COVID-19 is rousing many parents and educators to conclude schools must reinvent how they educate children. Its also motivating families to seek alternatives to their childrens current schools and inspiring entrepreneurs to create new enterprises that respond to this situation.

Mercifully, school choice legislation enacted in nearly every state over the last 30 years is facilitating this process, spurring a host of educational innovations and inventions. And some Governors are using their states new COVID-19 federal dollars to expand parent choice and support novel education programs.

A recent poll by Echelon Insights for the National Parents Union found that 63% of public school parentsregardless of income, race, and political affiliationbelieve that in response to COVID-19, schools should be focused on rethinking how we educate students. Twenty-one percent plan to send [their] child to a different school or homeschoolnext school year. Add 19% who are undecided and its 40% of public-school parents who are looking at alternatives.

What alternatives are they considering? Some are newer innovations like micro-schools and family PODS. Others are familiarhomeschooling, charter schools, and private schoolswith new twists. The creativity and entrepreneurship involved is characteristically American and impressive, even if driven by urgency and exasperation.

Finding Alternatives

Heres a snapshot of whats emerging.

 Micro-schools reinvent the one-room schoolhouse. They are mixed-age groupings of 15 students or less and meet in homes, churches, community centers, or workspaces. They employcutting edge technology with teachersor other learning guidesusing different instructional approaches, including place-based and experiential learning.

Some are private, charging tuitionthough several states allot families public dollars for expenses. Others are tuition free public schools.

Prenda is an Arizona-based national network of micro-schools, growing from 7 students in one neighborhood in 2018 to over 200 schools. Its website traffic increased 737% in June compared to June 2019.

 Another innovation is Parent Organized Discovery Sitesor PODS. These, typically, engage three to six families, together employing one teacher for their kids. Alternatively, parents teach, hiring a college student or other grown-up to assist. Some PODs provide scholarships for low income families.

Pandemic PODS combine tutoring and childcare so students socialize and pursue academics with friends. A Facebook post documents how within 48 hoursthousands of parents [created] Facebook groups to formPODS. The San Francisco school district will open 40 district created PODS in libraries and community centers this school year. In Columbus, Ohio the YMCA is offering learning pods for students ages five to 16 who are attending school virtually. Students can be dropped off as early as 6 a.m., with learning sessions beginning at 8 a.m.

 Homeschooling is an established alternative to traditional public schools, with parents overseeing their childs education. It includes home instruction, often making use of on-line curricula, with families frequently coming together for extracurricular activities. Because today there are many sources of curriculum that home schools draw upon, parents dont have to create their own nor do much instruction. Homeschool filings in Nebraska are up 21% as of late July. In Vermont, theyve increased by about 75% over the same time in 2019.

National Home School Association Executive Director J. Allen Weston has been inundated with calls for homeschooling information. He estimates by the end of the 2020-2021 school year, homeschooling enrollment will rise from around 4 million to as many as 10 million students.

 Public charter schools are another option, coming in many forms, including online learning. More families are choosing virtual charters as brick and mortar schools remain closed or because theyre wary of sending kids into school buildings. Oklahomas Epic Charter Schools is a virtual school enrolling 38,026 students. Its the largest school system in the state, surpassing Oklahoma City and Tulsa, adding up to 1,000 students a day.

 Private schools are another familiar option. They have the flexibility to do things differently than public schools, including smaller class size and lower teacher-student ratios. Such features are attractive to parents during the pandemic. Enrollment information so far is anecdotal. Myra McGovern of the National Association of Independent Schools relates that member schools have had an influx of inquiries about admissions.

Emily Glickman of New York City based Abacus Guide Educational Consulting helps families enroll children in private schools. COVID-19 has produced a surge of inquiries, leading her to expand student placement options, including residential schools in Florida, Los Angeles, Seattle, and elsewhere. Her clients perceive that private schools are in a better position to implement safety measures, [like] putting in a new ventilation system or doing a better job distancing the students.



Funding Alternatives

Today, 29 states (plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) offer parents many ways to use public dollars for expenses associated with enrolling children in alternatives to traditional public schools. The COVID-19 schooling crisis is an opportunity to deploy those financing options to support new forms of parent choice and wider access to extant forms.

Arizona offers a good example, as we see Prenda working with charter schools to provide tuition free micro-schools. They also accept funds from Arizonas Education Savings Accounts program (four other states have similar programs), enabling families to use public dollars for private school costs, tutoring, online learning, and other educational expenses.

Sixteen states (and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) provide parents with 29 different publicly funded scholarshipsor vouchersto pay private school tuition and fees. Another 18 have 23 different full or partial tax credits giving individuals and businesses credits when donating to nonprofits that provide private school scholarships to low income families.

Individual tax credits and deductions in nine states allow parents to receive state income tax relief for educational expenses, including private school tuition, books, supplies, computers, tutors, and transportation.

Public charter school laws exist in 44 states (and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam). They have created more than 7,500 tuition-free schools of choice in many varieties and specialties.

New enterprises are also being created. SitterStream is a startup established at the beginning of the pandemic. It offers on demand babysitting and tutoring to students, individually or in PODS. It has partnerships with small and large businesses who provide these services to employees. Amazon is one of their corporate clients.

Transportant, a high-tech school bus company, makes school buses as smart as your phone. With the pandemic, it began working with school districts to make buses rolling Wi-Fi hotspots. They now provide high speed internet services for an entire street or apartment building to students who did not have internet access.

States are also providing new forms of financial support for families exercising school choice during the pandemic. The federal CARES Act provides discretionary funds for governors to support new education programs. This, too, has fostered creativity and enterprise.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is using $30 million from the CARES Acts Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund to create a $12 million Learn Anywhere Oklahoma program so students access online content with a teacher; a $8 million Bridge the Gap digital wallet program offering $1,500 to more than 5,000 low income families to purchase curriculum content, tutoring, and technology; and a $10 million Stay in School fund providing up to $6,500 to over 1,500 low income families with a pandemic-related job loss so their children remain in their current private schools. Governors Henry McMaster of South Carolina and Chris Sununu of New Hampshire announced similar programs for low income families wanting to enroll their child in a private school.

COVID-19 has turned school openings in fall 2020 into disarray. But creative and determined parents, policy leaders, and entrepreneurs are responding with renewed enterprise, impressive innovations, and creative alternatives so learning can continue.
The internet is back in Belarus, according to reports, but the outage sheds light on what kind of technologies might help ordinary citizens get around such blackouts in future.

The internet was down nationwide for almost three days this week during protests following a controversial presidential election that resulted in an apparent landslide for President Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko was announced a winner, but many people believe opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya actually won. After attempting to dispute the results, she quickly left the country for Lithuania and went silent.

Related: VPN Usage Surges as Belarus Remains Offline

The internet returned on Wednesday. But before that happened, Belarusians figured out ways to get around the blockade via services such as virtual private networks (VPN) and proxies. CoinDesk spoke to experts about the limited options citizens have for staying online during internet shutdowns.

Pirate cables

Mikhail Klimarev, an IT expert at the Carnegie Moscow Center, believes the outage was an attempt by Belarus authorities to control communications via deep packet inspection (DPI) filtering, which created a bottleneck in internet traffic. In other words, the internet wasnt completely shut down, it was impossibly slow.

People in Belarus were able to use VPN and proxy software, which help data get around DPI filters. With these tools, internet traffic mimics auxiliary data, which the DPI software ignores, Klimarev said.

However, if a VPN has an open-source code, filtering software can learn to stop and filter it as well. Such VPNs were successfully blocked in Belarus during the shutdown, he added.

Related: After Tumultuous Election, Belarus Goes Offline

Read more: VPN Usage Surges as Belarus Remains Offline

If a government decides to pull the plug and leave the country with no internet, there is not much residents can do, Klimarev said. You could, of course, leave the country, he said, but a less-radical option is to move to a region near the border and connect to foreign internet providers.

Story continues

I know that one large IT company in Belarus moved to a hotel near the Lithuania border and pulled the internet cable from across the border. About one hundred people relocated to work from there, Klimarev said.

Other solutions might include using a SIM card from a foreign cell phone service provider or a dial-up connection between computers, Moscow-based cybersecurity expert Alexey Lukatsky told CoinDesk. However, the government can still cut any channel it has under its control.

If the government has internet connection under its control in the country and uses DPI filtering, 99% of the population has zero chance in the case of an outage, he explained.

Satellite out of reach

If moving abroad is not an option, there are other possible solutions. Satellite internet, for instance, but that is extremely expensive, Klimarev says, with the hardware alone costing tens of thousands of dollars plus about $1,000 each month for an internet connection at a decent speed.

However, even satellite internet might get blocked by a national government, said Ilya Kharlamov, a former engineer at Russias Khrunichev Space Center. He posted a tweet storm on Thursday explaining that satellite internet is delivered via radio waves, which are normally under government control. This means satellites are not a realistic option for countries like Belarus and Russia, Kharlamov wrote.

For example, if Elon Musks Starlink wanted to broadcast the internet from its satellites to Russia, it would need Russian government permission. Another satellite internet company, OneWeb, did not succeed in getting this permission last year.

Technically, its possible to broadcast censorship-free internet to another country, but legally its subject to the national laws and regulated on the U.N. level, Kharlamov wrote, explaining that if a company violates national laws regarding the radio waves usage, the country can complain to the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency, and even shoot the satellites down when they fly above the countrys territory.

This is true for any country thats a U.N. member., Kharlamov told CoinDesk, and this means that without getting permission first, the satellites will have to turn off their transmitters while flying above the country that did not allow its service.

This is whats happening above North Korea, he said, adding: Right now, 500 Starlink satellites are flying above us already, but they stay silent and only broadcast above the U.S.

Mesh networks in the works

The blockchain world loves the concept of mesh networks, which rely on multiple mobile devices. Messages bounce from one device to another until they get the message through. In practice, however, its extremely difficult to build such a network with a really large number of nodes, Klimarev said.

Whats more, as the number of nodes increase, its getting harder to compute the route that a message needs to travel to hit the desired receiver.

And if those nodes are moving, the amount of computational power needed to find the right route increases immensely. This is why this method (mesh networks) is not considered reliable, Klimarev said.

Read more: Could Bitcoins Lightning Power Mobile Communications? This Startup Thinks So

There is, however, ongoing experimentation around static mesh networks where the communicating devices dont move together with their owners. The limit of such networks is 3,000 nodes, Klimarev said, but they might work for cases when there is no particular receiver, but the information is just broadcast around, like for media publications to keep informing their readers in the situation of an outage.

Klimarev is currently working with one such service, NewNode, a project from the same team of developers that created FireChat  a Bluetooth-based messenger designed for use in a crowd.

NewNode is designed to transfer data using the distributed hash table (DHT)  the same technology used in torrents, where information is split into parts and hashed.

Using such software devices would connect utilizing any connection protocols available to them. In the absence of cellular networks, they can use Wi-Fi beacons, signal their presence to nearby devices and then exchange information on what bits of data each one has stored.

However, nobody has tested these technologies in combat conditions yet, Klimarev said.

Reasons for outage

During the three-day outage from Aug. 9 to Aug. 11, people in Belarus couldnt read news on media websites, use social networks (except Telegram, which worked intermittently) or call their families. Belarus authorities claimed the communications infrastructure failed due to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

Klimarev doubts the internet went down because of a DDos attack. I got data from internet providers in Belarus, and it doesnt show the uptick in traffic as it would be during a DDoS attack, Klimarev told Coindesk. On the charts, we can see there was a limit at the certain speed, and it wont go higher than that level.

Read more: After Tumultuous Election, Belarus Goes Offline

Our hypothesis is that someone manually plugged all cables into one central server, which might have been running DPI [deep packet inspection] software, Klimarev said. DPI software allows for close surveillance of data sent over the internet. That central channel, in turn, was not enough to let all traffic through at the normal speed, so the internet went down.

Analytics company NetBlocks also wrote that DPI filtering could be the reason for the outage. Alexey Lukatsky believes its still unclear if the authorities in Belarus were just deliberately blocking particular websites and services or the reason was different.

Klimarev also does not believe the Belarus government would intentionally cut off the entire country from the internet because doing so would hurt the vital infrastructure that the government uses (the DPI filtering technically allowed some traffic through).

The banking system would grind to a halt, even some phone calls would be impossible, because they all are now going through the internet, Klimarev said.

Even companies delivering food to grocery stores need the internet to use GPS navigation tools, so a total shutdown would eventually lead to problems with food supply in the cities, he added.

On Thursday, over 500 CEOs of Belarus IT companies, some of which are now Silicon Valley success stories, signed a letter to the countrys leadership, demanding it stop the violence against protesters, free political prisoners, conduct fair elections and provide free access to information to the people of Belarus, Dev.by wrote.

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The San Jacinto Regional Watershed Master Drainage Plan has identified 16 long-term flood mitigation projects in Harris and Montgomery counties totaling about $3 billion.

The Harris County Flood Control District, Montgomery County, the City of Houston, and San Jacinto River Authority updated the community through a virtual public meeting on the drainage report on Thursday. The plan aims to help improve the watershed in flood mitigation, assessment, response and community outreach and education.

CORONAVIRUS: Mega coronavirus testing site debuts at Kingwood Community Center

The study, which began in April 2019, will identify short term goals, such as developing vision groups, and long term future flood mitigation projects, such as the excavation of stormwater detention basins in the San Jacinto River Regional Watershed. The plan is estimated to be completed in the fall.

The ultimate goal of this study is to identify measures that can improve resiliency in the San Jacinto Watershed, improving flood mitigation, flood warning and flood response, said Terry Barr, who oversees the project for the engineering consultant team as the project director.

The watershed spans almost 3,000 square miles, covering seven counties and approximately 535 miles of streams, according to the SJRA. The study takes a regional look at all of the major water bodies connected to the San Jacinto River, such as Cypress Creek, Lake Creek, Lake Conroe, Peach Creek, Lake Houston and Luce Bayou, Barr said.

The study is funded 75 percent by the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning Grant Program, while the remaining 25 percent is funded through the four local study partners, Barr said.

In the last 20 years, there has been a significant attention paid to both flood plain mapping and development criteria with the intent of reducing flood risk, Barr said. Since Hurricane Harvey in 2017, that push has been further accelerated, with many (pushing for) community development and floodplain criteria to be much more stringent.

More Information The 16 projects included in the study are set in order but may change over time based on a variety of factors, leaving the study as a "living" document according to Barr. 1. Caney-Detention on SH 105 2. Spring - Walnut Creek Detention 3. Spring - I-45 Channelization 4. East Fork - Winter's Bayou Detention 5. Caney - Detention on FM 1097 6. Peach - SH 105 Detention 7. Peach - I-69 Channelization 8. Spring - Birch Creek Detention 9. Caney - US-69 Channelization 10. West Fork - Kingwood Benching 11. West Fork - River Plantation Channel 12. Lake - Garret's Creek Detention 13. Peach - Walker Creek Detention 14. Lake - Caney Creek Detention 15. Spring - Woodlands Channelization 16. Lake - Little Caney Creek Detention See More Collapse

The team found 25 projects across the San Jacinto River Watershed and 16 of these were included in the long term reduction plan. The cost to complete the projects is between $2.9 and $3.3 billion and is estimated to save approximately $755 million in damages over the next 50 years. The plan includes $190 million in buyouts for 600 structures located in the five-year floodplain, which have a 20 percent annual chance of flooding.

Its also important to note that drainage does not consider political boundaries, Barr said. With that in mind, the study recommends that consistent detention policy should be implemented throughout the watershed for any projects that increase flows. The study also recommends that a comprehensive impact analysis be performed for any project that might affect the same flows.

With such a large coverage area, the watershed has diverse lands ranging from rural to urban centers covering a population of 1.6 million, according to Barr.

It receives about 49 inches of rainfall annually, but unlike that of the lower portion in Harris County, the upper portion of the watershed has a significant vertical relief. There is a 450-foot elevation difference between the headwaters in Walker County and the Houston Ship Channel, Barr said. For flood warning planning, the study recommends adding 26 gages, which would cost as much as $500,000 for installation, not including maintenance.

FLOOD MAP: Texas Flood Map and Tracker: See which parts of Houston are most at risk of flooding

This plan affects the greater Kingwood area as some of the projects include work to prevent flooding in Lake Houston, where the majority of water from the San Jacinto River Watershed lands.

In the last four years, three major flooding events have caused damages in the watershed. Harvey was the worst with 22 to 34 inches of rain in six days across the watershed. Tropical Storm Imelda also caused damage, affecting some who were still working to recover from Harvey, Barr said.

Rivers and streams throughout the watershed experienced record inflows and elevations during (Harvey), Barr said. Every major stream in the watershed exceeded previous record flow and stage elevation. Thousands of structures reported flooding in Harris and Montgomery and surrounding counties.

Their modeling shows that structures in the flood plain are actually at a higher risk of flooding than FEMA flood maps show, due to having more accurate rainfall data and better modeling information, Barr said.

The virtual presentation follows the last Kingwood public event for the plan held in mid-December at the Kingwood Community Center.

For more information or to view a recording of the public meeting, visit sanjacstudy.org.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com
New Jersey tax collections for the first 13 months of the new 15-month fiscal year are less than 1% below the same period a year ago despite the economic and health crisis thats gripped the state.

The state collected $34.9 billion from July, 1 2019 to July, 31, 2020, compared to $35.1 billion the previous year. Thats a difference of 0.6%, according to the Department of Treasurys monthly revenue update. For the first 12 months, revenues were 9.2% lower than the same point in 2019.

Gov. Phil Murphys administration has warned the coronavirus will clobber tax collections, projecting billions of dollars in lost tax revenue through next June. The Treasury report does not compare tax revenues collected so far against the estimates Murphy certified last summer and later revised, which would show a larger gap in expected versus actual revenues.

Murphy has until Aug. 25 to introduce his budget proposal for the 9-month fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

Revenues for the first 12 months of the new 15-month fiscal year  covering July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020  were down $3 billion, or 9.2%, lower than the same period a year earlier.

And as expected, the gap shrank once July income tax return payments were tallied.

The state collected nearly $3.4 billion in gross income taxes in July and $590 million in corporation business taxes, both crushing tax collections from July 2019. There was a reason for this: state coffers swelled in July because the tax filing deadline was extended from April 15 to July 15 this year, making month-to-month comparisons difficult.

Even so, July gross income tax payments fell short of expectations, according to the Treasury update.

However, lower-than-expected final and estimated payments by individuals were partially offset by improved employer withholding receipts, the department said in a news release.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker | Newsletter | Homepage

Sales tax collections once again came up short, though by just 3.6% compared with July 2019. July sales tax numbers actually reflect June spending because of a reporting lag. For the fiscal year to date, sales taxes are 1.8% lower than the same 13-month period last year, according to treasury.

Gas tax collections, too, are down compared to last year, which could mean the state is headed for another tax hike. Gasoline taxes fund the Transportation Trust Fund, and when theres a shortfall in one fiscal year, the treasurer is supposed to order a tax increase to make up for it in the next. A new tax rate, if announced, would take effect Oct. 1.

Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, chairman of the Senates budget committee, said Thursday that while hes been pleasantly surprised by income tax collections, he remains quite concerned about the coming fiscal year.

Theres just too many unknowns going forward, he said. I think (the revenue loss) is going to be pretty severe.

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday blessed Murphys plan to borrow as much as $9.9 billion to offset pandemic revenue losses. However, the court said, the treasurer or governor must certify projected revenue shortfalls before each tranche of borrowing and can take on no more debt than required to fill that hole.

The state may not borrow more than the amount certified, and not more than $9.9 billion in total, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner wrote for the court. In other words, if, at the time the state seeks to borrow money or issue bonds, the governor or the treasurer certifies that the shortfall resulting from the pandemic is estimated to be $7 billion, the state cannot borrow more than that amount.

Murphys administration has lowered revenue projections for this fiscal year and next by more than $9 billion  a different calculation than the revenue reports year-over-year comparison.

State Sen. Steven Oroho, R-Sussex, said in a statement Friday the latest numbers are proof the governors warnings about catastrophic layoffs of public workers arent materializing and that borrowing is unnecessary.

Weve been saying for weeks that the governors continued use of outdated revenue estimates from May was deceptive, wildly misleading and intended to scare people into supporting his fiscally irresponsible borrowing demands, Oroho said. Yesterdays Treasury report proved that everything we said was correct.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com.
Cyprus marks 60 years since independence from Britain without fanfare on Sunday, as the small island remains divided and home to foreign bases and a UN peacekeeping force.

"At the time, independence was a compromise none of the conflicting sides had wanted or demanded," said Hubert Faustmann, professor of political science at the University of Nicosia.

The Mediterranean island, now home to a combined population of about 1.2 million, has been a prized possession for a succession of empires through the ages.

Modern history has left it split between a Greek-speaking south and a Turkish-speaking north.

"Two British bases, a mess of a constitution when they left, and then Turkish occupation -- what independence?" asked Georgios Afxentiou, a Greek Cypriot restaurateur on Nicosia's popular Ledra Street.

Busy pedestrian Ledra Street in the Cypriot capital Nicosia that was known as "Murder Mile" during the 1955-1959 Greek Cypriot armed struggle against British rule /  AFP

Today a busy pedestrian thoroughfare behind the capital's ancient Venetian walls, Ledra was known as "Murder Mile" during the bloody Greek Cypriot guerrilla war against British squaddies in the late 1950.

The island's majority Greek Cypriot community had fought in 1955-1959 for Enosis, a long-yearned union with "motherland" Greece.

It finally accepted Britain's offer of independence in 1960, conditional on London retaining sovereignty over two coastal bases, before intercommunal bloodshed and Turkey's 1974 invasion of northern Cyprus.

- String of empires -

The handover came on the night of August 15-16, 1960 from Britain's last governor, Sir Hugh Foot, to Cyprus's first president, Greek-Orthodox Archbishop Makarios.

Sunbeds on the beach in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa, this year ready for local rather than foreign tourists because of coronavirus /  AFP/File

Independence ended centuries of domination by a string of empires, including the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans, and finally the British who valued its strategic location, especially after the Suez disaster of 1956.

Ties between the Republic of Cyprus, now an EU member, and the UK have remained strong since independence.

British visitors are the bread and butter of the holiday island's tourism industry, though the novel coronavirus is keeping most of them at bay this summer.

Independence day on Sunday, when most Cypriots will themselves take to the beaches, is "not really important", said Giannis Ioannou, founder of the think-tank Geopolitical Cyprus.

Archbishop Makarios, who became the first president of Cyprus after independence in 1960, enters a hotel in London for talks in February 1959 /  AFP/File

The Republic of Cyprus moved formal commemorations to October 1 for "practical reasons", Ioannou added, pointing to the searing mid-August heat and a key Christian religious holiday.

Turkish Cypriots celebrate the declaration of their internationally-unrecognised statelet on November 15, 1983, nine years after Ankara invaded following a coup backed by the junta then ruling Greece.

Rather than the end of British rule "they also celebrated the arrival of Turkish soldiers" 60 years ago, said Turkish Cypriot halloumi cheese factory owner Mahmut Erden, referring to pre-independence treaties which brought in Greek and Turkish mainland contingents as "guarantors".

Professor Ahmet Sozen, chair of political sciences at the Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta, northern Cyprus, said: "For more than 90 percent of Turkish Cypriots, it (August 16) does not mean anything. People do not even know it."

- Barbed wire and sandbags -

With a mixture of ethnicities left behind by a wealth of civilisations on the island, the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is famously reputed to have said "the only true Cypriot is the Cyprus donkey".

"Cyprus has only really had an embedded sense of self since 2004," when it joined the European Union, said Professor James Ker-Lindsay of the London School of Economics.

"Often called the reluctant republic ... Cyprus does not carry independence as a badge of honour," unlike other former colonies, he said.

The Cyprus flag during a memorial ceremony in Nicosia for the fallen during the 1974 Turkish invasion /  AFP

After six decades, it still lacks unifying symbols such as a national anthem of its own.

The flag, featuring the island's map and symbols of peace on a white background, was designed as a temporary emblem by a Turkish Cypriot art teacher.

It remains in use today only in the south but is vastly outnumbered across Cyprus by flags of either Greece or Turkey.

One of the United Nations' oldest peacekeeping forces, UNFICYP, patrols a "Green Line" protected by walls, barbed wire and sandbags.

It was initially drawn by a British general in green pencil when intercommunal clashes broke out in Nicosia in December 1963 and then extended across Cyprus after the 1974 invasion.

The violence and collapse of a power-sharing constitution had come after Makarios in November 1963 proposed amendments that Turkish Cypriots rejected.

A cat sits on a sandbag barricade on Nicosia's Green Line, the UN-patrolled buffer zone in the world's last divided capital /  AFP

Today, war memorials, cemeteries and ghost towns serve as silent reminders of the blood-letting.

Hundreds of thousands from the island's two communities have made their home in Britain, whose bases in Cyprus retain quaint old English street names.

But some Greek Cypriots -- in bitter memory of fighters hanged during the armed struggle -- jeered Queen Elizabeth II during an October 1993 visit to Nicosia, the world's last divided capital.
Jon Gray could easily adapt a line from the classic book "A Tale of Two Cities" to describe his business this year:

"It was the worst of times, it was the best of times..." (Sorry, Mr. Dickens.)

In March, the Covid-19 pandemic all but shut down RVShare, the recreational vehicle-sharing marketplace in Akron, Ohio, that Gray leads as CEO.

RVShare's fast growth halted. The company cut 10% of its workforce and furloughed another 30% as it pivoted to serve doctors and other front-line workers who lived in RVs parked in their driveways rather than expose their families to the coronavirus.

Then business began to return with a vengeance in April as states reopened.

Read the full story on cleveland.coms sister site, Cleveland Business Journal.

Get the best in local business news sent straight to your inbox with the Cleveland Business Journal. Free to sign up.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy departs from a meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.

The embattled new chief of the U.S. Postal Service acknowledged in an internal memo to staff that his sweeping operational changes have brought "unintended consequences" to the government agency, NBC News reported Friday.

But Postmaster General Louis DeJoy defended his overhaul of the Post Office despite reports of widespread mail delays and increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, mail workers' unions and the media in the run-up to the 2020 election.

"Let me be clear about the reasons behind our restructuring and the need for our plan. Our financial condition is dire," DeJoy said in the memo, which was sent to USPS staff on Thursday, NBC reported. "Our critics are quick to point to our finances, yet they offer no solution."

Since starting his role in June, DeJoy has implemented a slew of significant changes that he says are intended to stabilize the Post Office, which has seen its financial troubles compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. Those changes reportedly include crackdowns on overtime pay and curtailing late trips for mail carriers, as well as an overhaul of agency leadership.

In the memo, DeJoy admitted: "Unfortunately, this transformative initiative has had unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels." He didn't elaborate on specific consequences.

He added: "However, recent changes are not the only contributing factors. Over the years we have grown undisciplined in our mail and package processing schedules, causing an increase in delayed mail between processing facilities and delivery units."

Lawmakers of both parties have called on DeJoy to reverse his new policies. Democrats fear that the changes could impact the presidential race, where a record number of voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail to avoid risking exposure to the coronavirus.
President Trump on Friday vowed to 'bring back our beloved New York City' if he wins the election after New York was ranked as having the worst economic outlook in the US and as crime and homelessness continue to rise.

Trump tweeted: 'Vote for TRUMP on November 3rd.

'I am going to bring our beloved New York back!' with a link to a New York Post story about the Rich States, Poor States rankings which put NY state 50th in the list of economic rankings across the country.

Trump's promise comes as crime in the city continues to rise, residents flee - abandoning their apartments in larger numbers than ever before - and homelessness continues to spread across the streets.

On Thursday, it emerged that there are 13,000 empty apartments being advertised across New York City - a 14 year record and more than double the number that were being advertised last July.

Trump on Friday vowed to 'bring back our beloved New York' after NY State was ranked as having the worst economic outlook in the nation

Homeless encampments are popping up all over the city and thousands have been moved from shelters and into luxury hotels which is creating small bursts of crime in some neighborhoods.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has however waved off wealthy residents whose tax dollars make up more than half of the state's total tax income, calling them 'fair weather friends' who can be replaced.

He is in his final term as mayor and cannot be re-elected next November.

In July, de Blasio championed a budget cut through the City Council which took $1billion away from the NYPD after bowing to pressure from Black Lives Matter protesters.

It involved wiping more than 1,100 new cop jobs and disbanding a plain clothes anti-crime unit.

Now, there are fewer police on the streets and fewer residents to report if there is a problem because so many have fled.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) published its 13th annual Rich States, Poor States ranking on Wednesday.

The researchers looked at issues such as taxation and the economic competitiveness of the state.

The economic outlook rating state gross domestic product, absolute domestic migration and non-farm payroll employment.

Utah, for the 13th year running, was top of the ranking and New York, for the sixth year in a row, was last.

President Trump has long criticized de Blasio for his handling of the city. He has also been vocal in his criticism of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Trump has said that the pair belong to the 'radical left'.

Recently, when the NY Attorney General filed a lawsuit to disband the NRA, he lashed out at the pair, calling it a 'terrible' move.

One of de Blasio's most controversial acts is to move 13,000 homeless people into hotels around the city.

It is costing the city more than $2million a night, which they say they will recoup through FEMA.

On the Upper West Side, residents have complained of increased crimes since dozens of homeless people were moved into at least three luxury hotels.

These are the rankings for economic outlook which measures is based on state gross domestic product, absolute domestic migration and non-farm payroll employment

New York has been ranked the worst state in the nation for its economic outlook

Homeless people were spotted drinking in the Upper West Side and urinating publicly

After wealthy residents on the Upper West Side took to social media in their droves to complain about homeless people from three of the hotels terrorizing their streets with urinating, loitering and drug-taking, de Blasio said the system was not permanent but would likely continue until there is a vaccine - something that is still months away.

'The goal here continues to be to deal with the short term which, let's say is six months-ish, while we're dealing with this crisis until people are vaccinated.

'Once we get out of that, we're going to move out of hotels and go back into the shelter system. We're going to constantly try to reduce the number of people in shelters.

'We are going to have an opportunity here to be creative and get people into other, better housing,' he said.

He was asked if the city would consider turning the hotels into permanent housing and answered vaguely: 'There are buildings we control already and that's where we're looking to, or want to control or purchase, where we're looking to do permanent affordable housing.'

De Blasio has been heavily criticized for his response to the pandemic

Cuomo on August 3 acknowledged that the state, and in particular New York City, was in trouble.

Between March 1 and May 1, some five per cent of New Yorkers fled town. Crime is soaring in the city, with 1,000 people shot already this year and homicide up 50 per cent.

Homeless encampments have cropped up in several areas of Manhattan, to the distress and annoyance of residents.

Cuomo said he was begging people to return to New York City from their second-home retreats so they can pay taxes to help offset the state's growing coronavirus-related revenue shortfall.

'I literally talk to people all day long who are now in their Hamptons house who also lived here, or in their Hudson Valley house, or in their Connecticut weekend house, and I say: "You got to come back! We'll go to dinner! I'll buy you a drink! Come over, I'll cook!"

'They're not coming back right now.

'And you know what else they're thinking? "If I stay there, I'll pay a lower income tax," because they don't pay the New York City surcharge.'

He noted that the wealthiest one per cent of New York's population picks up roughly 50 per cent of the state's tax burden.

The plea comes amid dimming hopes that the federal government's next COVID-19 relief package will contain any additional aid for struggling state and local governments.

If additional dollars don't come to New York on top of waning revenue streams, Cuomo and other state officials have said the hit could translate to 20 per cent cuts to health, education and local governments' annual budget.

Donald Trump's Executive Order on COVID relief, which sees unemployment benefits topped up by an additional $400 a week, with the states paying $100 of it, has been greeted with anger by struggling state governors.

States, unlike federal entities, must balance their budgets.
India on Friday slammed Pakistan over reports that former UN-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar participated in an event hosted by that country's mission in Afghanistan, saying this was not new as Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits, but also encourages them.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India hopes that such participation in public events by a former UN-designated terrorist would not go unnoticed.

Asked about reports that Pakistan got Hekmatyar to speak at an event of a Pakistani mission in Afghanistan, he said, "We have seen the media reports of the participation of the former UN-designated terrorist in an event organised by the government of Pakistan. This is nothing new, Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits, but also encourages them."

In 2017, the United Nations removed Afghan warlord Hekmatyar from its list of designated terrorists, lifting the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo imposed on the insurgent leader who signed a peace pact with the Afghan government.

On the Afghan peace process and the Afghanistan government's decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners, Srivastava said, "We have taken note of the development."

"As far as India is concerned, we strongly support peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. We also support the intra-Afghan negotiations," he said.

To a separate question on whether the Indian mission has congratulated Kamala Harris, whose father is from Jamaica and mother an Indian, on being chosen as the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, Srivastava said, "In general we would not like to comment on the electoral process of any other country."

On the Kerala gold smuggling case, he said the matter is under investigation of the NIA and the MEA is extending all necessary facilitations for the investigations.
3 Women Arrested After Chilis Hostess Allegedly Attacked for Enforcing Social Distancing

Three women are accused of attacking a 17-year-old Chilis restaurant hostess in Louisiana because they were angry over their group not being allowed to sit together due to COVID-19 social-distancing regulations, said police.

The Baton Rouge Police Department announced the arrests of Rodneka Dabney, 27; Erica Dabney, 46; and Tammy Dabney, 48.

Officials said that on Aug. 9, a group of women went to the restaurant and were requesting to dine at the same table, but the employee advised the group [that] due to social distancing requirements the business only allowed six at a table.

The women then allegedly assaulted the server. She was treated at a nearby hospital for her injuries.

A GoFundMe page and local media outlets identified the Chilis employee as 17-year-old Kelsy Wallace.

She pushed me and I pushed her back, Wallace told People magazine, referring to one of the women in the group. And they all attacked me. I was kind of fighting for my life. I was really scared, calling out for my mama.

Wallace said she received five stitches above her eye as a result of her injuries. The women also scratched her and ripped out chunks of her hair.

It really has taken an emotional toll on me; not just physically, but emotionally as well, she said, adding that shes not returning to her job.

WAFB also posted video footage of the alleged assault.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help with costs associated with her college expenses.

Tammy Dabney is facing aggravated second-degree battery charges, police said. The other two are facing charges including disturbing the peace and simple battery.

It was not immediately clear if any of the suspects have attorneys.
Many South Koreans say they are still waiting for Japans apology.

South Koreas President Moon Jae-in has promised to highlight the plight of the countrys last surviving women who were forced to work in Japanese brothels during World War II.

His recorded remarks were part of a ceremony held in the city of Cheonan.

It is the third year the memorial has been held to remember the victims, who were known by their captors as comfort women.

It continues to be a thorny issue between South Korea and Japan.

Al Jazeeras Rob McBride reports from Seoul, South Korea.
HOUSTON, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe has announced its newest and first location in Austin will open at The Domain in mid-August. Sweet Paris is a beautiful and chic creperie with multiple locations specializing in sweet and savory crepes, waffles, salads, hot drinks and more. Made from scratch, the dishes are as delicious as they are beautiful. The Instagram worthy interiors and the artful food and drinks makes Sweet Paris a favorite place for haute social media influencers.

The Instagram worthy interiors and the artful food and drinks makes Sweet Paris a favorite place for haute social media influencers. The menu has grown to include waffles, salads, paninis, soups, milkshakes, frozen mimosas, and hot espresso and Nutella drinks.

Sweet Paris Creperie and Cafe opened its first store in 2012, and since then it has spread throughout Houston, College Station, San Antonio and now Austin. Sweet Paris Austin will be the group's tenth store, with an eleventh already in construction at Town Square in Sugarland, TX. Sweet Paris is strategically looking at growing in new markets through its Strategic Partnership model, in which individuals and groups with a hospitality background can bring Sweet Paris to their hometown via franchise.

Sweet Paris Austin will debut in the space next to Starbucks in the heart of Simon Malls's The Domain, Austin's premier destination for fashion, luxury, dining and family fun with 100+ stores and restaurants. Sweet Paris Austin will offer Domain shoppers a place to recharge and relax after a day of shopping, as well as a fun dining spot for the whole family. The Strategic Partners for Sweet Paris Austin at The Domain are Michael and Mary Kelton, and they already operate successfully Sweet Paris The Woodlands at Market Street.

Sweet Paris Austin will be the group's second restaurant opening in 2020, as Sweet Paris Baybrook located in Friendswood, TX is a beautiful store which opened at the lawn in Baybrook Mall in March of this year.

The two founders of this stylish concept, Allison and Ivan Chavez, husband and wife dynamic duo met as undergraduate students at the Wharton School of Business, and created a movement behind their signature crepes by using the highest quality ingredients paired with bold flavors, all presented in a beautiful setting. The Chavezs made it their personal mission to "revive the art of eating crepes" and traveled the world searching for flavors and new ways to bring this popular street food to market.

The appeal of Sweet Paris is seen in its food and its charming French, industrial decor. The fresh simplicity of the design allows the food to be the star. It's a conducive space for families, friends and lovers to indulge in a beautiful setting for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner or dessert.

The menu has grown to include waffles, salads, paninis, soups, milkshakes, frozen mimosas, and hot espresso and Nutella drinks.

EAT HERE, FEED THERE

Inspired by the overwhelming need, Sweet Paris founders "fight hunger with hunger" using the resources of Sweet Paris to raise funds to serve the communities they work in. Patrons will be able to purchase three crepes on the menu designated by the Central Texas Food Bank logo. Diners may choose from the following crepes to make a donation: Allison's Parfait, Truffled Caprese and Lemon & Sugar. For each crepe sold with the Central Texas Food Bank logo, Sweet Paris will donate one meal to help children in need.

The new 2,429 square foot restaurant, which includes a beautiful patio and an event area, will seat 108 people and will be open daily. Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe currently operates nine locations: Houston Rice Village; Houston CityCentre; Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico; La Centerra, Katy; Century Square, College Station; Houston Highland Village; Market Street, The Woodlands; The Shops at La Cantera, San Antonio; and Baybrook Mall, Friendswood.

Follow us on Instagram (@SweetParis), Facebook (@SweetParisCrepes) and Twitter (@TheSweetParis).

For more information please visit www.sweetparis.com

For more information regarding Strategic Parntership opportunities, please visit www.sweetparisfranchise.com

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS

To say entrepreneurs Allison and Ivan Chavez have a passion for crepes is an understatement. It was for the love of the crepe  whether sweet or savory  that drove the two to research this popular street food and pair them with flavors found around the world. In 2012 they opened their first Sweet Paris in the popular Rice Village shopping district. While their hearts carried them on this culinary journey, the two possess serious business acumen.

Allison was born and raised in Houston. After graduating from St. John's School, she attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. It's there she met Chavez who was from Guadalajara, Mexico. After the two graduated from that prestigious business school, Allison worked as an investment banking financial analyst at Credit Suisse in New York City. Ivan has been in the hospitality industry, specifically development and operations of beach resorts in Mexico, since 2007.

LOCATIONS



Sweet Paris, Rice Village Sweet Paris, CityCentre Sweet Paris, Nuevo Vallarta 2420 Rice Blvd. 797 Sorella Ct. Av Paseo de los Moras Houston, TX 77005 Houston, TX 77024 Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit





Sweet Paris, Katy Sweet Paris, College Station Sweet Paris, Highland Village 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. 143 Century Square Dr. 2701 Drexel Dr. Suite 120 Suite 110 Houston, TX 77027 Katy, TX 77494 College Station, TX 77840







Sweet Paris, The Woodlands Sweet Paris, San Antonio Sweet Paris, Baybrook Mall 9595 Six Pines Dr. 15900 La Cantera Pkwy. 700 Baybrook Mall Suite 450 Suite 19160 Suite H105 The Woodlands, TX 77380 San Antonio, TX 78256 Friendswood, TX 77546

ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK

The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 50,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.

Media Contact:

Ivette Escobar

Chief Development Officer

[email protected]

(832)540-7887

SOURCE Sweet Paris Creperie and Cafe
The Minority in Parliament has said claims by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that 15 million Ghanaians now have bank accounts, as a result of the mobile money interoperability platform put in place by the government, is not true.



Addressing the youth wing of the governing New Patriotic Party in Accra on Wednesday, 12 August 2020, Dr Bawumia explained that with the triangular feature which mobile money payment interoperability allows; that is the transfer of funds from mobile money accounts to bank accounts and vice-versa, as well as from mobile or bank accounts to biometric payment card accounts (ezwich), it "means that anyone with a mobile account has a bank account. They can make payments out of it and receive interest on their balances.



The Vice President noted that: Many people did not and do not understand that we have moved away from the world of branch banking into branchless banking. You can have your bank account on your phone. You can do banking without visiting a bank branch or signing a cheque.



He further stated that Ghana is the first and only country in Africa to achieve mobile money interoperability and thanks to that, Ghana is now the fastest-growing mobile money market in Africa.



Mobile money transactions in 2019 amounted to GHS32.8 billion (a 215% jump in two years).



The total number of transactions recorded under mobile money as of December 2019 was 200 million whereas that of banks was 599,000 (just about 3% of the mobile money number).



Over 15 million people have mobile money accounts in Ghana!



Many people did not and still do not quite understand what I meant when I said every eligible Ghanaian will be able to get a bank account.



They were thinking about traditional bank accounts.



Well, I can say without any fear of contradiction that as a result of mobile money interoperability, over 15 million Ghanaians today (many of whom are unbanked in the traditional sense) have a bank account.



This is a remarkable achievement and shows the power of digitisation, Dr Bawumia said.



But speaking to the parliamentary press corps, a member of the Communication Committee of Parliament, Mr Sam Nartey George said the claim is not based on data.



According to him, the interoperability platform long existed before Dr Bawumia became Vice President, explaining that what was introduced by the NPP government was just an addition to the existing platform.



He questioned the basis for arriving at the conclusion that 15 million people have bank accounts when a person can have multiple accounts.



Let us state for the records that mobile money and the whole concept of digital money was introduced eleven years ago in Ghana, in 2009 by MTN. At that time, Dr Bawumia was not vice president, and, so, Dr Bawumia cannot claim that his technological initiatives in digitisation, has driven mobile money.



Dr Bawumia made very erroneous claims; one of such claims was the fact that we now have 15 million people or Ghanaians who have bank accounts. What Dr Bawumia fails to realise is that one individual can have multiple mobile money accounts, so, when he sees 15 million mobile money accounts, it does not mean that 15 million Ghanaians have mobile money accounts.



Some of you in the media have two or three phones on two or three media networks, and, so, Dr Bawumia is counting you who have two phones and have MoMo on MTN and Vodafone as two individuals. Thats how intelligent the logic of Dr Bawumia is, Mr Nartey George said.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin remained consistent at $2.2 million from the first quarter to second quarter of 2020, an increase of 22% compared to the second quarter of 2019.

Net interest margin remained consistent at $2.2 million from the first quarter to second quarter of 2020, an increase of 22% compared to the second quarter of 2019.

Second quarter net income of $165 thousand increased by 45% over Q1 profit of $114 thousand

Call centre maintains high service levels through COVID-19

Delinquent accounts declined by 8% from March 31

Further reduction in corporate overheads to less than $1 million per month

Cash balance of $8.8 million as of June 30 (March 31, 2020  $4.7 million)

Originations rebounding strongly

TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dealnet Capital Corp. ("Dealnet" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: DLS), reported today its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. All results are reported under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

Net income of $279 thousand in the first half of 2020, an increase of $1.5 million over the results from the same period in 2019. This is a remarkable performance given the current economic climate. Dealnets business is strengthening, supported by a foundation that combines a solid, multi-year plan with talented leaders and managers who are demonstrating an ability to execute this plan in the face of a challenging operating environment. The Company continues to be in a strong position and well positioned to take further strategic actions as it executes on its growth strategy.

One Contact and EcoHome Financial Successfully Managing Through COVID-19

One Contact (OCI) delivered a profit of $432 thousand for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 35% over the same period last year, despite significant volume declines at two of its customers and operational challenges related to COVID-19. Many of our call centre competitors have not been as successful in managing through the pandemic, and we would like to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of our OCI teams in Ontario and Nevada.

Story continues

As COVID-19 hit in mid-March of 2020, we anticipated that there would be a sharp decline in loan originations for EcoHome Financial, due to the temporary closure of our dealers. We are pleased to report not only that originations did not decline as much as we had feared in second quarter 2020, but that they have started to rebound strongly as our dealers re-open.

During the second quarter, interest income stayed constant at $4.7 million and was not negatively affected by COVID-19, due to the high-quality portfolio of long-term loans and leases. In fact, delinquent accounts in the portfolio as of June 30, 2020 were down by 8% from levels seen at March 31, 2020, thanks to the efforts of our very effective collections group. Given that possible impacts from COVID-19 on the economy will take time to fully emerge, these indicators will continue to be monitored very closely as we go forward, but to see these trends at this stage is very encouraging. In the second quarter, Dealnet increased our balance sheet provision for credit losses:

Q2 2020 Q1 2020 Q4 2019 Allowance for credit losses ($) 2.75M 2.28M 2.15M Allowance for credit losses/gross finance receivables (%) 1.34% 1.09% 1.05%

Further Reduction in Corporate Overheads

In second quarter overhead costs were further reduced to less than $1 million per month. This reduction was supported by a successful move to a new head office location that fully meets our needs with 25% less space.

Throughout this unique time, the safety of our employees has continued to be a priority. I am proud of how the entire Dealnet team has continued to be highly productive and motivated despite the pandemic, said Brent Houlden, CEO of Dealnet. We have demonstrated that we can deliver solid and profitable results in the face of a wide range of challenges. Our financial position continues to be strong and we have the requisite funding and liquidity in place necessary to continue executing on our plans. For the balance of the year we will continue to position Dealnet to create sustainable value for shareholders by driving compounding profitable growth.

Second Quarter and First Half 2020 Financial Highlights

Originations and Fee Revenue

Through the first half of 2020, organic originations were $20.5 million, a 19.3% decrease compared to $25.4 million in the first half of the prior year. COVID-19 significantly restricted the business activities of our dealer partners during the second quarter, which negatively impacted originations. Despite the decrease in originations in the second quarter, net fee and ancillary revenue increased 5% to $195 thousand in the second quarter from $185 thousand in the first quarter of 2020, due to strict discipline in managing direct costs and maximizing fee income on portfolio management activities.

Net Interest Margin

Net interest margin remained consistent at $2.2 million from the first quarter to second quarter of 2020, an increase of 22% compared to the second quarter of 2019.

An image accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d984849c-ad19-4723-9b90-ad0a1aa1b4b7

Portfolio Performance

Overall delinquency rates as a percentage of the portfolio decreased to 5.1% as at June 30, 2020, from a rate of 5.5% in the prior quarter. To date, the impact of COVID-19 on portfolio performance has been limited, with less than 100 requests for payment deferrals on a total portfolio in excess of 39,000 accounts.

Provision for credit losses was $0.63 million in the second quarter of 2020 ($0.06 million in second quarter 2019). The increased credit loss provision was driven by the change in the aging profile of the portfolio, and adjustments to both the macro economic forecasts and probabilities used in our stress testing to reflect a more challenging near term future operating environment given the impact of COVID-19.

Call Centre Performance

Call Centre segment profitability increased 35% ($432 thousand in the second quarter of 2020, from $319 thousand in the same quarter of prior year). One Contact has received significant client accolades due to the high service levels it has continued to provide its clients throughout COVID-19. Receivables related to the business are current with no uncollectible accounts.

Operating Expenses

Second quarter 2020 expenses decreased further, reflecting the targeted cuts made at the end of first quarter 2020 due to uncertainty from COVID-19 and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy amounts received during the quarter.

Key Performance Indicators

The following table summarizes some of the Key Performance Indicators that the Company uses to measure the achievement of its business plan objectives:

Q2 2020 Q1 2020 Q2 2019 Finance Receivables $202.5M $206.5M $188.7M Organic Originations $6.4M $14.2M $12.9M Average Yield on Earning Assets1 9.2 % 9.0 % 9.1 % Weighted Average Interest Expense1 4.8 % 4.7 % 5.2 % Net interest margin1 4.4 % 4.3 % 3.9 % Call Centre Gross Margin 37 % 37 % 36 % Tangible Leverage1 5.8 6.0 5.5 Tangible Net Worth1 $34.0M $33.4M $33.8M Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations $165K $114K $(593K) Direct Operating Expense Ratio1 3.9 % 5.3 % 6.8 %

1This is a non-GAAP measurement. Refer to Non-GAAP Measures on page 26 of the second quarter 2020 managements discussion and analysis for the definition of this measurement.

The Company will rely on the relief granted by the Ontario Securities Commission under Ontario Instrument 51-504  Temporary Exemptions from Certain Requirements to File or Send Securityholder Materials (and similar orders published by other provincial regulators) in respect of the filing of its executive compensation disclosure for fiscal 2019, which the Company intends to include in the information circular for its 2020 annual meeting. The relief provides an extension for executive compensation disclosure normally required to be filed within 180 days of a reporting issuers financial year-end.

The financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for the second quarter of 2020 have been filed on SEDAR. The Company has also posted a slide deck with audio commentary summarizing the financial results. All materials are available on Dealnet's corporate website at www.dealnetcapital.com.

About Dealnet Capital Corp.

Dealnet is the parent company of subsidiaries operating in two market segments, consumer finance and call centre. The Company operates in the consumer finance segment in Canada through EcoHome Financial Inc. (EcoHome) and its call centre segment under the One Contact banner (One Contact).

EcoHome is a specialty finance company serving the $20 billion Canadian home improvement finance market. EcoHome develops and supports consumer sales financing programs for approved dealers and distributors under agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that supply a wide range of home improvement products to the retail market. Through a dealer network, EcoHome underwrites, originates, funds and services the prime quality loans and leases that homeowners need to finance the acquisition and installation of capital assets that improve the quality, comfort and safety of their homes.

One Contact offers customer support services to both EcoHome and third-party institutions across Canada and the U.S.

For additional information please visit www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks, including the effects of Covid-19, and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Companys Managements Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Contact Information

Brent Houlden Michael Koshan Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (905) 695-8557 ext.1145 (905) 695-8557 ext. 1113 bhoulden@dealnetcapital.com mkoshan@dealnetcapital.com




Responding with a scathing counter-attack to the charges levelled against his government by BJP leaders, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said he will not let his government fall at any cost.

"Try hard as your leaders may, I will not, at any cost, let this government fall. You [BJP are flustered] that we have resolved our differences and are standing united today. Your dreams of toppling this government, I'll never allow to be realised," Gehlot said in the Assembly during the debate on the trust motion, which the Congress won by a huge margin through voice vote.

Gehlot accused the BJP of trying to replicate what it allegedly did in Madhya Pradesh.

"But at what cost? You [BJP] toppled the government in Madhya Pradesh. And in the middle of the outbreak of the pandemic, the new chief minister took oath. People were taking out political rallies. And coronavirus, as expected, went out of the state's control. The BJP wanted to do something similar in Rajasthan," he claimed.

Echoing statements made by Sachin Pilot in the Assembly earlier in the day, Gehlot told BJP leaders that they should not interfere in the affairs of another party.

"I'm 69 years old. I have been doing politics for the last 50 years. I have been a Union Cabinet minister thrice, I have been PCC chief thrice, three times I have served as the general secretary of the AICC. And it is for the third time that I have become chief minister of the state. And I am worried today. And not just I, many of you must also be worried," Gehlot said about the state of democracy in the country.

"The statement made by Kailash Meghwal [the MLA, senior BJP leader and former Speaker of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly had on Thursday termed the alleged attempts to topple Rajasthan government as unfortunate] was welcomed by everybody. Attempts were made to topple Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's government when he was away in the US to seek treatment. I [as PCC chief] went to the President and told him I will not be a party to this," Gehlot said recounting an incident during the tenure of BJP leader and the then Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

"I was the person, when Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's BJP was reduced to 32, and I had brought up Congress to 156, went first to Shekhawatji's house to seek his blessings. My entire cabinet was with me. I told him three things," said Gehlot. "You should take rest, your security cover will not be reduced and if ever, since you already have health issues, you feel any unease, let me know, I'll ensure you get the best of medical treatment. We used to sit and chat with each other over tea. Such were the relations between leaders of ideologically opposed parties in Rajasthan once."

Gehlot also commented on the controversy after Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra refused to grant permission to convene the Assembly after the state cabinet forwarded him such a proposal.

"When a state cabinet wishes to have an Assembly session, all that is required is a simple cabinet approval. The approval in a file goes to the Governor's office and comes out with his approval. The Governor has no other right," said Gehlot. "But what the Governor did in our case, whether it was due to the pressure exerted by your party on him, he, who commanded respect across party lines, did not do the right thing. Hundreds of editorials were written against him, why?"

Gehlot also castigated BJP leaders for making adverse comments on the fight of the state government against coronavirus.

"I'm particularly disappointed over the comments made by you on the subject of our fight against the novel coronavirus. You should have at least listened to the Prime Minister who himself praised Rajasthan's work in this field. We did not go around promoting our 'Bhilwara model', it gained national recognition on its own," said Gehlot.
Cuba Gooding Jr. seemed like he was in a fine mood when he and girlfriend Claudine De Mato enjoyed date night in The Hamptons just hours after he appeared in New York City court.

The 52-year-old actor was dressed for a comfortable evening in the upscale enclave of Sag Harbor, strolling into a restaurant wearing a casual pair of Carhartt overalls with a crisp shirt below.

That morning, the Oscar-winner was in front of a NYC judge for a pre-trial hearing as part of his ongoing groping case.

Easy-going: Cuba Gooding Jr. didn't seem worried about his ongoing sexual abuse case, seen relaxing in The Hamptons just hours after appearing in NYC court on Thursday

Gooding Jr is facing six groping charges over three alleged incidents which occurred in 2018 and 2019.

One of the women alleged Gooding pinched her buttocks. Another said he squeezed her breast at the Magic Hour rooftop in New York City in June last year.

During the Thursday hearing, his attorneys alleged police misconduct and tried again to paint him as a victim of malicious prosecution.

They also argued that they should be able to cross-examine one of his groping accusers about her history as a victim of sexual abuse, the fact that she complained online about having small breasts and that she said she 'prefers' threesomes to monogamous relationships once the case goes to trial later this year.

Summer style: The 52-year-old actor was dressed for a comfortable evening, strolling into a restaurant wearing a casual pair of Carhartt overalls with a crisp shirt below

In court: Gooding Jr is facing six groping charges over three alleged incidents which occurred in 2018 and 2019

Allegations: One of the women alleged Gooding pinched her buttocks. Another said he squeezed her breast at the Magic Hour rooftop in New York City in June last year

Chit chat: Cuba talked to a maskless man during the outing

Gooding Jr's attorneys claimed that the woman speaks openly about the fact that she is self-conscious about her 'small breasts' online, and that it can cause her to 'misconstrue things.'

'I believe that her decade long physical and mental abuse by her famly sexual nature and mental is completely relevant to her credibility, to her pre-disposition, sensitivities, her mindset.

'It creates a foundation for who she is... she speaks about it in blog posts endlessly on the internet.

'It is part of who she is, it's sewn into her personality,' his attorney said, adding that the woman suffers from 'distortions'.

He also said it was relevant that she posted online about preferring threesomes to one-on-one sex, saying: 'This accuser speaks very publicly on her blog posts about her desire and interest and preference to be in menage a trois rather than monogamous relationships.

Request: At the court hearing his lawyers laid out their intention to quiz one of his accusers about her sexual history, including abuse, and the fact she was self-conscious about having small breasts

Represented by: Gooding Jr. sat at the defense table with his lawyer Marc Heller, during a hearing in his sexual misconduct case

Present: Cuba Gooding Jr. arrives in court in Manhattan on Thursday morning for a pre-trial hearing

'I find it relevant that in this case she represented to the police and DA's office that there were discussions of menage a trois.

'She's a psychology major - it's a psychological, personality decision. That is nothing to do with her sexual history. It's philosophical,' the actor's attorney said.

The judge disagreed and said it could be discussed only if the woman 'opens the door to it'.

Of her 'small breasts', the attorney argued: 'I believe it's very simple: one plus two equals three.

'She actually talks about the fact that she is self conscious about her breast size. She talks about how she is self conscious about hair style, she does talk specifically about her breasts.

'She actually, because of her own sensitivity sometimes, misconstrues what other people are saying to her because of her own self-esteem issues. She openly talks about it in her blogs,' he said.

Gooding Jr. had been scheduled to go on trial in April, but that was postponed as coronavirus cases surged in New York and the state shut down most court matters.

Unfair: The 52-year-ld actor denies all of the allegations and says he is the victim of malicious prosecution

Hiya: Gooding Jr. waved at photographers who had gathered at the court before his arrival

Now that the number of new positive cases and hospital admissions are down in New York, courts are starting to reopen.

No new trial date for Gooding has been set.

On Thursday, Gooding Jr.'s lawyers also argued that detectives acted inappropriately when they started their investigation. Among their complaints was that one sergeant wrote a 'separate' police report about one of the incidents which they said was 'out of character'.

They claim authorities refused to interview 'witnesses' that they told them to speak to after one of the alleged incidents.

Prosecutors argued that their evidence - which includes screenshots and affidavits - is solid.

The case began last year after he was reported to police for allegedly groping a woman at Magic Hour Rooftop in Manhattan.

Exit: Gooding Jr. and his attorney, Mark Heller, leave Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday

Showing up: Gooding Jr. is seen arriving at court for a hearing in his case of sexual abuse, in New York on Thursday

After her case took off, prosecutors piled more charges on top including one involving him allegedly groping a woman in Tao in New York in October 2018.

A third set involves an incident in New York City in September 2018.

Heller has tried repeatedly to have the case thrown out. He claims Gooding Jr. is the victim of a malicious prosecution that should never have been launched.

The women involved in the incidents in the criminal case have not been named, nor have the women cited by prosecutors.

A handful who have spoken out in media reports to air their allegations, including a hairdresser from Spokane, Washington, have agreed to be named.
Musgrave Group has opened a 1.7m cash-and-carry shop for Limerick under its fast-growing Food Emporium label.

The branch on Clare Street is the tenth Food Emporium outlet opened across the island, including three each in Dublin and Northern Ireland, by the group's Musgrave MarketPlace division.

The outlets are designed to offer more products and customer services than a typical food wholesaler, including 'click and collect' delivery of pre-ordered goods straight to the shopper's vehicle outside.

Musgrave MarketPlace managing director Michael McCormack said it has invested 12.6m at its 10 outlets over the past four years to "offer a first-class customer experience but also challenge the perception of the traditional cash-and-carry business".

He said the Limerick outlet's customers, which include local hotels, bars, restaurants, retailers and other small firms - would have more than 10,000 products to choose from, including an extended fresh produce aisle.

He said the store provides goods and services to meet tastes and demands "that were not present ten years ago". These include 'bespoke meat cutting', kitchen equipment, an in-house 'trends expert', classes for chefs and retailer workshops.

Aldi is also expanding, with a new 1,140-square-metre store in Belmullet, its fourth outlet in Co Mayo and 143rd nationwide.

The Belmullet branch features the wider aisles of Aldi's 'Project Fresh' design. Aldi says it's spending 60m revamping other stores' internal layout along these lines.

"The spacious design means it is easier for customers to pick up what they need," said store manager Colin Cronin.

The Belmullet outlet has a staff of 16, including 11 recruited from the town.

Aldi says it's spent 37m on Mayo suppliers in the past 12 months.

These include Western Brand poultry in Ballyhaunis; Carr & Sons seafood in Killala; and UltraPure skincare, O'Haras bakery and CPAC Foods, all based in Foxford.

The German discount grocer has plans to build 19 more Irish stores.

Both Musgrave and Aldi touted the green credentials of their new shopping facilities.

Musgrave said the Limerick cash-and-carry features low-power refrigeration units and LED lighting that would save the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of 60 homes.

Aldi said its store is entirely powered by electricity that is generated by wind-turbines.

It also planted 8,600 trees in a nearby site.
South Africa: Ndabeni-Abrahams meets Post Office, Postbank boards

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has implored the boards of the South African Post Office (SAPO) and Postbank to fast track the digitisation of banking services to make them more efficient.

This comes after the Minister, during meetings with the entities in the past two weeks, raised concerns about the handling of the COVID-19 Special Social Relief of Distress Grant distribution.

The Ministers concerns included pay points running out of cash on payment dates, said the Ministry in a statement.

The meeting with SAPO was held last week, while the one with Postbank was held on Thursday. As advised by the department, the Minister, together with senior officials from the department, held a special general meeting to discuss a raft of issues.

These ranged from the distribution of the Special Social Relief of Distress Grant for COVID-19 of R350, to the status of disciplinary processes of senior executives currently on suspension.

The Minister and the boards also discussed the Service Level Agreements between SAPO and Postbank; SASSA card fraud at SAPO and Postbank; and the digitisation of banking services to be more efficient

In April, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined additional Coronavirus economic and social relief measures, amongst them the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for unemployed South African citizens not receiving any form of social grant.

Said the Ministry: Following the announcement by the President, the board members of SAPO and Postbank made a commitment to Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams to work together in ensuring the successful payments of the Special Social Relief of Distress grants.

Regarding the fast-tracking of the digitisation of banking services, the Postbank board explained that there has been significant decline in card fraud on SASSA cards.

While this reduction is commendable, Minister Ndabeni has stressed the importance of being vigilant in fighting fraud, read the statement.

Board members from the Post Office and Postbank undertook to resolve all the concerns raised by the Minister as a matter of urgency.

Ndabeni-Abrahams is scheduled to meet with Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, next week.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Paramount Chief of the Sefwi- Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has advised contractors working on the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) Foundation projects, to desist from doing shoddy works.



He said the projects were special and important and must, therefore, stand the test of time for generations unborn to see.



The Paramount Chief also charged stakeholders and consultants to effectively monitor the projects and ensure that they were completed on schedule.



Ogyeahoho Gyebi II, who is also the President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and a board member of GNPC made the call when together with the Executive Director of GNPC Foundation, Dr Dominic Eduah and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Mr Alfred Amoah inspected the progress of work on some projects being funded by the Foundation in the Municipality.



Some of the projects inspected include the ongoing mechanized borehole at Pataboso, 12- seater pour-flush toilet at Sefwi Tanoso, construction of a two-story building for Bibiani Nursing Training School

College at Bibiani Kwamekrom, 20-seater toilet facility at Bibiani Market, and an ultra-modern Science Laboratory and Six unit classroom block at Bibiani Senior Technical School (BSTS).



The rest are a six-unit classroom block at Queens Senior High School at Sefwi Anhwaiso and a 20-seater toilet facility at Sefwi Anhwiaso.



Dr Eduah expressed satisfaction of work done so far and indicated that the core mandate of the Foundation was to impact on the lives of the ordinary Ghanaians through community and social intervention programmes.



He explained that the objective behind the visit was to inspect the various projects in the Municipality to ascertain their current stages and find out challenges facing the contractors.



"The tour forms part of GNPC Foundation periodic move to have a first-hand information and also to access the performance of the contractors on our projects sites" he added.



The MCE said many of the projects were at the completion stages, some at roofing level, others were almost ready for commissioning and handing over to the various communities for use.,



Mr Amoah particularly mentioned the 20-seater pour-flush toilet at Bibiani Market, an ultra-modern Science Laboratory at Bibiani Senior Technical School (BSTS) and Six unit classroom block at Queen Senior High School which would soon be commissioned.



He commended President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, and the Executive Director, Dr Eduah for the numerous development projects in the Municipality.



Mr Amoah was grateful to have benefited from the numerous projects from the Foundation and assured the team of regular monitoring to ensure Quality work.

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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The U.S. Postal Service announced that it plans to remove high-volume mail-processing machines in hundreds of locations sparking fears that it could reduce the ability to process mail during the elections.

Look at it this way: Your local grocery store was forced to cut [a third] of its cash-out lines, but management expected the same productivity, quality and speed for the customer, said a worker at the Buffalo, Iowa USPS distribution facility in an interview with Vice. Its just never going to happen.

President Donald J. Trump has vocally attacked voting by mail in recent weeks, claiming that the practice leads to mass fraud. He also openly stated on Thursday that hes starving the USPS of money to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots, which he worries could cost him the election.

USPS operates 671 machines used to organize mail which is to be reduced in dozens of cities over the coming months, according to CNN. The agency started removing machines in June, according to postal workers.

Im not sure youre going to find an answer for why [the machines being removed] makes sense, said Iowa Postal Workers Union President Kimberly Karol in an interview with Vice. Because we havent figured that out either.

Newly appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been a major donor to the president before taking over the sprawling mail service, said that the postal service has ample capacity to handle the predicted surge in mail-in ballots in the coming months.

This organizational change will capture operating efficiencies by providing clarity and economies of scale that will allow us to reduce our cost base and capture new revenue, said DeJoy on Aug. 7. It is crucial that we do what is within our control to help us successfully complete our mission to serve the American people and, through the universal service obligation, bind our nation together by maintaining and operating our unique, vital and resilient infrastructure.

A plan implemented on July 10, by DeJoy to cut costs, eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and says employees must adopt a different mindset to ensure the Postal Services survival during the coronavirus pandemic.

One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that, temporarily, we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks, states a document for USPS employees obtained by the Associated Press.

In Oregon, mail boxes have been removed from cities in recent days, alarming citizens. A Postal Service spokesperson said declining mail volume was the reason for the removals, but some Oregon residents remained concerned that the move was part of a strategy to remove access to mail.

In a memo titled PMG Expectations and Plan,' the agency said the changes are aimed at making the USPS fundamentally solvent which we are not at this time.'

More:

USPS removes mailboxes in Portland and Eugene, cites declining mail volume

Donald Trump opposes added money for Postal Service, says USPS wont be able to handle mail-in ballots

Vote-by-mail concerns: Technical and logistical problems could make things messy in some states

Trump encourages voting by mail in Florida, says its safe and secure there
ABC News

In an effort to keep a newly-arrested member of the Oath Keepers militia group charged in last week's seditious conspiracy indictment behind bars -- the Justice Department in a new court filing Wednesday revealed even more details behind the group's alleged plotting in advance of the Jan. 6 insurrection. Prosecutors argue in the filing that Edward Vallejo, who will appear in federal court in Phoenix for his detention hearing Thursday, would present both a threat to the safety of the general public and a risk of obstruction of justice if released pending further legal proceedings in his case. Vallejo is not alleged to have joined the Oath Keepers at the Capitol on Jan. 6 -- he instead is accused of waiting with a so-called 'Quick Reaction Force' of heavily armed individuals at a hotel in Virginia just outside the city, waiting to be activated once the militia's members in D.C. called for help.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, communications and data networking products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, named Tom Twitty as District Vice President-Business for the company's Phoenix and California Districts, effective August 24, 2020.

Tom replaces Rich Birkett who recently retired from Graybar after 40 years with the company. Tom most recently served as senior vice president of supply chain and operational excellence for H.D. Smith, an AmerisourceBergen company.

In his role, Tom will focus on enhancing business performance and expanding Graybar's service capabilities in a multi-state territory that includes California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and parts of Texas and Wyoming. He will work closely with District Vice President-Sales, Jeff Wanner, to drive growth, achieve positive business results and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

"We thank Rich Birkett for his many contributions to Graybar and wish him all the best in retirement," said Graybar Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dennis DeSousa. "We are excited to welcome Tom Twitty to the Graybar team. Tom brings a strong track record of leadership and supply chain expertise to this new assignment, and we are confident that he will position Graybar for continued success in this region."

Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of 288 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR.

Media Contact:

Tim Sommer

(314) 578-7672

[email protected]

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Evangelicals, Democrats praise Trump's Israel-UAE deal: 'A peaceful Middle East is possible'

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The deal announced Thursday to normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that would see the suspension of Israels plans for annexation in the West Bank has received bipartisan praise as some see the agreement as a sign that a peaceful Middle East is possible.

The deal was facilitated by President Donald Trump, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will suspend plans to declare sovereignty over areas outlined in Trumps Middle East peace proposal earlier this year and expand ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.

With UAE being the first, both Netanyahu and Trump hinted in a news conference that more Arab countries could follow suit in normalizing relations with Israel, a Jewish-majority state that has faced much hostility in the Middle East.

Under the agreement, the two Middle East countries will establish full diplomatic relations. The UAE will join Egypt and Jordan to be the third Arab country to establish such ties with Israel.

According to a statement released by the State Department, delegations from Israel and the UAE will convene in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements relating to investment, tourism, direct airline flights, the establishment of embassies and several other issues.

While the deal has been condemned by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well as Muslim countries Iran and Turkey, the agreement received support from leading establishment Democrats, including presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Today, Israel and the United Arab Emirates have taken a historic step to bridge the deep divides of the Middle East, Biden said in a statement, claiming the agreement is in part thanks to the efforts of multiple administrations, including the Obama-Biden administration.

The UAEs offer to publicly recognize the State of Israel is a welcome, brave, and badly-needed act of statesmanship. And it is a critical recognition that Israel is a vibrant, integral part of the Middle East that is here to stay.

The agreement was also welcomed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., who said the deal is a mutually beneficial step that will strengthen both countries.

It will contribute toward stability in the region and advance the cause of peace, Engel, who is a Jewish believer, said in a statement. I hope that this new breakthrough will give courage to other countries to move forward toward normalization and motivate Palestinians to give peace a chance.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., called the deal a positive and important step.

It is critical that Israels right to exist is recognized by all [and] that Arab countries join in accepting Israels permanence, Hoyer wrote in a tweet.

The agreement was also celebrated by prominent figures within Trumps evangelical conservative voting base.

Evangelicals are elated. For years, our community has worked and prayed for peace between the United Arab Emirates, its neighbors and Israel, the Rev. Johnnie Moore, an evangelical communications executive who serves on the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, told The Christian Post.

Moore, who met with the Abu Dhabi crown prince along with other evangelical leaders in 2018, called the deal a once-in-a-generation diplomatic achievement that will likely not be the last.

We understand that peace is a process that has to have a beginning. But this is far beyond just a beginning. Baked into a deal like this one are the mechanisms to make peace really possible, he said. It isn't a deal fixated on the problems to solve, but on the opportunities to be shared.

Toufic Baaklini, president of In Defense of Christians, a nonprofit advocacy group devoted to the preservation and protection of Christians in the Middle East, said he is pleased to hear that Israel is suspending plans to annex new areas of the West Bank.

In a statement, he noted that the historic Christian communities in the Holy Land had voiced their concerns about Israels plans to declare sovereignty.

We encourage all parties to Middle East Peace Talks to continue to consult with the historic Christian communities of the Holy Land in these negotiations, Baaklini said. This is a victory for Christians, Jews, and Muslims as followers of the great Abrahamic religions. IDC hopes that this is a positive step toward establishing a fair and lasting peace among all Middle Eastern nations.

Michael Youssef, the Egyptian-born founder of Leading The Way television ministry, praised the diplomatic skills of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Many, like myself, are old enough to remember Egyptian President Anwar El Sadats courageous trip to Israel in November 1977 which brought about peace between Egypt and Israel, Youssef said in a statement. Similarly, this agreement will go down in history as one of those history-altering events.

Yael Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews who lives in Israel, described the deal as giving "much-needed hope to Israel and her people, and to the entire region."

"Today, the land where I raise my children and teach them about Gods promises to protect us has seen those promises fulfilled once again," she said in a statement. "This is a leap forward for Israel, for the UAE, and for all those who have faith that peace is possible."

Pastor Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor of the multi-site Free Chapel in Georgia, said in a statement shared with CP that the UAE-Israel agreement is exhibit A that a peaceful Middle East is indeed possible.

This historic diplomatic agreement between the UAE and Israel is an absolutely incredible achievement, Franklin contends. My congregation and I regularly pray for the peace of Jerusalem. God is answering our prayers, and the prayers of millions of others.

Reports last month had indicated that the Israeli government had already delayed its plans to begin declaring sovereignty over parts of the West Bank.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who became the first woman of Palestinian descent to be elected to Congress in 2018, said that she will not celebrate Netanyahu for not stealing land he already controls in exchange for a sweetheart business deal.

The heart of the issue has never been planned, formal annexation, but ongoing, devastating apartheid, she argued on Twitter. This Trump/Netanyahu deal will not alleviate Palestinian suffering, it will further normalize it.

In the last few years, the UAE has undertaken efforts to promote solidarity and religious tolerance. The UAE celebrated 2019 as a "Year of Tolerance," and hosted a regional religious freedom summit as well as the first-ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula.

Last year, the UAE announced plans to build an interfaith complex called the Abrahamic Family House. The complex will house a church, synagogue and mosque on Saadiyat Island near Abu Dhabi.



The country has also committed to helping rebuild two churches that were destroyed by the Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq.
(Newser)  When a group of 13 arrived at a Louisiana Chili's last weekend to dine, the hostess explained that the restaurant's social distancing rules limit each table to six people. The group became agressive then, Kelsy Wallace said. She was trying to figure out where to put everyone when one of the diners picked up a "wet floor" sign and struck the 17-year-old in the face. On Thursday, Baton Rouge police arrested three women on battery charges, the Advocate reports. "They all attacked me," Wallace said, per People. "I was kind of fighting for my life." Wallace, who was hospitalized, said that she received five stiches over her eye and that some of her hair was pulled out. Chili's said it's working with police to identify the attackers, adding, "They definitely deserve to be in jail for what they did."

story continues below

"I was really scared, calling out for my mama," Wallace said. After this, she's through with the job. "It really has taken an emotional toll on menot just physically, but emotionally as well," she said. Her aunt said Wallace, a senior in high school, has been subjected to cyberbullying since the attack. "She was very scared and embarrassed about what happened," Lorraine Williams said. "She is struggling. Her world turned upside down very quickly." Wallace is now seeing a behavioral therapist, per NBC. "She has a lot of nightmares and fears," Williams said. "She doesn't like to be alone." (McDonald's employees reported being attacked for enforcing mask rules during the pandemic.)
NEW YORK  Joe Biden is poised to unveil his vision for the modern Democratic Party in the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era, an all-virtual affair that will test the former vice presidents ability to overcome unprecedented logistical challenges in an urgent mission to energize a winning coalition.

The Democratic National Convention, which formally begins Monday, is not a convention in the traditional sense. There will be no physical gathering place, no cheering audience, no balloons. The program will consist instead of a series of online video addresses  half of which will be prerecorded  that play out for two hours each night until Biden formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination in a mostly empty Delaware ballroom on Thursday.

Along the way, Bidens party will make history by unveiling the nations first Black vice presidential nominee, Kamala Harris. The speaking program also features two former presidents, two past presidential nominees, a former Republican governor, a New York ultra-billionaire and various working-class Americans.

Nothing about 2020 has been normal. So I dont think anyone expected that this convention would be normal either, said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was under consideration to serve as Bidens running mate and will speak at the convention. I hope wherever people are that theyre excited about the moment and the opportunity that lies before us.

The online gathering comes as Democratic officials work to energize supporters behind Bidens candidacy  not simply against President Donald Trumps. While Trump is a huge motivator for many Democrats, there is some concern within the party that lower-information voters who lean Democrat and swing voters arent locks to cast ballots for Biden this fall, especially as the pandemic creates barriers to voting.

At the same time, Trump and his allies are fighting to scare away would-be Biden-Harris backers by describing the Democrats 2020 ticket as the most ideologically extreme in American history. While widely considered a political moderate  at least compared with the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren  Biden has plans to implement a Medicare-like system for those who want it, sweeping environmental protections and higher taxes on the rich.

Still, Biden attracted the support of former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, who is scheduled to speak Monday. The Biden campaign hinted that Kasich would not be the only high-profile Republican featured at the convention, but refused to say more.

The inclusion of Kasich, who opposed abortion rights and fought labor unions while in office, rankled some progressives. One of the far lefts champions, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is scheduled to speak for just 60 seconds to help introduce Sanders the day after Kasich. Prominent liberal activist Ady Barkan, who previously backed Sanders, is scheduled to deliver remarks the next day.

Im glad that John and other moderate-type Republicans understand that it is wrong to be supporting Trump, Sanders told The Associated Press. But what John says has nothing to do with what I will say. My speech has everything to do with the need to defeat Trump, elect Biden and move the country into a government that works for all of us and not just the 1%.

There appears to be far less tension among the Democrats often-competing factions heading into the 2020 convention than many predicted earlier in the year. Just six months ago, political operatives were openly contemplating the prospect of a contested convention in which none of the Democratic candidates had a clear delegate majority going into the convention.

That possibility quickly faded in early March. After Bidens commanding South Carolina primary victory, several competitors suddenly rallied behind him as the pandemic began to explode.

Even if there was leftover resentment among wings of the party, the conventions online forum doesnt provide any opportunities for public infighting. Key votes on the party platform already will have taken place by mail ballot. The details, which are expected to be approved overwhelmingly, were hammered out in Zoom meetings.

Progressives got their say when they extended party rules through 2024 that ban superdelegates from voting for the partys presidential nominee on the first nominating ballot.

But without the opportunity for the approximately 4,800 Democratic delegates from across the country to gather on the same convention hall floor, as is tradition, the opportunity for a genuine convention debate over the direction of the party has been eliminated.

Larry Cohen, a prominent Rules Committee member and Sanders confidant, lamented the loss of an in-person convention, but not because it limits debate.

The key of a convention, really, is the party building that comes with 57 different delegations, he said, noting the in-person daily meetings that would occur in hotels across a host city. You shape the party in those breakfast meetings, where you argue over what it means to be a Democrat in Wyoming, what does it mean in Georgia.

The Biden campaign on Friday announced watch parties in all 50 states featuring elected officials and celebrities such as Alyssa Milano, Pete Buttigieg and Valerie Jarrett. The watch parties, like the convention itself, will be online.

With less focus on policy debates, convention officials are highlighting the historic racial diversity on the ticket as the nation experiences a national awakening on race. Harris, who is also of Asian descent, is scheduled to address the nation Wednesday night as the first woman of color on a major partys presidential ticket.

The high-profile Black speakers also on the program include former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Bottoms, who will introduce a video tribute to the late Georgia congressman John Lewis on Thursday night, ahead of Bidens speech.

For so many people of color in this country, race is always at the forefront, Bottoms said. To be able to have this collective conversation in so many ways is cathartic, especially as were going into an election year, because there wont be any secrets about what people across this country expect from the next administration.

Despite the focus on racial justice, the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist, predicted next weeks convention would lack excitement. He said it likely doesnt matter, however, especially as Trump and his party prepare for their convention the following week.

As excited as I am about Kamala Harris, the best weapon Democrats have is Donald Trump, Sharpton said. He will do himself in. Just dont get in his way. He will beat himself.

___

Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington, Del., contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to speak the day after Kasich, not the same day.
Obadiah Mailafia, a former deputy governor of the CBN who currently holds an office in the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategy Studies, Kuru, Jos, is all thumbs now as he struggles to save his face from disgrace.

He made a claim during the week, on a popular radio station in Abuja where he fingered a northern governor and President Muhammadu Buhari as part and parcel of Boko Haram and banditry in Nigeria.

Mailafia made more claims about terrorists wiping off rural Nigerians and starting a civil war in 2022. And he added he got his intel from his own security network and former Boko Haram terrorists.

It turns out its all a liedespite swearing he was ready to die in defending his statements.

In an interview with BBC Hausa on Thursday, Mailafia, a failed presidential candidate in the 2019 election, revealed he got the information from some Fulani traders in the market, adding he never knew his comments would go viral.

It took Mailafia a number of denials before he owned up to his fake news and conspiracy theories.

The DSS office in Jos invited him for interrogation on Thursday. While he told the agents different stories during the investigation, he came out gain to address a crowd of journalists and rights activists to say something else.

It is even more condemnable that Mailafiya, who had profusely apologized during his visit to the Services Plateau State Command for his ignoble statement, would, afterwards, announce to the world that he stood by his misguided eruption, an official statement from the DSS said Friday morning.

And by Thursday evening, on the BC Hausa service, Mailafia again did a second-guessing. He said he explained to the DSS what he knew about the incident and apologised for any statements he made that offended others.

He added that hes a fan of Buharis.

This recanting wouldnt go down well with media activists and lawyers, including the Media Rights Agenda, SAN Femi Falana, the PDP, and other who had risen up in defence of Mailafia when the DSS invited him, and when a N5-million hate-speech fie was slammed on the radio station.
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Linkedin Musthofid (The Jakarta Post) Depok, West Java  Fri, August 14 2020

The celebrations of Indonesia's Independence Day this year may be void of open-air cheerfulness, but the festivities should nevertheless continue to serve as a reminder about the need to foster kinship and a spirit of patriotism, state defense experts say.

A group of youths at a residential complex in Depok, West Java, went door to door to raise funds for the organization of an anniversary celebration.

They had on them a bunch of documents describing the planned event, including background information on its organization and budgeting and a list of planned activities.

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A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. This week the Not Real News focuses on false news that spread about Sen. Kamala Harris after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced Tuesday she would be his running mate. Here are the facts:

____

CLAIM: Harris is not eligible to serve as president because her parents were immigrants. If Biden is unable to serve a full term as president, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi would be next in line to become president.

THE FACTS: Harris is a natural-born U.S. citizen who is eligible to serve as president. Facebook users are spreading a false claim that that if Biden were elected president this fall and then became unable to serve out a full term, Harris would be skipped over to serve as his successor. Instead, the inaccurate claims say, Pelosi would be next in line to become president. Harris, 55, was born on Oct. 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, making her a natural-born U.S. citizen. Her father, an economist from Jamaica, and her mother, a cancer researcher from India, met at the University of California, Berkeley as graduate students. Since Harris was born in the U.S., she is regarded as a natural born citizen under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, and she is eligible to serve as either the vice-president or president, Loyola Law School Professor Jessica Levinson told The Associated Press on Thursday. Full stop, end of story, period, exclamation point, Levinson said.

____

CLAIM: Harris called Biden a racist when they were facing off as potential Democratic candidates for president in 2019.

THE FACTS: Harris criticized Biden on certain topics related to race during a debate in June 2019, but she prefaced those remarks with, I do not believe you are a racist. In the moments after Biden announced he had selected Harris as his running mate, social media users seized on a heated exchange between the two politicians during a debate in Miami in June 2019. So @JoeBiden just picked @KamalaHarris for his VP... She literally called him a racist! #wakeupamerica, wrote one conservative personality in a tweet retweeted nearly 3,000 times in an hour. Similar claims were made by prominent political figures including Katrina Pierson, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, in her response to Bidens running mate pick. These claims are false. Though during the debate, Harris did condemn Biden for working with segregationists in the Senate and for opposing aspects of mandatory busing for school desegregation.

____

CLAIM: Harris identified herself as Indian American when she was sworn into Congress, and now says shes Black.

THE FACTS: Harris for years has identified herself as both Black and Indian American. In interviews, she has regularly talked about how her mother, who was from India, raised her as Black. Social media users are falsely suggesting that Harris only recently began identifying as Black. The posts falsely claim that in 2017, when she was sworn into the U.S. Senate, she only identified as Indian American. In 2016, when Harris was elected to the Senate, The Associated Press reported, Harris will enter the chamber as the first Indian woman elected to a Senate seat and the second black woman, following Carol Moseley Braun, who served a single term after being elected in 1992. In a 2016 interview with The New York Times, ahead of her Senate election, Harris talked about how her mother raised both her and her sister in a Black neighbourhood in Berkeley, California: She had two black babies, and she raised them to be two black women, Harris said. Harris also attended a historically Black college, Howard University, telling her alma maters magazine in 2016 that her time on the campus was formative to her development as a Black woman.

____

CLAIM: Harris supposedly said once President Trump is no longer in office and we have regained our rightful place in the White House, his supporters will feel the vengeance of a nation.

THE FACTS: This fabricated quote originated in a satirical article. There is no evidence Harris ever said this, but social media users periodically share posts claiming she did. And once Trumps gone and we have regained our rightful place in the White House, look out if you supported him and endorsed his actions, because well be coming for you next, says text written over a photo of Harris. You will feel the vengeance of a nation. No stone will be left unturned as we seek you out in every corner of this great nation. For it is you who have betrayed us. One post, which was viewed more than 105,000 times in 24 hours on Facebook, attributes the quote to Harris on June 18. Yes, she really said this, it adds for emphasis. But the quote first appeared online far before June 2020. It was included in a satirical Bustatroll.org article in August 2019. Though Harris has been vocal in her criticism of Trump, an online search for the words in the post returned no evidence she had ever said them. Chris Harris, the senators communications director, also confirmed the quote is not real.

____

CLAIM: Harris was Alameda County district attorney when 22-year-old Oscar Grant was fatally shot by police on an Oakland, California, train platform.

THE FACTS: The Associated Press reported at the time of the 2009 shooting that the Alameda County district attorney was Tom Orloff, not Harris. But posts on Facebook and Twitter falsely suggest Harris was overseeing prosecutions in Alameda County when Grant, a 22-year-old black man, was fatally shot by a white Bay Area Rapid Transit officer on a train platform on New Years Day in 2009. Grant and other train passengers were taken off the train after police received reports of fighting as passengers were heading home from New Years Eve celebrations. The AP reported in 2009 that Orloffs office investigated the incident and filed a murder charge against the officer, Johannes Mehserle. Nancy OMalley was appointed to serve as district attorney following Orloffs retirement. During her time as district attorney, she oversaw Mehserles murder trial and later his conviction for involuntary manslaughter. According to the State of California Department of Justice website, Harris worked in the Alameda County District Attorneys office from 1990 to 1998, more than a decade before Grants fatal shooting. She joined the office after graduating from University of California, Hastings College of the Law and prosecuted child sexual assault cases. She served as deputy district attorney in Alameda County before leaving to work in the San Francisco District Attorneys Office. Harris served as attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. Grants death, which sparked massive protests, was one of the first police shootings captured on video by bystanders.

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CLAIM: CNN confirmed Biden plans to step aside after winning the 2020 election, making Harris president.

THE FACTS: CNN made no such confirmation. There is no evidence of any plan for Biden to step down during his presidency. A column published Wednesday by CNN editor-at-large Chris Cillizza is being spun into a false narrative that Biden chose Harris as his running mate not for her vice-presidential qualifications, but so he could step down immediately upon becoming president. BOMBSHELL! read a headline by the Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. CNN CONFIRMS BIDEN PLANNING TO STEP ASIDE AFTER ELECTION, INSTALLING HARRIS. A screenshot of the article circulating on Instagram was viewed nearly 15,000 times, and several other right-wing sites published unsubstantiated claims about a grand plan to install Harris as president as soon as January 2021. Cillizzas column suggested several reasons why Biden may have chosen Harris as his vice-presidential nominee, from her experience in government to her ability to tap into the needs of a younger generation. It used the words step aside while referring to Biden and Harris, but in a different context. What Biden did is make the pick that maximized his chances of continuing to make the race a straight referendum on Trump while also selecting someone, in Harris, whose resume suggests will be ready to step in if and when Biden decides to step aside, Cillizza wrote. In the column, Cillizza pointed out Harriss experience running for president, serving as a senator, and holding the seat of California attorney general as potential reasons Biden may have chosen her. He did not confirm or suggest there is any plan for Biden to relinquish his seat if elected. As Bidens vice-presidential nominee, Harris would be next in the line of succession to serve as president if Biden won and one day became unable to serve. Cillizza did not respond to a request for comment.

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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries, state media said Friday.

But Kim, during a key ruling party meeting on Thursday, also insisted the North will keep its borders shut and rejected any outside help as the country carries out an aggressive anti-virus campaign and rebuilds thousands of houses, roads and bridges damaged by heavy rain and floods in recent weeks.

Pyongyangs official Korean Central News Agency also said Kim replaced Kim Jae Ryong as premier following an evaluation of the Cabinets economic performance and appointed Kim Tok Hun as his successor.

Entering the last year of an ambitious five-year national development plan, Kim Jong Un in December declared a frontal breakthrough against international sanctions while urging his nation to stay resilient in a struggle for economic self-reliance.

But experts say the COVID-19 crisis likely thwarted some of Kims major economic goals by forcing the country into a lockdown that shut the border with China  the Norths major ally and economic lifeline  and potentially hampered his ability to mobilize people for labor.

During Thursdays meeting, Kim said it was clear after three weeks of isolation measures and scientific verification that the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for cooperating with the lockdown, KCNA reported.

Kim said his country now faces a dual challenge of fending off COVID-19 amid a worsening global pandemic and repairing damage from torrential rain that lashed the country in past weeks.

KCNA said 39,296 hectares (97,100 acres) of crops were ruined nationwide and 16,680 homes and 630 public buildings destroyed or flooded. It said many roads, bridges and railway sections were damaged and a dam of an unspecified power station gave way. There was no mention of any information related to injuries or deaths.

Story continues

Kim expressed sympathy with people who were at temporary facilities after losing their houses to floods and called for swift recovery efforts so that none is homeless by the time the country celebrates the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers Partys founding on Oct. 10.

The situation, in which the spread of the worldwide malignant virus has become worse, requires us not to allow any outside aid for the flood damage but shut the border tighter and carry out strict anti-epidemic work, KCNA paraphrased Kim as saying.

Kims public rejection of international aid for flood recovery and his decision to release Kaesong from quarantine are negative indicators for inter-Korean cooperation as South Korea had hoped to restart diplomatic engagement by providing support in these areas, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

Cho Hey-sil, spokesperson of Seouls Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the South remains willing to provide humanitarian assistance to the North.

North Korea in past months has severed virtually all cooperation with the South amid a stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which faltered over disagreements in exchanging sanctions relief and disarmament steps.

The North in June blew up an inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, following months of frustration over Seouls unwillingness to defy U.S.-led sanctions over its nuclear weapons program and restart joint economic projects that would help the Norths broken economy.

The North Korean economy, while touting self-reliance, is increasingly dependent on China and will struggle to balance sanctions-busting efforts and COVID-19 prevention, Easley said. The job of North Koreas new premier will be to show the country has recovered from recent flooding and has upgraded public health facilities by the October party anniversary, he said.

In late July, Kim ordered a total lockdown of Kaesong and had the nation shift into a maximum emergency system after the North reported it found a person with COVID-19 symptoms.

The Norths state media said the suspected case was a North Korean who had earlier fled to the South before slipping back into Kaesong. But South Korean health authorities say the 24-year-old hadnt tested positive in South Korea and never had contact with any known virus carrier.

North Korea later said the persons test results were inconclusive and still maintains it is virus-free, a status widely doubted by outsiders. Some experts said the North was likely trying to shift the blame over a possible spread of the virus to South Korea.

In an email to The Associated Press last week, Dr. Edwin Salvador, the World Health Organizations representative to North Korea, said the North has told the U.N. agency it quarantined 64 first contacts of the suspected Kaesong case and 3,571 secondary contacts in state-run facilities for 40 days.

Since the end of December, North Korea has quarantined and released 25,905 people, 382 of them foreigners, Salvador said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - State Rep. Emilia Sykes, the leader of the Ohio House Democrats, has started a political action committee dedicated to galvanizing Black women voters and empowering Black women in office.

The We Belong Here PAC has launched a website, https://WeBelongHerePAC.com/, is preparing a paid digital ad campaign, will send direct mail pieces to thousands of Black suburban women voters and plans to talk with Black women -- often taken for granted, yet a consistent base for the Democratic Party -- in the weeks before Nov. 3.

Its set up as a leadership PAC, meaning it can coordinate with candidates on their campaigns, as opposed to super PACs.

These days, the media and politicians intensely discuss suburban women an important part of the electorate. And when people use that term, theyre usually referring to white suburban women. But Sykes, an Akron Democrat, said when she wants to visit her African American friends, she too heads out to the suburbs.

"Democrats have spent considerable time, energy and resources to talk to white suburban and blue collar white voters, but they have overlooked a significant group of voters who can make the difference between winning and losing in November: Black women and Black women suburban voters," she said.

Sykes said the PAC has identified Black women in Summit, Cuyahoga, Mahoning, Franklin and Hamilton counties to talk to about its efforts. It will identify more women in coming weeks, she said.

We are going to meet these Black suburban voters where they live, talk to them about the issues that matter and will motivate them to be registered and turn out to vote. Every election, we hear rhetoric about turning out the Black vote. Well, the time for talk is long past. We are going to take action because we care about Black voters, not just Black votes, Sykes said.

The effort will be focused in Ohio this year.

But Sykes has talked with women around the country in politics and in business about the general concept of We Belong Here, a term she coined after experiencing and watching other Black women experience incidents in which people questioned whether they should be in positions of power, because they dont look like the usual people in authority -- white men.

Sykes said shes been stopped and questioned by Ohio Capitol Square security -- even though she has proper credentials because shes a lawmaker. Once her badge was inspected.

She said shes started meetings with lobbyists and constituents, who have asked her to wait for the representative to arrive to begin the meeting -- not realizing she was the person in charge.

Sykes said she doesnt want politics or business cultures to be so toxic that Black women leave.

The PAC, as well as the social media #WeBelongHere campaign, is part of her effort to support Black women leadership, she said.

Women can connect and support one another, and find sisterhood and remain in these positions, she said. And they dont have to take these hits without knowing theres someone to help build them back up. Also, this is a way that Black women, who electorally are often the base of the Democratic Party, are valued and appreciated.

Other coverage:

Black women lawmakers say they get stopped, questioned by security

Highway Patrol clears itself of bias in Rep. Emilia Sykes investigation

Soon-to-be-hired HR pro to handle racism, sexual harassment complaints in Ohio House
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
Both companies rushed to develop their products in record time and began large studies this summer at dozens of hospitals and clinics around the country. They are testing various groups of patients, such as those who are positive but not yet sick enough to be hospitalized, and those who have been exposed to the virus from someone already infected. All of the trials compare the experimental drugs to a placebo, or sham treatment.

The fast-moving disease has presented opportunities and challenges for the researchers testing antibodies. As the number of infections mounted in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona, there was no shortage of patients who would be eligible for trials. But at the same time, the outbreaks overwhelmed the very hospitals that would be overseeing the studies.

In remote meetings with doctors at trial sites around the country, Dr. Skovronsky said some had to step out to care for patients who required emergency intervention.

That doesnt happen when youre setting up diabetes trials or cancer trials, he said. Weve had investigators say: Look, Id love to do research, but I dont have time to set up a new trial. Ive got an I.C.U. full of patients.

One major hurdle has been testing. In both of the outpatient trials run by Eli Lilly and Regeneron, doctors must compete with a ticking clock. According to the rules of the Regeneron trial, a patient must be treated with the antibodies within seven days of the onset of symptoms. Both the Regeneron and Eli Lilly trials require giving the drug within three days of taking a positive test.

But with turnaround times in some areas lagging for five days or more, keeping within those time frames has proved difficult.
NEWS FLASH

Montenegro will reopen its border with Serbia tomorrow, paving the way for the resumption of commercial flights. Over 500.000 passengers are handled on commercial flights between the two countries each year. Air Serbia and Montenegro Airlines also have a wide-ranging codeshare agreement in place. The two airlines now plan to resume operations between the two markets on August 19. Although Montenegrin nationals have been able to enter Serbia, Montenegro Airlines was banned from operating to Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport on the basis of reciprocity.
At least five people were infected with coronavirus after attending a non-school-sanctioned "mini-prom" in southeastern Illinois, officials said Friday.

Wabash County health officials want to find anyone who attended the Aug. 4 event in Mount Carmel, which is about 150 miles east of St. Louis and 130 miles west of Louisville, Kentucky.

In addition to the five infected so far, another 40 people with close contact to them have gone into quarantine, Wabash County Health Department Administrator Judy Wissel told NBC News on Friday. So far, none of them have been hospitalized.

Under state guidelines, as many as 50 people can gather inside as long as they can safely socially distance. But "none of the pictures we've seen, were there face masks on," Wissel said.

Several teens in the area posted photos of themselves  girls in gowns, boys in tuxedos  on Instagram on or around Aug. 4.

While they appeared ready for a formal event, it wasn't clear if they actually attended one. Some used the hashtag #quarantineprom.

The "mini-prom" goers were from Mt. Carmel High School. They threw the party in place of their traditional end-of-year formal, which was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Wissel.

"It was just a sub-group of kids who got together to have a prom," she said. "I'm not sure if parents had a role or helped it at all make it come together."

Wabash Unit Community Schools Superintendent Chuck Bleyer insisted that the district had no role in the "mini-prom."

"I don't know who organized the event or how many attended," Bleyer said. "Additionally, no school personnel were involved. Although the term 'prom' is used, it was purely private with no school affiliation."

The "mini-prom" attendees rented party space at the Anderson Building, at 15039 Four H Center Lane, officials said.

A woman who answered the phone number for the Anderson Building refused to say who rented the space on Aug. 4 and declined comment.
Five mechanized boreholes within the Atebubu Township constructed by the Madanfo Ghana Foundation, a non-governmental organization have been commissioned for use by beneficiary communities.

At a brief ceremony to hand over the facilities to the communities namely: Tuse, New Amanfrom, Tuaboba, Mempeasem, and Zongo No. 2, the Atebubu-Amantin municipal chief executive Hon. Edward Owusu said the gesture was on the initiative of the Member of Parliament for the Atebubu-Amantin constituency Hon. Kofi Amoakohene.

He thanked the NGO for the support and asked them to consider other assistance in future touching specifically on water and healthcare facilities.

On his part Hon. Kofi Amoakohene thanked the NGO for coming to the aid of the people of Atebubu as the availability of potable water remains a serious problem facing the people in the Atebubu-Amantin municipality.

Mr. Amoakohene who is also the Bono East regional minister said the facility together with numerous others he has facilitated, form part of temporary measures to ameliorate the water problems faced by the people even as his administration puts in plans for a more a comprehensive solution to the perennial water crisis.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Madanfo Ghana Foundation, Mr. Enoch Sunday Attipoe, said his outfit that has been in existence for close to 20 years, aims at making life better for the people with women and children as their main focus.

He called for the proper maintenance of the facilities which were funded by Mr. Atze Schroder a German national so they could last long adding that this is the only way the foundation will be encouraged to consider further assistance in the future.

A spokesperson for the beneficiary communities Mr. Eric Owusu Addo thanked the NGO as well as the MCE and the MP for their roles in ensuring the provisions of the facilities and assured them of a good maintenance culture to ensure they serve the purpose for which they were constructed.

The function was chaired by the Kyidomhene of the Atebubu traditional area Nana Osei Gyan Ababio II.
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Two days after Sharad Pawar



publicly censured his grand-nephew, Parth, for demanding a CBI probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, two leaders considered close to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, met the party chief here on Friday.

Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Dhananjay Munde and MP from Raigad Sunil Tatkare met the party patriarch at the Y B Chavan Centre here.

After the meeting, both the leaders said that nobody was unhappy over the party chief's public reprimand of Parth, who is Ajit Pawar's son.

MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and Tatkare's daughter Aditi, who is a Maharashtra minister, were also present during the meeting.

had on Wednesday said he attached "absolutely no importance" to Parth's demand and termed him as "immature", which had set tongues wagging in Maharashtra's political circles with some reports claiming dispute within the Pawar family.

Asked whether is upset after the veteran leader reprimanded Parth, both Tatkare and Munde replied in the negative.

"Nobody is upset. Ajit Dada is busy with his work. He is holding meetings on combating COVID-19 in Pune currently.

"Everybody is busy in work...nothing of that sort has happened ( is not upset)," Tatkare told reporters.

Munde said that he held discussions with the senior Pawar on issues related to his department.

"Nobody is unhappy," the minister said, when asked whether was upset over the party chief's remarks.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Payment processing firm Mastercard has agreed with First Direct to provide debit cards to the retail bank's current account customers from next year.

The move signals the American multinational firm's desire to take some business away from its rival Visa, which is responsible for the overwhelming majority of debit card transactions in the UK.

As part of the multi-year arrangement, new First Direct customers will receive Mastercard debit cards from the start of 2021, while the 1.5 million existing current account holders will collect them throughout the rest of the year.

Kelly Devine, Mastercard's UK & Ireland president, said the deal 'is further proof that Mastercard's debit card solutions offer all the flexibility, security and convenience banks and their cardholders require in today's digital age'

First Direct, a subsidiary of HSBC, will become the second major bank to issue their debit cards through Mastercard after the 'Big Five' bank Santander completed an agreement with the firm two years ago.

MasterCard also provides debit cards for Metro Bank and digital challenger Starling.

A First Direct spokesman wrote that the company was 'really excited by the opportunities and services this will provide to our 1st Account customers. We'll be letting customers know more about the benefits closer to the time.'

Kelly Devine, Mastercard's UK & Ireland president, said the deal 'is further proof that Mastercard's debit card solutions offer all the flexibility, security and convenience banks and their cardholders require in today's digital age.'

The group's announcement comes a fortnight after it revealed that it had taken a financial hit in the second quarter of 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic precipitating a drop in consumer spending.

Santander was the first major bank to issue their debit cards through Mastercard

Net revenues declined by almost a fifth to $3.3billion compared to the same period a year ago, while net income tumbled by 30 per cent to $1.4billion.

It was particularly badly hurt by a massive fall in cross-border transactions, as countries imposed stringent travel restrictions to try and prevent the spread of the disease, but thereby causing enormous harm to industries such as tourism and travel.

According to a presentation for investors, the value of cross-border volume in the third week of July had plunged by 40 per cent from a year earlier.

Digital payments across the world have accelerated since the coronavirus pandemic

Chief executive Ajay Banga remarked though that the company's 'platform uniquely positions us to support the shift to digital across consumer and business payments that has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.'

However, it remains smaller than its rival Visa. Last year, Mastercard earned revenues of $16.9billion and a net income of $8.1billion, while Visa's revenues and profits were $6billion and $4billion higher, respectively.

But Mastercard's average annual revenue growth in recent years has been more substantial. Between 2015 and 2019, it rose by an average of 14.9 per cent per annum, whereas Visa's rise was around 1.5 percentage points lower.

Shares in Mastercard fell 0.4 per cent yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange. HSBC's share price was down even more this morning though, by 1.5 per cent to 3.39.
(Alliance News) - The following is a summary of top news stories Friday.







COMPANIES







easyJet said it has completed the sale and leaseback of 23 aircraft, generating USD771 million in proceeds. The proceeds of the sale will be used to maximise liquidity and further strengthen easyJet's financial position. The USD771 million, or GBP608 million, proceeds is at the upper end of the company's GBP500 million to GBP650 million forecast range. The final transaction was executed with Jin Shan 37 Ireland Co, a unit of Bocomm Leasing, for the sale and leaseback of five A321neo aircraft for USD266 million. The agreement will see the aircraft leased back until each of them reach 10 years of age. Following the deal, 50% of the company's fleet remains unencumbered. easyJet said it has now raised over GBP2.4 billion since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic to maximise liquidity and strengthen its financial position.







The UK government said it has agreed access to 90 million doses of two promising Covid-19 vaccine candidates in deals with the US's Novavax and Johnson & Johnson. Novavax has agreed to supply 60 million doses of NVX-CoV2373, its potential Covid-19 vaccine. It will carry out a phase three trial to assess the efficacy of the vaccine in the UK population. The trial is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with the UK government supporting and providing infrastructure for the study to take place. Novavax will expand its collaboration with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, which will manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 from its Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees site in the UK, in addition to its US sites in North Carolina and Texas. The UK site is expected to produce up to 180 million doses annually.







MARKETS







London shares were lower following disappointing retail sales figures from China, raising fears over the country's economic recovery from the coronavirus shutdown. Travel stocks were in the red after the UK government's decision to add France to its quarantine travel list. US stock market futures were pointed to a lower open.







FTSE 100: down 2.2% at 6,048.91

FTSE 250: down 1.3% at 17,689.26

AIM ALL-SHARE: down 0.5% at 951.45

GBP: down at USD1.3070 (USD1.3084)

EUR: down at USD1.1792 (USD1.1830)

GOLD: down at USD1,945.10 per ounce (USD1,947.60)

OIL (Brent): down at USD44.57 a barrel (USD45.18)

(changes since previous London equities close)







ECONOMICS AND GENERAL







UK travellers trying to return from France on Friday to avoid the quarantine restrictions face a scramble for tickets costing hundreds of pounds. British Airways, part of International Consolidated Airlines Group, was charging GBP452 for a direct flight from Paris to London Heathrow on Friday night, but the plane was fully booked by 1030 BST. The same journey on Saturday can be made with the airline for just GBP66. The cheapest ticket on a Eurostar train from Paris to London is GBP210, compared with GBP165 on Saturday. Car-carrying Channel Tunnel trains are fully booked until Saturday, which is too late to avoid the quarantine. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the UK government had taken "a practical approach" to the new restrictions. It was announced on Thursday night that people arriving in the UK from France after 4am on Saturday will be required to spend 14 days in self-isolation due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases there. The quarantine conditions will also apply to travellers returning from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba. Shapps said an estimated 160,000 holidaymakers are expected to try to return to the UK from France on Friday.







The eurozone economy crashed 12% in the second quarter of 2020, according to figures from Eurostat. This quarter-on-quarter decline was the worst reading since the series started in 1995. In the first three months of the year, gross domestic product fell 3.6% sequentially. Year-on-year, the eurozone economy shrank 15% in the three months to June, again the sharpest decline seen since 1995 and a deterioration from the 3.1% fall posted for the first quarter. Two quarters in a row of contraction mean the eurozone economic is in recession. Separately, Eurostat showed the euro area trade surplus was EUR21.2 billion for June, up from EUR19.4 billion a year ago.







Negotiators from the US and China will on Saturday discuss the "phase one" trade deal signed earlier this year - before the coronavirus slammed the world economy and relations between the two economic powers took a turn for the worse. Washington and Beijing's January deal represented a partial truce in their months-long trade war, and obligated Beijing to import an additional USD200 billion in American products over two years, ranging from cars to machinery to oil to farm products. But purchases of those goods have been lagging, while US President Donald Trump has stepped up rhetoric against China ahead of what's expected to be a tough fight for a second term in the November elections, raising questions about the deal's fate as well as the possibility of a second phase of the truce. "The outcome of the trade talk will signal if both sides are willing to continue to keep the deal, which will signal whether the relationship will deteriorate further," said Iris Pang, chief economist for greater China at financial services giant ING. Neither the US nor the Chinese government confirmed the talks to AFP but the deal mandates meetings every six months after it takes effect, which would be Saturday.







China's retail sales dropped in July, official data showed, indicating that sluggish consumer spending could hold up the country's recovery from the coronavirus outbreak. Retail sales - a key indicator of consumer sentiment - shrank by 1.1% on-year, falling short of forecasts and suggesting many are still reticent about going out to spend time and money, even as China appears to have the virus largely under control. The latest data follows a drop of 1.8% on-year for retail sales in June. Bloomberg analysts had projected sales would recover to a modest 0.1% growth. Industrial production grew by 4.8% in July a the same as the previous month, but below predictions from Bloomberg analysts of 5.2% growth. Meanwhile fixed asset investment for the year so far was down 1.6% year-on-year; an improvement on last month's data, but still weak.







The US Senate on Thursday adjourned until September despite not reaching an agreement over a fresh round of stimulus to help the virus-battered economy and struggling Americans. US President Donald Trump's administration and Democratic leadership have for weeks been discussing a new round of emergency aid to workers and businesses hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, but have been unable to agree on how much to spend. Congress has already allocated USD3 trillion in the stimulus bills enacted since March to fight the pandemic and help the economy, with fiscal hawks growing increasingly worried about the deficit. However, the unemployment rate remains in the double digits, and there are signs that the economic recovery is slowing. The Aspen Institute has estimated as many as 40 million people could be at risk of eviction in the coming months, leading to "destabilization of communities" across the country. The Senate will return on September 8.







Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, called for a nationwide face mask mandate in the US to curb coronavirus contagion. "Every single American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months at a minimum," Biden told a news conference. "Let's institute a mask mandate nationwide starting immediately and we will save lives." The former vice president said the measure could save more than 40,000 lives in the next three months, and noted that more than 165,000 people have died already in the US. "It didn't have to be this way," Biden said, adding that if President Donald Trump had acted earlier, thousands of fatalities could have been avoided. Biden was speaking at his second public appearance with his newly-selected running mate, Kamala Harris, after the pair was briefed on the coronavirus by public health experts.







Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
HONOLULU, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A single renter in urban Honolulu could be paying as much as 37% of their rent on parking, according to a new report released by Ulupono Initiative.

"The Costs of Parking in Hawaii," a report that sheds light on the costs of developing, operating, and maintaining common types of parking facilities in the state of Hawaii, is the result of a rigorous analysis undertaken for Ulupono Initiative by PBR HAWAII with assistance from Hawaii-based construction cost consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall.

While some anecdotal and national data on parking had existed, there remained a general lack of local data around the real costs of constructing and maintaining parking in Hawaii. These have potentially significant impacts on housing affordability, costs of living, public health, quality of life and other shared interests. In some cases, the amount of parking at residential and commercial locations isn't based on actual or estimated demand, but rather required by local regulations developed over a generation ago.

"Localized information is critical to informing important planning and policy decisions that are being made today about future development in our state," said Kathleen Rooney, director of transportation policy and programs at Ulupono Initiative. "Broadly speaking, parking is one of the fundamental components of how our neighborhoods are developed and redeveloped, but it is very infrequently discussed in the context of costs  and whether we value it equally. Many people need parking for a variety of reasons, from mobility issues to economic and lifestyle realities. However, there are many who don't need as much parking but still are required to pay for it."

The report found that there are real differences in these costs. For example, the low end could be $4,200 per stall for on-grade parking (such as surface parking) at a residential site in Hawaii County, but that can be as high as $60,400 per stall in a commercial parking garage on Kauai. Many developers and residents do not have a choice in whether to pay for these facilities, contributing to the high cost of development in the state.

The report gathers information on representative costs for each county's direct construction costs and land costs; considers representative carrying costs for different housing products and different income groups; and estimates cost impacts on commercial carrying costs. It focuses on several types of common parking facilities in five Hawaii geographies: urban Honolulu, other parts of Oahu, and on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. In all cases, properties selected for analysis were derived from those areas in each geography most likely to have new development of the project types described.

Further, six hypothetical profiles were selected for evaluation, representing five possible households and one commercial store located outside of Honolulu's urban core, such as in Kapolei.

Highlights of the report include the following:

A single person renting a small studio unit in an urban Honolulu high-rise building with podium parking could be spending up to $410 per month to support a single parking space. If they earned only 50% of the area median income (AMI), this could represent up to 37% of their rent (based on maximum allowable rent). A comparable scenario in a transit-oriented development (TOD) area still would require $205 per month. This is true even if they didn't own a car and use the space.

high-rise building with podium parking could be spending up to per month to support a single parking space. If they earned only 50% of the area median income (AMI), this could represent up to 37% of their rent (based on maximum allowable rent). A comparable scenario in a transit-oriented development (TOD) area still would require per month. This is true even if they didn't own a car and use the space. If this was a senior couple with a one-bedroom unit of 600 square feet, also in a building with podium parking in urban Honolulu , the same $410 monthly cost would apply to support the one space required by code, but it could represent up to 35% of their rent if the couple's AMI was 50%.

, the same monthly cost would apply to support the one space required by code, but it could represent up to 35% of their rent if the couple's AMI was 50%. A family of three looking to rent a two-bedroom, 750-square-foot townhome on Oahu but outside of urban Honolulu could be carrying between $180 and $360 per month in parking costs, depending on whether their rent covered one or two spaces. If this household earned the median AMI, this would represent around 9% of the maximum rent allowed under current Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation guidelines.

but outside of urban could be carrying between and per month in parking costs, depending on whether their rent covered one or two spaces. If this household earned the median AMI, this would represent around 9% of the maximum rent allowed under current Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation guidelines. A family of three looking to buy a two-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot unit in a high-rise development in urban Honolulu (podium parking) could be paying $84,000 for the required two parking spaces currently required by land use ordinances ( Kakaako rules, if applicable, would have no minimum). If the unit cost $425,000 , the median sales price for a condominium on Oahu in 2019, parking would represent 20% of the purchase price. Carrying costs for the two spaces, including their operating costs, could represent about $820 per month.

(podium parking) could be paying for the required two parking spaces currently required by land use ordinances ( rules, if applicable, would have no minimum). If the unit cost , the median sales price for a condominium on in 2019, parking would represent 20% of the purchase price. Carrying costs for the two spaces, including their operating costs, could represent about per month. A family of four looking to buy a three-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot home on Oahu but outside the urban core could be covering $45,000 in development costs for the two spaces required by current land use ordinances. Compared to the median single-family home sale on Oahu in 2019, this would represent about 6% of the purchase price. In terms of carrying costs, the two spaces could be burdening the new owners with about $360 per month in parking-related costs and operations.

but outside the urban core could be covering in development costs for the two spaces required by current land use ordinances. Compared to the median single-family home sale on in 2019, this would represent about 6% of the purchase price. In terms of carrying costs, the two spaces could be burdening the new owners with about per month in parking-related costs and operations. A retail store on Oahu but outside of the urban core could be expected to allocate 1-2% of its gross sales to support parking facilities, meaning that for every $10 spent by consumers, up to 20 cents may be necessary to support the required parking.

"In looking at these numbers, it is one thing to say we need parking; it is another to say we need it to the tune of more than a third of one's rent, an extra $800 per month in mortgage costs, or an extra $45,000 to the cost of a home  all without any individual choice in the matter," Rooney added. "This may no longer make sense on an island where approximately 43% of our households own one car or less, according to the U.S. Census 2018 American Community Survey, and cost of living is such a concern."

From a public policy perspective, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) recently published a blog on potential rental subsidies required for a family of three during the current economic times (Estimating the Need for Rental Assistance in Hawaii, June 17, 2020). In this case, the household would require $600 per month subsidy, of which almost half ($270) may be going toward required parking, not housing.

Rightsizing and better managing parking present opportunities to more dynamically utilize urban land for housing, retail, and community needs  such as increasing demand for more people-oriented design and active transportation and living  instead of merely for vehicles or vehicle storage.

View the full report here.

About Ulupono Initiative

A mission-driven venture of The Omidyar Group, Ulupono Initiative was founded in 2009 to improving the quality of life for the people of Hawaii by working toward sustainable solutions that support and promote locally produced food, renewable energy, clean transportation, and better management of water and waste. For more information about Ulupono Initiative, visit ulupono.com or connect with Ulupono on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Ulupono Initiative

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A former student at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania is suing the school in federal court after they allegedly refused to act on her complaints that a supervisor repeatedly tried to pressure her into a threesome.

The student claims she unjustly lost her job and position on a graduate program after refusing the female assistant dean's advances in a months-long campaign to involve her in group sex acts.

According to the complaint filed by the ex-student on Tuesday in the U.S. Middle District Court, her supervisor sent her racy texts, showed nude photos of herself as a dominatrix, and even attempted to gain access to the student's hotel room overnight during a work trip.

The supervisor allegedly threatened to fire the student as she had previous employees 'if she did not respect ... her boss', which the younger woman claims was an attempt to 'intimidate her to not reject her advances'.

The student claims she tried to make a complaint to the Dean about the harassment on several occasions but was consistently dismissed. She claims the Dean said they 'didn't want to hear it' as the assistant dean was a friend.

Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania is being sued by a former graduate student who claims they failed to act when she tried to report sexual harassment from her supervisor. The ex-student claims that she was repeatedly propositioned with a threesome and sent racy texts

Neither the former student, who lives in the Shippensburg area, or the supervisor -who worked in the university's Office of Professional, Continuing, and Distance Education - are identified in the complaint.

The university is named as the defendant.

The supervisor has reportedly since left her job with the university after a formal sexual harassment complaint was filed but the student was never reinstated to her former position.

As a result, she filed the sexual harassment complaint to federal court this week seeking unspecified financial damages.

She claims the university showed 'a blatant disregard for her civil rights' in their handling of the complaint.

The student first started on a graduate program in Shippensburg University in the Fall 2018 semester having being accepted to the Clinical Mental Health Master's program.

It also offered her the position as a graduate assistant with hourly pay and benefits.

According to the court documents, the 'excellent' student was quickly promoted to Director of Testing.

Throughout this time she was under the direct supervision of the woman named in the complaint as Dr. Jane Roe, an Assistant Dean of Defendants Office of Professional, Continuing, and Distance Education (OPCDE).

The student claimed that the sexual harassment began in January 2019 when the supervisor propositioned her 'to participate in a menage a trois with her and a man'.

The student turned this down and approached the Dean of OPCDE to make a complaint. The court document states that the Dean said they did not wish to hear it.

The complaint details the months-long campaign to engage the student in group sex acts

The complaint outlines the alleged sustained campaign by the supervisor to involve the student in a threesome and the threats made to try to force her to accept the sexual advances

Over the next four months, the student claims her supervisor would make sexual advance between two to four times a week.

She claims she repeatedly propositioned her with a threesome as well as 'showing Plaintiff photographs and text messages of a sexual nature and flaunting details about her sex-life'.

In April 2019, the two women went on a work trip to Philadelphia where the student claims she was forced to look at images on her supervisor's phone.

In the images, the assistant dean was 'nude and engaging in activities as a dominatrix with various men'.

The student said she did not need to see the images and when they returned from the trip, the supervisor allegedly warned that she could be fired.

The assistant dean allegedly claimed she had also fired the previous Director of Testing.

The student said she 'understood this threat to mean that Dr. Roe was trying to intimidate her to not reject her advances'. She attempted to approach the Dean again with a complaint was was dismissed for a second time 'because Dr. Roe was her friend'.

The university, pictured, has said it will not comment on pending litigation

The frequency of the sexual harassment decreased over the summer months outside of the academic year but the supervisor allegedly continued to make 'pervasive sexual advances' and 'inappropriate comments of a sexual nature whenever the two were together'.

In August 2019, the women went on a second work trip to New Orleans where the supervisor is claimed to have requested a key to the student's room 'in case I want to visit in the middle of the night'.

The student refused and also refused to go on a date with her supervisor and a third person.

She told the supervisor 'she had a boyfriend and did not do that kind of thing'.

Upset at her refusals, the supervisor confronted the student in front of other conference attendees, the complaint states.

The supervisor allegedly began 'yelling and cursing to Plaintiff that she would not have a job when she returned to Shippensburg'.

When the student returned to the university on August 14, she found that the supervisor had told others she was no longer employed there and she approached the Dean to make a complaint for the third time but was again rejected.

On August 20, the student was called to meet with the Vice President of Human Resources at the university after they received complaints that she had behaved unprofessionally during the New Orleans trip.

The student claims she was fired after refusing to allow the supervisor into her hotel room overnight while they were on a work trip in New Orleans in August 2019

The complaint adds that she was told her termination from her position would be reconsidered after it emerged that the supervisor who filed a complaint calling for her dismissal had done so when the student rejected her sexual advances. The student has not yet returned to the role

She immediately argued that it was the supervisor's actions that had been unprofessional and detailed her sexual harassment complaints.

When asked why she had not reported this sooner, the student stated that she had tried, which the Dean, who was also present, did not deny.

The student was encouraged to file a formal sexual harassment complaint which she did on August 22, providing text messages as proof of the abuse.

The supervisor was placed on leave and then later resigned from the university.

According to the court documents the student was told that the university would consider reinstating her employment in late 2019 but that has not yet happened.

She is now suing the university for 'lost pay, lost tuition benefits and other benefits' as well as 'emotional pain and suffering'.

The complaint states that the university management 'acted with intentionally and with malice and with blatant disregard for Plaintiffs civil rights in terminating Plaintiff, refusing to reinstate her employment, taking away her tuition benefits and engaging in other discriminatory and retaliatory acts'.

It adds that the supervisor 'had significant, if not controlling, input on Plaintiffs success as a graduate assistant and/or Director of Testing' and 'provided false charges' to remove the student from her position.

The student claims the university agents 'acted as a cats paw and rubber stamp for Dr. Roes decision to remove Plaintiff from her education-related employment'.

Shippenburg University said in a statement to 12 News that they are aware of the complaint but do not comment on pending litigation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Facing attacks from Democrats about President Donald Trumps handling of the coronavirus pandemic and polls that indicate more than 57 percent of Americans disapprove of his response, the White House on Friday released a report that highlights Trumps efforts to use the Defense Production Act to protect America from the China virus.

After declaring that the Chinese Communist Party caused the pandemic and blaming China for global shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) that hamstrung health care workers, the report says Trump used the Defense Production Act and other tools to help engineer the most rapid mobilization of Americas public health industrial base since World War II.

It cites 78 Defense Production Act-related actions that Trump took since March to fight the virus, including six executive orders, four presidential memoranda, and dozens of actions to increase U.S. production of materials like ventilators and masks that were needed to fight the pandemic.

Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown labeled the report propaganda and a political stunt intended to distract from Trumps failures.

Economist Peter Navarro, who heads Trumps office of trade and manufacturing policy, said efforts by U.S. companies to produce necessary supplies comprise a beautiful story of American industry working at Trump time, which is to say, as quickly as possible.

Navarro also told reporters that Democrats entire 2020 election strategy is predicated on the cynical ability to wrongly blame President Donald J. Trump for a global pandemic that has been inflicted, some say intentionally, on the American People by the Chinese Communist Party. He said a primary Democratic attack line has been to advance the false narrative that President Trump has not adequately used the Defense Production Act to protect the American people.

At a Thursday press conference, Trump himself accused Democrats of playing politics with a virus.

Democrats including Ohios Brown have repeatedly faulted Trumps handling of the pandemic. In a phone call with reporters last week, Brown unfavorably contrasted Trumps handling of the virus with South Koreas, noting that both countries had roughly 95 coronavirus deaths in March, yet deaths in the United States now far exceed 150,000 while South Korea has fewer than 200.

Brown said the gap isnt because South Korea has better medical care, its because theyve had much better leadership than our president. He faulted Trump for repeatedly saying the virus would go away on its own, for ceding response authority to state governors, and for being more concerned with stock prices than fighting the disease. Brown has repeatedly urged Trump to make more use of the Defense Production Act.

In March, we knew that we faced shortfalls for so much of the equipment we needed  N95 masks, gowns, and, perhaps most critically, the materials we need for test production, like cotton swabs, Brown said in a column he distributed last week. I worked with members of both parties to make sure the president could use his authority under the Defense Production Act to ramp up production quickly, and included $1 billion in DPA funding in the CARES Act we passed in March. Yet hundreds of millions of dollars remain unspent by the president, while our states and health care workers continue to face supply shortages.

In response to the report, Brown issued a statement that accused Trump of wasting time on propaganda attempting to convince people that his that his leadership  where more than 165,000 American have died and 5 million have been infected  has been a success, instead of finally putting out a real plan for a national testing strategy and worker protections.

This is yet another political stunt to distract from his lack of leadership and failure to get this pandemic under control, said Brown.

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Coronavirus conspiracy theorists are preparing to protest at capital cities around Australia this weekend, sparking fears of further outbreaks.

Anti-maskers are planning a 'Stand for Victoria freedom march' at local Anzac memorial sites on Saturday across the country, except for Melbourne which is in strict Stage Four lockdown.

The rally, set to take place at midday, was organised in a Facebook group with more than 33,000 members.

One of the members called on the group to 'get together for every single Victorian' in a rambling video posted earlier this week.

Anti-maskers are planning a 'stand for Victoria' freedom march (pictured, an anti-mask protester shouts at police in Melbourne on July 3)

One conspiracy theorist posted a photo of the Australian Red Ensign flag with the caption 'Australia, let us stand for Victoria at this time when Victoria cannot'

Members have shared a number of posts (pictured) encouraging people from their own cities to attend the coordinated rallies

The conspiracy theorist also encouraged Australians to stand outside their homes and 'burn your mask, breathe and declare your national sovereignty'.

Members have shared a number of posts encouraging people from their own cities to attend the coordinated rallies.

One conspiracy theorist posted a photo of the Australian Red Ensign flag with the caption 'Australia, let us stand for Victoria at this time when Victoria cannot'.

Another read: 'Saturday we march we stand up for Melbourne. This is our voice.

The Australian Department of Health prohibits large public gatherings due to the risk of spreading COVID-19, particularly amid a second outbreak in Sydney's southwest.

The NSW Police Force said it is aware of a protest scheduled for Saturday in Sydney's CBD.

Police said no paperwork has been submitted to hold a protest, and warned attendees they would not have authorisation due to public health and safety risks.

South Australia Police confirmed they were aware of plans to protest outside the Adelaide cenotaph this weekend.

'Sufficient police resources will be provided to ensure a peaceful protest is held, to minimise traffic disruptions and that the safety of all members of the community is maintained,' a spokesperson said.

'We strongly encourage people to practise physical distancing of 1.5 metres wherever and whenever possible.'

The planned demonstrations come just five days after a handful of people turned up to a 'freedom rally' in Melbourne.

Members of a group calling themselves the United Kingdom of Australia hold a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in protest to lockdown conditions on July 31 in Melbourne

South Australia Police confirmed they were aware of plans to protest outside the Adelaide cenotaph this weekend (pictured, one of the posts encouraging the protests)

The NSW Police Force said it is aware of a protest scheduled for Saturday in Sydney's CBD (pictured, a man leaves after being questioned by police during an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne on August 9)

Up to 400 people were expected to kick off the illegal protest on the steps of Parliament on Sunday, but most of the people who vowed to protest never showed up.

No more than 30 people arrived and of those, seven were arrested.

Six people were arrested because they refused to provide their personal details to police, but were later released with a $1,652 fine after they complied.

Earlier this month Victoria's Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said there had been an 'emergence of concerning groups of people who classify themselves as 'sovereign citizens'.

'On at least four occasions in the last week we've had to smash the windows of cars and pull people out to provide details,' he said.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 13, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump Says He Would Agree to $25 Billion for Postal Service If Democrats Make Concessions

President Donald Trump on Friday said he would accept a $25 billion deal to fund the U.S. Postal Service as part of a COVID-19 relief package if Democrats make concessions.

Sure, if they give us what we want, the president said on Friday at a news conference. And its not what I want, its what the American people want.

It came about 24 hours after he said he wouldnt be releasing funds for the USPS as part of a deal with Congress. Negotiations for the package stalled last week, while Trump has criticized a Democratic proposal for mail-in voting in November for months, saying it could lead to election rigging. Some experts have said that cases of election fraud are rare.

They want $3.5 billion for something thats fraudulent  for the mail-in votes, universal mail-in ballots, Trump said on Fox News Thursday. They want $25 billion for the post office. They need that money so it can work and they can take these millions and millions of ballots.

Trump, meanwhile, said that ballots have been sent to dead people and dogs, adding that states like Virginia have experienced problems. More than 500,000 phony ballot applications were sent to voters, he said, adding that in New York, mail-in voting caused a several-week-long delay in announcing the results.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Thursday said at a news conference that the $25 billion for the USPS was recommended by the agencys board of governors. Democrats have sought to add $3.5 billion in additional funding for election resources in the midst of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 11, 2020. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

House and Senate Democrats call on the President to immediately cease his assault on the Postal Service, make clear that he will allow the 2020 election to proceed without his sabotage tactics and enable the American people the same opportunity he and the First Lady requested this week to vote by absentee ballot, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a joint statement on Friday.

The two top Democrats then accused Trump of abuse of power, adding that he is the one engaging in election-rigging by not agreeing to their funding requests.

Meanwhile, negotiations on the CCP virus relief bill are likely to remain at a standstill in the near future. The Senate adjourned on Thursday, and neither it nor the House of Representatives will return to Capitol Hill until September.

In his Friday briefing, Trump said he directed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to send out direct payments to Americans, although he added the caveat that he wouldnt do it without congressional approval first. He accused Democrats of holding up the negotiations.

The president, however, said he wont negotiate with Pelosi and other top Democrats because they want $1 trillion in state and local funding.

They want $1 trillion to go to their friends doing a bad job running certain cities and states, he alleged.
(ANSA) - ROME, 14 AGO - Emilia-Romagna and Veneto on Friday both clamped down on nightclubs and other night venues out of fears revellers could contribute to a resurgence of the spread of the coronavirus.

Emilia-Romagna Governor Stefano Bonaccini signed an ordinace establishing that as of Saturday, which is Italy's big Ferragosto national holiday, night venues can allow no more than 50% of their capacity of customers to enter, with people in the venue obliged to wear facemasks.

These measures apply to open-air venues as enclosed-space nightclubs have not yet reopened in the region following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Any venues that fail to respect the measures face immediate closure.

Similarly, Veneto Governor Luca Zaia signed an order stating that night venues cannot only operate at 50% of capacity and people must wear facemasks, even on dance floors, which must be open air too. (ANSA).


Support for telehealth and mobile health monitoring has risen among healthcare workers and consumers since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

Dr. Emil Jovanov, a pioneer in the wearable health monitoring field from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), participated and was a coauthor of the study conducted by a task force of experts organized by the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Center for COVID Innovation.

"According to our interviews with healthcare professionals, we found out that the support for telemedicine and tele-rehabilitation increased from about 10% before the pandemic to almost 60% now," says Dr. Jovanov, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering who was selected as an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) fellow in 2020 for his contributions to the field of wearable health monitoring.

"That can create a significant change in digital healthcare that would otherwise take decades," Dr. Jovanov says.

According to the study, mobile health technologies (mHealth) create tremendous opportunities for monitoring, mitigation and testing in the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.

Dr. Jovanov says the nation's COVID battle could be assisted by an integrated mHealth system that can help assess who needs to be tested by providing relevant information through contact tracing, tracing of shared space and infrastructure, and monitoring of physiological changes.

All this information can be used to inform decisions and optimize the use of resources. An integrated system can also characterize disease spread by tracking spatio-temporal patterns of new cases." Dr. Emil Jovanov, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)

Dr. Jovanov joined experts from top bioengineering institutions across the globe for the three-month effort organized by lead author Dr. Paolo Bonato, an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Bonato's team at the Motion Analysis Laboratory, which he directs. The laboratory is located at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, a member of the Mass General Brigham Integrated Health System.

"The task force was assembled by recruiting experts in electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO), wearable sensors and digital contact tracing technologies to review and explore the use of mobile health technologies to monitor and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic," he says.

"We identified technologies that could be deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to predict symptom escalation for earlier intervention, to monitor individuals who are presumed non-infected and to enable prediction of exposure to SARS-CoV-2."

"Wearable monitoring has tremendous potential, particularly in extraordinary circumstances such as the current pandemic," says Dr. Jovanov, who in 2000 was first to propose Wireless Area Body Networks and was the 2014 Alabama Inventor of the Year for a smart pill bottle he developed that's licensed to the company AdhereTech and used by thousands of patients.

"A combination of off-the-shelf ubiquitous technology already in use, such as smartphones, smartwatches and wearable sensors, new advanced sensors and the integration of mobile health systems could better prepare us for dealing with the challenges of future surges of COVID-19 cases and to minimize the effects of future pandemics on routine clinical services," he says.

The devices could provide early warning of onset, detect health deterioration that requires hospitalization, offer automatic triage and large-scale monitoring in improvised hospitals, and monitor patients after they are discharged to ensure continuity of clinical care services, says Dr. Jovanov. With Dr. Aleksandar Milenkovic, 15 years ago he implemented the first low-power wearable wireless body monitor in cooperation with Mayo Clinic to introduce the era of mobile health.

"Our task force summarized some of the opportunities that most of health professionals are not even aware of," he says.

"We currently have more than 60 million wearable device users in U.S., more than double the users of five years ago. Last year, 20 million new smartwatches were sold. Device intelligence and ubiquitous connectivity create tremendous healthcare opportunities, as outlined in our paper."

Home monitoring applications could be augmented with self-reporting of symptoms, a system that can be implemented at much bigger scale, Dr. Jovanov says.

"As a result, we can avoid unnecessary visits for people with some other conditions, like colds, who otherwise would come to see their physician and risk additional possible exposures to SARS-CoV-2," he says.

"Teleconferencing in combination with monitoring of physiological signals and history of changes of physiological status would provide more effective help at home, without the need to take trips to physicians or hospitals."

Personal monitors can detect COVID warning signs at very early stages, he says.

"Wearable monitors can also monitor heart activity and changes in the autonomous nervous system," says Dr. Jovanov, who demonstrated the wearable wireless remote heart monitor in a personal area network 20 years ago at UAH.

"Even before the patient feels short of breath, it has been noted that they may experience desaturation which could be easily identified and monitored through an oximeter inside a healthcare facility, as well as in the home setting."

In addition to the onset of COVID, wearable monitors can also track the recovery of patients at home and detect delayed cardiovascular and circulatory system problems caused by exposure.

"Most people have a long recovery from COVID-19, particularly in the case of other comorbidities," Dr. Jovanov says. "Following trends of recovery, or even deterioration of a user's state, the system can certainly raise the flag in real-time if the recovery is not going as expected or if the user's state turns worse at home after release from hospital."

In addition, monitoring systems would provide physicians with a record of recent health changes, instead of the snapshot of the patient's current state that an examination provides.

Another very important application is monitoring of frontline healthcare workers, a very vulnerable population exposed to the virus daily, for possible infections or burnout.

Since wearable devices can detect other wireless devices around them, tracking of users and contacts can be automated.

"For example, an intelligent visitor's badge can detect all the places a person visited and their contacts with other people," Dr. Jovanov says. "If it turns out that the visitor was sick at the time of the visit, you can implement additional cleaning of places and testing of people that person was in contact with."

Google and Apple are currently working to enable the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus while maintaining user security and privacy.

"The main implementation barriers are related to privacy, not the technological issues," Dr. Jovanov says. "We describe both systems and applications in our paper."

In fact, most of the factors limiting applications of mHealth technology are not technology related, Dr. Jovanov says.

"There are many issues, ranging from Food and Drug Administration approval of novel sensors and applications to privacy concerns and even liability issues," he says. "Those are not easy problems to solve because of the deep-rooted perceptions and possible misuse of technology."

Because they are scalable and can be deployed in spaces with no infrastructure in a very short period, wearable health monitoring systems present an opportunity for field hospitals that may become necessary in pandemic outbreaks, Dr. Jovanov says. The same technology and system can be applied to different disaster scenarios.

As part of the research, the task force prepared a web-based questionnaire to assess requirements for contact tracing in hospitals and asked faculty at UAH's College of Nursing and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to provide feedback independent of the current technological capabilities.

"We truly appreciate the timely feedback we received from our UAH colleagues," Dr. Jovanov says.

"We believe that papers like this one can raise the awareness of the medical and technical communities and create truly multidisciplinary collaborations to implement new applications and develop new technologies," Dr. Jovanov says.

"Massive deployment of mHealth systems provides the big data necessary to apply artificial intelligence methods to a fundamental understanding of underlaying conditions, better and more accurate methodologies, personalized healthcare and more efficient mitigation of the effects of pandemics."
Chinese firms like Xiaomi are facing delays getting approvals from India's quality control agency for their goods, five industry sources told Reuters, as the business environment deteriorates after a clash on their Himalayan border.

Greater scrutiny of Chinese imports follows calls for boycotts from Indian nationalist groups linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, angered by the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in the border clash in June.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has in recent weeks delayed approvals for mobile phone components and televisions, jeopardizing the plans of firms such as Xiaomi as well as Oppo, industry sources in India and China said.

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BIS Director General Pramod Kumar Tiwari did not respond to requests for comment. China's commerce ministry and the foreign ministry did not immediately respond.

Xiaomi declined to comment, while Oppo did not respond.

The most serious border tension in decades between the Asian giants has hurt already hurt their economic ties and Indian officials expect the damage to get worse.

"The relationship has gone south dramatically," said one official, adding India was unlikely to immediately approve several investments proposals from Chinese companies.

"We cannot do business as usual."

India had mandated the screening of investment flows from China in April but the government has been slow in approving any since the clash.

India's trade ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

STALLED APPROVALS

A senior Indian official said the government was working on a new standards policy - likely to be announced by the end of August - in a bid to target low-quality products from China and elsewhere.

But those deliberations have stalled approvals for even branded Chinese companies' hoping to step up sales, one Indian industry source said.

"The products are not getting clearance as quality standards are being upgraded because of which many product lines could be affected," said the official, who declined to be identified.

Chinese smartphone brands, including Oppo and Xiaomi, account for eight of every 10 smartphones sold in India. While the two companies assemble most of their models in India, several components are imported from China.

Modi has in recent weeks called for a "self-reliant India", urging industry to focus on boosting domestic production.

Under the BIS's registration scheme, certain electronic goods - whether imported or locally made - need to meet India's standards. After companies get their products tested in a certified laboratory, BIS approves the applications.

A source briefed at a smartphone maker in China, which has been affected by delays, said BIS applications were typically processed within 15 days but had now "been left in limbo".

As of Friday, 643 applications were pending for registration, with 394 pending for more than 20 days, the BIS website said. It did not say how many were from Chinese companies.

The CP-UP Certification Technology Service Co, an agency based in China's Guangzhou city which helps clients with such clearances, told its customers in an Aug. 4 notice that BIS had stopped processing applications from "non-Indian manufacturers" from July 23 "due to the trade war between China and India".

It was not immediately clear whether imports from countries other than China were also being held up.

A BIS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said additional checks were being made in consultation with several ministries before clearing any applications.
PLA's 'unprecedented drills' in Taiwan Straits for deterrence, actual combat: observers

Global Times

By GT Staff Reporters Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/13 23:03:40

The Chinese mainland openly warned Taiwan secessionists by conducting massive military drills in the Taiwan Straits on Thursday. Chinese experts said this is a clear and unprecedented deterrence toward secessionists of the island as well as the US, as the Trump administration has increased its links with the Taiwan secessionist authority, and the possibility of peaceful reunification is decreasing sharply.

Analysts on Taiwan affairs and national defense from the mainland said the drills are not just to deter the provocative and dangerous connections between the island and the US, but also to train the forces for massive military operations. If the Taiwan secessionists and the US cross the bottom line set by the mainland's Anti-Secession Law, the mainland needs to take actions to solve the problem immediately.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command recently sent troops from multiple military branches and organized consecutive, realistic drills in the Taiwan Straits and its northern and southern ends, the command said on Thursday.

The drills further tested and improved the PLA troops' joint combat capability, said Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command.

Recently, "a certain major power" has been continuously making negative moves on the Taiwan question, which has sent seriously wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces, and severely threatened the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, he said.

The mainland experts said the drills are a resolute response to the US and Taiwan secessionists. The PLA seldom makes public the aim of its exercises, and by announcing the aim this time being "a certain major power," which almost directly points at the United States and "Taiwan independence" forces, it is sending a very clear, direct and strong warning to the US and Taiwan secessionists.

According to the spokesperson's statement, the drills covered large areas of the Taiwan Straits, and featured many military branches in a joint operation. This means the drills must be of a large scale and could have involved warplanes, warships, amphibious troops, artillery and missiles, observers noted.

A Chinese mainland military expert told the Global Times on Thursday on condition of anonymity that the drills showed the PLA can launch attacks on Taiwan secessionists from any direction of the Taiwan Straits. And unlike some predictions from the US and the island that the PLA will only concentrate on striking a few key strategic locations on the island, if and when the operation is launched, all places in the region will become battlefields.

Chinese mainland military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Thursday that the most important task for the drill is to enhance and normalize military drills around the island of Taiwan.

The PLA drills are not staged only to deter the secessionists on the island, but to train the troops and gain the capability to turn the exercises into real military actions when necessary, Song said.

Xu Guangyu, a senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told the Global Times on Monday that if the US and Taiwan secessionists go further, the PLA could take more countermeasures, including live-fire missile drills east of Taiwan island and near Guam. Some Chinese mainland military observers also suggested the PLA can send warplanes through the airspace of the island.

'First battle, last battle'

The Taiwan separatist authority is still adding its defense budget for next year, but observers said the overwhelming military advantage of the PLA is unshakeable, and increasing the island's defense budget would only waist taxpayers' money and make Taiwan a "cash machine" for the US defense industry, as well as arms dealers or lobby groups in Taipei and Washington.

Taiwan media reported that Taiwan's defense spending next year is set to rise 10.2 percent compared to this year. The regional leader of the island Tsai Ing-wen's cabinet on Thursday proposed NT$453.4 billion ($15.42 billion) in military spending for the year starting in January 2021, versus 411.3 billion for 2020, the island authority said in a statement.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a routine press conference on Thursday that the island is "a tiny region," and no matter how much money the separatist authority would spend for defense against the reunification with the mainland, it would be ridiculous, just like "ants trying to shake a big tree."

Former leader of Taiwan region Ma Ying-jeou Ma Ying-jeou said on Mondayat a speech that if the Chinese mainland decides to reunify the island by force, "the first battle is the last battle," and the US military will not come to the island's rescue, and that there won't be time for the US to come either, Taiwan media reported.

Ma's statement reflects the mainland's and island's comprehensive military strengths, as the PLA can destroy almost all of Taiwan's forces without letting them leave the ground or harbor in just the first battle, Song said, noting that this will leave no time for the US military to help the Taiwan secessionists. And even the US military does come, it will suffer asymmetrical disadvantages, which favor the PLA near the Chinese mainland's coastal waters.

A Beijing-based Taiwan affairs expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times that many secessionists on the island are trying to downplay the mainland's determination to reunify the island, as they believe the military deterrence from the mainland has existed for decades. They said the mainland dares not take real action, and "with worsening China-US ties, many of them doubt that the mainland would attack, and even believe the US will let American soldiers fight and die for Taiwan separatism."

That's why the Taiwan authority is getting more and more hostile to not only the mainland government but also the mainland people, and so the PLA needs to make new moves to increase the deterrence to make the warning effective; otherwise, the consequences would be serious, he noted.

"Ma is also a senior member and former chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), so he and the KMT are worried that Tsai and the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority would underestimate the mainland's determination. But the DPP is unlikely to listen to him," the expert said.

During US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar's Taiwan visit from Sunday to Wednesday, the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier was lurking near the island of Taiwan, according to publicly available reports. Experts said the US aircraft carrier's movement did not affect the PLA's drills at all, and any country who dares to touch China's territory will meet military strikes.

The island of Taiwan is reportedly in discussions with the US over the purchase of cruise missiles and sea mines, and claimed they will potentially be deployed as coastal defense and amphibious landing deterrence. The intention to purchase these weapons only emphasized Taiwan's outdated war concepts and military technologies, and their potential deployment can be easily countered by the PLA, Chinese mainland experts said on Thursday.

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Inamorata CEO Emily Ratajkowski's 'Summer Sweats' collection was nearly sold out just 10 hours after it officially launched on Thursday.

The 29-year-old DNA Model - who boasts 35.7M social media followers - announced: 'Summer Sweats @inamoratawoman Almost all sold out! Some sizes left!'

To celebrate her line of athleisure attire, Emily shared several BTS Polaroids of of herself on the Hamptons beach set of the campaign - likely photographed by Amber Asaly.

That was quick! Inamorata CEO Emily Ratajkowski's 'Summer Sweats' collection was nearly sold out just 10 hours after it officially launched on Thursday

The 29-year-old DNA Model - who boasts 35.7M social media followers - announced: 'Summer Sweats @inamoratawoman Almost all sold out! Some sizes left!'

Ratajkowski's five-piece collection of tank tops and joggers ranges in price from $28 to $85.

In a beach bonfire snap, the London-born SoCal native flaunted her phenomenal 5ft7in figure as her beloved dog Columbo dug in the sand behind her.

Emily's swimwear brand has branched out to lingerie, loungewear, and now a line of basics.

Ratajkowski focuses most of her time on the company she co-founded in 2017 with her best friend Kat Mendenhall.

BTS: To celebrate her line of athleisure attire, Emily shared several Polaroids of of herself on the Hamptons beach set of the campaign - likely photographed by Amber Asaly

Quarantine wear: Ratajkowski's five-piece collection of tank tops and joggers ranges in price from $28 to $85

Never leaves her side: In a beach bonfire snap, the London-born SoCal native flaunted her phenomenal 5ft7in figure as her beloved dog Columbo dug in the sand behind her

What's next? Emily's swimwear brand has branched out to lingerie, loungewear, and now a line of basics

'We basically do launches every two-and-a-half weeks': Ratajkowski focuses most of her time on the company she co-founded in 2017 with her BFF Kat Mendenhall (R, pictured July 24)

'We're really lucky because we [sell] only direct to consumers, not wholesale. So in some way the business was set up for [the age of COVID-19],' the Lying and Stealing actress told British GQ in May.

'We're still selling right now. But we'd just got a new office space in January and hired two more team members this year, so this wasn't part of the dream, no. We basically do launches every two or two-and-a-half weeks, so everything's now shifted. To be honest, we have always been making it up as we go along anyway.'

Emily has 'learned a lot' about herself being married to Uncut Gems co-producer Sebastian Bear-McClard over the last two years.

'It's been interesting being in quarantine and married,' Ratajkowski - who's penning a nonfiction book of essays - said.

Family portrait: The Lying and Stealing actress has 'learned a lot' about herself being married to Uncut Gems co-producer Sebastian Bear-McClard in the last two years (pictured Thursday)

Due out in 2021! The 39-year-old Independent Spirit Award nominee's next producing effort is former child star Owen Kline's long-delayed feature directorial debut - a comedy called Two Against Nature - alongside the Safdie Brothers and Scott Rudin (posted in 2018)

'I feel like a lot of people will end up divorced. But my husband and I are in a good partnership.'

The rent-dodging Tribeca couple have no plans for children but they dote on their '80lb' German Shepherd Columbo, whom they adopted on May 11, 2019.

The 39-year-old Independent Spirit Award nominee's next producing effort is former child star Owen Kline's long-delayed feature directorial debut - a 2021 comedy called Two Against Nature - alongside the Safdie Brothers and Scott Rudin.
First, Minneapolis officials let rioters burn down and otherwise destroy nearly 100 businesses over the course of several nights. They told police to stand down. Since then, they have refused to let the owners remove the twisted wreckage of their demolished businesses without a permit  a permit they would not grant unless the owners of the now defunct shops, service outlets and eateries prepaid the second half of their 2020 property taxes. And contractors cannot provide an estimate of how much it will cost to rebuild their businesses until the debris is removed. St. Paul, the Minneapple's sister city, has waived the tax requirement.

Don Blyly, owner of a bookstore destroyed in the riots, told the Minneapolis StarTribune: "Minneapolis has not been particularly friendly toward business for some time." This is a candidate for Understatement of the Year, akin to saying, "Joe Biden hasn't been the most eloquent person on the face of the Earth lately." Blyly prepaid $8,847 in second-half taxes a week ago, yet still hasn't received his permit. Minneapolis officials lamely cited a state law for their intransigence. However, the law clearly leaves enforcement up to the counties, and Hennepin County officials say they made it clear to the city of Minneapolis earlier this summer that it would not enforce the requirement for any riot-damaged or destroyed properties.

Large stretches of Lake Street and other areas of the city have been reduced to piles of rubble  piles of rubble that are still there, ugly, depressing, and filled with hazardous materials. Basim Sabri is the owner of several properties on or near Lake Street. He told the StarTribune: "You can't just allow a bunch of rubble and hazardous material to sit in the middle of Lake Street. People could get hurt. Where are our City Council members? What are they doing? Have they seen it?" They are too busy virtue-signaling and hiring private security for their own protection to tend to the needs of their city's business community, Mr. Sabri.

On average, the paper reported, the owners of properties destroyed or significantly damaged owe $25,000 in taxes for the second half of 2020. Moreover, most of these owners will also have to pay $35,000 to $100,000 to have their sites cleared of debris. For many, their businesses were their only source of income. Already hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the riots have left them unable to comply with the city's mandates. Unsurprisingly, owners say the lack of progress has discouraged reinvestment and is forcing customers  and businesses  to look elsewhere.

To recap, businesses pay property taxes in large part to secure the services of the police and the fire department. City officials took the business-owners' first-half 2020 taxes but then refused to let the police and fire department protect their businesses. Talk about a breach of contract. They didn't demand any payment or recompense from the thugs and criminals who looted and plundered the businesses, but they did demand payment of second-half taxes from the businesses they let be destroyed, before they would "let" them clean up the mess the thugs and city created. Try to wrap your mind around that.

Shortly after the paper published the article, the city waived the pre-paid second-half 2020 tax requirement. Mayor Jacob Frey announced the change and said, "I recently learned about the predicament and took quick action to fix it. For the sake of our businesses, we need to be removing every last possible barrier to recovery and reopening." He recently learned about "the predicament"? That seems odd, he being the city's mayor and all. Plus, Andrew Johnson is the one City Council member who has been sympathetic to the business-owners' plight. Frey issued a statement saying he consulted with Johnson before deciding to waive the collection of property taxes as part of the debris removal process. Johnson has been lobbying city (and county) officials to address the issue and rectify the situation since June. And this is the first the feckless Frey had heard about it?

The wealthy are fleeing New York due to exorbitantly high taxes and a drastic increase in crime. The state's clueless governor attempts to woo them back by offering to buy them a drink. Businesses are leaving New York, Illinois, and California for the same reasons. Now Minneapolis has joined the list of leftist-run states and cities seemingly determined to erode their tax bases to appease the frenzied mob.

Better raise taxes on the remaining businesses, right, Mayor Frey?

Image credit: CBS screen shot from shareable YouTube video.
Rating Action: Moody's downgrades ratings on two classes of CLO notes issued by 610 Funding CLO 3, Ltd.; actions conclude review

Global Credit Research - 13 Aug 2020

Moody's also confirms the rating on one class of notes

New York, August 13, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") has downgraded the ratings on the following notes issued by 610 Funding CLO 3, Ltd. (the "CLO" or "Issuer"):

U.S.$19,000,000 Class E Junior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2028 (the "Class E Notes"), Downgraded to B1 (sf); previously on June 3, 2020 Ba3 (sf) Placed Under Review for Possible Downgrade

U.S.$7,000,000 Class F Junior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2028 (the "Class F Notes"), Downgraded to Caa2 (sf); previously on June 3, 2020 B3 (sf) Placed Under Review for Possible Downgrade

The Class E Notes and the Class F Notes are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Downgraded Notes."

Moody's also confirmed the rating on the following notes:

U.S.$22,000,000 Class D Mezzanine Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2028 (the "Class D Notes"), Confirmed at Baa3 (sf); previously on June 3, 2020 Baa3 (sf) Placed Under Review for Possible Downgrade

The Class D Notes is referred to herein as the "Confirmed Notes."

These actions conclude the review for downgrade initiated on on June 3, 2020 on the Class D Notes, the Class E Notes and the Class F Notes issued by the CLO. The CLO, originally issued in June 2018, is a managed cashflow CLO. The notes are collateralized primarily by a portfolio of broadly syndicated senior secured corporate loans. The transaction's reinvestment period ended in July 2020.

RATINGS RATIONALE

The downgrades on the Downgraded Notes reflect the risks posed by credit deterioration and loss of collateral coverage observed in the underlying CLO portfolio, which have been primarily prompted by economic shocks stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Since the outbreak widened in March 2020, the decline in corporate credit has resulted in a significant number of downgrades, other negative rating actions, or defaults on the assets collateralizing the CLO. Consequently, the default risk of the CLO portfolio has increased, the credit enhancement available to the CLO notes has declined and expected losses (ELs) on certain notes have increased. Despite the credit quality deterioration stemming from the coronavirus outbreak, Moody's concluded that the expected losses on the Confirmed Notes continue to be consistent with the notes' current rating after taking into account the CLO's latest portfolio, its relevant structural features and its actual over-collateralization (OC) levels. Consequently, Moody's has confirmed the rating on the Confirmed Notes. According to the July 2020 trustee report[1], the weighted average rating factor (WARF) was reported at 3405 compared to 2897 reported in the March 2020 trustee report[2]. Moody's calculation also showed the WARF was failing the test level of 2920 reported in the July 2020 trustee report[3]. Based on Moody's calculation, the proportion of obligors in the portfolio with Moody's corporate family or other equivalent ratings of Caa1 or lower (adjusted for negative outlook or watchlist for downgrade) was approximately 18.9% as of July 2020. Furthermore, Moody's calculated the total collateral par balance, including recoveries from defaulted securities, at $393.9 million, or $6.1 million less than the deal's ramp-up target par balance. Nevertheless, Moody's noted that the OC tests were recently reported[4] as passing.

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Moody's modeled the transaction using a cash flow model based on the Binomial Expansion Technique, as described in "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations."

For modeling purposes, Moody's used the following base-case assumptions:

Par amount and principal proceeds balance: $390,918,000

Defaulted Securites: $4,898,508

Diversity Score: 63

Weighted Average Rating Factor (WARF): 3354

Weighted Average Life (WAL): 4.4 years

Weighted Average Spread (WAS): 3.72%

Weighted Average Recovery Rate (WARR): 47.6%

Par haircut in O/C tests and interest diversion test: 0.19%

In consideration of the current high uncertainties around the global economy and the ultimate performance of the CLO portfolio, Moody's conducted a number of additional sensitivity analyses representing a range of outcomes that could diverge, both to the downside and the upside, from our base case. Some of the additional scenarios that Moody's considered in its analysis of the transaction include, among others: additional near-term defaults of companies facing liquidity pressure; additional OC par haircuts to account for potential future downgrades and defaults resulting in an increased likelihood of cash flow diversion to senior notes; and some improvement in WARF as the US economy gradually recovers in the second half of the year and corporate credit conditions generally stabilize. The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, the government measures put in place to contain it and the deteriorating global economic outlook, have created a severe and extensive credit shock across sectors, regions and markets. Our analysis has considered the effect on the performance of corporate assets from the collapse in the US economic activity in the second quarter and a gradual recovery in the second half of the year. However, that outcome depends on whether governments can reopen their economies while also safeguarding public health and avoiding a further surge in infections. As a result, the degree of uncertainty around our forecasts is unusually high. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety.

Factors that Would Lead to an Upgrade or Downgrade of the Ratings:

The performance of the rated notes is subject to uncertainty in the performance of the related CLO's underlying portfolio, which in turn depends on economic and credit conditions that may change. In particular, the length and severity of the economic and credit shock precipitated by the global coronavirus pandemic will have a significant impact on the performance of the securities. The CLO manager's investment decisions and management of the transaction will also affect the performance of the rated securities.

The principal methodology used in these ratings was "Moody's Global Approach to Rating Collateralized Loan Obligations" published in March 2019 and available at https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-Global-Approach-to-Rating-Collateralized-Loan-Obligations--PBS_1111156. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004. The analysis relies on an assessment of collateral characteristics to determine the collateral loss distribution, that is, the function that correlates to an assumption about the likelihood of occurrence to each level of possible losses in the collateral. As a second step, Moody's evaluates each possible collateral loss scenario using a model that replicates the relevant structural features to derive payments and therefore the ultimate potential losses for each rated instrument. The loss a rated instrument incurs in each collateral loss scenario, weighted by assumptions about the likelihood of events in that scenario occurring, results in the expected loss of the rated instrument. Moody's quantitative analysis entails an evaluation of scenarios that stress factors contributing to sensitivity of ratings and take into account the likelihood of severe collateral losses or impaired cash flows. Moody's weights the impact on the rated instruments based on its assumptions of the likelihood of the events in such scenarios occurring. For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com. For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above.

The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.

REFERENCES/CITATIONS

[1] Trustee report 07-Jul-2020

[2] Trustee report 05-Mar-2020

[3] Trustee report 07-Jul-2020

[4] Trustee report 07-Jul-2020

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Nalin Aeron Asst Vice President - Analyst Structured Finance Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Jun Kim Senior Vice President Structured Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 20:24:14|Editor: huaxia

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-- European experts and TikTok users see the U.S. threat to ban the popular short video-sharing app as nothing but a move of protectionism to monopolize the tech economy.

-- TikTok ban hurt users and creative talents who have benefited from the platform for ordinary people to display their various talents through short videos.

-- The ban is not based on national security as the U.S. government has claimed, but protectionism, aiming to increase the market dominance of U.S. tech giants.

BELGRADE, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- When 23-year-old Shauna McMahon heard about the U.S. suppression of Chinese app TikTok, she was shocked.

"TikTok isn't harmful -- people are just being creative on it!" said the young Irish woman.

And McMahon is not alone in her thoughts. In the eyes of many European experts and TikTok users, the U.S. threat to ban the popular short video-sharing app under clearly false allegations is nothing but a move of protectionism to monopolize the tech economy.

Such flagrant suppression, they said, will not only cloud the lives of hundreds of millions of ordinary people who have turned the app into a worldwide subculture, but also the very future of the global economy.

Photo taken on Aug. 11, 2020 shows a mobile phone running the TikTok app in London, Britain. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

FALSE ALLEGATIONS

U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in early August banning any U.S. transactions with Chinese tech firm ByteDance, owner of TikTok, beginning 45 days later, citing national security concerns.

However, probes into TikTok privacy and security policies have been conducted both in Europe and the United States, and no evidence of unlawful use of information was found.

Baptiste Robert, a renowned French security researcher who has analyzed TikTok's app code, hasn't uncovered anything unusual.

"TikTok does not behave suspiciously and does not filter unusual data. It's quite common in the app world for apps to obtain data from the user's device, and we would get similar results with codes of Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and others," Robert was quoted by Belgian newspaper L'Echo as saying.

The ban is pushing the United States down the road of "isolation and discrimination against certain countries, instead of integration and free competition," said Carl F. Fey, professor of international business at Finland's Aalto University.

"If the concern is truly the security of information, why not put in place stricter requirements on what information can be collected and how/where it can be stored?" Fey said in a statement to Xinhua, voicing concerns over Washington's aggressive approach against Chinese companies.

Behind the ban is "a global race to access the younger generation," and the result of TikTok's ability to nab significantly higher participation of young people aged 16-24 than competing U.S. companies, said Barbara Giza, head of Faculty of Journalism at SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw.

Some European netizens also decry the ban's absurdity, saying it conceals deeper U.S. intentions.

Members of local social media star "The Trending Gang" dance with fans during a TikTok filming session in Vilnius, Lithuania, Aug. 10, 2020. (Photo by Alfredas Pliadis/Xinhua)

"No application may steal confidential information from you unless it's owned by the United States," wrote a user from Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Klix.ba news website.

"This resembles cowboy behavior ... And the fact that Facebook is spying, collecting locations, recognizing faces, importing contacts from phones all over the globe concerns nobody," a Serbian reader wrote on RTS website.





HITTING CREATIVE TIKTOKERS

In just a few years, TikTok has become one of the most beloved apps among the global youth population, providing a platform for ordinary people to display their various talents through short videos.

Data by U.S. market research company Sensor Tower showed that TikTok has been so far downloaded 165 million times in the United States and over 2 billion times globally.

"I feel Trump just wants to get rid of it because he is scared about people having a voice against him," said Katie Mcpeake, a 19-year-old college student from Dublin.

"The ban will make everything worse because this was a platform for people to express themselves," Mcpeake said.

Michael Le from Britain, who has 36.3 million followers on TikTok, recorded a video in which he called the app the only positive outlet in the streak of tragedies that the world saw in 2020.

"It built so many careers, including mine, and it's been able to give me the opportunity to support my family, to have a voice, and to bring joy to my fans," Le said.

A man takes a selfie with his daughter during a TikTok filming session organized by local social media star "The Trending Gang" in Vilnius, Lithuania, Aug. 10, 2020. (Photo by Alfredas Pliadis/Xinhua)

In Vilnius, rapper Sezzy, who has over 50,000 followers, told Xinhua TikTok is the best app for young talent right now, because "you can literally be at home, be talented and make the whole world watch you."

Michal "Wiciu" Witkowski from Poland, who has garnered 790,000 followers, told Xinhua the ban will certainly affect the Polish community, hitting many creators and users.

Panni, a 17-year-old boy from Hungary, said the ban is going to cause a big change in the lives of his generation because they all love the app and some even earn money by being influencers.

Nicolas Kovacich, a 19-year-old student in Rome, said TikTok trends unite people, eliminate fake news content, and allow a free-form of communication that has a rare "positive social power."





PROTECTIONISM IN ESSENCE

"When it comes to seeking reasons to suppress foreign firms, the U.S. will surely go for invoking national security, personal rights protection and people's privacy," said Marios Mavrides, a Cypriot economist and member of parliament.

The ban is not based on national security, but protectionism, said Mao Xuxin, principal economist at London-based think tank National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

"As we know, TikTok follows the rules in the countries where it operates, and the practices that it adopts are the same as the U.S. social media companies like Facebook and Twitter," he noted.

Mao added that the ban aims to increase the market dominance of U.S. tech giants, which are already under a year-long U.S. congressional investigation and scrutiny of the European Union.

However, as an opinion piece in the Financial Times has pointed out, "the extent to which the U.S. tech sector has become dependent on China is under-appreciated."

Photo taken on Aug. 12, 2020 shows a hand holding a mobile phone running the TikTok app in London, Britain. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

Noting that "the two tech worlds are connected via a tangle of wiring," the opinion warned that "the great uncoupling would cause huge economic pain to hundreds of U.S. tech companies."

Ling Liu, business lawyer at Eversheds Sutherland (Germany) LLP, told Xinhua that Washington has often abused the wide-ranging intervention power provided by U.S. federal law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to carry out its foreign economic policy.

Such a ban on Chinese apps like TikTok "will accelerate debates over preventing the abuse of emergency powers under the broad guise of national security," Ling said.

Discrimination of Chinese companies and their apps might face First Amendment problems, while the whole case may turn into a dangerous precedent against the open markets, he warned.

(Video reporters: Guo Mingfang, Stefanija, Zhang Qi, Zhu Sheng, Yuan Liang, Zhao Yuchao, Han Chong; Video editor: Lin Lin.) 
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan won the vote of confidence in the Legislative Assembly on August 14.

It was not immediately clear votes of how many members did Gehlots government garner in the House. The ruling Congress has 107 MLAs in the 200-member Legislative Assembly. The BJP has 72.

After the trust vote, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said that the vote of confidence was passed with a "very good majority".

"Despite various attempts by the opposition, the result is in favour of the government," Pilot said.

"This has put a full stop on all suspicions that were rising. A roadmap has been prepared for all the issues that were being raised. I have complete faith, that roadmap will be announced timely," Pilot added.

The Assembly convened at 11.00 am and paid tributes to former Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi and other leaders who passed away recently. After the obituary reference, the Speaker adjourned the House till 1.00 pm.

The House debated the confidence motion after convening again at 1.00 pm, before voting.

Special seating arrangements were made in the Assembly to maintain social distancing in view of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The session came after a month-long political crisis in the state which erupted with the rebellion by then deputy chief minister Pilot and 18 other Congress Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
New Zealand has recorded 13 new COVID-19 cases overnight sparking fears the country will be locked down until October.

Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield on Friday said two of the new cases are in Tokoroa - 200km away from the outbreak in Auckland.

The Tokoroa cases are linked to a member of the Auckland family which first tested positive this week, sparking the unexpected outbreak after 102 COVID-free days.

All of the new cases are connected to the existing cluster except for one, who is in hospital, which is still under investigation.

Two of Friday's new cases are linked to the Americold frozen storage facility, bringing the total number to 13 and the Auckland count to 19.

It has prompted health authorities to probe whether the virus was spread on frozen food shipments.

Five direct cases are workers, while seven others are family of infected staff. The refrigerated warehousing company is awaiting the results for 14 other workers.

Two of Friday's new cases are linked to the Americold frozen storage facility (pictured), prompting health authorities to probe whether the virus was spread on frozen food shipments

New Zealand has 49 active cases, prompting warnings from a top scientist that the nation could remain in lockdown for another seven weeks - the start of October

All of the new cases are connected to the existing cluster except for one, who is in hospital, which is still under investigation. Pictured: : People wait for a walk-up Covid-19 test at Eden Park, Auckland

The unexpected outbreak of a family-of-four plunged New Zealand back into lockdown after 102 days without recording a locally transmitted case of the virus.

New Zealand has 49 active cases, prompting warnings from a top scientist that the nation could remain in lockdown for another seven weeks - the start of October.

Epidemiologist Michael Baker said it will depend on how far the outbreak had already spread and if a direct link to an overseas case could be identified.

'You would expect a longer lockdown would be more likely. The most positive outcome is if contact tracing identifies a clear line of transmission from an imported case or someone working at managed quarantine,' Prof Baker told the NZ Herald.

'If the direct line to imported cases is established quickly that's very helpful and then it's finding out the extent of infection among the contacts, if some of them are infected then it's working out the extent of infection among their contacts and so it goes on.'

Prof Baker suggested New Zealand would go back to the situation in March when no more cases were recorded after five weeks of Level Four restrictions and then two weeks at Level Three.

'I don't think anyone is imagining that will be necessary this time around but if you are taking the extreme range of possibilities we know from experience in March that it was very effective,' he said.

There was early speculation the virus arrived to New Zealand on the packaging of frozen-food shipments before infecting a family member - a worker at Americold - who unpacked them.

Chinese health authorities have now revealed that traces of coronavirus have been found in frozen chicken wings and on food packaging.

A sample taken from frozen chicken wings that had arrived in Shenzhen from Brazil were reportedly contaminated with COVID-19, with an epidemiologist now warning the public to take precautions around frozen food.

People wait for a walk-up Covid-19 test at Eden Park on August 14 in Auckland

New Zealand's Cabinet will meet in Wellington for a crunch meeting on Friday afternoon. Pictured: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Frozen shrimp from Ecuador sold in Xian also tested positive for coronavirus, according to local authorities, with the virus able to survive cold temperatures.

This means that an infected worker at a frozen food storage facility could transmit the virus to unknowing shoppers, as the food is dished out to supermarkets across the country.

Americold managing director Richard Winnall told the NZ Herald that the staffer at the centre of the outbreak worked night shifts which may have limited the spread.

'The test results are coming in quite slowly which is frustrating. We have had since last night and this morning, two further positive Covid results back related to this site,' he said.

'One of those positive results was an Americold employee taking the total to five Americold employees.

'One was an agency hire labour worker, who is not a direct employee, but works with us during busy times.'

Despite fears the family member, who works at a cold store facility, contracted the virus from imported food, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters suggested the cluster may be linked to a hotel quarantine breach.

Americold managing director Richard Winnall said the staffer at the centre of the outbreak worked night shifts which may have limited the spread

All the 600 families and staff at Glamorgan School in Torbay have been ordered to stay in self-isolation after a boy tested positive

The unexpected outbreak of a family-of-four plunged New Zealand back into lockdown after 102 days without recording a locally transmitted case of the virus. A nurse tests at the Otara town centre testing facility in Auckland

Mr Peters said he hasn't been officially informed that there was a breach but expects it to be announced by health officials on Friday.

He said his source was a 'very reliable' journalist investigating the outbreak.

'It wasn't an official, I found out from somewhere else, but I think there's been a breach inside our quarantine system,' he told the ABC on Thursday.

Meanwhile a school in Auckland's north shore has been closed after a young student tested positive to the virus.

All the 600 families and staff at Glamorgan School in Torbay have been ordered to stay in self-isolation.

A six-year-old boy at Southern Cross Campus in Auckland has also tested positive to coronavirus.

The school's board held an emergency meeting on Thursday night. Two teachers and 28 of the boy's classmates are now in self-isolation.

New Zealand's Cabinet will meet in Wellington for a crunch meeting on Friday afternoon.

Extending a COVID-19 lockdown and possibly delaying the election will be top of mind.
A secular thief's misplaced sense of propriety has got him booked for a crime in the communally-sensitive Chikmaglur district in central Karnataka.

The incident took place in the temple town of Sringeri, considered sacred by Hindus across the south and devotees of revered 8th-century philosopher Adi Sankaracharya.

On Thursday, a piece of green-and-blue-cloth with an imprint of a mosque was found atop the statue of Shankaracharya in the town. Soon, local activists led by former BJP MLA of the area, DN Jeevaraj, held a protest over how an 'SDPI flag' was hoisted atop a small mantap housing the Hindu saint's statue.

In the backdrop of the riots that had just struck in capital Bengaluru just the day before, police quickly came together to diffuse the situation. They also assured the protestors that there were definite leads on who the culprits were, and that they would be brought to book.

Then began the probe. CCTV images led the police to the 28-year-old culprit named Milind, son of Manohar.

Chikmaglur SP Hakay Akshay Machhindra says the accused is a habitual drunkard, and he is not affiliated to any organisation or any party. In this case, he did not have any motive as well.

'It was not an SDPI flag, nor of any other political party. It was a banner printed for the Eid-Milad festival. It was very cold and raining that day. He was initially looking around for something to cover himself. So he used the cloth. Then he realised it was a banner that belongs to a God. So he kept it in the safe custody of another God," said Chikmaglur SP Hakay Akshay Machchindra.

It is a crazy quirk of circumstances, police said, shying away from calling him either a miscreant or the act a mischief. However, a case has been taken up under offences related to hurting religious sentiments.

But the incident was enough to fuel aggressive responses from BJP leaders. Chikmaglur MP Shobha Karandlaje tweeted before the arrest was made public: "Planting SDPI flag on Sri Shankaracharya's statue in Sringeri and inciting violence. It is high time that government led by Sri BSY recommends central government to ban this terror outfit. Organisations like SDPI and PFI are a threat to mankind, national security and for a harmonious society."

SDPI is the new face of banned terror org SIMI & Indian Mujahideen.It has been proved by the central agencies of SDPI's involvement in many murders & incidents that stirred social harmony.Even in the murder of RSS karyakarta Sri Rudresh in Bengaluru, CBI found SDPI link.1/3 pic.twitter.com/MAt76wBxo2 Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) August 14, 2020

The accused, Milind, has a criminal past. He had theft cases registered against him in 2012 and 2017, and had spent some time in jail earlier as well. Police say he was stuck in the heavy rains and this is common in this town in the Weestern Ghats. He was only trying to find a piece of cloth to cover himself around 12.30 and go back home.
U.S. efforts to create "New Cold War" trap to contain China will not succeed, says official

China firmly opposes U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks against China during his visit to Slovenia, the Chinese Embassy in Slovenia said in a statement on Thursday criticizing U.S. attempts to create a "New Cold War."

Slovenia and the United States signed a so-called joint declaration on security of 5G networks during Pompeo's visit. On the issue of the 5G security, the United States "violates the principles of the market economy and abuses the concept of national security to implement discriminatory and exclusive policies," the Embassy's statement said, noting that it has made "presumptions of guilt" against Chinese companies without being able to provide any evidence, and it "uses the power of the state machine to suppress Chinese companies."

"The attempt by the United States to create a 'New Cold War' trap and to form cliques to contain China will not succeed, nor will it be in anyone's interest," the Chinese Embassy stressed. "We advise some U.S. politicians to stop spreading political viruses, stop slandering China with words and deeds, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs."

"The Slovenian side has made it clear to the Chinese side that the declaration is not against China or Chinese companies. We expect the Slovenian side to honor its commitments, and to continue to provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies," the Chinese Embassy also said.

Milan Brglez, member of the European Parliament and the member of leadership of Slovenian Social Democratic Party said he was worried that the signing of the declaration could worsen relations between Slovenia and China.

"The signing of a political declaration on 5G security between Slovenian Foreign Minister Logar and U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo does not follow Slovenia's interests. There is even a possibility that signing of this political statement would become legally binding for Slovenia, as a unilateral legal transaction," Brglez said.

Local newspaper Vecer said that Pompeo's visit entails a price to pay, which will further harm Slovenia's reputation among European core countries.
OSTERSUND, Sweden, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with The Agency for Water and Wastewater Services in Oslo Municipality, Norway, for preparatory work in the project New Water Supply Oslo. The contract is worth about NOK 2.88 billion, about SEK 2.8 billion, which will be included in the Nordic order bookings the third quarter 2020.

The project consists primarily blasting of rock chambers and three large tunnels with a total length of five kilometres. A total of 1.2 million cubic meters of solid rock masses will be taken out and when production is at its peak, Skanska will have seven tunnel rigs active. The project is in an area in central Oslo that has a geology that will require special preparations, for example systematic pre-injection.

The contract is the first sub-contract in a major development project, whose main goal is to ensure that Oslo's water supply will provide enough quantities of drinking water even in the event of failure in vital parts of the water supply system.

Construction will start in September 2020 and will be completed in May 2024.

Skanska is one of the leading development- and construction companies in the Nordics, with operations in building construction and civil engineering in Sweden, Norway and Finland, and developing residential- and commercial property projects in select home markets. The commercial development stream is also active in Denmark. Skanska had sales of about SEK 70 billion and more than 15,200 employees in its Nordic operations during 2019.

For further information please contact:

Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 19 57

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-builds-new-water-supply-system-in-oslo--norway--for-nok-2-88-billion--about-sek-2-8-billion,c3168432

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3168432/1290830.pdf 20200814 NO water supply

SOURCE Skanska
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.14

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

The value of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria amounted to $142.6 million over 1H2020, compared to $221.1 million during the same period of 2019, Trend reports with reference to Kazakhstans Statistics Committee.

The share of Bulgaria in total value of Kazakhstans trade turnover stood at less than 0.3 percent during the reporting period compared to 0.5 percent during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export to Bulgaria amounted to $129.4 million over the period from January through June 2020, compared to $196.6 million during the same period of 2019.

Bulgarias share in total volume of Kazakhstans export amounted to less than 0.5 percent during the reporting period of 2020 compared to 0.7 percent during the same period of 2019.

In turn, Kazakhstans imports from Bulgaria slightly exceeded $13.2 million over the reporting period, compared to $24.4 million during the same period of 2019.

Bulgarias share in total volume of Kazakhstans import amounted to 0.1 percent during the reporting period of 2020 which is flat year-on-year compared to 0.1 percent during the same period of 2019.

The total volume of Kazakhstans trade turnover amounted to $42.5 billion over the period from Jan. through June 2020 which indicates a decrease from $46.1 billion during the same period of 2019.

Kazakhstans export amounted to $26 billion during the reporting period of 2020 ($28.6 billion in the same period of 2019), whereas import amounted to $16.5 billion ($17.5 billion in 2019).

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
There was not one road in the city of Harvey on Monday night that was passable. Not one road, Clark said. At least every road had either one to two trees or more that were down, that were blocking the entire road.
'Sterilizing children' bill heads to Calif. Senate floor amid public outcry

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A committee in the California state Senate voted earlier this week to approve a bill creating a fund for experimental medicalized gender-transition procedures, including cross-sex hormones and body-altering surgeries for both minors and legal adults.

The move came after the Health Committee chair said in late July that the measure would not be considered for the rest of the year. After pressure from transgender activists, the legislators revived the bill and the Senate Health Committee voted 7-1 to pass AB 2218, which is called the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund.

Opponents of the measure have been pointing out that one of the side effects of the combination of puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones is permanent infertility.

In hearings this week, the bill's sponsors and proponents complained that they have been inundated with calls pleading with them not to support legislation that would fund the sterilization of children. The author of AB 2218, Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, dismissed such concerns as "fear-mongering."

Let me be very clear and get the record straight, Santiago asserted, nothing, I will repeat, talks about sterilizing kids. Nothing, I will repeat, in this bill points to anything to do with children  I think it is fear-mongering and good for sound bites.

Other legislators on the committee echoed his words, insisting the bill contained nothing to that end.

"I got hundreds and hundreds of calls asking me not to support something that sterilizes children," said Senator Susan Rubio, D-West Covina, told the committee.

"So after those calls, I decided to read the bill very, very carefully and I didn't find anything about sterilizing children."

The California Family Council, which has been actively lobbying against the bill, has been showing legislators that the transgender clinics themselves warn that the experimental measures have a permanent impact on fertility.

"By approving AB 2218, members of the Health Committee got it wrong," Jonathan Keller, president of CFC, said in a statement sent to The Christian Post Thursday.

"At best, these senators are ignorant of how California gender clinics are already sterilizing children and young adults. If not, they are flatly refusing to acknowledge how this bill will fund these dangerous procedures.

"Gender clinics claim to treat gender dysphoria in pre-pubescent children with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. You don't need to be a doctor to know that a child who doesn't go experience puberty will likely be sterile for life."

Under a section with the heading "Preparing for gender-affirming hormone use in transgender youth" on the website of the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center, which like many major hospitals now has a transgender care unit, the long-term impact that chemical puberty suppression and "gender-affirming" hormones has on fertility is acknowledged.

"While options are being explored to preserve future fertility for transgender youth, the current reality is that cryopreservation is very expensive, in many cases prohibitively so for those with ovaries," the UCSF advice to trans-identifying youth reads.

The advice continues: "For youth whose pubertal process has been suspended in the earliest stages [by puberty-blocking drugs], followed by administration of gender-affirming hormones, development of mature sperm or eggs is unlikely at the present time, although it is noteworthy that there is active research developing gametes in vitro from the field of juvenile oncology. The issue of future infertility is often far more problematic for parents and family members than for youth, especially at the beginning stages of discussing moving forward with gender-affirming hormones."

The CFC stressed that the only reason to consider freezing gametes beforehand is because of the sterilizing effect of the drugs on the body.

Endocrinologists opposed to the practice have long pointed out that the majority of children who go on puberty blockers continue down the prescribed pathway with cross-sex hormones and then surgeries in order to appear more as the opposite sex.

The text of AB 2218 reads: "The grants shall be available to a hospital, health care clinic, or other medical providers that currently provides gender-affirming health care services, such as hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery."

Before it was scrapped and then revived, the bill initially asked for $15 million to start the fund, but that figure was later scrubbed from the text of the proposal. Activists with CFC and other groups distributed copies of journalist Abigail Shrier's recent book, Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, which extensively documents the many harms transgender medicalization has on young girls.

Surgeries such as double mastectomies on teenaged girls and genital amputations and reconstructive procedures for those 18 and older are covered by grants funded by AB 2218.

The bill has now moved to the Senate Appropriations Committee and will likely go on to the floor of the Senate before the end of August. If approved, Gov. Gavin Newsom is likely to sign it into law.
"Andre Roberson of the Southern California nonprofit 'Power Of One,' has just hit the 1 Million families feed benchmark in less than 6 months of providing food for children and adults in disadvantaged communities, with NO national assistance," said Robert Alexander, CEO of 360WiSE MEDiA.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Its been a very heavy challenge watching so many families of all colors, cultures and creeds barely make ends meet, then COVID-19 hits and our foundation moved into overdrive," said Andre Roberson, Founder and CEO of Power Of One Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization with a focus on fighting hunger and poverty by providing food assistance and vital resources to vulnerable communities and individuals in Orange County, CA and beyond. "The foundations purpose is to empower residents in underserved communities to become leaders in their communities."



"We are extremely excited to have 360WiSE MEDiA onboard as our new Public Relations and Influence Brand Marketing Agency.

We are honored to be supported by the Consulate of Mexico, Congressman Lou Correa of CAs 46th District,

Congressman Harley Rouda of CAs 48th District, Senator Tom Umberg, Santa Ana Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento,

Westminster Councilmember Sergio Contreras, SAC President Claudia Alvarez, Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley, Costa

Mesa Councilmembers Andrea Marr and Arlis Reynolds and so many other incredible individuals. Many other people and companies are rising to the occasion and we are so grateful," said Andre Roberson.

"We speak about Community Leadership daily on World Of Dance Studio conference calls," said Robert Alexander CEO of 360WiSE MEDiA and Director of Community Leadership with the World Of Dance brand, "but I had no idea that a minority owned and operated non profit organization could possibly help feed 1 Million families in less than 6 months and not make national headlines, said Robert Alexander. I asked Andre how could his strength and leadership remain so focused and unwithered to serve so many families in need without donations from large charities like the Bill Gates Foundation, Disney, Emerson Collective, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation with a total annual giveaway of $325,249,144 or the California Community Foundation with a total annual give of $170,444,478 all according to the Grantsmanship Center?"

Story continues

Andre says the community and the Power Of One vision is to feed those who are hungry, love those who are alone, serve where there is need, and make a significant impact in ending hunger & poverty locally and globally. POOF works with cities, counties, & states to create sustainable, replicable models and systems at a local level to bring about more efficient societies - communities caring for communities - utilizing & uniting bipartisan political support and local community support. "With a strong infrastructure managed by a committed and engaged team, the Power of One Foundation will expand its ability to reach the hungry and homeless around the world, in short we will make it through these tough times only by faith and commitment in loving one another with the power of oneness," said Andre Roberson CEO and Founder of Power Of One Foundation.

The need for food assistance continues to be great so we are continuing to meet it. If families are struggling financially, they are also fighting hunger. During these last 21 weeks we have witnessed communities coming together to care for each other. This can and must continue. Power of One Foundation (POOF) - along with our incredible partners, supporters, and volunteers  has provided for an approximate 1,061,600 individuals in the Orange County area through the Emergency Food Assistance (EFA) Program under POOFs Covid-19 Crisis Relief Initiative.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: All people in need of food assistance in Orange County are welcome. Cars should arrive with windows up and trunks empty. If you have neighbors, family members, or friends who are in need of additional support, please reach out to us. We want to help!

OUR ASK: If you wish to directly support us, all you need to do is CLICK HERE. You can also mail a check to 918 N. Cleveland St., Orange, CA 92867.

Help us serve our communities in and around Orange County. We are so grateful for those supporting us daily!

Our greatest need currently is obtaining refrigerated trucks. We will have triple-digital weather this coming weekend and keeping our food cold and preserved is top priority. The foundation has been renting for months but needs to move toward purchasing its own.

ABOUT : POWER OF ONE FOUNDATION

Every person, regardless of their country of origin, race, gender, or socioeconomic status, has the right to basic human resources.

Media Contact: Shawnee Witt  Secretary of POOF /

Cell: 406-672-9617 Email: shawnee@powerofonefoundation.org or

Sir Joe Madu - Director of Communication 360WiseMedia

Office 1-844-360-WISE (9473) Email sirjoe@360wisemedia.com

ABOUT 360WiSE

360WiSE MEDiA is one of the largest major-market media operators in the United States and the undisputed leader in social media marketing, news, brand, and public figure advertisement.

The 360WiSE brand is licensed and registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office specializing in marketing and advertising. Powered with the positive iconic advice of MC Hammer, 360WiSE MEDiA is in the top 1% of public relations, influence, branding, and marketing of celebrities, actors, public figures, recording artists, small businesses and major brands.

360WiSE MEDiA is known for its first of class, best use of social network platforms, local and national SEO, offline mobile marketing, geofencing, human behavior marketing, international press, and news access, Roku TV stream marketing, and content placement along with verified social media marketing to increase your engagement, positive visibility, and ROI.

At 360WiSE MEDiA you will find creative, passionate celebrities, public figures and gifted individuals who specialize in different areas, ranging from the music industry, radio, television, web design to digital marketing, but they are not limited to a single skill set. Using an interactive approach, 360WiSE MEDiA adapts to any project or situation and always moves in leaps and bounds to create trends rather than follow them. We are a thought leadership, design, advertising, entertainment, public relations and consulting agency all rolled into one, and if the right person for the job isnt already under our roof, we have the right partners in our network on hand to get the job done.

Partnering with our clients to create Big Ideas and Digital Experiences. We approach our projects with strategic and creative thinking. Spending each day doing so by sharpening the tools of valued relationships in the celebrity, digital, and marketing trade.

For more information contact:

Public Relations Department

1-844-360-WISE (9473)

360WiSE MEDiA








Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

A valuable history lesson is needed to explain to this papers columnist the genesis for why paisanos are so hung up on Columbus, as he wrote in his column (Aug. 7, Kevin McKeever, Answering letters from my (imaginary) mailbag).

The Italians who immigrated here in the early 20th century came from the poorest farm towns and villages of Southern Italy, looking for a better life, and they were not familiar at all with this man Christopher Columbus because his great accomplishments did not take place in Italy but here in America.
Ex-President of Boston Police Union Charged With Rape, Sexual Abuse of Young Relative

The former president of a Boston police union is being held on $100,000 cash bail over allegations he sexually assaulted his young relative over a period of five years, beginning when she was 7 years old.

Retired officer Patrick Rose, 66, the former head of the Boston Police Patrolmens Association, hid his face in his hands during his arraignment on Thursday in West Roxbury District Court. He pleaded not guilty on charges including aggravated rape of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Rose, who served as the head of Bostons largest police union from 2014 until 2018 before retiring, is accused of sexually assaulting the girl on multiple occasions from when she was about 7 to about 12 years oldbetween 2012 and 2018according to a police report filed in court.

The girl told officers that she had been sexually assaulted by Rose at his home in West Roxbury over a period of years and once at a drive-in movie theater, according to the state police report.

The victim, now 14, disclosed details of the alleged abuse earlier this month to another relative, who then reported the assaults.

The Boston Police Patrolmens Association didnt respond to a request for comment.

There is no greater betrayal and breach of trust and morality than sexual violence against a child, Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement. That the individual accused of these despicable crimes is an adult family member of the victim and a former member of law enforcement, who swore an oath to protect victims from harm, is unconscionable.

I intend to hold him accountable.

Disclosing sexual assault can be incredibly difficult, especially for a child. When the perpetrator is an adult and a family member, it can become even harder.

Im so proud of the survivor in this case for finding the strength and the courage to come forward, she said.

Sexual assault committed within families often results in significant generational trauma and harm. We intend to be available for the family members of this victim as well, Rollins added.

Judge Kathleen Coffey on Thursday ordered Rose to wear a GPS monitor, to stay away from and have no contact with the victim, surrender his passport, surrender any firearms in his possession as well as his license to carry, and to have no unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh told The Epoch Times in a statement that he is deeply disturbed by these horrific allegations.

The allegations must be investigated to the fullest extent of the law, Walsh said.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 10.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.

If you need help, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800) 422-4453. Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The US Consulate General, Hyderabad, has said that consular sections are opening to process student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis from August 17.

"Student visas are a high priority, and we will make every effort to assist applicants in a timely fashion while keeping our customers and staff safe. However, due to our very limited appointment availability, we may not be able to accommodate all requests in time for the start of the fall semester," the US Consulate General tweeted.

The US embassy on its site said, "Consular sections in the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and other four Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata will begin processing student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis on August 17."

"After consultation with our health and security professionals, we will open in a limited manner that puts the safety of our customers and staff first. We will first process emergency student and exchange visitor appointment requests received prior to August 12 and then offer public appointments," the embassy added.

It said it would refresh appointments as it has availability, generally two weeks in advance. Prospective students and exchange visitors should schedule an appointment no more than three weeks prior to their class start date.

"We expect appointment slots to be filled quickly. Please continue to monitor our website for availability. Student visas are a high priority, and we will make every effort to assist student visa applicants in a timely fashion while keeping our customers and staff safe," the Embassy said.

"Due to our very limited appointment availability we will not be able to accommodate all requests in time for the start of the fall semester. We will try to handle requests based on when we receive them and when classes will start. We ask for your patience during this time. This being said, we continue to remain closed for routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services," it said.

The Embassy said it will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but could not say when. The MRV fee is valid and may be used to schedule an interview appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.

"If you have an urgent need to travel, please follow the guidance provided at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-expeditedappointment.asp to request an emergency appointment. Applicants for H1B, H2B, H4, L and certain J categories covered by Presidential Proclamation 10052 should request an appointment only if you have reason to believe you may qualify for one of the exceptions listed here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.html," the Embassy said.
Inc. magazine today revealed that Signature Bank is No. 4,025 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

We founded Signature Bank fourteen years ago and its a real honor to be recognized for our organic growth in that short time, said Michael ORourke, President & CEO of Signature Bank. This award validates our business model of true relationship banking.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About Signature Bank

Signature Bank is a relationship-based commercial bank wholly owned by Signature Bancorporation, Inc., a privately funded, locally owned bank holding company founded in 2006. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, Signature Bank provides accessible, strategic, and highly individualized commercial banking services to closely held companies, as well as full-service retail banking capabilities. Technology driven and well-capitalized, Signature Bank is currently the fastest growing, independently owned business bank in the Chicagoland area. Visit Signature Bank online at http://www.signaturebank.bank.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
But those of us who are new to America should be the most intent on ensuring that this country makes good on the promises of opportunity and equality that brought us here. We should be the ones who most demand just legal systems and fair immigration proceedings; who condemn climate policy that causes unequal harm to the nations our families come from. Indian Americans in particular, who have benefited from policies that favor high-skilled foreign workers, are for the first time placed to use our collective social capital and financial privilege to make life more equal. But Indian Americans joy at seeing Harris on a national stage suggests that desis risk merely joining the system, not pushing to change it.
Blue Ocean Investments Ltd., the leading bulk distributor of petroleum products in Ghana, has signed a collective bargaining agreement with the General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers Union (GTPCWU), an umbrella body for oil and gas sector workers in the country.



The agreement which was signed on Monday, the 11th of August 2020, seeks to govern all labour and remuneration issues between Blue Ocean Investments and the GTPCWU, is to help forestall any labour unrest involving the company and its workers and to ensure that workers interests and needs are protected.



Present at the brief but important ceremony were management of Blue Ocean Investments including the General Manager, Henry Osei, the Deputy General Manager, David Quaye, the People and Culture Manager, Francis Agyakwa, and other members of senior management. The GTPCWU was also represented by its National Union Chairman, Bernard Owusu, the General Secretary, Alhaji Fuseini Iddrisu, the Deputy General Secretary, Francis Sallah, and the Industrial Relations Officer, Samuel Opoku Asare.



Speaking at the event, Henry Osei reiterated the need for industrial harmony to prevail at the labour front to ensure peace between the company and its workers. We as a company, we would like to foster convivial working relations with our most important assets, our employees, to ensure growth for us and prosperity for the workers, he said.



According to him it is thus important that this collective bargaining agreement and the terms herein stipulated have been accepted by both parties and our signatures appended to it to guide our collective engagement going forward.



The General Manager and senior management of Blue Ocean Investments also thanked the leadership of GTPCWU for showing good faith and allowing cool heads to prevail throughout the negotiation phase of the agreement.



On his part, Bernard Owusu expressed gratitude to Blue Ocean Investments for ensuring that the interests of its workers are well served through the signing of the collective bargaining agreement and hoped that the faith shown by Blue Ocean Investments will be emulated by all well-meaning corporate employers.

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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New Delhi: Zee Studios has announced its next production, a social comedy, '14 Phere'. It is directed by Devanshu Singh and written by Manoj Kalwani. The venture is slated to release on July 9, 2021.

Actors Vikrant Massey and Kriti Kharbanda will be pairing up for the first time in this quirky, contemporary social comedy that promises to be a complete entertainera roller coaster ride with Sanjay and Aditi on their adventures and misadventures.

Vikrant Massey said, The script hit me hard, the ideology of the film and the main thought behind the story is something that has been with me, individually. When I heard the script, it felt like two halves becoming one, I would have been a fool to let go of this film. Its a beautiful story that speaks of very pertinent things relevant in todays times. Im really looking forward to working with Kriti. Ive seen her films and she is a very good actor! Cant wait to get started!

Kriti Kharbanda said, 14 Phere is a socially relevant, promising, fun script on a kick-ass subject. From the moment I heard the script, I found myself extremely excited! Its led by a great team headed by Devanshu, whose previous work I admire. I absolutely love the character of Aditi that I will be portraying in this filmI think Ive become Aditi already! Im looking forward to sharing screen space with Vikrant whos a terrific actor. Super excited to get started in bringing Aditi to life!

Commenting on the announcement, Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios said, 14 Phere is an important film that beautifully captures the heart and heartland of Indiaits a quirky, contemporary, emotional and relevant film which also highlights how weddings, most often, happen between two families, not just two people. We needed a fresh, new pairing and we couldnt have been happier to have Vikrant and Kriti on board! We are currently working on pre-production, and prepping to go on the floor in November.

Director Devanshu Singh said, 14 Phere is a full-blown family entertainer. A contemporary social comedy with elements of romance, comedy of errors, lots of emotions, adventures-misadventures and celebrations. Its full of surprises. Im super thrilled to be working with Vikrant and Kriti, they are supremely talented yet so real and fun to work with. The best part is that they believe in the script as much as I do. Cant wait to go on the floors!

So, are you excited to watch this social comedy?
As Beijing tightens its grip on the city, the terms of this deal have changed to keep Hong Kongs economic autonomy but throttle its political and judicial independence. This continues to serve Chinas elite but has prompted a counterargument from the United States, Ma said: If Hong Kong no longer enjoys political autonomy, Washington will no longer afford it the privileges of economic autonomy. Hong Kong cannot have one without the other.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of two influential US senators has introduced a resolution in the Senate, condemning Chinese military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and calling for a diplomatic solution.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5.

The situation deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died.

The resolution was introduced by Senator John Cornyn, Republican Senate Majority Whip, and Senator Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Thursday.

Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus.

The Senate resolution follows the passage of a similar resolution by the House of Representatives as part of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) last month.

"As a cofounder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the US and India. I commend India's commitment to standing up to China and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression," Cornyn said.

The June 15 conflict between China and India, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding Beijing's "provocative actions" in disputed territory, Warner said.

"This resolution condemns PRC's (People's Republic of China) actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; and encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC," he said.

Warner said the US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values.

"That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.

In a joint press statement, the two senators said the deadly conflict broke out on June 15 on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the LAC that separates China and the Indian regions of Ladakh and Sikkim.

The "lethal conflict" occurred in the Galwan Valley "one of the sites of tension in recent weeks" as the two sides were in the process of negotiating a mutual "disengagement" of forces.

The last time the border conflict escalated to the point of casualties was in 1975, it noted.

The events leading up to the clashes included fistfights between Chinese and Indian soldiers stationed near Pangong Lake in India's Ladakh state, territorial advances by Chinese forces in Hot Springs and the Galwan Valley, and clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers on the border near India's Sikkim state, the statement said.

Over the past several weeks, there has been outpouring of support from top American lawmakers, across the aisle, against Chinese efforts to grab Indian territories.

Support for India against China has come in the form of tweets, public speeches, House and Senate floor, letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Congressional resolutions.

Several lawmakers have also made a call to Sandhu to express their outrage against China.

Sandhu, who has been meeting top American lawmakers, virtually, on a daily basis has received multiple Congressmen and Senators expressing their strong support to India against China.

Senator Rick Scott last month wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commending the Indian government for the continued efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the boundary issue.

Congressmen George Holding and Brad Sherman, co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, alongwith several other lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna, in July wrote a letter to Sandhu, expressing their disappointment by the events that took place in the Galwan Valley.

Led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and co-sponsored by several others, including Ro Khanna, the House of Representatives in July passed an amendment to the NDAA, which says that China should work toward de-escalating the situation along the LAC with India through existing diplomatic mechanisms and not through force.

In the same month, another NDAA amendment, moved by Congressman Steve Chabot along with Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera, noted US Congress' opposition to Chinese aggression against India in the Galwan Valley and expressed concern toward the growing territorial assertiveness of China.
An American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington in March 2019. Andrew Harnik/AP

Federal agents have seized millions of dollars worth of bitcoin that terrorist organizations were using to carry out their violent campaigns, the US Department of Justice said Thursday.

As part of the operation, officials also seized a website and four Facebook pages that ISIS was using to sell fake personal protective equipment.

The seizure was just one part of a broader crackdown on the financial operations behind terrorist groups.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Federal agents have seized millions of dollars in bitcoin and more than 300 cryptocurrency wallets controlled by the terrorist organizations al-Qaeda and al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of the Hamas group.

A press release, published by the Department of Justice Thursday, says its the government's "largest-ever seizure of cryptocurrency" from terrorist organizations. The seizure was just a facet of a broader initiative to dismantle the financial operations of terrorist groups. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, and the Internal Revenue Service were all involved in the investigation.

Al-Qassam Brigades and al-Qaeda had regularly asked for cryptocurrency donations to support their cause, using social media to amplify their requests.

Al-Qassam Brigades first started doing so in early 2019 with a social media request for bitcoin donations that the group said would be used for violent causes. But they weren't anonymous as the organization wished  federal agents from various agencies were able to capture all 150 of the crypto accounts and redirect donated funds to bitcoin wallets operated by the US government.

And undercover HSI agents were able to seize 155 "virtual currency assets" connected to al-Qaeda.

The US also seized a website and four Facebook pages that ISIS was using to sell fake personal protective equipment. Officials said US customers could have inadvertently bought into the scheme by attempting to purchase PPE, which has been in short supply since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investigation still has to go to court, at which point the government will decide if the funds will be forfeited. If it does, funds collected from the wallets "may in whole or in part" be donated to an organization that supports victims of terrorism.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:39:29|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on April 15, 2020 shows people working at the construction site of a 5G base station in Chongqing, southwest China. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China has called on the international community to reject U.S. hegemonic interference in other countries' 5G cooperation, and uphold a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment.

According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed with the Slovenian foreign minister a joint declaration on 5G security during his visit to the country. Earlier in the Czech Republic, he also talked about joint efforts to build a clean network.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Friday at a press briefing that it is preposterous that, as the secretary of state of a country with cyber theft stains all over it, Pompeo should have the audacity to propose the building of a so-called "clean network."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press briefing in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 5, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"Now that the so-called 'clean network' seems to be Pompeo's pet phrase, perhaps he should explain to us, why is it that the shadowy figure of the United States can be found in cyber espionage activities from PRISM to Equation Group to ECHELON? Why is it that American intelligence authorities run a 24/7 surveillance of cellphones and computers all over the world, even eavesdropping on leaders of U.S. allies for over a decade? This is apparently the modus operandi of a hacker state," Zhao said.

The U.S. claim of "protecting privacy and the individual liberties of citizens" is nothing but a high-sounding pretext, Zhao said, adding that from meddling in other countries' 5G rollout to openly coercing allies into excluding Huawei, certain U.S. politicians have no scruples resorting to state power as long as it can stop Chinese businesses from getting an edge in 5G.

A 5G unmanned delivery car delivers goods at the Beijing Institute of Technology in Beijing, capital of China, April 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

"I'm afraid what they have in mind is not a 'clean network,' but an 'American Network;' not a 'secure 5G network,' but a 'U.S. surveillance network;' not protection of 'privacy and liberties' of the individual, but consolidation of 'digital hegemony' of the United States," the spokesperson said.

"We believe the world can see certain U.S. politicians for who they really are, reject U.S. hegemonic interference in other countries' 5G cooperation, and uphold a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment," he added.

Zhao said in an era of globalization, 5G development should follow the concept of international consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and politicizing relevant issues or creating cliques will not be conducive to 5G progress.

"Such practices run counter to the fair competition principle and go against the common interests of the international community," he said. 
By PTI

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish full diplomatic ties, expressing hope that the accord will lead to Israeli and Palestinian leaders re-engaging in "meaningful negotiations" for a two state-solution.

The joint statement by US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan suspends Israeli annexation plans over parts of the occupied West Bank, which a UN spokesperson said was something the Secretary-General has consistently called for.

"The Secretary-General welcomes this agreement, hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realise a two State-solution in line with relevant United Nations resolutions, international laws and bilateral agreements," the statement said on Thursday.

The UN chief said peace in the Middle East was imperative as the region confronts the grave threats of COVID-19 and radicalisation.

"The Secretary-General will continue to work with all sides to open further possibilities for dialogue, peace and stability," the statement said, adding that annexation would effectively close the door for a renewal of negotiations and destroy the prospect of a viable Palestinian State and the two-State solution.

In a major diplomatic breakthrough, the UAE on Thursday became the first Gulf country and the third in the Arab world to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as part of a deal to halt the controversial annexation of parts of the West Bank that Palestinians see as a part of their future state.

Trump took to Twitter to break the news, saying, "Huge breakthrough today. Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!".

A White House announcement said that the leaders of the US, Israel and the UAE "spoke today and agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates".

A joint statement from the United States, Israel and the UAE said that "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region".

Close neighbours, Jordan and Egypt, are the only two other Arab states to have diplomatic ties with Israel under peace agreements that have weathered several storms over the decades to hold firm.
New Delhi, Aug 14 : Delhi Congress chief Chaudhary Anil Kumar said on Friday that party workers will hold flag-hoisting at 272 locations across the national capital, including the DPCC office, to mark the Independence Day on August 15 even if they were to be booked by police.

"The Congress workers will peacefully defy the threatening and arm-twisting tactics of the Modi government and exercise their fundamental right to hoist the National Flag. This will be done across Delhi by thousands of Congress workers, strictly adhering to the coronavirus pandemic guidelines, including social distancing and wearing of face masks, he said in a statement.

"The Congress workers will defy authorities to hoist the national flag, despite the fact that Delhi Police had filed FIRs against senior party leaders, including me and ex-MP Jai Prakash Agarwal," the Delhi Congress President said.

The Congress alleged that Delhi Police registered an FIR on August 9 for hoisting of a flag at Hauz Qazi to commemorate the 'Quit India' movement, which the party had been doing for the last 78 years.

The Congress leader said that the party supporters have a glorious history of braving the blows from batons of the British Raj police and arrests to get freedom for the country, adding that the party leaders and workers will not be cowed down by arrest threats and FIRs from the Delhi Police on the Independence Day.

He said that it was indeed "very sad and disturbing" that in a free country, the Modi government is "behaving like the British rulers".

"The history of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Jana Sangh has been one of collusion with the British and betraying the great freedom fighters of the country like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel etc," Anil Kumar alleged.
Historic Israel-UAE agreement 'turning point for peace' U.S. mediate, halt to annexations

(by Massimo Lomonaco) (ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 14 AGO - Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will sign an agreement for the normalization of their relations - an agreement mediated by the White House. US President Donald Trump was the first to announce the accord, defining it as ''historic'' in a tweet. The agreement will be signed over the next few weeks at the White House, as occurred for the two previous peace accords between Israel and Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994). The accord follows Israel's pledge to suspend the announced controversial annexation of parts of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley.



The agreement has so far lifted a huge weight on any possible resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians. However, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza have already slammed it as ''treason''. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) of Mahmoud Abbas has rejected ''with force'' the agreement and has requested ''an immediate'' emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). ''This step - claimed Abbas - undermines the initiative for Arab peace, the decision of Arab and Islamic leaders, the international legitimacy and aggression against the Palestinian people''.



Turkey has also expressed opposition: ''the Emirates are trying to present this agreement as a sort of sacrifice for Palestine but, on the contrary, they are betraying the Palestinian cause to serve their particular interests'', said the Turkish foreign ministry. Meanwhile Iran defines the agreement as ''strategic stupidity by Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv which without a doubt will strengthen the axis of resistance in the region''.



Italy welcomed the accord with favor and the foreign ministry wrote that it ''constitutes a positive development, which we hope can favor the resumption of direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians in the perspective of a just, sustainable and long-lasting two-State solution''.



Trump called it a ''huge breakthrough'' on twitter.



''Historic peace agreement between our two greater friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates'', the president tweeted.



Netanyahu meanwhile hailed the agreement on television and said it was an ''historic moment for a full and formal peace agreement. He said it was his ''privilege to sign the third peace agreement with an Arab country''. UAE leader Mohammed Bin Zayas, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called it a diplomatic road map so far which would in any case have high symbolic value. The stated objective in the agreement is to ''widen connections with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world''.



(ANSAmed).




Voltas declined 1.75% to Rs 607.7 after the company reported a 51% decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 81.77 crore in Q1 June 2020 from Rs 166.32 crore in Q1 June 2019.

Consolidated revenue from operations tumbled 51% as well to Rs 1296.94 crore in quarter ending June 2020 as against Rs 2654 crore in the same period last year.

Voltas' profit before tax stood at Rs 107.53 crore in Q1 June 2020, falling 58% from Rs 258 crore in Q1 June 2019. Total tax expense declined 72% to Rs 25.76 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019.

The group's operations and financial results for the quarter were impacted due to outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown. The business activities were resumed gradually based on the relaxations and directives issued by various government as well as local authorities in India and other countries where the group has business operations, albeit constraints of workforce and availability of project sites. The results of the current quarter are therefore not strictly comparable to the respective previous quarters.

Despite the lockdown situation and a small window of only around 40 days available (post Unlock 1) during the quarter, Voltas was able to sell around 290,000 ACs. Voltas continues to be the market leader and has sustained its No.1 position in room air conditioner business with YTD market share of 26.2%. Voltas has also maintained leadership position in Inverter ACs.

Voltas is India's largest air conditioning company, and one of the world's premier engineering solutions providers and project specialists.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
City and county officials have confirmed an additional 177 cases of the novel coronavirus, also confirming a new death due to the virus in their Friday update.

The added cases bring the city's total number of recognized cases to 9,303. Of those, 3,333 cases are considered active infections.

A male in his early 50s died due to coronavirus on Thursday, August 13. With the added death, 185 people have died due to the virus since its emergence in the Gateway City.

170 people are currently under treatment at Laredo hospitals, including 64 people who are currently housed in intensive care units.

According to Laredo Health Authority Dr. Victor Trevino, local hospitals continue to struggle with capacity as they treat COVID patients.

Trevino said although a slight decrease in hospitalized patients has been seen recently, the decrease has not been significant enough to fully solve the issue of overloaded hospitals.

According to deputy fire chief Guillermo Heard, negotiations are still ongoing with state officials with an eye to upping ICU capacity in Laredo.

Heard said that an additional care site housed at Laredo Specialty Hospital is being discussed, though it is dependent on the needs of the community.

As the start of flu season draws nearer and nearer, local health officials are also making preparations to battle influenza and COVID-19 at the same time.

Should influenza patients need to be hospitalized, the additional patients could fill Laredo hospital beds at a time of great need.

Interim health department director Richard Chamberlain said that mobile influenza vaccine clinics will be coming soon to the city, though full details have yet to be worked out.

The clinics are also designed to prevent COVID-19 and influenza co-infections, which could cause additional complications when treating the virus.

As of noon Friday, 24,761 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Laredo. 14,388 people have tested negative, with 1,070 tests still pending results.

According to city and county officials, no testing drives are currently in discussion until September at the earliest. However, testing continues through various local clinics and through the City of Laredo Health Department.

An estimated 5,785 people have recovered from previous coronavirus infections and have been cleared by city officials to return to the public.
Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldnt want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value?



One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Lets put Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. PDM stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks:

PE Ratio

A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stocks current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole.



On this front, Piedmont Office Realty Trust has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 8.7, as you can see in the chart below:





This level actually compares favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 stands at about 23.87. If we focus on the long-term PE trend, Piedmont Office Realty Trusts current PE level puts it below its midpoint over the past five years. Moreover, the current level is fairly below the highs for this stock, suggesting it might be a good entry point.





However, the stocks PE also compares unfavorably with the Zacks Finance sectors trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 15.3. At the very least, this indicates that the stock is slightly overvalued right now, compared to its peers.

Story continues





We should also point out that Piedmont Office Realty Trust has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this years earnings) of just 8.66, so it is fair to say that a slightly more value-oriented path may be ahead for Piedmont Office Realty Trusts stock in the near term too.

P/CF Ratio

An often-overlooked ratio that can still be a great indicator of value is the price/cash flow metric. This ratio doesnt take amortization and depreciation into account, so can give a more accurate picture of the financial health in a business. This is a preferred metric to some valuation investors because cash flows are (a) generally less prone to manipulation by the companys management and (b) are less affected by variation in accounting policies between different companies.

The ratio is generally applied to find out whether a companys stock is overpriced or underpriced with reference to its cash flows generation potential compared with its competitors. However, it is not commonly used for cross-industry comparison, as the average price to cash flow ratio varies from industry to industry.



In this case, Piedmont Office Realty Trusts P/CF ratio of 9.94 is lower than the Zacks Reit-Eqty Trust-Other Market industry average of 21.73 which indicates that the stock is somewhat undervalued in this respect.

Broad Value Outlook

In aggregate, Piedmont Office Realty Trust currently has a Value Score of B, putting it into the top 40% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes Piedmont Office Realty Trust a solid choice for value investors, and some of its other key metrics make this pretty clear too.



For example, the P/CF ratio for Piedmont Office Realty Trust comes in at 5.15, which is noticeably better than the industry average of 11.14. Clearly, PDM is a solid choice on the value front from multiple angles.

What About the Stock Overall?

Though Piedmont Office Realty Trust might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth Score of D and Momentum Score of D. This gives PDM a Zacks VGM score  or its overarching fundamental grade  of C. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>)



Meanwhile, the companys recent earnings estimates have been encouraging. This has had a noticeable impact on the consensus estimate, as the current year consensus estimate increased 0.5% in the past two months, whereas the full-year 2021 estimate increased 2.6%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below:

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Price and Consensus

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Price and Consensus

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. Quote

Even with better estimate trends, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which is why we are looking for in-line performance from the company in the near term.

Bottom Line

Piedmont Office Realty Trust is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible lineup of statistics on this front. However, with a sluggish industry rank (bottom 15% out of more than 250 industries) and a Zacks Rank #3, it is hard to get too excited about this company overall. In fact, over the past two years, the sector has clearly underperformed the market at large, as you can see below:

So, value investors might want to wait for estimates, analyst sentiment and broader factors to turn around in this name first, but once that happens, this stock could be a compelling pick.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It's just all so wrong, Meron Savage says, "this never should have happened." Ms Savage has endured more than any mother should, watching the heartbreaking deterioration of her daughter Kate despite the family's best efforts to get her help. She spent several excruciating years trying to help her young daughter survive a battle with severe mental illness, her family searching for help via a health system missing the one facility Ms Savage believes could have saved Kate. There is nowhere to keep a suicidal child, Ms Savage says. There are no facilities in WA where they will take a child or young teen who is suicidal, keep them safe and treat them. And I think thats awful. Kate Savage. The familys quest to find medication or a treatment that would help Kate ended last month when, at just 13 years old, she stepped in front of a car on Perth's Albany Highway. Kate died in hospital, and Ms Savage says the family swapped one kind of hell for another. As she prepares for her daughters funeral on Saturday, Ms Savage hopes sharing her story will make people sit up and take notice, and that knowing what families like hers go through leads to changes in a health system she says failed a little girl who first showed signs of mental illness at eight.

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Its worth going through the pain of talking about it if it can help make some change along the way, she says. Because it needs to happen. And it needs to happen sooner than the two years it will take for a coronial inquest, or even the six months it will take for the psychiatrists investigation. Soon after Kate's death, Health Minister Roger Cook announced the states chief psychiatrist would review her case and deliver recommendations to form part of a broader Young People Priority Framework, to be produced by the end of the year. This would identify gaps in services and make recommendations for action. But Ms Savage doesnt want to wait that long. She fears her daughters story will become yesterdays news, and the changes she says families desperately need forgotten. Shes watching the Premier announce millions for other projects, while the deadly gap in the states mental health system remains wide open. If there were a gap in a bridge would we continue to drive cars over it while we set up a review team to see if that is a problem? Meron Savage I am happy for people to know the hell that she went through, and we went through, and I know people who are still going through that, Ms Savage says.

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For all that was hell, now were living a different kind of hell. You cant have the hope that things can get better, this can be fixed. Shes gone and nothing can ever change that. Kate Savage with her sister Bethany. Credit:Meron Savage Ms Savage tells a story where her daughter was once deemed "too depressed" to be treated with the therapy she'd been prescribed at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, with the family at one point informed their child was not keen to participate or "buy into" the process, so they would turn her away. Ms Savage believes this is when Kate lost hope. Her parents were told at other points in their journey that Kate was behaving the way she did  at times manic, other times severely depressed  to get attention. That her suicide attempts, which by the end numbered about 10, were not serious. To help the family click here With nowhere else for Kate to go, the family turned their home into a virtual prison for the child whose intrusive thoughts told her she needed to die. Their lives became dedicated to protecting hers.

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There were stints in Perth Childrens Hospital, where she would be kept safe, but Ms Savage says Kate was not treated with medications, and would then be released back to the exhausted family. Ms Savage says many other families have contacted her to say they are encountering similar issues. Meron Savage with her daughters. Credit:Meron Savage "They need to not be able to dismiss a child whose parents are crying out for help, who is self-harming, who is openly suicidal, because that child wont speak to them. I think thats disgraceful," Ms Savage says. She says children, like her daughter, don't have the ability to see ahead like an adult does. They dont have the desire to get better, because they are too depressed. "They need to be treated regardless of whether they want to be treated or not. Adults who are suicidal get kept in hospital whether they want to be there or not, for a considerable length of time until they have been treated." Instead, children like her daughter were sent home to parents who tried to keep them alive at home on their own.

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This infuriates Ms Savage, who, as a teacher, could not refuse to teach a child because they didn't want to learn. WA Commissioner for Children Colin Pettit says the chief psychiatrist's review into Kate's case must be completed quickly and acted on immediately. We have already identified a whole range of issues that could be part of the review, but whatever comes up needs to be acted on very quickly, Mr Pettit says. Weve provided evidence though a number of reports that there are gaps, particularly for child and young people and we would like to see that improved. The speed at which the government has enacted a review in the recent week is a very positive step, but we already know much of the problem and that action can be taken as quickly as possible. Acting Mental Health Commissioner Jennifer McGrath says there are three in-patient options for teens, but gaps in services are known. "Perth Childrens Hospital provides an inpatient service for children up to the age of 16 in WA, with youth inpatient services at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Bentley providing services for young people 16 to 24," she says.

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A female embroiderer carefully reproduces a famous calligraphy work by Huang Tingjian, an artist and poet in Chinas Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), on a piece of cloth.

Zhang Xiaorong (right) teaches a woman embroidery skills. Photo/Chinanews.com)

The work is 11 meters long and consists of more than 600 Chinese characters, and is expected to take at least half a year to complete.

Its so hot. Just take a rest if youre tired, Li Shaoyu, technical director of a company that sells Miao embroidery products, said to Zhang Xiaorong, the embroiderer.

Im fine. Just one more character, Zhang replied, as she continues to concentrate on her stitching.

Zhang, who is from Xikou village, Baojia township, Pengshui Miao and Tujia autonomous county of southwest Chinas Chongqing municipality, has been an employee of the company, run by Li and her husband, since last year.

After getting through the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhang has become a trainer teaching people embroidery skills, while the company has received more and bigger orders.

In 2018, Zhangs family slipped back into poverty when her husband suffered a serious illness. As she was worrying about how to make a living, she received a phone call from Xiang Guohui, a local official who was designated to help Zhangs family shake off poverty.

Xiang told Zhang that a company was running training classes teaching people embroidery skills, and asked if she was interested in joining.

I said yes without the least hesitation, Zhang said, as she had seen her mother embroidering and had been interested in the handicraft since she was young. Besides, she had also been thinking about learning some practical skills that she could use to free her family from poverty at that time.

Zhang Xiaorong. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

Since the class had been organized with the support of the local government, students were able to learn skills for free and were provided free food and accommodation during the training.

As a diligent student and a gifted embroiderer, Zhang quickly caught the attention of Li, who was then the teacher of the training class. As soon as the training ended, Li asked Zhang to work as an embroiderer for her company and promised to give her flexible working hours, as she still needed to take care of her husband and children.

Zhang joined the company in April 2019, and became one of its best workers. As she was reliable, hard-working and always efficiently produced high-quality work, Zhang was made the manager of one of the companys shops at a tourist attraction shortly after she was employed there.

However, just as everything seemed to be looking up, the COVID-19 epidemic dealt a severe blow to various industries across the country.

Our company couldnt get orders. I was a little worried, since I didnt have any work to do and had to stay at home, Zhang recalled, saying that she was worried that her company might have to lay off workers or even face closure.

To ease the anxieties of the embroiderers at her company, Li made phone calls to every worker reminding them to try not to go outside, and ordered more than 20,000 yuan ($2,880) worth of face masks from another city and had them sent to every employees home.

In order to help employees continue supporting their families, the company allowed people to work from home and paid them by the piece.

To everyones surprise, the company not only continued to pay their employees salaries every month, but even paid them half a month ahead of their pay day.

We didnt have any orders at that time, so we didnt have to work. But considering that this period would be more difficult for our employees than for the company, we decided to continue with production. We were determined not to lay off any employees, unless they asked to leave voluntarily, explained Li, who said that she and her husband had to borrow money from family and friends to pay their employees' salaries during the most difficult time of the pandemic.

Fortunately, as the country made positive achievements in the prevention and control of the pandemic, the company also managed to get out of its difficulties.

At the end of last April, the company received a new order for 200 sets of Miao ethnic clothes. Zhang was very excited about the order, and quickly completed her part of the job.

In order to bring greater diversity to the companys products, Li had two college students design various cultural and creative items for the company during the COVID-19 outbreak and opened online stores on e-commerce platforms, which caught the attention of more young people and did a lot to expand the market for the company.

In addition, the local government provided constant support for the company, helping it tide over the difficult time by lowering the rate of added-value tax the company had to pay, encouraging the companys landlord to reduce rent, and providing special funds for the company.

On June 8, the local county government allocated 800,000 yuan from its poverty relief fund for a training class organized by the company, allowing 80 people from local impoverished households to receive training as embroiderers.

It was great news for us. As well have more and more embroiderers, we will be able to take bigger orders in the future, Li said happily.

Zhang, who has made great progress in her embroidery skills over the past year, volunteered to teach people embroidery at the training class.

And with encouragement from her company, she is also learning related theoretical knowledge so that she can prepare for the accreditation as assistant industrial artist from the local human resources and social security authorities.
Longtime harness racing industry participant Dixie Lynn 'Dixie' MacKay of Truro, N.S. passed away on Sunday, August 9 at the age of 68.

In her wonderful years of life, Dixie worked alongside her darling husband, Emmons, with the racehorses in harness racing with the family-owned MacKay Stable. Dixie loved horses and she truly loved the horse racing community and its people. Emmons has lost the love of his life and he will always hold the loving memories close to his heart. Dixie loved to see Emmons and Tammy in the winners circle and would be the first one out there to get her picture taken -- with her purse in one hand and race program in the other.

Its easy to say that Dixie touched a lot of lives in the Maritime harness racing industry and she will be dearly missed. Dixie also took great pride in her loving son Ozzie and his accomplishments in business and in life. Dixie was always there for her family and friends; Dixie was a provider and a proud supporter to many.

Dixie had an infectious smile and a compassionate spirit. Dixie worked for Elections Canada and with several Liberal Parties over the years. Dixie also took great pride in taking care of numerous children in her younger years. Dixies true passion though was people; she loved them all, she made people feel welcome, she talked to everyone she met along the way and she deeply cared for both the younger and older generations. Dixies life also centered around preparing countless meals for family, friends, company, horse people, horsemens banquets, and horse sales. Dixie was a true giver her whole life who never expected anything in return. She had a lot of friends who touched her precious life. Dixie was considered a charm, a community champion, a true treasure, and a respectable fine-looking lady.

Dixie was the daughter of the late Frank Borden Sr. and Venita Sandy OShea. Dixie was preceded in death by her Brother, Frank Borden Jr. and sister Penny Buchanan and her nephew, Michael Smith. Dixie is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Emmons MacKay, and her two children Ozzie (Shona OBrien) and Tammy. She is also survived by her sister Janice Cavanaugh (Ralph) in British Columbia, Brother in-laws Wayne MacKay (Gloria), Ross MacKay (Debbie), Glenn MacKay (Tammy), close family friends, Rhea Chase and her son, Bailey Merner, and her nieces & nephews.

Dixie will forever be remembered by Emmons, Ozzie, Tammy, and her family & friends for her loving, kind & genuine heart, sadly gone but never forgotten. At this time the family would like to sincerely thank the ICU Nurses and Doctors at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro and the QEII  Infirmary ICU Department in Halifax. Special thanks to the VON Care Workers, family and friends.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Colchester Community Funeral Home, Truro, N.S. There will be a Graveside Service at 10:00 a.m at The Bible Hill Cemetery on College Road in Bible Hill on Monday, August 17, 2020 where all friends and family are welcome to attend. A Celebration of Life will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2020 at The Truro Horsemens Club where all are welcome to attend. If so desired, donations in Dixies memory may be made to the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, N.S.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dixie MacKay.
Acorn Foundation is releasing a video showcasing some of the community organisations impacted by the organisations support.

Each August, the foundation announces its distributions to the community. And this month is no different.

These distributions are enabled through the thoughtfulness of their growing donor base, says general manager Lori Luke.

She says in acknowledgment of this generosity, and in advance of their distributions announcement, the Acorn Foundation has released a video showcasing just some of the community organisations that are impacted by this support.

At the very centre of what we do at Acorn is connecting generous people who care with causes close to their hearts. Through the contributions of our supporters, we are able to make significant and lasting impacts on many of our regions community groups each year.

"This video allows us to celebrate the generosity in our region and hopes to encourage others to join us as we build a stronger community together.

The video showcases a number of organisations across the region including the Katikati Community Centre, Shakti Ethnic Womens Support, Good Neighbour, Omanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Page/Acorn scholarships at Page Macrae Engineering, BOP Youth Development Trust, Tauranga Moana Nightshelter Trust Takitimu House, Bay Conservation Alliance, Huria Trust, EmpowermentNZ, Tauranga Community Foodbank and scholarships for the Dale Carnegie Youth Programme. Lori says the video gave Acorn the opportunity to shine a light on some of the transformational work these organisations do every day.

Through our donors support, the Acorn Foundation is able to help address our communitys greatest needs and enable our community organisations to continue their hard work towards building a thriving community.

"While we could never hope to showcase all of the groups we support each year, we wanted to highlight how our community is strengthened by the power and impact of many through the generosity of spirit and giving.
Israel, UAE reach US-brokered agreement to establish full diplomatic ties

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 3:46 PM

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached a deal that will lead to a full normalization of diplomatic relations between the two sides, in an agreement that US President Donald Trump apparently helped broker.

Under the agreement announced on Thursday, Israel has allegedly agreed to suspend applying its own rule to further areas in the occupied West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pledged to annex, senior White House officials told Reuters.

Trump, in a tweet, called the agreement a "HUGE breakthrough," describing it as a "historic peace agreement between our two GREAT friends."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who spoke to reporters accompanying him on a trip to central European countries, said for his part that the agreement was an "enormous" step forward on the "right path."

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also tweeted that the deal marked "a historic day."

Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed said on Twitter on Thursday that an agreement had been reached on normalising relations between the two countries.

The deal, however, has elicited sharp negative reactions from various Palestinian groups as well as their supporters from across the world.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement reacted rapidly by condemning the deal between the UAE and Israel.

The movement noted that normalization of ties between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi was a sign of submission on the latter's part without having any effect on reducing conflicts in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Islamic Jihad movement also noted that the deal will, on the other hand, further embolden the Israeli occupiers.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a statement, calling for an urgent meeting of Palestinian leadership to be held on the Israel-UAE deal to discuss its consequences.

Meanwhile, senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi accused the United Arab Emirates of "normalization" with Israel after Thursday's announcement of the so-called peace deal.

Ashrawi, who is a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said on Twitter, "The UAE has come out in the open on its secret dealings/normalization with Israel. Please don't do us a favor. We are nobody's fig leaf!"

Ashrawi also responded to Abu Dhabi's crown prince's tweet in a counter-tweet in which she reminded him of the sufferings of the Palestinian people at the hands of the Israeli occupiers.

The spokesman for the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, Fauzi Barhum said the normalization of ties between the UAE and Israel is a reward for occupiers in return for their crimes and violations of Palestinian's rights.

Sarah Leah Whitson, a pro-Palestinian activist, also took to Twitter to condemn the deal, saying it would not lead to any recognition of Palestinians' rights.

"Israel won't formally annex and exercise sovereignty over the land it has for all intents and purposes already annexed and exercises sovereignty over... ZERO for the rights of Palestinians," she wrote.

The information minister of the Yemeni government in Sana'a also reacted by saying that the deal between the Israeli regime and the UAE was a show of defiance shown by the enemies of Islam to all Muslims.

Popular Resistance Committees, which is a coalition of a number of Palestinian groups, also reacted to the UAE-Israel deal by noting that the agreement reveals the high volume of conspiracies against the Palestinian people and their sanctities.

"This is like a poisonous dagger in the back of the Islamic Ummah," the committees added.

Yemen's Ansarullah movement has also vehemently slammed the deal as a provocative move.

Ansarullah's spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the agreement brought to light what had been kept secret and proved that Zionist and American enemies will continue to destroy the region.

He added that this is not an anti-Iran deal alone, but is against the interests of the entire Arab and Islamic Ummah.

Meanwhile, deputy secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Abu Ahmad Fuad, was quoted by al-Mayadeen news agency as saying that the UAE-Israel deal is a crime against the Palestinian people and their martyrs and will have no effect on the resistance front.

He added that the Palestinian people will continue to confront Israel's daily attempts to annex more Palestinian territories.

"It is the Palestinian people who prevent further annexation of their lands by Israel, not the UAE and its leaders," he said.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, however, welcomed the agreement, saying, "I followed with interest and appreciation the joint statement between the United States, United Arab Emirates and Israel ... I value the efforts of those in charge of the deal to achieve prosperity and stability for our region."

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No Ukrainian army casualties were reported in the past day.

Ukraine has reported no shelling by the enemy in Donbas on Thursday, August 13, but one violation by the Russian Federation's armed formations was recorded.

"On August 13, there were no enemy attacks in all areas of responsibility of our units," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 14, 2020.

The Joint Forces were abiding by the ceasefire, being ready to adequately respond to possible attacks by the adversary, it said.

Read alsoPrisoner swap: Ukraine submits list with 100 names to OSCE

Meanwhile, the Russian Federation's armed formations violated the peace deal by commencing engineering work near the village of Zolote-5, which is not controlled by the Ukrainian government, in the direction of Ukrainian units' positions.

No Ukrainian army casualties were reported in the past day.

At the same time, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one was injured in a booby-trap blast in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on August 13. The injured was rushed to a hospital, where he was provided with the necessary medical assistance.

Since Friday midnight, no attacks by Russian Federation's armed formations have been recorded, the JFO HQ said.

The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military, it said.

Background

Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group (Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from July 27.

The new ceasefire regime was enforced at 00:01 Kyiv time on July 27.

On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
ROME  Pope Francis this week accepted the resignation of the archbishop of Gdansk, Poland, who has been accused of protecting priests facing allegations of child abuse, a step seen as a subtle rebuke but also criticized as inadequate.

The archbishop, Slawoj Leszek Glodz, had offered his resignation upon reaching the retirement age of 75, as protocol demands, but bishops are typically allowed to keep their positions past that time.

The popes decision to accept Archbishop Glodzs resignation on his birthday was interpreted by many as an admonishment of the church hierarchy in Poland, which has long been accused of putting the institutions image above the rights of abuse victims.

For some critics, the perceived rebuke was too little, too late.

It was an insufficient move, said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, a group that tracks abuse in the church. The Pope has promised accountability for bishops who cover up. He has also talked about proportionality of punishment for accused priests, but this is the mildest of sanctions.
Angry Palestinians in Jerusalem accused the United Arab Emirates of collaborating with Israel and endangering Al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third-holiest site - as they gathered for Friday prayers the day after the Gulf state's deal with Israel.

Under an agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel and the UAE announced on Thursday that they will normalise diplomatic ties, brought together by a confluence of interests against Iran.

The deal also envisions giving Muslims greater access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque by allowing them to directly fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

This was greeted with dismay by Palestinian worshippers filing into the tree-lined hilltop compound in Jerusalem's walled Old City known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

"Our brothers in the Emirates put our blessed mosque in the grip of death," said Kamal Attoun, 60, an East Jerusalem Palestinian and Old City merchant.

Asked if he would welcome Muslims from the Emirates or the Gulf under such circumstances, Attoun said: "You've seen how collaborators from Saudi Arabia have been received in the past. The same fate awaits the Emiratis."

He was referring to a pro-Israel Saudi internet influencer who was reportedly taunted as he walked through the Old City compound last year.

Palestinians have long sought East Jerusalem, where the Old City is located, as capital of a future state and have looked to Arab nations to defend that stance. If they normalise ties with Israel, Palestinians fear losing any chance of future sovereignty in the city and guaranteed access to Al Aqsa mosque.

Mohammad al-Sharif, 45, a member of Israel's Arab minority, said he would not hold it against ordinary Muslims from the Gulf "because their rulers made a mistake".

But he was scathing about their leaders.

"Collaboration with the UAE is worse, a hundred times worse than collaborating with Israel. That Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and his dirty dogs look out for themselves and their interests and the rest of us can go to hell," he said, referring to Abu Dhabi's crown prince.

The top Islamic official in Jerusalem, Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab of the Islamic Waqf, told Reuters he does "not accept the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque to be the subject of political bickering. It is higher than this tug-of-war."

Condemnation also came from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose spokesman on Thursday read out a statement from the leadership on Palestinian television calling the deal a "betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa and the Palestinian cause".

Palestinians across Gaza and the occupied West Bank rallied on Friday against the deal. Protesters in the city of Nablus burned effigies of Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

ISRAELIS DELIGHTED

Meanwhile, Israel embraced the deal, with the country's biggest-selling daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, calling it a "bold breakthrough".

Some analysts said Netanyahu risked angering his supporters by walking back pledges to annex land in the West Bank - territory sought by Palestinians for a state - so as to do a deal with an Arab Gulf country.

"He gained a few points with the centre-left, which loves agreements with Arabs, but he lost many more points with his base of right-wing voters," wrote Ben Caspit in Maariv.

Netanyahu, dogged by an ongoing corruption trial and criticised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has hailed the agreement as a personal success in integrating Israel in the Middle East.

On his Arabic-language Twitter account he credited Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad with helping to clinch the deal.

Under spy chief Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu said, the Mossad helped develop Israel's relations with the Gulf and "ripen the peace agreement with the Emirates".

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Gaza City  Palestinians reacted with shock and dismay after US President Donald Trump unveiled an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to normalise ties.

The deal pledges full normalisation of relationships between the two countries in the areas of security, tourism, technology and trade in return for suspending Israels annexation plans in the West Bank.

Both the Palestinian leadership and public were caught by surprise when the announcement came on Thursday.

We absolutely had no prior knowledge of this agreement, Ahmed Majdalani, the Palestinian Authoritys (PA) minister of social affairs, told Al Jazeera. The timing and speed of reaching this agreement were surprising, especially that it came at a critical moment in the Palestinian struggle.

Former PA minister Munib al-Masri noted Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who ruled Abu Dhabi for more than 30 years before his death in 2004, had always been a strong supporter of the Palestinians.

The late Sheikh Zayed was a dear brother to me, I knew how much he was proud of his support for Palestine I never imagined that in my lifetime I would see the day in which the UAE would simply sell the Palestinians out for the sake of normalisation, al-Masri said. Its very shameful. I cant believe it until now.

Other Palestinian officials said though the news came abruptly, it was not much of a surprise.

We were not surprised that much because the Emirati army was never on the borders ready to fight Israel, said Mustafa al-Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative and member of the PA parliament.





Weve been seeing recent strange moves by the UAE such as sending direct flights to Israel, and there were leaks of secret accords between the two in terms of scientific and economic cooperation. It is clear that these were preliminary steps to absorb yesterdays shock.

Rejecting the agreement

The PA and all Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, issued official statements denouncing the UAE-Israel agreement. Palestinian leaders who spoke to Al Jazeera called it a stab in the back.

We already knew that there has been normalisation going under the table, but to formalise and legalise it that way at this critical moment is shocking. Its a stab in our back and the back of all Arab nations, said Majida al-Masri, former PA minister of social affairs.

Al-Barghouti emphasised the deal doesnt introduce any change or progress, its far from being genuine peace.

This is an attempt to enforce the deal of the century that aims to liquidate Palestinian national rights, it represents a denial of Palestinian, Arab and Islamic rights, he said.

Palestinian leaders said the deal was a free gift to Israel and was made to help the re-election of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The UAEs position, in terms of its timing and essence, can only be understood as giving Israel leverage for free, said Wasel Abu Yousef, member of the PLOs Executive Committee and leader of the Palestine Liberation Front. Theres no reasonable justification for it except that it gives more power to the occupation and increases its crimes against the Palestinians.

Normalising de facto annexation





Although, Abu Dhabis Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed said the agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation, Palestinians saw little credibility to this claim.

The UAE is trying to deceive and mislead the public by repackaging this shameful agreement as a service to the Palestinians and claiming that it halts annexation, but thats merely throwing dust in the eyes, Majdalani said.

Al-Masri said annexation was already going nowhere because the entire world was standing against it.

So using annexation as a pretext is an exploitation of Palestinians to cover up whats been done here, al-Masri said. But neither the UAE nor other countries are entitled to speak in the name of Palestinians.

The format of the agreement implicitly approves of Israels annexation of Jerusalem. It only opposes further annexation while approving whats been annexed already.

Palestinian leaders argued the agreement will not stop Israel from extending sovereignty to the West Bank.

Instead of de jure annexation, Israel is furthering its creeping annexation. Its accelerating and increasing its aggression on the ground in terms of settlement construction, home demolitions and whats happening in the Ibrahimi and Al-Aqsa mosques, and in lands that fall in area C, said al-Masri.

Palestinians noted that Netanyahu had kept the door open to annexation and merely said it was temporarily delayed.

Netanyahu responded directly to this point and said that annexation is still on the agenda, al-Masri said. This is a slap in the face of the UAE  to prove them wrong and embarrass them.

Breaching Arab positions

Al-Barghouti called the agreement a divergence from the Arab peace initiative and a stab in the back of Arab positions.

It even contradicts the interests of the Emirati people themselves and goes against the historic position of the UAEs previous rulers such as Sheikh Zaid, he said.





Majdalani said the deal aims to reshape the Arab approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It allows Netanyahu to say that he can achieve peace in return for peace with the Arabs without withdrawing from any territories.

Al-Barghouti said he fears the agreement will give a pretext to countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom  which welcomed the deal  to look away from the situation.

But were surprised that Arab governments like Bahrain and others would openly express support for this deal. Did they forget the Palestinian people and their rights? Did they forget Jerusalem and Islam? he said.

Added Abu Yousef: The world should see Israels accelerated and increased crimes on the ground in the occupied territories, not just the threat of annexation.

Struggle will continue

Despite the disappointment, Palestinians emphasised Thursdays announcement will not affect their determination to end the occupation.

Our sacrifices that we gave in confronting this occupation will not go to waste, we will strongly hold on to our rights and principles, supported by all the free people of the world, said Abu Yousef.

Majdalani the Palestinian leadership was looking a ways to respond. We took an immediate decision to recall our ambassador to Abu Dhabi and were currently having all options on the table to consider.

Palestinian officials urged the Arab world and international community to act. The best response to the deal can only come from fellow Arab nations, al-Masri noted.





Abu Yousef said the PLO calls on Arab states to issue a unified position against the UAEs decision, so that there wouldnt be space for other Arab countries to follow its lead in weakening Arab positions and support to the Palestinians.

He said the UNs International Criminal Court (ICC), which may soon announce an investigation into Israeli actions in occupied Palestine, must now act.

The international community, particularly international organisations like the UN, are now urged more than ever to take responsibility in stopping these crimes and empowering our people. Hence, we call on the ICC to expedite its ruling on holding the occupation accountable, Abu Yousef said.

Al-Masri concluded: We still have hope on the Arab people, including the Emirati people who unfortunately cannot express their mind due to terrible state repression. The Arab public still rejects such normalisation.
The younger brother and co-conspirator of infamous scam artist Bernie Madoff was released from federal custody on Thursday having served nine years for his role in the largest Ponzi scheme in US history.

Peter Madoff, 74, was handed a ten-year sentence in December 2012 after admitting he aided his brother Bernie, the schemes mastermind, in handing out the bogus firms last $300 million to insiders once they were caught out.

He claimed he was not aware the firm was fraudulent until it collapsed in 2008, despite having helped his brother run it over four decades.

Yet a judge ruled that Peters sham compliance program had allowed Bernies swindling scheme to go undetected for years as he sentenced him to a decade in jail.

Peter Madoff, 74, was released from federal custody on Thursday after nine years

According to the Bureau of Prisons website, Peter was released from home confinement this week, a year ahead of his 2021 scheduled release.

He had been transferred to home confinement from the Federal Correctional Institution in Miami on November 19, 2019.

Peter had served as chief compliance officer for his brother's firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities.

A lawyer by training, he alleged he had no knowledge of the Ponzi scheme until his brother confessed to him on the night of December 9, 2008.

He was then told for the first time that the investment business they had built together was a sham.

The younger Madoff brother was arrested two days later and confessed their $65-billion crimes to authorities.

He pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying records and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud.

In a settlement with a trustee working on behalf of those hit by the scheme, his family had to hand over $90million in assets.

Peter Madoff pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying records and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud in his brother Bernie's infamous Ponzi scheme. He was sentence to ten years in prison but was released this week from home confinement after just nine years

In total, a trustee has recovered roughly $14billion out of the more than $17billion lost by investors, who had received fraudulent statements to suggest their investments had grown enormously.

Peter was sentenced on two criminal charges three years to the day that his older brother was given 150 years jail time.

Bernie Madoff, 82, pleaded guilty in March 2009 to orchestrating the largest and most high-profile Ponzi scheme in US history.

He admitted swindling thousands of clients out of billions of dollars in investments over decades.

In early June, a judge ruled that the dying Ponzi king should finish his life in prison and refused his bid to be released early..

Judge Denny Chin ruled that when he set the prison sentence in 2009, he intended Madoff to die in jail and that nothing has happened in the last eleven years to change his mind.

Bernie Madoff, 82, pleaded guilty in March 2009 to orchestrating the largest and most high-profile Ponzi scheme in US history. He is pictured leaving federal court in February 2009

Bernie Madoff is being held in the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina

Chin, who now sits on the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, noted the continuing suffering of Madoff's thousands of victims after the fraudulent scheme, which deceived them into thinking their money was invested properly, was exposed in December 2008.

Bernie Madoff, 82, was sentenced to 150 years behind bars in 2009 by Judge Denny Chin for a decades-long scheme that scammed thousands of people of $17.5billion

'I also believe that Mr. Madoff was never truly remorseful, and that he was only sorry that his life as he knew it was collapsing around him. Even at the end, he was trying to send more millions of his ill-gotten gains to family members, friends, and certain employees,' Chin wrote.

The judge said he'd reviewed public statements made by Madoff and found they 'show that he has never fully accepted responsibility for his actions and that he even faults his victims.'

Madoff had requested compassionate release though his lawyers.

The request lets some prisoners go home if they are likely to die within 18 months.

Prison authorities had recently determined Madoff is dying of terminal kidney failure.

In his request for early release, his lawyer cited end-stage kidney disease and other 'chronic, serious medical conditions,' including hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

After Chins refusal, Madoff's representatives called on President Donald Trump to commute his sentence.

His request is 'pending', according to the US Department of Justices website.

He is currently being held at a federal medical facility in North Carolina.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:13:55|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry on Friday reported 4,013 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the outbreak of the disease, bringing the total nationwide infections to 168,290.

The ministry's health teams and institutions have used 20,446 testing kits across the country during the day, raising the total testing kits used to 1,245,355, said in the ministry's statement.

It also reported 68 fatalities during the day, raising the death toll from the virus to 5,709, while 2,921 more patients recovered in the day, bringing the total number of recoveries to 120,129.

Earlier, the Health Ministry frequently said the increase of COVID-19 infections was caused by a lack of public compliance to the health instructions and stronger testing capacity with the increase of labs in Baghdad and other provinces.

Meanwhile, Baghdad Mayoralty said in a statement that its teams have conducted a campaign to sterilize different neighborhoods and main streets across the capital to support the efforts of the health ministry to curb the outbreak of the pandemic.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Iraq has been taking measures to contain the pandemic.

China has been helping Iraq fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

From March 7 to April 26, a Chinese team of seven medical experts spent 50 days in Iraq to help contain the disease, during which they helped build a PCR lab and install an advanced CT scanner in Iraq's capital Baghdad.

Since March 7, China has also sent three batches of medical aid to Iraq. Enditem
SAP created a variety of activities for employees to stay connected while working from home. Westend61/Getty Images

German software giant SAP launched a handful of activities to keep employees connected amid the coronavirus crisis, including a wine tasting session and a Tinder-like app for connecting colleagues for virtual lunches, Bloomberg reported.

The company noticed that many of its single employees missed the in-person interactions of the office: "We realized we needed to address their loneliness and isolation, but do it in an open and positive way," an exec told Bloomberg.

The company has 100,000 employees across 180 countries and one of the biggest, unexpected challenges of the shift to remote work was finding ways to keep them connected, former co-CEO Jennifer Morgan told Business Insider in April.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

German software giant SAP created a slew of employee-bonding activities as the coronavirus crisis has kept most of its employees home since March, according to Bloomberg, including an in-house app where employees can swipe left or right on each, a format popularized by the dating app Tinder. If employees match, they can coordinate a virtual lunch over video call.

That custom-built app and SAP's other initiatives came to be after its human resource team noticed that many of its single employees were missing the social interactions they'd typically have at the office, according to diversity and inclusion officer Nina Strassner.

"We realized we needed to address their loneliness and isolation, but do it in an open and positive way," she told Bloomberg reporter Benedikt Kammel.

In shifting its employees scattered across 180 countries to remote work, one of the biggest, unexpected challenges was actually helping workers who lived alone feel safe and connected, former co-CEO Jennifer Morgan told Business Insider in April.

"Because I have a family  as many people around me do  I didn't realize that, with 100,000 people, there's a lot of people who are alone," she said.

Story continues

So, the staff created a variety of activities its employees could enjoy from home, including film screenings, video game competitions, and wine tastings where bottles were delivered for free and sommeliers guided participants, according to Bloomberg. Around 1,700 workers also attended a virtual barbecue led by expert butchers.

While those experiences are focused on SAP's German workers, different regions are employing their own new initiatives to keep company morale alive during isolation, too. In North America, the company is hosting a "Tour de SAP" Peloton competition, spokesperson Lesa Beber told Business Insider. And in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company has reworked its annual summer paint night and escape room tradition by coordinating small groups that can meet and do the activity together.

"We take every opportunity to listen to our employees ," Beber told Business Insider via email, "And ensure we are doing everything we can to ensure they are comfortable and feeling empowered."

Read the original article on Business Insider
She celebrated selling out her Inamorata 'summer sweats' collection earlier this week.

And Emily Ratajkowski looked effortlessly stylish as she headed out for lunch in the Hamptons with friends on Thursday.

The model, 29, showed off her incredibly-toned abs in a grey crop top which she teamed with khaki joggers.

Ab-tastic: Emily Ratajkowski looked effortlessly stylish as she headed out for lunch in the Hamptons with friends on Thursday

Emily opted for comfort on her feet with trainers and accessorised her casual outfit with gold jewellery, sunglasses and a burgundy shoulder bag.

She styled her brunette hair in a bun and wore a white face mask, in keeping with safety guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Emily appeared in good spirits as she left the restaurant chatting to her friends with a refreshing drink in hand.

Svelte: The model, 29, showed off her incredibly-toned abs in a grey crop top which she teamed with khaki joggers

Casually-clad: Emily opted for comfort on her feet with trainers and accessorised her casual outfit with gold jewellery, sunglasses and a burgundy shoulder bag

Safety first: She styled her brunette hair in a bun and wore a white face mask in keeping with safety guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic

Girls' time: Emily appeared in good spirits as she left the restaurant with a refreshing drink in hand

Emily and husband Sebastian Bear-McClard fled New York City while it was the American epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic and flew to Los Angeles on April 15.

The Gone Girl actress and her husband spent their time in LA at her parents' house, and returned to New York City recently.

The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention had issued an advisory on March 28 asking 'residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.'

Despite the public health warning the two fled the Big Apple, but returned once cases began to spike in California.

Taut midriff: The star's abs were on full display in the grey top which had a feather design emblazoned on the bust

Happy: The Blurred Lines star chatted to her two friends

Girl gang: She was joined by two friends who were also dressed for the summer sun

Emily got married in February 2018 after a whirlwind romance and engagement to Sebastian.

The attractive couple were first spotted out together on Valentine's Day 2018, and then shocked fans when they announced they were married just two weeks later.

She garnered attention with her surprise courthouse marriage to Sebastian in New York City, wearing a $200 (154) Zara trouser suit.
One of major questions facing companies is whether to mandate testing as people get onboard. Companies have so far followed different courses. MSC, for instance, said it will require swab tests at the point of embarkation. But Costa, in laying out its new safety protocols this month, said only that guests would be given health screenings and temperature checks. A Costa spokesman said that the company, which will launch its first cruise Sept. 6, was still considering the possibility of testing passengers, depending on medical technology and epidemiological developments.
Around 500 Covid-19 patients have died in Assam, including 300-350 due to comorbidities, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.

Sarma said the state has reported 169 deaths with underlying cause as Covid-19 pneumonia.

"There is another long list of 300-350 Covid-19 patients, who have died due to cancer, kidney failure, heart disease or other comorbidities," Sarma told a gathering here at a plasma donation camp organised by the BJP.

However, deaths caused by other ailments are not included in the list of Covid-19 fatalities as per central government guidelines, he said.

Assam has so far reported a total of 71,795 Covid-19 positive cases, of which 22,240 are active and 49,383 have recovered.

Last month, Sarma had announced the formation of a death audit board to certify the underlying cause of deaths of all Covid-19 patients in the state.

The minister said 30 per cent of all the Covid-19 patients who underwent kidney dialysis have died, as per a data analysis by the state health department.

"If a cancer patient becomes Covid-19 positive, it is very dangerous. We have asked cancer patients not to come to hospital for treatment because if they contract the virus, it will be very serious," he said.

The Covid-19 death rate in Assam stands at 0.24 per cent, which is the "lowest in India", Sarma said.

"One major reason for the very low death rate in Assam is the success of plasma therapy. At Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, the fatality count has become almost nil," he said.

The Health and Family Welfare Department, in a release issued on Thursday night, said 202 Covid-19 recovered people have donated their plasma at five medical colleges in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tezpur and Silchar.

"I received a call from Gujarat for plasma donation, but for Rs 16,000 per unit. In other states, plasma donation has become business. In Assam, people are voluntarily coming forward for saving lives and service to mankind," Sarma said.

Lauding the BJP for organising plasma donation camps at five places, he said a call was given to all political parties for motivating people to donate plasma and hold such programmes, but "only the workers of the ruling party came forward".

The minister also slammed the Congress for its criticism over handling of the pandemic, accusing the opposition party of demotivating doctors and other frontline workers instead of supporting the government's thrust to provide treatment to people.

"Today, 292 people have volunteered to donate plasma at the five medical colleges across Assam in the camps organised by the BJP. They will be called later for the donation, as we cannot collect so many units in a single day," he said.

Sarma said the state government will give preference to all the plasma donors in any official scheme or jobs in future.

"Today, I will not announce anything, but the government will adequately recognise and offer its love and affection to the plasma donors for their service to mankind," he said.

Sarma added that the Assam government is spending an average of Rs 70,000 for each Covid-19 patient, who have been admitted in ICU, and most of them are poor people.
A five-year-old girl was denied a medical procedure at a private hospital in Sydney's inner east because she lives in a suburb in the south-west linked to a COVID-19 cluster.

Sophia Kokal's endoscopy was cancelled the day before she was due to have the procedure to investigate the cause of her severe gut pain because she lived in Casula, her mother Catherine Kokal said.

Catherine Kokal's daughter, Sophia, was denied surgery at Double Bay Day Hospital because she lives in Casula. Credit:Janie Barrett

Casula is the location of the Crossroads Hotel, which in July became synonymous with a COVID-19 cluster that grew to 58 cases.

"I'm just upset she's still suffering the way she is and we don't know why," Mrs Kokal said.
(Natural News) A handful of mainstream scientists, writing for fake news outlet USA Today, has published a new op-ed that calls for everyone in America to either take a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine or else be punished by the state.

Michael Lederman, Maxwell J. Mehlman, and Stuart Youngner, in a piece entitled, Defeat COVID-19 by requiring vaccination for all. Its not un-American, its patriotic, contend that the only way to overcome the plandemic is to force everyone to be vaccinated  no exceptions.

To win the war against the novel coronavirus that has killed nearly 163,000 people in this country, the only answer is compulsory vaccination  for all of us, they write.

And while the measures that will be necessary to defeat the coronavirus will seem draconian, even anti-American to some, we believe that there is no alternative. Simply put, getting vaccinated is going to be our patriotic duty.

Rather than let the virus run its course, which many experts say is the only true way to get over this thing, Lederman et al. believe that forcing vaccines on everyone, young and old, rich and poor, free and slave, is the only way to create the herd immunity necessary to defeat the pandemic.

They further claim that there is no alternative to vaccine-induced herd immunity in a pandemic. Its only remedy is forcing vaccines on all people, they insist.

In simple terms, a refusal to be vaccinated threatens the lives of others, they declare.

Dr. Andrew Wakefield has a much different take on the situation, which he discusses at length in the following episode of The Health Ranger Report:

These three stooges are all pharma-backed, Trump-hating fake science shills

To the undiscerning reader, the fact that these three scientists got their work published in USA Today is more than enough to validate its legitimacy. Millions will presumably accept their suggestions as scientific fact, and join them in trying to turn their dark little fantasy into actual reality.

To those who are willing to dig a little deeper, however, it becomes immediately clear that these three hacks are bought-and-paid-for stooges with an agenda to push. Lederman, for instance, has publicly blamed President Donald Trump for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), describing him as inept and fraudulent leadership.

Back in January 2019, a full year before the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) was on anybodys minds, Lederman mysteriously tweeted about how people who refuse vaccines should be prevented from accessing doctors and health insurance  meaning they all should die, in Ledermans view.

Mehlman is hardly any better, as he maintains deep ties both to the liberal medical establishment and to Big Pharma. Last year, Mehlman was given a $160,000 grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to explore the safety and ethics of genetic engineering and experimentation.

Mehlman is also a huge proponent of transhumanism, having written several books about how human bodies can be enhanced through genetic engineering. Youngner is much the same, and is also a proponent of killing old people through euthanasia  hence why both of them, along with Lederman, have been described as mad scientists.

These are the minds that seek to instruct Americans on the ethical issues of forcing people to be injected with a vaccine that is still being developed and may have God only knows what side effects, writes C. Mitchell Shaw for The New American.

Its almost as if everything that has come about as part of the pandemic was designed to force a vaccine advocated by men who specialize in altering human genes.

The latest news about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) and the globalist push to mass-vaccinate the world is available at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheNewAmerican.com

NaturalNews.com
Drugs  Longview police Wednesday arrested Gregory Allen Doane, 39, of Longview on suspicion of a felony drug offense.

Firearm, drugs, hit-and-run  Longview police Wednesday arrested Nathan Dean Flores, 23, of Kelso on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of stolen property, one felony drug offense, third-degree driving with a suspended license, hit-and-run of unattended property, reckless driving, failure to transfer title and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Assault  Longview police Wednesday arrested Roy Delaine Gifford Jr., 54, area of residence unknown, on suspicion of third-degree assault, drinking in public and disorderly conduct.

Drugs  Longview police Wednesday arrested Jakob Dillan Letteer, 25, of Longview on suspicion of two felony drug offenses.

Drugs, fugitive  Longview police Wednesday arrested Alex Francisco Plata, 27, of Longview on suspicion of a felony drug offense and a warrant for being a fugitive from justice.

Impersonation, theft, forgery  Longview police Wednesday arrested Gabriel Mordaci Vieira, 24, of Kelso on suspicion of first-degree criminal impersonation, first-degree trafficking of stolen property, second-degree theft, forgery, possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing a public servant.

Forgery  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Thursday arrested Uriah Joseph Padget, 42, of Silver Lake on suspicion of forgery.

Stolen vehicle

1000 block of 22nd Avenue, Longview. Wednesday. Blue-gray 1988 Honda Civic hatchback, Washington BGP7353.

Thefts

11800 block of Lewis River Road, Ariel. Wednesday. Someone stole batteries from a fork lift and a dump truck.

1000 block of Dougherty Drive, Castle Rock. Wednesday. Someone stole a wallet from on top of a garbage can near the gas pumps while the owner was getting gas.

2800 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Wednesday. Someone stole a cellphone and

backpack from a car. Police recovered the phone but were unable to recover about $1,000 of items in the backpack  including a water pack, four DeWalt batteries and various tools.

Vandalism

4800 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Wednesday. Someone broke a gate controller lock box.

1500 block of Third Avenue, Kelso. Wednesday. Someone damaged a vehicle windshield.

Vehicle prowls

1700 block of Cloverdale Road, Kalama. Wednesday. A man and young girl took items from a disable vehicle while the owner was away getting a tow truck.

300 block of Barr Drive, Kelso. Wednesday. A man with a stun gun was attempting to break into vehicles on the block. No dam

age reported, but one car owner reported theft of a wallet.

19th Avenue and Olympia Way, Longview. Wednesday. A man in a black shirt was trying to open car doors in the area, but he did not apparently enter any vehicles.

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Anglo-Dutch Unilever is among Britain's most 'woke' companies. It was no accident that in 2018, former chief executive Paul Polman was at the United Nations working on food security in Africa when he should have been in London lobbying UK shareholders on the proposal to shift domicile to Rotterdam.

Arguably, the lack of attention to his backyard cost Polman his job, in spite of the hard work he had put in to make the food-to-care products giant an exemplar of the fashionable environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.

It is paradoxical that Unilever now finds itself under fire on two ESG fronts.

Unilever's ice cream offshoot Ben & Jerry's is being criticised for attacking Home Secretary Priti Patel over her proposal to use the Royal Navy to cut off channel-crossing migrants

Its hipster ice cream offshoot Ben & Jerry's is being criticised for using Twitter to attack Home Secretary Priti Patel over her proposal to use Royal Navy vessels to cut off migrants fleeing war, poverty and climate change in the Middle East.

Ben & Jerry's virtue-signalling staff would have been better advised not to have weighed into politics and worked with refugee groups to make sure that those who do safely arrive on these shores are properly cared for, housed and find a pathway to work.

The whole schtick of the US-founded ice cream firm is immersed in the right-on culture of several decades ago.

Indeed, when Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's 20 years ago, a condition of sale was that it would have an independent board and would be allowed to embrace issues it cared about.

As B&J has scaled up, it had embarrassing run-ins with activists, in particular over the treatment of migrant workers in Vermont.

Arguably, it has learned a lesson from that experience which is maybe why its UK arm is sensitive to what has been going on in the Channel in these steamy, still days of summer.

More serious for chief executive Alan Jope is the building political opposition in the Netherlands to Unilever's welcome decision to unify its dual headquarters structure in London.

Jope is optimistic that the groundwork with Dutch big battalion investors and the authorities is done, and the company will not run into the same flak in Holland as it did in the City when it tried to move in the other direction.

The minority Green Left party, which ought to love Unilever for its climate change credentials, has other ideas.

It wants to slap on a dividend tax to compensate for future loss of revenues. This would amount to an 11billion exit fee. Quite a sum given that the divorce bill for the whole of the UK leaving the EU is 37billion.

The Green Left plan looks flawed since it would require abrogating a treaty between the Hague and London which prevents double taxation. But it is a straw in the wind which Jope cannot afford to ignore.

Cash call

When 178-year-old travel group Thomas Cook collapsed in September 2019, its main rival, Anglo-German Tui, looked in great shape to take advantage.

However, Covid-19 has delivered a catastrophic blow to Tui operations. It ran up losses of 2.1billion in the first nine months of year with the bulk of the red ink in the last quarter.

Making up the shortfall in income, with occupation levels in hotels at 20 per cent and flights still disrupted by local lockdowns, is impossible.

Tui finds itself in dire straits. Its survival through the current trauma is largely attributable to the German government which has pumped in a new loan of 945million, in addition to a 1.6billion credit granted in April.

One suspects that if it had relied on the UK for a handout it might still be waiting. The plus for Tui is that bookings for 2021 are 145 per cent up on 2019.

The number is inflated by re-bookings of some of this year's cancellations. Survival is going to require a big equity injection.

Britain's much vaunted, liquid stock market will need to rise to the occasion.

Safe haven

My only non-food shopping trip since lockdown is to the posh royal jeweller Mappin & Webb in Kingston-upon-Thames, part of the Watches of Switzerland group.

We were there to replace family items lost in a burglary under a scheme operated by insurer Aviva. It was fascinating to see a succession of clients viewing and buying expensive timepieces.

Perhaps Swiss watches will become the new gold  a hedge against debauched pandemic currency.
As PLA remains perched at green top of Finger 4, India set to call Chinas bluff

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Aug 14: India is set to call China's bluff and convey that the PLA is the aggressor. China has been holding routine meetings and projecting normalcy so that India must accept the PLA's aggression.

New Delhi will call out this bluff even as it gets ready for another round of diplomatic level talks at the joint secretary level. Officials that OneIndia spoke with say that on one hand, China says that it is building trust with India. However, the PLA is still at the green top of Finger 4 feature on the north bank of Pangong Tso.

This kind of posturing by the Chinese is not acceptable. The fact of the matter is that the PLA is the aggressor and India will call out this bluff soon, the officer cited above also said.

India-China standoff: The importance of Misri meeting Liu

Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat informed a committee of lawmakers that the de-escalation in Ladakh where the Chinese troops transgressed in June may take more time. He also said that this transgression led to the Indian troops being deployed in large numbers.

The General also emphasised that India its prepared to face any onslaught. However efforts are being made to bridge the trust deficit with China, he also said.

Meanwhile, India has told China to stop further construction and pull back troops from the Depsang-Daulat Beg Oldie sector of eastern Ladakh. During the talks between the two sides, India also told China to stop further construction activities in the area.

During the talks, India stressed upon the importance of reducing tensions in the Depsang plains, an official familiar with the developments told OneIndia. This has been a major flash point for several years now, owing to the perceptions of the Line of Actual Control.

The military level talks between the two sides was held on Saturday between 11 am and 7,30 pm. India stressed on the fact that the PLA troops who are camping near the Bottleneck area in the Depsang plains since May should not block Indian soldiers from going to their Patrolling Points-10, 11, 12 and 13.

China hopes India will not complicate border issue

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

The primary agenda of the meeting was to reduce tensions at the Depsang Plains, where there is a massive build up of troops of both sides. The meeting would discuss ways to de-escalate as well as disengage. India will also seek restoration of patrolling rights for its soldiers.

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Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 8:18 [IST]
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke to BBC Hardtalk's Stephen Sackur. During the 20-minute interview, the Armenian PM made several statements that could provoke political scandals both within the republic and in Russia.

In particular, Nikol Pashinyan verbally lowered the level of Russian-Armenian relations, from allies to partner countries, when Sackur asked him about Armenia's strategia choice - whether it wants to adhere to relations with Russia or look much more toward the EU and NATO.



In response, Pashinyan apparently wanted to play along with the Western audience of the BBC: "Russia is a strategic partner of Armenia in terms of security." It is unlikely that this was just due to insufficient knowledge of the English language, especially since Sackur used the word alliance in his question about the relations between Armenia and Russia.



The Armenian prime minister clearly deliberately called Russia only a partner, not an ally, and only in terms of security, after which he began talking about relations with the West in complimentary tones.

"We are a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, and we have a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU. And by the way now the European Union is our main partner in our reform agenda implementation. We have quite effective cooperation with NATO and by the way we are participating in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan, in Lebanon, in Kosovo, in Mali. We have quite effective cooperation with the United States too," Pshinyan listed more important, in his opinion, aspects of Armenia's international policy than ties with the Russian Federation.

After that, the presenter drew attention to critical failures in the logic of modern Yerevan: Armenia cannot be close to NATO, being in a conflict with Turkey, and cannot move closer to the United States without stopping trade relations with Iran, but most importantly, it has choices to make between staying loyal to Moscow and embracing a "different direction". In response, Nikol Pashinyan once again said that he considers relations with Russia to be only at the level of strategic partnership.



Thus, the head of the Republic of Armenia de facto announced the withdrawal of Yerevan from allied relations with Russia.

In addition, speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Nikol Pashinyan voiced statistics that refute all the previous rhetoric of the occupants of Azerbaijani territories. "Look at reality. Reality is in the moment of this conflict, 19% ... 18% of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh were Armenians," he said, although the standard position of supporters of the Karabakh occupation is based on the fact that in the last Soviet years the Karabakh's population was up to 80% Armenian.



It remains unclear what is behind this scandalous statement, which directly contradicts the official Soviet statistics, among other things.

For the rest, Nikol Pashinyan tried to avoid the presenter's acute questions. He never responded to a request to directly recognize or not recognize the war crimes of his political predecessors during the Nagorno-Karabakh war, called the construction of a road in the occupied Lachin region of Azerbaijan (condemned by the European Union) "not an Armenian initiative", did not recognize the failure of domestic policy to fight with the coronavirus pandemic. In general, in an interview with Stephen Sackur, the Prime Minister of Armenia found himself in the position of an acquitted accused, and of course, it's not only due to the Hardtalk programme's style, but also because his own mistakes as a statesman exceeded a certain critical mass that ousted any positive agenda from conversations with independent journalists.
After getting stalled by the pandemic, a complicated transaction has been completed that restructures Richardson GMP as well as the wealth management firms publicly traded parent company, GMP Capital Inc.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After getting stalled by the pandemic, a complicated transaction has been completed that restructures Richardson GMP as well as the wealth management firms publicly traded parent company, GMP Capital Inc.

The result is that the Richardson family will be the principal sponsoring shareholder, at 40 per cent ownership, of GMP Capital, whose sole focus will now be on the wealth management business.

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Files Kish Kapoor, the acting CEO of GMP Capital, said the new name, Richardson Wealth, will help attract other top performing advisers.

That business  Richardson GMP  currently has 19 offices across the country with about $29 billion of assets under administration.

In 2018, GMP Capital decided to get out of the investment banking business, which was sold at the end of last year, leaving Richardson GMP as its only business.

Before the transaction was announced on Thursday, Richardson GMP was owned roughly equally by Richardson Financial Group Ltd. (the Winnipeg Richardson familys financial services arm), the Richardson GMP investment advisers and the shareholders of GMP Capital.

When it is all approved by the various stakeholders, the Richardsons will own about 40 per cent, the advisers will own 28.5 and the current GMP shareholders will have 31.5.

That final closing, scheduled for Oct. 6, will also signal a name change for the wealth management business from Richardson GMP to Richardson Wealth.

The name of the publicly listed entity will also change from GMP Capital, to a new as-yet-undetermined name.

Sandy Riley, CEO of Richardson Financial Group Ltd., said the complicated transaction clarifies the future of the company in the form of a public entity that will help ensure the growth of the firm.

"The business has lots of oxygen in the form of capital to support growth and thats the real objective," he said. "It is a growth story. Its not about the financial engineering that goes into getting us to the starting point."

The combination of the two companies  Richardson and GMP  began about 10 years ago when Richardson Partners, a then-fledgling wealth management firm, merged with GMPs wealth management operation to form Richardson GMP.

At that time, the head office moved from Winnipeg to Toronto. (Richardson GMP currently has a sizable office and client base in Winnipeg.)

Kish Kapoor, acting CEO of GMP Capital, adds a further Winnipeg connection to the deal. Over the years, Kapoor held very senior executive positions at both Wellington West Capital and Assante Corp.

"The goal is to build a powerful independent platform with a sponsor like Richardson Financial whose focus is on the long term," Kapoor said.

All the players believe there is a compelling case to be made for the growth of an advisory business, independent of the banks, to provide choice for the 1.6 million high-net-worth households in the country that currently represent a market of about $4.4 trillion.

"We think we have all the pieces a great sponsor, a great network of advisers and a great client base," he said. "Im feeling really excited about this."

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Kapoor said the new name, Richardson Wealth, will help attract other top performing advisers. He said the idea is to eventually do some acquisitions and build up expertise in areas like asset management and insurance.

The valuation of the company has gone down from about $500 million, when the structure of the deal was first announced earlier this year, to about $425 million.

As well, the assets under administration fell after the lockdown but have since risen again by about $5 billion.

Riley said that is testimony to the excellence of its advisers.

"We have some of the best investment advisers in Canada," Riley said. "They have been supportive of the transaction and are critical to our future success."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Rating Action: Moody's affirms Philip Morris' A2 ratings; stable outlook

Global Credit Research - 14 Aug 2020

London, 14 August 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service, ("Moody's") has today affirmed the A2 long-term issuer rating of Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI), its A2 senior unsecured rating and the P(A2) rating of its shelf programme. The outlook remains stable. Moody's has also affirmed the short-term Prime-1 (P-1) issuer rating and the short-term (domestic) P-1 rating of the company's USD Commercial Paper programme. Concurrently, Moody's has withdrawn the short term (foreign) P-1 rating assigned to the company's Commercial Paper programme.

"Today's rating action reflects our expectations that PMI's business fundamentals and key debt metrics will remain strong despite the short-term impact of the measures recently implemented by governments to slow down the spread of coronavirus, the duration of which is currently uncertain, as well as currency headwinds." says Roberto Pozzi, a Moody's Senior Vice President and lead analyst for PMI. "PMI's recent results for the second quarter of 2020 were in line with our expectations, showing still high leverage for the rating assigned but strong volume growth in reduced-risk products."

Moody's has withdrawn the P-1 short term rating (foreign) of PMI's inactive Commercial Paper programme because of documentation legacy that was set-up in March 2008.

A full list of affected ratings can be found at the end of this press release.

RATINGS RATIONALE

PMI's A2 rating reflects the company's high profitability and stable cash flow generation, despite a still somewhat high leverage for the rating assigned and high dividend distributions affecting its debt metrics. The rating is underpinned by the company's strong brands and pricing power in both its traditional cigarettes business and in reduced-risk products categories, its high investments in a broad range of new products, as well as good, steady progress in terms of regulatory approvals.

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Despite the good volume performance, leverage, measured in terms of Moody's adjusted debt to EBITDA increased to 2.9x in Q2 ended 30 June 2020 from 2.7x in Q1, thus remaining above the 2.5x threshold required to maintain its A2 rating. Moody's adjusted gross debt was around $34.9 billion at the end of Q2 and EBITDA $12.3 billion in the last twelve months to 30 June 2020, down around $1.2 billion and $400 million sequentially, respectively. Improving visibility has prompted management to reinstate the earnings guidance for the full year, suspended just three months ago. Nevertheless, Moody's expects that leverage will remain slightly above 2.5x over the next 12-18 months because a still high dividend ($7.2 billion in 2019), the temporary effects of the lockdown measures due to coronavirus and currency headwinds will slow down further meaningful debt reduction near term. The rating agency also notes that the company's conservative early refinancing of its debt maturities can generate temporarily higher levels of gross debt, resulting in temporarily higher leverage on a gross debt basis.

PMI's heated tobacco shipments demonstrated high levels of growth in Q2 2020 compared to Q2 2019 across its regions: (+38.9% to 4,227 million units in the European Union, 82.6% to 5,126 million units in Eastern Europe and 7.7% to 9,076 million units in East Asia & Australia. Particularly noteworthy is a fivefold increase in shipments in the UK, where the company started marketing the product in December 2016 and where vaping products have so far been more widely consumed. PMI stated that the market share for its heated tobacco units in the markets where they're sold, excluding the US, has further increased by 1.8 points year on year to 6.3% during the last quarter.

That said, the strong growth in heated tobacco unit shipments only partly compensated for a 17.6% decline in cigarette shipment volumes in the quarter, resulting in a combined (cigarette plus heated tobacco unit shipments) volume decline of 14.5% compared to the same quarter in 2019. This decline is mostly driven by the effect of marked industry declines on our combustible volumes due to pandemic-related lockdown measures. In Q2 2020, the company saw a severe reduction of duty-free sales (duty-free contributed almost 4% of PMI's 2019 net revenues), the delayed implementation of minimum price measures in Indonesia, and slower IQOS user acquisition.

It is early stage to try gauge the long term impact of coronavirus on consumption of both traditional combustible and smokeless products. So far, management has not seen any obviously structural change in consumer's behaviour. Total IQOS users at the end of Q2 are estimated at 15.4 million, with around two-thirds switching completely from combustibles.

On 7 July, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the marketing of PMI's IQOS Tobacco Heating System as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP). The authorisation permits PMI to market IQOS in the US as exposing users to lower amounts of harmful substances than traditional combustible tobacco products like cigarettes and cigars, paving the way for the recognition of other alternative products as less "exposure". It also sets a precedent that regulators in other countries will likely follow.

LIQUIDITY

As at 30 June 2020, cash and cash equivalents stood at $4.2 billion as well as $7.5 billion in undrawn revolving credit facilities. The company repaid $3.6 billion in bond maturities during the first quarter and has only around $300 million of capital markets notes maturing in September 2020, plus fluctuating outstanding amounts of commercial paper, which Moody's expects PMI can roll over in current market conditions. In 2020, capex will slightly reduce to $0.7 billion from $1.0 billion previously planned.

RATING OUTLOOK

The stable outlook reflects Moody's expectation that PMI's leverage, as measured in terms of Moody's adjusted gross debt to EBITDA, will improve below 2.5x. The stable outlook also factors in the continued development of the group's potentially reduced-risk portfolio.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

A rating upgrade is currently unlikely given the still weak credit metrics compared to expectations for the A2 rating assigned. Longer term, positive rating pressure could result from improving credit metrics, as evidenced by Debt to EBITDA (Moody's adjusted) around 1.0x and RCF to net debt around 30%, as well as the continued development of the company's reduced risk products portfolio, such that the ongoing volume decline in combustibles continues to be mitigated by growth in less harmful [or reduced risk] and more sustainable products. For an upgrade, Moody's would also expect the company's operating, regulatory and litigation environment at least to remain broadly unchanged, or to have improved.

Negative pressure on PMI's ratings could develop if the company's Moody's adjusted gross debt to EBITDA ratio were to be sustained above 2.5x. In its assessment of the company's leverage, Moody's considers also the company's refinancing activity, which can translate in temporarily higher than expected gross debt and cash balances. Another important consideration in terms of leverage, the company has deconsolidated its Canadian operations in 2019 because the latter remain under Canada's Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), thus negatively impacting on its reported EBITDA. Moody's estimates the total impact on EBITDA for the full year 2019, including one-off effects and non-cash effects, at around $1.0 billion.

Negative rating pressure could also ensue if the company experiences a sustained deterioration of its business position, as evidenced by declining operating profits, or a meaningful acceleration of the ongoing volume decline combined with reduced pricing power and failure to continue growing its potentially reduced-risk products business. A significant deterioration in the litigation environment could also put pressure on the rating.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS

The global tobacco sector is subject to high social risks related to the association of the use of its traditional combustible products to health issues such as cancer. Claims by tobacco manufacturing companies that a new generation of t nicotine containing products, including heated tobacco and e-vapour, have reduced risk effects in human health are yet to be fully recognised by regulators.

Moody's views the company's governance as very strong. The company's Board comprises a substantial majority of directors that meet the independence requirements under New York Stock Exchange listing standards: the Board comprises 10 members including two Executive Directors, being the CEO and the chairman, and eight independent Non-Executive Directors. All three major board committees -- Audit, Compensation and Nomination consists entirely of independent in accordance with New York Stock Exchange listing standards, thus reducing the risk of favouring entrenching behaviours and strategies pursued by management. Also, all members of the board of directors stand for re-election every year, which is in line with best practices.

The company's financial policy reflects its public commitment to maintain a single A rating and pursue conservative funding strategy including a long-dated debt maturity profile, debt currency exposures broadly matching its operating cash flows if possible, and mostly fixed rate debt. PMI has made no share repurchase since 2015 and currently has no plans to do so in 2020, whilst paying dividends of around 75% of Funds From Operations (FFO) as defined by Moody's.

Moody's has decided to withdraw the rating because it believes it has insufficient or otherwise inadequate information to support the maintenance of the rating. Please refer to the Moody's Investors Service Policy for Withdrawal of Credit Ratings, available on its website, www.moodys.com.

PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGY

The principal methodology used in these ratings was Consumer Packaged Goods Methodology published in February 2020 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1202237. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS:

Affirmations:

..Issuer: Philip Morris International Inc.

....LT Issuer Rating, Affirmed A2

....ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed P-1

....Senior Unsecured Commercial Paper (Domestic), Affirmed P-1

....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Affirmed A2

....Senior Unsecured Shelf, Affirmed (P)A2

Withdrawals:

..Issuer: Philip Morris International Inc.

....Senior Unsecured Commercial Paper (Foreign), Withdrawn , previously rated P-1

Outlook Actions:

..Issuer: Philip Morris International Inc.

....Outlook, Remains Stable

PROFILE

With its Operations Centre in Lausanne (Switzerland), PMI is one of the world's largest global tobacco manufacturers, with net revenues of $29.8 billion in 2019. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of $119 billion as at 31 July 2020.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s) announced and described above.

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Roberto Pozzi Senior Vice President Corporate Finance Group Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Richard Etheridge Associate Managing Director Corporate Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service Ltd. One Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5FA United Kingdom JOURNALISTS: 44 20 7772 5456 Client Service: 44 20 7772 5454

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Albany

They worked together for seven years to build a successful business. Their cupcakes attracted notice on national television.

Now their relationship has turned from sweet to sour.

Matthew J. O'Connor, a cofounder of Coccadotts bakery in Colonie, is suing his former business partner, Rachel Dott, alleging that she tried to lock him out of the pastry shop after he told her he was gay.

"Ultimately, O'Connor was terminated as a result of sexual orientation," the lawsuit said.

O'Connor seeks a permanent injunction against Dott and her husband, Lucas, in state Supreme Court in Albany to keep them from changing the company's corporate structure and its main location at 1179 Central Ave., five retail locations, cupcake delivery vehicles and shops at the University at Albany and in Clifton Park.

Court papers filed on Nov. 26 by O'Connor's attorney, Peter Lauricella, say O'Connor, who owns 49 percent of the business, was subjected to "oppressive conduct" and "offensive actions."

O'Connor and Rachel Dott, once "best friends," started the business in 2007 with no other employees but themselves. Coccadotts sales eventually exceeded $1.2 million a year and it was featured on the Food Network's "Cupcake Wars," as well as on "Good Morning America," "Anderson Live" and "The Tonight Show."

Dott and O'Connor had a falling out in early October  some three months after O'Connor disclosed that he was gay, the suit says.

"Mrs. Dott, in no uncertain terms, told O'Connor he is no longer welcome at any of Coccodotts Entities' locations and that she intended to 'change the locks to deny him entry,' " the suit said. It said Rachel Dott changed the password to his work email account, removed him as an administrator of the business's Facebook page and deprived him of all employee privileges.

The suit said O'Connor told Rachel Dott he was gay after she questioned his close friendship with a male employee of the business.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

"After this disclosure, Mrs. Dott's close friendship with O'Connor soured and her attitude toward O'Connor completely changed," the lawsuit said. "Rachel's offensive actions ultimately caused the former Coccadotts employee that O'Connor has a relationship with to quit his employment" and made O'Connor feel uncomfortable and unwelcome even before her attempt to oust him.

Neither the Dotts, who live in Loudonville, nor their attorney could be immediately reached on Friday.

The lawyer, Victor Caponera, told the Daily Gazette that O'Connor was fired because of business-related issues and the firing had nothing to do with his sexual orientation, calling the allegation a "bald-faced lie."

rgavin@timesunion.com  518-434-2403  @RobertGavinTU
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 01:59:54|Editor: huaxia

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NICOSIA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A large group of Syrian migrants crossed into the government controlled part of Cyprus from the region of the eastern Mediterranean island controlled by Turkish troops, Cypriot police said on Friday.

The group consisted of 23 men, 17 women and children, a police statement said.

It added that the migrants were spotted at daybreak as they walked in the fields near a village adjacent to the buffer zone which is under the control of a UN peacekeeping force, dividing the Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot communities.

The police said they led the migrants to a facility for asylum seekers, where they were processed.

The migrants were undergoing quarantine measures for coronavirus prevention.

The group was the biggest intercepted so far after crossing from the Turkish controlled part of Cyprus this year.

So far this year, Cypriot police has prevented two boatloads of asylum seekers from entering the territorial waters of the island due to the pandemic, forcing them to sail north.

According to Cypriot authorities, asylum seekers have reached four percent of the local population of the island. Enditem
This article was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

A group of Democratic senators said Friday that they were worried about the militarys ability to handle a coronavirus outbreak at the wartime prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after the Pentagon told Congress that it could maintain just four of the 40 detainees on ventilators and offered no details of how it might care for the 1,500 troops there.

The Pentagons response leaves doubts about the Guantanamo prisons capacity to protect military personnel and detainees from Covid-19, the 11 senators said in a statement, which included a call to responsibly close this facility that is inconsistent with our values, does not make us safer and wastes taxpayer dollars.

The senators, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper in May seeking details on how the remote base would handle an outbreak, particularly among the older detainees and those with chronic illnesses.

The oldest prisoner turns 73 next week. The youngest is in his mid-30s.

One key concern is that, by law, prisoners at Guantanamo must receive all their medical care there, while any of the other 6,000 residents could be medically evacuated to mainland hospitals if needed.
China has introduced new policies to expand employment channels and strengthen service guarantees, so as to provide strong support for efforts to stabilize and expand employment.

A worker works in an auto parts company in Qinghe county, north China's Hebei province, on Aug. 8, 2018. (Photo/Xinhua)

At a recent briefing held by the State Council, relevant people in charge from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs sought to interpret Opinions on Supporting Multi-Channel Flexible Employment and Opinions on Improving the Current Employment and Entrepreneurship Situation of Migrant Workers which had been released earlier.

Li Zhong, deputy minister of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said the two opinions are aimed at strengthening targeted policy support for self-employed workers, part-time workers, new employment forms and other flexible employment forms, and solving the difficulties and problems encountered by key groups such as migrant workers in finding jobs and starting businesses.

"Flexible employment is diverse, and includes self-employment, part-time and new forms of employment, and covers about 200 million employees. While providing a livelihood for workers, they can ease the pressure on urban employment and help create jobs, Li said, adding that supporting flexible employment through multiple channels is an effective way of stimulating the entrepreneurial vitality and innovation potential of workers, as well as an important way to solve the employment problem facing low-income groups.

"China now has 290 million migrant workers, more than 60 percent of whom are working in places other than their hometowns. Due to the effects of the early days of the epidemic, resumption of work for migrant workers has become a challenge. Recently, thanks to the joint efforts of all parties, the number of migrant workers returning to work has been gradually increasing, said Li Zhong.

Li added that by the end of the second quarter, the total number of migrant workers reached 178 million, 97.3 percent of the same period last year, noting that the employment situation of migrant workers is still facing some pressure.

The two Opinions put forward a number of supportive measures, Li further noted.

The expansion of flexible employment depends not only on support from the employment policies themselves, but also on solid improvement in the economic environment.

At the briefing, Ha Zengyou, director-general of the department of employment and income distribution under the National Development and Reform Commission, said the following work would be highlighted in the future - developing new industries and new forms of business to support flexible employment, improving the business environment and promoting flexible employment.

"Currently, there are 83 million individual businesses in China, which have created more than 200 million jobs. This is an important vehicle for individuals to start their own businesses and find their own jobs. Due to the effects of the epidemic, individual businesses are facing the most practical difficulties," Ha said.

Ha noted that the National Development and Reform Commission will next actively cooperate with relevant departments, take the initiative to help individual businesses solve difficulties in financing, social security, taxes and other fields, provide more direct and effective policy support, help individual businesses to overcome difficulties and achieve better development as soon as possible.
New Delhi: On the eve of Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind approved gallantry awards for defence personnel, including Shaurya Chakra to three from the Army for counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the defence ministry said on Friday. Wing Commander Vishak Nair from the Indian Air Force was also awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

Those from the Army who have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra are Lt Col Krishan Singh Rawat from the elite Special Forces, Major Anil Urs and Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey. The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for "gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy". It is the third-highest gallantry award in peacetime.

The President also approved the Sena Medal (gallantry) to 60 Army personnel, Nao Sena Medal (gallantry) to four from the Navy and five Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry) for the Air Force. Bar to Sena Medal has been approved for five Army personnel. The President has also approved 19 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations, which include eight posthumous for 'Operation Meghdoot' and 'Operation Rakshak'.

Operation 'Meghdoot' was launched in 1984 to secure control of the heights predominating the Siachen Glacier. It is, perhaps, the longest operation in modern military history. 'Operation Rakshak' is also an ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir. When asked whether the soldiers who sacrificed lives in Galwan Valley clashes were not considered, people familiar with the matter said their contribution will be considered for next year's awards.

Twenty Indian soldiers lost their lives in a clash with the Chinese Army, which also suffered casualties but China has not released any casualty figure. Gallantry awards for defence personnel are announced ahead of every Republic Day and Independence Day. On Shaurya Chakra awardee Lt. Col. Rawat, an Army citation said he was leading a team, deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir for conducting counter-infiltration and counter-terrorist operations.

While being deployed along the LoC, an intelligence was received indicating a likely attempt by terrorists to either infiltrate or inflict casualties. Rawat led his team and deployed it along the likely routes of infiltration. After 36 hours in an ambush in inclement weather and close proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), his team spotted the group of terrorists.

In the ensuing firefight, he manoeuvred to a flank to locate specific positions of the terrorists and directed squad commander to crawl forward and bring down accurate fire resulting in the elimination of two terrorists, the citation said. After protracted surveillance in close vicinity to the LoC and under heavy fire, he identified the location of the rest of the terrorists.

"Achieving complete surprise and unmindful of personal safety, he engaged them at extremely close range killing two terrorists, grievously injuring the third," the citation said. "For his resolute and exemplary leadership, conspicuous gallantry during the entire operation, Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat, Sena Medal is awarded the Shaurya Chakra," it said.

The citation did not share the date of the operation. Maj Urs, a company commander also deployed along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, received intelligence of concentration of terrorists across the LoC for a possible attempt to cross over and act to cause casualties to his troops, following which he laid an ambush along the route of movement.

"Displaying good tactical acumen and strong resolve, the officer waited patiently maintaining complete surprise. On spotting the group of terrorists, Maj Anil brought down effective fire killing three terrorists," the citation said. "Maj Anil displayed extraordinary leadership, nerves of steel and spirit of service before self where he chose to remain at the location awaiting an opportunity to engage the rest of the terrorists," it said.

After a life-threatening wait of fifteen minutes, the team sighted and accurately brought down fire on two more terrorists leading to their neutralisation. "For displaying raw courage, marksmanship and rare combat leadership, while ensuring the safety of his team, Maj Anil Urs is awarded the Shaurya Chakra," the citation added. However, no date was mentioned in the citation about the operation.

On June 22, 2019, a cordon and search operation was launched in the orchards near a village in Jammu and Kashmir. Havildar Dubey used tactical proficiency and assisted the company commander in laying the initial cordon. He was deployed as a stop in the inner cordon. At 5.40 am, Dubey observed suspicious movement in the thickly vegetated bushes just ahead of him and a group of terrorists trying to break cordon by taking advantage of poor visibility and thickly vegetated terrain.

The terrorists lobbed a grenade and opened indiscriminate fire. Displaying "raw courage", Havildar Alok closed into the group of terrorists and killed one terrorist at a close range with aimed fire. The terrorist was later identified as a dreaded terrorist of category A++, the citation said. "For his indomitable spirit, presence of mind, exemplary initiative and unparalleled courage, resulting in neutralisation of a dreaded terrorist, Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey is awarded the Shaurya Chakra," it added.
(Natural News) After making waves as the first country to grant regulatory approval for a vaccine against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), Russia is now seeking to perform mass production and immunization of key workers in the next few weeks.

Russia is the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for civilian use. The approval comes after just two months of human trials and highlights Moscows desire to rush the vaccine through testing in an effort to beat western pharmaceutical companies.

This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the coronavirus infection has been registered, said President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with other government officials on Tuesday.

I know that it works quite effectively, it forms a stable immunity. I repeat: it has passed all the necessary tests, he added, saying that his own daughter had already been given the vaccine.

Russian officials have confirmed that vaccinations of medical workers could begin at the end of this month.

Russia to deploy vaccine soon

Set to be marketed under the name Sputnik V, Russias vaccine was developed by the state-run Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow and financed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

The Russian coronavirus vaccine consists of two shots that use different adenoviruses as vectors. These viruses are known for causing cold-like symptoms, sore throat and pneumonia, to name a few. Russian scientists have engineered these adenoviruses to carry the gene for the spike protein that the SARS-CoV- 2 virus  the pathogen behind COVID-19  uses to infect human cells.

Prior to this, Gamaleya had used the same adenovirus method to develop vaccines against Ebola and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), the latter being a disease caused by a coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2.

Russian minister of health Mikhail Murashko claimed in a government press release that their COVID-19 vaccine has shown high efficacy and safety without causing any serious side effects. In the same release, it was also suggested that the vaccine would confer two years of immunity from the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova has said that vaccinations for medical workers are expected to begin either at the end of August or at the start of September. Trials for the vaccine will continue even as it is distributed to the public, according to the government.

Scientists cast doubts on Russias claims

Despite Russias claims, western experts are questioning the countrys ability to develop and approve a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine even more quickly than Europe, China and the U.S., whose vaccine trials are proceeding at full speed. (Related: Trump administration pays Sanofi and GSK $2.1 billion for coronavirus vaccine.)

In addition, theyve also criticized Russian vaccine developers and regulators for failing to make scientific and technical information about their vaccine available for independent assessment.

Everyone else in the world is publishing details of their vaccines and clinical trial protocols but it has been very hard to find out much about the Russian vaccine, said Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London. We need a completely open, global assessment of different vaccine candidates.

Even some within Russia have questioned the move.

Its ridiculous, said Svetlana Zavidova, a lawyer who heads the Association of Clinical Research Organizations in Russia. I feel only shame for our country.

Zavidova, who has worked on clinical trials for the past 20 years, said that she had anticipated the approval. On Monday, August 11, she sent an appeal to the Russian Ministry of Health asking them to postpone registering the vaccine until proper efficacy trials are completed.

Accelerated registration will no longer make Russia a leader in this race, it will only expose end users of the vaccine, citizens of the country of the Russian Federation, to unnecessary danger, she wrote in her appeal.

But this appeal fell on deaf ears. According to Alexey Chumakov, a researcher at Moscows Chumakov Institute, the Russian Health Ministry does not consult the Russian scientific community the way the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does.

Its not a structure that has any feedbacks or internal coherence, Chumakov explained. They might have a good result and it may show that it works  thats among the best outcomes  but Im thinking theres probably like a 20 percent chance [the vaccine] will make things worse.

Follow Pandemic.news for more updates on the global race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

Sources include:

FT.com

ScienceMag.com
Longtime activist, author and prison abolitionist Angela Davis wasnt excited to hear that Joe Biden picked Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate, citing the former prosecutor and state attorney generals difficult history.

Davis, 76, a professor emerita at UC Santa Cruz, said Thursday during an online fundraiser that she wasnt excited at all about Biden either, particularly given his history in relation to mass incarceration and other issues. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker called Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee-to-be, the architect of mass incarceration in a presidential debate last year for authoring a 1994 crime bill toughening sentences for many federal crimes.

Kamala Harris has a difficult history, Davis said without elaborating during the online event, which raised $80,000 for Courage California, a 1.4 million-member progressive organization.

Davis has endeared herself to a new generation of racial justice activists, many of whom were born decades after she entered the national spotlight for opposition to the Vietnam War and membership in the Black Panthers. She spoke in June during a rally at a one-day labor shutdown at the Port of Oakland to protest police brutality and racism, where she encouraged unions to support abolishing the police as we know them and reimagining public safety.

While her prison abolition stance puts her at odds with Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general, the two do have something in common: While Harris is the first Black woman to be on a major party ticket, Davis, who also is Black, was the Communist Party USAs vice presidential nominee in 1980 and 1984.

Despite her lack of enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket, Davis stressed that people should vote  mainly to guarantee that the person who is currently in office is no longer the occupant of the White House come November. That is our major goal.

Yet Davis said it is too much to expect any one candidate to change a flawed system.

I dont think that simply finding new actors to participate in a system that is structurally racist and misogynistic is going to lead us in a progressive direction, Davis said. But at the same time, I dont think that means that we dont participate in the electoral system.

To that end, Davis encouraged the 200 people attending the online fundraiser to support those who are going to allow us to move forward. And I think that, given the fact that Kamala Harris has been pressured in the past perhaps not in the right direction  maybe she will be amenable to the kind of progressive radical pressure that we can exert in the future.

Davis was dubious that disaffected Black voters would support rapper Kanye West, whom Republican operatives are reportedly trying to get on the ballot in several battleground states in an attempt to pull voters from Biden.

We need a party that is feminist, we need a party that is anti-racist, we need a party that is anti-capitalist, but we dont have that now. And I dont think Kanye West gives us that, Davis said. Maybe some people will vote for him but ... I dont think Black women are going to be lured away by it. Black women are the most sophisticated participants in the electoral process in this country.

Davis has little faith in either party to offer fundamental change. Change comes from masses of people in movement, she said. All of the major changes, all of the advances in democracy in this country have come from movements.

She said she was encouraged that the racial justice movement emphasizes collective leadership and responsibility, in contrast to the tendency in her youth for movements to seek out charismatic figures to speak for them.

That is why many veterans of the movement dont recognize themselves in the younger generation, Davis said. They say, Where is your manifesto? Where is your agenda? Where is your single leader?

Yet she cautioned that while the current movements massive street demonstrations are the dramatic moments, theyre not necessarily the moments that actually bring about the change. They are the moments when we become aware of our collective strengths, and of the possibilities that lie before us.

She urged people to couple street activism with the sometimes unglamorous work of figuring out how to get school resource officers out of schools.

Im 76 years old and Ive participated in movements during so many different eras, but I have never experienced anything like this, Davis said. But we all have to do the work that will translate these dreams these ideas into reality.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
The increase in deaths in New York City during the early months of the covid-19 pandemic rivals the death toll there at the peak of the 1918 flu pandemic, according to an analysis published Thursday.

The comparison, published online in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, found that the number of deaths from all causes was roughly equal during the two peak months of the flu epidemic and the first 61 days of the current outbreak.

The H1N1 flu pandemic eventually killed 50 million people a century ago, about 675,000 of them in the United States. The current pandemic has claimed at least 748,000 lives worldwide, about 163,000 of them in the United States, according to a tally kept by The Washington Post.

"For anyone who doesn't understand the magnitude of what we're living through, this pandemic is comparable in its effect on mortality to what everyone agrees is the previous worst pandemic," said Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston who led the team that conducted the data review.

(The AIDS epidemic has killed more than 700,000 people in the United States since it began in 1981.)

There were 31,589 deaths from all causes in New York during the peak period of the flu epidemic, nearly the same as the 33,465 tallied in the 61 days after the first death on March 11 of this year, the analysis shows.

New York in 1918 had a smaller population of 5.5 million people, so the death rate of 287 per 100,000 "person-months" was greater than the 202 of the current covid-19 pandemic. Person-months is a way of measuring the number of deaths in a population during a specific period of time.

But the current outbreak has seen a more dramatic rise in "excess deaths" - the number of fatalities above what would be expected in a normal year. With better medical care, public health, hygiene and medicines such as antibiotics, New York typically has about half the death rate of a century earlier - about 50 per person-month instead of 100. So the current outbreak has quadrupled the death rate, while the flu pandemic nearly tripled it.

The Post has reported that the United States recorded about 37,100 excess deaths in March and the first two weeks of April, nearly 13,500 more than were attributed to covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, during that time. The report was based on an analysis of federal data conducted for The Post by a research team led by the Yale School of Public Health.

The findings on Thursday brought the latest reminder of the startling human cost that the current pandemic has inflicted in recent months - and not just in New York, but around the nation.

"This is the greatest public health crisis that's hit this nation in a century," Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during an interview with WebMD, noting that years of underinvestment in public health infrastructure had left the United States "unprepared" for the pandemic and its still-growing toll

Redfield said the mounting fatalities will make covid-19 "clearly" one of the leading causes of death in the country by the year's end.

Still, Redfield said he is optimistic that a vaccine could be ready for production before the end of the year, as a particularly dangerous flu season looms. He was similarly hopeful that the high rate of infections in the country would drop if Americans systematically wear masks, maintain social distancing, practice good hygiene and avoid large gatherings.

"You do those four things, it will bring this outbreak down," he said. "But if we don't do that, as I said last April, this could be the worst fall from a public health perspective we've ever had."

Also on Thursday, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden called for an immediate nationwide mask mandate that would require everyone in the country to wear face coverings when outside for the next three months.

Doing so would save the lives of at least 40,000 people, he said in brief remarks in Delaware that followed a lengthy briefing on the coronavirus crisis.

"Every single American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months at a minimum," Biden said, emphasizing each word. "Every governor should mandate it."

Biden described that simple act as a civic responsibility, comparing it with giving blood or donating food to those in need. Although masks can be uncomfortable, he said, they are key to getting life back to normal.

"Be a patriot. Protect your fellow citizens," he said. "Step up. Do the right thing."

President Donald Trump, who earlier this year expressed doubt about the value of masks, has since endorsed their use. "Maybe they're great and maybe they're just good, and maybe they're not so good," Trump said Thursday during a White House coronavirus briefing. "But frankly, what do you have to lose?"

But he slammed Biden's proposal. "He thinks it's good politics I guess," the president said.

"I trust the American people and their governors very much," he said. "I trust the American people and the governors want to do the right thing to make the smart decisions. Joe doesn't, Joe doesn't. Joe doesn't know too much."

Trump accused Biden of "playing politics from the sidelines" and called the former vice president's plan "regressive," "anti-scientific" and "very defeatist."

In few places are the looming worries about the months ahead more immediate than in the nation's public schools, where families and administrators alike face a series of excruciating decisions.

Southern states such as Louisiana, Georgia, Arkansas and Texas have some of the earliest back-to-school start dates in the country. Parents, educators and elected officials have watched these early districts closely for clues on whether it's safe to send teachers and students back into classrooms nationwide - even as the Trump administration has insisted that schools need to return to in-person learning.

So far, the news is not encouraging.

In Georgia, more than 900 students and staff in the Cherokee County School District have been ordered to quarantine after school officials reported nearly 60 students and staff had tested positive for covid-19.

Days after a photo went viral showing students packed into a hallway at North Paulding High School in suburban Atlanta, the district confirmed at least 35 new infections, according to WXIA-TV, which obtained a letter sent to parents.

In central Georgia, people in at least seven schools in the Houston County School District had tested positive for the coronavirus as of late Wednesday, the Macon Telegraph reported.

In Louisiana's Livingston Parish, at least 150 students and staff have been forced to quarantine after positive cases emerged there, according to the Advocate of Baton Rouge.

Schools that opened even earlier have seen similar outcomes: A Mississippi school that resumed classes the first week of August reported one infected student; within two weeks, 116 students were sent home to quarantine.

If schools remain in limbo, so too do millions of American businesses and workers who are navigating a wave of unemployment and bankruptcies.

AMC Theatres, the country's largest movie theater chain, announced Thursday it will resume operations next week after a five-month shutdown, becoming the latest service-sector giant to reopen to the public at a time when infections remain high throughout the United States.

More than 100 AMC theaters in at least 19 states will start screening movies again starting Aug. 20, the company said in a statement. To lure customers back in, all tickets that day will be 15 cents - a campaign AMC is branding "Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices."

Guests and workers will be required to wear masks at all times, and auditoriums will operate at 30 percent capacity or less, depending on local restrictions. The company said it will also make hand sanitizer available and regularly disinfect its facilities.

The pandemic has forced AMC into a dire financial position. It furloughed more than 600 corporate employees in the spring, and in June, after reporting a $941.5 million drop in first-quarter revenue, the company warned in a financial filing that it had "substantial doubt" about its ability to stay afloat.

Meanwhile, about 960,000 workers filed for unemployment insurance last week, which marks the first time that initial claims dipped below 1 million since mid-March, when the pandemic first took hold and stay-at-home orders vacated workplaces.

The drop in jobless claims comes as the economy takes prominence in the presidential election. Trump has been touting the numbers of jobs that have been regained in the past three months, even though the unemployment rate and weekly claims remain around historic highs.

U.S. stocks also came close to making financial history Thursday, soaring toward record highs before slipping in late-day trading.

- - -

The Washington Post's Colby Itkowitz, Kim Bellware, Lateshia Beachum, Siobhan O'Grady, Hamza Shaban, Derek Hawkins, Eli Rosenberg and Jenna Johnson contributed to this report.
Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer to President Donald Trump released the foreword of his upcoming tell-all book, Disloyal, about his behind the scenes dealings for the president on Thursday. Describing Trump as a cheat, a liar, a fraud, to name a few, Cohen promises his upcoming book will shed light on the presidents shady business dealings, including allegations that Trump cheated to win the 2016 election. I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them, writes Cohen, who spent a lot of time with Trump behind closed doors and set up his communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors, Cohen claims. Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything  and I mean anything  to win has always been his business model and way of life.

This might sound familiar, as Trump has long been accused of colluding with Russians during the 2016 election. Now, four years later, voting rights for millions of Americans are under attack, as in-person polling places shut down in counties nationwide while Trump is starving the US Postal Service of the resources it needs to ensure mail-in voting, with just ten weeks until the election. And Cohens tell-all  coming at the heels of his prison sentence  is reinvigorating a demand for answers.

The White House responded to Cohens upcoming book calling it fan fiction. White House deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern added, [Cohen] readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales.

Americans watched the investigation into the presidents 2016 win unfold over two years as his opponents in Congress launched an investigation into possible Russian interference in the election. While the president repeatedly told the American public there was no collusion and that he had no dealings with Russia, Cohen writes, He attempted to insinuate himself into the world of President Vladimir Putin and his coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs. I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates.

Story continues

But this isnt the only bit of salacious information Trumps former fixer is divulging. Cohen further outlines his own involvement in Trumps affairs, saying that he doesnt just know about them, but actively worked alongside the president to orchestrate and cover up his misdeeds. Cohen writes about his own involvement in snubbing contractors and business partners on Trumps behalf, and lying to Melania about the presidents sexual affairs.

Despite once being Trumps pitbull and personal attorney, as he describes himself, Cohen notes that while the president might have millions of Twitter followers and acquaintances, Trump also has no friends.

Cohen, for his part, pleaded guilty in 2018 for campaign finance violations, among other infractions, including payments to two women who alleged having affairs with the president before he was elected. He was sentenced to three years in a minimum security prison, where he reportedly wrote the majority of his book on yellow legal pads. He has not yet revealed when the book will be published in-full, or who will be publishing it, though many  including government officials  anticipate the accounts he details to be a possible great impact on the upcoming election.

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(Photo : REUTERS/Thomas Peter) QR codes of the digital payment services WeChat Pay and Alipay are seen at a shop in Beijing, China August 6, 2020. (Photo : REUTERS/Florence Lo) The messenger app WeChat is seen next to its logo in this illustration picture taken August 7, 2020

Almost the entire population of iPhone users in China is now refusing to use an iPhone. This came after the United States declared a ban on the country's widely-used messaging app, WeChat U.S.-based companies like Ford, Walmart, Disney, and Apple are now speaking on the U.S. government to loosen up the restrictions written on the executive order signed by President Donald Trump.





The US bans WeChat; China bans Apple?

In over 1.2 million iPhone users in China, only 5% of this population still wants to use Apple's iPhone, according to a recent Weibo survey, highlighted by Bloomberg.

On Aug. 6, President Donald Trump signed an executive order asking all American companies and businesses to stop dealing with Chinese companies like ByteDance and Tencent, citing 'national security issues.'

ByteDance owned a famous video-sharing app called TikTok. On the other hand, Tencent generally owns some of the most popular games like League of Legends, PUBG, and even Fortnite.

ByteDance already released a statement on the matter saying that they're shocked about the decision. Meanwhile, Tencent confirmed that there were no worries on their end.

Tech Times reported that the company was unconcerned with the Trump ban since WeChat's American user base comprises only 2%.

"If you look at the executive orders from May 2019 and then obviously the executive order a couple of days ago, they specify very clearly they cover U.S. jurisdiction, and consequently we don't see any impact on companies advertising on our platform in China," said James Mitchell, Tencent's chief strategy officer.

On the other hand, Apple has a low-card on this course of action.

WeChat warns Apple company

Tencent CSO Mitchell said that over 1.2 billion people in China use their apps. If America is out of the picture, the company will not be affected that much.

However, Apple might be the one that should be worried. Since WeChat will not be allowed to operate on the Cupertino-based Apple iPhone anymore, experts think that it will no longer be an option for Chinese users.

"For those who don't live in China, they don't understand how vast the implications are if American companies aren't allowed to use it," said Craig Allen, President of the U.S.-China Business Council. "They are going to be held at a severe disadvantage to every competitor," he added.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said via Mac Rumors that once the WeChat ban is effective, the global iPhone shipments could decrease by 25 to 30%.

So far, reports told that Apple has been doing its meetings with the U.S. officials to curb President's decision. For now, they only have until Sept. 15 for the executive order to finally take effect.

ALSO READ: China TikTok Ban: ByteDance Challenges U.S. Government After Issued E.O-- 'We'll be Taking it in Court'

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Jamie Pancho

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Republican president-elect Donald Trump (R) hugs his brother Robert Trump after delivering his acceptance speech at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City.

President Donald Trump will travel to New York City on Friday to visit his ailing younger brother Robert Trump, who is back in a hospital there, the White House said.

"I have a wonderful brother, we've had a great relationship," Trump said at a press conference before departing for New York.

"He's having a hard time," the president added.

Robert Trump's condition or the date of his most recent hospitalization was not disclosed by the White House.

President Trump "has a very good relationship with his brother and his brother is very special to him," said a senior administration official who spoke with NBC News.

The Daily Beast reported in June that Robert Trump, 72, spent at least 10 days in the neurosciences intensive care unit of Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan right before being released and promptly suing his and the president's niece Mary Trump that month over her plan to publish a book about the Trump family.

Robert Trump failed in several court actions to stop publication of that book, "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man."

Robert Trump argued that Mary Trump, in writing the book, had violated a nondisclosure agreement she signed with him, Donald Trump and their sister, retired federal appeals court Judge Maryanne Trump Barry.

The NDA stemmed from a legal brawl between Mary and her brother with their uncles and aunt over their share of the estate of Fred Trump Sr., the father of the president and Robert Trump, and of Mary's dad, the late Fred Trump Jr.

Mary Trump's book has become a bestseller. It contains scathing descriptions of the president.

-- Additional reporting by CNBC's Kevin Breuninger.
Rong Chhun, the president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), arrested last month by the Cambodian authorities for allegedly inciting social unrest on the border issues with Vietnam has garnered calls for his release from the international trade union movement. The International Federation of Journalists has joined global union organisations to demand the release of Rong Chhun and for all charges to be dropped.

Rong Chhun was arrested at his home on July 31. He has been charged under article 495 of the criminal code and allegedly inciting social unrest. He was brought to the court on August 1 to hear the charge. If found guilty, he faces a maximum two years in jail and a fine up to around US1,000.

Rong Chhun is a leader of CCU, an important trade union confederation in Cambodia, the affiliation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). He is a former President of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA), the current chair of the ITUC Cambodian Council, and widely known as a prominent and critical unionist. He has raised concerns of local farmers lose their farmland by neighboring Vietnam due to the irregularities at the eastern border of Cambodia.

Prior to his detention, Rong Chhun was on the frontline for workers rights, including calling for the release of four members of CITA who were arrested over comments on public health issues during school closures.

Freedom of speech and freedom of expression violations against union leader has worsened alongside a deterioration in labour working conditions in Cambodia. On August 13, the representatives of trade union confederations, federations, associations, and civil society which support labour rights in Cambodia held a press conference.

Two petitions were submitted to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, as well as to Prime Minister Hun Sen to request his intervention for employers to pay employment seniority indemnities owed in 2019 and 2020 to workers during the Covid-19 crisis. The authorities have not given any response.

The IFJ said: IFJ calls the authorities in Cambodia to release Rong Chhun and union activists who were arrested. IFJ stands in solidarity with the fellow unionists in Cambodia and support their fight.
The long-delayed IG report, published Tuesday, contained a number of redactions, including those indicating the timeline for the emergency declaration. According to an unredacted version obtained by The Washington Post, State Department staff who were asked to examine possible alternatives in order to avoid congressional approval first proposed an emergency declaration on April 3, 2019. Drafts of an emergency order were circulated on April 23 and the go-ahead was given by Pompeo on May 4  three weeks before the declaration was made.
Initial details have been released of supports that will be put in place for Kildare, Laois and Offaly - the three counties that were locked down for a second time last Friday.

The Minister for Public Expenditure confirmed to Kildare North TD James Lawless this morning that the following supports are being put in place.

- A top up of 20% on the Restart Grant Plus Scheme

- 7.5m in funding will be ringfenced for the counties from the Sustaining Enterprise Fund (through Enterprise Ireland & LEOs, a combination of repayable and non repayable funding).

- 1m for the Local Enterprise Offices, in conjunction with local Chambers of Commerce, to support micro enterprises.

- 1m for Failte Ireland to undertake a promotional campaign in the three counties

- A dedicated helpline for businesses to assist them in accessing various supports.

"I'd like to thank County Kildare Chamber and all the many local businesses who engaged with me on suggestions for this package and to thank the government for their support," said Deputy Lawless.
Varun Dhawan on Thursday came out in support of Sushant Singh Rajput's family as he demanded a Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the death of the actor.

Varun took to Instagram to share a hashtag "CBI for SSR," initiated by Sushant's sister Shweta Singh Kirti on social media. The hashtag was accompanied by a folded hands emoji.

Check out here:

At the time of Sushant's passing away, Varun had shared a throwback picture of him with the late actor, alongside an emotional caption.

"RIP Sushant. Sushant was a true artist. Supremely passionate and hardworking. I have lovely memories of the time we spent. Im very shocked at this moment. Sending my deepest condolences to his fans and family," he wrote.

This comes after Varun's Dilwale co-star Kriti Sanon demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput.

Sanon took to Instagram stories and penned down a note stating that she hopes that CBI takes over the case so that it gets investigated "without any political agendas."

"I pray that the Truth comes out SOON..,, His family, his friends, fans, and all loved ones deserve this closure," she wrote.

"I hope and pray that the CBI takes over the case so it''s investigated without any political agendas, in the TRUE sense, to provide justice to the family!! Its high time his soul rests in peace! ,, #CBIForSER #SushantSinghRajput," she added.

Ankita Lokhande, too, shared a video message on Instagram in this regard.

"The nation wants to know what happened with Sushant Singh Rajput. Justice for Sushant, CBI for SSR," said Ankita in the video message.

Actress Daisy Shah also took to Instagram to demand justice for Sushant. "It's almost two months since Sushant's untimely demise. It's not easy.... as if the pain of losing a son isn't enough for the family that they have to go through so much emotional trauma. It's time #CBI takes up the case and give justice to Sushant and his loved ones. #CBIForSSR"

Earlier on Thursday, actor Kangana Ranaut had also demanded a CBI inquiry in the case by putting out a video message of herself.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 17:45:05|Editor: huaxia

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by Ndalimpinga Iita

WINDHOEK, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- With most schools and educational institutions closed due to increasing cases of COVID-19 in Namibia, the youth in the Namibian capital, Windhoek are turning to libraries and resource centres for knowledge acquisition and counsel.

Frieda Ndapewa, a student at a local tertiary institution, visited the resource center Thursday. Ndapewa, who lives in an informal settlement, said she had tasks to complete but had no access to reliable internet and electricity in the slum.

"I prefer to come to the resource center. Not only to access the internet and books but because my home setting in the shack is not conducive," she said.

According to Ndapewa, the library environment has significantly contributed to her progression.

"I concentrate better and complete more tasks per the set targets," she added.

She is not the only one. For Thomas David, the resource center in Windhoek has become a hub for all COVID-19 related information.

"Further, in these unpredictable times, I am also researching tips on how to start a business. I am busy with market research, looking at innovative ways of conducting business in this era," he said.

Namutenya Hamwaalwa, a deputy director for National Libraries and Archives Services in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, said that there is a growing demand for libraries and conducive space for learning as most tertiary institutions closed amid COVID-19.

"Libraries remain instrumental for acquiring knowledge, improving communication skills and provide a conducive environment. The demand is also a demonstration that the existence of the libraries and their resources/facilities is of great prerequisite to the public members, researchers, students," Hamwaalwa said.

Meanwhile, to promote hygiene and ensure safety, the ministry has since put various measures in place for the operationalization and opening of libraries and resource centers.

These include re-arranging portable seats to keep a meter or more distance in accordance with the World Health Organization protocols of social-distancing.

Accordingly, all visitors, permitted entry in limited numbers, are all expected to wear masks at all times before entering the building and for the entire duration while inside libraries.

"The visitors are also expected to sanitize or wash hands before entering. As well, they complete an attendance register to be easily traced in case of any detected contamination," Hamwaalwa said.

It is measures such as those that also put many library users at ease.

"Although any environment entered or visited presents a high risk, the safety measures to an extent makes me comfortable to visit," said Ndapewa.

In the meantime, David said that the resource center has also served as a counsellor. It is therapeutic coming to the library. It soothes me and helps me deal with anxiety. Visiting the library, will, in the long run, enrich my comprehensive resource on diverse issues," he said.

The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has about 61 public libraries, 17 specialized or resource centers and 493 school libraries countrywide. Enditem
Groq, the Mountain View, Calif.-based inventor of the Tensor Streaming Processor (TSP) chip, recently closed its current funding round.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The round was led by new investor D1 Capital Partners and included new strategic investors such as TDK Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to pursue new projects in multiple sectors, doubling headcount in 2020, and again in 2021.

Led by Jonathan Ross, CEO, Groq delivers performance, accuracy and sub-millisecond latency with efficient, software-driven solutions for compute-intensive applications. focusing on key technology innovations such as software-defined compute, silicon innovation and developer velocity.

FinSMEs

14/08/2020
Fast lanes help foreign businesses resume work

From:ChinaDaily | 2020-08-14 07:30

A planeload of German business executives, employees and their families landed at an airport in Qingdao, Shandong province, on July 9, marking the third time that the fast lane between China and Germany has facilitated the return of German business people to their workplaces and homes in China.

For some foreign businesses in China, fast lane programs established between China and a number of countries have been a key contributor to their resumption of operations even as the COVID-19 pandemic harmed the global economy and affected international business travel.

"We are very proud that with our charter flights we are able to contribute to helping the economy return to normalcy and helping to bring people back to their workplaces and homes in China. We were able to repatriate several hundred persons," said Jens Hildebrandt, executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in North China.

He explained that the economic effects of international travel restrictions are the most frequently mentioned issue for German businesses in China, and the export-oriented German economy needs an easing of travel restrictions worldwide and an increase in scheduled flight capacities to and from China while maintaining security and health precautions.

The importance of the fast lane for essential travel between China and Germany was also underscored by President Xi Jinping during his phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in June.

The fast lane program will help businesses from the two countries quicken the pace of reopening and ensure the stability of global supply and industry chains, he said.

During a phone call with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on July 14, Xi urged efforts to make full use of the fast lane program to inject more momentum into the business reopening and economic growth of both nations.

Xi also stressed the significance of the fast lane while speaking on the phone with Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in on May 13 and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on June 5.

China first opened a fast lane for key business, logistics, production, technical and service personnel with the ROK in May, before inking agreements on similar programs with countries including Singapore, France and Myanmar. The programs reduce a 14-day quarantine requirement for international travelers to just one or two days.

"The fast lanes jointly launched by China and other countries have enabled the reaching of an equilibrium between epidemic containment and economic recovery," said Xu Xiujun, an international political economy researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Xu noted that the shock from the coronavirus on the global economy was most keenly felt in its disruption of global industry and supply chains as well as international economic exchanges.

"The fast lane programs not only help consolidate the outcomes of the global epidemic fight but also contribute to the smooth functioning of global industry, supply and logistics chains. They provide a viable model for different countries to minimize the impact of the pandemic on economic exchanges," he said.

Moreover, the fact that an increasing number of countries have established fast lanes with China also indicated that the program has met the demand from various countries to shore up economic growth during the pandemic response, he added.

According to a survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China in May, global travel disruption remains the top concern for US companies in China, with 90 percent of respondents stating that such disruptions have affected their business operations.

The survey also found that the return of senior expatriate executives tops the concerns of the chamber's member companies, with thousands of senior executives still stranded outside of China.

Wang Tong, executive vice-president of Samsung Electronics China, said the company was able to bring 3,000 ROK engineers to China via 13 chartered flights thanks to the fast lane between the two countries.

"We have keenly felt the efficiency of the Chinese government, the care from the government for businesses, and the ability of the government to get things done," he said in an interview with China Central Television.

Chan Chun Sing, the Singaporean trade and industry minister, said in June that mutual assurance and confidence to put in place effective COVID-19 prevention and control measures are important in fast lane arrangements such as the one between China and Singapore, and he looks forward to making progress with more countries.

During a meeting with the foreign ministers of five Central Asian countries in July, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed China's readiness to establish a fast-track for personnel exchanges and a green lane for cargo shipments to ensure the safe and stable functioning of regional industrial and supply chains.

Ding Yifan, a researcher of the global economy at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said personnel exchanges remain an integral part of industry and supply chains despite the fact that the pandemic has given rise to more online communication.

He said China's strong testing capacities for the novel coronavirus have given it some leeway to relax restrictions on essential international travel, which will also help the country to open up wider to the world.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In July, major Japanese automakers saw their China sales continue to grow. Toyota, Honda and Nissan all logged two-digit growth, while Mazda's sales also climbed 4.1% over a year earlier.

Notably, Toyota saw the growth in year-to-date sales turn positive, which represented a faster recovery from the coronavirus-caused plight.

Toyota gains 1.1% growth in year-to-date sales

Last month, Toyota sold 165,600 new vehicles in China with a robust 19.1% growth from a year earlier. As of July, the automaker has gained double-digit year-on-year increase in the country for three straight months.



(Avalon, photo source: Toyota China)



As for year-to-date sales, Toyota has successfully plugged the China sales gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by gaining a 1.1% growth.

Ren Wanfu, a car industry analyst, told a local media outlet, that Toyota's sales growth in China should be thanks to three factors greater product competitiveness after the upgrades of major models, consumers' higher recognition over Toyota's HEV models and more consumers attracted to Japan-born vehicles from other joint-venture brands.

FAW-Toyota announced its July sales soared 40% year on year to 79,050 units, which made its year-to-date sales amounted to roughly 430,000 units (+0.8%).

GAC Toyota reported a 20% jump with 74,561 vehicles sold in July. The respective sales of four product seriesWildlander, Camry, Levin and YARiSall surpassed 10,000 units.

Lexus' China business scored a sales hike of 38.6% with 22,323 vehicles sold in July, 39.4% of which were from electrified models.

The premium brand enlarged in July its hybrid product lineup by launching the limited edition of the ES 300h, the NX 300h, the RX 450h and the RX 450hL while announcing its cumulative HEV sales in China exceeded 300,000 units.

Honda's China business achieves best-ever figure in July deliveries

Honda said its new vehicle deliveries in China jumped 17.8% from the previous year to 136,646 units last month, the highest-ever volume in terms of July sales.

Both GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda posted double-digit growth in July deliveries. According to Honda, a total of 69,187 consumers in China took delivery of the vehicles developed by GAC Honda, representing a year-on-year jump of 24.5%.

(Civic, photo source: Honda China)



There were four models of GAC Hondathe Accord, the Vezel, the Breeze and the Criderwhose July deliveries all exceeded 10,000 units. For the time being, the joint venture has put such models as the new Avancier, the Crider Hybrid and the new Acura CDX onto the market this year.

It also kicked off the presale of the all-new Fit in early July, which is expected to hit the market in August. The roll-out of the all-new Fit will help GAC Honda further complete its product lineup that places equal emphasis on both SUVs and sedans, so as to smooth away the problem of simplex product structure.

Dongfeng Honda's deliveries grew 11.7% from the year-ago period to 67,459 units in July. The respective retail sales of the three modelsthe Civic, the CR-V and the XR-Vall surpassed 10,000 units. Notably, the volume of the Civic has been topping 20,000 units for three consecutive months.

Nissan's China business records fifth-month-in-a-row growth

Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd. said its sales in China rose 11.6% in July from a year ago to 120,945 vehicles, the highest-ever July sales and the fifth-month-in-a-row growth the Japanese automaker has achieved.

Selling 717,287 vehicles in total, Nissan recorded a 13.2% year-on-year drop in China sales for the first seven months, 3.8 percentage points lower than the decrease in first-half volume.

(Sylphy, photo source: Nissan China)



Although Nissan's China sales have continued to grow, there will be many uncertainties in the automobile market for the second half of the year as the COVID-19 pandemic still exists within and without China, said Shohei Yamazaki, Senior vice president of Nissan and President of Dongfeng Motor Company Limited.

Its PV business armincluding Dongfeng Nissan and Dongfeng Venuciadelivered a total of 99,540 vehicles in July, a year-on-year increase of 9.3%.

Dongfeng Nissan also achieved its best-ever July sales (including the sales of Nissan-branded imported models) with 94,238 vehicles handed over to consumers, a 13.5% growth compared to the year-ago period.

The joint venture posted sustained growth in both car and SUV July sales. To be specific, the deliveries of the seven-generation Altima and the Sylphy series reached 10,161 units (+20.5%) and 46,851 units (+65%), while 31,809 consumers took delivery of SUVs, including 14,530 and 13,047 bought the X-trails and the Qashqais respectively.

Nissan's light commercial vehicle (LCV) business in China logged a robust 31.3% increase by selling 18,662 vehicles in July. The wholesales of Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd. (DFAC) and Zhengzhou Nissan mounted up 33.4% and 24.3% to 14,623 units and 4,039 units.

Mazda's China deliveries show YoY growth for four straight months

Mazda Motor (China) Co.,Ltd. reported a retail sales volume of 17,750 units in July, which climbed 4.1% over a year ago.

Thanks to the consecutive increase for the Apr.-Jul. period, the Japanese automaker saw the decrease in its China year-to-date sales further narrow to 6.7%. For the first seven months, 115,080 consumers in China took delivery of the Mazda's vehicles.

(Mazda CX-4, photo source: FAW-Mazda)



FAW-Mazda obtained a 4.1% growth in July with 6,804 vehicles delivered. As for the year-to-date performance, the joint venture saw its aggregate sales edge up 2.1% from a year earlier to 47,183 units.

FAW Group's independent business unit set for Mazda brand officially started operation on June 1, and it takes over the whole operational businesses of the Sino-Japanese brand from FAW Car Co., Ltd.

Under the group's direct leadership, FAW-Mazda is expected to grow faster by virtue of higher management efficiency, more autonomy in decision making, stronger control of production quality and less pressure in gaining short-term profits.

Changan Mazda delivered 10,946 new vehicles in July, posting a 4.1% increase over the prior-year period. However, the growth in its Jan.-Jul. deliveries still remained negative due to the flagging sales for the first seven months.

The top 3 models by both July and Jan.-Jul. deliveries were still the Mazda3 Axela, the CX-4 and the CX-5. The sales of the best-selling one reached 6,329 units in July and totaled 45,977 units for the first seven months.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 16:50:54|Editor: huaxia

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ISTANBUL, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A forest fire broke out in Turkey's western province of Izmir, forcing the evacuation of some of the residential areas, Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said on Friday.

The fire erupted the previous night in grassland in the Cesme district, a popular resort town in the region, and spread rapidly, Pakdemirli told reporters on the scene.

"At least three residential sites have been evacuated as precautionary measures," he said, noting that efforts to control and surround the fire continue with 20 helicopters, two amphibious aircraft, and over 300 personnel.

No casualties were reported so far, according to the minister. Enditem
Governance reform in public sector banks (PSBs) was one of the key issues deliberated on at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chief executives of private and state-owned banks, along with a few non-banking financial companies, on August 5. The government is looking to bring to light some of the recommendations of the P J Nayak Committee, which had submitted its report in May 2014, a person who attended the ...

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So far most rulings have favored insurers. In Washington, D.C., a Superior Court judge this week dismissed a case brought by several upscale restaurants, ruling the city-mandated shutdown did not amount to direct physical loss. A state judge in Michigan last month dismissed a suit brought by a restaurateur who claimed his inability to use his restaurants triggered coverage. A federal judge in New York in May denied a magazine publisher a preliminary injunction it had sought to force its insurer to pay up, saying the virus did not damage the property itself.
Aboriginal Australians' land rights have been impeded under a recent NSW government program that forced them into negotiations with bureaucrats for areas in which they already had legal standing.

Crown lands staff demanded local Aboriginal land councils forgo future claims over land in some regions, including in metropolitan Sydney, in return for parcels identified through negotiations in which bureaucrats exerted power by showing up late and concealing information.

Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council CEO, Nathan Moran, (front) chair Yvonne Weldon, and Josh Marr, Land Conservation Officer, in Reconciliation Park, Redfern. Credit:Janie Barrett

A government-commissioned report detailed allegations of attitudes of "colonialists" within the state's land agencies.

This comes atop a backlog of 38,000 Aboriginal land claims in NSW and, despite the government spruiking that 1500 claims were determined in the past year, most of these were rejected.
A medical worker looks as she waits to take Covid-19 samples in Quang Nam Province, August 11, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Dac Thanh.

Vietnam recorded 22 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths Thursday evening, increasing the number of active cases to 464.

The two fatalities raised Vietnam's Covid-19 death count to 20. Both deceased patients had several underlying conditions like heart failure, hypertension and diabetes.

"Patient 623" was an 83-year-old woman from the central province of Quang Nam. Shed already suffered from heart failure and aplastic anemia. She was treated at the Quang Nam General Hospital from July 27 to August 2, before testing positive for the novel coronavirus on August 2 and being transferred to the Hue General Central Hospital in Thua Thien-Hue Province the same day. She was later diagnosed with pneumonia and ischemic heart disease as well.

She was put on ventilators on August 8, before being pronounced dead Thursday. Causes of death included severe respiratory failure due to Covid-19, multiple organ failure and septic shock.

The other fatality, "patient 479," was an 87-year-old man from the nearby Quang Ngai Province who had hypertension and diabetes, and had suffered myocardial infarction in the past. His left foot had been amputated due to embolism.

He was admitted to the Da Nang Hospital on July 17, where he was diagnosed with an infection on the site of his left foot amputation. He tested positive for the coronavirus on July 27.

He was transferred to the city's Hoa Vang District medical center on July 31 for further treatment. He was put on ventilators and underwent continuous artificial blood filtration from August 2 to August 4. The man was also pronounced dead Thursday. Causes of death included Covid-19, infection at amputation site, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure.

Of the new cases, 14 were recorded in Da Nang, two in neighboring Quang Nam Province, one in Quang Tri Province and five imported cases in Khanh Hoa Province.

The Da Nang patients are nine women and five men aged 21-73. They have either been patients at the Da Nang Hospital and the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, family members of patients admitted to both hospitals or come into contact with previously confirmed infectees.

The Quang Nam patients are a 27-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man. The woman had been in contact with a previously confirmed patient and the man had been to the Da Nang Hospital to visit a patient there.

The Quang Tri patient is a 36-year-old woman who had been in contact with a previously confirmed case.

The five imported cases in Khanh Hoa are three women and two men aged 23-45 who flew in from Japan to Cam Ranh Airport on August 5 and were quarantined on arrival.

Vietnam has so far confirmed 905 Covid-19 cases in total and 421 recoveries.
Or as James Attwood, a managing director at the Carlyle Group and a former investment banker at Goldman Sachs, put it, "For people who are in the business of hiring and firing CEOs, Donald Trump should have been fired a while ago." (Attwood contributed $US200,000 in June to the Biden Action Fund, a joint committee with the Democratic National Committee.) In May and June alone, the Biden Action Fund raised more than $US11.5 million. That tally - a good measuring stick for Wall Street support because it was set up in part to draw contributions from that industry - included $US710,000 from Josh Bekenstein, a chairman of Bain Capital, and his wife. But Wall Street money has proved to be a double-edged sword for Democrats, as Hillary Clinton discovered when she was hounded four years ago for delivering private speeches to Goldman Sachs and other firms. Progressive voters and activists - many of whom backed Biden's more liberal rivals in the primary - are particularly leery of any appearance of coziness with the finance industry. Asked about Wall Street's role in Biden's current bid, the campaign invoked Biden's refrain that America was not built by Wall Street bankers, CEOs and hedge fund managers.

"Everything you need to know about this, Joe Biden has said himself throughout his career - and repeatedly on the trail since the earliest days of this campaign," said T.J. Ducklo, a Biden spokesman. As a senator from Delaware, Biden has for decades had relationships with credit-card companies there, but less of a presence in the financial power centre of New York. He has counted a small circle of finance executives as supporters. Marc Lasry, a founder of Avenue Capital, for example, held a fundraiser for Biden during his first run for president in 1988 and continues to back him now. Former hedge fund executive Eric Mindich and short-seller James Chanos have been supporters from well before the pandemic began. It does not hurt that Biden has also not crusaded against Wall Street, the way his primary rivals Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders did. Financial executives mostly seem to believe that while their taxes would rise in a Biden administration, they would not be subjected to the kind of "fat cat" rhetoric that soured some of their relationships with former President Barack Obama. "Rich people are just as patriotic as poor people," Biden told donors at a fundraiser at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan last year. At a Brookings Institution gathering in 2018, he said, "I don't think 500 billionaires are the reason why we're in trouble." Biden's more benign stance toward the finance industry has provoked scepticism among advocates for stricter regulation.

"When the candidate doesn't have a clear plan on something like Wall Street reform, it tilts the playing field toward what is probably the most powerful industry in the world," said Carter Dougherty, a spokesman for Americans for Financial Reform, an advocacy group. "We need more than 'not Trump appointees' when it comes to financial regulation." Last month, multiple Wall Street bundlers, including Alan Leventhal, chief executive of Beacon Capital; Nat Simons, who runs a clean-tech investment fund; and Gray, Blackstone's president, held virtual fundraisers for Biden. The giving has been so robust that the Biden campaign is now asking for at least $US1 million in donations before it will confirm the former vice president's attendance at an event, bundlers said. Wall Street has fared extraordinarily well under Trump but have grown weary over Trump's chaotic style of governance. Credit:AP As the cheques roll in, the Biden campaign has been carefully cultivating its relationship with the business community, with a focus on Wall Street. The outreach has included offering private briefings before major policy rollouts and dangling various donor packages for the upcoming, and mostly virtual, Democratic National Convention. Nonetheless, how Biden might affect their wallets is a major concern for industry executives who aggressively fought the implementation of new regulations after the financial crisis of 2008. Some in the business community have suggested tweaks to the former vice president's tax and economic policies in ways that might soften the impact for companies.

At a July meeting with campaign staffers and a handful of Wall Street participants, Charles Phillips, chairman of the software company Infor and a onetime Morgan Stanley tech analyst, argued that Biden should not make huge expenditures on infrastructure and other new programs without also identifying spending cuts. "We can fund some of this by getting more efficient and getting rid of waste that no one will miss," Phillips recalled saying. He said he also argued for a simpler tax code with a corporate rate lower than Biden's proposed 28 per cent. In recent meetings with donors, Biden has said that while the wealthy are going to have to "do more," the details of his tax hikes are still being hammered out, according to someone who has attended multiple fundraisers but requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. At a virtual fundraiser held in late July, the candidate spoke of the need for corporate America to "change its ways." But the solution, he said, would not be legislative. Back in February, Biden had taken a precious day off the trail to collect a critical $US800,000 at two New York fundraisers, including the one Gray co-hosted.

Loading "You're putting me in a position to be able to be very competitive," Biden said, thanking his Wall Street supporters. A few of his finance industry donors, looking back, have privately remarked how the evening turned out to be the most quintessential of Wall Street plays: seeing a distressed asset at that time, and buying low. The New York Times Business Briefing Start the day with major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion from our leading business journalists delivered to your inbox. Sign up for the Herald's here and The Age's here.
MILAN/FRANKFURT When COVID-19 plunged Italy into lockdown, it was decision time at the Verampio power station. The control room, which runs a fleet of hydroelectric plants across the Piedmont region, hard hit by the pandemic, had to be secured to keep the lights on.

Operator Enel, Europes largest utility, moved quickly to create a parallel backup control room at a smaller site 30 kms (18.6 miles) away while also plugging some key workers into the plants data base so they could work from home to help keep control.

Wed never done this sort of thing over a long period of time but it worked instantly," said Giuseppe Serrecchia, Enels head of Global Power Generation Digital Hub.

To properly respond to the challenges of COVID, weve boosted our overall digitalization drive."

Like companies in other sectors, European utilities are having to speed up the adoption of new technologies as the coronavirus crisis forces them to use software, not people, to steer critical infrastructure including plants and grids.

Consultants say the move was overdue.

Spains Iberdrola, the worlds second-largest renewables group by capacity, has set up similar processes to Enel.

The pandemic that brought the global economy to its knees has created advantages for businesses immune to shutdowns and restrictions, allowing staff to work remotely and providing technology to keep service flowing.

Utilities that started digital programs before the crisis have been more resilient. In the post-COVID 19 world, many will need to reconsider their technology priorities," McKinsey said.

Using remote supervision could help grid operators minimize the risk for their workforces while simplifying operations," the consultancy said.

RESILIENCE

At Germanys E.ON, Europes largest operator of energy networks with 1.56 million kms of power and gas grids, that message has also sunk in.

It has freed up a further 500 million euros ($591 million), on top of a total 13 billion euros it plans to invest over the next three years, mostly in upgrading its energy infrastructure.

The company has increased the use of drones by 50% and relies more on automated image recognition software for the inspection of high-voltage power lines as a direct consequence of the pandemic, officials told Reuters.

E.ON, which recently completed the takeover of Innogys networks and retail activities, is also banking on virtual reality. At subsidiary Bayernwerk, which operates distribution grids in the German state of Bavaria, E.ON has virtually recreated substations to train staff remotely and provide access to partner firms without sending anyone.

During the corona crisis, our employees and customers have learned to re-appreciate the advantages of digitalisation," E.ON CEO Johannes Teyssen said, adding the group would accelerate digitising its processes.

E.ON is also in the final stages of developing an app similar to Apples video conferencing service FaceTime that lets technicians help customers fix their smart meters at home, unless the problem is too complex to handle from afar.

The creation and use of new technologies is a step change in running infrastructure and retail businesses more efficiently and could boost valuations, analysts and consultants say.

It builds more resilience in your business when you can operate from multiple locations," said Steve Jennings, head of Energy & Utilities at PwC. The crisis will accelerate the digital revolution for utilities."

DIGITAL BILLIONS

Companies are investing billions to get big data infrastructure in place that will allow them not only to manage plants and grids efficiently and fast, but also roll out new services and create new revenue streams.

They could find some help from plans the European Union has put in place to combat the COVID-19 fallout as its 7-year 1-trillion-euro budget proposal and 750 billion euro recovery plan are geared towards green and digital transitions.

Enel, the first global utility to migrate all its data to the cloud last year, has already spent 4.5 billion euros on digitalization in the last three years, and plans to invest a further 2.5 billion euros in 2020-2022.

But such drives dont come without risks as the increased need to work remotely also raises the chance of cyberattacks, Leo Simonovich, Vice President and Global Head Industrial Cyber and Digital Security at Germanys Siemens, said.

Less-reliable internet connections, social engineering attacks against employees and their families, and honest mistakes made in unfamiliar workflows are all new potential risks."

Utilities have little choice, however, but to plough on, concerned that they could be challenged by tech giants such as Alphabets Google or oil majors including BP, which last week unveiled plans to enter renewables.

If they dont do it then big data giants like Apple and Google will come in with their apps and redefine the client relationship," said Ingmar Wilhelm, chairman of energy big-data startup Energisme.

And COVID is hammering the message home."

($1 = 0.8450 euros)

(Additional reporting by Isla Binnie in Madrid; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
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Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started the online application process for the class 12th students who wish to appear in the optional exam to improve their marks. The online application process began on August 13 and the last date to apply is August 22. While the regular students have to apply through their schools, the private students will have to apply online at the official website of CBSE- cbse.nic.in.

The CBSE optional exam for class 12th is proposed to be conducted in the month of September. The dates will be announced later. Schools will be informed about the date of downloading of admit cards while the private candidates will be able to download the admit card from the website at www.cbse.nic.in.

The marks obtained by a candidate in these optional examinations will be treated as final for those who have opted to take these examinations, reads an official statement of CBSE.

Schools also have to submit a list of candidates (LOC) for optional exam through e-Pariksha link from August 13 onwards.

E- Pariksha Link for CBSE schools

Private students can click here to apply for the optional exam.

A candidate will be examined only in the syllabus as prescribed for the year of examination. Students must go through the eligibility and pass criteria as well as curriculum for the year of examination and scheme of studies carefully before filling the form, CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said.



Who can apply:

Candidates of class 12th whose result has been declared based on the assessment scheme in the subjects for which examination was scheduled from July 1 to 15, 2020 can appear for the optional exam, if they are not satisfied with their exam. They can improve their performance in the optional exam. Such students will be issued a consolidated mark sheet.

How to apply (private candidates):

Visit the official website at cbse.mnic.in

Find a link to apply online (for private candidates) Or directly click here

On the left side of the homepage, click on the tab that reads IOP/NC (Class 12)

Key in your roll number, school number (5-digit), centre number, year of examination and class (as mentioned in the admit card)

Click on Proceed.

Enter your address and select the subject (Class XII only)

Submit the application and note down Application ID. IV. Upload your recent Colour Photograph (max size 50 KB; JPG) and Signature (max size 4 KB; JPG)

How to submit online submission of Form by schools

Generate list of candidates from school login.

Select Roll No. and Subject of candidate who wants to appear in Optional Examinations.

Finalise the selection and note down Application ID generated.

Enter roll no. of candidates desirous of appearing for the optional examination. Details will be auto- generated.

Generate Final list for keeping in record in the school.

A total of 88.78% of students cleared the CBSE class 12th exam. The result was declared on July 15. The evaluation was done based on the new assessment scheme. According to the four-pointer scheme, marks have been awarded on the basis of marks scored by a student in his or her best performing subjects According to the assessment scheme, students were divided into four categories:

First Category: The students who sat in tests for all their subjects; their results have been declared on the basis of their performance in all the papers.

Second Category: Those who had appeared for more than three subjects. They have been awarded marks for subjects they did not appear for, based on the average of the marks obtained by them in the three best performing subjects.

Third Category: The students who appeared in only three subjects. For them, the average of marks obtained in the two best performing subjects has been awarded in the subjects whose examinations were not conducted.

Fourth Category: Students who were mainly from the February riot-affected northeast Delhi region, where exams had to be postponed. The results of these students have been declared on the basis of their performance in the subjects they took the test for, besides their performance in internal or practical project assessment.

The author tweets @ NandiniJourno

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Apartments with over 3 Covid cases to be containment zones for 7 days: Check BBMP's full guidelines

Mid-Air collision of two IndiGo flights averted at Bengaluru airport; DGCA to probe, take strict action

2 cops deputed for CM Bommai's security held for trying to 'extort' money from drug peddlers

Bengaluru violence: 60 more arrested, including BBMP Corporator Irshad Begum's husband

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Bengaluru, Aug 14: Bengaluru police have arrested 60 more persons in connection with Tuesday night riots in parts of the city, official sources said on Friday.

"Continuing arrests in D J Halli and K G Halli case, another 60 accused arrested, including Kaleem Pasha. Total number of arrests is now 206," official sources said.

Kaleem Pasha, husband of BBMP Nagavara Corporator Irshaad Begum, and is said to have instigated the rioters, they said.

Four teams formed to investigate Bengaluru violence

The BJP took a dig at the opposition Congress following the arrest.

"Kalim Pasha, husband of @INCKarnataka corporator arrested. 4 senior functionaries of SDPI arrested. Still State Cong leaders trying to shift blame. Not condemning riots. Eyes only on upcoming BBMP elections. #CongressAgainstDalits (sic)," BJP National General Secretary B L Santosh tweeted.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

The role of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) behind the mob violence in parts of Bengaluru, has come to light and investigation will go deep into it and their connections, Home Minister Basavaraj Bomai had said on Thursday.

Three persons were killed after police opened fire to quell a mob that went on a rampage in D J Halli and adjoining areas on Tuesday night over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshi Nagar MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

Bengaluru: BBMP forms task force to contain spread of COVID-19

The MLA''s residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters, who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and those of his sister.

Meanwhile, officials said, most of the arrested who are at Parappana Agrahara Central prisons are being sent to Ballari central jail

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 12:40 [IST]
An unlikely consensus developed soon after Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris as his running mate. President Donald Trump and his petroleum-industry allies fell into near perfect agreement with climate activists and environmental groups on one thing: Harris is an aggressive crusader against fossil fuels.

While that position might be useful for riling political bases on both sides, a review of evidence from her career as a prosecutor and legislator indicates that Harris appears more moderate than either side admits. And her record shows that her motivation has been driven more by climate justice than climate change.

"I don't think climate wakes her up at 3 a.m.," says RL Miller, founder of California-based environmental group Climate Hawks Votes and someone who has known Harris for years.

Start with Harris's relatively mixed record on fossil fuels as California's attorney general. She filed lawsuits against several oil companies over environmental violations and helped secure a conviction against Plains All American Pipeline for a 2015 spill in Santa Barbara. But going after corporate polluters, especially those with deep pockets that very publicly soil valuable coastline property, is a relative no-brainer for an attorney general in a reliably blue state.

Although Harris's office reportedly investigated Exxon Mobil Corp. on climate accusations, to the frustration of environmental groups such as Climate Hawks Votes there was no lawsuit filed against the oil giant. In fact, Harris got in trouble for claiming in a debate that she had pursued a case. Meanwhile, attorneys general in Massachusetts and New York both did bring action against Exxon. It was only last year that Harris joined other U.S. senators in an amicus brief supporting a climate lawsuit against oil companies by San Francisco and Oakland.

In her first week as Biden's running mate, Harris has been hammered by Trump for her opposition to hydraulic fracturing, a method for forcing oil and natural gas from bedrock. During the years she was attorney general, California was torn by the fracking debate. Otherwise liberal Gov. Jerry Brown battled environmentalists as he let fracking grow; Harris laid low until late in her term, when she went after fracking in federal waters near Santa Barbara. Now she, like Biden, has promised to curtail oil and gas development on federal lands and waters. It's worth noting that the Obama administration, in which Biden served as vice president, presided over the U.S. shale boom driven by fracking.

In another sign of a cautious approach, Harris signed the no-fossil-fuel-money pledge when she was a candidate for president but became one of the later Democratic contenders to do so. And she didn't do it publicly, but in a backroom with a photographer.

Yet Harris's record on climate justice is much clearer. Way back in 2005 as the district attorney for the city of San Francisco, she opened the city's first environmental justice unit. As attorney general, she tangled with oil companies particularly on projects that disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities. She wrote a blistering criticism of the draft environmental impact statement for a planned $1 billion expansion by Chevron Corp. of a refinery based in Richmond, a majority minority community, and for Valero Energy Corp.'s plan to expand rail shipments of crude at its refinery in the heavily Latino city of Benecia.

To an observer like Miller of Climate Hawks, pushing legal action against California refineries marked Harris as far more proactive than her predecessors. Examples of similar aggressiveness date all the way back to the start of Harris's tenure as attorney general. In 2011, when the regional planning agency for San Diego, known as SANDAG, submitted a plan for highway expansion, Harris wrote a letter warning that the localized pollution effects would be disproportionate. The new attorney general even threatened to sue, and when it was clear SANDAG didn't believe the threat she went ahead in 2012 and had the People of California join the suit.

By all accounts, Harris has become greener in the U.S. Senate-especially since she started eyeing a presidential run. But even there her priorities have been more climate justice than climate change. She was an early supporter of the Green New Deal and has co-sponsored separate climate equity legislation with climate stalwart Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.But there's evidence, again, that climate isn't her No. 1 concern. Harris willingly left a seat on the Senate's powerful Environment and Public Works Committee, which had been chaired by her predecessor Barbara Boxer, in favor of Judiciary.

Paul Bledsoe, energy fellow and strategic advisor at the Progressive Policy Institute, says that shouldn't be a concern. "California is the most innovative clean energy economy in the world, so just being senator from that state puts her at the epicenter of climate leadership," he says.

In fact, as California's attorney general Harris did, as a matter of course, have to defend both California's cap-and-trade system and standards for low-carbon vehicle fuel against lawsuits to dismantle them. She protected both successfully.

An active but measured approach to climate, with an emphasis on equity, might make Harris a fitting reflection of the Democratic Party at the moment. That's how Miller increasingly sees it: "One of the main planks of the Green New Deal is equity for all. Kamala is very solid on that."
Millard Superintendent Jim Sutfin on Thursday announced a change in the districts reopening plan for high schools that will cut in half the number of students attending on any given day.

High school students will attend school in their building half the time and Zoom into classes for the other half, he said in a letter to Millard families.

Students will be in class every day, either remotely or in person, Sutfin said.

The change, prompted by concerns about rising COVID-19 cases in west Omaha, will be effective for two weeks, Aug. 17 to 28.

I am taking this proactive step so that we have our best chance to keep our students and staff safe and our buildings open, he said.

It is effective for Millard North, South and West, not Horizon High, which does not have the crowding problems the others face. No changes are being made to the elementary or middle school plans.

Sutfin said he is extremely concerned about the current level of community spread.

He had signaled Monday that he was considering the change after reviewing COVID-19 case counts in the Millard area.
After terrorists slammed a plane into the Pentagon on 9/11, ambulances rushed scores of the injured to community hospitals, but only three of the patients were taken to specialized trauma wards. The reason: The hospitals and ambulances had no real-time information-sharing system.

Nineteen years later, there is still no national data network that enables the health system to respond effectively to disasters and disease outbreaks. Many doctors and nurses must fill out paper forms on COVID-19 cases and available beds and fax them to public health agencies, causing critical delays in care and hampering the effort to track and block the spread of the coronavirus.

We need to be thinking long and hard about making improvements in the data-reporting system so the response to the next epidemic is a little less painful, said Dr. Dan Hanfling, a vice president at In-Q-Tel, a nonprofit that helps the federal government solve technology problems in health care and other areas. And there will be another one.

There are signs the COVID-19 pandemic has created momentum to modernize the nations creaky, fragmented public health data system, in which nearly 3,000 local, state and federal health departments set their own reporting rules and vary greatly in their ability to send and receive data electronically.

Sutter Health and UC Davis Health, along with nearly 30 other provider organizations around the country, recently launched a collaborative effort to speed and improve the sharing of clinical data on individual COVID cases with public health departments.

But even that platform, which contains information about patients diagnoses and response to treatments, doesnt yet include data on the availability of hospital beds, intensive care units or supplies needed for a seamless pandemic response.

The federal government spent nearly $40 billion over the past decade to equip hospitals and physicians offices with electronic health record systems for improving treatment of individual patients. But no comparable effort has emerged to build an effective system for quickly moving information on infectious disease from providers to public health agencies.

In March, Congress approved $500 million over 10 years to modernize the public health data infrastructure. But the amount falls far short of whats needed to update data systems and train staff at local and state health departments, said Brian Dixon, director of public health informatics at the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis.

The congressional allocation is half the annual amount proposed under last years bipartisan Saving Lives Through Better Data Act, which did not pass, and much less than the $4.5 billion Public Health Infrastructure Fund proposed last year by public health leaders.

The data are moving slower than the disease, said Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. We need a way to get that information electronically and seamlessly to public health agencies so we can do investigations, quarantine people and identify hot spots and risk groups in real time, not two weeks later.

The impact of these data failures is felt around the country. The director of the California Department of Public Health, Dr. Sonia Angell, was forced out Aug. 9 after a malfunction in the states data system left out up to 300,000 COVID-19 test results, undercutting the accuracy of its case count.

Other advanced countries have done a better job of rapidly and accurately tracking COVID-19 cases and medical resources while doing contact tracing and quarantining those who test positive. In France, physicians offices report patient symptoms to a central agency every day. Thats an advantage of having a national health care system.

If someone in France sneezes, they learn about it in Paris, said Dr. Chris Lehmann, clinical informatics director at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Coronavirus cases reported to U.S. public health departments are often missing patients addresses and phone numbers, which are needed to trace their contacts, Hamilton said. Lab test results often lack information on patients races or ethnicities, which could help authorities understand demographic disparities in transmission and response to the virus.

Last month, the Trump administration abruptly ordered hospitals to report all COVID-19 data to a private vendor hired by the Department of Health and Human Services rather than to the long-established reporting system run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The administration said the switch would help the White House coronavirus task force better allocate scarce supplies.

The shift disrupted, at least temporarily, the flow of critical information needed to track COVID-19 outbreaks and allocate resources, public health officials said. They worried the move looked political in nature and could dampen public confidence in the accuracy of the data.

An HHS spokesperson said the transition had improved and sped up hospital reporting. Experts had various opinions on the matter but agreed that the new system doesnt fix problems with the old CDC system that contributed to this countrys slow and ineffective response to COVID-19.

While I think its an exceptionally bad idea to take the CDC out of it, the bottom line is the way CDC presented the data wasnt all that useful, said Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California-San Francisco.

The new HHS system lacks data from nursing homes, which is needed to ensure safe care for COVID patients after discharge from the hospital, said Dr. Lissy Hu, CEO of CarePort Health, which coordinates care between hospitals and post-acute facilities.

Some observers hope the pandemic will persuade the health care industry to push faster toward its goal of smoother data exchange through computer systems that can easily talk to one another  an objective that has met with only partial success after more than a decade of effort.

The case reporting system launched by Sutter Health and its partners sends clinical information from each coronavirus patients electronic health record to public health agencies in all 50 states. The Digital Bridge platform also allows the agencies for the first time to send helpful treatment information back to doctors and nurses. About 20 other health systems are preparing to join the 30 partners in the system, and major digital health record vendors like Epic and Allscripts have added the reporting capacity to their software.

Sutter hopes to get state and county officials to let the health system stop sending data manually, which would save its clinicians time they need for treating patients, said Dr. Steven Lane, Sutters clinical informatics director for interoperability.

The platform could be key in implementing COVID-19 vaccination around the country, said Dr. Andrew Wiesenthal, a managing director at Deloitte Consulting who spearheaded the development of Digital Bridge.

Youd want a registry of everyone immunized, youd want to hear if that person developed COVID anyway, then youd want to know about subsequent symptoms, he said. You can only do that well if you have an effective data system for surveillance and reporting.

The key is to get all the health care players  providers, insurers, EHR vendors and public health agencies  to collaborate and share data, rather than hoarding it for their own financial or organizational benefit, Wiesenthal said.

One would hope we will use this crisis as an opportunity to fix a long-standing problem, said John Auerbach, CEO of Trust for Americas Health. But I worry this will follow the historical pattern of throwing a lot of money at a problem during a crisis, then cutting back after. Theres a tendency to think short term.

This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Tauranga City Council is considering backing a ferry service between Omokoroa, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

Last Friday Tauranga City Councillors John Robson and Heidi Hughes and Deputy Mayor Tina Salisbury took a trip to Auckland to check out the ferry service there.

Theres some exciting opportunities with a New Zealand company who are prototyping an electric ferry, says Hughes on her Facebook page.

Mayor Tenby Powell says that when he started as mayor he asked where the ferry service that used to run between the Mount and Tauranga went to.

I was delighted to discover that Priority One, our Economic Development Agency, had been working on its re-establishment, says Powell, posting to his Facebook page on Tuesday.

Long story short, we suggested they put their foot down on what we believe is, a very important commuter transport and tourism project.

Priority Ones business partnership manager Mark Irving says that there are no comments from Priority One at this stage, however in an article on its website he writes that the ferry service is a logical solution to help ease congestion.

The Western Bay of Plenty has a congested transport system, exacerbated by low utilisation of public transport, a dependency on single occupancy vehicles, congested freight networks and major physical constraints to the development of roading and public transport infrastructure, says Irving.

A commercially viable ferry service appears a logical solution to help move commuters efficiently between highly populated, isolated areas such as Omokoroa and Mount Maunganui which also enjoy proximity to Tauranga Harbour.

An update provided by the Mayor this week on the outcomes of the meetings that were held include that Priority One have determined that a service would be able to operate within Tauranga harbour with a reasonable schedule (30/45 mins peak), operating between Omokoroa, Tauranga and Salisbury wharf.

Four vessels would be needed, they would need [to] be high speed but low wake/wash to preserve the environment, says Powell.

Servicing via the Marine Precinct is an important part of this project and will create circa 150 jobs - some 80 of which will be employed as ferry service ops/admin staff, with about 70 more employed in engineering, service and support roles. Not to mention local tourism.

Powell says there is the possibility of using leased vessels in the short term, with availability being dependent on timing.

The Mount to Tauranga, as a first step, is being modelled at present, says Powell. Meetings have been held with staff from all three councils and NZTA. Clearly an NZTA subsidy will be pursued and Government are excited by this project.

Floating/land based infrastructure is usable but all wharves are in need of upgrades. Alternative fuel sources are in play  electric and possibly hydrogen. The electric option is very exciting and modelling shows this will work with a quick recharging capability during stops.

The mayor says this is a high level overall to bring you up to date on this work-stream and get your feedback and ideas.

The devil will be in the RMA and funding detail.
Reacting sharply to comments made by some BJP MLAs on his seat in the assembly being shifted to the back, former deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Friday said his party had sent him closer to the opposition benches as it wanted a strong warrior to guard its borders.

Speaking during the debate ahead of the trust vote called by CM Ashok Gehlot, Pilot said that he and his colleagues will defend their party against all attacks made by the BJP. He was assigned seat number 127, next to independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, for the special session of the assembly as Cabinet minister Shanti Dhariwal took his earlier place next to Gehlot in the front row.

"When I came to the assembly at 10:45 in the morning I saw that my seat had been changed...Then I wondered for two minutes why my seat was changed...It occurred to me that when I sat over there [in the front row] I was safe. I was part of the government. But over here, this is the border, where the most powerful warrior is sent," Pilot said.

His seat had been changed because after being sacked from the Cabinet, he could no longer sit in the treasury benches, and as an MLA, had to be seated in the rows at the back. Many BJP MLAs made comments about this new seat arrangement, taunting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Pilot on their internal differences.

Pilot went on to say that a lot will be discussed at the floor of the assembly during the debate after the trust motion was moved by state cabinet minister Shanti Dhariwal.

"In time everything will be revealed. But I want to say that whatever had to be said or heard [within our party], whether it was about me or my colleagues, we have had that discussion. Whichever doctor we had to go to, we did. But now that all that is behind us and we are all here in the assembly we should talk about the present situation."

He added that when Congress MLAs entered the assembly on Friday, "We are all together. Whatever artillery is fired at the border, all of us, including I, will stand guard and protect the interests of our party."

Many BJP leaders, including BJP's Rajasthan unit chief, Satish Poonia, were among those who criticised Congress for their internal strife, which BJP leaders said, had had a harmful effect on the administration of Rajasthan, which is grappling with novel Coronavirus, floods and locust attacks.

BJP's deputy chief in the house, Rajendra Rathore, said, "Public has been seeing the drama unfold in Rajasthan over the past one month. The actors, heroes, villains are all from one party...Rajasthan bore the brunt of factionalism within the party. Gehlot himself said for 1.5 years he did not talk to his deputy Chief Minister. How can the government function smoothly like this? How can a party that has indulged in 'Elephant trading' level allegations of horse trading at us? Did you not surreptitiously affect the merger of all BSP MLA?"

BJP's chief in the house, Gulab Chand Kataria, also highlighted the differences between Pilot and Gehlot over the past one month. Talking about Pilot, he asked, "The person who got your party back on its feet for 6 years was very good, why he suddenly became bad?"

Addressing Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot he said, "If you say that for 18 months i never talked to the deputy Chief Minister, call him names. Is it our fault? If your leader [Pilot] says that he is not able to do the work he wants to do, is it our fault?"
In the three counties hit by a partial lockdown seven days ago, the mood has veered between anger, frustration and a certain resigned acceptance this week.

Covid-19 has cut a swathe through local meat plants with alarming speed, infecting workers, often without them knowing it.

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By the middle of this week, our volatile national infection rate of 17 people per 100,000 was higher than Britain's.

Residents in Kildare, Offaly and Laois are suffering the consequences, and in some cases there is a threat to livelihoods as well as health as businesses count the cost of another lockdown.

From the semi-suburban sprawl of Sallins in Kildare, by the banks of the Grand Canal, to the shores of our longest river in Shannonbridge in Offaly, locals faced the psychological difficulty of taking a step backwards.

Nicola Curran and her husband Josef Zammit had only recently reopened their Sallins restaurant, the Two Cooks, after the long lockdown. Suddenly last Friday evening, they were told they had to close again, and their staff were facing an uncertain future.

Expand Close Sallins restaurateur Nicola Curran. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sallins restaurateur Nicola Curran. Photo: Mark Condren

"It came as a huge shock. Everything was ready for a busy weekend, and there was no notice that we had to close," Curran tells Review.

"The second surge of the virus has just happened so fast. I think the decision to shut things down was a little bit hasty, but it was the right thing to do. If it saves lives, I am all for it."

In Shannonbridge on the western fringes of Offaly, far from the meat plants at the centre of the outbreaks, John Joe Ryan, proprietor of Luker's bar and restaurant, could not conceal his annoyance at having to shut down again.

Normally at this time of year, the bar would be teeming with visitors to the nearby monastic site of Clonmacnoise, and the boat lovers who enjoy cruising along the River Shannon.

Now the boats are no longer allowed to stop on the Offaly side of the river - a no-go area for outsiders - and gardai have been manning the bridge across the Shannon, barring the path of any regulars hoping to cross the county boundary from Roscommon or Galway.

Ryan says he doesn't know of any recent cases of the coronavirus affecting the village. "It's absolutely crazy that we have had to shut down," he says.

Dr Ronan Glynn, the acting chief medical officer, has said that the recent cases linked to meat factories were not limited to places near the plants. The infected people lived and socialised throughout the three counties, he said.

Outbreaks connected to four plants have led to about 300 confirmed cases so far.

Some in the midlands have been left wondering if they are being treated as guinea pigs for a new approach to the virus, where there will be a more localised response to outbreaks.

Scientists expect more local lockdowns and restrictions as autumn and winter approach. We should not be surprised if garda checkpoints are mounted at county boundaries or the entrances and exits of country towns. This week, as I travelled through Co Kildare, I was stopped at two checkpoints by gardai, asking what my business was.

The surge in Kildare and the two other counties shows the difficulties ahead.

Surge in cases

As the number of cases declined through June, public health officials might have hoped that they had flattened the curve of the virus's spread in time for the summer holidays. Since then, the numbers have surged from a daily average of just 10 to 75 by the middle of this week.

Professor Gerry Killeen of University College Cork (UCC), an authority on infectious disease control, tells Review: "What we are seeing is that the flattened curve isn't flat. It's more like a rollercoaster - and that is what it is likely to be like in the coming months."

It might not just be rural regions that are affected by lockdowns if there is a sudden uptick in cases. Asked if the capital might face another if there is an increase in cases, Trinity College Dublin immunologist Professor Kingston Mills told Review: "I don't see why Dublin would be excluded."

If we have more regular local lockdowns, we will be following the pattern in the UK, where prime minister Boris Johnson warned that they would be a "feature of our lives for some time to come".

Read More

Leicester was the first city in England to face a local lockdown at the end of June, and has been hit by some restrictions ever since. Although people are allowed to meet in pubs and restaurants, there are restrictions on gatherings and movements between households.

As with the meat plants, the Leicester lockdown is linked to a local industry: garment factories where working conditions are difficult.

Since that lockdown was introduced, the number of cases has dropped, but remains alarmingly high at 58 per 100,000. On one day this week, there were 100 new cases reported in the city.

Since June, local lockdowns in the UK have spread to Greater Manchester, Preston and parts of Yorkshire.

Even in Scotland - considered one of the models for combating the virus - first minister Nicola Sturgeon has had to order a clampdown after a cluster of cases in Aberdeen.

The city's bars, restaurants and cafes have been ordered to close after 54 cases were reported. A five-mile travel limit has been put in place and residents are being told not to enter each other's houses.

The outbreaks in meatpacking plants that prompted the midlands lockdown should not have come as a surprise to the public health authorities.

Already by the beginning of July, there were reported to be 1,115 cases at meat and poultry plants in Ireland. The first reported case occurred in the middle of March.

At an Oireachtas committee meeting this week, Siptu representative Greg Ennis asked why the Health and Safety Authority did not begin inspections at meat plants until late May.

Meat plants across the world from Europe to the United States and South America have suffered similar outbreaks with the rapid spread of the virus, infecting employees who often work and live at close quarters.

Much of the research on meat plants has centred on an outbreak at a slaughterhouse at Rheda-Wiedenbrueck in Germany, where 1,500 workers contracted the virus.

Read More

Professor Paul Moynagh, an immunologist at Maynooth University, says: "There are certain types of businesses and activity that are extremely high-risk and meat factories seem to be one of them.

"It's very physically demanding, so breathing rates are incredibly high. People tend to be working side by side and it is noisy so they have to shout to make themselves heard." He highlights the research on the German outbreak, which showed that chilly air circulated in the plants without frequent changes. Coupled with a strenuous work conditions, this helped particles travel more than eight metres.

"The work is quite poorly paid, so you tend to have a significant percentage of migrant workers, who may work, travel and live together," says Prof Moynagh. "They tend to have poor social protection such as sick leave."

Edel McGinley of the Migrants Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI) says the organisation has received complaints from meat processing workers about the danger of infection since late March. She says the migrant workforce accounts for 58pc of the meat plant sector.

The MRCI surveyed meat plant workers in recent months and found that six out of 10 did not feel safe at work. One worker at an unnamed plant told the centre somewhat prophetically in July: "If we have an outbreak of infection on the production line, then the consequences will be catastrophic for the entire region."

If the latest policy is to have localised lockdowns, they could be more likely in areas with a concentration of high-risk activities such as meat or food processing. That would mean Cavan and Monaghan, where there were Covid outbreaks earlier in the pandemic, could be candidates for a future lockdown unless the factories take effective precautions.

Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland

If there are future lockdowns, they may not necessarily involve entire regions or counties.

Professor Mary Horgan, an infectious diseases consultant, has suggested a targeted approach of micro-lockdowns, sometimes affecting only small geographical areas where there may be a cluster of cases. She told RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland this week that this was an approach used in Germany.

There are different views among scientists and officials about Ireland's strategy in the coming months. Taoiseach Micheal Martin suggested this week that the Government was making plans for "living with Covid-19".

But a group of scientists believe that we should aim to eliminate the virus completely.

Professor Patricia Kearney, an epidemiologist at UCC, says: "As long as the approach is to live with the virus, there will be outbreaks and clusters on an ongoing basis, and it will bite back at us."

According to advocates of the 'Zero Covid' strategy, there should be continuing tight restrictions in areas where there is community transmission, while areas that are coronavirus-free could be opened up. Under a traffic light system, areas of the country could be classified red, orange or green.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly indicated this week that it will adopt part of this strategy with a slightly different colour code. The Covid-clear areas would be classified as a blue zone, although Donnelly has stressed this will not happen until there is a vaccine. Yellow would indicate the level of infection is stable, while orange would signal local restrictions to contain outbreaks. Red would mean another nationwide lockdown.

In the short term, a Zero Covid strategy may be more restrictive for business, but its proponents hope that eventually it would enable the economy to open up faster.

New Zealand's policy of acting early and closing access to the country enabled it to leave lockdown and return to normal life, even with crowds allowed into sports stadiums. Pubs and nightclubs opened. Although there have been a small number of cases in recent days - leading to a lockdown in Auckland - by Thursday of this week there had been only 22 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Professor Killeen of UCC is concerned that the virus is spreading almost invisibly in the Irish population because at the moment most of those who are catching it are young.

Second wave

"My best guesstimate is that for every case of community transmission that is recorded, there are normally four more cases that we don't know about," he says. "But the figures are probably much higher than that because so many young people who get it are asymptomatic. I believe our second wave is going to be a slow, steady affair and I am a bit worried that it will just creep up on us."

He believes small mistakes or changes in behaviour will make the difference. It could be the small gathering at a barbecue, the hug you allow yourself just once, the person in a shop wearing a visor rather than a mask, the contaminated park bench, or even someone telling a laugh-out-loud joke.

"It's all of these things added up together that are creating a slow, steady surge in community transmission that is catching up with us day by day," he says.

Nursing homes and meat plants have been the focus of attention during the pandemic because they have been at the centre of many clusters.

But there are bound to be more flashpoints in the coming months, and there is a sense of foreboding in some quarters at the reopening of schools and at the prospect of reopening 'wet' pubs.

The traffic-light system of coloured zones may give the beleaguered rural publicans a chance to reopen in areas that are Covid-free.

As they try to come to terms with the latest lockdown, people in Kildare, Laois and Offaly can at least hope that they will be able to reopen in a week's time. With shops and many other workplaces still open and locals still allowed to visit houses, this lockdown is not as drastic as the last one

Fr David Vard, a priest in Portlaoise, told Review: "There's still a buzz about the town because the shops are open and you can move around the county. But there is still a lot of disappointment among people who had to cancel holidays. And there is a feeling of unfairness, because the numbers in Laois are low, compared to Kildare.

"We finally got back to a place where people felt safe enough to go to church, but now they can't come, and now we're behind closed doors again."

There's no room for complacency across the rest of the country, because another county or city could share the fate of Kildare, Offaly and Laois in the coming months. With Covid-19, it may be a rollercoaster ride.
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Moscow  Authorities in Belarus have released thousands of people detained during unprecedented nationwide protests against long-time President Alexander Lukashenko. The government appeared eager to calm the situation, but as freed protesters' relayed accounts of horrific treatment in detention, the the demonstrations continued for a sixth day on Friday.

At least two protesters died and authorities arrested about 6,700 people during a violent police crackdown on the demonstrations earlier this week.

The unrest was sparked by Lukashenko's declared landslide victory in a Sunday presidential election. Many in Belarus, along with a number of foreign governments, believe the vote in the tiny country, often referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship," was rigged.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Radio Free Europe earlier this week that the U.S. was "incredibly troubled by the election and deeply disappointed that it wasn't more free and more fair." He said the U.S. would work with its European partners on a response, but indicated that expected fuel shipments to Belarus could be affected.

On Thursday night and early Friday morning, dozens of people walked out of a detention center outside the capital of Minsk. They were greeted by a large crowd of people hoping to find friends and loved ones who had vanished for days without a trace.

But many of those arrested during the protests remained missing Friday, and family members were getting increasingly desperate. Some showed photos of their missing loved ones to the released detainees on their cell phones Thursday night outside the detention center, hoping for any information.

"A sea of blood"

Videos from outside the detention center showed released protesters sharing accounts of alleged beatings and mistreatment in what they described as overcrowded cells. Some said they were forced to stand or lie face-down on concrete floors for hours without much food or water.

Story continues

Several men showed severe bruises and scars, purportedly from police beatings.

People detained during recent rallies of opposition supporters, who accuse strongman Alexander Lukashenko of falsifying the polls in the presidential election, show bruises they say were sustained during beatings as they leave the Okrestina prison in Minsk, August 14, 2020. / Credit: SERGEI GAPON/AFP/Getty

"There were beatings outside and in the cells," one woman said in a video posted by independent Belarusian news outlet Tut.by. "There was a sea of blood."

Independent online Russian news outlet Znak.com released a report Thursday by one of its journalists, Nikita Telizhenko, who described in chilling detail his 16 hours in detention.

"Blows, screams, cries could be heard from everywhere," Telizhenko wrote.

He was freed along with another reporter who had been covering the protests, from Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, after the Russian Embassy in Minsk intervened.

Belarus' Interior Minister Yuri Karayev apologized on Thursday for "random people at the protests" being injured, and for violence against journalists.

Another senior official, Natalya Kochanova, also sought to quell the unrest, releasing a televised statement on behalf of Lukashenko saying the president heard the voices of the labor unions backing the protests and had ordered an investigation into the arrests.

"We don't need a fight, we don't need war," she said.

Protests continue, pressure mounts

While the number of people taking to the streets has fallen over the course of the week, workers from some major state-run industries have joined the protests, mounting further pressure on Lukashenko amid calls for an election do-over.

Employees of the state-run Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) are seen through an entrance checkpoint during a protest against presidential election results and to demand a new election, in Minsk, Belarus, August 14, 2020. / Credit: VASILY FEDOSENKO/REUTERS

About a dozen journalists have also announced their resignations from state-controlled media in protest over the government's actions.

Peaceful protesters formed new human "chains of solidarity" in Minsk early Friday morning. Dozens of women, many wearing white or holding flowers, lined up along the city roads. Photos posted online showed posters reading: "We are for peace" and "Stop beating our men."

Lukashenko's government has been under pressure from the European Union over its human rights record for years, but in 2016 the EU partially lifted sanctions against Minsk. This week's crackdown on the protesters has seen EU officials talk about rolling those sanctions back.

Russia, an ally to Lukashenko, is interested in forging even closer political ties with Belarus. Moscow has voiced concern over what it described vaguely as attempts by external forces to destabilize the situation in the small neighboring state.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, welcomes his Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to a meeting at the Kremlin, in Moscow, on December 29, 2018. / Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty

Lukashenko, 65, has ruled his country with an iron fist for 26 years, going to considerable lengths to stifle opposition.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old former English teacher without any prior political experience, emerged as his main challenger in the Sunday vote after her husband, an opposition blogger who had hoped to run for president, was arrested in May.

Tikhanovskaya managed to unite fractured opposition groups and drew tens of thousands to her campaign rallies.

Her supporters believe she would have won Sunday's election if it had been fair, but the official results gave her just 10% of the votes. Tikhanovskaya left Belarus under pressure and is now taking refuge in neighboring Lithuania.

In a video posted online Friday, Tsikhanouskaya, asked her supporters to support an official investigation into the election. She also called for an end to the violence, and urged local leaders to help coordinate continued peaceful demonstrations.

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A new omnibus bill passed Tuesday in the Ontario legislature threatens the protections put in place by the Environmental Assessment Act, environmental groups say.

Bill 197, the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, will change dozens of pieces of Ontario legislation.

Groups including the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Ontario Nature and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations argue the bill allows the province to ignore due process for environmental protection.

The bill divides projects into high-impact ones that are subject to a comprehensive environmental assessment, and medium-impact projects that go through a streamlined environmental assessment.

The province will categorize the projects with consultation from the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities, says Lindsay Davidson, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Nonetheless, environmental groups say they have concerns.

Kevin Thomason, vice chair of the Grand River Environmental Network, argues the provinces redesign of the environmental assessment process and focus on speed is reckless. These protections are not red tape, theyre there to keep the public, our ecosystems and watersheds safe, he says.

There are some changes Thomason does agree with, like the convenience of moving the environmental assessment process online, but he warns this bill will affect the lives of all Ontarians for generations and needs to be crafted with more care.

The middle of a pandemic is not the time to be redesigning our entire environmental assessment process.

The province says the current Environmental Assessment Act, passed in 1975, is outdated and requires modernization to streamline the approvals process for projects. Their aim is to cut down the time required to approve projects.

The changes are intended to modernize the environmental assessment program while ensuring strong environmental oversight and getting critical infrastructure projects off the ground quicker, the province says in a notice posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

Environmental groups have also expressed concerns at the speed and lack of consultation with which the Bill 197 changes were introduced. Previously, the province was required to publicize regulations that could have a significant effect on the environment by announcing those changes for at least 30 days in the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

But that requirement was temporarily removed in April. The province did post a notice about the Bill 197 changes in the Environmental Registry, but said it was doing so for informational purposed only, adding there is no requirement to consult on this initiative on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:06:10|Editor: huaxia

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ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 25,500 Ethiopian migrants have been repatriated home during the past four months, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed on Friday.

"Between April 1 and August 13, Ethiopia received over 25,500 returnees, 6,173 from Djibouti, 5,982 from Somalia, 5,082 from Sudan, 3,162 from Saudi Arabia, 1,060 from Kenya, 1,024 from Kuwait, 650 from Lebanon, and some more from other countries," the UN migration agency said in its latest COVID-19 response update for Ethiopia issued on Friday.

Noting that some 546 new returnee migrant Ethiopians were registered in the last week across the East African country during the last week, the IOM also stressed that some 1,830 are currently in quarantine facilities amid the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.

The IOM also noted that is providing direct assistance to returnee migrants in quarantine facilities, including registration, food, water and onward transportation assistance.

The IOM, among other things, provides personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and sanitizers to quarantine facility staff in major migrant-receiving areas in Ethiopia.

It also distributes non-food items in quarantine facilities in the capital Addis Ababa and across various regional states, including soaps, dignity kits, medications, kitchen sets, clothes, bedsheets and mattresses.

Noting COVID-19 screening for 2,601 individuals in quarantine facilities and government health posts, the IOM also stressed that more than 69,400 individuals reached with hygiene awareness this week.

As of Friday morning, Ethiopia's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 26,204 as the death toll due to illnesses related to the COVID-19 pandemic rose to 479, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. Enditem
Afghan authorities said Friday they had started to release 400 Taliban prisoners, the final hurdle in long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides, even as President Ashraf Ghani warned they were a "danger to the world".

The Afghan government and the Taliban are set to meet within days of the prisoner release being completed, in a move that has drawn widespread condemnation after it emerged many of the inmates were involved in attacks that killed scores of Afghans and foreigners.

A group of 80 prisoners had been released Thursday, National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said, tweeting that it would "speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide ceasefire".

The release of 400 militants was approved at the weekend by a gathering of thousands of prominent Afghans who said they wanted to pave the way for talks to begin in Doha, Qatar, and a possible ceasefire.

But the decision has caused heartache for the families of those killed by the insurgents.

"If (the Taliban) can't bring peace and they attack again, thousands of people will be killed and their families will be tormented," said Bashir Naween, whose brother was killed in a 2017 truck bombing near the Germany embassy in Kabul, an attack involving one of the militants due to be released.

"But if the real peace comes, we won't have any problems because... our big dream is peace," he told AFP.

The prisoners include at least 44 insurgents of particular concern to the United States and other countries for their role in high-profile attacks, according to an official list seen by AFP.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier this week he had lobbied for a former Afghan army soldier, who went rogue and killed three Australian colleagues, to stay in jail.

Ghani warned on Thursday that the hardened criminals were "likely to pose a danger both to us and to (America) and to the world".

Story continues

"Until this issue, there was a consensus on the desirability of peace but not on the cost of it," Ghani said in a video conference organised by a US think tank.

"We have now paid the major instalment on cost and that means peace will have consequences."

A prisoner swap formed part of a deal signed by the Taliban and the US in February, which saw Washington agree to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in return for various commitments from the insurgents including a pledge to hold peace talks with the Afghan government.

The government was excluded from that deal, which stipulated Kabul release 5,000 militants in return for 1,000 Afghan government prisoners held by the insurgents.

While Kabul released the bulk of Taliban prisoners as agreed in the deal, it had baulked at freeing the final 400.

The "loya jirga" -- the traditional gathering of tribal elders and other prominent citizens -- was called by Ghani after the authorities initially refused to free the militants.

In a resolution, the jirga asked authorities to monitor the freed prisoners to ensure they did not return to the battlefield.

Ahead of the jirga, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had urged the gathering to release the prisoners, although he acknowledged the move was "unpopular".

The Taliban, meanwhile, have warned of possible attacks against the freed prisoners by Islamic State jihadists in coordination with Afghanistan's spy agency.

us-jds/ecl/wat/axn
<! Osinbajo >

Business Day newspaper has apologised to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after it discovered that it published a fake news against him in an online publication.

The newspaper also said it had sent a letter of apology to the Vice President after it pulled down the story from its website.

Business Day said, On 9th August 2020, businessday.ng published a story titled Ex APC spokesman asks Buhari to probe Osinbajo, AuGF over alleged N10bn withdrawal from TSA.

That story failed to meet the editorial standards of Business Day Newspaper, as we have since discovered that the story was baseless, unfounded and unsupported by any factual substance.

We have already disabled the links to the story and hereby retract it completely and unreservedly.

Business Day apologises to His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers for the unwarranted inconvenience and embarrassment the publication has occasioned.

We hold the Vice President in very high esteem and appreciate his enormous worthy and enviable achievements in the private sector as a respected Professor of Law  of multiple decades standing and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, amongst others; and the worthy and enviable strides he has made in public service as the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Lagos and presently Vice President of Nigeria.

We hereby convey our sincere, profound and unstinted apology for allowing our newspaper to be used as a platform by which the said news item was conveyed. The said publication is highly regretted by us and we urge our esteemed readers and the general public not to ascribe or attach our reputation for disseminating accurate information that we expect the public to trust to it.

A letter conveying our unreserved apology has since been sent to the Vice President, Business Day said.

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Lok Janshakti Party chief Chirag Paswan (Image: Twitter.com/@ichiragpaswan)

The Lok Janshakti Party may withdraw its support to the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, its sources said on August 14 after the party accused senior JD(U) leader Lalan Singh of "insulting" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. LJP chief Chirag Paswan met BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday and discussed the matter among other issues, they said.

Paswan has called a meeting of party leaders at party's Patna office on Saturday over the issue, they said.

Lalan Singh had recently taken a swipe at Paswan, saying that like Kalidas he was cutting the branch of a tree on which he was sitting.

The LJP has said Singh's dig was aimed at a tweet of Paswan in which the party president had lauded Modi for his call to several chief ministers, including Kumar, to ramp up COVID-19 tests.

"Lalan Singh has insulted the prime minister. We may withdraw our support from the Nitish Kumar government," a LJP leader said.

The LJP has two MLAs in the 243-member Bihar assembly.

Even if it withdraws the support, it will make no material difference to the government but the development highlights worsening of the ties between the two BJP allies in the state.
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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the plea of former apex court judge Justice Markandey Katju seeking quashing of a resolution passed by Parliament condemning his remarks made in a blog on Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose.

A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said the plea is being dismissed on merit.

The bench also comprising Justices P C Ghose and U U Lalit rejected preliminary objections that the plea was not maintainable.

Justice Lalit, who pronounced the judgement on behalf of the bench, said, We have held that the plea is maintainable. We have dismissed the plea on merit.

Justice Katju had on June 29 last year moved the apex court seeking quashing of resolutions passed against him by both Houses of Parliament for calling Mahatama Gandhi and Subhash C Bose as British and Japanese agents respectively.

The former judge, in his Facebook post, had said both Houses of Parliament condemned him for his statements calling Gandhi a British agent, and Subhas Chandra Bose a Japanese agent without even giving him a hearing.

A former chairperson of Press Council of India, Justice Katju had sought quashing of resolutions passed against him by Lok Sabha on March 12 and Rajya Sabha on March 11.

He had also sought a direction to Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairman of Rajya Sabha that he be heard personally or through his duly designated lawyer(s).

His plea had alleged that both Houses of Parliament lacked competence to condemn him.

Because, Parliament lacks the competence and authority to pass the impugned resolutions condemning the act of the petitioner, who is a private person.

They (LS and RS) are not competent to take cognizance of expressions of free speech of a private person like petitioner as power under Rule 171 of Lok Sabha Rules provides that the resolution must relate to act of Government. Thus Impugned Resolution does not fulfill the jurisdictional requirement and necessary jurisdictional facts are lacking, it said.

The plea also referred to the reasons behind the alleged posts against Gandhi and Bose.

That, the post in respect of Gandhiji in short made the point that by constantly using religious symbolism in politics for several decades, Gandhiji, in effect furthered the British Policy of Divide and Rule by alienating the Muslim population of the Indian sub-continent away from the national movement.

That, the post in respect of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, in short made the point that through his actions knowingly or unknowingly, he ended up perpetuating Japanese imperial interest in the Indian sub-continent, the plea stated.

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In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of Aug. 14.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what's on the radar of our editors for the morning of Aug. 14.

What we are watching in Canada ...

FILE - Stephenie Meyer attends a screening of Sony PIctures Classics' "Austenland" on Aug. 12, 2013 in New York. Meyer is planning at least two more books in her mega-selling vampire series "Twilight Saga" she said during a recent promotional event. Meanwhile, the author's long-awaited "Midnight Sun" sold more than 1 million copies in its first week, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers announced Thursday. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, FIle)

WE Charity registered Thursday as a lobbyist of the federal government  months after it began talks with federal officials about potential programs to help Canadian youths during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization's executive director, Dalal Al-Waheidi, disclosed the registration during testimony before the House of Commons finance committee, which is probing the controversy surrounding the Liberal government's decision to pay WE Charity up to $43.5 million to administer a now-abandoned student grant program.

The controversy has triggered investigations by the federal ethics watchdog into potential breaches of conflict of interest rules by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau, both of whom have close family ties to WE Charity.

And it was blamed at least in part for WE Charity's announcement earlier Thursday that it is scaling back its operations, making dozens of layoffs in Canada and the United Kingdom, while also looking to sell some of its real estate holdings in Toronto.

WE Charity said its financial position has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and "recent events," prompting it to shift programming and reduce staff.

In its filing to the federal lobbyist registry, WE Charity disclosed 65 communications with federal officials or ministers in 19 different departments or federal institutions, dating as far back as January 2019.

---

Also this ...

A long-stalled addition to the Chateau Laurier is closer to being built following an agreement between the historic hotel's owners and a heritage group that fought initial plans.

Heritage Ottawa says a new design for the addition would preserve a picturesque view of the landmark's rear courtyard and better mesh with the adjacent Rideau Canal.

The group is also applauding the use of Indiana limestone cladding and copper and bronze elements that reflect defining elements of the early 20th-century structure near Parliament Hill.

The new design and the settlement between Heritage Ottawa and Capital Hotel Limited Partnership, an affiliate of Larco Investments Ltd., will require approval by the City of Ottawa and a local planning appeals tribunal.

Original plans for the addition were widely panned by critics, variously described as resembling a giant air conditioner, shipping container or radiator tacked on to the regal building.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tweeted he was pleased to see the parties had worked collaboratively and agreed on a new design.

---

ICYMI (in case you missed it) ...

There is still plenty of life in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight Saga."

Meyer is planning at least two more books in her mega-selling vampire series, she said during a recent promotional event. Meanwhile, the author's long-awaited "Midnight Sun" sold more than 1 million copies in its first week, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers announced Thursday.

While such previous novels as "New Moon" and "Eclipse" were narrated by high school student Bella Swan, "Midnight Sun" is told from the point of view of Bella's lover, the vampire Edward Cullen.

Meyer's new novel came out Aug. 4. She began working on "Midnight Sun" years ago, but set it aside after an early draft leaked online. Her novels have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, and were adapted into a blockbuster film franchise starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

Meyer once vowed never to write another "Twilight" book, but on Monday she revealed during an online event held by the chain store Books-A-Million that she is far from done with Edward and Bella.

"There are two more books I think in the world that I want to write," she said. "I have got them outlined and a chapter written I think of the first one, so I know it's there. I am not ready to do that right now. I want to do something brand new."

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What we are watching in the U.S. ...

President Donald Trump on Thursday gave credence to a false and racist conspiracy about Kamala Harris' eligibility to be vice-president, fuelling an online misinformation campaign that parallels the one he used to power his rise into politics.

Asked about the matter at the White House, Trump told reporters he had "heard" rumours that Harris, a Black woman and U.S.-born citizen whose parents were immigrants, does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumours "very serious."

The conspiracy is false. Harris, who was tapped this week by Joe Biden to serve as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible for both the vice presidency and presidency under the constitutional requirements. The question is not even considered complex, according to constitution lawyers.

"Full stop, end of story, period, exclamation point," said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School.

Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponent's legitimacy. He was a high-profile force behind the so-called "birther movement"  the lie that questioned whether President Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, was eligible to serve. Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Trump disavow the claims.

Trump's comments landed in a blizzard of other untrue, racist or sexist claims unleashed across social media and conservative websites after Biden picked Harris, the first Black woman and the first Asian American woman on a major party ticket. The misinformation campaign is built on falsehoods that have circulating less noticeably for months, propelled by Trump supporters, and now the president himself.

"I have no idea if that's right," said Trump, who said he had read a column on the subject earlier Thursday. "I would have thought, I would have assumed, that the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice-president."

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What we are watching in the rest of the world ...

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday they are establishing full diplomatic relations in a U.S.-brokered deal that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians.

The historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounts to "treason," and should be reversed.

The agreement makes the UAE the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. They announced it in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

Trump called the deal "a truly historic moment."

"Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates," he told reporters in the Oval Office.

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Also this...

A leading terror suspect who has been linked to beheadings of hostages, including two Canadians and a Malaysian, has surrendered after being wounded in battle, officials said Friday.

National police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said Thursday night that Abu Sayyaf commander Anduljihad Susukan gave up after negotiations with police in southern Davao city, where he was served warrants for at least 23 cases of murder, 6 for attempted murder and 5 for kidnapping.

He is the highest-ranking commander of the small but brutal Abu Sayyaf group to be taken into custody so far this year. The military has been waging a years-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, which has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for past bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. Many of its gunmen, mostly peasants and desperately poor villagers, have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group.

Security officials have blamed Susukan and his men for playing a role in cross-border kidnappings of tourists and other victims from the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, including a Malaysian citizen, who was beheaded by the militants in 2015 in their jungle base in southern Sulu province on the day when Malaysia's then-Prime Minister Najib Razak arrived in Manila to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Susukan also helped finance the kidnappings in the south of two Canadian men, who were separately beheaded in Sulu in 2016 after the militants failed to get a huge ransom. Another Abu Sayyaf militant, Ben Yadah, murdered the two Canadians and remains at large, a military officer said.

Susukan surrendered to a Muslim rebel chief after the accidental explosion of his M203 rifle grenade in a gunbattle with troops in Sulu severed his left arm. Military officials had believed he was killed but later learned he was in the custody of Nur Misuari, who leads an armed group which signed a 1996 peace deal with the government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 14, 2020.
Jihadists have reportedly taken the northern Mozambican port of Mocimboa da Praia, according to various media sites, as Mozambican security forces have entered the area in order to wrest it from the Islamic fighters.

Fifty-nine presumed terrorists were killed on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the government, but it has refused to indicate there is a battle between government forces and jihadists for Mocimboa da Praia.

Part of the lack of information is directly related to both a media blackout and an internet cut in the city.

Mocimboa da Praia, located in the far north of the country, near the Tanzanian border, is a strategic port near a number of natural gas sites.

It's the fourth time the insurgents have attacked this city, and it's important to know that a number of insurgents are originally from that city, so this is strategic, but also emotional, personal, Eric Morier-Genoud, a researcher at the University of Belfast, told RFI.

The thing that is different about this attack is that a major part of the population has left and the city has been reinforced by new, special army units, so it's a bigger victory in that sense, he says.

The rebels said a few days ago that they don't just want to capture the city for a time, but re-capture it permanently, he adds.

The militants are reportedly linked to the Islamic State armed group (IS) and the alleged capture of the strategic port was seen as a big setback for Mozambican troops.

The country's neighbors are also worried about the fightingTanzania has reportedly stated it would launch an offensive from their southernmost forest bordering Mozambique.
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 14, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump: Charge Against Corrupt FBI Lawyer Just the Beginning

The charge and expected guilty plea of a former FBI lawyer involved in the probe of President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign is just the beginning, Trump told reporters on Friday.

So we have some very interesting news. Kevin Clinesmith, a corrupt FBI attorney who falsified FISA warrants in James Comeys very corrupt FBI, is expected to plead guilty, the president announced at the beginning of a press briefing at the White House in Washington.

Clinesmith was charged by U.S. Attorney John Durham, who is delving deep into how the probe into Trumps campaign unfolded before the Republican was elected president. According to a court filing, Clinesmith removed content from an email he forwarded to an FBI special agent to dramatically change information regarding a former Trump campaign associate from positive to negative.

Thats just the beginning, I would imagine, because what happened should never happen again, Trump added.

He is pleading guilty. Its a terrible thing. A terrible thing, he continued. The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught and youll be hearing more.

John Durham speaks at a conference in New Haven, Conn., on Sept. 20, 2018. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut)

Durhams bombshell was previewed late Thursday by Attorney General William Barr, who said in a cable news appearance that there was going to be a development in Durhams probe of Crossfire Hurricane.

Barr indicated that Durhams Aug. 14 action would be followed by more announcements.

There are going to be significant developments on this before the election, he told Fox News host Sean Hannity.

Barr assigned Durham last year to probe the FBIs investigation of the Trump campaign, with a special focus on whether it was free of improper motive. The probe was designated a formal criminal investigation later in 2019.

Trump is among those anxious to see results from the review, urging Barr to do the right thing.

I hope theyre not going to be politically correct and say, well, you know, lets just get the lower guys that forged the documents going into FISA, or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Trump said on Thursday.

Attorney General William Barr speaks about an initiative to prevent online child sexual exploitation, at the Justice Department in Washington on March 5, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Bill Barr can go down as the great attorney general in the history of our country, or he can go down as just an average guy, it depends on whats going to happen, he added.

The Department of Justice didnt respond to a request for comment on Trumps remarks.

The president also took a shot at FBI Director Christopher Wray after suggesting someone besides himself nominated Wray for the job.

We have an election coming up. I wish he was more forthcoming. He certainly hasnt been, the president said.

The FBI declined to comment.

Mimi Nguyen Ly, Ivan Pentchoukov, and Janita Kan contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a partisan attack on Joe Biden at a White House press briefing, inaccurately suggesting the presumptive Democratic nominee wanted a national mandate on mask wearing while assailing Biden as "regressive," "anti-scientific" and "defeatist."

Speaking to reporters from the lectern in the James S. Brady briefing room, Trump claimed Biden advocated a national mask mandate to fight the virus  an act that Trump said ignored the different needs of individual states and trampled on governors' authority. Earlier Thursday, Biden and recently announced running mate Kamala Harris called on governors to issue mask mandates amid a national effort to curb the pandemic.

Biden "wants the president of the United States with the mere stroke of a pen to order over 300 million American citizens to wear a mask for a minimum of three straight months," Trump said. "He thinks it's good politics, I guess. No matter where they live and no matter their surroundings."

Biden did not say if he would impose a national mask mandate Thursday. So far, 35 states and a number of municipalities require people to wear masks in public and where no social distancing is possible.

Trump himself urged Americans to wear masks during his briefing, saying it was the "patriotic thing to do."

Trump also said Biden advocated "locking all-Americans in their basements for months on end," further painting a picture of a candidate set on presidential overreach.

"He wants to shut down our economy, close our schools, and grind society to a halt and he wants it done by a federal decree," Trump said. "This would lead to a crippling, long-lasting depression."

Trump's remarks came the day after Biden and Harris presented themselves as a pro-science foil to the president and administration's at-times contradictory response to the pandemic, a key emerging plank of their campaign platform.

Story continues

Trump in turn used the briefing to counter strike, focusing keenly on his Democratic rivals as opposed to touting his administration's response.

When reporters at Trump's briefing asked White House staff if the president's opening statement was in compliance with the Hatch Act, White House spokesperson Judd Deere said: "The Presidents prepared remarks are composed in compliance with the Hatch Act."

The Hatch Act prohibits executive branch employees from partaking in political activities in their official capacities.

Trump and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel have argued that the act does not apply to the president, allowing him to use the White House for partisan means.

Despite his partisan tone, Trump later included a seemingly scripted appeal to unity. "Americans must unite together and they must put politics aside and have to really unite for a common good," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:01:04|Editor: huaxia

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MANILA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government on Friday said it is imposing a ban on the importation of chickens from Brazil following reports of the coronavirus contamination of poultry products from that South American country.

"With the recent reports from China and in compliance with the country's Food Safety Act to regulate food business operators and safeguard Filipino consumers, the temporary ban on the import of chicken meat is imposed," the Philippines' Department of Agriculture said in a statement.

The decision comes after Chinese health officials report that a sample of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil to Shenzhen, a city in southern China, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Despite the importation ban, the department assured the public that chicken products from the Philippine market are safe. Enditem
DECATUR  On Aug. 15, 1945, the U.S. and the United Kingdom announced victory over Japan, effectively ending World War II. Seventy-five years have passed, but those in the Decatur region who lived through the time remember the excitement that came with the announcement.

Bruce Leonard was a captain in the United States Army Air Corps when the war ended.

I was getting ready to go to the University of Illinois to complete my education, Leonard said.

He returned in June 1945 and married his wife a month later. And about two months before the war ended, Leonard said.

Leonard was a B-17 pilot and completed his tour of duty with 35 bombing missions.

I was shot down over Vienna and escaped through Yugoslavia, he said.

Leonard received the Outstanding Achievement Medal, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and three Bronze Stars for his service.

Because of his experience, Leonard had already decided to move on with his life when the end of the war was announced. I had decided to go back to school, he said. I was ready to go to college so I could finish that degree and make a living and support my new wife.

It was a close call for Decatur veteran Ed Cassell, who was still 18 years old when the war ended. I went in in 1945, he said. I was going to turn 18 and be drafted. And I didnt want to be drafted and be in the Army, so I joined the Navy.

After boot camp, Cassell was sent to California. While waiting to be shipped out, American B-29 bombers dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. The results would help end the war. We were lucky and we didnt have to go, Cassell said.

Cassell said he had enlisted for the duration of the war. If I had to go, I probably wouldnt be here today, he said. I just waited for my papers and went home.

However, Cassell did have a good time when the end of the war was announced. The nearby town of Tiburon, California, had opened the bar for the end-of-the-war celebrations. Of course everybody was getting drunk, Cassell said. A lot of them were jumping in the bay thinking they could swim to San Francisco. We had to take the boats out to pick them up.

For happier memories, Cassell recently purchased a 1948 restored Army Jeep. Ive always wanted one, he said.

With help from the Richland Community College automotive class, the Jeep looks better than it would have at the end of a war. They really did a good job on it, Cassell said.

The students painted Cassells service number on the hood of the truck in military print. We had to use that (number) for everything in the service, he said.

Cassell is a member of the Macon County Honor Guard. The blank shells used during military funerals are shipped to the guard in containers reminiscent of old military shipping boxes. Cassell has the back of the Jeep filled with the boxes, adding to the nostalgic look. He also has a license plate made of soybeans, similar to the ones made during the war.

Glenn Polk enlisted in the Army a month after the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was among the more than 16 million Americans who served in the war.

I was glad to get out, the Army veteran said. I was one of the lucky persons to get back out of it as good of shape as I did. A lot of them didnt.

Polk served with the 17th tank battalion during the Battle of the Bulge. He was in the process of returning home when President Franklin D. Roosevelt died in April 1945.

By the time of V-J Day, Polk was ready for life as a civilian. Things changed again, he said.

In returning home, Polk took a ship from France to the harbor in New York City in the United States. He was working at Bensons Creamery living in Macon by August 1945. He celebrated like most people at the time. At home visiting with the folks, he said.

The experience wasnt much to celebrate, Polk remembers.

Lets hope we dont have to have something like that again, he said.

Decatur residents Ed Brewer, 86, and his wife Winnie, 81, were children during the war.

Winnie Wonus lived in Beecher City and was six years old when the war ended. She remembers the family collected metal like many youth during the time. The rationing of meat and sugar were also part of their daily life. They learned to trade with other families.

During the war, Winnie's father served in the Armys military police stationed in France and Germany. She doesn't remember much about her small town during the war, but she does recall being scared her father was serving. Her mother tried to find a positive side to the times. I remember going to the movies and my mom told me to look for dad in the newsreels, she said.

Her future husband, Ed Brewer, lived about an hour away in the big city of Charleston. His community made sure to celebrate the end of the war. He remembers a large parade traveled around the town square. And we celebrated, he said. I was just a kid, but I remember.

At 11 years old, Brewer waited for his father to return home after the war ended. His father enlisted in the Navy the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked.

By the end of the four-year war, the family was ready for a regular routine. He made it through the war and everything went back to normal, almost, Brewer said.

His father went back to the Brown Shoe Factory to support his family.

As a youngster, Brewer remembers sneaking off to see the celebrations. People were riding on the hoods of cars, he said. It was really a sight.

Brewer would eventually sign up for the Army National Guard in 1953. I ended up enlisting right at the end of the Korean War, he said. They sent me to Germany, of all places.

His experiences with World War II were often viewed through the newsreels seen in theaters and the stories he heard. Yet, he was still happy to have his father home.

The war was a long way aways on the movie screen, Brewer said. But I was glad the fighting was over.

 FROM THE ARCHIVES: V-J Day historical clippings

16 photos: Decatur shows its spirit during World War II

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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At least four people have been killed in clashes in Ivory Coast as hundreds have taken to the streets following President Alassane Ouattara's decision to run for a third term this October, sources said on Thursday.

At least three people were killed on Wednesday in the central town of Daoukro in clashes between Ouattara supporters and backers of rival candidate Henri Konan Bedie, a security source and witnesses said.

On Thursday, an 18-year-old died in the southeastern town of Bonoua, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the economic hub Abidjan in violence between demonstrators and security forces, said local mayor Jean-Paul Amethier.

"The police station in Bonoua has been ransacked by angry demonstrators, and the police chief and officers have taken refuge in the courtyard," local resident Herve Niamkey said.

In Abidjan, scattered groups of demonstrators built barricades and burnt tyres in response to a call from the opposition and civil society groups, AFP journalists saw.

"His candidacy is against the constitution -- we don't want a third term," said protester Herve Seka in Anono district.

In the district of Yopougon, police fired teargas and chased protesters down narrow streets.

Several dozen protesters gathered in Port Bouet, a seaside area of Abidjan, while a heavy deployment of riot police maintained order in the upscale district of Cocody, where many politicians live, including Ouattara.

The government announced a ban on protests late on Wednesday in a communique read on state television.

Despite the violence, Ouattara's Houphouetist Rally for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party announced that he would be formally nominated as its candidate at a big rally in Abidjan on August 22.

A party stalwart, Adama Bictogo, added that the party would demand that the government be held to account for the deaths in Bonoua.

Ouattara, 78, announced a week ago that he would contest the October 31 presidential elections, a move that came after his anointed successor Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died of a heart attack.

The announcement sparked fury among Ouattara's critics, as he has already served two terms and can only contest a third by arguing that a constitutional change entitles him to reset the clock.

The vote is taking place in a country still scarred by a low-level civil war that erupted in 2011 when former strongman Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to Ouattara after losing elections.

The ensuing unrest claimed some 3,000 lives and split the country along north-south lines.

Challengers lining up

Daoukro is a stronghold of supporters of Bedie, an 86-year-old former president who last month was endorsed by the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI) as its candidate for the election and has called Ouattara's candidacy "illegal".

Another candidate is former foreign minister Marcel Amon-Tanoh, 68, who does not yet have the backing of a party.

Police arrested a man in the district of Yopougon during protests there. By SIA KAMBOU (AFP)

Gbagbo's party, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), has yet to name a candidate. Gbagbo was cleared of crimes against humanity last year by the International Criminal Court, although prosecutors are appealing the ruling.

Former rebel chief and ex-premier Guillaume Soro, 47, has said he will contest the vote, but he lives in self-imposed exile in France.

Soro has been sentenced in absentia to a 20-year jail term in Ivory Coast on charges of attempted insurrection.
Russian military intercepts 2 US planes over Black Sea

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 5:33 AM

The Russian military says it has intercepted two US military planes as they were heading toward Russian airspace over the Black Sea.

Russia's National Defense Management Center said in a statement on Wednesday that a Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept the two US aircraft earlier in the day after they were detected on radar over the neutral waters of the Black Sea.

"The Russian aircraft approached both planes at a safe distance and identified them as an RC-135 reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane of the US Navy," it said.

A similar incident occurred on August 5, when a Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance plane and a US Navy R-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft over the Black Sea as they were approaching the Russian border.

For the past several weeks, Russian airspace control systems have been detecting numerous aircraft heading toward the Russian border over the neutral waters of the Black Sea, according to Russia's Sputnik news agency.

American bombers and spy planes, as well as NATO aircraft, have frequently been detected near Russia's borders.

The provocative flights have particularly increased in frequency since 2014, when the then-Ukrainian territory of Crimea joined Russia following a referendum and when a military conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about the increasing activities of the US-led NATO forces near its western borders.

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Srinagar, Aug 14 (UNI) Two police personnel were killed and one was injured when Jaish-e-Mohammad militants attacked a naka party on Nowgam bypass in Srinagar on Friday, when security forces are on high alert ahead of Independence Day celebrations on Saturday.



Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that JeM carried out the attack on security forces. The JeM militants responsible for the attack have been identified and will be neutralized soon, Mr Kumar told reporters at the site of the attack.

Official sources told UNI that two militants suddenly appeared from a narrow bylane at Gulshan Nagar Nowgam bypass at 0945 hrs and resorted to indiscriminate firing towards a joint naka party of police and Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF).

They said three police personnel were injured in the attack. The policemen were rushed to a local hospital where two of them succumbed, they said, adding the deceased have been identified as Ashfaq Ayub and Fayaz Ahmad. The health condition of the injured jawan, identified as Mohammad Ashraf, is stated to be critical, they added.

They said traffic on the highway has been suspended and all roads to main Nowgam, Gulshah Nagar, Ahmed Nagar and Chanapora were closed. Security forces have sealed about two km area and launched a massive hunt to trace the attackers.



Rejecting that there was any security laps, the IGP said that the area is crowded and any retaliation by security forces could have resulted in loss of civilian lives.

UNI ABS SB 1223
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 01:54:21|Editor: huaxia

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(Handout photo released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control)

Seventeen of the 19 people infected have needed hospital treatment, with Spanish TV network RTVE reporting that seven are in intensive care.

MADRID, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The health authority in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia on Thursday confirmed that 11 people suffering from meningitis have tested positive for the West Nile virus in the region.



The cases of West Nile virus were confirmed by the head of the Andalusian health service, Jesus Aguirre, after tests were carried out on 19 people thought to be infected by meningoencephalitis -- a viral condition that resembles both meningitis and encephalitis -- in the towns of Puebla del Rio and Coria del Rio in Seville province.

The remaining samples of the tests are still awaiting results.

Seventeen of the 19 people infected have needed hospital treatment, with Spanish TV network RTVE reporting that seven are in intensive care.

Aguirre explained that the health authority will now activate protocols to fight the "Aedes japonicus" mosquito, which is the transmitter of this disease in the region.

Both Puebla del Rio and Coria del Rio are situated on the banks of the slow moving River Guadalquivir, and the 42,000 inhabitants of both towns have been advised to do all they can to avoid contact with mosquitoes.

West Nile virus is a disease that is transmitted to people mainly by mosquito bites and can also affect birds, horses, and other mammals.

According to the World Health Organization, around 80 percent of infected people do not experience symptoms, while the remaining 20 percent do manifest symptoms, which can be as serious as inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues, with one percent of cases leading to death. 
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) and Slovenian Foreign Minister Anze Logar (right), sign declaration to bar "untrusted" companies -- an apparent reference to Chinese telecoms giant Huawei -- from 5G systems

The US and Slovenia signed a declaration Thursday to "exclude untrusted vendors" from 5G networks as the Trump administration continues its campaign to persuade allies to shun Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on a tour of central Europe, signed the declaration with his Slovenian counterpart Anze Logar.

While the statement did not mention Huawei directly, it commits Slovenia to "a thorough evaluation of providers and chains of distribution and a strict commitment to the rule of law".

In remarks to journalists afterwards Pompeo talked about the "threat" of "the Chinese Communist Party and its drive to control people and information and our economies".

"The tide is turning against the Chinese Communist party and its efforts to restrict freedom for all of us," he said.

Speaking alongside Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa on the shores of the scenic Lake Bled, Pompeo said the declaration will "benefit the people of this country and all of us who share information across complex network systems".

Jansa said the US is "the only power in Western civilisation capable of coping with this complex threat".

"Slovenia is ready to engage in those efforts to make them successful," Jansa added.

Jansa said relations with Russia and China had to be based on core Western values.

"We should take into consideration the strategic interest of our civilisation that has its foundations in security, freedom, the rule of law and democracy," Jansa said.

"These principles should be the starting point for seeking common positions between the EU and the US towards Russia and China," he added.

Separately in a statement, Huawei said that declarations of the kind signed on Thursday "will slow down the introduction of 5G technology and make it more expensive for users".

In addition, such agreements contradict the "EU's principle of a common approach in the cybersecurity field and, in fact, do not prevent... possible cyber crime", the statement carried by Slovenia's STA agency said.

Story continues

Pompeo has already visited the Czech Republic as part of this trip and after Slovenia will continue on to Austria and Poland.

His visit to Slovenia -- birthplace of US First Lady Melania Trump -- is the first by a US Secretary of State since 2001.

Last month, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reversed his decision to allow Huawei to roll out Britain's fast new data network and banned new 5G equipment purchases from January.

bk-jsk/jza/bmm
Inc. Magazine Unveils Its Annual List of Americas Fastest-Growing Private Companiesthe Inc. 5000

SourceScrub Ranks No. 559 on the 2020 Inc. 5000 With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 840.04 Percent

Inc. magazine today revealed that SourceScrub is No. 559 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

We're extremely honored to be on the Inc. 5000 list this year. Since we started this journey in 2015, we have set out to double in growth and revenue each year. This goal, along with our goal of transforming the M&A industry, has been made possible because we've always had an extremely talented and diligent team, said CEO, Tyler Fair.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About SourceScrub

SourceScrub, LLC is the world's leading data service covering purely private companies. Founded in 2015, the company services hundreds of the world's top financial institutions helping them research, find and connect with private companies. SourceScrub leverages both human editing and machine learning techniques to build the most comprehensive and accurate data set available on the market. The Company has over 1 million companies in its database which is refreshed entirely every 30 days. Over 80% of the private companies covered have no existing venture capital or private equity investment providing its customers a unique data service unparalleled in the industry.

CONTACT:

Cheyenne Kolosky

714-697-5276

ckolosky@sourcescrub.com

More About Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

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smolaw11/iStockBy ANNE FLAHERTY, ABC News



(NEW YORK) -- The United States' attempt to return children to the classroom this fall has turned into a slow-motion train wreck, with at least 2,400 students and staff either infected with COVID-19 or self-isolating because of exposure, and the vast majority of large school districts opting to go online this summer amid rising cases of the virus.



President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy Devos have demanded that schools stay open full-time and threatened to pull federal funding if the institutions fail to do so.



DeVos has "consistently said the decision to reopen should be made at the local level, and some schools may need to temporarily remain virtual based on local public health situation," Angela Morabito, a spokesperson for the Education Department, told ABC News late Thursday in an emailed response to questions about the recent school closures.



"She's also, for the last 30 years maintained that parents and families need options when it comes to the child's education and that has never been more evident than now," Morabito wrote. "Parents need to have access to safe, in-person options as well as distant or remote learning options if that is what is best for their family. The key word here is safe."



But what is "safe" is not at all clear to most school officials and at the heart of a bitter debate unfolding just months ahead of the presidential election.



There is universal agreement that in-person instruction is superior to online classes and particularly vital for at-risk students. But local officials warn of complicating factors: Crowded hallways, opposition to masks, dilapidated buildings with windows sealed shut and reluctant staff.



"There was no way for us to socially distance our children and follow other guidelines" with in-person instruction five days a week, said Helena Miller, chair of the Rock Hill school board in the red state of South Carolina.



Schools in neighboring states this week seemed to make the same point as they struggled to stay open within days or weeks of reopening -- many students without masks and walking in crowded hallways. Georgia's Cherokee County -- which was hit the hardest -- reported that nearly 1,200 students and staff were self-isolating after known exposures.



There were other schools too. A community college in Mississippi told 300 of its students to quarantine after nine positive cases were confirmed, along with students in Gulfport and Corinth districts. Indiana schools were also hit with an estimated 500 students in quarantine across several districts, as administrators expressed concern that there would not be enough staff available to continue instruction.



There's no federal standard on when it's considered safe to reopen schools, although the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released various documents suggesting "phased" reopenings and advising that kids and staff wear masks and keep students six feet apart.



As a result, most schools have become hyper-focused on their own local virus data, with some looking to the World Health Organization's recommendation that fewer than 5% of an area's daily tests must turn out positive for 14 days before schools in the area can reopen. Currently, only 16 states meet that criteria.



"We pay absolutely no attention to what the White House has to say on this and neither do most big city school districts," said Michael Casserly, the executive director of the Council of Great City Schools, a coalition of the nation's largest urban public school systems.



Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, suggested communities look at the number of new COVID-19 cases in a given week for every 100,000 people. If the rise in new cases is higher than 10%, it should be cause for serious concern.



If "you're in a red zone, I think you really better be careful," he said Thursday in a livestreamed discussion sponsored by Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.



Miller, in South Carolina, said her board anguished for months before finally deciding on offering parents a "hybrid" option, starting Sept. 8. The option allows parents to choose in-person instruction for their kids two days a week -- a move that cuts down the number of kids in a school at one time to allow for social distancing.



The hybrid model has been sharply criticized by DeVos when it was initially adopted earlier this summer by a Virginia school district. At the same time, DeVos has argued that a national plan for schools isn't needed because schools are run by local officials.



"There's not a national superintendent, nor should there be, therefore there's not a national plan for reopening," she said last month.



Many parents agree with DeVos and want to at least try to move ahead with in-person classes as much as possible.



"I definitely still say, 'Give this a shot.' I think there is a way to do this in person," Carlo Wheaton, the parent of a junior at Woodstock High School in Georgia, told WSB-TV in Atlanta after the school announced it had to close temporarily after 14 people tested positive for the virus and 15 more were waiting for their test results.



Dan Domenech, executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, said one solution is money. His group estimates that schools need $490 per student -- an estimated $200 billion nationwide for the 54 million students attending school in the U.S. -- to allow for schools to reopen safely.



The money could be used to improve ventilation and expand classrooms to allow instructors to teach their students while socially distanced.



Trump announced Wednesday that he plans to provide 125 million masks for students. Domenech said he'd take it but it's a drop in the bucket for schools.



"We see what's happening in Washington: nothing," Domench said.



Miller said at her local school board presidential politics and White House events aren't part of the equation, and that she's leaning on her local health department and governor's office to figure out what to do when there is no playbook.



"There are no right answers," she said.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
President Donald Trumps oldest son was in the Lehigh Valley on Thursday afternoon to stump for his father with outdoor sporting enthusiasts.

Donald Trump Jr. spoke at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in North Whitehall Township before a crowd of some 200 people, according to news reports and social media.

He was reportedly launching Sportsmen for Trump Coalition, which, according to WFMZ and a Trump campaign Facebook post, is meant to mobilize conservationists and defend Americas hunting heritage. The Morning Call reports that Trump Jr. also spoke against Democrats, the media and socialism.

A spokesperson for Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays did not immediately return an email Thursday evening seeking comment on the event. A note on the website indicated the facility closed before noon on Thursday ahead of the rally.

Trump Jr.s local stop comes three months after the president himself flew in to speak at a medical supply distribution center in Lehigh County.

Within the swing state of Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley has garnered national media attention as a potentially crucial battleground.

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Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Two days after a violent mob pelted stones and burned down Congress MLA Akhand Srinivas Murthy's home in Kaval Byrasandra in Bengaluru, he returned to blackened walls and ashes of what remained of his ancestral home. As a platoon of the rapid action force kept guard on the main road, the legislator entered the narrow by-lanes to be greeted by his supporters and neighbours peeking from their balconies and rooftops.

Caught off-guard on Tuesday evening, Murthy and his family had just returned back home from ISCKON temple when he was told about a social media message allegedly posted by his nephew. Murthy, who with his brother and family visited the temple to offer puja on the occasion of Janmashtami, was clueless about the contents of the viral post. Sensing it had caused much damage, Murthy escaped before the crowd outside grew bigger.

Within minutes of the post going viral, a group of people gathered outside his home and demanded the MLA come out and apologise on behalf of his nephew. Soon, slogans were raised denouncing the MLA and stones pelted at his two-storied house, shattering windows.

The Dalit leader says he does not know exactly when petrol was thrown and before he could know it, his house of over 50 years went up in flames.

RELATED NEWS Former Mayor's Personal Assistant Arrested in Connection with Bengaluru Violence

"I was born here, my father and even his father lived right here. Today they have targeted me, but I want to ask them what have I done?" he asked. "Was it pre-planned that they wanted to kill me?"

"If they were angry and a mistake was made, they should have gone to the police, but they did this instead. I have so many sentiments attached to this house, now it is all gone," he told CNN-News 18 on Friday.

After three entire days, Murthy made his way to the DJ Halli police station to officially file a complain against the vandalism and arson. When asked about his relationship with his nephew and whether he had any communication with the latter, the two-time MLA said, "They may be blaming my sister's son, but let it be anyone, whoever has done the mistake, let police take action and punish them."

But this statement from the Congress leader was contrary to the one he had shared on the night of the violence when he had recorded a video message claiming that his relative's Facebook account had been hacked and that the post was not from his nephew P Naveen.

When asked if he recognised any of the persons who had approached his home, Murthy said it could not possibly be people from his constituency as he regarded all of them as his family -- people who had voted him to power with a margin of over one lakh votes.

"In my constituency, we are like brothers and sisters. No religion divides us, we have all worked together. These were outsiders, so let the police investigate and whoever is responsible, let them be punished," he added.

The MLA who represented the Janata Dal Secular in 2013 and switched to the Congress five years later has called for a CID or CCB probe into the matter. So far the police have arrested 206 people and continue to investigate the matter.
I read my first book about politics when I was six years old. See How They Run, by Susan Goodman, was, appropriately, a childrens book: a short, funny, illustrated guide to electioneering published in the heat of the 2008 campaign.

My parents had bought me the book, but not because they intended to raise a future political junkie. Something about the ads on TV and yard signs on my neighbors lawns had captured my attention, and they hoped that the book would answer the questions I had been firing at them nonstop about the mechanics of elections past and present.

See How They Run, though, only whetted my curiosity. Within a few months I was leafing through Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwins nearly thousand-page study of Abraham Lincolns wartime cabinet.

My fascination with American politics turned into a full-blown passion the following January, when my dad brought my sister and me from St. Louis to Barack Obamas inauguration. I was seven. I feel like Im in one of my books, I told my dad as we walked out of the Metro station, the Capitol looming over us. The day was freezing cold, but the excitement in the air was palpable. I could feel history unfolding before our eyes.

By 2011third grade winding to an endI was quite possibly Politico Playbooks youngest devotee. I had also begun to write, imitating the online news articles I was so prodigiously consuming. I started an email newsletter (the sole recipient: my mother) in which I aimed to summarize the political news of the day. In the nine years since, my mailing list has grown to approximately fifty thousand readers.

I call my newsletter Wake Up to Politics, a title I take literally. Every morning when my alarm goes off, I grab my laptop and start the newsletter from my bed (or, as I call it in my email introduction, Wake Up to Politics world headquarters). The process takes about an hour and a half, a frenzy of reading and typing, as I scour a range of major news outletsthe New York Times, the Washington Post, the Associated Press, Politico, CNN, and Fox News, among othersand attempt to distill the most important developments into a concise but comprehensive briefing for my readers. Then I publish, and Im off to school fifteen minutes lateror at least that was my routine until this spring, when the covid-19 pandemic pushed my classes online.

I wanted to write about politics in a straightforward way that didnt assume my readers knew everything alreadybecause I didnt, either.

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Before lockdown orders took effect, I also jumped at any opportunity to leave my bedroom and do my own reporting. Ive received press credentials to cover visits to St. Louis by Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other top politicians. Last year I scored a national scoop when I broke the news of New York City mayor Bill de Blasios presidential campaign.

More recently, I covered two of the last in-person campaign eventsa pair of St. Louis rallies hosted by Biden and Bernie Sanders before the Missouri primary in March. And, then, just a few weeks later, I logged on to Bidens first-ever Zoom press briefing and was one of four journalists called on to ask a questioncarrying on with my reporting even through the pandemic.

Over the years, Ive often been asked if its tiring to always be thinking about politics. Do I ever wish my first thoughts before sunrise were about something other than the presidents tweets or the latest primary results? Truthfully, no. I cant imagine an alternative.

Everyone has a passion, an elementary school teacher once told me. You just found yours early. Many Americansfar too many, in my opiniononly see partisanship and gridlock in politics, but I see the unpredictable ups and downs of electoral ambitions and the dramatic collision of ideologies on a debate stage or on the congressional floor.

I find politics so much more fascinating than anything in my science or math classes because it is driven not by abstract formulas but by people. (Apologies to my stem teachers.) For every election that follows a predictable outcome, there are others that produce a Donald Trump, or an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The annals of political history, if only you care to peruse them, are stocked with unbelievable tales like these, when conventional wisdom was turned on its head because a critical mass of citizens pulled a lever one way or the other. Formed by compelling characters and controversial issues, they make for rich and dramatic storiesand crucially important ones, with the potential to affect American life for generations.

But why did I turn this love for presidential politics and history into an early career in journalism? Because I wanted to offer an alternative to the political journalism being produced from the Beltway, much of which felt too insidery and partisan. I wanted to write about politics in a straightforward way that didnt assume my readers knew everything alreadybecause I didnt, either.

Now my future is a haze of uncertainty. I commemorated my high school graduation with a drive-by parade. I dont yet know what my college life will look like in the fall. But Ive continued to send my newsletter each weekday morning, believing there is no more important time for readers to have a news source they can trust, one that reliably offers the latest developments on the historic events roiling our nation: the pandemic, the protests against police brutality, the lead-up to the election.

After ten years, I havent lost my love for politics and journalism. I hope I never willnot when I go to college (hopefully) in the fall, and not after that. And I hope I never give up the perspective that I carried as a wide-eyed six-year-old, as I was trying to sort through the complexities and curiosities of our political system. Because, Ive found, thats exactly what my readers are trying to do, too.

ICYMI: The campaign begins (again)

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Gabe Fleisher is the author of "Wake Up to Politics," a daily political newsletter with nearly fifty thousand readers around the globe. He is also the host of the Wake Up to Politics podcast, produced by St. Louis Public Radio. Gabe has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The New Yorker, and other publications, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. He graduated from high school in May and will be attending Georgetown University in the fall.
AMMAN, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Jordan said that the deal announced Thursday between Israel and the United Arab Emirates could push forward stalled peace negotiations if it succeeds in prodding Israel to accept a Palestinian state on land that Israel had occupied in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.

"If Israel dealt with it as an incentive to end occupation ... it will move the region towards a just peace," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a statement on state media.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; and Leslie Adler)
Trillium Brewing Co. closed its taproom in Canton on Friday, due to coronavirus but plans to reopen on Saturday.

The brewery said it closed operations after an employee at Nacos Tacos tested positive for coronavirus. The restaurants ceased operations, including its food trucks, to test its staff. Nacos Tacos was scheduled to be on site at Trillium in Canton to provide food for patrons.

Without an option for food, Trillium closed its taproom doors on Friday, but expects to reopen on Saturday. Curbside sales would continue, though.

On Tuesday, Trillium announced that it was suspending service at its Fenway taproom due to Massachusetts new guidelines on outdoor gatherings.

Outdoor gathering, including restaurants and breweries, are limited to 25% capacity or a maximum of 50 people. They went into effect this week.
Army air and missile defense soldiers simultaneously shot down two simulated cruise missile targets while under electronic warfare attack, thanks to a new radar-linking system.

The soldiers, from 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, are participating in a limited user test of the Army Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The test successfully linked two Patriot radars and two Sentinel radars to three Patriot launchers spread out across the desert.

The radars detected two MQM-178 cruise missile drone targets flying challenging maneuvers at low altitude and relayed target information, triggering a battery to fire two Patriot PAC 3 cost-reduction initiative (CRI) interceptor missiles to simultaneously destroy both threats, Army officials said.

Read Next: Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Are Testing Out Better-Fitting Body Armor

"Normally, we would probably fire two interceptors at each of these targets because we wouldn't have as much of the awareness of the flight patterns of those cruise missiles, because we would only be using a Patriot radar to prosecute them," Col. Tony Behrens, director of Army Capability Manager at Army Air & Missile Defense Command, told defense reporters during a telephonic discussion Thursday.

"But because we were able to integrate several radars far forward of where the launchers were, we were able to buy that time back and allow the commander on the ground to engage with a single PAC 3 CRI," he said. "The benefit to that is it will save us interceptors in the future battle, whereas normally we would run out of interceptors while the threat kind of built itself out."

Army modernization officials said the test was made more complex through an electronic warfare attack that jammed one of the radars in the relay chain, but the self-healing network still completed the relay of information so the proper Patriot launchers could engage the threats.

"The key thing today is we did it in the dirt, and we did it live against live targets," Gen. Mike Murray, head of Army Futures Command, told reporters. "This is a major, major milestone, not only for the air defense community, but for the Army as a whole."

This was a much different outcome than the first limited user test of IBCS, which suffered multiple software challenges and resulted in the program being delayed by four years, Defense News reported.

The Army is scheduled to complete this latest limited user test by the end of September and, if all goes well, make a production decision in November, officials said. The Army plans to put the program through the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation phase in a year and begin fielding it in fiscal 2022.

But before that happens, the service will conduct a "more challenging" test next week against a cruise missile and a ballistic missile, Murray said.

"So, it's near simultaneous engagements against two different types of targets presenting different threat profiles," he said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Army Shoot-Off Will Pit Israel's Iron Dome Against Foreign Competitors
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- As if COVID-19 wasnt enough.

CSX Transportation sent out a press release this week announcing the temporary closure of several heavily-traveled crossings across Ocean Springs, as well as Gautier, for maintenance and repair. The closures come roughly six months after they were initially announced, with no explanation for the delay.

While the closures will obviously impact motorists across the area, its unlikely the impact will be felt by anyone more greatly than Ocean Springs school officials, staff and parents.

Among the crossings set for temporary closure are Holcomb Boulevard, which will directly impact Oak Park Elementary, Ocean Springs Upper Elementary and the school administration building, all of which are located at or near the intersection of Holcomb and Government Street.

Also on the list is Bechtel Boulevard, another main access point to the three school facilities listed above, as well as Hanley Road, on which Pecan Park Elementary is located, along with the district bus barn, which literally sits feet from the Hanley railroad crossing.

Another crossing set for temporary closure is the Highway 57 crossing, located roughly a block from Ocean Springs High School.

Other than the projects 3 a.m. Monday start time, little in the way of additional information was provided by CSX, other than the crew will work along the railway, with work on each crossing set to take 2-3 days -- although that timetable is tentative, the railroad emphasized, subject to variables including weather. Whether the work will begin to the west and work east, or vice versa, is also unknown.

The Mississippi Press attempted to speak with a CSX representative, but after providing a phone number to the consulting firm tasked with sending out CSX releases, no call was received. Ocean Springs superintendent Bonita Coleman, however, spoke with clear exasperation about the development and lack of notice from the railroad.

You knew before we did, Coleman said when told media received the information Wednesday afternoon. We only knew about the (Highway) 57 crossing because we saw it on the Gautier Police Department page. I just found out today about the others.

But as far as any advance notice to us? Nope.

Coleman said the district has put out information for parents and staff about the crossing closures through email, the district website and social media.

I have no idea how long well be dealing with this, she said. Obviously, well have to reroute the buses. I understand CSX had to do the work and we want the railroad crossings to be safe, but its going to take some time for all of us to figure this out starting Monday.

Coleman noted that, since the start of school last week, parents have been ultra-cooperative and many of them have opted to drive their children to school rather than put them on buses, which has created a depopulating of the buses.

Coleman also said the car rider drop-off line at the upper elementary has been exceedingly long, although they have rerouted the line and its moving a lot quicker, but still really, really long, so I have no idea whats going to happen when they close that (Holcomb) crossing.

Although the schools will likely feel the impact of the crossing closures more intensely, other motorists will obviously be affected, particularly those who travel across any of the listed crossings to and from work. In addition to the crossings located closely to schools, the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard crossing is also slated for temporary closure.

The Government Street access roads in Ocean Springs unaffected by the crossing closures and available as alternate routes are: Cox Avenue, Church Street, the Porter Avenue entrance near the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge, Washington Avenue, Thorn Avenue, Ocean Springs Road, Park Road and Hanshaw Road.

Coleman said the district has been liberal with its tardy policy since the start of school and said parents should not concern themselves if the upcoming detours cause them to be late.

Weve been liberal with tardies and well continue to do that, she said, especially with parents trying to figure out how to reroute their way to school -- especially the schools on Government. I dont want them worrying about being late -- just get there safely.

Right now, all of us are literally doing the best we can.

Coleman also wanted to emphasize to the public the school district has no control over railroad crossing maintenance.

Please make sure the citizens know I do not control the railroad, she said, laughing. Im responsible for a lot of things, but this isnt one of them. Last time this was announced, people were asking Why in the world is the school district doing this now? But thats not what we do. I dont want people to be more frustrated than they already are.

In addition to the crossings already mentioned, the crossings on Ladnier Road and Graveline Road in Gautier will be affected, along with the crossing on Port Road in Pascagoula.
The Netflix dramas coming out of Spain are some of the best that the streaming giant has to offer. Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) has become a fan favorite for its gripping storylines brought to life with the outstanding performances of the cast, while Elite combines the best elements of Gossip Girl and How to Get Away with Murder to create an addictive show with countless twists and turns.

This may or may not have to do with the fact that three of Elites cast members also star in Money Heist. Its not an uncommon practice for actors contracted with certain streamers to star in multiple roles (a la Noah Centineo), and given the pool of talent in Spain and similarities between Elite and Money Heist, casting these three actors is a natural choice.

Maria Pedraza attends the Balmain Womenswear Spring/Summer 2020 show at Paris Fashion Week | Foc Kan/WireImage

Maria Pedraza

Maria Pedrazas heartbreaking role as Marina Nunier Osuna on the first season of Elite was hard to watch, but being able to make us feel is the sign of a good actor. On Money Heist, Pedraza plays Alison Parker, daughter of the British ambassador to Spain and one of the people taken hostage in a heist.

In addition to Elite and Money Heist, Maria Pedraza is also a part of some other Spanish Netflix dramas: Toy Boy, also filled with scandal and crime, and Amar, a coming-of-age love story where she stars in the lead role.

Miguel Herran attends a Money Heist event in Milan | Stefania DAlessandro/WireImage

RELATED: Money Heist Season 5 Is the Last: Heres How Fans Predict La Casa de Papel Will End

Miguel Herran

Another actor whose time in Elite was criminally short, Miguel Herrans ability to go from class clown Christian Varela Exposito to expert hacker Rio is a great display of versatility from a young actor. On Money Heist, Herrans character Rio  a pseudonym in place of his real name, Anibal Cortes  actually resembles Christian in many ways. He knows how to laugh and be lighthearted, even in the face of serious situations. Its for this reason that hes garnered so much love for his participation in both shows.

You can also watch Herran in films like 2015s Nothing in Return (which earned him the Best New Actor recognition at the Goya Awards  Spains version of the Oscars), 1898, Our Last Men in the Philippines, and The Invisible Guardian, the latter two also available on Netflix now.

Jaime Lorente attends the Elite second season premiere in Madrid | Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images

Jaime Lorente

On Money Heist, Jaime Lorente plays the young criminal Denver who joins his father in the heist. On Elite, he plays Nano, the older brother of Samuel (Itzan Escamilla) who often finds himself in and out of trouble while entertaining a relationship with Pedrazas Marina. That on-screen chemistry spilled off-screen: the two have been an item since 2018.

A classically trained actor, Lorente studied acting at The Superior School of Dramatic Art in Murcia, Spain, and as the has appeared in the most productions as hes had more years in the industry. He most recently starred in another Netflix production alongside Pedraza: Who Would You Take to a Deserted Island?, a drama released last year that sits in the same vein as Elite with secrets gone awry.
The World Health Organization says the vaccine approved by Russia this week is not among the nine that it considers in the advanced stages of testing.

WHO and partners have included nine experimental COVID-19 vaccines within an investment mechanism it is encouraging countries to join, known as the Covax facility. The initiative allows countries to invest in several vaccines to obtain early access, while theoretically providing funding for developing countries.

We don't have sufficient information at this point to make a judgment on the Russia vaccine, said Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to WHO's director-general.

We're currently in conversation with Russia to get additional information to understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken and then what the next steps might be.

This week, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia had approved a coronavirus vaccine that has yet to complete advanced trials in people and claimed, without evidence, the immunization protects people for up to two years.
VIENNA - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday called for the world to unite around a long-shot American bid to indefinitely extend a United Nations arms embargo on Iran.

As members of the U.N. Security Council voted remotely on a U.S. resolution to prolong the embargo that is widely expected to fail, Pompeo said it was nuts to allow Iran to buy and sell weapons at will. Pompeo spoke well before an announcement of the results of the vote, which many diplomats believe will end in an embarrassing defeat for the Trump administration.

We ask nations to urge the U.N. Security Council to renew the arms embargo on Iran, Pompeo said in Vienna, where he met with the U.N. nuclear watchdogs head, Rafael Grossi, and with senior Austrian officials. We cant allow the worlds biggest state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell weapons. I mean, thats just nuts.

The anticipated defeat of the resolution in New York likely would set the stage for a showdown between world powers over whether all international sanctions lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal can or should be reimposed.

Were urging the whole world to join us. This isnt about the JCPOA, Pompeo said, using the acronym for the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Whatever the result of the vote, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency that Grossi heads will continue to play a major role in the future of the nuclear deal, and Pompeo called for all nations to show support for IAEA Director General Grossis critical mission to ensure that all countries comply with their international nuclear safeguard requirements.

That mission is all the more important given the Islamic Republic of Irans failure to address the IAEAs questions about its nuclear activities, Pompeo said. The international community must speak with a single voice: Iran must provide full, transparent and immediate co-operation with the IAEA.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Grossi said Iran had still not granted his agency access to certain sites. I requested Iran to grant us access, he said. This hasnt happened yet, but we are working, were working on that. My objective is to get this access to continue the verification work, which is essential for the international community.

The U.S. resolution to indefinitely extend the Iran arms embargo, which is due to expire in October under the terms of the nuclear deal that President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018, is widely expected to fail due to European resistance and strong opposition from veto-wielding council members Russia and China.

The council began voting on Thursday evening by email because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and results are expected to be announced Friday evening. It is likely the resolution will not get the minimum nine yes votes in the 15-member Security Council for Russia and China to use their vetoes.

American officials, including Pompeo, have said failure to extend the embargo will likely be met by the U.S. invoking the so-called snapback procedure that would reimpose all U.N. sanctions lifted by the nuclear deal. The other participants maintain the U.S. no longer has standing to invoke the snapback since it withdrew from the deal, but Washington argues that it retains that right as an original participant and permanent member of the Security Council, which endorsed the deal.

Pompeo would not be drawn on whether the U.S. would immediately try to invoke the snapback if the resolution fails. We hope that well be successful. When we see the results of that well make the decision about how to move forward, he said.

The U.S. initially circulated a resolution to the 15-member council to indefinitely extend the arms embargo that was seven pages long and had 35 paragraphs. This week, following discussions with council members who voiced objections to a number of provisions, it circulated a revised draft that stripped the resolution to just four paragraphs calling for an indefinite extension.

The foreign ministers of Russia and China, in separate letters to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council last month, were sharply critical of the U.S. effort to indefinitely extend the arms embargo. They gave every indication they would veto any such resolution if necessary.

Diplomats from several countries that remain committed to the nuclear deal have expressed serious concern that extending the arms embargo would lead to Irans exit from the agreement and its hastened pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Trump reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran after he unilaterally withdrew America from the nuclear accord between Iran and Western powers in May 2018. Iran later responded by slowly abandoning nearly every aspect of the agreement, although it still allows U.N. inspectors access to its nuclear sites. The sanctions have caused Irans oil exports, the countrys main source of income, to fall sharply.

Irans Foreign Ministry has accused the U.S. of economic terrorism.

Pompeo, before his talks with Grossi, met with senior Austrian officials, including Prime Minister Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to discuss European energy independence, the security of 5G wireless networks and the threats to both posed by Russia and China.

The United States and Austria, along with other countries in Europe, notably Germany, are at odds on numerous issues, including the construction of a Russia-to-Germany pipeline known as NordStream 2 that the Trump administration says is a security threat to the U.S. and its allies in Europe because it will make them dangerously beholden to Moscow for energy.

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions and threatened more penalties on European companies and countries that participate in the nearly completed project. Schallenberg said Austria deeply regretted the imposition of U.S. sanctions over the pipeline, and Pompeo acknowledged deep disagreement on the matter, saying the two nations might have to agree to disagree.

Pompeo is in Austria on the third leg of a four-nation tour of eastern and central Europe that has already taken him to the Czech Republic and Slovenia. He will wrap up the trip in Poland on Saturday.
TODAYS WORD is deploy. Example: "Unfortunately, we cannot deploy the apps unless the iPads are on our network." (Source: A school principal explaining that a student who could not get on to internet learning would not be helped remotely.)

THURSDAYS WORD was eidetic. It means relating to or denoting mental images having unusual vividness and detail, as if actually visible. Example: We were in several plays together and he seemed to have an eidetic memory as he could learn his lines very quickly. (Source: Rick Ward of Stuart talking about the late Lock Boyce of Patrick Springs in an interview Tuesday with the Martinsville Bulletin)

Sugar or no?

When it comes to controversy on social media, Shewana Hairston-McSwain has really stirred the pot. A recent post she made has more than 250 comments so far with people taking their stands on the issue.

Her question? "We have a family debate going on! Are you supposed to put sugar in pinto beans?" For Sunday's Stroller, we will count up the "yes" and "no" votes and report on the outcome. For today, we will take a look at some of the other comments.

"You not supposed to, but it does taste good that way" - Carl MsSwain

"Not much but Yesss. You don't pass gas as much with sugar in them." - Gwen Musgrove

"NO, but some of my grandchildren do." - Cora Hairston

"If you like. However, unless you're under 15 it makes no sense." - Jessica Martin Carter

"When I was a kid I needed sugar, as an adult dice me some onions, salt, pepper and hot sauce, and I'm good to go." - Gabrielle Joseph

"Yes, just a little bit along with some garlic powder, diced onions, hot sauce, red pepper flakes and some sort of fat like fat back, bacon kielbasa, or even just olive oil." - Ray Board

"I put ripe plaintain (which is very sweet) to the beans. That brings thickness and sweetness." - Betty Moreno

"Oh! I forgot the diced onions!" William Arthur McSwain

"I like salt, pepper and onions too!" - Abram Brim

"No, just ketchup! That has enough sugar to make them sweet." - Dendric Floss Holland

"My sister and I used to put a little mayo and onion on top." - Carol Lea Sarver

"Water and tomatoes only." - Jimmy Hairston

"What kind of tomfoolery is that! That's a sin in Texas." - Larkeytra Dejoi Davis

"Salt and fat back and let her roll!" Kim Wheeler

"Sugar AND chow chow!!!" - Tomeka Penn Stephens

"Yesssss ... that chow chow tak'em to a whole nutha level!!!" - Anita Wright

And coming in at No. 250: "Of course, unless you are using chow chow." - Jomo Lucas

THURSDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: It was Norm on "Cheers" who said, Women. You cant live with em. Pass the beer nuts.

TODAYS TRIVIA QUESTION: As well as Norm, who are the other two characters who appeared in all of the 275 episodes of "Cheers"?

The Stroller appreciates readers calling or emailing to share jokes, stories, comments, Words of the Day and trivia questions. Were at 276-638-8801 ext. 243 and stroller@martinsvillebulletin.com.
Following the recent announcement of Suhana Gordhan's new appointment as ECD at the Duke Group and in light of Women's Month, we interviewed her to find out how this came about, and how she plans to lead the agency creatively and help change the narrative of the local advertising landscape representing an imbalanced gender dynamic where 45% of the workplace is female and only 3% of directorship is held by women.

Suhana Gordhan is Duke Group's new ECD.

Congrats on your new executive creative directorship role at the Duke Group! How do you feel about it?

I have that Coco Chanel feeling, A woman who cuts her hair, is about to change her life. Sans the hair cutting, it does feel like a complete reboot. Its a Liquorice Allsorts of emotions right now because Im leaving my professional home, FCB, after five years and leaving Johannesburg which has really captured my heart for the last 20 years or so.

How and when did this come about/take effect? And comment on the timing given the national lockdown/global crisis.

We are beyond proud to announce the appointment of the Duke Group's new ECD, @SuhanaGordhan, as of 1 September!



Powerful, exciting times ahead.



Read more on @MarkLives: https://t.co/4jeAxqtsSj pic.twitter.com/BAmwup7REm  DUKE. (@dukeadvertising) August 4, 2020

What does the role entail?

What excites you most about the agency and your role in particular?

Comment on the current state of the industry, how the industry has responded to the crisis and Duke in particular, and how you plan to navigate the agency through this, creatively speaking.

We can glance at the clients diminishing budgets and be conscious of the bottom line and its precarious movements, but we have to keep fuelling our creative energy and taking what is strange and absurd about the world right and turning it into power, beauty and value.

What do you love most about your career and the advertising industry?

Tell us a bit about your experience and how this has equipped you for your new position.

Whats at the top of your to-do list?

What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?

Reading: Becoming by Michelle Obama.



by Michelle Obama. Watching: The Sopranos



Listening to: Guided Meditations and Wim Hof, because I sure need the serenity.

Tell us something about yourself not generally known?

Moving from FCB Joburg, Gordhan tells us that it was time for her get out of her comfort zone and change course. I have a lot to gain from joining the Duke Group, and I hope to learn and grow in a different direction to what Im familiar with. I look forward to sharing my passion for ideas that really live in peoples lives, my specific and utter joy for copywriting and my ability to nurture young talent.Wayne Naidoo, CEO of the Duke Group adds: Suhana brings with her deep industry insights that will inform our creative campaigns, as well as a fresh perspective. Her love for nurturing talent mirrors the values that the Duke Group holds, and we are excited to be welcoming her to new and exciting opportunities in Cape Town. Gordhan takes over from Mike Beukes, who is relocating to London.Thank you Bizcommunity!The move to Duke feels so right for me. I like the energy of the people, the values of Wayne and Nino [Nino Naidoo, director at Duke] and the work Duke is doing. Its a cliche to use the words, Im excited but I really am because I was looking to awaken some parts of me that felt dozy and in need of a revival. And I think Ive found it.Im not someone who makes big decisions quickly. Wayne Naidoo can attest to that! Of course, the national lockdown allowed all of us to reassess and take stock. But my inner voices were restless before that and I ended 2019 with the knowledge that the time for change had come. Part of the reason I admire Wayne is because of his optimism; he seems unstoppable and a global pandemic was not about to stand in the way of his vision for Duke.Both my brother and my brother-in-law have had conversations with me about looking at your life in five-year increments and making decisions for the long ride, not just for the now. FCB has been an incredible, unforgettable journey for me. I was well looked after, lucky to have the opportunity to lead two big accounts and grateful to be surrounded by very smart, invested people that I could learn from. I grew so much at FCB and really started to see what my purpose could be beyond just the work. But personally, I knew I needed change because over the years, change was something I became afraid of, and that is unlike me. It was time for me to shift out of comfort and grow in new directions.It will involve leading the agency creatively, to help continue to build on the upward trajectory Duke is on, as well as its respected reputation. I will also be expected to help to grow the business, develop and nurture the teams and sit on the Executive Committee.Duke has that maverick feel about it. I like that the leadership embraces a challenger mentality and the energy and passion is palpable. The new role will offer me a wide scope for learning and growth, healthy challenges, and the chance to really bring my own voice, vision and brand of leadership to the creative department.It is not the first time that our industry has been rocked by a financial crisis, and the challenges of a new breed of marketers that are not as trusting and as embracing of true creativity. I think that creatives are, by nature, resilient and adaptive and we will continue to find innovative ways of making, doing and giving life and love to our brands. Our job as creatives is to do what we do; its to focus on, as Net#work BBDO says it, 'The Work The Work The Work'.The industry is best served by people who unashamedly fight for creative - no matter what, believe wholeheartedly in its might - no matter what, and continue to make the kind of work that has held South Africa in such good stead on the global stages.I love that I get to make a living out of creativity. I love that my work brings me the most unusual and memorable experiences like seeing Will Smith in the South of France, learning to surf in Nicaragua, dressing like a ninja for some late-night graffiti, learning everything there is to know about chicken even though Im vegetarian, writing words for Madiba and nurturing young creatives. I love that you get to widen your knowledge on a vast range of subjects from cars and soda to cleaning products and healthcare. And most of all, I love that creative thinking leads to making and making is where your creativity gets to live in the real world.Ive spent 16 years in the industry and Ive worked on some of the countrys most iconic brands in amazing agencies like Ogilvy, King James, Black River FC, VML, Net#work BBDO and of course, FCB. Before I was promoted to ECD in late 2019, I spent 10 years being a creative director. Ive judged at local and international awards shows and was the former Chair Aunty of The Loeries. I believe that in my time in the industry I have gathered knowledge and lessons from all the giants Ive had the pleasure of working with. Ive learnt how to shape, package and sell creative work and how to nurture young talent. I come to Duke with all this history but also with fresh pages in my book of experiences to learn new things and grow myself further.Get through packing boxes, without getting distracted by sentimental artefacts from my life like old love letters, random objects and photos, and trying very hard not to procrastinate.I once left advertising to become a professional dancer.
Ministers have quietly wiped 1.3million Covid-19 swabs off the official testing count, it emerged today.

Number 10 has repeatedly boasted about the number of tests it is capable of doing - with capacity now reportedly at around 340,000 per day.

But the government has now admitted a staggering one in 10 coronavirus tests were counted twice.

The double-counted tests were added between May 14 and August 12, but the total number of tests 'made available' before and after the adjustment is unclear.

The Government describes tests as 'made available' because it includes tests sent to people's homes that are counted whether someone takes the test or not.

A total of 14,142,736 tests have been processed since the coronavirus crisis began to spiral out of control, official figures revealed today.

It comes as MailOnline today revealed Public Health England's counts of daily cases still includes 30,000 people who were counted twice before July.

Although the total number of people infected has been adjusted down to 313,798, as of yesterday, the sum of all the daily increases amounts to 344,384.

Although the grand total was changed six weeks ago, officials have been unable to show exactly where and when the 30,000 duplicate positive tests happened.

Number 10 has repeatedly boasted about the number of tests it is capable of doing - with capacity now reportedly at around 340,000 per day. Pictured, a testing site has been set-up outside a sandwich factory in Northampton that is at the centre of an outbreak

Public Health England has not adjusted the number of people being diagnosed each day and has shaved off 30,000 positive tests that were counted twice, but it is not clear when or where the people were double-counted

It is the latest in a string of issues with Government data about the pandemic. Back in May, officials were accused of counting home tests which hadnt been used.

Matt Hancock was forced to deny claims the tactic was adopted so he could hit his target for 100,000 tests a day by the end of April.

Last month it emerged that Public Health England was recording anyone who ever tested positive as a victim, even if they died in a car crash months after recovering.

There are now five separate measures for fatalities across the UK and experts have dubbed the handling of official statistics 'confusing'.

And today it emerged 1.3million counted tests have been removed from the official government total because they were counted twice.

In a statement on the website on Wednesday the Department said: 'An adjustment of -1,308,071 has been made to the historic data for the "tests made available" metric.

'The adjustments have been made as a result of more accurate data collection and reporting processes recently being adopted within pillar 2.'

The error reportedly came to light in July but was not corrected until this week, The Guardian reported.

The Department for Health said there had been 'a double-counting of test kits that had been dispatched and which had not been removed from the labs processed data'.

Justin Madders, the shadow health minister, told the newspaper that the data on testing had been 'shambolic' for months.

He said: 'To now retrospectively adjust the testing figures by 1.3m overnight  without explanation  is the latest in a long line of chaotic failings by the government on testing.

'How can we be confident that testing and tracing is working properly when basic data on the number of tests is obviously so flawed? Ministers need to get a grip of this as a matter of urgency.'

The other data error, uncovered by MailOnline, related to case figures - which are just an 'estimate' of the real prevalence of the virus.

Confirmed cases account for around a third of the real number of infections because thousands of patients will never develop any symptoms.

But the numbers are still critical for understanding the progress of the outbreak and letting experts analyse the size of the outbreak.

And the daily updates released by the Government will become ever less accurate as the number of people catching the disease gets lower because inevitable false positive results will skew the number to look higher than it really is, experts say.

GOVERNMENT WIPES OFF 1.3MILLION SWAB TESTS OFF ITS COUNT The Department of Health has wiped 1.3million swab tests off its count of the number of tests done - a staggering 10 per cent of the total, it emerged today. The Government has repeatedly boasted about the number of tests it is capable of doing - with capacity now reportedly at around 340,000 per day - but it has now emerged one in 10 tests have been counted twice, The Guardian reported. The double-counted tests had been done between May 14 and August 12, but the total number of tests 'made available' before and after the adjustment is unclear. The Government describes tests as 'made available' because it includes tests sent to people's homes that are counted whether someone takes the test or not. It says a total 13,785,297 tests had been completed by yesterday, Wednesday August 12. In a statement on the website on Wednesday the Department said: 'An adjustment of -1,308,071 has been made to the historic data for the "tests made available" metric. 'The adjustments have been made as a result of more accurate data collection and reporting processes recently being adopted within pillar 2.' The error reportedly came to light in July but was not corrected until this week. Advertisement

Professor Carl Heneghan, an evidence-based medicine expert at the University of Oxford, has followed the Government's data closely throughout the epidemic.

He said the issue appears to have come from when the Department of Heath split testing into pillars one and two.

Pillar one refers to tests done in hospitals and medical facilities while pillar two is members of the public who are tested in drive-through, walk-in or home tests.

Professor Heneghan told MailOnline: 'There is seemingly a problem when you start to introduce pillar one and pillar two tests - they seemed to be double counting tests.

'Somebody would have a pillar two test and then gone into hospital and had a pillar one test, and they thought it was two people.'

He said it was unsurprising that data errors were creeping and that some allowances should be made because of a difficult situation, but that it is 'vital' that numbers are correct.

Professor Heneghan said: 'If the number of cases is wrong, the case fatality rate and everything gets skewed.

'It is vital they're correct but, to be honest, it doesn't surprise me there have been areas where you've had discrepancies that need to be corrected.'

He added: 'It does concern me and I think it's important that data and epidemiology is transparent and it's clear that [decisions] actually are based on up to date info.

'What we're interested in is understanding trends, and information has to be correct for that.'

Numbers of people diagnosed with the coronavirus are updated each day by the Department of Health and Public Health England.

While the Department of Health is responsible for organising the tests, carrying them out and reporting the results back, PHE controls the statistics.

The daily new numbers of cases in England add up to a total 344,384, with a peak of 6,201 people getting diagnosed on May 1

But the total number of cases was adjusted on July 2, where a drop of more than 30,000 cases can be seen. No further details about the decline have been offered

NEW CASES 'MAY NEVER HIT ZERO' BECAUSE TESTS ALWAYS PRODUCE FALSE POSITIVES Experts say the number of people being diagnosed with coronavirus will never drop to zero if the UK keeps doing hundreds of thousands of tests - even if they virus is truly gone. Because the swab tests used to diagnose people with Covid-19 are not perfectly accurate, they will always produce false positive results. A false positive is when someone gets a positive result even though they don't actually have the disease. It can be caused by a cross-reaction, such as another type of coronavirus being picked up by the test, or by faults in the testing process. The accuracy of swab tests being used in the UK is unclear but one paper submitted to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) estimated that the false positive rate is 2.3 per cent, The Telegraph reported. This would mean that for every 1,000 people who test positive, 23 people would be wrongly told they were infected. As the true number of cases becomes ever lower, this false positive group begins to make up a larger and larger proportion of the numbers announced. Even when the reality is that there are no cases in the group being tested, false positive results will still occur because the tests aren't perfect. Oxford University's Professor Carl Heneghan told MailOnline: 'You get to a point where there's a greater chance the test result is wrong than it is right. 'Are we picking up people who have had virus some time ago and still have RNA in their body?' He told the Telegraph: 'It looks like well struggle to get out of this. Were now in a spiral of bad data.' Advertisement

On July 2 officials consolidated their counts of the cases and as a result the total number of people diagnosed dropped by 31,388, from 315,145 to 283,757.

This shows more than 31,000 people had been counted twice in the Government's testing system up to the end of June.

But despite the total number being updated, the daily numbers were never changed.

The data still shows that May 1 had the highest number of cases of any day in the epidemic so far, with 6,201, and that 33,760 people were diagnosed in that week, from April 27 to May 3.

But the true number of cases diagnosed in that week cannot be confirmed because hundreds or thousands of those people could have been counted twice.

Dr Simon Clarke, a cellular microbiologist at the University of Reading, said the official data was 'a bit of mess'.

'My understanding is it's still basically an estimate,' he said. 'It also needs to be remembered that the diagnoses is way below what the [Office for National Statistics] thinks the real numbers of cases are...

'I think it is confusing for people. A lot of people think the numbers they see are it - that that is how many cases there are - but it's not.'

The discrepancy is just one in a string of issues with the Government's coronavirus data.

Officials this week confirmed they were changing the way they count the number of people who are dying because PHE had been including anyone who died of any cause after a positive test for Covid-19.

Even someone who tested positive in March, then recovered and died after getting hit by a bus in August would have been included in the Covid-19 death toll.

Now the Department of Health is including only people who die within 28 days of their diagnosis, in an attempt to reduce the number of people included wrongly.

NHS England and the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been using the 28-day cutoff throughout the outbreak.

As a result of this change the official death count dropped by 5,000 this Tuesday, from 46,706 to 41,329.

PHE will still publish weekly stats showing how many people died within 60 days of a positive test, to try and include people who have long stays in hospital or long-lasting Covid-19 illness.

is week.
Almost five months after Jyotiraditya Scindia walked out of the Congress with 22 MLAs, bringing down the Kamal Nath-led government in Madhya Pradesh, the grand old party is likely to face a trust vote in the Rajasthan state assembly on Friday. Although, as things stand  with the return of Sachin Pilot and his loyalists to the party and with Supreme Court allowing the six BSP MLAs to participate in the trust vote  the party looks poised to prove its majority in the house.

A lot has happened since July 11 when Ashok Gehlot made sensational claims of BJP making nine-digit offers to his MLAs in a bid to topple the government, setting in motion a chain of events that, many say, have seen him fight the most important political battle of his life and emerge much stronger.

Gehlot has been able to place his loyalists in all the important positions with his partys state unit, and when he walks into the Assembly 35 days after making those allegations, he will command authority over 107 MLAs, including the 18 who had left Rajasthan with Sachin Pilot. Besides this, he is also likely to have the support of some independent MLAs who were believed to be with BJP and RLP but have paid courtesy visits to him in the last three days.

News18 looks back at the high-voltage political drama through five politically charged statements that played out in the state over the past one month.

Kaun nahi chahta hai mukhyamantri banna? Hamari taraf se 5-7 candidate mukhyamantri banne ke laayak honge. Lekin sirf ek hi CM ban sakta hai [Who doesnt want to be the chief minister? There may be 5-7 candidates from our side who are worthy of the post. But there can only be one CM].

Ashok Gehlot said this on the day of his July 11 press conference in which he alleged that BJP was offering several crores to his partys MLAs to jump ship. Gehlot made these statements in response to queries on the rumours about uneasiness within the party regarding Pilots ambitions to replace him as the CM of Rajasthan. The late evening press conference was held a day after Rajasthan Polices Special Operations Group (SOG) sought Pilot's time to record his statements in connection with an alleged ploy to topple the Congress government in the state. Two days later Gehlot herded all his MLAs in Jaipurs Hotel Fairmont where they continued to stay, except for a brief period when they were shifted to a resort in Jaisalmer.

Satya ko pareshan kiya jaa sakta hai paraajit nahi [Truth can be rattled, it cannot be defeated]."

On July 14, after Pilot and his loyalists were stripped of their party posts and cabinet portfolios, the former deputy chief minister issued this tweet to indicate that he had dug in his heels and prepared himself for the long haul. A few hours earlier senior party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala had claimed that Sachin Pilot was "ensnared" by the BJP to bring down the Congress government in Rajasthan. "We have given Sachin Pilot many opportunities. He has been an MP and MoS and a state party president. I am sad that Sachin Pilot and some of his colleagues have fallen for a trap laid by the BJP. This is unacceptable," he said. The day saw many acrimonious exchanges between members of the Gehlot and Pilot camps.

"I am ready to face any investigation. The audio doesn't have my voice."

On July 17, in a press conference, Surjewala claimed that audio clips had surfaced in which Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, BJP leader Sanjay Jain and Congress MLA Bhanwar Lal Sharma spoke about "bribing MLAs and bringing down Rajasthan government. There was an uproar following the release of three purported audio clips which went viral.

Shekhawat termed the allegations baseless and claimed that Gehlot was acting out of vendetta since the union cabinet minister had defeated Gehlots son, Vaibhav, in Lok Sabha polls. Following the release of the audio clips, in the likelihood of Gehlot government falling, there were reports about the possibility of Shekhawat returning to Rajasthan as its chief minister. Shekhawat and Sharma were slapped with sedition charges by the police. Last week Rajasthan police dropped these charges prompting the MP from Jodhpur taunting Gehlot What happened to the sedition case against me, Mr Gehlot?

Hum jante the ki woh (Sachin Pilot) nikamma hai, nakaara hai, kuch kaam nahin kar raha hai, khali logon ko ladva raha hai [I knew he was useless and wasnt doing anything. He was just promoting infighting within the party].

Only July 20 while addressing the media, Gehlot uncharacteristically fumed at the former colleague, saying that never in the history of the party had the chief of a partys state unit collaborated in toppling his own government. The Rajasthan chief minister did many things that were atypical of him over the past one month, including lashing out at the Governor and getting his 100 MLAs to camp outside the residence of the Governor in a bid to pressurise him to call an early session of the assembly. In his press interaction, Gehlot alleged that Pilot had been collaborating for six months with the BJP to topple the Congress government in the state. Gehlot had earlier said about Pilot that Speaking good English and being handsome isnt everything. What is in your heart for the country, your ideology, policies, and commitment, everything is important. In interviews following his truce with the party, Pilot said he was hurt by these statements.

"Apne toh apne hote hain [no matter what, dear ones always remain dear]

Putting an end to the month-long drama and infighting in the party, Gehlot welcomed the former deputy chief minister into the party with this warm gesture.

Though both the leaders were seen sitting side-by-side and addressing their MLAs together, it cannot be said that all is well between the two leaders. Especially with leaders like state transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, considered to be very close to Ashok Gehlot, being served notices by the Enforcement Directorate. Moreover, contentious issues like the upcoming cabinet reshuffle remain. Questions like whose loyalists are accommodated and which portfolios are given to whom will have to be answered before the party high command can breathe easy. But for now, the trust vote, moved by the BJP, will come as an opportunity before the two leaders to put up a united front to showcase their unity.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:06:25|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian foreign debts in the second quarter 2020 were recorded at 408.6 billion U.S. dollars, consisting of the public sector's 199.3 billion U.S. dollar debt and the private sector's 209.3 billion U.S. dollar debt, according to the central bank.

The Indonesian foreign debts grew by 5.0 percent year on year or higher than 0.6 percent in the previous quarter, due to the net withdrawal transactions of the foreign debts, both of the public and private debts, Onny Widjanarko, spokesman for the central bank, Bank Indonesia, said in a statement here on Friday.

In addition, the strengthening of Indonesian rupiah against U.S. dollar has contributed to the increase in the value of foreign debts in the denomination of rupiah, he added.

He pointed out that the public foreign debt by the end of the second quarter 2020 was recorded at 196.5 billion U.S. dollars or grew by 2.1 percent (yoy), after a 3.6 percent contraction in the previous quarter (yoy).

The hike in the public foreign debt was in line with the issuance of the Global Sukuk (Islamic bonds) to meet the payment target.

According to him, the foreign debts were managed prudently and accountably to support prioritized budgets among others for the sectors of health and social activities, construction, education, financial services and insurance, government administration, defense, and social guarantee.

The private sector's foreign debt grew by 8.2 percent in the second quarter 2020 or higher than 4.7 percent in the previous quarter.

The Indonesian foreign debt structure remained fit as it was managed under the principle of prudence, Widjanarko noted, adding that the ratio of the Indonesian foreign debt to the gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of second quarter 2020 was recorded at 37.3 percent, an increase compared to 34.5 in the previous quarter.

"Despite the increase, the Indonesia foreign debt structure remains dominated by the long term foreign debts with the share of 89.0 percent of the total foreign debts," he noted.

In an effort to make the foreign debts remain fit, he said the central bank and the government would enhance coordination in monitoring the foreign debt development under the principle of prudence.

The role of the foreign debts would also be optimized in support of efforts to finance development by minimizing risks which could affect the economic stability, he said. Enditem
Two cement shipments set to arrive in Libya

14 August 2020

A ship transporting 4400t of bulk cement has arrived at Tobruk port, Libya, according to the countrys state news agency, LANA. Another shipment of around 3850t of cement is also expected to enter the port in the coming days.



The Libya Herald also reported that domestic cement prices climbed to LYD75/t (US$53/t) at the start of August, compared to around LYD30/t in the same month of 2019.

Published under
The Fight, Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman and Eli Despress documentary about the American Civil Liberties Union, opens with the inauguration of Donald Trump. His oath rings out like an opening salvo. In just seven days, protests will be amassed at JFK Airport in New York, where ACLU attorneys rush to counter the Trump administrations travel ban from seven Muslim-majority nations.

The Fight, which is available on demand, works from that moment forward, trying to keep pace with the ACLU in a ceaseless battle over civil rights. Its a perpetual and frantic struggle, with workaholic lawyers always racing to court and seeking injunctions on the fly. The Fight zeroes in on four prominent Trump-era cases for the ACLU.

The directors last made the 2016 Anthony Weiner documentary Weiner. That film began as a fly-on-the-wall portrait of an up-and-coming New York politician, only to turn into a front-row seat to political disaster as Weiners career self-immolated in a sexting scandal.

The Fight, timed to the 100th anniversary of the ACLU, bears no such arc. It begins with a warm impression of the ACLU and concludes with one. It is, some would say, a glossy advertisement for the historic nonprofit organization, even if the film, like its characters, doesnt shy away from the divisive role that the ACLU plays in American life for some. Their attorneys dutifully read their own hate mail. Obviously most of you are pedophiles, one caller says.

But just as in Weiner, the filmmakers have a gift for capturing colorful personalities in high-pressure political environments. The characters here include the perpetually rumpled Lee Gelernt, whos representing an immigrant woman separated for months from her young daughter; Brigitte Amiri, whos defending a teenage immigrant woman who, after being raped, is barred from an abortion in Texas; Dale Ho, a fastidious lawyer arguing against a citizenship question on the U.S. census; and Josh Block and Chase Strangio, who oppose the Trump administrations ban on transgender soldiers serving in the military.

Tracking these cases for nearly three years, The Fight burrows into life at the ACLU. In a guided tour of its New York offices, Ho acknowledges the organizations culture is unusual. There are probably more tattoos and piercings here at the ACLU than there are at the DOJ, he says.

Part of the films pleasure is in how the directors juxtapose the weighty, righteous causes of its attorneys with their humbler, eminently human lives. A win in the abortion case is celebrated by the commuting Amiri with a glass, she exclaims, of train wine! In the midst of a dramatic turn in the family separation case, Gelernt is helplessly unable to charge his phone. When a younger colleague hands him a charger and directs him to his computers USB port, she might as well be giving him instructions on how to reach Neptune.

Still, the stakes are always present. While The Fight concentrates on the ACLUs legal crusaders, the few glimpses it affords to those the attorneys are representing are powerful. Perhaps it could use more of people outside the courtroom. But the few scenes, for example, of immigrant parents talking about their children being taken away from them are devastating.

Sometimes, The Fight could pry more closely. When the ACLU supported the First Amendment rights of white supremacist marchers in Charlottesville, Virginia, it prompted soul-searching throughout the ACLU. Here, legal director David Cole makes the case: Its not a right for people you agree with. Its a right for everybody. But The Fight would be a better documentary if it had captured the dialogue within the ACLU as it happened.

What most vividly comes across in The Fight is the never-ending nature of freedom and democracy. No case is ever really over; there are always more challenges to come, more legal battles to fight. A right earned requires endless vigilance, or it will slip away. And as tempting, in a summer without superheroes, to think of the courtroom warriors of The Fight as saviors, its not a role they embrace. They can do only so much to plug all the holes in a vessel always springing leaks. Its not going to be lawyers in courts, Ho says. Its going to be people who turn this ship around.

The Fight

3.5 stars

RATED: PG-13 (for strong language, thematic material and brief violence)

WHEN: Available on demand

WHERE: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW

CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (TSX: HWO) (the Corporation or High Arctic) released its second quarter results today.

Highlights

The following highlights the Corporations results for Q2-2020 and YTD-2020:

Focus on working capital management to preserve our cash balances and maintain a strong balance sheet during the current global coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) crisis has positioned High Arctic to be ready once restrictions loosen through the following: Increased net cash balance by $5.2 million. Strong working capital position of $49.7 million at June 30, 2020, and Unused bank credit facility of $35.0 million.

) crisis has positioned High Arctic to be ready once restrictions loosen through the following: Revenue of $16.1 million and $55.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 (2019 - $46.6 million and $93.1 million, respectively) and adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million and $3.9 million (2019 - $4.0 million and $9.5 million) for the Quarter and YTD, respectively.

On a year to date basis as compared to 2019, capital expenditures and business acquisition expenditures have been reduced by $12.0 million, dividends have been reduced by $3.4 million and cost reduction and control measures have been implemented throughout the organization.

Year to date oilfield services expenses have been reduced by $31.7 million as compared to 2019. After the inclusion of $0.9 million in YTD-2020 restructuring costs, as well as $0.6 million in bad debt provision, general and administrative expenses have decreased by $0.1 million.

Service delivery to our customers with safety of personnel and quality of service top of mind during this COVID-19 crisis, lifted the Canadian market share of Concord Well Servicing to 26% in Q2-2020.

Benefits from the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) were obtained, which provided $2.1 million toward wages of Canadian workers and was utilized to retain a capable workforce to service current and prospective customers now, and when restrictions loosen and markets improve.

Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer commented: The health and economic environments have been exceptionally challenging and we have risen to the challenge. We have reacted swiftly to restructure and flatten our Management reporting lines, remove costs, suspend our dividend and reduce our Capex. In the field, our ability to react has been made possible because of our people. They range from dedicated individuals in Papua New Guinea who remained in working isolation bubbles for months without seeing their families, to teams in Canada and USA working in their own bubbles through harsh seasonal conditions wearing additional layers of PPE and adopting special protocols to prevent exposure to and spread of COVID-19.

It is not possible at this point to predict when global economic conditions will improve, but we are confident that we have found a way to operate effectively through these challenges. Corporately, a disciplined balance sheet management approach will continue to be our objective, including cost control measures that will allow us to capitalize on strategic opportunities. In the meantime, we expect to continue to increase our activity through working closely with our customers who are planning work programs for resumption of shut-in production as commodity prices continue to lift, and from the various Western Canada well abandonment programs as the focus shifts more towards isolating and capping wellbores.



The Corporations strategic priorities for 2020 continue to include:

Safety excellence and a focus on quality through global standards, including safeguarding our people against COVID-19.

Reinforcement of existing core markets evidenced by top-tier customer market share in Canada and PNG.

Cost control focused on operating cash flow while balancing strategic priorities, to emerge from the current conditions ready to reactivate and grow, and

Capital stewardship characterized by disciplined working capital management and capital allocation to maintain value for shareholders including common share buybacks, where appropriate.

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (Financial Statements) and management discussion & analysis (MD&A) for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com , and on High Arctics website at www.haes.ca . Non-IFRS measures, such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings (loss), Oilfield services operating margin, Operating margin %, Percent of revenue, Funds provided from operations, Working capital and Net cash are included in this News Release. See Non-IFRS Measures section, below. All amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars (CAD), unless otherwise indicated.

Within this News Release, the three months ended June 30, 2020 may be referred to as the Quarter or Q2-2020, and similarly the six months ended June 30, 2020 may be referred to as YTD-2020. The comparative three months ended June 30, 2019 may be referred to as Q2-2019, and similarly the six months ended June 30, 2019 may be referred to as YTD-2019. References to other quarters may be presented as QX-20XX with X being the quarter/year to which the commentary relates.

Outlook

High Arctics Outlook dated March 12, 2020, outlined the instability which existed at that time due to COVID-19. As events unfolded we took very quick action to prepare for a serious disruption in economic growth and demand destruction. These steps included restructuring our work force, while ensuring the close relationships with our lender, customers and vendors were appropriately managed and maintained.

While the outlook for the global energy industry continues to be challenging, High Arctic has and is taking measures during this period of uncertainty to provide financial flexibility and reinforce our solid base of business. Commodity price increases at the end of June 2020 are signaling the likelihood of an increase in energy demand, moving forward from a very difficult time for the industry. With observations of second waves of COVID-19 in various communities around the world and the non-ceasing growth in cases in the US and elsewhere, it is entirely possible that the appreciation of commodity prices and improvement in price stability could be further compromised before a vaccine or other solutions is implemented. Resilience, adaptability, and seizing appropriate strategic opportunities will remain critical in the coming months and quarters.

We consider this an environment to continue to prudently conserve capital while remaining engaged with customers to implement sustainable strategies to deploy our assets on a continual basis. We are focussed on strategies that lead to cost efficiency, building upon our decision to combine management teams and generate positive cash flow in a depressed market. High Arctic has maintained adequate readiness of plant and personnel and is well positioned for an increase in activity. Our people continue to focus on quality as measured by safety performance excellence and long-term customer relationships.

In Papua New Guinea, the Corporations Drilling Services are suspended, however, we continue to provide skilled personnel and rental services to assist our customers to maintain production while travel restrictions remain and tighten amid a late upswing in COVID-19 cases at the beginning of August, after relaxing the State of Emergency imposed in late March.



We are working with major customers to plan an effective return to work amid ongoing and substantive constraints, leveraging off the acknowledgment of our demonstrated recent and long-term capacity as a PNG specialist contractor.

In Canada we have been busy working with our core, high value customers to pass on cost savings, secure contract extensions and maintain preferred contractor status.

We have experienced a substantially better utilization than our peers and plan to use that position and our healthy balance sheet to invest in technology that will deliver on our customers needs for reliable, low cost well work solutions that reduce environmental impact while creating job opportunities for the new generation of oilfield workers. High Arctic is confident of increasing work driven in the near term by the well abandonment stimulus programs as the barriers to the Alberta Site Rehabilitation Program expansion start to dissipate, and are coupled with the positive work conducted in Canada suppressing the COVID-19 curve and our customers growing realization of the opportunity to deliver on ESG obligations while reducing end of life well abandonment cost liabilities. We are actively seeking out work partners who share our value of the opportunity to execute services while delivering on ESG objectives.

High Arctic believes we are positioned to manage through these challenging times given our decisive actions and our continued focus on pruning unprofitable operations, chasing cost efficiencies, maintaining adequate readiness and delivering quality services in a socially responsible manner. The health of our balance sheet, our strong working capital position and the skill of our management team provide us the ability to weather the economic slowdown for some considerable time. Business combinations and acquisitions will be reviewed to the extent they strengthen our service base but will not be our primary focus.

Results Overview

For the three months ended

June 30 For the six months ended

June 30 ($ millions, except per share amounts) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue 16.1 46.6 55.7 93.1 EBITDA (1) 1.4 4.6 6.9 10.8 Adjusted EBITDA (1) (3) 1.2 4.0 3.9 9.5 Adjusted EBITDA as % of revenue 8% 9% 7% 10% Operating loss (6.2 ) (2.9 ) (10.9 ) (4.7 ) Net loss (6.0 ) (4.0 ) (8.2 ) (5.0 ) Per share (basic and diluted) (2) (0.12 ) (0.08 ) (0.17 ) (0.10 ) Funds provided from operations (1) 0.9 2.1 2.9 6.9 Per share (basic and diluted) (2) 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.14 Dividends - 2.5 1.6 5.0 Per share (basic and diluted) (2) - 0.05 0.03 0.10 Capital expenditures 1.3 4.3 3.2 6.9 Capital expenditures - acquisitions - 8.3 - 8.3





(1) Readers are cautioned that EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings, Funds provided from operations, and working capital do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS  see Non IFRS Measures on page 19 of the MD&A for calculations of these measures. (2) The number of common shares used in calculating net loss per share, funds provided from operations per share, dividends per share and shareholders equity per shares is determined as explained in Note 7 of the Financial Statements. (3) Adjusted EBITDA includes the impact of wage subsidies (CEWS) received.





As at and for six months /

year ended ($ millions, except share amounts) June 30

2020 December 31

2019 Working capital (1) 49.7 35.8 Cash, end of period 33.5 9.3 Total assets 243.7 251.8 Long-term debt 10.0 - Total long-term financial liabilities 18.5 9.1 Shareholders equity 200.4 205.6 YTD/share (basic and diluted) (2) 4.04 4.11 Common shares outstanding, millions 49.6 49.6





(1) Readers are cautioned that EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings, Funds provided from operations, and working capital do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS  see Non IFRS Measures on page 19 of the MD&A for calculations of these measures. (2) The number of common shares used in calculating net loss per share, funds provided from operations per share, dividends per share and shareholders equity per shares is determined as explained in Note 7 of the Financial Statements.





Three months ended

June 30 Six months ended

June 30 Operating Highlights 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue: Drilling Services $ 5.2 $ 20.5 $ 19.1 $ 39.3 Production Services 9.6 21.0 31.4 43.8 Ancillary Services 1.6 5.9 6.1 11.6 Inter-segment eliminations (0.3 ) (0.8 ) (0.9 ) (1.6 ) $ 16.1 $ 46.6 $ 55.7 $ 93.1 Production Services - Canada: Service rigs: Average fleet 50 57 51 57 Utilization 32% 54% 46% 54% Operating hours 14,759 27,889 41,657 55,299 Revenue per hour ($) 556 606 599 620 Snubbing rigs: Average fleet 8 18 9 18 Utilization 8% 10% 20% 14% Operating hours 574 1,565 3,129 4,490 Production Services - US: Service rigs: Average fleet 2 2 3 2 Utilization 5% 51% 27% 40% Operating hours 99 932 1,213 1,435 Revenue per hour ($) 638 997 909 1,001 Snubbing rigs: Average fleet 6 5 6 5 Utilization 10% 23% 9% 24% Operating hours 538 1,063 1,004 2,144

Second Quarter 2020:

High Arctic reported revenue of $16.1 million, incurred a net loss of $6.0 million and realized Adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million during Q2-2020. This compares to Q2-2019, with revenue of $46.6 million, and a net loss of $4.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $4.0 million. Changes were mainly due to $30.5 million of reduced revenue, attributable predominantly to reduced drilling in PNG and production services activity in Canada, offset by reduced operating and administrative costs of $27.7 million compared to Q2-2019. During Q2-2019, $0.7 million of other revenue was recorded, which was not replicated in Q2-2020.

CEWS provided $2.1 million in wage subsidy relief, of which $1.8 million related to Oilfield services expenses and $0.3 million to General and administrative expenses.

Protocols regarding new and enhanced safety measures were initiated, both as legislated by various levels of government and as best practice to protect our customers, employees and the communities in which we provide our services.

Utilization for High Arctics 50 registered Concord Well Servicing rigs was 32% in the Quarter versus industry utilization of 9% (source: Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors  CAODC ).

). There were no dividends declared or paid in Q2-2020, compared to $2.5 million in Q2-2019 ($0.05 per share).

Cash increased by $5.2 million during Q2-2020 as compared to a decrease of $8.3 million in Q2-2019.

No further amounts were drawn on the Corporations remaining $35.0 million loan facility, and

High Arctic did not repurchase any shares during the Quarter.



Year to date 2020:

High Arctic reported revenue of $55.7 million, incurred a net loss of $8.2 million and realized Adjusted EBITDA of $3.9 million YTD-2020. This compares to YTD-2019, which had revenue of $93.1 million, a net loss of $5.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $9.5 million. Changes were mainly attributable to $37.4 million of reduced activity and therefore revenue, offset by reduced operating and administrative costs of $31.8 million. Income tax amounts were also lower by $1.9 million, year over year. YTD-2020 results included $0.9 million in restructuring costs and additional bad debt provision of $0.6 million that did not exist YTD-2019.

YTD-2020 dividends amounted to $1.6 million ($0.03 per share), compared to $5.0 million in YTD-2019 ($0.10 per share).

Dividends were suspended in March 2020, which had amounted to approximately $0.8 million per month.

High Arctic has not repurchased any common shares through the normal course issuer bid (NCIB) YTD-2020.

Responding to Global Developments

The impact of volatile oil prices and COVID-19 has been challenging. At the outset, and during Q2-2020, COVID-19 continued to have much of the global economy halted, with governments around the world attempting to balance the implementation of measures to contain the virus against the need to start opening up economies. As economies start to open up, the demand for crude oil along with other products and services will also increase, however the timing of these events continues to be uncertain.

Market pressures, movement restriction and the actions by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC members, led by Saudi Arabia, returned some stability to the overall global supply of oil during Q2-2020. The emergence of China and other Asian nations from COVID-19 restrictions also resulted in a net increase in LNG imports, which coupled with an increase in energy use in developed nations improved natural gas demand. Notwithstanding the ongoing commodity price instability, closing benchmark crude oil prices at June 30,2020 have increased by 39% over March 31, 2020.

As customers continue to complete their capital and other spending re-forecasts in order to manage through this crisis event, the services needed for drilling and completions and other services to the oil and gas industry continue to come under pressure, with an uncertain end date. This is offset with government stimulated initiatives that include abandonment and reclamation opportunities at a time when the marketplace looks favorably on such activity.

High Arctics quick adjustment to the severe financial impact of COVID-19 together with commodity price pressure implications, has resulted in measures to reduce certain cash outflows by approximately $25.0 million over prior-year 2019 levels including:

A 54% reduction in capital expenditures, where YTD-2020 capital spending of $3.2 million compares to YTD-2019 capital spending of $6.9 million.

The suspension of monthly shareholder dividends in March 2020 has decreased cash outflows by $2.5 million in Q2-2020 compared to Q2-2019.

The Company was forced to downsize its workforce, where a total reduction of approximately 40% at executive, management and support personnel levels was made.

Acceleration of changes to globalize processes and reduce fixed infrastructure costs, and

Board Executive Committee oversight as the Corporation operates through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

High Arctics focus remains on being well positioned to navigate through the uncertainty with capacity ready for deployment as markets recover and activity levels increase, and includes:

Resilient emphasis on the safety and well being of our people through mature health, safety and environment policies.

Renewal and extension of contracts at modest rate reductions with a core customer base in Canada including a term contract through Q3-2022 for well servicing with a large investment grade customer in western Canada.

Continued support services to our major customer in PNG where we are contracted through Q3-2021 for heli-portable drilling services, and a ramp up in support operations for a large multi-national investment grade customer in PNG.

Use of wage subsidy programs to maintain regional workforce strength while carefully controlling recertification and maintenance expenditures results in equipment poised for quick activation from all our regional bases.

Our dominant market share and niche service offering positioned for liquified natural gas development with heli-portable drilling services in PNG, and snubbing services in western Canada, and

Strong and improved liquidity, increasing $5.2 million to $68.5 million, with cash of $33.5 million combined with $35.0 million in Bank Facility borrowing capacity.

High Arctics near-term outlook will continue to be impacted until such time as the COVID-19 pandemic stabilizes including the reduction of rebound shut-downs, world economies are able to heat back up, and when travel restrictions are removed. In addition, the impact of potential impairment charges, the increased risk of collectability of accounts receivable and measurement uncertainty associated with these considerations will continue to be relevant in future periods if conditions persist or worsen. The Corporations operating plan provides options to prudently manage operations and preserve financial flexibility.

The Corporations suspension of its monthly dividend in March 2020 will continue indefinitely.

High Arctic continues to maintain close working relations with its customers and focus on high quality service and customer service differentiation as an absolute imperative. These attributes have been, and continue to be, key principles for High Arctic throughout the energy industry economic cycle.

The Corporation remains acutely aware that the impact to our customers capital spending and operating budgets and their ability to pay for work completed on a timely basis could have a significant impact on High Arctics financial and operating results as the time period associated with the global slow-down extends beyond the Quarter. We continue to work closely with our customers to ensure credit and operating risks are minimized.

The Canadian federal governments $1.7 billion well abandonment and site reclamation stimulus plan announced in April 2020 has begun, with responsibility for fund distribution assigned to the British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial governments. High Arctic has directly applied for hundreds of wells across the first tranches of the Alberta controlled process, receiving only a handful of approvals as the early tranches focussed on above ground site reclamation and low complexity works. With tens of thousands of inactive oil and gas wells across western Canada, we expect that over the stimulus period, there will be meaningful opportunity for High Arctic to participate in the resulting work programs through our Production Services segment, as the government becomes more focussed on award grants and focus shifts to securing, isolating and capping wellbores.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities

Cash provided from operations of $7.8 million for the Quarter (Q2-2019 - $8.9 million) resulted from $0.9 million of funds provided from operations (Q2-2019 - $2.1 million), as well as $6.9 million due to working capital changes (Q2-2019 - $6.8 million), predominantly the collection of accounts receivable of over $17.0 million, offset by payments to vendors of $8.9 million during the Quarter.

YTD-2020, cash provided from operations amounted to $16.4 million (YTD-2019 - $8.9 million), with funds provided from operations amounting to $2.9 million (Q2-2019 - $6.9 million), where the collection of approximately $23.0 million of accounts receivable, offset by payments to vendors of $10.5 million were the primary reasons for the increase in cash.

Investing Activities

During the Quarter, the Corporations cash used in investing activities amounted to $1.5 million (Q2-2019  use of $12.3 million). Capital expenditures during the Quarter of $1.3 million (Q2-2019 - $4.3 million) accounted for the majority of this activity. Q2-2019 included cash used of $8.3 million associated with the acquisition of the snubbing business from another company.

YTD-2020, cash provided from investing activities totalled $0.4 million (YTD-2019  use of $13.7 million). YTD-2020 capital expenditures amounted to $3.2 million (YTD-2019 - $6.9 million), proceeds of disposal were $4.9 million (YTD-2019 - $1.4 million), with working capital changes representing the balance of the change. YTD-2019 included the business acquisition amounting to $8.3 million, as discussed above.

Financing Activities

During the Quarter, the Corporation did not draw further on its available long-term debt facility. YTD-2020, $10.0 million of the available $45.0 million long-term debt facility has been drawn. No long-term debt existed at June 30, 2019.

High Arctic suspended dividends in March 2020, and as such no dividends were paid during Q2-2020. YTD-2020, $1.6 million in dividends were paid to shareholders, down $3.4 million from $5.0 million YTD-2019.

No common share buy-backs were completed in the Quarter or YTD-2020, compared to $1.8 million and $4.7 million that were purchased and cancelled in Q2-2019 and YTD-2019, respectively, under the Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB).

Credit Facility

As noted above, the Corporation has drawn $10.0 million of the $45.0 million revolving loan facility available, which matures on August 31, 2021. The facility is renewable with the lenders consent and is secured by a general security agreement over the Corporations assets.

The available amount under the $45.0 million revolving loan facility is limited to 60% of the net book value of the Canadian fixed assets plus 75% of acceptable accounts receivable (85% for investment grade receivables), plus 90% of insured receivables, less priority payables as defined in the loan agreement.

The Corporations loan facility is subject to two financial covenants which are reported to the lender on a quarterly basis. As at June 30, 2020, the Corporation remains in compliance with these two financial covenants under the credit facility.

The first covenant requires the Funded Debt to Covenant EBITDA ratio to be under 3.0 to 1.0, and the second covenant requires Covenant EBITDA to Interest Expense ratio to be a minimum of 3.0 to 1.0. Both are calculated on the last day of each fiscal quarter on a rolling four quarter basis.

The covenant calculations at June 30, 2020 are:

Covenant As at Required June 30, 2020 Funded debt to Covenant EBITDA (1)(2) 3.0 : 1 Maximum 0.75 : 1 Covenant EBITDA to Interest expense (2) 3.0 : 1 Minimum 19.17 : 1





(1) Funded debt to Covenant EBITDA is defined as the ratio of consolidated Funded Debt to the aggregate EBITDA for the trailing four quarters. Funded debt is the amount of debt provided and outstanding at the date of the covenant calculation. (2) EBITDA for the purposes of calculating the covenants, Covenant EBITDA, is defined as net income plus interest expense, current tax expense, depreciation, amortization, future income tax expense (recovery), share based compensation expense less gains from foreign exchange and sale or purchase of assets. Interest expense excludes an impact from IFRS 16.

There have been no changes to these financial covenants subsequent to June 30, 2020.

Non - IFRS Measures

This News Release contains references to certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and may not be comparable to the same or similar measures used by other companies. High Arctic uses these financial measures to assess performance and believes these measures provide useful supplemental information to shareholders and investors. These financial measures are computed on a consistent basis for each reporting period and include EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings (loss), Oilfield services operating margin, Percent of revenue, Funds provided from operations, Working capital, and Net cash, none of which have standardized meanings prescribed under IFRS.

These financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), Cash from operating activities, current assets or current liabilities, cash and/or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with IFRS.

For additional information regarding non-IFRS measures, including their use to management and investors and reconciliations to measures recognized by IFRS, please refer to the Corporations MD&A, which is available online at www.sedar.com and through High Arctics website at www.haes.ca .

Forward-Looking Statements

This News Release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, seek, propose, estimate, expect, prepare, determine and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Corporations current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Corporations actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this News Release.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this News Release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this News Release include, among others, statements pertaining to the following: general economic and business conditions which will, among other things, impact demand for and market prices for the Corporations services; expectations regarding the Corporations ability to raise capital and manage its debt obligations; commodity prices and the impact that they have on industry activity; initiatives to reduce cash outlays by $25.0 million over 2019 levels; continued safety performance excellence; realization of work from Site Rehabilitation Programs; oversight of working capital to maintain a strong balance sheet; estimated capital expenditure programs for fiscal 2020 and subsequent periods; projections of market prices and costs; factors upon which the Corporation will decide whether or not to undertake a specific course of operational action or expansion; the Corporations ongoing relationship with major customers; treatment under governmental regulatory regimes and political uncertainty and civil unrest; the Corporations ability to maintain a USD bank account and conduct its business in USD in PNG; and the Corporations ability to repatriate excess funds from PNG as approval is received from the Bank of PNG and the PNG Internal Revenue Commission.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this News Release, the Corporation has made assumptions regarding, among other things, its ability to: obtain equity and debt financing on satisfactory terms; market successfully to current and new customers; the general continuance of current or, where applicable assumed industry conditions; activity and pricing; assumptions regarding commodity prices, in particular oil and gas; the Corporations primary objectives, and the methods of achieving those objectives; obtain equipment from suppliers; construct property and equipment according to anticipated schedules and budgets; remain competitive in all of its operations; and attract and retain skilled employees.

The Corporations actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth above and elsewhere in this News Release, along with the risk factors set out in the most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

The forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this News Release. The Corporation does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About High Arctic Energy Services

High Arctics principal focus is to provide drilling and specialized well completion services, equipment rentals and other services to the oil and gas industry. High Arctic is a market leader providing drilling and specialized well completion services and supplies rig matting, camps and drilling support equipment on a rental basis in Papua New Guinea. The Canadian and US operation provides well servicing, well abandonment, snubbing and nitrogen services and equipment on a rental basis to a large number of oil and natural gas exploration and production companies operating in Western Canada and the United States.

For further information contact:
The Indian independence movement has been inspirational not just to the current generation of political movements but the Gandhian non-violent approach to protest also set the tone for future political movements across the world, inspiring several leaders fighting for various causes, from civil rights to a countrys battle for independence.

Indias independence was one of the first high-profile decolonisation moves that the British made in the post-war era. British decolonisation started soon after the end of World War II. The nation was running out of funds to maintain the empire as a result of the losses in the war and cited that the reason for the downfall of the empire. When the British left India after nearly a century of protests, riots and movements, it was the first of a 52-year era of British decolonisation.

Many countries under the British Empire before World War II had achieved dominion status with the crown remaining as the head of state. In the decolonisation period, however, several of these countries became republics.

British Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka, gained independence in 1948. The country was a dominion of the United Kingdom till 1972 when it became a republic. Several youth leagues in the country had organised peaceful protests against British rule to call for 'Poorana Swaraj' or complete self-rule.

These peaceful protests were inspired by two major figures of South Asia. One was Anagarika Dharmapala, a Buddhist revivalist who rose to prominence in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The other was Mahatama Gandhi. Protestors sought secularism, national unity and for peace to prevail. Violence was rare and Sri Lankas independence in 1948 was gained in a largely peaceful fashion. Gandhi visited then Ceylon at the invitation of Sri Lankan freedom fighter Charles Edgar Corea. He delivered several speeches in Sri Lanka and had left a strong influence on the freedom movement of the country.

Nelson Mandela, who fought for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, was a staunch African nationalist. Mandela, however, was moved by Gandhis call for non-violence and non-cooperation. In his autobiography, he wrote, Nonviolent passive resistance is effective as long as your opposition adheres to the same rules as you do. He added that in fighting the dominant Afrikaner population, if peaceful protest is met with violence, its efficacy is at an end. For me, nonviolence was not a moral principle but a strategy. He also said later on, Violence and nonviolence are not mutually exclusive; it is the predominance of the one or the other that labels a struggle". South Africas movement against apartheid and racism, similar to Indias and Sri Lankas independence movements, was largely peaceful with only some groups taking to violence to achieve their objective.

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Another such movement inspired by the Gandhian approach was the American civil rights movement in the mid-late 20th century. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was inspired by Christian beliefs and the non-violent activism of Gandhi. In an interview, King said that he admired freedom fighters wherever they were and that he believed non-violence was the best approach.

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Fighting against racial inequality, he organised several marches and spoke to thousands of people. He organised the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, a key moment in the civil rights movement, which fought against racial segregation in buses and public transit. This boycott brought into the limelight Rosa Parks, another well-known civil rights activist. His methods were strikingly similar to those employed by Gandhi prior to 1947.

In an interview on Gandhi and how he was inspired by him, King said, Organised non-violence is the most powerful weapon that oppressed people can use in breaking loose from the bondage of oppression.

From battles to break free from colonial rule and civil rights movements to the abolition of apartheid, Indias century-long non-violent approach to independence set the tone for political movements in many parts of the world.
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Thousands of students got an early start to university life last night as they flouted social distancing to celebrate their A-Level results on a boozy Thursday night.

Teenagers celebrated their exam results, which they achieved without sitting any exams, after schools shut as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Revellers were seen hugging in the street in Cardiff, leaving little room for social distancing, hours after receiving their results.

There were similar scenes up and down the country, including in Birmingham and Leeds, where sixth formers boozed to mark the end of two years of hard work.

It was up to teachers to decide what each student's grade - but a government algorithm marked 40 per cent of those results down, causing disappointment for many yesterday.

Record numbers of students secured university places, including the highest ever level for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Last night was a chance for students to celebrate their results and bid farewell to school friends as they prepare to head off to university or work next month.

Students were out celebrating their A-Level results in Cardiff city centre, there was hugging in the streets, with little room for social distancing

An emotional results day turned into a heavy night of drinking for students who decided to head out to Leeds on Thursday

Birmingham students took to the city centre last night to mark the end of an era, as they achieved their A Level results

After months apart in lockdown, A-Level students went out to celebrate together in cities across the UK, including Cardiff

It was a day of tears and laughter for students after a bizarre results day. In Leeds city centre revellers saw the bright side

Birmingham revellers were out celebrating on Thursday night, hours after record number of students were granted university places

In Birmingham City Centre, A-Level students spent their Thursday night celebrating at bars including the Dirty Martini

Police were out in Leeds city centre last night as students headed out on the town, but there was little room for social distancing

Revellers were out in Cardiff city centre on Thursday night, hours after picking up A-Level results. Up and down the country there were similar scenes

After two years of studying, A-Level students were awarded results without sitting an exam, after the coronavirus pandemic shut schools. After achieving their results, Birmingham sixth formers went out to celebrate last night

Hours after picking up their results, some students couldn't make the grade following a night of drinking in Leeds city centre

Last night was a chance for students to celebrate their results and bid farewell to school friends in Cardiff and other parts of the country

Amid growing calls for a change in yesterday's grades, Birmingham students put their exam results to one side last night and instead went out drinking

Some revellers in Leeds opted to wear face masks as they took to the streets, but for most social distancing went out the window

After yesterday's results, students are crossing into a new chapter in their lives, but before that would begin, there was time for celebratory drinks in Leeds

There was disappointment for some students yesterday as 40 per cent of grades were marked down by a government algorithm - but it didn't stop students celebrating in Cardiff last night

Wetherspoons in Leeds was taking cocktail and shot orders from boozed A-Level students during last night's celebrations

City centres across the country, including Leeds (above), Birmingham and Cardiff, were all filled with students on Thursday

Caution was thrown to the wind as students queued outside a Leeds bar, with little room for one or two metre distancing

Students only have a few weeks until they head off to university - with freshers weeks set to be disrupted by Covid-19 rulese

There was dancing in the street in Leeds city centre as 18-year-olds headed out for drinks on Thursday night

It was a heavy night after an emotional day as A-Level and BTEC students picked up their results in Leeds and other parts of the country

Emotions ran high in Leeds after students faced mixed exam results, months after their schools were forced to close due to Covid-19

Drunken revelry followed an emotional A-Level results day in Leeds, while some people needed a lift, others were more than comfortable on their own feet

With friends heading off to university in a few weeks time, students headed out to Leeds city centre on Thursday night

Groups of students hit the town in Leeds for a night of celebration or to drown their sorrows after receiving their results
The outbreak of 11 COVID-19 infections in a group of GTA families who visited Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka underscores the risks of ignoring public health guidelines  especially keeping to social circles of the same 10 people, Ontarios chief medical officer says.

You cant say Well, its a holiday and we just slip, we let the standards slide. Thats not acceptable, Dr. David Williams told a briefing Thursday as the province reported 78 new infections with the virus, a number he said was artificially low because of a snag in compiling numbers from Toronto.

Williams urged anyone who thinks that they might have been in contact with an infected person to avoid travel. If youre positive, dont go, he added. If you have signs and symptoms, dont go.

Several members of the Deerhurst group of about 30 people also visited the nearby Three Guys and a Stove restaurant in Huntsville. The popular eatery has temporarily closed as a precaution until results of tests on the staff are known, likely in time for the weekend.

Its the cost of doing business in a pandemic, said owner Jeff Suddaby.

The closure of the dining spot on Hwy 60  a high-traffic route that leads to Algonquin Park a half-hour drive to the east  prompted Williams to rebuke the unidentified visitors, who did not show symptoms or test positive until returning home from their getaway on the August long weekend.

Some people were less than responsible and conscientious in handling things, he noted.

Williams warned that this is how COVID-19 cases could fan out across the province from a tourist area that thousands of people are passing through, as well as posing a danger to residents of the Huntsville area.

I understand those ones at those gatherings were not exercising the six-foot distancing. They probably werent in the same social circle, Williams said. Respect those local people ... we do not want to spread infections up in that area in any way at all, at any time.

The medical officer of health for Simcoe-Muskoka said he was notified by local health officials in the GTA of the 11 infections among the visitors and has not been informed of any related new cases since last weekend.

There was a certain amount of mixing (among the 30 visitors) that led to transmission, Dr. Charles Gardner told the Star in an interview. We are continuing the investigation.

Gardner noted one server from Three Guys and a Stove is self-isolating and praised the restaurant for going public and temporarily closing even though if had not been ordered to do so. It reflects well on them, he said.

With half the residents of Muskoka being seasonal and some being tested for COVID-19, Gardner said he is pressing the province to provide details to the health unit on positive cases because notifications go back to their home health units in Toronto and elsewhere.

Williams said his office has been getting reports of visitors from abroad and residents returning from overseas who are violating the 14-day quarantine requirement and going to social gatherings.

We should say, if someone shows up, You shouldnt be here, he said.

Health officials are eager to continue the downward trend in cases as schools prepare to reopen in September.

Of Ontarios 34 public health units, 19 reported no new cases in Ministry of Health figures released Thursday that were based on data received at 4 p.m. the previous day. Nine had fewer than five new cases with the largest increases being in Peel with 19, Ottawa with 10, Windsor-Essex with nine and Middlesex-London with six.

There were 43 people in hospital with COVID-19 across the province, a decrease of six, with 20 of those patients in intensive care and 10 of them on ventilators. At the peak of the first wave, there were more than 1,200 Ontarians who required hospitalization for the highly contagious virus at the same time.

Williams said the University Health Network, which includes Toronto General and Toronto Western hospitals, had no coronavirus cases as of Thursday morning, freeing up more space for patients with other medical conditions and those waiting for elective surgeries that were postponed because of the pandemic. He called that a remarkable milestone.

Ontarios case numbers contrast favourably with neighbouring Michigan, which reported 1,121 new infections Thursday, the highest since May 14. That state has had more than 90,000 confirmed cases and almost 6,300 deaths.

A Star compilation of data from Ontario health units at 5 p.m. Thursday found 96 new confirmed and suspected cases in the previous 24 hours, although that number nets out to 72 after Toronto removed 24 previously reported cases. Ontario has now had 42,451 cases since late January. There were four more deaths reported, raising the toll to 2,829 people.

The Ministry of Health reported 891 active cases across the province, a decline of 99 as more people who tested positive for COVID-19 were considered to be recovered.
Last weeks Hurricane Isaias was probably worse in many ways than hurricane Sandy nearly 12 years ago with more downed trees but longer-lasting power outages. And for so many Fairfield residents, still reeling from the long quarantine of COVID-19, that loss of electricity was just about the last straw. No electricity in one of the more brutal summers of the past few years, not only raised temperatures in homes, it probably contributed to more temper flare ups as well.

But the electrical outages had a silver lining for the Fairfield University Bookstore where I work. As with our re-opening in June, this storm made us a major discover for many new customers and, as always, the port in the storm for our existing customers. While we had to close on the day of the storm, on the following day the store had electricity and reasonably-working Wi-Fi and opened to one its busiest days since the recent sidewalk sale in July. That steady flow of people continued into the weekend.

When I arrived for my late afternoon shift last Wednesday, I discovered that my exhausted colleagues had been working non-stop with customers, especially those with young children, to find them games, activities, puzzles and a lot of bargain books to read. And for adults or older students, our New York Times hard cover and soft cover bestsellers, always updated weekly, were selling like crazy along with our middle reader and young adult books upstairs in the kids section.

Bookstore colleagues said that the store was probably at its capacity of 25 shoppers at a time for most of Wednesday and they were constantly counting and recounting to keep things under control. My manager added that so many people were coming into the store not just to shop but to charge i-phones and tablets and he was scrambling all day to reluctantly set up a few chairs upstairs and point customers in the direction of outlets to charge phones and tablets.

He also explained that, while it was painful, he had to remind a lot of folks that we were still in the middle of COVID-19 restrictions and no one could sit on the floors or window sills. And those arriving without masks needed to be asked to wear them. Also, we are constantly sanitizing the store and our policy is to have customers, who arent going to purchase a book or other item, place the items in the black baskets we have set up throughout the store.

Of course, Starbucks was busy throughout the day, selling coffee, lattes, macchiatos and ice tea along with their supply of sweets and sandwiches to hungry folks who had no electricity. The few chairs in the cafe were taken quickly, but people could migrate to the tables outside.

Despite the circumstances of our larger-than-usual weekly sales, I am happy to know that the bookstore is here in the best and the worst of times. Our boss, Jim Fitzpatrick of Fairfield University once mentioned to me that his goal in working with Follett, our parent company, was to establish an anchor bookstore in town along with our store on campus. And its great when town residents know that they have a place to come, not just in storms but anytime.

Ever since the pandemic restrictions lifted, Ive talked with more customers who told me how happy they are just to be in a bookstore again without needing to drive to Westport. I couldnt agree more and Ive heard that a lot in the nearly 9 years that weve been open.

Fortunately, weve been able to open after major snow storms and other occasional power outages. I guess the utility gods have been on our side and, to my knowledge, we havent lost power. Of course, pre-pandemic, when residents were affected by outages, weve had unlimited customers sitting on floors and near wall outlets and at our long conference table upstairs in the kids section. In those days, customers were using our WiFi, charging phones, shopping, gathering in Starbucks and just generally enjoying the store.

Im glad that the bookstore has been an escape for folks or visitors in town not just after a storm, but on holidays, weekend evenings after late dinners and on Sundays, especially during the farmers market. And for me, as I begin my 9th year this week, Im glad to be working there to meet new and regular customers and offer help with books or merchandise. Its great to be part of our anchor store team in Fairfield.

Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears occasionally on Fridays. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com.
National Assembly Chairwoman and Chair of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attended a ceremony on Thursday

to launch the website, mobile app, and identity programme of the AIPA Chair Year 2020.

Vietnam National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and delegates pressed the symbolic button to launch the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) website in a ceremony held in Hanoi on Thursday.

The website, available at the address http://aipa2020.vn, and the AIPA2020 mobile app will provide official news on activities and events held under Vietnam's chairmanship during 2020 while enabling the organising board and National Secretariats to exchange documents and notifications with members.

Addressing the ceremony, Ngan, who is also head of the National Steering Committee for AIPA 41, praised the efforts of its organising board and Sub-Committee for Information and Communications in building the website, mobile app and identity programme.

She noted that, in 2020, Vietnam has taken on the role of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, ASEAN Chair, and AIPA Chair, adding that all activities within the ASEAN and AIPA Chair Year have been organised successfully despite the impact of COVID-19.

Vietnam will organise AIPA 41 online from September 8-10, given the complex nature of the pandemic. This is the first time the assembly has been held online.

She underlined that the organisation of AIPA 41 and related activities are a highlight of the foreign relations work of the 14th National Assembly in its role as the AIPA Chair for the third time.

She asked the AIPA 41 organising board and Sub-Committee for Information and Communications to work closely with the AIPA 41 National Secretariat and other sub-committees to add updated information on AIPA activities to the website and app, which will highlight Vietnam's contributions and initiatives during the year, including the organisation of a non-official meeting of AIPA Young Parliamentarians within the AIPA 41 General Assembly.  VNS
KYODO NEWS - Aug 14, 2020 - 17:27 | All, Japan, World

The Japanese government welcomed on Friday Israel's agreement to suspend declaring sovereignty over the occupied West Bank as a result of normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates in a U.S.-brokered deal.

Calling the temporary halt of declaration of sovereignty a "positive move," Press Secretary Tomoyuki Yoshida said in a statement Japan "welcomes it as a first step toward easing of tensions and stabilization in the region."

According to the press secretary, Japan also "appreciates" efforts by the United States, led by President Donald Trump, to broker the deal, announced Thursday. As part of the deal, Israel has agreed to suspend the annexation of areas of the occupied West Bank, according to Trump.

"The Middle East peace issue should be resolved by negotiations between parties concerned and not through violence or unilateral acts," Yoshida said.

He reiterated Japan's stance "to continue to support a two-state solution whereby Israel and a future independent Palestinian state live side by side in peace and security."
A group of five kidnappers dressed as police raided the home of a nude Belgian model and her businessmen boyfriend before they were horrifically tortured and left for dead, a prosecutor claims.

Caroll Dufailly and Eduardus Groenewegen told police they were at their home in an Ipswich industrial estate, in southeast Queensland, on October 25, 2019, when they woke to the sound of their front gate being smashed.

The group, who wore masks, gloves and a black vest with white lettering, allegedly smashed a glass door with a SWAT-style door ram and shouted 'police, police, search warrant'.

Five men dressed as police allegedly raided the home nude model Caroll Dufailly (pictured) and Eduardus Groenewegen before torturing them and leaving them for dead in bushland

Prosecutor Sergeant Chris O'Neill told Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday that Mr Groenewegen was struck with the butt of a rifle before the group surrounded and repeatedly hit the businessman, the Courier Mail reported.

He said Ms Dufailly was then set upon by the men before she was restrained with zip ties and told she was under arrest.

'They were repeatedly asked for the combination of the safe, and threats were made to cut off his fingers,' Sgt O'Neill said.

Eduardus Groenewegen (pictured) was left with life threatening injuries after the men allegedly pour ammonia over his head and sprayed his eyes

Sgt O'Neill said the pair were forced into a white van waiting outside and demanded the codes of a safe.

He claimed the men told the couple: 'If you don't we are gonna rape your sexy girlfriend. Put a bullet in your brain. Put a bullet in your girlfriend's brain and set fire to the van with you in it.'

The court heard Mr Groenewegen was allegedly sprayed in the eyes, had ammonia poured over his head and was hospitalised with life-threatening injuries due, in part, to caustic fluid burns to his scrotum.

After the attack the couple were allegedly left for dead in nearby Ripley Bushland, with Ms Dufailly leaving to get help for Groenewegen.

The injured woman managed to stumble to a nearby residence, with her mouth duct taped and hands bound with zip ties, and raised the alarm.

One of the men accused of the attack, Jordan Roman Brennan, 25, did not appear in court on Thursday while his lawyer unsuccessfully argued his client should be let out on bail.

Brennan and two other men have been jointly charged with a series of offences including doing acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, administering poison and two counts of torture.

Queensland Police said when they raided Brennan's Gold Coast home and arrested him they found almost $46,000 in cash, several loaded pistols and cocaine.

Caroll Dufailly, from Belgium, was allegedly kidnapped and tortured to gain access to a locked safe in October 2019

Ms Dufailly stumbled to a nearby house and raised the alarm after allegedly being dumped in bushland by her alleged attackers

Police extradited Justin John Kuhner, 40, (pictured centre) from NSW to Queensland before he was charged with a series of offences including kidnapping and torture

Brennan's laywer Michael Bosscher argued the cigarette butts, shoe marks and duct tape collected at the scene did not connect his client to the crime and police held a weak case.

Mr Bosscher said his client was not present at the scene and did not take part in the incident.

Magistrate Kurt Fowler said he disagreed on the strength of the case and denied bail to Brennan, whose case is set to continue on September 2.

When fellow accused Mark Clinton Atta-Singh, 41, faced court last month police alleged he was a member of the outlaw motorcycle gang Lone Wolf.

Atta-Singh was released on bail and now plans to defend the charges.

Justin John Kuhner, 40, was another one of the accused and was extradited from NSW to Queensland last month and remains in custody.

Detectives allege he committed the offences at the behest of the Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle gang - with three members of the club also behind bars following police raids, according to Nine News.
STORY LINK Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) Exchange Rate Rises despite Upbeat RBA Lowe

Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) Exchange Rate Falls as Aussie Unemployment Rate to Hit 10%

I dont have any concerns about the stability of the banking system at all. The banks went into this episode with the highest level of capital. Theyre in a strong position to provide the credit the country needs.

The solution to most problems we face is kind of creating jobs, and ... its aggregate demand and environment thats conducive to hire people and income support so thats the solution if youre worried about loan deferrals.

Sterling (GBP) Gains as Britain Eases Further Lockdown Measures

We've worked so hard in this country to get our level of infections down, the last thing we want do is to have people returning and bringing the infection with them. It's to protect everybody.

Pound Australian Dollar Outlook:US-China Trade and Brexit in Focus

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The Pound Sterling Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate made slight gains at the end of the week, leaving the pairing trading at around AU$1.8327.The Australian Dollar remained flat today after Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor, Philip Lowe said policymakers had no concerns about the stability of the banks system.Lowe noted:This comes as Australia saw its unemployment rate rise to a 22-year high and millions of Dollars in loans were deferred. The unemployment rate is also expected to hit 10% this year and wage growth is crawling along at its weakest pace on record.These comments came as Commonwealth Bank of Australia reported close to 20,000 of its mortgages are held by people claiming unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus crisis.The RBAs governor also added:The Pound edged higher on Friday despite Britain announcing it would implement quarantine measure on travellers returning from France from Saturday.This came after Frances Prime Minister said the countrys infection numbers were going the wrong way and warned they would take reciprocal measures.Britains Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the reason for the measures was due to the rate of infection rising above 20 cases per 100,000 people.Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Shapps said:This dealt a new blow to the travel industry, although Britain cannot afford another coronavirus-induced contraction after the 20% slump in the second quarter.Added to this, GBP received a boost of support after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered the reopening of the economy in England to continue.Johnson noted that the rise in infections that caused the reopening to be paused two weeks ago had now levelled off. He also warned there would be harsher punishments for those who breach the remaining coronavirus restrictions in place in England.Looking ahead to this weekend, traders will be focused on the latest meeting between US and Chinese officials over the Phase 1 trade deal.If the meeting is a success, and Washington and Beijing recommit to the deal it will cause risk appetite to rise. This will offer the risk-sensitive Australian Dollar (AUD) support against the Pound (GBP).Although, attention is likely to turn back to Brexit next week. A jump in Brexit optimism will boost Sterling and will leave the Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate largely flat.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: Pound Australian Dollar Forecasts
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Europe Caramel Ingredients Market: Global Industry Analysis 2015-2019& Opportunity Assessment 2020-2030

A recent market study published by Future Market Insights on the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market offers global industry analysis for 2015-2019 & opportunity assessment for 2019-2029. The study offers a comprehensive assessment of the most important market dynamics. After conducting a thorough research on the historical, as well as current growth parameters of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market, the growth prospects of the market are obtained with maximum precision.

Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Taxonomy

The global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is segmented in detail to cover every aspect of the market and present complete market intelligence to readers.

Application

Bakery Products

Confectionery products

Ice creams & desserts

Beverages

Type

Fillings

Toppings

Inclusions

Colors

Flavors

Form

Solid

Liquid

Powder/Granular

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia

Oceania

MEA

For more insights into the Market, request a sample of this report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-11408

What's Included

Chapter 01 - Executive Summary

The executive summary of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market includes the market proprietary wheel of fortune, demand-side and supply-side trends, opportunity assessment, and recommendations on the global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market.

Chapter 02 - Market Introduction

Readers can find the detailed segmentation and definition of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market in this chapter, which will help them understand basic information about the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market. This section also highlights the inclusions and exclusions, which help the reader understand the scope of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market report.

Chapter 03 - Market Background

The associated industry assessment of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is carried out in this section. The macroeconomic factors affecting growth of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market are provided in this section and the impact of these macroeconomic indicators on the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is analyzed. The processing overview and technological advancements in the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is also provided.

Chapter 04 - Global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Value Chain

Profit margins at each level of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market are analyzed and readers can find detailed information on top importers and exporters as well as the value chain of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market.

Chapter 05 - Market Dynamics

The drivers and restraints impacting the growth of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market are explained in this chapter. Opportunities and ongoing trends in the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market are also comprehensively discussed.

Chapter 06 - Global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis and Forecast 2015-2030

This chapter includes detailed analysis of the historical Europe Caramel Ingredients Market (2015-2019), along with an opportunity analysis for the forecast period (2020-2030). Readers can also find the absolute $ opportunity for the current year (2019 - 2020) and incremental opportunity for the forecast period (2020-2030).

Chapter 07 - Global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030 by Application

Based on Application, the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is classified into Bakery products, Confectionery products, Ice creams & desserts, beverages(alcoholic & non-alcoholic). This part also offers market attractiveness analysis based on Application.

Chapter 08 - Global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030 by Type

Based on Type, the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is classified into fillings, toppings, inclusions, colors ,flavors . This part also offers market attractiveness analysis based on Type.

Chapter 09 - Global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030 by Form

Based on Form, the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is classified into Solid, liquid and powder/granular. This part also offers market attractiveness analysis based on form.

Chapter 10 - Global Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030 by Region

This chapter explains how the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is anticipated to grow across various geographic regions such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Middle East and Africa.

Chapter 11 - North America Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the growth of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market in North America, along with a country-wise assessment that includes the U.S. and Canada. Readers can also find regional trends, regulations, and market growth based on end users and countries in the North America region.

Chapter 12 - Latin America Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

Readers can find detailed information about several factors, such as the pricing analysis and regional trends, which are impacting growth of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market in Latin America. This chapter also includes growth prospects of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market in leading LATAM countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and the Rest of Latin America.

Chapter 13 -Europe Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

Important growth prospects of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market based on its end users in several countries such as Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, BENELUX, Nordic, Russia, Poland, and the Rest of Western Europe are included in this chapter.

Chapter 14 - East Asia Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

This chapter includes a detailed analysis of the growth of the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market in the East Asia region, along with a country-wise assessment that includes Japan, China, and South Korea. Readers can also find regional trends, regulations, and market growth based on end users and countries in the APEJ region.

Chapter 15 - South Asia Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

In this chapter, readers can find information about key trends and developments in the key countries of South Asia such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Rest of South Asia Europe Caramel Ingredients Market.

Chapter 16 - Oceania Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

This chapter offers insights into how the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market is expected to grow in major countries in the Middle East region such as Australia and New Zealand, during the forecast period 2020-2030.

Chapter 17 - Middle East & Africa Europe Caramel Ingredients Market Analysis 2015-2019& Forecast 2020-2030

This chapter contains information about the market growth of Caramel Ingredients in Middle East region such as GCC Countries, South Africa, North Africa, and the Rest of Middle East, during the forecast period 2020-2030.

Chapter 18 - Competition Assessment

In this chapter, readers can find detailed information about tier analysis and market concentration of the key players in the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market along with their market presence analysis by region and product portfolio.

For Information On The Research Approach Used In The Report, Request Methodology@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-11408

Chapter 19- Competition Deep-Dive

In this chapter, readers can find a comprehensive list of leading manufacturers in the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market, along with detailed information about each company, which includes company overview, revenue shares, strategic overview, and recent company developments. Some of the market players featured in the report are Nestle, Mars Inc., Kerry Group, Bakels Worldwide, Cargill Incorporated, Goteborgs Food Budapest ZRT, Sensient Technologies Corporation, Ferrero, Martin Braun KG, Puratos Group, Haribo, Metarom, Sethness Caramel Color, Nigay, DDW The Color House, Goetzes Candy Company, Inc., Frito-Lay;Sethness-Roquette Caramel Color, Bakels Worldwide, Alvin Caramel Colours.

Chapter 20- Assumptions and Acronyms

This chapter includes a list of acronyms and assumptions that provide a base to the information and statistics included in the Caramel Ingredients report.

Chapter 21 - Research Methodology

This chapter helps readers understand the research methodology followed to obtain various conclusions, as well as important qualitative and quantitative information, on the Europe Caramel Ingredients Market.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:14:06|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) reached on Friday its first agreement to purchase a potential vaccine against COVID-19 once it is proven to be safe and effective, the European Commission said in a press release.

The deal, made with the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, would secure the purchase of at least 300 million doses on behalf of the EU member states. The products could also be donated to lower and middle income countries or redirected to other European countries, said the press release.

The advance purchase agreement was reached after weeks of negotiations with AstraZeneca, according to Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. She said work is ongoing to bring more candidates into a broad EU vaccines portfolio.

The Commission's president Ursula von der Leyen described the agreement as "the first cornerstone" in implementing the Commission's Vaccines Strategy, which would enable the access to vaccines for Europeans and their partners in the world.

Friday's announcement follows earlier ones that confirmed the conclusion of exploratory talks for vaccines supply with Sanofi-GSK on July 31 and with Johnson & Johnson on Aug. 13.

Kyriakides has earlier told German newspaper Handelsblatt that the first vaccine against COVID-19 may be available towards the end of this year or early next year.

Kyriakides said the vaccine may not solve all the problems right away, but will "gradually allow a return to normality" once a "critical mass of citizens, especially among the risk groups" have been vaccinated. Enditem
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- As if the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean werent turbulent enough, Emmanuel Macron has decided to give them another vigorous stir. France, he says, will increase its military presence there to monitor the situation in the region and mark its determination to uphold international law.

The situation is the face-off between Turkey and Greece over territorial and hydrocarbon-exploration rights. Things turned tense this week when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ended a brief pause in Turkish exploration efforts in waters contested by the Greeks. For good measure, Ankara launched naval exercises off the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo.

Erdogan was apparently responding to the announcement of a new maritime border agreement between Greece and Egypt, which was plainly designed to counter growing Turkish ambitions.

Matters are coming to a head, and one major power has already intervened: The brief Turkish pause on exploration was engineered by Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel, who made a personal appeal to both Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

If Merkel is, as I have argued, the best candidate to mediate the conflict, then Macron is quite possibly the worst. The French leader and Erdogan share a mutual animosity, deepened by Turkeys thwarting of Macrons ambitions in Libya.

Macron has called for European Union sanctions against Turkey for what he described as violations of Greek and Cypriot waters and threats against the two EU members. He has previously accused Turkey, a fellow NATO member, of a historic and criminal responsibility in Libya. The Turks, no slouches at bellicose rhetoric, have denounced France as the main [actor] responsible for the problems in Libya, and described Macron as having suffered an eclipse of the mind.

Greece has welcomed Macron's announcement: Mitsotakis tweeted that Macron was a true friend ... and also a fervent protector of European values. Erdogan, predictably, is having none of it. No one should see themselves as a giant in the mirror, he said on Thursday, clearly referring to Macron. They should not go after making a show.

Story continues

Ankara will have no difficulty dismissing the French leaders claim to uphold international law. The Turks need only point to Libya, where Paris has sided with a rebel commander  who is, to boot, accused of horrific war crimes  against a government recognized by the United Nations. So much for European values.

There was never any likelihood of Macron repeating his last successful intervention in a Middle Eastern crisis. In the fall of 2017, he persuaded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to release Lebanons then Prime Minister Saad Hariri from a bizarre detention in Riyadh. The French president won deserved praise for facing down MBS, as hes called, when other world leaders were reluctant to act. But that gambit worked because the Saudi prince craved Western approbation, and Macrons in particular.

Erdogan, on the other hand, has long since turned away from the West, and is especially contemptuous of the man who presumes to speak for it. Earlier this year, responding to Macrons musing that NATO was becoming brain dead, the Turkish president said his French counterpart should first check his own brain death. He has dismissed other French offers of mediation  between Turkey and Syrian Kurds, for instance.

Macron is now sending two Rafale fighter jets and the naval frigate Lafayette to the Eastern Mediterranean. But these military maneuvers are unlikely to give Erdogan further pause. He has called Macron's bluff before: A recent effort by a French warship to halt a Turkish vessel off Libya was easily repulsed, forcing Paris to lodge a complaint with NATO.

On the contrary, Macrons move will serve Erdogans argument that the Europeans are ganging up against Turkey. It is also, incidentally, a useful political distraction from Turkeys perilous economic condition. We should expect more jingoistic rhetoric from Ankara in the coming days.

The only other leader likely to be discomfited by Macrons muscle-flexing is Merkel, whose already difficult task of calming the troubled waters will be made harder still by the French intervention.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Bobby Ghosh is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He writes on foreign affairs, with a special focus on the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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NEW YORK - Joe Biden is poised to unveil his vision for the modern Democratic Party in the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era, an all-virtual affair that will test the former vice-presidents ability to overcome unprecedented logistical challenges in an urgent mission to energize a winning coalition.

The Democratic National Convention, which formally begins Monday, is not a convention in the traditional sense. There will be no physical gathering place, no cheering audience, no balloons. The program will consist instead of a series of online video addresses  half of which will be prerecorded  that play out for two hours each night until Biden formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination in a mostly empty Delaware ballroom on Thursday.

Along the way, Bidens party will make history by unveiling the nations first Black vice-presidential nominee, Kamala Harris. The speaking program also features two former presidents, two past presidential nominees, a former Republican governor, a New York ultra-billionaire and various working-class Americans.

Nothing about 2020 has been normal. So I dont think anyone expected that this convention would be normal either, said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was under consideration to serve as Bidens running mate and will speak at the convention. I hope wherever people are that theyre excited about the moment and the opportunity that lies before us.

The online gathering comes as Democratic officials work to energize supporters behind Bidens candidacy  not simply against President Donald Trumps. While Trump is a huge motivator for many Democrats, there is some concern within the party that lower-information voters who lean Democrat and swing voters arent locks to cast ballots for Biden this fall, especially as the pandemic creates barriers to voting.

At the same time, Trump and his allies are fighting to scare away would-be Biden-Harris backers by describing the Democrats 2020 ticket as the most ideologically extreme in American history. While widely considered a political moderate  at least compared with the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren  Biden has plans to implement a Medicare-like system for those who want it, sweeping environmental protections and higher taxes on the rich.

Still, Biden attracted the support of former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, who is scheduled to speak Monday. The Biden campaign hinted that Kasich would not be the only high-profile Republican featured at the convention, but refused to say more.

The inclusion of Kasich, who opposed abortion rights and fought labour unions while in office, rankled some progressives. One of the far lefts champions, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is scheduled to speak for just 60 seconds to help introduce Sanders the day after Kasich. Prominent liberal activist Ady Barkan, who previously backed Sanders, is scheduled to deliver remarks the next day.

Im glad that John and other moderate-type Republicans understand that it is wrong to be supporting Trump, Sanders told The Associated Press. But what John says has nothing to do with what I will say. My speech has everything to do with the need to defeat Trump, elect Biden and move the country into a government that works for all of us and not just the 1%.

There appears to be far less tension among the Democrats often-competing factions heading into the 2020 convention than many predicted earlier in the year. Just six months ago, political operatives were openly contemplating the prospect of a contested convention in which none of the Democratic candidates had a clear delegate majority going into the convention.

That possibility quickly faded in early March. After Bidens commanding South Carolina primary victory, several competitors suddenly rallied behind him as the pandemic began to explode.

Even if there was leftover resentment among wings of the party, the conventions online forum doesnt provide any opportunities for public infighting. Key votes on the party platform already will have taken place by mail ballot. The details, which are expected to be approved overwhelmingly, were hammered out in Zoom meetings.

Progressives got their say when they extended party rules through 2024 that ban superdelegates from voting for the partys presidential nominee on the first nominating ballot.

But without the opportunity for the approximately 4,800 Democratic delegates from across the country to gather on the same convention hall floor, as is tradition, the opportunity for a genuine convention debate over the direction of the party has been eliminated.

Larry Cohen, a prominent Rules Committee member and Sanders confidant, lamented the loss of an in-person convention, but not because it limits debate.

The key of a convention, really, is the party building that comes with 57 different delegations, he said, noting the in-person daily meetings that would occur in hotels across a host city. You shape the party in those breakfast meetings, where you argue over what it means to be a Democrat in Wyoming, what does it mean in Georgia.

The Biden campaign on Friday announced watch parties in all 50 states featuring elected officials and celebrities such as Alyssa Milano, Pete Buttigieg and Valerie Jarrett. The watch parties, like the convention itself, will be online.

With less focus on policy debates, convention officials are highlighting the historic racial diversity on the ticket as the nation experiences a national awakening on race. Harris, who is also of Asian descent, is scheduled to address the nation Wednesday night as the first woman of colour on a major partys presidential ticket.

The high-profile Black speakers also on the program include former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Bottoms, who will introduce a video tribute to the late Georgia congressman John Lewis on Thursday night, ahead of Bidens speech.

For so many people of colour in this country, race is always at the forefront, Bottoms said. To be able to have this collective conversation in so many ways is cathartic, especially as were going into an election year, because there wont be any secrets about what people across this country expect from the next administration.

Despite the focus on racial justice, the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist, predicted next weeks convention would lack excitement. He said it likely doesnt matter, however, especially as Trump and his party prepare for their convention the following week.

As excited as I am about Kamala Harris, the best weapon Democrats have is Donald Trump, Sharpton said. He will do himself in. Just dont get in his way. He will beat himself.

___

Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington, Del., contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to speak the day after Kasich, not the same day.
<! Alhaji Atiku Abubakar >

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has attacked the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC, for fining 99.3 FM Nigeria Info N5 million over an interview it granted former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN chief, Dr Obadiah Mailafia.

Mailafia had said during the interview that a serving governor in the north is the financial of Boko Haram.

Atiku, in a statement said he was compelled to react to the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission code concerning infringement on hate speech and the operational style that media houses should employ to conform with the new regulation.

He said while there was no disputation over the fact that hate speech portended an existential threat to the enterprise of journalistic reporting and, in fact, inhibited the workings for a free society, it was absolutely repugnant that powers that be would instrumentalise the prevention of hate speech as a means of constricting free speech.

Atiku said it was globally acknowledged that one of the core functions of the mass media was to inform the society on all ranges of issues, not even to the exclusion of national security issues.

The mass media has a role to play in ensuring that all possible shades of opinions are given access to the media platform.

In many advanced democracies the world over, criminals on even wanted lists of law enforcement agencies have reached out to the media to express their opinions about the crimes that they had perpetrated and the media space was not denied to them.

As a matter of fact, it seems somewhat contradictory that a country like ours, which is in the throes of national security skirmishes, would choose to shrink media access to critical information.

It is not known if any society had won the war against terrorism by placing a restriction to access to information, in the way the NBC had done.

In a particular reference to the penalty handed down to the operators of 99.3 FM Nigeria Info, we disagree wholeheartedly with the argument of the NBC that the interview that the station had with Dr Obadiah Mailafia constitutes any infringement or if at all it exposes the station to trading in hate speech.

Whether or not what Dr Mailafia said on the radio station was a false claim, it is outside of the objectives of a responsible regulatory framework to sanction a radio station for a comment an individual made, more so that the personality in question, Dr Obadiah, had been quizzed and released by law enforcement agents, he said.

Atiku stated that if for any reason the authorities were not satisfied with his explanations, they were at liberty to prosecute him in court, but not to make a scapegoat of the media platform that provided opportunities for citizens to ventilate their views.

He said the claim by the management of NBC that this (the penalty) is expected to serve as a deterrent to all other broadcast stations in Nigeria who were quick to provide platform for subversive rhetoric and expositions of spurious and unverifiable claims, to desist from such, was a naked attempt to gag the media in Nigeria.

We, therefore, call on the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to cause a review of the hate speech prohibition code because the very interpretation of same is offensive to the notion of free speech which is an essential ingredient of participatory democracy that Nigeria operates.

We also demand of the NBC to drop the penalty against the operators of 99.3 Nigeria Info FM on account of the fact that the penalty is at best ill-thought out.

Lastly, we want to refresh the memories of the generality of Nigerians that the Nigerian media has been in the frontline of the vanguard in the fight against military rule and restoration of a democratic order. In other words, it is very disappointing that under the watch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the media is, yet again, being targeted for extermination, he said.

Related
Indian air travellers holding any kind of valid visa under the 'Air Bubbles' agreement can fly to the US, the UK, Canada and UAE, according to a statement by Director-General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India.

"Under bubble agreement any Indian holding any kind of valid visa can travel to Canada, UK, US and UAE," said DGCA.

Earlier, the European Union had released guidelines which had said that only those holding essential visas would be allowed to travel abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A few weeks ago, Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri had confirmed that India was in talks with other nations to establish air bubbles.

The centre is currently not allowing entry of all type of visa holders into the country. Only those who have essential visas approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs are allowed to enter the country.

The aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) had earlier extended the ban on international flights to August 31. These flights have been banned since March when the government had imposed the initial lockdown to curb COVID-19. Aside from flights part of Vande Bharat Mission and air bubbles with counter countries, there has been no international air travel since March. This ban on flights does not apply to international all-cargo flights.

Domestic flights were banned in March. The government had put an end to the ban on May 25. More than two months later the number of daily passengers continues to be lower than normal as according to government regulations Airlines are only allowed to operate at 45% capacity. The numbers are steadily increasing according to Civil aviation ministry.

Also Read: First coronavirus vaccine: Why the world doubts Russia's claim

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Will PM Modi announce two COVID-19 vaccines on August 15?




Air India flight AI1993 that was scheduled to depart to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from Mumbai airport as a part of the Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) was delayed on Friday morning by three hours after the pilot who was to operate the aircraft was terminated by the airline the previous night.

The pilot is among the at least 50 other Air India pilots who were who were sent termination letters on Thursday around 11.30pm in which the airline blamed the Covid-19 situation for its financial condition.

An Air India spokesperson said, The pilots, who were employed on permanent and temporary basis, had resigned for better opportunities. Their resignations were accepted by the airline, which they [pilots] had later requested to revoke. Their requests, however, were not accepted. The matter is sub judice and nothing more can be said about it.

The termination letter accessed by HT stated that the airline is no longer accepting the withdrawal of termination letters. According to airline sources, these 60 pilots had resigned in December, but over the course of the next few months, took their resignations back before the expiration of their notice period which is six months as per civil aviation rules laid down by aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

As per the national carrier rules, pilots can withdraw their resignations during their notice period.

Earlier this year, some among the 50 pilots had moved the Delhi high court (HC) after the airline refused to revoke their resignation letters before their notice period ended and continued to operate evacuation flights.

The current lot of pilots said the termination of permanent employees raises concerns over job security at a fully-owned central public sector undertaking (PSU).

The Indian Commercial Pilots Guild (ICPA)  Air Indias union of Airbus pilots  wrote to the airlines chairman and managing director Rajiv Bansal, requesting his immediate intervention on the illegal termination of the pilots. The union stated that even the pilots who tendered their resignations in July last year and later withdrew them within the mandatory six-month notice period, have been relieved from service all of a sudden on Thursday night.

The union mentioned that the crew was not informed of the acceptance of resignation.

Stating the fact that terminated pilots operated flights on Friday, the letter read, For the safety of our traveling public alone if not on humanitarian grounds, these pilots should not have been made to operate flights under such traumatic circumstances. This vengeful exercise carried out by personnel department last night [Thursday night] to illegally terminate pilots directly compromises the safety of our flights. This has been done brazenly against the official commitment of the board and MoCA [ministry of civil aviation.

The airline did not comment on rostering the terminated pilots on Friday. Airline sources said terminated pilots operated two domestic flights early on Friday morning.

The airline sent the same termination letters to all these pilots around 11.30pm [on Thursday]. As a result, two Bangalore-bound flights from Delhi were operated by the terminated pilots, which is not only a result of mismanagement by the airline but is also illegal, said a Delhi-based staffer.

A senior pilot pointed out that it is not only illegal but also unsafe to terminate a pilot hours before he operates a flight, as human factors such as stress can cause safety concerns to the journey.
Dr. Abhishek Jain, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Medical Physiology in the College of Medicine, collaborated with researchers from the Departments of Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology at MD Anderson Cancer Center to gain a better understanding of the interaction among ovarian cancer tumors, blood vessels and platelets. They found that tumors break the blood vessel barriers so that they can communicate with the blood cells, such as platelets. When these tumors come into contact with platelets, they can then metastasize, or begin to spread to other sites in the body.

The collaborative research was recently published in the journal Blood Advances.

Currently, researchers understand that platelets are one of the initiators of ovarian cancer metastasis but did not know what led to the introduction of the platelets to the tumor cells. Instead of struggling to view this relationship in animal models, Jain's team brought a new solution to the table: organ-on-a-chip research.

Organs-on-a-chip are microfluidic medical devices the size of a USB drive. The team designed on the OvCa-Chip to give researchers an easier window to view the biological processes between tumors and platelets.

In an interview with the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jain explained that "it basically is a microenvironment where ovarian tumor cells can be co-cultured along with their blood vessels, and then they can interact with blood cells. Once we learn about these interactions, we can then move forward to look into how drugs will impact these kinds of interactions."

Viewing the interaction between tumors and blood vessels on the OvCa-Chip led the researchers to an extraordinary result -- the tumor cells systematically broke down the endothelial cells, which are the barrier that lines the interior surface of blood vessels and prevents exterior interaction with blood cells. Once this barrier was gone, blood cells and platelets entered the tumor microenvironment and could be recruited for metastasis.

Harnessing this knowledge could change how clinicians approach ovarian cancer treatment, Jain said, suggesting that anti-vascular drugs could be considered along with anticancer treatments. A benefit of the organ-on-a-chip is that it can also test these novel drug treatments and drug combinations.

Another application of the chips could be diagnostics.

"You have to understand that these are chips that are living. They contain living cells. The advantage is that these are all actually human samples," Jain stated in the interview. "So what we think the future for this technology is, is perhaps we can advance it in the direction of personalized medicine where we could actually take stem cells from patients and other patient-derived cells and make this entire chip from a single patient."

###
Britain discovered on Wednesday that its economy had suffered a recession deeper than any other reported by a European or North American country during the coronavirus pandemic. The reasons for the severe downturn in the second quarter include an economy that relies more heavily than most on consumer spending and a longer national lockdown than its neighbors.

Still, the cost of the pandemic provided another grim record. Last month, the government reported that Britain had Europes highest rate of excess deaths, The New York Times writes in the article Britains New Record: A Recession Worse Than in Europe and North America. A few months ago, I said hard times are coming and todays figures show hard times are here, Rishi Sunak, Britains top finance official, said on Wednesday.

Economic output declined by 20.4 percent from April to June, compared with the previous quarter, official preliminary statistics showed on Wednesday. Its the worst recession since the government started keeping records in 1955 and takes the British economy back to the size it was in 2003. The fall in gross domestic product was twice as large as in the United States and Germany.

The governments relatively slow response to the pandemic in March largely explains Britains fate. The closing of schools and businesses began weeks later in Britain than in some neighboring European countries. In those crucial days, the coronavirus was able to spread further and the problem was worsened by failures in contact tracing, testing and the protection of nursing homes.

This led to a longer period under a more severe lockdown, which began in late March and only started to be lifted in mid-June. Compared with the United States, which instigated state-by-state shutdowns of varying lengths and severity, Britains lockdown also affected a greater share of the population for a longer period.

The longer lockdown was at the root of the economys underperformance, Samuel Tombs, an economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, wrote in a research note.

An Oxford University index on the strictness of government responses, including school and workplace closings and travel bans, showed that Britains lockdown was more stringent in the second quarter than in Italy, Germany, Spain and the United States.

Britain was also more vulnerable to the economic impact of social distancing measures because of its large services sector. In the second quarter, spending on accommodation and food services  a category that includes hotels and restaurants  plunged by 87 percent.

Mr. Tombs said one reason Britain has suffered more economically than its peers is that it relies so heavily on consumer spending, made difficult by the lockdown. Also, he noted, there are lots of working parents in its labor force, many of whom had to stop working to look after their children while schools and other care options have been closed.

These are structural disadvantages that will probably mean Britains recovery will lag behind others for the rest of the year, he said.

A monthly breakdown showed the British economy continued to pick up in June, climbing 8.7 percent from May as construction activity resumed and consumer spending rebounded. Still, the Bank of England said last week that it didnt expect the recovery to be complete until the end of 2021.

Unlike Germany, for example, where the economy is more dependent on manufacturing, Britains recovery will need consumers to feel confident enough to venture out and spend, and for businesses to invest. That can only be determined by how effective the government is at keeping the virus at bay until there is a vaccine.

Mr. Sunak said the governments response to the pandemic had shifted from broad nationwide lockdowns to using tracing and testing to intervene at local levels faster. Already, parts of the north of England are under new restrictions.

To keep the recovery from stalling, the government is encouraging people to return to work in offices and it is planning for schools to reopen next month. To ensure places for the next generation of workers, the Treasury introduced a program to pay the wages of some young people for six months and promote apprenticeship programs. It also spent more than 53 million pounds ($69 million) last week as part of a monthlong stimulus plan paying for discounts for meals eaten in restaurants and pubs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

But the effects of these measures could be short-lived if there is a wave of layoffs in the fall. Analysts are concerned about what will happen when the governments furlough program, which has paid a substantial portion of the wages of as many as 9.6 million workers, a third of the British labor force, ends in October.

A recent survey found that one third of companies planned to cut jobs by the end of September. Even with the furlough program, the British labor market recorded its largest drop in employment since 2009 in the second quarter.

The challenge to the U.K. economy is that the government is hoping that come the end of October, the economy is ready to absorb back all of the jobs that have been put on hold during the summer, which is dependent on the path of the virus, said Hugh Gimber, a strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. We have some doubts that the U.K. economy will be ready.

The risk is that the furlough program has only delayed an increase in unemployment, rather than avoided it.

Britain could still shake off its worst in Europe label for the recovery. Although coronavirus cases have risen in recent days, the spikes are smaller than those being recorded in Spain, France and Germany.

This can shift very quickly, Mr. Gimber said. The winners from one week can become the losers in the next. The ability to really keep control of the virus can dissipate very quickly.
Some contact tracers were recruited from less urgent roles but others were given the job to protect them from the virus. Pregnant nurses and doctors, for example, have been moved off the wards to reduce exposure to COVID-19. The hum of numerous phone conversations bubbles in the background. Impromptu meetings break out around whiteboards covered with columns of names and workplaces. Testing swabs for coronavirus in Geelong. Credit:Jason South Each day there will be up to four huddles where contact tracers put down their phones and give updates on clusters and stubborn cases with unidentified transmission sources.

On this Wednesday morning the team is investigating an Uber driver with an unknown source of infection. But the initial phone call offers a possible clue - a passenger refused to wear a mask. Contact tracers can request Uber records and attempt to contact the passenger. Barwon Healths director of clinical support David Meade says the unit has a major workload tracing a potential community cluster, including a supermarket employee who worked three shifts while symptomatic. In doing that hes generated a whole lot of close contacts, Mr Meade says. We had to ring 200-plus people. Sometimes the workload seems endless and there are times Mr Meade momentarily drops his head.

On one day, 16 cases landed in a single batch linked to the Australian Lamb Company in Colac where the outbreak exceeded 80 infections at its peak. It can be a bit unrelenting. But within five minutes cases are divvied up, he says. Phones are cracking. The noise here can get quite loud because theres a lot of people having conversations. Fears are rising in regional Victoria about the growing number of cases prompting the state government to launch a testing blitz in Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. In Greater Geelong the number of infections hit 88 at the start of the month, surging past 170 before dropping back to 140 on Friday, Barwon Health confirmed.

Neurological rehabilitation care coordinator Blair Johnston says her years of conversations with patients has provided crucial experience in her contact tracing. Theres a lot of anxiety from people. Theyve got a lot of questions, she says. The first conversation with a positive case can last two hours to get through a list of about 40 questions. Who does the positive case live with? When have they attended work? Have they used public transport? Did they drop off their children at school and how did they get there? Did they go shopping? Have they attended a function? Sometimes people are difficult to locate. In one case tracers resorted to sending an Instagram message.

Occasionally people fear telling the truth because they have been involved in something illegal. But Ms Johnston says usually they listen. My experience overall with people is they want to do the right thing. They want that information. Tracers must establish a comprehensive timeline of the infected persons movements to determine who else might have been exposed to the virus. Close contacts must be called, told to self-isolate and remain at home until they get tested and receive a negative result. Each positive person usually prompts about 10 close contacts but that figure can vary wildly. Conversations with each close contact last up to 45 minutes.

The team is responsible for keeping in touch with positive cases, ensuring they stay home and have enough food and medicine. If necessary, tracers will arrange psychological support or have people admitted to hospital. The results arrive at the tracing unit from several laboratories, including the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, which is based at the hospital. The laboratorys research director, John Stenos, says it was initially processing a few tests here and there for coronavirus. That rapidly built to several hundred per day, he says.

What are the main symptoms of COVID-19? Fever

Cough

Fatigue

Shortness of breath A patient might also complain of chills, headaches, a sore throat, diarrhea, nausea or a runny nose. It usually takes about 5-6 days for symptoms to appear after someone is infected but 14 days is considered the total incubation period for the virus to emerge. If you suspect you or a family member has the coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call 000. The laboratory processes swabs for the entire south-west region stretching to the border with South Australia. Dr Stenos says the laboratory can turn a result around in the same day but it takes up to 48 hours when there are many swabs to process. Last year the laboratory had eight employees but has since grown to 32. We had to scale up in order to keep up with the demand in the testing. Its been a bit of a trip, he says.
What are some of your lingering questions about COVID-19 testing? The Tribune will be talking to scientists and physicians about everything from the different types of coronavirus tests to various reasons for getting tested to the impact testing has on fighting the virus. What would you like to ask experts?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated Indonesia's total number of coronavirus cases may be higher than the country's official tally.

Morrison spoke to Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Thursday evening about the health and economic impacts of the pandemic on both nations.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Credit:AP

Indonesias ability to control the coronavirus outbreak matters to Australia as it is a strategic ally and neighbour in south-east Asia, which has witnessed growing tensions between China and the United States over the South China Sea, trade and other issues.

When asked about it on Friday, Morrison acknowledged the epidemic could be more widespread in Indonesia than official testing has revealed and that Australia would continue to support its northern neighbour.
Authorities said Thursday that they had arrested and charged a man with killing LeGend Taliferro, a four-year-old boy from Kansas City, Missouri, whose shooting death led the Justice Department to begin an operation in his name that sent hundreds of federal agents into cities to confront a rise in violence.

The man, Ryson Ellis, 22, of Kansas City, was charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action, according to Jean Peters Baker, the prosecutor in Jackson County, Missouri. LeGend was killed June 29 when a shot was fired into an apartment in Kansas City and struck him while he slept, authorities said.

Last month, President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr announced that Operation Legend, named for the child, would send agents from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies to at least six cities, beginning with Kansas City, in an effort to stem violent crime.

Trump, who has sought to make law and order a campaign theme and has denounced Democrat-run cities as he seeks reelection, painted a grim picture of bloodshed in urban America as he announced the operation at the White House, where he was joined by LeGends parents and grandparents.

Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump welcomed the arrest of Ellis and held up a photograph of LeGend, who he called a wonderful young man.

As you know, we named Operation Legend after LeGend Taliferro, where were going to be helping out, and are in the process of helping out, the cities throughout our country that have difficulty with crime, in particular certain types of crime, Trump said. So thats really good news  they caught the killer of LeGend.

In a statement Thursday, Barr said the arrest marks a significant step forward in his case and illustrates the potential of Operation Legend more broadly.

Inspired by this success, federal law enforcement will continue working tirelessly to support state and local partners in our shared mission to keep the American people safe and enforce the rule of law, he said.

The mayor of Kansas City, Quinton Lucas, a Democrat, said last month that he was surprised by the announcement about the operation, which he said he had learned about on Twitter. He said he welcomed help in solving crimes but was worried that the federal agents might end up being political props.

Kansas City, which is on pace to shatter its record for homicides in a year, is among a number of cities that have experienced an increase in killings. But nationally, crime remains at or near a generational low, and experts have cautioned against drawing conclusions from just a few months of data.

Interventions by federal law enforcement officials in cities have also drawn intense scrutiny amid protests over the killing in May of George Floyd in the custody of the Minneapolis police and the deployment of Department of Homeland Security agents in camouflage uniforms to confront protesters in Portland, Oregon.

Although LeGends death prompted a surge in federal resources, Ellis was ultimately arrested by the Kansas City Police Department after eight detectives worked tirelessly on the case, according to police. Local law enforcement officials worked with federal agents on the investigation, as they do in many criminal cases.

While my heart continues to break for LeGends family, I am thankful that today an important step toward justice has been taken, Lucas wrote on Twitter on Thursday. Thank you for the hard investigative work of the women and men of law enforcement and the prosecutors with a heavy task ahead.

Speaking at a news conference with local and federal law enforcement officials in Kansas City on Thursday, LeGends mother, Charron Powell, thanked investigators for their work on her sons case.

Im so grateful that we are in the steps to justice, she said.

But Powell said it was important for the community to recognize that a 22-year-old, Ellis, had been jailed as a result of the investigation.

So, in reality, this is a lose situation for my family, including his, she said. So, as a community, I appreciate you guys for stepping up. But now weve got to take it a step further and help calm the violence down.

LeGend was killed as he slept on the floor when a shot was fired from behind an apartment, through a wood fence and a sliding-glass door, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said court records showed that a woman who was in the apartment at the time had told police that she had a son with Ellis and that Ellis had assaulted her a few days before the shooting.

The woman said Ellis had then sent her threatening messages on social media. The assault prompted members of the womans family, including LeGends father, to confront Ellis, according to prosecutors. The woman, who was not identified by prosecutors, was not Powell, according to Peters Bakers office.

Ellis was driven to the apartment in a rental car, which was captured on surveillance video, according to prosecutors. The woman who drove the car told the police that Ellis had gotten out of the vehicle near LeGends apartment and that she had heard gunshots before Ellis ran back to the car, according to prosecutors. The woman said she hadnt found out until later that someone had been killed.

It was not immediately clear if Ellis had a lawyer. His mother, Joanice Walker, said Thursday that her son had not been alone when the shooting happened.

We seek to find justice for the family of LeGend, and its a sad situation, and never would I hold my son unaccountable for anything that he has done, she said in a phone interview. Im a mother, Im a grandmother, and I do understand. Hopefully, we can take this to trial so they can understand theres more to the story than just what people have said.

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ANKARA  Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that any attack on a Turkish ship exploring for oil and gas in disputed Mediterranean waters would incur a "high price" and suggested Turkey had already acted on that warning.

Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean have risen sharply this week after Turkey sent a survey vessel to the region, escorted by warships, in a move Greece decried as illegal.

"We said that if you attack our Oruc Reis you will pay a high price, and they got their first answer today," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara without giving details.

The Oruc Reis set out on Monday with its military escort to survey waters between Crete and Cyprus.

In response, President Emmanuel Macron said France would increase its military presence in the region and called on Ankara to stop its exploration work. French and Greek forces held military training exercises off Crete on Thursday.

European Union foreign ministers, who have already imposed sanctions on two Turkish energy executives over Turkey's operations in the eastern Mediterranean, will discuss the situation on Friday.

Image: Greek and French vessels sail in formation during a joint military exercise in Mediterranean sea (Greek Ministry of Defence / Reuters)

Greece's foreign ministry said Minister Nikos Dendias will brief E.U. counterparts "about the real facts of the recent days regarding operations in the region" at the emergency meeting.

Erdogan spoke by phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and E.U. Council President Charles Michel on Thursday. He "reiterated his commitment to defend Turkey's rights against attempts to disregard them," Erdogan's office said of the call with Michel.

Both Turkey and Greece said this week that they were willing to resolve the dispute over their overlapping maritime claims, but vowed to protect their interests and blamed the other side for the stand-off.

"If we act with common sense and reason, we can find a win-win solution that meets everyone's interests," Erdogan said earlier on Thursday. "We are not chasing any unnecessary adventures or seeking tensions."

In apparent reference to France, Erdogan also said Greece was being pushed into taking "wrong steps" in the region by "a country that doesn't even have a coast in the eastern Mediterranean."
BROOK PARK, Ohio

Aggravated robbery: Snow Road

A 29-year-old Akron resident said they were robbed at knifepoint at about 12:50 a.m. Aug. 2 inside a hotel room at Howard Johnson by Wyndham, 16644 Snow.

A male suspect and a female suspect stole $100 from the victim. Its not clear whether either offender was identified. Police did not provide further information about this incident.

Having a weapon under disability: Snow Road

A Cleveland man, 28, was arrested at about 1:30 a.m. July 31 after he fired a handgun in the parking lot of Howard Johnson by Wyndham, 16644 Snow.

The man fired the handgun into the air because he was upset about something. When police arrived, they saw the man driving through the parking lot and stopped his car. He was intoxicated and admitted to firing the weapon.

Disorderly conduct: Smith Road

An intoxicated Brook Park man, 33, was arrested at about 9:30 p.m. Aug. 1 after calling, pranking and threatening to damage Hong Kong Restaurant, 5801 Smith.

The man called the restaurant five times within 10 minutes. At first, he asked if the restaurant delivers, which it doesnt, then he asked for hamburgers. The man then threatened to throw a brick through the restaurant window and slap one of the workers.

Police traced the callers number to the Brook Park man. They went to his apartment building, where they saw him outside drinking a large bottle of wine. The man greeted police, believing they were delivering food to him. The man admitted calling Hong Kong Restaurant and becoming upset because they didnt deliver.

Operating a vehicle under the influence: Holland Road

An intoxicated Parma Heights man, 40, was arrested at about 3:45 a.m. Aug. 2 after police saw him speeding from the scene of a domestic dispute on Holland Road. He was driving 80 mph in a 25 mph zone on Holland.

Theft of motor vehicles: Brookpark Road

Two 2020 Chevrolet Silverados, a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, a 2017 Chevrolet Impala, a 2017 Buick Envision and a 2020 Honda Civic were stolen between 2 and 10 a.m. Aug. 4 from Ganley Chevrolet, 13865 Brookpark. Someone grabbed keys inside the business to steal the vehicles.

Operating a vehicle under the influence: Engle Road

A Cleveland man, 49, was arrested at about 11 p.m. July 28 after police caught him driving drunk outside Greater Cleveland Auto Auction, 5801 Engle.

Police had stopped the mans car because he had pulled into a closed business late at night. Inside the mans car, police found open containers of alcohol and a small baggie containing a green, plant-like substance.

Burglary: Somerdale Avenue

Three portable fans were reported stolen at about 1:15 p.m. Aug. 2 from an unlocked house on Somerdale.

Obstructing official business: Shelby Drive

A Wadsworth man, 36, was cited at about 7 p.m. July 30 after lying to police about being inside a gated and locked cell-phone tower site.

A witness called police after seeing the man pulling thick wire from a box on the site. The man had parked a pickup truck nearby.

When police arrived, the man was driving away, but police pulled him over. Several spools of insulated wire were in the bed of his truck. The man said he worked for a company that reads meters at cell-phone tower sites. His job was to take pictures of the meters and send them to his supervisor.

Police called the company that manages the site, but only reached a recording. The man was unable to reach his supervisor. He initially denied that he was inside the gated area, but later admitted that he was.

Police also learned that the man was wanted in Macedonia for a misdemeanor, but Macedonia police didnt want to arrest him.

Theft: Smith Road

A radio was stolen between July 14 and Aug. 4 from a locked vehicle parked outside M & S Auto Repair, 5704 Smith. The vehicle belonged to a customer. Someone pried open the vehicles rear window to get inside.

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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary probe into the collection of royalty from trucks carrying mining material in Rupnagar district.

The court was acting on the report submitted by chief judicial magistrate-cum-secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Rupnagar, Harsimranjit Singh.

On February 19, the high court asked him to prepare the report as during the hearing of a petition on illegal mining, the government had told the court that there are no illegal check points/barriers near the mining sites in Rupnagar. Since the counsel for the petitioner had controverted the statement, the high court had sought a report from the DLSA secretary.

From the stand of the state and the report, the factual position of the existence and operation of the illegal and unauthorised nakas varies. We have no reason to doubt the report that is supported by photos and videoclips through a pen drive, the bench of justice Jaswant Singh observed. It said that in view of this, the court was inclined to initiate action against the officials concerned who have failed to discharge their obligations under the Provisions of the Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and failed to preserve the supremacy and rule of law.

The CJM had listed out seven locations where he found illegal nakas on three dates on visits to verify facts again. The officer submitted photos and videos of the nakas and collection being made. (Those contacted) unanimously confirmed that no truck carrying sand and gravel is being allowed to cross these points without paying royalty. In fact royalty is being charged/collected by crusher owners from the trucks/tippers of sand and gravel at the start of their journey and slip (parchi) in this regard is being issued to truck/tipper drivers, which is being cross-checked at the illegal checkpoints to ensure that no vehicle passes through without paying royalty, the CJMs report says.

The court too observed that the report established the existence and operation of the illegal and unauthorised checkpoints, operated by private persons without any authority of law, at various locations. Theres an instance where such an illegal checkpoint is even near a police post.

The CBI has been asked to probe the case in view of the stand of the state and its authorities and looking at the dimension of the lawlessness involved, the bench added.

The CBI has been told to take further steps after a preliminary report based on the outcome of the probe within two weeks.

A status report has been sought by September 9.
JERUSALEM (AP)  In a summer of protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the accusations of corruption and calls for him to resign could be accompanied by another familiar refrain: Ive never done this before.

The boisterous rallies have brought out a new breed of first-time protesters  young, middle-class Israelis who have little history of political activity but feel that Netanyahus scandal-plagued rule and his handling of the coronavirus crisis have robbed them of their futures. It is a phenomenon that could have deep implications for the country's leaders.

Its not only about the COVID-19 and the governments handling of the situation, said Shachar Oren, a 25-year-old protester. Its also about the people that cannot afford to eat and cannot afford to live. I am one of those people.

Oren is among the thousands of people who gather outside Netanyahus official residence in Jerusalem several times a week, calling on the longtime leader to resign. The young demonstrators have delivered a boost of momentum to a movement of older, more established protesters who have been saying Netanyahu should step down when he is on trial for corruption charges.

The loose-knit movements have joined forces to portray Netanyahu as an out-of-touch leader, with the countrys most bloated government in history and seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax benefits for himself at a time when the coronavirus outbreak is raging and unemployment has soared to over 20%.

Many of the young protesters have lost their jobs or seen their career prospects jeopardized. They have given the protests a carnival-like atmosphere, pounding on drums and dancing in the streets in colorful costumes while chanting vitriolic slogans against the prime minister.

Netanyahu has tried to dismiss the protesters as leftists or anarchists. Erel Segal, a commentator close to the prime minister, has called the gatherings a Woodstock of hatred.

Story continues

Despite such claims, there are no signs that any opposition parties are organizing the gatherings. Politicians have been noticeably absent from most of the protests.

Israel has a long tradition of political protest, be it peace activists, West Bank settlers or ultra-Orthodox Jews. The new wave of protesters seems to be characterized by a broader, mainstream appeal.

The partisan issue is totally missing, and the party organizations are not present, said Tamar Hermann, a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank and expert on protest movements.

Hermann said the protesters resemble many other protest movements around the world. They are mostly middle class, she said. And they were kicked out of work.

Oren, for instance, said he used to survive on a modest salary as a software analyst thanks to training he received in an Israeli military high-tech unit. Then he moved into tutoring  offering lessons in English, computers and chess to schoolchildren.

He said things werent easy, but he was too busy surviving to think about political activity. That changed when the coronavirus crisis began in March.

Orens business crashed.

With unemployment soaring, Netanyahu and his rival, Benny Gantz, formed a coalition with 34 Cabinet ministers, the largest government in Israels history. Beyond the generous salaries, these ministers, many with vague titles, enjoy perks like drivers, security guards and office space, and can hand out jobs to cronies.

A Netanyahu ally dismissed reports that people were having trouble feeding their families as BS.

Oren said he became furious, and about two months ago, he went to his first protest against the nations leaders. They are there because we gave them the power and want them to help us. And theyre not doing anything, he explained.

Oren now treks to Jerusalem from his home in the city of Kfar Saba in central Israel, about an hour away, three times a week. He is easily recognizable with his poster that says House of Corruption, depicting Netanyahu in a pose similar to Kevin Spaceys nefarious House of Cards character, Frank Underwood.

Oren says he does not belong to any political party or any of the movements organizing the rallies, but that the diverse group of activists all want similar things. No to the corruption, the poverty, the detachment. Were just saying enough, he said.

University student Stav Piltz went through a similar evolution. Living in downtown Jerusalem near Netanyahus residence, she quickly noticed the demonstrations in her neighborhood when they began several months ago. She talked to protesters as well as local residents at the cafe where she waitressed before she was laid off.

She said she noticed a common theme. They feel that something is very critical now in the political climate and no one is listening to the citizens and the pain we are experiencing, she said.

But Piltz said the spark that drew her to protest was a national strike last month by the countrys social workers.

Piltz, herself a social work student, said she has a history of social activism but has never been involved with party politics. The collection of women, coming from different religious, political, ethnic and racial backgrounds, was a powerful sight. This is where I saw how much power we have when we are together, she said.

The demonstrations, which have gained strength in recent weeks, are the largest sustained wave of public protests since hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in 2011 to draw attention to the countrys high cost of living. While those protests ultimately fizzled, two of their leaders entered parliament, and one, Itzik Shmuli, is now the countrys welfare minister.

Both Piltz and Oren said they are determined to keep up their activities in the long term.

People have nothing to lose. So its very easy to go demonstrate these days, especially if youre young and you see no future here, Piltz said.

Hermann, the political analyst, said too many Israeli youths have been politically ignorant and that it is a very good sign for the countrys democracy that people are becoming involved.

The leaders, however, may not be so pleased to face a politically aware young generation.

They are much more difficult to be controlled while they gain political views and confidence, she said.
Odiotti said they will have one day on campus, limiting the building to 100 each day. Two more days they will study at home using a computer, and on Fridays all students learn together with their teacher remotely. It is the one day all classes meet together.
British PM Boris Johnson has insisted there will be a bridge between Northern Ireland and Britain. Photo: Matthew Horwood/PA Wire

Boris Johnson is still insisting there will be a bridge between Northern Ireland and Britain - and that a border in the Irish Sea will be "over my dead body".

Visiting on Thursday for a series of engagements and meetings with political leaders, the Prime Minister reiterated his message that the bridge would help bring the UK closer together.

The plan is part of his "build, build, build" agenda.

The span from Portpatrick to Larne would be 28 miles long and cost in the region of 20bn to build.

Although Mr Johnson previously estimated the cost at around 15bn.

The British Prime Minister was speaking on a visit to the Ambulance Service HQ in Belfast on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier he had announced plans to establish a centenary forum and a centenary historical advisory panel to help mark the anniversary of Northern Ireland's foundation.

When asked if the bridge would be a good way to mark the centenary next year, the Prime Minister said: "I don't think it's going to be built next year, but let me be absolutely clear that as Prime Minister of the UK, I look at lots of different ways in which UK transport connectivity could be improved.

"Those links haven't been as strong as they used to be and we should certainly look at that possibility and we're doing some work on it right now."

Mr Johnson confirmed that Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy is to examine "the whole issue of Union connectivity" and will be reporting back to the Government "in due course", after which a decision will be made on whether or not to proceed with the plan.

The Prime Minister also insisted that there would be "no border down the Irish Sea" following Brexit.

He reiterated his promise that businesses in Northern Ireland will enjoy unfettered access to markets in England, Scotland and Wales.

Business leaders in Northern Ireland have expressed concern that red tape on goods crossing from Britain could make some trade unviable.

Mr Johnson has also agreed to "intensify" partnership arrangements with the Republic, and said more work could be done on bilateral deals.

He insisted: "There will be no border down the Irish Sea - over my dead body.

"It is important to have the protocol because we need also to protect that freedom of movement for goods, for people, for services north-south as well."

Expand Close Taoiseach Micheal Martin and UK prime minister Boris Johnson elbow bump in Belfast / Facebook

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The next round of Brexit talks will begin on August 18 between the Prime Minister's adviser David Frost and the European Union's Michel Barnier in Brussels.

Under the protocol, if no wider trade deal is secured with the EU, tariffs would have to be paid on goods travelling from Britain into the Republic and the rest of the EU via Northern Ireland.

Which goods are at risk of tarrifs is still to be decided in negotiations with Brussels.

The EU is keen to ensure Northern Ireland does not become a backdoor entry point to its single market.

The port of Larne is preparing to install a border control post, and the UK has announced extra funding for borders with the EU.

Taoiseach Mr Martin expressed confidence that a "landing zone" exists for the EU and UK to strike a trade deal before the end of the year and he hopes for a "productive outcome" when Brexit negotiations resume.

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Mr Martin said both sides knew that they needed to avoid another economic shock following Covid-19.

"It seems to me that there is a landing zone if that will is there on both sides, and I think it is, on the European Union side and on the British side, to find that landing zone," he added.
First phase of human trials on a made-in-Vietnam COVID-19 vaccine could begin as early as this October.

COVID-19 vaccine development at Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 Company (Vabiotech) under the Ministry of Health.  VNA/VNS Photo Bui Cuong

The Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) in Nha Trang City, partnering with New York City-based Icahn School of Medicine and the global health non-profit organisation PATH, expects to conduct testing on small groups of volunteers in October-December this year.

Phase 2, comprising larger groups of people, and Phase 3, comprising up to thousands, will be conducted at the beginning of 2021.

The institute plans to submit documents for approval to the health ministry as early as April next year and claims to be capable of producing 30 million doses a year.

By October 2021, the vaccine could be distributed to the general population.

IVAC is researching an egg-based vaccine, making use of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) expressing the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

According to Duong Huu Thai, head of IVAC, the production of its COVID-19 vaccine will be similar to the production of influenza vaccine.

The live NDV-Lasota-S virus  given to IVAC from its US partner in May  is injected into a membrane of fertilised hens egg and cultivated, then the propagated viruses are extracted from the membrane to be inactivated while still maintain their physical properties.

The now inactivate virus, unable to cause disease, will still trigger the bodys immune response that can target the coronavirus.

The vaccine candidate has shown initial positive results in animals, Thai said, but it was too early to claim success.

In research, no one can claim to be successful until [the vaccine development] reaches the mass production stage, he said.

Another firm, Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 Company (Vabiotech) under the Ministry of Health, partnering with the UK-based University of Bristol since February, said after trials on mice demonstrating strong immune response to coronavirus, especially after the repeat shot, it aims to conduct trials on small groups of people at the beginning of next year.

Vabiotech is developing its vaccine candidate using the protein subunit method, using only part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to stimulate the immune system to release antibodies.

To deal with the diverse mutations of SARS-CoV-2, we have chosen the antigen that proved to have mutated the least, said Do Tuan Dat, Chairman of Vabiotech, explaining that the vaccine, if successful, would help achieve immunity against various different strains of the virus.

The company said it is optimising production procedures for large-scale production of the vaccine and could produce up to 100 million doses a year.

Two other companies in Vietnam are researching a vaccine, including the Centre for Immunisation Vaccines POLYVAC partnering with the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, which is still waiting for approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology for its research.

The last is Nanogen Biopharmaceutical company in HCM City, using protein from the SARS-CoV-2 strain found in Chinas Wuhan  where the virus is thought to have first emerged  together with the mutated strain D614G, the dominant strain rapidly spreading across the world, including the ongoing outbreak in Vietnam.

The health ministry has asked the two companies to start preparing for large-scale manufacturing in case their vaccines are approved.

Nguyen Thu Van, member of Scientific Council under the Ministry of Health, said a Vietnamese-made COVID-19 vaccine could be obtained by the end of 2021.

If Vietnam can achieve that goal, that timeframe is already expedited. Usually, it takes at least five to six years to produce a new vaccine, Van said.

Nguyen Ngo Quang, Vice Director of the Administration of Science, Technology and Training under the Ministry of Health, said in a meeting last month that even with an expedited timeline, "the vaccines quality must still be ensured and the product must be able to prevent coronavirus infection based on ethical principles in medical research"

Vietnam health authorities have many times insisted that a return to 'normal' can only be achieved with a COVID-19 vaccine, and the country is aiming for self-reliance to make sure of sufficient distribution to all its population of 95 million.

The local research developments come as Russias President Vladimir Putin claimed Tuesday his country had created the worlds first COVID-19 vaccine, an announcement that met with safety concerns over a lack of testing.

Vabiotechs Dat told Lao ong (Labour) newspaper that they have not considered buying the vaccine from Russia, as they need more data on clinical trials, which Russian scientists have not publicly shared data on.

He also said that data for vaccine development in the UK and the US is public and readily accessible, aiding Vietnam in the making of its own vaccine. VNS

Vietnam yet to purchase Russian COVID-19 vaccine Vietnam has yet to initiate plans to purchase a newly announced vaccine against the Covid-19 virus produced by Russia pending confirmation on its safety and effectiveness, according to a Vietnamese health official.
By Trend





Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles Nasimi Aghayev met with members of the US Jewish Committee (AJC), the consulate general told Trend.

By the invitation of the Los Angeles office of the committee, which is one of the most influential Jewish organizations in the US and the world, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in LA and Dean (Chairman) of the Consular Corps in LA Nasimi Aghayev made a presentation dedicated to Azerbaijan at a videoconference with the participation of AJC leaders and representatives of ACCESS, its youth wing.

Having provided detailed information on the history of independence of Azerbaijan, Aghayev noted that in 1918, the Azerbaijani people created the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the first Azerbaijani republic, which went down in history as the first secular democratic state in the Muslim world and the first Muslim country that gave women the right to vote.

Talking in details about the existing traditions of interreligious harmony, tolerance and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, the consul general noted that in the country where the majority of the population are Muslims, people of Christian, Jewish and other religions, along with Muslims, live in peace, harmony, mutual understanding and conditions of good neighborliness.

The consul general stressed that Azerbaijan is successfully cooperating with Israel, as well as with AJC in various fields, and these relations are expanding every year thanks to mutual high-level visits.

Aghayev spoke about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the policy of aggression and ethnic cleansing carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijan, the latest provocation of the occupying country, as well as the violence committed by radical Armenians against members of the Azerbaijani community in LA on July 21.

He emphasized that the Azerbaijani side highly appreciated the fact that AJC immediately after the events harshly condemned these atrocities and noted it as a good example of the solidarity of the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples, which they have always shown to each other both in good and difficult time.

Following the presentation, Aghayev answered questions of the videoconference participants.








Slate's Who Counts? series is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you.

As the election nears, anxieties are growing over the possibility that President Donald Trump will try to cling to power if he loses to former Vice President Joe Biden. Trump, for his part, is strongly hinting he will not accept any loss as a legitimate result. On Thursday, the president said that hes deliberately blocking funding to the United States Postal Service in order to prevent people from voting by mail in the midst of the pandemic, which he claims, without evidence, will result in mass fraud. In the past week alone, he has also accused Democrats of trying to steal an election by supporting mail-in balloting, claimed that China and Russia are going to be grabbing plenty of fraudulent mail-in ballots, and that well never know who won the election if courts dont step in to stop people from voting by mail. On Friday, it was reported that the U.S. Postal Service is informing leaders in key states of a significant risk that some ballots will not be returned by mail in time to be counted. In the past, Trump has refused to say that he would accept an election loss, and his Attorney General William Barr has testified that he might use the Department of Justice to stop ballots from being counted if requested to do so by the president.

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All this has led many Americans to wonder: What can proponents of democracy do to prevent a stolen election?

I asked 10 legal experts and former civil rights officials to share what contested election scenario keeps them up at nightand what countermeasures could be taken if the president chooses to manipulate the election. Ive ranked each nightmare scenario from least to most likely below.

10. Elector Apportionment Switcheroo

Sanford Levinson, professor of government at the University of TexasAustin School of Law, lays out a scenario where a Republican state legislature exercises its undoubted constitutional prerogative in the next few weeks to switch from the winner-take-all format to district-by-district allocation of the vote, as is currently the case in Maine and Nebraska. For example, if enough Democrats turn out to vote in Texas urban centers, they might turn the state blueunless the GOP-controlled state government decides to split their delegates by congressional districts, which are dominated by Republicans: Why wouldnt the GOP-controlled Texas state government take a sure number of votes rather than rolling the dice? That might, of course, be taken to be a sign of desperation, but  each side has an incentive to prevail by any means necessary. Florida, incidentally, is another state that could lock in a bunch of Trump votes if they decided to go district by district this year, and it is also completely controlled by the GOP.

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Countermeasures: If Republican-governed states alone take this step, it would be very unlikely to change the outcome of the election. Democratic governors can hold the line in the most crucial swing states. Levinson writes that this option would presumably guarantee Trump some healthy number of electoral votes in Wisconsin and North Carolina, both key contested states, but acknowledges that both of those states now have Democratic governors, and that might be enough to prevent that option.

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Likelihood: Barring the use of some bizarre loopholes, this scenario is practically impossible. It would require the right state legislatures predicting in advance how the entire election is going to go and shifting their elector apportionment accordingly and in the face of heavy opposition and possible veto points from Democratic officials.

9. Pence vs. Pelosi

Yale Law professor Bruce Ackerman proposes a situation where an election thats too close to call ultimately comes down to a dispute between the vice president and the speaker of the House: Mike Pence, as president of the Senate, will chair the joint session of Congress that decides who won the election. Before the session begins, Trump announces that Pence will disqualify close Biden victories as plainly fraudulent, while upholding close Republican victories as entirely legitimatemaking it mathematically impossible for Congress to select Biden. The presidents lawyers claim that precedents from the founding era authoritatively establish Pences unilateral authority on such matters. To counter this threat, Nancy Pelosi refuses to allow the joint session to take place and asserts that the plain language of the President Succession Act makes her, as speaker, acting president on Jan. 20. This conflict on Capitol Hill provokes an escalating wave of street protests across America, and violent police measures, as Inauguration Day approaches.



Countermeasures: Ackerman writes: Congress should pass by veto-proof majorities a statute creating a special electoral commission consisting of five Supreme Court justicestwo liberals and two conservatives, chaired by Chief Justice Roberts. The commission should investigate challenges in any contested election and determine whether disqualifications are appropriate. Pence should publicly commit to following the Roberts Commissions recommendations, and Pelosi should allow the joint session to proceed.

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Likelihood: A lot of the below and worse would have to go wrong for us to get to this point. In a very close election where both sides have a plausible claim to victory, it becomes likelier. And as Ackerman notes, basic elements of this scenario have actually happened in American history once before.

8. No Certification for You

Daniel Carpenter, director of social sciences at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, is concerned about a scenario in which a Republican state legislature in a potentially decisive Electoral College statesuch as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsinsimply refuses to certify a Biden victory due to claims of fraud by Trump. If state politicians act as authoritarians, they might respond to close election results by short-circuiting the vote count and bypassing popular majorities, Carpenter writes in an email. They might either withhold Electoral College slates (underpopulate the Electoral College and throw the election to the House) or install their own slates (falsely [populate]).

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Countermeasures: Carpenter writes: Most of the states that Im thinking of have Republican legislatures but either Democratic governors (Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin) or Democratic secretaries of state (Arizona). Lets imagine a scenario where Biden wins a genuine majority in one of these states but that Republican politicians try to install their own EC slate. Then Democratic governors or executive officials can draw upon federal law  to report the Electoral College slates.

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Likelihood: This scenario is very unlikely, but still plausible. State legislatures might try to declare their own slates of electors, Carpenter writes, but they have to undo their own statutes to do so, so that is both difficult and brazen, for one, and second could be vetoed by governors. At the same timeas with all of these scenariosit could depend on the closeness of a given contest and how the the voice of former Presidents Republican and Democratic, military leaders and corporate leaders affect public perception of the election.

7. Foreign Attack on the Grid

Given the Russian attack on the 2016 election and the already-reported election interference by Russia in this election, University of CaliforniaIrvine School of Law professor Richard Hasen warns of an even greater election attack in 2020. One of the nightmare scenarios I spin out in Election Meltdown is a Russian election day cyberattack on the power grid in a Democratic city in a swing state, like Detroit, Michigan, Hasen writes. The Russians already have experience knocking out power (they did it in the Ukraine), and Wall Street Journal reporting shows theyve made inroads into the American power system.

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Countermeasures: If voting takes place on election day, but the cyberattack stops tens of thousands of Detroit voters from voting, we dont know what the remedy would be, Hasen writes. Would courts order a revote? Would this be stopped by the Supreme Court? Will the Michigan Legislature seek to reclaim the right to choose presidential electors on this basis? Theres not much we could do to prevent cyberattacks, but states and Congress should pass laws to deal with unexpected and sudden natural disasters or terrorist attacks that interfere with our voting rights.

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Likelihood: This is a terrifying possibilityparticularly given how much damage it would dobut it still seems unlikely given all of the state and federal resources that already go into protecting our electric infrastructure from attack.

6. Phony Foreign Interference

Joshua A. Geltzer, former Obama National Security Council deputy legal adviser and founding executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, is concerned that, if an attack like the one Hasen imagines does not come to pass, Trump could fake one. Geltzer writes: Imagine, late on Election Day, hearing that President Trump will be holding a press conference the next morning.  Rather than conceding, he announces hes been informed of classified intelligence indicating widespread election interference by a foreign power whose name he must keep secret, and therefore he isnt prepared to accept any election outcome until he, as President, can work with Americas intelligence community and law enforcement to determine the validity of the vote tally.

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Countermeasures: Such an announcement would not hold any legal weight, Geltzer says, but it could still sow disinformation and chaos, particularly among his supporters. In these circumstances, Congress must act, and quickly, Geltzer writes. The House (and ideally also Senate) Intelligence and Judiciary Committeeswith oversight over the intelligence community and federal law enforcement, respectivelymust swiftly schedule public hearings and demand the testimony of senior civil servant analysts, rather than the political appointees Trump has installed. And then they must insist on answers, at an unclassified level, that make clear whether Trumps statement reflects real intelligence and information or whether it isas so often proves the case with Trumpsheer invention.

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Likelihood: We can probably expect, at this point, that Trump will claim the election was stolen if he loses, and he could certainly try to blame foreign interference. (Geltzer noted Trump did make such a claim in the last election.) But it is less likely he will be able to use that claim as part of an effort to retain power in the face of an obvious election lossTrump has low credibility, even among his own supporters, and a blatant effort to lie about this would be quickly disproved. Instead, he might use it as an excuse to explain away said loss to his supporters.

5. Weaponizing COVID-19

Vanita Gupta, former head of the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division and current president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights offers the prospect that the pandemic will be used as an excuse to suddenly block voters from going to the polls. Gupta imagines an Election Day where Trump or state officials offer a pretextual use of COVID to issue stay-at-home orders in targeted cities based on false information when its already too late for voters to request absentee ballots.

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She continues, Imagine if Nov. 1 theres a false claimwhether its by Trump or [other] candidatesweaponizing COVID and using it pretextually to issue stay-at-home orders in Milwaukee and Detroit and its too late in those cities for voters to apply for absentee ballots. That would mean people who had planned to go to the polls might be too afraid to go, or will be barred from going, in person. Further, there is the prospect that all of these false statements about COVID in these cities is amplified on social media and the misinformation spreads and causes people to basically sit it out.

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Countermeasures: State and local officials have veto points here in terms of controlling potential local stay-at-home orders, but if Trump threatens to enforce a federal order in a given jurisdiction with federal action, that would be harder to counter. Gupta says: A lot of the countermeasures involve work that is happening or needs to happen right now. One of them is to have social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google be able to and be better about fact-checking politicians misinformation and disinformation and taking it down.  It requires public health officials and people with authoritypublic health authorityto be ready to push back on any effort to weaponize COVID and misstate the facts about COVID. It requires having poll workers that are getting accurate information, the recruitment of younger poll workers  because if poll workers then refuse to show up because of misinformation it [could result in] poll closures resulting in either massively long lines or the disenfranchisement of thousands and thousands of voters in key cities.

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Likelihood: Its not hard to imagine Trump making a fake announcement about lockdowns. But long lines and lack of poll worker resourcesand the very real threat of more aggressive COVID-19 outbreaks in the fallpose an enormous risk whether or not Trump uses a fake announcement.

4. Federal Vote Theft

Chiraag Bains, a former attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and current director of legal strategies for Demos, worries that Trump will instigate intimidation and violencepossibly even using the military or federal agentsto suppress the vote in Black and brown communities. The Republican National Committee was recently released from a 35-year consent decree preventing it from running so-called ballot security operations to intimidate voters in communities of color. It is now recruiting 50,000 volunteers in 15 states to watch the polls and challenge voters they believe are suspicious. True the Vote, a group that seeks to make voting like driving and seeing the police following you, is recruiting police officers and ex-military [officials] to patrol precincts in inner city and Native American precincts. Bains also notes that the president could claim authority under the Insurrection Act to interfere with voting: He might allege unsubstantiated voter fraud by undocumented immigrants, foreign governments, antifa, or even Democrats as an act of rebellion. He could invoke another part of the act that allows the use of the military to stop a conspiracy that deprives people of their constitutional rights. The argument would be that voter fraud cancels out the votes of qualified voters. In this way, Trump might perversely claim federal troops are needed at the polls or during the canvassing of mail ballots to protect voting rights.  There are still more cynical tactics within reach. Last month, Trump sent federal agents to Portland, ostensibly to protect federal property amid ongoing racial justice protests.  What if he sends agents to Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia on the same pretense, just in time for the election?

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Countermeasures: Voting rights organizations like Demos can file lawsuits under Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voter intimidation. State attorneys general and local prosecutors can enforce state laws against interference at the polls. States have rules about who can challenge a voters eligibility or whether a mail ballot should count. And the use of the Insurrection Act described here might well be unconstitutional. All of these strategies, however, rely on the courts. At the federal level, 1 of every 4 appellate judges are Trump appointees, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly sided against voting rights plaintiffs. Moreover, lawsuits take time, even successful litigation would not undo the harms of voter intimidation and violence, and courts are loath to alter the results of the election. If Trump stirs up violence or deploys the military, it will take massive grassroots resistance to prevent him from hijacking our democracy. It will take all of us.

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Likelihood: As Bains notes: If that sounds far-fetched, recall that this administrations stated rationale for adding the citizenship question to the census was to enforce the Voting Rights Act.

3. Fox News Calls It for Trump

Susan Hyde, a political science professor at University of CaliforniaBerkeley, writes: A common thread in my worst-case visions for the upcoming U.S. elections in November is that American consumption of media in the U.S. has changed so drastically that there may be no source of political information that will be trusted to evaluate the veracity of claims of election fraud and foreign interference, as well as whether claims of victory by Biden or Trump are valid.  We also may face a scenario in which both candidates claim victory.  Examples include scenarios in which foreign interference swings the election outcome, Trump loses but refuses to concede, delays in official election results undermine everyones confidence in the process, a virtual tie between Trump and Biden, or Biden wins but Trump supporters refuse to accept the results, perhaps even using the event to instigate widespread violence against their political opponents.

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Countermeasures: Hyde suggests we need independent foreign observers to police our election. She writes: The U.S. will again have international election observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europes Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in November. It is not widely known that U.S. elections have been internationally observed since 2002, though it is not clear that their assessment will be widely trusted, but it should be.

She continues: A grand coalition of defenders of U.S. democracy, ideally involving leaders from across the political spectrum, and potentially including representatives from business, religious communities, or professional associations, could be formed now with the intention of becoming vocal in the days and weeks after the election on these critical questions  and in cases in which an election was stolen, massive protest and the mobilization of pressure in favor of small d democracy by powerful interests in the U.S. may be necessary to defend democracy.

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Likelihood: I worry that it is very plausible, Hyde writes. Given everything we know about Fox News, that sounds right to me.

2. Blue Shift

Mark Tushnet, professor of Law at Harvard Law School, warns that results on election night may be misleading due to a close race and the slow counting of mail-in ballots. In 2018, late-counted mail-in ballots after Election Day caused a blue shift that understated the depth of the Democratic victory on election night. Trump could take advantage of this delay, aided by overeageror friendlymedia outlets. Tushnet writes:  Close and slow are concepts that will be developed on the fly, and with an eye to electoral advantage, but my current version is that margins of around 10,000 votes or fewer will be [construed] to be close. And what counts as slow will depend in part upon whether states provide interim updates from election-night reported outcomes.

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Countermeasures: Immediate popular mobilizations in the form of street demonstrations near but not in the venues where mail-in ballots are being counted (so not the Brooks Brothers Republican riot from 2000), with the theme Count every vote. 

Likelihood: This scenario depends on the race tightening in the weeks ahead, the difficulty of counting mail-in ballots, and willingness of the GOP to weaponize an indecisive election night outcome against democracy. Which is to say, it is highly plausible.

1. USPS Sabotage

Jessica Marsden and Larry Schwartztol of Protect Democracy write: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of voters requesting absentee and mail-in ballots this fall reaches historic levels. Lack of funding and ongoing changes to U.S. Postal Service practices mean that in September and October, undelivered mail piles up in the nations post offices. In those piles are millions of blank absentee and mail-in ballots being sent to voters, and completed ballots being returned to voting officials. Days before November 3rd, millions of voters in states across the country report that they never received the ballots they requested, and election officials report that an unusually small percentage of ballots have been returned by mail. The potential consequences of this situation would be catastrophic: Millions of voters disenfranchised because they receive their ballots too late to return by the deadline, or never receive them at all; surges of unexpected traffic at in-person polling places, creating punishingly long lines and significant strain on efforts at maintaining social distance; and increased risk of COVID spread at polling places across the country.

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Countermeasures: Marsden and Schwartztol emphasize the importance of oversight and transparency, noting that Congress should investigate, and that their organization has also filed a lawsuit to force USPS to disclose its preparations for the election. If the mail jam that is clearly already underway extends into the election, they say, officials will need to extend the receipt date for absentee ballots. Wherever possible, governors or other state officials should exercise emergency powers provided by state law to extend that deadline, they write. Where state law does not provide that authorityor where state officials refuse to actthe courts have a role to play.

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Further, state bureaucrats should be creating broad access to drop boxes, so that voters who receive ballots with insufficient time to have them returned by mail have a safe and reliable alternative. Breakdowns in mail delivery will also increase the pressure on in-person voting. That means that election officials will need to double down on ensuring that safe options exist for a higher proportion of in-person voters than many states may be planning for.

Emergency litigation against the USPS could also help. To the extent that slowdowns or other failures are a result of the Postmaster Generals recently announced changes in mail delivery practicesand assuming those changes remain in place in the fallthe negative impact on election mail would likely represent a violation of the federal statutes governing the postal service as well as the U.S. Constitutions protection for the right to vote, they write. While time would be agonizingly short for litigation to play out if this situation materializes, negatively impacted voters as well as candidates and others who may be harmed should ask a court to impose emergency measures to ensure that the USPS operates at full capacity throughout the election period.

Likelihood: As Marsden and Schwartztol write, Unfortunately, extremely plausible. The truth is, this final scenario has already begun.

For more of Slates political coverage, subscribe to the Political Gabfest on Apple Podcasts or listen below.
BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saxena White P.A. has filed a securities fraud class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak or the Company) (NYSE: KODK), and certain of its executive officers, (collectively, Defendants) on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Kodak common stock between July 27, 2020 and August 7, 2020, inclusive (the Class Period).



If you purchased Kodak common stock during the Class Period and wish to apply to be lead plaintiff, a motion on your behalf must be filed with the Court by no later than October 13, 2020. You may contact Lester Hooker ( lhooker@saxenawhite.com ), a Director of Saxena White P.A., to discuss your rights regarding the appointment of lead plaintiff or your interest in the class action. You may also retain counsel of your choice and need not take any action at this time to be a class member.

Kodak is a technology company that traditionally provides packaging, functional printing, graphic communications and professional services for businesses. On May 14, 2020, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order delegating authority to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to make loans under the Defense Production Act to increase supply chains in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Following the order, Kodak negotiated with the DFC to receive a loan under this program. In June 2020, Company insiders purchased tens of thousands of the Companys shares. Then on July 27, 2020, the Company awarded its Executive Chairman James Continenza (Continenza) 1.75 million stock options, and three other executives a total 135,000 stock options. The following day, Kodak and the DFC announced that Kodak would receive a $765 million loan to produce drugs to treat COVID-19, the first loan made under the new government program.

In response to this announcement, Kodaks stock price shot up over 1,000%, an increase of $30.58 per share, from $2.62 per share on July 27, 2020, to $33.20 per share at the close of trading on July 29, 2020. Due to this massive increase, the pre-announcement stock purchases and stock options grants of insiders also skyrocketed in value. Continenza alone saw the value of his July 27 options grants increase to $50 million in just 48 hours.

Story continues

The Complaint asserts claims for violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against Kodak and certain of its executive officers. The action alleges that during the Class Period, Defendants misrepresented and failed to disclose material information pertaining to the Companys business and operations, which were known to Defendants or recklessly disregarded by them. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose that the Company had granted Continenza and several other Company insiders millions of dollars worth of stock options, immediately prior to the Company publicly disclosing that it had received the $765 million loan, which Defendants knew would cause Kodaks stock to immediately increase in value once the deal was announced. In addition, while in possession of this material non-public information, Continenza and other Company insiders purchased tens of thousands of the Companys shares immediately prior to the announcement, again at prices that they knew would increase exponentially once news of the loan became public.

On August 1, 2020, a Reuters article reported new details of the unusual 1.75 million option grant to Continenza, which occurred because of an understanding between Continenza and Kodaks Board of Directors that had previously neither been listed in his employment contract nor made public.

In reaction to the news, Kodaks stock price plummeted $6.91 per share, to close at $14.94 on August 3, 2020a decline of over 34% per share.

Then on August 4, 2020, before the market opened, CQ Roll Call reported that U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren submitted a letter to the SEC requesting an investigation of the deal and Kodak for apparent violations of securities laws and SEC regulations. Senator Warrens letter stated that each Kodak insider stock purchase made while the company was involved in secret negotiations with the government over a lucrative contract raises questions about whether these executives potentially made investment decisions based on material, non-public information derived from their positions. On the same day, the Wall Street Journal reported that the SEC commenced an investigation into how Kodak controlled disclosure of the loan, word of which began to emerge on July 27, 2020. Additionally, the article stated that [t]he SEC is also expected to examine the stock options granted to executives on July 27, which instantly became profitable when Kodaks government loan was announced.

On this news, the Companys stock price dropped another $0.54, or 4%, from $14.94 per share on August 3, 2020, to $14.40 per share on August 4, 2020.

The next day, it was reported that several Congressional committees sent a joint letter to Continenza seeking documents about the loan, insider trading, and stock options for their review of DFCs decision to award this loan to Kodak despite your companys lack of pharmaceutical experience and the windfall gained by you and other company executives as a result of this loan which raised questions that must be thoroughly examined.

Finally, in response to increasing public awareness and Congressional and regulatory scrutiny of Kodaks fraudulent scheme, the DFC paused the deal. On August 7, 2020, after the market closed, the DFC announced, On July 28, we signed a Letter of Interest with Eastman Kodak. Recent allegations of wrongdoing raise serious concerns. We will not proceed any further unless these allegations are cleared.

On this news, the Companys stock price declined $4.15, or 28%, from $14.88 per share on August 7, 2020, to $10.73 per share on August 10, 2020.

You may obtain a copy of the Complaint and inquire about actively joining the class action at www.saxenawhite.com .

Saxena White P.A., with offices in Florida, New York, and California, concentrates its practice on prosecuting securities fraud and complex class actions on behalf of institutions and individuals. Currently serving as lead counsel in numerous securities fraud class actions nationwide, the firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured investors and is active in major litigation pending in federal and state courts throughout the United States.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Lester R. Hooker, Esq.

lhooker@saxenawhite.com

Saxena White P.A.

7777 Glades Road, Suite 300

Boca Raton, FL 33434

Tel: (561) 206-6708

Fax: (561) 394-3382

www.saxenawhite.com




With fewer than 90 days until the November election, the partisan divide over voting by mail appears to be growing in Illinois.

To ensure the safety of voters during the pandemic, a law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker directs local election offices to send vote-by-mail ballot applications for 2020 to voters who cast a ballot in the 2018 general election.

In a new federal lawsuit, the Cook County Republican Party argued the law is a partisan voting scheme designed to harvest Democratic ballots.

Ami Gandhi, senior counsel for the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, disagreed.

This law expanding vote by mail this year simply means that a large number of eligible voters will get applications to vote by mail, Gandhi said. That doesnt mean that there will be random ballots flying around in the mail for voters who did not request them.

The litigation called for the laws to be blocked, and was filed against Pritzker, the state Board of Elections and local election leaders.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted voting by mail has potential for widespread fraud.

A New York Times analysis found a record number of American voters, 76%, can vote by mail for the 2020 election.

Illinois is among the eight states where a vote-by-mail ballot will automatically be sent to registered voters.

Gandhi contended with the continued need to socially distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19, vote-by-mail is crucial to ensure voters rights are respected.

Its not acceptable to intimidate voters into a false choice of either having to abandon their right to vote or go to a polling place if they feel unsafe doing so due to the pandemic, Gandhi said. Voters should have a choice of whatever voting option is safe and comfortable and healthy for them.

Other election reforms signed into law by the governor allow for the use of secure drop-boxes for ballot collection and raises the standard for verifying the vote-by-mail signature verification process.
Queensland has banned gay conversion therapy, becoming the first Australian state to do so.

State politicians voted to make the practice illegal on Thursday, meaning health professionals who engage in it face up to a year and a half in prison depending on the age of their subject.

Steven Miles, Queenslands deputy premier and health minister, told the state parliament that conversion therapy was highly destructive and unethical.

He added: Being LGBTIQ is not an affliction or disease that requires medical treatment. No treatment or practice can change a persons sexual attraction or experience of gender.

The ban outlaws attempts to change or suppress a persons sexual orientation or gender identity using practices such as aversion therapy, hypnotherapy and psychoanalysis.

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

There continues to be a need for education and further research on the harms of conversion therapies, as well as support for survivors of conversion therapies, said Peter Black, president of the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health. It is important that there are penalties for this dangerous and discredited practice.

A number of countries, including Germany and Brazil, have banned the harmful sessions either fully or partially. Israel took the first step towards an outright ban in July, when a bill passed the first stage of its parliamentary process.

In the UK, Boris Johnson has promised to bring forward a ban on the abhorrent practice.

However, some people who have undergone conversion therapy warned that Queenslands legislation may not be able to tackle the scale of the problem.

SOGICE Survivors and Brave Network, in a joint statement, said: Health professionals are only very rarely involved in conversion practices in 2020, and therefore must not be the sole focus of any legislation or response.

Overwhelmingly, the bulk of harm occurs over time in informal settings ... not in therapeutic contexts.

Additional reporting by Reuters
Fans will pick up their order at Dorians in Wicker Park, blowing out the speakeasys record store aesthetic to create the Bayside Record Store. The setting wont be as immersive as it has been in the past, but Berry hopes the response will be similar to the Moobys event, which had many diners sharing photos of the elaborate packaging and novelties on social media, rather than the staging in-house like usual pop-up events or Instagram museums.
Srinagar, Aug 14 : Two Jammu and Kashmir policemen were killed while another was injured after terrorists fired upon a police party at the Nowgam Byepass in Srinagar on Friday.

"Terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the police party injuring three personnel," the police said.

"They were shifted to a hospital for treatment where two succumbed to their injuries." The police has cordoned off the area.

The incident comes ahead of Independence Day when security is on high alert across the Kashmir Valley.
The Vice-Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, will from Friday, August 14, 2020, embark on a 10-day campaign tour of the Upper East, North East, Northern, Bono and Ahafo Regions.



The tour comes on the heels of her recent courtesy calls on traditional authorities, religious leaders and other key stakeholders in the Central and Greater-Accra Regions.



A statement issued by her office said Prof Opoku-Agyemang was "delighted to begin official campaign activities with our brothers and sisters from these parts of our country".



"I look forward to listening to them but more importantly, affirming to them, the specific actions a new NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama will deliver when given the mandate by Ghanaians".







Source: Graphic.com.gh









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

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Citizens of Russia having purchased cars in Armenia have addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian News-NEWS.am received the letter, which particularly states the following:

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, its not every day we address you for assistance, but this is a special case. We 3,000 citizens of the Russian Federation are addressing you with the hope for your support. With faith in the principles of the Eurasian Economic Union within which people, goods and capital move freely, we came to Armenia and purchased cars that we were going to drive in our homeland, that is, Russia. Before 2020, the customs rates were low in Armenia, unlike other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. In other words, we were able to buy cars at low prices from the US and Japan. Among us citizens there are many people who have big families and have health problems and cant allow themselves to buy cars in Russia. Of course, before buying cars in Armenia, we had sent an inquiry to the Russian customs house and the Road Police, which told us that there wont be any restriction for us. We dont know what happened in July of this year when the State Automobile Inspectorate of Russia started applying custody on cars with Armenian license plates. Suddenly, it was announced that the cars purchased in Armenia need to be cleared of customs. Why are we addressing you? We have already paid a trillion dollars to the Armenian economy, pay taxes in Armenia and want to drive our cars. Armenia registered the cars in our names and let us cross the border, and this means we are the rightful owners of those cars.

We would like to ask Armenia to express its position to other member states of the Eurasian Economic Commission and solve the issue. We will be waiting for your reply. Most Armenians believe in you and take pride in you, and following their example, we also rely on your support.
With high revenue of tens of trillions of dong a year and an ROI (return on investment) of 30 percent, Saigon Co-op has drawn the interest of many investors.

HCM City inspectors have discovered signs of an attempt to acquire and appropriate capital and assets of Saigon Co-op after inspecting the observance of the laws at the retail chain, Dat Viet reported.

The revenue of Saigon Co-op in 2015-2019 (billion VND)





The biggest problem is the abnormality in rushing to increase charter capital in 2020 when a plan to increase capital had not been approved. Through member cooperatives, the managers of Saigon Co-op allowed investors to contribute capital to Saigon Co-op, causing the threat of Saigon Co-op being taken over.



The question is who is backing the takeover process and giving financial support to the cooperatives, which have not been performing well, by spending trillions of dong to acquire 50 percent of capital, thus indirectly obtaining the right to control Saigon Co-op.



Established in 1989, Saigon Co-op is managed by a union of HCM City cooperatives, with 26 member cooperatives.



In January, the first extraordinary general members meeting of Saigon Co-op was organized to discuss the solutions to increase capital from VND3.2 trillion to VND6.797 trillion. Twenty out of 26 member cooperatives agreed to contribute VND3.597 trillion, or 50 percent of capital.

The abnormal feature that inspectors found was that the cooperatives with high profits of VND5-6 billion did not contribute capital, while cooperatives with modest profit of tens of millions of dong agreed to contribute hundreds of billions of dong.

The abnormal feature that inspectors found was that the cooperatives with high profits of VND5-6 billion did not contribute capital, while cooperatives with modest profit of tens of millions of dong agreed to contribute hundreds of billions of dong.



Linh Tay Cooperative, for example, with chartered capital of VND600 million and loss of VND49 billion, contributed VND952 billion.



Inspectors believe that the member cooperatives contributed capital with capital they sought from outside sources. In other words, private investors attempted to contribute capital to Saigon Co-op through member cooperatives.



Meanwhile, member cooperatives could not provide documents related to the capital contribution and mobilization.



If the sources of the capital for contribution cannot be clarified, Saigon Co-op will be controlled by institutions and individuals outside and it wont be able to preserve the initial principles of operation, inspectors warned.

Considered the No 1 retailer in Vietnam, Saigon Co-op holds 43 percent of the supermarket market share with sales four times higher than that of the second largest retailer.



In the hypermarket market segment, Saigon Co-op is the only Vietnamese retailer capable of competing equally with foreign giants (Big C, Lotte Mart and Aeon Mail).



The latest report showed that Saigon Co-ops revenue is now 30,000 times higher than the revenue in 1989, when it was established.



The high return on equity of 26-39 percent has attracted individuals and institutions who want to control Saigon Co-op.

Translated by Kim Chi

Hanoi retailers told to increase stocks threefold amid pandemic Retailers in Hanoi were told to increase stocks of essential goods by three-fold over average levels to ensure price stability amid the complex development of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Testing for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Delhi appears to have dropped from its peak levels, raising questions about whether the Capital is lowering its guard too soon in its efforts to contain the pandemic, after becoming the first major hot spot in the country to successfully rein in the outbreak last month.

Delhi conducted 21,660 daily tests at an average for the week ending July 9, what has been the citys highest recorded rate of testing till date. Since then, this number has dropped to 18,491 in the past week  down by around 15%. In the same period, the national average of daily tests has increased from 246,677 a day on July to 700,860  up by around 184%.

The government attributes this dip to factors such as inclement weather and public holidays.

The number of tests done on some days is lower. This is mainly because people do not come to the dispensaries or hospitals. For example, yesterday it was raining for most of the day and people did not come. Or, there were holidays like Rakshabandhan or Eid during which people do not want to step out. We are prepared, no one is refused a test if they need it, said Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain.

Indeed, Delhis deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, in an interview to HT on July 1, said the city was heading to 40,000 tests a day. This is the benefit of rapid testing  you can do it at a large scale. You cannot scale up RT-PCR to that level. We are moving towards 40,000 tests a day. And, the day we do that, it is possible that 4,000 people will test positive, I am prepared for that, he said. Delhi had started scaling up the tests mid-June. In the first week of June, Delhi was testing 5,500 samples a day.

Instead of scaling up, however, the data suggests that Delhis testing number is dipping.

Daily testing in the rest of the country has touched at an all-time high, particularly since Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)s decision to set a target of testing a million samples a day. HT reported on Friday that the national scale-up of testing appears set to meet the target in 12 days.

To be sure, Delhi has consistently had one of the highest testing rates in the country. The city has conducted over 63,000 tests per million residents against the national average of 20,778.

The Capital was the first major hot spot in the country to have successfully reined in the outbreak last month. At the end of June, the city was reporting over 3,400 cases every day at an average, which has since dropped to 1,100 as of last week.

Scaling down testing is not an option for Delhi as the cases remain high. For testing to be scaled down, you should have a positivity rate of 5% or below for a prolonged period of time, says Dr Lalit Kant, former head, epidemiology and communicable diseases, ICMR.

Experts also questioned the citys increasing share of antigen, or rapid tests, which are not as reliable as the gold-standard RT-PCR tests, in the citys total testing numbers. And they believe that the city should use its spare RT-PCR testing capacity instead of over-relying on antigen tests.

Yes, we have a capacity to do more tests, but it is like saying I have a capacity to treat 14,000 people. If there are no cases in Delhi, who should admit on these beds? Similarly, the positivity rate of the infection has gone down from 30% to 6%, so we dont need as many RT-PCR tests, said Jain.

A senior district official said that RT-PCR tests are largely being used for confirmation only. The first test to be done is a rapid antigen, the official said on condition of anonymity. This is part of a planned strategy agreed upon by a joint committee on Covid-19 management. Those who are symptomatic and test negative on rapid antigen test are tested using RT PCR, said a senior official from the health department.

The tests in Delhi are being conducted strictly as per ICMR guidelines. RT-PCR tests are readily available at all flu clinics, laboratories and hospitals. Anyone who has Covid-like symptoms can visit any of these centres and easily get an RT-PCR test. No problems have been reported where a person who wants to get an RT-PCR test done has been unable to do so, a Delhi government spokesperson said. Earlier, when the cases were high more people were visiting these centers to get themselves tested. Now since the number of cases has dipped, the number of RT-PCR tests has also fallen down accordingly.

The recent stagnation in Delhis daily tests is also reflected in a plateau the weekly average positivity rate  the fraction of tests that come back positive  in the Capital. The number, which had dropped from a peak of 31.4% in mid-June to 5.7% at the end of July, has not gone down further. Around 6.2% of tests have come out positive in the Capital for the week ending August 13. Overall, 11.8% of all tests in Delhi have come back positive (the national average is 8.9%).

According to recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), the positivity rate from a region that has a comprehensive testing programme should be at or below 5% for at least 14 days before it can be considered that the outbreak is under control in the region. In case the positivity rate rises, WHO recommends increasing testing numbers for prolonged periods of time till the number drops below 5%.

Antigen tests generally provide results within hours and are relatively cheap, but they are not as reliable as the gold-standard RT-PCR tests. The latter is the most definitive test currently available for Covid-19 and experts say should be used to the extent possible, especially if authorities have the capacity to do so.

In Delhi, over 72% of all tests in the past week have been antigen. This is a higher share of antigen tests than what is done elsewhere in the country. Three other states release daily breakup of testing data other than Delhi  Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. Antigen tests have been roughly half the tests in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the last week, while in West Bengal a third of all tests were antigen. On August 5, senior ICMR officials had said during a media briefing that antigen tests constituted between 25-30% tests of the total tests done in the country till then.

In absolute numbers RT-PCR tests have dropped much below the peak capacity exhibited by city authorities towards the end of June. On June 29, 9,619 RT-PCR tests were conducted in Delhi, the highest single day RT-PCR test count recorded. On August 13, the number of RT-PCR tests was 5,721.

What is the problem with using antigen testing? No other state is testing as many samples, we are doing well. So people want to find loopholes. What is the problem with antigen testing? Some people say rapid antigen tests are not as sensitive and miss out some positive cases, so does RT-PCR. My first test was negative. In the case of rapid test too, if someone is symptomatic, then an RT PCR test is done for confirmation, said Jain. It is so easy to get a test done in Delhi that people from other states are also coming here and getting tested.

Experts say RT-PCR remains the gold standard as it gives fewer false negatives, but that authorities end up picking test type based on whether they want accuracy or speed.

RT-PCR is the gold standard of testing because it has higher sensitivity, which means false negatives are less. In containment zones, RT-PCR should be ideally done, and rapid antigen is better suited for cold zones where you dont expect too many cases. Having said that, rapid antigen testing is more useful for faster results, so theres no hard and fast rule in this accuracy-verses-speed challenge, says Dr Kant.

To be sure, the Delhi government has warned against complacency right through, and cautioned residents not to stop using measures such as wearing marks and practising social distancing even though the cases have fallen off their peak.
A Tesla repeatedly hit a minivan on a California highway, before traveling down an off-ramp where it crashed into a pickup truck and caught fire, killing one and injuring five others this week, according to authorities.

California Highway Patrol Officers said a deadly crash involving a white Tesla on an intersection in Saratoga Wednesday morning came moments after the same car crashed into another vehicle on a freeway.

Four people were rushed to hospital following the horrific incident, with one victim - a 75-year-old man who was in the Tesla - pronounced dead soon after.

Authorities revealed shocking new details about the moments leading up to the fiery crash on the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Highway 85 at about 11:20 a.m Wednesday.

A Tesla repeatedly hit a minivan on a California highway, before traveling down an off-ramp where it crashed into a pickup truck and caught fire, killing one and injuring five others this week, according to authorities

California Highway Patrol Officer Ross Lee said the Tesla first crashed into the back of a Toyota Sienna minivan several times on the freeway just south of the northbound off-ramp to Saratoga Avenue.

The collision caused the minivan to spin out while the Tesla flew down the off-ramp where it then crashed into a gray pickup truck at the intersection and burst into flames, Lee said.

Two victims traveling inside the Tesla and two traveling inside the pickup truck were rushed to hospital.

Three of the victims had life-threatening injuries and one man died in hospital.

Authorities on Thursday identified the man killed in the crash as David Alan Brown of Saratoga, 75.

Brown was traveling in the Tesla at the time but it is not clear if he was the driver.

Two other people, including the minivan driver Raffaella Brunello, were treated at the scene for minor injuries and released a short time later.

Brunello told Mercury News she was lucky to be alive following the collision and was suffering from neck and leg pain.

A street view of where the deadly crashed occurred killing one and injuring five Wednesday

'I thought I would have died,' she said.

'I am thankful to the people on the highway that immediately came to help me and stopped the traffic to move my car.'

The two crashes are being investigated separately.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is investigating the collision at the intersection of Highway 85 and Saratoga Avenue while California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash on Highway 85.
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Gig workers for Uber, Lyft, Instacart and other companies are classified in the United States as independent contractors who have significant flexibility but arent entitled to standard employment protections, including a minimum wage and paid sick days. During the pandemic, the lack of a safety net for these workers has been glaring.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Ubers chief executive, argued in The New York Times this week for a third way  a new employment status with the flexibility of contract work but also some employee-like protections.

This comes as a law in California that seeks to reclassify Uber and Lyft workers as employees puts Ubers business at risk. But does Khosrowshahi have a point? Uber has created new job options, and employment law wasnt written with apps in mind.

Khosrowshahi is also asking us to consider a big picture question: Is it better to have more work with less of a safety net, or fewer but arguably better jobs?
A 95-year-old Second World War veteran who walked 95 miles to raise over 20,000 for charity has been congratulated by the Prime Minister.

Maureen Lightbody fundraised for Macmillan Cancer Support during the coronavirus pandemic.

She met Boris Johnson at Hillsborough Castle yesterday, ahead of receiving her Points of Light award today.

The Points of Light awards were launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live. One is issued every day, and Maureen is the 1,452nd person recognised.

Maureen, from Groomsport, served with the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) during the Second World War, and aged 18 worked as a signaller for American ships dispatched from Belfast Lough to Normandy.

Inspired by the example of Captain Sir Tom Moore, she embarked upon her '95 by 95 challenge', walking 95 Roman miles by her 95th birthday in July for Macmillan Cancer Support.

She supported the charity in memory of her late husband George, who died from cancer in 1987.

In a letter to Maureen, Mr Johnson said: "I am lost in admiration for your endurance and determination in walking 95 miles by your 95th birthday for the benefit of Macmillan Cancer Support, inspired by your fellow veteran, Captain Sir Tom Moore.

"You should be incredibly proud of raising over 20,000, in memory of your late husband."

Maureen said: "I was absolutely amazed when told about this award, it feels like everyone is talking about someone else.

"I loved this challenge, it gave me a real sense of purpose and structure during lockdown, and felt good to be doing something positive at 95 years of age and supporting such a worthwhile charity as Macmillan Cancer Support."

She added: "Everyone has been so supportive and generous and not just family and friends but also people I have never met."
New Delhi: Pakistan Army is ready for any aggression and India's latest induction of Rafale jets is not a cause of concern, the chief of the Pakistan Army's media wing was quoted as saying on Thursday by The Dawn.

Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar made the claims at a press conference in which he spoke about various issues concerning Pakistan's internal and external security.

When asked about the threat posed to Pakistan by the India's recently purchased Rafale jets, the DG ISPR claimed that they have no doubt on their capability and were 'absolutely ready' for any aggression.

"The way the journey of the five Rafales from France to India was covered shows the level of their insecurities... Nonetheless, whether they receive five [Rafales] or 500, we are fine. We are absolutely ready and we have no doubt on our capability and we have proven this so it's (the jets) not going to make much of a difference," he said.

He also noted that India's military spending is the highest in the world which effects the balance of the region. Talking about Pakistan's defence spending, he said it has 'consistently been going down, not up'.

"Their defence spending and their budget compared to ours is affecting the conventional balance of the region. And when this happens, things go into another domain and the international community should also look at this. So bring the Rafales [or] the S-400 [missile system], bring them on. We have our own preparedness and our own answers to everything."

The first batch of five the 36 Rafale fighter aircraft that India bought from France, took off from France's Istres airbase and arrived in India on July 29.

The Rafale aircraft is capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. The Rafale jets have given India's air power a strategic edge amid tensions with China and Pakistan.
It had been back to normal for three months in New Zealand until a family of four was reported to be coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020.

New Zealand had the most stringent lockdown policy when at Alert Level 4, everyone (except essential workers) was confined to their homes starting March 25. With the reduced number of infections, the government put the country on Alert Level 1 on June 8 without any restrictions except border controls. New Zealanders and returning residents were allowed back to the country subject to 14-day quarantine, which proved to be effective; as there were arrivals who were found to be Covid-19 positive, a few coming from the Philippines. The tally: 1,569 cases and 22 related deaths. With no subsequent deaths and no community transmission, New Zealand was back in business. Politicians busied themselves campaigning for the parliamentary election in September. The property market was alive again as banks lowered their lending rates. People were visiting local tourist spots, as foreign travel remained restricted. The faithful once more filled the churches. For me, it was back to the eight-hour grind in the law office.

There was national pride on the 100th day of no-community transmission and it seemed the team of five million had finally beaten the virus. Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, the director-general of health, on Aug. 9 said: Achieving 100 days without community transmission is a significant milestone. However, as we all know, we cant afford to be complacent. In the city where I live, the Hamilton City Council had scheduled an event from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, called Essential Workers Thank You offering special deals across community facilities to those who performed essential duties during Alert Level 4. It has since been canceled.

The breaking news about the family of four was taken very seriously by the government, imposing the next day Alert Level 3 in Auckland where the infection was detected. The rest of the country was placed under Alert Level 2. Contact tracing was set into motion immediately, thereby identifying clusters for containment. On Aug. 14, there were 12 new confirmed cases. Other than campaigning for observance of the usual health protocol, the government is speeding up testing in most communities, as well as, those assigned in border control. This development in New Zealand should serve notice to the rest of the world that there is no place for complacency until a vaccine is found to stop the spread of Covid-19. As of Aug. 13, the World Health Organization dashboard had the following figures: 20,439,814 confirmed cases, including 744,385 deaths.

Let us not let our guard down. Covid-19 remains a threat to you and me.
Mayor Lucas proposes creation of administrative court to handle parking tickets, ordinance violations KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mayor Quinton Lucas is proposing an ordinance that would create an administrative court in Kansas City, Missouri. The proposal is co-sponsored by 6th District At Large Councilwoman Andrea Bough and will be presented at Thursday's city council meeting.

Quick peek at an idea that might keep more people out of jail for non-payment and pass the bill for "social justice" onto all the rubes who are forced to come up with the cash or confront credit score clap back . . . Checkit:
Protesters blocked federal agents from accessing a bus being used to detain two people in custody for immigration warrants, in Bend, Oregon, on August 12.

The standoff between demonstrators and agents from the immigration office of the Department of Homeland Security lasted several hours, according to local media reports.

Lizzy VanPatten, who attended the protest, said it was peaceful until federal agents attempted to remove the detainees from the bus.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Rice-Stitt said in court the pair being detained were undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions and would face deportation hearings, local media reported.

One activist addressing the crowd during the day said the two men were longtime Bend residents who had been picked up by the federal agents.

There were several reports stating the federal officers used pepper spray on protesters. This footage shows VanPatten pouring water onto another demonstrators eyes while other footage shows several protesters having their eyes treated.

The two people being detained were eventually taken away by officers. Credit: Lizzy VanPatten via Storyful
The wife of AFL star Gary Ablett has been elft heartbroken after her mother died following a long battle with cancer.

Jordan Ablett posted an emotional message on Instagram sharing that her mum Trudy had died on Sunday night surrounded by loved ones.

'It is with great sadness we share that on Sunday night our precious mum and Nanna, Trudy, went peacefully to be with the Lord, surrounded by her loving family,' she wrote on Instagram on Friday.

'Thank you for your messages of love, care, and support - we are very grateful.'

Trudy's passing comes just weeks after the Ablett's revealed their son Levi has been fighting a rare illness.

AFL star Gary Ablett's wife Jordan Ablett announced her mum Trudy (pictured, with their son Levi) died on Sunday night surrounded by loved ones after a battle with cancer

Pictured: Gary Ablett Jnr and his wife Jordan with baby Levi. The family revealed their young son is fighting a rare illness

The family had announced the news after the Geelong Cats superstar played his 350th match in July.

'Yesterday was a very special day and I'd just like to say a big thank you to everyone for your messages of support and encouragement,' Ablett's post reads.

'To reach this milestone was extra special for my family and I for a number of reasons.

'In the recent months, my wife and I have privately fought and continue to fight some pretty tough battles.

'Some of you might already know that Jordan is caring for her mum as she battles with cancer. But what many of you don't know is that our son has been recently diagnosed with a rare and degenerative disease.'

In the touching post, the couple shared an emotional message to the 17-month-old (pictured, with dad Gary) in the form of an open letter

The couple spoke about how grateful they were to be the parents of baby Levi (pictured with dad Gary Ablett)

The couple decided to share the news after 'a great amount of thought and consideration'.

'We thank you for your love and support and want to emphasise just how grateful we are to be Levi's parents,' he continued.

'He is a true blessing to us and our family and we love him so deeply. Anyone who knows him knows how full of joy he is and how he always has a smile on his face.'

Ablett's post was followed with an open letter to the 17-month-old uploaded on Jordan's Instagram account.

'To our dearest Levi, words will never be enough to express just how full our hearts are of love for you,' the post reads.

'You've only been with us for a short while but you've already taught us more than some people learn in a lifetime.

Her mother Trudy, was lucky enough to met her newborn grandson at his birth. Jordan said her mother was overcome with emotion, 'for her to be able to be a part of that moment was really special.' Pictured: Jordan, right, with her two sisters and their mother Trudy, left

The couple (pictured together with baby Levi) described their son a 'true blessing' who was 'full of joy'

Ablett (pictured with Levi and his wife Jordan) played his 350th AFL game for Geelong earlier this month

'Although it has been a difficult journey and start to life, your diagnosis does not take away any ounce of our love for you. Your joy is contagious and not even this disease is able to steal it from you. We pray for you every day and we will continue to take each day as it comes.

'You are so loved by all of the people in your world and you are and will continue to be a true miracle.

'We have no doubt that we are your parents for a reason, and we feel a strong sense of privilege to be entrusted with such a great and precious responsibility.

'We don't know what our future holds together but we do know that you'll never have to feel alone.'

The brunette beauty was due to give birth to Levi on the week she found out about her mother's stage four lung cancer.

In a bid to make sure her mother wouldn't miss out on the milestone moment, Jordan asked her obstetrician if they could induce labour before her mother began her treatment, and fortunately they agreed.

Although the chemotherapy was successful, Trudy's cancer had returned and she had spent her final few months in palliative care.
A former Saudi intelligence czar's lawsuit in the US courts makes a host of incendiary claims, including that the powerful crown prince tried to have him killed, and threatens to spill more royal secrets.

A source close to the Saudi royal court has shrugged off Saad Aljabri's 107-page lawsuit filed last week, insisting that the former spy chief himself faced serious allegations of corruption.

But the case, lodged after Riyadh detained two of Aljabri's adult children without charge, threatens to become a public slanging match that could pull aside the curtain on the kingdom's Shakespearean power plays.

The lawsuit marks the first time a former top official has legally challenged Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and, if true, exposes what observers call a violent government campaign to snare overseas rivals and critics.

"There is virtually no one (Prince Mohammed) wants dead more than Dr Saad," the suit said, claiming a hit team was sent after him just two weeks after members of the same squad murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Aljabri, exiled in Canada, is a former intelligence chief and top aide to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who was deposed as heir to the throne by Prince Mohammed in a 2017 palace coup.

Former Saudi intelligence czar Saad Aljabri shown at an undisclosed location in an undated pictured released by the Aljabri family /  Aljabri family/AFP/File

Releasing what it says are WhatsApp exchanges with Prince Mohammed, the suit accuses him of strong arm tactics to induce Aljabri to return to the kingdom after Nayef's downfall prompted him to flee.

They range from trying to entice Aljabri with a job offer to an unsuccessful attempt to have him extradited through Interpol, and the detention in March of his two children as a bargaining chip.

Then in October 2018, the suit alleges, the prince sent "Tiger Squad" assassins armed with forensic tools to kill him in Canada -- chillingly similar to the way Khashoggi was targeted in Istanbul.

- 'Sensitive information' -

A senior Saudi official told AFP the government was preparing its response to the lawsuit, while Canada has not denied the claim that it intercepted a Saudi hit squad.

Former CIA officials have come out in support of Aljabri, praising him as a longtime partner in counter-terrorism efforts who helped thwart multiple attacks on US interests.

It is unclear how the lawsuit will play out in the United States, where neither Aljabri nor the crown prince is based.

Omar (L) and Sarah Aljabri, the children of the former Saudi intelligence czar Saad Aljabri, shown in a picture released by the family /  Aljabri family/AFP

But it could still worry Riyadh as it emphasises Aljabri possesses "sensitive, humiliating and damning information" on the crown prince, including recordings that will be made public if he is killed.

Offering a foretaste of the secrets Aljabri harbours was an explosive claim buried in the lawsuit -- that in 2015, Prince Mohammed secretly encouraged Russia to intervene in the Syrian conflict, a move that infuriated the CIA.

Two months later, Russian forces launched their intervention, effectively eliminating any chance of a military victory for the Syrian opposition, which the kingdom claimed to support.

Neither Moscow nor Riyadh have addressed the claim.

But the royal court source dismissed the lawsuit as a "PR step", calling it a "flimsy case" that offered "zero evidence".

"Any sensitive state secrets Aljabri has he would have been involved in and would not want to admit to... It will dig up things that (human rights groups) will hardly approve of," the source told AFP.

The source accused Aljabri of corruption involving billions of dollars during his time at the interior ministry and said he could be "poisoning the Saudi-US relationship given his contacts".

- 'Politically risky' -

The dispatching of a kill squad to Canada at the height of the global outrage over Khashoggi's murder, if confirmed, shows Aljabri is seen by Riyadh as "politically risky", said Middle East expert Bessma Momani.

"To go after rivals in this fashion also shows MBS feels he is untouchable," added Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, using the prince's acronym.

Graft allegations against Aljabri have met with scepticism in the American intelligence community, with one former CIA official telling AFP: "Everyone in the US who knows Dr Saad and Saudi Arabia and knows what MBS is capable of, would not believe that."

Aljabri's lawsuit in the US courts makes a host of incendiary claims, including that the powerful Saudi crown prince tried to have him killed, and threatens to spill more royal secrets /  Aljabri family/AFP/File

President Donald Trump, a key Saudi ally, backed Prince Mohammed through the Khashoggi scandal.

But the US State Department last week issued a rare rebuke over the detention of Aljabri's children -- Sarah and Omar, both in their 20s -- calling it "unacceptable" and demanding their "immediate release".

"In my years at the CIA, I have never known a foreign official who is a better subject matter expert on counterterrorism than Dr Saad," Daniel Hoffman, a former director of the CIA's Middle East division, told AFP.

"This looks like a dispute between Dr Saad and the Saudi government. The children should be allowed to leave the kingdom if they wish."
A vegan activist dressed in a cow onesie was chased out of a food court by a man brandishing a chicken drumstick asking if she 'wanted some chicken'

A vegan activist dressed in a cow onesie was chased out of a food court by a man brandishing a chicken drumstick asking if she 'wanted some chicken'.

Tash Peterson, 26, was ridiculed by customers after storming a McDonalds, KFC and Hungry Jacks in Perths's central business district on Friday.

The serial protester was thrown out of two fast food outlets by Western Australia police after a vocal protest about the dairy industry.

The 26-year-old took to the streets of Perth to promoting her vegan agenda to encourage people to give up meat and dairy products.

Footage shows Peterson holding a sign dressed as a cow with the message: They raped me and stole my babies so you can have my milk.'

Footage shows Peterson holding a sign dressed as a cow with the message: They raped me and stole my babies so you can have my milk'

As she is escorted out of the store by two police officers she continues screaming as customers inside the store mock her

In the first video she convinces the manager of the McDonald's outlet on Pitt Street to let her inside the store after agreeing to buy a burger.

But when she gets to the front of the line she begins screaming about the violence of animal agriculture before the manager calls over the police.

As she is escorted out of the store by two police officers she continues screaming as customers inside the store mock her.

'If you consume animal products you are responsible for this horrific violence,' she says.

Peterson has been protesting animal agriculture for the past three years, involved in a number of high profile stunts at supermarkets Coles and Woolworths

The 26-year-old has endured aggressive clashes with farmers and endured countless death threats online for her controversial views

'You are paying for murder. The blood is on your hands.'

In the second video she stands in front of a large crowd between a KFC and Hungry Jacks in a food court to spread her message.

She continues to spread her message about the violence and death involved in the dairy industry, urging customers to watch the graphic documentary Dominion'.

But customers are unimpressed by her antics, filming her and laughing as they wait for their orders.

'All our animals are just as beautiful as our beloved dogs and cats, and we're forcing them into murder factories just to consume their flesh and secretions,' she says..

As she is on her way out a young male runs after her to offer her some chicken

After a minute and a half a police officer asks her to leave and she walks out with the two police by her side.

As she is on her way out a young male runs after her to offer her some chicken.

Peterson has been protesting animal agriculture for the past three years, involved in a number of high profile stunts at supermarkets Coles and Woolworths.

She is best known for running onto the Perth Stadium in February during the first ever women's AFL match in February, holding a black flag reading 'right to rescue'.

In another protest she stormed a McDonald's restaurant while carrying a fake pig's head while covered in fake blood to scream at customers for eating meat.

The 26-year-old has endured aggressive clashes with farmers and endured countless death threats online for her controversial views.
President Moon Jae-in has phone conversation with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday. / Yonhap



The leaders of South Korea and Australia agreed Friday that if their countries participate in the Group of Seven (G7), it would help the club of advanced economies play a bigger role in the international community, according to Cheong Wa Dae.



President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Scott Morrison had a 35-minute telephone conversation to discuss cooperation on the coronavirus pandemic and bilateral relations.



U.S. President Donald Trump said in May he wants to invite South Korea, Australia, India and probably Russia to join the G7 forum, as he seeks to host an expanded summit later this year.



Moon and Morrison agreed the two countries' participation would help enhance the G7's regional representation and contribute to its response to various pending global issues in the post-coronavirus era, Moon's spokesman Kang Min-seok said.






Two suspected insurgents were killed and three soldiers were wounded as security officers who were hunting for the perpetrators of twin deadly bombings the day before exchanged gunfire with an armed group in Thailands Deep South, authorities said.

The clash took place in Yarang, a district of Pattani province, a day after bomb blasts killed two soldiers and injured three others as security details escorted students and teachers to school for the start of the academic year in Pattani and neighboring Narathiwat province.

Maj. Gen. Pramote Prom-in, spokesman for the armys regional command, said officers killed a pair of separatist rebels.

The two men who were killed are the leaders of the operation, but we will need to confirm their identities after the autopsies, Pramote said.

Police Col. Thotsaphol Sarapruek, chief of the Ban Sarong police station in Yarang district, said officials initially believed the group was involved in Thursdays bombings.

[T]he group opened fired first as they tried to escape. After a shootout of more than 30 minutes, three military officers were wounded and were taken to the Yala Center Hospital, Thotsaphol said, adding that the officers searched the militants shelter and confiscated survival items.

However, a military officer who was not authorized to speak to reporters told BenarNews that the suspects in Thursdays bombings were elsewhere.

Although rebel attacks that target security escorts for schoolchildren and teachers are common in Thailands troubled southern border region, Thursdays twin bombings took place as campuses opened for in-person instruction for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out here.

The chief of the Duyong police station in Pattani said the first attack occurred shortly after 8 a.m. as a dozen soldiers assigned to Company 4305 were patrolling a road leading to Pakaluesong primary school. One soldier was killed.

About 30 minutes later, a squad assigned Company 4508, in Ra-ngae, a district in Narathiwat, came under a similar attack that killed one soldier and injured three others.

The attacks in Pattani and Narathiwat are linked with an effort to make them happen at the same time, different cells but they were set off by insurgents who wanted to disrupt the peace, said police Lt. Gen. Ronasilp Poosara, the commander of Region 9 Police Bureau.

Since the National Revolutionary Front (BRN), the largest of the armed separatist groups in the Deep South, declared a unilateral ceasefire in early April to allow officials to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 33 attacks have occurred in the border region.

These have resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people, including five insurgents. As many as 52 people have been injured in those incidents, according to information compiled by BenarNews from police reports.

In 2004, Malay-speaking rebels in the Muslim-majority provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and four districts in Songkhla province reignited an insurgency against Thai security forces and soft targets over their demand for an independent state. More than 7,000 people have been killed since then, according to Deep South Watch, a local think-tank.
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will remove non-tariff barriers, thus liberalising the maritime transport market. Moreover, in government procurement, EU firms are now able to take part in tenders for public infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including those in the maritime sector.

In regard to Vietnams maritime transport services commitments in the EVFTA, transportation services for empty containers and feeders will open to EU businesses in Quy Nhon and Cai Mep-Thi Vai ports.

Moreover, passenger and cargo transportation services, except for inland transport, are committed at a higher level than those in the World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments and those in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In ship maintenance and repair services, Vietnams commitment is similar to that in the seventh ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). At the front of auxiliary services for maritime transport, the market access in container handling services is as high as the countrys commitment in the ninth AFAS, and in the WTO. Meanwhile, in customs clearance services, the open market is the same as the WTO. Regarding maritime agency services, the commitment is as high as that in the ninth AFAS. Remarkably, in the WTO, Vietnam makes no commitment in market access for this kind of service.

In container station and depot services, the countrys commitments are not higher than in the WTO, meaning that EU firms can establish a joint venture with Vietnamese partners with a foreign ownership limit of maximum 50 per cent.

The landmark agreement will impact maritime transport services and seaports; strengthen imports and exports between Vietnam and the EU, thus increasing demands for maritime transport services and logistics; and create new opportunities for investment attraction.

The landmark deal is expected to raise Vietnams exports to the EU by an extra 20 per cent in 2020, 42.7 per cent by 2025, and 44.37 per cent by 2030. In the meantime, the countrys imports from the EU will also rise by an extra 15.28 per cent in 2020, 33.06 per cent by 2025, and 36.7 per cent by 2030. This strong growth in bilateral trade will lead to an increase in the volume of goods and commodities via Vietnamese ports. In addition, Vietnams commitments in tariff cuts for means of transport, machines, and technology equipment serving logistics activities from the EU will enable domestic logistics firms to buy affordable products, save costs, improve technology expertise, and reduce outsourcing services.

The EVFTA will also bring about fresh opportunities to attract investment from the EU and Vietnamese logistics service providers can more widely approach the logistics markets of EU member countries. Besides these advantages, there are some issues facing the industry. Some seaports have dredging problems, and growing pressures from road transport. While connectivity between seaports, roads, and inland waterways has been improved, links to other means of transport remain weak.

To make the maritime industry more competitive, Vietnam has formulated several strategies and solutions. Specifically, under the seaport development strategy by 2030, the focus will be on upgrading and increasing the capacity and efficiency of existing seaports while developing international transshipment seaports and international gateway seaports in economic hubs, as well as a number of large-scale container deep seaports to serve big vessels worldwide.

The industry is also studying to develop on a trial basis a port management information system at some seaports such as Cat Lat, Danang, and others. At the same time, it applies IT in seaport management, encourages domestic and foreign investment in seaport development, and develops logistics centres at seaports.

Administrative reform is also an important concentration to further facilitate maritime activities. As planned, the industry aims to apply e-payment and e-invoices for fees and charges at all seaport authorities in the coming time.
By Express News Service

CUTTACK: IN yet another incident of gross violation of Covid safety protocols, a private hospital at Cuttack handed over of body a patient suspected to have been infected by coronavirus to his family for cremation.

Swab sample of the victim - a cancer patient - came out positive after cremation, prompting the Health department officials to ask all those who participated in the last rites to go for home isolation.

The incident took place at Kulailo village under Athagarh block.

According to reports, a 38-year-old man of the village who was suffering from cancer was admitted to a private hospital in Cuttack city in a critical condition on Monday. Hospital authorities started treatment after collecting his swab sample and sending it for Covid test. However, the patient succumbed on the same day.

Violating the guidelines for disposal of bodies of suspected Covid-19 patients, the hospital authorities handed over the patients body to his family members. They took the body to Kulailo on Tuesday and cremated it.

On Wednesday, Athagarh block officials received the Covid test report of the deceased cancer patient. Following this, Block Covid Nodal Officer Gagan Bihari Sarangi asked all participants of the funeral ceremony to go for home isolation. Steps are being taken for collection of swab samples of those who had come in contact with the infected patient and they will be sent for test within a day or two, informed Sarangi.

City Health Officer Satyabrata Mohapatra did not comment on action taken so far against the private hospital for violating the safety protocol.
Men are silhouetted in front of logos of Toyota Motor and Madza Motor before the companies' joint news conference in Tokyo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp and Mazda Motor Corp said on Thursday they will invest $2.3 billion in a new joint venture factory in Alabama, $830 million more than announced in their original plan in 2018.

Production is expected to start next year building up to 150,000 future Mazda crossover vehicles and 150,000 Toyota sport utility vehicles annually. The Japanese automakers are expected to receive $97 million in additional tax incentives for the added investment, a person briefed on the matter said.

The automakers have faced challenges as they continued construction work during the coronavirus pandemic on the plant, which will now cost about 50% more than first estimated.

The companies said the higher investment "accommodates production line enhancements made to improve manufacturing processes."

The plant continues to target up to 4,000 new jobs and has hired approximately 600 employees to date.

"Mazda and Toyotas increased commitment to the development of this manufacturing plant reiterates their belief in the future of manufacturing in America and the potential for the state of Alabama to be an economic leader in the wake of unprecedented economic change," Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement.

The companies said the plant's roofing, siding, floor slabs, ductwork, fire protection and electrical work is 75% to 100% complete.

State and local governments in Alabama previously provided more than $700 million in tax incentives.

In September, President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed a limited trade deal that cuts tariffs on U.S. farm goods, Japanese machine tools and other products but delayed the question of auto imports for future talks.

Trump threatened hikes but did not raise current auto tariffs of 2.5% on passenger vehicles and 25% on pickup trucks.

Japan exported 1.7 million vehicles last year to the United States, making up about 10% of U.S. vehicle sales.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall and Tom Brown)
AstraZeneca is forging ahead with its potential coronavirus vaccine after signing fresh supply deals in Latin America.

Argentina and Mexico are the latest countries to sign an agreement with the British drugs group following talks with executives.

Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez said they would produce enough doses of the Covid-19 jab for the whole of Latin America, excluding Brazil.

Argentinian president Alberto Fernandez (pictured) said they would produce enough doses of the Covid-19 jab for the whole of Latin America, excluding Brazil

Under the deal, Astra has licensed Buenos Aires-based Insud Group to make between 150m and 250m doses of the vaccine it is developing with Oxford University.

Similar manufacturing deals have been struck with countries including the UK, US, South Korea, India and Brazil, with more than 2bn doses due to be produced.

Astra boss Pascal Soriot has vowed that the company will not profiteer from the vaccine and will sell the drug at-cost to developing countries in order to make sure it is distributed fairly.

Poverty levels are high in most Latin American countries and the United Nations recently warned virtually every country in the region was plunging into economic recession.

Fernandez said his country's deal with Astra 'gives Argentina the peace of mind of being able to have the vaccine when required and at a reasonable price'.

Argentina has passed 5,000 coronavirus deaths and posted a record daily number of Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, while Mexico has registered nearly 55,000 deaths and almost half a million cases.

Production of the Astra-Oxford vaccine  which has not yet had approval from regulators  will take place in the first half of next year, Fernandez said.
A woman hugs a Belarus' law enforcement officer during a protest rally against police violence - AFP

Pavel Chuduk wants the EU to come down hard on the regime of Alexander Lukashenko. The 30-year-old English teacher has good reason for this. One of an estimated 6,000 picked up by the security forces during protests against Lukashenkos victory in presidential elections in Belarus widely regarded as rigged he was taken to a police station and subjected to torture by electric shock. After zapping him a few times his police captors then found it very amusing that he was unable to control his limbs.

Tortured and humiliated by the state, Chuduk wants the EU to bring in sweeping sanctions against Lukashenko and his regime as part of a concerted effort to force the bloody autocrat out of power. But will EU foreign ministers, who meet to discuss the crisis in Belarus on Friday, heed his call?

The unprecedented level of violence in Belarus should prompt new EU sanctions against its rulers. But sanctions, like much of Europes approach to the country, could well be tempered by a desire to draw Belarus closer to the West and away from the un-nerving influence of Russia. Push, or punish, Lukashenko too hard, the logic goes, and he will become an ever-closer friend of fellow autocrat Vladimir Putin. Keep the door to the West ajar and one day Lukashenko might see the light and usher his country through it. So Brussels has always sought to maintain a dialogue with him, and this may remain a priority.

Vardan Grigryan, detained during a mass protest, lifts his shirt to show injuries after being released from a temporary detention facility

There might also be a fear in the West that a collapse of the Lukashenko regime could result in direct Russian interference in Belarus. A repeat of the chaotic transition of power seen in Ukraine during the Maidan revolution, in which the pro-Moscow man got the boot, is something Putin will strive to avert at all costs, and, given all that it has on its plate right now, the last thing the EU wants is more Russian meddling and instability on its eastern border.

These considerations could well mute the EUs response to the crisis despite the scale of the bloodletting on Belarusian streets and the gross human rights violations.

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Ursula von der Lyden, the head of the European Commission, has so far made no response to calls by Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister and one of Europes more hawkish leaders on Belarus, for an emergency EU summit other than saying she had spoken to him about the situation. This has prompted some to speculate that Brussels already favours a more considered and dovish, rather than robust, approach to Belarus.

People detained during recent rallies of opposition supporters show their traces of beatings as they leave the Okrestina prison

Another factor is that sanctions require EU unanimity. While countries such as Poland, the Baltic states and Germany are pushing for tough measures their plans could be torpedoed by, for example, Hungary. While not opposed to all sanctions Budapest has argued that isolating Belarus will be counterproductive, and it is an argument that carries a certain amount of weight in European capitals.

But the unbridled scale of the brutality Lukashenko has inflicted upon his own people, and the massive election fraud that appears to have taken place may make it impossible for the EU to play soft with Belarusian leader. European leaders could well realise they can no longer tolerate a dictator in Europe.
Michael Cohen claims that President Donald Trump 'wouldn't mind' if he were dead, adding that he received similar sentiments from hundreds of his supporters after he agreed to cooperate in the Mueller investigation.

'The President of the United States wanted me dead,' Cohen says in the foreword for his book, Disloyal.

The disgraced former lawyer shared that Trump talked like a mob boss, 'using language carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands, while at the same time employing deliberate indirection to insulate himself and avoid actually ordering a hit on his former personal attorney, confidant, consigliere, and, at least in my heart, adopted son.'

Michael Cohen released the foreword of his upcoming book 'Disloyal,' about his longtime friendship with Donald Trump where he claimed Trump wanted him 'dead.' He also said Trump's supporters sent him hundreds of threats when he agreed to cooperate in the Mueller investigation

Cohen tells how he feared he would be killed by Trump's supporters when he gave evidence to Congress after flipping and co-operating with Mueller.

'On my cell phone, by email, snail mail, in tweets, on Facebook, enraged Trump supporters vowed to kill me, and I took those threats very seriously. The President called me a rat and tweeted angry accusations at me, as well as my family. All rats deserve to die, I was told. I was a lowlife Judas they were going to hunt down.'

Michael Cohen published a first look at his book about Donald Trump on Thursday, revealing several bombshell claims, including that he witnessed a 'golden showers' incident.

In the peek at his memoir Disloyal, Cohen reveals the 'mob boss' mentality of the president in his foreword, which he titled 'THE REAL REAL DONALD TRUMP.'

Cohen also claimed he witnessed the 'golden showers' incident and helped Trump commit tax fraud, create a secret back channel to Vladimir Putin and lie to Melania

'Apart from his wife and children, I knew Trump better than anyone else did,' Cohen wrote, claiming he was the one who pushed him to run for president in 2011 and 2015.

'In some ways, I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man,' he revealed.

In the first part of his book, which was published to DisloyalTheBook.com on Thursday afternoon, Cohen claimed that Trump has 'no real friends.'

'He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets,' he continued. 'For ten years, he certainly had me, and I was always there for him, and look what happened to me.'

The book also includes a flurry of admissions from Cohen, some of which he already pleaded guilty to and was given a three-year prison sentence for.

'I stiffed contractors on his behalf, ripped off his business partners, lied to his wife Melania to hide his sexual infidelities, and bullied and screamed at anyone who threatened Trump's path to power,' Cohen admitted.

'Coming Soon,' the president's former fixer and personal attorney wrote in a tweet along with an image of the cover

Cohen previewed the cover of his upcoming book 'Disloyal' on Twitter Thursday morning

'From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trump's clandestine lovers, I wasn't just a witness to the president's riseI was an active and eager participant,' he wrote.

COHEN ON.... What he knows: I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them. How Trump works: Trumps theory of life, business and politics revolved around threats and the prospect of destructionfinancial, electoral, personal, physicalas a weapon. Who he was for Trump: I was one of Trumps bad guys. In his world, I was one hundred percent a made man. What Trump made him: An acolyte obsessed with Donald J. Trump, a demented follower willing to do anything for him, including, as I vowed once to a reporter, to take a bullet. How Cohen knows what he writes: I knew him better than even his family did because I bore witness to the real man, in strip clubs, shady business meetings, and in the unguarded moments when he revealed who he really was: a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man. What Trump offers his fans: ...an intoxicating cocktail of power, strength, celebrity, and a complete disregard for the rules and realities that govern our lives. The inner Donald Trump: ...he has a million acquaintances, pals and hangers on, but no real friends. He has no one he trusts to keep his secrets. How Trump instructs his aides: Like a mob boss, using language carefully calibrated to convey his desires and demands, while at the same time employing deliberate indirection to insulate himself and avoid actually ordering a hit. What will happen to Trump: Im certain that Trump knows he will face prison time if he leaves office Why Trump wants to be 'leader for life': Whoever follows Trump into the White House, if the President doesnt manage to make himself the leader for life, as he has started to joke aboutand Trump never actually jokes- will discover a tangle of frauds and scams and lawlessness Advertisement

The mention of him witnessing golden showers brings a reminder to the Steele Dossier, which claims Russian President Vladimir Putin has blackmail material on Trump from the time he was in Moscow for the Miss Universe pageant in 2013 and allegedly watched prostitutes urinate on a bed because it had been slept in by the Obama. Trump has denied the claim repeatedly.

However Cohen says the golden showers incident was in Las Vegas - suggesting he might be referring to a trip with Trump to a club there called The Act whose repertoire included stimulated urination by performers on stage. Trump did a deal at the club to take his Miss Universe competition to Moscow, a previous book by investigative journalists revealed.

Cohen, 53, previewed earlier in the day the cover image and title of his upcoming memoir 'Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump,' along with a teaser, 'Coming Soon' in the text of the tweet.

The foreword, however, hints at a series of bombshell in the book.

Cohen says: 'Trump had colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors.

'I also knew that the [Robert] Mueller investigation was not a witch-hunt. Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything -and I mean anything - to "win" has always been his business model and way of life.'

He says Trump tried to 'insinuate' himself into Putin's world and his 'coterie of corrupt billionaire oligarchs.'

'I know because I personally ran that deal and kept Trump and his children closely informed of all updates, even as the candidate blatantly lied to the American people saying, "theres no Russian collusion, I have no dealings with Russia... theres no Russia.'

Cohen makes clear that he speaks from a position of knowledge saying that for 10 years, he was Trump's last call at night and first in the morning, and he was 'in and out' of Trump's office '50 times a day.'

'Our cell phones had the same address books, our contacts so entwined, overlapping and intimate that part of my job was to deal with the endless queries and requests, however large or small, from Trumps countless rich and famous acquaintances,' he writes.

'I called any and all of the people he spoke to, most often on his behalf as his attorney and emissary, and everyone knew that when I spoke to them, it was as good as if they were talking directly to Trump.'

Ominously, he writes: 'I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them.'

He describes himself as having been 'at the center of Trump's innermost circle' and that his 'boss' had come to his son's bar mitzvah and told him: 'You're family.'

'I f***ing believed him,' he writes.

Cohen tells how he feared he would be killed by Trump's supporters when he gave evidence to Congress after flipping and co-operating with Mueller.

'I was exactly the person Trump was talking about when he said he court shoot and kill someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it,' he writes.

Cohen makes clear he wrote the foreword while in prison, putting at the end of it 'Otisville, New York..

But he says he is convinced that Trump knows he will follow him to prison, calling it 'the inevitable cold Karma to the notorious chants of "Lock Her Up!"'

In fact, he says, he believes Trump wants to avoid jail by becoming leader for life, saying he has 'joked about it' and adding: 'Trump never jokes.'

Cohen hints at a semi-sympathetic view of a tortured inner Trump, lost, alone, and without the people he really needs: another Roy Cohn, the pitbull Mafia lawyer of his youth, or, Cohen says - with no self-effacement - Cohen himself.

'Watching Trump on the evening news in the prison rec room, I almost feel sorry for him,' he writes.

'I know him so well and I know his facial tics and tells; I see the cornered look in his eyes as he flails and rants and raves, searching for a protector and advocate, someone willing to fight dirty and destroy his enemies.'

He names AG Bill Barr - who tried to block the book by gagging, then jailing, Cohen - Jared Kushner, Rudy Giuliani and Mike Pompeo as 'new wannabe fixers, sycophants willing to distort the truth and break the law in the service of the Boss.'

The memoir, however, does not come without Cohen owning up to his own actions.

Secret back channel: Michael Cohen says Trump ordered him to find a conduit to the Russian president Vladimir Putin

I lied to Melania: Michael Cohen says he told Trump's wife lies to cover up her husband's infidelities

TRUMP'S NIGHTMARE SUMMER READS Michael Cohen's book - planned for 'late September' comes amid a flurry of books - some of which Trump and his aides have tried to stop - about the president. They include: The Room Where It Happened Both the White House and the Department of Justice tried to gag the former national security advisor's bombshell account which told how Trump begged China's President Xi to help him win the election - and thought Finland was part of Russia Too Much And Never Enough Mary Trump, the president's niece, has become a number one bestseller with her devastating account of her uncle, calling him a sociopath and narcissist and Frankenstein's monster, a victim of a loveless childhood, called a 'clown' and a 'fool' by his own sister and willing to ogle his own niece. His family failed to gag her - and she also revealed how he and Ivana gave cheap Christmas gifts. Rage Bob Woodward, the legendary investigative journalist, will publish his second book on Trump in September. It will include 25 'love letters' between the president and Kim Jong Un with the North Korean dictator calling their relationship something from 'a fantasy film.' Trump has been interviewed by Woodward for the book. Advertisement

'I made choices along the wayterrible, heartless, stupid, cruel, dishonest, destructive choices, but they were mine and constituted my reality and life,' he wrote.

He says he lost touch with his siblings, became obsessed by money, desperate 'to inhabit the world from the vantage point of private jets and billion-dollar deals, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get there.'

He admits to 'ego, short temper, and willingness to deceive' - but says that his account will allow people to see inside Trump's world.

'It's only gangster who can reveal the secrets of organized crime,' he says of Trump's world, calling himself 'one hundred percent a made man.'

The revelation of some of the book's contents came after a federal court ruled against what a judge said was Attorney General Bill Barr's attempt to stop Cohen from publishing the tell-all.

The U.S. government made an agreement with federal prosecutors at the end of July to abandon its efforts to impose a gag order on Cohen as he prepares to release his book critical of his former boss.

Cohen was released from prison in May 2020 amid concerns over coronavirus after he served one year of his three-year sentence for pleading guilty to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress.

He returned to prison in early July after tweeting about planning to publish a book alleging Trump used racial slurs against former President Barack Obama and former South Africa President Nelson Mandela.

'Favorable ruling yesterday by the Court as I am close to completion of my book' Cohen wrote of Trump's niece Mary Trump being able to publish her critical book about her uncle.

'...anticipated release date will be late September.' Cohen wrote in another tweet.

A week after the president's former fix-it man and personal attorney was released from prison for the second time, where he spent two weeks after refusing to cease speaking to the media, the ruling came in that he could speak with the media and publish his memoir.

The tweet of him touting his new book Thursday is the first time he has posted since being released from prison.

Cohen was released from prison in late July after being ordered to return after tweeting and talking about how his upcoming book will reveal Trump's racist comments toward former President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela

The court ruled against Attorney General Bill Barr, who Cohen sued, for trying to issue a gag order against him and sending him back to prison after his May released. The judge argued the move was in violation of Cohen's First Amendment Rights

Cohen was thrown back into prison one week after tweeting that he would release his tell-all book ahead of the November presidential election and claiming it was a 'favorable ruling' that Trump's niece Mary Trump was permitted to publish her own tell all

Cohen sued U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr and federal prison officials during his second stint, claiming he was ordered back because of the book.

U.S. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ordered he be released at the end of last month, saying the government's action was retaliatory and a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Cohen intentionally revealed that the book would be coming out ahead of the November elections.

His will join a list of other pre-Election Day books aimed at ousting Trump, including Bob Woodward's Rage, Mary Trump's Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man, and former National Security Advisor John Bolton's The Room Where It Happened.

Both Mary and Bolton also faced lawsuits from Trump's administration trying to stop their publication, but ultimately the court ruled it was lawful for them to go ahead with releasing their respective memoirs.
Arguably the worlds most famous techno club, Berghain in Berlin hasnt rumbled with 130 beats per minute since March, silenced by the coronavirus pandemic.

Come September, it will start welcoming back guests  but to gawk at art, rather than party until sunrise.

Formerly a power station, Berghain will become an extended outpost for the Boros Collection, housed in what is locally known as the bunker, a hulking bomb shelter built during the Second World War, and for a few years in the Nineties, a techno club with terrible air circulation (and presumably no noise complaints).

The Boros Collection, which opened in 2008 and offers one of the most unique contemporary art experiences in town, turns out to have had a pandemic-ready concept, welcoming only 12 visitors at a time for guided tours spaced 30 minutes apart.

Reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis, and this will be applied to the Berghain project, making it finally possible for all to enter. (The nightclub has a notoriously difficult door policy.)

Organized by the nonprofit Boros Foundation, the exhibit will feature works by more than 80 Berlin-based artists spread across 3,500 square meters of space, encompassing the main club known as Berghain, the Panorama Bar, Saule and Halle.

Berghain houses many permanent artworks, including giant Wolfgang Tillmans photos that lord over the Panorama Bar, and the collaboration with Boros aims to offer Berlin artists a public platform to establish a place for dialogue, according to the partners, who trumpeted the importance of the citys professional artists.

They note that more than 160,000 people work in the cultural and creative sector and have made Berlin one of Europes most dynamic capitals for music and art.

Titled Studio Berlin, the exhibition includes new works  all made under lockdown  by Olafur Eliasson, Alicja Kwade, Carsten Nicolai, Katja Novitskova, Simon Fujiwara and Keto Logua. A word-based piece by Rirkrit Tiravanija will be plastered across the top of the hulking building: Morgen ist die frage, it reads. (Tomorrow is the question, in English.)

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Restricted to those over 16 years old, it opens to the public on Sept. 9. In line with the nightclubs famous policy, photography is strictly prohibited.

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The government plans to discuss ways to relax movement restrictions for foreign athletes and officials to ensure the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics take place in 2021 after the postponement due to the coronavirus outbreak, sources have said.

The matter will be discussed at a panel to be set up in September. It will include officials from the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments and the Tokyo Games organizing committee.

Japan currently denies entry to people from some 150 countries and regions as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus. Those who are allowed to enter Japan are asked to spend two weeks in quarantine.

The panel will discuss conditions for easing movement restrictions for Olympic and Paralympic athletes and officials, possibly including requiring polymerase chain reaction testing before departure and upon arrival in Japan, the sources said.
Messiah Lutheran Church is joining forces with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to provide community members a chance to help patients in need of blood in the Greater Houston area while testing donors for antibodies against COVID-19.

On Aug. 9, Messiah Lutheran Church, located at 11522 Telge Road, Cypress, is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in their fellowship hall. All participants will receive free Blue Bell ice cream and free COVID-19 antibody testing.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Hidalgo wants a Harris County shutdown. Abbott has resisted. Hospital executives? Theyre silent.

According to Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, the antibody test will show if the patients immune system has responded to the disease, even for asymptomatic people who may have had COVID-19.

This test is authorized by the FDA for detecting the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and is not intended for diagnosis of COVID-19, states the GCRBC Antibody Testing webpage. The Blood Center will invite donors who test positive for the antibodies to return and give convalescent plasma to help patients recover in local hospitals.

All donors will have the option to receive the test if they are able to donate blood and all tests are free.

This is our second (blood drive) since COVID, said Laura Goodwin with Messiah Lutheran. We had one on May 17 that went beautifully. People made appointments. People came in for appointments and we did walk-ins. We do this four times a year anyway so after COVID (hospitals) needed blood badly so we said wed keep doing it.

The blood drive will be indoors, although the space for the blood drive inside of the church will enforce social distancing.

There is plenty of room for everyone to separated, Goodwin said. Its inside with air conditioning and no one is sitting in their car waiting to get into the mobile bank.

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center also clarified that having a positive antibody test does not mean the donor is resistant to COVID-19. Plasma with COVID-19 antibodies could still prove useful and can possibly boost the immune systems of current COVID-19 patients fighting the disease.

Donors can find an appointment by availability at https://www.commitforlife.org/donor/auth/signin with the sponsor code 1476.

chevall.pryce@chron.com
The story has visuals that may be disturbing for some. Viewer discretion advised.

In a devastating incident, a 72-year-old man murdered his 41-year-old son by hitting him on his head with a hammer. According to an NDTV report, the man then went to the police station by himself and admitted to killing his son.

The gruesome incident, captured on CCTV, took place at Chinna Mushidiwada in Vishakhapatnam on Wednesday.

According to the police officials, Goripati Veerraju, a former merchant navy executive, was involved in a property dispute with his son Jalaraju Veerraju. The father-son duo lived in the same house at Bangaramma colony in Chinna Mushidiwada. His son, Jalaraju, was also a merchant navy executive and is survived by his wife and two children.

Also read: Minor Girl Dead After Eating Home-Made Ice Cream, Turns Out It Was Planned Murder By Brother

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The CCTV footage shows Veerraju carrying a hammer and walking towards an open area where Jalaraju was already present. Once he was sure it was just the two of them, he attacked his son with a hammer and Jalaraju collapsed almost immediately.

The hammering went on repeatedly and once Veerraju was sure that his son was dead, he headed on to Pendurthi police station and surrendered. Gopalapatnam police inspector M Appa Rao and Pendurthi sub-inspector Harikrishna visited the house and gathered the CCTV footage of the crime.

Also read: Old Dispute Over A Tattoo Leads To The Murder Of History-Sheeter In Pune, Former Aide Arrested

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A police official said, "Veera Raju killed his son Jalaraju after a heated argument took place between them over a property dispute. Veera Raju attacked his son with a hammer and murdered him on the spot."

Veerraju has been arrested on the charge of murder and was taken into judicial custody on Thursday.

Read more: Bizzare! Father In Jail For 'Murder' Of His Daughter, Who Is Found Living With Her Lover
Porterville, CA (93257)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 61F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable.
TUI is battling for survival after the cancellation of summer holidays triggered a record loss of 1.3billion in just three months.

Underlining the impact of the pandemic on the tourism industry, the travel group revealed sales had been virtually wiped out with just one in six summer holidays for this year.

Revenues collapsed by 98.5 per cent to 67million in the three months to the end of June as thousands of flights were grounded and its holiday resorts sat empty.

Holiday hell: Travel group Tui revealed sales had been virtually wiped out with just one in six summer holidays for this year

The tour operator, which received a fresh 1billion bailout from the German government this week to see it through the winter, racked up a 1.3billion quarterly loss  equivalent to more than 14million a day.

This has pushed it 2.1billion into the red in the first nine months of its financial year.

Bosses yesterday said they were considering a rights issue  when shares are offered at a special price to existing shareholders  or selling part of its business, such as the Marella cruise line, to ensure its long-term survival.

Chief executive Fritz Joussen insisted there would be no fire sale of assets and that plans for raising new equity were in early days.

The dramatic downfall of Tui, which crashed out of the FTSE 100 earlier this year as the crisis escalated, prompted one expert to warn the entire travel industry is on life support.

Hopes that this years summer holidays would be saved by so-called air bridges with popular destinations have been dashed, in an agonising blow for airlines and travel companies.

Tui said the Governments decision last month to force travellers returning from Spain, one of its biggest markets, to quarantine for 14 days had hit bookings.

There are growing fears that other holiday destinations with rising infection rates  including France  will be added to the 14-day quarantine list.

This has deterred many households from booking last-minute summer holidays.

Yesterday Tui revealed that just 55 of its hotels have reopened, around 15 per cent of its total portfolio, and 2,300 flights took off last month.

The collapse in demand for overseas trips has also forced it to cut the number of holidays it is offering for the coming winter by 40 per cent and the number of summer 2021 holidays by 20 per cent.

At the moment its hotels are a quarter full, due to depressed demand and social distancing

And its cruises remain suspended in line with German and UK government advice.

But Tui was more upbeat about the prospects for next years summer holiday season, describing sales as very promising.

It said families had booked more than twice as many holidays for summer 2021 as it had for 2020 at the same point last year. It acknowledged, however, that many of these are families rebooking this years cancelled trips.

The business, which is cutting 8,000 staff and 270million per year in costs, is now working on the assumption tourist numbers will not recover until 2022.

It has already been forced to take drastic action stay afloat amid fears earlier this year it could run out of cash by October.

A third of its High Street stores are being shut with the loss of 270 jobs as part of plans to go digital, and the firm has slashed costs by 70 per cent.

And it had already taken one loan, of 1.6billion, from Germanys government in March.

Tuis fight for survival reflects the precarious situation faced by firms across the industry, including the airlines, while bosses at Heathrow have warned that as many as 25,000 working at around 400 firms which operate out of the airport could face redundancy.
PARIS - New flareups of COVID-19 are disrupting the peak summer vacation season across much of Europe, where authorities in some countries are reimposing restrictions on travellers, closing nightclubs again, banning fireworks displays and expanding mask orders even in chic resort areas.

Unfortunately, this virus doesnt play ball, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News.

The surges have spread alarm across Europe, which suffered mightily during the spring but appeared in recent months to have largely tamed the coronavirus in ways that the U.S., with its vaunted scientific prowess and the extra time to prepare, cannot seem to manage. The continents hardest-hit countries, Britain, Italy, France and Spain, have recorded about 140,000 deaths in all.

In addition to clubs and alcohol-fueled street parties, large family gatherings  usually abounding with hugs and kisses -- have been cited as a source of new outbreaks in several European countries.

A new public awareness campaign by Spains Canary Islands depicts a family gathering for a grandfathers birthday, with people taking off masks and embracing. The grandfather ends up in a hospital bed with COVID-19.

In France, thousands of vacationing Britons scrambled to return home Friday to avoid having to self-quarantine for 14 days following Britains decision to reimpose restrictions on France because of a resurgence of infections there. Ferries added extra trips back to England, and trains were running out of space.

Some of the toughest new measures were announced in Spain, which has recorded almost 50,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days.

Health Minister Salvador Illa, after an emergency meeting with regional leaders, said nightclubs nationwide were ordered to close. Visits to nursing homes will be limited to one person a day for each resident for only one hour.

We cant be undisciplined, Illa said.

In Italy, also faced with a surge of cases, seaside towns announced new restrictions, including bans on fireworks at beaches. The moves came just ahead of Italys biggest summer holiday, Ferragosto, which millions of Italians celebrate at the seashore, in the mountains or on trips abroad.

The mayor of Anzio banned all overnight access to the beach, while San Felice Circeo, a popular weekend getaway for Romans, ordered masks worn outdoors. On the chic island of Capri, an order requiring masks outdoors from evening to nearly dawn was expanded by the mayor to the entire day.

Masks also are now also required in the streets of Amalfi, a picturesque coastal tourist town.

With some of Italys 200-plus infection clusters traced to patrons of crowded seaside dance clubs, the governor of Calabria, the region that forms the toe of Italy, ordered such nightspots closed.

Italys Health Ministry said 574 new COVID-19 cases were recorded on Friday  the highest daily number since May 28.

The outbreaks and new restrictions in Europe shouldnt come as a surprise, said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington.

Even the smallest chink in the armour can lead to an outbreak if youre not careful, Michaud said. In no country have we approached herd immunity, and we dont have a vaccine.

In Greece, authorities strongly recommended people wear masks for a week indoors and out in public areas after returning from domestic vacation destinations with a high COVID-19 incidence.

Gatherings of more than nine people were prohibited on two popular Greek resort islands, Paros and Antiparos, and a ban on restaurants, bars and nightclubs operating after midnight was expanded to more parts of the country, including Athens. The steps came as Greece recorded its second-highest daily infection numbers -- 254 new cases.

In France, amid growing fears of a second spike of contagion, the head of the countrys national health service said Paris and Marseille have been declared at-risk zones. The situation is deteriorating from week to week, the official, Jerome Salomon, said on France Inter radio.

The British government said it was compelled to impose the quarantine requirement on people returning from France in light of a 66% increase in infections in France in the past week. The requirement applied to anyone returning after 4 a.m. on Saturday.

Philip Alston, who was looking after three cats for a French couple in Paris, reluctantly decided to return to Britain.

Fortunately, they said in the case of this happening, they had a stand-by helper, he said before boarding a Eurostar train to London. So Im really upset because I was having a good time looking after the cats and exploring Paris.

The quarantine decision is a big blow to Frances tourism industry, which relies heavily on travellers from Britain.

There also were worrisome developments in other parts of the world:

--Indias death toll overtook Britains to become the fourth-highest in the world, with another single-day record increase in cases Friday. The number of dead hit more 48,000, behind the United States, with over 167,000; Brazil, with more than 105,000; and Mexico, with over 55,000.

--New Zealands government extended a lockdown of its largest city, Auckland, for 12 more days as it tries to stamp out its first domestic outbreak in more than three months, involving 30 people. Until the cluster was discovered Tuesday, New Zealand had gone 102 days with no reports of infections spreading in the community. The only known cases involved travellers arriving from abroad.

--A man in his 20 became the youngest person to die of the coronavirus in Australia. He was among 14 new deaths and 372 new infections reported by Victoria state health officials in an outbreak centred in Melbourne.

 In Toronto, health officials said as many as 550 people may have been exposed to COVID-19 at a strip club last week and urged them to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

___

DEmilio reported from Rome and Crary from New York. AP Medical Writer Carla K. Johnson contributed from Washington state.

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By Express News Service

CHENNAI: With more ministers and senior leaders joining the debate on who would be the ruling AIADMKs Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections, party coordinator O Panneerselvam on Thursday made an attempt to put an end to it. Without making a mention about the debate, the deputy chief minister said the AIADMK was focussed on winning the upcoming elections, and that would be possible only if the cadres and functionaries adhere to the three fundamental principles of the party  kadamai (duty), kanniyam (decorum), and kattupaadu (discipline).

If you act with discipline, tomorrow is ours, Panneerselvam said in two tweets. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is yet to react to this development. Speaking on the issue from the party headquarters, AIADMK deputy convenor KP Munusamy said, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is running the government efficiently and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and other ministers have been assisting him in that.

A decision on the Chief Ministerial candidate will be taken at an appropriate time. When asked about BJP vice president VP Duraisamys remark that the BJP would head the alliance in Tamil Nadu for next Assembly elections, Munusamy reacted sharply: Who has expressed that view? Neither BJP president JP Nadda nor State president L Murugan.

A person who was with some other party till recently has said that obviously with a view of gaining some mileage in the new party in which he joined. We cant respond to such a persons views. The reporters should clarify whether the BJP leadership has given powers to Duraisamy to convey such views, he added.

Meanwhile, in Tirunelveli, the partys organising secretary Sudha K Paramasivan and other party functionaries extended their support to Edappadi K Palaniswami. He had saved the party from splitting up after the demise of Jayalalithaa. AIADMK district unit is ready to work for him and there is no difference of opinion. Our party will win in all the 234 constituencies of Tamil Nadu, including ten constituencies in the combined Tirunelveli district, he said.

Support for EPS

AIADMK organising secretary Sudha K Paramasivan and other party functionaries extended their support to Edappadi K Palaniswami in Tirunelveli. He had saved the party from splitting up after the demise of Jayalalithaa. AIADMK district unit is ready to work for him and there is no difference of opinion. Our party will win in all the 234 constituencies, he said.
S ummer should be a time for travel, but this year, trapped by quarantine and trepidation, many of us are staying at home.

The latest extension of quarantine rules, for those returning from France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba, has led to even more people cancelling their plans. Still, they havent brought in rules against dreaming yet, so let me take you on an imaginary holiday journey which was once possible, and should be again.

Well start in an unglamorous time and place: Victoria station, on the night of October 31, 1980. The economy was in recession. The Police were at the top of the charts (with Dont Stand So Close To Me). And with no fanfare and not many passengers, an extraordinary train pulled out of London for the last time.

British Rail was scrapping the Night Ferry, a service that used once-glamorous art deco carriages to carry passengers in comfortable beds direct to Paris and Brussels. The carriages were specially adapted so they could be shunted on to a ferry for the crossing over the Channel.

When it began running in 1936 it was the height of style, picked by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor as their connection to and from exile in France. When Winston Churchill used it just after the war it made a special stop to pick him up from near his country home, Chartwell. But air travel killed it off in the Eighties and that seemed to be the end of sleeper trains from Britain to the rest of Europe.

When the Channel Tunnel was dug, there was, briefly, a plan to run overnight services from unlikely destinations such as Plymouth and Swansea to Paris, and the Government spent a lot of money on building new carriages before, characteristically, changing its mind and selling them off to Canada, where they now rattle across the Rockies.

Thats why, today, if you want to get a train to the continent you have to start on Eurostar. Its fine if you are only going to France or Belgium  remember, were imagining this journey, so you dont need to worry about quarantine. You can make it to Germany pretty fast if you change trains. Theres a service now to Amsterdam and until this year there was a summer special down to the south of France, too.

Eurostar is fine for France or Belgium but if you want to go further you've got to really love trains to try it

But if you want to go any further  Italy, say, or Scandinavia  youve got to really love trains to try it, however much wonderful websites such as seat61.com and europebyrail.eu try to encourage the adventure.

I used to make the journey to Spain by rail all the time when you could change in Paris for a sleek hotel train overnight, but that was cruelly killed off a few years back. Now, even with high-speed lines, you have to waste hours on a day train and add in at least one overnight hotel to reach somewhere like Andalucia. Even Madrid takes 23 hours. Its a lot easier and cheaper to fly.

Maybe sleeper trains are a luxury, but they are also romantic, lovely and useful. Ive used them all over the world: Bulawayo to Victoria Falls in wooden carriages; Penang to Bangkok; Alice Springs to Adelaide, with onboard slot machines; and Moscow to Nice, a two-night trip on a slick new Russian train, deserted except for a man who seemed to follow us whenever we went to the restaurant car for vodka and whom we decided had to be a spy.

In Britain, the service from London to the Highlands, recently upgraded, is magical. The overnight route to Cornwall is magnificent, too, although bizarrely, this month, at just the moment the South-West is packed with tourists, the nightly sleeper train is only open to people prepared to sit in uncomfortable seats, with the beds shuttling back and forth each day, but locked, out of use.

Across the Channel, Austrias enterprising railway company is opening new sleeper routes  running now, despite coronavirus. That means you can leave London in the late afternoon, change in Brussels and doze your way to Innsbruck or Vienna, arriving the next morning with breakfast in bed.

But there is still one thing you cant do and thats climb into a sleeper train in London and travel though the night to somewhere like Venice or Stockholm.

What better way to social distance on a journey than in your private cabin, with its own tiny shower?

With air travel in crisis, and frowned upon because of climate change, there is an opportunity here. Coronavirus might encourage the return of the sleeper, too: what better way to social distance on a journey than in your private cabin, with its own tiny shower? No need for mask-wearing airport security check in hell: just a gentle gin and tonic before bed.

Is this always going to be just a dream? Is there a chance for a modern-day successor to the Night Ferry train? I think there is  a case made recently in a report from the High Speed Rail Group. Most of the time, this is a body that lobbies for things like HS2  the sort of clinical, fast services which have killed off many of Europes rambling and romantic sleeper routes.

But as the report points out, there is no reason why the Channel Tunnel cant carry sleeper services, and if they ran on high-speed tracks they could cover serious distances overnight.

Building new trains would be unaffordable, but with Eurostars daytime traffic in freefall theres surely an opportunity to adapt some of its under-used current trains to carry us in comfortable beds through the night.

Maybe there wont be brass handles and fine wooden panelling of the kind I enjoyed a couple of years back when I climbed into my bunk on the luxurious Venice-Simplon Orient Express. But a chance to sleep, to dream and to arrive would be wonderful.
Australia is expected to imminently join a global body to ensure citizens get access to any coronavirus vaccine developed around the world.

At the moment, Australia has only given an in-principle commitment to join the World Health Organisation-led COVAX body, with no money attached to the pledge.

Department of Health secretary Brendan Murphy insists the government is serious about gaining access to any coronavirus vaccine. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But a government source said a full-blown commitment to the group could come as early as next week.

Health department boss Brendan Murphy says the government is actively considering the scale of its membership at the moment.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he intended to deliver his Republican nomination acceptance speech from the White House, according to a media report. Trump, 75, is seeking re-election from the Republican party.

Having won the GOP primaries with historic margins, he will formally be nominated by the party through its virtual convention later this month. The convention was initially scheduled to be held in Charlotte in North Carolina but was later moved to Jacksonville in Florida, only to be cancelled again because of rising cases of the novel coronavirus.

Both the Democratic convention, where his challenger Joe Biden, 77, would be formally nominated on August 20, and the Republican convention will be held online. Biden is scheduled to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from Delaware. In an interview to The New York Post, Trump said that he intends to give his Republican National Convention speech from the White House lawn.

I'll probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place. It's a place that makes me feel good, it makes the country feel good, Trump told the Post and added that it would also be easy for law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service. We'd do it possibly outside on one of the lawns, we have various lawns, so we could have it outside in terms of the China virus, Trump told the daily as he referred to the social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.

When asked if he had formally accepted the Republican nomination for president with a crowd of supporters, he said that "we could have quite a group of people. It's very big, a very big lawn. We could have a big group of people", The New York Post said. According to The Hill, Trump originally suggested the idea of making the speech at the White House earlier this month, saying that was probably where he would give it.

But the announcement sparked a backlash from critics and some Republicans, who suggested it may violate the Hatch Act, which limits the political activities of federal employees while on duty, the media outlet said.

Also read: US Presidential election 2020: Who is Kamala Harris? All you need to know about Joe Biden's running mate

Also read: US Presidential Elections 2020: Facebook, Twitter ramp up fight against misinformation
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A 'skinny house' that went viral for its shockingly slim dimensions and triangular shape just sold for $260,000 in Illinois on Friday.

The unconventional home, located in Deerfield, is nestled on a 3,876-sqft lot at the corner of a neighborhood where they average income in $142,000.

Known as the 'Pie House' to locals, the two-bedroom and three-bathroom home measures just three feet on one of its sides. The 'wedge-shaped' property then expands to about 20 feet in width on the other side.

A home located at 970 Chestnut Drive in Deerfield, Illinois, was sold this week for $260,000 after a young Tik Tok user posted a video of the property on social media

The home is called the 'Pie House' by locals because one side only measures three feet in width, while the other expands to around 20 feet in width like a triangle

Although it looks tiny, the 'Pie House' (pictured) is nestled on a 3,876-sqft corner lot and has 1,600sqft of living space for homeowners that includes a finished basement

Alan Berlow, the realtor with Coldwell Banker Homes, told DailyMail.com that the home is about 20 feet in height and its unusual design was a byproduct of local property ordinances.

When the original homeowners first built the property in 2003, they had to fit the entirety of their home on just 40 per cent of the lot, said Berlow.

The Village of Deerfield had an ordinance that said homes built in that area must allow space between homes and roadways.

Alan Berlow: 'The space and how its distributed through the home is certainly nontraditional but it works. The home was built specifically for the size of the lot and its far more functional than it looks'

Realtor Alan Berlow said the area of the home that is just three-feet-wide houses a bathroom and compact storage space (pictured) that connects to the hardwood-floor living room

The master bedroom on the second floor as a 19-foot width (pictured) and outfitted with modern amenities, like air conditioning. A second bedroom in the basement records a 17-foot width.

'Where lots comprising forty (40) percent or more of the frontage on a block are developed with buildings having front yards of greater depth than required herein, new buildings shall not be erected closer to the street than the average front yard so established by the existing buildings.' it read in the General Provisions.

The Pie House remained a local wonder to Deerfield residents until a Tik Tok user uploaded video of the home and attracted a following.

User @eli.korn_ shared footage of the Pie House's exterior in a viral video that has been viewed more than 1.2million times and has 337,000 likes.

In it, the boy is seen marveling at the slender structure at 970 Chestnust Drive while a caption reads 'Skinny House' several times in a row.

edtwt how do we feel abt the tiktok skinnyhouse https://t.co/W8IkfCS4yg  clo loves em (@skinniclo) August 11, 2020

Tik Tok user @eli.korn (right) helped spread awareness about the 'Skinny House' in Deerfield, Illinois, after he shared a video last week of the property and it quickly amassed 1.2million views

'Thats not a house, thats a hallway,' one Tik Tok commentor said, while another added,'One gust of wind and its all over.'

'How does someone live there?' one person asked. 'But like...how do the stairs work? Are they just an entire corner? Are they spiral? is it just a LADDER?'

But Berlow said the home is actually quite spacious and the exterior design is a bit deceiving.

'It appears quote normal inside the home,' he said.

The Pie House has over 1,600sqft of living space, including a finished basement out of the 1,122sqft home.

Pictured: a look into one of the Pie House's three bathrooms shows ample storage and living space that will allow homeowners to feel secure at all times

When the home was first erected in 2003, the original homeowners had to follow the Village of Deerfield's building guidelines and only used a certain percentage of the lot

Pictured: one of the Pie House's three bathrooms that show, despite the small size from the outside, regular amenities like showers have more than enough space to fit

'The space and how its distributed through the home is certainly nontraditional but it works. The home was built specifically for the size of the lot and its far more functional than it looks,' Berlow told Today.

He said the area that measures just three-feet-wide houses a bathroom and storage area. Despite the exterior, the bedrooms apparently feel normal size.

The master bedroom on the second floor as a 19-foot width, while a bedroom in the basement records a 17-foot width. The living room on the main level has a 23-foot width and the kitchen comes just under that at 15 feet.

The Pie House's kitchen measures around 15 feet wide and is equipped with stainless steel, hardwood floord, stunning floodlights overhead and windows to allow in natural sunlight

Berlow: 'It's shaped like a piece of pie. Also its a "slice" of history in Deerfield, an area in the famous North Shore of Chicago. Its so unique and its a very well-known home in the community'

Several Tik Tok users were confused by the home's dimensions, including one person who wrote. 'How does someone live there? But like...how do the stairs work? Are they just an entire corner? Are they spiral? is it just a LADDER?'

According to Berlow, the 'Pie House' didn't get its charming name just because of its shape.

'It's shaped like a piece of pie. Also its a 'slice' of history in Deerfield, an area in the famous North Shore of Chicago,' he said.

And to Berlow, it's no wonder the triangular property went viral on social media.

'Its so unique and its a very well-known home in the community,' he said.
There are substantial differences between what weve proposed and what the House has proposed  or what the House has not proposed, Surovell said in a Zoom call with Senate Democrats and reporters. I think our package is more focused on the entire system and not just policing, and we have a critical opportunity  and an historic opportunity  to correct a lot of the historical wrongs that have been going on in this state for hundreds of years.
WATERLOO  Sophia Sanniti says its time to unionize.

Sanniti works as a teaching assistant at the University of Waterloo while completing her PhD. Previously she worked for York University while finishing her masters degree. Graduate student workers are unionized at York University, and not at the University of Waterloo.

Sanniti says she has always noticed the drastic difference in working conditions between the two institutions. Thats why she joined the leadership committee of the Organize UW campaign to unionize graduate student workers at the University of Waterloo. This includes positions like teaching assistants, research assistants and sessional instructors. Their campaign went public at the beginning of July.

Sanniti says the pandemic was the catalyst that pushed the campaign forward.

As grad workers, we needed seats at the table as the university is making major decisions about health and safety. Were the ones going back to campus, running tutorials and labs and we need to know that we are safe, that our health and safety is being considered as we are sent back to campus, Sanniti said.

We realized we need to do this now, theres no point in waiting, says Sanniti.

The universitys Graduate Student Association supports Organize UW. The Graduate Student Association is the only organization the University of Waterloo recognizes as the representative body for graduate students.

The graduate studies community  faculty and staff at the department, faculty, and university levels  has been and continues to be eager to work with the GSA to address graduate students concerns and to create environments in which impactful teaching, learning and research can take place, says Jeff Casello, associate vice-president of graduate studies and post-doctoral affairs at the university in an email after being asked about the unionization drive.

Sanniti says the pandemic is a genuine crisis that has added the new pressures of remote teaching and learning on graduate student workers. As well, many sources of extra income these workers take on to meet their needs disappeared.

I dont feel equipped to manage this. There are no supports for me to be supported and then support my students, she says.

Dr. Tam says we can expect this to last two to three years. This isnt one semester long, this is years we need to prepare for. Accountability is the goal here.

Sanniti says student workers feel there is no grievance process and are left on their own to negotiate fair treatment. They feel there is no protection against over-work, no payment for training or extra work, inconsistent training, and unfair clawbacks of funding. For example, Sanniti says the university can take away its funding if a student gains a grant from another source.

The group also says the combination of grants and income received from the university do not add up to a living wage and ultimately leaves many students living below the poverty line.

Our working conditions are our students learning conditions, she says.

She feels that with union representation, the power dynamic between employer and employee will be balanced, and that with a collective agreement they hope to achieve goals such as higher wages, greater transparency in hiring practices, enforceable health and safety protections, paid training, standard hours of work and overtime, along with predictable schedules and contracts, and input into the terms of employment.

The group is supported by the Canadian Union of Public Employees who state they already represent over 70,000 workers in the post-secondary sector.

The process for unionizing includes first setting up a unionizing leadership committee, then gathering the support of at least 40 per cent of the workforce by having them sign union cards, which the group is currently working on. Sanniti says the Canadian Union of Public Employees prefers at least 50 per cent support, and this is their campaign goal.

Student workers must join remotely because of COVID precautions. They can sign up for an electronic union card to indicate their interest in joining a union instead of a traditional physical version.

Once the group has gathered support from the majority of the workforce, the Canadian Union of Public Employees will file an application with the labour board for union certification.

After this, all graduate student workers will have a final vote on unionizing.
Michiganders will be provided with 4 million free masks under a new partnership with the state, Ford Motor Company and Federal Emergency Management Agency, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced at a press conference Friday.

The MI Mask Aid partnership will provide masks to low-income residents, seniors, schools and homeless shelters.

Donations include 2.5 million masks from FEMA and 1.5 million from Ford.

Michigan needs to continue to mask up to protect us all from COVID-19, Whitmer said in a press release. Vulnerable populations may have difficulties buying masks and our schools need face coverings to keep students, staff and community members safe. I am thrilled that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Ford and FEMA are working together to help control the spread of the coronavirus.

Its part of a long effort by the governor to encourage Michigan residents to mask up. She has personally appeared with masks in public and encouraged everybody to put one on to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

At the press conference, Whitmer said Michigans case numbers were plateauing, but shes like to see them decline. She urged Michiganders to use masks and stay vigilant.

This virus will not go away just because were tired of dealing with it. The only way we can put a stop to this pandemic, an end to this pandemic, is to take it seriously, Whitmer said.

Those comments were echoed by Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, who said everybody could do things like socially distance, wear a mask and wash their hands.

Please do these simple things, Khaldun said.

The state has already distributed 1.4 million masks statewide, according to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon. The new deliveries under the free mask program will be targeted at schools.

Even young children can and should be wearing masks, Gordon said.

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.

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What do Michigan teachers fear most about in-person learning? The students sitting in their classrooms

Whitmer extends coronavirus state of emergency through Friday, Sept. 4
New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a portal for 'Opportunities For Make In India In Defence' via video conferencing facility as part of 'Atmanirbharta Saptah. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat also attended the valedictory session.

Earlier, on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Konkurs Missile Test Equipment and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment, which have been indigenously designed and developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). These products were earlier being imported from Russia.

The two indigenised products were virtually launched by the Defence Minister from Delhi in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Secretary (Defence) Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and CMD, BDL Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Directors, CVO and senior officials present at Hyderabad.

The two products have been launched as a part of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" week being celebrated from August 7 to 14, 2020. The Konkurs Missile Test Equipment (KMTE) is designed for checking the serviceability of Konkurs - M Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.

Rajnath Singh launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Saptah (self-reliant India week) on Monday (August 10), in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for a self-dependent India with increased local manufacturing.
Eastern Ontario's children's hospital is seeing a spike in the number of young people visiting the emergency department after ingesting cannabis edibles they've found at home.

In a news release, CHEO said it saw an 85 per cent increase in the number of youth showing up at the ER after consuming edibles from May to July, compared to the same months last year.

There were also no visits from children younger than 13 during those three months last year, but in 2020, that age group accounted for 28 per cent of all edible-related visits.

"Now that edibles are more likely to be in the home, there is an increased risk children might find them and mistake them for candy," said Dr. Melanie Bechard, a pediatric emergency physician at CHEO.

Legal since late 2019

Cannabis edibles became legal for recreational use for the first time in Canada last October.

The regulations at the time gave authorized distributors and retailers access to three new classes of products: edibles like candy and baked goods, cannabis extracts and "topicals" like ointments or makeup.

In the past three months, CHEO saw 39 children, all under the age of 18, visit the hospital due to cannabis-related reasons, Bechard told CBC Ottawa.

The proportion of total ER visits related to cannabis ingestion also tripled during the same period, the release read.

While the overall numbers are still relatively low, CHEO said in its release that they may actually indicate a worrying trend.

A 'preventable problem'

Bechard said the cannabis-related visits are a concern, particularly among younger children who might "stumble upon some tasty-looking candy and ingest edibles unintentionally."

"Some of these cannabis edible companies sell their products in packaging that looks so much like well-known candies that it is almost impossible for children to notice the difference," Bechard said.

CHEO is asking parents to be mindful of where they store their edibles to ensure kids can't reach them.

"This is a problem with a solution," said Bechard.

"Simple safety measures and talking to kids about the dangers of cannabis edibles can help reduce the number of children visiting the hospital for cannabis-related reasons."
The ASX 200 capped off its best week in six with a 0.6 per cent rise on Friday, fuelled by gains for the tech sector, health stocks and a lustrous performance by the gold miners.

The benchmark index rose 35.2 points to 6126.2 as investors sifted through more earnings season confessions for any whiff of a positive outlook.

The ASX 200 finished 2 per cent higher for the week. Credit:Louie Douvis

The days gains meant the local bourse finished ahead 2 per cent for the week - its best since early July - with consumer staples, financials, and property stocks strongest across the five sessions.

Bell Direct analyst Jessica Amir said earnings season would continue to create clear winners and losers, with big rewards for those companies who give investors any reason to hope for the future.

Its been razor sharp - weve learnt very quickly this week who is going to shine or sink, Ms Amir said.

Its not about getting a pat on the back for beating expectations for the year that has gone. Its all about painting a picture for the future.

Ms Amir pointed to Telstra, AGL, Transurban, and Newcrest as examples of reporting companies who had been punished for a weak outlook.

In contrast, she said Treasury Wines, even though it had been struggling, flagged strong growth in China and hence its share price improved drastically.

The markets rise on Friday came after it brushed off a soft Wall Street lead, while investors appeared little moved by underwhelming retail and factory data out of China.

Not even a sobering reminder from RBA Governor Philip Lowe could turn the index into the red, with the head of the central bank warning parliament that the path to economic recovery will be long and winding.

NAB finished 1.2 per cent higher at $18.22 on Friday after a better-than-expected third-quarter result, though chief executive Ross McEwan flagged a highly uncertain year ahead. Commonwealth bank dragged again, losing 0.9 per cent to finish at $71.76.

Afterpay led tech stocks higher, adding 6.3 per cent to $75.80, supported by a 5.4 per cent rise for Xero to $94.31 and a 7.8 per cent climb for Computershare to $14.11.

BHP added 0.3 per cent to $40.01 while gold miners were strong on improved precious metals prices.

Perseus was up 6 per cent at $1.50, Evolution rose 6.5 per cent to $6.09, Northern Star was 0.8 per cent higher at $14.24, Saracen was 3.5 per cent ahead at $5.61. Newcrest dipped 0.9 per cent to $34.16 after forecasting softer production for the year ahead.

For health stocks, stem cell firm Mesoblast stole the show with a 39 per cent rise to $4.70 following a regulatory win in the US for its flagship product.

CSL finished 0.6 per cent higher at $279.34, ResMed added 2 per cent to $25, Ramsay Healthcare rose 1 per cent to $67.67, and Cochlear finished 0.9 per cent higher at $199.77.

Consumer discretionaries were also solid. Wesfarmers touched a record high $47.97 and finished 0.8 per cent higher at $47.61. Collins Foods rose 3.1 per cent, Dominos Pizza climbed 1.9 per cent, Harvey Norman gained 2.2 per cent, JB Hi-Fi was up 2 per cent, Super Retail Group added 1.7 per cent and ARB Corp was ahead by 2.7 per cent, including touching a record high $22.66.

Gambling firms were also firmly in the black with the Star, Crown, Tabcorp, and Aristocrat Leisure each up by between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent.
Permanent Remote Workforce May Double After COVID-19

By Laura Stotler , Business VoIP Contributing Editor

The number of permanent remote workers could double because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a forecast from real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield. The company's CEO Brett White told MSNBC that despite the huge jump in numbers, he thinks a majority of workers will return to the office when the coronavirus pandemic is over.

White said he believes as much as 10 to 11 percent of the workforce will remain home permanently post-COVID, compared to the roughly 4.5 to five percent that worked remotely before the onset of the coronavirus.

Cushman & Wakefield reported an 18 percent year-over-year decline in quarterly revenues last week because of the pandemic's massive disruption of real estate brokerage activity. Other sectors of the economy have clearly been negatively impacted, and the fallout makes the future of work uncertain.

Many large companies have opted to keep their employees working remotely for the foreseeable future, and were quickly able to transition to a remote work model at the onset of COVID-19.

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has told employees they may remain at home until June of 2021, as has Facebook. And Twitter and Square are allowing workers to remain home permanently if they choose to. Apple is also embracing a semi-permanent remote work model, telling staff last month that they won't return to offices until at least early 2021. The company also said a return to physical offices would rely on development of a successful vaccine and/or therapeutics for the coronavirus.

At the same time, Facebook recently signed a lease for a New York City office building that will add 730,000 square feet to its already 2.2 million square feet of office space. And Google is also expanding its physical office footprint, moving ahead with a major development in London's King's Cross area.

But Cushman & Wakefield reveal U.S. office vacancies are on the rise overall, and could reach 15 to 18 percent in the next 24 to 30 months. That translates to a potential rent decline of five to 15 percent.

You look around the country... most office businesses are open in one form or another, White told CNBC. Most of them have said, 'Well take back 20 percent, 30 percent of our employees, and yet you walk into the office and theres half a dozen people in there.

The numbers translate to an uncertain future for the commercial real estate market, and the future of office and remote work in general.
She turned 23 on Monday, and by the looks of it, Kylie Jenner has every intention of turning her birthday into a week-long celebration.

On Wednesday, the makeup mogul joined her pals and older sister, Kendall Jenner, at a restaurant in West Hollywood for an intimate soiree, which included a bouquet of balloons.

As she sauntered into the eatery, Jenner could be seen wearing a thigh-skimming green dress with her caramel-colored tresses cascading down her back.

Celebrating: Kylie Jenner joined her pals and older sister, Kendall Jenner, at a restaurant in West Hollywood for an intimate birthday soiree, which included a bouquet of balloons

She paired her vibrant frock, which hugged every curve of her toned figure, with black combat boots and a small Prada purse on her shoulder.

The reality star was joined by her 24-year-old supermodel sister, who displayed her abs in a cropped white tank and wore a pair of cropped beige trousers.

After the laid-back party, the Vogue cover girl was spotted grabbing frozen yogurt with her friends Zack Bia, Luka Sabbat and Fai Khadra.

Leggy display: As she sauntered into the eatery, Jenner could be seen wearing a thigh-skimming green dress with her caramel-colored tresses cascading down her back

Accessories: She paired her vibrant frock, which hugged every curve of her toned figure, with black combat boots and a small Prada purse on her shoulder

Making it work: To compensate for having to hide half her face under a black mask, Kylie sported a heavy winged eyeliner and perfectly penciled eyebrows

To compensate for having to hide half her face under a black mask, Kylie sported a heavy winged eyeliner and perfectly penciled eyebrows.

While the guest of honor did not post on social media from the party, she did delight her 190 million Instagram followers with several shots wearing a plunging dress on Thursday.

As she flaunted her hourglass curves in a barely-there geometric ensemble, the beauty smoldered into the camera and puckered her signature pout.

Wind-blown: Jenner seen leaving her sister's Kylie 23rd Birthday party in West Hollywood

Supportive sister: The reality star was joined by her 24-year-old supermodel sister, who displayed her abs in a cropped white tank and wore a pair of cropped beige trousers

Tanned and toned: Jenner arrived at her venue with a fresh tan from her recent sunny getaway

In the image, which appeared to be taken during her recent sun-kissed getaway, the mother-of-one put on a very busty display and flashed her gym-honed midriff.

Earlier in the day, Kylie posted another envy-inducing picture from her getaway to Turks and Caicos, where she is believed to have traveled to on her private jet.

The trip goes against the current ban in California on non-essential travel, which is set in place to aid cutting down the risk of catching and spreading coronavirus amid the global pandemic.

Commanding attention: While the guest of honor did not post on social media from the party, she did delight her 190 million Instagram followers with several shots wearing a plunging dress on Thursday

California's guidelines for travel currently reads: 'You can travel for urgent matters or if such travel is essential to your permitted work,' adding: 'Even though businesses around the state are opening up, avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible. This is to slow the spread of the coronavirus.'

However, rules and regulations appeared to be the last thing on Kylie's mind as she looked to be in a state of bliss, while stripping down to pose in a bubble bath outdoors.

Sultry stare: As she flaunted her hourglass curves in a barely-there geometric ensemble, the beauty smoldered into the camera and puckered her signature pout

The reality star - who shares two-year-old daughter Stormi Webster with rapper Travis Scott - has been posting a number of sexy snaps for her millions of adoring fans.

Judging by various social media posts, it appears Kylie was joined by her sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kendall as well as Stormi, and her BFF Anastasia Karanikolaou, aka Stassie Baby.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kylie had her mini-me daughter, two, at her side during a breathtaking visit to the beach.

Turks and Caicos: In the image, which appeared to be taken during her recent sun-kissed getaway, the mother-of-one put on a very busty display and flashed her gym-honed midriff

The mother and daughter looked simply radiant as they stared into the sunset and held hands in the snapshot.

Jenner oozed Grecian goddess vibes in a long white dress with a high ponytail, while little Stormi was dressed to match in her own girly version of the flowing frock.

Though their dresses swept to the ground, the girls waded into the water and let the ocean wash over their feet.

In a state of heady bliss: Jenner stripped down for a bubble bath outside as she broke California's non-essential travel ban for luxury birthday trip to Turks and Caicos on Thursday

'No place id rather be,' Kylie wrote in the caption.

On her Instagram Story, she shared a quick clip of the waves rolling, writing 'Best way to bring in 23' in the bottom corner.

Stormi's dad Travis Scott was not along for the trip.
14.08.2020 LISTEN

Africans Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity is a movement that believes that imprisonment in the time of a global health pandemic is an absolute injustice and a potential death sentence for all people living and working in prisons. Our #FreeThem campaign is a determined effort for radical change. We are calling on all African governments and heads of states to release people accused of non-violent crimes from detention, including journalists, human right defenders, activists, and political dissidents.

The COVID-19 crisis is a call for unity and peace, says Africans Rising Movement Coordinator Muhammed Lamin Saidykhan. Governments should not put at risk the lives and well-being of citizens.

Ethiopia, Zambia, South Afric a , and Rwanda have all taken steps to reduce their carceral populations, as suggested by the World Health Organization. Now, the Africans Rising movement is asking them to go further in this effort by releasing more people and inspiring other countries across Africa to follow in their steps.

Through the #FreeThem project, we are engaging our 30,000+ members in candid discussions, social media, and letter-writing campaigns to African presidents to amplify this demand for justice, peace, and dignity. Our vast network of activists, community leaders, and concerned citizens are tireless advocates of human rights and together we can help end the spread of COVID-19 across the African continent.

The story of Africas redemption from this devastating pandemic has yet to be written, but our movement and our members demonstrate the leadership and courage of African people during this time. We know that none of us is safe from this disease until all of us are given the opportunity to live safely and with dignity.

Our #FreeThem campaign will continue throughout the end of 2020. We will continue to host a series of powerful discussions every Friday with African leaders and activists working in their communities to defend human rights in the time of COVID-19. Our next online conversation is Friday, August 14 at 3PM GMT. You can find out more about this campaign by visiting our website or emailing [email protected]
President Trump appears to have softened his views on Edward Snowden - the former CIA employee who leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency.

Back in 2013, the commander-in-chief branded Snowden a 'traitor' who 'should be executed' for his crimes, but on Thursday he told The New York Post that he had heard the leaker was being 'persecuted'.

'There are a lot of people that think that he is not being treated fairly. I mean, I hear that,' Trump told the publication.

'I guess the DOJ is looking to extradite him right now? It's certainly something I could look at. Many people are on his side, I will say that. I don't know him, never met him. But many people are on his side.'

Trump then asked aides who were present during his interview with The Post for their opinions on Snowden.

He then added: 'I've heard it both ways. From traitor to he's being, you know, persecuted. I've heard it both ways.'

President Trump appears to have softened his views on Edward Snowden - the former CIA employee who leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency

Whilst discussing Snowden, the President also brought up President Obama and his 2020 Presidential rival, Joe Biden.

'When you look at [former FBI Director James] Comey and [former FBI Deputy Director Andrew] McCabe, and [former CIA Director John] Brennan  and, excuse me, the man that sat at this desk, President Obama, got caught spying on my campaign with Biden. Biden and Obama, and they got caught spying on the campaign,' he stated.

In 2013, Snowden shared thousands of classified documents with journalists, prompting the US government to charge him with two counts of violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and theft of government property.

The Hawaiian-born whistleblower worked for the CIA and NSA for several years and says he concluded that both agencies had 'hacked the constitution' with extensive government surveillance, putting everyone's liberty at risk and forcing his hand to leak the information to the media.

Trump polled aides his aides as to their opinion on Snowden during his Oval Office interview on Thursday

Snowden's decision to go public with the information set off a global debate about government surveillance, put in place by intelligence agencies in a perceived bid to avoid a similar attack to 9/11 from happening ever again.

He has been living in exile in Russia since he leaked the documents.

However, last year, Snowden said his 'ultimate goal' was actually to return home to the US.

Though he said any such return would be dependent on the US government offering him a fair trial, something he says officials have 'refused to guarantee'.

'But if I'm gonna spend the rest of my life in prison, the one bottom line demand that we have to agree to is that at least I get a fair trial.'

Snowden, a former US intelligence contractor who leaked details of a classified mass surveillance program in 2013, has been living in self-imposed exile in Moscow for seven years

Snowden said a fair trial won't be possible as the government won't allow him to take a public interest defense.

'I'm not asking for a parade. I'm not asking for a pardon. I'm not asking for a pass. What I'm asking for is a fair trial,' he said.

Critics have repeatedly reminded him that by leaking the classified documents he broke both federal law and the oath he took when he joined the NSA.

Last year, he published an autobiography, titled Permanent Record. The day after its publication, the US Department of Justice filed a two-count civil lawsuit against Snowden 'alleging he had breached nondisclosure agreements signed with the U.S. federal government'.
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Tehran, Iran  Fri, August 14, 2020 17:45 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e1cd91 2 World Iran,Iran-US,Israel-UAE,Israel-annexation,Israel-Palestine-conflict Free

Iran strongly condemned Friday an agreement between Israel and the UAE to normalize ties, blasting it as an act of "strategic stupidity" that will only strengthen the Tehran-backed "axis of resistance".

The agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which was announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab state.

In it, Israel pledges to suspend annexation of Palestinian lands, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that did not mean it was abandoning plans to annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across the occupied West Bank.

The Iranian foreign ministry denounced the deal as an act of "strategic stupidity from Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv which will undoubtedly strengthen the resistance axis in the region".

"The oppressed people of Palestine and all the free nations of the world will never forgive the normalizing of relations with the criminal Israeli occupation regime and the complicity in its crimes," a ministry statement said.

Establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Washington's Middle East allies, including the oil-rich Gulf states, has been central to Trump's regional strategy to contain Iran.

Calling "Abu Dhabi's shameful move" dangerous, Tehran warned against any Israeli interference in the Gulf and said "the government of the Emirates and other accompanying states must accept responsibility for all the consequences" of the agreement.

In an indirect reference to its main regional rival Saudi Arabia, Iran called on rulers harming the people of Palestine and Yemen "from their glass palaces" to start correctly distinguishing "between their friends and foes".
Etihad Airways canceled flights to and from Shanghai following passengers testing positive for the coronavirus on arrival there. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will tighten already strict virus-related regulations on passengers as it continues to fly amid the pandemic.

Six passengers aboard an Aug. 3 flight from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 upon landing in the Chinese city. The passengers presented negative COVID-19 tests taken within 96 hours of their flight, which is a requirement for all passengers entering, transiting through and leaving the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They also did not exhibit symptoms, an Etihad Airways spokesperson told Al-Monitor.

In accordance with Chinese aviation law, Etihad canceled an Aug. 17 flight from Abu Dhabi to Shanghai and an Aug. 18 flight from Shanghai to Abu Dhabi.

The Gulf carrier is now instituting even stricter pre-flight testing regulations for future Shanghai flights. Passengers traveling there will now have to present a negative COVID-19 test completed within 48 hours before boarding the flight or proof of a test done at the airport from which they arrived to Abu Dhabi, the spokesperson said.

Passengers flying Etihad anywhere must show test results from an Emirati government-approved center.

Etihad Airways is working to stay in the skies after earlier flight bans. In March, the UAE government grounded most passenger flights in and out of the country. Etihad started flying regularly scheduled flights again in June and is now offering services to around half of its pre-pandemic destinations.

Etihad and other Middle East airlines have experienced massive financial losses due to the downturn in global travel resulting from the coronavirus. Etihads revenues from passenger flights dropped from $950 million in the first quarter all the way to $60 million in the second quarter of 2020, the airline announced this month. In May, Etihad cut hundreds of jobs.

The airline is not the only one to have to cancel flights after passengers tested positive. In June, the Dubai-based carrier Emirates suspended Pakistan flights for the same reason.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump frankly acknowledged Thursday that hes starving the U.S. Postal Service of money in order to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots, which he worries could cost him the election.

In an interview on Fox Business Network, Trump explicitly noted two funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill. Without the additional money, he said, the Postal Service wont have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.

If we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money, Trump told host Maria Bartiromo. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting; they just cant have it.

Trumps statements, including the false claim that Democrats are seeking universal mail-in voting, come as he is searching for a strategy to gain an advantage in his November matchup against Joe Biden. Hes pairing the tough Postal Service stance in congressional negotiations with an increasingly robust mail-in-voting legal fight in states that could decide the election.

In Iowa, which Trump won handily in 2016 but is more competitive this year, his campaign joined a lawsuit Wednesday against two Democratic-leaning counties in an effort to invalidate tens of thousands of voters absentee ballot applications. That followed legal maneuvers in battleground Pennsylvania, where the campaign hopes to force changes to how the state collects and counts mail-in ballots. And in Nevada, Trump is challenging a law sending ballots to all active voters.

His efforts could face limits. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rebuffed Republicans who challenged an agreement in Rhode Island allowing residents to vote by mail through Novembers general election without getting signatures from two witnesses or a notary.

For Democrats, Trumps new remarks were a clear admission that the president is attempting to restrict voting rights.

Biden said it was Pure Trump. He doesnt want an election.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said it was  voter suppression to undermine the safest method to vote during a pandemic, and force Americans to risk their lives to vote.

Negotiations over a big new virus relief package have all but ended, with the White House and congressional leaders far apart on the size, scope and approach for shoring up households, reopening schools and launching a national strategy to contain the coronavirus.

While there is some common ground over $100 billion for schools and new funds for virus testing, Democrats also want other emergency funds that Trump rejects.

They want $3.5 billion for something that will turn out to be fraudulent. Thats election money, basically, Trump said during Thursdays call-in interview.

Democrats have pushed for a total of $10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on the COVID-19 response bill. That figure, which would include money to help with election mail, is down from a $25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has said that the agency is in a financially untenable position, but he maintains it can handle this years election mail. A major donor to Trump and other Republicans, DeJoy is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.

Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so, he told the Postal Services governing board last week.

Memos obtained by The Associated Press show that Postal Service leadership has pushed to eliminate overtime and halt late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to ensure mail arrives on time, measures that postal workers and union officials say are delaying service. Additional records detail cuts to hours at post offices, including reductions on Saturdays and during lunch hours.

Democrats, and a handful of Republicans, have sent DeJoy several letters asking him to reverse his changes and criticizing what they say is a lack of openness by the agency. Late Wednesday, Senate Democrats again wrote DeJoy, this time saying postal leadership is pushing state election officials to opt for pricier first-class postage for mail-in ballots to be prioritized.

Instead of taking steps to increase your agencys ability to deliver for the American people, you are implementing policy changes that make matters worse, and the Postal Service is reportedly considering changes that would increase costs for states at a time when millions of Americans are relying on voting by mail to exercise their right to vote, the Democrats wrote.

Separately, in a letter last month, the Postal Service warned Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson that the agency might not be able to deliver ballots in time to be counted under the states deadlines for casting mail-in votes.

Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said in a statement that certain deadlines concerning mail-in ballots, may be incompatible with the Postal Services delivery standards, especially if election officials dont pay more for first-class postage.

To the extent that states choose to use the mail as part of their elections, they should do so in a manner that realistically reflects how the mail works, he said.

In a memo to staff Thursday, DeJoy said his policies have brought unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels, but added that the Postal Service must make a number of significant changes which will not be easy, but which are necessary.

This will increase our performance for the election and upcoming peak season and maintain the high level of public trust we have earned for dedication and commitment to our customers throughout our history, DeJoy wrote, according to the memo obtained by the AP.

Judy Beard, legislative and political director for the American Postal Workers Union, said postal workers are up to the task of delivering mail-in ballots this year.

We definitely know that the president is absolutely wrong concerning vote-by-mail, she said.

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., chair of the House subcommittee on government operations, said Trump is acknowledging that he wants to hold up funding for the U.S. Postal Service to hinder Americans from voting.

The president admits his motive for holding USPS funding hostage is that he doesnt want Americans to vote by mail, Connolly said in a statement Thursday. Why? It hurts his electoral chances. Hes putting self-preservation ahead of public safety, for an election he deserves to lose.

Trump has requested a mail-in ballot for Floridas primary election Tuesday. Ballots were mailed Wednesday to both the president and first lady Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort, which Trump lists as his legal address, according to online Palm Beach County elections records. Both voted by mail in the presidential preference primary in March, according to records.

___

Izaguirre reported from Charleston, West Virginia. The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
(Newser)  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday announced that he was withdrawing the suit he filed against Atlanta's mayor and city council in a bid to block it from enforcing a mask mandatebut not because he's admitting defeat. Far from it. In a statement, the Republican said he would be addressing the issue via executive order, and he faulted Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' "refusal in mediation to further negotiate a compromise." Under her order, fines or jail time can result if a mask is not worn within city limits. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Kemp's order, expected Saturday, will likely bar local governments from forcing private businesses to require masks and may explicitly bar cities from mandating them. More from his statement:

"For weeks, we have worked in good faith with Mayor Bottoms, and she agreed to abandon the city's Phase One roll-back plan, which included business closures and a shelter in place order. Unfortunately, the Mayor has made it clear that she will not agree to a settlement that safeguards the rights of private property owners in Georgia. Given this stalemate in negotiations, we will address this very issue in the next Executive Order."

story continues below

Bottoms said in a statement of her own that's not at all the case, dubbing Kemp's words a "woefully inaccurate statement regarding our good faith negotiations and the City's reopening recommendations." CNN calls the latest move a "dramatic twist," and recaps the history of the clash between the two, in which Kemp argued her order does not adhere to his own emergency order, which states local actions cannot be more prohibitive or permissible than what the state is requiring. Bottoms told CNN that she saw the lawsuit as "personal retaliation," pointing out that Kemp "did not sue the city of Atlanta. He filed suit against myself and our city council personally." The Journal-Constitution notes Atlanta is one of about 15 cities that have instituted mask mandates; the paper reached out to those locations' law enforcement agencies and found that not a single one of them had issued a citation over an absent mask. (Read more Brian Kemp stories.)
The Senate left Washington, D.C. on Thursday, stalling talks on emergency coronavirus relief until next month.

In a last attempt to create space for the White House and congressional Democrats to agree on a virus relief bill, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had kept the chamber in session for the past week.

But the talks still ended up in a stalemate. Members of the Senate said there was little reason for them to keep holding hour-long sessions.

No talks on virus relief are scheduled, and 2020 political conventions will keep major parties busy for the next two weeks, according to CNBC.

The House has already left town. They aren't expected to come back until September 14, reported The Hill.

"We will have our regular pro forma meetings through the end of the state work period," McConnell said. He added that, if the virus aid negotiators finally agree to move forward with the package, it would need bipartisan consent for legislative business to return sooner than scheduled.

McConnell also said he hoped that Senate members would be able to "act sometime soon" on the relief deal.

Senators will be given at least 24 hours notice to return to Capitol Hill once congressional Democrats and White House negotiators are able to break the impasse. Votes will be scheduled by then.

As per Senate calendar, they will formally go back to work on September 8.

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa predicted on Tuesday that if negotiators on the bill don't restart by Thursday, executive orders will be the only actions to take place until early September.

"If it doesn't happen in the next 48 hours, I think this is all you're going to see until Congress gets back into session after Labor Day," Grassley said in a conference call with reported.

No Deal in Sight

There is little reason to think that a deal will come to be before the September return.

The virus relief's four key negotiators have not met in person since Friday, when the talks on virus aid collapsed.

The only contact that took place between them this week was Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin calling House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday. That call only showed how stalemated the negotiations are on the coronavirus relief.

As Pelosi said, both parties are just "miles apart" in their values.

Democrats want the package to be priced at around $3.4 trillion to $3.7 trillion. They are only thinking of slashing the price tag by $1 trillion.

But the Republicans and the White House refuse to move their price from roughly $1 trillion.

Pelosi said she still doesn't know when her next talk with Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows will be. "I don't know. When they come in with $2 trillion," she said.

Playing the Blame Game

With talks on the virus relief stalled, the Associated Press noted that both sides had played the blame game on Thursday. The report noted that no serious moves were made to try and break the stalemate.

At her weekly press event, Pelosi pressed for funding to go to the U.S. Postal Service, rental assistance efforts, food aid and rapid testing for the virus. She added that "people will die" if the delay goes on until September.

Top Congressional Democrat and Pelosi issued a joint statement saying, "The White House is not budging," reported the Voice of America.

On the other end, President Donald Trump said the Democrats are "holding the American people hostage."

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It must have taken a lot of perseverance, said Sarita Nair, chief administrative officer at the City of Albuquerque, for Sen. Kamala Harris to end up near the top of the Democratic ticket.

Nair, like Harris, is part of a bicultural Black-Indian family. Nair is Indian and her daughter is Black.

A biracial person, you dont get half the discrimination. You get double the discrimination a lot of the time, Nair said. As accomplished, and skilled and intelligent as (Harris) is, she must be tough. To think how hard she had to fight to get here  I think its a good story. Its the American Dream.

The daughter of an Indian-American mother and a Black father from Jamaica, Harris is the first woman of color nominated for vice president by a major political party. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced Harris as his running mate on Tuesday.

The decision reverberated through New Mexico.

State Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-Albuquerque, said for the past two days she has been getting calls from Albuquerque Public Schools teachers about how to teach their students about the significance of Harris nomination. Stapleton, the first Black woman elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives and floor leader, is an administrator at APS.

It is extremely significant. When (the nomination was announced), all I thought about was all the young ladies, the little girls, especially minorities, to see that a woman of color can become vice president, she said.

At a time when minority communities are being disproportionately hurt by the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement is working to address systemic racism, Harris will bring an important perspective to the national stage, said Harold Bailey, president of the Albuquerque branch of the NAACP.

I think its an outstanding choice on the part of Mr. Biden. She will bring the country together, shes extremely sharp, Bailey said. Its a strong ticket and it reflects what America is all about.

Finnie Coleman, a University of New Mexico professor in the English Department and the Africana Studies Program, said that Harris is following in the footsteps of many Black women who were leaders in civil rights era. He said he was thinking of Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to run for the Democratic presidential nomination, Ella Baker, Barbara Jordan and others.

I think it is significant in that this decision reflects a long history of Black women who have been leaders of our country who have often been overshadowed, Coleman said. There was a cadre of women working during the Civil Rights Movement who set the stage for Kamala Harris.

Harris in 2016 was elected a senator for California. Prior to that, she spent much of her career as a prosecutor. She was the San Francisco District Attorney from 2004 to 2011 and the California Attorney General from 2011 to 2017.

Kamala Harris is the best person for the (nomination) for a variety of reasons. Were focusing on her race, ethnicity and gender, and those are important, Coleman said. But the most important factor is that she is remarkable human being who is prepared for the opportunity.

Megan Bott, a spokeswoman for the New Mexico Black Leadership Council, said that while the council doesnt endorse political candidates, the group was very happy with the Harris nomination.

We support Black women being at the center of leadership, especially in Washington, she said.
An air bubble between India and Canada will become operational on August 15, with national carriers of both nations aiming to restore commercial passenger services to pre-pandemic level.

This air bubble for India will be the fifth of its kind, as the country has similar arrangements in place with the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Air Canada will start operating flights between Toronto and New Delhi on Saturday, with the first flight returning on Tuesday.

Also read: Air bubbles only way forward for international travel during pandemic, says Hardeep Puri

Till date, over 50 flights operated by Air India under the Vande Bharat Mission have repatriated Indians from Canada. These flights have connected several cities in India with the Canadian cities of Toronto and Vancouver. They have so far ferried nearly 9,000 persons back to India, and with 20 more such flights scheduled for this month, that number is expected to cross 10,000.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Government, through its High Commission in Delhi and its Consulates in India, has also operated 41 repatriation flights, but those were chartered. Air Canada will return to India after nearly five months. Though the current arrangement of three-flights-a-week between Delhi and Toronto is only listed till the end of August, it is expected to be extended.

The two countries were prompt in establishing the air bubble, with the Canadian Government seeking permission to this effect last week. It adds to the convenience of Indian and Canadian citizens, Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Ajay Bisaria said.

The Indian Government is also working at synchronizing sharing of data with Air Canada for smooth implementation of restrictions and precautions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Canadians of Indian origin holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards will be able to travel on these flights to India. This underscores the importance of these cards, since those who do not have it will have to apply for an emergency visa to travel, Bisaria said.
The University of Oregon will cover four murals in one of its libraries after years of outcry from students, staff, faculty and community members who felt the murals language and portrayal of Indigenous people was racist.

One of the murals in the Knight Library, titled the Mission of a University, mentions the need to conserve our racial heritage. Two other murals illustrate humanitys development of the arts and the sciences, with dozens of people underneath the branches of growing trees.

At the bottom of the tree in the arts mural, Indigenous people paint on cave walls and sew animal skins. In the science counterpart, Indigenous people during the Stone Age are depicted using fire for warmth. In both murals, only white people are at the top of the tree.

UO Provost Patrick Phillips said the librarys decision to now cover the murals comes as nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism have been sparked by the police killing of George Floyd.

After UO students petitioned in 2017 to remove the Mission of a University mural, university officials didnt take it down but hosted a series of discussions about art and cultural memory.

You can definitely see that point of view, Phillips told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Were an institution of higher learning. We want to make sure that were not celebrating the pieces of art, but also recognizing historical context.

But students felt uncomfortable with the murals still being displayed in the library.

Angela Noah, a UO sophomore who is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and identifies as Choctaw, first heard of the efforts to remove the murals while working at a nonprofit before she enrolled at UO. Hearing about these efforts from the universitys Native American Student Union made her want to help in some way.

After she enrolled at UO last year, walking past the murals or the statues of pioneers on campus constantly reminded her of the oppression she and other Indigenous people face.

It just reminded me that I wasnt supposed to be here as an Indigenous woman, said Noah, who is studying in UOs public policy school.

In November 2017, then-freshman Fran Smith petitioned the library to remove the Mission of a University mural. She criticized it as degrading to students of color and started collecting signatures on a Change.org petition, garnering more than 1,800 signatures.

Now, almost three years later, she believes that the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests pushed the university into deciding to remove the murals.

Without the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement and other racial justice movements behind it, I dont think that the university would be making these sudden attempts to try to rectify its mistakes, said Smith, a senior studying in UOs public policy school.

Temerity Bauer, a co-director for UOs Native American Student Union, said that she first heard about the murals at club meetings during her first year at the university. Bauer, the clubs other co-director and Noah have met with Phillips to discuss their concerns about the murals and their experiences as Indigenous students on campus.

In the middle of campus, you see a colonist statue. How are you supposed to feel supported? said Bauer, an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes of Northern California and a junior studying biology. How do you feel confident in a place where everything is telling you: You are the oppressed. You are the person who is not going to be successful. We are focused on the white majority, and they are going to be the ones who are going to succeed.

The universitys move comes amidst renewed public criticism across the nation against statutes, building names, monuments and other historical artifacts that some say romanticize prejudiced historical figures.

We tried the context thing, and it was clear that it was creating, still, this unwelcoming, unsupportive and  quite frankly  exclusionary symbol to students, Phillips said. It wasnt working to address the issues that we want. It maybe addresses it from one point of view, but for the entire community, it definitely was not.

The murals have been vandalized a few times in the last few years, according to reporting from the Daily Emerald, the UOs student-run newspaper. In August 2018, one of the phrases on the mural  racial heritage  had been struck through with red paint, and an index card next to the mural asked, Which art do you choose to conserve now?

In June, one of the front entrances of Knight Library was splashed with red paint and spray-painted with the phrase whose racist heritage.

Other monuments on campus have also been defaced or torn down. In June, protesters on UOs campus  some of whom had been attending a teach-in on racism in Oregons history  used ropes, sledgehammers and pickaxes to topple two statues of pioneers that had been similarly criticized for honoring a single, white perspective of history.

In Portland earlier this summer, during nightly rallies against police brutality and systemic racism, protesters tore down a statue of former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, who enslaved 600 people. Similar incidents have occurred in other cities, including San Francisco, Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee.

UO will pay $31,940 to cover up the four murals with a temporary aluminum panel with a print of the Minnesota Kasota limestone walls. Phillips said that the university will hold off on deciding what to replace the murals with for at least a year because the administration is focusing on reopening the university this fall.

 Ryan Nguyen; rnguyen@oregonian.com; @ryanjjnguyen
MANILA, PHILIPPINESA leading terror suspect who has been linked to beheadings of hostages, including two Canadians and a Malaysian, has surrendered after being wounded in battle, officials said Friday.

National police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said Thursday night that Abu Sayyaf commander Anduljihad Susukan gave up after negotiations with police in southern Davao city, where he was served warrants for at least 23 cases of murder, six for attempted murder and five for kidnapping.

He is the highest-ranking commander of the small but brutal Abu Sayyaf group to be arrested so far this year. The military has been waging a years-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, which has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for past bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. Many of its gunmen, mostly peasants and desperately poor villagers, have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group.

Security officials have blamed Susukan and his men for playing a role in cross-border kidnappings of tourists and other victims from the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, including a Malaysian citizen, who was beheaded by the militants in 2015 in their jungle base in southern Sulu province on the day when Malaysias then-prime minister Najib Razak arrived in Manila to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Susukan also helped finance the kidnappings in the south of two Canadian men, who were separately beheaded in Sulu in 2016 after the militants failed to get a huge ransom. Another Abu Sayyaf militant, Ben Yadah, murdered the two Canadians and remains at large, a military officer said.

Susukan surrendered to a Muslim rebel chief after the accidental explosion of his M203 rifle grenade in a gun battle with troops in Sulu severed his left arm. Military officials had believed he was killed but later learned he was in the custody of Nur Misuari, who leads an armed group which signed a 1996 peace deal with the government.

Misuari flew from Jolo to Davao city on a private plane with a few companions that included Susukan on Sunday, sparking speculation he may be planning to present the terror suspect to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte has been staying in his hometown in Davao city, where Misuari also has a home. Although the president has appointed Misuari as a special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Muslim rebel chief has not been clearly authorized to hold talks with suspected terrorists.

His giving himself up to Mr. Misuari is not the surrender contemplated under the law and does not make him immune from arrest, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said of Susukan in a statement.

Under a murky arrangement, Misuari and his rebel force have been allowed to keep their weapons in Sulu and outlying provinces under the 1996 Muslim autonomy deal in the south, homeland of minority Muslims in the largely Roman Catholic nation.

The militants beheaded the two Canadians after ransom deadlines lapsed. At the time, Prime Justin Trudeau urged governments not to pay ransom to discourage similar abductions.

John Ridsdel of Calgary and fellow Canadian Robert Hall were among four tourists kidnapped in September 2015 by Abu Sayyaf militants along with Norwegian man Kjartan Sekkingstad and Marites Flor, a woman from the Philippines.

The two Canadians, Sekkingstad, who was a permanent resident of Canada at the time, and Flor, who was Halls girlfriend, were snatched from a marina.

Flor was freed in June 2016 and Sekkingstad was released a few months later in September.

Ridsdel was executed in April of that year and Hall was beheaded in June.

Hall was born in Calgary but lived in various parts of Western Canada. He ran a series of businesses  a small engine repair shop, a pizza stand, a home renovation company, and a consulting firm  but spent 25 years at his custom welding and fabrication business.

While sailing and travelling around the world, Hall landed in the Philippines a couple of years before his death and lived in the port city of Davao.
The minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development, Thoko Didiza, has extended the validity period of the Covid-19 Disaster Agricultural Support Fund Voucher. The fund is aimed at providing assistance to distressed small-scale farmers, who need financial relief from the impact of Covid-19.

Image source: Gallo/Getty

Challenges on the ground

Improved operations at deeds office

Responding to the 4th industrial revolution

The validity period for the fund has now been extended to 30 September 2020. Initially, the vouchers were valid until 30 June and the Mmnister had extended it to 31 July 2020.These extensions emanated from delays in the printing of vouchers and supply chain disruptions in the availability of production inputs caused by Covid-19, which negatively affected farmers ability to redeem their vouchers.I have noted that there are still challenges on the ground being experienced by both farmers and suppliers when it comes to the availability of some production inputs such as day old chicks and seedlings, as well as errors picked on some vouchers, which relate to incorrect ID numbers and incorrect allocation of production inputs, the minister said on Thursday, 13 August.The minister has instructed the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to identify applications that were erroneously disqualified and to make sure that they are provided with production inputs.I have considered all these challenges and decided that it would be prudent to extend the validity period to 30 September 2020 to allow suppliers to build adequate stocks of production inputs and farmers to redeem their vouchers, Didiza said.Further information on the extension of the validity period and names of more than 14,000 successful applicants will be available on the departmental website: www.dalrrd.gov.za , as soon as possible in order to encourage transparency.Meanwhile, the minister has met with the Chief Registrar of Deeds and all provincial registrars in order to plan on how backlog challenges in all deeds offices can be addressed. The meeting follows numerous complaints from various stakeholders regarding backlogs and constant closure of deeds offices.The measures to address the backlogs at the deeds office include allowing examiners to examine documents at home in order to fast track the examination of documents.Registrars have the authority to manage this and should do so, taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the documents as well steps to avoid fraudulent transactions, the department said.All deeds offices will re-arrange their offices to ensure social distancing and safety of staff, especially those with co-morbidities.Officials must be provided with the relevant tools of trade to allow them to work from home, the department said. However, it is understood that in some instances, this may not be possible due to various factors such as where offices are in rural areas and where it is not safe to do so.Registrars must ensure that despite these challenges, service delivery continues unhindered. Upgrading of Deeds Offices' IT systems to respond to the 4th industrial revolution will be prioritised, despite budget cuts due to Covid-19, the department said.The department said the closure of deeds offices will be minimised and done under extreme circumstances.Various options will be undertaken, which are not limited to ensuring that decontamination is only done in affected areas and not in the whole building and also to ensure that all officials continue to work while at home, the department said.The minister expressed her appreciation for the important role deeds offices play in the property sector and in the recovery of the economy post Covid-19.While I appreciate all that, I want to guarantee all stakeholders that the safety of our employees will not be compromised and we will all work very hard to address the backlog as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, which affected the operations of these offices.We will ensure that all health and safety measures, as stipulated by the Departments of Health and Employment and Labour, are adhered to," the minister said.
JERUSALEM  Israels agreement to establish diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates marks a watershed moment in its relations with Arab countries, but the Palestinians say it puts a just resolution of the Middle East conflict even farther out of reach.

The UAE presented its decision to upgrade longstanding ties to Israel as a way of encouraging peace efforts by taking Israels planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank off the table, something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rebuffed by insisting the pause was temporary.

From the Palestinian perspective, the UAE not only failed to stop annexation, which would dash any remaining hopes of establishing a viable, independent state. It also undermined an Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for concessions in peace talks  a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians.

I never expected this poison dagger to come from an Arab country, Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official and veteran negotiator said Friday. You are rewarding aggression.  You have destroyed, with this move, any possibility of peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

President Donald Trump has presented the U.S.-brokered agreement as a major diplomatic achievement and said he expects more Arab and Muslim countries to follow suit. Israel has quietly cultivated ties with the UAE and other Gulf countries for several years as they have confronted a shared enemy in Iran.

In Israel, the agreement has renewed long-standing hopes for normal relations with its Arab neighbors. Netanyahu has long insisted, contrary to generations of failed peace negotiators, that Israel can enjoy such ties without resolving its conflict with the Palestinians. For now, he seems to have been proven right.

Its hard to claim right now that the 53-year-old occupation is unsustainable when Netanyahu has just proved that not only is it sustainable, but Israel can improve its ties with the Arab world, openly, with the occupation still going, wrote Anshel Pfeffer, a columnist for Israels Haaretz newspaper.

But the Middle East conflict was never between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which have fought no wars and share no borders. And the nature of the agreement will likely force the Palestinians to harden their stance and redouble their efforts to isolate Israel.

The Palestinian Authority issued a scathing statement in response to the move, calling it a betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause, language clearly aimed at inflaming Arab and Muslim sentiment worldwide.

The Palestinians have called for an urgent meeting of the Arab League and the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation to condemn the move. But in those forums they will be pitted against the oil-rich UAE, which has deep pockets, allies across the region and even more influence in Washington following the agreement with Israel.

The international campaign is meant to isolate the Emiratis so that other countries will not take the same step, said Ibrahim Dalalsha, a Palestinian analyst. Whether it will succeed in this or not, it remains to be seen.

Iran and Turkey lashed out at the UAE, a regional rival, accusing it of betraying the Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims.

But the agreement, and the decision to pause annexation, was welcomed by much of the international community, including Egypt and the Gulf Arab nations of Bahrain and Oman. Many countries, including Germany, France, Italy, China and India, expressed hope it would help revive the peace process.

The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza, areas seized by Israel in the 1967 war. Trumps plan would allow Israel to keep nearly all of east Jerusalem, including holy sites sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, and annex up to a third of the West Bank. The Palestinians have angrily rejected the proposal.

Germanys Foreign Minister Heiko Maas reiterated his countrys support for a two-state solution when he called to congratulate Israel on the historic agreement with the UAE.

We stand by our position that only a negotiated two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Middle East, Maas said in a statement. Together with our European partners and the region we have campaigned intensively in past months against an annexation and for the resumption of direct negotiations.

That strikes many Palestinians as a return to a similarly unbearable status quo, in which Israel rules the West Bank and expands Jewish settlements while the international community calls for peace talks that never materialize.

Any serious negotiations, or lasting solution to the conflict, will require the Palestinians, who feel they have been brushed aside.

Were now in a situation where everybody is talking about us and no one is talking to us, said Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian Authority. Its a colonial approach, she said, as though we are just some problem that needs to be addressed without ever speaking to us.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended all contacts with the U.S. after it recognized disputed Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017. In May, the Palestinians cut all ties with Israel, including security coordination, in response to the threat of annexation, and said they would no longer abide by any past agreements with Israel or the United States.

In recent weeks, as the threat of annexation faded amid internal political disputes in Israel, some had speculated the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority would quietly back down, if only to restore the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes collected by Israel.

Now, in the wake of the UAE agreement, many say thats out of the question.

This is not a way for them to climb down from the tree, Buttu said. Its quite the opposite, I think it keeps them there.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 15:47 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e1283c 4 City BMKG,rapid-test,rapid-testing,Kemayoran,Central-Jakarta,weather,COVID-19 Free

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has announced that it will close its office in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, for a week after rapid test results indicated that dozens of its staff may have contracted COVID-19.

The Kemayoran community health center (Puskesmas) conducted the tests for the agencys employees on Wednesday and found 31 of the 113 tests produced "reactive" results, BMKG spokesperson Taufan Maulana said.



"The 31 staffers have also undergone polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests as further testing is necessary for more accurate results," Taufan said on Thursday as reported by kompas.com.

Read also: AEON Mall BSD City closes after employees contract COVID-19



The results of the PCR tests are expected to come out in the next three to five days.



"We'll close the office from Aug. 13 to Aug 20 in order to cut the chain of COVID-19 transmission. During the closure, all BMKG office areas will be sterilized with disinfectant," he added.



Even with all of the agency's employees working remotely from home during the period, Taufan said that all weather forecast and disaster early warning systems would run normally.

"We'll still provide real-time weather forecasts and early warnings for disasters as usual," he said.



Head of the Puskesmas in Kemayoran, Buana, said the 31 BMKG employees whose rapid test results were reactive were currently in self-isolation.



"We had advised them to self-isolate while waiting for PCR test results," Buana said on Thursday. (nal)
KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Micromax plans to launch at least 20 new products in next 2 years, to invest Rs 500 crore in R&D and manufacturing by end of next year

Company aiming to regain lost glory in smartphones where it had 19% share in 2014. Its share has slid to 0.1% in Q2 2020

Anti-China sentiment has provided the company with the necessary tailwind. Government's PLI scheme also helping

Wants to reduce component imports in the next few years. Also looking at exports out of here

Indian consumer electronics brand Micromax is making a grand comeback in the domestic smartphone market hoping to capitalise on the rising anti-China sentiment in the country. Chinese smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme and One Plus account for over 70 per cent of India's 158 million shipments per annum smartphone industry.

With co-founder Rahul Sharma back at the helm of the company, Micromax has prepared a war chest of Rs 500 crore for R&D and manufacturing to be spent by the end of next fiscal and plans to launch at least 20 new models over this period. The first of its new smartphones would hit the market by the end of September.

"We want our old position back in this market and to do that we will launch multiple phones. We know the pulse of this market and understand the sweet spots. Our phones will come in all those sweet spots and we would look to disrupt the market," says Sharma. The campaign against using Chinese goods started by some organisations like the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) is a big factor working in the company's favour. Analysts say consumers are now actively looking at non-Chinese phones but some are dismayed by the lack of options and are forced to settle for the Chinese ones. The comeback of Micromax seeks to exploit this opportunity.

"We have been working on the comeback for much longer. We actually sensed an opportunity on a global scale when the US-China trade war began over a year ago. This anti-China feeling in India is recent and you cannot plan on launching smartphones overnight," Sharma says. "It works in our favour. Somehow it feels like the universe is conspiring to help us in our endeavour. This is a very important and significant industry and in future you do not want to see anybody in India holding a device which is of a different country of origin. It has to be Indian."

Before the Chinese trooped in, Micromax had grown to become the second-largest player in the market and was giving a tough fight to the then leader Samsung. The entry of the brands from across the border with their deep pockets saw Micromax getting outspent in the market. It had a mere 0.1 per cent share in smartphones in Q2 of 2020. Pockets of those brands remain deep but the government's Rs 41,000 crore PLI scheme which incentivises domestic companies over foreign firms will aid Micromax in the renewed fight against the Chinese.

"The scheme is very helpful. The incentive of 4-6 per cent in incremental sales makes us competitive in the market. Almost 90 per cent of the market today is for phones less than Rs 15,000 so that suits us too," he says. "We have the infrastructure and manufacturing set up in place and over the next few years we will build the entire ecosystem of components within the country beginning with the software and then the hardware."

The company is also looking at this as an opportunity to export which will give it additional scale. The more phones it produces and sells, the more competitive it will get against the global players. Currently, the company has a cumulative production capacity of 20 million phones per annum - feature and smartphones combined, in its two factories in Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, and Telangana.

"This is not only a national but a global opportunity. Many different countries are looking to move away from China since most of the brands have been banned due to the US-China conflict. India has the best chance in the mobile phone industry as global players since the market is very sales oriented," Sharma says. "Countries like the US, UK, Europe are looking at opportunities to source from elsewhere. Which can give us additional scale and ensure Micromax can combat the Chinese," he adds.

Also read: Apple to launch new subscription packs to offer news, music, games and more
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Senate confirmed President Trump's nomination of Richard Giacolone as Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) in a voice vote on Aug. 13.

Director Giacolone was appointed by President Trump to serve as the Acting Director of FMCS in June 2018 and received his original nomination in April 2019.

Director Giacolone began his mediation career at FMCS in the Chesapeake, Virginia field office in 1995. He was the former Director of the FMCS International/ADR Department and Special Assistant to the Director of FMCS. Prior to receiving his commission with FMCS, Director Giacolone was Labor Relations Advisor for the Department of the Navy and has an extensive background in labor relations representing management.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be confirmed by the Senate as FMCS' director," Giacolone said. "I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to lead this indispensable agency and am eager to carry on our mission in preventing and resolving workplace conflict during a time when labor and management issues are at such a critical point."

In the two years he has led the Agency, Director Giacolone has reorganized the Agency structure and has implemented a variety of initiatives to modernize the Agency, better equipping it to handle current challenges and cases. Under his leadership, FMCS has expanded its core work as it relates to services provided under congressional authorizations such as the Administrative Dispute Resolution Acts (ADRAs) of 1990 and 1996 and other statutes in which FMCS is named as the provider of third-party neutral services. Director Giacolone also leads the Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of great uncertainty, where he has greatly expanded the virtual capabilities of the Agency, leading to a seamless transition with no disruption in services to FMCS customers.

"One of my visions is to see FMCS work in a more robust and engaging way in the federal sector. For example, we signed an agreement last April with the EEOC to mediate formal complaints pending hearing at the Administrative Judge level. At the request of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, we agreed to provide ADR services in connection with negotiability disputes," Giacolone added. "We also signed an agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to mediate its backlog of EEO cases in Boston, Washington DC and Atlanta, and will soon modify that agreement to expand nationwide. As further examples, we have assumed the administration of the Shared Neutrals program in the National Capital area, relaunched ADR.gov website to assist federal agencies in developing and implementing ADR programs, and successfully assisted the US Dept. of Transportation and the 574 federally recognized Native American Tribes in their recent negotiated rulemaking process establishing tribal transportation self-governance. I am so proud of our Agency's progress."

During his quarter-century FMCS career, Director Giacolone mediated thousands of domestic labor and employment cases, comprising many cases of national significance, ranging from labor disputes involving multiple symphonies and orchestras, to bus and transportation disputes, and scores of cases involving shipbuilding and repair industries with national impact. Most recently, Director Giacolone helped to bring an end to a lengthy strike at Bath Iron Works in Maine. He has also mediated numerous significant collective bargaining agreements covering nationwide bargaining units in the federal sector. Director Giacolone led the Agency's transition assistance mission during the transfer of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama, and his additional international work at FMCS includes both mediation and the development and delivery of dispute resolution programs in more than a dozen other countries.

Among his professional honors, Director Giacolone was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for his contributions to the Department of Navy Labor and Employee Relations program, and the Society of Federal Labor and Employee Relations Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award. He was elected National President of the Society of Federal Labor and Employee Relations Professionals.

Director Giacolone holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Psychology and a Master of Public Administration degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. He has served on the faculty and regularly lectured at several universities on topics such as collective bargaining and arbitration.

The U.S. Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS) is the nation's premier public agency for dispute resolution and conflict management. FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral and independent government agency upon enactment of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) and mandated to resolve industrial conflict and promote labor-management peace and cooperation, minimizing the impact of these disputes on the free flow of commerce. With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices across the country, the agency has a proud track record of decades of effective dispute resolution and conflict management services for employers and unions across industries and work activities in the private, public, and federal sectors. FMCS is also recognized for its success facilitating negotiated rulemaking processes and for its robust employment mediation program in the federal sector as well as its global program, partnering with more than 60 countries to provide international consulting and training. For more on FMCS or to request services, visit www.fmcs.gov

SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Related Links

http://www.fmcs.gov


The Realme Narzo 10A will be once again available for purchase today through a flash sale scheduled for 12PM noon. The companys budget offering was launched alongside the Narzo 10 back in May and features triple-cameras at the back and a big 5,000mAh battery. Notably, the handset is a rebranded version of the Realme C3 that was launched in Thailand back in the month of February.

The Narzo 10A will be available for purchase via Flipkart and the Realme India website. The smartphone is priced at Rs 8,999 for the single 3GB RAM + 32GB storage variant while the 4GB + 64GB model comes at Rs 9,999. As for the offers, customers buying the phone from Flipkart can avail 5 percent cashback via Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card and 10 percent instant discount with Axis Bank Buzz Credit Card as well as no-cost EMI options. On the other hand, Realme India is offering up to 100 percent SuperCash worth Rs 500 for MobiKwik customers.

REALME NARZO 10A SPECIFICATIONS

The Narzo 10A comes with a 6.5-inch HD+ (1600x720 pixels) resolution display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G70 SoC, paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage which will be expandable using a dedicated microSD card slot.

There is a triple rear camera setup at the back with a 12-megapixel primary sensor and an f/1.8 lens. There is also a 2-megapixel portrait camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a 2-megapixel macro camera with a similar f/2.4 aperture lens.

At the front, the Narzo 10A features a 5-megapixel selfie camera. According to the company, the cameras offer features such as AI Beautification, HDR, Panorama, and Timelapse and full-HD (1080p) video recording support with 30fps frame rate.

The phone runs on the companys Realme UI based on Android 10. Connectivity options on the phone include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/ A-GPS, and a Micro-USB port. The battery is similar on the device rated at 5,000mAh battery
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 19:05:24|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's commerce ministry said Friday that it had started an anti-subsidy investigation into polyphenylene ether imports from the United States.

The probe was launched following a request by the Nantong Xingchen Synthetic Material Co., Ltd., on behalf of the domestic polyphenylene ether industry, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on its website.

Polyphenylene ether is a polymer with good heat resistance, dimensional stability and mechanical properties. It is used in photovoltaic, electronics and automobile industries.

The investigation is expected to end before August 14, 2021, but could be extended until February 14, 2022, the statement said. Enditem
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival at Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi, India, March 9, 2018. [Photo/Agencies]

By Shen Xiaoquan

The first batch of five France-made Rafale fighter jets arrived at Ambala airbase in Haryana, India, on July 29 escorted by top security. India and France have displayed their special relationship as India has chosen Rafalejets out of so many advanced foreign warplanes and France has sold its most advanced warplane to an Asia-Pacific country for the first time.

It is unusual for France to sell to India its cutting-edge fighter plane thats currently serving its own troops. French President Macrons visit to New Delhi in March of 2018 quickly heated up the bilateral ties and consolidated their strategic partnership. During the visit, Macron emphasized Frances position as Indias primary strategic partner in Europe, while Indian Prime Minister Modi explicitly called France one of its most reliable allies. The visit led to a security agreement between the two sides, whereby the two countries that respectively have military bases in the east and west part of the Indian Ocean will allow military vessels from the other side to use their naval bases.

India takes the Indian Ocean as its backyard. As its influence is limited to the east part of the Indian Ocean while the west part is controlled by France, New Delhi tries to join hands with Paris to dominate the ocean. After the two sides established the strategic partnership framework in 1998, they have worked out a mechanism involving regular joint military exercises between the two navies and air forces. Soon after Macrons India visit in 2018, the French and Indian navies conducted a military exercise as usual, including joint anti-submarine operations, air defense and asymmetrical encounters.

That Macron regards India as its top strategic partner in the Indian Ocean is out of Frances strategic plan to return to the Pacific Ocean. During his visit to Australia in early May of 2018, Macron called for the creation of a Paris-Delhi-Canberra axis across the Indian and Pacific oceans, in a bid to maintain the rules-based order in the region. This French initiative is generally believed to be aimed at containing Chinas growing strength and influence in this region.

It could be said that providing its latest fighter jet to India consists with France'sstrategic plan in the Indo-Pacific region. It will also provide six Scorpene-class submarines to India in addition to all 36Rafale fighter jets.

However, Paris kept a very low profile about the arrival of the first batch of Rafale fighter jets in India, not even touting the deal for commercial purposes, as if it was intentionally holding down the impacts of its Rafale sales to New Delhi. As China-US relations are sliding into a crisis, it would be wise for France, a major European country, not to take a side. Moreover, given Indias recent provocations against China in the Galwan Valley, France seems eager to keep silent at such a complicated and sensitive moment in order not to ruffle Chinas feathers.

(The author is a researcher at the International Affairs Research Center of Xinhua News Agency. All the contents in the article represent the author's opinions and dont necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.)
(Alliance News) -A The UK government on Friday said it has agreed access to 90 million doses of two promising Covid-19 vaccine candidates in deals with US drugmakers Novavax Inc and Johnson & Johnson.

Novavax has agreed to supply 60 million doses of NVX-CoV2373, its potential Covid-19 vaccine.

It will carry out a phase three trial to assess the efficacy of the vaccine in the UK population. The trial is expected to begin in the third quarter of this year, with the UK government supporting and providing infrastructure for the study to take place.

Novavax will expand its collaboration with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, which will manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373 from its Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees site in the UK, in addition to its US sites in North Carolina and Texas.

The UK site is expected to produce up to 180 million doses annually.

"We are honoured to partner with the UK government to deliver a vaccine that could provide vital protection in the fight against the global health crisis," said Novavax President & Chief Executive Stanley Erck. "Our Phase 3 clinical trial in the UK will be a critical component to assess the efficacy of NVX-CoV2373, which in a Phase 1 trial has already demonstrated to be generally well-tolerated and to elicit robust antibody responses. We are also delighted to expand our collaboration with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to manufacture our antigen at its UK site."

The UK also will co-fund a global clinical trial with Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos and has secured 30 million doses of the Janssen vaccine.

If the vaccines are safe and successful in human trials, both could be delivered to the UK in mid-2021. They would be given first to priority groups, the government said, such as frontline health workers and the elderly.

Following Friday's update, the UK has now secured access to six different vaccine candidates, including the University of Oxford's vaccine being developed with AstraZeneca PLC, as well as agreements with the BioNTech-Pfizer Inc alliance, Valneva and GlaxoSmithKline PLC-Sanofi Pasteur.

"We are delighted to partner with Janssen that has demonstrated their long-term commitment to global health and vaccines by providing their Covid-19 vaccine across the world at no profit. It is also encouraging that Novavax's recent clinical data shows their vaccine triggers an immune response greater than that in patients who have recovered from the disease," said Kate Bingham, chair of the UK government's Vaccines Taskforce.

By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Married At First Sight's relationship expert Mel Schilling recently revealed that she underwent surgery to remove a skin cancer.

Now, the 48-year-old has shared how her doctor discovered she had a basal cell carcinoma on her chest during her annual skin check a few weeks ago.

On Friday, she told 9Now: 'When it did hit me, I felt incredibly vulnerable  I'm the mummy who holds this family together, I'm Wonder Woman, and I could have a vulnerability. It was really confronting.'

'It was really confronting': Married At First Sight's relationship expert Mel Schilling discussed her skin cancer scare that made her feel 'incredibly vulnerable'

In a video about her journey, she recalled that she had noticed a tiny section of skin on her chest that appeared rough and dry.

She said that, before seeing her doctor, she tried treating it at home with coconut oil and topical treatments that she believed could treat dry skin, but noticed that it never really healed.

Mel said: 'I had my annual check and the doctor was a bit concerned about it, and so she took a biopsy and sent it away to the lab and it came back as cancer, as a basal cell carcinoma.'

Surgery: In a video about her journey, she recalled the patch of dry skin caught her doctor's attention during her annual skin check a few weeks ago

A basal cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer that is caused by long-term sun exposure.

It can be treated by removing the cancerous mole and some of the surrounding skin through surgery, and prevented with the use of sunscreen.

Mel explained that she had the surgery two weeks ago and that her stitches were ready to be removed and, despite being in Melbourne and in lockdown, has said her recovery has been smooth sailing.

It's not all about the spots: Following the removal of her stitches, Mel urged people to also take notice of other unusual changes in their skin in addition to moles and spots. She said: 'If something feels different get it checked out, the earlier the better'

Battle wound: Back in June, media personality Deborah Hutton, 58, revealed that she underwent surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma on her upper lip. Pictured is Deborah after her skin cancer surgery

Following the removal of her stitches, she urged people to also take notice of other unusual changes in their skin in addition to moles and spots.

'It's also about the little things that don't heal or seem strange to you or feel different, so trust your gut. If something feels different get it checked out, the earlier the better.'

Back in June, media personality Deborah Hutton, 58, revealed that she underwent surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma on her upper lip.

Meanwhile, actor Hugh Jackman, 51, has urged people to wear sunscreen and to regularly get their skin checked after having six skin cancer removed over the last six years.
We definitely wanted to think through how we could do that, she said. We wanted to try to challenge our own selves, even, see how our minds work, if we are able to get to know someone without looking at the physicalities first.
New York, NY - A team of researchers at Teachers College, Columbia University, whose FabLearn program has brought digital fabrication and maker education to schools in more than 22 countries, has received a three-year, $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop and research a new "technological ecosystem" that will enable students to create, test and compare their own ideas about science.

The FabLearn Program and the Transformative Learning Technologies Lab (TLT Lab) have opened applications for the third cohort of FabLearn Fellows. The application deadline is September 13th, 2020.

The effort, to be led by Paulo Blikstein, Associate Professor of Learning Technology Design, and Director of Teachers College's Transformative Learning Technologies Lab (TLT Lab), will build on a decade of work in this area. It will include work co-designed with classroom teachers to develop accompanying science learning units, and subsequent research to determine whether students are learning more using the new technology and curricula.

The project is intended to improve on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), introduced in 2013, which were hailed for their potential to transform K-12 students into "mini-scientists" who could learn core concepts by forming and testing their own hypotheses about how the laws of nature work.

But the standards have proven difficult to practice in actual classrooms, in part because a key way that students are supposed to fulfill that vision is through computational and mathematical modeling -- the creation and use of computer simulations that allow them to see their own ideas in action.

It's a great approach, Blikstein says, "but the problem is that the tools for computational modeling aren't user friendly enough. Few tools right now are really manageable by the teacher or practical within the constraints of the classroom. So what's happening instead is that many teachers are just saying, 'OK, to fulfill that requirement, I'll show a ready-made animation, have kids play with it for half an hour and we're done.'"

The idea behind the FabLearn Program, says Blikstein, is that "students should not just take natural laws as set in stone, but create their own laws, testing them, doing what-if scenarios. So, with a chemical reaction, you don't just teach them the formula for what's going on. Instead, they create their own simulation of how they think a reaction works -- do atoms move in circles, or randomly? Do they collide and bond or just blow up and disappear? -- and then through testing, sharing, and conversation with peers, they likely converge toward the accepted theory. And in that process, they can bring real world knowledge they already have."

The FabLearn Program and the Transformative Learning Technologies Lab (TLT Lab) have opened applications for the third cohort of FabLearn Fellows. The application deadline is September 13th, 2020.

The funding -- a Level 2 grant from NSF's DRK-12 Program, which is one of the most important for STEM research at the agency -- is focused on sixth- and seventh-grade science, but the results will be adaptable to other age groups, including high school students.

"You don't become a good reader if you only read books 30 minutes a month," says Tamar Fuhrmann, a co-Principal Investigator on the project and Senior Research Scientist working within TC's TLT Lab. "One of our main points is that kids should have sustained exposure to modeling tools to build real fluency. These inquiry practices should not be once-a-year experiences, but instead, 20-30 percent of the science hours in a given grade."

Adds Blikstein, "Ultimately, the big point is to have kids doing more real science in classrooms, not just hearing about or replicating what Newton or Darwin did, but instead, being Newton or Darwin in the sense of proposing, testing, and refining their own laws of nature."

There are currently available learning environments that allow youngsters to change variables in natural phenomena -- for example, the number of atoms in a chemical reaction, or the temperature that is causing the molecules to move and collide -- and then watch simulations of how those phenomena are altered.

"Often people call this interactive or active learning, but the space for students to change things is in fact very small," Fuhrmann says. "In these programs, the laws of nature are already embedded -- you don't get to look under the hood to see what makes things go."

Blikstein team's approach focuses on creating an easy-to-learn computational environment that will allow children not only to create their own simulations, but also validate them:

"In addition to the programming, we'll develop low-cost sensors that will enable you to check your simulated outcomes against an actual experiment in a real wet lab, side-by-side, in real time," Blikstein says.

Blikstein and Fuhrmann, whose collaborators are Michelle Wilkerson, Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California-Berkeley, and Aditi Wagh, a research scientist, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, emphasize that the new tools they will be creating will not only be appropriate for classrooms, but also for use in remote environments.

"We wrote our proposal long before the COVID pandemic hit, but together with my former doctoral student Engin Bumbacher, we have been working on remote wet-lab technologies for years," Blikstein says. "These tools won't be a complete replacement for being in school or in the lab, but they will definitely enable students to do actual experiments at home, either with low-cost materials, or accessing a remote microscope. Imagine if instead of spending hours on social media, kids start using their phones to run remote experiments and build scientific models? It will definitely beat watching a Zoom lecture, and that's good news for teachers who are desperately searching for alternatives to standing in front of a camera."

"We want to document and tell the stories of people using traditional digital fabrication but also alternative materials, such as recycled electronics, low-cost robotics, eco-friendly materials, bioplastics, clay, wood, natural fibers, and traditional textiles," Blikstein says. "We are also interested in how educators from around the world are adapting their maker-inspired activities to the new COVID-19 scenarios."

Those selected as FabLearn Fellows make a 24-month commitment (from October 2020 through September 2022) to provide teachers and educators with the resources to turn their own successful education activities and experiences in makerspaces into shareable, open-source educational materials.

This program targets educators who are either actively using or building makerspaces or fab labs, or who work in any alternative spaces in which children engage with the creation of objects -- even if they do not have digital fabrication technologies.

###

Applications from educators working with underrepresented or underprivileged students are encouraged, especially from developing countries.

Learn more at https://fablearn.org/fellows/2020-announcement/ or by reading about the FabLearn Fellows Program. For questions, email info@fablearn.net
Evan Vucci, STF / Associated Press

President Donald Trump tweeted that he directed the U.S. Treasury Department to prepare direct economic relief payments to Americans - and blamed House Democrats for not budging on the details of the next economic stimulus package.

The tweets come as Congress recessed without making any headway on the next round of COVID-19 economic relief, which would have likely included additional direct payments to Americans.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Cars display signs requesting to stop evictions as protesters supporting the rent freeze gather in Chinatown on August 10, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. During the pandemic, California has passed a number of eviction protections that are under evaluation as they have started expiring. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

The Judicial Council of California voted 19-1 on Thursday to lift its moratorium on most evictions and foreclosures.

"The judicial branch cannot usurp the responsibility of the other two branches on a long-term basis to deal with the myriad impacts of the pandemic," Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye said in a statement.

Earlier, state lawmakers had pleaded with the council for more time to come up with a solution of their own, warning of "chaos" should evictions resume.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

California's top justices voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to lift emergency rules meant to halt most evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying any extension of those moratoriums must be passed by the state's lawmakers.

"The judicial branch cannot usurp the responsibility of the other two branches on a long-term basis to deal with the myriad impacts of the pandemic," Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye said in a statement. "The duty of the judicial branch is to resolve disputes under the law and not to legislate."

In the absence of a new law, most evictions and foreclosures could resume as soon as Sept. 2.

California lawmakers have thus far been unable to reach a deal on a legislative moratorium. Earlier in August, Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon pleaded with the Judicial Council for more time, warning of "chaos" should evictions resume, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"Speeding up the legislative process is nearly impossible," the lawmakers wrote, "given the current precautions needed to reduce the risk of viral transmission during legislative business."

California's Assembly and Senate have both taken up legislation for a state-wide eviction moratorium but, as the Associated Press noted, the bills clash on how to compensate landlords.

Some California renters are protected by a hodgepodge of local eviction protections, but those are set to expire too. In Los Angeles, for example, a county-wide moratorium is set to be lifted on Sept. 30.

Story continues

Should that happen, as many as 365,000 households could be at risk of eviction, LAist reported, citing research by UCLA's Luskin Institute.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dana White says he fully intends to stage a UFC light heavyweight title fight before the year is out.

Whether Jon Bones Jones is involved remains to be seen.

White, the UFCs president and the MMA promotional giants public face, told ESPNs Brett Okamoto that he was waiting to hear from Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion and in the eyes of many the best fighter pound-for-pound in the sport.

If theres been any response, both parties have kept it to themselves. Jones (26-1), normally active on social media, posted nothing on Friday.

In late May, Jones  angry because he felt White was lowballing him in negotiations for a proposed fight against heavyweight Francis Ngannou  said he was renouncing the light heavyweight title and would focus on matters other than fighting.

As far as White and the UFC are concerned, Jones is still the light heavyweight champion.

If Jones does choose to fight, White said, it would have to be a rematch against Dominick Reyes, who lost to Jones by unanimous yet controversial decision in February.

ITS ON: In Las Vegas, Nevada, Albuquerques John Dodson (21-11) weighed in on Friday at 136 pounds, a permissible one pound over the bantamweight limit, for his fight Saturday against Merab Dvalishvili (11-4).

Dvalishvili, a native of the nation of Georgia, also weighed in at 136.

Dodson-Dvalishvili is on the main card of UFC 252, headlined by a rubber match between UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Daniel Cormier.

Cormier won the first fight between the two, Miocic the second. Cormier, who also is a former light heavyweight champion  thanks to Jones out-of-the-cage difficulties  has said he will retire, win or lose, after Saturdays fight.

Cormier has lost to Jones twice, though the second fight between them was declared no contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance.

Saturdays main card will be streamed on espn+ pay-per-view, scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

Early prelim fights will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass, starting at 5 p.m. Prelim fights will be streamed on espn+, starting at 6.

BORG STATEMENT: Family and personal matters, Albuquerque MMA flyweight Ray Borg wrote Friday on social media, were the root cause of his being dropped by the UFC last week.

Ultimately, though, he said, its all on him.

(UFC Matchmakers) Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard and Dana White have actually treated me insanely good and have given me so many chances to get my (stuff) together and I failed to do so, Borg wrote.

Borg cited the ongoing medical problems surrounding his 2-year-old son, Anthony, who suffers from hydrocephalus. Also, he wrote, he and his wife, Amanda, have custody of a very troubled 8 year old little girl.

Unfortunately I have let all these struggles effect me during some of the most important times in my career.

Borg (13-5) was scheduled to face Nathan Maness on an Aug. 1 UFC card but withdrew for reasons undisclosed. He had withdrawn from a scheduled June 13 fight against Dvalishvili because of concerns about his sons health.

I am gutted to part ways with the ufc but I am also grateful for all the cool experiences I have taken part of over the years, he wrote.

This is not a goodbye post but rather a temporary pause until I can come back better.  Ill be back.

POSTPONED: Albuquerque strawweight Michelle Watersons scheduled Aug. 22 fight against Angela Hill (12-8) has been rescheduled for Sept. 12 at the request of Waterson (17-8).

Joshua Gomez, Watersons husband, told the Journal she had requested the postponement for personal reasons. Her health is not a concern, he said.

NEXT FOR COWBOY: According to multiple reports, welterweight Donald Cowboy Cerrone (36-15), who lives and trains in the East Mountains, will face Niko Price (14-4) on UFC 253, scheduled for Sept. 19.

Both fighters confirmed the matchup on social media.

Lets Dance!! Cerrone posted on Instagram, next to a photo of him holding a bottle of Budweiser.

New Mexico MMA fans may remember Price for his victory by first-round TKO over Moriartys Tim Means in March 2019. In that fight, Means suffered ankle and tibia fractures that sidelined him for nine months.

All UFC cards listed above are scheduled to be staged at UFC Apex in Las Vegas with no fans in attendance, due to COVID-19 precautions.

Saturday

UFC 252: Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier, John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili, several other fights. Streaming: espn+ (pay-per-view), 8 p.m.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo secured Slovenia's support for his "Clean Network" campaign against Chinese technology, as he continued warning against the Communist Party during his Central European tour.

Pompeo lambasted "authoritarian threats" such as China's effort "to control people and information" on the second leg of his four-nation tour - three of which have joined China's "17+1" grouping in central and eastern Europe.

"Free nations must work together to confront authoritarian threats," he said in Slovenia. "It is absolutely critical that every nation makes a good sovereign decision about how the private information of its citizens is going to be handled."

Contrary to the Czech Republic, Pompeo's first stop, Slovenia has effectively rejected Huawei Technologies in its 5G systems, as it last month rolled out a nationwide commercial network with the Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson.

"The tide is turning against the Chinese Communist Party and its efforts to control information," Pompeo said.

Pompeo and Slovenian officials signed a joint declaration on "5G Clean Network Security" that aims to keep untrusted telecommunications vendors out of Slovenia.

"Protecting communications networks from disruption or manipulation, and ensuring the privacy and individual liberties of the citizens of the United States and Slovenia are vital to ensuring that our people are able to take advantage of the tremendous economic opportunities 5G will enable," the declaration says.

Pompeo said another important topic in talks with Slovenian officials would be ensuring energy security by reducing the country's dependence on Russia.

"We spoke about the enormous potential of next generation nuclear technology to deliver clean, reliable diversified energy that will help ensure political independence and economic prosperity for Slovenia and the entire region," he said.

Story continues

Pompeo and Slovenia's President Borut Pahor before their meeting in Bled, Slovenia. Photo: AP alt=Pompeo and Slovenia's President Borut Pahor before their meeting in Bled, Slovenia. Photo: AP

Earlier in the week, Pompeo said in Prague that the young democracies in the region should embrace hard-won freedoms and counter threats from Russia and particularly China, which he said is in many ways more dangerous than the former Soviet Union.

"The CCP is already enmeshed in our economies, in our politics, in our societies in ways the Soviet Union never was," he told Czech lawmakers, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian criticised Pompeo's "Cold War mentality" and "selfish" remarks.

"Wherever Pompeo goes, he's spreading political viruses and false information," he told reporters.

Filip Sebok, a China analyst at the Association for International Affairs, a think tank based in Prague, said Pompeo tapped into the increasingly hawkish stance on China among some Czech politicians.

"Pompeo finds a really attentive audience in Prague, jumping into a very heated public debate on China where the 'hawkish' views on China developed quite independently of what is happening in the US," Sebok said.

"It remains to be seen if this will also push the Czech government to make a clearer decision on Chinese 5G providers."

Additional reporting by Reuters

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
CAIRO  Egypt has been reaching out to the forces active in the Libyan crisis, especially the neighboring Maghreb countries of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. On July 26, speaker of the Libyan Tobruk-based parliament Aguila Saleh met with Moroccan officials in Morocco, followed by a call between the Tunisian President Kais Saied and Egypt's Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on July 30 and another between Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum on Aug. 2. The meetings focused on how to reach a political solution to the Libyan crisis and avoid military action.

Egypt supports Saleh and eastern military strongman Khalifa Hifter, commander of the Libyan National Army, against Libyas Government of National Accord, led by Fayez al-Sarraj. The Maghreb countries have taken a neutral stance.

Mohamed al-Orabi, former Egyptian minister of foreign affairs and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Egyptian Parliament, told Al-Monitor that Egypt is contacting Maghreb countries with the aim of reaching a consensus on the Libyan crisis, but such efforts need time.

Orabi criticized Tunisia and Algeria for being too preoccupied with their internal situations to pay attention to the years-long Libyan crisis or coordinate with Egypt on solutions. He stressed that stability in Libya is vital to the national security of all these countries, not Egypt alone, and that strong coordination is needed between them to address the issue.

He expects the events in Lebanon to affect the Libyan crisis and draw attention away from it, as did the outbreak of the coronavirus when some countries exploited it to intervene in Libya, threatening Arab national security. Orabi was referring to the Turkish intervention in support of the GNA that further complicated the crisis.

Meanwhile, Salah Abdallah, deputy secretary-general of the Arab Popular Conference, believes that communication between Egypt, Libyas neighbors and the Maghreb countries is necessary to resolve the Libyan crisis and preserve Arab national security. Thus, he added, opening communication channels with Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Chad and Sudan is crucial to forming a common vision for a solution in Libya.

Abdallah told Al-Monitor over the phone that while the Egyptian efforts may not lead to a total consensus on Libya, they can contribute greatly to a convergence of visions. Islamic currents largely control the Maghreb countries, which take neutral and balanced positions in Libya to avoid angering them, Abdallah explained. He added that the Maghreb countries are more supportive of Sarrajs government, while Cairo backs Hifter.

He further said that rapprochement between Egypt and Libya's neighbors is necessary for Libyas stability and for stopping the fighting.

Abdallah said that it's possible for Libya to hold a peace conference where the parties could agree to form a government that properly expresses the Libyans voices, because it has become impossible for the Sarraj government to continue. He stressed that rapprochement between Egypt and the Maghreb countries would be an important step toward that end.

In early June, Sisi suggested a political solution to the Libyan crisis and called for a cease-fire, urging all parties to abide by previous international agreements and stressing the need to abide by the results of the Berlin summit. Sisi also called for fair representation of all three Libyan provinces in a presidential council and for the disarmament of all militias. On June 7, the Maghreb countries rejected the Cairo initiative as biased toward one Libyan party at the expense of the GNA. They stated that each Libyan party must be treated equally and stressed their commitment to the Skhirat agreement.

Farouk Tayfour, a professor of political science at the University of Algiers, told Al-Monitor over the phone that Egyptian bias toward one of the conflicting parties in Libya complicates the process of reaching a consensus with the Maghreb countries. Cairo directly supports Hifter against the GNA, he added, which greatly affected the response to the Cairo initiative from Libyas neighboring countries.

Tayfour noted that rapprochement and consensus over a solution in Libya requires neutrality from Egypt, which must stop supporting one party against another so that its efforts can gain the credibility and strength they need to be effective, especially among the Libyan parties.

He explained that a solution cannot come from the outside and should begin inside Libya, though the neighboring countries will play a major mediation role.

Mohamed Bouden, a professor of international relations at the Mohammed V University in Rabat, told Al-Monitor over the phone that Egypt is consulting with the Maghreb countries regarding the Libyan file because as neighboring countries to Libya, their national security is affected by the crisis.

He added that contacts between Cairo and the Maghreb countries are ongoing amid a multiplicity of initiatives and proposed solutions including the Berlin conference, the Cairo initiative and the Skhirat agreement.

He stressed that the success of any initiative or mediation requires first of all Libyan approval, international support, UN sponsorship and a neutral environment. Thus coordination between Egypt and the Maghreb countries in these circumstances may be an accumulated diplomatic effort in search of a Libyan-Libyan solution, and it should only be a helpful factor for the Libyan-Libyan dialogue. He also believes that the countries that are benefitting from the current instability in Libya must not be involved in any future initiative.

Bouden pointed out that the Egyptian efforts face many challenges including the lack of trust between Egypt and the GNA and the rejection of some Maghreb countries of the Cairo initiative as they seek neutrality in Libya as well as the foreign interference and sharp polarization in the region.
Hyderabad: Case 1: Some 15 years ago, a young man who married the love of his life, who belongs to another religion, was stabbed to death by family members of the girl's family. The accused were arrested and sent to jail. Convicted of the crime, they have now spent 15 years in prison.

Case 2: A businessman was shot dead and his suitcase snatched by some assailants outside his house. Again, it was a planned murder. Those convicted have spent close to 16 years in prison.

Case 3: A man killed his wife and children as he thought they were coming in the way of his affair with another woman. He too has spent several years in jail.



Should these convicts be freed from prison based on their age, time spent in prison and good behaviour while in jail? Or should they continue in jail due to the heinous nature of the offences committed by them?

More than three weeks after Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao took a decision to release convicts on Independence Day, the committee formed to finalise the list of prisoners to be released are racking their brains as a case-by-case review of the heinous crimes and the accused, which includes revisiting the Court judgments  some as old as 15 to 18 years, court observations and facts that surfaced during investigation  is still underway.

Prisoners who are eagerly waiting for remission of their sentences will have to wait a little longer as the process might take close to a month to complete. The number of prisoners who will be set free is likely to be less than 150, and many hopefuls may not find their names in the list.

Sources in the Telangana police told Deccan Chronicle that while the guidelines for releasing prisoners on various criteria, particularly age, number of years spent in prison, good behaviour among others would form the basis for their release, the larger question is whether those convicts who were involved in well-planned murders should be freed, just because they fulfil the other criteria.

While there are little or no chance of such convicts finding their names on the list, officials are most likely to recommend the release of those who, though involved in murders, committed the offence in the spur of the moment and not in a planned manner as in other cases.

There are a number of convicts who were involved in well-planned murders  some killed their family members for money, property, extra-marital affairs or even marrying against the wishes of the family members. All of them had a motive to kill. Then there are those who killed someone following a heated argument or a fight in a fit of rage. More than 50 per cent of the murders are planned offences.

Judgments in each case, evidence, facts that surfaced during investigation and observation of the courts are being studied in detail before recommending the name of the prisoners for release. A thorough revision of guidelines for release of prisoners is underway which will take some more time,'' sources said.

The DGP, DG, prisons, home secretary, chiefs of State Intelligence wing, CID and law secretary are part of the committee which met recently.
Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, who died in the 2008 Batla House encounter, has been awarded gallantry medal posthumously. Sharma worked in the Delhi Polices Special Cell.

The Union home ministry on Friday released the list of police personnel who have been awarded the medals a day before the Independence Day.

While 215 police personnel have been given the medal for gallantry, 80 will get the Presidents Police Medal for distinguished service and 631 for meritorious service.

Sharma, then 44, had suffered three bullets when he went to capture five suspected terrorists hiding in south Delhis Batla House September 19, 2008. He later succumbed to the injuries in a hospital.

He had joined Delhi Police as a sub-inspector in 1989 and soon proved himself to be a cop with a nose to the ground. Sharma was given an out-of-turn promotion and made inspector in 1995.

However, the citation which mentions the act of bravery of an award winner has not been released so far. So it is not clear if Sharma has been given the award for the encounter or any previous act of gallantry. He was awarded the Ashok Chakra in 2009.

This is Sharmas seventh gallantry medal. He was awarded the presidents medal seven times.

This year, the gallantry awards list is topped by the police personnel from Jammu and Kashmir who have won 81 medals. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with 51 medals is at the second spot.

The home ministry officials familiar with the selection process said that majority of gallantry medals went to these two forces due to counter-insurgency operations.
The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant bail to Unitech promoters Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra.

A division bench of justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that the two brothers have not complied with the October 2017 order of the Supreme Court as per which Rs 750 crore was to be deposited with the registry of the court by December 31, 2017, to be eligible for bail.

The two brothers had claimed in their fresh bail application that they had deposited more than Rs 770 crore. The court, however, noted that the deposit was made after the deadline.

Further, a part of the amount deposited by the two came from monetisation of assets of Unitech and from tax refunds.

The court, therefore, refused to release them on bail while also making it clear that any modification of October 2017 order can be made only by a three-judge bench since the 2017 order was passed by a bench of three judges.

Sanjay Chandra was granted interim bail on July 7 for one month taking into account the fact that both his parents were infected with the coronavirus disease. With the period of interim bail having expired, the apex court asked Chandra to surrender before the authorities by Monday.

He was arrested by the Economic Offices Wing of the Delhi police in March 2017. Investigating authorities have maintained that prima facie probe indicated that money which has been realised from the flat buyers has been siphoned off.

A forensic audit report submitted before the Supreme Court by Grant and Thornton in December 2019 revealed that an amount of Rs 14,270 crore was collected by Unitech from 29,800 homebuyers. Out of that amount, Rs 13,364 crores was traced to the bank statements. Almost 90 per cent of the money was received between 2006 to 2014, the report said.

The report also said that the money trail analysis revealed that out of the collections from the homebuyers amounting to Rs 13,364.55 crore, approximately Rs 5,063.05 crore, or 40 per cent, was potentially not utilised by the Unitech group towards the construction/execution of the 74 identified projects.

The court had in January this year accepted the central governments proposal to replace the board of directors of Unitech with nominee directors. It ordered supersession of the board of directors of Unitech in order to facilitate the takeover of management by the directors constituted in terms of the proposal submitted by the Union government. The new board is headed by retired IAS officer Yudhvir Singh Malik.

In October 2017, the Supreme Court had ordered that Chandras will be entitled to bail upon deposit of Rs 750 crore with the court registry.

However, since the condition was not complied with, they continued to remain in jail. The top court had in, January 2019, rejected their bail plea for the same reason.

At this stage, the admitted facts before the court indicate that the order for the deposit of Rs 750 crore has not been complied with. The prayer for enlargement on bail is misconceived because the petitioners have been admitted to bail, subject to the condition of deposit which is not fulfilled, the court had said in its 2019 order.
President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is releasing a new tell-all book, Skyhorse Publishing confirmed Thursday.

Disloyal: The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump, will be published Sept. 8 by Skyhorse. Cohen released a foreword promising stories about Trump colluding with Russians in the 2016 election, tax fraud, Trumps extramarital affairs, and golden showers in Las Vegas, echoing lewd details from the infamous Steele dossier.

From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trumps clandestine lovers, I wasnt just a witness to the presidents riseI was an active and eager participant, Cohen writes.

According to Forbes, Cohen also says in the foreword that Trump cheated in the election, with Russian connivance and how the 45th president of the United States has no true friends because he lived his entire life avoiding and evading taking responsibility for his actions.

Disloyal is the most devastating business and political horror story of the century, Skyhorse said in a statement. It is a story that you havent read in newspapers, or on social media, or watched on television. These are accounts that only someone who worked for Trump around the clock for a decade  not a few months or even a couple of years  could know.

Cohen is completing the last two years of a three-year prison sentence at home after pleading guilty to campaign finance charges, tax evasion, and lying to Congress. The Associated Press reports he was released from an Upstate New York prison in May due to coronavirus concerns, but was put behind bars again in July after making it known that he planned to publish Disloyal.

A judge ordered Cohen to be released again in late July, saying he believes the U.S. government was trying to silence Cohen and violated his First Amendment rights by banning Cohen from speaking publicly.

Cohen, Trumps longtime fixer, previously said that he gave $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and orchestrated a $150,000 deal with the National Enquirer to catch-and-kill Playboy model Karen McDougals story. Both women said they had sex with Trump while he was married to now First Lady Melania Trump; Cohen said the payments were directed by Trump himself.

Cohen also said that Trump pursued a deal for a Trump Tower in Moscow well into the presidential campaign. In the foreword, Cohen claims Trump colluded with the Russians, but not in the sophisticated ways imagined by his detractors in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation.

I know where the skeletons are buried, Cohen writes, because I was the one who buried them.

The book will be the latest tell-all about Trump before the 2020 election, following controversial releases from former national security adviser John Bolton and the presidents niece, Mary Trump.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel carry out a flag march in the riot-hit area after a mob went on a rampage on Tuesday over a social media post, allegedly posted by a Congress MLA's relative, in Bengaluru. PTI Photo

The vandalism that followed an inflammatory Facebook post and the police firing which cost the lives of three youngsters in Bengaluru on Wednesday point to the urgent need for the authorities to be on a state of high alert against attempts to flame communal passions and throw life into disarray.

Hurting religious sentiments is a punishable offence in India.

So, anyone who does it knows about its implications, and as such, must be brought to book.

The same logic works for believers, too, and they must know that the legal system is capable of dealing with deliberate attempts to denigrate religious figures.

The Bengaluru rioters deserve no mercy as they torched the home of a legislator, set fire to vehicles and even attacked a police station.

The Social Democratic Party of India, which now stands accused of having a role in the violence, has a history of portraying themselves as the champions of the Muslim cause in India while pursuing an often-counterproductive path of violence to achieve their ends.

Such forces must be made to understand that rule of law prevails in the country.

The BJP, which is ruling the state, was quick to condemn the riot and blame appeasement saying the Congress was silent about the vandalism though a Congress legislator, who is a dalit, was at the receiving end.

The Opposition party must respond to the charge and take an unequivocal stand against communal elements in society.

Bengaluru police stopped the violence from turning into a communal riot.

However, the assertions by the ministers and senior police officials that the violence was planned beg the question why the police did not take preventive action.

They must do more and prevent its recurrence. This country can ill-afford more calamities, manmade or otherwise.
The Trump administration has seized the cargo of four tankers it was targeting for transporting Iranian fuel to Venezuela, US officials said Thursday, as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against the two heavily sanctioned allies. But, officials in Tehran maintained no Iranian ship or gasoline cargo has been seized. Iran, as it has repeatedly stated, will not tolerate any such hostile actions ... and has not allowed any country to take such measures, the unnamed official told IRNA. But according to US government sources, tankers carrying Iranian fuel ...
(Natural News) Now that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Bidens handlers have selected Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) to succeed him as president shortly after he wins by invoking the 25th Amendment and proclaiming the former VP as mentally unfit to serve, its time to delve into she who would become leader of the free world  but the not-so-free United States.

It isnt enough that Harris, whose parents were Indian and Jamaican, couldnt win the support of the black community when she tried running for president last year. Its that shes a not-so-closeted Leftist and a blatant authoritarian that ought to convince a majority of the country to give Biden and, thus, her, a hard pass Nov. 3.

But a look back at her campaign provides a telling glimpse into who she is, what people really think about her, and why she was among the worst  but safest  picks that Bidens handlers could have made.

Im f**king moving to Iowa!  A frustrated Harris was overheard saying that to Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) in September 2019 as a means of changing her campaign strategy (that wasnt gaining much traction despite a fawning mainstream media).

Im f****** moving to Iowa, Sen. Kamala Harris joked to Sen. Hirono (before she noticed me) pic.twitter.com/dv0PRWLY8g  Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) September 18, 2019

And in fact, she did practically move to Iowa, even going so far as to make dinner at Iowans homes.

Breitbart News noted at the time:

Harris, who is currently polling with three percent support in the Hawkeye State, is trying a different approach, focusing on intimate meetings and small-scale events rather than large gatherings. The Los Angeles Times reports that Harris is actively making dinner in supporters homes and dropping in on small businesses, in hopes that one-on-one encounters can help close the deal with caucus-goers who will make or break her presidential aspirations.

That strategy is not necessarily new for Harris, as she reportedly helped prepare Sunday suppers in peoples homes as part of her Hawkeye State blitz last month.

Then, of course, there was that time she broke into a Southern accent for a single question during a Democrat presidential debate in Atlanta, Ga., to explain how she would unit the Obama coalition (remember how Obama used to break into his black dialogue at certain African-American events?).

Harris was born in Oakland, Calif., by the way, not Athens, Ga., or Birmingham, Ala.

During a Democratic National Committee speech in San Francisco in August 2019, Harris brought in scores of supporters to boost cheering for her during a speech she gave. The group reportedly got up and left after she gave her speech (whatd that cost her campaign?).

Kamala Harris's speech at the DNC was boosted by a cheering section of about 40 people that her campaign brought in, erupting every time she hit a big line  and then that group got up and walked out as soon as she finished  Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) August 23, 2019

Staying with the cooking in Iowa theme, Harris showed up at the home of a Dubuque, Iowa, high school senior to bake cookies with her  just like she and her family did back in the day (so she said).

Some of the best conversations happen over a batch of cookies. pic.twitter.com/xFDbbpspak  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 5, 2019

In terms of her judgment  something that a president-in-waiting needs in order to run a big, powerful country like the United States  lets never forget that Harris went all-in on the Jussie Smollett hoax.

Breitbart News again:

When Smollett first reported January 29 that he had been attacked by two white men who had shouted racist and homophobic slurs, and who had added, This is MAGA country, as they put a noose around his neck, Harris called the alleged hate crime an attempted modern day lynching.

.@JussieSmollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. Im praying for his quick recovery. This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2019

Busted, she was forced to backtrack a little, but then tried to spin away from her rush to judgment by making unsubstantiated claims about racist America.

Like most of you, Ive seen the reports about Jussie Smollett, and Im sad, frustrated, and disappointed. When anyone makes false claims to police, it not only diverts resources away from serious investigations but it makes it more difficult for other victims of crime to come forward, she wrote.

At the same time, we must speak the truth: hate crimes are on the rise in America. Just last year, the FBI released statistics that revealed a 17 percent increase in the number of hate crimes in America. Part of the tragedy of this situation is that it distracts from that truth, and has been seized by some who would like to dismiss and downplay the very real problems that we must address, she added.

Again, cringeworthy.

And who could forget that time that Harris, during one of the Democrat debates, was laced by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii?

Asked by CNN moderator Jake Tapper about her previous criticism of Harris, who suggested her running mate, Biden, was racist during a previous debate, Gabbard responded, I want to bring it back to the broken criminal justice system that is disproportionately, negatively impacting black and brown people all across this country to date.

Here is Tulsi Gabbard destroying Kamala Harris track record after she locked up innocent people and blocked evidence in court.

pic.twitter.com/50mXwxuzzz  Mahyar Tousi (@MahyarTousi) August 12, 2020

Now, Sen. Harris says shes proud of her record as a prosecutor and that shell be a prosecutor president, but Im deeply concerned about this record, the Hawaii Democrat continued. (Related: California scrubs controversial Kamala Harris-era arrest reports.)

There are too many examples to cite but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana, Gabbard added, referencing an interview Harris did with New Yorks The Breakfast Club morning radio program in February 2019, in which she admitted smoking pot.

She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so, Gabbard went on. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California, and she fought to keep the cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way.

Brutal.

For her part, Harris attacked Gabbard for her frequent appearances on Fox News and for her sometimes-critique of her own party. But amazingly, Harris never refuted any of the allegations that the Hawaii Democrat and Army National Guard veteran made.

Remember that time that Kamala handed Tulsis ass back to her? I do.pic.twitter.com/TQ8c8djNgz  Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) August 12, 2020

Again, thats very telling about Harris character or lack of it.

If you thought that Joe Bidens basement campaign could not have become less inspiring than it already was, we bring you Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Should make for fewer popcorn-worthy moments than the Trump-Clinton battle in 2016.

Sources include:

Politico.com

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
A person wears a protective face mask while carrying grocery bags outside Trader Joe's on August 11, 2020 in New York City. Noam Galai | Getty Images

In February, five months before she became known as "QAnon Karen," there was no one more terrified of the coming pandemic than Melissa Rein Lively. "I bought the N-95 masks. I bought the hazmat suit," she said. "In my mind, a zombie movie was imminent." At the time, Rein Lively said her career was at its peak. Her self-owned marketing company had just helped launch the high-end restaurant Nobu in Scottsdale, Arizona. Hyatt Hotels had signed on for marketing help. By July 5, she had gone into a Target store and trashed the mask section, streaming her rage in a viral post that drew over 10 million views. Before the police closed in on her garage, she livestreamed her own mental breakdown on her company's Instagram account, telling police to "call Donald Trump and ask him" why she shouldn't be arrested for her actions. She was, she told the police, the "QAnon spokesperson." Rein Lively's experience is one that researchers recognize. Read more from NBC News:

QAnon groups have millions of members on Facebook, documents show

Facebook beefs up anti-misinfo efforts ahead of U.S. election

U.S. Postal Service warns Pennsylvania that mail-in ballots may be delivered too late While QAnon bubbled on the fringes of the internet for years, researchers and experts say it has emerged in recent months as a sort of centralized hub for conspiracy and alternative health communities. According to an internal document reported by NBC News this week, Facebook now has more than 1,000 of these QAnon groups, totaling millions of members. Users like Rein Lively who started off in wellness communities, religious groups and new-age groups on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram during the pandemic were then introduced to extremist groups like QAnon, aided by shared beliefs about energy, healing or God  and often by recommendation algorithms. And while anti-mask sentiment has surfaced in a variety of ways for a number of reasons, viral videos of anti-mask confrontations have become causes for celebration in conspiracy circles, embraced as examples of people taking the fight against their shadowy enemy into the real world. Rein Lively followed a similar path as a growing community of conspiracy theorists, radicalization experts told NBC News. Cooped up inside her home and losing work due to the pandemic in the weeks before her outburst, Rein Lively filled the time she would've spent hanging out with friends and emailing clients by diving down conspiracy-fueled rabbit holes on Facebook and Instagram, worsening her feelings of isolation and fear. Some find themselves believing in elaborate conspiracy theories about Bill Gates, 5G wireless technology, vaccines and masks, which researchers say are in part pushed by an algorithm and shared community members that group all of the theories together. tweet Within days, they begin to believe that President Donald Trump is waging a secret war to save trafficked children from a cabal of Satan-worshipping baby eaters who control the United States government. Then, responding to the positive in-group reaction, some users take their anger and confusion out on essential workers in the real world  and livestream it for their followers to see. Rein Lively said her viral outburst was in part a product of a depressive episode, a symptom of the bipolar disorder she was diagnosed with last year. "It's really intense for a few weeks when you're going through the mania part," she said. "Then what happens is the depressive episode, in which, for all intents and purposes, I destroyed my own life." But in the moment, Rein Lively believed she was doing a public good, speaking for the fellow followers of Facebook groups and Instagram pages who spoke out against masks, calling them "muzzles" and a form of slavery. "There's just such a lack of human connection right now," said Rein Lively. "That engagement that you're getting on social media, it's addictive."

'All I did was doomscroll'

Rein Lively wasn't particularly political on social media before COVID-19, and neither were some of the new-age groups that focused on the Earth's energy, which she read voraciously. She said she was most active in a 20,000-member Facebook group called "THE EVENT/THE SHIFT," a group focused on how the world is set for a dramatic "shift" because of frequencies and energies. "I've always been the type of person where I'm very natural health oriented  all of the, you know, hippie stuff," Rein Lively said. "I am a very spiritual person who believes we are on the precipice of a new era of humanity." Group members shared conspiracy theories about an accessible fifth dimension, beliefs that frequencies were changing for the better across the Earth, and offered advice on how to "ascend." But over the last several months, members of the QAnon community began to seep in. President Trump, they claimed, is a "light worker," working to save the world and bring about the energy shift. Rein Lively started to see suggestions for other Facebook groups, including one with the name "The Great Awakening." She, along with the group's 43,500 members, became entrenched in the world of QAnon. Rein Lively began to internalize the conspiracy theory. She started to believe that locals she knew were in on the plot to traffic children. She accused one nearby couple, former acquaintances, of covering up crimes as part of the "Deep State" in her Instagram Stories. She bragged that, in the world of QAnon groups, she was about to be famous. "Literally all I did was doomscroll all day," she said, using a word that has become popular during the pandemic for constantly absorbing bad news online. "The algorithm leads you to some weird groups, and I would say I'm in some weird groups that are really just looking for something hopeful." The Facebook algorithm's proclivity for leading users toward increasingly extreme groups is no surprise to researchers who have studied radicalization during the pandemic. Erin McAweeney, a senior research analyst at Graphika, a New York-based social media analysis company, discovered that some alternative health, religious and anti-vaccination communities appeared to become singularly focused on COVID-19 health misinformation right as the pandemic was beginning to ramp up in the United States. "Over the months we saw these networks fully refocus to produce and communicate solely on the impact of the pandemic and the differing government responses," McAweeney said. But even more dangerously, many of the recommended groups seemed to converge around one community: QAnon. Since QAnon has becomesomethingof a catch-all conspiracy for an omnipotent power keeping society down, the details are vague enough to offer a "bridge" to all sorts of beliefs. "The strongest bridge we found between QAnon and non-QAnon communities was spirituality and religion," McAweeney said. "This content isn't inherently problematic, but people are often most vulnerable when seeking spiritual information online and more susceptible to alternative and extreme views." At the end of Rein Lively's slide down Facebook's conspiracy rabbit hole, she eventually came to the same conclusion as many other QAnon followers: She wasn't just watching the Awakening. She was part of it. "I hate to say the word 'Awakening,' but I thought I was 'it,'" said Rein Lively. "And I just completely went off the rails."

'A trauma pandemic'

Rein Lively's example is an extreme version of what experts who study radicalization said has become a distinct pattern during the pandemic: people with time on their hands, looking for answers, are led down a radical path by niche interests and the internet's tendency to feed their darkest curiosities. Those communities have in turn been energized by the viral tantrums that now appear almost weekly, pushing conspiracy theories and talking points from fringe websites and QAnon Facebook groups onto strangers in real life. One anti-mask tirade from a North Hollywood Trader Joe's, in which a woman called a customer a "Democratic pig," received 14 million views in one Twitter post. In a video from Whitefish, Montana from last week, a maskless woman recorded with her phone as she coughed on passersby outside of a supermarket. In a Minnesota Walmart, two customers wearing swastika bandanas told shoppers "if you vote for Biden, you're gonna be in Nazi Germany." At a now notorious Palm Beach County Commissioners meeting about mask mandates in June, Cristina Gomez drew national attention when she railed against a laundry list of conspiracy theories common on Facebook: 5G towers, Bill Gates, pedophiles. "Citizens' arrests are already happening," she said, because "we the people are waking up," a frequent catchphrase for QAnon followers. Gomez, who did not respond to repeated requests to be interviewed, wrote on her Facebook page a month before the meeting that she had just started looking into QAnon in early May. "I have to admit I was wrong about Donald Trump," she wrote. "Donald Trump is on our side and he is secretly putting together a plan to arrest all the pedophiles." When a friend told her to look up QAnon, she said she had just finished a ten-part YouTube series about it. "It had me in tears the whole thing," she wrote. Shannon Foley Martinez, a reformed neo-Nazi who now works to deradicalize extremists, said there's been a substantial uptick in people approaching her during the pandemic, asking for ways to reach family members who have become consumed by extremist content on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. "I believe that we actually are living amidst another pandemic  a trauma pandemic," Foley Martinez said. "America right now is very unstable. It feels precarious. People are carrying huge amounts of stress, both financial and personal." "People in these situations want something that has very clear rules, where there's a very clear definition of enemies; friends and foes," Foley Martinez added. "There's an allure to it, a feeling of empowerment when people are feeling abjectly disempowered." In a QAnon world, where those enforcing mask mandates are perceived as part of a movement that includes Satanic child sacrifices, that good-versus-evil narrative can provide a strange sort of comfort. Doing the opposite of public health advice can give conspiracy theorists a sense of control. And that conspiracy world can also provide community and maybe even fame. In the days after her speech at the Palm Beach County Commissioners meeting, Gomez basked in her newfound celebrity online. While she was mocked on late night shows, she was praised in anti-vaccination and 5G conspiracy groups on Facebook. She bragged on her Facebook page that she was invited onto InfoWars. "I got my point across perfect. I don't need facts to back up my feelings," Gomez wrote on her Facebook wall after the meeting. "I had the audience backing me up."

Viral on purpose

For many wannabe anti-mask influencers, the confrontation is the point. While comedians poke fun at the viral rants, anti-mask conspiracy theory communities on Facebook cheer them on, often in private groups with tens of thousands of members. Renee DiResta, the technical research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory, which studies information technologies and social media, said that staging confrontations for niche online audiences was cribbed directly from the anti-vaccination movement. DiResta said that the point of these outbursts can be for attention, money, or both, but ultimately "they're performing for the audience at home," not the people at the supermarket or the town meeting. "They're getting tons of likes, positive feedback and positive reinforcement. It helps to inspire donations, as well as to inspire other people to go and do this within their own communities," DiResta said. There are, however, human beings on the other side of the tirades. Last week, a woman claiming to be part of the "Freedom to Breathe Association" stalked an Orange County, California supermarket with a clipboard, telling workers they were "putting themselves in major legal liability" for enforcing rules about masks. A companion of the woman was recording it, the resulting clip clearly meant for an online audience. The "Freedom to Breathe Association" is not a federal agency, but people claiming to be part of the group sell fraudulent medical cards on Facebook, falsely claiming it gives purchasers exemptions from mask mandates. The employee in the video, Liz Chavez, posted a separate video of the exchange recorded by her coworker on her TikTok account with a caption: "This is what it's like to be an essential worker." Chavez said she and her colleagues are regularly berated by customers who refuse to wear masks, but realized this exchange was different when she saw someone else recording it. "So at that point, you're like, 'They wanted this. They were prepared for this because they were just there with their clipboard and their paper,'" said Chavez. Sometimes after speaking to a customer about wearing a mask, Chavez said, her coworkers sound like they're going to cry. "They can be brutal sometimes. There are teenagers who work here who don't know what to say," said Chavez. "After they leave, they just get upset. They're like, 'Oh my God, I can't do this anymore.'"
Siva Sekaran By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has set aside the orders of Tangedco demanding maximum charges and compensation from high tension consumers, saying it was illegal, unsustainable and a violation of the statutory regulations.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh quashed the demand notices, while allowing a batch of writ petitions from the South India Spinners Association in Coimbatore and 19 others challenging them, on Friday.

The judge directed Tangedco to issue a revised bill to the petitioners by applying Regulation 6(b) of the Supply Code for the entire period when the establishment was shut down. If it has already recovered the entire dues from any of the petitioners, the bill shall be reworked in accordance with the direction given in Clause (a) and the excess amount shall be adjusted towards future bills.

If the demand made by Tangedco has been adjusted from the security deposit and any of the petitioners has been asked to pay any amount towards additional security deposit on that count, the claim shall be withdrawn forthwith and the calculation of the additional security deposit shall be independently done under Regulation 5 of the Supply Code and demand/adjustment shall be done in accordance with the said regulation.

Tangedco shall not levy compensation charges towards low PF from the petitioners during the period of lockdown. Even if such levy is made in future, a show cause notice shall be issued to the consumer before levying any compensation under Clause 6.1.1.6 of the tariff regulation. If any amount has already been recovered towards levy of compensation charges for low PF from any of the petitioners, it shall be adjusted towards future bills.

These directions will apply only for the period during which the establishment was under total lockdown due to the orders issued by the government, the judge said and made it clear that it pertains only to the Minimum Charges payable under Regulation 6(b) of the Supply Code and there is no exemption or concession in so far as the charges payable for the actual consumption of electricity (energy charges).

If any of the establishments continue to be under lockdown due to the government orders passed in this regard, the minimum charges alone shall be collected till the lifting of the lockdown, the judge said.
Doctors hold a nationwide strike on Yeouido in Seoul, Friday, in protest of the government's plan to increase admission quotas at medical schools. / Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



Kim Jeong-eun, a 36-year-old office worker in Seoul, visited a clinic near her office during her lunch break on Friday as she was suffering from indigestion. But she could not receive treatment as the clinic was closed.



She later realized that the doctor of the clinic had been participating in the nationwide doctors' strike.



"I did not know about the walkout. As I had no time to go to a bigger hospital, I just went to a nearby pharmacy to get medicine," she wrote on Facebook.



The doctors' one-day strike disrupted medical services across the country as expected, as the participants of the walkout included practitioners at small clinics as well as some trainee doctors such as interns and residents at general hospitals.



Some people such as Kim could not get timely treatment, while others who visited clinics and hospitals where staff did not participate in the strike had to wait longer than usual.





A notice announcing a clinic is closed because of the doctors' strike is posted on the entrance of an otolaryngology clinic in Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap
Sixty-seven new coronavirus cases were confirmed on Friday in Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Department of Healths daily update.

However, the number of probable cases fell by three, meaning the total number of cases increased by 64.

Forty new coronavirus recoveries were also announced: 35 confirmed and five probable.

Probable cases are defined by officials as close contacts of lab-confirmed cases with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

A patient is considered fully recovered when there is resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and there is improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) for 72 hours AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.

There are now 3,183 cases  2,694 confirmed and 489 probable  and 2,641 recoveries  2,222 confirmed and 419 probable  recorded in the state, as well as 30 deaths.

As of Friday, there have been 85,285 tests performed for COVID-19 in Wyoming: 41,404 from the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory and 43,881 reported by other labs.

More than 82% of confirmed patients have fully recovered, a number that grows to 83% when factoring in probable figures.

Patients have tested positive for coronavirus in all 23 of Wyomings counties. Wyoming has the second-lowest recorded number of coronavirus deaths of any state (Alaska), and its death rate (5 per 100,000 residents) is third-lowest to Alaska and Hawaii, according to the New York Times. The states infection rate (186 in 100,000) is eighth-lowest among states, also according to the Times, which includes probable counts where they exist.

About 7% of Wyomings cases required a hospital stay. In 29.7% of the cases, health officials dont know if the patient was hospitalized.

The virus has disproportionately affected people of color throughout the United States, a trend that is also reflected in Wyomings data. More than 60% of confirmed cases in Wyoming are white, 15.3% are American Indian, 16.6% are Hispanic, 1.3% are Black, 0.8% are Asian and 0.3% are Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The racial identities of 4.5% of confirmed cases in Wyoming are not known, and 5.6% of confirmed cases identified as other races. According to 2019 census estimates, Wyomings population is 83.8% white (not Hispanic/Latino), 10.1% Hispanic/Latino, 2.7% American Indian/Alaska Native, 1.3% Black, 1.1% Asian and 2.2% two or more races.

In 48.8% of the cases, the patient came in contact with a known case. Community spread has been attributed to 18.9% of the cases. In another 12% of the cases, the patient had traveled either domestically or internationally. The Health Department attributes 2.9% of cases to communal living. In 7.4% of Wyomings cases, health officials dont how the person was exposed to the virus, and 14.1% of cases are pending investigation.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 10:30:04|Editor: huaxia

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YAOUNDE, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Cameroonian army said Thursday its troop has arrested three armed separatists suspected of murdering a middle-aged woman in Muyuka, a locality in the troubled region of Southwest.

They were ambushed and arrested in their camp by the military who also seized their weapons. The operation was successful thanks to the collaboration of the public, the army said.

The woman, a mother of three was kidnapped, brutalised, killed and then beheaded on Tuesday by the armed separatists who accused her of conniving with government forces to leak their hideouts.

The murder was widely condemned in Cameroon after the suspects filmed the gruesome act and posted the video online.

Separatists have been seeking to secede from the majority French-speaking Cameroon and create an independent nation in the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest which they call "Ambazonia." They have been clashing with government forces since 2017. Enditem
Katie Price has shared a video of herself spitting out her old teeth as she had her veneers replaced while away in Turkey recently.

The former glamour model, 42, disregarded her old gnashers while in the dentists chair at a surgery as she declared she no longer needed them.

Moments later, the clip showed Katie having her veneers replaced as a dentist fixed new teeth to her mental stumps, which she joked made her look a like 'Bond villain'.

Bye bye! Katie Price has shared a video of herself spitting out her old teeth as she had her veneers replaced while away in Turkey recently

Before having the treatment done, Katie put on a playful display as she seductively posed and flipped her hair back and forth while flashing her metal teeth.

Katie explained that some of her teeth had already come loose while she was eating her breakfast before the appointment, and said: 'So this happened today, that's already out!'

The mother-of-five then spat out the loose teeth and placed them on the side, before chatting happily to the camera for her YouTube channel.

Smile! The former glamour model, 42, disregarded her old gnashers while in the dentists chair at a surgery as she declared she no longer needed them

Replacement: Moments later, the clip showed Katie having her veneers replaced as a dentist fixed new teeth to her mental stumps, which she joked made her look a like 'Bond villain'

Oops: Katie explained that some of her teeth had already come loose while she was eating her breakfast before the appointment

She said: 'Hello folks. I am the war of the wounded, but I've still got a smile on my face.'

After the surgeon had removed all of her previous veneers, Katie showed off what remained, and said: 'Oh you can't film me, that's so bad! How awful is that?!' she exclaims as she covers her mouth with a paper towel.

However, she then flashed the results and said: 'No pain, no gain, if you wanna get your teeth done, you have to look like that.'

New teeth: The mother-of-five then spat out the loose teeth and placed them on the side, before chatting happily to the camera for her YouTube channel

Ha! Before having the treatment done, Katie put on a playful display as she seductively posed and flipped her hair back and forth while flashing her metal teeth

Earlier this week Katie joked that she looked like a James Bond villain as she showed off her terrifying metal teeth in her latest YouTube video.

Katie, who flew to Turkey earlier this month to get a new set of veneers put in, compared herself to Jaws who appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker.

Katie, who is known for her mega watt smile, documented the procedure and wasn't afraid to show how her teeth which had been shaved down to pegs to attach to the veneers.

Not so glam: Katie joked that she looked like a James Bond villain as she showed off her metal teeth in her latest YouTube video

Brandishing her metal teeth, Katie said: 'I'm feeling good. Just numb. I look like something out of James Bond. The man with metal teeth', before doing a sinister laugh.

The television personality's boyfriend Carl Woods was also filmed lying in the dentist's chair as he got his own set of veneers fitted.

During their dental date Katie and Carl appeared to be in good spirits, with the mother-of-five telling her fans that her mouth was completely numb.

Katie tapped her lips and face to show that she had no feeling during the procedure and even tried to whistle.

Different look: Katie jetted to Turkey with Carl and her children Junior, 15, and Princess, 13, earlier this month to undergo 'his and hers teeth'

'Just like a villain!': While in the dentist's chair, Katie compared her pre-veneers look to Jaws who appeared The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker

Earlier this month, Katie joked about the condition of her teeth. She said to the camera: 'I love it when you talk dirty to me' as she sat in the dentist chair.

Joking about the condition of her teeth, Katie said to the camera: 'I love it when you talk dirty to me' as she sat in the dentist chair.

The former glamour model jetted to Turkey with Carl and her children Junior, 15, and Princess, 13, earlier this month to undergo 'his and hers teeth'.

A source told The Sun: 'Katie has had problems with her veneers for years, so she's getting them done again soon - and Carl is coming too.

'He's paying for his own, though - Carl's got his own money.'

Treatment: Katie filmed the process, which she had at the same time as beau Carl

Can't feel a thing: Katie explained how her mouth was completely numb as she shared her peg teeth and compared herself to Jaws from James Bond

Work in progress: The mother-of-five's YouTube video showed the dentist shaving down her teeth so that the veneers could be fitted

Katie shared a picture of herself wearing a tooth mould in a dental chair to her Instagram during her holiday.

She wrote: 'Here it goes @dental_centre_turkey a brand new colour and new teeth' followed by a tooth emoji.

The reality star has been on a quest for a perfect smile for years, and in 2017, her first set of teeth left her with a mouth full of ulcers and unable to speak.

Pearly whites: Katie flew to Turkey to have matching his and hers veneers with her boyfriend Carl Woods (pictured just before her holiday)

Unrecognisable: The television personality looked dramatically different as she talked to the camera after having her pearly whites taken off in Turkey

Smile: In a teaser clip for her upcoming YouTube video, Katie documented the process of getting her new veneers put in
Britain will buy potential Covid-19 vaccines from US drugmakers Johnson & Johnson and Novavax Inc, the companies said on Friday, boosting the number of deals it has with drugmakers as the global vaccine race rages on. Britain and the United States are in the lead with six vaccine deals with drugmakers each, as companies and governments worldwide work overtime to find a vaccine against the pandemic disease. The latest agreements bring Britain's total number of doses secured to 340 million, with options for millions more, for a population of 66 million. Britain ...
Bolstered by a New Partnership, Global Gaming Finds its Way in Q2

Published August 14, 2020 by Lee R

H1 and Q2 indicate resilient rebounding for technology and gaming technology supplier Global Gaming, with revenues needing work.

Global Gaming has rebounded in Q2 in its own way to weather the Covid storm.

Year-on-year Gains

The official word from the self-styled iGaming challenger in the iGaming industry is back to profitability for Q2 2020 on the basis of operating profit for the quarter of SEK 1.1m ($126,444), a solid year-on-year gain from 2019's 11.1m loss or the the period of April-June.

Revenues Need Work

Nonetheless, revenue experienced a 46% drop year-on-year to SEK 71.8m.

H1 Totals

As for full H1 in turbulent 2020, revenue totaled SEK 129.7m for a 56% year-on-year drop from 2019.

Global Gaming's H1 operating profit came back to top out at SEK 800,000, after last year's loss of SEK 54.5m; meanwhile the profit after tax of SEK 700,000 at Global Gaming actually represented a significant increase from last year's shortfall of SEK 53.3m.

Bold New Deal

A key driver of sustenance for Global Gaming during the sensitive Q2 recovery period, where every iGaming operator and provider was left to weather the storm through their own resourcefulness, was new main shareholder Enlabs AB which acquired 29.9% of Global Gaming to provide a solid revenue boost.

Global Gaming Leader Speaks

Global Gaming CEO Tobias Fagerlund called himself proud and happy about the very good work we have done during the past year and look forward with excitement and confidence to the future.

Enlabs

Fagerlund was also effusive in welcoming his new partners Enlabs, saying he was looking forward to an in-depth dialogue with our new major owner.

Global Gaming's Reach

Global Gaming's focus is on supplying innovation in gaming experiences to predominantly Nordic operators, while offering a leading PayNPlay solution for players to revolutionise leading gaming brands such as award-winning Ninja Casino.

More About Enlabs

Sweden's Enlabs was long known as Nordic Leisure AB, a leading betting brand with a growing number of operations under management in the sports, casino and i-Gaming industries including the Optibet, GoldClubCasino and Best brands.

Impact

The new deal with Global Gaming should enrich Enlabs expanding gaming products of casino, betting, poker and bingo as Enlabs expands into Estonia, Latvia, Malta, Spain and Sweden.

Outlook

The Global Gaming experience in Q2 demonstrates how operators and suppliers can forge deals to keep moving forward and adapt to the Covid-based disruptions.
(Bloomberg) -- When Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris to be his running mate, it sparked a frenzy on the other side of the globe to track down her connections to Chennai, the southern Indian city where her mother was born.

On Twitter and Facebook, a flurry of users chronicled every minute link including her grandparents home in the Besant Nagar neighborhood, from where her mother Shyamala Gopalan set off as a teenager to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of California Berkeley. Undated photos surfaced of Kamala and younger sibling Maya in saris, smilingly posing with their grandparents during a visit. Many saw Harris a step away from the White House, and the de facto Democratic Party front-runner in four or eight years.

Writer Cauvery Madhavan captured the hysteria in a tweet: If youre wondering what that loud windy up sound is - its all of Chennai cranking the #SixDegreesOfSeparation machine!! Any moment now my mother is going to triumphantly reveal that her pharmacists father was @KamalaHarriss grandmas preferred tailor. Another Twitter user, Priya Ravichandran, jested, I was asked to Google and find which relative lives in besant nagar. People are this close to renting party bus and do drive by near their house and celebrate kamala.Senator Harris is the first person of Indian descent and the first Black woman on a major ticket in a U.S. presidential election. Indian media outlets, analyzing the geopolitical impact of her rise, argued a Biden-Harris win would further shore up a U.S.-India relationship that had already improved markedly under Narendra Modi.

The closer ties between Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump culminated in two giant stadium events in front of tens of thousands of supporters -- one in Houston last September that saw the two leaders walking hand-in-hand to a rock-star like reception, and the other in Modis home state of Gujarat in February. Still, the warming relations have not yet led to a long-anticipated U.S.-India trade deal, although New Delhi is now purchasing more weapons from the U.S., including a new defense agreement worth more than $3 billion signed during Trumps visit to India earlier this year.

Story continues

Chasing Aunts

Local outlets and TV crews raced to hunt down an assortment of Harriss aunts and even a great-uncle who detailed her visits to the sprawling metropolis and her strolls on its humid beaches discussing democracy and equality with her grandfather, a retired government official.

A prominent local newspaper, The Hindu BusinessLine, carried the headline: Kamala Devi Harris and the destiny-changing coconuts from Chennai. The story described Harriss aunt praying for her victory in the California Senate elections nine years ago by breaking 108 coconuts, a popular religious ritual, at the local temple. The paper quoted Harris phoning her aunt to say, Chithi (aunt), please pray for me and break coconuts at the temple.

Twitter users highlighted her Indianness beginning with the name Kamala, which means lotus in several Indian languages. CNNs local partner tweeted that Kamala Harris loves idlis. And, sambhar -- fluffy rice cakes and spicy lentil stew often eaten for breakfast in India.

The fuss over Harriss political elevation this week far outstripped the excitement over the rise of other Chennai-connected personalities such as actor Mindy Kaling and Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai.While hundreds of Twitter users in India posted laudatory messages, some rued that Harriss nomination would inflate the already lofty expectations of Indian parents for their kids. Indian lawmaker and prominent opposition Congress Party member Shashi Tharoor tweeted, Beta (son) what are you doing these days? Oh, just a Harvard Professor? Not even Mayor yet?

Harris, whose father is of Jamaican ancestry, has downplayed her familys India ties although she has spoken of how the deep conversations with her grandfather during India visits helped shaped her political views. But social media users were quick to appropriate her as completely Indian. A video from last year in which shes seen with Mindy Kaling cooking a masala dosa, a south Indian savory crepe filled with spicy potatoes, is circulating wildly on WhatsApp groups in India.

(Updates with detail on U.S.-India ties in fifth paragraph)

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The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr says he will turn down any appointment from President Nana Akufo-Addo.



Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', the Journalist shared how Akufo-Addo told him about an appointment in 2001 and he turned it down.



" . . At the time he (Akufo-Addo) was not yet the Attorney-General, immediately after the elections . . . he called to tell me that President Kufuor wanted to work with me in governement . . . I'll not do it today or tomorrow . ." he stated.



According to him, he also turned down an ambassadorial position from President John Evans Atta Mills (late).



" . . I was to become Ghana's Ambassador to Cuba, but I refused to take that appointment . . . I've refused appointments on several occassions . . " he said in response to a question from Henry Nana Boakye whether he would accept an offer of appointment in government.



"I've refused one offer which came through him (Akufo-Addo) before and I'll refuse it again," 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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The leader of a minor religious sect at the center of the early coronavirus outbreak in South Korea was indicted Friday for allegedly obstructing the government's efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic.







Prosecutors in Suwon, south of Seoul, indicted Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and 11 other sect officials.







Lee, 89, is accused of submitting false documents to health authorities on the locations and number of participants at Shincheonji's gatherings in February when the sect was blamed for spikes in the COVID-19's spread in the country.







He is also accused of embezzling 5.6 billion won (US$4.68 million) from church funds and holding unauthorized religious events from 2015-19. Lee was arrested on Aug. 1.







Some 4,000 followers, most of whom were from its branch in the southeastern city of Daegu, were infected with the COVID-19 virus.







Eleven Shincheonji officials were also indicted Friday on charges of destroying evidence or forging documents for construction permits. They have not been detained.







On July 28, seven officials from the group's headquarters were indicted on charges including violation of the infectious disease control law and obstruction of justice. Three of them were arrested on July 8. (Yonhap)


A deal to build a 100% affordable housing project at the 16th and Mission BART Station is in jeopardy of falling apart because of a legal dispute between the partners that own the property.

In a lawsuit filed two weeks ago in Delaware, Baupost Group, the Boston hedge fund that has a controlling interest in the property, alleges that Maximus Real Estate Partners, its joint venture partner, is refusing to sign off on the $45 million sale of the property. Developer Crescent Heights is planning to purchase the property and donate it to the city for low-income housing to satisfy its affordable housing requirement for a skyscraper it plans to build at 10 South Van Ness.

In the court filing, attorneys for Baupost claim the matter is simple but urgent, because the purchase and sale agreement with Crescent Heights expires in September.

While a legal dispute between two East Coast investment firms  Maximus is based in New York  would normally be of little interest to San Francisco residents, this one has serious implications for one of the citys most high-profile development sites, known as the Monster in the Mission.

For eight years Maximus, which is the managing partner of its association with Baupost, has clashed with Mission District residents over the future of the parcel, a blighted plaza with a boarded-up Walgreens in the heart of the Mission District. The project  304 units were proposed  was stalled with scant political support until Crescent Heights stepped in and agreed to purchase it and donate it to the city for affordable housing. Mission residents had demanded for years that the building contain more low-income housing than originally proposed.

In a statement Friday, Mission District Supervisor Hillary Ronen accused Maximus of playing games with the key parcel.

Rather than working to create a project that the community could support and the city could approve, their tactic was to pit neighbor against neighbor and cause havoc, she said. Im glad that their investment partner has accepted the reality that theres a ready and willing buyer and that its time to sell, and I hope this is the final hurdle to clear before the city can take ownership and we can realize the dream of green, transit-focused, community-friendly, affordable homes at 16th and Mission.

In the lawsuit, Baupost says its agreement with Maximus includes a provision where Baupost has undisputed right to force the sale of the property to a third party. Baupost owns 90% of the partnership that controls the property, while Maximus owns 10%.

All that is left is for Maximus, as manager, to finalize and sign the (agreement), which it has admitted it is contractually obligated to do, the lawsuit states. Instead, Maximus has engaged in a series of obstructionist tactics meant to prevent Crescent Heights from successfully purchasing the property.

Paul OConnor, an attorney for Maximus, said that the lawsuit is without merit and that Maximus would defend themselves vigorously.

In a court filing Wednesday, Maximus attorneys said the Crescent Heights deal is likely to fall through, and called the lawsuit a last minute and obvious effort to try to blame Maximus in the likely event that Crescent Heights refuses to close the purchase at the required $45 million price.

The attorneys said that it is more likely that Crescent Heights, sensing Bauposts unnecessary desperation to exit the transaction would seek a lower price.

The court filing details months of back and forth between Baupost executives and Maximus founder Rob Rosania. Baupost claims that it repeatedly attempted to reach Maximus to discuss the sale to Crescent Heights, but that Maximus has refused to meet.

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.

Finally, on May 20, Baupost requested that Maximus sign the letter of intent on the deal. Instead of signing the agreement Rosania emailed: Let me be clear  Im signing nothing and when Im ready to speak we will. I will never be bullied. Good try. Sorry. Do what you need to do.

In those emails, Rosania says that his group intends to purchase the property itself. Baupost claims that Maximus only firm offer of $38 million came in December, and that it rejected the offer as too low.

In subsequent emails, Rosania claimed that Maximus was close to a deal with a new investor and would make a new offer. But on June 5, when Baupost asked Maximus to commit to a closing date, Rosania said that Maximus would close the deal on the 1st Tuesday after the pope gets married, according to the lawsuit.

Maximus has been explicit that it has undertaken this course of action for selfish and disloyal reasons: It has attempted to block a sale to Crescent Heights so that it may purchase the property itself, or else purchase Bauposts interest in the company, at a price less than what Crescent Heights is willing to pay, the lawsuit claims.

No hearings have been scheduled in the case, which was filed in Delaware Court of Chancery on July 31.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SFjkdineen
China warned the public about advertisements offering the COVID-19 vaccine for $71. According to South China Morning Post's (SMCP), some WeChat advertisements are falsely claiming that products can protect people from coronavirus infection.

Also Read: COVID-19: This Australian Airline is Now Selling Tim Tams, Pajamas, Lip Balm, and Tea Bags For $25

However, vaccine firms said that medical products are still under the clinical trial stage. Vaccine producers urge the people not to believe the COVID-19 vaccines offered by the profiteering advertisers since there is no vaccine in the market yet. The warned the public not to fall for these online scams.

Also Read: Myth or Fact? Drinking Breastmilk in Bodybuilding to Quickly Gain More Muscle Mass

There are two kinds of coronavirus vaccine offered by the advertisements on the Chinese social media platform, WeChat.

"Contact me if you need the coronavirus vaccine. It can be made for export and production volume is low so people must queue. It will be officially launched on September 2," said one of the ads, claiming to offer a vaccine manufactured by Sinovac Biotech.

However, Liu Peicheng, a spokesman of Sinovac Biotech, confirmed that the advertisement was not real. He also explained via SMCP that the company's vaccine is still not approved for the market since it is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials in Indonesia and Brazil.

During the SMCP's interview, Peicheng refused to provide any details of the vaccine, whether Sinovac produces it or if it is authentic.

Other vaccine sold without any proof that it is available on the market

It was claimed that the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products is selling the other COVID-19 vaccine. The company was said to advertise the medical product for only $71 or 478 yuan per dose, suggesting that the consumers must take three doses before it starts to take effect.

"Health care workers and people going abroad can use it on a priority basis," stated in the advertisement.



No comment was provided by the Wuhan institute and its parent company, the China National Biotec Group, regarding the issue. The Chinese company previously said that the vaccine is released to the market yet since it was still in the clinical trial stage.



The ongoing quality problems and scandals have been affecting China's vaccine industry. China has been improving its vaccines' regulations to restore public confidence. A record fine of 9.1 billion yuan or $1.3 billion was imposed on Changchun Changseng Biotechnology, one of the country's biggest rabies vaccine makers, way back in 2018.



For more news updates about coronavirus vaccines, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Also Read: US Rejects Russia's Vaccine Sputnik V; These Two Countries Say Otherwise

This article is owned by TechTimes,

Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Union AYUSH minister Shripad Y Naik , who was earlier in home isolation admitted to hospital, says family

A health worker in PPE kit conducts a coronavirus test.

India on Friday logged 64,553 Covid-19 cases, which pushed the overall tally to over 2.4 million. As many as 1,007 people succumbed to the infection, which took the overall death toll to over 48,000. More than 1.7 million people in India have recovered from Covid-19 so far and the overall recovery rate has crossed 71%. On Wednesday, the country tested more than 800,000 people for the infection, moving closer to the target of conduction a million tests per day.

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Karnataka continue to remain worst-affected from the pandemic. Assam on Wednesday registered over 4,500 cases in its highest single-day spike. The states recovery rate is now at 68.4%.

Delhi, which has seen a downward trend in its single day Covid-19 tally in the past few weeks, added 956 cases on Thursday. The national capital's Covid-19 tally has reached 1,49, 460 and the death toll stands at 4,167.

Click here for complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic

New Zealand, which saw the formation of a new cluster of infections after being free from the disease for more than 100 days, reported 12 new cases which pushed the active cases in the country to 48. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that a lockdown to impose the spread of Covid-19 in Auckland has been extended by 12 days.
A fascination for robotics and technology has pushed students of a Zilla Parishad-run school in a remote village of Maharashtra's Aurangabad district to learn Japanese.

IMAGE: Children at a village in Maharashtra listen to pre-recorded lessons over loudspeakers. Image taken only for representational purposes. Photograph: Prashant Waydande/Reuters

Gadiwat village, located 25 km from Aurangabad city, may not have access to good roads and other necessary infrastructure, but Internet connectivity has proven to be a boon for children studying at the local Zilla Parishad school.

In September last year, the government-run school decided to launch a foreign language programme, under which students from Classes 4 to 8 were asked to choose a language they would like to learn.

"Surprisingly, most of them said they were interested in robotics and technology and were keen to learn Japanese," Dadasaheb Navpute, a secondary teacher at the school, told PTI.

Despite having no proper course material and professional guidance for teaching Japanese, the school administration managed to gather information from videos and translation applications on the Internet, he said.

However, the school has now roped in Sunil Jogdeo, an Aurangabad-based language expert, who has been conducting Japanese classes for free.

On learning about the initiative, Jogdeo approached the school with a plan to conduct hour-long evening classes virtually.

"I have conducted 20 to 22 sessions since July. Children are dedicated and eager to learn. It is amazing how much they have picked up in this short span," Jogdeo said.

Since every student does not have access to a smartphone for the online classes, the school has come up with the concept of 'vishay mitra' (subject friend), under which children who attend the sessions can teach their classmates.

"Ever since the online classes with Jogdeo started in July, children have been speaking with each other in Japanese," school headmaster Padmakar Huljute said with delight.

The success of the programme is evident when Vaishnavi Kolge, daughter of a farmer-couple, rattles off complete sentences in Japanese to introduce herself.

"We first learnt some basic words and now we are gradually learning how to communicate in complete sentences," the Class 8 student said.

Meanwhile, education extension officer of Aurangabad Zilla Parishad Ramesh Thakur said there were more than 350 students at the school, of which 70 have been learning Japanese.

The initiative was an attempt to give international standard education to children, he said.
By Rami Ayyub

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - From cries of "betrayal" to fears about "falling dominoes", the deal making the United Arab Emirates the third Arab state to forge ties with Israel stirred anger and dismay around the Middle East, but a cautious welcome from the UAE's Gulf allies.

The mixed response highlighted new fault lines in a region where fear and distrust of Iran - shared by Israel and some Arab states - has challenged a decades-old allegiance to the Palestinian issue as a major driver of Arab policy.

Palestinians, who want to establish a state on West Bank territory captured by Israel in 1967, denounced the agreement as a betrayal of the long-held Arab stance that peace should be conditional on Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory.

The agreement, which is set to make the UAE only the third Arab state after Egypt and Jordan to make peace with Israel, calls for a temporary suspension of Israel's planned annexation of occupied West Bank territory, but not withdrawal.

The deal, which U.S. President Donald Trump helped to broker with support from senior adviser Jared Kushner, forms a new axis with the UAE aligning itself with Israel in confronting Shiite Muslim Iran and Sunni Islamist radicals in the region.

This is likely to heighten tensions in the Gulf, which has in the past two years seen attacks on tankers and energy assets that the United States and Saudi Arabia have blamed on Iran, a charge Tehran denies.

Iran's foreign minister said the deal aimed to hand Trump a win ahead of U.S. elections in November, a view echoed by the leader of Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement.

"It's shameful what Abu Dhabi did ... They don't see the Zionist regime as an enemy, but an ally and what's happening now is to help Trump in the elections," Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif told Al Mayadeen TV.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a televised speech, described the UAE move as an "election favour" for both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and said more Arab states would follow suit to "satisfy" Washington.

Story continues

"It is good, though painful, that the masks have fallen," he said, describing the deal as a betrayal of Islam and Arabs.

'FALL LIKE DOMINOES'

Some worshippers at Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, where Palestinians want to establish the capital of a future state, carried pictures of UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed with the word "traitor" underneath his image.

"Just like Egypt, Jordan and now Abu Dhabi, the whole Arab world will start to fall like dominoes," said Mohammad al-Sharif, 45, a member of Israel's Arab minority. "That Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and his dirty dogs look out for themselves and their interests and the rest of us can go to hell."

Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary General Saeb Erekat spelled out the potential consequences for his people if a united Arab front splintered.

"The whole thing that we based our strategy on as Arabs is that the (2002) Arab peace initiative specified that once Israel withdraws, there will be peace between Arabs and Israelis.

"Netanyahu came determined, with Kushner, Trump... to change the formula, that they want Arab recognition of Israel while they continue with the occupation, and the United Arab Emirates yesterday stamped the green light for this," Erekat said.

TURKEY MAY SHUT EMBASSY

Turkey, a powerful regional rival of the UAE, said history would not forgive the Gulf country for making a deal which undercut the 2002 Arab peace plan, which had proposed peace in return for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territory.

"We may also take a step in the direction of suspending diplomatic ties with the Abu Dhabi leadership or pulling back our ambassador," President Tayyip Erdogan said after Friday prayers, adding that he could close Turkey's embassy.

But, in a region beset with other challenges including civil wars, poverty and economic crisis, some people appeared to have other concerns.

At Istanbul's landmark Hagia Sophia, converted by Erdogan to a mosque last month in a move which he portrayed as a step towards restoring "freedom" to Al Aqsa in Jerusalem, worshippers who spoke to Reuters were unaware of the announcement.

INCENTIVE FOR PEACE

Egypt and Jordan, which signed peace deals with Israel in 1979 and 1994 respectively and enjoy close ties with the UAE, both welcomed the agreement. Jordan said the pact could make a beneficial impact if it spurred Israel to accept a Palestinian state on land it took in the 1967 Middle East war.

"If Israel deals with it as an incentive to end occupation..., it will move the region towards a just peace," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

Oman and Bahrain praised the accord but Saudi Arabia, which has in the past led Arab policy towards Israel and hosts Islam's two holiest sites, has remained silent, as have Kuwait and Qatar. [L8N2FG22C]

Jordan's former foreign minister, Marwan al-Muasher, said it was possible other Gulf states could follow Abu Dhabi's lead. But none of those could address the root problem.

"In the end it's not the Gulf states who are living under occupation, it's the Palestinians. And until you reach a solution with the Palestinians, it does not matter how many peace deals you make with Arab states," he told Reuters.

(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta, Ali Kucukgocmen, Ghaida Ghantous, Suleiman al-Khalidi and Stephen Farrell; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Chizu Nomiyama)
University Crossings is a private student apartment complex in University City. Many students signed leases with this complex and others months ago, but now don't want to return to campus amid the coronavirus and online courses. Read more

When Madeline Harmes renewed her yearlong lease with University Crossings last October, the Drexel University student imagined beginning her junior year living with her best friends.

But then the coronavirus pushed most of Drexels classes online for this fall. The 21-year-old worries about virus exposure and doesnt see the value in paying $900-per-month for a space to do remote work. To save money, she has opted to live with her mom in Lancaster.

I just cant afford it, said Harmes, who has been financially affected by the pandemic. And I still have to pay for school itself.

Harmes assumed that because of how drastically circumstances have changed, the landlords would allow her to terminate her lease, which begins in September. But the massive student rental corporation says she is legally obligated to uphold it, leaving her to find someone to take over the lease or foot the bill on an empty apartment.

As Philadelphia-area universities have announced plans for primarily remote classes this fall, student renters who signed leases with private, off-campus apartment complexes are finding themselves in an untenable financial bind.

Many students are legally obligated to honor leases for fall housing that they signed months ago, often before the pandemic began or based on their universitys initial plans for in-person courses. But now that many students are choosing to live with their parents, they are desperate to get out of leases for apartments they might never move into and can no longer afford.

Some apartment companies have eliminated late fees and created payment plans for struggling students, but lease terminations are few and far between, and experts say students have little recourse.

Most leases will not allow breaches even under extreme circumstances, said David Hoffman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

It probably says it doesnt matter why you breach, it doesnt matter why you walk away, you owe us X amount, said Hoffman.

 READ MORE: Philly-area college students owe rent for their now-empty apartments, with little to no recourse

Hoffman, who specializes in contract law, said that most leases created by national rental corporations are highly standardized, with no loopholes. Students options, without facing legal action, are paying the remainder of the rent due or finding a new tenant.

While students question why colleges cant do more to intervene, the universities say they dont have the legal authority.

Harmes apartment at University Crossings is owned by American Campus Communities, the countrys largest student renter corporation. Drexel has a partnership with the company and allows first- and second-year students to live there to fulfill the two-year on-campus living requirement. Harmes has gone to Drexel for help, but the university told her theres nothing it can do since its a private contract.

But shouldnt you have a say, shouldnt you be able to stand up for your students since youre [encouraging] us to live here? said Harmes. But they dont, and theyre not.

American Campus Communities did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Drexel said the university is in regular communication with its housing partners to keep them apprised of the Universitys return-to-campus plans.

Apartment corporations say theyre working with their student renters, but will not allow lease terminations because it will hurt the companies financially.

University Citys The Radian, a luxury student apartment complex on Penns property, said its parent company cannot afford to let students out of their leases, but would work cooperatively to help students sublet vacant spaces. A spokesperson for Penn said off-campus leases are private contracts between the students and the lessors and do not involve the University.

 READ MORE: Penn left us stranded on the streets: Vulnerable students are desperate as coronavirus shuts down Philly colleges

The Edge, a student apartment complex near West Chester University, said it is waiving sublet fees for students who are no longer returning, but will not allow lease terminations.

International students are no exception. Emiliano Garza, a sophomore at Drexel, cannot return to Philly from Honduras because of border restrictions. Yet he is still liable for the yearlong, $1,400-per-month lease he signed with University Citys Evo at Cira Central South in February that begins later this month.

His landlord says his only option is to find a subletter, but thats difficult to coordinate from another country and comes with a $1,000 fee  money Garza doesnt have after his parents lost work.

I understand its a contract, but the circumstances right now are very different from any other time when a person is trying to get out of the contract, Garza said.

Julia Tanier, a 19-year-old Temple student, signed a lease with two friends earlier this year, before the pandemic, to start in August. But now that Temple moved her courses online, she is taking a gap year and living with her mom in East Falls to save money.

 READ MORE: We are forgotten: Despite mounting costs, college students are excluded from $1,200 stimulus checks

The subletter she had found to take over the $475-per-month room in North Philly backed out last week. She and her mom, Laurel Colvin, expect theyll be on the hook for rent even though Tanier will never step foot in the space.

Its low enough rent that its not going to break us, said Colvin. But it just seems so wrong.

With landlords and universities offering little help, some frustrated tenants have asked the state attorney general to mediate negotiations.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement that his office would attempt to mediate complaints for those who believe they are being held to their leases unlawfully for the fall semester, and recently helped a Drexel student by getting a management company to push back the leases start date.

Shapiros office has received 26 complaints from student renters about their landlords, a spokesperson said. Six complaints have been mediated and satisfied, two are partially satisfied, and 18 are unresolved.

Other students have taken it upon themselves. Three West Chester students, Katie Fox, Ally Drames, and Riley McGowan, created the group Advocates for WCU Renters, to be a liaison among students, university officials, and local and state representatives. Through a Facebook group, theyve kept students informed on their rights and written letters to landlords. Their efforts influenced the university to allocate $2 million of CARES Act funding for off-campus rent relief.

At West Chester, where 60% of students live off campus, students are not only worried about their fall leases, Fox said, but also the spring. Some want out of their fall leases, but worry that if in-person classes resume for the spring, theyll have few housing options.

Students are stuck, she said.
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Two potential COVID-19 vaccines, Bharat Biotechs Covaxin and Zydus Cadilas ZyCov-D, are now being tested on humans in phase-1 and phase-2 clinical trials. Another vaccine maker, Serum Institute of India (SII), is expected to begin Phase 2/3 trials shortly.

With the plethora of vaccine candidates being tested all around the world, there has been a lot of curiosity over how the trials are conducted and particularly about how volunteers are enrolled. The fact is, participating in such trials comes with risks and responsibilities. Lets take a look at what is involved.

What are the various phases of a drug or vaccine trial and how do they differ?

In phase-1 and phase-2 of a trial, only healthy volunteers are recruited. Phase-3 accepts people with pre-existing medical conditions, including those with such conditions who are stable, those who are elderly, and children. Typically phase-3 begins following the submission of phase-1 and -2 data.

How is a vaccine trial different from a drug trial?

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

When it comes to testing a drug, healthy volunteers are recruited in phase-1 to check for safety, while patients are recruited in phase-2 and phase-3 to assess efficacy and safety. However, a vaccine, which is used to prevent a disease, is tested on a broad group of people.

How can people access information about clinical trials being conducted in India?

Unlike, the US and Europe, where companies or sponsors of clinical trials run awareness campaigns and advertisements to enrol volunteers, in India clinical trials are generally low-profile affairs. The Clinical Trial Registry  India (CTRI) website is the principal source of information on various clinical trials, their recruitment status, the centres that are participating, and details of the Principal Investigators at those sites.

You can find the clinical trial site (hospital) in your city or district, directly call or email the Principal Investigator, and express interest to volunteer for the trial. But searching information on the CTRI website is a little cumbersome.

Some clinical trial sites, such as the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, among the 12 sites where Bharat Biotechs Covaxin is being tested in Phase 1/2 trials, have made things convenient for potential volunteers by creating a dedicated webpage.

What does registration involve?

The initial screening and registration of volunteers is done online by collecting details such as name, age, gender, body mass index, allergic reactions to drugs, vaccines and food, current symptoms (cough, fever, breathlessness etc), existing medical conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, asthma and so on. Those who meet the eligibility criteria are enrolled for the trial.

What happens once a volunteer is enrolled?

Enrolment is just the first step. The enrolled volunteers will have to go through a medical examination, and are also tested for COVID-19 using an RT-PCR and antibody test.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19, or those who have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, are rejected from participation in the vaccine trial.

Dr E. Venkat Rao, Principal Investigator for Covaxin at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, told Moneycontrol that the hospital has had to reject several volunteers, as they already have antibodies against COVID-19. This also points to the challenges in finding volunteers for trials should the disease spread widely.

In its phase-2 trial, Covaxin is enrolling those aged 12-65, while ZyCov-D is enrolling subjects aged 12 and above (no upper limit has been specified). Covaxin will be tested on a sample size of 1,125 participants in Phase 1/2 and ZyCov-D on a sample size of 1,048.

How long does it take to assess a volunteer and does consent have to be formalised?

Rao says it takes about three days to complete the process of medical examination before recruiting eligible volunteers. The investigator, too, has discretion in accepting or rejecting a subject. The volunteer has to provide written and informed consent, after reading through the risks and responsibilities of participating in the trial.

What conditions do volunteers need to adhere to in order to participate in the trial and ensure it is conducted correctly?

Volunteers will have to ensure they are available to fulfil the studys requirements whenever needed. For instance, in the Covaxin phase-2 trial, volunteers will have to cooperate to get tested for an immunogenicity evaluation (measuring antibody levels) seven times over a period of 194 days.

Males have to use condoms to ensure effective contraception with their female partner from the first vaccination until three months after the last vaccination.

Females need to avoid becoming pregnant from the time of study enrolment until at least four weeks after the last vaccine dose.

Also, volunteers should not participate in another clinical trial at any time during the study period and should allow storage and use of biological samples for future research.

Are there any incentives for volunteers who participate in a trial?

Volunteers will not be paid for participating in the trial. However, they are paid for food and travel to the clinical trial site. This will be fixed.

The company that is sponsoring the trial will insure the volunteer against any unforeseen medical event or death related to the clinical trial.

How are the trials carried out? Is there a guarantee that a volunteer will get the vaccine?

The clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines are generally double-blind, randomised, controlled trials. Double-blind means that neither the researchers nor the patients know what they are getting. There is no guarantee that a volunteer will get the vaccine.

Typically, the clinical trial subjects are divided into two groups. One group will get the vaccine shot and the other group gets a placebo or a dummy injection.

Once the trial is over, we will get to know who got the placebo and who got the vaccine. Generally, we dont disappoint the volunteer who took part in the trial and got a placebo  we will ensure he gets the vaccine on a priority basis, once it is approved, Rao said.
A serving Met Police officer has appeared in court charged with being a member of far-right terror group National Action, fraud and possessing an indecent image of a child.

Benjamin Hannam, 22, was in the Old Bailey this morning to face a total of five charges, but did not enter any pleas.

Probationary officer Hannam, of north London, was bailed ahead of a pre-trial hearing in December.

Probationary Metropolitan Police officer Benjamin Hannam, 22, outside an earlier hearing

He is accused of being part of National Action between December 17, 2016, and January 1, 2018, which is against section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Hannam has also been charged with lying about his membership of the extremist group on his July 2017 application to join the Met.

Later in October that year he is accused of witholding the same information on a police vetting form.

National Action is an extremist group was outlawed under terrorism legislation in December 2016.

Hannam has been charged with five offences, including member of a terror group and fraud

Hannam is also charged with being in possession of an indecent photograph of a child.

He is also accused of being in possession of a prohibited image of a child.

A provisional date of March 1 next year has been set for when he will be put on trial.

The Met said he was currently suspended from duty.
To gain a better understanding of COVID-19s spread, the team built their computer model to simulate the transmission patterns of viruses, based on similar methods that Mayer and Schiffer have used to track the behavior of several herpesviruses. The goal was to simulate the infectious behavior of COVID-19 using thousands of scenarios based on different assumptions about factors that might influence transmission.

Among those assumptions were:

Infectious dose: how many millions of viral particles are needed to actually infect a person.

How steeply infection risk increases among people as the assumed dose goes up.

The average number of times an infected person has a potential transmission exposure with an uninfected person per day

A measure of whether that average number of exposures is constant or varies greatly from day to day.

After loading different numbers for these and other variables into their computers, the researchers ran approximately half a million simulations that  using the magic of computer algorithms  spat out thousands of predicted courses of infection. Think of them like strands of spaghetti tracking across a chart.

Next, they plotted the course of actual transmissions based on epidemiological data  more spaghetti  and found that only a few of the simulated scenarios matched that of the real-world data. At that point, the researchers could infer which of their assumptions about the virus were likely to be correct.

When people are shedding virus at their peak

The scientists also ran transmission scenarios for influenza and found some similarities and some differences that have implications for understanding how to prevent this new disease.

Lets say you have two people walk into a crowded, closed room, with poor ventilation, Schiffer explained, and one of those people has influenza, and one has SARS-CoV-2. Both are unfortunately shedding at the highest viral load possible. Our model shows the person with influenza will likely expose far fewer people to their virus within that crowded environment than the person with SARS-CoV-2.

Thats what drives the results in our model. And to me, the most likely explanation for that would be a predisposition towards aerosolization  meaning the virus is physically dispersed over a larger area and perhaps for a longer duration of time with SARS-CoV-2 than with influenza.

Another inference from the model: Super-spreader events come from when people are shedding virus at their peak, Schiffer said. That underscores the importance of knowing, if possible, how soon after exposure a person might reach their two-day window of contagiousness. In other words, most people who are infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not infect anybody, but many people have the potential to be super-spreaders.

They have to show up in a crowded place, and they have to do so when they are shedding at a high viral load, he said.

Dr. Dan Reeves, a research associate in Schiffers lab and co-author of the paper, said that there are some potentially reassuring findings from the computer simulations. One is that contagiousness lasts only a couple of days, so repeat testing after a positive result may not be necessary. Also, any early treatment that can reduce the viral load (the amount of virus measured from a swab sample) might have an outsized impact on transmission reduction.

Finally, said Reeves, because masks can help reduce the amount of virus, even slightly, during an exposure, wearing a mask really will help!
Seoul, Aug 14 : The South Korean government on Friday launched a review on raising the level of social distancing as new coronavirus clusters in the greater Seoul area have raised concerns of a possible bigger outbreak.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters said it views the status quo in a "grave" manner, saying it has started to review tightening social distancing by one notch in the so-called capital area, which includes Seoul and Gyeonggi province, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"We are facing another critical moment, as the spread of Covid-19 in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province is worrisome," said Vice Health Minister Kim Ganglip.

"Since the conditions for raising the level have not been met, we have to see how things go today and tomorrow "If the conditions are met, we should be able to take necessary measures even during the holiday period," Kim said.

The government considers raising the anti-infection measure when daily new infections reach 50 to 100 over a two-week period or when infection clusters that are being closely monitored continue to grow.

Currently under the Level 2 social distancing, gatherings of 50 or more people that take place indoors and of 100 or more people outdoors are restricted.

South Korea is set to enjoy a three-day weekendk, with August 17 being designated as a special public holiday to prop up the pandemic-hit economy.

The latest move comes as cluster infections coming from small churches are growing.

Many of the infected patients were found to have had meals together or not worn masks.

On Friday, South Korea reported 103 new infections, including 85 locally transmitted ones, bringing the COVID-19 caseload to 14,873, Yonhap News Agency quoted the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) as saying.

The number of newly identified local infections marks the most since 88 on March 31.
Phuket travel bubbles to begin with test group

PHUKET: Royal Thai Army Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gen Natthapol Nakpanit, who also serves as the chairman of the ad hoc committee to consider easing the enforcement of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, under Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), has said that travel bubbles to Phuket may begin as early as the beginning of next month with a small test group arriving via Bangkok.

tourismCOVID-19health

By The Phuket News

Friday 14 August 2020, 10:29AM

Royal Thai Army Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gen Natthapol Nakpanit speaks to the press after the meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Aug 13). Photo: PR Phuket

Gen Natthapol broke the news after a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Aug 13), where he was joined by Dr Walairat Chaifoo, Director of the Division of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Public Healths Department of Disease Control.

The pair were in Phuket to hear first hand from people on the island the current state of Phukets readiness to receive tourists.

Gen Natthapol pointed out that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was specifically concerned about Phukets readiness and had tasked him with coming to Phuket personally in order to obtain clear information.

In his address to the meeting, attended by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and leading officials and business figures, Gen Natthapol explained that to open Phuket to travel bubbles, whereby tourists abide by strict rules in order to limit their exposure to the local population, the most important aspect was that Phuket International airport applied the same health practices as Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

However, he added, Those coming from abroad must be checked at places recognised as state quarantine [venues], not at the airport, in order to prevent the congestion.

Dr Walairat explained that the airport must have special areas designated for such arrivals and they must be picked up and directly taken to their nominated state quarantine venues.

The vehicles must have partitions between drivers and passengers, she said.

At the quarantine venues, the tourists will be allowed to stay only one person per room, unless they come as a family. That will be up officers discretion. The arrivals will be tested for COVID two times during the 14 days quarantine, Dr Walairat added.

The areas where they can go must be limited and clearly separated from other tourists so that hotels can also be open to receive other guests, she said.

Gen Natthapol also clearly pointed out that in order for travel bubbles to Phuket to be approved that screening of Thais and foreigners arriving at the airport must be in place, and the province must have an adequate system to quickly identify people infected with COVID-19.

Effective and sufficient Alternative Local State Quarantine (ALSQ) venues must be available and approved by the Ministry of Public Health, and tourism areas where the visitors may visit must be clearly defined so that anti-COVID-19 measures can be enforced.

They must be relatively closed areas where access is limited to certain areas, he said. Once we can evaluate the effectiveness of the initial areas, we can then expand the practices to other areas.

There must be strict control on the observation of persons traveling in and out of Phuket both by land and water for the welfare of Phuket residents as well, he added.

Also of key importance is that provincial authorities have the medical personnel and equipment ready in case a new outbreak occurs.

We may consider establishing a fund to prepare for a possible outbreak to provide some assurance to the Phuket residents concerned, Gen Nattapol added.

Regarding the relaxation [of COVID-19 protection measures] to allow foreigners, especially tourists, to come to Phuket, when it can be done, it is important that the government is ready. The private sector has to be ready and the public sector has to be ready. If Phuket is not ready, this will not be allowed, Gen Nattapol said clearly.

READINESS

Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) Chief Thanit Sermkaew explained that the Phuket health office already has a team to take care of the people coming from abroad.

He also pointed out that Phuket already had hotels that had applied to be approved as alternative local state quarantine (ALSQ) establishments.

At this stage, 51 hotels have applied to be approved as ALSQ places, but so far only two have been approved, he said.

Further, Phuket International Airport General Manager Thanee Chuangchoo said that he will send a team to learn the state quarantine processes practiced at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The Chamber of Commerce President Thanusak Phungdet explained that most people in Phuket agreed with re-opening to welcome foreigners, but were concerned about the state quarantine requirements.

Private businesses should unite together to launch a campaign to promote and create trust among local people that Phuket is prepared to receive foreign tourists, he said.

Bhumikitti Ruktaengam, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, pointed out that the government could restrict tourist arrivals to only come from countries that are deemed safe.

We select them according to their infection rate. We can choose people from the countries which are safe from COVID-19, such as Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, etc, he said.

Of note, state news agency NNT yesterday published its recognition that Thailand had remained on the EU Councils list of epidemiologically safe third-countries  the list of non-EU/EEA countries that are considered safe amid the coronavirus pandemic due to their low rates of infections.

The list is revised every two weeks. The initial list included 54 countries. After several revisions that greatly reduced the list, the EU on Aug 7 revised the list further to just 11 countries, which were publicly listed on Tuesday (Aug 12).

We can also promote and set up charter flights from the safe countries, where the charter flights are open for booking at least 90 days before departing, Mr Bhumikitti said.

He also called for the government to require foreigners to register with just one app for tracking.

I think it should be only one app. I hope the government can unite the apps into one, he said.

TEST RUN

In an interview after the meeting, Gen Natthaphol explained that he would report his findings to the CCSA in Bangkok.

Asked whether the travel bubbles will start on Sept 1, he said, We have to consider that again. We may start by letting small groups of foreigners come, as I believe that it is easy for officers to control them.

The pilot group must be less than 100 people in order to test our process and relevant officers readiness. We have to think of the feelings of those who are still concerned about the pandemic, he added.

The first pilot group can come next week in order to test the prepared process and officers, as at this stage Phuket already has alternative local state quarantine (ALSQ) places which are ready to welcome them. Hotel operators will be able to review their establishments and readiness to join the project, Gen Natthaphol said.

A pilot group, of around five people, must be cleared in Bangkok first and then brought to Phuket. Then officers will practice the processes that they have prepared.

The pilot group could be international students who study in Phuket, as they have to come to Phuket anyway. After this meeting, I have to go back and see who else could be in our pilot group, he added.

However, Gen Natthaphol maintained that at this stage any new arrivals must be cleared for entry to the country in Bangkok first.

Before coming to Phuket, those people must be cleared by the CCSA. We will not let them come into direct contact with Phuket officers [without being checked first]. We will use our experience to check them first, Gen Natthaphol assured.

Gen Natthaphol also repeated the governments stance that travel bubbles will not be launched until the government is satisfied that the proper precautions are in place.

If everyone agrees and together supports the travel bubbles, then we can make them happen fast. But if some people still disagree, it may take time by working step by step. I cant say when it will be, it depends on Phuket people, he said.

Gen Natthaphol also voiced his approval for the CCSA to set up an office in Phuket.

I have already told the Phuket Governor that if the Phuket government wants to ease some measures, there must be officers from the central government coming here to give advice about easing the measures. Therefore, I think there should be a CCSA office in Phuket, he said.

I want to tell people that the CCSA is working hard and trying our best to solve peoples problems. I have to thank all Thais who are willing to follow the CCSAs disease control measures, Gen Natthaphol said, concluding the interview.
Civil society groups and agriculture experts have said that while Cambodias food security was not severely impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, they believe that the contagion should be a wake-up call to strengthen domestic agricultural production and processing capabilities.

As the number of COVID-19 cases started to rise in Cambodia and its two neighbors, Vietnam and Thailand decided to close their borders with the country in late March to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. At the time, there was some concern among Cambodians about food availability because a large amount of produce and food products are imported from the two neighbors, especially vegetables and fruits.

Kan Ponharith, a project coordinator of the Voluntary Service Overseas in Cambodia (VSO Cambodia), said the border closure did cause some initial panic among Cambodian citizens, as well as a spike in prices.

In terms of vegetable production, it was still the same, but during COVID-19, there was a border shutdown, which created some chaotic situation, leading to soaring prices, said Kan Ponharith.

While initially there was a complete closure of the border, Cambodia did negotiate with both Vietnam and Thailand to allow goods vehicles to cross the border, said Kan Ponharith. He added that measures like swapping drivers at the border, so that no one crossed into the other country, was one of the measures used.

For domestic production, Kan Ponharith said that farmers had already harvested the dry season rice crop by November and when it was time to plant the wet season crop in May the number of cases in Cambodia had levelled off, causing little disruption.

Therefore, they have enough food in reserve, so it does not affect them much," said Kan Ponharith.

According to the World Bank, Cambodias agricultural sector contributes around 22 percent to gross domestic product, with rice production accounting for more than half of Cambodia's agricultural products. In 2019, Cambodia exported 620,000 tons of rice, making it one of the top 10 rice exporters in the world, but still a small fraction of the more than eight million tons of rice produced that year.

However, the country's fruits and vegetables can meet only 70% of local demand, and the rest must be imported, especially from Thailand and Vietnam, according to agriculture statistics compiled by the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia.

Government statistics show that Cambodia imports a large amount of vegetables daily, with 2017 figures pegged at between 200 and 400 tons of vegetables daily. Experts believe the current health crisis is a chance for Cambodian farmers to fill this gap.

Increased food production will also strengthen Cambodias nascent food processing industry, especially with crops like cashews and cassava, said Yang Saing Koma, an agriculture expert and founder of the Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture.

"It is an important lesson for Cambodia to think about strengthening local production to meet the need of the local people, said Yang Saing Koma, who also heads the Grassroots Democratic Party. It also helps the economy and creates employment. So, it is an opportunity.

Yang Saing Koma and Theng Savoeun, who works with farmers coalition CCFC, said that nearly two-thirds of Cambodians in the agriculture sector were not entirely dependent on agriculture. They have to rely on extra income from family members who are migrant workers outside their home province or in Thailand, the two experts said.

However, this group is at high risk because some of them have defaulted on their bank loans or microfinance debt because of the dip in manufacturing and migrant workers who have stopped sending remittance because they have had to return home during the pandemic.

"Farmers will risk selling or mortgaging their property to repay microfinance institutions or private banks, said Theng Savoeun, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmers Community (CCFC). "We can say that those who face food shortages will be more vulnerable."

Local government officials have acknowledged the challenges posed by the loss of factory jobs and the return of migrant workers.

Now the challenge related to the COVID-19 today is that a high number of migrant workers have returned home from Thailand, Prey Veng Provincial Governor Chea Somethy said at a press conference in July.

However, officials have also painted a rosy picture of the agricultural sector by saying that out-of-work workers can get back to the fields and use machinery to increase yields. Prime Minister Hun Sen has also said agriculture is the best solution for people to avoid the economic slowdown.

Id say no matter how large the field is, the work can still be done and yield a surplus. This is because we use machinery, said Svay Rieng provinces Deputy Governor Ros Pharith at a press conference on July 6.

According to a small survey by VSO Cambodia, which interviewed 382 farmers, 296 farmers said their businesses were unaffected and would be able to scale up to full production in three months, whereas 40 farmers could partially restart production with government assistance.

"Overall, we are now helping the rice sector by linking farmers to the market, said Kan Ponharith of VSO Cambodia. We provide them clear information on their rice productions, and link them with rice-mill owners.
Over a dozen Indian companies are in partnership with other firms and institutes to bring a preventive vaccine into global markets by 2021.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on 31 July, and updated on 14 August to include updates on candidates from Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila, Biological E and Serum Institute.

Two Indian companies are now in adaptive Phase 1/2 human trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in volunteers. There are, however, over a dozen Indian firms in partnership with companies and institutes  both in India and overseas  to bring a working vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus into markets.

Here's a brief overview of the various vaccine candidates that Indian companies are working on as of 13 August 2020, as well as some others that have declared progress or intent in developing a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

Bharat Biotech

Covaxin

Bharat Biotech, in a partnership with the National Institute of Virology, has concluded phase 1 human trials of their COVAXIN candidate at most of the 12 chosen centres as of 14 August. The results from the preliminary trial suggests that the vaccine is safe, principal investigators conducting the trials told the Economic Times.

Now, the 12 trial centres have moved on to recruiting volunteers for phase 2 trials, in which the vaccine's efficiency will be tested to check for an immune response against the coronavirus. Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in the first week of September.

Now that Phase 1 trials have concluded, Bharat Biotech intends to continue with a multicentre, randomized, double-blind Phase 2 trial with 750 volunteers to see how safe and effective the BBC152 vaccine is in a larger group.

The preliminary Phase 1 trials were carried out to test safety and to check whether Covaxin (BBV152) could produce any neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. 375 healthy volunteers were part of the trials, which began in mid-July in 12 centres across India.

Other candidates

Apart from Covaxin, Bharat Biotech is in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University to develop a recombinant deactivated rabies virus containing the spike protein against SARS-CoV-2. With the Department of Biotechnology's backing, Bharat Biotech is aiming to enter human trials with this second vaccine candidate by December 2020.

Bharat Biotech is also partnered with University of WisconsinMadison and FluGen to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using an influenza virus vector. The candidate is currently in pre-clinical animal trials as per a 13 August update from WHO.

Serum Institute of India

BCG vaccine

Serum Institute of India is currently carrying out a randomized, double-blind study of a recombinant BCG vaccine (VPM1002) for severe cases of coronavirus infection. This vaccine is a further development of the popular 100-year-old Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine still widely used in tuberculosis prevention globally.

In the ongoing Phase 3 trials in 5,946 volunteers, Serum Institute is testing whether the vaccine reduces the severity of COVID-19 in high-risk patients.

"We are delighted to partner with DBT-BIRAC for this study and look forward to the positive results of the trial, which should be available before the end of this year,Adar Poonawalla, owner and CEO of SII is quoted as saying by the Press Information Bureau.

Oxford vaccine

Serum Institute has partnered with AstraZeneca and Oxford University to manufacture the Oxford COVID-19 in India. On 10 August, Serum Institute said the vaccine will be priced at Rs 225 per dose in India.

After promising results from Oxford's early trials rolled in mid-July, Serum announced it will manufacture a billion doses of the experimental Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after seeking required approvals.

The vaccine is presently undergoing Phase 3 trials in various countries, and Serum is said to begin testing for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (AZD1222) candidate in India soon, as per regulatory requirements. It received a no-go from Indian regulators for its trial protocol, after which the revised version was accepted by the Indian regulator (CDSCO) days later.

Other candidates

Serum Institute, in partnership with US-based Codagenix, is also developing a live attenuated COVID-19 vaccine candidate CDX-005, which is in pre-clinical trials as of early August 2020.

Distribution

SII announced a new partnership with global vaccine alliance GAVI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate manufacturing and delivery of up to 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for India as well as other low and middle-income countries.

Zydus Cadila

Zydus Cadila, backed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has successfully passed a test of safety (Phase 1) of its DNA plasmid ZyCoV-D vaccine candidate in 1,048 volunteers on 5 August 2020. An adaptive Phase 1/2 trial to test for safe dosage and efficiency of the vaccine was started in over 1000 healthy adult volunteers on 6 August.

Zydus said it is hopeful of completing Phase 2 trials for ZyCoV-D by September-October in an interview with CNBC-TV18. In the pre-clinical phase, ZyCoV-D produced a strong immune response in multiple animal species including mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, and raised no safety concerns.

A second measles vector vaccine candidate for COVID-19 from Zydus is currently in pre-clinical trials.

Panacea Biotec

Panacea Biotec has entered into a Joint Venture partnership with US-based Refana to develop, manufacture and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine candidate globally by next year. The Ireland-based joint venture is working on an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, adding in an interview with Reuters that the vaccine is currently in animal pre-clinical trials, with Phase 1 human trials likely to begin only after September 2020.

It has targeted producing 500 million doses in 2021 and one billion doses of its vaccine candidate in 2022, as per the report.

Indian Immunologicals

Indian Immunologicals and Australia's Griffith University entered a partnership to develop a potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate that could provide "long-lasting protection with a single dose," as per an April press release.

The company intends to take over live attenuated vaccine strain once developed, and carry out clinical trials under Indian regulators in a phased manner. The vaccine development is currently in pre-clinical stages as per WHO's vaccine tracker as of 13 August.

Mynvax

Indian Institute of Science-incubated start-up Mynvax has received funding and support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a series of recombinant subunit vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine will be primarily aimed at the most at-risk groups for COVID-19 (health workers, senior citizens and people with co-morbid conditions).

Mynvax said in a public update in May that selection and preclinical trials have been completed for many candidates, with more being screened "over the next few months." Mynvax has also applied for Rs 15 crores in funding from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to scale-up and manufacture successful candidates.

Biological E

Biological E, another Indian drugmaker backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is developing a protein subunit vaccine using part of the SARS-COV-2 virus' spike protein. The vaccine candidate is in pre-clinical trials as of 13 August 2020.

Biological E is in a licensing agreement with Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, Reuters reported the company as saying.

Biological E is also developing a drug substance used in Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which is currently in early to mid-stage trials, the report added.

Other Indian companies in pre-clinical trials

Aurobindo Pharma based in Hyderabad is also presently conducting pre-clinical tests for its replicating viral vector vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Premas Biotech based in Gurugram is reportedly working on a triple-antigen vaccine candidate, and has successfully identified three antigens with which to develop independent recombinant vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2.

Ahmedabad-based Hester Biosciences in collaboration with IIT-Guwahati is reportedly developing a vaccine against COVID-19 using a recombinant avian paramyxovirus vector. Primarily an animal healthcare firm, and the second largest poultry vaccine manufacturer, this will be the company's first foray into human vaccines.

Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) has partnered with Neuberg Supratech, an Ahmedabad-based pathology lab under Neuberg Diagnostics, to develop COVID-19 recombinant vaccines and diagnostics.
SCHOTT KAISHA is supplying vials for COVID-19 vaccines to Serum Institute (India) and several other players.

German glass manufacturing giant SCHOTT AG is supporting the worlds fight against COVID-19 with vials capable of holding up to 2 billion vaccination doses. The pharma glass and packaging specialist has reached agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies, including key players in India. The global agreements became effective last month and first vials are already being delivered to companies in Asia, North America and Europe.

In India, SCHOTTs 50-50 joint venture, SCHOTT KAISHA is supplying vials for COVID-19 vaccines to Serum Institute (India) and several other players. The joint venture operates four manufacturing facilities in the country located in Jambusar and Umarsadi in Gujarat, Daman, and Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. In addition, the company produces the pharmaceutical glass tubing for the packaging itself at its global sites including one in Jambusar in Gujarat.

All of SCHOTTs 20 production sites for pharma glass and packaging are validated by regulatory bodies and pharma companies. This means that additional capacities can be used immediately without further regulatory efforts. Even before the expansions, SCHOTT already produced more than 11 billion pharma containers globally for life-saving drugs per annum, of which a nine-digit figure is manufactured locally in India.

SCHOTT KAISHA has been known to scale up extremely fast in order to meet customer demands over the past decade, which is also evident from its two new facilities in Umarsadi and Baddi. Thanks to our strong supply chain and support from SCHOTTs global sites, we are in a very strong position to meet our customers current and anticipated requirements. We are confident that we can quickly expand our production capabilities further, in case demand arises, shared Rishad Dadachanji, Director, SCHOTT KAISHA.

More importantly, all major pharma companies and many other players in the market have been processing the companys vials on their fill and finish lines for many years. Hence, no time consuming adaptations of fill and finish equipment will slow down vaccine distribution. As time is a luxury the industry doesnt have at the moment, it is common sense to rely on tried-and-true packaging solutions, Dadachanji said.
Portable lab with the capacity to screen millions of bacteria in water samples could boost water safety.

A suitcase-size portable testing laboratory could cut back the time and money spent on monitoring water quality in developing countries.

Researchers have created a portable testing laboratory for screening millions of bacteria in water samples without the need to run multiple tests at a time.

Improving water quality is key to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including clean water and sanitation. In Sub-Saharan Africa the process has challenges, including transportation costs and absence of real-time data to aid decision-making, according to a study published last month (10 July) in Water Research.

Researchers from Ethiopia and the United Kingdom verified the potential of a portable laboratory that fits into a suitcase and tests water samples to identify waterborne hazards in a faster, easier and cheaper way.

The study, which began in 2019, required an initial 10,000 investment for the portable equipment, including the sequencing device and computer for the toolbox, with an operational cost for reagents of about 1200 per ten samples.

"This is cheaper than the conventional benchtop sequencing machine, which requires an investment cost of about 50,000," says Jemila Mohammed, a co-author of the study and a postgraduate student at the Centre for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

The process of identifying and removing bacteria in water samples requires several small items, including vacuum pumps and filtration units, Mohammed says.

In the suitcase laboratory, we assembled all the items needed for this process to screen millions of bacteria in water samples." Jemila Mohammed, Study Co-Author and Postgraduate Student, Centre for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University

"Overall, our field deployable  toolbox advances the capability of scientists to comprehensively monitor microbiomes [the collection of microorganisms in an environment] anywhere in the world, including in the water, food and drinks industries, the health services, agriculture and beyond," the study adds.

Smaller, less expensive versions of the specialist equipment found in state-of-the-art microbiology laboratories should be attractive to African countries, such as Ethiopia, that have limited resources, Mohammed explains.

The toolbox would enable governments to understand how safely managed sanitation can reduce risks to public health, she says.

But, Mohammed adds, despite the potential of the portable lab to screen for bacteria likely to be present in water samples, it is not always able to reliably distinguish between species of bacteria that are closely related.

Worlanyo Siabi, chief executive officer of Ghana's Community Water and Sanitation Agency, tells SciDev.Net that with increasing development in Africa, more liquid and solid wastes are being discharged into water bodies. He says that water treatment is vital to ensure safe water delivery to communities.

"Water resources are becoming more polluted, and it is also increasingly becoming necessary to pay attention to water treatment before supply," says Siabi.

"The cost of testing is also a major concern. Therefore, any new research which targets simplifying water testing, which may reduce cost, will play a significant role in increasing access to water."

But, Siabi adds that regulations may prevent the suitcase lab meeting local standards.

The Ghana Standards Authority is the regulator that establishes and reviews domestic water supply standards.

Siabi says he is concerned that the portable laboratory may not be able to keep up with local regulations. This piece was produced by SciDev.Net's Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Dallas, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winning on Main Street, a Thryv Inc. podcast series focusing on small business owners and their paths to success, features industry experts in its newest episodes. Hosted by Thryv Chief Strategy Officer Gordon Henry, the podcast shares stories of real small businesses that are winning using todays modern technology through talks with relatable, nose-to-the-grindstone entrepreneurs about starting and running their businesses.

Its important, now more than ever, that small businesses stay laser-focused on how they manage their business; said Henry, this can be from how to get more customers, how to access financial resources or how to get great business advice.

Our podcast provides those valuable tips and resources small business need to continue to grow their business and keep it thriving.

Matching Buyers and Sellers Around the Globe

With so many channels for businesses to consider advertising in, from Google to Facebook to Bing and beyond, choosing where to put your money can be overwhelming. Sandy Lohr runs MatchCraft, the tech company managing small business search, social and display advertising campaigns in 41 countries.

Join host Thryv CSO Gordon Henry as he talks with Sandy about the latest trends in consumer purchasing and how businesses are reaching their customers in todays evolving marketplace.

Meet The 10 Billion Dollar Man

Brock Blake runs Lendio, the largest marketplace for small business loans in America. We can all thank him for making the governments COVID-19 PPP loan program actually reach the small business owners on Main Street.

In the latest episode of the Winning on Main Street podcast, Blake discusses how Lendios mission of fueling the American dream shifted to saving the American dream during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find Your Mentor At SCORE

Small business owners often need mentoring, and SCORE provides it free of charge. SCORE is an army of 10,000 volunteer mentors, many of them top retired entrepreneurs and business executives, who donate their time to provide expertise and advice to small businesses with 500 or fewer employees.

In the latest episode of the Winning on Main Street podcast, SCOREs CEO, Bridget Weston, sits down with Thryv CSO Gordon Henry to explain how todays small business owners can benefit from SCOREs mentorship program.

Winning on Main Street is available wherever you love to listen including Simplecast, Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, and Stitcher. Tune in to hear from business owners like you in roofing, healthcare, transportation and more.

About Gordon Henry

Thryv Chief Strategy Officer Gordon Henry hosts Winning on Main Street. An expert in the tools small businesses use to market themselves, Gordon asks podcast guests about the challenges they face and technology they use to get ahead. Learn more about Gordon.

About Thryv, Inc.

Thryv, Inc. builds and owns the easy-to-use Thryv end-to-end client experience software that helps over 40,000 SaaS clients with the daily demands of running a business; and allows them to take control and be more successful. Thryvs platform provides modernized business functions, allowing small businesses to reach more customers, stay organized, get paid faster and generate reviews. These include building a digital customer list, communicating with customers via email and text, updating business listings across the internet, accepting appointments, sending notifications and reminders, managing ratings and reviews, generating estimates and invoices, processing payments, and issuing invoices and coupons.

Thryv also provides consumer services through our market-leading search, display and social productsand connects local businesses via The Real Yellow Pages from the over 25 million monthly visitors of DexKnows.com, Superpages.com and yellowpages.com search portals; and local print directories. For more information about the company, visit thryv.com.

Thryv delivers business services to more than 350,000 small businesses across America that enable them to compete and win in todays economy.

Media Contacts:

Paige Blankenship

Thryv, Inc.

972.453.3012

paige.blankenship@thryv.com

###
Netflix's new space drama, 'Away', centring around an international crew's voyage to Mars looks set to pull on heartstrings when it debuts on September 4.

From Executive Producer Jason Katims, the Netflix series Away is a thrilling, emotional drama on an epic scale that celebrates the incredible advancements humans can achieve and the personal sacrifices they must make along the way.

As American astronaut Emma Green (Hilary Swank) prepares to lead an international crew on the first mission to Mars, she must reconcile her decision to leave behind her husband (Josh Charles) and teenage daughter (Talitha Bateman) when they need her the most.

As the crew's journey into space intensifies, their personal dynamics and the effects of being away from their loved ones back on Earth become increasingly complex. Away shows that sometimes to reach for the stars, we must leave home behind.

Created by Andrew Hinderaker, the series is executive produced by showrunner Jessica Goldberg, Jason Katims, Matt Reeves, Andrew Hinderaker, Edward Zwick, Hilary Swank, Adam Kassan and Jeni Mulein.

Cast & Character Information

Emma Green (Hilary Swank)

Emma Green is an American astronaut and former Navy pilot. She is the commander of the first mission to Mars. She is a headstrong, empathetic and highly intelligent astronaut and leader. She is married to Matt Logan, a chief engineer at NASA. Emma and Matt have a 15-year-old daughter, Lex.

Matt Logan (Josh Charles)

Matt Logan is a NASA engineer whose wife Emma Green is commanding the first mission to Mars. He faces the already enormous challenges of dealing with the mission from home, while trying to raise their teenage daughter on his own.

Alexis Lex Logan (Talitha Bateman)

15-years-old Lex is the daughter of astronauts Emma Green and Matt Logan. Like her father, Lex is supportive and proud of her mothers three-year mission. She struggles with coming of age while her mother is on the mission and her father faces his own struggles.

Misha Popov (Mark Ivanir)

Misha Popov is a Russian cosmonaut and engineer on the mission to Mars alongside Emma Green. The most experienced member of the crew, Misha doesnt lack for ego, but secretly struggles with the personal sacrifices he made to get to space.

Dr. Kwesi Weisberg - Abban (Ato Essandoh)

Kwesi Weisberg-Abban is a British citizen from Ghana. Kwesi (pronounced Kway-Si) is good-humoured, modest, and a man of deep faith. Hes a world-renowned botanist and carries with him the hope of growing life on Mars.

Ram Arya (Ray Panthaki)

Ram Arya is an Air Force fighter pilot from India. While the other astronauts are forced to reckon with their attachments to earth and their families, Ram is quite alone in the world.

Lu Wang (Vivian Wu)

Lu Wang is a chemist and astronaut representing China. She is intelligent and pragmatic but below her focused exterior, she has a complex personal life. She is married with a young son.

Melissa Ramirez (Monique Curnen)

Melissa Ramirez is a former astronaut who is Emmas Crew Support Astronaut. Her job is to be Emmas Liaison To Earth. Melissa gave up her own career as an astronaut to support her special needs child, but she is there for Emma and her family. She takes care of Lex in Matt and Emmas absence.
Brenda Perez took a job as a server at Mamey in part, she said, because of the cautious way Mr. Patel has managed the original Ghee. The chef ended indoor dining at the restaurant in early July, just before the county mandated it.

The way they responded to the virus this entire time has been very responsible, said Ms. Perez, 37, whose boyfriend works at Ghee. They care about their employees and how they feel.

In June, as the coronavirus outbreak in Florida grew more worrisome, Mr. Patel and Mr. Alkassar asked Mr. Piazza, the restaurant groups executive chef, to quarantine at home. Mr. Piazzas wife had just tested positive for the coronavirus, as had their nanny and the nannys husband.

When this happened, Niven was like, Stay home, Mr. Piazza said.

Even after tests for his wife came back negative, though, the team insisted that Mr. Piazza remain home, to guarantee a healthy chef in case others fell sick.

Mr. Piazza, whom Mr. Patel refers to as my right hand, has spent the time testing recipes and writing (and rewriting) menus for Mamey.

The hotel is a big deal for a lot of people, Mr. Piazza said Mr. Patel told him. Youre the only guy who I would trust here if something happened to me.
South Africa: Ambassador John Nkadimeng laid to rest

President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late Ambassador John Nkadimeng, saying his death has robbed South Africa of a valuable repository of knowledge and experience.

Nkadimeng is among a number of veterans who have passed away in recent months, including Ntate Andrew Mlangeni, his fellow Rivonia trialist Denis Goldberg, Mme Martha Mmola, Mme Mirriam Setshego Martin, Zindzi Mandela, Mama Thoko Msimang and George du Plessis.

With the passing of Ntate Nkadimeng, yet another light in a glorious generation has been extinguished. He suffered for the freedoms that we enjoy today. He sacrificed, he fought, he led, and he was led," said the President in the eulogy.

The former Ambassador to Cuba passed away on 6 August 2020 at the age of 93. He was laid to rest on Friday at Westpark Cemetry.

Ntate Nkadimeng was accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 1 in recognition of the incredible contribution that he made to the freedom of the country.

Bab Nkadimeng was among the 156 congress activists, who were detained during the Defiance Campaign in 1952 and charged with treason in the 1956 Treason Trial. He also went into exile, taking refuge in numerous neighbouring countries.

Ntate Nkadimeng served in the African National Congresss political and military council, and served as the chairperson of the ANC's political committee.

He led the then underground South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), where he also played an instrumental role in the formation of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

Having suffered and sacrificed for the freedoms enjoyed in the country today, President Ramaphosa called on South Africans to embody the values of Ntate Nkadimeng of humility, volunteerism and service.

With the country in the throes of the Coronavirus pandemic, the President urged South Africans to draw on the spirit of Ntate Nkadimeng and do everything within their means to rebuild the economy.

More than that, we must transform our economy, so that it resembles less of where we were before the pandemic and more of where we want to be.

We must ensure that the world of work, which emerges from this crisis, is one in which the conditions of workers are dramatically improved in all respects, he said.

In light of recent allegations of corruption, President Ramaphosa called on those in positions of leadership to desist from corrupt activities and hold fast to the lessons taught by Nkadimengs generation about serving people, respecting them and acting in their best interests.

Day by day, we learn more about actions of thieving, looting and corruption. Day by day, the trust and confidence of our people is being eroded, leading many to proclaim that the days of ethical and selfless leadership are behind us.

At a time when we are losing even more from the generation who led us to victory over apartheid, we are at a very real risk of destroying the gains they secured for us and our children. Their sacrifices must not be in vain, said the President.

Concluding his tribute, President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to use the passing of Nkadimeng and other veterans as a turning point against corruption and recommitment to renewal.

It is not enough to eulogise them and laud the values by which they lived. It is only by restoring that culture of selflessness, integrity, ethical leadership and service to the people that we will uphold their legacy.

As we carry Ntate John Kgoana Nkadimeng to his final resting place, let us recommit ourselves to the renewal of our society and our country. Brick by brick, let us finish the task of building the South Africa to which he and his generation dedicated their lives, said the President.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Shares of PPL Corporation PPL have gained 6.3% since the company announced plans to sell its U.K. utility business. This rally reflects investors bullish sentiment about the decision.

Details of the Sale

The company engaged JP Morgan Securities LLC as its financial advisor to assist in the sale process with an intent to announce a transaction in the first half of 2021. A comprehensive strategic review was conducted by the board of directors that assessed the company's business mix and growth opportunities before taking the final call to proceed with U.K. assets sell-off process.



Management mentioned that it will be evaluating a variety of offers for the sale of Western Power Distribution (WPD) including all cash or a combination of cash and U.S. utility assets.

Motive Behind the Divestiture

Though WPD continues to deliver a strong performance, PPL Corp believes that this sale and the strategic repositioning of its portfolio to be fully U.S.-base dare expected to boost its shareowner value. The company intends to use the sales proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance its long-term earnings growth.



Furthermore, this decision will simplify its business mix along with providing greater financial flexibility. Moreover, it will help the company focus on building tomorrow's energy infrastructure and advance toward a cleaner energy future in the United States.



Remarkably, PPL Corp is going to invest nearly $14 billion during the 2020-2024 period of which $5.9 billion was allocated to the U.K. Regulated segment to strengthen grid, electricity and gas distribution, expand renewable generation capacity and focus on new technology to serve customers more efficiently. The companys divestiture decision along with its capital plans will aid it to boost its operations in the United States, thereby benefiting its shareholders.

Zacks Rank & Price Performance

Currently, the stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Following the news of the impending divestment, shares of the company have risen 6.3% against the industrys decline of 1.9%.

Story continues

Key Picks

A few better-ranked stocks from the same industry are CMS Energy Corporation CMS, Portland General Electric Company POR and Huaneng Power International, Inc. HNP, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



The long-term (three to five years) earnings growth rate for CMS Energy is pegged at 7.01%. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.22%, on average.



The long-term earnings growth rate for Portland General Electric Company is pegged at 5.14%. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.74%, on average.



Huaneng Power Internationals long-term earnings growth rate stands at 13.14%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings has been revised 20.81% upward over the past 30 days.

These Stocks Are Poised to Soar Past the Pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak has shifted consumer behavior dramatically, and a handful of high-tech companies have stepped up to keep America running. Right now, investors in these companies have a shot at serious profits. For example, Zoom jumped 108.5% in less than 4 months while most other stocks were sinking.



Our research shows that 5 cutting-edge stocks could skyrocket from the exponential increase in demand for stay at home technologies. This could be one of the biggest buying opportunities of this decade, especially for those who get in early.



See the 5 high-tech stocks now>>



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They've protested and even shut down courts, and now a coalition of Kansas City organizations and housing advocates are taking their case to a judge hoping to halt evictions during the pandemic. Tenant advocates and several other groups sent a public letter to Jackson County Presiding Judge David Byrn and Mayor Quinton Lucas on Thursday, demanding they reinstate the Jackson County eviction moratorium for at least six months.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) walk from Pelosi's office recently. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Another round of stimulus checks for Americans and renewal of expired unemployment benefits for the millions left jobless by the coronavirus-induced recession aren't likely to be approved until at least after Labor Day as lawmakers leave Washington for a summer break without agreement on a relief package.

And even after that, prospects for a deal look grim as each side blamed the other for the breakdown in negotiations. There haven't been talks between congressional Democratic leaders and the White House since last week, when Trump administration officials walked away and then released four presidential orders that they said would provide enhanced unemployment, defer payroll taxes and halt evictions. The legality and effectiveness of those actions remained in doubt, however.

The Senate officially recessed Thursday until after Labor Day and the House left last week. There is little hope that leaders can hatch a deal in the coming days, but even if that happened, it would require lawmakers to return to Washington to hold votes.

And with the presidential political conventions beginning next week, leaders are unlikely to hold serious negotiations or call lawmakers back until early September.

Many in Washington are now eyeing the expiration of government funding as the next, best possibility to force action by attaching a coronavirus relief package to the must-pass spending bill. Funding for the government is set to run out Sept. 30 and neither party is likely to want to risk a government shutdown just weeks before the election.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) has resisted the idea of tying government funding to coronavirus relief, arguing that it is too long to wait. Enhanced unemployment benefits and other economic protections passed by Congress in March expired at the end of July.

"We can't wait until September 30th.... People will die," she said, noting that 77,000 have died since the Democratic-led House passed its $3.4-trillion coronavirus relief response bill in May.

Story continues

The White House and Senate Republicans have countered with a $1.1-trillion plan, and rejected Democrats' offer to compromise at around $2 trillion.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday that he hopes a compromise would be found soon.

"Im still hoping well have some kind of bipartisan agreement here sometime in the coming weeks," he told reporters.

Republicans accused Democrats of politicizing the stalemate to portray it as President Trump's fault.

White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said Democrats want to include too many items on their "liberal, left wish lists," such as measures to provide money for mail-in voting this fall.

So far, its a stalemate, Kudlow said on CNBC. "They're asking [for] too much money."

But the issue became a major sticking point in the talks when Trump said he wouldn't approve more money for the Postal Service because of Democrats' hopes that more people vote by mail.

Democrats counter that the money for the U.S. Postal Service is not only vital to ensure Americans can safely vote during the pandemic, but also for delivery of prescriptions and Social Security checks.

Other major disputes include Democrats' demands for $1 trillion in funding for state and local governments.

While Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has had a productive working relationship with Pelosi, their dynamic earned him the distrust of some House Republicans, who generally oppose adding to the deficit for more pandemic relief to Americans.

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, a former chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has been fully participating in the negotiations for the first time since the start of the coronavirus crisis. Since then, the White House has taken a firmer hand, including leaving the talks last week when they concluded Democrats weren't willing to compromise.

McConnell has largely sat on the sidelines, content to have the White House negotiate the GOP position. Estimates are that half of Senate Republicans would oppose any deal in part because they oppose additional spending, a dynamic that has undercut his leverage and negotiating position.

For instance, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said his hope is that the talks remain at a stalemate, citing concern about adding to the deficit.



"From my standpoint, the breakdown in the talks is very good news," he told Breitbart News. "It's very good news for future generations."

But with so many Americans struggling to pay their bills and unable to find work as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in parts of the country, the sputtering economy is worrisome to Republican senators on the ballot this fall in an election season that is already tilting toward Democrats and is likely to hinge on the response to the coronavirus.

Perhaps for that reason, there are signs that even McConnell wants the negotiators to get back in the room.

"It doesn't make any difference who says let's get together again, but we ought to get together again, because there hasn't been a meeting of any consequence between the two parties since last Friday," he said Tuesday on Fox. "That is too long.

Mnuchin called Pelosi on Wednesday, but that conversation only resulted in dueling statements.

"We are miles apart in our values," Pelosi said Thursday.
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

With the Mexican-U.S. border shut down to almost all but commercial vehicles, Mexican drug traffickers are managing to deliver illegal narcotics to the doorsteps and other drop points of people who run their distribution networks in the U.S.

Last month, agents from Homeland Security Investigations tracked a Federal Express package of methamphetamine that originated in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, west of Mexico City to an address in the South Valley where agents arrested Jose Israel Villalba on charges of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Prior to the border closure, most methamphetamine seized in El Paso and New Mexico border crossings was hidden in personal vehicles, according to Homeland Security Department officials. The drugs were often found hidden in tires, secret compartments in dashboards, under car seats and in the car frames.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March, the U.S.-Mexican border has been open to only essential travel  commercial traffic, people with current work visas and people receiving medical treatment  forcing traffickers to find alternatives  including packages shipped here from Mexico, China and other countries.

Traffickers use everything from the U.S. Postal Service to delivery services like FedEx and UPS.

Homeland Security agents intercepted the package headed for Villalba at a FedEx sorting center, as part of a normal customs inspection, according to court records. It was marked Unsolicited Gift Dry Cheese in Plastic Bag.

An X-ray inspection found anomalies, so the package was opened. Agents tested the product, which turned out to include methamphetamine.

Agents said in search warrant affidavits that they found two packages containing a pound and a half of methamphetamine and some other material, presumably dried cheese.

The box was shipped from a Jazmin Medina to Marco Medina. Agents began investigating and found four other packages, some weighing up to 10 pounds, had been shipped since April from the same address in Michoacan to the house on the 3000 block of Viola Drive SW.

The agents replaced the methamphetamine with safe inert substance and put a sensor in the box that would alert them when it was opened, then sent the package on its way after obtaining a search warrant that would be served when the box was opened.

Agents conducting the search didnt find anybody named Marco Medina, but they did find Jose Villalba and his family in the house.

According to the search warrant return, agents also found three pistols and ammunition along with about an ounce of cocaine agents had identified at the FedEx shipping center.

According to court records, Villalba admitted the cocaine was for his personal use.

He told agents he opened the package but claimed to know nothing about the contents.

Villalba was convicted in 2013 of possession of a pound of methamphetamine after he was arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration agents. He was sentenced to five years in federal prison and probation.

Villalba complained that the federal government had stripped him of his rights after he was convicted, according to the criminal complaint, and said he needed the firearms for protection of his family because he lived in a dangerous neighborhood.

Villalba is being held without bond awaiting trial in federal court.
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Linkedin Sausan Atika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 13:49 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e08b99 1 City MRT-Jakarta,MRT-phase-2,cultural-heritage,preservation,excavation,archeology Free

The expansion of the Jakarta MRT line is under way, building on a successful launch last year. But unlike the first phase of development that resulted in a 15.7-kilometer line connecting South and Central Jakarta, phase 2A offers a bigger and more unlikely challenge.

With the next phase of development set to happen entirely underground, PT MRT Jakarta is wary of accidentally excavating historical artifacts and other archeological findings in the digging process, possibly resulting in delays.

The construction of an underground tunnel along the route, believed to be blanketed in historical value, will require special care so as not to cause any delays for the project, said William Sabandar, president director of the city-owned transportation company.

Furthermore, the planned route will run through Kota Tua, formerly an administrative center of the city under Dutch colonial rule, which experts believe may hold numerous historical riches underneath.

[The next phase] has a different scale because the level of difficulty is [exceptionally high], with issues like land subsidence and soft soil, the environment and cultural heritage, William said earlier this week.

Archaeologist Chandrian Attahiyat, a member of the Jakarta Cultural Heritage Experts Team (TACB), acknowledged that the second phase of development would be more challenging.

The MRT phase 2 route presumably contains many artifacts, especially from Monas [ the National Monument] to Kota Tua. Monas alone was situated within the Weltervreden area, which was once the site of the new capital city that was relocated from Kota Tua or Batavia, he said on Wednesday.

But Indonesia wont be the first country to deal with such concerns.

The completion of an 8.5-mile undersea rail tunnel, part of the Marmaray intercontinental railway network in Istanbul, Turkey, was originally scheduled for completion in 2009. But the project was delayed for four years due to the discovery of archaeological artifacts from the fourth century Byzantine Era, the New York Times reported.

The development of MRT phase 2A in Jakarta, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is scheduled to be completed by March 2026. It has been delayed three months from the original plan due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The plan spans 5.8 kilometers from Bundaran HI Station in Central Jakarta to the Kota Tua district in West Jakarta. It will consist of seven underground stations: Thamrin, Monas, Harmoni, Sawah Besar and Mangga Besar stations in Central Jakarta, as well as Glodok and Kota stations in West Jakarta.

In an effort to prevent any more delays, the company put together a team of experts, including archaeologists and cultural heritage experts, before construction commenced on July 15.

The firm, in consultation with the team, has since performed an archaeological test pit, a method which aims to identify heritage remains through small-scale excavation.

[We did this] because we know it usually takes time to gather experts, conduct examinations and make decisions on whether an object is classified as a piece of cultural heritage, MRT Jakarta construction director Silvia Halim told journalists on Tuesday.

The team will investigate and conclude the status of the findings  including where to preserve it  within 21 days. With this approach, we can take action without compromising progress in the project, she said.

The company is examining several fragments of ceramics that its construction workers and the expert team recently found while digging along Jl. MH Thamrin and through a structural brick near Monas, Silvia said.

In the 19th century, a residential area was once situated on the site where Jl. MH Thamrin runs through, right in the vicinity of Sarinah. Meanwhile, before Monas was erected, a number of large buildings, including a police station and church, were situated there.

The discrepancies in land use have contributed to the historical characteristics of remains that may potentially be found in said areas, Chandrian said.

[Artifacts] in Monas could probably be found in the form of structures. The soil [in Weltervreden] often gets heightened due to floods, he said.

Heading toward Kota Tua, the archeologist said there might potentially be a discovery of remains of wooden foundations. He said people in the past would have set up wooden foundations first to distribute strength equally for a buildings structure due to the unstable soil on site.

Depending on the significance of the archeological findings, the company may choose to alter its plan for the MRT line.

If a significant archaeological finding is discovered, [the expert team] will give its recommendations to MRT Jakarta to change their project plan. This could be done by shifting or deepening the track because artifacts are commonly found 10 meters underground, Chandrian said.

The significance of the discovery will depend on a number of factors, such as its notable relevance to history and the size of the object found, among other things.

The Jakarta Cultural Agencys protection department head, Novriandi S. Husodo, said the team of experts was likely to suggest thorough documentation  called preservation by record  even if the findings turned out not to be of significant historical value.

More importantly, he said the establishment of an expert team and its corresponding work procedures would prove to be a good example for future large-scale infrastructure projects and provide a win-win solution.

The findings wont hinder development and the development wont erase historical information.. Both aspects can work together, Novriandi said.
We all are very well aware of the fact that our medical system is badly affected in this COVID-19 situation but is this the right point to justify the ignorance facing by other patients needing emergency health care?

Recently I got to know one of my acquaintances, 50-year old man residing at the AG Colony, Patna, was suffering from some internal infection because of the kidney transplant he had undergone few years back. When his condition became critical, people in his family tried to contact and ambulance to take him to the hospital. To my amusement I got to know that the ambulance driver was not responding well; he himself was deciding the time limit in which he will come to take the patient to the hospital.

Time passed by and finally the long wait for the ambulance was over. Another long wait started at the hospital when the family members were literally begging to the hospital staff to get him checked once and see if something could be done. Later, he was announced dead.

Other case, again one of my acquaintances, a 70-year old lady in Patna suffering from cardiac disorder was not feeling well and she went to the hospital seeking medical care. One full day this lady kept looking for a bed in any hospital that served the needed emergency help but unfortunately, she couldn't get one. And sadly, this lady passed away the very next day.

Now the question is who should we blame for this, the patient, the hospital staff or the government? We are already being affected badly by this COVID directly and now indirectly by this medical negligence too.

These are just two cases that I have come across and I am very sure that there are many more cases that people are going through every day. I myself being a dentist can tell how badly we are affected and how badly our health care system needs to be improved. We don't have sufficient well-functioning hospitals neither do we have sufficient beds, equipment or hospital staff too. It is sad but this is the truth.

So, it is of utmost important for the Bihar government to, at the least, make sure what is available to us is functioning well.

Dr. Pallavi Kumari
A federal appeals court on Friday overturned Californias ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines, ruling that the prohibition violates the Second Amendment.

Even well-intentioned laws must pass constitutional muster, Appellate Judge Kenneth Lee wrote for the majority on the three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, adding that Californias ban strikes at the core of the Second Amendment  the right to armed self-defense.

Californias ban on magazines holding more than 10 bullets is so sweeping that half of all magazines in America are now unlawful to own in California, Lee wrote.

One of the judges on the panel dissented, leaving a majority of two who voted to throw out the ban, which Lee wrote was passed in the wake of heart-wrenching and highly publicized mass shootings.

Gun rights groups celebrated the ruling. California Rifle & Pistol Association attorney Chuck Michel hailed the decision as a huge victory for Americans who own firearms and the right to choose to own a firearm to defend your family.

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Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > A Genocide Is Taking Place In Brazil | Frei Betto

Brasil Wire, July 20, 2020

Frei Betto is a Brazilian writer, philosopher, liberation theologian, and Dominican friar. Involved in Brazils emancipatory struggles for decades, Betto was imprisoned for four years under the Military dictatorship for helping its victims escape abroad. More recently he has been heavily involved in the battle to eradicate hunger in his country. He has made a personal and urgent call to friends of Brazil around the world about what is taking place in the country under Jair Bolsonaro. We encourage readers to share and republish Frei Bettos letter as we have.

Dear Friends,

A genocide is taking place in Brazil! As I write, on 16 July 2020, COVID-19, first detected here in February this year, has already killed 76,000 people. There are already almost two million people affected. By Sunday 19 July we shall reach a total of 80,000 fatalities. It is possible that when you read this dramatic appeal, we shall already have reached 100,000.

When I think that in the Vietnam war, over twenty years, 58,000 lives of US-American military personnel were sacrificed, I grasp the scale and seriousness of what is taking place in my country. This horror causes anger and revulsion. And we all know that precautionary and restrictive measures that have been adopted in so many other countries could have avoided slaughter on such a scale.

This genocide is not the result of the Bolsonaro governments indifference. It is intentional. Bolsonaro delights in the deaths of others. When he was a member of Congress, he said in a TV interview in 1999: Voting wont change anything in this country, nothing, absolutely nothing! Change will only come, unfortunately, if one day we engage in a civil war here in Brazil, and do the work the military regime didnt do: kill 30,000.

When he voted for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, he dedicated his vote to the memory of the Brazilian armys most notorious torturer, Colonel Brilhante Ustra.

Because of this great obsession with death, one of his main government policies is allowing the sale of weapons and ammunition. When asked at the entrance to the presidential palace if he wasnt concerned about the victims of the pandemic, he replied, I dont believe in these figures (27 March, 92 deaths); Were all going to die one day (29 March, 136 deaths); So what? What do you want me to do? (28 April, 5,017 deaths).

Why this necrophiliac policy? From the beginning he stated that the important thing was not to save lives, but to save the economy. That is why he refuses to order a lockdown, follow the guidance of the World Health Organisation and import respirators and personal protection equipment. The Supreme Court had to delegate this responsibility to state governors and city mayors.

Bolsonaro did not even respect the authority of his own ministers of health. Since February Brazil has had two, both sacked for refusing to take the same attitude as the President. Now the ministry is headed by General Pazuello, who has no knowledge of health matters; he had tried to hide the data about the increasing numbers of victims; he has employed 1.249 military personnel in important posts in the ministry, without the necessary qualifications; and he has cancelled the daily interviews from which the population received guidance.

It would take too long to list all the measures to release resources to aid low-income victims and families (over 100 million Brazilians) that were never taken.

The reasons behind the criminal decisions of the Bolsonaro government are clear. Letting the elderly die saves the resources of the Department of National Insurance. Letting those with pre-existing conditions die saves the resources of the national health service, the SUS. Letting the poor die saves the resources of the Family Welfare programme and other social programmes targeting the 52.5 million Brazilians who live in poverty and the 13.5 million that live in extreme poverty (Federal government figures).

Not satisfied with such lethal measures, now, on 3 July the President has vetoed the section of a law that made obligatory the use of masks in shops, places of worship and educational institutions. He has also vetoed the imposition of fines on those who failed to keep the rules and the governments obligation to distribute masks to the poorest sections of the population, the main victims of COVID-19, and prisoners (750,000). These vetoes, however, do not overturn local legislation that has already made the use of masks obligatory.

On 8 July Bolsonaro overturned three sections of a law approved by the Senate, that obliged the government to supply drinking water and health and cleaning materials, to install internet connections and distribute basic food supplies, seeds and agricultural implements to indigenous villages. He also vetoed emergency funds intended for indigenous health services, and to give indigenous and members of Afro-Brazilian ex-slave quilombola communities emergency aid of R$600 (120 Euros or US$120) for three months. He also vetoed the obligation on the government to provide more hospital beds, ventilators and oxygenation machines to indigenous and ex-slave communities.

Indigenous and ex-slave communities have been decimated by the increasing socio-environmental devastation, especially in the Amazon region.

Please give as much publicity as possible to this crime against humanity. Condemnation of what is happening in Brazil must reach your countrys media, social networks, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, and the banks and companies that represent the investors the Bolsonaro government so greedily wants.

Long before The Economist did so, on social media I have been calling the President BolsoNero  while Rome burned he played the fiddle and promoted hydrochloroquine, a drug scientifically shown to have no effect on the new coronavirus. But its manufacturers are political allies of the President

Thank you for your solidarity in publicising this letter. Only pressure from abroad can halt the genocide that is devastating our dear, wonderful Brazil.

Yours fraternally

Frei Betto

(Frei Betto is a Dominican brother and writer, an adviser to the FAO and to social movements.)
France has cautiously welcomed a landmark US-brokered deal establishing formal ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, calling Israel's decision to suspend annexations in the occupied West Bank a "positive step" but one that must become "definitive". Iran and Turkey denounced the pact as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

The so-called "Abraham Agreement" normalising relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates was announced Thursday by US President Donald Trump, who told reporters in the Oval Office that it was a truly historic moment".

Trump trumpeted that he had secured Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank in exchange for diplomatic ties with the UAE.

Israel has agreed not to do it. More than off the table, they have agreed not to do it, Trump said. I think that very important. I think it was a great concession by Israel, I think it was a smart concession.

However, addressing reporters later in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed only to "delay" the annexation as part of the deal with the UAE, but the plans remain "on the table".

West Bank expansion

The conflicting statements have cast uncertainty over the future of the West Bank. The territory on the west bank of the river Jordan has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war and is now home to some 500,000 Israeli settlers.

In January, the US had unveiled a peace plan that would have allowed Israel to annex up to 30 percent of territory, before making a U-turn and asking Israel to wait before executing that plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed Thursday's peace deal as ushering in a "new era" for the Arab world and Israel, said later he would "never give up our rights to our land".

Fears that Israel will continue to expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank triggered alarm in France.

Story continues

French caution

Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Yves Le Drian called for the suspension of Israeli annexation plans to become "definitive".

"The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinians territories is a positive step, which must become a definitive measure," Le Drian said in a statement on Thursday.

"The new state of mind shown by these announcements must now allow the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to establishing two states within the framework of international law and agreed parameters, which is the only option to enable a just and lasting peace," he added.

Palestinian 'betrayal'

Palestinian officials though rejected Thursday's agreement, calling it a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause.

Senior official Hanan Ashrawi accused the Emirati crown prince of "selling out" her people.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meanwhile withdrew his ambassador from the Emirates and demanded an emergency Arab League meeting.

No perfect deal

In the past, the UAE, like most of the Arab world, rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in 1967.

But in recent years, ties between Gulf Arab nations and Israel have quietly grown, in part over their shared enmity of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, defended the deal, arguing it reflected "badly needed realism".

Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region, he said. But I think we used our political chips right.
Adding Jerez to F1's 2020 'corona calendar' would be good news for Formula 1 and Spain.

That is the view of Spaniard Carlos Sainz, as he prepares for his home race in Barcelona this weekend.

There are rumours that with Formula 1 still targeting a full calendar of up to 18 races in this virus-affected season, Liberty Media is in talks with more potential local hosts.

One of them is Istanbul, the former venue of the Turkish GP, and another Jerez - where 1997's nail-biting title showdown between Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve was controversially settled.

"I don't know how real that rumour is," McLaren driver Sainz said in Barcelona. "I hadn't heard it until now.

"Personally, racing at home in Barcelona, I always have a great time. And going to Jerez would be good news for F1 and for Spain."

Sainz, who is switching to Ferrari next year, is much less happy with the performance of his current team McLaren's pitstop crew. In the last five races, he has had problems no fewer than three times.

"The trust is still there but we know that it is an area of improvement that has cost us many points," he said.

(GMM)
But two U.S. aluminum producers  Century Aluminum and Magnitude 7 Metals -- complained even before USMCA took effect that Canada was exploiting the lifting of the tariffs to flood the U.S. with aluminum. A new trade group that represents them  the American Primary Aluminum Association  says imports of raw aluminum from Canada surged 37% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same three-month period in 2019.
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) London, United Kingdom  Fri, August 14, 2020 11:15 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dfc4be 2 World UK,coronavirus,coronavirus-restrictions,COVID-19,COVID-19-quarantine,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his government was prepared to be ruthless with even its closest partners over COVID-19 quarantine rules, after he was asked whether France would be removed from the government's safe-travel list.

Britain has in recent weeks imposed a 14-day quarantine period for arrivals from countries like Spain and Belgium, responding to rising infections and fears of a second wave of the virus, having initially declared them safe for travel.

"We've got to be absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners around the world," Johnson told reporters on a visit to Northern Ireland.

"We will be looking at the data a bit later on this afternoon ... looking at exactly where France and other countries are getting to, and you know we can't be remotely complacent about our own situation."

The French health ministry reported 2,524 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday - the highest since its lockdown restrictions.

That has prompted speculation it could be the next European country added to Britain's list - a move that would affect the large number of British tourists travelling there during English school holidays.

For UK holidaymakers, France is the second most-visited country behind first-choice destination Spain. Almost 13 million Britons travelled to France in 2017, data from Statista showed.

Britain usually welcomes about 3.5 million visitors from France each year according to the same data, making France the second biggest market for tourists coming into the UK behind the United States.
Four days after the commencement of open book exam (OBE) for final year students, the Delhi University on Thursday evening issued a press statement saying the exam is being conducted successfully and large number of students have appeared and submitted their answerscripts.

Amid the Covid-19 Pndemic, OBE exam has been adopted as a one-time measure for the final year regular, School of Open Learning (SOL) and Non-Collegiate Womens Education Board (NCWEB) students of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

In the last four days, students have successfully attempted and submitted their answer scripts on the OBE portal of DU. Some of our students, who at present are in remote/ far-flung areas have submitted their answer scripts via the option of email available to them. Students with special needs have also been given the option to send answer scripts by email, the press release said.

Cumulative data shows that the number of papers attempted by regular, NCWEB students and SOL is 110085 and 154142, respectively while the answer scripts submitted by regular, NCWEB students and SOL students are 82496 and 108846 respectively on the OBE portal, the statement further said.

The university has issued the statement amid media reports of glitches during DU final year exams.

HT had earlier reported that on the first and second days of the examination, students of Delhi University complained of technical glitches as the website briefly crashed while they were trying to upload their answer scripts. Students have also complained about the glitches during exam on the social media and reached out to their teachers for help. Some students also raised issues like -- poor network, power failure at home due to which the page blanked out multiple times, not receiving acknowledgement receipts from the varsity after mailing answer sheets, tough questions and lengthy question papers.

The author tweets @ NandiniJourno

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Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's production company Westbrook Inc. is at the center of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Westbrook Inc. is the 'first significant transmission reported at a production company' after 10 employees tested positive for the virus, according to Variety.

The company helps Will and Jada create content like her hit Facebook Watch series Red Table Talk, his Snapchat show Will From Home, in addition to other television and film projects.

Outbreak: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's production company has been hit with ten cases of COVID-19, according to Variety. The pair are seen in 2015 above

Westbrook Inc. said they had stopped production on one project in a statement to Variety but did not identify which particular show they were referring to.

Their other shows without infected workers will continue shooting, according to a representative.

The company said that it had been following federal, state and local guidelines for its productions, including 'Appendix J,' the Los Angeles county order that sets out strict requirements for film and TV production.

On Wednesday a representative told Variety: 'We received 10 positive tests and the crew members quarantined and remain in quarantine. All 10 people were retested and have received negative results. We will continue to follow all official guidelines and safety protocols.'

They said they are also working with a Department of Public Health investigation. California surpassed 600,000 individual cases this week, the most of any state.

Mixed results: The 10 employees reportedly all received negative results just one day after testing positive the virus, calling testing methods into question. Above an LA drive-in center is seen

Tabling things: The company helps Will and Jada create content like her hit Facebook Watch series Red Table Talk (above), his Snapchat show Will From Home, in addition to other television and film project.

There are now fears about the accuracy of the coronavirus tests being used after the 10 Westbrook Inc. employees tested negative so quickly after their positive results.

None of the workers have shown symptoms.

Westbrook Inc. has changed the firm responsible for conducting both the original and follow-up tests, Rapid Reliable Testing.

Los Angeles County employee guidelines have directed people to self-isolate for 10 days after testing positive.

Anyone in 'close contact' with the positive individual is required to quarantine for 14 days.

Numbers: California surpassed 600,000 individual cases this week, the most of any state. Pedestrians in Glendale, California are seen above

These 'close contacts' had self-quarantined, according to Westbrook Inc., which did not disclose how many people that would affect.

The outbreak was initially reported on the county public health website on Saturday, identifying the location as Westbrooks offices in Calabasas.

A company rep said that the office has been closed throughout the pandemic and has not reopened, making it unclear if the workers were infected at that location or somewhere else related to the organization.

It was unclear it the Smiths would directly be affected by the production pause.

On hold: It was unclear it the Smiths would directly be affected by the production pause. They are seen in October 2019 above

'Will and Jada are both involved in active productions that are all following strict guidelines outlined by the CDC, California State and Los Angeles County,' the company rep said.'

Interestingly, Will interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci on his Snapchat quarantine show in April. Jada also focused an episode of her web series on the pandemic.

Smith and Pinkett Smith founded Westbrook Inc. in 2019 along with Miguel Melendez, Kosaku Yada and Tera Hanks.

They are the parent company of Westbrook Studios, which is currently developing a biopic about Serena and Venus Williams' father Richard as well as a dramatic adaptation of Will's 90s hit The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
An empty walkway at the U.S.-Mexico border during the outbreak of the CCP virus, in San Diego, Calif., on April 21, 2020. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

US Extends Travel Restrictions at Northern, Southern Borders

The United States on Friday said it reached agreements with Mexico and Canada to extend travel restrictions at shared borders.

The restrictions will last well into September, acting U.S. Homeland Security Department Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement on Twitter.

We continue to work with our Canadian and Mexican partners to slow the spread of #COVID19. Accordingly, we have agreed to extend the limitation of non-essential travel at our shared land ports of entry through September 21, he wrote.

According to the department, the restrictions will now remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 21, in a decision coordinated with the governments of Mexico and Canada.

The restrictions began in March, shortly after the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus outbreak was defined as a pandemic. The rules curb non-essential travel, or travelers that lack so-called essential purposes such as economic or family care reasons. Tourism and recreational travel are considered non-essential.

U.S. immigration authorities are also no longer detaining illegal immigrants, instead returning them immediately to the country they entered from. If thats not possible, the illegal aliens are being sent to their country of origin.

The rules have been extended five times now.

In a statement in April, Wolf said that border control, travel restrictions and other limitations remain critical to slowing the spread [of the virus] and allowing the phased opening of the country.

The U.S.-Canada border crossing is seen amid the CCP virus outbreak, in Lacolle, Quebec, Canada, on April 17, 2020. (Christinne Muschi/Reuters)

American, Mexican, and Canadian authorities last extended the restrictions in mid-July through Aug. 21.

Were going to keep working closely with our American neighbors to keep people safe on both sides of the border, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters at the time.

An Ipsos poll conducted last month found that 85 percent of Canadians believe the Canada-U.S. land border should stay closed until at least the end of 2020.

A separate survey released this week found that 62 percent of respondents support the Trump administrations immigration restrictions, including a plurality, or 49 percent, of Democrats.

Mexicos Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard told reporters on Thursday that it doesnt make sense right now to roll back the restrictions, according to the Associated Press.

We already told the United States that were of the idea that its extended, Ebrard said.

The number of migrants entering the United States from Mexico has plunged this year, declining to a two-year-record-low of 17,086 in April. The number has been rising since, hitting 40,746 in July, according to government data.
The Salvation Army Hospital at Wiamoase in the Sekyere South District of the Ashanti Region will soon benefit from a new maternity ward project.

A short ceremony has been held at the premises of the hospital for the commencement of work for a modern and spacious maternity ward in the hospital.

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, who is a native of the area, played significant roles to help make the construction of the important facility a reality.

The hospital has over years faced maternal challenges.

The construction of the maternity ward project would therefore help to improve the treatment of maternal cases and general health care in the hospital.

Alexander Gyedu, the Director of Special Projects at the Office of the President, represented the Chief of Staff at the sod cutting ceremony.

In his remarks, he admonished all stakeholders in the community to play leading roles so that the maternity ward project would be completed as scheduled.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Afigya Sekyere East Constituency, Mavis Nkansah Boadu, thanked government for swiftly responding to an appeal to build the facility.

The lawmaker was of strong conviction that the completion of the project would help in saving precious lives, especially mothers and babies, in the hospital.

The maternity ward project, which upon completion would be a state-of-the-art facility, is being funded through the District Assembly Common Fund.

---Daily Guide
O nly one in 16 people in England caught coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic, a study has found.

Scientists from Imperial College London discovered that only around six percent of the population were infected during the first wave after sending out 100,000 home anti-body testing kits to volunteers between June 20 and July 13.

The result suggests the UK is a long way from a possible herd immunity. It comes as regions in the UK are beginning to see a second spike in Covid-19 infections.

Imperial researchers asked volunteers to use a home prick test which looked for coronavirus antibodies in blood in order to track the spread of infection across England.

The study indicated that 13 per cent of people living in London had coronavirus antibodies, while less than three percent of those living in the south west of England had antibodies.

Meanwhile, as many as 16 per cent of people working in care homes and 12 per cent of those working in healthcare had antibodies, compared to five per cent of people who were not key workers.

The programme also found that 17 per cent of black volunteers had antibodies. Categories of Asian and 'other' ethnic minorities had 12 per cent each. Of white volunteers, only five per cent had antibodies.

The highest incidence of antibodies was found in people aged from 18-34, at eight per cent.

The study found that around 1.23 per cent of all infected people died from the disease. It concluded that 3.4 million people in England may have been infected with Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Professor Graham Cooke, research professor of infectious diseases who led the study, told the Times: Clearly the numbers are still very big and that explains the high levels of mortality we've seen, but as a proportion of the overall population it's still relatively small, except in some groups where the prevalence is higher, such as for people of Asian and black ethnicity.

He added: It means that if we had relaxation of the lockdown completely, we wouldn't have a very protected population so we would expect the virus to return. I think that has implications for decisions that are made.

Only 313, 798 coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the UK, according to data from the Department of Health. However, hundreds of thousands of infected Brits are likely to have not been tested.

The Imperial study is in agreement with estimates from other antibody surveillance studies, including one led by a Cambridge University team which last week calculated that around eight per cent of England has caught the virus.

The Imperial study also found volunteers in the most deprived areas of the country were slightly more likely to have had Covid-19 than those in wealthiest areas, at seven per cent compared with five per cent.

Meanwhile, those in households of more than six or seven people were 12 and 13 per cent likely to have antibodies, while those in single or two-person households were only five per cent likely.

Smokers were only three per cent likely to have antibodies, compared with five per cent for non-smokers. Some 32 per cent of people with antibodies (and 49 percent for those older than 65) had shown no symptoms.

Health Minister Edward Argar said the study was an important development in Britain's fight against the coronavirus.

Large scale antibody surveillance studies are crucial to helping us understand how the virus has spread across the country and whether there are specific groups who are more vulnerable, as we continue our work to drive down the spread of the disease, he said in a statement.

We don't yet know that antibodies provide immunity to coronavirus, but the more information we can gather on this virus, and the easier we can make it for people to participate in these studies, the better equipped we will be to respond.

The British public have already played a massive part in helping to keep the country safe and I'd urge them to consider signing up to one of the many vital surveillance studies taking place over the coming months as part of our national testing effort.

The study's authors cautioned that there was no firm evidence that having antibodies meant people could not catch the virus again.

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Professor Cooke said: Using the finger-prick tests suitable for large scale home testing has given us clearest insight yet into the spread of the virus in the country and who has been at greatest risk.

These data will have important implications as decisions to ease lockdown restrictions in England.
Over to you: Joe Biden, his wife Dr Jill Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris on the campaign trail in Wilmington, Delaware. PHOTO: DREW ANGERER/GETTY

Kamala Harris will focus on hammering President Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic when she joins Joe Biden on the campaign trail.

Mr Biden and Ms Harris will receive a briefing on Covid-19 from public health experts and then deliver speeches in Mr Biden's home town of Wilmington, Delaware.

The remarks illustrate the campaign's role for Ms Harris, the first black woman and Asian-American on a major-party ticket for the US presidential race.

Rather than being tied to any specific target demographic groups, Ms Harris will have three roles to play as a campaign spokeswoman: energising people to vote and volunteer, outlining Mr Biden's policy vision, and prosecuting the case against Mr Trump, according to a person familiar with the strategy.

Mr Trump long played down the risks of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 165,000 Americans - the highest death toll in the world - and thrown tens of millions out of work.

The former prosecutor is expected to focus on Mr Trump's response to the crisis, which has been an effective political argument for Mr Biden so far.

After introducing Ms Harris's personal story on Wednesday in their first joint appearance since picking his running mate, Mr Biden quickly moved to talking about the urgency of the moment.

Mr Trump, for his part, turned to Twitter to accuse the news media of giving Ms Harris "a free pass despite her radical-left failures and very poor run in the Democrat primary".

Ms Harris, in her debut as Mr Biden's running mate in Delaware, delivered a rebuke of Mr Trump's leadership and highlighted the historic significance of her new role, while helping the campaign collect $26m (22m) in its best day of fundraising yet.

In the coming weeks, Ms Harris will do events in person and virtually, including several jointly with Mr Biden, much like some of the socially distanced campaign stops and speeches Mr Biden has given in recent weeks in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

The campaign is still unsure whether they will be able to campaign as normal, saying they intend to follow local public-health guidance which discourages large gatherings as the number of people contracting the virus continues to increase.
Twelve days after participating in a counterprotest to a Black Lives Matter march in Ridley Township where she caught on video yelling racially charged statements, Christine Alonso has resigned from the Interboro School Board.

Alonso, a Republican, was appointed to the school board in a 5-3 vote in 2018 to represent Glenolden, Region 3, filling a vacancy left by Kevin McGarvey. She was elected to a full four-year term last year after running unopposed for the seat. The subject of two Change.org petitions  one calling for her to resign with 9,636 signatures and another backing the Interboro School Board treasurer with 604 signatures, Alonso had also been called on to resign by the Delaware County Black Caucus and other elected officials.

On Thursday, she submitted her letter of resignation to board President William L. Phelps. In it, she said she and her family have been subject to lies and threats of physical violence in the last few weeks and she said her resignation follows the advice of her doctor to take a leave of all professional duties for a period of time, in order for me to heal and begin to put my life together.

The events of the past few weeks have made it impossible for me to continue to serve on the Interboro School Board, Alonso wrote. My time as a Board member has been one of the most fulfilling periods in my life until recently. I apologize to my fellow Board Members and the District as a whole, for the significant distraction this matter has caused.

Alonso was among a group of counter-protesters in front of the Herbert W. Best VFW Post 928 Aug. 1. A Confederate flag hung on the property and crowds there yelled racially charged invectives, slurs and threats as the Black Lives Matter protesters walked past, including Black lives splatter and Run them n over, videos of the event documented.

Alonso had come under fire for standing with the VFW counter-protesters as she was an Interboro School Board member. She also serves as senior vice president for VFW District 7 that covers Delaware County. Initially accused of hurling racial epithets and giving marchers the fingers, she said in a letter to the Daily Times that she did not say anything at any time that could be interpreted as being racist.

She admitted to raising her middle finger, which she said was in response to a woman from the Black Lives Matter group doing the same to her.

A few days after that, a video surfaced from footage taken at the Ridley Township Building, where the march concluded. In that video, Alonso is seen saying, Im so racist, I fought for this country and every single one of you, but youre right, Im the racist. I fought for you. I fought for you. Stay over there, ho. Stay over there. Go get your welfare check. I know you aint got a job. Go get your f welfare check.

In her resignation letter, Alonso touched upon the events of that day.

My conduct that day was unacceptable, and I acknowledged that fact on more than one occasion, she said. However, there have been horrible lies and threats of physical violence about me, my children, my family, my military service and even my physical appearance posted online for the world to see and judge. I hope that none of my fellow Board Members are ever bullied or judged in this manner.

I am not a racist and never have been, in fact I fought my entire life for diversity and fairness, the mother of four biracial children said. I did not just fight with my words, I fought with my very life for all Americans and I paid a very steep price for that fight. I have severe PTSD and anxiety that was greatly worsened by this pandemic. That is not an excuse, nor am I a victim. That is just a fact as are the scars on my body.

Alonso served in the U.S. Army from 1996 to 2004. In her letter to the editor, she said she is a decorated combat veteran who is disabled after being wounded while serving in Iraq.

After the march last week, the Delaware County Black Caucus and other lawmakers called on Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer to investigate the actions of the counter-protesters and the response of the Ridley Township Police Department. At a press conference, state Sen. Anthony Williams, D-8, of Philadelphia, whose district includes Norwood, which is in the Interboro School District, called on Alonso to resign, as well as Joseph Ward of the Ridley School District and Penn Delco School Board President Leon Armour for failing to live up to a higher standard of responsibility to protect, promote, educate and elevate students.

In a statement issued Thursday night, the Delaware County Black Caucus said,We are pleased that Ms. Alonso has heard our concerns and made the right decision to resign from the Interboro School District. We hope that fellow school board members Joseph Ward and Leon Armour will follow suit and immediately resign as well.

Alonso released this statement Thursday night: I am sorry for the unwanted attention this situation has brought to the board and district. Life is full of teaching experiences and I have learned much from this situation. Im thankful to Senator Willams who gave me words of encouragement. While I wanted to stay on the board , as many of my supporters encouraged me to do , I didnt want to be a distraction at a time while they are doing the important task of re-opening schools. Unfortunately my passion for supporting the police caused a confrontation I wish I could take back. Im proud to live in a free country, that men and woman fought and died for our first amendment rights. I will continue to speak out against issues I am passionate about, but I will definitely do it in a manner that reflects my core values.

In her resignation letter, Alonso thanked those who reached out to her with kind words, including those who asked her to resign in a kind way, including Williams and Wiliam Felder of the Delaware County Black Caucus. In her letter, she said she met with Williams and Felder Wednesday and they provided her with many different perspectives for me to think about.

It was my desire to use my platform on the school board to convert this horrible experience into one that could be viewed calmly, by all people, but it does not appear I have the support to do so, she said.

In closing, Alonso said everyone should be given a second chance.

I wholeheartedly condemn the bullying, threats of violence, doxing and other disgusting acts of hatred made by people who have no knowledge of me or my life experiences, Alonso wrote in her letter. I conclude with something I tried to teach my children. Two wrongs dont make a right and everyone deserves a second chance, unfortunately, I cant say that this occurred in this situation.
A Catholic school at the centre of a major COVID-19 outbreak has been cleared of breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

New South Wales health brought in police to investigate Tangara School for Girls at Cherrybrook in Sydney's north-west after parents claimed they were ignoring social distancing rules.

A police spokeswoman on Friday confirmed NSW Health had asked officers to investigate but the probe had concluded and the college had been cleared.

The school has been connected to 21 coronavirus cases among staff and students.

Tangara School for Girls (pictured) at Cherrybrook in Sydney's north-west has been cleared of breaching COVID-19 restrictions

A cleaning crew in full PPE enter Tangara Public school to conduct a deep clean

In a statement online the school said the 'misinformation' circulating during the 'challenging and emotional period' needed to be clarified

In a statement on their website, the school said the 'misinformation' circulating during the 'challenging and emotional period' needed to be clarified.

'Today NSW Police deemed that no Public Health Orders have been breached at Tangara,' the statement read.

'We have always followed the advice of NSW Health around COVID-19 and will continue to do so.'

School administration also shared a handwritten letter from a young student urging a quick recovery to those inflicted by the virus.

'Dear big girls, I hope you get better. Thank you for staying home to keep us safe. We are praying for you,' the student wrote.

The probe was initiated after an angry parent spoke to 2GB Radio's Ben Fordham to suggest the school wasn't following health guidelines and was still offering communion along with compulsory mass.

'According to this parent, the school has not been practicing COVID-safe measures,' Fordham said on Thursday.

'They say the primary school has been doing weekly choir, they've continued compulsory mass, students are still taking communion by the hand and teachers have been taking it by the tongue.

School administration also shared a handwritten letter from a young student urging a quick recovery to those inflicted by the virus

Cleaners enter the school as part of NSW health protocol to disinfect the building after the virus spread on campus

'Last Wednesday there was a primary school food stall run by the high school students.'

The outbreak has been linked to a nearby Opus Dei Catholic study centre, Eremeran, which is closed for cleaning after recently hosting five senior schoolgirls.

The school said it plays no role in organising or monitoring attendees at Eremeran which is a third-party provider.

Meanwhile, St Vincent's College in Potts Point became the third independent Catholic school to shut after exposure to the virus, with a student testing positive on Thursday.

It joins Our Lady of Mercy College in Parramatta, which is linked to three cases, and Tangara School for Girls.

Both schools will reopen on August 24.

St Vincent's College (pictured) in Potts Point became the third independent Catholic school to shut after exposure to the virus, with a student testing positive on Thursday

New South Wales recorded nine new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday including a third linked to Liverpool Hospital, and a second connected to Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club.

People at the Catholic club during specified hours between August 7 and 10 are considered close contacts and must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days.

Anyone who attended the hospital from August 6-9 is advised to get tested if even mild symptoms emerge.

Of the new cases reported on Friday, one is linked to the Tangara school, three are returned travellers in hotel quarantine and one case has an unknown source.

Police have also issued a number of fresh fines to people and venues for breaching health orders.

A teenager who allegedly punched and spat on a bus driver and a 23 year-old woman who allegedly spat at police and paramedics have been fined.

A Balmain hotel has also copped a $5000 fine for hosting a party, while a Victorian couple were fined for failing to isolate before their ski trip to Perisher.

NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay on Friday upped pressure on government to mandate masks on public transport.

'People are calling for this. The public want it, commuters want it,' she told reporters.

But Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier reiterated that while masks are important, they are a fourth line of defence.

NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay on Friday upped pressure on government to mandate masks on public transport (Pictured: a cleaner disinfects the hand rails on the NSW light rail in Sydney)

She urged people in southwest and western Sydney, which are linked to several clusters, to come forward for testing and maintain distancing.

'We are concerned there was community transmission we haven't picked up in those parts of Sydney and if we don't, those strains or sources we haven't identified could take off,' she told Seven's Sunrise.

Meanwhile, a NSW special commission of inquiry report into the ill-fated disembarkation of the Ruby Princess cruise ship is to be handed to the state government.

The Ruby Princess, which docked at Sydney on March 19, has been linked to hundreds of cases and more than 20 coronavirus-related deaths across Australia.
Motorola has reportedly teamed up with luxury inflatable designer Minnidip to announce a new smartphone accessory, a Razr-branded chair.

Sold as the MINNIDIP x RAZR CH(AIR) chair and designed with love in Chicago, this isnt just any chair though. Its a full-blown Razr mobile accessory built from super heavyweight durable vinyl. And, as the images below show, it also comes packed with a chair for users smartphones.

Thats built right into the armrest and meant to be paired with the Motorola Razr. Its even been printed with the brands.

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MINNIDIP x RAZR CH(AIR) features are

In terms of what users are getting with their purchase, the features are fairly limited since this is after all basically a Motorola Razr and MINNIDIP-branded chair. And an inflatable chair, at that.

The MINNIDIP x RAZR CH(AIR) comes in a single color, a transparent frame with Blush Gold cushions. Those have a printed cream gradient that blends from a metallic to a satin finish. The design is, according to the listing, supposed to offer the illusion of floating on air. And, honestly, thats exactly what buyers would be doing even if it wasnt see-through.

In terms of size, the chair is a bit larger than some inflatables. So it should, at the very least, be comfortable. It measures 40 x 32-inches by 28-inches tall.

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Otherwise, this is a fairly standard ethically-sourced and produced, imported, non-toxic 10 phthalate-free PVC inflatable chair. As a bonus perk, the companies did include a wide valve instead of a standard one. So this can be blown up with a hairdryer on the cool setting or an air mattress pump.

Where can you buy this Motorola Razr chair?

Now, loyal Motorola users are undoubtedly going to be clamoring to buy the MINNIDIP x RAZR CH(AIR) chair. Especially those who may want a Razr phone but who dont want to pay full price. This particular air-filled furniture piece comes with a discount code for $200 off that handset. Or at least it does for those who buy fast enough.

As to pricing, thats set at $70 even. Shipments on pre-orders will start on September 21. Just dont get too excited and open the box with a knife when it arrives. The company does include a repair patch but its going to be a bad start to need to use that immediately upon arrival. Or try to use it as a pool float, ever  because for some reason, the company felt it needed to be explicit about that. Although that could just come down to the price of the phone itself since thats not at all waterproof beyond light splashes.
Germany has extended its lease for Israeli Heron 1 UAVs until 2021 and is already preparing to complement or replace those with the larger Heron TP starting in 2020. Since Heron 1 does not meet European air regulations for operating in commercial air space, the German Herons are home-based in Israel. As a practical matter German Herons spend most of their time in Afghanistan or Mali handling peacekeeping duties. The German Herons are unarmed and have flown over 4,100 missions in Afghanistan and spent over 47,000 hours in the air doing so. German Heron 1s have operated in Mali (Africa) since 2016 and flown over 1,200 missions and 11,500 hours in the air. While the operator teams (a pilot and a sensor operator) are German, and German officers and NCOs are trained on how to plan UAV missions and get the most out of Heron, the maintenance of the Herons are handled by the European aviation firm AirBus. Israel provides additional maintenance support at the Israeli airbase where German Herons are kept for training the German operators and for major maintenance. The leasing arrangement allows Germany to expand or reduce the number of Herons it has in use. Most of the time Germany is only leasing three Herons but one advantage of leasing is that the number in use can be quickly increased to five, or even a few more, if needed.

The larger Heron TP will be equipped with additional navigation sensors and electronics that enable it to meet the NATO STANAG 4671 standards for UAVs that can operate in commercial airspace. STANAG 4671 has become the world standard for this and that means when the Germans replace all the Heron 1s with TPs, they can save some money by basing their Herron TPs in Germany. Then again it is cheaper to base them in Israel, as that is where German operators are trained and the climate and geography of Israel are more similar to where the German Herons operate than the generally poor flying conditions in Germany.

Herons are the primary large UAV of the Israeli military. Heron entered service in 2005 and in 2014 an upgraded Heron called Super Heron became available. This model is a little heavier (1.45 tons) and uses a more powerful engine that burns diesel instead of aviation gas. The main improvements for the Super Heron are mainly the result of the more powerful (200 HP versus 115 HP) engine. This increases cruising speed to 210 kilometers an hour, provides for a faster climb rate and greater maneuverability.

Heron 1, because it was so similar to the Predator, sold well to foreign customers who could not obtain the MQ-1. Germany, India, Turkey, Russia, France, Brazil, El Salvador, the United States, Canada, and Australia have either bought, leased, or licensed manufactured the Heron at one time or another.

The original Heron 1 weighs about the same (1.2 tons) as the Predator and has similar endurance (40 hours). Heron 1 has a slightly higher ceiling (10 kilometers/30,000 feet, versus 8 kilometers) than Predator and software which allows it to automatically take off, carry out a mission, and land. Some American large UAVs can do this. Heron 1 cost about $5 million each although the Israelis are willing to be flexible on price. Heron 1 does have a larger wingspan (16.5 meters/51 feet) than the Predator (13.2 meters/41 feet) and a payload of about 137 kg (300 pounds). The Super Heron has a payload of 450 kg (990 pounds) and stay in the air for 45 hours.

Super Heron was designed to respond to requests from many users, especially export customers who like to use Heron for maritime patrol over long coasts (as in India) and need more payload, endurance and maneuverability to deal with the nasty weather sometimes encountered at sea. The larger payload also makes it easier to arm the Super Heron. Israel exports most of these UAVs, largely because they are all very much combat proven.

Germany began leasing Heron 1s in 2009 and had them operating in Afghanistan by 2010. In 2018 Germany signed a $600 million contract to replace the Heron 1s with larger Heron TP. Training of 70 German operators began, in Israel, during 2019 and Germany will begin using Heron TP by the end of 2020 and use them until 2027. By that time a new European UAV with equivalent abilities is supposed to be available. If it isnt the Germans will extend their Heron lease deal.

The Heron TP entered squadron service in the Israeli Air Force (with 210 Squadron) in 2009. The UAV's first combat service was in 2010, when it was used off the coast of Gaza, keeping an eye on ships seeking to run the blockade. The aircraft was well suited for that kind of work. But so are smaller and cheaper UAVs.

Development of the Heron TP was largely completed in 2007, mainly for the export market. That was because the Israeli military was in no rush to buy it. There have a growing number of export sales and the Israeli air force eventually realized that this was an ideal UAV for long range operations or for maritime patrol. But it turned out there were few missions like that. Despite that uses were found to make the most of unique Heron TP features; long endurance, large carrying capacity and very high operating altitude. Turns out there were a lot of applications that made the most of these unique characteristics, most of which Israel will not discuss openly.

Equipped with a powerful (1,200 horsepower) turboprop engine, the 4.6-ton Heron TP can operate at 14,500 meters (45,000 feet, 50 percent higher than Heron 1). That is, above commercial air traffic, and all the air-traffic-control regulations that discourage, and often forbid, UAVs flying at the same altitude as commercial aircraft. The Heron TP has a one-ton payload, enabling it to carry sensors that can give a detailed view of what's on the ground, even from that high up. The endurance of 36 hours makes the Heron TP a competitor for the U.S. five-ton MQ-9 Reaper. The big difference between the two is that Reaper is designed to be a combat aircraft, operating at a lower altitude, with less endurance, and able to carry a ton of smart bombs or missiles. Heron TP is meant mainly for reconnaissance and surveillance, and Israel wants to keep a closer, and more persistent, eye on Syria and southern Lebanon. But the Heron TP has since been rigged to carry a wide variety of missiles and smart bombs and can easily be rigged to carry more fuel and extend its endurance to 60 hours.
Did Cara Delevingne and Kaia Gerber just confirm that they're lovers?

On Wednesday, the two made their status official, as "best friends," by getting matching tattoos.

The models had cemented their relationship when Kaia revealed on her Instagram story, wishing the "Paper Towns" actress a happy birthday.

She wrote, "Happy birthday to my solemate @caradelevingne," while sharing a snap of the two runway stars' feet and hands intertwined.

Kaia then shared a snap of their feet facing together, with the pun, "solemate" written on the inside of their foot.

In another Instagram Story tribute to Cara, she described her as "the best protest buddy."

In July, Cara Delevingne and Kaia Gerber were spotted marching together at a protest of the Black Lives Matter Movement in Los Angeles.

At that time, it was fresh news that Cara had recently broken up with her two-year-old girlfriend, Ashley Benson. Kaia was also spotted with "Saturday Night Live" comedian, Pete Davidson, during winter.

Cara Delevingne and Kaia Gerber have been spending the quarantine lockdown together and have greatly supported each other after enduring breakups for the last couple of months.

Davidson revealed that his relationship with Kaia didn't come at a good time for him, as he battled addiction and mental health issues. Following his split from her, Davidson immediately checked into rehab.

Speaking of their breakup to Charmalagne tha God, he said, "It was before I went to rehab. She should be having fun. She shouldn't have to worry about some dud that just has issues and s***. She should be enjoying her work."

Meanwhile, Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson shocked everyone in May when they have decided to break up.

As per People magazine, they actually broke up in April.

"Cara and Ashley always had their ups and downs before, but it's over now. Their relationship just ran its course."

The former couple were first spotted kissing each other at London's Heathrow Airport in August 2018 and were later snapped being sweet and affectionate together.

However, their relationship confirmation didn't come until June 2019. Cara Delevingne went to the TrevorLIVE Gala and shared an Instagram video kissing Ashley in honor of the Stonewall Riots' 50th anniversary, as well as their one-year-anniversary of being together.

Like Cara and Ashley, who worked together on the set of "Her Smell," which started filming in April 2018, many wonder how Kaia Gerber and Cara Delevingne have become friends.

In the past few months, the two have been making headlines for their possible relationship, spending a lot of time together this year. And it turns out, and they have one superstar to thank for having both of them in each other's lives.

Taylor Swift hasn't been seen with her girl squad since she started dating British actor Joe Alwyn.

A few years ago, Taylor assembled her squad to be part of the music video "Bad Blood." She asked Cara Delevingne and many other models and stars, such as Kaia's mom, former supermodel Cindy Crawford.

When Taylor won "Video of the Year" for that video, Taylor gave out mini awards to the stars of the music video, including Cindy. Kaia later joined in on the photo to commemorate the win, as well as Cara.

So perhaps it all started from there.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle Broke Prince Harry's Close Bond With the Only Royal Relative He 'Implicity Trusts'
74th Independence Day 2020: Who designed the Indian National Flag?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Independence Day of India is celebrated religiously throughout the country every year. India will celebrate its 74th Independence Day on 15th of August, 2020. The year 2020 marks the 74th Independence Day which will be celebrated amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The National Flag of India is a symbol of the country's sovereign state, its history and culture. The Flag is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of India saffron, white and India green; with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre.

74th Independence Day 2020: Wishes, messages, quotes, facebook and whatsapp status

The Flag was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, and it became the official flag of the Dominion of India on 15 August 1947. The flag was subsequently retained as that of the Republic of India.

In India, the term "tricolour" almost always refers to the Indian national flag. The flag is based on the Swaraj flag, a flag of the Indian National Congress designed by Pingali Venkayya.

Born on 2 August, 1878 at Bhatlapenumarru, near Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Venkayya was educated at Cambridge and grew up to become a polymath - with interests in geology, agriculture, education and languages.

Venkayya, reportedly first met Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa during the second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), when he was posted there as part of the British Indian Army. After returning to India, he dedicated himself to the creation of a national flag for the country. In 1916, Venkayya submitted thirty new designs, in the form of a booklet funded by members of the High Court of Madras.

At the All India Congress Committee in Bezwada in 1921, Venkayya again met Gandhi and proposed a basic design of the flag, consisting of two red and green bands to symbolise the two major communities, Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi arguably suggested adding a white band to represent peace and the rest of the communities living in India, and a spinning wheel to symbolise the progress of the country.

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

Several changes continued to be made till a decade later, when in 1931 the Congress Committee met in Karachi and adopted the tricolour as our national flag. Red was replaced with saffron and the order of the colours was changed. The flag was to have no religious interpretation.

The Tricolour was altered to become the flag of Independent India. Saffron on top symbolises "strength and courage", white in the middle represents "peace and truth" and green at the bottom stands for "fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land". The Ashok Chakra with 24 spokes replaced the spinning wheel as the emblem on the flag. It is intended "to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation".

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Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 10:33 [IST]
President Donald Trump on Thursday resurrected the racially charged birther controversy he had fanned for years to question President Barack Obamas eligibility for the presidency. His target this time is Kamala Harris, the first Black woman and Indian American to run for vice-president.

Since the announcement of her pick as the running mate of Joe Biden, some fringe conservatives have sought to question Harriss eligibility arguing that while she was born in the United States, her parents  mother from India and father from Jamaica  were not naturalized citizens of the US at the time.

Therefore, they have argued, while Harris may not be a natural born citizen as required by the constitution to become president and, by extension, vice-president.

I heard it today that she doesnt meet the requirements, and by the way the lawyer who wrote the piece is highly qualified, very talented, Trump told reporters at a briefing when asked about questions being raised about Harriss eligibility as an anchor baby, a term used for children born to non-citizens during visits to the US aimed to help the rest of the family immigrate to the United States. Trump had referred to a column in the Newsweek that first made this argument.

I have no idea if thats right, he added. I would have assumed the Democrats wouldve checked that out before she gets chosen for vice president.

Instead of dismissing the clearly absurd theory, the president lingered. Thats a very serious... theyre saying she doesnt qualify because she wasnt born in this country? he asked.

When told Harris was indeed born in the United States and that her parents may not have been legal resident or naturalized citizens at the time, he said. I dont know about it. I just heard about it. I will take a look.

Harris, 55, was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, which makes her a natural born citizen, eligible to run for the White House or any other officer in the US. Her parents had met as graduate students at University of California, Berkeley.

The Biden-Harris campaign had not responded to the presidents tacit support of the unfounded theory, to fan it, till hours after, but Maya Harris, the younger sister of Kamala Harris, did: There are no gradations of birtherism. Youre either in or youre out, she wrote on twitter, joining a growing call for ignoring the attempt to resurrect the birther controversy.

Trump started the birther movement in 2011 when he first seriously considered a run for the White House. He began by questioning then President Barack Obamas eligibility for the White House, alleging wrongly he was not born in the US. Obama was born in Hawaii but he felt compelled to release a long-form record of his birth.

Trump acknowledged he was wrong years later. But in intervening years, he used the same strategy to diminish Ted Cruz, the last of his primaries challengers.

Cruz was born in Calgary, Canada to father who was from Cuba and mother, who was a natural-born American citizen. Cruz lost the primaries and soon resurfaced as a strong support of President Trump.
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Linkedin Fanny Potkin (Reuters) Singapore  Fri, August 14, 2020 07:00 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066de63c7 2 National Bytedance,Tik-Tok,China,news-content Free

Chinese tech giant ByteDance censored content it perceived as critical of the Chinese government on its news aggregator app in Indonesia from 2018 to mid-2020, six people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The sources said that local moderators were instructed by a team from ByteDance's Beijing headquarters to delete articles seen as "negative" about Chinese authorities on the Baca Berita (BaBe) app.

In a statement to Reuters, BaBe said it disagreed with the claims and that it moderates content according to its community guidelines and in line with Indonesia's local laws.

Those guidelines, which are published on its website, do not mention China or the Chinese government.

"A cursory search on the BaBe app shows numerous articles and videos that highlight the type of content these claims say we would remove," the statement said.

ByteDance in Beijing said it had no additional comment beyond the BaBe statement. China's foreign ministry and its internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down ByteDance's short-video app TikTok - widely popular in the US, Indonesia and other countries - on national security grounds unless it is sold to a US company.

Some US lawmakers, including Republican Senator Josh Hawley, have raised concerns over TikTok's data security practices and allegations that it engages in censorship at the behest of the Chinese government.

Indonesia, a country of 270 million where over half the population is under 30, is one of ByteDance's fastest-growing markets. TikTok had more than 147 million downloads in the country, according to data from app analytics firm SensorTower.

ByteDance bought Indonesian news aggregator BaBe in 2018 after TikTok was briefly banned in the country for showing "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy", according to officials.

In seeking to reverse the ban, ByteDance agreed with Indonesian authorities to hire a team of local TikTok moderators and reinforce its presence in the world's fourth largest country, according to the then Indonesian communications minister and three company sources.

It then purchased the full operations of BaBe, in which it had already been a majority investor.

Soon after, moderation guidelines for BaBe, which uses artificial intelligence to aggregate stories from hundreds of Indonesian media outlets, were crafted by a team from ByteDance's Beijing headquarters, two of the six sources said.

BaBe moderators were also told not publish any articles on the TikTok ban while negotiations with the Indonesian government were underway, the people said.

Under the new BaBe guidelines, articles from partner media outlets that were perceived as critical of the Chinese government would either not be republished on the BaBe app or would be taken down from the app, according to the six sources.

Articles with the keyword "Tiananmen," a reference to China's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, or to Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, were among those taken down, one person with direct involvement said.

Another direct source described articles about tensions between Indonesia and China over the South China Sea as being banned on the app, even when they came from the country's official news agency, Antara.

Three of the sources said BaBe was using content guidelines patterned on those used for ByteDance's Chinese news app, Toutiao, with some tweaks made for Indonesia regarding the topic of elections as well regarding race, ethnicity, and religion in Indonesia. Sensationalist articles on those topics, which are highly sensitive in Indonesia, would be dropped, they said.

"They wanted a non-political happy tone for the app," one of the people said.

The guidelines changed in the second quarter of 2020, when it became possible to read articles on previously censored topics on the BaBe app, a separate source said, calling it a "learning process for ByteDance."

A 2019 internal ByteDance presentation reviewed by Reuters describes BaBe as Indonesia's top news app with more than 8 million monthly active users and 30 million downloads by the end of 2019.
Everything you need to know about skiing the Northeast this winter

Whether you want to stay close to home or head north, here's everything you need to know about skiing or snowboarding in the Northeast and New York this season.
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Indian market slipped for the second day in a row on Thursday but the Nifty managed to hold on to 11,300 levels after retesting its 5-Days EMA.

Lets look at the final tally on D-Street for Thursday  the S&P BSE Sensex fell 59 points to 38,310 while the Nifty50 was down 8 points to 11300.

Sectorally, selling pressure was seen in telecom, healthcare, banks, and energy stocks while some action was seen in capital goods, industrials, consumer durables, and metals stocks.

The market seems to be moving in a range and experts advise investors to wait for a break above 11,375 while on the downside 11,250-11,225 will act as a support.

Bharat Forge closed with gains of more than 15 percent on Thursday as brokerage firms raised their target price. Ashok Leyland closed with gains of more than 13 percent despite June quarter loss as investors cheered the opportunity in the defence space.

Galaxy Surfactants was also buzzing in trade on Thursday as the stock hit its fresh 52-week high of Rs 1944.40.

We have collated views of an expert on what investors should do when the market resumes trading on August 14:

Expert: Shrikant Chouhan, Executive Vice President, Equity Technical Research at Kotak Securities

Galaxy Surfactants: Rs 1,800 and Rs 1,725 should be the key levels to watch

The stock has rallied over 16 percent so far in the month of August. On August 13, Galaxy Surfactants registered a fresh all-time high of Rs 1,949.50 and after a strong and volatile intraday session, the stock closed above Rs 1,800 resistance mark, which is broadly positive.

The important thing is volume activity. The incremental volume activity post the breakout clearly indicates a high chance of further uptrend from current levels.

On the daily and weekly charts, the stock has formed a strong promising price volume breakout formation that indicates bulls are clearly dominating the price action.

For the breakout traders, Rs 1,800 and Rs 1,725 should be the key levels to watch. The overall chart structure suggests that if the stock sustains above the same then the breakout continuation texture is likely to continue up to Rs 2,000.

Bharat Forge: For swing traders, Rs 460 should be trend decider level

Post-200-Day SMA breakout confirmation, the stock has been soaring rapidly. The stock has rallied from Rs 400 to Rs 500 within a short period of time. That rally was price dominating and the volume activity has been modest.

On the daily and weekly charts, the stock has formed a robust breakout continuation pattern which suggests that the uptrend momentum is likely to persist in the near future.

However, on a short-term time frame, the momentum indicators indicate that the stock is in an overbought zone and the uptrend would be vulnerable if it closes below Rs 460 mark.

For swing traders, Rs 460 should be the trend decider level. We can expect further uptrend up to Rs 540 as long as it trades above Rs 460 levels.

However, a close below the said levels would push traders to exit out from their trading long positions.

Ashok Leyland: Fresh buying can be considered now and on dips

After a strong uptrend rally from Rs 42 to Rs 58, the stock was hovering between Rs 46.50 to Rs 53.50 price ranges.

However, on Thursday, the stock not only surpassed its previous resistance of Rs 54 but comfortably managed to sustain above the same.

The sharp 12 percent intraday price volume rally clearly suggests that the stock is into the strong hands and uptrend formation is likely to continue in the short run.

In addition, on daily and weekly charts, the stock has formed a higher low series formation followed by strong bullish candlestick patterns on daily and weekly charts, which supports further uptrend from current levels.

Unless it trades below Rs 55, positional traders can retain an optimistic stance and look for a target of Rs 70. Fresh buying can be considered now and on dips if any between Rs 61 and Rs 58 levels with a stop loss below Rs 55.

: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Students graduate from Hartwick

Students graduate from Oneonta

ONEONTA  More than 1,000 students graduated from SUNY Oneonta. Students who completed the requirements for bachelors degrees, masters degrees and certificates of advanced study were honored. Local graduates include:
A Chinese retail district

Falling retail sales in China and a weaker than expected rise in factory output have sparked fresh concerns that the country is struggling to recover after Covid hit.

Shoppers spent 1.1pc less last month than a year earlier in a sign that domestic demand is still subdued.

Meanwhile overall exports were up 7.2pc last month compared to a year earlier, but there was only a 4.8pc rise in industrial production according to official data  the same growth rate as the previous month.

Although the unexpectedly poor performance is partly due to flooding in the south of the country, it will raise fears that China's rebound is running out of steam after it was the first country to suffer from coronavirus.

Economists are watching closely for signs of how the West is likely to fare as it seeks to return to normality and lure nervous consumers back into their old free-spending habits.

The National Bureau of Statistics said China created 6.7m jobs, nearly 2m fewer than would normally be expected.

An official in the Communist country said the trends showed a steady recovery.

Tommy Wu, of Oxford Economics, expects business investment to drive a further bounceback in the second half of the year.

He said: While household consumption has been the laggard, we expect it to gather pace along with a gradual improvement in the labour market.

But the road ahead appears bumpy, as new export orders remain weak and the recovery path will be uneven across economies.

Chinese and US officials are expected to hold online talks on Saturday about the progress of their Phase One trade deal signed in January.

Relations between the world's two largest economies have soured over the origins of the virus - believed to be at a wildlife market in the city of Wuhan - China's brutal crackdown on Hong Kong, and the Trump administration's order to ban the Chinese internet giants TikTok and WeChat from operating in the US.
Wayne State University student Skye Taylor wants to take a closer look at how mental health issues affect susceptibility to COVID-19, especially in the Black community, because mental health isn't really talked about, she says. Read more

As the coronavirus swept into Detroit this spring, Wayne State University junior Skye Taylor noticed something striking. On social media, many of her fellow Black classmates who live or grew up in the city were posting about death, like, Oh, I lost this family member to COVID-19, said Taylor.

The picture was different in Beverly Hills, a mostly white suburb 20 miles away. People I went to high school with arent posting anything like that, Taylor said. Theyre doing well, their family is doing OK. And even the ones whose family members have caught it, theyre still alive.

How do COVID-19 infection rates and outcomes differ between these ZIP codes? she wondered. How do their hospitals and other resources compare? This summer, as part of an eight-week research collaborative developed by San Francisco researchers and funded by the National Institutes of Health, Taylor looked at that question and other effects of the pandemic. She was one of 70 participants from backgrounds underrepresented in science who learned basic coding and data analysis methods to explore disparity issues.

Data to address racial discrepancies in care and outcomes have been spotty during the pandemic, and data arent available for most of these students communities, which disproportionately bear the brunt of the virus. The participants are asking questions from a perspective that we desperately need, because their voices arent really there in the scientific community, said Alison Gammie, who directs the division of training, workforce development, and diversity at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

 READ MORE: COVID-19 race and ethnicity data reporting still a challenge in many states, including Pa., N.J.

Scientists from Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other minority backgrounds have long been underrepresented in biomedicine. By some measures, efforts to diversify the field have made progress: The number of these minorities who earned life science doctoral degrees rose more than ninefold from 1980 to 2013. But this increase in Ph.D.s has not moved the needle at the faculty level.

Instead, the number of minority assistant professors in these fields has dipped in recent years, from 347 in 2005 to 341 in 2013. And some of those who have entered public health endure racial aggression and marginalization in the workplace  or, after years in a toxic environment, quietly leave.

We really need to focus on making sure people are supported and find academic and research jobs sufficiently desirable that they choose to stay, said Gammie. There have been improvements, but we still have a long way to go.

In 2014, the NIH launched the Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity initiative. It offers grants to 10 undergraduate campuses that partner with scores of other institutions researching how to get poor and minority students to pursue biomedical careers.

Students in the program receive stipends and typically spend summers working in research labs. But when COVID-19 hit, many labs and their experiments shut down. People were like, what do we do? How do we do that remotely? said biologist Leticia Marquez-Magana, who heads the initiatives team at San Francisco State University.

She and University of California-San Francisco epidemiologist Kala Mehta sketched out a plan for students to work remotely with bioinformatics, population health, and epidemiology researchers to collect and analyze COVID-19 data for marginalized populations.

 READ MORE: Breaking down the toll of Phillys coronavirus hospitalizations by race, age

Gammie encouraged the Bay Area team to expand the summer opportunity to participants across the nation. From June 22 to Aug. 13, students spent two to three hours online four days a week in small groups led by masters-level mentors. They learned basic bioinformatics  computational methods for analyzing biological and population health data  and R, a common statistical programming language, to collect and analyze data from public data sets. I think of basic bioinformatics and R coding as an empowerment tool, said Mehta. Theyre going to become change agents in their communities, fighting back with data.

Bench science often takes years, whereas data crunching to solve problems offers a sense of immediacy, said Niquo Ceberio, who recently earned a masters in biology at SFSU and leads the team of mentors. There was this sort of limitlessness about it that really appealed to me, she said.

Raymundo Aragonez, a University of Texas-El Paso biology major participating in the summer program, sees data analysis as a way to address confusion in the Hispanic community  including some of his family members who think the pandemic is all a hoax. Dismayed by misleading YouTube videos and rampant misinformation shared on social media, Aragonez, who aims to be the first in his family to finish college, said he hopes to gain skills to understand the data and how infections are actually happening, so I can explain it to my family.

He hopes to explore whether COVID-19 infection rates differ among people living in El Paso, those living in the Mexican city of Juarez, and those who frequently cross the border between the cities  like many of his friends and classmates.

Willow Weibel, an SFSU psychology major, is studying how COVID-19 restrictions affect the mental health of former foster youth and other young adults with traumatic backgrounds. Weibel spent much of her childhood in foster care before getting adopted into a Southern California family at age 17. Ive grown to really care about what other people go through in the system, she said.

Mental health is a common thread in the research questions proposed by several students in Weibels group, including Skye Taylor, who is majoring in psychology with a minor in public health. While curious about disparities in Detroit-area COVID-19 outcomes, she also wants to examine how mental health issues affect COVID-19 susceptibility  especially in the Black community, because mental health isnt really talked about, she said.

Having the chance to explore their own research questions is unusual for undergraduates, and particularly meaningful to students of color. It feels like science is something thats been done to us or on us, said Ceberio, who is Black and Latina, and grew up in Los Angeles, Miami, and Las Vegas before moving to the Bay Area. This experience allows them to do research that they feel is relevant based on the way theyre viewing the world. Im trying to get them to trust their instincts.

Trainees from underrepresented groups will more likely stay in biomedicine if they feel they are giving back to their communities or doing something with a tangible purpose, said Gammie. This summer, participants have an opportunity to engage in science that does both, she said. Our hope is that this will inspire students to go on to be independent scientists.

Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
A Connecticut inmate, 32, hanged himself in his cell this week using a prison-issued face mask given to him to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to authorities.

Daniel Ocasio, from Windsor, Connecticut, was found with a ligature around his neck by prison guards at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center early Wednesday morning.

The ligature had been fashioned from a cloth mask, the Department of Corrections said.

Ocasio's death comes amid a growing storm over the distribution of face masks among the prison population as advocates say they are vital to protecting inmates trapped in the virus hotbeds.

But prison guards warn inmates could use them to harm themselves and others.

A Connecticut inmate, 32, hanged himself in his cell at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center (pictured) this week using a prison-issued face mask given to him to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The Connecticut Department of Correction said guards discovered Ocasio at 5:07 a.m. Wednesday when they were carrying out a routine tour of the facility.

Ocasio was sitting on his cell bunk with the ligature made from the cloth mask tied round his neck, the department said.

Staff carried out emergency life-saving measures on the 32-year-old and he was rushed to hospital, but he was pronounced dead just before 6 a.m. that morning.

Ocasio had been held in the prison on a $10,000 bond since August 5 on a third-degree burglary charge.

His death was ruled a suicide Thursday by the medical examiner's office.

State police and the Department of Correction have launched investigations into his death.

Coronavirus infections have been rife among the American prison population, as high populations, cramped conditions and unsanitary environments are ideal breeding grounds for the deadly virus.

Latest figures from the Department of Correction reveal 1,344 Connecticut inmates have contracted COVID-19 - accounting for a staggering 14 percent of all inmates in the state's prisons.

Daniel Ocasio was found with a ligature around his neck by prison guards at the prison early Wednesday morning. The ligature had been fashioned from a cloth mask, the Department of Corrections said

Seven inmates have been killed by the virus and more than 386 corrections employees have also been infected.

Concerns that prisons are hotbeds for the virus have led to new safety measures including the roll out of prison-issue face masks.

Inmates at Connecticut state facilities are now required to wear the cloth masks when they leave their cells and enter common areas in order to slow the spread of the virus.

However, the distribution of masks in prisons has sparked fierce debate about the risks they may pose to both inmates and staff.

Madison County Jail in Alabama came under fire last month when an inmate revealed inmates are banned from wearing masks and that he had his mask confiscated when he was booked in to the facility.

Courtney Moore, 33, told AL.com in July he had his mask taken from him after being arrested for attending a protest and that staff were also not wearing the protective gear.

A spokesman for the Madison County sheriff told the outlet at the time that the ban was issued amid concerns inmates could harm themselves or others with the metal nose pieces or by tying several masks together to make ropes.

'You give them face masks (with) a nose piece  metal pieces in them  they're going to eat them,' Brent Patterson told AL.com.

'They're going to swallow them.'

Meanwhile, over in California, a group of inmates sued Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux last month for failing to provide them with face masks.

The lawsuit was filed to force the sheriff to take immediate action - including widespread testing of inmates and staff, releasing low-risk inmates and providing protective gear - to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the jail.

A spokeswoman for Connecticut state prisons Karen Martucci acknowledged to the New York Times that Ocasio's death could ignite the debate about masks in the prison system and that the use of the mask as a ligature would be investigated.

'With that being said, there are all sorts of authorized materials that could be used to self-harm,' she said.

'We are not going to have a knee-jerk reaction here.'

More than 167,000 Americans have died from coronavirus and 5.2 million have been infected.
The United States announced Thursday it is suspending all private charter flights to Cuba, intensifying its drive to starve the Havana government of revenue over its human rights record and support for Venezuela's leftist president.

The new punishment completes travel sanctions under which all such charter flights had been banned except to Havana. Now, Cuba's capital is off-limits as well.

Private charter travel to Havana was popular among Miami-area celebrities and business executives.

The move comes as President Donald Trump faces a tough re-election battle in which Florida -- home to a large, conservative Cuban-American community that loathes the Havana government -- is a must-win state.

Announcing the measure, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed the communist regime of President Raul Castro for jailing reporters and pro-democracy activists, overseeing "horrific" physical abuse and propping up President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, among other offences.

The announcement marks the latest hardening of US policy toward Cuba under Trump, who reversed a thaw in relations with Havana that began under his predecessor Barack Obama.

"The suspension of private charter flights will deny economic resources to the Castro regime and inhibit its capacity to carry out abuses," Pompeo said in a statement.

"This administration will continue to target and cut the revenue the Cuban government earns from landing fees, stays in regime-owned hotels, and other travel-related income," Pompeo added.

Cuba's top diplomat on relations with the US, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, rejected the measure and said it will have "little practical impact."

Cuba's Foreign Ministry also denounced the move, saying it "seeks to satisfy the electoral political machinery of south Florida."

In October of last year, the United States had banned charter flights to Cuba except to Havana as it hammered away at the island's economy.

This May, it set a limit of 3,600 flights per year to the Cuban capital.

Still, the Trump administration has stopped short of ending regular commercial flights to Cuba, although now there are none because of the pandemic.

Cuba has been under a US embargo since 1962.

Pompeo said an exception remains for authorised public charter flights to and from Havana and other authorised private charter flights for emergency medical purposes, search and rescue, "and other travel deemed in the interest of the United States."

"Our message to the Castro regime has been clear: The United States will continue to stand up for the Cuban people and against the regime's abuses and its interference in Venezuela to prop up Maduro's illegitimate hold on power," Pompeo said.

The top US diplomat for Latin America, Michael Kozak, tweeted that Cuba uses money from tourism and travel "to finance its abuses and interference in Venezuela."

"We cannot allow dictators to benefit from trips from the United States," Kozak wrote.

But the impact of this new sanction will be limited because since Obama restored commercial flights to Cuba, private charter travel to the island has fallen off, said John Kavulich, president of the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.

"What will be impacted are the visits to the Republic of Cuba by celebrities and business executives who used general aviation private charter aircraft," Kavulich said.

The Trump administration has made no secret of its dislike for the government in Cuba.

In June, the State Department added seven Cuban companies and hotels to its list of sanctioned entities, including the financial company Fincimex, which makes money from remittances sent to Cuba, notably through Western Union.

And last month, the US announced sanctions against Havin Bank LTD, a London-based Cuban entity also known as Havana International Bank, dealing a blow to the Cuban financial system.
More than 1.4billion was wiped off the value of Britain's leading travel companies yesterday as quarantine chaos in France landed another blow to the industry's recovery.

Investors took flight from airlines and tour operators after the Government removed France, Malta and the Netherlands from the quarantine-free list leading to a dash for the border last night.

A similar move in July saw travellers told that the 'air bridge' between Britain and Spain had been ditched with just a few hours' notice.

Investors took flight from airlines and tour operators after the Government removed France, Malta and the Netherlands from the quarantine-free list

Official data yesterday laid bare the damage to customer confidence with close to two-thirds saying they would not travel abroad if they had to self-isolate upon their return.

Fewer than one in ten said they were likely to go on holiday abroad this year, compared to 64 per cent who went abroad last year.

There were also fears that British tourism would take a double hit as French leaders threatened retaliatory measures against Britain.

Airline stocks, which had been on an upward trend in the last two weeks, were hammered again yesterday as the Government's decision threatened to snuff out the recovery weeks before the summer season ended.

IAG, which owns British Airways, fell 4.8 per cent, Ryanair was down 3.3 per cent, Easyjet lost 6.5 per cent, Jet 2 owner Dart dropped 9 per cent and Wizz Air sank 1.2 per cent.

Tui, Britain's biggest tour operator, plunged 8.4 per cent lower.

Landmark ruling: Lightning strikes the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Hotels were also hit with Whitbread, which owns Premier Inn, losing 3.2 per cent and Intercontinental Hotels, which owns Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotels, losing 1.8 per cent.

In total 21.3billion has been wiped off travel stocks since February 20, equivalent to 36 per cent of their total market capitalisation, according to data from AJ Bell.

IAG has lost 8.3billion, or 67 per cent of its value, Easyjet has lost 2.9billion and Tui has lost 3.6billion of its market valuation.

More than 44,000 jobs are expected to be lost at Britain's largest travel companies and their suppliers.

Companies have been forced to shrink their operations with experts predicting it will take until 2023 for demand to return to pre-crisis levels.

Yesterday business leaders reacted with fury that a decision had again been made at such short notice, putting European travel into chaos.

ABTA, the association for travel industry, which sustains 220,000 jobs, said: 'The Government's measures to restrict travel will result in livelihoods being lost unless it can step in with tailored support for the travel industry.'

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy the PC Agency, said: 'The 14-day system of quarantine has to be changed.

'If we're to learn to live with coronavirus then the Government has to invest in alternatives to blunt quarantine measures which damage economic recovery.'

John Holland-Kaye, boss of Heathrow, has previously called for travellers to be tested before they fly and issued with coronavirus passports.

Yesterday a spokesman for the airport, which is expected to shed 25,000 jobs in the crisis, said: 'The UK needs a more sustainable long-term plan for the resumption of travel than quarantine roulette.

We urge the Government to work with us to trial a solution which could help to provide more certainty.'

Industry group Airlines UK said the new quarantines were 'another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history'.
Pa. private schools form 'Christian school district' with in-person classes this fall

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Two suburban Philadelphia private schools have merged to create what they are calling a Christian school district and plan to have full-time, in-person classes this fall.

The schools  Berks Christian School and West-Mont Christian Academy in Pottstown  will remain as separate schools but have officialized the partnership in which they will share a single leadership team.

It has been a very exciting week at BCS as we announced creating a Christian school district with our friends from West-Mont Christian Academy! a post on the BCS Facebook page reads.

According to BCS, the process to merge the schools resources to create a Christian school district serving three counties was in the works before the coronavirus pandemic. Both schools offer preschool through 12th-grade education.

We are so thankful that God is always working in His perfect timing! the BCS Facebook post states.

According to The Reading Eagle, resources at both schools will be merged to provide more robust biblically-integrated education across Berks, Montgomery and Chester counties.

The schools say they share a "philosophical common ground of excellence in Biblically-based education that motivates students to lead and serve in their local communities."

"The combined resources of the district will allow more robust programming on both campuses," Phil Warner, Berks Christian's head of school, told the newspaper.

The schools worked together to create an online format when Pennsylvania mandated all schools halt in-person instruction amid the pandemic.

The online program will be enhanced and available for the coming academic year through the new partnership.

Home education is also offered by the new district, through both Berks and West-Mont.

According to the Annie E. Casie Foundation, 24,658 Pennsylvania children are enrolled in homeschool programs, as homeschooling has gained popularity since 2014.

Each group had pieces that came together to allow us to be responsive to our parents and students, Anthony Buttacy, West-Monts Head of School said in a statement. To continue to grow, this district model is the next step to take to ensure that both campuses continue to thrive.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has released a lengthy set of guidelines for school officials and teachers as the state prepares for the academic year during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a recent statement, individual counties will cater their instruction to two metrics: incidence rate and percent positivity.

Counties, including Berks, Montgomery and Chester, will review the two metrics to determine whether the coronavirus risk is low, moderate or substantial. Guidelines on how to instruct students safely depend on this dictation, according to the department.

It is important to note that a safe return to in-person instruction will look different across every school, district, and county depending on a variety of factors, the PDE statement reads. One of which is the spread of COVID-19.

School entity decisions on instructional models require a great deal of consideration of local factors, the statement continued. Including size of the school entity, classroom size, school resources, proportion of staff and students with special needs and underlying health conditions, and the ability to accommodate remote learning with equal access for all students.

A county with a low level of coronavirus cases (5% positivity rate) is recommended to use full in-person or a blended teaching model in schools. Counties with a moderate level (5% to 10% positivity rate) are recommended to use a blended or fully-remote model. Counties with a high level are recommended to instruct in a fully-remote style.

As of Tuesday, Montgomery County has had over 10,000 coronavirus cases. Montgomery has the most cases among counties served by the new Christian school district. Chester and Berks have both had over 5,000 coronavirus cases reported as of Wednesday evening.

The new system plans to begin with in-person instruction starting Aug. 1.

According to a post on the West-Mont Christian Academy Facebook page, the school has capped class sizes to ensure social distancing requirements are met in each of its classrooms.

According to the schools joint COVID-19 preparedness plan, class sizes will not go above the number of desks that can be kept at least 6 feet apart.

All communal spaces, such as faculty or student lounges, lobbies, cafeterias, and libraries, will be closed, the plan states.

The new school district positions both schools to meet the challenges of the current COVID-19 crisis and to provide excellent education to families in the region for years to come," according to the BCS statement.
Navid Karimi and his friends voted in Irans parliamentary election four years ago, determined to get the hardliners out and the reformists in. Fifteen months later they were equally fervent in their support of president Hassan Rouhani against his conservative opponent, Ebrahim Raisi.

They regarded Raisi, a former judge in the death commissions, as a dangerous populist reactionary.

He is talking like [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad, who came along saying that he would clean up corruption and look after the poor. But my father warned me, dont even think of voting for Raisi. Remember what happened with Ahmadinejad, said Navid. No, I am sticking with Rouhani.

One of his friends, Ibrahim, nodded. Ahmadinejad set us back 20, 30 years; we are only just beginning to get over him.

Not going back to the time of former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was a refrain one heard often at the time. Irans signing of the nuclear deal with international powers meant to be a sign of its opening up to the world again. Navid, 23, had spoken of his plans to me on a previous visit of getting a well-paid job with his engineering degree, go on a road trip to the US and avoid dying fighting in Syria.

But storm clouds were already gathering with the election of Donald Trump and the economic uncertainties caused by his threat to pull out of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action). Navid was yet to find a job; the road trip, the result of being introduced to Jack Kerouac by an uncle educated in Illinois, was not going to happen anytime soon with the uncertainties surrounding Donald Trumps Muslim travel ban. But he has had one success, he pointed out with a rueful smile  avoiding conscription and being sent to Syria.

President Rouhani came under ferocious attack from the hardliners during the campaign. Raisi and his team hammered the message time and again that the agreement with the west weakened national security, that the US and its allies could not be trusted.

But the supporters of reform stood by him and he won a comprehensive victory.

Ahmadinejad had wanted to run at that election, but was barred by the powerful Guardian Council, which vets candidates. Tentative arrangements for an interview with a few journalists were abruptly cancelled.

A few days later came Donald Trumps first official foreign trip as US president to the Gulf and Israel. He used it to try and sell arms against the supposed Iranian threat and also declare economic war on Iran.

The parliamentary election I covered six months ago in Iran was very different from previous ones. The hopes that the country would be transformed by the gains of the nuclear deal had faded with the Trump administration imposing punitive sanctions and continuing the campaign to dismantle the nuclear deal.

The economy was in a parlous state. There had been sporadic but widespread street protests. The assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) by the US, and then the shooting down of an Ukrainian airliner above Iran, had raised real fear of a conflict erupting.

Only relatively small crowds turned out to vote this time; the mood was subdued and sombre with deep apprehension about what an uncertain future would hold. Anger and frustration was directed towards politicians at home as well as adversaries abroad.

Many of those who had queued up so eagerly to back the liberals in the past, like Navid and his friends, stayed away. Some even came to vote and then turned back, like Amir and Mariam Sharifi.

Who is to blame, the government or American sanctions, I would say half each, said Amir Sharifi, who owned a car dealership and lived in the more affluent and liberal part of the capital. Of course the sanctions have caused a lot of problems, but the politicians must also bear responsibility for the corruption and the inefficiency.

His wife Mariam added: We really dont think anything much can be changed by us voting, so we have decided not to vote this time. We are going back home, we are not going to waste any more time here.

Recommended Republican congressman posts fake photo of Obama meeting Iran leader

The result of the election was a crushing victory for the hardliners. They took every seat in Tehran and won a significant majority across the country. The turnout was the lowest since the 1979 revolution, hovering at just 42 per cent, compared to 62 per cent in the previous election. The figure fell to 25 per cent in the cities, where the electorate had previously helped to put the reformists in power.

Iran continues to go through a grim time, badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic to add to all other problems. Theres division and distrust. Next years presidential election will decide which path the country follows.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a former mayor of Tehran and former police chief, who came top in the capital with more than 1.2 million votes, is the new parliamentary speaker and is seen as a flag-bearer for the conservatives.

But someone else is now pushing himself into the political fray. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears to have embarked on a campaign to position himself as a possible presidential contender next year.

Ahmadinejad has sent a letter to Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, suggesting a road map out of the war in Yemen. Copies had been sent to the Iranian foreign ministry and Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthi forces in Yemen, and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres.

Both Iran and Saudi Arabia bear responsibility for the conflict and must work together to find a solution, said Ahmadinejad. This war has no logical or clear reason behind it, this is a product of some rivalries and also some international interventions, within the level of the region and beyond, he declared.

It is not just Saudi Arabia, the great Sunni rival to Shia Iran in the region, who Ahmadinejad believes should be engaged in dialogue, but also the Great Satan: the US. I passionately believe that nations should live together in friendship and peace. Wherever there is difference, wherever there is war, it is against human nature, he wanted to stress.

Ahmadinejad had made pronouncements on international affairs in the last few years, especially on social media, and the Yemen letter can be viewed as another attempt at making himself look important. But it is garnering him the publicity he needs to make a push in politics.

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

It would not be easy. Ahmadinejad has fallen out with the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who had initially supported his presidency, and there is no sign of a rapprochement between the two men.

According to some, Ahmadinejad had repeatedly sought to meet the ayatollah, only to be rebuffed. Abbas Amirifar, a cleric who was a cultural adviser to Ahmadinejad when he was president, said, For three years Ahmadinejad knocks on every door and begs to get a chance to meet the leader, but they do not give him an appointment. Yet at the same time a website associated with Ahmadinejad, called Dolatebahar, published allegations about the supreme leaders supposed acquisition of a vast fortune and accused him of silencing critics.

Whatever happens, Iran will have a new president next year; Rouhani cannot run for a third consecutive term under the constitution. The situation is volatile and it remains unclear how pressures such as the pandemic, and its economic consequences, will shape events.

An election taking place elsewhere will also have a great impact on what happens to Iran. A Joe Biden presidency after Novembers US election is likely to lead to significant changes in some aspects of American foreign policy, something a number of governments around the world are aware of. Ahmadinejads call for renewed dialogue with the US, in this context, could be an astute move.

The scenario of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the comeback kid remains a long shot, but we are living in strange times. And also, lets not forget, there were not many people who could have predicted 10 years ago that Donald Trump would become president of the United States.
If Ndigbo do not tell Arthur Eze that money is not everything, he will destroy whatever value is left in Igboland. The self-acclaimed Igbo Messiah (Ozo Igbo Ndu) has become a most irritating pain in the neck of Ndigbo. In the past thirty years, Arthur has brought everything he has touched to ruin. Eastern Plastics, Premier Cashew Industry, Anambra Vegetable Oil Products (AVOP), Premier Brewery Limited, Orient Bank and even his own Triax Group of Companies all melted under his cancerous touch. And now, Arthur has turned his attention to the Igbo presidency project and the government of Anambra State. Now is the time to tell him to stop!

Anyone who has followed the appalling drama playing out in Anambra State at the moment will not miss the underlying message  mutiny! Arthur is currently leading a rebellion against the government of Anambra State. This is not opposition as we know it. This is an act of rebellion. When a man is puffed up by his belief in his own invisibility, he turns himself into a menace to society. That was exactly what Arthur Eze did when he took 12 traditional rulers from Anambra State to Abuja on an ill-advised mission to create disaffection for the governor of Anambra State at the presidency. Arthur is leading a mutiny against Anambra State. He should be told enough by Nigerians who value decency and order in the society. The traditional rulers are the leaders of the grassroots in our democracy. Anyone who successfully turns a sizeable number of them against the sitting government under any guise has masterminded civilian coup plot. That is exactly what Arthur Eze has done. He is hell bent on setting Anambra on fire. He will succeed only if we support him with our silence.

We must tell Eze that the office of the governor of Anambra State should not be desecrated. And that any effort that denigrates and belittles it exposes Ndi Anambra to ridicule before decent people across the world.

Without a doubt, Arthur Eze appears to have a brutal knee firmly pressed into the neck of Ndigbo. He ridicules our aspiration for the presidency. He spits in the faces of our political leaders at will. He is locked up in a mortal battle with neighbouring villages in Anambra State. He is at war with the novelist, Chimamanda Adichie. He instigated criminal charges against Pius Nweke, the CEO of Best Aluminum who unlike him has created thousands of jobs for the people.

Chief Pius Nweke CEO of Best Alluminium

He has no respect for constituted authority. He believes that money is everything. Arthur is one of the disappearing breed of post-Biafra War Igbos whose dumb worship of money set the tone for the moral decline of our society. His inherent evil has always been easy to see. His very name invokes a horrifying atmosphere that is antithetical to democracy and peace. It reminds us of another Arthur in another era. But even more horrifying, he reminds us of godfatherism and reckless brigandage. But we choose to turn a blind eye to Arthur.

For many decades, Arthur strutted the entire South East Nigeria like a winged monster in a Hollywood movie, talking down on his enemies and giving the impression that with money he could buy anybody including one half of heaven. He moves around in the longest and most expensive vehicular convoy in Igboland. He feels that everyone is beneath him. He does not weigh his utterances. He speaks as the mood takes him. At a time when his Igbo people feel entitled to provide Nigerias next president, Arthur told them that they were not good enough for the position in clear terms. Only Northerners are good enough to lead Nigeria because they gave Arthur contracts. He is a bull in china shop. Nothing is sacred to him. He is a monster with a philanthropic face! But Arthur Eze should be reminded that all his philanthropy does not stretch beyond dashing people money. And that begging is not in the DNA of Ndigbo. This is one truth Arthur must be told!

Throughout history, Igbo people have shown a definitive practical side to their communal life. In Igbo worldview, no one, no matter how gifted can win judgment against a clan. A thematic exploration of this deep philosophy gave birth to Chinua Achebes Arrow of God. Somebody ought to tell Arthur that he cannot win a fight against his own people. In fact, the futility of that enterprise in Igboland has been demonstrated to a point where some gods that proved to be a thorn in the flesh of their worshippers were hurled to the crossroads and set ablaze by the same people who once supplicated them for protection. It is therefore embarrassing to see that just because he could sell a few oil wells, Arthur Eze has forgotten the capricious nature of his own culture. He is blind to the fact that a masquerade that turns against its minders in a stab of arrogance risks the humiliation of being deserted at the market square!

This is the inconvenient truth we must tell Arthur Eze!

Ngwu Nweze writes from Ajalli, Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.
United Utilities is offering farmers in the River Dane catchment a free pesticide amnesty and subsidised application training.

Since November 2015 it has been a legal requirement for anyone applying pesticides to hold the correct training certification.

Training usually costs a few hundred pounds but the North West water firm is offering training at a cost of 50 per person.

Veronika Moore, Dane catchment advisor for United Utilities, said: "To qualify you must farm land in the River Dane catchment.

On most livestock farms spraying and pelleting is only done for a few days a year but it is specialist work and needs to be done correctly."

The company is also offering anonymous poisons and pesticides amnesty for farmers in the River Dane safeguard zone.

This is for farmers wanting to get rid of out of date and unwanted pesticides, veterinary medicines or banned or unlabelled chemicals lurking in their stores.

Ms Moore said United Utilities was working in partnership with farmers, landowners and stakeholders across the region to protect drinking water quality.

I would encourage people to carefully and safely check sheds and outbuildings for old stocks of illegal substances," she said.

"If you are in possession of illegal pesticides, please contact your local catchment adviser and arrange for disposal so that together we can protect drinking water quality and the environment across our region.

What can qualifying farmers receive training on?

Qualifying farmers in the River Dane catchment can receive training in:

 PA1 Compulsory for anyone applying professional pesticides

 PA2 Mounted or trailed sprayers

 PA2F Weed wiper

 PA4 Granular (pelleter) application

 PA6 Handheld and knapsack applicators
The US has seized four vessels laden with Iranian oil that were sailing to Venezuela in violation of sanctions against Teheran.

Luna, Pandi, Bering, and Bella, seized in open sea, are currently on their way to Houston, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The seizure came after US prosecutors filed a lawsuit in July, demanding the confiscation of the gasoline aboard four tankers that Iran was trying to ship to Venezuela.

It is the first time the Trump administration seizes vessels carrying Iranian fuel since imposing sanctions on Irans oil trade following Trumps pullout in May 2018 from the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers upheld by the UN Security Council.

The sanctions are meant to dry up Iran revenue flows from its oil sales, which account for the majority of the countrys resource streams.
Ras Shaka and Empress Zaditu have jointly called for less talk and more action regarding our acceptance of Marcus Garvey.

Two members of the local Rastafarian organization Nyhabingy Warriors, are calling on the nation to emulate the life and work of the late world renowned liberation fighter, Marcus Garvey.





Ras Shaka and Empress Zaditu made the call while speaking with THE VINCENTIAN on Wednesday, as they prepare for the celebration of Garveys birth day on Monday.





As part of the celebrations, the Nyhabingy Warriors will hold a gathering and rally at Sion Hill on Monday.

But according to Ras Shaka and Empress Zaditu, it is time we give more than lip service to Garvey and other great liberation fighters.





"He taught us about self-awareness, and who we are, and the importance of our historical origin and culture. He taught us the importance of our resources, and much more. We are calling on the nation to take a page from Garveys books, Shaka declared.





Zaditu is disappointed that the nations youth is not being taught more about their history, including the critical role played by Marcus Garvey and others.





"This type of teaching is not happening among our people. We are not seeing it. It is time that we give more than lip service, Zaditu said.





Shaka pointed out that Garvey and other great black leaders played critical roles at various points in history, which laid the foundation for the survival and progress of their people.





"It we stop giving lip service and live what they preached and stood for, we would be much more unified and organized as a people, Zaditu emphasized.





Shaka and Zaditu salute Garvey on his birth day, and call on Vincentians to join in the celebration.




Deaths of children in northeast Syria 'could have been averted': UNICEF

13 August 2020 - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has expressed "deep alarm" over reports that eight children  all under the age of five  have died in Syria's Al Hol camp, where several thousand children are languishing in dire conditions.

Four of the children died due to malnutrition-related complications, while the others lost their lives to dehydration from diarrhoea, heart failure, internal bleeding and hypoglycemia, according to UNICEF. The deaths occurred between 6 and 10 August.

"Any child's death is tragic. It is even more so when the death could have been averted", said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore in a statement on Wednesday.

Located in northeastern Syria, near the border with Iraq, the Al Hol camp houses tens of thousands of mainly women and children, displaced from territory formerly held by the terrorist group ISIL. Among them are nearly 40,000 children from more than 60 countries.

"They lack access to basic services and have to contend with the sweltering summer heat and the trauma of violence and displacement", said Ms. Fore.

COVID-19 making a critical situation 'even worse'

According to UNICEF, some health and education services in the camp have been paused and the number of workers reduced after COVID-19 infections were confirmed among camp workers.

"COVID-19, with the resulting movement restrictions and quarantine measures, is making a critical situation even worse," said the UNICEF Executive Director, underscoring that the resumption of health and nutrition services must be prioritized and that emergency care options put in place.

In spite of the challenges, UNICEF and partners continue to provide essential lifesaving services including water trucking, and health, nutrition and child protection services. The UN agency is also supporting community volunteers to further raise awareness on COVID-19 preventive measures.

"But a longer-term solution is long overdue. Children in Al Hol, like all children affected by conflict, have the right to humanitarian assistance," stressed Ms. Fore.

"Those born to foreign nationals have the right to be safeguarded, including with legal documentation, family reunification and repatriation to their home countries when it is in their best interest," she added.

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The Army esports team will resume gaming on Twitch on Friday after taking a five-week pause following accusations that its decision to ban users from its channel violated their First Amendment rights.

In July, the team, which operates under U.S. Army Recruiting Command, banned progressive activist and organizer Jordan Uhl after he began "trolling" the channel about war crimes, Vice.com reported.

The action touched off a storm of spam, including comments such as "what's your favorite war crime" and prompting the team to ban about 300 accounts from its Twitch channel.

Read Next: Why Some Army Colonels Won't Make the Cut for Command in New Assessment Course

The esports team's move resulted in the American Civil Liberties Union calling the bannings a violation of First Amendment free speech protections, Vice reported.

The team took a five-week pause from streaming on Twitch to establish new policies and procedures to ensure users are treated fairly. It also recently unbanned the accounts of those involved, but leaders in charge of the team maintain that no one's First Amendments rights were violated.

"We decided to unban the users and give everyone a straight shot now that we are coming back online with our new rules and procedures, but we absolutely believe that we banned the users because of their behavior and not because of their viewpoints," said Col. Megan Stallings, commander of the Marketing and Engagement Brigade.

"They still will have to comply with the guidelines and rules and the new policies and procedures that will be published on the Twitch channel," she added. "Their behavior must still be in compliance and in line with those because, again, our U.S. Army esports team is out on the Twitch channel to connect America's people to America's Army, and if there [are] select individuals or a few out there who are not allowing for that civil discourse to occur, it doesn't allow for an enjoyable experience for everybody else that is out on that channel."

Stallings did say that she had to consult with Army lawyers to respond to a letter from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University questioning the decision to ban the 300 accounts.

"There was a letter that was sent back to the Knight institute and, in the letter, we let them know that we would unban the individuals," she said.

The controversy also attracted the attention of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who proposed an amendment in the House's fiscal 2021 defense funding bill that would have prevented the military from using streaming for recruiting purposes, but the House voted to block the amendment, 292 to 126, TheWrap.com reported.

Despite the negative attention, Army officials have said that the esports effort is worth continuing, clarifying that it is not tied directly to securing recruiting contracts for the service, according to Stallings.

"We don't specifically tie to contracts because the members of the U.S. Army esports team are not recruiters; their purpose is awareness and outreach," she said. "If someone wants to join the Army, it's generally not a decision that is made off of one interaction."

Lt. Col. Kirk Duncan, commander of the Mission Support Battalion, which oversees the team, conceded that, over the past several weeks, "There have been less than positive aspects that have happened with our esports brand through some of the negative attention that has been brought to the program."

But overall, the team has received a massive amount of attention and increased young people's awareness of the Army, he said.

"I don't know if we have a choice not to be in esports, and what I mean by that is the stats that we have tell us that about 80% of 17- to 24-year-olds either watch video games, play video games or both. Essentially, it's how that age demographic spends their time," Duncan said. "I think it's really important that the Army needs to be in the gaming space."

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the team had participated in gaming competitions all over the country, such as the Penny Arcade Expo, or PAX, East in Boston in February, he said, adding that its 30-foot by 30-foot booth space at the event drew thousands of visitors.

"We are estimating that about 38,000 actually went through the booth and, of that 38,000 [surveyed], 93% of visitors indicated that they had a positive impression of the Army's presence at PAX East," Duncan said.

Moving forward on Twitch, the team will release a new set of procedures it will follow to deal fairly with users who violate its Twitch channel policies, he said.

The esports soldiers serving as moderators for the stream will have the ability to use the "timeout function on Twitch and, if someone is commenting in a way that is not in line with our guidelines, then we are giving them the tools to time that person out anywhere from like one hour to 48 hours, depending on what the inappropriate behavior was," Duncan said.

Timeouts are a better way "to make sure that you don't have one individual in the heat of the moment making a decision" to ban a user, Stallings said.

There is also an appeal process banned users can go through to be reinstated.

"The other important tool that we wanted to include and make sure everyone on our platform understood is that, if you are in fact banned from our channel, we wanted to give you an opportunity to submit a ban appeal request," Duncan said.

The new procedures are an attempt to take a layered approach to dealing with Twitch violators, according to Stallings.

"Before, the moderators were really trying to answer everything and respond to everything," she said. "Now, there is a layered approach that the moderators are going to take in answering questions or, in some cases, ignoring them."

Army esports officials said that the team "can always improve" how they handle situations.

"They have learned together and grown and done some training to ensure that they are prepared for potential similar situations to come up," Stallings said.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

Related: Army Denies Violating 1st Amendment in Esports Recruiting, Sponsoring Fake Giveaways
The industry has, since I joined the ICA, gone through enormous change over the 10 and a half years and its becoming increasingly more consumer focused, he explained. One of the reasons why I took on the challenge was because I believed that the industry really needed to take on more of a consumer focus and concentrate on all sorts of consumer outcomes.

That was accepted by the board of the day and they appointed me to do that. I am pleased that over the 10 and a half years, we have progressively driven an approach and strategy that has delivered ever-increasing and even better consumer outcomes.

Among these changes, Whelan heralded a culture of diversity and inclusion that has an open style of management. Having a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that insurance serves is vital for driving better consumer outcomes, he believes.

We built a high level of expertise in the company to be able to respond to what is now a very complex and challenging environment, he continued. We have excellent people working in a range of areas that span the sorts of interests that insurance is involved in and I think those sorts of factors allowed me to drive a very effective team to achieve the outcomes that we were able to achieve over the 10 and a half years.

However, Whelan also concedes there have been challenges along the way that have helped him grow as a leader. Leading his team through the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry in 2018 was one of them.

We focused on our strengths and thats through strong understanding of the issues that confront the industry, the capacity of the industry to respond to those issues, making sure that were able to communicate those through to the Royal Commission and to the broader public as well, and also accepting that there were areas that we needed to improve on, he said.

After that we also started putting in place a plan and a process to make sure that we addressed all those issues that were not contributing to the sorts of consumer outcomes that the community expects.

Additionally, the insurance industry faces other significant challenges, including the level of climate change and social change, which is evident in the current COVID-19 crisis. Being able to manage a crisis, Whelan says, is fundamental to how the insurance industry operates.

These sorts of things are the stuff that we have to be able to respond to and resolve as much as we possibly can because of the insurance industrys capacity to assist the community to rebuild and restore itself, he added. Thats the principle of insurance and its the principal role of the Insurance Council to ensure that the industry is pulling in that direction and that were able to communicate that to the wider community, including politicians and regulators.

While Whelan says leaders tend to build up a capacity to be able to manage multiple crises at a time, it takes a certain approach to get it right.

It is about maintaining a sense of confidence that you will get through the crisis, that you communicate constantly with your teams to engage them in how we can manage the crisis as well, he said. Dont take everything on yourself, you need to be able to use your team effectively, and the skills that they have, to resolve the issues.

The next role for Whelan is still undecided but he says he is keeping an open mind about what he takes on next. He is, however, confident in his successor, Andrew Hall, who is set to fill his shoes upon his departure next month.

I think the next CEO will be more than capable of continuing on and doing an excellent job  its a very good appointment in Andrew Hall and I have every confidence that he will make a terrific CEO of the ICA, Whelan said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:32:06|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has declared a state of emergency in flood-affected regions in eastern part of the country that has also been ravaged by inter-communal conflicts over the years.

Ateny Wek Ateny, presidential spokesperson, said on Friday Kiir on Wednesday placed Jonglei state and the Pibor Administrative Area under a state of emergency after flooding displaced at least 150,000 people.

He said the declaration of the state of emergency in eastern South Sudan would allow government and UN agencies including humanitarian organizations to respond with life-saving needs to the affected population in the areas.

The World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently warned that 60,000 people in South Sudan were staring at hunger due to inter-communal violence in Jonglei and Pibor regions.

The UN has warned that thousands of people displaced by heavy rains and floods in Jonglei are now facing the twin threats of hunger and disease.

At least 6.5 million people, or more than half of the country's population, are already facing severe acute food insecurity and in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. Enditem
"The board's first meetings and various committees have been established. They are working on a national steel production strategy as part of our growth and innovation goal. The board will present a report soon," Nzenza said. "We are very pleased with the way the board has started; good corporate governance and transparency while working closely with management to deliver the expected mandate."
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razaks conviction last month on corruption charges follows a decades-long period of conflict within the ruling elites and is inflaming the current political crises and instability. He was the leader of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) that ruled Malaysia for more than sixty years to 2018.

Najib was sentenced on July 28 in Kuala Lumpur by High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazli, to 12 years imprisonment and fined $US49 million. Najib was convicted on all seven counts relating to the moving of $9.87 million into his personal accounts from SRC International, a unit of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund.

Najib, out on bail pending an appeal to the Federal Court, faces two more trials over the billions of dollars that he and other UMNO figures and their business cronies in Malaysia and internationally allegedly looted from the 1MDB.

The second case involves charges over laundering $550 million taken from 1MDB. The third case concerns the abuse of power and cover-up of a 1MDB audit report.

The scale of looting and laundering of state funds was staggering. Prosecutors in the US Justice Department claim $4.5 billion in 1MDB funds vanished during Najibs term as prime minister from 2009 to 2018. In 2016, the Wall Street Journal estimated $6 billion was siphoned out of 1MDB.

The money laundering operation sparked official investigations, not only in the US, but Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. The US investigation alone uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars spent on art works, casinos, and buying hotels and luxury real estate in the US and UK. The theft financed the production of The Wolf of Wall Street motion picture.

Notwithstanding the magnitude of the fraud, the conviction of a former prime minister and UMNO chief is unprecedented. Najib and his UMNO predecessors ruled the country through coalition governments since formal independence from Britain in 1957. They relied on an electoral gerrymander, anti-democratic laws and a politically controlled police and judiciary.

The UMNO regime was based on Malay chauvinism at the expense of the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities that constitute about 30 percent of the population. The UMNO monolith claimed to present the welfare of all ethnic Malays but the chief beneficiaries of its race-based politics were the well heeled UMNO cronies and connected business empires.

Najib had no fear of ever been held to account until the shock election defeat of his government at the May 2018 national elections.

Najibs government was ousted by the Pakatan Harapan alliance (PH), composed of the ethnic Chinese based Democratic Action Party (DAP), the Peoples Justice Party (PKR) of Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) of Mahathir Mohamad, who was UMNO prime minister from 1981 to 2003.

While the PH presented itself as a reforming multiracial coalition that would end the race-based policies and corruption of UMNO and the BN, it was inherently unstable. It brought together heterogeneous sections of the ruling elite whose only real agreement was to get rid of Najib.

Anwar had been Mahathirs deputy prime minister and finance minister in 1998. He responded to the 199798 Asian financial crisis by supporting the International Monetary Funds demands to open up the economy, and that threatened UMNOs business cronies. Mahathir sacked Anwar and had him arrested and beaten up then framed and jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy. Najib repeated the frameup sending Anwar to jail a second time.

Mahathir only broke with Najib and UMNO because his government signed up to the Obama administrations Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2016 threatening protected Malay businesses. On the same basis, he also opposed Najibs signing $22 billion worth of infrastructure deals with Chinese corporations as part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative, which gave large-scale access to the Malaysian economy.

Despite the glaring differences on economic and social policy, Anwar, from his jail cell, insisted on bringing Mahathir and the Bersatu party into the electoral coalition, overcoming strong opposition in his own PKR. As part of the coalition deal that made Mahathir prime minister for the first half of the parliamentary term, Mahathir agreed to obtain a pardon for Anwar, allowing him to enter parliament and take over for a second term.

Mahathir, however, continually delayed setting a time for Anwar to become prime minister. Instead he stacked the cabinet with Bersatu, ex-UMNO, ministers out of proportion to the number of its parliamentary seats and openly defended the Malay chauvinism he had always espoused, creating the conditions for a break-up of the PH coalition.

Mahathir as prime minister began the prosecution of Najib, but by February of this year the new government was tearing itself apart.

This allowed a section of the ruling class, determined to maintain the dominance of the Malay elites, to plot and carry out a coup. The majority of Bersatu, minus Mahathir, his son Mukhriz, and four other Bersatu MPs, left the ruling coalition, along with a faction inside the PKR. Aided by intervention of the head of state, a sultan serving as king, the breakaways joined with UMNO and the Islamist Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) to form a government. Bersatu leader Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister.

The new government appeared to be signalling to the judiciary to acquit Najib. Four days before the verdict, it agreed to a $3.9 billion settlement with US investment firm Goldman Sachs, one of the many financial institutions involved in Najibs 1MDB operation. This amount was only a small proportion of the amount sought by the Mahathir government when it filed charges in 2018. The firm received $600 million for raising $6.5 billion on bonds, but then turned a blind eye to the corrupt use of the funds.

The out-of-court settlement meant that the firm would abandon its defence that senior members of the BN government lied to the firm, thus potentially letting Najib and other UMNO figures off the hook. Malaysian prosecutors also dropped, without giving reasons, 1MDB charges, against Najib ally, Musa Aman, in June and Najibs stepson, Riza Aziz, in May.

The High Court verdict shows that divisions in ruling circles run deep.

While no section of the ruling elite has any genuine commitment to popular democratic rights, the authoritarian UMNO structure has been weakened by developments in the world economy that have cut the ground from under cronyism and related policies of national economic regulation.

As in other South East Asian countries, the coronavirus pandemic in Malaysia has accentuated unresolved economic and political conflicts with the ruling elites. Amid the fierce internal conflicts, the ruling class has been unable to agree on an economic course to deal with the impact of the global slowdown and financial turmoil.

Washingtons anti-China campaign, begun under the Obama administration and intensified under Trump, has destabilised the whole region. Like other countries, Malaysia is trying to precariously balance between its economic dependence on Chinaits largest trading partnerand strategic relations with the US and its allies. At the same time, stirring up anti-Chinese chauvinism has been stock-in-trade for UMNO politicians.

The economy is slowing sharply. In June the IMF revised its GDP growth figure for Malaysia from negative 1.7 to negative 3.8 percent, compared with positive growth of 4.3 percent a year before. When strict pandemic restrictions were relaxed in June, the official unemployment rate fell slightly from a record 5.0 percent in May to 4.9 percent.

However, the real figure is likely to be much higher as seen by the savage reaction of the government to discontent among the millions of undocumented and other immigrant workers. Hundreds have been rounded up and arrested under the pretext of violating pandemic restrictions. When Al Jazeera exposed this mistreatment of immigrant workers, its Malaysian office was raided and its journalists threatened with sedition charges.

Muhyiddin and his UMNO dominated government have gone on the offensive, apparently in preparation for an election. This month corruption charges were laid against prominent DAP figure Lim Guan Eng over construction contracts in Penang state where he was finance minister and chief minister.

Under these pressures political alliances are falling apart.

Two days after the Najib verdict, UMNO president Zahid Hamidi, who himself faces possible 1MDB charges, announced that UMNO would not formally join the ruling coalition, undermining Muhyiddins efforts to stabilise the government. Instead UMNO will join PAS and other UMNO allies in a coalition alliance based on Malay-Muslim chauvinism in the expectation of an early election.

Mahathir and his five ex-Bersatu MPs refused to re-join Anwars PH coalition on the basis that rural Malays will work with Anwar but will not accept him as prime minister. Anwar and the PKR are refusing to have Mahathir as a prime ministerial candidate. DAP leaders are urging compromise fearing the turmoil will lead to losses in a snap election.

The Najib conviction is a clear sign that the entire edifice centred on UMNO on which the ruling class has relied for decades is falling apart, opening up the prospect of further political upheavals.
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly committed a major faux pas at Princess Eugenies royal wedding.

In the new tell-all book, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand discussed Eugenies 2018 nuptials at St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle.

At the time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had just found out they were expecting their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. So, they shared the exciting news with family members at the wedding, and (to no surprise) the bride was less than thrilled.

It did not go down particularly well with Eugenie, who, a source said, told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news, the book reads.

The timing makes sense, since Kensington Palace publicly announced Baby Sussex just three days after Princess Eugenies wedding. (You know, right before Prince Harry and Markle embarked on the royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.)

Still, Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie are known for their close-knit relationship, so were fairly confident that theyve already moved on from the snafu.

Eugenie had always been more than just a cousin to Harry. They were also the closest of friends, says an excerpt from Finding Freedom. Out of all the queens grand-children, Harry and Eugenie have one of the most natural connections.

Always an important reminder: No one outshines the bridenot even a royal baby.

RELATED: Listen to Royally Obsessed, the Podcast for People Who Love the Royal Family

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Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Senik and Ambassador of the UAE to Ukraine Eng. Salem Ahmed Al-Kaabi discussed economic cooperation between the countries.

"Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Senik held a meeting with Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Ukraine Eng. Salem Ahmed Al-Kaabi on August 13. The main topic of discussion was the development of economic cooperation, trade and investment between Ukraine and the UAE. The interlocutors expressed mutual interest in the implementation of joint projects in the infrastructure, energy, agricultural, scientific, technical and medical sectors," the Foreign Ministrys press service reported.

The parties discussed the participation of a Ukrainian delegation in the Dubai Expo 2020 which will be held in the United Arab Emirates in 2021.

The deputy foreign minister expressed gratitude to the UAE for the humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sides stressed the need to develop bilateral political dialogue at high and highest levels and agreed to facilitate the preparation for a number of events.

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Hai Duong's police set up checkpoints last night to isolate the whole city after five Covid-19 cases have been detected here since August 7.

So far, five covid-19 cases have been reported in the city. The first case was detectd on August 7, the second on August 11 and the last three cases were announced yesterday. Community infection in the city is confirmed as the source of infection has not been traced.

All of the three cases newly reported in Hai Duong came into contact with Patient 867, and work in the city.

Two of them, Patients 906 and 907, are a 72-year-old woman and a 17-year-old man, both residing in Thanh Ha district. The other, Patient 908, is a 59-year-old woman who comes from the northern province of Thai Binh.

The quarantine order for the whole city of Hai Duong took effect from 0:00 of August 14. Under a decision signed by the Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee earlier the same day, the measures will last for 15 days.

Around 200 police officers worked the whole night to set up 50 quarantine checkpoints last night.

With only 2 hours, since the urgent instructions from the Provincial People's Committee, the authority and the police force of Hai Duong City immediately deployed 30 key control posts to ensure the first day of social isolation.

During the lockdown period, local residents are asked to stay at home and only go out for essential needs. Public gatherings are limited to two people and a minimum distance of two metres between each other outdoors must be maintained.

Meanwhile, production and businesses facilities have to observe COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Notably, the area around the restaurant in Ngo Quyen Street, Pham Ngu Lao ward, where Patient 867 worked has been put under lockdown from 0:00 on August 14 till 0:00 on August 28.

Hai Duong Universitys dormitory is used for quarantining people who had closed contact with the patients.

The lockdown decision also highlighted contact tracing, the mobilisation of testing machines and communication work to raise public awareness of the fight.

Some photos of the city under lockdown order:





































Hoai Anh
The chief of the Metropolitan Police has offered to assist US authorities with their investigation into Prince Andrew's ties to disgrace paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Dame Cressida Dick said that while the focus of the investigation was 'clearly' in America, she added the Met would assist US authorities should it be required 'at any stage'.

During a wide-ranging interview with Channel 4 News, the Commissioner was asked about the Duke of York's alleged involvement in the ongoing Maxwell case.

'The locus and focus of any investigation in relation to Jeffrey Epstein for example is clearly in America,' she said.

The chief of the Metropolitan Police has offered to assist US authorities with their investigation into Prince Andrew's ties to disgrace paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

'If the Americans need our assistance at any stage, then we will give them that.'

Federal prosecutors have reportedly been stonewalled in their requests for Prince Andrew's cooperation in the case, but the Duke's legal team says assistance was offered three times prior to allegations of 'zero cooperation'.

If the Duke fails to respond voluntarily to requests he could be called to a UK court to answer questions in what is known as a mutual legal assistance request, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Epstein died in an apparent suicide last August before he was due to face trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

His confidante and reported lover Ghislaine Maxwell is in custody at New York's Metropolitan Detention Center, charged with enticement of minors, sex trafficking, and perjury, during her time with the billionaire.

Dame Cressida Dick said that while the focus of the investigation was 'clearly' in America, she added the Met would assist US authorities should it be required 'at any stage'

She denies any wrongdoing.

One of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre-Roberts, who claims she was trafficked by the financier and Maxwell, alleges Andrew had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under US law.

The duke categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.

In a statement last year, before Ms Maxwells arrest, Commander Alex Murray said the Met was not the appropriate authority to look into the case because the allegations of human trafficking had taken place outside the UK.

The statement said: 'Following the legal advice, it was clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities and relationships outside the UK.

Epstein died in an apparent suicide last August before he was due to face trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. His confidante and reported lover Ghislaine Maxwell is in custody at New York's Metropolitan Detention Center, charged with enticement of minors, sex trafficking, and perjury, during her time with the billionaire

'We therefore concluded that the MPS was not the appropriate authority to conduct enquiries in these circumstances and, in November 2016, a decision was made that this matter would not proceed to a full criminal investigation.

'In August 2019, following the death of Jeffrey Epstein, the MPS re- viewed the decision-making and our position remains unchanged.'

The interview with Dame Cressida was due to be aired at 7pm on Channel 4.
New rules on arrivals from Belgium did not come as much of a surprise.

Rumours have been swirling around for days that Britain was about to impose a quarantine - the question seemed only to be when it would come.

Two things seemed to make it inevitable - a growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and the precedent that had been set with Spain .

If the UK had introduced a quarantine period on people coming back from one country with a spike in cases, why not do it for another? The outrage will probably be less - Belgium has only a fraction of the summer tourists that Spain normally enjoys.

Like Spain, Belgium is having to deal with big geographic differences. Some areas remain at a very low level while others, like Brussels, are battling a significant resurgence.

And then there's Antwerp, which was clearly the centre of Belgium's resurgence. I visited the city last week, just after a late-night curfew had been introduced. About half of Belgium's new cases were being recorded in Antwerp and, when we spoke, the provincial governor made it clear that she wanted people to work from home and avoid coming into the city, unless necessary.

What was very obvious was that many, many people had taken this to heart. There were hardly any tourists and the cafes sat empty. Without being ordered to do so, many residents had decided to go for a self-imposed lockdown.

Over the past few days, infection rates in Antwerp seem to have declined, while rising in other areas.

While it still angers many in Spain that the whole country, including islands a long way from the mainland, has been lumped together, such discord seems unlikely in Belgium.

It's clear that the country, which has recorded one of the worst per capita death rates in the world from this pandemic, is now battling a second wave. What's not clear is how damaging it will be, or what its repercussions could be.

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Brussels is, after all, the centre of European politics. Just a few weeks ago, leaders from across Europe came here for a summit to discuss a seven-year budget for the EU, as well as plans for setting up a huge fund to pay for the economic recovery from coronavirus.

Now, the idea of bringing all those leaders - Macron, Merkel et al - into Belgium might well be dismissed.

Brexit negotiations will continue, with diplomats given an exemption from quarantine when they return to the UK, but plans to bring staff back into the European Commission's huge Berlaymont headquarters may have to be reappraised, if infection rates continue to rise.

The optimists in Belgium will point to the fact that, just as these British quarantine rules are coming into effect, Antwerp's outbreak is showing signs of coming under control.

The pessimists fear that it has already started moving round the country, as evidenced by the growing nervousness across the municipalities of Brussels.

The evidence of Europe at the moment is that resurgences can emerge unpredictably. Where once borders were being closed, now quarantine is the response of choice. We may have to get used to it.
Gilboa

The Schoharie County girls camp that was devastated by a fire on Wednesday was facing $60,000 in fines for alleged health code violations pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, TheZone girls camp also appears to be among a group of facilities that have been able to skirt the states pandemic ban on sleepaway camps by declaring themselves to be temporary hotels or family residences.

Local officials, who have also brought the camp to court, contend that TheZone girls camp and an affiliated camp for boys a few miles away appeared to be operating sleepaway facilities rather than hotels or family retreats.

A handful of other camps in the Catskills, including several in Ulster and Sullivan counties, have taken the same route, officials said.

Both the girls and boys camps in Schoharie County are part of the Camp Oorah operation based in Lakewood, New Jersey, serving Orthodox Jewish families.

Firefighters responded Wednesday afternoon to a blaze in the girls camp kitchen. No one was injured in the fire, which destroyed the main building including the kitchen, dining and some sleeping areas, said Oorah spokeswoman Wendy Kirwan.

She added that the camp only had a bare bones group of staff, in the area when the blaze erupted.

But Schoharie County Public Health Director Amy Gildemeister, said the Oorah camps were failing to follow safety guidelines regarding the use of masks and social distancing. Soon after they opened in July, it looked like there werent just groups of families staying in separate cabins, as was supposed to be the case according to the operations plan the county approved.

We spent a considerable amount of time going over the details with them, Gildemeister said, explaining how, as a family facility or temporary hotel, families were supposed to stay in individual cabins and avoid too much mingling or contact with one another.

They soon started hearing from neighbors who said they were seeing busloads of kids coming and going from the camp.



When we checked we found that they did indeed have a large number of young people there under the age of 18, said Gildemeister.

They had declared it as a family situation but the health department found out that that there were children there without their parents, added Peggy Hait, town supervisor in Jefferson, where the affiliated boys camp is located.

By July 29, the county had begun levying fines and sent Oorah a cease and desist order to close the camps down.

Oorah contested that in court but lost. They continued to use the facility over the weekend, said Gildemeister.



Neither campus has any retreat operating at this time, Kirwan said in an email on Thursday afternoon.

Local officials, though, believe there may still have been some youngsters at Oorah facilities as late as Wednesday.

Hait said she saw campers at the boys facility on Wednesday but hadnt driven past it on Thursday.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Kirwan said they are contesting the fines, contending they have been unfairly targeted by the county.

We have taken health and safety precautions above and beyond what is legally required of us, including not allowing anyone on campus without proof of negative COVID test, and have not had any instances of COVID among our attendees, she said.

Gildemeister said she was worried about challenges in potential contact tracing if there was an uptick in COVID-19 cases, which have so far been low in rural Schoharie County.

Many of the campers come from downstate areas in Rockland County and New Jersey, so follow-ups could be difficult.

The girls camp is on the site of what used to be the Golden Acres resort.

The boys camp, in the town of Jefferson, is at the old Scotch Valley ski area.

While the Oorah facilities were the only ones of their kind in Schoharie County, Gilboa Supervisor Alicia Terry said shes heard that other Catskill counties are also hosting the temporary hotels and family retreats that would normally be categorized as sleepaway camps.

The Cuomo administration, just prior to the start of summer camping season, said sleepaways would be banned this year due to pandemic concerns.



rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
When you look at our case positivity rates, even today, theyre 1.27 per cent  And what that would indicate is that we have a lower case positivity rate than almost every province in Canada and almost every state in the United States.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 14/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

"When you look at our case positivity rates, even today, theyre 1.27 per cent  And what that would indicate is that we have a lower case positivity rate than almost every province in Canada and almost every state in the United States."

 Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen

In a sit-down meeting with The Brandon Suns health beat reporter yesterday, Health Minister Cameron Friesen uttered a term that has been used quite a lot by public health officials and politicians as they relay the daily COVID-19 updates  the provinces "positivity rate."

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the percentage of people who test positive for the coronavirus, out of the total number of people who have been tested.

This is a good and fair measure of the overall health of our population in relation to the ongoing epidemic, as the information provided by the percentage helps provincial health officials counter any spurious claims that, as a society, were only seeing more cases of the virus because more people are being tested.

As Johns Hopkins University notes on its website, the rate of positivity is an important indicator because it can provide insights into whether a community is conducting enough testing to find cases. Limited testing makes it more likely that many cases are missed.

U.S. President Donald Trump infamously stated several months ago, that "we have more cases than anybody in the world. But why? Because we do more testing." Which of course, was incorrect on a couple of fronts.

But in terms of providing information to Manitobans about the on-the-ground situation, and whether Manitoba is ready to "Restart" as the governments new ad campaign promotes, were concerned the positivity rate might be a tad misleading  or at least, being used by elected officials for political ends.

It is worth noting that on Wednesday, when Friesen made his statement, the positivity rate in Saskatchewan stood at 1.19 per cent. In Alberta it was 1.2 per cent, and in Ontario it dropped down to between 0.4 and 0.6 per cent, from close to one per cent reported about a week ago.

Were not entirely sure if Friesen had the most up-to-date number when he spoke to the Sun. Yesterdays COVID-19 update placed Manitoba at a five-day test positivity rate of 1.19 per cent, even as 25 new cases of the virus were announced.

But also consider this: since early February, and as of yesterday morning, the province of Manitoba has completed 108,211 tests. Compared that to our neighbouring province of Saskatchewan, which has a smaller population, were laggards  Saskatchewan has performed 116,804 as of Aug. 13.

For arguments sake, however, lets assume that the ministers statement is correct, and that our positivity rate is among the lowest in Canada and the United States.

What then about per capita numbers? On Thursday, the Winnipeg Free Press published a graphic that noted the number of active cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people as of Aug. 12. The province of Alberta came in first with 23.66 cases per 100,000 people. Quebec was second with 21.48, and Manitoba came in third at 14.66 cases per 100,000. All the other provinces and territories had lower per capita numbers. The source of this information was the Public Health Agency of Canada, Provincial Health Authorities.

So the question then becomes: which is true? Is Manitoba, in its COVID-19 fight, doing well as Friesen says, or just so-so? Different statistics are useful for different arguments, and right now the Pallister government is trying to convince Manitobans with its "Ready. Safe. Grow." campaign  and presumably other provinces  that were doing OK, and that its safe to reopen and for outsiders to visit us.

We dont disagree with Premier Brian Pallister when he suggested here in Brandon this week, that "fear and panic are not a plan." We expect our elected officials and our health officials to be working for the public good  having cooler heads and using the best available science and information to make decisions is the best practice. And to be fair to the Pallister government, their efforts at curbing the virus were working well. Until they didnt.

The Tory plan to forge ahead with reopening the province is a tough sell when we look at the per capita numbers, and witness the recent and ongoing spikes in new cases appearing on a now-daily basis.

Ready? Safe? Grow?

Maybe not just yet.
John Durham (L) was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven, Connecticut, on Feb. 22, 2018. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut)

Durham Charges Former FBI Attorney Who Altered Email in Crossfire Hurricane Probe

U.S. Attorney John Durham on August 14 charged a former FBI attorney with making a false statement, the first prosecution brought as part of an inquiry into the handling of Crossfire Hurricane, the codename for the FBIs troubled investigation of the Trump campaign.

Durham charged Kevin Clinesmith with one count of making a false statement committed in the process of vetting for a warrant application to spy on a former Trump campaign associate, Carter Page.

According to a criminal information filed on Friday in a federal court in Washington, Clinesmith altered the content of an email he forwarded to an FBI special agent to say that Page was not a source for the CIA, even though the CIA had advised Clinesmith that the opposite was true. The special agent then relied on the adulterated email to sign off on a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant application used to spy on Page.

According to a report by the Department of Justice Inspector General and the criminal information, Clinesmith contacted the CIA liaison in June 2017 to find out if Page was a source for the agency as part of preparation to renew the spy warrant. The liaison responded with a list of documents and advised Clinesmith that Page has provided direct reporting to the CIA in the past.

When the DOJ inspector general asked Clinesmith why he subsequently described Page as not as source for the CIA, Clinesmith said that he recalled the liaison saying that [Page] was not a source of theirs, but rather incidentally reporting information via a source of theirs. When the inspector general asked the CIA liaison about the same, the liaison said her email stated just the opposite, according to the report.

Clinesmiths attorney, Justin Shur, told The Associated Press that his client is expected to plead guilty. Shur did not respond to a request from The Epoch Times to confirm the report.

President Donald Trump, who had long asserted that the Obama administration spied on his campaign, told reporters at the White House thats just the beginning I would imagine because what happened should never happen again.

The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught and youll be hearing more, the president added.

Before the bureau filed its first application to spy on Page, the CIA had informed it in August 2016 that Page was an operational contact for the agency and that he had informed the CIA about his contacts with Russian intelligence officers. The FBI never included this information in the four spy warrant applications to the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Before the FBI applied for the fourth and final spy warrant on Page, he had publicly stated that he has worked with the CIA. This appears to have prompted the FBIs supervisory special agent to ask Clinesmith to reach out to the CIA to see if Page was a source for the agency.

We need some clarification on [Carter Page]. There is an indication that he may be a  source. This is a fact that we would need to disclose in our next FISA renewal, Clinesmith wrote to the CIA liaison, before asking for confirmation if Page was a source.

After learning of Clinesmiths email forgery, a FISC judge ordered the FBI to identify all of the surveillance applications Clinesmith was involved in. The court also barred him from participating in the preparation of future FISA applications. The plethora of errors in the applications prompted a rare rebuke from the FISC, which ordered the FBI to prove why the court should trust any of its applications.

Clinesmiths tenure at the FBI ended on September 21, 2019, according to the criminal information.

While the FBI does not comment on ongoing legal matters, it is important to note the employee in this case no longer works at the FBI resigning before an internal disciplinary process was completed.

In addition to working as the attorney on the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, Clinesmith worked on the probe into Hillary Clintons unauthorized use of a private email server to conduct government business during her tenure as secretary of state.

Clinesmiths work on the Clinton probe earned him an entire section in a separate IG report on the Clinton investigation, which found that he sent numerous politically charged messages ridiculing then-candidate Trump. After Trump was elected in November 2016, Clinesmith wrote to another attorney, Im just devastated.

I cant wait until I can leave today and just shut off the world for the next four days, he wrote. Plus, my god damned name is all over the legal documents investigating his staff.

These and other messages led to Clinesmiths removal from the special counsel inquiry by Robert Mueller, who took over the Crossfire Hurricane probe in May 2017.

Clinesmith was one of several FBI personnel present during the interview of Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, according to a transcript of Papadopouloss congressional deposition.

Clinesmith was among a group of key FBI officials who displayed intense political bias while working on two of the FBIs most consequential investigations in years, involving the two top presidential candidates in the 2016 election, Clinton and Trump. The bias, without exception, was in favor of Clinton and against Trump.

The inspector general, Michael Horowitz, ultimately concluded that while the bias clouded the two investigations, his team couldnt find evidence that the bias contributed to any investigative decisions. Horowitz found it inexplicable how so many errors could have been made by teams of hand-selected people working on the most significant FBI probe at the time.

While the FBI does not comment on ongoing legal matters, it is important to note the employee in this case no longer works at the FBI resigning before an internal disciplinary process was completed, an FBI spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.

Attorney General William Barr signaled on Thursday that an announcement from Durham would be coming Friday.

There are going to be significant developments on this before the election, Barr told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday night.

But were not doing this on the election schedule, he added. Were aware of the election. Were not going to do anything inappropriate before the election. But were not being dictated to by this schedule.

Barr said that the development would not be earth-shattering, but provide an indication things are going along at a proper pace, as dictated by the facts in this investigation.

Barr told Hannity that the investigation is going quickly, despite some delay due to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic. He added that he is satisfied with the progress Durham has made.

Last month, Barr said that the November elections will not delay Durhams investigation and pending report.

Barr appointed Durham in May last year to examine the origins of the FBIs Russia-Trump collusion investigation, codenamed Crossfire Hurricane. Durham is looking to determine whether intelligence collection on Trumps presidential campaign by top Obama-administration officials was lawful and appropriate. He is also assessing whether the FBIs surveillance of Page was free of improper motive.

The investigation was designated a formal criminal investigation in October 2019, which gives Durhams team the ability to issue subpoenas, impanel a grand jury, compel witnesses to give testimony, and bring federal criminal charges. This includes targeting the conduct of current and former senior FBI officials who were involved in obtaining a warrant in October 2016 to surveil Page and sending at least two spies to target Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos.

Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded last year that the four warrant applications the FBI used to spy on Page contained 17 significant errors and omissions. The inspector general told Congress it was inconceivable how a handpicked team working the most sensitive case at the FBI could commit so many mistakes. The FBI subsequently conceded that the errors invalidated two of the spy warrants.

A separate audit by Horowitz found no such consequential errors in a sample of 29 surveillance applications unrelated to Crossfire Hurricane.

The key FBI personnel who handled Crossfire Hurricane also worked on the investigation of Hillary Clintons use of an unauthorized private email server to conduct government work. In an earlier review, Horowitz concluded that the Clinton-email probe was clouded by anti-Trump and pro-Clinton bias expressed in messages by FBI personnel. Notably, special agent Peter Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page discussed stopping Trump from becoming president and creating an insurance policy in the unlikely event that he would win the election.

Barr had signaled in May that he was not expecting former President Barrack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden to face criminal indictments as a result of Durhams investigation, saying I dont expect Mr. Durhams work will lead to a criminal investigation of either man. Our concern over potential criminality is focused on others.

He told Hannity on Thursday that if people crossed the line, if people involved in that activity violated criminal law, they will be charged if the Department of Justice feels that it can prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBIs Crossfire Hurricane counterintelligence investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign was launched in July 2016 to investigate allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, including possible links between Russia and any political campaigns.

The investigation was taken over in May 2017 by then-special counsel and former FBI Director Robert Mueller. By April 2019, he concluded that the investigation found no evidence to establish that Trump or his campaign had knowingly conspired or coordinated with the Russian government to sway the outcome of the election, although the Russian government was found to have interfered in the 2016 election.

President Donald Trump recently repeated his allegation that previous administration officials had spied on his campaign both before and after his presidential victory, and committed treason in doing so.

They spied on my campaign, which is treason. They spied both before and after I won. Think of that. Using the intelligence apparatus of the United States to take down a president, Trump said during a live phone interview with Fox Business.

Janita Kan, Mimi Nguyen Li, and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
The official Palestinian news agency says the Palestinian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates is being recalled.

The move comes after the UAE and Israel announced a deal on Thursday to establish full diplomatic ties that would see Israel suspend its plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

The Palestinians have slammed the deal, calling it a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and have demanded its retraction.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday they are establishing full diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians.

The historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounts to treason, and should be reversed.

The agreement makes the UAE the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. They announced it in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

Trump called the deal a truly historic moment. Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates, he told reporters in the Oval Office.

In a nationally televised news conference, Netanyahu echoed Trumps remarks.

Today we usher in a new era of peace between Israel and the Arab world, he said. There is a good chance we will soon see more Arab countries joining this expanding circle of peace. But Netanyahu said the annexation plan was on temporary hold, appearing to contradict statements from Emirati officials who said it was off the table. Emirati officials described the deal in pragmatic terms, saying they had dealt a death blow to an aggressive Israeli move and hoped to help reshape the region.

Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region, said Anwar Gargash, a top Emirati official. But I think we used our political chips right. He said the deal dealt a death blow Israel and the UAE do not share a border and have never fought a war. But the UAE, like most of the Arab world, long rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in 1967.

That steadfast support for the Palestinians, however, has begun to weaken in recent years, in large part because of the shared enmity toward Iran and Iranian proxies in the region. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day-to-day ruler of the UAE, also shares Israels distrust of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Gaza Strips ruling Hamas militant group.

Netanyahu has long boasted about fostering closer behind-the-scenes ties with Arab countries than publicly acknowledged. The UAE has made little secret of those budding ties, allowing Israeli businessmen to enter the country on foreign passports and welcoming Israeli officials and sporting figures. Next year, Israel will take part in the UAEs delayed Expo 2020, the worlds fair being hosted by Dubai. A secret synagogue also draws practicing Jews in Dubai.

Still, the timing of the deal was unexpected, and perhaps tied to the upcoming US election.

For Trump, it gave an important boost to a president trailing in opinion polls and facing heavy criticism for his handling of the coronavirus crisis. It was also a rare achievement for his Mideast team, led by adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, whose Mideast plan has made little headway since it was unveiled early this year.

Israel and the UAE are among Trumps few close international allies, and Thursdays deal may have been seen as an election gift.

U.S.-Israeli author Joel Rosenberg, who met with the crown prince in 2018 alongside fellow evangelical Christians, said the announcement could influence religious voters who may struggle to decide between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

Thursdays agreement offers a feel that this is historic and a change for Trump to have a series of big moments in the months ahead. In a statement, Biden praised Israel for freezing the annexation plan.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel have pointed a path toward a more peaceful, stable Middle East, he said, adding that a Biden presidency will seek to build on this progress. Netanyahu also chalked up a diplomatic victory at a time when his shaky coalition government has been plagued by infighting and facing the possibility of early elections. But even his rivals praised the deal.

Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet as the country grapples with a renewed coronavirus outbreak, mass street protests and skyrocketing unemployment as the result of earlier lockdown measures.

For the UAE, home to skyscraper-studded Dubai and the rolling, oil-rich sand dunes of Abu Dhabi, it further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a beacon of tolerance in the Middle East despite being governed by autocratic rulers. It also removes the stigma of recognizing Israel and could open the door for neighboring countries to follow suit.

The Gulf state of Bahrain welcomed the deal.

All in all, Netanyahu paid a relatively minor price. Although the hoped-for annexation plan is on hold, a half-century status quo remains in place in which Israel maintains its occupation of the West Bank and continues to expand its scores of settlements while Palestinians live in small autonomous enclaves. Those settlements are now home to some 500,000 Israelis.

The Palestinians claim all of the West Bank, captured in the 1967 Mideast war, as the heartland of a future state. The Trump Mideast plan envisions granting Israel permanent control over 30% of that territory, while offering the Palestinians limited autonomy in the remainder. After embracing the plan, Netanyahu backed away from moving forward with annexation last month in the face of fierce international opposition and misgivings by White House officials.

The Palestinians have rejected Trumps Mideast plan out of hand.

Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, convened a meeting of his top leadership Thursday night, and afterward his spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said the agreement amounted to treason. He added that the UAE must reverse the decision and urged other Arab countries not to follow suit at the expense of Palestinian rights. In Gaza, Hamas called the deal a stabbing in the back of our people. Moving to head off the Palestinian criticism, UAE officials said the deal had prevented the annexation and kept hopes alive for Palestinian statehood.

The UAE is using its gravitas and promise of a relationship to unscrew a time bomb that is threatening a two-state solution, Gargash said.

Netanyahu also came under criticism from Israeli hardliners who accused him of missing an opportunity to annex parts of the biblical land of Israel. Naftali Bennett, a pro-settler lawmaker, welcomed the agreement but said it was tragic that Netanyahu did not seize the moment. Netanyahu insisted there was no change to his annexation plans. He said Israel would wait temporarily at the request of Trump.

Still, by dropping the annexation plan Netanyahu may be hedging his bets ahead of a possible change in the White House. Biden has made clear that he would oppose any annexation.

Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said the deal would solidify Netanyahus legacy among Israels greatest leaders.

Theres Rabin with Jordan, Begin with Egypt, he said, referring to the prime ministers who reached Israels other peace deals. Now theres Benjamin Netanyahu. Hes going to be in the history books. (AP) ANB ANB
YBO - Yen Bai now has more than 770,000 mobile phone subcribers, including over 480,000 smartphone users.

Officials of Minh Tan ward, Yen Bai city instruct people on how to install Bluezone on smartphones.

Ha Van Ngoc, Director of the provincial Department of Information and Communications, said the province is striving to have over 50 percent of local subcribers installing coronavirus contact-tracing mobile app Bluezone.





In response to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs call for mass installation of Bluezone, the Yen Bai Peoples Committee has requested provincial departments, agencies, organisations as well as district administrations to encourage their staff and all people to download the app.





Bluezone was developed to identify and alert people who have interacted with COVID-19 patients. It relies on Bluetooth signal to log when two users are near each other, information that can later be used for contact tracing of COVID-19 cases.





All staff of the provincial Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union have installed Bluezone and the union plans to increase the number of downloads among its grass-root chapters and instruct people on how to install the app.





Similarly, womens unions at all levels have actively raised awareness of the contact-tracing app among their members and help them install it.





Communal administrations in Yen Bai city, the capital of the province, have handed out leaflets to every homes and to those visiting headquarters of communal Peoples Committees to instruct them on installation of the app./.




Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has asked Ghanaians not to let their guard down in the nation's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.



According to Dr. Okoe Boye, although the country is doing well with management of the situation, it however behoves all Ghanaians to continually comply with the preventive protocols.



Ghana has recorded yet another low figure in its number of COVID-19 new and active cases as the cases have significantly dropped to 1,906 active cases.



According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the total cumulative figures are 41,847 while the number of recoveries/discharges stands at 39,718 with a death toll of 223.



This is said to be a decline in the number of cases and hopefully the number will keep decreasing.



Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kumah Aboagye, speaking in an interview on Peace FM midday news on Thursday, attributed the decline to the adherence to the coronavirus safety protocols.



Speaking on 'Kokrokoo' on Peace FM, the Minister of Health applauded majority of Ghanaians for cooperating with Government of Ghana saying the citizenry's compliance with the safety protocols has been phenomenal, nonetheless it doesn't mean the populace should relax.



"Our picture now should not be a passport for recklessness. It should be a ticket for caution," he said.











Touching on the death cases, he said although it is also very low representing 0.5%, the responsibility lies with all Ghanaians to protect their lives.



''...the point is that each life is connected to a family...Because we don't know who will be in that 0.5% mortality, all of us must continue to take care of ourselves'', he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.



To the people who don't believe the disease is real and are therefore yearning to see the mortal remains of those who have lost their lives to COVID-19 before they believe the stories, Dr. Okoe Boye labeled their utterances as a ''senseless talk''.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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Technavio has been monitoring the gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market and it is poised to grow by USD 22.82 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 9% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200814005030/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

Frequently Asked Questions-

At what rate is the market projected to grow during the forecast period 2020-2024?

Growing at a CAGR of almost 9%, the market growth will accelerate in the forecast period.

What is the key factor driving the market?

Increasing incidence of gastrointestinal diseases is one of the key factors driving the market growth.

Who are the top players in the market?

Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson Johnson, Merck Co. Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and UCB SA are some of the major market participants.

Which region is expected to hold the highest market share?

Asia

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson Johnson, Merck Co. Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and UCB SA are some of the major market participants. The increasing incidence of gastrointestinal diseases will offer immense growth opportunities. To make most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market is segmented as below:

Drug Class Anti-inflammatory and Immunosuppressors Acid Neutralizers Other Therapeutics

Geography North America Europe Asia ROW



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43343

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market report covers the following areas:

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market size

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market trends

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market analysis

This study identifies a strong product pipeline as one of the prime reasons driving the gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market growth during the next few years.

Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market, including some of the vendors such as Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca Plc, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Johnson Johnson, Merck Co. Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and UCB SA. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Gastrointestinal Diseases Therapeutics Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of gastrointestinal diseases therapeutics market vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Drug class

Market segments

Comparison by Drug class

Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressors Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Acid neutralizers Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Other therapeutics Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by Drug class

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Asia Market size and forecast 2019-2024

ROW Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Volume Driver Demand led growth

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Industry risks

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Abbott Laboratories

AbbVie Inc.

AstraZeneca Plc

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

GlaxoSmithKline Plc

Johnson Johnson

Merck Co. Inc.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

UCB SA

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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South Africa: Nkoana-Mashabane calls for an end to GBV

Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has appealed to men to stop the brutal killing of women and children.

The Ministers appeal follows reports of six cases of murder by an alleged serial killer that could be on the loose in KwaZulu-Natals South Coast.

This barbaric act is a persistent shame to our society, especially during the month of August when the country should be embracing women`s rights, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said on Thursday.

In the last six months, six bodies of women were found within the same area in KwaZulu-Natal.

Three bodies were found in sugarcane fields in the province between April and July.

Two bodies were found in sugarcane fields at Mnamfu in April and the third womans body was also found in a sugarcane field in Nomakhanzana in July.

On Wednesday afternoon, a fifth decomposing body of a woman was found in the Mthwalume area.

She was found with her chest open and she was covered with a scarf and appeared to have been strangled.

A case of murder has been opened for investigation.

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane appealed to the investigating task team to work around the clock to ensure that the perpetrator(s) of these gruesome murders are arrested.

Nkoana-Mashabane pleaded with communities to work together with the police in finding the perpetrators of the gruesome murders.

The day men decide to stop the brutal killing and raping of women and children, there will be no gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. As we commemorate Womens Month, we must dismantle toxic masculinity and its impact on women and girls, which underpins gender-based violence and the brutal killing of women and girls, said Nkoana-Mashabane.

We must unpack what it means to be a real man so that men play a meaningful role in empowering women changing their own behaviour and breaking of stereotypes, towards the goal of and the achievement of gender equality, she said.

Meanwhile, the department will engage the Department of Social Development to follow through on psychosocial support for all affected families.

We do know that not all men are bad but at the same time we cannot blame women and children for losing trust in men.

Whether you consider yourself to be a good man, or a responsible father, the fact is that women continue to experience abuse at the hands of those who claim to love them, and they associate you with abuse and pain, she said.

GBV and femicide must be a conversation within families and communities.

We need you to be a change agent, bringing about behaviour change in your homes and in your communities. This must be from the ground up and as a collective, men must denounce any form of violence or degrading behaviour towards women and children, the Minister said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A St. Catharines man who set two high-end vehicles ablaze there has been sentenced to 10 months in custody after pleading guilty to arson.

Youve done a very bad thing, but I dont necessarily find you a bad man, Judge Joseph De Filippis told Barry Lafantaisie on Friday in an Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines.

You are a man who has some mental health issues that need to be addressed so that you can have a happier life and not be a threat to public safety. Im hopeful this sentence addresses those twin goals.

Based on the time the 63-year-old has spent in custody awaiting trial  the equivalent of six-and-a-half months  he must now spend an additional 105 days in jail.

Court heard emergency crews were called to a residence on York Road in St. Catharines on April 2 around 2 a.m. and found a Mercedes and a Land Rover fully engulfed in flames.

Both vehicles were destroyed, and the home sustained smoke and fire damage.

A witness told police she woke in the middle of the night after hearing a loud bang she originally thought was gunfire, said assistant Crown attorney Stephanie Ford.

The noise was likely the sound of tires exploding due to the intense fire.

In a victim impact statement submitted to court, the owners of the home said they no longer felt safe after the fire and have moved to another city.

There is obviously an overtone of mental health concerns in this case, the Crown told the judge.

That said, conduct of this nature cannot be tolerated. It poses too great a risk to members of the general public and the community at large.

The judge ruled the mans mental health issues meant his moral blameworthiness was less than that of the average person.

But at the end of the day, he did know the nature and quality of his actions, said Judge Joseph De Filippis. He knew what he was doing and he appreciated it was wrong.

The defendant was also placed on probation for three years.
People should see it  and they should care. Those are the concluding words to one of the more passionate raves in the annals of New York Times film criticism: Bosley Crowthers 1949 review of the Italian movie introduced to American audiences as The Bicycle Thief.

The English title has since been adjusted to reflect the original. Its Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di Biciclette in Italian) not only because more than one bike is stolen, but also because the cruelty of modern life threatens to make robbers of us all. More than 70 years after Crowthers enthusiastic notice  during which time Vittorio De Sicas fable of desperation has been imitated, satirized, analyzed and taught in schools  Im tempted to let my predecessor have the last word.

But why should you see it, or see it again? Why should you (still) care? These are fair questions to ask of any consensus masterpiece  skepticism is what keeps art alive, reverence embalms it  and especially apt in the case of Bicycle Thieves. The movie is about seeing and caring, about the danger of being distracted from what matters. The tragedy it depicts arises partly from poverty, injustice and the after effect of dictatorship, but more profoundly from a deficit of empathy.

Based on a book by Luigi Bartolini, with a script by Cesare Zavattini  written, as Crowther noted, with the camera exclusively in mind  Bicycle Thieves is a political parable and a spiritual fable, at once a hard look at the conditions of the Roman working class after the Second World War and an inquiry into the state of an individual soul. The soul in question belongs to Antonio Ricci, a lean, handsome, diffident man who lives with his wife, Maria, and their two young children in a recently built apartment that lacks running water.

At a time of mass unemployment and widespread homelessness, the Riccis are relatively fortunate and, as the film begins, luck seems to be smiling on them. Antonio is picked out of a throng of job-seekers and offered a position pasting up advertisements. He needs a bicycle and Maria pawns the couples bed linens  one set has never been used  so her husband can get his trusty Fides out of hock.

The good times dont last. On his first day at work, Antonios bicycle is snatched from under his nose, and he and his young son, Bruno, spend the rest of the movie in a desperate effort to recover it. Their journey takes them (and the viewer) on a tour of Romes rougher quarters, away from the monuments and museums. By the end, we have witnessed a humble mans humiliation, a loss of dignity as devastating as an earthquake.

Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani), Maria (Lianella Carell) and Bruno (Enzo Staiola) are played  along with almost everyone else in the movie  by non-professional actors. Some of the mystique around Bicycle Thieves rests on this fact, on the arguable but durable belief that minimal acting technique will produce maximal authenticity.

The use of ordinary people and actual locations, which didnt begin with De Sica, was already, in 1948, a hallmark of neo-realism, the movement that helped Italy secure a central place in postwar world cinema. Like most artistic tendencies, neo-realism has often been more of a puzzle than a program, its essence obscured by theoretical hairsplitting and ideological disputation.

Part of what draws filmmakers (and film lovers) to Bicycle Thieves is its purity and simplicity, but to emphasize those elements  the unvarnished honesty of the performances, the gritty realness of the Roman streets, the raw emotions of the story  is to risk underestimating its complexity and sophistication.

Neo-realism was partly an esthetic of necessity. Right after the war, money and equipment were in short supply, and the vast Cinecitta studio complex on the southern edge of Rome was a refugee camp. Cinecitta had been built by Mussolini as one monumental expression of his belief in the natural affinity between fascism and film. (The Venice Film Festival was another.) The leading lights of neo-realism  including De Sica, a prominent actor before he took up directing  had started out working in Mussolinis movie industry, which specialized in slick melodramas and high-society romances, as well as propaganda.

While it is free of those genre trappings, Bicycle Thieves has a sometimes playful, sometimes poetic self-consciousness. The first work we see Antonio doing is hanging up a poster of Rita Hayworth, a sign that Hollywood is part of the Italian landscape. Within a few years, the import and export of movie stars would become a fixture of Italys cultural and economic boom. Fellinis La Strada and Nights of Cabiria won back-to-back foreign-language film Oscars in 1957 and 58. Anna Magnani had won for Best Actress in 1956. Six years later it was Sophia Lorens turn, for Two Women, directed by De Sica, who had perhaps done more than anyone other than Loren herself to cultivate her star power and unlock her artistic potential.

Bicycle Thieves may seem like an improbable gateway to the glamorous golden age of Italian cinema, the starry, sexy cosmos of Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and La Dolce Vita, but sensuality and spectacle are hardly alien to the neo-realist universe. The struggle for survival doesnt exclude the pursuit of pleasure. Even as Antonio and Bruno encounter disappointment, indifference and cruelty, they also find glimmers of beauty and delight. Seeking help from a sanitation-worker friend in their search for the Fides, Antonio finds the man at the neighbourhood cultural centre, rehearsing a musical sketch for a revue. Later, Antonio and Bruno will cross paths with itinerant musicians, a fortune teller and a young man blowing bubbles in an open-air bicycle market. They will duck into a restaurant for a snack of fried mozzarella, enduring the condescending stares of the rich patrons at the next table.

Their pursuit of the purloined bicycle is full of pain and anxiety, but it is also an adventure, with episodes of tenderness and comedy on the way to final heartbreak. Those moments, modulated by Alessandro Cicogninis musical score, provide an undercurrent of hope, much as the bustling rhythm of Rome itself  a city that has resisted dreariness for 2,000 years  supplies a reminder that life goes on.

Thats always a good lesson, though Bicycle Thieves is a film entirely without didacticism. It shows everything and doesnt need to explain anything, and so does away with the false choice between escapism and engagement. To care about a movie can be a way of caring about the world.
Even after 95 years of establishment of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the information about its founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, is scantily available in the public discourse and on various academic and intellectual forums. In fact, whatever little information is available appears to have been peddled around with an objective to create a stereotype.

This outcome is logical corollary of the fact that historians nurtured by the Left and the Congress have interpreted contributions of national icons according to their convenience. For example, an organisation such as the RSS, which is more open than any other organisation, has been portrayed as a secret organisation and at three different occasions it was banned. The historians from the Left and Congress have been competing with each other to undermine the contribution of RSS in India's freedom struggle.

Dr Hedgewar was member of Yugantar and Anusheelan samiti. He purposely joined National Medical College in Kolkota to work with Sri Aurobindo, Trailokya Nath Chakraborty and Rash Behari Bose. After completing his degree he came back to Nagpur. The Central province had only 75 doctors then but he decided not get into the profession and work for Indias independence.

Although Hedgewa disagreed with Mahatma Gandhis policy of launching the non-cooperation movement with Khilafat as its major plank was to restore the Caliphate in Turkey, he continued to travel and address meetings to inspire people to join the freedom struggle. He was arrested in May 1921 on the charges of sedition for his objectionable speeches at Karol and Bharatwada. His hearing in the case began on June 14, 1921 and the court was presided over by judge Smely. He read out his statement in the court and exclaimed after hearing the statement, His defence is even more seditious than his original speech.

In his judgement delivered on August 19, 1921, the judge ordered him to give an undertaking in writing that he would not deliver seditious speeches in future for a period of one year and furnish bail of Rs 3,000. Dr Hedgewar refused to comply with the order for bail. The judge sentenced him to one years rigorous imprisonment. He was released in July 1922 from Ajani jail and a public reception was organised by Congress in which the then senior congress leaders Pandit Moti Lal Nehru and Hakim Ajmal Khan also addressed the gathering.

In a program organised in Nagpur on July 12, 1930, Dr LV Paranjpe participated along with Hedgewar. It was announced Hedgewar would participate in Jungle satyagrah. Hedgewar stood up after a brief speech by Paranjape and announced his resignation from sarsanghchaalak (chief of RSS) to join the jungle satyagrah.

Paranjape was appointed sarsanghchaalak (chief of RSS) till the time of Hedgewars return. Hedgewar courted arrest in Nagpur on July 21, 1930. He broke Jungle Kanoon with 11 people and was immediately arrested. He was tried on the evening of July 21. On the same day, Congress also organised a rally in his support. Justice Bharuche sentenced him for rigorous imprisonment for nine months. Eleven others who accompanied him were sentenced for four months only. This was his second jail term. Hedgewars satyagrah was one of the most successful programs of the civil disobedience movement of central province. After returning from jail in February, he once again became the sarsanghchaalak.

We got independence on August 15, 1947 along with partition of the country. This partition happened on the basis of Muslim league winning most of the Muslim dominated seats in the 1946 election to the provincial assembly. With partition happened the transfer of population. When the whole country was celebrating the hard fought independence, a part of the country was under blood bath. And people sitting in Delhi showed their apathy towards the suffering of Hindus in those parts, especially west Pakistan.

The Hindus were left to defend them from armed Muslim league men on their own due to lack of impartial security apparatus. In his book Now It Can Be Told published in 1949, Professor AN Bali elaborates how the RSS swayamsewak, under the leadership of the chief Shri Guruji, helped abandoned Sikhs and Hindus to cross the newly erected border.

He writes, The police was mostly League-minded... non violence and advice given by Mrs Sucheta Kriplani, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr Rajender Prasad etc., to stay out where they were with a firm trust in God appeared to most of the victims as a counsel of perfection which could only be given from a safe distance. Who else came to the rescue of the people at this stage, but a band of young selfless Hindus popularly known as R.S.S?

He further writes, They organised in every mohalla, every town of the province the work of evacuation of the Hindu and Sikh women and children from dangerous pockets to comparatively safe centres... these young men were the first to come to help of the stricken Hindus and Sikhs and were last to leave their places for safety. If it was left to Sanghies alone this problem of the rehabilitation of refugees from West and East Pakistan would have been solved long ago.

Sangh lost a number of swayamsewaks rescuing Hindus and Sikhs for West Pakistan.
Though the Gehlot government won the confidence vote by voice, Sachin Pilot who was dismissed as deputy CM following a rebellion, was seen sitting next to the Opposition benches away from the chief minister

The Ashok Gehlot-led government in Rajasthan won the vote of confidence in the state Assembly on Friday, over a month after a rebellion by former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and 18 other MLAs put the survival of the government at risk.

In the confidence motion moved in the House on Friday, the Gehlot government won by voice vote, reports said. After the conclusion of the motion, the Assembly was adjourned. It will reconvene on 21 August.

"The vote of confidence which was brought by the government has been passed with a very good majority today in the Rajasthan Assembly. Despite various attempts by the Opposition, the result is in favour of the government," Pilot was quoted as saying soon after the Assembly was adjourned.

"This has put a full stop to all the suspicions that were rising. A roadmap has been prepared for all the issues that were being raised. I have complete faith that the roadmap will be announced timely," he added.

Will not let govt collapse: Gehlot

Addressing the MLAs ahead of the vote, Gehlot had accused the BJP of "conspiring" to topple the Congress government in the state.

Addressing BJP leader Gulab Chand Karatia, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Gehlot said, "I will not let the Rajasthan government collapse at any cost."

"I am 69 years old. I have been in politics for 50 years. I have been a Union minister, chief minister because of this democracy. I am worried for this democracy. Why are you not?" he added.

The Times of India quoted Gehlot as saying that the Opposition's "mission" was to take down the government "even during a pandemic".

"What you did in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Manipur. You have no concern over whether democracy is in danger," he added.

According to the report, Gehlot also said that "he is satisfied with the performance of MLAs and the public has liked the work done by them.

But the cracks remain?

However, despite the fact that Congress has retained power in Rajasthan, the cracks in the partys leadership was apparent in the Assembly.

Pilot, who was sacked as the state's deputy chief minister following a rebellion, used to sit next to Gehlot. He was seated in the second row, next to independent MLA Sanyam Lodha and closer to the Opposition benches.

Speaking about his changed seat in the House, after the adjournment he said, "Earlier, I was part of the government, but now I am not. It is not important where one sits, but what is in the hearts and minds of people. As far as the seating pattern is considered, it is decided by speaker and party, and I don't want to comment on it."

Pilot, who was sacked as the state's deputy chief minister following a rebellion, used to sit next to Gehlot. He is now seated in the second row, next to independent MLA Sanyam Lodha.

"When I came to the house and found that my seat had been changed, I was wondering why. When I sat there (pointing to the government benches), I was safe. Now I am next to the opposition. Then I realized I have been sent to the sarhad (border). That is because only the bravest and most powerful warrior is sent to the border," said Pilot, who dropped his month-long revolt against the chief minister earlier this week.

"During this debate, many things will be said, much will be revealed. But whatever we had to say or do, me and my other friends, we have received treatment. We have consulted a doctor in Delhi and we are back now," said Pilot alluding to the Congress leadership's intervention in Rajasthan.

He added that he was ready to face the "fire" at the frontline. "We are ready and armed for the onslaught with our armour, our shield and our weapons," he said amid loud desk-thumping.

The Gehlot-led Congress government moved a vote of confidence to prove its majority in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Owing to the heavy rainfall and water-logging, the Assembly session, which was earlier scheduled at 11 am, was adjourned to 1 pm.

Minutes before the House convened, Gehlot tweeted that truth would emerge victorious.

As the Legislative Assembly session begins today, It would be the victory of the people of #Rajasthan and the unity of our Congress MLAs, it would be a victory of truth: Satyamev Jayate.  Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 14, 2020

The decision on holding a trust vote was taken soon after the BJP said it will seek a no-confidence motion against the Congress government in the special Assembly session.

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan CM & BJP leader Vasundhra Raje and Congress leader Sachin Pilot arrive at #Rajasthan Assembly. pic.twitter.com/R2bFHMSKZP  ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2020

The chief minister chaired a Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting at his residence on Thursday, where the decision to move the vote of confidence was taken. A handshake on Thursday evening between Gehlot and Pilot, who had rebelled against the chief minister over his style of functioning in July, reaffirmed the truce secured by the Congress leadership.

Gehlot on Thursday said that he could have proved his majority even without the support of Pilot and 18 of his supporters, but that would not have given him happiness.

"We would have gone for a floor test without some of our friends (the rebel MLAs) and perhaps the government would have been saved, but honestly, hamare dil mein woh khushi nahin hoti (we wouldn't have been happy deep inside). Hamare hamare hi hote hain, paraye paraye hi hote hain (our dear ones are our own, outsiders are outsiders). Consider it a bad dream which is over, the entire family is together now," the chief minister said.

Pilot was also present at the CLP meeting on Thursday and both the leaders shook hands and flashed victory signs. Meanwhile, the BJP said that the truce between the two factions was temporary and announced it will move a no-confidence motion in the state Assembly.

"This government won't last long," former chief minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje had said on Thursday.

"Some people are spreading news about discord in the BJP. I would like to tell them that BJP is a family, and we are all pledged and united to take it forward. Rajmataji had taught me that the party in which I am a worker, for it the nation is supreme, and I am following in her footsteps," Raje also met Governor Kalraj Mishra at the Raj Bhavan.

With the return of Pilot and other rebel leaders, the Congress now has 125 legislators, including the Speaker. In the 200-member House, where the majority mark is 101, the Congress also appears to have the support of all 13 Independent candidates.

On the other hand, the BJP (72) and its ally Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party (3) have a total of 75 seats.

On 11 August, Pilot along with his supporting MLAs attended a meeting with a three-member committee led by Congress General Secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal and senior party leader Ahmed Patel to address the issues raised by Pilot and the rebel legislators.

He thanked Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and party leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi for noting and addressing his and 'the aggrieved" MLAs grievances, stating that he will continue working for a better India to deliver on promises made to the people of Rajasthan.

Pilot had tweeted:

I thank Smt Sonia Ji, @RahulGandhi Ji, @priyankagandhi Ji & @INCIndia leaders for noting & addressing our grievances.I stand firm in my belief & will continue working for a better India, to deliver on promises made to the people of Rajasthan & protect democratic values we cherish pic.twitter.com/kzS4Qi1rnm  Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) August 10, 2020

With inputs from agencies
The WHOs director general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement last month that the pandemic has put at risk the gains  such as near elimination of measles  made since inoculations became available.

The avoidable suffering and death caused by children missing out on routine immunizations could be far greater than COVID-19 itself. But it doesnt have to be that way, Ghebreyesus said.

The pandemic has dampened immunizations for various reasons, such as COVID-19 prevention measures limiting access or families opting to stay home.

There have not been any known resurgences of vaccine-preventable diseases in Tulsa County during the pandemic. Tulsa Health Department Clinical Services Director Ellen Niemitalo said the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 also have the benefit of preventing the vaccine-preventable disease from spreading to those who have not yet been vaccinated.

However, the concern for spread is renewed as educational institutions prepare for the upcoming academic year, and the Health Departments data, which represents only people seen by the department, is definitely indicative that children are not being immunized, Niemitalo said.
A limousine driver who died from COVID-10 contracted the virus after picking up Brazilian diplomats who were guests at President Trump's Mar-a-Largo resort.

On March 8, Calixto Villanueva, 67, met the unidentified officials at San Francisco International Airport and drove them around the city, according to a worker's compensation claim filed Thursday against the limo company's insurer, Liberty Mutual.

The diplomats had flown in from Palm Beach, Florida, where they spent the previous evening at the Mar-a-Lago event held by Trump for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

An aide at that event subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, as did President Bolsonaro himself.

Limousine driver Calixto Villanueva, 67, (left) contracted COVID-19 after driving around Brazilian diplomats who were guests at President Trump's Mar-a-Largo resort back in early March. He died on March 27, His wife, Tita Santos, (right) also become infected with the virus, but survived

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (center) is pictured with President Trump (left) and Vice President Mike Pence (right) at Mar-a-Lago on March 7. He later tested positive to COVID-19

Legal documents, obtained by The Mercury News, state that Villanueva fell ill just days later, and was diagnosed with the coronavirus. His condition quickly deteriorated and he was admitted to an intensive care unit.

Villanueva died in hospital on March 27 - less than three weeks after picking up the diplomats.

The compensation claim also reveals that Villanueva's wife also became sick with COVID-19. She was 'too weak to communicate with her dying husband in his final days'.

Villanueva's step-son is the actor, Nico Santos, best known for his starring roles in the film Crazy Rich Asians and the NBC sitcom Superstore.

Villanueva's step-son is the actor, Nico Santos, best known for his starring roles in the film Crazy Rich Asians and the NBC sitcom Superstore

He paid tribute to his step-father in an emotional post shared to Instagram on March 28.

'This is my stepdad Sonny and my mom Tita,' he wrote beneath an old photo of his parent.

'My Tito Sonny passed away yesterday after losing his battle with COVID-19. He was a kind, caring man. Friendly to a fault. He always greeted strangers walking past him with a chipper 'Good Morning!' and a big smile. He had a great laugh that filled the room with joy.'

He added: 'My mom is also fighting COVID-19. For the time being, she has not required hospitalization. The loss of my stepfather is devastating but what has gutted me is that this pandemic has kept my family apart. We were unable to be with him during his last days. I can't hold my mother as she mourns her husband. I can't hug my brother as he contemplates a world without his father. I can't wipe away the tears from my nephews' eyes as they wonder why their Lolo Sonny isn't here anymore. '

The Santos-Villanueva family's compensation claim has been filed by Pacific Workers' of Oakland.

They are not seeking a specific amount of damages, and insist the claim is about companies being held accountable.

Bilal Kassem, the family's attorney from Pacific Workers', told the Mercury News: 'The frontline and essential workers are getting hit much harder than anyone else in our community. We must do more to protect them and their families.

This is simply a total failure of a system that is supposed to protect people'.
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Minister Martin Pakula in Melbourne, Australia on March 8, 2019. (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Victorian COVID Inquiry: Jobs Minister Clears Up Role in Failed Hotel Quarantine System

The Minister for the Victorian Department for Jobs, Precincts, and Regions Martin Pakula has shed some light on his role in the creation of Victorias hotel quarantine programme.

Appearing before the Victorian parliaments COVID-19 inquiry on Aug. 12, Pakula revealed that his department was responsible for deciding which private security companies were going to be used in the hotel quarantine system. But he downplayed claims of being involved in any infection control functions.

Pakula told committee chairman and Liberal MP Richard Riordan, his department whether it be from the Global Victoria team or elsewhere, were primarily responsible for things like logistics, said at the inquiry on Aug. 12.

That would be the booking of rooms and the organising of meals and laundry and things of that nature, Pakula said.

Under the operational plan, the operational control and the responsibility for infection control and health matters lay with the Department of Health and Human Services, he said.

The committee also investigated the role Pakula department played in hiring private security for the hotel quarantine with Pakulas department secretary Simon Phemister admitting that the department had only about 36 hours to set up the programme before it officially started on midnight March 28.

Phemister also confirmed to the inquiry that it was not the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions decision to utilise private security guards.

We simply played the role of procuring private security, that would be operationalised through the plan, said Phemister.

The inquiry was also told that the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions questioned early on if police assistance was needed for the quarantine program.

Pakula told the COVID-19 inquiry, There were on a couple of occasions, early in the program, entreaties from officers in my department, where it was our view that police should be on-site at hotels, Pakula said.

According to a report in The Age on Aug. 12, Phemister raised the departments concerns with deputy state controller Craig Eagle who is also deputy chief Fire Officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria.

The deputy state controller [Eagle] acknowledged and heard at all times any concerns that were raised, Phemister said. What he did with our concerns, Im unsure.

Offers of Australian Defence Force Help Rejected

Phemister also acknowledged that the Victorian government had been aware of an offer made by the Australian Defence Forces but that this offer was discarded during a critical meeting on March 27.

Victoria police were eventually employed in July after genome sequencing revealed the second wave of COVID-19 outbreaks were tied to security guards working at the hotels for quarantine.

Victoria has recorded 15,863 cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus, and 275 deaths.

On Aug. 11 during the opening hearing, Andrews denied having any knowledge of even an offer from the Australian Defence Forces.

Federal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds contradicted this in a statement on Aug. 11 insisting ADF support was offered to Victoria on multiple occasions.

Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said in a statement, supporting comments made by Andrews, the ADF was part of initial meetings in March but nothing further.

During these discussions, I did not seek nor did representatives of the ADF offer assistance as part of the hotel quarantine program, he said.

This article was updated to correct the spelling of Craig Eagles name. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
The Supreme Court said on Friday that the Monitoring Committee spearheading set up in 2006 to check illegal use of some properties does not have the power to act against residential properties that may be flouting laws, and ordered 11 homes sealed in Vasant Kunj and Rajokri areas to be unsealed and handed back to owners in three days.

The SC-appointed Monitoring Committee has been spearheading the capitals crackdown against the use of residential properties for commercial purposes, a move that has seen sealing of illegal business establishments in prominent neighbourhoods such as Defence Colony. But, the court said, it cannot take action against residential properties, the prerogative for acting against which falls under different mechanisms.

The panel has anti-pollution crusader and retired bureaucrat Bhure Lal, former advisor to Election Commissioner KJ Rao, and SP Jhingon.

The Monitoring Committee is not authorised to take action concerning the residential premises situated on the private land. If there is unauthorized construction or in case of deviation, the requisite provisions are under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, said the bench of justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari.

The Court reiterated that the committee formed under its order of February 16, 2006 had the authority to seal commercial units operating in residential areas and upon encroachment on public land. This power will not extend to unauthorised constructions carried out in private land over which the municipal authorities alone will have the authority under law.

This is the first time the committees power was questioned since it was formed on February 16, 2006. The decision came after the committee ordered sealing of 11 properties in Pocket D-3, Vasant Kunj and some properties in Rajokari area on a letter from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mehrauli on February 22, 2019 complaining about unauthorised construction. The committee filed a report (Report No 149) before the Court on April 4, 2019 for approval.

The bench quashed the committees report and other reports submitted in connection with the said report and ordered the properties to be de-sealed and possession restored to owners within three days. The court added a rider that its decision is not at all to belittle the yeoman service done by the Monitoring Committee for protection of Delhi.

Advocate Nalin Kohli who opposed the action of the Monitoring Committee before the court spoke to HT and said that this order became necessary as the committee was expanding its powers. Kohli said, The Committee has become an authority unto themselves. They shut down several farmhouses in Mehrauli area and this judgment will certainly be a relief to several persons whose properties were sealed despite the construction being for residential purpose and not commercial.

The Delhi government and the Centre were on the same page in this case; opposing the Committees action.

The Court examined orders passed by it since 2006 and concurred with their submissions. Giving a 70-page judgment, Justice Mishra, who authored the decision, said: It would not be appropriate for the Monitoring Committee to usurp statutory powers and act beyond authority conferred upon it by the Court. The Monitoring Committee could not have sealed the residential premises, which were not misused for the commercial purpose as done vide Report no 149 nor it could have directed the demolition of those residential properties.
A Pune-born Indian-American journalist bluntly asked the US President Donald Trump to his face if he regretted his lies and dishonesty. Shirish Date, the White House correspondent for Huffington Post, asked Trump at a press conference on Thursday: "Mr. President, after three and a half years do you regret at all, all the lying you've done to the American people?"

Soon after the question was shot by the reporter, a visibly uncomfortable Trump asked him to repeat the query. Date followed up with "All the lying, all the dishonesty... You have done." Trump thereafter quietly moved on to another question from another reporter.

This incident is not something new as Trump has been involved in heated exchanges with the reporters during several press conferences during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Trump yesterday said that he intended to deliver his Republican nomination acceptance speech from the White House, according to a media report. Trump, 75, is seeking re-election from the Republican party.

Having won the GOP primaries with historic margins, he will formally be nominated by the party through its virtual convention later this month. The convention was initially scheduled to be held in Charlotte in North Carolina but was later moved to Jacksonville in Florida, only to be cancelled again because of rising cases of the novel coronavirus.Also read: US Elections 2020: Donald Trump plans to give Republican nomination acceptance speech from White House

Also read: Donald Trump escorted from briefing amid shooting near White House
Forensic experts have revealed for the first time that textile fibres can be transferred between two pieces of clothing without them touching.

In small, compact and semi-enclosed spaces such as inside a lift, contactless transfer of fibres between garments can take place through the air.

In experiments using florescent clothing fibres and UV light, UK researchers demonstrated fibre transfer between two people without physical contact.

The findings have not been demonstrated before and could have major implications for fibre evidence in certain criminal cases.

Discarded fibres from a guilty suspect's clothes are frequently used in courtrooms as proof that they were in physical contact with a victim, including in the murder trials of Stephen Lawrence and Joanna Yeates.

The new research shows that in other cases, some innocent suspects who left fibre traces may only have been in close proximity with a victim and may not have had physical contact with them.

Scroll down for video

Textile fibres can, under certain circumstances, be transferred between clothing in the absence of contact

'The results of the study were remarkable,' said Dr Kelly Sheridan, who led the research at Northumbria University.

'It not only proved that textile fibres can transfer between garments in the absence of contact, but they can do so in relatively high numbers.'

Because it has largely been assumed that fibre transfer only occurs when two surfaces touch, it is generally accepted in a case that two surfaces have been in contact at some point.

The team's recent experiments tracked the airborne transfer of fluorescent fibres between clothing.

Two people had these fibres attached to either jumpers, long sleeved tops and fleeces that they were wearing and stood in opposite corners of an elevator.

Researchers used fluorescently tagged fibres (pictured in green under UV light) to track their airborne transfer between clothing

The elevator operated as normal and non-participants of the study entered and exited as usual.

The surfaces of the clothing were then photographed using UV-imagery techniques to determine the number of fibres that were transferred from one person to the other.

When certain conditions were met, such as enough time, garment types that are prone to shredding fibres and a close-proximity setting, airborne transfer of fibres can occur, the team say.

By matching fibres at the scene of a crime to items belonging to a suspect, investigators are able to place individuals at a crime scene

WHAT IS A FIBRE? The FBI identifies fibre as the smallest unit of a textile material that has a length many times greater than its diameter. More than half the fibres used in the production of textiles are synthetic, and include nylon, rayon, and polyester. Identifying rare or unusual fibres at a crime scene has increased in significance, as it may place a suspect at the scene of the crime. Fibres are gathered from a crime scene using tweezers, tape, or a vacuum. Once fibres are collected, they are brought to a lab and then placed under a microscope, where they are compared against fibres from a suspected source. Source: Crime Museum Advertisement

This airborne transfer could be in potentially significant numbers for fibre types such as cotton and polyester.

As many as 66 and 38 fibres were observed in the experiments involving cotton and polyester donor garments, compared to 2 and 1 fibres in those involving acrylic and wool donor garments, respectively.

Textile fibres are one of forensic sciences fundamental evidence types and have been pivotal in solving some of the UKs most notorious crimes, including the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993.

By matching fibres at the scene of a crime to items belonging to a suspect, investigators are able to place individuals at a crime scene.

In 2011, textile fibres, blood and hair linked to Stephen Lawrence were found on clothing seized from the men who were found guilty of his murder.

Fibres also provided key evidence in the murder of Joanna Yeates in 2010 and the Ipswich serial killings in 2006.

These circumstances offer a baseline for forensics researchers to evaluate the likelihood of an alleged activity leading to contactless transfer of fibres.

The next step in the research will be finding out how exactly the fibres are transferred with direct contact.

'This research shows that airborne transfer is viable in a number of case scenarios despite previous beliefs and could explain the presence of fibres on a variety of surfaces,' said study co-author Dr Matteo Gallidabino.

'What is equally, if not more, important, is how that fibre was transferred from one surface to another.'

Dr Ray Palmer, former senior lecturer in forensics at Northumbria University and study co-author, has given evidence at numerous high-profile trials, including that of the Ipswich serial killings and the Claremont serial killings in Western Australia.

The Claremont serial killings took place between 1996 and 1997, although a suspect was only brought to trial in November last year and is still to be sentenced.

Stephen Lawrence, pictured, was killed in a racist attack back in April 1993. Although two men were convicted of killing Stephen in 2012, the remainder of a gang of at least five white youths involved in the attack are now unlikely to ever face prosecution

'This study was designed so that the experimental parameters were as conducive to contactless transfer as possible, whilst still maintaining a real-life scenario,' said Dr Palmer.

'Since there is a paucity of published studies relating to contactless transfer, the results obtained from this study will be useful to forensic practitioners as a baseline, in evaluating how likely it is that a proposed activity or case circumstance has resulted in contactless transfer.'

The study has been published in Forensic Science International.

UK forensics researcher Professor Ruth Morgan at University College London has previously highlighted the dangers of misinterpreted evidence  and how easily traces can spread from an innocent person to a crime scene.

Research led by UCL revealed 22 per cent of criminal evidence at the Court of Appeal in 2018 may have been misinterpreted.
(by Massimo Lomonaco)

TEL AVIV - Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will sign an agreement for the normalization of their relations - an agreement mediated by the White House. US President Donald Trump was the first to announce the accord, defining it as ''historic'' in a tweet. The agreement will be signed over the next few weeks at the White House, as occurred for the two previous peace accords between Israel and Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994). The accord follows Israel's pledge to suspend the announced controversial annexation of parts of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley.



The agreement has so far lifted a huge weight on any possible resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians. However, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza have already slammed it as ''treason''. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) of Mahmoud Abbas has rejected ''with force'' the agreement and has requested ''an immediate'' emergency meeting of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). ''This step - claimed Abbas - undermines the initiative for Arab peace, the decision of Arab and Islamic leaders, the international legitimacy and aggression against the Palestinian people''.



Turkey has also expressed opposition: ''the Emirates are trying to present this agreement as a sort of sacrifice for Palestine but, on the contrary, they are betraying the Palestinian cause to serve their particular interests'', said the Turkish foreign ministry. Meanwhile Iran defines the agreement as ''strategic stupidity by Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv which without a doubt will strengthen the axis of resistance in the region''.



Italy welcomed the accord with favor and the foreign ministry wrote that it ''constitutes a positive development, which we hope can favor the resumption of direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians in the perspective of a just, sustainable and long-lasting two-State solution''.



Trump called it a ''huge breakthrough'' on twitter.



''Historic peace agreement between our two greater friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates'', the president tweeted.



Netanyahu meanwhile hailed the agreement on television and said it was an ''historic moment for a full and formal peace agreement. He said it was his ''privilege to sign the third peace agreement with an Arab country''. UAE leader Mohammed Bin Zayas, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called it a diplomatic road map so far which would in any case have high symbolic value. The stated objective in the agreement is to ''widen connections with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world''.


EuroCham presenting the test kits to the Ministry of Health

The sector committee will assist the Ministry of Health (MoH) in allocating the donated kits to localities which are hit by the fresh wave of COVID-19. At a time of high risk of community spread, EuroChams Medical Devices and Diagnostics Sector Committee wishes the 12,000 test kits from European industry members will support Vietnam in coming to grips with this fresh outbreak, sharing the spirit of the European business community of contributing to the containment of the outbreak in Vietnam.

Torben Minko, chairman of EuroChams Medical Devices and Diagnostics Sector Committee representing 26 multinational medical devices and diagnostics companies operating in Vietnam supplying the vast majority of healthcare products distributed in the country, is committed to supporting the government and all Vietnamese citizens in this fight.

Our industry is ensuring a stable supply and importation of sustainable, innovative, and high-uality healthcare products to meet the demand of effective prevention and fight against the pandemic as well as treatment activities. At the same time, we would like to make this practical contribution to join the current efforts of the government in this critical time in order to promptly control the outbreak, he said.

Given the high risk of community spread, we believe massive testing in the community is of significant importance to timely identify infection zones and high-risk cases, reduce the possibility of community spread. With these 12,000 test kits, we wish to increase the number of people in Vietnam being tested in time and effectively support expanding the scope of mass testing in the nation, he added.

Nicolas Audier, chairman of EuroCham said, Medical devices are at the forefront of the campaign against COVID-19 and EuroCham is proud that the Medical Devices and Diagnostics Sector Committee has made such an important contribution to support Vietnam in its fight against this global pandemic. EuroCham and our medical devices and diagnostics member companies stand together with Vietnam during these uncertain times. We are proud to support the governments world-leading response and re-affirm our long-term commitment to the health of Vietnamese citizens and the future development of Vietnams health sector.

Vietnam reported 22 new COVID-19 infection cases by 6pm of August 13, including 14 victims in Danang, two in Quang Nam, one in Quang Tri, and five in Khanh Hoa. Also, on the same day, two people died of the deadly virus, increasing the total number of deaths to 20.

As of today, the country had 905 COVID-19 infection cases, including 327 foreign arrivals.
CARROLLTON, Texas, Aug. 14, 2020 /PR Newswire/ -- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many North Texas public schools shut down and ended the 2019/2020 school term in virtual classrooms. As the impending school term nears closer and many elementary schools plan to continue virtual learning, this poses an issue for North Texas parents who are unable to work from home.

Carrollton-based BuzzBallz, LLC/Southern Champion is offering a solution to their employees; the company is turning a conference room into The Nest, a virtual learning school of sorts to accommodate the elementary school-aged children of employees. Here, the children will attend their virtual classes with the supervision and aid of a Texas Education Agency-certified teacher, Christine Drumm, and teacher's aide (who will be hired soon) during the hours of the production team's first shift  6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Many of our employees have dual income households and, during COVID, their children need supervision while the parents go to work," said Merrilee Kick, founder and CEO. "So, we hired a certified TEA elementary teacher, Christine Drumm, to work in our classroom with them while they do their online learning with their respective schools."

As of now, there are five students set to begin their online classes in The Nest. One of the students is in first grade; two students are in second grade; one is in third grade and the other is in sixth grade. These students are registered in Dallas ISD, Irving ISD and Arlington ISD.

Though The Nest provides these students with a supervised, safe environment for online learning, the transition away from a regular school day with music classes, P.E. and the like has posed a challenge for Drumm.

"This is the part that may be a little tricky," Drumm said. " It's hard for adults to sit still for hours on end. So, we're going to do some activities and let them showcase their art.  Our first project will be to let them decorate an apple."

Drumm and several BuzzBallz employees have outfitted The Nest with cork boards to showcase the children's art and images of their favorite things. The tables are lined with large foam puzzles, board games and craft supplies. A keyboard was purchased, as well, to allow the students a musical outlet.

As the children enter the building each morning, their temperatures will be checked. Throughout the course of the day, The Nest will be sanitized to ensure the students are learning in a safe environment.

The students will receive a free lunch, just as the employees of BuzzBallz, LLC/Southern Champion do, and their medical history will be on file so proper medication administering will occur, if needed.

"We are a family owned business and, as a former teacher, we take education seriously," Kick said. "Kids shouldn't be shortchanged on their education during this pandemic."

Virtual learning in The Nest will begin Aug. 17 with three of the five students.

About BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, LLC

BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, LLC is a woman-owned and family-operated Texas distillery and winery founded in 2009 as the result of Merrilee Kick's master's degree thesis project. In a little over 10 years, BuzzBallz/Southern Champion, LLC has greatly expanded its product base and begun to grow into a worldwide brand. As the only woman-owned distillery and winery in the US, this company has gained significant recognition, boasting distribution in 45 states, several countries abroad and growing. The company maintains a fun brand message as they create high-quality, premixed cocktails, as well as small-batch spirits. Learn more at: http://www.southern-champion.com/ and www.buzzballz.com .

Contact:

Kim Diggs, PR/Communication Manager

972-439-1879 ext. 134

[email protected]

SOURCE BuzzBallz/Southern Champion

Related Links

http://www.southern-champion.com/


Its official, Verizon is now offering Samsungs Galaxy A51 5G in its fastest variant. For clarity, thats the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, for Ultra-Wideband. And, as its name implies, its the only device in its series to get access to Verizons Ultra Wideband network. While not the most widely available, thats presently the fastest network in the US. And thats not by a small margin.

What sets this device apart from its counterparts is its ability to access networks that deliver up to 494.7Mbps. The handset will also work with Verizons low-band network when that begins rolling out nationwide later this year.

So what else does Galaxy A51 5G bring to the table?

The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G and the Verizon UW variant were announced in the US as of early August. That leaves very little for Verizon to reveal about its own variant.

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Verizon specifically highlights its quad-camera array, led by a 48-megapixel primary snapper. A 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 5-megapixel dedicated macro lens, and 5-megapixel depth sensor back that up. Around the other side of the handset, Samsung built the 6.5-inch Galaxy A51 5G UW around a capable display. The company includes a panel rated at an FHD+ resolution with an Infinity-branded punch-hole for the selfie camera.

Its also built on Samsungs top-tier Super AMOLED platform for richer colors and deeper blacks.

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW offers up Android 10-based OneUI via a Snapdragon 765G processor. Thats coupled with ample RAM and 128GB storage. The latter spec is expandable up to 1TB via microSD.

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For power, theres a 4,500mAh capacity battery under the hood too. And thats fast-charging enabled, just in case the capacity isnt quite enough.

How much will you pay for this phone at Verizon?

In terms of pricing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G was initially launched at $499.99 but the Verizon UW version will be more expensive. After all, it has a very different experience on offer in terms of networking. The carrier notes that the price is $549.99, making it the least expensive 5G phone it offers.

For a limited time, those who sign up for a new select Unlimited plan can get the new Samsung mid-ranger for $15 a month for 24 months. So thats going to be the best option to buy. For others who want to pay through a 24-month plan via Verizon Device Payment, the phone will cost $22.92 per month.
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Musician Sal Salomon became homeless in New York after he spiraled into depression

A homeless man who lived in one of New York City's hotels has spoken out to say he understands why residents are angry with the situation that is bringing 'craziness' to their front doors.

Sal Salomon, who is in his fifties, was recently staying at a hotel near JFK Airport which is among the 139 in New York City that are being used to shelter 13,000 homeless people.

He had been living in a shelter but was moved out along with thousands of others to try to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.

Salomon became homeless after a stint in prison for stealing a car and after the breakdown of his marriage.

He is not offended by the NYC residents who are outraged by the influx of homeless on the streets, telling CBS News: 'A part of me agrees with them. Who wants craziness in front of your doorstep?

'Help divert these funds that are going to these private companies, that are just warehousing them, and use those funds for qualified psychiatrists.'

Salomon said the city should divert funds from hotels and pay for qualified psychiatrists to help the displaced

Some displaced people have been seen doing drugs, urinating and cat calling in the streets, which are free from tourists with a widespread travel ban due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Some New Yorkers have blamed the rising crime rate on the homeless. However the mayor has blamed it on the coronavirus pandemic and authorities have blamed it on the release of people from jail to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Bill De Blasio has moved 13,000 homeless people into hotels across the city to stop COVID-19 outbreaks in shelters.

It's costing the city some $2million a night, which they say they'll try to reclaim from FEMA later.

President Trump has ordered de Blasio - who stripped $1billion from the NYPD's $6billion budget to divert funds to housing projects and youth initiatives - to rehire cops.

Salomon says he became homeless after his brothers, parents and best friend died. He says it ruined his marriage, made him depressed and led to him being displaced.

He has spent time in shelters in Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx and compared it to being in prison when he was 19 for stealing a car.

He managed to turn his life around by going to college in jail and was pursuing music by the age of 24.

Recalling how he had no idea what was in store for him while growing up in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood or while enjoying success with his music, he asked people to think more about how people may have become homeless.

'You see a guy down and out and he's sitting down, he may be hungry. He may be depressed. Depression was the number one thing that I saw,' Salomon shared. He has landed an opportunity to sing at a local bar twice a week and is hopeful about the future.

Some New Yorkers have blamed the rising crime rate on the homeless. However police have put that down to the release of people from jail due to COVID-19

A homeless encampment along Broadway and Franklin Street in lower Manhattan sits abandoned as the city grapples with numerous make shift shelters popping up over recent weeks

'A part of me agrees with them. Who wants craziness in front of your doorstep?' Salomon said in an interview

President Trump has ordered de Blasio - who stripped $1billion from the NYPD's $6billion budget to divert funds to housing projects and youth initiatives - to rehire cops. Some officers are seen huddled in Manhattan on Thursday

A notice shows that the city has begun a clean-up process, forcing some people to abandon their encampments

One homeless person remained on 6th ave and 24th street after the Department of Sanitation cleared away the encampment

A makeshift tent where a homeless man lives can be seen along Clarkson Street between Washington and Greenwich Street in Greenwich Village on Thursday

A homeless encampment along Broadway and Franklin street in lower Manhattan, New York

Reginald Holmes, who is homeless, stands next to a makeshift tent along West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue in Manhattan on Thursday

Homeless men at 6th avenue and west 25th on Thursday night, after the Department of Sanitation cleared out a homeless camp nearby

There were teams of homeless outreach workers in the streets in Chelsea on Thursday night

However for many others the outlook isn't so bright.

One homeless person remained on 6th Ave and 24th Street on Thursday after the Department of Sanitation cleared away a makeshift encampment that was setup over the past week.

The camp of up to 20 people on West 24th and Sixth Avenue sprung up early in the pandemic. Residents and business owners complained about the mess and chaos and said it harms their livelihoods.

Bill de Blasio said on July 23 he would address the situation but little appeared to be done.

Another along Broadway and Franklin Street in Lower Manhattan sat abandoned.

Reginald Holmes, who is homeless, stood next to a makeshift tent along West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue in Manhattan on Thursday when photographed for DailyMail.com.

Crime is on the up but de Blasio has stripped the police force of $1billion in response to Black Lives Matter protests.

Some retailers and restaurants have been forced to close permanently and those who are hanging on face continuously changing and difficult rules, like having to sell 'substantial' amounts of food to customers to avoid crowds gathering.

On Friday, after wealthy residents on the Upper West Side took to social media in their droves to complain about homeless people from three of the hotels terrorizing their streets with urinating, loitering and drug-taking, de Blasio said the system was not permanent but would likely continue until there is a vaccine - something that is still months away.

'The goal here continues to be to deal with the short term which, let's say is six months-ish, while we're dealing with this crisis until people are vaccinated.

'Once we get out of that, we're going to move out of hotels and go back into the shelter system. We're going to constantly try to reduce the number of people in shelters.

'We are going to have an opportunity here to be creative and get people into other, better housing,' he said.

He was asked if the city would consider turning the hotels into permanent housing and answered vaguely: 'There are buildings we control already and that's where we're looking to, or want to control or purchase, where we're looking to do permanent affordable housing.'
August 14, 2020: Imagine looking out the window with beautiful signs of Spring cropping up as a sinking feeling sets in that you just cant seem to shake; this contrast describes a moment Christian-rock artist, Jodi Essex , experienced late March 2020, as the world faced an unprecedented pandemic. With headlines ranging from senseless deaths to an ever-growing divisive political climate, ever-joyful-spirited Essex admittedly found herself wondering, like many others, if our nation is completely broken. Just then, an acapella video of Lee Greenwood singing God Bless The USA with the US Army Chorus caught her attention and she clicked play. Swept up by the sounds, lyrics, symbol of the uniforms and Greenwoods soulful delivery, Essex was moved to tears. Set to release August 28th, 2020, Jodi Essexs southern-rock version of God Bless The USA ignites a spark of patriotism to uplift and inspire our nation.

Though I had heard this song so many times before, it had never affected me this way, Essex explains. I was immediately consumed with the will to do a version of this song. I wanted to actually sing it, this amazing expression of gratitude for our country and all it stands for - home of the free because of the brave.

As an impressionable youth, Essex remembers hearing Lee Greenwoods God Bless The USA for the first time with her parents, and has never forgotten it. Whether or not it was for a patriotic holiday, this song has always tugged on her heartstrings as she recalls the men and women who fought for our freedom. With a desire to keep to the integrity of this song as a whole, Essexs version fuses her unique, uptempo-rock style with the melody Americans will find familiar. To bring her vision for the song to life, she enlisted the help of producer and drummer, Sean Hill, , producer and engineer, Zach Kranz, along with guitarist and bassist Jadan Sorenson and Pablo Melgar on keys for a few texturally-ambient layers.

Through her debut album, Irreverent, Essex has continuously found new ways to inspire, connect and energize her audiences all over the world. To date, her music has been featured on prominent Spotify playlists including New Music Friday Christian, was the May international chartbreaker on XNOIZZ, Artist of The Month on CSNs Effect Radio with her single, Stand Up, charting top 5 in Canada; additionally, Essexs record received attention from regional and national outlets including CCM Magazine, Worship Magazine, Hallels, 100% Rock Magazine and The Rockpit, in Australia. Beyond receiving critical acclaim, Essex has enjoyed connecting directly with her fans through heartfelt exchanges to include personal messages with international and USA-based fans, alike.

I want people to feel proud of their country once again, Essex says, fervently. Remember that men & women fought for our protection, for our freedom nothing was in vain. Beyond whats happening politically, there are so many reasons to be grateful for our country and the people in it, period.

If you, too, could use some inspiration, keep watch for Jodis version of God Bless The USA on August 28th, 2020 with an accompanying music video September 4th, 2020; like a spark before the fireworks, this song is a true catalyst.

For fans of: Flyleaf, Skillet, PETRA, Thousand Foot Krutch

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RELEASE DATE: "God Bless The USA" (single) - August 28th, 2020, (video) - September 4, 2020

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US Senator Kamala Harris has been chosen as the running mate by presumptive Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden. This gave the South Asian community in the United States a reason to cheer.

Harris came to the US as an immigrant from Tamil Nadu in India.

Since her nomination, a lot is being said about Harris and her Indian roots. Now, an old video has resurfaced in which the senator is seen making dosa with actor Mindy Kaling, who also has Indian roots.

The dosa-making was done at Kalings home in Los Angeles where the two women also bonded over their shared South Indian roots. It was posted on social media channels of Harris.

As the video begins, Kaling starts off by talking about Indian spices kept in small jars which she said has been done by her father. Harris says she is reminded of her own home by seeing this and the dishes her mother used to make.

Kaling talks about the long process to make dosa batter and introduces a readymade stuff available in the US market. Harris then makes a confession.

I have never made a dosa, she says in the video.

They also talk about the immigration stories of their respective parents.

Harris made history on Tuesday as the first Indian-American and Black woman to run for vice-president. She has credited her Indian-born mother for inspiring her into a life in public service that led her to this historic moment.

She appeared for the first time with Biden after he named her his running mate. Dont just sit around and complain about things, Harris, 55, said her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, would tell her and younger sister Maya Harris when they were growing up. Do something.

Gopalan, who came to the United States from Chennai and was a breast cancer researcher, passed away in 2009. But she has remained the most enduring influence in Harriss life, the US senator wrote ahead of her failed White House bid in 2019.
Federal health officials are asking four states and one city to draft plans for how they would distribute a coronavirus vaccine when limited doses become available, possibly as early as this fall, officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Defense and other agencies began working with officials in California, Florida, Minnesota, North Dakota and Philadelphia this week to develop plans to transport and store vaccine and prioritize which individuals will get the first doses to protect against covid-19, the disease caused by the virus. The proposals will consider each location's racial and ethnic makeup and population density.

Those plans will be shared with other states to help them with vaccine distribution planning. The discussions with states this week offer some of the first details of the federal government's plans at a time when information shared by the administration has been limited and often confusing. The United States is planning the largest vaccination campaign ever undertaken, a massive proposition requiring extraordinary coordination, planning and communication.

U.S. officials said this week that Operation Warp Speed, the administration's effort to expedite development of coronavirus countermeasures, is on track to deliver tens of millions of vaccine doses by January.

In the planning discussions, one of the hottest topics involves freezers. At least one vaccine candidate is expected to require storage at very cold temperatures, about minus-70 degrees Celsius. A top CDC official told state immunization officials Wednesday that states probably won't be expected to buy special freezers. But if a vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration that requires such cold storage, states should prepare sites for mass vaccination clinics because doctors' offices aren't likely to store and administer those shots. It's possible that the government would sign contracts with other commercial entities to handle the refrigerated storage, the official said.

On Friday, the Defense and Health and Human Services departments announced that McKesson Corp. will be a central distributor of covid-19 vaccines and related supplies. The CDC is executing an existing contract option of $178 million with McKesson to support vaccine distribution, an HHS statement said. McKesson also distributed the H1N1 vaccine during the H1N1 pandemic in 2009-2010. McKesson will work under CDC's guidance to ship covid-19 vaccines to sites where shots will be administered, the statement said.

Although President Donald Trump has said repeatedly the military will deliver vaccines, the Defense Department "is not actually going to be distributing or delivering the vaccines itself," Paul Mango, deputy chief of staff for policy at HHS, told reporters at a briefing Thursday. The Defense Department will handle logistics of manufacturing, including acquisition of raw material, establishing factories and training workers.

"With few exceptions, our commercial distribution partners will be responsible for handling all the vaccines," Mango said in an email Thursday. In some cases, the commercial distributors may provide vaccine to private organizations, such as mobile vaccination units that go to nursing homes, he said.

In the months ahead, state and federal officials will need to figure out how to transport and store vaccine, how to identify priority groups who will receive the first doses and how to keep track of individuals who may need to have a second dose, if necessary.

North Dakota officials said they have been working for weeks on a plan. In addition to a strategy for vaccinating the general population, they are working with CDC on ways to reach American Indian populations, according to a statement from Molly Howell, North Dakota's immunization program manager. Native Americans and other communities of color have been disproportionately affected by covid-19, with higher rates of hospitalization and deaths than White Americans.

But those communities also tend to have lower rates of immunization than Whites, and experts said better strategies are needed to increase uptake of a covid-19 vaccine.

The first doses will likely be given to high-priority groups, such as front-line health-care personnel and essential workers. Final recommendations on who is considered high priority are slated to be made this fall by an independent advisory committee and a federal immunization advisory panel.

In a letter dated Aug. 4 and sent to state immunization and preparedness officials, CDC directed states to make several assumptions for their planning.

Vaccine distribution will be managed centrally but may be handled through more than one distributor. Distribution may be expanded to include additional health-care organizations, such as pharmacies, hospitals, public-health clinics and doctors offices.

States should assume vaccine will be distributed directly to providers. Covid-19 vaccine providers must enroll with their jurisdiction's immunization program to receive doses. Needles and syringes and limited amounts of face masks and face shields will be distributed to providers "proportionately by the federal government at no cost," the letter sent to states said.

The amount of vaccine allocated to each jurisdiction will be based on several factors, including population size, the letter states.

Recommendations on which groups should receive vaccines will probably change, depending on the characteristics of each vaccine, supply and the disease's epidemiology.

In a meeting with state immunization officials and other experts Wednesday, Nancy Messonnier, who leads CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, stressed the need for urgency and flexibility in completing plans by Oct. 1, the earliest she said vaccines could be available.

"We need states to have draft plans even if the draft plans aren't perfect," she told the group. CDC and other agencies will be providing state officials with additional technical expertise, she said. "But frankly, we're sort of running out of time. If the vaccine is going to be available by Oct. 1, which it may be, we need to have plans before then," Messonnier said, acknowledging that "everything about this event is unprecedented."

Other U.S. officials have said such an October scenario is extremely unlikely.

"That would be astounding," National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins said during the Thursday HHS briefing. The only way that could happen, he said, is if one of the phase 3 trials underway was able to enroll volunteers "at absolute record speed" and the vaccine were deemed safe and effective by FDA even before all the volunteers signed up.

"That's a number of unlikelihoods piled on top of each other. I would not expect to see, on the basis of what we know scientifically, that we'd be at the point where FDA would have the chance to make such a judgment until considerably later than Oct. 1," Collins said. "Maybe November, December would be my best bet."

- - -

The Washington Post's Alice Crites contributed to this report.
India and Nigeria signed an agreement on space cooperation on Thursday, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said.

Calling Nigeria India's close friend and the largest trading partner in Africa, Muraleedharan said the MoU is another milestone in the relations of the two countries.

"Glad to join minister @Dr_OgbonnayaOnu in the signing ceremony of India-Nigeria MoU on space cooperation. Nigeria is our close friend and largest trading partner in Africa. This MoU is another milestone in India-Nigeria relations," he said in a tweet.

In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Nigeria on 'cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes' was concluded at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Muraleedharan through video link. Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, Federal Republic of Nigeria, attended the event in Abuja.

ISRO Scientific Secretary R Umamaheswaran was also present through video link from ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru, the statement said.

The MoU envisages India-Nigeria collaboration in space science, planetary exploration, ground stations, development of micro and mini satellites and joint space research and development, the statement said.

"It provides for capacity building assistance by ISRO, exchange of scientific know-how, exchanges between academic institutes and joint symposiums/conferences. Cooperation in remote sensing, communications and navigation will benefit Nigeria in the fields of forestry, environment, agriculture, mining, watershed development and connectivity," it added.

Over the last 12 years, 49 Nigerian nationals have attended various short-term ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) courses in India in the fields of Remote Sensing, GIS and Geoinformatics, conducted by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun; Geological Survey of India Training Institute, Hyderabad; and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Noida, the statement said.

The above MoU will further enhance India's capacity-building assistance to Nigeria, it said.

On the occasion, both sides also agreed to sign a subsidiary MoU between New Space India Limited (NSIL), under ISRO, and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), under the Federal Ministry of Environment of Nigeria, on cooperation in the use of geospatial technologies, the statement said.
The Pakistani Army on Thursday rejected any rift with and said the upcoming visit of Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to the kingdom was pre-planned.

Army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar addressed the media in Rawalpindi where he was asked about a media report that General Bajwa was going to Riyadh to fix some irritants in bilateral ties.

The hearts of the Pakistani people beat with the Saudi people, so there is no need to raise questions on the relations, he said.

He said the upcoming visit of General Bajwa to was pre-planned and it was about military-to-military relations.

There is no need to read too much into it. Everything is fine, he said.

Official sources said that Bajwa was expected to travel to the kingdom on Sunday.

Earlier, it was reported that historic ties between the two nations were under stress as Saudis were reluctant to call a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the Kashmir issue.

Last week, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed his frustration in a TV interview when he warned that would be forced to call a special meeting of the OIC.

The OIC is dominated by the Arab block led by Riyadh and due to increasing warmth in ties with India, Saudi and the UAE rulers are apparently not willing to oblige

In 2018, gave a USD 3 billion loan and USD 3.2 billion oil credit facility to help its balance of payments crisis.

Pakistan has already paid back USD 1 billion two weeks ago to Saudi Arabia which has not so far obliged a request to extend the oil facility on deferred payments.

Reportedly, Riyadh was demanding payment of another USD 1 billion.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dr. Naama Geva-Zatorsky of the Technion Integrated Cancer Center in Haifa is among a growing number of cancer researchers studying bacteria that live in the gut microbiome.

REHOVOT, Israel - Despite their reputation, most bacteria are harmless. Many are vital to human life.

Others, however, cause infections that lead to fatal diseases ranging from tuberculosis to bubonic plague.

Add cancer to that list, at least indirectly. According to new research led by Dr. Ravid Straussman of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, bacteria living inside cancer cells are likely to have a profound effect on how different types of tumors behave.

"Most bacteria you find in tumors are known to be present in normal people, but there's also a minority of bacteria that were...
Post Office used Khoros' digital care solution to interact with thousands of posts after its first BeMoreCourtney Twitter response went viral

Post Office, the biggest retail network in the UK with over 11,500 branches, today announced that it managed nearly 250,000 social engagements during their recent Pride campaign, leveraging Khoros, a global leader in digital-first customer engagement software, to respond to over 1,600 homophobic posts and educate them about the LGBTQ+ community. The surge in social engagement began when Courtney, a Post Office social media community team advisor, responded to a homophobic tweet the tweet and Courtney went viral.

Post Office's Pride 2020 Campaign

For Post Office, Pride 2020 was all about sharing stories as it embarked on its fourth year of Pride celebrations. To show their pride in being a part of the communities they serve, Post Office developed an integrated marketing campaign to execute corporate, consumer, and fundraising activities across digital channels (web, email, social media). But, with physical events cancelled, social media was their largest channel to celebrate the energy and message of Pride. Perhaps the most empowering campaign elements were their Journey to Pride videos, created by Kindred, which shared the stories and perspectives of their own community of postmasters, partners and colleagues.

BeMoreCourtney is Born

It all started with a single-worded, negative comment. Demonstrating that there's no place for intolerance or hate speech, Courtney took the bull by the horns and responded with a bold and brave response that caught the attention of thousands of Twitter users. Courtney's response went viral, and the tweets kept rolling in over the following three weeks. Most of the tweets were supportive and encouraging, but there were still homophobic comments. Each negative tweet was received with a similar response from Courtney, or other members on the Post Office social media community team, challenging their comments and fostering more positivity and inclusivity. The hashtag BeMoreCourtney was born, representing those who stand up to prejudice and support the LGBTQ+ community.

"Never in a million years did I expect to go viral by responding honestly to a tweet," said Courtney. "I'm fortunate for the freedom and support that our team leaders empowered us with to combat these negative comments. I'm proud to be a part of the Post Office team where diversity, inclusion and community is so important."

Post Office CMO Emma Springham also stated, "I feel proud of how Courtney and the entire social media community team took action and responded to the hate speech that surfaced during our Pride campaign, not only standing up for my journey but others in the LGBTQ+ community." Springham added, "In the absence of physical events, digital engagement with our customers especially on social media was crucial to our 2020 campaign. And this year, our team greatly exceeded anything we had anticipated. Our Pride campaign garnered nearly 250,000 social engagements over seven weeks, compared to 19,000+ engagements in 2019. I'm blown away by the team's efforts in managing these interactions during these difficult times while remaining true to what we stand for at Post Office."

How the Post Office Managed Thousands of Social Posts with Khoros

As a result of the BeMoreCourtney interactions, Post Office garnered 20,000+ social media engagements over the final three weeks of their Pride campaign.Courtney managed these conversations through Khoros' digital customer care solution (Khoros Care), where she was able to survey the sentiment of the thousands of voices being monitored across social media channels, in addition to scaling with the influx of incoming posts. With Khoros Care, Post Office responded to over 1,600 customer and user comments across all of their social media platforms.

"A successful social media campaign isn't just about the posts you create. It's also about your replies to comments and fusing those two elements to produce an impactful and authentic campaign. This couldn't have been validated more by this year's Pride campaign," said Darren Jones, senior social media manager at the Post Office. "With Khoros, our team was able to effectively listen to our customers, monitor national sentiment, and respond thoughtfully and quickly to thousands of individuals an invaluable asset to continue to build relationships with our customers and community."

Post Office has partnered with Khoros for the past five years to modernise its offering and deliver scalable care operations across Facebook and Twitter, helping them solve customer problems and create a friendly, helpful community. For more information about the Post Office, visit postoffice.co.uk. To learn about Khoros and its digital-first customer engagement software, visit khoros.com.

About Khoros

Khoros is a global leader in digital-first customer engagement software. We build enterprise software for digital customer service, online brand communities, and social media management differentiated by award-winning services with 20+ years of experience. Over 2,000 brands, including 52 of the Interbrand 100 companies, use Khoros to power approximately 500 million daily digital interactions, and create customers for life. Khoros has over 10 industry awards from TrustRadius, Stevie Awards, G2, and more. Khoros, built from Spredfast and Lithium, has 9 offices globally and is part of Vista Equity Partners.

About Post Office

With over 11,500 branches, Post Office is the UK's largest retail network.

98% of Post Office branches are run with retail partners on an agency or franchise basis.

Post Office provides services central to people's everyday lives; 99.7% of the population lives within 3 miles of a Post Office.

Post Office is proud to support their internal, grassroots LGBT+ network, Prism. The group is maintained and grown by Post Office staff of all seniority levels and pushes for greater workplace equality through a range of initiatives.

Post Office offers the UK's largest fee-free cash withdrawal network through their 11,500 branches, over 2,000 cash machines and 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at Post Office.

Post Office offers 170 different products and services, spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; government services; telephony and broadband; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.

Post Office branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit www.postoffice.co.uk and to find out about Post Office business opportunities, visit www.runapostoffice.co.uk

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200814005326/en/

Contacts:

Mandy Mayekawa

Khoros

pr@khoros.com

Karim Aziz

Post Office

presssoffice@postoffice.co.uk
Russia has stepped up vaccinations against the bubonic plague amid signs of a 'alarming' westward spread of the Black Death.

The deadly disease has been detected in the Altai Mountains, a popular Siberian tourist region, including an area where it has not been seen since monitoring began 62 years ago.

The rush to vaccinate more than 32,000 comes after two deaths in Mongolia and two in China, which both share borders with Russia.

Some 18,090 people have been immunised in scenic Altai Republic after the spread in marmots and other rodents, announced health officials.

Russia has stepped up vaccinations against the bubonic plague amid signs of a 'alarming' westward spread of the Black Death after it was detected in the Altai Mountains

The deadly disease has been detected in the Altai Mountains, a popular Siberian tourist region, including an area where it has not been seen since monitoring began 62 years ago. Pictured: Anti-plague processing in Kosh-Agach district

The rush to vaccinate more than 32,000 comes after two deaths in Mongolia and two in China, which both share borders with Russia

Earlier this week, the bubonic plague spread by fleas was detected in southern districts of Tuva Republic - where regional chief Sholban Kara-ool has ordered the immunisation of 14,000 people living close to the infection source.

'The disease is dangerous,' he said, insisting that everyone aged over two must be injected.

The westward spread into Altai has been detected in five locations so far.

'A particularly alarming aspect is the detection of the epizootic plague.... on the Ukok plateau in the Kosh-Agach district, for the first time in more than 60-year s of observation,' said Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's health watchdog.

Earlier this week, the bubonic plague spread by fleas was detected in southern districts of Tuva Republic

The entire local camel population of 320 beasts was also vaccinated. Warnings have been sent to local hotels and campsites

This stunning mountainous area 'is visited by a large number of tourists' but also livestock breeders.

'Infection of people is possible, first of all, when cutting marmots after poaching, or through the bites of infected fleas and ticks that remain in the holes of rodents after their death from the plague.'

The organisation said: 'In order to prevent this dangerous disease in the Altai Republic, 18,090 people were vaccinated against plague, including 16,500 people in Kosh-Agach district.'

The entire local camel population of 320 beasts was also vaccinated. Warnings have been sent to local hotels and campsites.

Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents like marmots. Pictured: Hunter killed marmot in Kosh-Agach district

Some 18,090 people have been immunised in scenic Altai Republic after the spread in marmots and other rodents, announced health officials

A 42 year old man died in Khovd province of Mongolia, it was announced this week.

He died after purchasing two infected marmot rodents, seen as a food delicacy. His district of Jargalant was sealed off and put into lockdown over the death.

Earlier a 15-year-old boy died from the Black Death in Mongolia. In China's Inner Mongolia, two deaths from the plague have been recorded.

Two other Russian regions are taking action against the killer disease - TransBaikal and Buryatia.

Bubonic plague is a bacterial disease spread by fleas living on wild rodents like marmots. It kills in less than 24 hours if not treated promptly.

Up to 200 million people were killed by the Black Death - bubonic plague - in the 14th century.
Politically, we dont agree on much. One of us is a libertarian-leaning conservative, and the other a left-leaning progressive.

But we are both active duty Air Force spouses who have found friendship through our common lives. We both work to shepherd our loved ones through long deployments, and are fluent in the sarcastic humor needed to weather military life.

And even though we plan to vote for different candidates this fall, well both be casting our ballots the same way: by mail.

In 2018, the military sent Sarahs family halfway across the country from where she was registered to vote. So she did what over half a million military family voters did last presidential election, she voted by mail.
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Linkedin Senthil Nathan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, August 15 2020

I met Ibu Fathima (name changed) on a hot day in a small village, in North Sumatra, where she was tending her half-hectare farm. "I go and work as a labor in the neighboring farm as soon as I finish the work on my farm," she said with a smile. As a single mother, she also looks after the household and nurtures her two children.

When I asked why she is working so hard and what she wants to accomplish in life, her answer is spontaneous: "I want my children to get educated and achieve great things in life".

I remembered Ibu Fathima as I think of the millions of children who must miss school because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As schools remain closed, many children, especially from the poor and marginalized communities, might give up on education permanently. A recent report from Save the Children, a global charity, calls it as an 'unprecedented global education emergency. Children from rural households in particular will be the worst affected, as four out of five who are living under extreme poverty live in rural areas.

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Over 340 Vietnamese citizens from Angola return home

More than 340 Vietnamese citizens from Angola were brought home on a repatriation flight which landed at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on August 14.

More than 340 Vietnamese citizens from Angola were brought home on a repatriation flight which landed at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on August 13. Photo by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.





According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the flight was arranged by local authorities of the two countries and the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

Passengers include children aged under 18, the elderly, the ill, pregnant women, workers with expired visas and labour contracts, students without accommodations, stranded tourists, and those in disadvantaged circumstances.

After landing safely at the airport, all passengers and crew members were given health check-ups and sent to quarantine areas in line with regulations.

Since April 10, as many as 99 repatriation flights have been arranged by Vietnamese authorities to help 24,849 local people stranded abroad due to Covid-19 return home, the ministry said.
Almost every student in New Jersey is going to be learning remotely this fall, whether parents opted to keep their kids home, a district decides to start the school year that way, or students are part of a hybrid schedule.

But for some, its not an easy pill to swallow and parents are looking for alternative options to virtual instruction.

Recent studies suggest that students, from preschool to K-12, lost learning opportunities in the spring due to the inefficacy of remote learning.
(JNS)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he had agreed to support legislation that would delay the collapse of the government by putting off the deadline for passing the state budget.

The bill, proposed by the Derech Eretz faction comprising Knesset members Yoaz Hendel and Zvi Hauser, seeks to extend the Aug. 25 deadline for passing a state budget, buying more time for Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to work out their differences over it.

The bill will be brought to the Knesset for a vote on Wednesday, Hendel wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

Accord...
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 14, 2020

2020/08/14

AFP: On August 13, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the US issued a joint statement announcing the normalization of ties between the UAE and Israel. Israel will stop annexation of Palestinian lands. What is China's position on this issue?

Zhao Lijian: China has noted relevant reports, including those saying that Israel will stop annexing part of Palestinian territories and is committed to reaching a comprehensive, fair and enduring solution to the Palestinian issue. China welcomes measures that will help alleviate tension between countries in the Middle East and promote regional peace and stability. We hope that relevant parties will take concrete actions to get the Palestinian issue back on the track of equal-footed dialogues.

China's position on the Palestinian issue is consistent and clear. We will continue to firmly support and play an active and constructive role in the Palestinian people's just cause to regain their lawful national rights and build an independent state.

Al Jazeera: Arab States have long been supportive of the Palestinian cause. They proposed many peace deals. China has been fighting for the just cause of the Palestinian people on the international stage. Is China concerned that the UAE's move this time will affect the implementation of relevant peace deals? Does China believe that the UAE's move will hurt the interests of the Palestinian people?

Zhao Lijian: I just made clear China's position. China's position on the Palestinian issue is consistent and clear. We will continue to firmly support the Palestinian people's just cause to regain their lawful national rights and build an independent state. We support the efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East and promote regional peace and stability. We will continue playing an active and constructive role in this.

Reuters: The United States said on August 13 it was requiring the Confucius Institute US Center to register as a foreign mission. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement said the CIUS was an entity advancing Beijing's political propaganda. What's the ministry's comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: The Confucius Institute US Center (CIUS Center) has issued a statement in response. I want to stress that the US move is demonizing and stigmatizing the normal operation of a cooperation project between China and the US. We deplore and firmly oppose that.

The Confucius Institutes have long served as a bridge and bond between China and other countries in education and cultural communication and exchange, which enables people in other countries to learn the Chinese language and understand China. All the Confucius Institutes in the US are jointly established in American universities based on their voluntary application and in line with the principle of mutual respect, friendly consultation, equality and mutual benefit by the Chinese and American universities. The operation and management of the Confucius Institutes is open and transparent in strict compliance with local law and regulations of these universities. Their contributions to the cultural and people-to-people exchange between China and the US have been widely applauded by the universities and others in the US.

I must point out that for some time certain people in the US, driven by ideological prejudice and selfish gains, have been grossly and unscrupulously disrupting and obstructing China-US cooperation projects, including the operation of the Confucius Institutes. This is just unacceptable. We also noted that Pompeo cited a lot of baseless reports in his statement, which reveals his intention to oppress the Confucius Institutes under unfounded pretexts.

We urge the US to discard the cold-war mentality and zero sum game mindset and immediately correct its mistake. It should stop politicizing relevant education exchange projects, disrupting normal cultural and people-to-people exchange between China and the US and eroding mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides.

We reserve the right to make further reactions.

CCTV: According to media reports, visiting US Secretary of State Pompeo signed with the Slovenian foreign minister a joint declaration on 5G security. Pompeo said on Twitter that this reflects "our common dedication to protecting privacy and the individual liberties of citizens". Earlier he also talked about joint efforts to build a clean network in the Czech Republic. Does China have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: Now that the so-called "Clean Network" seems to be Pompeo's pet phrase, perhaps he should explain to us, why is it that the shadowy figure of the US can be found in cyber espionage activities from PRISM to Equation Group to ECHELON? Why is it that American intelligence authorities run a 24/7 surveillance of cell phones and computers all over the world, even eavesdropping on leaders of US allies for over a decade? This is apparently the modus operandi of a hacker state. It is just preposterous that as the secretary of state of a country with cyber theft stains all over it, Pompeo should have the audacity to propose the building of a "Clean Network".

The US claim of "protecting privacy and the individual liberties of citizens" is nothing but a high-sounding pretext. If those in the US think they can fool the world with this, then they must have gravely underestimated people's insight. From meddling in other countries' 5G rollout to openly coercing allies into excluding Huawei, certain US politicians have no scruples resorting to state power as long as it can stop Chinese businesses from getting an edge in 5G. I'm afraid what they have in mind is not a "Clean Network", but an "American Network"; not a "secure 5G network", but a "US surveillance network"; not protection of "privacy and liberties" of the individual, but consolidation of "digital hegemony" of the US.

In an era of globalization, 5G development should follow the concept of international consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Politicizing relevant issues or creating cliques won't be conducive to 5G progress. Such practices run counter to the fair competition principle and go against the common interests of the international community. We believe the world can see certain US politicians for who they really are, reject US hegemonic interference in other countries' 5G cooperation, and uphold a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment.

New York Times: Some say the statement made by Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the United States has the potential to increase the tension between the UAE and Iran. Does China plan to moderate or try to moderate between the UAE and Iran, given that China is one of the few countries that are friends with both of them?

Zhao Lijian: I have made clear China's position. China attaches high importance to peace and stability in the Middle East and will continue to play an active and constructive role in this respect.

Beijing Daily: We noted that the China-Africa Webinar on Solidarity against COVID-19 was held on August 11. Could you give us more details on this meeting and update us on the latest progress in anti-epidemic cooperation between China and Africa?

Zhao Lijian: On August 11, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Chinese Mission to the African Union co-organized the China-Africa Webinar on Solidarity against COVID-19. Officials from the Chinese foreign ministry and the AU Commission, experts on disease control and representatives from renowned think tanks attended the virtual meeting. The Chinese side elaborated on the progress in implementing the outcomes of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19 in June, which the African side spoke highly of. They also expressed readiness to work with the Chinese side to fully follow through on the outcomes of the summit, firmly uphold multilateralism and international fairness and justice, jointly fight against the virus and bring benefits to the African and Chinese people.

Since the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19 was held two months ago, the two sides have coordinated closely to implement the consensus of the leaders and the outcomes of the summit, with new progress achieved in China-Africa cooperation in various fields. Chinese and African leaders have maintained close exchange and the interaction between political parties, legislature and localities on the two sides have gradually been resumed. China continues to provide urgently needed anti-epidemic supplies to the African side and Madame Peng Liyuan has donated anti-epidemic supplies to 53 African countries through the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). China has sent medical expert teams to 11 countries in Africa and more will be dispatched to Guinea and South Sudan, among others. A list of paired-up Chinese and African hospitals is being compiled. China has implemented the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and signed agreement or reached consensus on debt payment suspension with over 10 African countries. The implementation agreement on the construction of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention has been signed with preparatory work underway. Many Chinese companies have flown their employees back to Africa by charter flights to resume work and production, and Chinese investments in Africa have grown despite COVID-19.

Going forward, China stands ready to work with Africa to advance epidemic control and resumption of work and production in a coordinated manner and fully implement the outcomes of the extraordinary summit, in particular strengthening exchange and cooperation on vaccine development and deployment, trade and investment facilitation, localization of industries, and e-commerce so as to address the concerns and meet the needs of the African side. We will join hands to see to it that the China-Africa cooperation prevails over the epidemics and continues to recover and move ahead.

APP: My first question is about Pakistani nation celebrating its independence day. I wondered if you have any comment? Also, there have been reports of the arrival of a batch of ventilators in Pakistan as part of China's aid to the country. Could you share more about Chinese support for Pakistan in fighting COVID-19?

Zhao Lijian: As today marks Pakistan's Independence Day, I would like to take this occasion to send our congratulations. I have every confidence that Pakistan will achieve greater progress in national development and the friendship between China and Pakistan will see more fruitful chapters.

A handover ceremony for 1,000 ventilators given by China to Pakistan was held at the Islamabad International Airport on August 13. Muhammad Afzal, chairman of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), expressed thanks for the government and people of China.

Afzal said at the ceremony that the huge amount of assistance flowing in from China helped Pakistan to contain the epidemic. China also helped with the locust swarms in Pakistan. These have added a new dimension to bilateral friendship.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Pakistan have been standing together and offering each other mutual assistance, a telling example of the two peoples' profound, deep and honey-sweet traditional friendship. China attaches high importance to supporting Pakistan in combating the epidemic. Anti-virus cooperation between the two sides shows that solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon to deal with global challenges. Statistics show that the Chinese government has provided Pakistan with seven batches of anti-epidemic supplies this year, including such items as masks, protective gowns, testing reagents, ventilators, protective goggles, surgical gloves and thermometer guns, altogether weighing more than 100 tonnes. China will continue to fight COVID-19 alongside Pakistan and expand cooperation in areas like material assistance, experience-sharing and R&D of traditional medicine and vaccine until we vanquish the virus.

Kyodo News: The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has recently carried out combat exercises. From the Foreign Ministry's standpoint, what signals do you think such exercises have sent out?

Zhao Lijian: The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command has already issued a press release on their exercises. I can give you some information.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command recently systematically sent troops from multiple military branches into multiple directions and organized consecutive, realistic drills in the Taiwan Straits and its northern and southern ends. The drills further tested and improved the troops' joint combat capability. Recently, a certain major country has been continuously making negative moves on the Taiwan question, which has sent seriously wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces and severely threatened peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits. Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the patrol and exercise activities by the PLA are necessary operations aimed at the current security situation in the region and safeguarding national sovereignty. The troops will always be on high alert, take any necessary measures, resolutely counter any provocative actions that could result in "Taiwan independence" and separate the country, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Xinhua News Agency: US President Trump said in an interview that Hong Kong would lose its ability to attract business and serve as one of the world's chief financial hubs if it is to be run by the Chinese government. What's your comment?

Zhao Lijian: China has repeatedly stated its position on US fallacies regarding Hong Kong.

I would like to stress that Hong Kong earned its position as an international financial hub through the hard work of generations of Hong Kong people with the strong support from China's deepening opening-up. It is the natural result of our firm commitment to the basic state policy of "one country, two systems". It is not a gift from any country that can be taken away on a whim.

Bloomberg: Can you comment on the upcoming trade talks between the US and China that are scheduled to happen soon? Can you give us any details on the agenda? What does China hope to achieve? Is there any discussion about altering the text of the phase one agreement given the coronavirus?

Zhao Lijian: The Commerce Ministry has responded to the relevant question. I can recap some of the main points here.

Since the phase one trade deal was signed in January, the Chinese side has been fulfilling its commitment in real earnest with relevant authorities putting in a large amount of work to ensure implementation. The COVID-19 pandemic and US restrictive measures including stronger export control against China have had some impact on China's import of certain goods and services. Under current circumstances, the two sides need to work together and strengthen cooperation to overcome the challenge. We hope the US will stop restrictive measures and discriminatory practice against Chinese companies to create conditions for implementing the phase one trade deal.

As to the China-US high-level trade talks you asked about, once there is confirmed information, relevant authorities will release it in a timely manner.

Reuters: We heard yesterday that there were some chicken wings imported from Brazil that were infected with COVID-19. I want to ask if China is going to be carrying out extra checks or imposing additional restrictions on imported food? Has the foreign ministry been in communication with any other countries about this?

Zhao Lijian: The virus is an enemy to all mankind. Since COVID-19 broke out, China, Brazil and other countries have taken active prevention and control measures to safeguard people's life and health. While continuing prevention and control efforts on an ongoing basis to guard against resurgence, countries are striving to resume work and production so as to bring socioeconomic development back to the right track.

Regarding the issue you mentioned, we noted relevant reports and are verifying the situation. The Chinese competent authority has stayed in contact with the relevant country on the issue in a friendly and science-based manner. We will advance the resumption of work and production while maintaining ongoing epidemic control measures and work with the relevant country to properly resolve the issue.
Denmark produced 42 percent of its electricity from wind power in 2015, even though two major wind farms were offline, according to official data from Energinet, Denmarks transmissions systems operator. Thats the highest figure recorded to date worldwide and 3 percent higher than the record Denmark set for wind production in 2014.

Denmark has been rapidly increasing its overall percentage of wind energy over the last decade from 18 percent in 2005. Photo credit: Energinet

In fact, two western regionsJutland and Funensupplied more electricity from wind than they consumed for the equivalent of 60 days last year. Wind supplied 55 percent of electricity in the western part of the country and 23 percent in the eastern region.

Hopefully, Denmark can serve as an example to other countries that it is possible to have both ambitious green policies with a high proportion of wind energy and other renewables in the energy supply, and still have a high security of supply and competitive prices on electricity, the countrys Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate Lars Christian Lilleholt told The Guardian.

Denmark sets wind power record, aims at 50% #renewables by 2020 https://t.co/QjI4qJO2LT pic.twitter.com/6HjRtmuYqk  UN Climate Change (@UNFCCC) January 19, 2016

According to Energinet, 2015 was a particularly windy year, which helped Denmark set the new record. But Denmark has been rapidly increasing its overall percentage of wind energy for more than a decade.

The fact that we are now generating surplus power 16 percent of the time in the Western Danish power grid illustrates that  we can benefit from imports and exports across borders to an even greater extent, Carsten Vittrup, an adviser to Energinet, said. Denmark sells excess energy mainly to Norway, Sweden and Germany.

The European Wind Energy Association hailed the news. These figures show that we are now at a level where wind integration can be the backbone of electricity systems in advanced economies, Kristian Ruby, the European Wind Energy Associations chief policy officer, told The Guardian.

The Scandinavian country appears to be on track to reach its goal of producing half of all electricity from wind by 2050. Globally, renewable energy saw more money invested ($329.3 billion) and more capacity added in 2015 than ever before, according to data released last week from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Renewables, especially wind and solar, have soared in recent months even amid plummeting fossil fuel prices.

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FLOW TRADERS Q220 RESULTS



Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Flow Traders N.V. (Euronext: FLOW) announces its unaudited Q220 results and Half Year 2020 report.

Highlights

Market ETP Value Traded fell 16% quarter-on-quarter and increased 69% H120 vs H119

Flow Traders ETP Value Traded fell 14% quarter-on-quarter and increased 66% H120 vs H119, outperforming the broader market in Q220 as Flow Traders continued to gain market share. Flow Traders also facilitated an increasing amount of trading in fixed income and ESG ETFs during H120

Flow Traders recorded NTI of 229.9m in Q220 as markets began to normalise following the exceptional market circumstances in Q120. This compares to NTI of 495.0m in Q120 and 53.9m in Q219. H120 NTI was 724.8m vs 117.0m in H1 19

Total operating expenses of 89.3m incurred in Q220, which included 0.6m of one-off expenses from the continued activation of Flow Traders' business continuity plan. One-off expenses relating to the business continuity plan in H120 amounted to 1.5m out of total operating expenses of 260.5m

502 FTEs as at 30 June 2020 compared to 503 as at 31 March 2020

Q220 EBITDA reached 140.6m with a margin of 61% contributing to H120 EBITDA of 464.3m with a margin of 64%

Q220 Net Profit amounted to 113.0m with EPS of 2.51. H120 Net Profit amounted to 375.3m with EPS of 8.25

Regulatory Own Funds Requirement (OFR) as at 30 June 2020 was 201m, resulting in excess capital of 255m as at 30 June 2020. Trading capital stood at 915m at the end of the second quarter

Interim FY20 dividend set at 4 per share and the ex-dividend date is 18 August 2020

Financial Overview

million Q220 Q120 H120 H119 Net Trading Income 229.9 495.0 724.8 117.0 EMEA (Europe) 109.3 304.9 414.2 69.6 Americas 96.7 149.0 245.7 32.6 APAC 23.9 41.0 64.9 14.8 Net Trading Income 229.9 495.0 724.8 117.0 Employee expenses* 73.9 154.9 228.7 42.9 Technology expenses 11.5 11.4 22.9 18.8 Other expenses 3.3 4.1 7.4 7.6 One-off expenses 0.6 0.9 1.5 - Total Operating Expenses 89.3 171.2 260.5 69.3 EBITDA 140.6 323.7 464.3 47.7 Depreciation/Amortisation 3.6 3.6 7.2 7.2 Write offs, tangible assets - - - - Results subsidiaries - - (0.1) (0.1) Profit Before Tax 137.0 320.1 457.2 40.5 Tax 24.0 57.8 81.9 7.5 Net Profit 113.0 262.3 375.3 33.0 EPS** (in ) 2.51 5.71 8.25 0.71 EBITDA margin 61% 65% 64% 41%

* Of which fixed employee expenses were: Q220 - 11.0m; Q120 - 11.8m; H120 - 22.9m; H119 - 20.9m

** Weighted average number of shares outstanding during Q220 was 45,072,162 and during H120 was 45,492,824. 45,058,106 number of shares were outstanding as at 30 June 2020



Value Traded Overview

billion Q220 Q120 Change H120 H119 Change Flow Traders ETP Value Traded 378.7 441.6 (14%) 820.2 494.0 66% EMEA (Europe) 189.0 232.7 (19%) 421.7 249.7 69% Americas 171.8 188.9 (9%) 360.6 226.2 59% APAC ex China 17.9 20.0 (11%) 37.8 18.1 110% Flow Traders' non-ETP Value Traded 989 1,215 (19%) 2,204 1,433 54% Market ETP Value Traded1 9,195 10,948 (16%) 20,143 11,934 69% EMEA (Europe) 480 679 (29%) 1,159 710 63% Americas 7,894 9,421 (16%) 17,314 10,283 68% APAC 821 849 (3%) 1,669 941 77% APAC ex China 487 476 2% 963 426 126%

1. Source - Flow Traders analysis

Q220 & H120 Regional Highlights

EMEA:

Continued to be the leading liquidity provider in ETPs in EMEA and the region remained the largest NTI contributor and Flow Traders' most important market

Flow Traders ETP value traded outperformed market value traded year-on-year as well as quarter-on-quarter given the leading competitive position in the region

Now among top three market makers on major FX ECNs in spot metals

Colleagues have commenced a part-time return to the main Amsterdam office. This situation will be closely monitored as the pandemic evolves and the business continuity plan is ready for all possible eventualities

AMERICAS:

Flow Traders further enhanced its position in the region with robust NTI contribution from all desks and significant outperformance versus market ETP value traded in Q2

Expanded the OTC footprint by connecting with additional counterparties and increasing OTC volumes

Demonstrated the strength of Flow Traders in the US by successfully executing multi-billion dollar OTC trades during H1

Confirmed long-term commitment to the US equities ecosystem by making a strategic investment in Members Exchange (MEMX)

APAC:

Strong trading performance in APAC across the board, both on and off exchange

Benefited from Hong Kong-specific investments with increased on-exchange presence as well as connecting with additional regional counterparties

Flow Traders see increased adoption of MTF/RfQ systems in the region and further electronification of trading

Deepened the relationship with the HKEX by becoming the lead liquidity provider for their new suite of MSCI futures





Regulatory Outlook

Initial IFR / IFD analysis has been completed following the publication of the Level 2 text in June 2020. The outcome indicates that Flow Traders should receive some capital relief given that the incoming IFR/IFD requirements should be more tailored to Flow Traders' specific risk profile. Accordingly, capital requirements should be markedly lower once IFR/IFD comes into force in June 2021. It is envisaged that this capital relief will be partially offset by growth business activities

Management Board Comments

CEO Dennis Dijkstra stated:

"During the second quarter, we remained primarily focused on the health and wellbeing of our colleagues as well as ensuring the uninterrupted provision of liquidity to market participants. With our business continuity plan active, the vast majority of our employees were successfully and effectively working from home. Once again my colleagues have demonstrated considerable professionalism and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have commenced the gradual return of staff to our main office in Amsterdam, while split trading locations remain in place in all regions. We will monitor this situation carefully and are well prepared to manage any eventuality with our business continuity plan. The overall resilience and agility of the business in the first half of the year while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic was highly encouraging and will no doubt stand us in good stead for the coming months ahead. Despite the strong operational focus required so far in 2020, progress has also been made in driving forward our strategic plan in terms of expanding our global ETP footprint as well enhancing coverage of fixed income, currencies and crypto. We also maintained our strong cost discipline while implementing this growth strategy. Flow Traders' conservative capital position, as well our strong balance sheet, has meant that we are able to pay a 4 per share dividend to shareholders."

Chief Trading Officer Folkert Joling added:

"Markets began to normalise in the second quarter following the exceptional market circumstances experienced in the first quarter. Yet, volumes and volatility levels were elevated compared to the same period in 2019 and this translated in strong trading results across all desks and regions. Heightened market activity in commodity as well as high yield ETFs was also evident in the second quarter. The trading results reflect the investments we have made in the business, particularly in the US, fixed income and in spot metal trading. We have continued to connect to additional counterparties and this has contributed to the rise in our market share in the second quarter."





Preliminary Financial Calendar

18 August 2020 2020 interim dividend ex-dividend date

19 August 2020 2020 interim dividend record date

21 August 2020 2020 interim dividend payment date

30 September 2020 Silent period starts ahead of Q320 trading update

22 October 2020 Release Q320 trading update (no analyst conference call)

Analyst Conference Call and Webcast

The H120 results analyst conference call will be held at 10:00 am CEST on Friday 14 August 2020. The presentation will also be accessible via www.flowtraders.com/investors , where the presentation can be downloaded and the conference call can be followed via a listen-only audio webcast. A replay of the conference call will be available on the company website for at least 90 days.

Contact Details

Flow Traders N.V.

Jonathan Berger / Investor Relations Officer

Phone: +31 20 7996799

Email: investor.relations@flowtraders.com

About Flow Traders

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The United States Postal Service has warned election officials in 46 states and the District of Columbia that their absentee voting rules are incongruous with the agencys mail delivery service standards and may result in uncounted ballots, raising further alarms with the viability of a voting platform millions of Americans are expected to use in the run-up to the November vote.

In recent weeks, postal service General Counsel Thomas Marshall penned letters warning that states may be over-estimating the speed with which ballots will move through the mail. If the post office is not afforded a few extra days of leeway to deliver ballots to the election offices, Marshall warned that late-arriving ballots could leave some voters disenfranchised.

Only four states received a clean bill of health: Nevada, Rhode Island, New Mexico, and Oregon. Among those with laws that concern the postal service are several key swing states in the upcoming election.

In Pennsylvania, for example, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is one week before election day, and Michigan allows requests up until four days before. But in order for it to be counted in either state, under current laws, the ballot must be back in the mail and returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day. One week for two deliveries is not enough time, Marshall explained. He said it could realistically take more than a week for a piece of mail to be sent to the voter and then returned by mail in time to be counted.

Under our reading of your state's election laws  certain state-law requirements and deadlines appear to be incompatible with the Postal Service's delivery standards and the recommended timeframe, Marshall wrote, according to one of the letters made public in a court filing Thursday.

MORE: How US Postal Service changes could complicate mail-in voting

As a result, he continued, to the extent that the mail is used to transmit ballots to and from voters, there is a significant risk that, at least in certain circumstances, ballots may be requested in a manner that is consistent with your election rules and returned promptly, and yet not be returned in time to be counted.

Story continues

Applications and ballots in Pennsylvania may still be delivered to a voter's county election office in person by the specified deadlines.

PHOTO: United States Postal Service carrier Henrietta Dixon sorts mail to be delivered before she sets out on her route in Philadelphia, May 6, 2020. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Marshalls letter to Pennsylvania was made public in a court document filed late Thursday as part of a lawsuit brought by progressive organizations in April. In the filing, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, Pennsylvanias chief election official, encouraged the states supreme court to allow absentee ballots received after Election Day to be counted as valid  yet another sign that Americans may have to wait days to learn the winner of the upcoming presidential vote.

The remarkable extension request was prompted by Marshall's letter sent two weeks earlier warning Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kim Boockvar that the states absentee voting rules are incongruous with the Postal Service's delivery standards, effectively posing the risk of inadvertently disenfranchising some voters.

Marshall notes in his letters that the postal service issued this same warning to states in May, at which time the agency suggested that election leaders re-examine their absentee voting rules to account for mail delivery standards of service, which are two to five days for First-Class Mail and three to 10 days for Marketing Mail.

But in their filing Thursday to the Supreme Court, lawyers representing Boockvar argue that in its July 29 letter, The Postal Services announcement represents a significant change to the outlook for voting by mail in the general election  a reference to possible delays in mail service.

As such, to avoid the statewide risk of disenfranchisement for significant numbers of voters utilizing mail-in ballots, lawyers writing on Boockvars behalf asked the court to order that ballots mailed by voters on or before 8 p.m. on Election Day will be counted if they are otherwise valid and received by the county boards of election on or before the third day following the election.

Despite what would appear to ensure a delay in announcing a winner in the state, lawyers for Boockvar add that they do not expect that such an extension would create any significant delay in the reporting of Pennsylvanias election results.

PHOTO: Eric Severson holds a sign as a few dozen people gather in front of the United States Post Office to protest recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service under new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Aug. 11, 2020 in Midland, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)

The late-in-the-game legal jockeying in Pennsylvania comes amid increased scrutiny of the postal service, which has come under fire in recent weeks after its new postmaster general, the longtime Republican financier Louis Dejoy, enacted a series of procedural reforms that critics say will cause delays in mail service.

Those reforms have coincided with a deluge of unfounded attacks on the validity of mail-in voting from President Donald Trump, exacerbating fears that DeJoys changes to mail delivery could serve political means of undermining the absentee vote. The postal service and the White House have repeatedly denied those accusations.

MORE: Trump suggests he'd oppose USPS funding to hurt mail-in voting, then says he won't

For their part, Democrats welcomed the absentee voting extension request in Pennsylvania. Late Thursday, in an email to supporters, Marc Elias, a lawyer who represents progressive groups who brought the lawsuit, lauded the decision as GREAT news.

Thanks to our lawsuit and this concession, millions of Pennsylvania voters -- many of whom will cast their ballot by mail for the first time -- now wont have to worry about their ballot not counting due to mail delays, Elias wrote.

In a brief interview with ABC News, Elias said Thursday he was very concerned about the latest warnings from the postal service. Its why we continue to litigate around the country, he added.

Election experts note that voters are empowered to avoid having their ballot rejected by requesting and re-submitting their ballots early in the process  not waiting for the deadline.

The Postal Service recommends you mail your ballot back at least one week before the deadline before election day. And we know that almost half the states allow you to request a ballot after that time, said Tammy Patrick of the nonpartisan Democracy Fund.

In fact, there's seven states that allow you to request it on Monday for Tuesday's election, she continued. And that's just not practical. Just because you can wait until a deadline, doesn't mean you should.

ABC News' Matthew Mosk and Devin Dwyer contributed to this report.

This report was featured in the Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, episode of Start Here, ABC News daily news podcast.

"Start Here" offers a straightforward look at the day's top stories in 20 minutes. Listen for free every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, the ABC News app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Mail-in voting rules in 46 states may leave some ballots uncounted, USPS warns originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijani and Turkish defense ministers Zakir Hasanov and Hulusi Akar have observed the last episode of first large-scale Turkish-Azerbaijani joint drills being held across Azerbaijan, the Defense Ministry reported on August 13.

As part of a Distinguished Visitors Day held during the Live-Fire Joint Large-Scale Tactical and Flight-Tactical Exercises of the Land Forces and the Air Force of Azerbaijan and Turkey, the Heads of the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as the commanders of the types of troops of the armies of the two countries arrived at the training range to observe the final episode of the first stage of the exercises.

First, a briefing was presented on the planning of the exercise, the preparation process for the exercise, the deployment of troops, as well as the tasks that are being fulfilled on a step-by-step basis. After a detailed report on the progress of the exercises on the terrain board, the high-ranking guests got acquainted with the military personnel and military equipment involved in the exercises, as well as observed the practical implementation of the assigned tasks, the ministry noted.

During the joint tactical exercises, the servicemen and units of the armies of both countries have shown high professionalism and skills, the ministry said.

Moreover, the ministry said that the military personnel of the headquarters and units increased the experience in planning and performing joint actions, gained in previous exercises, demonstrated their readiness to cope worthily with the assigned tasks to achieve the strategic goals arising from national interests of both countries.

After the successful completion of the final episode of the first stage of the joint exercises, the guests met with the military personnel, awarded the distinguished servicemen and a photo was taken, the ministry added.

In the end, the delegations and exercise participants were presented with a musical program consisting of military marches of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

It should be noted that The Land and Air forces of the two countries are participating in the military exercises held in line with the agreement on military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey, in accordance with the annual plan.

According to the plan, exercises involving the Land Forces were held from August 1 to 5 in Baku and Nakhchivan, while exercises involving the Air Forces were conducted from July 29 to August 10  in Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, Kurdamir and Yevlakh.

The personnel, armoured vehicles, artillery and mortars, combat and transport helicopters of the Air Forces, as well as air defence and anti-aircraft missile divisions of the two armies, will be involved in the military exercises.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces General Yashar Guler, Commander of the Land Forces, General Umit Dundar, Commander of the Air Force of the Turkish Armed Forces General Hakan Kucukakyuzu, Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Adnan Ozbal and other military visited Azerbaijan on August 12 evening to observe the drills.

President Ilham Aliyev received the Turkish military delegation on August 13 at a meeting where he said that the intensity of joint drills will increase in the future. He also said that Turkey will be Azerbaijans number one partner in the area of military-technical cooperation in the near future.

---

Akbar Mammadov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AkbarMammadov97

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The long-awaited Hyatt Regency at the Oregon Convention Center, a project which took years to plan and required millions of dollars in public funding, finally opened its doors last December.

Its timing could scarcely have been worse.

The regional government Metro, which runs the convention center, hoped the new 600-room hotel would quickly draw new convention-goers, bring in millions of dollars for the region and generate enough in tourism taxes to pay off $60 million in publicly backed revenue bonds used to fund the project.

Instead, the convention center stopped hosting events March 12 when Gov. Kate Brown banned gatherings of more than 250 people in an effort to stop the coronavirus spread. The Hyatt shut its doors soon after and will remain closed until at least Sept. 1.

We look forward to resuming operations and welcoming guests in the near future, a spokesman for the hotel said in an email. The most important element of welcoming back guests and colleagues to Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center is doing it safely.

The closure of both the convention center and the new hotel could have deep economic ramifications for the region.

The total construction cost for the hotel came to $224 million, with hotel developer Mortenson Co., footing the majority of the bill. But the project also included $74 million in public investment -- in addition to the $60 million in revenue bonds, backed by lodging taxes paid by hotel guests throughout the city, the hotel drew on $10 million in state lottery funds and $4 million from Metro.

The bonds are being paid off with money from the Visitor Facilities Trust Account (VFTA), a fund generated by lodging and car rental taxes in Multnomah County. The money in the VFTA is used to pay off debt and support visitor facilities, including the Oregon Convention Center, Portland'5 Centers for the Arts and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Metro said during the planning phases for the hotel that the additional tourism tax revenue generated by the Hyatt would be enough to pay off the bonds. But opponents of the project at the time worried that lodging taxes from other hoteliers would be needed to backfill the funding for the project if the Hyatt didnt live up to projections.

Of course, the Hyatt hasnt come close to living up to expectations since its opening in December because of the pandemic. Hotels across the region have suffered as well, depriving the county of key tourism taxes.

Heather Back, a spokesman for Metro, said officials from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Metro and Travel Portland are now in the process of reviewing multi-year projections and determining whether changes must be made to the amount of annual operating support allocations that the VFTA fund makes to venues and programs to ensure there are sufficient reserves left to make debt payments.

Back said Metro remains confident that the hotel will be able to deliver in the long-term as events return to the convention center.

With business far out in the future, we believe in 2022 and 2023, we are going to be able to deliver the packages that we intended with having a convention center hotel nearby, Back said.

Roughly 40 events per month take place at the Oregon Convention Center in a typical year, but no events have occurred since March due to the pandemic. Back said that the convention center still has 40 events on the books for the fall, but whether those events take place will depend on when Multnomah County is allowed to move out of Phase 1 of Browns reopening plan. Gatherings are limited to 25 people or fewer for counties in Phase 1.

Still, Back said that 85% of the groups that have canceled events at the convention center this year have rescheduled their events for future years. She also said that the convention center started receiving more requests in July from organizations planning events and conventions in 2022 and beyond.

But the economic outlook for the convention center remains bleak in the short-term, as well as for local businesses that benefit from travelers spending.

This economic generation is critical for our region and throughout the state of Oregon as convention attendees travel and thereby support small businesses in Portland and beyond, Back said.

With large events banned, the convention center transformed into a temporary homeless shelter in March. The temporary shelter is still in operation, although Portland and Multnomah County have been working to move some people housed at the convention center into motels.

The convention center finished its fiscal year on June 30 with a decrease of $14 million in earnings due to the pandemic. Metro projects that the convention centers earned revenue will be just $2 million in the upcoming fiscal year, down precipitously from $55 million in the 2018-19 fiscal year.

The amount of money the convention center contributes to Metros budget will be decreased by $3.3 million this year, Back said. Metro announced in March that it was laying off 700 workers due to the pandemic. The Hyatt then announced in June that it was cutting 181 hotel staff positions.

The job creation and indirect economic impact the convention center has on the region will also come to halt until events return.

We know when people come for their conventions, they often plan trips to visit the Oregon Coast, wine country, Mount Hood, the Gorge and central Oregon, Back said. So, there are a lot of hotels, restaurants, live event planning businesses and small businesses that really benefit from that traffic that (the convention center) brings to our state.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
CARACAS, Venezuela - A Venezuelan court has sentenced more than a dozen rebel soldiers to 24 years in prison for a failed beach attack alongside two former U.S. special forces members accused in the armed operation aiming to capture President Nicolas Maduro, officials said Friday.

The ruling against 15 ex-Venezuela soldiers came days after the two ex-Green Berets  Luke Denman and Airan Berry  were sentenced to 20 years in prison for the same operation in early May.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab said in a state TV broadcast that the Venezuelan combatants confessed to charges of terrorism, rebellion and conspiracy.

Theyve admitted responsibility for the acts theyre accused of committing, Saab said. Theyre convicted and confessed.

Operation Gideon was launched from makeshift training camps in neighbouring Colombia and left at least eight rebel soldiers dead while a total of 82 others have been arrested.

Ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau, who operated a Florida-based security firm called Silvercorp USA, claimed responsibility for the failed attack and had hired his two former Army buddies to prepare a small cadre of deserting Venezuelan soldiers living at the makeshift camps.

Venezuelan prosecutors have ordered his arrest. Goudreau is believed to be in the U.S., where he also is under investigation for possibly violating arms trafficking laws in connection with the botched incursion.

Lawyers for the two former U.S. soldiers have said their clients rights were violated because the private attorneys were not allowed to represent them in the hearing when they pleaded guilty. Saab rejected the claims, saying the men had public defenders and a translator during the Aug. 7 hearing inside El Helicoide jail in Caracas operated by Venezuelas intelligence police.

The failed raid also prompted claims that U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido had authorized Goudreau through a signed agreement to carry out the attack, executed by two of Guaidos former political advisers in the United States. U.S. officials have denied any role in the attack.

Also Friday, an investment firm announced it is resuming satellite TV transmissions for Venezuelans whose service was cut off abruptly due to U.S. sanctions aimed at driving Maduro from power.

The firm, Scale Capital, said it reached a deal with the AT&T subsidiary DirecTV Latin America to take over the subscription service, providing programming to 2 million customers across Venezuela  more than 40% of the countrys subscription TV market.

We are very excited about this launch and we want to thank all parties for their support, Scale Capital director Jacopo Bracco, said in a statement. The firms website lists its address as Santiago, Chile.

Dallas-based AT&T did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DirecTV abruptly ditched its popular satellite TV service on May 19, citing U.S. sanctions that prohibited DirecTV from broadcasting channels that were required by Maduros administration. Scale Capital did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press asking whether the two channels  Globovision and PDVSA TV  will be aired.

The administration of President Donald Trump is running what it calls a maximum pressure campaign aimed at ending the socialist leaders rule, saying he has has led the once wealthy oil nation into ruin.

Maduro speaking on TV confirmed the agreement that reconnects millions of Venezuelans to DirecTV despite attempts by his detractors, who he called infantile bozos and perverse right-wing coup mongers who believed that they could can harm Venezuela.

A coalition of nations including the United States, the European Union and many countries across the Americas published a statement Friday urging a return to democracy in Venezuela repeated a call for fresh presidential elections.

Many of the countries were from the Lima Group and the International Contact Group that formed to help seek a solution to Venezuelas political and economic crisis that has led to roughly 5 million resident fleeing.

Many of those nations recognize Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate interim leader, arguing Maduros reelection was fraudulent.

The statement urged all Venezuelan political parties and institutions to take steps toward creating a transitional government to hold a fresh election.

We call for an end to all political persecution and acts of repression, the statement said. The current pandemic and Venezuelas overwhelmed public health care system have added urgency to the need to end the status quo.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza pushed back, saying the letter was drafted by officials in the Trump administration and ordered subservient nations to agree. It was written with the intent of sabotaging Venezuelas electoral process, Arreaza said on Twitter. They dont believe in democracy. Phonies!

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For example, last year, while thousands of go-go advocates took to the street as part of the Dont Mute DC movement, the local nonprofit Teaching for Change applied to the commission for a modest $18,000 grant to fund its Teach the Beat program, a go-go education initiative that has worked in D.C. Public Schools for more than five years teaching the history of go-go music and how to perform it. This effort has placed master go-go artists such as EU drummer William Ju Ju House, Bela Dona Band leader Cherie Mitchell, and former Soul Searchers and Rare Essence member John Buchanan in schools.
(CNN)  Several people who were detained for participating in mass protests in Belarus this week allege that the country's security forces beat, tortured and humiliated them while in government custody.

The protesters are among the thousands of people who were arrested in the sometimes violent unrest that has rocked the former Soviet republic since its presidential election on Sunday. Exit polls showed that Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years, received 80% of the vote, but opposition groups claim the election was marred by fraud to keep Lukashenko in power.

Lukashenko's government had already been accused of responding to the protests with disproportionate force and violence, but the accusations of mistreating people behind bars has prompted renewed public outrage toward the government.

A woman named Olesya told CNN that she was arrested Sunday while walking down the street alongside her boyfriend in the capital, Minsk.

She said she was forced to strip naked alongside other women before being searched at a detention center. Olesya, who declined to give her last name for safety reasons, said she was then put in a small cell with 17 other women. All of them were given one water bottle and no food and forced to sleep on the floor or a small table.

The guards periodically cut off their access to water to silence them. They also denied medical assistance to one of the women, who had been injured by a rubber bullet.

Olesya said she spent around 14 hours inside the facility and was released after being forced to sign a paper with what she says were false charges against her. However, her boyfriend is still missing. She is very worried because men appear to be treated much worse than women, according to witness accounts.

"They would put four men in a 1.5 meter (5 foot) wide cell, three were standing but they made the fourth one crawl inside like a dog and stand on his knees," she Olesya.

Olesya said she keeps coming back to the detention center both to get information about her partner and help others.

"It was very scary to wait outside, we could hear how they were beaten, they wailed, they screamed," she said. "They stormed out of there with crazy eyes and half-conscious ... they just ran in whatever direction the guards told them to and also told them not to approach us, who could help them get home, threatening they would put them back into prison."

At the Okrestina detention center in Minsk hundreds have been gathering the past two days trying to locate their relatives and friends who were detained during the protests. Some were missing for days, according to people interviewed by CNN, as the authorities often do not disclose the location of detainees and forbid passing food, water or medication. As of Thursday, around 6,700 people have been detained across the country, according to the Interior Ministry.

Ivan, who also did not wish to disclose his last name, told CNN that while he was searching for a friend at the detention center early Thursday, he witnessed a young man with broken arm and leg leave the building.

"People are being beaten up, tortured from the moment when they are detained in the streets," Ivan said. "Then they are taken to local police station, beaten there and then they bring them here after a day or two, and the beatings and torture continue."

Several other people have shared similar accounts of mistreatment while in government custody. Reports and pictures showing injuries sustained by the detainees have also appeared on social media. The Belarusian Association of Journalists said in a statement it recorded dozens of cases of violence against journalists, while several remain in detention.

The Russian independent news outlet Znak.com published an account by one of its journalists, Nikita Telizhenko, who reported in Minsk and said he had spent 16 hours detained with multiple protesters grabbed from the streets who were forced to lie face down in pools of blood, with some men stacked on top of another.

"The most brutal beatings were happening all around: hits, screams, cries and shrieks coming from everywhere," Telizhenko said. "I felt that some of the detained had broken bones  hands, legs, spines  because with the tiniest bit of movement they wailed in pain."

Telizhenko says he was eventually released after an intervention from the Russian Embassy, which helped release and repatriate several journalists back to Russia.

A change in tactics

Despite facing such brutal crackdowns, the opposition has shown no sign of backing down. But it has changed strategy and tactics.

Thousands of mainly female peaceful demonstrators clutching white flowers and balloons lined the streets of Minsk Thursday as part of a more decentralized protest. Across the country, women are forming so-called "solidarity chains" to demand an end to the violence and that those detained be released. White ribbons, bracelets and shirts have become symbols of the movement, a color that initially representing the peacefulness of protesters and later morphed to reflect the old Belarusian flag  white with a red stripe  which can be seen hanging from many windows in the city.

One chain of protesters in Minsk was almost two miles (3.2 kilometers) long. Cars passing by often honked to show their support.

During an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Maria Kolesnikova  the last of the three women who became the faces of the country's opposition still in the country  wore a white suit as she said she believed that the clashes over the disputed elections results signal the decline of Lukashenko's presidency.

The trio  Kolesnikova, Svetlana Tikhanovskay and Veronika Tsepkalo  joined forces to take on Lukashenko in the election after several opposition candidates were either barred from running or jailed. Lukashenko dismissed the trio as "poor girls" in his annual state of the union address last week, and said he would not "give the country away."

But the women appeared to enjoy significant support. Tikhanovskaya's campaign rallies saw significant turnouts even in small Belarusian towns not known for their protest activity. About 63,000 people attended the largest event in Minsk in July -- making it the biggest demonstration in the past decade.

The independent monitoring group "Honest People" said that according to its data, Tikhanovskay  who was standing in for her jailed husband  had won in at least 80 polling stations across Belarus in Sunday's vote, prompting many to demand a recount.

Tikhanovskay and Tsepkalo say they were forced out of Belarus after the election because of threats from the government. Tikhanovskaya's campaign told CNN on Sunday that nine people associated with the campaign had been arrested, and her decision to leave was made in part to free her peers.

'I'm not a bloodthirsty person'

Lukashenko claimed earlier this week the protests were initiated by "foreign puppeteers" adding that the law enforcement will not back down and maintained he still enjoys widespread support.

However, the allegations of torture appear to have fueled public anger toward the government.

On Thursday, thousands gathered in Zhodzina, a town around 50 kilometers (31 miles) outside of Minsk, where one of the main detentions is located. Videos from the event showed people chant "Release!" and "Leave!"  a chant evidently directed at Lukashenko.

Some of the country's military and police officers also appear to be turning against Lukashenko and showing support for the opposition. A video posted on Instagram by a man named Evgeny Novitski shows his brother  a former special forces officer -- throwing his uniform into a trash can, saying he is not proud of his job anymore.

"Hi all! I gave an oath to my people, and looking at what's happening in Minsk right now, I can't be proud of where I've been serving, and so, I can no longer keep this uniform at home," the former officer says.

Another video posted by Belarusian TV station Nexta, shows a police officer named Ivan Kolos saying he refuses to follow "criminal orders." He urged his colleagues to not point guns at peaceful people and be with them instead. He said he would take orders from Tikhanovskaya, not from Lukashenko.

The growing outcry has some prompted Belarusian authorities apologize late Thursday, a reversal from their previous rhetoric promising a severe response to protesters.

"I want to take full responsibility and apologize in a humane way to these people ... I'm not a bloodthirsty person and I don't want any violence," Belarusian Interior Minister Yuri Karaev said in an interview with a state TV channel ONT.

Karaev also addressed the use of force against journalists by saying he is "against any violence against journalists, but this does not mean that you need to climb between the two sides, do not go into the thick of it!"

Lukashenko's longtime ally and speaker of the Belarus senate Natalya Kochanova also came out with a televised statement on the President's behalf urging Belarusians to "stop" and "cease self-destruction."

"Less than a week ago, presidential elections were held in the Republic of Belarus. The people made their choice. But everything that happened next is an unprecedented attempt to destroy what we have always been proud of  our peaceful life," Kochanova said.

"We all don't need a fight, we don't need a war. Minsk has always been quiet and calm," Kochanova said. "The President heard the opinion of labor collectives and instructed to investigate all the facts of detentions that have occurred in recent days. Intensive work in underway today already more than a thousand people have been released under the obligation not to participate in unauthorized events."

CNN's Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Belarusians accuse authorities of torture and humiliation during mass detentions"
Death rates of course don't tell the full story. They don't speak to the misery and neglect which became the inadvertent side effect of whole workforces at some Victorian homes being forced into self-isolation as community transmission rates soared. They don't reflect the grief and suffering of families, struggling to discover the fate of loved ones as care providers and governments scrambled to find replacement staff. So of fundamental concern to the commission this week was whether the Commonwealth  which is the level of government with primary responsibility for funding and regulating aged care  had done enough to plan for and strengthen the sector's defences in advance of the ravages wrought by the virus. The grim toll among the elderly in the UK, Italy and Spain in the first quarter of 2020 had provided plenty of warning. And in Sydney earlier this year, there had been two deadly outbreaks: at BaptistCare's Dorothy Henderson Lodge between March 3 and May 7, and at Anglicare's Newmarch House between April 11 and June 15. Had the lessons been learnt? On Thursday, the counsel assisting the Royal Commission Peter Rozen QC submitted they had not. The Commonwealth had lacked a specific and proactive plan to move swiftly and decisively when the stealthy invader crept into the two Sydney homes, he said. Rozen argued that the "lessons of those two [Sydney] outbreaks were not properly conveyed to the sector and as a result the sector was not properly prepared in June 2020 when we witnessed high levels of community transmission in Melbourne".

Twisting the knife further, he added, "There is reason to think that in the crucial months between the Newmarch outbreak in April and mid-June, a degree of self-congratulation and even hubris was displayed by the Commonwealth government". Department of Health secretary Brendan Murphy and Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck appearing at a Senate select committee hearing in Canberra this week. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen He cited the delay in making mask-wearing mandatory inside Victorian aged care homes as an example of slowness to act. The requirement did not come into effect until July 13, when community transmission rates had already started to rocket. Had it happened earlier, Rozen said, lives might have been saved. Such devastating criticism has come as a rude shock to Canberra, which until this week has been spared the blowtorch applied to the Victorian government over its egregious failures in supervising hotel quarantine. And on Friday it met with a forceful response from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said the government "completely reject[s] the assertion that there was not a plan, because there was a plan  [ a plan] was in place from March, and indeed going back to January preparations had been made".

Among a raft of other measures, the Commonwealth has provided more than $850 million to the aged sector in extra support during the pandemic, including funding a "surge" workforce for badly affected homes. And on July 25 a Victorian Aged Care Response Centre was set up to bring together all the relevant federal and state agencies battling to get on top of the crisis. Yet critics say many of the government interventions have come too late. It was a known vulnerability in residential aged care that many low-paid casual staff have had to work across a number of facilities to make a living-wage. It provided a perfect avenue for the virus to spread. While Canberra has said it is now making funds available to help ensure aged care employees in Victoria work at one site only, unions say there's confusion on the ground about how the measure is being implemented. Annie Butler, the federal secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), says reports from her members suggest half of the country's aged care providers have not "bothered to apply" for the aged care retention bonus, which is designed to go into workers' pockets. That's disputed by federal government sources, who claim the figure is approaching 95 per cent. Ian Yates, chief executive of COTA Australia - the country's peak organisation for seniors - says some care providers have been diligent about putting COVID-19 management plans in place and practising them ahead of any infection entering a facility. But others, he says, have been "flat-footed and underprepared".

Yates says overall the sector is dogged by the fact that there is "hugely variable quality in aged care in Australia  we have providers who ought not to be in the industry." Federal secretary for the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Annie Butler. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Patricia Sparrow, CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia which represents not-for profits providing residential care, says this week's finger-pointing has been "unhelpful and distressing". But she says the pandemic has thrown into stark relief the fact that while the federal government is responsible for regulating and largely funding residential aged care, it is the states which run hospitals and other health services that elderly residents also need to access. That interface has proven troublesome, especially when aged care facilities have encountered resistance from state health departments over admitting elderly COVID-19 patients, as happened with Newmarch in April, and as has reportedly occurred in isolated instances in Victoria.

Sparrow says it is "ridiculous" to think that aged care homes can "contain such a deadly and contagious virus" without "unfettered" support from the public health system. But she says the "bigger question - and we hope this is the question the Royal Commission answers - is what do we want aged care to be?" "Are we saying that we want residential care to be more like a hospital or a sub-acute setting with lots of clinical support? If we do, it needs to be funded and regulated [and staffed] differently. Or are we saying that it's home-like and that we access [externally] all the health services that the older person needs? Some fundamental questions like that have come to the fore through this whole period." Major implications for government funding would flow from how such questions are answered. For instance, Sparrow says that a sub-acute hospital service would normally receive around $1200 to $1300 per person per day in government support, compared with $265 to $300 a day in aged care. The weight of evidence given to the Royal Commission this week suggests aged care facilities have fared better with COVID-19 outbreaks when they are able to get their first cases to hospital quickly  both for treatment, and to allow the home to then get strict infection controls in place and to start "cohorting" patients and staff to allow separation of positive cases from other residents.

Only two infected residents at Anglicare's Newmarch House in Sydney went to hospital. Credit:Edwina Pickles Yet none of this had been clearly thought through when Newmarch House faced its outbreak, which ultimately claimed the lives of 19 residents. This week Rozen cast fresh light on the stand-off that developed between NSW Health, which was reluctant to accept COVID-19 patients into nearby Nepean Hospital, and the Commonwealth aged care regulator whose chief clinical adviser Dr Melanie Wroth "strongly recommended" removing infected patients from the site. Rozen told the royal commissioners there had been "vigorous disagreement between the Commonwealth and NSW officials on this question". The state authority preferred to keep elderly virus-stricken patients on site and treat them through a Hospital in the Home program. But the federal Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Janet Anderson, wrote in an email dated April 16 that "if there is a view sitting behind the NSW Health position that aged care residents with COVID-19 should always be cared for in situ and should not be transferred to a hospital in any circumstances, then WE MUST CALL THIS OUT [sic] as an intolerable and unsupportable assumption."

Struggling to control the wildfire of infection spreading through the home, the head of Anglicare Grant Millard, took the dispute to the federal aged care minister, Richard Colbeck, but was subsequently told the NSW Health advice would prevail. Ultimately, according to Millard, only two of the 37 Newmarch residents who contracted COVID-19 were transferred to hospital (a figure NSW Health disputes.) Just why the state health authority took the position it did was partially explained in evidence from Dr James Branley, head of infectious diseases at Nepean Hospital who attended Newmarch during the crisis. Branley said the "person-centred care of [an] elderly resident" had to be balanced with "society's public health need not to spread this [because] we know that internationally residential aged care facilities and hospitals have acted as the big amplifier and spreader of the virus throughout society". He gave as an example the challenge that would be presented by an infected elderly resident with "cognitive issues" walking out of a four-bed hospital bay and into a corridor, where physical restraint was harder than in an aged care home with "individual rooms, doors on those rooms". Branley also raised the need for discussions around advance care directives, and the circumstances under which the very elderly might wish to die. Rozen said it was still not clear that the Commonwealth had worked out protocols with all states and territories to co-ordinate government support for aged care facilities in managing a COVID-19 outbreak. "It is unacceptable that such arrangements were not in place in February. It's unforgivable that they are not in place in August," he said.

In their evidence, health sector unions focused on long-standing concerns about understaffing, low pay and insufficient clinical expertise among workers in residential aged care. Diana Asmar, secretary of the Health Workers' Union, told the commission that the pandemic had "laid bare'' these issues in "very confronting ways". She cited the experience of one worker, Lily, who'd been one of only two personal care workers left to tend 150 residents on the night of July 22 in one COVID-19 stricken facility. "Residents were not showered or fed  A resident was left on the floor after a fall because there were not enough carers to attend to each buzzer call," Lily told the union. Secretary of the Health Workers' Union Diana Asmar said aged care workers were being forced to ration personal protective equipment. Both Butler and Asmar also gave graphic evidence of the paucity of personal protective equipment [PPE] available in some aged care homes. There were instances of some workers being told to use just one protective glove instead of two. Others were ordered to use no more than one or two masks per shift and many were struggling with how to properly use PPE because of poor training, she said. "Unfortunately, our members right now feel like they're on the bottom of the Titanic ship," Asmar told the commission.
Multilayered security arrangements and a mandatory adherence to social distancing norms are in place for the 74th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

A security ring, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos and kite catchers, will be placed around the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation.

The Delhi Police has made multilayered arrangements in connection with the Independence Day celebrations. Necessary coordination has been made with other agencies like the NSG, SPG and ITBP.

Also read | Nation is indebted to corona warriors: President Kovind on the eve of 74th Independence Day

All the agencies will work in close coordination with each other to cater to all kinds of threat inputs. SWAT teams and Parakram vans have been strategically stationed, Anil Mittal, Additional PRO Delhi Police, said.

There will be heavy security deployment along the route taken by the prime minister to reach Red Fort.

Over 300 cameras have been installed for security and their footage is being monitored round-the-clock, police said.

There will be around 4,000 security personnel at the Red Fort and they will stand in adherence with social distancing norms, they said.

Meanwhile, medical booths have been set up at various locations--one booth near the rampart, one at Madhavdas Park and two booths at 15 August Park--to cater to any attendee with symptoms related to Covid-19 during the entry.

Also read | Woman Indian Army officer to assist PM in unfurling flag on 74th Independence Day

Ambulances would also be stationed at these locations.

Thermal screening at all entry points for the invitees has been planned. A thorough sanitisation of the premises inside and outside the Red Fort is being carried out on a regular basis, officials said.

All invitees have been requested to wear protective masks. An adequate number of masks are also being kept handy for distribution at various points of venue. Similarly, availability of hand sanitisers at pre-defined locations has been done, they said.

The security in and around railways stations has also been intensified.

Security personnel have been deployed at railways stations and along the tracks. There will be no movement of trains from 6.45 am to 8.45 am on Independence Day on particular tracks near the Red Fort due to VVIP movement, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) Harendra Kumar Singh had said.

The guest list also has been pruned and about 4,000 plus invites have been issued to officials, diplomats, members of public and media.

The Delhi Police has also advised the invitees to refrain from attending the event if they experienced any Covid-19 symptom in the last two weeks and did not go for a test. Social distancing will be maintained between any two guests seated during the event.

The security personnel involved in frisking the invitees would be donning personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, a Delhi Police official said. Over 350 Delhi Police personnel, who will be part of the guard of honour, have been quarantined as a precautionary measure. These personnel of the force of all ranks -- from constable to deputy commissioner of police -- have been quarantined at a newly built police colony in Delhi Cantonment, police said.

Police personnel have also been asked to keep an eye on the sky to ensure that no stray kites are seen in the areas around the Red Fort. Police have also been carrying out anti-sabotage checks, visiting hotels in the vicinity in search of suspicious elements, they had said.

Deployment of security personnel is being made both in plainclothes and uniform. Facial Recognition System has also been set up at vantage points for suspect identification. All the necessary guidelines in view of the Covid-19 pandemic will be enforced, Mittal said.

The Delhi Traffic Police had also issued an advisory for the Independence Day function to ensure safe and smooth flow of vehicles across the city.

Eight roads -- Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP flyover -- will be closed for general public from 4 am to 10 am.

Apart from securing the main venue at the Red Fort, adequate security arrangements for At Home function at Rashtrapati Bhawan have also been made. A city-wide alert is being exercised by all district deputy commissioners of police, Mittal said.

Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, micro light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or activities like para-jumping from aircraft, among others, are prohibited over the jurisdiction of the national capital up to August 15, police had said.

The Red Fort has already been closed for public ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.
Logos of Bytedance, the China-based company which owns the short video app TikTok, or Douyin, are seen on a strap of an employee card, in Beijing

By Fanny Potkin

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chinese tech giant ByteDance censored content it perceived as critical of the Chinese government on its news aggregator app in Indonesia from 2018 to mid-2020, six people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The sources said that local moderators were instructed by a team from ByteDance's Beijing headquarters to delete articles seen as "negative" about Chinese authorities on the Baca Berita (BaBe) app.

In a statement to Reuters, BaBe said it disagreed with the claims and that it moderates content according to its community guidelines and in line with Indonesia's local laws.

Those guidelines, which are published on its website, do not mention China or the Chinese government.

Following the publication of this story, BaBe said that before the "more localised approach" it currently uses, Babe had "some moderation practices in place that were not consistent with our philosophy of having the Indonesian team deciding what is appropriate for its market.

"These guidelines were replaced in 2019 and weve since built and empowered local moderation teams to make decisions that suit the local market," the statement added.

It did not immediately respond to a follow-up Reuters query asking which month in 2019 those guidelines had changed.

ByteDance in Beijing said it had no additional comment beyond the BaBe statement. China's internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a fax that it has consistently requested Chinese enterprises abide by international rules and local laws as a basis to develop international cooperation.

It also said that it noted the Indonesian firms statement and hoped media outlets would objectively and fairly report on Chinese companies normal overseas exchange and cooperation efforts.

U.S President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down ByteDance's short-video app TikTok - widely popular in the U.S., Indonesia and other countries - on national security grounds unless it is sold to a U.S. company.

Story continues

Some U.S lawmakers, including Republican Senator Josh Hawley, have raised concerns over TikTok's data security practices and allegations that it engages in censorship at the behest of the Chinese government.

"If ByteDance will censor BaBe in Indonesia, whats to stop it from censoring TikTok in the United States? Hawley said, when asked to comment on the Reuters story. "We shouldnt trust any assurances they make. This is another reason TikTok as it currently exists should be banned in the United States.

A senior Trump administration official also weighed in on the news. "Entities such as ByteDance ultimately answer to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have a history of censoring free speech to conform to CCP propaganda," the person said.

The company has repeatedly disputed those allegations.

Indonesia, a country of 270 million where over half the population is under 30, is one of ByteDance's fastest-growing markets. TikTok had more than 147 million downloads in the country, according to data from app analytics firm SensorTower.

ByteDance bought Indonesian news aggregator BaBe in 2018 after TikTok was briefly banned in the country for showing "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy", according to officials.

In seeking to reverse the ban, ByteDance agreed with Indonesian authorities to hire a team of local TikTok moderators and reinforce its presence in the world's fourth largest country, according to the then Indonesian communications minister and three company sources.

It then purchased the full operations of BaBe, in which it had already been a majority investor.

Soon after, moderation guidelines for BaBe, which uses artificial intelligence to aggregate stories from hundreds of Indonesian media outlets, were crafted by a team from ByteDance's Beijing headquarters, two of the six sources said.

BaBe moderators were also told not publish any articles on the TikTok ban while negotiations with the Indonesian government were underway, the people said.

Under the new BaBe guidelines, articles from partner media outlets that were perceived as critical of the Chinese government would either not be republished on the BaBe app or would be taken down from the app, according to the six sources.

Articles with the keyword "Tiananmen," a reference to China's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, or to Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, were among those taken down, one person with direct involvement said.

Another direct source described articles about tensions between Indonesia and China over the South China Sea as being banned on the app, even when they came from the country's official news agency, Antara.

Three of the sources said BaBe was using content guidelines patterned on those used for ByteDance's Chinese news app, Toutiao, with some tweaks made for Indonesia regarding the topic of elections as well regarding race, ethnicity, and religion in Indonesia. Sensationalist articles on those topics, which are highly sensitive in Indonesia, would be dropped, they said.

"They wanted a non-political happy tone for the app," one of the people said.

The guidelines changed in mid-2020, when it became possible to read articles on previously censored topics on the BaBe app, a separate source said, calling it a "learning process for ByteDance."

ByteDance disagreed with this assessment and said guidelines changed in 2019.

A 2019 internal ByteDance presentation reviewed by Reuters describes BaBe as Indonesia's top news app with more than 8 million monthly active users and 30 million downloads by the end of 2019.

(Additional reporting by Alexandra Alper in Washington, D.C.; Brenda Goh in Shanghai, Yingzhi Yang; editing by Jonathan Weber and Nick Tattersall and Jon Boyle)
Helena Christensen has revealed that spending lockdown with her 20-year-old son Mingus has been 'really special'.

The Danish supermodel, 51, quarantined with her only child and close friends at her home in the Catskills, in upstate New York.

Speaking with The Telegraph, she explained how they passed time going on treks and watching films, adding that 'being in nature saved me physically and mentally'.

Family time: Helena Christensen has revealed that spending lockdown with her 20-year-old son Mingus has been 'really special'

Helena said: 'I was lucky to spend months on end [in lockdown] with close friends and my son Mingus.... it was very special.

'I think nature saved me physically and mentally. Being in nature I realise is as important to me as breathing.

She also detailed how she stayed fit during lockdown, revealing that she went for a swim every day in a nearby river no matter how cold it was.

The model, who is also an UNHCR Goodwill ambassador, told The Telegraph that she has a 'deep need to be immersed in water... to let it wash away my dark thoughts'.

Close: The supermodel passed the time in lockdown by going on treks and watching films with her only son (pictured together in May)

As well as swimming, Helena said that she's been doing lunges, jumps and squats.

Helena shares her son with her ex-partner the American actor Norman Reedus, who is known for his role in The Walking Dead. The couple were together for five years but split in 2003.

Mingus, who is with the Unsigned Group modelling agency, is also making a name for himself in the fashion industry after walking in several high profile runway shows.

Discussing the industry, Helena said she doesn't think it has changed much since she started out in the 90s but added that 'social media is like running a parallel business alongside the career.

Mother and son: Helena shares her son Mingus, 20, (pictured together) with her ex-partner the actor Norman Reedus

Keeping fit: Helena also said that 'being in nature has saved her physically and mentally' during lockdown and said she's been working out regularly

She also revealed that social media is one of her biggest worries as a mother, but said that parents have to try and 'open their minds'.

However the beauty said that is part of the world young people have grown up in and it is important to try and understand it from their point of view.

As well as modelling works on campaigning for refugees, climate change, animals rights and is also an UNHCR Goodwill ambassador. She is currently in Copenhagen for Fashion Week.

In her footsteps: Mingus is also making waves in the modelling industry and has walked in several high profile runway shows

Helena spent lockdown at her home in the Catskills, which is in upstate New York, about two hours from her apartment in New York City.

During the past few months she has given her followers a look at her breathtaking surroundings in a series of stunning images.

While in another series of striking images, Helena was seen clad in plunging one-piece, as she posed up a storm while posing poolside at her home.

Swimming in style: Helena slipped into a one-piece swimsuit to take a dip in her swimming pool during one hot weekend in lockdown

The former Victoria's Secret Angel also recently revealed she would be using the down time to work on her designs, as she runs a clothing line with friend Camilla.

In a post on their business page, the pals penned: 'Dear Friends.. Sending love and thoughts to you from our mountain isolation spot in Upstate NY.

'Navigating this surreal time is challenging for us all, but at least we are in this together. Wanted to share how grateful we are for family, friendships and our incredible team and partners.'
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Universities (CVC) has condemned the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (Unilag), Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, without due process.

The committee also condemned the appointment of an acting vice chancellor for the university outside the universitys three deputy Vice-Chancellors.

Yakubu Ochefu, Secretary-General, CVC, expressed the view of the committee while fielding questions from journalists on Friday in Abuja.

The chairman of the council knows that the tenure of two members of the council has expired, so he waited for the members not to be in council to get the majority vote.

It is like a hatchet job, we dont want it to appear like that because of the integrity of (the) University of Lagos.

The integrity is very high and we dont want council members to degenerate to that situation.

As it is now, we have a stalemate and it is looking more in favour of the university senate than the council, he told journalists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Unilags Governing Council, headed by Wale Babalakin (SAN) removed Mr Ogundipe, at its meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

The removal was over allegations of infractions and gross misconduct.

The council appointed Theophilus Omololu Soyombo of the Faculty of Social Sciences the Acting Vice-Chancellor.

However, the institutions Senate and all its workers unions have condemned Mr Ogundipes removal, saying it flouted the universitys regulations.

They all made a vote of confidence on Mr Ogundipe on Thursday and vowed not to recognise the acting vice-chancellor.

Mr Ogundipe has also said he is still the vice-chancellor, urging the public to disregard news of his removal.

According to Mr Ochefu, the extant law of the university states that if a vice-chancellor is removed, one of the deputies should be appointed to act.

Unilag has three deputies, none of them was appointed as acting vice-chancellor but somebody else entirely.

This is going to pose another problem, senate members will not allow such a person to chair their meeting because they dont know him within the context of laws establishing universities, he said.

Mr Ochefu also called on the Unilags Governing Council to follow due process in the removal of a vice-chancellor by providing Mr Ogundipe an opportunity to defend himself.

He noted that though the law establishing universities gave the council the power to hire and fire a vice-chancellor, it should not be done in an arbitrary process.

The challenge we have with this particular action is that the university community says the council did not follow due process; indeed, the communication from the embattled vice-chancellor is clear and it is to that effect.

In the procedure for removing a vice-chancellor, you have to set up a joint council/senate committee.

The vice-chancellor will be given the opportunity to defend himself; from there, a submission will be made to the council which will take a decision, Mr Ochefu said.

READ ALSO:

According to him, the situation in Unilag at the moment is unhealthy for the foremost university.

As CVC, we advise the council to take a step back and allow the process of removing a vice chancellor, as established by the law, to take its course.

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It is a simple process. If it finds the man guilty, the council can remove him, but it should go through the normal process, he said.

He noted that fair hearing remained a fundamental human right.

(NAN)
Rather than deploying the considerable legal resources of USDA to turn away the complainants on this legal technicality, and silence the voices who had suffered USDA discrimination, we went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that USDA would consider them. We convinced Congress to toll the statute of limitation as part of the initial $1 billion settlement in 1999. The 2008 Farm Bill permitted USDA to settle claims still unresolved; however, that provision capped payments at an additional $100 million. In 2010, the Obama administration reached a second settlement of claims from Black farmers, and subsequently convinced Congress to appropriate an additional $1.15 billion for those cases.
President has said that he opposes funds for the US Postal Service because it would boost mail-in voting he alleges would favour Democrats.

Trump has previously claimed that mail-in voting would hurt his campaign, which polls show to be in a tight race with Democratic candidate Joe Biden, the BBC reported.

Democrats denounced Trump's comment, saying his position is an attempt to prevent Americans from voting him out.

A record number of people are expected to vote by mail due to the pandemic.

On Wednesday, Trump told reporters he refused to sign off on $25bn (19bn) in emergency funding for the Postal Service or $3.5bn for election security due to the high price tag.

Trump has repeatedly condemned mail-in voting as an opportunity for fraud and election interference.

On Thursday, he said his reason for blocking the funds was due to his opposition to mail-in ballots.

"They want $3.5bn for something that will turn out to be fraudulent. That's election money, basically," Trump said in a telephone interview with Fox Business Network.

"Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," he continued.

He added: "Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting, they just can't have it."

Despite Trump's claims, there is little evidence that mail-in voting - which the US military uses - is rife with fraud or that it favours one political party more than another.

A spokesman for Biden condemned the comment, saying: "The president of the United States is sabotaging a basic service that hundreds of millions of people rely upon, cutting a critical lifeline for rural economies and for delivery of medicines, because he wants to deprive Americans of their fundamental right to vote safely during the most catastrophic public health crisis in over 100 years."

"This is an assault on our democracy and economy by a desperate man who's terrified that the American people will force him to confront what he's done everything in his power to escape for months - responsibility for his own actions," added spokesman Andrew Bates.

The US postal system is currently experiencing a slowdown in mail deliveries, which critics say is due to policies put in place by Trump's selection to run the service.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who donated millions to Mr Trump's campaign and to other Republicans, has been accused of deliberately undermining public confidence in the service to deter people from mail-in voting.

DeJoy is the first postmaster general in 20 years to not be appointed from within the agency's own ranks.

--IANS

rt/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
France has cautiously welcomed a landmark US-brokered deal establishing formal ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, calling Israel's decision to suspend annexations in the occupied West Bank a "positive step" but one that must become "definitive". Iran and Turkey denounced the pact as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

The so-called "Abraham Agreement" normalising relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates was announced Thursday by US President Donald Trump, who told reporters in the Oval Office that it was a truly historic moment".

Trump trumpeted that he had secured Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank in exchange for diplomatic ties with the UAE.

Israel has agreed not to do it. More than off the table, they have agreed not to do it, Trump said. I think that very important. I think it was a great concession by Israel, I think it was a smart concession.

However, addressing reporters later in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed only to "delay" the annexation as part of the deal with the UAE, but the plans remain "on the table".

West Bank expansion

The conflicting statements have cast uncertainty over the future of the West Bank. The territory on the west bank of the river Jordan has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war and is now home to some 500,000 Israeli settlers.

In January, the US had unveiled a peace plan that would have allowed Israel to annex up to 30 percent of territory, before making a U-turn and asking Israel to wait before executing that plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed Thursday's peace deal as ushering in a "new era" for the Arab world and Israel, said later he would "never give up our rights to our land".

Fears that Israel will continue to expand its settlements in the occupied West Bank triggered alarm in France.

French caution

Foreign Affairs Minister Jean Yves Le Drian called for the suspension of Israeli annexation plans to become "definitive".

"The decision taken within this framework by the Israeli authorities to suspend the annexation of Palestinians territories is a positive step, which must become a definitive measure," Le Drian said in a statement on Thursday.

"The new state of mind shown by these announcements must now allow the resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians with a view to establishing two states within the framework of international law and agreed parameters, which is the only option to enable a just and lasting peace," he added.

Palestinian 'betrayal'

Palestinian officials though rejected Thursday's agreement, calling it a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause.

Senior official Hanan Ashrawi accused the Emirati crown prince of "selling out" her people.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meanwhile withdrew his ambassador from the Emirates and demanded an emergency Arab League meeting.

No perfect deal

In the past, the UAE, like most of the Arab world, rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in 1967.

But in recent years, ties between Gulf Arab nations and Israel have quietly grown, in part over their shared enmity of Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, defended the deal, arguing it reflected "badly needed realism".

Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region, he said. But I think we used our political chips right.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 17:47:49|Editor: huaxia

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People work at the construction site of the Kuantan tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Pahang state, Malaysia, Aug. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- "It's good to be back in the construction site," said Hakimi Razak as he stood at a bridge construction site of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a major infrastructure project in Malaysia.

Hakimi, 35, works as a QAQC manager for China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the main contractor of ECRL.

Despite the tropical heat and the fact that he could not return to his family everyday from the site at Malaysia's central state of Pahang, Hakimi preferred working at the site than working from home.

He had been working from home on documentation work earlier, when Malaysia was under strict restrictive measures to contain the spread the COVID-19, during which the ECRL project also came to a halt.

"For me, in construction, it's better to be at the workplace, because it is easier for us to work when we are at the construction site," He told Xinhua recently.

The joy of returning to work was also shared by Goh Sem Yen, a health, safety and environment (HSE) assistant at a section office in Terengganu state.

"I feel I am home and has returned to a big family," she said.

When she and her local colleagues had to work from home due to the virus outbreak, they constantly received cares from their Chinese colleagues and got paid as normal, said Goh.

"At that time, we hoped that we could come back to work as early as possible," she told Xinhua, "I enjoy working here. Despite being busy every day, I can always learn new thing, while make my contributions to the project."

The smooth resumption of construction of the 640-km ECRL is made possible by the strict precautions measures against COVID-19 taken by CCCC even from the early day of the outbreak.

According to Dong Yan, a CCCC section manager of ECRL, the strict measures includes compartmentalization of office space, with regular sanitization, social distancing, and health tracking and COVID-19 testing of the staff.

The management has taken precautions measures while keeping their staff informed on the latest development of COVID-19 around the world, even before the outbreak in Malaysia, said Dong.

"All of our staff could follow the measures in place against COVID-19," he said. "I think that's part of the reason why our staff could back to work as soon as the project resumed."

The measures also brought sense of safety to Hakimi and his colleagues. "Everybody feels safe with these precautions," He said.

Bai Yinzhan, managing director of China Communications Construction (ECRL), said so far no COVID-19 cases were reported among CCCC's staff on ECRL.

"We have attached equal importance to the resumption of work and the precautious measures against the outbreak," he said, adding the local staff and local participation will play an even greater role in the further construction of ECRL, with the aim to bring benefit to the local communities.

"We will continue with our principle of localization by bringing in more local contractors, suppliers and staff to the project," he said.

ECRL runs from Malaysia's largest transport hub Port Klang and travels across the peninsula to Kelantan state in northeastern Malaysia, which is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country by linking its less-developed region on the East Coast to the economic heartland on the West Coast upon its completion in 2026.

According to Bai, works have been started on more than 80 sites along the route, including on tunnel, bridge, and embankment.

Hakimi said working for ECRL is one of his dreams coming true. "I would like to finish what I started off, so I'm looking forward to finish this project with CCCC, even though it might take about another six or seven years," he said.
State-owned power utility company NTPC on Friday reported a 5.9 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 2,948.94 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, 2020. The power generation and distribution company had posted net profit of Rs 3,132.73 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

Consolidated revenue slipped by 2.57 per cent to Rs 26,194.76 crore as compared to Rs 26,886.22 crore in Q1 FY20, NTPC said in a regulatory filing.

Profit before exceptional item and tax jumped 16 per cent YoY to Rs 4,278 crore, while total tax expense rose 24 per cent YoY to Rs 1,386.58 crore during June quarter of 2020.

Consolidated EBITDA jumped 21.6 per cent to Rs 8,947.7 crore versus Rs 7,358.7 crore in Q1 FY20. EBITDA margin stood at 34.2 per cent against 27.4 per cent in the year ago period.

Also Read: NTPC reports incremental borrowings of Rs 24,056 crore for FY20

On the standalone basis, the company report net profit of Rs 2,470.16 crore against revenue of Rs 23,453.46 crore during the April-June quarter of the current fiscal. The revenue includes Rs 880.97 crore on account of sale of energy through trading.

In wake of COVID-19 outbreak, NTPC allowed a rebate of between 20-25 per cent on the capacity charges during the lockdown period subject to approval of board, in accordance with the announcement of government under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat special economic and comprehensive package. An amount of Rs 1,363 crore has been approved by the board for the same. During the quarter, the company has accounted a rebate of Rs 836.76 crore in respect of beneficiaries fulfilling conditions.

Also Read: NTPC's Singrauli Unit 1 top-electricity generating plant in Q1

NTPC group's total installed capacity increased to 62,110 MW as on June 30, 2020 as compared to 55,126 MW in the same period last year. The group's commercial capacity rose by 7,634 MW to 61,960 from 54,326 MW in Q1 FY20.

Following Q1 earnings, shares of NTPC ended day's trade at Rs 88.40, up 1.38 per cent, against previous closing price of Rs 87.20 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

By Chitranjan Kumar




Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S.

If the U.S. allowed the coronavirus to spread unchecked in an attempt to try to achieve so-called herd immunity, the "death toll would be enormous," White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci warned on Thursday.

"If everyone contracted it, even with the relatively high percentage of people without symptoms ... a lot of people are going to die," Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told actor Matthew McConaughey during a live discussion on Instagram.

According to epidemiologists, herd immunity is necessary to contain a virus and is reached when enough of the population is either vaccinated or survive infection and build antibodies to ward of new infections. The virus then doesn't have enough hosts to infect.

Most scientists think 60% to 80% of the population needs to be vaccinated or have natural antibodies to achieve herd immunity, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization's health emergencies program, said last month.

The coronavirus, however, has infected less than 2% of the U.S. population and has already killed at least 166,970 people, according to Johns Hopkins University data, though the actual number of cases in the U.S. could be higher, according to a recent CDC study.

Letting the virus spread uncontrollably to achieve herd immunity would bring the death toll to a level that's "totally unacceptable," Fauci said. Americans tend to have more underlying conditions, like diabetes and obesity, that lead to more serious cases and even death from the coronavirus.

"If you look at the United States of America with our epidemic of obesity as it were, with the number of people with hypertension, with the number of people with diabetes, if everyone got infected, the death toll would be enormous and totally unacceptable," Fauci said.
The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, was also stripped of something by this deal, which may force him to the negotiating table. It stripped him of his biggest ace in the hole  the idea that the gulf Arabs would normalize with Israel only after the Israelis satisfied the demands of the Palestinian Authority with a state to its liking.

(Free advice for Abbas: Come back to the table now and say you view the Trump plan as a floor, not a ceiling for Palestinian aspirations. You will find a lot of support from Trump, the Europeans and the Arabs for that position. You still have leverage. Israel still has to deal with you, because your people in the West Bank are not going to just disappear, no matter what happens with the U.A.E. and Israel.)

This deal will certainly encourage the other gulf sheikhdoms  Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia  all of which have had covert and overt business and intelligence dealings with Israel, to follow the Emirates lead. They will not want to let the U.A.E. have a leg up in being able to marry its financial capital with Israels cybertechnology, agriculture technology and health care technology, with the potential to make both countries stronger and more prosperous.

Three other big winners here are: 1) King Abdullah of Jordan. He feared that Israeli annexation would energize efforts to turn Jordan into the Palestinian state. That threat is for the moment defused. 2) The American Jewish community. If Israel had annexed part of the West Bank, it would have divided every synagogue and Jewish community in America, between hard-line annexationists and liberal anti-annexationists. This was a looming disaster. Gone for now. And 3) Joe Biden. Biden, if he succeeds Trump, will not have to worry about the thorny issue of annexation, and he should have a much stronger pro-American alliance in the region to work with.

The big geopolitical losers are Iran and all of its proxies: Hezbollah, the Iraqi militias, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis in Yemen and Turkey. This is for a number of reasons. Up to now, the U.A.E. has kept up a delicate balance between Iran and Israel, not looking to provoke Iran, and dealing with Israel covertly.

But this deal is right in Irans face. The tacit message is: We now have Israel on our side, so dont mess with us. The vast damage Israel inflicted on Iran through apparent cyberwarfare in recent months may have even given the U.A.E. more breathing room to do this deal.

But there is another message, deeper, more psychological. This was the U.A.E. telling the Iranians and all their proxies: There are really two coalitions in the region today  those who want to let the future bury the past and those who want to let the past keep burying the future. The U.A.E. is taking the helm of the first, and it is leaving Iran to be the leader of the second.
What Ontarios parents, students and teachers all need right now is confidence  confidence that when schools reopen early next month the risks from COVID-19 are as low as reasonably possible.

Instead, theyre getting a confusing welter of claims and counterclaims, along with a dollop of dire warnings about dangers from a much-feared second wave of the pandemic.

Things got, if anything, even worse on Thursday. The Conservative government, through Education Minister Stephen Lecce, announced more money to pay for measures designed to minimize the risks of reopening.

In addition to more than $300 million set aside earlier to pay for more nurses, teachers, custodians, PPE and such, there will be $50 million to improve ventilation in schools to lessen the spread of the virus, and $18 million to support so-called synchronous online learning (a.k.a. Zoom classes).

In addition, the province will unlock almost $500 million in reserve funding held by school boards and allow them to use it for such measures as hiring more teachers and increasing physical distancing.

It sounds like a lot, but its coming awfully late (is September coming as a surprise this year?) And it falls far short of what some others, notably teachers unions, claim is necessary.

In fact, even as Lecce was rolling out more money, four unions claimed the provinces plan violates its own health and safety legislation. And they say the government should be spending three times as much as it has committed so far if it truly wants a safe reopening.

All this is bound to undermine confidence, not bolster it. And whatever the merits of the conflicting claims, thats a problem in itself. If a critical mass of parents and teachers dont trust the plan to reopen schools, many students wont show up and many educators will balk at returning to their classes.

This would be a giant political problem for the government, but thats the least of it. If schools cant successfully reopen, it will be a major blow to efforts at getting society as a whole back to something like normality. Many parents wont be able to return to work, and a generation of young people will suffer.

The government claims the unions are being obstructionist, and are exaggerating the risks that will come with its plan. We cant judge the conflicting claims, but we can offer a couple of observations.

First, no reopening plan will be risk-free. Everyone going back to work, or resuming daily activities, is assuming a greater degree of risk than during the lockdown. The issue is whether the risk is acceptable, given the negative consequences of keeping schools closed.

Second, the man Ontarians have been told to trust for expert guidance through the pandemic is not sounding an alarm at this point. In fact, Dr. David Williams, the chief medical officer of health, is supporting the governments plan.

Back in March, Ontario (like all other provinces) closed schools on Williams advice as the pandemic swept the land.

Five months later, after long, costly weeks of lockdown and restrictions, cases of COVID-19 are far lower. Williams said his advice, drawn from the provinces tables of medical experts, is that its safe to reopen schools as planned on Sept. 8.

He said hes taking into account not just physical distancing measures in Ontarios plan, but other measures as well, including masks for older students, hand hygiene, testing, cohorting and so on. If there was concern now, he said, I would not be recommending the schools being open.

This has to count for something. Williams and the experts he relies on dont have a dog in any fight between the government and the unions. They may be proven wrong eventually, but thats their best independent estimate.

Finally, one move Lecce could take that might calm nerves is to delay or stagger the opening the schools.

British Columbia has taken this approach. Its giving teachers two extra days, until Sept. 10, to prepare classrooms for the arrival of students and discuss health guidelines. The teachers union there calls it a reasonable approach.

On Thursday, Lecce said hell support any idea to derisk the situation. He should delay or stagger the reopening, and work harder at building the confidence that is so sorely needed.
NJ Cannabis Insider produces premium, exclusive weekly content and monthly events geared toward those interested in the marijuana and hemp industries. Here are the headlines in Issue 127, published on Aug. 13. To subscribe, visit njcannabisinsider.biz

Cannabis businesses prove resiliency against coronavirus.

As businesses and citizens struggle to get by while the House of Representatives and Senate continue to haggle over the terms of the next COVID-19 relief package, industry insiders say theres a number of positive indicators to show the cannabis industry has long-term staying power.

Despite the inherent challenges of operating in a state but not federally legal business sector and the collapse of the public markets, cannabis companies have shown resilience.

Over the last few months, the legal cannabis industry has seen an overall increase in sales and was deemed essential in nearly every state, though there is some variation from state to state and from business to business, said National Cannabis Industry Association media director Morgan Fox. However, the same problems that it faced before the pandemic  lack of access to banking and capital, no interstate commerce, unfair taxation and regulatory burdens, and prohibition generally  still apply and have been exacerbated in many cases. (By Justin Zaremba | NJ Cannabis Insider)

Read the full story by subscribing to NJ Cannabis Insider.

Even after the ballot question passes, its going to take a while for actually having adult-use on the market.

Q&A with Alixon Collazos is a public affairs specialist working with the BGill Group, a full service public affairs, political consulting and digital media firm.

The main area that I focus on over the last year and a half has been basically in the local government in community outreach. Part of my job has to do with gathering support, but the thing that Im doing the most is educating elected officials at the local level. That has been my main part of it.

The level of education in terms of cannabis is diverse. So my frustration comes from the lack of information from the top to the local levels of government and communities.

Collazos will be a speaker at NJ Cannabis Insiders Aug. 25 panel discussion, Cannabis Legalization and Your Town, a conversation aimed to inform city planners on what options towns have ahead of possible legalization. (By Justin Zaremba | NJ Cannabis Insider)

Read the full story by subscribing to NJ Cannabis Insider.

At long last, telehealth for medicinal marijuana is here.

The tele-health services that thousands of New Jerseyans have used to see their doctors without having to leave their homes during the pandemic are now available for registered medicinal marijuana patients, the state Division of Consumer Affairs has announced.

In-person visits are also temporarily waived for patients in need of a pain reliever on controlled dangerous substances list also will be permitted to skip the in-person visits and consult with a doctor over the phone, according to the order signed by acting Director Paul Rodriguez, for the Division of Consumer Affairs late Wednesday.

New Jersey health care practices are again offering in-person services, but telehealth remains an important option for patients and providers, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in a statement. We are making it easier for patients to choose telehealth services for any reason, including to avoid an in-person visit due to the continuing risk of COVID-19.

Doctors who use telemedicine to prescribe CDS or authorize medical marijuana will be held to the same professional standards as for in-person visits and must comply with all of the important safeguards we have adopted to prevent diversion and misuse.(By Susan K. Livio NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Read the full story by subscribing to NJ Cannabis Insider.

AHA says smoking weed is bad for your heart. Is there really enough evidence?

The American Heart Association has taken a stance on smoking cannabis, warning consumers that doing so could cause heart problems.

The association examined numerous existing studies and drew on them to issue its statement, which ultimately prompted alarmist headlines like, weed is not good for your heart.

While doctors agree theres established research on the plants effect on the heart, they caution against making definitive determinations for now.

I dont think we have enough evidence to say weed is bad for your heart, said Dr. Anuj Shah, a cardiologist based in Paterson. But I think we have enough evidence to say it could be bad for your heart.

More controlled studies, Shah said, could parse through various factors that make a person susceptible to heart attacks and strokes: Is there a more meaningful connection to lifestyle, other drug use, race and socioeconomic class than THC intake? (By Amanda Hoover | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Read the full story by subscribing to NJ Cannabis Insider.

Can Kamala Harris change Joe Bidens mind on cannabis?

Former Vice President Joe Biden opposes ending the federal ban on marijuana.

On the other hand, his choice for vice president, California Sen. Kamala Harris, is the lead Senate sponsor of the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, which would remove the federal ban on marijuana and leave it to the states to decide whether to legalize the drug.

The legislation, which passed the House Judiciary Committee in November, also would take steps to help communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs and to ensure that minority-owned businesses and individuals got a share of the burgeoning legal cannabis business.

Which view will prevail in a Biden administration?

Biden would decriminalize marijuana use and expunge previous convictions for using cannabis, support medical marijuana and let states decide whether to legalize the drug for recreational use.

But he also would reclassify it on a federal level as a Schedule II drug, which would keep the drug illegal but allow research into possible medicinal purposes. The drug is now classified as Schedule I along with heroin.

The plant wouldnt be illegal under federal law under U.S. Sen. Cory Bookers Marijuana Justice Act (which Harris co-sponsored).

Booker, D-N.J., said Biden has expressed interest in his bill.

I know its something his team is going to be interested in, and Ill have an open door to discuss those ideas and their implementation, Booker said.

In fact, he said in an interview, Bidens views werent that far away from his, describing them as Let the states do what they want to do. (By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Read the full story by subscribing to NJ Cannabis Insider.

NJ Cannabis Insider is a weekly subscriber-based trade journal produced by NJ Advance Media, which provides content to NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. Learn about NJ Cannabis Insider and its monthly live events and forums here.

For more information, you may reach us via email here.
A baby food producer has advised mothers to be particular about the choice of food for their babies during their weaning period.



Mrs Linda Onyah Maka, who produces Salfix Foods, said some babies reacted negatively to processed food, and, thefore, did not grow well when they fed on those foods.



So lets not put away the option of home-made cereals, but lets consider them as one of the best choices when making decisions on the food choices for our children, she said.



Mrs Maka said this when she donated Salbix Cerealmix, one of her products, to the nutrition rehabilitation centre of the Princess Marie Louise Childrens Hospital in Accra.



The centre, which caters for malnourished children, received 50 pieces of 1,200 kilogramme packs of salbix Cerealmix baby foods and breakfast cereals from Mrs Maka to support the feeding of children at the facility.



Objective



Mrs Linda Onyah Maka said the gesture was part of her response to the centre in the period of COVID-19. Many health facilities are experiencing hard times as a result of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that COVID-19 has had a huge impact on your facility, and this donation is to help you out, she said.



Mrs Maka, who is also a social worker, said she had been most concerned about the wellbeing of children and the family as a whole, saying that was what drove her into starting the nutritious Salbix Cerealmix.



She appealed to benevolent individuals and corporate organisations to support the nutritional needs of rehabilitation centres, especially in these times.



Appreciation



The Assistant Administrator at the hospital, Mr Wisdom Acheampong, expressed gratitude to Mrs Maka for the support, saying with this gesture you have solved a childs whole problem.



The timely help of individuals and companies like Salbix have always been of tremendous help to this health facility. The Senior Nutrition Officer at the centre, Ms Bernice Okine, noted that the rehab centre fed the malnourished on a weekly basis. This, she said, had imposed a high demand on the facility for the supply of nutritious food items in addition to the relevant medications. We, therefore, want to thank Mrs Maka for always coming to the aid of the rehab centre with her products, she said.

Source: graphiconline.com









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

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Many Nigerians and nongovernmental organisations reacted with anger Thursday after the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) imposed a fine on a radio station for conducting an interview the government considers inciting.

The regulatory body said it fined the channel, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, N5 million for providing its platform to be used to promote unverifiable and inciting views that can incite crime, public disorder.

While announcing the penalty earlier today, NBC had cited the alleged unprofessional conduct of media house in the handling of the programme, Morning Cross Fire, aired on Monday between 8.30am and 9.00am.

A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, had while speaking during the programme alleged that a northern state governor is a commander of the terror group, Boko Haram.

Dr Mailafia Obadias comments on the Southern Kaduna Crisis were devoid of facts and by broadcasting same to the public, Nigeria Info 99.3FM, is in violation of the following sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: 3.1.1 No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime, lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference to any person or organisation, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity, the statement read.

Under the new code, the commission has also threatened sanctions on media houses for allowing their platforms to be used for insulting public officials, Vanguard reported.

The code, since its amendment, has stirred controversy with many Nigerians kicking against its provisions. Many view the move as a backdoor attempt to clamp down on free speech, dissent and the media.

The National Broadcasting Commission board has however distanced itself from the ammendment of the code, insisting it was erroneously done by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

Reaction

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, said the fine on Nigeria Info radio was a threat to an evolving democracy like Nigerias.

While there is no disputation over the fact that hate speech portends an existential threat to the enterprise of journalistic reporting and, in fact, inhibits the workings for a free society, it is absolutely repugnant that powers that be would instrumentalize the prevention of hate speech as a means of constricting free speech, Mr Abubakars media office said in a statement Thursday.

It is globally acknowledged that one of the core functions of the mass media is to inform the society on all ranges of issues, not even to the exclusion of national security issues. The mass media has a role to play in ensuring that all possible shades of opinions are given access to the media platform.

In many advanced democracies the world over, criminals on even wanted lists of law enforcement agencies have reached out to the media to express their opinions about the crimes that they had perpetrated and the media space was not denied to them.

As a matter of fact, it seems somewhat contradictory that a country like ours, which is in the throes of national security skirmishes, would choose to shrink media access to critical information . It is not known if any society had won the war against terrorism by placing a restriction to access to information, in the way the NBC had done.

The statement also disagreed with the argument of the NBC that the interview that the station had with Mr Mailafia constituted any infringement.

Whether or not what Dr. Mailafia said on the radio station was a false claim, it is outside of the objectives of a responsible regulatory framework to sanction a radio station for a comment an individual made, more so that the personality in question, Dr. Obadiah, had been quizzed and released by law enforcement agents, the statement partly read.

The statement said if for any reason the authorities were not satisfied with his explanations, they are at liberty to prosecute him in court, but not to make a scapegoat of the media platform that provides opportunities for citizens to ventilate their views.

We, therefore, call on the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to cause a review of the hate speech prohibition code because the very interpretation of same is offensive to the notion of free speech which is an essential ingredient of participatory democracy that Nigeria operates, it said.

It also demanded the fine on the radio station be quashed.

Similarly, the International Press Centre (IPC) expressed dismay over the imposition of the fine.

The executive director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, said the NBC gave the impression that it was the radio station that put the words in the mouth of the guest and went on to impose a fine without any evidence whatsoever that the alleged statement had degraded any person or groups of persons, which would have amounted to hate speech.

Even if a case of hate speech can be established, it is totally out of place in a democratic setting that NBC would be the one to accuse, prosecute and judge its own case against the station, Mr. Arogundade said.

The group said the hefty fine represented an assault on media independence, freedom of expression and the right of citizens to know about issues of public interest.

Mr. Arogundade demanded the immediate reversal of the decision saying that was the only path of honour left for the NBC to follow having embarrassed itself with the unreasonable fine against the radio station.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in its statement of Thursday, urged President Buhari to caution the NBC to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they insult Publix officials.

The group threatened legal action if the commission fails to comply.

Well see in court if the NBC continues to undermine Nigerians human rights. Nigerian authorities should stop using insult as a pretext to stifle freedom of expression, and as a tool of repression, it said.

The crime of insult is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended), and international human rights law.

Several Nigerians also aired their opinion on Twitter, protesting the fine.

According to @ayemojubar, They want citizens to respect them as elders but why would Lai Mohammed and NBC fine NigeriaInfo FM N5m because they granted Obadiah Mailaifa an interview. See the consequence of giving power to wicked souls.

@OJEZS wrote: NigeriainfoFM should sue Lai Mohammed and NBC to court; theres nothing wrong for @NigeriaInfoPH to grant Obadiah Mailaifa an interview. They should go to court to challenge the FG for that 5MN fine.
August 14 : Amid lockdown, everybody is missing their freedom of traveling, partying, and outings. It seems that actor Rajkummar Rao is missing his shooting days madly. Taking a trip down the memory lane, the Made In China actor shared a picture on Friday from the shoot of the film Stree. Taking to his Instagram handle Rajkummar Rao posted a picture of his with highlighting three P in it. In his post he mentioned in one photo there are 3 P, Park Purush (of Stree film), and Paris.

The Instagram feed of Rajkummar read,    3   



 ( )



# (Throwback)

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rajkummar will be seen in Chhalaang. It is a social black comedy film directed by Hansal Mehta starring Nushrat Bharucha along with Rajkummar. It is produced by Ajay Devgn, Luv Ranjan, Ankur Garg, and Bhushan Kumar. The plot is set in a small town of Uttar Pradesh. Due to coronavirus pandemic release date are still not finalized.

The other film in Rajkummars kitty is a Bollywood film The White Tiger. It is reportedly based on a Man Booker prize-winning novel of the same name. The movie is going to be featured on Netflix and it also stars Priyanka Chopra. The plot explains the story of a villager on a run to make his life better.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:28:59|Editor: huaxia

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QINGDAO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) will further push forward the exchanges and cooperation in the global science community, said its chairman Wan Gang.

Wan made the remarks while addressing the association's annual meeting that opened in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Friday.

More than 30 forums and events will be held during the meeting, which is held in a combination of online and offline activities.

The meeting will focus on such topics as international scientific and technological exchanges, deep integration of technology and economy, public safety and social governance, and innovation development contributed by sci-tech talents.

Wan urged the association to maintain and explore the sci-tech and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with universities, institutes, firms and government organs.

The seminars attracted the participation of more than 230 organizations and institutions. Enditem
Im latched like a human-sized leech to the front of a big rubber boat thats bucking its way down a cliff-lined stretch of the Arkansas River in Colorado.

The tip of a wave breaks over my husbands shoulders, and a grin spreads across his face. At the back of the raft, water droplets cling to the ample beard of guide Matthew Burdine, who is swinging the oars that are keeping us from crashing into boulders.

In the midst of a pandemic-era campervan road trip through Colorado, weve stopped to spend half a day riding a ribbon of water as it cuts through Browns Canyon, between Buena Vista and Salida in central Colorado. Were the only passengers on the raft  its part of our effort to keep our trip with River Runners as safe as possible.

We started a few hours earlier, checking in at the River Runners headquarters, where we tugged on wetsuits and neoprene booties, clipped on lifejackets and helmets, then walked to the nearby shoreline for a safety briefing. (Customers must wear masks while at the shop and while gearing up and riding shuttles. Theyre not required to wear masks while rafting, but some do.) Thirty minutes later, we loaded into our boat and pushed away.

Guests can help paddle or leave the work to the guide, which is what were doing in this oar-powered boat, so I can snap photographs. Burdine regales us with stories as we careen down the canyon, designated a national monument by President Barack Obama in 2015.

More Information If you go River Runners is at 24070 County Road 301, south of Buena Vista, Colo. A half-day trip on Browns Canyon costs $77 per person, including gear; a full-day trip is $121 per person. Overnight trips are also available. For more information, go to whitewater.net. See More Collapse

Though you wouldnt guess it unless you stopped and watched the rafts glide past, hundreds of boats make the trip daily during the summer. Its the most commercially rafted river in Colorado and one of the most popular in the country, with up to 225,000 paying customers in a single year.

Our half-day trip starts mildly, in a section that Burdine calls the milk run, with gentle riffles and placid pools. He rows on, though, and after an hour we reach a spot called Canyon Doors. Thats where the real fun begins.

Its my favorite spot, the moment where everything changes from lush riverbank into canyon walls, and you know youre entering into something special, Burdine says.

As those walls close in, we hit drop after drop. Burdine runs our boat through the obstacle course like hes cueing a well-trained cutting horse  we spin backward, twirl around rock outcroppings and nose straight down a plume that reminds me of the log ride at the amusement park, avoiding boat-slurping holes and jagged slabs of granite.

That river always changes, he says. Its a new river every time youre on it. The thrill, though, remains the same. Its a sense of freedom, of feeling small in something so big.

We hit technical Class 3 and Class 4 rapids, where Burdine dodges and bounces off rocks, and more straight-shooting wave trains. We navigate ominous sections with names such as Raft Ripper and Zoom Flume, then cascade down a series of seven frothy boat busters dubbed the Staircase. We gaze up at the rock formations, too, pointing out to each other the shape of the elephants and eagles and hat-wearing ladies we imagine we see there.

I forget, for a few hours, that were in the midst of a pandemic. Things feel somehow normal out here on the roiling water, beneath the red-, yellow- and brown-streaked canyon walls.

What we need to survive right now are these moments outside with family or friends that remind us that were all still human, Burdine says.

While the pandemic has walloped parts of the travel industry, business is booming on the Arkansas River, says River Runners general manager Travis Hochard.

Theres a lot of pent-up demand, Hochard says. People have been in their houses and finally get to get outside in wilderness areas. Theyre kind of starving for this, and its great seeing them get the satisfaction of doing something they enjoy.

You can hear the rafters holler as they make their way down the river, riding the current and dipping through waves and swirling eddies. The backdrop of mountains, some with pockets of snow still visible even in August, gives way to granite cliffs streaked with lime-green and rust-colored lichen.

When youre approaching the big rapids, your heart starts pumping, Hochard says. You start paddling, the waves splash in your face, and everybody forgets about all their problems.

Last year River Runners escorted 18,000 people down this river. The company is one of about three dozen that offer rafting trips on this section of the Arkansas. (River Runners also runs trips through Royal Gorge near Canon City, where boats encounter even bigger rapids and pass beneath the highest suspension bridge in North America.)

The water temperature hovers in the upper 50s, but that doesnt deter some customers, such as real estate broker Billy Kurtz from Georgetown. He and his family are paddling a raft just behind us, and when it pulls off to the side for a break, Kurtz and 9-year-old daughter Naomie scramble up an embankment and take flying leaps into the chilly water. The rest of the family  wife Alexa and 7-year-old daughter Abigail  cheer from below.

Its just a great introduction to whitewater rafting for young kids, Kurtz says. My wife and I have done it for years, and were pretty adventurous, so we try to push the limits and get them into as much as they can handle.

Thats something I can relate to. By the end of the trip, Im wishing we had more river to run. But for now, Im just happy to escape into the outdoors.

Pam LeBlanc is a writer based in Austin.
Who can be on the highway Parking on the A5 in the South Baden new castle on the Coronavirus test, do not need to leave the car. The swabs are made through the side window, says Karin Bundschuh, speaker of the Baden Red cross, which carries out the Tests. In the Parking lot there are currently two test points, a third could be set up for the France and Switzerland entering the country at any time. To 10.30 am had been made to this Friday, the first day of operation, 94 testing. No long waiting time, it was not only a backlog on the highway. A such, the highway police, would Bundschuh says, also not allow.

Niklas Zimmermann

volunteer.

F. A. Z. Twitter

Indeed, it goes so far, soon to be in the Parking lot "new castle East" free of charge test, but the Wait for the test result, the longer it takes to. Until a result was available, it could take up to four days, says baden-wurttemberg's Minister of health, Manfred Lucha (Green). For a maximum of four days to go, the Tested in precautionary quarantine. Otherwise, penalties of up to 25,000 euros. The aim was to inform the people within 48 hours, says Martina Troescher of the kassenarztliche Vereinigung Baden-Wurttemberg.

Currently, the labs in Baden-Wurttemberg 78.000 Tests per week, says a Ministry spokesman. However, he stressed, "that the Federal government adopted mandatory Testing for returnees from high-risk areas leads to a greater use of capacity". Some laboratories had already reached its capacity limit. Since last Saturday, a Corona is in Germany test is compulsory for travellers returning from high-risk areas. You must register within 72 hours after the entry test.

test centres to motorways and airports

this Friday on the new test were not only in Baden-Wurttemberg, but also in Saxony opportunities for motorists opened. In Saxony can travel returnees now for free on the A4 near Gorlitz in the Parking lot "On the river Neisse" and on the A17 near Bad Gottleuba in the Parking lot "At the Heide wood" test. Here the traveler would be tested in specially-equipped containers, says Katharina Bachmann-Bux. She is the spokeswoman for the physicians ' Association of Saxony, whose Doctors perform the Tests. Two Times a day, the samples would be picked up. As in Baden-Wurttemberg you have to go to private laboratories.

The result is there in the App

In Saxony should be a test result in one to two days. A longer duration could not imagine at the Moment, says Bachmann-Bux. "Who has a Corona App that gets the results directly on the App," she says. In order to prevent chaotic conditions in the past few days in Bavaria have been, where tens of thousands of after transmission errors in highway testing centers and in main railway stations, was still waiting for her test results to wait. Compared to the border crossings in Bavaria, travel in Saxony, but also less people from risk areas. The to the Czech Republic and Poland border of Saxony, is not the popular Route for returning from the current high-risk areas in the South-East of Europe.

In different areas, with increased Corona-Figures borders, however, the Rhineland-Palatinate. Since last week, the German Red cross tests in order the country to three locations in the vicinity of highways. A test point is located on the Parking lot, "Markus Berg" at the Luxembourg next A64 and the other in Bitburg, close to the A60, which comes from Belgium. A further test point is located in Landau, for Passengers on the A65 from France.

Updated Date: 14 August 2020, 16:19
India and Nepal will hold talks on August 17 under their "oversight mechanism'' for reviewing all bilateral economic and developmental projects in the Himalayan nation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

This would be the first major engagement since bilateral ties came under strain after the Himalayan nation came up with a new political map in May.

Asked about reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli could have a telephonic conversation on August 15, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "I have no information on this, I need to check."



On whether the issue of floods in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar could come up for discussion in the upcoming bilateral "oversight mechanism" talks and if any high level dialogue between the two countries is proposed, he said, "On the scheduled oversight mechanism, I think you are referring to the meeting which is to take place on August 17."



This "oversight mechanism" was set up in 2016 to review all bilateral economic and developmental projects in Nepal, he said.

This meeting will review all such projects across Nepal, Srivastava said.

Earlier this week, official sources said Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi are scheduled to hold talks on August 17 in Kathmandu under the oversight mechanism.

Asked about Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali's reported remarks that the 1947 agreement among India, Nepal and the United Kingdom that deals with the military service of Gorkha soldiers has become redundant", Srivastava said, "We are aware of the remark, but we have no information on any official communication in this regard."



Srivastava also asserted that he has made India's stance clear several times and had nothing more to add.

In June, Nepal's Parliament approved the new political map of the country featuring areas which India maintains belong to it.

In its reaction, after Nepal's lower house of Parliament approved the bill, India termed as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by the neighbouring country.

India had said Nepal's action violates an understanding reached between the two countries to resolve the boundary issues through talks.

Meanwhile, to a separate question on former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad raking up the Kashmir issue, Srivastava said, "You are aware of the outlook and position of Mahatir Mohamad on this issue."



"As the saying goes, you are known by the company you keep," he said in an apparent reference to Mohammad's closeness to Pakistan.

Asked if any development has taken place on the extradition of Zakir Naik, he said India was in touch with the Malaysian government on the issue.

Naik, a 54-year-old radical Islamic preacher wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches, left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to the largely Muslim Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency when Mahathir was the prime minister.

On the case of the Income Tax Department detaining a 42-year-old Chinese man, identified as Charlie Peng, alleged to be the kingpin of a money laundering racket, Srivastava said, "We have seen the reports and we are awaiting more information at this stage.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CHICAGO, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), one of the world's largest exchange holding companies, today announced its Board of Directors elected Jennifer McPeek, former Chief Financial Officer of Russell Investments and Janus Capital Group, as a new member to its Board of Directors.

Ms. McPeek was elected to fill a vacancy on the board, bringing the number of directors on the board to 13.

Ed Tilly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cboe Global Markets, said: "We are pleased to welcome Jennifer McPeek to Cboe Global Markets' board of directors. Jennifer is a distinguished leader with exceptional credentials, and the experience and unique perspective she brings will further strengthen the breadth of our board's leadership and counsel. I look forward to working with Jennifer and our entire board as we continue to execute on our strategic initiatives to grow our global business, serve the needs of our customers and deliver sustainable returns and long-term value to our shareholders."

Ms. McPeek is an independent advisor to companies on value-based management and incentive design. Prior to her current role, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Russell Investments from 2018 to 2019. From 2009 to 2017, she was with Janus Henderson Investors plc and its predecessor company Janus Capital Group Inc., serving as Chief Financial Officer from 2013 to 2017 and as Chief Operating and Strategy Officer post-merger in 2017. From 2005 to 2009, she was with ING Investment Management, Americas, where she was a member of the management committee and led the strategy function.

Ms. McPeek currently serves on the Board of Directors of First American Funds, Inc. She graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with an A.B. degree in Mathematics and Economics, and received her M.S. degree in Financial Engineering from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Ms. McPeek holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.



About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE) is one of the world's largest exchange holding companies, offering cutting-edge trading and investment solutions to investors around the world. The company is committed to defining markets to benefit its participants and drive the global marketplace forward through product innovation, leading edge technology and seamless trading solutions.

The company offers trading across a diverse range of products in multiple asset classes and geographies, including options, futures, U.S., Canadian and European equities, exchange-traded products (ETPs), global foreign exchange (FX) and volatility products based on the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX Index), recognized as the world's premier gauge of U.S. equity market volatility.

Cboe's subsidiaries include the largest options exchange and the third largest stock exchange operator in the U.S. In addition, the company operates one of the largest stock exchanges by value traded in Europe and is a leading market globally for ETP listings and trading.

The company is headquartered in Chicago with a network of domestic and global offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia, including main hubs in New York, London, Kansas City and Amsterdam. For more information, visit www.cboe.com.

CBOE-C

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Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, Cboe Volatility Index, and VIX are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc.

SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Related Links

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Her daytime talk show is at the centre of allegations of bullying and harassment behind the scenes, but there is still hope for Ellen DeGeneres, according to a brand expert.

Eric Schiffer, the chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, told News.com.au on Friday that the 62-year-old needs to take control of the scandal by issuing a second apology to her staff - after her initial statement was widely dismissed as inadequate.

'Her first "apology" was wretchedly weak, lacked total truth and responsibility and pointed the finger at her staff,' Mr Schiffer explained.

Damage control: Her daytime talk show is at the centre of allegations of bullying and harassment behind the scenes, but there is still hope for Ellen DeGeneres, according to a brand expert. Pictured: DeGeneres at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on January 5

'It came off as one more celebrity elite escaping accountability, not to mention, it was far overdue,' he added.

In her first apology, issued in late July, DeGeneres claimed she had no knowledge of the 'toxic culture' behind the scenes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and appeared to shift the blame on to her senior executives.

'As we've grown exponentially, I've not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done,' she said in an open letter to her employees.

First steps: Eric Schiffer, the chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, told News.com.au on Friday that the 62-year-old needs to take control of the scandal by issuing a second apology to her staff - after her initial statement was widely dismissed as inadequate

'Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again.

'I'm also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop.'

But Schiffer claimed this apology showed a refusal to take personal responsibility for the situation, and claimed DeGeneres should take a long break from the spotlight and return with a 'heartfelt apology'.

Tone-deaf: In her first apology, issued in late July, DeGeneres claimed she had no knowledge of the 'toxic culture' behind the scenes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and appeared to shift the blame on to her senior executives. Pictured with her wife, Portia de Rossi, on January 5

It comes after current and former employees working on The Ellen DeGeneres Show made allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, prompting an internal investigation by WarnerMedia.

An expose by BuzzFeed News last month alleged that a culture of 'racism, fear, and intimidation' was pervasive behind the scenes.

'That "be kind" bulls**t only happens when the cameras are on. It's all for show,' a former staffer told the publication.

Stepping away: Schiffer claimed this apology showed a refusal to take personal responsibility for the situation, and claimed DeGeneres should take a long break from the spotlight and return with a 'heartfelt apology'

Despite the bad publicity, Schiffer said he didn't expect DeGeneres to step down, despite widespread reports she was ready to quit the show.

'Ellen's mammoth ego is too gigantic for her to quit. She is betting on Hollywood greed from her cash-counting friends at Warner Bros. who will test the waters and hope advertisers don't face well-organised boycotts,' he added.

But Schiffer admitted she was likely to have a harder time convincing her fans to forgive her, claiming 'viewers like truth and authenticity'.

A source close to DeGeneres told Daily Mail Australia that 'Ellen's priority is her staff' as the internal investigation continues.
Ken Atkinson, founder and senior board advisor at Grant Thornton Vietnam

For 99 days we in Vietnam lived in a bubble, but then that bubble was suddenly pricked. So what does the new outbreak mean for business and the economy, and how can companies protect themselves during these tough times?

Of course it is too early to come to any firm conclusions as we do not know the full extent of the outbreak and how long it will take to return to a scenario of no community spread.

What we do know is that, in the first half of 2020 the economy grew at 1.81 per cent, much lower than the same period of 2019, but did record the fifth-highest growth worldwide and the highest in the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific. Prior to the new outbreak, GDP growth was expected to be in a range of 2.8 per cent to 4 per cent for 2020, making us one of the stand-out economies.

Industrial production was bouncing back from major contraction in April, and in June the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index posted 51.1 per cent  the first time it was above the no-change mark of 50 per cent in five months. The domestic sector remains weak with 32,700 companies halting operation in the first seven months and 26,700 enterprises no longer operating from their registered address and nearly eight million workers having lost their jobs or being on reduced hours.

The worst hit sectors have been tourism and hospitality, transportation, logistics, and garments and footwear. International visitor arrivals have the worst numbers, down 61.6 per cent on-year in the first seven months and with little hope of recovery this year. With the exception of garments and footwear many export industries have held up relatively well, particularly smartphones and electronics, which have benefited from the new world order of working from home.

In the first seven months of 2020, Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of $6.5 billion with exports increasing 0.2 per cent on-year, to $145.8 billion, whilst imports for the corresponding period fell 2.9 per cent to $139.3 billion. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first seven months of 2020 hit $18.8 billion of newly-registered, newly-added, and stake acquisition.

Now we are faced with a new outbreak, which is mostly concentrated in the central region and Danang in particular. While it is too soon to be able to evaluate the extent of the impact, we know that there will certainly be some negative fall-out.

We already see a significant decline in domestic travel. Locations close to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, which were seeing high levels of weekend visitors, for example saw a fall of 50 per cent in average occupancy from one week to the next. And when the outbreak occurred, air travel was also severely hit. Bars have closed and restaurants are having to revert to social distancing measures, but there is now a reluctance of people to dine out and shopping malls are again sparsely populated.

The worst-case scenario would of course be a spread broad enough to force a shutdown or partial shut-down of manufacturing industries and infrastructure and construction, which would certainly throw the economy into recession, so companies need to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Companies need to develop a plan on how to survive with much lower levels of business than pre-pandemic for at least another 6-12 months. To put the situation into perspective, in April during strict social distancing the authorities estimated that 30 million Vietnamese workers or approximately half the labour force were affected through layoffs or reduced hours.

It was also estimated that urban unemployment rose 33 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 compared to a year earlier, whilst income per worker reduced by 5 per cent.

In a recent report the World Bank commented that whilst the economy has been seriously impacted by COVID-19, it remains resilient and is poised to bounce back. However, this was before the latest outbreak. The bank projected that the economy would rebound in the second half of 2020 with a growth rate of 2.8 per cent for the year but with less favourable external conditions the economy would only expand by 1.5 per cent in 2020 and  of greater concern  only 4.5 per cent in 2021.

According to the report, the big challenge that Vietnam is facing is the need to find new drivers for growth in order to consolidate the recovery. The World Bank considers it unlikely that the countrys traditional sources of growth  foreign demand and private consumption  are unlikely to return to pre-crisis levels anytime soon.

The report released recently suggests three complementary measures that the government should act upon to avoid the COVID-19 economic trap and return to the former growth trajectory.

Firstly, it should consider removing some of the mobility restrictions on international travel gradually, safely, and carefully to balance with safety concerns, as Vietnam is still dependent on foreign visitors and investments.

Secondly, to accelerate the existing public investment programme, the domestic demand must be enhanced. In fact, July saw a disbursement of public investment of $1.97 billion up 51.8 per cent from July 2019.

Thirdly, the government needs to consider targeted support to the private sector, particularly those hardest hit like tourism and hospitality businesses, as well as export manufacturing companies.
PHILADELPHIAIn the wee hours of Friday morning, Deric Nyce Crawley mindlessly scrolled through his phone. When he saw that the music video for Already, a song from Beyonces newest visual album Black Is King, was uploaded to YouTube, it stopped him in his tracks.

In one scene in Already, Ghanaian rapper Shatta Wale stood next to Beyonce in a black-and-white, hand-painted motorcycle jacket designed by the Philly-based fashion brand Jeantrix, which Crawley, 34, co-founded with Muhammad Homm Abdul-Basit, 35. In another scene, Shatta Wale wore a fringed leather jacket, also hand-painted by Jeantrix.

Crawley immediately sent a text message to Abdul-Basit to let him know the video for Already, and their garments, were on YouTube. Hours later, the entire visual album premiered on Disney Plus, where its now available to stream. The Already video now has nearly 10 million views on YouTube.

The duo said they knew that their clothing might appear in the video. Last summer, they were approached by stylist Beoncia Dunn to pull pieces for a project with Beyonce. Details of the project were kept mum.

(Dunn) told us about a week before (Black Is King) came out, that the items pulled were used, Crawley said. We were really excited about it.

The two Jeantrix jackets worn by Shatta Wale were part of an unnamed capsule collection that was created in 2018. The inspiration for the collection was the graffiti artwork the two saw in Brooklyn, where they lived that year.

Abdul-Basit said that seeing his garments in Black Is King was bittersweet. Last Wednesday, rapper Malik Abdul-Basit, known as Malik B and a founding member of the Roots, died. Malik B was Abdul-Basits brother.

Not only am I celebrating a new journey for our brand with the release of the Beyonce video, Abdul-Basit said. Im also mourning the death of my older brother, so its been tough balancing the highs and lows of both.

Both designers say their fashion designing know-how is self-taught. When they met through mutual connections in 2004, they didnt have plans to start a brand. It started with just one pair of sneakers, said Abdul-Basit. We painted one pair of sneakers and we painted a T-shirt to match. Then, after that, people started requesting custom orders.

Two years and hundreds of orders later, they officially launched their luxury streetwear brand Jeantrix in 2006. Their garments have been spotted on such celebrities as Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Lil Kim, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion and others.

Philly Fashion Week co-founder Kevin Parker We saw that they were very talented and ahead of their time with their design esthetic, Parker said. Theyve evolved their brand so far and now theyre just taking over the world. But we always knew they were incredible and we wanted to help nurture that. describes the brand as vibrant and admires their innovative approach to fashion, especially early on when they would take unconventional materials and created 3D items. It was all so futuristic, he said.

Randi Edelman met the Jeantrix duo in 2014 when she was the director of marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. Since then, shes collaborated with the brand in several capacities including an in-store, customizing station and mural work.

Edelman also noted how Jeantrixs style has evolved, but it hasnt changed so much that you cant recognize it. She said she appreciates the duos ability to bring ideas to fruition and their desire to build strong relationships with their clients.

A lot of the times, designers will go into a project where they are very set on what their vision is, Edelman said. But thats what I love about these guys, its always a collaboration.

KeiMante Wright has known the owners of Jeantrix since 2016 and owns at least half a dozen custom garments from the brand. His favourite items are the hand-painted leather jackets.

First and foremost, the jackets. When you have it on, you feel like a badass, Wright said. Everybody is watching you because its a big statement piece.

Both owners know how to sew, but they buy garments wholesale and customize them with a variety of techniques and materials. A simple design with limited colours takes about two hours to complete, but a more elaborate design could take days.

The Jeantrix team has grown to now include sample and patternmakers, so you will see some constructed garments (by us) in the near future, said Crawley.

Since being spotted in Black Is King, sales have increased and the brand has been getting a lot of attention, both designers agreed.

To be a part of something so huge, not just for us but in music in general, said Abdul-Basit. Its like a dream come true. Were still floating right now.
Phoenix, AZ, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InnSuites Hospitality Trust (NYSE American: IHT) InnSuites Hospitality Trust (IHT) reported total revenues of $6.57 million from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2020 (FY 2020) compared to total revenues from continuing operations of $6.17 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2019 (FY2019), an increase of $0.4 million, or 6.5%.



Consolidated Net Loss for FY2020 was approximately $2.0 million compared to Consolidated Net Income of $11.1 million for FY2019. Fiscal year ended January 31, 2019 included net income from discontinued operations of $13.1 million as a result of the profitable sales of our Yuma hotel property and our IBC technology subsidiary. We did not sell any of our properties during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2020.

FY 2020 consolidated net loss from continuing operations, before non-cash depreciation of $0.9 million, before a one-time reserve of $0.8 million on its Note Receivable from the 2018 sale of its IBC technology segment , and before the non-cash impact of $0.2 million of adopting this years new lease accounting standard was approximately break-even (loss of $0.05 million), compared to a net loss from continuing operations, before non-cash depreciation, of $0.8 million in FY2019, showing an improvement in continuing operations on a year to year basis.

Net income per share basic and diluted for FY2020 was ($0.21) compared to $1.20 for FY2019.

Preliminary results for the first fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2020 show the negative impact of the COVID-19 virus in the travel and hospitality industries. With significantly lower occupancy and reduced room rates at all properties, we anticipate declines in both revenues and earnings in the first fiscal quarter (FebruaryApril). It is our expectation a modest improvement will occur in the second fiscal quarter (May-July), with continuing improvement during the remainder of the fiscal year ending January 31, 2021 as the travel and hospitality industries, and overall economy rebound.

Story continues

On July 31, 2019 IHTs paid a one cent semi-annual dividend on shares held of record a July 15, 2019. This continues IHTs recent practice of paying total annual dividends of two cents per share, payable one cent each semi-annually on July 31 and January 31. This dividend continues 50 consecutive uninterrupted fiscal years during which IHT has paid dividends, since the formation of IHT and the initial listing of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in 1971.

Said James Wirth President, CEO, and Board Chairman:

The fiscal year just ended showed significant improvement in continuing operations as IHT continues to execute our strategic plan of selling existing hotel real estate at market prices significantly above our carrying (book) values, and moving away from concentration in the hotel industry toward diversification, including IHTs high potential investment in UPIs innovative efficient, clean-energy power generation, and/or reverse merger diversification. Additional profitable hotel real estate sales are anticipated to continue during the 24 months ahead.

Management recognizes the current low IHT stock trading range, which we believe affords opportunity for long term investors and continued stock buy-backs.

For more information, visit www.InnSuitesTrust.com .



Forward-Looking Statements

With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements regarding IHTs review and exploration of potential strategic, operational and structural alternatives and expected associated costs and benefits are forward-looking. Actual developments and business decisions may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that could cause IHTs actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements include the uncertain outcome, impact, effects and results of IHTs review of strategic, operational and structural alternatives, IHTs success in finding potential qualified purchasers for its hospitality real estate, or a reverse merger partner, and other risks discussed in IHTs SEC filings. IHT expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date hereof, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing, other than as required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Marc Berg, Executive Vice President

602-944-1500

email: mberg@innsuites.com




Nearly 300 staff at a convenience food factory in England's Northampton have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, health officials said.

The officials are dealing with the outbreak at the Greencore food company which has seen 299 confirmed cases of Covid-19, Xinhua news agency quoted Lucy Wightman, director of public health at Northamptonshire County Council, as saying on Thursday.

A spokesman for the company, which employs 2,100 people, said those who tested positive were self-isolating.

The confirmed test results may force the town in England's Midlands region into local lockdown.

Wightman said 79 workers tested positive through National Health Service (NHS) tests while 220 positive results came back from Greencore's private testing.

"Northampton borough has been experiencing a high number of cases over the last four weeks and residents and employees have been asked to 'act now' to follow additional measures, to avoid a local lockdown or further government intervention," Wightman said.

Greencore said in a statement that the company took the decision to proactively test workers as a result of a rise in cases in the Northampton area.

"All of Greencore's sites have wide-ranging social-distancing measures, stringent hygiene procedures and regular temperature checking in place, and we are doing everything that we can to keep our people safe," it said.

"Public Health England Midlands have been providing support to colleagues at Greencore in managing the outbreak. This has been supplemented by support from the local infection prevention and control team and Northampton Borough Council's environmental health colleagues," said a joint statement by Northampton Borough Council and Public Health Northamptonshire.

Over the past seven days, there were 70 new confirmed cases in Northampton alone and the infection rate is well above the county rate with 580 cases per 100,000 population.

Greencore has a number of factories across Britain and makes food for supermarkets, including Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury's, according to media reports.
(Bloomberg) -- Baidu Inc.s quarterly revenue shrank 1% and its projections suggest sales could slide again, as rivals like ByteDance Ltd. continue to chip away at its core advertising business.

Chinas leading search engine forecast sales of 26.3 billion yuan ($3.8 billion) to 28.7 billion yuan for the September quarter, compared with estimates for 27.62 billion yuan. Its shares slipped as much as 8% in extended trading after Netflix-style subsidiary iQiyi Inc. disclosed it was cooperating with a U.S. regulatory inquiry into allegations by Wolfpack Research that it inflated user numbers. Shares in iQiyi fell as much as 19%.

Read more: Baidu-Backed Iqiyi Tumbles After Disclosing SEC Probe of Records

Baidu is riding a gradual post-Covid 19 recovery in its home market but, at the same time, is trying to ward off increasingly aggressive competition in media and advertising from the likes of Tencent Holdings Ltd. and ByteDance. The company is diversifying ad revenue sources and investing in content for its Netflix-style iQiyi Inc. to keep users and marketers from migrating to hotter formats like ByteDances news app Toutiao and Douyin, TikToks local equivalent. On Thursday, Baidu said it will step up investment in technology and content.

If we look at the budget allocation from advertisers, it looks like Douyin and Toutiao are the most attractive to them starting from about two years ago, said Raymond Feng, a Shanghai-based analyst with Pacific Epoch. With the increased investment in Baijiahao, Baidu is trying to catch up on that front, creating more content thats more welcomed by users, thats necessary for Baidu to do so.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

Baidus 2Q online marketing sales could contract less than 1Qs 19% drop as the company emerges from the worst of Chinas coronavirus outbreak. The second quarter has been seasonally strong for advertising in the past, and this time Baidu will benefit from the rebound in offline business activity and improved advertiser sentiment.

Story continues

- Vey-Sern Ling and Tiffany Tam, analysts

Click here for the research.

Baidu reported sales of 26.03 billion yuan ($3.75 billion) in the June quarter, versus an average forecast for 25.7 billion yuan. Net income was 3.58 billion yuan, versus the 2 billion yuan projected. Its board also approved an increase of its share-repurchase program to $3 billion from $1 billion, effective through 2022.

Once the runaway leader in desktop search, Baidu is trying to adapt its business to the mobile era but losing ground piecemeal to rivals such as ByteDance. To compete, Baidus core mobile search service is morphing into a platform hosting a wide array of content from articles on its Baijiaohao publisher accounts to videos and live-streaming, not unlike Tencents super-app WeChat.

Longer term, the search giant is investing in artificial intelligence technology, and betting on the commercialization of that through smart speakers and self-driving cars. Revenue from new AI businesses including cloud and smart devices grew by a double-digit percentage in the second quarter, the company said.

Rising geopolitical tensions are another source of concern. Baidus apps were among dozens of Chinese services targeted in Indias sweeping ban last month, while U.S. entities will soon be blocked from dealing with TikTok and Tencents WeChat. The U.S. Congress is moving closer to passing legislation that could effectively bar Chinese companies from trading on U.S. exchanges. Billionaire Baidu founder Robin Li told state media earlier this year that the company is considering relisting in regions including Hong Kong.

Chief Financial Officer Herman Yu told analysts on a call that geopolitical tension doesnt have a meaningful impact on Baidus business because of its limited overseas exposure.

These positive moves forward, coupled with some temporary setbacks, leave us cautiously optimistic about the business climate into the second half, Li said. While COVID-19, geopolitical tension and other phenomenon plaguing the economy may continue to bring about hiccups, the opportunities that AI has presented us are getting more exciting.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Published Aug. 14, 2020

From his 500-acre spread in Paige, just 50 miles east of Austin, Francisco Artes can send an email, check a website or two and conduct a chat session.

But there are some days when streaming video or participating in a teleconference is out of the question. Like a lot of folks with homes and businesses in rural America, Artes struggles with his internet connection - and really, hes lucky to have one at all.

We get maybe 1 (megabits per second) uploads, maybe 10-12 (Mbps) downloads, he said. Its really hit or miss whether youll have a good Zoom call.

Artes primary internet service uses a form of WiFi, beamed to an 80-foot tower on his land, where he operates a winery and a festival site. Hes supposed to be getting 25 Mbps for both downloads and upload.

CAPITAL: Houston startups struggle with fundraising in pandemic

Help may soon be on the way. Artes is testing a new kind of internet service being developed by a Houston startup called Skylark Wireless. It turns the unused frequencies normally associated with television stations into internet service, and its seen as a real possibility to get high-speed data service to people in rural areas whove had to do without for decades.

Known as TV white space technology, or TVWS, it already has sold Artes, who is now able to join those Zoom teleconferences without missing a beat.

Weve gotten speeds that at times were mind-boggling for out here in the country, Artes said, adding hes getting 30 megabits a second for both download and upload speeds. We cant wait we can start using it commercially.

That could happen as soon as the end of this year or early next, say Skylark co-founders Ryan Guerra and Clayton Shepard. The company, which will license its technology to rural internet service providers, already has customers lined up to deploy it.

Startup Skylark Wireless CEO Ryan Guerra and CTO Clayton Shepard have an office in a townhouse in the Montrose where they build prototype antennas for this in their garage. Startup Skylark Wireless CEO Ryan Guerra and CTO Clayton Shepard have an office in a townhouse in the Montrose where they build prototype antennas for this in their garage. Photo: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer Photo: Karen Warren/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Remote Control: Houston startup pumps rural internet access through unused TV channels 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Rice roots

Skylark Wireless is living the cliche: Its a tech startup working out of a garage.

More precisely, its employees spend their days and a good chunk of their nights bustling around a nondescript, three-story townhouse in the heart of Montrose. The walls of its garage are lined with antennas and transmitters that look like square cake boxes.

The company comes to the table with a pedigree from Rice University and a big idea.

While other companies are using TVWS to do rural broadband internet access, Skylarks approach is unique. It uses software-enabled radios that can be programmed to run on different frequencies, making the tech less expensive to configure and change as conditions and customer needs warrant.

Guerra, the CEO, and Shepard, the chief technical officer, say the same signals used for television are perfect for getting internet access to people in out-of-the-way places.

The low frequencies in TV that are occupied by television broadcasters allow (the signal) to go much further and propagate through trees, buildings, materials, very well compared to other bands, Guerra said. In rural areas, the main challenge is to provide connectivity to people that are spread so far apart and in such difficult terrain. You have all the same challenges that television broadcasting has already solved: Getting through trees, going long distances, etc.

5G FUTURE: Houston's 5G landscape is complete. Now what?

That makes the signals that TV uses so valuable that they are referred to as beachfront spectrum. The Federal Communications Commission has allowed it to be used for data when its not being used for television, for the express purpose of solving the problem of getting internet access to rural areas.

In a city the size of Houston, there are literally dozens of television stations operating on many different channels. But out in the country, there may be only a few that can be received by TVs in any given area. The other channels go unused, which is why they are referred to as TV white space.

For example, Shepard said that Francisco Artes test setup is receiving internet service on what would normally be channels 53 or 58. Those channels are actually licensed for use in the area, but currently are not occupied. With permission from the holder of the frequencies - in this case, Lowell Feldman, a Skylark investor and CEO of wireless service provider Evolve Cellular - the startup is allowed to test on them.

True white spaces are frequencies that are unlicensed, and when Skylark Wireless goes commercial, it will be moving the technology to use those bands. That requires an FCC certification.

Skylark also has a trial site in West Virginia, which is more mountainous and presents a different kind of testing environment than the Texas Hill Country.

The company currently makes some money selling its software-based radio systems, mostly to research institutions. It also scored a $750,000 research-and-development grant from the National Science Foundation in 2016. The company continues to seek other grants, and earlier in 2020 closed a seed round of private financing.

Its business model is to develop TVWS technology that will be licensed by rural internet providers. Theyve already got ISPs waiting in the wings - including the company that is providing Artes current service.

Adapting research

Skylark was founded in 2012 by Guerra as he was studying at Rice University. Shepard was also at Rice, working on embedded systems and mobile systems. Shepard landed an internship at the fabled Bell Laboratories, where he prototyped a key technology for wireless broadband known as massive MIMO, or multiple input, multiple output. This uses multiple antennas to allow wireless data signals to reach many devices at once. Shepard says he built the first working massive MIMO transmitter, and maybe the first two.

It was very, very cool technology, and it was very fun, Shepard said.

Release Notes: Get Dwight Silvermans weekly tech newsletter in your inbox

Massive MIMO is a key part of Skylarks technology because it allows a transmitter to provide faster speed service to more people over the TV frequencies. Skylark also employs a technique known as beam-forming, which senses where a receiving device is located and beams the signal at it. These technologies allow Skylark to make more efficient use of radio spectrum, which is always at a premium.

Variations of these techniques are found in newer commercial and home WiFi routers, and are part of the design for 5G, the next-generation wireless data network being built out globally. But for Guerra and Shepard, theyre the tools to help solve the rural digital divide.

Now you can use small chunks of spectrum and still get a broadband service to hundreds or thousands of users over a thousand square miles using this technology, Shepard said. So it completely transforms the economics of serving these areas, which has been a huge problem. And we had this perfect technology to serve it.

The FCC estimates that 21 million Americans dont have access to broadband internet service, but that number may be much lower than the reality. Broadband Now, which tracks residential internet access in the U.S., says the number is likely closer to 43 million, with the highest concentration in states with large rural populations.

Will Townsend, a telecommunications and network analyst with Moor Insights & Strategy, said TVWS is a good approach for a startup like Skylark because the costs are low.

White space is unlicensed, theres no cost to use the spectrum, Townsend said.

But there are other approaches to getting internet access to far-flung places, with big-name providers and traditional wireless telecommunications providers like Verizon, A&T and T-Mobile watching the space.

Its early in this journey, and youll see more deployment of licensed spectrum by the big operators down the road, he said, adding that Skylark has a few years of momentum in its favor.

Adding an option

Robert Zoch owns ZochNet, the small internet service provider that supplies Francisco Artes businesses with WiFi. Hes been working with Skylark Wireless on tests of the startups technology, placing their transmitters on his towers.

ZochNet, which is based in Lincoln, about 60 miles east of Austin, specializes in serving rural communities through a combination of WiFi, cable and fiber services. Zoch said he has 142 wireless towers stretching over 15 counties, numbers that jumped after a acquiring a smaller ISP just last week. The coronavirus pandemic has kicked orders for new service into overdrive.

I have people calling me and saying, I didnt want to have internet in my house, but the school says I have to have it so I can teach my kid at home, Zoch said.

His business, though community-focused, has some of the same issues as larger providers who dont see the economic incentive in providing service. The Comcasts and AT&Ts of the world need denser populations to make their economics work. ZochNet has that issue with its fiber and cable businesses, which costs too much to service more distant locations such as Artes ranch.

For those locations, ZochNet sells WiFi-based internet access. Artes is paying for 25 Mbps download service, but typically gets less than half that - with lots of lag as well. Thats why both Artes and Zoch are excited by what they are seeing in Skylark Wireless tests.

They are able to get higher speeds out to these rural areas, Zoch said. I really like what they are doing.

Dwight Silverman is the technology editor for the Houston Chronicle. He manages the TechBurger website, writes about personal technology for HoustonChronicle.com and the print edition. He also writes a weekly tech column, also called TechBurger, and a weekly newsletter, Release Notes. Follow him on Twitter @dsilverman or email him at dwight.silverman@chron.com

***
The programme is funded by the German-Argentinean University Centre (DAHZ-CUAA). Dr. Regina Mencia from Argentina was the first doctoral student to complete her doctorate under this programme at the beginning of this year. The success of her German-Argentinean cooperation has now been crowned by a joint publication in the renowned journal "Plant Physiology".

Under the supervision of Professors Jutta Ludwig-Muller (TUD) and Elina Welchen (UNL), Regina Mencia researched a new method for increasing the resistance of plants to pathogens as part of her doctorate. Between 2017 and 2018 she was a guest at the Chair of Plant Physiology at TU Dresden for one year. Here she investigated the influence of the mitochondrial protein Arabidopsis thaliana Oxidation Resistance 2 (AtOXR2) on plant defence.

"At TU Dresden, I was able to carry out experiments for which we in Santa Fe do not have the appropriate laboratory equipment or the necessary expertise. I also had the opportunity here to exchange ideas with many other scientists, attended numerous courses and conferences. As a result, I have advanced not only scientifically, but also personally and culturally. I was warmly welcomed in the research group of Prof. Ludwig-Muller and very well supervised. I could well imagine returning to TU Dresden one day", Dr. Mencia describes her guest stay.

During her investigations, she found out that the protein AtOXR2 has an influence on the salicylic acid pathway of the plant, thereby increasing the plant's resistance to pathogen infections. Salicylic acid is a chemical substance that occurs as a plant hormone in the leaves, flowers and roots of various plants and plays an important role in the defence against pathogens. The overexpression of AtOXR2 leads to a general activation of the salicylic acid-signalling pathway, the plant boosts its defense and becomes resistant to the attack of pathogens.

Professor Ludwig-Muller explains the relevance of these investigations: "The results are very promising for applications. Whereas in previous studies, salicylic acid-based resistance led to a deterioration in plant growth, the plants from this project showed improved growth in addition to resistance".

###

Original publication:

Regina Mencia, Gabriel Ceccoli, Georgina Fabro, Pablo Torti, Francisco Colombatti, Jutta Ludwig-Muller, Maria Elena Alvarez, Elina Welchen. OXR2 increases plant defense against a hemibiotrophic pathogen via the salicylic acid pathway" Plant Physiology. Published July 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.01351

Interview of the Universidad Nacional del Litoral de Santa Fe with Regina Mencia (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGl7gMpsVlI
State officials at a press conference on Friday recommended school districts mandate mask use for students of all ages, but stopped short of saying it would be required.

Even younger children can and should be taught to wear a mask when they are indoors or if theyre going to be within six feet of someone else, said Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.

And I encourage every school superintendent who is developing plans for in-person instruction to mandate masks for children of all ages, even in a classroom setting.

Thats stronger than what is required in the states roadmap for Phase 4, which most of southern Michigan is in, by Gov. Gretchen Whitmers COVID-19 Task Force on Education Return to School Advisory Council.

In that plan, students of all ages are required to wear masks on busses and in common areas like hallways. Only students in grades 6-12 are required to wear them in the classroom, though its strongly recommended for K-5 students.

But Khaldun said her kids, including her youngest in second grade, would be wearing masks if they returned to school in person.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon echoed her comments, saying, even young children can and should be wearing masks. He said some of the 4 million masks the state is giving out for free will be sent to schools, with sizing specific for children.

Related: 4 million free masks to be distributed to Michiganders

Asked if she would issue an order requiring masks for all students in school, Whitmer said, at this juncture, were not anticipating an additional order on that front. I would just say that we have required masks for a certain age and up. We strongly encourage masks for everyone, though.

Whitmer pointed to different situations and learning models around the state and said a one-size-fits-all plan for school reopening coming out of Lansing wouldnt work. She said even young children would need to be encouraged to mask up.

One other issue as schools start back up is how to keep schools safe when there are large numbers of people indoors. The governors orders limit in-person social gatherings in Michigan to 10 or fewer people, but schools are permitted to return to in-person instruction without limitations on class sizes, and spacing students six feet apart wont be possible in some classrooms.

Asked why the 10-person gathering limit did not apply to schools and what science that decision was based on, Whitmer said kids needed to get an education, and some schools are able to do that remotely. Whitmer said she understood the concern from teachers about interacting with large numbers of students.

The fact of the matter is, the more people that are in a room, the higher the risk of the spread of COVID-19, Whtimer said.

She said with observing distancing and masking and where the numbers are now, weve got confidence we can do that safely.

Khaldun, who advised the task force, said the smaller the number of people in a room the lower the chance somebody will have it and spread it. But other factors, like social distancing and wearing masks, also lower the risk. So does cohorting the students, or keeping groups of them together.

These were really tough decisions, but we thought that making it easy for teachers to teach in a classroom with the limitations of the physical distancing space within the classrooms, this was appropriate, Khaldun said.

Some Michigan school districts have chosen all-digital education options as students return to instruction this fall. Others have in-person options.

The state legislature is meeting over the weekend and on Monday and is expected to consider more plans for the return to school.

Last month, the House passed a Return to Learn plan that requires in-person schooling for grades K-5 and provides a framework for schools pursuing virtual education options in higher grade levels. The plan is pending in the Senate. House Education Committee Chair Rep. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield Twp., said the body does not plan to keep the in-person requirement for younger grades.

Note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Rep. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield Twp., chairs the House Education Committee.

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.

Related stories:

What do Michigan teachers fear most about in-person learning? The students sitting in their classrooms

Coronavirus school reopenings to take center stage in weekend legislative session: Heres what lawmakers might do

Are Michigan students really going back to school? Teachers, health officials say reopening is a minefield

Grand Blanc Community Schools opts to start school remotely

Kalamazoo school board approves remote-only start to school year

To help you navigate this complicated fall, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.
Vietnam has been widely praised for its effective handling of the pandemic but a fresh outbreak has put the country back on high alert

Vietnam's health ministry is looking to buy a bulk order of Russia's coronavirus vaccine, state media said on Friday, despite global scepticism over its effectiveness and safety.

The communist nation of 95 million people has been widely praised for its effective handling of the pandemic and went nearly 100 days without recording a locally transmitted infection until last month.

But an outbreak in the beach resort of Danang has put the country back on high alert and several towns are under virtual lockdown.

Vietnam could receive up to 150 million doses with a fraction of them donated by Russia, state newspaper Tuoi Tre reported, adding that acting health minister Nguyen Thanh Long had approved the purchase.

But state news website VNExpress said officials were still deliberating over a health ministry plan to buy the vaccine doses.

Moscow said this week it had developed the world's first vaccine offering "sustainable immunity" against the coronavirus and was in the final stage of human trials.

Germany and the US are among the countries to cast doubt on the claim, after Western scientists raised concerns about the speed of its development and suggested that researchers might be cutting corners.

It was not clear when Vietnam would be able to receive the vaccine doses, but Tuoi Tre reported that Russia had also agreed to donate "a number of machines" and other medical equipment to help contain the outbreak.

Vietnam has reported just 911 coronavirus cases and 21 deaths after an aggressive public health response involving mass quarantines and a robust track-and-trace regime.

The country has maintained a strong relationship with Russia since the days of the Soviet Union.

bur-aph/gle
UK government-funded projects in Scotland will be stamped with the Union flag to show who paid for it after Brexit.

Boris Johnson wants the emblem to be included in the same way that European Union flags were included on infrastructure and other schemes paid for in whole or part via Brussels' cash.

The move, due to to come into effect after the transition period ends on December, comes as the Prime Minister battles strong support for independence in Scotland as well as his own dire personal ratings.

Opinion polls show the SNP under Nicola Sturgeon is on course for another sweeping victory in the 2020 Scottish Parliament elections.

Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Tory leader, told the Daily Telegraph: 'We should be unashamed of our direct investment in communities across Scotland. We will see that through the shared prosperity fund, that is the money that the EU used to earmark for projects in Scotland and other parts of the UK.

'If they could have an EU flag on it - why not have the United Kingdom flag on it to show that here is an example of our two governments in Scotland, working together and the UK government delivering for individual communities and projects the length and breadth of the country?'

Boris Johnson wants the emblem to be included in the same way that European Union flags were included on infrastructure and other schemes paid for in whole or part via Brussels' cash (above is an artist's impression of how it could look)

The move comes as the Prime Minister battles strong support for independence in Scotland as well as his own dire personal ratings. Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Tory leader, told the Daily Telegraph: 'If they could have an EU flag on it - why not have the United Kingdom flag on it to show that here is an example of our two governments in Scotland, working together and the UK government delivering for individual communities and projects the length and breadth of the country?'

Mr Johnson's administration is increasingly focusing on Scotland amid alarm at a series of polls which shows majority support for independence.

This week a YouGov poll found that, excluding 'don't knows', 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union.

That was a two point rise from January, and the highest level the firm has ever recorded.

Meanwhile, some 57 per cent plan to vote for the SNP in Scottish parliament elections next spring - which will be critical for Ms Sturgeon's claim to have a mandate for a new referendum.

The findings in the poll for The Times will cause fresh alarm in Downing Street about the prospects of losing the battle against the separatists.

Ms Sturgeon has constantly been at loggerheads with Mr Johnson during the coronavirus pandemic, and prior to that they clashed repeatedly over Brexit, which was overwhelmingly opposed in Scotland.

This week it was revealed he blocked a plan to invite the First Minister to Cabinet meetings for fear of making her look too powerful.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove is said to have suggested the plan to help smother support for independence by involving her in policy making.

But Mr Johnson vetoed the idea according to the Financial Times, with a source telling the paper: 'He doesn't like the idea of Sturgeon being seen as on the same political level as him.'

Mr Ross was elected unopposed as the new Scottish Tory leader last week.

The former minister, who stepped down over Dominic Cummings' lockdown trip to Durham, replaced Jackson Carlaw ahead of the election next year in which the Tories are on course to make little or no headway on the SNP.

A YouGov poll found that, excluding 'don't knows', 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union

A series of other surveys have confirmed a groundswell in favour of independence, with Ms Sturgeon seeing her popularity rise sharply over her handling of the coronavirus crisis.

She had a net rating of plus 50 in the latest YouGov study, up from plus 5 a year ago.

In the 2014 referendum - billed as a once-in-a-generation decision - Scots voted by a convincing margin of 55-45 per cent to stay in the UK.

Ms Sturgeon says she has put aside the independence issue during coronavirus chaos, with planning for a fresh vote 'paused', but has faced accusations of trying to use the situation for political advantage.

By contrast Boris Johnsons rating is minus 50, having slumped by 16 points over the past 12 months.

Among senior Tories, only Ruth Davidson, who has temporarily returned as leader of the Scottish party at Holyrood until Mr Ross finds a seat, has a positive rating on plus 15.

The poll found support for the SNP was up three points since April to 57 per cent, which would give them 74 members of the Scottish parliament - 11 more than currently.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was dispatched to Scotland last week to stress the scale of the financial support allocated by Westminster.

And Boris Johnson is planning to spend his 'staycation' north of the border with fiancee Carrie Symonds and their baby Wilfred.

In the 2014 referendum - billed as a once-in-a-generation decision - Scots voted by a convincing margin of 55-45 per cent to stay in the UK.

Ms Sturgeon says she has put aside the independence issue during coronavirus chaos, with planning for a fresh vote 'paused', but has faced accusations of trying to use the situation for political advantage.

Nicola Sturgeon 'stopped holidaymakers from getting an extra 24 HOURS to get back from France': Scottish First Minister 'insisted the cut-off should be 4am TOMORROW instead of Sunday' sparking desperate stampede of Britons to get home

British holidaymakers voiced fury at the timing of the France quarantine move today amid claims Nicola Sturgeon demanded the cut-off was brought forward.

The new rules on isolating for 14 days will take effect for anyone who arrives in the UK from 4am tomorrow, sparking a desperate stamped to get home by thousands of British holidaymakers.

But sources said the Scottish government insisted that the deadline was earlier after UK ministers initially mooted 4am on Sunday.

Mr Shapps fuelled the chaos last night when he announced the dramatic step, but suggested it would only apply to people who 'come back from Sunday'.

The Department for Transport then clarified that in fact the restrictions come into force from 4am tomorrow.

The news also broke hours later than expected, and following signals during the day that France might escape being struck off the list of 'safe' countries.

Sources said Nicola Sturgeon (pictured at Holyrood this week) insisted that the deadline was earlier after UK ministers initially mooted 4am on Sunday

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the Government had taken 'a practical approach' to the new restrictions

Government sources insisted the delays were down to the latest figures fro France emerging late in the day, and the quarantine changes then needing to be signed off by the devolved institutions.

They said the isolation had to be introduced on a series of countries including France, the Netherlands and Malta after the seven-day count of cases per 100,000 population rose above 20.

At the daily briefing in Edinburgh today, Ms Sturgeon insisted it had been 'imperative' to act as quickly as possible.

'Where we have a situation where we think a situation in a particular country has deteriorated we cannot hang around before we impose quarantine,' she said.

'There is a real imperative to act as quickly as possible.'

Ms Sturgeon said people across the UK should 'think very carefully' before booking holidays as the rules can change abruptly.

Scottish minister Humza Yousaf added that there was a call with the four UK nations at 9pm, and the changes were announced as soon as possible after that - stressing that they were often reliant on when other countries published new figures.

Travellers trying to return from France to avoid the quarantine restrictions today face paying hundreds of pounds.

Air fares are more than six times higher than normal for flights from Paris to London today, with the cheapest British Airways tickets being sold for 452.

The cheapest ticket on a Eurostar train from Paris to London is 210, compared with 165 on Saturday, a rise up almost 30 per cent.

The cost of taking a car through the Channel Tunnel on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle services on Friday morning is 260. All trains after midday are fully booked.

P&O Ferries has limited availability, but one person travelling with a car from Calais to Dover can buy a ticket for 200.

Holiday makers arriving back on a ferry at Dover docks this morning after France was added to the UK quarantine list from Saturday

In more bad news for British holidaymakers, it has been suggested Greece could soon be added to the quarantine list, after a spike in its infection rate, with a record 235 cases recorded on August 12. Daily new cases in the country were in the 30s towards the end of July.

Mr Shapps insisted the Government had taken 'a practical approach' to the new restrictions.

However, the move was criticised by France's secretary of state for European affairs, who said it would lead to 'reciprocal measures' across the Channel.

Clement Beaune tweeted: 'A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.'

Travellers returning to Britain from France today told of their scramble home to avoid having to quarantine.

Student Yasmine Sellay, 24, from Wimbledon, South London, was among a packed Eurostar train that arrived at St Pancras station from Paris this morning.

She said: 'I wanted to get home before the restrictions are enforced. 'I didn't know that France had been added to the UK quarantine list until last night and as I don't want to isolate for a fortnight I came home today.

'I'd been in Paris for a month and a half because it's where I'm originally from and I was visiting family and friends.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 05:30:27|Editor: huaxia

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VIENNA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Austria "deeply" regrets the extraterritorial sanctions imposed by the United States against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at a press conference on Friday.

"It is no secret that obviously any friendship doesn't mean that you agree 100 percent on every topic," said Schallenberg at a joint press conference with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"There are issues where we do not agree and we have different approaches. One, for instance, is the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project," said the minister.

"We deeply regret, obviously, the extraterritorial sanctions imposed by the United States and would rather endeavour on or pursue the way of bilateral talks to find a common solution on this ground, on this matter. But I believe it is a sign of our friendship that we can actually very openly talk about these issues and address them together," he said.

On the issue of 5G and cyber security, Schallenberg said: "We have adopted a common position within the European Union. It's called the EU toolbox... We are implementing this EU toolbox."

"Our approach is not to ban in general one competitor or one provider, but to establish a clear list of criteria to avoid high-risk providers," he added.

Pompeo arrived in Austria late Thursday on his third leg of a four-nation tour that has already taken him to the Czech Republic and Slovenia. He is scheduled to visit Poland on Saturday. Enditem
In a statement this evening, Walsh Mushrooms Golden Ltd says subsequent testing of close contacts has resulted in further positive tests.

Following testing, 11 workers at the plant near Cashel have tested positive from around 20 tests, according to the Irish Times.

It is understood that the HSE is set to implement a wider testing programme of workers at the facility due to the high percentage of positives, although the overall number of cases is relatively low.

In a statement, the plant said: Operations are being suspended after a member of staff was diagnosed with Covid-19 while in self isolation. Subsequent testing of close contacts has resulted in further positive cases.

As a business we have stringent measures in place to control Covid-19 since March and we have had no incidence of Covid-19 up to this point.

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As a business we have stringent measures in place to control Covid-19 since March and we have had no incidence of Covid-19 up to this point.

We are working with the HSE and all relevant authorities assisting in contact tracing and testing of all staff. We will use the opportunity to deep clean the plant during the temporary closure. Essential maintenance will continue at the facility.

The safety, wellbeing and protection of our employees, their families and the local community is our number one priority.

Local Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill said there were 150 people working at the plant, describing the development as worrying.
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French stocks tumbled on Friday amid uncertainty about the pace of economic recovery and the evolution of coronavirus pandemic. China's industrial production grew less than expected in July while retail sales dropped 1.1 percent from last year, confounding expectations for an increase of 0.1 percent, raising doubts over the country's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of people have had their holidays plan thrown into disarray after the U.K. government added France, Malta and the Netherlands to its coronavirus quarantine list. France, the second-most popular overseas destination after Spain for Britons, warned that it would reciprocate. Meanwhile, Eurostat said that Eurozone economic output shrank 12.1 percent sequentially in the second quarter - matching the expectation of -12.1 reported in the first estimate. The benchmark CAC 40 index fell 117 points, or 2.32 percent, to 4,925 after declining 0.6 percent in the previous session. Automaker Renault fell about 3 percent and Peugeot lost 3.2 percent. Banks BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale were down 3-4 percent. Travel stocks were moving lower, with airline Air France KLM losing as much as 5.7 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Representative image

Covaxin, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech and the ICMR, is safe, according to preliminary results of the Phase 1 clinical trials, according to a report by The Economic Times.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech is developing the vaccine candidate in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).

"The vaccine is safe. We have not observed any adverse events in any of the volunteers at our site, said Savita Verma, the principal investigator who is leading the trial at PGI, Rohtak, told the publication.

Investigators are collecting blood samples to test the immunogenicity of the vaccine, and expect to complete the Phase 1 trials by the end of August, the report 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

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

The Economic Times reported that 375 volunteers at 12 sites across India have enrolled for the clinical trial, with two doses being administered to each individual.

"We are in the process of giving a second dose to the healthy volunteers and so far, we have not seen anything unusual event in patients. It is safe," Sanjay Rai, the principal investigator at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi told the publication..

Another investigator told the paper, if the process continued smoothly, the vaccine would be available in the first half of 2021.

The pandemic has created a race to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. Apart from Bharat Biotech, Zydus Cadila is the other Indian company that has begun human clinical trials of its vaccine candidate.

"There is a tremendous pressure on us to develop the vaccine. But for us, safety and quality are paramount. We don't want to kill more people with the wrong vaccine," Krishna Ella, Chairman of Bharat Biotech International, recently said as quoted Business Standard.

Serum Institute of India is also expected to soon begin human trials and manufacturing of the experimental vaccine developed by Oxford University and Swedish-British drugmaker AstraZeneca.
FALLS VILLAGE  Music Mountain will present performances by artists from overseas on three Sundays in August, to continue to share music and conversation while we remain physically distanced, and to contribute to the larger ongoing conversation regarding how to safely get back to in-person concerts in the U.S., according to a statement.

Live From Music Mountain presents the New Zealand String Quartet as they return from their first in-person national tour of concerts, at 5 p.m. Aug. 16.

The program will include works by Debussy and New Zealand composers. Music Mountain will take questions from the public for the New Zealand String Quartet; questions can be submitted in advance via email to info@musicmountain.org, as well as in real time via email to info@musicmountain.org, and via the chats on YouTube and on Facebook Live.

Live From Music Mountain presents a special master class at 1 p.m. Aug. 23 by English conductor Benjamin Zander, music director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and author of the US National Bestseller, The Art of Possibility.

The master class will feature cellist Elena Ariza, alumna of the Music Mountain Academy, who will join live from San Francisco to perform Haydn Cello Concerto No 2 in D Major, Hob VIIb:2 (I. Allegro moderato). Questions can be submitted in advance via email to info@musicmountain.org, as well as in real time via email to info@musicmountain.org, and via the chats on YouTube and on Facebook Live.

At 8 p.m. Aug. 30, presents the Cassatt String Quartet performs works by Andy Teirstein, Daniel Godfrey and Mozart.

Michiko Oshima, former violist of the Cassatt String Quartet, will join the program from Japan to discuss how artists are getting back to in-person concerts there and, together with the current members of the Cassatt String Quartet, will take questions from the public in real time. Email info@musicmountain.org, as well as in real time via email to info@musicmountain.org, and via the chats on YouTube and on Facebook Live.
The Afghan government says it has started releasing 400 Taliban militants, the final part of a prisoner swap meant to clear the way for the start of peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban.

Javid Faisal, spokesman for the Afghan National Security Council, made the announcement.

Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said 86 detainees were freed. It wasn't immediately known when the remaining prisoners would be released.

The prisoner release would "speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide cease-fire," the security body said.

President Ashraf Ghani announced on August 9 his intention to release the 400 Taliban militants, many of whom have been convicted for deadly attacks on Afghans and foreigners.

The decision came shortly after the move was recommended by a traditional Loya Jirga consultative assembly in Kabul.

The release of the prisoners is the last hurdle to opening peace talks between the internationally backed government in Kabul and the Taliban under a peace deal signed in February between the militants and the United States.

Both sides have said that within days of the final prisoners being released they are ready to begin intra-Afghan talks in Doha, Qatar.

There was no immediate response from the Taliban about the prisoner release.

But on August 12 the Taliban issued a statement warning that detainees released from Pul-e Charkhi prison, the country's largest detention facility in Kabul, faced "a serious security threat."

The Taliban claimed that the rival Islamic State extremist group, in cooperation with some government spoilers, planned to attack vehicles transporting the remaining detainees to disrupt intra-Afghan negotiations.

Kabul had already freed 4,600 Taliban inmates out of the 5,000 pledged in the landmark U.S.-Taliban deal.

Afghan officials have described the remaining prisoners as the most dangerous, accusing them of masterminding attacks on embassies, public squares, and government offices, killing thousands of civilians in recent years.

The Taliban says it has freed all 1,000 government prisoners it had pledged in the agreement with the United States.

In addition to the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition troops, the U.S.-Taliban deal calls on the Taliban to guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used as a staging ground for terrorist attacks on the United States or its allies.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in an interview on August 8 that the United States plans to cut its troop levels in Afghanistan to "a number less than 5,000" by the end of November.

Although the Taliban hasnt targeted U.S. forces since the February deal, militants have carried out multiple attacks on government forces that have killed 3,560 Afghan security personnel.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has documented more than 1,280 Afghan civilian deaths during the first half of 2020 -- mainly as a result of fighting between government forces and the Taliban.

On August 14, a small bomb hidden in a motorcycle exploded near a mosque in Kabul just as worshipers were finishing their prayers, wounding a police officer. No one immediately took responsibility but the Islamic State group has in the past targeted mosques in Afghanistan.
City of Midland

Midland County, the City of Midland and Midland Health confirmed Midland County's 52nd COVID-19 related death.



The 52nd patient, a male in his 70s with underlying health conditions, was being treated at Medical Center Hospital. The patient passed away on July 31, 2020.



The City of Midland Health Department is currently conducting their investigation on 17 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Midland County for August 13, 2020, bringing the overall case count to 2846. There are 919 isolated cases, 1360 recovered, 370 under investigation, 145 unable to locate/refused and 52 COVID-19 related deaths in Midland County. Todays new cases are reflective of lab results from August 12-13, 2020.


Ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November, polls show presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump. While polls can reflect how popular a candidate is at a point in time, they dont always predict the election result. White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara spoke with two experts who have called the outcome of the election, not based on polls but on their own prediction models. VOA Khmer's Chrea Vanrith narrates.
More than 300 visitors who had been stranded in Da Nang for nearly 20 days were brought to Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday afternoon.

The group boarded flight VN7121, operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines, and landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in the southern metropolis.

They were then brought to a quarantine facility in outlying Can Gio District for a mandatory14-day quarantine period immediately upon their arrival.

A woman carries her young daughter after their flight from Da Nang landed in Ho Chi Minh City, August 13, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

All passengers and crew members aboard the flight were required to wear personal protective equipment and strictly comply with COVID-19 prevention measures.

They were also required to fill out health declaration forms and allow their body temperatures to be monitored.

The aircraft was thoroughly disinfected following the operation.

Passengers returning from Da Nang perform procedures at Tan Son Nhat International Airport before heading to a quarantine facility in Ho Chi Minh City, August 13, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

On the same day, two flights operated by budget carrier Vietjet Air transported over 460 stranded tourists from Da Nang to Hanoi.

Two Vietnam Airlines flights previously brought approximately 400 visitors from Da Nang to the capital on Wednesday.

Vietjet Air is scheduled to operate two more flights carrying a total of approximately 340 tourists stranded in Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City on Friday.

All flights are required to implement safety procedures to prevent the spread of the virus and all passengers will be quarantined in centralized facilities immediately upon landing at their destination.

Passengers returning from Da Nang perform procedures at Tan Son Nhat International Airport before heading to a quarantine facility in Ho Chi Minh City, August 13, 2020. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

As of Friday morning, Vietnam had reported a total of 911 COVID-19 cases, including 327 imported patients who were quarantined upon arrival since the pandemic first hit the Southeast Asian country in January.

A total of 444 local infections have been documented in Vietnam since Da Nang recorded the countrys first community transmission after 99 days on July 25.

Enhanced social distancing guidelines were implemented in Da Nang City from July 28 until August 11 to curb the spread of the virus. The period was extended on Wednesday due to continued community transmission.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
An Associate Professor of Political Science, Prof Ransford Gyampo has commended the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Madam Jean Mensa for carrying out a meticulous and transparent voters registration exercise in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.



According to the Director of the Centre for European Studies of the University of Ghana, inasmuch as he was against the compilation of a new voters register, he cannot turn a blind eye on the fact that the EC boss has been successful in delivering her promise to compile a new voters register.



Speaking on Okay FMs 'Ade Akye Abia' Morning Show, Prof Gyampo says working with Madam Jean Mensa for 14 years at the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA), he had no doubt that the registration exercise was going to come out refined as he knows how she operates and very persistent with her desire to accomplish a task.



I have worked with Madam Jean Mensa for 14 years and I know how she operates and so even though I was not in support of the new voter register when she said she was going to do it, I knew she was going to do it by all means and do it perfectly. To be honest, if something is nice, it is indeed nice to acknowledge and if it is not nice too, we have to say it, he extolled.



If I am commending her for the exercise done, I will say that whether we like the new voters register or not, she has done it so nicely apart from some challenges, the processes have been successful. We thought that people were not going to show up, but she did it and people showed up, he stressed.



He reiterated that Jean Mensa made the electoral processes transparent to the extent that she was weekly filing reports on the registration as she meticulously sent the number of registrants and segregated the processes in terms of the number of people have been challenged and the number of women who have been registered in the exercise.



If you look at the weekly reporting on the registration exercise, transparency in the exercise by sending information to authorities weekly on the registration processes. She will send the number of registrants and how she has segregated in terms of the number of people who have filled the challenging forms, the number of women registered, he said.



She made sure that everything was transparent. She was and still my boss and I commend her for the good job done in the registration exercise, he praised the EC Boss.







Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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Linkedin Norman Harsono (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 13:42 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e07e86 1 Business Jokowi,peoples-consultative-assembly,natural-resources,coal,nickel,biodiesel,oil-and-gas,metal,#Indonesia75 Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has reaffirmed that Indonesias future natural resources policy will focus on massive downstreaming to produce higher-value products.

The President, speaking before legislators, officials, political elites and foreign ambassadors, highlighted the country's ambitious plans to develop domestic oil refineries, metal smelters, coal-to-gas facilities and better palm-oil based biodiesel.

Read also: 75 years later, with Indonesias oil industry in decay, options are wide open

This will narrow down our current account deficit, increase our employment opportunities and start tackling fossil energy domination, he said in his state of the nation address delivered before the People's Consultative Assembly in Jakarta on Friday.

Jokowi mentioned state-owned oil and gas giant Pertaminas recent successful trial production of D100 green diesel, a more engine-friendly biodiesel than the one currently available. He said the production would absorb a million tons of farmer-produced palm to produce 20,000 barrels of fuel each day.

Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, an industry that employs millions of citizens, mostly farmers. However, the palm oil industry is a major contributor to massive forest fires and deforestation.

Jokowi also mentioned the governments landmark ban on the export of nickel ore, a metal mainly used to produce steel and car batteries. Its demand is expected to rise alongside the rise of electric cars. The ban shook global markets as Indonesia is the worlds largest producer of nickel.

Read also: Explainer: New rules in revised Mining Law

This will place Indonesia in an even more strategic position in the development of lithium batteries, the worlds electric vehicles and as a future technology producer, he said.

The President added that Indonesia would reform regulations and continue developing industrial estates, such as those in Batang, West Java, and Subang-Majalengka, West Java, to get more industries to invest in the country.

He promised the giant estates would not undermine Indonesias micro, small and medium enterprises, which absorb over 90 percent of the domestic workforce.

Developing downstream industries is part of the Jokowi administration's larger ambition of transforming Indonesia from a commodity-driven economy into an industrial one, with the ultimate goal of becoming the worlds fourth-largest economy by 2045.
TOKYO Japan will mark the 75th anniversary of its World War Two surrender on Saturday in a memorial ceremony scaled back because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as ties with neighbours China and South Korea remain haunted by the conflicts legacy.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who with Emperor Naruhito was set to attend an official ceremony at an indoor arena, was expected separately to send a ritual offering to Tokyos controversial Yasukuni Shrine but avoid a personal visit that would anger Seoul and Beijing.

Abes December 2013 visit to Yasukuni, which honours 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal as well as war dead, outraged the neighbours, which view the shrine as a symbol of Japans past military aggression. Abe has not gone in person since but sent offerings via an aide.

The United States and Japan have become staunch security allies in the decades since the wars end.

But Koreans, who mark the date as National Liberation Day, still resent Japans 1910-1945 colonisation of the peninsula, while China has bitter memories of Imperial troops invasion and occupation of parts of the country from 1931-1945.

Japans ties with South Korea especially are strained by a row over compensation for Koreans forced to work in Japans wartime mines and factories, as well as over comfort women", as those made to work in Japanese military brothels are euphemistically known.

Consensus over the war remains elusive within Japan.

Last year Naruhito, grandson of wartime Emperor Hirohito and Japans first monarch born after the war, expressed deep remorse" over the conflict at the ceremony, the first since he inherited the throne after his father, Akihito, abdicated.

Abe, who has adopted a less apologetic stance toward the war, pledged last year never again to repeat the devastation of war" but did not echo the emperors words of remorse.

About 530 people, including relatives of war dead, are expected to take part in the state-sponsored, secular ceremony, down from more than 6,000 last year.

Everyone, including Naruhito and Empress Masako, must wear masks, seats will be at least one metre apart and a musical performance will replace singing of the national anthem.

Naruhitos public appearance on Saturday will be his first since a February news conference marking his birthday, as the virus outbreak has kept him and Empress Masako at home.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
MIDDLETOWN The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2020 William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award, according to a statement.

The award is presented annually at the Support the Troops & Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting, to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces in recognition of his or her distinguished service to the citizens of Connecticut and selfless commitment to public service. The recipient of this award is decided by a committee of its previous winners.

Members say candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for the award: He or she must live or work in the following Middlesex County towns: Chester, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland or Westbrook; he or she must have served in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and continues to promote Veterans Affairs; and he or she must participate in local and state community organizations and/or initiatives.

To nominate a candidate for this award, visit https://www.middlesexchamber.com/awards-and-scholarships/, or contact Jeff Pugliese at (860) 347- 6924 or jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com.

Nominations must be received at the Chamber office by Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m.

Bridging the Gap is Meals on Wheels fundraiser

WESTBROOK  The Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc. is hosting a series of interactive virtual events, Sept. 8-12. The event series, Bridging the Gap, is a virtual fundraiser for the Meals on Wheels program which serves more than 60,000 meals annually throughout the nine-town estuary region, according to a statement.

Tickets are available through the Estuary Councils website and Eventbrite. Ticketholders will have access to all five events and can choose which ones to attend. All events begin at 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 - Guided Meditation Workshop with David Chandler. No experience needed.

Sept. 9 - Tai Chi and Yoga Class with Kim Langley. No experience needed.

Sept. 10 - Paint and Sip Night hosted by The Drunken Palette. Guests will paint Daylight Lighthouse. Art supplies are provided; participants must respond by Aug. 31 and pick up their supplies at the senior center.

Sept. 11 - Trivia Night with prizes, hosted by Trivia Hub Live

Sept 12 - Interactive Cooking demonstration. Choose to watch or cook along with ECSI's own Chef, Aaron Pratt, as he makes a steak and scallops entree with risotto and asparagus. Recipes will be given in advance but participants purchase their own food if they are cooking along. Tickets include access to all 5 nights of events. Choose one or all five.

The VIP ticket option includes local delivery of art supplies, a bottle of wine, and key ingredients for Cooking Demonstration. Note that this option only applies to those living in the councils town service area. Anyone outside those towns will need to pick up their items at the senior center. Visit ECSIs website at www.ecsenior.org to see a full description of each of the programs as well as access to the link to purchase tickets. All money raised will benefit the Meals on Wheels program.

Not So Social scavenger hunt is fundraiser

ROCKFALL  After the Storms annual Art Bra Runway Show, which has raised more than $50,000 for its integrative programs for cancer survivors at area hospitals, was canceled this year because of the pandemic. To continue to raise funds for cancer survivors, members of the community are participating in the Not So Social Scavenger Hunt, which will help local businesses that have supported After the Storm throughout the years. For more information and to donate to receive a scavenger hunt card, visit www.afterthestorminc.org

After The Storm, Inc.'s mission is to assist cancer survivors heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the aftermath of their diagnosis and treatments and help restore balance to their lives. After the Storm designated a total of $80,000 to be distributed to local CT Hospitals and Cancer Centers this year, and more than $431,000 to date.

The Not So Social Scavenger Hunt is the latest fundraiser that challenges players to visit nine local businesses, find the Art Bra on display, earn a sticker, and lastly submit your players card for a chance to win a prize, while supporting the participating businesses.

The hunt began July 15. Players go to www.afterthestorminc.org and click on NSSSH. Cards will be available for a $25 donation. A scavenger hunt card, with Middlesex Country business friends, will then be delivered via email or regular mail based on your selection when purchasing. Bring this card to any or all of the participating businesses. Look around for an Art Bra at each location and once found, the business will provide a sticker for your card registering your visit. Also, many of these establishments are offering a promotion.

The NSSSH ends Aug. 30; participants should take a picture of their card and email it to afterthestorminc@yahoo.com, or put it the mail. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 15. Entries submitted with at least three visits are eligible for our three raffle baskets! A card with 4 or more stickers qualifies for the grand prize raffle. A card with at least 3 stickers qualifies for a chance to win our 2nd and 3rd place raffle baskets.
Minsk: Thousands of factory workers at key industrial plants on Thursday abandoned their posts to rally against the disputed re-election of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, raising the prospect that widespread strikes could finally end his 26-year rule.

At prominent factories, bosses anxiously sought to deny reports of workers downing tools and walking out in protest at Sunday's result and the violent police crackdown that has ensued.

People wave flowers as they gather to protest against the results of the country's presidential election during sunset in Minsk, Belarus. Credit:AP

Four days after Lukashenko, a former Soviet collective farm boss often referred to as Europe's last dictator, announced a landslide victory, the protests that began with Minsk's middle class are coursing through working class neighbourhoods and the factory floors that form the country's engine.

Anger at reports of widespread vote rigging, and the jailing or banning of most of his rivals, has turned to rage over police violence against protesters.
China has increased purchases of commodities as part of its phase one trade deal, Trump adviser says ahead of review.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow says the administration of United States President Donald Trump is satisfied with Chinas progress in meeting commitments to purchase US goods in a phase one trade deal, signalling that the pact will survive an initial review on Saturday.

China is now really picking their imports of our commodities  which is a great boon, by the way, for the US agriculture and farm sector, Kudlow told reporters at the White House on Thursday, recounting US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizers comments to Trump.

Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will conduct the first semiannual review of the trade deals implementation in a videoconference on Saturday.

Despite rapidly rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over the coronavirus pandemic, a security crackdown in Hong Kong, US sanctions against Chinese companies and officials and human rights issues in Xinjiang Province, the phase one trade deal, signed on January 15, has weathered the storm.

We have big differences with China on other matters, but regarding the phase one trade deal, we are engaging, Kudlow said.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Chinas purchases of US farm and manufactured goods, energy and services have gotten off to a slow start and are well behind the pace needed for a promised increase of $77bn this year and $200bn over two years.

Farm produce

But Lighthizer has told Trump that China is now buying more than 40 percent of US commodity exports, compared to about 20 percent in the baseline year of 2017, Kudlow said.

Under the deal, China had agreed to buy $36.5bn worth of US farm produce this year, a 50 percent increase above 2017 levels.

By end-May, Chinas imports were running behind 2017 levels. But Chinese buyers have started increasing purchases this year of a range of farm imports, sealing record deals in corn and meat imports, prompting some optimism among agriculture traders.

Soya beans typically account for about half of Chinas US farm imports, and the vast bulk of buying comes in the last three months of the year when supplies from top grower Brazil dry up.

After a slow start, Chinese importers booked more than $2.5bn in US soy purchases over the eight weeks to the end of July, a Reuters analysis of trade data showed.
Swiss-Belhotel International Announces Group Restructuring



(TRAVPR.COM) UAE - August 12th, 2020 - Swiss-Belhotel International continues to expand its management in response to the market and the impact of Covid-19. The following Group restructuring has been announced:

Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel  who is the Senior Vice President, Operations and Development, Europe, The Middle East, Africa and India, will also assume the responsibility for Group Human Resources and Talent Development. Mr. Voivenel has over three decades of global experience in the hospitality industry and has led the Swiss-Belhotel International through sustained growth in the Middle East over the last four years.

His new title will be: Senior Vice President - Operations and Development, Europe, The Middle East, Africa & India and Senior Vice President - Group Human Resources and Talent Development. Mr. Voivenel will report directly to The Chairman and President, Mr. Gavin M Faull, and will be supported by both The Middle East office in Dubai as well the Hong Kong Corporate Head Office.

Ms Priyanka Kapoor  who is Regional Director Sales and Marketing, Europe, The Middle East, Africa and India, will also assume the responsibility for Group Sales, Marketing, Branding and Communications. Under communications will be also public relations. In her Group responsibility she will be reporting directly to The Chairman and President, Mr. Gavin M Faull and will be working very closely with Senior Vice President Matthew D.Faull and his team in Group E-Commerce and IT.

Her new title will be Senior Regional Director - Sales and Marketing, Europe, The Middle East, Africa & India and Group Director - Sales, Marketing, Branding and Communications, Swiss-Belhotel International.

Commenting on the changes, Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, said, COVID-19 has resulted in many changes in our thinking and how we handle our global business. We have learnt that through treamwork and communication we can manage across borders and continents. We have to think differently, cooperatively and supportively.

People are our key asset and strength. We have huge confidence in our team and management as we navigate through the complexities to meet the new normal and continue to develop our unique brand and people. The Group culture of Passion and Professionalism continues to build our strength and success.

###
President Trump on Thursday said he opposes both election aid for states and an emergency bailout for the U.S. Postal Service because he wants to restrict how many Americans can vote by mail, putting at risk the nations ability to administer the Nov. 3 elections.

Trump has been attacking mail balloting and the integrity of the vote for months, but his latest broadside makes explicit his intent to stand in the way of urgently needed money to help state and local officials administer elections during the coronavirus pandemic. With nearly 180 million Americans eligible to vote by mail, the presidents actions could usher in widespread delays, long lines and voter disenfranchisement this fall, voting rights advocates said.

Trump said his purpose is to prevent Democrats from expanding mail-balloting, which he has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, would invite widespread fraud. The president has also previously admitted that he believes mail voting would allow more Democrats to cast ballots and hurt Republican candidates, including himself. (Washington Post)

Featured stories

Processing work on mail-in ballots for the Pennsylvania primary election is done May 28, 2020, at the Butler County Bureau of Elections, in Butler, Pa.AP File Photo/Keith Srakocic

U.S. Postal Service warns Pennsylvania that mail-in ballots may be delivered too late (NBC News)

Both sides play the blame game as virus relief talks stall (Associated Press)

CDC director says U.S. could have worst fall ever if public health measures are not followed (CBS News)

Fauci says hes not pleased with the state of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. (The Hill)

Health advisers to the government say hospitals are scrambling after Trump administrations abrupt change to COVID-19 data reporting requirements (CNN)

Biden and Harris call for three-month nationwide mask mandate (CBS News)

National news

Trump lifts Obama-era regulations on methane, a potent climate-warming gas (CNBC)

Michael Cohen book claims Trump colluded with Russia and will never leave office peacefully (NBC News)

Do you regret all your lying? White House reporters question startles Trump (The Guardian)

Biden campaign raises $48 million in 48 hours after naming Kamala Harris as VP choice (Reuters)

Yale illegally discriminates against White and Asian students, Justice Department says (CNBC)

42 felony charges approved in Chicago looting incident, prosecutors say (USA Today)

A 25-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant (CNN)

Tropical Storm Josephine forms in Atlantic, the 10th storm of a record-setting season (USA Today)

World news

Israel and United Arab Emirates strike major diplomatic agreement (New York Times)

Russia offers to help U.S. with Covid-19 vaccine, U.S. says no (CNN)

Chicken wings imported to China from Brazil test positive for COVID-19, Chinese officials say (CBS News)

Belarus election: Widespread torture inflicted on jailed protesters (BBC)

New Zealand races to contain new coronavirus outbreak (CBS News)

Taliban prisoner release: Afghan government begins setting free last 400 (BBC)

Greek military put on high alert as tensions with Turkey rise (The Guardian)
Attorney General Maura Healey on Thursday became the second statewide elected official to endorse Jesse Mermells campaign for Congress, adding to the momentum behind Mermells bid to emerge on top of a crowded primary field in the Fourth Congressional District. Healey, a popular figure among Massachusetts Democrats, called Mermell a proven progressive leader.

Her support was announced just hours after her former advisor Dave Cavell suspended his campaign and backed Mermell in what he described as a strategic move to impede the candidacy of Newton City Councilor Jake Auchincloss, who has been criticized recently for past statements on race and religion.

Ive worked alongside Jesse for a long time - Ive seen her commitment to protecting womens access to reproductive health care, expanding workers rights, and advocating for families devastated by the opioid crisis. Im proud to support Jesse because I know she will fight for the equitable future that the people of Massachusetts deserve, Healey said in a statement released by Mermells campaign.

Healey, who lives in Charlestown, is the second statewide elected official to endorse in the Fourth Congressional District, but unlike Easton resident and state Auditor Suzanne Bump, she does not live in the district. Bump also endorsed Mermell. With Cavell out of the race, eight Democrats are still competing in the Democratic primary that will take place in less than three weeks.

Two super PACs have also stepped up to support Mermells candidacy, giving her campaign more financial firepower against competitors like Auchincloss, who have also have super PACs supporting their campaign. Campaigns are prohibited from direct coordination with super PACS.
Shimla The 8.8-km strategic Rohtang Tunnel, being built at 3,000metre above sea level between Manali and Leh, will be opened for traffic by September-end. The 3,200-crore tunnel will shorten the 474-km distance between Manali and Leh by 46km, which means the eight-hour journey will be cut by two-and-a-half hours.

The tunnel is also called Atal Tunnel, as the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced the project on June 3, 2000. The work was entrusted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). After this announcement, there was a lull with the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi laying the foundation stone of the project on June 28, 2010.

The project has faced geological challenges which have pushed the deadline, since digging started in 2011.The project was to be completed in February 2015, but water ingress from Seri Nullah, ban on rock mining and delay in allotment of land needed for quarrying, and loose rock strata in the middle caused the slow progress.

More than 700 men are working in shifts to complete the tunnel. When the pandemic-enforced lockdown was imposed, proactive measures were taken to recommence work in active coordination with the state government.

When the lockdown was imposed, labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh working on the tunnel migrated, causing a major labour problem. Later, we arranged labour from different parts of the state, said chief engineer Rohtang Tunnel project KP Purushothaman. He added, Almost all major civil and engineering works have been completed and the remaining will be completed before September 20.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh was to inspect the work at the tunnel last month, but due to the stand-off between India and Chinese troops, this trip was cancelled. Rajnath is likely to visit Rohtang tunnel in August-end.

The government will invite PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate the tunnel, which is a boon for people living in the inhospitable terrain in Lahual and Spiti, said technical education and tribal affairs minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda.

Speed limits in the tunnel will be 80km per hour. The tunnel will accelerate troop mobility to strategic frontiers in Jammu and Kashmir, besides providing a road link to Lahaul and Spiti in the winters. The tunnel has the capacity to ply 3,000 vehicles per day under any weather condition. The cost of the project has escalated from 1,700 crore in 2010 to almost its double to 3,200 crore by September-end 202

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Israel, UAE sign historic peace deal

Israel will suspend applying sovereignty over areas in the West Bank that is under its control under a peace pact with the United Arab Emirates brokered by US President Donald Trump.

The historic peace deal will lead to a full normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern nations with the UAE becoming the first Arab nation to formally recognise Israel.

The peace deal was arrived at after lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States, reports citing White House officials said.

A phone call on Thursday between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi finally sealed the deal, according to reports.

"HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates," Trump wrote on Twitter celebrating his first foreign policy success.

The agreement, to be known as the Abraham Accords, is the first since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994.

White House officials said Trumps senior adviser Jared Kushner, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal,

A joint statement issued by the three nations said the three leaders had "agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates."

"This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region," the statement said.

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues, the statement said

The two countries are expected soon to exchange ambassadors and embassies.

The statement said that as "a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty" over areas of the West Bank that were envisioned in the U.S. peace plan unveiled by Trump in January.

The agreement also envisions giving Muslims greater access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem by allowing them to fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, White House officials said.

Israel sees the agreement as a prelude to more normalisations and peace agreements with other regional players as well.

The joint statement said the United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus amid the pandemic.
Insurers in the Middle East are expected to absorb a large part of the losses from Beiruts explosion last week with Lloyds of London and other international players expected to be less exposed, insurance industry sources said.

Lebanese officials have blamed the Aug. 4 blast, which killed at least 172 people and left much of the capital in ruins, on a stockpile of ammonium nitrate catching fire after being stored unsafely at the port for years.

Insurance industry sources also said the major share of losses would be in property damage rather than in marine exposure to ships or the port itself.

The majority of exposure will be on the building damage side and to the extent that it is covered beyond the property markets, there will be very significant business interruption, a Lloyds of London market source said.

Much of it (the risk) may be covered by local markets, the source said, which could include insurers in Dubai.

A Lloyds of London spokeswoman said it was too early to quantify the insured losses.

Lebanon has said it expects losses of up to $15 billion from the blast, but industry sources said they expected insured losses of nearer $3 bln, most of it in property.

The discrepancy is partly because emerging market countries like Lebanon may have lower levels of insurance coverage.

The Lloyds market source said: There will be a lot that isnt insured and unfortunately business interruption is often an area where interpretations of wordings can be an issue.

Another insurance industry source said losses on the marine hull and cargo side were expected to be limited.

Two shipping companies with vessels close to the port told Reuters their ships sustained minor damage and their crews were unharmed.

Zurich Insurance said on Thursday it had clients which operated in Lebanon but did not expect the blast to be a major loss event for the company.

Others such as Allianz, AXA and Munich Re said it was too soon to give estimates.

One insurer in Lebanon told Reuters it doubted that all of the 60 insurance companies operating there would survive given the coronavirus, financial turmoil and the blast. (Editing by Jane Merriman)

Photograph: Destroyed buildings are seen on Aug. 12, 2020 from a room heavily damaged in a neighborhood near the site of the Aug. 4th explosion that hit the seaport of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon. Photo credit: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar.

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Piers Morgan made a last-minute dash home from France with his family to avoid the UK's new quarantine rules.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, 55, had been on holiday in Saint-Tropez, but cut short his break to ensure he returned to the UK before the government implemented a new two-week quarantine rule.

Piers - who has kids Spencer, 27, Stanley, 23, Albert, 19, and Elise, eight - posted an image of himself and two of his sons on Instagram upon their return on Thursday.

Coming back: Piers Morgan joked he and his family were 'quarantine dodgers' as they cut St Tropez trip short to return to the UK on Thursday before France's air bridge is removed

He captioned the picture: 'Quarantine dodgers... #France #LeGreatEscape  @spencermorgan93   @Bertie_Morgan11 (sic)'

Since Piers returned home, the government has confirmed plans to introduce a 14-day isolation requirement for people arriving from France.

France was added to the UK's quarantine list on Thursday in a savage blow to tens of thousands of British holidaymakers, as ministers ordered travellers returning from the popular destination to isolate for 14 days.

The quarantine is set to come in at 4am on Saturday  and with an estimated British 500,000 holidaymakers in France, a weekend of chaos looms.

Changes: Since Piers returned home, the government has confirmed plans to introduce a 14-day isolation requirement for people arriving from France, which stars from 4am on Saturday

There are concerns that the sudden change in rules could spark a rush for ferries at Calais and Dunkirk  and a scramble for seats on the Eurostar.

John Keefe, the public affairs director at Channel Tunnel operator Getlink, warned that there is 'very limited' capacity on services throughout this month.

France recorded 2,669 new cases of coronavirus yesterday, up from 2,524 on Wednesday. It is a record figure for the nation since it came out of lockdown.

Air bridge: France was added to the UK's quarantine list on Thursday in a savage blow to tens of thousands of British holidaymakers, Piers had already spent several weeks in France

The review of the rules saw the Netherlands, Monaco and Malta added to the quarantine list - and Portugal remains on it, along with Spain.

The Turks and Caicos Islands and Aruba in the Caribbean have also lost their places.

The move came after Boris Johnson said the UK would be 'ruthless' when it came to travel quarantine even with its 'closest and dearest friends'.

Pals: Piers has been seen spending time with Joan Collins during his travels

Meanwhile, Piers recently announced plans to release a new book Wake Up, which is about the 'war on free speech'

Piers - who has more than seven million Twitter followers - wrote on the platform: 'BREAKING: I'm delighted to announce my new book: 'WAKE UP - Why the "liberal" war on free speech is even more dangerous than Covid-19.'

'Out on October 15th in hardback, ebook & audiobook read by me. (sic)' The book is being published by Harper Collins, and is being billed as a 'rallying cry' for unity and 'freedom of speech'.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:40:02|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Friday stressed the urgency of resolving the threat posed by a derelict oil tanker off Yemen and warned against politicizing the issue.

"Averting this calamity should not be politicized. It is about people's lives and futures," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' press office.

The Yemeni people are already facing impossible odds: a war, a free-falling economy, diseases, shattered public institutions, unreliable infrastructure, hunger, and uncertain futures. The Safer oil tanker is a solvable problem and does not need to be added to their many other burdens, said the office in a note to correspondents.

The United Nations is still waiting for permission from Houthi rebels, who control the territory where the tanker is moored, for the deployment of an expert assessment team.

The rebels first indicated on July 5 that they would allow an inspection and emergency repair team to board the floating oil storage and offloading vessel. An official UN request was sent on July 14.

"The Ansar Allah (Houthi) authorities have recently come back to us with a range of technical follow-up questions, which we have answered," said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman, on Wednesday. "We hope that the authorities will authorize the mission right away."

On May 27, 2020, seawater leaked into the engine room, threatening to destabilize and sink the entire vessel, and potentially releasing all the 1.1 million barrels of crude oil into the sea. A temporary fix by divers from the Safer corporation succeeded in containing the leak. But the fix is unlikely to hold for very long, warned the United Nations.

A spill would have catastrophic environmental and humanitarian consequences, including destroying livelihoods and shutting down Hodeidah port, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis who depend on commercial imports and humanitarian aid.

The planned expert-driven assessment is a crucial first step to understanding the scope of the problem and deciding what repairs are possible, what equipment and resources are needed to conduct such repairs and determining the next course of action, said the note.

"Planning and executing a sustainable solution will not be possible without independent experts first assessing the damage. And the assessment cannot be completed if the experts are not granted the required visas and permits to deploy to the tanker." Enditem
Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves posted the offensive remarks on his Facebook page in a now deleted post, last weekend

The residents of a Virginia town are demanding their mayor resign after said in a Facebook post that Joe Biden 'just announced Aunt Jemima' as his running mate.

Luray Mayor Barry Presgraves posted the offensive remarks on his Facebook page in a now deleted post last weekend.

The town of Luray has a population of less than 5,000 people, with the majority of them being white. The town has a four per cent black population, according to census data.

Biden announced that he had chosen Kamala Harris to be his running mate on Tuesday.

In June, Quaker Oats acknowledged that Aunt Jemima's origins were based on a racial stereotype of a 'mammy' and announced that the company would be removing the image and name.

Presgraves apologized on Facebook and at a town council meeting on Monday night, after he was slammed by residents and members of the Luray Town Council, NBC News reports.

Joe Biden announced that he had chosen Kamala Harris to be his running mate on Tuesday

'I want to make this very clear to everyone with absolutely no qualifications,' Presgraves said. 'I understand what I posted on social media was wrong, offensive and unbecoming.'

The 77-year-old said the remarks did not reflect his heart.

'I also want to make a direct apology to all people of color and women. Passing off demeaning and worn out racial stereotypes as humor isn't funny,' he said, reading from a prepared statement. 'I now fully understand how hurtful it is and I can and will do better and we can all do better. We must.

'From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry and humbly ask for your forgiveness and your grace.'

Luray Council Member Leah Pence sent Presgraves an email on Monday demanding that he resign.

'I am writing to strongly urge you to resign over a racist comment you made on Facebook,' she said in the email. 'The comment you posted has a type of humor that not been appropriate or funny in my lifetime or yours.

Luray Council Member Leah Pence sent Presgraves an email on Monday demanding that he resign

'While a resignation alone will not resolve the systemic subliminal racism that plagues our community, your resignation is imperative as we work towards ending racism in our community.

'You are accountable for your words and decisions as the leader of The Town of Luray and your recent actions have caused me and many citizens to lose faith and confidence in your capacity to effectively and justly serve as Mayor of The Town of Luray.'

Steve Burke, town manager, said the town council can't remove the mayor but courts could weigh in.

'The residents do have the ability to petition the court for removal of elected officials,' Burke said.

The town council voted 5 to 1 to censure Presgraves for what they described as 'his choice of harmful words posted on social media.' Councilwoman Pence voted no, Burke shared.

'While the town council affirms the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S Constitution, as elected officials, we are held to a higher standard within our communities,' the town council said. 'Statements by public officials have a powerful impact on the community.'

They added: 'Your apology is a step towards reconciliation with our citizens, however damage both internal and external to our community remains.'

The town council told Presgraves that they expect his 'highest level of commitment and dedication to serving all citizens of Luray.'

The town shared a Facebook past condemning racist statements

During Monday's meeting, residents came forward and asked the mayor to resign.

'I've been here all my life. Almost 70 years. And today, I'm hurt,' said Barbara Veney, 69.

Veney, who had a father who was black and white and a mother who was Indian and black, shared that she was not taught to racist.

She added that she was taught 'what comes out the mouth can hurt and you have to be careful what you speak because words do hurt.'

'We need somebody with positive thinking that will shape this community. No more dividing,' she said. 'In order for us to move on... I'm asking you today, Mr. Mayor, that you step down in love  because I love you  and do the right thing.'

Presgraves shared on Monday that he had no intention of stepping down. He is not seeking reelection.

'Hell no, I'm not resigning,' he told the Page Valley News. 'The people elected me and I have a few months more to serve.'

The mayor did share that he was surprised by the backlash.

'I thought it was humorous,' he said. 'I had no idea people would react the way they did. I think people have gone overboard on this  It's an election year.'
Plucky heroines make me queasy. (It takes so much energy to be plucky.) The protagonist of Katie Tallos first novel, DARK AUGUST (HarperCollins, 448 pp., paper; $16.99), is better than that. Augusta (Gus) Monet is smart and resourceful, just too stubborn to know when to quit. When she returns to her hometown  Elgin, Ontario, a town that once was but is no more  her instinct is to burn it down. But greed and spite and toxic wastewater from fracking have taken care of that already. So her only business here is to claim the house (and the old dog who comes with it) left to her by her great-grandmother.

Once Gus is back in Elgin, she drops into the past, with all its hurtful memories and unfinished business. Foremost among these is a case that bedeviled her mother, a police detective who died when Gus was 8 years old. A convenient stash of cash allows Gus the luxury of losing herself in that case, the murder of Henry Neil, whose long-missing body just happens to turn up shortly after Gus moves into the neglected house.

Despite the plot contrivances, its easy to get caught up in this story, especially after Gus finds her mothers original notes and assembles them into a collage that covers an entire wall  a timeline of events that took place over the span of less than two years, connected by evidence. Although she sees this project as a kind of homage, an attempt to finish what her mother started, Gus doesnt seem to be aware that, on some deeper level, shes finally trying to deal with the emotional baggage of their last summer together.

To be sure, there are dedicated bad guys in the story, and the usual dangers to life and limb. But the subordinate plot is the death of a place people call home. In Elgin, generations of settlers managed to hold off the threat of unchecked nature, until an underground river of toxins turned golden cornfields to black muck and sent a town up in a ball of fire.
MIAMI - A federal prosecutor who has jailed some of Venezuelas biggest crooks is stepping down, The Associated Press has learned, leaving a void that could dampen U.S. efforts to expose criminal activity in the South American country amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.

Michael Nadler, an assistant U.S. attorney, is leaving to enter private practice next month at a boutique Miami law firm Stumphauzer Foslid Sloman Ross & Kolayasaid a person familiar with the move who insisted on speaking anonymously because it hadnt been made public.

Nadler, 48, has indicted multiple Venezuelan Cabinet ministers, businessmen and Swiss bankers as part of a sustained effort by investigators in the Southern District of Florida to recover some of the $300 billion estimated to have been stolen from Venezuela in two decades of socialist rule.

Much of that allegedly ill-gotten wealth has been plowed into Miamis booming luxury real estate market. That has angered the citys Latino residents  many of them Venezuelan and Cuban exiles  for whom the Trump administrations hard-line focus on exposing corruption in Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros government is a major draw in the battleground state ahead of the U.S presidential election.

There may well be a collective sigh of relief in Venezuela from those he targeted, said Michael Diaz, a Miami defence attorney who has litigated against Nadler on behalf of Venezuelan clients. Certainly some will be toasting his untimely departure.

Nadler in 2018 secured what is so far the largest judgment to date against a Venezuelan insider when Alejandro Andrade, the former national treasurer, pleaded guilty to his role in a foreign currency conspiracy that siphoned off hundreds of millions from state coffers. As part of his plea agreement, Andrade forfeited to the U.S. government $1 billion in cash and assets, including an oceanfront Palm Beach mansion, luxury vehicles, show-jumping horses and several Rolex and Hublot watches. Hes currently serving a 10-year sentence.

Nadler leaves one politically sensitive case unfinished. In June, he secured the arrest in Cape Verde of Colombian businessman Alex Saab as Maduros alleged front man was en route to Iran. In a one-two punch, the Trump administration last year sanctioned Saab on the same day that Nadler charged the businessman with money laundering in connection with an alleged bribery scheme to develop low-income housing for Venezuelas government that was never built.

Saabs extradition is still pending and being fought vigorously by a team of lawyers that includes former Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon, who is famous for indicting former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. Maduros government said the businessman, who also has a Venezuelan passport, was on a humanitarian mission to Iran to buy food and medical supplies.

Saab was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for allegedly running a scheme that included Maduros stepsons and allegedly stole hundreds of millions in dollars from food import contracts at a time of widespread hunger in the crisis-wracked OPEC nation. Nadler, who still has a few weeks on the job, has not indicted Saab for the alleged food corruption.

Nadler began working Venezuela cases in 2017, and Diaz said he quickly won a reputation as an aggressive prosecutor who had a good rapport with agents. As part of his investigation of the sprawling criminal networks used to launder money, he travelled to meet with officials and witnesses in Switzerland, the U.K., Portugal, Spain and Colombia.

Diaz also credits Nadler with clawing hard to keep cases away from prosecutors in other high-profile federal districts who were all competing to sign up as government witnesses the many Venezuelans fleeing their homeland. Prosecutors in New York and Washington in March charged Maduro and other high-level officials with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, while Houston has the lead in a probe into alleged corruption at Venezuelas state-run oil giant PDVSA.

Nadlers boss, Ariana Fajardo-Orshan, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, created a special money laundering unit in March 2019 that focused on financial crimes, giving even more impetus to that effort.

Venezuela is ranked the most-corrupt country in Latin America, and tied with Sudan, Afghanistan and Equatorial Guineau as the seventh-worst among 180 countries in the latest annual ranking by Berlin-based Transparency International.

Dick Gregorie, the retired assistant U.S. attorney in Miami who indicted Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega in the 1980s, said Nadler is the nations most knowledgeable and experienced litigator working on Venezuela. He said his exit will leave a major void that wont be easily filled by other prosecutors, who will need time to capture the complexities and nuances of corruption in the country.

Venezuela is a kleptocracy and to understand how they move the money and stolen from Venezuelan people takes years, said Gregorie, who is now a consultant for Berkeley Research Group. Nadlers departure will certainly be felt.

Fajardo-Orshans wouldnt confirm or deny Nadlers plans to depart but reaffirmed the commitment to go after corrupt officials from Venezuela and elsewhere who callously steal money from their own citizens, then try to hide it in U.S. banks and through U.S. real estate transactions.

The experienced, talented, and committed prosecutors in our Money Laundering section work as a team to combat this illegal activity, her office said in a statement.

___

Joahua Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman
Federal prosecutors have said Ghislaine Maxwell is in isolation for her own safety as they rejected claims from her lawyers that she is being treated worse than other inmates at the Brooklyn jail where she is being held.

Prosecutors rejected claims yesterday that she is being treated 'worse' than other inmates at the Brooklyn jail she is held on charges she facilitated late financier Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls.

In an Aug. 10 letter, Maxwell's lawyers objected to her being subjected to round-the-clock surveillance and numerous body scans at the Metropolitan Detention Center despite no longer being on suicide watch, and said she belongs in the general population rather than in her cell 21 hours a day.

Prosecutors said Maxwell was isolated for reasons of 'safety, security, and the orderly functioning of the facility,' and that it was appropriate to closely monitor new inmates facing a 'strong likelihood' of many years in prison.

Maxwell's lawyers say she is being subjected to round-the-clock surveillance and numerous body scans at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Maxwell wants to be moved into general population and allowed more computer time so she can prepare a defense to claims she helped friend Jeffrey Epstein traffick girls for sex (file)

They nonetheless said jail officials agreed to give Maxwell 13 hours a day to review materials for her scheduled July 2021 trial, rather than the normal three hours.

Prosecutors also said they have acted 'expeditiously' in turning over materials, providing over 165,000 pages of evidence to Maxwell's defense team, the New York Times reported, adding that the pages consist of search warrants applications and subpoena returns.

Additionally, Maxwell can request victims' names and make other motions in December after discovery is finished.

In a letter on Thursday to U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan in Manhattan, prosecutors also said it was 'at best premature' to require they identify three alleged victims named in Maxwell's indictment.

Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Maxwell is complaining about conditions inside the jail where she is being kept ahead of her sex crimes trial.

The 58-year-old British socialite was recently taken off suicide watch, but is being subjected to multiple searches each day and is under constant watch of the guards, her lawyers said.

The searches and surveillance should be stopped, her lawyers said, while requesting that she be be taken out of solitary confinement and placed in with other prisoners.

Ghislaine Maxwell is complaining about being kept in solitary confinement and under constant surveillance at a 'hell-hole' Brooklyn jail (seen in a recent court sketch)

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

They argue that she 'has never been suicidal and was never diagnosed as exhibiting risk factors for suicide,' but is still woken up every few hours during the night and forced to wear special clothing.

She has also been forced to undergo body scans, lawyer Chris Everdell wrote in a letter seen by the New York Post, and is observed even while calling her attorneys.

'Ms. Maxwell is being treated worse than other similarly situated pretrial detainees, which significantly impacts her ability to prepare a defense,' he said.

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

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

Maxwell has pleaded not guilty to helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse three girls from 1994 to 1997, and committing perjury by denying her involvement under oath.

Epstein was found hanged at age 66 last August in a Manhattan jail, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell is separately asking a federal appeals court to block the release from a separate lawsuit of a 2016 deposition about her sex life, saying publicity could make getting a fair trial impossible. Oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 22.
Earlier this week Justin Edwards, chief executive of examination board CCEA, spoke of "the professional judgment, dedication and integrity of Northern Ireland's teaching profession".

However, it seems that the judgment, dedication and integrity of teachers didn't carry that much weight when it came to awarding grades at A-level.

An astonishing 37% of predicted grades were lowered, with only 5.3% increased, causing widespread anger and dismay among both the teaching profession and those students whose grades were lowered, sometimes by several rungs.

Of course, this was an exceptional year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which meant that pupils could not sit exams as usual. Instead CCEA used a complicated algorithm taking into account teachers' predictions, former examination results and moderation of grades to ensure they bore some resemblance to previous years.

But it was also clear that even the CCEA was not entirely confident in its system for determining the grades.

On Wednesday the body sent an email to principals saying there would be "anomalies" in some grades awarded.

That is a cold definition of a process that could leave the dreams of thousands of pupils in tatters. As one succinctly put it in her open letter on Twitter to Education Minister Peter Weir, she fears her hopes for the future have been "ruined by an algorithm".

Angry headmaster Alan Hutchinson of Glastry College, who saw 56% of predicted grades in his school lowered, spoke for many when he said: "The important thing in this is not data, it's children and their futures."

For that is what these examination grades are all about.

For some they open the door to third level education; for others they are the pathway to more vocational careers. Sadly, for some they are a blow to morale.

But in ordinary years there is confidence among teachers and pupils that the grades awarded are a fair reflection of how the young people performed on the day of their examination.

Today, however, that confidence does not exist among some teachers or many pupils. To have principals openly criticise the system and wonder how their professional opinion on pupils' abilities could be deemed so wide of the mark is surely an indication of a flawed system, no matter how much the CCEA and Education Minister attempt to defend it.

The minister assures pupils and schools that appeals will be looked at sympathetically and that the process will be free. As if that is some sort of gift to disappointed pupils.

He will - as many teachers write in homework books - have to do better.

There are calls for the minister to come up with an emergency plan to deal with the fallout from the process, or resign if he cannot. This should not be some sort of trial of strength between the CCEA and Department of Education on one hand, and schools and pupils on the other, but rather an attempt to rectify what many see is an injustice that no amount of massaging figures can disguise.

Education has long been the jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland public services, with pupils consistently outperforming their peers in other parts of the UK. That reputation will not be enhanced if those who run the system and those who work at the coalface are at loggerheads. Mr Weir has a lot of hard thinking to do to defuse this situation. His answers to date won't win him high grades.
According to a press release published by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Africa on August 13, 2020, the new US. Navy class of sea-basing ships USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4) arrived in port Naples, Italy, for a routine logistics stop, August 13, 2020.

According to a press release published by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Africa on August 13, 2020, the new US. Navy class of sea-basing ships USS Hershel Woody Williams (ESB 4) arrived in port Naples, Italy, for a routine logistics stop, August 13, 2020.

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The U.S. Military Sealift Command expeditionary sea base USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams (T-ESB-4) at anchor in Chesapeake Bay (USA) on 15 September 2019 during mine countermeasure equipment testing. (Picture source U.S. Navy)

The USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) is a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base, currently in service with the United States Navy. The ship, which is the second of a new class of sea-basing ships, departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on July 27, for its inaugural deployment following its commissioning in March. Its crew consists of a mix of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.



At 784 feet long (230 meters), the ship features a 52,000 square-feet (4,830 square-meter) four-spot flight deck. Further features include a hangar, mission deck, and work and living spaces for hundreds of embarked personnel. Additionally, for the U.S. Navy crew, there is a Blue Crew and a Gold Crew, which will turn over periodically to allow for continuity while the ship remains forward deployed.



The USS Lewis B. Puller replace Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce which was able to stage people and equipment in support of multiple maritime missions in the 5th Fleet area of operations. Now, USS Lewis B. Puller will serve as the first ship built specifically for the purpose of serving as an afloat expeditionary sea base. The newly-commissioned platform will support TF 51/5s diverse missions that include crisis response, airborne mine countermeasures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions.



Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, commander, U.S. Marines Forces Europe and Africa said, the real strength of the Hershel Woody Williams is the flexibility of this naval platform. This versatile Expeditionary Sea Base can support naval aviation, command and control, and deploy Marines and other special operations forces going ashore.
New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Thursday accepted the 'unconditional apology' tendered by controversial Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan in connection with his alleged remark in the sensational Bulandshahr gangrape case, saying he has expressed sincere and heartful remorse.

Respondent No 2 (Azam Khan) has given an unconditional apology and has expressed his sincere and heartful remorse, the bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said after the senior Samajwadi Party leader filed a fresh affidavit tendering apology following objections raised by the Attorney General to his earlier one.

The bench, which accepted Khans new affidavit tendering unconditional apology, made it clear that no further arguments on behalf of Azam will be entertained further in the matter. However, the bench said that the questions framed by it earlier regarding the Freedom of Speech and Expression and probable impact of statements of those holding high offices on free and fair probe in heinous cases including rape and molestation are required to be debated and posted the matter for hearing on February 8, next year.

Fali S Nariman, who has been appointed as an Amicus Curie for assisting the court in the matter, has fairly said that the affidavit furnished by Khan should be accepted. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for Khan, told the bench that as the questions framed by the court are constitutionally significant he would like to assist the court.

To this Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and Nariman agreed saying it would be desirable if Sibal put forth his points in respect to the questions framed by the court earlier. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for Khan, told the bench that as the questions framed by the court are constitutionally significant he would like to assist the court.

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THE FACTS: CNN made no such confirmation. There is no evidence of any plan for Biden to step down during his presidency. A column published Wednesday by CNN editor-at-large Chris Cillizza is being spun into a false narrative that Biden chose Harris as his running mate not for her vice presidential qualifications, but so he could step down immediately upon becoming president. BOMBSHELL! read a headline by the Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. CNN CONFIRMS BIDEN PLANNING TO STEP ASIDE AFTER ELECTION, INSTALLING HARRIS. A screenshot of the article circulating on Instagram was viewed nearly 15,000 times, and several other right-wing sites published unsubstantiated claims about a grand plan to install Harris as president as soon as January 2021. Cillizzas column suggested several reasons why Biden may have chosen Harris as his vice presidential nominee, from her experience in government to her ability to tap into the needs of a younger generation. It used the words step aside while referring to Biden and Harris, but in a different context. What Biden did is make the pick that maximized his chances of continuing to make the race a straight referendum on Trump while also selecting someone, in Harris, whose resume suggests will be ready to step in if and when Biden decides to step aside, Cillizza wrote. In the column, Cillizza pointed out Harriss experience running for president, serving as a senator, and holding the seat of California attorney general as potential reasons Biden may have chosen her. He did not confirm or suggest there is any plan for Biden to relinquish his seat if elected. As Bidens vice presidential nominee, Harris would be next in the line of succession to serve as president if Biden won and one day became unable to serve. Cillizza did not respond to a request for comment.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 03:47:34|Editor: huaxia

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The Tel Aviv Municipality Hall is illuminated with the colors of the national flag of the United Arab Emirates in the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Aug. 13, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump announced separately on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have reached an agreement that establishes full diplomatic ties. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

by Keren Setton

JERUSALEM, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump announced separately on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have reached an agreement that establishes full diplomatic ties.

The timing of the agreement comes weeks after Netanyahu was expected to annex territories in the West Bank, a move that is considered widely controversial. Arab leaders, even those with ties to Israel, warned Israel not to go ahead with the plan.

The fresh diplomatic ties with the UAE come in return for Israel freezing its annexation plans indefinitely, although Netanyahu said he would still push forward on the subject with full American coordination.

The announcement was followed by enraged reactions amongst the Israeli right wing, Netanyahu's political base. His main election promise to his voters was to go through with annexation regardless of international criticism.

Israel is now facing political instability and a possible general election.

"Netanyahu would have never followed through on annexation," Eyal Zisser, an expert on the Middle Eastern affairs from the Tel Aviv University, said, the Israeli prime minister has apparently decided to pay an internal political price instead of attracting international condemnation for annexation.

According to the White House statement, the agreement was finalized in a three-way call between Netanyahu, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Trump.

In the coming weeks the sides are to reach agreements on various fields such as direct flights and cooperation in the fields of energy, tourism and healthcare. Embassies are expected to open.

The agreement would make the UAE the first Gulf state to normalize relations with Israel. The Jewish state has peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt, making the relations with the UAE a major advancement in its regional status.

In an interview to Israel's N12 television channel, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said there were negotiations with other Arab countries underway. Media in the country reported that Bahrain and Sudan may follow suit in the near future.

"For Israel it shows its permanency in the region but it also shows the Palestinian issue doesn't prevent the it from gradually integrating into the region," said Joshua Teitelbaum, a professor in Department of Middle Eastern Studies of Bar-Ilan University in Israel

Leading Palestinian figures condemned the agreement. For decades they have relied on the backing of Arab countries and the Gulf states in their struggle against Israel.

"Palestinian negotiating power is in decline," Zisser said.

The UAE holds many economic opportunities for Israel. With a tiny market but a booming hi-tech sector, Israel is always in the need for external markets for its products.

Experts said in the backdrop to the agreement is Iran, the common adversary the UAE and Israel share, while both have concerns about Iran's regional aspirations.

"The UAE will now get access to Israeli know-how and coordination against Iran," said Teitelbaum.

Netanyahu confirmed that meetings between delegations are being planned for the coming future. Israeli media reported a possible trilateral summit would be held in Washington in the near future.
Hundreds of thousands of British holidaymakers on Friday faced the prospect of having to go into self-isolation for 14 days when they return home after the British government reimposed quarantine restrictions on France following a recent pick-up in coronavirus infections.

In an announcement late Thursday, the government said France is being removed from the list of nations exempted from quarantine requirements because of rising coronavirus infections, which have surged by 66% in the past week. The Netherlands, Malta, Monaco and the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Turks & Caicos are also being added to the quarantine list.

The requirement to spend 14 days in self-isolation will apply to anyone returning to the UK after 4 a.m. local time on Saturday, a timeframe that may prompt many  particularly those who cannot work from home  to try to return before then.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the decision shouldnt have come as a big surprise given that the government has consistently said it will continue to monitor infection rates when assessing its list of safe countries.

Unfortunately, this virus doesnt play ball, he told Sky News. So people will look at their own situations. I think a lot of people would have been aware that this was a possibility in France and in some of these other countries.

Any rush back is likely to be most prominent in France, the second-most popular holiday destination for British tourists after Spain, which was put on the quarantine list last month. Travel companies are urging anyone considering a swift return home to check whether they will be able to do so.

Getlink, which operates the Channel Tunnel rail service linking Britain and France, warned travelers that they may not be able to get back in time as services are heavily booked.

John Keefe, Getlinks director of public affairs, told the BBC that trains were already pretty much fully booked on Friday.

He said there was some possibility of adding additional trains in the off-peak periods but insisted that would-be travelers have to check online before heading to the terminal.

While the number of new infections in Britain is also rising, they are not thought to be increasing at the same pace as in the countries added to the quarantine list. The latest 14-day cumulative figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control show 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday that everyone understands that in a pandemic you dont allow our population to be re-infected or the disease to come back in.

The decision is a big blow to Frances tourism industry, which is heavily reliant on tourists from Britain.

Frances junior minister for European affairs, Clement Beaune, indicated that that France would respond in kind.

He said in a tweet that this is a British decision that we regret and which will prompt a reciprocity measure, in the hope to get back to normal as soon as possible.

The UKs quarantine approach has been criticized by many travel companies, some of whom are urging a change of tack, such as a ramp-up in testing of all arrivals in the country.

Shapps said that proposal isnt quite as straightforward as it sounds because many people may not test positive for the virus at the point of arrival but may end up doing so a few days later.

You need to have a system which is more accurate than that before you can say to people youve now been tested and you dont need to quarantine, he said.
Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has said the next government under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will increase the maternity leave period from three months to four months.



The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer in the 2020 elections, said the move is part of the many policies listed in the partys 2020 manifesto that proves that it cares about Ghanaians.



I sympathise with young mothers, but you will be happy to know when our manifesto is launched that we have increased the maternity leave [period].



"We have moved it from three months to four months fully paid maternity leave and we are also going to ensure that until the child is nine months, the woman truly has time, John Mahama's running mate told a gathering marking the International Youth Day.



Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also said over the years, the NDC has demonstrated that it cares more about Ghanaians.



It was during the time of John Evans Atta Mills that Kotokuraba market was initiated, it was completed by John Dramani Mahama and there is a daycare in that place. It was during the time of John Mahama that the Kejetia market was initiated and completed, there is a daycare in that place. Who cares more about women? she quizzed.



She added that with her at the highest level of decision making in government, more policies that will ensure inclusion and social justice will be delivered.



Prof Opoku-Agyemang said she remains committed to championing the interests of women in Ghana.



She assured the gathering that if the NDC is voted into power, decisions will be taken to advance the cause of women and the marginalised in the Ghanaian society.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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Before Henrico County Public Schools announced the temporary closure of Varina High School last week because of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 there, school officials warned several employees and student families that they may have been exposed to the disease at three other schools.

School officials directed them to self-quarantine or take precaution, but the division did not inform the general public or the communities of J.R. Tucker High School and Tuckahoe Middle School when employees at each school tested positive. It also did not notify teachers and families at Ratcliffe Elementary School after directing an employee there to self-quarantine after a suspected exposure to the disease in the community.

With Richmond-area schools set to begin the academic year next month, recent exposures are testing how local divisions will disclose COVID-19 case information to school communities and the broader public.

Communications will be made on a case-by-case basis and depend on facts that will likely vary from one unique situation to the next, said Henrico schools spokesman Andy Jenks. As school resumes, we certainly intend to be very open with our messaging and do everything appropriate to keep our communities informed.
A Kansas wife and mother who vanished nearly two weeks ago while en route to Alabama had planned to fly to Birmingham but made a last-minute decision to drive instead, authorities said Friday.

Marilane Carter, a 36-year-old graduate of Samford Universitys Beeson Divinity School and the wife of an Overland Park pastor, was last seen about 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, when she left home headed toward Birmingham, according to the Overland Park Police Department.

Det. Blake Larsen on Friday held a news briefing in Overland Park, the first since Carters disappearance. He said Carter that Saturday bought a Southwest Airlines ticket to fly to Birmingham to visit her sister, who is due to soon have a baby, and also to seek treatment for undisclosed mental health issues.

Carter took a nap Saturday and when she awoke, Larsen said, she decided to drive to Birmingham instead. That helps give a view into her mindset,' Larsen said.

Carter told her husband, the Rev. Adam Carter who is the lead pastor Leawood Baptist Church in Kansas, and then left home about 8:15 p.m. Her husband was concerned she was going to go,' Larsen said.

Authorities have been able to determine through credit card charges and cell phone data that Carter traveled through Missouri where she stopped at a McDonalds. Then, on Sunday, Aug. 3, she checked in alone to the Quality Inn in West Plains, Missouri at 3:37 a.m. She checked out of the hotel at 6:08 a.m., driving off alone in her 2011 dark gray GMC Acadia with Kansas license plate 194 LFY.

Also Sunday, Carter made a stop at a Shell Station in West Memphis, Arkansas, where she fueled up and went inside with her cup to get some ice water. The last pinged GPS location of her cell phone was at 8:02 p.m. later that day near the Arkansas weigh station on Interstate 55 entering Memphis.

A law enforcement air unit in Memphis flew for 1  hours on a grid pattern covering a four-mile radius where her cell phone last pinged. Forensic cellular experts are working with the Overland Park Police Department to determine more about her last calls to family and her last location.

The detective said Carters husband became worried when she did not arrive in Birmingham and filed a missing persons report with Overland Park police at 3 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3. She left Overland Park of her own free will with nothing suspicious afoot,' Larsen said.

More than a half-dozen law enforcement agencies in at least four state have aided in the search for Carter. This is not an active criminal investigation,' Larsen emphasized. Were simply trying to locate Marilane Carter to help bring her back to her (family). Theyre worried sick about her.

Though multiple law enforcement agencies  including the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation  are working on the case, searchers are relying on volunteers to check the waterways to hopefully rule out any possibility that Marilane and/or her vehicle are there, according to the Facebook page dedicated to the search - Find Marilane.

On Thursday, volunteers began a sonar search of the Mississippi River, which continued on Friday. Family also has sent flyers to more than 100 hospitals accompanied with power of attorney documents to try to find out if Carter is, or had been, hospitalized any time since her disappearance. Additionally, volunteers are posting flyers throughout the region, including truckers who are distributing them nationwide.

Larsen said investigators are not able to obtain a search warrant for Carters cell phone records in Kansas City because her disappearance is not considered criminal. People often disappear voluntarily to live off the grid and Larsen explained that is perfectly OK. However, there is no indication that is the case with Carter, and authorities have listed her as missing and endangered because of the possible mental health issues. We want to find someone who may be in a crisis,' he said.

Arkansas State Police, however, believe they may be able to obtain that search warrant and that effort is ongoing. Law enforcement is using all logical and reasonable investigative techniques,' he said.

The thing that separates Carters disappearance from others, the detective said, is that all of her activity seemed to stop at once  on Aug. 2. This is a unique and strange case,' he said. Everything just stopped at a certain time.

He said, its been a tough two weeks, and that investigators will continue the search as long as they are getting new leads and valid tips.

What we learned from the family, its urgent to try to find her,' Larsen said. We are keeping our fingers crossedthat we find her alive and well.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
The majority of meat-plant inspections in future will be unannounced, after controversy erupted yesterday over official tip-offs that visits were imminent.

Thirty of 39 Health and Safety Authority (HSA) inspections were pre-announced to meat plants, with only nine made without advance notice, the Dail coronavirus committee was told.

And not one improvement or prohibition notice had been served on production plants, admitted Mark Cullen, HSA assistant chief executive, despite union complaints on behalf of workers about overcrowding and other conditions.

Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane said it was "unbelievable" not a single order to improve aspects of individual plants had been issued.

Sharon McGuinness, HSA chief executive, said her authority had responsibility for workplace safety, but public health issues were outside its remit.

Where workers lived was not its concern either, she said, and nor was transport to and from work. The authority dealt only with "work activity".

Expand Close Thorough: HSA chief executive Sharon McGuinness. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins / Facebook

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Whatsapp Thorough: HSA chief executive Sharon McGuinness. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

Ms McGuinness said the advance notice of inspections came "the night before" a team turned up the following morning. "If it's an eight o'clock start, we would say it [to a management] at 4.30pm, 5pm" on the afternoon before.

If inspectors planned on going to a second plant nearby in the afternoon, that workplace would be rung with the news before lunch, she said.

Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the plants were not getting "three weeks' notice", but only a matter of hours.

Ms McGuinness said two inspectors would visit a plant for "three or four hours" and they were very thorough.

But Greg Ennis of Siptu said: "There should be no more announced inspections. They should all be unannounced.

"The vast proportion so far have been announced. The unannounced are in single figures."

Mr Cullinane said later: "We have known for more than four months that meat plants are hotbeds for the virus and transmission. There are 149 meat plants. Only 39 of them have been inspected.

"The vast majority of inspections should be unannounced, rather than the minority. Improvement or prohibition notices are served if a breach is found, so we are asked to believe that the HSA didn't detect any breaches at all. Clearly, more could have been done."

The Department of Agriculture has a permanent presence at 49 plants, and conducted inspections in 91 of the 100 others.

But Mr Cullinane said these examinations focused on the product and not the workers: "The remit does not expand to occupational welfare."

Ms McGuinness said the level of compliance with protocols had been very high. She said there had been two inspections within the three restricted counties in total, both "in recent weeks".

"Covid is a public health-led matter," she said.

"It's very important that public health take the lead on this."

Ms McGuinness also said there had been 21 public complaints received by the HSA, relating to 12 separate employments in the meat and food processing area.

They were of a wide range, including the danger of fogging on visors when working with knives in a boning area.

But she insisted the 39 inspections, 30 of which involved forewarning, had found "generally high levels of compliance."

The HSA had found the plants "willing to engage and co-operate".

"We will take enforcement action when and where needed," she said.

Workforce representation does not exist in meat plants and when a worker contracts Covid-19 the Health and Safety Authority is not notified, the committee was also told.

"All the indicators to me are that they (the HSA) don't want to be notified," claimed Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Patricia King. "They don't want this task. I am blue in the face with this."

Greg Ennis, divisional organiser of Siptu, declared: "I believe we need Covid compliance inspectors. If we have to beef it up, then beef it up - no pun intended."

There was "little choice but to shine a light like never before on this industry and address it once and for all", Mr Ennis said.
If one or two students or teachers is diagnosed with the coronavirus in a New Jersey classroom, everyone he or she came close to at school could be asked to stay home for 14 days, according to new state guidelines.

But if two people in different classrooms get sick, the entire school could be shut down.

The N.J. Department of Health released 19 pages of new health rules for schools Thursday as districts across New Jersey prepare to reopen schools for in-person classes for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many public school officials have been asking the state for clearer health guidance since June, when the states original 104-page school reopening plan said decisions on when and if to close schools when people get sick would largely be left up to school leaders and local health officials.

The new guidelines include more specific rules on how schools should handle positive COVID-19 cases, when they should ask students in individual classrooms to quarantine and when entire schools should close and switch to remote learning.

The rules are meant to be general guidelines, the state said, and districts can opt to develop more stringent rules.

Under the new guidelines:

 If one teacher or student in a school has a confirmed COVID-19 case, the school can remain open. But anyone the person came close to at school will be asked to quarantine at home. Students and staff in close contact with positive case are excluded from school for 14 days, the rules say.

 If two people in the same classroom get sick, the school can remain open. But everyone in the classroom could be asked to quarantine. Recommendations for whether the entire classroom would be considered exposed will be based on public health investigation, the guidelines say.

 If two or more people in different classrooms have confirmed COVID-19 cases within 14 days at the same school, it gets more complicated. The entire school could be shut down if a clear connection between cases or to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 cannot be easily identified, the recommendations say.

The new guidelines were released as New Jerseys nearly 600 public school districts are submitting their reopening plans to the state education department for approval.

Most schools originally planned to open with hybrid plans, combining a few days of in-person classes each week with at-home distance learning. Students are expected to wear masks and classrooms are supposed to either have desks six feet apart or install barriers between students.

All students in every district also have the option of choosing an all-remote learning plan, even if their school is offering only in-person classes.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com.

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British holidaymakers faced a scramble to get home on Friday after the government said it will reimpose a 14-day quarantine for travellers from France and the Netherlands, prompting Paris to quickly announce a "reciprocal measure".

The UK government said the change will kick in at 0400 (0300 GMT) on Saturday, likely sparking a mass exodus among the estimated 160,000 British holidaymakers currently in France, after a rise in coronavirus cases there.

"Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN," Transport Minister Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter.

"If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."

French junior minister for European affairs Clement Beaune said it was "a British decision we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure".

France "hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible," Beaune said on Twitter.

Claudia, a 42-year-old German woman who lives in London but is currently on holiday in southwest France, called it an "absolute nightmare".

"Even if we wanted to we could not come back in time. Eurotunnel is sold out for any slot after midday," she told AFP.

- 'Quarantine roulette' -

Holidaymaker Paul Trower said he would be coming home early.

"I woke up this morning at about 6.00am and I looked at my phone and everybody said you'll have to go into quarantine, so we looked and tried to book a ferry, cancel our holidays and come home to avoid it because my wife works and I look after my granddaughter," he told AFP in northern France.

Britain's badly-hit tourism sector also criticised the move.

"The UK needs a more sustainable long-term plan for the resumption of travel than quarantine roulette," said a spokesman for Heathrow Airport, the country's busiest hub.

Story continues

On Thursday France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May.

Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out "travel corridors" which exempted travellers arriving from certain countries from having to self-isolate.

But it reintroduced the quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain in late July, catching airlines by surprise -- as well as thousands of Britons leaving for their holidays.

Britain then reimposed quarantine for travellers from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas last week.

Scientists at Britain's Joint Biosecurity Centre advised the latest measures be taken after France's cases per 100,000 population rose above 20.

"France is heading in the wrong direction... we have to act," Shapps told the BBC on Friday.

"The last thing we want to do is have people returning and bringing the infection with them," he said, adding that there were around 160,000 Brits due to return from France in the near future

With more than 41,000 deaths caused by the COVID-19 disease, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his handling of the crisis.

His government announced late Thursday that casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown, but that those not wearing masks face harsher fines.

- 'Levelled off' -

Skating rinks can also reopen and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events will be introduced following a two-week delay to the initial plans caused by a spike in cases.

"Two weeks ago the Office for National Statistics had expressed concerns about a slight increase in the number of people in England testing positive. The situation now appears to have levelled off," said Johnson.

Indoor theatres, music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences.

"However, as I have always said, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required," warned the prime minister.

Along with the easing of lockdown measures, the government also announced that the fine for those who "repeatedly flout face covering rules" will be doubled to a maximum of 3,200 ($4,200).

New fines will also be introduced for "people hosting raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people".

"We must remain focused and we cannot be complacent," Johnson said.

Although the Office for National Statistics said the "situation had levelled off", more than 1,000 people a day are still testing positive for the virus.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend:

There is an enormous opportunity for the UK and Uzbekistan to cooperate more closely in a number of areas, including trade and investment, environmental issues, strengthening of ties between the two parliaments, and further building on the already strong links the two countries have in many sectors, the UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Timothy (Tim) Torlot told Trend in an interview.

According to Tim Torlot, UK has a good relationship and cooperates closely with Uzbekistan in a number of fields, including supporting media freedom and human rights reform, encouraging trade and stronger business relationships, as well as in educational and tourism links.

"Our cooperation is further enhanced by the signing last year of the partnership and co-operation agreement and by the announcement in May 2020, that the UK Department for International Development would launch a bilateral program in Uzbekistan. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have worked hard to strengthen the high-level political dialogue between our ministers and senior officials. And there has been surprisingly high participation in our regular online business event," the ambassador said.

Torlot stressed that UK welcomes Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs reform program, including economic liberalization, human rights and political reform.

"President Mirziyoyevs ambitious reform program has made it possible for the UK to develop a strong partnership with Uzbekistan. It is important that these reforms continue, despite the challenges of the coronavirus," he said.

According to the ambassador, the UK companies are mostly involved in the service sector (i.e. consultancy, education, engineering services and professional services) of Uzbek market.

Torlot also emphasized the importance of Uzbekistan's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"Joining the WTO would help open access to world markets and promote competition in the domestic market. It would also help provide further legal protection for companies and opportunities to settle trade issues, and help encourage investment in Uzbekistan. Entry into the WTO would also help lower trade barriers which would bring benefits for consumers by increasing competition and would lower prices for consumers," he stated.

Torlot stressed that UK is ready to help Uzbekistan in its bid to join the WTO.

Talking about the future of Uzbekistan, the Ambassador noted that Uzbekistan is a country where the climate is almost ideal for renewable energy development such as wind or solar.

"The UK has expertise and experience in these areas which we can share. The UKs expertise in healthcare, legal matters and in banking and finance mean these areas also present a good opportunity for further cooperation. Given the President Mirziyoyevs recent prioritization on developing the digital economy, this is another sector in particular where the UK is a world leader, and this presents another area for closer UK-Uzbekistan cooperation", stressed the ambassador.

Torlot noted a number of opportunities for the UK and Uzbekistan in sectors such as healthcare, education, digital economy, financial and professional services, the development of the financial and banking sector, development of capital markets, establishment of more education facilities (including higher education institutions), and provision of professional services, e.g. developing international standards across all sectors.

"British Embassy in Tashkent helps to identify and share these opportunities with UK companies on a regular basis, and organizes trade missions to help UK companies learn more about opportunities in Uzbekistan and establish networks with the relevant ministries and companies", said the UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan.

---

Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini
MANILA, Philippines - A leading terror suspect who has been linked to beheadings of hostages, including two Canadians and a Malaysian, has surrendered after being wounded in battle, officials said Friday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MANILA, Philippines - A leading terror suspect who has been linked to beheadings of hostages, including two Canadians and a Malaysian, has surrendered after being wounded in battle, officials said Friday.

National police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said Thursday night that Abu Sayyaf commander Anduljihad Susukan gave up after negotiations with police in southern Davao city, where he was served warrants for at least 23 cases of murder, six for attempted murder and five for kidnapping.

In this photo provided by the Philippine National Police-Public Information Office, Abu Sayyaf commander Anduljihad Susukan poses for a picture at the Davao City Police Station in Davao province, southern Philippines on Thursday Aug. 13, 2020. Susukan, a leading terror suspect who has been linked to beheadings of hostages including two Canadians and a Malaysian, has surrendered after being wounded in battle, officials said Friday. (Philippine National Police PIO via AP)

He is the highest-ranking commander of the small but brutal Abu Sayyaf group to be taken into custody so far this year. The military has been waging a years-long offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, which has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for past bombings, ransom kidnappings and beheadings. Many of its gunmen, mostly peasants and desperately poor villagers, have aligned themselves with the Islamic State group.

Security officials have blamed Susukan and his men for playing a role in cross-border kidnappings of tourists and other victims from the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, including a Malaysian citizen, who was beheaded by the militants in 2015 in their jungle base in southern Sulu province on the day when Malaysia's then-prime minister Najib Razak arrived in Manila to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Susukan also helped finance the kidnappings in the south of two Canadian men, who were separately beheaded in Sulu in 2016 after the militants failed to get a huge ransom. Another Abu Sayyaf militant, Ben Yadah, murdered the two Canadians and remains at large, a military officer said.

Susukan surrendered to a Muslim rebel chief after the accidental explosion of his M203 rifle grenade in a gunbattle with troops in Sulu severed his left arm. Military officials had believed he was killed but later learned he was in the custody of Nur Misuari, who leads an armed group which signed a 1996 peace deal with the government.

Misuari flew from Jolo to Davao city on a private plane with a few companions that included Susukan on Sunday, sparking speculation he may be planning to present the terror suspect to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte has been staying in his hometown in Davao city, where Misuari also has a home. Although the president has appointed Misuari as a special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Muslim rebel chief has not been clearly authorized to hold talks with suspected terrorists.

His giving himself up to Mr. Misuari is not the surrender contemplated under the law and does not make him immune from arrest, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said of Susukan in a statement.

Under a murky arrangement, Misuari and his rebel force have been allowed to keep their weapons in Sulu and outlying provinces under the 1996 Muslim autonomy deal in the south, homeland of minority Muslims in the largely Roman Catholic nation.

The militants beheaded the two Canadians after ransom deadlines lapsed. At the time, Prime Justin Trudeau urged governments not to pay ransom to discourage similar abductions.

John Ridsdel of Calgary and fellow Canadian Robert Hall were among four tourists kidnapped in September 2015 by Abu Sayyaf militants along with Norwegian man Kjartan Sekkingstad and Marites Flor, a woman from the Philippines.

The two Canadians, Sekkingstad, who was a permanent resident of Canada at the time, and Flor, who was Hall's girlfriend, were snatched from a marina.

Flor was freed in June 2016 and Sekkingstad was released a few months later in September.

Ridsdel was executed in April of that year and Hall was beheaded in June.

Hall was born in Calgary but lived in various parts of Western Canada. He ran a series of businesses  a small engine repair shop, a pizza stand, a home renovation company, and a consulting firm  but spent 25 years at his custom welding and fabrication business.

While sailing and travelling around the world, Hall landed in the Philippines a couple of years before his death and lived in the port city of Davao.

 With files from The Canadian Press
Pennsylvania is seeking court approval to get more time to count mail-in ballots in the November election, and the state official who oversees elections said its critical to protect the right to vote.

Secretary of State Kathryn Boockvar said Friday the deadline extension is needed so every eligible voter will have confidence their vote will be counted.

With reports of delays in mail delivery across the country, Boockvar also urged voters to apply for mail-in ballots right away and to return them as soon as possible.

Gov. Tom Wolfs administration has asked the state Supreme Court to extend the deadline for accepting mail-in ballots following a letter warning of delays from the U.S. Postal Service. The Wolf administration wants the court to allow ballots to be counted up to three days after the election, as long as the ballots are postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The Postal Service has warned the Wolf administration about its challenges in handling ballots cast by mail. The postal service has now warned 46 states that ballots cast by mail may not arrive in time to be counted, The Washington Post reported Friday.

Last month, the postal service advised the state to urge voters to mail their ballots a week before the election deadline. Under state law, the deadline is 8 p.m. on Nov. 3, Election Day.

State officials cite a critical problem. The Wolf administration said the deadline extension is needed because residents can apply for mail-in ballots up until a week before the election. Without an extension to count mail-in ballots, the state argues voters could be denied their right to cast their ballots.

To state it simply: voters who apply for mail-in ballots in the last week of the application period and return their complete ballot by mail will, through no fault of their own, likely be disenfranchised, Wolf administration lawyers wrote in the court filing.

The Wolf administration filed its petition in court the same day President Donald Trump said he opposed additional funding for the postal service and didnt want to expand access to mail-in voting. Trump has derided mail-in voting as insecure, even as election officials have defended it as safe.

They need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots, Trump told Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business Thursday, adding, If they dont get those two items, that means you cant have universal mail-in voting because theyre not equipped to have it.

During the news conference Friday, Boockvar said voters can have confidence in casting ballots by mail. She said the state handled nearly 1.5 million mail-in ballots in the June primary, despite the coronavirus pandemic and the social unrest in some areas.

The Department of State has great confidence in the vote by mail system in Pennsylvania, Boockvar said.

Several states, including California, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia and Utah, accept ballots by mail if they arrive within a few days after the election, but the ballots must typically be postmarked by Election Day.

Wolf has told Pennsylvania voters to take advantage of voting by mail during the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor signed a law last year expanding voting by mail. Before this year, voters could only vote by mail with absentee ballots and had to explain why they couldnt get to the polls. Now, voters dont need an excuse. Republican and Democratic lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the legislation to expand voting by mail.

Democrats in Congress have pushed for $10 billion for the Postal Service as part of a coronavirus relief bill.

Pennsylvania is expected to be a critical battleground in the presidential election. In 2016, Trump won Pennsylvania by about 44,000 votes, a difference of less than a percentage point. Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee and former vice president, is a Scranton native and polls show him leading Trump in Pennsylvania.

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Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:48 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e02fde 1 Politics puan-maharani,house-of-representatives,Criminal-Code-amendment,Jokowi,75th-indonesian-independence-day,75th-Indonesia-merdeka,PDI-P,#Indonesia75 Free

House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has said it is high time for Indonesia to replace its legal products inherited from colonial times with new sets based on the countrys ideological values.

In a speech delivered in a joint meeting to commemorate Indonesias 75th anniversary, she said the country should have legal products that matched Indonesias very own cultural, social and sociological values.

"It is time to replace legal products inherited from the colonial era with independent Indonesian laws, the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician said at the House compound on Friday before President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gave his state of the nation address.

She further said legal products must be based on Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution and provide justice for all citizens.

Lawmakers have insisted on passing the Criminal Code bill into law before the end of the current sitting period, concluding a decades-long attempt to revise the 1947 Criminal Code, which itself is based on Dutch colonial law.

Read also: House urges govt to resume deliberation of controversial bills that triggered massive protests last year

Jokowi last September called on the House to delay the deliberation of the bill following massive public protests across the country. However, lawmakers in June urged the government to resume deliberation of the revisions to despite the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

Protestors, spearheaded by students and activists, have demanded that the government and lawmakers put an end to the deliberation of the controversial bill, arguing that if passed, it would be a threat to democracy on the grounds of contentious articles in the draft.
14.08.2020 LISTEN

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George says the growth in the telecommunications sector can be attributed to the initiatives of private companies in the sector and not any government policies.

He said the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia is seeking to credit himself for the growth in mobile money usage in the country when he has not done anything directly to ensure its success.

Addressing journalists on Friday, he said the mobile money interoperability and mobile financial system cannot be said to be entirely the work of government.

Dr. Bawumia has failed and sought to throw dust into our eyes with his representation of mobile money interoperability. Last year, MTN celebrated 10 years of MoMo, they are in their 11th year now. 11 years ago was Dr. Bawumia the Vice President? So how then can he claim that this is his initiative? The growth in the industry is by way of the work that the telcos themselves are doing, Sam George said.

The Vice President, Dr. Bawumia while speaking at a youth forum earlier in the week said fifteen million Ghanaians have bank accounts due to the implementation of the Mobile Money payment interoperability.

Anyone with a mobile account has a bank account. They can make payments out of it and receive interest on their balancesMany people did not and do not understand that we have moved away from the world of branch banking into branchless banking. You can have your bank account on your phone. You can do banking without visiting a bank branch or signing a cheque, the Vice President said.

But Sam George says the Vice President's claims are misleading.

The issuance of interests [loans], insurance, free transfer charges [are responsible for the growth]. The growth is as a result of the initiatives of the telcos themselves and not Dr. Bawumia. He should come again and tell us what real initiative he has put to account for the growth in the mobile money industry. If he has made a promise and failed, he should be humble enough to tell us that he made a promise and he has failed. He promised that every Ghanaian will have a bank account and, he did not say every Ghanaian will have a MoMo account, he said.

 citinewsroom
Alphabet Inc's Google will stop responding directly to data requests from Hong Kong authorities, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter.

The step would mean Google will now treat Hong Kong effectively the same as mainland China in such dealings, the newspaper reported.

Google and Alphabet did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

The development comes after China's imposition of its national security law in Hong Kong, which has drawn criticism from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and further raised U.S.-China tensions after Washington's decision to end the former British colony's special status under U.S. law.

Google notified Hong Kong police on Thursday that it would direct officials to pursue any requests for data through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the U.S., which involves routing through the U.S. Justice Department, the report added.

In July, Facebook Inc, Google and Twitter Inc suspended processing government requests for user data in Hong Kong.

Also read: TikTok, US employees plan to sue Trump administration over app ban
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 00:33:20|Editor: huaxia

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People walk in Times Square in New York, the United States, on Aug. 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

When the United States repeatedly abandons multilateralism, withdraws from international responsibilities and obligations, constantly engages in ideological confrontation, and repeatedly blame foreign factors for its domestic failures, the so-called "America First" would only face more opposition and its coveted "greatness" only diminish.





by Xu Xiaolei

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Recalling those strange days back in March, when I, as a Xinhua reporter working in New York for years, was suddenly forced to return home following the U.S. order limiting the number of Chinese journalists, I only felt everything that had happened was too dramatic to be true.





"ABRUPT END"

On March 2, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration ordered four Chinese media outlets to downsize their staff working in the United States. Starting from March 13, the four outlets were allowed to employ a combined 100 Chinese nationals in the United States, down about 40 percent, meaning 60 or so Chinese journalists had to leave the country.

The announcement came as I was about to attend a press conference held by the Chinese mission to the United Nations (UN).

As China was assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council for March, Zhang Jun, the Chinese permanent representative to the UN, briefed the press on the monthly work program.

I managed to stay calm despite the de-facto expulsion order and recorded the meeting carefully, knowing that my term in the Xinhua office at the UN may come to an abrupt end.

At the briefing on March 2, Zhang announced that the council would hold a debate on multilateralism during China's presidency. The proposal was reminiscent of what the United States had done to break with the multilateralist camp over the past couple of years when I was reporting on UN stories.

Zhang Jun (C), China's permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a briefing at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

As a permanent member of the Security Council, the United States, however, defying mainstream values, has clashed with many nations on issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, climate change, and the Iran nuclear deal, among others.

Washington, with its questionable policies and deeds, is losing support globally and has been reprimanded by various UN bodies quite a few times.

On May 4, 2018, the United States moved its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem after Washington broke with decades of U.S. policy by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017, triggering intense international criticism, including from the UN.

In late 2017, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution declaring that any decisions that would change the status of Jerusalem are "null and void."

The General Assembly has renewed a long-standing call every year in the past nearly three decades for an end to the U.S. economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba, which was first imposed in 1960.

A Cuban diplomat chants slogans during the "Jailed for What?" campaign at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Oct. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

The "America First" slogan has no place at the roundtable of multilateralism, while the Trump administration has been nagging others to "like it or lump it," and meanwhile, threatening withdrawals from multilateral mechanisms.

In recent years, for example, Washington has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, UNESCO, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Global Compact for Migration.

Given its failure to tackle the COVID-19 health crisis, the Trump administration also tried to shift blame on the World Health Organization and pulled the United States out of the UN body.

A French colleague, also a UN news reporter, came to our office just to voice her support when she heard of the order targeting Chinese journalists.

Isn't the U.S. order an irony of the press freedom enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, she said. She also suggested that Chinese journalists seek help from the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit and the UN Correspondents Association.

However, in face of the U.S. abuse of power, the UN has tried to communicate, but rarely succeeded in persuading Uncle Sam to change its problematic policies.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the General Debate of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

According to the agreement between the UN and the United States regarding the UN headquarters, which took effect in 1947, the United States is generally required to allow access to the UN for foreign diplomats. Nonetheless, Washington has repeatedly set aside its international responsibilities and obligations, using visas for UN-bound diplomats as bargaining chips, and even weapons, merely for its own political calculations.

The U.S. government has already turned away members of several foreign delegations, including those from Russia and Iran, to attend the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. It has also restricted the activities of all members of Cuba's permanent mission to the UN.

A woman walks with a baby stroller in front of the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, the United States, July 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Jiangang)





RETURNING HOME

I later learned that Xinhua has contended with the U.S. State Department because from a legal point of view, while the UN headquarters is located in the United States, Chinese nationals working at the UN office do not report American news and the United States is not entitled to deport us.

However, the White House claimed that the personnel cap applied to all the Chinese nationals working in the United States for the affected Chinese media outlets. Even more irritating was that Washington required the affected employees to leave the country regardless of the difficulties and health risks to travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pressured by the deadline to leave, I asked my colleagues to help me buy hard-to-get plane tickets as many carriers cut flights amid the raging pandemic. From my friends I also managed to get a few N95 face masks, which were no longer accessible in the market.

After a 13-hour flight and 12 hours after landing, I filled out a health survey, entered customs and was put into a quarantine hotel in Beijing, completely exhausted.

Photo shows a waiting area at the New China International Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

I was arranged in a priority group to do nucleic acid test as someone traveling on the same plane were diagnosed with COVID-19. I also had a thorough check up later at Xiaotangshan Hospital because of my throat discomfort. Fortunately, the COVID-19 test came negative.

Thinking back on the past few years, I can recall that the U.S. government has continuously escalated its suppression of Chinese media, from forced registration as a "foreign agent" to management as a "foreign mission"; from refusing to issue visas for more than 20 Chinese journalists to banishing Chinese reporters from the United States.

After I returned to China, the United States continued to tighten its grip. In May, the United States announced that it would shorten the period of stay for the work visas of all Chinese journalists in the United States to 90 days, causing great uncertainty among them.

In the past half year after returning to China, I often look back at my days in New York. I find the United States a land of contradictions with many different faces. In New York, I saw a diverse and inclusive American society; in the UN, I saw a headstrong nation defying multilateralism, and always throwing sanctions on whoever it sees disagreeable.

A pedestrian walks in Times Square in New York, the United States, on Aug. 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

I have come into contact with many kind and amiable New Yorkers: the handyman Willis who installed a sofa for me but turned down payment, the concierge Wilmoth who recognized every resident in my apartment building and enthusiastically reminded everyone to collect packages, and Dr. Martin Wolff who reduced my medical expenses and patiently explained my condition.

Many Americans are like them: tolerant, respectful and helpful. They are neither hostile to China nor the Chinese people. Or rather, many benefit from economic globalization and the development of China-U.S. relations and trade. What they care about is living a better life and realizing their self-worth. Contrary to some U.S. politicians have claimed, they are least interested in a so-called "new Cold War."

The current U.S. administration has always vaunted a so-called "America First" policy, claiming to "Make America Great Again." However, when the United States repeatedly abandons multilateralism, withdraws from international responsibilities and obligations, constantly engages in ideological confrontation, and repeatedly blame foreign factors for its domestic failures, the so-called "America First" would only face more opposition and its coveted "greatness" only diminish.

(Xu Xiaolei formerly worked at the Xinhua office in the UN.)
BRUSSELS At least nine European Union countries and the blocs executive have urged new sanctions on Belarus over a disputed election and a crackdown on protesters, ahead of emergency talks among member states on Friday.

If no objections arise, countries are likely to draw up a blacklist of people to be banned from travelling to the EU and have their assets frozen, diplomats said.

Any final decision could follow within weeks, they said - rapid by EU standards.

Poland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Denmark called in a letter for restrictive measures" against those responsible for the official election result, which gave President Alexander Lukashenko 80%, and for beatings of protesters by security forces, who detained around 6,700 people.

We would need to find a careful balance between pressure against and engagement with Belarus President Lukashenko. We believe the EU should assume the role of a mediator as soon as possible," said the letter, seen by Reuters.

Germany, Austria and Sweden have already called for sanctions straight away.

Diplomatic sources said the main sceptic was Hungary, which has previously called for all EU sanctions on Minsk to be lifted.

The head of the EUs executive arm, Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: We need additional sanctions against those who violated democratic values or abused human rights in Belarus. I am confident todays  discussion will demonstrate our strong support for the rights of the people in Belarus to fundamental freedoms and democracy."

Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis tweeted: I firmly hope that these are the last hours of the dictatorial regime and that the citizens will win.

Belarusians need our quick help. The elections in Belarus must be repeated, transparent and in the presence of foreign observers."

The EU first imposed sanctions on Belarus in 2004. It tightened them in 2011 over abuses of human rights and democratic standards.

Many were lifted after Lukashenko released political prisoners in 2016. But an arms embargo remains, as do sanctions on four people over unresolved disappearances.

Lukashenko denies electoral fraud. His government freed many detained demonstrators on Friday after issuing a rare public apology.

(Reporting and writing by Gabriela Baczynska, additional reporting by Michel Rose in Paris; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The Mine and Yours art exhibition is closing tomorrow with a full slate of artist's works, and the recorded artist talks online for all to view. These public works are not for sale.

At its inception, the Mine and Yours Exhibition was intended to be a free outdoor event occupying public and private land with artists responding to the prompt:

Ashton Phillips. Breaking Ground site-specific installation, Sunken City, San Pedro, CA, exposed sedimentary dirt, sidewalk fragment, mineral oxide pigments, hydrated lime, aluminum. (2020) Celena Rusalka. Anatomy of Hearth and Home 24" W x 32" L x 38" H. wool, synthetic yarn, glass and plastic beads, chicken wire, cotton string. (2020)

When are boundaries beneficial? Detrimental? How does ownership of one's identity, physical property, or tangible space help or hurt a community?

On January 31, while the event was in the early stages of planning, the world health organization issued a global health emergency. Curator Renae Barnard immediately began reconsidering her ability to safely host an in-person event at any time in the foreseeable future. Realizing that online space would be the only shared space, Barnard decided to attempt to mirror the intimacy of in-person art-viewing by including an immersive video of each artist's work and process.

In the early afternoon of May 25, Barnard sent out the selected artist confirmations. Just a few hours later, George Floyd would be brutally murdered by Minnesota police officers. Horror, rage, and grief have weighed heavily, and these forces have undeniably influenced the content and tone of the exhibition.

Barnard explained, "For me, making has been a place to put difficult things, process complex ideas, and open these challenges up to others. The Mine and Yours exhibition holds space for ten artists to do the same."

The artists' works traverse a landscape of timely and sometimes painfully uncomfortable issues, a critical examination of ownership, appropriation, belonging, and community.

Artists: Arezoo Bharthania, Ashton Phillips, Celena Rusalka, Debbie Carlson, Fang Li, Jessica Wimbley, Katie Smith + Renae Barnard, Kristin King, Sohani Holland, and YoungTseng.

Renae Barnard is a multi-disciplinary artist and curator interested in the network of interactions between environment, perception, and wellbeing. Barnard's work seeks to connect with and contribute to a collective commitment of kindness and compassion. Barnard received her MFA from Claremont Graduate University and her BA from California State University Los Angeles.

Artist Spotlights:

CELENA RUSALKA

"In Anatomy of Hearth and Home, a found object sculpture, I depict forms folding, constricting, and oozing out of an abandoned burn barrel. I present a look into one's growth within an 'othered' community, spilling out into the world. As a Canadian artist living on an island, this global pandemic has reinforced the overwhelming feeling of isolation. Within isolation and paranoia of the unseen, my work has begun to show signs of longing for times of childlike nostalgia."

ASHTON PHILLIPS

"When I conceptualized Breaking Ground, I imagined the work would be about our strange alienation from the earth that lies just under the city's surface and the illusion of independence and permanence that comes with it. But, the pandemic necessitated a change of plans. My act of digging out the earth beneath me became less about grounding myself to the land I did not own and more about breaking - how I am breaking, how the environment around us is breaking, and how this moment marks a profound breaking rupture in the status quo."

FANG LI

This series of works represents an environment in flux through the medium and process of painting and digital collage. During this time of isolation, my intention in this series of works is to deconstruct the physicality of the body and to combine or record both physical and psychological movements of the community. Its influence is represented in the way how I use colors and how I manipulate the shape, form, and materials."

Renae Barnard

310.823.7331

www.renaebarnard.com

[email protected]

www.mineandyoursexhibition.com

SOURCE Renae Barnard

Related Links

http://www.renaebarnard.com


Nasar al-Hariri has criticized a recent deal made between a US oil company and the Syrian Democratic Forces, saying that deals must not be made behind that backs of the Syrian people writes Anadolu Agency.

The head of the Syrian National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Nasar al-Hariri, confirmed that the American company Delta Crescent Energy LLC has signed an oil agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) militia in July in the northeast of the country (east of the Euphrates). According to Hariri, the agreement threatens Syrias unity and territorial integrity and might be a sign of an impending civil war, the consequences of which will be dire, including to a large number of victims.

Hariri, who was elected as the new head of the coalition last month, said in a dialogue with Anadolu Agency that the coalitions position is clear. According to him, the agreement is dangerous and violates the law. Moreover, the agreement is inconsistent with the principle of Syrian sovereignty and the SDF concluding international agreements behind the Syrian peoples back is a dangerous and unacceptable matter.

He added, Any step that leads to an increase in the financial, political, or economic influence of the SDF constitutes an additional burden on us in terms of threatening the unity of Syria, its territorial integrity, and the relationship among its various components.

Hariri continued, saying, All countries that condone violations by militias outside the will of the Syrian people should reconsider their stance, adding, The SDF has changed the curricula and targeted figures in the region. It does not only threaten the unity of Syria, but might also lead to a civil war and infighting.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
(Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. is offering Seattle-based employees a choice of smaller offices outside the city, suggesting the Covid-19 outbreak and a new local employers tax have pushed the e-commerce giant to consider alternatives to its hometown.

In a message to employees Thursday, Amazon asked which communities near Seattle -- including Tacoma and Redmond, Washington -- theyd prefer. The title on the message, which was shared on Reddit and later deleted, was office workplace options. Amazon declined to comment on the matter.

REI to Sell Its Never-Been-Used Headquarters Outside Seattle

Amazon, which reported a total global workforce of almost 877,000 as of June 30, has been expanding beyond Seattle for years. It is building a second major office center in suburban Virginia near the nations capital and has satellite locations in cities including New York, Austin and Los Angeles.

Companies across the U.S. are weighing changes to their office footprints after months of employees working from home. Finance firms in Manhattan have looked to New Yorks suburbs for space, while Facebook has said as much as half of its employees may be working remotely in the next 10 years.

Greenwich Offices Get a Boost With Finance Looking Outside NYC

Amazon has threatened to focus employment growth outside Seattle due to a rocky relationship with city officials and new taxes imposed on big employers. The message suggests Amazon could significantly shrink its presence in its hometown, where it employs about 50,000 people in a mixture of offices it owns and leases. In 2019, it announced it would relocate its worldwide operations division, which oversees Amazons shipping and logistics, to nearby Bellevue where it currently employs 3,000 people.

Even before the pandemic, Amazon considered building more satellite offices outside the city, according to a person familiar with the matter. The company plans to expand its Bellevue offices, which it has had since 2017. Such locations are seen as an amenity for employees tired of commuting to Seattle and as a way to reduce the companys exposure to the citys taxes targeting big employers, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters.

Story continues

NYC Developer Silverstein Expands West Coast Bet With Loan Deal

Two years ago, Amazon helped defeat an effort in Seattle to raise money for homeless services and affordable housing by levying a per-employee tax on large businesses. The head tax would have raised about $47 million a year.

The political climate has since shifted against the company after Amazons big spending on a Seattle City Council election backfired last year. In July, the council passed a new levy that will tax large businesses on employees who make at least $150,000 per year. The tax is expected to raise more than $200 million annually and cost Amazon even more than the earlier proposal.

(Updates with companies making office changes.)

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Our favourite Kiwi band Six60 have released a behind the scenes preview of their upcoming movie - 'Till The Lights Go Out'.

After announcing the movie earlier this year we have been waiting in anticipation for any behind the scenes action!

The doco will be released in cinemas in October, and will tell the previously untold story behind the band's success.

Director Julia Parnell said that "any preconceived ideas" she had of the band were totally changed during the creation of the film.

"Their stubbornness to achieve, whilst confounding critics and disproving experts, has virtually redefined what success looks like in New Zealand. But its been the brutal honesty they have shared that I hope will connect most with audiences."
A Chinese national who had made an illegal entry into Vietnam was confirmed as one of the Southeast Asian countrys 24 new coronavirus cases on Friday, according to the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

The 27-year-old Chinese unlawfully crossed the border with seven compatriots on July 27, the committee said in a contact tracing report.

The eight Chinese citizens traveled by car to Ho Chi Minh City from July 27 to 29.

They were detected on July 30 and sent to a collective quarantine center. They tested negative for the novel coronavirus three times then.

One of them, the 27-year-old patient, tested positive on August 12, with the remaining negative.

He is now isolated for treatment at a field hospital in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam confirmed 24 new cases, 12 recoveries, and one virus-related death on Friday.

Fifteen of the patients were logged in Da Nang, the national coronavirus hotbed, five in neighboring Quang Nam Province, three in northern Hai Duong Province, and one in Ho Chi Minh City.

The country has documented 929 COVID-19 patients, including 328 imported cases, as of Friday night, the Ministry of Health said.

A total of 437 patients have recovered from the disease while 21 have died to date. Most of the deaths had serious comorbid conditions.

Vietnam has registered 461 domestic infections, most traced to Da Nang, since July 25, when the coastal city recorded the first community transmission after the nation had spent 99 days documenting no local cases.

Three hundred and twenty-five cases were registered in Da Nang, 86 in Quang Nam, eight in Ho Chi Minh City, seven in Hanoi, seven in Quang Tri Province, six in Bac Giang Province, five in Quang Ngai Province, four in Lang Son Province, four in Hai Duong Province, three in Da Lak Province, two in Dong Nai Province, one in Thai Binh Province, one Ha Nam Province, one in Thanh Hoa Province, and one in Khanh Hoa Province.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
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As per the analysis by Market Research Future Reports (MRFR), the global automotive cybersecurity market is estimated to value USD 32 million, growing at a CAGR of 9% during the review period from 2017 to 2023. The global automotive cybersecurity market 2020 is expanding at a fast pace due to the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the automotive industry. The market leaders are innovating constantly and seeking market expansion through various tactics like rigorous research and development, mergers and acquisition et al. The increasing data threats such as cyber-attacks have also resulted in the expansion of the market at a global level. Besides, the robust increase in the usage of smartphones and several apps has aided in expanding the market. The market is likely to propel during the forecast period. With the increasing dependency and addiction to technology, there has been a swift adoption of technology in several areas, which has resulted in the expansion of the market. The automotive cybersecurity market is very competitive due to initiatives taken by the government to secure the data and rapid increase in the usage of web-based applications. However, due to lack of awareness about technological dangers through the internet are some of the factors that may act as an obstacle in the expansion of the automotive cybersecurity market.

Market Segmentation

The automotive cybersecurity market can be segregated on the basis of vehicle type, security type, application, and region.

On the basis of vehicle type, the global automotive cybersecurity market can be divided into a commercial vehicle and comprises passenger cars.

On the basis of security type, the global automotive cybersecurity market can be divided into endpoint security, wireless security, comprises network security, application security, and cloud security.

On the basis of application, the global automotive cybersecurity market can be divided into On-Board Diagnostic (OBD), Comprises Telematics, Infotainment, Powertrain, Communication Channels, Safety Systems, and others.

On the basis of region, the global automotive cybersecurity market can be divided into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

Regional Analysis

The geographical analysis of Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW) has been performed. As per the analysis, North America is dominating the global automotive cybersecurity market and seizes the maximum market share. There have been several cross-industry collaborations taking place between mobile network operators (MNOs) and automotive original equipment manufacturers. The collaborations took place intending to increase internet connectivity and give a seamless experience to the users while driving. The automotive cybersecurity market in the APAC region is expected to expand at a significant CAGR from 2016 to 2022 due to the presence of SMEs and large enterprises and their fast adoption of cloud-based cybersecurity solutions. The emerging economies like India and China have a significant role in expanding the market. The European market for automotive cybersecurity market is estimated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period from 2016 to 2022. With the presence of developed economies like the U.K. and Germany, the region is likely to expand considerably. The RoW is likely to show a moderate expansion during the review period.

Key Players

The forefront players in the global automotive cyber security market are Harman International Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Argus Cyber Security (Israel), Karamba Security (Israel), Cisco Systems Inc. (U.S.), Intel Corporation (U.S.), NNG Software Developing And Commercial Llc. (Hungary), Secunet AG (Germany), NXP Semiconductors N.V. (Netherlands), Intel Corporation (U.S.), Escrypt Embedded Systems (Germany), and a few others.
The sheer scale of the task facing the Naval Service in protecting our vast maritime area of responsibility would be a daunting challenge at the best of times.

But that challenge is made all the harder by the limited resources it currently has and the projection it's likely to have four ships off operational duties by the end of the year due to the manpower crisis.

Our State territorial waters go as far as the 12 miles limit, where a garda has the same powers of arrest as he or she would have in Athlone or anywhere else on dry land.

However, Irelands EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) extends to 200 miles offshore and covers an area of 220 million acres, which is 10 times the size of our landmass.

Irelands Exclusive Economic Zone extends to 200 miles offshore and covers an area of 220 million acres, which is 10 times the size of our landmass.

It is an area we claim for the right to explore for gas, oil and managing other natural resources  which include fish.

This area is, however, open to fishermen from other EU countries as we are an EU member state. The fear is that they may flock here in far larger numbers if Britain bans them from her waters post-Brexit.

The Naval Service is responsible for operating the States Fishery Monitoring Centre (FMC).

The White Paper on Defence 2015 states that Naval Service and Air Corps personnel are empowered by statute as Sea Fishery Protection Officers to carry out inspections at sea and to enforce fisheries legislation and regulation.

Both wings of the Defence Forces are currently operating without a fifth of the personnel they need.

The FMC commits to the Naval Service continuing to patrol the entire Irish EEZ and, periodically, beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries in accordance with international commitments.

These commitments come as part of our membership of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Convention, basically monitoring a gap between the Irish/EU-controlled waters and those of other States including Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation and the Danish-controlled Faroe Islands and Greenland.

RACO general secretary, Commandant Conor King, whose association represents Defence Forces officers, said the 2015 White Paper on Defence is telling, noting what the navy's resources should be, given the vast area it has to cover.

It states: 'In light of operational demands, the maintenance of a modern eight-ship Naval Flotilla is a minimum requirement.'

The drawing up of this White Paper was overseen by Simon Coveney, who was minister for defence at that time and is now back in that role.

Comdt King said RACO has consistently raised the issue of Defence Forces retention and conditions of service and linked these to operational capability.

Essentially due to a failure to retain skilled professionals we are facing an unprecedented and unconscionable halving of our maritime operational capability if two further ships are tied up. What does this mean for our White Paper commitments? he asked.

The Naval Service doesn't just have responsibility for policing fisheries. It has a myriad of other functions and is called upon by several different departments and organisations to fulfill roles for them.

At one end of the scale the Department of Justice may ask it to intercept a major shipment organised by international drug cartels which is passing through our waters.

Such requests in the past have resulted in some very high-profile seizures.

The Naval Service has also been called on to intercept arms shipments coming into the country or being transited elsewhere.

However, at the other end of the scale, Met Eireann relies on its ships to provide it with weather data while out at sea.

The Department of Transport may ask it to tow a stricken merchant vessel, to safety or get involved in search and rescue missions when ships might have sank or run aground.

Only a week ago, a Naval Service ship prevented an ecological disaster off the west coast when a merchant vessel laden with more than 30,000 cubic tonnes of fuel lost power and was drifting towards rocks. The LE Niamh managed to tow her to safety.

It also has to keep an eye on the Kinsale gas rigs and an undersea cable which transmits huge amounts of data between Europe and North America.

LE Samuel Becket patrolling Irish fishing waters.

Fears were expressed last February that Russian intelligence officers had been sent here to inspect the cables with a view to either tapping into them for information, or seeing how easy they would be to sever if a major conflict broke out.

Currently the Naval Service is 200 short of the 1,094 minimum strength it is supposed to have and there are gaps in many key areas.

It only has 60% of the lieutenants it requires, has 20 unfilled posts for leading electricians, 18 for electronic technicians and 28 for petty officer engine room artificers serving at sea.

Recruitment isn't keeping anywhere near the pace needed to match the number of people leaving the service.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that a special recruitment drive designed to attract former serving personnel to re-enlist in the Defence Forces has been less than effective.

The recruitment drive was pitched in the most part at helping the country out during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hundreds of people applied to rejoin, but not one ex-enlisted person has rejoined the Naval Service to date.

PDForra president Mark Keane, whose association represents enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces, said the lengthy delay in processing their applications had led many to take up employment elsewhere.

Mr Keane, who serves as a petty officer at the Naval Service headquarters in Haulbowline, said he knows of two ex-colleagues who wanted to rejoin but were so frustrated by the wait they decided to take up employment elsewhere.

He said the manpower crisis in the Defence Forces has now reached a point where the government has to act immediately to stem the tide of people leaving the navy in particular.

"Despite all their sophistication, ships are made redundant without the trained crews to operate them. We highlighted a long time ago that this crisis was coming and believe me we get absolutely no satisfaction in being proved right. Our people cannot wait any longer for proper remuneration," Mr Keane said.
After working exclusively from her home in Montreal since April, the president and chief executive officer of St. Boniface Hospital, Martine Bouchard, returned Monday to her office in Winnipeg  without first undergoing a two-week period of self-isolation.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After working exclusively from her home in Montreal since April, the president and chief executive officer of St. Boniface Hospital, Martine Bouchard, returned Monday to her office in Winnipeg  without first undergoing a two-week period of self-isolation.

She was to have flown Thursday back to Montreal, sources say.

According to Manitoba provincial health orders, essential workers such as health-care providers, police officers, long-haul truck drivers and elected officials, are exempt from having to self-isolate after travelling to Eastern Canada, but there is no specific dispensation for hospital administrators.

Bouchard, who took over as the chief administrator of the province's second-largest hospital a little more than two years ago, has previously made news for the fact she does not live in Winnipeg, usually spends just four days a week at the hospital and has recently been away from the institution for an extended period during COVID-19 pandemic.

She earned $283,481 in 2019.

Bouchard makes her home in Verdun, a borough of Montreal.

As of Wednesday, Montreal had recorded 29,317 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 3,462 deaths. According to Montreal health statistics, Verdun has had more cases and logged more deaths per 100,000 population than the city average.

For the past two weeks, St. Boniface Hospital has refused to answer questions about Bouchard's whereabouts. Board chairman Tom Carson has not replied to repeated requests for comment.

In late June, Carson defended Bouchard's decision to work for weeks on end from her Quebec home. He said she had returned to Quebec at the end of April to attend to a family emergency.

With her home province severely affected by the pandemic, the hospital CEO was unable to return to Winnipeg "without major risk issues," he said.

Carson also said at the time Bouchard would likely return to Winnipeg by August, if not sooner, as the first wave of COVID-19 subsided. He noted if Bouchard were to return, she would have to self-isolate for 14 days.

The province recently flirted with the idea of ending the self-isolation requirement for people entering Manitoba from Eastern Canada, but decided against it after a public backlash.

It's not clear if Bouchard has received any special exemption from self-isolation.

In a brief statement late Thursday, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said: "While hospital executives are not automatically exempted from self-isolation, in certain situations asymptomatic health-care workers are able to return to work following travel with appropriate precautions in place."

The WRHA said Bouchard, while at work, is "adhering to all physical distancing and infection prevention and control precautions, including wearing a mask."

The health authority said she is also "maximizing the use of virtual meetings which have been a regular part of day-to-day work since the beginning of the pandemic." It said while her contract with the hospital allows her to travel to Eastern Canada on a weekly basis, "she will determine her travel frequency based on the situation here and at home."

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Asked for comment, Health Minister Cameron Friesen issued a one-line statement: "This matter is being addressed by the CEO of the WRHA (Vickie Kaminski), and the WRHA holds the accountability for the St. Boniface Hospital."

Asked for her response, Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said due in part to out-of-province travel and loosened economic restrictions, Manitoba has experienced a dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

She said in an email nurses are deeply concerned about this trend as fall approaches and schools reopen.

"Manitobans have been told that many COVID-19 cases are due to returning out-of-province travellers, and that strict adherence to 14-day self-isolation from non-exempt jurisdictions is critical for mitigating the spread of the virus," Jackson said.

"Nurses, like all Manitobans, expect public health leaders to lead by example, and the CEO of St. Boniface Hospital should be no exception."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
By Kang Seung-woo



With Yang Jiechi, China's leading diplomat, likely to visit South Korea as early as next week, discussions about Chinese President Xi Jinping coming to Seoul could be high on the agenda, according to diplomatic pundits.





Yang Jiechi / Korea Times file
Australia's top health official says New Zealand's decision to lift coronavirus restrictions after seemingly squashing the disease was dangerous.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said returning to pre-pandemic life had left the nation in a vulnerable position.

'That is just very dangerous,' he told the Senate's coronavirus inquiry on Friday.

'To go right back to a pre-COVID state makes them extremely vulnerable.'

Australia's top health official says New Zealand's decision to lift coronavirus restrictions after seemingly squashing the disease was dangerous (pictured: A nurse tests people for Covid-19 at the Otara town centre testing facility on August 14, 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand)

Pedestrians wearing face masks walk down Lambton Quay ahead of a COVID-19 Alert Level announcement on August 14, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand

Professor Kelly said New Zealand's fresh outbreak, which has spread to 30 people, showed why well-performing Australian states must remain vigilant.

'What has happened in New Zealand is a real demonstration of why we have to remain cautious,' he said.

Auckland has returned to lockdown and social distancing measures have been reimposed across other parts of the country.

Prof Kelly said New Zealand's initial hard lockdown had large economic impacts but was successful.

He believes the government should have continued to limit mass gatherings and continue other physical distancing measures.

On Thursday, the NZ deputy prime minister, Winston Peters, claimed the new coronavirus outbreak had spread to the community following a 'breach' inside the quarantine system.

'It wasn't an official, I found out from somewhere else, but I think there's been a breach inside our quarantine system,' he told ABC 24 News.

The country had just marked 102 days of no community transmission when a series of new cases were discovered from Tuesday.

Australia's Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, August 14, 2020

Two businesses in Auckland have so far been linked to the fresh coronavirus outbreak in New Zealand

Mr Peters said it was unlikely an undetected strain of the virus had been circulating in the population.

'I don't know where this quarantine breach may have happened, but I think you can eliminate it being some new strain of COVID-19 that hitherto my country hadn't seen,' he said.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's office, however, would not confirm the quarantine breach claims.

On Friday, Ms Ardern extended the country's lockdown by another 12 days, with Auckland on Level 3 restrictions and the rest of the country on Level 2.

There have been 30 cases of community transmission discovered, mostly in Auckland, and with another 13 on Friday.

Meanwhile, a leading epidemiologist has said Australia's strategy of coronavirus suppression has also left the country in a vulnerable position.

Cars queue at a COVID-19 test centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on Thursday where Stage 3 restrictions are back in place

Professor John Mathews, from the university of Melbourne, explained Australia's lockdown has left the population vulnerable to further outbreaks of the virus.

'As long as you've got viruses around the risk of a new wave will always be there,' Professor Mathews told Daily Mail Australia.

Professor Matthews is a former head of Australia's National Centre for Disease Control and ex-Federal Government Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

He said said some countries in Europe, such as the UK, may have developed herd immunity - after being hit hard by the virus early on - which could prevent a second wave.

'We don't believe that everybody has been infected but there have been enough people infected without getting symptoms to have built up some herd immunity.'

He said that combined with the suggestion by some scientists that some of the population is not succeptable in the first place, this could mean the pandemic may be winding down in the UK.

Australia, on the other hand, has not had large numbers of infections in the population which means immunity has not been built up.

A barista at The Store in Kohimarama makes coffee as Auckland makes to a return to level three lockdown on August 13, 2020 with 28 new COVID-19 cases in the city

A police officer wearing a mask gets his morning coffee from The Store in Kohimarama as Auckland wakes to a return to Stage Three lockdown (pictured on Thursday)

A man wearing a face mask is seen in downtown Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday (pictured)

'We still have the situation where almost the entire population is susceptible because only a small proportion have been exposed... So the virus can come back.'

'In Britain we think if the virus does come back it's only going to be a small second wave kind of cleaning up ones who weren't exposed the first time around.'

He said Australia's extended state of partial lockdowns as we try and suppress the virus does not allow the economy to recover so we are left in a middle ground.

'Australia is in a situation at the moment where it's committed to try and keep the virus under control and the challenge is to do that without continuing to pay a high economic cost.'

Professor Matthews said eradication might also be unrealistic as has been proven to be the case in New Zealand.

'You can never find all the cases because you can't test everybody in the population on the same day to prove a negative.'

He also warned another danger is that people could become tired of extended lockdowns and begin ignoring restrictions in large numbers causing larger outbreaks.

He said Australia's challenge was to navigate these issues finding a way through that allows the economy and the population to recover.

'The young ones have been most disadvantaged because their education has been upset,' he said.

'It's important that people have hope that the future is going to improve, so we should be optimistic.'
After years of informal normalisation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has finally reached a formal peace agreement with Israel that paves the way for a strategic relationship between the two countries under the auspices of the Trump Administration.

The agreement rewards US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their protracted assault on the Palestinians over the past four years. Once signed, and implemented, it is likely to embolden Netanyahus coalition, deepen Israels occupation and strengthen Israels alliance with Arab autocrats.

But, Western media outlets welcomed the peace agreement as a historic breakthrough.

And UAE leaders have justified their rapprochement with Israel under the pretext of halting Israeli annexation of Arab territories, helping the Palestinians achieve their goals of independence, and promoting peace in the Middle East.

Killing with kindness

The UAE may hope to take credit for stopping further annexation of Palestinian territories, but Netanyahus plans to illegally annex a third of the occupied West Bank was derailed long before the de facto leader of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, stepped into the fray.

Overwhelming Arab and international opposition has discouraged the Trump administration from giving Netanyahu the greenlight to annex, when even Netanyahus own coalition partner, Benny Gantz, is opposed to it.

In fact, the Emiratis have merely provided Trump and Netanyahu with a ladder to climb down their reckless proposal.

Moreover, annexation, which is halted only temporarily, is merely a byproduct of the real problem; Israels occupation and illegal settlements, which are likely to worsen thanks to the UAEs appeasement.

Still, the UAE insists that it is driven by solidarity with the Palestinian people and that it will continue to forcefully advocate for  their dignity, their rights and their own sovereign state

This is chutzpah, Emirati style.

The Emiratis have long kept the Palestinians in the dark about their covert security cooperation with Israel. They have not consulted or coordinated with the Palestinian leadership when normalising their relations with Israel, or announcing their intent to sign a peace agreement. In fact, theyve long turned their backs on the Palestinian plight, and continue to undermine Palestinian unity by hosting and supporting a renegade Palestinian leader, Mohammad Dahlan.

In short, Palestine is not much of a serious consideration for the UAE. If anything the timing of the announcement was meant to help Trump and Netanyahu, who are struggling politically and legally.

So it is no surprise that the Palestinians of all walks of society and polity have unequivocally denounced the Emirati move, calling it betrayal, aggression, and a sell out of the Palestinian struggle for freedom.

After all, how on earth could appeasement of a regime that occupies and oppresses Palestine be good for the Palestinians?

If anything, Israel will exploit the UAE and potentially other Arab attempts at rapprochement in order to expand its annexation and pressure the Palestinian people into submission.

Despite its denials, the UAE has violated the Arab land for peace consensus, which commits Arab states to pursue peace and normalisation of relations but only after Israel withdraws from occupied Palestinian and Arab lands.

It sacrificed one of the very few consensual issues between Arab leaders and their people who overwhelmingly oppose normalisation of relations with Israel before Palestinian rights are fully restored.

The Emiratis try to justify their move on precedence; if Egypt and Jordan can have normal relations with Israel, why not the UAE?

The comparison is preposterous.

Egypt fought four major wars against Israel, and signed to a peace deal only after Israel agreed to withdraw from all Egyptian lands. Jordan has also fought three wars against Israel, and signed its peace agreement only after the Palestinians signed theirs.

But since then Israel has walked away from its commitments to the Palestinians and deepened its occupation of Palestine.

The UAE, on the other hand, does not share borders with, and has never fought a war against, Israel. It has not been threatened or occupied by Israeli forces either. So why is Abu Dhabi rushing to appease Israel at a time when Netanyahu is tightening his grip on Palestine and rejecting the Two States solution?

UAE leaders claim the Arabs could achieve more through diplomacy and peace than posturing and war.

But this is a false dichotomy.

Needless to say, peace is preferable to war. But false peace thats based on cynical strategic calculus and ignores justice and human rights is destined to lead to more not less conflict.

Throughout its history, Israel consistently used diplomatic openings from Arab states to deepen its occupation, and made concessions only under pressure. Not only has the UAE received nothing in return for its historic rapprochement, Israel will gain unfettered access to one of the richest Arab markets.

Towards another regional war

The Emirati regime is the most pro-war in the region, rivalled only by Israel. Its destructive war in Yemen, its proxy war in Libya, its destabilising policies towards Tunisia, Turkey and Qatar, and its support for regional dictators like Syrias Bashar al-Assad and Egypts Abdel Fattah el-Sisi all testify to Abu Dhabis disregard for peace and drive for war.

To say Abu Dhabi punches above its weight when it comes to stoking the flames of conflict in the Middle East is an understatement. The divisive, destabilising and anti-democratic policies it pursues in conjunction with Saudi Arabia are paralysing the region and bankrupting its states.

The UAE and Saudi Arabias opposition to the Arab Spring and to any form of democracy in the region, and their deep hostility towards all popular, progressive, liberal or Islamist movements, put them at the helm of counter revolutionary forces throughout the Middle East and North Africa. They may not be winning anywhere, but they are also ensuring that everybody else loses in the process.

In sum, the UAE is bandwagoning with Israel and the United States, in the hope of establishing a trilateral US-Israeli-Arab strategic alliance to contain Turkeys influence and tame or destroy the Iranian regime.

In other words, the UAE is seeking a cynical alliance, not benevolent peace, with Israel.

If Trump is reelected President, this is sure to produce, not regional peace and prosperity, but more instability and conflict throughout the region.

Those celebrating the historical peace agreement may soon discover it is nothing more than a drive towards another regional conflict or worse, war.

Real peace will come only after Israel agrees to withdraw from all Arab lands, gives up its hegemonic ambitions and its nuclear weapons, and allows for full Palestinian freedom and self-determination in the Palestinian homeland, paving the way for normalisation of relations with much if not all of the Arab and Muslim world.

Now thats what you call a historic breakthrough worth celebrating.
During a pre-recorded speech to the Peoples Assembly, President Assad stopped talking, claiming that he had not eaten, an excuse that opposition politicians have expressed skepticism writes Baladi News.

Observers doubted the veracity of what happened during Assads speech before the members of the Peoples Assembly, considering it a show during which the president wanted to deliver messages to his supporters, in light of the economic crisis.

Assad appeared in a recorded speech and spoke about a plethora of topics, from the Caesar Act to the Penal Code to the Israeli strikes on Syria, corruption, and the story of his cousin Rami Makhlouf.

Assad stopped talking at one point, claiming that he had not eaten.

He said, Let me sit for just a minute. The regime later announced that the president had suffered a drop in blood pressure.

Regime opponents commented on Assads speech and what happened to him. Opposition politician Yahya al-Aridi said, If this ridiculous act was not intended, it could have been edited out, especially since the speech was pre-recorded. What happened points to the level of insignificance of that criminal gang and attests to the degree of close-mindedness of his followers.

Researcher Radwan Ziadeh commented by saying, It is really exciting that Assads media team made his health problems public. In a country of dictatorship, the presidents health is one of the nations deepest secrets, except that the people are tired of this acting which has not brought them any good.

Assad justified the incident by saying, I did not have anything to eat yesterday, Anyway, I just had a little sugar and salt so my blood pressure has returned to normal

Observers considered Assads justification to be a confirmation that he stands in solidarity with the hungry people and is not disconnected from reality, an analysis that seems plausible.

Observers believe that publishing the news and disseminating it through the media is yet another plan the regime is devising, similar to the one involving Assads wifes cancer months ago.

The regimes media is known for its extreme concealment of such news, such as when Hafez al-Assad died, when the news of his death was not broadcast for days, so that the regime had time to get their house in order and hand over the rule to his son, Bashar al-Assad.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
In 2015, Kiruba Munusamy, a human rights lawyer and Dalit activist, had just started a much-sought-after career as a Supreme Court junior advocate in Delhi when she was fired by her male superior for taking a day off on the first day of her menstrual cycle.

Speaking to News18, Munusamy, who hails from Salem in Tamil Nadu, narrated the years of discrimination she had had to face as a young female Dalit lawyer.

Munusamy, who has now been practicing law for over 11 years, said that she had been a part of two landmark cases in the Madras High Court before setting her eyes on the apex court.

She had been the petitioner in the landmark 2014 Nangai VS. Superintendent of Police case where she defended a woman who was labelled as transgender when she applied for the position of a woman constable. As part of her training, she underwent a medical examination where the Medial Officer declared her as 'transgender' and directed further medical examination. The Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board terminated her application saying she falsely applied under the quota reserved for women. The case was also one of the first instances of a High Court acknowledging that Indian laws did not accommodate gender fluidity of transsexual persons.

Little did Munusamy know, that despite her victory in numerous high profile cases, she would still be discriminated against on grounds of her caste and gender.

"In 2014, I was working under a senior Supreme Court advocate who objected to me keeping my hair open at work. He did not like the idea of a dark-skinned Dalit woman with hair open in the courtroom and deliberately kept me from it. Let it be noted that the SC code of conduct mentions no such rule about hairstyles," Munusamysaid.

In January 2015, Munusamy started working under another male senior advocate in the Supreme Court, but things weren't very different from what she had experienced previously.

"Back then, I used to suffer from really severe migraine and menstrual cramps. One day, I took a leave owing to migraine. The following day, I had menstrual cramps and told my superior that I was unwell. In the evening, he called me and fired me," she said.

According to Munusamy, the advocate told her that this is why he avoided hiring female juniors. "He told me that women take a week off for period pains, then a month for their wedding and then six months for their maternity leaves. He said that hiring male juniors was better because they could work all the time," she said.

The advocate also told Munusamy that she should ask her mother to find a bridegroom for her and get her married for she did not deserve to be a lawyer. Munusamy's humiliation did not end there. The advocate went on to tell her that he had only hired her because she was a Dalit and he pitied her. He told her that she did not really deserve to be working for the top court.

"Ironically, both the senior advocates who discriminated against me had daughters," Munusamy recalls.

When food delivery firm Zomato announced a 10-day 'Period Leave' for its women and transgender employees, there were disgruntled cries from certain communities.

Social media soon saw a flurry of opinions, mostly unsolicited, and a heated debate began questioning how fair this leave policy would be and whether it would deepen the stigma and increase discrimination. Many also said that this may discourage employers from hiring women employees.

READ: We Don't Know Who Needed to Read This, But Here's Why Women Deserve Period Leave

READ: Why Menstrual Leave Shouldn't Just be a Corporate Policy but Legal, Social Right

A study published in the British Medical Journal in 2019 showed that menstrual symptoms like heavy bleeding, cramps and PMS (pre-menstrual symptoms) can result in at least nine days of lost productivity every year.

The study, which studied over 30,000 women, linked absenteeism, or taking off from school or work to menstrual symptoms. Only 14% women said they were able to take time off of work citing menstrual pain while 80% claimed that they continued to grit through the pain or discomfort because they knew they would not be granted a leave.

Now, that should not really be the case, isn't it?

Since then, many women have taken to social media to share their own period stories.

Munusamy shared her story too, with the hashtag #DalitWomanMenstrualExperience, which seemed to irk many. For several Twitter users, unsurprisingly mostly men, it was baffling as to why Munusamy was linking caste with menstruation.

Plz don't make this abt Dalit stuff.. It's a women centric.. And would like somebody like you to take it to SC judges..  Another AshWin (@Ashjrk) August 13, 2020

Why only dalit women?  Shirin Khan  (@KhanShirin0) August 14, 2020

How's that related to dalit? Other women doesn't menstruates?  Aatmanirbhar Bhopali (@100percentharam) August 13, 2020

Women, irrespective of caste, bleed every month and while it may seem menstrual discomfort does not have anything to do with one's caste, it is in fact deeply connected.

In India, only about 12% women have access to sanitary napkins or period products. Even while menstruation continues to remain a taboo in the country, menstrual experiences are largely different especially since the caste system is deeply embedded in the Indian psyche.

Discrimination on account of menstruation may last for five days a month for many women, but for Dalit women, social segregation is an inherent part of their lives.

In an article in Feminism India, author Shradha T K Lama wrote about her friend, a Dalit woman, who told her that if sanitary napkins are handed out for free to her family, they would sell it to feed themselves. That explains how caste and menstruation are mutually interconnected.

"There's nepotism in law too. I am a first generation lawyer, but most female lawyers around me had relatives practicing law. Dalit women are already oppressed, the taboo around menstruation just adds to it," Munusamy said.

The problem of stigma around menstruation is deeper than what it appears. Munusamy said that she had consulted over 30 doctors to treat her cramps. "All the doctors I consulted told me I should get married and have babies if I wanted the pain to go away. But that's just the mentality of Indian doctors, I guess," she said.

Upon being asked if she thought the Supreme Court would ever implement a "period leave" policy like Zomato, Munusamy said, "The Bar Council has to take care of that. Women working in the Supreme Court have only just begun speaking about things like sexual harassment; if such serious issues are ignored, who will care about menstrual cramps? While there are policies for the welfare of lawyers, there's nothing specifically for female lawyers."
The man accused as the vile killer in the freezer murders was not content with merely slaying them. Before ending facing death, the victims will be mentally and physically raped. With that, death would turn out to be a release given by their torturer and killer.

This is what a man did to two vulnerable women, before cramming their corpses in a freezer. Whatever torture their bodies went through, it was nothing compared to how their minds were twisted and warped by a depraved sex offender, reported Huffington Post.

Police charged Zahid Younis, 36, a.k.a Boxer for murdering a Hungarian women Henriett Szucs and Mihrican Mustafa who has three children. Both were murdered horribly and their corpses were defiled by the accused.

One of the women, Szucs was last seen alive in August 2016 while Mustafa was last seen on May 2018. Both women disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Police discovered their grisly corpses in the murderer's apartment located in Vandome Close, Canning Town, on April 27, 2019. After Younis reportedly went missing, police went there to investigate.

One of the officers, Pc Omar Naeem saw the padlocked freezer in the flat and had a bad vibe about it. Later he and fellow officers forced it open. Seen inside was one of the most gruesome finds in any policeman's career as stated in the evidence of the case, noted Daily Record.

According to the Southwark Crown Court, that heard the evidence against the deranged killer, the corpses mentioned were in a defiled state showing signs of inhuman abuse. In checking the beaten remains, it showed evidence of multiple fractures, inflicted by a sadistic killer.

Also read: Man Stabs Brother to Death Due to Heated Argument Overly Freshly Laundered Pillowcase

More shocking than the desecrated bodies were notes by Szucs that showed the mental abuse and vile nature of the accused. The victim's psyche was as shredded as the notes she made.

One of the notes mentions boxer needs to feel better and get back on his feet. It also said that they should keep away from him, follow his commands, give him space and respect. The notes reveal that he was an active abuser, cited Express and Star.

Another note expressed fear at a broken promise for not doing what should be done which worried her.

She added that she was not following him, and he had the best intentions. Feeling worthless and good for nothing, she accepts what he gave her. She was slapped hard for infractions too.

Younis is a serial domestic abuser and was convicted multiple times. In 2004, the accused was betrothed to a 14-year old in a Muslim ceremony. He battered his wife and because of the girl's tender age, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison and considered a sex offender, confirmed Kent Online.

According to prosecutor Duncan Penny QC in 2007, he had a relationship with her soon after. When he moved into her apartment, he was possessive and controlled her. The girl's family found out that he harmed her, resulting in an arm fracture. She was punched and kicked as shown in an evidence in court.

Penny called him a predator and abuser who delighted in making his women victims suffer. The freezer murders were the culmination of his twisted mind.

Related article: Boxer Woman Kills Two Men: Rapes One With Shovel Handle , Kicks Another to Death



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Report Summary:



The report titled "Home Cinema Systems Market" offers a primary overview of the Home Cinema Systems industry covering different product definitions, classifications, and participants in the industry chain structure. The quantitative and qualitative analysis is provided for the global Home Cinema Systems market considering competitive landscape, development trends, and key critical success factors (CSFs) prevailing in the Home Cinema Systems industry.



Historical Forecast Period



2013 - 2017  Historical Year for Home Cinema Systems Market



2018  Base Year for Home Cinema Systems Market



2019-2027  Forecast Period for Home Cinema Systems Market



Key Developments in the Home Cinema Systems Market

Request for Report Sample: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/9992



To describe Home Cinema Systems Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;



To analyze the manufacturers of Home Cinema Systems, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2018;



To display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers in Global, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2018;



To show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type and application, from 2013 to 2019;



To analyze the key countries by manufacturers, Type and Application, covering North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle-East and South America, with sales, revenue and market share by manufacturers, types and applications;



Home Cinema Systems market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2018 to 2026;



To analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.



To analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);



Todescribe Home Cinema Systems sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.



To describe Home Cinema Systems Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source



Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers



 Bose



 Boston Acoustics



 LG Electronics



 TANNOY



 WATERFALL



 CASTLE



 Bowers Wilkins



 Elipson



 FOCAL



 klipsch



 CABASSE



 Loewe



 Sonance



 Wharfedale



Market Segment by Countries, covering



 North America (United States, Canada, Mexico) Market Revenue and/or Volume

Request for Report Discount: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/discount/9992



Europe (Germany, UK, France, Russia, Italy) Market Revenue and/or Volume



Asia Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia) Market Revenue and/or Volume



Middle-East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa) Market Revenue and/or Volume



South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) Market Revenue and/or Volume



Market Segment by Type, covers



 2.1 Speaker System



 5.1 Speaker System



 7.1 Speaker System



 Others



Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into



 Supermarkets/Hypermarkets



 Convenience Stores



 Independent Retailers



 Online Sales



 Others

More Info of Impact Covid19@ https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/covid-19-analysis/9992
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:31:03|Editor: huaxia

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BANGKOK, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- About 40,000 inmates in Thailand will be freed due to a royal pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, an official of the Corrections Department said on Friday.

Under the royal pardon published in the Royal Gazette on Friday, the corrections department will release some 40,000 inmates to freedom, which has been granted on occasion of the monarch's 68th birthday anniversary, the department official said.

Another 200,000 inmates will have their jail terms reduced due to the royal pardon, the official said. Thailand currently has a total of 312,485 inmates in prisons nationwide.

Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister Plodprasop Suraswadi and former interior minister Yongyuth Wichaidit will be released on parole under the royal pardon, the official said.

Last year, Plodprasop was convicted by court on charge of abuse of power, involving the transfer of a high-level government official during his tenure as former permanent secretary for natural resources and environment, and he was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison.

Yongyuth, who was convicted of misconduct charge pertaining to a land ownership case, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Both are considered as elderly inmates, who have already served one-third of their term in jail since early last year. They will be released with an electronic monitoring bracelet on the ankle. Enditem
WASHINGTON  The United States has seized more than 1.1 million barrels of Iranian fuel that was headed to Venezuela, officials said on Friday, in a high-seas handover that blocked two diplomatic adversaries from evading American economic sanctions.

The transfer of fuel from four Greek-owned ships, occurring over the past several weeks, risked igniting a tit-for-tat response from Iran. This week, an Iranian military unit briefly boarded a tanker in the Gulf of Oman in what several American officials described as a show of force  and, potentially, Tehrans efforts to reclaim any of its fuel that might be on the ship.

American officials said the four tankers  the Bella, the Bering, the Pandi and the Luna  were boarded without force after diplomatic and legal pressure was brought to bear against a Greek shipping magnate, George Gialozoglou.

American officials would not describe how the high-seas intercepts occurred other than to say U.S. military ships were not involved. A warrant dated July 1 that approved the operation said the fuel could be secured by American government personnel, contractors or others appointed by the court.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Newly oil-producing Guyana has co-nominated White House adviser Mauricio Claver-Carone as its own candidate for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the latest twist in an increasingly heated debate over who should lead the bank.

Claver-Carone, the son of Cuban immigrants, has been nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump to lead Latin America's main development bank. He told Reuters that Guyana's move reflected growing support for his candidacy, and other countries could follow suit.

However, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica and Chile, as well as European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, have all urged a delay in the Sept. 12 vote, expressing concerns about having someone from outside the region lead the bank for the first time in six decades.

The opposition also reflects concerns that Trump could lose the Nov. 3 U.S. election, and his candidate could find it difficult to work with a Democratic administration.

Claver-Carone, due to visit Colombia and Panama next week as part of a delegation led by U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, said 17 countries backed him publicly and four more had expressed support in private.

In an interview at the White House, Claver-Carone said moves by an "obstructionist" minority of bank shareholders to delay the election could endanger the future of the bank, and jeopardize its ability to raise funds in the future.

"Essentially you're leaving the bank in vacuum. It's extraordinarily irresponsible," he said, adding it would also "surely lead to a downgrade in its credit rating."

To win, a candidate needs the backing of at least 15 of the 28 regional member countries and a majority of the total vote, calculated by each country's shares in the bank. Opponents could thwart a vote by skipping the meeting, since a quorum of at least 75% must be present for the election to proceed.

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Chile, Mexico, Argentina and Costa Rica combined represent just over 22% of the vote, and could still draw support from some European countries that have small shares of votes.

Guyana's decision to nominate him reflected the breadth of his support, Claver-Carone said, adding, "Other countries have expressed their desire to co-nominate and will be doing so as well." He did not name those countries.

He cited a tradition of officials continuing to serve at institutions like the World Bank, even if the president who nominated them left office, and said he would work to mend fences.

"One of the things that people know about me is that they can knock on my door with agreements or disagreements," he said. "I'm very honest. I'm very straightforward. I'm not shy."

And the debate over his candidacy could stimulate more interest in the bank and its work, he said.

"We've talked more about the IDB in the last six weeks than I think had been discussed in the last 60 years," he said. "Let's channel that energy positively. And I think at the end of the day, who is going to come out winning is the IDB."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
NEW HAVEN - Joshua Council received the maximum sentence of 70 years in prison Wednesday for the slaying of Kenneth Cooper and criminal possession of a firearm.

Superior Court Judge Elpedio N. Vitale cited evidence from the trial that Council shot Cooper multiple times outside a Westville convenience store Jan. 12, 2018, because the defendant considered Cooper to be a snitch who had cooperated with police.

The attack on Mr. Cooper was also an attack on the rule of law itself, Vitale declared.

Vitale noted that when Council, then 31, opened fire on Cooper, who was 35, Coopers girlfriend was in the passenger seat of Coopers car. Cooper was in the process of getting into the drivers seat. They had stopped to pick up a bottle of ginger ale at the store.

Mr. Cooper, mortally wounded, told her to run, Vitale said. She saw the defendant, who she knew, standing with a gun in his hand. She asked: Why did you shoot him? Why did you do this? What the (expletive) is wrong with you? She thought he was going to shoot her, too. But he fled in a waiting car.

Vitale noted Cooper died violently in a barrage of bullets while his girlfriend sat nearby. Its just luck that she was not killed or injured herself.

Vitale said Council had followed Cooper to the store at the corner of Whalley Avenue and Fitch Street and shot him there because Cooper had testified against Councils cousin during a criminal trial and Cooper also was helping police investigate separate allegations against Council.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Stacey Miranda, who prosecuted Council and convinced a jury to convict him last March, said Cooper died because he was cooperating with the police. He was trying to do the right thing.

She said this goes to the heart of our criminal justice system. We need people cooperating. He was brave enough to do the right thing. He helped keep our community safe.

Council was found guilty of murder and the firearm charge in March.

Council, who last lived on Quinnipiac Avenue, came to the courtroom attired in an orange prison jumpsuit and wearing a mask. Although defendants generally have not been transported to courtrooms recently because of concerns about COVID-19 in prisons and have instead appeared on video screens from those prisons, Vitale ordered the state judicial branch marshals to bring Council to court for his sentencing.

Council listened to the emotional statements by Coopers family but he declined to make a statement himself. A half-dozen of his own family members sat behind him but they did not make statements.

Coopers mother, Deborah Woods, had her statement read by Victim Services Advocate Christie Ciancola. Woods said Council caused the deepest heartbreak a mother can ever go through.

I can no longer enjoy my sons laughter, his smile, his conversation, hearing him say, I love you, mom.

She said Cooper brought joy to his own four children. He was always the life of the party. She added that at the time of his death, He was turning his life around. He was becoming a better man and a better father.

Coopers father, Kenneth Thomas, in a statement read by Ciancola, told Council: You took my sons life over a word used by many on the streets called a snitch. Im writing to inform you, not as a snitch, but as a concerned father to let you know that you not only took the life of a man whose children sadly have to grow up without the love and protection of their father, but you took that same privilege from the lives of your own children.

Its hard for me to look in the eyes of my grandchildren when theyre asking why did this have to happen, he added. I have no solid answer for them.

Thomas told Council he hopes youll give your life to the Lord so He can change you into the person He wants you to be. Please take this opportunity and learn a valuable lesson that life is precious and it is wrong for anyone to take the life of another.

Julise Penn, mother of Coopers youngest son, now 4, gave her statement with the boy in her lap. He asks me daily wheres his dad at. He was robbed. His kids have to go through life without their father. They have to visit a gravesite.

But defense attorney Thomas Farver asked Vitale to consider that Council is 33. Long term incarceration will basically be a death sentence. He has a 5-year-old child and is deeply involved in his childs upbringing. He tried to provide for his family.

Farver said Council was raised by a single mother and his older brother. His father was never in the picture.

Farver concluded by saying of Council: He is not someone who should be thrown out with the dirty water.

But Vitale said that in addition to considering the brazen nature of the crime, he took into consideration Councils criminal record: first-degree assault and domestic violence as well as a previous weapons conviction.

Rehabilitation may be unachievable, Vitale said.

Vitale asked Council to stand and then imposed a sentence of 60 years for murder and 10 years for criminal possession of a firearm.

As Council was being led away by judicial marshals, his supporters called out love you.

Contact Randall Beach at randall.beach@hearstmediact.com.
Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Mafo has embarked on a tour of the Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant in Accra to acquaint himself with works being done.

He said government could not afford to relax on its effort to sustain its support towards the modernization of the treatment of liquid waste in the country particularly in Accra and other big cities.

The minister was impressed with the works being done at Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant and assured management of government's assistance to make the Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL) profitable and viable.

Mr. Osafo-Maafo was taken round the various treatment facilities at the plant which was commissioned in 2016.

According to him, the Akufo-Addo administration would ensure that the plant is replicated in other parts of the country specifically in Kumasi, Tamale and Tema.

He stated that it is the duty and responsibility of government to ensure the financing of the treatment and management of sewerage.

The Managing Director of SSGL, Haidar Said, said they had so far provided at least 300 direct jobs and almost a thousand indirect jobs.

He stated that by the time the company finished the Kumasi, Tamale and Tema projects, there would be about 1,200 direct jobs and over 5,000 indirect jobs.

He added that the estimated completion of the Kumasi project is around end of October or early November, this year.

The Kumasi project, he said, is around 12 to 15 million direct cost and about 20 million direct and indirect cost, whilst he said the Tema project is to cost about 75 or 76 million.

The General Manager of SSGL, Florence Cobbold, said the Kumasi project is about 100 or 120 truck per day capacity or 1000 cubic metres.

The Lavender Hill Faecal Treatment Plant is about 2,000 cubic metres a day.

She noted that sewerage management is very important and that there is the need to see waste as money, saying waste management forms part of the secular economy.

Present during the visit were the Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, and Chairman of the Jospong/Zoomlion Groups of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw-Agyapong.

---Daily Guide
"Putin and Macron discussed in detail the situation in the Republic of Lebanon, focusing on the steps taken by Russia and France to provide humanitarian assistance to the people in Lebanon after the explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4," it said.

Macron shared the impressions of his recent visit to Lebanon, as well as the results of a videoconference organized by France on Aug. 9 to rally international aid for that country.

"During the exchange of views on internal political developments in Lebanon, the Russian side reaffirmed its position in support of the republic's national unity and sovereignty," said the statement.

The need to resolve any controversy via a process consisting of and led by the Lebanese, based on constructive dialogue and without external interference, was also underscored, it added.

The presidents also considered various aspects of the situation in Ukraine. They praised the additional ceasefire measures that were approved at the Minsk contact group meeting on July 22.

Putin reiterated the importance of strict fulfillment by Ukraine of its obligations concerning the political aspects of the Minsk Agreements. It was agreed to continue this joint work within the Normandy format.

The current situation in Belarus was also touched on, according to the statement.
Sure, we all have stories about delayed letters and surly clerks. But most of us also have stories about carriers whove gone above and beyond, like so many did in the Chicago area Monday and Tuesday, dodging windstorm damage to complete their appointed rounds. And polls routinely rank the USPS as the most popular federal agency  a Pew Research Center survey released in April showed it with a 91% favorability rating.
The Smile Foundation is calling on the South African public for urgent support in providing care to patients and their families, as well as in addressing the growing backlog of children in need of surgery as soon as it is deemed safe.

Two-year-old Rhiaadra, diagnosed with Aperts Syndrome, a genetic disorder which involves the skull, the face and both hands and feet, was scheduled to have surgery on 2 June. Given lockdown and the steep rise in Covid cases countrywide, the surgery has been provisionally rescheduled for September 2020.

Life-changing surgery

Long-term effects on the patients

All elective surgeries have been postponed across not only South Africa, but globally, to ensure patient safety and enable hospitals to effectively respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. Only urgent oncology and trauma cases have received surgery during lockdown, resulting in a significant backlog of elective surgeries, including plastic and reconstructive surgery for children in desperate need.Hedley Lewis, CEO of Smile Foundation, says a number of children supported by Smile Foundation are awaiting surgery at various hospitals across the country.The reconstructive surgery required to assist these children not only puts hundreds of children needing life-changing surgery at a disadvantage, but the costs will run into hundreds of thousands of rands to try catch up to pre-Covid levels of service. Unfortunately, this situation is completely beyond everyones control, and as South Africa hits its peak of the Covid-19 virus, it is unclear when elective surgeries will be allowed.To help alleviate the backlogs and in order for the Smile Foundation to continue providing urgent assistance to the children and their families, the organisation is calling on members of the public to take part in a raffle draw at a cost of R100 per ticket. Participants stand the chance of winning a R100,000 cash prize.With your help, the Smile Foundation will be able to offer these children an opportunity to live a better life. While delaying the surgeries is absolutely necessary for the safety of all patients, it means that these already vulnerable children will face increased challenges. Were calling on members of the South African public to help us to continue to provide critical support to these children and their families during these unprecedented times while they wait for their much-needed surgeries.Lewis says the postponement of these surgeries has had a significant psychological impact on the patients as well as their families, and in a number of cases, could have long-term effects on the patients.A long-term successful outcome for a cleft lip or palate means a baby needs to be operated on within the first 12 months, especially for speech development. Delaying the surgeries could result in long-term permanent issues, including never learning to speak correctly.He says among the urgent cases, the organisation has been advised that a number of the patients have not arrived for scheduled surgeries because they are too afraid of contracting Covid-19.One of the surgeons who works extensively with the Smile Foundation says, We anticipate that there will be a Covid generation of patients who may not have received their surgeries timeously or needed revision and could not because of the situations that are completely out of the control of anyone.The raffle draw date is on World Smile Day, Friday, 2 October. Click here to enter or go to www.smilefoundation.co.za
On Friday, August 7, in Salt Lake City, Utah, two protesters, Madalena McNeil, 28, and Marvin Oliveros, 39, were charged with felony criminal mischief with a gang enhancement, a first-degree felony under Utah law, which carries a potential life sentence.

This is in connection to the defacement of the District Attorneys office with red paint during a July 9 protest against police violence. The two were additionally charged with third degree rioting charges. A third protester was charged with assaulting an officer, a third-degree felony, which carries a lesser maximum sentence.

The protests outside the DAs office were sparked by the declaration by the DA that the police shooting of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, 22, was lawful and therefore declined to press charges against the officers involved. In police body-cam footage, two officers can be seen shooting Palacios until their magazines were empty as he attempted to run away and after he fell to the ground.

McNeil, speaking on the draconian charges to the Daily Beast, stated that they make her realize that in the eyes of the state, I had become an enemy for exercising what is supposed to be a protected right. She said, Im not scared because I think that I did anything wrong, because I know that I didnt ... but it would be very foolish of me to look at the potential for life in prison and not be scared.

The criminal complaint against McNeil accuses her of helping to buy the red paint used in the protest and of positioning herself to shove an officer wielding a shield. Police investigators implicated McNeil and Oliveros with footage from the store they used to buy the paint, and rollers and paint buckets found in a van they allegedly used to transport the paint.

The first-degree felony charges against McNeil and Oliveros follow similar charges made against four other protesters from the same event, Viviane Turner, Michelle Mower, Madison Alleman, and Emanuel Hill, bringing the total to six. They were charged in late July on similar charges of first-degree felony criminal mischief and third-degree riot charges.

During the protest in question, a small crowd gathered outside the SLC DAs office and posted signs on the side of the building with messages such as Justice For Bernardo, Abolish Police Gangs, and BLM ACAB. The facade of the building and the ground in front of it were painted red, with red hand prints left on the windows and facade of the building. Four windows were broken by protesters. Following this, police charged protesters, with many, including McNeil, suffering injuries, and two requiring treatment at a hospital. One Salt Lake City police officer was injured and received treatment at a hospital.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah has documented police violence against protesters during the July 9 event and other protests against police violence. Trained ACLU observers stated that they witnessed a disproportionate and militarized police action in response to protests and First Amendment speech that criticizes elected leaders and law enforcement in Utah.

The draconian charges were made possible by Utahs anti-gang sentence enhancement legislation, which was used by the District Attorney Sim Gill against the protesters. The law reads: Offenses committed in concert with two or more persons or in relation to a criminal street gang. That is, the gang legislation covers any organized activity involving at least three people. Gill has sought a replacement prosecutor, citing the obvious conflict of interest, but as Jason Groth, an ACLU Utah official, explained Youre providing the context for the rest of the prosecutors decision, even if they are from another office, and that the prosecutor would be trying the case with the same charges Gill filed.

When asked about the charges, Gill said, This is not about protest. This is about people who are engaging in criminal conduct.

Sam Johnston, a lawyer writing in an op-ed on Gills charges against protesters, stated, As Gill is undoubtedly aware, the U.S. Constitution prohibits the government from limiting speech. In this case, the act of using red paint to demonstrate pain, suffering and state violence was undoubtedly speech.

That is to say, to Gill and the government, the criminal conduct is the free speech.

Erin Mendenhall, the Democratic mayor of SLC, gave an announcement amounting to an endorsement of the prosecution of protesters: If a crime is committed, there should be a consequence, but disagreed on the severity of the charges, saying they were too extreme.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:11:05|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Death toll in South Sudan has risen to 148 while more than 140 others have been injured following clashes between government forces and armed civilians in the northern Tonj area of Warrap region, a local government official said on Friday.

Makuei Mabior, executive director of Tonj East County, told Xinhua by phone in Juba that the fighting which broke out on Aug. 8 as a result of the disagreement between soldiers and youth at a local market has so far left 94 civilians and 48 government forces wounded.

Mabior revealed that the number could be higher since the majority of the civilians are afraid to report the wounded persons to authorities for timely and proper treatment.

"The current number of casualties on the civilian side has risen to 85 after three others were found dead in the bushes whereas 63 government forces have been reported dead, bringing the total number of people killed to 148 and 142 injured," he said.

Mabior noted that calm has returned in the area, adding that local authorities are doing their utmost best to restore law and order as disarmament continues.

The government forces are undertaking civilian disarmament exercise in the Tonj area to curb frequent inter-tribal violence in the area. Enditem
Returning to work could be a challenge for parents if nurseries and schools remain shut. Photo: Getty

For many parents, the last few months have been a real struggle. Juggling childcare responsibilities and work isnt easy at the best of times, but with many people having to work from home, it has been even harder.

With lockdown restrictions easing in the UK, employers have begun bringing their staff back from home-working and furlough. But this poses another challenge for parents, particularly if nurseries and schools remain shut and finding childcare isnt an option.

So what are your rights as a working parent  and what should you do if being back in the workplace is difficult for you?

Speak to your employer

If schools close and parents are struggling to find childcare and they therefore need to work from home, parents should have a discussion with their employer about their working arrangements, says Louise Lawrence, a partner in the employment team at Winckworth Sherwood.

READ MORE: Lockdown is breaking the stigma of juggling work and parenting

In normal circumstances it would not be appropriate for employees to work from home while also providing childcare, she adds. The current situation has, however, led to employers being more flexible because of the difficult issues employees have been facing.

Speak to your manager about your situation and why returning to work might be hard for you. It can help to suggest reasonable solutions, such as working remotely a few days a week.

The employer may agree that the parents can undertake flexible hours, for example, undertaking work during nap-times and evenings, part-time work or be more flexible around deadlines and targets.

When can you refuse to go back to work?

Working parents dont have the right to refuse to return to their workplace, unless they have concerns about whether their workplace is safe to work in.

According to Section 44 of the Employment Act, you have the right to question safety arrangements at your place of work without recrimination. If you were to refuse to return, you would have to have a valid reason for doing so. This might be because youre in a high risk group for COVID-19, for example.

Story continues

Employees with more than one years service have a statutory right to request unpaid parental leave of up to 18 weeks per child, which could be utilised where there are child care issues, Lawrence says.

READ MORE: What happens to furloughed workers when the government scheme ends?

No more than four weeks leave can be taken in a year and employers have the right to postpone the taking of the leave for up to six months if it would unduly disrupt the business.

Employees with more than one years service also have a statutory right to request flexible working, for example, to work from home or reduced hours.

An employer has the right to refuse a request for flexible working on the basis of one of the eight reasons included in the legislation. E.g, the detrimental effect on the ability to meet customer demand, she explains.

If an employee has proven they can successfully work flexibly during lockdown and they make a formal request for flexible working to their employer, it may be difficult for the employer to reject this based on one of the eight statutory reasons.

READ MORE: How to mentally prepare for returning to work after furlough

If you still dont want to return you could ask for time off as holiday or unpaid leave, but your employer does not have to agree to it.

What rights do working parents have if schools dont reopen in September  or if they shut again?

Unless the government makes any changes to legislation, parents rights will not change if schools do not reopen in September, Lawrence says.

Hopefully, however, employers would be prepared to be more flexible about ways of working as this would impact a large proportion of the workforce.
When the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, there was hope of a new world order with nations united on behalf of world peace. Thirty years later we're still waiting. The main obstacle, ironically, is the United Nations. It's time to replace that failed institution with an organization of nations dedicated to human rights and free elections.

The U.N. was designed to replace another failed institution  the League of Nations. Among other defects, the League was unable to prevent the Second World War. The U.N. hoped to remedy the underlying defects, but instead has institutionalized an equally damaging flaw by giving voting power to nations that routinely violate their citizens' civil and religious rights and/or interfere in other nations' governance.

The flaw is the notion that nations that disregard human rights will reform themselves if they're granted the right to vote in U.N. affairs. That theory has proven as wrong as Neville Chamberlain's attempt to stop Hitler by giving in to his demands  i.e., appeasement.

By granting voting power to human rights violators, the U.N. appeases violators while attacking Israel, a country that extends full rights to all of its citizens.

You might agree that the United Nations is flawed, but assert it's better than nothing. I believe the harm it does is worse than its small contributions, but more importantly there is a model for a world family of nations that could accomplish over time the objectives an international peacekeeper should strive to achieve.

The model has many ideological roots. One root is science fiction author Orson Scott Card's "Free Peoples of Earth," an entity based on two principles: nations must join by plebiscite rather than by government decree, and people in those nations must be free to choose their own religion.

The people of today's Earth are not ready for a nationless world. Rather, we need an international organization that is open to all nations, but only gives voting rights to those countries that grant its citizens universal suffrage, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press. Further, all citizens must receive equal treatment by law without regard to race, gender, age, or other distinctions. A final requirement would be to exit the U.N. and remove its presence in their countries.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

The United States should begin the move to create a Free Nations of the World by ending financial support for the U.N. and dismantling its New York City headquarters. The former members of the British Empire as well as members of the European Union would have no difficulty meeting the above requirements. Other nations are likely to follow when they see the U.N. no longer meets their needs.

A final justification for the establishment of a new international organization is the failure of the U.N.'s peacekeeping role, and the overwhelming desire of the American people to no longer be the world's policeman. A FNW would have the power of economic sanctions to pressure nations to stop aggressive interference. It would also assemble a military made up of soldiers from its member states whose mission would be to prevent nonmembers from interfering in other nations' internal affairs if economic pressure fails.

Medical doctors don't leave cancerous tumors in our bodies in hopes that good cells will overcome the bad. On that same principle we cannot continue to allow the existence of the United Nations, which despite its lofty ideal is causing more harm than good. Taking out a political tumor, however, need not be the end of the operation. A new international organization whose voting members meet human rights requirements can be the force for world peace that the League of Nations and United Nations hoped to be but failed to accomplish.
NHS hospital bosses lack confidence in the governments approach to testing for coronavirus and criticised the delays in turnaround times for test results as the health service looks to restore more services.

A new survey of more than 120 senior leaders from 112 NHS trusts found 60 per cent of bosses believed the government had the wrong approach to testing since the start of the pandemic and only a third supported recent efforts to improve the situation through the national test and trace service.

Asked to explain their lack of support, many respondents to the NHS Providers survey cited the shortage of testing and community contact tracing earlier in the pandemic and persistently slow turnaround times for testing results from private laboratories.

One chief executive said: We just dont know what the plans are or what is being asked of us. We are left to make the best decisions we can for our patients. This would matter less if every trust had its own lab and we were dealing with a hospital-based problem. However, we are not. This is a population health issue that we cannot address effectively as individual providers.

Another chief in a hospital trust emphasised the focus on controlling efforts from Whitehall.

They said: [The government] has overestimated the benefits of centralised and national systems... at the same time the contribution of trusts and public health departments on the ground has been undervalued and (consequently) under-used.

In a new report by NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, it said the current constraints on testing could act as a brake on efforts to restore routine NHS services.

Just over two thirds of NHS trusts said the were reliant on using laboratories at other hospitals for testing results because they lack their own labs. This is the case for all mental health, ambulance and specialist trust as well as most community trusts.

Many complained of delays in getting test results from third party labs quickly enough.

When trusts use labs in other hospitals only 16 per cent reported an average turnaround time within 24 hours, and this falls to 10 per cent when using Lighthouse Labs.

One chief said: It is the speed of turnaround that is the issue. We are a hot spot and trying to place and manage patients without their status being known, is problematic.

Almost half the trust bosses, 46 per cent, said NHS staff should be tested at least once every seven days as part of plans to restore NHS services.

Chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson, said: An effective national test and trace service is a key part of the fight against Covid-19.

Trust leaders have achieved a great deal in supporting and delivering their part of the governments national testing strategy. But theyve struggled with the limitations of the governments approach to testing  the early lack of a clear strategy, the obsession with hitting an artificial 100,000 test target at the end of April and the time taken to realise the importance of local control and co-ordination.

The creation of NHS Test and Trace has generated more confidence but these findings highlight real concerns about the challenges trusts continue to face.

He said improvements were needed in turnaround times and more emphasis on local involvement was key.

This has been the toughest year in the history of the NHS, but the worst may be yet to come if we cant all pull together to build the national test and tracing regime we need for winter.
Two men have been arrested after appearing on a Canadian beach spattered in blood and wielding chainsaws.

Witnesses alleged that they menaced and charged at various people gathered at Torontos Cherry Beach on Sunday morning, before police quickly intervened, responding to reports of a large fight.

Police said they are believed to have returned with the power tools following an altercation with a large group at an overnight gathering on the beach. The gatherings have become weekly occurrences during the coronavirus pandemic and are thought to be frequented by protestors against face coverings and lockdown measures.

Footage showed the two men covered in blood from apparent head wounds, wielding the running saws and shouting who hit me.

It is alleged that two men involved in the original altercation suffered injuries. They then left and returned with weapons, Toronto Police Service told news channel CityNews in a statement.

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

Officers were filmed arresting the two men, handcuffing them as they lay on the ground.

They have not yet revealed the identities of the two men or what charges they face.

Witnesses alleged that the men used the equipment to destroy DJ equipment set up at the beach.

Meanwhile, Torontos mayor said the city will be keeping a very careful eye on gatherings at the beach, which he linked to anti-lockdown protests.

There is a protest that seems to happen weekly at Queens Park and it seems, according to the information that has been given to me, a number of the very same people then end up at Cherry Beach having some sort of a gathering, Mr Tory told reporters on Monday.

Clearly an incident like this would cause us to want to keep a very careful eye on both these gatherings themselves, because gatherings beyond certain numbers and at certain times ... are regulated at this moment in time and also ones that scare or otherwise disturb people, we want to keep an eye on as well.
Good Morning Britain host Sean Fletcher has been praised for 'normalising black hairstyles' after growing out his hair over lockdown.

The presenter, 46, from London, received several social media comments during an appearing on the show today following his return to the show on Thursday, calling him a role model, setting a positive example for young black men.

He explained that after appearing on screen for the BBC in the late 90s, he cut his hair in order to appear 'smarter' - but now feels that his position on television means he has a responsibility to put black hairstyles into the public eye.

Good Morning Britain host Sean Fletcher cut his hair in order to appear 'smarter' on screen in the 90s. He is pictured last year on ITV's Good Morning Britain

The presenter, 46, from London, received several social media comments during an appearing on the show today with co-host Charlotte Hawkins, calling him a role model for young black men

Reading out a comment about his new hairstyle, Sean said: 'Your hair was everything, just lovely. Please, please don't cut it. You are normalising black hairstyles for our young black sons.'

Speaking of the comment, he said: 'I mean that makes me emotional, because we do have a position on telly where we're in the public eye and so we play a role, and actually i've had my hair short since I've been on telly'.

Co-host Charlotte Hawkins asked: 'Did you do that because you felt you needed to conform, or that's just how you had it?'

He replied: 'I had my hair long when I joined the BBC in the 90s and I started to go on screen, on small programmes.

The discussion struck a chord with viewers, who took to Twitter to hail Sean a 'role model' and insist there's still a stigma attached to black hairstyles

'There was something in me that said "I need to be a bit smarter". I actually don't think this is not smart, it's different and people don't think it's smart because they don't see this hairstyle on air.

'So it's my role to put this out there and I will keep going, so that message means a lot and i'm chuffed you sent it, because i'm going to stick to it and if I ever waver, I'm going to read it.'

The discussion struck a chord with viewers, who took to Twitter to hail Sean a 'role model' and insist there's still a stigma attached to black hairstyles.

One said: 'The discussion about race has to be normalised as it is still affecting millions of people. There isnt many more important things going on tbh. The stigma attached to black hair has been a huge problem for decades One of the first things that other you as a child.

Another wrote: 'I totally agree with hair compliments @SeanFletcherTV - good to see black hair in natural style - its fab! I remember @RochelleHumes stopped straightening hair for her daughter to know that she should be proud of her beautiful hair #rolemodels.'

Reading out a comment about his new hairstyle, Sean said: 'Your hair was everything, just lovely. Please, please don't cut it. You are normalising black hairstyles for our young black sons'

Sean hadn't planned to grow out his hair, explaining that he simply didn't visit the hair dressers after lockdown, and says his new look commands more 'respect'

A third agreed: 'Sean Fletcher great to have you back your hairstyle looks great too.'

Sean hadn't planned to grow out his hair, explaining that he simply didn't visit the hair dressers after lockdown, and says his new look commands more 'respect' as he looks older now.

'You may have seen me six months ago and I had short hair', said Sean, 'I've decided to grow my hair, this is my lockdown hair and when the hair dressers opened I didn't cut my hair.

'The problem I had was it looked fine, but I looked younger and I don't think I was shown the same respect.

'But now it's longer, people are treating me like a 46-year-old man, you walk into a room and people kind of listen to you.'
Peyton Fulford | New York Times

The Illinois Restaurant Association is setting up a fund to provide some financial relief for industry employees throughout state.

The onetime financial support is to help restaurant employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic cover basic living expenses, such as rent, food and utilities. The fund will be available in October.
Over at The Verge, Sarah Jeong recently decided to weigh in on the controversy over TikTok, the White Houses effort to restrict U.S. use of the app, and the regime of Xi Jinping.

From the outset, Jeong makes it clear that the (strong) legal argument against the administrations executive actions does not really interest her, writing that the legal dubiousness of this move is the least strange thing about it. It is instead the notion of opposing TikTok and, more broadly, of being uniquely skeptical of the CCP that shocks Jeong. Is the United States better, worse, or the same as China? she asks. In 2020, this is becoming a genuinely difficult question to answer. (As an aside, it is absurd to suggest that the United States of 2020 is worse than the United States in the eras of Jim Crow, chattel slavery, or the Trail of Tears.)

Her piece only gets worse from there:

China is detaining over a million Uighurs in internment camps, citing national security issues. The United States detains migrants in its own internment camps, even going as far as to place children in cages. China is not a democracy; the American president has proposed to unconstitutionally delay this years election. China brutally represses its political dissidents; in America, law enforcement in military camouflage have grabbed protesters off the streets and shoved them into unmarked vans.

Apparently, it will come as news to Jeong that the Uyghurs are the victims of an ongoing genocide. They are being shaved, blindfolded, and loaded into trains that take them far away from their homes to reeducation camps. Those who are not killed are tortured, raped, and brainwashed, the women among them forced into abortions and sterilized. The Uyghurs, who are Muslim, are made to chant denunciations of God and to loudly proclaim their commitment to Marxism, Maoism, and Xi Jinping Thought. They are also used as slave labor for local and foreign companies. The policy of the Chinese Communist Party is to extinguish them, once its gotten what use it can from them.

Story continues

The Uyghurs are native to East Turkestan, called Xinjiang or distant province by the Chinese state. The Chinese Communist Party is importing Han Chinese men to the region and forcing Uyghur women, whose husbands have been taken away to the camps, to share beds with them. The Verge itself reported last year on the Partys hacking of Windows, iOS, and Android to target Uyghurs, both in China and abroad. I know Uyghurs in America who for years have been unable to determine whether their parents are alive. The CCP cremates the bodies of those whom it kills, both to make the death count less clear and to inflict a form of psychological abuse on those who survive. (Muslims, like Jews, are required to bury their dead.)

This is not comparable to deportations from the United States, no matter ones stance on the Trump administrations immigration policy. Trumps awful tweet about postponing the election, a move he has no authority to make, is not the same thing as Xis being declared infallible and Xi Jinping Thought being made a new state religion in China. The Portland arrests grabbed attention because they were exceptional and unacceptable by American standards; in the PRC, such official state conduct  and, evidently, conduct thats much, much worse  is routine.

More than anything, Jeongs comparison reminds me of the thinkers who, during the Civil War, posited that it was unfair to criticize the Confederacy given that the North had factory labor, and that the Souths chattel-slavery model at least obviated the need for such labor. During the Second World War, President Roosevelt disenfranchised and imprisoned around 120,000 Japanese Americans. His actions were inexcusable, but no sane person would draw a moral equivalency between them and the Holocaust or the war crimes of the Japanese Empire, which were both immeasurably worse.

Jeong has called on critics of her article to reread the ending, in which she acknowledges that in the U.S., even a publicly funded news outlet can report on government misconduct, and that there is a strong national tradition of freedom of the press. And yet, in that same closing, she chalks up the lack of an information firewall in the United States to the simple incompetence of American engineers, a subtle doubling-down on the false equivalence made earlier between the American state and the Uyghur genocide.

Of course, to some extent, this is par for the course for Jeong, with her feigned expertise on Chinese politics. A young woman in China, a programmer and engineer who makes online content about her designs and ideas, was doxxed by the Vice reporters who interviewed her under the condition that they would omit personal details. The programmer was horrified, fearing a crackdown from Chinese authorities. Jeong proceeded to attack her, proclaim that she had nothing to worry about, and blatantly lie about Vices promises to omit her personal information, denying that theyd ever been made.

Even so, I did not expect a full-blown genocide to land among the issues that Jeong and others insist on viewing exclusively through the lens of American domestic politics. I have Bosnian friends whose childhood memories are full of explosions and broken walls and the feeling that everyone and everything they knew was being destroyed around them. This is the reality of genocide. To recognize as much, one need not excuse abuses of authority in America; my Bosnian- and Uyghur-American friends certainly dont. But there is no universe in which the two are morally equivalent. By suggesting otherwise, Jeong has done a grave injustice to the victims of a great evil.

More from National Review
Plot

Khuda Haafiz opens with a matchmaking scene, in which 'computer ka doctor' Sameer (Vidyut Jammwal) and Nargis (Shivaleeka Oberoi) are introduced to each other by their parents. Post some 'akele mein baat-cheet' and a forgettable song, the duo get married. However, the newlyweds' world comes crashing down when they lose their jobs as a result of the 2008 global recession.

The couple decides to take up a job in Noman, a fictional middle-eastern country on being told that "Noman ke tel ke saamne recession bhi pani nahin mangta." Nargis' job application gets accepted first, and she immediately leaves for the foreign land, hoping that her hubby would join her soon.

However, a day later, Sameer receives an SOS call from Nargis, informing him that she has been abducted and is being ill-treated by unknown people. The next thing we know is, our hero lands up in Noman in search of his missing wife. With no immediate help from the Noman police and the Indian embassy, Sameer decides to take up the matter in his own hands with the help of a kind cabbie (Annu Kapoor). He is soon assisted by the local lawmakers (Shiv Panditt and Aahana Kumra), only to come across a shocking discovery.

Direction

Faruk Kabir's story about a good guy's fight against a gang of flesh-traders had the potential to be an engaging watch. Sadly, his done-to-death treatment to the film plays the main villain here. One can smell the twists and turns in the plot from a distance. Despite being tagged as a romantic thriller, Khuda Haafiz has very few thrills to offer. Minus Vidyut Jammwal, the film goes for a toss.

Performances

Vidyut Jammwal steps out of his action star image to play an ordinary man stuck in an extraordinary situation in Khuda Haafiz. There are a few moments in the film when you wait for the actor to knock down his opponents with his lethal punches and back flips. Thankfully, Jammwal keeps the action real, as expected from his character in the film. Watch out for the scene where the actor is trapped in a narrow corridor with a whole bunch of armed men who are ready to beat him to pulp! However, when it comes to emoting in scenes, Vidyut goes a bit off track and needs to buckle up.

Shivaleeka Oberoi's damsel-in-distress act barely offers her a scope to surprise us. Also, her chemistry with Vidyut Jammwal is cold as ice. Annu Kapoor gives a dignified performance and fits perfectly in the land of Noman.

Shiv Panditt and Aahana Kumra put their best foot forward in the roles offered to them. However, their characters' fluctuating Arabic accent leaves you a tad unimpressed.

Technical Aspects

Jitan Harmeet Singh's lens capture some interesting frames in the stunning locations of Uzbekistan. The fight-and-chase sequences look more convincing and closer to reality. Sandeep Francis' sharper editing scissors could have trimmed down the film by several minutes.

Music

Sonu Nigam's soulful voice in 'Aakhri Kadam Tak' lingers for long. 'Mera Intezaar Karna' and 'Jaan Ban Gaye' make for an ethereal listen. The title track 'Khuda Haafiz' wins you over with Vishal Dadlani's deep voice and some heartfelt lyrics.

Verdict

'Mera intezaar karna, Mera intezaar karna, Zara aitbaar karna, Mera intezaar karna,' goes the lyrics of one of the songs in Khuda Haafiz. Just like that, you wait for the thrills in the film to knock you off your feet. Unfortunately, as and when they arrive, they barely touch you. Vidyut Jammwal's restrained performance stands out in this passable fare.
The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce will host a State of Education Zoom discussion with representatives from educational institutions throughout the region on Aug. 27 as schools prepare to resume in-person and virtual classes.

Participating will be San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer, Pasadena ISD Superintendent DeeAnn Powell, and University of Houston-Clear Lake president Ira K. Blake in a conversation about the challenges of providing education in a COVID-19 environment.

The discussion will focus on how these institutions plan to navigate through the pandemic while providing virtual or in-person learning and ensuring the safety of students and staff.

The free event, which required registration, will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A VIP meet-and-greet will be at 11:30 a.m., with the meeting starting at noon

The discussion will include how the business community can bolster resources to families who choose at-home learning and the role it plays in providing expertise and financial support for local educational institutions.

Businesses help provide insight on workforce needs, training demands and critical industry needs, chamber president Cristina Womack said.

At San Jac, fall options for students include four modes of instruction.

More Information Pasadena Chamber of Commerce State of Education virtual event When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. VIP meet-and-greet will be at 11:30 a.m.; meeting starts at noon Where: Zoom via www.pasadenachamber.org Cost: Free Details: Open to the public. Online registration required. RSVP the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce at www.pasadenachamber.org or call 281-487-7871. See More Collapse

Online Anytime will give students the opportunity to attend online instruction any time they want; San Jac On a Schedule offers an online face-to-face class setting; a hybrid model will focus on technical courses such as welding, where hands-on instruction is necessary; and a flex model classroom will allow students to participate in low-interaction activities on campus.

In addition, the school will provide virtual student support services by appointment.

Hellyer said her college recognizes the concern among some students that remote instruction will be incomplete or limited.

We are trying to create the environment where its just not sitting in front of your computer  it is having that conversation (aspect) and trying to get the additional support, she said.

Womack said education is directly tied to economic stability.

Ultimately the future of workforce depends on the work of educators and administrators from kinder to career. The more businesses engage the stronger the economy, she said.

said Hellyer: People are scared, theyre nervous, not only about the virus but the economic viability. The biggest challenges we have are the unknowns, and how those unknowns are impacting our students, our employees and our entire community.

The word I use is patience, we have to have patience, she said. We have to have grace with each other and a lot of flexibility because it is evolving. Every morning, I pray I make the right decisions.

yorozco@hcnonline.com
A fresh streak of oil spilled Friday from a ship stranded on a reef in pristine waters off Mauritius, threatening further ecological devastation as demands mount for answers as to why the vessel had come so close to shore.

The Japanese-owned MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 and a week later began leaking over 1,000 tonnes of oil into a protected marine park boasting mangrove forests and endangered species.

Mauritius declared an unprecedented environmental emergency last week.

France and Japan have responded to the Indian Ocean island's call for help, along with thousands of Mauritians who volunteered day and night to clean sludge from powder-blue waters that have long been a favourite among honeymooners and tourists.

Salvage crews raced against the clock, with the boat threatening to split in two, to pump almost 3,000 tonnes of remaining fuel off the boat.

While the boat's reservoirs were successfully emptied on Wednesday, preventing further devastation, some of the remaining 100 tonnes of oil from the cargo hold began to leak on Friday, according to a statement from the national crisis committee on the disaster.

"According to experts this kind of leakage was expected and is due to the bending and twisting of the vessel," said the statement.

Fisherman Alain Francois said earlier Friday that "the water has again turned black" around the ship.

The crisis committee statement said additional booms and equipment had been deployed to contain the spill, and would be joined by a new skimmer vessel soon.

So far more than 700 tonnes of oil liquid waste and 260 tonnes of solid waste sludge and debris has been removed from the ocean.

Volunteers have been asked to stop deploying homemade "booms" stuffed with straw and hair until a structured clean-up plan supervised by experts is formed.

"The aim is to ensure a scientific approach for a prompt rehabilitation of our ecosystem," read the statement.

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The spill is an ecological and economic disaster for Mauritius, which relies heavily on tourism.

- Government pursues compensation -

The government has come under fire -- including from opposition leaders -- for doing too little in the week after the ship ran aground, while experts from the Japanese Nagashiki shipping company, which owns the Wakashio, took three weeks to arrive.

Greenpeace wrote a scathing letter to the ship's owners this week, saying: "many unanswered questions remain. Why was your vessel sailing so dangerously close to the reef? Why have you done so little since the ship ran aground? What will you do to reduce the damage to the environment, and the pain and suffering of those whose livelihoods depend on it?"

In a statement Friday night, the government said it would seek compensation from "the owner and the insurer" for "all losses and damages" caused by the spill as well as for costs related to the clean-up.

It also said all Mauritians who sustained losses as a result of the spill would be able to submit claims via an electronic platform, though it stressed that the Mauritian government itself was not accepting responsibility.

The ship's owner has pledged to "sincerely" respond to requests for compensation over damage to the marine environment.

"We are deeply conscious of our responsibility as a party directly involved in the case," said Kiyoaki Nagashiki, president of Nagashiki Shipping.

"Regarding compensation, we plan to deal with the issue sincerely based on applicable laws," the head of the Okayama-based company said in a statement.

"We will continue to do our utmost to collect the leaked oil and to minimise the impact of the environmental pollution," he added.

str-fb/rcb/tgb
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the California 2nd District Court of Appeal, Division Three, ruled in favor of a woman who had been sexually harassed by her former supervisor and wrongfully terminated by her employer Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

Soledad Albarracin was an employee of Fidelity National Financial's legal department in 2014 when she was sent on a corporate retreat of the company's legal staff, including her supervisor attorney Robert Gardner Wilson in Colorado Springs. Albarracin was a paralegal for Fidelity at the time. On the first day of the retreat, Wilson followed Albarracin back to her room, attempted to kiss her multiple times without her consent. She immediately reported his behavior to Fidelity. Unfortunately, she continued to suffer further harassing behavior and was not provided any assistance by Fidelity's human resources department and was required to continue to work under the same conditions. A very short time later she was placed on leave under doctor's orders and was ultimately terminated in 2015. Ms. Albarracin brought suit against Fidelity and a Los Angeles jury awarded her $250,000 for past emotional distress and imposed $1,950,000 in punitive damages. After the trial court denied the Fidelity defendants' motions for new trial and judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV), it awarded nearly $820,000 in attorneys' fees.

Fidelity filed an appeal arguing there was insufficient evidence to support the jury's finding that they engaged in oppressive or malicious conduct and that the amount of the punitive damages award was unconstitutionally excessive. The Court disagreed, concluding there was substantial evidence to support the jury's finding of oppressive or malicious conduct and that the amount of the award did not exceed constitutional limits and affirmed the judgment and orders.

"This is a great day for Ms. Albarracin, a great day for justice, a great day for our firm and our co-counsel," said lead trial counsel Mike Arias. "She was treated horribly by her own supervisor and her employer and the legal process has once again helped her obtain the justice she absolutely deserves."

The case is Soledad Albarracin v. Fidelity National Financial, Inc., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BC642922 and California 2nd District Court of Appeal, Case No. B292895.

To read the ruling, please go to: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dnAEOoPMuyGKRytC3fab8TN5lmaUFm6V/view?usp=sharing.

About Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP

With offices in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Las Vegas and Montreal, Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos represents clients in complex litigation in state and federal courts throughout the United States. The firm is currently pursuing business interruption claims on behalf of businesses all over the United States. Some of our practice areas include: Class Actions, Mass Torts, Major Personal Injury, Employment Law, and Intellectual Property Rights. To learn more about us, go to: https://aswtlawyers.com/.

CONTACT: 310-844-9696

SOURCE Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos

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"It may sound draconian, but a mandatory vaccination policy enjoys solid prudential and moral justification," Smartt wrote. "And it may be our only way of ending the COVID-19 crisis." Many readers felt mandatory vaccination was a no-brainer, while others called for voluntary inoculation but hefty disincentives for those who refused. Cringe: "'It may sound draconian (mandatory vaccination)' ... no, not at all, not at all." Johnny B Grade: "Why would that be controversial?"

Saracen: "No, make it voluntary. But if you haven't had it you must work from home, you are not allowed to attend any public gathering. You are not allowed to have visitors to your home. Your children are not allowed to attend school. Choices should have consequences." Chris McGregor: "Limited exemptions for medically vulnerable, and draconian fines and exclusions for those who refuse vaccination. No schooling, no child care, no access to community facilities like sports and arts. No access to Medicare when you get sick through your own idiocy. You pay for all your medical expenses at cost. If you want to be perfectly free, go be a hermit. Its a big country with lots of hermit-friendly desert. There are certain responsibilities you have to accept to live in a community." organic_shrapnel: "I have no issue at all with heavy fines, or even imprisonment and/or enforced vaccination, for those who refuse to be vaccinated for no legitimate reason. Society prosecutes and punishes individuals on a regular basis who recklessly endanger others' lives through their action (or inaction)." Foodie: "I would like to say yes but perhaps a bridge too far. The reality is that all the reasonable and intelligent people will do it anyway, and the crazies will strenuously resist. I don't think any of us want to see anyone held down and injected. It just needs to be shown to be safe and a necessary prerequisite for engaging in public activities."

However reader Ben wrote: "How about if it's not an anti-vaxxer but just someone like me that's concerned that a vaccine that was created in under 12 months might not withstand longer-term scrutiny - but by that time it's too late as we were forced to take it?" Loading As Smartt acknowledged in his article, its not just card-carrying anti-vaxxers that may refuse - concerns of a wider populace would have to be addressed. "Surveys in the United States and France indicate about one in four adults would refuse a vaccine, and one in six in Britain." Reader comments revealed some early hesitation in receiving a vaccine that they worried was being produced in the rush to end the pandemic. Reports that Russia has become the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine for use in tens of thousands and China has given the green light for a vaccine for use on its military seem to be adding to trepidation.

CP: "I'm very pro-vaccination in normal circumstances. However, I have an uneasiness about how quickly the vaccines are being developed. I doubt I am alone. Tricky one and I would only feel comfortable deciding closer to the time, with more information." AGR: "I support vaccines however would be very reluctant to subject myself or my children to any vaccine developed in a country with dubious reporting methods." KET: "If a vaccine has been developed and tested with trials to ensure they are safe, then most people would be happy to vaccinate. I am not an anti-vaxxer but I will not be taking a vaccine that has been rushed through without proper testing. I have no intention of being a guinea pig and would rather risk catching COVID." KoneWone: "I have happily in the past vaccinated against smallpox, rubella etc. Will I happily be vaccinated for COVID-19? No, not at this present time with a race being run for a quick profit for the first past the post. Short, medium and long-term side effects bother me, that will only show after vaccination. However in the immediate interest of society I would vaccinate."

jezza99: "My biggest concern with a COVID-19 vaccine isnt safety. Safety trials are being performed on all candidate vaccines as they always are. Any released vaccine will be safe. The potential problem is efficacy. The vaccine may look promising in early trials but subsequently turn out to not work so well. It is really hard to short-circuit that, it takes time to find out. The other problem, assuming a safe and effective vaccine is found, is making and distributing sufficient supplies for those who want it (myself included). It will be quite a while before we need to concern ourselves with refusers." fillyboii: "Im not anti-vaccine but I am very concerned that this process of finding a vaccine has been rushed, which could lead to unintended consequences. Give people who are hesitant the chance to wait to make sure there arent any negative side effects." Reading through the comments, Smartt said a mandatory vaccinations policy raises questions about the just use of coercive power. "In my view, a mandatory vaccination policy enforced by a system of fines is worth considering," he said. "However, some readers raised the possibility of enacting the policy through different means, perhaps by making some forms of work, travel, association or access to social goods conditional on having been vaccinated, and I think this proposal also deserves consideration. "Both ways of mandating a vaccination policy enjoy numerous precedents.

"Its worth emphasising that any sort of enforcement procedure that involved physical force or violating an individuals rights or conscience would be completely unjust." Loading While some readers said Australians were jumping the gun by debating mandatory vaccination with latest estimates that a vaccine is at least 12 months away, others saw value in starting the conversation now. Andrew C: "'Our best hope for ending the COVID-19 pandemic is a safe and effective vaccine...' I think we should wait and see if they can actually develop a safe and effective vaccine before considering trying to make it mandatory." AJL: "This is EXACTLY the right time to discuss this, and I'd think the majority of Australians would agree. The way to beat a pathogen like this is to be two steps ahead of it, not two steps behind it ..."
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has scolded Lawrence Stroll following his fellow billionaire's comments about the 'pink Mercedes' affair.

As the legality of Racing Point's 2020 car looks set to move on to the international court of appeal, team owner Stroll launched a vigorous defence of his integrity.

"I do not often speak publicly, however I am extremely angry at any suggestion we have been underhand or have cheated," Stroll said.

"I have never cheated at anything in my life. These accusations are completely unacceptable and not true. My integrity - and that of my team - are beyond question."

But Ecclestone, whose official title as 'chairman emeritus' of Formula 1 actually expired in January, thinks Stroll is being too dramatic.

"He doesn't have to be upset," the 89-year-old told Auto Motor und Sport. "What happened is that Racing Point pushed the rules a little too far and this is the result."

Ecclestone suggests that Canadian Stroll, who made his fortune in fashion and whose son Lance drives for the team, should be grateful for his place in F1.

"He should be happy that they made his way into Formula 1 so easy for him two years ago," he said.

"He was allowed to get a team out of bankruptcy with all of its rights. If it had been me, he would have started from scratch with his new team name a year later."

(GMM)
PHILADELPHIA  Comcast announced this week it is expanding its 10-year-old Internet Essentials program that helps low-income families access the internet through low-cost services.

The new Internet Essentials Partnership Program for cities, schools and nonprofits will connect large numbers of low-income kindergarten through 12th-grade students to the internet at home, the company said.

Weve seen firsthand that low-cost internet access is an important part of improving digital equity and creating positive opportunities for low-income students and families, said Dana Strong, president of Xfinity Consumer Services. Through this new partnership program, we are accelerating the efforts of cities, schools, philanthropies, nonprofits and private citizens to collaborate and open the doors of internet access for more families in need.

The partnership program was rolled out to help customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, which closed schools around the country in the spring.
La reunion del #GrupoDeLima busca un llamado a todos los venezolanos para apoyar un proceso definido e impulsado por los venezolanos, a fin de establecer un gobierno de transicion inclusivo que lleve al pais a elecciones presidenciales libres y justas lo mas pronto posible. pic.twitter.com/JtHnacisGT
Israel agrees "to stop further... annexation of Palestinian territories" under the landmark US-brokered peace deal it signed with the UAE, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi tweeted on Thursday.

"During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories," Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nayhan wrote on his verified Twitter account.
You cant undersell the UAE-Israel deal

US President Donald Trump said the UAE-Israel deal was "huge, and he nailed it.

The agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel is indeed a diplomatic breakthrough and credit rightly goes to Trump and his team.

All that comes next will flow through Washington and the White House. King Abdullah of Jordan can exhale, as annexation is off the agenda, the condition of Abu Dhabis signing up. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a bystander on Israeli-Arab matters, chimed in that he might suspend Turkeys ties with the UAE in solidarity with the Palestinians (Pinar Tremblay has the background here on the Turkey-UAE "cold war"). Iran, which has had a warming trend in ties with UAE, slammed the move as "stupid."

Other Gulf states may follow the UAE lead at some point. Bahrain and Oman are the most likely candidates, and according to Israeli media reports, similar agreements are already in the works. Bahrain hosted the administrations "Peace to Prosperity" workshop last year, and Oman today released a statement that the UAE deal fulfills the aspirations of the peoples in the region in sustaining pillars of security and stability."

Israel had trade representative offices in Oman and Qatar in the 1990s, but these were shut down during the second intifada in 2000.

Asked by Al-Monitor last year if Oman would establish relations with Israel, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Omans minister responsible for foreign affairs, said, Well see, everythings on the table.

Contacts between Israeli and Gulf officials have been an open secret for some time.

It's not a secret that in the last few years, we worked with many moderate Arab countries in the region, Danny Danon, Israels ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, said in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor in September 2019. And what's happening recently, when we see the aggression coming from Iran, we hear they are more open to collaborate with us, even more publicly.  So we are collaborating. We are cooperating.

At the core of the deal was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus commitment to put off his plan to extend sovereignty to the Jewish settlements in the West Bank in return for formal relations with the UAE.

Yousef al-Otaiba, UAE minister of state and ambassador to the United States, told Al-Monitor in June that annexation would make the Middle East even more unstable, and put an incredible amount of political pressure on our friends in Jordan.

Ben Caspit reports from Israel that the reaction to the deal was mixed, with the dissenters being Netanyahus right wing and settler supporters, who wanted annexation to be the prime ministers "legacy" issue.

The breakthrough was not the achievement to which he aspired, writes Caspit. What he  and his voters  really wanted was to implement historic Israeli sovereignty over a significant part of the West Bank. That will no longer happen. The agreement with the UAE is a candy to dispel spreading bitterness, a pain relief tablet to ease the hangover plaguing Netanyahus electoral base since the heady White House event in late January at which the upcoming annexation was declared.

Palestinian officials responded with anger to the announcement. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is already playing a weak diplomatic hand, and it just got weaker.

Nabil Shaath, a senior adviser to Abbas, told Daoud Kuttab that the tripartite US-UAE-Israel agreement is a crime by the UAE against Palestinians.

Shaath added that there is "no justification for the action of the sons of the late Sheikh Zayed, who was genuinely committed to the Palestinian cause.

Egypt as bellwether for Gulf investment

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt had been mostly an IMF success story, with improvements in GDP growth, employment, and debt ratios. Because of its success since 2016, Egypt was the only country in the Middle East and North Africa region anticipating 2% GDP growth this year. The IMF approved a 12-month stand-by arrangement worth $5.2 billion this summer to help address the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Karen Young defines Egypt as a bellwether of sorts in the region for Gulf investment.

Despite its challenges, Egypt is a consistent destination for foreign investment within the Middle East, she writes. Its large consumer market, its appetite for mega-contracting projects in real estate and infrastructure, its active local equity exchange, the Egyptian Exchange, and its strategic location have made it a traditional hub for regional investment flows. If things are bad in Egypt, you can expect them to be worse elsewhere across Middle East markets.

The states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been Egypts main sources of capital and job creation over the past decade, but it is unclear if that trend will continue, given the impact of the coronavirus.

Egypt has been caught in the middle of intra-Gulf disputes before, Young concludes, but the kinds of investment and access to capital needed in the next year or so will dwarf the challenges of the post-2011 era. Moreover, Egypt will compete with any number of other emerging market destinations for its debt issuance, and for multilateral lending and aid. The Gulf states may not be willing or able to come to the rescue.

Are migrant workers getting stiffed?

The double blow of low oil prices and the coronavirus crisis has already pushed over half a million migrant workers out of Arab Gulf states, writes Sebastian Castelier.

Returned to their countries of origin in haste, migrant workers whose wages have not been paid are unable to defend their rights in the Gulfs courts of justice, Castelier reports. Their embassies have come under criticism for largely refusing to document grievances before repatriation.

He said none of the six GCC countries have ratified the International Labor Organizations Protection of Wages Convention, "which provides that 'wages shall be paid regularly.' Furthermore, most Gulf legal frameworks deny workers the right to union representation and prevent collective complaints, leaving workers alone to navigate justice mechanisms.
Is China's Fishing Fleet a Growing Security Threat?

By VOA News August 13, 2020

China says it has banned its massive fishing fleet from catching squid in parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for three months to help populations recover, after environmental groups warned the country's illegal fishing activities are devastating ecologically sensitive areas such as the Galapagos Islands.

According to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural affairs, the moratorium bans all Chinese fishing fleets on parts of the high seas in southwest Atlantic and east Pacific for three months, effective July 1st.

China's state media Global Times said the move promotes long-term sustainable use of fishery resources in open waters, and "highlights China's image as a responsible fishing power and is a milestone for China's participation in international maritime management."

Experts who spoke to VOA say that Chinese illegal fishing is not only used by Beijing to stake maritime claims, the fleet's massive overfishing helps drive food insecurity and ecological problems.

Largest distant water fleet

China's distant-water fishing vessels have long caused controversy in waters around Asia. As the fleet has grown, so have complaints. Recently, about 340 large Chinese trawlers ventured into waters near Ecuador, triggering protests over possible threats to the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to many unique species.

There are also ongoing conflicts involving Chinese fishing vessels in waters off Africa and the Korean Peninsula.

Miren Gutierrez, a research Associate at the London-based Overseas Development Institute (ODI), told VOA that China now has the largest distant water fleet in the world, and it's on the move.

"Having depleted fish stocks in domestic waters and encouraged by subsidies, China's distant-water fishing fleets have been traveling farther and farther afield, and its companies have been building more and more vessels to meet the rising demand for seafood," she said.

ODI research has documented nearly 17,000 Chinese fishing vessels, making it nearly impossible to sufficiently monitor all of them worldwide.

Security, environmental concerns

Analysts say many Chinese vessels conduct "illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU)" fishing activities that threaten the sovereignty of other nations and endanger the global food security chain.

According to the 2019 IUU index created by the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, China among 152 countries in illegal finishing activities.

In waters around East Asian countries, China has been using fishing to bolster its territorial claims. Countries including Japan, Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia have reacted strongly to China's illegal fishing activities in the disputed waters.

In March, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warship collided with a Chinese fishing vessel in the East China Sea. A week before that, two Taiwanese patrol boats got into a conflict with Chinese fishing boats when they tried to stop them from conducting illegal fishing near the Taiwan Strait.

In 2019, the Argentina Coast Guard opened fire on a Chinese fishing vessel that was reportedly fishing illegally in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Apart from security concerns, IUU fishing has exacerbated a global food crisis. Around 3.2 billion people rely on seafood as their main source of protein, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said in June about one third of fish stocks are being fished at "biologically unsustainable levels."

China ranks top when it comes to demand for seafood. The country's fish consumption accounts for one third of the world's total amount, with an annual growth rate of 6%.

Economic loss

Meanwhile, illegal fishing activities have caused serious economic loss to countries involved in the dispute. Recent data from Senegal shows that illegal fishing results in an annual loss of $270 million from the local economy. Malaysia's first National Defense White Paper released this year stated that illegal fishing creates an annual drain on the economy of $1.5 billion.

Tabitha Mallory, an affiliate professor specializing in Chinese foreign and environmental policy at the University of Washington, told VOA it's hard for developing countries to properly monitor coastal waters.

"China fishes in countries that don't have the ability monitor their coastal waters well, like North Korea," she said. "Coast guard vessels and fuel for those patrol vessels are often cost prohibitive for developing countries."

The international community has pressured China to improve its industrial fishing practices. After U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Chinese fleet activities in Galapagos an infringement of Ecuador's sovereignty, China announced that it suspended fishing in the area.

Mallory pointed to other positive gestures, such as China's decision to add language on IUU fishing to newly revised drafts of the Fisheries Law and the recently updated Distant Water Fishing. It has also created penalties for those who engage in IUU fishing, including a blacklist, fines, and the removal of fishing subsidies.

Yet she said the most essential thing is for the Chinese government to stop its large subsidies to its distant water fishing industry. According to the 2019 IUU index created by the Geneva-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, China ranked last among 152 countries.

"China is currently seeking to preserve many of these subsidies as a developing country, but it's hard to argue that China has that status when it has the largest distant-water fleet in the world," she continued.

Meanwhile, environmental groups are calling on China to be more transparent in sharing data concerning its distant water fleets.

Daisy Brickhill, spokeswoman at the Environmental Justice Foundation, told VOA that some of these actions could include publishing lists of all distant-water fishing authorizations and fishing vessels licensed under Chinese flags online, along with details of all cases of illegal fishing and the sanctions imposed.

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Stock Market Gap Fills Suggests Market Momentum May Stall

Technical Analysis teaches us that price Gaps tend to be filled by future price action. This is not something new for many of our readers, whom may be familiar with our mantra Gaps always get filled!. The big Gap created near February 24, 2020, the start of the COVID-19 market collapse, has recently been filled in the SPY and the TRAN (Transportation Index). We believe this filling of the Gap may be a sign that the upside market trend may begin to stall and potentially reverse.

Yesterday, we highlighted the potential for a continued upside bullish trend in the SPY pushing possibly 2% to 4% higher based on our Measured Move technique in our article entitled President Trump Signs Additional Covid Relief  What to Expect From the Markets. Today, with the TRAN gapping higher to fill the February 24, 2020, price Gap, we believe the upside move may be exhausting itself and nearing a period of congestion or reversal.

GAP FILLS MAY WARN OF TREND REVERSALS

Gaps are very interesting patterns where price momentum creates a void on the chart  essentially where price skips a price range because of momentum. Typically, these types of Gaps are often found in highly volatile periods of price action or strong momentum trends. Technical Analysis teaches us that most Gaps tend to be filled by future price action over time. This technical pattern should be viewed as a warning that the highest, most recent upside price Gap has currently been filled and would suggest that the markets are either going to continue to trend higher or reach an exhaustion point, stall and potentially reverse into a downside price trend.

This SPY/TRAN chart above clearly highlights the upper Gap Fill that has recently taken place with the MAGENTA Arcing area on the charts. Both the SPY and the TRAN filled the Gap over a 4+ trading day range  with the TRAN Gapping higher on August 10 to properly fill the Gap. Weve also highlighted Lower Open Gaps that are still unfilled. We wanted to point out that these lower gaps may become downside price targets if the trend changes into a Bearish Price Trend.

Before you continue, be sure to opt-in to our free-market trend signalsnow so you dont miss our next special report!

The Weekly Custom Smart Cash Index chart, below, highlights what our research team believes is an early indication that global markets are stalling in an Island Top type of pattern after a very clear upside price gap on July 20, 2020. This Custom Smart Cash Index also shows how weak the upside Smart Cash price trend has become after the July 20, 2020 upside gap even though the trends in the SPY/TRAN chart, above, appear to be accelerating upward quite quickly. We believe the difference between these trends relates to institutional investors moving away from risks near these elevated levels while retail traders are still pounding away trading the shorter-term trends.

One thing is certain, the Custom Smart Cash Index suggests price has been unable to rally above recent highs over the past 5+ weeks while the SPY and TRAN have moved dramatically higher  something seems disconnected right now. Our research team believes the move in Gold and Silver is clearly illustrating that institutional and traditional investors are moving away from the perceived risks near these ultra-high price levels  leaving many retail traders chasing the tail end of this rally.

We are still moderately confident that the SPY will continue to attempt to move above the $337.50 level before reaching a peak in price  yet we are also keenly aware that upside potential relates to only +0.68% from current levels. Once the $337.50 level is reached, we believe the SPY, and the US major indexes, are likely to stall and potentially reverse after completing another 100% Measured Price Move higher. Our suggestion would be to protect open long positions and prepare for the potential breakdown in price should the Island Top pattern complete. The downside potential is clearly evident by the number of Open Gaps that are present below current price levels. Each one of these becomes a potential downside price target.

Learn how www.TheTechnicalTraders.com can help you find better trades and stay ahead of the biggest market moves. We just caught a beautiful trade in Silver and are still actively involved in another big trade. Learn how to trade with precision and accuracy by following our team of professionals.

If you found this informative, then sign up now to get a pre-market video every day before the opening bell that walks you through the charts and my proprietary technical analysis of all of the major assets classes. You will also receive my easy-to-follow ETF swing trades that always include an entry price, a stop, two exit targets, as well as a recommended position sizing. Visit my Active ETF Trading Newsletter to learn more.

While many of you have trading accounts, the most important accounts are long-term investment and retirement accounts. Why? Because these accounts are, in most cases, an individuals largest store of wealth (other than home equity) and if they are not protected during a time like this, you could lose 25-50% or more of your entire net worth in a few days. We can help you preserve and even grow your long term capital when things get ugly (like they are now) and scary (as we expect them to soon be).

If you have any type of retirement account and are looking for signals when to own equities, bonds, or cash, be sure to become a member of my Long-Term Investing Signals, which includes a weekly market update and trade alerts.

Stay healthy and rest easy at night by staying informed through our services  sign up today!

Chris Vermeulen

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Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic



Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better.



His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility.



He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect.

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By Express News Service

KOLKATA: The headmaster of a higher secondary school in West Bengal was served a show-cause notice for resuming classes on Wednesday despite clear rules that all educational institutions shall remain closed in the wake of Covid pandemic.

As the news of the violation of the instruction reached the school education department, the district school inspector reached BC Roy Higher Secondary School at Ghatal in West Midnapore, recorded statements of students, their guardians and teachers.

The headmaster was show caused on the basis of the preliminary findings of the school inspector, said an official. Brindaban Ghatak, the headmaster, had decided to resume classes for the students of Class-X. The decision was taken because online classes were not effective because of negligible access to smartphones and poor network connectivity. A section of guardians, too, requested me to resume studies, claimed Ghatak.

All the Class-X students were informed on Tuesday to attend the science and English classes.

Out of 150 students, 52 turned up to attend classes and 25 among 37 teachers were present in the school. Classes continued for three hours maintaining social distancing norm, said a teacher.

Chapeshwar Sardar, the district school inspector, said the headmasters decision was a gross violation of the state governments instruction.

The headmaster was asked to present his case. Asked about the show-cause notice, Ghatak admitted that his decision of resuming classes was wrong. It was a wrong decision. I am ready to face all action that the school education department will take.

The development happened on a day when the state's coronavirus caseload rose to 1,07,323 with the highest single-day spike of 2,997 infections on Thursday, the health department said.

The COVID-19 fatalities also mounted to 2,259 after the death of 56 people, the department said in a bulletin.

It said that 2,497 patients were discharged from hospitals after they recovered from COVID-19, taking the total number of cured people to 78,617.

The states discharge rate is now 73,25 per cent.

The number of active patients rose to 26,447.

Of the fresh fatalities, 47 died due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental, the bulletin stated.

Kolkata accounted for 16 deaths, while 12 fatalities each were reported from North 24 Parganas and Howrah, three each from Hooghly and Purba Medinipur, two each from Nadia and South 24 Parganas, and one each from Paschim Bardhaman, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Alipurduar.

The metropolis also registered 666 new cases of infection, followed by 582 in North 24 Parganas, 229 in Howrah, 215 in South 24 Parganas, 208 in Malda, 166 in Murshidabad, 111 in Purba Medinipur, 105 in Darjeeling, and 99 in Nadia district, the bulletin said.

The remaining 496 cases were reported from 13 other districts of the state.

Since Wednesday, 30,032 samples were tested while 12,16,955 such tests were conducted in West Bengal so far.

(With PTI Inputs)
TikTok and its US employees are planning to take President Donald Trumps administration to court over his sweeping order to ban the popular video app, according to a lawyer preparing one of the lawsuits.

The employees legal challenge to Trumps executive order will be separate from a pending lawsuit from the company that owns the app, though both will argue that the order is unconstitutional, said Mike Godwin, an internet policy lawyer representing the employees.

Also read: TikTok and WeChat expose big techs lack of innovation | Opinion

Trump last week ordered sweeping but vague bans on dealings with the Chinese owners of TikTok and messaging app WeChat, saying they are a threat to US national security, foreign policy and the economy. The TikTok order would take effect in September, but it remains unclear what it will mean for the apps 100 million US users, many of them teenagers or young adults who use it to post and watch short-form videos.

Its also unclear if it will make it illegal for TikTok to pay its roughly 1,500 workers in the US, which is why some of them came to Godwin for help, he said. The order would prohibit any transaction by any person with TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance.

Employees correctly recognize that their jobs are in danger and their payment is in danger right now, Godwin said.

TikTok said in a statement last week that it was shocked by the recent Executive Order, which was issued without any due process. It declined to comment on Thursday on whether it is pursuing its own lawsuit.

We have no involvement with and are not coordinating on the employee-led initiative, said TikTok spokeswoman Hilary McQuaide said via email. We respect the rights of employees to engage in concerted activity to seek due process of law. The Fifth and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution safeguard life, liberty and property from arbitrary government action lacking due process of law. Microsoft is in talks to buy parts of TikTok, in a potential sale thats being forced under Trumps threat of a ban.

Also read: French privacy watchdog opens preliminary investigation into TikTok

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany defended Trumps TikTok and WeChat orders on Thursday, telling reporters he was exercising his emergency authority under a 1977 law enabling the president to regulate international commerce to address unusual threats.

The administration is committed to protecting the American people from all cyber threats and these apps collect significant amounts of private data on users, said McEnany, adding that the Chinese government can access and use such data.

TikTok said it spent nearly a year trying to engage in good faith with the US government to address these concerns.

What we encountered instead was that the Administration paid no attention to facts, dictated terms of an agreement without going through standard legal processes, and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses, the companys statement said.

Godwin said he was retained by Patrick Ryan, who joined TikTok from Google earlier this year as a technical program manager. Ryan posted a public fundraising pitch on GoFundMe this week to raise money for attorneys who can fight this unconstitutional taking. This is unprecedented, Ryan wrote. And its frankly really uncool. Unlike other Chinese tech companies targeted by Trump, such as telecom giant Huawei, TikToks widespread popularity among Americans adds a layer of complexity to its legal and political challenges. The looming ban has annoyed TikTok users, some of them Trump supporters like Pam Graef of Metairie, Louisiana.

The 53-year-old fitness instructor found nearly instant TikTok fame after downloading the app this summer and posting a video of herself dancing frenetically in a kitchen as someone pretending to be her embarrassed daughter shouts that shes doing it wrong. The video has nearly 3.5 million views.

I dont want it to be banned. Its just a blast, Graef said. Its a way for me to promote my virtual training and virtual classes. She said Trump wont lose her vote over this, but she doesnt understand all the fuss about the apps Chinese ownership. What are they gaining by spying on us? Graef said. Were just doing stupid videos and having fun. The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that, until late last year, the TikTok app was able to track users of Android phones without their consent by collecting unique phone identifiers in a way that skirted privacy safeguards set by Google. TikTok responded that the technique it used is a common way to prevent fraud and said it no longer collects the unique identifier.

The company has repeatedly said that the way it collects data is typical for thousands of mobile apps. We have made clear that TikTok has never shared user data with the Chinese government, nor censored content at its request, said its statement last week.

Trumps actions follow the lead of India, which has expressed similar security concerns and earlier this summer banned TikTok and dozens of other Chinese apps amid a military standoff between the two countries.

Godwin said the employees legal challenge will be focused on worker rights, not on the national security claims underlying Trumps order.
President Donald Trump agitated Friday for coronavirus aid, after Congress left town following more than two weeks of flailing in efforts to boost the U.S. economy and health-care system.

Trump, who has not personally joined in pandemic relief talks this month, pushed for direct payments to Americans, small business loan funding, state and local government relief and rental assistance payments. The policies Trump backed in a series of tweets and in a later news conference would need congressional approval. The plans have appeared in some form in the aid packages lawmakers have proposed since May.

The president's comments underscore the pressure he faces to provide assistance to Americans during a year in which his inability to contain the virus has hindered his reelection prospects. Trump tried to get more involved in the effort Friday, a week after talks between his administration and Democratic leaders collapsed.

As the stalemate in Washington drags on, Trump took executive action to temporarily extend extra unemployment benefits, offer protections from eviction, sustain existing student loan aid and create a payroll tax holiday. The orders are limited in scope. Some may not be constitutional because Congress controls federal spending.

Both chambers of Congress have left for their August recesses and do not plan to return until September unless they strike a coronavirus aid agreement. The lack of a deal leaves millions of Americans in financial peril, as a $600 per week federal unemployment benefit, a moratorium on evictions and the window to apply for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans have all expired. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has warned a lack of fiscal stimulus could jeopardize the U.S. economic recovery.

In his tweets Friday, Trump claimed he is "ready" to take action on stimulus checks, state and municipal aid and small business loans. But on every issue, he contended, "DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP!"

Speaking to reporters later, he clarified that he did not plan to take unilateral action on those issues, but instead was "waiting for the Democrats to approve" the policies.

Donald Trump tweet 1

Donald Trump tweet 2

Donald Trump tweet 3

The impasse in Washington over aid is more complicated than Trump portrayed it Friday.

Democrats passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package in May that they considered their opening offer for a fifth aid bill. It included a second round of direct payments of up to $1,200 to individuals, with a maximum of $6,000 per household.

It also had more than $900 billion in aid for cash-crunched state and local governments. Officials have considered whether to trim essential services as they lose revenue and spend more during the pandemic. The bipartisan National Governors Association has asked Congress for at least $500 billion in relief.

At that time, Republicans questioned the need for more aid and said they wanted to see how effective an earlier $2 trillion rescue package was. The Senate GOP then released its coronavirus bill, a counter offer to the Democrats, in late July as the extra jobless benefits and eviction moratorium were expiring. It started the talks on another relief package, which have since made little progress.
The defeat of Nazi Germany and the arrival of Victory in Europe on May 8 1945 was met by jubilation in Britain, but for many it did not mark the end of their war.

On the other side of the world in the Far East, Allied troops were still locked in battle with the Japanese.

It meant that at home in Europe, the joy over the end of a gruelling six-year long war was more muted for many families.

Tens of thousands of British troops would continue to take part in fierce fighting for another three months before the dropping of atomic bombs hastened the Japanese surrender.

Expand Close A ceremony marking the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army handed back Singapore to the Allies (PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp A ceremony marking the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army handed back Singapore to the Allies (PA)

The Second World War in Asia had begun on December 7 1941 with the Japanese bombing of the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, and simultaneous attacks on British, Dutch and American possessions in the Far East.

Hong Kong fell on Christmas Day 1941 while at the same time Japanese forces advanced through Malaya, the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies.

It was not until August 15 1945, days after US atomic bombs fell on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, that the battle in Asia was won and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) was declared.

Japan formally surrendered on September 2 at a ceremony in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri.

But victory had come at a high price for Britain and her Commonwealth and Empire allies.

Britain suffered 90,332 casualties in the war in the Far East, of whom 29,968 died  12,433 while prisoners of war.

Expand Close Having surrendered, Japanese soldiers march in formation past American occupation forces on Atsugi airfield at the end of the Second World War, circa August 1945 (PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Having surrendered, Japanese soldiers march in formation past American occupation forces on Atsugi airfield at the end of the Second World War, circa August 1945 (PA)

Men and women from all over the empire and Commonwealth made a vital contribution to the Allied victory over Japan.

Nearly 2.5 million men served in the all-volunteer Indian Army and a further 60,000 in the Royal Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

Australians fought in Malaya and New Guinea, Canadians at Hong Kong and in the Aleutians, and New Zealanders in the Solomons and other Pacific islands.

South African troops helped to capture the Vichy French island of Madagascar to prevent it falling to the Japanese while the British Pacific Fleet joined the US Navy in the Pacific islands campaign. Ships and men of the Royal Australian, Canadian and New Zealand navies were also actively involved against the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Expand Close General Orde Wingate (wearing pith helmet), commander of the Chindits, briefs members of the 1st Air Commando, USAAF, in what was then Burma (PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp General Orde Wingate (wearing pith helmet), commander of the Chindits, briefs members of the 1st Air Commando, USAAF, in what was then Burma (PA)

One of the most famous campaigns of the Second World War was in Burma, now Myanmar, which was then part of the British Empire.

In early 1942 Malaya was overrun and Singapore fell on February 15. The Japanese army advanced into Burma, capturing the capital Rangoon in March and driving British forces out.

To avoid being surrounded the British began to retreat, crossing difficult terrain in the face of a determined enemy.

On May 15 1942 defeated British forces finally retreated across the Indian border. It was the longest retreat in British history, covering a distance of 1,000 miles  the equivalent of walking from Birmingham to Rome.

After regrouping, the British forces began planning to recapture Burma.

In the early months of 1943 the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, the Chindits, under Brigadier Orde Wingate, began Operation Longcloth, driving far behind Japanese lines into the heart of Burma.

In late 1943 the British created the 14th Army, under the command of Lieutenant General William Bill Slim, to take over operations against the Japanese.

Known as the Forgotten Army, as its efforts were later perceived to have been overlooked, it was the largest British Empire and Commonwealth Army ever assembled.

It numbered some half a million men made up of around 340,000 from the British Indian Army, 100,000 from the British Army and 119,000 from soldiers in Britains west and east African colonies.

Expand Close Members of the battalion from the Australian 9th Division climb over a wrecked Japanese bomber abandoned on the edge of the strip in Borneo (PA) PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Members of the battalion from the Australian 9th Division climb over a wrecked Japanese bomber abandoned on the edge of the strip in Borneo (PA)

In March 1944, while a second Chindit expedition was mounted, the Japanese launched an attack on British bases behind the Indian border in Imphal and Kohima, battles which saw some of the worst fighting of the Second World War.

Some 2,500 British-Indian troops defended Garrison Hill at the Indian base of Kohima against 15,000 Japanese troops.

The resolute defence by British and Indian forces defeated the Japanese, who withdrew. Allied divisions pursued them and in December 1944 began to cross back in to Burma.

After a fierce 12-day battle Mandalay, Burmas second largest city, was retaken on March 20 1945, ending Japanese hopes of holding Burma, and the 14th Army continued on to Rangoon, reoccupying it on May 3.

Burma was also the scene of one of the most notorious episodes of the Second World War: the construction of the so-called Death Railway.

The 258-mile (415km) railway was built in 1942 and 1943 to link Thailand and Burma to support Japans forces in the area.

More than 60,000 Allied prisoners of war brought in from camps in Singapore and the Dutch East Indies were put to work on the railway, working alongside 270,000 Asian labourers in horrendous conditions and subjected to brutal treatment.

About 12,621 of them died, including 6,904 Britons and more than 2,000 Australian and Dutch prisoners.

The Burma campaign left 71,224 British and Commonwealth casualties, and by the time Victory over Japan was finally achieved in August 1945, the war in the Far East had come with a heavy toll.
The San Antonio Police Officer's Association penned a letter to Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Wednesday asking for his support ahead of the city's vote on the proposed $487 million police budget.

The local police union said it would be a mistake for the city council to redirect funds "that would be seen as defunding police" because of a "few, loud voices" who criticize the San Antonio Police Department.

"As you begin budget deliberations, we implore you to remember that, according to several recent polls, your constituents, the people of San Antonio, overwhelmingly SUPPORT San Antonio police officers and REJECT calls to 'defund police,'" the letter said.

The letter did not specify the polls it mentions.

Activists called the proposed budget a "slap in the face," because it would allocate $8 million more to the police department compared to the previous fiscal year. City officials, however, said the increase was necessary due to raises included in the contract with the union.

Protests across the city and the county in recent months have called upon the reallocation of police department budgets and police reform in the wake of Geroge Floyd's death in May. The Black man died while in Minneapolis police custody.

READ ALSO: A slap in the face: Activists slam proposed boost in San Antonio police budget

This bloated police budget is unacceptable, activist Leah Wilson told the City Council during a virtual meeting earlier this month. You say that youve heard our calls to defund the police. And yet instead youve done the opposite and expanded their budget another year.

According to a poll conducted by Bexar Facts, a majority of residents blame the union for the police department rehiring officers who were fired for misconduct.

In the poll, 68 percent of individuals said they believe the association has been a barrier for holding officers accountable for misconduct within SAPD. Individuals between 40 and 50 years old also represented the largest group who blamed the SAPOA for the accountability problems with 75 percent in agreement, followed by 74 percent of 18 to 29 year olds.

One example protesters point to is that of former officer SAPD Lt. Lee Rakun, who had been fired seven times with 10 suspensions during his decades-long career.

The city will vote on the proposed budget Sept. 7

Taylor Pettaway is a breaking news and general assignment reporter for MySA.com | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
Wood Dale, July 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial airlines and governments worldwide, has been awarded a three-year contract by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul on F-16 jet fuel starters.

AAR will service the jet fuel starters in its component repair facility in Amsterdam, where AAR has been supporting European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) for over 30 years as a prime provider or subcontractor for repair management, component maintenance, supply chain and depot services.

The RNLAF is pleased to have an MRO contract in place for its F-16 jet fuel starters, said Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Zoeteman, Program Manager F-16. The F-16 community is excited to have a trusted partner like AAR support the RNLAF to maintain and improve the availability of the F-16 fleet, and looks forward to continuing this valued relationship.

AAR has been a proud and trusted partner of the RNLAF on the F-16 platform for more than 30 years, said Maarten Willemsen, Government Program Manager of AAR Component Repair in Amsterdam. Since the 1980s, AAR Amsterdam has serviced over 3,500 jet fuel starters at our Amsterdam facility  including all RNLAF jet fuel starters. The award of this End-of-Life-of-Type contract reflects our strong relationship, dedication to exceeding customer expectations and shared core values with the RNLAF. We deliver tailored services and capabilities based on commercial best practices and our customers unique needs to produce high quality work and cost savings.

For more information about AAR Component Repair services, please click here.

# # #

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. AARs Aviation Services include Parts Supply; OEM Solutions; Integrated Solutions; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services. AARs Expeditionary Services include Mobility Systems and Composite Manufacturing operations. Additional information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

About the Royal Netherlands Air Force

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is a modern, high-tech armed forces Service that is active on a global basis. The Air Force lends support in combating international unrest and provides disaster relief. At home in the Netherlands, the Air Force ensures security from the air. For these purposes, it has highly-qualified personnel, aircraft, helicopters and other weapon systems at its disposal.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has recently supplicated with the global force of the world to disregard differences encountered in the past, and provide Nigeria with Sophisticated firearms and logistics for fighting terrorism in the country.

He acknowledged the intercontinental assistance provided so far to the country, but stated that more has to be provided, if the country is to successfully triumph against the menace of insecurity.

The Minister pointed out that in a situation where the countries at the international level become hesitant in providing logistics and weapons, that they cannot be held to the ransom of not fighting insurgency.

He reiterated on the negligence shown by some countries in even selling of firearms to Nigeria, adding that over two years, the country requested on payment weapons of high calibre, till today, we have not been give the requested weaponry.

It becomes a necessity that Nigeria gets supply of needed weapons from international powers, as it will go a long way in keeping terrorist at bay and restore peace back to the country, he said.

According to him, the government is doing all it can in keeping terrorism at bay despite the continuous criticism it gets from the people, adding that terrorism exists not just in Nigeria, but even at the international level.

On the part of the terrorists, they have well Sophisticated networks and connections around the country, and at such, no regular battle for the Military and government alike, he added.
Figure 1

Crater Lake Property Location Map, Quebec

Crater Lake Property Location Map, Quebec

Figure 2

Exploration Targets over Ground Magnetic Map, Crater Lake Project, Quebec

Exploration Targets over Ground Magnetic Map, Crater Lake Project, Quebec

MONTREAL, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial Mining Group Ltd. ("Imperial") (TSX VENTURE: IPG) is pleased to announce that field crews conducting mapping and sampling have recently discovered several new areas of scandium mineralization on the 100% owned Crater Lake project. These new showings lie within the same 14-km arcuate magnetic trend hosting the three previously defined mineralized zones (Boulder, TGZ and STG) on the property. Assay results are expected in September. Presently, drill crews are mobilizing to the property to commence drill evaluation of the new showings and to expand the known TGZ and STG mineralized zones.



The new discoveries are extremely positive news for Imperial in view of the rapidly growing demand and limited supply for this important new technology metal, said Peter Cashin, Imperials President & Chief Executive Officer. Scandium is showing increased demand for its use in high-strength, lightweight aluminum alloys in the aerospace, automotive, defense and alternative energy sectors. Currently, scandium is only produced as a minor by-product in China and Russia and, with supplies limited, it is our belief that Crater Lake represents an important alternative, primary scandium supply source to serve western consuming markets.

2020 Exploration Program

A 130-line km program of detailed ground magnetic surveys was recently completed by Abitibi Geophysics of Val dOr, Quebec, at 50 m line spacings to better define the western corridor of the Crater Lake scandium mineralized trend. The objective of the survey work is to 1) refine our knowledge of the geometry of the new and existing mineralized zones, 2) identify the presence of as-yet to be discovered mineralization and, 3) refining drillhole targeting.

This survey will be supplemented by a program of geological mapping, prospecting, trenching and channel sampling over the newly discovered mineralized areas (North, Hilltop and South; see Figure 2).

Story continues

Drill crews are currently mobilizing to the property to complete a minimum six to eight drillhole program to evaluate the economic potential of the newly discovered mineralized areas and to expand the areas of known mineralization at TGZ and STG. The drilling will be undertaken by Avataa Rouiller Diamond Drilling of Amos, Quebec.

The current program will be completed in September. Assessment of the data collected by this work will be used for the planning of a winter 2021 definition drill program of the highest-grade part of the mineralized trend. A NI43-101 resource estimate will be prepared from the results of the definition drilling for anticipated Q2 2021 completion.

Crater Lake Exploration History (2007 to present)

Crater Lake was first explored in 2007 as a rare earths prospect by Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (Quest). This early work led to the identification of the Discovery Outcrop which returned up to 9.0% rare earth oxides plus yttrium (REE) and up to 1,000 g/t (0.1%) scandium (Sc). An airborne geophysical survey completed in 2008, identified a strong, concentric, six-km diameter magnetic anomaly, defining the host Crater Lake Ring Dike Complex. The scandium is associated with a distinct, highly magnetic layer of mafic rock within this intrusion.

In 2014, Quest drilling intersected a 225m long Sc bearing zone (Boulder Zone) within a thick, highly magnetic, mafic intrusive layer (Figure 2) returning up to 167.8m grading 260 g/t Sc including 62.8 m grading 304 g/t Sc and including 27.6 m grading 351 g/t Sc. These grades compare favourably with known Australian laterite scandium deposits which grade between 260 to 410 g/t Sc, some of which are advancing to pre-production.

In early 2019, Imperial completed a five-hole, 1,014 m diamond drilling program on the TGZ target. The drilling defined a wide mineralized zone measuring 500 m in strike and to a vertical depth of 200 m. Drilling returned impressive grades of 95.5 m of 314 g/t scandium oxide (Sc2O3), including 16.3 m grading 353 g/t Sc2O3 and 113.9 m of 310 Sc2O3, including 354 g/t Sc2O3 over 12.0 m. The mineralized deposit remains open in all directions. In addition, channel sampling of exposed mineralized areas over the STG target returned lengths of 7.04 m grading 289 ppm Sc2O3 and 0.364% REE adjacent to the magnetic high that defines the highest grade part of the target system, which is not currently exposed in outcrop.

Scandium and Rare Earth Markets

The broader adoption of scandium in the aluminum alloys sector has been constrained by the limited availability of scandium in western commercial markets from the primary supply sources in China and Russia. The lack of reliable long-term supply sources to provide material for additional applications has also limited scandium market growth. This has resulted in much higher prices for Sc compared to competing alloy materials, such as titanium, and has limited its broader use. The current price of the metal oxide published by USGS indicates that it trades in a range of approximately US$2,000-4,000/kg for 99.99% purity.

Scandium acts as a grain-refiner and hardener of aluminum alloys. Aluminum-scandium alloys combine high strength, ductility, weldability, improved corrosion resistance and a lower density. The combination of all these properties makes aluminum-scandium alloys well-suited for the aerospace, automotive and defense industries. Scandium-modified aluminium alloys is highly valued as an important lightweighting material as it is one-third the weight of steel and is 60 % of the weight of titanium alloys.

Qualified Person

The technical content in this press release was reviewed and certified by Pierre Guay, P. Geo., Imperial's VP Exploration, a geologist and Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

ABOUT IMPERIAL MINING GROUP LTD.

Imperial is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focussed on the advancement of its copper-zinc, gold and technology metals properties in Quebec. Imperial is publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange as IPG and is led by an experienced team of mineral exploration and development professionals with a strong track record of mineral deposit discovery in numerous metal commodities.

For further information please contact:

Peter J. Cashin

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +1 (514) 360-0571

Email: info@imperialmgp.com CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume, CEO

Phone: +1 (416) 868-1079 x231

Email: cathy@chfir.com

Website: www.imperialmgp.com ; Twitter: @imperial_mining ; Facebook: Imperial Mining Group

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Companys operations or to its business environment. Such statements are based on the Companys operations, estimates, forecasts, and projections, but are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict or control. Several factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include those set forth in the corporate filings. Although any such forward-looking statements are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, for any reason. We also do not commit in any way to guarantee that we will continue reporting on items or issues that arise. Investors are cautioned that this press release contains quoted historical exploration results. These are derived from filed assessment reports and compiled from governmental databases. The Company and a QP have not independently verified and make no representations as to the accuracy of historical exploration results: these results should not be relied upon. Selected highlight results may not be indicative of average grades.

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.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86489ea3-1762-4d9d-8101-a6c3912b33c4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ad0dab0-c391-424f-bfeb-b42ff4cf5030




Robert Blaydes was a Texan long before he arrived in the Lone Star State.

In his home state of Ohio, he was the No. 1 fan of the Dallas Cowboys and regularly wore cowboy boots and a Western belt.

Thats not really that common in Ohio, said his daughter Debbie Blaydes Hayes.

So when he had the chance to move his family to Texas in 1969 with the Goodyear Blimp operations, he was all in to relocate.

Blaydes was based out of the Spring operation of the Goodyear Blimp for several years starting in 1969. He drove the equipment needed for the Goodyear Blimp as it traveled around the country.

Eventually the Blimp operations returned to Ohio, but the Blaydes and their four children decided to make Montgomery County their home.

Family ties

Robert Blaydes was born in Kentucky in 1935. However, the family moved to Akron, Ohio, when Blaydes uncles took jobs at the Goodyear plant there.

They heard that Goodyear was paying $25 a week, said Blaydes widow Claudia.

Blaydes graduated from high school in Akron. Then he lied about his age to join the Army.

He also worked for a trucking company. One day he was driving by Wingfoot Lake in Akron where the Goodyear Blimps are located. He noticed they were hiring and seeking a truck driver to take the blimp equipment down to Texas.

He came home and asked his wife Claudia if shed like to move to Texas. She agreed. He said Take my picture. So she took his picture with a Polaroid. He went back to the Blimp operations and when he came back he said they were moving to Texas.

Blimp relocates

Tomball resident Irma Hooks, wife of Charles Hooks, convinced Federal Aviation Authority officials to bring the Goodyear airship America to Hooks Airport before it moved to Spring in 1969. The couple was involved in the David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport in Spring.

Though the blimps parent company, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., was headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the Goodyear blimp called the Houston area home for over two decades. From 1969 to 1992, the companys famed blimps flew from a base in Spring.

Texas was an appealing site for two simple reasons: weather and location. A warm Southern climate was far preferable to the Midwests windy, bone-chilling winters. And Houston was centrally located, only a short flight away from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, New Orleans, Little Rock and St. Louis. The blimp spent half the year in Texas and the other half touring the rest of the country.

The Spring base and hangar sat on a wedge of about 40 acres just off Interstate 45, down the street from Spring High School. Five pilots and 16 ground crew members worked out of the base, which also served as a site for constructing new blimps.

The base became a local landmark. Drivers frequently stopped by the side of the road to watch the blimp, sometimes snarling traffic.

Claudia Blaydes remembers people pulling over on the side of I-45 to see the Blimp. In the first days it was there, one woman was killed in a traffic accident that resulted because of the spectators.

Arriving in Texas

Debbie Blaydes Hayes was 10 when the family came to Texas.

She recalled she was learning all of the Ohio history and when she arrived in Texas, classmates like Donnie Buckalew teased her for knowing Ohio history and not Texas history.

The Blaydes children were disappointed to learn Texas students didnt really ride horses to school.

The family first lived in a hotel in Spring, then an apartment in Conroe and a house on Roberson Street in Conroe before purchasing a house in the Sunset Ridge subdivision on north Frazier Street.

One of the perks of him working for Goodyear is the family tagged along on the Blimps trips and Goodyear footed the bill.

They went to Missouri and New Orleans and other state often supporting sporting events.

Claudia Blaydes said it was hard on the men who had families. They traveled about six months of the year and a lot of the travel included weekends.

She said most of the men were single and she didnt approve when they brought their female companions back to the hotel where they were all staying.

They family also got rides in the Blimp which held six people.

Its something that everybody wants to do, but when youre in there, you get a little nervous, Hayes said. Its not like an airplane.

The windows were open, theres no seat belts and theres a constant hum.

Youre just floating, she said.

While the Blimp was a spectacle that drew crowds, it also was a big moving target. When it was on display, it had to be manned 24 hours a day.

People would try to stick pencils in it and a trip from Houston to Dallas could result in as many as seven bullet holes, according to Claudia Blaydes

Debbie Hayes dad told her people would shoot at it when it flew over Pennsylvania. The moonshiners there thought the Blimp was spying on them.

Blaydes time driving for the Goodyear Blimp came to an end after about four years. He had a heart murmur and could no longer work for the operation.

In the early 1990s, the Goodyear company was looking to cut costs, and an easy way to do that was to move operations back to Ohio, near company headquarters.

Claudias sister questioned if the family would return to Ohio, but the answer was no and theyve remained in Montgomery County ever since.

Life after Goodyear

The Blaydes went on to own a hobby shop across from Sunset Ridge in the 1970s and Blaydes also drove a truck and worked at the bowling alley on North Frazier Street.

The family became avid bowlers, bowling most nights of the week.

Blaydes worked the pin return and would often tuck rolled up notes into the finger holes before sending them back to his children. Some gave bowling pointers, others held family jokes.

Today Hayes still has many of these notes which offer sweet memories of family time.

Blaydes passed away at age 76 of cancer in 2011. Claudia Blaydes went on to work for Conservatek Industries, Inc. in Conroe, eventually retiring as foreman for the plant.

She now is active in the community and supports local senior citizens.

Hayes is the owner of Calfee Specialties Promotion Products, her sister Joan works for Montgomery ISD and her brother, Pete owns Lyn-Way Construction. Another sister, Shelly, passed away from cancer in 2017.

They raised their families in Montgomery County as well and they all continue to call Montgomery County home.

shernandez@hcnonline.com
OTTAWAThreats against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal cabinet ministers are on the rise, according to new RCMP data obtained by the Star.

The RCMPs protective policing division logged 130 threats made against Trudeau or members of his cabinet between January and July, up from 100 recorded during the same period in 2019.

If the pace holds, 2020 could see considerably more threats directed at senior federal politicians than the previous election years total of 215.

Daniel Brien, a spokesperson with the national police force, said the RCMP would not discuss the specific nature of those threats or discuss any investigations into them.

But the last two months have presented several examples and political observers are becoming increasingly concerned about the inflammatory discourse on social media leading to more real world incidents.

On Thursday, Ontarios Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Minister Lisa MacLeods spokesperson said in a statement posted to Twitter that she was under police protection.

Following an interview with CFRA on harassment faced by female politicians, I can confirm that Minister MacLeod is once again receiving police protection due to both threatening emails and an unexplained mischievous incident to her personal vehicle in Ottawa, the statement said.

A woman was charged for threatening MacLeod in 2019, as the minister was pursuing controversial changes to Ontarios autism strategy. MacLeod received police protection then as well.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Police Service launched an investigation last week at federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKennas constituency office.

A 90-second video of the incident made the rounds on social media, showing an unidentified man hurling insults and expletives at a McKenna staffer about the minister and Trudeau.

In a statement, McKenna called the incident unacceptable  but not isolated.

My family, staff and I deal with abusive behaviour on a regular basis, McKenna wrote, noting that social media platforms have some responsibility for the vitriol directed at public figures.

These people just want attention. The only attention they should get is from law enforcement.

In July, an armed Canadian Forces reservist was arrested near Rideau Hall with multiple firearms after a black Dodge Ram crashed through a pedestrian gate on the viceregal grounds, where Trudeau and his family live.

The RCMP are now investigating potential national security angles in the incident. Corey Hurren, the 46-year old Manitoban charged in the incident, had a long history of being drawn to conspiracy websites. He also had four guns  two shotguns, a semi-automatic rifle, and a revolver  with him at the time.

CBC News reported last week Hurren had 405 rounds of .308-calibre ammunition for the rifle, an undisclosed number of shotgun shells, plus the rounds loaded into the weapons when he was arrested.

Warnings came last year during testimony at a House of Commons committee looking at the SNC-Lavalin affair, when then clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick said that the political climate and discourse in Canada could lead to someone being shot.

The 40-year veteran of the public service, now retired, has spoken publicly since about what he sees as an increasingly dangerous political discourse in this country.

Its directed, not just at the most prominent people, but at their staff members, at regular constituency MPs, he said during an interview with the Star.

So yes, definitely becoming a more toxic and dangerous environment.

Most concerning for Wernick is the online world  social media, the dark web, and chat boards  where conspiracy theorists roam.

Im not sure that law enforcement is able to really monitor all of that until it becomes really, overtly serious, he said.

He commended MacLeod for speaking up about the issue and noted that women are most often the targets for vitriol and abuse.

Its going to drive people out of public life, eventually, he said.

MPs of all political stripes have noted an increase in the online hatred directed at them in recent years  especially female politicians or people of colour in public life. Much of that harassment occurs online and especially on social media, where extremists and conspiracy theorists peddle their world views.

The RCMPs Protective Policing service is responsible for the security of Trudeau, Governor General Julie Payette, cabinet ministers and Supreme Court and Federal Court judges. But in practice, only Trudeau and Payette have a permanent, 24-7 security detail.

And while the national police force is responsible for cabinet ministers safety, a recent report from VICE cited sources complaining that the RCMPs threat assessment process  which determines if ministers need security details  is opaque and insufficient.
The biggest challenge to Economy Minister Paulo Guedes' plan to reimpose austerity in Brazil next year comes from his own boss, who is pushing for a new and costly social program designed to solidify his support among the poor.

President Jair Bolsonaro wants the initiative called Renda Brasil, or Brazil Income, to replace emergency aid provided by the government during the pandemic, including monthly stipends to informal workers that will expire by the end of the year. While the plan has been under discussion for weeks, it is now becoming clear that it may force the government to abandon a spending cap rule that investors consider as the country's last line of defense against runaway budget gaps.

Guedes is trying to find the billions of dollars needed to launch Renda Brasil by redirecting funds from existing social programs without creating new expenditures -- a strategy that requires congressional approval. If he fails, Bolsonaro and several cabinet members will want him to loosen the purse strings, according to two government officials with knowledge of the matter.

That would force the government to rethink the spending cap, a law approved in 2016 that freezes public expenditures for two decades. While many nations plan to spend their way out of recession, Guedes says Brazil can't afford another year of record fiscal deficit without eroding investor confidence, which could lead to higher financing costs and credit rating downgrades.

But Guedes is becoming isolated in his defense of the spending cap, said the officials, who requested anonymity because they aren't authorized to comment publicly.

Even Bolsonaro's public displays of support for Guedes' fiscal plans have been erratic.

On Wednesday, he pledged to uphold the spending cap in a joint statement with lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre. On the following night, however, Bolsonaro said there was a discussion within the government about breaching the ceiling, describing it as a "healthy fight." Early on Friday, he seemed to backtrack, writing in a social media post that fiscal responsibility and the the spending cap rule continue to guide his government.

Behind the scenes, the minister is increasingly left on his own when it comes to austerity, said Deputy Pedro Paulo, who coordinates a congressional group on minimum income proposals. In an interview, Paulo said he sees a chance the government will bypass the spending cap rule to extend emergency aid until Renda Brasil is ready to be launched.

The economy ministry declined to comment.

Bolsonaro, who assumed power pledging to cut debt, saw how billions of dollars in emergency aid helped support his popularity during the pandemic. His approval rating jumped to the highest level since the start of his term, according to a Datafolha poll published Friday. In particular, he made inroads into impoverished regions such as the country's northeast that had traditionally been a bastion for his leftist political adversaries.

That's prompted market concern that the president may be inclined to abandon austerity ahead of his re-election campaign in 2022.

To be sure, members of Bolsonaro's inner circle including Citizenship Minister Onyx Lorenzoni say there's no connection between the 2022 elections and plans to expand social programs. The government estimates that some 26 million people living in vulnerable conditions would benefit from Renda Brasil, according to Lorenzoni.

"Bolsonaro didn't need these votes to be elected in 2018, but he was always concerned about the most vulnerable and invisible Brazilians who didn't appear in any government register," he said in an interview. "Hunger, misery and unemployment have killed more people in Latin America than any epidemic."

Meanwhile, Brazil's fiscal situation is already deteriorating even ahead of Renda Brasil's launch. The country posted a record budget deficit for the third straight month in June as expenditures more than doubled.

Put together, the risk of breaking the ceiling next year is high, said Felipe Salto, director of the Senate's fiscal studies center, known as IFI. There's space for 75 billion reais in discretionary spending in next year's budget, but policy makers need at least 89.9 billion reais, according to IFI calculations.

"I find it very difficult to be able to create a program of relevant magnitude without breaching the ceiling," Salto said in an interview.
WEST CHESTER-While Sixth Congressional District delegates will not be able to attend in person the Democratic National Convention, which was planned for Milwaukee prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, several are still excited to have a role in history, though it might be virtually.

County Commissioners Chairwoman Marian Moskowitz is happy to share the same vision  and feel part of a greater process.

The commissioner said she will miss meeting people from all over the country but is pleased to be a delegate.

Ill have a small role in the election of the next president, she said.

State Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156th, of West Chester, was excited to see Kamala Harris, chosen by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, as his running mate.

We made history, although we didnt make all the history we had hoped to make, Comitta said.

Comitta attended the 2016 Philadelphia convention and said that she didnt take the typical path of a delegate and was not selected by the voters. At first, she wanted to give somebody else a chance, but then at the urging of party leaders accepted the position.

One convention in person was enough for me, she said. I have too much going on in my district.

Going to a political convention is thrilling and exciting and really an honor.

The Democratic National Convention will run from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Both live and curated content will originate from host city Milwaukee and other locations.

On Thursday, former Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to accept the party nomination, from his home state of Delaware.

Dick Bingham is chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee and said he will miss the party atmosphere and enthusiasm of the crowd.

Its all different this year  Ill be sitting in front of my computer, he said.

Brian McGinnis is former chairman of the Chester County Democratic Committee and attended the 2016 Philadelphia convention as a spectator.

Like Joe Biden, I am from Scranton so its very sentimental for me to be a delegate for his campaign and represent Chester County, McGinnis said. Its unfortunate that I cannot see him and Senator Harris accept their nominations as president and vice president in person due to the current pandemic.

I have already cast my ballot and will be watching from home like everyone else.

Tom Herman is from Morgantown and has attended three conventions.

Trying to put 20,000 people into a Zoom meeting, I cant imagine how difficult that must be, Herman said. This is history were making.

Were excited to be nominating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and change the direction of this country and get this process moving.

History is being made as we speak, even at a virtual convention.
At least 17 fighters were killed on Thursday in fighting between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the northeastern province of al-Jawf, a local military source said, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"A total of 15 rebels and two government soldiers were killed and dozens from both sides were wounded this morning in the battle in the front line of al-Alam," the source told Xinhua by phone on condition of anonymity.

"The government forces seized a number of military vehicles and weapons from the rebels," the source added.

The Houthi group, which controls much of the province, has made no comment.

The area of al-Alam is located a few miles to the east of Houthi-held al-Hazm city in the center of al-Jawf province.

Yemen has been mired in civil war since late 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi group seized much of the country's north and forced the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.
A group of local firefighters and rescue workers from Andalucia returned to Malaga Airport on Monday after flying out to Beirut to help find survivors after the huge explosion there last week. The members of the specialist sniffer-dog rescue charity, GERCCMA, and of the CPB Malaga provincial fire brigade had offered their services to the Lebanese authorities for the crucial hours after a disaster that are still available to reach anybody trapped in rubble.

One of the group, Jair Pereira, said on social media that the men had returned "having given everything".

After delays getting to work while paperwork was sorted out to allow them to enter Lebanon, the men from Malaga, Seville and Granada provinces helped the international rescue operation until last Sunday.

Pereira was grateful for the support the volunteers had received on the ground from local residents in Beirut but regretted that nobody had been found alive by the Spanish team. "Too much energy in the explosion," he explained.

He added that the Lebanese navy had moved them to a military base last Saturday for their safety as anti-government demonstrations grew in the country. After meeting with the Spanish embassy and other international groups, they decided to fly back the next day.

Some 200 people are reported to have died in the blasts caused by stored explosive material in Beirut port last week.

Dog rescue charity

The GERCCMA charity was founded in 2010. It brings together volunteer specialist handlers of dogs experienced in the Arcon method of canine training in order to find people trapped in rubble, missing persons or hidden explosives.

The group's members have been involved in other humanitarian missions to disaster zones around the world. www.facebook.com/GERCCMA.
Anti-vaccine websites, which could play a key role in promoting public hesitancy about a potential COVID vaccine, are far more likely to be found via independent search engines than through an internet giant like Google.

The study, led by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), showed that independent search engines returned between 3 and 16 anti-vaccine websites in the first 30 results, while Google.com returned none.

Lead author Professor Pietro Ghezzi, RM Phillips Chair in Experimental Medicine at BSMS, said the study raises concerns that people who are being exposed to these websites are often people who have turned to alternative search engines because they are worried about use of their personal data by the internet giants.

Vaccine hesitancy was defined by the World Health Organisation as one of the top ten threats to global health last year. Since then we've had the COVID crisis, a recent report showed that (50%) of people in the UK would not take a Coronavirus vaccine if it was available. This is frightening - and this study perhaps gives some indication as to why this is happening." Pietro Ghezzi, Study Lead Author and Professor, RM Phillips Chair Person, Experimental Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

"There are two main messages here. One is to the Internet giants, who are becoming more responsible in terms of avoiding misinformation, but need to build trust with users regarding privacy because of their use of personal data; and the other is to the alternative search engines, who could be responsible for spreading misinformation on vaccines, unless they become better in their role as information gatekeepers."

"This suggests that quality of the information provided, not just privacy, should be regulated."

The study, involving researchers in the UK, Belgium, Italy and Spain, has analysed 840 websites returned by 28 search engines in four languages, and compared the ranking of anti-vaccine websites.

The study also found that some localised version of google (English-UK, Italian and Spanish) also return more anti-vaccine websites than the main, US English, Google.com.
Professor Sutton said he was confident the state had passed the peak of its second wave as health authorities revealed they were unable to identify the source of one in five "mystery cases" in Melbourne. Throughout the pandemic, Professor Sutton has been the face of Victorias public health response and informed key decisions taken by the Andrews government to contain the virus, including this month's introduction of stage four restrictions. Yet, government and emergency management insiders say the decision not to put Professor Sutton into the role of State Controller created a leadership vacuum within an emergency response that, at times, has been hindered by opaque lines of reporting and interdepartmental dysfunction. Professor Sutton says he first learned about problems in hotel quarantine  the source of Victorias deadly and economically destructive second wave of infections  when he read reports of them in newspapers.

The Victorian action plan for influenza pandemics was developed by the states inaugural Emergency Management Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, and Professor Suttons predecessor, former chief health officer Rosemary Lester, and approved in 2015 by Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Chris Eccles. It provides a blueprint for how the state's emergency response nerve centre, the State Control Centre, should operate in a pandemic and sets out the two most senior roles: the EMC and State Controller. "The Chief Health Officer assumes the role of State Controller with authority to activate the Victorian health management plan for pandemic influenza, including the response stage and each of the standby, action and stand-down sub-stages," the plan states. "The Chief Health Officer has overall responsibility for emergency response operations during an influenza pandemic.'' The State Controllers responsibilities include establishing incident control structures, liaising with emergency services and support organisations, briefing and allocating tasks to emergency managers and preparing situation reports.

Loading Under the plan, the State Controller reports to Victorias Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp, who in a health emergency takes on the role of co-ordinator-in-chief. Sources familiar with the influenza pandemic plan say an effective State Controller requires a mix of management, leadership and technical skills and knowledge. In a bushfire, the role would normally be taken by a chief fire officer; in an outbreak of equine flu, it would be filled by a vet. Victorias first State Controller in the COVID-19 pandemic was Jason Helps, a DHHS manager who in late 2019 was a divisional acting director of emergency management and health protections. Mr Helps was replaced by three experienced emergency service professionals; State Emergency Service chief officer Tim Weibusch, former Victoria Police assistant commissioner and current Deputy Emergency Management Commissioner Deborah Abbott and Forest Fire Management Victoria executive director Chris Hardman.

Mr Hardman, a well-regarded firefighter, tweeted his own surprise when he stepped into the role on July 25. "What is a Forest Fire Fighter doing in a public health emergency? nothing different from incredibly diverse workforce from so many agencies and community groups working together." Ms Peake was appointed State Controller at the end of last month. At the same time, the government added Professor Sutton and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton to the regular, state control meetings chaired by Commissioner Crisp. Government sources said that, as the head of the lead agency in a health emergency, Ms Peake was the most senior public official who could be appointed to the role. Professor Sutton, a public servant within DHHS, has reported to Ms Peake throughout the pandemic.

A DHHS spokesperson said the 2015 plan had been "superseded by other plans and developments with emergency management" and was being reviewed. "During a pandemic of this scale it is simply not possible to fulfil both the role of Chief Health Officer and State Controller (Health) at the same time," the spokesperson said. A high rate of attrition in the State Controller job can be partly attributed to the intense demands of the role throughout Victorias protracted COVID crisis. "There has been some people that have played a very important role and worked extremely hard," Mr Andrews said. "Not everybody has got the capacity to continue doing that forever. "I am confident that we have had arrangements in place. They have changed over time and that is a product of the fact that this is a second wave, not the first. This is an entirely different challenge to the one we faced earlier on in the year. Mr Andrews at the start of the pandemic released his governments response plan for the Victorian health sector but, as this plan makes clear, it is not intended to replace or supersede the 2015 plan which sets out the broader, emergency response.
USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Arrives in Naples, Italy, Marking First Stop in U.S. 6th Fleet

US Navy

From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

13 August 2020

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) arrived in port Naples, Italy, for a routine logistics stop, Aug. 13, 2020.

The ship, which is the second of a new class of sea-basing ships, departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on July 27, for its inaugural deployment following its commissioning in March. Its crew consists of a mix of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.

At 784 feet long (230 meters), the ship features a 52,000 square-feet (4,830 square-meter) four-spot flight deck. Further features include a hangar, mission deck, and work and living spaces for hundreds of embarked personnel. Additionally, for the U.S. Navy crew, there is a Blue Crew and a Gold Crew, which will turn over periodically to allow for continuity while the ship remains forward deployed.

"The Hershel 'Woody' Williams, and the entire ESB class, are on the leading edge of naval integration," said Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, "In this complex maritime environment, a ship like this enables options to project power with a persistent presence. The ship is ideal for missions in this theater as it can readily integrate with the Marines and our allies and partners in many of our operations throughout the region at varying levels of complexity."

Black added that ship will be a long-term presence assigned to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) mission set and will support security cooperation missions and operations in and around the African continent.

"The real strength of the Hershel Woody Williams is the flexibility of this naval platform. This versatile Expeditionary Sea Base can support naval aviation, command and control, and deploy Marines and other special operations forces going ashore," added Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary, commander, U.S. Marines Forces Europe and Africa. "As the Marine Corps works toward further integration with the U.S. Navy, ships like the Hershel Woody Williams are an important part of making our combined naval campaigns a reality."

Neary also highlighted the ship's namesake, Marine Corps veteran Hershel "Woody" Williams, known for his heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on Oct. 5, 1945.

"The crew of the USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams has worked hard preparing for this deployment and we're excited to work with our many allies and partners and support operations throughout U.S. 6th Fleet," said Capt. David L. Gray, commanding officer, USS Hershel 'Woody' Williams, Blue Crew. "We're truly thankful to our Italian allies, hosting our first visit and allowing us to pull in under the shadow of Vesuvius in beautiful Naples."

Hershel 'Woody' Williams is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conduct the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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India's third Covid wave likely to peak on Jan 23, daily cases to stay below 4 lakh: IIT Kanpur scientist

COVID-19: Karnataka govt says no to Ganesha idols in public places; Temples to be sanitised

India

oi-Deepika S

Bengaluru, Aug 14: Installation and worship of Ganesha idols in public places cannot be allowed in view of the pandemic, the Karnataka government said advising people to celebrate the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival in their homes on August 22.

In view of the present curbs to tackle the spread of coronavirus and considering public good, putting up statues and public worship of Lord Vinayaka in public places and processions to immerse the idols later, "could not be permitted," said the order issued by Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar.

In fresh order, the government said that temple managements have been advised to take precautionary measures like use of sanitisers, maintain social distancing norms, compulsory wearing of masks and thermal screening, to contain the spread of infection.

The state has warned of strict action against those who are found violating the government directives.

Coronavirus Vaccine: Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma expects phase-I, II trials by end of 2020

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. The festival is celebrated with great fervour and pomp mainly in states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh along with many other parts of India.

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

Ganesh Chaturthi is the day Lord Ganesh is worshipped for wisdom, prosperity, good fortune and wellbeing. On Ganesh Chaturthi day people get Ganesha's idols and install them at home. These days along with ornate idols simple eco-friendly Ganesha idols too are available.

Ganesh is the lord of arts, sciences and is considered as god of wisdom, he is known by 108 names.

Karnataka on Friday witnessed the highest ever single-day spike in novel coronavirus cases after 7,908 more patients confirmed testing positive in the last 24 hours.
East Midlands fine dining restaurant Anoki, has launched a new charitable initiative to provide poverty-stricken areas in Pakistan with clean water. The award-winning Anoki, which has restaurants in Derby, Nottingham and Burton, has launched The Anoki Foundation to raise funds to dig new water wells in Pakistan. Each new water well costs 150 and will provide up to 200 families with access to clean water for drinking, washing, and cooking, as well 
A man in his 90s was left with his hand "covered in blood" after being bitten in a pit bull dog attack in Co Fermanagh last weekend. (Lynne Cameron/PA)

A man in his 90s was left with his hand "covered in blood" after being bitten in a pit bull dog attack in Co Fermanagh last weekend.

The attack occurred along the Derrin Road in Enniskillen at around 7pm on Sunday evening, when the pensioner was bitten on the hand and leg.

A student nurse came across the elderly man, who she described as being "very distressed".

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter, the nurse, who remained anonymous, said that as she approached the man she noticed he was crying, was very distressed and that his right hand was covered in blood.

"I went over to him straight away and he was crying saying, 'Please girls whatever you do, don't go up to the top of Derrin Road because I've just been attacked by a pit bull'," she said.

"The man is deaf and he was walking with a stick and the dog attacked him from behind, he never heard the dog coming.

"He hit the dog three times to chase the dog away and then the owner of the dog and another person seen this happening and pulled the dog away from the elderly man.

"What I didn't like about it was they pulled the dog away but they never actually went to the man to see if he was okay.

"There's a lot of children in the area of Cornagrade and what if that had have been a child?"

The shocked nurse added that as she assisted the man, her sister called an ambulance, before she drove him to his home a short distance away.

"My sister had phoned the ambulance at this stage and I checked the back of his leg because the dog had bitten the back of his right leg as well but it didn't actually draw any blood," she added.

"I drove him round to the house where I spoke to his wife. It turned out that the man had recently had a heart attack and was on blood thinning tablets."

However, the injury to the pensioner's hand was a superficial cut and she was able to stop the bleeding.

"He was taken to A&E in the South West Acute Hospital," the student nurse said.

"He got a tetanus jab but he didn't need to get stitches."

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council added that it was aware of the incident and appealed for anyone with information to contact its Licensing Department.

"Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation and potential implications, no further comment can be made at this time," the council added.
For the first time ever, a senior producer on The Bachelor has revealed what it's really like working behind the scenes of the Channel 10 dating show.

Executive producer Hilary Innes told Media Week that Locky Gilbert's season was a truly unique experience, in no small part because production was interrupted in March due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Innes confirmed that the 10 remaining women were sent home, while host Osher Gunsberg moved into the Bachelor mansion and Locky moved into his 'Bachelor pad' nearby.

Insider: For the first time ever, a senior producer on The Bachelor has revealed what it's really like working behind the scenes of the Channel 10 dating show. Pictured: Locky Gilbert

She explained that producers had to think on their feet to keep the series going.

'There was obviously chemistry happening between some people and Locky and we needed to keep everyone engaged with the process and each other,' Ms Innes said.

Instead of halting production completely, two episodes were filmed while the women were in self-isolation at home.

The dates, cocktail parties and rose ceremonies all continued via Zoom.

Unprecedented: Executive producer Hilary Innes (pictured) told Media Week that Locky Gilbert's season was a truly unique experience, in no small part because production was interrupted in March due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic

Zoom-ing into Locky's heart! Ms Innes confirmed that the 10 remaining women were sent home, while Locky moved into his 'Bachelor pad'. Instead of halting production entirely, two episodes were filmed while the women were in self-isolation at home. Pictured: a Zoom date

'Suddenly you break out of the Bachelor world and go into people's lives and seeing how they do things like making breakfast in their trackie dacks,' she said.

Ms Innes said the lockdown episodes make for 'compelling viewing', adding that fans watching at home will be able to relate because 'we are all going through it'.

Elsewhere in the interview, Ms Innes praised Locky as a good mix of the typical 'tall, dark and handsome alpha male' Bachelor, like Tim Robards and Sam Wood, and 2018 suitor Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins, who was more of an 'Aussie bloke'.

Relatable: Ms Innes said the lockdown episodes make for 'compelling viewing', adding that fans watching at home will be able to relate because 'we are all going through it'

Earlier this month, Locky told TV Week that he was 'devastated' when production shut down in March due to the escalating health crisis.

'It was devastating. I was on a high, making these crazy connections and then it was thought we might be done and we'd all go home,' he said.

But despite his initial misgivings, the former Australian Survivor star said that going into lockdown ended up being a good thing.

The perfect combination: Elsewhere in the interview, Ms Innes praised Locky as a good mix of the typical 'tall, dark and handsome alpha male' Bachelor, like Tim Robards (left), and 2018 suitor Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins (right), who was more of an 'Aussie bloke'

Being forced apart, with only Zoom dates to keep in touch, meant that Locky had no choice but to get to know the women on a personal level, rather than a physical one.

'I was lucky enough to keep in contact with the girls, and have an even better connection with them,' he said.

'We took the physicality out of it and got to know each other on a personal level.'

The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
Police and the Australian military patrol the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia on July 23, 2020. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Victoria Recorded 14 Deaths and 372 More Virus Cases on Aug 14

Australias coronavirus death toll has climbed to 375 as authorities are cautiously optimistic about Victorias infection numbers flattening.

Senior cabinet ministers are reapplying pressure on states to reopen their borders, citing issues with access to healthcare and food supplies.

Authorities are also bracing for the findings of a report into the ill-fated disembarkation of the Ruby Princess cruise ship in Sydney, which has spurred another round of political finger pointing.

Victoria recorded another 14 deaths on Friday and 372 more cases of coronavirus.

The new infections are up from 278 cases recorded on Thursday, but well down on the 451 cases at the same time last week.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said those figures showed a real cause for hope that Victoria was flattening its rate of coronavirus infections.

Hunt said the agonising lockdowns in Victoria were beginning to play a role, along with strengthening contact tracing.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says state border closures have had serious unintended consequences on agricultural supply chains and the wellbeing of regional Australians.

Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham is urging Australians to travel if they can to help the domestic tourism industry, which has taken a $12 billion hit.

He says travel restrictions should be proportionate to the risks of coronavirus across different states, arguing states with low cases should open to others in a similar situation.

The political blame game has also reignited over the Ruby Princess, which is linked to more than 20 coronavirus deaths and hundreds of cases.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton insists NSW Health was responsible for passengers getting off the ship, rather than his department.

There were lessons learnt in relation to the Ruby Princess, he told the Nine Network on Aug 14.

If there are changes that need to be made in the future well, the NSW government, commonwealth government, whoever it is will make those decisions.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews insists his relationship with Prime Minister Scott Morrison is intact after days of tensions over defence force support.

While the state Labor government is under pressure over its bungled hotel quarantine system, the federal coalition is facing serious questions over aged care.

A royal commission has heard a scathing assessment of the lack of preparation throughout the federally regulated aged care system.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly and his predecessor, Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy, will front the Senates coronavirus inquiry on Friday.

Rebecca Gredley, Matt Coughlan in Canberra
LONDON  The United Kingdom has been battered by the coronavirus.

The governments response has been heavily criticized, the human and economic costs have been huge and a "second wave" may be looming.

Of the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19, the U.K. has the highest deaths per capita  more than 70 per 100,000  according to Johns Hopkins University.

But an increasing number of experts believe it doesn't have to be this way.

Scientists are warming to the idea that the U.K. might be able to follow in the footsteps of another island nation, New Zealand, and eliminate community transmission in a matter of months.

New Zealand had gone 102 days without any new infections, before four new infections prompted the city of Auckland to lock down on Wednesday. Prime Minister Jacinda Adern has urged people to stay home and stop the spread.

This "zero-COVID-19 approach" has already been adopted by the governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland, both of which are part of the U.K. but have national governments that set their own health policy.

Image: Ireland (Charles McQuillan / Getty Images file)

And supporters of a zero-COVID-19 approach are now imploring British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has faced criticism for what political opponents and some health experts call a sluggish and lackluster response to the pandemic, to do the same in England.

"It's like peeing in a swimming pool," said Devi Sridhar, professor of global public health at the University of Edinburgh and an adviser to the Scottish government.

"Just because someone is peeing in one side doesn't mean everyone isn't going to get dirty," she said, referring to the idea that a COVID-19-free country or region could still be vulnerable to importing infections from outside if it doesn't impose quarantines and other restrictions.

The current policy in England is to prioritize the reopening of society where possible, while imposing local lockdown measures in areas where the virus flares up. The government likens this to hitting a car's gas or brake pedal depending on the desired speed.

Story continues

Critics worry that this reactive strategy, accepting that the virus will circulate at a certain level, will lock the nation in purgatory, putting businesses in an impossible bind if they are forced to open and close repeatedly.

A zero-COVID-19 approach, on the other hand, would favor immediate caution in the hope of a larger pay-off later. In theory, this would stamp out transmission within the community and then use an aggressive testing regime to find and isolate any imported new cases.

It doesn't aim to just "flatten the curve"  but to crush it.

Lockdown measures would be eased more slowly than they have been in England. And there would be quarantines and restrictions on nonessential travel, not only at external borders but inside the country, too, if domestic hot spots emerge.

These might sound extreme, but such policies have already been imposed in New Zealand. Only citizens and residents are allowed entry  everyone else is barred without a good reason  and even then they must pay $2,000 for the cost of their own 14-day government-enforced isolation. In Australia, the border of the virus-hit state of Victoria has been closed to nonessential travel.

Image: Barcelona (Nacho Doce / Reuters file)

However, New Zealand is far smaller than the U.K. in terms of its economy and population, so if England were to go down this route there would be huge implications for international trade and vacations.

Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London, told NBC News that New Zealand should to be congratulated on its success.

Still, with fewer than 6 million people and very low population density, that level of success would be much harder to achieve in the U.K., with nearly 70 million with a vastly higher population density, he said.

Supporters of the zero-COVID-19 approach say this is a price worth paying given the potential rewards: making the British isles an enclave of isolated but reclaimed normality.

"It's about trade-offs and choices," said Sridhar, who was born and raised in Miami. "I think the New Zealand leadership outlined those really well. They said: You can have your normal life back and go to these big rugby matches. But if you want to leave the country, it's not going to be easy to come back."

Vicky Pryce, board member at the London-based CEBR consultancy and a former U.K. government economic advisor, said the economic impact of isolating England or the United Kingdom would be "disastrous" and may not even work.

"A lot of these restrictions [in New Zealand] are short-term and if you did them here... there has to be faith that the track and trace system works. People probably trust the New Zealand model more than they would trust the system here.

"I don't think they [the British government] can afford to do another lockdown."

Image: Kulturgarten Open Air Festival 2020 (Andreas Rentz / Getty Images file)

Some of these zero-COVID-19 measures have already been put in place in Scotland, where there are an estimated 10-30 daily infections compared with some 4,200 in England.

"Our decisions continue to be informed by our clear strategic objective, which is to seek to eliminate COVID," Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in a speech last week..

Even its advocates say true zero-COVID-19 probably won't happen so long as Scotland's 96-mile border with England remains open and unchecked. That's why Sturgeon and others find it frustrating that the U.K. isn't using its natural island defenses to better effect.

Zero-COVID-19 would be extremely difficult to adopt in a country such as Germany, with its porous borders with nine other nations, Sridhar said. And it's almost unthinkable as a realistic strategy for the United States, with its sprawling patchwork of state and federal bureaucracies.

Despite the challenges, many experts maintain it is realistic for a country to eradicate COVID-19.

"It is indeed possible to be COVID free," said Ian Jones, a professor of virology at the University of Reading in England.

"If infected people are isolated so that they cannot transmit to another, then the virus dies out when the primary case resolves. It doesn't lurk somewhere waiting to jump out, it has gone."

However, he said, this is difficult because asymptomatic cases are not routinely spotted, maintaining a low level of infection in the community.

"The key is widespread testing so you do pick up the mild cases, followed by rapid isolation until the infection has run its course," he said.
A Bergen County police sergeant accused of stealing $10,000 from a resident allegedly broke into the mans safe to steal the money, court records show.

On March 1, Palisades Park Police Sgt. Christopher Sambogna, 50, broke into a borough residents safe and stole $10,000, according to the criminal complaint. Borough police received a complaint from the resident Monday, according to the complaint.

After receiving the complaint, Palisades Park police alerted the prosecutors office confidential investigations unit, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella previously said in a statement. Sambogna was suspended from his position with the 38-member police department.

When reached by phone, Sambognas attorney Emile Lisboa declined to comment other than to claim Sambognas innocence.

He maintains his innocence and we look forward to disputing the case in court, said Lisboa, of Gallantucci and Patuto.

Borough officials did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment.

State records show Sambogna joined the department in 2004 and earned $137,495 as of last year.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, on Friday, described the India-Australia relationship as being founded on 'bharosa' and 'samman', and marked by democracy, cooperation, and 'dosti'.

Ahead of Indias 74th Independence Day, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday used Hindi words to describe the friendship with India as he mentioned that it is founded upon bharosa (trust) and samman (respect) and marked by democracy, defence cooperation, diaspora and dosti (mateship).



The deep friendship between Australia and India is about more than trade and diplomacy. Founded on bharosa (trust) and samman (respect)  it is a friendship with depth, and marked by democracy, defence cooperation, diaspora and dosti (mateship), Prime Minister said while hailing the relations between two nations. As a longstanding friend of India, Australia joins wholeheartedly in its celebration of independence and extends our warm congratulations to the people of India, he added.



We know people are the living bridge between our countries: as students; skilled workers; or joining family, people of Indian heritage have enriched this country. India is now our biggest source of migrants and their presence has contributed to Australia becoming the most

successful multicultural nation on earth.



Also read: No objection to CBI inquiry, says Rhea Chakraborty to SC

Also read: No permanent foes or friends in Politics, Gehlot, Pilot all smiles as they come face-to-face, suspensions of two MLAs revoked

It is because of our shared values, interests and objectives that Prime Minister Modi and I announced the historic elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June this year, Morrison wrote on his message to India.



Our partnership is geared for the common good of our region and the global community, and this will be critical as we work to overcome the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

Also read: Day after photo-op with Pilot, Gehlots trust-vote googly to BJPs no-confidence motion demand
The horrible and devastating COVID-19 has come to our lives without any prior warning. It is undeniable that nearly all aspects of our normal lives have been turned upside down. This has been the most extraordinary year and one that continues to bring all sorts of challenges and anxiety to every one of us. Nonetheless, we do not have a crystal ball to tell us what is going to happen next.



What gets all of us through such hard and tough times is our ingenuity and adaptability in terms of responding quickly and firmly to the ever-evolving situation. There are many occasions when we feel frustrated and helpless. But it is also our strong cohesion demonstrated throughout the epidemic that allows us to find support and strength from one another.

Although we can never change the dynamic and fluctuated environment ahead of us, we can learn to embrace and live with such adversity. It is common for us to feel bitter and discouraged about it or to be inclined to complain about how bad and unfair the situation is. But we should remind ourselves that what we are facing is also the same as what other people in other places need to go through.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 is also simultaneously reminding us of the humanity and synergy that are gradually marginalizing and disappearing in this globalized era that is rife with all sorts of exclusion and division. The lesson here is that regardless of which stance we are taking, we all bear the shared vulnerability to the disease under the common humanity.

As the world enters the new-normal as reiterated by many health experts and government officials, it is time for us to reorient our focus on how to possess the courage and determination to move forward. Admittedly, it is uneasy for us not to intensify the problems and challenges we are facing. But our mind and attitude always shape the way we look at the fragile world.

First, highlight the continuous process rather than the static outcome. Recall how determined and cooperative we are. For example, we all wear face masks and avoid dining out most of the time. All these have effectively contained the spread of the disease in the last two waves. Despite the potential of sudden emergence of more worrying waves of COVID-19, we are all coming up with our own innovative strategies and supporting one another to contain the disease.

Then, celebrate our small success but not exaggerate the limitations. Although the figures are still generally high, we can begin to see a slowdown in the rise of infection statistics in recent days. For instance, daily infections fell below 100 for a few consecutive days, which is certainly a good sign of our concerted effort. We can also see more people becoming self-disciplined in maintaining personal hygiene and social distancing. Regardless of how stringent government policies are, the effectiveness of all these wide ranges of policies can never be observed if the general public is not following them strictly and carefully.

Most importantly, stay positive and optimistic all the time. No one can deny that the disease is daunting, but there must be a definite end to it. We should continue with our endeavors. It is reported that some medical experts are sent from the Chinese mainland to help assist with massive testing and set up more temporary quarantine and treatment facilities. Meanwhile, some vaccines prepared by local universities are now at the stage of clinical trials. The combined effort of everyone is crucial in such a turbulent time.

We are now situated in an angry and sorrowful community where so many of us are wounded physically and psychologically. Meanwhile, many rumors and distrust are perpetuating all of the time. Some acts of kindness seem to be missing across the community. But it is also small and random acts, such as a smile or a few lines of encouragement, that can induce a chain reaction of other kind acts and shape a better community. All these can be at any time, at any place, or even in any form that people want.

This is also another time to be thankful to all devoted frontline healthcare professionals who are risking their lives to safeguard public health, not to mention that they are also representing many families like all of us. Their selfless sacrifice deserves the highest recognition and respect from all of us. We should also be grateful to many workers who are still staying firmly in their positions and upholding their responsibilities in this challenging time to ensure our society keeps operating as much as possible.

Due to social distancing measures, many of us have been working and staying at home most of the time. This is perhaps unbelievable at first when many people with a modern lifestyle need to slow down. But this is also a precious opportunity to think carefully about our commitments and priorities. Some time and space for deep reflection and assimilation seem to be luxurious in this era. No one will doubt that the world has entered a new normal after the COVID-19 outbreak.



These days, through shared content across various social media platforms, one can learn that some people are seizing the opportunity to try something new and unique to gear themselves up further for the future. Some people are picking up an entirely new hobby. Some people are adjusting their daily routines in accordance with the changing environment. Some are even generating new innovations to cope with the uncertainties ahead. Crisis always contains the seeds of opportunity. Without the COVID-19 epidemic, many innovations would never have emerged.

As many of us had been staying in communities of comfort and plenty before the COVID-19 outbreak, we seem to forget how precious it is to lead a normal day, such as hanging out with a large crowd of friends or chatting without wearing a face mask. There are certainly many people around the world, especially the vulnerable and underprivileged, who struggle with many adversities in their lives, not to mention further clashes brought on by the virus. As part of the larger global village, we should always try our best to contribute.

Every learning opportunity, be it big or small, presented to us throughout the COVID-19 epidemic certainly helps shape our character, strengthen our confidence and build our capacity to overcome future obstacles and struggles. These are difficult times, but they are certainly manageable. If all of us continue our devotion and hard work, the situation will definitely improve quickly. One day, when we look back on this, we will deeply appreciate the trust and support we received from one another.

Mathew Wong is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the Education University of Hong Kong.

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.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. The European Parliaments second-largest political group has today called for Azerbaijan to be immediately expelled from the Eastern Partnership . The call came as part of a statement published ahead of an emergency meeting of the EUs Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the on-going situation in Belarus, ARMENPRESS was informed from Brussels-based NGO ''European Friends of Armenia''.

Labelling the elections a sham, the statement strongly condemned the subsequent violent crackdown against protestors and honoured their bravery. Drawing parallels between the flawed elections in Belarus this month and Azerbaijan six months ago, Vice President of the Socialists and Democrats, Kati Piri MEP said:

We cannot be in partnership with countries where we witness the violent repression of political opposition and civil society. Dictators are the enemies of free societies. Both Belarus and Azerbaijan should be immediately expelled from the Eastern Partnership Programme.

This statement comes just ten days after the same group called for sanctions to be imposed upon leading members of the Azerbaijan government in response to increasing levels of human rights abuses in the country.

Speaking from Brussels on behalf of the European Friends of Armenia, William Lavender said: Democracy, the rule of law, and human rights are the foundations upon which the Eastern Partnership is built. Too often we see some in the European Parliament willing to overlook these principles for the sake of other interests. Sadly to say, those interests are often at the expense of Armenia. Im pleased to see that at least one group in the European Parliament is taking these principles seriously and I hope that we will soon see other groups support this honourable position.

EuFoA is Brussels-based NGO seeking to build bridges between Armenia and the European Union. EuFoA does not influence and/or impact the topics of interest selected by the journalists, nor the content of the material produced, the articles and stories published in the news headlines and media outlets they represent or work with. The organisation is interested in objective and transparent coverage of the situation in the region.
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against Todd Ritter, who is accused of committing multiple felonies while employed as the Grand Traverse County Jail administrator.

Ritter, 48, of Lake Ann, was put on administrative leave by the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office in April 2019 after reports of his unprofessional conduct began surfacing.

Michigan State Police led the investigation into the allegations following an internal review by the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Office in May 2019. The Attorney General agreed in early April 2020 to review the case after a petition was submitted by the Grand Traverse County prosecutor, who requested the review to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Ritter is charged with:

 Embezzlement by a public official over $50, a 10-year felony;

 Larceny in a building, a five-year felony;

 Second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony;

 Common law offenses  misconduct in office, a five-year felony; and

 Willful neglect of duty, a one-year misdemeanor.

The laws of this state and country do not offer special exemptions for those in positions of power, Nessel said. It is my duty to enforce our laws and hold accountable anyone who fails to comply with those rules, regardless of the authority provided to them by their job title.

Ritter is expected to be arraigned on the charges at 1 p.m. Friday before Magistrate Tammi Rogers in 86th District Court. Future court dates have not yet been scheduled.
Residents in a Liverpool neighbourhood have been told a coronavirus outbreak has been contained by a locally led boots-on-the-ground approach.

The action plan was set up in the Princes Park area from 31 July after the ward recorded half of the increase in confirmed cases across the city the previous week.

Community volunteers went door-to-door to raise awareness of testing availability and to promote key public health messages, while a pop-up walk-in test centre was set up.

Other measures put restrictions on house-to-house visits, suspended planned public gatherings and events in the area and saw community buildings remain shut.

A total of 14 cases were confirmed from 20-27 July, rising to 18 the following week, but in the week up to 11 August, the number of confirmed cases fell to just five.

Letters have now been sent to local households to confirm that overnight socially distanced stays and visits to one other home are to be allowed from Saturday.

Community buildings can reopen and outdoor gatherings take place, provided a risk assessment is done, while outdoor meet-ups with care home residents can resume.

Matt Ashton, director of public health for Liverpool, said: What we achieved in Princes Park has shown the value of local teams being able to take quick action and making the best use of the local knowledge that they have.

Everyone can certainly feel proud of what has been achieved and knowing that this approach works gives us confidence but it will not allow us to be complacent.

We contained an outbreak but the virus has not gone away.

My team continue to monitor the numbers of confirmed cases but will still need everyones help to make sure that those levels remain low.

Similar schemes have been run in other areas  including Blackburn and Rotherham  where specific neighbourhoods have seen a sudden surge in cases.

Toasting the Liverpool action, the citys mayor Joe Anderson said: We took a decision to move quickly in Princes Park and that decision has proved to be the right one.

Council teams and volunteers literally put in the hard yards to help contain the outbreak and this has ultimately saved lives  not only in Princes Park but also in the wider city.

My thanks go to them as well as the other community and faith leaders who have worked so hard to keep people safe, and also the residents who have engaged with the action we have taken and turned the outbreak around.
Home minister Amit Shah on Friday has tested negative for novel coronavirus Covid-19. He shared his health update on Twitter and expressed his gratitude towards all well-wishers and corona warriors.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that he has tested negative for COVID-19 and he will stay in home isolation for a few more days on the advice of doctors. Shah was tested positive for coronavirus on August 2 and was under treatment in Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. The minister in a tweet thanked all those who wished for his recovery.

Today my corona test report has come negative. I thank God and at the moment I express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have blessed me and my family by wishing me well. Will stay in home isolation for a few more days on the advice of doctors, he said.

I also thank all the doctors and paramedical staff of Medanta Hospital who helped me in fighting Corona infection and who are treating me, he added.

Also Read: Indian ambassador meets Chinese Major General Ci Guowei, talks tough on eastern Ladakh

Also Read: Pranab Mukherjees health has not worsened: Sharmistha Mukherjee

Union Ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP president JP Nadda had earlier wished for the speedy recovery of Amit Shah. Singh said that Shah will definitely win over this big challenge of coronavirus. Amitji, your perseverance and willpower has been an example for every challenge. I believe you will definitely win over this big challenge of coronavirus. I pray to God for your speedy recovery, Singh tweeted.

Nadda tweeted: Got the news of Honorable Home Minister Amit Shah infected with the coronavirus. I pray to God for his speedy recovery. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also tweeted: Amit Shah! It is a prayer to God that you will soon be healthy and start serving the country with the same energy again.

Also Read: Covid cases rise unabated: 64,000 cases reported in 24-hrs
Britain on Thursday said it will reimpose quarantine for travellers from France and the Netherlands, prompting Paris to quickly announce a "reciprocal measure".

The UK government declared the change, which will likely spark a mass exodus among the estimated half a million British holidaymakers currently in France, after a rise in coronavirus cases there.

"Data shows we need to remove France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba from our list of coronavirus Travel Corridors to keep infection rates DOWN," transport minister Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter.

"If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days."

French junior minister for European affairs Clement Beaune said that it was "a British decision we regret and which will lead to a reciprocal measure".

France "hoped for a return to normal as soon as possible," Beaune said on Twitter.

On Thursday France recorded 2,669 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily number since May.

Britain had initially imposed a blanket quarantine on all visitors arriving in the country, but later carved out "travel corridors", which exempted travellers arriving from certain countries from having to self-isolate.

But it reintroduced the quarantine for travellers arriving from Spain in late July, catching airlines by surprise -- as well as thousands of Britons leaving for their holidays.

Britain reimposed quarantine for travellers from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas last week.

With more than 41,000 deaths caused by the Covid-19 disease, Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been criticised over his handling of the crisis.

His government also announced on Thursday that casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England after being shut during the lockdown, but that those not wearing masks face harsher fines.

Story continues

Complacency warning

Skating rinks will also be allowed to reopen, and pilot schemes of larger crowds at sporting events will be introduced following a two-week delay to the initial plans caused by a spike in cases.

"A number of remaining aspects of England's culture, sport, leisure and business sectors will be permitted to reopen from this weekend," said the statement from Johnson's Downing Street office.

"Two weeks ago the Office for National Statistics had expressed concerns about a slight increase in the number of people in England testing positive. The situation now appears to have levelled off," it added.

Indoor theatres, music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences.

The piloting of crowd-attended sporting events will commence with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre on August 15 and 16.

"We are able to announce some further changes which will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed," Johnson said.

"However, as I have always said, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required," he warned.

Despite the easing of lockdown measures, the government also announced that the fine for those who "repeatedly flout face covering rules" will be doubled to a maximum of 3,200 ($4,200).

New fines will also be introduced for "people hosting raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people".

"Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus, but we must remain focused and we cannot be complacent," Johnson said.

The loosening of lockdown rules will not apply to local hotspots that have seen more stringent measures applied to prevent community spread.

Although the Office for National Statistics said the "situation had levelled off", more than 1,000 people a day are still testing positive for the virus.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
Technavio has been monitoring the automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market and it is poised to grow by 15.05 million units during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200814005029/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

Frequently Asked Questions-

At what rate is the market projected to grow during the forecast period 2020-2024?

Growing at a CAGR of over 6%, the market growth will accelerate in the forecast period.

What is the key factor driving the market?

Growing sales of electronic fuel injected vehicles is one of the key factors driving the market growth.

Who are the top players in the market?

Continental AG, Delphi Technologies Plc, DENSO Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Keihin Corp., MAHLE GmbH, Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, and Stanadyne LLC are some of the major market participants.

Which region is expected to hold the highest market share?

APAC

What is the year-over-year growth rate of the global market?

The year-over-year growth rate for 2020 is estimated at 1.24%.

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Continental AG, Delphi Technologies Plc, DENSO Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Keihin Corp., MAHLE GmbH, Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, and Stanadyne LLC are some of the major market participants. The growing sales of electronic fuel injected vehicles will offer immense growth opportunities. To make most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market is segmented as below:

Application Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles

Geography APAC North America Europe South America MEA



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43683

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market report covers the following areas:

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market size

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market trends

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market analysis

This study identifies the development of turbulent jet injection (TJI) systems as one of the prime reasons driving the automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market growth during the next few years.

Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market, including some of the vendors such as Continental AG, Delphi Technologies Plc, DENSO Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Keihin Corp., MAHLE GmbH, Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, and Stanadyne LLC. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Automotive Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Systems Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of automotive gasoline direct injection (GDI) systems market vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Industry innovations

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019-2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Application

Market segments

Comparison by Application

Passenger cars Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Commercial vehicles Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by Application

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Volume Drivers Demand led growth

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Continental AG

Delphi Technologies Plc

DENSO Corp.

Hitachi Ltd.

Keihin Corp.

MAHLE GmbH

Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd.

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

Robert Bosch GmbH

Stanadyne LLC

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Tehran calls the move an act of strategic stupidity from Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv that will strengthen the resistance.

Iran has condemned a deal establishing full diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, calling it a stab in the back to all Muslims.

Tehran, in the foreign ministry statement on Friday, called the normalising of ties between the two countries a dangerous, shameful measure and warned the UAE against Israel interfering in the political equations of the Gulf region.

The UAE government and other accompanying governments must accept responsibility for all the consequences of this action, the statement said.

The move was an act of strategic stupidity from Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv that will undoubtedly strengthen the resistance axis in the region, it added.

The oppressed people of Palestine and all the free nations of the world will never forgive the normalising of relations with the criminal Israeli occupation regime and the complicity in its crimes.





Daggar in the back

In a deal brokered by the US, the UAE and Israel announced on Thursday they agreed to establish full diplomatic ties and Israel will delay plans for annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

The agreement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state  and the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan  to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. They announced it in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.

The ministry statement called the deal a dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims.

The agreement delivered a key foreign policy victory for US President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election and reflected a changing Middle East, in which shared concerns about Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

The deal amounts to treason and should be reversed, said Hossein Amirabdollahian, an adviser to Irans parliament speaker.

UAEs new approach for normalising ties w/fake, criminal #Israel doesnt maintain peace & security but serves ongoing Zionists crimes, he tweeted on Friday.

Irans former chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei, said on Twitter the UAE has been making itself the paradise of Israel for the last 10 years.

No Muslim zealous warriors and no Arabs betray Palestine, only nerveless stabs from behind, he said.

Rezaei accused the UAE of working with Israels spy agency Mossad to create espionage and intelligence networks in the region.

UAE officials said they hope the newly signed deal will change the dynamics towards Israels annexation of Palestinian lands but stressed it will be a long process.

I dont think anything is written in stone, said UAE official Omar Ghobash. Even treaties and agreements written into the law dont necessarily stand the test of time, again we are opening a door, we are hoping that the Israelis will see the benefits to this step and the many other steps that could follow from regional countries.





Glass palaces

In a veiled reference to its main regional rival and Emirati ally Saudi Arabia, Irans foreign ministry slammed rulers who harm the people of Palestine and Yemen from their glass palaces.

The agreement comes after Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held rare talks with his Emirati counterpart last week, raising hopes for a mending of their ties.

The UAE had downgraded its relations with Iran in January 2016 amid a spike in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic.

Relations between Tehran and Riyadh deteriorated further last year following a series of mysterious attacks on tankers in sensitive Gulf waters, which Washington blamed on Iran. Tehran denied the charges.

Saudi Arabia and Iran, the regions two leading powers, back opposing sides in several conflicts, including in Syria and Yemen.

Game-changer?

Establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and Washingtons Middle East allies, including the oil-rich Gulf states, has been central to US President Donald Trumps regional strategy to contain Iran.

Ellie Geranmayeh, analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, argued on Twitter the normalisation is unlikely to be a game-changer for Iran.

She noted the Islamic Republic has long worked the assumption that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel have been covertly cooperating against it for years.





The spokesman for Irans Guardian Council, Abbas Ali Kadkhodaee, tweeted the move meant Israel was occupying the UAE.

In an editorial published on Friday, Irans state news agency IRNA dismissed the agreement as neither strategic nor historic  simply a manoeuvre by Trump to boost his re-election hopes.

This measure by Trumps team is neither a step to solve regional problems and support the UAE, nor does it help Palestinians or Netanyahu, it said.

Saying many of Irans Arab neighbours already have ties with Israel, it noted the agreement will not have much impact aside from infamy for regional states and domestic use for Trump.
The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices  both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.
Pig farmers have expressed concerns that any further Covid-19 outbreaks could impact on worker health and safety, and possibly disrupt pig processing, after the unscheduled closures of two factories in Offaly and Kildare which are major customers for Irish hams from primary processors.

The very nature of pig farming is that output is continuous and disruption in processing capacity will cause many difficulties to the entire supply chain, especially at farm level, said an IFA spokesperson.
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(Natural News) Tuesday afternoon, Joe Biden officially announced his running mate for his 2020 Presidential campaign  naming Kamala Harris his vice president. Although not the worst choice, seeing as how Stacey Abrams and Susan Rice were rumored contenders for the spot, Harris certainly no longer has that new car shine that Obama did in 2008.

(Article by Duane Norman republished from TheBurningPlatform.com)

In fact, one must wonder why Biden decided on Harris  amidst widespread calls from the left to defund the police  with Harris record of backing the blue. This is especially pertinent considering the sheer number of Settle for Biden voters who are essentially voting for the VP given Bidens mental acuity (or lack thereof):

The fact that this is a real Instagram page is a contender for the best part of 2020 pic.twitter.com/lYTXuTOwM2  Lone Conservative (@LoConservative) August 9, 2020

This is a major problem considering Harriss political career. As Attorney General of California, Harris fought against the release of a man who had been acquitted and had his conviction overturned. Daniel Larsen, who spent 13 years in prison for possession of a concealed knife, had not produced evidence of his innocence in a timely enough fashion.

Also as Attorney General, Harris challenged a ruling ordering California to release some of its prisoners after the Supreme Court decided that the states overcrowded prisons was cruel and unusual punishment. As District Attorney of San Francisco, Harris oversaw the citys corrupt crime lab, where a judge ultimately ruled that the D.A.s office ignored calls to take responsibility for the labs mismanaging and hid information about a technician who had been stealing cocaine.

Of note, Harris didnt endorse prison sentencing reform which was a measure on ballots in both 2012 and 2014.

In 2014, a federal judge in California ruled that the states application of the death penalty was unconstitutional  with Harris fighting against that ruling as well. For her first run for Attorney General in 2010, one law enforcement group endorsed her with the rest upset that she had not sought the death penalty for an alleged cop killer. By 2014, almost 50 police groups endorsed her re-election campaign. Harris record also shows she is an advocate of the war on drugs and has opposed efforts to legalize marijuana. As Attorney General, she suggested expansions of the states efforts to track prescription drug users.

Harris has even defended  and laughed at  her choice to lock up the parents of children who were more than 3 days truant from school in California.

Kamala Harris at an event hosted by the Commonwealth Club in 2010, explaining her decision as San Francisco DA to get tough on truancy. Critics of truancy crackdowns say such efforts unfairly target poor parents and children without actually helping students. pic.twitter.com/GKkDpayxuv  Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) January 28, 2019

In a 2009 op-ed, Harris boasted about the lower level of truancy rates she achieved through her authoritarian practices. Eileen DeNino, a mother in Pennsylvania, died in jail after been imprisoned for not paying fines for her childrens absences. According to a lawsuit filed by her family, they allege jail staff knew DeNino had uncontrolled high blood pressure but denied her access to medication. This policy not only championed, but created, by Harris has seen the death of a mother; the very embodiment of the little guy Biden posits Kamala will help fight for as VP.

Not to mention, previous reporting by FMShooter has also pointed out Harris spotty record.

In January of 2019:

Most recently, Democrat Kamala Harris also announced her run for President in 2020  but its exceedingly obvious where Harris funding is coming from

WarnerMedia, Alphabet Inc, and 21st Century Fox all gave hand-over-fist to Harris up to 2018 to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Notably, WarnerMedia owns CNN; Alphabet owns Google and Youtube; 21st Century Fox owns Fox News and its subsidiaries  the Establishment media has been funding and seemingly prepping for Harris 2020 run.

A month later, in February of 2019:

With Kamala Harris making her 2020 Presidential candidacy official, and the mainstream media doing their absolute best to paint her in the most favorable possible light, she has quickly become the front-runner in a very crowded field of Democrat candidates The DNC has already demonstrated that they will rig the primary for whoever they think has the best shot at winning Harriss very questionable political history includes using an extramarital affair to launch her career, as well as her near-constant funding by the same big tech and media conglomerates she claims she will regulate As previously covered by FMShooter, the states that will decide the 2020 election are Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania Florida is by far the most pivotal of these states  the 2018 Senate/Gubernational elections in the state were won by 32,000/10,000 votes respectively Florida is routinely referred to as the gunshine state due to the large contingent of pro-gun voters living there. Harris has a lengthy political (and prosecutorial) career where she peddled an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, ERPOs, and a number of other anti-gun positions that are not conducive to a winning platform in Florida Her gun control platform is equally unpopular in rust belt states She just doesnt offer a decisive pathway to victory in key swing states.

The vast majority of voters have already made up their mind for who they will cast their vote for in November. In states where gun advocacy is staunchest  such as Florida and Ohio  Harris will only hurt Biden. In Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, she likely wont be of any benefit on the ticket either.

The 2020 election will come down to 1) turnout, and 2) swing voters in swing states. When it comes to turnout  who is really excited to go vote for a Biden/Harris ballot, especially during the coronavirus pandemic? As for swing voters in swing states, what could Harris possibly do to sway the opinions of the small number of voters in swing states still undecided between Trump and Biden?

Given Kamala Harriss political record, it is far more likely that her presence will ultimately do more harm than good  which may very well be the difference in a potentially tight 2020 presidential election.

Read more at: TheBurningPlatform.com
By Rami Ayyub

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Angry Palestinians in Jerusalem accused the United Arab Emirates of collaborating with Israel and endangering Al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third-holiest site - as they gathered for Friday prayers the day after the Gulf state's deal with Israel.

Under an agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel and the UAE announced on Thursday that they will normalise diplomatic ties, brought together by a confluence of interests against Iran.

The deal also envisions giving Muslims greater access to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque by allowing them to directly fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

This was greeted with dismay by Palestinian worshippers filing into the tree-lined hilltop compound in Jerusalem's walled Old City known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

"Our brothers in the Emirates put our blessed mosque in the grip of death," said Kamal Attoun, 60, an East Jerusalem Palestinian and Old City merchant.

Asked if he would welcome Muslims from the Emirates or the Gulf under such circumstances, Attoun said: "You've seen how collaborators from Saudi Arabia have been received in the past. The same fate awaits the Emiratis."

He was referring to a pro-Israel Saudi internet influencer who was reportedly taunted as he walked through the Old City compound last year.

Palestinians have long sought East Jerusalem, where the Old City is located, as capital of a future state and have looked to Arab nations to defend that stance. If they normalise ties with Israel, Palestinians fear losing any chance of future sovereignty in the city and guaranteed access to Al Aqsa mosque.

Mohammad al-Sharif, 45, a member of Israel's Arab minority, said he would not hold it against ordinary Muslims from the Gulf "because their rulers made a mistake".

But he was scathing about their leaders.

"Collaboration with the UAE is worse, a hundred times worse than collaborating with Israel. That Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and his dirty dogs look out for themselves and their interests and the rest of us can go to hell," he said, referring to Abu Dhabi's crown prince.

Story continues

The top Islamic official in Jerusalem, Sheikh Abdul-Azim Salhab of the Islamic Waqf, told Reuters he does "not accept the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque to be the subject of political bickering. It is higher than this tug-of-war."

Condemnation also came from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose spokesman on Thursday read out a statement from the leadership on Palestinian television calling the deal a "betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa and the Palestinian cause".

Palestinians across Gaza and the occupied West Bank rallied on Friday against the deal. Protesters in the city of Nablus burned effigies of Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

ISRAELIS DELIGHTED

Meanwhile, Israel embraced the deal, with the country's biggest-selling daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, calling it a "bold breakthrough".

Some analysts said Netanyahu risked angering his supporters by walking back pledges to annex land in the West Bank - territory sought by Palestinians for a state - so as to do a deal with an Arab Gulf country.

"He gained a few points with the centre-left, which loves agreements with Arabs, but he lost many more points with his base of right-wing voters," wrote Ben Caspit in Maariv.

Netanyahu, dogged by an ongoing corruption trial and criticised for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has hailed the agreement as a personal success in integrating Israel in the Middle East.

On his Arabic-language Twitter account he credited Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad with helping to clinch the deal.

Under spy chief Yossi Cohen, Netanyahu said, the Mossad helped develop Israel's relations with the Gulf and "ripen the peace agreement with the Emirates".

(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by Stephen Farrell and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
In a big relief to thousands of people, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the registration of BS-IV vehicles, which were purchased till March 31 but could not be registered due to the nationwide lockdown before the March 31 deadline.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that all registrations on e-portal, including temporary registrations, are allowed. However, the relaxation won't be applicable to Delhi-NCR.

"We cannot be allowing registration of vehicles in Delhi-NCR. This is not applicable to Delhi NCR," noted the top court.

The top court noted that there were certain vehicles, details of which were not uploaded on the VAHAN e-services portal for registration of vehicles, and these sales were made despite the court's orders that no registration would take place for sales post March 31.

The top court also disallowed the registration of some vehicles which were sold by the dealers during the lockdown period.

Senior advocate K.V. Viswanathan, appearing for the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), submitted before the court, "We will comply with whatever the court says. But I urge you to dispel any thoughts that there was any wrongdoing or misuse of the lockdown period."

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, contended before the bench that details of 39,000 vehicles were not uploaded.

"Other than that, the rest has been traced and the details are available on the e-VAHAN portal," she added.

The top court did not allow the registration of the 39,000 vehicles, which were not uploaded on E-VAHAN.

On July 31, the Supreme Court had ordered that no BS-IV vehicles will be registered with the authorities concerned till it decides the matter connected with the sale of vehicles during the nationwide lockdown period.

After the apex court order, hundreds of BS-IV vehicles could not be registered, as it restrained transport authorities across the country from completing the process.

The top court had noted that many vehicles appeared to have been sold during the lockdown, flouting its order of just 10 per cent sale of inventory.

On July 8, the SC had recalled its March 27 order, in which it had allowed the sale of BS-IV compliant vehicles for 10 days, barring in Delhi-NCR, after the lifting of the nationwide lockdown.
N95 valve respirator masks

The use of N-95 masks with valved respirators was banned by the Indore administration on August 13.

All N95-valved masks, or any other mask with valves, have been banned with immediate effect. Any person seen wearing these in public will be fined Rs 100, The Times of India reported.

Collector and District Magistrate Manish Singh issued the order and informed that it will not apply to health workers and medical staff.

Authorised officials of the Municipal Corporation of Indore and Panchayat officials in rural areas have been appointed to ensure strict implementation of the decree and slap spot fines on violators.

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



Notably, the ban on masks with valved respirators is in line with the Centre's notification cautioning states and Union Territories about the shortcomings of such face masks.



Rajiv Garg, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health, said on July 20: The use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask.

Valved respirator masks with gaskets are effective in protecting the wearer from pathogens suspended in the air, but do not prevent the virus from spreading from an infected person wearing it to his or her immediate surroundings.

Follow our coverage of the coronavirus crisis here
US Secretary of State on Friday called for the world to unite around a long-shot American bid to indefinitely extend a United Nations arms embargo on Iran.

As members of the UN Security Council voted remotely on a US resolution to prolong the embargo that is widely expected to fail, Pompeo said it was nuts to allow Iran to buy and sell weapons at will.

Pompeo spoke well before an announcement of the results of the vote, which many diplomats believe will end in an embarrassing defeat for the Trump administration.

We ask nations to urge the UN Security Council to renew the arms embargo on Iran, Pompeo said in Vienna, where he met with the UN nuclear watchdog's head, Rafael Grossi, and with senior Austrian officials.

"We can't allow the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism to buy and sell weapons. I mean, that's just nuts.

The anticipated defeat of the resolution in New York likely would set the stage for a showdown between world powers over whether all sanctions lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal can or should be reimposed.

We're urging the whole world to join us. This isn't about the JCPOA, Pompeo said, using the acronym for the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Whatever the result of the vote, the Vienna-based Atomic Energy Agency that Grossi heads will continue to play a major role in the future of the nuclear deal, and Pompeo called for all nations to show support for IAEA Director General Grossi's critical mission to ensure that all countries comply with their nuclear safeguard requirements.

That mission is all the more important given the Islamic Republic of Iran's failure to address the IAEA's questions about its nuclear activities, Pompeo said.

The international community must speak with a single voice: Iran must provide full, transparent and immediate cooperation with the IAEA. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Grossi said Iran had still not granted his agency access to certain sites. I requested Iran to grant us access, he said.

This hasn't happened yet, but we are working, we're working on that. My objective is to get this access to continue the verification work, which is essential for the international community.

The US resolution to indefinitely extend the Iran arms embargo, which is due to expire in October under the terms of the nuclear deal that President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018, is widely expected to fail due to European resistance and strong opposition from veto-wielding council members Russia and China.

The council began voting on Thursday evening by email because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and results are expected to be announced Friday evening.

It is likely the resolution will not get the minimum nine yes votes in the 15-member Security Council for Russia and China to use their vetoes.

American officials, including Pompeo, have said failure to extend the embargo will likely be met by the US invoking the so-called snapback procedure that would reimpose all UN sanctions lifted by the nuclear deal.

The other participants maintain the US no longer has standing to invoke the snapback since it withdrew from the deal, but Washington argues that it retains that right as an original participant and permanent member of the Security Council, which endorsed the deal.

Pompeo would not be drawn on whether the US would immediately try to invoke the snapback if the resolution fails. We hope that we'll be successful. When we see the results of that we'll make the decision about how to move forward, he said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Each week, they mailed care packages to Singapore filled with toys and clothes they had ordered online or any Frozen merchandise they could find at CVS or Duane Reade. The packages were directed at Ainsley, described by her parents as a precocious girl whose emotions alternated between anger toward them, fear that they would die and sadness over not being near them. The childs swings could make video-chats painful, Yang said.

One time, we sent her a package, and she asked, When is it going to get here? Yang said. I accidentally went, The package is on an airplane and soon the mailman will deliver it to your house. She immediately replied, This is not my house! This is Auntie Heathers house!

That was it. Ainsleys response pushed the couple toward a breaking point. While Weir covered a shift for someone at the hospital on Mothers Day, Yang sat on their couch for much of the day and scrolled through pictures of the girls, fantasizing about holding a sleeping Adeline, the warmth of her head on her shoulder.

The simple act of walking in his front door became painful for Weir. Before the pandemic, Ainsley would welcome his return by opening it for him. Being outdoors tormented them, too. As the weather got warmer, Weir said he noticed people with children everywhere he went, making the void in his life bigger. Hearing babies cry in public gave Yang a twist in my heart.

Singapores borders remained closed, and its government wasnt helping. After Yang and Weir were denied visas, they learned the city-state would allow transit travelers beginning in June, but only from New Zealand and Australia. The couple launched a full-court press, appealing their denied visa applications and contacting the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

We went around and around, Weir said. Someone at the Aviation Authority was like, Try calling Immigration. Wed wake up in the middle of the night and call Singapore Immigration and theyd say, Call the Ministry of Health. Wed call the Ministry of Health and theyd say, Call the Aviation Authority.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Longtime congressman and former Cleveland mayor Dennis Kucinich acknowledged again Friday hes contemplating a run for Clevelands top office.

Cleveland.com asked Kucinich about a possible candidacy after he released a statement calling for Cleveland Public Power to cut rates it charges Clevelanders for electricity while maintaining budget surpluses.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Cultural Component of Indian Nationalism: The Study of Odia Nationalism | (...)

by Kamalakanta Roul and Bimal Kumar Raul

Introduction: New Idioms of Indian Nationalism

The intellectual canvass of contemporary Indian state has been engaging with the rhetoric of nationalism. In the bizarre rhetoric of muscular/virulent nationalism vs. civic/secular nationalism, the political debate on cultural sub-nationalism has emerged strongly in the state like Karnataka and Odisha which has been given little intellectual attention. Karnataka has been part of language agitation since long and finally adopted a separate official flag (nada dhwaja) of the state. The Karnataka had sought formal approval of the state flag from the central government. In a similar development, the Odisha cabinet has accorded the state anthem status to a patriotic poem Bande Utkal Janani on June 7, 2020. The song has been sung at different meetings of Utkal Sammilani since 1912. It is directed that the anthem will be sung in schools, colleges, meetings, cultural events. Whenever the anthem is sung, everyone will have to stand in attention except senior citizens, patients, infants, disabled and pregnant women. Lakhs of Odia people across the globe had sung Bande Utkala Janani on May 30, 2020 to honour Covid-19 warriors.

Since 1956 several socio-political events have been taking place in the state of Odisha contributing towards the growth and development of Odia cultural nationalism. Many socio-cultural organizations in Odisha have been demanding merger of two Odia-speaking areas -Sareikala and Kharsuan- with Odisha which were annexed to Bihar province in colonial period and currently remain with Jharkhand. Apart from this, there were massive public demands had been put forward for the national recognition of Bande Utkal Jananee as Odisha state anthem. Odishas first anti-colonial movement called Paika Bidroha of 1804, and 1817 in Khorda district had also been claimed for recognizing as first war of independence. Moreover, the Rasagola (syrupy sweet) has been claimed to be originated in Odisha as it has been the integral part of its culture. The national GI tag has been sought for the sweet.

Looking at the re-emergence of the debate on sub-nationalism in todays India, three important questions require immediate attention in the socio-cultural contexts of Odisha. First, what is the cultural and theoretical derivation of Odia nationalism? Second, why do we need to study Odia nationalism in present time? Finally, does Odia nationalism contradict Indian nationalism? The paper argues that the core principle of Indian nationalism was structured with the cultural components of sub-nationalism including Odia nationalism in 19th century India. The Odia nationalism had also played significant role in fostering the pluralistic character of Indian nationalism by accommodating multiple socio-cultural identities. Odia nationalism has been a cultural constitutive element of Indian nationalism and continuously resisting the homogenizing narratives of religious nationalism.

Development of Sub-nationalism in Multinational India

Nationalism is a political phenomenon of modern society based on common history, tradition, language, and culture. It creates a sense of homogeneity among nations. Social and political scientists believe that nationalism was originated in Western Europe in 19th century and gradually spread to other continents. Trade and colonialism were leading factors for the development of nationalism in non-European countries. During 20th century, European nationalism spread to the entire globe especially in Asia and Africa. People of those continents rose against the colonial rule. Friedrich Meinecke (1907) identified the Greeks, the Germans, the Russians, the English, and the Irish as examples of cultural nations. But the ethnic groups such as the Kurds, the Tamils and the Chechens are also examples of cultural nations.

Nationalism is a multifaceted modern concept. Social and political scientists have broadly characterized and distinguished nationalism as cultural nationalism and political nationalism (Meinecke, 1907). Anthony Smith (1986) said that nations are historically embedded: they are rooted in common cultural heritage and language. Nationalism revolves around the elements of culture. He remarked, nations do not create nationalism; it is the other way round: nationalism creates nations (Gellner, 1983). Further, Benedict Anderson (1991) says, Nationalism is not the awakening of nations to self-consciousness: it invents nations where they do not exist.

The emergence of Indian nationalism was a response to colonialism which was politically associated with the idea of swaraj (self-rule or sovereign state). Indian nationalism was strengthened with the participation of common masses in 1920. Mahatma Gandhi emphasized on the unity in cultural diversity of India as well as on the participation of poor masses in the national movement. Gandhi and Tagore had several rounds of dialogue on the aggressive nature of nationalism in the wake of the violence that erupted during the course of the non-cooperation movement. Nehru had also tried to explore the historical roots of nationalism in his highly commended work, The Discovery of India.

In late 19th century, nationalism was mingled with ethnocentrism and helped in growing the sub-nationalistic sentiment. Sub-nationalism is the manifestation of community feelings on the basis of socio-cultural identities. As a political doctrine, sub-nationalism is the quest for more power, self rule and a demand for greater share of resources allocation. So, the political doctrine of sub-nationalism leads towards secessionist movement. The revival of Islam in parts of the world and Sikhistan (1949) and Khalistan (1981) movements in India are the examples of religion based sub-nationalism. In early 1970s, the emergence of ethnic communities in North-East India and Southern India were seeking autonomy or complete sovereignty for their vested political interests and led the secessionist movement.

The cultural doctrine of sub-nationalism emphasizes on the preservation of cultural identity and intends to make the community free from the cultural dominance of other community. Cultural nationalism was developed in 18th century Germany. The writings of Johann G. Herder reflect the essentiality of language as an innate character of each national group. He said each nation possess a volksgeist (the spirit of the people) which reveals itself in songs, myths and legends, and provides a nation with its source of creativity. Such ideas had a profound impact on the awakening of national consciousness in 19th century Germany (Heywood, 2007: 112). The Welsh nationalism emphasizes much more on the preservation of Welsh language and culture in general rather than looking for political independence.

The cultural sub-nationalism was the outcome of British imperialism in 19th century Indian provinces like Assam, Odisha, Gujarat and tribal India. These provinces had articulated their constructive cultural consciousness as nation (jati) in their vernacular literature and portrayed their respective regions as nation which had never contradicted with Indian nationalism. Moreover, the region based cultural consciousness was instrumental in fostering nationalistic sentiment in Indian provinces. Partha Chatterjee (1993) rightly remarked that anti-colonial nationalism creates its own domain of sovereignty within colonial society well before it begins its political battle with the imperial power. It does this by dividing the world of social institutions and practices into two domains-the material and the spiritual. The material is the domain of the outside...the spiritual, on the other hand, is an inner domain bearing the essential marks of cultural identity...This is a fundamental feature of anti-colonial nationalisms in Asia and Africa (Chatterjee 1993).

The Assamese nationalism rose against British imperialism and non-Assamese foreigners in 1836. With the British occupation of Assam, Bengali was introduced in local schools and law courts. Assamese understood that this was done under the influence of the Bengali petty officials of the East India Company who argued that Assamese was not an independent language but only a dialect of Bengali (Chandra, 1982, 1278). Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan (1829-59), one of the pioneers of modem Assamese literature, was the first native to systematically expose the disastrous misconceptions concerning the identity of the Bengali and Assamese languages, and to plead for our right to use our native language, both in the education of the people and in the dispensation of justice (ibid).

The language controversy in Odisha began in 1840s became very firm and formative during 1869-70. Gradually, the cultural revolution of Odisha gave birth to Indian nationalism in the region and merged with it. The basic nature of protest of Assam and Odisha was the same: imposition of Bengali language in schools, courts and offices by Bengali officers posted in Odisha. The only difference is that the territory of Odisha was fragmented into various parts by colonial rulers. Odisha had lost the political geography and social existence under different administrative zones of British India. So, the territorial unification and language agitation went simultaneously along with the decolonization process from below in Odisha.

The Gujarati Asmita was evolved not because of any language rivalry or possible threat to Gujarati language. Probably, the Gujarati consciousness was developed because of the bitterness of remembrance of Maratha rule in Gujarat. The idea of Gujarati asmita was propounded by Narmada Shankar (1833-86) along with his contemporary Dalpatram (1820-98). Ranjitram Vavabhai Mehta (1882- 1917) gave an organizational shape to the idea of Gujarati Asmita and also propagated with abiding passion. In 1905, Gujarati Sahitya Parishad was established to reinstate the literature and culture of Gujarat.

It was Mahatma Gandhi who wholeheartedly supported Odishas demand for language-based separate province during the freedom movement. Gandhi also convinced the Indian National Congress for the promotion of vernacular languages and formation of linguist states which later became a policy of the Congress. By the way, the nationalist movement under the leadership of Gandhi promoted a pluralistic idea of India and tried to accommodate multiple identities. The experience of religion-based Partition of India compelled Nehru government to implement linguistic States after few years of Independence. The enactment of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, for supporting linguistic States was an open and wide endorsement of the Madhusudan Dass (1848-1934) Odisha model of linguistic and cultural theory of nationalism. The Indian leadership was forced to accept the linguistic-cultural hegemony as the major principle of restructuring the provinces of Indian Union (Nanda, 2006). The struggle for a separate Telugu province was the first example of cultural nationalism in independent India which was resulted in the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1953. The Reorganization Act, 1956 and the bifurcation of Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960 had legitimized the cultural nationalism and proved the important role of language in the formation of separate provinces in independent India. The 1950s Constitution of India legitimized the pluralistic character of the county by enlisting fourteen major languages in Eighth Schedule under Articles 344 (1) and 355. Subsequently, eight more languages were added to the list. Further, the Official Languages Act of 1963 prevented the planned transition of Indias official language from English to Hindi. These key legislative moves ensured that Indian national identity is not homogeneous (Idiculla, 2017).

The State Reorganization Act, 1956 rejected the criteria of tribal language and culture for creating separate tribal state in India. On this basis, the demand for separate Jharkhand state was rejected during this time. But Indian tribes have been defining their nationality in terms of their respective language and cultural identity. Jharkhandi nationalism has developed on the basis of a common tribal identity comprising of disparate tribes of Santhali, Munda, Oraon and Ho. Naga tribal nationalism was developed on Naga homeland identity and they speak a common link language called Nagamese (Nanda, 2006). In North-East India, cultural nationalism was developed among Khasi, Garo and Jaintia tribes in protest against the language policy of Assam and the imminent fear of Assamese cultural domination. In Independent India, Nagas, Mizos and some Manipuris in North-East regions had developed the secessionist movement by using the sentiment of tribal nationalism. In contrary, some tribes such as Gorkhas, Bodos, Garos, Karbis, Rabhas and Reangs are culturally oriented for tribal identity and homeland Assamese nationalism. The origin of Assamese nationalist movement never had the orientation for sovereign state. In 1980s, Assamese nationalism turned secessionist with the rise of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The ULFA plays the sons of the soil (Assam for Assamese) card and it has been pressing for the idea of a sovereign Assam state (Nanda, 2006: 37).

Why Do We Need to Study Odia Nationalism?

The people of Odisha have been playing very active and significant role in the cultural, economic and political transformation of India since 3rd century B.C. Odishan culture is the synthesis of tribal, Aryan and Dravidian cultures. Odisha is the land of multi-linguistic, multi-tribes and multi-religious faiths and practices. The glorious past of ancient Kalinga and Utkal has been inspiring generation after generation and transmitting the cultural fabric too. Odisha has vast geographical potentialities and piled up with huge natural resources. Odishas long coastline where a maritime civilization thrived two thousand years ago is yet another productive asset for now. Odishas contribution to national mineral resources can be measured from the fact that today 100 per cent of Indias nickel, 90 per cent of its chromites, 33 per cent of its bauxite and dolomite, 17 per cent of its iron ore and 10 per cent of its limestone come from Odisha. Moreover, 44 per cent of Odishas land area is covered by forests providing enormous amount of timber and forest produce for various industrial purposes (Mohanty, 1986: 1445).

However, the Odia nationalist movement was flamed during colonial period especially in mid 19th century. The origin of the movement was important for several grounds. First, the Odias were among the few nationalities in India whose culture and territory were fragmented in colonial times. The fragmented parts of Odisha were annexed with Bengal Presidency, Central Presidency and Madras Presidency. Second, Odia language and culture faced serious threats on account of territorial dismemberment. Third, Odia nationalist movement was the first of its kind which demanded for a separate linguistic province. Fourth, the formation of separate Odisha province was the first linguistic province in British India. Fifth, Odia nationalist movement played pioneering role in fostering Indian nationalism and organized anti-colonial movement in Odia speaking tracts. Sixth, the Odia language agitation, Odia territorial unification movement and the decolonization process from the below in Odisha were operating simultaneously in a parallel way. Seventh, Odia nationalism was a powerful force in 19th century but other two forces like Indian nationalism and religious nationalism were not that much powerful but were also not weak. Gradually, Odia nationalism merged with Indian nationalism with the support of Mahatma Gandhi and emerged as a strong indomitable force with the participation of people from below. The nascent of Odiatwa (Odianess) swallowed religious nationalism to Indian nationalism for the time being and religious nationalism became weak. Eighth, Odia nationalism was merely a cultural revolution which has never been a secessionist in orientation or never aimed at othering sections and has not been threatened to the unity and sovereignty of Indian nation. Ninth, Odisha became a pioneering model for the Nehru government in independent India on which basis many linguist states have been organized under the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Indian leadership was forced to accept Madhusudan Dass linguistic-cultural theory of nationalism as the major principle of restructuring the provinces of Indian Union. As a result, it curbs the threats of Partition on religious line.

Finally, Odia nationalism provides a new impetus to the Indian nationalism discourse that multiple linguistic and cultural identities of Indian provincial nations should be properly accommodated and their own linguistic, political and economic prosperity must be appropriately grown up so that the Indian nation will deeply strengthen with its varieties of pluralistic character.

Portraying Odia Region as Nation

Portraying Odisha province as a Nation had permeated into Odia literature in mid 19th century. The emergence of this idiom was not of Odia consciousness or regionalism but of Odia nationalism (Dash, 1978: 365). The history and geography of Odisha, the past and present of the Odias, came to occupy a prominent place in the Odia literature for the first time (ibid). Fakir Mohan Senapati, the pioneer of modern Odia literature, started literarily depicting the idea of Odia nation and was vigorously followed by Radhanath Ray, Madhusudan Rao, Ramashankar Ray, Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das, Godabarisha Mishra and many more. G.N. Dash (1978) says that Odia nationalism was the most dominant force in 19th century Odisha. But two other forces, Indian nationalism and Hindu nationalism, simultaneously operating during this time were not that much powerful but not weak either. It is quite significant that most of the advocates of Indian and Hindu nationalism were also themselves champions of Odia nationalism. In fact, their first commitment was to Odia nationalism (Chandra, 1982: 1283). Like Dash, Gopinath Mohanty, too, uses the expression Odia nationalism. So does Mayadhar Mansingh, writing about Fakir Mohan Senapati, describe everything Odia as national, be it Odia literature or Odia sense of pride or humiliation (ibid). Social anthropologist F.G. Bailey uses the term Odia nationalism in many of his writings especially in his 1959 essay titled the Oriya movement. In 1982, Nivedita Mohanty wrote a highly acclaimed research book titled Oriya Nationalism. She conducted a detailed and methodological research on behalf of the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University. Bishnu Narayan Mohapatra did his doctoral research on the politics of Oriya nationalism, 1903-1936 at Oxford University in 1990. Mohapatra seriously studied the linguistic and cultural chauvinism as well as the forms of regional and nationalist resistance to them. Subhakanta Behera also did his doctoral research on Oriya literature and the Jagannath cult, 1866-1936 at Oxford University in 1999. Behera explored the process of Odia identity construction in 19th Century Odisha and the contribution of Jagannatha cult to it. His research has also been published as a book in 2002. Thereafter, a number of research works have been done in India and abroad on the theme of Odia nationalism, Jagannath cult and Odia identity.

Theoretical Derivation of Odia Nationalism

The idea of Odia nationalism in colonial India entails the sense of belongingness of a traditional ethnic community on the common basis of their age-old language, vast geography, tribalism, and the cosmology of Jagannatha cult which have created a collective identity of Odiatwa (Odianess) and Odia jati (Odia nation). Odia people consider themselves as the children of Utkal Jananee (mother Utkal). Poet Laxmikanta Mohapatra wrote the poem Bande Utkal Jananee in 19th century which has been accepted and honored as state song. Utkala Gauraba Madhusudan Das, the architect of modern Odisha and was fondly called as Madhu Babu, believed that there is an organic and symbiotic relationship between Utkal Jananee and Bharat Jananee (mother India). Further he said, Mother Utkal is not separate from Mother India. The former is neither the step mother nor the enemy of the latter. The Utkal Sammilani which consists of the Odias, Bengalis, Telugus, and Rajputs is a part of Indian nationalism (Pradhan, 1985: 293-4). Speaking on the importance of diversity and multiple identities in India, Madhu Babu viewed that European nations differ from one another but in India provinces differ from one another. For this reason, in India the word nationalism must be used in a different sense (Das, 1951). Madhu Babu gave an inclusive definition to the term Odia which refers to any person who lives in Odia-speaking region can be considered as an Odia. He said, here the Oriyas, the non-Oriyas, the Hindus, the Muslims and the Christians, each group is alienated from the other. Unless they are united how can nationalism grow in Orissa? (ibid). He contemplated that sub-nationalism will merge with nationalism when it will be developed properly. He urged that every Odia should sacrifice their narrow individual interest for the liberation of Utkal and India. So that the Odia nation will merge with the Indian nation because we all are Indians, we are inspired by the Indian culture and tradition. The future India is based upon its ancient glorious past. It will be cowardice to become narrow minded (Mohanty, 1997: 179). He urges that Utkal Jananee is not different from Bharat Jananee. Further, Madhu Babu justifies, when hundreds of rivers of different colors approach the sea, the sea tells them, you give up your own colors and assume only one color that is the color of mine; only then can you merge with me and gain my strength and vitality (ibid). In a message to the All-Orissa Students Conference on September 28, 1927, he said, The development of national consciousness should be the chief object of these conferences. A nation cannot be organized. We do not know when a nation was formed. A nation has its history which is a record of the achievements of the ancestors of the present generation. You cannot create a nation. The chief object of a national history is the achievements of our ancestors. (Das, 1951:5) Further he said, Every individual has two lives: one is particular and the other is national life. National life thrives on the graveyard of individual life (ibid). Writing on National Consciousness in a journal called The Oriya edited by him in 1915, Madhusudan Das wrote, Absence of self-consciousness can alone bring in national consciousness. In other words, self-sacrifice for the sake of the nation is national consciousness (ibid).

In the similar vein, Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das (known as Odisha Gandhi) said that the primary objective of Odia nationalism is not parochial and selfish. The culture and tradition of Odisha shows its greatness and vastness. Odia nationalism is founded on the principle of Indian nationalism. He said, Orissas river is called the Mahanadi or the great river, Orissas sea is Mahodadhi or the great sea, Orissas hill is Mahendra or the great Mountain, Orissas tree is Kalpabata or the tree of wish fulfillment, Orissas Lord is Jagannatha or the Lord of the Universe and Orissas cremation ground is the Swargadwara or the gateway to heaven (ibid: 285).

Lord Jagannatha is the cultural strength and social symbol of the unity of Odisha. The deitys relationship with Odisha and Odia can be traced back to the pre-historic time when this land was inhabited by the non-Aryans. The land was known at that time as Bratyabhumi, the land of bratyas - tribals and non-Aryans (Behera, 1997: 2096). Over the long historical period, this relationship was increasingly strengthened, and ultimately, it became symbiotic. Lord Jagannatha became the dominating influence over the socio-religious and cultural life of Odias. Lord Jagannatha had distinct Sabara adivasi origins and Puri Raja is the high priest. A large adivasi population was incorporated in Jagannatha temple. Gradually, dalits, adivasis, Muslim, princes, zamindars and Odia speaking regions were associated with the Jagannatha cult. Moreover, it is interesting to see how the Telugu fisherman of Puri worships Jagannatha as their father. The Shreya Chandaluni story also shows the association of lower caste women with Lord Jagannatha. The model of Jagannatha cult provides a distinct form of relationship with adivasis of the mountainous hinterland of Odisha and lower castes. The cult is widely practices outside its centre and its practice in the peripheries.

The Jagannatha cult established as a dominant religion and includes within its frame a number of regionally important folk deities, diverse forms of tribal religions and several more recent religious movements. Lord Jagannatha is also known as the God of the Universe. The nationalist historians explain the integrationist aspect and syncretism of Jagannatha cult. There is also an unraveling of the multi- layered and dynamic character of pre-modern Odishan society and polity, which B. Schnepel conceptualizes in terms of the little kingdoms. It is worth noting that little kingdoms as socio-political units were not just a disruptive factor in the politics of the Gajapatis, but that they formed integral parts of the Odishan region, strengthening its coherence and helping to extend the borders of the realm. The study of Odishas little kingdoms suggests that there has been patronization of tribal deities by Hindu kings and reflects how tribal and Hindu culture and religion were interwoven. Thus the Jagannatha cult has been constituted with multiple identities-social, political, religious, cultural or the making and remaking of exclusive groups such as the Odias, the Kandhs, or the Paiks. No doubt, the great tradition of Jagannatha cult has absorbed the little tradition of the marginal and peripheral subaltern groups.

The nascent sense of Odiatwa (Odianess) was emerged in the medieval period and got its maturity in the late colonial period. During the medieval period of Odisha, Odia people had a rudimentary sense of collective identity (Behera, 2002). Popular poets such as Sarala Das and the Panchasakha of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries spread devotion to Lord Jagannatha. Many myths relating to the cult were originated and enormous number of devotional songs (bhajans) dedicated to Lord Jagannatha. The Odia identity became even more internalized and crystallized around the Jagannatha cult during colonial period. The Odia identity prevailed even against cultural, political, and economic threats posed by Bengalis, Telegus, and, of course, the British. The architectural planning in most of the capitals of Odisha states recreated a Jagannatha temple with a badadanda (big street) in front of it and the annual Ratha Jatra (the chariot festival) modeled along the lines of Puri (Pati, 2012:4). Gajapati kings were still intimately were viewed as living gods or human Jagannatha in rituals and festivals, especially during the Ratha Jatra. Some other significant features of the Jagannatha cult had have united and brought order to Odia society include Kaibalya/Nirmalya (consecrated food), Mukti Mandap (a body of Brahmins who adjudicate intra-caste and intra-village disputes), and Odissi dance associated with Jagannatha worship. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Jagannatha emerged as a symbol of the Odia movement and was glorified by great poets and nationalist historians.

Before the 16th century, the Odisha state was extended its territory from Ganga (a part of Bengal in the North of Odisha) and Godavari (Telengana and Karnataka in the South) (Mohanty, 1997: 181). During the successive periods of invasions made by Afghan, Mughal and Maratha, Odisha got disintegrated. The British government placed each of the truncated parts of Odisha under the neighboring provincial administration of Bengal, Central provinces and Madras. The dominated linguistic group of administrative unit and the alien rulers neglected the cause of Odias and the Odias were treated as second class citizens. In Utkal Bhramana (1892), Fakir Mohan Senapati wrote: The officers and the lawyers are all foreigners, not even the postal clerk is native. The foreigners refer to not so much of British but Bengalis (Chandra, 1982). The Paika Rebellion of 1804, and 1817 emerged as the first anti-colonial agitation in Odisha. Moreover, the amalgamation movement of Sambalpur in 1860 fostered a sense of Odia nationalist spirit along with anti-colonial agitation. The great Nanka famine of 1866 wiped out more than ten thousand people. The starvation death in the famine generated public anger against the failure of British administration in handling the situation. The Utkal Dipika, a newspaper was founded by Gaurisankar Ray on August 4, 1866 to create a critical awareness among general public against British government policies, and to enlighten Odias about the language issues. Towards the mid of 19th century Odisha, social awakening had already started for the unification of Odia territorial regions in Ganjam and Sambalpur. In 1870, Kantilal Bhattacharya, a teacher of Balasore Zilla School, published a book, titled Odiya Ek Swatantra Bhasa Nay (Odia is not an independent language). He urged that Odia was a dialect of Bengali language. Attempts were made by Bengali teachers and officers to replace Odia by Bengali in different schools at Sambalpur, Balasore and Ganjam. Telugu was became a prominent language in the administration of Ganjam and Koraput. On January 25, 1895, Odia was replaced by Hindi as the court and official language in Sambalpur. Odia language agitation had already started in Sambalpur and Balasore respectively in 1850 and 1866 which gave birth to print journalism, societies and clubs in Odisha. In November, 1866 The Utkal Bhasa Unnati Bidhayini Sabha was founded at Balasore and appears to be one of the earliest to come into being. The Orissa Association (Utkal Sabha) was formed in July 1877 at Cuttack under the leadership of Gaurisankar Ray and Madhusudan Das.

A champion of Odia nationalism Fakir Mohan Senapati, created an Odia-centric universe. Fakir Mohan Senapati played a major role in constructing a language-based Odia identity in literature and shunning Bengali influence. He decided to use the living speech of the men and women belonging to agrarian rural society (Dash, 2006). Senapati contributed to Odia language agitation in three successive phases from early 1868 to mid 1870 and again in 1897- the year he started writing prose fiction.

In the process, not only the history but even the geography of Odisha was invested with glory and sanctity. Thus, Radhanath Ray gave a new orientation to Odishas physical geography and imbued every inch of it with something hallowed in history or religion (Chandra, 1982). In his Mahayatra (1896), to make the Pandavas turn to Odisha in the course of their final journey to heaven, he so described, in stirring terms, the beauties and glories of her topography (ibid). The Odia writers recalled the greatness of medieval Odishan Empire by popularizing two surviving symbols of this Empire: the raja of Khurda and the temple of Jagannatha. The lead in this respect was taken by Ramashankar Ray through his play Kanchi Kaberi (1880-81). He was followed by Madhusudan Rao whose Utkal Gatha comprised a whole series of poems with history as his source of inspiration. But it was Radhanath Ray who contributed most impressively to the utilization of Jagannatha as a symbol of Odia identity (Chandra, 1982).

Emergence of Madhusudan Das as Leader of Odisha

Nivedita Mohanty rightly categorized two important phases of Odia nationalist movement. The first phase of the movement began with the great 1866 famine. It passed through the struggle for the preservation of the language and culminated in the amalgamation of Sambalpur with Odisha. This phase was characterized by the absence of competent leaders to coordinate the activities. The second phase started with the formation of the Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Union Conference) and the appearance of a strong, articulate leadership like Madhusudan Das. Madhu Babu was the pioneer in the construction and mobilization of Odia political community and successfully led the foundation of Indian nationalism and the Congress in Odisha.

Madhusudan Das was the founder of Indian National Congress in Odisha and had been a staunch supporter of it. There was no rail connection from Odisha to Madras in 1887 but Madhu Babu took all round pain and inconvenience to attend the Madras session of the Congress. Madhusudan Das and Gaurisankar Ray attended the first Bombay session, second Calcutta session and third Madras session of the Congress on behalf of the Utkala Sabha. They supported the resolutions of Congress and shared it with Odia people in several meetings. During his Kendrapara tour, Madhu Babu appealed people to join the Congress. In October, 1887, Utkal Sabha unanimously decided to function as a Branch Committee of the Congress. Thus, the Utkal Sabha after its affiliation with the Congress became the earliest provincial Congress Committee for Odisha and Madhusudan Das came to be its founding father, its pioneer and path finder (Mohanty, 1982: 95). Interestingly, Madhusudan Das didnt attend any sessions of the Congress from 1888 to 1901 due to the differences with Surendra Nath Banerjee on the question of amalgamation of Odisha. But he attended the Congress session in 1901. In 1902, when Odia was introduced as a separate language in the Calcutta University the Bengalis raised strong protest which disappointed Odias and Madhu Babu. Further, Odias felt disenchanted when Surendra Nath Banerjee requested Madhu Babu to incorporate Odisha under the Bengal provincial Congress Committee which had recently formed by him (Das, 1951: 50). Madhu Babu didnt agree with such a devastating proposal and started aspiring for a separate organization for Odisha. G.N. Dash says that the immediate cause for the establishment of Utkal Sammilani was provided by the refusal of the Congress, at its Madras session in 1903, to support the proposed unification of the Odia-speaking region at the expense of the Madras Presidency (Dash, 1978: 371-72). Finally, Madhu Babu formed Utkal Sammilani in December, 1903 which was widely supported by common masses, leaders, intellectual class, rajas, zamindars, students, women, SCs and STs.

In April 1919, Gopabandhu Das became the president of Utkal Sammilani in its 14th session and in the presence of Madhusudan Das. Madhu Babu became 71 years old and was sick by that time. Gradually, Gopabandhu associated with the Congress and was interested towards the wider problems of India. On 30 December 1920 in Chakradharapur session of Utkal Sammilani, Gopabandhu Das passed the resolution that the objectives of Utkal Sammilani should be in consonance with the aims and aspiration of Indian National Congress. Consequently, the Congress found itself launched in a big way into the political scene of Odisha through the help of Utkal Sammilani. The members of Utkal Sammilani actively participated in the non-co-operation movement and organized protest/meetings in various parts of Odisha.

The Odia nationalist leaders put forward the demand for separate linguist state before Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Odisha in March, 1921. He was presented a book titled Oriya Movement and he agreed in principle to favor the demand for a separate Odisha province (Mohanty, 1982: 122). The Indian National Congress also accepted Gandhis policy for supporting the formation of separate linguistic provinces. Odia nationalism gradually expanded and segued with Indian national identity in the literature of the Satyabadi School (109-1926) of Gopabandhu Das. Gopabandhu Das made Odia nationalist movement as an integral part of Indias freedom struggle and his devotion to Odia nationalism was quite explicit.

Challenges Before Odia Nationalism

There are three major challenges before the Odia nationalism in our time. First,the champions of Odia nationalist movement in 19th century were much more open-minded, tolerant, creative intelligentsia and exposed to diversities of languages and religious beliefs. Contrarily, the present Odia leaderships are easily creeping to religious dogma, cultural hybridization, intellectual redundant, and elitism. Second, Odia adivasi dialects and the dialects of Balasore, Ganjam and Sambalpur districts have not been recognized by and incorporated in the mainstream Odia language. Third, the dominance of coastal Odisha over western Odisha in terms of political power and government largesse creates political feud in the state. The uneven growth and development disparity has also been providing fuel to Koshal movement in a few regions of western Odisha. The differences among them have never led to the voting behavior differently although. Ruben Banerjee says, instead of differences, western Odisha voters share a pan-Odisha identity (2018: 131).

Conclusion: Furthering Pluralistic Character of Indian Nationalism

The Utkal Sammilani, an epicenter of Odia nationalism, enthusiastically patronized and vigorously promoted Indian nationalist sentiment in Odisha. Three nationalisms-Odia nationalism, Indian nationalism and religious nationalism-were operating simultaneously in the province. But Odia nationalism was very powerful from the mid 19th century onwards and it gradually swallowed into Indian nationalist movement. Religious nationalism became weak and was forced by the nascent of Odiatwa (Odianess) to merge with Indian nationalism. Consequently, Odia nationalism had been able to counter the hyper-nationalism and homogenization of religious narratives during the anti-colonial movement. Moreover, both the nationalisms-Odia and Indian-were collectively developed and nurtured in Odisha as a cultural epitome and as a political force for accommodating multiple identities and inculcating nationalist spirit for achieving the great idea of swaraj. Hence, Odia nationalism as a strong socio-cultural force helped in furthering the pluralistic character of Indian nationalism. Harekrushna Mahatab appropriately observed the historical process of cultural unification and the successful legacy of Odia nationalist movement in creating a separate province on April 1, 1936. He said, Instead of several political instabilities from 16th century to 19th century, the cultural distinctiveness of Odisha and the sturdy cultural bonding (sanskrutika drudhata) of Odia people brought everyone into closeness and oneness (Mahatab, 1961:29).

Odia nationalism does not merely provide an accommodation theory of linguistic and cultural diversities to protect the integrity of Indias national boundaries but also it promotes cultural rights and cultural nationalism in India. In fact, sub-nationalism also helps in fostering fraternity and solidarity among the community. Prerna Singh (2015) has rightly urged that sub-nationalism is positively related to social development and outcomes. Hence, it is to believe that if sub-nationalism is not objectified with secessionist ideology, not aiming at politically polarizing other sections and merely confined to cultural expression, than sub-nationalism should not be treated as a threat but rather as a constitutive component of nationalism.

References

Anderson, Benedict, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, London: Verso, 1983.

Bailey, F.G., The Oriya Movement, The Economic Weekly, September 26, 1959, p. 1331-1338.

Behera, Subhakanta, Construction of an Identity Discourse: Oriya Literature and Jagannath Cult (1866-1936), New Delhi: Manohar, 2002.

Chandra, Sudhir, Regional Consciousness in 19th Century India: A Preliminary Note, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 17, No. 32 , August 7, 1982, pp. 1278-1285.

Chatterjee, Partha, The Nation and its Fragments: Colonial and Postcolonial Histories, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993.

Das, N.K., Utkala Gauraba Madhusudana (Biography of Madhusudan Das), Bhubaneswar: Utkal University, 1951.

Dash, G.N., Jagannath and Oriya Nationalism, in The Cult of Jagannath and the Regional Tradition of Orissa, ed. Anncharlott Eschmann, Hermann Kulke, and Gaya Charan Tripathy, New Delhi: Manohar, 1978, p. 365.

Heywood, Andrew, Political Ideologies: An Introduction, 4th edition, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.

Idiculla, Mathew, subnationalism not a threat, The Hindu, September 14, 2017.

Mohanty, Nivedita, Oriya Nationalism:Quest for a United Orissa, 1866-1936, New Delhi: Manohar, 1982.

Mahatab, Harekrushna, Odisha Rajya, Utkal Prasanga, April 1, 1961, pp. 29.

Mohanty, Manoranjan, Adrift Middle Class, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 21, No. 33, August 16, 1986, pp. 1445-1446.

Mohanty, D.K., Indian Political Tradition: From Manu to Ambedkar, New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 1997.

Nanda, Subrat K., Cultural Nationalism in a Multi-National Context: The Case of India, Sociological Bulletin, Vol. 55, No. 1, January-April 2006, pp. 24-44.

Pati, Biswamoy, Legitimacy, Power and Subversion: Colonial Orissa, c1800-1940, History and Sociology of South Asia, 6 (1), 2012, pp.1-21.

Panikkar, K.N., Nationalism, then and now, April 2, 2016, Frontline .

Roul, Kamalakanta, Language and Nationalism, The Orissa Post, November 18, 2013, pp. 8.

Authors:

(Dr. Kamalakanta Roul teaches political science in the University of Delhi. He can be contacted at kamalakantroul at gmail.com)

(Bimal Kumar Raul is pursuing Ph.D at the Department of Odia Language and Literature, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He can be contacted at kumar.bimal09 at gmail.com)
The special session of the Rajasthan Assembly began on Friday, with the Congress government led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot moving a confidence motion.

The Assembly was adjourned by speaker CP Joshi soon after the session began, and was reconvened at 1pm to take up the confidence motion.

The assembly session comes just days after the top leaders of Congress announced a truce between Gehlot and the rebel faction led by Sachin Pilot. The dissident MLAs (Pilot and 18 others) have now returned to the party fold.

Also read: Rajasthan Assembly session: After truce, CM Ashok Gehlot to move confidence motion, BJP to counter it

The Congress has said that it is united to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is planning to bring a no-confidence motion against the Ashok Gehlot government.

The BJP had said on Thursday that the truce is temporary. This government wont last long, former chief minister and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje had said yesterday.

Both Pilot and Raje are present in the House.

The Gehlot government has already indicated that it is keen on a floor test despite the truce because the party thinks it is the perfect way to send across a message of unity. A floor test will also give some breather to Gehlot to let him put his house in order since a motion can be moved only once in a session.

With the return of the rebels, the Congress alone has 107 legislators, including the speaker, in the 200-member House where the majority mark is 101. It also appears to have the support of all 13 independents; three of them backed Pilot and have now pledged support to Gehlot. Five MLAs from other parties, too, back the government in the House. On the other hand, the BJP (72) and its ally Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party (3) have a total of 75 seats.

Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday issued a whip for the second time to six of its MLAs in Rajasthan to vote against the Congress in any no-confidence motion or any other proceedings in the state Assembly.
Albuquerque police have launched a homicide investigation after a gunshot victim who was taken to an Albuquerque Fire Rescue station near Central and Pennsylvania overnight succumbed to his injuries.

Sgt. Tanner Tixier, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said in a news release early Friday morning, that officers were on scene at the fire station at 123 Dallas NE. He said officers were trying to determine where the shooting occurred.

Initial dispatch information stated that a female had shown up to the AFR Station with a wounded male victim in her vehicle, Tixier said. That male victim eventually died as a result of his injuries.

He said investigators had no suspect information to release. The name and age of the victim has not yet been released.

Additional details will be released as more information becomes available, Tixier said.
A man who robbed a business on Thursday afternoon at 115 S. Main St. in Phillipsburg was arrested about 2 a.m. Friday in a home a few blocks away, the Warren County prosecutor reports.

Police used images captured on several Ring doorbell devices to see the masked man -- later identified as William Wilson, 47, of the first block of Hudson Street -- remove a hoodie as he fled on South Main Street and turned onto a side street, Jim Pfeiffer, Warren County prosecutor, said. Rings Neighbors app had some of the video posted late Thursday afternoon, although Phillipsburg police on Thursday did not confirm or release details of the crime to lehighvalleylive.com.

William Wilson, 47, is in custody about 2 a.m. Aug. 14, 2020, on charges tied to an armed robbery the previous afternoon at 115 S. Main St., authorities say.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

The hoodie was recovered in a trash can, the gun was found and the investigation soon led to a search warrant which was served about 2 a.m. at the home on Hudson Street, where Wilson was arrested, Pfeiffer said. The Warren County Tactical Response Team assisted in the arrest, he said.

About 2:10 p.m. Thursday, Wilson walked into the business and asked for change of $100, Pfeiffer said. When a juvenile employee opened the register, Wilson pulled out a gun and demanded the cash, which he was given, Pfeiffer said.

William Wilson, 47, was in custody about 2 a.m. Aug. 14, 2020, on charges tied to an armed robbery the previous afternoon at 115 S. Main St., authorities say.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Four or five Ring cameras grabbed his image as he left, Pfeiffer said.

Wilson faces a first-degree robbery charge, a second-degree weapons offense and a disorderly persons theft count, Pfeiffer said. Records show Wilson is being held in Warren County jail. He will face a detention hearing early next week, but Pfeiffer said due to the violent nature of the crime that Wilson will likely be held awaiting the next step in the legal system.

Nobody was hurt in the robbery or the arrest, Pfeiffer said.

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

Tony Rhodin can be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com.
The army, air force and navy will all benefit from the defence ministry's approval of 'Make in India' equipment.

Ajai Shukla reports.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the HAL complex in Bengaluru in February 2020. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a major fillip to the indigenous aerospace and defence industry, the ministry of defence has approved the acquisition of 'Make in India' equipment worth Rs 8,722 crore (Rs 87.22 billion).

'The Defence Acquisition Council, in its meeting held (with) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded approval for capital acquisitions of various platforms and equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces. Proposals for an approximate cost of Rs 8,722.38 crore were approved,' the MoD announced on Tuesday.

The bulk of this will go towards purchasing the first fixed wing aircraft that Hindustan Aeronautics has designed and developed in decades: The Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), on which rookie pilots of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy will learn to fly.

(With) prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 basic trainer aircraft (BTA) from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the IAF,' the MoD stated.

'Post certification, 70 BTA will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in the IAF,' the MoD added.

MoD sources say the HTT-40's cost has been fixed at approximately Rs 50 crore (rs 500 million), which means the acquisition cost of the entire fleet will come to about Rs 5,300 crore (Rs 53 billion).

The IAF was pushing for the acquisition of 38 more Pilatus PC-7 Mark II basic trainers from Switzerland to supplement its existing fleet of 75 aircraft. However, HAL's rapid success in developing the HTT-40 has ensured that the additional BTAs will all be Indian.

HAL sources say the HTT-40 is in the final stages of spin trials, the make-or-break capability demonstration for a basic trainer. Production planning for building the trainer is already underway.

The Defence Acquisition Council also approved an important procurement the navy needs to improve its warships's capability to strike fast-manoeuvring targets like missiles and fast surface crafts at longer ranges.

'The DAC approved procurement of an upgraded version of the Super Rapid Gun Mount, which is fitted as the main gun on board navy and Coast Guard warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals,' said the MoD.

The DAC also approved the indigenous design and development of armour piercing ammunition for its fleet of T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.

The 125-millimetre armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot ammunition has been embargoed for import from December 2021.

The MoD says the ammunition being procured will have 70 per cent indigenous content.

The DAC also gave the nod for the expedited procurement of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, which are to be built in India under Russian licence, and upgrades for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
COSTA MESA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / Genuine Property Management, a company that has been serving the Orange County area of California for many years, is excited to welcome aboard Catherine Yutuc as their new Property Management. She will add to the company's hard-working team of diverse personalities and be a big addition to Genuine Property Management as they continue to experience unprecedented growth.

Marcel Ford, the owner of Genuine Property Management, says, "It's no secret that any company is only as good as the employees that run it. We here at Genuine Property Management are certainly no exception. To satisfy our property owners and renters, it takes dedicated employees that have strong organization, planning, and execution skills to get the job done. That's why when we are presented with an opportunity to bring someone on board with a solid record of exhibiting these traits, we certainly want that person to be part of our hard-working property management team. We feel we have gotten that and more with the hiring of our latest employee Catherine Yutuc."

Ford went on to say that it's hard not to be impressed when he looks at Yutuc's resume. He says that everything points to her being a results-driven and performance-focused professional who offers expertise in several areas of property management or closely related fields. With a past company she has over five years of property management experience. With over a thousand units under her management and twenty people under her supervision, she brings to Genuine the experience, skill and leadership desired. Her varied employment background should also translate to her being someone adept at developing and maintaining positive resident relations while also being able to effectively work with top-performing teams and customers. Her educational achievements are a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology degree from UC Irvine, a Bachelor of Science with a specialty of Biology from Angeles University, an Associate of Arts in Psychology degree from Cerritos College, and a hard to get Master's in Technical Acumen with a focus on Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management from Brandman University.

Ford stated, "Given all that she brings to the table, we feel Catherine will be someone that our property owners and renters will quickly become fond of and learn to respect. We could not be more pleased to welcome her to our Genuine Property Management family."

The company owner says that having unique individuals working for him perfectly complements his property management company that is very unique in its own way too. Landlords don't have to sign long term contracts with them, the company can be contacted 24-hours a day for repairs, their services come with a money-back guarantee, and the company offers a simple and easy to understand fee structure. He added that landlords and renters who want to learn more about the company's services and its employees are welcome to view the company Facebook page or take a look at Genuine Property Management's website and contact them for more information.

###

For more information about Genuine Property Management , contact the company here:

Genuine Property Management

MARCEL FORD

(949) 209-9494

marcel@genuinemanaged.com

1922 Placentia Avenue, Unit 1, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

SOURCE: Genuine Property Management

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601851/Orange-County-Property-Management-Company-Welcomes-Catherine-Yutuc
The Council of Majorca's tourism foundation and the Logitravel online travel agency are to conduct a co-marketing campaign that will be directed at the national and UK markets and which will focus on culture and nature tourism.

For the Spanish market, there is to be investment of 258,437 euros, of which the foundation will be contributing 74,947 euros. For the UK market, the investment is 154,666 euros, with the foundation also providing 29% of the total (44,824 euros).

The campaign will consist of advertising inserts (video and graphical images) on various online and social media platforms. The promotion will run from now until October.

This is the second co-marketing campaign to be announced by the Council of Majorca. Last week, the president, Catalina Cladera, explained a programme agreed between the tourism foundation and Barcelo's B the Travel Brand travel agency.

These shared promotional efforts are part of the foundation's 2020 action plan and they are designed to support the sales channels for the main tourism markets - the UK, Germany, France, Spain - and also Russia. Various tourism product segments are to be promoted. Culture and nature are two; others include conferences and exhibitions, gastronomy, and sport.
An Accra Circuit Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a trader who allegedly issued dud cheques.

Kwame Adjei is said to have issued two cheques with the face value GH65,000.00, each to be drawn by Mr Frank Yao Gli, the complainant, but they were dishonoured.

The Court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah has adjourned the case to September 9, 2020.

Police Inspector Samuel Ahiabor said Mr Gli is the Managing Director of Kpone Lobster Company Limited, dealers in rice importation and distribution.

He explained that the accused person also trades in rice.

On July 26, 2019, the accused person was supplied with 1,000 bags of Aroma rice valued GH130,000.00 by the complainant's company.

Chief Inspector Ahiabor said the accused later issued two post-dated cheques, each with the face value GH65,000.00 at the Advans Savings and Loans to be drawn in a month's time.

He said when the time was due to present the cheques, the complainant called the accused and he told the complainant not to present them as he had no funds in his account and promised to pay in cash.

Upon several efforts made by the complainant to get his money, accused paid only GH45,000.00 remaining GH85,000.00 and is unwilling to pay.

Inspector Ahiabor said the complainant made a report to the police which led to his arrest.

Adjei was absent when the case was called, hence the issuance of the bench warrant.

GNA
Canada and the U.S. have agreed to extend current land border restrictions until Sept. 21, top border officials said Friday.

"We will continue to do whats necessary to keep our communities safe," Public Safety Minister Bill Blair tweeted of the countries' "reciprocal restrictions" designed to help fight the spread of Covid-19.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf also confirmed the decision on Twitter.

Why it matters: This is the fifth extension of the border measures that were first introduced in March as both countries grappled with surges in Covid-19 cases. While Canada has flattened its epidemiological curve, the U.S. has seen caseloads soar throughout the summer as the disease flares in certain regions.

Canadians are largely supportive of the restrictions, fearing the consequences of American visitors being allowed to drive to popular tourist destinations. Provincial premiers have urged the Trudeau government to continue the measures.

Ottawa recently clamped down on a loophole that had allowed Americans driving to Alaska to pass through Canada; now, those travelers may only enter through five land ports and must display hang tags showing they were approved to transit through Canada. They must exit by a specific date and check in with border agents as they do so.

But some border towns and the U.S. lawmakers who represent them have urged the nations to ease the restrictions as the communities' economies suffer from a dearth of tax revenue without Canadian visitors crossing to shop.

What's next: Border agencies in Canada and the U.S. will have another few weeks to contemplate another extension. The tourism sector, cross-border commerce experts and lawmakers are sure to continue advocating for a different approach to the restrictions.
A Korean People's Army (KPA) soldier stands at the entrance to a 'Kimjongilia' flower exhibition celebrating the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang on February 14, 2019.

North Korean military security authorities have sent a signal corps soldier to a political prison camp for listening to Radio Free Asia broadcasts while on duty at a government ministry building in Pyongyang, sources in the countrys military told RFA Thursday.

North Korea goes to extraordinary lengths to stop its population from accessing outside information, with strict punishment for violators. But sources in the country say soldiers, particularly those with jobs in signals or radio transmission, keenly tune in to foreign broadcasts during long, unsupervised shifts.

The signal corps soldier was caught in mid-June, when she neglected to turn her radios dial away from RFAs frequency after finishing work one night. She admitted during an investigation that she had routinely listened to RFA broadcasts during her evening shifts.

In North Korea, those convicted of crimes are not the only ones punished. Sources say the soldiers family has also been thrown into a prison camp for being associated with her.

In mid-June, a female soldier in a signal company under the Ministry of Peoples Armed Forces in Pyongyang was caught by the military security authorities while listening to Radio Free Asia, a military official, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFAs Korean Service on Thursday.

After an investigation, she was put in a political prison camp. The female soldier confessed to listening to Radio Free Asia for three years during the investigation [conducted] by the Security Department of the Peoples Army, the source said.

She had been a model soldier, according to the source.

She was a first-class signaler serving in the Ministry of the Peoples Armed Forces building, and she had the rank of squad leader. They say she was an excellent signaler who had the mission of connecting radio communications between the Ministry of Peoples Armed Forces and the Supreme Command, the source said.

She was listening to RFA while working the day before her arrest, but she had forgotten to turn the frequency back. An agent of the military security department caught it and reported her to his superiors. She was then arrested and is now being severely punished in a political prison camp, the source added.

Despite the heavy punishment, North Korean soldiers, especially those in the signal corps, commonly listen to foreign broadcasts, according to the source.

Most signalers in the military turn the frequency in the late evening hours just before daybreak to listen to outside broadcasts. Since RFA sounds the most clearly audible, and is in the Korean language, there are many North Korean defectors and soldiers that listen to RFA, the source said.

The U.S. government-funded RFA broadcasts six hours of Korean-language programming daily into North Korea over short wave radio from transmitters located about 1,900 miles away in the Northern Mariana Islands, and medium wave transmitters in South Korea.

As a result of the woman being discovered, the military is now watching its signalers more closely according to the source.

All commanders and security agents were ordered to check up on the signalers on duty from time to time, said the source.

Another military source told RFA that the military published an account of the incident in communications it circulated for the higher ranks.

In mid-July, they mentioned in the Peoples Armys learning materials for officials that a female soldier at the Ministry of Peoples Armed Forces was caught listening to Radio Free Asia over a period of three years during her working hours and was sent to a political prison camp, the second source said.

They said her family was also taken to a prison camp to be punished because they are guilty by association, the second source said.

RFA was unable to obtain the circulated materials due to the safety concerns of the second source.

As far as I know, soldiers on radio missions, especially senior soldiers who have been in the military for more than three years, routinely turn the frequency [to foreign broadcasts] to hear outside news, the second source said.

Escaped soldier listened to RFA often

On August 10, RFA interviewed a former officer of the North Korean signal corps using the pseudonym surname Kang who defected to South Korea in 2017. Kang said he witnessed the execution of a colleague for listening to Radio Free Asia, even though most signalers are known to listen to foreign broadcasts.

In May 2014, I saw a soldier in the 3rd Corps Command communications unit get caught listening to Radio Free Asia during working hours and he was shot to death, Kang said.

In North Korea, the ones listening to Radio Free Asia the most are more likely soldiers than ordinary people, especially [the soldiers] on radio communications missions. When I was serving in the military, I listened to RFA for six years while I was on signaler duty, said Kang.

The long evening shifts in solitude provided Kang the privacy to listen to RFA, and ultimately this led to his decision to flee his homeland.

Late at night and just before dawn, it was quiet and there was no one disturbing me, so I was able to listen to an outside radio broadcast in the Korean language, Kang said.

In my case, I memorized the frequency of Radio Free Asia and listened to it regularly. I decided to escape North Korea because I was influenced by RFA, he added.

RFA reported in November 2018 that a signaler in North Koreas elite Supreme Guard Command was discovered listening to Radio Free Asia by another officer and purged. Because the unit is in charge of Kim Jong Uns security, the entire command was punished, sources said in the report.

Reported by Sewon Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
 Flash

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to the full normalization of relations, according to a joint statement of the United States, Israel, and the UAE on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump presented the joint statement on Twitter, which said "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders."

The statement said, "Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world."

Delegations from Israel and the UAE would meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding various areas, said the statement.

Trump later told reporters at the White House that Israel and the UAE would have an "official" signing ceremony at the White House in the next few weeks.

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, said that the announcement "immediately stops annexation and the potential of violent escalation. It maintains the viability of a two-state solution as endorsed by the Arab League and international community."

A controversial Middle East peace plan unveiled by the Trump administration in January allowed Israel's annexation of areas of the West Bank, which led to strong opposition worldwide.
WASHINGTON  Rep. Pramila Jayapal got a one-word text from her mother Maya Jayapal when Sen. Kamala Harris was announced as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee.

"KAMALA."

An uncle texted her about the connection between her great aunt P.K. Devi, and Harris' aunt Sarala Gopalan, who studied under Devi in medical school.

The flood of texts from her family has not let up.

The California senator's first name, which means "lotus" in Sanskrit, has cascaded across social media and spilled into Indian family WhatsApp message groups since Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, announced her as his running mate Tuesday. An emotional video of a tear-filled Harini Krishnan, an Indian American on the Biden campaign, percolated online while a 2019 video of Harris making dosas, a south Indian dish, with comedian Mindy Kaling again went viral on Twitter.

Sen. Harris aunt, Sarala Gopalan, wrote this acknowledgment to Rep. Jayapal's aunt, P.K. Devi in a medical textbook.

Her bid marks a milestone not only as the first Black woman to appear on a major party ticket, but also as the first Asian American person tapped to do so.

Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, has jolted an outpouring of support among Indian Americans, the second largest and one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in the U.S. who could play a crucial role in helping Biden clinch key battleground states in November.

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Her candidacy is the culmination of an increase of Indian Americans in the political landscape, including the rise of several congressional lawmakers like Jayapal, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill. who were elected alongside Harris in 2016.

The Trump administration also tapped several Indian Americans for high-profile positions including former U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Seema Verma. Harris' bid for the White House followed that of former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who became the first Indian American to run for president in 2016.

Story continues

Krishnamoorthi said Harris' role on the ticket and the increasing number of Indian Americans in Congress showed the community's growing power and was part of a "natural progression" as the community established themselves in the United States. There are now enough Indian Americans in Congress  four in the House in addition to Harris in the Senate  to have a "samosa caucus," he joked.

But Indian Americans have expanded their reach beyond politics, with population growth in pivotal states that could determine the outcome of November's election. The populations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the closely contested states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas have grown more than 40% between 2012 and 2018, according to AAPI Data and the nonpartisan advocacy group AAIPVote. Indian Americans make up the largest share of Asian-Americans in each of those states.

"Those are the places with significant enough Indian populations that they could make a difference," said Karthick Ramakrishnan, a political science professor at the University of California, Davis who runs the AAPI Data survey of Asian American attitudes.

In Arizona, 173,231 AAPI residents make up 4.6% of the electorate while 251,377 comprise 4% of the key state of Pennsylvania's electorate, according to AAPI Data.

President Donald Trump narrowly defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016 by fewer than 80,000 votes in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan to secure the 46 electoral votes that handed him a 304-226 victory. But in recent months, national polls have put Biden ahead of Trump in all three states, raising the question of whether Harris' name could galvanize Indian Americans and other immigrant groups to turn out.

Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, emphasized that Indian Americans and AAPI voters could be a "difference maker" at a recent event for AAPI Victory Fund, a super PAC that supports Asian American candidates and endorsed Biden. Biden, who has a page dedicated to the AAPI agenda on his website, is set to deliver remarks at the super PAC's event celebrating India's Independence Day on Saturday.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said having Harris on the ticket and rising Asian American turnout means the voting bloc "can go from being marginalized to the margin of victory."

Democrats said they are excited about what Harris' selection means for down-ballot races, too. Many of the most competitive races were in districts that have large populations of Asian Americans, and South Asian Americans in particular.

Darwin Pham, spokesperson for the DCCC, House Democrats' campaign arm, said Asian American voters would be "critical" in battleground districts.

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"Having Kamala Harris on the ticket as VP makes clear that all of our communities can have a seat at the highest table in the land, and a pivotal role in charting its future," he said.

In Texas' 22nd Congressional District in the south-central suburbs of Houston, for example, close to one-fifth of the district is Asian American, and about 40% of the Asian American population is South Asian American.

The campaign of Sri Kulkarni, the Democrat vying for the seat, expected to see a "historic number of South Asian voters heading to the polls," according to campaign manager Allen Chen.

But Republicans argue that adding Harris doesn't change much for the political map. Harmeet Dhillon, a San Francisco lawyer and a national co-chair of Women for Trump, pointed out that Indian Americans tend to live in large population centers like New York, New Jersey, California and Chicago  cities located in Democratic-leaning states that aren't in play.

"I don't see how adding Kamala Harris to the ticket helps at all," Dhillon said. "Maybe marginally in places like Texas or other Republican states, but it isn't very many votes."

Indian Americans living in the U.S., about 4 million or 1.5% of the population, have historically been some of the strongest Democratic voters, with 77% of Indian Americans voting for Hillary Clinton in 2016. Many are highly educated and affluent with an average household income of $139,000 in 2018  more than double the nationwide average  making them an attractive donor pool.

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MR Rangaswami, a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley and founder of Indiaspora, a nonprofit that works to increase Indian American civic participation, said fundraising is already underway.

"Indian Americans plan to raise substantial amounts of money for the campaign and that is happening as we speak," said Rangaswami, who has known Harris since she was California's attorney general and has donated to her campaigns.

He points to the millions raised by Indian Americans in the Democratic primaries for candidates including Harris, Biden, Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii.

"The sums are only going to get bigger now on both sides," he added.

Republicans have also sought to appeal to Indian Americans over the last year. Trump's appearance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at last September's "Howdy, Modi" event brought 50,000 people to an arena in Houston and his whirlwind trip to India in February for a reciprocal event, "Namaste Trump," shined an international spotlight on their friendship.

While Trump may have made inroads with the community by highlighting U.S-India relations, it was always going to be an uphill climb to win a large portion of Indian American votes. The voting bloc tilts toward the Democratic Party and the president's immigration policies, such as the recent freeze on H1-B temporary work visas, are unpopular with Indian Americans, Ramakrishnan said,

"Harris' nomination, I just think, puts it completely out of reach," he said.

'Her story is America's story'

While introducing his running mate earlier this week, Biden highlighted Harris' biracial background, an identity her supporters hope will resonate with America's increasingly diverse demographic. The share of multiracial children in the U.S. has grown to 10% of the population, according to the U.S. Census.

"As a child of immigrants, she knows personally how immigrant families enrich our country, as well as the challenges of what it means to grow up Black and Indian-American in the United States of America," Biden said. "Her story is America's story."

This undated photo provided by the Kamala Harris campaign in April 2019 shows her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, left, and her mother's friend, Lenore Pomerance, during a civil rights protest in Berkeley, Calif.

Harris' mother, Shmayala Gopalan, emigrated to the United States as a 19-year-old student eager to earn her academic prowess at the University of California at Berkeley. It was there she met Harris' father, Donald Harris, and was embraced by the African American community.

"My parents came from opposite sides of the world," Harris said in her first remarks with Biden on Wednesday. "What brought them together was the civil rights movement."

That movement also led to the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which ended national-origin immigration quotas and opened the U.S. to an influx of Indians and other immigrants.

"If it hadn't been for the civil rights movement and the push to open up immigration, I wouldn't be here at all," said Shekar Narasimhan, founder of the AAPI Victory Fund.

This January 1970 photo provided by the Kamala Harris campaign shows her, left, with her sister, Maya, and mother, Shyamala, outside their apartment in Berkeley, Calif., after her parents' separation.

"We ride on the backs of the Black people who came before us and who fought those struggles so I feel like I owe them my heritage. So to have Kamala, this smart, biracial, proud woman, who can represent that all  that's what America is about."

Jayapal thought Harris' selection offered ways to energize multiple communities.

"I think this opportunity for everybody to claim her in a different way is wonderful," she said.

Race has played an outsized role in the 2020 presidential election. Not only did Democratic primary race feature the most diverse field of candidates ever  which included Harris  but voters will cast a ballot in November amid a national reckoning over racism after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Harris' also faced scrutiny over her background in her first presidential bid, with some questioning whether she embraced her Indian heritage enough. Dhillon, the Women for Trump co-chair, revived that criticism when asked about enthusiasm for Harris in the Indian American community.

"From my observation of nearly 20 years, the only time we ever see her identify as Indian American is when she's asking for money in a room full of Indian Americans at a fundraiser. And that's harsh but it's true," she said. "It would be very different if she spent her career engaging with the Indian American community."

But Rangaswami, a Harris donor, argued the national dialogue about race has evolved since her last turn in the national spotlight.

"I think the Black Lives Matter movement has moved the narrative from a question of 'are you Black or are you Indian?' to an understanding that she's a woman of color," he said. "I think there is a new kind of understanding within American society now and we can all start relating to her in that sense."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris: Indian Americans energized by vice president pick
Eicher Motors lost 2.04% to Rs 21,229.90 after the company reported consolidated net loss of Rs 55.18 crore in Q1 June 2020 as compared to net profit of Rs 451.77 crore in Q1 June 2019.

Total income fell 63.05% to Rs 932.39 crore in Q1 June 2020 over Q1 June 2019. The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 13 August 2020.

The company registered a pre tax loss of Rs 50.67 crore in quarter ended 30 June 2020 as against a profit before tax of Rs 663.45 crore in quarter ended 30 June 2019. Total tax expenses stood at Rs 4.5 crore in Q1 June 2020, steeply lower than total tax expense of Rs 211.68 crore in Q1 June 2019.

Eicher Motors said that COVID19 has impacted the normal business operations of the group by way of interruption in production, supply chain, etc., during the lock-down period. The company gradually commenced operations during the month of May 2020 after obtaining necessary approvals. As a result, the volumes for the current quarter have decreased.

The board of directors of the company, has fixed 25 August 2020 as the record date for determining eligibility of members for the purpose of sub-division of each equity share of face value of Rs 10 each into ten equity shares of face value of Re 1 each.

Commenting on Eicher Motors' performance, Siddhartha Lal, MD said, the previous quarter put forth unprecedented challenges for the industry and for Eicher Motors. Towards the end of the quarter the company witnessed encouraging consumer sentiment.

Eicher Motors is the listed parent of Royal Enfield, the global leader in middleweight motorcycles. In addition to motorcycles, Eicher has a joint venture with Sweden's AB Volvo - Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV) which operates in India's commercial vehicle space.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON - Americans increased their spending at retail stores and restaurants in July for a third straight month, but some evidence suggests that sales are weakening with the expiration of government rescue aid that had previously put more money in peoples pockets.

Fridays report from the Commerce Department showed that retail purchases rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.2% last month. The gains of the past three months have now restored retail purchases to their levels before they plunged in March and April when the pandemic shuttered businesses and paralyzed the economy.

Yet with Americans overall income now likely shrinking, economists expect spending to slow further. Julys sales increase was much smaller than Mays 18.3% gain and Junes 8.4% increase, when shoppers flocked to newly reopened businesses. In July, the viral outbreak re-surged in much of the nation, forcing some businesses to shut down again.

Sales at restaurants and bars grew 5% last month after much more robust increases of more than 30% in May and 27% in June. Restaurant and bar revenue remains about one-fifth below its levels of a year ago.

Solid sales gains were posted last month at electronics and appliances stores, reflecting the needs of mostly higher-income people who are now working from home. Purchases at clothing stores, gas stations, and drugstores also rose. Furniture sales were flat after a huge gain in June.

The problem now is that roughly 28 million laid-off workers are no longer receiving a $600-a-week federal unemployment check that they had received in addition to their state benefit but that lapsed last month. In addition, a $1,200 stimulus check that was sent to many Americans in April and May likely wont be repeated. Negotiations in Congress on a new economic relief package have collapsed in rancour and show no sign of restarting anytime soon.

Many retailers have said the supplemental unemployment aid had helped spur sales of clothes and other non-discretionary items in the spring and early summer.

Consumers have been largely shielded from economic realities by the various stimulus and benefit programs, said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. However, many of those advantages expired at the end of July, and August will be the first month when the chill winds of economic turmoil hits many households.

Consumers had started to cut back on spending in late July, according to a GlobalData survey, and spending fell sharply in the first week of August. Many consumers are spending more around the home and on recreational equipment while still maintaining a nervous outlook.

Jennifer Zaspel and her husband, who live in Milwaukee, recently bought a $2,000 bike and are having a patio built in their backyard. Still, Zaspel, a 33-year-old psychiatrist, said her full pay was just reinstated after the academic institution she works for had temporarily cut her pay in a cost-saving move. Fearful of another wave of viral cases, she intends to rein in her spending.

We are going to continue to keep things fairly tight just because I am anticipating another surge, said Zaspel, who buys second-hand clothing and toys for her 7-month old son.

Fridays report on retail sales captures only about one-third of all consumer spending. The rest involves services  from haircuts and gym memberships to movie tickets and hotel rooms  all of which were hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic and have yet to recover

In the April-June quarter, consumer spending collapsed by a record amount, causing the economy to shrink at a previously unheard-of annual rate of 32.9%. Economists have forecast that growth is rebounding in the July-September quarter at a roughly 20% annual rate, though that pace would still leave the economy far below pre-pandemic levels.

The governments figures mask a huge shakeout in the retail industry, with Americans pulling sharply back on in-person shopping and spending more online. More than 40 retailers have filed for bankruptcy protection this year, about half of them since the pandemic. Thats about double the number for all of 2019.

In recent weeks, Ann Taylors parent company declared bankruptcy. So did the Lord & Taylor department store chain and the discount store chain Stein Mart, which had been in business for 112 years.

Stein Mart cited the resurgence of coronavirus cases in Florida, Texas and California as a key factor in its bankruptcy filing. The company has many stores in those states, a fact that hurt customer traffic and drained its cash. And Rent the Runway, the fashion rental pioneer, confirmed Friday that it will be closing all five of its stores for good as it focuses on expanding its drop-off boxes.

The upscale outdoor CityPlace Doral mall in Miami had closed in March, reopened in May and then enjoyed strong sales and traffic in June, according to Mauro Olivieri, the malls general manager of the upscale outdoor mall. When the virus resurged in July, local mandates forced it to close indoor dining.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would replace the now-lapsed $600 a week in federal jobless aid with $300 a week from a disaster relief fund. Yet that would require the states to establish a separate payment system that would likely take weeks. In the meantime, the loss of the $600 will cut recipients income, on average, by one-half to three-quarters.

That prospect has unnerved Tia Ferguson. A 40-year-old substitute teacher in Columbus, Ohio, Ferguson was laid off in March. Beginning in June, she managed to receive both her states unemployment benefit and the $600 federal check. Its unclear when she might be recalled to work, and she is reluctant to teach in person until after a vaccine is approved. A diabetes and asthma patient, she worries about the risks of returning to the classroom.

Fergusons husband earns income as an auto mechanic but is still building a business that he recently started. The couple has taken to reducing their three kids video game time to save on electricity.

With her weekly jobless aid now just $171, Ferguson has cut back on groceries and gone on Facebook to find information on food pantries.

I dont know when Ill have a steady stream of income thats even close to what I was making, she said.

___

DInnocenzio reported from New York.
This post draws on findings from a phone-based qualitative interview project in the Netherlands. During April 2020, we interviewed 59 seniors about their experiences during the COVID-19 crisis and their views on the portrayal of senior adults in the national media. The participants were between the age of 54 and 95 (M=75), living throughout the Netherlands, both independently and in nursing homes. To illustrate our findings, we used quotes from some of our interviewees[1].

The Intelligent Lockdown

Shortly after the massive outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy, the Netherlands reported its first case on the 27th of February 2020. Roughly two weeks later, the first nationwide restrictions to mitigate the virus were announced; people were asked to work from home as much as possible and to stay at home as much as possible, schools, restaurants and gyms closed their doors, and events were cancelled. Although social life was practically halted, the Netherlands has never been in total lockdown since COVID-19 broke out there  contrary to most of Europe (or even the world). Rather, the country has followed a so called intelligent lockdown (1), which meant that public transport remained in service, most stores kept their doors open, and people were still allowed to leave their homes when they felt it was necessary, the latter being open for personal interpretation.

However, certain groups, older adults (defined as 70+) and those with underlying health issues were strongly pressed to stay indoors and refrain from social contact with people outside of their household. At the time, the government seemed to suggest and hope that the intelligent lockdown would create what is now commonly known as group or herd immunity, as only healthy people (i.e. young and fit) would be infected with the virus while protecting the weak. Such an approach, so the logic seemed to be, would limit social, economic and psychological costs of mitigation measures.

This principle of protecting the weak became widespread not only through the national media but also confirmed in the words of the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, who stated: I would like to tell you [seniors and those with underlying health issues] that our absolute priority is to minimize the risks for you (2). Moreover, he made an appeal to the young and healthy citizens to follow the restrictions not only for themselves but mainly for our older people. In response, media outlets started to portray seniors as a particularly vulnerable group and, at the same time, reported widely on the growing solidarity of younger generations who were expected to minimize their social contact for these vulnerable people (3) and help out those in need: the older people and the weak.

Conflicting Vulnerability

Although probably driven by the best intentions, the ever-growing attention to the situation of older individuals, further emphasized by the sparked solidarity from younger generations, caused many seniors to become more conscious of their so called vulnerable position. Peter, aged 75, reflected: the corona crisis did make me aware that I am more vulnerable now than younger people, because of my age. I am part of the risk group.

At the same time, many other interviewees did not recognize themselves in the unambiguous and generalizing image of older vulnerable people. As stated by Susan, aged 73: I do not feel addressed when [the media] talk about older people. Yes, I understand that they have to focus on older people because of the risk, but no, I do not see myself as old.

The paradox Susan describes  of belonging to a risk group while not identifying as such  highlights the discrepancy between the portrayal in the media of older adults being vulnerable and at risk, and ones own perception of not feeling old. This discrepancy became even clearer to us when we discussed with participants how they dealt with the measures taken to protect them, specifically, during the intelligent lockdown. Multiple seniors experienced internal conflict in assessing which measures applied to them, and how they were to adhere to them.

For example, many people would like to go out for a walk or bike ride, but some felt insecure or anxious, as the government had urged them to stay inside as much as possible. Charlotte, aged 72, reflected on this by saying: Rutte says stay at home, so when I do go out, I feel guilty. But on the other hand, I dont meet anyone, or yes, they fly by on their bike, but I dont think that the virus will hit me on the bike. Like Charlotte, several interviewees tried to manoeuvre between the measures set by the government, their own perception of health, and a self-determined risk of becoming infected.

Intergenerational Solidarity

As outlined above, most of the solidarity during the COVID-19 crisis was expected to come from younger generations and the emphasis was largely on the sacrifices of the young. During our interviews however, we noticed that solidarity was not a one way street but went in both directions.

Contrary to the regular and frequent stories in the media of lonely, isolated, and vulnerable individuals, most of our older participants would not portray themselves as those who were hit hardest by this crisis. Instead, they felt that younger people, who were losing their jobs and were forced to stay inside to protect the old, were hit harder by the pandemic and needed support and help, as Gill, aged 80, explained: the mental damage inflicted on people, who are now unable to work and become stressed because they dont make money. This cant go on, [the government] should say that older people should stay inside as much as possible and that young people can resume their lives.

Some interviewees suggested that COVID-19 actually pointed out new vulnerable groups such as small business owners or younger generations and worried about the future of these groups. Leo, for instance, was afraid that a longer lockdown would have a great effect on education: I worry about my grandchildren, if they receive enough education now so that they do not fall behind in their education later. I hope that schools will start again, I dont mind staying inside, but let them start again. Similar to Leo and Gill, several seniors stated that they would be happy to stay inside (a bit longer) if that meant that younger generations and the economy could start again.

The issue of vulnerability and the need for solidarity between generations was further drawn out when, several weeks into the intelligent lockdown, a statement was put forward saying that, in the worst-case scenario, people above a certain age would no longer be admitted to intensive care (4). This made many participants reflect upon their personal health and that of others.

Some participants, including Susan, told us that they would like to be admitted to intensive care no matter what. Yet others stated that they would be happy to give up their intensive care bed to a young person with a family when the situation would arise. Leo, for example, told us: I have lived my life, I would not want to go to the [intensive care], give my bed to someone else. And Margot, aged 72, said: if there is a choice between me and a young person who still has a family, in terms of staying alive, well, I dont mind if they choose him or her over me.

In Conclusion

The stories that we gathered do not only show the heterogeneity amongst senior citizens but also that solidarity during crises such as COVID-19 is not a one way street and does not only come from younger generations. Instead, older adults who are often portrayed during this crisis to be vulnerable and in need of help also feel that they can help and support younger generations. This demonstrates that rather than solely focussing on the possible vulnerability of older adults, we should highlight their strength and willingness to contribute to society and acknowledge that solidarity is always a mutual endeavour  it takes two to tango.

Miriam Verhage has worked at Leyden Academy since May 2018. Here, Miriam researches the influence of social initiatives in the well-being and the social networks of the elderly people in Netherlands. Furthermore, Miriam does qualitative research on the image young people have of the elderly. After obtaining her Bachelor of Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies at Radboud University Miriam successfully completed the Research Master Cultural Anthropology from the University of Utrecht. In addition to her passion for research Miriam feels strongly connected to (elderly) care. After high school she worked at a day care for demented people and in a nursing home for senior citizens. Miriam has also worked as a nutrition assistant at the Department of Geriatrics of Radboud University Medical Center.

Lucia Thielman joined the research team of Leyden Academy in January 2020, where she will research projects related to interaction between elders and youth, initiated by Leyden Academy and Jo Visser fund. Furthermore, Lucia will be involved in action researcher in projects related to elderly care in Maarssen and Hilversum. Lucia is no stranger to the academy, as in 2017 she did her internship on the positive effects of neighborhood participation in health. Lucia first obtained her Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leiden. After which she completed in 2018 her Masters degree in Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences. Lucia started her working life as project coordinator for several social projects, including for the Move Foundation. Besides her work at Leyden Academy Lucia is also involved in research at the Free University in Amsterdam.

Lieke de Kock joined the team of Leyden Academy in January 2020, where she is junior researcher in the project Art in long-term care. In this participatory research we visit the initiatives on art in long-term elderly care throughout the Netherlands, and we enter into dialogue with the participants and stakeholders. In this way we map the active factors involved, and hopefully contribute to a broader base of support for these initiatives. Lieke has a background in theatre studies. She studied, lived and worked for five years in the UK, where amongst others she researched into the effect of theater on people with memory problems in elderly care homes. The past 3.5 years Lieke worked as a care provider at a care organisation in Ede and as a geriatric activity therapist in a hospital in Gelderland, both in the Netherlands. In addition, Lieke followed the education program Social Work at Hogeschool Arnhem and Nijmegen.

Jolanda Lindenberg is a socio-cultural anthropologist with a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Halle/Saale, Germany. At the Leyden Academy, Jolanda leads the activities in the focus area Connected, and researches social networking, group identity and identity formation of older people. She is also involved in various research projects, including the national prevalence of elder abuse, quality of life of older people, the image of the elderly, and the development of a tool that measures the wellbeing of older individuals (the Life and Vitality Assessment). Jolandas main focus is the views of the elderly. Along with fellow Belia Schuurman she reviews how older people think about themselves and the elderly in general. With fellow Nina Conkova she researches the needs of elderly people with a non-Dutch background. In addition, Jolanda is involved in various courses, for example the course Wellbeing of Seniors for healthcare professionals and Start-Up Plus for older entrepreneurs.

The Age of COVID-19 is a series being cross-posted at Somatosphere and the Association for Anthropology, Gerontology and the Life Course (AAGE) blog and is edited by Celeste Pang, Cristina Douglas, Janelle Taylor and Narelle Warren.

Notes

[1] All names in this blog are anonymized and pseudonyms.

References

1. Coronavirus: Why Dutch lockdown may be a high-risk strategy, BBC News, April 5 2020 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52135814

2. Televisietoespraak premier, Algemeen Dagblad, March 17 2020

3. De Nederlandse nuchterheidscultus en de coronatest, Volkskrant, March 16 2020

4. Hoeveel bedden zijn er op de ICs?, De Vokskrant, March 14 2020



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MLA Vijay Mishra, who represents Gyanpur (Bhadohi) assembly constituency in Bhadohi, has been arrested in Agar district of Madhya Pradesh at the request of Bhadohi police, said Superintendent of Police Rambadan Singh.

Mishra has been arrested in a case of threatening a person and his family to life, grabbing his contract firm forcibly and harassing him. He contested the assembly election on Nishad Party ticket and won. He is a four-time MLA.

At my request, Agar SP has arrested MLA Mishra in a property grabbing case. The case was registered by Krishna Mohan Tiwari, Bhadohi SP said.

On August 8, Krishna Mohan Tiwari lodged a case against MLA Vijay Mishra, his wife Mirzapur-Sonbhadra MLC Ramlali Mishra and their son Vishnu Mishra alleging that they want to grab their property.

Also read: Govt announces Police Medals, J&K tops gallantry list

On Thursday, Mishra released a video alleging that police is harassing him and his family since he is a Brahmin and four-time MLA from Gyanpur Bhadohi. He alleged that the police may carry out his encounter. The police have rejected his allegation, calling them baseless.

In the video, the MLA claimed, My wife Ramlali, and son Vishnu Mishra have been framed in a fake case. Since I am a brahmin and a four-time MLA from Bhadohi, I am being harassed. All this is done so that a mafia from Chandauli or Banaras, or a son from Ballia may contest election from Bhadohi. I may be murdered.

In a video statement, superintendent of police Rambadan Singh said, On August 13, MLA Vijay Mishra released a video based on false facts intending to divert attention from his criminal acts and to create confusion in public. As many as 73 cases are registered against him. The allegations levelled by him are false and baseless.

The SP further added that a gunner has been provided to him for his security. He said that a Bhadohi police team has been sent to Madhya Pradesh. The MLAs wife Ramlali and his son Vishnu, who are also named in the case, will be arrested soon, the SP added.
The second screening phase will begin at the end of August. Our colleagues at RTL 5Minutes have compiled all the details you might need to know.

The second phase of the large scale testing strategy was unanimously adopted by MPs on 21 July.

The government has approved a budget of more than 60 million euros to carry out coronavirus testing for thirty weeks - seven and a half months - starting at the end of August before schools are set to resume. Although the cost is high, it is deemed to be justified by the State's responsibility in tackling the virus threat.

WHO WILL BE TESTED?

The government is aiming to carry out up to 53,000 tests per week until spring 2021 - a total of around 1,590,000 tests

Although the screening rate is planned to be lower than during the first phase, the drop will be offset by improved targeting of tests among the population exposed to the virus: employees in healthcare, law enforcement, hospitality, care homes and hospitals will be prioritised.

Travellers arriving in Luxembourg at Findel airport or the capital's train station - excluding cross-border commuters - may also be subjected to screening, while residents and border residents will receive invitations for testing.

The government will also retain a percentage of the testing capacity for potential outbreaks. Screening for those developing symptoms will be maintained until the virus has gone.

The first phase of large-scale screening detected nearly 13% of coronavirus infections. Although MPs acknowledged the second phase will likely not eradicate the virus completely, despite the scope and duration, the government confirmed the next phase was less a question of eliminating the virus, and more a case of controlling it within the Grand Duchy.
As Chairman of the House Human Services Committee, I have the privilege of working with my colleagues, organizations, stakeholders, and community members to identify issues and areas of concern within the Human Services arena. One topic of interest that I have been conscientiously trying to address during my time in the legislature, is mental health concerns.

Mental illness is a heavily stigmatized condition that affects one in five Pennsylvanians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals with mental illness experienced amplified symptoms and stress, causing additional ramifications on their overall health and well-being. During the Human Services public hearing on July 28, 2020, our committee had the opportunity to hear from experts about the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health in Pennsylvania. The Public Hearing forum was held in-person and was also streamed digitally for the public to view.

During the meeting, there were seven panelists that provided insight and perspectives about mental health and the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Public Hearing is the first step in understanding the scope of the issue and how to best determine solutions to help some of the most vulnerable citizens in our communities. While it may be early to know the full implications of COVID-19 on the mental and behavioral wellness of our citizens, it is our due diligence to detect and understand the data we have access to from our front line workers, experts, and physicians. It is also our duty to ensure our front-line workers have access to adequate care, since they are at a heightened risk of developing PTSD as a result of the working conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the hearing, Deputy Secretary Kristen Houser of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (OMHSAS) shared that the National Distress Hotline received a 200% increase of calls in Pennsylvania during March.

On April 1, the Department of Human Services launched a statewide support and referral helpline. This support service is operated by the Center for Community Resources 24/7, which aids with mental health needs and referrals. She also shared that OMHSAS conducted a survey regarding behavioral health care services in 64 of Pennsylvanias 67 counties. Preliminary data shows that 90% of respondents received services at the same or greater frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic as they did prior to the epidemic, 55% of respondents had a reduction in canceled/rescheduled appointments, and 56% of respondents reported telehealth reduced at least one barrier to treatment.

The ability for an individual to access telehealth care is critical to maintain their mental, physical and emotional well-being. Telehealth services provide convenience and peace of mind, since individuals are still receiving support services online without leaving the comfort and security of their homes. An area for concern that was raised is the availability and accessibility of computers and internet services for individuals struggling with mental illness. It is imperative we work to address the accessibility divide and continue providing telehealth services to connect individuals with the behavioral and psychiatric assistance they need. Moreover, as legislators we need to support our mental health and addiction specialists and front-line experts to provide excellent person-centered care in an efficient and effective manner.

During this legislative session, I have authored House Bill 1696, known as Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity. The intent of the bill is to assure compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. House Bill 1696 is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee awaiting additional consideration. It is my hope that this legislation receives the proper attention it deserves and passes both chambers, before heading to the governor for a signature. It is one of my top priorities to make sure individuals that have a mental illness and/or struggle with addiction can seek and receive adequate treatment necessary to recover.

As we continue to navigate these unprecedented times, I will collaborate with my colleagues to continue addressing the mental health concerns of Pennsylvania citizens. If you would like to view the full public hearing, you can visit the Pennsylvania House Republic Caucus website. Please know that you and your loved ones are not alone during this pandemic. While this time is extremely challenging and constantly changing, there are services and support available to you. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health assistance, contact the Pennsylvania toll-free, round-the-clock support line at 1-855-284-2494, disaster distress helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text the crisis text line PA to 741-741.

Kailee Fisher contributed to this article

Thomas Murt of Abington is a Republican representing the 152nd District in the Pa. House of Representatives.
Mr Walker describes the delay in obtaining test results for the swabs taken from the Ruby Princess on the morning of March 19 as "inexcusable". "Those swabs should have been tested immediately," he wrote in his report. One of Mr Walker's harshest criticisms was also directed at the federal government. Mr Walker said many people were of "great assistance" during the inquiry, including the NSW Police Commissioner, but said the "one fly in the ointment ... is the stance of the Commonwealth".

"A summons to a Commonwealth officer to attend and give evidence about the grant of pratique for the Ruby Princess was met with steps towards proceedings in the High Court of Australia," the report says. "Quite how this met the Prime Ministers early assurance of full co-operation with the commission escapes me." The report also highlights the state government's failure to have arranged "suitable accommodation for all passengers" after they disembarked who were not residents of NSW. "The directive to allow passengers to onward travel interstate and internationally after disembarkation on March 19 did not appropriately contemplate or comply with the terms of the Public Health Order that came into effect on March 17," the report notes.

The health order required all cruise ship passengers entering the state from any other country to isolate themselves "in suitable accommodation for 14 days". It also said passengers were initially given the wrong information about self-isolation. "Passengers were incorrectly advised by the ABF [Australian Border Force] during the cruise that their 14-day period of self-isolation would commence from the date of departure from the last overseas port visited by the Ruby Princess, being Napier on March 15," the report says. "This inaccuracy was later clarified during disembarkation at the Overseas Passenger Terminal on March 19, when passengers were provided with a fact sheet published by the Commonwealth Department of Health which relevantly instructed them to self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival in Sydney."

But Mr Walker said a fact sheet linked to an email sent to passengers at 10.46am on March 20 wrongly advised that they were allowed to continue with onward travel, despite being identified as "close contacts" of a confirmed COVID-19 case. Loading "Although this advice was corrected by NSW Health by the evening of March 21, it was at that stage too late to prevent a considerable number of interstate and international passengers from onward travelling, including some passengers who were symptomatic during transit," Mr Walker wrote. But Mr Walker stressed that despite a range of serious mistakes by NSW Health, there were no "systemic" failures to address. "The mistakes made by NSW Health public health physicians were not made here because they failed to treat the threat of COVID-19 seriously," Mr Walker wrote.

Loading "They were not made because they were disorganised, or did not have proper processes in place to develop a plan to assess the risks posed by this disease, and how to limit those risks. "Those physicians relied on the best science, not pseudo-science or matters of political convenience. They were diligent, and properly organised. "Put simply, despite the best efforts of all, some serious mistakes were made." Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would be making more detailed comments next week.

"In the public interest and for full transparency I am releasing it immediately," she said. "I have just received the report. I will read it over the weekend and respond early next week. Mr Walker defended his decision not to call NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard to appear before the inquiry and said calls for Mr Hazzard's resignation were unnecessary. NSW Labor repeatedly called for Mr Hazzard to step down in the weeks after the cruise ship debacle.

"Of course a minister should resign in some circumstances, but as this commission sees it, without wading into the partisan politics, this case would not appear to fit that outcome," Mr Walker wrote. "The failures were professional  failures in decision-making by experts. They are not, as to their expert judgments, subject to ministerial direction. Nor should they be, unless our system of government were to become farcical." In a statement from Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corporation, it said "our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected, particularly those who lost loved ones". "The commissions report confirms that none of our people  the captain, the ships doctor, or members of our shoreside port agency teams  misled public authorities involved in Ruby Princess being permitted to disembark guests on March 19," the statement said.

"We acknowledge the commissions specific comments about Carnival and we will consider these comments to the fullest possible extent." Loading One of the criticisms of Carnival was that it should have ensured that the ship's doctor Ilse von Watzdorf was made aware of the change to the definition of a "suspect case". "They should also have ensured that passengers and crew aboard the Ruby Princess were informed that there were suspect cases of COVID-19 on board. Those persons meeting the definition of a suspect case should have been required to isolate in their cabins," the report says. NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay said the opposition was the first to call for the special commission of inquiry and Ms Berejiklian should "issue a sincere apology for these serious failings".
(by Patrizia Antonini)

BRUSSELS - Tension is high in the eastern Mediterranean after Turkey sent the ship Oruc Reis for hydrocarbon exploration activities within the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) not recognized by Ankara, in an escalation that sees numerous interests at stake, including the Libyan party. Within this renewed strongarm, Turkish Navy frigates and corvettes are accompanying the Oruc Reis and the defense ministry has said that it is ready to protect its country's interests. This is unacceptable for Athens, which is supported by EU partners and Israel.



Diplomacy is at work in an attempt to defuse the situation, with the mediation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of the European Council Charles Michel, who spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who spoke with his counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. The dossier is on the table of the extraordinary European foreign affairs council, summoned by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel. Paris however has already strengthened its military presence in the area, sending two Rafale jets and two military vessels while Athens is in a state of alert, with soldiers summoned from summer leave.



Tension is palpable also because, in a display of force, Turkey has started a naval drill in the area south-east of the Greek islands of Kastellorizo and Rhodes and an involuntary incident could imperil the situation.



The escalation comes a week after the signature of an agreement of maritime demarcation between the Greek government and Egypt on August 6. The agreement is in contrast with the accord signed in November between Erdogan and Libyan Premier Fayez Al Sarraj to divide the eastern Mediterranean in exchange for military aid against General Khalifa Haftar (supported by Russia, Egypt and the Emirates).
Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio)'s GMO LLC recently released its portfolio updates for the second quarter of 2020, which ended on June 30.

Grantham is a co-founder and a member of the asset allocation team of Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo (GMO) & Co. LLC. The Boston-based asset management firm utilizes various long-term, value-based investment strategies that focus on risk management and diversification. Grantham is known for his success in consistently identifying and avoiding stock market bubbles, including the Japanese market bubble in the late 1980s, tech and internet stocks in the late '90s and credit markets in 2006.





During the second quarter, GMO had a high turnover rate of 20%, selling the common stocks of 533 companies and buying shares in 315 companies. The biggest buys were for Royal Dutch Shell PLC (NYSE:RDS.B) and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA), while the biggest sells were for Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (NASDAQ:CTSH) and the ISHARES INC (IEMG) ETF.

Royal Dutch Shell

The firm added 3,029,100 shares to its investment in Royal Dutch Shell, increasing the stake by 3,132.47% to a total of 3,125,800 shares. The trade had a 0.69% impact on the equity portfolio. During the quarter, shares traded for an average price of $32.71.

Commonly known as Shell, this British-Dutch multinational oil and gas giant is headquartered in the Netherlands and incorporated in the U.K. It is involved in the exploration, production, refining, transport, distribution, marketing, power generation and trading aspects of the industry.

On Aug. 14, shares of the company traded around $29.56 for a market cap of $118.62. Net income has normally been positive over the past couple of years, but dropped into the negatives for the first half of 2020.

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GuruFocus gives Shell a financial strength rating of 4 out of 10 and a profitability rating of 6 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 0.27 is lower than the industry median of 0.39, while the Altman Z-Score of 1.56 indicates the company will likely need to raise additional liquidity to avoid bankruptcy. Excluding recent quarters, the company's net margin and operating margin have typically been higher than the industry medians.

Story continues

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Alibaba Group Holding

The firm also increased its stake in Alibaba Group Holding by 422,700 shares, or 25.15%, for a total holding of 2,103,273 shares. The trade had a 0.68% impact on the equity portfolio. Shares traded for an average price of $207.72 during the quarter.

Alibaba is a Chinese multinational conglomerate with holdings in e-commerce, retail, internet and technology assets, among many others. By volume, Alibaba is the largest e-commerce company in the world, with millions of merchants and hundreds of millions of users.

On Aug. 14, shares of Alibaba traded around $252.86 for a market cap of $683.60 billion and a price-earnings ratio of 31.67. According to the Peter Lynch chart, the stock is trading above its intrinsic value but below its median historical valuation.

GuruFocus gives the company a financial strength rating of 7 out of 10 and a profitability rating of 9 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 2.47 and Altman Z-Score of 7.99 indicate high financial stability. The return on invested capital recently surpassed the weighted average cost of capital, indicating a turn to profitability for investors.

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Cognizant Technology Solutions

The firm exited its 3,222,311-share position in Cognizant Technology Solutions, impacting the equity portfolio by -1.25%. During the quarter, shares traded for an average price of $53.59.

Cognizant is a New Jersey-based IT company that provides digital, technology, consulting and IT services to businesses. Specifically, it focuses on helping clients transform their businesses' operating and technology models for the digital era.

On Aug. 14, shares of Cognizant traded around $67.11 for a market cap of $36.38 billion and a price-earnings ratio of 22.68. According to the Peter Lynch chart, the stock is trading above its intrinsic value, but below its median historical valuation.

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GuruFocus gives the company a financial strength rating of 8 out of 10 and a profitability rating of 9 out of 10. The cash-debt ratio of 1.32 is lower than the industry median of 2.2, but the Altman Z-Score of 5.5 indicates the company is not in danger of bankruptcy. The ROIC has been in a steady downtrend, but it is still higher than the WACC, indicating the company is generating profits from its investments.

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ISHARES INC ETF

The firm also sold 1,943,220 shares of ISHARES INC, reducing the position by 46.69% for a remaining holding of 2,218,987 shares. The trade had a -0.66% impact on the equity portfolio. Shares traded for an average price of $44.24 during the quarter.

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The ISHARES INC (IEMG) ETF is part of BlackRock Inc.'s (BLK) iShares family of exchange-traded funds. It tracks a broad range of companies in emerging markets, with 2,510 holdings as of the end of the second quarter.

On Aug. 14, the ETF traded around $52.88 per share for a market cap of $54.12 billion, a price-earnings ratio of 12.57 and a dividend yield of 2.31%. The price is up 12% over the past 12 months.

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Portfolio overview

As of the quarter's end, the firm held common shares in 746 stocks valued at a total of $11.97 billion. The top holdings were Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) with 5.12% of the equity portfolio, Apple Inc. (AAPL) with 4.58% and Alibaba with 3.37%.

In terms of sector weighting, the firm was most invested in technology, health care and financial services.

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Disclosure: Author owns no shares in any of the stocks mentioned. The mention of stocks in this article does not at any point constitute an investment recommendation. Portfolio updates reflect only common stock positions as per the regulatory filings for the quarter in question and may not include changes made after the quarter ended.

Read more here:

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LISBON (dpa-AFX) - Portugal's economy contracted slightly less than initially estimated, but the rate of decline remained sharp, amid the severe hit from the coronavirus pandemic, latest figures from Statistics Portugal showed on Friday. Gross domestic product fell 16.3 percent year-on-year, which was initially estimated at 16.5 percent. In the first quarter, the economy shrank 2.3 percent. Two consecutive quarters of economic contraction equals to a technical recession. Domestic demand made a negative contribution of 11.9 percentage points, which was far worse than the 1.2 percentage points in the previous quarter. This was largely due to the sharp contraction in private consumption and investment due to the containment measures implemented to battle the Covid-19. Negative contribution of external demand worsened to 4.4 percentage points as exports declined more than imports, due largely to the near interruption of non-residents tourism, the statistical office said. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP fell 13.9 percent after a 3.8 percent drop in the previous quarter. The quarterly decline was initially estimated as 14.1 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
(Photo : REUTERS/Aly Song) Tesla China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at its factory in Shanghai, China January 7, 2020. (Photo : REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/) Tesla electric vehicles are charged at a Tesla Supercharger charging station in Hanam, South Korea, July 6, 2020. Picture taken on July 6, 2020.

Elon Musk's electric car company Tesla's road to building 4,000 superchargers in China begins on Aug. 14. The American automaker aims to reach the goal by the end of 2020, which will double the company's five-year supercharger production.

According to China Daily, the statement was linked to a tweet sent by Tesla China's official Twitter account announcing the opening of the first V3 Supercharger in Beijing, China, on Aug. 8. The supercharger station is the third electric station in mainland China.

The post added that the company will soon install rapid charging stations in other cities, according to Teslarati. The tweet reads: "The first V3 Supercharger station in Beijing is open! We will launch the V3 Supercharger in more cities soon."

The V3 supercharger is more efficient than its predecessor, which can boost a Tesla Model 3 for a 200-kilometer drive within just 15 minutes. The new charging station in Beijing will further heighten its sales in China, especially as the city aims to ban fossil-fuel cars by 2030. In 2018, there are over 5.9 million vehicles registered in Beijing.

Thus, Tesla is setting foot on the greater expansion of its electric vehicles across China. The planned charging stations will also entice new electric car buyers as it prepares for a large electric vehicle market in the future. After all, its Shanghai gigafactory will be producing millions of cars, particularly the Model Y, which is a high-volume vehicle like the Model 3. This means these models could gain a pretty good market share in Beijing and other key cities in China.

Read also: NEW Tesla Drop? CEO Elon Musk Hints Cryptic New 'Plaid Model' Set to be Released on 'Battery Day'

Tesla will get great sales despite the coronavirus crisis

According to China's Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Tesla is expected to gain remarkable sales in China as the Model 3 will remain popular among Chinese buyers until the end of the year. The CPPA tracks the sales of the biggest auto market worldwide.

Similarly, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) also said Tesla is predicted to sell 2020 around 100,000 vehicles, despite the coronavirus pandemic shutting down the country, including the automotive industry for a couple of months earlier this year.

The CPCA reported that Tesla sold nearly 15,000 vehicles in June, which closed its second-quarter sales. For July, Tesla sold more than 11,000 Model 3 cars, making it the best-selling battery-powered car in China last month. These units were all built at the Shanghai gigafactory.

In December 2019, Shanghai made its first Model 3 deliveries, which were the first batch of Tesla vehicles built abroad. Tesla used to have all its vehicles built from its Fremont, California factory.

Meanwhile, after the Chinese government relaxed the restrictions for automakers from owning more than 50% of a company or any joint venture with a Chinese partner, Tesla was also the first foreign automaker to completely own a factory in China after the Chinese government relaxed the restrictions for automakers.

Read also: Elon Musk Shares the Significant Contribution of China to Tesla in Beating Toyota

With its local Model 3 production, Tesla has avoided steep tariffs while it gets an edge over its imported competitors in the world's largest auto market. Its recent deliveries of the Long-Range RWD Model 3 further boost sales, with the price starting at $49,575. The long battery life version can travel up to 276 miles before requiring charging.

Tesla has also made the Model 3 more appealing to its Chinese customers by adding features like Baidu Maps app for navigation, which works more seamlessly on China's congested roads.

The U.S. automaker will speed up building its V3 stations throughout the end ina, which is one of the most important markets for Tesla cars, especially the Model 3 Sedan.

Read also: Tesla Chinese Rivals Li Auto and Xpeng Motor EVs Explode After US IPO Debut; Quality Concerns Raised

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by CJ Robles

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Mr Alfred Obeng Boateng has sponsored the drilling of mechanized boreholes in five communities within his Constituency.

The beneficiary communities are, Dominibo No 1, Dominibo No 2, Nambro, Kojina/Subri Nkwanta, and Fahiakobo.

Mr Boateng indicated that the borehole project was in response to a request from the beneficiary Communities who had water challenges in the constituency.

The parliamentary candidate, who is the Chief Executive Officer for Approaches Group of Companies stated that the objective behind the project was to help solve the perennial water shortages in the beneficiary communities.

Mr Boateng hinted that the project would soon be extended to other communities to complement the government in its 'Water-for-all' project aimed at providing adequate and potable water supply for the people of Ghana, particularly the Western North Region.

The beneficiary communities lauded Mr Boateng for his quick response to help address their water problem and pledged to reciprocate in the December general elections to become the next Member of Parliament for the constituency for him to continue with his good vision for the area.

In a related development, Mr Boateng donated a brand-new Nissan 4x4 pick-ups to the Bibiani, Sefwi Bekwai, and Sefwi Wiawso police division to enhance their daily activities.

He has also procured a 100 KVA generator set and some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Bibiani Government Hospital.

Mr Boateng also donated several sewing machines to apprentices, supported the aged with cash, funded the skills training of about 300 youth, and assisted some brilliant but needy students with cash.

---GNA
China's civil aviation industry continued to see a gradual recovery in July as key indicators reported narrowing declines from a month ago, data from the country's aviation regulator showed Thursday.

Airlines flew a total of 39.1 million passengers last month, down 34.1 percent year on year. The decline narrowed 8.3 percentage points from June, according to information released at a press briefing by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The CAAC adjusted policies for international passenger flights in early June, allowing more foreign carriers to resume flights to China on a once-a-week basis starting from June 8.

China may "modestly increase" flights from some qualified countries provided that risks are controlled and adequate receiving capacities are in place, according to the CAAC.

As of Wednesday, China has maintained regular passenger traffic with 50 countries, and altogether 93 airlines, including 19 domestic and 74 foreign companies, have been operating 187 regular international passenger routes, the CAAC said.

In July, China's air cargo volume fell 10.4 percent year on year to 552,000 tonnes and the punctuality rate of Chinese airlines reached 85.6 percent.
UK buys more potential COVID-19 vaccines from J&J and Novavax

Reuters:Britain will buy potential COVID-19 vaccines from US drugmakers Johnson & Johnson and Novavax Inc, the companies said on Friday, bringing the total number of deals by the UK government to six as the race for shots heats up.

Johnson & Johnson said its Janssen Pharmaceutica unit will supply the UK government with its candidate known as Ad26.COV2.S with an initial sale of 30 million doses on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use.

The advance purchase agreement will also provide an option for an additional purchase of up to a 22 million doses, it said.

In a separate statement, Novavax said the UK would buy 60 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373, for a phase 3 clinical trial.

With six deals each so far, Britain and the United States are leading the global race to strike deals with drugmakers for vaccines as the pandemic continues to rage.

The latest agreements bring the UK's total number of doses secured to 362 million for the population of 66 million.

J&J said it has also agreed to collaborate with the UK government on a global Phase 3 trial to explore the two-dose regimen of its vaccine candidate.

It will run parallel to the Phase 3 trial investigating the single-dose programme.

No vaccine has yet proven to work, but more than 20 candidates are in clinical trials.Reuters: Britain will buy potential COVID-19 vaccines from US drugmakers Johnson & Johnson and Novavax Inc, the companies said on Friday, bringing the total number of deals by the UK government to six as the race for shots heats up.

Johnson & Johnson said its Janssen Pharmaceutica unit will supply the UK government with its candidate known as Ad26.COV2.S with an initial sale of 30 million doses on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use.

The advance purchase agreement will also provide an option for an additional purchase of up to a 22 million doses, it said.

In a separate statement, Novavax said the UK would buy 60 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373, for a phase 3 clinical trial.

With six deals each so far, Britain and the United States are leading the global race to strike deals with drugmakers for vaccines as the pandemic continues to rage.

The latest agreements bring the UK's total number of doses secured to 362 million for the population of 66 million.

&J said it has also agreed to collaborate with the UK government on a global Phase 3 trial to explore the two-dose regimen of its vaccine candidate.

will run parallel to the Phase 3 trial investigating the single-dose programme.

No vaccine has yet proven to work, but more than 20 candidates are in clinical trials.




Organisers of illegal raves in England could face 10,000 fines as authorities step up measures against gatherings that breach social distancing rules during the pandemic.

Ahead of further easing of lockdown measures in England, Boris Johnson said that new fines were to be introduced targeting organisers of raves or other unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people.

No 10 sources said that fines for those responsible could be up to 10,000.

The proposed measures come after police forces around the country stepped up patrols targeting illegal gatherings. In a statement, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said police have been responding to increased reports as the warm weather and easing of lockdown measures have left some people more willing to take risks.

Metropolitan Police revealed that more than 500 illegal events were organised in London last month, while West Midlands Police shut down 125 parties and raves just last weekend  including one gathering of more than 600 people.

Commander Ade Adelekan, NPCC lead for unlicensed music events, said illegal raves are hosted without regard for the safety of those attending.

Whilst we of course want people to have a good time, this needs to be done in a socially responsible way, within the law, and with due regard for everyones safety, he said.

Coronavirus still represents a real and deadly threat ... Young people are not immune to this virus, and should think twice before attending illegal events.

Mr Adelekan warned organisers of unlicensed events that they risk prosecution and having their equipment seized.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, said she does not want to allow progress in tackling the virus to be undermined by a small minority of senseless individuals.

These measures send a clear message  if you dont cooperate with the police and if you put our health at risk, action will follow, she said.

Additional reporting by Press Association
Home Town fans don't necessarily have to wait for Ben and Erin Napier to make over their home. An intrepid buyer could always monitor Laurel, MS, listings to find a home renovated by the Napiers on their hit show.

And for HGTV obsessives, a golden opportunity recently presented itself. The Kollar House from Episode 12 of the show's third season recently landed on the market for $229,000.

The brick house built in 1961 was last listed $115,000 in June 2018, prior to its TV appearance. It sold that fall for an undisclosed amount to the Kollars, a couple of doctors who were looking to put down roots in a new town.

In the episode, the couple fell for the 1960s-era home with plenty of potential, and Ben and Erin promised to keep the project within a $200,000 budget.

So two years later, why is the Napier-renovated home back on the market? Well, the Kollars recently had to relocate for jobs, according to the listing agent, Kandace Monsivais with Red Fox Realty.

Monsivais added the home went into contract after just nine days on the market.

"Its bittersweet. Even after the show, they renovated every single room. Everythings been done."

She noted that the "Home Town" team focused on the living space and kitchen, deck, and exterior, as you see in the episode.

After the cameras were packed away, the homeowners were inspired to complete the rest of the house. The bathrooms were both updated by the Kollars, who also painted the bedrooms.

As for the heavy lifting, Ben and Erin transformed the 2,160-square-foot cottage and added their trademark, period-appropriate touches.

Living room with reclaimed antique mantle in Laurel, MS realtor.com

Completely remodeled kitchen realtor.com

New windows and glass doors in the sunroom realtor.com

Brick stairs lined with custom cabinets realtor.com

New deck realtor.com

One of the three bedrooms realtor.com

One of the bathrooms realtor.com

In the three-bedroom abode, the living room now features an eye-catching, reclaimed antique mantle affixed to the gas fireplace. Crown molding now runs the length of the walls, which are painted a light gra]y.

Pulling down a wall created a flow between the living and cooking areas. In the madeover kitchen, dark gray Italian porcelain tile covers the floor. The kitchen also features custom cabinets, durable quartz counters, as well as a luxurious center marble island that can accommodate bar seating.

The white tile backsplash is formed in a grid pattern, rather than the trendy subway tile look, for a design that Erin described as timeless."

Brick stairs leading to the glassed-in sunroom off the living area needed something, according to Ben. He built little white cabinets flanking the stairs, and one of them serves as a custom wine rack.

For the sunroom, the Napiers added new windows, which, Ben helpfully pointed out, are always a great investment." High-end glass accordion doors were also added. Those doors open completely to a newly built deck, for true indoor-outdoor space.

Outside, the team added curb appeal by cladding the steel columns and painting the shutters red, for a pop of personality.

For a New Orleans vibe, shutter dog hardware was attached, so the window coverings could be easily opened and closed. A fenced-in back yard, concrete drive, landscaping, and large oak trees complete the property.

The Home Town team worked their magic in 2018. Two years later, a new owner can move right in and enjoy the place, no renovation required.

The post Kollar House From 'Home Town' Season 3 Hits Market for $229K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Facebook on Friday took a shot at Apple, saying the company will only be able to pay small businesses a portion of sales from a new paid online events feature as a result of the iOS App Store's policies.

"We asked Apple to reduce its 30% App Store tax or allow us to offer Facebook Pay so we could absorb all costs for businesses struggling during COVID-19," said Fidji Simo, the head of the Facebook app in a blog post. "Unfortunately, they dismissed both our requests and SMBs will only be paid 70% of their hard-earned revenue."

An Apple spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Unlike Apple, Google will not take a cut of sales through its Android service. As a result, Facebook said it would make it clear to users in the iOS version of its app that Apple is taking a cut of their sales.

A screenshot of the iOS version of the feature says "Apple takes 30% of this purchase." Simo said Facebook is unsure if this label will successfully get through Apple's review process, but she said it is important for users to know where their money is going.

"When people are paying $20 for a paid online event and they assume that the $20 is all going to the local business they're trying to support -- when 30% is going to an almost $2 trillion company, that's relevant information for people to have," Simo said on a press call. "We felt this was an important thing to call out."

Facebook's shot is the latest blow in a long-running feud between the social media company and Apple. Facebook last month warned investors that its revenue could be impacted by an upcoming feature in Apple's iOS 14 that could make it more difficult for the social media company to target ads to its users.

Apple's App Store is the only way to install software on iPhones, and in recent weeks, top app makers have started to revolt against its rules and the 30% cut it takes from payments.

Facebook and Microsoft complained about Apple's App Store policies earlier this month.

"Apple stands alone as the only general purpose platform to deny consumers from cloud gaming and game subscription services like Xbox Game Pass," Microsoft said when it announced the September launch of its upcoming game streaming service.

"Unfortunately, we had to remove gameplay functionality entirely in order to get Apple's approval on the standalone Facebook Gaming app  meaning iOS users have an inferior experience to those using Android," Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said.

On Thursday, Epic Games decided to test Apple's rules and introduced a way for gamers to directly pay Epic for features. Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and Epic Games file a lawsuit against Apple shortly after. Google also removed Fortnite for breaking its Play Store rules, but Android allows users to install third-party app stores, which means people can still install and play Fortnite.

Match Group, makers of Tinder and Hinge, Spotify have also called for a closer look into App Store business practices.

--CNBC's Kif Leswing contributed to this report.
The U.S. attempt to return children to the classroom this fall has turned into a slow-motion train wreck, with at least 2,400 students and staff either infected with COVID-19 or self-isolating because of exposure, and the vast majority of large school districts opting to go online this summer amid rising cases of the virus.

President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have mostly waved off the situation unraveling this week in states like Georgia, Alabama, Indiana and Tennessee, where schools opened their doors after a months-long hiatus due to the pandemic -- only to quickly backtrack as soon as infections popped back up.

Trump and DeVos have demanded that schools stay open full-time and threatened to pull federal funding if the institutions fail to do so. At a White House event this week, DeVos made no mention of the crisis in Georgia and elsewhere and said families shouldn't be held "captive to other people's fears or agendas."

DeVos has "consistently said the decision to reopen should be made at the local level, and some schools may need to temporarily remain virtual based on local public health situation," Angela Morabito, a spokesperson for the Education Department, told ABC News late Thursday in an emailed response to questions about the recent school closures.

"She's also, for the last 30 years maintained that parents and families need options when it comes to the child's education and that has never been more evident than now," Morabito wrote. "Parents need to have access to safe, in-person options as well as distant or remote learning options if that is what is best for their family. The key word here is safe."

But what is "safe" is not at all clear to most school officials and at the heart of a bitter debate unfolding just months ahead of the presidential election.

There is universal agreement that in-person instruction is superior to online classes and particularly vital for at-risk students. But local officials warn of complicating factors: Crowded hallways, opposition to masks, dilapidated buildings with windows sealed shut and reluctant staff.

Story continues

"There was no way for us to socially distance our children and follow other guidelines" with in-person instruction five days a week, said Helena Miller, chair of the Rock Hill school board in the red state of South Carolina.

Schools in neighboring states this week seemed to make the same point as they struggled to stay open within days or weeks of reopening -- many students without masks and walking in crowded hallways. Georgia's Cherokee County -- which was hit the hardest -- reported that nearly 1,200 students and staff were self-isolating after known exposures.

There were other schools too. A community college in Mississippi told 300 of its students to quarantine after nine positive cases were confirmed, along with students in Gulfport and Corinth districts. Indiana schools were also hit with an estimated 500 students in quarantine across several districts, as administrators expressed concern that there would not be enough staff available to continue instruction.

"Unfortunately, we are in a situation where parents seem to be sending their child/children to school even when they are symptomatic or possibly even when they, as parents, have been tested and are awaiting the results, later to find out they are positive," wrote Reece Mann, the superintendent of Delaware Community School Corporation in Muncie, Indiana, in an email to parents, according to The Associated Press.

There's no federal standard on when it's considered safe to reopen schools, although the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released various documents suggesting "phased" reopenings and advising that kids and staff wear masks and keep students six feet apart.

As a result, most schools have become hyper-focused on their own local virus data, with some looking to the World Health Organization's recommendation that fewer than 5% of an area's daily tests must turn out positive for 14 days before schools in the area can reopen. As of Friday, only 17 states meet that criteria, according to a tracker by Johns Hopkins University.

"We pay absolutely no attention to what the White House has to say on this and neither do most big city school districts," said Michael Casserly, the executive director of the Council of Great City Schools, a coalition of the nation's largest urban public school systems.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, suggested communities look at the number of new COVID-19 cases in a given week for every 100,000 people. If the rise in new cases is higher than 10%, it should be cause for serious concern.

If "you're in a red zone, I think you really better be careful," he said Thursday in a livestreamed discussion sponsored by Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Miller, in South Carolina, said her board anguished for months before finally deciding on offering parents a "hybrid" option, starting Sept. 8. The option allows parents to choose in-person instruction for their kids two days a week -- a move that cuts down the number of kids in a school at one time to allow for social distancing.

The hybrid model has been sharply criticized by DeVos when it was initially adopted earlier this summer by a Virginia school district. At the same time, DeVos has argued that a national plan for schools isn't needed because schools are run by local officials.

"There's not a national superintendent, nor should there be, therefore there's not a national plan for reopening," she said last month.

Many parents agree with DeVos and want to at least try to move ahead with in-person classes as much as possible.

"I definitely still say, 'Give this a shot.' I think there is a way to do this in person," Carlo Wheaton, the parent of a junior at Woodstock High School in Georgia, told WSB-TV in Atlanta after the school announced it had to close temporarily after 14 people tested positive for the virus and 15 more were waiting for their test results.

Dan Domenech, executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, said one solution is money. His group estimates that schools need $490 per student for the nations 54 million students to enforce safety guidelines. The money would be used to buy hand sanitizer and protective gear, among other priorities. The group wants more than that though -- $200 billion total -- to stabilize the nations K-12 schools hit by falling state budget cuts.

Trump announced Wednesday that he plans to provide 125 million masks for students. Domenech said he'd take it but it's a drop in the bucket for schools.

"We see what's happening in Washington: nothing," Domench said.

Miller said at her local school board presidential politics and White House events aren't part of the equation, and that she's leaning on her local health department and governor's office to figure out what to do when there is no playbook.

"There are no right answers," she said.

ABC News' Sophie Tatum contributed to this report.

Editor's Note: This version clarifies the budget request by AASA of $490 per student is an initial investment and that the group wants $200 billion total.

Thousands of students, staff sent home nationwide as COVID snarls school reopenings originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
T ickets for Eurostar trains are being snapped up fast with the Eurotunnel now fully booked as Britons scramble to get home before the UK imposes a 14 day quarantine on travellers from France.

It was announced on Thursday night that people arriving in the UK from France after 4am on Saturday will be required to spend 14 days in self-isolation due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases there.

The cheapest ticket on a Eurostar train from Paris to London is now 210 on Friday, compared with 165 on Saturday.

Car-carrying Channel Tunnel trains are fully booked until Saturday, and there are only two Eurostar services let today, the last one leaving at 3.13pm.

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle has asked travellers to avoid the terminal unless they have a ticket valid for travel today in.

Only two Eurostar services are left / ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Due to the recent Government announcement, our shuttles are now fully booked until tomorrow morning" Eurotunnel said in a statement.

There is no more ticket availability and we are not selling tickets at check-in.

Please do not arrive at the terminal unless you have a ticket valid for travel today.

Meanwhile, Eurostar only have tickets available on two services today Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras, the 1:13pm and the 3:13pm. The 5.13pm sold out just minutes ago.

A Eurostar spokesman said: We have capacity on trains from Paris to London today for those that wish to avoid the quarantine measures.

After the measures come into place, we will continue to monitor demand and adapt our timetable accordingly to ensure that those that need to travel can continue to do so at a safe distance apart.

Two pub workers arriving back in London from a 10-day trip to Belgium said they were required to self-isolate for 14 days  but that they had been taken off furlough and needed to work.

Asking to remain anonymous, one said: I need the money, I cant work from home, I need to work. Its so tricky.

My boss wont allow me to legally, so Ill need to find some kind of odd work in the meantime to get by.

British Airways was charging 452 for a direct flight from Paris to London Heathrow on Friday night, but the plane was fully booked by 10.30am.

Travellers in the south of France face a struggle getting back to the UK before the 4am Saturday quarantine deadline / REUTERS

The same journey on Saturday can be made with the airline for just 66.

P&O Ferries has limited availability, but one person travelling with a car from Calais to Dover can buy a ticket for 200.

Travellers in the south of France face a struggle getting back to the UK before the 4am Saturday quarantine deadline.

Many direct flights to the UK on Friday are sold out.

Flights back to the UK are selling out fast / REUTERS

Flight booking website Skyscanner suggested there were no direct flights from Biarritz to London.

The cheapest option it offered was to take one flight to Paris, another to Belfast and a third arriving at London Stansted shortly before midnight, at a total cost of 284.

The lowest priced ticket involving just two flights is 579 with Air France, changing in Paris.

Travellers trying to return from the Netherlands to the UK before quarantine restrictions are imposed also faced difficulties.

All easyJet flights from Amsterdam to London were sold out.

Loading....

The cheapest fares offered by British Airways for travel on the route on Friday are 327, compared with 128 on Saturday.
The global industrial media converters market is expected to grow by USD 73.24 million as per Technavio. This marks a significant market slow down compared to the 2019 growth estimates due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020. However, steady growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of almost 5%.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005551/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Industrial Media Converters Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

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Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Industrial Media Converters Market Analysis Report by End-user (Process industry and Discrete industry), Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

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The market is driven by the ease of installation in existing cabling infrastructure. In addition, the increasing need for monitoring media converters is anticipated to boost the growth of the industrial media converters market.

The replacement of network cables involving copper wire and fiber optics is often challenging and leads to high capital expenditure. Also, switching from copper wires to fiber optics requires expensive equipment. However, the use of media converters simplifies the transition of media types and facilitates the easy extension of LAN using fiber optics in existing infrastructure. Such benefits have increased the demand for media converters among industrial operators. As industrial manufacturers are increasingly focusing on embracing ethernet protocol for connectivity and extending networking capabilities, the demand for media converters is expected to increase significantly during the forecast period.

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Major Five Industrial Media Converters Companies:

Advantech Co. Ltd.

Advantech Co. Ltd. operates its business through segments such as Industrial Internet of Thing Services (IIoT), Embedded Boards and Design-in Services (EIoT), Allied Design Manufacture Services (Allied DMS), Intelligent Services (SIoT), and Global Customer Services (AGS &APS). The company offers media converters that are robust and compact. They are used to convert Gigabit Ethernet or Fast Ethernet networks into Gigabit or Ethernet fiber-optic networks.

Antaira Technologies LLC

Antaira Technologies LLC operates its business through a unified segment. The company offers a wide range of industrial media converters. Some of its key offerings include IMC-100A-M, IMC-100A-ST-M, IMC-100A-M-T, IMC-100A-ST-M-T, IMC-100A-WA-S2, and others.

Beijer Electronics Group AB

Beijer Electronics Group AB operates its business through segments such as Westermot, Beijer Electronics, and Korenix. Under the brand, Beijer electronics (westermo), the company offers ethernet media converters with different models, to convert between 10/100basetx or 1000basetx and fiber. They provide far end fault indication (fefi) in the form of auto link loss forwarding (llf) to ensure that link status changes are forwarded.

Belden Inc.

Belden Inc. operates its business through segments such as Enterprise Solutions and Industrial Solutions. The company offers a wide range of industrial media converters such as the magnum cr14 converter, magnum csg14 gigabit converter, magnum csn14 converter, magnum csg14u gigabit converter, and magnum ft14 and ft14h 10mb fiber media converters.

Black Box Corp.

Black Box Corp. operates its business through segments such as Solutions and Products. The company offers a wide range of industrial media controllers such as LBH2000 Series, LGC280 Series, LGC5200 Series, LGC5300 Series, and others.

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Global Wireless Mobile Machine Control Market Global wireless mobile machine control market by end-user (construction, agriculture, mining, and waste management) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America).

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Dear Bel,

Im 27 and need advice about whether, and how, I should tell my parents about my older boyfriend, who is divorced with three young children. We met at work two years ago. I was instantly attracted to him, despite his age (hes 41) and circumstances.

We both have successful careers. He sees his children every weekend  an attentive and loving father  while still making time for us.

He adores and respects me and has never done anything to make me doubt his love. Early on, I told my mum about him but she was instantly dismissive. She said: How could we ever have this person at family gatherings knowing he has children hes abandoned?

Unable to cope with family disapproval, I finished with him. But as we work together this was futile and weve since gained acceptance by work colleagues and younger post-university friends. Everyone sees how happy we are. The only missing piece is my family.

My parents are still madly in love after 30 years. My older brother is married with a baby; my middle brother has actually met my boyfriend (hes in the same industry) and Im 99 per cent sure he knows whats going on. Since Im so close to my family and we have a loving, supportive relationship, my mum would be devastated to know Id kept all of this from her for so long.

But she has such delusional dreams of me marrying a Swiss billionaire that I just cant face her disappointment. While stable and successful, my boyfriend is a bit rough around the edges, while Im the privately educated middle-class cliche.

Keeping this from them is tearing me up inside. While my boyfriend is extremely patient, weve agreed that I either need to let them know or we end it, as we cant do ordinary things like go on holiday.

I dont want to lose him as I believe Ive found the person to make me happy for the rest of my life. But I just dont know how to tell my family, or how to be strong enough to withstand their disapproval and disappointment when I do.

While Im confident and happy in my social, professional and love life, my familys wonderful trait of being extremely opinionated turns me (the baby) into a little mouse when Im around them.

I worry about this every day and know I need to be strong and tell them. But how do I do it?

SAMANTHA

This week Bel Mooney advises a woman on how to tell her family she is seeing an older divorced dad of three

Forgive me, but I find it hard to understand why a successful career woman of 27 is afraid of telling her parents about her two-year relationship with a decent man; indeed, why a family described in such glowing terms should sound, to an outsider, insufferably domineering.

Anybody would think we were living in a past age, where parental approval was paramount and depended on wealth, status and class.

Of course, all loving parents want the very best for their children and dread them falling for somebody who will drag them down, ill-treat them or prove unfaithful. I understand that. But its not for parents to dictate or to make judgments; when you first told your mother about your chap, her response was pretty dreadful.

Thought of the day While on the shop and street I gazed My body of a sudden blazed; And twenty minutes more or less It seemed, so great my happiness, That I was blessed and could bless. From Vacillation by W.B. Yeats (Irish poet, 1865  1939) Advertisement

Yes, she would say she had your interests at heart because few mothers want their girls to fall for an older divorced man with kids; a partner with baggage can make life complicated.

But her brutal dismissal led to this two-year secrecy. Had you been stronger, you would have talked it through further at the time and told her you intend to work out your own destiny.

As it was, it was the weakness you confess to that led to this impasse. I think you know that  so you have to do something about it as soon as possible. Your boyfriend is just 14 years older than you and a loving father as well as a successful man. You love each other. What on earth is wrong with any of that? The age gap is nothing compared with some.

But you mention that he is rough around the edges (whatever that means), the clear implication being that your family is rather snobbish. Your mother sounds like any bossy, ambitious Mama in Jane Austen  and frankly I dont think she should be allowed to cherish these damaging delusional dreams any longer.

If you are so truly close to your wonderful family, Samantha, you should be able to talk to them and tell them what you want. If you cant, then Im afraid the closeness is as delusional as your mothers fantasies.

Its absurd that you are still skulking around, afraid to go on holiday!

Giving her the benefit of the doubt, assuming she wants the best for you, its for you to let her know unequivocally how good your man is, how you see a future with him (and a child of your own?) and how happy you are.

How else is she going to know? Its time for you to stop being a little mouse  start to be a real woman and stand up for the man you love.

Dear Bel,

My mum died just over nine years ago. Shed been married to my stepdad for 30 years. Before she died she inherited a substantial amount of money from an aunt of mine.

When Mum died, my siblings and I didnt press our stepdad about the inheritance because we presumed his estate would be shared among the four of us and his two children.

You can imagine my dismay when he recently said his son will get the house and his daughter the money. He is in his mid-80s, becoming frail but in sound mind (I think).

This is a man I loved and considered to be my dad. When Mum was dying she sought reassurance from me and my sister that wed look after him. This was an easy promise.

We both asked him to give us away when we married and he is grandad to our children. My sister died this year and now the promise lies with me. My two brothers dont have the same relationship with him, although its cordial.

My stepdads son only visits when he wants money  hes had at least 50,000 in the past 11 years.

His daughter lives many miles away and although she rings him weekly, sees him once a year.

I live 60 miles away but see him regularly and talk on the phone every week. I organised his food deliveries during lockdown.

What should I do? Just leave it and let Mums inheritance and everything she put into their marriage go to his children? Surely the moral thing would be for it to be shared between his children and me and my brothers?

I intend to seek legal advice. What saddens me most is that it seems the man I regarded as my dad is not the same man I loved and respected.

MEGAN

This is a horrible situation and I understand why youre upset. Wills have always caused trouble and your mother should certainly have ensured you and your siblings were written into her will.

But of course, she trusted her husband, just as you did. Divorce and second marriage can make things hideously complicated. People and circumstances change, so wills do need to be kept up to date  all readers please note.

Its annoying when virtuous souls say but its only money. Of course money matters, (a) because of the help it can give the present and next generations, and (b) because of its symbolic value.

You touch on this when you mention all that she put into the marriage. You feel your mothers whole life-legacy of hard work and love for the family is being betrayed.

You say you intend to take legal advice and thats sensible; only a solicitor can advise you. What you have to deal with in the meantime is your hurt and disillusionment.

Id like to know the circumstances in which your stepdad spoke to you recently about the will. Was it on the phone? How did the subject come up?

It would surely be a good thing for you to visit him as soon as possible, say youve been thinking about what he said and show you are visibly upset.

Let him know how much you love him, how proud you were when he gave you away in marriage, what a lovely grandad hes been  and how hurt you are that he is considering abandoning you in this way.

Explain that you think of this in terms of his affection for you.

Do you have any relationship with his daughter? Might you talk to her? The thing is, you have no means of knowing what (if any) emotional pressure has been put on him by his own children.

Going way back in time, if it was he who ended his first marriage (perhaps because hed met your mother?) it could be that he has been feeling guilty ever since, aware that in taking on your mothers four children he inevitably neglected his own.

Why else would he make a will so blatantly unfair?

You will have to hear him out. If he clams up stubbornly, at least youll have tried. I wish you the best of luck.

And finally... Memories still to be cherished

Do you ever think of people who pass briefly through your life, yet make a huge impression? Its like falling in love; you think you will know them for ever; then they are gone.

Fifty-three years ago, in August 1967, I attended the Yeats Summer School in Sligo, Ireland. My boyfriend Philip drove me there, we camped behind the sand dunes in endless rain and I spent my days learning about my favourite poet while long-suffering Phil did  what? I never asked.

Contact Bel Bel answers readers' questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. A pseudonym will be used if you wish. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence. Advertisement

On the week-long course, I became friends with two fascinating people, an Oxford University undergraduate called Denise, and David, a U.S. postgraduate at Cambridge with whom I fell a little in love.

We talked about art and poetry, climbed hills, caroused, and (lectures ended) all piled into Phils old banger and drove to Dublin, sleeping in the car and at the YWCA.

The days of no money, high ideals, passion and hopes. At 20, I was convinced Id connect with new friends for ever.

Two months later, back at University College London, I met the man I was to be with for 35 years and ditched Phil.

Five months later, I was married (in our second year) and the memories of Sligo were lost in the excitement of a new life. Its hard for the email and social media generation to realise it took effort to keep in touch back then. So I never saw Denise and David again.

Then recently, my oldest schoolfriend dug out a letter kept since 1967. In youthful handwriting, I enthused about romantic days in Ireland and the wonderful people Id met. And there were the names.

Denise Riley became a distinguished academic and prize-winning poet, whose poem about the death of her son (A Part Song) is one of the finest I have ever read.

David Esterly became one of the worlds finest woodcarvers (and a talented writer) and died last year. So thats it. A flash of memory  re-found, untouched by age.
Pennsylvania added 829 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the statewide case count to 122,950.

The Pa. COVID-19 death toll rose to 7,445 as 36 more deaths were reported in the daily update from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

(Cant see the map? Click here.)

Meanwhile, the state has identified 15 counties with concerning rates of positive tests, including Berks County near the Lehigh Valley.

And schools are reopening, but when might they have to close again? New guidance from the state education department shows how many COVID-19 infections are allowable before a building shutdown is recommended, and for how long.

Pennsylvania coronavirus updates for Aug. 14, 2020.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

Coronavirus in Pa.

With 147 new COVID-19 cases, Philadelphia alone accounted for almost one-fifth of Fridays statewide case count. Pittsburghs Allegheny County had 90 new cases.

Pennsylvania closes out the week with its case rate again on the rise, averaging 810 new cases a day over the last seven days. Thats up from 747 at this time last week but still below the 925 case average from two weeks ago.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

The rate of hospitalizations has fallen after a small surge in July. However, the rate of statewide deaths is climbing. In the last seven days, on average, 21 Pennsylvanians died daily from COVID-19, up from 15 a week ago and 13 two weeks ago.

The health department estimates that 78% of Pennsylvania patients have recovered so far.

MORE: How to understand Pa. COVID-19 data with interactive charts

15 concerning counties

Each week, the health department updates its online early warning monitoring system and identifies counties with a concerning percentage of positive cases, above the World Health Organizations recommended threshold of 5%. This measurement factors into decisions on school reopenings.

(The state calculates percent positivity based on total tests, including duplicates. This method puts Pennsylvanias percent-positivity at 4% over the last week. Another way, used by lehighvalleylive.com and Johns Hopkins University, calculates percent positivity based on individuals tested, eliminating duplicate tests  that method shows statewide positivity at 5.1% over the last seven days.)

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

This week, 15 counties, many in rural central and western Pennsylvania, were above 5% positivity, by the states calculation. They are:

Fayette County (10.4%)

Armstrong County (8.9%)

Cameron County (8.7%)

Huntingdon County (7.1%)

Dauphin County (6.5%)

Northumberland County (6.4%)

Mercer County (6.3%)

Erie County (5.9%)

Crawford County (5.8%)

Forest County (5.8%)

York County (5.6%)

Indiana County (5.5%)

Franklin County (5.4%)

Lawrence County (5.3%)

Berks County (5%)

Last week, there were 17 counties above 5% positivity.

The lower the positivity rate, the more likely that testing is capturing the full spread of the virus in a community. On the other hand, high positivity rates show that only the sickest people are being tested  which means that people with few or no symptoms may be unknowingly spreading the virus.

Coronavirus in the Lehigh Valley

As of Friday, state data puts the Lehigh Valley at total 9,038 cases with 635 deaths, an increase of 20 cases and one death from the day before. That breaks down to:

5,047 total cases and 340 deaths in Lehigh County , with 11 new cases and no deaths reported in the last day. The county averaged 18 new cases a day over the last week, up from 15 a week ago.

3,991 total cases and 295 deaths in Northampton County , with nine new cases and one death reported in the last day. The county averaged 11 new cases a day over the last week, compared to 12 a week ago.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

According to the health departments early warning dashboard, Lehigh County had 128 confirmed cases over the last week, up from 104 the previous week. The countys positivity rate (per the states calculation) rose to 4% this week, from 3.1% a week ago. Average daily hospitalizations, as reported by the health department, were cut in half, from 41.1 last week to 19.6 this week.

By the same metrics, Northampton County had 80 cases in the last week, down from 84 the previous week. The countys positivity rate dropped to 2.7% this week, down from 2.9% last week. Few residents are reportedly hospitalized in Northampton: The average daily hospitalizations dropped from 2.6 last week to 1.4 this week.

Here is how bordering Pennsylvania counties compare in cases and deaths:

Berks County has 5,529 total cases and 374 deaths, with 38 new cases and two deaths reported in the last day.

Bucks County has 7,344 total cases and 583 deaths, with 26 new cases and one death reported in the last day.

Carbon County has 382 total cases and 28 deaths, with three new cases and no deaths reported in the last day.

Monroe County has 1,657 total cases and 125 deaths, with two new cases and one death reported in the last day.

Montgomery County has 10,307 total cases and 859 deaths, with 43 new cases and no deaths reported in the last day.

Schuylkill County has 938 total cases and 51 deaths, with eight new cases and no deaths reported in the last day.

(Cant see the table? Click here.)

School reopening: New guidelines say when to shut down

Schools are reopening, but when will they need to close again? New guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Education lay out a policy based on the number of infections within the school and how widespread COVID-19 is in the county. (The state described its process for determining county transmission earlier this week.)

In counties with low and moderate spread, schools will not need to close if just one student or staff member contracts COVID-19, but the building will need to be disinfected.

If two to four people fall ill, the school should close for up to a week for cleaning. If five or more infections are reported, schools could close for up to two weeks.

In all cases, if there is substantial county spread, schools will be advised to go fully virtual. The departments recommendations can be found here.

MORE: How many COVID-19 infections until a school must close? Pa. offers more guidelines.

(Cant see the table? Click here.)

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Head of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, has disclosed that out of 8,000 people who visit the just apprehended "Empress Leaks" pornographic website on a daily basis, more than 1,000 are Ghanaians.



This follows a press briefing held on Monday, August 10, to announce the arrest of one Anderson Ofosuhenene Anim, the administrator, after a joint collaboration with the Criminal Investigative Division of the Ghana Police Service and the National Cyber Security Center.



Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb on Thursday, August 13, said his outfit in collaboration with the CID first received a complaint in January from a teenager who had been a victim of sextortion, child pornography material by the website operators.



"First, we had done some analysis and realised that the site had been active since 2013 and was hosted in the United States. We also found out that some 8,000 persons visit the website per day, of which more than 1,000 of them were Ghanaians. We recieved other complaints from the same site and we removed some other contents to safeguard innocent victims due to the state being responsible for them," he explained.



He added; "A visitor to the site spends at least ten minutes and based on information within the last 30 days, most visitors to the website were mostly from Italy, Ghana and Nigeria."



Dr. Antwi-Boasiako said government will not relent in the fight against child pornography and child online protection thus it will continue to create awareness and sensitisation on the menace.



He however advised for parents to be vigilant with the kind of websites their wards visit on the internet and also urged for children to be transparent with their parents on types of material they discover on the internet.



"We [government and parents] should be involved in our children's life. Our actions and inactions must be prudent and our parental responsibility must come in at every point," he advised.



He further called on the public to use the NCSC Points of Contact (call or SMS 292) to report cybercrime incidents.



The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) of the Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and the National Cyber Security Technical Working Group on Monday, August 10, announced the arrest of the administrator and suspect of the notorious website, "Empress Leak", Mr Anderson Ofosuhene Anim.



The website, is known for the publication of child pornography and adult sexual content.



According to the NCSC, the website records about 600,000 monthly users who are located in Ghana, Nigeria, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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Seoul, Aug 14 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appointed a new premier during a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers Party in Pyongyanf, state-media reported on Friday.

According to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the appointment was made during the meeting on Thursday.

Workers' Party Vice Chairman Kim Tok-hun took over as the country's new premier, while replacing Kim Jae-ryong, Yonhap News Agency quoted the KCNA as saying Meanwhile, Ri Pyong-chol, who has overseen the North's nuclear and missile development, was elected as a new politburo member, it added.

During the meeting, Pyongyang also decided to lift the lockdown on Kaesong imposed for three weeks from July 24 after a North Korean defector allegedly returned home to the border city from the South with coronavirus symptoms.

Kim said the decision "proved the situation of anti-epidemic work has been kept and controlled stably".

Due to the coronavirus risk, the leader also warned against accepting any outside assistance to help the country mitigate the serious damage from recent heavy downpours.

"Our state faces two challenges: anti-epidemic work to thoroughly cope with the world public health crisis and unexpected sudden natural disaster," KCNA quoted Kim as saying in the meeting, calling on officials to "overcome these two crises at the same time".

A total of 39,296 hectares of crops were damaged, while at least 16,680 homes and some 630 public buildings were flooded or destroyed across the country, the KCNA said.

Many roads, bridges and railways were also damaged, it said.

The KCNA pointed out that the areas most heavily hit by the flood were Unpha and Janphung counties in North Hwanghae province and other regions in Kangwon province.

Despite Kim's statement, South Korea's Unification Ministry said it will still try to provide humanitarian aid to the North, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"As we said earlier, the government maintains the stance that it will continue to push ahead with humanitarian assistance in non-political areas and aid related to natural disasters.

"We will continue to monitor North Korea's flood damage," Cho Hey-sil, the ministry's deputy spokesperson, told a regular press briefing in Seoul on Friday.

North Korea is known to be vulnerable to flooding due to poor irrigation and deforestation.

Last summer, a strong typhoon pummeled the North, wreaking havoc on its farming areas.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has signed a petition asking President Armen Sarkissian to award a group of participants of the recent clashes along the Armenian-Azerbaijani borer with the first and second class Order of "The Combat Cross", as well as to honor captain Ruben Sanamyan with the title of National Hero, ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page.

Pashinyan noted that he has presented 71 servicemen for state awards, 16 for first-class Order of "The Combat Cross" and 55 for second-class Order of "The Combat Cross". Captain Ruben Sanamyan is presented to the President for the title of National Hero and Motherland Medal.

A while ago I had the honor to meet with Sanamyan. This is a real act of appreciation to all the participants of the victorious clashes in Tavush, all the servicemen of the Armenian army, officers and Generals, as well as all our heroes of the past and present, all our martyrs who inspired our present-day heroes with their own example, Pashinyan wrote.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan
CEO has slammed his competitor United Launch Alliance (ULA), saying their rockets are worthless and the company is a "complete waste of taxpayer money".

His comments came after the US Air Force awarded and ULA with billions worth of national security launch contracts.

"Efficiently reusable rockets are all that matter for making life multiplanetary & 'space power'. Because their rockets are not reusable, it will become obvious over time that ULA is a complete waste of taxpayer money," Musk tweeted on Thursday.

ULA CEO Tory Bruno responded to Musk's tweet indirectly, congratulating on the contract award.

The US Air Force has announced SpaceX would launch 40 per cent of the military's national security missions between 2022 and 2026.

"ULA won the other 60 per cent of the missions, with the pair of companies beating out challengers Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman," reports CNBC.

ULA is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

The space company provides launch services using expendable launch systems Delta IV Heavy and Atlas V.

The Atlas, Delta IV Heavy and the recently retired Delta IV launch systems have launched payloads including weather, telecommunications, and national security satellites, scientific probes and orbiters.

ULA also launches commercial satellites.

As of 2020, the company is developing the Vulcan Centaur, a successor to the Atlas V that includes some Delta IV technology.

Meanwhile, the Demo-2 test flight from SpaceX for NASA's Commercial Crew Programme has become the first to deliver astronauts to the space station and return them safely to Earth onboard a commercially built and operated spacecraft.

A prototype of SpaceX's Mars Starship spacecraft got off the ground in a test flight last week, marking a small step that could one day prove to be a giant leap towards the human exploration of the Red Planet.

--IANS

na/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
More than a million children in the UK dont have British or Irish citizenship, new figures show  fuelling concerns that young people who have lived in the country all or most of their lives are having their rights neglected.

A new briefing from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford shows that 8 per cent of under-18s in Britain  amounting to 1,082,000  were not UK or Irish citizens in 2019.

Among this cohort, 39 per cent (about 421,000) were born in the UK, and about 177,000 had been in the country for more than 10 years and were therefore eligible to become British citizens.

Campaigners have long warned that young people without British citizenship face being barred from attending university, missing out on job opportunities and being unable to build a life in the country where they live  often the only country they know.

One individual, who came to the UK aged six, told The Independent he felt like an alien in his own home because not having British citizenship had meant he was unable to go to university and was now having to pay high fees to secure his immigration status.

Mark, 25, who didnt want to reveal his full name, only discovered he didnt have secure immigration status when he started applying for university at the age of 21  after a couple of years working as a teaching assistant  and was told he wasnt eligible for a student loan.

It transpired that his mother hadnt regularised his status when he arrived to join her in the UK, and he is now in the process of applying for indefinite leave to remain.

The young man, who wishes to become a teacher but is currently still unable to attend university, said: All of this has really stopped my progress. I dont know what more I can do. Im British. This is my home, but Im losing hope. I feel like an alien in my own home.

The High Court ruled in December that the 1,012 fee for children to register as British citizens was unlawful as it prevented many children from being registered for citizenship.

The fee, which is nearly three times the 372 it costs the Home Office to process each application  leaves children feeling alienated ... insecure and not fully assimilated into the culture and social fabric of the UK, the judge said.

The Whitehall department is said to be appealing against the judgment, and the fee remains in place.

The Migration Observatory data also reveals that 175,634 children are part of a family expected to have no recourse to public funds (NRPF), a condition attached to the immigration status of many non-British citizens which stipulates that they can live and work in the UK but are not entitled to state support.

This is compared with 142,496 in 2016, marking a rise of 23 per cent in three years.

The NRPF rule has come under increased criticism during the Covid-19 pandemic, as it has prevented thousands of families facing job losses and heightened financial pressures from accessing government support.

Solange Valdez-Symonds, director of the Project for the Registration of Children as British Citizens, said the high numbers of children without British citizenship caused immeasurable harm.

She said: Rights to British citizenship of children born and growing up in this country remain so badly neglected, and it is hard to believe this would be permitted to continue were the children affected not so frequently also suffering marginalisation and exclusion in this country.

Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee and migrant rights director at Amnesty International UK, said there was racial discrimination at play: That so many of the young British people affected by this neglect and treated as mere visitors to this, their home country, are black is a particularly poignant example of racism that stretches far beyond the Home Office.

He added that unless and until rights to British citizenship were more widely understood and respected, there would continue to be many children growing up in the UK who are wrongly deprived of its citizenship.

This is partly a result of neglecting to consider the rights and interests of children in their own right rather than as dependents of others; and partly due to a failure to understand and respect British nationality law. That law makes clear the rights to citizenship of all children connected to this country as set out in the British Nationality Act of 1981, he said.

The Home Office has been approached for comment.
Barack Obama slammed President Donald Trump for trying to 'actively kneecap' the postal service to disenfranchise voters.

Obama did not say Trump's name but did refer to the 'president' in his interview on the podcast of David Plouffe, his former campaign manager, in some of his harshest, direct criticism of Trump to date.

'What we've seen in a way that is unique to modern political history is a President who is explicit in trying to discourage people from voting,' Obama said. 'What we've never seen before is a President say, 'I'm going to try to actively kneecap the postal service to encourage voting and I will be explicit about the reason I'm doing it.''

'That's sort of unheard of,' he added.

Barack Obama slammed President Donald Trump for trying to 'kneecap' the U.S. Postal Service in some of his harshest criticism to date of Trump

Obama's criticism comes as the U.S. Postal Service is entering a crisis stage - under attack from President Trump who has falsely said mail-in ballots cause voter fraud and called the post office unable to handle the millions of ballots expected to go through it for the November contest.

And Democrats hauled the new postmaster General Louis DeJoy - a major Republican donor and big contributor to President Trump - to Capitol Hill to question him about policies that postal workers say is causing deliveries in the mail, including cutting over time pay, firing executives, and removing sorting machines.

The inspector general of the U.S. Postal Service is launching a review of DeJoy's policies, CNN reported, at the request of Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

And 46 states - many of them crucial ones that will decide who will win the White House in November - have been warned by the postal service that it cannot guarantee all mail-in ballots will arrive in time to be counted.

Obama became the most-high profile name to add his criticism to the situation when he accused Trump of starving the U.S. Postal Service of much needed funds in order to re-ensure his re-election. The former president challenged Republicans to do something about it.

'You now have the President throwing in this additional monkey wrench trying to starve the postal service,' Obama said. 'My question is what are Republicans doing where you are so scared of people voting that you are now willing to undermine what is part of the basic infrastructure of American life?'

The accusations from the former president come as the U.S. Postal Service sent detailed letters to 46 states and the District of Columbia warning that it cannot guarantee all mail-in ballots will arrive in time to be counted for November's election, The Washington Post reported.

The letters indicate that even if a voter follows all the rules in the state to vote by mail, their vote may not count. Millions of voters are expected to utilize the post office this November amid fears of the coronavirus.

The post office got caught up in a political fight between Democrats and President Trump over an emergency funding provision for the service in an overall bill designed to offer financial relief from the coronavirus. Democrats want $25 billion for the service but President Trump called it election money although he has since indicated he may be inclined to cut a deal.

Democratic Congressional leaders Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also slammed Trump as the two sides negotiate money for the postal service as part of the coronavirus relief talks.

'The President, his cronies and Republicans in Congress continue to wage their all-out assault on the Postal Service and its role in ensuring the integrity of the 2020 election,' the two leaders said in a joint statement.

Meanwhile, concerns about mail-in voting have deepened after the postal service warned officials in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania that some ballots may not be delivered in time.

Michigan and Florida are other key states that could see ballots not be counted because of postal delays.

Additionally, it was revealed President Trump had an Oval Office meeting last week with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy amid allegations the billionaire mega-donor to the Republican Party has put policies in place that are holding up delivery of the mail.

The White House told The Washington Post the meeting was a 'congratulatory' meeting because DeJoy was recently appointed to the position but it came before his tense meeting on Capitol Hill last week with Democratic Leaders Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Worries about mail-in ballots making it to officials in time to be counted are increasing as President Donald Trump criticizes the system but has requested an absentee ballot from Florida

It was revealed President Donald Trump held an Oval Office meeting with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (above) last week before DeJoy's meeting with Democrats on Capitol Hill

Officials in Pennsylvania have asked the state Supreme Court to extend the voting deadline after the U.S. Postal Service issued a warning that not all ballots may be delivered on time

Trump has said he hasn't spoken with DeJoy about the new policies he's put in place in the postal system - including firing executives and limiting overtime work, which DeJoy says is to make the service financially soluble.

With almost 180 million voters eligible to vote by mail in November's contest, worries have been piling up about whether those ballots will make it to state officials in time to be counted. President Trump has been an outspoken critic of mail-in voting but postal workers charge DeJoy's new policies with causing delays that Democrats say could lead to voter disenfranchisement.

Several battleground states that will decide the contest are expected to be affected, including Pennsylvania, where the U.S. Postal Service warned in a July 29 letter that there is a 'significant risk' ballots won't be delivered on time because the state's voting deadlines are too tight for 'delivery standards.'

Election officials there have asked the state Supreme Court to expand voting deadlines in order to make sure every ballot is counted, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

If the state court agrees the result of the contest between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden may not be known until days after Election Day.

Trump won the state by less than 1 percent of the vote in 2016 and this year's contest could be just as close.

State officials, led by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration, wants the court to allow mail-in ballots to be counted if they are received by the Friday after Election Day as long as there is no proof they were mailed after November 2 - such as a postmark.

Pennsylvania law currently requires that mail ballots be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

The state will also set up drop boxes for voters to deposit their ballot instead of having to rely on the mail system.

Several other states are wrestling with mail-in voting issues after governors expanded that option to help combat the coronavirus.

Trump has been a longtime critic of mail-in voting but defends absentee voting. He and first lady Melania Trump have already requested and received absentee ballots in Florida to vote in November's election.

Additionally, the Republican National Committee told the Associated Press it has doubled its legal budget to sue states on the mail-in voting issue to $20 million and is currently involved in about 40 election-related lawsuits.

Meanwhile, President Trump said Thursday he's blocking the coronavirus relief measure because of Democrats' funding request for the Post Office, arguing it's 'election money' for universal mail-in voting.

'Now, they need that money in order to make the Post Office work, so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots,' Trump said in an interview with Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo.

Democrats have put $25 billion for emergency funding for the Post Office in their $3 trillion version of the coronavirus relief legislation - money that President Trump opposes.

'That's election money basically,' he told Bartiromo.

'If they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting,' he explained of both the Post Office funding and the overall Democratic top line number of $3 trillion.

'Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting. They just can't have it,' he said.

President Donald Trump said he was holding up the coronavirus relief talks because he doesn't want a Democratic provision giving additional funding for the Post Office, arguing it will bring about universal mail-in voting

Many states are using mail-in voting to combat the coronavirus pandemic; in Washington state where election workers sort ballots in the above voting, mail-in voting has been the normal for years

Voters in Florida drop off their ballots in the August primary

NO CHECKS WITHOUT A DEAL, IRS INSIDER WARNS An insider with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) believes that Americans may not get their second stimulus check until September if Congress is unable to reach a deal by Friday. Chad Hooper, the national president of the Professional Managers Association, told Grow that the IRS 'is better positioned to issue a second check' than they were in April, but Congress just has to come to an agreement. Otherwise, that would mean Americans, particularly the more than 30 million out of work, may have to wait until September for the second round of relief. However, if lawmakers can strike the deal by this Friday, most stimulus checks could be sent out this month. The first round of relief saw checks of up to $1,200 issued to millions. Advertisement

President Trump is a frequent, fervent critic of mail-in voting, which he claims leads to election fraud - a claim fiercely disputed by critics and even his own party, which fears losing losing votes if its supporters do not mail their ballots.

He and the Republican Party have launched lawsuits in states that have opted to go with universal mail-in voting in November as a way to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

But his comments on Thursday were some of his most specific to date about how he planned to stop mail-in ballots this fall.

'They want $25 billion for the Post Office because the Post Office is going to have to go to town to get these great ridiculous ballots in,' Trump complained.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said mail-in voting is a 'health issue' this year given the coronavirus, which has infected more than 5 million Americans.

'It's a health issue in 2019,' she said Thursday morning on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe.'

'It's even more so in the time of the pandemic, so when the president goes after the Postal Service he's going after an all-American, highly approved by the public institution; like as we would say  before you were born  motherhood, apple pie, the Postal Service, an all-American institution,' she added.

And presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden said the president didn't want an election.

'Pure Trump. He doesn't want an election,' he told reporters at an event in Wilmington when asked about the president's comments.

Governors have expressed concern about long lines at the ballot box and pointed out that many election workers are retirees, making them in the high-risk category to get the disease.

And the post office has warned states to keep in mind the time it takes to mail and return ballots in order to ensure timely delivery for the November election. Postal workers have charged that changes put in place by DeJoy - a Republican donor appointed to the job by Trump - have caused mail delays.

It's sparked fears among Democrats the postal service is being politicized ahead of November and that the millions of voters expected to use the system to send in their ballot may be disenfranchised.

DeJoy has denied the allegation.

'Despite any assertions to the contrary, we are not slowing down Election Mail or any other mail,' he said last week.

Nevada, California and Vermont have opted for universal mail-in voting because of the virus. Five states already conduct elections by mail-in ballots. And many other states have allowed fear of the coronavirus to be used as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Other states, like Michigan, are preemptively sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters.

Republicans are suing in several of these states to stop these efforts. They claim mail-in voting leads to 'ballot harvesting' - a process where the voter fills out their ballot but party volunteers mail them in for that voter and other voters. Democrats counter it's merely collecting ballots of those who vote to ensure they are delivered.

President Trump often rails against desires widespread mail-in voting, claiming it will increase chances of fraud and disproportionately benefit Democrats; studies have shown there is very little voter fraud in the United States

President Trump suggested in his press briefing Wednesday that he would not sign off on a relief bill that allocates billions going towards mail-in voting.

'They turned down this bill because they want radical left agenda items that nobody in their right mind would approve,' Trump said of Democrats refusing to agree to the GOP bill proposed at the end of last month.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has denied that politics are at play in the post office ahead of the November election

'The bill's not going to happen because they don't even want to talk about it because we can't give them the kind of ridiculous things that they want that have nothing to do with the China virus,' he said, again referencing mail-in voting and money for the Post Office.

'So therefore, they don't have the money to do the universal mail-in voting, so therefore they can't do it, I guess, right?' he proposed. 'Are they going to do it even though they don't have the money?'

He also argued what Democrats are doing is a bigger threat than to the November election than reports from U.S. foreign agencies that Russia, China and Iran are trying to interfere in the presidential contest.

'It's going to be the greatest fraud in the history of elections,' he argued of the Democrats.

Trump's revelation about his role in blocking the coronavirus relief measure comes as negotiations between the administration and Capitol Hill have stalled.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has tried to blame Democrats for not being willing to negotiate.

Speaker Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have countered they offered to come down from their $3 trillion proposal if Republicans will come up from their $1 trillion one to meet in the middle at $2 trillion.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 07:26:01|Editor: huaxia

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QUITO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera signed on Thursday a trade agreement that will enhance commercial relations between the two countries.

The signing of the agreement was carried out virtually with the participation of the presidents and officials from the two countries' foreign ministries.

Moreno said that the trade agreement is the result of negotiations that began in 2019, with the aim of "refreshing" trade relations. "Trade is the basis of any economy. It guarantees employment, income, investment, and above all, development and well-being for the families of our countries."

Moreno stated that the new agreement includes a section granting Ecuadorian products access to the Chilean market, with important tariff benefits for the agricultural sector.

"The benefit for thousands of farmers and producers will be great for both sides," he said, noting that Ecuadorian products such as corn and rice that enter Chile will be taxed at a lower rate, and that sugar will enter duty free.

Chile is the fourth destination for Ecuadorian exports, which include products such as bananas, shrimp, and flowers.

The Ecuadorian president added that the trade agreement brings Ecuador even closer to the Pacific Alliance, a regional integration initiative made up of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Enditem
Nation is indebted to corona warriors: President Kovind on I-Day eve

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 14: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said the country is indebted to all the doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been frontline warriors in this fight against the coronavirus.

"It gives me great pleasure to greet all the people of India, living in the country and abroad, on the eve of the 74th Independence Day. Youth of India should feel special pride of being citizens of a free nation," said President Kovind in his televised address to the nation on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day.

"This year's Independence Day celebrations will be restrained as a deadly virus has disrupted all activities, taken huge toll," President Kovind said.

"On the strength of these extraordinary efforts, in our vast country with densely populated and diverse circumstances, this challenge is being faced. State governments acted according to local circumstances. The public gave full support," he added.

74th Independence Day 2020: Who designed the Indian National Flag?

Kovind paid homage to the soldiers killed in the face off with the Chinese army in Galwan valley.

"Even while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion. Our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders. Those worthy sons of Bharat Mata lived and died for national pride," he said.

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

"The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members. Their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression," the President further added.

In his address to the nation, President Ram Nath Kovind said the 'National Education Policy' spells a long term vision with far-reaching impact, adding that "it will strengthen the culture of 'Inclusion', 'Innovation' and 'Institution' in the sphere of education"

"Imparting education in the mother tongue has been given emphasis in order to help young minds grow spontaneously... It is a right step in this direction," he said.

"Another lesson relates to science and technology. During unlocking, information and communication technology has emerged as an effective tool for governance, education, business, office work and social connect," said Kovind.

"The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process. All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony," he said.
Wale Babalakin, the Pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, has said the removal of Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the Vice-Chancellor of the institution was due to gross misappropriation of funds and reckless looting of resources.

Mr Babalakin said this Friday while addressing journalists at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Mr Ogundipe was controversially removed as the universitys vice-chancellor on Wednesday by the governing council at a meeting held in Abuja.

Six of the members of the council voted for his removal while four voted against.

The removal has been condemned by the universitys senate and all the staff unions in the institution.

Mr Ogundipe has also rejected the removal saying due process was not followed.

A PREMIUM TIMES review of the law establishing the university also showed that only the Nigerian president can remove the vice-chancellor after due consultation with the Council and the Senate acting through the Minister of Education.

On Friday, however, Mr Babalakin defended the removal, saying if a vice-chancellor is removed and he wants to complain, he will write an appeal to the visitor.

He cannot on his own declare that he has not been removed. He cannot on his own decide to confront his employer, the senior lawyer said.

*Looting and Gross Misappropriation*

Mr Babalakin argued that the law was appropriately followed in the removal of the vice-chancellor as there are many pending allegations bordering on looting and misappropriation of funds against Mr Ogundipe.

Mr Oluwatoyin Ogundipe [Credit: UNILAG website]

Professor Ogundipe has been looting the university and looting it recklessly, thats the plain truth that we should not hide.

There is misappropriation and there is direct looting of the University. All attempts were made to put an end to this, he said.

Giving some instances of alleged looting by Mr Ogundipe, Mr Babalakin said without seeking approval, Mr Ogundipe spent N49 million renovating his house.

Under the process, this has to be done with approval from the council, he sought no approval. To cover up, he gave the bursar N41 million to renovate his official residence. The official residence of the bursar can be built for N41 million from the scratch, this was what was spent on renovation.

Mr Babalakin said an investigation ordered by the governing council showed that Mr Ogundipe misappropriated funds.

Mr Ogundipe had denied any wrongdoing.

On Friday, Mr Babalakin said the resistance to the removal of Mr Ogundipe is from the vocal minority who are benefiting extensively from the resources of the university.

There is the silent majority and the vocal minority benefiting from the corruption of the university which has become cultural and we are determined to stop it, which is why there is resistance.

Weeks before Mr Ogundipes controversial removal, Mr Babalakin had been having a running battle with university lecturers at the university who warned him not to come into premises of the institution.

Unilag senate house [PHOTO CREDIT: unilag.edu.ng ]

That threat by the lecturers may have been responsible for the governing council moving its meeting to Abuja, first to a private hotel before it was finally held at the headquarters of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

On Friday, speaking on the threat by the lecturers, Mr Babalakin said he cannot be physically restrained by the lecturers.

You cannot physically restrain anybody during a Labour dispute, all you are allowed to do is picketing.

The law will take its course. It is not in the place of the removed VC to say he has not been removed. He cannot be a judge in his own court, he said.

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(Newser)  The foreword to Michael Cohen's Trump tell-all is out, and it's a doozy. "Trump has no true friends," Cohen writes in the opening to the book due out Sept. 8. (Read the foreword in full here; a White House rep calls it "fan fiction" the president's former lawyer released simply to make money.) "He has lived his entire life avoiding and evading taking responsibility for his actions," the foreword continues. "He crushed or cheated all who stood in his way, but I know where the skeletons are buried because I was the one who buried them. I was the one who most encouraged him to run for president in 2011, and then again in 2015, carefully orchestrating the famous trip down the escalator in Trump Tower for him to announce his candidacy." Cohen calls the president "a cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a racist, a predator, a con man."

story continues below

He also says he helped hide sexual infidelities from Melania Trump and helped Trump to "stiff contractors" and "rip off business partners." And then there's this, which, as the New York Times points out, is not exactly clear: "From golden showers in a sex club in Vegas, to tax fraud, to deals with corrupt officials from the former Soviet Union, to catch and kill conspiracies to silence Trumps clandestine lovers, I wasnt just a witness to the presidents riseI was an active and eager participant." He offers no further details in the foreword on that golden showers tidbit, but former British spy Christopher Steele infamously claimed in a dossier on Trump that he had prostitutes urinate on a bed; that claim has never been substantiated. The book can be pre-ordered for $32.50 (or $40 if you want a signed copy), per USA Today. (Read more Michael Cohen stories.)
It looks as if the World Health Organization (WHO) will send another mission to Turkmenistan after the group's July visit seems to have satisfied no one.

Turkmenistan's government still clings to its narrative that the country has no cases of coronavirus -- even though practically no one believes it and the WHO was criticized by many who said the mission helped Turkmen officials by backing up Ashgabat's bizarre claim.

But according to the Twitter account of Hans Kluge, WHO's European regional bureau director, on August 7, Turkmenistan is ready to allow a second WHO mission to visit and independently take samples back to its labs for testing.

In another tweet three days later, Kluge wrote that he spoke with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Health Minister Nurmuhammet Amannepesov about a WHO mission "ASAP" to check suspected COVID-19 patients.

The WHO's reasons for wanting another visit seem clear.

As Kluge mentioned in his first tweet, he and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had a video conference with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov to discuss "serious concerns about COVID-19 negative pneumonia."

There are reports about large outbreaks of pneumonia in Turkmenistan, the same infection that authorities in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are linking to the coronavirus but that Turkmen officials continue to downplay and dismiss as not being connected to COVID-19.

Those concerns must be serious for the WHO chief to be involved in a call with someone like Berdymukhammedov, whose penchant for cheap theatrics on state television that portray him as a wise ruler, warrior, athlete, poet, musician, and scholar have made him the butt of jokes in international media.

But the WHO mission to Turkmenistan in July disappointed many.

The visit was first delayed by some 10 weeks and some felt the delay allowed Turkmen authorities to clean up sites the WHO team would visit but never had a chance to see the patients who had been infected with the virus or the true state of health care at Turkmen medical facilities.

When the head of the WHO team, Catherine Smallwood, made her statement at a press conference at the end of the visit, she said, "Based on what the team was able to observe...."

Since then there have been questions about whether the WHO visit might actually have boosted Turkmen authorities' claim that the coronavirus is not in their country.

A group of demonstrators gathered outside the WHO office in Washington on July 29, laid out several fake coffins and chanted: "The WHO is lying! Turkmen are dying!"

Reports from independent media such as Khronika Turkmenistana, Turkmen.news, and from RFE/RL's Turkmen Service -- known locally as Azatlyk -- in the weeks since the WHO visit indicate Turkmenistan's health-care system is overwhelmed and there are shortages of medicine, equipment, and beds for all the sick people who are suddenly coming for treatment.

Medical workers are increasingly being infected because few of them have the proper personal-protection equipment and what they do have they must purchase for themselves.

Those who refuse to work risk losing their license to practice medicine.

The number of deaths due to COVID-19-like symptoms is increasing and along with it the number of graves -- with reports that authorities insist that all new grave sites be level, with no headstones or other markers, and groups are banned from attending funerals.

Not long after those rules were imposed, there were reports the bodies of those who likely died from COVID-19 were being taken from hospitals after sunset and brought to graveyards for burial at night.

Turkmen state media does not report on this, but the attempted cover-up is failing miserably and the incompetence shown by the government is adding to the people's suffering.

That may explain why WHO chief Tedros took part in the video conference with Berdymukhammedov, to underline the importance of Turkmenistan cooperating with the organization.

Naturally, Turkmen state media distorted the essence of the conversation between Kluge, Tedros, and Berdymukhammedov, reporting instead that the WHO officials consulted with Berdymukhammedov, with him agreeing on the "need to increase international cooperation aimed at jointly combating the spread of acute infectious diseases."

Berdymukhammedov, a dentist by training, also reportedly offered Tedros and Kluge his advice on how best to battle the global pandemic, according to Turkmen state media.

Kluge's tweets show the WHO wants to test inside Turkmenistan as well as send samples abroad. And Kluge indicated the WHO wants to send a team back to the country as soon as it can.

While Kluge wrote that the "president agreed," that does not mean a WHO mission will be back in Turkmenistan soon.

The last attempt took more than two months to coordinate and, as Eurasianet reported, even if a WHO team does arrive in Turkmenistan, "it cannot be excluded that the authorities will contrive ways to perpetuate their fiction."

One final thought: Turkmen authorities -- and Berdymukhammedov in particular -- have been advertising Turkmenistan's advantageous location at the crossroads of the Eurasian continent for many years, trying to sell the country as a hub of east-west and north-south trade. Berdymukhammedov is even alleged to have written a book, Turkmenistan Is The Heart Of The Great Silk Road.

If that is true, then how did this crossroads manage to avoid the coronavirus, something that has affected every country to its north, south, east, and west?
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How can I get home now France has been put on UK quarantine list? Travellers trying to return from France on Friday to avoid the quarantine restrictions face paying hundreds of pounds. Flights: Air fares are more than six times higher than normal from Paris to London today. The cheapest British Airways tickets are 452. Flight booking website Skyscanner suggested there were no direct flights from Biarritz to London. The cheapest option it offered was to take one flight to Paris, another to Belfast and a third arriving at London Stansted shortly before midnight, at a total cost of 284. The lowest priced ticket involving just two flights is 579 with Air France, changing in Paris. Eurostar: Cheapest ticket on train from Paris to London is 210, compared with 165 on Saturday, a rise up almost 30 per cent. Ferries: P&O Ferries has limited availability, but one person travelling with a car from Calais to Dover can buy a ticket for 200. Eurotunnel: The cost of taking a car through the Channel Tunnel on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle services on Friday morning is 260. All trains after midday are fully booked. Advertisement

Nicola Sturgeon was accused of causing chaos for British holidaymakers to 'flex her muscles' today after demanding quarantine was imposed on France by 4am tomorrow.

A desperate stampede has been triggered for huge numbers of tourists to get home before new rules come into force making arrivals from across the Channel isolate for 14 days.

The dramatic announcement was made amid chaotic scenes last night, with sources claiming the Scottish government insisted the deadline be brought forward to tomorrow morning after UK ministers mooted 4am on Sunday.

Grant Shapps fuelled the confusion as he confirmed the move, suggesting it would only apply to people who 'come back from Sunday'.

The Department for Transport then clarified the restrictions would come into force tomorrow instead.

The news also broke hours later than expected, and following signals during the day that France might escape being struck off the list of 'safe' countries.

Tory MP David Jones said Ms Sturgeon seemed to be trying to 'flex her muscles' and suggested it was 'absolutely' a case of 'the tail wagging the dog', as most travel came through England.

It does look very much as if the devolved administrations are doing what they have been doing for a while, being different for the sake of being different and out of the wish to flex their muscles,' the former minister told MailOnline.

'It is very hard to see that an extra day would have made much difference.

'It would not have put so much stress on travellers. If people are rushing back to the UK to avoid this they should consider who to blame.'

It appears to be the latest example of Ms Sturgeon gazumping the UK government.

In the earlier stages of the coronavirus crisis the First Minister repeatedly preempted Boris Johnson's announcements on lockdown at her own briefings.

She criticised the UK government's decision to drop 'stay alert' messaging, brought in face mask rules significantly before England, and is still encouraging people to work from home where possible.

Ms Sturgeon says she has put aside the independence issue during coronavirus chaos, with planning for a fresh vote 'paused', but has faced accusations of trying to use the situation for political advantage.

Travellers rushing to get back to the UK today face paying hundreds of pounds as air fares are now more than six times higher than normal for flights from Paris to London - the cheapest BA tickets being sold for 452.

The cheapest ticket on a Eurostar train from Paris to London is 210, compared with 165 last Saturday, a rise of almost 30 per cent.

The cost of taking a car through the Channel Tunnel on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle services this morning is 260. All trains after midday are fully booked.

P&O Ferries has limited availability, but one person travelling with a car from Calais to Dover can buy a ticket for 200. They also reported a surge in interest with more than 8,000 searches for tickets this morning.

Meanwhile private jet charter company PrivateFly said demand for flights out of countries being removed from the UK's quarantine-exemption list has trebled since the announcement was made on Thursday night.

In more bad news for British holidaymakers, Greece could soon be added to the quarantine list, after a spike in its infection rate, with a record 235 cases recorded on August 12. Daily new cases in the country were in the 30s towards the end of July.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the Government had taken 'a practical approach' to the new restrictions. However, the move was criticised by France's secretary of state for European affairs, who said it would lead to 'reciprocal measures' across the Channel.

Clement Beaune tweeted: 'A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.'

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade body Airlines UK, said: 'It's another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history.

'Having the political will to move to a sub-national approach to quarantine, in addition to a testing regime for arriving passengers so that those testing negative can avoid having to self isolate - which other countries like Germany have already implemented - is urgently needed.'

As the government's decision to put France on the quarantine list sparks chaos:

Travellers in southern France face struggle getting back to UK before the 4am Saturday quarantine deadline;

Car-carrying Channel Tunnel trains and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle said they are fully booked until tomorrow;

Transport Secretary said estimated 160,000 holidaymakers are expected to look to return to UK from France;

Grant Shapps said 'in all of the things to do with coronavirus, there always has had to be a cut-off'

France has vowed to retaliate after it was added to quarantine list and said it 'regrets the UK's decision'

Nicola Sturgeon 'stopped holidaymakers from getting an extra 24 HOURS to get back from France'

People queue in line to check-in for a British Airways flight to Heathrow airport, today at Nice airport, southern France

Passengers arrive at St Pancras International Station from Paris today on Eurostar. Passengers arrive at St Pancras International Station from Paris after it was announced people would have to self isolate after spending time in France

People wait at Dover to cross the Channel to France as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there 'has to be a cut-off' in regards to a time period for those being mandated to self-isolate on their return to the UK from abroad

Pictured: Passengers arrive at St Pancras International Station from Paris today after it was announced Britons returning from France would have to isolate for 14 days from Saturday

Pictured: A graph showing the countries from which travellers arriving in the UK are currently exempt from the 14-day coronavirus quarantine, and the number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in each country. Speculation is mounting that France could be removed from the list of exempt countries, but there a number of others that have higher or similar figures

Sources said Nicola Sturgeon (pictured at Holyrood this week) insisted that the deadline was earlier after UK ministers initially mooted 4am on Sunday

Sturgeon rides high on dislike of Boris Johnson despite SNP Covid failures Nicola Sturgeon has consistently out-maneuvered Boris Johnson's Government during the coronavirus pandemic. The Scottish First Minister is currently riding high in the opinion polls off the back of daily publicity during the crisis. She had a net rating of plus 50 in the latest YouGov study, up from plus 5 a year ago. By contrast Boris Johnsons rating is minus 50, having slumped by 16 points over the past 12 months. The polls also show majority support for independence six years after the referendum which was won by No by 55-45. Weeks after the UK Government dropped its daily news briefings on coronavirus, Ms Sturgeon is still benefiting from daily exposure on television. She previously used the lunchtime appearance to regularly gazump Mr Johnson and his ministers when they lined up announcements on UK-wide decisions in the evening. Among them have been announcements on extending lockdown, and later on measures to allow several members of households to meet indoors as lockdown was eased. Scotland - along with Wales - have also in recent weeks announced quarantine implementations before they can be announced by Westminster - despite all four nations' chief medical officers meeting together to decide plans of action. Polls suggest she is credited with many positive actions that were actually planned and funded in Westminster. YouGov research this week found the SNP leader and her ministers are widely praised for support packages for jobs and businesses - even though they have largely been provided by the Treasury. In the poll for The Times, 49 per cent of Scots said the government north of the border had performed well in protecting jobs, with 29 per cent saying it had done badly. Half were positive about work done by the executive to protect the economy compared with 31 per cent who had a negative view. However, while Ms Sturgeon's administration does have powers to vary business rates and income tax, key decisions on VAT, National Insurance and tax allowances are still reserved for Westminster. The massive furlough scheme - which has subsidised the wages of 155,000 Scots - was designed and implemented by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Treasury. The findings emerged after YouGov found this week that backing for independence is growing in Scotland. Excluding 'don't knows', 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union. That was a two point rise from January, and the highest level the firm has ever recorded. Advertisement

Government sources insisted the delays were down to the latest figures fro France emerging late in the day, and the quarantine changes then needing to be signed off by the devolved institutions.

They said the isolation had to be introduced on a series of countries including France, the Netherlands and Malta after the seven-day count of cases per 100,000 population rose above 20.

At the daily briefing in Edinburgh today, Ms Sturgeon insisted it had been 'imperative' to act as quickly as possible.

'Where we have a situation where we think a situation in a particular country has deteriorated we cannot hang around before we impose quarantine,' she said.

'There is a real imperative to act as quickly as possible.'

Ms Sturgeon said people across the UK should 'think very carefully' before booking holidays as the rules can change abruptly.

Scottish minister Humza Yousaf added that there was a call with the four UK nations at 9pm, and the changes were announced as soon as possible after that - stressing that they were often reliant on when other countries published new figures.

Travellers returning to Britain from France today told of their scramble home to avoid having to quarantine.

Student Yasmine Sellay, 24, from Wimbledon, South London, was among a packed Eurostar train that arrived at St Pancras station from Paris this morning.

She said: 'I wanted to get home before the restrictions are enforced. 'I didn't know that France had been added to the UK quarantine list until last night and as I don't want to isolate for a fortnight I came home today.

'I'd been in Paris for a month and a half because it's where I'm originally from and I was visiting family and friends.

'When I arrived in France at the end of June, I had to stay in with my relatives for more than a week and couldn't go out.

'I found it really hard to do so I was keen not to have to do the same when I came back to London. The Eurostar was full so I think many other people had the same idea as me.'

Engineers Carolina Monteiro, 24, and Douglas Pagani, 29, who live in France, told PA of their relief at arriving in the UK for a 10-day campervan trip to the Lake District and Yorkshire - just before quarantine measures come into effect on Saturday morning.

France quarantine Q&A: What are my refund rights and can I claim on my travel insurance? What are my holiday refund rights? If you have booked a package holiday in France, or any other quarantine country, your tour operator should cancel the holiday. You can then claim a full refund. Will I get a refund on my flight, ferry or train ticket? If the airlines continue to operate the route, there is no right although they may offer money back as a goodwill gesture. Ferry operators and Eurostar may offer refunds but most firms will give customers a voucher to rebook at a later date. Eurotunnel says it will give refunds up to 24 hours before travel. And accommodation? If a hotel or villa remains open and available, there is no legal right to cancel and get a refund, although some booking websites, such as Airbnb and Booking.com, do offer last-minute cancellation on some listings. Can I claim on insurance for flights and accommodation? These are unlikely to be covered if the policy was bought after March 10 when most insurers removed cover for Covid-19-related cancellations. Can I claim statutory sick pay in quarantine? No  there is no automatic eligibility to statutory sick pay, unless you meet the required conditions, such as displaying coronavirus symptoms. What happens if you pass through a country on the quarantine list? You don't have to quarantine as long as passengers remain in the car for the whole journey and no one joins them. Advertisement

Speaking outside St Pancras station, Mr Pagani said: 'We're very happy to have the correct ticket just in time. At first I was scared looking at all the information to make sure we could enter here, then we saw it was perfect.

'It was a relief that we could meet our friends here.'

Ms Monteiro added: 'We have had this trip planned for three or four months, so we're lucky to be here just in time.'

Travellers in the south of France face a struggle getting back to the UK before the 4am Saturday quarantine deadline.

Flight booking website Skyscanner suggested there were no direct flights from Biarritz to London.

The cheapest option it offered was to take one flight to Paris, another to Belfast and a third arriving at London Stansted shortly before midnight, at a total cost of 284.

The lowest priced ticket involving just two flights is 579 with Air France, changing in Paris.

Whichever mode of transport travellers use, they will need to move quickly as many services will be fully booked by Friday afternoon.

He added that weekly changes to quarantine rules on a national level 'have proven so disruptive to airlines and passengers'.

Undeterred passengers at London St Pancras made their way onto the 10.24am Eurostar service to Paris, including lawyer John Strange, 60, from Reading.

He said he was going to the French capital for 10 days and it was possible for him to work from home on his return.

He said: 'It's not a disaster for me but it seems for many people it will be, particularly those with young families, it's going to be catastrophic.

'I'm sure many will have to cancel their plans and have to accept all that pain and cost that goes with it.'

A traveller who gave her name as Sonata K, a 39-year-old dentist, was due to head to Paris for four nights with her mother - but cancelled her plans after finding out about the quarantine measures at St Pancras on Friday morning.

She said: 'It's not worth it to go out and have to self isolate. With my work I can't do the procedures from home.

'We were too late to get the news, we're just finding out here but it's better than on the train.

'We're looking at going to Cardiff and checking trains now, but the weather is changing a bit.'

She added that for 30 they could change their Eurostar tickets to another day and said one hotel had charged them one night's stay for late cancellation.

Jack Birkbeck, 23, and George Raybould, 24, were travelling to France to spend five days in the commune of Bantanges, eastern France between Lyon and Dijon to celebrate Jack's 24th birthday on Saturday with his parents.

The friends, who both work in retail from Maidstone, Kent, are flying out to Geneva with EasyJet today.

They went to sleep thinking they would not have to quarantine but woke up to the news they would have to self isolate for 14 days.

Despite considering cancelling the trip, they decided to go ahead with it due to the money already spent on the break.

Jack said: 'I literally woke up at 6am to my mum texting me saying 'are you still coming?' as they've introduced a quarantine. I went to sleep thinking we were safe.

'The last case where we are going was on July 27 so they're going strong for the past few weeks. It's probably even safer than Maidstone.

Passengers wearing face masks as a precaution against the spread of the novel coronavirus walk along the platform to an escalator after arriving on a Eurostar train from Paris at St Pancras International station in London

Travellers trying to return from France on Friday to avoid the quarantine restrictions face paying hundreds of pounds

Air fares are more than six times higher than normal for flights from Paris to London today, with the cheapest British Airways tickets being sold for 452

'If we had more time to think about it then maybe we would have cancelled going but we didn't even have time to change our mind really.

'I hope the government are doing their best and believe they've introduced this now in the best interests of everyone.

'My boss will probably be angry at me having to isolate. But I'm going to spend quarantine doing work training to make up for it.'

How are the UK's quarantine rules made? Decisions are informed by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) risk assessment, which is informed by a number of factors including: An estimate of the proportion of the population that is currently infectious in each country;

Virus incidence rates;

Trends in incidence and deaths;

Transmission status and international epidemic intelligence;

Information on a country's testing capacity;

An assessment of the quality of the data available Advertisement

George added: 'It's just our luck that the day we go they announce quarantine just hours before we jet off.

'As bad as it sounds, where we are going is super rural. It's not exactly the epicentre of the French pandemic. We are not going out and socialising and will be self contained.

'Of course we're still going to quarantine when we return home but I like to think the chances of us getting it are very low and if anything, we are more likely to give it to them. That would be the classic British thing to do.

'I've only just come off furlough so I don't think work will take it too well. I feel bad for my colleagues but theres not much I could have done at such short notice.'

A Heathrow spokesman said: 'The UK needs a more sustainable long-term plan for the resumption of travel than quarantine roulette.

'Testing could provide an opportunity to safely reduce the length of quarantine in certain circumstances, protecting both the health and wealth of the nation as we pave a path towards a new normal.

'As ever, our teams will be on hand to support passengers impacted by the travel restrictions but we urge Government to work with us to trial a solution which could help to provide more certainty.'

A family-of-five cut short their France holiday and drove 12 hours non-stop in a desperate bid to beat the quarantine deadline.

Eurotunnel and Brittany Ferries have warned people not to turn up at terminals unless they have a booking.

Where will be added to the quarantine list next? France vows to retaliate against British travellers as No 10 considers fresh travel restrictions on countries that have 20 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people France has vowed to retaliate after it was added to Britain's quarantine list last night following a surge in coronavirus cases - with more countries set to be added if they cross the threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 people in a week. Emmanuel Macron's transport minister said France 'regrets the UK's decision' and 'will apply reciprocal measures' after people crossing the Channel into Britain were ordered to isolate for 14 days. Ministers shut down the 'travel corridor' after France suffered a a spike of nearly 14,000 cases in the space of a week including 2,669 new infections announced last night. The spike means France has suffered 21.0 cases per 100,000 people in a week, above the threshold of 20 identified by Grant Shapps as the key to Britain's quarantine rules. The Netherlands (24.5 cases per 100,000) and Malta (56.2) have also been hit with Foreign Office travel warnings after crossing the threshold, joining Spain (58.8) and Belgium (29.4) on the quarantine list. Switzerland (14.3), Denmark (15.3) and Greece (11.6) are also hovering close to the cut-off point while Portugal (13.5) is still under quarantine rules despite being below the limit. Germany (8.6 cases per 100,000) and Italy (5.0) are both below the threshold at the moment but both have seen an alarming uptick in cases in recent weeks which have partly been linked to summer holidays. Advertisement

But Julia Burnett, 35, and husband Craig, 36, had already cut short their camping holiday fearing the worst and were just 60 miles from Calais when the announcement was made.

They drove yesterday for 12 hours from the South of France to Calais with their three children Rory, seven, Isabella, five and Finley, one. They were due to come back next Wednesday but yesterday decided to set off from Biarritz, after reading rumours about a potential quarantine.

The family, from Taunton in Somerset, managed to book onto a ferry less than an hour before the government announcement. When they were 60 miles from Calais they discovered their gamble had paid off when they saw news of the rule change. They were in the queue for the ferry crossing feeling 'tired but relieved' this morning.

Julia told the Mirror: 'We'd been trying to book onto the Channel tunnel but we eventually booked on the ferry instead. Then I checked back on the tunnel website straight after the announcement and I was 5,310th in the queue - it was crazy. Quarantine would have really affected Craig's work as he runs a dental services business and can't do it from home.'

One British couple drove for nine hours through the night to avoid quarantine.

They had been enjoying a week in their motor home in the Dordogne when the news broke on Thursday night - so they quickly forked out 238 on a ferry from Calais to Dover and hit the road.

The husband and wife, who asked not to be named, left at midnight.

They had been due to come home on Sunday - and they blasted Prime Minister Boris Johnson after arriving in Kent at midday.

The 55-year-old woman, a doctors surgery admin worker from Norfolk, said: 'We had to do it to avoid quarantine. We just picked up all our stuff, chucked it in the motor home and drove.

'We're gutted because we were loving our break over there, but I just couldn't afford to have to go into quarantine. It wouldn't be ideal at all.

'I understand why Boris has done this, but to give us a deadline of 4am on Saturday is nowhere near enough notice.

'He has to bear in mind that a lot of the people who got the news late last night wouldn't have been able to just get up and leave like us.

'Some would've been families with young kids who were asleep. Then it's a real rush to get things ready the next day.'

The mother-of-five added: 'Boris and the Government really should have thought this through more.'

Marcus Keys, 49, had been on a week-long holiday in Limoges with his two children and wife.

They were due back today - and he was glad to get home.

Housing association development worker Marcus, from Birmingham, said: 'It's definitely a relief to avoid the quarantine - we didn't want to get caught up in that.'

IT manager Lewis Kitson, 37, told the Sun: 'This is just a complete shambles. It's chaos. They're making it up as they go along now.

'They can't justify this. It's guess work. I'm not bothered about quarantine if I'm too late. I've just come through France on a road trip. I'm trying to book to get home.

'They'll have to put me in prison before I comply with quarantine.

'The whole thing is ridiculous. It's still not enough time. I'm really trying to get a ferry booked. It's a disgrace.'

Passengers arrive back at Gatwick airport today from France (pictured from left to right: Joanne Edmondson, Lily Edmondson, Amelie Duncan, Madeleine Edmondson, David Edmondson)

Passengers arrive at St Pancras International Station from Paris. Last night it was announced that people would have to self isolate after spending time in France, to help stop the spread of Covid 19 (pictured: Estelle Blanc, left, Dylan Jones, right)

Bertie Lawrence, 33, and Elske Koelman, 29, project managers within international development, have already had relatives cancel attendance of their wedding following the new rules

Which countries are above the threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 people in a week? SPAIN: 58.8 MALTA: 56.2 BELGIUM: 29.4 NETHERLANDS: 24.5 FRANCE: 21.0 SWEDEN: 18.7 (but quarantine is still in place) DENMARK: 15.3 SWITZERLAND: 14.3 PORTUGAL: 13.5 (but quarantine is still in place) GREECE: 11.6 IRELAND: 10.8 AUSTRIA: 10.3 UK: 9.0 GERMANY: 8.6 ITALY: 5.0 Advertisement

Families travelling to France and Amsterdam from London via Eurostar told of last minute changes to their trips after new quarantine restrictions were announced late last night.

One couple, who are getting married in The Netherlands next month, have already had relatives cancel after the UK government announced a 14-day quarantine will come into effect from tomorrow (SAT) for those returning from France, Malta and Holland.

Other passengers told of late night research into their travel insurance to ensure their holidays could viably go ahead.

Elske Koelman, 29 and her fiance Bertie Chambers, 33, are travelling to The Netherlands this morning to finalise plans for their wedding in Leiden next month.

The couple, both management consultant living in the UK, had to reduce their wedding guest list from 130 to 20 due to the pandemic.

But the new quarantine rule now means it is likely only half of those invited will be able to attend, with Bertie's auntie and cousins unable to travel due to the quarantine.

He said: 'This morning we have had calls from my side of the family cancelling: so far my brother and my aunt cannot make it.

'My mum and dad are retired so luckily they can make it.

'We are going to the Netherlands today to finalise all the details. We have to speak to the venue, the florist and the restaurant especially because of the quarantine now.'

The couple, who both work in international development and met in Kenya five years ago, have been planning their wedding since they got engaged last year.

They originally considered a UK wedding but in December decided to tie the knot at a town hall in the city centre of Elske's hometown in Leiden.

People queue in line to check-in for a British Airways flight to Heathrow airport, today at Nice airport, southern France

People queue in line to check-in for a British Airways flight to Heathrow airport, today at Nice airport, southern France

People wait at Dover to cross the Channel to France as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there 'has to be a cut-off' in regards to a time period for those being mandated to self-isolate on their return to the UK from abroad

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the Government had taken 'a practical approach' to the new restrictions. However, the move was criticised by France's secretary of state for European affairs

Family who switched holiday to France after Spain was added to quarantine list say rules are 'out of our control' Jamie Harrison and wife Bernie, both 43, were taking their three children JJ, nine, Luke, six, and Nelly, three, on a 10-day camping holiday to Nice, France Jamie Harrison and wife Bernie, both 43, were taking their three children JJ, nine, Luke, six, and Nelly, three, on a 10-day camping holiday to Nice, France. The family from Catford, south east London had originally planned to go to Spain but switched to France after quarantine rules were introduced there. Nutritional therapist Bernie said: 'We kind of thought it was going to come after what happened with Spain. I was mentally prepared. It was short notice there so I expected it - it's out of our control. 'And we made sure we had two weeks before the kids go back to school in case quarantine was brought in. 'There's not much difference between isolation and what we have been doing during lockdown anyway. 'We're well prepared about what we need to do to protect our immune system and protect ourselves from viruses and pathogens. 'It's up to every individual to protect their immunity and not rely on the government and the NHS.' Husband Jamie, who works in property, said: 'Of course I didn't really want it to happen but I could see it coming. We're still going to enjoy ourselves and have a great trip. 'There's never going to be a good time to introduce quarantine and if it's got to be done then so be it. But I don't understand why they've picked Saturday to implement it. 'I feel like if you test negative then you should be allowed to finish self isolating. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.' Eldest son JJ added: 'I think quarantine is bad and that's why I wanted to stay at home instead of going on holiday. It means I can't play with my friends for two weeks.' Advertisement

Elske said: 'The wedding will be in Leiden which is where I was born and my family are still there.

'I haven't seen them for a couple of months so we've been looking forward to it, but this makes it all a bit more tricky with the quarantine.

'Initially we were planning to get married next month and it was going to be 130 guests, but we scaled it down to 20 guests with half of those from the UK.

'But now we're expecting it will be smaller than 20 people now that this quarantine is in place.

'The wedding will be at the municipal building with a lunch in the town centre. Leiden is a beautiful place, small with lots of canals and boat tours.'

The couple say the wedding will still go ahead and plan to work from home once they travel home from the Netherlands before returning for their wedding next month.

Bertie added; 'We can't do anything about it, it is out of our hands.

'We can't cancel the wedding and our plans should still go ahead.

'You can't put your life on hold. We're lucky we can both work from home so it's worthwhile to get married even if we have to quarantine when we get back. '

Elske added: 'We felt it was something we were really looking forward to so we thought we can't cancel the whole thing, but perhaps be flexible with the number of guests who can be there.

'We got engaged last year and have been planning the wedding since.

'We were considering a UK wedding but decided in December that we wanted to get married in the Netherlands before everything with the coronavirus kicked off.'

After learning of new travel restrictions last night, Elske packed her laptop for their initial trip to Leiden today so she can remain there until the wedding to avoid a double quarantine.

While Bertie will have to return to the Uk before the wedding, as initially planned, and self isolate for two weeks before travelling back out to the Netherlands for their big day.

Bertie said: 'I never intended to stay so I will have to come back, quarantine and then go back again. So it will be a multiple quarantine.'

Robert Lawrence, 65, from Islington north London, was also catching the 11am Eurostar today on an interrail to visit friends in the Netherlands and Germany.

The retired broadcast worker said: 'Obviously it is a risk but I have probably taken more of a risk going around the supermarket than I am doing this.

'If you are bending down to the shelves in busy shops, it is probably more of a risk than this trip with socially distanced walks and alfresco meals.

Robert Lawrence, 65, from Islington

'My main concern was travel insurance and health cover.

'My policy said it does not cover travel if the Foreign Commonwealth Office our restrictions in place before I took out the policy or before I booked it.

'But I had booked it all already so it seems I am still covered and I will just quarantine when I'm back.

'The initial destination is Amsterdam via Eurostar then onto The Hague and the Cologne via train to visit friends. Then I'll return home by air.

'I wasn't planning to travel until next year but my friends invited me.

'I don't regret it because we were aware restrictions might change. It was just an informed risk and we decided to go ahead because the new restrictions were only announced last night so it was very very short notice for us.

'Everything had already been booked and we knew about the advice so we are relatively happy.

'I can quarantine when I return and I have a local supermarket that deliver food and a friend who has offered to drop things to me if needed.'

Eurostar passengers arriving in London from Paris today fear they may have to quarantine on their return to France if Emmanuel Macron introduces 'tit for tat' travel restrictions.

British expat Stephen Fillery, 72, returned to his home of 15 years in Dordogne, France today.

He flew out to Bordeaux at 1.30pm with EasyJet after renovating his flat by the River Thames in Staines, Surrey for his next tenant.

The retired Metropolitan Police officer of 30 years said: 'I'm really pleased that this overnight news about isolation from the France and the Netherlands came when it did.

Jack Birkbeck, 23, and George Raybould, 24, are spending five days in the commune of Bantanges, eastern France between Lyon and Dijon to celebrate Jack's 24th birthday on Saturday with his parents

Frenchman Leo Brettele returned to UK in time for quarantine at Gatwick airport today

Vehicles are driven off of a ferry at Dover after arriving from France as travellers trying to return from France on Friday to avoid the quarantine restrictions face a scramble for tickets costing hundreds of pounds

Holiday makers arriving back on a ferry at Dover docks this morning after France was added to the UK quarantine list from Saturday

British expat Stephen Fillery, 72, returned to his home of 15 years in Dordogne, France today. He flew out to Bordeaux at 1.30pm with EasyJet after renovating his flat by the River Thames in Staines, Surrey for his next tenant

'If it came earlier, I would have had to spend two weeks staying in the flat and couldn't have renovated it and done all the running around.

'If they had imposed quarantine a week ago I would not have come over so I'm relieved for my own personal benefit.

'I think it is probably highly necessary to bring in this self isolation. If the statistics have suddenly gone up then they need to make a firm and quick decision and a lot of people must have been expecting it.

'If France are going to bring in a reciprocal measure then it should be for medical scientific reasons and not just political push back at the UK.'

One man flying to Nice, France to see his brother for 10 days said he was 'bitterly disappointed' at the government's 'short notice' to implement quarantine.

The 40-year-old electrician from Surrey, who did not want to give his name, said: 'I was gutted to see them bring it in just hours before I flew out.

'If I knew a week beforehand then I would have cancelled. They should have given more warning.

'But if rates are increasing then it is reasonable for them to bring it in to stop people bringing it back here.

'I was prepared for it and thought it might come in while I'm out there but I thought I would have had more time to make a decision.

Brighton couple due to fly to Tunisia before African country was added to UK list tell how they missed France quarantine with hours to spare Andrew Farr, 58, returned from his week-long holiday in Nice, France to Gatwick at 10.40am today through EasyJet with partner Mourad Besbes, 56. The couple from Brighton, East Sussex had booked several flights home as they were initially planning on going to Tunisia before that corridor was slammed shut. Andrew, who works in PR for a tour operator, said: 'We saw that quarantine was coming in on the 10pm news on Thursday night so we are counting ourselves very lucky that we had this flight booked before we went out. 'A lot of people are going to be stuck there unable to get back before self isolation is implemented on Saturday morning but at least they've given us some notice this time. '48 hours notice would have been nice as I reckon the government have been looking at this for the past week. 'But they're looking at the rates throughout Europe and seen that France has risen too high so it had to be done.' Self employed caterer Mourad added: 'I thought there was going to be a mad rush to get seats on these final flights home but ours was only about 80 per cent full which was surprising. 'It took us 25 minutes to fill in this form on arrival with our details which is madness. 'But we are really lucky that is all and we can go back to our normal lives instead of quarantining.' Meanwhile DFDS Ferries which operates from Dover to French ports including Dunkirk and Calais and from Newhaven in East Sussex to Dieppe tweeted: 'FRANCE-DOVER SERVICES: We are expecting a high volume of traffic at our French Ports today. We advise all customers to have a confirmed reservation before arriving at the Port by visiting our website at https://fal.cn/39J8d 'Please do not arrive without a confirmed booking.' Advertisement

'I'm a social guy who likes to go out to see my friends and play football but I will now have to stay indoors for two weeks.

'It is what it is. I will find other ways to occupy myself, rest up, so some work at home and watch Netflix.'

Relatives wearing face masks eagerly waited for their loved ones to arrive from France in the arrivals hall at London St Pancras station.

Retired teacher Judith Hobbs, 71, flung her arms around her son and grandchildren when they arrived on one of the last Eurostar's from Paris before the new quarantine rules are implemented at 4am on Saturday.

The grandmother, from Oxfordshire, said: 'I am waiting to meet my son and my two grandchildren. They live just outside of Paris.

'We are really lucky as they were always booked onto this train arriving at 12.30pm today so we have avoided the quarantine.

'But we are still taking a bit of a risk as we do not know what restrictions will be in place in France when they return home in a few weeks.

'Emmanuel Macron has suggested the same measures could be implemented there, like a tit for tat.

'So in that case, when we drive them home we might have to quarantine in France and then quarantine again when we return to the UK.'

Mother-of-two Leanne Smith and her husband Paul, both 39, paid 3,000 on a Eurocamp holiday at a site near Paris. They were due to start the week-long trip with their young children today - but decided to drive back to Manchester after the quarantine was announced.

Leanne told the Sun: 'We were in bed in our hotel last night just waiting for the news to break. We knew it was going to be announced but we didn't want to risk losing all our money. That would've just been a nightmare.'

Car-carrying Channel Tunnel trains are fully booked until Saturday.

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle said in a statement: 'Due to the recent Government announcement, our shuttles are now fully booked until tomorrow morning.

'There is no more ticket availability and we are not selling tickets at check-in.

'Please do not arrive at the terminal unless you have a ticket valid for travel today.'

Private jet charter company PrivateFly said demand for flights out of countries being removed from the UK's quarantine-exemption list has trebled since the announcement was made on Thursday night.

Chief executive Adam Twidell said: 'Following the changes to the UK's quarantine list overnight, we've received a surge in demand for private jet travel out of affected countries, with three times the average number of enquiries and bookings for flights to the UK from France, the Netherlands and Malta, before 4am on Saturday morning.

'We've also had a number of inquiries from clients booked to travel to these destinations in the coming weeks to change their travel plans in order to avoid quarantine zones.

People queue in line to check-in for a British Airways flight to Heathrow airport, today at Nice airport, southern France

People queue in line to check-in for a British Airways flight to Heathrow airport, today at Nice airport, southern France

'We can arrange flights at very short notice with the flexibility to change route at the last minute, however availability is limited as the spike in demand coincides with what is already the peak summer season for private leisure travel.'

Explaining the quarantine decision on BBC Breakfast this morning, Mr Shapps said: 'The reality is that in all of the things to do with coronavirus, there always has had to be a cut-off and we've seen this throughout, haven't we, in the way that rules have had to be implemented and, so, 'if we can do this, why can't we do that?', that's always going to be the case.

'What we have to do is provide clear guidance and, in this case, clear law in order to require people to quarantine.

'I just want to stress it is very important that people do quarantine. Everybody returning to the UK, no matter where from, doesn't matter whether you're in a travel corridor country or a quarantine country, must at this stage fill in a passenger locator form.

'That is the law and you may well find that people call up to check where you are, and you'll be breaking the law if you were not quarantining, if that was a requirement for the country you'd come from.'

Mr Shapps said it will not be necessary for people to quarantine on their return to the UK from France if they do so before Saturday at 4am.

The Transport Secretary told BBC Breakfast an estimated 160,000 holidaymakers are expected to look to return to the UK from France.

He added: 'It's a practical approach as well which has enabled all fours parts of the United Kingdom - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England - to implement the same time at 4am where there are no flights in the air at least tomorrow.

'But, look, I accept your point, you can always argue one way or the other. We have to make a decision on it and we have to do that based on science and medicine, and that's what we've done, we've taken the advice and implemented on that basis.'

Asked if he would encourage those returning to the UK if they should self-isolate, even if they fall outside of the official quarantine deadline, Mr Shapps said: 'That's not legally required.

Ferries are seen in the Port of Dover, as Britain imposes a 14-day quarantine on arrival from France from Saturday

Ferries are seen in the Port of Dover, as Britain imposes a 14-day quarantine on arrival from France from Saturday

The quarantine is set to come in at 4am tomorrow  and with an estimated British 500,000 holidaymakers in France, a weekend of chaos looms as they try to get home

'But what I would say to everybody is look out for the signs, everyone knows what we're talking about - the persistent cough, the high temperature, the change in taste or smell, so everyone should look out for those signs.

'But, no, it's not necessary to quarantine unless you're coming back after 4am on Saturday and those are the rules.

'Here's hoping there are no delays': British family tells MailOnline how they plan on getting to UK Natalie Mills wrote to MailOnline: 'We are a family currently in the Cote d'Azur. 'Our scheduled flight is at 10pm tonight - we are desperately hoping there are no delays! 'We decided to come away as we've stayed in a fairly remote villa and so we felt pretty safe. We would not have travelled if we had booked a hotel. 'My father in law is 86 and my father 71, so we've not done anything touristy really - just enjoyed the villa, and staring at a different four walls has been a treat in itself! 'It will be hugely frustrating if we miss the deadline as we've made a point of staying safe.' Advertisement

'I think the truth of this is, as everyone watching realises, there's no perfect way to deal with coronavirus.

'Unless you were going to have a sliding scale that sort of said if you stay another 24 hours the you must quarantine for X amount of time, another 36 hours for Y amount of time, you know, clearly there has to be a cut-off somewhere.'

Mr Shapps added: 'To be clear, the Joint Biosecurity centre have cleared our approach to this.'

The boss of Channel Tunnel operator has Getlink warned many travellers may not be able to get back to the UK - and told them not to turn up at terminals without a booking as trains are 'already pretty much fully booked'.

After a week of speculation ministers acted on a worsening coronavirus situation across the Channel, ministers ordered travellers returning from the popular destination to isolate for 14 days. The move came after Boris Johnson said the UK would be 'ruthless' when it came to travel quarantine even with its 'closest and dearest friends'.

Mr Keefe said there was 'some possibility of adding additional trains in the off-peak periods' but would-be travellers must check online before heading to the terminal.

'The important thing is that people understand that it's not going to be easy to get back and they have to be sensible about this and not get themselves into difficulties,' he said.

France recorded 2,669 new cases of coronavirus yesterday, up from 2,524 on Wednesday. It is a record figure for the nation since it came out of lockdown.

The review of the rules saw the Netherlands, Monaco and Malta added to the quarantine list - and Portugal remains on it, along with Spain.

The Turks and Caicos Islands and Aruba in the Caribbean have also lost their places.

'We have got to be absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners. I think everybody understands that,' Mr Johnson told reporters as he visited Northern Ireland yesterday.

John Keefe, Getlink's director of public affairs, told BBC's Newsnight: 'We just haven't got the space to take everybody who might suddenly want to come up to the coast. So what we are saying to people is amend your booking online, make sure there's space before you travel to the terminal.'

Visitors wearing protective face masks queue to enter the Louvre Pyramid in Paris yesterday, hours before the quarantine announcement

Passengers returning from France scrambled to book earlier Eurostar trains, forking out hundreds of pounds extra and cutting their holidays short to avoid having to quarantine under new UK travel rules.

Carriages arriving at London St Pancras today were packed, with passengers unable to socially distance as most chairs were taken in the rush to return home.

Panicked Brits filled the platform at London St Pancras station this morning, wearing face masks and pulling their suitcases through the crowds in the mad rush to get home.

Vikesh, 27, paid over the odds to change his Eurostar ticket to return home today after only arriving in Paris last night to visit his girlfriend.

He was devastated when he received a call from his boss advising him to return home to escape quarantine rules.

He said: 'I arrived in Paris at 6pm last night to see my girlfriend who lives there. I was meant to come home on Monday.

'It is the absolute worst thing that could have happened. I am not going to see her now for so long.

'I could have not gone, but getting there at 6pm and then being told to come home by 4am Saturday is awful.

'The train was so overbooked and people were trying to space themselves out.

'I've taken the Eurostar a few times and at the moment you are not meant to sit next to another person.

'But I think people were sitting in each other's seats. I sat next to someone, but I had no choice and others stood for the whole two hours.

'I heard the news at 10.30pm last night and tried to ignore it, but I got a text from my boss saying you'd better come home.

'I woke up at 7.30am and there was only one train left for today. I paid an extra 110 on top of my original tickets.

'I also had to pay for a flight home just in case I got stuck there.

'I've not been working from home this whole time so the quarantine would affect me.

'I don't know when we'll next see each other, I guess we will have to find a country it is safe for both of us to go to.'

Teachers Dilip Chakraborti, 39, and Camille Brignolle, 41, from north London, also changed their tickets at the last minute to avoid being in quarantine when schools reopen.

The pair only had 24 hours in Paris where they arrived yesterday to visit Camille's family, and were angered to discover through Twitter of the imminent new travel restrictions.

Camille, a secondary school teacher, said: 'We were due back on Tuesday and we only arrived yesterday, so we spent literally 24 hours in Paris.

'We went to visit my dad. He lives just outside of Paris and I haven't seen him since Christmas.

'It was tricky trying to change our ticket to avoid the quarantine. Initially a ticket popped up this afternoon but it went away.

'It was supposed to be an exchange, but we had to pay an extra 224 on top of our original tickets between the two of us.

'Having just 24 hours with my dad is not great.

'I am annoyed at the fact the announcement was at 11pm of an evening on Twitter.

'I am not impressed with the government with the way they have dealt with it and the manner of it.

'Why not tell us during the day? Why tell us at 11pm on Twitter.'

She added: 'Because I am a teacher, I wanted to make sure I would not have any problems so we waited for a few weeks before booking to wait and see what was going on with the restrictions.'

Dilip, a primary school teacher, said: 'We rebooked and got an earlier train today.

'So we will have to wait and see if we can get any money back.

'If we had stayed, it would have been touch and go for me having to quarantine before the schools open at the beginning of September.

'But Camille's school opens a week early so we have to come back.'

Nicola Sturgeon 'stopped holidaymakers from getting an extra 24 HOURS to get back from France': Scottish First Minister 'insisted the cut-off should be 4am TOMORROW instead of Sunday' sparking desperate stampede of Britons to get home British holidaymakers voiced fury at the timing of the France quarantine move today amid claims Nicola Sturgeon demanded the cut-off was brought forward. The new rules on isolating for 14 days will take effect for anyone who arrives in the UK from 4am tomorrow, sparking a desperate stamped to get home by thousands of British holidaymakers. But sources said the Scottish government insisted that the deadline was earlier after UK ministers initially mooted 4am on Sunday. Mr Shapps fuelled the chaos last night when he announced the dramatic step, but suggested it would only apply to people who 'come back from Sunday'. The Department for Transport then clarified that in fact the restrictions come into force from 4am tomorrow. The news also broke hours later than expected, and following signals during the day that France might escape being struck off the list of 'safe' countries. Advertisement

'We will be looking at the data a bit later on this afternoon - looking exactly where France and other countries are getting to.

'We can't be remotely complacent about our own situation.

'Everybody understands that in a pandemic you don't allow our population to be reinfected or the disease to come back in.

'That is why the quarantine measures are very important and we have to apply them in very sftrict way.'

Speculation has been mounting about quarantine exemptions being scrapped as infections rise across much of Europe.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons are either on holiday in France or planning to go there, but yesterday it recorded more than 2,500 cases - a record since lockdown was eased.

The country appears to be perilously close to the yardstick of 20 cases per 100,000 population in a seven-day period.

But ministers are believed to be prepared to hold off on restrictions when changes are announced, with the situation kept under close observation.

The quarantine list already includes Spain and Portugal. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not believed to have signed off on the adjustments yet.

Travellers are expected to be given around 30 hours notice of any changes coming into force, so they can make new arrangements if required.

The Netherlands (23.1 per 100,000), Gibraltar (35.6), Monaco (38.2), Malta (46.7), San Marino (53.0), the Faroe Islands (198.5), Turks and Caicos (278.9) and Aruba (547.9) all have higher rates of new cases per 100,000 than France.

Those on the list with a slightly lower rate than France are Denmark (15.3 per 100,000), Iceland (14.7), the Czech Republic (14.0), Switzerland (13.3) and Poland (12.7).

All the above have now overtaken Portugal's rate of 12.4 new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days, but despite this, Portugal remains on the list of countries from which all arrivals to the UK, including those returning from holiday, must quarantine for two weeks.

Downing Street reminded potential holidaymakers this week that 'there is no risk free way of travelling overseas' with Boris Johnson adding that he 'would not hesitate' to bring in travel restrictions for other countries.

The latest data on coronavirus cases on foreign soil is being analysed by the Government's Joint Biosecurity Centre (JCB), which reports to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Britons in France and other countries could be forced to make a dash home or risk being forced to quarantine on their return to the UK, should the government decide to remove more countries from the list.

UK Ministers are believed to be planning new measures for a swathe of countries amid a surge in European coronavirus cases

Woman tells how their French holiday is cut short so her children can get back to school Emmeline Owens, 45, from Battersea, was staying in Antibes in the south of France with her husband and two children, eight and 11 years old. She said that quarantining was 'not really' an option for them as they wanted their children to be able to return to school shortly. 'They haven't had much of an education in the last six months,' she told the PA news agency. 'If we can get in today they will be able to return to school when they're due to go back in a couple of weeks, so, yes, it (quarantine) wasn't much of an option.' Advertisement

On Tuesday, the UK updated its travel 'green list', but did not take Portugal off the quarantine list, in a blow to the country's economy that benefits greatly from tourism from the UK.

The UK Government was warned that cases in Portugal had not fallen fast enough to be able to safely add the country to the 'green list'.

On Monday, France reported the first significant rise in the number of coronavirus patients in hospital since the lockdown was lifted, although it fell again on Tuesday before rising two days on the bounce.

Earlier this week France's prime minister told his citizens to 'pull themselves together' amid a fresh surge in coronavirus cases.

Jean Castex said the public was becoming careless and raised the spectre of a second lockdown after a rise of more than 10,000 cases in the last week.

'If we don't act collectively, we expose ourselves to the heightened risk that the rebound in the epidemic becomes hard to control,' Castex said on a visit to an intensive care ward in the South of France.

Some parts of France have tightened their mask rules despite the summer heatwave, with police now set to ramp up checks on face coverings - while neighbouring Belgium yesterday made masks compulsory in all public spaces including outdoors.

France's prime minister Jean Castex (pictured at a hospital in Montpellier this week) has told his citizens to 'pull themselves together' amid a fresh surge in coronavirus cases in France

Travel chiefs: This is a devastating blow to the industry

ByTom Payne Transport Correspondent For The Daily Mail

The bombshell decision to reimpose quarantine on France is a 'devastating blow' to Britain's crippled travel sector, industry leaders said last night.

Airlines and tour operators have suffered colossal losses during the pandemic as a result of plummeting passenger numbers and sweeping global travel restrictions.

A long-awaited announcement on travel corridors brought some respite in mid-July  but a steady yet sharp rise in coronavirus cases on the continent has brought hopes of a revived travel season to a sudden end.

Travel bosses last night said the decision to reimpose quarantine on France  weeks after Spain, Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas were also kicked off the 'safe' country list  effectively signals the death knell for foreign holidays for the rest of the year.

But ministers are believed to be prepared to hold off on restrictions when changes are announced, with the situation kept under close observation

It also spells misery for millions of Britons with ruined trips, who now face a battle to claim refunds from airlines which may refuse to give them their money back.

Most holidaymakers are unlikely to be covered on travel insurance as the majority of policies bought after March 10 carry no cover for Covid 19-related cancellations.

Travel bosses last night criticised the Government's inaction on airport testing  seen by many as a viable alternative to blanket quarantine measures  and blasted ministers' 'chaotic approach' for throwing the industry into chaos and uncertainty.

One senior industry figure told the Daily Mail: 'It has been chaos at every turn. The latest announcement on France is a watershed moment and a dark day for our industry. We are in uncharted waters. It is hard to see where we go from this.'

Gloria Guevara, president of the World Travel and Tourism Council, said the 'worst fears'of the industry were coming true, and estimated three million UK jobs could be lost due to the ongoing uncertainty.

Tim Alderslade of trade body Airlines UK added: 'It's another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history.

'Having the political will to move to a sub-national approach to quarantine, in addition to a testing regime for arriving passengers so that those testing negative can avoid having to self-isolate  which other countries like Germany have already implemented  is urgently needed.'

He said this would 'provide carriers and customers with additional certainty around the ability to operate this autumn and winter'.

Karen Dee of the Airport Operators Association said: 'Our airports are facing pressures that were unimaginable six months ago and it is essential that the Government work with the industry to introduce regional travel corridors to low-risk areas and agree a package of financial measures that support our airports who have already lost over 2billion since the start of the pandemic.

'We have consistently called for support including relief from business rates and an extension to employment support beyond October and it is long overdue that the Government provides the same level of support to aviation that it has provided to other sectors.'

Rory Boland of consumer group Which? said: 'It's understandable that the Government wants to restrict travel to these countries at this time, but the burden of this decision disproportionally falls on holidaymakers  thousands of whom are likely to be left significantly out of pocket because their airline will refuse to refund them.

'Unlike tour operators, airlines now routinely ignore Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel warnings and refuse refunds because, they argue, the flight is still operating. Some major airlines, like Ryanair, won't even allow customers to rebook without charging a hefty fee.

'The Government wants us to act responsibly and not travel to countries with an FCO warning, but it needs to make it clear to airlines that they too need to act responsibly and not ignore government travel advice in an effort to pocket customer cash.'
Those who have a serious conviction for causing harm to others, or have a recent conviction for a terrorism offence, should not benefit from the Troubles pension scheme, according to guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

Brandon Lewis has published guidance to support an independent board in making decisions as to who can avail of the pension scheme for victims of the Troubles.

MPs passed legislation last year to establish the payment for people injured in the Troubles but the scheme had been significantly delayed over a Stormont dispute over whether former paramilitaries should be eligible.

The guidance states that it would be inappropriate to pay applicants who have a serious conviction for causing harm to others, or a recent conviction for a terrorism offence - whether the offence is serious or not.

Mr Lewis has also called on the Executive to urgently implement that pension scheme, particularly Sinn Fein.

Both the DUP and Sinn Fein have been at loggerheads over the definition of a victim.

There was also disagreement between Belfast and London over who should pay for the scheme.

The pension was originally due to be implemented at the end of May.

The independent boards decisions will be taken on a case by case basis.

In the event that the board decides to award payments in such cases where someone has a serious conviction for an offence that caused harm to others, despite this guidance being engaged, the government reserves the ability to exercise a power of intervention.

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First Minister Arlene Foster said the publishing of the guidance was a "small step" along the road to victims receiving their pension.

The DUP leader said it was "right and proper" victim makers would not receive the pension.

"It would be wholly wrong for bombers to be awarded a pension," Mrs Foster said.

She accused deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill of blocking progress of the pension scheme.

"Whilst Sinn Fein Ministers in the Executive agreed to allocate a 2.5m to enable preparatory work to be done by the Executive Office, they have not agreed to the Department of Justice (DoJ) being designated as the department to drive forward and make the payments," the First Minister said.



"Four of the five Executive parties are agreed that DoJ is the appropriate department. It is time for Sinn Fein to make the needs of innocent victims, from all over the British Isles and of all political backgrounds, a priority and allow the pension to move forward.

Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said the guidance was discriminatory and designed to protect and reward state forces.

Expand Close Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly at the party's Falls Road office in Belfast, reacting to Government guidance on administering victims' compensation payments. PA Photo. David Young/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly at the party's Falls Road office in Belfast, reacting to Government guidance on administering victims' compensation payments. PA Photo. David Young/PA Wire

He accused the Government of failing to engage with the Stormont parties on the issue and instead presenting a "fait accompli".

"This is entirely discriminatory, it's exclusionary, and it is there to protect British forces during the conflict, and actually to reward them, and to exclude as many republicans and nationalists as they possibly can," he said.

The MLA compared the move to the Government's decision to step away from legacy mechanisms agreed by the UK and Irish governments and Stormont parties in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement.

"Their intent here is not about reconciliation, it's not about moving the whole process forward," he said.

"It's about protecting states forces during this conflict and putting the blame on everybody else."

Mr Kelly said Sinn Fein did not want to see anyone excluded from the scheme, with the payments administered on the "basis of need".

UUP MLA Doug Beattie said that delays around the pension scheme had left victims "hurt and frustrated".

The former British Army captain said there could be no more excuses for delaying the scheme.

"It is up to The Executive Office to get on with nominating a lead Department that can put the scheme in place. Those who have been promised this payment should not have to wait another day longer," Mr Beattie said.

Sinn Fein have danced on the head of a pin for long enough. There is no ambiguity left for them to hide behind. The guidance has been issued, failure to implement the scheme is a failure to support victims, they need to get on with it.

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TUV leader Jim Allister called on the Northern Ireland Office to take action and move control of the pension scheme to Westminster.

"That alone will defuse the pernicious Sinn Fein veto," he said.

Mr Allister also called for the legal definition of a victim to be changed to reflect Mr Lewis' guidance.

"Only then, can any sort of level playing field exist for the innocent," the TUV leader said.

Commenting on the publication of the guidance, Mr Lewis said: The moral and legal obligation to deliver this scheme for victims of the Troubles injured through no fault of their own is undeniable and I hope that the publication of todays guidance will renew the focus and efforts of the Northern Ireland Executive to move forward to finally deliver for these victims.

The political disagreements and delay of the last few years on this issue have gone on long enough.

It is imperative that Sinn Fein now enable the scheme to move forward by agreeing with all the other parties and urgently designate a department to administer the scheme and get payments to those who will benefit most.
BRUSSELS -- European Union Neighborhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi has expressed his readiness to travel to Minsk on an EU fact-finding mission to gather information following the governments crackdown on protests triggered by the August 9 presidential election, which the bloc has described as "neither free nor fair."

In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL after a video-link meeting of EU foreign ministers, Varhelyi suggested the possibility of traveling to the Belarusian capital, adding that he could go any timewhen I am tasked and saying he would sit down with the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to discuss how to proceed.

No high-ranking EU politician has traveled to the country since the vote, but the commissioner expressed his readiness to do so during the August 14 council meeting and received the backing from several EU foreign ministers, according to several RFE/RL sources.

Even though the EU has not officially called for a rerun of the vote, Varhelyi mentioned the possibility.

There have been not only major shortcomings, but the elections cannot be considered free and fair, he said. So, we have to go there and see the situation on the ground. But, of course, this is a very strong likelihood that the elections might have to be rerun.

At least two protesters have died and some 6,700 people have been detained since nationwide protests erupted on election day after the government announced an exit poll that showed strongman President Alyaksandr Lukashenka winning a sixth term with about 80 percent of the vote.

That claim was rejected by opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to leave for Lithuania the next day.

Varhelyi said he had been in touch with officials from the Lukashenka government and underlined that his message to the Belarusian government was that we should try and create a situation where we can bridge all the differences between the government and the opposition and where we can get a common reading of the elections, a common reading on what needs to be done after that.

At the meeting, the EU foreign ministers also tasked the commission and the EUs diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS), with drawing up sanctions proposals targeting people who have been involved in the crackdown and individuals responsible for the alleged falsification of the election results.

Varhelyi said an agreement on sanctions such as visa bans and asset freezes could come at the end of the month when the ministers meet again in Berlin.

I think this will go ahead really fast, he said. We agreed that 10 days from nowwe will already be finalizing this.
GLADSTONE, N.J., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The need for clean water is a daily challenge for many Navajo people of New Mexico and Arizona, but for at least one town, the Preservation Earth Project provided much needed relief.

Chris Kenny of the Preservation Earth Project with Mr. Litson, Spiritual leader and rancher at Tsaile New Mexico water site.

This past July, Christopher Kenny and the 501c (3) organization, The Preservation Earth Project (PEP) arrived in Tsaile, New Mexico and brought one thing -- hope. Due to uranium mining, fracking and the overuse of pesticides over the years, the water supply was contaminated leading to a high rate of multiple diseases. Approximately 35% of the Navajo people live without running water and some travel to a remote site to fill barrels with water from a contaminated local spring. Now with the Covid-19 pandemic, the rate of infection is so high on the reservation because many needed to leave in search of clean water to drink and brought the virus back with them.

After fundraising the previous year, and spending many hours on calls with contractors, Native American leaders, and engineers, the plan came together. Kenny landed in Tsaile on a mission to help and to reverse this ongoing injustice.

The Preservation Earth Project created a solution to purify the water at that remote water source. The solution is a state-of-the-art, water purification system that runs on solar power and will operate 365 days a year, even if winter-like conditions exist. The systems components were carefully selected and engineered to guarantee results, be environmentally-friendly and serve the rural community for many years to come.

Kenny remembers the stark beauty of the reservation -- the dried earth lay spotted with cacti and sagebrush. In the background, he viewed the outlines of the mountains. He said, "These people are farmers and ranchers. They deserve, at the very least, the clean water that the rest of us take for granted. They felt forgotten until PEP arrived on the scene."

While the planning started over a year ago, just recently Mr.Kenny and the Preservation Earth Project achieved one of their goals; to provide solutions, assistance and aid to those who are impacted by environmentally-related disasters. Some of the Preservation Earth Project's other achievements include providing alternative powered energy systems for purifying water following earthquakes in Haiti, The Dominican Republic, assistance to hurricane & flood victims in Louisiana and Texas, and mobile power units in the northeast following Hurricane Sandy.

"Being able to help others is a gift," said Kenny. "Having taken of few of my older boys on these trips, I've found that this can be transformative to a person of any age. It is proof that all people are fundamentally the same, and many times the only reason tensions exist between races are because they are propagated by external sources."

Alongside his decade long involvement with PEP, Christopher Kenny is the Head of Strategy & E-Trading relationships for an alternative trading system at Hartfield, Titus & Donnelly, a fixed income broker-dealer in New York.

"The spiritual leader of the Navajo people blessed the water source in the traditional manner, with corn pollen and prayer. The ceremony was too beautiful, complex and filled with symbolism," said Kenny. "Afterwards, the spiritual leader and his daughters spoke. The level of sincerity and appreciation could be seen through their veil of tears. They were profoundly moved by how the Preservation Earth Project showed up and made this facility possible. Everyone was excited and very happy knowing they once again had access to clean water."

The Preservation Earth Project's mission is to assist others in time of need, while preserving natural resources and promoting the use of alternative energy. The need is still great, and PEP has many future projects planned. To learn more, email [email protected] or visit: www.preservationearthproject.org

Contact:

Preservation Earth Project

Christopher J. Kenny - President

Office phone: 201-564-1281

[email protected]

SOURCE Preservation Earth Project

Related Links

http://www.preservationearthproject.org


Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, left, with Rep. Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is ahead of Rep. Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in a survey on prospective presidential candidates, according to Gallup Korea, Friday.



It is the first time Rep. Lee, President Moon Jae-in's first prime minister, has lost his lead to anybody in any opinion polls for nearly a year.



According to the Gallup survey of 1,001 adults from Tuesday to Thursday, 19 percent of respondents said they supported Governor Lee, while 17 percent said they supported the former prime minister. The support rate for Lee Jae-myung rose 6 percentage points from a week before, while that of Lee Nak-yon fell 7 percentage points.



The increase in the governor's support rate was accelerated after the Supreme Court last month acquitted him on charges of violating the Election Law that could have deprived him of his governorship.



With the removal of political uncertainty, the governor is expected to strengthen his political clout as a prospective presidential candidate with growing public support and political influence within and outside the party.



Political watchers attributed his popularity to his straightforwardness and strong drive in pushing forward with policies, seen in his efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the province, such as giving universal anti-disaster relief money to all residents and taking strict measures against organizations and businesses that were likely to cause a rapid spread of the virus, such as religious groups and clubs.



The approval rating for the former prime minister may have been affected by the falling support rates for President Moon and the ruling party. Lee is running for the DPK's chairmanship which will be decided on Aug. 29 through a party convention.



Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl was in third place with a support rate of 9 percent, while former presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, who heads the minor opposition People's Party, garnered 3 percent.


MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines plans to launch clinical trials for a Russian coronavirus vaccine in October, with President Rodrigo Duterte expected to be inoculated as early as May next year, the presidential spokesman said on Thursday.

Harry Roque, Duterte's spokesman, made the announcement a day after Philippine scientists met with representatives of the vaccine developer, research facility Gamaleya, to discuss trials and information about the inoculation.

Russia on Tuesday became the world's first country to grant regulatory approval for a COVID-19 vaccine, to be named Sputnik V in homage to the Soviet Unions launch of the worlds first satellite.

But its decision to grant approval before completing trials has raised concerns among some experts, who fear it may be putting national prestige before safety.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told Reuters that all clinical trials would need to go through the regulatory process.

Phase three clinical trials in the Philippines are due to run from October to March 2021, after a panel of vaccine experts completes its review on Russia's phase one and two trials in September, Roque told a media briefing.

Duterte is keen to access a vaccine and in July made a plea to China to make the Philippines a priority if it develops one.

The president has pledged that the Philippines, which suffered its biggest economic contraction in nearly three decades, would be "back to normal" by December even as it has been reporting record numbers of daily coronavirus infections since July.

The novel coronavirus has infected more than 143,000 people and killed 2,404 in the Philippines. A strict coronavirus lockdown recently reintroduced in and around the capital Manila is unlikely to be extended beyond August 18, the presidential spokesman said.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Editing by Ed Davies)
Even though a week has passed since the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) was directed to increase the bed capacity for severely ill Covid-19 patients, the institute has not been able to do so, prompting the Chandigarh administration to plan a visit to the hospital.

The directions had been issued during a war room meeting, chaired by the UT administrator, last week. Besides PGIMER, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, had also been asked to earmark 100 beds for citys patients.

Seeing no outcome, the UT administration on Thursday gave a written communication to the institute for the same. When asked on Friday, the institute, in a written reply told Hindustan Times, said that they are finding the modalities to increase the bed capacity for Covid-19 patients.

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research is committed to provide treatment to citizens of the region. In the rough circumstances, we have developed a 200-bed Covid-19 centre, which has the capacity of providing critical care to 40 patients at a time. As directed by the administration, we are finding modalities to increase the bed capacity. the response stated.

When asked about the delay in setting up the facility, adviser to UT administrator, Manoj Parida said that the administrator on Friday communicated with the director of PGIMER, Dr Jagat Ram, on the issue following which he has decided to visit the institute.

UT administrator, along with the officers of Chandigarh administration will visit PGIMER after Independence Day to confirm that 100 new beds have been earmarked for the patients of Chandigarh. The visit will probably be on Wednesday, Manoj Parida said.

Meanwhile, GMCH-32 will convert a part of Block A of the hospital into a facility for Covid-19 patients.

Hundred more beds have been earmarked for Covid-19 patients on the 4th and 5th floor of Block A. All the beds have oxygen support while five more ventilators are being installed in the same areas for severely ill patients, said Dr BS Chavan, director-cum-principal of GMCH-32
Mid Ulster District Council Chief Executive, Anthony Tohill, is set to leave his role to take up a post in the private sector.

The former Derry GAA star said it had been a 'privilege' to work with officers and elected members in the council.

"After twenty five years in the public sector it is time for me to follow a different career path and I will be taking up an opportunity in the private sector when my notice period has been served," he said.

"It has been a great privilege to work with the officers and the elected members in serving the people of the Mid Ulster district and I wish the Council every success in the times ahead."

Council chair, Cathal Mallaghan, paid tribute to Tohill's leadership.

"To say that Mid Ulster District Council has been fortunate to have had Anthony Tohill as Chief Executive is an understatement," he said.

"The Council has benefited enormously from Anthonys leadership, insight, expertise, guidance, professionalism and sheer hard work for the last 6 years.

He has been an asset to this Council from the very beginning, leading through a period of significant change for local government when 3 councils were merging and new powers were being transferred to local authorities, creating a unified and focused organisation and always with the goal of delivering the best services and facilities for the people of Mid Ulster.

While Anthony is undoubtedly a loss to Mid Ulster Council, we wish him nothing but success in his new role.
By Andrei Makhovsky and Vasily Fedosenko

MINSK (Reuters) - The Belarusian leadership began releasing thousands of detainees and issued a rare public apology on Thursday in a bid to quell nationwide street protests that pose the biggest challenge to strongman President Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule.

Hundreds of friends and relatives, many of them in tears, stood outside a detention centre in Minsk waiting to give food, water and blankets to people emerging from inside in the early hours of Friday.

Some of the protesters had bruises and described being tightly packed inside cells and complained of mistreatment. Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov denied the prisoners were abused and said all detainees would be freed by morning.

At least two protesters have died and around 6,700 were detained this week in a crackdown following Lukashenko's contested re-election that has prompted the West to consider new sanctions on Minsk.

The detainees' release and the emollient tone used by two top state officials underscored the vulnerability of Lukashenko's hold over a country seen by neighbouring Russia as a strategic buffer against NATO and the European Union.

"I take responsibility and apologise for injuries of random people at the protests who got it in the neck," said Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Karayev.

Tens of thousands of protesters on Thursday were joined by workers from some state-run industries that are the pride of Lukashenko's Soviet-style economic model, including the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) that makes trucks and buses.

Footage showed them chanting "elections" and "go away". Local media also reported protests at the state-run haulage and earthmoving equipment manufacturer BelAZ in a town northeast of Minsk, and at the Grodno Azot chemical plant.

Protesters formed human chains and marched in the capital, backed by at least 10 television presenters and reporters from the tightly controlled state media who resigned in solidarity.

Story continues

The protesters accuse Lukashenko of rigging last Sunday's presidential election to win a sixth term. The president, alleging a foreign-backed plot to destabilise the country, has dismissed the demonstrators as criminals and unemployed.

But another presidential ally, the head of a national state council Natalya Kochanova, said on Thursday that Lukashenko had ordered an urgent review of the detentions.

"We don't fight, we don't need war," she said.

RUSSIA ALLEGES MEDDLING

In Minsk, ambassadors from EU countries laid flowers at the site where one protester died, as a crowd cheered and chanted.

"We are here to mourn the loss of life and also to show solidarity with the victims of the violence and abuse that has taken place over many Belarusian towns and cities over the last few days," EU envoy Dirk Schuebel told reporters afterwards.

Lukashenko has sought better relations with the West amid strained ties with traditional ally Russia.

The EU partially lifted sanctions, imposed over Lukashenko's human rights record, in 2016, but could introduce new measures as early as this month. Germany called on the EU to put pressure on Lukashenko.

Russia, which has nudged Lukashenko into accepting closer political and economic ties, expressed concern over what it depicted as attempts by external forces to destabilise Belarus.

A former Soviet collective farm manager, the 65-year-old Lukashenko has faced increasing anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic - which he dismissed as a "psychosis" - a sluggish economy and human rights.

Sergei, one of the freed detainees, said there had been 28 people in a cell that would normally contain five. Prisoners took turns to sleep, he said, and were given a single loaf of bread to share out over two days.

Reuters could not independently verify his account.

"They did not beat me in the cell, they took me out of the cell and beat me there," said Sergei, who declined to give his last name.

(Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky and Vasily Fedosenko in Minsk; Additional reporting by Anton Zverev and Andrey Ostroukh in Moscow and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Alex Richardson, Giles Elgood, Grant McCool and Michael Perry)
Inc. magazine today revealed that Exacom is No. 4756 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

As an ESOP, our employee-owners are relentless in their focus to provide the absolute best value to our customers," said President & CEO Al Brisard. "Because of that, we have a long list of strong industry partners and happy customers who advocate for us. My heartfelt thanks go out to the employees, business partners and customers who have brought us to this point.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

From its inception in 1986, Exacom was a successful and steady operation with local offices in New Hampshire and support personnel nationwide. However, in 2014 the company became 100% employee-owned, and the employees began refocusing on the basics. They doubled down on understanding customer needs and collaborating with customers to create market-leading solutions. They knew that if they created a customer-centric company with strong values, passionate employees, best-in-class partners, and quality products, that profit and growth would follow naturally. Exacom now provides recording solutions to major public safety, government, utility, energy, security, education, and healthcare customers worldwide.

CONTACT:

Hannah Slaven

603-228-0706

Hannah.Slaven@Exacom.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  People around the world looked on in awe at the spectacular satellite images of an undersea volcano erupting in a giant mushroom cloud in the Pacific. Many wondered why the blast was so big, how the resulting tsunami traveled so far, and what will happen next. 
JACKSON, Mississippi  A former member of the Meridian Police Department has been charged in a federal indictment with extortion under color of official right, according to U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Michelle A. Sutphin, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

The indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 28, 2019, and unsealed Thursday, charges former Meridian police officer Royric Roy Benamon, 27, with two counts of extortion under color of official right.

Fighting public corruption is a top priority of this office, as our society is undermined when those in positions of power become corrupted and abuse the public trust for personal gain. We will continue to root out corrupt officials who endanger our communities and tarnish the reputation of our law enforcement who serve and protect us so honorably, Hurst said.

According to the indictment, in April 2020, then-Officer Benamon on two separate occasions pulled over drivers in the middle of the night in Lauderdale County and received from each of them cash payment in exchange for not issuing the driver a ticket. Benamon resigned from the Meridian Police Department immediately following public disclosure of the alleged incidents.

FBI Agents and Task Force Officers arrested Benamon on Wednesday without incident. Benamon appeared for arraignment Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson in Jackson. The Court released Benamon on bond, subject to conditions including that he refrain from violations of state or federal law while awaiting trial.

Trial has been set for Oct. 5 before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III in Jackson.

If convicted Benamon faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each count charged for extortion under color of official right. Each count can also carry a fine of up to $250,000.

Hurst commended the work of the Special Agents with the FBIs Jackson Division who investigated the case with assistance from the Mississippi Attorney Generals office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Theodore Cooperstein.
Apple has acted against Epic Games and removed Fortnite from the App Store. Yesterday, Fornite introduced an update with a direct payment method on iOS. It accounts for a direct violation of App Store guidelines that mandate In-App purchases. Apple has been taking the flak for its 30 percent App Store commission, and despite the antitrust investigations, the company has decided to remove Fortnite from the App Store.

Epic Games not only offered a direct payment method on Fortnite for iOS, but they also offered a 20 percent discount for transactions done directly through them. It seems like Epic Games has openly challenged Apple and revolted against the 30-percent App Store commission.

Apple told TheVerge that it would work with Epic to resolve these violations, however it is not going to create a special arrangement for the company.

Today, Epic Games took the unfortunate step of violating the App Store guidelines that are applied equally to every developer and designed to keep the store safe for our users. As a result their Fortnite app has been removed from the store. Epic enabled a feature in its app which was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and they did so with the express intent of violating the App Store guidelines regarding in-app payments that apply to every developer who sells digital goods or services.

Apple claims Epic has greatly benefitted from having their apps on the App Store. Furthermore, the developers have used Apples tools, testing, and distribution channel. The statement says, The fact that their business interests now lead them to push for a special arrangement does not change the fact that these guidelines create a level playing field for all developers and make the store safe for all users.

Our Take

Those who have already downloaded Fortnite will be able to access the game on iOS. However, you will not be able to download from the App Store or update the app until the issue is resolved. It seems like Epic has intentionally intimidated Apple by openly flouting the guidelines. The company made the discount look like a consumer-centric move. For instance, V-Bucks (currency in Fortnite) worth $10 cost only $7.99 when paid directly.

Apple is facing criticism from multiple quarters regarding a 30 percent fee and for changing guidelines to suit its motive. Interestingly, according to antitrust hearing, Apple made an exclusive deal with Amazon Prime and halved the commission to 15 percent. It will be interesting to see how Epic Games will react to the ban and whether they will revolt.
U.S. President Donald Trump makes a statement to reporters about reopening U.S. places of worship by declaring them "essential" in the midst of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 22, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

President Donald Trump on Thursday fanned the flames of a racist lie that Sen. Kamala Harris is not a US citizen and therefore not eligible to become the nation's first Black vice president.

Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican descent, was born in Oakland, California.

She is indisputably a US citizen.

Trump and his advisers have refused to reject the lie about her citzenship, creating a clear parallel to Trump's racist promotion of the so-called "birther" lie about former President Barack Obama.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump spent years pushing the lie known as "birtherism" that there was doubt about whether former President Barack Obama was a US citizen and therefore eligible to be president.

Between 2011 and 2016, Trump spread the conspiracy. Obama eventually released his birth certificate, which, of course, showed he was born in Hawaii.

On Thursday, Trump promoted a similarly racist lie that Sen. Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic vice presidential nominee, isn't eligible to be vice president because her parents were immigrants.

Harris, who is Black and whose parents were Indian and Jamaican immigrants, was born in Oakland, California, and is indisputably a US citizen.

"I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements," Trump told reporters, referring to a debunked Newsweek op-ed by John Eastman, a right-wing legal scholar opposed to birthright citizenship. "I have no idea if that's right. I would have thought, I would have assumed, that the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president."

Trump added that Eastman is a "very highly qualified, very talented lawyer."

Under the Fourteenth Amendment, anyone born in the US is automatically a US citizen. And the Supreme Court affirmed the right to birthright citizenship for all, regardless of race and nationality, in its 1898 decision in US vs. Wong Kim Ark.

Story continues

The majority decision read, "the Fourteenth Amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory, in the allegiance and under the protection of the country, including all children here born of resident aliens .The Amendment, in clear words and in manifest intent, includes the children born, within the territory of the United States, of all other persons, of whatever race or color, domiciled within the United States."

Eastman's fraudulent op-ed went viral online on Thursday and a Trump campaign adviser, Jenna Ellis, shared it on Twitter. When asked about it, Ellis told reporters that Harris' citizenship is "open question, and one I think Harris should answer so the American people know for sure she is eligible."

The president's top adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner refused to reject the lie when asked about it on Friday.

"At the end of the day, it's something that's out there," Kushner told CBS News. "I personally have no reason to believe she's not [eligible]."

Harris' parents earned doctorates from the University of California, Berkeley in 1963 and had lived in the US for several years before their first daughter was born.

Rather than fully endorsing what is clearly a lie, the president and his team are fanning the flames of racism in an attempt to undermine someone who could become the nation's first Black vice president.

The lie also aligns with Trump's contempt for birthright citizenship, which he's falsely said he could unilaterally abolish.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SINGAPORE  In the early weeks of the coronavirus outbreak, Anthony Tan, the CEO of Southeast Asias biggest ride-hailing firm, recalls how he mistook the infection to be a China-only problem, similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003.

As COVID-19 turned into a pandemic, sending markets into a tailspin, the 38-year-old sought advice from titans among his investors including Softbanks Masayoshi Son and Microsofts Satya Nadella.

The message was clear. No one knew how long the crisis would last or how deep it would be.

Tan, who co-founded Grab in 2012 with fellow Harvard Business School alumni Tan Hooi Lin, learnt he had to set thresholds and make decisive moves, even if they were unpopular.

Theres no more debate, its just execution, he said.

In June, the Singapore-based company laid off around 360 employees, just under 5% of its headcount, after slashing discretionary spending.

I remember tears couldnt stop rolling down my face. I dont ever want to go through it again, Tan said in his first interview since the layoffs.

The pandemic is the first crisis for Southeast Asias decade-old start-up ecosystem from which Grab has emerged a household name and the most valuable firm at over $14 billion (10.7 billion pounds).

Grab says its app has seen a total of 198 million downloads, although it has yet to turn profitable.

Operating in 351 cities across eight Southeast Asian countries, the company garnered global attention in 2018 when Uber (UBER.N) sold its regional business to the startup after a costly five-year battle. In return, Uber got a stake in Grab.

As coronavirus measures put the region of 650 million people under lockdown, Grab saw demand eroding for its transport business, but then nearly 150,000 of its drivers switched to becoming delivery men for home-bound customers.

Food delivery has become the norm, grocery delivery is growing very fast, cashless payments is growing very fast, so these behaviours have changed permanently with or without a vaccine and weve been beneficiaries, said Tan, who is preparing Grab for a future in which its users will at least partially work from home.

You couldnt ask for a better hedge, Tan said in the living room of his Singapore penthouse, where he often spends 15 hours a day at his standing desk, sometimes exercising with dumbbells.

Grab CEO Anthony Tan speaks during an interview at his home in Singapore August 12, 2020. Photo: Reuters

Delivering financial services

The company, which counts Indonesia as its biggest market and is locked in a fierce competition there with Jakarta-based Gojek, is doubling down on deliveries, with its two-year-old food business overtaking the mature transport division as its biggest segment.

It has had to scale back plans for its travel and hospitality service verticals as consumers stayed at home, but its finance business has been boosted by surging digital payments and small businesses seeking working capital loans.

The financial services business includes wealth management, insurance and lending.

Backed by the likes of Chinas Didi Chuxing and Japans MUFG, Grab was already transforming itself into an universal everyday app but the pandemic accelerated the plans, including providing more services for merchants.

The company, which says it has more than 9 million drivers, merchants and agents, is also awaiting the result of its application for an online banking licence in Singapore.

While the pandemic initially led to short-term thinking in a fight for survival, Tan said working from home for months and consultations with leaders from around the world has made him reflect and think longer term.

By also just being insane and microscopic about costs, Grab was now on a faster path to profitability, Tan said, without giving a time-frame.

Jixun Foo, managing partner at GGV Capital and an early backer of Grab, said speed was key.

In good times, everybody is grabbing market share. When the tide turns, the best companies respond the fastest, they correct the fastest in terms of their business, he said.
Uzbekistan has introduced the concept of plea bargaining into its justice system, opening the way for speedier trials and reduced prison terms for suspects who cooperate with investigators, Eurasianet writes in the article Uzbekistan allows for plea bargaining in courts. Although judges were previously reserved the right to hand down lenient sentences on the basis of mitigating factors, bargaining with investigators and prosecutors had not been possible until President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed off on this reform on August 10.

The study of legal and investigative practice and the consideration of petitions from citizens speak to the incomplete mechanisms for ensuring legal rights and personal freedoms during criminal trials, the presidential decree reads. The decree allows for plea bargaining for a select range of criminal offenses in the event that the suspect commits to a written agreement. Concessions may only be considered if the suspect admits to their guilt and pledges to make amends for harm caused. This can lead to eventual sentences being halved and a streamlined trial.

As Alisher Bobomurodov, a member of the Surkhandarya regional prosecutor's office, told Eurasianet, the courts have typically adopted an unyieldingly punitive approach. Defense lawyers requesting shortened sentences or who appealed to the judge to consider mitigating circumstances have customarily been given short shrift.

The language of the presidential decree states that the authors of the reform considered international standards and precedent when drafting their own proposals. The same decree reiterates the mandatory requirement for citizens to have access to legal representation upon arrest and when the detainee is formally recognized as a criminal suspect.

It will take some time before the results of this potentially more lenient system become clear. According to Supreme Court figures, around 12,800 people were convicted in the first half of 2020. Of those, 3,896 were given prison sentences.

Justice system reform is a particular priority for Mirziyoyev, who is eager to impress on foreign investors that Uzbekistan is embracing the principles of right of law. This agenda has hit road bumps along the way, however. One troubling high-profile case occurred in late May in the Ferghana Valley city of Andijan, when 44-year-old jewel trader Alijon Abdukarimov was beaten during questioning at the hands of police officers. Abdukarimovs condition after the beatings was so bad, he had to be hospitalized and he eventually died from his injuries.

The incident sparked an unusually vocal public reaction, including from lawmakers, who demanded that measures be put in place to avoid a repeat occurrence. One firm outcome was a pledge for all interrogation rooms in police stations to be installed with close-circuit cameras.
As a response to the coronavirus pandemic, wearing protective face masks and coverings outside and in supermarkets, shops, cinemas, museums and on public transport has quickly become the new normal.

And luckily there are plenty of options available. Fashion brands and major retailers, including REVOLVE, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Marks and Spencer, have designed affordable non-medical face masks that are super comfortable, stylish and practical.

Even better? You can save 10 per cent when purchasing a face covering online at Screen & Shield using the exclusive MailOnline reader discount code MAIL10.

Ahead we've selected 25 reusable and non-medical face masks and coverings that are still in stock.

Amazon has recently launched its Face Mask Store, designed to help customers find the most suitable covering for their needs. And one affordable find is the ASAB Unisex Reusable Face Mask.

The mask, which has amassed thousands of reviews on the mega site, now costs under a fiver (17 per cent off). It can be washed and reused, and comes in a variety of prints and colours from solid black to pink daisies. Several shoppers have praised this pick for its comfort for all-day wear thanks to the masks' stretchy earloop fabric.

Buy now on Amazon

Amazon has a wide array of face coverings on offer. But unlike that of a cotton or 3 Ply face masks, this ultra-comfortable mulberry silk design moulds to the face comfortably for a close fit. It will reduce friction and is less likely to leave crease marks on the skin when worn for long periods of time.

Better yet, these are among the most affordable silk face coverings we've seen. For 17.99, you'll receive a pack of two masks in champagne and dusty pink. And with an Amazon Prime subscription, members can take advantage of free two-day shipping.

Buy now on Amazon

Edinburgh-based company Screen & Shield was created after self-employed dad-of-one Hass became alarmed at the unavailability, distribution and quality of face coverings.

As a result of his concern, Screen & Shield was born, and it has quickly become a go-to destination for high quality, three-layered face coverings. With over 30 designs to pick from, including polka dot, pineapples and a fabulously fun fruity banana print, the range of designs allows people to make a choice that matches their own individuality.

Even better? You can save 10 per cent when purchasing a washable face covering online at Screen & Shield using the exclusive MailOnline reader discount code MAIL10. Enter at the checkout to redeem.

Buy now on Screen & Shield

Available in three tones and made from a soft, high-quality melange fabric, the Navy Namaste face mask features a respectful greeting 'Namaste' print at the front, along with a subtle mesh lining.

Plus it's finished with a supportive nose wire allowing you to mould the mask comfortably to your face.

Buy now on Gandys London

Amazon has an abundance of simple but practical face masks available online. Plus, with an Amazon Prime subscription, members can take advantage of two-day free shipping.

This face mask, which costs 6.95, is available in a variety of block colours from black to lime green, and fits snugly around the mouth and nose while stretching comfortably around your ears.

The mask has an adjustable nose bridge wire that can help prevent your glasses from fogging up and is available in a number of sizes so you can pick the one that fits you best.

Buy now on Amazon

If you're looking for face coverings for your kids, these printed ones from Marks & Spencer are worth checking out. They're made from breathable, 2-ply cotton and have an adjustable toggle strap to help find the best fit.

All designs are washable so they can be reused. The pack contains dino print, stripes or brightly coloured versions, all complete with an antibacterial finish.

Buy now on Marks & Spencer

Popular retailer Skinnydip London has printed some of their most-loved prints onto a range of face coverings. This pack of two face masks offers you two designs; one white and one marble.

Wear the marble mask for when you're in the mood for something a little fancier, while the white face mask will complement any outfit.

Buy now on Skinnydip

Add a little fun and colour to an item that is used to protect you and those around you. Each of these masks comes with two disposable PM2.5 removable filters. It's worth noting that the brand advise replacing the filter after up to seven days of use.

Buy now on Not On The High Street

These printed face masks from Pacamask promise to protect users from dust, pollen, pet dander and other irritants. This is thanks to their superior polyester-cotton antibacterial Silver Ion fabric, which claims to kill 99 per cent of bacteria for up to 50 washes.

They feature fun designs, including fruit and animal prints, for both adults and children, plus adjustable elastic ear-loops for a tailored and comfortable fit.

One mask costs 17.95, or you can purchase multiple masks at a reduced rate.

Buy now on Pacamask

You can't go wrong with Cotton Citizen's muted yet beautifully patterned mask patterns, particularly their Peony Blast design as tie-dye is having a major moment right now. Made in Los Angeles, the 100 per cent cotton face coverings are a great way to add a little fun to a safety essential.

Buy now on REVOLVE

Each face mask bought from Casetify has a filter insert and comes with two filters. You can purchase additional filters from their website or use your own supply.

For every mask sold, the phone cover brand will donate a surgical mask to a health worker in need. The cotton face masks, which cost 12 for one, come in four colours: blue, black, white and pink.

Buy now on Casetify

High street retailer Boden is selling a set of three beautiful face masks in a mix of vibrant colours and fun prints.

The non-medical face coverings have a wire across the nose for a perfect fit, and if you're environmentally conscious you'll be pleased to hear they're made using the ends of fabric rolls so they're kind to the planet too.

The masks come in one size, and each three-pack features a mystery mix of Boden colours and prints. Like many other reusable face mask designs, they're machine washable at up to 60 degrees.

Buy now on Boden

Made from luxuriously soft cotton, this bestselling face covering is pretty and practical. Available in one size, the double-layered washable everyday mask is trendy and neutral enough to go with any outfit.

With over 62,000 orders and counting, you could say this face covering is purr-fect.

Buy now on Etsy

With over 60,000 sales and thousands of positive reviews, these bestselling and handmade face masks sold on Etsy come in an array of patterns and colours from fox animal print to classic polka dot.

Made in Nottingham, each cotton mask features elasticated straps and a pocket for a filter. Mask designs start from 7.99 and filters are available to purchase for an additional 2.49.

Buy now on Etsy

This pack of masks from Just Hype offers a comfortable fit with breathable cotton and an earloop design. The three-pack, which contains red, pink and grey masks, costs 24.99. It's worth noting that they do not come with a filter pouch.

Just Hype also offers masks in a variety of sought-after prints, including speckle fade, camo and tie-dye.

Buy now on Justhype

The British Fashion Council has teamed up with Bags of Ethics to manufacture sustainable and reusable non-medical face coverings.

From British designers Julien Macdonald, RIXO and Liam Hodges, the stylish face masks come in unique prints, with 100 per cent of sale profits plus VAT going to charities including NHS Charities Together.

The masks don't have a pocket for a filter. However, a handy protective carrying pouch is included.

Buy now on John Lewis

Each of Oliver Bonas' masks have fabric loops to hook over the ears and a pocket in the back to insert your own filter (filters are not included).

The gorgeous set features animal print, gingham floral and a plain pattern in black, white and neutral tones.

Even better, from every sale 4 is donated to the UK Youth, a leading national charity that provides access to high-quality services for young people in every community to empower them to build bright futures.

Buy now on Oliver Bonas

We love this set of three non-medical face coverings from Anthropologie, crafted from soft, organic cotton. They offer a comfortable fit that's perfect for everyday use, and the designs are pretty, muted and neutral.

All profits from masks will be donated to NHS Charities Together. There is no pocket for a filter, and the pack costs 18.

Buy now on Anthropologie

These masks from high street retailer Urban Outfitters are made with 100 per cent cotton and feature a solid weave design with elasticated loops. Each mask costs 10 and they come in various colours, including black, grey and dark turquoise.

Urban Outfitters donates 1 from every mask sold to charity.

Buy now on Urban Outfitters

Protect your little ones who are heading back to school with Disney's collection of colourful face masks for children. The face coverings, which come in a pack of four, are available in an array of designs to suit any Disney fanatic, from Star Wars and Princesses to Marvel and Mickey Mouse.

Buy now on Disney

Silk pillowcase brand SLIP has created a selection of silky face masks in black, leopard print and pink, crafted from pure mulberry silk.

Unlike cotton face masks, this ultra-comfortable and luxurious design will reduce friction and is less likely to leave crease marks on the skin when worn for long periods of time.

The mask is lined with soft cotton, while an adjustable nose wire and elastic ear loops allow for a perfect fit for comfortable, long-term wear. It's also machine washable and includes ten spare nose wires and two silicone stoppers to adjust the ear loops.

Buy now on Space.NK

Made from recycled polyester to save resources and avoid waste, the Reebok Face Cover is comfortable, washable and reusable.

The face covering is double-layered, stretches around your ears and has a tight fit for coverage. Plus, the three-pack is available in a range of sizes for a perfect fit.

Buy now on Reebok

These fabulously fun machine-washable coverings from Kurt Geiger are made from thick interlocked cotton and feature elastic straps with stopper, a soft jersey lining for additional comfort, and wiring for a snug fit across the nose. And there's an accessible pocket for the addition of filters (filters not included nor sold by Kurt Geiger).

Additionally, 100 per cent of the profits will be donated to either NHS Charities Together or UK Black Pride depending on the design you choose.

Buy now on Kurt Geiger

Prezzybox has a ton of face masks for sale, from pet-themed and artistic patterns to rainbow designs. This non-medical face mask has elasticated straps, is fully CE-certified and comes with a filter pocket and two filters.

Remember to ensure your hands are clean before putting on your mask. Your mouth and nose must be covered for the mask to be effective and check there are no gaps. While wearing, avoid touching the mask.

Buy now on Prezzybox

Printed.com is offering a range of reusable fabric face masks handmade in the UK. Available in three standard colours, they can also be customised with your own design or logo and delivered to your door in as little as five days.

Buy now on Printed.com

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Revival of global flights tops agenda, Phuket cited best suited to receive first international tourists

BANGKOK: Tour operators plan to speak with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) about lifting restrictions on international commercial flights in the fourth quarter to allow the Safe and Sealed plan to take shape.

tourismeconomicsCOVID-19Coronavirus

By Bangkok Post

Friday 14 August 2020, 11:09AM

Staff continue to clean all areas of Phuket International Airport, as it remains devoid of the usual crowds of passengers. Photo: AoT Phuket

Staff continue to clean all areas of Phuket International Airport, as it remains devoid of the usual crowds of passengers. Photo: AoT Phuket

Vichit Prakobgosol, President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said state agencies and operators must cooperate to drive the economy forward during the coronavirus pandemic, reports the Bangkok Post.

The Safe and Sealed plan is the result of collaboration between the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and 13 tourism sectors, including hotels, inbound tour operators and tour bus services.

While the private sector is awaiting a response from the government after proposing the scheme last week, council representatives in each province are working with locals to gain a better understanding of the idea.

Mr Vichit said Phuket shows the strongest potential to receive the first group of international tourists, followed by islands in Krabi and Surat Thani provinces.

Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, said operators in Phuket suggested a similar idea by using alternative state quarantine (ASQ) hotels to welcome only long-stay tourists.

Those long-term guests wouldnt be kept in a specific area after completing a 14-day quarantine and would be allowed to travel freely in the country, which should contribute tourism income to other provinces, he said.

Even though Phuket has seen increasing numbers of local tourists lately, the overall situation in the province is still in doubt because the long distance is an obstacle, Mr Bhummikitti said.

Roughly 40% of the 2,000 hotels in Phuket have reopened, with most hoteliers planning to restart in October.

Mr Bhummikitti said state agencies must provide less-complicated stimulus measures or add more privileges in order to boost domestic trips.

A tourism cash coupon is one of the possible ideas that could be used in the next phase of the We Travel Together stimulus campaign.

Regarding the cabinet approval of additional holidays in September, Mr Bhummikitti said the four-day weekend of Sept 4-7 should drive tourism activities after most locals travelled to their hometown in July rather than heading out for excursions.

New holidays will bring another chance for leisure trips, said Chairat Trirattanajarasporn, TCT president. People can plan their trips in advance because the Cabinet announced it early.

Despite still taking place in the low season, Mr Chairat hopes the new phase of the tourism stimulus will stimulate local demand more than in July and August.

He said operators are waiting to see whether new Finance Minister Predee Daochai will provide effective measures to benefit tourism.
The new Seth Rogen vehicle, An American Pickle, is a lot like the foodstuff for which its named: a quick, tart, satisfying bite, and of course, kosher. The film heralds a return of sorts, or at least a nod to, classic American Jewish cinema (theres a nod to Yentl), the likes of which hasnt been seen, it seems, in some time.

The film is the solo feature directorial debut of Brandon Trost, a prominent cinematographer who has worked on many Rogen vehicles, including This Is the End, Neighbors and The Interview. Its written by Simon Rich, who adapted the screenplay from his four-part humor series Sell Out, which ran in The New Yorker in 2013. But this is a Rogen film through and through, offering the actor the chance to inhabit two very different roles, playing against himself.

Rogen is Herschel Greenbaum, a ditch digger from an east European hovel called Shlupsk, who immigrates to Brooklyn at the turn of the 20th century with his wife, Sarah (Sarah Snook), with dreams of buying their own gravestones and one day trying seltzer. Herschel goes to work in a pickle factory killing rats, where he falls into the pickle vat and is sealed inside. A century later, a drone disturbs the vat and Herschel emerges, fully preserved, alive, and sentient (just go with it). The doctors find his only living relative, great-grandson Ben Greenbaum (also Rogen), a freelance mobile app developer, and wacky, time-traveling mishaps and misunderstandings ensue.

Richs series Sell Out is a bit more barbed, with a willingness to needle the modern Rich, who is a feckless script doctor. In the script for An American Pickle, Rich extends a bit more charity to Ben, who is more hapless than feckless. He leads a comfortable if unexamined life, filling his days with modern comforts, making an app called Boop Bop to tell you if your kale chips are ethical. Its all to distract from the deep sorrow of losing both his parents in a car accident, something his great-grandfather wants to dive right into, details and all.

For Herschel, family, memory and legacy is everything. On a quest to buy back the land where Sarah is buried, in the shadow of a Russian vodka billboard, he starts the hottest new artisanal pickle venture in Williamsburg, with his all-natural brine and reusable jars. Everything old is new again, after all. Stubborn, loyal Herschel is overbearing and out of touch, while the jealous and competitive Ben is eaten up by envy. Their interpersonal feud escalates in a series of increasingly outlandish (yet plausible) events. Anchoring this is a rather deft performance by Rogen, who creates two distinct characters. His Ben may not be that far off his usual, but with bouncing off his Herschel, and with almost no other significant supporting actors, its an impressive turn from Rogen, especially his facility with Herschels accent.

An American Pickle is swift and rather pat, and even earnest despite its wacky premise and the issues it skirts. With an 88-minute run time, theres just no time to treat the twists and turns with any level of depth, and it avoids fully probing the topics such as cancel culture and free speech with which it toys, avoiding the thornier areas. It gestures toward controversial ideas, but it always swerves back to its simple but profound message of togetherness and family, and the personal importance of honoring tradition and memory.

AN AMERICAN PICKLE

2.5 stars

RATED: PG-13 (some language and rude humor)

WHEN: Available on demand

WHERE: HBO Max
The ancient village of Chenqiao in southeast Chinas Fujian province has become a popular tourist destination thanks to the development of rural tourism over the last few years.

However, just 10 years ago, the village located at the top of a mountain in Limen township, Zhouning county, was mired in poverty, as it is surrounded by mountains and had a poor transportation infrastructure, limited farmland and suffered water shortages. In the 1990s, residents began to find jobs outside the village to make a living. By 2005, the village was home to over 30 empty-nest senior citizens.

In 2009, several villagers who ran businesses in Shanghai returned to their hometown. Shocked and distressed by the dilapidated condition of the houses and lanes taken over by layers of weeds, they decided to contact other villagers scattered around the country to revive their hometown.

They raised funds to set up Chenqiao Tourism Development Co., Ltd., restore the houses to their former glory, widened the roads and built a 10-km walkway on the edge of a cliff and several sightseeing platforms. With tourists now flocking to the village, the push to develop rural tourism has proven to be a success.

Chenqiao has also been approved as a national 3A scenic area, and was listed as a model village for rural tourism and a national traditional village in China.

In September 2019, Zhouning built a high-standard road connecting the county directly to the village, boosting the development of tourism for several ancient villages located along the road.

Over 200 villagers have returned to their homes to start businesses, and more villagers can now make a living in their hometown thanks to the development of rural tourism over the past 10 years.

Chenqiao received over 100,000 tourists last year, with farmers per capita annual income reaching 14,800 yuan ($2,131). The 12 registered impoverished households in the village were all lifted out of poverty at the end of 2017.
A dairy farmer has marked the 20-year anniversary of his farm accident with a special thank you and donation to Devon Air Ambulance.

Alex Tapp, who farms in Awliscombe, near Honiton, was severely injured after a large stack of straw bales toppled over and fell on him.

Alex, who was just 16 at the time, subsequently broke his femur and damaged his shoulder, which required surgery for a metal rod to be fitted.

Fortunately, Devon Air Ambulance came to the rescue and airlifted him to hospital.

"I am forever grateful for the service they provided that day," Alex said, who now runs his own used farm machinery sales business, TA Agri.

This December will be 20 years since my accident and with it recently being Farm Safety Week I was wondering how I could raise some funds to donate to the Devon Air Ambulance who helped me.

I realised that, because of social distancing, an event would not be allowed and that their fundraising income would have been severely impacted this year.

"So, instead, I decided I would donate 1,000 from the sale of my next tractor to Devon Air Ambulance, he said.

Local farmer Martin Greenslade, from Cullompton, came to view Mr Tapp's CASE IH CX90.

Upon discussing price and stating his intention to donate to Devon Air Ambulance, Alex said he couldnt believe it when Martin said that he, too, had been airlifted by the Devon Air Ambulance.

Alex said: "His accident was six years ago  again, due to a farming accident, in which he fell from a stack of bales.

"Not surprisingly, we were both delighted to know that DAA would benefit from the donation; this way, everyones a winner.
The U.S. Federal Reserve published details about a 2019 payments trial involving distributed ledger technology, specifically the Hyperledger Fabric blockchain software.

The results were released alongside news that the Fed, the U.S. central bank, is partnering with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a multi-year effort focused on central bank-issued digital currencies or CBDCs. In statements, Fed governor Lael Brainard spoke about the Fed's work in this area to date, pointing to work conducted by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

According to yesterday's test release, the so-called "FooWire" experiment was designed to test whether the technology is suited for payments application. As the team noted:

"The team built the system using Hyperledger Fabric, a popular DLT platform, because it generally met the team's design requirements of a closed network, mature technology, and enterprise readiness. The experiment highlighted the potential of DLT for certain payment uses, the quick speed with which a system could be implemented, the potential simplicity of smart contracts, and the range of functionality offered by such platforms. It further highlighted the need for more experimentation to better understand the possibilities for wide-scale adoption and use of any DLT platform for payments."

FooWire was described as "small-scale" and specifically focused on permissioned capabilities  that is, a system in which only select participants are allowed to transact. Such an approach "mirrors what is in use today for most payment systems and, in some configurations, offers greater network security than a permissionless network," according to the write-up.

"At the outset, the network included three hypothetical organizations: a central bank, a government agency, and a commercial bank. Network administrators were responsible for approving and creating accounts and nodes to administer the ledger. The only asset that could be transferred between nodes was an artificial asset called 'Funds,'" the Fed team explained.

Story continues

Ultimately, the group found that "Fabric and similar DLT platforms have potential payment uses," but stressed that more work is to be done in this area. "The Federal Reserve continues to research the capabilities of such technologies and to identify risks and weaknesses associated with their use."





 2020 The Block Crypto, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Tel Aviv, Aug 14 : Israel has decided to allow citizens to fly to three European countries -- Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece -- starting from Sunday, as the first step in international travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was taken on Thursday by the Israeli Corona Cabinet, which said that the travellers to the three countries have to get a lab test two or three days before departure, said a joint statement by four Israeli ministries and the National Security Council, reports Xinhua news agency.

But the travellers will not have to enter quarantine in these countries upon arrival and after return to Israel, it added.

Under the plan, Greece will accept 600 Israeli tourists, allowing them to stay in Thessaloniki, Athens, Corfu and Crete.

The passengers will also need to fill out health and personal details forms, both during departure and return.

The Israeli government is still working on a travelling for business people, whose arrival in Israel or trips to abroad are essential for the Israeli economy.

On July 20, Israel extended flight restrictions until at least September 1.
A new package of measures has been announced for the three locked down counties of Offaly, Laois and Kildare.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett has welcomed the announcement of a new package of measures to support businesses in the large regional lockdown which have been adversely impacted by renewed Covid 19 restrictions.

Speaking following the incorporeal meeting of Cabinet this afternoon that approved the measures, Minister Hackett said

After another very difficult week for the people of Laois, Offaly and Kildare, I am delighted that a new package of supports for Midlands businesses has been announced. This is something I have been asking my Cabinet colleagues to consider since NPHET recommended the renewal of localised restrictions last week on public health grounds.

"Businesses in the three counties have been knocked back just as they were beginning to reopen, but I am hopeful that these new measures will provide them the tangible support they need. Given the fortitude and strength the people of the affected counties have displayed over the past week, and indeed over the past six months, I think these supports are well-deserved and much-needed

Under these new measures, eligible businesses in the affected countries will now be entitled to a 20% top up to the Restart Grant, bringing the new minimum for affected counties to 4,800 and the new maximum to 30,000. Those that applied and received a grant previously, can re-apply and receive a second grant, with 20% additional on the new rate.

Applications will be prioritised from businesses in the affected counties for any loans, grants, vouchers and schemes they are entitled to, and 1m is being ring-fenced for the Local Enterprise Offices to increase engagement with local businesses. Failte Ireland will also be allocated 1m to undertake a promotional campaign focused on increasing the appeal of these counties to visitors and drive bookings.

These new measures are in addition to the existing national package put in place to help businesses nationally re-open and stay open. These measures include the extension of the wage subsidy scheme to the end of March 2021, an enhanced Restart grant, more and cheaper loan finance through Microfinance Ireland and the Credit Guarantee Scheme, funding to help businesses and get ready for Brexit, a six month reduction in the VAT and a six month commercial rates holiday for the vast majority of businesses.
The Interior Department has proposed to amend the rules guiding mineral royalty collection and penalties to relieve industry of regulatory burdens and promote domestic energy development, according to an announcement released last week.

The amendments would change how coal, oil and gas companies calculate royalty payments for minerals extracted from public land to bring the Interior Departments policies in line with some of President Donald Trumps executive orders, one of which requires government agencies to prioritize energy independence and economic growth, according to the department.

If implemented, the new guidelines would reverse the valuation rule put in place by the Obama administration in 2016, which sought to close loopholes in mineral royalty policies and increase the financial returns on federal land use.

This proposal provides regulatory certainty and clarity to States, Tribes and stakeholders, removing unnecessary and burdensome regulations for domestic energy production, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt said in a statement.

The most recent rewrite of the rules would overhaul the Obama-era valuation rule in an effort to provide greater clarity in the collection of royalty payments, relieving companies of the requirement to sell minerals in arms-length transactions. The 2016 valuation rule mandated companies pay market value price on royalties after extracting minerals on federal and tribal land.

The National Mining Association called the 2016 valuation rule simply unworkable for federal coal leases, and cheered the Interiors revisions.

We are glad to see the Department of Interior taking action to address concerns over the 2016 rule, a spokeswoman for the National Mining Association said in a statement. NMA is currently reviewing the new proposal but our initial review indicates that it provides a balanced and workable path forward to valuing mineral resources on the nations federal lands.

Recent modifications to mineral royalty policies would effectively reinstate most of the familiar valuation practices in place before 2016, albeit with some minor tweaks, according to statements from the Interior Department.

Adopting the proposed changes would result in an estimated $42.1 million net loss in annual royalty collections, or about 0.05% less than what the federal government collected in mineral royalties in 2018, according to the Interior Department.

The financial impact, as evident in the total annual estimate ($42.1 million) reflected above, does impact the royalty disbursements for the Treasury and States who are stakeholders and recipients of ONRRs distributions, the filing states. Thats because about 48% of collected federal royalties wind back to Wyomings state budget.

Yet federal regulators also assert the Trump administrations rules could help boost energy production, thereby offsetting these predicted losses.

Advocates for public land, conservation and taxpayers slammed the proposed rules.

This is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to reopen loopholes that would allow oil and gas companies to skirt royalty payments owed to taxpayers, said Jesse Prentice-Dunn, policy director at the Center for Western Priorities.

The winners and losers from this proposal are very clear  oil and gas companies will pocket money that is owed to taxpayers for drilling publicly-owned resources, Prentice-Dunn added.

Once the proposed rule changes are published in the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to comment.

Where this began

Back in 2016, the Obama administration had modified the methods the Interior Department used to calculate mineral royalty rates to close what it identified as loopholes in the rules. The 2016 valuation rule requires royalty payments to be based on the market rate of extracted minerals. That means companies had to engage in arms-length transactions and could not sell off minerals to subsidiaries at cheaper prices to avoid higher royalties.

But the modified royalty system came under fire from energy companies.

According to its critics, the valuation rule restricted economic development and created substantial and unnecessary burdens for operators. Complying with the new valuation rule would require companies to dish out more cash for extracted minerals in addition to paying for the implementation of new software and personnel to retroactively calculate past royalty payments, industry said in a lawsuit against the Interior Department.

Before the 2016 revisions were made to the valuation rule, companies would sometimes use affiliate companies to sell minerals at deflated prices, often avoiding higher royalties associated with selling resources at market value.

The Obama administration buffed up the royalties policy in an effort to halt the practice of skirting higher royalty payments. It required companies pay mineral taxes at full market value. The new rule went into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. At the time, the Interior Department estimated the change would bring in between $71.9 million and $84.9 million in additional royalties each year to the government.

But in 2017, the Trump administration took over and promulgated rules to repeal the 2016 valuation rule, giving energy companies mining for coal or drilling for oil and gas on federal land a financial and regulatory break.

The American Petroleum Institute lauded the repeal as a necessary step to relieve industry of substantial burdens stifling energy development. Last year, the association sent a letter to the Trump administration requesting it take an additional step and update the rules.

That said, the Trump administrations reversal of the 2016 valuation rule has run into several roadblocks in court.

Extended court battles

An extended battle over these mineral royalty rates has raged in the courts between energy groups and the Interior Department for several months.

In April 2019, U.S. District Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong in California struck down the Trump administrations delay and eventual repeal of the Obama-era valuation rule. She deemed Interiors decision to repeal the rule arbitrary and capricious and reinstated the 2016 valuation rule. The administration did not provide sufficient reasoning for the rollback of the rule, she concluded.

Several energy companies filed lawsuits in response to the April 2019 ruling from the federal California court. Plaintiffs also moved the case to Wyoming.

In October, a Wyoming court ruled in favor of industry by partially blocking the 2020 launch of the valuation rule.

The U.S. District Court of Wyoming announced it would grant a preliminary injunction on the application of the new rule, as it applies to coal production. The decision partially granted and partially blocked the valuation rule as the court considers the case in full.

The judge handed the coal industry  saddled with paying full market price for the extracted minerals under the new rule  a temporary win.

In his decision, U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl reasoned the valuation rules could cause irreparable harm to the coal mining industry. However, the judge did not find merit in the arguments made by the petroleum sector against the rule. Ultimately, his decision requires the Interior Department to uphold the new royalty standards for oil and gas operators.

Several conservation groups, including the Wilderness Society, intervened in the lawsuit. After the court ruling in October, Bruce Pendery of the Wilderness Society predicted the rollback of the 2016 valuation rule would likely translate into less money coming into the federal government, and ultimately states, in the form of royalties.

Follow the latest on Wyomings energy industry @camillereports

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On the occasion of India's 74th Independence Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead fellow countrymen in remembering the brave freedom fighters as well as in inspiring the way forward.

PM Modi will start the day with a visit to Raj Ghat where he will pay his respects to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at 7 am. After spending eight to ten minutes at Raj Ghat, he will leave for Red Fort.

Prime Minister will arrive at Lahori Gate at 7.18 am where he will be welcomed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary and given a guard of honour.

After that PM Modi will unfurl the National Flag at 7.30 am at Red Fort and will also address the nation from here at 7.32 am. The Guards will give him National Salute, Army band will play the National Anthem and 21 gun salute will be given.

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets will sing the national anthem immediately after the address and the Prime Minister will leave the ramparts after the national anthem. The Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the heads of all the three armed forces will see off the Prime Minister.

The Ministry of Defence is organising the Independence Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony on August 15 at the Red Fort maintaining the balance between the sanctity and dignity of the national function while factoring in precautions related to the COVID-19 scenario.

In order to facilitate seamless movement with the least chances of any crowding, seating enclosures and walkways are laid with wooden flooring and carpeting. Additional door frame metal detectors, with adequately spaced markings, have been provided to avoid queuing and to ensure smooth passage for all the invitees. Most of the parking areas have been brick-lined and paved in order to ensure smooth entry and exit of vehicles to the maximum feasible extent.



Members of the Guard of Honour have been under quarantine to bring in safety. The guiding principle for seating has been Do Gaz ki Doori (or 6 feet between any two guests seated during the event).



Participation is only through invitation and members who do not have formal invites are requested to refrain from coming to the venue. About 4,000 plus invites have been issued to officials, diplomats, members of public, media etc.



With an eye on safety, NCC Cadets have been invited to witness the event (instead of young school children) and they will be seated at Gyanpath.

In order to sensitize the invitees towards COVID-19 related safety measures, specific advisory for following the COVID related guidelines has been issued along with each invitation card. A request card for the invitee to exhibit restraint and patience during dispersal after the conclusion of the function would be placed on each seat in this regard.

An announcement in this connection will be made from the commentary booth from time to time. Traffic Police advisory will also contain a note on the matter. An orderly dispersal plan has been put in place for implementation through the controlling officials in various enclosures. In this regard, cooperation of all invitees will be earnestly and consistently requested.



Ceremonial drills have also factored due social distancing norms as well as other precautionary measures. Adequate medical booths at four locations, one near the Rampart, one in Madhavdas Park and two in 15 August Park have been set up to cater to any attendee who is detected having any symptoms related to COVID-19 during entry. Ambulances would also be stationed at these four locations.



Thermal screening at all entry points for the invitees has been planned. Thorough sanitization of the premises inside and outside the Red Fort is being carried out on a regular basis.



All invitees have been requested to wear masks. In addition, an adequate number of suitable masks are being kept handy for distribution at various points of venue. Similarly, the availability of hand sanitizers at pre-defined locations has been done. Display boards are placed discreetly to attract the attention of invitees.



Floral arrangements at Gyanpath behind the NCC Cadets have been made in order to enhance the visual appeal of the area.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / GLG Life Tech Corporation (TSX:GLG) ("GLG" or the "Company"), a global leader in the agricultural and commercial development of high-quality zero-calorie natural sweeteners, announces financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The complete set of financial statements and management discussion and analysis are available on SEDAR and on the Company's website at www.glglifetech.com.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The Company reported revenues of $6.0 million in the second quarter of 2020, a $3.2 million improvement compared to the second quarter of 2019 ($2.8 million). Revenues for the first six months of 2020 were $8.5 million, a $3.7 million improvement compared to the first six months of 2019 ($4.8 million).

Gross profit margin dropped two percentage points in the second quarter of 2020 to 28%, compared to second quarter of 2019 (30%). For the first six months of 2020, gross profit margin was up four percentage points at 23%, compared to the first six months of 2019 (19%).

The Company continues to closely manage its SG&A expenses, resulting in a $0.5 million reduction in G&A expenses for the second quarter of 2020 ($1.5 million) relative to the second quarter of 2019 ($2.0 million). G&A expenses for the first six months of 2020 were $2.7 million, a $1.2 million improvement compared to the first six months of 2019 ($3.9 million).

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company had net income attributable to the Company's shareholders of $10.4 million, an increase of $13.2 million over the second quarter in 2019 (loss of $2.8 million). For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company had net income attributable to the Company's shareholders of $1.8 million, an increase of $9.4 million over the comparable period in 2019 (loss of $7.6 million). The increase in net income was primarily driven by debt forgiveness related to the sale of an idle asset.

The Company reported net income per share of $0.27 for the second quarter of 2020, compared to a net loss of $0.07 for the second quarter of 2019. For the first six months of 2020, the Company reported net income per share of $0.05, compared to a net loss of $0.20 for the first six months of 2019.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

Sale of Idle Production Facility and Reduction of Debt

On August 10, 2020, the Company announced the sale of one of its two idle facilities, along with substantial reduction of the Company's debt.

After extensive negotiations stretching over multiple years, the Company has concluded the sale of its idle "Runhao" facility, located in Qingdao, China. Specifically, the Company sold the buildings and land use rights to the buyer, while retaining the assets, liabilities, and obligations of the Company's subsidiary entity that previously held the buildings and land use rights. The Company had not used the facility for several years and its sale will not have any impact on the Company's ongoing operations.

The deal involved not only the Company (as seller) and the buyer, but also the Company's primary bank debtholder, China Cinda Assets Management Corporation Anhui Branch ("Cinda"). Under the terms of the deal, from the sale proceeds of RMB 222 million (approximately CAD 42.5 million), Cinda received just over RMB 102 million, and as a result of this payment, Cinda further agreed to waive an additional approximately RMB 90 million in amounts owed to Cinda.

Thus, the Company reduced its overall liability to Cinda from RMB 570 million (as at March 31, 2020) to RMB 387 million (as at July 31, 2020), which is a reduction of RMB 193 million (approximately CAD 37 million) or a 34% reduction in the Company's obligations to Cinda. The carrying amounts of the Runhao buildings and land use rights were CAD 10.4 million.

Pursuant to the sale and the Chinese government's conditions for approval for the deal, the Company is required to use the remaining proceeds from the sale to satisfy the Company's tax obligation for Runhao, settle debts owed to certain third parties tied to the construction of Runhao, repay debts to a related party that has been instrumental in facilitating the Company's overall restructuring efforts, and pay settlement fees for the transaction. The deal was finalized in late July and the disposition of Runhao will be recorded as effective within the third quarter of 2020.

This substantial reduction in debt significantly improves the Company's balance sheet. Further, pursuant to a prior agreement with Cinda announced on September 9, 2019, this debt reduction positions the Company for further waivers of amounts owed to Cinda as future payments are made to Cinda. The Company continues to work closely with Cinda regarding its obligations and its plans to resolve those obligations through payments, waivers, and potentially a partial conversion of debt to equity in the Company's main Chinese subsidiary, Runhai Anhui Biotechnology Joint Stock Company.

Changes to Executive Team

Mr. Finnsson, the Company's CFO since March of 2019, tendered his resignation, for personal reasons, effective June 30, 2020. Management thanks Mr. Finnsson for his service. The Company has appointed Mr. Edward Wang, the Company's current Controller, as Acting Chief Financial Officer.

Additionally, the Company previously announced that its President, Paul Block, and the Company agreed that Mr. Block would step down as President with an effective date of June 25, 2020. Mr. Block remained a Director of the Company but opted to not run for re-election at the Company's upcoming Annual General and Special Meeting.

Dr. Luke Zhang, Chairman and CEO, in addition to his focus on overseeing the Company's Chinese subsidiaries and efforts to restructure the Company's debt, is continuing to manage the Company's North American team to increase sales, manage costs, and improve the Company's financial performance. "I would like to thank Paul for his years of service on our Board of Directors and for his contributions to our management team over the last eighteen months. I wish Paul well in his future endeavors," said Dr. Zhang.

Issuance and Revocation of Management Cease Trade Order

Due to a previously announced delay in filing of the Company's 2019 year-end financial statements and related documents, such delay arising from the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's ability to timely complete the filing, on May 15, 2020, the Company announced that it had applied for and been issued a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") by the relevant securities commissions. Shortly after completing the filing, the MCTO was revoked on June 8, 2020.

Company Outlook

One of the most critical items that management has focused on and continues to focus on is the development and implementation of plans to stem the losses that the Company has suffered in recent years and to ameliorate the Company's financial position. As a result of those sustained losses, the Company lacks the cash necessary to fully fund the business operations and its strategic product initiatives. The Company is managing its cash flows carefully to mitigate risk of insolvency. Management has been successful in improving the Company's cash outlook in recent quarters. Nevertheless, without an infusion of cash in the months ahead, the Company may not be able to realize its strategic plans and could eventually cease to be a going concern.

To address that cash need, management has negotiated a CAD $1 million revolving loan facility with a related party for working capital purposes in 2020. Management has also realized the sale of one of its two idle assets; the sale of the "Runhao" facility resulted in significant debt reduction and better positions the Company to be able to access additional lines of working capital. Management is also evaluating options for the sale or other utilization of its idle "Runyang" primary processing facility in Jiangsu province to further address its cash needs and balance sheet.

Another factor contributing to the Company's financial situation is the competitive price pressure in the stevia market over the last year that has reduced mainstream "Reb A" products (such as Reb A 80 and Reb A 97) to the lowest price levels in years. While these products have historically formed the core of the Company's product sales, the margins on sales of these products have grown increasingly slim. To address this, the Company is taking a three-pronged approach.

First, the Company has taken decisive steps to reduce its SG&A costs as well as its production costs. Its North American operations have already reduced SG&A costs and the Company is in the process of eliminating non-essential costs in its Chinese operations. For the last several years, the Company's production capacity has been far greater than its projected order levels as it had sought rapid increases in orders for Reb A products. The Company's goal is now to "right-size" its Chinese operations - i.e., to optimize its staffing and production planning to meet the Company's projected production requirements while retaining the ability to accommodate growth in future order volumes. Management expects that this will enable the Company to sell its goods at more competitive and/or more profitable prices to secure additional order volumes and/or retain additional margin.

Second, the Company is increasing its focus on specialty stevia products, relative to its Reb A products. These specialty products are more differentiated than Reb A products and can bring more revenue opportunities and more meaningful margin contributions to the Company's bottom line. The Company is also progressing well on implementing a new line of business in the sweetener space distinct from its bulk stevia sales that has the potential to significantly increase the Company's revenues and margins.

Third, the Company is exploring options to enter the CBD market, where it could leverage its production expertise and equipment towards an investment that would jump start its ability to quickly begin producing high-quality low-cost CBD products. The Company has also entered into a distributorship agreement with East West Pharma Group for the distribution of its high-quality cannabidiol ("CBD") products and continues to explore other complementary opportunities in the cannabis extract market. While the Company has not realized any CBD sales in the first half of 2020, it is anticipating revenues and margins in late 2020 and beyond.

While the Company continues to face substantial risks and 2020 remains a pivotal year for the Company, management remains optimistic about the future opportunities for the Company. With the first idle asset sale now closed, right-sizing efforts progressing well, the optimization of production efficiencies, costs, and planning, and the Company's refocused product strategies, management is proceeding down the best available path to increased financial stability and profitability.

2020 AGM Voting Results

The Company held its Annual General Meeting virtually on July 28, 2020. The shareholders voted in all nominated directors, with favorable votes for each exceeding 99%. Dr. Luke Zhang continues as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Brian Palmieri continues as Vice Chairman of the Board.

SELECTED FINANCIALS

As noted above, the complete set of financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, are available on SEDAR and on the Company's website at www.glglifetech.com.

Results from Operations

The following results from operations have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for 2019 and the condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2020.

In thousands Canadian $, except per share amounts 3 Months Ended June 30 % Change 6 Months Ended June 30 % Change 2020 2019 2020 2019 Revenue $ 5,975 $ 2,827 111 % $ 8,540 $ 4,849 76 % Cost of Sales $ (4,300 ) $ (1,976 ) 118 % $ (6,554 ) $ (3,922 ) 67 % % of Revenue (72 %) (70 %) (2 %) (77 %) (81 %) 4 % Gross Profit (Loss) $ 1,676 $ 851 97 % $ 1,987 $ 928 114 % % of Revenue 28 % 30 % (2 %) 23 % 19 % 4 % Expenses $ (2,203 ) $ (3,005 ) (27 %) $ (3,830 ) $ (5,271 ) (27 %) % of Revenue (37 %) (106 %) 69 % (45 %) (109 %) 64 % (Loss) from Operations $ (528 ) $ (2,154 ) (75 %) $ (1,844 ) $ (4,343 ) (58 %) % of Revenue (9 %) (76 %) 67 % (22 %) (90 %) 68 % Other Expenses $ 16,289 $ (1,752 ) 1030 % $ 7,794 $ (5,858 ) 233 % % of Revenue 273 % (62 %) 335 % 91 % (121 %) 212 % Net Income (Loss) before Income Taxes $ 15,761 $ (3,906 ) 504 % $ 5,950 $ (10,201 ) 158 % % of Revenue 264 % (138 %) 402 % 70 % (210 %) 280 % Net Income (Loss) $ 15,761 $ (3,906 ) 504 % $ 5,950 $ (10,201 ) 158 % % of Revenue 264 % (138 %) 402 % 70 % (210 %) 280 % Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest (NCI) $ 5,323 $ (1,057 ) 604 % $ 4,190 $ (2,553 ) 264 % Net Income (Loss) Attributable to GLG $ 10,438 $ (2,849 ) (466 %) $ 1,760 $ (7,648 ) (123 %) % of Revenue 175 % (101 %) 275 % 21 % (158 %) 178 % Net Income (Loss) per share (LPS, Basic & Diluted) $ 0.27 $ (0.07 ) 464 % $ 0.05 $ (0.20 ) 125 % Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) $ 2,594 $ 4,114 (37 %) $ (2,806 ) $ 3,548 (179 %) % of Revenue 43 % 146 % (102 %) (33 %) 73 % (106 %) Comprehensive Net Income (Loss) $ 18,355 $ 208 8725 % $ 3,144 $ (6,653 ) 147 % Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to NCI $ 6,399 $ 289 2114 % $ 3,376 $ (1,398 ) 341 % Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to GLG $ 11,956 $ (81 ) 14860 % $ (232 ) $ (5,255 ) 96 % % of Revenue 200 % (3 %) 203 % (3 %) (108 %) 105 %

Revenue

Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020, was $6.0 million compared to $2.8 million in revenue for the same period last year. Sales increased by 111% or $3.2 million for the period ending June 30, 2020, compared to the prior period. The sales increase of $3.2 million was driven primarily by a 103% increase in international stevia sales, partly attributable to one customer that substantially increased its purchasing for the quarter and partly attributable to overall growth in sales; international monk fruit sales also contributed significantly to the increase in sales as demand for our monk fruit extracts has increased. China domestic stevia sales were down between the two periods, although international sales continue to predominate, making up 95% of the Company's revenues (versus 83% in second quarter 2019).

Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020, was $8.5 million compared to $4.8 million in revenue for the same period last year. Sales increased by 76% or $3.7 million for the six months ending June 30, 2020, compared to the prior period. The sales increase of $3.7 million was driven primarily by the increase in both international stevia and international monk fruit sales, particularly in the second quarter. Offsetting these increases, China domestic sales were down for the 2020 period, versus the 2019 period, but the impact was relatively small as international sales made up 95% of six-month 2020 revenues (versus 87% for the same period in 2019).

Cost of Sales

For the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the cost of sales was $4.3 million compared to $2.0 million in cost of sales for the same period last year ($2.3 million or 118% increase). Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues was 72% for the second quarter 2020, compared to 70% for the comparable period, an increase of 2 percentage points. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to the prior comparable period, is primarily attributable to (1) a change in mix of products sold, with a greater percentage of sales of lower-margin monk fruit products in the second quarter 2020, compared to the second quarter 2019, and (2) the cost of sales in the second quarter 2019 was affected due to the cumulative effect of a difference in classification of depreciation between cost of sales and SG&A expenses.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the cost of sales was $6.6 million compared to $3.9 million for the same period last year (an increase of $2.7 million or 67%). Cost of sales as a percentage of revenues was 77% for the first six months of 2020, compared to 81% in the comparable period in 2019, an improvement of 4 percentage points. The improvement in cost of sales as a percentage of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to the prior comparable period, is attributable to (1) a change in mix of products sold, with a greater percentage of stevia sales coming from higher-margin stevia products, which was offset by a greater percentage of overall sales coming from lower-margin monk fruit products, and (2) a decrease on a percentage basis of idle capacity charges.

Capacity charges charged to the cost of sales ordinarily would flow to inventory and are a significant component of the cost of sales. Only two of GLG's manufacturing facilities were operating during the first six months of 2020, and capacity charges of $0.7 million were charged to cost of sales (representing 11% of cost of sales) compared to $0.5 million charged to cost of sales in the same period of 2019 (representing 13% of cost of sales).

Gross Profit (Loss)

Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2020, was $1.7 million, compared to a gross profit of $0.9 million for the comparable period in 2019. The gross profit margin was 28% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 30% for the same period in 2019, a decrease of 2 percentage points. This 2 percentage point decrease in gross profit margin for the second quarter of 2020, relative to the comparable period in 2019, is primarily attributable to (1) a change in mix of products sold, with a greater percentage of sales of lower-margin monk fruit products in the second quarter 2020, compared to the second quarter 2019, and (2) the cost of sales in the second quarter 2019 was affected due to the cumulative effect of a difference in classification of depreciation between cost of sales and SG&A expenses.

Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2020, was $2.0 million, compared to a gross profit of $0.9 million for the comparable period in 2019. The gross profit margin was 23% in the first six months of 2020 compared to 19% for the same period in 2019, an increase of 4 percentage points. This 4 percentage point increase in gross profit margin for the first six months of 2020, relative to the comparable period in 2019, is attributable to (1) a change in mix of products sold, with a greater percentage of stevia sales coming from higher-margin stevia products, which was offset by a greater percentage of overall sales coming from lower-margin monk fruit products, and (2) a decrease on a percentage basis of idle capacity charges.

Selling, General and Administration Expenses

Selling, General and Administration ("SG&A") expenses include sales, marketing, general and administration costs ("G&A"), stock-based compensation, and depreciation and amortization expenses on G&A fixed assets. A breakdown of SG&A expenses into these components is presented below:

3 Months Ended June 30 % Change 6 Months Ended June 30 % Change In thousands Canadian $ 2020 2019 2020 2019 G&A Exp $ 1,452 $ 2,001 (27 %) $ 2,726 $ 3,866 (29 %) Stock Based Compensation Exp $ 121 $ 149 (19 %) $ 271 $ 299 (9 %) Depreciation Expenses $ 630 $ 855 (26 %) $ 833 $ 1,106 (25 %) Total $ 2,203 $ 3,005 (27 %) $ 3,830 $ 5,271 (27 %)

G&A expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020, were $1.5 million, a decrease of $0.5 million compared to $2.0 million in the same period in 2019. The $0.5 million decrease in G&A expenses was driven primarily by reductions in business taxes and licenses, travel expenses and professional fees.

G&A expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020, were $2.7 million, a decrease of $1.2 million compared to $3.9 million in the same period in 2019. The $1.2 million decrease in G&A expenses was driven primarily by reductions in business taxes and licenses, research and development, salaries and wages, professional fees, and travel.

Net Loss Attributable to the Company

3 Months Ended June 30 % Change 6 Months Ended June 30 % Change In thousands Canadian $ 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net Income (Loss) $ 15,761 $ (3,906 ) 504 % $ 5,950 $ (10,201 ) 158 % Net Income (Loss) Attributable to NCI $ 5,323 $ (1,057 ) 604 % $ 4,190 $ (2,553 ) 264 % % of Revenue 89 % (37 %) 126 % 49 % (53 %) 102 % Net Income (Loss) Attributable to GLG $ 10,438 $ (2,849 ) 466 % $ 1,760 $ (7,648 ) 123 % % of Revenue 175 % (101 %) 275 % 21 % (158 %) 178 %

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company had net income attributable to the Company of $10.4 million, an increase of $13.2 million over the comparable period in 2019 (loss of $2.8 million). The $13.2 million increase in net income attributable to the Company was driven by (1) an increase in other income ($18.1 million) attributable primarily to debt forgiveness from the sale of an idle asset and (2) a decrease in net loss from operations ($1.6 million), which were offset by (3) an increase in net income attributable to non-controlling interests ($6.4 million).

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company had net income attributable to the Company of $1.8 million, an increase of $9.4 million over the comparable period in 2019 (loss of $7.6 million). The $9.4 million increase in net income attributable to the Company was driven by (1) an increase in other income ($13.7 million) attributable primarily to debt forgiveness from the sale of an idle asset and (2) a decrease in net loss from operations ($2.5 million), which were offset by (3) an increase in net income attributable to non-controlling interests ($6.7 million).

Quarterly Basic and Diluted Loss per Share

The basic loss and diluted income per share from operations was $0.27 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared with a basic and diluted net loss of $0.07 for the comparable period in 2019.

The basic loss and diluted income per share from operations was $0.05 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared with a basic and diluted net loss of $0.20 for the comparable period in 2019.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to the Company, including our Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Additional information relating to the Company is also available on our website (www.glglifetech.com).

For further information, please contact:

Simon Springett, Investor Relations

Phone: +1 (604) 669-2602 ext. 101

Fax: +1 (604) 662-8858

Email: ir@glglifetech.com

About GLG Life Tech Corporation

GLG Life Tech Corporation is a global leader in the supply of high-purity zero calorie natural sweeteners including stevia and monk fruit extracts used in food and beverages. GLG's vertically integrated operations, which incorporate our Fairness to Farmers program and emphasize sustainability throughout, cover each step in the stevia and monk fruit supply chains including non-GMO seed and seedling breeding, natural propagation, growth and harvest, proprietary extraction and refining, marketing and distribution of the finished products. Additionally, to further meet the varied needs of the food and beverage industry, GLG, through its Naturals+ product line, supplies a host of complementary ingredients reliably sourced through its supplier network in China. For further information, please visit www.glglifetech.com.

Forward-looking statements: This press release may contain certain information that may constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or words and phrases that state or indicate that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

While the Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations about future events, the statements are not guarantees of the Company's future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include amongst others the effects of general economic conditions, consumer demand for our products and new orders from our customers and distributors, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government authorities, uncertainties associated with legal proceedings and negotiations, industry supply levels, competitive pricing pressures and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. Specific reference is made to the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the financial year ended December 31, 2019. In light of these factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur.

Further, although the Company has attempted to identify factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

As there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: GLG Life Tech Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/601847/GLG-Life-Tech-Corporation-Reports-2020-Second-Quarter-Financial-Results
The Prince of Wales during a visit to the scene at Stonehaven to meet first responders who attended the ScotRail train derailment near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, which cost the lives of three people. (PA)

Prince Charles has visited the site of a deadly train derailment, which killed three people, to thank the emergency responders who were called to the scene.

Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, died when carriages of the 6.38am Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service derailed near Stonehaven on Wednesday.

Charles, 71, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, arrived at the scene on Friday morning, accompanied by emergency responders.

Its understood all those who died were local to the area.

Charles met PC Liam Mercer and PC Eilidh McCabe, who were the first officers on the scene, and commended them for their bravery.

Charles at the scene at Stonehaven close to where a train derailed this week. (PA)

Charles visited the site on Friday, after the crash on Wednesday. (PA)

Read more: Train evacuated after it ploughs into landslide a day after Stonehaven tragedy

Charles met members of the police, fire service, Coastguard and Network Rail, who stood in a socially distanced circle as they spoke to the heir to the throne about the experience of responding on Wednesday.

Many recounted the sight of burning carriages.

The Queen, 94, sent a message on Wednesday after the crash, saying: It was with great sadness that I heard of the train derailment earlier today in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.

The Duke of Edinburgh, and entire Royal Family, join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have died and those who have been injured. Our thanks go out to the emergency services for their response and dedication.

She and Prince Philip, 99, are nearby in Balmoral, also in Aberdeenshire, but are in a bubble to ensure their safety during the coronavirus.

As the meeting was outside, Charles did not need to wear a face covering, but pictures indicate social distancing is being followed.

On Twitter, Clarence House wrote: The Duke of Rothesay has visited the site of the train derailment in Stonehaven where he thanked first responders first on the scene of the incident on Wednesday. HRH spoke to representatives of the emergency services including the Scottish Ambulance Service & Police Scotland.

Story continues

Charles has kept to social distancing during the visit to the scene of the ScotRail derailment. (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

The prince has met members of the emergency services. (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

McCullough, 45, has left behind wife Stephanie and three children.

His family said in a statement: Words cannot describe the utterly devastating effect of Bretts death on his family and friends.

We have lost a wonderful husband, father and son in the most awful of circumstances.

Brett was the most decent and loving human being we have ever known and his passing leaves a huge void in all our lives.

We would like to thank the emergency services for their heroic efforts in helping everyone affected by this tragedy and for all the messages of support and condolence we have received.

The Prince of Wales views the scene at Stonehaven after the derailment. (PA)

Charles is shown the scene as investigators continue their work. (PA)

Read more: Prince Charles has 'no purpose' until Queen dies, says 'The Crown' actor

The family of Dinnie, 58, said: As a family we are devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Donald, a loving and proud dad, son, partner, brother, uncle and friend.

No words could ever describe how much he will be missed by us all and there will always be a missing piece in our hearts.

It is so heart warming to see how many people have fond memories of Donald and I am sure they have plenty of happy and funny stories to tell.

He was a kind, caring and genuine person who was never found without a smile on his face. We know he will be deeply missed by all.

Together we thank each and every one of you for your kind words and condolences but we kindly ask at this time that we have the chance to grieve privately as a family.

Conductor Donald Dinnie who died in the Stonehaven derailment along with the driver and a passenger. (PA)

Passenger Christopher Stuchbury also died in the Stonehaven derailment. (PA)

Read more: Three dead, including driver, after train derailment 'caused by landslip'

Stuchburys family said he enjoyed volunteering at Roxburghe House, a specialist palliative care unit run by NHS Grampian.

Their statement said: Chris was a much adored husband, son, dad, stepdad, granddad, brother and uncle and was a treasured and loved friend to many, including the Targe Towing Team where he was an integral and valued member of staff.

We are devastated by his death and we request privacy at this difficult time as we come to terms with our loss.

Charles meeting PC Eilidh McCabe (right) and PC Liam Mercer (second from right), the first two police officers who attended the scene of the ScotRail train derailment. (PA)

An investigation is underway by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and Police Scotland, British Transport Police and rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road, will also carry out a probe.

Network Rail will inspect trackside slopes across the country, after the government ordered a review into them. Landslip during heavy rain is thought to have played a role in the Stonehaven incident.
ESTERO, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) ( the "Company" or "Hertz") a global leader in car rental, today announced that Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jamere Jackson, has resigned to pursue a new opportunity. Mr. Jackson will remain with Hertz until September 11, 2020, to assist in the transition of his responsibilities.

The Company also today announced the promotion of R. Eric Esper to Executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, and Kenny K. Cheung to Executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Operational Finance and Restructuring Officer, effective immediately. They will report directly to Paul Stone, Hertz's President and Chief Executive Officer, as will the Company's Treasurer, Scott Massengill.

Mr. Esper has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Hertz since November 2018. He previously served as Vice President and Controller of the Company beginning March 2018. From July 2010 to March 2018, Mr. Esper held a variety of financial leadership roles with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., most recently as Vice President, Brand Finance & Strategy, and Vice President and Controller. Prior to that, Mr. Esper was with PricewaterhouseCooper, LLC. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Cheung has served as Senior Vice President of Global Financial Planning & Analysis and Chief Financial Officer of North America at Hertz. He joined the Company in December 2018. He previously held a variety of financial leadership roles with Nielsen Holdings, PLC ("Nielsen"), an information, data and measurement firm, most recently as Global Chief Audit Executive, and prior to that as a regional Chief Operating Officer after holding the position of regional Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Nielsen, Mr. Cheung worked for General Electric in various roles across Supply Chain, Operations, and FP&A.

Mr. Massengill has served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Hertz since July 2008. Prior to joining Hertz, Mr. Massengill served as Chief Financial Officer for the $2 billion domestic residential heating and air conditioning business division of Trane Inc. (formerly American Standard Companies Inc.) from 2005 to 2008. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Treasurer at American Standard from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Massengill has also held management level financial positions at BristolMyers Squibb, AlliedSignal and Exxon.

"The finance function is extremely important. This leadership structure provides us with deep expertise that will be especially valuable as we navigate the uncertainty around travel that the global pandemic has produced and as we work our way through the bankruptcy process," said Stone. "We're fortunate to have incredible bench strength on our Finance team. I've worked closely with Eric, Kenny and Scott for several years, and appreciate the value they add through the different perspectives they bring, while remaining tightly aligned on vision and strategy."

About Hertz

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Hertz Corporation is one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies, and the Hertz brand is one of the most recognized globally. Product and service initiatives such as Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Ultimate Choice, Carfirmations, Mobile Wi-Fi and unique vehicles offered through its specialty collections set Hertz apart from the competition. Additionally, The Hertz Corporation owns the vehicle leasing and fleet management leader Donlen Corporation, operates the Firefly vehicle rental brand and Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in international markets and sells vehicles through Hertz Car Sales. For more information about The Hertz Corporation, visit: www.hertz.com.

SOURCE Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
Hitting I-10 heading west? You won't go hungry with our dining guide.

Here are just some of the notable restaurants to sample along I-10 that won't require you to stray too far from the feeder from Houston to Katy, San Antonio and El Paso.

Are we missing any? Let us know in the comments.
She lives alone so she was forced to quarantine alone for her own safety. But its hard to remain cheerful when your only company is the same four walls that are isolating you from the rest of the world. Whenever we would talk with her on the phone it broke my heart because I could hear how much she was struggling with this separation.
While a final agreement is still pending, the Iraqi government has reportedly consented to a $15 million settlement over 4,000 disputed antiquities in the Museum of the Bibles collection, which have been handed over to Iraqi control based on the suspicion that they were looted. In exchange, the museum may retain the right to display some of the objects on loan.  Artnet
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These are challenging times for those in America trying to live consistent Christian lives. Of course, things are a lot tougher in other areas such as China, North Korea, the Muslim world, Nigeria, and so on. Here, in the West, the challenge is less about life and limb and more about what it means to live Christianly in a time of pandemic.

For example, do we abide by restrictions on public worship set by the government (who are constitutionally not permitted to prohibit the free exercise of religion)? What if those restrictions are more stringent than those on secular businesses? SCOTUS says that is OK; does God? On a personal level, how should we respond to mask mandates or state ordered restrictions on businesses and schools?

The list can be extended indefinitely, but the core issue is what things belong to Caesar and what belong to God? What are the limits on Pauls instructions to obey the governing powers?

The minimalist approach

One of the more common answers to this question is based on Peter and Johns response when the Sanhedrin ordered them to stop preaching Jesus: We must obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29) The application frequently drawn from this is that we are to obey the government unless it commands us to do something that God forbids or forbids something that God commands.

Following that reasoning, mask mandates and the like should be obeyed: there is no sin in doing so. Church services are a more difficult question, however, since we are commanded not to neglect meeting together (Heb. 10:25). Further, given the centrality of the sacraments in many traditions, prohibiting them is problematic.

On the other hand, we are also to love our neighbors; is it loving to risk exposing them to the virus? From early in Church history, the right to life was understood to impose an obligation to preserve life, our own and others, with only limited exceptions.

Following a higher law

But this narrow reading of Acts 5:29 is inadequate. Governments throughout history have passed unjust laws that do not violate express commands of Scripture, and Christians have opposed them. For example, Christians fought to abolish slavery not because it was explicitly forbidden in Scripture but because reflection on Scripture demonstrated that it violated the principles at the heart of Christian ethics.

For this reason, slavery largely disappeared in medieval Europe and the Catholic Church condemned the Atlantic slave trade when it began, though Catholic Portugal and Spain ignored this condemnation. When Protestant England took control of the slave trade in the 1700s, Quakers and British Evangelicals led the abolition movement, working to change laws and see the practice ended.

So one option for a Christian is to work to change unjust laws. But is that all we can or should do? Should we violate the law, not just to obey direct commands of Scripture, but because a higher law, the law of love, demands it? For example, was the Underground Railroad justified?

To take a more contemporary example, the mainstream Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s was led by Christians and was motivated by a Christian vision of a just society. The best-known leader in the movement was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a pastor and theologian, and it was spearheaded by organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

This brings us to civil disobedience. Much like the conductors of the Underground Railroad, Dr. King and others broke the law. The Underground Railroad did everything in secret of necessity, but Dr. King acted openly and accepted the legal consequences of his actions. Several white pastors who supported civil rights in general opposed Dr. Kings tactics; Dr. King responded to them with his Letter from a Birmingham Jail. He defended his actions using natural law and the historic Christian tradition, quoting St. Augustines dictum that an unjust law is no law. Thus, the laws that Dr. King violated were unjust and so illegitimate.

Suggestions for today

There are more militant approaches to dealing with issues of justice and human rights such as those advocated by John Locke and the American Founders, but for now we need to return to how we are to deal with the governments Covid mandates.

Unless there is a legitimate health reason, I see no compelling moral or spiritual issue that justifies refusing to wear a mask. Not liking them or seeing some nefarious purpose behind them is not a legitimate reason to disobey the law.

As for public worship, leaving aside questions of fact such as how the virus is transmitted, infection and mortality rates, or the effectiveness of masks, there are at least three questions we need to answer:

First, how do we balance worshiping as a community and celebrating the sacraments with Jesus teaching that we are to do good, not harm, on the Sabbath? Second, how do we balance the interests of the Church with the states role in protecting public health? Third, in some areas, what should we do about churches being subject to tighter restrictions than e.g. casinos or protests?

The last is relevant not only from a legal perspective, but also spiritually: if it is safe for people to meet for one purpose, then allowing the state to restrict worship beyond what is permitted in other contexts would not only violate the First Amendment but more importantly Jesus teaching to render to Caesar only what is his, not what is Gods.

The answers are not easy or obvious. Churches need to think them through carefully, clearly articulate their reasoning, and provide alternative approaches to worship for those uncomfortable with meeting, in high risk groups, or for overflow for those who cannot attend due to capacity restrictions in buildings. If we meet in defiance of the civil authorities, we need to be ready to pay the price. And we need to maintain a charitable attitude toward those who come to different conclusions than we do.

Originally published at BreakPoint
The oil industry was already under pressure due to the climate crisis and increasing regulation from governments to cut emissions. Now, many are wondering if the coronavirus is the last drop that will kill the oil industry and help save the planet. Analysts say that the oil and gas industry will never be the same. Without any exaggeration, oil is facing the gravest challenge in its 100-year history. Oil giants have been pushed to survival mode' and an environment of pure carnage due to plunging demand and a destructive price war.

Unprecedented Times

With some labeling, the situation as "apocalyptical", the least lurid description is "unprecedented". Oil prices have been the lowest in almost two decades, with even worse potentially on the way. This latest cyclical oil shock is hitting an industry whose days are counted. But the world's economy and infrastructure is still heavily invested in fossil fuels to a truly staggering level. This means oil has enormous inertia. Moreover, the aspects that made us rely on oil during the last hundred-plus years are still around because it is still a powerful way to produce and transport energy.

The Answer Of Oil Giants

Dividend Aristocrats are still betting their future on oil

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is continuing to drill for oil. Chevron and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) are certain they can still bring in a few profitable years while their European rivals are betting their future on renewables. Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth believes the energy business is simply undergoing another of its natural transitions. Chevron is not focused on replacing oil, but rather at making oil and gas more efficient and more environmentally benign. This isn't surprising as it is coming from someone who profits from the status quo.

It's a multibillion-dollar gamble that would have been less surprising before the pandemic turned the whole world upside down. The risk is that the industry's mightiest could end up being left behind by producing a lot of climate-endangering oil and gas that no one wants or needs. Wirth insists he's comfortable with that risk because he finds that this energy transition is simply "misunderstood." Exxon has also reiterated its commitment to being oil's last man standing decades from now.

Story continues

Chastened BP committed to dramatically reduce oil and gas production

In sharp contrast, BP p.l.c. (NYSE: BP) announced dramatic steps to address climate change on August 4. This strategy includes an unexpected vow to reduce oil and gas production 40% over the next decade. Its CEO admitted its strategy was greatly influenced by the COVID-19 crisis.

Contrasting Public Approaches

So far, Chevron and Exxon's approach to climate change is in contrast to those of BP, Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-B) (NYSE: RDS-A), and France's Total S.A. (NYSE: TOT). All three have committed to speed up their shift to cleaner fuel sources. The aim is to align with the Paris climate agreement and become "carbon zero" by 2050.

On the other hand, Chevron and Exxon have pledged to sustain their dividends unlike BP and Royal Dutch Shell Plc that were forced to cut their highly prized dividends due to the low oil prices.

Chevron and Exxon claim to support the goals of the Paris Agreement by reducing emissions, but they haven't committed to a zero-carbon footprint. They plan to reduce emissions from their own operations but not those of their products. Their position is also politically easier in the U.S., where fossil fuels count on significant support from Congress. Chevron and Exxon are simply avoiding the switch to a field where they have little expertise and where they perceive returns to be lower.

The Business Of Oil May Never Return To "Normal"

Shell CEO Ben van Beurden recently suggested that the oil business might never recover. BP's Bernard Looney didn't rule out the possibility that post-pandemic demand has already peaked. Those are horrifying news for companies that used to thrive as providers of a scarce resource that underpins the global economy. First of all, the resource is no longer scarce because of shale. BP even lowered its forecast it made two months ago by predicting that over the upcoming decades, crude prices could trend as much as 20% lower than initially thought.

Natural Gas Could Be The Answer

Natural gas is cheap these days. Its supplies also seem larger than oil reserves. Many experts are betting on natural gas to be our largest electricity provider. It is a perfect complement to solar and wind power. This is why it also makes sense to run cars on it. EVs are cleaner but their production also has an environmental footprint so they cannot solve all our problems. Another possibility is to use coal-to-liquid processes, just like what Germany did during WWII. But, it is a dirty and expensive way to increase supply. Rest assured, oil giants will explore any opportunity to keep the business afloat.

The Solution Could Be Gradual

A key question is whether the taken action is capable to alter the course of the climate crisis. Many experts are optimistic believing that the switch to renewables will provide the atmosphere the opportunity to gradually heal. The most enthusiastic ones believe 2019 will go down in history as the peak year for carbon emissions. But there are also pessimistic opinions that the fossil fuel industry will come back from the dead and that low oil prices will slow the much-needed transition to renewables.

Outlook Is Uncertain

Experts, including Jeff Currie at Goldman Sachs, are certain the climate change debate will take an entirely new direction. But exactly how will that look like remains to be seen. The first question is how long is the COVID-19 crisis going to last? And no one really knows the answer. But it is certain that these challenges combined are permanently altering the oil industry.

This article is not a press release and is contributed by a verified independent journalist for IAMNewswire. It should not be construed as investment advice at any time please read the full disclosure. IAM Newswire does not hold any position in the mentioned companies. Press Releases  If you are looking for full Press release distribution contact: press@iamnewswire.com Contributors  IAM Newswire accepts pitches. If you're interested in becoming an IAM journalist contact: contributors@iamnewswire.com

The post Oil Giants Have Contrasting Approaches to the Crisis appeared first on IAM Newswire.

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 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Pakistan conferring its highest civilian award on hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani clearly shows that Islamabad supports separatism in Kashmir, a senior BJP leader said on Friday.

Pakistan President Arif Alvi conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan on 90-year-old Geelani in abstentia as the country celebrated its 74th Independence Day on Friday.

"This award clearly shows Pakistan supports terrorism and separatism in Kashmir," senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Kavinder Gupta said.

"It also establishes that 'terrorism and anti-national' elements in Kashmir are funded by Pakistan. It would be advisable that those receiving such honours from Pakistan should stay in that country only," Gupta said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:00:33|Editor: huaxia

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ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's government forces on Friday conducted a prisoner swap with the Houthi militia in the country's northeastern province of al-Jawf, a military official told Xinhua.

The local military official said on condition of anonymity that "the Sixth Regional Military Command succeeded in exchanging prisoners with representatives of the Houthi group in al-Jawf province."

He confirmed that the government forces released four members of the Houthi group captured during previous battles.

In return, the Iranian-backed Houthis released four soldiers of the government forces from the militia's jail.

Yemen's local tribal mediators have more than once succeeded in completing prisoner exchanges between government forces and the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition against the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen for more than five years in support of the internationally recognized government of Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Enditem
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A group of environmental, energy and public policy groups have formed a coalition pushing for the repeal of House Bill 6, the nuclear energy plant bailout at the center of an FBI corruption investigation into state government.

The Coalition to Restore Public Trust said in a Friday news release it would work to pressure the state legislature to repeal HB6 on the heels of the federal indictment of Republican former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others. Coalition Executive Director Michael Hartley, a Republican consultant and former aide to Republican Gov. John Kasich, said the group would also aim to educate voters on the legislation itself.

House Bill 6 is the product of a severely flawed process and it is imperative that the Ohio legislature repeals it completely in order to restore the public trust, Hartley said.

The U.S. Justice Department said in its filings against Householder, top aide Jeff Longstreth and lobbyists Matt Borges, Neil Clark and Juan Cespedes that the group engaged in a $60 million bribery scheme using money from Akron-based FirstEnergy to pass the legislation, which provides a ratepayer bailout for the Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear power plants, and to quash an effort to put a repeal referendum on the ballot.

Householder, Longstreth, Borges, Clark and Cesepedes were all indicted in July, each on a single count of racketeering.

Hartley said the group announced its primary funders in an attempt at transparency. In its charges against Householder and the others, the Justice Department described an intricate dark money scheme meant to conceal who was behind both efforts to pass HB6 and upend any attempt at its repeal.

The founding members of the coalition include:

 Alliance for Energy Choice

 Americans for Prosperity (AFP)  Ohio Chapter

 American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)

 Calpine

 Rolling Hills Generating

 Energy Professionals of Ohio (EPO)

 LS Power

 Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund (OECAF)

 Ohio Conservative Energy Forum (OHCEF)

 Ohio Oil & Gas Association (OOGA)

 Rockland Capital

 Vistra

As you can tell by the initial Coalition members, full repeal of House Bill 6 is supported by a broad cross-section of energy, environmental, and public policy organizations in Ohio, Hartley said. The Coalition will be communicating directly with citizens across Ohio to urge their legislators to repeal the entirety of this corrupt, scandal-ridden bill.

The coalition also launched a corresponding website  RepealHouseBill6.com  featuring media reports on HB6 and a place to collect donations.

Since Householders arrest, lawmakers have given mixed messages about what they plan to do regarding HB6. But some repeal, and possible replacement, efforts are underway.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who signed the bill into law, initially said he was against repealing HB6 before changing his mind a day later, saying it should be repealed and replaced. Other lawmakers have typically followed the governors lead, though some have outright declined to speak publicly on the matter.

Read more politics coverage:

FirstEnergy connections are widespread in Gov. Mike DeWines administration

Why isnt FirstEnergy charged (yet) in the Ohio nuclear bailout bribery case?

FirstEnergy CEO Charles Jones clarifies remarks about ethics, HB 6

A poll subpoenaed by the FBI shows how Ohio Republicans crafted the narrative around the HB6 repeal

Ohio House keeping some documents secret from FBI, public over House Bill 6, citing attorney-client privilege
Dissident shareholders in Aryzta have voiced their objection to the board's nomination of Andreas Schmid to succeed Gary McGann as chairman of the company.

The nomination comes ahead of Aryzta's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) due to take place next month.

Mr McGann has previously said he will stand down if a deal to sell the troubled Swiss-Irish food group has not been lined up by the EGM.

A spokesperson for Aryzta yesterday clarified that Mr McGann will step down at the EGM "unless there is a transaction that could render that meeting obsolete."

The shareholder activist group owns more than 20pc of Aryzta and is led by Swiss asset management company Veraison.

Last month the shareholder group warned they would take legal action if Aryzta's EGM does not take place on September 16 as planned. It had requested an EGM take place on May 20.

Mr Schmid, a Swiss national, is a highly experienced executive.

He previously served as CEO, then chairman, and later vice chairman of Barry Callebaut, a billion euro manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products.

As well as a number of other board roles, he has also served as chairman of the listed Airport Zurich since 2000.

Commenting yesterday Mr McGann said: "We are delighted to attract an individual of Andreas Schmid's calibre as our nominee as chair.

Andreas is uniquely positioned to work with the board, Kevin [Toland] and the broader management team. His acceptance of the nomination as chair reflects the inherent potential within the Aryzta business".

However, this has not been enough to quell the discontented shareholders.

An hour after Aryzta's statement to the markets, Veraison said Mr Schmid's nomination is "not in the best interest of the bakery group."

"After discussions and further engagement attempts during the last weeks, his election is clearly rejected by the shareholder group," Veraison said in a statement.

Aryzta, best known here for the Cuisine de France brand is a global supplier of buns for burgers to McDonald's and makes Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.

The company has been badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to profound changes in consumer eating habits as larger numbers of employees were forced into working from home.

Earlier this week Aryzta said it saw further improvement in its revenue last month.

The company expects its organic revenue growth to be down around 18pc year on year for the month to July 25, this is an improvement on the 23pc decline in revenue growth in June, and substantially better than the 49pc fall in organic revenue growth recorded in April.

Last month it was reported that Canadian bakery giant George Weston Ltd was exploring a potential deal to buy Aryzta.

George Weston Ltd is part of a business group with a focus on food and clothing - including the Penneys and Brown Thomas brands.

Aryzta says it had received a number of approaches.
Pentagon's Top General Warns US to Face 'Huge Problems' From Impending Daesh Resurgence

Sputnik News

20:07 GMT 13.08.2020

The Pentagon's top officer for the Middle East warned Wednesday that the US will face "huge problems with a massive [Daesh] resurgence" over the next decade unless Washington establishes a deradicalization initiative in the Middle East.

During an online forum hosted by the US Institute of Peace, Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, who heads US Central Command, revealed that Daesh is still active in Syria and Iraq and committed to recruiting jihadis, the Washington Times reported.

Despite the fact that the group no longer poses the same security threat it did five years ago, a Daesh resurgence will arise in the future if a sweeping deradicalization initiative is not established, McKenzie warned.

McKenzie also expressed concern that the al-Hol refugee camp in northern Syria, which houses people diplaced by war in Iraq and Syria but also captured Daesh terrorists and their families, could potentially be a breeding ground for a resurgence in terrorism.

At present, more than 65,000 refugees from Iraq and Syria live at the al-Hol camp.

Ambassador William Roebuck, the US deputy special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, also noted during the meeting that Daesh "remains a significant threat."

"And that's why the military presence is still there and that's why the coalition remains engaged, to prevent [Daesh] from resurging," Roebuck added, 13NewsNow reported.

During the meeting, foreign policy analysts also noted that Daesh could still conduct smaller-scale terrorist strikes and may have already formed mutually beneficial relationships with "elements of the Taliban" in Afghanistan, though the two factions have historically not been allies, the Times reported.

Such an alliance could be particularly dangerous, given that the US and the Taliban struck a peace deal in February in the Qatari capital of Doha that stipulates the gradual withdrawal of US troops from the country. While the pact forbids the Taliban from attacking US forces and from providing support for extremists, local Daesh affiliates such as Islamic State Khorasan are not bound by those terms. Afghan government officials have said that the Taliban may be secretly providing intelligence to Daesh, the Times reported.

 Sputnik

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On Thursday, Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced that, going forward, they will have full diplomatic relations. Although Israel had to pause its plan to annex Judea and Samaria, the overall trend of this announcement is excellent.

According to a joint statement from the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, the latter two nations will start cooperating on such things as "investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit."

Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates pic.twitter.com/oVyjLxf0jd  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020

Israel's commitment to the plan is that it will "suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace [i.e., Judea and Samaria] and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world." The word "suspend" is important. Israel is not agreeing to forego that plan permanently. Instead, as Al Jazeera reported:

[I]n a television address after US President Donald Trump's announcement of the deal, Netanyahu said he had only agreed to "delay" the annexation, and that he would "never give up our rights to our land". "There is no change to my plan to extend sovereignty, our sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, in full coordination with the United States," Netanyahu said in Jerusalem, using the biblical name for the occupied West Bank.

Al Jazeera adds that a tweet from the UAE's leader indicates that the UAE interprets the word "suspend" to mean not a temporary stop, but a permanent retreat. The Palestinians, of course, are upset:

In a statement, Abbas called the deal an "aggression" against the Palestinian people and a "betrayal" of their cause, including their claim to Jerusalem as a capital of their future state. Hamas, the group that controls the besieged Gaza Strip, rejected the Israel-UAE pact as "a reward for the Israeli occupation and crimes" and said it "does not serve the Palestinian people".

As an aside, while Al Jazeera does have a few high-emotion statements (e.g., "the besieged Gaza Strip"), its report is more straightforward than one usually finds at sites such as the AP, The New York Times, or the Washington Post, none of which even bothers anymore with reporting facts in a mostly objective fashion.

This agreement, if it sticks, is an excellent one for Israel and overall stability in the Middle East. The UAE is one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East because it has a stable political environment and a reliable infrastructure. Wisely, it's developed its non-oil side so that, even if there's a serious drop in the demand for oil, it will still have economic resources.

Moreover, as the Palestinians know, this agreement is a step toward marginalizing the Palestinians. The fact is that, while the Arab countries reflexively blame Israel for everything, they don't like the Palestinians, who are considered a whiny, greedy, dangerous group of people. There's a reason that Egypt, just like Israel, expends considerable resources keeping Palestinians out, although only Israel takes heat for doing so.

What's also excellent about the plan is that it helps bind together countries that dislike Iran and Hezb'allah. Leaders in Arab countries know that, if they're not careful, they can become Lebanon, a puppet of Iran with a military presence (i.e., Hezb'allah, which is Iran's out-of-country army) that wreaks havoc with the country.

After the explosion in Beirut, more Arab countries that are afraid of Iran recognize that in Israel, "the enemy of their enemy is their friend." In that regard, you can bet that all of the Arab nations are assuming that Israel is behind the wave of destructive explosions within Iran.

These alliances should have happened four decades ago after the Iranian Revolution. It speaks volumes that Donald Trump, aided by Jared Kushner (who also has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia's reforming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman), was able to bring this about. Watch for other Arab nations to get in line, as they recognize a trend, and watch for the Palestinians to get increasingly isolated and marginalized. Even Thomas Friedman, an avowed Trump foe, admits this is "huge" and a diplomatic feather in Trump's cap.

For the Middle East, peace with Israel is the future, and the Palestinians are so yesterday.

* * *

Immediately after writing the above conclusion, I read this tweet:

earlier Kushner said at the White House that "There is a good chance that another country could make a deal with Israel in the coming days"  Yosef Yisrael (@yosefyisrael25) August 13, 2020

Trump really may bring peace to the Middle East.

Image: Montage of a photo of Sharjah by Mueed Ahmed and a photo of Tel Aviv by Alexey Bogoslavsky (both cropped), both under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Technavio has been monitoring the biostimulants market and it is poised to grow by 2 bn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 12% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005523/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Biostimulants Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire).

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Latest Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. ADAMA Ltd., BASF SE, Bayer AG, Evonik Industries AG, FMC Corp., ISAGRO Spa, Italpollina Spa, Syngenta Crop Protection AG, UPL Ltd., and VALAGRO Spa are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Demand for organic food has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market.

Biostimulants Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Biostimulants Market is segmented as below:

Product Acid-based Extract-based Others

Type Raw Crops And Cereals Fruits And Vegetables Turfs And Ornaments Others

Application Foliar Soil Seed

Geographic Landscape APAC Europe MEA North America South America



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR40738

Biostimulants Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our biostimulants market report covers the following areas:

Biostimulants Market size

Biostimulants Market trends

Biostimulants Market industry analysis

This study identifies the reduction in arable land as one of the prime reasons driving the biostimulants market growth during the next few years.

Biostimulants Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the biostimulants market, including some of the vendors such as ADAMA Ltd., BASF SE, Bayer AG, Evonik Industries AG, FMC Corp., ISAGRO Spa, Italpollina Spa, Syngenta Crop Protection AG, UPL Ltd., and VALAGRO Spa. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the Biostimulants Market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

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Biostimulants Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist biostimulants market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the biostimulants market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the biostimulants market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of biostimulants market vendors

Table Of Contents :

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

2.1 Preface

2.2 Preface

2.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market segmentation analysis

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2019

Market outlook

Market size and forecast 2019-2024

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

Market segmentation by product

Comparison by product

Acid-based Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Extract-based Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by product

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION

Market segmentation by application

Comparison by application

Foliar Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Soil Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Seed Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by application

PART 09: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 10: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY CROP TYPE

Market segmentation by crop type

Comparison by crop type

Row crops and cereals Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Fruits and vegetables Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Turfs and ornaments Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Others Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by crop type

PART 11: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 12: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 13: MARKET TRENDS

Reduction in arable land

Upcoming regulation on biostimulants

Global initiatives to improve agricultural output

PART 14: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Overview

Landscape disruption

Competitive scenario

PART 15: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Vendor classification

Market positioning of vendors

ADAMA Ltd.

BASF SE

Bayer AG

Evonik Industries AG

FMC Corp.

ISAGRO Spa

Italpollina Spa

Syngenta Crop Protection AG

UPL Ltd.

VALAGRO Spa

PART 16: APPENDIX

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Definition of market positioning of vendors

PART 17: EXPLORE TECHNAVIO

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200813005523/en/

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Website: www.technavio.com/
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) welcomed the BC governments announcement establishing the regulations for fuel wholesalers in accordance with BCs Fuel Price Transparency Act (FPT Act). Order in Council (OIC) No. 474 outlines the regulations for wholesale fuel reporting in British Columbia, including the type of data that will be collected by the BCUC, the organizations who will be required to submit data, and the frequency of reporting. According to the BC government, wholesale companies will be required to make regular reports to the BCUC starting in November.



As the Administrator of BCs FPT Act, the BCUC will be responsible for ensuring compliance to these regulations. The BCUC is currently reviewing OIC No. 474 and will be working with the fuel industry to determine the most effective way to gather data in alignment with the OIC regulations. Updates regarding the BCUCs role as the Administrator of the FPT Act will be made available on GasPricesBC.ca .

For more information, the BC governments announcement can be viewed here .

Background

On May 21, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC), under section 5(1) of the Utilities Commission Act (UCA), requested the BCUC provide advice to the BC government on the price of wholesale and retail gasoline and diesel in British Columbia. The Terms of Reference for the inquiry are outlined in Order in Council (OIC) No. 254.

The BCUC conducted an independent, transparent and public inquiry process, and on August 30, 2019, the BCUC issued its Inquiry into Gasoline and Diesel Prices Final Report to the Minister responsible. The Panels Report included the following key findings:

There is a significant unexplained difference of approximately 13 cents per litre in wholesale gasoline prices between Southern BC and its Pacific Northwest cost comparator; and

The wholesale market for gasoline in BC is not truly competitive with high market concentration levels, high barriers to entry, and the wholesalers ability to influence prices. Retail market prices can also be controlled by five refiner-marketers.

To review the Panels detailed findings, please refer to the Inquirys proceeding page on the BCUC website.

Following the BCUCs Inquiry, Bill 42  The Fuel Price Transparency Act was introduced in the BC Legislature by Minister Bruce Ralston on November 18, 2019. The FPT Act requires companies to report information and data on their activities in the gasoline and diesel fuel market in BC. Bill 42 received Royal Assent and became law on November 27, 2019. On March 9, 2020, the BC government announced the BCUC as the Administrator of the FPT Act. As the Administrator, the BCUC is responsible for collecting and publishing information about gasoline and diesel fuel activities in BC in an effort to promote competitiveness and public confidence in the competitiveness of the fuel market.

As a first step in providing the public with more information about how gasoline and diesel prices are set in BC, the BCUC launched GasPricesBC.ca on April 7, 2020. Through a series of dashboards, GasPricesBC.ca displays publicly available data, which visitors can customize to view information based on geography or price components.

About the BCUC

The BCUC is a regulatory agency responsible for oversight of energy utilities and compulsory auto insurance in British Columbia. It is the BCUCs role to balance the interests of customers with the interests of the businesses it regulates. The BCUC carries out fair and transparent reviews of matters within its jurisdiction and considers public input where public interest is impacted.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Krissy Van Loon

Manager, Communications

Phone: 604.660.4727

Email: Krissy.VanLoon@bcuc.com
One of Northern Ireland's top businessmen has died in a road traffic accident in Draperstown on Friday afternoon.

Hugh McWilliams, managing director of H&A Mechanical Services, was involved in the accident on the Five Mile Straight.

Mr McWilliams' company was the main sponsor for both the local GAA club, St Colm's, Ballinascreen and all Derry GAA teams.

"Derry GAA are devastated at the untimely death of Hugh McWilliams," read a County Board statement.

"Hugh was a giant of generosity. He was unstinting in his support for county, club and community. The GAA was a way of life for Hugh and his untimely death will be a shock across the county," the statement continued.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Anne, his family and everyone at the Ballinascreen club at this time."

Mr McWilliams and his wife Anne were listed in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2017 and 2018.

In a statement, St Colm's GAC said they were "devastated".

"Ballinascreen GAC are devastated to learn of the sudden death of our friend, club Sponsor and esteemed member, Hugh McWilliams," they said.

"The Club Executive and all our members extend our deepest sympathy to Hughs wife Anne, daughter Maureen, son Carlus, son-in-law Brendan, daughter-in-law Maria, grandchildren Ollie, Leo, Lily and Fiadh and the extended family circle."

"As a mark of respect all Club games and activities are suspended and club facilities will be closed until further notice. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam."

The Derry Camogie team said it was "deeply saddened" by the news.

"Hugh and his wife Anne have been great ambassadors for our county for many seasons and their generous sponsorship through their successful H&A business has helped us pave the way for many successful underage and senior teams at both club and county level," the statement said.

"Therefore as a mark of respect, Derry County Camogie Board have taken the decision to postpone all this weekend's fixtures including both adult and underage.

"We tender our sincerest condolences to Ann, Hugh's family and the wider family circle as well as all associated with Ballinascreen GAA. Mary Queen of the Gael, Pray for Him."

Police confirmed a man died in a single vehicle road traffic collision on Five Mile Straight road in Draperstown at around 1.10pm on Friday.

A PSNI spokesman said: "The male who sadly died was the driver of the vehicle. He has been named as Hugh Vincent McWilliams, aged in his 60s."

Inspector Gavin Sterling said: Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone with any information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 956 14/08/20.
A family practitioner in Georgia died of COVID-19 after risking exposure to help a sickly cancer patient to their car.

Dr. John D. Marshall Jr. spent 111 days on a ventilator while being treated for the novel coronavirus at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah.

But on Wednesday, the 74-year-old became the first practicing Georgia physician to be killed by COVID-19.

'He served up until the time he could not,' Charles 'Yahvo' Marshall, the physician's brother, told Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Marshall, of Americus, had been a devoted and beloved family-physician of three decades when he contracted the virus.

Dr. John D. Marshall Jr (pictured) , of Americus, died of COVID-19 on Wednesday after contracting the virus in March

After completing an exam with an elderly cancer patient, Marshall decided to help the frail man to his car.

It was this one small act of kindness that led to Marshall contracting the virus, his family said.

Marshall first fell ill in March before widespread mitigation efforts like face masks, social distancing and other measures were suggested.

After learning that his patient tested positive for COVID-19, Marshall underwent a test and self-quarantined inside his home alone.

By the time his test results came back, Marshall had a fever and diarrhea. He tried to manage the illness himself, but continued to get sicker as days passed.

'He was the type of person who would take care of himself and take care of others, as well,' his niece, Leslie Marshall, told AJC.

Leslie and her brother went to visit their uncle at his home on April 6.

By that time, Marshall had become physically weak and had trouble breathing.

The family retrieved an oxygen tank for Marshall from his office to help his breathing, but took him to a local hospital when it ran out.

The family said Marshall (pictured) contracted COVID-19 after helping an elderly and frail cancer patient to their vehicle

Like so many other medical centers across America, the local hospital in Americus was inundated with COVID-19 patients and couldn't treat him.

Instead, Marshall was transferred to the facility in Savannah, where doctors placed him on a ventilator on the first day and later admitted him to long-term care.

'He coded a couple of times,' said Leslie, adding that the family decided to approve instructions to not resuscitate Marshall.

Doctors had told the family that as long as Marshall lived, he would need dialysis and a ventilator.

After more than 100 days on a ventilator, Marshall's family took him off of life support. He died shortly after.

'It was like he just said, "No, the fight is over." He had been fighting all his life,' said Leslie.

Marshall (left and right) was transferred to the Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and was placed on a ventilator the same day

He is one of at least 97 Georgia health care workers who have died from the virus so far. Across the country, the number of fatalities among the medical field surpassed 600.

Marshall's death draws attention to the daily risks taken by medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As cases spike in the United States, doctors have been forced to balance personal safety with doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.

In Sumter County, where Marshall lived, there have been 768 confirmed infections and 56 deaths out of 29,399 residents.

Within the last two weeks, Sumter County has seen 78 new cases and 175 hospitalizations. The numbers in Sumter County are higher than nearly all of its immediate neighbors.

Across Georgia, there are more than 212,00 cases and 4,400 deaths.

Marshall's life was one of accomplishment and character that affected people of all walks of life.

He was an Air Force veteran, the former president of the NAACP chapter in Americus, and the publisher of a monthly newspaper, the Americus Sumter Observer, which reports on the Black American community in the city.

Officials with the NAACP urged people to not only remember the good Marshall did for the Americus community, but also the Black community.

'Dr. Marshall championed black causes, not only for Sumter County but for this region,' NAACP Vice President Eugene Edge told WALB News 10.

'He spoke on freedom of justice and equality not just for black people but for all of those who are disenfranchised in the community.'

Marshall (pictured) was a former NAACP president for the Americus-Sumter County chapter

Edge added that one of Marshall's biggest accomplishments was pushing back against the Sumter County School Board over recent redistricting.

While practicing in the Great Plains during the 1980s, Marshall performed a physical exam on former President Jimmy Carter.

He continued to work at a full-time medical practice even after he surpassed retirement age.

Hours after Marshall died, mourners gathered outside the Americus-Sumter County Chapter of the NAACP headquarters to pay tribute.

'He was one of the greatest doctors in Americus, certainly, and a great citizen,' said Bishop Melvin McCuster, a longtime patient of Marshall's and senior pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

'Its a great loss to the community.'
Xin Ning, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering, specializes in developing materials for use in space. He has now received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to apply his research a little closer to home, with a stretchable sensor and foldable field hospital that could aid in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two years ago, I had the idea for an expandable chamber that could be deployed on the International Space Station with the ability to monitor astronaut health. When COVID-19 started to spread, I thought this idea could be useful on Earth." Xin Ning, Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Penn State

The two-year, $265,000 grant is a part of the "EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research" (EAGER) program that funds early-stage research with transformative potential.

The first step in Ning's project is to develop a stretchable sensor that fits to a patient's chest and abdomen.

"It will actually be a network of sensors that can move with the patient and monitor breathing, temperature and coughing -- three of the most important vital signs to know when it comes to this virus," Ning said.

"It's pretty difficult to measure breathing and coughing via a wearable sensor because they, by their nature, cause us to move a lot. By having many sensors connected into one network, vital signs are easier to accurately monitor."

Ning also plans to make the sensor foldable. By making the sensor foldable, it could compress into a small package for storage and transportation.

The wearable sensor will pair with an antenna, which would remove the need for wires or batteries.

"It's similar to the technology that allows you to buy a coffee by scanning your phone at the cash register, but we modify it to improve transmission range to offer great flexibility," Ning said.

This flexibility would be particularly helpful for the second part of Ning's project: a foldable field hospital.

"During this pandemic, the sheer number of patients forced the development of field hospitals across Asia, Europe -- even in Central Park in New York," Ning said.

Field hospitals help mitigate patient crushes and overflows, especially in the face of a highly contagious disease. Health care professionals can triage patients at a field hospital, reserving the established hospital resources for the most serious cases.

The problem is that field hospitals can take significant resources to build and operate, according to Ning. His solution is an easy-to-assemble unit that can hold one to two patients and fold into a container the size of a large suitcase.

"We're using origami concepts to develop this," Ning said. "Origami is basically modular assembly that is repetitive and scalable. Once we have the one-to-two-patient unit, we can add on to expand the field hospital."

Each unit would have an antenna that transmits power to the sensors worn by the patients, as well as receives the vital sign information.

This project includes an educational plan to to involve undergraduates in the research, called, "We Are. We Care." "We Are" represents the Penn State slogan and spirit of being a community that innovates, solves problems and commits to excellence, Ning said. "We Care" reflects the objective of this educational plan: cultivating students' passion for engineering innovation to help people.

"Projects funded through EAGER are considered high-risk, but, if they work, they have a high payoff," Ning said. "My project is a radically different approach to health care for patients with COVID-19, and I'm eager to make it work."
The vaccine developed by Russia will offer protection from COVID-19 for at least two years, a top Russian official said. On August 12, Russia had announced that they had successfully invented the world's first COVID-19 vaccine.

"Effective period of the vaccine, its protective properties will last not during a short term, half a year - one year but for at least two years," said Alexander Gintsburg Russian news agency TASS reports LiveMint.

Gintsburg, the director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology,was heavily involved in the creation of the Russian vaccine.

Russian health officials have said the first batch of 'Sputnik V' vaccine would be rolled out in the next two weeks. Russian officials have rejected "groundless" safety concerns aired by some health experts over the approval process for the vaccine followed by the Russian administration.

"The first packages of the medical vaccine against the coronavirus infection will be received within the next two weeks, primarily for doctors, "Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Wednesday.

Russian health experts have recommended the vaccine for people between the ages of 18 to 60. They said that additional clinical studies need to be conducted before the vaccine can be declared safe for the elderly.

A top WHO official has said that the organisation is in touch with Russian officials to get "additional information to understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken, and then what the next steps might be," according to the daily.

WHO clarified that 168 potential vaccines are being developed by countries across the world, only 28 of them have reached a point where they can be tested on humans.

Also Read: First coronavirus vaccine: Why the world doubts Russia's claim

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Will PM Modi announce two COVID-19 vaccines on August 15?
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with widely scattered showers or thunderstorms possible this afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 76F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 44F. SW winds shifting to N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
He's making headlines on a daily basis thanks to his red hot romance with Megan Fox.

And on Thursday, it looked as if Machine Gun Kelly was returning home from a sleepover as he arrived back at his house carrying a pillow and a blanket.

The rapper, 30, also carried a black leather holdall as he chatted on his cell phone.

Newsmaker: He's making headlines with his new romance with Megan Fox and on Thursday, Machine Gun Kelly returned to his LA home carrying a pillow and a blanket

Kelly wore a stylish white short-sleeve top and a pair of brown cotton cargo pants.

He added white hi top sneakers and his dyed blonde hair was tousled.

The Texas native - real name Colson Baker - also takes on acting gigs from time to time.

After being given a small role in the Bruce Willis thriller Midnight In The Switchgrass, he met Transformers star Fox, who is the film's leading lady.

The 34-year-old subsequently left her actor husband Brian Austin Green for Kelly this past May.

Back home: The rapper, 30, who was dressed in a white top and brown cargo pants, also carried a black leather holdall as he chatted on his cell phone

Red hot: The relationship between the Texas native - real name Colson Baker - and actress Fox is moving fast after they met on the set of the Bruce Willis thriller Midnight In The Switchgrass

The relationship between Kelly and Fox, who shares sons Noah, seven, Bodhi, six, and Journey, four, with ex Brian Green, is moving at pace.

In a radio interview on Thursday, the rapper revealed he's already got the measure of his new girlfriend's eating habits.

'She eats super healthy. Everything is gluten-free and organic on her menu,' he told 104.3 The Shark.

'My menus like, Shake Shack, cheeseburger,' he added.

So in love: In May, the Tranformers star, 35, left her actor husband Brian Austin Green for Kelly. Fox has three children with her ex - Noah, seven, Bodhi, six, and Journey, four

Kelly is also featured in the September issue of Men's Health where he talks about his workout regimen and staying in shape.

'I have no desire to just be a muscly version of myself,' he told the fitness magazine.

'Im not Dwayne the Rock Johnson. But people should look at me and think, If this guy can get into the gym, I can, too.'

MGK also revealed that his recently increased public exposure means he's seeing more photos of himself from behind, prompting his desire to improve the look of his body and in turn, numerous back tattoos.

'The more I see pictures of my back, the more I want to add muscle to it to change the landscape of how it looks over time.'

Spotlight: Kelly is featured in the September issue of Men's Health where he tells the fitness magazine: 'I have no desire to just be a muscly version of myself'

Realistic: 'Im not Dwayne the Rock Johnson. But people should look at me and think, If this guy can get into the gym, I can, too,' he told the publication

Meanwhile a source confirmed to People magazine that former Beverly Hills, 90210 star Green is not happy over his ex's moves.

'Brian is annoyed that she is so focused on her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly,' the source stated. 'He doesn't understand the need to post social media pictures with silly captions to proclaim her love for him. They aren't even divorced yet. It definitely annoys Brian.'

The 47-year-old is also shocked by how she fell for Machine Gun Kelly so soon after they split.

Megan and Brian reportedly separated late last year. 'It stings a bit too that Megan moved on so quickly,' the source added.
A coalition of Syracuse groups told government officials Thursday that their credibility is on the line when it comes to making sure a project to transform Interstate 81 benefits city residents left behind in the past.

We need some of these jobs to work for local residents of color, community advocate Deka Dancil said of the planned $2 billion construction project.

We have the eyes of our nation and the eyes of this community watching, Dancil said at an online public meeting hosted by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

Walsh gathered more than 70 stakeholders in a video conference to discuss how the I-81 project could help lift up economically disadvantaged Syracuse residents through training and hiring programs that break down traditional barriers to employment.

Theres no denying its a once-in-a-generation opportunity, Walsh said. We need to make sure those who have not historically benefited from projects like this have an opportunity to benefit.

He told elected officials, community stakeholders, business and union leaders that there is only one way to accomplish that goal.

In order to do that, we all need to work together in a way that we never have, Walsh said in front of a virtual audience of more than 170 people.

If done right, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said, the I-81 project could serve as a national model for making sure that big infrastructure projects benefit the communities where they are built.

As we look to the future of I-81 we have to make sure its rebuilt in a way that addresses the problems it created, Gillibrand said, noting the highway destroyed a historically Black neighborhood in Syracuse.

Gillibrand, D-NY, introduced a bill last year that would mandate local hiring for big federal infrastructure projects like I-81. Her bill would give hiring priority to Syracuse residents for at least half of the construction jobs.

The bill would set aside at least 30% of contracts for businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. But the legislation has stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Dancil, board president of the Urban Jobs Task Force, a Syracuse coalition that advocates for fairness in development projects, said local hiring mandates may have to be spelled out in a labor agreement before the start of the I-81 project.

She said the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a model for such agreements. Contractors agreed to hire up to 40% of workers for a series of light rail projects from economically disadvantaged areas of the city.

I want to be clear that we are expecting better than that in this project, Dancil said.

Community advocate Aggie Lane said any deal on hiring goals for Syracuse resident must be put into writing and followed up with enforcement by government agencies.

Without goals, and without enforcement and monitoring, we have nothing, Lane said.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
There seems to be a lack of clarity and order with Spain now posting the highest number of Covid cases in Western Europe and little sign of the curve being flattened. Regional governments have been handed the responsibility of dealing with localised problems but Madrid is still issuing statements. So who really is in control and if it is not Madrid, I think its high time that central government steps in and takes over again because regional governments dont seem to be coping.

Experts are clamoring for the authorities to urgently change their strategy to limit the spread of the infectious disease with new measures taken this week, otherwise its going to be much more difficult to control, and Spain will run the risk of rapid expansion in even more areas.

A former WHO director has said that Spain needs stricter measures and enforcement on nightlife and more cautious behaviour on an individual level but according to Health Minister Salvador Illa and the countrys public health director Fernando Simon, the current measures are being applied and are working and that regional governments were doing an excellent job.

Sadly the numbers dont mirror such optimism and now only five European countries dont have any travel restrictions in place for Spain with concerns that Germany could be next to take a stricter stance regarding travel to a from Spain. We need a single body back in charge.
A 37-year-old woman was arrested Thursday and accused of burning down a Paterson building that left 60 people from 20 families homeless, authorities said.

Four firefighters were injured in the Aug. 3 blaze at 40 Cianci Street in Paterson, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora, and city Fire Chief Brian McDermott.

After an investigation, Yanit Valdez, of Paterson, was charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated arson and four counts of third-degree aggravated assault, the officials said.

The fire burned for hours through the multi-unit residential apartment building, which had commercial space on the street level. The residents escaped without injury.

The firefighters sustained minor injuries and were treated at St. Josephs University Medical Center in Paterson and released.

No motive was given as to why the fire was set. Valdez was held pending a first-appearance court hearing on Friday, officials said.

Anyone with additional information about the fire is asked to call the Passaic County Prosecutors Office at 1-877-370-PCPO or the Paterson Police Department at 973-321-1111.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
That release could not be found.
Member of Legislative Council Ramlali Mishra, wife of Nishad Party MLA Vijay Mishra who has been arrested from Agar district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday, went missing under mysterious circumstances from George Town area of Allahabad, the police said on Friday. The police said her gunner gave this information on late Thursday evening. MLA Vijay Mishra has been arrested in connection with a case of threatening, grabbing property, and harassing a person.

Mishra represents Uttar Pradeshs Gyanpur (Bhadohi) assembly constituency. His wife, Ramlali, is an MLC from Mirzapur-Sonbhadra seat. She was elected an MLC as a Samajwadi Party candidate but the party expelled her in February 2017 for supporting her husband.

On August 8, one Krishna Mohan Tiwari, a resident of Bhadohi, registered a case against the Nishad Party MLA, his MLC wife and son Vishnu Mishra. Tiwari alleged that they threatened him and his entire family to life, harassed him and forcibly grabbed his contract firm. Ramlali is also named in the case.

Also read: Bhadohi MLA arrested in property grabbing case from Madhya Pradeshs Agar district

A senior police officer said that MLCs gunner Inshwar Chand informed on late Thursday evening that Ramlali Mishra has gone missing. The cop informed Mirzapur SP Dr Dharmvir Singh about the matter and asked the gunner to lodge a complaint at George Town police station.

Singh said that the matter is being probed. Senior officials have been apprised of the matter and Superintendent of Police, Bhadohi has also been informed.

When contacted, Bhadohi SP Rambadan said that Ramlali is also named in a case and that she had been hiding at an unknown location to avoid an arrest.
Two 13-year-old boys running a lemonade stand in suburban Illinois have been robbed at gunpoint by two other teenagers who made off with $30 in profits.

Surveillance video captured the moment Jude Peterson and his friend were robbed outside his home in Peoria, southwest of Chicago, last Friday afternoon.

The footage, which was captured from a neighbor's home, showed the two older boys wearing hooded sweatshirts as they approached from across the street.

Surveillance video captured the moment Jude Peterson and his friend were robbed outside his home in Peoria, southwest of Chicago, last Friday afternoon. Photo courtesy of WKOW

Jude Peterson and his friend are seen following the robbery of his lemonade stand

The 13-year-olds said one of the boys then pulled out what they thought was handgun before quickly snatching their cash box from them.

The older boys then fled the scene.

Jude and his friend, who have been operating the lemonade stand all summer, say they had $30 in the cash box at the time.

Police are currently investigating the robbery.

The footage, which was captured from a neighbor's home, showed the two older boys wearing hooded sweatshirts as they approached from across the street

The 13-year-olds said one of the boys then pulled out what they thought was handgun before quickly snatching their cash box from them

Following news of the robbery, there has been an outpouring of support for the two teen boys.

When they set up their stand again on Tuesday for the first time, more than a dozen officers from the Peoria Police Department came by to support them.

'I may have cried a little,' Jude's father Nathan said, according to the PJ Star.

'Our hearts are overwhelmed by the love and support of the community - people from totally different backgrounds, police, everyone - all rallying around these boys.'
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study Friday identifying coronavirus antibodies in 1% of Oregonians whose blood was tested this spring.

The study, conducted by the Oregon Health Authority, found nine of 897 people tested from May 11 to June 15 had coronavirus antibodies  indicating a previously undetected infection.

Oregons findings underscore what public health officials have long said: Only a fraction of active infections are being identified through diagnostic testing. But its difficult to draw sweeping conclusions from the relatively small number of antibody cases identified in the study.

The data suggest that a substantial number of COVID-19 cases in Oregon have gone undiagnosed and not reported and that a large portion of Oregons population remains susceptible to COVID-19 infection, state officials wrote in the study, published as part of a weekly report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unlike diagnostic tests that identify active infections, serology tests analyze blood to determine if someone has previously been infected by identifying the presence of antibodies. It can often take two to three weeks after an infection for someone to develop those antibodies.

Dr. Paul Cieslak, one of the authors, said the results were pretty close to what we expected. He cautioned that with only nine identified antibody cases in the study, theres a margin of error around that that is going to be considerable, with a range of .2% to 1.8%.

We dont want to make more of this than it was, he said. But it did sort of confirm what we thought, that theres a bunch of undiagnosed infections out there.

Oregons study provides some support for modeling that officials have used for months to analyze spread during the pandemic. The modeling last month, for example, estimated 52,400 Oregonians had been infected as of July 2  even though only one-fifth of those had been identified through diagnostic testing.

Findings from the antibody study, if extrapolated to the entire states population, would equal roughly 42,000 infections as of June 15.

I dont think that our results are terribly inconsistent with the modeling, let me say that, Cieslak said.

Oregons latest modeling estimated 88,800 cumulative infections through July 30, again with only about one in five identified through diagnostic testing.

To complete the antibody study, officials recruited 19 facilities across Oregon to provide patients blood samples to the state public health laboratory for testing. They found that older Oregonians were more likely to have antibodies among those screened.

The testing did not identify antibodies in 29 children tested and found only two people with antibodies among 485 adults 64 and younger.

But among Oregonians 65 and older, seven people out of 383 tested had antibodies.

The state launched its study in May one week after telling The Oregonian/OregonLive it wasnt analyzing the antibody test results it received from labs to estimate the prevalence of infections. With so many questionable antibody tests on the market, state officials said they didnt trust the results.

But Cieslak said the state tempered those concerns by conducting the lab work for the study in-house using a serology test it selected.

State officials have said more antibody studies are planned, including in long-term care facilities and schools. Cieslak said hes not sure when that might happen.

The states findings generally match estimates from federal officials that only about one in 10 infections has been identified through diagnostic testing since the start of the pandemic. Officials in Boise, meanwhile, completed a similar antibody study that found previous infections in 1.79% of people tested.

As of Friday, the state has reported 22,613 confirmed or presumed infections from diagnostic testing. Aside from the new study, Oregon does not report antibody test results.

Were in this for the duration, Cieslak said, noting that millions of Oregonians have not been infected with coronavirus. We need to keep the social distancing until we get very good treatments or a reliable vaccine.

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
We have something interesting in the Biden-Harris ticket. He claims to be a Catholic, and she has a history of attacking ruthlessly the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's group.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a member in my parish. My late father was also a member way back to his time in Cuba.

The "Knights" feed the poor, raise money for natural disaster victims, and participate in many community programs.

Senator Harris's bigotry needs to be shared with Catholics in all of those battleground states. This is from Alexandra Desanctis:

In late 2018, while evaluating the nomination of Brian Buescher to serve as a district judge in Nebraska, Harris posed a series of questions insinuating that his involvement in the Knights of Columbus -- a charitable Catholic fraternal organization -- disqualified him from serving on the bench. Here's one of her written questions: Since 1993, you have been a member of the Knights of Columbus, an all-male society comprised primarily of Catholic men. In 2016, Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus, described abortion as "a legal regime that has resulted in more than 40 million deaths." Mr. Anderson went on to say that "abortion is the killing of the innocent on a massive scale." Were you aware that the Knights of Columbus opposed a woman's right to choose when you joined the organization?

That's pretty rough, and I remember it quite well. By the way, what does Harris thinks happens to all of those babies who are aborted?

My guess is that former V.P. Biden has quite a few friends who are "Knights." Will he get a question about this? He should.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

U.S. Gov. {{PD-USGov}}
A North Carolina man faces a first-degree murder charge in the shooting death of a 5-year-old boy who, according to local media reports, was riding a bike in his neighborhood.

Police arrested Darius Sessoms, 25, on Monday after a brief search. The child, identified as Cannon Hinnant, was shot Sunday evening in Wilson, North Carolina, according to police. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

"The Wilson Police Department sends its sincerest condolences and prayers to the family of Cannon during this tragic time," WPD said in a news release.

Sessoms was located inside a "residence in Goldsboro, N.C," police said. Goldsboro is about 30 minutes south of Wilson, which is 50 miles east of the state's capital city of Raleigh.

'The kids are in shock': Family says 6 children were home when Florida woman was fatally shot by ex-boyfriend

Darius Sessoms, 25

"The Wilson Police Department would like to thank the US Marshals Carolinas Violent Fugitive Task Force, Goldsboro Police Department, and Wayne County Sherriffs Dept. for their assistance in apprehending Sessoms," the Wilson Police Department said in a news release.

Few details about the shooting have been made available by police. USA TODAY requested Sessoms' arrest report from the Wilson Police Department. A spokesman for the department provided a link to a police website, which listed Sessoms' Monday arrest but did not include his arrest report.

The spokesman later provided an incident report to USA TODAY that didn't include any further details about Sessoms' arrest or the shooting.

'Tempers flared': Chicago man charged with attempted murder in shooting that police say sparked looting

Sessoms has a court date for Aug. 25, according to online records. The Raleigh News & Observer reported Sessoms served two prison terms in 2017.

Wilson County District Court Judge John Britt told Sessoms during a virtual hearing on Tuesday that he has a right to represent himself, hire a lawyer or he could ask for a court-appointed lawyer. Sessoms, who is being held in the Wilson County Jail without bond, said he wanted to try to hire a lawyer.

Story continues

WRAL-TV in North Carolina reported witnesses told police Cannon was riding his bike outside his father's home when he was shot in the head. WRAL reported Cannon's funeral was on Thursday.

Austin Hinnant, Cannon's father, told the TV station he and Sessoms were neighbors for eight years.

"There wasn't anything between me and him, any bad blood whatsoever, for him to have a reason to do this," Hinnant told the outlet.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: North Carolina man faces murder charge in death of 5-year-old boy
Rotunda Rumblings

Document dump: The Ohio House held back a few things as it released more than 1,000 pages of documents Thursday in response to a federal subpoena and a public records request. As John Caniglia reports, the House kept secret more than two dozen records, citing attorney-client privilege. The documents were related to House Bill 6, the controversial nuclear power plant bailout at the center of an investigation into what authorities say was a $60 million bribery scheme engineered by ex-House Speaker Larry Householder.

Muddy messaging: A poll released among the documents gives a window into how HB6 supporters crafted their messaging to thwart a repeal of the bill, Seth Richardson reports. The poll results helped them advance the scary message that Chinese interests were out to control Ohios power plants.

Not dazzled by Randazzo: A green energy group is trying to harness the recent negative news about FirstEnergy, by tying the company to Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chair Sam Randazzo and trying to oust him. Randazzo had two companies that were listed as creditors when one of FirstEnergys subsidiaries declared bankruptcy. Randazzo is the states top utility regulator and has influence over energy development through his position on the Ohio Power Siting Board, Laura Hancock reports.

Political hang-ups: A portrait of Jo Ann Davidson, the first and only woman to serve as speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, is once again hanging in House chambers, per an order from new Speaker Bob Cupp. Per Andrew Tobias, the path of the Davidson portrait, which was removed under former speaker Larry Householder, is a proxy for the long-standing beef between Davidson and Householder, two major figures from recent Ohio politics.

Not telling: A spokeswoman for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said on Wednesday the AGs office had been researching whether it would be legal for county boards of elections to offer more than one drop box for ballots when Secretary of State Frank LaRose withdrew the request after waiting for more than three weeks for a formal opinion. So since they did all that work, should we expect to hear soon what they decided? No, said the spokeswoman, Bethany McCorkle. We anticipate litigation on this matter, and will respond as appropriate in court, she said.

Striving for equality: The Governors Minority Health Strike Force released its final report Thursday, which inspired DeWine to unveil an initiative in which his cabinet members will make plans for racial equity. However, the strike force was originally formed because minorities are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, and the recommendations were broader and address larger health and social issues than quick, direct actions that can help communities get a handle on the pandemic, according to a critique of the report, Hancock writes.

A modest decline: Newly reported coronavirus cases in Ohio Thursday still hovered over 1,000, but theyre far from the 1,500 mark. Hancock reports there were 1,178 new cases.

Game on? Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to announce on Tuesday the status of fall high school sports, and he hinted they will be allowed if teams adhere to strict safety guidelines, Matt Goul writes. Some school districts have already chosen to prohibit workouts and practices.

Not easy being red: Clermont, Brown and Muskingum counties joined Franklin and Cuyahoga as red counties in Gov. Mike DeWines newly unveiled coronavirus map. Allen and Medina counties dropped from red to orange, indicating that community spread has lessened, Julie Washington reports.

School maps: The state released an overlay of counties in Level 3, or red alert, on a map of school return plans. How these counties are approaching back to school is mixed, Emily Bamforth reports. In Cuyahoga and Franklin, where local health departments have issued recommendations, the majority of school districts seem to be beginning school remotely.

Unemployment situation: Ohioans filed 20,969 initial jobless claims during the week ending Saturday, Aug. 8, lower than the pandemic peak of 253,246, Washington reports. Over the past 21 weeks, over 1.6 million initial claims have been filed.

RIP: Gov. Mike DeWine announced that Dr. Craig Cullen-Terzano, an Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction physician who lived in Lakewood but commuted to a state prison outside Columbus, was found dead outside his home Wednesday night. Not much information is known but police and a SWAT team took a suspect into custody early Thursday after a five-hour standoff, Kaylee Remington reports.

Return to sender: Northeast Ohio Democrats in Congress on Wednesday were among more than 170 House of Representatives members who wrote a letter that urged Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to reverse policies that they say exacerbated a dramatic increase in delayed and undelivered mail impacting mail delivery times and quality of service for Americans, Sabrina Eaton writes.

Farm team: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that it is forming county committees to focus on urban and suburban agriculture in five cities including Cleveland, Eaton reports. According to the agriculture department, the new committees will work to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices, and may also address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost, and food waste reduction.

The social network: Facebook has launched a voting information Center through which users will be able to keep tabs on how and where to vote in November. Page features include a prompt allowing users to sign up as poll workers and keep track of late changes in voting process. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRoses office has worked with the company to ensure its information is accurate and also suggested the poll-worker feature, a spokeswoman said.

Buckeye Brain Tease

Question: Republican former Ohio Gov. John Kasich will speak at the Democratic National Convention next week. Who was the last Republican governor to speak at a Democratic National Convention and in what year?

Email your response to capitolletter@cleveland.com. The first correct respondent will be mentioned in next weeks newsletter.

Thanks for responding to last weeks trivia question:

What's the only county in Ohio that doesn't have any four-lane highways?

Answer: There are actually two, according to the Ohio Department of Transportations Matt Bruning: Morgan and Carroll counties.

Capitol Letter reader state Rep. Brett Hillyer of Uhrichsville in Tuscarawas County was the first to send in the correct answer.

Birthdays

Sunday: Chynna Brady, Ohio House attendance officer and senior administrative assistant; Mallory DeTota, legislative aide to state Rep. Jeff Crossman

Straight from the Source

"The bottom line is this election is going to cost dramatically more. The preparations involved, the personal protective equipment, the postage costs, the amount of staffing to accommodate all the different aspects of running an election during a pandemic is going to dramatically increase the cost of elections all over Ohio and across the country."

-Terry Burton, the director of the Wood County Board of Elections, in a CNN story about the Nov. 3 General Election and the hope by local election officials across the country that more money will come from Washington.

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Kumawood actor, Oboy Siki, said he will be disappointed in God if he gets to heaven and meets any politician there. According to him, politicians are the most wicked people on earth who will do anything to suit their interests and not that of the masses.



Oboy Siki said although the Bible frowns on stealing, these politicians are really good at it and will always siphon cash to better their lives.



If I see a politician in heaven, I will be disappointed in God. In politics, the young insults the old, and the old insults their counterparts. They also steal money that the Bible is against, he said.



Apart from stealing, he noted that politicians are also killers and will always give the go-ahead for people to be killed only if it will suit their interests.



Oboy Siki recalled that there was a regime in Ghana where people were killed and human skull was always found on the street so for him, if God accepts a politician into his abode, he will be very disappointed in him.



They kill people. We got to a point where we saw human head on the street of Ghana. When a Politician goes to the juju man and he asks for human blood, there is no way he/ she will say no, they will give the go-ahead. So If I meet even one politician in heaven, I will be disappointed, he concluded.

Source: adomonline.com









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Eight persons connected to a hostess club in Edogawa Ward that claims to have utilized safety measures against the novel coronavirus have tested positive, the ward said on Wednesday, reports NHK (Aug. 12).

According to the ward office, a aclustera of infections has emerged at Pub Mayon 2, a so-called aPhilippine puba located in the Nishikasai area.

On August 1, the ward was made aware by another public office that a male customer of the bar, aged in his 60s had tested positive for the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

The man last visited the bar on July 29. Polymerase chain reaction tests were administered to all of the employees. By Monday, seven female employees aged in their 20s to 40s, had tested positive.

Pub Mayon 2 closed on August 4. Prior to the outbreak, the bar was boasting a aCOVID-19 safety sticker,a which are available for download on the site of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

aBusinesses can display the stickers in their shops to inform the public that they are taking appropriate disease control measures,a the site said on July 14.

Among those measures are the spacing of seats so customers are sufficiently apart and disinfecting the interior of the premises.

Regarding Pub Mayon 2, a representative of the government said, aAt this stage, we donat know how well [the establishment] was adhering to the guidelines and handling customers so we cannot comment.a
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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 15:51 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e134c8 1 News virtual-tour,Independence-Day,#Indonesia75,#Indonesia,travel Free

Unlike in previous years, this years Independence Day ceremony on Aug. 17 will be held digitally because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the online celebration, people are encouraged to take part in activities to keep their Independence Day-spirit alive, including by participating in themed virtual tours.

Amid the pandemic, virtual tours have become popular as participants can travel from one place to another from the comfort of their homes. Travel organizers have also gotten more creative with the themes of their tours to inspire peoples curiosity.

One-stop tourism service Atourin, for instance, is set to organize Virtual Tour Indonesia Merdeka (Indonesias Independence Virtual Tour), which allows people to explore the archipelago from Sabang, Aceh, in the west to Merauke, Papua, in the east. The tours will run on Aug. 17, 19, 21 and 23 via video conference app Zoom for around 90 minutes.

Participants can expect to see numerous attractions, including Weh Island in Aceh, which is known for its breathtaking underwater scenery; Sangihe and Talaud islands in North Sulawesi, which are rich in marine attractions; Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara, which is famous among surfers for its perfect waves; and Merauke regency in Papua where the Time Capsule Monument is located.

Prices for the virtual tours start from Rp 35,000 (US$2.39) and those who are interested can register online.

Its the first series of virtual tours in Indonesia that travels to four of the most distant points in the country, said CEO of Atourin, Benarivo Triadi Putra, in a statement.

Read also: Themed virtual tours to celebrate Jakarta's anniversary

Tracing the nations history is one of the ways to commemorate Independence Day as well.

Trip organizer Jakarta Good Guide has teamed up with trip organizer Bersukaria Tour to hold Indonesias Independence Day Virtual Tour. Scheduled to be held on Aug. 17, it will highlight historic sites and events that are related to this historic date.

Well be explaining about what happened at Menteng 31 [building], the Rengasdengklok incident [in West Java], the conception of the proclamation text, the proclamation of independence on Aug. 17 and information about the big meeting at Ikada [now the National Monument Park] around one month after the proclamation, The Jakarta Good Guide founder Farid Mardhiyanto told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Both organizers have opened online registration for the tour with prices starting from Rp 49,000.

Tour operator Wisata Kreatif Jakarta will also run several virtual tours to commemorate Independence Day. Prices for the trips start from Rp 25,000 for regular routes and those who are interested can register on its website.

The first tour, themed Napak Tilas Kemerdekaan Indonesia (a look back at Indonesias Independence), will be held on Aug. 16. The trip will include several historic destinations in Central Jakarta, namely Sumpah Pemuda (Youth Pledge) Museum), Gedung Pancasila, Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi (Museum of the Drafting of the Proclamation Text), Tugu Proklamasi (Proclamation Monument) and Joang 45 Museum.

The second tour will be run on Aug. 17 and will take participants to six presidential palaces in Indonesia on Jelajah Istana-istana Presiden (traveling to presidential palaces), such as Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) and Istana Negara (State Palace) in Jakarta, the Bogor and Cipanas presidential palaces in West Java, Gedung Agung in Yogyakarta and Tampaksiring Palace in Bali.

Those who are looking for English-language guided online trips may want to join the Indonesia Independence Virtual Tour by educational travel platform Outing.id.

Held on Aug. 15, the trip will provide information about Independence Day and take participants to the Joang 45 Museum, Rengasdengklok, Museum Perumusan Naskah Proklamasi and Jl. Pegangsaan Timur No. 56 in Central Jakarta, where Indonesias first president Sukarno read the proclamation text.

To join the tour, sign up on its website with prices starting from Rp 30,000. (wng)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Mexico City, Mexico  Fri, August 14, 2020 16:01 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e14870 2 Art & Culture Mexico,Mexico-City,Museum,movie-theater,coronavirus,COVID-19 Free

Mexico is reopening museums and cinemas in the capital after months of lockdown, but face masks and social distancing are the new normal for culture vultures in a city still battling the coronavirus.

At the iconic Soumaya Museum, security guards wearing face shields and gloves watch over mask-wearing visitors snapping selfies with artworks and wandering the near-empty hallways.

The museum, with a curving facade inspired by Auguste Rodin's sculptures, houses more than 60,000 pieces of art including works by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.

Visitors to the attraction, founded by Mexican magnate Carlos Slim, must wear a mask and have their temperature checked before entering.

Fewer than 200 people entered its doors on the first day after reopening, compared with around 2,000 before the pandemic, a museum employee said.

Those who did make the visit welcomed the chance to escape from the boredom of self-confinement.

"Now you can have the opportunity to balance your emotions a bit and feel safer and happier," said Maria Elena Diaz, a 33-year-old psychologist.

Read also: Five Jakarta museums reopen to public

Patricia Velazquez, a 51-year-old public sector worker, said she felt "a bit trapped" under her face mask, but was happy to be immersed in art again.

For those who cannot be there in person, the museum also offers virtual tours, its director Alfonso Miranda said.

At the newly disinfected Cineteca Nacional, popular with aficionados of art house and foreign movies, most of the seats were marked as reserved to ensure social distancing.

Signs on the floor reminded users to keep a healthy distance, while the message "Welcome. Cineteca Nacional misses you" appeared on-screen.

"We were closed for five months. Now we're going to return with 30 percent occupancy. Only 120 people will be able to enter a large room for 400 people," said supervisor Ricardo Avila.

Like elsewhere in the city, temperature checks, antibacterial gel and face masks are de rigueur as authorities try to prevent the spread of a virus that has claimed nearly 55,000 lives across the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 01:57:32|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned about the condition of the Safer oil tanker moored off the western coast of Yemen and asks for UN access for assessment, said his spokesman on Friday.

The secretary-general urges the removal of any obstacles to the efforts needed to mitigate the dangers posed by the tanker without delay, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

Guterres specifically called for granting independent technical experts unconditional access to the tanker to assess its condition and conduct any possible initial repairs. This technical assessment will provide crucial scientific evidence for next steps to be taken in order to avert catastrophe, said the statement.

The aging tanker has had almost no maintenance since 2015 and risks causing a major oil spill, explosion or fire that would have catastrophic environmental and humanitarian consequences for Yemen and the region, it said.

In particular, a potential oil leak into the Red Sea would severely harm Red Sea ecosystems relied on by 30 million people across the region. It would moreover force the closure of Hodeidah port for many months, which would exacerbate Yemen's already severe economic crisis and cut off millions of people from access to food and other essential commodities, it warned.

The Houthi rebels, who control the territory where Safer is moored, first indicated on July 5 that they would allow an inspection and emergency repair team to board the floating oil storage and offloading vessel. An official UN request was sent on July 14.

One month later, the United Nations is still waiting for permission from Houthi rebels, who have recently come back to the United Nations with a range of technical follow-up questions, said Dujarric on Wednesday. Enditem
PupDefense - Cane Toad Repellent Shipping granules isnt cheap and we want to save our customers that money, as well as simultaneously drive business into local small businesses that suffer from COVID related decreases in foot traffic. Its a win-win-win.

If you know our brand story, you know that we are all about helping dog owners to protect their best friend and supporting the local business community. For this reason we are not targeting big chains but rather want to partner with small mom and pop pet stores and owner operated franchises, said Co-Founder Patrick Corignolo.

PupDefense was developed after one Co-Founders Golden Retriever caught a Cane Toad in his backyard in Naples, FL.

I immediately looked for solutions on the market and when I wasnt able to find one, I took matters into my own hands. I found a local pest control company (CPC) that had the experience, knowledge and capabilities to develop the product I needed. Once I had a working solution, more and more friends wanted to try it to protect their own dogs. Thats when Patrick and I decided to make it a little side business, said Co-Founder Andy Kunz.

The little side business grew rapidly and now has customers all over Florida, and has even hired two sales people to help with the retail statewide.

We dont think success is an accident. We saw a challenge almost every dog owner in Florida faces, and provide a solution that not only helps solve the problem but can help save your dog's life. You cant put a price tag on that! In addition, we were now able to hire people during a pandemic when many people lost their jobs. Thats what small businesses and supporting the local community is all about. said Patrick Corignolo.

Until recently PupDefense was sold solely as liquid spray, which needed to be reapplied every month. Today, PupDefense comes in a granular version, which lasts twice as long and can withstand the heavy Florida rain.

We listen to our customers' feedback and improve the product accordingly. Thats why we changed from liquid to granular, said Luke Hall the President of Certified Pest Control of Naples, the company that manufactures PupDefense. When Andy and I first talked about the idea to create a product that specifically helps with Cane Toads, I knew we were on to something, however it has grown larger than anyone could have imagined, said Luke Hall. Certified Pest Control now offers people and HOAs the option to have PupDefense applied professionally by its crew.

The company's move into retail stores is driven by shipping costs. Shipping gallons of granules isnt cheap and we want to save our customers that money, as well as simultaneously drive business into local small businesses that suffer from COVID related decreases in foot traffic. Its a win-win-win, said Andy Kunz.

The first local store carrying PupDefense is Goodness for Pets. A local Naples pet store that has been open for over 15 years. We specialize in all natural pet products and are thrilled to be able to offer our customers a natural solution for dealing with the very real Cane Toad problem here! said owner Sharon Seevers.

About PupDefense

PupDefense is a specifically developed and tested organic Cane Toad deterrent. Cane Toads have large glands on their back that produce a bufotoxin. This toxic substance is released as a defense mechanism and can severely injure or even kill your dog when it licks or bites the toad. PupDefense is safe for pets, humans, and plants.
It would be unduly hasty for Dublin City Council to give the green light to a 111 bed-space shared co-living development proposed for Merrion Road, Dublin 4, "in the midst of a deadly pandemic".

That is according to Labour Senator Ivana Bacik who has told Dublin City Council that the co-living model "in light of the uncertainty around Covid-19, is not a viable option".

Her comments come as the development applicant, Richard Barrett's Bartra Property, has already secured planning permission for two other shared co-living proposals for Dun Laoghaire and Rathmines.

COMPLIANCE

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The five-storey proposal for 98 Merrion Road is to include 96 single rooms, six double rooms and three accessible rooms, along with a gym and cinema.

A 13-page document titled Stay Safe Shield and Covid-19 Pandemic Operation Plan submitted with the application says residents will be required to book one-hour slots each day for kitchen use in order to maintain social distancing.

The plan by Niche Living, the proposed operators of the development, says there will be 112 hours available each evening to book in the kitchens and 224 hours available between 7am and 4pm each day.

The report states that the proposal's communal living spaces are designed to facilitate social distancing.

The Niche Living report states: "We will be uniquely positioned in Niche Living to keep our community safe and in compliance with the advice of Government and the HSE as a pandemic situation develops."

TRANSMISSION

A Covid-19 risk assessment for Bartra, drawn up by consultant occupational and environmental physician and managing director of Corporate Health Ireland, Dr Martin Hogan, "determined a low risk of transmission between persons in the co-living development".

"In many respects the risks of transmission would be less than for people living in a normal house or shared apartment."

Dr Hogan stated: "The self contained nature of the private suites dramatically reduces the risk of transmission of the virus and indeed make suites ideal for self isolation or quarantine if they were required."

Dr Hogan said that in response to Covid-19, Niche Living is proposing to reduce the capacity to a number of shared living spaces in the development.

The reception lounge capacity is to be reduced from 30 to eight, fitness room from 25 to five and cinema from 27 to 10.

A council decision is due on the proposal next month.
Local producers must prepare to meet the requirements of foreign direct investment (FDI) companies to participate in the global supply chains, a top official has said.

Samsung Electronics Viet Nam. Local producers should improve their capacity to be able to participate in the supply chains of multinational companies.  Photo baochinhphu.vn

The world was seeing an increasing wave of investment capital shift, bringing significant opportunities for Viet Nam to attract the FDI flow, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said. However, the participation of Vietnamese producers in the global value chains remained modest, Dung said according to Vietnam News Agency.

The loose links between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with big firms and between Vietnamese and FDI firms remained a problem in FDI attraction, he added.

Little improvement has been seen in the participation of local producers in the global supply chains of FDI companies in recent years.

The participation of Vietnamese suppliers in Canons supply chain did not see any considerable changes in the past few years although the companys local procurement rate increased to 65 per cent, said Dao Thi Thu Huyen, senior manager at Canon Viet Nam.

She said that the multinational company had 340 suppliers globally, 147 of which were in Viet Nam but only 20 suppliers were 100 per cent Vietnamese.

Canon has a list of components for being localised in Viet Nam and the company was seeking new suppliers, she said.

Nguyen Anh Tuan from Samsung Viet Nam said changing production lines and technologies was the biggest challenge for Vietnamese manufacturers. It was critical for local producers to improve their production capacity and meet the requirements of FDI companies to participate in global value chains, he said.

According to Duong Lien, Deputy Director of the USAID Linkages of Small and Medium Enterprises (LinkSME), Vietnamese firms had not made adequate preparations to meet the needs of FDI firms. A major problem was Viet Nam was still heavily dependent on raw materials from China.

For example, the garment and textile industry must import 70-80 per cent of raw materials from China, the electronic industry about 77 per cent of the total product value, the pharmaceutical industry 85-90 per cent and the plastic industry around 70-80 per cent of the production cost.

Dung pointed out two major reasons for the modest participation of Vietnamese firms in the global production network. The first was FDI companies often had a close supply network which was difficult for Vietnamese firms to join. The second was the limited capacity of local producers to meet the strict requirements of FDI firms.

Sometimes, local producers are still hesitant and do not dare to invest in breakthrough developments, Dung said.

Dung said that to capture opportunities from the wave of investment, Viet Nam needed to prepare clean land at industrial zones and economic zones with developed technical infrastructure system together with favourable land policies, an improved investment climate and quality human resources.

The process will require the close co-ordination among the Government, ministries, localities and industries in determining priority policies and improving the business climate and promoting the roles of enterprises in enhancing links, Dung said.

According to Tuan, sometimes Vietnamese firms required FDI companies to promise orders first then they would invest in production to meet FDI companies requirements. This was not the best way forward, Tuan said, adding that improving capacity was of critical importance because only with adequate capacity could firms seek many other partners.

The COVID-19 pandemic was generating new business models, bringing opportunities for the establishment of new value chains and it was time for Vietnamese firms to improve their capacity, Hoang Thu Thuy from Panasonic Viet Nam said.  VNS
Oregon State Police on Thursday pulled out the approximately 100 troopers helping both federal officers and Portland police in responding to nightly protests in the city that have often ended in confrontations with demonstrators and arrests.

State police committed to two weeks and that two weeks ended today, said spokesman Capt. Timothy R. Fox.

Were in a county thats not going to prosecute this criminal behavior, Fox added.

It was a pointed reference to Tuesdays announcement by new Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt that his office wont pursue many of the charges against demonstrators, including disorderly conduct, interfering with a police officer and even riot in some circumstances.

The troopers will return to their regular assignments elsewhere in the Willamette Valley, along the coast, and in southern and eastern Oregon, where police staffing already is limited, Fox said.

The Oregon State Police is continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and at this time we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority, he said.

State police were sent to Portland on July 30 under an agreement between Gov. Kate Brown and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to try to curtail the clashes throughout the month between federal officers and some protesters outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse in downtown. Officers fired tear gas and impact munitions at the crowds after some people lobbed commercial fireworks, glass bottles, paint-filled balloons and other objects at them over the fortified fence or tried to damage the fence or the building.

Its unclear what the departure will mean at the federal courthouse as the city enters its 78th night of consecutive demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism since the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jordan Von Bokern wrote in a legal brief filed Wednesday that the Federal Protective Service will begin to release the DHS component law enforcement personnel who are currently assigned to protecting the courthouse and other federal buildings when Homeland Security leadership determines that the security of federal facilities in Portland is no longer at risk.

The Trump administration sent special tactical agents and other officers from Homeland Security agencies to Portland after people targeted the courthouse and shattered its glass front doors in early July, broke windows and covered it in graffiti.

Under Browns agreement, state police took over primary law enforcement responsibility for the property around and within the temporary fence line around the federal courthouse. State police also said they would respond to crimes directed at the courthouse or the nearby Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building. Federal officers have mostly stayed inside the courthouse.

Once state police took over control of the front portico of the courthouse and generally stayed out of sight, a group of protesters turned attention to Portland police precincts in Northeast and Southeast Portland and the police union headquarters in North Portland.

State police helped Portland police disperse crowds in those locations after people threw objects, set fires at the police union office and some tried to barricade a front door to East Precinct.

Oregon State Police Superintendent Travis Hampton was in Portland every night of the two weeks that troopers were assigned to Portland.

He was the commander in charge of the troopers on the ground and believed his presence there was important if hes going to put his troopers in harms way, Fox said.

State police released this photo of a rock that struck a trooper's helmet, causing a concussion during Wed. night's protests in Portland, Aug. 12, 2020.

Clashes returned to the citys downtown late Wednesday when some people gathered on the streets outside the federal courthouse and Multnomah County Justice Center.

After about 90 minutes of speeches on the steps of the Justice Center by Black community representatives, a crowd of a couple of hundred assembled outside the federal courthouse. A short time later, several people began lobbing fireworks and bottles over the courthouse fence and Portland police advanced on demonstrators, using tear gas to move them away after declaring unlawful assemblies and a riot.

A state trooper took a rock to the helmet during the confrontation and suffered a concussion, Fox said.

Hampton said later Thursday that the agency was honored to be assigned by the governor to help with security for the federal courthouse, but the movement of about 100 troopers from all over the state to Portland came at the cost to rural communities.

Hampton praised his troopers. Policing large crowd events that routinely turn violent is one of the most challenging aspects of law enforcement, but our troopers met the challenge nightly with our colleagues at the Portland Police Bureau and Multnomah County Sheriffs Office, he said. Our troopers sustained frequent injury and handled the most difficult of circumstances with restraint and professionalism, in service to the citizens and visitors of Portland.

He said he would continue to assess subsequent resource demands with Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell.

Von Bokern, the Justice Department lawyer, wrote in court papers that federal officers engagement with protesters had diminished to practically nothing in the past two weeks.

Whether that will change will be closely watched now that the state police buffer is gone.

State police also had served as the liaison between Portland police and the Federal Protective Service after the Portland City Council prohibited local police from communicating with federal officers about protest response. On Wednesday, the City Council revised its order, allowing Portland police to communicate with officers typically assigned to Portland who work for the U.S. Marshals Service or Federal Protective Service.

We fully support the peaceful protests. Its just when it turns to the violence, and now, without the support of the Multnomah County DA, that puts our officers nightly at risk, said Tanya Henderson, president of the Oregon State Police Officers Association, a union of about 820 members that includes troopers, dispatchers, forensic and evidence technicians and fleet managers.

Schmidt announced Tuesday that the District Attorneys Office wont pursue charges of interfering with police, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, escape or harassment if the allegations dont involve deliberate' property damage, theft or force against another person or threats of force, stemming from protests. The office also wont prosecute people on a riot accusation alone. Prosecutors will proceed with a riot case only if it includes an accompanying allegation of specific property damage or use of force.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

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Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang says the brouhaha over who cancelled or restored the teacher and nursing trainees allowances should have been dead by now, especially when the rationale was to expand access to the training colleges.

We never cancelled teachers allowance; this thing should be dead by now. This is the last time Im going to talk about this. Cancelling means you have something and we came to take it away from you. We never did that. You know that those on the loan scheme continued to enjoy till they graduated. So we never took anything from them.

According to Professor Opoku-Agyemang, the allowances were replaced with students loan scheme for all trainees to enable the country save some money to produce more teachers to meet the countrys increasing need for trained teachers, saying the substitution of the allowance with students loan resulted in a situation where Ghana could produce 6000 trained teachers yearly.

Those days principals of the training colleges had no space to admit more and even if they could, the government couldn't pay for the allowances if they admitted all qualified applicants. So, why don't we make it possible for more to be trained.

She was speaking at the Bolgatanga VAG Hall to some Tertiary students, functionaries and supporters of the National Democratic Congress as well as some admirers, to begin a two-day familiarization tour of the Upper East Region.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang visited the Bawku Naba, Zugran Abugragu Asigri Azoka and visited the Pusiga College of Education, before meeting market women in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

She will visit the Kassena-Nankana Area on her second day before leaving the Upper East Region.

The National Democratic Congress enjoys an enviable support in the Upper East Region for which reason Professor Opoku-Agyemang, despite being new to many party members and supporters had a rousing welcome at the constituencies she visited on her arrival and the tour on the first day.

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Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula said on Wednesday that his country is encouraged by China's efforts in finding a vaccine against COVID-19.

"There are several efforts being made especially in China to find vaccine so has Russia also pushed forward," Shangula said when responding to questions at the State House.

"We are very much encouraged by China's progress in this regard and we hope the vaccine will be found sooner (rather) than later for everyone's protection," he noted.

The minister said Namibia is looking to secure long lasting solutions, including vaccines in dealing with COVID-19, and that the country is working toward narrowing down the long-term effects of the pandemic.

Namibia has been experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases primarily in the capital Windhoek, with medical experts saying the city will soon be the country's viral epicenter.
NEW DELHI: Three Delhi Police personnel have been invited by President Ram Nath Kovind for At Home function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in recognition of their work as Corona Worriers.

They are W/SI Sunita Maan, No. D-3215, posted at PS Maidan Gari, Head Constable (AWO) Manish Kumar, No. 243/Comn. posted at Dwarka District and Head Constable Jitender, No. 645/RD Posted at PS Kanjhawala, Rohini district.

W/SI Sunita Maan has been working round the clock as a frontline corona warrior and faced potential threats of transmission of COVID-19. Despite all this, she interacted with the public in a highly professional manner and created awareness, especially amongst the ladies regarding preventive measures that are required to be adopted to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Distribution of food packets to the needy and creating awareness among them, especially in these testing times is indeed an act of kindness and utmost social responsibility.

Head Constable Jitender has performed extraordinary duties in the distribution of food packets among poor masses and labour migrants. In those adverse circumstances, he had worked relentlessly for the rescue of many stranded persons like students, tourists & labour migrants, even at his personal end.

Besides this, he at his own level enrolled many influential/rich persons from the locality & outside, for distribution of food packets to the needy ones. In addition to this, he was also actively distributing safety gears such as Face Masks, Hand Sanitizers, Soaps etc. to the needful people, even at his personal paying capacity. He also donated his plasma for the treatment of the wife of ASI Rohtash in Max Hospital, Delhi. This extraordinary work of helping/assisting a Delhi Police family member is an act of humanity.

HC (AWO) Manish Kumar has always been an asset to the organization and the districts in addition to his own duty during Lockdown Period he was instrumental in running a Community Kitchen for needy people was running from the office complex of DCP/Dwarka District since the imposition of lockdown in Delhi.

Almost 800 needy people were provided cooked food on a daily basis from the Community Kitchen. Honble Prime Minister of India also mentioned the Community Kitchen during his Man Ki Baat and the visuals of the same were also shown during the speech.

He also worked as a team leader to respond to hunger calls in the Dwarka district. He was instrumental in distribution and arrangement of 800 quintal ration for needy people and also the distribution of 200 hand free sanitizer machines in association with SBI LIFE, distribution of 4,400 washable cotton gloves from SBI life & 35,000 disposable gloves from other NGOs etc.
The Unites States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has re-opened the H-1B lottery as number of petitions filed did not meet the FY21 annual cap of 85,000.

In a statement to Moneycontrol, USCIS said, The USCIS determined that additional registrations needed to be selected to reach the numerical allocations. A selection of previously submitted electronic registrations was completed on August 11.

The new H1-B Electronic Registration Process mandated employers to register with the USCIS by March 20, after which the lottery process starts. After the lottery, the agency announces the potential beneficiaries who can start the application process.

After the lottery selection in March, the H-1B candidates had a three month window, between April 1 and June 30, to file their applications. These applications were for 85,000 H-1B visa cap, 65,000 in regular quota and 20,000 in advanced degree quota, issued every year.

Close to 2.67 lakh had registered for the lottery. The USCIS has selected the candidates for the second lottery from these registrations.

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 window for filing petitions for these selected candidates will begin on August 17 and will close on November 16, USCIS said. However, the immigration agency did not disclose the number applications it had selected for the first cap or what was the scale of decline.

This is rare for H-1B, even considering that this is the first time electronic registration was implemented. During normal times, the cap would have been reached within a few days of filing or in this case by June positively.

The last time where the cap was not reached was probably during global financial crisis. A study by Brookings revealed that there were close to 20,000 slots available even after 211 days into FY10 as companies cut down their budgets and were unable to hire employees overseas.

According to immigration lawyer, Greg Siskind, founding partner of Siskind Susser, PC  Immigration Lawyers, this (second lottery) is happening for the first time in 30 years.

This year, COVID-19 and immigration issues played spoilsport.

Moneycontrol reported early in June that second lottery is likely with companies taking a cautious stand due to the pandemic and uncertainties around immigration, which eventually came true.

The Trump administration signed two proclamation, in April and June, banning immigration into the US. While the April proclamation suspended green card processing for those outside the US, the latter banned the entry of non-immigrant workers such as H-1B visa holders.

Some IT firms stayed away from filing fresh petitions at the back of travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

Sheela Murthy, founder and President, Murthy Law Firm, in an earlier interaction with Moneycontrol said (companies') sentiments are a mixture due to pandemic and immigration rules.

Some are continuing hiring of H-1B workers. But approximately 20 percent of them are saying we dont know what the future holds. So many of them might not file and USCIS may have a second cap season, Murthy had pointed out.
Embezzlement probe into ex-minister Abyzov completed

 Vedyashkin Sergey / AGN Moskva

11:12 14/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 14 (RAPSI)  Investigartion into ex-Minister for Open Government affairs Mikhail Abyzov and his alleged accomplices charged with embezzlement has been completed, RAPSI has learnt from the Investigative Committees press service.

Depending on their alleged role, they are finally charged with creation of a criminal community with the use o job position, embezzlement, graft, fraud, illegal business, the statement reads.

Other defendants are ex-CEO of RU-COM company Nikolay Stepanov, his deputy Maxim Rusakov, ex-head of Sibeko company Alexander Pelipasov, ex-CEO of the Regional Electrical Services Sergey Ilichev and finance director of REMIS firm Galina Fraidenberg.

Abyzov was arrested in late March 2019.

Investigators believe that Abyzov acting as beneficiary owner of several offshore companies organized a criminal group to steal 4 billion rubles (about $55 million at the current exchange rate) belonging to two energy companies supplying electricity to Siberia. Later, the embezzled funds were moved overseas.
The Supreme Court Friday sought the details of spectrum sharing pact between Reliance Communications (RCom) and Reliance Jio and said as to why the company using the spectrum of the other firm cannot be asked to pay the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) related dues to the government. Spectrum is a government property, not private, and anyone using it is liable to pay the dues, the apex court said.

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A Northampton sandwich factory where almost 300 workers have caught Covid-19 is still open - despite warnings of a local lockdown.

Greencore, which supplies M&S, said production is 'continuing as usual' at the plant and said it had no concerns about any of its products.

Some 292 employees at the factory on Northampton's Moulton Park Industrial Estate have tested positive for the disease and are self-isolating.

But local health chiefs fear further testing will find up to 100 more cases, with results from around 400 staff yet to come back.

Lucy Wightman, Northamptonshire County Council's director of public health, said 1,300 of the 2,100-strong workforce had already been swabbed for the virus.

The firm, thought to be the world's largest maker of sandwiches, took the decision to proactively test workers as a result of a rise in cases in the town.

There were 85 new cases diagnosed there last week, up from 66 in the week before. And Northampton is one of 29 places on Public Health England's watchlist.

Greencore, which supplies M&S, said production is 'continuing as usual' at the plant and said it had no concerns about any of its products. Members of staff are pictured outside the factory today

Northampton is listed as a 'concern' by PHE, which today published a list of 29 areas that have worrying levels of coronavirus.

As a result of Northampton's status, Greencore said it was testing staff itself rather than waiting for them to get NHS tests.

The first four cases were identified on 28 July, with a further nine cases on 3 August leading Public Health Northamptonshire to ask workers to get tested.

Greencore in Northampton said nearly 300 staff there have tested positive for Covid-19 and are self-isolating

A testing site has now been set-up across the road from the Greencore sandwich factory

A banner and a placard informing people about social distancing are seen hanging on a fence outside the factory

ARE MEAT AND FOOD FACTORIES HOTSPOTS FOR THE CORONAVIRUS? As news has emerged of food factories around the world experiencing outbreaks of Covid-19, experts have suggested conditions inside the plants may be conducive to the spread of the virus. Dr Simon Clarke, a cellular microbiologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline that it was notable that food factories seemed to have been the centre of outbreaks more than other factories where people might be close together. He said: 'There are problems in this country, in Germany, in the United States. There is something common between them - it's not happening in engineering or clothing factories where you also might expect people to be in close proximity to one another. 'One assumes - but it's just an idea - that the cold environment makes people more susceptible to the virus. 'Cold weather irritates the airways and the cells become more susceptible to viral infection.' Dr Chris Smith, a virologist at the University of Cambridge, said on LBC 'temperature is going to play a part'. He explained: 'When I'm breathing I'm blowing out droplets of moisture from my respiratory tract and the virus which is growing in there would be packaged up in the droplets. 'Now the droplets will hover for a period of time in the air and then sink to the ground... and if it's very dry, cold air - and cold air carries less moisture, remember - the droplets will stay smaller and stay airborne for longer. 'If it's very humid, moisture joins them, makes them bigger and heavier, and they fall and they drop out of circulation faster - so temperature could be a factor.' Sunlight is also known to degrade viruses and make them less able to survive on surfaces that are exposed to UV light. Rays of sunlight are thought to damage the genetic material inside the virus, making it less able to reproduce and killing it faster. Professor Calum Semple, a disease outbreak expert at the University of Liverpool, told The Telegraph that cold, sunless food factories are ideal conditions. He said: 'If I wanted to preserve a virus I would put it in a cold, dark environment or a cool environment that doesn't have any ultraviolet light - essentially a fridge or a meat processing facility... 'The perfect place to keep a virus alive for a long time is a cold place without sunlight.' But the temperature alone does not appear to be a controlling factor in coronavirus outbreaks. Dr Michael Head, a global health researcher at the University of Southampton, said he thought close proximity was most likely to be behind the factory outbreaks. He said: 'Whilst refrigeration may be a contributory factor to the spread of the virus, the key factors are likely to be the number of people close together in indoor conditions. 'Some of these factories have onsite or nearby accommodation where there are several people in each dormitory, they may be transported on a bus to the site of work, and they will be indoors together all day. 'Levels of adherence to measures such as washing hands is uncertain and there is unlikely to be widespread use of PPE.' Advertisement

Local health chiefs said 79 people tested positive on the NHS, which led to Greencore beginning mass testing privately.

A further 213 were spotted through Greencore's swabbing scheme.

In a statement yesterday, Greencore said: 'As a result of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the Northampton area, we took the decision to start proactively testing all of the colleagues at our Northampton site.

'We can confirm that a number of colleagues have tested positive for the virus and are now self-isolating.

'We are liaising closely with PHE East Midlands, Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council, who are fully supportive of the controls that we have on site.

But Greencore said production at the plant was 'continuing as usual' and it had no concerns about its products, according to the BBC.

Ms Wightman said: 'It is evident that Greencore has highly effective measures in place and they continue to work extremely hard to exceed the requirements needed to be Covid-19 secure within the workplace.'

The company confirmed to MailOnline it was still operating on the basis that Covid-19 does not spread via food packaging. It did not comment on the spread of the virus among staff or in the county.

A spokesperson said: 'All of Greencores sites have wide-ranging social-distancing measures, stringent hygiene procedures and regular temperature checking in place, and we are doing everything that we can to keep our people safe.

'As ever, the health and well-being of our colleagues is our number one priority.'

The Food Standards Agency says it is 'clear that it remains very unlikely that people can catch Covid-19 from food. Covid-19 is a respiratory illness and not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging'.

The website said Greencores sites have wide-ranging social-distancing measures, stringent hygiene procedures and regular temperature checking in place.

Food factories have hosted an unusually high number of Covid-19 outbreaks around the world and experts say the cold, sunless environments, cramped working conditions and staff who are more likely to use public transport may be ideal for the virus to spread.

The company said yesterday: 'In each case we have immediately conducted contact tracing and instructed potentially affected colleagues to self-isolate.

'As ever, the health and wellbeing of our colleagues is our number one priority.'

It added: 'Northampton borough has been experiencing a high number of cases over the last four weeks and residents and employees have been asked to act now to follow additional measures, to avoid a local lockdown or further government intervention.'

The worst affected areas of England  mostly in the North West and including Leicester  are in an 'intervention' category and have their own lockdown rules that are stricter than the rest of the country.

Northampton is not at this level yet  it has an infection rate of 29.8 new cases per 100,000 people each week, according to the most recent data.

This compares to a rate of 80 cases per 100,000 in the worst-affected part of the country, Blackburn.

But with a sudden increase of 300 cases in the area, it will take the infection rate high - which won't be seen in the data immediately.

Ms Wightman said: 'Public Health England Midlands have been providing support to colleagues at Greencore in managing the outbreak.

'This has been supplemented by support from the local infection prevention and control team and Northampton Borough Council's environmental health colleagues.'

She added: 'It is evident that Greencore has highly effective measures in place and they continue to work extremely hard to exceed the requirements needed to be Covid-19 secure within the workplace.'

The countys director of public health revealed there are currently 20 different Covid-19 outbreaks in the county, Chronicle & Echo reported.

Twelve are in care home settings, there are three hospital outbreaks and the rest are in workplaces.

Ms Wightman noted there was a link between the contagion spread and deprivation levels as well as car sharing.

Local lockdowns have not been imposed on all of the areas. Leicester, Blackburn, Preston and Aberdeen are under strict rules, along with a wider area around Greater Manchester and Lancashire where rules are tighter than they are elsewhere in the country.
But dropping out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deals official name, has isolated the United States on the issue, even among allies that share its concerns over Iran and its imminent resumption of buying and selling weapons. Most members of the council want to preserve the nuclear agreement, and Iran could have bailed out of it if the embargo had been extended and resume its nuclear program full tilt.
As it turned out, Britains health-care system did not implode, as the doubling of new infections every three days, seen in March, was slowed by a shutdown embraced by the population. The number of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths crested in April. A few hospitals teetered at the edge of capacity, but the country never ran out of ICU beds or its existing supply of breathing machines. Clinicians also began to try other treatments, waiting longer to deploy mechanical ventilators.
Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri on Friday met a senior Chinese Army General here and briefed him on India's stand on the situation at the borders in eastern Ladakh.

IMAGE: Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri meets Major General Ci Guowei, Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission. Photograph: India in China/Twitter

"Ambassador @VikramMisri today met Major General Ci Guowei, Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission and briefed him on India's stance vis-a-vis the situation on the borders in eastern Ladakh UT, a tweet by the Indian Embassy here said.

The Central Military Commission, which is the overall high command of the Chinese military, is headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This is the second major meeting Misri had with senior Chinese officials in the last three days.

On August 12, Misri met Liu Jianchao, Deputy Director of the Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission.

Misri's meetings with the senior Chinese officials comes against the backdrop of reports that the disengagement process between the troops of the two countries has not moved forward as expected along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

At the latest round of military talks, the Indian side insisted forcefully on complete disengagement of Chinese troops at the earliest, and immediate restoration of status quo ante in all areas of eastern Ladakh prior to May 5 when the standoff began following a clash between the two armies in Pangong Tso.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army has pulled back from Galwan Valley and certain other friction points but the withdrawal of its troops has not moved forward from the Finger areas in Pangong Tso, Gogra and Depsang as demanded by India, according to sources in New Delhi.

India has been insisting that China must withdraw its forces from areas between Finger Four and Eight.

The mountain spurs in the area are referred to as Fingers.

The formal process of disengagement of troops began on July 6, a day after a nearly two-hour telephonic conversation between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on ways to bring down tensions in the area.
Zelensky had a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine is interested in buying an Israeli-made COVID-19 vaccine, which is currently being tested in that country.

"Ukraine should be among Israel's friends who will be the first to join the study and use of the vaccine," Zelensky said during a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the president's press service.

Read alsoZelensky: Ukraine should be among first countries to buy COVID-19 vaccine

The officials also discussed measures taken by the two countries' governments to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, Zelensky informed Netanyahu that a new spike in coronavirus cases had been recorded in Ukraine in the past 24 hours and that the adaptive quarantine was in effect in the country.

Vaccine against coronavirus: What is known
Indian grown smartphone maker Micromax plans to invest Rs 500 crore on expanding local manufacturing and research and development (R&D) operations as it prepares a comeback plan in India's smartphone market.

Co-founder Rahul Sharma said that the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme will help Micromax compete better with Chinese rivals. Chinese smartphone makers dominate the market now with over 70 percent market share, says a report by The Economic Times.

At present, Xiaomi is the top smartphone maker in India with 30 percent market share and user base of over 90 million.

The fate of homegrown companies has been uncertain since 2016 when they failed to launch 4G phones at affordable prices. Micromax, which in 2014 was the number 2 smartphone maker in India, has been wiped out of the market by the Chinese brands.

"The new PLI scheme balances out foreign and Indian players. The support of 6 percent is big and with the government support, we will be able to fight Chinese brands fiercely on the pricing front," Sharma said, adding that internal accruals are good for the plan and the company will raise money at the right time.

Track this LIVE blog for all the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic

"Merely storing data locally doesn't solve the problem as companies can still use this data to train artificial intelligence and bots in China," Sharma added.

Also Read: The absolute dominance of China in Indias smartphone market

Industry body ICEA, which represents top mobile phone makers like Apple, Foxconn, Wistron, Lava, etc, said companies have committed investments worth Rs 11,000 crore under the PLI scheme and they will surpass manufacturing estimates by 2 to 2.5 times.

Major global players Samsung Wistron, Pegatron, Foxconn and Hon Hai and Indian companies such as Lava, Dixon, Micromax, Padget Electronics, Sojo, UTL and Optiemus have applied for benefits under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

The PLI scheme was introduced by the government in the electronics manufacturing segment on April 1 earlier this year, under the National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2019 that aims to position India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).

Production-linked incentives are offered to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components, including Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) units.

An incentive of 4-6 percent is given to electronics companies that manufacture mobile phones and other electronic components such as transistors, diodes, thyristors, resistors, capacitors, and nano-electronic components such as micro-electromechanical systems.

The PLI scheme for the mobile phone manufacturing segment will be active for five years, with FY2019-20 taken as the base year for calculation of incentives.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: If Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were a country, they would probably be the third most

populated country in the world by 2036.

The governments latest population projections predict a 30% growth for UP and 42% for Bihar (see graphic 1).

In absolute numbers, UP, which is already the eighth most populous region in the world, is expected to register a population increase from 199 million (19.9 crore), as per the 2011 Census, to 258 million (25.8 crore) in 2036.

Bihars population is set to see an even steeper growth, from 104 million (10.4 crore) in 2011 to 148 million (14.8 crore) in 2036.

Together, the two states will have a total population of 40.6 crore by 2036.

According to internetworldstats.com, a website that compiles the global population statistics and projections, the US, the third most populous country, will have an estimated population of 39.8 crore by 2050 while Brazil will have a population of 232 million (23.2 crore).

ALSO READ | India set to grow older by 2036, says report amid declining fertility rate, rising life expectancy

Russia, currently, the ninth most populous country, will have a population of around 129 million (12.9 crore) by the year 2050. (see graphic 2).

As per the latest government report, the population of India is expected to increase from 121.1 crore to 152.2 crore during the period 2011-2036  an increase of 25.7 per cent in twenty-five years at the rate of 1.0 per cent annually.

As a consequence, the population density will increase from 368 to 463 persons per square km.

The rise in population in the two states could be attributed to the high fertility rates in contrast to many other states, such as those in South India, where, owing to an increasing access to birth control measures and better education, healthcare and professional opportunities, the projected growth rate is only 9%.

Together, the five southern states  Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu  will see a total increase of only 29 million (2.9 crore) people, which is half the increase that UP alone will see.

The Total Fertility Rates or TFRs (average number of children born to each woman) in 2011 in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were the highest in the country at 3.5 and 3.7, respectively.

As much as 54% of the growth in Indias population between 2011 and 2036 will take place in the five states of UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

In the same period, according to the government data, the countrys TFR will decline to 1.73 with the assumption that the current pace of decline is maintained. According to the report, the only state with a TFR higher than 2 by 2035 will be Bihar at 2.38.
Education Minister Peter Weir is facing calls to scrap this year's controversial A-level results - or reconsider his position - following a backlash from principals and pupils

Education Minister Peter Weir is facing calls to scrap this year's controversial A-level results - or reconsider his position - following a backlash from principals and pupils.

With the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) failing to uphold over a third of teachers' estimated grades, political opponents are urging the DUP man to ditch the results.

Because pupils didn't sit exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers were asked by CCEA to give a predicted grade for their pupils and then rank them in order within their class.

The exams body then used other data to standardise the results.

Read More

For A-levels, the CCEA model used pupils' AS-level results, making adjustments for those who had applied to take resits.

For AS results, the pupils' GCSE results were used, as was the performance by their school over the previous three years.

Expand Close Justin Edwards defended process Photopress / Facebook

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It meant many grades were lower than those predicted by teachers.

Alan Hutchinson, principal of Glastry College in Kircubbin, said students arrived to collect results "full of hope for their future", but instead were "graced with what, at best, can be described as a farce and at worst systemic discrimination".

"We have had teachers dealing with children who have had their dreams and aspirations taken away from them by an algorithm," he added.

In a blistering attack on Mr Weir and the CCEA, SDLP education spokesman Daniel McCrossan said they had "failed young people" and urged them to ditch the results and revert to the grades predicted by teachers instead.

The call came after hundreds of children - and some teachers - were reduced to tears by disappointing results, with doctors reporting that several "suicidal" young people had been in touch. Mr Weir, who defends CCEA's system in Friday's Belfast Telegraph, is expected to get a rough ride at Stormont education committee, with rival parties calling for a U-turn similar to that of Scotland's earlier this week.

Read More

Mr McCrossan told this newspaper he was calling for urgent action because schools "are crying out for leadership".

"Minister Weir needs to step up urgently. I am calling on him to scrap this disastrous process that has failed our young people and to revert to the approach taken in Scotland, when they realised that system was flawed as well," he said.

"And if the minister is unwilling to accept that this is wrong and that the system has been a disaster and is unwilling to step up in his position as Minister of Education and right the wrongs that are there, then his position needs to come under question.

"If he's not willing to budge on this then his position will become untenable."

Ulster Unionist education spokesman Robbie Butler called on Mr Weir and his department to sort the situation out as a matter of urgency.

"Regrettably, this A-levels results day has been a nightmare for some," he said.

"Whilst many students will be happy with their results, some have been left devastated.

"What we need now is for the Education Minister to provide a roadmap to a solution within 24 hours."

Opposition to Thursday's announced grades was unprecedented, with just over 5% of pupils getting better results than their teachers' recommendations, and thousands left with marks that won't get them access to their preferred universities.

Read More

The exams body is now bracing itself for an overwhelming number of challenges and appeals, with some parents even threatening legal action.

CCEA boss Justin Edwards argued that if it went by teacher assessments, the number of pupils achieving A or A* grades would have risen by nearly 12% - which would not have allowed for "confidence in the value of the qualification we were issuing".

Royal Belfast Academical Institution principal Janet Williamson said that a fifth of its grades were down, adding there had been "a steady stream of appeals" since 8am.

"About 20% of our grades have been lowered," she said, adding that she was, however, "very happy" that 95% of pupils got three A* to Cs.

"But some pupils haven't been given their university place. One boy who needed three Bs has been downgraded to a B and 2Cs and the university has already rejected him."

Ms Williamson said the 2020 results could have been based on teacher predictions.

"For one year, if the grades had been slightly higher than normal, it wouldn't be something to worry about," she said.

"People should have trusted the professional judgment of teachers, based on rigorous assessments."

Meanwhile Gary Kelly, principal of St Kevin's College in Lisnaskea told how his devastated pupils were saying: "You know me Sir or Miss, I am much better than these grades. Look at my exams in school, my coursework, my GCSE results."
[August 14, 2020] Digerati Provides Update on its Previously Announced Acquisition of Nexogy, Inc.

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI ) ("Digerati" or the Company), a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the small to medium-sized business (SMB) market, is pleased to provide an update to its previously announced definitive agreement to acquire Miami-based Nexogy, Inc. (Nexogy), a leading provider of cloud communication and broadband solutions tailored for businesses. The Company and Nexogy have extended the outside date for closing the transaction to September 15, 2020. As previously announced, the Company has negotiated and executed a long-form term sheet with principal terms on a $20 Million senior secured multi-draw credit facility that will be used to fund the Companys acquisition of Nexogy, as well as the fourth acquisition under Letter of Intent, and for working capital. Since entering into the principal term agreement with its lender, the Companys management team has been diligent in working with all parties to complete the audit, legal, and regulatory deliverables required to close the multiple transactions concurrently. In July, the Company filed its assignment of assets and change in control application with the Federal Communications Commission on its fourth acquisition. As previously announced, the combined business (T3 Communications, Nexogy and fourth (4th) acquisition) will serve over 2,600 business customers and approximately 28,000 users while generating over $14 Million in annual revenue with improved EBITDA resulting from cost synergies and consolidation savings. In addition to funding the Companys next series of acquisitions, the delayed draw portion of the financing facility up to the $20 Million will be available to fund future acquisitions that management anticipates will streamline the acquisition process on select targets in its pipeline. Arthur L. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Digerati, commented, I commend our team for staying on task and the continued progress as we work towards closing, not one, but two acquisitions simultaneously to closing a financing transaction that is a significant funding milestone for the Company. We look forward to providing further updates as we approach the final stretch on completing these transactions. About Nexogy, Inc. Nexogy is a leading provider of unified communications as a service (UCaaS) and managed services, offering a portfolio of cloud-based solutins to the small to medium-sized business market and serving over 1,500 business accounts and 14,000 users across various industries including Education, Health Care, Financial Services, and Real Estate. Based in Miami, Nexogy is a single-source provider that allows businesses and multi-location organizations to leverage flexible, cloud-based services without the need for high capital expenditures required for legacy systems. The product set include a diverse cloud solution consisting of voice PBX, broadband data, collaboration, and managed services. For more information about Nexogy, please visit www.nexogy.com.



About Digerati Technologies, Inc . Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI ) is a provider of cloud services specializing in UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) solutions for the business market. Through its subsidiary, T3 Communications (www.T3com.com), the Company is meeting the global needs of businesses seeking simple, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective communication and network solutions, including cloud PBX, cloud mobile, Internet broadband, SD-WAN, SIP trunking, and customized VoIP services, all delivered on its carrier-grade network and Only in the Cloud. For more information about Digerati Technologies, please visit www.digerati-inc.com .

Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including statements related to the future financial performance of the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to, successful execution of growth strategies, product development and acceptance, the impact of competitive services and pricing, general economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information on the website of our investor relations company, www.TheWaypointRefinery.com , in addition to SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our Company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, in light of the SECs guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our Company to review the information we post on the following U.S. social media channels: Facebook: Digerati Technologies, Inc. Twitter: @DIGERATI_IR

LinkedIn: Digerati Technologies, Inc.



The Waypoint Refinery, LLC

(973) 303-9649

www.thewaypointrefinery.com Investors:

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Jack Eversull

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(972) 571-1624

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Sichuans Poorest City Loses Swaths of Farmland and Billions of Dollars in Abandoned Projects

A real estate business report published by Chinese social media platform Weibo on Aug. 9 revealed that the poorest city in Sichuan Province is struggling with completing many unfinished projects, leading to the waste of thousands of acres of fertile farmland and loss of billions of funds.

Bazhong in Sichuan is considered a fourth-tier city. A local developer said the city has a low-income population and suffers from underdevelopment, according to the report.

One of the major projects is Panxing Logistics Industrial Park that was initiated in 2012. The project received a total investment of 15 billion yuan (over $2.1 billion). The local government requisitioned land in 2012, started construction in 2013, but suspended the construction in 2016.

A local resident complained that the project took over fertile land. Some of the completed units suffer from sluggish business and chaotic management. The existing three-story building is basically vacant on the second floor and above.

The Andersen Fairy Tale Theme Park is another abandoned project in Bazhong. A resident said the local government took over the land of three villages, and demolished farms and homes in 2013. Over 500 locals lost their homes and they were supposed to receive new housing as compensation. However, the project was halted before the foundation of the residential building was laid. Now the site is covered with weeds.

The developer of the Andersen Fairy Tale Theme Park is Hongxi Culture Company, founded by businessman Shi Yizhong in 2016. There were four other companies affiliated with Shi and were involved in the development of the theme park. However, these companies did not have a good track record and their business operations were recently suspended, according to a report published by Chinese web portal Sina on Aug. 10. The residents criticized the local authorities and questioned how they attracted investment into the city, the report said.

The Bazhong district government released a press statement in response to the media coverage that criticized the citys unfinished projects. The statement said the projects were introduced in 2012 to develop the region in accordance with the 13th Five-Year Plan for economic development, and it was achieved by combining the regions own geographic advantages and the national policies in order to attract investment for logistics, tourism and other industries. The statement also mentioned that in 2018, a warning was issued to the public about the bad credit of the developers, and the authorities involved in the poor management of the construction projects were under disciplinary action.

According to the Weibo report, in Bazhong city alone, 40 percent of local projects ended before the construction took place, like the Andersen Fairy Tale Theme Park; and 50 percent of projects ended half-way, like the Panxing Logistics Industrial Park.

Tip of the Iceberg

On Dec. 11, 2019, local authorities in Dushan, Guizhou Province, were part of the development of an image project that began in 2016.

Dushan is known as one of the nations poverty-stricken counties, and this was not the first time the county engaged in an image project.

On Aug. 7, 2019, Pan Zhili, the former secretary of Dushan county party committee, was sacked. Chinas Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) reported that Pan borrowed nearly 200 million yuan to build image projects for political gain, such as the worlds first water tower and the worlds highest glazed pottery building. When Pan was removed from his post, the county had reportedly accumulated a debt of 40 billion yuan ($5.7 billion).

Image Project

The so-called image project is widespread in China. Officials manipulate the laws to develop local infrastructure for their own financial and political gain, and without concern for the betterment of the local people and development of their community. Public construction projects, in particular, face high corruption risk as the public construction sector has been consecutively deemed as the most corrupt one, according to a report by ResearchGate.

On Dec. 20, 2019, the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times reported that Nanyang city of Henan Province was known as the Capital of Unfinished Buildings. There are still more than 120 unfinished projects that have been put on hold due to lack of funds.

According to the report, the local government in Nanyang still uses land finance as its main income, selling land at high prices, which has led to a continuous increase in land prices and even the emergence of new land kings. However, in the first 11 months of 2019, land sales in the city fell by 20 percent, compared to the same period in 2018.

Some analysts said that in this case, developers will definitely pass on the cost to the housing market, and buyers will eventually pay for it. In other words, the over-reliance on land finances pushes up housing prices, but the real economy is weak and land use efficiency is low. As a consequence, the real estate bubble could burst.

Unfinished projects are scattered all over China. Apartment complexes, industrial parks, commercial office buildings, image projects, etc., were abandoned due to debt and lack of funds. Some projects been abandoned for more than a decade, leaving unfinished construction sites in ruin.

Mary Hong contributed to this report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 14

Trend:

The Monterey Herald newspaper, which is issued in Monterey city of the US California state, published an article of Azerbaijani Ambassador to the US Elin Suleymanov under the headline "Guest Commentary: Hate crimes have no place", Trend reports.

"For many around the world, Californias happy and easygoing image was unexpectedly overshadowed by ethnic violence during the July 21 protest near the Azerbaijani Consulate General in Los Angeles," the author noted.

"On that sunny California day, some of the 3,000 Armenian protesters attacked a group of a couple-dozen Azerbaijanis, causing injuries that required urgent medical care. A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer was hurt as well. The LAPD has since launched a hate-crime investigation, while US Embassies in Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as several Jewish groups, including the American Jewish Committee and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, made statements condemning the violence," said the article.

"The protests in California and elsewhere around the world by Armenians and Azerbaijanis followed the recent attack by Armenia across the border with Azerbaijan, which killed 12 people and threatened Azerbaijans pipeline infrastructure, a vital source for Europes energy security. This latest flare-up is another reminder that the protracted three-decade-long Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict remains a major threat to peace and security in the wider Eurasia region," said the message.

"Despite mediation efforts co-chaired by France, Russia and the US, no progress has been achieved, and Armenia continues to occupy some 20 percent of Azerbaijans internationally recognized territories in violation of four UN Security Council resolutions and numerous other international documents," the ambassador noted.

"Vivid images and videos of violence in California are disturbing to watch. They are an especially painful sight for me since I served as Azerbaijans first consul general in Los Angeles before my post in Washington. The California I know enjoys a rich mosaic of diversity and is a welcoming home to many cultures. Monterey in particular maintains a warm partnership with its Azerbaijani sister city, Lankaran. My many Californian friends are equally proud of their identities and open-mindedness toward others. Therefore, I never expected to see such ethnically induced violence in broad daylight and the LAPDs failure to adequately protect counter-protesters," emphasized Suleymanov.

"Based on my own experience, I trust that overwhelmingly, Armenian-Americans are appalled by these hate crimes. I hope that Armenian-Americans will join the growing number of Jewish-American groups and others in condemning these violent acts as well as online threats against Azerbaijanis in California," the ambassador added.

"The confrontation in California did not occur in a vacuum. Both Armenia and the Armenian communities abroad have long been plagued by extremist ideologies, political violence and a complicated history with anti-Semitism, Nazi collaborators and Middle Eastern radicals. In the 1980s, Turkish diplomats were assassinated by Armenian terrorists in Los Angeles and, in recent days, Azerbaijani embassies in Europe have been under attack by Armenian groups," the author reminded.

"Just like the conflicts with neighbors and the unsustainable occupation of Azerbaijani lands undermine Armenias own future, the self-serving agenda of radical political groups hurt the larger Armenian-American community. Their radical agenda offers neither peace nor prosperity to Armenia; instead, it perpetuates isolation and confrontation," the article noted.

"In recent months, America has undergone a thorough and, at times, traumatic soul-searching about race, discrimination and equality. From anti-Semitism to racist practices to Islamophobia, these are notions that have real-life consequences for real people. Clearly, hate crimes affect not just victims of violence. They have much wider implications for society as a whole," said Suleymanov.

"Therefore, it is imperative that all Californians, including the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities, speak up and urge their elected leaders to uphold the Golden States traditions of openness, inclusiveness and welcoming hospitality by rejecting all hate crimes. The best way to prevent and deter such violence against any community or individuals in the future is the pursuit of justice and prosecution of the perpetrators," the ambassador emphasized.
InterWest Insurance Services has named Melanie Brubaker a commercial insurance broker in the Chico, Calif., office.

She has more than 17 years of sales experience. She was previously a benefits advisor with Aflac. She owned a marketing firm before that.

InterWest offers all lines of property/casualty, workers compensation, employee benefits and personal insurance coverages, as well as surety products.

Topics California Agencies Commercial Lines
Ben Miller is the associate editor of data and business for Government Technology. His reporting experience includes breaking news, business, community features and technical subjects. He holds a Bachelors degree in journalism from the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, and lives in Sacramento, Calif.
Though admitting life would change the virus will still be around, he has hope

He said he hoped people could 'live fairly safely' by Easter next year

One of the Government's chief advisers on the Covid-19 crisis has said spring could be a 'new dawn' for Britain and its battle with the disease.

In a ray of hope for the UK, Professor Jonathan Van Tam, who became notorious for his no-nonsense style in TV press conferences, said people should be able to 'live safely' by Easter 2021.

He admitted life will be different in the future and home-working is likely to become much more commonplace, but said he was hopeful.

Other top advisers including Professor Chris Whitty have also said social distancing and self-isolating when sick could become the new normal.

Professor Van Tam said he expects the race to develop a vaccine to protect people from Covid-19 to bear fruit by the middle of next year and that normal life may start to resume when it does.

But he said people would still have to learn to live with the disease.

His sentiments echo comments made by the chair of the UK's Vaccine Taskforce, Kate Bingham, who said today that efforts to develop a jab could hopefully reduce Covid-19 to a flu-like illness rather than the deadly disease it is at the moment.

Professor Van Tam (pictured), who is second in command to the chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, became notorious for his no-nonsense style at televised press conferences alongside senior politicians

BRITAIN BUYS 90M DOSES OF TWO MORE CORONAVIRUS VACCINES British officials have ordered another 90million doses of experimental coronavirus vaccines in support of efforts by pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson and Novavax. If all the vaccines pre-ordered by the UK are successful and go into production the country will have a massive stockpile of 340million jabs - enough to give every person in the country five each. Britain's 'buy first, test later' approach may be its best chance of getting a working jab, said the Vaccine Taskforce chief, who admitted most of the Covid-19 jabs won't work. As part of the new deals with the US-based drug companies, officials will fund clinical trials of the jabs in Britain. If they are proven to work they could be given to members of the public as soon as the middle of next year. It is not clear how much money the UK has spent on the deals. The global race for a vaccine - seen as the only viable way to stop the coronavirus - has received promising boosts in recent weeks as early trial results have emerged. The first clinical trial of one of the UK's biggest hopes, a jab made by Oxford University, showed signs that it produces an immune response and is safe. News of Britain's latest deal comes after Russia this week announced that it has approved its own vaccine after trials on just three dozen people, provoking concern from scientists that it is rushing into experiments without data to prove it is safe. Advertisement

Speaking to Lincolnshire Pride magazine in his local county, Professor Van Tam said: 'I'd hope that spring 2021 will represent a new dawn for the country, by which time we'll be able to live life fairly safely.

'Even so, moving forward, the way we live will change.

'Covid-19 won't be eradicated anytime soon and we'll have to learn to live with it to some extent.

'Maybe working from home will become far more common over the longer term in some industries.'

Professor Van Tam said progress towards a vaccine is promising and the creation of one that works could change people's way of life and return some normality.

But he doesn't expect this to happen until well into the new year.

'The future is hopeful but far from certain,' the deputy chief medical officer said.

'Covid-19 is still in circulation now and could return in significant numbers in winter 2020 if we don't stay alert and follow the advice.

'A number of vaccines are currently under development.

'I'm hopeful but not certain we'll have some kind of a vaccine in production by the end of the year but not at full volumes.

'So I don't think the use of vaccines will provide a meaningful public health result until about Easter; after that I'm hoping that their impact will be substantial.'

The UK today took another big step forward in its plans to secure a vaccine against Covid-19 as it emerged the Government has signed deals for another 90million doses.

Britain will help US-based pharmaceutical firms Johnson & Johnson and Novavax to develop and trial their vaccines in exchange for the right to buy millions of doses.

There are now at least 340million doses of different jabs ordered by the UK in the hope that one of them turns out to work - enough for five per person.

Kate Bingham, a biotech investor and chair of the vaccines taskforce, told Good Morning Britain today: 'I'm an optimistic person... I would be confident that we will find something that will work.

'I'm not sure it will be a sterilising vaccine, which means it will prevent all infection, but I'm reasonably confident that we will find a vaccine that will reduce the severity of symptoms and reduce death so that we can actually turn this into a flu-like disease as opposed to a much more severe, potentially lethal disease.'
Bubonic plague is highly contagious and transmitted between animals and humans through the bite of infected fleas and contact with infected animals.

The head of a remote Russian region on Thursday said that herders and other residents of two districts on the border with Mongolia should be vaccinated against bubonic plague.

The order was issued after Mongolia's health ministry said Wednesday that bubonic plague killed a man in the country's west. It was the latest in a handful of cases to emerge there and in neighbouring China this year.

The leader of the Siberian region of Tuva, Sholban Kara-ool, said all residents of the region's two border districts, Ovyursky and Mongun-Taiginsky, should be inoculated.

The two districts are home to some 14,000 people.

"The disease is dangerous," the regional leader said in a statement calling for everyone over the age of two to be vaccinated and for a permanent stock of the vaccine.

Public health officials earlier appealed to residents of the mountainous Tuva and Altai regions not to hunt or eat marmots.

Bubonic plague is highly contagious and transmitted between animals and humans through the bite of infected fleas and contact with infected animals like marmots.

Also Read: Case of Bubonic plague detected in Mongolia: All you need to know about the black death
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Linkedin Dan Burns (Reuters)  Fri, August 14, 2020 11:05 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dfbaa5 2 Business Federal-Reserve,Main-Street-Lending-Program,small-business,COVID-19 Free

The Federal Reserves new Main Street Lending Program for US small and midsize businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic more than doubled its loans in the latest week in its largest weekly increase so far.

Data released on Thursday by the Fed showed Main Street loans held by the central bank rose by US$131 million to $226 million as of Wednesday from $95 million a week earlier.

Under the program, the Fed will buy 95 percent of a loan initiated by a private lender to a qualified business. It has seen limited use since launching last month, but officials have said interest is growing.

Boston Federal Reserve President Eric Rosengren, whose bank is managing the program for the Fed system, on Wednesday said that low use of the program early on is not a sign of failure and that more businesses may turn to the facility in the fall if the economy worsens.
Mary Henin leans against her car, which police advised her to report stolen after it was moved by the city. She reported it found, but police did not enter the paperwork properly, leaving her to be stopped for stealing her own car. Read more

It was one of the first nice days for a trip to the New Jersey Shore this summer, so Mary Henin and a friend piled into her car  a clunky but functioning 2008 Nissan  and headed for the beach.

Then, just as they arrived on Long Beach Island on May 29, they were surrounded by police, who surrounded the car, yelled at them to toss the keys out the window, and ordered them out of the car at gunpoint.

I thought, They must think Im somebody else, Henin recalled. They tell me to put my hands up and back toward them, and then they immediately take my hands behind my back and handcuff me. She remained in handcuffs, sitting by the side of the road, for about 45 minutes. Thats how long it took the Long Beach Township police to confirm the car was not stolen  but was, as Henin had been insisting, hers.

The source of the confusion? Henins car had been courtesy towed by Philadelphia police in February  removed from her West Philadelphia block because trees were being trimmed  and deposited at an unknown location with no record of its removal.

Its a chaotic system that a January Inquirer investigation found often results in cars being effectively lost to their owners, left in illegal spots while parking tickets pile up like snowdrifts on the windshield.

 READ MORE: What a nightmare: How Philly police, parking authority, and tow companies lose cars while courtesy towing

Owners are sometimes advised to report their cars stolen so police can look out for them. Henin followed that advice and filed the report. Then she spotted her car a few blocks from home and reported it found.

Henin, 31, a Philadelphia public defender, said she even made a follow-up phone call to make sure her car was no longer logged as stolen  and kept the found report in her glove box just in case of confusion  but she ended up in handcuffs anyway. She filed a citizen complaint, but two months later the investigation is still pending.

In her view, the situation is just one of many recent incidents that highlight the need for police oversight and accountability  for officers to recognize and rectify behavior that may seem minor but can have severe consequences.

Something as simple as not filling out paperwork exposes Philadelphia citizens to the danger of police violence, she said.

A Philadelphia police spokesperson, Staff Inspector Sekou Kinebrew, said he could not confirm whether the police, the Parking Authority or another entity had moved Henins car.

But, he said, when she recovered the car and notified us, we should have taken it out of stolen status. ... That error is on us, and the investigation will determine that error was made and corrective action will be taken.

No steps have been taken to revise policies around towing or tracking cars since the Inquirer investigation irevealed the scope of the problem, he said. However, he added the department is always open to review and enhance protocols as needed.

 READ MORE: Six Philly police were quietly fired, charged with abuse last year. Many will likely get their jobs back

Henin thinks the Long Beach Township police were unnecessarily aggressive, pointing guns, shouting and using handcuffs when Henin, who stands 4-foot-11, was being compliant  all over a car worth about $2,000 that was, implausibly, still being driven with the same plates three months after it was supposedly stolen.

They introduced violence into a situation that did not warrant it, she said. She recognizes that nothing they did violated whats permitted. One of the things Ive really been reflecting on is permissible use of force is so much more dangerous than we acknowledge.

Long Beach Township Police Chief Anthony Deely said his officers had conducted themselves according to protocol. That meant they had approached with necessary caution, but continued investigating the situation even after an initial call to Philadelphia police seemed to confirm Henins car was stolen and her arrest legitimate.

This was a complete failure  not on our end  as far as timely information entered and removed which led to the confusion, he said. My sergeant on the scene received information from Philly PD, who said, Go ahead. Lock her up. Its [a] good [arrest]. My sergeant went the extra yard because she had documentation.

Henin made a complaint to the Philadelphia Police Department on June 1, and received a response from the Police Advisory Commission, a citizen oversight board that does not have authority over the department.

There was also a hint of pessimism in my conversations [with the advisory commission], because there was this understanding that ... once this got into the hands of Internal Affairs, it would just be treated as a paperwork issue or even just a simple mistake, she said.

The next week, Internal Affairs contacted her for an interview. Although the department has recognized an error occurred, Henin doesnt expect much to come of the investigation. Thats why she thinks an independent oversight commission is needed: The commission needs the strength to match the level of force police used against me and countless others who have suffered significantly worse harm.
(Natural News) Waterfalls on the New South Wales coast seem to be defying gravity  instead of flowing down, these reverse waterfalls are flowing up. Aerial footage of the waterfalls at the Royal National Park, south of Sydney, shows that streams are blown back up toward the land as water pours over the cliffs.

Last Mondays reverse waterfalls are not the first time that the phenomenon occurred. Earlier in the year, gravity-defying falls were also observed at Kurnell in the southern area of Sydneys Kamay Botany Bay National Park. Footage captured by photographer Anthony Clark, shows the same upside-down spray of water. Strong gusts of wind blowing in the direction of the reverse falls can also be seen, fogging the lens of the camera.

The weird phenomenon alerted many people who said that 2020 is getting weirder. However, there is a scientific explanation behind the phenomenon.

Bad weather responsible for reverse waterfalls

The reversing of the waterfalls happened due to the strong gusts of wind that were blowing on the coast. Over the past several days, Sydney and the surrounding coastal areas were hit by torrential rain, strong winds and towering ocean surf. According to weather experts, the winds at the Royal National Park were blowing at 45 miles per hour  strong enough to temporarily divert the course of the falls, resulting in the seemingly gravity-defying action of the water.

The coastlines wild weather also affected surrounding communities. Thousands of homes lost power after rivers in the vicinity were flooded while hundreds of residents were urged to evacuate their homes for three days during the peak of the storm. One of the main roads feeding into Bundeena, a town near the waterfalls, was also blocked off due to flooding.

Meanwhile, a large boulder slid into an access road while local ferry services halted due to the large sea swell. Authorities issued a warning to people not to walk along the coastal tracks and to stay out of the floodwaters.

In the last few days, the rain began to subside and evacuation protocols were lifted. The waterfalls, on the other hand, were back to their usual course down the cliffs of New South Wales. (Related: 2020 gets weirder as Australia gets blanketed by snow not seen since the 70s.)

Reverse waterfalls from all over the globe

Similar upside-down waterfalls were previously recorded in other parts of the world.

In the United Kingdom, the Kinder Falls displayed the same reverse action before. Kinder Falls normally cascades down the 80-foot cliff, but on windy days, water from the Kinder River is blown back upward toward the Kinder Scout Plateau. In Iceland, the Rjukandi Waterfall commonly flows upside down  the waterfall is located in the Eyjafjoll mountain range, one of the countrys windiest regions.

Hawaiis Waipuhia Falls  dubbed as the Upside Down Waterfall  also exhibits the same behavior. The falls are located along the Pali Highway in Oahu, in a region exposed to strong winds that cause it to flow in reverse during the rainy season. The upward-cascading water can be seen by driving down the Pali Highway or, for a closer view, by hiking into the valley.

Other areas in the world with recorded reverse waterfalls are Amboli in India and the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.

Climate.news has more on weird weather phenomena.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

Twitter.com 1

IFLScience.com

Twitter.com 2

DailyMail.co.uk

HuffPost.com

WorldAtlas.com
Police stand guard at a mall in Hong Kong after people held a protest for press freedom on Aug. 11, 2020. (Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images)

Canada Should Join Allies to Coordinate a Global Response to Hong Kong Crisis, Says British Rights Advocate

Canada should work with other like-minded countries to coordinate a global response to the situation in Hong Kong, says Benedict Rogers, a British human rights advocate and chair of Hong Kong Watch.

This is an idea put forward by seven former British foreign secretaries, Rogers said during a Special Committee on Canada-China Relations video conference on Aug. 13.

More could be done to solidify coordination among democratic nations to ensure the response to this crisis is not simply rhetorical nor piecemeal, but is robust, rapid, unified, and as coordinated as possible.

Hong Kong democracy activist Agnes Chow speaks to media after being released on bail from the Tai Po police station in Hong Kong on Aug. 11, 2020. (Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images)

Rogers said the recent arrest of Jimmy Lai, Agnes Chow, and other activists represents yet another brazen assault on Hong Kongs civil liberties and really the death knell for press freedom in particular.

The imposition of this draconian national security law by the national peoples congress on the 1st of July essentially has destroyed Hong Kongs autonomy, he said, It marks the end of one country, two systems, and places many activists in very grave danger. It is a violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai, owner of Hong Kongs Apple Daily, and pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow were arrested on Aug. 10 as part of a crackdown under the new national security law. Both were released on bail a few days later.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai (C) pushes through a media pack to get to a waiting vehicle after being released on bail from the Mong Kok police station in the early morning in Hong Kong on August 12, 2020, after the Apple Daily founder was arrested under the new national security law. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP via Getty Images)

Rogers also criticized the postponement of Septembers parliamentary elections by a year, supposedly due to the pandemic.

The postponement for a year of the elections disenfranchises Hong Kong people and shuts down one of the few remaining avenues that they had had for some level of freedom of expression, he said.

These events signify the total takeover of Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party system.

Rogers praised the Canadian government for suspending its extradition agreement with Hong Kong over the imposition of the security law, but noted that theres much more Canada can do to help.

As well as coordinating with democratic nations on a global response, he encouraged Canada to impose Magnitsky sanctions on the Hong Kong officials responsible for human rights violations and breaching the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The only language they [the Chinese regime] understand is pressure, and targeted sanctions will send a clear signal that they will not be allowed to get away with what they have done with impunity, he said.

He also urged Canada to publicly support calls for the establishment of a U.N. special envoy and a U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Hong Kong.

Shining a spotlight on Hong Kong through a monitoring and reporting mechanism in the U.N. would be very important in ensuring that human rights abuses are not perpetuated with impunity, he said.

Lastly, he urged Canada to work with other countries to  ensure those who do need to escape from Hong Kong are offered sanctuary and an opportunity to seek citizenship in the free world.

Rogers said the crisis in Hong Kong should concern Canada because the Sino-British Joint Declaration is an international treaty.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration is not only an agreement between the U.K. and China, but it is an international treaty that concerns all of us who believe in an international rules-based system, he said.

On Aug. 9, the Five Eyes countries, of which Canada is a member, urged the Hong Kong government to uphold the citys democratic process and hold the elections as soon as possible.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, along with the U.S. secretary of state, issued a joint statement expressing concerns over the unjust disqualification of candidates and disproportionate postponement of Legislative Council elections.

I believe the time has come for the free world to act in defence of freedom and democracy, human rights, and the international rules-based order, and that action should be as strong, targeted, and united as possible, Rogers said.
Mumbai Police have received around 4,000 e-passes from August 8 to 12 from devotees who wish to travel to other parts of the state, mainly to the Konkan region, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, said Vinoy Kumar Choubey, additional director general (law and order).

The passes are being issued only to those who are traveling in private or hired vehicles, said the police.

After the state governments order easing restrictions on travel for the festival, Mumbai Police on August 8 permitted applications for e-pass for inter-district travel on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The applicants also have to agree to mandatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests 48 hours prior to the travel. The e-passes were given only to those who were tested negative, a police officer said. The travelers also have to be in a 10-day quarantine period after entering the district concerned from Mumbai. A senior police officer said that those from containment zones could not apply for the e-passes.

The passes are mostly issued for groups of people, so the actual number of devotees travelling outside the city would be more than 10,000-12,000, another police officer said.

The police said they are strictly ensuring that the devotees implement all safety measures and social distancing norms are followed while travelling.

As the rules were announced in advance, we received a good response from the devotees. Only those applications in which all mandatory norms are complied with are accepted. Vehicles with high capacity are allowed to ply only with half the capacity, said Viresh Prabhu, additional commissioner of police (central region).

All the zonal deputy commissioners of police in Mumbai are the nodal officers for issuing the e-passes.

Inter-district movement is restricted owing to the lockdown imposed in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

However, as lakhs of people annually travel from Mumbai, Thane and Pune to their hometowns in Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts for the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival  which falls on August 22 this year  the state government provided certain exemptions for devotees to travel to their hometowns.

Last year, around 6 lakh people from Mumbai visited their hometowns for the festival. Last year around 2 lakh devotees visited Konkan and other districts for Ganeshotsav in private vehicles, said the police.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Squaremouth reports a drastic decline in travel by older generations, as younger travelers become the most insured demographic in the US amidst COVID-19.

How COVID-19 Has Impacted Travel Across Generations

Prior to the pandemic, most insured trips were for the 50 and above age bracket. Now, 60% of travelers purchasing travel insurance are under the age of 50.

"We have never seen younger travelers driving the majority of travel insurance purchases before," said Megan Moncrief, CMO of Squaremouth. "Historically, the typical travel insurance customer was retired, with time and money to travel, taking expensive and longer international trips."

Younger Generations Protecting Trip Investments

Surprisingly, it is the youngest generation of travelers, age 21 and under, that are responsible for the majority of travel insurance purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travelers 21 and under account for roughly a quarter of all travelers purchasing travel insurance since May.

Before the pandemic began in January, this young generation made up just 11%.

All Generations Have Same Top Concerns

Despite age differences, travelers share the same main concerns across the board.

Coverage for the coronavirus pandemic and Cancel for Any Reason were top of mind for all generations.

In July, 40% of travelers purchased a policy that specifically included cancellation or medical coverage in the event they contract COVID-19 or are quarantined.

Since February, 20% of all policies purchased include the pricey but extensive Cancel for Any Reason upgrade, a 210% increase compared to last year.

Methodology: Data is based on travel insurance policies purchased through Squaremouth.com from January - July 2020 for all future travel. Statistics reflect month-over-month changes unless otherwise noted.

Key Current Resources:

Squaremouth.com created the following resource which is updated daily with available travel insurance coverage as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

Traveler's Guide to Travel Insurance for COVID-19

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH

SQUAREMOUTH compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare travel insurance policies side-by-side . More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com.

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SOURCE Squaremouth

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The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, has asked judges and magistrates to be exceptional in the discharge of their professional duties.



You are required to leave an indelible mark in the judicial sands of time and you can only achieve this through exceptional effort and great sacrifice.



The Chief Justice said this when he sworn in 20 Circuit Court Judges and 19 Magistrates at two separate functions at the Law Court Complex in Accra.



Chief Justice Yeboah told the judges that they would meet challenges as a result of their elevation or appointment but they must strive to achieve excellence in their job delivery.



He said though the Constitution guaranteed absolute judicial independence to all members of the judiciary, it did not give them power to do what they pleased through misuse of power and abuse of the sacred trust reposed in them.



The Chief Justice who administered the judicial oath, oaths of allegiance and secrecy to the judges and magistrates, indicated that they also constituted one of the major players in the maintenance of law and order in the country.



Your decisions thus have far reaching consequences for the peace and stability of this nation. I would thus appeal to you not to take your responsibilities for granted.



He said as justice bearers you are also required to apply the law impartially and also to give fair and unprejudiced hearing to all persons who appeared before you.



The Chief Justice implored them to strive at all times in their decision making to be free from influences extraneous to the case before you.



Justice Yeboah tasked the magistrate and judges to courageously defend the Constitution and laws of the country adding that, the dignity and stability of our country depend largely upon an upright, robust and independent judiciary.



He said as judges they had obligations to live by the rules and etiquette of their vocation by keeping to the high professional and ethical standards set out in their Code of Conduct.



Justice Yeboah who is also the Chairman of the General Legal Council (GLC) said one of the painful and difficult decisions would be to be compelled to make the ultimate sanction of impeachment or dismissal of a member of the judiciary and said, I hope you will spare us this agony and yourselves, your family and friends this tragedy by living above reproach.



He reminded the judges and magistrates that their performance would be measured through qualitative and timely judgements, adding that the Judicial Training Institute would also continue to sharpen their judicial skills and update their knowledge on various aspects of the law.

Source: GNA









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

Featured Video
The Difference Between Money and Wealth

Money is what we use to buy things. Wealth is the money we have remaining after we have paid for our living expenses. Once money becomes wealth it should never be used for living expenses. Comfort in life comes from our accumulated wealth. We dig into wealth only during hard times.



You may wonder why I am concerned about the relationship between money and wealth. We, at least for the time being, live within a capitalist form of government which allows us to accumulate wealth. That is a surplus or a savings of money. There are forces working to change our form of government.



The recent shut downs of industry and commerce force our citizens to use their wealth to survive economically. Thus, destroying their wealth. The destruction of wealth, whether our personal wealth or, or businesses wealth ultimately leads to bankruptcy. Bankruptcy can lead to revolution and communism.



Recent actions of our government fly in the face of capitalism. Supposedly all government leaders are concerned about the citizens of the United States being able to buy food, pay our rent and pay our utility bills. Until now, our form of government has expected each of us including, businesses, to provide for ourselves. The whole concept of freedom is that we look after ourselves and that the citizens and businesses contribute to the government in the form of taxes. The citizens look after the government, not the government looking after citizens.



Communist and socialist governments convince the masses that it is up to the government to provide food and shelter for the citizens and that no person is entitled to more of anything than any other person. There can be no wealth, no surplus, no savings with this form of government. We know this kind of equality is a big lie, the leaders always live well.



Look at this election year proposals from the Democrats, socialists and communists. All proposals go toward confiscation of wealth. Special taxes on the wealthy, elimination of debt for all, government subsidies for everything, from food, rent, mortgage payments school debt, etc, etc.



We all should be alarmed that the Republicans have been suckered into going along with these beliefs. Both Democrats and Republicans believe that we can print enough money to sustain an economic system in which only a part of us work.



We are now debating how to finalize our march into communism. Kruschev was right, we have brought this on ourselves.



If Donald John Trump is not re elected President of the Unite States capitalist freedom is dead.



The lock downs, and the seizing of power by Democrats with the approval of the majority of the RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) is the most important political event in the history of the United States since the War Between the States.



Some of you who have wealth may sit back and say, "I have this and I have that wealth, they cannot get to me". In every communist/socialist country, bank accounts and stocks were quickly confiscated either directly or thru subterfuge. Having hard money, whether paper dollars, gold or silver will do you no good. It will be confiscated. New money will be issued. Those spending the gold and silver will be turned in to the police and prosecuted as enemies of the state (yes we will have a new police force).



It is becoming more and more obvious that the corona virus is not much different from any other virus. Those who are infirm usually succumb to it. The young are little affected, an those with some infirmities have a difficult time with it. The significant thing about this virus is that it more devastating to the lungs than other viruses. The numbers who have died are not radically different from the numbers who died from past virus epidemics.



We should have simply practiced what we knew had worked very well in the past and quarantined the sick and allowed the healthy to keep the economy going.



Books will be written about how the government got conned into shutting down (destroying) itsself over a pack of liars and communists.



We have only one shot at saving ourselves, our government and our economy. That is the November elections. Do not believe this problem is in far away places and is perpetuated by unknown faceless master manipulators.



We know who all the bad people are. They are elected and appointed officials who hold positions in all levels of government, from Washington, DC to Washington NC.



Our Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, by majority vote has done nothing to help our citizens. At this writing there are only six deaths in this county that are virus related. More people have died from anything you want to name during the past six months than from the corona virus. Yet, five commissioners have voted not once but several times to support the lock down.



Only I, along with Commissioner Stan Deatherage, have repeatedly made motions aimed at getting us back to work.



Commissioners Jerry Langley and John Rebholz have repeatedly voted to support the Democrat Governor (COOPER) to keep us locked down. In doing so, they support the destruction of the economy and wasting of wealth. Neither of these commissioners deserves your vote in November.


WASHINGTON  The Pentagon plans to free up a big chunk of its military airwaves in the U.S. for high-speed internet service, part of a broader push to get ahead of China in the deployment of 5G wireless technology.

The Trump administration announced last week that it has identified radio spectrum used for radar defense systems that can be shared with commercial telecommunications providers without compromising national security.

5G is a new technical standard for the fifth generation of wireless networks that promises faster speeds; less lag, or latency, when connecting to the network; and the ability to connect many devices to the internet without bogging it down. 5G networks will ideally be better able to handle more users, lots of sensors and heavy traffic.

But a June report by the Congressional Research Service said there arent as many frequencies available for 5G technology in the U.S. compared to other countries because the American military holds so much of the usable spectrum. Much of the investment in the U.S. has centered around the higher-frequency millimeter wave spectrum that offers fast data speeds but wont likely work as well outside urban areas. Thats in contrast to China, which has been investing in building out networks using the less-expensive lower and middle bands.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houstons 5G landscape is complete. Now what?

White House officials said last Monday that the Federal Communications Commission will be able to auction 100 megahertz of the militarys mid-band spectrum beginning in December 2021 for use as soon as mid-2022. It has previously been used for shipboard and airborne radar systems.

This band has the ideal characteristics for 5G deployment  to travel long distances to ensure that all Americans have access to the network, while delivering ultra-fast and high performance that will power technologies in the future, said Michael Kratsios, the U.S. chief technology officer. He emphasized this was an unusually fast timeline for transferring federal spectrum to commercial use.

FCC Commissioner Michael ORielly, a Republican who has been at odds with President Donald Trumps administration on some issues, sent a letter to the president in April urging him to cut through red tape and get the Pentagon to give up some of its frequencies.

The U.S. does not have the luxury of waiting years to provide spectrum for 5G services, especially when competitors such as China can move expeditiously to reassign spectrum frequencies by leveraging all the resources and power of their centralized, Communist regime, ORielly wrote.

Release Notes: Get Dwight Silvermans weekly tech newsletter in your inbox each Monday

Federal officials have been working to give American companies a leg up in advancing 5G networks in part to thwart the global ambitions of China-based Huawei, which holds a leading share of the market for wireless equipment and is seen by Washington as a security threat. Huaweis lower-cost equipment is popular with developing countries and is making inroads into Europe.

Wireless industry trade group CTIA applauded the Pentagons move Monday.

Opening up this critical block of mid-band spectrum for full power commercial operations will enhance U.S. competitiveness in the 5G ecosystem, said a statement from Meredith Attwell Baker, the trade associations CEO.
Lights on an entire floor of a building in Busan comprising of medical clinics is turned off, Friday, with an "On Vacation" notification sign displayed at the floor entrance door. Yonhap



Doctors launched a one-day strike across South Korea on Friday in protest of the government's medical reform plan, with some disruptions expected to be inevitable.



The walkout is part of the Korea Medical Association (KMA)'s strong opposition to the government's plan to raise admission quotas at medical schools.



Among the participants of the walkout are practitioners at small clinics and some trainee doctors, such as interns and residents, at general hospitals, the KMA said.



Still, doctors who work in essential fields, such as intensive care units, surgery and emergency rooms, continue to be on normal duty.



Health authorities said they expected no major disruptions, as hospitals mobilized alternative health workers, and doctors in vital departments have not participated in the walkout.



"We will make sure that there is no service setback by arranging alternative workforce in each department," said an official from Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, who asked not to be named.



It marks the KMA's third major walkout over the last two decades, after those in 2000 and 2014. Last week, trainee doctors at generals hospitals launched a separate one-day walkout.



South Korea plans to increase the number of doctors in the country, citing lack of medical infrastructure in rural areas, as well as the new coronavirus pandemic, which is not likely to end soon.





A service status information board at a medical center building in Busan shows some of the occupant clinics closed on Friday. Yonhap
Technavio has been monitoring the fecal occult testing market and it is poised to grow by USD 75.15 million during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200814005044/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Fecal Occult Testing Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Please Request Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impact

Frequently Asked Questions-

At what rate is the market projected to grow during the forecast period 2020-2024?

Growing at a CAGR of over 4%, the market growth will accelerate in the forecast period.

What is the key factor driving the market?

Rising geriatric population is one of the key factors driving the market growth.

Who are the top players in the market?

Abbott Laboratories, Biohit Oyj, bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corp., Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd., Epigenomics AG, Exact Sciences Corp., Quest Diagnostics Inc., Quidel Corp., and Siemens Healthineers AG are some of the major market participants.

Which region is expected to hold the highest market share?

North America

What is the year-over-year growth rate of the global market?

The year-over-year growth rate for 2020 is estimated at 4.10%.

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Abbott Laboratories, Biohit Oyj, bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corp., Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd., Epigenomics AG, Exact Sciences Corp., Quest Diagnostics Inc., Quidel Corp., and Siemens Healthineers AG are some of the major market participants. The rising geriatric population will offer immense growth opportunities. To make most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Fecal Occult Testing Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

Fecal Occult Testing Market is segmented as below:

End-user Hospitals Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories

Geography North America Europe APAC South America MEA



To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR43601

Fecal Occult Testing Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our fecal occult testing market report covers the following areas:

Fecal Occult Testing Market size

Fecal Occult Testing Market trends

Fecal Occult Testing Market analysis

This study identifies an increasing number of government initiatives for CRC screening tests as one of the prime reasons driving the fecal occult testing market growth during the next few years.

Fecal Occult Testing Market 2020-2024: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of vendors operating in the fecal occult testing market, including some of the vendors such as Abbott Laboratories, Biohit Oyj, bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corp., Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd., Epigenomics AG, Exact Sciences Corp., Quest Diagnostics Inc., Quidel Corp., and Siemens Healthineers AG. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the fecal occult testing market are designed to provide entry support, customer profile and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

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Fecal Occult Testing Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2020-2024

Detailed information on factors that will assist fecal occult testing market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the fecal occult testing market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the fecal occult testing market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of fecal occult testing market vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Market characteristics

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2019

Market outlook: Forecast for 2019 2024

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market segments

Comparison by End-user

Hospitals Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Physicians' office laboratories Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Clinical diagnostic laboratories Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Market opportunity by End-user

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Europe Market size and forecast 2019-2024

APAC Market size and forecast 2019-2024

South America Market size and forecast 2019-2024

MEA Market size and forecast 2019-2024

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Abbott Laboratories

Biohit Oyj

bioMerieux SA

Danaher Corp.

Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd.

Epigenomics AG

Exact Sciences Corp.

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

Quidel Corp.

Siemens Healthineers AG

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Fortis Healthcare, on August 14 said its board has given in-principle approval to rename the company and its subsidiaries as Parkway, a leading brand of the parent IHH Healthcare.

"The Company and its subsidiaries propose to, discontinue the use of Fortis, La Femme and SRL as part of their corporate name, brand and logo," said Fortis Healthcare in a statement.

However, the rebranding exercise will be subject to requisite approvals and directions from the Supreme Court and the receipt of all requisite corporate and other approvals.

SRL, the diagnostics arm would have a new neutral brand name, brand and logo, unrelated to the IHH Group and the Fortis brand, for use in the diagnostics business.

"The rebranding decision was taken as the current brand license agreements expire in April/May 2021, and most importantly to reinforce the complete disassociation of the company from its erstwhile promoters," Fortis said in a statement.

Fortis said it has conducted brand research which showed a positive response and preference for the Parkway brand as compared to a neutral brand or any other brand of IHH Healthcare, the parent of Northern TK Venture, the promoter of the Company with 31 percent shareholding.

"Parkway is a well renowned and internationally acclaimed brand in the field of healthcare, belonging to the IHH group. The IHH group operates more than 15,000 licensed beds across 78 hospitals in 10 countries worldwide and is Asias largest integrated private healthcare provider," Fortis said.

Dissociating with erstwhile promoters

HH Healthcare acquired a 31 percent stake in Fortis Healthcare in August 2018 by paying $1.1 billion in a bidding process overseen by an independent board. However, it couldn't make progress on its mandatory open offer to acquire a 26 percent stake due to a Supreme Court stay order.

The apex court blocked the open offer on a plea filed by Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo, which is trying to enforce a Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award it won in a Singapore tribunal against Fortis erstwhile promoters, brothers Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh.

This is the culmination of the extensive overhaul and strengthening of the governance processes initiated by the reconstituted Board in 2018, and is a reinforcement of our efforts to completely disassociate ourselves from the erstwhile promoters of the Company," said Ravi Rajagopal, Chairman of Fortis.

Moneycontrol early this month reported about Mitsui & Co, IHH Healthcares largest shareholder, saying that it is committed to continuing executing the turnaround plan for Fortis Healthcare while exploring further investments in the Indian healthcare sector.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Sonora Gold project (The Project) is located 110 Km due north from Hermosillo, in Sonora, Mexico and 140 Km south of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The project area has very good infrastructure, highway access, available power, skilled labor, etc. The project concessions cover a continuous area of 6000 Hectares.



The project is located within the Mojave-Sonora megashear, a district wide geological fault zone that consists of a series of left-lateral strike slip faults that trend NW-SE. The Mojave-Sonora megashear formed in the mid-to-late Jurassic and is mapped from the Mojave Desert in California, across Northern Mexico, to the Gulf of Mexico.

In the state of Sonora in Northern Mexico, the Mojave-Sonora megashear fault system is locally known as the Mojave Fault. The Mojave Fault hosts numerous historical and active gold deposits, including past producers El Chanate and La Choya mines and several currently operating mines including the La Herradura mine, the Soledad Dipolo mine and the Noche Buena mine. Directly adjacent to the project area are the past gold producer Lluvia de Oro mine and the currently active San Francisco gold mine located 40km and 15km north west of Sonora Gold, respectively. The project area hosts numerous showings and old workings.

Zanzibar geologists have made recent field observations which indicate that gold mineralization is intrusion related, resulting from Lower Tertiary Larimide quartz monzonites to quartz diorites intruding and mineralizing a roof pendant of Jurassic metasediments, sandstones and limestones of the Barranca Formation. The NNW bearing Mojave Fault structural system is believed to be the conduit and control for the emplacement of these Larimide intrusive rocks and thus the distribution of gold mineralization throughout north west Sonora.

Field observations have identified two types of potential deposits: firstly, structurally controlled epithermal gold systems related to the NNW trending Mojave fault. Secondly, a potential for sediment replacement type deposits with IOCG (iron oxide copper gold) characteristics.

The Sonora Gold project represents a highly interesting and prospective project given its geological setting, the intensity and extent of its geological structures, and its similarity to nearby deposits in Northern Mexico and Southern Arizona.

Greg Bronson, P.Geo., has prepared, reviewed, and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Mr. Bronson is an independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument NI 43-101.

Abby Farrage
In this April 25, 2006 file photo, U.S. Attorney John Durham speaks to reporters on the steps of U.S. District Court in New Haven, Conn.

A former FBI lawyer will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

The case against Kevin Clinesmith is likely to be cheered by President Donald Trump and his supporters as they look to the Durham investigation to lift Trump's wobbly reelection prospects and to expose what they see as wrongdoing as the FBI opened an investigation into whether the Trump campaign was coordinating with the Kremlin to sway the outcome of the 2016 election.

Clinesmith is being charged in federal court in Washington and is expected to plead guilty to one county of making a false statement, his attorney Justin Shur told The Associated Press.

The Durham investigation, which is also examining the intelligence community's assessment about Russian election interference, has caused deep concern among Democrats, who view it as a politically charged exercise meant to relitigate an already closed investigation and fear criminal charges or public reports issued so close to the 2020 election could be timed to affect November's vote.

The investigation has proceeded alongside a parallel effort by Senate Republicans to discredit the Russia probe and as Attorney General William Barr has escalated his own criticism of the FBI's probe.

Barr foreshadowed the legal action in a Fox News Channel interview on Thursday night in which he said there would be a development Friday that was "not earth shattering" but would be an indication that the investigation was moving along.

Justice Department policy directs prosecutors not to take investigative steps for the purpose of affecting an election and frowns upon taking public actions in the weeks before an election. But Barr has said he did not feel constrained by that policy in part because the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, is not a target of Durham's investigation, and Barr has signaled that he will look to make Durham's findings public before the election.

Clinesmith was referred for potential prosecution by the department's inspector general's office, which conducted its own review of the Russia investigation.

That review found that the Russia probe was opened for a legitimate reason and did not find proof of political bias, but it also concluded that the FBI made significant errors and omissions as it applied for secret national security warrants to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Specifically, the inspector general accused Clinesmith, though not by name, of altering an email about Page to say that he was "not a source" for another government agency. Page has said he was a source for the CIA. The Justice Department relied on that assertion as it submitted a third and final renewal application in 2017 to eavesdrop on Page under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Clinesmith told the inspector general that from his conversations he did not understand Page to be a source, or a "recruited asset," or to have a direct relationship with another government agency. But that relationship was seen as something important to disclose to the FISA court, especially if Page was being tasked by the government to have interactions with Russians.

"Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email," Shur said. "It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues, as he believed the information he relayed was accurate, but Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility."

Durham is the U.S. attorney for Connecticut and a veteran prosecutor with a history of special assignments from Washington. Former Attorney General Eric Holder selected him during the Obama administration to investigate the CIA's harsh interrogation techniques of terror suspects and the destruction of videotapes documenting that interrogation.

Barr appointed Durham just weeks after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded his nearly two-year investigation. Mueller found significant contacts during the 2016 campaign between Russians and Trump associates but did not allege a criminal conspiracy between them.

Mueller also examined multiple episodes in which Trump sought to affect or choke off the Russia investigation, but he did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed justice.

Barr signaled his skepticism with the Russia investigation right away, concluding that Trump had not obstructed justice even though Mueller had pointedly left that question unresolved.

More recently, Barr stepped in to dismiss the criminal case against former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn even though Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and Barr overruled prosecutors to seek a lighter prison term for Trump confidant Roger Stone. The Republican president commuted Stone's sentence last month.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 14, 2020 / Labaton Sucharow, a leading investor rights law firm is investigating possible breach of fiduciary duty claims on behalf of Eastman Kodak Company as well as securities litigation claims ("KODAK") (NYSE:KODK). The investigation arises, in part, from a disclosure made in a Form 4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Committee (the "SEC") (available at www.sec.gov) that KODAK's Chief Executive Officer had been granted stock options on Monday, July 27, 2020, immediately prior to the Company publicly disclosing that it had received a $765 million loan from the U.S. Department of Defense to produce drugs to treat COVID-19. The public disclosure of the Company's receipt of funds from the U.S. Department of Defense caused KODAK's stock price to rise considerably.

On August 10, 2020, shares of Eastman Kodak Co. KODK, -26.75% plummeted 45% in active premarket trading after reports the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. is withholding its planned $765 million loan after the deal came under regulatory scrutiny. The stock had rocketed 13-fold in two days, after it was announced on July 28 that the IDFC would provide Kodak a the loan to help produce the ingredients to maker generic drugs. Under question how Kodak controlled the disclosure of the loan, as the stock soared 25% in active trading the day before the news was reported, amid active stock option trading. Kodak disclosed on Friday that it appointed a special committee to oversee and internal review of recent activity by the company and related parties in connection with the announcement of the potential government loan. As of Friday's close of $14.88, the stock had pulled back 55% since July 29.

If you are a current or past shareholder, option or derivative holder of Kodak and wish to learn more or discuss the issues surrounding the investigation, please contact David J. Schwartz using the toll-free number (800) 321-0476 or via email at recover@labaton.com or at dschwartz@labaton.com .

Story continues

About the Firm

Labaton Sucharow LLP is one of the world's leading complex litigation firms representing clients in securities, antitrust, corporate governance and shareholder rights, and consumer cybersecurity and data privacy litigation. Labaton Sucharow has been recognized for its excellence by the courts and peers, and it is consistently ranked in leading industry publications. Offices are located in New York, NY, Wilmington, DE, and Washington, D.C. More information about Labaton Sucharow is available at http://www.labaton.com.

Contact

David J. Schwartz

(800) 321-0476

dschwartz@labaton.com

SOURCE: Labaton Sucharow LLP





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There was no tog rating on the duvet and an electric blanket was definitely out of the question.

But Stone Age mattresses were far comfier than the eras name might suggest  and they were even designed to keep the bedbugs at bay.

Archaeologists have uncovered traces in a cave of ancient bedding from 200,000 years ago, made with a mixture of grasses and ash.

Until now, the oldest known use of humans using plants to sleep on had dated back to around 77,000 years ago.

Archaeologists have uncovered traces in a cave of ancient bedding from 200,000 years ago. Pictured: Archaeologists work at the site of the discovery in the caves

The cave where the discovery was made is near the border between South Africa and Swaziland, and is home to a well preserved record of on-off human occupation spanning 230,000 years

The cave, near the border between South Africa and Swaziland, contains a well preserved record of on-off human occupation spanning nearly 230,000 years, researchers said.

They found that the real-life Flintstones used a variety of leaved grasses for beds, including the Panicum maximum tufted grass which is still growing in front of the cave.

The researchers also found charred remains of camphor bush, an aromatic plant that is still used in East Africa to repel creepy-crawlies.

They said: Ash was possibly raked from hearths to create a clean, odour-controlling base for bedding.

Ash repels crawling insects, which cannot easily move through fine powder because it blocks their breathing and biting apparatus and eventually leaves them dehydrated.

Researchers found found the real-life Flintstones (pictured) used a variety of leaved grasses for beds, including the Panicum maximum tufted grass which is still growing in front of the cave

Dr Lyn Wadley, an archaeologist at the Wits Universitys Evolutionary Studies Institute in Johannesburg, said that as well as Stone Age mans bedding, they found stone tools and, possibly, ground red and orange ochre to colour objects and perhaps their skin.

The scientists used a range of techniques, which involved microscopic and chemical analysis, to examine the fossilised grass samples from the Border Cave site.

Dr Wadley added: People also used medicinal plants to repel insects. Sometimes they burned their grass bedding and this would have killed pests and cleaned the site.

The researchers also found charred remains of camphor bush, an aromatic plant that is still used in East Africa to repel creepy-crawlies

The scientists used a range of techniques, which involved microscopic and chemical analysis, to examine the fossilised grass samples from the Border Cave site

The researchers say that the findings suggest an early potential for the cognitive, behavioural, and social complexity of Stone Age humans that became more apparent from around 100,000 years ago.

Dr Wadley said: Before 200,000 years ago, close to the origin of our species, people could produce fire at will.

They used fire ash and medicinal plants to maintain clean, pest-free camps.

The simple strategies we have seen at the Border Cave give us a glimpse into the life ways of people in the deep past.

Pictured: The materials found to have been used as bedding by humans 200,000 years ago at a microscopic level
Real Madrid and Barcelona could enter the race to sign Jadon Sancho if Manchester United fail to sign him this summer, according to reports.

United have reached an impasse in their negotiations with Borussia Dortmund as the German side are demanding a fee of 108million, despite the financial impact of coronavirus.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side remain hopeful they can strike a deal but Dortmund have repeatedly insisted the forward is going nowhere after the Red Devils failed to meet their August 10 deadline.

Real Madrid and Barcelona could bid for Jadon Sancho if he fails to sign for Manchester United

The Red Devils have so far refused to pay the 108million fee demanded by Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc was adamant that Sancho will play for the Bundesliga side next season when he spoke to the press on Monday.

And if 20-year-old remains in Germany for the 2020-2021 campaign, Mirror Sport claim Barca and Real could be ready to pounce in the following summer.

Neither of the LaLiga sides are in a position to make a bid for the England international ahead of next season with both clubs feeling the economic strain of the pandemic.

Barca and Real could join the race next summer with neither able to bid ahead of next season

Real's president Florentino Perez confirmed they would not be making any big signings but hinted the club would be able to compete in the transfer market once their finances have recovered.

'The situation is really bad. It's hard to ask the players to take a pay cut to help deal with it and then make signings,' he told El Transistor last month.

'That can wait. Madrid will sign the best again when the situation changes.'

Barca are also not currently in a position to seal any big transfers and would have to sell several stars in order to raise the money Dortmund are demanding.

Sancho is currently in pre-season training with Dortmund and insisted he is happy to be back with his team-mates.

Speaking to BVB-TV on Wednesday, Sancho said: 'I love playing with this lot. It is a special bunch.

'We've got some special young players coming up. I am really happy to share the pitch with them and guide them.

'I was once in their shoes, playing with the seniors. I am happy for them.'
A federal judge has granted new powers to the outside receiver he put in charge of the Par Funding and A Better Financial Plan firms and others that federal regulators accused of investment fraud last month, after the receiver reported resistance to his efforts to obtain financial information from Par founder Joseph LaForte and associates.

The judge also ordered that all trustees, directors, officers, managers, employees, investment advisers, accountants, attorneys, and other agents of the companies are hereby dismissed.

Given the difficulties the receiver has encountered to obtain information he needs to adequately preserve the receivership entities assets and protect investor funds, the Court finds it necessary to expand the scope of the receivership, Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II of the Southern District of Florida wrote in his order late Thursday.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil fraud charges against LaForte, his wife, Lisa McElhone, A Better Financial Plan founder Dean Vagnozzi, and others on July 27 and won a court order setting up the receivership to track investments and payments. The case was filed in federal court in Florida, where LaForte moved his office in 2017, after six years in Philadelphia.

FBI agents also raided Par offices in Philadelphias Old City and LaFortes luxury homes in Florida, the Poconos, and the Main Line. They found seven firearms at his Lower Merion home and $2.5 million in cash there and at luxury homes he owned in the Poconos and Jupiter, Fla. The charge says his previous felony conviction barred him from possessing weapons.

The agency says investors were told, via KYW News Radio 1060 and Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, free dinners, and other promotions, that they could expect returns of 10% and more per year, plus their capital back at the end of each year, if they supplied cash for Pars high-interest-rate small-business lending program. But the sellers failed to warn investors of the risks, as required by law, the SEC says, noting that the firms raised at least $482 million from investors ranging from retail-chain-store owners to people saving for retirement.

Lawyers for the companies blame coronavirus shutdowns for Pars failure to deliver the advertised returns. Monthly checks to investors stopped in April, then resumed in June and July but with revised terms: a lower, 4% yield, with investors capital to be returned in small amounts over the next seven years. The firms say that the courts lockout had blocked them from processing and sending August checks.

In court papers, lawyers for the company said the firms complied with the law, and that it is the SEC takeover that now endangers investors. Attorneys for Par, A Better Financial Plan, LaForte, Vagnozzi, and Montgomery County financial adviser Perry Abbonizio did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the expanded order.

The earlier order appointed Miami lawyer and former federal prosecutor Ryan Stumphauzer as receiver, with the power to take custody and control of records and data, and hire lawyers, accountants, and other staff to preserve assets pending further court action.

But in court papers, Stumphauzer told Ruiz that LaForte and McElhone had declined to meet with his staff and refused to answer questions, and that the many lawyers who have helped Par manage its business had been told not to cooperate with the receiver, citing attorney-client privilege. The new order instructs attorneys who have worked for the companies, among others, to cooperate with the receiver.

In a Friday filing, LaForte and other defendants called the SECs plans for the receiver to run Par Funding and track its assets grossly misguided and extremely damaging to investors. Par has never lost a dime of investor funds, they said.

The SEC is effectively asking this court to take a lawfully operating business  a business with no investor losses  and simply trash it, they added. If the funds committed regulatory errors, those should be easy to fix, they maintained.

In his filing Friday, Vagnozzi asked Ruiz to release his companies from the receivers control. While Vagnozzi estimated that 60% of his business concerns Par Funding, he said he also promotes investments that involve life insurance, real estate, and bets on litigation. Those business lines werent under legal scrutiny, he said.

Vagnozzi said that he has pleaded with the receiver to be able to process the mail to make payments to investors. Moreover, he said, his clients investments in life insurance could founder if he is blocked from paying policy premiums.

He also said he was unaware of any issues with Par Funding and should not be held responsible for any.

The new order gives the receiver, represented by Philadelphia attorney Gaeton Alfano, all powers, authorities, rights, and privileges heretofore possessed by the officers, directors, managers, and partners of the companies, under state and federal law.

Lawyers for Par had sought to avoid any mass firing of employees, arguing that the scores of people who worked at Par needed the jobs and did them well, and that outside contractors werent likely to be as efficient. They had also urged Ruiz to wait until next weeks court hearing in Miami before deciding on whether to expand or end the powers granted under his original order.

Ruizs new order instructs the defendants and others not to hinder or interfere with the Receivers efforts to take control of the companies and preserve their assets.
Tehran, Aug 14 : Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated a vast irrigation and draining project in the Western provinces of Ilam and Kermanshah.

"One of our wishes during the (Iran-Iraq) war was that the people of the frontier areas can put to use their lands in the best manner, and that wish has become a reality today," Rouhani was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying at the online event on Thursday.

The Iranian president announced that the Warm Zone System project, including the irrigation and drainage of 23,000 hectares of fertile land along 400 km of the Iran-Iraq border in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces, was put to use from now on, Xinhua news agency reported.

The plains of Ezgeleh, Jagiran, Zahab North, Zahab South and Qaraviz in Kermanshah are now within the framework of the Warm Zone System, and their residents will see the areas flourish, Rouhani promised.

He said he is hopeful that 35,000 more hectares of land will be added under the project before the end of the Iranian year in March 2021.

Rouhani also underscored the importance of guaranteeing Iran's food security in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, as "different countries have become sensitive" to food exports and supplies.

Having suffered for decades from the aftermath of the war, the farmers under the Warm Zone System project will now be able to collect two or three crops a year, the Iranian president added.
A man is chasing away a swarm of desert locusts early in the morning, on May 21, 2020 in Samburu County, Kenya. Trillions of locusts are swarming across parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, following an earlier infestation in February. Pastoralist communities like the Samburu in northern Kenya fear the locusts will devastate the rangeland on which their livestock are dependent. (Photo by Fredrik Lerneryd/Getty Images) (Photo : Getty Images)

A new study has discovered the pheromone chemical that triggers locust swarms, which may be used against them to prevent plagues.





The Problem with Locusts

Migratory locusts are present in many countries, and they have the most extensive distribution of all species of locusts. Locusts can be both solitary or live in swarms. They can shift in their behavior at any time in their life.

Even if a single locust is too small to be thought of as a problem, when they assemble into a swarm as a collective with billions of individuals, they can be a formidable threat to crops and plantations. Their volume is large enough even to blot out sunlight.

Huge locust swarms have devastated large areas of cropland in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa since early this year, which endangered the food supply of millions of people.

READ: Experts Say Plague of Locusts in East Africa Linked to Climate Change





Scientists Find Pheromone Attractant

In the past, researchers did not know what attracts the locusts to each other and created a collective swarm.

Now, new research has uncovered the cause, the details of which have been published in Nature.

They have identified the trigger as a chemical known as 4VA. 4VA or 4-vinylanisole is a chemical pheromone which, though it comes explicitly from one kind of locust, may still be useful in curbing the devastation caused by other locust species.

The research team has suggested the use of 4VA in gathering these locusts where they can be collectively destroyed.

READ ALSO: Locust Attack: India Plagued With Worst Insect Infestation in 27 Years





Chemical trigger

Scientists have always considered that pheromones could trigger locusts' transition from being solitary to congregating masses. In the past, they have never found what this chemical was. Neurobiologist Leslie Vosshall says in an article that the study has finally found this pheromone.

According to the researchers, the 4VA pheromone attracts both locust sexes and both adult and juvenile stages. Vosshall says that they also determined that the more massive the swarm, the more 4VA secretion there is as well. This may be the reason that the more extensive their volume becomes, the more locusts they attract.

The study also discovered that 4VA is secreted and released once there is a congregation of four to five individuals.

Using the pheromone to solve the locust problem

According to Vosshall, only insecticides can effectively decimate these swarms. The problem is that their large numbers and unpredictable behavior cause farmers and governments to use these harmful chemicals widely and indiscriminately, which causes damage to many other organisms, including humans.

In contrast, 4VA may be a new tool against the locusts that is much safer, since it can be used as a surgical means of control. The researchers suggest using a synthesized equivalent that can lure the insects, trap them, and exterminate them.

In a small scale trial, 4VA was used as bait in sticky traps, which successfully caught many locusts.

Genetically altering locusts

Alternatively, genetically engineered insects can be used whose olfactory receptors for 4VA have been removed, releasing them into the locust population. The researchers believe that chemicals can be created, which can hinder the olfactory senses of the locusts. According to Vosshall, these molecules will inhibit aggregation and make the insects unable to detect the critical scent.

READ NEXT: Climate Change and Other Factors Threaten Ojibwe Tribe Wild Rice Traditions
China has claimed that a sample of chicken wings imported from Brazil has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a Bloomberg report. The chicken was purchased from an Aurora Alimentos plant located in Santa Catarina.

The report notes that the administration of the Chinese city of Shenzhen has urged people to exercise caution while buying imported frozen food.

This is the first time a sample taken from the surface of chicken was tested and found to be positive for the virus. Up until now, all other reports of frozen foods testing positive were those pertaining to imported seafood.

However, people who came in physical contact with the meat or might have been exposed to it, were tested for coronavirus and their reports came back negative. Tests were also conducted on related products, all of which came back negative too, the local government reportedly revealed in a statement. However, the local authorities have asked consumers to be careful while buying any imported frozen foods.

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

Only two days back, three packaging samples of imported frozen seafood had reportedly tested positive for the virus in Yantai city. Meanwhile, in Wuhu city, the outside of an Ecuador frozen shrimp package had tested COVID-19 positive. Ecuador shrimp packaging was also found to be COVID-19 positive in Xian city.

Follow our coverage of the coronavirus crisis here
We may not be able to visit physically, but next month Disney+ screens Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom.

Narrated by Josh Gad, this eight-episode docu-series invites viewers to experience the popular Disney animal parks.

This is produced by National Geographic, giving viewers an all-access pass to explore the magic of nature within Disneys Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. These contain a magnificent array of more than 300 species and 5,000-plus animals, seeing the tasks their animal care experts undertake to keep things running day and night.

Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom captures the spirit of these two world-famous parks and its animals and ushers that feeling directly into viewers living rooms, says Josh Gad. Each episode, we get to know these animals intimately and are immersed in the magic of Disney, and its been a joy giving voice to this ultimate adventure.

Whether you have visited our parks hundreds of times, or you are being introduced for the first time through Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom, viewers will get an unparalleled, all-new experience as they meet some of the most intriguing animals in our care, says Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Disneys Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks. Im extremely proud of the work our team does to accomplish and deliver on Disneys commitment to best-in-class animal care and conservation as we aim to live in harmony with nature and protect the wondrous wildlife on our planet.

Since Walt Disney first introduced the world to Mickey Mouse in 1928, animals have been at the heart of Disney storytelling. Weve ventured deep into the forests with Bambi; swung through the jungles of Africa with Terk and Tantour; stood atop Pride Rock with Simba; and swam under the sea with Sebastian. Now, through Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom, Disney+ viewers peek behind the curtain of the most-visited theme parks in the world to explore Earths iconic animal kingdoms with Disneys dedicated and highly-skilled animal care experts and veterinary teams as guides.

The docu-series introduces viewers to enchanting animals that have their own unique personalities and family dynamics, inviting fans of Disney, nature and animals to spend time with all the parks residents in brand-new ways, including the following:

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Hang out with the newest member of the gorilla troop, baby Grace, named after the GRACE (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center) gorilla sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and help her dad and troop leader, Gino, celebrate his 39th birthday.

Harambe Wildlife Reserve

Meet animal keeper Rory and come face to knee with his best friend, supermom Masai giraffe Kenya; play fetch with black rhino Badru and his keeper, Katie.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Swing past a day spa as keeper Nicole gives two hyenas a bath in the hopes that theyll be as endearing to guests as they are to her; watch Dakari, the alpha male African lion, reign over his land; and meet Kinsey, the alpha lioness, whos the real ruler of the pride.

Discovery Island

Stop by the love nest of Carri and Bones, an endangered vulture couple, as animal keeper Tricia sets the mood for mating and steps up as eggsitter.

Tiger Temple

Witness animal care experts employing extra creativity to keep critically endangered Sumatran tigers Anala and Sohni entertained.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT

Plunge in with some of the 3,000 ocean animals that call it home, including an injured wild sea turtle, Harry; rescued manatees Lil Joe and Lou; Darby, a pregnant spotted eagle ray; and aquarist Amanda, who is also expecting.

Filmed across five months, the series incorporates cutting-edge technology, including custom-built GoPro enclosures, 18-foot cranes and underwater camera systems, to highlight the magic found in every crevice of the kingdom. Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom dives into the details of each park, unveiling the multifaceted aspects of animal care, operations and Imagineering. Viewers get up close to veterinarians working in one of the worlds most advanced animal health facilities as they solve a menagerie of medical mysteries and revolutionise the care they give to their animals.

Groundbreaking conservation remains a critical component of The Walt Disney Companys mission, and Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom also highlights the parks commitment to protecting the magic of nature. Since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed $100 million to support nonprofit organisations working with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet. In addition, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife works hand-in-hand with the animal care teams to deliver best-in-class scientific programs to conserve wildlife in Disneys backyard and beyond and inspire people from around the world to care for the planet through everyday actions.

Friday September 25 on Disney+.
A special joint legislative hearing is being called to examine how and why Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's top aide received a six-figure severance package when he left a quasi-state agency to take a key position in the Hogan administration, the state's presiding officers announced Friday.

Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, said it was "truly shocking" to learn that Roy McGrath, the former executive director of the Maryland Environmental Service, received a year's salary from the agency in May, just before his appointment as Hogan's chief of staff.

"This shows a clear lack of judgment to assume the role to the closest aide to the Governor of the State," Ferguson and Jones said in a joint statement. "Equally troubling, however, is the role that Maryland Environmental Services played."

The presiding officers said they have asked the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight to immediately hold hearings to look into why the payment was made, who reviewed it and how to prevent such a payment from happening again in the future.

Charles Glass, the executive director of the Maryland Environmental Service, did not immediately respond to a request for information about McGrath's salary or comment about the severance package.

Michael Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, a Republican, said in a text message that the Maryland Environmental Service "is an independent agency, and this was a decision made by the company's Board." He added that McGrath makes $233,648 as chief of staff.

McGrath's severance package was originally reported by the Baltimore Sun.

Hogan announced McGrath's appointment on May 26.

Two days later, the board of directors of the Maryland Environmental Service held an online meeting and, according to its minutes, unanimously approved a motion to pay McGrath a severance package equal to one year's salary and a $5,250 tuition reimbursement, and to allow him to keep a laptop and cellphone that was issued by the agency.

The Maryland Environmental Service is a nonprofit business unit of the state that was established in 1970. It handles environmental and public-works projects, including dredging operations and building, designing and operating landfills.

The minutes do not say how much McGrath earned per year, but fiscal 2021 budget documents show his salary in fiscal 2020 was $233,647.

When Hogan named McGrath as his chief of staff, he described him in a statement as an "experienced public and private sector leader with a proven track record of managing at every level of government and a passionate commitment to public service."

McGrath, who worked on Hogan's 2014 campaign for governor, immediately joined Hogan's administration as a senior adviser after Hogan was elected. He later became deputy chief of staff and, after that, the liaison to the Maryland Board of Public Works.

He was appointed chief executive and chairman of the Maryland Environmental Service board of directors in December 2016. Hogan nominated McGrath to the post, which was approved by the Senate.

Since March, McGrath also has served on the governor's coronavirus response team.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed on Princess Eugenies wedding day that they were expecting their first child. In the new book Finding Freedom, the authors claim that the Sussexs decision to share their pregnancy news at Eugenies wedding did not go down particularly well with Harrys cousin.

Prince harry and Meghan Markle at Princess Eugenies 2018 wedding | Danny Lawson  WPA Pool/Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have purchased their first home in America

Eight months after they shocked the world by announcing their intentions to step down as senior members of the British royal family, Harry and Meghan have reportedly purchased their first home in America.

According to TMZ, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have bought a $10 million home in the uber-exclusive city of Montecito, California. Their new neighbors include Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Drew Barrymore, Rob Lowe, Dick Wolf, and Scooter Braun.

RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Impact Did Not End With Their Departure From the Royal Family

The small California community is located near Santa Barbara, approximately 100 miles north of the Los Angeles area. Harry and Meghan reportedly went into escrow in July before closing the deal on the estate in early August.

Harry, Meghan, and Archie Harrison had been living in Tyler Perrys Beverly Hills mansion since March. Rumor has it that Oprah connected Meghan and Harry with Perry and guided them in Montecitos direction.

Finding Freedom details Harry and Meghans entire relationship

On August 11, the book Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family hit bookstores. Written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the biography details Harry and Meghans relationship from their first date in 2016 to their Megxit announcement in January 2020.

According to People magazine, the book claims Harry and Meghan fired the son Archies night nurse on her second day of work. Their reasoning was that she was unprofessional and irresponsible.

RELATED: Archie Harrison Will Be Both a Prince and a Duke Whether Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Want Him To or Not

The experience with the first night nurse had a lasting effect. A few weeks later, the couple opted to hire a daytime nanny and take care of Archie by themselves at night.

Harry and Meghan issued a statement through their rep that made it clear they werent involved with the new book. Scobie and Durand say they conducted 100 interviews with those who know Harry and Meghan best to write the tell-all.

Princess Eugenie believes Meghan Markle stole her thunder

Another revelation in Finding Freedom is that Princess Eugenie was extremely upset with Harry and Meghans decision to announce their pregnancy on her wedding day. Scobie and Durand write that the choice did not go down particularly well with Eugenie, who tied the knot with Jack Brooksbank on October 12, 2018.

[Princess Eugenie] told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news, dished a source.

RELATED: Meghan Markle Set to Make a Rare Public Appearance Just Days After the Release of Finding Freedom

Scobie and Durant write that Eugenie and Harry were the closest of friends before he married the former Suits star. She was also one of the first royal family members to find out about the relationship. Eugenie told friends she loved Meghan and long wanted to see her cousin settle down and be happy.

However, the book does not portray the family in the best light. The authors claim the House of Windsor was extremely worried about Harry and Meghan dominating the media coverage.

Finding Freedom is available now wherever books are sold.
A proposed sand-processing plant 35 kilometres east of Winnipeg would threaten the drinking water of 64,000 Manitobans and needs greater scrutiny, critics say.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A proposed sand-processing plant 35 kilometres east of Winnipeg would threaten the drinking water of 64,000 Manitobans and needs greater scrutiny, critics say.

"It will destroy the sustainability of the aquifer," said Dennis Le Neveu, a biophysicist and one of the area residents who joined Liberal MLAs Dougald Lamont and Jon Gerrard Thursday to voice concerns about the project.

CanWhite Sands Corp. plans to remove 3.5-million tons of sand a year from the ground, for fracking and other purposes, at its Vivian Sand Facility Project near Anola, in the RM of Springfield.

The plan is to pump sand and water up from the ground and then return the water, which LeNeveu said becomes contaminated when the pyrite in the shale hits the surface, oxidizes and turns acidic. There is a risk of contaminating the groundwater as well as the Brokenhead River and Lake Winnipeg, he said. The frack sand mining and processing might provide short-term wealth to some, but could contaminate the source of drinking water for 64,000 Manitobans, said LeNeveu, a former safety officer at Atomic Energy Canada Ltd., who has worked as a consultant in the oil industry.

The project's environmental impact proposal, which was submitted to Manitoba Conservation, says "overall, the adverse residual effects of the proposed project are expected to be negligible to minor in magnitude and mitigable."

The proposal warrants a Clean Environment Commission review with a public hearing and intervener status funding, said Tangi Bell, another concerned area resident who spoke to reporters Thursday.

JESSE BOILY / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Dennis LeNeveu, a concerned resident, shows a sample of shale from about 200 feet below the surface brought up with the sand by CanWhite exploratory drilling in 2019 to media outside the Legislature building on Thursday.

"We wish that the minister (Sarah Guillemard) would take on this project, re-analyze it, look at it again and bring it up to the status that it deserves," she said. The affected aquifer covers much of southeastern Manitoba. "The magnitude of it is incredible," Bell said.

The province said Thursday it is following the environmental assessment and licensing process "and the project will be thoroughly reviewed in accordance with the Environment Act." The public can provide feedback on the project by email to jennifer.winsor@gov.mb.ca until Aug. 25.

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Gerrard urged Manitobans to do that.

"This is really pristine, tremendous, high-quality water," Gerrard said. "We need to be very careful" with the Sandilands aquifer which is close to the size of Lake Winnipeg but underground, he said. If the project is approved without proper study, it may open the door to more sand-mining operations, he said.

"It is really critical to do (a thorough, independent review) before the first mine, so we make sure all the issues are addressed," said Gerrard. Manitoba has a history of mine sites being abandoned and a lack of remediation, he said. In this case, however, there would be no remedy if things go bad, said Lamont.

"If you get contamination of an aquifer, you can't send people down 200 feet to clean it up," Lamont said. "The damage is done and it is irreparable. It would be centuries of damage to an aquifer that is absolutely colossal that people depend on for agriculture and drinking water."

The provincial government spokesperson said a mine closure plan would be required before any operation could proceed. "As a condition of the Environment Act licence, the province also requires financial security that addresses any environmental liabilities."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
A couple hugs after being released from a detention center where protesters were detained during a mass rally following presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 14, 2020. (AP Photo)

Belarus Authorities Free Detainees Amid Protesters Pressure

MINSKBelarusian authorities have released about 1,000 people detained amid demonstrations contesting the results of the presidential election, in an attempt to assuage public anger against a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests.

Around midnight, scores of detainees were seen walking out of one of Minsks jails. In the early morning, volunteers also saw at least 119 detainees being released in the city of Zhodino just northeast of the Belarusian capital. Ambulances arrived to carry those who apparently were unable to walk on their own.

Many of those who were released talked about brutal beatings and other abuse at the hands of police, and some showed bruises. Some wept as they embraced their relatives.

The releases came hours after Belarus top law enforcement official apologized on state television for the indiscriminate use of force by police. I take responsibility for what they say was violence against those people, who happened to be nearby and failed to back off quickly enough, Interior Minister Yuri Karayev said late Thursday.

Belarusian women, one of them carrying a poster reads My brother is not a criminal, rally in solidarity with protesters injured in the latest rallies against the results of the countrys presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 13, 2020. (AP Photo)

The move comes on the day that European Union foreign ministers are due to meet to discuss possible sanctions against Belarus. Lukashenkos main challenger, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has been given refuge in neighboring Lithuania, posted a video statement contesting the results of the vote and demanding that the government start a dialogue with protesters.

In five days of massive protests, crowds of demonstrators swarmed the streets to contest the vote results and demand an end to the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Nearly 7,000 people have been detained and hundreds injured.

The official results said Lukashenko won 80 percent of the vote and Tsikhanouskaya only 10 percent. Police have broken up protests with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings.

On Thursday, thousands of workers rallied outside industrial plants to denounce the police crackdown and push for a recount of Sundays vote.

Hundreds of women formed long lines of solidarity in several areas of the capital, Minsk. Many were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of detained loved ones.

Women walk through a gate after being released from a detention center in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 14, 2020. (AP Photo)

The human chains grew throughout the day, filling Minsks main central squares and avenues and spreading to numerous other cities as motorists honked in support.

Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms and insignia in the trash. Several popular anchors at Belarus state TV stations have quit.

The demonstrations have spread even though the protest lacks leaders. Tsikhanouskaya abruptly left for Lithuania on Tuesday, calling on her supporters to stop protests in a video that her associates said was recorded under pressure from law enforcement officials before her departure. The 37-year-old former teacher had joined the race to replace her husband, an opposition blogger, who has been jailed since May.

In a new video statement released Friday, Tsikhanouskaya again challenged Lukashenkos victory, saying that copies of protocols from precincts where the vote was counted fairly show her winning 60-70 percent of the vote. She urged the government to end violence and engage in dialogue with protesters.

People hug after being released from a detention center in Minsk, Belarus, on Aug. 14, 2020. (Sergei Grits/AP Photo)

The Belarusians will never want to live under the current government, she said. The authorities have turned peaceful demonstrations into a blood bath.

The massive protests against election results and police brutality have been an unprecedented challenge to Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and earned the nickname of Europes last dictator for his relentless crackdown on dissent. The scope and ferocity of the police clampdown were remarkable even for Lukashenkos iron-fisted rule, triggering widespread anger.

After dismissing protesters as mostly ex-convicts and unemployed, the authoritarian leader kept silent Thursday as the rallies spread quickly and workers at major industrial plants joined them. Some reports said he was preparing an address to the nation.

Clearly worried about the possibility of major strikes, Lukashenko warned that they would deepen the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and could lead to Belarus losing its niche in global markets amid intense competition.

Everyone is fighting for markets, and if we stop we will never be able to resume production, he said. You must explain it to the people.

He didnt directly address the election and the subsequent protests, but the Belarusian upper house speaker Natalya Kochanova said late Thursday that more than 1,000 detainees had been released earlier in the day following Lukashenkos order to law enforcement agencies to look more closely into the detentions.

We dont need a war, we dont need a fight, Kochanova said in televised remarks.

Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights center confirmed that about 1,000 people have been released from jails in Minsk and Zhodino,

The authorities are obviously trying to de-escalate the situation and ease the tensions, fearing that the furious industrial workers will take to the streets all across Belarus, Stefanovich said.

A protester died Monday in Minsk when, according to the Interior Ministry, an explosive device he tried to throw at police blew up in his hand. Media reports challenged the ministrys claim, alleging that he was killed by police. The place where he died quickly turned into a pilgrimage site, with hundreds of people, including European ambassadors, laying flowers there.

The authorities said that a detainee died in the southeastern city of Gomel, but the circumstances of his death werent immediately clear.

The brutal suppression of protests drew harsh criticism in the West.

European Union foreign ministers are set to meet Friday to discuss a response, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the 27-nation bloc would increase the pressure on Belarus.

In an attempt to ease Western criticism, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said in a phone call with his Swiss counterpart that the country is ready for a constructive and objective dialogue with foreign partners on all issues related to the election and subsequent events.

By Yuras Karmanau
A total of 12 overseas enterprises, including tourism giant TUI Group from Germany, signed cooperation agreements on major projects within the free trade port in south China's Hainan Province on Thursday.

A total of 59 major projects, including 12 foreign-funded and 47 domestic ones, were agreed, covering tourism, the modern service industry and high-tech industries, with an estimated total investment of 14.2 billion yuan (about 2 billion U.S. dollars).

A representative of TUI Group said the signing marks the tourism magnate's formal entry into the Hainan free trade port, adding that it will found an Asian-Pacific regional headquarters and joint venture here to further deepen its business relations with China and the Asian-Pacific region.

The signing ceremony also unveiled 20 investment-promotion projects that are open to global investors, in areas such as new-energy vehicles, tourism, offshore trade and duty-free retail.

On June 1, China released a master plan for constructing a free trade port on Hainan, a resort island with tourism as a mainstay industry, arousing interest both abroad and at home.

As increasing foreign companies come to invest, Hainan is making every effort to improve its business environment.

A "single window" for international investment was officially launched on Thursday, providing one-stop services for foreign investors, and shortening the duration of setting up foreign-invested companies to two working days.

The window integrates several e-government affairs systems, making more than 20 services available online at one time, including business registration, foreign investment and foreign exchange registrations, according to an official with the provincial commerce department.

Since its trial run last April, more than 700 foreign-funded enterprises have handled more than 1,150 investment-related businesses online through the "single window."
A member of a Facebook group where men jokingly post photos of themselves pointing loaded guns at their genitals, accidentally shot himself in his privates.

The bizarre incident took place on Tuesday in San Diego, California, landing the trigger-happy man in the hospital to be treated for injuries to his scrotum, as Vice first reported.

The man, who has not been named, is reportedly a member of the Facebook group 'Loaded Guns Pointed at [B]enis'. The group was created in May to get a rise out of responsible gun owners by showcasing photos of men pointing loaded firearms with the safety off at their crotches.

A San Diego man on Tuesday shared this video on the Facebook group 'Loaded Guns Pointed at [B]enis showing him brandishing his .45 caliber 1911 pistol

The clip shows the man pointing the loaded gun with the safety off at his crotch. After a few seconds, the pistol discharges

The man later shared this image depicting the aftermath of the shooting, which left him with entrance and exit wounds in his scrotum

That is exactly what the San Diego resident was doing when he shot himself this week.

He posted a video of himself showing off his .45 caliber 1911 pistol, then pressing the muzzle against his genitals. After a few seconds, the gun discharges.

The wounded man documented what happened next in a series of posts, writing: 'Hey [b]ois, I might have f***ed up.'

The comment was accompanied by a photo showing the man's exposed legs with a towel pressed in between them, drops of blood on the floor and a crumpled copy of the US Constitution.

'I'm not kidding. I just shot myself,' the gun enthusiast continued her narration. 'God's caliber went through my scrotum, mattress, boxspring and floor.'

As Vice reported, the man initially thought the bullet had just grazed his body, but a trip to the hospital confirmed that the round had gone straight through his scrotum, leaving an entry and exit wound.

He reportedly shared a photo of himself laying on a gurney wearing a hospital gown and pointing his finger at his privates in a gesture mimicking a gun.

An admin for the Facebook group reported that the victim was '100% okay' and even went to work the following day.

The San Diego Police Department has confirmed that officers were called to the hospital at 8.30pm on Tuesday for a report of a man suffering from a self-inflicted wound.

The Facebook group 'Loaded Guns Pointed at [B]enis' was created in May to anger responsible gun owners by showing men pointing loaded firearms with the safety off at their privates

But by the time they arrived at the hospital, the patient had been discharged.

In the wake of the incident, other members of the Facebook group elevated the San Diego man to the status of an admin and celebrated him as 'king.'

'The reason we are calling him king is partially because the poor guy already shot himself, dont think he needs to be chastised as well,' the other admin told Vice. 'Im quite sure hes learned his lesson without the entire world calling him an idiot.'
Actor Dennis Quaid, 66, has adopted a black rescue cat from the Lynchburg Humane Society in Virginia after a local TV news segment featured the him.

It was really off the wall, but I just couldnt resist. I had to, the actor said to 10 News on Wednesday. Im out to save all the Dennis Quaids of the world.


The FBI is asking for the publics help in locating a Georgia mother who disappeared while visiting Florida with her 2-year-old son, who was later found wandering barefoot and alone at an apartment complex.

Leila Cavett, 21, was last seen on July 26, a day after she arrived in South Florida with her son, Kamdyn, according to George Piro, special agent in charge of the FBI's Miami field office.

"We believe that some people who are familiar with the circumstances surrounding Leila's disappearance remain in our community, while some have left the area," Piro said at a news conference Thursday.

"We're investigating every possibility as to why Leila went missing. Additionally, along with our other law enforcement partners, we are aggressively pursuing a large number of leads to reunite Kamdyn and Leila."

Police are searching for Leila Cavett who went missing in Florida. (via Miramar Police Dept.)

Piro said Cavett, of Dawsonville, Georgia, arrived in South Florida on July 25 and spent time in Hollywood, Miramar and Fort Lauderdale Beach before she disappeared.

Photos released by the FBI showed that Cavett and her son visited a gas station in Hollywood multiple times on July 25. Another image from that same day showed her at the gas station exiting and entering a Lexus sedan. Piro said at Thursday's news conference that investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying the vehicle.

"We're trying to identify and contact everyone who she might have spoken to or come in contact with," he said.

The mother vanished just hours before her son was found July 26 walking alone without shoes at an apartment complex in Miramar, according to authorities. The little boy was wearing only a T-shirt and a diaper.

Ebony Williams, a resident of the area, told reporters at a news conference that she had just arrived home when she saw the toddler outside and realized he was by himself.

I asked him where his mommy was, and he just kind of pointed everywhere, she said, according to Dateline. I reached out my hand for him, he grabbed my hand. And I just walked around the complex hoping I would find somebody looking for him, or calling his name.

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When Williams could not find the child's parents, she called 911.

Leila Cavett's son was found wandering alone in Miramar, Fla. (Miramar Police Dept.)

Miramar Police responded and said in a Facebook post that officers "spent hours canvassing the area, knocking on doors, speaking with neighbors and even those who drove through the area" to find the child's parents, but they were nowhere to be found.

A police department spokesperson told Dateline that family members came forward after pictures of the child circulated on social media.

Piro said Cavett's being separated from her son "is completely out of character."

"Her family and others in our community are very concerned about her safety and well-being," he said at Thursday's news conference.

Cavett's car, a white Chevy pickup truck, was located on July 28 in Hollywood, roughly five miles from where her son was found.

Gina Lewis, Cavett's sister, told NBC 6 that she doesn't know why Cavett was in Florida.

Its not out of character for her to go places, but its definitely out of character for her to be in Florida," she said. "Were in Alabama, she lives in Georgia. If its not those two states, we dont understand why she would be here, for sure.

Family members and an attorney they have hired did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.

Piro said the FBI is not ready to reveal "all the information that we have" but called the disappearance "very, very mysterious."

The Miramar and Hollywood police departments are also assisting with the investigation. Cavett's son is safe and in the custody of child services, authorities said.
Lock Up

Director: SG Charles

Cast: Vaibhav, Venkat Prabhu, Vani Bhojan, Shamna Kasim and Eswari Rao

Lock Up, from debutant filmmaker SG Charles, is yet another Tamil film to bypass theatrical release and make it to a streaming platform. After the much-hyped releases of Ponmagal Vandhal and Penguin, Lock Up has made it to Zee 5 without much ado, and thats exactly what has worked in its favour. The fact that theres not much hype associated with the film has made it a pleasantly surprising watch, despite how predictable it gets towards the end. Since youre not sure of what to expect from the film, you buy into its story that makes for a decently engaging investigative thriller.

The film doesnt waste any time in developing its world and introducing us to its characters. It opens with a phone call from a police commissioner, who assigns Eswari Rao to take charge of a case in which a police inspector is killed and a woman (played by Shamna) dies by suicide. Eswari suspects that there could be a connection between the murder of the inspector and Shamnas suicide. As she starts investigating the case, we are introduced to the local inspector Murthy (Venkat Prabhu) and his subordinate Vasanth (Vaibhav).

This is a thriller thats built on police conspiracy. Almost every officer is ready to do anything for a promotion, and they dont care how dirty things get in the process. As a dialogue in the film goes, its tough to differentiate between a good and bad cop. The film manages to give us a closer look at police conspiracy and how it affects common people who become helpless and voiceless. The film does draw some inspiration from Mysskins Yuddham Sei where a family decides to avenge the death of their daughter. Thankfully, the family revenge angle isnt the core plot and the focus is at most times on the investigation behind two deaths.

Also read: Video of Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Priyanka questioning former staff member over suspicious money transfer goes viral

In a refreshing departure from her usual screen avatar as mother, Eswari Rao shines in the role of the investigating officer. Even though her character couldve been written better, it was comforting to see her get some spotlight in an otherwise male-dominated police stories. Venkat Prabhu, a popular filmmaker, gets his act pretty convincingly as the cop with some secrets. A regular face in his role wouldve made it very predictable but Venkat makes it realistic. Vaibhav, too, has a decent screen presence and owns his part convincingly. The other two women  Vani Bhojan and Shamna Kasim  have very little to contribute.

Lock Up is a praiseworthy attempt in the investigative thriller space. Its also one of the better Tamil films among the recent direct OTT releases. Even though the writing is amateurish at places, you dont nitpick because the film never gets outright boring and manages to keep us engaged.

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Linkedin Wahyoe Boediwardhana and Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya and Surakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 18:56 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e1f784 1 National #Indonesia75,#IndependenceDay,#COVID19,regions,Independence-Day,COVID-19 Free

A number of regional administrations across the country have decided to limit the celebrations of Indonesias upcoming 75th anniversary and called on their respective residents to refrain from holding events that could attract crowds amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is showing no signs of slowing down.

The Surabaya administration in East Java has altogether prohibited celebrations that usually involve a large number of people, such as tirakatan (a tradition held on the eve of Independence Day to express gratitude to God before holding a flag-hoisting ceremony the next morning) as well as various competitions featuring traditional games including panjat pinang (pole climbing) and balap karung (sack race).

Indonesias Independence Day is celebrated every Aug. 17, when residents traditionally hold various events to commemorate the anniversary.

Deputy secretary of the Surabaya COVID-19 task force Irvan Widyanto said such events with a large gathering of people were fertile ground for the coronavirus to spread.

East Java recently emerged as a new COVID-19 epicenter in the country, after capital Jakarta, with a total of 26,979 confirmed cases and 1,967 fatalities as of Friday.

"It's quite risky to hold tirakatan and competitions in the current conditions. So, we call on all residents to not hold any celebrations that involve many people on Independence Day," Irvan said earlier this week.

Another city in East Java, Malang has also issued restrictions for Independence Day celebrations in the City Hall complex. Malang Mayor Sutiaji said a very limited number of people would perform a small prayer the night before the flag-hoisting ceremony, and it was going to be aired online through the citys social media accounts.

"Each activity [namely the tirakatan and flag-hoisting ceremony] would be attended by no more than 20 people," he said.

Read also: Less fun and games as Greater Jakarta limits Independence Day events

In Central Java, several regions in the province have opted for different approaches to the celebration. The Surakarta administration, for instance, has banned tirakatan yet still allowed traditional competitions to take place as long as health protocols are implemented.

The Sukoharjo regency administration chose to take stricter action by prohibiting all gatherings without exception.

"There will be no tirakatan, no fun games this year. Let's avoid any gatherings in the meantime," Sukoharjo acting regional secretary Widodo said.

Similarly, local administrations in West Java, North Sumatra and South Sulawesi will also limit Independence Day celebrations to only the flag-hosting ceremony, which will involve small groups of people.

West Java COVID-19 task force secretary Daud Achmad urged residents not to hold big and festive celebrations "because they potentially attract crowds, which we must still avoid," he said.

A top official at the North Sumatra administration, M. Fitriyus, said the administration had decided to call off the annual Independence Day parade that had always enlivened the region's main roads every August 17. He also said the administration called on residents to put off any event that could gather a crowd.

"All of this is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region," Fitriyus said.

Despite the calls, residents in Medan Selayang district in Medan, have worked together in the past week to prepare a series of celebrations, especially traditional competitions for children, to commemorate Independence Day.

Generally there is not much difference between this years Independence Day celebrations than last year's. The only difference is that, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all competitions will be held under health protocols, local resident Herdianto said on Friday.

Acting Makassar Mayor in South Sulawesi, Rudy Djamaluddin, said he had issued a circular calling on residents not to hold any gatherings or celebrations to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus.

We are putting our focus on COVID-19 handling. Holding events for Independence Day will only gather crowds and we worry that it could trigger another spike of COVID-19 cases, he said. (vny)

Arya Dipa from Bandung, Apriadi Gunawan from Medan and Andi Hajramurni from Makassar contributed to this story.
A major property company has withdrawn plans for a 23million apart-hotel near Boucher Road in Belfast after it was recommended for rejection by the city council.

Kilmona Property, which is led by Paddy Kearney, wanted to build the development at the Adelaide Business Centre off Apollo Road, close to Windsor Park.

The plan envisaged a scheme of 87 bedrooms, 26 serviced apartments and business studios.

However, Belfast City Council again recommended refusal of the development over concerns about water infrastructure.

A council spokeswoman said it had now been withdrawn.

Kilmona, which owns the city centre hotel Ten Square, would not comment on what its next steps would be, although it could submit a new application.

It is one of two apart-hotels Kilmona had planned for outside the city centre, with both tipped to bear the Ten Square name.

A smaller apart-hotel at Stockmans Way, Ten Square West, has already been recommended for approval.

NI Water had expressed concerns that the waste-water pumping station in the area around Apollo Road did not have enough capacity for the rejected development.

It is understood Kilmona proposed building a separate treatment plant.

A report prepared by planners for consideration by councillors before they meet next week said: "The treatment plant would also require an additional planning fee and for this reason alone it would not be possible to consider the treatment plant as part of this application.

"The applicant would need to withdraw the current application and resubmit a new application with the waste-water treatment plant designed and integrated within a revised comprehensive proposal."

The report also cited a potential impact on the natural heritage of the area. It said insufficient information had been given to show that the development would not have a significant effect on Belfast Lough.
As much of the footwear sector struggles amid the ongoing pandemic, Crocs is bucking the trend  and proving that brands can make the coronavirus work for them.

The clog maker far exceed expectations for the second quarter as its trend-right casual product, tight connection with consumers and focus on digital paid off big.

More from Footwear News

Unequivocally, we are gaining share. We see that in the marketplace. We hear that from all of our wholesale partners, said president and CEO Andrew Rees in a conference call today, noting that Crocs is beating its competitors. In the back half of this year, demand will certainly exceed supply. So we will manage that carefully. I would much rather be in that situation than the opposite situation.

For the second quarter, the clog maker recorded diluted earnings per share that surged 71.2% to $1.01 on an adjusted basis  well above the prior years 59 cents per share and analysts bets of 14 cents per share. Revenues, on the other hand, declined 7.6% to $331.5 million but still beat Wall Streets forecasts of $249.6 million.

Digital Is Soaring

While every company has been moving fast to capitalize on a rapid and dramatic shift to digital, some brands have clicked in more than others. Crocs is certainly a winner here. The brand said its online business  which combines its own e-commerce and digital sales at its partners  represented 56% of Q2 sales, compared to 33% last year. While these strong growth rates have recently started to temper, it is clear that the pandemic has accelerated the shift to digital, and it will remain a high priority channel going forward, Rees said.

The Iconic Clog Is on Fire

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While theres been much debate around Crocs classic clog, one thing is for sure: It has serious staying power. The style drove 68% of total footwear revenues in Q2, up from 56% last year. As casual reigns and dress continues to decline, the look will likely continue to resonate. Consumers are looking for comfort. Theyre looking for value. Theyre looking for great storytelling. Theyre looking for personalization and inspiration, Rees said, citing the continued focus on the Jibbitz custom charms.

Nearly All U.S. Stores Have Reopened and Asia Is on the Rise

As the brands locations in the U.S. get back to business, traffic is down, but conversions and transaction values are up. That proves the strength of the brand in the U.S.  and its also making progress in Asia, where sales rose in China and Korea during the quarter. The brand has increased relevance in China with attention-grabbing collaborations, including a livestream event with Yang Mi on TMall.

Crocs Connected With Health Care Workers & People in Need at a Critical Time

As the pandemic upended the lives of health care workers, Crocs was there for them. The brand donated more than 860,000 pairs of shoes  already in a staple in the wardrobe of many in the medical field  with a retail value of almost $40 million. In addition, as many Americans struggle with access to food, the company recently partnered with BD America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization. This is an important step in our effort to continue to support our communities, Rees said. Ive seen the power of our organization when we come together for good. And I know that together, we will continue to make a meaningful impact globally.
By Kambale Musavuli

I was alerted that Rwandan General James Kabarebe talked about Congolese doctor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege on TV in Kigali, Rwanda.

Since I dont understand kinyarwanda, I shared the video with some of my Rwandan allies and here is the summary of what James Kabarebe is saying:

There are some organizations that lost (the war) that use a Congolese Mushi doctor named Dr. Mukwege and a bunch of organizations who had interest in keeping refugees in the Congo who run propaganda talking about 6 million Congolese killed but they have no evidence. You cant kill 6 million people and not even be able to show a body. There is a report called Mapping report that they use as a base for that propaganda.

James Kabarebe has denied that 6 million Congolese have died in the Congo though the IRC study presents the numbers of 5.4 million dead from 1998 to 2007 at a rate of 45,000 dying every month.

James Kabarebe has denied the genocide because he is one of the Rwandan soldiers who massacred civilians in Rwanda and Congo. The Gersony report looked into the massacre of Hutus in Rwanda in 1994 and this was blocked by Kofi Anan and the Americans at the US. The Garreton report showed the killing and disappearance of 200,000 Congolese, Burundian and Rwandan refugees most of whom were Hutu  another report blocked by the US at the U.N. Security Council. Then the Mapping Report documented 617 mass violation of human rights and international humanitarian law with many of the killings committed by Rwandan soldiers which includes Kabarebe at that time. The Mapping report charges genocide to Rwandan troops and stated this needs to be taken up in a competent court. And that court is the International Tribunal for Congo.

A Rwandan General implicated in so many crimes now is talking about Dr. Mukwege. This should alarm every Congolese and allies since Dr. Mukwege has been targeted by Rwanda when he denounced the July 2020 massacre in Kipupu, Sange and towns in the Ituri province. Over 200 people were killed in July alone. It is becoming obvious that they want to take down Dr. Mukwege and this will not happen.

I am beyond outrage that this criminal, who has an arrest warrant from the Spanish Court that tried Pinochet and has committed so many crimes in Rwanda and Congo has the audacity to speak on crimes in Congo.

This guy seriously this guy in 1997 was the Congolese army chief of staff. He told us he was Congolese. He then fled back to Rwanda in 1998 and became a minister of defense there once, military advisor, and has been cited in many reports for providing military intelligence and equipment to rebels in the Congo notably the RCD which morphed over the years to CNDP and in 2012 became M23.

Why is Rwanda so afraid of Dr. Mukwege?

Doctor has been leading the call for the creation of the International Tribunal for Congo and has said in any platform he has been given that without justice there cant be no peace in Congo.

To my brothers and sisters who are in Minembwe: Im told and Ive seen you are also participating in the attacks against Mukwege. If you truly care about the Congolese genocide, you should be the first to support the call for the International Tribunal for Congo. Do not let Kagame instrumentalize you just as he did in 1996 when Bizima Karaha and James Kabarebe were both presented to us as Congolese. 24 years later, over 6 million Congolese have lost their lives and our minerals have been looted for the world to have a digital revolution.

Talk to your leaders and ask them why they are not supporting the call for the International Tribunal for Congo per the Mapping Report. Why are they afraid of this? I know Paul Kagame is afraid because if the tribunal is created, then his crimes and those of the likes of James Kabarebe will ne exposed and they will have to face justice.

If you say youre Congolese and truly believe in justice, then you will do everything in your power to see that the International Tribunal for Congo is created and James Kabarebe, Charles Kayonga, Kayumba Nyamwasa, Jack Nziza, Ruberwa, Mundos, Kabila, Kagame and the list goes on are all put out of commission for having killed civilians and participated in the looting of Congo.

Congolese and allies, we have been put on notice that Rwanda is afraid of this tribunal and they are willing to go after Mukwege if necessary.

I hope everyone is going to do everything they can to protect Doc!
Rockin Ellie took a two-hole trip and turned it into her fourth win of the year in the $12,000 conditioned distaff pace at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon.

Rockin Ellie (Bruce Ranger) left and dropped in second behind Hereslookinatyou N (Mitchell Cushing), who took the field to the quarter in a swift :26.4. An outer flow formed before the half led by Royalty Again (Drew Monti) before the group split into two groups; four in and four out heading up the backside.

Hereslookinatyou N and Royalty Again paced side by side past the three-quarters and around the far turn without either getting a clear advantage. Heading into the stretch, the trailing horses fanned five wide and all were closing on the leaders. But the quickest route to the wire was at the pylons and thats where Rocking Ellie shot through to get home first by a length in 1:53.4.

It was the sixth lifetime win for the four-year-old daughter of Rockincam-Sodys Home Brew who is owned by Just Enough LLC and Mike Girouard, who also does the training.

In the $10,500 condition pace for older mares, Dontustopbelievn N (Ron Cushing) led at every station while turning back a third quarter challenge from Hilaria (Mike Stevenson) and fending off a late charge from Weekend Getaway (Shawn Gray) to close out the mile with a 1:53.1 win and take a new lifetime mark.

It was the third win in the last four starts for Dontustopbelievn N ($5.60) who is owned by Scott McKenzie, Laura Karageorge and Ron Cushing. Heidi Gibbs trains the winner.

Mitchell Cushing led all drivers on Thursday with three wins on the card while Matty Ice Athearn and Bruce Ranger each had two. Trainers Mike Girouard, Ryan Berry and Melissa Beckwith also had conditioning doubles.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday afternoon (Aug. 14) with post time at 4 p.m.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
He was seen surfing the faves and frolicking in the ocean with his wife earlier this week.

But on Friday, Matt Damon had a decidedly tamer beach outing, when he decided to take advantage of the warm summer weather in Malibu, California to work outdoors while reclining on the sand with his wife Luciana Barroso.

Damon, 49, sat against a rocky area on the beach, with a stack of papers that looked like a movie script in hand.

Work outing: On Friday, Matt Damon took advantage of the warm summer weather in Malibu to work outdoors while reclining on the sand with his wife Luciana Barroso

The Bourne Supremacy star was in a dark t-shirt and striped shorts, and he had a pair of sunglasses hooked into his collar.

His buff physique was apparent under his tee.

Matt passed pages back and forth with Luciana, 44, who looked concentrated on what she was reading.

Hard at work: Damon, 49, sat against a rocky area on the beach, with a stack of papers that looked like a movie script in hand

Barroso, who shares three daughters with the Oscar winner, wore what looked to be a black and white snakeskin-style beach dress over a swimsuit.

She kept her sunshades on, and had her dark brown hair down and a hair tie around her wrist.

Matt, an actor, producer and screenwriter, is currently involved in at least five projects, so the script he was reading could have been any one of those  or something else entirely.

Take a look: Matt passed pages back and forth with Luciana, 44, who looked concentrated on what she was reading

As a producer, Damon is working on the dramatic TV movie Thirst, about the global water crisis, as well as courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution and another series, titled Green Beret's Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse.

Witness for the Prosecution, based on a novel by Agatha Christie, is being directed by and will star Matt's longtime best friend and professional partner, Ben Affleck.

Damon and Affleck  who won twin screenwriting Oscars for the brilliant 1997 film Good Will Hunting, are also involved in a film called The Last Duel, which is currently filming after a delay.

That period film, directed by Ridley Scott, is Matt and Ben's first screenwriting team-up since Good Will Hunting, and they worked with Can You Ever Forgive Me's Nicole Holofcener.

Hollywood couple: Matt, an actor, producer and screenwriter, is currently involved in at least five projects, so the script he was reading could have been any one of those; seen with Luciana last November

Legendary: Matt and his best friend and professional partner, Ben Affleck  who won twin screenwriting Oscars for 1997's Good Will Hunting  are involved in a new film, The Last Duel

The Last Duel is about the last sanctioned duel in France, in which a knight battled his friend after accusing him of raping his wife.

The actors originally intended to play the two knights, but Affleck switched to a smaller supporting role, while Adam Driver replaced him.

And also on the acting front for Damon is Stillwater, opposite Zombieland's Abigail Breslin, following a father who travels from Oklahoma to France to help his daughter who has been arrested for murder.
A foundation has been created to help victims of protests in Belarus, members of election commissions who did not take part in rigging elections and employees of the Belarusian riot police who refused to use force against protesters.

Opposition Belarusian politician Valery Tsepkalo spoke about the creation of the foundation in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"We have created in Ukraine a foundation to help those who suffered from the regime, those who acted according to their conscience  teachers, for example, in the commissions at those polling stations where they showed true voting figures. We have already made an announcement. Some American money has been sent. It is clear that there will be some kind of procedure and the person will have to prove that he worked in a specific territorial election commission. A teacher has already come to us. She wrote us a statement. Now she sits at home and is afraid. She acted according to her conscience, of course, we will help," Tsepkalo said.

According to him, the foundation will also provide financial assistance to protesters who were injured during the demonstrations, as well as to riot police officers who refused to use force against them.

"Secondly, we will financially help those who were beaten or arrested. Thirdly, we will help the riot policemen who walked with shields with the people and who either will be fired or write a letter of resignation themselves We will provide assistance. I made the rounds of the Belarusian diaspora. They are willing to help in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany and the United States, I think," he said.

Tsepkalo also noted that the creation of the foundation in Ukraine is due to the visa-free regime with Belarus: "The foundation is in Ukraine, because Belarusians do not need a visa to travel here," he said, adding that "the situation is different with Lithuania."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:28:58|Editor: huaxia

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WINDHOEK, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Friday recorded 182 positive COVID-19 cases, the highest daily increase since the virus was reported in the country on March 14 this year.

In a statement, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula said the figure brings the number of positive cases to 3,726 with most cases recorded in Windhoek and Walvis Bay.

The country also recorded a record number of recoveries with 1,494.

The country also recorded four deaths, bringing the number of deaths to 31.

"We have recorded a high number of fatalities in just three days and this shows the seriousness of this disease. We need to be vigilant," Shangula said.

The country has so far recorded 3,726 confirmed cases, 2,342 recoveries cumulatively. Enditem
Sudan National Museum, which houses thousands of priceless antiquities dating back millennia, is to be closed for lengthy renovations after years of neglect, its director told AFP.

The museum, which opened in the 1970s, is home to more than 2,700 objects including some dating back to the Paleolithic period and important pieces from the ancient Egyptian Pharaonic dynasties and from Nubian culture.

"All these pieces are originals, apart from a few statues which are copies because the originals are in the Kerma museum" in the country's Northern state, said Haitem el-Nour, new director of the national corporation of antiquities and museums.

A grant of a $1 million has been put up by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation to fund the works, which will be carried out under the supervision of UNESCO.

The museum, which was opened in 1970, houses more than 2,700 objects some as old as the Paleolithic period, as well as important pieces from the ancient Egyptian Pharaonic dynasties and from Nubian culture. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

"This is coming at the right time as the building really needs to be renovated as well as the display cases," said Nour.

The museum will close on September 1, with the renovations to be finished by either late next year or early 2022.

The irreplacable items have been left collecting dust in the building for years, with no air-conditioning to protect them from the scorching Sudanese temperatures.

Now they will have to be carefully removed from the building and placed into underground storage to protect them from light before the work begins.

Haitem el-Nour, new director of the national corporation of antiquities and museums says the facelift is coming at the right time to help save the antiquities. By ASHRAF SHAZLY (AFP)

When the museum reopens, Nour hopes to be able to put on display some other treasures which have been uncovered over the past decade and never shown to the public.

He also hopes the new museum will encourage tourism in the country, which has embarked on a new path since last year shaking off 30 years of iron-fisted rule under dictator Omar al-Bashir.
According to officials of South Korea, they will be adding a light carrier and start construction of its superstructure in 2021. Along with ship, there will be addons like fighter jets domestic and foreign to arm it with.

Recently, the South Korean Defense Ministry has signified the buildup of blue water navy that can operate in the East China Sea or any other ocean. It was only last year that a concept for a large transport vessel that is a platform for several systems. This is called the National Plan 202i-2025 that will see the Republic of Korea has these weapons platforms operating alongside the American fleet, reported CNN.

Defense Ministry press briefs have said that it will be 30,000 tons, a small aircraft carrier that can carry marine battalions, also equipment, and cargo, but most of all the F-35B that has vertical take-off and landing capacity.

Just like the USS America amphibious carrier, it will fulfill the roles as attack platforms and deployment of marine forces with materials too. This versatile vessel will the command ship for units under it.

ROK will be projected to acquire F-35Bs that can launch off the decks without a catapult, operating like Harrier jump jets. In the meantime, the 5th gen F-35B is the only plane capable of short take-off and landing used by armed forces. Its nearest touted equivalent is yet to fly in numbers.

Allies U.S., Japan, and ROK will be one of the operators of the carrier specialized plane in the western pacific. What these nations have in common is a teetering relationship with North Korea.

Also read: U.S. Navy's Weapons: F-35 Lightning and Super Hornet Adds Tactical Layers to Win

Even Japan joined the trend and refitted an Izumo-class helicopter carrier to carry F-35B as well. The vessel is a reversal of Japan not rearming itself, but the Chinese are forcing Tokyo to reckon with a force of their own. American amphibious assault ships like the Izumo and Dokdo have F-35Bs on their decks.

The South Korean ship will be in line with the Izumo in naval tonnage, but the USS America docked in Japan is a larger 43,000 to 30,000 tons. It is one of the biggest small carriers next to the Nimitz class and soon the Ford-class.

China is building the same large, amphibious assault ships but they can only use a helicopter to stage attacks. The PLA Air Force does not have the tech to create a copy of the F-35B or the F-22 Raptor, which degrades the value of these ships.

According to Chun In-bum, a retired three-star South Korean Army general, explained why the cost of acquiring these systems are worth it.

He cited areas like logistics, improved training, and radio equipment for military purposes must be undertaken.

Every naval force in the world is lined up to get the F-35B as jump-jets and stealth capable planes that China does not have yet. This multi-role fighter has systems that link with a network of defensive and offensive systems. Though it depends on who operates it, it hits Mach 1.6.

In its internal weapons bay are two 1,000-pound guided munitions, and advanced software for battlefield awareness for all F-35 models.

Carl Schuster formerly associated with US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center said the ship will give South Koreas a sea-based mobile base to go anywhere, and ROK will have a force that can operate in the Indian Ocean.The first aircraft carrier of South Korea is coming in 2025 as China pushes its borders.

Related article: South Korea Beefing Up With Aircraft Carrier to Counter Threats in the Region

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Trump administration wants to install floating border barriers that could be used to wall off river crossings and reservoirs along the international boundary with Mexico or extend U.S. fencing deeper into the sea, according to a new market solicitation posted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The "Buoy Barrier System" described in a new federal contracting bulletin seeks information from private companies capable of installing a system that could meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements. Such a barrier would need to prevent swimmers from climbing onto it, "and must include a component (such as an anti-dive mesh) that would impede incursions and/or breaching via underwater diving while minimizing debris buildup," the solicitation states.

President Donald Trump's $15 billion border wall project includes about 275 miles of newly completed barriers thus far, and Department of Homeland Security officials say they are on track to finish another 175 miles by the end of the year. The floating barriers described in the contracting bulletin would be in addition to those on dry land.

Such floating barriers or river-based deterrents could allow the U.S. government to block migrants from fording waters along stretches of the Rio Grande where it is difficult or impossible to build steel barriers on the shoreline. It also could provide the U.S. government a way to install some form of a barrier in areas of Texas where private owners have resisted efforts at eminent domain seizures or proposals to build structures and roadways on their properties.

John Mennell, a CBP spokesman, said the purpose of the solicitation is to gather information from private industry about the feasibility of the project.

The U.S. Border Patrol, Mennell said in a statement, is seeking to "impede and deny illicit activity in waterways, including but not limited to rivers, lakes, and ponds, where use of traditional land-based barriers are not practical."

The Rio Grande comprises about two-thirds of the 2,000-mile international boundary with Mexico, and during certain times of year there are places along the river that are shallow enough for people to walk or wade through. Along the busiest stretch for illegal traffic, closer to the river's terminus in the Gulf of Mexico, migrants and smuggling guides typically paddle through dangerous currents using cheap inflatable rafts and flotation devices, often at grave risk.

Salvadoran migrant Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez, 25, and his 1-year-old daughter Valeria drowned last summer trying to swim across the Rio Grande near Brownsville, Texas, and the images of their bodies face down along the banks brought renewed attention to the perils facing desperate migrants.

U.S. Border Patrol agents performed 742 water rescues last year, according to CBP data, and the agency recorded 66 drownings. The incidents also occur along the All-American Canal in California's Imperial Valley, and in the Pacific Ocean, where the steel border fencing extends 300 feet into the crashing surf.

A buoy-anchored barrier system could stretch that barrier further out, or could block off popular crossing points along the Rio Grande.

The engineering and hydrological challenges of such a project would be significant. A floating barrier anchored in the river channel of the Rio Grande is likely to clog with flood debris during storms, and a system with underwater netting to block swimmers in the ocean could become choked with seaweed and other detritus.

The installation of barriers in the river channel likely would require approval from the International Boundary and Water Commission, the joint U.S.-Mexico body that regulates construction and other activities along shared waterways at the border.

The Army Corps declined to comment, referring inquiries to CBP.

The solicitation does not include any images or sketches of possible barrier designs, and there is no indication the floating barriers would include components to prevent drownings. The specifications call for a design that would prevent swimmers from climbing up onto the structure.

Mennell said its purpose would be to discourage migrants from entering the water on the Mexican side of the border to even try crossing to the U.S. shoreline.

"Waterways along the southwest border present a danger to migrants attempting to illegally cross the border," he said. "Smuggling organizations guide vulnerable families and children to these waterways that may appear placid on the surface, but have dangerous currents and other dangers beneath the surface."

"The water barriers are expected to improve agent safety by providing an added level of impedance, denial and deterrence in waterways at the immediate border," Mennell said.

CBP wants the floating barrier system to allow agents to spot attempted breaches "and withstand attempted breaches against any sophisticated equipment designed to breach such a barrier," the bulletin states.

In one indication of the structural challenges to keeping such a barrier from being swept away, the solicitation states that its anchoring system should be "rated to withstand up to 25 metric tons" of force.
On July 11, Garrison Davis was in downtown Portland, pointing his iPhone camera across a street at a group of roughly thirty law enforcement officers in camouflage. He heard a loud pop. He turned and saw a man who had been hit by an impact munition fall to the ground.

Davis, a seventeen-year-old film student, turned his still-recording phone toward the fallen figure and watched as a group of demonstrators rushed to the mans side and carried him away. He then panned to the pool of blood left behind, and finally back from where the munition had come, to the federal agents who stood on and watched.

From behind a tree, Davis posted the video to Twitter. Within an hour, local news stations were asking him for permission to broadcast the video on their late-night newscasts. What is your rate? Davis asked.

The footageviewed on Twitter almost half a million times nowwas purchased by ABC and NBC, as well as several local news stations. It compelled more demonstrators to join protests downtown, and state and local leaders to publicly condemn the actions of federal law enforcement officers dispatched to Portland by President Trump and demand their withdrawal.

Davis began covering the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Portland in late May, as protests swept the nation following the death of George Floyd. I thought something big would probably happen in Portland, and I knew that someone should be filming everything up to that point, Davis says. Either the protesters were going to do something massive and influential on a global scale, or the police response would be extremely brutal.

Much of the Portland protest footage we have seen has come from Davis or other members of the so-called Portland Press Corpsa group of roughly twenty local journalists. The name began as a joke, says Sergio Olmos, a freelance journalist who currently works with Oregon Public Broadcasting. However, once federal agents arrived, so did the national news spotlight. Portland Press Corps became a way to say, Here are the locals whove been covering this for weeks, Olmos says.

The group came up with a standardized pay scalefrom $250, for up to fifteen seconds of footage, to $500 for between thirty and sixty secondsto avoid being lowballed or pitted against one another.

They have been a vital resource. With the covid pandemic and a looming recession, news organizations everywhere have been forced to more carefully scrutinize their budgets.



Media companies that werent local to the community were relying on social media footage in order to report on the most recent developments, says Jareen Imam, director of NBC News Social Newsgathering, over email. Imams team has licensed several of Daviss videos. Especially because it takes time to deploy reporting crews, plus the threat of the pandemic, she said.

The messages from eager producers looking to license content have slowed considerably. But members of the Portland Press Corps are still out in force.

Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for the National Press Photographers Association, said independent freelancers often provide a lot of the video coverage from high-conflict zones like parts of the Middle East and Africa, where networks may be more reluctant to send their own reporters. In the case of Portland, I dont know that theres this conscious decision to not send their own people there, but certainly everybodys got a camera, everybodys got a cellphone. Its not like news networks need to go out there with tens of thousands of dollars in equipment anymore.

National networks have used Portland Press Corps footage to underscore the severity of law enforcement actions against protesters, or to counter efforts to tell a different story. When Portland mayor Ted Wheeler took to CNN to decry the heavy-handed response of federal agents, the network showed footage taken by Tuck Woodstock, depicting the night rioters broke in to the Portland Police Association building and lit a desk on fire. When Department of Homeland Security secretary Chad Wolf appeared on Fox News to defend his officers actions, the channel showed Olmoss footage of tear gas and flash-bangs.

With protests sustained over more than seventy consecutive nights, these independent journalists say the continuous coverage has begun to take its toll.

Laura Jedeed, whose clip showing fires from the protest site was purchased by Storyful, is still healing from a rubber bullet to the leg. A close-range shot by a pepper ball left her with a bruised and swollen wrist. And after being shoved by a police officer to the ground, Jedeed said, shes had difficulty walking. Its been a rough month, she said.

A journalist who began her career last year covering the alt-right, Jedeed said she was contacted by several news organizations that wanted to use her clips for free, most of which she turned down. I guess I feel like, if Im taking these risks, I should be compensated, Jedeed said.

With federal agents now out of sight, the national spotlight has lifted, and the Portland protests have tapered back to levels seen before the federal governments surge of agents. The messages from eager producers looking to license content have slowed considerably. But members of the Portland Press Corps are still out in force, on the front lines, documenting clashes between demonstrators and local police.

Whats happening in Portland hasnt stopped, Davis said, speaking to CJR from the site of a recent demonstration.

People are still here protesting the police, and police are still being brutal, he said. And thats going to continue long after the national media pulls out.

ICYMI: How protesters across the country are keeping informed

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Deborah Bloom is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon, who covers breaking news and stories about mental health, culture, and the environment.
In the wake of the much perpetrated bestiality and abuse of women in the country, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the acts and attributed poverty to be the cause of constant abuse of the girl child.

She bemoaned, while slamming the frequent occurring violent act against women, saying that stopping the practise, rests primarily on first eradicating poverty from the economy.

According to her, massive number of young girls are on daily basis trafficked outside of the country, she stressed that reason why the number of trafficked girls continues to be on the rise, is as a result of the debilitated economy faced by the citizens.

She called for urgent action from different agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA), on the need to sensitize the public on the consequences attached to abusive and exploitation of the girl child.

The chairman gave reminder of the amount of girls that are regularly defiled and others killed in the process. She urged mothers to properly orientate their female children on the dangers of what lies beyond the borders of Nigeria.

She also advised for the provision of finance and as well meeting the emotional needs of women, so as to guide them through the phase of the pandemic, which would help a lot in averting rash decisions made by them.

She further commended the government who have so far evacuated lots of trafficked girls, back into the country.
SAPPORO - Two new dogs have joined the ranks of the Animal Quarantine Service at New Chitose Airport, near Sapporo. Joining the two that have been on patrol since 2014, the Hokkaido airport now has four canines making the rounds.

The two new recruits are 1-year-old male beagles named Rimo and Moon and are tasked with acting as border control against invaders, such as germ-carrying insects and detecting meat, fruits and vegetables brought into the country without permission.
In Indias complex institutional architecture, the judiciary occupies a special place. It is the upholder of the Constitution and the final arbiter of justice. It evokes faith due to its rigour and independence. It protects citizens from the excesses of the State, ensures that the political system cannot use an electoral mandate to change the basic structure of the Constitution, settles disputes between the Centre and states, between states, between the State and citizens, and among citizens.

These have helped reinforce the reputation of the courts, especially the Supreme Court (SC), as truly independent. And that is why it is disappointing to see SC hold senior advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt. Mr Bhushan had posted two separate tweets  one in which he accused SC, and especially the past four Chief Justices of India, of aiding the destruction of democracy, and another in which he made a personal remark about the Chief Justice in the context of courts remaining locked down. This newspaper does not endorse the content of either of Mr Bhushans tweets, but the issue here is the manner in which court has dealt with the issue, which is more about individuals and less about the court itself.

There is a certain rationale for the provision of contempt. But for it to have legitimacy and effectiveness, it must be used in rare circumstances  when the State or citizens refuse to abide by the order of the court, when there is clear evidence of obstruction of justice, and when the court itself is being targeted. A 2012 United Kingdom (UK) Law Commission report provides an excellent template in this regard, where it recommended that the offence of scandalising the court was an infringement of freedom of expression that should not be retained; this was subsequently implemented by the UK Parliament. In India too, contempt must not apply to criticism of judges because that doesnt necessarily mean criticism of the court. And even criticism of the court should be allowed. If citizens point out what they think is a shortcoming of the court  be it in terms of how it is prioritising cases or adopting a certain process of jurisprudence or the logical inconsistencies in a certain order  allow it. These criticisms may not always be well-reasoned or even fair, but it is through discussion in the public sphere that institutions become stronger and democracy thrives. The apex court needs to have a far more liberal interpretation of the contempt provision, even as it safeguards the sanctity of the judicial process.
Opposition and ruling parties vie for better approval ratings



After nearly four years of staring at the back of the liberal ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the conservative main opposition United Future Party (UFP) has seen its approval rating surpass the former. A Realmeter survey Thursday showed the UFP approval ratings standing at 36.5 percent, over the DPK's 33.4 percent for the second week of August. But the Gallup Korea survey announced just the day after put the ruling party back in a leading position with a 33 percent approval rating over the UFP's 27 percent.



Political sentiment will always fluctuate. But the UFP's near catch-up with the DPK comes for the first time since the impeachment of the former President Park Geun-hye. The opposition's efforts for reform, by embracing the DPK's traditional stronghold Jeolla region, and refraining from taking to the streets to protest the DPK's unilateral pushes in the Assembly have helped. Most recently, it has adopted the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Movement and the progressive notion of basic income as part of its party platform.



The ruling party's rapid slide should strike closer to home as the Realmeter survey noted that the defection of the DPK's primary support groups  voters in the southwestern Jeolla provinces, and liberal respondents  led the fall.



These fluctuating approval ratings manifest that, more than halfway into President Moon Jae-in's tenure, voters stand ready to shift their political allegiances over issues that impact their lives directly such as the price of housing.



The signs that this could happen were all in place. The public is enraged over the ruling party's almost insolent unilateral sweep at the National Assembly and the railroading of bills including real estate ones that have driven housing prices up higher. There is also resistance to the ruling bloc's aggressive reform against the prosecution and its Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, and also attacks against Choi Jae-hyung, head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, who is suspected of undermining the administration's decision to retire the Wolseong 1 nuclear power plant early.



When the ruling party won the super majority of 176 seats in the 300-seat unicameral Assembly in this year's April general election, political pundits warned against the arrogance that a majority will at times enable. The latest polls should be a stern reminder to the DPK to heed that warning. It has some time  albeit not much  before its Aug. 29 party convention to reshake itself and reach out to the public with a clear signal that the party remains open to public voices and opinions.



The UFP should seize the moment to fully revamp and revitalize conservative politics. The new party platform includes elements that aim to expand its conservative identity but the UFP must ensure it carries them out with dedication.




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UPDATE: Gov. Cuomo clarified that food and beverages cant be served indoors in New York City since indoor dining is still prohibited. Read about it here:

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Bowling alleys throughout the state can open this upcoming Monday, Aug. 17, at 50% maximum occupancy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday.

To help maintain social distancing, only every other lane inside the establishment can be utilized at any given time and patrons must stay with their party at their designated lane at all times.

Food and alcohol inside bowling alleys can be served, Cuomo said, but by wait service only and must be consumed at the lane where the party is bowling.

Like all other indoor institutions, patrons must wear face coverings.

Bowling alleys must also implement cleaning and disinfecting protocols specific to the use of sharing bowling balls and shoes.

Low-risk indoor facilities, like museums, aquariums, and the arts, can reopen on Monday, Aug. 24, he said.

The maximum indoor capacity for opening is 25%.

Patrons must purchase timed tickets in advance with pre-set entry for time of arrival. Institutions must also place signs and markers that control the flow of traffic.

Masks must be worn at all times and patrons will have to practice social distancing.

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR GYM REOPENING TO COME MONDAY

Cuomo said he will also release guidelines on Monday for gyms to reopen.

Earlier this week, 1,500 fitness facility owners across the state filed a class action lawsuit in Jefferson County, N.Y. against Cuomo, New York state, and the state attorney general, demanding reopening guidelines.

All these gyms want the same thing. They want to be able to open up in the same way other businesses have been opening up, said James G. Mermigis, an attorney with the Syosset, N.Y.-based Mermigis Law Group, which is representing the gyms.

They want to be able to open up their businesses to prove they can open up safely, just like all the other businesses  like Walmart, Target, etc., he added.

The second goal of the lawsuit is for just compensation for gym owners who have suffered significant loss of revenue since being forced to stay shuttered since March.

Many of these business owners still have several months rent to pay, as well as other expenses, like insurance and lost profit and lost revenue. So Im going to be seeking damages for just compensation for all the months each gym was forced to be shuttered, Mermigis said.

He said the next action on the suit will be a public hearing on Aug. 20.

FOLLOW KRISTIN F. DALTON ON TWITTER.
A virtual program, America & the World: U.S. Foreign Policy Update, will be held Aug. 16 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

The program is sponsored by the non-profit group Conversations on the Green in Washington.

The symposium will feature U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-5th), Dr. Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State, and Wendy Sherman, the lead negotiator for the Obama administration's 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

The program, moderated by former NBC correspondent and national talk show host Jane Whitney, will be live-streamed.

America & the World will explore whether America has lost its preeminent place in the world.

Emerging from World War II as the first among equals, the United States became the architect and leader of a series of overlapping international alliances and agreements that relied on cooperation to seed the unrivaled progress and prosperity of the post-war era.

But the popular platform of "America First," which propelled President Trump to victory and symbolized his world view, effectively shattered that bipartisan foreign policy consensus.

After the President shredded some international pacts and withdrew from others entirely, the U.S.'s dominant role as a global leader is vanishing.

The three panelists, all renowned experts on international affairs, will discuss America's standing in the world and the impact of President Trumps' relegation of the country's traditional allies and alliances.

In the face of the country's most consequential foreign policy election in the post-war era, the trio of preeminent panelists also will debate how to project American power and how to protect the country from foreign threats.

Albright, a relatively unknown authority on Eastern Europe, then the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, rocketed to prominence in 1996 when she became the voice of outrage for the Clinton administration, which was under fierce domestic attack for being too soft on Fidel Castro, after Cuban jet fighters downed two unarmed civilian planes from Miami.

The daughter of Czech immigrants, Albright graduated in 1959 from Wellesley College and earned her PhD from Columbia University in 1975.

She served on the National Security Council under Zbigniew Brzezinski but, after President Jimmy Carter left office, returned to academia, joining Georgetown and becoming an advisor to Democratic presidential candidates.

She helped staff the National Security Council for President Clinton, who in 1993 appointed her the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Four years later Albright succeeded Warren Christopher as Secretary of State.

A Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Albright is the Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm, and Chair of Albright Capital Management LLC, an investment advisory firm focused on emerging markets.

In 2012, she was chosen by President Obama to receive the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of her contributions to international peace and diplomacy.

Murphy, the torchbearer of a new progressive foreign policy for the country, is the second member of the panel.

The junior senator from Connecticut gained national fame for his passion in responding to the 2012 slaughter of 26 people, including 20 children, at the Sandy Hook Elementary School and now has become a heralded spokesperson for efforts to reorient American foreign policy towards emphasizing a global perspective and cooperation with allies.

Murphy's proposes that the country must avoid extended wars, elevate diplomacy over military intervention, invest in anti-corruption programs to weaken autocracies and focus on climate change and pandemics as ongoing global threats.

But underlying all his policies is one basic tenet: fixing and sustaining American democracy is vital to promoting it elsewhere.

Sherman was the lead negotiator for the Obama administration's 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Originally a social worker who began her career working with battered women and the urban poor, Hillary Clinton in 2011 appointed her Undersecretary of State, the fourth-ranking State Department official with worldwide responsibilities.

In that position, she led the American team during the drawn-out negotiations that successfully concluded with Tehran's agreement to limit sensitive nuclear activities in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

Previously, she was the Clinton administration's policy coordinator for North Korea, an architect of the 1994 and 2001 agreements under which the authoritarian regime promised to restrict its nuclear weapons and intercontinental missile programs.

Although accused of appeasement by many Republicans, including former Secretary of State James Baker and hardliners such as John Bolton, she remained an outspoken advocate of using negotiations to persuade Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons and long-range missile programs.

Tickets are available at www.conversationsonthegreen.com. Proceeds will benefit the American Nurses Foundation Coronavirus Response Fund, New Milford Hospital, Greenwoods Counselling & Referrals, and the Susan B Anthony Project.
Wheelchair-bound Wang Yi, a member of the China Writers Association and contracted writer of the Writers Association of Jiangsu Province, has published eight books. [For China News Service/Wang Yi]

Wang Yi, a wheelchair-bound woman, has typed with only one movable finger for a dozen years, and has published eight literary works of over a million words that have inspired countless people.

Wang, born in 1989, lives in Nanjing, capital city of East China's Jiangsu Province. She suffered from cerebellar hemiplegia from birth, which deformed her hands and made her unable to walk or to have a normal conversation with others.

The disease is a life-long challenge but has never limited her imagination, dreams or hopes.

Wang learned by herself at home. She completed nine years of compulsory education with the help of her parents and teachers, and gained a great deal of literary knowledge.

Thanks to her family's ceaseless care and her teacher's support, Wang developed confidence and dreamed of being a writer in the future.

She started to keep a diary at 9, and still maintains the habit. She reads during the day and writes at night, sometimes until late.

"We also take her to travel around the outside world so as to broaden her horizons." said her father.

With the help of her parents, Wang practiced repeatedly to perfect her life and learning skills, overcoming many insurmountable difficulties in the process.

Struggling day after day, she was eventually comfortable in the world of literature and in writing about her youth.

When she was 19, Wang was able to use a finger to tap on the keyboard word by word while sitting in her wheelchair. Her prose works soon included Youth on the Wheelchair and Running on a Wheelchair, and her poem collections were Love Can't Wait, Waiting for Spring, Endless Love, and Reverse Growth in Silence.

Wang often participates in various writing competitions, and has obtained a third-level qualification certificate for literary creation.

In her latest novel, Winter Fireworks, Wang wrote that the bright and colorful fireworks will shoot into the sky and shine through the darkness. She hopes that people will experience the strength of life, the warmth of their loved ones, and the beauty of time while reading the novel.

Zhang Haidi, Chairperson of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, once wrote to Wang, praising her as "the tree of life that will never fall."

On reading this, Wang was grateful. "As she encouraged me to be a tree of life that will never fall, I would also like to encourage more disabled people to discover the beauty of life through my works."

Speaking of her greatest anxiety, Wang said frankly that it is being treated differently when meeting a stranger. In her mind, every disabled person has the right to live with dignity and freedom from discrimination.

"The sense of value and dignity comes from the efforts of the disabled themselves, but also from social recognition and acceptance as well as equal treatment," Wang expressed this idea via keyboard.

Wang, now a member of the China Writers Association (CWA) and a registered member of the Writers Association of Jiangsu Province, has gained lots of recognition from others.

At a seminar on Wang's poems, Jidimajia, Vice-President of the CWA, said that although Wang has a disability, the spirit shown in her works is perfect and positive.

One of the readers, Zhang Xin, said that based on her self-contentment, Wang uses words to bring strength to others, which is one of her most valuable traits.

"Running is the most elegant and bonny posture in life. Wang has been 'running' with her finger all the time, trying her best to chase toward a direction, despite the uncertainty of the distance," said Zhu Yongxin, a well-known educator in China.

Wang Yi (C, front row) attends a seminar on her poetry. [For China News Service/Wang Yi]

Wang Yi participates in a literary event. [For China News Service/Wang Yi]

Wang Yi's dairy during her primary school period [For China News Service/Wang Yi]

(Source: China News Service/Translated and edited by Women of China)
It was only recently that Robin Williams' wife and friends spoke of the harrowing last experiences of Robin Williams through a documentary. Upon his sixth death anniversary, more harrowing details of his last days are revealed.

One of which is the fact that he suffered one misdiagnosis of his symptoms after another, as Mirror UK reported. It was so frustrating for the actor and his family not to truly understand what was happening.

Before he died, he has truly suffered all sorts of pains and disorders just because it was not immediately determined that he has Lewy Body Dementia, a lesser-known form of dementia.

Newer details are even coming out, one of which claimed that when the first of these symptoms appeared in 2013, it was considered nothing serious. But his condition just worsened and worsened, up to his death by suicide.

The comedian and actor fell ill with a series of minor and seemingly unconnected ailments in 2013. They were late to be discovered as symptoms of deadly brain disease.

In August 11, 2014, the actor took his own life a year after he started to experience all sorts of pains and agony. At the time, the world was so shocked. It was assumed that either he had substance abuse issues or was depressed. However, new details are again clarifying that these reasons were not as accurate as people think.

In 2013, because of different types of ailments - physically and mentally, the skills that made the actor who he was in the eyes of the public, vanished. The first time he complained of gut discomfort that was making him anxious was when he was celebrating his second wedding anniversary to his third wife, Susan Schneider.

He would later develop a resting tremor in his left hand, which would be deemed attributable to him having an old shoulder injury.

There were many more seemingly unconnected ailments that came and went in the succeeding months, such as stomach cramps, heartburn, and constipation, among others.

He then lost his sense of sight or smell or developed a distorted sense of these. He struggled with urinating, always anxious, and could not sleep continuously. His limbs would freeze up while moving, and his voice became so much softer and weaker. His posture would sometimes go stiff, and he'd be frozen on the spot.

"It was like this endless parade of symptoms, and not all of them would raise their head at once," Susan revealed to New York Times culture reporter, Dave Itzkoff, for his biography, Robin. It's not as if they ignore the symptoms and get on their merry way, without worry.

It can be remembered that Susan also penned an article about this some time back, calling the disease a terrorist on her husband's brain.

They worried and acted upon each symptom to no vain. "It was like playing whack-a-mole. Which symptom is it this month? I thought, is my husband a hypochondriac? We're chasing it, and there are no answers, and by now, we'd tried everything, " Susan added.

One can only wonder now if he would have gotten better if a correct diagnosis was made. But then, given how aggressive the disease is, not so many things would have change, particularly the outcome. But, it could have help prevent the wild goose chase the family seemed to have undergone for a year before the actor decided to take his own life and end it all.

READ MORE: Robin Williams Documentary: Actor's Real Condition Before Death TERRIFIES Even Experts
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday gave credence to a false and racist conspiracy theory about Kamala Harris eligibility to be vice-president, fueling an online misinformation campaign that parallels the one he used to power his rise into politics.

Asked about the matter at the White House, Trump told reporters he had heard rumours that Harris, a Black woman and U.S.-born citizen whose parents were immigrants, does not meet the requirement to serve in the White House. The president said he considered the rumours very serious.

The conspiracy theory is false. Harris, who was tapped this week by Joe Biden to serve as his running mate on the Democratic ticket, was born in Oakland, California, and is eligible for both the vice presidency and presidency under the constitutional requirements. The question is not even considered complex, according to constitution lawyers.

Full stop, end of story, period, exclamation point, said Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School.

Trump built his political career on questioning a political opponents legitimacy. He was a high-profile force behind the so-called birther movement  the lie that questioned whether President Barack Obama, the nations first Black president, was eligible to serve. Only after mounting pressure during his 2016 campaign did Trump disavow the claims.

Trumps comments landed in a blizzard of other untrue, racist or sexist claims unleashed across social media and conservative websites after Biden picked Harris, the first Black woman and the first Asian American woman on a major party ticket. The misinformation campaign is built on falsehoods that have been circulating less noticeably for months, propelled by Trump supporters, and now the president himself.

I have no idea if thats right, said Trump, who said he had read a column on the subject earlier Thursday. I would have thought, I would have assumed, that the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice-president.

Trump made the comments in answer to a reporters question and appeared to be referencing an op-ed written by John Eastman, a conservative attorney who argues that the U.S. Constitution doesnt grant birthright citizenship. Eastman sowed doubt about Harris eligibility based on her parents immigration status. Harris mother was born in India and her father was born in Jamaica.

But constitutional law experts say Harris parents are beside the point. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all people born in the U.S. and Article II Section 1 of the Constitution says that to be eligible for the vice presidency and presidency a candidate must be natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35, and a resident of the United States for a minimum of 14 years.

No, theres no question about it, said Christopher Kelley, a political science professor at Miami University in Ohio. Its been recognized since the people drafted it back in the 39th Congress that (the 14th) amendment would cover people not just born to American citizens but born on American soil.

The presidents reelection campaigns senior lawyer, Jenna Ellis, shared the controversial Eastman column on Thursday morning, hours before Trump was asked about it at a White House news conference. Trump noted that the column was written by a very highly qualified and very talented lawyer.

After Trumps remarks, Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Ahrens said the national party has no plans to challenge Harris eligibility for the Democratic ticket.

Eastman, the former dean of Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law, where he is a professor, is also a senior fellow at the conservative Claremont Institute. According to his bio on the institutes website, he also served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

He also ran in the Republican primary to serve as Californias attorney general in 2010. Eastman was defeated by a candidate who went on to lose to Harris.

Newsweek, which published the controversial Eastman op-ed questioning Harris birthright qualification, defended the piece, arguing that Eastman was focusing on a long-standing, somewhat arcane legal debate about the 14th Amendment and not trying to ignite a racist conspiracy theory around Kamala Harris candidacy.

Online rumour and conjecture that Harris is ineligible to serve first surfaced when she announced her campaign for the White House in 2019. A viral post with the misleading information was revived again, days before she was announced as Bidens running mate, as pro-Trump Facebook users spread the message in groups and on their pages.

Harris has been a top target of misinformation since launching her own bid for the White House last year. Womens groups, which have banded together to call out sexism, racism and misinformation about Harris and other female candidates, pointed to other examples of conservative figures focusing on her race and gender in recent days.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson mispronounced Harris first name multiple times during a segment Tuesday night, and grew agitated when a guest corrected him, telling Carlson it was a matter of respect. Carlson responded, So what? and then mispronounced her name again, twice.

That is certainly a slight, said Amanda Harrington, vice-president of Times Up, which works to stop workplace harassment. Its a type of disrespect often shown to people of colour in the workplace, she said, adding that on the national stage it asserts a false narrative about who belongs in leadership today.

Minutes after Biden announced his pick, conservative commentator Candace Owens posted a false attack on her Facebook page, claiming Harris had only started identifying as Black in the run-up to the presidential election. Until then Harris had solely described herself as Indian-American, Owens wrote, inaccurately.

Within 24 hours, nearly 200,000 users had liked the post  raking in more attention than Bidens own Facebook post announcing his pick.

Harris has been accused of reaching her position in politics due to sexual relationships, a sexist claim pushed on social media and elsewhere  including an article in The American Spectator, a conservative online magazine, that referred to her as the mattress. On Wednesday, Eric Trump, the presidents son, liked a tweet that referred to her as whorendous.

These are not the kinds of things Mike Pence experienced, or Tim Kaine for that matter, Harrington said, referring to the vice-president and the 2016 Democratic vice-presidential nominee.

But Trump has questioned other rivals eligibility to serve in the White House. In 2016, the Republican nomination fight raised questions about whether rival Sen. Ted Cruz met natural-born citizen requirements. Cruz was born in Canada, but his mother was born in the United States.

Similarly, in 2008, questions arose about whether Sen. John McCain qualified as a natural-born citizen because he was born in the Panama Canal Zone, where his father was stationed. Questions about McCains qualification spurred bipartisan outrage and the Senate passed a nonbinding resolution declaring McCain, who become the GOP presidential nominee, a natural-born citizen. Obama, who beat McCain in the 2008 race for the White House, was even a co-sponsor of the McCain resolution.
Spending time on social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok does not increase the risk of mental health issues among teenagers, a study claims.

Isolation, cyberbullying and a supposed obsession with how we're portrayed online has led to claims that social media is fuelling a rise in depression and other psychological disorders among adolescents.

But in a study of 74,000 teens aged between 13 and 16, US researchers found no association between depression symptoms and social media use.

In some teenage boys, social media use was even shown to protect against symptoms of depression, likely by keeping them in contact with friends or by supplying them with amusing content.

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Contrary to popular wisdom, the use of social media platforms including Instagram (pictured) is 'not a strong or consistent risk factor for depressive symptoms' among adolescents, researchers say

'Increasingly, teenagers are active on social media, particularly during the pandemic, as they have to rely on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms to stay in touch with friends,' said study author Noah Kreski at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York.

'While some adults have voiced concerns over the potential mental health risks of this behaviour, our research finds no compelling evidence to suggest that social media use meaningfully increases adolescents' risk of depressive symptoms.'

The researchers analysed survey data collected by Monitoring the Future, an ongoing study of the behaviours, attitudes, and values of Americans from adolescence through adulthood.

They sampled 74,472 8th and 10th grade students  13 to 14 year olds and 15 to 16 year olds  between 2009 to 2017, who submitted symptoms of depression and their daily social media use.

Social media use was assessed with the following question: How often you you do each of the following? Visit sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

Response options ranged from almost every day' to never, with intermediate options of at least once a week, once or twice a month and a few times a year.

Recent evidence has indicated unprecedented increases in adolescent depression, depressive symptoms, and suicidal behaviour, particularly among girls

Teens were also asked to rate four statements on a scale of one to five reflecting how much they agreed with them  life often seems meaningless, the future often seems hopeless, it feels good to be alive and I enjoy life as much as anyone.

Between 2009 and 2017, daily social media use among 8th and 10th grade students increased from 61 per cent to 89 per cent among girls, respectively, the data showed.

Among boys, social media use also increased from 46 per cent to 75 per cent in the same timeframe.

However, daily social media use did not show a significant association with depressive symptoms for girls.

For boys, results were inconsistent, although some evidence suggested that daily social media use may actually be protective against depression.

Among boys, daily social media use was not linked to increased depressive symptoms, and some evidence suggested that daily social media use may actually be protective against depression

Interestingly, any potential harmful effects of social media appeared to be limited to between the years 2009 and 2010, as 'the role and nature of social media varies over time', the team report.

It may be because social media was adopted earlier by individuals with a higher pre-existing depression risk.

The study challenges the suggestion that social media is a current risk factor for depressive symptoms, instead suggesting social media sites have actually got better at helping improve adolescent mental health.

The researchers conclude that daily social media use is not a strong or consistent risk factor for depressive symptoms for either sexes or age groups.

'Daily social media use does not capture the diverse ways in which adolescents use social media, which may be both positive and negative depending on the social context,' said senior author Professor Katherine Keyes, also at Columbia Mailman School.

'Future research could explore the specific behaviours and experiences of young people using social media, as well as more frequent engagement with the various platforms.'

Although the youth of the US are widely exposed to social media and therefore provide a reliable study sample, the study only used American teens, which could affect the applicability of the findings to teens of other nations.

Recent evidence has indicated unprecedented increases in adolescent depression, depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour, particularly among girls.

There has been much speculation that increasing use of smartphones and social media platforms have contributed to these trends.

The theory goes that adolescents who use their phones a lot are increasingly isolated from face-to-face interaction, experience cyber-bullying and face challenges to self-esteem and self-worth.

Apps that keep teens in constant contact with their loved ones may actually help hold off feelings of depression

For example, teens may see a glamorous photo posted by one of their friends at a luxury location on Instagram, which may trigger feelings of jealousy and inadequacy.

On the other hand, social media use may have positive effects on adolescent self-esteem, the Columbia University researchers claim.

Social networking sites provide a space for content that is positive or humorous, and is particularly valuable to adolescents who are depressed.

The wide array of accessible options to keep in touch with friends and family, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, is also having a positive effect on teens.

Many young people also seek out support and advice on social media, particularly those with moderate to severe depressive symptoms.
An A-level student who played dead to survive a Taliban attack which killed 150 pupils at his school in Pakistan has earned a place at Oxford University.

Ahmad Nawaz, 19, almost lost an arm when the Taliban unleashed fury at his school in Peshawar in December 2014.

The massacre left dozens dead including Mr Nawaz's brother Haris, 13.

The teenager, who witnessed his teachers being burned alive in the atrocity, was rushed to hospital in Peshawar and later flown to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.

He has now accepted a place to study at the prestigious Oxford University.

Ahmad Nawaz, 19, almost lost an arm when the Taliban unleashed fury at his school in Peshawar in December 2014. Pictured: Mr Nawaz today

Sharing a photograph to social media, he said: 'The terrorists shot me and brutality attacked my school to stop us from getting an education five years ago.

'Today I'm proud to share that I have secured a place to study at the University of Oxford!!

'Where there is a will, there's a way...'

After the attack, Mr Nawaz's arm was so badly injured that doctors considered amputation.

But after a long road to recovery, he now spends his time touring schools giving anti-radicalisation talks and sharing his incredible story.

'This is like a second life,' said the student, who attended King Edward's High School for Boys in Edgbaston.

The teenager, who witnessed his teachers being burned alive in the atrocity, was rushed to hospital in Peshawar and later flown to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment. Pictured: Mr Nawaz after the attack

After the attack, Mr Nawaz's arm was so badly injured that doctors considered amputation

'I was in hospital for three months, and as well as the physical trauma, I was dealing with the emotional side too.

'It gave me a lot of time to think and I decided that I had to speak out against what happened.

'A lot of people might just bury it inside and get on with their lives, and many people who were in the same attack that day have chosen to do that.

'But the lives of my brother and my friend were taken away that day, and that gives me motivation to try to change something, as they haven't had the chance.'

Pictured: Ahmad Nawaz and Muhammad Ibrahim with Malala Yousafzai in Birmingham

Last year, Mr Nawaz was named a winner at the Pride of Birmingham Awards for his work.

'It is wonderful,' he said. ' Birmingham has been my city since I came to the UK and I have fallen in love with the place and the people.

'I have been embraced with respect and love, so it is a real honour to be named a winner at the Pride of Birmingham Awards.'
PHILIPSBURG:--- The director of Learning Unlimited Daunesh Alcot won the court case he filed against the Minister of Health Richard Panneflek.

The judge basically slapped the Minister of Health for trying to close down a school without having a Ministerial Decree in place that would order the school to remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his ruling on Friday, the Judge stated that the Minister of VSA must not obstruct LU from giving classes to their students as long as there are no legal grounds and resolutions in place to prevent LU from functioning.

Every infringement will cost government NAF. 5000.00 per day as long as the infringement last with a maximum of NAF.100.000.

Click here to read the verdict.
Patricia King, general secretary of Ictu, on her way to a special committee meeting on Covid response yesterday

The number of cases of Covid rose by 92 yesterday - with 24 of those occurring in the Dublin region.

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said: "We expected that this week the daily figures we report would rise and fall."

He said that the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) is closely monitoring all trends, patterns and changes in the data, including not just case numbers, but locations, age groups and sources of transmission.

He asked people in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly to "hold firm" and urged them to "stay with us in the measures introduced last weekend."

Difficult

Dr Glynn said the latest figures show that Covid-19 cases are increasing in other counties and that a "united" approach is needed in order to lower the risk of transmission.

"This is still about a united, whole-of-country approach. The only way we can effectively suppress Covid-19 across Ireland in the long term is if we act together to protect each other.

"Living with Covid-19 has undoubtedly been difficult and this pandemic has adversely impacted on people in many different ways.

"We know that what the public health advice asks you to do can be difficult, but we are asking you to stay the course with it."

No deaths were reported in the cases yesterday.

There are now a total of 26,929 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland and 1,774 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the new cases notified, 24 are in Dublin, 24 in Kildare, eight in Limerick, six in Carlow, six in Kilkenny, five in Meath, five in Clare, and remaining 14 cases are in Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Offaly, Waterford and Wicklow.

Meanwhile, the Dail coronavirus committee heard yesterday that workforce representation does not exist in meat plants, and when a worker contracts Covid-19 the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is not notified.

"All the indicators to me are that the HSA don't want to be notified," claimed Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) leader Patricia King.

"They don't want this task. I am blue in the face writing out this. If they don't go to the places and carry out inspections, we will be in all sorts of a mess."

Greg Ennis of Siptu declared: "I believe we need Covid compliance inspectors. If we have to beef up the HSA, then beef it up - no pun intended."

The trade unions warn that Covid could prevail "for possibly years to come", but meat would always remain an essential foodstuff for the population.

Therefore there was "little choice but to shine a light like never before on this industry and address it once and for all," Mr Ennis said.

The meat industry had become the "perfect storm" for the transmission and predicted resurgence of Covid-19 in Ireland.

Nora Loba, of the Independent Workers Union, said the pace of output in plants had never slowed down, despite outbreaks. "When some workers got ill, others had to do more work," she said.

Worker representatives, where they existed, had never been consulted about any protocols. The key problem was that workers were in substandard employment, on minimum wage with no sick pay, and had overcrowded living conditions.

The Covid crisis in meat plants was the inevitable consequence of the "long-term disregard of staff".

On minimum wage with no overtime, they had to work long hours - with no time to go to the doctor or to learn English to communicate any problems.

James Lawless of Kildare North, a Fianna Fail TD and former branch secretary of the trade union Unite, said the three locked-down counties had been psychologically damaged.

"Three counties are paying the price for three or four plants," he said.

Siptu said the early experiences of meat processing plants in the US, Canada and across the European Union should have given notice of what was on the way for Ireland.

"Siptu publicly called for mandatory temperature testing to be put in place for workers within the meat industry," Mr Ennis said, and the union had complained in April to the HSA, while requesting inspections at a particular facility.

Clusters

In May the union wrote to Meat Industry Ireland seeking a meeting, but was refused. It repeated its calls for speedy blanket testing of workers.

"It is now beyond doubt that the meat processing industry contains unrivalled vectors for the transmission of Covid-19, which had previously caused 1,115 meat plant workers to be infected in 20 clusters, as of early July," Mr Ennis said.

The risk factors include close-proximity working, bottlenecks in canteens and toilets, and noise pollution causing workers to shout to communicate - creating droplets, with these circulated through the industrial air-cooling systems.

Nine in 10 do not get sick pay, forcing vulnerable workers to go to work - even if they are feeling unwell with possible Covid symptoms - he added.
Criminal Cornelius Price and his dangerous associate Ger Dundon are being held in an English prison on a serious kidnapping charge.

Price, Dundon and a third gangster are housed in HM Prison Dovegate in Uttoxeter after they were caught by specialist police in a top-secret kidnapping investigation and refused bail after a court sitting.

Price and Dundon, who are suspects for organising the gangland murder of Robbie Lawlor in Belfast in April, were apprehended after a major operation by the West Midlands organised crime unit.

Details of their arrest and subsequent charges and remand in custody can only be revealed today even though they were busted on July 8 last.

"This was an incident of alleged kidnapping in which it is alleged that Price and Dundon as well as another man abducted two other men and demanded 200,000 [sterling]," a senior source said last night.

"These individuals had been under detailed surveillance by English detectives who had received a tip-off from gardai and it shows again the active co-operation between the two police forces," the source added.

Dundon (34), a key player in the McCarthy/Dundon gang, is believed to have left Ireland shortly after being released from PSNI custody after he was arrested in relation to the murder of gangland psychopath Robbie Lawlor.

The Limerick gangland brute who has a wide range of Traveller crime contacts throughout the UK is understood to have "hooked up" with his pal Price (38), who has been based at his home in Rochdale after he fled his fortified compound in Gormanston, Co Meath, in the aftermath of the savage murder of tragic Drogheda teen Keane Mulready-Woods in January.

Result

Both detained men are considered among the most serious players in organised crime in this country and last night senior sources welcomed the fact that they were locked up.

"It is a fantastic result and custody is definitely the safest place for these very dangerous individuals. Gardai have their own plans for these men but that can't be disclosed right now," a senior source pointed out.

Ger Dundon's brothers Dessie, Wayne and John are all serving life sentences for different Limerick murders while he was jailed for four years in October 2018 after he helped hide an automatic pump-action sawn-off shotgun in an outside toilet of a house, and then fled from armed gardai in a high-speed chase on February 26, 2017.

Ger has numerous other serious criminal convictions as does Price, whose mob are the chief suspects the savage murders of Willie Maughan and his pregnant girlfriend Ana Varslavane at Price's property in Gormanston, Co Meath, on April 14, 2015.

It was previously revealed that gang boss Price taunted and laughed at gardai as they searched for the missing couple near his compound in the summer of 2015.

Price left Ireland after the murder of the murder of Mulready-Woods (17) in January, which happened as part of the Drogheda feud which Price was a strong instigator of.

He is closely linked to the Owen Maguire faction in that deadly dispute and he was enemy of slain Lawlor, who threatened to kill members of Price's family when he got out of jail last December.

Price even took to social media to celebrate Lawlor's death on the day of his murder and was filmed drinking rum in a show of gangland gloating.

Arrested

Price's mob, who are involved in the Drogheda feud because of their close links to the Owen Maguire faction, are also the chief suspects for the murder of Benny Whitehouse and Price was previously arrested for this crime.

Mr Whitehouse was shot dead at Clonard Street, Balbriggan, on September 25, 2014 in front of his partner as part of a separate feud.

The same gang are being investigated for a pipe-bomb attack at the home of Willie Maughan's sister in Rathfarnham in October, 2015.

The mob are suspects for a sickening incident August 2016 when the grave of Willie Maughan's brother was dug up at Bohernabreena Cemetery in Tallaght.

The sinister incident came just a day after the family appealed for information to help find the remains of Willie.
Google will no longer respond directly to data requests from Hong Kong authorities, the company announced today. The decision is in response to the national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in early July, The Washington Post reports. Google, along with Facebook and Twitter, suspended reviewing data requests from Hong Kong shortly after the law passed. Now, Google is ending cooperation with Hong Kong authorities altogether.

Authorities will have to make data requests through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US. According to The Washington Post, thats a cumbersome process that involves the Justice Department and can take weeks or months.

Until recently, Hong Kong has had an open and free internet, unlike mainland China. Some fear the law has the ability to make individuals and companies remove content. As The Washington Post explains it targets vaguely defined crimes including subversion of state power, collusion with foreign powers, secession and terrorism.

After the law was passed, TikTok pulled out of Hong Kong, and Naver pulled its data centers. While Facebook and Twitter stopped reviewing data requests from Hong Kong authorities, its not yet clear if theyll take a more permanent stance like Google.
Brits coming back to the UK from France have been given a deadline of 4am on Saturday to return without quarantining.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said if people return before the deadline it wont be necessary for them to quarantine.

His comments come after the government announced on Thursday night that people returning from France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos and Aruba will have to quarantine for 14 days when they get back.

The move comes as Frances infection rates surged, leading to speculation that it would be added to the quarantine list.

But when asked whether those returning to the UK should self-isolate even if they get back before the official deadline, Shapps told BBC Breakfast: Thats not legally required.

He added: But what I would say to everybody is look out for the signs, everyone knows what were talking about  the persistent cough, the high temperature, the change in taste or smell, so everyone should look out for those signs.

But, no, its not necessary to quarantine unless youre coming back after 4am on Saturday and those are the rules.

Asked why it is the case that those who return to the UK from France before 4am on Saturday will not have to quarantine for 14 days whilst those returning after that time would have to do so, he said: I think the truth of this is, as everyone watching realises, theres no perfect way to deal with coronavirus.

Unless you were going to have a sliding scale that sort of said if you stay another 24 hours the you must quarantine for X amount of time, another 36 hours for Y amount of time, you know, clearly there has to be a cut-off somewhere.

He added: To be clear, the Joint Biosecurity centre have cleared our approach to this.

Britons are making their way home from France after the government announced a two-week quarantine period for anyone returning from the country. (Getty)

An estimated 160,000 holidaymakers are expected to be looking to return to the UK from France following the governments announcement.

Shapps said: Its a practical approach as well which has enabled all fours parts of the United Kingdom  Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England  to implement the same time at 4am where there are no flights in the air at least tomorrow.

Story continues

But, look, I accept your point, you can always argue one way or the other. We have to make a decision on it and we have to do that based on science and medicine, and thats what weve done, weve taken the advice and implemented on that basis.

Coronavirus: what happened today

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After being left out of democracy summit, Putin-Xi to meet

Five nuclear-weapon states issue first joint statement: N-war cannot be won, must never be fought

Russia's vaccine not among 9 COVID-19 candidates in advanced test stages: WHO

India

oi-Briti Roy Barman

New Delhi, Aug 14: The World Health Organization (WHO) says the vaccine approved by Russia this week is not among the nine that it considers in the advanced stages of testing.

WHO and partners have included nine experimental COVID-19 vaccines within an investment mechanism it is encouraging countries to join, known as the Covax facility. The initiative allows countries to invest in several vaccines to obtain early access, while theoretically providing funding for developing countries.

"We don't have sufficient information at this point to make a judgment" on the Russia vaccine, said Dr Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to WHO's director-general.

Govt panel on Covid-19 vaccine protocol discusses delivery mechanism

"We're currently in conversation with Russia to get additional information to understand the status of that product, the trials that have been undertaken and then what the next steps might be."

Varun Dhawan backs CBI probe into Sushant's death & more news | Oneindia News

This week, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia had approved a coronavirus vaccine that has yet to complete advanced trials in people and claimed, without evidence, the immunization protects people for up to two years.

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Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 12:45 [IST]
Firefighters and emergency workers prepared for a vicious storm while battling a massive wildfire on the doorstep of the northwestern Ontario community of Red Lake on Thursday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Firefighters and emergency workers prepared for a vicious storm while battling a massive wildfire on the doorstep of the northwestern Ontario community of Red Lake on Thursday.

The municipality has been almost entirely evacuated this week, with about 4,000 residents dispersed to numerous communities  the vast majority of them able to drive south along the highway.

But with the fire just two kilometres away and forecasters tracking a severe thunderstorm in the area, Red Lake Mayor Fred Mota said his community was bracing for the worst.

"Today the community is going to have some difficulties," said Mota, noting the storm will bring with it much needed rain, but also lightning, nickel-sized hail and strong winds.

"The worrisome piece is that the wind gusts are going to be up to 110 kilometres per hour," Mota said. "So we've got very, very strong wind gusts coming and that's going to pose some challenges and difficulties for the firefighters."

Jonathan Scott, a fire information officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, said crews have made "great progress" on the fire, dubbed Red Lake 49, over the past two days.

As smoke dissipated Wednesday, investigators were able to get a better handle on its size, which is now 552 hectares, down from the earlier estimate of 750 hectares, Scott said.

"For today, winds will be out of the southeast and south, similar to yesterday, and it will put pressure on the northern flank, the head of the fire, the most active part and where we're focusing most of our efforts," he said.

Mota said officials have also spent time talking to residents about the COVID-19 pandemic, but noted there are currently no active cases in the entire northwest region, according to the local health unit.

"With the COVID-19, some people are very aware of it and we're reminding people to remain socially distanced, to wear their face masks, to clean their hands regularly," he said.

About 3,800 people have registered as having self-evacuated, according to the provincial Ministry of the Solicitor General, which is co-ordinating the relocation efforts.

He said 65 people were flown out of the area and the province has planes at the ready should they be needed.

Mota said about 100 residents remain in the Red Lake area, and most say they do not plan to leave their homes.

Chantal Cole-Fitzpatrick is among those who've stayed, although she is about 10 kilometres from the fire in nearby Balmertown, Ont., where she runs a pet store.

"If the power goes down, our fish will die, so we'll stick around for them to start generators and that," she said. "We'll leave when we absolutely have to."

In the meantime, Cole-Fitzpatrick and her family are doing their part to help out. They spent about 10 hours Wednesday looking after all the pets that were left behind by evacuees.

"There's everything from turtles to hamsters, ferrets, chickens, pigeons, ducks  all kinds of animals," she said.

"Lots of cats were left outside because the owners couldn't find them in time, so we've been breaking into people's houses and letting them in. As long as people need help, we'll absolutely help them."

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Colin Hodgson said he was at a fly-in fishing lodge about 30 kilometres east of Red Lake on Monday night with his partner and some friends, when they spotted flames in the distance near his home in Balmertown.

Planes were grounded that day due to the smoke, but they were able to fly home on Tuesday.

"We got in our vehicle, ran home, grabbed our cats and whatever we could, just five minutes in the apartment and rushed out," he said.

"We were worried we'd be trapped in, but the road was open."

He, his partner and their kittens are now safe with family in Winnipeg.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2020.
Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Californias Ban on High-Capacity Gun Magazines

A federal appeals court on Friday struck down Californias ban on high-capacity magazines, saying that the law is illegal because it violates the Second Amendment under the U.S. Constitution.

The California law challenged in the case, which was enacted in 2016, bans the possession of large-capacity magazines (LCMs) that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The law also bans the manufacture and imports of LCMs.

In a 2-1 ruling, the Ninth Circuit Court found that although the law has a laudable goal of reducing gun violence and was passed in the wake of heart-wrenching and highly publicized mass shootings it must still comply with the Constitution.

Even well-intentioned laws must pass constitutional muster, Judge Kenneth Lee wrote in the majority opinion (pdf). Californias near-categorical ban of LCMs strikes at the core of the Second Amendmentthe right to armed self-defense.

The panel said the law imposes a substantial burden on the right to self-defense as it makes it criminal for state residents to own magazines that are commonly used with firearms such as Glocks and Berettas. The judges said the laws scope is so sweeping that it blocks Californians from owning half of all magazines in the United States.

People wait in line to enter a gun store in Culver City, Calif., on March 15, 2020. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP Photo)

The law requires gun owners in California to alter or turn over any LCMs that they have in possession or face a year in jail.

The Constitution limits how much states can impose a substantial burden on citizens right to self-defense, the judges said.

Many Californians may find solace in the security of a handgun equipped with an LCM: those who live in rural areas where the local sheriff may be miles away, law-abiding citizens trapped in high-crime areas, communities that distrust or depend less on law enforcement, and many more who rely on their firearms to protect themselves and their families, they wrote.

Fridays ruling upholds a preliminary injunction ordered by a district court judge in 2019, which blocks the state from enforcing its law. But days later, the judge stayed part of his own injunction, allowing California to ban on the manufacture, sale, and transfer of large-capacity magazines pending the states appeal to the Ninth Circuit.

People wait in line outside a gun store in San Bruno, Calif., on March 16, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The appeals court panel noted that they had only ruled about the issues of LCMs and their decision does not affect so-called assault weapons or the legitimacy of bans on magazines holding far larger quantities of ammunition.

U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Lynn of Texas, who had been named the third judge on the appellate panel, said the majoritys ruling conflicts with decisions in six other federal appellate courts across the nation, and with a 2015 ruling by a different panel of the Ninth Circuit itself. She said she would have upheld Californias law based on that precedent.

A number of states have similar laws banning LCMs and the courts ruling could have implications on those laws. But presently, the ruling only immediately applies to Western states that are under the Ninth Circuits jurisdiction.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerras office said they were carefully reviewing the ruling with the goal of protecting public safety.

Until further court proceedings, the stay on the injunction issued by the district court remains in place. The Attorney General remains committed to using every tool possible to defend Californias gun safety laws and keep our communities safe, a spokesperson said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Meanwhile, Chuck Michel, president and general counsel of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, said Fridays ruling was a major victory for the Second Amendment. The association is one of the plaintiffs in the case.

This is a huge win specifically for the right to possess these valuable self-defense tools. But more generally, this case may present the Supreme Court with an opportunity to set things straight on the underlying issue of what the standard of review test should be when considering any Second Amendment challenge, Michel said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell (L) speaks as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (R) looks on during a news conference at the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Lawmaker Calls for Hearing on Californias COVID-Reporting Glitch

California Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (RRocklin) is calling for an immediate joint oversight hearing following a glitch in state data leading to a backlog of approximately 300,000 COVID-19 test results.

A few days later, Californias top public health official, Dr. Sonia Angell, resigned without giving a reason. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Angell departed for personal reasons. Its unclear whether her resignation is directly related to the data glitch.

On Aug. 11, Kiley sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon urging an investigation into the data glitch and Angells resignation.

The people of California deserve answers, the legislature needs answers. This is the data that the governor claims to be using to make decisions that are of paramount importance to the lives and livelihoods of 40 million people in our state, Kiley told The Epoch Times.

Hes using this data to make decisions about public health measures  I think the legislature has an obligation to step in to exercise its constitutional role of providing oversight and have an investigation to assure that this doesnt happen again, he said.

Kiley requested that testimony be given by several members in public health regarding the incident, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly, former Public Health Director Sonia Angell, Acting Public Health Director Sandra Shewry, and Acting State Public Health Officer Erica Pan.

For the governor to refuse to explain a resignation is absolutely unacceptable, hes not running a private company here, Kiley said. So thats why Ive called for her to testify, Ive called for the governor himself to testify, and we need to actually get the facts about what happened, he added.

The Glitch

The data was backlogged due to a glitch in the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange Electronic Laboratory Reporting (CalREDIE) system, which was unavailable for laboratories to upload results as of July 25. Officials said the systems certificates werent updated, resulting in a server outage, and lab results went undetected for more than a week.

The data glitch induced a skewed metric of positive results and confirmed cases, making it more difficult to have accurate state and local responses. Local and state authorities have relied on the systems data since early March when numbers were first recorded. Currently, the state has put a hold on updating the county watchlista list made up of high transmission regionswhich currently has 38 counties on it.

Simultaneously, we discovered that we were not receiving data from one of our largest commercial labs for a period of five days, California Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said during a press conference on Aug. 10.

This was due to a certificate that the state neglected to renew timely. This resulted in data not being able to transmit to the state, he said.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said in a media release that the issue with the states electronic laboratory reporting system that generated the backlog has been addressed and CDPH continues to closely monitor the performance of the system.

Ghaly said the system was not built for this volume of data.

In order to create a lasting solution, we are accelerating the development of a new laboratory reporting system for COVID-19, he said.

OC Public Health Chief of Operations Weighs In

Marc Meulman, Chief of Operations of Public Health Services for the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHA) told The Epoch Times he agrees with Ghaly.

The disease reporting system is not built to handle the volume of reports added due to COVID-19 and the State is aware of the need to update the system and is working on it, Meulman wrote in an email.

Case reporting takes time and through the pandemic response all public health entities are attempting to process data as quickly as possible in order to inform response activities and inform the public of the status of the disease transmission, however, true real time data is difficult to achieve, Meulman said.

Occasional added delays in receiving data do not substantially impact the response. The more timely the data, the better but data delays do and will occur, he said.

Despite the uncounted tests, Gov. Newsom said Californias numbers remained in a steady downturn, and that overall, the states projections remain undeterred.

One thing were confident of is that the trend lines are favorable, Newsom said during the press conference on Aug. 10.

Were not seeing anything in the data to date, when looking at the backlog of 295,000 tests, that suggests the trend lines we advanced last Monday are not actually in play, he said.

Meulman noted that It is likely that hundreds of cases and thousands of test results (including negative results) were delayed longer than typical reporting timelines, but the county is unable to calculate exactly how many results were backlogged at this time.

we do not have a way to distinguish case/test reports that are part of the backlog versus those that are coming through under normal process, he wrote.

As for the status of the patients recoveries, Muelman said some may be recovered but many are likely still recovering as the delay wasnt long enough for a large portion to be recovered.

As of Aug. 13, Orange County has 42,171 cumulative cases to date, including deaths, and 32,984 recovered cases. Theres been a 19 percent decrease of hospitalizations over the last two weeks and COVID-19 patients now make up 7 percent of hospital admissions.

At the end of the day, the buck stops with me. Im accountable, Newsom said.

And I recognize that as governor of the state of California as it relates to my responsibility, it extends to my team and it extends to our efforts to keep you safe, to keep you healthy and to mitigate the spread of this disease.
The group of scientists and academics from universities across Ireland are advocating for the elimination of Covid-19 on the island, in place of the current Government policy of living with the virus.

The group has estimated the country can bring Covid-19 to zero cases per day in between four and six weeks, and then begin a cautious return to normal life," with improved controls over high-density housing, the meat industry, large events and "other major sources of outbreaks".

Without a fundamental change in the current strategy of attempting to live with the virus, we are sleep-walking towards a major surge of infections in October - November.

The group is calling for an approach similar to that taken in New Zealand, with the goal of returning life, and the economy, back to nearly normal and allowing a safe return to work and school.

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Group member Professor Ivan Perry, Dean of Public Health at UCC, says that without a fundamental change in the current strategy of attempting to live with the virus, we are sleep-walking towards a major surge of infections in October - November.

In the document presented to the committee, the group has laid out its proposals for the Republic to achieve a policy of Covid-19 elimination:

Hand hygiene and cough etiquette  with regular hand washing.

More consistent social distancing.

Widespread use of masks, especially indoors.

More active case finding, testing, tracing and better support for isolation.

No non-essential travel into green zone areas where there is no circulation of Covid-19 among residents.

No non-essential foreign travel, and testing, isolation, and tracking the movements of incoming people at ports and airports.

The Zero Covid Island group says that the responsibility for deciding what comprises essential travel should lie with the individual, and that people will also need to take a sensible approach to short distance travel in border areas, whether between counties, or between the Republic and Northern Ireland.

It says the idea of restricting non-essential travel into  but not through  green zones, areas such as counties where there is no circulation of Covid-19 among residents, would see zones merge quickly and the area of freedom become bigger.

According to the group, much of rural Ireland could become a green zone very quickly, while big cities would take longer.

Criticism

In the document presented to the Oireachtas committee, the group challenges common objections to its zero-Covid plan, including allegations it would crush the economy.

It says the virus is crushing the economy nonetheless, as the experience of Sweden and the United States shows, and the faster the virus goes down, the faster the economy can begin to recover.

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People are worried now, because they see no end coming. If we give them a destination, Zero Covid in six weeks, and give them responsibility, we are confident that the Irish people will support this.

People are worried now, because they see no end coming. If we give them a destination, Zero Covid in six weeks, and give them responsibility, we are confident that the Irish people will support this.

Amid concerns the zero-Covid plan could affect the reopening of schools, the group says opening schools remains its highest priority and that the fastest way to open, and keep schools open elsewhere is to go to eliminate Covid."

Northern Ireland

It comes as the Oireachtas Committee heard a "zero-Covid" policy was not possible due to political differences between the two administrations on the island of Ireland, from chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs Dan OBrien.

However, the Zero Covid Island group says it is not advocating for the closure of the Northern Irish Border, but rather close working with its government to benefit both jurisdictions.

There is a century-long tradition of close co-operation, formal and informal, on both animal and human health across the border, which continues, it says.

A reasonable testing and isolation regime at ports and airports can control this.

Most people outside the UK coming to the island of Ireland, come in through Dublin. Of those who come through Belfast, most are from other parts of the UK. This poses some risk to both jurisdictions, but public health is well placed to manage these risks.

A reasonable testing and isolation regime at ports and airports can control this.

The group's plan comes amid a new outbreak of the virus in Auckland, New Zealand, following over 100 days with no new cases in the country.

The group says although it is likely more cases will happen, the important message is not that these outbreaks occurred, but that they were contained with local measures, with the same local management possible in Ireland.
SV Krishna Chaitanya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In a significant development, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday constituted a 12-member State Level Committee to look into all the aspects of the merits and demerits pertaining to the 'controversial' Draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020.

The committee will be headed by Sandeep Saxena, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment and Forests Department with heads of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, National Centre of Sustainable Coastal Management, Commissioner of Municipal Administration, Chief Engineer of Public Works Department, industry and NGO representatives as members.

Interestingly, the committee was formed three days after public consultation ended on August 11.

The Union Environment Ministry had put the draft EIA Notification in the public domain on March 12 for comments.

Delhi High Court had directed the Central government to publish the notification in all 22 official languages by August 11.

The Karnataka High Court also directed the ministry to not publish the final draft notification till September 7 saying the notification was not being sufficiently publicised amid the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, the committee chairman Sandeep Saxena said that though the public consultation period was over, the Union Environment Ministry has to forward the final draft notification back to the States for comments.

However, he said: "We will not wait for the final draft notification, the committee will carefully study all the aspects of the notification and the opposition to it within a week's time and submit the comments to the Centre at the earliest."

Meanwhile, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had submitted its comments on the draft notification to Tamil Nadu government on July 6. The SEIAA has reportedly made certain specific objections.

The comments from the Tamil Nadu government hold a lot of significance since the State would play host to numerous projects of national importance in the near future.

Under the Central government's flagship programmes - Bharatmala Pariyojana and Sagarmala - there are at least a dozen projects proposed in Tamil Nadu that are under active consideration before the Union Environment Ministry for approvals.

This apart, India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project, Away from Reactor (AFR) spent fuel storage facility for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) and defence corridor project are some of the other major Central government projects planned in the State.

All these proposals are either labelled as "strategic or national important" in the project applications submitted and the majority of them involves acquiring large tracts of wetlands, agricultural lands, forest areas, some fall within 10 km from the boundary of national parks etc. which meant these large scale projects would have adverse environmental impact if appropriate safeguards are not taken.

EIA is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development taking into account inter-related social-economic, culture and human health impacts.

Ever since the draft notification was made public for comments, there has been an uproar across the country from environmentalists while social media campaigns were undertaken to call for its withdrawal.
French spies have claimed they were sent on an official mission to kill a small-town psychotherapist.

The spies, who were agents from France's Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), were arrested last month and charged with conspiracy to murder.

They have been named by local media as Pierre B, 28, and Karl E, 25.

They told authorities that they had been following orders to kill the female psychotherapist who lives in Creteil, a small town on the outskirts of Paris.

French spies have claimed they were sent on an official mission to kill a small-town psychotherapist. Above, inside the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) in Paris (File image)

According to a report in Le Parisien, the spies told investigators that they had been told to 'eliminate' the 54-year-old 'with firearms'.

The two men had spent the night parked outside the woman's house in a car with a fake license plate.

Their movements had attracted the attention of a neighbour, who reported that the two men had spent the night there.

Officers approached the car in the early morning of July 24 and found gloves, a loaded pistol, and an army knife.

#The spies told authorities that they had been following orders to kill the female psychotherapist who lives in Creteil, a small town on the outskirts of Pari

Police later raided the two men's rooms at a DGSE military training centre in Saran.

The men were arrested and the spy agency did not intervene on their behalf. Officials suspect that\

they were working on an unofficial contract with two private operators, Le Parisien reported.

The psychotherapist was shocked to discover she had been the target of the spies when informed by police.

The motive for the crime remains unknown, with an investigator noting: 'We are in a Bermuda Triangle.

'There are a lot of unknowns.'
A routine traffic stop landed three people behind bars and led to the discovery of two human stash houses, according to county authorities.

At about 12:39 p.m. Tuesday, Webb County Precinct 3 Constables Office deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Jennings Road near Aguilares. The vehicle led deputies in a brief pursuit, authorities said.
Pound Sterling (GBP) exchange rates edged lower on Thursday amid domestic economic reservations with the Pound-to-Dollar exchange rate selling above 1.3100 and the Pound-to-Euro exchange rate edging lower to 1.1060.

Developments surrounding global risk will tend to dominate in the short term with US political rhetoric in sharp focus. Sterling is liable to drift lower if global risk conditions are more fragile.

Global risk in focus, dollar attempts to stabilise ahead of retail data

According to Marshall Gittler, Head of Investment Research at BDSwiss Group, US retail sales is the most important indicator of the week as the health of the US consumer is crucial with expectations of a 2.0% monthly gain. The consensus forecast has risen somewhat since I wrote about this indicator last week; the report could be encouraging for investors.

Markets will also continue to monitor US talks on securing a further fiscal stimulus with risk appetite liable to falter if deadlock persists and negotiations remain suspended. US-China rhetoric will also be an important focus with discussion on implementing the phase-one trade deal scheduled over the weekend.

Westpac FX analyst Imre Speizer commented; Risk sentiment is slowing down, its too early to say the whole (dollar) downtrend is over...but its got potential and at the very least its putting a cap on the Aussie and kiwi.

If there is a more defensive risk tone, Sterling will tend to under-perform. Positive US-China trade rhetoric would support the UK currency.

European coronavirus impact on the radar

Coronavirus developments remained a significant underlying factor even though the immediate market impact has been limited.

The UK announced that traveller from France and the Netherlands would have to quarantine for 14 days from Saturday, reinforcing uncertainty, although some English and Welsh lockdown restrictions will be lifted. Any further increase in European infection rates could provide limited Sterling support against the Euro.

Trade negotiations resume next week

The UK confirmed that the next round of Brexit talks will take place in Brussels next week with only two full days of negotiations.

Nevertheless, UK chief negotiator Frost stated that a deal was achievable in September and Irish foreign minister Martin also stated that there was scope to find a landing zone to secure an agreement.

ING strategists noted; Investors are awaiting the next chapter in the EU-UK trade negotiations, which appear the true driver of sterling after growth data failed to particularly shake GBP off its recent relatively tight ranges.

MUFG also remains cautious over Sterling given concern over fundamentals, Brexit risks and risk of a further increase in domestic coronavirus cases.

In these circumstances, we continue to maintain a cautious outlook for the pound even after the BoEs decision to dampen negative rate expectations which has helped ease downside risks in the near-term.

Today's exchange rate table for the British Pound - 14 August 2020

GBP/AUD 1.83014220132124 (+0.09%)

GBP/CAD 1.732184258 (+0.24%)

GBP/CHF 1.19027559 (+0.11%)

GBP/CNY 9.08703544 (+0.11%)

GBP/CZK 28.91698558 (-0%)

GBP/EUR 1.1071785405836 (+0.1%)

GBP/HKD 10.134370736 (+0.05%)

GBP/ILS 4.45087426 (-0.02%)

GBP/JPY 139.5778006 (-0.18%)

GBP/MXN 29.035872572 (+0.2%)

GBP/NOK 11.666773328 (+0.48%)

GBP/NZD 2.0010865489827 (+0.21%)

GBP/PLN 4.865795354 (-0.01%)

GBP/SEK 11.39756464 (+0.36%)

GBP/SGD 1.79484445 (+0.03%)

GBP/TRY 9.63263154 (+0.33%)

GBP/USD 1.3076 (+0.05%)

GBP/ZAR 22.82964992 (+0.23%)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 21:50:44|Editor: huaxia

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ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Flash floods caused by heavy rains hit different areas of the war-ravaged Yemen, leaving 153 people killed and dozens injured during the past days, multiplying the residents woes.

A new wave of internal displacement for thousands of families resulted from the heavy rains and flash floods that also partially destroyed some of the Sanaa's old houses listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Iran-allied Houthi militia, who controls the country's capital Sanaa and most of northern provinces, announced recording 131 deaths as a result of the torrential rains in the areas located under their control.

The group's health authority recorded 124 injuries among the local residents, and complete destruction of 106 homes and public facilities due to the heavy rains.

Elsewhere in Yemen, in the areas controlled by the internationally-recognized government, 22 deaths were declared by the authorities due to the rains that also caused losses to peoples' properties.

Ishraq Subaiy, spokeswoman of the government's Ministry of Health, told Xinhua that the flash floods struck many areas during the past days, causing heavy human and material losses in the impoverished Arab country.

Ishraq confirmed that most of the deaths and injuries were recorded among the local residents in the oil-rich northeastern province of Marib that's controlled by the government.

She noted that a number of camps of the Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Marib and the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah were damaged, creating a catastrophic situation for thousands of the displaced families.

Dozens of residential houses were destroyed by the flash floods that also killed more than 350 head of livestock in the government-controlled provinces.

A number of agricultural areas and farms located in Marib and the southern province of Abyan were completely eroded by the flash floods, according to Ishraq.

The Yemeni official called on the United Nations and the international community to intervene "urgently" to help the people and reduce the effects of the fash floods in Yemeni provinces.

The United Nations on Tuesday called for more funds for Yemen as 16 of its 22 governorates are being flooded.

Humanitarian organizations are assessing the situation and mobilizing emergency assistance, including relief items for flood-affected families, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The UN reported that the floods have led to the repeated displacement of people, with about 29,000 people already displaced in Dhalea, Abyan and Hodeidah affected.

Entire houses have been damaged, with roads, telecommunication and Internet services affected in Sanaa Governorate, and electric towers and sanitation stations affected in Marib Governorate, according to the UN.

The United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) announced on Tuesday that it had mobilised fundraising efforts and expertise to protect the cultural heritage damaged by flooding in Yemen.

The UNESCO confirmed that the World Heritage Sites were damaged due to the rains in the cities of Zabid in Hodeidah, Shibam in the southeastern province of Hadramout and the Old City of Sanaa.

The UN organisation expressed its deep sorrow for the loss of life and property in a number of historical centres across the country.

On Thursday, the National Center for Meteorology warned against rainy weather accompanied with thunderstorms and instability in a number of Yemeni provinces, and called on citizens to take the necessary precautions. Enditem
For first time, Y-20 aircraft uses civil airport to conduct cross-border delivery mission

PLA Daily

Source: China Military Online

Editor: Chen Zhuo

2020-08-13 19:18:13

BEIJING, Aug. 13 -- On August 9, a Y-20 military transport aircraft of the PLA Air Force flew from the Shenyang Taoxian International Airport to Russia with a flight of over 7,600 km, carrying a total of 57 soldiers from the PLA Northern Theater Command to participate in the International Army Games 2020.

China's self-developed large transport aircraft Y-20 is the important strategic equipment of the PLA Air Force to realize long-range transportation and aerial delivery and landing. This year has witnessed multiple "firsts" for Y-20 in China's military operations other than war (MOOTWs).

On February 13, the PLA Air Force dispatched six Y-20 transport planes to airlift medical supplies to Wuhan, marking Y-20's first debut in MOOTWs.

On April 24, Y-20 urgently flew to Pakistan to send nucleic acid testing kits, protective suits and other medical supplies for epidemic prevention and control as well as a military anti-epidemic expert team, marking the first time that Y-20 has flown abroad.

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The entire Ayodhya temple project has, in fact, been a massive enterprise in the politics of bigotry in which religion is whipped up as a mobilising tool. PTI Photo

We are limping toward our 73rd Independence Day with little enthusiasm. The mood cannot but be downbeat after Prime Minister Narendra Modis morale eroding recent Ayodhya foray.

The most narrow-minded Hindu, who (even if inadvertently) takes his cue from an outfit with a militaristic anti-democracy mindset that espouses antagonism toward particular religions, and weakens the core concepts of modern Indian nationhood rooted in our freedom movement, may have been charged up that day.

But even such people have to think of their home fires, the pandemic at the door, and the push of expansionist Chinas army inside our borders.

Their evidently pseudo Ram bhakti, or devotion to the exalted ideals exemplified by Lord Ram, has no basis in religion.

Its fundamentals lie elsewhere  in the corrosive alleyways of politics that seek religion-based domination of society and the political space  as in Pakistan, for instance, and can without exaggeration be called non-sacred devotion to the divine.

The entire Ayodhya temple project has, in fact, been a massive enterprise in the politics of bigotry in which religion is whipped up as a mobilising tool with the aim of acquiring and retaining power on premises that are unconnected with the demands of everyday life.

And this is why, eventually, it is likely to prove of little avail against such powerful counter-urges as have been noted above  those of pressing concerns of the country.

Even if an ideologically-crazed and politically greedy Prime Minister is not ready at present to comprehend this, he is likely to be brought down to earth when ordinary Indians begin to feel the pinch and hold him and his buddies to account.

A (probably modified) Turkish proverb runs thus: The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood he was one of them.

In this the metaphor of our present politics (and indeed that of Turkey) becomes clear as day.

Just 10 days before India was to mark the 73rd anniversary of its freedom from colonial rule  and of attaining in that process the composite identity of a common nationhood, which is an overarching canopy across our complex identities of religion, caste, language and ethnicity  the Prime Minister struck at the fundamental precepts enshrined in the idea of Indian independence.

These had even served as a model to many countries as the process of decolonisation unfolded across the world.

It was careful choreography that the temple-building trust (which seems an extension of the PMO) chose August 5  the very date last year on which the constitutionally-ordained autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority state, was snatched away by the Centre by adopting illegal and irregular ways that have been challenged in the Supreme Court, and the region brought under militarised suppression with not even a semblance of democratic governance -- to lay the foundation of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The Kashmir-to-Ayodhya common template was clearly intended to overtly demonstrate the suppression of Muslim aspirations in India by the Indian State under the RSS-BJP aegis, although

Muslims were equal participants in the freedom movement.

The RSS-BJP cohorts had declared from the start that the temple of their dreams would be erected at the exact spot where the Babri Masjid, a 16th century mosque of no particular significance (the Supreme Court rejected the propaganda that the mosque was on built on the ruins of a temple), had stood and was violently pulled down on December 6, 1992.

This was ruthlessly ensured through an illogical and justifiably condemned decree of the Supreme Court in November last year.

A judgment in favour of Ram Lalla (beloved Ram) would hardly have presented a problem since it is widely recognised now that many of democracys characteristic institutions appear to have been all but superseded by the executive under the Narendra Modi

government.

Modi is known to bring communal mobs to their feet without breaking a sweat, and for full theatrical effect he seldom fails to appear in the attire of ancient Hindu sages as depicted in kitsch art.

For him, it would have been quite enough to satisfy the faithful by just being around to lay the first symbolic brick for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya, no matter how constitutionally unseemly this is.

And yet, the PM thought it best to make a big deal about invoking the freedom movement, and giving the (patently false) impression that building the temple was the second edition of the glorious struggle for independence, which is imprinted in the psyche of every Indian. Why did he do so?

The reason seems clear.

He wanted to steal the emotional association every Indian has with the long-drawn freedom struggle for an act of violent bigotry at Ayodhya  arguably the most reprehensible in free India.

Even if no one dared to inform him of this earlier, the Prime Minister may as well be made conscious that his August 5 speech in Ayodhya eviscerates the ideas that underlie the independence of India.

The soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said as the midnight hour struck proclaiming the emergence of India on the world stage as a new kind of free nation, one whose very concept had mesmerised the world on account of its perplexing diversity, plurality, and its ambition for democracy.

But the present PM presses the delete button on such thoughts every single day. Yet, nothing bestows legitimacy like favourable allusions to the independence movement.

So, speaking from Ayodhya, Modi engaged in yet another act of misappropriation by falsely linking the temple project with the freedom movement. He sought to portray the construction of the Ram temple as an act of liberation.

But we have been a free country for over 70 years, and no one in India feels enslaved except by caste, class, gender or communal oppression. That makes Modis liberation theology a grand deception.

Truth to tell, the PM has already made his Independence Day address on August 5, and it had little to do with the core values of India and the immediate concerns of all Indians. From the Red Fort on August 15, he can only give us a round of rituals

and some more propaganda.
Farmers along the white volta in Binduri district of the Upper East Region are rushing to harvest their pre matured crops as the Burkinabes authorities spilt the Bagre Dam on August 10.

The farmers were seen busily harvesting their maize crops which were gradually submerging in the flooded waters.

The water from the Bagre dam has flooded low lying areas along the white volta including areas such as Galaka, Guzongo,Timonde, Kobore, Gumyoko, Boya Kpalsaako, Yarigu, Nafkoliga and Yaligu communities destroying several acres of farms.

Crops such as rice, soya beans, groundnuts and watermelons along the White Volta were completely submerged in the flood water while others were unable to harvest the early millet crop.

Atiah Silas Atariba, a farmer at Timonde lamented that, he has no option than to harvest his maize prematurely.

He however said, they have been cautioned by NADMO officials not to farm close to the river but close to the river is very fertile than the land up there and so, they are appealing to government to come to their aid to supplement their lost.

Baba Apambilla, a farmer and a resident of Bazua in Binduri district said, as the water keeps on increasing, it may wash his crops away because his crops are not matured for harvest but others are harvesting theirs but he cannot harvest his which has become problematic for him.

According to him, he took a loan from the bank for cultivation and would not be able to repay.

Another farmer, Apandago Musah, a resident of Binduri noted that, if his maize were to be matured they would have been harvested but the crop is not due for harvest.

Charles Abanga Azure, a farmer said he will not risk his life going back to harvest the rest after bein able to salvage of bad of maize due to the speed level of the water.
New Delhi, Aug 14 : A doctor in the AIIMS's Paediatrics Department was found hanging at his residence near the hospital, police said on Friday.

The decomposed body of Mohit Singhla, 40, was found in a house in south Delhi's Gautam Nagar The police control room was informed by a caller at around 3 p.m. that a foul smell was coming from the house, and a team reached the spot. They entered the house to find the body in a room, locked from the inside, on the second floor. The lock was broken and the body was taken out, and identified as of Singhla.

DCP, South Delhi, Atul Thakur, said that initial investigations had revealed that Singhla had last worked on Tuesday.

Police suspect it to be a case of suicide due to depression, and that Singhla might have killed himself a day or two before. However, no suicide note has been recovered.

A resident of Haryana's Panchkula, Singhla was residing in the place since 2006.

"We have initiated the proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC," the DCP said.
Katie Price has revealed she's undergone a six hour operation to repair her broken feet after being warned by doctors it could take months for her to recover.

The star, 42, took to Instagram on Friday to pen a lengthy caption to update fans on her condition, and admitted there were 'more procedures needed than they thought.'

It comes after it was reported that Katie revealed that she is banned from having sex with her boyfriend Carl Woods for two weeks after being left unable to move by the casts following her major surgery.

Ouch! Katie Price, 42, has revealed she's undergone a six hour operation to repair her broken feet after being warned by doctors it could take months for her to recover

In a lengthy post, Katie wrote: 'Wanted to update everyone who has been sending all the beautiful messages to me  so Ive had my 6 hour op Unfortunately more Procedures was needed when they entered my feet than thought , but Im lucky I have the chance to one day get on my feet again 

'Chelsea Westminster hospital nurses doctors have been amazing and the surgeons totally have my up most RESPECT and absolutely FANTASTIC very professional and have been very honest and straight with me to make me actually sink in my head the seriousness of my injuries MASSIVE THANKYOU ...

'And massive Thankyou to @carljwoodsfor constantly fitting me around his work and being by my side , loving knowing Ive found the man that has surprisingly ticked every box I could only dream of a man to be like and knowing Im spending the rest of my life with him.'

Candid: The star, 42, took to Instagram on Friday to pen a lengthy caption to update fans on her condition, and admitted there were 'more procedures needed than they thought'

It comes after Katie was banned from having sex with boyfriend Carl, 31, for two weeks after the surgery.

She was allegedly told she would not be able to move for a fortnight after the procedure, according to a report from The Sun.

A source speaking to the publication claimed: 'Katie's been told she has to lie down and not move for two weeks when she gets home.

'She will have to keep her legs elevated to give her the best chance of recovery - and that means no sex or moving around.

'Carl will basically be her full time carer - the only time she's allowed to move is to go to the toilet.'

The requirement will allegedly be 'a real test' for Katie, but the star is said to be following the doctor's orders.

Katie shared a glimpse of her colourful casts on Instagram on Thursday.

Glam: It comes after Katie shared a glimpse of her colourful casts on Instagram on Thursday

Doctors orders: The former glamour model explained in the caption that she had been told to 'keep her legs up' before the surgery

She previously said she was 'terrified' about the operation and has been 'banned from getting out of bed, with doctors telling her to stay laying down'.

A source told The Sun: 'Katie's doctors told her she had to stay lying down on her back to stop her feet swelling up in the heat.

'She's terrified about the surgery tomorrow - but she's listening to all the doctor's advice.'

The source added that Katie was 'devastated' about the medical advice as it meant she couldn't celebrate her youngest son Jett's birthday properly.

However it is thought that the mother-of-five has told him that she will make it up to him with another party after the operation.

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Katie for a comment.

Katie also discussed what doctors had told her to do in the lead up to her surgery in the caption to her latest Instagram offering.

In the glam snap, the star could be seen reclining on the floor with one hand on her hip as she rested her two feet on a door.

She slipped into a skin-tight green dress with a thin strap around the neck and added a slick of pink lipstick for the sizzling post

Family first: Katie is said to have been 'devastated' about medical advice to 'stay in bed' as it was her youngest son Jett's birthday and she wanted to celebrate properly (pictured with her son and youngest daughter Bunny)

Katie wrote: 'Its so hot! I have to keep my legs up until my operation as doctors orders but fancied putting on a little dress from @ohpolly and feel glam as its been ages.'

Katie broke both of her feet and ankles in a freak accident while on holiday in Turkey last month, and is awaiting surgery which will help her on the long road of recovery.

Since the accident, Katie has been seen several times being pushed in a wheelchair by her beau Carl Woods, 31, including on Wednesday when she had a coronavirus test at a hospital to see if she could be operated on later in the week.

It was previously reported that Katie has been warned by doctors she 'must take her recovery seriously or she could risk losing a leg'.

The reality star is said to have been left 'terrified' by her surgeon's stark warning.

Trooper! Katie is now preparing for surgery, thought to be happening on Friday, and is looking at a long recovery time after the painful accident

A source told The Sun: 'Katie's doctors have warned her she must take her recovery seriously and it's left her terrified.

'She's prone to getting infections after operations, and her surgeon says she could lose a leg if her feet get infected.

'She'll have to be so, so careful - she'll have medical professionals on call 24/7 - and change the dressings regularly. She's got a long road ahead of her.'

When contacted by MailOnline, a representative said : 'Katie I can confirm will be undergoing major surgery this week to correct her injuries sustained on her recent holiday to Turkey.'

Shock injury: Katie confirmed the news on Instagram, revealing that it could be six months before she can walk properly again

Katie recently explained she broke her ankles and feet during a 'silly accident' while on holiday with her beau and her children Princess, 13, and Junior, 15.

Taking to her YouTube channel, the star explained: 'Silly me, at my age, should calm things down. Basically, silly little accident. I was running and jumped over a wall, as it was a little shortcut, and didn't really judge the height.

'I just sort of fell funny on my ankles and I fractured the hairline on my heels and stuff. The hospital here wanted to operate and wanted to put pins in and stuff. Because I'm away, I'd rather wait until I get home.'

She continued: 'It's the most painful thing ever. Like when I was trying to put the cast on, I was screaming in pain. They said I won't be able to walk for three to six months.'
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Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 10:31 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df7e55 1 National AI,Research-Technology-and-Higher-Education-Ministry,BRIN,policy,road-map Free

The government has introduced a national strategy for developing artificial intelligence, but experts are calling for assurances that progress in this high-tech field is safe and beneficial for all.

Jakarta published a blueprint that will guide Indonesia in developing artificial intelligence (AI) between 2020 and 2045, at a time when governments and businesses around the world are increasingly turning to the field for solutions in law enforcement, financing and health care, among others.

Research and Technology Minister and National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) head Bambang Brodjonegoro said the country would focus its AI projects on education and research, health services, bureaucratic reform and food security as well as mobility and smart cities.

We are all determined to create an independent, advanced and prosperous Indonesia. Let us successfully reform Indonesia from being a natural resource-based country to an innovation-based country, Bambang said during the launch earlier this week.

The launch of the national guidelines, published as an e-book, marks a step forward in embracing AI technology and follows in the footsteps of many others who have already set up their own AI strategies, according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data.

The development of AI is one of five sectors in the ministrys focus, apart from the development of the internet of things, advanced robotics, augmented reality and 3D printing.

In November last year, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said the government was looking to replace a number of civil service positions with AI to create a leaner bureaucracy.

Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto also said at the time that the government would employ the online single submission (OSS) system and the Single Map policy as part of its drive to use AI in government-related work.

Read also: 'Faster with AI': Indonesia to replace ministerial aides with machines

A number of state projects already employ AI technology, including one to anticipate forest fires, while some government agencies are promoting AI development and technology-based solutions at schools and teaching faculties.

However, the guidelines note that, while Indonesias demographic dividend and its unique datasets are among its strengths in developing AI, the country has neither the provisions to regulate nor an official agency to oversee AI development, among other things.

The national strategy also sees as hurdles to AI development the dominance of imported technology in the Indonesian market, disruptions to the workforce and data misuse.

As a possible solution, the guidebook advises the country to focus on infrastructure and data, research and industrial innovation, ethics and policies, and talent development.

It also suggests forming a data ethics board to oversee its development as well as create regulations and setting national standards for AI innovation.

AI providers and experts have lauded the move to establish a foundation for AI development. However, they urged the government and other stakeholders to improve on the strategy, anticipate risks and fix current flaws.

Read also: AI opportunities: Made in Indonesia by Indonesians for Indonesians

AI and robotics professor Wisnu Jatmiko of the University of Indonesia sees the initiative as a statement of good faith but insists that the country needs to fix its internet connection issues, nurture high-quality talent and provide various types of infrastructure to bolster development.

He also advised the country to have its own cloud computing system to prevent any leak of confidential information.

AI is an extraordinary challenge. Its a race; its like a [sports] match, if we are not prepared for it, we will only be spectators, said Wisnu, who is involved with the UI Computer Science Facultys AI Center and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Meanwhile, Big Data and AI Association (ABDI) chairman Rudi Rusdiah said the government should prioritize trade and industrial affairs in AI development to reap the economic benefits, with a 2018 International Data Corporation (IDC) survey noting that Indonesian companies had the highest rates of AI adoption in Southeast Asia.

He also called for reforms of higher education based on AI and urged the government to put in place regulations that prevent AI algorithm errors that may harm humankind.

AI has to be controlled, so that it will not replace humans and human work; AI is only meant to augment [human work], he said.

Similarly, Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) researcher Alia Yofira Karunian said the national strategy should be centered around human needs and uphold principles of fairness, accountability and transparency as pillars in AI implementation.

Absence of such principles would be detrimental to human rights, she said, citing the example of the Compass project in the United States.

Compass was found to have a racial bias in predicting the likelihood of recidivism, ProPublica reported, while the company remains tight-lipped about the details of the algorithm, according to the New York Times.

Weighing such risks, the government had to protect personal data, Alia said. It also needed to ensure that people have the right to not be subjected to automated AI decisions and intervene whenever there are biases in AI machine learning.

We are in the beginning phase, so we must learn from the [mistakes] of other countries that have started it, she said.
Usually release of the trailer of a film starring A-listers is a much awaited occasion. Trailer of Sanjay Dutt-Alia Bhatt starrer Sadak 2, too, was much awaited by movie lovers, but for a different reason  to make it the most disliked video on YouTube. And this feat is almost achieved as at the time of writing this report, Sadak 2 trailer had garnered 9 million dislikes, as against 486K likes. With this, the movies trailer has entered the league of most disliked videos on the video-sharing platform, including YouTube Rewind 2018 (18 million dislikes), Justin Biebers Baby (11 million dislikes) and has overtaken Jake Pauls It's Everyday Bro (4.9 million dislikes) and PewDiePies Can this video get 1 million dislikes? (4.8 million dislikes) by a wide margin.

Sadak 2, Mahesh Bhatts first directorial venture in 20 years, has been heavily trolled post the mysterious death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the entire storm over nepotism and Bollywood mafia. Alia Bhatt's dismissive attitude towards the late actor in Karan Johars Koffee with Karan and Mahesh Bhatts alleged complication in Rhea Chakrabortys affair with Sushant Singh Rajput has angered India.

Even before the Sadak 2 trailer dropped, there were calls from fans calling for #JusticeforSushant for making it the most disliked video and also calls for boycotting the film as well as the OTT platform on which it will be streamed, Disney+ Hotstar.

The Comments section for Sadak 2 trailer on YouTube is filled with people stating that they are checking the page specifically to see how many dislikes it is getting!

In the list of never-before incidents that are happening in the year 2020, we can safely add this acute dislike for a movie trailer to the list. Never before in the history of Indian cinema have fans come out in such huge numbers to downvote a movie trailer while fighting for a deceased beloved actor.

Caught in this whole tangle is Disney+ Hotstar. Coming weeks will see more movies starring, what people are calling the Nepo Brigade or Nepo Kids, premiering on various OTT platforms. There have been calls for uninstalling Disney+ Hotstar as well. Will the other OTT platforms be met by such heavy trolling? Time will tell.

Investigation into Sushant Singh Rajputs death is currently underway and there are several hidden aspects that are being revealed every day. While the debate on news channels regarding nepotism and Bollywood mafia might have shifted to other big reveals in the case, these issues have not died out altogether. Movie fans are in no mood to forget and forgive those that have been stonewalling talent from outside the industry.

But does the trailer pique any interest, given that the original starring Sanjay Dutt and Pooja Bhatt was a mega hit in the 90s? Underwhelming and stuck in a time warp is this reporters opinion. A fake guru, the main antagonist, who looks like a thinner version of a black-clad Mogambo, but with African dread locks  sorry we are not buying that in the 21st century. One feels sorry for Sanjay Dutt, who has aged a lot since Sadak and yet steals every scene from right under everyone else.

Aditya Roy Kapur  was that you in that trailer? His presence is fleeting, perhaps he will get more to do in the film.

Alia Bhatt is not at all convincing as the avenging angel. Her real-life half sister Pooja Bhatt also stars in the film but doesnt appear in the trailer, except in photographs. It is obvious that she is dead and Sanjay Dutt carries around her memories.

Amid all the slick productions and compelling storylines that one sees these days, Sadak 2 seems jaded. Mahesh Bhatt coming out from a 20-year hibernation seems still stuck in the 90s narrative.
Hong Kong's government downgraded its full-year economic forecast on Friday after a recent flare up in coronavirus cases threatened to further derail the city's economy.

The government now expects the city's economy to shrink by between 6% and 8% in 2020, compared to its previous projection for a contraction of between 4% and 7%.

"If the current wave of local infection can be contained within a short time and barring any further sharp deterioration in the external environment, economic performance for 2020 as a whole can hopefully fall within the upper half of the range forecast," according to a statement by the government economist, Andrew Au.

The downgrade came after the Hong Kong economy contracted by 9% in the second quarter compared to a year ago. It was the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline in gross domestic product, official statistics showed.

The updated data on the city's economic performance exactly matched its official advance estimates.
Marimo is a rare growth form of the Aegagropila linnaei algae in which the aquatic plant grows into large green balls with a velvet-like texture and appearance. Its also a natural treasure of Japan, as well as a popular pet.

Aegagropila linnaei algae has long been a mystery in biology, particularly due to its fascinating spherical growth form. The algae can be found in just a handful of aquatic environments located in four countries  Iceland, Scotland, Estonia, and Japan  and exists either as free-floating filaments, flat growths on rocks or green balls that can reach up to 40 cm in diameter. Its the latter that has fascinated both scientists and algae enthusiasts for centuries.

Marimo (literally ball water plant) are particularly popular in Japan. The largest and most impressive-looking ones can be found in Lake Akan, in east Hokkaido. For some reason, given enough time marimo her grow up to 40 cm in diameter, much larger that the moss balls found anywhere else. The lake is shallow, providing the conditions needed for Aegagropila linnaei to thrive, so the bottom is full of these giant, fluffy balls just waiting to be squeezed. Only youre not allowed to take those!

Photo: Hiroshi Miyazaki/Flickr

Japan has been fascinated by these rare algae balls for centuries and actually declared them a national treasure in 1921. Only that only made things worse for marimo, as people started removing them from their natural environments and selling them to tourists. At one point, the price of a marimo in Tokyo reached 1,000 yen (over $6,500 in todays money). Things got worse before they got better, as a water plant at Lake Akan caused the water level to drop dramatically, leaving hundreds of marimo exposed to die.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @sakuraaaaaaaaaaaa_ on Jul 30, 2020 at 10:58am PDT

The countrys conservationist efforts started in 1950, when photos of piles of dead marimo were published in national newspapers and shocked the country. Dozens of people from across the country who had bought moss balls taken from Akan started returning them to their natural home. In honor of these peoples generosity the first Marimo Festival was held on October 7th 1950, and it is still being held every year.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Komitan (@marimo_ri_mori) on Aug 5, 2020 at 9:47pm PDT

Today, you can still buy marimo as souvenirs and pets, but they are artificially rolled from free floating filaments, not the natural kind formed by being rolled on the bottom of a lake by currents. Still, they are just as soft and velvety to the touch as natural ones, and can literally last a lifetime, if properly taken care of.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @sakuraaaaaaaaaaaa_ on Jul 1, 2020 at 11:24pm PDT

Knockoff marimo  plastic balls with a thin layer of algae  are also popular, so take caution if you plan on buying one from a souvenir shop. True marimo are algae through and through; well, large ones are actually hollow on the inside because the thickness of the alga is limited to 5 cm from its surface, for photosynthesis.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @sakuraaaaaaaaaaaa_ on May 29, 2020 at 9:25am PDT

Marimo are low-maintenance pets. All they need is water to roll around in and some filtered sunlight. As long as they can roll around and get sunlight on all sides, theyre good. If you notice brown spots on your algae balls, just roll them around to make sure they get sunlight on all sides, or add a bit of salt and ice to freshen them up. They dont like chlorine, so use filtered water and make sure to change it every few weeks.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roy Chen (@yunjouchen) on Mar 3, 2020 at 8:46pm PST

One thing to note about marimo is that they are very slow growing. They grow at an average rate of 5 mm per year, so to get a giant algae ball as the ones on the bottom of Lake Akan would take decades. But the good thing is that if you have the time to wait and care for them properly, they will actually live that long, maybe even outlive you.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  (@marimo_mochan) on Nov 6, 2019 at 7:40pm PST

While marimo do grow, they dont reproduce on their own, so youll never find yourself overrun by them. However, if you have a larger one and want to have two, all you need to do is split it in half, and re-roll them both into smaller spheres. They are made of free-floating filament after all.

Marimo pets are hugely popular in Japan, where the algae balls have not only inspired the countrys weirdest mascot, Marimokkori, but also a smartphone app that helps users take care of their marimo. It has been downloaded over 800,000 times on the App Store alone.

As to why the Aegagropila linnaei algae grows into this ball shape that only becomes more spherical as it grows, scientists have formulated multiple theories. Some claim its a defense mechanism, as although free-floating filaments can be swallowed by fish, ball-shaped colonies are not seriously damaged by feeding fish. Others say that the spherical shape might help them roll back into the water when they get washed up on shore. Finally, the rolling action can help wash off any sediment accumulated on the surface. But these are only theories; the truth is that virtually nothing is known about why they form these ball-like structures.

Sources: Tofugu, Nature, Wikipedia
(Photo : Kon Karampelas/Unsplash) TikTok User Claims He Paid About $50 for All His Fake Followers (Photo : REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration) Tik Tok logos are seen on smartphones in front of a displayed ByteDance logo in this illustration taken November 27, 2019.

A TikTok user shared his experience on how to quickly build a TikTok account with that video ranked up the hashtags list.

The user is actually Vice.com's Motherboard team. Joseph Cox, a contributor to the media outlet, narrated how their first TikTok video even topped the hashtag rankings. However, the video was just a basic clip showing Motherboard staff winning in a Call of Duty: Warzone match. There was no fancy editing or fascinating voice over, but the clip outranked other streamers who upload their games, either wins or loses, in the platform.

Cox said they spent about $50 to buy followers, likes, and views. Their first TikTok video raked at least 25,000 views and 1,000 likes. Although not popular as others that went viral, the stats were enough for the video to climb up the board of one of the hashtags people used for Warzone.

For just a small amount, Cox was able to build a seemingly credible account, although most of the engagement was, of course, fake. He "bought the TikTok followers, likes, and views from a website," which sells them for just $50 or even lower. TikTok did not even notice their video and account as it remains up and running until now.

"I had artificially inflated the popularity of my TikTok clip," said Cox adding that there is a higher possibility for the video to be viewed by other TikTok users.

Buying TikTok engagements is glaring various social media networks. It was actually cheap and easy to do, although it is unclear if the fake engagement can make a video viral.

Ben Nimmo, director of investigations for security firm Graphika said that having paid follows, shares, and likes is a just numbers game. "They can make a post look more popular than it otherwise would, and that can give it an air of credibility," Nimmo told Motherboard in an email.

How to boost a TikTok account or video?

Boosting an account is just an easy as 1-2-3. First, create an account and upload a clip. Visit the "advertising website " and buy followers depending on the budget. For his account, Cox bought 250 followers and paid about $12. This website takes payments via PayPal, Stripe, Paytr, and other payment modes.

Soon after making a payment, Cox's account had 250 new followers. The group of followers was a combination of women, men, and users with profile pictures of animals and other stuff as well as a wide range of usernames from full names to generated codes.

Zarine Kharazian, the assistant editor at the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), said some of the fake accounts do not seem to be of high quality or super low quality. The former was previously compromised accounts that show complete histories while the latter has no customization at all. However, the accounts found on Cox's account "sit somewhere in the middle" as some have profile pictures, bios, and even video uploads.

These paid engagements would make TikTok accounts or videos appear on TikTok's "For You" section, which shows recommended videos according to the users' topics or interests. The advertising website's customer support declined to answer Cox's questions on how they fulfill orders, wither by using hacked accounts, or creating their own. "Sorry I am only able to answer questions about our customers' orders," the agent responded.

"Buying engagement on TikTok could definitely amplify content, although it's hard to say exactly how without knowing more of the specifics of TikTok's recommendation algorithm," Kharazian said.

Currently, Microsoft is gearing up to acquire the Bytedance short-video app with only about 40 days left on the deadline President Donald Trump gave for the deal or TikTok would be banned from the United States. In response, Tech Times reported that while Bytedance was shocked with the executive order about banning TikTok, it may file a case if the ban would push through.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In Maids (Fantagraphics, Oct.), Skelly reimagines a notorious 1930s crime scandal where two French sisters working in service murdered their employers family.

What attracted you to this story?

I love the movie La Ceremonie by Claude Chabrol, which was loosely based on the Papin sisters. I read as much as I could about the case. We dont have a lot of verified information about the sisters early lives or the days leading up to the murders. A lot of other representations Id seen were either over-the-top camp, or got mired in details and lost the potency of the story. I wanted to tell it from a place that was in between.

The chance to get inside their heads, and not necessarily justify their actions, but put yourself in their shoes, was really interesting to me. John Waters said that murder can be one bad night. You have one bad night, and youre on your way toward it.

How did you get into these womens heads?

After they were arrested, they both clammed up. The older sister, Christine, instructed Lea to claim she was deaf and dumb, and she stopped communicating at that point. I tried to think about times when I felt powerless, subject to the mercy of people I was working for, or when I was younger and didnt quite understand the motivations of the people around me. I have an older sister, and I used to be so shy when I was little that I wouldnt speak. I would let her speak for me. I wanted to tap into that kind of codependent relationship.

Did you see parallels between the 1930s class tensions and today?

I think were approaching a similar critical mass. A few years after the Papin sisters committed this crime, France had a sort of mini labor revolution and established things like the eight-hour workday and lunch breaks and weekends and holidays off. It would take something much bigger to shock people now, because were perpetually shocked by laborer exploitation and murder of citizens. Itd have to be something so catastrophic that the public couldnt comprehend it. Thats what the Papin sisters crime was: so ghastly and sensational, it sent a shockwave through the upper-class psyche.

What do you hope readers take away?

A sense of empathy for these girls. Not necessarily a sympathy, but an empathy, and also an appreciation for the rights we have now as workers. Were approaching a similar sort of barbarism now, but the barbarism that these girls lived every day was so evident in their crimes that the world had to change.

I hope nobodys like, cool, Im gonna do this. But I definitely want them to appreciate that these were human beings. And who knows? You could have a bad night too, someday.
2018 PM Modi visited his parliamentary constituency Varanasi where he spent time with children of a primary school to mark his 68th birthday. The students were provided with solar lamps, stationary, school bags and notebooks. Later, the PM offered prayers at the citys Kashi Vishwanath temple. He also watched a film Chalo Jeete Hain inspired by his life along with a few school children. The day was made special when the Navajivan Trust, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, published the Gujarati version of the Exam Warriors by PM Modi. He is the third PM of India to be published by the Trust.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the national flag and deliver a speech at the Red Fort in Delhi to mark India's 74th Independence Day on August 15. However, the celebration will be different this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Like every year, the celebration will take place amid multi-layered security arrangements, but this year there will be a mandatory adherence to social distancing norms and hand sanitisation, considering the contagion.

What will be the itinerary of Independence Day 2020 in Delhi?

The Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort shall consist of:

> A guard of honour by the armed forces and the Delhi Police to Prime Minister Modi;> Unfurling of the national flag and firing of the 21-gun salute;> Prime Minister Modi's address;> Singing of the national anthem immediately after his speech; and

> Release of tricoloured balloons.

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

How the I-Day 2020 celebration differs from previous years?

The ceremony held on the 74th Independence Day will be a curtailed affair this year with strict physical distancing norms and hand sanitisation amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Heres what will be different this year:

> In a break from traditions, only senior union ministers will be reportedly present on stage along with PM Modi.> All other Cabinet ministers would be seated in a separate enclosure below the upper dais. Other dignitaries such as judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts and Secretary-level bureaucrats would also have separate enclosures.> Corona warriors such as doctors and healthcare professionals have been invited and would have a dedicated seating area.

> To maintain social distancing, the guest list has reportedly been cut down considerably.

How protocols of the ceremony have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

> The Delhi Police has advised invitees to refrain from attending the event it if they experienced any COVID-19 symptom in the last two weeks and did not go for a test.> The police have requested invitees to follow coronavirus-related guidelines issued by the home and health ministries during the Independence Day celebrations.> Over 350 Delhi Police personnel, who will be part of the guard of honour, have been quarantined as a precautionary measure. These personnel are of the force of all ranks -- from constable to deputy commissioner of police -- have been quarantined at a newly built police colony in Delhi Cantonment.

> Usually at least 40 police personnel are ferried in a vehicle to parade rehearsals. But this year, owing to COVID-19, only 20 personnel are reportedly being ferried in a sanitised vehicle with strict adherence to social distancing norms.

What are the security arrangements on I-Day 2020 in Delhi?

Multilayered security arrangements are in place for the 74th Independence Day celebrations at the Mughal-era Red Fort this year. Take a look:

> A security ring, including NSG snipers, elite SWAT commandos and kite catchers, will be placed around the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation.> Over 300 cameras have been installed for security and their footage is being monitored round the clock, police said. There will be around 4,000 security personnel at the Red Fort and they will stand in adherence with social distancing norms.> The security in and around railways stations has also been intensified a couple of days ahead of the Independence Day.> The Red Fort has already been closed for the public ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.> The Delhi Traffic Police have issued an advisory for the function at the Red Fort to ensure safe and smooth flow of vehicles across the city. Eight roads -- Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP flyover -- will be closed for the general public from 4 am to 10 am.

> Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft, etc. are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi up to August 15.

A full-dress rehearsal of the 74th Independence Day celebrations was held at the Red Fort on August 13, in which personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force marched across the Mughal-era structure.

(With inputs from PTI)
Bengaluru: Congress MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy on Friday registered a compliant at the DJ Halli police station in Bengaluru in connection to the mob attack on his residence during the violence that took place in the city on August 11 which left three dead and more than 50 people injured.

The case has been filed three days after the attack. The MLA said that the reason for the delay was because he in a secure location and also due to the imposition of Section 144.

Srinivas Murthy claimed that he had the support of the Congress party with him. He blamed 'outside forces' for the attack and said that he was filing the complaint because he wanted to know why he became the target.

He appeared confident that the truth will be revealled following a police investigation.

Though, it has believed that the angry mob targetted Srinivas Murthy's house because his nephew Naveen had allegedly shared an insulting Facebook post against Prophet Mohammad which triggered the violence in the city on August 11.

Meanwhile, 260 people have been arrested including Kaleem Pasha, husband of Congress corporator from Nagwara ward Irshad Begum. Pasha is said to have close political links with both the Congress party and SDPI.

On August 11, around 800 people went on a rampage in Bengaluru's Pulakeshi Nagar on Tuesday night and vandalized two police stations and the residence of the Congress MLA. The mob was angry over cops not handing over MLA's nephew to them as they wanted to kill him for sharing the derogatory message against Prophet Mohammad, according to an FIR filed by Bengaluru Police.

While, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has ordered the concerned authorities to take strict action against those involved in the incident. CM Yediyurappa noted that all possible steps have been taken by the government to maintain law and order in the city.
New Delhi/Jaipur, Aug 14 : The Congress has tried to convey a tough message to its legislators in Rajasthan that the party comes first and there should be no statements and no interviews to the media from anyone.

The Congress Legislature Party meet was convened on Thursday at the Chief Minister's residence where rival leaders Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot were present.

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said in a video that "Forget the nightmare of the last 30 days and work together for the people of Rajasthan. We have done a lot of post-mortem but from now on no words, no interviews and no statements. This is the message of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. They told me to convey this." Venugopal said that "the party has to come first and if the party is not there then nobody will be there so everybody has to work with unity. It is time for unity and everybody should work together." He also praised the state government for its work towards Covid management.

Gehlot and Pilot met before the CLP meeting at Gehlot's house. At the meeting, Gehlot gave a call to forget the past, saying, "Apne to apne hote hain'. We could have proved the majority on the floor of the House even without these 19 MLAs, but then there would have been no happiness around." Gehlot further said, "We will move the confidence motion ourselves. We shall also resolve the grievances of our MLAs who are upset with us." The BJP on Thursday announced that it will move a no-confidence motion against the Gehlot government when the special Assembly session commences on Friday.

Venugopal, who was present at the meeting, tweeted: "There is no substitute for truth and integrity. The bonds of friendship & ideology are unbreakable, they will stand the test of time & reinvigorate the party. The direction & leadership of Hon'ble Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi & Shri Rahul Gandhi ensured this bond gets stronger." Earlier in the day, suspension of two MLAs - Bhanwarlal Sharma and Vishvendra Singh, who had pledged loyalty to the Pilot camp, was revoked. They were suspended after being charged with alleged horse-trading to topple the government.

Gehlot also tweeted in the afternoon saying, "Our priority should be to save democracy with the feeling of forgive and forget. The conspiracy being followed in the states to topple the elected governments one by one in Karnataka, MP and Arunachal Pradesh by misusing the ED, CBI, Income Tax, judiciary etc. will weaken democracy."
The construction industry is among the most male-dominated industries worldwide. However, in South Africa, women seem to be well represented in the industry and can get even better.

Photo by Andre Moura from Pexels

According to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), 48% of South Africas construction companies are owned by women. This shows that great amount of efforts is done in this sector to ensure that women are equally benefiting from the opportunities this sector has.One of the many myths told to women is that they must be rough and tough like a man to make it in the construction industry. Over the years, women in the industry have proven that even with our gentle and nurturing attributes, we can still achieve what many deem as the unthinkable and not womanlike, says Patt Chalwa, chief executive officer at National Construction Incubator (NCI).Giving her thoughts on the representation of women in the construction industry, Yandi Jiya-Tiba, executive manager, support services at National Construction Incubator said that the percentage is a good representation. However, it would be more exciting if the 48% reflected here would be of women owning their own business and the 52% which is currently held by men be the total percentage of women in our industry.The National Construction Incubator (NCI) is one of the countrys leading women owned construction entities. With its multiple investors from both the public and private sectors alike, the NCI programmes aim to support and pave the way for SMEs in the construction industry, with a strong focus on female contractors and youth.As a nation, we need to create developmental funding solutions that will cater for this segment of female entrepreneurs who have endeavoured into a challenging and previously male-dominated sector such as construction sector. Perhaps a wholly owned women development organisation in construction could be the starting point for greatness, added Babalwa Mapisa NCI Board member and Chairperson of the Finance CommitteeWomen are winning these gender barriers in sectors that were previously known to be dominated by men. Their success is proof enough that the quality of a persons work has nothing to do with their gender, thus paving way for the much-needed equality and recognition in the workplace.In closing, Chalwa said her former mentor once told her that when you want to talk about work, surround yourself with men but when you want to get work done, get women to do the job. She further said within the NCI, the latter phenomenon has proven to be true, and that more women are needed in construction in the country to turn the countrys economy around.
When VOA asked Trump if he supports Israel's annexation of Palestinian land, Trump did not respond directly, saying only, "We're talking to Israel about that right now." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later told reporters, however, that Trump asked him to suspend his West Bank annexation plans and that they were "delayed" but "not canceled." Trump added, "Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates."



The joint statement said that delegations would meet in the next few weeks to discuss and sign deals concerning direct flights, security, telecommunications, energy, tourism, and health care. "Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations," the statement reads. The UAE and Israel also plan to "immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and development of a vaccine for the coronavirus," the statement added.



UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Al Otaiba said the "announcement to fully normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is a win for diplomacy and for the region that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted that the pact with the Arab country was "A historic day." The normalization of relations between the two countries is a victory and a setback for the Palestinians, who have depended on Arab support in their quest for independence.



While Thursday's agreement halts Israel's annexation plans, the Palestinians have long urged Arab nations not to establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a deal to establish an independent Palestinian state has been reached. "Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it's been doing to Palestine illegally & persistently since the beginning of the occupation," tweeted Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official. Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, said the deal involving UAE is "a stabbing in the back of our people."



Iran clerical leaders did not immediately react to the agreement, but the country's Tasnim news agency said the normalization of ties between the two countries is "shameful."



U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said of the deal that "this is a remarkable achievement for two of the world's most forward leaning, technologically advanced states, and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region."



The agreement gives Trump a rare diplomatic achievement ahead of the November U.S. presidential election. But Netanyahu may be hedging his bets before the election by halting his annexation plans. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he would oppose any Israeli efforts to annex lands wanted by the Palestinians.
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There is no effective treatment for geographic atrophy, one of the most common causes of blindness in industrialized nations. The disease damages cells of the retina and causes them to die. The main lesions, areas of the degenerated retina, also known as "geographic atrophy" expand as the disease progresses and results in blind spots in the affected person's visual field.A major challenge for evaluating therapies is that these lesions progress slowly, which means that intervention studies require a long follow-up period.explains Prof. Dr. Frank G. Holz, Director of the Eye Clinic at the University Hospital Bonn.Integrity of light sensitive cells predicts disease progression.The researchers were furthermore able to show that the integrity of light-sensitive cells outside areas of geographic atrophy is a predictor of the future progression of the disease.says Prof. Monika Fleckenstein of the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah in the USA, initiator of the Bonn-based natural history study on geographic atrophy, on which the current publication is based.explains lead author Dr. Maximilian Pfau from the Eye Clinic at the University Hospital Bonn, who is currently working as a fellow of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University in the Department of Biomedical Data Science.Source: Eurekalert
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 23:11:10|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. interference in Hong Kong and Taiwan seriously violates the one-China principle, endangering the fundamental understanding between the United States and China, a Syrian political expert has said.

The visit to Taiwan by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar runs against the understanding between the United States and China "because there is the one-China principle, which is the cornerstone in the Chinese-U.S. relations," Ghassan Youssef said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Azar's trip to Taiwan and Washington's recent sanctions against Chinese officials send "wrong signals" to rioters in Hong Kong and separatists in Taiwan, he said.

China has voiced firm opposition to any official interactions between the United States and Taiwan under any pretext.

"Those who play with fire will get burnt," spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian said Wednesday, urging certain American people not to have illusions about issues concerning China's core interests.

China has always been keen to maintain good relations based on mutual benefit with the United States, Youssef said, expecting that Washington would meet Beijing half way to avoid a further deterioration of bilateral ties.

The United States is trying to hinder China's development because it now regards China as a major economic power and a strong competitor, particularly in scientific and technological fields, Youssef added.

China doesn't want to have a conflict with the United States or any other country, because it knows that "any conflict would harm both sides," he said.

Building a good relationship with China serves the interests of the United States, which requires Washington to respect international law and trade rules, and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs, he said.

"The tension between the two countries will cause losses to the U.S.," the expert said. Enditem
Orangeburgs Zeus Industrial Products is a great, American-made story, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said during a visit there on Thursday afternoon.

The Zeus story is what America is all about, Graham said.

The company is self-sufficient and doesnt depend on China or other foreign countries for its manufacturing or machinery, he said.

Zeus product line includes tubing for NASA and Boeing, so we dont depend on China or foreign countries for that part of the economy, the Upstate Republican said.

One of the lessons the nation has learned during the COVID-19 pandemic is that the medical supply chain is too dependent on other countries, particularly China, to take care of the American people, he said.

As lawmakers negotiate the fourth phase of pandemic relief, Graham said he has a provision that will create a $7.5 billion tax credit to make protective equipment in the United States for doctors and nurses and health care professionals so we dont have to be dependent on PPE (personal protective equipment) from China any longer.

That means thousands of new jobs throughout the country, particularly here in South Carolina, he said.

My goal, working with President Trump, is to make it easier to create a job in America, bring back jobs that left because its too high of taxes, too much regulation. We need to get them back here so we can be less dependent on foreign countries, Graham said.

While in Orangeburg, Graham also discussed his re-election campaign.

A recent poll placed Graham and his opponent, Democrat Jaime Harrison, each with fifty percent approval. Harrison is an Orangeburg native.

Graham said that the poll is a bogus methodology.

He went on to say that hes taking the race seriously.

Im being challenged by maybe up to $50 million. You have to ask yourself, What is it about this race that $50 million would come in to beat me? he said.

Graham said there are three reasons.

They want to flip the seat and gain control of the Senate and they see an opportunity here, and our liberal friends are putting their money where their mouth is, Graham said.

My opponent is the most liberal person, in my view, to ever seek public office in South Carolina as a Democrat. Hes embraced every radical agenda there is and thats why hes getting $50 million, he said.

As for the federal response to the coronavirus, Graham said that if China had been honest with the world, we wouldnt be wearing masks and dealing with what were dealing with.

He said its the third pandemic to originate in China.

He also said, I think a vaccine is in the making here and hopefully by October or early November well have a breakthrough.

Graham was in Orangeburg as part of a statewide tour of various manufacturing facilities.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD.

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CHICAGO, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Aluminum Rolled Products Market by Grade (1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx and 6xxx), End-Use Industry (Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Packaging, Consumer Durables, Others) and Region (NA, Europe, APAC, MEA, SA) - Global Forecast to 2025", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Aluminum Rolled Products Market size is estimated to be USD 45.2 billion in 2020 and projected to reach USD 62.5 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2020 to 2025.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=42516267

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aluminum Rolled Products Market"

82 - Tables

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Growth in automotive & transportation, building & construction and other industries has fuel the growth of aluminum rolled products market. China, India, Japan, US, and Germany are the major countries leading in the market. However, the recent outbreak of Covid-19 is expected to impact the aluminum rolled products market severely.

The 6xxx series grade is projected to lead the aluminum rolled products market during the forecast period

In 2019, the 6xxx series grade accounted for a larger share of the market and is also expected to grow at a highest CAGR during the forecastg period. This growth is attributed towards its properties such as Ultra-high tensile strength, coupled with the light weight of the 6xxx Series which enhances its usage in automotive & transportation industry.

The automotive & transportation industry is projected to be the major consumer of aluminum rolled products during the forecast period

Based on end-use industry, the global aluminum rolled products market is segregated into Automotive and Transportation (Automotive, Aerospace, Train and Ship building), Building and Infrastructure (Building Facades, Doors and Windows), Packaging, Consumer Durables, and Others. Other industries include machinery equipment, electricals & electronics, military equipment, tools &mould, and energy (windmills, etc.). Growth in automotive & transportation industry especially in developing countries such as China, India and others is expected to drive the growth of aluminum rolled products market. Automotive & transportation industry is also expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period.

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Asia Pacific is projected to be the largest consumer of aluminum rolled products during the forecast period

Based on region, the aluminum rolled products market is segregated into Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, North America, Europe, and South America. Among these, the Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share in 2019 and is also expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period. Availability of various large manufacturers such as UACJ Corporatation, coupled with growth in building & construction industry is expected to drive the growth of aluminum rolled products market in Asia Pacific.

Key players in the aluminum rolled products market, namely, Novelis Inc. (US), Constellium SE (France), Arconic Rolled Products Corporation (US), UACJ Corporation (Japan), and Norsk Hydro ASA (Norway) are considered for the study.

Related Reports:

Automotive Aluminum Market by Product Form (Cast Aluminum, Rolled Aluminum, & Extruded Aluminum), Application (Powertrain, Chassis & Suspension, & Car Body), Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, LCV, & HCV), Region - Global Forecast to 2026

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/automotive-aluminum-market-122258570.html



High Strength Aluminum Alloys Market by End-use Industry Type (Automotive & Transportation, Aerospace & Defense, Marine), Alloy Type (Cast and Wrought), Strength Type (High and Ultra-high-strength), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/high-strength-aluminum-alloy-market-47549886.html







Aluminum-extruded Products Market by Product Type (Mill-finished, Powder-coated, and Anodized), End-use Industry (Construction, Automotive, Electrical & Electronics, Mass Transport, and Machinery & Equipment), Alloy Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/aluminum-extruded-product-market-185950688.html



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Thats one of the reasons for all the recent chatter surrounding House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney (Wyo.), who has sought to create a lane for herself where she both supports Trump on most policy matters but isnt afraid to call him out. At a time when Trump wouldnt wear a mask and seemed to make fun of those who did, Cheney tweeted that real men cover their faces. She also backed Anthony S. Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, when the administration turned against him.
Over the last six months, our country has had to adapt to a new way of life in response to COVID-19. Students are expected to learn from home, office workers are doing their jobs remotely, and support groups and religious services are being held online. While the majority of American families have been relatively well-equipped to make the sudden switch to the digital world, far too many have been left without the tools they need to participate in these crucial aspects of pandemic-altered life.But while the digital divide remains a real challenge, it has been encouraging to see how some local governments are taking advantage of the disruption brought on by COVID-19 to make substantial progress toward digital inclusion. Some examples:Seattle has been working to close the digital divide since 1996 , and the city has recently launched initiatives, including the Digital Bridge pilot program , to connect low-income residents with low-cost refurbished laptops. Meanwhile, the Washington State Department of Commerce has created Wi-Fi hot spots across the state, and the city has partnered with Wave Broadband to offer low-income households free home Internet for 60 days.Chattanooga, Tenn., has made marked progress toward digital equity during the pandemic. The city and surrounding Hamilton County recently announced an initiative to offer no-cost high-speed home Internet to the 28,500 children who receive free or reduced-price school lunches  about 60 percent of the county school system's students. This 10-year commitment is possible because of a partnership among several public and private organizations, including the municipally owned Internet provider EPB. Similarly, Philadelphia is connecting 35,000 families with no-cost Internet from Comcast for the next two years.In San Antonio, Texas, where an estimated 38 percent of residents lack home Internet access, the city recently pledged to invest more than $27 million toward closing its digital divide. The plan includes providing broadband access to low-income households through private wireless networks and using existing fiber infrastructure on traffic lights to connect 20,000 students' homes to schools' wireless networks Many other communities have made tremendous progress on digital inclusion this year, and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance has been keeping a detailed list of efforts . But major hurdles remain.A general lack of public awareness of the extent of America's digital divide has long been a significant factor, but the challenges brought on by COVID-19 have drawn more attention to the issue . With remote learning becoming prevalent in many communities, many are coming to recognize that students without access to technology or the Internet will be left behind . COVID-19 will continue to be an important catalyst in spurring more action to bridge the gap.But as has long been the case, a key obstacle is funding. Simply put, lawmakers and policymakers need to find room in their budgets to fund digital equity programs. This truth can be hard to swallow as COVID-19 puts immense pressure on state and local budgets. But investing in digital equity offers many tangible benefits: Formerly unconnected citizens can apply for jobs, go to school and even launch digital-dependent startups. Digital equity can galvanize these activities and lead to more equal, more prosperous communities.
MBABANE  The shortage of cigarettes in the country could be a thing of the past, if reports of South Africas plans to downgrade to lockdown Level 2 are anything to go by.

South Africas media reports suggest the ban on the sale of tobacco and alcohol, which have cost that countrys economy billions of Rand, will stand out in what was expected to be a further easing of the lockdown.

The ban on tobacco sales has been in place for over four months and reportedly cost that country more than R4 billion in uncollected excise taxes.

In Eswatini, tobacco sales are permitted but most shelves are dry due to inability to import from the neighboring country.

From last night, an announcement was expected to be made to the effect that South Africa was moving to Level 2 of the lockdown as a way of saving that countrys battered economy.

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South Africas TimesLive reported on Wednesday that a group of directors-general (DGs) recommended to the national coronavirus command council (NCCC) that South Africa should move to Level 2 of the lockdown.

The publication reported that if Cabinet accepted this recommendation, the country could move to Level 2 lockdown this week, which would see more sectors of the economy opening up.

Ban

Agri SA, on the other hand, reportedly said that the ban on the sale of alcohol was creating corporate carnage and urged the government to reconsider it to allow the agricultural sector to continue contributing towards economic growth.

The ban on the sale of tobacco products has been said to have also adversely affected Eswatinis economy.

Other sectors allowed in sa level 2

Limited domestic air travel, with a restriction on the number of flights per day and authorisation based on the reason for travel and for business travel and subject to the ports of entry arrangements

Transport and logistics in respect of specified cargo and permitted retail goods to neighbouring countries, which shall include all goods imported via SA ports of entry, for re-export to neighbouring countries

Essential imported goods will be prioritised through ports of entry and for transport and handling to final users. Directions will be issued in respect of other goods
Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, which spun out of Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs to fund and develop the next generation of infrastructure, has taken the covers off its first big project -- the launch of a subsidiary called Cavnue to develop roadways for connected and autonomous vehicles.

Starting in Michigan, Cavnue will be working with partners including Ford, GM, Argo AI, Arrival, BMW, Honda, Toyota, TuSimple and Waymo on standards to develop the physical and digital infrastructure needed to move connected and autonomous cars out of pilot projects and onto America's highways, freeways, interstates and city streets.

The starting point for Cavnue is a 40-mile corridor between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan that will be dedicated to autonomous vehicles. Ultimately, Cavnue envisions numerous corridors designed for autonomous shuttles and buses, as well as trucks and personal vehicles.

Cavnue will be the master developer of the 40-mile roadway, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday in a joint announcement with Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners .

"The action were taking today is good for our families, our businesses, and our economy as a whole. Here in Michigan, the state that put the world on wheels, we are taking the initial steps to build the infrastructure to help us test and deploy the cars of the future, Whitmer said in a statement. As we rebuild our roads to ensure every Michigander can drive to work and drop their kids at school safely, we will also continue working to build smart infrastructure to help prepare us for the roads of tomorrow."

GettyImages 1124381926

Image Credits: Getty Images / petovarga

The Detroit-to-Ann Arbor corridor will include communities along Michigan Avenue and Interstate 94 in Wayne County and Washtenaw County, like the University of Michigan, the Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Michigan Central Station. The corridor will also include up to 12 "Opportunity Zones" where communities and small businesses will be able to connect to the industrial, technological and academic hubs of the region, according to the company's statement.

Story continues

For the first phase of the project, Cavnue will work with a slew of Michigan state agencies, including the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and the Michigan Department of Transportation, on a feasibility and design study that is expected to last about two years.

Initial work during the project's first phase will look at the commercial and technological viability of the roadway's design. Connected buses and shared mobility vehicles like vans and shuttles will be the first users of the roadway before it is eventually expanded to other types of connected autonomous vehicles, including freight and personal vehicles, according to a statement from Cavnue.

Key partners

In 2018, Bill Ford envisioned a connected corridor similar to the one that Cavnue is proposing to build -- envisioning the company's Corktown innovation hub as an east end node in a circuit that would run along the Ann Arbor to Detroit corridor. Now Ford is a key partner in Cavnue's project.

However, there are numerous others that Cavnue is also leaning on, including the University of Michigan with its CAV research center and Mcity Test Facility, Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and facilities along the proposed corridor, as well as the testing facility American Center for Mobility.

"My vision for Michigan Central is to create an open mobility innovation district that solves tomorrows transportation challenges and improves mobility access for everyone, said Ford, the executive chairman of his eponymous car company, in a statement. "Building out a connected corridor cements Michigan as a leader in creating a more connected, autonomous and electrified future. We thank the state for recognizing the community and economic benefits and the importance of creating smart infrastructure across southeast Michigan.

GettyImages 846875220

Image Credits: Andrey Suslov / Getty Images

Human error behind the wheel of cars is a leading cause of death around the country; in Michigan, 10,000 people have died in fatal automobile crashes over the last decade. Companies like Cavnue's partners including Ford, GM, Argo AI, Arrival, BMW, Honda, Toyota, TuSimple and Waymo argue that connected and autonomous vehicles can reduce those fatalities while also cutting the hours commuters spend in traffic.

The sweeping nature of Cavnue's mission is also an admission of sorts that the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles is further away than this nascent industry initially thought. Born of an innovation event at Google's headquarters, the seed for Cavnue comes from the realization that level five autonomy (the fully autonomous vehicles that require no human intervention) are still a concept for futurists, rather than a near-term opportunity.

To justify the billions of dollars of investment required to continue research and development around autonomy, companies need near-term applications. And those applications will require physical infrastructure to work.

The Michigan startup scene is growing, and venture capitalists see several key areas of opportunities. Read more on Extra Crunch here.

For municipalities worried about congestion and the abandonment of light rail systems and other mass transit solutions in the age of COVID-19, these dedicated lanes may provide new sources of revenue for autonomous public transit and a way for companies to test their autonomous systems safely in the context of a much larger pilot project.

One thing that some of the planners envisioned was the use of autonomous shuttles as a replacement for light rail and the potential for a far more dynamic solution. Vehicles could be scaled up and down according to demand, and shared routes could speed efficiency and reduce the time it takes to get to a destination, these planners said.

Financing could come from the manufacturers of autonomous systems who would get new testing grounds for their technology and eventually individuals who owned cars with advanced driving systems could pay for access to the lanes using the dead space between public transit vehicles.

Ostensibly, someone could pay $10 to access the road and then put their vehicle into autonomous mode. Public transit and private delivery fleets would be prioritized, and a vehicle would have to demonstrate it has autonomous capabilities to even access the roadways.

Autonomous Vehicle

Image Credits: Getty Images

The new service would depend on a new type of public-private partnership based on outcomes that could be measured by the number of public fare rates the new lanes generate. Companies like Cavnue would source the vehicles and build the infrastructure. It would provide the capital expenditures for the roadway and retain the rights to sell access to the autonomous-enabled cars when use permits.

If it works in Michigan, some of the state's congressional leadership intends to push for the expansion of the plan across the country.

Michigan is at the forefront of this new frontier in mobility. Our state is home to a dense nexus of automakers, suppliers, engineers, universities and testing facilities that are pioneering advances in transportation that will transform how we get around, said Michigan Senator Gary Peters. This announcement is a major step forward towards ensuring Michigan continues to be the center of self-driving car research and development. Im going to continue working at the federal level to develop a federal framework for the safe deployment of these revolutionary -- and live-saving -- technologies.

Not everyone is convinced that the investment makes sense, though.

"That's an enormous investment in grey infrastructure. That's a major infrastructure project," said one infrastructure expert who declined to be identified because she was not authorized to speak about the project. "That's something that you're locking into. You're locking into that design and locking in to that use case... The dedicated lanes are not something that's being put forward by transportation advocates. I've only heard it from people who work with autonomous vehicles and have a vested interest in seeing their adoption."
Details from actor Sushant Singh Rajputs diary suggest that he was planning on having a base in Los Angeles, improving his acting skills, and signing with a top Hollywood agency, among other things. These details have emerged after pages from his diary were leaked, and subsequently shared online by Sushants sister, Shweta Singh Kirti.

If you expect the audience to suspend disbelief, then you must do it first. How? Find the things the character likes, loves has sympathy for or at least understands. Every person must be striving for some goal that is positive for him, the actor wrote in one of his entries. Sushant died by suicide on June 14, and an investigation into his death is underway.

Massive upgrade in acting skills, language and culture, he wrote. Association with one of the top agencies in Hollywood, connection with top players, he continued. Sharing the pages on social media, Shweta Singh Kirti wrote, Somebody who had solid plans. Somebody who knew how to make his dreams into reality... somebody who was an eternal positivist! My brother I salute you!

One of his entries suggested that the actor was planning on putting together a team of writers to create new content. He also wanted to invest in an energy startup. He had made several charts in effort to help him streamline his plans, which also included upgrades for cinema, education and environment and asset creation, under which he wrote  50 crore, reports NDTV.

Also read: Varun Dhawan, Parineeti Chopra join Justice for Sushant Singh Rajput campaign, call for CBI probe

Previously, Sushant had himself shared some of his goals with fans on Instagram. In September 2019, Sushant had shared a series of Instagram posts of handwritten notes listing his 50 dreams. From learning to fly a plane, playing a cricket match left-handed, travelling through Europe by train and sending 100 kids for workshops in ISRO/NASA, the actors list was a combination of personal goals and an indication of his giving nature.

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The coronavirus which originates from China to hit the world last year December has decimated the world in such a manner that there are no words to describe it, yet there are many lies associated with this deadly virus than the truth.

We, the writers of this genuine health blog, 'Secrets Of HIV-Aids And Ebola Facts Journal,' Scientist Johan van Dongen, writer Joel Savage and Dr. Wolff Geisler, feel very sorry for the pain many families have been through since the outbreak of the disease.

On July 3, 2016, when we launched our health blog to give ample information on biological weapons and expose the lies and deceptions of the US government, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control, many thought we don't know what we are talking about.

We provided the best medical information one can never find on any health website, yet nobody gave us any support. Many ignored us, following the fake medical news provided by the mainstream media, including CNN, BBC, and other news channels.

If people had taken our blog a bit seriously, they would have known what is a biological weapon after HIV-Aids and Ebola, to be extremely careful when it comes to health issues. Today, the coronavirus will let those who have no experience of what a biological weapon is to fully understand.

Advanced countries' leaders can't speak about the biological weapon crimes committed by the US government because it's only the third world countries that suffer. However, since when the rain falls, it doesn't fall on one man's house, we are all suffering from the coronavirus today.

Film actors want their businesses to flourish and celebrities, including musicians, aren't interested to speak about the crimes of the US government, rather many threatened to leave America if Trump becomes the next president after Obama.

Trump won the elections but the question is how many celebrities said they will the country left? That is the nature of typical Americans, they waste their time pursuing things that are unnecessary and leave the most pressing issues unsolved.

When HIV-Aids biological weapons descended on Africans, before spreading to the four corners of the world, the media, and many Americans, including scientists, supported the lies of the World Health Organization, the US government and the Centers for Disease Control that "monkeys brought from the Philippines were responsible for HIV-Aids."

When the Ebola biological weapon first struck Congo in 1976, then later in 2014, hit West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, simultaneously, the same US government, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control said bats are responsible.

Lies, lies, lies everywhere and we wonder what these leaders teach their children at home if they have any. Since about 90% percent of Americans are interested in lies than the truth, the writers of this blog became enemies.

The US government thinks they have the power to intimidate, bully, and put fear in other governments. In fact, it's only African leaders I can say that fear American leaders, but not leaders as Kim Jong-UN, Vladimir Putin, or Xi Jinping.

It's time for world leaders of developing countries, interested in committing crimes in the third world, to accept the fact that "whatever a man sows, the same he shall reap," therefore, they must think twice any time their demons tell them to commit a crime in poor countries.

It is likely that today's younger generation doesn't know what a biological weapon is, the coronavirus will, therefore, let them understand what is actually a biological weapon.
Peter Fox, the son of billionaire trucking mogul Lindsay Fox, never applied to the Queensland government for a border exemption pass because he did not need to.

Renting out a waterfront mansion on the Gold Coast was enough to prove he intended to move to Queensland and would be allowed to quarantine at home.

Linfox executive chairman Peter Fox in Palm Beach, Queensland. Credit: A Current Affair

Detectives questioned Mr Fox last weekend about how and when his family entered Queensland, which closed its border to Victorians more than a month ago.

A spokesman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was "no evidence" Mr Fox, who police cleared of wrongdoing, had dodged mandatory quarantine "and no action under the Public Health Act will be taken against any person".
US brings 40 trucks loaded with military, logistic reinforcements to Syria's Hasakah: SANA

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 6:07 PM

A US convoy of 40 trucks, loaded with military and logistic reinforcement, has arrived in Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah, Syria's state media reports.

Official news agency SANA, citing local sources, reported on Thursday that the US military brought truckloads of military and logistical equipment in the province through the al-Walid border crossing earlier in the day.

It added that the convoy, which had come from Iraq, was heading toward military bases run by the US forces in the oil-rich province.

The Pentagon alleges that the move aims to "protect" the fields and facilities from possible attacks by Daesh, but President Donald Trump has said Washington sought economic interests in controlling the oil fields.

The presence of US forces in eastern Syria has particularly irked civilians, and local residents have on several occasions stopped American military convoys entering the region.

Since late October 2019, the United States has been redeploying troops to the oil fields controlled by Kurdish forces in eastern Syria, in a reversal of Trump's earlier order to withdraw all troops from the Arab country.

Syria, which has not authorized the presence of the US military in its territory, says Washington is "plundering" the country's oil.

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WATERLOO REGION  House hunting has been one challenge after the next for Waterloo resident Dave Whiteside.

After COVID-19 put a halt to his June wedding, Whiteside and his fiancee switched their focus to looking for a house, only to encounter bidding wars that drive closing prices well above the amounts of properties original listings.

Its a difficult market to enter for Whiteside, who is frugal by nature. When he put an offer in on a house that was $25,000 over asking, he already worried it was too high. The home ended up receiving 14 offers, with two offers $100,000 higher than the listing price.

The obstacles to entering the market seem greater than ever, even though Whiteside acknowledges he and his fiancee are both young professionals with good salaries.

It is absolutely not an equal process for first-time home buyers, and the barriers to entry are really prohibitive, he wrote in an email.

Real estate prices increased sharply in Kitchener and Waterloo in July. The average price for a detached home  the kind Whiteside is looking for  catapulted to $745,149, marking a 21.4 per cent increase over July 2019. The average price of all residential properties isnt far behind at $639,814.

Whiteside attributes the spiking costs to a mismatch between supply and demand, but also believes Toronto buyers fleeing to less-expensive neighbourhoods have pushed prices up.

Its an assertion Melissa Jarosz, who went through the home-buying process in July, agrees with. She believes the rise of remote work throughout COVID-19 has contributed to a desire to settle outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

Were seeing a lot of folks from Toronto realize that with working from home, they want more space  but the space they want, they cant realistically afford in Toronto, she said. Theyre being pushed further and further east or west or north. Kitchener-Waterloo falls into that.

Steep competition made navigating the market difficult for Jarosz. She said a real estate agent warned her about listings priced below the realistic market value to drive up interest. With that in mind, Jarosz looked at houses below her budget in anticipation of bids $80,000 above asking prices.

Its a bit of a tricky, complex, and quite honestly stressful game to participate in, she said, but thats the reality of the market right now.

Homeowners may have to get creative in order to make entering the market work for them, said Kitchener Councillor Dave Schnider. He pointed to last years amendment of Kitcheners zoning bylaw, which will provide the opportunity for houses to have up to three units, including granny flats and tiny houses.

The amendment will allow homeowners greater freedom leasing out their house to renters, a tactic which can help them make mortgage payments. The amendment should come into force very soon, said Karen Cooper, who is spearheading Kitcheners new affordable housing strategy.

Its a strategy to address mortgage costs that might require revising expectations.

I know sometimes people have the dream  they want the whole house to themselves, Schnider said. Nonetheless, he cautioned people not to be too quick to rule out buying a home with a rental unit.

The Region of Waterloo is also exploring ways to make home ownership more affordable in a tight market. In May, the region launched a year-long initiative that aims to help those living in community housing transition to home ownership.

As housing prices rise in the private market, people living in affordable housing units are less able to move out of that situation, even (with) income changes, explained Ryan Pettipiere, the regions director of housing.

That ends up blocking the pipeline for new applicants in need of affordable rental units. The wait list to find affordable housing in Waterloo has 6,000 applications, and potential tenants can wait anywhere from three to eight years to get an offer.

Addressing affordable housing has become an increasing concern, said Cooper, who described the increase in house prices since 2016 as very dramatic. She added that now is the time for action.

When we prepared our report in December, very shortly thereafter, the real estate board issued their new results and housing prices had increased over $100,000, she said. Now theyve increased another $100,000. Peoples incomes are not increasing at that rate.
The exams body behind the highly contentious A-level results process appears to be encouraging schools to suggest they gave wrong information in order to get disputed grades marked up, it can be revealed.

By tea-time on Friday, around 630 appeals had been launched - up from 295 at lunchtime and 100 the day before.

Principals on Friday received advice from the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) about the appeals process amid ongoing controversy over the 2020 results.

This communication, which has been seen by the Belfast Telegraph, has provoked even more criticism over how the CCEA is handling one of the worst education crises in years.

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According to the document, teachers who correctly graded their pupils in order of ability are being given the opportunity by CCEA to change that rank order - and thus get a better mark for those disputing their result.

'Exemplar 3' encourages teachers to state: "On reflection, we feel we did not use the most appropriate available evidence to rank order our students."

So, not only are teachers being potentially put under pressure to say they made errors when they had previously stated their honest opinion, but better-performing schools are furious that this will end up undermining the integrity of the process - which, ironically, is what CCEA and Education Minister Peter Weir have been citing as the reason for standing firm on the outcomes of the 2020 results.

Thousands of pupils were downgraded from teachers' predictions by CCEA's standardisation process because formal exams didn't take place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Expand Close The section of advice which suggests teachers can claim they failed to use most appropriate evidence / Facebook

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But Mr Weir has resisted further calls to scrap the revised results and replace them with the grades predicted by teachers, saying that would "lack any level of credibility" because the results would be much higher than those of previous years.

He also said there is a fast-tracked appeals process for those who believe they have been treated unfairly.

The principal of one of Northern Ireland's biggest schools, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph that she received the CCEA's communcation.

Janet Williamson said that while 95% of pupils at Inst got A*-Cs, around one-fifth of grades were lowered. After getting the document, which included sample appeal letters, she said she sought immediate correspondence with Mr Weir.

"This is possibly the angriest I have ever been in over 20 years of teaching. This calls into question the entire integrity of the whole 2020 results process," she said. "What I am hoping to discuss with Mr Weir is how will CCEA be held to account regarding the appeals process?

"And how will CCEA guarantee that that process is consistent, fair and that it can be substantiated with evidence?"

Ms Williamson said teachers and pupils can only have confidence in the appeals process if CCEA can prove that it is fair.

"I'm confident in my teachers, I'm confident in the grades. I'm disappointed that some have been downgraded and I am appealing for some of my pupils.

"But it's not just appealing it for the sake of appealing - it has to be appealed on the grounds of new or additional evidence.

"You can't suddenly change rank orders without evidence that hadn't been considered in the first place. And I would question why evidence has suddenly now been presented that wasn't in the first place?"

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said his Assembly team will be seeking to recall Stormont from recess to urgently address the crisis over exam grading.

The standardisation model developed by the CCEA asked teachers to give a predicted grade for their pupils and then rank them in order within their class. It then used other data to standardise the results.

For A-levels, the data included pupils' AS-level results, making adjustments for those who had applied to take resits.

For AS results, the pupils' GCSE results were also used, as was the performance by their school over the previous three years.

At Stormont's education committee questions were asked over the transparency of the algorithm used to calculate A-level results.

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan told Mr Weir that children had been "failed by the system".

Following the backlash there have been calls from young people, school leaders and politicians to allow the predicted grades to stand.

About 28,000 pupils here received their results on Thursday morning.

While the proportion of A*-A A-level grades rose by 2.3%, 37% of estimated grades were lowered, while 5.3% were raised.

Last year 45.8% of estimated grades provided by schools matched the student's final results. This year 58% of A-level and AS results matched the estimated grades.

Both the CCEA and the Department of Education were contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the GCSE results, which are due out next week.

One of the key grade determinants for pupils is the prior performance of schools over the last three years.

Radio Ulster's Nolan Show claimed that teachers' predicted grades for pupils will not be fed into the model when the CCEA is producing results.

CCEA has guidance to the appeals process on its website at https://ccea.org.uk/ summer-awarding/examination- appeals. It also has a dedicated helpline available on 028 9026 1260, or email helpline@ccea.org.uk
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 13:29:22|Editor: huaxia

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PYONGYANG, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said although his country suffered serious damage from a recent flood, it would not accept outside assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday.

Kim made the remarks while chairing the 16th meeting of the Political Bureau of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Thursday to discuss measures to recover from the serious flood damage to both the people and the farmland, KCNA said.

"The worsening coronavirus situation around the globe calls for tighter border closures and stricter virus prevention measures, and not allowing any outside assistance whatsoever regarding the flood damage," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

According to the report, more than 39,000 hectares of rice fields were damaged by the flood, while 16,680 homes and some 630 public buildings were flooded or destroyed in the country.

"It is a crucial time that our Party must be responsible for their living, and we have to go closer to them to share the pain with them and to relieve them of their sufferings," Kim said.

He stressed the need to restore the flood-hit areas quickly.

At the meeting, Kim also announced lifting lockdown measures at Kaesong imposed on July 24 after a DPRK defector returned to Kaesong from the South with coronavirus symptoms. But official media later confirmed there was no single COVID-19 case in the country.

The DPRK saw unusually heavy rains since Aug. 1, which have resulted in flooding in some provinces in the country, the United Nations said. Enditem
No word yet if those news operations targeted by Lees order will appeal  but yet another danger in allowing it to stand unchallenged is that it may embolden other jurists to chip away at the First Amendments free press shield, as if there is no compelling public interest in protecting the watchdogs on government from being turned into government lapdogs.

Just a few days later, we learned from ProPublica that at least a dozen protesters arrested in recent weeks were released from jail only if they agreed not to join demonstrations  some within city or state limits, and anywhere for others  while they await trials on federal misdemeanor charges.

The ProPublica report noted that many of those arrested had been jailed for more than 10 days before being presented with the option of voluntarily signing away their First Amendment right to assembly. Critics contend the requirement violates the First Amendment in any number of ways, including not limiting the ban to a specific place (such as the federal courthouse, which has been the scene of several violent incidents) or for failing to specify a limited period of time.
South Africa: Fighting fit

Like many looking forward to what is undoubtedly one of the most important days in their lives, Shesnee Naidoo did all she could to ensure that her dream wedding day goes off without a hitch.

Like any woman about to tie the knot, fitting into her dream wedding dress was among the top things on her to-do list.

In her quest to ensure that the big day goes off smoothly, Naidoo did her best to eat healthily and to stay fit in the months leading up to the April 2020 nuptials.

I tried deliberately to eat healthy, especially because I was trying to be prepared for my wedding. I was already healthy and quite conscious of what I was eating, she said.

As she ticked the days off her calendar, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown that would get underway on 26 March.

The then 21-day lockdown, ripped a stitch from the bride to bes preparations as lockdown regulations put mass social gatherings on ice.

All of her painstaking planning seemed to have been in vain and she had no choice but to postpone her 11 April 2020 wedding.

As the days under lockdown went by, governments announcement of the move to level 3 of the lockdown ushered in a new normal for South Africans.

The arrival of level 3 of lockdown on 1 June, saw government gradually open several sectors of the economy.

Naidoo is among over a million other citizens who have returned to work.

Shortly after her return to work, the 36 year-old Graduate Recruitment and Development Manager at one of the countrys leading law firms fell ill.

She recalled how her body was wrought with aches and pains on 15 June 2020. So severe was her pain that she could not even get out of bed.

My body felt like it was concrete. I was just exhausted and I couldnt get out of bed, so I stayed in bed the entire day.

As South Africa commemorated Youth Day the following day, Naidoo spent the day in bed.

Prior to getting sick, Naidoo had ensured that she got the flu vaccine and it made sense that she would rule out having the flu.

Little did she know at the time that these aches and a headache were the first symptoms of COVID-19.

On the night of Youth Day, Naidoos fiance experienced his first bout of symptoms in the form of severe shivers.

The loss of smell and taste jolted Naidoo into action.

Naidoo who is seldom sick, remembers calling her doctor for assistance who was unfortunately away at the time. She was advised to test for COVID-19.

Upon arrival at one of the many health centres set up for COVID-19 testing on Wednesday 17 June 2020, Naidoo and her fiance were greeted by a doctor who conducted a screening to determine if the couple was eligible - based on their symptoms- for the COVID-19 test.

The World Health Organization lists headaches, body aches and pains, a loss of taste and smell as some of the Coronavirus symptoms.

Like a cloud on the horizon, the couple presented with these symptoms and they proceeded to get a COVID-19 swab.

In the anxious wait for their results in isolation, the couple were unable to head out for daily essentials like bread and milk.

You cant go anywhere; [COVID-19] takes away the simple things from you. Our family members had to buy us groceries and they would leave it outside. We could not even see them.

We would stand behind the door with the door closed for their protection and just wave at them. It was the saddest thing, she said.

After two-days, the couples test results came back and they had tested positive for the virus.

I had the basic symptoms of your nasal congestion and you know it was more of your milder symptoms. Whilst I say it is considered mild symptoms, its nothing like I have experienced before, she said.

In addition, she also experienced debilitating fatigue while her nasal congestion made her feel like she was on the brink of drowning.

She also could not help but wonder where she had picked up the virus that has infected millions around the world.

While there were a few cases of COVID-19 at her workplace, Naidoo never came into direct contact with anyone who was infected.

While she continues to wonder how she contracted the virus, Naidoo made a conscious decision at the time to fight the virus.

With no cure available, the doctor informed the couple that they would receive treatment based on their symptoms.

With a determination to fight the virus, Naidoo and her partner ensured that they take their medication and vitamins prescribed by the doctor.

They also took home remedies.

We started taking the medication and very importantly I shut everything out. I could not focus on work or anything else. I just focused on getting us healthy and getting through it.

Among the home remedies that became their daily ritual was gargling with salt and water twice a day, steaming with eucalyptus oil to help clear out congestion, drinking warm beverages and eating healthily.

To boost their immune systems, Vitamins C, A, and Zinc were a daily staple in the household.

I would have ginger tea with lemon and honey - all of those things just to boost my immune system, eat healthy so we made sure we have some protein with veggies. We did all of that like a routine, it was like a schedule. Every single day when we woke up, we ate, took our medication and vitamins. We made sure we were consistent.

In the journey to recovery, there were good and bad days with some days peppered in feeling great to complete relapse days.

The first 10 -12 days were a struggle with plummeting energy levels and severe fatigue.

The constant fatigue also crept into her birthday on 21 June.

It was one of the worst birthdays because on that day I didnt feel well at all. My fiance got me a cake. He put a candle on it and I blew out the candle just to make him happy. I slept through most of my birthday because I just didnt have the energy, she recalls.

Once she weathered the storm of the first 14 days, she gradually regained her energy.

On 6 July, their doctor booked off the couple on sick leave for yet another week to clear out all their symptoms.

Upon clearance of all symptoms, the doctor certified the couple COVID-19 free.

Having emerged from the storm, the couple took a decision to cancel their wedding, which they had initially postponed to September 2020.

We had postponed our wedding to September but now that we both contracted COVID, we have decided to cancel our wedding completely. It just does not seem foreseeable and I think for the protection of loved ones [that is what we should do]. Having gone through the virus, I dont want anybody to go through that, she says.

With no prospects of a wedding, any time soon, the couple intends on getting their nuptials registered this year. However, there will be no celebrations.

Today Naidoo is among the 437617 South Africans who have come out on the other side of COVID-19.

While much is still being learnt about the virus, Naidoo has encouraged society to boost their immune systems by eating healthily, exercising, following the guidelines of wearing a mask and the regular washing of hands.

These are important because those are going to protect you and your loved ones as the numbers grow exponentially. Also, take care of your mental well-being. Watch the news to stay informed but take care of your mental well-being as well.

One can also understand that the graduate recruitment manager would have some apprehension about returning to the workplace, given her experience with the virus.

My anxiety levels are quite high but Im going to do everything that I possibly can to make sure that I dont get infected again so Im going to take all the precautions because thats all I can do.

I cant make this virus go away. I have to learn to live with it. I have to work, its important. All I can do is use the guidelines that are provided and really just hope for the best.

As she moves on with her life, Naidoo like many women in the country expressed concern at the alarming levels of violence metered out against women.

This as South Africa continues to experience a rise in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide cases.

Her concern is shared by President Ramaphosa who said that the country is battling two pandemics, that of COVID-19 and that of GBV as well.

This Womens Month, Naidoo has urged women not to suffer in silence.

I think it is important to surround yourself with people that love you and people that you can talk to. You need a support structure. Try not to isolate yourself and I think a lot of women, who are dealing with gender-based violence, feel ashamed and isolate themselves but they shouldnt.

While times have changed in a matter of months thanks to COVID-19, South African women have not lost the drive to fight for a better life and future while also speaking out for the rights of others.

Naidoo who stayed true to her conviction to fight the pandemic will no doubt one day get the chance to don her wedding dress and walk down the aisle. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2020-08-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Punjab Smart Connect Scheme

Chandigarh: Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla today cautioned people not to fall prey to the hands of online fraudsters, who are promising to provide free smartphones under the Punjab Smart Connect Scheme.

Taking strong exception of the messages circulating on whatsapp and other social media platforms, Singla said that Punjab Smart Connect Scheme is solely for 12th standard boy and girl students of government schools. And, they have been provided with smartphones only based on their enrollment in government schools. Thus, there isnt any question arises that it is for other people.

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Vijay Inder Singla

The Education Minister firmly said that the state government has not launched any website or social media platform to register for such smartphones.

Warning miscreants to face dire consequences for this kind of mischievous online fraud under cyber crime prevention laws, Singla asked people of the state not to follow any messages or click any URL message being circulated via instant messaging services like WhatsApp, SMS, which depicts registration for free smartphones given by the Government.

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He warned that these kinds of phishing attacks could allow cyber-criminals to take control of your device.

Fake

He informed that the circulating graphic carried a photo of the Punjab Chief Minister under the title Captain Smartphone Distribution Scheme 2020 and online registration Performa.

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Vijay Inder Singla urged people to remain extremely cautious about such messages URL links, adding that after getting such messages, dont forward it to others and delete it immediately.
The U.S. special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo negotiations has announced that the two countries' leaders have agreed to meet at the White House next month, after a similar meeting was canceled in June following the indictment of Kosovar President Hashim Thaci for crimes against humanity.

"We are happy to announce that the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia will meet at the White House for a negotiation on September 2," Richard Grenell tweeted on April 14.

A senior U.S. official told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity that national security adviser Robert OBrien will host the talks between the two leaders and Grenell.

"The United States believes progress on economic issues is key in advancing the peace process," the official said.

Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed on August 14 that they will meet in Washington.

"On Sept 2, with Serbian side, as independent countries, we will meet at the White House for major projects that will change the economic perspective of Kosovo and the region," Hoti wrote on Twitter.

Vucic, speaking to private television Pink on August 14, said he will attend the talks.

"Serbia is not in a position, and it would not be good to refuse talks," Vucic said.

"The topics, as far as I talked to Grenell, will be economic. These are good topics for us," Vucic said.

However, the Serbian leader took issue with the term "negotiation" used by Grenell in his tweet.

He said that Serbia's position was to talk to the other side, not the state, although the United States, the Brussels administration, and most European Union countries see Serbia and Kosovo as two independent states.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 -- a move recognized by a vast majority of countries, including the United States, but not by Belgrade and Russia.

Washington stepped up its involvement in Serbia-Kosovo negotiations late last year with Grenell's appointment. Analysts say his efforts have all but sidelined the European Union from the normalization process between the two former foes that Brussels had been mediating since 2011.

The EU-brokered talks have produced multiple agreements seeking to normalize relations in the region, although many of them have not been implemented.

Nabila Massrali, spokeswoman for EU foreign affairs and security policy, welcomed Grenell's announcement, but reaffirmed Brussels' center-stage role in talks to normalize ties between Kosovo and Serbia and bring them closer to the 27-member bloc.

"The path to the European Union for Kosovo and Serbia leads through the EU-facilitated dialogue. The EU as the facilitator of the dialogue works since 2011 with Belgrade and Pristina towards a comprehensive normalization of their relations," Massrali said in an e-mail to RFE/RL.

"When it comes to the involvement of third parties in efforts to help Kosovo and Serbia to agree on the comprehensive normalization of their relations, we welcome all initiatives in support of the EU-facilitated dialogue.

"In this regard, we take note of the announcement by Ambassador Grenell," Massrali said.

Grenell's announcement marks the second attempt by Washington to bring the two former foes face-to-face at the White House.

Hoti on June 25 abruptly canceled his participation in the White House talks with Vucic two days before their scheduled date, following Thaci's indictment at The Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during or after the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

The Specialist Prosecutors Office (SPO) at The Hague said on June 24 that Thaci and other Kosovar officials "are criminally responsible for nearly 100 murders," as well as the "enforced disappearance of persons, persecution, and torture."

Thaci was a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK), an ethnic Albanian guerrilla group that fought against Belgrade's security forces in the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

Thaci has denied involvement in any war crimes.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague is currently reviewing the indictment to decide on whether to confirm the charges.

Thaci on August 14 hailed the announcement of the White House meeting.

"I welcome the announced meeting at the White House on negotiations between #Kosovo and #Serbia. We are greatful to the #US for the tremendous dedication to peace & stability in the region," he tweeted.
The head of the trust set up to oversee the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya on Thursday tested positive for Covid-19 in Mathura days after he shared the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the shrine on August 5, officials said. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, 84, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chairman, has been shifted to Gurugrams Medanta hospital for treatment, they added.

Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has tested positive for coronavirus. [Uttar Pradesh] CM [chief minister Yogi Adityanath] has sought details of the health status of the Mahant. He has spoken to the Mathura DM [district magistrate] and his [Dass] followers, said Uttar Pradeshs additional chief secretary (home), Awanish Kumar Awasthi.

He said Adityanath also spoke to Medantas chairman and managing director, Dr Naresh Trehan, and requested him immediate medical attention for Das. He [Adityanath] directed the Mathura DM [district magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra] to provide all possible support to ensure the best possible medical attention, said Awasthi.

Das was in Mathura to preside over the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on Wednesday and was staying at Sitaram Temple there. Officials said about a dozen people attended the celebrations and Das also met his disciples during his stay in Mathura since Tuesday. We are tracing those who came in contact with Mahant Nritya Gopal Das both at [temple] ashram and at Sri Krishna Janambhoomi [birthplace]. They are being placed under quarantine. The priest at Sri Krishna Janambhoomi and office bearer of its Trust present during the celebrations are also to be placed under quarantine, said Mathuras additional chief medical officer, Dr Devendra Agarwal. He added those who came in contact with Das were yet to be tested.

Mishra said a team of doctors was rushed to examine Das when he complained of breathing difficulty, fever, and a sore throat on Thursday morning. An antigen test was conducted and it came positive. A decision was taken to refer him for Medanta hospital and an advanced life support system-equipped ambulance was called. Mathura city magistrate Manoj Kumar Singh and a circle officer... accompanied him to Gurugram.

Shri Krishna Janambhoomi Seva Sansthan (Mathura) secretary Kapil Sharma said Das had not been keeping well over the last five years, but he appeared fine when he attended the Janmashtami celebrations on Wednesday. We came to know about his ill health on Thursday morning.

Das shared the dais with Modi, Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram temple.
The woes of embattled MP, Carlos Ahenkorah continues to deepen as he has now been barred from stepping foot in the palace of the Tema Traditional Council.



The Council has warned the Tema West Member of Parliament not to visit the palace, observing that he has never accorded the institution the respect it deserves since he was elected.



The fury of the council is so high that it will not grant Mr Ahenkorah a seat should he even visit the palace with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



Disclosing the stance taken by the Council to Tema East MP, Titus Glover, the Shipi of the council, Nii Armah Somponu III said it will embarrass Carlos Ahenkorah should he make a mistake of visiting the place.



Let me be clear with you and say this once again, we do not want to see Carlos Ahenkorah here at the palace. His demonstration of attitude since he became MP for Tema West towards is clear that he doesnt respect or recognize us and the paramountcy.



If we see him at the palace, I can bet you that we will embarrass him in the full glare of the people. If, on the other hand he plays smart to accompany the president to our event, we will politely sack him to save the image of the president, Nii Armah Somponu III is quoted by The Chronicle.



Carlos Ahenkorah was a deputy Minister for Trade and Industry until a display of callousness cost him his position.



The MP defied doctors advice to visit registration centres when after he had tested positive for COVID-19.



His actions generated uproar on social media resulting in his forced resignation.



He has also come under pressure from some institutions to step down as MP and not contest the December 2020 elections.

Source: ghanaweb.com









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Orange Aluminum Fastest Growing Metal Center in America "We try not to become a company of success. Rather become a company of value."  Aaron Brown, COO

Inc. magazine today revealed that Orange Aluminum Metal Center is No. 3356 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

"We try not to become a company of success. Rather become a company of value."  Aaron Brown, COO

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 18.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

Orange Aluminum was started in 2007 with a vision to be the nations leader in extruded trim, shape and bar supply. We provide standard and custom aluminum extrusion stocking solutions through unapparelled combination of logistics, technology and innovation. Our offering is backed by 1000 different stocked profiles, more than 1 million pounds of inventoried material and services ranging from custom stocking programs, to custom length and fabrication.

Orange Aluminum works directly with local mills to provide the most competitive pricing, deliveries to our clients. With our primary location in Orange County and Los Angeles, we are easily able to overcome logistical issues with customers from any location in the United States.

Our strength is our customer service, and aluminum is our specialty

CONTACT:

Aaron Brown

714-464-2181

abrown@orangealuminum.com

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
World Evangelical Alliance 'expresses deep concerns' over Israel's West Bank annexation plans International Christian Embassy Jerusalem says Israel has 'historic right and claim to Judea/Samaria'

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One of the worlds largest networks of evangelical churches has expressed concerns over Israels plans to claim sovereignty over large areas of the West Bank, a territory that is home to millions of Palestinian Arabs and over 400,000 Jewish Israelis.

The World Evangelical Alliance, a global organization of evangelical churches that represents more than 600 million evangelicals worldwide, has joined a chorus of critics from across the globe who are speaking out against Israels plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

WEA issued a statement Tuesday saying that while the organization recognizes the right of self-determination by any nation and the right of any nation to defend itself from harm, WEA expresses deep concerns over plans for Israel to annex large areas of the West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised his supporters during his election campaign to extend Israels sovereignty over areas in West Bank, where Jewish settlements exist.

The West Bank, located between Israel and Jordan, was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War but was never fully annexed by Israel though it has been controlled by Israel for over 50 years.

Sovereignty over the West Bank as well as other regions conquered by Israel during the Six-Day War has long been debated in the international arena with most international actors opposing Israels plans to annex.

But under a deal that has led to the formation of the current Israeli government, the process to vote on annexation could begin as early as July 1.

The unilateral move that will be voted on at the beginning of next month risks ending any hope for a negotiated peace agreement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, WEA warned in its statement.

WEA General Secretary Bishop Efraim Tendero, an evangelical leader from the Philippines, stressed in a statement that WEA has members representing both peoples.

[W]e seek and pray for peace and flourishing not only for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Israel and Palestine but for everyone who lives in the Holy Land, Tendero said.

Tendero called for a renewed commitment to negotiations where both sides respect each others existence and the needs of both peoples. Tendero also called for an approach that refrains from discrimination and violence and work in good faith toward solutions that will bring lasting peace.

While evangelicals around the world have wide-ranging views on the many complex issues in the Holy Land, there is no doubt that the proposed annexation plans are detrimental for Israelis and Palestinians alike, so we clearly oppose such plans, Tendero said.

In January, President Donald Trump rolled out what he called a deal of the century with Isreal that includes the annexation of parts of the West Bank.

The deal had been in development since 2017 and included 50 pages of the Trump administrations ideas about how to resolve Israels border disputes.

The plan sought Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and would give Palestinians control over some neighborhoods in the outskirts of Jerusalem and about 70% to 80% control of the West Bank, The Wall Street Journal reported at the time.

Netanyahu pledged that Israel would annex much of the Jordan Valley, encircling a future Palestinian state. Trump administration officials said the plan would not require either Palestinians or Israelis to leave their homes.

Trump called the deal a historic opportunity for the Palestinians to finally achieve an independent state of their very own."

Trumps plan was praised by conservative evangelical leaders. Mike Evans, a Christian Zionist author who has informally advised the Trump administration, has supported the sovereignty plan.

Evans, the founder of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, told i24News in an interview that all of the accomplishments in Israel in the last three-and-a-half years have happened thanks to the support from evangelicals in the U.S.

There's three-quarters of a billion evangelicals who believe this is the Bible land, and that the Bible is not illegal, Evans said.

Evans also shot down the notion that Israels plans in the West Bank are annexation plans.

There are two issues that people are trying to tie together. They are trying to tie together the sovereignty issue with the peace plan. You cant, he said. You cant tie those together."

We evangelicals want the president to come out strong and say, The Bible is not illegal and this is the Bible land,'" Evans continued. "Its no big surprise to people how we feel. We feel very strongly about that.

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, a Zionist organization, said in a statement earlier this month that the term annexation is a misnomer.

It commonly denotes the forcible taking of the territory of another. But here, Israel already held a legitimate historic right and claim to Judea/Samaria even before it came into possession of these areas in an act of self-defense in 1967, the statement reads. The question now facing Israel is whether to fully assert its sovereign title to certain of these territories by simply extending its laws there.

The Associated Press reported that Whtie House aides have not been able to decide on whether to support Israel's plans.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the Palestinian Authority for not participating in the negotiation process.

They simply have rejected this out of hand. We simply asked that they come to the negotiating table based on whats outlined in the Vision for Peace, and they have chosen not to, Pompeo told reporters. They have chosen to threaten, to bluster, to assert that theyre going to deny the ability to do security  thats not good for the Palestinian people. Its dangerous for the people that live in those places too.
Parents Who Lost Their Only Child, Demand That Authorities Fulfill Promise

Chinese families traditionally rely on children to support parents financially when the parents retire from work. When China implemented the One-Child Policy in 1980, a slogan was advertised all over China: One-Child policy is great. The government will take care of you when you get old. The authorities also said that pensions for all eligible parents would come from social securities collected from taxpayers.

However, in recent years, many parents who have lost their only child have also lost their only hope because they had trusted this attractive slogan and did not have enough savings for their retirement.

On Aug. 6, 2020, a group of bereaved parents who lost their only child in Harbin went to the provincial government to demand that Chinese authorities fulfill their promise.
- Anjo Yllana announced on social media that he is already resigning from Eat Bulaga

- For 21 years, he served as one of the hosts in the countrys longest-running noontime program

- Several celebrities could not help but air their honest reactions after learning about the resignation

- Some of those who commented were Ogie Alcasid, Paolo Ballesteros, and Janno Gibbs

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Several showbiz personalities in the country have reacted to the resignation of Anjo Yllana from the longest-running noontime show entitled Eat Bulaga.

KAMI learned that the prominent actor already announced his exit from the said program through a much-talked-about social media post on August 11.

He expressed his gratitude to his fellow hosts and the avid viewers of the show for supporting him for the past 21 years.

With a heavy heart... today Aug.11 2020... I submit my resignation... the celebrity wrote.

Thank you Dabarkads...thank you Eat Bulaga...21 years and it was a blast... Good Bye and all roads to your 50th, he added.

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Anjo Yllana (Photo from his Instagram account)

Source: Instagram

In the comments section of Anjos post, the comments of celebrities such as Paolo Ballesteros, Nadia Montenegro, Janno Gibbs, and Ogie Alcasid were seen.

All of them sent their love for the veteran actor and they also wished him good luck on his new endeavors.

Love you! Trust in Gods plans! His is always greater. Stand in faith! Hes moving in your life. Trust! Nadia said.

Sending love and light, Anjo! G Toengi also commented.

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Screenshot via GMA News

Source: Facebook

Anjo Yllana, or Andres Jose Garchitorena Yllana Jr. in real life, is a well-known actor, television host, and politician in the Philippines.

He and his brother Ryan Yllana went to the program of Raffy Tulfo several months ago to respond to the serious accusation against them.

Many netizens also reacted to how the actor and his sibling responded to the heavy issue that they faced.

Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts!

Source: KAMI.com.gh
A raid on a home near Barcelona found hundreds of finches caged in poor conditions - David Briard

Police in Catalonia have broken up a gang of poachers believed to have captured 10,000 protected finches in two years, amassing an estimated 150,000 by illegally selling the animals as caged songbirds.

Officers found 260 birds in a raid in the town of Sabadell, near Barcelona, on the home of an individual with a previous conviction for wildlife crime.

The 117 goldfinches, 68 chaffinches, 46 greenfinches, 15 common linnets and 14 bramblings -- all birds prized for their singing ability -- were being kept in a poor condition in cages throughout the home. Police also found 20,000 in cash proceeding from the sale of birds at illegal markets in the Barcelona area.

The investigation started last year when a truck was found to be transporting more than 1,000 illegally trapped birds from Andalusia to Catalonia.

The Catalan police force soon realised that the gang was highly structured, comprising a group of trappers in the southern Spanish province of Cadiz, the transport team, and, finally, the suspects who traded the finches at clandestine markets.

The gang changed their method of transporting the animals by using a pilot car driving ahead to warn the truck driver of any police checkpoints, the force said.

The trapping of wild birds is illegal in Spain, but until recently exceptions were made for enthusiasts of silvestrismo, a tradition that involves the capture of finches with nets or birdlime and their use in birdsong contests.

Spains regional authorities granted permits for the capture of hundreds of thousands of finches each year until 2018, when the European Commission ruled that this practice was illegal.

The operation by Catalonias rural police force suggests that such captures continue on a large scale.

This case shows that illegal trafficking is not always about ivory tusks and other glamorous species, but it also affects local animals, said David de la Bodega, head of the legal programme at Spains SEO ornithological society.

The populations of these birds are already in decline due to changes in agricultural practices, so we welcome such a deep police investigation in this case, Mr de la Bodega told The Telegraph.

The gang members could face prison sentences of at least three years and receive hefty fines if found guilty of illegal capture of protected species and trafficking.
Any plans to use racially insulting language on BBC news or current affairs shows will now be referred to an executive before a decision is made on whether it is broadcast.

The corporation made the announcement after the controversy about the use of the N-word in a recent story.

The BBC was hit with more than 18,500 complaints after social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin used the offensive term when quoting the abuse an NHS worker had received in a suspected racist attack in Bristol.

Last weekend, amid huge anger about the report, BBC director-general Tony Hall apologised for the broadcast, after the corporation had initially defended the broadcast.

Now it has emerged that editorial director Kamal Ahmed has written to staff, telling them any racist language on news and current affairs shows should be referred to director of news Fran Unsworth.

BBC staff were told any racist language on news and current affairs shows should be referred to director of news Fran Unsworth

It comes as the BBC apologised for any distress caused by its decision to broadcast the N-word on another programme, which went out just days after the controversial news report. Historian Lucy Worsley used the term on BBC2s American Historys Biggest Fibs when quoting John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln.

The broadcaster said it had listened to audience concerns and had re-edited the programme on BBC iPlayer.

It added: If we were making this programme today, we would not have included the word. The BBC said it was sorry for any distress caused to any of our audience by language included in the programme.

Referring to the news report about the Bristol attack, Mr Ahmed told staff: We have apologised for the report and for the distress it caused. I have received many emails and other messages from colleagues from across the organisation and wanted to say thank you for being so open and honest with me.

Mr Ahmed said Mr Hall had said the BBC would strengthen the guidance on offensive language, which was still being worked on, and added: In the meantime, all use of racially insulting language in news and current affairs will be a mandatory referral to the director of news, Fran Unsworth.

There are lessons we can draw from this that will help shape our thinking and practice  and its important that we hear a full range of views.

Editorial director Kamal Ahmed said the BBC would strengthen the guidance on offensive language, which was still being worked on

The controversial story ran on local news programme Points West and the BBC News channel at the end of last month.

It reported on the suspected race-hate attack on a 21-year-old NHS worker in Bristol, who was hit by a car and left with a broken leg, nose and cheekbone. He had been walking home after a shift at the citys Southmead Hospital.

In her report, Miss Lamdin warned viewers that they were about to hear highly offensive language before saying: As the men ran away, they hurled racial abuse, calling him a n*****. The report received 18,656 complaints.

Lord Hall said last Sunday that the corporation now accepts that we should have taken a different approach at the time of broadcast and we are very sorry for that.

He added: Every organisation should be able to acknowledge when it has made a mistake. We made one here.
John Durham was chosen by Attorney General William Barr to lead a review into the Russia investigation

U.S. Attorney General William Barr has said there will be 'a development' in prosecutor John Durham's investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation.

Barr said the development is 'an indication that things are moving along at the proper pace as dictated by the facts in this investigation' but pulled back slightly saying the development would not be 'earth-shattering.'

The announcement was made on Thursday night during an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

Trump's most fervent supporters believe officials in the Obama administration looked to sabotage Trump's candidacy in 2016 and later his presidency.

'There are two different things going on, I said the American people need to know what actually happened, we need to get the story of what happened in 2016 and '17 out. That will be done,' Barr said.

'The second aspect of this is, if people crossed the line, if people involved in that activity violated criminal law, they will be charged. And John Durham is an independent man, highly experienced, and his investigation is pursuing apace.

'There was some delay because of COVID, but I'm satisfied with the progress and I've said there are going to be developments, significant developments, before the election.

Attorney General William Barr announced on Thursday that 'a development' in Prosecutor John Durham's investigation will be announced on Friday

'But we're not doing this on the election schedule,' Barr clarified. 'We're aware of the election. We're not going to do anything inappropriate before the election. But we're not being dictated to by this schedule.

'What's dictating the timing of this are developments in the case.'

'When we feel we can prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, it will be charged, I can tell you that,' Barr reassured.

'The way out of the politicization and corruption of the justice system where it's used as a political weapon by one party against another is not to deliver tit-for-tat, it's not to use the tactics of the other side, it's to uphold the rule of law, use the right standard, and that's what I'm trying to do.'

Barr appointed Durham to investigate origins of the FBI's original Russia probe, which began in July 2016. He appeared on Fox News with Sean Hannity

President Trump called the Russia investigation 'the single biggest political crime in the history of our country,' and alleged that 'it goes right to Obama and it goes right to Biden.'

Barr said that the coronavirus pandemic delayed the probe, but that progress has been made.

Earlier on Thursday, in an interview with Fox Business, Trump said he hoped that Barr and Durham were not going to be 'politically correct.'

Trump called the Russia investigation 'the single biggest political crime in the history of our country,' and alleged that 'it goes right to Obama and it goes right to Biden.

'Barr can go down as the greatest attorney general in the history of our country, or he can go down as just an average guy,' Trump said. 'It depends on what's going to happen.'

Barr has said previously that Obama and Biden are not targets of the investigation but he did add that he was not going to be cowed by political correctness.

'If I was worried about being politically correct, I wouldn't have joined this administration,' he said.

'What happens after the election may depend on who wins,' Barr said to Fox News last month.

The review, which became a criminal investigation last fall, has been derided by Democrats as simply a scheme to damage President Trump's Democrat rivals before November's election.

Kerri Kupec said she was hopeful that a report would emerge before the end of summer

But Department of Justice spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said in July that the report was not the 'goal' of the criminal investigation but that it would be 'pivotal to the restoration of that one tiered system of justice.'

'There is a story to be told there. The American people deserve resolution, and frankly, justice deserves resolution,' Kupec stated on behalf of Durham.

'There are no guarantees in life, but we certainly hope to see one by the end of the summer. I think it's important,' Kupec said.

Kupec stressed that she was 'hopeful' a report would emerge sooner rather than later in an effort to prevent the Durham's work from being potentially buried by a Democrat win, should Trump lose in November.

After Mueller's investigation, AG Barr, pictured, appointed Durham to investigate origins of the FBI's original Russia probe, which began in July 2016

Durham's investigation comes after a report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found 'significant inaccuracies and omissions' in the FBI's application to a court to obtain permission to monitor Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Horowitz's report found that the decision the FBI made to investigate the campaign had not been motivated by political bias.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation yielded no evidence of criminal conspiracy or coordination between the Trump campaign and Russian officials during the 2016 election.

Following Mueller's investigation, Barr appointed Durham to then investigate the origins of the FBI's original Russia probe, which began in July 2016, through the appointment of Mueller in May 2017.
Matthew McConaughey interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci for 40 minutes on Instagram Thursday with the fast-talking, Oscar-winning actor getting a chance to grill the nation's top infectious disease expert on COVID-19.

McConaughey rapidly fired questions at the 79-year-old doctor on everything from how concerned people should be about getting the virus from touching a door knob (not as much as sharing close physical space with someone who is infected, Fauci says) to whether Advil makes symptoms worse (it doesn't).

"OK, true-false: Sunlight kills the virus?" McConaughey asked.

"It does," Fauci replied, supporting a theory pushed by President Donald Trump. "That's the truth."

MORE: After backlash that his disinfectant 'injection' idea could be deadly, Trump claims he was being 'sarcastic'

What about letting everyone get infected so we all become immune and the disease dies out?

No way, Fauci said. That would cause big problems, particularly in America, where obesity is prevalent and related conditions like diabetes and hypertension are considered risk factors in how sick a person gets.

"If everyone contracted it ... a lot of people are going to die," Fauci said.

PHOTO: Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, removes his Washington Nationals protective mask during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing on July 31, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Pool/Getty Images)

"The death toll would be enormous and totally unacceptable," Fauci added. "And that's the reason why we're against saying, 'Let it fly. Let everybody get infected and we'll be fine.' That's a bad idea."

Fauci also said Americans need to choose between getting to party this summer and opening schools in the fall: "You want to open the bars or you want to open the schools?"

MORE: Is COVID-19 even subject to herd immunity?

McConaughey also asked Fauci if he had millions of dollars invested in a vaccine.

Fauci laughed. "Matthew, no. I got zero! I'm a government worker. I have a government salary."

McConaughey, known for his laid-back style and often photographed shirtless, instead wore a white-collared dress shirt and glasses for the interview. He turned philosophical at points, expressing his own personal disappointment and what he said was rage with the nation's response to the pandemic.

Story continues

PHOTO: Matthew McConaughey attends a file premiere on July 31, 2017, in New York. | Dr. Anthony Fauci attends a gala on Oct. 24, 2018, in New York. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images, FILE | Santiago Felipe/Getty Images, FILE)

"Like a lot of people, I've been more than disillusioned -- actually quite full of rage -- at how COVID has been politicized," including masks, McConaughey said.

People, he added, are "looking for identity and purpose in a big time of unknown. And man, so many people have become disillusioned with our leadership," he said. "But also so many people have fervently [clung] to the fringes of the right and left, which causes further divide a lack of unity."

By the end of their discussion, McConaughey seemed heartened by Fauci's suggestion that the nation could pull together again, because it's done it in the past after World War II and 9/11.

"This is equivalent to that, Matthew. We've got to pull together, absolutely," Fauci said.

"That's it. ... We can have our freedom and our party later. Right now, let's pull together," McConaughey said.

Matthew McConaughey grills Dr. Anthony Fauci in Instagram interview on COVID-19 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(Newser)  With the execution scheduled for less than two weeks from now, the Navajo Nation has asked President Trump to spare the life of Lezmond Mitchell. Capital punishment violates Navajo beliefs and would pose a challenge to tribal sovereignty, leaders said. "We strongly hold to our cultural, traditional, and religious beliefs that life is sacred," President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer wrote. Mitchell was convicted of killing a 9-year-old girl and her grandmother, both of whom were Navajo, on a reservation in 2001, NPR reports. After 17 years, the US resumed executions in July. The same month, the Justice Department scheduled Mitchells execution for Aug. 26, per Reuters. "It's a complete slap in the face to our values and our justice system and the deference that's owed to us as guest of ours on this land," said a member of the Navajo Nation Council.

story continues below

This would be the first execution in the modern history of the death penalty by the federal government for a crime committed against fellow tribe members on tribal lands. Usually, tribes have to agree to let the government pursue the death penalty. When the Navajo Naiton refused permission, federal prosecutors added a carjacking count and asked for the death penalty on that charge. Judges have raised objections, with one writing thatthough the maneuver was legalthe government was guilty of "a betrayal of a promise made to the Navajo Nation." In a letter to Trump, Nez said a life sentence would be "appropriate to begin to restore harmony and balance to the affected families and to the inherent sovereignty of the Navajo Nation." Nez will speak at a clemency hearing Tuesday. (Read more Navajo stories.)
The national security law already has had a widespread chilling effect in Hong Kong. Immediately after its passage, residents started deleting their social media accounts, and some activists fled the city. This week saw the harshest use of the new law since it took effect, with the arrests of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, his sons, young activist Agnes Chow and six others, and a police raid on the offices of Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper owned by Next Digital, the company Lai founded.
Flare-ups from Australia to Japan show the world hasnt learned an early lesson from the coronavirus crisis: to stop the spread, those with mild or symptom-free coronavirus infections must be forced to isolate, both from their communities and family.

In Australia, where Victoria state has been reporting record deaths, some 3,000 checks last month on people who should have been isolating at home found 800 were out and about. In Japan, where the virus has roared back, people are staying home but arent in isolation: 40% of elderly patients are getting sick from family members in the same apartments.

The failure to effectively manage contagious people with mild or no symptoms is a driving factor behind some of the worlds worst resurgences. But lessons from Italy, South Korea and others that have successfully contained large-scale outbreaks show that theres a tried-and-tested approach to cutting off transmission: move them out of their homes into centralized facilities while they get over their infections, which usually doesnt require longer than a few weeks.

A laissez-faire approach naively trusting everyone to be responsible has been shown to be ineffective, as there will always be a proportion who will breach the terms of the isolation, said Jeremy Lim, adjunct professor at the National University of Singapores Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Faced with a new cluster this week after 102 days without a locally transmitted case, New Zealand has quickly enacted this strategy, placing around 30 people -- including at least two children below the age of 10 -- into centralized quarantine.

But other countries facing sustained spread like Australia and the U.S. are not broadly enacting the policy despite its proven track record. Their unwillingness -- or inability -- to do so underscores the challenges faced by liberal democracies whose populations are less likely to tolerate measures that require individual sacrifice for the greater good.

Not at Home

The existence of a large group of carriers who hardly feel sick is a unique feature of the coronavirus crisis, and a major factor that has driven its rapid spread across the globe. Unlike in previous outbreaks like the 2003 SARS epidemic, many infected people dont feel ill enough to stay home, and so spread the pathogen widely as they go about their daily lives.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that 40% of Covid-19 infections are asymptomatic.

In Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged last year, mildly sick patients were originally turned away from hospitals and told to rest at home, given that the overwhelmed health-care system needed to tend to the most severe cases. But health experts soon found that these people would infect their family members and others as they moved around in the community, precipitating a deluge of cases.

Bringing mild or asymptomatic patients to designated facilities -- re-purposed convention centers, hotels and stadiums -- for basic medical care marked a turning point in the citys fight against the coronavirus. Simply separating them from healthy people halted the pathogens silent spread through the community.

The strategy has since been used in Italy, Singapore and South Korea at the height of their own coronavirus outbreaks earlier this year. Faced with a resurgence last month, Hong Kong converted an exhibition center to accommodate mild Covid-19 patients and is building more such facilities.

In New Zealand, the government put a lot of thought into enacting the policy, and is asking family members of confirmed cases to go into centralized quarantine with them if they require care, said director general of health Ashley Bloomfield.

The approach is effective firstly because it prevents people from infecting family members in the same household -- over 80% of cluster infections in China cities were in households after mild patients were allowed to stay home, said a Lancet study. In Europe, the surge of household infections drove Italys Milan to start putting such cases in hotels, enabling the country to gain control over its outbreak in early May.

Beyond household spread, the strategy is necessitated by a facet of human nature thats been seen time and again across countries and cultures: left to their own devices, some people just wont follow the rules.

In Australia and Japan, infected people whove been told to stay home have gone out for a variety of reasons -- some cant work from home and need the income, while others want to pick up groceries and supplies. One woman in Tokyo traveled cross country by bus after having her infection confirmed.

It is far better to be more aggressive in the short term with even mild cases than it is to allow such cases to slip under the radar, said Nicholas Thomas, associate professor in health security at the City University of Hong Kong.

Locked Up

But forcibly moving mild or asymptomatic patients into centralized facilities has been met with backlash in some countries where citizens are not as accepting of government directives. Some people might lose their jobs if they disappear for two weeks, or have caretaking responsibilities for young children or older parents where its unfeasible to be separated.

People would be wondering what on earth theyre doing locked up in a hospital, said Stephen Leeder, emeritus professor of public health and community medicine at the University of Sydney. From what I know about the Australian psyche, I dont think it would go down all that well.

In places like Venezuela and India where conditions in quarantine facilities are poor, the prospect of being taken away has caused some to avoid being tested or to lie to contact-tracers for fear of being found positive, making the work of health officials more challenging.

In an emailed response to Bloomberg News queries, the Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria said the government provides alternative accommodation for quarantine, but that these are for health workers who may not be able to safely live at their normal address and other vulnerable groups.

Rather than forcing isolation on mild cases, authorities have locked down 5 million residents in Melbourne and are tightening restrictions until new cases come under control.

Officials are using a combination of stepped-up checks and fines of A$4,957 ($3,550) to convince infected people to stay home, while repeat offenders risk a A$20,000 penalty in court. More than 500 military personnel are helping the police conduct checks on 4,000 households every day to ensure those who are supposed to be staying home are there.

To be sure, aggressive and thorough contact-tracing and case follow-up have successfully contained outbreaks in countries like Germany without a centralized quarantine strategy. But these places relied on an army of efficient workers hunting down every chain of transmission, a resource not many governments have had time to build up.

The classic practice in public health is to identify, trace and quarantine, said Yang Gonghuan, former deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. But how that is carried out depends on popular sentiment and the countrys resources.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

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BEIJING, Aug. 14 -- Approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the first echelon of 110 members of the 16th Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur, Sudan left Beijing Capital International Airport on the evening of August 11 for their mission area in Sudan to perform its 5-month peacekeeping mission.

The 16th Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur, Sudan includes the engineering support team, logistic support team, security squadron and a primary hospital and is consisted of 225 members. They mainly come from a brigade of the 82nd Group Army under the PLA Central Theater Command.

As the only engineering and support force of the UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID)in the region, the Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent is mainly responsible for maintenance and upgrade of main roads, infrastructure construction, and prefabricated houses assembly, construction and maintenance of airports and aprons, and other tasks.

"After nearly five months of hard training, the contingent not only has the capability to support engineering, but also the capability to deal with various emergencies. The contingent is currently in good condition and we are full of confidence in completing this peacekeeping mission," said Xiao Wei, commander of the 16th batch of Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur, Sudan.

According to the plan, the second echelon of the 16th batch of Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur will depart from Beijing to the mission area in late August. It is also reported that the 15th Chinese peacekeeping engineer contingent to Darfur, Sudan will return to China in two echelons after completing the task handover.
Previously, other floors in that building that belong to the Chicago Board of Elections had two recent cases of the coronavirus. The first time, the sixth and eighth floors were closed on July 30 for a deep clean after an employee reported a positive test, according to Executive Director Lance Gough.
NEW DELHI: Meeran Haider, a PhD student at the Jamia Millia Islamia University and an accused in Delhi riots case, has made startling revelations in connection with the communal violence in the northeast Delhi in February.

According to reports, Haider, who is also the president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal youth wings Delhi unit, has told the investigators that the communal riots in northeast Delhi were planned after Jamia violence. It is to be noted that Haider is one of those earlier arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly conspiring to incite large-scale communal violence in Delhi in February.

The young RJD leader had told Delhi Police that the conspiracy regarding riots was hatched after the violence that erupted at the campus of Jamia University. Accused Miran was tasked to gather crowd for the protests and demonstrations in Delhi and oversee other arrangements.

He revealed that the banner outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) had provided funds for triggering communal riots in Delhi. Haider had himself collected about 5 lakhs for the riots. Haider told Delhi Police that Zafarabad and Seelampur, the Muslim dominated areas of Delhi, were first chosen for the riots, for which Miran and others collected knives, petrol and stones etc.

Meeran Haider, who was arrested under the UAPA and is in judicial custody, had prepared a register before the riots in which he kept the record of all fund being collected for the purpose.

With the help of these funds, gadgets were purchased at his instructions, he told Delhi Police. The money received as Zakat was used by them for the riots in northeast Delhi.

In his statement to the police, he said that Centres scrapping of the Article 370, Babri Masjid verdict by SC and then the implementation of CAA all these issues had filled anger and hatred in his mind and he thought of uniting the Muslims against the government.

He even exhorted them to be ready for violent demonstrations against the Centre when needed. The accused told the police that he himself went to all the states to mobilise support and incite people against CAA-NRC.

Haider told police that he personally supervised the anti-government demonstrations on at least 20 sites in Delhi. He told police that he already knew Umar Khalid and Khalid Saifi, alumni of JNU.

Khalid had met Saifi during the 2016 Aam Aadmi Party election campaign in Punjab. Miran Haider told them that he too was in the Aam Aadmi Party from 2014 to 2017 but after failing to get the ticket for contesting municipal elections, he quit the party in 2017 and joined the RJD.

Haider told the police that on December 15, several students of Jamia University took out a protest march from Jamia to Okhla. During this time, there was violence in Jamia University. After the police tortured students, Jamia students and alumni decided to hold protests to take the movement forward.

According to Haider, JCC (Jamia Coordination Committee) was formed on 15 December 2019. A WhatsApp Group was formed in the name of JCC, which started planning for the communal riots in Delhi. The Alumni Association of Jamia Millia Islamia and several student organizations were part of this group, he added.

He further told the investigators that after the success of the Shaheen Bagh Protest, they thought that the protests should be held in more Muslim areas of Delhi, where there was resentment against the Centre about CAA-NRC.

According to Meeran, the agitation in Delhi was divided into 3 phases  protests, roadblocks and riots. The RJD youth wing leader told Delhi Police that Natasha and Devangana, the members of DU's Pinjatod group, used to give inflammatory speeches and were secretly associated with this movement.

Haider revealed that he was given the responsibility to mobilize the crowd at the protest sites at Shaheen Bagh, Khureji, Seelampur, Jaffarabad, Turkman Gate, Kardampuri, Mustafabad, Indralok. He revealed that he used to visit these places, collect information about the progress of the movement and share the same with the JCC so that further strategy can be made.

Haider told the police that he knows many members of the PFI (Popular Front of India), who gave money to incite the communal riots in Delhi. PFI activists Sajid Mujid and Mohammad Sihad of Kerala sent 20 thousand rupees to me for riots, he told police.
Even in the darkness of Donald Trumps dystopia, the enduring promise of America has still flickered. Despite all his cults efforts to turn back the clock to the good old days of white hegemony, the pluralistic multiracial melting-pot America has still been percolating, yearning to breathe free. Its been there all along, waiting for a breakout moment.

That moment has arrived, and it defines the stakes for this country in 2020.

In electoral terms, vice presidential picks are rarely pivotal. But Kamala Harris ascent is freighted with historic symbolism. As the daughter of Jamaican and Indian parents, as the child of immigrants, shell help Joe Biden rebuild the bridge to the America we still aspire to be. Indeed, Biden himself signaled that back in March, when he campaigned with Harris: I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else. Theres an entire (new) generation of leadersThey are the future of this country.

Harris is not a perfect pick, not to the Democratic litmus-testers who demand perfection on all left-leaning issues. But whats most noteworthy  and most encouraging, especially in these difficult times  is that so many pundits are describing her as a safe pick. Weve finally reached the point, happily so, when the inclusion of a Black and Asian woman on a national ticket is deemed to be safe.

Its also shrewd, because Harris straddles all the groups that Trump has long vilified: women, Blacks, and immigrants.

Will she tap her prosecutors creds and fillet Mike Pence in the veep debate (assuming Pence isnt dumped for Nikki Haley)? Yup, Harris v. Pence will likely be a bloodbath. Will she help boost minority turnout (especially Black women) in the key cities of swing states  Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin  where Hillary Clinton fatally failed? On the margins, sure. Will her track record as a prosecutor and California attorney general alienate some activists on the left (on Twitter, shes sometimes derided as a cop who worked for The Man)? I suppose so.

But its arguably too early to game out those scenarios. What matters most, right now, is that Joe Biden has sent a powerful message of hope to voters who are desperate to empower democratic diversity and leave authoritarian racism in the rear-view mirror.

And Biden is sending an important message about himself. Harris beat him up in the first Democratic debate 14 months ago, but hes comfortable enough in his own skin to eschew a grudge  and clearly secure enough to govern in partnership with an assertive woman of color. If someone like Harris had ever assailed Donald Trump in the same fashion, Trump would still be attacking the womans looks and tweeting his grievances on the nocturnal toilet. Biden, by contrast, is basically telling the electorate, As a party, we need to be unified. As a country, we need to heal, racially and politically. The stakes are too high for anything else.

Sure, Trump is already trying to bust Harris bubble. He said she was a captive of the radical left. Trump also inaugurated the nickname Phony Kamala, but ask yourself whether he, of all people, can get traction by calling somebody else a phony. And its a tad weird for Trump to slap the word phony on a candidate to whom he has donated money in the past. Yes, folks, he gave $6,000 to Harris when she was campaigning for California attorney general. Daughter Ivanka kicked in $2,000 more.

Trump fled the other night to Sean Hannitys safe room, where he said a few nonsensical things about Harris (shes against petroleum), but quickly veered into God knows what: Wind is nice, its nice. But it causes tremendous problems. Site and home values going way down. If you see a windmill and you hear a windmill, your home goes down by half. It kills all the birds.

When you hear that kind of blather, you cant help but entertain the possibility that were on the cusp of saying Madame Vice President.

Dick Polman, a veteran national political columnist based in Philadelphia and a Writer in Residence at the University of Pennsylvania, writes at DickPolman.net. Email him at dickpolman7@gmail.com

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 12:56:46|Editor: huaxia

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LJUBLJANA, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks against China during his visit to Slovenia, the Chinese Embassy in Slovenia said in a statement on Thursday criticizing U.S. attempts to create a "New Cold War."

Slovenia and the United States signed a so-called joint declaration on security of 5G networks during Pompeo's visit. On the issue of the 5G security, the United States "violates the principles of the market economy and abuses the concept of national security to implement discriminatory and exclusive policies," the Embassy's statement said, noting that it has made "presumptions of guilt" against Chinese companies without being able to provide any evidence, and it "uses the power of the state machine to suppress Chinese companies."

"The attempt by the United States to create a 'New Cold War' trap and to form cliques to contain China will not succeed, nor will it be in anyone's interest," the Chinese Embassy stressed. "We advise some U.S. politicians to stop spreading political viruses, stop slandering China with words and deeds, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs."

"The Slovenian side has made it clear to the Chinese side that the declaration is not against China or Chinese companies. We expect the Slovenian side to honor its commitments, and to continue to provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies," the Chinese Embassy also said.

Milan Brglez, member of the European Parliament and the member of leadership of Slovenian Social Democratic Party said he was worried that the signing of the declaration could worsen relations between Slovenia and China.

"The signing of a political declaration on 5G security between Slovenian Foreign Minister Logar and U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo does not follow Slovenia's interests. There is even a possibility that signing of this political statement would become legally binding for Slovenia, as a unilateral legal transaction," Brglez said.

Local newspaper Vecer said that Pompeo's visit entails a price to pay, which will further harm Slovenia's reputation among European core countries. Enditem
Doctors warn that Sierra Leone is facing a malaria crisis, worsened by the arrival of COVID-19.

Malaria season has started in Africa and doctors in Sierra Leone are warning that parents avoiding healthcare during the pandemic could lead to more infant deaths.

The aid agency Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, says children are arriving at hospitals severely malnourished and there are fears of a malaria crisis.

Al Jazeeras Sara Khairat reports.
The National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic party (NPP), Sammi Awuku says former President Mahama is only interested in himself but doesnt seek the welfare of Ghanaians.



For John Mahama to come and say he wants to be re-elected to continue what he was voted out for, means he has lost touch with his own track record.



Sammi Awuku, addressing a press conference on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Alisa Hotel, said the indecisive Mahama cannot be trusted.



He is not a man with boldness to manage the economy under covid-19 pandemic with all this implications for life, managing this country is too complex for the NDC and Mr. Mahama.



Mr. Awuku also wondered what Mr. Mahama is going to campaign about in this years elections.



Candidate Mahama has lost touch with his own track record...Candidate Mahama coming to contest shows he cannot really decide for himself and whether indeed he did well or badly as President because he has already admitted after losing 2016 that he has committed several mistakes whiles in office. So, what at all did he leave at the Flagstaff House that he wants to come back for?



He has no interest in addressing the concerns and aspirations of Ghanaians. First, he has no vision for his party and he has no vision for Ghanaians. Secondly, he is contesting this years Presidential polls to satisfy his own personal gains and not the interest of anybody, he said.



What good work was he doing that he want Ghanaians to vote for him again? he further questioned.



He appealed to the electorates to vote massively for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, come December 7 polls.

Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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CALGARY, AB, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Waterous Energy Fund ("WEF") today announced the amalgamation of two portfolio companies, Cona Resources Ltd. ("Cona") and Strath Resources Ltd. ("Strath"), to form Strathcona Resources, Ltd. ("Strathcona"). Strathcona is the largest wholly private equity-owned, oil-weighted producer in North America, with production of ~60,000 Boe / d (67% oil and liquids), a 40-year reserve life index, industry-leading full-cycle margins, a base oil decline rate of approximately 10%, and low carbon emissions per barrel. Strathcona is a uniquely positioned producer with a portfolio of condensate and natural gas production to complement its heavy oil operations. Strathcona is 100% owned by WEF and Strathcona employees.

Strathcona's leadership team includes executives from both Strath and Cona, with Rob Morgan as President and CEO, Michael Makinson as VP Finance and CFO, Tom Everest as VP Development, Nolan Lerner as VP Production, Connie De Ciancio as VP Corporate, and Mark Teasdale as VP Drilling and Completions. Steve Fagan, founder and former CEO of Strath, will continue to contribute to Strathcona as Vice Chairman.

Adam Waterous, WEF's CEO, commented, "We believe that the Strath and Cona assets fit perfectly together, with Strath's condensate and natural gas production closely matching Cona's condensate and natural gas operational requirements. Together, Strath and Cona create a premier company with sufficient scale and commodity diversity to withstand the current market volatility and generate substantial free cash flow after sustaining capital expenditures. This transaction fits with WEF's strategy of acquiring companies with trophy properties in special situations and pursuing an action-oriented value creation plan through recapitalizing, restructuring and repositioning the businesses."

Rob Morgan, CEO of Strathcona, commented, "We believe the combined Strathcona business is financially stronger and better positioned to generate sustainable free cash flow than either Strath or Cona on a standalone basis. I am very excited to be working with the Strath and Cona teams as we continue the excellent work both companies have achieved in optimizing the operational and financial performance of our assets."

Since 2017, WEF has completed six separate transactions to create Strathcona, investing approximately C$1.5 billion in equity from WEF's first private equity fund and co-investors. Strathcona has a simple capital structure with all debt held by a consortium of Canadian banks.

Waterous added, "Technology has disrupted the North American oil and gas industry's historic M&A dynamics and traditional growth-oriented operating and investing thesis. To capitalize on this new era, we have used an innovative investing model to build Strathcona into a scaled company which can continue to consolidate complementary businesses and/or use its free cash flow to provide dividends." Waterous went on, "In 2017, we named Strath and Cona in honour of Lord Strathcona, Canada's greatest industrialist and its most impactful energy investor. Following Lord Strathcona's trailblazing example, Strathcona Resources is pioneering a new prototype for Canadian oil and gas companies."

Advisors

RBC Capital Markets acted as exclusive financial advisor to WEF in connection with the transaction.

ATB Capital Markets provided a fairness opinion to Strath in connection with the transaction.

TD Securities, RBC Capital Markets and Scotiabank served as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and ATB Financial served as Documentation Agent, on the expanded Strathcona credit facility.

Stikeman Elliott LLP served as legal advisor to WEF, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP served as legal advisor to Strath and Cona in connection with the transaction.

About Waterous Energy Fund: Waterous Energy Fund is a Calgary-based energy investment firm with offices in Houston and New York. Founded in 2017, the firm is pursuing investments in the North American oil and gas sector. For additional information, see www.waterous.com

SOURCE Waterous Energy Fund
Deciding whether to remove a child from a home mandates a careful, reasoned assessment of red flags. Illinois knows all too well cases of red flags missed, ignored or not acted on. Jahir Gibbons was 2 when he was beaten to death in Chicago last year, allegedly by his mothers boyfriend. There were ample signs of prior abuse in the household, and yet no one rescued Jahir. Semaj Crosby, 17 months, was reported missing hours after a DCFS caseworker had left her trash-strewn Joliet Township home in 2017, and was later found dead under a couch. Both families had received intact family services.
Providing Collaboration to the Aerospace Industry

Guest speakers (from left top) KiMar Gartman, Col Eric J. Felt, Capt Roger Anderson, and Brett Scharinghausen visited with attendees during the virtual Tech Collision.

Guest speakers (from left top) KiMar Gartman, Col Eric J. Felt, Capt Roger Anderson, and Brett Scharinghausen visited with attendees during the virtual Tech Collision.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fifty small businesses from around the country, took part in The Catalyst Accelerators (CA) first Tech Collision July 28-30, with more than 385 people in attendance.

The event was a collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratorys Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), Small Business Administration-SBIR/STTR program, Small Business Development Center-Kansas, and Tech Warriors Ops.

Sponsored in part by Lockheed Martin, AFRL and U.S. Space Force, the virtual event brought together small businesses and startups, government and industry tech scouts, and workshop educators.

Guest speakers including the former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition the Honorable Sue C. Payton, Col. Joseph Roth, Space and Missile Systems Center, and Col. Eric Felt, AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate. The speaking engagements focused on space threats and the technology the Air Force is seeking to enhance their space capabilities.

The organizing team received exceptional support from the City of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade, and the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Council. 37 companies pitched their technology to government and industry tech scouts and participated in a posterboarding session while thirteen companies exclusively posterboarded.

We are thrilled with the turn out of the Tech Collision event, said KiMar Gartman, Program Director for the Catalyst Accelerator. Wed like to thank the aerospace community for coming together to learn more about small businesses and startups that offer exceptional, innovative technology. This event was intended to be the catalyst for community cohesion and focus, and I believe that was accomplished.

Story continues

Programs like Catalyst Accelerator's Technology Collision, continue to build roads and make the government more accessible to startups, even as COVID-19 prevents these events from occurring in person, said Capt. Roger Anderson, Deputy Program Manager, Air Force Space Accelerator.

Participating companies had the opportunity to make relevant connections with industry and the DoD, Anderson said. These connections would have been nearly impossible to make in three days without an event like the Tech Collision.

Blair DeWitt from Lunar Station Corporation One company commented, This was great. We want to be at next years event, and hopefully the next one will be in-person, but even with a pure virtual event, it was amazing and significantly accelerated our path forward as a start-up.

The Catalyst Accelerator hosted the Tech Collision in part, with funds granted through participation in the Small Business Administrations Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. The organizing team focused on recruiting small businesses and startups owned by minorities, women and those located in hub/opportunity zones.

About Catalyst Accelerator

The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorates Catalyst Accelerator is a NewSpace-focused defense and national security industry accelerator, headquartered on the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. CCTI is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors intersect with Colorados aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation and stimulate business growth. The Catalyst Accelerator is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum for accelerator teams.

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CONTACT: KiMar Gartman Catalyst Accelerator 719-394-0606 KiMar.Gartman@CatalystCampus.Org




Volunteers from the American University of Beirut walk next to destroyed buildings (Felipe Dana/AP)

Lebanon's parliament yesterday granted the army sweeping powers to quell unrest following a deadly explosion in Beirut that has reignited angry anti-government protests.

Human rights groups fear that the exceptional powers under the two-week state of emergency will be used to crack down on renewed protests demanding the overthrow of a political elite widely blamed for the catastrophic explosion on August 4.

The blast killed at least 171 people, according to the health ministry, and destroyed an estimated 50,000 residential units in Beirut, further enraging Lebanese citizens already struggling amid a collapsing economy and a worsening coronavirus pandemic.

Lebanese security forces were deployed heavily in Beirut yesterday, blocking roads to prevent protesters from reaching a conference centre where members of parliament met for the first time since the blast.

The law allows military trials of civilians and the banning of gatherings, according to Lebanese law monitor The Legal Agenda. The military can raid homes and impose house arrest on anyone suspected of harming security, it said.

Nationwide anti-government protests began last October but street protests had halted due to the pandemic.

Angry protesters have marched nightly in Beirut since Saturday, with security forces firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

Many Lebanese blame the government, which resigned on Monday but remains in a caretaker capacity, for the explosion of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that was stored in a port warehouse for six years, despite repeated warnings to the highest level.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
Maurice Kaplow, 90, the noted Philadelphia ballet conductor, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, of kidney failure at Pennsylvania Hospital, his family said.

Mr. Kaplow, of Center City, started violin studies with his father at age 3 and pursued a multifaceted musical career that included work as a composer and violist. But it was in the specialty-within-a-specialty job as ballet conductor that he made his most visible mark. He was with Pennsylvania Ballet from its start in the early 1960s until stepping down as music director in 1991.

He went on to establish a two-decade-long association with New York City Ballet, retiring in 2010 from a professional strong suit for which he was widely admired.

The job of ballet conductor requires some alchemy, a keen eye and ear that can take two potentially competing art forms and turn them into a single complementary interpretation.

It has to be musically viable as well as choreographically viable, and it has to be good theater, and that all has to happen at the same time, said Martha Koeneman, who was brought on as Pennsylvania Ballets pianist by Mr. Kaplow in 1973. Its a multilayered skill, but he had a particular gift for making it all touch the viewers heart and the listeners heart. He really captured that in his performances, which is really lovely.

He was a true musician and true ballet conductor, of which there are very few and far between, said former Pennsylvania Ballet principal dancer Melissa Podcasy.

Mr. Kaplow was born in Cleveland and earned an undergraduate degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a masters from the Eastman School of Music. He played viola with the Louisville Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic, and was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1956 to 1957, and then again from 1958 to 1963.

He studied conducting with Pierre Monteux at the Monteux School in Hancock, Maine, in 1963.

Monteux was going to take my dad on tour, his coming out party, said Lawrence Kaplow. Unfortunately, Monteux died and so there was no tour, and instead my dad formed his own orchestra, the Pennsylvania Orchestra, and [Pennsylvania Ballet founder] Barbara Weisberger heard about him and they eventually joined forces.

The Pennsylvania Orchestra became the orchestra of the new Pennsylvania Ballet.

Among the highlights of his years with the company was Signatures, a series of vignettes with a score written by him to highlight specific dancers and groups of dancers; and Winter Dreams, an arrangement of lesser-known Tchaikovsky material woven into a score for Robert Weiss choreography.

In 1984, at the Academy of Music, Mr. Kaplow conducted the ensemble in a 20th-birthday celebration for Pennsylvania Ballet that featured Rudolf Nureyev, Suzanne Farrell, and Grover Washington Jr., as well a new ballet by Peter Martins.

I loved working with Maury, said longtime Pennsylvania Ballet violinist Karen Banos. In rehearsals, he didnt concentrate on technically tricky passages, she said, since he figured it was the job of players to work out those passages alone in the practice room. Instead, he would focus on the sound of the orchestra.

It wasnt about being clean, it was about being beautiful, said Banos. He just wanted beautiful.

You have to be able to make music, said Weiss, a former Pennsylvania Ballet artistic director. You cant just be a metronome because the tempos need to be a certain tempo. The music still has to come to life and be emotionally rich and all the things ballet music can be. Maury was really able to do that just about better than anybody.

The conductor and Pennsylvania Ballet parted ways in 1991, but he had already begun a new relationship that would prove durable. In 1990, Mr. Kaplow was invited by Martins to guest-conduct for the New York City Ballet and he became a full-time conductor for the company in 1995. He was given the title of principal conductor in 2005, retiring in 2010.

In addition to his work with Pennsylvania Ballet, he conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra in Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff at the Mann in 1979 with dancers Galina Panova and Valery Panov. He also guest-conducted the London Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Pittsburgh Symphony.

He was known for an easygoing nature, even in tough moments. He left me in awe quite a number of times because he seemed to be unflappable, said Koeneman. I dont know if I ever saw him get upset.

At least part of his success in Philadelphia, players said, came from the atmosphere of camaraderie he created. He would have gatherings at his house, and mingle with us in the pit, said Banos.

Koeneman remembers one time in the early 1980s when Pennsylvania Ballets financial struggles led to late paychecks. The day the musicians were finally paid, Mr. Kaplow showed up with wine to celebrate with the musicians.

He was a real gentleman and a real leader, said Koeneman. He made it a lot of fun.

He and his wife, Judy, celebrated 60 years of marriage at home on Aug. 7. In addition to his wife and son Lawrence, he is survived by sons Dan and Brian, five grandchildren, and his sister, Linda Kaplow. Services were Thursday, Aug. 13, at West Laurel Hill Cemetery. Donations in his name may be made to Congregation Mikveh Israel, mikvehisrael.org.
According to scientists, the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced is neither inequality, Coronavirus, Spanish flu nor discrimination, but the climate crisis. Scientists have long warned people of the devastating effects of climate change if the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is not checked, but many consider the warnings as abstract.

Global warming is mainly caused by human activities that release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere of the Earth. Every single day, deforestation, industrial processes, burning of fossil fuels and others add tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere where it will remain for centuries. The carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere keeps increasing by at least 0.5% every year which is extremely detrimental - this increase is the highest ever recorded in the last 800,000 years.

According to the United Nations, the Earth is 1.1C hotter than ever and it is approaching a tipping point of irreversible catastrophic effects. If the Earth reaches 2.0C of heating, the intensified pollution alone is forecast to cause over 140 million deaths. If the Earth reaches 3.4C of heating by 2100 - which is the current trajectory if we do not make drastic emission reductions - the impacts of climate change will threaten the lives and welfare of over 2 billion people.

The 1.1 rise in global average temperature is presently causing devastating heat waves, forest fires, extreme weather patterns, floods, and a rise in sea levels. On the 20th June 2020, the Artic recorded the highest temperature ever recorded - 101F(38.333C) - according to Forbes.com. The most vulnerable to this global canker are people from developing countries. Many economies in Africa depend primarily on agriculture, and it is disheartening to think of how these economies may go into states of eternal collapse, should the effects of climate crisis impact the globe. As little is been done to curb this threatening canker, the future of the youth around the world seems very insecure. Many people around the world have joined in seeking climate justice as many leaders have not realized the need to help solve this problem.

Many people around the world have been hospitalized due to respiratory diseases as air quality worsens when the globe warms. Research has also proven that Malaria cases keep increasing in many parts of the world. As temperatures get hotter, health hazards exacerbate. Hence, it will be no surprise when many epidemics may break in the future.

Many people around the world are aware of the increased temperatures but are oblivious its consequences. Animals are dying and various species of organisms are going into extinction - research proves that up to 200 species of organisms go into extinction every day.

I get somewhat depressed when I think of the fact that the younger generation is going to bear the impacts of climate change, far more and far longer than adults. "Each day that we fail to act is the day that draws us near the day that we cannot do anything anymore. And this brings us to the fate that will resonate with the next generation forever." Antonio Guterres, General Secretary, U.N. General Assembly.

Barrack Obama also once said, "We are the generation that will be greatly affected by the climate crisis - if we do not do anything - and the last generation that can do something to curb this problem."

Climate crisis is not an abstract future threat. Hence, it is pivotal that we contribute our quota to solve this problem. The signs are undeniable.
BRIDGEPORT  A former grief counselor is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he was supposed to be counseling, police said.

Santiago Aguirre, 52, of Albright Avenue, Stratford, was charged Wednesday with second-degree sexual assault.

Police said Aquirre, who worked as a licensed counselor at LifeBridge in Bridgeport, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman in 2014 and 2015.

According to police, the victim told them this past March that in April 2013 she had sought help from LifeBridge to cope with the loss of her twin sister who had died in a fall and that Aguirre was assigned to her.

When detectives confronted Aguirre in March with the womans accusations, police said Aguirre admitted having a sexual relationship with her which he knew was wrong but he said he didnt want to end their counseling sessions because he was worried it would harm her.

In Connecticut it is a felony for a therapist to have sexual relations with a patient.

This is a very different type of case than we normally see, said Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton during Aguirres arraignment hearing Thursday afternoon.

As Aguirre watched the proceeding from his cell over video conferencing, the judge set his bond at $25,000 and ordered him to have no further contact with the victim.

I very strongly advise you to obey the protective order, she added, continuing the case to Oct. 15.

Aquirre no longer works for LifeBridge and the company said he was let go three years ago.

LifeBridge became aware of the allegations on or about July 24, 2017. Mr. Aguiire has not been employed at LifeBridge since July 25, 2017, according to a statement from LifeBridge. The current executive leadership has no first-hand knowledge of the allegation and for that reason cannot comment any further.

Police said in 2017 the woman filed suit against Aguirre and LifeBridge in state Superior Court but the lawsuit was later dropped. She told police she believed her attorney at the time was going to notify police.
Actor Ishaan Khatter is on a signing spree. After announcing Phone Bhoot co-starring Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi, the Dhadak actor has bagged one more project. Ishaan has been roped in to play Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta in an upcoming war film titled Pippa.

The film has the celebrated Army tank at the core of its plot and will be helmed by Airlift director Raja Krishna Menon. For those who don't know, Veteran Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron, along with his siblings, fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Pippa is based on his book titled 'The Burning Chaffees'.

Ishaan is quite excited to star in a war film and was quoted as saying "I'm exhilarated to be a part of a film of such magnitude and importance. Getting to play the suave and spirited tank commander Captain Balram Mehta is a true privilege. I'm looking forward to the exciting experience of Pippa."

He also took to his Instagram page and wrote, "It's an incredible honour to step into the shoes of #BrigadierBalramSinghMehta. As we are about to celebrate the spirit of independence, the team is coming together for a visual celebration of love, humanity and India in #Pippa!"

Read his post here.

Talking about the film, director Raja Krishna Menon said, "Pippa is a war film, but it also has an emotional core celebrating the triumph of love and humanity. The fact that there is going to be some never-seen-before tank war action is extremely thrilling to me as a filmmaker, but it's the heroism and patriotism displayed by the young and strapping Brigadier Mehta, despite all that he was going through in his family, that really connected with me when Siddharth (Roy Kapur) shared this story."

The film's title highlights the Russian war tank PT-76, popularly known as Pippa. The film portrays the coming-of-age of a young Mehta as well as of India.

Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur said in his official statement, "While the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 is widely documented, one of its less-known chapters is the covert operation that became the Battle of Garibpur, which played a significant part in India's eventual victory. This is the war that is often heralded as the only 'just war' in history because it was fought to save human lives and free a nation."

Pippa is slated to hit the theatrical screens late next year.

ALSO READ: Ishaan Khatter Calls His Phone Bhoot Co-star Katrina Kaif A 'Quintessential Glamorous Diva'

ALSO READ: Ishaan Khatter Weighs In On Equal Opportunity In Hindi Film Industry: It's Not All About Talent
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:10:04|Editor: huaxia

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CAPE TOWN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Friday commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for leading the world in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic during "this unprecedented time."

The WHO's stewardship "has ensured that we are able to take lessons from history and tell a better story of the way in which we have handled the coronavirus globally and locally," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.

He was speaking as a WHO 16-member team arrived in South Africa to help the country fight the pandemic. The team will be expanded to 43 members later.

"I pay tribute to the men and women of this organization and the leadership that has been shown during this unprecedented time," Mkhize said in a statement.

Mkhize said what he is most proud of is that the WHO has remained committed to all nations despite some being critical and even withdrawing sorely-needed funding and resources.

"It is unfortunately a sad fact of life that times like these bring out the best and the worst in us," he said.

As political volatility escalates around the world, it is very telling that during the time of most need, South Africa did not hesitate to call on the WHO to bolster its efforts and the Organization did not hesitate to respond to that call, said Mkhize.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, South Africa has received continued support on many levels from the WHO, he said.

Through robust scientific engagement with this organization, South Africa has been able to make governmental undertakings to manage the COVID-19 outbreak, the minister said.

Although the pandemic has shown some abating signs in South Africa, "we are still the country with the fifth highest positive cases in the world," Mkhize said.

South Africa has recorded fewer daily confirmed cases of around 3,000 in recent days, compared with more than 10,000 a week ago.

As of Thursday, the country had 572,865 confirmed cases and 11,270 related deaths.

"With the threat of resurgence remaining very real, we would not want to repeat recent history witnessed in some countries and allow a second surge to wreak even further destruction," Mkhize said.

Apart from the impact on the health system that this virus has had, "we are still faced with the devastation it has caused in our social lives, our well-being, the economy and the environment," he said.

South Africa and many other nations have shown that it is possible, through multi-sectoral collaboration, to slow down the rate of infection and rebuild livelihoods after the initial devastation, said Mkhize.

"With this team buttressing our efforts we should further look for opportunities to emancipate the impoverished, the oppressed and the vulnerable using innovations that have emanated from the crisis," he said.

The minister urged all professionals, academics, frontline workers and members of society to embrace this intervention that the WHO is making. Enditem
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on August 11 that it has successfully registered world's first COVID-19 vaccine developed indigenously in the country. He added that the inoculation called 'Sputnik-V' has proven to be efficient during tests, with a dose already being administered to one of his daughters.

But the world has not yet shown the kind of zeal and zest as was expected from the first vaccine against coronavirus. Even India, which is recording more COVID-19 cases than any other nation on a daily basis, hasn't manifested much enthusiasm. This notwithstanding the fact that Russia is considered to be open to providing the vaccine to India.

Also Read: Russia's COVID-19 vaccine not in advanced stages of trial: WHO

How has India reacted

The government is treading with caution regarding an official word on the Russian vaccine. AIIMS director Randeep Guleria has said that the inoculation has to be critically examined to check its efficacy. He underscored that the vaccine shouldn't have any side-effects and should "provide good immunity and protection."

Meanwhile, biotechnology industry veteran Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has questioned Russian claims of developing the world's first safe coronavirus vaccine, citing the absence of data on clinical trials and "more advanced" programmes elsewhere.

The Executive Chairperson of Bengaluru-headquartered Biocon Ltd. has said that the world has not seen any data on Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials conducted by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute. Mazumdar underlined that Russia launched the vaccine without completing Phase-3 trials which can be acceptable to the country, but it doesn't make it the world's number first vaccine as "several other vaccine programmes are even more advanced."

Meanwhile, Russian media reported that the inoculation would be available for other countries from January 2021.

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Will PM Modi announce two COVID-19 vaccines on August 15?

Why the world is apprehensive about Russia's COVID-19 vaccine

Experts across the world were swift to express concerns regarding the speed of the country's work with several nations voicing skepticism. Researchers in the US, France, Spain and Germany have all called for caution.

Terming the apprehension "groundless", Russia's Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told the Interfax news agency on Wednesday that the country's "foreign colleagues are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and are trying to express opinions that... are absolutely groundless." Murashko further stated that the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine will be available "within the next two weeks, primarily for doctors." Meanwhile, Russian officials have said that the mass vaccination will start in October this year.

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was holding talks with the Russian authorities about carrying out a review of the vaccine. It is because Russia's inoculation is not among the organisation's list of six vaccines that have made it to Phase 3 human clinical trials, which comprise extensive testing in humans.

Also Read: Coronavirus vaccine: Russian COVID-19 vaccine recommended for 18-60 years old

How is the world reacting

Health officials and media outlets in the US and Europe have expressed skepticism regarding the progress Russia claims to have made on the COVID-19 vaccine. On Wednesday, Germany's health minister Jens Spahn voiced concern that the inoculation had not been tested properly.

Talking to local media he stated that "it can be dangerous to start vaccinating millions" and that it is too early as "it could pretty much kill the acceptance of vaccination if it goes wrong."

Meanwhile, Isabelle Imbert, a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Marseille, enunciated that Russia's claim promising a cure to COVID-19 could be very dangerous" as the methodology or the results of the human trials are not known to anyone except Russia.

United States' top virus expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, also noted that he doubted the country's claims. Speaking to National Geographic, Dr. Fauci stated that he hopes that Russia has "actually definitively proven that the vaccine is safe and effective" which he said he doubts.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15)  China announced on Friday its 1 million cash aid and personal protective equipment (PPE) donations to Filipino medical frontliners in a gesture of appreciation of their hard work in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian met with representatives of medical frontliners at the Chinese Embassy for the turnover of the cash aid and PPEs.

The Chinese Embassy will continue to provide support and assistance to the best of its ability to the Philippines. We firmly believe that the dawn of victory will come at the earliest, Huang said in a statement.

Medical frontliners from Makati Medical Center and St. Lukes Medical Center will receive the latest donation from Beijing, which enjoys warm relations with Manila during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.

On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy also turned over 130 ventilators to Philippines foreign affairs chief Teddy Boy Locsin Jr.

China previously donated to the country 2,000 COVID-19 testing kits last March 16, another batch of 100,000 COVID-19 test kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N95 masks and 10,000 PPE sets last March 21, and some 150,000 test kits, 1.3 million surgical masks, 70,000 PPE sets, 70,000 N95 masks, 70,000 protective goggles, and 100 ventilators last May 10.

While on April 5, the Chinese government sent a team of medical experts in the country to help their Philippine counterparts COVID-19 response. Another batch of medical supplies was donated to the country on that day including 300,000 surgical masks, 30,000 medical N95 masks, 5,000 medical protective suits, 5,000 medical face shields, and 30 non-invasive ventilators.

The Chinese also launched the Huo-Yan Molecular and Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory in San Fernando City, Pampanga last May 8 to help the country boost its daily testing capacity and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease.

On the eve of the Philippines 122nd Independence Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping assured President Duterte the Philippines would be prioritized once China develops a vaccine against COVID-19.
When you finish a long day hiking you want filling food. For one unfortunate tourist, this was not to be, as he ordered a $10 salad only to be given a plate of undressed tomatoes and a pinch of limp onion.

The man, who had been on a hiking tour in Amrum, an island in Germany, took to Reddit on Wednesday to express his dismay (and a photo of said atrocity).

From haha salad' and I wouldnt pay for this sh*t to classic tourist trap the comments were brutal.

What? Do you want us to chew it for you too?  Angry German Cook.

That salad is sadder than my life, another wrote.

The discussion then went beyond the immediate issue (as The Sun reports, its hardly the first time tourists have been ripped off) and started hinting at what this salad represents for the future of travel.

Why make the effort? So you can keep some of the little dignity you have left? Tourists are paying their salaries and they rip them off, thats disgraceful.

While Germany has never been known for its vegetables, and while this salad is an absurd, isolated incident, as the pandemic sweeps the world, experts agree travel will get more expensive.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tommi Cha (@tommicha777) on Aug 13, 2020 at 10:50am PDT

Perhaps well have to get used to getting less bang for our buck?

Food for thought.

Read Next
Cleveland State Community Colleges Jesulayomi Ojo is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members nationwide to be named a 2020 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Cleveland resident is currently enrolled in Cleveland States Nursing program. She is a member of the Omega Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Ms. Ojo has earned a spot on the colleges Deans List for two consecutive terms.



The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 700 applications were received.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nations colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Ms. Ojo, and her classmates at Cleveland State from across Southeast Tennessee and beyond, will begin Fall 2020 semester classes on Aug. 24.
This is an outrageous instance of misplaced compassion. Brooke Singman of Fox News reports:

A federal judge on Thursday, citing the coronavirus pandemic, ordered the release, of a Rhode Island man who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for participating in a plot to behead conservative blogger Pamela Geller on behalf of the Islamic State. U.S. District Judge for Massachusetts William Young on Thursday announced the release of 29-year-old Nicholas Rovinski, whose lawyers this week argued that due to his medical conditions, which include cerebral palsy and hypertension, he is vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19.

Where is the compassion for Pamela? (American Thinker readers know Pamela very well, for she has been a frequent contributor to our site and is a leading critic of violent jihad and those who promote it.)



Fox News video screen grab (cropped).

Her efforts to sponsor an exhibition of Mohammed cartoons in Dallas led to the plot to behead her. At the exhibit, a jhadist attack led to two jihadis being killed by law enforcement.

Does Judge Young, a Reagan appointee who was born in 1940, 80 years ago, think jihad killers give up their goals after imprisonment? Has he no compassion for someone threatened with the same sort of barbaric execution that ISIS  on whose behalf Rovinski plotted  regularly carried out?

Judge Young did not temporarily free Rovinski for the duration of the pandemic; he terminated the sentence to time served:

Young reduced Rovinski's sentence to time served, and ordered him to spend the next 10 years in home confinement with electronic monitoring, with the first six months in "strict home confinement."

Perhaps Judge Young thinks he is adequately protecting Pamela with home confinement, including six months of "strict home confinement," a term that suggests that the remaining nine and a half years will be lenient home confinement. Would Judge Young be comfortable if he or his loved ones were under religious threat of beheading, and the avowed perpetrator was free to communicate with others to re-engage in a plot to behead them?

Judge Young also insisted that no appeal could delay the release:

Young also denied prosecutors' request to delay Rovinski's release for 30 days while they consider an appeal. Prosecutors argued that the decision is an outcome "most would find hard to fathom under the circumstances, especially in the absence of any concrete rationale for the result." "We disagree with the court's decision to now nullify that sentence  after only five years  based on COVID concerns," U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in an emailed statement to the Associated Press. "We realize that Rovinski has certain medical issues, but this does not justify releasing to 'home confinement'  after serving a mere third of his sentence  someone who willfully conspired to kill people for ISIS," he wrote.

Pamela Geller must now live in fear. On her site, Gellerreport.com, she writes:

How does Judge William Young know that Nicholas Rovinski won't try to murder me again? He doesn't. But he clearly doesn't care. The "compassion" in Rovinski's "compassionate release" is all for the perpetrator, not for his intended victim or others he might have killed in his jihad as well. Does Judge William Young not realize the gravity, the seriousness, the implications of freeing someone who plotted a beheading for a cartoon or piece of art that violated Islamic law? Does he not realize, or not care about, the freedom of speech? Maybe he doesn't. After all, it is under attack on numerous fronts today. Maybe William Young is one of those people who believe in the spurious concept of "hate speech," which is an entirely subjective thing, essentially a weapon of the powerful to smear and silence those who lack power. The First Amendment is our most precious freedom  Rovinski should be serving life without the possibility of parole. Instead, he is on the streets again, as if he did nothing. The electronic monitoring is a joke, as is the home confinement. Last year a Muslim wearing an electronic tag killed a man in his deradicalization class and went out to wage jihad on the London Bridge. If Nicholas Rovinski participates in another plot to murder me, will Judge William Young be prosecuted?

Pray for Pamela's safety, for the federal judiciary is indifferent to her peril.
He said Victoria would likely see fewer virus-related deaths in coming weeks, despite outbreaks across at least 125 aged care homes. "If we can drive numbers down from here on in ... we should see a stabilisation of deaths in the next couple of weeks," he said. One in five cases are 'mystery cases' However one in five cases of COVID-19 in Melbourne are "mystery cases", where the source of a person's infection cannot be identified, Professor Sutton revealed. The majority of mystery cases are among people aged 20 to 29, as well as people from multicultural communities, he said.

The tally of active mystery cases across Victoria increased by 51 to 3119 cases on Friday. "Certainly we've seen a significant increase in the so-called mystery cases, or cases of unknown acquisition," Professor Sutton said. Loading He said contact tracers could not determine the source of infection for 20 per cent of cases in Melbourne and 13 per cent of cases in regional Victoria.

"They don't have anyone in their household, who has been unwell, nobody in the workplace. The places they nominate don't have existing cases, clusters [or] outbreaks, so we can't determine absolutely where they got it from," he said. "But we know there are other opportunities where people can pick it up. Sometimes they won't recall a close contact and sometimes they've had a more casual contact." He conceded the government was still struggling to reach those for whom English was a second language, who were more likely to turn to news sources in their own home countries. "A lot of information is absolutely incorrect, a lot of it is direct misinformation and that is entirely unhelpful in terms of people doing the right thing," he said. "Engagement with the cultural and linguistically diverse communities is central to how we proceed from here."

State and federal government information packs designed to target multicultural communities contained errors because their developers had relied on Google Translate. "We're well on the way to resolving that if it hasn't been already," Mr Andrews said. On a positive note, Professor Sutton said cases of unknown community transmission had plateaued in the last week. "That is related to a plateauing of overall cases," he said. The total number of active cases across the state decreased to 7842.

Professor Sutton said the role of asymptomatic cases in driving unknown community transmission was still not clear. "Truly asymptomatic people probably don't commit much to transmission at all. What we're concerned about is people who have pre-symptomatic illness. "In the two days before [someone] develops symptoms, they ... can be highly infectious ... so some of those mystery cases will absolutely have been exposed to someone who is pre-symptomatic." Healthcare, aged care staff among workers not isolating properly Three women and two men in their 80s and four women and four men in their 90s died.

Twelve of the 14 fatalities reported on Friday are linked to aged care outbreaks. Yet Professor Sutton said aged care and healthcare staff were among a cohort of workers still going to work after developing mild symptoms. "It's still happening, it's happening across workplaces," he said. There are currently 1188 active cases among healthcare workers and 2034 active cases connected to aged care homes. "We know people are challenged by dismissing [their first] symptoms, because it's just a scratchy throat, or the beginning of a cough or runny nose," Professor Sutton said.

"So when we interview those newly confirmed cases, including some working with healthcare and some in aged care ... they represent the general population who also sometimes say, 'I was symptomatic for 24 hours,' or 'I had two days before I isolated and got my diagnosis'." However, he believes 80 per cent of Victoria's cases are being identified. "With 7000, 8000 active cases, it becomes harder to know the ones that aren't being identified, but I think it's the great majority." Premier not aware of 'patient zero'
VIMC held its first general shareholders meeting, signalling the transformation from SOE to JSC

VIMC on August 13 held the first general shareholders meeting to transform from a state-owned enterprise into a joint-stock company with a charter capital of over VND12 trillion ($521.74 million). Le Anh Son was elected as chairman of the Board of Directors and Nguyen Canh Tinh as general director.

Son said the transformation with the new VIMC branding marks a big change in mindset, business governance, and will increase the company's competitiveness.

VIMC, which previously operated under the umbrella of Vinalines, held its IPO in 2018, however, it failed to find strategic investors. VIMC is now investing in 19 units and 16 associated companies and holds stakes in 16 seaports, operating over 13,000 metres of piers, accounting for about 30 per cent of the countrys total. They include major seaports such as Haiphong, Saigon, Danang, and Quy Nhon.

VIMC aims to achieve a revenue of VND1.53 trillion ($66.5 million) in 2020, with a pre-tax loss. Tinh blamed the loss on global pandemic developments which hit the maritime transport market hard.

VIMC aims to reach shipping volume of over 18 million tonnes in 2025, cargo volume at seaports at nearly 139 million tonnes, up 5 per cent, and revenue of over VND10 trillion ($434.8 million), and consolidated profit of over VND1.23 trillion ($53.5 million).

To achieve the targets, the corporation plans to develop its container vessel fleet, build logistics centres to develop closed service chains, do restructuring, and increase technology application to increase productivity and service quality.

By 2022 VIMC aims to accommodate 30 per cent of the countrys total cargo volume at its seaports and build two container terminals at Lach Huyen International Gateway Seaport in the northern port city of Haiphong, while restructuring joint-venture seaports in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport area in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

In the shipping business, VIMC aims to have a vessel fleet of 1.1 million DWT in total tonnage, of which container vessels will make up 13 per cent, tankers 9 per cent, dry cargo and bulk ships 78 per cent by 2022.

The corporation will develop coastal maritime transport and inland waterway transport in the northern and Mekong Delta region, cooperate with shipping lines conveying containers between Vietnam and other countries worldwide via VIMCs transshipment and deep seaports.

VIMC also aims to develop an IT-supported logistics network by 2022, connecting goods distribution centres nationwide; and develop logistics infrastructure connecting seaports with airports, cargo distribution centres, roads, and railways.

The group will focus on investment in inland container depots and goods distribution centres with a scale of 10-30 hectares in Lach Huyen, Hanoi, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hau Giang and Dong Nai while boosting cooperation with international partners, striving to become the supplier of best Door to Door solutions, and develop global supply chains.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CompanyBox, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based web-to-print packaging company, announced that it has developed personal privacy dividers for students in grades K-12. Specifically designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, CompanyBox sees this as a solution for creating additional barriers between students.

A student sits in a classroom with a personal privacy divider for safety in schools.

The 5,500 personal privacy dividers have been donated to the Geneva Area Schools district in Geneva, Ohio. With plans to open back up on Sept. 1, the school developed three learning options for families based on their comfort level. "We were looking at dividers for our students coming back to the classroom, but many are cost-prohibitive," explains Doug Wetherholt, Geneva High School principal. "The CompanyBox solution is a perfect alternative."

The dividers, offered with a plastic window and twist-lock, are also structurally designed to fit inside lockers. CompanyBox printed the corrugated dividers to include each student's name using eco-friendly ink. "Adding names was important to us. It will keep the kids from sharing a common item and cut down on contamination," says Wetherholt.

CompanyBox is now offering these exclusive student dividers to other schools. Sold in packs of two to last throughout the year, they are fully customizable and come in two sizes. Geneva Area Schools are using the small size for elementary children and the large size for middle and high school students.

"This is an extra layer of protection that makes people feel comfortable sending their kids back to school," notes Wetherholt. "We want the very best for all our students and staff. Their health and safety is our number one priority."

CompanyBox was formed in 2014 by Louie DeJesus and his family. A company that believes in the power of branded packaging to make customer connections, CompanyBox launched with the aim to make custom packaging available to everyone. Their mission is to set a new standard for print, with cutting-edge technology and packaging products that allow companies to elevate their presentation in the e-commerce and retail industries. For more information, visit www.companybox.com.

For additional information about this release or partitions sales, please contact:

Cara Walters, CompanyBox Marketing Lead

Email: [email protected]

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Lockdown rules in Wales will be eased from August 22 to allow families and friends to see more of one another if infection figures remain stable.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said up to four households will be able to meet together from August 22, should Covid-19 rates remain stable over the next week.

As it stands, two households are allowed to meet, under rules introduced at the start of July.

Up to 30 people will also be able to attend a meal indoors after a wedding, civil partnership or funeral if social distancing can be maintained.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, pictured at a chip shop on August 3, said up to four households will be able to meet together from August 22

The Welsh Government will not be making any changes to the rules on people meeting indoors with people who are not part of their household or extended household.

This means that people should only visit pubs, restaurants or other places indoors with people from their household or extended household.

Amendments to the regulations will also come into force next week to make it obligatory for hospitality businesses and other high-risk settings to collect contact details of customers.

Collecting this information is essential for Wales' Test, Trace, Protect strategy for testing the general public and preventing the spread of coronavirus.

'Wales has come together to tackle the spread of this virus and the action we have taken together has made a real difference,' Mr Drakeford said.

'The number of cases continue to fall and this means we will be able introduce new changes to allow up to four households to come together and form an extended household.

'These are cautious, step-by-step changes. We are learning from what is happening across the UK and outbreaks are mainly linked to people meeting others inside the home.

'That is why it is so important we don't invite people outside our extended households into our homes.

'We have made so much progress and we mustn't jeopardise this. That means we are not at a point where we should be visiting anyone's home at any time.

'There are also indications from other parts of the UK where pubs opened earlier than Wales that outbreaks have been linked to those places.

Hospitality businesses such as the Tenby Harbour Brewery, as well as other high-risk settings, will have to collect contact details of customers

'If we are to avoid introducing local lockdown measures that could require the whole sector to close, it is vital we can quickly respond to any outbreaks.

'Providing our contact details when attending these premises will mean people can be contacted quickly by our Test, Trace, Protect teams if they may have been exposed to coronavirus.

'Only by us all doing our part and taking personal responsibility for our actions can we continue to tackle the scourge of coronavirus.

'This pandemic is far from over and we all still have a duty to do our part to keep Wales safe.'

The Welsh Government recently strengthened the powers local authorities have to enforce the regulations.

This enables enforcement officers to issue a Premises Improvement Notice to highlight breaches and specify measures that need to be taken on premises to comply with the law.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed with his German counterpart Heiko Maas the prospects for a meeting of the Normandy Four ministers and the situation in Belarus.

"Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held a phone conversation with German Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on August 13 ... The parties discussed the prospects for contacts of the Normandy Four at the ministerial level and agreed that such a meeting of the four ministers is urgently needed in the coming months," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministrys press service reported.

The interlocutors discussed the situation in Donbas. Kuleba informed Maas about a complete and comprehensive ceasefire, thanks to which there have been no killed or wounded Ukrainian soldiers for more than two weeks. The ministers agreed that the sustainable ceasefire in the JFO area could create preconditions for a further peaceful settlement.

"The two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Belarus. Kuleba informed Maas about the detention by the Belarusian authorities of two Ukrainian human rights defenders, Yevhen Vasyliev and Kostiantyn Reutsky. The ministers agreed to monitor this situation," the report says.

In addition, the ministers discussed the situation with the spread of COVID-19 in both countries and the measures taken by governments to counter the coronavirus.

The Ukrainian foreign minister thanked his German counterpart for accepting the invitation to visit Ukraine on Independence Day.

As reported, Ukrainian citizens Kostiantyn Reutsky and Yevhen Vasylyev were detained in Minsk at about 17:00 on August 12. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that Ukraines Embassy in Belarus is taking measures to establish their whereabouts and conditions of detention.

ish
It's been said that were it not for the stand by The 300 and their allies at the Battle of Thermopylae against the Persians exactly 2,500 years ago this month, the budding flame of democracy would have been snuffed out forever from the face of the Earth.

Today, the stakes are no less noble and no less dire. Although the dangers aren't coming at the point of a spear, the threat of authoritarianism and the subjugation of liberty are the same.

Democracy has stemmed the tide of tyranny and authoritarianism for millennia and has pulled more people out of poverty than any other form of government throughout history. Today in our country, the concepts of individual freedoms and liberties are under assault.

In our modern democratic republic, where every citizen has one powerful vote against the yoke of tyranny and where the battlegrounds are the hearts and minds of all Americans, the clarion call is clear: hold the line. Elections are coming.

The commander's intent is clear: Keep America Great. This is altogether fitting for a nation that is the sentinel of individual freedoms and human rights.

Those who seek to divide us as Americans remain incredulous at the loyalty that this president commands because they fail to see that he represents the average American. In him, the people see themselves: a plain-talking counter-puncher who speaks his mind and is unapologetic in his defense of faith, family, and country. Like all of us, he believes in an honest reward for an honest day's work and in the nobility of the underdog rising above his circumstances.

But when his term is done, and another follows in his footsteps, their deranged incredulity won't stop. Whether they want to admit it or not, it's about not just one man, but the ideals that he represents that ails them. The president is, after all, meant to be the personification of America. That's why that position is voted on by every eligible American.

The president is showing us how to save our republic: the silent majority must awaken and speak up. As Madison put it, "the causes of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects. If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican principle, which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by regular vote." In other words, your vote matters.

For all of our academic expositions on the merits of a democratic republic, we must temper our learning with deeds lest we become like a tree with many branches and few roots.

But how do we do this? How do we control the effects of these sinister factions?

First, know that you're not alone.

Patriots are next to you quietly resisting in line at the supermarket, on social media, on your friends list, on Zoom calls in your home, and in millions of glowing cell phone screens. They are found on Third Street, on Oak Avenue, on Elm Boulevard, and on countless other streets, and they have your back.

To the freedom-fighters marooned in unfriendly territory, know that you are never alone. Even the most storied among you, like director Oliver Stone, are realizing that the self-aggrandizing woke and politically correct mob has turned an industry "mad [and] too fragile and too sensitive." There are more of you than you think. Oliver Stone is just the tip of the iceberg.

Second, you must resist non-violently.

When someone accuses you of "racism" or "white supremacy," challenge him with words like "prove it" or "give me specific examples right now of how I am racist." You will find that many people cannot give clear, specific examples. They are too consumed by emotional, overly general talking points to back up their claims. Make them defend their positions publicly for all to see.

When they lob insults at you like "Coons" or "Uncle Tom," fire back with movements like Blexit and movies like "Uncle Tom" as Candace Owens, Brandon Tatum, and Larry Elder have done. Rally others to the cause not with viciousness, but with compassion, reason, and a steadfast devotion to "liberty and justice for all."

When they try to marginalize you into silence, shout from the tallest online platforms and "play offense" with grassroots organizations like Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk, whose aim is to "identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedoms, free markets, and limited government." Champion our young warriors, for they know best the terrains of their own lands.

When they try to defame or slander you, capture it on video and use it to defend yourself in a court of law, as then-16-year-old Nick Sandmann successfully did against CNN and against The Washington Post after he sued them for $275 million and $250 million, respectively. He has other lawsuits against Gannett, ABC, CBS, NBC, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone. He's proven that media giants are not invulnerable to the slings of the rule of law. Learn from him and his lawyers.

When they praise the Nordic countries as towering examples of socialism, show them that the prosperity of countries like Sweden is based on cultural factors such as "trust, robust work ethic, and considerable social cohesion" rather than economic ones. Further remind them that Nordic countries practice "compassionate capitalism" rather than socialism.

When they throw dates at you, remind them that 2020 is not 1960 or 1860 or even 1619. Remind them also to refer to 1776 (Declaration of Independence), 1787 (Constitution is ratified), 1863 (Emancipation Proclamation), 1865 (Civil War dissolves the Confederacy and 13th Amendment is ratified), 1964 (Civil Rights Act is passed), 2008 (first black man becomes president of the United States), 2018 (President Trump signs First Step Act criminal justice reform bill into law), and November 2020.

When they accuse you of intolerance, use Ms. Bari Weiss's resignation letter from The New York Times to point out the irony that those who demand the greatest tolerance sometimes end up being the most intolerant.

And when you find yourself in doubt, know that the president of a business co-op called a national radio show recently and revealed that "well over 70%" of 877 business-owners in the Oakland, California area who voted for Hillary in 2016 are voting for Trump in November 2020. Know that the people are stirring, and that the sleeping giant is awakening once again.

Third, you must vote. And tell everyone you know to vote.

The valiant actions of those warriors on that Greek mountain pass 2,500 years ago echoed into the distant future. So shall ours.

Ages from now, men and women across a great republic will look back with envy at the stand we take today and pine to be among our company. They'll wish that they lived in the time of Limbaugh, in the time of Owens, in the time of Kirk, and in the time Trump.

"I lived in the time of Trump"  now, there's a badge of honor to be envied for the ages.

The awakening is happening. Lock your arms. Form the phalanx. Hold the line. Elections are coming.

Joe Motos Gordon is a retired Air Force officer with a Ph.D. in applied physics. He has previously written for The Federalist.

Image: Fox News via YouTube.
Mr Ernest Patrick Kodzo Mallet, District Chief Executive (DCE) for South Dayi, has assured Heads of Senior High Schools in the District of government's firm commitment towards improving infrastructure in the schools.

The DCE said the government was aware of infrastructural challenges in the schools and was therefore working interminably to ensure that the situation was addressed to improve academic work.

Mr Mallet said these when the Headmaster of Peki Senior High School Mr Jonathan Delase Agbley appealed to the Assembly to help solve infrastructurral problems bedeviling the school.

He said his outfit had contacted the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) Authority regarding the situation, and plans were far advanced to solve the problem to enhance teaching and learning.

The DCE used the opportunity to urge candidates writing the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to avoid any form of examination malpractice as such acts could derail their academic progression.

He asked them to be disciplined and do away with all forms of juvenile delinquencies, so that they would become good citizens and effective future leaders of the country.

The Headmaster made the appeal, when the school took delivery of two sets of musical organs from Mr Humphrey Ellis Agbeehia, a friend of the school to help improve teaching and learning of music in the school.

He said work has stalled on the many infrastructural projects being undertaken in the school, which were in various stages of completion.

Mr Agbley said the situation was negatively affecting effective academic work, therefore called on stakeholders to take the necessary steps to address the situation.

---GNA
In her first media interview since becoming Joe Bidens running mate, Kamala Harris stressed Friday the importance of voting, vowing to fight suppression efforts. She warned that a second term for President Trump could cause irreversible damage to the country.

This is probably one of the most important elections of our lifetime, the California senator and presumptive Democratic nominee for vice president told Errin Haines, editor at large of the 19th, a nonpartisan site that promotes participation by women in politics and government. This is about everything ... and whether were going to have a president who actually works to lift folks up and give you a sense of pride in your country or somebody who is, full-time, just beating people down.

Harris spoke with the 19th at the outlets virtual summit on Friday afternoon about what she and Biden want to accomplish in the next administration, and what it would mean for the country to have a female vice president for the first time.

The interview covered the Biden campaigns proposals, such as the Build Back Better plan, which embraces job creation, infrastructure and racial equity, among many other things. Harris said all these issues are also womens issues.

She also talked about why voting is crucial and what she believes is at stake in the 2020 election.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

I fear that if we dont correct course, the damage will be irreversible, she said. Everything is on the line. And heres what Ill say about voting: There are states and there are state legislatures who, especially after the [U.S.] Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, have put in place laws that have been designed to suppress the vote.

Harris said she and Biden will work to eliminate obstacles to voting, especially those targeted at people of color.

Some of them are still going to be in place, she said. Everybody has to remember this and ask this question of yourself. Why dont they want us to vote? Why are they creating obstacles to us voting? Well, the answer is because when we vote, things change.

Story continues

Amid the coronavirus pandemic and Trumps attempt to destabilize the United States Postal Service, voting has indeed become a major issue in the 2020 election. On Friday, House Democratic leaders sent a letter to election officials in four swing states expressing concern about potential problems in November, Yahoo News Jon Ward reported.

The job ahead of us in the next 80-something days [will be] to jump over obstacles and to make sure our voices are heard and counted in this election, Harris said Friday.

Harris at a news conference with former Vice President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Del., on Thursday. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Harris did not divulge the details about the vice presidential selection process, but she touted what she called the audacity of Biden to select a Black woman (Harris is of Black and South Asian ancestry) to be his running mate.

How incredible is that, and what a statement about Joe Biden that he decided that he was going to do that thing that was about breaking one of the most substantial barriers that has existed in our country, she said. And that he made that decision with whatever risk that brings.

Harris later acknowledged that, as the only Black woman currently serving in the U.S. Senate, and only the second Black woman to be elected as a senator (the first was Carol Moseley Braun, a Democrat who represented Illinois from 1993 to 1999), her becoming vice president would mean there would be no Black women in the legislative body.

It is inexcusable, she said, that we would not have full representation in the United States Congress. ... There are so many talented Black women and women of color, period, who are on that path, and they should be encouraged.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
Xinfadi, the largest wholesale market for fruit, vegetable and meat supplies in Beijing, is to reopen starting Saturday, around two months after its business was suspended for causing a COVID-19 epidemic resurgence, a local official said Thursday.

Zhou Xinchun, executive deputy head of Fengtai District, home to the farm produce market, said part of the market will reopen Saturday, recovering 60 percent of its normal transaction volumes for fruit and vegetables, while the rest will resume business before Sept. 10.

The 112-hectare market, which suspended operations on June 13, provided about 70 percent of Beijing's vegetables, 10 percent of its pork, and 3 percent of its beef and mutton.

Since June 11, Beijing has reported 335 confirmed COVID-19 cases linked to a cluster of infections in the Xinfadi wholesale market. By Aug. 6, all of the patients had been discharged from hospital after recovery.

The city successfully contained the epidemic's resurgence within the space of a month, and it has not reported any locally transmitted confirmed cases linked to the market since early July.

New measures

After its reopening, the market will cease its retail business, closing its doors to individual consumers, Zhou told a press briefing. All sellers and buyers should first complete real-name authentication before entering the market for transactions, Zhou said.

A 1,000-square-meter vegetable market has been set up outside the wholesale market to meet the demands of nearby residents.

Before becoming eligible for trading, sellers must first register information on their farm produce, while the market will pilot electronic trading to ensure that all the commodities and transactions are traceable, the official said.

Amid a slew of tough anti-epidemic measures, the wholesale market will establish a regular COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control mechanism, Zhou said.

At the entrance to the market, people will have their body temperatures screened, while a facial-recognition system will ensure that all information relating to those entering can be traced. All the stalls will be disinfected once a day, and the market will be thoroughly disinfected once a week.

Third-party testing institutions will set up operations in the market to conduct regular nucleic acid tests on the environment, goods, packing materials and public tools.

Meanwhile, all the underground and semi-underground spaces in the market will be closed for transactions in order to reduce the potential risk of infection, according to the official.

Local authorities will beef up supervision of the market, setting up public-health monitoring sites to provide guidance on disinfection and training on anti-epidemic knowledge, and to monitor the health condition of all market staff, Zhou said.

Authorities will also set up a special agency to strengthen supervision of food security at the market, as well as its refrigerated warehouses and cold chains, he added.

Business returns to normal

Mao Yongxi, a vegetable wholesaler at the market from central China's Henan Province, was excited to hear that the market would soon be reopening.

"My business will return to normal, as people are returning and the market will do well," said Mao, who has been trading at Xinfadi for 20 years.

After the temporary closure of the market on June 13, Mao was allowed to continue his business at temporary vegetable trading areas set up nearby by local authorities.

"With several temporary trading areas having been put into operation, my business is recovering. Finally, the day is coming when the market will reopen," said Mao.

Zhang Yanwei, a fruit merchant from east China's Shandong Province, was also affected by the closure.

"I was quarantined for more than 20 days and was trying to make up for lost time and reduce my losses," said Zhang, as he unloaded boxes of apples in a section of the market already back in business since late July.

More than 200 merchants have resumed business so far, operating in an area of about 9.7 hectares.

"Now the market is disinfected every day, so we feel very safe," said Zhang.

Vehicles now spray disinfectants all around the open area, and inspectors carry out nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 on the farm produce in every shop.

Market personnel can now be identified by the different vests they wear: wholesalers in red, purchasers in yellow, management personnel in blue, and bus drivers in green.

"All of us are asked to wear vests," Zhang said. "We can't trade without wearing vests, and it's convenient for management."
Donald pointed the finger at Robert, Ms. Blair said. When the opening weekend was botched and the slot machines got jammed up, he blamed Robert for that. Robert stormed out and never worked for him again directly.

After that, Robert Trump was sidelined in the company. You could consider him the quietest of Trumps, said Michael DAntonio, a Trump biographer. He was glad to stay out of the spotlight. He had a very low-key role in the Trump Organization itself. I could never tell quite what he did, but it was not public-facing.

But Robert Trump remained loyal to his family, serving as its unofficial spokesman and consigliere.

He has in recent months led the family in its unsuccessful bid to block the publication of a memoir by their niece Mary L. Trump  the daughter of their deceased older brother, Fred Trump Jr.  that described decades of family dysfunction and brutality that she claimed turned Donald Trump into a reckless leader. It was the presidents younger brother who requested the restraining order in a filing in Queens County Surrogates Court.

Before that, Robert Trump was the one who spearheaded the family response in 1999 when Mary Trump and her brother, Fred Trump III, sued for their fathers share of the family estate.

Robert Trump was already ill when he helped the president in the more recent lawsuit. It seemed Robert was being dragged out of a sickbed to somehow contest this, Mr. DAntonio said. He was willing to be used by Donald, but never eager to be out front.

Robert Trump, who for years was married to Blaine Trump, a New York City socialite, was more accepted in society circles than Donald Trump ever was, Mr. DAntonio said. But he always toed the family line that the Trumps were devoted to one another.

The presidents decision to visit Robert Trump in the hospital is different from how he handled news in 1981 that his older brother, Fred Trump Jr., was in grave shape. According to Mary Trumps account, Donald Trump went to the movies the night Fred Trump Jr. died.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 14, 2020 - 01:36 | All, World, Japan

A Japanese company whose freighter remains stranded after running aground off the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius said Thursday it will deal "in good faith" with the issue of compensation, after the ship leaked more than 1,000 tons of fuel oil.

Nagashiki Shipping Co., an Okayama Prefecture-based company, said in a statement that it "feels deep responsibility" over the incident, and vowed to exercise the appropriate law for compensation.

The statement came after Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth indicated at a press conference Wednesday that the island country will decide whether to seek compensation based on investigations into the cause of the accident.

In the statement from Kiyoaki Nagashiki, the company's president, there was an apology to the people of Mauritius for the accident and a promise to "continue to do our utmost to remove the leaked oil and keep environmental impacts to a minimum."

The Panama-flagged bulk carrier Wakashio, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., was carrying a total of some 3,800 tons of fuel oil when it ran aground on July 25. Leakage began last week when one of the five fuel tanks suffered a crack.

The Mauritius authorities have been working to withdraw the remaining oil from the ship's undamaged tanks and the government said Wednesday that the operations were almost complete.
HKSAR gov't official objects to U.S. unilateral rule on origin marking of Hong Kong products

A commerce official of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday condemned a U.S. unilateral rule that Hong Kong products exported to the United States must be labeled "Made in China," stressing that it violates international rules on origin marking.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said the U.S. move, which is aimed at undermining Hong Kong's status as a separate customs territory, is brutal and ignores basic facts.

The HKSAR government will study how to protect Hong Kong's interests, including taking actions under the existing framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Yau said.

The United States recently required the origin of Hong Kong products exported to the United States should be labeled as "China" starting Sept. 25. Currently, the origin of Hong Kong export products is marked as "Hong Kong" as Hong Kong is a separate member of the WTO and enjoys the special status as a separate customs territory under "one country, two systems."
Contributed photo / Patrick Sikes / For Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  The Connecticut chapter of the Milan Cultural Association, an association of people from India living in the state, will be offering free face masks and hand sanitizer from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the New Haven Green, the group said in a press release.

The opening up of some businesses makes thousands of people, especially from the lower-income bracket, those are severely affected financially by the pandemic, to come out of homes looking for some work to put the food on table, the group said in the release. When out of home, these underprivileged people need protection from COVID-19 for themselves and for others around them.
LeGend's Mother Shares Powerful Message Against Spate Of Kansas City Killing

After charges, mom of murdered 4-year-old calls for KC to stand up against violence KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The mother of a 4-year-old boy murdered while sleeping in June is calling on the community to take a stand against gun violence. Charron Powell and her family breathed a sigh of relief, as the suspect in the death of her son, LeGend Taliferro, was charged and taken into custody Thursday morning.

Local Perspective Provides Operation Legend Context

Statement from U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison Operation LeGend U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison participated in a press conference today with Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (center) and Charron Powell, the mother of LeGend Taliferro, to announce state charges in the fatal shooting of LeGend. KANSAS CITY, Mo. - U.S.

Nations Paper Of Record Documents Arrest Of Suspect

Man Charged With Murdering 4-Year-Old Whose Killing Prompted U.S. Anti-Crime Operation The Justice Department last month named an operation to combat violent crime in cities after LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept in an apartment in Kansas City, Mo.

Politics Of Law Enforcement Crackdown Exposed

'We're Pawns In This Game.' Mayors Worry Trump's Operation Legend Is More About Politics Than Law Enforcement Mayors say the rollout of Operation Legend has been chaotic, hampered by politics and had little impact so far on the ground.

Local Preacher Pleads For Help

Search for missing Kansas mother of 3 shifts to Mississippi River after husband's heartbreaking plea Volunteer boaters in Memphis, Tenn., began canvassing the Mississippi River early Thursday in the latest search effort to find a missing mother of three who left Kansas on a solo road trip nearly two weeks ago. The search for 36-year-old Marilane Carter would rely on volunteer boaters for sonar and software mapping near Mud Island.

Witness Kansas City Deadly Family Drama Slice Of Life

Woman's daughter charged in connection with her death JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) - A 20-year-old woman is now facing charges after her mother was found stabbed to death in her own home on Sunday. Alina M. Bell has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

KCMO Shooter Suspect Charged

Man charged in Tuesday night shooting outside Research Medical Center KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A man is charged with shooting a woman as she walked her dogs Tuesday night near Research Medical Center. Aaron Collier, 23, of Kansas City, Missouri, is charged in Jackson County Court with first degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and stealing.

JoCo Body Cam Review

Video of Overland Park shooting shows what officers 'deal with every day,' chief says OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe announced Thursday that a deadly police shooting May 3 was justified. Overland Park Officer Mike Mosher has often been described as a cop's cop. He protected the community whether on or off duty, and many say that was evident May 3.

Police Car Crook Captured

Suspect arrested in stolen Oakview police vehicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It hardly seems like a wise plan, but some people have to learn the hard way. One person was arrested Thursday night in a parking lot near North Oak Trafficway and Northeast Shady Lane Drive in Gladstone after stealing a police vehicle in Oakview.

Fatal Zoo Shooting Postscript

Operation LeGend: Suspect in accidental KC Zoo shooting charged in federal court Federal charges have been filed against a 27-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man in connection with the accidental shooting in a vehicle in the Kansas City Zoo parking lot last weekend.According to a release from the Western District of Missouri U.S. Attorney's Office, Anthony R.

Kansas City Tipsters Step Up!!!

KC Crime Stoppers seeing increase in tips KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, is on track to break a record for homicides, and one mom is urging people to report what they know to the TIPS Hotline. Aishah Coppage's son Montell and nephew Jayden were murdered Aug. 13, 2016, and no one has been caught for the crime.

Developing . . .
WASHINGTON  Another round of stimulus checks for Americans and renewal of expired unemployment benefits for the millions left jobless by the corornavirus-induced recession arent likely to be approved until at least after Labor Day as lawmakers leave Washington for a summer break without agreement on a relief package.

And even after that, prospects for a deal look grim as each side blamed the other for the breakdown in negotiations. There havent been talks between congressional Democratic leaders and the White House since last week, when Trump administration officials walked away and then released four presidential orders that they said would provide enhanced unemployment, defer payroll taxes and halt evictions. The legality and effectiveness of those actions remained in doubt, however.

The Senate officially recessed Thursday until after Labor Day and the House left last week. There is little hope that leaders can hatch a deal in the coming days, but even if that happened, it would require lawmakers to return to Washington to hold votes.

And with the presidential political conventions beginning next week, leaders are unlikely to hold serious negotiations or call lawmakers back until early September.

Many in Washington are now eyeing the expiration of government funding as the next, best possibility to force action by attaching a coronavirus relief package to the must-pass spending bill. Funding for the government is set to run out Sept. 30 and neither party is likely to want to risk a government shutdown just weeks before the election.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has resisted the idea of tying government funding to coronavirus relief, arguing that it is too long to wait. Enhanced unemployment benefits and other economic protections passed by Congress in March expired at the end of July.

We cant wait until September 30th.  People will die, she said, noting that 77,000 have died since the Democratic-led House passed its $3.4 trillion coronavirus relief response bill in May.

The White House and Senate Republicans have countered with a $1.1 trillion plan and rejected Democrats offer to compromise at around $2 trillion.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Thursday that he hopes a compromise would be found soon.

Im still hoping well have some kind of bipartisan agreement here sometime in the coming weeks, he told reporters.

Republicans accused Democrats of politicizing the stalemate to portray it as President Donald Trumps fault.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Democrats want to include too many items on their liberal, left wish lists, such as measures to provide money for mail-in voting this fall.

So far, its a stalemate, Kudlow said on CNBC. Theyre asking (for) too much money.

But the issue became a major sticking point in the talks when Trump said he wouldnt approve more money for the Postal Service because of Democrats hopes that more people vote by mail.

Democrats counter that the money for the U.S. Postal Service is not only vital to ensure Americans can safely vote during the pandemic, but also for delivery of prescriptions and Social Security checks.

Other major disputes include Democrats demands for $1 trillion in funding for state and local governments.

While Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin has had a productive working relationship with Pelosi, their dynamic earned him the distrust of some House Republicans, who generally oppose adding to the deficit for more pandemic relief to Americans.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, a former chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has been fully participating in the negotiations for the first time since the start of the coronavirus crisis. Since then, the White House has taken a firmer hand, including leaving the talks last week when they concluded Democrats werent willing to compromise.

McConnell has largely sat on the sidelines, content to have the White House negotiate the GOP position. Estimates are that half of Senate Republicans would oppose any deal in part because they oppose additional spending, a dynamic that has undercut his leverage and negotiating position.

For instance, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said his hope is that the talks remain at a stalemate, citing concern about adding to the deficit.

From my standpoint, the breakdown in the talks is very good news, he told Breitbart News. Its very good news for future generations.

But with so many Americans struggling to pay their bills and unable to find work as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in parts of the country, the sputtering economy is worrisome to Republican senators on the ballot this fall in an election season that is already tilting toward Democrats and is likely to hinge on the response to the coronavirus.

Perhaps for that reason, there are signs that even McConnell wants the negotiators to get back in the room.

It doesnt make any difference who says lets get together again, but we ought to get together again, because there hasnt been a meeting of any consequence between the two parties since last Friday, he said Tuesday on Fox. That is too long.

Mnuchin called Pelosi on Wednesday, but that conversation only resulted in dueling statements.

We are miles apart in our values, Pelosi said Thursday.



Jennifer Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times wrote this story.

2020 Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Its not what took so long. When we see new challenges and threats to our city, we have to be nimble, we have to adjust, and what you heard today and what youll be seeing this week  is us being responsive to our businesses, to our residents, and understanding the intelligence we have received about potential threats, she said.
Searching for the 1 million Japanese soldiers remains after 75-years is daunting, especially when Japanese expansionism in World War II makes it hard for all the battles fought in Asia.

To this day, many countries in Asia who were conquered still harborijng ill will to former Japanese aggression, which is a hindrance to getting cooperation in recovering them.

Overall, the missing Japanese combatants make up half of all the 2.4 million men. They were engaged in military campaigns in Asia during the first half of the 1900s or 20th century, reported AP.

These places are in the many islands in the South Pacific, and in northern China and Mongolia as well. Another place is Russia..

On Saturday, it will be the anniversary of the formal end of the Pacific War that saw the rise of new world order. One fact that cannot be denied is that finding the remains of Japanese combatants is scarce, which may mean that closure for those with relatives may never come.

It is staggering to realize that only 500,000 remains may be returned for testing, but the rest are not. Japan's aggression saw battles in land, sea, and air that makes it hard to retrieve them. Factors that might include security and political reasons are also hindrances. This was remarked by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, who gave these reasons to families seeking the remains of long-dead relatives in the war, noted New York Times.

Seeking the repatriation of Japanese combatant remains from situating them, identifying the remains is made harder by other factors. Another is that relatives and families age, some forget.

Also read: Japan's Dispute Over Chinese Ships in East China Sea Near Senkakus Will Get U.S. Support

Japanese parliament made a law in 2016 that began an eight-year search for remains to be recovered until 2024. They are cooperating with the U.S. Department of Defense to do DNA matching, should any remains be found in islands with military bases, cited Daily Herald.

DNA matching was initiated by the Japanese in 2003, though there needed to be a request from families to have it done. In July, a Remains Information Center was started to carry out genetic testing at the family's request.

Severe Japanese losses from 1943 onwards in the Pacific theatre of war. Bereaved families got empty boxes weighed with stones. The military did not give the circumstances of the soldier's death. All the war dead were to be enshrined as gods at the Yasukuni Shrine.

Most government after the war ended, did the same thing,they have no focus on getting the remains tagged to their families, which was harder to do then.

In 1952, the postwar Japanese government sent the first group of remains when the occupation of the US ended in Japan. But the gesture was rebuked by Asian countries who are at the receiving end of their aggression, years back.

Still seeking to find the remains, the government in the 1950s sent missions to battlegrounds for collecting remains to appease certain sectors. An exercise in futility as the remains never got tagged or sent back to relatives and families.

A total of 10,000 remains was found, but the welfare ministry in 1962 was not keen and tried to end the search. However, stopping this is impossible since more veterans and families are asking for help to find their dead soldier loved ones.

Most of the 340,000 Japanese Soldiers are kept at the Chidorigafuchi national cemetery of unknown soldiers in Tokyo.

Related Article: Japan Newest Aircraft Carrier Nearly Done, China Threatened and May Want to Sink Them?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
We keep hearing that blacks and hispanics are disproportionate among the people contracting and succumbing to COVID-19 in the U.S., and at the moment this is taken as yet another sign of Americas systemic racism and perverse inequality. Youre not allowed to ask whether blacks and hispanics suffer from higher co-morbidity factors (especially being overweight), or to adjust the infection and fatality rates for age, population density, and income. Lower income people (of any race) tend to live in higher densities, and as such would be more exposed to community spread. Is the problem race, or poverty? These days, you have to stick with race.

Which makes all the more interesting a study of COVID-19 rates in Africa just published in Science magazine. Heres some of the article:

Although Africa reported its millionth official COVID-19 case last week, it seems to have weathered the pandemic relatively well so far, with fewer than one confirmed case for every thousand people and just 23,000 deaths so far. Yet several antibody surveys suggest far more Africans have been infected with the coronavirusa discrepancy that is puzzling scientists around the continent. We do not have an answer, says immunologist Sophie Uyoga at the Kenya Medical Research InstituteWellcome Trust Research Programme. After testing more than 3000 blood donors, Uyoga and colleagues estimated in a preprint last month that one in 20 Kenyans aged 15 to 64or 1.6 million peoplehas antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, an indication of past infection. That would put Kenya on a par with Spain in mid-May when that country was descending from its coronavirus peak and had 27,000 official COVID-19 deaths. Kenyas official toll stood at 100 when the study ended. And Kenyas hospitals are not reporting huge numbers of people with COVID-19 symptoms. Other antibody studies in Africa have yielded similarly surprising findings. From a survey of 500 asymptomatic health care workers in Blantyre, Malawi, immunologist Kondwani Jambo of the MalawiLiverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme and colleagues concluded that up to 12.3% of them had been exposed to the coronavirus. Based on those findings and mortality ratios for COVID-19 elsewhere, they estimated that the reported number of deaths in Blantyre at the time, 17, was eight times lower than expected.

In other words, Africa has seen wide exposure to COVID, but few serious cases or deaths. Let me speculate on one factor that might explain the discrepancy. Having visited Kenya twice, Ill merely say that you dont see very many obese Kenyans. And I suspect that is true for much of Africa.
Its hot and muggy in Atlanta, where I live and where our primary runoff election was held this week. Normally, we would have had more of a break between the runoff and the general, but COVID-19 has changed the timing. Now the presidential election is less than three months away. Hold on tight; its going to be a wild ride.

The announcement this week by former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, of his selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate places all of the key people in the race. The matchup is set: President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence versus Biden and Harris. The selection of Harris, who is smart and tough and uses skills attained as a prosecutor, provides the Democratic ticket with a fighter who not only says she is a fighter but backs it up through style. It will be a tough battle to the end.

Harris, a former attorney general of California and district attorney of San Francisco, is the daughter of immigrants. The aspirational and inspirational tone of her background is clear. Her mother immigrated from India, her father from Jamaica; they met amid protests at school. They divorced while Harris was young, and she spent her middle- and high-school years in Canada. While her story may be American, her experiences growing up were not. But, as we all know, narratives often matter more than facts.

Harris attended Howard University in Washington and earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

Harris is both a former prosecutor and supposed change agent for the criminal justice system. She will continue to have to navigate the schism between her past record and her current positions. If you are curious, watch the video of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, asking Harris in a July 2019 debate about her prosecutorial history. Gabbard won. But the Biden campaign is used to navigating this same schism with Biden himself. Their focus is all about the narrative. Criticism of Harris will be met not with an explanation but with pushback that its racist or sexist.

The Democratic National Convention will begin next Monday and continue through Thursday in what will be a primarily remote/online event. The announced speakers include former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Barack Obama, former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. The surprise speaker, announced this week, will be former Republican presidential candidate and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Biden will give his acceptance speech from his home in Delaware, which should be easy for him, given that hes spent most of the past few months broadcasting from his basement. His recent performances have left many wondering if he is suffering from dementia or some other cognitive problem. Watch for yourselves; he is often incoherent.

Last week, when asked by CBS News national correspondent Errol Barnett, who is Black, about taking a cognitive test, Biden replied, No, I havent taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test? Cmon, man, he said. Thats like saying you, before you got on this program, Will you take a test, were you taking cocaine or not? What do you think, huh? Are you a junkie? Now imagine the mainstream media coverage if Trump had responded the same way.

My guess is that Biden will spend most of the coming week rehearsing. However, even if he makes a major gaffe, it may not prove fatal. Thats because the mainstream media coverage will switch from a focus on what actually happened to the narrative of the historic nature of the Biden-Harris ticket.

The Republican convention will start a few days later, with President Trump giving his acceptance speech on Aug. 24. Based on past performance, the speech will be fantastic and resonate with most Americans. But the mainstream media will ignore the content and focus on something else that fits their narrative.

A month later, the debates will begin, with presidential debates on Sept. 29, Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. The vice presidential candidates will debate on Oct. 7. The mainstream media focus will be on personal attacks and sound bites. We will be deluged  on TV, radio and online  with negative ads focusing once again on these sound bites.

Then, less than a month later, on Nov. 3, the election will be held. It might seem like light-years away. Lets just hope that, at that time, a clear winner is determined. Hold on tight; its going to be wild!

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IU President Michael McRobbie to Retire in 2021

Michael McRobbie

Michael McRobbie recently announced he will leave his post as president of Indiana University in June 2021, at the end of the current academic year. His planned retirement comes after serving 14 years as president and 24 years in senior positions at the university.

Under McRobbie's tenure, IU has made strides in student success, research and scholarly excellence, community engagement, international education, health sciences training and research, and economic development for the state of Indiana, according to a university statement. His leadership has also guided the university through the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the IU community safe while "ensuring that Indiana's flagship public university continues contributing to the health and well-being of Hoosiers across the state," the university said.

"I am immensely proud of all that has been accomplished over the period I have been president," said McRobbie. "All the change and effort has, I believe, consolidated and elevated IU's position as one of America's premier and leading research universities. But all these accomplishments  and many more  are not a one-person show. They are the collective product of the hard and unremitting work of IU's outstanding senior leaders, the strong support of superb faculty who have embraced change, engaged and talented students who have and will continue to go on to become leaders in their chosen fields, and exceptional staff whose professionalism and dedication have been the linchpin of so many of our successes."

"In his 13 years as president, Michael McRobbie has overseen an extensive transformation of IU's academic landscape, worked tirelessly to enhance the quality and diversity of IU's student body, and strengthened IU's reputation as the state's research powerhouse," said Michael J. Mirro, chair of the IU Board of Trustees. "We are deeply grateful to him for his exceptional service, and we appreciate that he will continue to lead us through this challenging and unprecedented time in the university's history."

"Indiana University has benefited enormously from Michael McRobbie's steady leadership, wisdom, innovative ideas and experience," said Trustee Melanie Walker. "As one of the longest-tenured and most accomplished university presidents in the nation, he will leave large shoes to fill."
Seth Klarman (Trades, Portfolio), manager of Baupost Group, disclosed this week that his top five trades included a new holding in HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:HCA) and sells in the following four companies: Cheniere Energy Inc. (LNG), Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET).





A Harvard MBA graduate, Klarman wrote the book "Margin of Safety," which discusses risk-averse value investing strategies for the thoughtful investor. The manager of the Boston-based firm invests in a wide range of securities, including common stock, distressed debt, liquidations, foreign equities and bonds. Despite this, Klarman does not mind sitting on cash during times of scarce investment opportunities. For Klarman warned that investing is not only about producing absolute returns, but also focusing on the risks of generating absolute returns.

Baupost manages approximately $30 billion in total assets according to its latest ADV filing. As of quarter-end, the firm's $6.75 billion equity portfolio contains 32 stocks, with eight new holdings and a turnover ratio of 25%. The top four sectors in terms of weight are communication services, technology, consumer cyclical and health care, with weights of 43.30%, 16.12%, 14.49% and 13.33%.

HCA Healthcare

Klarman purchased 1 million shares of HCA Healthcare, giving the position 1.22% weight in the equity portfolio. Shares averaged $103.85 during the second quarter.

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The Nashville-based company operates a network of over 179 hospitals and 120 outpatient surgery centers across 20 states in the U.S. GuruFocus ranks HCA Healthcare's profitability 8 out of 10 on several positive investing signs, which include a three-star business predictability rank and an operating margin that outperforms 81.89% of global competitors.

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Gurus with large holdings in HCA Healthcare include the Vanguard Health Care Fund (Trades, Portfolio), Larry Robbins (Trades, Portfolio), First Eagle Investment (Trades, Portfolio) and Bill Nygren (Trades, Portfolio).

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Cheniere Energy

Klarman sold 8,124,235 shares of Cheniere Energy, dumping 4.03% of the equity portfolio. Shares averaged $43.48 during the second quarter. Based on GuruFocus estimates, the Baupost manager took a loss of approximately 12.32% on the stock since he established the position during the first quarter of 2014.

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The Houston-based company owns and operates the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas terminal through its stake in Cheniere Partners. GuruFocus ranks the company's financial strength 3 out of 10 on several warning signs, which include interest coverage and debt ratios underperforming over 70% of global competitors. Although the company has a perfect Piotroski F-score of 9, Cheniere Energy has increased its long-term debt by $5.8 billion over the past three years, suggesting high use of financial leverage.

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Facebook

Klarman sold 1,132,500 shares of Facebook, reducing the position 57.08% and the equity portfolio 2.80%. Shares averaged $208.03 during the second quarter.

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GuruFocus ranks the Menlo Park, California-based social media giant's profitability 9 out of 10 on several positive investing signs, which include profit margins and returns outperforming over 90% of global competitors.

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Alphabet

Klarman sold 85,820 shares of Google's parent company, reducing the position 28.56% and the equity portfolio 1.48%. Shares averaged $1,345.56 during the second quarter.

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GuruFocus ranks the Mountain View, California-based online search giant's financial strength and profitability 9 out of 10 on several positive investing signs, which include interest coverage and debt ratios that outperform over 70% of global competitors and profit margins and returns that outperform over 82% of global interactive media companies.

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Energy Transfer

Having purchased 12,105,005 shares of Energy Transfer during the previous quarter, Klarman sold all shares during the second quarter, trimming 0.83% of the equity portfolio. Shares averaged $7.36 during the second quarter, down from the first quarter-average price of $10.77.

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GuruFocus ranks the Dallas-based energy company's financial strength 3 out of 10 on several warning signs, which include a weak Altman Z-score of 0.81 and interest coverage and debt ratios that underperform over 70% of global competitors.

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Disclosure: No positions.

Read more here:

David Abrams Sells 2 Holdings, Drills Into Kinder Morgan in 2nd Quarter

Ray Dalio's Bridgewater Dumps Treasury Bond ETF, Boosts 5 Positions in 2nd Quarter

Top 5 Buys of Chuck Akre's Firm in the 2nd Quarter







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This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






By PTI

JAIPUR: The Ashok Gehlot government won a confidence vote in the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday, ending the threat triggered by a rebellion within the Congress ranks in the state.

The motion of confidence moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident Congress MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

Replying to the debate on the motion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government.

"I will not let the government topple at any cost even if you make all attempts," he said.

Gehlot said the crisis had come to an end in a beautiful manner and this had hurt the Bharatiya Janata Party.

ALSO READ: Sachin Pilot says he is Congress' strongest warrior, will protect party at all costs

What was done in Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Madhya Pradesh? Elected governments are being toppled and democracy is under danger," he said, accusing the BJP of targeting Congress governments.

Without taking names, he alleged that a Union minister was involved in the conspiracy to topple his government, saying this had become clear after some audio clips surfaced.

The indirect reference was to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who has earlier rejected the Congress allegation The opposition BJP accused the Gehlot camp of blaming it for the infighting within the Congress.

Targeting the chief minister for his comments against his now sacked deputy, Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria questioned how Pilot became useless after the formation of the government when he had strengthened the party while in opposition.

Mocking Gehlot for keeping his loyalists holed up in hotels for a month, he said if the government had a majority it could have proven it earlier.

He also questioned the Congress government over the deployment of the state police at hotels where the MLAs were staying.

The rebellion by Sachin Pilot ended earlier this week after the intervention of the party's top leadership in Delhi, which assured that his grievances will be heard.

On Thursday, Gehlot and Pilot shook hands.

Pilot intervened in the debate, reacting to remarks by Kataria and Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore.

Referring to his seat being changed  earlier he sat next to Gehlot as the deputy chief minister  Pilot said he is now placed at the border between his party and the opposition in the House.

"Who is sent to the border? The strongest warrior is sent," he said.

Indirectly, he also referred to his meeting with the party high command.

"But I want to tell that whatever I or my companions had to say, we have told the doctor about our complaints, he said, adding that the MLAs were now all together in the assembly after receiving the treatment.

The House later adjourned to meet again next Friday.
Its not just insurtech startups that have an edge on innovation. Some established reinsurers have developed their own analytics and technology divisions that offer a variety of insurtech-type solutions for clients.

Swiss Re, for example, set up such a unit in mid-2017, called P&C Solutions, which aims to help clients to improve profitability by enabling them to make better underwriting and pricing decisions using various tech and data analytics tools. Indeed, its Solutions business is now one of the reinsurers three business pillars along with Core (or normal reinsurance for risk management purposes) and Transactions (tailored and structured reinsurance).

You are talking with somebody who speaks your language. Its basically two insurers trying to deal with an insurance proposition.  Eric Schuh, Swiss Re P&C Solutions

While capabilities existed prior to the formation of P&C Solutions, Swiss Re decided to bring its technology and analytics functions under one umbrella that focuses on entrepreneurship, explained Eric Schuh, global head P&C Solutions, in an interview with Carrier Management.

Now its more of a targeted effort because we feel there are a lot of clients out there who are looking for ways to grow or improve their business, he said, noting that these are goals that are independent of hard and soft market cycles.

(Editors Note: Carrier Management interviewed Schuh before Swiss Re announced that Pranav Pasricha, previously CEO of Intellect SEEC, has been appointed global head P&C Solutions, effective Aug. 3, 2020.)

Schuh said that insurer clients seek to add value to their business across the value chain, in areas ranging across distribution, products, underwriting as well as back office and operations.

The divisions principal activities include:

P&C analytics, which provides portfolio insights for clients steering and growth.

Parametric solutions for earthquake and hurricane with an automated quoting and claims platform.

A Cyber unit that develops cyber insurance products and identifies and manages silent cyber exposures.

An Automotive & Mobility unit, which, among other things, develops insurance-relevant driver scores using telematics solutions. (See related article about P&C Solutions work to develop risk scoring for automated safety systems, designed to reward safer cars with lower premiums).

A Liability unit that analyzes and models liability portfolios with forward-looking modeling (FLM) for growth into new markets and segments. It also helps clients manage casualty accumulation risks.

SwiftRe, which provides an online risk placement, claims and accounting platform as well as transparency into a clients portfolio.

Property & Specialty, which offers analysis of natural hazard risks and modelling, engineering underwriting with a tool called PUMA, and agriculture solutions.

Schuh explained that Solutions clients typically have one or more of three needs: 1) they want to grow their top line; 2) they want to improve their loss ratio and have more technical profitability; or 3) they want to lower their expenses and be more efficient.

These three things together give you a companys combined ratio and are an indicator of the quality of the business, he continued.

Schuh then drilled down into the units P&C Analytics function, which uses the clients data in combination with data available in the marketor third-party, real-time datato help analyze, for example, an underperforming portfolio. It requires a joint project in analytics to assess how to improve the quality of the portfolio, which for some clients has led to lower loss ratios going forward, he said.

Another example would be analysis for a client who wants to grow into a new market where they were not present. Even the largest insurance companies are not present in every single market, he explained. We help with the assessment of the market potential, the competitive landscape, what you could reasonably expect to do in that market or what period of time, and then how concretely do you do it. What tools and products will you need, he said.

Other clients may want analysis to better understand the risk around a certain segment, specially if its a reasonably risky class of business, Schuh noted. We can do a bit of an assessment to basically have a second opinion on how to deal with that part of the market in their underwriting strategy.

While insurers can get analytics help and insights from a lot of players in the market, such as insurtech companies and consultants, it makes sense to work with a reinsurance company, because you are talking with somebody who speaks your language. Its basically two insurers trying to deal with an insurance proposition.

Of course, as a reinsurer, we want to grow our reinsurance relationship with our clients, so in addition to the analysis, Swiss Re also can take on some of the risks, he continued.

If a client is offering a new product, or entering with an existing product into a new market, ex ante, nobody knows for sure whats going to happen. We are in the probabilistic world, right?

As a result, Swiss Re is there also to carry part of the risk with the client. Typically, only a reinsurance or insurance company can share the risk.

Sometimes clients want an analytics piece of work, and later will decide they like the analytics work so much that they would like to operationalize that now within their own underwriting environment, added Schuh.

He cited another example of a client that used Swiss Res forward-looking model for liability underwriting and decided to use Swiss Res tool to calibrate their own tool. Basically what started as a collaboration based around the tool became an analytics use-case.

Although Swiss Re partners with insurtech firms in certain areas, Schuh said, a big part of the divisions work not only involves detailed data analytics but also requires development of business insight by a trusted risk partner. When we work with our clients on a proposition like this, it requires a lot of trust because they want to solve real business problems, develop real strategies that are often unique to a company. It requires trust to do that with somebody whos not inside your own four walls.

Schuh emphasized that these are insurance conversations rather than tech conversations. Further, he added, with Swiss Res broad market viewpoint, the company is able to offer valuable benchmarking insightsin other words, what can be expected from certain markets and lines.

Some clients are buyers of risk management reinsurance solutions. Others are more transactional, and others are more into [tech- and data-enabled growth and profit] solutions. And then there are the big companies that do all three in different markets. We believe we have to be able to offer the full range of services and differentiate ourselves as a reinsurer.

In a field like this, he affirmed, a reinsurers competition is not just other reinsurers. Its also consulting companies, specialized analytics companies and so on.

While some clients prefer analytics acumen from a third party and work on a project basis, others prefer to work with an insurer or reinsurer who understands their specialist requirements and has a wide view of the market, Schuh said.

This article first was published on Aug. 5, 2020 in Insurance Journals sister publication, Carrier Management.

Topics Carriers InsurTech Tech Underwriting Reinsurance Property Casualty Swiss Re Startups
Humiliation of Chinese Premier Raises Hints at Power Struggle; Beijings Tiananmen Square Flooded

There are signs of infighting between CCP leader Xi Jinping, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Epoch Times noted that on July 31, the CCP held an opening ceremony for the initial completion of its Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system, which functions as a Chinese replacement for the US GPS system.

When the conference host, Deputy Prime Minister Liu He, read the list of participants, he paused to give Xi Jinping time to accept peoples applause. When Li Keqiangs turn came up, he stood to accept the applause and pay his respects, yet Liu He quickly moved on to say the names of others present. This was seen as an embarrassment to Li Keqiang, and was seen as something that Liu He would not have dared to do, unless he was ordered by a superior to Li Keqiang.

Meanwhile, with the ongoing disasters in China, Tiananmen Square in Beijing, which has deep symbolic significance for China, was flooded on August 12 by torrential rains.

These stories and more in this episode of Crossroads.

Crossroads is an Epoch Times show available on Facebook and YouTube.

Join Patreon to Support Crossroads: https://www.patreon.com/Crossroads_Josh
By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan continues to support entrepreneurs and small businesses to limit the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

As of August 13, the government has paid AZN 12.3 million ($7.2m) to 49,329 entrepreneurs affected by coronavirus pandemic as part of the second phase of financial support program to businesses, the State Tax Service reported on August 14.

Earlier, the countrys Ministry of Economy announced the second phase of the program to provide financial support to business entities working in economic spheres affected by the COVID-19 that will cover August and September.

The financial support program in the second phase covers micro-entrepreneurs who received a lump-sum payment of AZN 250 ($147) in the first stage of the program and there will be no need to re-apply for financial support. The financial support will be paid in equal installments in two phases, covering August and September.

Earlier, AZN 63.55 million ($37.3M) were paid to 106,907 micro entrepreneurs under the first phase of the financial support program that covers April-July.

It should be noted that 11,209 entrepreneurs applied to banks for financial support in the first stage of the program. The volume of financial support for approved application amounted to AZN 63.66 million ($37.4M).

Earlier it was reported that legal entities and individual entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan operating in the spheres negatively affected by the COVID-19 will be exempted from rental payment for the period of nine months.

Thus, according to the amendment, legal entities and individual entrepreneurs operating in the spheres negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the territory of Azerbaijan, except for legal entities controlled by the state, the rent established in accordance with regulation will not be charged from April 1, 2020 till January 1, 2021.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
The Caucasus is Ground Zero in the New Cold War between the U.S. and Russia.

I wrote that several years ago, and its still true, particularly after Christian Armenia decisively repulsed a mid-July attack by Muslim Azerbaijan.

Perhaps dozens of Azeris died in the battles, including a major-general, colonel, and two majors. Armenia reported far fewer deaths and captured a new defensive position, even though Azerbaijan possesses a bigger arsenal, quadruple the GDP, and more than triple Armenias population.

Azerbaijan attacked Armenias northeastern border and has done so before. Typically, though, Azerbaijan attacks Artsakh (Karabagh), the de facto-independent Armenian-majority region that voted some thirty years ago for freedom from Azerbaijan, which rejects that vote.

Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin deceitfully annexed Artsakh and the ancient Armenian region of Nakhichevan to Azerbaijan in the 1920s. Far from being ancient itself, Azerbaijan was invented only in 1918.

Why should any of this matter to the rest of the world?

Why It Matters

Major gas and oil pipelines originate in Azerbaijan. They cross Georgia and NATO member Turkey with fuel bound for Europe and elsewhere. Georgia and Azerbaijan are thereby linked to the West. These pipelines are at risk as they pass only about 12 to 30 miles from the July fighting and from Artsakh.

The Caucasus is the US/NATO/EUs doorway (via Turkey) into the energy-rich Caspian Sea Basin and then into Russias vulnerable Turkic-Muslim underbelly in Central Asia. Russia regards this as an existential threat.

Armenia enjoys excellent relations with the US/NATO/EU. But for security reasons it aligns itself with the nearest major Christian power: Russia. In sympathy with its Turkic Azerbaijani ally, Turkey has closed its border with Armenia since 1994. Armenia, therefore, has become the geopolitical pivot point for whoever wishes to dominate the Caucasus.

Turkey has long threatened Armenia, and has placed itself squarely on Azerbaijans side in the recent conflict. That may produce a Turkish confrontation with Russia, in addition to those in Syria and Libya.

Azerbaijan is threatening to bomb Armenias Metsamor nuclear power plant. This would spread deadly radiation to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and elsewhere.

Armenian-Western relations go back thousands of years. The US/NATO/EU (well term it the Western Bloc) has been very friendly to Armenia and Artsakh and aided them economically for decades.

Landlocked Armenia, however, depends on Russia for most of its gas and weapons. Moscow also controls much of Armenias energy network.

Armenia (pop. 3 million), nevertheless, remains under threat from Azerbaijan (pop. 10 million) and Turkey (pop. 82 million) since the USSRs dissolution in 1991.

Armenia under Siege

Turkey committed genocide against Armenians in 1915-23. The Armenian Highlands and everything else Armenian, particularly in what are now eastern and southern Turkey, were destroyed or confiscated. Azeris joined in that genocide in the Caucasus.

The Armenian Genocide isnt mere history. The threat of Genocide 2.0 always looms.

Turkey and Azerbaijan (motto: two countries, one nation) wont come to terms with Armenias existence. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says all of Armenia should be part of Azerbaijan  without Armenians, of course.

The July 19 cover of the Turkish newspaper Dirilis Postas (Resurrection Post), headlined Karabagh or Death, portrays Azerbaijan as enco mpassing Artsakh and southern Armenia.

Turkey is still enamored with pan-Turkism, just as during WWI and the Armenian Genocide. Turkey envisions leading a federation that includes Azerbaijan and the Turkic-Muslim countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan)  all the way to Chinas Xinjiang Province.

Soldiers in Turkish-Azerbaijani military drills last year wore arm pa tches depicting such a pan-Turkic entity.

Participants in recent worldwide anti-Armenian demonstrations flashed the Grey Wolves (Bozkurtlar) hand signal. Grey Wolves is a neo-fascist, pan-Turkist organization responsible for hundreds of assassinations and murders.

While the European Allies (and, implicitly, America) militarily opposed Ottoman Turkeys pan-Turkism in WWI, the Western Bloc implicitly supports pan-Turkism today.

Armenia is a geopolitical impediment to pan-Turkism. Thats a key reason Russia needs Armenia. Russians are too proud to admit it though.

However, Russia has increasingly been cozying up to Azerbaijan and Turkey. Therefore, despite the Armenian-Russian mutual defense treaty and a Russian base in Armenia near the Turkish border, Armenia isnt always certain of Russian support, particularly against Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani Threats

Azerbaijan has violated the ceasefire agreement between it and Armenia/Artsakh thousands of times since 1994. Armenian forces are in defensive mode. They have little reason to violate the ceasefire. Azerbaijan rejects proposals for installing autonomous gunfire-detection equipment on the line of contact.

President Aliyev refuses even to negotiate with Artsakh, a stable democracy. Thats hardly a recipe for peace.

Armenia is democratic and reformist. Azerbaijan is autocratic. It imprisons journalists and human rights activists at an astonishing rate. Europes Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) named Aliyev its 2012 Organized Crime and Corruption Person of the Year. U.S. diplomatic cables described him as a mafia-like figure.

Aliyevs Azerbaijani La undromat bribed European officials and laundered billions.

In 2004, Azeri serviceman Ramil Safarov axed to death an Armenian lieutenant in his sleep at a NATO exercise in Hungary. He was sentenced to life and imprisoned. Hungary eventually released him to Azerbaijan which welcomed him as a national hero. Armenian civilians have been tortured and beheaded by invading Azeri soldiers.

To prove Armenians never lived in Nakhichevan, in 2005 the Azerbaijani military used pickaxes and dump trucks to destroy thousands of iconic headstones in a ninth century Armenian cemetery. It was caught on video.

During the twentieth century, Azerbaijan emptied Nakhichevan of its Armenians and was doing similarly in Artsakh before Armenians put a stop to it.

No wonder Artsakh says it will never again submit to Azeri rule.

Turkish threats

Turkey was set to invade Armenia in 1993 during a coup against Russian President Boris Yeltsin led by Ruslan Khasbulatov, the pro-Turkish Chechen and Supreme Soviet speaker. Fortunately, the coup failed.

In 1993, Turkish President Turgut Ozal threatened Armenia in case they had not learned their lesson in 1915.

Turkish President Erdogan recently menaced Armenia using a backhanded reference to the 1915 Genocide: We will continue to fulfill this mission, which our grandfathers have carried out for centuries, in the Caucasus again.

Turkey is supplying Azerbaijan with Bayraktar drones (based on Israeli designs), T-129 ATAK helicopters, and TRG-300 Tiger rocket systems. Turkey has sent F-16 jets to Azerbaijan for joint military exercises.

Yet the Western Bloc has said and done nothing to restrain Turkey.

Turkey denies reports it will send jihadists to fight for Azerbaijan. In the past, however, Turkey has sent its Grey Wolves, and Azerbaijan has recruited Afghan/Pakistani/Chechen mujahedin, to battle Armenians.

The Azerbaijani-Israeli-Jewish Axis

President Aliyev once compared Azerbaijan--Israeli relations to an iceberg: Nine-te nths of it is below the surface.

Israel sells Azerbaijan billions in advanced weapons (many used against Armenia and Artsakh) while Israel gets 40% of its oil from Azerbaijan and facilities to spy on and counter Iran.

Azerbaijans lobby in the U.S., revealed Aliyev, is the Jewish com munity.

The American Jewish Committees Executive Director David Harris (aka Jews foreign minister), for instance, received Aliyevs Order of Friendship award.

Numerous principled Jewish/Israeli writers are friendly to Armenians. Still, the Israeli- Azerbaijani alliance has induced many Jewish/Israeli writers to gleefully malign Armenia. Examples include Brenda Sh affer and Nurit Gree nger.

Its reminiscent of how Jewish American organizations  ADL, AIPAC, AJC, and others  have collu ded with Turkey and Israel (in friendlier days) to hypocritically deny/diminish the Armenian Genocide and defeat Armenian Genocide resolutions in Congress.

Thus, the Azerbaijani-Israeli-Jewish axis is a clone of the disreputable Turkish-Israeli-Jewish one.

Whats Needed

Under relentless pressure and against all odds, Armenia and Artsakh continue to hold out against foreign actors who wish to deny them their very existence.

Regardless, from a practical, if not moral, standpoint, the Western Bloc and Russia should rein in Azeri and Turkish aggression unless they wish to see the region explode.

Much of the authors work can be found at www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/David_Boyajian.
(JNS) - A day after two blasts - one of them an enormous - ripped through Beirut, causing untold destruction, it's still not possible to grasp the true scope of the calamity, a former Israeli Military Intelligence chief has said.

Speaking by video conference to journalists, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin, who served as former deputy commander of the Israeli Air Force and is now executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies, noted that Israel has offered medical assistance to Lebanon. "This is a terrible, terrible disaster. The big question is how many people are missing. T...
Similar events will be held in other towns and cities in that country.

Protesters in Belarus announced the largest march of freedom in their country's history.

The event will take place in Minsk and is scheduled to begin at 14:00 local time on Sunday, August 16, according to an announcement on the Belarusian opposition's NEXTA Live channel on Telegram.

Read alsoLukashenko labels protesters "people with a criminal record", "unemployed"

The march will start from Independence Avenue, participants will walk along the central streets and squares.

Similar events will be held in other towns and cities in that country.

"Sunday is the day of the largest, exceptionally peaceful march in the history of Belarus; we will march along the streets and avenues of our cities, with smiles and dignity. We will go out with families, communities, work collectives. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who at this turning point was on the side of the people. Let us remember all those who have suffered in the struggle for freedom," the announcement said.

Earlier, the leader of the united opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, called on mayors of the cities and towns to become the organizers of the protests on August 15 and August 16 and to stop bloodshed during peaceful rallies.

Belarus protests: Developments
Mayra Ramirez remembers the nightmares.

During six weeks on life support at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Ramirez said, she had terrifying nightmares that she couldn't distinguish from reality.

"Most of them involve me drowning," she said. "I attribute that to me not being able to breathe, and struggling to breathe."

On June 5, Ramirez, 28, became the first known COVID-19 patient in the U.S. to undergo a double lung transplant. She is strong enough now to begin sharing the story of her ordeal.

Mysterious exposure

Before the pandemic, Ramirez worked as a paralegal for an immigration law firm in Chicago. She enjoyed walking her dogs and running 5K races.

Ramirez had been working from home since mid-March, hardly leaving the house, so she has no idea how she contracted the coronavirus. In late April, she started experiencing chronic spasms, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell, and a slight fever.

"I felt very fatigued," Ramirez said. "I wasn't able to walk long distances without falling over. And thats when I decided to go into the emergency room."

From the ER to a ventilator

The staff at Northwestern checked her vitals and found her oxygen levels were extremely low. She was given 10 minutes to explain her situation over the phone to her mother in North Carolina and appoint her to make medical decisions on her behalf.

Ramirez knew she was about to be placed on a ventilator, but she didn't understand exactly what that meant.

"In Spanish, the word 'ventilator'  ventilador  is 'fan,' so I thought, 'Oh, theyre just gonna blow some air into me and Ill be OK. Maybe have a three-day stay, and then Ill be right out.' So I wasnt very worried," Ramirez said.

In fact, she would spend the next six weeks heavily sedated on that ventilator and another machine  known as ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation  pumping and oxygenating her blood outside of her body.

One theory about why Ramirez became so sick is that she has a neurological condition that is treated with steroids, drugs that can suppress the immune system.

By early June, Ramirez was at risk of further decline. She began showing signs that her kidneys and liver were starting to fail, with no improvement in her lung function. Her family was told she might not make it through the night, so her mother and sisters caught the first flight from North Carolina to Chicago to say goodbye.

When they arrived, the doctors told Ramirez's mother, Nohemi Romero, that there was one last thing they could try.

Ramirez was a candidate for a double lung transplant, they said, although the procedure had never been done on a COVID patient in the U.S. Her mother agreed, and within 48 hours of being listed for transplant, a donor was found and the successful procedure was performed on June 5.

At a recent news conference held by Northwestern Memorial, Romero shared in Spanish that there were no words to describe the pain of not being by her daughter's side as she struggled for her life.

She thanked God all went well, and for giving her the strength to make it through.

'I just felt like a vegetable'

Dr. Ankit Bharat, Northwestern Medicine's chief of thoracic surgery, performed the 10-hour procedure.

"Most patients are quite sick going into [a] lung transplant," Bharat said in an interview in June. "But she was so sick. In fact, I can say without hesitation, the sickest patient I ever transplanted."

Bharat said most COVID-19 patients will not be candidates for transplants because of their age and other health conditions that decrease the likelihood of success. And early research shows that up to half of COVID patients on ventilators survive the illness and are likely to recover on their own.

But for some, like Ramirez, Bharat said, a transplant can be a lifesaving option of last resort.

When Ramirez woke up after the operation, she was disoriented, could barely move her body and couldn't speak.

"I just felt like a vegetable. It was frustrating, but at the time I didn't have the cognitive ability to process what was going on," Ramirez said.

She recalled being sad that her mother wasn't with her in the hospital, not understanding that visitors weren't allowed because of the pandemic.

Her family had sent photos to post by her hospital bed, and Ramirez said she couldn't recognize anyone in the pictures.

"I was actually sort of upset about it, [thinking,] 'Who are these strangers and why are their pictures in my room?" Ramirez said. "It was weeks later, actually, that I took a second look and realized, 'Hey, that's my grandmother. That's my mom and my siblings. And that's me."

After a few weeks, Ramirez said, she finally understood what happened to her. When COVID-19 restrictions loosened at the hospital in mid-June, her mother was finally able to visit.

"The first thing I did was just tear up," Ramirez said. "I was overjoyed to see her."

The long road to recovery

After weeks of inpatient rehabilitation, Ramirez was discharged home. She's now receiving in-home nursing assistance as well as physical and occupational therapy, and she's working on finding a psychologist.

Ramirez eagerly looks forward to being able to spend more time with her family, her boyfriend and her dogs and serving the immigrant community through her legal work.

But for now, her days are consumed by rehab. Her doctors say it will be at least a year before she can function independently and be as active as before.

Ramirez is slowly regaining strength and learning how to breathe with her new lungs.

She takes more than 17 pills, four times a day, including medicines to prevent her body from rejecting the new lungs. She also takes anxiety meds and antidepressants to help her cope with daily nightmares and panic attacks.

The long-term physical and mental health tolls on Ramirez and other COVID-19 survivors remain largely unknown, since the virus is so new.

While most people who contract the virus are left seemingly unscathed, for some patients, like Ramirez, the road to recovery is full of uncertainty, said Dr. Mady Hornig, a physician-scientist at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Some patients can experience post-intensive care syndrome, or PICS, which can consist of depression, memory issues and other cognitive and mental health problems, Hornig said. Under normal circumstances, ICU visits from loved ones are encouraged, she said, because the human interaction can be protective.

"That type of contact would normally keep people oriented  so that it doesnt become as traumatic," Hornig said.

Hopes for the future

COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed Latino communities, as Latinos are overrepresented in jobs that expose them to the virus and have lower rates of health insurance and other social protections.

Ramirez has health insurance, although that hasn't spared her from tens and thousands of dollars' worth of medical bills.

And even though she still ended up getting COVID-19, she counts herself lucky for having a job that allowed her to work from home when the pandemic struck. Many Latino workers don't have that luxury, she said, so they're forced to risk their lives doing low-wage jobs deemed essential at this time.

Ramirez's mother is a breast cancer survivor, making her particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. She had been working at a meatpacking plant in North Carolina, for a company that Ramirez said has had hundreds of COVID-19 cases among employees.

So Ramirez is relieved to have her mom in Chicago, helping take care of her.

"I'm glad this is taking her away from her position," Ramirez said.

Friends and family in North Carolina have been fundraising to help pay her medical bills, selling raffle tickets and setting up a GoFundMe page on her behalf. Ramirez is also applying for financial assistance from the hospital.

Her experience with COVID-19 has not changed who she is as a person, she said, and she looks forward to living her life to the fullest.

If she ever gets the chance to speak with the family of the person whose lungs she now has, she said, she will thank them "for raising such a healthy child and a caring person [who] was kind enough to become an organ donor."

Her life may never be the same, but that doesn't mean she won't try. She laughs as she explains how she asked her surgeon to take her skydiving someday.

"Dr. Bharat actually used to work at a skydiving company when he was younger," Ramirez said. "And so he promised me that, hopefully within a year, he could get me there."

And she has every intention of holding him to that promise.

This story is part of a reporting partnership that includes Illinois Public Media, Side Effects Public Media, NPR and KHN.
Harris & Ewing/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

The suffragists long-awaited victory in 1920, she says, was sweeping: More people gained the right to vote with the 19th Amendment than with any other changes we have made to the Constitution or in statutes. It's really an incredible moment in American history that many people don't know too much about, except for maybe a sentence or two.

A misunderstood movement

Experts point out the aspects of the suffrage movement that have long gone ignored or unexamined, like the racism that black suffragists faced within the movement, as well as the failure of the 19th Amendment to extend the vote to all women.

"There's nothing in the 19th Amendment that prevents states from denying women the vote for reasons other than sex, Porter says. So, beyond 1920 you see a diverse set of women denied the vote for a multitude of other reasons."

This included women who weren't recognized as U.S. citizens, like many Native American and Asian women, as well as those who didn't live in states, like residents of the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Black women in the Jim Crow South also remained effectively disenfranchised for decades after 1920 (as were black men and people of color more generally) because of discriminatory barriers like literacy tests that wouldn't be fully struck down until the passage of the Voting Rights Act in August 1965.

"While it is important to mark this occasion, it's equally important to recognize that this was the beginning of the fight for the vote, not the end, and the story continued well after 1920, says Holly Hotchner, president and CEO of the National Women's History Museum, which is offering virtual programming to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment.

For lawyer Barbara Arnwine, chair of the Voting Rights Alliance and founder and president of the Transformative Justice Coalition, acknowledging the struggle for voting rights in the decades following 1920 requires a bit of recalculating when it comes to this year's centennial celebrations.

"I always say that when you consider this anniversary, you have to say plus 45 years,' she says. It would take 45 years for women of color  African American women, Latina women, Native American women and Asian women  to really achieve the right to vote.

The struggle for voting rights today

Even today, Arnwine says, various forms of voter suppression persist  including those that harm older voters in particular, like long lines at polling places or a lack of disability accommodations.

The COVID-19 pandemic is poised to present additional challenges this election year, she says, particularly for older voters who are still self-isolating in their homes or who need help casting a ballot by mail.

Arnwine encourages older voters to take steps to empower themselves in the coming election, like checking to see if they are properly registered, reminding friends and loved ones to do the same, and checking in on their social circles as Election Day nears  something that Arnwine says her own mother, who is 89, excels at.

"The first thing she does is get on the phone. She starts calling everybody she knows and says, Are you voting today?'"
Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant hailed the central governments new initiative of Transparent Taxation  Honoring the Honest platform. The aim is to ease the compliance for assesses and reward the tax payers. Commenting on this new platform, Kant said, The new platform will help the individuals to avoid any kind of harassment from the tax authorities.

Almost 99% people in India file income tax return online. So the tax department has collected a lot of date over the years. Now the idea is to use all these data and artificial intelligence to find those who are evading taxes, Kant added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled a new platform to honour honest income tax payers in the country. He unveiled faceless tax scrutiny and appeal and urged people to pay their due taxes and contribute to nation building.

Moreover, the Income Tax department will adopt a taxpayer charter which outlines rights and responsibilities of both tax officers and taxpayers. The tax officers will now be committed to a 14-point charter, which includes collecting only the (tax) amount due. The taxpayers will have to be responsible and fulfill six-point expectations of the Income Tax Department, including being honest and compliant.

After todays announcement, the taxpayers have a right and therefore honesty will be really the key to the future, Kant added. He is hopeful that this new initiative will be successfully implemented.

Theres a lot of political will to do it now. Youll never have this kind of huge administrative and political will, he further added. So hopefully we will see a lot of predictability and consistency on tax policies.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Thursday managed to pull off a rare victory for U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East ahead of his Nov. 3 re-election bid by helping to broker a deal between American allies Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf monarchy and Israel agreed to a normalization of diplomatic relations. Israel also said it would suspend annexing areas of the occupied West Bank as it had been planning to do.

Soon after he sealed the agreement by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of his strongest supporters, and Abu Dhabi`s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Trump called it a "HUGE breakthrough" on Twitter and told reporters other similar Middle East deals are in the works.

"Everybody said this would be impossible," Trump said.

"After 49 years," Trump added, "Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade and security."

The chance to play global statesman was compelling for Trump, who trails in public opinion polls ahead of what is shaping up as a tough election battle against Democratic challenger Joe Biden and has struggled to contain the coronavirus pandemic that has battered the U.S. economy.

Two of the Republican president`s primary Middle East endeavors have sputtered in the past year. The new agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, has the potential to impact both.

Trump has been unable to negotiate what has been billed as the "deal of the century" between Israel and the Palestinians, and a peace plan he proposed in January that heavily favored the Israelis has not advanced in any significant way.

Trump, who walked away from the international nuclear deal with Iran, also has been unable to get concessions from Tehran in spite of a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at isolating the Iranians.

Israel and the UAE, along with the another strong regional U.S. ally in Saudi Arabia, count Iran as an important enemy, bolstering their joint opposition to Tehran.

Brian Hook, the U.S. State Department`s lead official on Iran who will be leaving his post soon, said the new agreement amounted to a "nightmare" for Iran in its efforts against Israel in the region.

The Netanyahu government`s West Bank annexation plans had been an uncomfortable development for Washington, seen by many as a possible death knell to the U.S. peace plan.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, asked how long Israel might suspend its annexation plan, said it was unclear but that the administration wanted to give other countries in the region a chance to seal similar agreements with Israel.

"We`ve prioritized peace over the sovereignty movement but its not off the table. It`s just something that will be deferred until we give peace every single chance," he told reporters at the White House.

The UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, said that the agreement with Israel was done to address the threat that further annexation of Palestinian territories posed to the two-state solution.

A UAE representative was on hand in the White House ceremony when Trump unveiled the accord.

The agreement also deepens Washington`s alliance with the Emiratis, to whom the Trump administration has pushed to sell weapons over the objections of members of Congress angry over civilian casualties in the war in Yemen.

MORE DEALS IN THE WORKS?

White House officials said Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner, Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O`Brien.

Echoing comments by Trump, Kushner told reporters in a conference call that other countries in the region may now come forward to strike a similar deal with Israel.

"We`ve had numerous conversations with other Arab and Muslim countries in the region," Kushner said.

Kushner said discussions between U.S., Israeli and UAE officials had been taking place for the past year and a half but accelerated in the past six weeks and an agreement in principle for a deal was reached a week ago, with details completed on Wednesday.

Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries, but common concerns with the UAE about Iran`s regional influence and activities had led to a limited thaw in relations in recent years. The UAE previously had warned that Israel could not expect to normalize relations with the Arab world if it annexed land in the occupied West Bank.

Biden said he was "gratified" by the announcement of the agreement. He said he had personally spent time with leaders of both Israel and the UAE as vice president under Barack Obama building the case for cooperation and broader engagement.

"It is a timely reminder that enmities and differences - even long standing ones - are not set in stone, and of the role American diplomacy can play," Biden added.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The citys police oversight office plans to study arrest and traffic stop data for potential racial disparities.

The Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA) will use the stop data analysis and arrest data analysis to increase accountability in Grand Rapids policing, Brandon Davis, director of OPA, told MLive in an Friday, Aug. 14 email.

These studies will help to identify disparities and provide insight that will allow the police department to continue to re-imagine policing.

Staff has not yet identified a timeline to implement the studies, Davis said.

The studies are one of dozens of initiatives unveiled earlier this week in the offices draft strategic plan. Davis plans to brief city commissioners on the plan during the Tuesday, Aug. 25 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Residents can review the plan and leave feedback by visiting by the OPAs website here.

Some other actions outlined in the plan include reviewing and recommending changes to police union contracts that prevent just outcomes or transparency and implementing greater cultural competency and de-escalation training in the police department.

Davis outlined outcomes to track for each set of actions.

Racialized outcomes in traffic stop data havent been studied since a report commissioned by the city in 2017 that found that Grand Rapids police were twice as likely to stop Black drivers than non-Black drivers.

Related: Black drivers twice as likely to be stopped by Grand Rapids police

The traffic stop study based its conclusion on 2013 to 2015 traffic stop data and recommended the city analyze its 2016 data as soon as possible. Further studies on traffic stops were not commissioned.

No study on arrest disparities, as was recommended in 2015 by a community-driven 12-point plan to better police-community relations, was ever commissioned either.

Im happy to see that they are doing it now, said LINC Up Executive Director Jeremy DeRoo. I think understanding where your challenges lie in relation to racial disparities both in traffic stops and in arrests are things the community has brought to attention for a long time.

Better understanding of how those are being realized and developing consensus that those are realities and not just perceptions, I think the study will help move that conversation forward.

Police Chief Eric Payne said his department is committed to working with the OPA on the studies.

We are committed to reviewing and addressing disparities in traffic stops and arrests, and to working with the Office of Oversight and Accountability to increase transparency and become the most trusted police department in the country, Payne said in an email.

Following the traffic stop study, the city did commission a follow-up study on the department to, in part, determine what policies and procedures may have led to the disparity in traffic stops. Davis said the study did not directly answer that question.

Now, his office is tasked with reviewing department policies and procedures to evaluate their impact on racial equity.

The OPA was created in August 2019 to promote trust, excellence, transparency and accountability through independent and impartial monitoring and oversight of complaints related to public safety, city officials said at the time.

Davis was selected in May to lead the office, after having served as interim director since the offices inception.

In the draft strategic plan, Davis said he envisions that the City of Grand Rapids will be nationally recognized as a place where there are just outcomes in our public safety departments and justice system, and healed relationships between community and public safety departments.

His offices mission, he said, is to help create and improve just outcomes and respectful relationships between public safety and community through accountability, engagement, empowerment, restorative justice and change.

DeRoo called Davis strategic plan ambitious and necessary. "

The work that is being called for really is critical to advancing even the police departments objectives of strengthening trust with the community, he said. The community has consistently said that increased accountability is essential to increase trust in the institution.

Some strategic plan highlights include:

Ensure staff from OPA responds to all GRPD shootings

Monitor and review the internal affairs investigations of every GRPD and GRFD complaint

Evaluate organizational trends in employee discipline for appropriateness and effectiveness and recommend changes

Review and recommend changes to Union contracts that prevent just outcomes or transparency

Partner with the City Attorneys Office to address historical systemic inequities and to create alternatives that can be utilized in addition to traditional prosecution

Evaluate and recommend the decriminalization of crimes or changes to policies, ordinances, and laws that disparately impact communities of color

Disaggregate all public safety data, to the extent possible, by race ethnicity, gender identity and geography

Work with city departments to increase the amount of public safety data available to the public

Evaluate the racial equity impacts of all public safety policies and initiatives

Collaborate with stakeholders to recommend and implement training opportunities that increase cultural competency and encourage de-escalation

Design and implement a Know Your Rights and Responsibilities community education campaign that focuses on increasing community understanding of misunderstood ordinances, laws, and responsibilities

When asked for examples of items in current or former police union contracts that might have prevented just outcomes or transparency, Davis said his office is not coming to the table with preconceived notions about the Union contracts.

We will review the contracts and compare the contracts to best practices and make recommendations that advance just outcomes, he said.

Representatives for the citys two police unions, the Grand Rapids Police Officers Association and the Grand Rapids Police Command Officers Association, could not be reached for comment.

Davis said his office will also work with other city departments and stakeholders to develop diverse hiring practices in the police department, which he said in a recent review that the department had made minimal progress on.

To illustrate this, Davis pointed to the past three years of hiring at the department. Of the 81 police officers hired since 2017, only seven were Black. In the last four hiring classes, none were Black.

He did, however, point to efforts like police academy attendee sponsorship that the department does as successful in obtaining diverse candidates.

Payne said his department is committed to having a diverse workforce reflective of the community.

As we have outlined before regarding our recruitment efforts, there are initiatives currently in place to engage with various organizations, colleges and universities in order to increase diversity in our department, he said.

Of the departments 297 sworn officers and 37 non-sworn personnel in 2020, 292 are white, 16 are Black, 10 are Hispanic, two are American Indian, five are Asian and three are multi-racial, according to city data. It was not immediately clear the racial demographic of six additional staffers unaccounted for in the data.

The release of the OPAs strategic plan comes just days after Payne released his departments own draft strategic plan to guide reform in the department over the next three years.

Related: Grand Rapids police release draft strategic plan aimed at community policing, crime reduction

Payne told commissioners when he unveiled the plan to them on Tuesday, Aug. 11, that he envisions Grand Rapids as becoming the safest mid-size city with the most trusted police department in the United States.

That means, in partnership with our community, we will no longer police our community how we think it should be policed, Payne said. Rather, we will police our community how it has told us it wants to be policed.

DeRoo said that the OPA and the strategies Davis laid out in it play a vital role in getting the police department to that lofty goal of most trusted department in the U.S.

But significant undertakings require significant investments.

DeRoo is calling for the city to spend about three to four percent of the police departments $55 million on accountability measures annually. He said the funding percentage is becoming a national best practice.

Read more:

Kent Countys public health surveillance tool is working to slow spread of coronavirus, officials say

Michigan residents have returned nearly 400 million bottles and cans since June, recycler says

Black candidates find elation at being the first, frustration at being left behind in Kalamazoo County
A ditch marks the Canada-U.S. border and separates people walking on the road, right, in Surrey, British Columbia, and those gathered at Peace Arch Historical State Park, left, in Blaine, Wash. Read more

TORONTO  The Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month, Canadas public safety minister said Friday.

The statement by Public Safety Minister Bill Blair came a day after Mexico announced a similar measure for its border with the United States.

The land border restrictions aimed at controlling the coronavirus pandemic were first announced in March and have been renewed monthly.

Many Canadians fear a reopening. Canada has flattened the epidemic curve while the U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any other country.

Essential cross-border workers like health care professionals, airline crews and truck drivers are still permitted to cross. Much of Canadas food supply comes from or via the U.S.

Americans who are returning to America and Canadians who are returning to Canada are also exempted from the border closure.

Canada sends 75% of its exports to the U.S. and about 18% of American exports go to Canada. The U.S. Canada border is worlds longest between two nations.
Not all jellyfishes can be found in the sea because, according to the Department of Fish & Wildlife (KDFW), there are freshwater jellyfishes in Kentucky.



Are they dangerous?

Fortunately, their stings cannot harm humans, because their tentacles' cells are not able to puncture our skin, and so they are not as painful as the notorious marine or sea jellyfishes. One should, therefore, have no worries about being hurt by these creatures.

The Department of Fish & Wildlife said that these jellyfishes could be observed starting in the late summer up to the early autumn in various calm freshwater bodies such as rivers, ponds, and lakes.

READ: Pheromone Chemical Triggers Locust Swarms and Can Be Used to Prevent Plagues



Sightings of Jellyfishes Surprised Many

The department's post garnered hundreds of comments who also recounted their encounters with the animal in the states of Indiana and Kentucky. From the public's comments, the animals can be seen in the areas of Utica, Erlanger, and Owensboro.

Many of the reports also mentioned that their loved ones did not believe them when they said that they saw the animals, perhaps because people usually associate jellyfishes only with the sea.

One of those who saw the jellyfishes said that they were present in Indiana's Deam Lake, but everyone they knew was skeptical about it. Another commenter stated that they thought they were going insane when they had the sighting.



The Natural History of Freshwater Jellyfish

The USGS or US Geological Survey says that these freshwater jellyfish have tentacles numbering 50 up to 500. They were first seen in the state of Kentucky in the year 1916. Currently, they have been recorded as present in Washington, DC, and 44 other states.

Its scientific name is Craspedacusta sowerbyi, and they were first described in 1880 from specimens in tanks of water lilies in London's Regents Park. They were brought there together with plants imported from Southeast Asia.

The animal is what is known as a hydrozoan; it can be recognized once it takes on the form of the usually-known bell-shaped configuration, a stage in its life when it is called a hydromedusa.

It can reproduce sexually or asexually. The mature hydromedusa engages in sexual activity through the release of sperm and eggs into the water. Fertilization occurs, then cleavage, after which its embryo grows and elongates to form the larva or planula. This goes to the substrate, settles there, and soon becomes a polyp.

Polyps can propagate by budding. These can form colonies, metamorphose to new polyps, and finally make buds that ultimately become a medusa. In its hydromedusa form, the jellyfish can reach a maximum of 25 millimeters or roughly one inch in diameter.

READ ALSO: Male Frog in Brazil Found to Practice Polygyny With a Harem of Two Loyal Females



Diet

Craspedacusta sowerbyi feeds on various small organisms which approaches it. It opportunistically preys on these creatures as they come within reach. It uses cnidocytes to catch its food.



Movement

The freshwater jellyfish swims in an up & down motion, with expansion and contraction of its bell structure and its velum. The latter is a circular, thin membrane on its underside which separates it from true, scyphozoan jellyfishes.



Habitat

Craspedacusta sowerbyi jellyfishes can be usually found in ponds, flooded quarries, river backwaters, and various calm waters. They have already colonized and are already quite common in most areas all over the world that have temperate climates.

READ NEXT: Large Carnivores Less Likely to Attack Cattle With Painted Eyes on Their Rumps
PLA holds consecutive, realistic drills in Taiwan Straits in response to secessionist moves

Global Times

Source: Global Times Published: 2020/8/13 15:15:15

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command recently systematically sent troops from multiple military branches into multiple directions and organized consecutive, realistic drills in the Taiwan Straits and its northern and southern ends, the command announced on Thursday.

The drills further tested and improved the troops' joint combat capability, said Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhui, the spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command.

Recently, "a certain major country" has been continuously making negative moves on the Taiwan question, which has sent seriously wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces and severely threatened peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, Zhang said.

Taiwan is a sacred and inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the patrol and exercise activities by the PLA are necessary operations aimed at the current security situation in the region and safeguarding national sovereignty, the spokesperson stressed.

The troops will always be on high alert, take any necessary measures, resolutely counter any provocative actions that could result in "Taiwan independence" and separate the country, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhang said.



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Two weeks ago, Colorado State Patrol troopers began clearing out nearly 200 residents from homeless encampments that surround the Colorado Capitol. The enforcement of city ordinances like camping bans, park curfews and obstructions of public passageways is lawful. But the increase in "tough love" and "quality of life" policing in cities around the U.S. undermine the sleeping patterns, physical safety, and mental health of people experiencing homelessness, according to a recent study from the University of Colorado Denver.

The study, done in collaboration with advocacy organization Denver Homeless Out Loud, was published in May in the Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness.

"These laws are enforced under the guise of 'tough love,' because municipalities want to push people into services," says Marisa Westbrook, doctoral student in health and behavioral sciences at CU Denver, who worked alongside Tony Robinson, PhD, associate professor of political science. "But we'd heard that this 'quality of life' policing is making sleeping on the street even more unhealthy, which is why we wanted to objectively document what those experiences looked like."

In surveys with 484 people experiencing homelessness across Denver, researchers found that 74% had been asked to "move along" by police. Forty-four percent had been ticketed or arrested after police contact for a 'quality of life' violation. These "move along" orders lead individuals to seek more hidden and isolated city locations to sleep--nearly a quarter sought out hidden river or creek beds, while another quarter chose to keep moving all night.

Without the well-lit areas of public parks or the security and resources of a group, reasons why people experiencing homelessness stay together, those who moved to avoid police contact were more than twice as likely to be physically assaulted and 39% more likely to be robbed than homeless persons who didn't move.

When police enforced camping or shelter bans, researchers found a 45% increase in the risk of weather-related health issues like frostbite, heatstroke, and dehydration.

Seventy percent report being woken often by police and 52% are constantly worried about police contact while sleeping. Those frequently woken by police sleep an average of two hours at a time and achieve less than four hours of sleep per night.

You can imagine the impact on mental health. They're dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression, but staying in shelters is simply not an option for some people. During the pandemic, homeless shelters have had higher rates of coronavirus than outdoor encampments. Cities are clearing outside encampments, but there are not enough housing units or shelter resources for people to stay far enough apart at this time." Marisa Westbrook, doctoral student in health and behavioral sciences at CU Denver

The situation will only get worse. Nearly 420,000 Coloradans risk evictions in the coming months, with the greatest increases beginning in August, according to the Bell Policy Center and COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project. In fact, with the eviction moratorium lifted and curbed unemployment benefits, almost 20 percent of the 110 million renters nationwide are looking at homelessness.

Across Colorado, there are only 26 affordable housing units available to every 100 very low-income households, according to National Low Income Housing Coalition. For Coloradans who make less than half of the median income, they've seen affordable housing choices decrease by 75% between 2010 and 2016--one of the steepest drops in the nation.

"A lot of folks are just hanging on month after month," says Westbrook. "They're hoping they won't be evicted or they're living out of their car. In 2019, Denver voters chose to maintain the camping ban, which is one of the cruelest things we could have done for the health and wellbeing of our community."
Five more people have been charged in a years-long corruption investigation that already ensnared a former state Assemblyman and a Jersey City school board president, officials announced Friday.

The new defendants allegedly gave a total of $239,000 to political parties and candidates before being secretly reimbursed by a law firm, the attorney generals office said in a press release. The firm then claimed it had made no reportable contributions in towns where it sought lucrative contracts.

New Jersey law prohibits political donations on behalf of others.

We are determined to hold individuals accountable if they seek to distort the political process, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement.

New Jerseys campaign finance and pay-to-play laws are designed to ensure that law firms and other contractors cannot purchase an unfair advantage in the competition for public contracts by making undisclosed or overly large campaign contributions.

A partner at the firm, 47-year-old Elizabeth Valandingham, was charged last month for allegedly lying about contributions tied to contracts in Bloomfield and Mt. Arlington between 2012 and 2017. Some contributions broke donation limits, according to the release.

Through her lawyer, Valandingham previously denied wrongdoing.

The five people charged Thursday allegedly received tens of thousands of dollars from Valandinghams firm after writing personal checks to candidates and committees. Each was charged with fourth-degree concealment or misrepresentation of contributions.

Vanessa Brown, 40, and Christopher Brown, 37, both of West Caldwell, Ricardo Balanzateguimaldo, 40, of Bogota, Erin OReilly, who is also known as Erin DeMauro, 41, of Lincoln Park, and Suzanne P. Gayet, 63, of Boonton all face up to $10,000 in fines and up to a year-and-a-half in prison if convicted, officials said.

It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers. Messages left with numbers listed for the Browns were not immediately returned. Calls made to numbers listed for OReilly and Gayet were disconnected after several rings. Balanzateguimaldo could not immediately be reached.

Valandingham, the law firm partner charged in June, worked with Matthew ODonnell, the attorney who reportedly acted as an undercover informant to help investigators charge five current and former public officials and political candidates late last year with taking bribes.

The group, including former state Assemblyman Jason ODonnell, was accused of illegally accepting envelopes, bags and even a coffee cup stuffed with cash. ODonnells lawyer previously disputed the charge.

The five charged Thursday were not directly connected to the bribery accusations.

The investigation was conducted by the states Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which is under the attorney general. Public corruption can be reported online or by calling 1-844-OPIA-TIPS, and tips triggering convictions can lead to rewards of up to $25,000.

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Blake Nelson can be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN.

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(Newser)  Americans are facing some rare hostility from Canadians eager to keep travelersand any possible coronavirus infectionsaway from the Great White North. Vehicles with American plates have reportedly been vandalized in Canada, while occupants have been told to "go home," reports the BBC. The 5,525 miles of border separating the two nations have been closed to most travelers since March 21. That's led to economic hardship for border towns reliant on tourism and personal hardship for those with family and friends in a country now out of reach. Still, a poll conducted in July found 80% of Canadians want the border to remain closed at least until the end of the year. Canada's COVID-19 cases have fallen from a daily peak of 2,760 on May 3 to a few hundred. The US hit its daily peak of 75,821 cases on July 17 but is still seeing around 40,000 cases per day.

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"Montana is directly south of us, is having a second spike of cases right now, and I don't feel sorry for anybody that gets stopped at the border, let's put it that way," Jim Willett, mayor of the border town of Coutts, Alberta, tells the BBC. Many Canadians apparently feel the same way. Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer with US clients who cross the border to work in essential services, says "they're all scared of  vandalism, dirty looks and just getting treated as some 'horrible American.'" He notes a US architect working in Canada was told to "go back home." But there's been bad behavior from Americans, too. In June, the RCMP ticketed seven people caught sightseeing in Alberta when they were supposed to be driving directly to Alaska. "The number of tickets issued was just a fraction of the number of reports coming in," per the New York Times. (Read more Canada stories.)
Japan's Tsutaya bookstore to open new branch in Shanghai

By:An Ranran, Luyukun | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-08-14 13:02

On the opening day of 2020 Shanghai Book Fair, Japanese bookstore chain Tsutaya announced at a press conference that a new branch, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, will be settled in Columbia Country Club in Shanghai in December. The bookstore is expected to become a new landmark of Shanghai.

Its reported that the bookstore will have two floors which have different design subjects. Customers can find all types of books and items there. Besides, the store will hold various events to offer an excellent reading and shopping experience to customers.

By the end of 2019, Culture Convenience Club, the owner of Tsutaya bookstore has ran 1,198 bookstores across the world. The store in Daikanyama is named one of the 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world. Now, Tsutaya runs more than 1,400 bookstores in Japan and has planned to open branches in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Chengdu.

Nomura Takuya, general representative of Tsutsya Books in China said that with the coming of individual consumption age, previous shopping platforms cant meet the demands of consumers. Since its establishment in 1983, Culture Convenience Club, the parent company of Tsutsya Books, has been dedicated in offering consumers good lifestyle plans.

Matsuo Shohei, the designer of this new bookstore, said that Shanghai is a city of limitless possibilities. They hope people can see the perfect combination of classical beauty and modern characteristic in the new bookstore in the future.






Representatives of Homeland Party and Artsakhs (Nagorno-Karabakh) Justice Party had a meeting in Yerevan today. Among the attendees were leader of Homeland Party Artur Vanetsyan, head of the faction of the Justice Party in the National Assembly of Artsakh Davit Galstyan, the factions secretary Metakse Hakobyan, MP Karen Hovhannisyan and spokesperson of Justice Party Ani Kaghinyan.

The aim of the meeting was to get acquainted with and discuss the domestic political issues in Armenia and Artsakh and plans for cooperation that will contribute to the development and prosperity of Artsakh.

One of the main goals of the meeting was to discuss the new educational criteria, which havent been considered by professionals and have been strictly criticized by not only specialists, but also the public. Based on those criteria, the state plan for the strategy on education has been overlooked, and the significance of national identity and the Armenian Church is at risk.

The parties agreed to cooperate and make joint statements, if necessary. They also agreed to hold their next meeting in Artsakh soon.
The Independence Day, which is usually celebrated with great fervour, will be a low-key affair this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 74th Independence Day will see a reduced guest list, policemen in PPE kits and no participation of schoolchildren.

The event at the Red Fort shall comprise of a guard of honour by the armed forces and the Delhi Police to the prime minister, unfurling of the national flag and firing of the 21-gun salute. The highlight, however, would be the prime minister's address, which will be followed by the singing of the national anthem and release of tricoloured balloons.

Security Ramped up

Close to 4,000 security personnel will be deployed at the Red Fort and they will strictly adhere to social distancing. More than 350 Delhi Police personnel, who will be part of the guard of honour, have been quarantined as a precautionary measure.

Besides sealing the main venue at Red Fort, security has also been beefed up at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"All the necessary guidelines in view of the Covid-19 pandemic will be enforced," a senior police officer told news agency IANS, adding that there will be extensive traffic arrangements with adequate deployment of staff and signages for the convenience of the general public. Bomb disposal squads have also been put on alert and have been deployed in key locations around Red Fort.

The Delhi Police have also asked individuals experiencing Covid-19 symptoms to avoid attending the event.

Meanwhile, in Ghaziabad, security has been ramped up and special search operations are being undertaken to check hotels, railway stations and restaurants. SSP Ghaziabad Kalanidhi Naithani told IANS that two Quick Response Teams (QRTs) comprising sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads have been constituted.

PM Modi's Seventh I-DAY Address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay his tribute at Rajghat at around 7 am, after which he will leave for the Red Fort, where he will be welcomed by the defence minister and defence secretary. At 7:32am, prime minister Modi will address the nation. Notably, this will be PM Modis seventh Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Delhi Police Issues Traffic Advisory

The Delhi Traffic Police also issued a traffic advisory detailing the roads on which traffic would be diverted. People have been advised to take alternative routes to avoid road blockages. As per the advisory issued, certain roads will stay closed from 4 am to 10 am. People are advised to leave for their destinations in advance to avoid being stuck in traffic.

(With IANS inputs)
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Del., on Thursday, her first appearance as Joe Biden's running mate. Read more

This story was originally published by our partners at The 19th.

In her first sit-down interview since being announced as the Democratic candidate for vice president, Sen. Kamala Harris emphasized the underlying riskiness of her selection as Joe Bidens 2020 running mate  the first non-white woman on a major partys presidential ticket.

Joe Biden had the audacity to choose a Black woman to be his running mate. How incredible is that? And what a statement that is about Joe Biden, Harris said during a wide-ranging conversation at The 19th Represents Summit. That he decided he was going to do that thing that was about breaking one of the most substantial barriers that has existed in our country  and he made that decision with whatever risk that brings.

Harris has, as the only Black woman serving in the U.S. Senate, made access to the ballot box a policy priority  particularly in a pandemic, which has already created worries about whether people will be able to safely vote in person. She highlighted the obstacles Americans may face in voting this November, and the challenges that could bring.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump suggested he would block funding for the United States Postal Service, which means they cant have universal mail-in voting.

Even without the pandemic, Harris said, the Supreme Courts 2013 gutting of the Voting Rights Act allowed many states to impose new barriers for voters, including voter ID laws, which have disproportionately targeted Black people as well as students and Native Americans. Harris said that while voting rights and access may be addressed at the local and state level, voters  especially minorities  will have to jump over obstacles to casting their ballots this fall.

Some of them were going to fight against and get rid of before the election  some of them are still going to be in place, she said. So heres the thing. Everybody has to remember this and ask this question of yourself. Why dont they want us to vote? Why are they creating obstacles to us voting? Well, the answer is, when we vote, things change.

Harris also previewed a general election message focused on addressing national inequities based on race and gender  a message in some ways reflected by her own historic candidacy and underscored as the nation approaches the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave White women the right to vote.

In a Biden-Harris administration, women are going to be a priority, understanding that women have many priorities and all of them must be acknowledged, Harris said.

That, she said, means emphasizing policy items that more often affect women, and in particular non-White women, such as paid family leave, affordable child care and assistance for older Americans to live at home. All three are issues with disproportionate gender impact. Women are more often in caregiver roles for both children and older relatives, and they constitute the majority of the countrys 65+ population.

The California senator also spoke of the need to consider systemic racism in addressing issues such as climate change  people living in places severely afflicted by air pollution are disproportionately not white  and how the government handles worker protections. Harris joined protests this summer sparked by the killing of unarmed Black Americans.

In the latter case, she pointed to Democratic candidate Joe Bidens economic recovery plan, highlighting wage standards for home health workers  who typically make about $12 an hour and often rely on public assistance  as well as domestic workers. Both industries predominantly employ women, and the labor standards in those professions face minimal federal regulation.

Harris own domestic worker policy, which she touted as part of the Biden-Harris platform, emphasizes areas such as overtime pay, guaranteed paid sick leave, paid meal breaks and wage protections.

When we talk about domestic workers  be clear, we are talking about predominantly women of color, who are spending hours upon hours night and day taking care of other peoples children, other peoples parents and grandparents, she said.

Harris also spoke about her and Bidens shared emphasis on family  arguing that their personal experiences influence how they approach issues such as health care and labor policy. She also previewed the role her husband Douglas Emhoff might assume  both in the campaign, and as, potentially, the nations first-ever Second Man.

He and Jill [Biden] have an incredible relationship, she said. They bonded actually when we were all running. And I do believe that their relationship is a very special one that Americas also going to witness.
(JNS) - A massive fire, followed by an enormous explosion, rocked Beirut on Tuesday, causing a mushroom-cloud-shaped shockwave damaging nearby buildings, including the official residence of the Lebanese president, Michel Aoun. It shattered windows, overturned cars and caused debris to fly across the Lebanese capital.

It's unclear what caused the explosion, which occurred between the Port of Beirut and the city's central district. It was initially blamed on a major fire at a warehouse for fireworks near the port, though the country's general security directorate later said the blast was caus...
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 15, 2020, South Korea held its 21st legislative election, the first election held in South Korea under the new electoral system. The elections determined all 300 members of the National Assembly, and had significant changes from the previous electoral system. The biggest change to the electoral system was the creation of bloc parties, also known as satellite parties, that branched off from the two largest political parties, the Democratic Party and the United Future party. The voting age was also lowered from 19 to 18, to increase voting rates and participation.

UnPresidential

The liberal Democratic Party, the ruling party President Moon of South Korea belongs to, won by a landslide, claiming 180 of the 300 total seats in the National Assembly. Although this win ensured that the Moon administration retained its current level of influence, the approval ratings for President Moon have suffered a sharp decline as concerns about the human rights violations surfaced online and in the mainstream media.

Such alleged violations of marginalized communities' religious liberty and human rights have raised concern internationally. This has led to the creation of various advocacy campaigns by international human rights activists and political watchdogs. One campaign is the website, UnPresidential.org. UnPresidential.org describes itself as a website that "highlights reprehensible actions and behaviors of various leaders of states."

The website features several leaders and issues of urgent concern, putting South Korean President Moon at the top of their list, along with Kim Jong-Un of North Korea and Xi Jinping of China. News articles on the website link to articles describing the Moon administration's woes, and provide examples of citizen petitions against the Moon administration that have gone unanswered. Accusations against the Moon Administration include corruption, bribery, and covering up allegations against politicians of sexual harassment.

Consider the history of South Korea's presidency. Just in the past 20 years. President Roh Moo-hyun, president from 2003 to 2008, committed suicide in 2009 after being investigated for bribery of prosecutors that took place during his presidency. President Lee Myung-bak, president from 2008 to 2013, was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion. President Park Geun-hye, president from 2013 to 2017, was impeached on charges of influence-peddling and charged with 31 years in prison. Every president of South Korea since 2003 has been either criminally charged or incarcerated on criminal charges. Incumbent President Moon Jae-In and his administration are currently being investigated for serious charges as well.

ABOUT UNPRESIDENTIAL

UnPresidential is a website dedicated to providing information on some of the most concerning aspects of several administrations. UnPresidential is not affiliated with any political party, organization, or elected official, and solely represents the opinions of the website's authors.

Media Contact

Adam Tyler

Phone: 202-539-6125

Email address: [email protected]

SOURCE UnPresidential

Related Links

https://unpresidential.org


Telecom shares were trading mixed on August 14 ahead of the Supreme Court hearing in the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) case.

The S&P BSE Telecom was down over a percent, with Bharti Airtel trading 1.5 percent lower. Vodafone Idea shed a percent.

Shares of Tata Communications, however, jumped 5 percent followed by Optiemus Infracom, Reliance Communications and GTL Infra. which gained over 4 percent each.

The court on August 10 adjourned the hearing on telecom companies under insolvency to August 14, while observing that the government must come prepared with a plan for recovery of dues from the telcos under insolvency, CNBC-TV18 reported.

A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and MR Shah will hear the case. There is still no clarity on the time period to be given to the telcos for paying AGR dues.

While Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have sought 15 years time for repayment, the government has suggested a time-frame of 20 years.

Vodafone Idea has to pay a balance of Rs 50,399 crore, while Bharti Airtel's outstanding amount is Rs 25,976 crore, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said during a hearing on July 20.

Both the telecom majors, which owe the highest amounts, had reduced from 20 years to 15 years the time for staggering payments following Supreme Court's stringent stance.

Reliance Communications, Videocon and Aircel were asked to submit all records and details of insolvency within seven days, as court wondered if IBC was being misused by the companies.
Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

There are growing fears over the handling of Novembers US presidential election after it emerged that the US Postal Service (USPS) has warned it cannot guarantee mail-in votes will be counted in almost every state in America and Barack Obama accused Donald Trump of trying to discourage people from voting.

In letters to 46 states, and the District of Columbia, the USPS has warned that it could not guarantee all ballots cast by mail for the November election will arrive in time to be counted  possibly affecting tens of millions of votes across almost the whole country.

The news was reported first in the Washington Post.

Related: Trump faces surprise call from Republican congressman to pardon Edward Snowden  live

A record number of Americans are expected to vote via the USPS because of concerns over in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 160,000 US lives.

One of the letters was sent to Pennsylvanias top official overseeing elections, warning that a one-week turnaround for mail-in ballots may not be possible.

Pennsylvania is a key swing state won by Donald Trump by less than 1% in 2016, and it could play a pivotal role again in 2020. Voters are able to request a mailed ballot up to seven days before the election, but ballots returned after election day cannot be counted.

In response to the growing crisis in the USPS Obama  who has generally carefully avoided attacking Trump directly  launched a remarkable broadside against his successor.

In a podcast with David Plouffe, his former campaign manager, Obama said: What weve seen in a way that is unique to modern political history is a president who is explicit in trying to discourage people from voting. What weve never seen before is a president say, Im going to try to actively kneecap the postal service to encourage voting and I will be explicit about the reason Im doing it.

Obama added: Thats sort of unheard of.

Voting by mail has become a politically charged issue, with Trump claiming that mail-in ballots will benefit his rival, the Democrat Joe Biden, and lead to fraud. Experts have confirmed that the mail-in ballot system has long been safe from any fraudulent tampering, with Trump and members of his family repeatedly using the methods themselves.

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Democrats have proposed $3.6bn in election funding to help states with vote processing, with another $25bn for the cash-strapped USPS to help it meet the expected demand from the 180 million voters who are registered to vote.

But Trump has explicitly said he opposes these measures as he wants to deter mail-in voting.

If we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money, the president told Fox Business on Thursday. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting. They just cant have it. Trump also repeated his claim, again with no evidence, that mail-in ballots would be fraudulent.

Those remarks triggered widespread outrage, especially among Democrats and civil liberties groups.

What weve seen in a way that is unique  is a president who is explicit in trying to discourage people from voting Barack Obama

Trumps critics have accused the president, who is badly trailing Biden in polling, of attempting to stymie the USPS to bolster his floundering re-election effort. Biden said the presidents latest comments were pure Trump. The presumptive Democratic nominee, who this week chose the California senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, added that Trump doesnt want an election.

The mounting concerns over the democratic process have been fueled by an apparent slowdown in activity by the USPS, which is headed by a Trump appointee. The USPS plans to remove hundreds of high-volume mail processing machines across the country, ostensibly due to a reduction in letters and packages sent during the pandemic.

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, has said that she fears Republican sabotage of the USPS, including slowing mail delivery, is a Trump strategy to make voting by mail more difficult this fall. Clinton urged voters to requests ballots early and send them in as soon as possible.

Related: Obama condemns Trump attempt to 'kneecap' USPS to discourage voting  live

The 300,000-member National Association of Letter Carriers said on Friday that the unions executive council had endorsed Democrat Joe Biden for president, warning the very survival of the postal service was at stake.

Trump, presiding over a disastrously handled pandemic that has ravaged the health of millions of Americans and plunged the country into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, has attempted to hurry along the reopening of schools and businesses, despite a surge in infections in many states, while attempting to paint Biden and Harris as an existential threat to the US.

On Thursday, Trump lent credence to a false and racist conspiracy theory that Harris was not eligible to serve as vice-president, saying that he considered the allegation very serious. Harris, who would be the first black and Asian woman to be vice-president, was born in California and is able to serve in the role, or as president, under constitutional requirements.

Trump previously aired the same birther conspiracy about Obama, the first black US president.
SPRINGFIELD - A 31-year-old city man is facing drug and unlawful weapons charges after police found some crack cocaine and an unregistered handgun during a Thursday evening raid of his Longhill Road residence, police said.

Bryan Shannahan is charged with multiple firearm violations, including possession of a gun and ammunition without a firearms identification card, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, improper storage of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for a drug or violent crime.

He is also charged with possession of a Class B and a Class C substance with intent to distribute.

Police found a .32 caliber revolver and some ammunition, 3.5 grams of crack cocaine, a bag of psychedelic mushrooms, and $1,200 in cash.

The Springfield police Narcotics Unit, under the direction of Capt. Brian Keenan, obtained a district court search warrant for Shannahans residence as part of an investigation into the distribution of crack cocaine on Longhill Street.
The youth behind the Fridays for Future movement that brought thousands to Toronto streets last September want the Ford government to know they havent forgotten about the impending climate crisis  even if the pandemic has halted their protests.

On Wednesday a group of activists, many of them high school students, arrived at Queens Park to denounce sections of the COVID-19 recovery package that roll back protections previously won under the Environmental Assessment Act.

Under Bill 197, passed in late July, industrial and developmental projects are no longer subject to automatic environmental assessments. Previously any project involving landfills, incinerators, hazardous waste facilities, provincial freeways, timber management on Crown lands, electricity projects, municipal roads and sewage required environmental assessment before being green lit.

Students are also slamming the governments decision to prioritize gas-fired power plants as a means to replace aging nuclear plants in the province, which has included the purchase of three new natural gas-fired power plants this April for $2.8 billion. Ontarios Independent Electricity System Operator projected itll increase emissions from gas-fired plants by 300 per cent by 2025, and by over 400 per cent by 2040.

The Star spoke with students behind the movement about their disappointment with the Ontario government, and what they hope changes for their future.

Cooper Price, 16, University of Toronto Schools

During the pandemic because a lot of people were forced to quarantine greenhouse gas emissions in many countries did drop, however theyre already starting to rise again, said Cooper Price, a high school student in Toronto.

He added that he was disappointed that Canadian governments werent using the pandemic to set a new normal that includes a rapid transition off fossil fuels.

Our main concern is that coming out of this pandemic is that governments will completely forget about the environment and just try to put forward policies that quickly rebuild an unsustainable economy. So while this could have been a really really big opportunity for complete reset in how governments tackle climate change, our fear is that theyve kind of done the opposite.

Stephanie Vienneau, 19, Carleton University

We want to tell the government that were still here and were still watching them, even though were not the streets protesting, said Stephanie Vienneau, a student at Carleton University in environmental studies. She, along with a group of students also went to Parliament early Wednesday morning to unroll a banner demanding Canadians open their eyes to the worsening climate crisis.

Vienneau worries people havent noticed the harmful environmental policies that have been passed in Ontario as a result of so much attention going to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. She wants to see a recovery plan that creates jobs in green energy as a means to stimulate the economy.

It would be a good idea if we could use this chance to have this new normal where we actually convert to green energies and economies, she added.

Alienor Rougeot, 21, University of Toronto

For Alienor Rougeot, a pandemic recovery plan that centres social and racial justice alongside getting off fossil fuels, is what shed like to see from her government.

Its just this constant pushback on environmental regulations, she said, mentioning Bill 197 and the investments in natural gas plants. It just shows how as soon as the Ford government knows there will be no protests, or that the publics attention is lowered, they just take action thats clearly anti-environment.

Ruby Swartz, 18, climate activist with Fridays for Future Toronto

Ive personally been very frustrated with the way that the Ontario government has dealt with the climate crisis. I feel like the government is selling my future, Ruby Swartz told the Star.

Her main concern? The provinces new policies that will allow the construction of new power-plants that will reverse the gains that were previously made by phasing out coal. Its just going to increase the pollution from gas-fired power plants rather than putting in renewable energy that doesnt produce (greenhouse gas) emissions, she said.

Shes looking ahead to the climate strike movements next global day of action on Sept. 25, which will include socially distanced acts of resistance across Toronto and other major cities in Canada.

Eden Brown, 17, Northern Secondary School student

Eden Brown wants the Ontario government to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Their voice is one you dont hear from very often in the climate movement, she said.

We want a recovery that puts the environment, and workers, and marginalized communities first, because those are often communities that are affected the most by the climate crisis, and we dont think the Ford government is doing that.

Miriam Lafontaine is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @mirilafontaine

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Sinoyolo said it was good the Ukwaluko had been postponed over the coronavirus

South African 17-year-old Sinoyolo was looking forward to becoming a "man" this year.

His uncle had made arrangements for him to travel to the mountains overlooking the South African city of Port Elizabeth in December for his initiation.

Known in the local Xhosa language as "Ulwaluko", the secretive rite of passage marks a boy's transition into adulthood.

Every June and December thousands of initiates between 15 and 17 years old spend at least three weeks secluded in the bush, where they are circumcised and taught to be responsible men.

But this year, for the first time in living memory, the ritual has been called off because of the coronavirus.

"If we send them there and find that one boy is positive (for the virus), it means all 20 of them will be infected," said Afra Msutu, a Xhosa chief.

"When you go to the mountains and get circumcised, for the first seven days you are very vulnerable," he added, noting that initiates stay in close quarters with access only to a traditional doctor.

"We decided it would be too risky and that we might lose more boys than we usually do," Msutu said, referring to the fact that dozens of initiates nationwide die from botched circumcisions each year.

Most of the fatalities occur at the hands of unqualified organisers who fail to provide proper care, leading to dehydration and infection.

Sinoyolo, whose full name has not been disclosed to protect his identity, admitted to the misgivings he had felt over his Ulwaluko.

"I was a little bit scared because most of the guys who went to the mountain said it was very hard there," Sinoyolo told AFP in the Port Elizabeth township of Kwazakhele, where he grew up.

"I think it's a good idea to put it on pause for now because this virus is strong, it has killed many people."

- A 'true man' -

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa suspended June initiations in April, around one month after the country went into lockdown.

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Msutu said that "unprecedented" decision was later extended to the whole year after it became clear the pandemic would last months.

South Africa has the world's fifth highest number of coronavirus infections, with more than 568,000 confirmed cases and at least 11,000 deaths.

Msutu noted that interrupting an initiation session because of a coronavirus outbreak would be humiliating for the boys.

"When you are up in the mountain you are not supposed to come back (early) even if you are sick," he said.

"We did not want to risk the community calling our 2020 boys 'weak' because they did not finish."

Sinoyolo agreed, nodding vigorously at the chief's words.

For him, the fear of not being recognised as a "true man" justified the wait and trumped any concern about pain.

"It's our traditional thing," Sinoyolo said, eyes shining at the thought of finally being treated as an adult.

"Fathers don't like sitting with you until you are circumcised... they keep you apart," he said.

"The older guys are also doing things you are not doing and calling you childish, so I want to upgrade my level."

Sinoyolo said he would use the extra time to "think" and mentally prepare for the challenge ahead.

Chief Msutu, 42, was dismayed over the postponements.

"When I talk to my fathers, the elders, no one has ever experienced anything like this," he said. "Everyone is shocked."

But he noted that the decision to suspend Ukwaluko had been unanimous.

"As much as it is exciting to go to the mountains," he said, "the vital point is that you must come back alive."

sch/sn/gd/tom/sn
Trump Says He Directed Treasury to Prepare Second Stimulus Checks, Must Act with Congress

President Donald Trump on Friday said that he directed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to prepare to send out $1,200 stimulus checks to Americans, but he insisted that Democrats are responsible for the hold-up.

I have directed @stevenmnuchin1 to get ready to send direct payments ($3,400 for family of four) to all Americans, Trump wrote at around noon. DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THIS UP!

Trump later said in a news conference at the White House that he is waiting for the Democrats in Congress and wont act independently to issue an executive order.

Both Republicans and Democrats support sending $1,200 stimulus checks in the next relief package, which means that a family of four could get $3,400.

However, the White House and top Democratic negotiators, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have not met on pandemic relief talks since last week. This week, there was little sign that either side would offer any concessions.

It means that the high-stakes impasse might spill over into September, putting at risk the stimulus checks, expanded unemployment payments, small business loans, funding to state and city governments, and more. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) confirmed that senators have left Washington until September but will be called to return to the Capitol if there is a change of a relief deal.

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) listens, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Aug. 4, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

We will have our regular pro forma meetings through the end of the state work period. If the speaker of the House and the Minority Leader of the Senate decide to finally let another package move forward for workers and for families, it would take bipartisan consent to meet for legislative business sooner than scheduled, McConnell stated on the floor.

On Thursday, Pelosi suggested that an agreement is still out of reach and said the GOP needs to approve a $2 trillion deal at the least. In their HEALS Act, Senate Republicans proposed a $1 trillion deal that notably omitted funding for city and state municipalities, while Democrats had sought $1 trillion in their $3.4 trillion HEROES Act.

The packages are intended to offset an economic downturn that was caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, a novel coronavirus that originated in mainland China last year and has caused a worldwide pandemic.

Earlier this week, Mnuchin said in an interview that the president is determined to spend what we need to spend.  Were prepared to put more money on the table.

Trump on Friday also wrote that he is prepared to direct Mnuchin and the Small Business Association to send additional PPP payments to small businesses that have been hurt by the ChinaVirus, adding, Democrats are holding this up. He is referring to the Paycheck Protection Program that was created under the CARES Act in March, designed to keep small businesses afloat and avert layoffs.

Its not clear when Republican and Democratic negotiators will meet again on a possible stimulus package.

Over the past weekend, Trump took executive action to distribute expanded unemployment payments of $400 per week, with $100 of that coming from states, as well as moves to defer student loan payments, authorize moratorium on evictions, and temporarily suspend payroll taxes.
With Independence Day fervour reaching its pinnacle, it is once again the time to witness the historic moment when the Tricolour will be hoisted at the ramparts of the historic Red Fort by the Prime Minister.

And even as the sight of this Tricolour fluttering high and wide in the sky of old Delhi fills one and all with a feeling of immense pride, residents of Delhi-NCR recall their experiences of visiting different places in the region which flaunt the tallest and largest National Flags and inspire patriotism, awe and wonder among the people.

While there are quite a few high mast national flags in the National Capital Region (NCR), the tallest among them is hoisted at a height of 250 feet in Faridabads Town Park. Since being put up there in 2015, this symbol of national pride has captivated attention of many city residents. I often drive past the Town Park and it is such an amazing feeling to witness our Indian Flag fluttering in the wind. I always take a moment to stop my car and salute the flag. It just happens almost naturally every time, says Devvrat Singh from Faridabads Green Field Colony.

When a monumental national flag weighing over 35 kilogram was installed on a 207-foot pole in Central Park, it not only added to the charm of the colonial era buildings in Connaught Place but has also gradually become one of the most recognisable landmarks of the central Delhi area.

READ: Indian tricolour to be hoisted at Niagara falls on August 15

Getting clicked in front of the flag ahead of the upcoming I-day, a group of friend seems ecstatic and jubilant. Does a visit to CP even considered complete if one hasnt click a picture here? says Aaditya Rawal, 19, a resident of Dwarka sector 6.

Ask this group of teenagers as to what they feel while looking at this monumental flag and pat comes the reply, The josh is high! And its not just about the height or the width but the Tricolour is special and it is impossible to not feel patriotic while standing in front of it, says Amarinder Singh, whos accompanying Rawal on this trip to central Delhi.

The organisation behind the installation of this monumental flag at a place of prominence in Delhis heart, is the Flag Foundation of India. Foundations Chief Operating Officer Shahnawaz Khan tells us, One may have seen the Connaught place flag multiple times but the Goosebumps are always real, a majestic feeling is always there. When you see this flag at the Connaught Place and people clicking photos in front of it, the only thing that is common in all of them is a feeling of oneness as an Indian. So when a person displays a national flag, it is an implicit symbolic gesture saying that the person rises above all other affiliations and is united as an Indian.

ALSO READ: Schools gear up for virtual celebrations, this Independence Day

Opening up about the foundations journey of having installed many such flags across the India, he adds, In 2012 it was the Flag Foundation of India which installed the first monumental Tricolour in Kaithal, Haryana. It was hoisted on a flag pole of 207 feet. Later on, flags of similar dimension were also installed by us at many other places including Connaught Place in Delhi. Between 2012 and 2020, we have installed about 80 such flags across India. However, its not the height but the sustainability of the flag which is most important for us and after the installation of the flag at Connaught Place, we have made it a point to keep the height of all our monumental flags in the country at around 100 feet.

At Greater Noidas India Expo Mart too, there is another beautiful National Flag hoisted at the height of 163 feet. The massive flag can be seen while driving on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway and is visible from different colleges in the surrounding areas of Knowledge Park. City resident Abhishek Sharma, recalls attending the ceremony in which it was installed on the morning of Independence Day in 2017.

I havent witnessed anything so euphoric. There was a band performing and it required over a dozen people to hold the flag while it was being hoisted. It easily took over five minutes for the flag to reach its height on the pole and the sight of it fluttering was truly a mesmerizing one, he says, adding that every now and then he keeps crossing the area and cant resist being in awe with its beautiful, massive appearance.

So how easy or difficult it is to maintain a flag of this proportion and what all measures are taken for installing one such monumental flag? The Expo Mart hosts many national and international events throughout the year including Auto Expo where over 7 lakh people visited our establishment. During every exhibition and event, this flag is often the centre of attraction where most people prefer to click pictures and moreover it shows our dedication and commitment towards the nation. It is a matter of pride for us and of course it instills a feeling of patriotism among all, says Chairman of India Expo Mart Greater Noida, Rakesh Kumar, adding, We are maintaining it on a regular basis. Many heads of the state as well as the Indian Prime Minister of India, have visited our complex several times for different events. So, we are extremely glad to have our Indian Flag flying high on a height over 160 feet for everyone to see. We have a hydraulic system at place, through which the flag is hoisted at that height. So there is certainly no issue with maintenance or keeping it stable at that height.

Author tweets @kediashish

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The Supreme Court (SC), in its hearing on August 14 in the AGR dues case, directed telcos under insolvency to submit details of spectrum sharing agreements that they have entered into. The court has also asked for the spectrum sharing agreement between RComm and Reliance Jio to be placed on record, CNBC-TV18 has reported.

No verdict was passed on the time frame for a staggered repayment of telecom companies' AGR dues. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for 3 pm on August 17.

Vodafone Idea has to pay a balance of Rs 50,399 crore, while Bharti Airtel's outstanding amount is Rs 25,976 crore, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said on July 20.

The top court had in October 2019 upheld the expanded definition of AGR set by Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Also read: AGR case | SBI files intervention plea on behalf of Reliance Communications

Supreme Court observations:

>> When sovereign right is transferred for using spectrum, can dues arising be subservient to dues claimed by secured creditors Dues arising out of use of natural, public resources cannot be merely operational dues, matter of public money.

>> We want details of spectrum sharing agreements entered into by all insolvent companies. We want to know who is using spectrum of insolvent companies.

>> The court adjourns the hearing to August 17, and directs the government, Jio and RComm Resolution Professional to produce necessary documents to bring to light who would be liable for AGR dues of RComm. Similar directions for similar companies, like Aircel and Videocon, that are also in liquidation.

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, RCom's resolution professional, to SC:

>> Reliance Communications (RCom) owes about 25,000 crore in AGR dues.

>> Ericsson filed application under Section 9 for insolvency. Ericsson agreed to settle for Rs 550 crore instead of pending Rs 1500 crore.

>> Divan reads out all applications, orders and dates in the RCom insolvency case.

Senior Advocate Harish Salve for SBI, lenders to RCom, Aircel

>> SBI has clarified that Committee of Creditors (CoC) has complete autonomy to decide who gets how much

>> SBI bats for spectrum as an asset of the telecom company.

>> SBI said operational creditors (like the DoT) cannot be paid at par with financial creditors.

Here are some highlights from the previous hearings:

>> The Supreme Court has prohibited any recalculations or self-assessment, and said the DoT's estimates of AGR dues will be final.

>> The apex court also said staggered payments of over 20 years cannot be allowed without any security.

>> The government said in case of a default, the telecom companies' spectrum license can be cancelled and auctioned to recover dues.

>> Both Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, which owe the maximum amounts, had on July 20 revised their demand from 20 years to 15 years for the staggered payments after SC's stringent stance on payment period.

>> The Supreme Court on August 10 said it wants a plan for recovery of the dues from the companies going through insolvency, such as RCom, Videocon and Aircel.

>> The amount recoverable from RComm is Rs 31,000 crore, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said on August 10.

>> At the previous hearing, Justice Arun Mishra said "We want to go into cause of initiation of insolvency for telcos under IBC. We want an understanding of their outstanding liabilities, urgency in pushing for insolvency."

Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris has been hit by a "birther movement", with US President Donald Trump saying he had heard that she does not meet the requirements to serve the White House.

Former US President Barack Obama was also hit by a birther movement, where his opponents questioned about the origin of his birth.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, 55-year-old California senator, Harris, was named by Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday.

The conspiracy theory about Harris started following a Newsweek Op-Ed by Dr John Eastman, who ran in the Republican primary to be California's attorney general in 2010. Eastman, who lost the race to Harris, a Democrat, said that there are some questions about the eligibility for the position. The theory was also circulated on social media.

The Biden campaign called opinion piece racist.

"I just heard that. I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right," Trump said in response to a question during a press conference at the White House.

Trump did not give his opinion on it but acknowledged that he has heard about such claims circulating on social media that Harris is not eligible to be the president of the United States.

Harris was born on October 20, 1964, at Oakland in California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica.

If elected in the November presidential elections, Harris would be second in line of succession after Biden, who is the Democratic party's presidential nominee.

As per the Constitution, the president needs to be born in the United States

Harris is the first black, and first Indian-American and African-American to be selected for this second highest elected office in the country.

During the news conference, Trump said, "I would have assumed the Democrats would have check that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president but that's a very serious -- you are saying that they are saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country."

"I just heard about it. I will take a look," Trump said responding to another question.

Describing this as an unnecessary controversy, National Finance Committee member of the Biden campaign Ajay Bhutoria said that Harris was born in Oakland in California on October 20 in 1964.

"Article Two of our Constitution dictates that a person born in the United States after 1787 be a 'natural born citizen' of the country . She is a natural born citizen and there is no question about her eligibility to run. This puts an end to discussion.

"The whole birther movement is racist and Donald Trump is a disgrace to our country, Bhutoria said in a statement.

Kamala Harris, like many Americans, is the product of a multicultural family of immigrants, he said.

"Her mother, who travelled to the United States in 1958 to complete a master's degree at UC Berkeley, was the daughter of an Indian civil servant who spent some of his career in Zambia, Bhutoria said.

Kamala Harris being the vice-presidential candidate has given confidence to the immigrant community, especially the Indo-American community, he said.

"I am telling my kids, tomorrow you could be the future president or vice president , if you work hard and work smart and follow the footsteps of inspiring leaders like President Clinton , Obama , Joe Biden and Kamala Harris," Bhutoria said.
P olice have made an arrest after a man was shot dead as he sat in a car in north London.

Officers found Christopher George, 26, with serious injuries after gunshots were heard on Sebastopol Road in Enfield just before 9pm on July 29.

The 26-year-old was treated by paramedics but pronounced dead at the scene, and a post-mortem examination gave the provisional cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

On Thursday, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police believe Mr George was sitting in a black Mercedes when he was approached by two men.

Seconds after they approached him he was shot at close range, and the two men then ran to a car and drove off towards Felixstowe Road.

Detective Chief Inspector David Hillier, of Metropolitan Police, said: Although we have made an arrest, I am still keen to hear from anyone who has information regarding Christophers murder and who is yet to come forward.

We need your help to fully establish what happened that night.

Scotland Yard previously released CCTV images of a dark grey Audi A4 that was near the scene just after the shooting.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 7664/29JUL.
Flanked by some of his top advisers in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump announced that Israel and the United Arab Emirates would be normalizing diplomatic ties. The deal advances the cause of peace in the Middle East.

The agreement, called the Abraham Accord, will lead to diplomatic normalization between the two countries, starting with an exchange of ambassadors, then leading to further agreements in technology, security, health care, and other critical areas. Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and Middle Eastpeace consigliere, said during the press briefing to expect flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, creating greater interfaith exchange.

The deal will also ease domestic political pressures in the two countries. To cement Emirati support for the agreement, the Netanyahu government has agreed to freeze its plans to declare sovereignty over West Bank settlements.

This is a historic accord, and the UAE is the third Arab state to consummate this normalization with Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Crucially, the UAE is the first Gulf state to take the plunge, which is not surprising in light of the two countries unofficial years-long cooperation on a range of issues. Its hard to imagine that the UAEs Mohammed bin Zayed took this courageous step without first consulting the Saudis, who themselves have been predisposed to quietly work with Israel against Irans destabilizing influence in the region. With any luck, more dominoes will fall  Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia could follow.

The Trump team deserves praise for recognizing that the strategic environment was ripe for a deal. It took Trumps unconventional strategy for Middle East peace, which Kushner heads, to bring the agreement to fruition.

For more than three years, the naysayers brayed that the Trump administrations moves in the region would hinder the peace process and potentially lead to conflict. At every turn, they have been proven wrong.

Story continues

The ObamaBiden legacy in the Middle East can be traced back to two policies: the negotiation of the flawed Iran nuclear deal, and the administrations betrayal of Israel at the U.N. Security Council after the 2016 election. Obama officials aimed to seek peace by reaching an accord with Iran, flooding the country with cash, and enabling the regimes moderates.

Trump and his advisers set out to reverse the courtship of Tehran, which had destabilized the region and hurt U.S. ties with Israel and the Gulf states. The Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (which was just an endorsement of reality) and recognized Israels sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Trump ripped up the Iran deal, opting instead for a maximum-pressure campaign, and he ordered the killing of terrorist mastermind Qassem Soleimani, who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in Iraq.

By moving against Iran and supporting Israel, Trump paved the way to todays agreement, not war, as Ben Rhodes and other Obama advisers have warned.

Unlike Rhodes, who diminished the deals importance on Twitter, Joe Biden celebrated it as an achievement (though he elided Trumps involvement in the negotiations). In his statement, amazingly, the former vice president found it appropriate to credit the efforts of the ObamaBiden administration.

And it does deserve some credit  for the reckless coddling of Iran that created a security threat pressing enough to bring Israelis and Arabs together. The former vice president has pledged a wholesale reversal of the Trump administrations approach to the Middle East, a position that ignores the new facts on the ground, including, now, the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in years.

More from National Review
The Supreme Court (SC) will next hear the plea against making the UGC final year exams mandatory on August 18. Students have been opposing UGC decision to make exams mandatory for final year students even as cases of coronavirus are on the rise.

On August 13, UGC in its reply to the affidavits filed by the Delhi and Maharashtra governments said the cancellation of final year exams is not in students' interests and that this would 'irreparably' damage the future of these students.

Further, the ministry of home affairs also said in its affidavit that exams were permitted for final year students taking into account the academic interests of these candidates.

The governments of Delhi and Maharashtra had filed an affidavit in the apex court that they will not be conducting examinations due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi who is appearing for a law student in this matter told SC in the hearing that this is a matter of life and health. He added that states like Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Odisha have decided to not conduct exams.

Shyam Divan who is appearing for Yuva Sena said the earlier guidelines by UGC had sensitivity and flexibility. He added that this cannot be made mandatory especially where in Maharashtra some colleges have become quarantine facilities.

"You cannot say that the lives of a third-year student are less than that of a first-year or second-year student," said Divan. He also added that students who don't have access to technology may suffer if exams are made mandatory.

Divan questioned that when exams could not be permitted to be held when the confirmed cases in India were in thousands in April, then how can they be allowed to be held now with cases being in lakhs.

On July 31, SC had adjourned the matter pertaining to the plea against the University Grants Commission (UGC) decision on mandatorily conducting final year examinations till August 10.

Also Read: What is the plea in SC against the UGC all about?

On July 7, UGC said the end-term examination for all final-year students would have to be mandatorily held by the end of September 2020 in offline (pen & paper), online or blended mode. This was opposed by several state governments like that of Maharashtra, West Bengal as also by final-year university students.

SG Tushar Mehta said in the July 27 hearing that out of 818 universities in India, 209 have already completed the examinations while 394 are in the process of completing the examinations. He added that 35 universities have not reached final year exams.

On July 30, UGC had informed the SC that if students are unable to appear for the examinations by September 30, he/she will be given an opportunity to appear at a specially conducted exam at a later date.

However, the 31 lead petitioners in the SC case refused to accept this reply and said that the UGC's response does not take into consideration the hassles faced by students if exams keep getting postponed. The petitioners had also said job prospects and future admission opportunities for students will be hampered.
Bharat Electronics Limited, a



Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Defence, on Friday announced the successful completion of manufacturing 30,000 numbers of ICU Ventilators in a 'record time' to help the Governmet of India in its efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare placed an order for these 30,000 ICU Ventilators in April 2020 to meet the healthcare infrastructure requirements of the nation, seeing the rise in COVID cases, Bengaluru-headquartered BEL said in a statement.

BEL has manufactured the ICU Ventilator, Model CV 200, based on licensing agreement with Skanray Technologies Private Ltd, Mysuru, and design support from DRDO.

"The indigenisation efforts of DRDO, BEL and Skanray in addressing the non-availability of critical components like highly complex medical grade miniature proportional valves, on/off solenoid valves, oxygen sensors and flow sensors was certainly a game changer as India can now boast of a capable and mature medical electronics ecosystem," the statement said.

After receiving the order, based on its 'Agile Production System Capability', within two weeks BEL established the manufacturing line to produce 500 to 1,000 Ventilators per day, it said.

Manufacturing of these ventilators was undertaken during severe lockdown period and BEL received immense support from various government agencies to resolve the supply chain disruptions.

As manufacturing of these ventilators was centred at the Bangalore Unit of BEL, the Karnataka government took extra initiatives by earmarking a nodal IAS officer for BEL to liaison with, to resolve various lockdown-related issues.

"BEL also would like to make special mention of the support rendered by scores of Indian industries ranging from MSMEs to large business houses in supporting BEL towards manufacturing of 30,000 ventilators in a short span of time", the statement added.

The valuable feedback received from the committee of expert doctors and hospitals pan India helped BEL to quickly upgrade the Ventilator with additional modes of operation through software to address Indian COVID-19 patient needs, it was stated.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
AUGUSTA, Ga. - A man who fired at a Georgia State Patrol helicopter that he didnt like flying near his house has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison.

Terry Kielisch, 56, was sentenced this week on federal charges of assaulting a person assisting an officer of the U.S. and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Georgia said in a statement Thursday.

He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release following his 183-month prison term.

When Terry Kielisch aimed and fired a high-powered rifle at a police helicopter, he callously endangered the lives of the officers aboard the aircraft and of any people on the ground, said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine.

Prosecutors said that a Georgia State Patrol trooper was piloting the helicopter in March 2019 with a Richmond County Sheriffs Office investigator as a passenger when Kielisch shot at the aircraft using a .308-calibre Remington 770. Neither the trooper nor the investigator were injured.

The helicopter was providing support in a search for suspects accused of drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession in Georgia and South Carolina, authorities said.

Kielisch was not the target of the operation, but told investigators he fired at the helicopter because he did not like it flying near his home in Blythe, about 15 miles (24 kilometres) southwest of Augusta.
This is a composite drawing of the suspect Chester police are looking for in connection to a July slaying. Read more

Police and prosecutors in Delaware County are asking the public to look at a composite drawing of a man and a photograph of a woman they want to question in connection with a July 27 fatal shooting at a Chester hotel.

They say the suspected gunman, believed to be about 40 years old, fled from the Candlewood Suites hotel at 351 Welsh St. in a black Ram truck.

Police found Charles Bryant, 36, dead inside the lobby. They believe he was shot outside the hotel and stumbled inside. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Video footage from the lobby shows an unidentified woman was in the lobby at the time; she is a person of interest because she may have witnessed the shooting, according to the Delaware County District Attorneys Office.

The Ram has a Big Horn standard package with a quad cab, investigators said.

The gunman was described by witnesses as a black male, medium build, balding with a long goatee. They said a female was in the passenger seat of the truck. She had light brown skin, a thick build, and black braided hair in a bun. No photo of her was released.

Witnesses described a confrontation in the parking lot outside the front entrance of the hotel between the victim and the driver of the pickup. The witnesses said the passenger in the pickup truck tried to intercede before the shooting. She is also being sought, the District Attorneys Office said.

The investigation is being led by Chester Detective Benjamin Thomas, who can be reached at 610-447-8426 or bthomas306@chesterpolice.org, and by Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division Detective Vincent Ficchi, who can be reached at 610-891-4681 or ficchiv@co.delaware.pa.us.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Glorification of Manu-Smriti at Ram Temples consecration event in Ayodhya (...)

by Dr Suresh Khairnar

(As appeared in the Hindi web-portal named Chauthi Duniya on August 11 2020)

It is beyond doubt that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi insulted Indias Freedom Struggle and R.S.S. Chief Mohan Bhagawat glorified Manu-Smriti at the time of consecration event of the proposed Grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Hence, I demand that an immediate and effective action should be taken against them.

That Prime Minister publicly equated the August 5 event with our Independence Day and thereby insulted the sacrifice of those Shining Stars which laid down their lives to carry out Freedom Struggle. Not only that, he also transgressed his oath solemnly undertaken by him twice as a Prime Minister which clearly binds him to uphold and protect the secular character of the Indian Constitution.

Perhaps, R.S.S. Chief Mohan Bhagawat might have felt this insult as insufficient and thus he went on to quote and glorify the controversial edict in the Manu-Smriti. Bhagawat boasted about the thirty years of incessant striving on the part of Sangh Parivar resulting in the materialization of this event. He also went on to claim that Hindus are full of manliness, valor and courage; that Ram is the perfect representation of these essential qualities and hence we are capable to inspire the entire world through our art of living. It is in this backdrop that he quoted the said controversial edict which appears in the Second Chapter of Manu-Smriti.

Most of the people in India are either ignorant or uninformed about Sanskrit including this writer. However, Dr. Rupa Bodhi-Kulkarni, who is the Head of the Department at Nagpur University, translated that verse of Manu-Smriti in Marathi language. Relying on this translation, it will not be out of place to quote her as follows:

    !      !!

The Second Chapter of Manu-Smriti consists of 250 verses. The description of Brahmin-Superiority is carry forwarded from the first chapter into the second one. Hence, Manu not only entrenches the discrimination between Brahmins and others but goes on to say that how Brahmins are owners as well as governors of the entire universe. Mohan Bhagawat quoted the above-mentioned verse from the same chapter in front of Ram devotees at the Ayodhya event. What it actually means -

That all the human beings on this Earth should learn from the First-Born i.e. Brahmins of this country about developing their own Character. In short, according to Mr. Mohan Bhagawat, the Brahmins of India can develop the Character of all the people in this world even in this twenty-first century and Ram is the inspiration behind this project.

Certainly, a safe interpretation of the above emphasizes that Mr. Mohan Bhagawat has clearly indicated that after the construction of magnificent Ram Temple at Ayodhya, R. S. S. will work in accordance with the dictates of Manu-Smriti. One should better consider August 5 speech as a trailer of that intention.

This reminds one of an article which appeared in the R.S.S. English mouthpiece Organizer. It was written by the Second R.S.S. Chief Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar and was published in its issue of 30th November 1949. Interestingly, it was just four days after the Constituent Assembly finalized the draft of the Indian Constitution on 26th of November 1949. Eminent Historian Shamsul Islam duly mentioned and quoted this article in one of his pieces that appeared in the Indian Express dated 26 September 1949 titled as The unmaking of India.

According to Islam, Golwalkars article in Organizer demanded that the Manu-Smriti should be the Constitution of India. He further quotes the article which reads: But in our Constitution, there is no mention of the unique constitutional development in the ancient Bharat.To this day..[Manus] laws, as enunciated in the Manu-Smriti, excite the admiration of the world and elicit spontaneous obedience and conformity. But to our constitutional pundits, that means nothing.

It seems that Mohan Bhagawat has ratified this view of his predecessor by quoting the said verse from the Manu-Smriti. Putting August 5 on the same footing as the Independence Day by our Prime Minister and quotations from Manu-Smriti by Mohan Bhagawat are enough to suggest that the project of Hindu-Rashtra is still on. Accordingly, attempts are being made to dignify the Manu-Smriti by neglecting the Constitutional ethos.

Indian Constitution treats all the citizens equally and guarantees to all born in this nation the Right to Equality. On this 26th January, seventy years have completed since the commencement of this Constitution and in the same year, B.J.P. ruled Government as well as R.S.S is indicating that they will work according to the dictums of Manu-Smriti. This amounts to an insult to our Constitution and should be taken seriously. Both Prime Minister and R.S.S. Chief have committed a grave offence by doing such insult and it requires strict action against them for the same.
The National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic party (NPP), Sammi Awuku says former President Mahama is only interested in himself and not the welfare of Ghanaians.



According to him, former President Mahama lacks credibility to question the judgment of Ghanaians in voting against his Presidency in the 2016 general elections.



Sammi Awuku, addressing a press conference on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Alisa Hotel, urged Ghanaians to examine former President Mahama's regime and failed promises thoroughly to decide the 2020 elections.



He also labeled Mr. Mahamas comment that Ghanaians voting against him was a poor judgment, on the part of the citizenry, as the highest insult and must be punished severely.



The former President is questioning your judgment. The verdict you delivered to him 4 years ago. Yes! He is saying to you that he did not make a mistake with his incompetence when he was in office, first as Vice President from January 2009 to July 2012 and second, as President from July 2012 to January 2017. But you rather made a mistake with your poor judgment by giving him the biggest defeat ever suffered by any incumbent president in this countrys history.



The question Ghanaians are asking you, former President John Mahama, is this: what good work were you doing that Ghanaians should vote for you to come back to continue?



Is it his record for being the only Vice President to be investigated by his own President for alleged corruption, specifically over an airplane deal? Is it his decision to give a GHS4.6 billion interoperability contract to his friend Roland Agambire, only for the NPP to come and cancel it and do the same thing for $5 million?, What is this good record that he is so proud of? Is it the competence he showed by running the economy of oil-rich Ghana down to the ground?, Is it his indecision over the banking crisis that he himself had identified in his 2016 State of the Nation address but did not have the courage to do anything about?, What is the good work that Mahama wants Ghanaians to remember with nostalgia  what were the good old days?



Is it his decision to run to the IMF for a bailout because he could not manage the economy?, Is it his decision to dish out inflated contracts without even knowing how to pay for them, leaving it for the NPP to come and settle the arrears?, Is it his decision to build two flyovers (Kasoa and Kwame Nkrumah Circle) at a cost much higher than what NPP is using to build four bigger flyovers, Tema, Pokuase, Obestebi -Lamptey and Tamale? Is it the five years of dumsor? Is the suffering he visited on Ghanaians then the good old days that he wants voters to remember? Is it the high rate of youth unemployment? Is it his decision to give over 75% of Ghanas entire deposit of bauxite to his younger brother, Ibrahim Mahama? Is it his decision to oppose Free SHS? he questioned.



Sammi Awuku urged Ghanaians to choose the competence of President Nana Akufo-Addo over Mahamas incompetence in the December 7 elections.

























Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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A Greek and a Turkish warship were involved in a mild collision on Wednesday during a standoff in the eastern Mediterranean, in what a Greek defence source called an accident but Ankara described as a provocation.

Tensions between the NATO allies have risen this week after Turkey sent a survey vessel to the region, escorted by warships, to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling in an area where Turkey and Greece both claim jurisdiction.

The Turkish Oruc Reis survey ship has been moving between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete, shadowed by a number of Greek frigates. On Wednesday one of them, the Limnos, was approaching the survey vessel when it came into the path of one of its Turkish naval escorts, the Kemal Reis.

The Greek frigate manoeuvred to avoid a head-on collision and in the process its bow touched the rear of the Turkish frigate, the defence source said, calling it a mini collision.

It was an accident, the source said, adding the Limnos was not damaged. It subsequently took part in a joint military exercise with France off Crete on Thursday morning, the person said.

The revelation came as Turkey today accused France of acting like a 'bully' in a row over disputed Mediterranean waters.

The search for oil and gas off Cyprus has stirred up tensions between Turkey, Greece and the EU, which have risen since Turkey sent a seismic vessel and a small navy fleet into the region on Monday.

Greece has since dispatched its own military assets to observe what was going on, while France said it was 'temporarily reinforcing' its naval presence in support of Greece.

Turkey says Greece is claiming an unfair share of the Mediterranean on the basis of a few tiny islands, but the EU is expected to back Greece's claims in urgent talks today.

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on a visit to Switzerland today that 'France especially should avoid steps that will increase tensions... they will not get anywhere by acting like bullies, whether in Libya, the northeast of Syria, in Iraq or the Meditteranean.'

French and Greek military vessels sail in the eastern Mediterranean on Thursday after France boosted its naval presence in the region

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last night warned of a 'heavy price' to pay for those who threaten Turkey's Oruc Reis research ship.

'We can't let even the smallest attack go without an answer,' Erdogan reaffirmed on Friday, saying Turkey would respond strongly to any 'harassment' of its ships.

Erdogan said 'there was something like this' that happened on Thursday but provided few details.

Another warship accompanying Oruc Reis 'gave the necessary response. And then they withdrew to their ports,' Erdogan said without saying which nation was involved.

The Greek defence ministry denied being involved in any incident with the Oruc Reis.

Foreign minister Cavusoglu insisted that Turkey was looking for a peaceful solution to the crisis and was only expecting 'common sense' from Greece.

'Of course we do not wish to escalate, but Greece should act with common sense,' said Cavusoglu.

'We are always on the side of peaceful dialogue.'

The Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis sails in the Mediterranean Sea amid tensions over oil and gas reserves off Cyprus

Turkey claims it has every right to drill in the area, as well as in neighbouring waters Cyprus considers its own, after the discovery of large offshore gas deposits in recent years off Israel, Egypt and Cyprus.

EU foreign ministers are expected to reaffirm their support for Greece's interpretation of maritime boundaries and to urge all sides to respect international law.

Greece placed its armed forces on high alert this week as relations between the historic rivals and nominal NATO allies hit a two-decade low.

Erdogan's ministers counter that Greece is using its control of a few tiny islands off the coast of Turkey to claim an outsized share of the Mediterranean Sea.

It also cites examples of past international agreements that gave the coastal power the right to waters despite another nation's islands near its shores.

French relations with Turkey, which is not an EU member, are already strained over Ankara's involvement in Libya's civil war.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pictured in Istanbul today) has warned that Turkey will respond if its ships are harassed

Germany has taken a leading role in trying to mediate the dispute.

Erdogan had followed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's urgings and suspended the Oruc Reis mission last month to give talks another chance.

Greece then signed a maritime agreement with Egypt that appeared aimed at countering a similarly controversial one Turkey had signed with the UN-recognised government in Libya last year.

The Egyptian deal was quickly followed by Erdogan's decision to push ahead with the Oruc Reis mission this week.

'These tensions are worrying,' Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Friday.

'What's important is de-escalation' and for countries 'to talk directly to each other'.

Erdogan said he agreed with Merkel by telephone on Thursday to 'develop a process of protective understanding' with Greece.

'Merkel after speaking to me spoke to [Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis]. I hope she has expressed the line to him discussed with us.'
The Austin City on Thursday joined Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities defunding their police departments.

The Austin City Council unanimously approved a $150 million cut to its police department budget, which is about 34 percent its current total.

The Texas Tribune reported that the budget cut would be allocated for various programs such as mental health response, permanent supportive housing, food access, abortion access, and early childhood coordinator position. It would also include violence prevention. An immediate $21.5 million cut will be realigned to these programs.

The city council approved the budget cut after officers and the city's top cop faced criticism over the killing of an unarmed Black and Hispanic man and the use of force against anti-police brutality protesters as well as the investigation of a demonstrator's fatal shooting by another citizen.

Around $80 million will go into a "Decouple Fund," which will transfer many civilian services outside the police department. These include forensic sciences and victim services.

Councilmember Greg Casar crafted the three-tiered plan to reduce the police department budget. Casar said that when the Austin community organizes for change, he wants to ensure that the council can respond effectively.

"This moment has been born out of a lot of hurt in the community. We know we have a long way to go," Casar said in a report.

About $49 million of the budget will also be used to a "Reimagine Safety Fund," which aims to divert budgets toward alternative forms of public safety.

The council's proposal also includes eliminating 50 vacant officer positions. In this way, the police department will start the fiscal year 2021 without any unfilled sworn positions.

Austin Police Department

The Austin Police Association said through tweets that the proposal is "ridiculous and unsafe." It added that the majority did not want the police department to be defunded.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said this was not about disrespecting the police department.

"I want to be clear that this budget is not punitive, it is not intended to punish police. We're going to improve public safety in Austin together," Adler noted.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said the Austin City Council's decision to defund the police department was a political action driven by "cancel culture."

Texas Governor

On Aug. 13, Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement about the council's decision to defund the Austin police department.

Abbott said some cities are more focused on political agendas rather than public safety. He noted that the council's decision puts many brave men and women of the police department at higher risk. Abbott added that this paves the way to lawlessness.

"The legislature will take this issue up next session, but in the meantime, the Texas Department of Public Safety will stand in the gap to protect our capital city," Abbott said in the statement.

Aside from Austin, the nation's two largest cities, New York and Los Angeles, have also decided to defund its police departments.

The New York City Council approved in June a $1 billion cut for its 2021 citywide budget.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles approved a $150 million budget cut. On Monday, the Seattle City Council has approved a budget cut proposal by around $3 million.

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A screenshot of U.S. President Donald Trump's Twitter account shows he tweeted on Aug. 13, 2020 "Historic Peace agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!" together with the joint statement of the United States, Israel and the UAE. (Xinhua)

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to the full normalization of relations, according to a joint statement of the United States, Israel, and the UAE on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump presented the joint statement on Twitter, which said "this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders."

The statement said, "Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world."

Delegations from Israel and the UAE would meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding various areas, said the statement.

Trump later told reporters at the White House that Israel and the UAE would have an "official" signing ceremony at the White House in the next few weeks.

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state and only the third Arab nation, after Egypt and Jordan, to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, said that the announcement "immediately stops annexation and the potential of violent escalation. It maintains the viability of a two-state solution as endorsed by the Arab League and international community."

A controversial Middle East peace plan unveiled by the Trump administration in January allowed Israel's annexation of areas of the West Bank, which led to strong opposition worldwide.
A young woman has opened up about the horrifying moment she woke up in a hospital bed attached to a ventilator after contracting COVID-19.

Tina Dinh, 26, was left fighting for her life after she became infected the deadly illness last month.

She contracted the virus from her parents after an outbreak spread among workers at the Bertocchi Smallgoods factory in Melbourne's northern suburbs on July 17.

Within two weeks of contracting the virus her health had deteriorated and she found herself trapped in a plastic bubble with tubes coming out of her throat at Footscray Hospital.

Despite her young age and lack of major underlying health issues, a team of ten specialists had to work tirelessly to keep her alive in the intensive care unit

Tina Dinh, 26, has described waking up on a ventilator in a terrifying tale of surviving COVID-19

She contracted the virus from her parents after an outbreak spread among workers on July 17 at the Bertocchi Smallgoods factory (pictured) in Melbourne's northern suburbs

Her health had rapidly declined from a constant temperature, persistent headache, nausea and chills to serious respiratory problems, the Herald Sun reported.

Her parents had been diagnosed with coronavirus on July 25, and they had become incredibly sick straight away.

Then it was her turn, with the symptoms coming on hard and fast in the 24 hours from their diagnosis.

She described losing her sense of smell, taste and the onset of chills she simply couldn't shake.

On July 29 she was taken to hospital but discharged 24 hours later with a machine to monitor her oxygen levels at home.

But within two days she was back at the Footscray Hospital with more breathing problems.

Ms Dinh said it was a terrifying experience to be breathing normally, and then have everything change so quickly.

'You are trying to do everything you can with your mouth and your nose, you are trying to gasp in the air, but nothing is going in. It is like suffocating,' she said.

Her oxygen levels had dropped to only 84 per cent.

She was placed in an induced coma and connected to machines through a series of tubes at the Western Health facility's ICU.

The 26-year-old had no idea where she was and how much time had passed when she regained consciousness.

Ms Dinh said it was a terrifying experience to be breathing normally, and then have everything change so quickly

The young woman never expected to be rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care like many of the older covid victims from aged care facilities

'I just remember lying there being scared, really scared. I was completely alone and I didn't understand what was happening to me. All I knew was that I could not breathe,' she said.

Ms Dinh would look forward to the daily contact with doctors and nurses who would give her hand a squeeze as a way to raise her spirits during the traumatic experience.

She said it was the only reminder she was still alive in such an alien situation.

'It is a really surreal experience being trapped under that plastic 24/7. You reach out and you don't touch anything, you just touch plastic,' she said.

She said she owes the doctors and nurses her life.

Ms Dinh was released from the ICU and returned home to her mother on Monday.

Hospital staff in personal protective equipment wheel a patient into the isolation ward who is suspected of having COVID-19

But the young woman is not out of the woods yet, still suffering pneumonia and remaining positive for COVID-19.

With a team of physiotherapists she is trying to rebuild the muscle she lost during the ordeal and says she can still taste a metallic taste of the virus in her mouth.

Just days before she was rushed to hospital her father Hoang Huynh, was also rushed to intensive care with breathing issues.

He remains in hospital on life support where he is battling pneumonia and three infections himself.

The harrowing tale comes as a man in his 20s became the youngest Australian to die from the coronavirus on Friday.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described it as a 'terrible tragedy.'

He confirmed the man had not been living at a disability facility where an outbreak was confirmed, but said the exact details were still unclear.

'I can't speak to the circumstances of that individual and it may well be the coroner will look at that matter and determine the circumstances,' he told reporters.
While many private schools move classes online, millions of other children have no access to computers or internet.

Millions of children in India are missing out on education as schools have been shut for five months now because of the coronavirus outbreak.

India is the worlds third-most hit nation by the novel coronavirus, with nearly 2.4 million cases and more than 47,000 deaths to date.

While some elite schools  most of them private  have moved classes online, millions of children do not have access to computers, phones, internet, televisions or even electricity.

Only 8 percent of Indian households have a computer and an internet connection.

Electricity is also a problem  less than half of Indian homes have more than 12 hours of power a day, said Al Jazeeras Elizabeth Puranam, reporting from the Indian capital, New Delhi.

To address the challenges, some are taking classes to those children who dont have access to technology.

One such person is university student Satyendra Pal Shakya, who has been running a makeshift straw-hut learning centre for five years in an impoverished New Delhi neighbourhood.





Shakya told Al Jazeera the centre has become even more important since the Indian government shut schools five months ago.

When online classes started, we saw that many children dont have online accessories like laptops, tablets, phones and even if they had these things, they dont have the ability to charge them because  theres no electricity, he said.

About 100 students regularly attend English, Maths and Science classes, taught by Shakya and six others who are helping him.

I really like the classes. Because I really like the teacher, he teaches us really well, Kiran Shakya, a student at the centre said.

Another student, Brijesh Shakya, said: We wouldnt be able to study without these classes and our education would deteriorate and our brain too.

Shakya and his students reside in one of New Delhis many neighbourhoods where people live in makeshift structures, with little or no access to electricity.

Some have walked half an hour from other neighbourhoods to attend the centre.

Indias digital divide

While many regions in India struggle, some like the southern state of Kerala have been relatively better at meeting the educational requirement of students as the pandemic rages on.

Kerala has set up temporary classrooms for students who cannot watch the local governments pre-recorded classes online or on television.

These online classes are very easy to understand and if theres anything we dont understand, then teachers here help and guide us. We like it a lot, student Nimisha Pullurampara told Al Jazeera.

Classrooms have been set up throughout the state, even in remote tribal regions.

Children maintain a safe distance as they listen to pre-recorded lessons over loudspeakers, in Dandwal village in the western state of Maharashtra [File: Prashant Waydande/Reuters]

But Kerala, which has always had one of the best education systems in the country, is an exception. Experts say millions of other Indian children are going to be left behind because of the lockdown.

We are going to certainly create this digital divide much larger, Osama Manzar of Digital Empowerment Foundation told Al Jazeera.

However, Manzar said the situation requires extremely drastic emergency call by the government and internet service providers, as well as device providers. We need subsidy on device, we need subsidy on connectivity.

Manzar said it should not be up to the kindness of individuals to invest in the future of Indias children.
New Delhi, Aug 14 : The Ministry of Law and Justice has requested the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as well as the state governments to come up with books on citizens' duties.

As part of its concerted efforts to create public awareness on the matter, the Ministry's Department of Justice has also appealed for inclusion of chapters on civics and political science in books, with a special emphasis on citizens' duties.

Addressing a webinar on 'Citizens' Duties during COVID-19' on Friday, Department Secretary Barun Mitra said: "Similarly, we have requested the Department of Legal Affairs to come up with some modules on citizens' duties.... Some of the states have already acted on the matter and the Department of Legal Affairs has already prepared some modules." Mitra said that the Department of Justice, with the help of Indian Embassies, has also started involving non-resident Indians abroad on citizens' duties and what all they can do for their country.

"We need to do everything jointly in a very sustained manner and in a way wherein we can take everyone on board and listen to more suggestions to help build a more robust and vibrant society and a more developed nation," he added.

Referring to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and noting the duties performed by doctors, nurses, other medical staff and scientific community, the officer said: "We will look up to them with hope and gratitude. They are perhaps one of the best icons before us on how we can perform a citizen's duties." Terming the positive response from common citizens and society at large as 'heart-warming', he said: "Be it coming up with community kitchens, creating awareness about prevention and physical distancing, providing shelter to the homeless, supporting government efforts to set up health camps to deliver services to the elderly, people with disabilities, children and others, their contribution has been exemplary." Mitra also lauded the efforts of the private sector and India's start-ups during Covid-19. "The constructive role in Covid-19 response played by the corporate sector in rebuilding and reviving our economy has been both timely and invaluable. This is an opportune moment for the government and the industry to act in unison to achieve the goals of a safe and secure country and self-reliance." The officer said that that the coronavirus crisis had also brought out the best in the start-up space. "Many of them have risen to the occasion and accelerated development of low-cost, scalable, and quick solutions; results have been promising and we are certain that it is these vertical and horizontal partnerships built over the decades and strengthened during this joint fight against the pandemic that will deliver better and greater results in the times to come." He urged the industry associations to spread the message and sensitise all about the responsibilities and duties towards the nation.

"Let us all resolve to work with unflinching commitment to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat and let us together resonate with the spirit of citizens' duties to achieve the full potential of our country." ASSOCHAM President Dr Niranjan Hiranandani also addressed the webinar and assured support of the industry in government's initiatives vis-a-vis creating awareness about the citizens' duties.

Sharing his perspective, ASSOCHAM Secretary General Deepak Sood said: "To instil the importance of fundamental duties in a society, India should, as part of its education reforms, incorporate community welfare practices right from the primary stage to the university level. This will help our future citizens develop a strong sense of ethics and create model citizens."
Niagara regional councillors voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a motion addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion when it comes to policing in Niagara.

The vote was the culmination of more than six hours of discussions, over two days, with the councillors themselves, members of the public who told of harrowing experiences with the police, and Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch.

The motion was brought by St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik and seconded by Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. Several councillors praised Sendzik for his efforts on the issue of racism and policing.

I am simply a conduit for the motion, said Sendzik. It helps inform the start of a discussion.

The motion asks for reports on several key topics, including an outline of all training on de-escalation techniques, diversity, cultural sensitivity and anti-racism, as well as the implications of redirecting some policing funds toward social service programs.

Councillors also expressed support for expanding a program that teams police officers with social workers through the Canadian Mental Health Association. Currently, the program is only available for a limited period each day and covers only St. Catharines.

I want the council to know, and I want our community to know, that if there is evidence of system racism we will address it, MacCulloch said.

He said in 2014 the NRP engaged a third-party consultant and brought in a comprehensive diversity, equity and strategic plan. The consultant reviewed 212 policies and made 10 recommendations for change.

We have implemented changes in the past, MacCulloch said. We are committed going forward to a continued review of our policies.

It is not in our interest to not serve our entire community. We are committed to that.

MacCulloch said the statement doesnt mean every interaction is going to be positive.

Because of the line of work our officers are involved in, they are emotional situations that often involve drugs, alcohol, and violence.

We aim for 100 percent, and we hold officers accountable when they act inappropriately in contravention of our code of conduct.

Amendments to request a report on body-worn cameras and a moratorium on the collection of racial information were defeated.

Sendzik said he may have heard some grumbling over the length of the meetings.

While it has taken us five hours, if it would have taken 15 hours I would have been OK with it, he said.

This is the start of something. If we arent listening to the BIPOC  Black, Indigenous, and people of colour community  and not engaging with them, you are missing an important part of this dialogue.

Sendzik said he had a great deal of respect for everyone sitting on the regional council, but noted all the members are white.

To say things like five hours is too long, or lets move onto the next topic, if I were a person of colour or an Indigenous person that would be a slap in the face and saying my concerns about the community dont matter.
SPRINGFIELD  Challenger Alex Morse says he backs a bipartisan plan to stop surprise medical bills that incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Neal killed in December at the behest of big-pocket corporate interests.

But Neal, D-Springfield, says the bill was too generous to the insurance industry and would have taken too much money out of the health care system, hurting doctors and hospitals.

And Neal said he was in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office as recently as a few weeks ago working out a compromise.

Neal and Morse are running against each other in the Sept. 1 Democratic primary.

Morse, who has been mayor of Holyoke since 2012, hosted his second news conference on the medical billing issue Thursday.

He said the bill he supports would have made the appeals process easier and prevented hospitals from hitting people with unexpected charges some time after treatment.

Neal said hes working on a bill that would have health care providers and insurers negotiate.

This argument that I blocked that legislation is nonsense, Neal said during an editorial board meeting with The Republican and MassLive on Thursday. The truth is I have the consumer position front and center.

Neal, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said his legislation has the backing of the Massachusetts Hospital Association and of local hospitals in Springfield and Holyoke.

U.S. Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi, D-N.Y., and U.S. Rep, Donna E. Shalala, D-Fla., a former secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton, wrote a column for The Republican supporting Neals position.

Morse alleged what really swayed Neal away from the earlier bill was support from the financial firm Blackstone Group, which donated $48,600 to Neals campaign, according to federal records. Morse said Blackstone Group profits off surprise bills. By delaying the bill into this election year, Neal knew he was killing it, Morse said.

Neal responded that donors come to his way of thinking rather than him coming to theirs.

Morse on Thursday also reiterated his support for single-payer health care.

Neal voted for a public option during debate a decade ago on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, but that option was later dropped in order to get the legislation through the U.S. Senate.

Neal said he would still support a public option.

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SBS has outlined new measures to address claims of racism and improve on diversity, representation and inclusion in the workplace.

Media reports also claim an independent lawyer will investigate criticism of workplace culture after current and former staff spoke publicly about their experiences.

Late yesterday SBS issued a statement, which notes a review of procedures as part of its measures. All staff will complete an SBS Inclusion Program.

SBS is committed to being an increasingly diverse organisation, reflecting the diverse communities it serves, and ensuring it is an inclusive workplace for all.

SBS recently outlined to its employees a range of actions and measures to support ongoing improvement in diversity, representation and inclusion in the workplace. These initiatives build on the existing three year SBS Inclusion Strategy launched in 2018, and are outlined against the categories of Representation, Organisational Capability, Transparency and Measurement, and Process and Systems.

Representation

With effect on 6 July 2020, SBS elevated two of its most capable and respected senior leaders to the Executive Leadership Team, in newly created roles:

Director of Indigenous Content  Tanya Denning-Orman. Tanya is responsible for SBSs Indigenous content strategy, including the management of NITV.

Director of Corporate Strategy  Sarah Yassien. Sarah is responsible for SBSs Corporate Strategy and the Audience, Data and Insights function.

Additional initiatives to drive improvements in representation across SBS include:

A voluntary register of staff with a range of lived experiences to participate in job interview panels, to avoid risks around unconscious bias.

A candidate development fund to incentivise SBS hiring managers to select from internal talent pools. This will help lift representation more rapidly and create more opportunities for professional growth.

Identified positions across disciplines and seniority levels to enhance representation of Indigenous employees outside of NITV.

A program to identify high-potential talent from under-represented backgrounds and invest in a comprehensive development plan across a 12-month period to accelerate their growth.

Organisational Capability

Identify and train a number of SBS inclusion champions to provide support and information to staff, as an alternative avenue to a formal complaints or investigative process.

Appoint two Indigenous Elders in residence to provide support and cultural empowerment to staff.

All staff to complete the existing SBS Inclusion Program, developed in partnership between SBS and key peak bodies and community organisations. This will form part of onboarding for new staff and be mandatory for all existing staff.

Develop a guide to support the production and assessment of multicultural and Indigenous content, in alignment with existing guides or, where appropriate, to lead changes to existing style guides or resources that reflect best practice.

Transparency and Measurement

Clear information to be available to all staff after each Inclusion Council meeting, to increase transparency on actions and initiatives internally.

SBS website to include more information about the makeup of our workforce at all levels, and about our diversity initiatives.

Process and Systems

Conduct an end-to-end review of production procedures and practices.

Reviews of core SBS processes to identify where they can be improved.
As the APC and the PDP rev up their campaign machines in the run-up to the September 19 guber election, candidate and Gov Godwin Obaseki appears jinxed with loyalists ratting on him when he needs them the most.

More associates just dumped the governor in addition to no fewer than 42, including commissioners, campaign director, board members, who earlier defected to the APC largely believed to be the Adams Oshiomhole camp.

While the earlier defectors had the niceties of couching their resignation in mild, say-nothing letters, the latest party hoppers are not mincing their words.

A senior special assistant from Urhonigbe South ward 8, Faith Obasuyi, who defected at the early hours on Friday, did so with a vengeance.

She said Obaseki is leading the state to the middle of nowhere with his approach to women development.

Im, therefore, not persuaded that the recent activities of the Gov Obaseki administration can lead me to achieving these interest especially when the governor has now abandoned the APC on whose back he rode to power, said Obasuyi.

This decision is borne out of my desire to join forces with our great party, the APC to ensure the emergence of a true Orhionmwon man as governor come September 19th, 2020.

The vice-chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Hon Christian Iweka, has also dumped the PDP.

Poaching members of the Obaseki camp looks like a good strategy for the Oshiomhole camp.

No fewer than four PDP lawmakers loyal to Obaseki have switched to the Ize-Iyamu side, tipping the scale against the governor in the state house of assembly.

The governor, a political upstart, is up against his former godfather and skillful fighter, according to PDPs commentator Femi Fani-Kayode. That makes it more likely, some analysts say, for the PDP candidate to get worn out before the election.

Obaseki, too, is flexing the incumbent muscle by shutting down the legislative armfor fear of impeachmentamong his other offensive tackles.

Many political observers have warned the amount of energy going into each partys preparation could eventually trigger political violence.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today held a consultation devoted to the actions carried out by the Urban Development Committee of Armenia in 2019 and the performance evaluation, as reported the news service of the Government.

Acting chairperson of the Urban Development Committee Armen Ghularyan presented the current state of implementation of the strategies envisaged by the Government Program and the five-year action plan, as well as the actual changes that have been made in the sector.

Prime Minister Pashinyan was provided with details about the strategy for development of the urban development sector, the strategic programs for proportionate development of territories, as well as the main directions for actions ensuring regulation and implementation of activities in the sector.

Pashinyan attached importance to implementation of reforms along with the reforms in public governance and particularly emphasized the need for implementation of ongoing actions to simplify the process of granting construction permits, optimizing the time limits for issuance and increase of the quality of the services that are provided. Pashinyan also gave specific assignments.
The Raqqa Political Board has said that no single party can make a decision that affects all of the province and a political solution must involve all parties reports Zaman Al-Wasl.

The Raqqa Political Board warned of the expansion of the regimes control in the eastern province, which is divided between three regional and international parties, saying that it does not recognize any agreements before a political solution is achieved.

Mohamed Sobhi from the political bureau of the Board explained that they will not recognize any agreement signed by a single party to decide on the affairs of the province.

We do not wish to renew the regimes control over all of Raqqa. Its presence in a part of the region is because we aspire for Raqqa to be part of the comprehensive Syrian solution.

The expansion of the regimes control here is hardly an expansion of Iranian influence.

Its presence glorifies the Russian role and disrupts the international balance that is based on the clash of international interests in Raqqa.

Restoring the regimes control over the province is tantamount to killing, expelling, or removing any opposing opinion.

International and regional bodies are competing for control over Raqqa and its human and economic resources. This competition has resulted in three current administrations: the regime with Iranian and Russian support in the south, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with US-French support, and the National Army with support from Turkey as part of Operation Peace Spring and through its control over Tel Abyad, Suluk, and Ayn Issa.

The fact that there are overlaps in the map of military control is not unusual, but it does not necessarily affect the landscape of administrative, political or economic control. Russian and regime forces entered the region with monitoring missions, especially on the lines of contact between these conflicting forces on the M4 highway and attempted to have a foothold in Ayn Issa, after the American army moved towards Hassakeh and Qamishli.

According to the Board, there will be no major changes in the areas of control over the governorate unless there are new negotiated solutions that may result in the implementation of international decisions and the advancement towards political transition. Only then will most of these temporary jurisdictions disappear to be replaced by a clear delineation of interests that maintain the general balance and creates a form of local government in which all parties of the conflict participate.

It is unlikely that the SDF would give up Raqqa as it contains a percentage of Kurds, and it became the only way to access Ayn al-Arab, Kobani and Manbij, as well as the presence of significant and vital economic installations and facilities that feed into Hassakeh and Deir ez-Zor.

On Monday, hundreds of people went out in protest al-Tabqa, after news about meetings between certain clan members with the Qatirji militias and the Russians to restore the regimes control in the region were leaked.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Eusebio Leal Spengler, who led an effort to preserve Old Havana, transforming that historic district from a forgotten slum into an architectural jewel and tourist destination, died on July 31 in Havana. He was 77.

His death was reported by Granma, the official newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party. In recent years he had been treated for pancreatic cancer.

In a statement, President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba called him the Cuban who saved Havana.

Mr. Leal began his preservation efforts in the 1980s, when the old center of the capital city was a ruin. Residents lived without indoor plumbing or reliable electricity, garbage piled up on the streets, and 250-year-old buildings sometimes collapsed before their eyes.
The US State Department has designated a Chinese government-funded Mandarin-language programme as a foreign mission, expanding the scope of Chinese organisations operating in America that Washington regards as propaganda arms of Beijing.

Confucius Institutes in the US - an organisation managed by China's Ministry of Education, and which finances its programmes on American campuses - will need to register its personnel roster and property holdings with the State Department, a move authorised by the Foreign Missions Act of 1982 (FMA), David Stilwell, the assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said on Thursday.

"We asked them to tell us what they're doing here in the US, we're not closing it. We're simply designating them as what they are, as foreign missions," Stilwell said.

Stilwell likened the move to the department's new restrictions on journalists working at US bureaus for Chinese state media outlets. "This process that we've done so far with media and others has significantly improved visibility into what the [People's Republic of China's] state media is doing," he said.

He added that "these so-called journalists do in fact work for the Beijing ministry of propaganda", and that "In the same way, these activities of Confucius Institutes ... who work for the Communist Party cannot masquerade as benign academic institutions."

The order only applies to the Washington-based umbrella organisation, Confucius Institutes in the US. CIUS manages and funds programmes on US campuses, which are not subject to the order.

CIUS operates under the auspices of the Chinese Ministry of Education's Chinese Language Council International, also known as Hanban.

Confucius Institutes in the US did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the State Department's order.

About 75 Confucius Institutes are active on university campuses and elsewhere in the US. These programmes are not subject to the requirement to register, nor are students taking the institutes' Mandarin-language classes.

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The US also has about 500 "Confucius Classrooms", which are conducted on levels from kindergarten through high school. These programmes are managed by Hanban through US universities that host Confucius Institutes.

Campuses hosting Confucius Institutes had been dropping the programmes well before Thursday's announcement, owing to scrutiny that had been intensifying for years.

At least 25 programmes have closed since the National Association of Scholars (NAS) published a 2017 report largely critical of the amount of control the Chinese government has over the selection of instructors and teaching materials used in CI classrooms.

A screen shot of the website for the Confucius Institute at the University of Michigan, before the university decided not to renew the relationship in 2019. Photo: Confucius Institute alt=A screen shot of the website for the Confucius Institute at the University of Michigan, before the university decided not to renew the relationship in 2019. Photo: Confucius Institute

Last year, for example, the University of Minnesota, San Francisco State University, the University of Oregon and Western Kentucky University all shuttered their CIUS programmes, after the passage of a clause in the 2019 US defence budget that no institutions receiving funding from the Pentagon can host a Confucius Institute.

The NAS report, "Outsourced to China: Confucius Institutes and Soft Power in American Higher Education", cited many examples of Hanban's control over teachers dispatched to host universities and agreements between Hanban and these schools to keep their contracts private.

Confucius Institute programmes "avoid Chinese political history and human rights abuses, portray Taiwan and Tibet as undisputed territories of China, and educate a generation of American students to know nothing more of China than the regime's official history", according to the report.

The NAS report added that "there is no positive proof that the institutes are also centres for Chinese espionage against the United States, but virtually every independent observer who has looked into them believes this to be the case".

The State Department's action against Confucius Institute comes amid a series of other initiatives to counter perceived Chinese influence operations and national security threats, including its "Clean Network" programme and the Justice Department's "China Initiative".

Clean Network involves coaxing other countries to ban Chinese vendors from their 5G networks, and urges US app stores to remove "untrusted" Chinese-owned apps - including the video-sharing TikTok app and the messaging app WeChat.

The China Initiative involves a strengthening of resources to investigate unlawful and covert efforts by Chinese entities to acquire US technology and data.

David Stilwell, assistant US Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said one issue driving the action was a lack of transparency by Chinese authorities. Photo: Reuters alt=David Stilwell, assistant US Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said one issue driving the action was a lack of transparency by Chinese authorities. Photo: Reuters

However, the registration orders for Confucius Institutes also concerns reciprocal access, another contentious issue that drives US actions against Beijing.

"This whole process ... reflects a larger effort by the US government and the Trump administration to get at through reciprocity and transparency," Stilwell said.

He cited "American corners" offered at US universities with campuses in China as an example of failed attempts at reciprocity because of obstacles by Chinese authorities.

"The trouble is ... they make access impossible for Chinese students to go talk to Americans ... and so again this supposedly reciprocal relationship is wildly out of balance," Stilwell said.

"Our goal is to get the other side to understand the importance of transparency and openness and sharing, but until that happens we're going to take steps to defend ourselves."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
By Enrico Dela Cruz

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine unit of Royal Dutch Shell said on Thursday it will permanently shut one of the country's two oil refineries, blaming a pandemic-led slump in margins, with other regional closures likely to follow, according to analysts.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp said its 110,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) Tabangao facility in Batangas province, which began operations in 1962, was no longer economically viable and would be turned into an import terminal.

Singapore's complex refining margin, the bellwether in measuring profitability at Asian refineries, has been mostly negative since March prompting many refiners to cut output or temporarily shutter operations.

In the United States and Europe, refiners are permanently halting processing or weighing lasting shutdowns.

"We definitely see the possibility of more closures in Asia over the next 6-12 months," said Mia Geng, consultant at FGE, adding that refineries in Japan, Australia and New Zealand could be likely candidates for closure.

"Given the uncertainties in demand and our subdued margin outlook, it would be challenging for those less complex and efficient refineries to continue running."

The oil refining industry is well on track to registering more than 1 million bpd of global closures this year alone, although not all of them will come into effect in 2020, according to consultancy JBC Energy.

"The picture is fairly telling, with even the most complex refining margins down to just around 10% of their former levels, while steam cracking economics are currently at least around the 50% (of former levels) mark," JBC said in a note.

Asia oil refining margins https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/ce/jznpnkrxxvl/Pasted%20image%201597285885308.png

The permanent closure of Tabangao comes after both of the Philippines' refineries halted operations as coronavirus lockdowns pummelled oil demand.

"Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global, regional and local economies, and the oil supply-demand imbalance in the region, it is no longer economically viable for us to run the refinery," Pilipinas Shell Chief Executive Officer Cesar Romero said.

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The other local refinery, Petron Corp's 180,000-bpd facility in Bataan province, has been on a scheduled turnaround since May and will restart on Sept. 1.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi sought to allay concern over domestic fuel supply saying Pilipinas Shell is expected to fill its market share through imports of refined products.

Wood Mackenzie research director Sushant Gupta said the challenging environment would put pressure on weaker Asian refineries, particularly ones in mature markets, or with little or no integration with petrochemicals.

"We could see closures becoming a reality in many markets," he said in a note.

(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz; Additional reporting by Florence Tan, Seng Li Peng, Shu Zhang and Koustav Samantha in Singapore; Editing by Ed Davies and Richard Pullin)
Nearly two months after Chinas Peoples Liberation Army assault teams attacked troops of the 16 Bihar Regiment killing 20 soldiers, Chinese ambassador to India, Sun Weidong, has said that the onus is not on China for the June 15 Galwan Valley incident.

According to an Indian Express report, the Chinese envoy penned his opinion in China-India review, a Chinese embassys magazine that is published in Delhi.

If one analyses this incident carefully, its quite clear that the onus is not on China. The Indian side crossed the LAC for provocation and attacked the Chinese border troops. The Indian forces seriously violated agreements on border issues between the two countries and severely violated basic norms governing international relations, Weidong wrote in the magazine.

He urged the Narendra Modi government to conduct a thorough investigation, hold the violators accountable, strictly discipline the frontline troops, and immediately stop all provocative acts to ensure such incidents will not occur again.

The savage combat in June, with few parallels in the history of modern armies, claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers, including 16 Bihars commanding officer, Colonel Santosh Babu, many because of protracted exposure to sub-zero temperatures.

The killings marked the Indian Armys worst losses since the 1999 Kargil war, and the most intense fighting between India and China since 1967, when 88 Indian soldiers and as many as 340 PLA troops were killed in the course of intense skirmishes near the Nathu La and Cho La passes, the gateways to the strategically-vital Chumbi valley.

On June 17, while paying tributes to martyred Indian soldiers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said The country would be proud that our soldiers died fighting ('woh maarte-maarte mare hain'). This was interpreted as a confirmation that Indian soldiers had inflicted casualties on the other side.

The Chinese police last week arrested a man for posting "rumours" on social media alleging that poor-quality military vehicles have caused the "death" of PLA soldiers during the India-China border clash. China has not released information on the casualties on its side but according to an American intelligence report it was 35.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 crew members seated in the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft during training. From left to right: NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Victor Oliver and Mike Hopkins, and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi.

NASA and SpaceX plan to launch the company's first full mission with astronauts no earlier than Oct. 23, the agency announced on Friday.

Known as Crew-1, the mission will see three U.S. astronauts and one Japanese astronaut launch in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. There they will spend six months at the space station, conducting research and performing tasks.

The Crew Dragon capsule will carry NASA's Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and JAXA's Soichi Noguchi. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that will lift the capsule arrived in Florida in July, to prepare for the Crew-1 launch.
Emily Ratajkowski enjoyed a stroll in the Hamptons this week with her dashing husband Sebastian Bear-McClard.

The 29-year-old supermodel showed off her taut midriff in a casual outfit that included a cropped T-shirt and olive green sweats.

Meanwhile her man showed off his muscled arms and toned calves on a tank top and shorts while walking hand in hand with his wife.

Look of love: Emily Ratajkowski enjoyed a stroll in the Hamptons this week with her dashing husband Sebastian Bear-McClard

The pair recently decamped to the Hamptons after previously self-isolating at their home in New York City, before which they were on the west coast.

Emily, her beefcake producer husband and their dog Colombo spent much of lockdown at her parents' house in Los Angeles.

They fled New York City while it was the American epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic and flew out to California on April 15.

The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention had issued an advisory on March 28 asking 'residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately.'

Hand in hand: The 29-year-old supermodel showed off her taut midriff in a casual outfit that included a cropped T-shirt and olive green sweats

However in late June as COVID-19 cases spiked dramatically in California, Emily and Sebastian crossed back to New York.

In a piece published at the start of May she dished to British GQ that 'Its been interesting being in quarantine and married.'

'I feel like a lot of people will end up divorced. But my husband and I are in a good partnership,' said Emily, whose husband was a producer on Uncut Gems.

Peach on the beach: The pair recently decamped to the Hamptons after previously self-isolating at their home in New York City, before which they were on the west coast

'And I think that Ive learned a lot about myself being married, for sure,' the Inamorata founder added.

Emily has also recently returned to her natural brunette hair color after briefly going blonde as a promotion for Kerastase.

For over two years the sizzling sensation has been the face of Kerastase, a Paris-based brand that is a subsidiary of L'Oreal.
Andrew T. Scheid (pictured in mugshot) was charged with four misdemeanor counts and four felony counts on Thursday

A Pennsylvania funeral director has been charged with abuse of a corpse after he did not embalm or refrigerate four bodies that were left out unsealed for days, authorities said.

The Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home in Lancaster County was already inundated with unrelated civil and sexual harassment lawsuits when the eponymous owner was arrested on Thursday.

Andrew T. Scheid was charged with four misdemeanor counts of abuse of a corpse and four felony counts of tampering with public records/information.

The charges were brought up by the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office and the Manor Township Police Department after they staged an investigation into the 49-year-old.

Over several months, the two agencies alleged that Scheid was intentionally mishandling dead bodies at his funeral home and then falsifying death certificate entries to match.

The alleged crimes occurred from December 2019 to January 2020 at the Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home on Blue Rock Road.

On January 14, authorities recovered four bodies from the funeral home that had been left out between four to 17 days.

Authorities said that none of the bodies were properly cared for and were varying states of decomposition.

'Upon recovery, the bodies were not embalmed, sealed or refrigerated  as required by the Funeral Director Board regulations  and were found in various, advanced stages of decomposition such that it would outrage ordinary family sensibilities,' according to a press release.

Scheid is also accused of intentionally submitting false entries on death certificates that were filed with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Health Statistics.

He allegedly made the false entries to give the impression that his handling of the four bodies was in compliance with Pennsylvania State Funeral Board Regulations.

One body belonged to Charmaine Antonucci, who had hoped that her remains would be donated to the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for medical student use.

But Antonucci's body was left out for four days without refrigeration or embalming, leading to what has been described as 'advanced decomposition.'

Her family was upset, but also have an optimistic view on the matter.

'I look at this as, It opened the case up and maybe helped a lot of other people that were waiting for help,' her sister, Holly Geerdes, told Fox 43.

Scheid surrendered to authorities on Thursday and is being held with a $250,000 unsecured bond.

Authorities said they recovered four bodies from The Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home (pictured) that were not properly tended to

His funeral director license has been suspended indefinitely but for no more than three years, per order from the Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs

According to a separate investigation by the East Lampeter Township Police Department, which sits just 30 minutes east of Manor Township, Scheid allegedly also used bad checks to make business purchases.

'Scheid is charged with providing a $7,500 check to purchase a burial vault in December from Evans Eagle Burial Vaults,' the press release said.

'Scheid wrote the check with insufficient funds in the attached account, and, after the check returned as insufficient, still did not make good on the payment.'

He was charged with one misdemeanor count of bad checks.

'The thorough investigation revealed these eight serious charges as violations of criminal statutes,' said Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams.

Adams added that a number people they interviewed had serious complaints against The Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home, but authorities determined those would be better suited for a civil action.

A number of negative reviews were left on the funeral home's Facebook page, including one post that called its services 'unprofessional.'

Another detailed a woman's alleged experience with Scheid and urged others to thoroughly research him.

A number of people on social media have spoken out against Scheid and his funeral home's services

One person urged others to avoid Scheid's services after they had a negative experience

'During this investigation we examined dozens of complaints that revealed deficient business practices and poor business etiquette that understandably caused the decedents families frustration and further grief. However, it was determined that the conduct did not rise to the level of criminal actions.'

Those complaints over Scheid's businesses dealings have been gathered into a separate civil lawsuit filed by the Lancaster County DA's Office.

AG Josh Shapiro announced on Thursday the civil lawsuit was seeking to get restitution for affected customers and permanently shut down Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home.

'Andrew Scheid treated recently deceased Pennsylvanians with no care, and betrayed dozens of families who put their trust in him and his business,' said Shaprio in a statement.

The AG office argued that Scheid, 'through gross incompetency, negligence, and misconduct,' violated the Funeral Director Law, the Funeral Board of Regulations and the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection.

Pictured: the first page of the lawsuit filed against Scheid by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro

'On December 19, 2019, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Bureau of Occupational Affairs, filed a thirty (30) count Order to Show Cause (OSC), alleging, inter alia, that Scheid and the Funeral Home violated the Funeral Director Law and the Funeral Board Regulations by engaging in gross incompetency, negligence and misconduct of the profession,' the lawsuit read.

But even before Scheid's latest charges, he and his funeral home were the center of separate civil and sexual assault lawsuits.

A suit filed by Kim McPahil said Sceid was negligent and did not take the proper steps to prepare for her mother's funeral in December 2019, Lancaster Online reports.

'Scheid did not arrive to the funeral service with a casket or the body,' the lawsuit states,' the lawsuit read.

'So the service proceeded without the casket, the body, the flowers, the prayer cards, the register book, or any of the services Scheid was to provide.'

McPhail said she had 'nightmares and emotional and mental trauma' afterwards.

Just last week, Andrew T. Scheid Funeral Home and a former employee settled in a federal lawsuit that accused Scheid's wife of sexual harassment

A New Jersey man alleged that Joseline Scheid had made inappropriate advances and tried to touch him. Scheid allegedly did nothing to intervene.

A judge dismissed the lawsuit on August 5 after the two parties reached a settlement.
US President Donald Trump on Friday visited his younger brother, Robert Trump, at the New York hospital where he is seriously ill.

The president entered New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Centre in Manhattan wearing a face mask.

I hope hes OK, Mr Trump said shortly before arriving at the hospital. Hes having a tough time.

The hospital visit came ahead of Mr Trumps scheduled weekend trip to his private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Expand Close Donald Trump steps out of his vehicle in New York on his way to visit his younger brother (Susan Walsh/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald Trump steps out of his vehicle in New York on his way to visit his younger brother (Susan Walsh/AP)

The White House did not immediately release details about why Robert Trump, 72, had been taken to hospital, but officials said he was seriously ill.

I have a wonderful brother. Weve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one, Mr Trump told reporters before departing for New York.

Hes in the hospital right now, and hopefully hell be all right. But hes having a hard time.

Robert Trump recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family seeking to stop publication of a tell-all book by the presidents niece Mary, titled Too Much And Never Enough.

The president has said her book was a violation of a non-disclosure agreement she signed in connection to a financial settlement she received from the Trump family.

Mary is a daughter of the brothers eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr, who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

No family members joined Fred Jr, known as Freddy, at the hospital on the night he died, she said, adding that Donald Trump went to the movies with another sibling instead.

Robert Trump has previously worked for his older brother at the Trump Organisation.

Once a regular face in Manhattans social pages, he has kept a lower profile in recent years.

He married his longtime girlfriend, Ann Marie Pallan, in March, according to the New York Post. He divorced his first wife, Blaine Trump, more than a decade ago.

In a 2016 interview with the New York Post, he described himself as a big supporter of his brothers run for the White House, adding: I support Donald 1,000%.
(Photo : (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)) SAN DIEGO, CA-MAY 20: Passengers board an American Airlines flight to Charlotte, North Carolina at San Diego International Airport on May 20, 2020 in San Diego, California. Air travel is down as estimated 94 percent due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, causing U.S. airlines to take a major financial hit with losses of $350 million to $400 million a day as nearly half of major carriers' planes sit idle. (Photo : Unsplash) (Photo : (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)) FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - JULY 16: An American Airlines plane lands on a runway near a parked JetBlue plane at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on July 16, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. JetBlue Airways and American Airlines Group announced they will be creating an alliance between the two companies.

Specific type of masks offers different kinds of protection, and people should be guided accordingly.

One of the major air transportation company in the United States, American Airlines, issued a new statement about a new requirement of wearing certain types of masks aboard their aircraft that will come to effect next week, Wednesday, August 19. This is part of the company's effort against the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

American Airlines (AA) releases a statement following the US Centers for Disease and Control Protection's (CDC) new recommendation and guidelines with regards to wearing of face masks in the public setting.

"Wearing a face covering is a responsibility we all share. An effective covering, worn properly, is one of the best ways we can control the spread of COVID-19 to protect our team members and customers," Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American said.

"Since American began requiring face coverings in early May, the vast majority of customers have welcomed our continuing efforts to strengthen the policy based on the CDC's guidance."

American Airlines have been observing this policy since May and will continue to do so, especially in this time of the pandemic. The airline company refers to the CDC's guidelines and enforces strict social distancing and disinfection measures that will help in flattening the rising COVID-19 curve in the country.

ALSO READ: New Zealand's First COVID-19 Cases in Three Months: Country's Biggest City Back in Lockdown

American Airlines Mask Requlations on What is Allowed and Not

The company is advising the public to wear appropriate masks and ensure that it is adequately worn to avoid being denied in boarding the flight or even being banned from taking American Airlines permanently. Allowed masks are made up of materials that prevent the discharge of respiratory droplets from spreading to and from an individual. Additionally, masks should cover the mask and nose area, providing a sure fit to the wearer's face.

AA notes that they will be strict in this new policy and deny the boarding of passengers who will not follow. The airlines do not allow:

Face covering with exhaust valves

Face coverings made with materials such as mesh or lace fabrics

Face coverings that do not cover the nose and mouth

Face shields without the addition of a face covering

Only children below two years old will be exempted from the mask policy of the airlines. American Airlines will also help in providing the allowed mask requirement, upon request at the airport, if the customer fails to do so.

Exemptions also include allowing passengers to remove their coverings during meals and drinking beverages in-flight. However, during the duration of the flight, strict requirements and measures still apply in wearing the mask at all times.

American Airlines Mask Requirement Based on CDC's Guidelines

In the country's effort to stem the continuous rise of the Novel coronavirus or COVID-19, CDC provides extensive guidelines that the organization studies to flatten the curve.

CDC urges everyone above two years of age to properly wear a mask that fits and secure around the wearer's nose and mouth area. Loose or unsecured fits would lose the mask's effectivity in providing protection.

People can spread COVID-19 even without the symptoms and are referred to as 'asyptomatic.' CDC reminds people always to maintain social distancing, a safe 6-foot distance from another person at all times.

CDC does not recommend mask with exhaust or breathing valves because they provide a thin mesh or cloth layer that the virus might enter or escape from. Also, the substitution of face shields for masks is strongly discouraged, and face shields should only be used with the presence of a mask.

A face mask should properly be worn and taken off for the user not to catch any virus, especially the COVID-19.

ALSO READ: Scientists Create Nasal Spray 'AeroNabs' That Could Block COVID-19 Using Nanobodies Found in Camels





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Written by Isaiah Alonzo



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14.08.2020 LISTEN

Undoubtedly, a number of Russian companies have largely underperformed in Africa, which experts described as primarily due to multiple reasons. Most often, Russian investors strike important investment niches that still require long-term strategies and adequate country study. Grappling with reality, there are many investment challenges including official bureaucracy and technical hitches in Africa.

Lukoil, the largest Russia's oil company, has had a long history, going forth and back with declaration of business intentions or mere interest in tapping into oil and gas resources in Africa. In the past, Lukoil have said in separate reports about its business deals in a number of African countries including Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. These are coastal countries on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) in West Africa.

Besides technical and geographical hitches, Lukoil noted explicitly in its official reports that "the African leadership and government policies always pose serious problems to operations in the region." It said that the company has been ready to observe strictly all of its obligations as a foreign investor in Africa.

Lukoil has moved to Senegal. Predominantly rural and with limited natural resources, Senegal is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, with a relatively low Human Development Index. Most of the population is on the coast and works in agriculture or other food industries. Other major industries include mining, tourism and services.

Energy is produced by private operators and sold to the Senelec Energy Corporation. According to a 2020 report by the International Energy Agency, Senegal had nearly 70% of the country connected to the national grid. Current government strategies for electrification include investments in off-grid solar and connection to the grid. Senegal has a population of approximately 15.9 million.

In spite of that, business is business. Quite recently, Lukoil, one of the largest Russia's oil companies, publicly declared that it finally concluded an agreement with Cairn Energy PLC to acquire a 40% interest in RSSD (Rufisque, Sangomar and Sangomar Deep) project in the Republic of Senegal for $300 million in cash.

The agreement provides for potential bonus payment to Cairn Energy PLC of up to $100 million after the commencement of production. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the approval by the Government of the Republic of Senegal.

The blocks of the project covering 2,212 sq. km are located on the deepwater shelf of the Republic of Senegal 80 km from the shore with the sea depth of 800-2,175 meters. The blocks include two discovered fields: Sangomar and FAN.

The Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Sangomar field was taken early 2020 and the field development has begun. According to the Company's estimates, the recoverable hydrocarbon reserves of the Sangomar field total approximately 500 million. The field is planned to be launched in 2023, with designed production level of 5 million tons of crude oil per year.

The RSSD project is currently implemented under a production sharing agreement. Woodside is the project's operator with 35% stake. Other participants are FAR (15%) and state-owned company Petrosen (10%).

"Entering the project with already explored reserves at early stage of their development is fully in line with our strategy and allows us reinforcing our presence in West Africa. Joining the project with qualified international partners will allow us to gain additional experience in development of offshore fields in the region," said Vagit Alekperov, President of PJSC Lukoil.

Early this year, precisely on January 28, during his briefing with President Vladimir Putin on the 2019 performance and activities of the Lukoil holding, Vagit Alekperov noted the unique window of opportunity that opened up after the summit held with African countries late October 2019 in Sochi.

"In fact, we are beginning to work actively in West Africa: we have started working in three countries and another four have offered to launch joint work. This is unprecedented. This summit gave an impetus to Russian companies to work in one of the most promising markets: West Africa," he told Putin in the Kremlin.

After Putin noted that it was surprising African colleagues had asked only for collaboration and nothing else, Alekperov reassured that "today, it is not just a declaration but these are real projects: in the Republic of the Congo, in Ghana, we are now looking at a number of other countries, and Cameroon."

Its media release shows that Lukoil's portfolio is quite extensive. It works in 32 countries worldwide, conduct geological exploration both in the West and in Africa.

For now in Africa, it has one success story. For the past ten years, Lukoil company's operations in the Republic of Ghana where it focuses on upstream exploration. The reserves evaluated on the blocks proves to be sufficient for their industrial development.

On the opposite side, Russian news agencies reported that Lukoil exited projects in Cote d'Ivoire, where it had led exploration in the deep offshore. The company confirmed the information about leaving the projects to TASS News Agency.

In August 2015, Lukoil also pulled out of the oil and gas exploration and drilling project that it had began in Sierra Leone. According to Interfax, a local Russian News Agency, the company did not currently have any projects and has backed away due to poor exploration results in Sierra Leone.

It reported that drilling in West Africa, including Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone, did not bring Lukoil the expected results, as preliminary technical results did not demonstrated commercial hydrocarbon reserves. According to official reports, Lukoil has been active in a number of countries with a high level of political and economic risks that could significantly complicate the work of the company in a particular region, and even lead to its termination.

Russia's Lukoil is one of the world's biggest vertically integrated companies for the production of crude oil and gas, and their refining into petroleum products and petrochemicals. The company is a leader on Russian and international markets in its core business and its key mission is to harness natural energy resources for human benefit and supports long-term economic growth, social stability, prosperity and progress in the regions where it operates.
Texas police authorities arrested a couple after they found their one-week-old infant son in a bucket of tar. The detained parents first attempted to cover up the crime.

The parents were identified as Roland Grabowski, 42, and his wife Donna, 41. According to the Collin County Sheriff's Office in Texas, they received a dispatch call on Saturday for an alleged unreported death to a home in Princeton.

Later that morning, investigators said the parents of the infant boy were interviewed, but they initially declined to cooperate, according to a CBS Local report.

After the Texas couple was arrested, the police found the body of the infant boy submerged in a five-gallon bucket of tar.

Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said he had seen many crazy things in his career, but this is the first time he found an infant in a bucket of tar.

According to a published report of People, parents attempted to cover up the crime and initially refused to cooperate with the investigators. Instead of admitting to the crime, they told the police officers that they found the boy's dead body in bed on July 29 and did not report about it.

Skinner told the news outlet: "There was an attempt to deceive us as to what had happened and the whereabouts of their child Micah. It's tragic and it's sad enough any time we have the death of an infant. But it's absolutely reprehensible when you lie and deceive investigators as to the location of the body."

It was also found that the Texas couple tried to cover up their son's death by asking one of their friends to cover for them. In the warrant of arrests, it was stated that the couple said: "I need you to say your baby is ours. Quick in and out. They just need to see."

Donna also allegedly lied to the police officers. She told them that the boy was born at the Medical Center of McKinney. However, investigators found no record of birth at the hospital where the mother claimed their son was born.

The body of the child, Micah, was already turned over to the Collin County Medical Examiner for further examination and to look into other scenarios before the child was placed inside a bucket of tar. Police suspected that the child was initially abuse.

Both parents are now facing different charges. Donna is currently facing four felony charges, including child endangerment, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. Her bond was set to $1,075,000. Her lawyer did not give any comments about the crime.

Meanwhile, Roland is also facing the same charges and is now in jail. His bond was set to $925,000. It is not clear if Roland will have a lawyer who will speak on his behalf.

Authorities eventually discovered that he has a criminal record as a sex offender in 2008 for two minor girls.
India has been at the forefront in evolving regional and global strategies for an effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its timely and super-human efforts contained the virus and saved many lives back home, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday as he addressed the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day.

At the same time, he indirectly slammed China for their misadventure of expansion, warned that the country is capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression and saw the construction of Ayodhyas Ram Temple as a moment of pride for all.

As India gears up to an unprecedented subdued celebration of Independence Day, Kovind touted covid warriors as national heroes, said the pandemic has taught tough lessons of life and demolished the illusion that human being is the master of nature. He appealed to humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature and said the crisis offered opportunities for economic revival.

Even as the Modi governments handling of the Covid situation has come under immense criticism in the political circle, the President said that the Centre, while anticipating the tremendous challenge, responded effectively and well in time and added that it requires super-human efforts for a country so vast and diverse with high population density to meet these challenges. Kovind said Indias committed efforts that succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saving a large number of lives is worth emulating by the wider world.

The pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny, said Kovind as he saw more importance in human-centric collaboration than economy-centric inclusion. He also appealed to rise above all man-made differences, strengthen virtue in conduct, expand public health infrastructure and accelerate developments in science and technologya reminder on how India built covid-related medical items such as ventilators or PPE kits almost from a scratch and now is able to even export to other countries.

Coronavirus does not recognize any artificial divisions created by human society. This reinforces the belief that we need to rise above all man-made differences, prejudices, and barriers. Compassion and mutual help have been adopted as basic values by the people in India. We need to further strengthen this virtue in our conduct. Only then can we create a better future for all of us, Kovind said.

Without naming China, Kovind spoke about how some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion, referring to the Galwan valley clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. He said the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity- coronavirus.

Kovind, the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces, described the martyrs as worthy sons of Bharat Mata and cautioned that their bravery in combat has demonstrated that while we believe in peace, we are also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression.

Kovinds speech, just 10 days after the bhumi pujan of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, dubbed the event as a moment of pride for all as he mentioned how people maintained restraint and patience for a long time and reposed unflinching trust in the judicial system.

The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process. All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony, said the President.

In the backdrop of the pandemic that altered lives and played havoc with global economy, the President narrated all welfare interventions such as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to help the poor and daily wage-earnersthe worst-hit people in the pandemicand enabled millions to earn their livelihood, and mitigate the impact of job-loss.

He also spoke about the largest free foodgrain distribution programme to help about 80 crore people every month while Vande Bharat Mission brought back more than 10 lakh Indians through the Indian Railways.

In responding to calls from countries for supply of medicines, India has once again shown that it stands by the global community in times of distress. We have been at the forefront in evolving regional and global strategies for an effective response to the pandemic. The overwhelming support India got at the elections for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council is a testimony to the goodwill we enjoy internationally, said Kovind.

As India embarked on a new Atmanirbhar policy to boost its internal economic potential, Kovind sent a message that Indias tradition has always been not to live for ourselves, but work for the well-being of the entire world.

Indias self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world. It implies that India will continue to engage with the world economy while maintaining its identity, the President said.

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Ruby Saleh, the 41-year-old sister of the late Gokada Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fahim Saleh, has vowed to get justice for her 3...

Ruby Saleh, the 41-year-old sister of the late Gokada Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fahim Saleh, has vowed to get justice for her 33-year-old brother who was murdered mid-July.

Recall that NigerianEye had earlier reported that the body of the tech entrepreneur was dismembered inside his luxury Manhattan condo where an electric saw was found.

Fahims former personal assistant, Tyrese Haspil, has since been arrested by the New York City Police Department in connection to the crime and he has been arraigned.

In an emotional video on Friday, Ruby said, My family and I will do everything to keep Fahims memory alive and to keep his visions going.

We will also dedicate ourselves to ensure Fahim gets justice. My brothers death is a crime of the cruelest and heinous nature.

Whether you know Fahim or not, we may reach out to you for help in achieving our goals and we hope that you will be just as kind as Fahim was.

If you are someones sister, the next time you see your brother, please hug him as tightly as you can, for as long as you want because thats all I want to do every time I see those photos. But I will never be able to hug Fahim again.

In another tribute titled, Mourning my baby brother, Fahim posted on Medium, the deceaseds sister said she ensured all the body parts of his late brother were properly fitted in the casket before he was buried on Sunday, July 19, 2020, in the Hudson Valley.

She narrated, Fahim was born in 1986. He was a precocious, curious, active, and happy child. His love of technology began early. Any time he received a toy, he would take it apart to see how it was built.

Fahims passion was technology and his brilliance was his endless creativity and curiosity. When he discovered the Internet, he finally had a way to channel his God-given gifts. He was 12 when he built his first website, The Saleh Family.

Fahim quickly discovered that he could make money on the Internet by creating websites. He monetised his first website in 1999, when he was 13 years old. The site was called Monkeydoo: jokes, pranks, fake poop, fart spray and more for teenagers. Our father worried when the first $500 check arrived in the mail from Google, addressed to Fahim Saleh. How is this boy making $500? That is so much money, he would later tell me he had thought.

Our fathers relationship with my brother was very special. They were so different: Our father worried too much, while Fahim never worried. Fahim was the only one who could placate him. He showed our father the website and explained the programming languages he had used to build it. Because our father was a programmer himself, books about computer programming filled the shelves of our house. Fahim had used those books to teach himself. Teenagers are visiting the site, Dad and Im monetising their visits with ads from Google, he said.

Ruby added, When Fahim graduated in 2009, the job market was in distress. He turned down a $50,000-a-year IT job, opting instead to spend months in my parents basement building his next product. PrankDial was born of one of my brothers biggest hobbies.

Fahims brain was a bottomless magic hat of ideas big and small, wacky and serious, local and global. You never knew what he was going to pull out next, but he got to work on every idea immediately. He couldnt let one sit; he was too excited to usher the vision in his head into the world for the rest of us to enjoy.

Fahim had zero interest in being a rich entrepreneur who only hung out with other rich entrepreneurs. His heart was most open to those in need. These drivers depend on me, he would say when talking about Gokada, the motorbike-hailing app he developed in Nigeria.

I had to arrange my beautiful boys funeral. Three days prior, the funeral home called to report that it would not be possible to sew his limbs and head back onto his torso before burial. Upon receiving that news, I closed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest like a Pharaoh, squeezing my phone against my body.

My hands formed fists that I pushed into my heart with all my strength to contain my pain. Then I pleaded with the man to make sure all of my sweet brothers body parts were in their proper places in the casket. The day before the funeral, the man called me again. It wasnt easy, but we were able to put him back together, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.14

By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend:

The harsh pressure on Azerbaijanis who lived in Armenia commenced not in 1988 but much earlier and it signified the beginning of the implementation of Armenia's plans to deport the Azerbaijanis, refugee from Armenia Hidayat Bayramov told Trend.

According to Bayramov, who was born and grew up in the village of Dashkand in Vardenis [former Goycha] district of Armenia, he clearly saw the processes taking place in Armenia even before the events in 1988, witnessing the harsh oppression of Azerbaijanis.

The refugee noted that former Azerbaijani residents of Armenia were threatened with death, and their houses were attacked. Because of all this, he was forced to leave his native village in 1988 and flee to Azerbaijan.

Armenians deliberately prevented us from food supply. All exits and entrances to our village were closed so that we could not receive help from anyone, he reminded. Armenians constantly insulted Azerbaijanis. Due to the attacks, harassment and insults, I had to leave my native village with my family. Unimpeded departure was impossible, but we still managed to secretly leave at night.

Bayramov, who currently lives in Baku, said that after the events which took place in Sumgayit [in February 1988], the life of Azerbaijanis in Armenia became absolutely unbearable.

Under the pretext of the Sumgayit events, the Armenians began to exert even more severe pressure on the Azerbaijanis living in Armenia. The settlement of Armenians, who came from Sumgayit, in the villages of Armenia with Azerbaijani residents contributed to the artificial incitement of the conflict, he pointed out. Since the Armenians from Sumgayit blamed the Azerbaijanis for the events, clashes often occurred between the Azerbaijanis who lived in Armenia and the Armenians from Sumgayit.

Although Armenia is interested in presenting the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia as a process that took place after the events in Sumgayit, the deportation began even before that. Since the beginning of 1988, Azerbaijani refugees from various districts of Armenia began to arrive in Azerbaijan. More than 4,000 Azerbaijanis were expelled from Armenia even before the Sumgayit events.

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.
By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan Cinematographers Union has announced a screenwriting contest for a feature film "Karabakh. Man. Victory".

The contest was announced taking into account the positive role of cinema in spreading the realities of the Karabakh war and the importance of displaying human tragedies.

To participate in the competition, send your script in electronic form on a CD-ROM and in a printed version (Courier New font, size 12)until November 15 to the office of Cinematographers Union. The rights to the script must belong to the author. Scripts must be original and unscreened.

The winners will be awarded with diplomas and cash prizes. The author of the best script will receive 5,000 AZN. Two incentive prize winners will get 2,500 AZN. The best script will be presented to the Ministry of Culture.

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict started with Armenia's open territorial claims to Azerbaijan`s historical lands and ethnic provocations in 1988.

More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and around one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities initiated by Armenia.

Since 1994, hostilities between the two countries have persisted despite the temporary cease-fire agreement. Usually, Armenian forces violate the ceasefire regime on the line of contact. But recently Armenia has increased military aggression on the border.

--

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
"The Hardhat Riot: Nixon, New York City, and the Dawn of the White Working-Class Revolution"

By David Paul Kuhn

Oxford. 404 pp. $29.95

- - -

From his perch on the 42nd floor of the partially built South Tower of the World Trade Center, construction worker Joe Kelly approached his "boiling point" over student protests in the streets below. An Army veteran, Kelly lived on Staten Island with his wife and children. His neighbors included a bus driver, a police officer and a steamfitter. His yellow hard hat bore American flag decals and the words "For God and Country." Chanting "Peace now!," the students were protesting the killing by National Guardsmen of four anti-Vietnam-War demonstrators at Kent State University days earlier.

It was May 8, 1970, and Kelly and many of his fellow workers descended from the South Tower to show their distaste for the protests and their support for America's troops in Vietnam. In his engrossing, well-crafted "The Hardhat Riot," David Paul Kuhn tells the story of how hundreds of workers charged and beat marching students in New York's Financial District. Deeply researched and based mainly on voluminous police documents, the book re-creates the nightmarish scene vividly and places it in the context of a turbulent period. After the Kent State shootings and the riot, the New Yorker observed that the United States had endured its "most critical week ... in more than a century. The war has made us warlike."

Kuhn argues persuasively that the riot sparked a vast national political shift driven by a widening divide between the working class and the educated elite that has led to the era of the Trump presidency. In the years before the confrontations, there were increasingly tumultuous protests, including a violent student takeover at Columbia University and protests at the chaotic 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago, where police beat demonstrators. Just days before Kent State, President Richard Nixon pledged that he would soon withdraw U.S. troops from Southeast Asia. Instead, he expanded the warfare to Cambodia. The peaceful protest at Kent State triggered 13 shocking seconds of live gunfire at unarmed students, further arousing the antiwar movement and radicalizing it "as never before," Kuhn writes.

When demonstrators swarmed Wall Street, flag-waving hard hats saw an assault on America and chanted "Love it or leave it!" One shouted, "Kill those long-haired bastards!" It was time to "break some heads," said another. One worker explained, "We're just trying to be Americans."

The riot injured more than 100 people, mostly students who suffered concussions, broken noses and broken teeth. "The most serious injuries were to the half-dozen young men beaten unconscious," Kuhn writes. Joe Kelly took a swing at one kid who flailed at him. "I gave him a whack and back he went," Kelly remembered. "He went down, I know that. And I just figured he wouldn't be back for more."

Police, generally sympathetic to workers, refused to make arrests, talking and laughing with one another. "We just stood there," admitted one cop. "The construction workers had completely taken over." Many police officers and hard hats lived in the same sections of Queens and the Bronx and went to the same neighborhood bars.

Adding to the chaos, Wall Street office workers cheered the hard hats and tossed ticker tape from windows. One businessman joined a worker in pummeling a student.

Kuhn corrects some misperceptions about both the workers and the protesters. "Just as some hardhats wrongly generalized antiwar activists as commies, hardhats were deemed fascists," Kuhn writes. In fact, both groups believed they were acting out of patriotism.

Kuhn writes with empathy for both sides. He notes that class was a key factor behind the riot. While the protests were made up of students - many from affluent families - many of the American troops in Vietnam came from blue-collar backgrounds.

Kuhn's accounts of the violence are vivid and raw. It was a brutal, ugly day, with instigators on both sides. For those of us who lived in New York at the time, the book rekindles painful memories. For me, then a young opponent of the Vietnam War, Kuhn's narrative brought a new understanding of the spontaneous, "demonstrably sincere" actions of the hard hats.

The author concludes with a sharp analysis of how the revolt of the White working class almost immediately reshaped American politics, beginning with Nixon's opportunistic claim of blue-collar Whites as "Silent Majority" supporters of his law-and-order presidency. Kuhn shows the reverberations over the decades, right up to the making of Donald Trump's political base. One woman who spoke after the riot might very well be a voice from today. "Nobody has been speaking to the average worker," she said. "Nobody cares what we want or how we feel."

Kuhn argues that class divisions have driven people so far apart that it's as if Americans now live in "entirely different places, even if they are still called by one name - America."
"Being on the Inc. 5000, and better yet, the Inc. 500 is a huge honor, as it demonstrates our focused efforts and momentum to move the needle and help pet parents raise their pets from birth, to adulthood, keeping their home clean, and their pet family healthy & happy."

Inc. magazine today revealed that Pet Parents is No. 378 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

Pet Parents, a company that has only been in business for four years, had a three-year revenue growth of 1208.04 percent. Additionally, Pet Parents is the fastest growing company in Iowa, as well as the 43rd fastest growing company in the Consumer Products & Services category. Learn more about Pet Parents at https://petparentsbrand.com/.

Blake Anderson, founder and CEO of Pet Parents, says: Pet Parents started from a pain point felt with our own furbabies. Like a puppy, we've grown a ton in a short time. Being on the Inc. 5000, and better yet, the Inc. 500 is a huge honor, as it demonstrates our focused efforts and momentum to move the needle and help pet parents raise their pets from birth, to adulthood, keeping their home clean, and their pet family healthy & happy. We're no longer a puppy, but still have so much growing & tricks to learn in becoming the top dogs. "

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are also being featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 12.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

Pet Parents began its journey in the beginning of 2016 & continues to grow in size. They continue to push their way to the top by being one of the fastest growing pet product companies in the industry. Their brands & product lines are at the crossing point of two macro pet industry trends: the humanization of pets with a focus on healthcare. Pet Parents core products are their washable dog diapers, belly bands and pee pads  and are the best options in the market. More information about all of Pet Parents products can be found at https://petparentsbrand.com/.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
India Rebuffs 'Lies and Half-Truths' of Pakistan's Envoy to China on Jammu and Kashmir

Sputnik News

14:06 GMT 13.08.2020

New Delhi (Sputnik): India and Pakistan have been engaged in squabbling over Jammu and Kashmir, which both countries claim in full, but rule in part. Islamabad launched a diplomatic war against New Delhi after the latter abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019 to strip the erstwhile state of its special status.

India has scoffed at the Pakistani envoy to China's assertions that around "200 innocent Kashmiris have been killed, around 50 cases of rape and molestation and nearly 1,000 cases of destruction of houses and property have been reported". Ambassador Moin ul Haque's claims were contained in an interview with the Chinese newspaper the Global Times'

In a rebuttal, India said that Ambassador Haque "has chosen to repeat Pakistan's lies and half-truths vis-a-vis the Union Territory (federally administered territory) of Jammu and Kashmir". New Delhi said that Pakistan or any other country has no right to interfere in India's internal affairs.

The Indian mission in Beijing said that the Global Times declined to carry its response to the interview, which it later shared on social media.

"India's concerted efforts to bring peace, stability and progress to J&K stand in stark contrast to Pakistan's strategy, which is little more than a blatant and rapacious campaign of cross-border terrorism aimed at debilitating the region", countered India's mission in Beijing.

India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on 5 August 2019 to withdraw the special status enjoyed by the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and divide it into two federally administered territories.

New Delhi's move angered Islamabad, which claims to be a stakeholder in Kashmir, and Pakistan suspended diplomatic, trade and communication links. Earlier this month, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed that India had been "trapped" with its Kashmir policy and that the region would be free from "India's reign of terror".

Kashmir has been a bone of contention between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours since they gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. They have also fought two wars over Kashmir.

 Sputnik

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Satish Salian, the father of celebrity manager Disha Salian who died by suicide in June, has said that she was planning to marry her fiance Rohan Rai. He has also claimed that her daughter met Sushant Singh Rajput only for an hour.

Urging people to stop victimising his daughter, Satish told Mid Day, And, we had planned a wedding reception in December or January. He added that they had decided on a court marriage and further said, We are very hurt by her death. People are spreading rumours on social media platforms that she was thrown off the building and her body was found naked. There is no truth in these claims. This kind of talk is highly offensive and hurts us.

Earlier, he had refuted rumours of Disha being raped and pregnant. About Dishas friends in her flat the day she died, Satish told the tabloid, They are Dishas childhood friends and belong to good families. We knew them and their families very well. Asserting that his daughter had no relationship with late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, he added, They had only met once along with his manager for about an hour. Satish said that Disha and Rohan were staying at their Dadar house during the lockdown. They had gone to the Malvani flat on June 4 to clean it, as Rohan had planned a shooting there for a project, he told the daily.

Last week, Satish had said that the rumours being spread about his daughter and her death were false. As media has freedom of speech, we also have right of privacy, do not interfere in our life please. I request you all please. Police have explained me. They showed whole case evidences, post mortem report. My daughter was never pregnant, she never got pregnant. Rape never happened, organs are clear, he said. Dishas mother added that she has faith in the Mumbai Police, who she believes are doing their job properly.

Also read: Motorcycle accident damages Tom Cruises Mission Impossible 7 set worth Rs 20 crore, leaves actor frustrated: reports

According to the cops, Disha died by suicide at in Mumbai on June 8. Earlier, Dishas father had said he does not suspect any foul play in her death and he is completely satisfied with the probe being conducted by Mumbai Police in the case, an official told PTI. In a letter sent to assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Malvani, Satish Salian alleged that media persons were harassing his family by repeatedly questioning their faith in Mumbai Police and their way of inquiry into her death, the official said.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Were going to be hearing a lot about racism over the next three months.

While racism has been an issue in Niagara and worldwide this year, and continues to be so, its nothing compared to what we will hear in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election Nov. 3.

A day after Joe Biden, the likely Democratic party candidate, picked Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, President Donald Trump was already floating one of his I dont know, but many people are saying ... lies.

As he did with former president Barack Obama, Trump again threw out the idea that maybe, possibly, someone told him, that Harris might not actually have been born in the U.S.

Its a despicable accusation (and one he never seems to direct at anyone who isnt Black). And it throws a little more gasoline on the racial bonfire that is 2020.

Its sad, and more than a little depressing, that we still have to go through this conversation. To continually listen to the code words and stereotypes and to know that in the minds of some people, the colour of one persons skin means they can be treated differently than another person.

Our hands arent clean in Canada. It is still an issue we are working our way through.

But things do happen that give us hope.

Sherri Darlene, a Niagara woman and founder of Justice 4 Black Lives, said this week the large turnout at a rally she organized in June restored her faith in humanity.

Unless you regularly hear racial slurs, receive uncomfortable looks and find yourself treated just a little differently than other people, it is difficult to imagine the hurt that behaviour can cause.

To be wounded in your own community, and in the stores and places you go to every day. Among your neighbours.

Speaking to Niagara Falls city council earlier this week, she made the point that the best answer is education.

Her proposal was for Justice 4 Black Lives  which she hopes to incorporate  to partner with organizations like Niagara College as well as local schools and museums.

The only way we can move forward is if we provide the right information, she said.

And shes right. Education is the answer to this issue, as it is to many other problems that prevent us from being a better community.

But education only works if your eyes and ears are open.

We have to be smart enough to see through the distractions and hear through the noise that muddies relations between us all.

That means putting some thought into the news sources we rely on, and there are so many good ones.

Dont accept arguments and scenarios just because they are what you want to hear; be willing to listen to, and maybe even accept, information that might change your outlook.

Thursday night, the issue of racism and policing dominated Niagara regional councils meeting.

Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch said the service has implemented changes, and is willing to continue doing so.

It is not in our interest to not serve our entire community. We are committed to that, he said.

Meanwhile, council itself unanimously supported a motion to dig deeper into topics like training officers to de-escalate confrontations and educate them on diversity and cultural sensitivity.

Thats all good, but police attitudes largely reflect our own attitudes. The same issues that hold them back hold us all back.

They, and we, still have a ways to go.
When Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene won a primary contest for a Georgia House seat, it made national headlines for more reasons than a hard-fought campaign. The victory will also likely give her the distinction of being one of the first members of Congress to back QAnon.

Greene isnt alone. Across the country, several vocal QAnon followers have run for office this election cycle. While her likely victory  her district is one of the most Republican in the country  may be the exception, QAnon is no longer confined to the fringes. And with the most recognizable politician in the country  Donald Trump  amplifying QAnon content more than 200 times, according to Media Matters, its become even harder to contain.

How QAnon spread

That QAnon, a far right conspiracy theory that originated on 4Chan in 2017, could gain so much prominence might sound ridiculous. Proponents of QAnon believe the government is run by a ring of pedophiles/child-eating cannibals who will ultimately be brought down by Donald Trump. QANons favorite targets are somewhat predictable: the Clintons, George Soros and Bill Gates frequently star in their memes. But Hollywood celebrities like Tom Hanks, Chrissy Tiegien and Oprah also play a central role in the conspiracy.

The conspiracy theory may have started on the darker corners of the internet, but it flourished on social media. Facebook and other platforms have played a central role in fueling the growth of QAnon, and the coronavirus pandemic has only accelerated its spread.

It is certainly more mainstream than it's ever been before, says Katy Byron who runs the digital literacy initiative MediaWise, which teaches people how to spot misinformation and disinformation online. You can find support for the theories that feed the QAnon beast on any given day, its not that hard. It is hard to bat down.

QAnon is also unique compared with other conspiracy theories in that its constantly evolving, says Mick West, a conspiracy theory researcher and author of Escaping the Rabbit Hole, a book about debunking conspiracy theories. Its very up to the minute, whereas most conspiracy theories are about things that happened in the past, like JFK or 9/11, West says. QAnon is day-to-day, everything is happening on a daily basis. Its like this wave is constantly going forward and constantly changing and shifting.

Its perhaps unsurprising, then, that the coronavirus pandemic presented a unique opportunity for QAnon to spread its theories about the dangers posed by the global elite. Even before widespread lockdowns and shelter in place orders, QAnon took a significant interest in several aspects of the coronavirus outbreak, according to researchers at Graphika. The community was highly engaged on the topic of the outbreak even in its early stages, noting that #coronavirus was the fourth most popular hashtag among QAnon supporters in the month of February.

Besides conspiracies about the Chinese origins of the virus, there were also attempts to incorporate the coronavirus outbreak into the wider QAnon structure using the hashtag #StormIsHere, Graphika writes. (The storm refers to a widespread belief that there will be a global reckoning when there are mass arrests of the supposed pedophiles running the government.)

As coronavirus conspiracy theories continued to spread, so did interest in QAnon. Data from Google Search trends shows that searches for QAnon spiked in mid-March around the start of widespread lockdowns and shelter in place orders. QAnons Wikipedia page saw similar spikes during the same period, as noted by Mother Jones.

Google Trends

Its not clear exactly why interest in QAnon skyrocketed at the start of the pandemic. Its possible that many people, seeking out alternative explanations on the complex cause of the pandemic, were exposed to QAnon content for the first time. A simpler explanation is that people had much more free time on their hands and QAnon inadvertently found itself a much more captive audience than it might normally have. Facebook reported in March that it was struggling with unprecedented demand for its services.

Regardless, the interest translated to new social media followers. Some of the most popular QAnon Facebook groups and Instagram accounts saw a huge influx of followers that coincided with lockdown orders, according to The Wall Street Journal.

At the same time, other groups that regularly traffic in conspiracy theories, such as anti-vaccination groups, seized on coronavirus conspiracy theories in March and April. Many of these have become intermingled with QAnon, often helped by Facebooks recommendation algorithms. (Facebook says it removes accounts that break its rules from recommendations.)

As Engadget reported in May, Instagrams algorithm pushes followers of anti-vaccine conspiracies to QAnon pages and hashtags. The same has happened in Facebook groups, where QAnon has an even bigger presence. There are thousands of QAnon groups with millions of members, according to data obtained by NBC News. While on Instagram, the most popular QAnon pages have hundreds of thousands of followers each. The hashtag #WWG1WGA, a reference to a popular QAnon mantra, has more than 1 million posts on the app.

The (sort of) crackdowns

Its not just Facebook, either. QAnon has also had significant influence on Twitter, which recently announced a widespread crackdown on the movement in order to prevent offline harm. Even TikTok has tried to limit the visibility of QAnon content in its app.

But unlike Twitter and TikTok, Facebook has done little to slow QAnons momentum. The company has removed a handful of accounts for breaking its rules against platform manipulation and took down a 200,000-member group for breaking harassment and hate speech policies. But the company has so far declined to take any broader action, despite hinting that it may do so.

We take action against accounts, Groups, and Pages tied to QAnon that break our rules, a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. Just last week, we removed a large Group with QAnon affiliations for violating our content policies, and removed a network of accounts for violating our policies against coordinated inauthentic behavior. We have teams assessing our policies against QAnon and are currently exploring additional actions we can take.

Meanwhile, QAnon has attached itself to issues with a more mainstream appeal. Recently, #SavetheChildren has become a rallying cry for QAnon believers, who have inundated Facebook groups and Instagram pages with memes about supposed child trafficking.

Stephanie Keith / reuters

Though human trafficking is a real and serious problem, QAnon believers obsession has twisted the issue to fit the broader Q conspiracy. Perhaps the clearest example of this was when rumors started spreading that furniture retailer Wayfair was using expensive industrial cabinets as a front for selling actual children.

According to BuzzFeed News, it originated on Reddit, but quickly took off on Instagram thanks, in part, to lifestyle influencers. Fact checkers quickly debunked the hoax, but not before it went so viral that Polaris, the group behind the National Human Trafficking hotline, had to issue a press release begging people to stop reporting the bogus theory because it was making it more difficult for them to help actual victims.

This underscores what experts warn is the most worrying part of QAnon: that it has been linked to real-world harm. As the conspiracy theory has gained steam, its followers have been involved in real-world violence. The FBI said last year the group posed a domestic terror threat.

But even if most QAnon supporters never turn to violence, the effects could still be damaging, says West, the conspiracy theory researcher and author. For individuals, believing in conspiracy theories like QAnon can lead to social isolation or even financial distress, if they are duped into supporting the causes financially. Distrust of the medical establishment can have health consequences.

But these beliefs can also be bad for society when they become widespread, West says, pointing to Greenes recent election win.

You've got someone who believes in complete nonsense. And she's going to be making decisions based on that belief, and people make voting decisions based on their belief. If a false belief becomes widespread enough, it essentially corrupts all of society because it starts affecting the way people make decisions.
Thousands of schools are poised to ignore trade union scaremongering and welcome children back full-time from next month, a Daily Mail audit has found.

Town halls across England have worked with schools to draw up detailed plans on how to keep pupils and staff safe and have overwhelmingly pledged a return to a form of normality by the end of September.

The confidence is in stark contrast to the pessimistic tones of education unions but echoes government pledges to get pupils back in the classroom as quickly as possible.

However, concerns have been raised about a lack of clarity on what schools should do in the event of further local, or national, lockdowns, with some pledging to remain open and others warning of immediate closures.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson accused Unions of 'scaremongering' and insisted a return to schools would be safe

The Daily Mail contacted more than 50 local councils with responsibility for state schools in their area. Of the 19 that responded in detail  representing almost 3,000 schools  all but one pledged to have children back in full-time education by the end of next month. Councils said risk assessments have been undertaken and safety measures will include teaching in class and year-group bubbles, staggered lunch breaks and one-way systems in school buildings.

For example, in the Cheshire East area around 170 schools will welcome pupils back next month. And in Leicester, which has already been subject to a local lockdown, a council spokesman said almost all schools intend to have all pupils in class by September 4.

Unions have insisted that more research needs to be done before pupils head back to the classroom. But in May, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson accused them of scaremongering and insisted a return would be safe.

Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee said: 'This audit has shown the attitude from schools and teachers is that if its not impossible there must be a way to do it'

This week, he said a return carried few risks, citing an unpublished Public Health England study, only for reports to emerge that there may be a difference in virus transmission between primary and secondary school children.

But official PHE guidance continues to advise that there is little evidence of schools driving coronavirus infections in local communities.

The National Education Union has drawn up a list of 200 safety demands before schools return  and urged teachers to escalate matters if concerns are not addressed. But critics described the demands as nit-picking.

Commenting on the Mails findings, Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, said: If you were to solely listen to the unions you would think the return to school full-time was impossible, but this audit has shown the attitude from schools and teachers is that if its not impossible there must be a way to do it.
The University Grants Commission or the UGC filed an affidavit on Delhi and Maharashtra governments' stand of not conducting the final term University exams.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has told the Supreme Court that the decision of the Delhi and Maharashtra governments to cancel the final term examination will directly impact the standards of higher education in the country.

The UGC filed an affidavit on Delhi and Maharashtra governments stand of not conducting the final term University exams. It said that the UGC has taken the policy decision to conduct final year/ terminal semester examinations in the interest of students across the country after duly considering the prevailing situation of a pandemic.

It added that the UGC was the apex body for regulating the standards of higher education in the country, including the standards of examination. The affidavit was filed on a batch of pleas challenging UGCs July 6 circular and seeking cancellation of final term examination in view of COVID-19 situation.

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Earlier, Delhi and Maharashtra governments had told the top court that they have cancelled the examination in the states. The UGC submitted that the decision of state governments would directly impact the standards of higher education in the country, which the UGC was mandated to maintain.

It added that in the exercise of its powers under the UGC Act, the UGC first published the Guidelines dated April 29, 2020, which laid down a policy backed by statute that all higher education institutions must conduct final year/ terminal semester examinations so as to protect the academic and career interests of students while, at the same time, safeguarding their health.

UGCs affidavit stated that subsequently, the UGC issued the Revised Guidelines dated July 6, 2020, which re-emphasised the need to conduct terminal/ final examinations, be it in the form of course-ending terminal semester examination or final annual examination, because it was a crucial step in the academic career of a student.

It read that the UGC has issued such guidelines to protect the academic future of students across the country which will be irreparably damaged if their final year / terminal semester examinations are not held, while also keeping in mind their health and safety.

The affidavit further read that the States decision to cancel final year/ terminal semester examinations and graduate students without such examinations encroaches on the legislative field of coordinating and determining the standards of higher education that was exclusively reserved for Parliament under Entry 66 of List I of Schedule VH of the Constitution. As such, the State Governments decision was contrary to the UGCs Guidelines which have been issued for maintaining the standards of higher education and is void ab initio.

The affidavit further added that the examination/ assessment process was actually completed by online mode in six out of the eight State universities/institutions in Delhi, despite the pandemic. In any event, the UGC was conscious of the difficulties faced in the teaching-learning process while issuing the Guidelines of April 4 and the Revised Guidelines of July 6, 2020, it said.

UGC said it has addressed the concerns relating to the evolving situation of the pandemic by providing sufficient time till the end of September 2020 to conduct the final year / terminal semester examinations after following the prescribed protocols and procedures relating to Covid-19; by giving sufficient flexibility to universities/ institutions to conduct such examinations in online, offline (pen and paper) or blended (online + offline) mode; and by providing for an examination through the special chance for students who for whatsoever the reason(s) may be are unable to appear for the examinations conducted by a university/institution by end of September 2020.

The state governments have unilaterally chosen to cancel the final year/terminal semester examinations and graduate students using alternative assessment measures in contravention of the UGCs Guidelines, even though it was required to hold such examinations in the interest of the students, it said.

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The newly appointed acting vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Omololu Soyombo, has called on stakeholders in the university community to embrace peace in the interest of the university.

The acting vice-chancellor, in a statement on Friday, said he considered it imperative to address the university community on this occasion of grave challenges to the stability and progress of our dear university.

Mr Soyombo, a professor, said there is need for members of the university community to work together at this trying period in the overall interest of the university.

I wish to start by noting that this is a position of responsibility that was thrust upon me and which I accepted out of a sense of duty to our university, he said.

I see this as a call to service with the overall objective of fostering an atmosphere of peace for the normal university business of teaching, research and community service.

This appointment is a definite step to resolve the impasse between the University Governing Council and Management in order to ensure a conducive atmosphere for normal university activities to continue to thrive.

Controversial Appointment

Mr Soyombo emerged as acting vice-chancellor in the middle of the crisis brewing among officials in the top echelon of the university management.

On Wednesday, the university governing council resolved at its emergency meeting held in Abuja to remove erstwhile vice-chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe. Subsequently, the schools governing council said it has appointed Mr Soyombo in acting capacity.

In his reaction, Mr Ogundipe fired back, saying his purported removal was mischievous disinformation as the extant provisions of the law were not complied with by the council.

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By the provision of the UNILAG Act, the president of the country can remove the vice-chancellor after due consultation with the Council and the Senate acting through the Minister of Education.

Mr Soyombos appointment has been met with stiff opposition within and outside the university environment.

For instance, the UNILAG chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has rejected his appointment, while also condemning the purported sack of Mr Ogundipe.

Dele Ashiru, chair of the universitys local chapter of ASUU, insisted that Mr Ogundipe remained the universitys recognised head, accusing Wale Babalakin, the pro-chancellor, of having vested interest.

He said: His removal is illegal and uncalled for. Our union condemns in the strongest term the purported removal. It is the machination of the pro-chancellor to destabilise this university and our union has been on the forefront of the agitation against a reckless and lawless pro-chancellor,

We reaffirm our confidence in the leadership of Professor Toyin Ogundipe as Vice Chancellor of the university.

But in his statement on Friday, Mr Soyombo called for peace among stakeholders in the university.

I know that opinions are divided on issues at stake and the steps taken so far to resolve the impasse. Our paramount goal should be an amicable resolution of all the issues and to win back the peace and stability of our University, he said.

I therefore urge all parties and members of the university community to come together at this trying period in the interest of our University.

The acting vice-chancellor assured that steps will be taken to ensure the security of lives and property on the university campuses, urging students and staff to go about their business and activities by avoiding acts that may disrupt the peace of the university community.
Nepal foreign minister on territorial dispute with India

Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali spoke in favour of having a dialogue with India to resolve the territorial dispute between the two countries. In an interview with state-owned Nepal Television, Gyawali said that the territorial dispute between Nepal and India can only be solved through dialogue. India and Nepal are scheduled to hold a review mechanism dialogue on August 17 to take stock of the progress of the ongoing projects in Nepal. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi will participate in the discussion according to sources.

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BSP issues whip to six Rajasthan MLAs to vote against Gehlot govt

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has issued a whip to all the six Rajasthan MLAs who shifted to Congress to vote against the Ashok Gehlot government during the trust vote likely to be held on August 14. BSP national general secretary Satish Chandra Misra issued the whip on August 13 to vote against the ruling government after Supreme Court refused to temporarily freeze the merger. BJP MLA Madan Dilawar and BSP have filed petitions challenging the merger and the Rajasthan High Court is expected to hear the petitions as the top court left the decision to a single judge in Rajasthan.

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Sushants sister Shweta urges all to join global 24-hr prayer observation

Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta Singh Kirti has appealed to people to observe global prayers for justice in her brothers death case. Taking to Twitter, Kirti asked people to join a global 24-hours spiritual and prayer observation so that truth prevails. Demand for CBI probe in Sushant Singh Rajput's death case has intensified after serious lapses have been found in Mumbai Police's investigation. The Centre on August has asked for a CBI probe into the Sushant Singh Rajput death probe, in its reply filed in the Supreme Court. The affidavit accessed by Republic TV highlights that two cases on the same issue were not pending in two states (Bihar and Maharashtra) anymore.

I request you all to please join us for Global 24-hour spiritual and prayer observation for Sushant Singh Rajput, so that the truth prevails and we find justice for our beloved Sushant #GlobalPrayers4SSR  #CBIForSSR #Warriors4SSR #justiceforSushantSinghRajput #Godiswithus pic.twitter.com/glXWJLf3zl  shweta singh kirti (@shwetasinghkirt) August 14, 2020

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India's tally at 24,61,190; 1,007 deaths reported in last 24-hours

India witnessed a single-day spike of 64,553 new coronavirus cases on August 13, taking the total case tally 24,61,190. As many as 1,007 people lost their lives to the contagious disease, taking the total coronavirus-related death toll to 48,040. Ministry of Health said that a total of 17,51,555 people have been cured/discharged/migrated from the highly contagious disease, taking the recovery rate to 70.17 per cent. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, India has reported the highest number of daily cases globally from August 4 to August 13.

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Palestinians call UAE-Israel agreement 'treason'

Palestinian ambassador to the UAE is reported to have been recalled after the Arab nation signed a landmark deal with Israel to normalise the relations. Israel and the UAE on August 13 agreed to establish full diplomatic ties but the Palestinians vehemently criticised the deal and dubbed it as betrayal of the Palestinian cause. The agreement between the two Middle East countries, brokered by the United States, comes as a major victory for Trump administration at a crucial time as the US President seeks re-election in the upcoming polls scheduled in November. While Trump called the agreement a truly historic moment, a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly said the deal amounts to treason".

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A fresh consignment of 54 sea cucumbers weighing around 51.5 kg worth 1 crore was seized near Agatti Airport, Lakshadweep on Thursday. This comes amid the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) taking over all major sea cucumber poaching offence cases in Lakshadweep.

Acting on a tip-off, the Lakshadweep Sea Cucumber Protection Task Force seized the consignment consisting dead sea cucumbers processed with preservatives and kept ready for further transportation to mainland, said officials.

Sea cucumbers are invertebrates, which can grow up to 6 feet, and are high in demand across south-east Asia, mainly China, for food and traditional medicine. In India, the species is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, and the Union environment ministry imposed a ban on harvesting sea cucumbers in 2001.

In February, the Lakshadweep Islands administration announced the creation of the worlds first conservation area, covering 239 square kilometre, for endangered sea cucumbers.

Officials said organised networks in Lakshadweep which export sea cucumbers for short-term monetary gains have been destroying the natural ecosystem. We have learnt that the latest recovered consignment may have been part of six other similar ones (which are yet to be traced). This highlights that the illegal trade is still at large. Based on the size of the species, we believe they have been hunted from uninhabited islands where such large sea cucumbers are found, said Damodhar AT, secretary of department of environment and forest and chief wildlife warden of Lakshadweep administration.

A case has been registered under WPA, and further investigation is underway to nab the offenders, he said.

Meanwhile, the Union environment ministry has agreed to form Lakshadweep Marine Wildlife Protection Force by engaging 350 personnel titled Marine Wildlife Protection Watchers (MWPW), who will be placed across 10 the islands. The ministry has sanctioned 2.72 crore for the 2020-21 fiscal which includes expenditure for establishing three anti-poaching camps in Veliyapani, Thinnakkara and Suheli islands, all of which are uninhabited.

MWPW will guard these isolated locations through round-the-clock surveillance for all activities in lagoon areas to protect not only sea cucumbers but all other Schedule I species from poaching and prevent wildlife offences in Lakshadweep, said Damodhar.

Marine biologist and interim director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Deepak Apte said the issue needs to be investigated at both national and international scale on priority. This is about the sovereignty of the territorial waters, because we are unaware of the links of these offenders. Unless punishments are strong, such risks will continue, said Apte. The fishing community has to be made aware that this is illegal. They should also be made aware that historically they have been a nature conservation-oriented community, and that such acts tarnish the image of islanders.

Earlier on February 12, Lakshadweep witnessed the largest global seizure of the species as a consignment of 1,716 sea cucumbers worth 4.26 crore weighing 852 kg was seized from Suheli. On January 21, an international trade kingpin was arrested and a consignment of 52 dead sea cucumbers was seized. On January 15, 172 sea cucumbers weighing 234kg worth 1.17 crore were seized and four persons were arrested as part of an international marine animal trafficking syndicate. The fourth case was in November 2018 when the same trade kingpin (arrested on January 21) was caught with a 8.75-kg consignment. The kingpin, who was arrested, had managed to escape from custody back then.

In view of these three cases, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau in February requested the Interpol to issue a purple notice (a category that aids efforts to tackle environment crime and issues notices for criminals hunting wild animals to sell their body parts in the international market).

Following this, CBI took over all the three cases.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Badri Chatterjee Badri Chatterjee is an environment correspondent at Hindustan Times, Mumbai. He writes about environment issues - air, water and noise pollution, climate change - weather, wildlife - forests, marine and mangrove conservation ...view detail
President Donald Trump said he has heard Democratic running mate Kamala Harris "doesn't qualify" to serve as US vice-president, amplifying a fringe legal theory critics decry as racist.

Kamala Harris was born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother in Oakland, California, on 20 October 1964.

But a constitutional law professor has questioned her eligibility.

For years, Trump promoted a false "birther" theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the US.

At Thursday's press conference, Trump was asked about the argument against Kamala Harris, who is a California senator, the BBC reported.

The Republican president said: "I just heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer.

"I have no idea if that's right. I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice-president.

"But that's a very serious... you're saying that, they're saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country."

The reporter replied there was no question that Harris was born in the US, simply that her parents might not have been legal permanent residents at that time.

Earlier on Thursday, a Trump campaign adviser, Jenna Ellis, reposted a tweet from the head of conservative group Judicial Watch, Tim Fitton.

In that tweet, Fitton questioned whether Harris was "ineligible to be Vice President under the US Constitution's 'Citizenship Clause'".

He also shared an opinion piece published in Newsweek magazine by John Eastman, a law professor at Chapman University in California.

Prof Eastman cites Article II of the US Constitution's wording that "no person except a natural born citizen... shall be eligible to the office of President".

He also points out that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution says "all persons born... in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens".

Prof Eastman argument hinges on the theory that Harris may not have been subject to US jurisdiction if her parents were, for example, on student visas at the time of their daughter's birth in California.

However, another constitutional law expert told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that Prof Eastman's argument was "truly silly".

Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of Berkeley Law School, wrote in an email: "Under section 1 of the 14th Amendment, anyone born in the United States is a United States citizen.

"The Supreme Court has held this since the 1890s. Kamala Harris was born in the United States."
(Natural News) Breathing in toxic fumes from polluted air is one of the major contributors to premature death around the globe as it can exacerbate lung and heart conditions. But despite the emerging threat of air pollution to humans, little research has been done on its impact on the health of animals.

In one of the first major efforts to understand the impact of air pollution on animals, scientists from Indias National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore found that polluted air could be detrimental for some of the most important organisms to agriculture: bees.

In particular, the scientists found traces of toxic metals like lead, tungsten and arsenic on the bodies of bees collected from different locations in Bangalore, one of the largest megacities in India and one of most polluted cities around the globe.

Information from gene sequencing also indicated that exposure to polluted air affected the expression of all 14 genes responsible for stress and 60 percent of the bees lipid metabolism-related genes. Bees collected from the most polluted locations also had irregular heart rates and poor immune health, and most of them died soon after capture.

Sick bees in Bangalore

Rapid urbanization, intense agriculture and poor emission control all contribute to immense increases in air pollution in Indias largest cities. In fact, India dominates the list of the most polluted cities on Earth, placing nine cities on a list of 10.

In spite of that, the impact of air pollution on the flora and fauna in these polluted cities remains to be studied further despite being a pressing concern. For instance, scientists found alarming declines in population trends of Apis dorsata, or the giant honey bee in India.

Experts suspect that particulate matter in the air could be affecting the pollinators and causing their declining populations. To determine if this is so, scientists from NCBS collected and examined bees from four different locations in Bangalore over a period of three years. Each site had notably different standards of air pollution.

The scientists found that bees from the northern region of Bangalore had copious amounts of pollen on their bodies. Bees collected from an industrial location, on the other hand, had traces of lead, tungsten, arsenic and a host of other toxic metals on their bodies.

The minuscule pieces of debris or particulate matter also measured less than 10 microns in size. The scientists identified these as Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (PM10), a major component of air pollution. Particles less than 10 microns in diameter pose a great risk to health as these can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.

Because the scientists could not isolate or pinpoint the exact effect of air pollution on the bees, the group repeated the experiment using fruit flies. The group placed cages of fruit flies at the same sites as the bees.

To no surprise, the flies also came back coated in pollutants, and those placed in the more polluted areas exhibited greater signs of stress and died faster.

Taken together, the results of both experiments indicate that particulate matter can, in fact, cause significant changes in insects gene expression, immune health and metabolism. The scientists recommend further controlled exposure studies in order to determine the components of particulate matter causing the changes.

Pollution can affect agricultural output and pollinator populations

Bees enact important roles in agriculture, and their deaths could spell food shortage for humans and the decline or total extinction of certain plant populations.

India, for instance, being the largest fruit producer, could face serious food production problems and great economic loss should pollinator populations continue to decline due to air pollution.

Experts have also expressed grave concern that air pollution poses the greatest threat to wild bees, which are responsible for pollinating 85 percent of flowering species. Wild bee colonies do not migrate as often between habitats like A. dorsata and, as such, are exposed to air pollution on the regular.

Bees also face serious health risks from exposure to harmful pesticides, and exposure to both air pollution and pesticides combined might be lethal for bees and other insect populations. (Related: Biologists: Pesticide regulations designed to protect bees are failing.)

Experts have since been attempting to come up with various approaches to protect bees and promote the growth of their populations. Englands Coventry University, for instance, plans to launch a citizen science project in collaboration with beekeepers to map the presence of particulate matter in the air around colonies.

Experts hope that this could shed light on the extent of pollution in the UK and its effects on wild bee populations there.

The NCBS scientists also emphasized the need for more studies on the impact of air pollution on flora and fauna. These studies could help reveal the full impact of air pollution on the health of entire ecosystems and better inform international guidelines on air quality, they added.

Read more articles about the impact of air pollution on bees at Bees.news.

Sources include:

WattsUpWithThat.com

PNAS.org

CNBC.com
US Secretary of State Pompeo defends Saudi arms sales after damning watchdog report on Yemen

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 9:24 AM

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended Washington's arms sales to Saudi Arabia after a watchdog report said the State Department failed to "fully assess" the risk of civilian deaths in war-torn Yemen.

Pompeo said on Wednesday that his department "did everything by the book" in regards to arms sales to Riyadh in May 2019.

"I am proud of the work that my team did. We got a really good outcome. We prevented the loss of lives," he claimed.

Pompeo made the remarks in response to a report by the State Department Inspector General that said "the department did not fully assess risks and implement mitigation measures to reduce civilian casualties and legal concerns associated with the transfer" of precision-guided bombs to the Persian Gulf Arab countries.

Last year, both US Republicans and Democrats opposed the sales, but President Donald Trump vetoed resolutions to block the transfers and there were not enough votes to override him.

Congress had requested an investigation into the Trump administration's decision to move ahead with $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sidestepping the congressional review process by declaring an emergency.

Pompeo was accused in May last year of abuse of power after he exploited an emergency declaration to push for the eight-billion-dollar arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE despite opposition from US Congress. He cited alleged threats in the Middle East to sidestep the congressional review process.

In May, Trump abruptly fired Inspector General Steve Linick, who was looking into Pompeo's case, and then appointed Stephen Akard, who also resigned from his post last week after recusing himself from the arms sales investigation.

Linick was the fourth government inspector general removed by the Republican president in recent months.

Supported by its regional allies and armed by its Western backers, Saudi Arabia has been waging a war on Yemen since March 2015.

An estimated 100,000 people have lost their lives in the Saudi war.

The war has destroyed Yemeni infrastructure, including a large number of hospitals and clinics amid an all-out Saudi blockade.

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France on Thursday prepared to beef up its military presence in the Mediterranean as tensions rose, prompting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to warn of a "heavy price" if a Turkish ship exploring for gas in disputed waters is attacked.

Tensions between Paris and Ankara increased with the latest French announcement linked to an escalating row in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece over gas reserves.

France criticised its NATO ally Turkey over a drone strike this week in northern Iraq, while Erdogan accused French counterpart Emmanuel Macron of seeking to "bring back a colonialist structure" as he visited Lebanon after last week's catastrophic Beirut explosions.

The United States meanwhile called for a rapprochement, describing France and Turkey as "incredibly important NATO allies".

Existing rancour between uneasy NATO allies Turkey and Greece escalated when Ankara sent a seismic research ship named Oruc Reis to explore off the Greek island of Kastellorizo on Monday.

Turkey accompanied the Oruc Reis with several navy ships while its helicopters patrolled the surrounding skies.

Greece responded by sending its own military assets to the area to monitor Turkey's activities.

Erdogan appeared to suggest that the Oruc Reis had come under attack and that Ankara had responded accordingly.

"We told them, don't you dare attack our Oruc Reis. You will pay a heavy price if you attack our Oruc Reis, we said. And they got their first answer today," Erdogan said.

- 'No incident happened' -

He provided no details and immediately moved on to another topic in his wide-ranging address.

The Greek defence ministry denied any involvement.

"No incident happened," a Greek defence official told AFP.

The two countries have been at loggerheads for months over Turkey's military intervention in Libya to support the UN-recognised Tripoli government, with France saying Turkey was bringing the NATO alliance's credibility into question.

Story continues

France has also been critical of what it says are Turkey's violations of the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus.

This uneasy relationship was complicated further when Paris accused Turkish ships of being "extremely aggressive" towards a French navy vessel in June.

Ankara is at odds with Greece and the European Union over maritime rights in the Eastern Mediterranean over gas reserves.

The French defence ministry said two jets would arrive Thursday on the Greek island of Crete for a stay of "several days", and that French military vessels took part in joint exercises with the Greek navy overnight.

The moves were designed "to affirm Frances commitment to free movement, to the security of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and respect for international law", said a ministry statement.

Last month, Greece announced it had deployed ships in the Aegean in "heightened readiness" after Turkey announced plans for energy exploration near a Greek island in an area it claims is within Turkey's continental shelf.

- 'Risk' of an accident -

Macron told Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday that Turkey's "unilateral decisions" on gas exploration "must be stopped" to allow peaceful discussions within NATO, according to the French presidency.

Macron reiterated French and EU solidarity "for any member state whose sovereignty is challenged".

Erdogan meanwhile spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday about defusing the row with Greece.

Erdogan "stressed that he supported solving problems in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of international law and the principles of dialogue and equality", the presidency said.

But he criticised Macron for "putting on a show" with his visit to Beirut.

Macron was the first world leader to visit Beirut after the devastating explosions on August 4 which killed at least 171 people, wounded thousands more and left an estimated 300,000 homeless.

"Macron's concern is to bring back a colonialist structure," the Turkish leader said, referring to the years Lebanon spent under French mandate after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

On Thursday, the foreign ministry in Paris criticised a drone strike in northern Iraq that Baghdad labelled a "blatant Turkish drone attack" in its autonomous Kurdish region.

Iraq said the strike killed two of its high-ranking officers.

burs-mlr/ach/pvh
Two scholarships to students attending Co Limericks Salesian Agricultural College for the Spring 2021 term have been offered by the Alltech and Keenan companies.

One full scholarship will be awarded to a second-year Teagasc Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management or Drystock Herd Management student, to include international work experience.
In this episode, national editor Tory Maguire is joined by senior economics correspondent Shane Wright to discuss Australia's record unemployment and the impact Victoria's coronavirus resurgence will have on recovering.

Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage.

Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe to The Sydney Morning Herald or The Age.
The body of a 60-year-old woman was found in the boot of a yellow taxi, which managed to dodged several checkpoints in Kolkata in the early hours of Friday before being stopped by police in the Chowbaga area in the eastern fringes of the city, officials said.

Police identified the body as that of Sujamani Gayen, who was allegedly beaten with sticks and then strangulated todeath by her daughter-in-law and three others over a family fight, police said. Gayen, a resident of the Haridevpur area, used to sell flowers outside the Kalighat temple. She had a very bitter relationship with her daughter-in-law Sujata, an officer said.

On Thursday, Sujata's mother Malina Mondal and herpartner Ajay brought Sujamani to their Pragati Maidan house, he said. "Then, they gave her food laced with sleeping pills and after that Sujata along with her three family members thrashed and strangulated Sujamani to death," he added.

Police said they have arrested Malina, Ajay, Sujata and her uncle Basu Mondal in connection with the killing.

After killing her, they stuffed the body in a sackalong with vegetables, and went out on a taxi to dump it, police said. The taxi managed to dodge several checkpoints but was spotted by some policemen on patrol duty, they said. They stopped the taxi in the Chowbaga area near Anandapur off EM Bypass, and asked the driver to open theboot.

The head of the woman was first noticed by one of the policemen among the vegetables in the sack, the officer said. Ajay, who was in the taxi along with Malina, then tried to flee but was caught, the officer said. Later, Sujata and her uncle were arrested based on Malina's interrogation, he said.

Police said they are investigating the matter and a case has been registered.
Another long-running merger saga appears to be close to an end with the news that Israels communications minister has approved the merger of operators Cellcom and Golan.

While the deal has not been formally closed yet  that should happen next week  this appears to be the final hurdle for an agreement that will create Israel's largest mobile telephony group.

Local newspaper Globes has reported that Minister of Communications Yoaz Hendel has given approval to the takeover, in accordance with the conditions set by the ministry. The ministry said that the minister's approval came after a thorough, in-depth examination of the deal, and on the recommendation of the ministry's professional staff.

There are some strings attached to the approval, however, one of which involves maintaining mobile service for Golan Telecom customers.

The Ministry of Communications has accepted Cellcoms request that Golan Telecom should remain a virtual carrier and an active player in the market under Cellcom's wing.

The merged company will be the largest in Israel's mobile market, with some 3.6 million subscribers, a clear lead over the number two, Partner, which was not far behind Cellcoms 2.7 million before the merger.

It was in February that Cellcom announced that it would buy Golan Telecom at a valuation of about $216.3 million at current exchange rates.

In early June the Ministry of Finance gave the green light to the merger, saying that its effect on competition, on price levels, and on investment in the market did not raise concerns. Also in early June the Israel Competition Authority approved the merger unconditionally saying that it did not harm competition. With the approval of the Communications Ministry now received, the merger is close to being finalised

This is the second attempt by Cellcom to acquire Golan Telecom. Regulators opposed an earlier move in 2015.
Royal Philips (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) has launched its Rapid Equipment Deployment Kit for ICU ramp-ups, allowing doctors, nurses, technicians and hospital staff to quickly support critical care patient monitoring capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Philips Rapid Equipment Deployment Kit is a fully configured and ready-to-deploy ICU patient monitoring solution, which includes 20 ICU monitors, 20 measurement servers and one central management monitoring station. It combines Philips advanced patient monitoring technology with predictive patient centric algorithms enabling care teams to quickly scale up critical care patient monitoring capabilities within a few hours. The kit is pre-built, pre-configured and pre-packed into sturdy cases that can elevate a hospitals general care area to a critical care level in a matter of hours.The Philips Rapid Equipment Deployment Kit is complete with step-by-step instructions allowing the pre-configured system to be deployed by hospital staff, with remote technical and clinical support from Philips. The kit can be transferred from hospital to hospital as needed. Once a crisis/surge passes, it is disinfected, packed up and stored to have available in preparation for future emergencies. As health systems in the US continue to experience surges in critical care and emergency care demand related to the COVID-19 crisis, the Philips Rapid Equipment Deployment Kit provides hospitals a way to quickly and easily expand their critical care capacity.The current health crisis has demonstrated a clear need for us to deliver innovative solutions to our customers that provide a complete critical care monitoring solution with all of the equipment they require on demand. This eliminates the need to source and configure individual pieces of high-demand equipment during a crisis, said Peter Ziese, General Manager of Monitoring Analytics at Philips. To help ensure economical and more efficient use of hospital resources, the Rapid Equipment Deployment Kits provide the speed, flexibility and ease of implementation for advanced critical care patient monitoring that many of our customers must have during this most pressing time.
Woolworths Taste continues to inspire foodies during lockdown, says New Media.

magazine has released its Q2 ABC for 2020, a result that demonstrates real confidence in food print media. In a turbulent time,has kept the (oven) light on, reducing print runs strategically over lockdown, while still producing high-quality content to support the surge in home cooking. The title announced a Q2 total ABC of 25 221. This 7% year-on-year decline is commensurate with the reduction in print order, which was also 7%. In short, print sales have held firm, indicating that there is still an engaged audience for the category. The result is a 25% decline on the previous quarter, which is a direct result of the ABC's decision to exclude March sales from the first period.'s Q1 ABC, therefore, consisted entirely of the sales of the Jan/Feb double issue. Unsurprisingly, there has been an increase in purchase of digital editions during the period - digital sales are up 11% on the previous period and up 100% year on year.'s website, taste.co.za , has continued to serve content to a growing audience looking for daily solutions and cooking inspiration. After the initial traffic spikes attributed to the hard lockdown, the number of unique visitors tois still significantly higher than pre-Covid levels. Taste.co.za attracted 284,605 visitors in July, which is a 77% increase year on year and a 57% increase when compared to January 2020.'s social media footprint has also grown 23% since January and stands at 360 000, a 34% increase compared to July 2019.Kate Wilson, editor in chief, ascribes the brand's success during this period to agility, as well as the increased appetite for cooking content as both a resource and a diversion. "We deliberately tailored our content offering to serve these needs both in print and online. Online, our audience could connect with the food team first-hand in their own kitchens through a series of 'lo-fi' cooking videos, while print allowed us to reflect trends directly related to lockdown behaviour, from recipes for baking and using up your pantry stocks at Level 5 all the way to recipes requiring minimal cooking time, as lockdown fatigue set in."Group account director Kelly Cloete adds: "What is clear is that the increased need for excellent food content is going to be an enduring legacy of this lockdown, andis perfectly poised to deliver this for our customers and advertising clients."
Two New Jersey men face murder and other charges in the May 24 shootings of two men who were attacked as they sat in their car in Cumberland County, authorities said Friday.

Sharay Palmer, 23, and Wayne Broughton, 29, both of Vineland, are charged with murder in the death of Travis Douglas, 31, of Randallstown, Maryland, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

Police were called about 3 a.m. to an accident in the area of Chestnut Avenue and South West Boulevard, where they found Douglas had been shot multiple times in his car. A passenger had also been shot but survived, officials said.

An investigation revealed that Douglas was driving on West Chestnut Avenue when another vehicle pulled alongside his car and several shots were fired into the drivers side, police said.

Palmer and Broughton are each charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

Broughton was arrested Friday morning in Millville and taken to the Cumberland County Jail. Palmer was arrested July 11 in Cucamunga, California and is awaiting extradition.

Both men will be held pending a pre-trial detention hearing, the prosecutor said in an email.

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'The DGCA, the ministry of civil aviation, Air India, the Airports Authority, all of them together form what I call an organised syndicate.'

'In India, it is a fashion to blame the pilot because then nobody asks questions about the incompetence and grave negligence of this State-run syndicate.'

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard near the mangled remains of the Air India Express aircraft in Kozhikode. Photograph: PTI Photo

Yeshwant Shenoy is determined to ensure the safety of fliers in India.

The Ernakulam lawyer has been doggedly highlighting various lacunae in the norms and laws governing India's civil aviation sector.

Shenoy took on India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation after the unfortunate Mangalore airport air crash in 2010.

"In the case of Kozhikode airport, the DGCA should have put restrictions on conditions when airlines could land or take off," Shenoy tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com after last Friday's Air Indian Express crash in Kozhikode. The first of a two-part interview:

Who should take the responsibility for the Kozhikode plane crash on August 7?

Without a doubt, the DGCA must accept the responsibility.

And here, let me emphasise, it is not the DGCA alone. I have been relentlessly fighting against the DGCA's recklessness and of other entities responsible for safety of fliers in India.

Newspapers, TV channels rake up an issue only when there are crashes like this (at Kozhikode) one. But throughout the last 10 years, I have been always in one court or the other, taking on the DGCA, the ministry of civil aviation, the Airports Authority of India. Consistently, I have been fighting these institutions that have played with the passengers' safety.

Based on what I have seen and dug out in these 10 years I am telling you it is not the DGCA alone. This is a State-run syndicate running India's aviation and that's the reason why it is the most dangerous and most potent because they have been doing this without any checks and balances.

Just imagine what happens when the State itself runs a well-organised syndicate. The DGCA, the ministry of civil aviation, Air India, the Airports Authority (of India), all of them together, form what I call an organised syndicate.

Aren't your allegations baseless?

Let me explain to you why I call them so and the basis of my charges.

We are only talking about the plane crash at Mangalore and Kozhikode because of the mishaps that happened there.

These airports are inherently dangerous given their location atop a hill.

Everybody is after Kozhikode now. What I am saying is it's not about Kozhikode that you need to be worried.

You need to be worried about where next because this is not going to end with Kozhikode.

Unlike 2010 (Mangalore), this (crash at Kozhikode) is the first of the series. And why I am saying so is that the system that is supposed to work is completely dismantled by this organised racket.

What they have done is either they have sidelined competent honest officers within these organisations or ensured that they get punished for their honesty and competence.

And then what happens is the suckers out there, the incompetent ones who keep the bosses happy are promoted.

This has been consistently happening for the last 10 years.

I have been watching so closely and some of my petitions are there in the courts specifically naming some of these (incompetent) officers. Over time, all these officers have become departmental heads.

Now, if you have a departmental head, who is incompetent, what can you speak about the department? So that is why I am saying that this is a State-run syndicate.

If anybody tells me it was the weather conditions (because of which the plane crash at Kozhikode happened), it was this thing, that thing, remember one thing: No air crashes ever happened in the world just because of one reason.

You have to have an entire chain of events. We call it the Swiss Model of Accident Causation. It is like each cheese slice having holes and then accidents happen only when all these holes align themselves.

Now, take aircraft, for example. Suppose an aircraft's engine is bad. A bad engine alone will not bring down the plane.

Take, for example, how many times an airline operator has had in-flight engine shutdowns, but none of them ended up in an accident because there are trained pilots there.

Now imagine this scenario: An in-flight engine shutdown, bad weather and a fatigued pilot. These three causes together can cause a crash.

Here (about the Kozhikode plane crash) if one says there is just one reason why this crash happened then he is fooling you.

The narrative to explain this crash is blaming the pilots's -- who are no longer alive to defend themselves -- misjudgment while landing.

In India, it is a fashion to blame the pilot because then nobody asks questions about the incompetence and grave negligence of this State-run syndicate.

While one can always blame the pilots for such mishaps, in plane crash investigations, what you need to do is not put the blame on the pilot, but understand or try to find out why he acted in the way in which he acted.

I have been telling this in the context of the Mangalore crash.

In Mangalore, we had a very clear reason (for the pilot to do what he did). There was a wrong marking on the runway which showed him 2,000 feet of runway remaining and he decided to land.

Look what happened (at Kozhikode airport). We will get to know only when this thing is investigated fairly and independently.

But look what this syndicate is up to now. The investigation is handed over to the AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) instead of a court of inquiry, which is a government-headed organisation.

When ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, which is responsible for civil viation safety in the US) were conducting audits, they told the Indian aviation regulator, the DGCA, that as long as India doesn't have an independent air crash accident investigator, they will downgrade India.

To ensure that doesn't happen, they brought in this body called the AAIB and filled it with incompetent DGCA officials.

Basically, what they will do now is in this crash they will all blame the pilot: The DGCA, the civil aviation ministry, ICAO and FAA, all of them will blame the pilot.

We are not going to get to know the truth.

After Mangalore I started working on aviation safety issues. The Mangalore crash dragged me to aviation safety and today I have 10 years' experience in this field.

I may not be an aviator, I may not be a pilot, I may not be a traffic controller, but I have studied, I have researched and I know where things could go wrong.

What could have gone wrong at Kozhikode airport?

The airport itself: That airport is not suitable for that kind of operation (landing when it rains heavily and accompanied by strong tailwinds).

The airport itself is unsuitable and yet DGCA has given permissions to run this airport.

What DGCA did in 2011 is declared 11 airports (Leh, Kullu, Mangalore, Patna, Latur, Jammu, Port Blair, Agartala, Lengpui, Shimla and Calicut) as 'critical'.

Once DGCA labels an airport as 'critical' it leaves it up to the airlines operators to do their own risk assessment.

Once every airline operator knows the dangers there then they have to decide how they should operate there.

By doing this, the DGCA has passed the buck on to the airlines operators.

Is this how aviation is run in every other country?

No. Let me explain to you in a language that lay people will understand.

Let's take the example of the Yamuna Expressway.

If you are in a BMW or a Mercedes, you can drive your car at 200 kmph. But will you do that? Can you do that?

You can't because there is a speed limit put by the government. So, even if your car can go at the speed of 200 kmph, the government has put a speed limit of 100 kmph on that road.

You cannot go beyond this speed limit set by the government and that is called operational restriction.

In the case of Kozhikode airport, the DGCA too should have put restrictions on conditions when airlines could land or take off.

They should have set conditions when the airport could be used for landings and take offs and the conditions when it cannot be operational.

Instead of doing this the DGCA has just termed some airports as critical airports and nowhere in the world will you find the definition of critical airports. There is no such definition in the aviation terminology at all.

What exactly does the DGCA mean by terming an airport as a critical airport?

That you need to ask the DGCA, but even they have no clue about it.

In one word if I have to tell you what it is, then it is: saving their own skin. It has no definition.

Nobody understands what this DGCA invention is.

Which are the other airports in India that have been called critical and where, in your opinion, mishaps like the one at Kozhikode may happen next?

Some of these critical airports are having certain terrain issues and so declared as critical.

Now, look at an airport like Delhi, a beautiful airport; even that has been spoiled by the DGCA, the Airports Authority of India and the ministry of civil aviation.

There is a huge demand for land around airports like Mumbai and so the real estate value of the land is very high there. There are limitations as to what the height of your buildings will be in the vicinity of airports.

I have taken the DGCA, the AAI and the ministry of civil aviation to the court on the issue of heights of buildings that are allowed to be constructed in the vicinity of airports.

There are global best practices that put certain limits on the height of buildings around the airport.

And if any building violates this height limit then that building is called an obstacle.

To bypass or sideline these limits, this organised syndicate did some sham aeronautical study based on which they started giving permissions to buildings to come up around the airport in Mumbai.

This is happening more around Mumbai than Delhi because in Mumbai there is a strong real estate lobby.

In Delhi too there are around 369 obstacles around the airport and it is the DGCA that has filed an affidavit to that effect in the court.

I took them to the court and they had to declare how many obstacles are there. Now the court has ordered demolition of these 369 obstacles.

What is happening in Mumbai though is shocking.

There are 467 obstacles only in the approach. When an aircraft prepares for take-off or landing at an airport, it enters a funnel, an imaginary channel, for proper take-offs and landings.

It is in this funnel there are 467 obstacles at Mumbai airport.

If you look at the entire restricted area then there will be more than 5,000 plus buildings that can act as obstacles.

So, even good airports like Mumbai and Delhi are being destroyed by this State-run organised syndicate.

Take, for example, the proposed airport at Navi Mumbai. It's a greenfield airport.

Now even before this area was declared as the site of the proposed airport, the politicians who had this inside information purchased land around it and constructed so many tall buildings.

And we are having CIDCO, which is on record saying that they are going to have a runway which is 'displaced'.

Let me explain what a displaced runway is.

In Delhi we are having four-km runway length, which is displaced by one-and-a-half kilometres.

So, Delhi has a runway which is four kilometres long, but there is a Shiv Murti that is an obstacle. It is in the take-off zone. So, they had to decrease the runway by one-and-half kilometres.

That makes the effective length of Delhi airport at two-and-half kilometres instead of four kilometres.

While even this two-and-half kilometre runway is enough for landing and take-off it also depends on the aircraft that is landing here. If it is an A380, it requires more landing space.

So in spite of having such good infrastructure, because some officers wanted to make some money somewhere, they ended up doing all these kind of things.

Now, the entire airport itself is wasted because despite having four kilometres of runway you cannot use it.

And all this is because the DGCA and the Airports Authority allowed buildings to come up in violation of rules around the airport.
HIT: After town employees were forced to repeatedly clear out a drain pipe being clogged with debris by an eager beaver, Niles Highway Superintendent Pat Steger came up with an idea to keep it from happening again. The thought resulted in the construction of a Beaver Pipe Cage that allows continual water flow by preventing beavers from plugging culverts. The device recently won Best Overall Innovation in the Federal Highway Administration's Build a Better Mousetrap National Competition, which focuses on creative solutions to local problems. The cost-effective solution may be something other municipalities will want to try, as well.

MISS: Within days of the first confirmation of emerald ash borer in the Adirondack Park, officials have now found an infestation of hemlock woolly adelgid, the second such discovery since 2017. The emerald ash borer is a destructive beetle that infests and kills North American native ash species, and the hemlock woolly adelgid feeds on young twigs, causing hemlocks to decline and die within four to 10 years. The state Department of Environmental Conservation asks the public to remain vigilant and to report suspected infestations so that mitigation efforts can be started as quickly as possible.

HIT: The Prison City Ramblers weren't able to host their annual Father's Day car show in Emerson Park this year, so the group brought the show directly to the people in the form of car cruise parade. Anyone with a classic car was invited to meet at Auburn High School Wednesday for an early evening cruise around the streets of Auburn led by Andy Campbell in his restored 1994 New York State Trooper car. Most of the registration fees from the Father's Day car show go to charity, and the club has continued to assist local charities during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Citizen editorial board includes publisher Michelle Bowers, executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd.

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President Donald Trump on Friday called on Syria to help bring home Houston journalist and veteran Austin Tice, who has been missing for eight years as of this week.

Tice was last seen in August 2012 in Damascus, Syria where he was working as a freelance journalist reporting on the civil war for a variety of media outlets, including CBS, The Washington Post, and The McClatchy Company, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was kidnapped while reporting in Daraya, a Damascus suburb. Five weeks after he went missing he appeared in a 43-second video that emerged showing Tice held by a group of armed men, according to the Tice family website.
The Trump administration has seized the cargo of four tankers it was targeting for transporting Iranian fuel to Venezuela, U.S. officials said Thursday, as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against the two heavily sanctioned allies.

Last month, federal prosecutors in Washington filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that the sale was arranged by a businessman, Mahmoud Madanipour, with ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. At the time, sanctions experts thought it would be impossible to enforce the U.S. court order in international waters.

A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that no military force was used in the seizures and that the ships weren't physically confiscated. Rather, U.S. officials threatened ship owners, insurers and captains with sanction to force them to hand over their cargo, which now becomes U.S. property, the official said.

Prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline. But the tankers never arrived at the South American country and then went missing. Two of the ships later reappeared near Cape Verde, a second U.S. official said.

Both officials agreed to discuss the sensitive diplomatic and judicial offensive only if granted anonymity.

Irans ambassador to Venezuela, Hojad Soltani, pushed back on what would appear a victory for the U.S. sanctions campaign, saying Thursday on Twitter that neither the ships nor their owners were Iranian.

This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the U.S. propaganda machine," Soltani said. The terrorist #Trump cannot compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran using false propaganda."

It is not clear where the vessels  the Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna  or their cargoes currently are. But the ship captains weeks ago turned off their tracking devices to hide their locations, said Russ Dallen, a Miami-based partner at brokerage Caracas Capital Markets, who follows ship movements.

The Bering went dark on May 11 in the Mediterranean near Greece and has not turned on its transponder since, while the Bella did the same July 2 in the Philippines, Dallen said. The Luna and Pandi were last spotted when they were together in the Gulf of Oman on July 10 when the U.S. seizure order came. Shipping data shows that the Pandi, which also goes by Andy, is reporting that it has been broken up," or sold as scrap, Dallen said.

As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Nicolas Maduros socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran.

In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital, Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships.

Despite sitting atop the worlds largest crude reserves, Venezuela doesnt produce enough domestically refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid its economic crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions.

The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices  both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.

One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela, the Avantgarde Group, was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions, according to prosecutors.

An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1, a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria. Iran denied the charges and the Grace 1 was eventually released. But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel.

According to the asset forfeiture complaint, an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi. Nonetheless, a text message between Madanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties.

The ship owner doesnt want to go because of the American threat, but we want him to go, and we even agreed We will also buy the ship," according to the message, an excerpt of which was included in the complaint.

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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By PTI

IMPHAL: Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday accepted resignation of Congress MLA Paonam Brojen, who along with five other party legislators had given up membership of the House and also quit the party.

While resignations of the five Congress MLAs were accepted by the speaker earlier, the matter of the sixth one was kept pending since his disqualification case was pending with the Speaker's Tribunal.

The Speaker's Tribunal has dismissed the disqualification case pending against Paonam Brojen under the 10th Scheduled of Indian Constitution prior to acceptance of his resignation from the membership of the state assembly, the speaker told reporters here.

Brojen represented Wangjing Tentha assembly constituency in the house.

Six Congress MLAs had submitted their resignations from the membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday last, a little after end of the one-day monsoon session during which the BJP-led government headed by N Biren Singh had comfortably won confidence vote.

The speaker further said that allegations made by the applicants as well as documents furnished by them to prove that Brojen had joined BJP could not be authenticated, so the Speaker's Tribunal dismissed the case.

The six were among the eight Congress legislators who had defied a party whip and skipped the special session of the assembly on August 10 when trust vote was undertaken by he chief minister.

The very next day they had bid goodbye to the party too by submitting resignations at the state Congress office here.

Besides Brojen, the five other Congress MLAs were,Okram Henry Singh- nephew of Congress Legislature Party leader Okram Ibobi Singh- Oinam Lukhoi, Md Abdul Nasir, Ngamthang Haokip and Ginsuanhau.

The rest two, who had stayed away from the day-long special session of the house were- Md Fazur Rahman and Yamthong Haokip, who had informed the speaker that they were in home quarantine.

Rahman later tested positive and was admitted to a hospital for the virus.

Congress which had won a total of 28 seats to emerge as the single largest party in the 60-member Manipur house after the 2017 polls saw members deserting it from time to time.

Soon after the election, one of its legislator Thounaojam Shyamkumar was disqualified under the anti-defection law for joining BJP.

Further, three Congress MLAs - Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, Yengkhom Surchandra Singh and Sanasam Bira Singh- were disqualified from membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly by the speaker.

And early this week, six have resigned from the assembly and also given up membership of the party.
BENGALURU: The Karnataka government may soon impose a ban on the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) for its alleged role in Tuesday nights violence in the Bengaluru city in which three people were killed.

Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Friday said, The SDPI is a silly org. We're thinking of banning it. Two decisions will be taken shortly. First - properties of those involved in violence (in Bengaluru) will be confiscated. Second - banning SDPI.

These two matters will be discussed in the cabinet meeting on August 20, the minister was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police have arrested 60 more persons in connection with Tuesday night riots in parts of the city, sources said on Friday.

"Continuing arrests in DJ Halli and KG Halli case, another 60 accused arrested, including Kaleem Pasha. The total number of arrests is now 206," official sources said.

Kaleem Pasha, husband of BBMP Nagavara Corporator Irshaad Begum, and is said to have instigated the rioters, they said.

The BJP took a dig at the opposition Congress following the arrest.

"Kalim Pasha, husband of @INCKarnataka corporator arrested. 4 senior functionaries of SDPI arrested. Still State Cong leaders trying to shift blame. Not condemning riots. Eyes only on upcoming BBMP elections. #CongressAgainstDalits (sic)," BJP National General Secretary B L Santosh tweeted.

Kalim Pasha , husband of @INCKarnataka corporator arrested. 4 senior functionaries of SDPI arrested . Still State Cong leaders trying to shift blame.Not condemning riots . Eyes only on upcoming BBMP elections . #CongressAgainstDalits  B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) August 14, 2020

The role of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) behind the mob violence in parts of Bengaluru, has come to light and investigation will go deep into it and their connections, Home Minister Basavaraj Bomai had said on Thursday.

Three persons were killed after police opened fire to quell a mob that went on a rampage in DJ Halli and adjoining areas on Tuesday night over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshi Nagar MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

The MLA's residence and a police station at DJ Halli were torched by rioters, who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and those of his sister.

Meanwhile, officials said, most of the arrested who are at Parappana Agrahara Central prisons are being sent to Ballari central jail.
The Western Regional Branch of the Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) has appealed to President Akufo-Addo to bring to end activities of industrial pair trawlers engaged in illegal transshipment of fishing in the Ghanaian waters.

The massive activities of trawlers and illegal transshipment activities, popularly called "Saiko" was depriving artisanal fishermen involved in the artisanal fishing sector of their livelihoods and making them poorer.

This was contained in a petition issued and signed by the Regional Secretary of the GNCFC, Mr. Mike Abakah-Edu at the start of a nation-wide peaceful protest to register their displeasure against the activities of industrial fishing trawlers engaged in Saiko at Apewosika in Axim.

According to the GNCFC, chapter 718 of the budget statement, the government resolved to ban all domestic and international vessels found to be engaged in Illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported(IUU) fishing in Ghana's territorial waters.

Earlier, the fishers who were joined by other branches in the Region hoisted red flags and wearing red bands from the house to the beach with the inscription, "Stop Saiko Now" to create awareness.

The petition reminded the President who is the Co-Chair of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other stakeholders in the fishing industry, to enforce the law to bring the menace to a halt to secure the livelihood of more than 2.7 million Ghanaians.

The petition said the industrial fishing trawlers were given license to harvest demersal (bottom-dwelling) species but were now deliberately targeting the staple catch of the artisanal fishery, the small pelagics, and sell such fishes back to the local coastal communities at a profit.

The statement said the operations of the industrial fishing trawlers were largely contributing to the depletion and further collapse of Ghana's inshore fishery, therefore, undermining efforts of sustainable management.

It said an estimated 90% of the frozen block fish are juveniles, which deprived the Marine ecosystem of the opportunity to rebuild as fish did not reach maternity to reproduce contributing to the decline and near collapse of the small pelagics stocks or further impact on food security, nutrition, income, livelihoods, revenue, thereby, posing a threat to the economy and national security being referred to as "galamsey of the sea".

The petition indicated that though the artisanal fishery was in its bumper season of reaping the fruits of its labour of bumper catch, yet nothing of the sort was happening.

"Our beaches are silent. We spend so much to go fishing and return with nothing.No fish catch since bumper date".

The statement said besides the continuous depletion of the fish stocks by the industrial trawlers, they were also destroying fishing gears especially bottom-set-nets on a large scale.

The statement further noted that "Saiko" was a severely destructive form of illegal fishing according to the Fisheries Act 625 of 2002, section 132, and Regulation 1968 of 2010 section 33 as well as the Amendment Act and the Regulation which expressively prohibit transshipment-Saiko from trawler to canoe.

It said according to the Fisheries Scientific Technical Working Group (STWG), the fish stock was in imminent danger and the fishery could collapse completely by 2020 unless immediate action was taken.

The GNCFC observed the situation to be scary since the loss of Livelihoods would contribute to a rise in social vices and crime within the fishing communities and society in general.

GNA
Independence  his goal of decades  was round the corner. As was Partition, an anathema. But the mayhem and murder, presaging those two events, were all around him when, late in the night of November 6, 1946 , Mahatma Gandhi reached Chandpur by ferry. He was to stay a full four months in the stream-washed wetlands of Noakhali, East Bengal, heeding to calls from brutalised Hindus.

No sooner did he reach that first stop in the tour came news of Muslims in Bihar having been counter-attacked, mercilessly. Grieved and ashamed, Gandhi said, The Independence of India is today at stake in Bengal and Bihar. Biharis have behaved as cowards. If the Biharis wanted to retaliate they could have gone to Noakhali and died to a man.

Two deputations met him the next day  the first, Muslim, maintaining that no disturbances had taken place at Chandpur and the second, Hindu, seeking police and military protection. Addressing a gathering of some 15,000, mainly Muslims, at Chandpur that evening, he said,  I have heard of forcible conversions, forcible feeding of beef, abductions and forcible marriages, not to talk about murders, arson and loot. People have broken idols. Muslims do not worship idols. Neither do I. But why should they interfere with those who wish to worship them? These incidents are a blot on the name of Islam.

The fires having been doused, if not extinguished, in East Bengal , he left on March 3, 1947 to the opposite theatre  Bihar. In the village of Bir, he learnt of the brutalities visited on innocent Muslims. Speaking to a gathering in that village, he could barely control his fury. I wish to ask you, how could you live to see an old woman of 110 butchered before your eyes ? I will not rest nor let others rest. I will wander all over on foot and ask the skeletons what happened. There is such a fire raging in me that I will know no peace till I have found a solution for all this .

As steps towards the transfer of power to the two dominions began taking final shape, Gandhi remained firmly away from all of that. His feet took him where his heart said he should be  among the victims of the trauma surrounding the change. And, in early August, he went back to Bengal from Bihar. His specific intention was to return to the still-smarting Noakhali.

In Calcutta, a big Muslim delegation urged him to stay on in the city to help quell the riot-like situation there. He agreed on two conditions: One, those Muslims in Calcutta urging him to work for peace in the city must do what they can to ensure the safety of Hindus in Noakhali. Two, he would live in a Muslim locality in the city where Hindus must ensure the safety of its Muslim residents.

Hydari Manzil in the Beliaghata suburb of Calcutta was identified.

It was a very shabby house, Manu Gandhi records, without any sort of facilityopen on all sidesonly one latrineevery inch of the place covered with dust and muddied by rainOnly one available room where everybody and everything had to be accommodated including Bapu himself

An officer of the information department met him on August 9 and asked him for a message to the nation on August 15. Gandhi declined to give one. The officer persisted, It will look kharab if you do not. Gandhi replied, Hai nahin koyi message, hone do kharab (There is no message, let it be kharab).

On August 14, there was a change in atmosphere  for the better, it seemed. This day being his last in office, premier HS Suhrawardy sought and got the privilege of driving Gandhi around parts of the city to see the eager anticipation of Independence, the departure of the last British governor, the induction of the first Indian governor and the Congress government headed by PC Ghosh.

And then a message did come. It was in the shape of a reflection. Tomorrow we will be free from bondage to the British, but from midnight tonight Hindustan will be broken into two pieces. So tomorrow will be both a day of rejoicing and mourning.

For him, August 15 1947 was a day to fast. Too much was gnawing at his heart. And he recalled his son-like secretary Mahadev Desai who had died on that day, in 1942. Thousands flocked to his Beliaghata room. These included the new ministers to whom he said : Do not fall prey to lure of wealth.

On the next day, August 16, 1947 John Kellas, principal of Scottish Church College asked him, What is the relation between a nation and religion?

Witness to mutual slaughter in the name of religion, devotee of Rama who believed Ishvara and Allah were two names for the same, Gandhi gave a reply that echoes, re-echoes with a new urgency today. A nation does not belong to any particular religion or sect. It should be absolutely independent of either.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi is a former administrator, diplomat and governor

The views expressed are personal

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gopalkrishna Gandhi Gopalkrishna Gandhi read English Literature at St Stephens College, Delhi. A civil servant and diplomat, he was Governor of West Bengal, 2004-2009. He is currently Distinguished Professor of History and Politics at Ashoka University ...view detail
August 14, 2020





Hair loss has been a constant issue for people all over the world. Reasons for this can be many, including natural causes or side effects of medical treatment. And while some patients that undergo severe medical treatment such as chemotherapy eventually get their hair back, for individuals who lose their hair due to natural causes, the process is, unfortunately, not reversible.







For people who experience hair loss, the effects can be detrimental to their self-image and quality of life for men and women alike. This is why many recur to treatments that promise to help natural hair grow back. However, these treatments can often be unsuccessful, which leaves one single option for patients  hair transplant.

The hair transplant procedure involves transplanting hair follicles from one part of the patients body to another, which has proven very effective for many people. Current hair transplant interventions have made the life easier and happier for many individuals, including celebrities, helping them regain their self-esteem.

Many people fear, however, that a hair transplant may look unnatural and could make their issue even more visible. But now, hair treatment and transplants have become very sophisticated and use state-of-the-art technology to even clone individual hair and ensure a natural look.



Research for improved hair loss treatment continues

For years, researchers and experts have focused on using stem cells to grow natural human hair, but up until now, experiments were conducted using mouse skin as the base where stem cells are planted.

At first glance, experts believed that, out of all parts of the body that could be created in a lab, hair should have been one of the simplest. Unlike the liver or lungs, hair does not have an active function. It does not have to pump blood or filter fluids. It is nothing but a strand of protein filaments wrapped around each other, so all it needs to do is sit on the scalp without falling and grow.

Upon further research, however, it was revealed that hair is much more complex than it was initially expected to be. For one single strand of hair to be produced, the body needs thousands of stem cells, called dermal papillae, to sit at the base of each hair follicle. Given the fact that the human scalp contains anywhere around 100,000 hair follicles, the process can be quite difficult to replicate.

When a person starts losing hair, it happens because dermal papillae disappear over time, causing the hair follicle to go dormant. In fact, a bald persons scalp continues to have hair on it, but the strands become very thin and strange-looking, as the hair follicles go dormant and lose almost all of their dermal papillae.

Transplanting hair follicles from one part of the body to another, or from a donor, is currently one of the most popular options for hair transplant, and it is effective oftentimes. But researchers are working on a new, revolutionary method to make hair transplant less of a hassle for both patients and doctors.

Stem cell therapy has groundbreaking potential, but issues are still present

The best option to ensure a natural-looking hairline remains, to this day, generating new hair. Cell therapy, which has become a promising area of medicine, could be the solution everyone has been searching for.

Cell therapy revolves around the creation of bodily structures, with therapies derived from the patients own stem cells, and could possess far fewer downfalls than any form of transplant. Through this form of therapy, immune cells can be used to attack tumors, nerve cells can repair spinal-cord injuries, pancreatic cells can help people suffering from type 1 diabetes, and new hair follicles can cover hairless skin areas.

Because stem cells are extracted from the patients body, there are minimal risks for the transplant to be rejected by the immune system, which is the main cause of failed transplant procedures.

The ultimate goal for stem cell therapy is to be able to create hair farms, which could solve the hair loss issue many are confronted with. Last year, a San Diego-based stem cell start-up, which works to clone hair follicles, recounted their first successful transplant of human hair follicles into mice.

However, there are some flaws that need to be corrected before this could become a viable treatment option. The main problem is this solution does not last long, as cloned hair cells stop producing hair in time.

At first, no one could understand why, but now they have an answer. When they are cultures, cells seem to spread out, making the follicular culture essentially melt away. If researchers could manage to preserve the cells together and maintain their teardrop shape, they will continue to send signals to each other and grow into resistant hair follicles. This is mandatory if you want to keep hair growing in the same direction and maintain a natural aspect of the hairline.

3D printing could be the missing link researchers have been looking for

To avoid cells losing their shape, one solution that scientists propose is the development of a synthetic scaffold that could be implanted around the cloned follicle to support and guide the growth of the hair.

Another solution, which can prove to be even more effective than the scaffolding one was presented by Angela Christiano, genetics and dermatology professor at Columbia University. Her team of researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York used 3D printing to create a mold that can hold the follicle and derma papillae in place until they grow into hair.

Though this groundbreaking technique, they can develop a microenvironment similar to the natural environment of human hair follicles, something that was nearly impossible to reproduce before 3D printing technology was available.

While the process is still far from being perfect, the potential is astonishing. In just three weeks, the cells, which have been topped with keratin-producing cells and stimulate with various growth factors, generated human hair follicles that were now able to start growing hair.

Research to perfect this groundbreaking therapy is still ongoing, but we might soon witness a revolutionary way to make hair loss less of an issue.
Balaram Baniya, the Nepalese journalist who reportedly wrote an article on Chinese encroachment in Rui village, has been found dead, police said according to local media.

The 50-year-old journalists body was found on the banks of Bagmati river near the hydropower project area in Mandu, Himalayan Times quoted the spokesperson at Makwanpurdistrict police office (DPO) as saying, according to an ANI report.

A team deployed from the areas police office in Bhimphedi fished out his body from the river and sent it to Hetauda hospital.

Baniya was last seen walking along the banks of Balkhu river. His location, according to his mobile phone, showed the same, after which the phone was switched off. His family had filed a missing report with the police, following which a manhunt was launched to trace him, Kathmandu Post reported.

As per the application received for his search, which also contained his photo, it has been verified that the body that was found was that of journalist Baniya, according to the DPO.

According to Kathmandu Post, Baniya was associated with Kantipur Daily since the papers initial days. He used to cover politics and parliament and later did extensive reporting on governance and bureaucracy.

He reportedly wrote an article highlighting the Chinese encroachment in Rui village located in Gorkha district.
INDIANTOWN, Fla.  Brian Morales-Rosados first day of the new Warfield Elementary school year in his virtual home classroom was one no one could ever imagine.

As he stared at his computer monitor Tuesday morning at his teacher and classmates, shouting erupted in the room around him. Donald L. Williams, a former boyfriend of his mother Maribel Morales-Rosado, had entered the home with a gun, Martin County, Florida, sheriffs officials said.

He pointed the gun at the 10-year-olds head, and shot the boys mother, who died later that day, said the boys uncle, Jose Crespo.

Hes still traumatized, said Crespo, Morales-Rosados brother.

Five siblings, ages 9 to 17, were in the home at the time, and all six children are traumatized, he said. A few years ago, their father died in a car crash.

Christopher Flores, Morales-Rosados fiance, said the children have been asking for and miss their mom. The kids are in shock, he said. Their mom is gone and I have to be strong.

The children are staying with their grandmother, Morales-Rosado's mother, nearby.

Williams, 27, is in the Martin County Jail without bond, charged with premeditated murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, one count of burglary to a structure and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

This booking photo provided by Martin County Sheriffs Office shows Donald Williams. Authorities say a Florida woman was fatally shot Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, by her ex-boyfriend. (Martin County Sheriffs Office via AP)AP

No one answered the door at Williams' home, which is a few streets away from Morales-Rosado's home. Neighbors were not around.

Wanted to get married at the beach

Wednesday, family members and friends stood in front of Morales-Rosado's home with candles and pictures of the 32-year-old. They shared memories of how much she loved hibiscus flowers, her family and the beach.

Crespo said his sister was well-known in Indiantown and lived in the area for 27 years. The siblings were originally from Puerto Rico.

Flores said he started dating Morales-Rosado on July 4, 2017, and planned to marry her later this year.

"She was a simple woman," he said. "She wanted to get married at the beach."

He said his fiancee loved animals and had three goats. One day she planned to get a bigger home for her children and start a farm, he said.

Recently, she bought an SUV so that all of her children could travel together in one car, Flores said.

His sister, Jeanette Penalver, said she saw Morales-Rosado on Sunday and she was excited about getting the children ready to go back to school.

Penalver said Morales-Rosado would come over to her house or vice versa and the two would talk and laugh together. Its terrible how a man can take a woman and a mothers life like that, she said.

What happened

Crespo said he and his family don't understand why Williams shot his sister, but thinks it could be because he's jealous of her.

"Whatever she had to do for her kids, she would do," he said. "She was a strong person for her kids."

Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder said Williams went to Morales-Rosado's home, located in the 14700 block of Southwest 173rd Avenue, and shot her multiple times in the presence of her children.

He is suspected of using a handgun stolen in 2015 in a Sewall's Point vehicle burglary.

Williams then got onto a community MARTY bus, where he asked the driver to take him to Stuart. The driver told deputies she saw a bag in William's hand and got suspicious and called 911.

The sheriff's SWAT team, training nearby, took Williams into custody.

Williams' arrest affidavit and other records related to the shooting have not been released to the media.

Snyder said Williams and Morales-Rosado have had domestic battery issues in the past. He said she recently was released from jail in connection with a domestic battery case in which Williams was the victim.

Fight for justice

Crespo said before his sister was taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute, she was awake and talking to fire rescue officials about how her sides hurt.

"She was talking and we thought she would be fine," he said. "Maybe something went wrong in surgery; I don't know."

Ana H. Rosado, the mother of Morales-Rosado, said she and her other family members will fight for justice for her daughter. Its not going to be an easy battle, but I have to fight for my grandchildren, she said.

Martin County School District spokeswoman Jennifer DeShazo said Wednesday the teacher conducting a lesson while the incident happened requested her name and information not be released.

"As you can imagine, this has been an extremely traumatic event for this teacher to process," DeShazo said.

The family set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for expenses caused by the shooting.

By Sara Marino, TCPalm.com, The Palm Beach Post, Fla. (TNS)

More:

Man hired hitman on dark web to kill child he sexually abused, authorities say

Everyone is crying after 5-year-old boy is shot, killed at his home in rural North Carolina
Detention of ex-commonwealth affairs agency official extended in $700k embezzlement case

 Moskva city news agency, Sergey Vedyashkin

10:49 14/08/2020

MOSCOW, August 14 (RAPSI)  Moscows Tverskoy District Court on Friday extended detention of Mikhail Popov, a former official of the Federal Agency for Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Residing Abroad and International Humanitarian Co-Operation (Rossotrudnichestvo), in a 50-million-ruble (about $700,000) embezzlement case, the courts press service told RAPSI.

He will stay detained until October 16.

On Thursday, the court extended detention of one more defendant, ex-Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Marina Lukashevich, for the same term.

According to materials read in the court, the case concerns the operation of the Science Development Center, which received 5 state contracts worth over 40 million rubles ($555,000 at the current exchange rate) in 2017.

Investigators believe that the company was founded for stealing the funds by then chief of the Rossotrudnichestvo science and education project realization department Mikhail Popov, a science and education project realization department of the Federal Agency for Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Residing Abroad and International Humanitarian Co-Operation (Rossotrudnichestvo), who is also involved in the case. According to the investigation, Popov organized a tendering procedure to allow the Science Development Center win the tenders. Lukashevich was allegedly accepted the contracts. Under the concluded contracts, the company was to draft educational programs and conduct researches for the Science Ministry.




Arab arsonists set fire to the ancient Susya archaeological site in Judea during Tisha B'Av.

"This is among the activities of our 'peaceful neighbors' when they aren't building on our land," said Natalie Sopinsky, a resident of Susya.

The fire spread threatening the old synagogue ruins. Israel firefighters battled the blaze and saved the synagogue, which had a special place in Jewish history. It served as a refuge for Jews following the revolt against Romans, led by Bar Kochva.

The archaeological finds at the site revealed what Jewish life was like in the post-Temple era.

...
Defy whip, face action Mayawati to MLAs who merged with Rajasthan Congress

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Jaipur, Aug 14: The six MLAs who shifted from the BSP to Congress have been told by Mayawati to vote against the Ashok Gehlot government.

Ashok Gehlot calls for trust vote after uneasy truce | Oneidnia News

The Bahujan Samaj Party has issued a whip t the party leaders warning them that they will face action if they disobey the order.

Meanwhile, the six MLAs who shifted from the BSP to the Congress will be able to vote during the trust vote. The Supreme Court was hearing a petition for a temporary freeze on the merger. The SC left the decision to the Rajasthan High Court.

Rajasthan truce sealed, Sachin Pilot attends CLP meeting at CM Ashok Gehlot's residence

"We will not interfere in this case at this stage since High Court is already hearing it," the SC said. The matter will be taken up on Monday after waiting for the decision of the Rajasthan High Court, the three judge Bench also said.

With no interim order, the BSP legislators are free to take part in the proceedings to be held tomorrow.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, August 14, 2020, 9:33 [IST]
HARRISBURG  Pennsylvania state government agencies are providing school leaders with advice about how to respond when students or employees with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been on school property, from cleaning and tracing their contacts to shutting down buildings for two weeks or longer.

The Education and Health departments late Thursday notified school administrators of the recommended procedures, which depend on how many people are infected and how widespread the disease has been growing in their county.

School leaders had sought the advice as they plan for restarting instruction this fall, said Education Department spokesman Rick Levis.

Its additional guidance that were providing to the school districts because we recognize that theyre not medical professionals, Levis said Friday.

In areas with low spread and just one case inside a school building over a 14-day period, the advice is to clean areas where the infected person has been and get public health agency assistance tracking their contacts.

 READ MORE: A growing number of Philly-area school districts are planning virtual openings, relieving some parents and frustrating others

With a few more cases over the two-week period and moderate infection spread in the county, schools are advised to clean, trace contacts and close for five to seven days.

Schools that get five or more cases should close down for two weeks and the entire building should be cleaned, the Education and Health departments suggested.

Mark DiRocco with the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators said he welcomed the indication that public health officials will play a major role in responding to cases.

We really dont want them to make recommendations to districts, we want them to step in and actually help, DiRocco said.

He said it was also a good idea to have including a way for school officials to get questions answered, but stressed that it needs to produce timely answers.

The clocks running out on us now, DiRocco said. Districts have to open their schools here in the next two to three weeks  they cant be waiting days to get answers to their questions.

The guidance says shutting down facilities allows public health staff the necessary time to complete case investigations and contact tracing, and to provide schools with other appropriate public health advice like cleaning and disinfecting.

 READ MORE: N.J. schools face excruciating choice as state data shows kids make up a growing share of COVID-19 carriers

In areas where COVID-19 is considered to be at the substantial level of community spread, the agencies say schools should shut their doors and operate with a full remote learning model.

Schools should keep people out of areas where a sick person has been, including buses and vans, and wait 24 hours before directing custodial staff to clean and disinfect. Students should not take part in disinfecting.

Public health officials do not need to be notified every time someone exhibits symptoms, but those people should be isolated and sent home with a referral to get medical attention, the state agencies said.

The states largest teachers union, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, urged schools to follow the guidelines but said they need more teeth, and called for consistent standards for social distancing and metrics to determine when schools can be open.

We still need enforceable state rules that make it absolutely clear what school districts are supposed to do to keep everyone safe in our schools, said union spokesman Chris Lilienthal in an email.
Philadelphia faces the additional challenge of having fewer businesses per capita than other big cities as it tries to rebound from the recession caused by the coronavirus, a new report shows.

Businesses are crucial for job creation, noted the report released Thursday by the Center City District and Central Philadelphia Development Corp. Among five major East Coast cities, Philadelphia had the lowest number of businesses per 1,000 residents in 2017. The city also had the lowest number of Black-owned firms in relation to Black residents, and large racial disparities in business ownership.

The report stresses the importance of business density as the city faces a jump in unemployment, which skyrocketed to 17.7% in June from 5.7% a year earlier. The report also links the citys low business density to its high poverty rate -- 24.5% in 2018 -- since the city lags in creating firms that produce jobs.

We obviously believe that investing in education and job training is essential to poverty reduction. Theres no doubt thats one side of the equation, said Paul Levy, president and CEO of the Center City District, a business improvement district. We have to focus equally, if not greater, on growing businesses.

Philadelphia had 12.1 businesses per 1,000 residents, putting the city behind Atlanta, New York, Boston, and Washington, according to the report, which used data from the U.S. Census Bureaus Annual Business Survey from 2018, the most recent available. Atlanta had the most with 24.6 firms per 1,000 residents, more than twice as many as Philadelphia. New York had 22.4, followed by Boston (18.6) and Washington (17.1).

Despite having the second-largest Black population, Philadelphia had the lowest number of Black-owned businesses per capita, with 1.8 firms per 1,000 Black residents. Washington had the most with five Black-owned firms per 1,000 Black residents, closely followed by Atlantas 4.7. New York had 3.4 Black businesses per capita and Boston had 2.5.

If Philadelphia had as many Black-owned businesses for every 1,000 Black residents as Washington, the number of Black-owned firms in the city would nearly triple from 1,174 to 3,329, the report said.

Like the other four cities, Philadelphia had large racial disparities in business ownership. Among all racial and ethnic groups, the highest rate of business formation was among Asians, with 30 firms per 1,000 Asian residents. Philly had 21.6 white-owned firms per 1,000 white residents, compared to 3 Hispanic-owned and 1.8 Black-owned businesses per capita.

The report did not offer a conclusive explanation for these disparities, but it noted the Philadelphia metropolitan area is more decentralized than the other regions, with fewer jobs concentrated in the city. The lower concentration of jobs correlates with lower workforce participation rates, the report said, as Philadelphia had the lowest percentage of residents over the age of 16 who work full time at 37%.

Were looking at, here, lower business density city vs. suburbs, and particularly, if youre looking at a lower-income population that does not own cars, access to the suburbs is hard, Levy said. That just compounds the problem, the disconnect between where people without cars and probably lower incomes are in relation to where jobs are in the region.

Another factor could be the level of investment in local programs to promote minority business, the report said. In fiscal year 2021, Washington will spend $6.60 per capita on programs for small and minority business development, compared to $0.59 per capita in Philadelphia, $0.92 in New York, and $3.43 in Boston.
JACKSON, Miss. A Mississippi man who submitted a proposal to place a giant mosquito on the new state flag, a design that went viral on social media, said he created it as a joke.

Thomas Rosete, a deckhand on the Yazoo River, told the Clarion Ledger he created the mosquito flag," which features a giant mosquito surrounded by a circle of stars, to poke fun at a coworker who had been against changing the flag. Working on the river, he said he is very familiar with Mississippi mosquitoes and it felt like a fitting way to represent the state.

Theyre everywhere, he told the Ledger. Theyre terrible.

Mississippi is currently in the process of choosing a new flag. Lawmakers took a historic vote this year to take down the old state flag, which featured the Confederate battle flag, a symbol widely condemned as racist. A nine-member commission will recommend a replacement flag.

Rosete and nearly 3,000 Mississippians have since submitted designs for a new state flag. Some of the designs were more serious than others. Among the submissions were flags decorated with a Gulf Coast lighthouse, a teddy bear, Kermit the Frog and the mosquito flag.

The commission approved 147 proposals for the second round, and the state Department of Archives & History put those on its website on Monday. Many were surprised that the mosquito flag had made the cut, along with dozens of designs featuring Mississippi magnolia flowers.

The reaction on social media was immediate: People loved it.

Personally, I love the Mosquito Flag.  the cheekyness (sic) of it is on brand," one Mississippi native wrote on Twitter.

Im slowly realizing my love for the mosquito flag might not even be ironic, another commented. Its so bad its good. I would proudly fly the mosquito.

Supporters hopes were dashed on Tuesday, however. Archives & History released a statement saying the design had been advanced mistakenly and would be removed from the list.

People soon began to express their remorse.

I dont feel like anyone dodged a bullet here rather they squandered an opportunity, one person wrote on Twitter.

No, another said. The mosquito flag is destined to be in that round!

Fly high, mosquito flag, a Mississippi journalist tweeted.

Rosete told the Ledger that even though it was short-lived, it was nice to see people rally around the flag.

Im a sucker for underdog stories and the Mosquito Flag was definitely the underdog going into the competition, he said.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his chief of staff, Katie Telford, testified before the House of Commons finance committee Thursday about the governments decision to appoint WE Charity to run a massive student grant program amid the COVID-19 crisis. Heres what you need to know about some of the MPs that questioned the PM.

Chaired by a long-time Liberal MP, with a Conservative vice-chair and a Bloc Quebecois vice-chair, the committee has nine other members: five Liberal MPs, three Conservative and one representing the NDP. Committee members often cede their time to allow other MPs to ask questions.

WAYNE EASTER

Liberal MP Wayne Easter is the chair of the finance committee. He has represented the constituency of Malpeque on Prince Edward Island since 1993. He was elected chair of the finance committee in 2015. His official bio states he was raised on a farm in P.E.I. and was awarded the Governor Generals Canada 125 Medal in 1992, for community service.

PIERRE POILIEVRE

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre represents Carleton in Ontario and is one of two vice-chairs of the finance committee. In mid July, Poilievre called on finance minister Bill Morneau to resign from cabinet after Morneau revealed previously undisclosed interactions with WE Charity.

RHEAL ELOI FORTIN

Bloc Quebecois MP Rheal Eloi Fortin was elected to Riviere-du-Nord in October 2015. He served as interim leader of Bloc in 2015 after Gilles Duceppe stepped down as leader, according to the Canadian Press.

CHARLIE ANGUS

NDP MP Charles Angus has represented TimminsJames Bay in Ontario since 2004.

Angus also ran for the leadership of the New Democrats in 2017. Before entering parliament, Angus worked at a shelter, ran a magazine with his wife dedicated to northern politics and culture, and organized opposition of the Adams Mine garbage dump in the 1990s.

SEAN FRASER

Liberal MP Sean Fraser has represented Central Nova in Nova Scotia. He worked as a lawyer before winning the riding in 2015. Fraser and his wife, Sarah, have a young daughter, Molly.

JULIE DZEROWICZ

Liberal Julie Dzerowicz representing the Toronto riding of Davenport. She is a member of the finance committee, with an MBA from the University of British Columbia. She spent more than two decades working in private sector banking and biotech before her election to parliament.
The failure in Victoria is so deep that everyone flees from the scene of the crash. It is still not clear which state department had ultimate authority for the hotel quarantine system. Andrews encourages the obfuscation with his denial. No political leader will ever have all the speed required to stay ahead of this virus. No government department will ever be fast enough. That means failure is inevitable. Why can we not accept it and own up to it? This week sent a warning signal that political leaders and their public servants will not learn from failures if they deny they took place or suppress information about how they occurred. Five months after the Ruby Princess spread infection into the community, Morrison fobs off questions about federal responsibility. Four months after the deaths at Dorothy Henderson Lodge and Newmarch House, the reports into those aged care outbreaks are still secret. As infections continue, the manager of an aged care home in Victoria cannot read the report on the NSW outbreaks to learn from past mistakes.

The failures were made clear at the aged care royal commission this week. "There was a level of apathy, a lack of urgency and an attitude of futility which lead to absence of action," said Monash University professor Joseph Ibrahim. Loading "Absence of action"  that was the failure on March 19 when the Ruby Princess docked at Sydney's Circular Quay. Federal officials were at the ship at 6am to decide on disembarkation. This is what Morrison wanted. Four days earlier, with infections spreading on cruise ships around the world, the Prime Minister had promised special measures "directly under the command of the Australian Border Force" to put protections in place for cruise ships. In a basic error, one ABF officer misread a medical report and concluded it cleared 13 passengers of COVID-19 even though they had flu-like symptoms. In the event, hundreds of the passengers emerged with the virus. Some of them should have gone directly to hospital and isolation. The ABF "command" stopped nothing. All passengers disembarked. As the Herald and The Age reported on Thursday, one of the infected passengers was at Sydney Airport the next morning when NSW Health tracked her down and stopped her boarding her flight. She ended up in a coma for 25 days.

So much for Peter Dutton's claims, as Home Affairs Minister, about tough border security. The special commissioner looking into what happened, Bret Walker, SC, was denied a chance to question those federal officials. He asked to question at least one of them but was blocked by Morrison's bureaucrats in a legal tussle that took 17 letters over three months. Because he could not question those on the ground, it was harder for him to examine the chain of command. Loading So much for Morrison co-operating with the inquiry. Morrison did not explain his reasoning this week, but the legal argument is that federal officials should not appear at state inquiries. Walker ended up receiving federal documents and excusing the key ABF officer. Those hiding from questions were the ABF rather than Morrison himself. Even so, this emergency needs greater transparency. It has to come from the top. The ABF officers no doubt did their best, but the ABF leadership has been precious under scrutiny. When the ABC reported some of the failures on July 30, the ABF issued a statement so evasive it bordered on outright dishonesty.

"Human health is not the responsibility of the ABF," it said. That will be news to the ABF's own Surgeon-General, who proudly claimed last year to preside over 920,000 medical checks from 9 million visitors. It makes ABF commissioner Michael Outram look like he is in denial. Loading Something else was missing that morning at Circular Quay: the NSW Health Department. "Health did not physically attend the vessel," says an email from the ABF. The problems with the federation are all there in that short statement. Because Morrison had mobilised the ABF, state officials thought they could leave the work to others. For all the focus on Dutton and Morrison, the spotlight falls just as much on NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. The Australian federation is under its greatest strain in decades. On every front, sometimes at a moment's notice, the pandemic forces state and federal leaders to negotiate a shared effort in a maze of overlapping jobs. Andrews and Morrison are eerily alike in the way they both hide in that maze.
Al-Hol camp is hone to tens of thousands of people, including the relatives of Islamic State group jihadists.  AFP/VNA Photo

BEIRUT  Eight children under five years of age have died within days in a northeastern Syria camp hosting thousands of relatives of jihadists, the Save the Children charity said on Thursday.

Health and nutrition services have deteriorated rapidly in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp, where the children died over a five-day period, it said.

"The spike in under-five mortality was recorded between 6-10 August and is more than three times higher than the mortality rate since the beginning of 2020," a statement said.

The Al-Hol camp is home to tens of thousands of people, including th relatives of Islamic State group jihadists.

It is run by the autonomous Kurdish administration that holds most of northeastern Syria and has reported 171 COVID-19 cases, including 8 deaths in areas under its control.

Medical assistance to Al-Hol has decreased since the UN Security Council in January scrapped a key border crossing used to deliver UN-funded medical aid to camp residents.

"We are seeing a collective failure at all levels to protect children," said Save the Children Syria Response Director Sonia Khush.

"This is the result of ongoing failure of the UN Security Council to reopen the closest border-crossing, leading to unforgivable delays in services."

The charity said the deaths of the eight children in August were linked to heart failure, internal bleeding and severe malnutrition -- all of which could be treated in operational field hospitals.

It said border crossing restrictions had reduced capacity of operational health facilities in Al-Hol by 40 per cent.

The crisis has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic in the overcrowded camp and has sparked fears among aid groups of a health catastrophe.

The United Nations on August 6 said that three health workers in Al-Hol had tested positive for coronavirus.

Two days later, Save the Children said it recorded the first case among camp residents, warning the disease would spread amid reduced medical access.

On Thursday the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Imran Riza, also expressed alarm over the child deaths.

"It underscores the basic fact that no child should be forced to live under the challenging and potentially dangerous humanitarian conditions at Al Hol camp," he said in a statement.  AFP
Listed commercial property company Yew Grove Reit has collected 98pc of rent for the three months to September 30.

This is up on the rental collection rate of 97pc for the three months prior to that.

Over half of its outstanding rent is due under agreed payment plans, according to interim results from the company.

The Government, foreign direct investment firms, and large businesses account for around 95pc of the group's rental income, with the remainder coming from small and medium firms (SMEs).

Yew Groves portfolio has a current market value of just over 141m, a fall of 15,000 from the year end valuation at December 31 on a pro forma basis.

The companys annualised rent roll at the end of June was 10.4m, up from 8.9m at the end of 2019. Since June it has increased further to 11.1m.

The Dublin listed firm's credit facilities have increased to 40.4m, as it says it has identified a strong pipeline of potential acquisitions.

Jonathan Laredo, CEO of Yew Grove, said: Despite the strains imposed on businesses by the [Covid-19] crisis, the strength of our tenant covenants continues to be reflected in the robust performance of our rent roll and the stability of our portfolio valuation.

The company has increased its asset portfolio and rent roll, completed major lettings and associated asset management works and continued to deliver quarterly dividends to shareholders.

In the first half of this year Yew Grove purchased six assets for a total of 25.3m.

The companys Net Asset Value (NAV) per ordinary share was 97.39 cents at June 30, down slightly on the NAV of 98.52 cents at December 31 due to acquisition costs.

Colm Lauder, analyst at Goodbody, said: H1 2020 has been a period of considerable income growth for Yew Grove as it stabilised its portfolio following a busy period of acquisitions.

At a market level, the Covid-19 crisis has brought income security to the fore across the sector, with Yew Groves performance amongst the best of its peers, this will stand to it as the Irish economy faces a nascent post-Covid recovery.
The development follows a government move to block Chinese apps, including Helo - Tiktok's sister concern, in India in June-end. "It has been my shortest professional stint but it has also been one with the steepest learning curve. Thank you and gratitude, ByteDance for being such a tenacious teacher and for inspiring leadership and vision in response to the biggest tech policy conundrum - 'The Transparency Paradox'," Mishra said in a social ...

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With the live attendance of over 300 jewellery companies and the sectors leading players, the debate on the gold-jewellery world shifts to VOICE - Vicenzaoro International Community Event, the innovative format that Italian Exhibition Group is organizing live in Vicenza from 12th to 14th September 2020.

Meini Gioielli Firenze  VOICE

Sustainability, innovation and technology, design and trends: three mainstream themes for three days of meetings at the trade show with producers, buyers, journalists, opinion leaders, associations and trend setters on The Stage of Voice (Hall 7) and VO Square (Hall 6), in complete safety, thanks to IEGs #safebusiness protocol.

Saturday, 12th September, an exclusive interview on the future challenges of Made in Italy with Jerome Favier, CEO at Damiani and top French manager at the helm of one of Italian jewellerys most famous and historical brands, will open the authoritative agenda. The talk entitled How we see the Future will outline the opinions of the new generation of entrepreneurs on cross-contamination with the fashion world, digital innovation, inspiration from new tools. In the afternoon, focus on sustainability, a delicate development area for the market that asks companies for greater attention and innovation, with two CIBJO seminars on the post-Covid repercussions on CSR and sustainability and the entrepreneurial initiative of five African artists and designers.

Deambrogio Fratelli  VOICE

Innovation and technology will be the topics for Sunday 13th September. Opinion leaders, associations and entrepreneurs will take part in talks and in-depth encounters organized in collaboration with Club degli Orafi Italia. The exceptional content will include an exclusive presentation by De Beers on Insights into the diamond industry. Assocoral and Cibjo will once again be collaborating, this time with a central objective: classifying the colour range of Mediterranean coral. VOICE will therefore be an important moment along the route to defining an international standard with a specific name created to help traders and consumers to better identify the various shades of this precious material.

The main themes of Monday, 14th September, will be trends and design. From the VO+ Talk entitled Filling the gap: whats missing between Brand and Retail to the highly-awaited Trendvision Talk on cultural phenomena and style directions from Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, lEGs independent jewellery observatory, which will also be presenting the 19th The Jewellery Trendbook 2022+ in its digital version that provides an overview of consumer trends for the coming months. Monday will also see a talk dedicated to watches entitled On-line anti-counterfeiting, tools and strategies organized by Assorologi. The debate will feature several key players from the sector, including President Mario Peserico and Dody Giussani, Editor in Chief of LOrologio, who will be moderating.

 VOICE

Running for the entire duration of the Show will be Digital Talks on digital innovations, organized for retail in collaboration with Confcommercio Federpreziosi, and Gem Talks on the universe of stones with the Istituto Gemmologico Italiano. Thanks to the Fondazione Studi Universitari di Vicenza, Competence Partner of VOICE, there will also be a cycle of meetings with teachers from the universities of Vicenza, Padua, Verona and Venices IUAV on the most relevant business topics

With a new exhibition layout to present the companies products and latest ideas at the show and the involvement of high-value partners including UBI Banca, VOICE will host the entire Community and opinion leaders in a huge Summit to discuss the state of the industry and future developments. A new communication and business platform, generated from a solid base, will englobe all the experience and skills developed over the years by Vicenzaoro, providing the ideal stage on which the sectors main players will be able to perform to a national and international, physical and virtual audience through a multi-channel strategy set up with the support of IEGs Digital Partner Alkemy, the leading Italian digital transformation company.

The programmed talks and seminars will be transmitted live on Vicenzaoros channels, viewable all over the world. The full programme is available here.
Washington

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would block a funding boost for the U.S. Postal Service to handle an expected flood of mail-in ballots in coming weeks, admitting it's part of a White House effort to limit Americans voting by mail and raising the chances of chaos surrounding the election in November.

Democrats have pushed to provide up to $25 billion in emergency funding for the cash-strapped postal service, which was under immense strain long before the coronavirus crisis spurred numerous states to expand access to mail-in balloting to reduce the risk of infection at crowded polling stations.

Trump claims voting by mail will hurt his re-election chances, arguing that Democrats are more likely to stay home while his supporters vote in person. Two polls this week show he may be right, including a Pew survey Thursday showing that 58 percent of Democrat-leaning voters prefer to vote by mail, compared with just 20 percent of those likely to support the president.

He also charges that mail-in ballots lead to fraud, although no evidence supports that. States use signature databases and other verification measures to assure ballot authenticity.

Severe bottlenecks in delivering the mail, and in verifying and counting the ballots, led to lengthy delays in close elections in several states this year, highlighting the potential of political and legal bedlam if reforms aren't put in place before Nov. 3.

Trump appeared intent on sabotaging the process and making his warnings a self-fulfilling prophesy.

During an interview Thursday on Fox Business Channel, Trump said he would reject $3.5 billion in supplemental funding to help local election officials staff up for the election and a broader $25 billion boost for the USPS that Democrats sought in the now-stalled negotiations to help Americans in the current recession.

"They want $3.5 billion for the mail-in votes. Universal mail-in ballots. They want $25 billion, billion, for the Post Office. Now they need that money in order to make the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," Trump said.

"But if they don't get those two items that means you can't have universal mail-in voting because they're not equipped to have it," Trump added.

Much as he has urged businesses and schools to reopen, Trump insisted it was safe for voters to line up and cast ballots inside schools, churches, town halls and other polling places.

"There's nothing wrong with getting out and voting. ... They voted during World War I and World War II," said Trump, who votes by mail in Florida.

Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, told reporters that the president's effort to undermine the postal service was "pure Trump." Biden added: "He doesn't want an election."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also pushed back, noting that the agency's bipartisan Board of Governors, which was appointed by Trump, had recommended the $25 billion boost. The money would be used not just to process mail ballots but to ensure that health precautions are in place to protect both voters and polling place workers.
A teenage girl has succumbed to her injuries after a horror crash on the way to KFC after school.

The family of Alyssa Postle, 17, made the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support on Friday afternoon, three days after the collision in Brisbane's north.

The teen was a passenger in her friend's car at about 7pm on Tuesday night when the vehicle veered off the road and into a power pole.

Alyssa Postle, 17, (pictured right with her mother) has succumbed to her injuries after a horror crash on the way to KFC after school

Alyssa's family made the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support on Friday afternoon, three days after the collision in Brisbane 's north

Tributes have been flowing in across social media for the 'beautiful person and amazing friend' while flowers adorn the crash site in a tragic memorial.

Alyssa was completing her final year of school at the Christian Genesis School before her young life was cut short.

Staff and students were notified of the tragic news in a letter sent out by the principal on Friday afternoon.

The tight-knit Christian community came together to share their blessings and send messages of condolence to the family.

'All our love to you and the family. Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Alyssa may you spread your wings angel,' one friend said.

'Alyssa was a beautiful girl inside and out. Sending all of our love to the Postle family and to the other family also affected by this tragedy,' another friend wrote.

Others described the situation as 'unimaginable' and 'tragic', struggling to find the words to express their grief over the tragic loss.

'Alyssa was a beautiful girl inside and out. Sending all of our love to the Postle family and to the other family also affected by this tragedy,' Amanda Pert said

Tributes have been flowing in across social media for the 'beautiful person and amazing friend'

Alyssa was completing her final year of school at the Christian Genesis School before her young life was cut short

'Devastating and heartbreaking, our thoughts and prayers are with the family, & those involved,' wrote another friend.

The year 12 student was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital in a critical condition after the horror crash on Tuesday night.

She was riding in a white Subaru with another classmate when the car careered off the road at an intersection near Old North and Lavarack roads at Bray Park.

A witness who was on the scene at the horror single car smash said it was a 'horrible accident.'

Alyssa Postle, 17, was riding in a white Subaru with another classmate who was driving when the car careered off the road

The year 12 student was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital in a critical condition after the horror crash on Tuesday night

'We went out there and my husband and one of our friends... we saw one girl, stuck in the front,' Witness Jamuna Sitaula told the Courier Mail.

'We saw so many people come, police come and ambulances come. She didn't move.'

School administration at the Genesis Christian College are providing support to families and staff.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this challenging time,' Genesis Christian College principal Paul Sterling told News Corp.

Pictured: A police forensic crash unit arrives on the scene

A witness who was on the scene at the horror single car smash said it was a 'horrible accident.' Pictured: KFC in Warner

'Our primary concern is the emotional wellbeing of our students and we acknowledge the impact of this situation on our entire community.

'Lives have been affected and our role is to be as supportive as possible and take appropriate steps to assist students, families and staff.'

The driver of the vehicle, a 17-year-old classmate of the the teenager, escaped with only minor injuries.
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Islamabad, Aug 14 : The Pakistan Army has said that security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been further enhanced.

On Thursday, Major General Babar Iftikhar, director general of army's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, said all formations deployed for the security of CPEC have been further equipped and become more active, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The security is a continuous process. It is a very big project. Its security requirements are increased as it is developed and makes progress. Security will be further enhanced," Iftikhar said when asked about security of CPEC during a press conference in Rawalpindi.

He said there will be no compromise on security of CPEC as the project is linked to Pakistan's future.

"We are enhancing the security infrastructure as the projects are making progress. We have a better sense of the threats to the project. There is no compromise on its security," Iftikhar said.

Talking about fencing of the 2,600-km border with Afghanistan, Iftikhar said fencing will be completed by the end of next year to stop the illegal cross-border movement and to ensure security in both countries. He said that 1,700-km fencing has already been completed.

"There has been a substantial decrease in terrorist activities in Pakistan and illegal cross-border movement due to border fencing," he added.

The CPEC is a flagship $62 billion project of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative that aims to connect Asia, Africa and Europe through a vast network of highways, rail lines and sea lanes.

The multi-billion dollar corridor connects the Chinese city of Kashgar with Pakistan's Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea.

In November 2016, CPEC became partly operational when Chinese cargo was transported overland to Gwadar port for onward maritime shipment to Africa and West Asia, while some major power projects were commissioned by late 2017.
Chinese tech giant ByteDance censored content it perceived as critical of the Chinese government on its news aggregator app in Indonesia from 2018 to mid-2020, six people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The sources said that local moderators were instructed by a team from ByteDance's Beijing headquarters to delete articles seen as "negative" about Chinese authorities on the Baca Berita (BaBe) app.

In a statement to Reuters, BaBe said it disagreed with the claims and that it moderates content according to its community guidelines and in line with Indonesia's local laws.

Those guidelines, which are published on its website, do not mention China or the Chinese government.

Following the publication of this story, BaBe said that before the "more localised approach" it currently uses, Babe had "some moderation practices in place that were not consistent with our philosophy of having the Indonesian team deciding what is appropriate for its market.

"These guidelines were replaced in 2019 and weve since built and empowered local moderation teams to make decisions that suit the local market," the statement added.

It did not immediately respond to a follow-up Reuters query asking which month in 2019 those guidelines had changed.

ByteDance in Beijing said it had no additional comment beyond the BaBe statement. China's foreign ministry and its internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to shut down ByteDance's short-video app TikTok - widely popular in the US, Indonesia and other countries - on national security grounds unless it is sold to a US company.

Some US lawmakers, including Republican Senator Josh Hawley, have raised concerns over TikTok's data security practices and allegations that it engages in censorship at the behest of the Chinese government.

"If ByteDance will censor BaBe in Indonesia, whats to stop it from censoring TikTok in the United States? Hawley said, when asked to comment on the Reuters story. "We shouldnt trust any assurances they make. This is another reason TikTok as it currently exists should be banned in the United States.

A senior Trump administration official also weighed in on the news. "Entities such as ByteDance ultimately answer to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and have a history of censoring free speech to conform to CCP propaganda," the person said.

Indonesia, a country of 270 million where over half the population is under 30, is one of ByteDance's fastest-growing markets. TikTok had more than 147 million downloads in the country, according to data from app analytics firm SensorTower.

ByteDance bought Indonesian news aggregator BaBe in 2018 after TikTok was briefly banned in the country for showing "pornography, inappropriate content and blasphemy", according to officials.

In seeking to reverse the ban, ByteDance agreed with Indonesian authorities to hire a team of local TikTok moderators and reinforce its presence in the world's fourth largest country, according to the then Indonesian communications minister and three company sources.

It then purchased the full operations of BaBe, in which it had already been a majority investor.

Soon after, moderation guidelines for BaBe, which uses artificial intelligence to aggregate stories from hundreds of Indonesian media outlets, were crafted by a team from ByteDance's Beijing headquarters, two of the six sources said.

BaBe moderators were also told not publish any articles on the TikTok ban while negotiations with the Indonesian government were underway, the people said.

Under the new BaBe guidelines, articles from partner media outlets that were perceived as critical of the Chinese government would either not be republished on the BaBe app or would be taken down from the app, according to the six sources.

Articles with the keyword "Tiananmen," a reference to China's 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, or to Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, were among those taken down, one person with direct involvement said.

Another direct source described articles about tensions between Indonesia and China over the South China Sea as being banned on the app, even when they came from the country's official news agency, Antara.

Three of the sources said BaBe was using content guidelines patterned on those used for ByteDance's Chinese news app, Toutiao, with some tweaks made for Indonesia regarding the topic of elections as well regarding race, ethnicity, and religion in Indonesia. Sensationalist articles on those topics, which are highly sensitive in Indonesia, would be dropped, they said.

"They wanted a non-political happy tone for the app," one of the people said.

The guidelines changed in mid-2020, when it became possible to read articles on previously censored topics on the BaBe app, a separate source said, calling it a "learning process for ByteDance."

ByteDance disagreed with this assessment and said guidelines changed in 2019.

A 2019 internal ByteDance presentation reviewed by Reuters describes BaBe as Indonesia's top news app with more than 8 million monthly active users and 30 million downloads by the end of 2019.
(Bloomberg) -- Consumers in the Chinese city of Shenzhen have been urged to exercise caution when buying imported frozen food after a surface sample of chicken wings from Brazil tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement from the local government.

The positive sample appears to have been taken from the surface of the meat, while previously reported positive cases from other Chinese cities have been from the surface of packaging on imported frozen seafood.

The chicken came from an Aurora Alimentos plant in the southern state of Santa Catarina, according to a registration number given in the statement.

Virus tests of people who have possibly come into contact with the product, and tests of related products, all came back negative, the statement said. Consumers should be cautious when buying imported frozen foods and aquatic products, the government added.

The World Health Organization said that there had been no examples proving that the virus could be transmitted as food borne, if it was actually in food.

The viruses can be killed like other viruses as well, and can be killed if the meat is cooked, said Maria Van Kerkhove, the organizations Covid-19 technical lead, at a press conference.

Brazils Agriculture Ministry has asked Chinese authorities for information that could help clarify the alleged contamination of the product with Covid-19, it said in a statement. The ministry reiterated that theres no scientific proof of Covid-19 transmission through food or frozen food packaging, citing the UNS Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO. It also reinforced the countrys strict safety protocols.

Closely-held Aurora Alimentos said in a statement Thursday that it follows strict sanitary production protocols and it will provide information as soon it gets notification from national Chinese authorities.

Three packaging samples of imported frozen seafood tested positive for Covid-19 in Yantai, a northern city of Shandong province, the city government said on its official Weibo account Tuesday. State television Wednesday reported that the outside of an Ecuador frozen shrimp package tested positive for the virus in a restaurant in Wuhu, a city in Chinas Anhui province. Packaging on Ecuador shrimps has also tested positive in Xian, state television said Thursday.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
August 14 : South superstars Allu Arjun and Ram Charan are nothing but best wishes for newly engaged Niharika Konidela and Chaitanya Jonnalagedda on social media. The superstar duos shared candid pictures from the function and wished the couple.

Actress Niharika Konidela is officially engaged to businessman Chaitanya Jonnalagedda. The ceremony took place yesterday evening at a plush hotel in Hyderabad. The engagement was attended by close family and friends.

Superstar Ram Charan took to his social media and wrote, Wishing my dearest sister @IamNiharikaK and #Chaitanya the best in their life. Congratulations on being engaged!!

Actor Allu Arjun shared a family portrait on social media and wrote, Congratulations @niharikakonidela. #megacousins

Niharika is actor-host Naga Babu's daughter and Megastar Chiranjeevi's nephew. Ram Charan, his wife Upasana Kamineni, Allu Arjun and his wife Sneha Reddy are some of the family members who attended the event.

Niharika's cousin brothers Sai Dharam Tej, Varun Tej, Sreeja Kalyan and her husband Kalyaan Dhev also attended the engagement. Her entire family posed for a picture, which went viral social media.
Roth Media welcomes two new clients

Local South African luxury gin brand Inverroche has appointed Roth Media as its strategic creative lead to cover creative strategy, content, public relations and influencer activity across the brand's territories.



Malfy has also appointed Roth Media as its new content marketing agency to curate a brand essence of escapism and opulence.
SoftBank and its Vision Fund made a comeback this past quarter. But chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son has already moved on to a new project: a $550 million vehicle for investing in blue-chip public tech stocks like Facebook, Amazon and Apple.

Why it matters: This is part of Sons ongoing plan to transform SoftBank Group into an investment company.

"By having cash on hand, we will be able to enhance our defense power," Son said during Tuesdays earnings presentation.

To make the point further, SoftBank Group will no longer report operating profit, a metric Son says isn't as relevant for an investing business. (Though some reporters seemed unconvinced during Tuesday's presentation.)

By the numbers: SoftBank Group posted a $12 billion net profit for quarter ending in June.

SoftBank is also 95% through its asset monetization program (4.3 trillion out of 4.5 trillion, or $40.4 billion out of $42.3 billion), which it thought would take a year.

Other updates from SoftBanks latest earnings report:
In a major escalation of the Trump administration's effort to challenge race-based admissions policies at elite universities, the Justice Department on Thursday accused Yale University of discriminating against Asian-American and white applicants, violating civil rights law.

The finding came after a two-year investigation, the department said.

It marked the second time that the administration has sought to curtail the use of affirmative action by an Ivy League school, after it publicly backed Asian-American students in 2018 who accused Harvard in a lawsuit of systematically discriminating against them.

"There is no such thing as a nice form of race discrimination," Eric Dreiband, the assistant attorney general for the civil rights division, said in a statement. "Unlawfully dividing Americans into racial and ethnic blocks fosters stereotypes, bitterness and division."

The department's finding could have far-reaching consequences for college admissions policies and for affirmative action, a tool born in the civil rights era to make American education and opportunity more equitable.

Some conservative groups have long opposed the practice, and a handful of states have banned affirmative action policies at public universities.

The Justice Department ordered Yale to suspend the use of race or national origin in its admissions process for one year. At the end of that year, Yale will need to seek clearance from the government to begin using race as a factor again, the department said.

Yale said Thursday that it "categorically denies this allegation," and that it would hold fast to its admissions process.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The university said in a statement that it had fully cooperated with the investigation and is continuing to provide information and data. It said it was dismayed that the finding had been made before all of that information was submitted.

The university defended its admissions process, saying that it looks at the "whole person," and at many factors, not just academic achievement but also interests, leadership and "the likelihood that they will contribute to the Yale community and the world."

"Yale's practices absolutely comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent," the Yale statement said. "We are proud of Yale's admissions practices, and we will not change them on the basis of such a meritless, hasty accusation."

The Justice Department accused Yale of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which the university is required to comply with as a condition of receiving millions of dollars in taxpayer funding.
Liang Yuan has been working with older people for a year and a half, assessing their abilities and needs. This July, her job achieved official recognition as a new profession by China's human resources authority.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, aged care assessors are responsible for carrying out assessments of older people's health status, including such aspects as their cognitive abilities, physical health, social participation, and control over daily life.

Before becoming an assessor, Liang worked as a nurse in a hospital for 10 years. Her interest in aged care led her to switch to her current company where she underwent several rounds of training in early 2019. Now, she typically assesses more than 50 older people each week.

"The assessment results are used to determine whether the person being tested is eligible for government subsidies for seniors with disabilities," Liang said.

He Wanting, head of the assessors at Beijing Xiaoyuan Hospital Management Co., Ltd where Liang works, also highlighted the importance of assessments.

"For one thing, assessment is required for determining social welfare for older people, which can help ease the financial burden of families who care for older relatives with disabilities," He explained. "It also serves as a reference to help them find suitable aged care services or medical treatment, be it home-based or in a care home."

Back in 2013, the Ministry of Civil Affairs laid down special criteria for assessing the abilities of older people. Over the past two years, the assessments have been rolled out across Beijing following a series of pilot schemes.

The Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau has now published a list of 79 qualified third-party assessment agencies in Beijing on their website from which senior citizens and nursing homes can choose when applying for assessment.

Founded in 2015, Beijing Jingshi Elderly Physical and Mental Health Assessment Service Center is one of these 79 agencies. Each week, the six full-time assessors at this non-governmental organization assess an average of 200 to 300 senior citizens.

Liu Wanming, supervisor at the Assessment Service Center, noted that recognition of the profession will help promote the aged care industry and improve healthcare services for older people.

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, by the end of 2019, China had almost 254 million citizens aged 60 and above, accounting for 18.1% of the total population. Among these, over 44 million have some form of disability.

It is estimated that more than 1.5 million aged care assessors are needed, while the number of full-time and part-time practitioners currently stands at fewer than 100,000, according to China Youth Daily.

"The increasing number of older people requires more professional assessors," explained Liang. "Official recognition of this profession provides better career prospects for those who are skilled and interested in helping older people."
Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak has raised concerns over the inclusion of BNI officials as covid-19 frontline workers.

Speaking to Kasapa News in Parliament, Mr. Mubarak argued the move is unjustifiable given agitations from some health workers over their exclusion.

But vice Chairman for the Committee on Health Dr. Ayew Afriyie justified the move arguing some security personnel were included as Frontline workers as a result of the role they played in the Covid-19 fight.

Parliament has approved an amount of Ghc 174 million cedis as tax waiver on income taxes for front line health workers battling COVID-19 pandemic.

The waiver covers personal emoluments for the months of July, August, and September 2020 respectively.

The approval is in line with President Akufo-Addos promised to give health workers additional allowances of 50% as tax-free on their basic salary per month.

The tax incentive was designed by government as token compensation to encourage healthcare workers, especially frontline health personnel to continue to make sacrifices in caring for those infected with Covid-19.

According to the Finance Committee report, the number of health workers who fell into the frontline category for the months of April, May and June 2020 were 6,091,7,418, and 7,196 respectively with corresponding expenditure on the additional allowances being Ghc 6.5 million, Ghc 7.5 million, and Ghc 7.6 million for the month of April, May and June 2020 respectively.

Presenting the Finance Committee report, the Chairman, Dr. MarkAssibey Yeboah said personal emoluments is estimated at Ghc 168 million and additional allowances as Ghc5 million cedis.

---Kasapafmonline


Through the pandemic, it has not only met its domestic requirements but taken a range of steps for global good



Covid-19 continues to exact a heavy toll worldwide. In India too, positive cases are rising. However, our effective domestic response has led to a significant improvement in our recovery rate, which is now 68.78%. The case fatality rate at 2.01% remains one of the lowest in the world.

High recovery and low-fatality outcomes can be attributed to proactive measures taken to deal with the outbreak from its early stages. We started screening Covid-19 cases a full 13 days before the first case was detected in India. We implemented full lockdown on the 55th day of the outbreak when we had only around 600 cases. Our public health response has been appreciated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The government took rapid steps to augment health infrastructure. As Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi noted, India now has over 11,000 Covid-19 facilities and 1.1 million isolation beds. We have ramped up testing to over half-a-million tests a day, to be scaled up to a million.

Indias response has not been confined to meeting our domestic requirements. We have been significantly engaged with the international community in providing the leadership that the global situation demanded. As a responsible stakeholder in global health supply chains, we ensured timely access to essential drugs and medical items for over 150 countries, while meeting our own domestic requirements. We reaffirmed our position as the first responder to humanitarian crises in the region by deploying medical teams to help Maldives, Mauritius, Comoros and Kuwait deal with the pandemic. India also dispatched naval assets to the Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles to deliver assistance. This demonstrated our strong commitment to the PMs vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

From being a net importer of Covid-19-related medical items, we have emerged as a net exporter. Today, we are manufacturing over 500,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and over 300,000 N-95 masks every day. Our system has shown the necessary adaptability and agility to significantly ramp up production to go beyond our domestic requirements.

The repatriation of Indian nationals stranded abroad and the evacuation of foreigners from India to their home countries have been among the most successful aspects of our response. In the initial days, the ministry of external affairs had promptly set up a Covid cell and a 24x7 control room to assist Indian citizens abroad. The PM had also personally directed our heads of missions to extend all possible assistance to our nationals stranded abroad. Subsequently, the Vande Bharat mission, launched to repatriate our nationals stranded overseas, has been the largest exercise of its kind ever undertaken by the government and has demonstrated our capacity to effectively carry out complex humanitarian missions. Over one million Indians have returned under the Vande Bharat mission so far through flights, across land borders and on naval ships. We have been able to bring home Indian nationals from distant locations, and also facilitated the return of Bhutanese and Nepalese nationals stranded in third countries to their homes on Vande Bharat flights.

Rigorous screening of returnees by our diplomatic missions has ensured that the proportion of positive cases remains extremely small (less than 0.2%). Testing on arrival by the health ministry and state governments has helped detect these cases. The mission just doesnt end with the arrival of our nationals. We are also mapping their skills on arrival to link them with companies for job opportunities.

There has also been no let-up in our diplomatic outreach during the pandemic. We have initiated and been part of several important conversations globally. Our Neighborhood First policy was on full display when the PM hosted a video conference of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) leaders early in the crisis  our first such engagement on Covid-19. He announced a series of measures to deal with the pandemic, including the creation of a Covid-19 emergency fund with a commitment of $10 million from India. We have also called for a better multilateral response to global crises in the future.

The PM has, on several occasions, including in the G-20 and Non-aligned Movement virtual summits, proposed the reform of multilateral cooperation by bringing people to the centre of our efforts. Our own initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure are prime examples of this approach. The decision of the G-20 on debt service suspension for developing countries, which India fully supported, reflects this people-centric approach.

At the virtual Global Vaccine Summit, the PM highlighted how Indias contribution to the global response in terms of sharing medicines was guided by our philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkum. The PM also hosted the first virtual bilateral summit with Australia, which was followed by the India-European Union summit. In addition, the PM has spoken to his counterparts from 61 countries during this period. The external affairs minister has spoken to foreign ministers from 77 countries. We have kept open channels of virtual communication to strengthen partnerships and deal with situations that require diplomatic engagement.

We have been constantly adjusting, adapting and innovating to deal with the changed reality, particularly in our engagement with the world. And in the process, we have been successful in elevating Indias profile as a constructive and dependable actor on the global stage.



[Harsh Vardhan Shringla is Foreign Secretary, Government of India]

[The views expressed are personal]




The Spanish government has decided to close nightclubs and to implement restrictive measures, including limiting the opening hours of bars, to curb a new wave of coronavirus infections , Health Minister Salvador Illa was quoted as announcing by El Pais on Friday.



Spain has reported a new spike in coronavirus infections: 2,935 in 24 hours, up from 1,690 the previous day, health authorities said Friday. Madrid is the most affected community with 842 new infections.



The overall toll is 337,334 cases with 28,605 victims, 70 in the last week.


Manitobans are the most critical in Canada in saying their province's pandemic restrictions don't go far enough, according to an Angus Reid Institute poll released Thursday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobans are the most critical in Canada in saying their province's pandemic restrictions don't go far enough, according to an Angus Reid Institute poll released Thursday.

Forty per cent of the 122 Manitoban respondents said more could be done to prevent the spread of COVID-19. British Columbia followed, with 38 per cent saying the current restrictions in place weren't enough. The national average found 28 per cent of people carried the same sentiment.

The recent increase in COVID-19 cases amidst a reopening plan might be the reason for Manitobans' dissatisfaction, Dave Korzinski, the poll's research director, said.

"There's kind of a reinvigorated concern among the population," Korzinski said. "I think a lot of people see (these) moves to go too quickly, things like the tourism push and increasing crowd sizes  people are just a little bit anxious about that, and that's what I think we've seen in Manitoba."

Even so, 46 per cent of Manitobans said the current restrictions are "about right." Fourteen per cent said the restrictions go too far.

Nationally, 52 per cent of respondents said their province's restrictions were about right, while 20 per cent said they went too far.

Angus Reid Institute conducted the poll of 1,511 Canadians Aug. 5-8. The probability sample of that size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Past data show a months-long trend, Korzinski said: Canadians are generally unenthusiastic about opening their borders to American neighbours and other provinces.

"I think that when you have a leader that comes out and says, 'We actually want people to get moving again,' that can create a little bit of frustration," Korzinski said.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister had the second-lowest approval rating in the poll, beating only Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.

Fifty-six per cent of respondents said Pallister has done a good job of handling the COVID-19 response; down from 74 per cent he received in a July poll. However, he's not alone: all leaders mentioned in the survey had lower approval ratings than they did in July or April.

Pallister's approval rating, which sunk by 18 per cent, has dropped the most.

Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

"I think in April, it was really just... 'Keep everybody safe, lock it down,' and basically any premier who was following that path  which was all of them  was being applauded for it," Korzinski said. "Now, I think that people are being a little bit more critical in their judgements."

As of Aug. 10, Manitoba had 44 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people; the only provinces with lower per capita case counts were New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic provinces were most content with their pandemic-era restrictions, with 59 per cent saying the measures were about right. Alberta had the most respondents  25 per cent  say the rules went too far.

Men were nearly twice as likely as women to say current restrictions went too far.

gabrielle.piche@freepress.mb.ca
The family of a dead woman have been left devastated after her boyfriend was accused of robbing her in the days after her death.

Kim Heptinstall died in July 2019 following complications from surgery. Just days later her family were told her boyfriend had allegedly tried to access her superannuation.

Travis Barnard, who had been in an 'off and on' relationship with Ms Heptinstall for two years, had allegedly tried to get hold of her death certificate to access her account.

Kim Heptinstall (pictured) died in July 2019 following complications from surgery

Travis Barnard (pictured right), who had been in an 'off and on' relationship with Ms Heptinstall for two years, had allegedly accessed her bank accounts

Her furious family told authorities their concerns which led to an investigation by the Australian Federal Police and a number of charges, according to The West Australian.

Police say he stole a total of $2,400 from Ms Heptinstall, 32, between July 20 and 25, 2019.

The 28-year-old allegedly used her Samsung phone to transfer money between bank accounts before going to an ATM and using her card to withdraw cash.

Officers alleged he made the ATM withdrawals on three occasions.

Ms Heptinstall's brother told the publication he was grateful police were pursuing the investigation.

'It's been a very difficult year. We have not had the opportunity to grieve our sister and are now trying to come to terms with what's happened,' Ben Heptinstall said.

'Kim was everybody's friend. She was fun, loving as well as the life of the party. And she loved being an aunty. I have kids and they were her world. They loved their Aunty Kim. She is greatly missed.'

Mr Barnard has been charged with one count of using a telecommunication network to commit a serious offence for allegedly accessing the dead woman's bank account.

He fronted court on Friday for a plea hearing, however, Commonwealth prosecutors asked for the plea not to be heard and the matter to be adjourned to allow them to review the charges.

The AFP are continuing to investigate whether he was about to finalise a claim for almost $400,000 in superannuation savings and life insurance benefits.

Electronic devices and financial records are being examined since being seized from his residence in Perth's eastern suburbs on July 23.

He is expected to front court again in September.
Oregon state police are backing out of an agreement to protect the Portland federal courthouse from rioters, after the Multnomah County district attorney announced he will not prosecute most rioters who are arrested.

Portland has seen riots almost every night since the May death of George Floyd, an African American man killed during his arrest by Minneapolis police officers. Rioters initially targeted the federal courthouse in the city, but after federal and state law enforcement came to an agreement to jointly protect the courthouse, rioters moved on to attack city police.

Multnomah County D.A. Mike Schmidt announced on Tuesday that his office would not prosecute most rioters who have been arrested, except where charges include deliberate property damage, theft, or threat of violence. Police have arrested over 500 people since the riots began, but less than 50 have been prosecuted so far.

Oregon state police told KOIN 6 on Thursday that they are ending their deployment at Portlands federal courthouse because of anger over Schmidts decision after being called in to assist as part of the agreement reached between local authorities and the federal government.

aThe Oregon State Police is continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and at this time we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority, OSP said in a statement.

Governor Kate Brown said the withdrawal was being coordinated between all relevant agencies.

This transition was made in coordination with local and federal officials, Brown wrote on Twitter. If further state support is needed in Portland, OSP troopers will be available to return to the city.

The OSP Troopers assigned to this event demonstrated the best traditions of the agencys commitment to service, however, our initial commitment to the City of Portland has concluded and it is time we integrate this valuable resource back to their respective communities, OSP said in a statement to National Review. OSP will always be here for Portland, as we have for decades and Ill continue to assess subsequent resource demands with the Portland Police Bureau Chief, whom I have a great deal of respect for and a strong working relationship.

More from National Review
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 22:20:24|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investments are boosting Kenya's manufacturing sector's competitiveness both regionally and globally, a Kenyan expert said on Friday.

Job Wanjohi, head of policy, research and advocacy, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), told a webinar that Chinese factories tend to have the latest technology that promotes water, energy and other production efficiencies.

"This has led to significant technology and knowledge transfer to the Kenyan manufacturing sector," Wanjohi said during the China-Kenya online investment and cooperation dialogue on healthcare and light manufacturing sectors.

Wanjohi said that Chinese firms typically provide onsite training to local employees and this technology eventually infuses into the local economy.

"In addition, sub-contracted firms also gain valuable technology from Chinese firms," he observed.

According to the manufacturers lobby, Chinese account for a small proportion of the overall manufacturing sector, with portfolios concentrated in the building material, paper and light industrial sectors.

"However, in the future, they are likely to emerge as the key driver of the sector given the global success of Chinese firms," he added.

"The coming into force of the Africa free trade area will also enhance Kenyan as a regional manufacturing hub," he added.

He urged the government to market Kenyan as an attractive investment destination to investors in the Asian nation as foreign investors have other competing priorities. Enditem
Leonard Greene, New York Daily News (TNS)

Robert Trump, the younger brother of President Donald Trump, is hospitalized in New York, the White House confirmed Friday.

The president is expected to travel to New York to visit his sibling, sources confirmed to both the Daily News and CNN.

Details of Robert Trumps condition have not been disclosed, but officials told ABC News that the presidents brother is very ill.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told the network that the president and his brother have a very good relationship and that the president would be providing more details later.

In June, Robert Trump was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Mount Sinai hospital in New York for more than a week.

But he had been well enough in recent weeks to lead a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family which had been trying to stop publication of a tell-all book by the presidents niece, Mary, titled Too Much and Never Enough.

The Trump family claimed Mary Trumps book was a violation of a nondisclosure agreement she signed in connection to a financial settlement she received from the family years before.

Robert Trump said at the time that he was deeply disappointed in his nieces decision to air the familys dirty laundry, and that he and the entire family were so proud of my wonderful brother, the president.
Two for Two - For the Second Year in a Row, Universal Processing Makes the Prestigious Inc. 5000 List To receive this award not just once, but two times in as many years is an incredible accomplishment for us

Inc. magazine today revealed that Universal Processing is No. 4750 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

To receive this award not just once, but two times in as many years is an incredible accomplishment for us, remarked Universal Processing Founder and CEO Saint Hung. More so, its a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredibly talented employees and validation for the key decisions weve made over the past few years. It hasnt been an easy journey, but weve shown that our steadfast commitment to innovation and integrity in our business practices have yielded sustainable growth. With the recent launch of our very own uServe POS suite, Im both excited and hopeful for the rest of 2020, despite the tumultuous start the pandemic has brought.

Since the companys founding in 2003, Universal Processing has remained true to its founding mission of offering minority business owners access to modern, innovative payment processing tools backed by expert multilingual support and dedicated 24/7 assistance. The company now processes 1.6 billion dollars in managed revenue, serving 12,500 clients across 50 states from offices located in Manhattan, Flushing, Texas, and Southern California.

The companies on this years Inc. 5000 come from nearly every realm of business, says Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. From health and software to media and hospitality, the 2020 list proves that no matter the sector, incredible growth is based on the foundations of tenacity and opportunism.

Not only have the companies on the 2020 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists as well. The 2020 Inc. 5000 achieved an incredible three-year average growth of over 500 percent, and a median rate of 165 percent. The Inc. 5000s aggregate revenue was $209 billion in 2019, accounting for over 1 million jobs over the past three years.

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held virtually from October 23 to 27, 2020. As always, speakers will include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About Universal Processing, LLC.

Universal Processing, LLC., is an ISO/MSP (Independent Sales Organization/ Merchant Service Provider) of First Data, registered through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. They are a leading provider of technology-enabled payment processing for merchants and suppliers of all sizes in the United States with POS, online, and mobile interfaces, as well as ERP and CRP software integrations. Universal Processing has 4 offices nationwide in Manhattan, NY, Flushing, NY, Arcadia, CA, and Houston, TX., currently serving over 12,500 merchants and manages over $1.6 billion in annual revenue.

For more information, visit https://www.uprocessing.com/

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nations most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The 2020 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2019. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2019 is $2 million. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
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Linkedin Ardila Syakriah and Sausan Atika (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 07:49 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066de99e5 1 National health-care,capacity,hospital,occupancy-rate,COVID-19-Jakarta,dki-jakarta Free

Jakarta is reaching a critical point in its fight against COVID-19 as it sees rising hospitalization of COVID-19 patients, prompting concerns that it would have to increase its healthcare capacity and reimpose stricter curbs.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said in a press release late on Thursday that 65 percent of 4,456 isolation beds and 67 percent of 483 intensive care unit (ICU) beds designated for COVID-19 patients were now occupied.

"In the past two weeks, there has been a trend of increasing isolation and ICU room [occupation] in Jakarta. [...] The [occupancy rates] have varied over a month, ranging from 40 to 50 percent in July," Anies said.

Anies previously said in July that the administration had prepared 4,556 isolation beds and 659 ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, higher than the figures mentioned in the release.

However, city officials also noted that the number of available ICU beds have shown a significant decrease due in part to reallocation to non-COVID-19 patients  entire ICU wards can be redesignated under such circumstances.

National COVID-19 task force spokesperson Wiku Adisasmito said during a press briefing on Tuesday that the bed occupancy rate, which he referred to as bed utilization per month, stood at 66 percent in the capital.

"There is still some buffer before we reach 80 percent; this is the [safe] bed occupancy rate that usually applies at hospitals, so they can carefully and promptly treat patients, Wiku told reporters.

As of Wednesday, the city recorded 27,863 confirmed cases, with 9,044 active cases and 981 deaths. Among the active cases, 2,714 patients are currently hospitalized. The hospitalized patients also include 1,221 suspected cases of COVID-19 and two probable cases.

Jakarta Health Agency head Widyastuti said during a webinar on Aug. 6 that the capital was, at the moment, in a very critical condition, as more than half of the bed capacity was used on a daily basis.

Read also: Jakarta still struggles with virus despite improved health facilities

"We have to be alert. If we don't improve our bed capacity  daily testing capacity can reach 5,000 specimens from the ones we conduct free of charge, in addition to the ones carried out by private labs  then [hospitals] can collapse, because there simply is not enough capacity," she said.

Data provided by Widyastuti during the webinar show that, from Aug. 1 to 4, the isolation bed occupancy rate stood at 58 percent and the ICU bed occupancy rate at 61 percent.

On July 24, Anies said the isolation bed occupancy rate was at 44 percent and ICU bed occupancy rate at 32 percent. This meant ICU utilization almost doubled within less than two weeks.

Widyastuti said the city had been improving its bed capacity to match its testing capacity as well as tracing efforts by community health centers.

Jakarta had eight referral hospitals at the beginning of the pandemic and now had 67, she said, adding that the administration had further resorted to experts' estimations to predict the number of cases it would see and the number of hospital beds as well as human resources it would need to prepare.

As the city began to gradually reopen its economy since early June, the administration has ramped up testing capacity, reaching four times the benchmark set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of 1 test per 1,000 people per week.

Officials have largely attributed the city's soaring case number to this fact, in addition to its aggressive contact-tracing, although the positivity rate remained higher than the WHO suggestion of 5 percent, reaching 8.7 percent in the past week.

Jakarta Health Agency data show that daily isolation bed occupancy rates in the city's 67 referral hospitals began to gradually increase to around 50 percent after July 20.

Before then, the rate had been fluctuating at around 25 percent since the beginning of May, with the ICU occupancy rate consistently higher than the isolation bed occupancy rate, although it mostly stayed below 50 percent.

Read also: It was too crowded: Patients find it hard to get COVID-19 tests, treatment

In March, peak occupancy across both bed categories reached 200 percent on some days. By May, peak occupancy had come down to 71 percent for isolation beds and 121 percent for ICU beds.

The bed occupancy rate and length of stay in hospitals stood at 83.99 percent and 2.57 days, respectively, in March; 112 percent and 6.33 days in April; 43.06 percent and 7.68 days in May; 40.58 percent and 7.69 days in June and 45.20 percent and 7.06 days in July.

The Jakarta administration decided on Thursday to once again extend its transition from large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) for another two weeks beginning on Friday. The city started the transition on July 5.

Governor Anies in mid-July hinted at the possibility of the administration pulling "the emergency brake", which would restore the stricter PSBB if cases continued to soar amid concerns of rising positivity rates. During PSBB, the city allowed only eight essential sectors to operate.

University of Indonesia epidemiologist Tri Yunis Miko urged the administration to pull the brake now, before cases soared beyond the health care systems capacity.

Increasing the number of beds, while necessary to anticipate further spikes, was not the solution, he said, insisting that eliminating sources of transmission was key.

"How many more beds do we need to add? Do we know how many cases we'll see in the future? Testing is increasing, but we can't guess the number of cases and how many of these cases will be severe. We can't be sure of it, because it depends on the population," he said on Thursday.

He said that extending the transition phase was "like doing nothing", with a tightening and easing of restrictions being done at the same time.

Read also: Our health system's capacity vs demand from large-scale social distancing

Reimposing the PSBB in full, however, was not an option, given the economic concerns of the government, Miko acknowledged. Even so, he suggested that the city reimpose stricter restrictions at lower levels of administration, such as districts and subdistricts.

While doing this, the administration must also ensure that companies let employees work from home and distribute aid to those who may potentially lose their income, he said.

Editor's Note: Updated to include disclaimer by the Jakarta administration that reallocation of ICU wards for non-COVID-19 patients have also contributed to the sharp decline in available ICU beds in the capital.
I first traveled to the Hoards Dairyman office with the National 4-H Dairy Conference in 2016. When I came in for that tour, I didnt have any inclination to come back. It was cool, I thought, a piece of dairy history, but I didnt think I was going to return.

In October of 2019, I found myself in a completely different mindset, stumbled upon the Hoards Dairyman internship application, and decided to apply. Well, in May of 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, I moved to Wisconsin to start my summer as the Hoards Dairyman editorial intern. It certainly was a spoonful of sugar in a year that I would otherwise compare to a pretty bitter concoction.

Its been a summer for the record books, in terms of heat waves, pandemic conditions, and learning opportunities. I wrote weekly blogs, contributed to the print magazine (keep an eye out for my articles in the coming months), and fine-tuned my written communications skills. I reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and ate cheese curds in all the forms that I could find.

Throughout my time here, Ive written technical research based articles and opinion pieces, I visited dairy farmers in New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and Ive gotten to tell their stories through my work. Here are some lessons that Ive learned:

If something is gnawing at you, write about it. In the process of trying to form a cohesive blog or article, you might just find that you feel a whole lot better once you express yourself. Ask questions and accept feedback with an open mind. Its one of the best ways to learn. Theres a lot more to a print magazine than you might think. I got to see the ins and outs of this production, and its safe to say Ill never read another issue the same way. Dairy producers are wonderful people and will often take time out of their busy schedules to tell you their story. Working with them is one of my favorite things to do, and thats not an uncommon sentiment across industry professionals. Give them the chance to share their story, and you might just learn something. Whether you think you know someone or not, theres always a connection in the dairy industry, and if you cant find one, make one.

When I was a junior in high school, I played Mary Poppins in our musical. I carry a lot of lessons from this musical with me every day and have my parrot head umbrella with me whenever I travel. One of my favorite songs, Anything Can Happen, has some lyrics that Ive applied to many situations. They debuted in a speech I made at my high school graduation and have been put to use anytime Im facing a difficult, yet exciting transition. Their relevance never ceases to amaze me.

If you reach for the stars all you get are the stars

But weve found a whole new spin.

If you reach for the heavens, you get the stars thrown in.

Throughout my time at Hoards Dairyman, Ive tried to reach for the heavens, and I think I got some stars in the process. When I arrived in Wisconsin at the beginning of the summer, I wasnt sure that I would like it. Now, as I head back to the northeast, Ill miss the people, the fast-food restaurants, and the dairy community of the Midwest, as well as the wonderful staff at Hoards Dairyman.

If youre a college student in search of your next internship adventure, dont be afraid to apply for this one. Its been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and the 31 interns before me. Applications are due in October of 2020, so if you have an interest in communications or journalism, this is your opportunity. Go and chase your dreams, you wont regret it. Anything can happen, if you let it.

Abbie Cox grew up in Cato, N.Y. on a first-generation dairy farm and currently attends Cornell University as a member of the class of 2021, ma-joring in animal science with a minor in education and a focus in dairy. On campus, she is involved with the Cornell Uni-versity Dairy Science Club, Sigma Alpha, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and is a Peer Adviser with CALS Student Services. Cox has interned with the MILC group, the Animal Agriculture Alliance, and is the 2020 Hoards Dairyman summer editorial intern.
With a focus on self-service and automation to help make insurance distribution seamless and efficient, uBind caters to insurers, underwriters, and brokers looking to digitise.

Read more: uBind platform launched to boost broker sales

In a LinkedIn post, Insurtech Australia pointed to uBinds capabilities to easily integrate with external systems and provide a wide range of modules for different insurance functions. The trade body also cited the platforms flexibility, which allows it to accommodate requirements however unique.

Based in Melbourne, uBind was introduced in 2017 in partnership with digital agency Aptiture.
Mumbai, Aug 14 : Actor Chunky Panday says it was all about heroes doing the right thing on screen when he ventured into Bollywood in the eighties.

Far from his greenhorn days in Bollywood, the actor is now all set to portray a grey role in the web series "Abhay 2", and he sees it as a great change that actors today are exploring the dark side of characters.

"When I came into films in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was all about these heroes doing all the right things. The hero couldn't dream of doing anything negative, but then came SRK and he attempted films like 'Darr' and 'Baazigar', and now slowly I have seen that even Akshay (Kumar) is doing it, and Aamir (Khan) is doing it. Ranveer (Singh) has done it so convincingly in 'Padmaavat'," Chunky told IANS.

The actor, who has been in the industry for over 30 three years, says he made his transition in 2000 because he realised he wouldn't play the hero anymore.

"I did this transformation in 2000 when I came back from Bangladesh. I realised that I wouldn't be playing the hero anymore -- even though I never played the main hero except in a couple of films," he said.

Chunky mostly worked in films that had several actors, and he was cast as one of the many leads. "I was always in multistarrer films and I was one of the lead actors, but when I made a conscious effort to get back into characters, I realised how enjoyable it is to play characters. There is no pressure on you. Once you get into that character, it becomes you." "Abhay 2", an eight-episode series, marks the return of Kunal Kemmu as an investigative officer who has a knack for solving crimes by thinking like the offender. Directed by Ken Ghosh, the show will premiere on Zee5 on August 14.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates

August 13, 2020

President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today and agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today's historic achievement.

Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit. Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations.

As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President's Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world. The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. Working together, these efforts will help save Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives throughout the region.

This normalization of relations and peaceful diplomacy will bring together two of America's most reliable and capable regional partners. Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation. Along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination. Today's agreement will lead to better lives for the peoples of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the region.

The United States and Israel recall with gratitude the appearance of the United Arab Emirates at the White House reception held on January 28, 2020, at which President Trump presented his Vision for Peace, and express their appreciation for United Arab Emirates' related supportive statements. The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem's other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan express their deep appreciation to President Trump for his dedication to peace in the region and to the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to achieve it.

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Actor Ishaan Khatter has been roped in to play Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta in an upcoming war film.

Titled Pippa, the film has the celebrated Army tank at the core of its plot and is directed by Airlift maker Raja Krishna Menon.

"I'm exhilarated to be a part of a film of such magnitude and importance. Getting to play the suave and spirited tank commander Captain Balram Mehta is a true privilege. I'm looking forward to the exciting experience of Pippa," Ishaan said, of working in the tank battle film.

Veteran Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta of the 45th Cavalry tank squadron, along with his siblings, fought on the eastern front during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, and the film recounts his story. It is based on his book, The Burning Chaffees.

Pippa is co-written by Ravinder Randhawa, Tanmay Mohan and Raja Krishna Menon. The film is co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur.

Talking about the film, Menon said: "Pippa is a war film, but it also has an emotional core celebrating the triumph of love and humanity. The fact that there is going to be some never-seen-before tank war action is extremely thrilling to me as a filmmaker, but it's the heroism and patriotism displayed by the young and strapping Brigadier Mehta, despite all that he was going through in his family, that really connected with me when Siddharth shared this story."

The film's title highlights the Russian war tank PT-76, popularly known as Pippa. The project portrays the coming-of-age of a young Mehta as well as of India.

Talking about the film, Roy Kapur said: "While the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 is widely documented, one of its less-known chapters is the covert operation that became the Battle of Garibpur, which played a significant part in India's eventual victory. This is the war that is often heralded as the only 'just war' in history because it was fought to save human lives and free a nation."

To this, Screwvala added: "The story of the 45th Squadron led by Captain Balram Mehta is one that needs to be told to this generation. This film is a visual celebration of not only India's valour but also the sharp strategy shown by us in 1971 along with our alliance with Bangladesh, all seen through the eyes of the Mehta family and their stirring internal and external conflicts."

Pippa is scheduled to hit theatres late next year.
Frank Lampard has avoided having to go into a two-week quarantine and miss the start of Chelsea's pre-season by returning home from his holiday in France.

It comes as Premier League players, like many members of the public, rush to beat the UK's new travel restrictions which come into effect on Saturday at 4am.

Lampard was away with family in the coastal city of Antibes when news broke that France had been removed from the safe list. Holland has also been removed.

Frank Lampard has returned home from his holiday in France to avoid a two-week quarantine

Lampard and wife Christine (L) were on a trip at the famous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in France

The Lampard's are not the only ones to have their holidays disrupted. The plans of around 500,000 Britons have been ruined by the government's 11th hour move as they try to avoid having to self-isolate for 14 days once they return to the UK.

Meanwhile, France is likely to impose Coronavirus quarantine measures for people arriving from Britain 'within days,' a government source in Paris indicated on Friday night.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps sparked the chaos on Thursday night when he announced the dramatic step to add France to the quarantine list, but suggested it would only apply to people who 'come back from Sunday'.

The Department for Transport then clarified the restrictions would come into force on Saturday instead amid accusations that Nicola Sturgeon demanded quarantine was imposed on France on Saturday to 'flex her muscles'.

Greece could soon be added to the quarantine list after a spike in its infection rate, with a record 235 cases recorded on August 12. Daily new cases in the country were in the 30s towards the end of July.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced Thursday France would go on the quarantine list

It means Lampard will avoid quarantine and will be able to take charge of Chelsea's pre-season

But Sportsmail has learned there are clubs who have given players who are visiting family abroad permission to stay, meaning they will miss the start of pre-season.

Those not able to leave France or Holland in time will be given individual training programmes to follow until they are able to rejoin their respective groups.

Players of multiple Premier League clubs, including Brighton, Sheffield United and West Ham, are scheduled for their first day of pre-season training on Monday.

Some sides encouraged their squads to take their holidays early, to allow time for a quarantine period if necessary.

Chelsea's pre-season will start later than others due to their involvement in the FA Cup final, which they lost to Arsenal, and Champions League against Bayern Munich.

Fulham are also set to start preparations for next season later after taking part in the play-off final, which they won 2-1 against Brentford at Wembley Stadium.

The new season is due to start on September 12.
FILE PHOTO: Uber's logo is pictured at its office in Bogota

By Julia Love and Aislinn Laing

MEXICO CITY/SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Latin America's coronavirus crisis is forcing Uber to adopt the taxi model it was meant to drive off the streets of cities from Santiago to Medellin.

Uber's U-turn has been prompted by a pandemic-linked regulatory clampdown in countries including Chile and Colombia, where the ride-hailing it has built its name on is unregulated.

The San Francisco start-up's Chinese rival Didi, which has made big inroads in Latin America in recent years, has a head start in working with taxi drivers in the region. It has been implementing health measures like plastic barriers to keep passengers hailing its cabs.

Uber has responded by racing to join Latin America's taxi ranks, announcing a service in Chile in June after lockdowns sidelined its ride-hailing drivers there, as well as plans to launch taxis in Brazil's financial center Sao Paulo.

The company already has a track record for such moves. It has offered a taxi service in cities like Madrid, Tokyo and Athens, where local regulation has made it hard to operate.

Now it is also considering launching cabs in some parts of Mexico where local laws do not permit ride-hailing, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

"We are exploring different options to continue leading the inclusion in urban mobility in Mexico and the rest of Latin America," a spokesman for Uber in Mexico said.

Two taxi drivers in Colombia told Reuters that they had been approached about signing on to Uber.

An Uber spokeswoman in Colombia said it had no immediate plans to offer a cab service.

A spokesperson in Chile said Uber had launched a taxi service in Santiago and the port of Valparaiso in June, after a pilot began in 2018 in the southern city of Coyhaique.

MEAN STREETS

Latin America once appeared a safe haven for Uber in the face of stiff competition in the United States and regulatory battles in Europe.

But the region has seen massive demonstrations against ride-hailing by cabbies and even attacks on Uber drivers.

Story continues

Uber operates in a legal gray area in Chile, with passengers sometimes masquerading as family or friends to dodge police. More frequent inspections during the pandemic have made such subterfuge all but impossible.

Meanwhile, taxi drivers, who have special licenses and criminal background checks, can still operate freely.

Uber's move to taxis may indicate that it "has realized it needs to take a localized, market by market approach as opposed to just applying the same model everywhere," James Cordwell, a London-based analyst with Atlantic Equities, said.

The stakes are high for both Uber and Didi, which have begun to hit a ceiling in their home markets, Cordwell said.

Uber wants to show investors its business model is still viable in the new normal of a global pandemic, while Didi is the subject of persistent rumors of an initial public offering.

"They are both looking to Latin America as a key part of their growth story," Cordwell said.

Didi, which has long partnered with taxis in China and began offering cab services soon after entering Chile and Colombia, said it has 50% of taxi drivers on its platform in the Chilean capital of Santiago and about two-thirds of drivers on board in the Colombian cities of Bogota and Medellin.

It has begun recruiting both taxi and ride-hailing drivers as it prepares to launch in La Plata, Argentina, its first foray into the country, a spokesman said.

"The total quarantines resulting from the health crisis presented a mobility challenge in our cities in Chile and Colombia," Didi said in a statement.

"DiDi Taxi registered a significant increase not only in demand for the service, but also in the registration of taxi partners in both countries."

For cab drivers, reputations are likely to play a part in deciding who they partner with.

"We knew they (Didi) had worked with taxis in other places ... Uber has had a poor reception for the war they waged on us at the beginning," said Guillermo, who is working with Didi in Santiago.

The 34-year-old cabbie said there is a perception that Uber has embraced cabs out of necessity during the pandemic but is not committed to partnering long-term.

Didi, which honed its playbook for the coronavirus in China, said it has installed more than 800 plastic barriers in Chilean cabs in an attempt to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission between passengers and drivers.

It has also distributed masks, antibacterial gel and other supplies to taxi drivers and performed more than 2,000 vehicle cleanings in Santiago, Didi added.

In a statement announcing its plans to launch taxis in Brazil, Uber said all drivers will be required to verify their use of masks and can seek reimbursement for supplies such as face coverings and hand sanitizer.

As startups and taxis build bridges, those feeling the pain most are ride-hailing drivers, who are wrestling with everything from police stops in Santiago to a strict quarantine in Bogota which reduced fares to a trickle.

"Work has dropped close to 40% compared with before the pandemic," said Guillermo Bravo, a cab driver in Bogota who said he had been invited to be part of a new Uber taxi service there.

Bravo does not think ride-hailing apps are the answer during the economic turmoil triggered by the coronavirus.

"People who don't have cars prefer to take the bus to save money," he said.

(Additional reporting by Nelson Bocanegra and Tina Bellon; Editing by Christian Plumb and Alexander Smith)
Shen Tao, a police commander in central China's Xianning City, proposed to his girlfriend on Wednesday. His team helped plan the special proposal in the military style.
Venezuelas state-owned oil firm PDVSA looks to restart another gasoline-producing unit soon, hoping to ease the gasoline shortages in the country that sits atop the worlds largest crude oil reserves.

PDVSA aims to restart the gasoline-producing unit at its CRP refining complex within two weeks, following the restart of two crude distillation facilities earlier this week, Argus reported on Thursday, citing company officials and internal documents it has seen.

Venezuela is currently producing gasoline from one unit at the Amuay refinery and another unit at the Cardon refinery. Amuay and Cardon are currently processing up to 135,000 barrels per day, but that level of production has to be sustained and other units needed for gasoline production, including the fluid catalytic cracker, must be restarted, a manager at PDVSA told Argus.

In the middle of July, PDVSA resumed gasoline production at Cardon, which was at the time the only operating refinery in the country that is experiencing severe gasoline shortages.

Venezuelas 1.3-million-bpd refining capacity is mostly offline, due to the cash crunch at PDVSA and Venezuela, the crumbling industry, and years of lack of investment in maintenance and repairs.

The lockdown to curb the coronavirus pandemic in the country already in a severe economic collapse has reduced the demand for gasoline, but shortages persist.

Venezuela has seen some reprieve recently in its fuel shortage problem after Iranian tankers shipped gasoline and refining components to the Latin American country in open defiance of U.S. sanctions.

Nicolas Maduros regime tried to alleviate the fuel shortage in the country, but a new scheme of subsidized gasoline failed to put an end to the long lines in which Venezuelans queued to fill their cars with fuel.

Despite the shipments from Iran, Venezuelans continued to queue for gasoline. Meanwhile, the United States is looking for ways to cut off Iranian gasoline deliveries to Venezuela.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
India on Friday slammed Pakistan over reports that former UN-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar participated in an event hosted by that country's mission in Afghanistan, saying this was not new as Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits, but also encourages them.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India hopes that such participation in public events by a former UN-designated terrorist would not go unnoticed.

Asked about reports that Pakistan got Hekmatyar to speak at an event of a Pakistani mission in Afghanistan, he said, "We have seen the media reports of the participation of the former UN-designated terrorist in an event organised by the government of Pakistan.

This is nothing new, Pakistan not only harbours terror outfits, but also encourages them."

In 2017, the United Nations removed Afghan warlord Hekmatyar from its list of designated terrorists, lifting the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo imposed on the insurgent leader who signed a peace pact with the Afghan government.

On the Afghan peace process and the Afghanistan government's decision to release 400 Taliban prisoners, Srivastava said, "We have taken note of the development."

"As far as India is concerned, we strongly support the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. We also support the intra-Afghan negotiations," he said.

To a separate question on whether the Indian mission has congratulated Kamala Harris, whose father is from Jamaica and mother an Indian, on being chosen as the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, Srivastava said, "In general we would not like to comment on the electoral process of any other country."

On the Kerala Gold smuggling case, he said the matter is under investigation of the NIA and the MEA is extending all necessary facilitations for the investigations.
Annexation of the West Bank is "off the table" and Israel has agreed not to do it, U.S. President Donald Trump said.

"Israel has agreed not to do it. More than off the table, they have agreed not to do it," Trump said. "I think that very important. I think it was a great concession by Israel, I think it was a smart concession."

He added, however, that he could not clarify what would happen in the future, "right now it is off the table," The Jerusalem Post reported.

Trump said that he hopes to host Netanyahu and the UAE's leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in he next three weeks at the White House for a ceremony to mark the peace deal.

U.S. Ambassador to the US David Friedman clarified that the word which had been chosen to describe the situation was suspended and that word had been chosen very carefully because it means a temporary halt. Sovereignty, Friedman said was "off the table" not but not "off the table permanently."
The country is gearing up for the 74th Independence Day celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemic this year, due to which, the event at Delhi's Red Fort is likely to be 'muted'

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the nation at 7 pm on Friday on the eve of 74th Independence Day, and it will be broadcast on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan in Hindi, followed by the English version.

The statemented released by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said that Kovind's speech will also be broadcast in regional languages on Doordarshan channels after the Hindi and English versions. "AIR will broadcast regional language versions at 2130 hrs on its respective regional networks," it added.

The country is gearing up for the 74th Independence Day celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemic this year. This year, the event at Delhi's Red Fort is likely to be muted in comparison to previous years, reports said.

On 24 July, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for the Independence Day celebrations at Delhi's Red Fort and said, "...while organising various programmes or Independence Day celebrations, it is imperative to follow certain preventive measures such as maintaining social distancing, wearing of masks, proper sanitisation, avoiding large congregations, protecting vulnerable people, etc."

Every year, a cultural programme in which children perform is organised at the Independence Day event, but it will not be organised this year.

"More than 2,000 children from various schools used to perform and stand in National Flag formation at the Red Fort ground. The event will either be limited to a few students or cancelled," a Delhi Police official was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

As part of the additional crowd-regulating restrictions, the two grounds on either side of the Red Fort, which are usually open to the public, will also remain closed.

This year, celebrations at the Red Fort on 15 August is likely to consist of only Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech, a 21-gun salute, the National Anthem, and the unfurling of the National Flag, The Hindu reported.

In addition to precautionary measures, the the home ministry also recommended inviting "COVID 'warriors' like doctors, health workers, santisation workers as a recognition of their noble service in the fight against the pandemic."

"Some people cured from COVID-19 may also be invited," the MHA's advisory added. As a break from tradition, school children will not be participating in the event this year.

However, National Cadet Corps members are likely to be a part of it, Hindustan Times reported. The report added that around 1,500 people who have recovered from coronavirus are likely to be "the highlight at the celebrations".

"The corona winners will include around 500 local policemen. The remaining will travel to Delhi from other parts of the country. The defence ministry, which plays a key role in organising the event, has asked the Union home ministry to implement the plan for inviting corona winners for the function," the report added.
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit by an Arizona woman who sued Governor Andrew Cuomo over New York's 'upsetting' 14-day quarantine rule because it 'unfairly' stopped her from visiting Brooklyn to help her friends move home.

Cynthia Page filed a suit last month claiming Cuomo's quarantine order was 'the equivalent of a house arrest' and stopped her from going sightseeing in the Big Apple with her friends.

She lost her legal fight Tuesday when US District Court Judge David Hurd tossed the suit out ruling it was not an 'invasion' of her 'fundamental right to travel'.

Travelers from 33 US states are now required to quarantine for 14 days if they travel to New York.

The rules are part of measures to limit the risk of a renewed outbreak of COVID-19 in the former worldwide epicenter of the virus.

Passengers arrive into LaGuardia Airport in New York Wednesday. A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit by an Arizona woman who sued Governor Andrew Cuomo over New York's 'upsetting' 14-day quarantine rule because it 'unfairly' stopped her from visiting Brooklyn to help her friends move home

Page filed an emergency suit in the Northern District of New York back in July claiming the state's quarantine requirement for travelers from coronavirus hotspot states infringed on her 'fundamental right to travel.'

She said she had plans to fly to New York to help her friends pack up belongings in a house they were preparing to sell in Brooklyn, but was forced to cancel the trip when Arizona was placed on the list of restricted states.

The suit claimed Cuomo's executive order and the quarantine rules made the trip impossible and deprived her of her 'last chance to see the sights of New York City' with her friends - something she said 'was and continues to be very upsetting.'

Judge Hurd dismissed the suit Tuesday, ruling that the quarantine restrictions do not violate the woman's right to travel.

'Far from it,' Hurd wrote, pointing out that people from restricted states remain free to enter New York.

'They must comply with the quarantine requirement after they arrive  any traveler who completes the quarantine remains completely free to travel freely within the state itself.'

Cynthia Page filed a suit last month claiming Cuomo's quarantine order was 'the equivalent of a house arrest' and stopped her from going sightseeing in the Big Apple with her friends

Travelers from 33 US states are now required to quarantine for 14 days if they travel to New York as part of measures to limit the risk of a renewed outbreak in the former virus epicenter of the world

STATES ON NEW YORK'S QUARANTINE TRAVEL LIST: Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Florida

Georgia

North Dakota

Nebraska

Montana

Nevada

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Puerto Rico

Tennessee

South Carolina

South Dakota

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Virgin Islands

Wisconsin

Missouri

Minnesota

Mississippi

Maryland

Louisiana

Kentucky

Kansas

Iowa

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

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Hurd added that there was also 'nothing conscience-shocking' about the restrictions as states work to bring the pandemic under control.

'States around the country are grappling with an unfolding public health crisis,' he wrote.

Page told the court Tuesday she would appeal against the judge's decision.

Her lawyer, David Yerushalmi, described the ruling as 'thoughtful but wrong.'

'Judge Hurd has responded out of the fear of the pandemic but has ignored basic constitutional law,' he told The New York Post.

This was at least the second time a federal judge has ruled against challenges to Cuomo's quarantine rules.

Cuomo on Tuesday added another three regions to the list of US states and territories with high coronavirus infection rates from which travelers coming from need to quarantine if they visit New York.

Hawaii, South Dakota and the Virgin Islands were added to the list taking the total to 33 states and regions.

Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio and Rhode Island have now been removed from the list after infection rates declined in the states.

'New York went from one of the worst situations in the country, to an example for the rest of the nation to follow,' Cuomo said Tuesday.

'Our numbers continue to remain low and steady, which shows this virus will respond to an approach based on science, not politics.

'In order to protect this progress, we must keep up our efforts - we cannot go back to the hell we experienced a few months ago, which is why we are adding Hawaii, South Dakota and the Virgin Islands to the travel advisory.'

This forms part of a tri-state agreement with New Jersey and Connecticut made back in June to try to prevent new outbreaks of the virus in the three neighboring states as cases soared in the Sunbelt states.

The rule applies to all states with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio implemented checkpoints at tunnels and bridges to trace travelers coming in from the hotspot states and force them to quarantine.

De Blasio said those who do not self-isolate for 14 days once they arrive into the city could face a $10,000 fine.
Ex-Ecuadorian President Detained in New Criminal Probe

By VOA News August 13, 2020

Police have detained former Ecuadorian President Abdala Bucaram for the second time in two months, this time in an organized crime probe.

Ecuadorian Interior Minister Maria Paula Romo told a local radio station that Bucaram was arrested at his home in the port city of Guayaquil on Wednesday as part of investigation into whether he is linked to the murder of an Israeli man jailed in a possible COVID-19 medical supply scandal.

So far, Bucaram has not been charged in connection to the inmate's death at the Litoral Penitentiary in Guayaquil on Saturday.

In June, Bucaram was detained for a time following a raid on his home in an investigation into the sale of COVID-19 medical supplies to hospitals.

Authorities seized thousands of face masks and coronavirus antibody rapid test kits.

A gun and artwork were also seized, and Bucaram was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and state-owned sculptures.

Bucaram's three adult sons are being sought in connection with the inquiry into sale of overpriced medical supplies to hospitals.

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TikTok and its US employees are planning to take President Donald Trump's administration to court over his sweeping order to ban the popular video app, according to a lawyer preparing one of the lawsuits. The employees' legal challenge to Trump's executive order will be separate from a pending lawsuit from the company that owns the app, though both will argue that the order is unconstitutional, said Mike Godwin, an internet policy lawyer representing the employees.

Trump last week ordered sweeping but vague bans on dealings with the Chinese owners of TikTok and messaging app WeChat, saying they are a threat to US national security, foreign policy and the economy. The TikTok order would take effect in September, but it remains unclear what it will mean for the apps' 100 million U.S. users, many of them teenagers or young adults who use it to post and watch short-form videos.

It's also unclear if it will make it illegal for TikTok to pay its roughly 1,500 workers in the U.S., which is why some of them came to Godwin for help, he said. The order would prohibit any transaction by any person with TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance.

Employees correctly recognize that their jobs are in danger and their payment is in danger right now, Godwin said. TikTok didn't return multiple requests for comment this week. It said in a statement Friday that it was shocked by the recent Executive Order, which was issued without any due process.

The Fifth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution safeguard life, liberty and property from arbitrary government action lacking due process of law. Microsoft is in talks to buy parts of TikTok, in a potential sale that's being forced under Trump's threat of a ban. TikTok said it spent nearly a year trying to engage in good faith with the U.S. government to address its concerns.

What we encountered instead was that the Administration paid no attention to facts, dictated terms of an agreement without going through standard legal processes, and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses, the company's statement said.

The White House didn't immediately return a request for comment Thursday on the pending challenges. Godwin said he was retained by Patrick Ryan, who joined TikTok from Google earlier this year as a technical program manager. Ryan posted a public fundraising pitch on GoFundMe this week to raise money for attorneys who can fight this unconstitutional taking. This is unprecedented, Ryan wrote.

And it's frankly really uncool. Unlike other Chinese tech companies targeted by Trump, such as telecom giant Huawei, TikTok's widespread popularity among Americans adds a layer of complexity to its legal and political challenges. The looming ban has annoyed TikTok users, some of them Trump supporters like Pam Graef of Metairie, Louisiana.
Hes got that right. Bite into the mushroom taco and taste the magic created by shiitakes, king oyster and other mushrooms seasoned with house-toasted cumin, cinnamon and coriander. Swipe the bowl of lush guacamole and admire the way it distances itself from the pack with chipotle oil and zesty togarashi in its seasoning. Even beans and rice are elevated from the usual by a paste of cilantro stirred into the oiled grains. Refreshment comes by way of a chopped salad  ribbons of cabbage tossed with chickpeas, corn, cilantro and lime dressing  and a zesty shrimp cocktail served with big, fresh-made chips. The pandemic interrupted the supply of heirloom masa from Mexico, but not the exit of good tortillas from the kitchen. The replacement wraps, from El Milagro in Chicago, also enhance the best-selling chicken taco, which features chicken sliced from a vertical spit. (You can get cocktails to go, although the potent mezcal margarita has twice been sweet as nectar.)
File image

The Rajasthan Assembly session began on August 14, a day after the representatives of the old guard and the young gun of the Rajasthan Congress finally met, ending their animosities that lasted over a month.

Sachin Pilot -- who was sacked from the position of Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister after he rebelled against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over long-standing disputes and grievances  must have, however, lost of his front-row rights due to the revolt.

As Gehlot called a trust vote to prove his majority on August 14, Pilot found himself seated behind the Chief Minister, closer to the Opposition benches.

Pilot, who set aside his differences with the Rajasthan CM and declared truce last week, claimed he was pushed to the border because only the bravest and most powerful warriors are sent there. He said: Why I am on the border as far as seating is concerned? Why am I sitting next to the Opposition? It is because it's the border, and only the bravest and most powerful warrior is sent to the border.The seats of two other rebel Congress MLAs were also changed. Rebel MLAs Vishvendra Singh (Civil supply and Food) and Ramesh Meena (Tourism Minister)  had been issued show-cause notices by the Rajasthan Congress government earlier over conspiracy charges.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Friday said it has recommended the names of its 21 personnel for gallantry medals for fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the army in keeping the Chinese troops at bay amid the border standoff between the two countries over the last three months in Ladakh.

The paramilitary force, which is responsible for guarding the 3,488-km de facto border between the two countries, or the Line of Actual Control (LAC), said its 294 personnel have been awarded the commendation disk of the ITBPs director-general for their bravery in Ladakh.

An officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, clarified ITBPs statement on Friday detailing how its troops have responded to the Chinese in Ladakh relates to over half-a-dozen smaller incidents there since May in which ITBP and the army responded collectively. The statement is not just about the June 15 Galwan Valley clash in which 20 Indian and unspecified Chinese Peoples Liberation Army soldiers were killed, the officer added.

Tensions between India and China escalated when Indian soldiers were attacked with rocks and clubs in the worst clash in decades between the troops of the two countries on June 15. Five rounds of top-level military talks have since failed to break the deadlock.

The ITBP statement said its troops responded fiercely to the PLAs advancing soldiers and brought the situation under control. With the highest order of professional skills, ITBP troops fought shoulder to shoulder and also brought the injured Indian Army troops to the rear, the statement said. Even when the ITBP troops fought the whole night, they received minimum casualties by giving a befitting reply to the stone pelters of the PLA.

The statement said due to their high altitude training and manoeuvre experience in the Himalayas deployments, ITBP troops kept the PLA troops at bay. It added due to the all-out and befitting response of ITBP jawans at almost all fronts, many areas were safeguarded in the hypersensitive areas.

The statement is the first official account of the force of its role in Ladakh.

ITBP said it has also awarded the commendation disk to its personnel for their courage in anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh. It has recommended the names of 318 of its personnel and 40 troopers from other paramilitary forces for the home ministers special operations medal for their dedicated services in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The names of 318 ITBP personnel and 40 other CAPF (central armed police force) personnel have been sent for the award of Union Home Minister special operations medals for their dedicated services in the fight against the COVID-19, it said.

The force is operating over 10,000-bed Covid-19 Sardar Patel hospital, the countrys largest such facility, at the Radha Soami Beas in Delhis Chhattarpur since July 5.
Workers hold a banner reading we are not cattle, we are not sheep, we are workers of MTZ, we are not 20 people, we are 16,000 as they march during a rally near the Minsk Tractor Works Plant in Minsk, Belarus, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. Workers at the plant demanded a new election and called for the release of all those who were detained in a brutal police crackdown on demonstrators challenging the official results of Sundays presidential vote. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Tens of thousands of people have flooded the heart of the Belarus capital in a show of anger over a brutal police crackdown on peaceful protesters that followed a disputed election, as authorities sought to ease rising public fury by freeing at least 2,000 who were jailed after earlier demonstrations.

Factory workers marched across the city shouting Go away! in a call for authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to resign after 26 years of iron-fisted rule that was extended in an election on Sunday that protesters denounced as rigged.

Fridays crowds in Minsk grew to more than 20,000, filling central Independence Square.

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About a dozen soldiers guarding the nearby government headquarters lowered their riot shields in what the demonstrators saw as a sign of solidarity, and women rushed to embrace and kiss them.

Earlier, police did not interfere as the protesters marched across the city, reflecting Mr Lukashenkos apparent attempt to assuage the opposition by stepping back from the violent police crackdowns seen across the country earlier this week.

The release by the Interior Ministry of about 2,000 of the nearly 7,000 people detained was seen as another move to defuse popular outrage, and it said more would be freed.

Many who were released spoke of beatings and other abuse by police, and some showed bruises on their bodies. Some wept as they embraced waiting relatives.

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Demonstrators have swarmed the streets since Sundays election in which officials reported that Mr Lukashenko won 80% of the vote to extend his hold on power.

Mr Lukashenkos main challenger, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled on Tuesday to neighbouring Lithuania, posted a video in which she disputed the results of the vote and demanded that the government start a dialogue with demonstrators.

European Union foreign ministers are due to meet to discuss possible sanctions against Belarus.

Hundreds of people have been injured since Sunday as police dispersed largely peaceful demonstrations with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings. At least one person has been killed.

Thousands of factory workers who previously formed the core of Mr Lukashenkos base have joined the protests, denouncing the crackdown and demanding a new election, raising the prospect of a nationwide strike.

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Workers rallied at many major factories in an unprecedented challenge to the president, who has been in power since 1994 and earned the nickname of Europes last dictator for his suppression of dissent.

He warned on Friday that the strikes would deepen the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and could lead to Belarus losing its niche in global markets.

Everyone is fighting for markets, and if we stop we will never be able to resume production, he said. You must explain it to the people.

He did not directly address the election and the protests, but Natalya Kochanova, speaker of the upper house of parliament, said late on Thursday that more than 1,000 detainees had been released that day following Mr Lukashenkos order to law enforcement agencies to look more closely into the detentions.

We dont need a war, we dont need a fight, she said in televised remarks.

Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights centre confirmed that about 1,000 people were released from jails in Minsk and Zhodino, adding: The authorities are obviously trying to de-escalate the situation and ease the tensions, fearing that the furious industrial workers will take to the streets all across Belarus.

The Interior Ministry later said 2,000 detainees had been freed and more would follow.
A MAN who robbed more than 50,000 worth of jewellery from a well-known Limerick business has been jailed for five years.

Patrick Hogan, 38, who has an address at Castlegrange, Church Road, Raheen has also admitted causing almost 40,000 worth of wanton damage at JJ Kenneally Jewellers, Wickham Street on August 30, 2017.

Detective Garda Donnacha Coakley told Limerick Circuit Court the defendant, who was armed with a slash hook arrived at the premises on a bicycle shortly before 4.30pm.

After entering, he began shouting and threatening workers who retreated to a secure room for their own safety.

Mr Hogan then used the slash hook to smash a number of glass cabinets and display units before fleeing with an assortment of jewellery in a rucksack.

The father-of-two was subsequently identified on CCTV and his movements before and after the robbery were tracked.

John OSullivan BL, instructed by state solicitor Padraig Mawe, said graphic footage was obtained from inside the premises and that a very considerable amount of damage was caused.

Having been arrested following a separate robbery incident the following day, Mr Hogan provided gardai with details of an alibi who he claimed he was with at the time of the incident.

However, this individual said he was not in his company and had, in fact, given him a bicycle.

Barrister Lorcan Connolly said his client had been under severe pressure to repay a substantial debt relating to a significant cocaine seizure in September 2008.

While Mr Hogan and two other men were subsequently jailed, Mr Connolly said the defendant had been threatened by criminal elements following his release.

During interviews following his arrest in relation to the robbery offences, Mr Hogan told gardai he owed 250,000 but that he didnt have that kind of money.

During follow-up searches, gardai located a double-barrelled shotgun and a quantity of ammunition at a house at Bengal Terrace and Mr Hogan admitted he had them for his own protection.

Mr OSullivan said the firearm had been stolen sometime earlier from a car in County Laois and that there was no sinister ballistic history.

Seeking leniency on behalf of his client, Mr Connolly said the father-of-two had been threatened and was under pressure from criminal elements at the time.

It was a bolt out of the blue, he was under significant pressure. He needed money and he needed it fast.

Mr Connolly asked the court to note his clients admissions and his guilty plea and he submitted Mr Hogan is not the kind of person who would discharge a gun at people.

Imposing sentence, Judge Tom ODonnell said the incident at JJ Kenneallys was a terrifying experience and he noted the victim of the attempted robbery which occurred the following day has stopped working because of his ordeal.

He said the amount of property stolen and the severity of damage caused at the jewellery store was a significant concern along with Mr Hogans previous convictions.

The judge accepted he was under duress and he noted his cooperation and guilty plea.

He imposed sentences totalling five years imprisonment.

For more Limerick news click here
(Natural News) Mail-in voting has been a major cause of concern to honest voters as the election approaches, and a string of recent mishaps indicates that fears about the process are warranted.

In the most recent disaster to come to light, more than half a million absentee ballot applications were mailed to the wrong people in Virginia. Some of these ballots were sent to the wrong address, while others were sent to deceased people. In some cases, absentee ballot applications were even sent to pets.

Some of the people on the receiving end of these mistakes were election monitors, retired FBI agents and members of the League of Women Voters. People in Fairfax, Richmond, Roanoke and Franklin counties were affected. The flub has prompted the nonprofit group responsible for sending the mailers out with pre-filled absentee ballots, the Center for Voter Information, to apologize.

Approximately half a million applications sent to eligible voters in Virginia included incorrect information, and we are working diligently to address the issues. Mistakes in our programming are very rare, but we take them seriously, and our methods overall are extraordinarily effective, they stated.

They said they are working with election officials in Virginia on re-directing the applications to the right locations and will correct any errors at their own expense. The CEO of the print vendor involved in the snafu, Smith-Edwards-Dunlap Company, said it was due to an incorrectly aligned spreadsheet matching voters with their local election offices.

According to former FBI agent Bassem Youssef, an absentee ballot was sent to his home that was addressed to a family member who has never lived there. He said nothing similar to that mailing has ever been sent to his residence in past election cycles.

Virginias Department of Elections said that it does not work with third-party campaigns and encourages people to submit their request for absentee ballots directly on their website at www.elections.virginia.gov/voterinformation.

A senior legal adviser to President Trumps 2020 campaign, Jenna Ellis, said that the Virginia issues were an indication of what we could see in other places, particularly Nevada.

She said: What will stop a printing flub for actual ballots under a universal vote-by-mail system? President Trump warned about these dangers months ago. The Democrats plan to intentionally undermine election security will cause incalculable chaos unless we have securities that our campaign lawsuits are insisting on to protect all voters.

Nevada was the site of a recent mail-in ballot fiasco when Clark County mailed ballots to all of the countys registered voters for the June primaries and 223,000 went to the wrong address.

The president of the election integrity group The Public Interest Legal Foundation, J. Christian Adams, stated: These numbers show how vote by mail fails. New proponents of mail balloting dont often understand how it actually works.

Mail-in voting makes it easy to steal elections, so pay attention to who is pushing for it

Its problematic enough that they had the wrong addresses in the first place, but it is even more concerning to know that some people accepted the incorrect ballots as their own and may be using them to cast illegal votes. There is a no foolproof way to account for how many ballots are cast illegally by mail by someone who is pretending to be another person.

Democrats are claiming that we need more lenient photo requirements and mail-in ballots because somehow requiring people to identify themselves as who they claim to be in order to vote is racist. Of course, this would imply that minorities face more hurdles in obtaining state identification than white people, which makes no sense when you consider how cheap and easy it is to get a state ID.

They also claim that mail-in voting is needed to stop the spread of COVID-19, yet they have no problem supporting Black Lives Matter and anti-police protests around the country, which have a higher risk of spreading the disease than a controlled election environment that follows social distancing protocols.

No reasonable person can argue that having people identify themselves when voting wouldnt go a long way toward stemming voter fraud. Their weak excuses make it clear that Democrats believe their best chance of winning the election is by making it easy for voter fraud to be carried out on a wide scale, and we are seeing more evidence of how this approach can go wrong every day.

Sources for this article include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

JustTheNews.com
MBABANE  Battle lines have been drawn between government and the Central Transport Administration (CTA) employees.

This follows an urgent application, which has been filed at the Industrial Court by the employees union, NAPSAWU, seeking an order against the closing of the Trading Account for the CTA as per Circular No.1 of 2020/21, which they viewed as unlawful.

NAPSAWU is an acronym for the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union.

The Circular was issued by the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Khangeziwe Mabuza, allegedly without prior consultation with the union as per the Recognition Agreement.

The Circular was issued on August 5, 2020.

NAPSAWU has applied to the court that the implementation of Circular No.1 be stopped pending the final determination of the court application.

Respondents

Directing the Accountant General, Treasury Department and Stores together with the respondents jointly and severally to reopen and or restore the proper functioning of the Trading Account of the CTA forthwith pending the final determination of this application, submitted NAPSAWU.

The respondents in the matter are PS Mabuza, PS in the Ministry of Public Service, PS in the Ministry of Finance, the accountant general, Treasury and Store Department, Under Secretary in the Civil Service Commission and the attorney general.

NAPSAWU has submitted that it wanted the court to declare the Circular as unlawful and contrary to the Central Transport Organisation (CTO) Act No.13 of 2013 and to be of no force or effect from the date of the order of the court.

According to the applicants secretary general, Thulani Hlatshwayo, who is employed at the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Service, the union represented its fully paid members employed under the CTA. NAPSAWU submitted that in the year 2010 there was a contemplation of privatising the CTA. In the founding affidavit, the union submitted that the initiative was being done through the services of an auditing company, KPMG, which had its principal place of business situated in Mbabane.

The company (KPMG) was during this period actively directing operations at CTA informally and as such the state of affairs was ill-received by the members of the applicant, submitted the secretary general.

He submitted that NAPSAWU, in a bid to ameliorate and combat the situation in the interest of its affected members, approached the court for an interdict and restoration of the status quo at CTA and the matter was decided in the applicants favour.

It was submitted that in 2013 still in pursuit of privatising CTA, there was an Act which was proposed for the transformation of CTA.

The Act was assented to on August 1, 2013 and was duly published as law on a government gazette issued on August 9, 2013, according to the founding affidavit.

The union submitted that from the date of the promulgation of the Act, there was nothing that was embarked upon to depict a commencement of the process of transformation of CTA in terms of the Act and as provided in the same law.

Provisions

It was averred that the relationship between the applicant and its employer was duly governed by the provisions of a Recognition Agreement which was duly entered into on June 30, 2017.

Hlatshwayo submitted that therefore any step that was to be taken by government apart from the fact that it had to be in accordance with the Act, they were also duty bound by the provisions of the Recognition Agreement.

NAPSAWU submitted that towards the end of 2019 (November), government commenced to informally engage shop stewards (employees) directly at CTA, without the consent of the union and contrary to the provisions of the agreement.

As a result, according to the court documents, NAPSAWU alleged that it wrote to government, in particular the PS in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, to humbly implore her to desist from directly talking to the employees without knowledge or consent of the applicant.

It was alleged that government, following the letter, simply ceased to approach the shop stewards and/or any of NAPSAWUs members at CTA.

This was the position from November 2019 until April 2020 when NAPSAWUs executive was advised by the General Transport Manager, Washington Khumalo, that communication is now being directed to him and there is a minute which he furnished to the applicants executive in particular to me fortifying this occurrence, submitted Hlatshwayo.

He said the minute from PS Mabuza referred to a meeting they had in March 2020 allegedly again without NAPSAWU or its members knowledge.

He submitted that the matter was brought to the executive in May 2020.

These are allegations contained in an affidavit whose veracity is yet to be tested by the courts.

The union is represented by attorney Meluleki Ndlangamandla of MLK Ndlangamandla Attorneys.
(Newser)  A bald eagle in Michigan made it very clear he's not happy about government drones in its territory. The eagle attacked a $950 drone being used to map shoreline erosion on Lake Michigan and sent it to the bottom of the very lake it was studying, reports MLive. The bird ripped a propeller off the Phantom 4 Pro Advanced quodcopter that had been cruising at around 160 feet, per NBC News. The eagle then flew away unscathed.

story continues below

Oddly, the drone (which hasn't been found), was being used by the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energywhich goes by EGLE. The department says its drone team "is considering steps to reduce the possibility of a repeat attack, including possibly using skins or other designs on the aircraft to make them look less like seagulls." (Hunters are unintentionally killing eagles in very indirect fashion.)
China is mulling mechanisms to prevent wastage of food days after President Xi Jinping called the amount of food wasted in the country shocking and distressing.

Xis renewed call for the clean plate campaign comes in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has battered the Chinese economy into contraction this year, and the worst floods in years impacting rice production areas in China.

Chinese official media, Xinhua, quoted Xi calling the issue of food waste shocking and distressing and said it was important to maintain a sense of crisis regarding food security.

The phrase sense of crisis about food also recalls the time of Chinese leader Mao Zedong in the early 1960s when the country was ravaged by famines.

Beijing, however, has said that despite the twin problems of epidemic and floods, the agriculture sector has yielded bumper harvests this year.

Catering groups, reports said, responded to Xis call by embracing a so-called N-1 policy -- urging customers to order one dish fewer than the number of diners at a table.

No new national statistics is available about food wastage in China but a 2018 report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said consumers wasted 17 million to 18 million tons of food served in big cities in 2015.

The amount wasted could have fed 30 million to 50 million individuals or the total number of people living in South Korea, officials had then pointed out.

Following the publicity given to Xis call, short-video platforms have begun to crack down on competitive eaters, many of whom waste or spit out the food they ordered.

Such shows have been condemned by many netizens and generated heated discussions on Sina Weibo. The related hashtag had been viewed more than 830 million times as of Thursday afternoon, a state media report said.

Xi had first launched a similarly titled campaign against food waste in 2013 but rather than the general public it focused on feasts and banquets hosted by Communist Party of China officials on government funds.

Xis call on food waste, an editorial in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post pointed out also recalled Maos time during the Great Leap Forward between 1959-62

Chinas leader has urged the country to maintain a sense of crisis about food securityIt is a reminder of the Mao Zedong era when Chinese leaders, prompted by natural and man-made disasters, encouraged people to store food. It was a time of widespread hunger and starvation, the editorial said.
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. UAE FACES BACKLASH FOR ISRAELI PACT

Iran and Turkey strongly criticize their regional rival over its decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel in a U.S.-brokered deal, accusing it of betraying the Palestinian cause.

2. TRUMP GIVES CREDENCE TO CONSPIRACY

The president adds fuel to an online misinformation campaign about Kamala Harris eligibility to be vice president that parallels the one he used against Barack Obama to power his rise into politics.

3. LEBANESE DESPERATE FOR TRUTH AFTER EXPLOSION

For many in Beirut, their greatest hope for credible answers about the deadly port blast that wrecked their capital may lie with outside investigators.

4. THEY JUST CANT HAVE IT

Trump acknowledges hes starving the U.S. Postal Service of funding to make it harder to process an expected surge in mail-in ballots that he worries could cost him reelection.

5. BELARUS FREES DETAINEES AMID PRESSURE

Belarusian authorities release about 1,000 people detained during demonstrations contesting the results of the presidential election as anger mounts against a brutal crackdown on protesters.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to play an important role for the BJP in the Bihar assembly elections, set to take place later this year.

Fadnavis, the BJPs central core committee has decided, will play the role of partys election in-charge in Bihar, along with BJP Bihar in-charge, Bhupendra Yadav.

A formal announcement to this effect would be made shortly but the core committee has decided to entrust this responsibility to former Maharashtra CM, said a senior party functionary of Bihar.

BJP sources said Fadnavis has been roped in by the party leadership for the poll preparedness and attended a Bihar core committee meeting through video-conferencing on Thursday. He is said to have presented his viewpoints on different matters.

The elections for the 243-member Bihar assembly will take place in October/ November.

Fadnavis being given the charge of Bihar elections is in line with the partys policy of entrusting its key leaders with the responsibility of handling state elections. Late BJP leader Ananth Kumar was the partys in-charge for the Bihar assembly polls in 2015.

The development also comes at a time when Bihar and Maharashtra governments have been trading charges over the handling of the Sushant Singh Rajput suicide case by Mumbai Police.

Fadnavis faces a tough ask as two BJPs allies JD (U) and the LJP are at loggerheads. The LJP has conveyed to the BJP leadership, the sources said, its uneasiness about the manner in which the issues raised by it have been dealt with.

Welcoming Fadnavis appointment, senior BJP leader Dr CP Thakur said that he is a capable leader and manages elections very well.

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New Delhi [India], Aug 13 (ANI): Rhea Chakraborty has accepted before the Supreme Court that the investigation in Sushant Singh Rajput's case should be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and therefore the matter should be probed by the investigating agency only, said Vikas Singh, lawyer of the late actor's father.

"In the written submission filed by Rhea Chakraborty, she has accepted for the third time before the Supreme Court that the investigation should be carried out by the CBI. The matter will now definitely go to CBI as it has already registered a case and there is no challenge to registration of matter by it," Vikas Singh told reporters here on Thursday.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Bhavan in Lucknow Illuminated Ahead of Independence Day 2020: Live Breaking News Headlines & Coronavirus Updates on August 13, 2020.

He said Supreme Court has listened to lengthy arguments in the matter and "should comment that the case has rightly gone to CBI".

"The court should give directions that Mumbai Police should help CBI in the investigation," he said.

Also Read | Avani Moola Festival 2020 Cancelled, Announces Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai Amid COVID-19 Fears.

The lawyer said that the since the investigation by the CBI has already started, therefore, according to him, "there would be no impediment in this investigation awaiting this judgment."

He said that they have also stated in the written submission that the Patna police has jurisdiction to investigate the case, and their reference to the CBI, and the central investigation agency's taking over the case was also according to the law.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against Rhea Chakraborty, Indrajit Chakraborty, Sandhya Chakraborty, Showik Chakraborty, Samuel Miranda, Shruti Modi, and others in connection with the actor's death.

Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
MBABANE  Head teachers claim that government gave a hint that the tentative date for the reopening of Form III pupils was now August 24.

Initially, sources within the Ministry of Education and Training had indicated that their principals had suggested August 17 but this date was not endorsed by the relevant authorities.

Sources who were in a meeting with the Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary, Bertram Stewart, revealed that a hint given to them was August 24 as the expected date for reopening of Form III pupils.

The source said the initial plan of the ministry was to open both Grade VII and Form III which was opposed by the Ministry of Health as this may overwhelm the health system.

Publication

An impeccable source who is a head teacher, informed this publication that officials from the Ministry of Health, when the dates were discussed in Cabinet on Tuesday, felt the pupils needed to be managed hence the need of staggering the reopening of Form III and Grade VII classes.

The meeting was to discuss readiness of schools in reopening for Form III especially because inspections by the ministers were almost concluded.

It was established that there were four ministers in Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Natural Resources Education and that of Education and Training who were tasked with inspecting schools from all the countrys regions.

The ministers are said to have done the inspections in different dates and were expected to give Cabinet a report before the official date of Form III opening would be officially announced.

It was stated that the inspections were to confirm the readiness before the Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini announced the date, possibly next week.

Meanwhile, sources also disclosed that in the meeting, it was discussed that Grade VI, Form II and IV were scheduled to open on October 6 along with all levels at tertiary institutions on October 5.

It was said that by the time the schools closure was announced on March 27, 2020, students at tertiary level had already written tests and assignments which were what would be used as part of their results.

Also, it surfaced that the other grades not mentioned might not open this academic year.

The source said they were also not told how these pupils would be graded if they were to proceed to the next year.

Examination timetables were also part of the discussions in the meeting according to the source.

The source said Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC) exams were scheduled for November 30 to December 10, 2020 while Junior Certificate (JC) would write their exams from November 27 to December 18, this academic year.

Exams

Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education (EGCSE) pupils, on the other hand, will sit for their exams from November 2 to 26, 2020 while International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams will start on October 6 to 11 2020.

Meanwhile, head teachers said they were willing to work and accommodate more classes but they needed finances from government.

Minister of Education and Training Lady Howard Mabuza said they explained that the issue of finances had been discussed several times.

This is after head teachers from some of the schools toured by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Pholile Shakantu said their main challenge was the lack of funds which they needed to continue smooth operations at the schools.

This according to the head teachers included gloves, sanitisers and soap among other things.

Resources

They said the opening of Form III classes meant doubling the resources needed.

Eswatini Principals Association President Welcome Mhlanga confirmed the meeting with the PS and the discussions that took place but pleaded not to say much when asked about the reopening dates.

He, however, acknowledged that they were short of funds to smoothly run schools and having to accommodate more classes meant more money was needed.

He said they engaged the ministry about it but the responses were not promising.

On the other hand, minister said they were still working on getting the money as the countrys funds were redirected to COVID-19 fight.

Since they told you, if you have it, you can give it to them, she said.

When asked about the dates she told this reporter to ask the PS as he was in the said meeting and that she did not know.

What if he was going to say it tomorrow (today)? If you want to know now then call him, she said.
Robin Williams committed suicide in 2014. All sorts of speculations were made as to why, with the most common one being him depressed.

While that is somehow true, it is only years after his death when the real reason why he killed himself was determined.

Before that, he has set some concerns from his friends and co-stars with the way his looks and mental health deteriorated in a span of few months -- even though he was not telling them why. They were all in a panic inside, as reported by Mirror UK.

His friend and co-actor, Billy Crystal, claimed that the changes in Williams' body instantly ravaged the actor. His health immediately deteriorated in a matter of months. Just one blink, and it's as if the actor is a whole new person.

Williams and his friends haven't seen each other for roughly four months, and when they did, Crystal was taken aback by how thin and frail Williams looked. When they had dinner, Robin was also not his usual self because instead of being cheery, he was quiet. There were instances when Williams looked like he was going to share something but did not.

When they were about to leave, Williams suddenly burst into tears and just said he was "a little crispy."

Because the actor did not know what his disease was, he still went on to work. This made other people notice that he is in bad shape. His makeup artist for the "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" said that Robin was actually sobbing in her arms at the end of each working day. She described the whole thing as "horriblem," even though she said she did not know what was actually going on.

There was also a time when he suffered a huge panic attack in the middle of a shooting day and would not go out at night. Cheri Minns, the said makeup artist, would try to boost his confidence by telling him to do some stand-up, a bit he enjoyed doing in his whole life. However, it ended up in Williams breaking down again and saying he no longer knows how to do his job anymore and how to be funny,

Once back in California, his mental health deteriorated. He was given a lot of antipsychotic drugs, but they worsened his condition. He was having several paranoia thoughts and exhibiting obsessive behaviors. The problem was that unlike other mental health patients, Robin knew what was going on. He was aware that he was losing his mind, Susan Schneider shared.

Adding to his anxiety was not knowing what was wrong with him. He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson's, but the actor did not believe it. This compelled him to undergo several tests, but because of his worsening state, it also forced him to commit suicide.

It was not until he died and an autopsy performed on him that his true condition would be revealed. He had Lewy Body Dementia, which is so aggressive and so incurable that it is linked to higher suicide rates. It is also the most common neurodegenerative dementia, following Alzheimer's Disease. However, the issue is that it has so many symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease that misdiagnosis is also common.

Now it makes sense why Susan Scheider, his wife, said in 2015 that it was not depresssion that killed him. In the grand scheme of things, depression was probably a small problem.

READ MORE: Robin Williams Documentary: Actor's Real Condition Before Death TERRIFIES Even Expert
(CNN)  Health experts say there's no evidence the coronavirus can be transmitted through food.

You might have seen reports this week that Chinese authorities said a surface sample from a batch of frozen chicken wings imported from Brazil tested positive for coronavirus.

But don't panic.

Yes, the virus was detected on the food product in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, according to a statement from the municipal government. Officials did not name the brand.

But test results for people who might have had contact with the chicken wings have so far come back negative, the statement said, and tracing is underway for products from the same brand that have already been sold. Meantime, one expert said tests of the chicken might have detected genetic material from dead coronavirus, which can cause false positives.

Here's the bottom line: Doctors and health experts have repeatedly said the coronavirus is not likely to be transmitted by food.

Dr. Ian Williams, chief of the Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which investigates foodborne and waterborne illnesses, previously said there was no evidence that Covid-19 is "foodborne-driven or food service-driven."

"This really is respiratory, person-to-person," Williams said. "At this point there is no evidence really pointing us towards food (or) food service as ways that are driving the epidemic."

Covid-19 is largely spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks when they're within 6 feet of another person, according to the CDC. The best ways to prevent the spread is by social distancing, wearing a mask, thoroughly washing your hands and covering a cough or sneeze.

Williams' point was reiterated more recently by the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture, which said in a joint statement in June there is "no evidence" people can contract the virus from food or food packaging.

Now, per the CDC, it is possible you could get Covid-19 by touching a contaminated surface, including food packaging, and then touching your face. But you can reduce the risk by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling food packaging.

Unlikely virus will persist after shipping, WHO says

International experts also seem to agree.

"People should not fear food or food packaging or the processing or delivery of food," Dr. Michael Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme, said Thursday.

"I would hate to think that we would create an impression that there's a problem with our food or there's a problem with our food chains," he said. "There is no evidence that food or the food chain is participating in transmission of this virus, and people should feel comfortable and feel safe."

The WHO previously said it is "highly unlikely that people can contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging," reiterating Covid-19 is a respiratory illness primarily spread person-to-person.

Additionally, it's unlikely the coronavirus would be transmitted through goods manufactured elsewhere, per the WHO.

"Even though the new coronavirus can stay on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days (depending on the type of surface), it is very unlikely that the virus will persist on a surface after being moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures," the WHO said.

If you're still uneasy, know that your body has another line of defense.

Even if the coronavirus got into your food, your stomach acid would kill it, according to Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University.

"When you eat any kind of food, whether it be hot or cold, that food is going to go straight down into your stomach, where there's a high acidity, low-pH environment that will inactivate the virus," she said.

In the case of the chicken wings in Shenzhen, David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory medicine expert at the University of Hong Kong, said they were likely contaminated during packaging. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're infectious.

The tests could be picking up the RNA -- the genetic material -- of dead coronavirus, he said, which has been known to cause false positive results in patients who have recovered from Covid-19.
FILE PHOTO: A container ship leaves the port in front of famous landmark Philharmonic Hall in Hamburg

By Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The euro zone's trade surplus with the rest of the world ballooned in June to 21.2 billion euros ($25 billion) as the bloc's drop in imports of goods outpaced the fall of exports amid a global slide in trade due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bloc also suffered the biggest drop ever recorded in employment in the second quarter, the European Union's statistics agency Eurostat said.

The agency also confirmed the record drop in the bloc's gross domestic product last quarter, which fell by 12.1% compared with the first three months of the year.

Eurostat said on Friday the June trade surplus was wider than that posted a year earlier when the bloc had a positive balance of 19.4 billion euros. The reading also largely beat market expectations of a 12.6 billion euros surplus.

The surplus was more than twice as big as that recorded in May when the bloc had a positive balance of 9.4 billion euros.

The year-on-year improvement was caused by a 12.2% drop of imports, which more than offset the 10% fall in exports, Eurostat estimates showed.

From January to June, the bloc's exports to the rest of the world fell by 12.7% to about 1 trillion euros compared with the same period in 2019. Imports dropped by 12.9% to 929 billion euros. Trade among euro zone countries was down by 13.6% to 869 billion euros.

The 19 countries of the currency bloc also traded much less among themselves. In June they exchanged goods worth 150.6 billion euros, down by 7.3% compared with the same month last year.

The larger EU, which is composed of 27 states, posted a 20.7 billion euros surplus in June, also caused by a bigger drop in imports than exports.

Among its top three trading partners, the EU reduced trade mostly with Britain, which left the EU on Jan. 31.

For January-June, exports to Britain fell by 21.5% from the same period last year, while imports dropped 17.5%, leaving the EU with a smaller trade surplus of 46.7 billion euros compared with 64.5 billion euros in the same period of last year.

Story continues

Trade with the United States also fell significantly while the drop of exchanges with China was small.

In a separate release, Eurostat said euro zone employment in the period between April and June fell by 2.8% compared with the previous quarter, in the sharpest decline since data began to be collected in 1995.

The agency confirmed the estimates it released on July 31 of a record fall in euro zone GDP in the second quarter, the deepest since the time series started in 1995.

The new release on GDP is based on data from 13 of the 19 euro zone countries, including all the big ones. The earlier release included data from 10 states.

The record fall coincided with coronavirus lockdowns which many euro zone countries began to ease only from May.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Editing by John Chalmers and Hugh Lawson)
Happy 2020-2021 school year, Deer Park teachers and students. May some good and overdue happiness come to each of you when school begins Aug. 19.

With that said, heres wishing the following new appointments the grandest of starts to their latest chapter in their lives. Mary Peacock has been named associate principal of the Deer Park High School South Campus. Shes no stranger to the Deer Park ISD scene, and now shes filling the vacancy left by Kirk Taylor, who was named principal of Deer Park High North earlier this year.

Dora Garcia is now the North Campus new assistant principal, filling the void left by Peacocks departure. A counselor at the South Campus for five school years, shell get to see on a more daily basis all the upgrades thats been done to the North Campus in recent years.

Don Nettles is one of the newest Vikings on the Fairmont Junior High campus where hell serve the role of assistant principal. Hes departing the North Campus where he was an English teacher.

Julie Bullock will assume her new role as assistant principal at Carpenter Elementary School. Her Deer Park ISD roots go back to 1998.

In keeping with our education theme this week, the Deer Park Public Library is continuing its Scholastic Summer Read-A-Palooza Virtual Book Fair. It began way back on May 11 and runs through Sept. 4.

There are an estimated 6,000 products available for sale including box sets and best-sellers. Book-only orders over $25 will ship to an address for free. Feel free to call the library at 281-478-7208 if you needs help to set up an account, so that the library receives credit for all purchases.

As a reminder, the profits made by the Scholastic Book Fair goes back into the community through the purchase of paperbacks. These books are given as prizes during the summer reading program.

For more information, visit https://www.deerparktx.gov/97/Library.

The Deer Park Police Department is recruiting residents for the 42nd class of the Citizens Police Academy. The free classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 20, and the group will meet every Thursday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. until its graduation. Classes generally run for 14 weeks and cover various aspects of police-related work.

However, you may want to check with the citys website, www.deerparktx.gov, to see if the class will still be available. The city is watching the COVID-19 situation to see if the Police Academy class can still be held in a safe manner.

Hope it is, because it sounds like a very entertaining class. Students get to watch pursuit videos, investigate mock crime scenes and learn procedures for driving while intoxicated investigations.

ravery@hcnonline.com
CARY, N.C., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- National Honeybee Day 2020, COVID-19 has shone a spotlight on the food supply chain that helps nourish people in all corners of the world. But an even older "pandemic"  the plight of honeybees  also threatens the world's food supply. In both cases, SAS analytics makes it easier to understand data signals as they're happening so effective interventions can take place. In this instance, SAS technologies are at work to save honeybees, the world's No. 1 food crop pollinator.

IoT-enabled beehives on the SAS campus in Cary, NC, use streaming analytics to help beekeepers track each hives health. (Photo courtesy of SAS)

"SAS' passion for innovation and sustainability helped us find technology solutions to better understand the health of beehives," said Sarah Myers, AgTech Marketing Manager at SAS. "I'm an avid beekeeper, and it's exciting to work with a group of data scientists who want find new ways to support this critical global effort."

Four ways data science tracks hive health

SAS Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled beehives use streaming analytics to interpret hive data flowing from embedded sensors to help beekeepers better understand which units need help. Hive data is sent to the cloud to allow for the continuous measurement of:

Weight. A connected scale sensor tells beekeepers if the hive is producing honey and gaining weight  a sign of a healthy bee activity. If the scale indicates weight loss in one hive compared to its neighbor, beekeepers can intervene.

A connected scale sensor tells beekeepers if the hive is producing honey and gaining weight  a sign of a healthy bee activity. If the scale indicates weight loss in one hive compared to its neighbor, beekeepers can intervene. Temperature and humidity. An ideal climate inside the hive creates baby bees and keeps the queen warm enough to survive the winter. Honeybees regulate hive temperature and humidity by moving, flapping and clustering. Internal sensors collect temperature and humidity data then analyze it to alert beekeepers about concerning fluctuations.

An ideal climate inside the hive creates baby bees and keeps the queen warm enough to survive the winter. Honeybees regulate hive temperature and humidity by moving, flapping and clustering. Internal sensors collect temperature and humidity data then analyze it to alert beekeepers about concerning fluctuations. Acoustics. The hum of honeybees buzzing indicates health, stress, swarming, and the condition of the queen. SAS hives monitor audio data continuously and use machine learning models to listen for anomalies. These audio clips help illustrate the difference between a healthy hive and an endangered hive.

The hum of honeybees buzzing indicates health, stress, swarming, and the condition of the queen. SAS hives monitor audio data continuously and use machine learning models to listen for anomalies. These audio clips help illustrate the difference between a healthy hive and an endangered hive. Flight activity. Bees flying in and out of a hive indicates foraging activity, a sign the hive is healthy. Applying computer vision technology to the bees' flight patterns helps beekeepers understand when the hive is happy or in trouble.

Read more details about using IoT technologies to protect honeybees in this paper from SAS Global Forum 2020, Noninvasive Beehive Monitoring through Acoustic Data Using SAS Event Stream Processing and SAS Viya.

About SAS

Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries.  indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright  2020 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Contact:

Laura Fleek Brumley

[email protected]

214-803-6692

sas.com/news

SOURCE SAS

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Todays Cold War between the U.S. and China is serving little, if any, purpose. Mainly, the goal seems to be to divert U.S. voters attention away from the current administrations mishandling of COVID-19.

While, outwardly, the U.S. has rationalized its actions as a response to Chinas behavior towards Xinjiang and Hong Kong, within the U.S. the human and economic costs of the virus are becoming painfully clear to many Americans. The human cost, reported daily, stands over 5 million cases and over 160,000 deaths, both far higher than any other country in the world. While numbers can leave one numb, it means hundreds of thousands American have lost someone dear. In economic terms the Federal government has already spent $2 trillion, a number likely to increase substantially to cover ongoing unemployment, financial aid for businesses and support for state and local governments. While the U.S. government projected an optimistic V-shaped recovery in the third quarter, the Federal Reserve chair projected the economy would not return to normal before the end of 2021 at the earliest and the GDP is likely to be double digit negative this year. Consumer confidence will likely continue to trend downwards as many states report severe outbreaks after opening too early and unemployment rate is expected to surpass 10 percent. Its hard to believe anything, including a Cold War with China, can divert voters attention away from the hard truths on the ground.

The U.S. has thus far focused its new Cold War around the issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, the Covid-19 pandemic, Huawei, and the Chinese students and scientists within the U.S. In response to these perceived threats, it has levied sanctions against Chinese officials, banned Huawei 5G equipment and pressed other countries to do so, passed legislations on Hong Kong and Xinjiang, incited developing countries against partnering with China through its Belt and Road Initiative, prevented Huawei from accessing nanochips manufactured with U.S. equipment and sent two aircraft carriers into the South China Sea.

While the material impact of these actions is largely inconsequential, they do negatively impact the international communitys perception of the U.S., which is already severely damaged by its inability to contain COVID-19s impact on the U.S. population and the domestic and international economy. The USs requested withdrawal from the WHO has also been broadly condemned internationally. In contrast, Chinas international reputation is faring quite well. Chinas response to the pandemic has been highly successful. Chinas decision to extend its national security to Hong Kong, highly controversial in some countries, has the support of many others. Additionally, Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, after several hiccups early on regarding financial viability, is supported by many developing and developed countries, and Chinas participation in multinational organizations is in sharp contrast to the USs position.

Another element of this new Cold War is the ongoing and well-publicized trade war. While advertised domestically as a win for the U.S., the trade war has instead resulted, as predicted by economists, in a lose-lose for both countries. The U.S. effort to decouple from Chinese technology led to China doubling down on its 2025 advanced technology initiative and its goal of manufacturing its own nanochips, where China trails the U.S. By cutting off the sale of chips to Huawei and other Chinese companies, the U.S. eliminates a major revenue source for US-based chip manufacturers such as Qualcomm, leaving those companies with less cash to invest in their own research and development.

The administration has also targeted Chinese students at U.S. universities as well as Chinese scientists. Both groups have been identified as security risks and have been subject to immigration restrictions. Historically 40% of Chinese students, generally among the most talented graduates, have remained in the U.S. This number is likely to decline, depriving the U.S. of critical talent. Predictably U.S. corporations have pushed back against the immigration restrictions.

A final consequence of both the trade war and the Cold War is domestic Sinophobia, which affects tens of millions of not just Chinese Americans. Fueled by the U.S. media, anti-China sentiments in the U.S. are at an all-time high, impacting the lives of Chinese and Asian American citizens, businesses, and communities. The issue of Sinophobia has, unfortunately, been largely ignored by the U.S. public, media, and government, while racial tensions between black and white Americans draw the focus of both international and domestic news.

So, if a Cold War with China does not support U.S. self-interest, why is it happening? While diverting attention from the U.S. COVID-19 response in an election year is an obvious answer, there are other important factors to consider as well. One is the lack of understanding by U.S. officials as to what Chinas priorities really are, though China has made little attempt to hide them. The Chinese priorities lie in domestic stability and prosperity for the Chinese people as well as protecting their sovereignty and borders, and reclaiming global respect. Rather than constructive engagement with China within the context of each countrys priorities, the U.S. has opted for broadly based criticism.

Unfortunately, the Cold Wars impact will likely not be limited to the two protagonists as countries in the Asia Pacific region will be pressured to align one way or the other. Fortunately, the vast majority of these countries will resist choosing sides and will deal with the US and China on a basis consistent with their own self-interest. Just as U.S. attempts to contain China have not been effective, time will demonstrate that a Cold War with China isnt in either countrys best interest.

Pete Walker is the author of Powerful, Different, Equal: Overcoming the Misconceptions and Differences Between China and the U.S. (LID publishing, 2019)
Citys name needs changing

I was born in San Francisco, CA, perhaps the most diverse city in America; the City by the Bay welcomes people of all ethnicities, sexual orientations and religious backgrounds. I am proud to proclaim that I was born and raised in San Francisco.

Twenty years ago, for personal and financial reasons I moved to Lynchburg, Va. I was embarrassed when I informed my colleagues and friends that I was moving to a small city in Virginia called Lynchburg. That name has such violent, racist, and terrifying connotations.

The city was named after the citys founder, John Lynch and was not derived from the crime of lynching. Heaven knows how many lynchings have taken place in the 234 history of Lynchburg, but its only in the aftermath of the modern-day lynching of George Floyd that some residents of Lynchburg have considered changing the name of their quaint little town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Im a progressive who was born in the city evangelicals love to call Sodom, and naturally I almost never agree with Trump supporter Jerry Falwell, Jr, the president of the evangelical mecca, Liberty University. But I say Amen to this press release from Falwell:

I personally support changing the name of the city of Lynchburg. Its been an embarrassment to Liberty University ever since we started. That was one of the reasons Libertys original name was changed from Lynchburg Baptist College to Liberty Baptist College in 1976.

When even Jerry Falwell, Jr. calls for the renaming of Lynchburg, its time to change the name of Lynchburg to a name that doesnt embarrass and shame its residents.

San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the world, but Lynchburg is also blessed with natural beauty and friendly residents. Im proud to say that Im from San Francisco and if Lynchburg changes its name, I will also be proud to say that I live in this charming city.

ROBERT PAUL REYES

Lynchburg
Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs has contacted his German counterpart Heiko Maas to appeal against Luxembourg's classification as a risk zone.

Germany upgraded Luxembourg to a risk zone on 14 July, after the number of new infections began to creep up. Tests are now a requirement for residents hoping to visit the country.

However, with the news that weekly infections are dropping, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn has demanded the German authorities carry out a revision of Luxembourg's status.

The LSAP MP addressed a letter to his German counterpart, explaining the health situation in the Grand Duchy and requesting the classification be revoked.

In his statement, Asselborn pointed out that Luxembourg's rate had dropped to 47.44 cases per 100,000 for residents, over the period of 3-9 August.

This figure falls below the bar set by German authorities of 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Asselborn said this meant there was no longer a basis to classify the Grand Duchy as a risk zone. Referring to the significant restrictions on free movement between Luxembourg and Germany resulting from the current measures, Asselborn expressed his hope that the testing and quarantine restrictions on Luxembourgers travelling to Germany would soon be lifted.
Deaths were reported as follows: Portage Township, 18; Center Township, 15; Westchester Township, six; Liberty Township, one; and Union Township, one.

The Westville Correctional Facility on Friday had 202 inmates and 110 staff who had tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 197 inmates and 106 staff had recovered, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.

A total of 886,489 people in Indiana had been tested for COVID-19 as of Thursday, with an 8.9% total positive rate and 7.6% seven-day positivity rate. The seven-day positivity rate reflected Aug. 1 to 7.

The Region's seven-day positive rates included Jasper County, 9.3%; Lake County, 8.2%; Porter County, 6.8%; LaPorte County, 6%; and Newton County, 5.3%.

ISDH reported 68,804 tested in Lake County, 19,235 in Porter County, 14,880 in LaPorte County, 4,013 in Jasper County, and 1,075 in Newton County.

The Gary Health Department continues to offer COVID-19 testing at the health center, 1145 W. Fifth Ave., by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No upfront payment is necessary, but guests are encouraged to bring any proof of insurance to the testing site. Doctors' orders are not required.
Following the recording of another anti-record in Ukraine in terms of the number of new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases over 24 hours, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is necessary to intensify the awareness-raising campaign among the population in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"We must strengthen the awareness-raising campaign as much as possible to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It is necessary to inform the population about the importance of personal protection measures, observation of the quarantine rules: minimization of visiting crowded places and mass events," the president said during a phone conference with the officials and heads of regional state administrations on Friday.

The head of state recalled that Ukraine recorded 1,732 COVID-19 cases on August 13 and said that such a figure and the number of those hospitalized show that the country is on the verge of the second wave. Thus, everyone should pay more attention to safety measures and the quarantine rules, he said.

Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ruslan Khomchak, in turn, informed the head of state that the ceasefire regime in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area is being observed and no enemy attacks were reported.

He also noted that yesterday Russia-occupation forces again did not allow the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to pass the Stanytsia Luhanska checkpoint, explaining this by the quarantine restrictions.
Dr Anthony Fauci explained to Matthew McConaughey on Thursday that the death toll would be 'enormous' had the US attempted to achieve herd immunity.

In a discussion with the actor on Instagram, the nation's top infectious disease expert said: 'If everyone contracted it, even with the relatively high percentage of people who are without symptoms... a lot of people are going to die.'

'If you look at the United States of America with our epidemic of obesity as it were, with the number of people with hypertension, with the number of people with diabetes, if everyone got infected the death toll would be enormous and totally unacceptable,' Fauci said.

'And that's the reason why we are against saying "let if fly, let everybody get infected and we'll be fine" that's a bad idea,' Fauci, who is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, added.

His comments come hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a grim forecast that predicts 189,000 Americans could die from COVID-19 by September 5.

Dr Anthony Fauci explained to Matthew McConaughey on Thursday that the death toll would be 'enormous' had the US attempted to achieve herd immunity

Fauci's remarks came on the same day the CDC updated its ensemble model (pictured) that is now predicting that 189,000 Americans could die by September 5

'This weeks national ensemble forecast predicts that 4,200 to 10,600 new COVID-19 deaths will be reported during the week ending September 5 and that 180,000 to 200,000 total COVID-19 deaths will be reported by that date,' the agency's website reads

'This weeks national ensemble forecast predicts that 4,200 to 10,600 new COVID-19 deaths will be reported during the week ending September 5 and that 180,000 to 200,000 total COVID-19 deaths will be reported by that date,' the agency's website reads.

The CDC also said that 'state- and territory-level ensemble forecasts predict that the number of reported new deaths per week may increase over the next four weeks in Colorado and may decrease in Arizona, the Northern Mariana Islands, Vermont, and Wyoming'.

Previously, the ensemble forecast that was published on August 6 predicted that about 181,000 people in the US could die by August 29.

So far, at least 167,071 Americans have died from COVID-19. The US is also reporting the highest number of cases globally with more than 5.2 million.

Cases have been declining nationally in recent weeks, which has been driven in part by a drop off in cases in the hotspot Sunbelt states where coronavirus surged throughout June and July.

Deaths in these states, however, appear to be increasing slightly despite showing signs of a decline or at least a plateau earlier this month.

Florida reported a record 277 deaths on Tuesday, while Arizona had a near-record spike of 148 deaths on Wednesday.

Deaths across the country currently appear to be plateauing but are still averaging about 1,000 fatalities per day.

While the average daily death toll of 1,000 is still high, it remains below levels seen in April when an average of 2,000 people a day were dying from the virus.

The average daily infection toll remains steady at about 53,000, which is down from the 66,000 daily cases being reported just last month.

More than 167,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Deaths across the country, on average, appear to be plateauing but are still averaging about 1,000 fatalities per day

Currently, the total number of infections in the US has now surpassed 5.2 million. Cases have been declining nationally in recent weeks, which has been driven in part by a drop off in cases in the hotspot Sunbelt states where coronavirus surged throughout June and July

The death toll in California has now reached 10,870, which is only third behind New York's 32,805 and New Jersey's 15,893. California's cases, on average, have been trending upwards in the past week despite national infections being on the downward trajectory. The spike is due, in part, to a backlog of cases from a technical glitch in the state's reporting of data

Arizona had a near-record spike of 148 deaths on Wednesday after starting to decline earlier this month. Cases have been dropping off rapidly after peaking in July

There has been an uptick in deaths in Florida this week after the state reported a record 277 deaths on Tuesday

Deaths have been increasing in Texas this month after an initial steep drop off in early August. The state recorded a spike of 324 deaths on Wednesday

Washington has invested more than $10billion in six vaccine projects and signed contracts guaranteeing the delivery of hundreds of millions of doses should they be approved following clinical trials.

If a COVID-19 vaccine is proven effective, the US will ensure it's distributed for free to all Americans, officials said Thursday.

The vaccine doses themselves will be paid for by the government.

Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), said he was 'cautiously optimistic' that at least one of the six vaccines the US had invested in would come through by the end of the year.

Critics of President Donald Trump have expressed worries that the administration may bypass safety precautions to announce a vaccine is available before the election on November 3 - a charge Paul Mango, a senior health department official, denied.

'We are not at all reducing the regulatory rigor with which we will evaluate and hopefully approve vaccines,' he said, adding that the US 'is on track to deliver hundreds of millions of doses by January 2021'.

Russia this week approved a vaccine even before the start of the last phase of clinical trials, in which the drug is injected into tens of thousands of volunteers to verify its effectiveness and safety.

'I hope that the Russians have actually definitively proven that the vaccine is safe and effective, but I seriously doubt that they've done that,' Fauci said at a virtual panel hosted by National Geographic.

The speed at which Russia is moving to roll out its vaccine highlights its determination to win the global race for an effective product, but has stirred concerns that it may be putting national prestige before sound science and safety.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Police are investigating whether three people caught during a burglary of an Alpine Township smoke shop might also be responsible for several auto dealership break-ins.

Kent County sheriffs deputies arrested the three -- an adult and two juveniles -- at Rise Smoke Shop, 3728 Alpine Avenue NW, after deputies responded to a business intrusion alarm at nearby Boost Mobile at 4:45 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.

When deputies arrived at the smoke shop, one person was in the parking lot and headed toward the store and two others already were inside.

Deputies found the stores front door glass window was smashed.

Soon after, police found a smashed glass door at Boost Mobile and another smashed front door window at Right Way Auto, 4414 Alpine Ave. NW.

Deputies searched a vehicle at the smoke shop and found items from the other two businesses.

Police said they are looking into whether the Alpine Avenue break-ins are related to auto dealership break-ins earlier in the morning at Paris Motors, 4112 S. Division Ave. in Wyoming, as well as at another dealer at 36th Street SW and Byron Center Avenue.

At Paris Motors, someone drove a vehicle through an overhead door about 1:30 a.m. Thursday but did not steal anything. It wasnt clear if anything was taken from the other dealership.

Wyoming police said they believe the Aug. 13 auto dealer break-ins are related to an Aug. 11 break-in at 28th Street SW and Buchanan Avenue where three vehicles were taken.

Anyone with information about the Wyoming crimes can call Wyoming Police 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

More from MLive

Michigan reports 1,121 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, Aug. 13, highest number since May 14

Police seek hit-and-run driver that struck pedestrian in northeast Grand Rapids
The eagle has some amazing characteristics; traits found in top-notch leaders. I would love to share with you some few major characteristics of this terrific bird.

Fearless: The eagle is very brave and never intimidated by the size of its prey. It can prey on goats much larger than itself. When other birds fly away from the storm with fear, an eagle takes advantage of the current to soar to greater heights.

High-flyer: eagles can fly up to an altitude of 10,000 feet, but they are able to swiftly descend at an astonishing speed of over 100 kilometres per hour and land on the ground safely.

Vision: the eagle has a powerful vision and can spot a prey 50 miles away.

Vitality  An eagle is full of life and has the power to endure.

As I was analysing these characteristics of the eagle, I had an interesting revelation about some unique qualities of former President John Dramani Mahama, and my eyes popped out in surprise. The young man from Bole has all the above mentioned qualities of the eagle and more.

He has exhibited a lot of bravery by taking tough decisions when he was president, and among these is his decision to go to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) regarding the maritime border dispute between Ghana and la Cote dIvoire which Ghana won. Dr. Desmond Tweneboah Kodua captures this bold stance beautifully in his article: MAHAMAS DECISION TO GO TO THE ITLOS, 'COURAGEOUS AND BOLD.

Please read on:

One of the key characteristics of great leaders is the ability to make decisive decision at the right time. Careerists are always reluctant to take any risks whatsoever and are only concerned for their own survival. I was one of the persons who vehemently opposed the decision to go to ITLOS and explicitly expressed my position and why I thought was a reckless decision in a document I prepared and forwarded to the Mahama administration and the former UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan.

I was of the opinion that the former President and his legal team had taken a wild uncalculated risk, putting the country and its people at risk and was emphatic that the mission will not only end up unaccomplished but was also going to waste valuable time and resources. We must commend the President and his team of advisors for effectively assessing the situation, understanding the issues and the problem and pursuing their goal and objective throughout the period leading to this sweet victory all Ghanaians are celebrating across the globe. We must also commend the former Attorney General, Mrs Marrietta Brew Appiah-Oppong and her legal team for filing a detailed memorial to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to ward off Cote d'ivoire from the disputed oilfield. The current Attorney General also deserves our commendation for the maturity she displayed by pursuing the matter upon taking over from her predecessor.

Mr Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General must also be commended for the numerous attempts he made to reach a deal on the dispute. Ghanaians across the globe are celebrating this wonderful achievement and the patriotic spirit being displayed by the people of Ghana both home and broad, is a message to our leaders that they understand risk, know how to mitigate risk and be willing at times to make bold decisions to exploit success.

But this is not my main focus for this article; the eagle has another incredible characteristic I want to share. By the time an eagle reaches the age of 30, its strength deteriorates so much that survival becomes difficult: its talons lose their flexibility and cannot properly grip prey, its beak becomes dull and bent, and its wing feathers grow thick and heavy, sticking to its chest and impairing its flight. The bird then retreats to a mountaintop for months, and knocks off its beak by banging it against a rock, plucks out its talons, and then plucks out its feathers, each stage producing a regrowth of the removed body parts that renews the eagle and allows it to live for another 30 to 40 years.

The eagle is not alone in this breath-taking attribute, even though his loss in 2016 is a sour memory, former President Mahama like the eagle has gone through the painful process of rebirth, and judging from the subpar performance of the sleepy, banal, corrupt, hodgepodge and sozzled Elephant, the rebirth of the young man from Bole is going to be extremely beneficial to the people of Ghana.

He is coming back with more vim, vigour and learned lessons. And I can't wait to see his job creation agenda for the youth, remuneration for Assembly Members across the country, his free healthcare for all Ghanaians, his Big Push agenda, a 10-billion dollar infrastructure programme to build more schools, more hospitals more roads, among many other critical infrastructure needs. Abracadabra! The eagle is back! And ready to soar!
Bloc takes first step towards new sanctions over post-election crackdown as opposition leader calls for more protests.

The European Union is preparing sanctions against officials in Belarus who are responsible for a deadly post-election crackdown on protesters, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has said.

The green light was given by the 27 EU foreign ministers during a video conference in Brussels on Friday, while protests across Belarus over the controversial August 9 election continued for a sixth day.

EU will now initiate a process of sanctions against those responsible for the violence, arrests and fraud in connection with the election, Swedens Foreign Minister Ann Linde said after the emergency talks.

The individuals to be sanctioned include those responsible for police violence and election fraud.

President Alexander Lukashenko, 65, claimed a landslide victory for a sixth term but now faces the biggest challenge to his 26-year rule.

His 37-year-old rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, currently in exile in neighbouring Lithuania, has called for intensified protests over the weekend and a recount of the votes.

At least two protesters died and about 6,700 were arrested this week. Angry protesters, some of whom accused the police of torture while in custody, have claimed the ballot had been rigged.





Ahead of the EU meeting, there were calls for action from several bloc members, especially Belaruss neighbours, Poland and Lithuania.

Poland, Latvia and Lithuania say they are ready to act as mediators to try to resolve the post-election crisis, after the poll that Brussels has already said was neither free nor fair.

The EU first imposed sanctions on Belarus in 2004. It tightened them in 2011 over abuses of human rights and democratic standards, including vote-rigging.

Many were lifted after Lukashenko released political prisoners in 2016. But an arms embargo remains, as do sanctions on four people over the unresolved disappearances of two opposition activists, a journalist and a businessman, years ago.

Huge protests continue

Lukashenko denies electoral fraud. His government freed many jailed demonstrators on Friday after issuing a rare public apology.

However, citizens took to the streets again in the capital, Minsk, and other cities on Friday, with Tikhanovskaya calling for mass weekend rallies to denounce the long-standing leaders disputed claim of re-election.

We have to stop the violence on the streets of Belarusian cities. I call on the authorities to put a stop to this and come to the negotiating table, Tikhanovskaya said in a video address.

I ask the mayors of all cities to organise peaceful mass assemblies in every city on August 15 and 16.

Workers from several factories went on strike on Friday, prompting Lukashenko to denounce the participants, and said only saving the factories will feed their families.

The crowds are swelling here by the minute at the Independence Square in Minsk, Al Jazeeras Step Vaessen said, reporting from the capital.

She said workers from a tractor factory in the citys outskirts left work and marched towards the city centre, leading to tensions as the military police arrived.

People were really scared, she said. But then, surprisingly, these soldiers put down their shields which led to very emotional scenes with women hugging them and people really crying.
American officials, including Pompeo, have said failure to extend the embargo will likely be met by the U.S. invoking the so-called snapback procedure that would reimpose all U.N. sanctions lifted by the nuclear deal. The other participants maintain the U.S. no longer has standing to invoke the snapback since it withdrew from the deal, but Washington argues that it retains that right as an original participant and permanent member of the Security Council, which endorsed the deal.
Local and county authorities simultaneously raided multiple maquinitas on Thursday as part of an investigation into illegal payouts.

Laredo Police Department narcotics and vice unit in conjunction with the Webb County District Attorneys Office, LPD criminal investigations division and the patrol division executed five search warrants at five pay-to-play amusement centers.
(Newser)  A former FBI lawyer will plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from US Attorney John Durham's investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign. Kevin Clinesmith will plead guilty to one count of making a false statement related to the altering of a government email about a former Trump campaign adviser who was a target of FBI surveillance, attorney Justin Shur said, per the AP. Clinesmith was referred for potential prosecution by the department's inspector general's office, which conducted its own review of the Russia investigation. That review found that the Russia probe was opened for a legitimate reason and did not find proof of political bias, but it also concluded that the FBI made errors and omissions as it applied for warrants to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

story continues below

Specifically, the inspector general accused Clinesmith, who resigned from the FBI last year, of altering an email about Page to say that he was not a source for another government agency and forwarding it along. Page has said he was a source for the CIA. Clinesmith told the inspector general that from his conversations he did not understand Page to be a source, or a recruited asset, or to have a direct relationship with another government agency. But that relationship was seen as something important to disclose to the FISA court, especially if Page was being tasked by the government to have interactions with Russians. Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email," Shur said. It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues, as he believed the information he relayed was accurate, but Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility. (Barr had promised to "investigate the investigators.")
Three women are accused of assaulting a 17-year-old restaurant hostess in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because they were upset they could not all be seated together due to coronavirus social-distancing rules, police said.

The incident occurred Sunday after a large group of women entered a Chili's restaurant and asked to be seated at the same table, Baton Rouge police said in a news release.

"The employee advised the group that due to social distancing requirements, the business only allowed six at a table," the release said.

The employee was then physically assaulted by multiple people in the group, police said. She was treated at a local hospital for her injuries.

Kelsy Wallace says she also had a chunk of her hair ripped out. (Courtesy Lorraine Williams)

Three of the women, Tammy Dabney, 48, Rodneka Dabney, 27, and Erica Dabney, 46, all of Baton Rouge, were arrested Thursday in connection with the incident, police Sgt. Don Coppola Jr. said Friday.

Tammy Dabney faces charges of aggravated second-degree battery. Erica Dabney and Rodneka Dabney face charges of disturbing the peace and simple battery.

It was not clear if any of the three have lawyers. Attempts to reach the three suspects Friday were not immediately successful.

Coppola said anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers helped lead to the arrests and that the investigation is ongoing.

A request for comment to the Chili's media relations office did not receive an immediate response.

Police did not identify the Chili's worker, but she has been identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Kelsy Wallace.

Related: Woman says face-mask dispute led to on-camera assault

Related: The teen employee will recover after surgery to his jaw following the couple's assault on him.

Wallace was not available for an interview Friday, but her aunt, Lorraine Williams, who started the GoFundMe, said her niece is haunted by the assault.

"Emotionally she is a wreck," Williams said in a telephone interview Friday. "She has a lot of nightmares and fears."

Wallace has begun seeing a behavioral therapist because she is showing signs of anxiety, Williams said.

Story continues

"She doesn't like to be alone," Williams said, adding that Wallace has been having trouble sleeping at night. "She just went to bed this morning."

The aunt said the assault occurred after Wallace refused to seat a party of 13 at the same table because the restaurant's per-table limit is six due to the coronavirus.

Related: Experts including a former FBI hostage negotiator share tips on how to talk to anti-maskers.

Wallace, a high school senior, had to have stitches above her eye after the incident and had a chunk of her hair pulled out, her aunt said.

Wallace told People that one woman in the group of customers pushed her, and she pushed her back.

"I was kind of fighting for my life," Wallace told the magazine. "I was really scared, calling out for my mama."

She said she does not plan to return to her job, saying the incident "really has taken an emotional toll on me; not just physically, but emotionally as well."

This story originally appeared on NBC News.
The Founder and Leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev Dr Isaac Owusu Bempah prophesied that the sitting President of the United States of America, Donald Trump will win the 2020 election irrespective of Joe Biden choosing a woman as his Running Mate; but there is a caveat.



According to him, even though Donald in the spiritual realm is still sitting on the throne as President, his heart and evil counsel could cause him to lose the 2020 general election.



Speaking on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Rev Owusu Bempah maintained that the US elections as it stands now favours the incumbent President Donald Trump on the condition that he will not divert from the purpose of God for which he was appointed to lead the country.



He added that God looked at the heart of Donald Trump which is against the doctrine of gay and lesbian in the country before he was chosen as President for the United States of America in 2016.



To him, the only the impediment to Donald Trumps victory in the upcoming US election is when he allows gays to convince him to turn his heart against God.



The outcome in the American election is dependent on the heart of Donald Trump. If the heart of Trump that God saw and gave him the mantle of leadership over America is still the same, then he will retain power in the 2020 general election but if he turns away from God as Saul turned away from then the 2020 election will be difficult for him, he prophesied.



He however pointed out that such a prophecy should be considered as a clause to run away from the prophecy should it not come to pass; stressing that some prophecies come with conditions which must be adhere to.



Using King Saul in the Bible as an example, Rev Owusu Bempah said God himself appointed Saul as a King but God rejected him and made David the next King of Israel when his heart turned away from Gods purpose for enthroning him as King.



If Trump accepts the proposal of those because of vote, he will find the 2020 general election very difficult to win. If he continues to walk in the direction of God and hold on to God, Trump will win the 2020 election. This is where someone might say that, I am indecisive with my prophecy and that I have provided a window for the prophecy without being specific. If you dont care with such things, people might say that you have given false prophecy.



God saw the heart of Saul and that is why He gave Israel to him and when he turned his heart against God, he lost the throne for David and this is where some people dont understand prophecy and they think that we add window to our prophesies but it is not true because in the spiritual realm, things change. Elisha saw the victory of the Israelites in a battle against the Moabites but it changed as the Moabites King sacrificed his first son to his gods and the sky changed the Israelites begun to lose the battle and the victory was not fulfilled as prophesied by Elisha, he explained.



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Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Russian Gam-COVID-Vac seems to have got global attention.

However, senior doctors and research experts here are raising concern over the announcement without details of Stage 3 clinical trials.

Experts claim that the problem is that Russia, in its eagerness to capture the world with a project dubbed Sputnik V, has bypassed key parts of the standard drug and vaccine-development protocol.

On Thursday, Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw questioned Russian claims citing absence of data on clinical trials and more advanced programmes elsewhere.

She said the world has not seen any data on Phase 1 or 2 clinical trials conducted by Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute.

Dr Vishal Rao, head and neck oncologist and who has also been extensively researching on the vaccine front, expressed concern that the Russian Gam-COVID-Vac.

It has only completed Phase 1/2 trials (76 patients) while a successful clinical trial should complete four phases and be tested in tens of thousands of patients, he told TNIE.

He said the study population that is tested needed to be compared by a non-test arm to prove efficacy. The only way this happens is when patients are exposed to the virus.

A senior doctor said, Vulnerable groups need to be specifically looked into  the elderly, co-morbid and healthcare workers. This is very important.

The experts explained it is an adenoviral-based vaccine that displays the SARS-CoV 2 glycoprotein S molecule on its surface.

Upon vaccination, the individual will generate an immune response against the glycoprotein S molecule and thus will have endogenous antibodies that will protect the person from infection with SARS-CoV 2.

The antibodies produced after the vaccine need to last for sometime at least -- preferably a year. Considering all this, we need to caution citizens that it is far too early to conclude on the efficacy of this vaccine. The efforts must be a product of science of pandemics and not politics of pandemics, Dr Rao said.

Dr Jitendra Kumar, MD, Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, said, Considering such discoveries as a ray of hope, we could wait for valid data to be published.
One of New Jerseys best bagel shops is getting in on one of the hottest food trends of the year: cacio e pepe.

While the classic Roman pasta dish, which famously marries Pecorino Romano and black pepper, is nothing new, it has recently entered the American culinary consciousness in a major way. Its all over menus, its all over social media and now its all over a bagel at OBagel, the popular store with locations in Hoboken, Stirling, and two in Basking Ridge.
A woman has died after being struck by a car in Concord on Thursday morning, officials said.

The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. in the area of Main Street and Thoreau Street, according to the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead, Ryans office said in a statement.

The driver of the car involved remained at the scene, the statement said. Further information about the crash was not immediately released by the district attorneys office.

Police told NBC Boston that the woman was trapped underneath the car.

An investigation is ongoing.
Nicola Sturgeon's interference in UK-wide quarantine measures, meaning tens of thousands more Britons face a fortnight self-isolating, is the latest example of the Scottish First Minister elbowing in at the top table.

As many as half a million face a rush back across the Channel tonight or resigning themselves to being holed up for two weeks, after she demanded that France be added to the UK's quarantine list tomorrow at 4am instead of Sunday.

Because of the Scot's insistence travellers have 24 fewer hours to get home and could find themselves unable to work when they get back.

The SNP leader has consistently out-maneuvered Boris Johnson's Government during the coronavirus pandemic.

She is currently riding high in the opinion polls off the back of daily publicity during the crisis - and a healthy dose of Westminster cash.

She had a net rating of plus 50 in the latest YouGov study, up from plus 5 a year ago. By contrast Boris Johnsons rating is minus 50, having slumped by 16 points over the past 12 months.

The polls also show majority support for independence six years after the referendum which was won by No by 55-45.

Weeks after the UK Government dropped its daily news briefings on coronavirus, Ms Sturgeon is still benefiting from daily exposure on television.

The SNP leader has consistently out-maneuvered Boris Johnson's Government during the coronavirus pandemic but finds herself in hot water. The two leaders are pictured meeting in Edinburgh in July 2019

Weeks after the UK Government dropped its daily news briefings on coronavirus, Ms Sturgeon is still benefiting from daily exposure on television

She previously used the lunchtime appearance to regularly gazump Mr Johnson and his ministers when they lined up announcements on UK-wide decisions in the evening.

Among them have been announcements on extending lockdown, and later on measures to allow several members of households to meet indoors as lockdown was eased.

As far back as April she used an appearance to declare that the lockdown would stay in place for 'at least' another three weeks - hours before a crunch meeting of Cobra, where the official decision was to be taken.

Scotland - along with Wales - have also in recent weeks announced quarantine implementations against other nations before they can be announced by Westminster - despite all four nations' chief medical officers meeting together to decide plans of action.

Polls suggest she is credited with many positive actions that were actually planned and funded in Westminster.

YouGov research this week found the SNP leader and her ministers are widely praised for support packages for jobs and businesses - even though they have largely been provided by the Treasury.

In the poll for The Times, 49 per cent of Scots said the government north of the border had performed well in protecting jobs, with 29 per cent saying it had done badly.

Half were positive about work done by the executive to protect the economy compared with 31 per cent who had a negative view.

However, while Ms Sturgeon's administration does have powers to vary business rates and income tax, key decisions on VAT, National Insurance and tax allowances are still reserved for Westminster.

The massive furlough scheme - which has subsidised the wages of 155,000 Scots - was designed and implemented by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Treasury.

Her administration has been accused of hypocrisy after refusing to sack education minister John Swinney (foreground) while calling for the head of Gavin Williamson.

Dr Catherine Calderwood twice drove to a second home in defiance of the crucial guidelines. Ms Sturgeon said she was 'trying to make the best judgements' after initially trying to keep Dr Calderwood in post, before finally conceding she had to go.

The findings emerged after YouGov found this week that backing for independence is growing in Scotland.

Excluding 'don't knows', 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union.

That was a two point rise from January, and the highest level the firm has ever recorded.

But her SNP administration has come in for some serious criticism.

This week she faced widespread fury over the nation's exam fiasco - although it was later overshadowed by a similar meltdown in England.

Her administration has been accused of hypocrisy after refusing to sack education minister John Swinney while calling for the head of Gavin Williamson.

In April she was embarrassed when Scotland's chief medical officer quit after flouting her own lockdown rules.

Dr Catherine Calderwood twice drove to a second home in defiance of the crucial guidelines. Ms Sturgeon said she was 'trying to make the best judgements' after initially trying to keep Dr Calderwood in post, before finally conceding she had to go.

In May Ms Sturgeon furiously denied claims of a cover-up after an investigation linked a cluster of coronavirus cases to a Nike conference in February.

A BBC Scotland Disclosure investigation revealed more than 70 Nike employees from around the world attended a conference at the Hilton Carlton Hotel in Edinburgh on February 26 and 27.

It is understood one visiting attendee passed on the virus, with investigations finding at least 25 people linked to the event contracted Covid-19, including eight in Scotland.

But the case was not revealed and Scotland's first official case was announced on March 1, unrelated to the conference.

The First Minister blamed concerns over patient confidentiality for preventing details of the event being made public earlier.

And in June she was savaged over a crisis in care homes after official figures showed more people had died in the facilities than in hospital.

Nearly 1,000 elderly patients were discharged from hospital to care homes early in the outbreak without being tested.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) statistics revealed Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificates of 1,818 care home victim, higher than the 1,815 in hospitals.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 17:19:58|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and three others critically injured due to landslides on Friday in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said.

The landslides were triggered by heavy rains in Mandi district, north of Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

"Two people were killed, while three others were seriously injured after landslides bringing with it the big boulders hit two vehicles at Hanogi temple on the Chandigarh-Manali highway this morning," a police official said.

"One landslide hit a vehicle that was parked along the road with its driver sitting inside. The driver was killed on the spot and efforts were underway to retrieve his body from underneath the debris."

According to the police, another vehicle moving towards Kullu from the Mandi side was hit by boulders, which killed the driver and critically injured three people inside.

"The injured have been rushed to the nearby health center at Nagvain," the police official said.

Police said men and machinery were pressed into service in the area to restore the movement of traffic on road.

Heavy rains lashed several parts of India since Thursday evening, triggering landslides and waterlogging. Enditem
No arguing with fools: To columnist David McGrath, I always read your columns with interest and almost always agree entirely with what you have written. I myself grew up in Roseland around the same kind of people youre describing as your current friends who dont understand what is happening in this country now. Frankly, I have no idea how you can still call these people your friends if they send you cartoons regarding the George Floyd killing. This is beyond the pale. I have stopped trying to argue with people about matters like this because I realize they are no longer smart or kind.
The Consumer Advocate of the state Attorney General's Office has filed a complaint against the Jasper Highlands development on Jasper Mountain, saying the group is operating a water system without obtaining a state certificate.

It says Jasper Highlands (Thunder Air) is refusing to pay an annual inspection fee or tariff in relation to the water system.

The complaint asks the Tennessee Public Utility Commission to convene a show cause session in regard to the charges.

The complaint says the development, which is owned by John "Thunder" Thornton of Chattanooga, is charging water rates not approved by the commission.

It says the company is withholding service from some residents in violation of state law.

The firm owns some 9,000 acres atop the mountain and a number of homes have been built at the site. The development is ongoing.

The complaint says all owners are required to connect to the Jasper Highlands water system even if there is a well available.

Jasper Highlands maintains that it is exempt from regulation due to involvement of a homeowner's association. The complaint says Jasper Highlands has full control of appointments to the homeowner's association, and Dane Bradshaw, president of Jasper Highlands, is also president of the homeowner's association.

It says Thunder Air gets its water from South Pittsburg, but it receives 100 percent of the meter fees and 15 percent of the total billing to owners.

The complaint says Robert Schlenkert, who is building a house at Jasper Highlands, paid a hook-up fee of $2,150, but has been denied water and is having to cart in his own supply.

Mr. Schlenkert said he believes the developer is "price gouging" for water. He said the out-of-town cost for South Pittsburg water is $25.77, but Jasper Highlands is charging $105.41 - "over four times the price."

Lawyers for Jasper Highlands said actions by the Schlenkerts cost residents legal fees and their water will be turned on as soon as they make certain reimbursements to Jasper Highlands.
FLINT, MI  Dr. Julie Thai of McLaren Flint said she went into medicine to help her patients not just medically, but in a social context as well.

When I hear my patients stories about how theyre struggling to pay for rent or theyre struggling to find childcare so they can even go to work or come to their medical appointment, I feel compelled to help them, Thai said. When things are unfair in the healthcare system and my patients cant get access to the medications they need or diagnostic workup, I feel that I have this platform I can use to advocate for them.

Advocacy has been the central theme of her training in Flint, Thai said. She is in her final year of residency at McLaren Flint Family Medicine Residency and was recently recognized with a 2020 Michigan Family Medicine Resident of the Year Award by the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians. Not long before, she received the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors Family Medicine Resident Award for Advocacy.

I try to do everything I can for my patients not only as their physician, but as their advocate. So as part of that, I was recognized for my work and that means a lot, Thai said. I am so fortunate to get to do what I love to do, and to be recognized for what I love to do is a huge honor.

Thais program director, Dr. Prabhat Pokhrel, nominated her for the award and said she has made a tremendous contribution to the Flint community. He said the advocacy and health policy curriculum she co-authored after completing a workshop with the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians has been built into the McLaren Flint Family Medicine Residency program and taken to the next level. The curriculum is getting state and national attention, and a toolkit has been made available for other residency programs looking to replicate it.

Before she came, we didnt have any advocacy curriculums, Pokhrel said. She came up with this idea.

Thai holds a masters degree in public health from Columbia University and went into research before deciding to become a physician. She said she felt an urge to do more public health and public service work, and came across the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians workshop by chance.

That was a life-changing moment for me because I got to hear from a lot of the people who work at the Capitol about physicians getting involved in advocacy work. And it made me feel empowered, because I realized that we are put in a position where we do have a voice where people do listen to us, Thai said. I felt that I had to speak up, I had to be a part of the group that fights for change. And I just never stopped doing it.

Thai attended Senate committee hearings on prior authorizations and said allowing insurance companies to dictate how physicians practice medicine is something she wants to fight against on a policy level, since she said a lot of their patients cant get the medication they need. In addition to pushing for change, Thai is conducting a study on the barriers to breastfeeding in the community after noticing a lot of new mothers at McLaren werent breastfeeding despite national recommendations.

I read some research that in a lot of urban underserved communities, moms dont tend to breastfeed because there isnt a lot of education around it, Thai said. That got me thinking about trying to identify barriers to breastfeeding in our community in Flint.

The survey study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at McLaren and is being conducted by Thai and two other faculty members.

Ive collected close to 100 questionnaires already from moms, and most of them want to participate, most of them want to share their experience, Thai said. It helps us figure out what is stopping them from breastfeeding and how we as healthcare providers can help increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in this community.

Thai is originally from California and came to Michigan by way of medical school, earning her degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 2018.

I really feel like Michigan has become a second home to me, she said. When I matched here in Flint, I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to learn how to provide care in an urban underserved community, similar to one that I grew up in.

Thai was elected by her peers and faculty at McLaren Flint Family Medicine Residency to serve as academic chief resident for the 2020-21 program year. She previously served as the programs assistant chief resident. Thai said shes thankful for Pokhrels support and the support shes received from hospital leadership as well as from her patients. After completing her residency training next year, she plans to pursue a fellowship in geriatrics.

The impact has been immense. The things Ive gotten to do here have shaped me as a person and as a professional, Thai said. A lot of my patients, when they tell me that they view me as not just their physician but as their friend, I feel very moved by that. I feel as though thats all Ive ever wanted, to have that meaningful patient-doctor relationship and be able to help individuals through a tough time in their life.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on August 13

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Yonhap News: Reports say that Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi is going to visit South Korea next week. Can you confirm that?

Zhao Lijian: China and the ROK are important close neighbors and cooperation partners, and the two sides maintain close communication on exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including at higher levels. We will release information in a timely manner once we have it.

China Review News: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has announced on August 12 that it issued notices to the German Consulate General Hong Kong and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau respectively to suspend the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders (SFO) and to shelve the Agreement between the Government of the HKSAR of the PRC and the Government of the French Republic Concerning Surrender of Accused or Convicted Persons which is pending entry into force. Is this a countermeasure to the suspension of extradition treaties with Hong Kong by Germany and France?

Zhao Lijian: Germany unilaterally announced suspension of the agreement on surrender of fugitive offenders with Hong Kong and France halted the ratification of the relevant agreement with Hong Kong. Germany and France have politicized juridical cooperation, interfered in China's internal affairs, and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese side firmly opposes such moves.

Under the framework of the agreement on surrender of fugitive offenders, the HKSAR, with the Central Government's assistance and mandate and in accordance with the Basic Law, has offered assistance to the Germany side in the relevant field, and it has ratified the agreement on surrender of fugitive offenders with France. Germany and France, by wrongfully politicizing judicial cooperation with Hong Kong, have damaged the foundation for such cooperation and deviated from its purpose of upholding justice and rule of law. Therefore, China has decided that the HKSAR will suspend the implementation of the SFO agreement between the HKSAR and Germany and shelve the SFO agreement between the HKSAR and France.

CRI: According to USCBC 2020 Member Survey released on August 11, nearly 70 percent of the American companies surveyed are optimistic about the five-year commercial prospects of the Chinese market. As a result of their long-term confidence in the China market, 87 percent of the respondents reported no plans to shift production out of China. Do you have a comment?

Zhao Lijian: We noted the USCBC 2020 Member Survey. The results attest to the appeal of the Chinese market, business environment and economic development prospects for foreign businesses.

Amid the huge economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, China's economy withstood the test and demonstrated strong resilience and growth potential. We brought the epidemic under control with timely and effective measures and then went all out with resumption of economic activities to restore life and work back to normalcy. As a result, economic growth turned positive in the second quarter and major indicators resumed growth, bringing the economy steadily onto the path of recovery. China became the first major economy to resume positive growth.

Meanwhile we pressed ahead with opening-up and international trade cooperation, boosting global demand and promoting international trade. During the first half of the year, many foreign companies further expanded their investment in China, with 320 major projects drawing more than $100 million input each. Leading international institutions are optimistic about China's economic prospects, seeing China as a source of confidence and positive energy for world economic recovery.

China boasts a huge market with its 1.4 billion population and full-fledged industrial supporting systems. We will remain committed to opening-up and build an open platform with a better business environment. Foreign companies with business acumen will surely not give up the Chinese market as win-win cooperation with China is bound to deliver greater benefits.

Xinhua News Agency: China and Nepal held the 13th round of China-Nepal diplomatic consultation yesterday. Do you have more details on that? What expectations does China have for China-Nepal relations ahead?

Zhao Lijian: Yesterday the foreign ministries of China and Nepal held the 13th round of China-Nepal diplomatic consultation via video to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest. A press release has been issued and you may refer to that.

China and Nepal are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. The heads of state of our two countries exchanged successful visits last year and elevated bilateral relations to new heights. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two sides, and the leaders of China and Nepal sent congratulatory messages to each other on this occasion. The two countries have also stood together and lent mutual assistance to each other during the fight against COVID-19, which further enhanced our mutual trust and friendship.

China stands ready to work with Nepal to implement the consensus of the two leaders, continue to strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation, pursue quality BRI cooperation, deepen cooperation on economy, trade and investment, inter-connectivity, development assistance, defense and law enforcement security and people-to-people exchanges and work for greater progress in bilateral relations.

Shenzhen TV: US Secretary of State Pompeo said in a speech during his visit to the Czech Republic that compared with Russia, "an even greater threat is the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and its campaigns of coercion and control", and that "Americans now recognize that the CCP...threatens their values and their way of life". He also criticized China's COVID-19 response and its domestic and foreign policy including on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea. Does China have any comment on this?

Zhao Lijian: Driven by Cold War mentality and selfish gains, Pompeo has been wantonly criticizing the CPC and China's domestic and foreign policy. China has stated its solemn position on this repeatedly. Wherever Pompeo goes, he brings political viruses and disinformation with him. The Chinese embassy in Czech Republic has just published a press release for "disinfection". It is a waste of our time refuting Pompeo's lies. Perhaps some of you can do me a favor and ask if he can sleep soundly at night after repeating shameless lies against China like a feverish man day after day?

Pompeo and his like attempt to hijack the international community onto their anti-communism and anti-China chariot and use other countries as a cat's paw. However, the world can see through this and won't fall for it. Peace-loving people will not allow it. And China will not let it disrupt its pace. The futile attempt of Pompeo and his like is doomed to fail.

I'll end on a Czech saying to the effect that "He who digs a pit for others will fall into it himself".

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Brown Thomas and Arnotts plan to lay off 150 workers - more than one in eight staff members - citing unsustainable losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement came just two months after the Weston family-controlled Selfridges Group, owner of both brands, reopened stores here following weeks of lockdown.

Managing Director Donald McDonald, who delivered the news yesterday to staff, called it "the toughest decision I have had to take". He said talks would begin immediately to seek voluntary redundancies following a review of "every function in the business".

Brown Thomas Arnotts said it would consider applications from employees "for career breaks, shorter working hours and early retirement" in a process expected to close by mid-October.

"The retail industry is being severely impacted by unprecedented circumstances related to Covid-19. Brown Thomas Arnotts is no exception. Like many others, we are feeling the effects with sales expected to be significantly down, making 2020 the toughest year we have experienced in recent times," Mr McDonald said.

"And as we face continued uncertainty, with retail unlikely to return to normal for the foreseeable future we need to ensure our cost base is in line with the level of business we realistically can expect," he said.

Last month, Selfridges in London cut 450 jobs across its four UK stores citing Covid-19 disruption to trade.

Ibec body Retail Ireland said the tough trading conditions at Brown Thomas Arnotts reflected a wider lack of customers in urban centres deprived of tourists, business travellers and office workers.

"While some parts of the sector have bounced back, many retailers remain under enormous stress. City and town-centre businesses are struggling because so many office workers are working from home," said Retail Ireland director Arnold Dillon.

"The trade from foreign tourists has evaporated. Footfall has dropped by as much as 50pc in some areas and the cost base of many businesses is now way out of line with trading reality," Mr Dillon said.

"The focus must remain on protecting viable but vulnerable retailers. This will demand significant additional Government supports," he said.

"The planned VAT reduction is very welcome," he said, referring to the reduced 21pc rate coming into effect on September 1. "Many businesses under pressure will need to use this revenue to protect jobs. The crisis for many retailers is far from over."
BOZEMAN -- A Montana State University researcher contributed to a novel project with scientists from around the country and world that sheds light on one of Earth's most important reptile species.

Chris Organ, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Earth Sciences in MSU's College of Letters and Science, worked with a team from 10 countries and six U.S. states along with Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian Institution to sequence the genome of the tuatara, a reptile Organ refers to as a "living fossil."

"The tuatara isn't a lizard, even though it looks like one. They evolved early among their group of amniotes, animals like lizards, birds and mammals," said Organ. "The group never really diversified much, so the tuatara is very similar anatomically to fossils that we see that go back 200 million years. The question that remains is, if the anatomy of the animal hasn't evolved very much, what about the genome?"

The project marks the first time the tuatara genome, which is roughly twice the size of a human genome, has ever been sequenced, which illuminates not only how the unique species evolved, but also offers some insights into human genetic lineage as well. Organ brought a paleontological perspective to the international team, helping to compare the genome of the animals living today to their prehistoric ancestors. The paper, "The tuatara genome reveals ancient features of amniote evolution," appeared in the scientific journal Nature on Aug. 5.

Lead author Neil Gemmell from the University of Otago in New Zealand said sequencing the genome allows scientists to learn just where the tuatara fits in the tree of life.

"If we consider a tree, with species diverging over time and splitting off into groups such as reptiles, birds and mammals, we can finally see with some certainty where the tuatara sits," Gemmell said. The sequencing of the tuatara genome places it on the same branch of the tree of life as snakes and lizards up until about 250 million years ago, when the tuatara's branch, the genus Sphenodon, split from the class branch squamata, the branch that includes snakes and lizards. The tuatara has been genetically unique ever since.

Tuatara are native only to the islands of New Zealand, and because of that they have experienced very little habitat change during their long evolutionary existence, said Organ. Rodents, as a counterexample, exist all over the world. They have adapted over time to survive in a multitude of habitats with varying weather, predators, threats and food sources. Tuatara have been exposed to very few such speciation events, meaning they have seen a remarkably slow pace of evolutionary change.

Coupled with a long lifespan -- a tuatara can live for more than 100 years -- this consistent habitat means tuatara have seen very slow evolutionary rates.

Tuatara predate modern snakes and lizards by around 100 million years, said Organ. They also do not use genetic sex chromosomes to determine the sex of offspring, instead determining sex based on the temperature of their surroundings. This makes them particularly sensitive to changing habitats or a warming climate, which could unbalance the male-to-female ratio and lead to significant declines in population.

The tuatara is also a culturally significant animal to the Maori native people of New Zealand, said Gemmell. The research team worked closely with indigenous communities in New Zealand as well as the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, the Ngatiwai Trust Board and the New Zealand Department of Conservation to explore how these novel insights into the tuatara could aid in its preservation in New Zealand.

In addition to having an unusually large genome for an amniote, the tuatara also bears unique, never-before-identified genetic elements discovered through this research. Through narrowing down what makes the tuatara unique, the team hopes to discover the root of the species' longevity and to identify the best way to preserve this unique reptile.

"Sequencing a genome is like piecing together a page of text using only sentence fragments," said Organ. "But because the tuatara genome is so large and has changed over time, it's like trying to piece together 'War and Peace,' and in a different dialect. Since the tuatara is so distantly related to anything that's alive today, we have genomic 'sentences' that don't overlap clearly, and that makes compiling this genome something new and exciting."

###
CTV News did not identify the mother, but it said that it reached out to get Biggars side. The brokers lawyers refused to comment, however.

MBNs attempts to access the website of Biggars brokerage (www.thebiggarteam.ca) were redirected to an Account Suspended landing page.

As shocked and saddened as we were that this happened to our girls, we knew we needed to protect them right away, and by doing so, showing them how their strength in coming forward could help prevent this from happening to other children as well, said the mother.

She also called on any other families who may have had encounters with Biggar to talk to their children about their interactions with the disgraced broker.

Parkland RCMP said that as of press time, there are no reports of any other victims.
At least 17 people have been killed in southern Ethiopia during protests that followed the weekend arrests of local officials, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirmed Thursday. The dead include children.

Security forces met the protests with force after the arrests of Wolaita zone officials, the rights commission said. It expressed deep concern over persistent violence and use of excessive force against protesters.

Local activists told The Associated Press they believed the death toll was even higher, with at least 34 people killed and more than 100 injured, almost all with gunshot wounds.

This is the latest unrest to challenge the political reforms of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as various communities seek greater autonomy in a country with more than 80 ethnic groups.

There were also mass arrests of youths who tried to protest following the arrests of local officials and the killing of civilians. Sodo and Boditi towns have witnessed some of the worst violence in years, said one activist who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety.

Wolaita zone officials have long sought regional statehood, a proposal which they say has not been entertained properly by regional officials. They have said they would unilaterally declare the formation of a new regional state if their request was not addressed.

Officials have accused them of attempting to destabilise the region by chaotic and unlawful means.

The officials are now suspected of attempting to derail the constitutional order of the country." On Thursday afternoon, a court granted bail for the arrested officials, and several thousand jubilant people went into the streets to express their joy.
14.08.2020 LISTEN

Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Hon. Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa has offered Ghc10,000 to reward anyone who will volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of killers of a businessman in Juapong.

On Tuesday, August 11, a businessman was shot and killed in what is believed to be a contract killing while he was returning from his provision shop together with his wife and children.

As a result, the youths of Juapong took to the street to protest over the killing of the businessman who was known in the area as Samuel Nyamado.

However, the MP for the area, Hon. Okudzeto visited the bereaved family yesterday, August 13 to commiserate with them.

Hon. Ablakwa today indicated in a social media post that he spoke to the Police Command in the Volta Region as well as the Juapong division to inform them of his decision to donate the earlier mentioned amount to be used as a reward for anyone who volunteers information to aid them arrest the killers.

[FACEBOOK]https://www.facebook.com/232652690149989/posts/3174614895953739/?app=fbl[/FACEBOOK]

---Ghana Vanguard

Contributor
The recent tragic death of a young Detroit-area Ford contract worker from COVID-19 illustrates how Ford management and the United Auto Workers are withholding information vital for health and safety.

Alberto Arturo Alvarado, age 33, died July 22 from complications related to COVID-19, his family reported. The young worker, employed by contracting firm DFM Solutions, had recently gone to work at the Ford Van Dyke transmission plant in the north Detroit suburb of Sterling Heights. The plant supplies the Ford Explorer, Escape and other models. The plant currently employs about 1,000 hourly workers, down from nearly 2,000 several years ago.

A portion of the Van Dyke transmission plant has been converted to the production of face masks for Ford employees. The line produces millions of face masks with equipment and material brought from Ford facilities in China.

Alberto Arturo Alvarado (credit Facebook)

A source told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter that Alberto had been involved in temperature checks of plant employees. It is not known what was the extent of his contact with other workers. The death was never reported to plant employees, who only learned of the death via Facebook posts from family members, who have set up a Go-Fund-Me page to cover funeral costs.

In a July 9 Facebook post, Alberto expressed excitement at being hired by DFM. Tomorrow I start my new venture with DFM. Maybe I'll like it. Maybe its something I'll stick with. But this will forever be my dream. I dont care if it takes me 40 years to get one. I'm gonna get it.

The death of this young worker in the prime of life is the brutal and inevitable product of the back to work drive by the auto companies supported by both political parties and the UAW. Since the start of the pandemic the central focus of the corporate establishment has been to defend profits and prop up Wall Street whatever the cost in human lives. The cover-up of this death reflects the fear of the growing resistance in the auto plants to the unsafe conditions that workers are being subjected.

Since the reopening of auto plants in May, corporate management at all the major carmakers have tried to limit information about COVID-19 infections, refusing to disclose the numbers and locations of new cases. During this period Ford and other automakers have not acknowledged any deaths from COVID-19 at their North American factories. Through May 8 Ford had acknowledged 11 COVID-19 related deaths. That there have been no further fatalities defies credibility given the rapid spread of the virus in many states. The death of Alberto Arturo Alvarado is the first recent death that the Autoworker Newsletter has been able to confirm, but there are likely many others.

This criminal policy of cover-up underscores the urgency of the call by the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter and the Socialist Equality Party for the formation of rank-and-file-safety committees to break through the cover-up being carried out by auto company management and their UAW stooges.

Alberto Arturo Alvarado and wife Heather (credit Facebook)

Meanwhile, Ford CEO Jim Hackett has announced that the company will extend its work-from-home policy for select white-collar employees until the end of 2020. It's my bet it will be extended beyond that,' he told reporters this week. 'If you come this far to manage this and just say 'Well I'm tired of this' and change the profile and the risk, why did we do all the safety planning to begin with?'

He then added, that Ford owner 'Bill [Ford] and I feel the company's running really well right now the way we're all working it,' he said. 'So we don't want to prematurely get back.'

These frank remarks expose the utter hypocrisy of the automakers, who claim that it is safe for plant workers to resume full production, often shoulder to shoulder, while keeping salaried personnel working from home due to safety concerns.

A worker who wished to remain anonymous told the Autoworker Newsletter that there are many cases at the plant that are not being reported. Referring to the death of Alvarado, the worker said,

They are telling us it wasnt COVID. They are not telling us the truth. I feel as though our lives do not matter at Ford Motor Company.

The worker spoke of the ongoing revelations of massive corruption in the UAW involving bribery and kickbacks. In every one of these plants people have been put in place to keep this [UAW] corruption going. Its all set up. Its always been corrupt. Now its 150 times worse.

With the union against us, what rights do we have at this point?

Another worker pointed to the largely bogus safety protocols. Rumor has it another person was taken out yesterday on day shift for a positive COVID case. Again, unconfirmed and only a rumor as of now.

In recent days, workers at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant and Ford Dearborn Truck plant have launched rank-and-file safety committees to oppose the UAW management cover-up of COVID-19 infections and deaths and fight for real protections for workers. These committees insist that all workers have the right to vital information necessary to protect their lives and those of loved ones and coworkers. This includes complete and timely information of any cases of COVID-19 and what areas have been affected.

We encourage workers who are interested in joining this fight or want more information to contact the Autoworker Newsletter.
A Washington County Circuit judges long and contentious relationship with a major public defense provider boiled over this week when the judge announced he will recuse himself from all cases involving the Metropolitan Public Defender.

In a barb-filled two-page letter, Judge D. Charles Bailey on Monday told presiding Judge Beth Roberts that he will no longer hear cases in which defendants are represented by the Portland-based nonprofit organization. The Oregonian/OregonLive obtained the letter through a public records request.
Britains decision to reimpose coronavirus quarantines on France and the Netherlands has sparked dismay among airlines and airports struggling to overcome the industrys worst crisis.

European airline shares tumbled on deepening concerns that the weaker than hoped travel recovery could yet stall or be reversed by new outbreaks and restrictions.

Shares in EasyJet , which is the most exposed carrier with UK-France routes accounting for 14% of capacity, dropped by 6.8%. The budget airline made no immediate schedule changes but said customers could cancel for free exchanges or vouchers.

With long-haul traffic flat-lining, Citi analyst Mark Manduca said, the new restrictions hit point-to-point leisure travel that had been viewed with more optimism and dented already fragile confidence in the broader travel sector.

Its not so much about this summer or even this year, which is a write-off," Manduca said. Its more about direction of travel, a step in the wrong direction for a market thats trying to recover."

British holidaymakers flocked home early after their government removed France, the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco and two Caribbean territories from a list of unrestricted destinations, with effect from 0300 GMT on Saturday.

Shares in British Airways parent IAG fell 5.7% while Air France-KLM lost 5.6% and Ryanair 5.2%.

The UK move comes a day after airlines lowered their European outlook, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicting a 60% decline in 2020 passenger numbers.

It follows a similar UK decision last month to remove top destination Spain from the so-called safe list. Other countries, including Norway, have also added restrictions as COVID-19 case numbers spike in some areas.

IATA on Friday criticised Britains stop-go-stop" approach to travel restrictions, saying it put 780,000 UK jobs at risk.

The urgent priority is to implement pragmatic alternatives to quarantine," the airline body said on Twitter.

The 14-day quarantine is a major deterrent against UK outbound travel in the latter half of August and September - a period that Olivier Jankovec, head of airports grouping ACI Europe, said is not insignificant by any means".

Determination to avoid a return to total lockdown is driving tougher travel curbs as well as policy incoherence among governments, Jankovec said.

Why on earth are we reopening nightclubs and at the same time imposing new travel restrictions?" he added. Youre much safer in an airport or on a plane than in a nightclub."

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor
(Natural News) Campus Reform recently asked young Americans about President Donald Trumps recent executive orders to suspend student loan payments and cut payroll taxes, which were aimed at helping struggling Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.

(Article by Eduardo Neret republished from CampusReform.org)

Most were surprised to hear about Trumps efforts. Even though most people Campus Reform spoke with were not Trump supporters, many admitted he was helping Americans.

WATCH:

I mean, Im not really all about President Trump, but, the part of funding schools to giving us money while in this crisis, in this whole pandemic, it did help, one student said while referencing the CARES Act.

Its shocking in a way because, like, I also dont like him, so its shocking that he did that, another person added. And I think it does change kind of my view on what hes done throughout the pandemic.

Campus Reform also asked people if they feel Trump is trying to help Americans during the pandemic.

I know with these measures, it does seem like he wants to help, one person said.

What he did recently was good for us, one student added. I meanwere struggling students and a lot of people, its not just us.

Definitely hes trying to help, another individual said. I think hes trying to help.

Read more at: CampusReform.org
(Photo : Photo by Kevin Horvat on Unsplash ) Linux Hacked: Russian Hackers Insert 'Fancy Bear' Malware on Linux Computers, Reveal FBI and NSA (Photo : Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash) Linux Hacked: Russian Hackers Insert 'Fancy Bear' Malware on Linux Computers, Reveal FBI and NSA

Here's a warning to all Linux users. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Security Agency (NSA) revealed in a report that they found a hidden malware lurking on the Linux-based computers. Both agencies point their fingers on Russian hackers. What can this 'Fancy Bear' malware do and how to prevent being a victim of one?

Warning: Russian hackers are back!

As reported via Reuters, on Thursday, Aug. 13, the FBI and NSA told the media that a sophisticated Russian hacking tool was recently found on Linux-based computers.

According to their report, Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate, known as the GRU, was using a hacking tool codenamed "Drovorub." They claim that it is the work of the APT28 (Fancy Bear, Sednit), a codename normally given to the hackers operating out of the Russian military group.

Linux is an open-source operating system that is normally used for web-serving, databases, or computing. It is a close competitor of Microsoft.

"Linux systems are used pervasively throughout National Security Systems, the Department of Defense, and the Defense Industrial Base - as well as the larger cybersecurity community writ large," Keppel Wood, chief operations officer in the NSA's Cybersecurity Directorate, told Reuters. "The malware has the potential to have a widespread impact if network defenders don't take action against it."

Through the warning, both security agencies said that private companies should be alert and raise awareness, especially if they use the software.

What is 'Drovorub' malware

As further explained by McAfee CTO, Steve Grobman via ZDNet, 'Drovorub' is a Linux malware toolset that inserts a 'kernel module rootkit' on the system of a computer.

This implant does an automatic file transfer and port forwarding tool. Technically, it means that hackers can easily control and access a computer once the malware is inside the system.

"In addition to Drovorub's multiple capabilities, it is designed for stealth by utilizing advanced 'rootkit' technologies that make detection difficult," the McAfee exec added. "The element of stealth allows the operatives to implant the malware in many different types of targets, enabling an attack at any time."

The Russian GRU has not yet commented on the issue. However, here's another expose from the McAfee expert. He warned that the Drovorub could pose a threat for espionage or worse, election interference in the country.

How to prevent getting hacked?

FBI enlisted things that Linux owners can do in order to prevent being a victim of the Russian hackers.

The agency recommends updating any Linux systems that they have in the office or home. Specifically, the kernel version 3.7 or later versions.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Jamie Pancho

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
China: Churches forced to donate to Communist Party or stay shut

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State-sponsored churches in parts of China that were forced to close due to COVID-19 lockdowns are only permitted to reopen if they hand money over to the Chinese Communist Party, according to a new report.

A Three-Self church director from Heze, a prefecture-level city in the eastern province of Shandong, told Bitter Winter that state-run churches in the area have been ordered to collect money for coronavirus-affected areas. According to the director, officials from the local Religious Affairs Bureau threatened to shut down many churches if they did not donate.

Authorities in Zhangcun town issued donation quotas ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 RMB (between $560 and $1,400) to Three-Self churches, while Christians in Xianju were ordered to donate 100 RMB (about $14) to Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

Churchgoers in Zhejiangs Hangzhou city were also forced to donate, according to a Three-Self church director. Some elderly congregation members live alone and have no sources of income, but are also forced to give money.

When Christians requested to give their money directly to victims of the pandemic instead of filtering it through the government, officials from religious affairs departments refused.

While the CCP has exploited places of worship amid the coronavirus pandemic, Christians are also targeted during regular times. Bitter Winter notes that last year, believers were forced to contribute to poverty alleviation or other governments charity projects.

Last year, the Religious Affairs Bureau demanded us to collect money to fix a slide on a kindergarten playground, a deacon from a Three-Self church in Henans Zhumadian city told Bitter Winter. Government departments ask us for charitable donations every year. If we refuse, our church will be closed.

The CCP has also targeted Buddhist temples, demanding they donate to the areas hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak or remain closed.

According to the China Religion Survey 2015, conducted by the Renmin University of China, clergy members of the five official religions in China  Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism  receive about $70 as a monthly salary, and 41% dont have old-age insurance.

Numerous reports have revealed how the coronavirus pandemic has presented an opportunity for the CCP to ramp up persecution of Christians.

An earlier report detailed how China's state-approved churches that were forced to close due to COVID-19 were permitted to reopen if they praised the Chinese Communist Party in sermons and extol President Xi Jinping.

Churches were also ordered to promote the four requirements, a nationwide campaign launched in 2018 to promote the sinicization of religion. The campaign involves requiring religious communities to ritually raise the national flag; promoting the Chinese Constitution and laws, core socialist values, and "Chinas excellent traditional culture.

It was also reported that amid the coronavirus outbreak, poor Christian villagers in several provinces were ordered to renounce their faith and replace displays of Jesus with portraits of Chairman Mao and President Xi or risk losing their welfare benefits.

Officials in Jiangsu province used the lockdown as an opportunity to demolish Xiangbaishu Church in Yixing city, according to a video shared by Bob Fu, the founder of China Aid.

Open Doors ranks China 23rd on its list of 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The nonprofit notes that all churches are perceived as a threat if they become too large, too political, or invite foreign guests.


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U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters while hosting Slovak Republic Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini in the Oval Office at the White House May 03, 2019 in Washington, DC (Getty)

New reports of US Postal Service workers hauling away mailboxes in flatbed trucks and locking shut convenient drop slots have caused widespread concerns among Oregon residents about mail-in voting during the presidential election in November.

Photos that spread across social media in recent weeks showed truck beds stacked with dropbox mailboxes  large, blue Postal Service boxes in which mail can be dropped off on the side of the road without having to visit a Post Office.

The Postal Service confirmed some mailboxes have been removed from neighbourhoods in recent weeks, The Oregonian reported, with residents in Eugene and Portland alerting the local newspaper their access to contactless USPS mailing options have become increasingly limited just ahead of the crucial vote.

Ernie Swanson, spokesperson for the USPS, told the publication that duplicate boxes were being removed from regions with multiple collection boxes, alleging first-class mail volume has declined significantly in the US, especially since the pandemic and noting how that translates to less mail in collection boxes.

While the USPS spokesperson said the removal of some mailboxes shouldnt affect people at all, residents said they were quickly losing access to ways they can send mail without potentially risking their health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Please share this picture far and wide. Trump is trying to steal the election. He is gutting the USPS to make it difficult for people to vote by mail. Here in Oregon, thats our only option. This demands attention! @OregonGovBrown pic.twitter.com/JSsmA0FTzY  Mark  Delaney (@markdelaneysays) August 9, 2020

Jacob Strouckel, a resident of Eugene, told The Oregonian outbound slits in neighbourhood mailboxes are being locked shut in an email, writing: We are not just losing access to roadside mail dropboxes, but our convenient neighbourhood drop slots.

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He added: This applies to neighbourhoods without individual mailboxes, so we are unable to send outbound mail from our area, without finding a roadside mailbox or risking a trip to the post office.

The news comes after one of President Donald Trump's donors, Louis DeJoy, was appointed to serve as the new postmaster general despite not having any experience working in the Postal Service.

Mr DeJoy announced sweeping changes to the Postal Service that included cutting overtime and holding mail when offices are understaffed, causing some to fear the new policies may cause significant delays in the mail-in voting process at a time when much of the country plans to vote by mail.

Mr Trump has also threatened to withhold emergency funding and election assistance from the Postal Service, while discussing his apparent attempts to curb nationwide mail-in voting during the pandemic in an interview with Fox News on Thursday.

"They want $25 billion  billion  for the post office. Now they need that money in order to have the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," he said. "Now, in the meantime, they aren't getting there. By the way, those are just two items. But if they don't get those two items, that means you can't have universal mail-in voting ... because they're not equipped."
President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is readying $3,400 checks to go out to American families, but blamed Democrats for holding up a deal in talks that broke down a week ago.

'I've directed the secretary of the Treasury to get ready and send direct payments, $3,400 for a family of four to all Americans - Democrats are holding this up,' Trump said, echoing an earlier tweet.

He said he wouldn't 'sit down with the Democrats personally' because they continued to want federal dollars to go to state and city budgets that have been cash-strapped due to the pandemic.

'Cuz they want $1 trillion to go their friends who are doing bad jobs running cities and states and they're doing very badly,' he said at the White House press briefing.

President Donald Trump said at Friday's briefing that he had 'directed' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to ready $3,400 checks for American families, but needs a deal to come through with Democrats before they can go out

President Trump is blaming Democrats - including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) and House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (right) - for the hold-up, though also refuses to meet with them in person

President Trump made a similar announcement earlier Friday in a tweet, again blasting Democrats for holding the checks up

In a series of tweets, he also offered up some money to cities and states, but to specifically go toward first responders

The president also said he was ready for the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration to send more Paycheck Protection Program money to American small businesses

'You know, most of our country is running very well,' the president continued.

'But when you look at Chicago, when you look at what's going on in Illinois and New York and other places both economically and in other ways it's horrible - you look at Oregon,' he added.

Earlier in his remarks, Trump said he would send money to state and local governments to 'save jobs of our great police, our fightfighters, our first responders, our teachers.'

'It's all ready to go, Democrats are holding it up,' Trump said again.

Instead of sitting down with Democratic leaders in Congress, the president has sent Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to Capitol Hill for negotiations. Meadows was a former Republican House member from North Carolina.

The Republican-led Senate and Democratic-controlled House of Representatives went into an informal recess after last week's negotiations ended with the parties $2 trillion apart.

However, the leaders of both parties said they could recall their members with 24 hours notice if a deal emerged.

At a Friday news conference, Trump said he was prepared to provide Americans with direct payments as well as rental assistance and money for small businesses, state and local governments.

'I'm waiting for the Democrats to approve it,' the president said. 'Democrats are holding that up, right?'

Aides to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer were not immediately available for comment.

Trump's move came a day after he said he was blocking talks to prevent Democrats from providing more money for the Postal Service or state and local election officials struggling to prepare for Nov. 3 elections during a pandemic.

On Friday, he signaled that he might approve funds for the Postal Service.

Last Saturday, Trump signed a series of executive measures on issues including unemployment benefits that economists dismissed as too limited to have a significant effect on an economy hammered by the pandemic.

They have yet to be carried out.

The $2 trillion chasm between the Democrats' $3 trillion proposal and the Republicans' $1 trillion offer includes wide gaps in funding for schools, that aid to state and local governments, and unemployment pay.

An impasse over $600-a-week in enhanced unemployment benefits, which expired on July 31, kept financial markets on edge as the Commerce Department reported weaker-than-expected July retail sales growth due to the spiraling pandemic and the end of the enhanced jobless payments.

The unemployment payments had helped buttress consumer spending, according to Federal Reserve officials and economists.

Trump tried to act alone last Saturday with a memorandum proposing an additional $300 per week in unemployment, with states paying claimants another $100 per week, though economists questioned the effectiveness of the limited measure.

Meanwhile, the number of U.S. coronavirus infections approached 5.3 million on Friday, with deaths topping 167,000.

U.S. share prices fell earlier this week after Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Pelosi disclosed there were no coronavirus talks scheduled.

Democrats offered to reduce their proposal by $1 trillion during negotiations with White House officials last week. The White House rejected the offer.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published early this week found that Americans blame both parties for the inaction.
Jammu:

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Wednesday questioned the BJP-PDP governments decision to compensate the family of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in connection with the killing of his brother in an encounter with the Army.

We question the BJP-PDP governments decision to compensate the family of Burhan Wani in connection with the killing of his brother in an Army action, Chief Spokesperson JKPCC Ravinder Sharma told reporters.

JKPCC criticised the BJP for its dual face over such issues.

Sharma said the BJP stands exposed for its rhetoric, which proved hallow now for the sake of power.

It is unfortunate that those who advocated tough posture against terrorism are now speechless in the government, he added.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The United States said it had confiscated four Iranian fuel shipments that had been bound for Venezuela, disrupting a key supply line for both Tehran and Caracas as they defied US sanctions.

US President Donald Trump said Iran should not be sending cargoes to Venezuela and added that the seized shipments were bound for Houston, Texas, and suggested they may have already arrived.

Theyre going to Houston. And, theyre there, Trump told a White House news conference. Were moving them, and moved, to Houston.

The US Justice Department said the seized cargo was now in US custody with the assistance of foreign partners, adding that the amount confiscated from four tankers was about 1.116 million barrels of fuel, making it the largest US seizure of Iranian fuel.

The U.S. State Department credited its outgoing special envoy for Iran for the seizure operation.

Neither the Justice Department nor the State Department specify when, where or how the seizure took place.

A senior American official told The Associated Press news agency no military force was used in the seizures and the ships were not physically confiscated. Rather, US officials threatened ship owners, insurers and captains with sanctions to force them to hand over their cargo, which now becomes US property.

Prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline. But the tankers never arrived at the South American country and then went missing. Two of the ships later reappeared near Cape Verde, a second US official said.

Both officials agreed to discuss the sensitive diplomatic and judicial offensive only if granted anonymity.

Meanwhile, Irans ambassador to Venezuela said reports that Iranian tankers had been seized were yet another lie and psychological warfare by the United States.





The ships are not Iranian, and neither the owner nor its flag has anything to do with Iran, Hojat Soltani said on Twitter in Spanish.

This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the US propaganda machine, Soltani said. The terrorist #Trump cannot compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran using false propaganda.

Broken up

It is not clear where the vessels  the Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna  or their cargoes currently are, but the ship captains weeks ago turned off their tracking devices to hide their locations, said Russ Dallen, a Miami-based partner at brokerage Caracas Capital Markets, who follows ship movements.

The Bering went dark on May 11 in the Mediterranean near Greece and has not turned on its transponder since, while the Bella did the same July 2 in the Philippines, Dallen said. The Luna and Pandi were last spotted when they were together in the Gulf of Oman on July 10 when the US seizure order came. Shipping data shows that the Pandi, which also goes by Andy, is reporting that it has been broken up, or sold as scrap, Dallen said.

As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela, Nicolas Maduros socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran.

In May, Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines even in the capital, Caracas, which is normally spared such hardships.

Despite sitting atop the worlds largest crude reserves, Venezuela doesnt produce enough domestically refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid its economic crisis and fallout from US sanctions.





The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against US adversaries like Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. In May, it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on the lookout for tactics to evade sanctions like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices  both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela.

One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela, the Avantgarde Group, was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade US sanctions, according to prosecutors.

An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1, a ship seized last year by Britain on US accusations that it was transporting oil to Syria. Iran denied the charges and the Grace 1 was eventually released. But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel.

According to the asset forfeiture complaint, an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $14.9m cash payment for the sale of the gasoline on board the Pandi. Nonetheless, a text message between Madanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties.

The ship owner doesnt want to go because of the American threat, but we want him to go, and we even agreed We will also buy the ship, according to the message, an excerpt of which was included in the complaint.
At a Lemonade restaurant in Pasadena, PopID Chief Executive John Miller uses a tablet to demonstrate the company's facial recognition payment software. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

A new way to pay has arrived in Los Angeles: your face.

As so-called contactless payments rise in popularity during the pandemic, a Pasadena company called PopID is rolling out the nations first payment system based on facial recognition at a smattering of restaurants near its headquarters, including mom-and-pop operations such as Daddys Chicken Shack and regional chains such as Lemonade.

The system is simple: A customer signs up on their phone, takes a selfie and adds cash to their Pop Pay account from a credit card or bank account. When it comes time to pay for their meal, they look into the camera of a PopID tablet or kiosk (no smiling necessary), the cashier verifies their name, and money is withdrawn from the account.

For customers, the experience is eerily seamless, at least when it's functioning properly. (The software struggles at recognizing faces with masks.)

For restaurants, the service is fast and cheap, assuming customers sign up for it. Easier ordering can speed up lines, and PopID is offering lower fees to process each payment than other payment processing or credit card companies.

In China, more than 100 million people signed up for a similar face payment system in 2019 after 7-Eleven installed it at hundreds of locations, tech giant Alipay is rolling out face payments across the country, and, since July, commuters in the southern city of Guiyang have been able to pay their bus fare using their face.

But PopID's system is the first to get up and running in the U.S., where facial recognition technology is under intense scrutiny from regulators and privacy advocates.

Eight cities in the U.S., including San Francisco, Oakland and Boston, have banned government use of the technology, arguing that the software is both too powerful a surveillance tool and too inaccurate when finding matches to be safely used by police. During the nationwide protests after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Microsoft, IBM and Amazon all committed not to sell their facial recognition technology to law enforcement, at least temporarily. And Portland, Ore., may soon become the first city to ban even private use of the technology.

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John Miller, the 42-year-old Pasadena entrepreneur who founded and runs PopID, didnt plan on wading into cutting-edge privacy issues when he quit his nanotech job 10 years ago. He just wanted to start a global cheeseburger chain.

It didnt take long to realize Im not very good at it, Miller said. CaliBurger opened its first location in Shanghai in 2012, advertising Double-Doubles and Animal Style fries, only to get sued for trademark infringement by In-N-Out. The burger chain tweaked the formula and opened dozens of franchises around the world, but seeing the day-to-day difficulties of running a restaurant reactivated Miller's innovation circuits.

So Miller turned CaliBurger into a testing ground for the future of fast food, spinning out new companies in the process. Miso Robotics focused on labor, betting that robot arms would become cheap enough to install at every fry station to supplement human workers. Kitchen United focused on real estate, betting that restaurants could run delivery businesses out of a citywide network of shared industrial kitchens and quit paying rent on retail locations.

Miller used his CaliBurger fast-food chain as an incubator for new technologies and ventures. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

PopID was Miller's solution to two restaurant problems at once: slow lines and high fees from payment processing and credit card companies. Those fees can run as high as 3% for each transaction  small change that adds up, considering most restaurants run on 3% to 5% profit margins. Because PopID payments come directly from the users' preloaded accounts, Miller said, "there's enough arbitrage built in that we can lower the rates versus credit cards and Apple Pay" and still make money.

"Ten years ago, maybe five years ago, there was no way I'd ever sign up for facial recognition," said Chris Georgalas, co-owner of the Pasadena fried chicken sandwich shop Daddy's Chicken Shack. But since Apple started allowing users to unlock their iPhones using their faces in 2018, Georgalas said, the technology has become less intimidating. "The people that use it, they love it, and they come back and they use it again."

A different PopID product has already found some traction. When the coronavirus began to spread rapidly in the spring, the company quickly adapted its face-scanning tablets to serve as contactless employee check-in devices with built-in temperature screening. Pop Entry, as the system is called, has sold more than 1,000 units in recent months, with several thousand more set to be installed by the end of the year, according to the company.

Lemonade was a Pop Entry customer at a pilot location in L.A.s Larchmont Village before it installed the face pay system in Pasadena. Now its parent company, Denver-based Modern Restaurant Concepts, plans to install the Pop Entry tablets in all 18 Lemonade locations across California and its separate Modern Market Eatery restaurants in Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Indiana.

Robin Robison, the chief operations officer of Modern Restaurant Concepts, said that employees took to the sign-in system "like a new toy" and that the temperature screenings helped the staff feel safer (though experts have questioned the efficacy of temperature checks in controlling the spread of the virus). After that, she was willing to give the payment system a chance. "Time will tell how many people are using it," Robison said.

But Miller's vision for a face-based network goes beyond paying for lunch or checking in to work. After users register for the service, he wants to build a world where they can "use it for everything: at work in the morning to unlock the door, at a restaurant to pay for tacos, then use it to sign in at the gym, for your ticket at the Lakers game that night, and even use it to authenticate your age to buy beers after."

"You can imagine lots of things that you can do when you have a big database of faces that people trust," Miller said.

But trust is hard to earn when it comes to facial recognition. Miller said the company is complying with the strictest laws in the nation for face data, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, and prioritizes customer consent for all uses of personal information.

A tablet running the Pop Pay system is mounted on a sneeze guard at a Lemonade restaurant in Pasadena. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Some privacy advocates see an important distinction between government use of facial recognition technology and use by private businesses  as long as the businesses don't end up giving their data to the government.

That scenario was vividly illustrated in July, when the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation found that a San Francisco business association gave the San Francisco Police Department real-time access to a private network of cameras and cache of footage during the height of the Floyd protests. If police combined access to surveillance footage with access to a database like PopID's, protesters who used the payment service could be quickly identified en masse.

Nathan Sheard, associate director of community organizing at EFF, said written, informed consent would be key to ethical use of the technology, as well as a clear policy of pushing back when law enforcement comes knocking to request access to the PopID database and informing the user if the company is ordered by a court to comply.

"Thats the minimum type of protections that consumers should be able to expect," Sheard said. "Its also good business, if youre hoping for people to give you information."

Miller said that level of protection is baked into PopID's user agreement and basic structure.

Customers choose to sign up for the system and have to click a button or tell a cashier every time they use it, setting it apart from the kind of passive surveillance that most privacy advocates argue is ripe for abuse. PopID's software also runs on stand-alone devices, which means companies can't simply connect their own security cameras and start logging their employees' every move in a searchable database.

Most important, the agreement signed by users when joining the service makes clear that PopID will share user data only when customers explicitly tell it to, whether that means pushing a button to pay or signing up for a loyalty points system with a given shop.

Miller said the company would treat law enforcement like any other third party. If the Los Angeles Police Department came to PopID and asked to run a photo against its database, "our answer to the LAPD would be that we are not allowed to share that information," Miller said. "We can't do it, sorry  this is a consumer opt-in service."

If law enforcement returned with a warrant, Miller said, the company would "fight it as much as we can, until I get something that says Im gonna go in the slammer" unless PopID cooperates.

Bans on facial recognition have largely focused on government use. But the Portland City Council may become the first to go one step further and ban private companies from using the technology in any area accessible to the public, pending an upcoming vote.

"From our policy [PopID] would be banned," said Hector Dominguez, Portland's open data coordinator.

The city's concern over private use of the technology was sparked in part by news that a chain of local convenience stores had installed a facial recognition system that barred customers from entering the store at night if the software determined their face was a match with someone linked to a crime. The National Institute of Standards and Technology found in 2019 that most facial recognition algorithms had higher rates of false positive matches for women and people of color, and Dominguez and his colleagues worried that the convenience store system would encode racism and sexism into the automatic door.

Dominguez plans to work with industry and local communities to come up with a way to certify the safety of facial recognition tech for private use, but he sees the ban as a necessary first step.

Miller said he is sensitive to those concerns but thinks consumers and businesses can benefit from the technology with the right kinds of protections in place.

"We also want to distinguish between surveillance stuff, security cameras watching you and trying to ID, and our service, which is consumer opt-in," Miller said. "I think we'd have a pretty good case that were the type of facial recognition platform they should be allowing to operate under very careful regulations and policies."
A California woman has said she is forced to wear a hard hat in her own backyard because a rare tree sheds spiked pine cones weighing up to 15 pounds, which fall 100 feet without warning.

Cynthia Moore said she is fearful of the 'evil' Bunya pine tree growing in her yard in South Sacramento - but is loathe to cut it down because it is extremely rare and can live for 500 years.

'It's like pineapple bombs are falling from the sky' Moore told ABC10.

As well as a hard hat, Moore has to wear gloves and shoes to protect her from the tree's leaves, which are 'sharp as razors'.

The Bunya tree is native to Queensland, Australia, and is such a rare find in California that Moore's is one of only two standing in Sacramento.

The second stands outside the California State Capitol building, while there are just 12 in total across the whole of the greater Sacramento region.

California woman Cynthia Moore (pictured with a pine cone from the tree) said she is forced to wear a hard hat, gloves and shoes in her own backyard amid fears spiked pine cones weighing up to 15 pounds will fall 100 feet from a rare tree onto her without warning

The distraught homeowner said she was surprised to discover how dangerous the imposing tree was when she moved into her home eight years back. Pictured Moore's hard hat and gloves with pine cones from the tree

The distraught homeowner said she was surprised to discover how dangerous the imposing tree was when she moved into her home eight years back.

'They didn't disclose this to me,' she said of the realtors. 'It is such an evil tree.'

Growing up to 100 feet tall, the Bunya produces dozens of massive pointed pine cones weighing between 10 and 15 pounds and covered in sharp spikes.

Each cone contains up to 100 edible nuts said to be delicious eaten on their own, in stir fries or put with chocolate.

But while the tree looks impressive, falling cones could be deadly to unsuspecting people walking beneath.

Moore said the expense - and her conscience - are stopping her from turfing it out.

Cynthia Moore said she is fearful of the 'evil' Bunya pine tree (pictured) growing in her yard in South Sacramento as its 'razor sharp' leaves and giant pine cones tower over her threatening to strike at any moment

Pictured the spiky outer of the Bunya pine cones. The tree is native to Queensland, Australia, and is such a rare find in California that Moore's is one of only two standing in Sacramento

'It would probably cost thousands of dollars to remove it,' Moore told ABC10.

'I loath the idea of cutting down something that could live to be 500.'

The California woman has now developed something of a love-hate relationship with the Bunya tree, as its domineering presence forced her to find out more about the species.

'I have done a lot of research about this tree; I had to find a silver lining somewhere,' Moore said.

The tree, sometimes called the Bunya Bunya, has been around since the Jurassic period millions of years ago when its pine cones were a popular choice of food for dinosaurs.

Fast forward to today and it is rarely spotted outside Australia where it has strong roots in Aboriginal Australian culture.

Indigneous groups used to travel from miles around to the Bunya Mountains in southeast Queensland for huge gatherings where they would dine on the edible seed.

But the ritual died out in around 1900 when European loggers flocked to the area.

The Bunya made a bit of a comeback last year when it began cropping up on the menus of swanky restaurants in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Vue de Monde in Melbournes iconic Rialto Towers was one popular restaurant that started serving Bunya nuts - which are said to be highly nutritious - to its high end diners.

Its timber is also highly valuable as 'tonewood' used to make musical instruments.
Jaya Lall first joined TikTok in early March to make a slideshow set to music for her friend's birthday. But the short-form video app took on new significance to her three weeks later when India went into a coronavirus lockdown, forcing her to close the preschool she runs in the country's capital, New Delhi.

Soon enough, she was posting as many as nine videos a day of herself dancing or lip-syncing to Hindi songs. She racked up nearly 8,000 followers in a matter of months. "I never thought that I could sing, or dance, or make all these faces," Lall told CNN Business.

Then, on June 29, India suddenly banned TikTok. The app, which is owned by a Chinese company, was one of dozens banned in the country days after a violent border clash between India and China left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead. Several of China's most popular services, including messaging platform WeChat and social media site Weibo, were also banned.

TikTok's app no longer appears on app stores in the country, and those who already have it see an error message that says it is "complying with the Government of India's directive." The app went off app stores and users began to see the message the day after the ban was announced.

Lall said the ban took away a source of immense positivity in her life. It's a sentiment shared by others in India who spoke with CNN Business. Almost overnight, hundreds of millions in India suddenly needed to learn to live without an app once described as "the last sunny corner of the internet." And their experience could prove to be a harbinger for what's to come in the United States.

"You lose track of time. Hours go by, you don't realize. It's very nice," Lall said. "We are still hoping that TikTok will come back."

President Donald Trump is now considering a similar course of action as he escalates his long-running battle with China over technology and security, signing an executive order last week that would ban TikTok in 45 days if it doesn't find a US buyer. While India's ban was triggered by a military conflict and followed nationalistic public appeals for a boycott of Chinese products, Trump's order  citing security threats that experts say are largely theoretical or indirect  has not had the same groundswell of support from Americans.

News of a potential ban sent American TikTokers into a frenzy (or "going cray cray," as one creator put it) trying to figure out how they could port over their following to other apps such as Instagram or YouTube. (Trump has targeted at least one other app that India has already banned, WeChat, raising concerns among Chinese Americans who use it to communicate with family abroad.)

While US TikTok users may worry about this worst case scenario, those in India are already living it. India's 200 million TikTok users  twice as many as the app has in the United States  have spent nearly two months in a largely fruitless search for alternatives. Facebook-owned Instagram immediately cashed in by launching its TikTok copycat, Instagram Reels, in India within a week of the ban. Instagram also made Reels available in the United Sates after Trump's proposed action.

But self-professed TikTok addicts say it just isn't the same.

Like in the United States, the announcement of the ban in India led to a flurry of influencers hurriedly posting videos asking their TikTok audience to follow them on Instagram, YouTube or other platforms.

"Currently for sure, there is no one that can come close to TikTok," said Abhay Jani.

Jani, 24, downloaded TikTok a couple of years ago and said he would spend up to two hours a day watching videos on the app, usually overshooting the screen time restrictions he had set for himself. He enjoyed going down "rabbit holes" of the Indian internet such as farm TikTok, where he says farmers around the country would post videos of various agricultural techniques and activities.

"I mean I was addicted to it," he said.

Jani has since tried out some of the homegrown Indian alternatives such as Chingari, Mitron and Moj, but says their user interface and recommendation algorithms aren't up to TikTok's standards yet. He only visits them a couple of times a week.

Lall has also tried a variety of different apps, including an Indian one called Roposo, American video platform Triller, and of course, Instagram Reels. Her latest discovery is a karaoke app called StarMaker.

"All of them are useless, they're really bad," she said, citing several issues including a relative lack of viewership and a poorer selection of filters. "TikTok was TikTok."

Losing India is a huge blow to TikTok. The country's 700 million internet users make it the world's second-largest market after China, one that tech firms around the world have poured billions of dollars into for a foothold.

TikTok was installed 26.4 million times  an average of 660,000 installs a day  and made about $317,000 in gross revenue from in-app purchases in India in the six weeks leading up to the ban, according to analytics firm Sensor Tower.

This isn't the first time TikTok has been banned in India. It was blocked from app stores in the country last year after a court ruled it could expose children to inappropriate content, but was reinstated less than two weeks later after TikTok successfully appealed the decision.

ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, has around 2,000 employees in the country.

"Our employees are our biggest strength, and their well-being is our topmost priority," TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer said in a blog post following the ban. "We will do everything in our power to restore the positive experiences and opportunities that they can be proud of," he added.

TikTok is working with the Indian government to address its concerns and remains committed to complying with local laws, the company's India head, Nikhil Gandhi, said in another post late last month.

"We have not shared any information of our users in India with any foreign governments, nor have we used such data in any manner that would compromise the integrity of India," he said. "Further, even if we are requested to in the future, we would not do so."

TikTok has pushed back on the Trump administration's claims that it is a security threat, calling them "unfounded." To underscore its independence from China, TikTok has cited its recently hired American CEO, and said it has "never provided user data to the Chinese government, nor would we do so if asked."

Despite the pain of losing TikTok and the lack of viable alternatives, Lall agrees with the Indian government's decision to ban the app.

"What they [China] are doing is wrong," she said. "We are happy that ... the ban happened but still we have a hope that [TikTok] will come back, we are waiting for it."

The-CNN-Wire &  2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
A 32-year-old woman has become the latest person in Northern Ireland to die after contracting Covid-19.

Andreea Maftei from Ballymena passed away in hospital on Thursday.

The young woman was well-known in the town as a long-time employee of Nobel Cafe.

Originally from Tecuci in Romania, Mrs Maftei is survived by her husband of seven years Ovidiu, who works in construction.

Her father Mircea Serban confirmed her death from Covid-19, posting on social media that she was "killed by this unfortunate virus that killed hundreds of thousands of people".

On Friday devastated staff at Nobel Cafe were coming to terms with the loss of their "dear friend and colleague" as floral tributes to Mrs Maftei were left outside the premises.

The cafe had been closed for 24 hours earlier this week for a deep clean after the positive case was identified.

Mrs Maftei had been self-isolating and was believed to have been diagnosed on Tuesday.

Nobel confirmed on Wednesday that all other staff members had been tested and returned negative results.

The business stressed that the Public Health Agency's contact tracing service and Environmental Health had both concluded that Mrs Maftei contracted the virus due to a community-based outbreak, and not through their food premises.

Posting on social media, Nobel said: "Andreea worked with us for 12 fantastic years, not only was she a trusted employee but a very loyal friend.

"We are astounded at the news and utterly heartbroken.

"Unfortunately, Andreea has been taken from us under horrendous circumstances."

Mrs Maftei is the second member of staff Nobel has lost in recent months following the death in June of Roisin O'Neill (66) following a battle with cancer.

Paying tribute, Nobel added: "We know Roisin will be waiting for Andreea and we ask her to look after her. We are completely and utterly heartbroken. We will miss you forever. We can't put it into words. Out of respect for Andreea and the shock this has caused for our staff we will be closed today and tomorrow."

Mrs Maftei's passing brings the official death toll from coronavirus to 558.

Hers was the first death to be confirmed by the Department of Health for four days.

The department confirmed a significant spike of 74 new cases of the virus.

Mid and East Antrim has had the highest number of new cases, with 55 recorded in the last week and 75 in the last fortnight.

Tributes to the young woman poured into Nobel's Facebook page.

Angelika Andzia wrote: Andreea was the most positive person that I had chance to meet. Heartbreaking news."

Ballymena businessman Thomas McKillen wrote: "The Management and staff of McKillens of Ballymena wish to express our deepest sympathy to all in Nobel Cafe on the passing of their colleague Andreea Maftei.

"We also extend this sympathy to her husband and family. Please take care everyone."

Mary Cooke posted that "Auntie Roisin O'Neill will be waiting with open arms... So sorry to the whole of Nobel family and to Andreea's family - may she get the best bed in heaven."

Health Minister Robin Swann said he was saddened by the latest death and rise in cases.

"I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person who has tragically passed away," Mr Swann said.

"This upsetting news serves as a stark reminder that this virus has not gone away.

"I implore everyone to stick with it. Keep your distance, wash your hands, wear your mask and do not let this virus take a hold in our society. These measures, while simplistic, are essential to winning the battle."

Ballymena-based SDLP councillor Eugene Reid also expressed his condolences.

He said: "Andreea had made Northern Ireland her home and both she and her husband have worked hard for many years to build their life here."
IBU Brewery owner Mike Mintier announced today on Facebook that the North Syracuse establishment will be closing its doors for good at the end of August.

Though they had been doing okay during the storm that is the coronavirus pandemic, growing responsibilities taking care of his family have pushed Mintier to his limit.

Both of his parents are in long term care due to health issues. With the growing costs associated with that, he returned to his job before he opened the brewery as an engineer at Lockheed Martin.

He was working 55-60 hours a week at his day job, helping to take care of his 3-year-old and one month old, and with any free time he had left, managing the brewery.

I couldnt keep up. I dont consider myself a failure; I just had to step away. I had to choose between the business and my family and I chose my family. I think I can be proud of that choice, Mintier said.

In the age of Covid-19, he said IBU was still profitable doing to-go and delivery sales. They also got a PPE loan, but it wasnt enough to help ease the pressure of the cost of parental care.

The brewery opened in 2016, named for the International Bitterness Unit, a measure of the bitterness level that hops bring to beer. Located at 3703 Brewerton Rd. behind the Mr. Tire, they offered four original brews and gave customers the chance to Brew on Premises. Over the years they have hosted everything from outdoor movie nights to yoga classes at the tap room.

Most recently they collaborated with The Mountain Goat, one of Syracuses most popular races.

The brewery created a limited edition beer called To Hill and Bock to honor the 10-mile course which takes runners up and down some of the citys major hills, including Woodland Reservoir and Thornden Park.

Due to Covid-19 however, the large event became a virtual one. Pre-orders for the limited edition cans had just ended as the coronavirus pandemic shut New York state down. When the orders came in, patrons flocked to the brewery to buy the extra To Hill and Bock cans as a souvenir for the unprecedented times that are 2020.

As of today, everything inside the brewery is on sale and Mintier invites anyone to ask about buying anything they see that isnt nailed down. IBU will be open Friday and Saturday from 3-10 p.m. each week until the end of August.

He said opening IBU one of the most rewarding experiences of his life thus far and thanked his patrons for some of the best years. Looking ahead, there could be a new endeavor when the time is right.

Who knows what the future holds, Mintier said.

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A man has been charged with murder after the death of a pensioner in 2015.

David Brickwood, a 74-year-old scrap metal dealer, was found stabbed and beaten in a 'violent assault' at his Northampton home almost five years ago.

Mr Brickwood was left badly injured after what has previously been described as a pre-planned robbery.

He died despite managing to use a telephone to raise the alarm.

David Brickwood, a 74-year-old scrap metal dealer, was found stabbed and beaten in a 'violent assault' at his Northampton home almost five years ago

Mr Brickwood suffered 35 different injuries inside his home in Lindsay Avenue, Abington, pictured, on the early hours of September 26, 2015

Northamptonshire Police said 26-year-old Cameron St Rose has now been charged with murder and burglary after his arrest on Wednesday.

An inquest into Mr Brickwood's death heard that he suffered 35 separate injuries at his home in Lindsay Avenue, Abington, in the early hours of September 26 2015.

Officers performed emergency first aid in an attempt to save his life, but he died later at Northampton General Hospital.

The investigation has been the subject of a number of appeals by the force, who also worked with the BBC's Crimewatch programme on a reconstruction of the murder in early 2016.

Speaking after his father's death, Gary Brickwood described the loss of the pensioner as a 'life sentence'.

He said: 'We're devastated as a family. How could somebody do this to him? He didn't deserve this.'

Also speaking after the fatal attack, another of Mr Brickwood's sons, Dale Brickwood, said: 'How could you attack an elderly man? He didn't have a bad bone in his body - everyone respected him and loved him and he touched so many people.'

St Rose, of Forest Gate, London, will appear at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Friday.
" " Lynn Philip Hodgson, author of the book "Inside  Camp X," holds an old sign from Camp X on the grounds of the former spy training school. Paul Irish/Toronto Star via Getty Images

The British gained experience in guerilla warfare and commando operations in their dealings with the sprawling British empire, in far-flung locales such as Turkey and closer to home, battling nationalists in Ireland. Their well-established system of training operatives was condensed into a training regimen lasting three to four weeks at Camp X [source: Stafford]. There was no single curriculum for training at the camp  instructors adapted the program for each group of trainees, based on where they were headed and what they'd be doing there. Operatives destroying bridges with the French Resistance would face far different conditions than agents gathering information on troop movements in North Africa.

Some types of training were integral to the Camp X experience no matter the mission. Everyone learned to read and make maps, move silently, hide well and look inconspicuous. Recruits learned to fire guns, but instead of the careful marksmanship of most military training, they were taught "instinctive gunfighting," the ability to aim and fire at a moment's notice without using a practiced stance or even looking down the sights. They all learned close combat so they could defeat guards and other enemies if using a gun wasn't possible or would make too much noise.

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Demolitions training was another Camp X training cornerstone. In fact, the frequent detonations acted as a cover  the camp looked like a facility for training and experimenting with explosives to nearby residents (of which there were not very many) [source: Stafford]. Trainees could also receive instruction in forging documents, creating and spreading propaganda and harnessing the unrest of local militia groups to fight the Nazis.

Lt. Col. Bill Brooker was not the first commandant of Camp X (Arthur Terence Roper-Caldbeck was), but he was the most influential. He enforced a strict military code of discipline and brought with him a wealth of experience in training agents at SOE schools in the U.K. Brooker knew his agents had to be ready for anything, so he engaged in unorthodox training methods, like interrupting students' classroom sessions with mock gun battles then making them recall facts about the incident, such as the number of shots fired or what the assailants were wearing. Students undertook mock missions, infiltrating a guarded house or sneaking through the damp Ontario night.

Former Shanghai policeman Maj. Dan Fairbairn was only briefly in charge of close combat training at Camp X, but his methods took hold and he went on to train Americans in the U.S., where his influence was cemented. Fairbairn's idea of close combat was simple: No method was out of bounds, and your sole goal was to kill your opponent as quickly as possible. The silent kill was Fairbairn's specialty  he even developed a commando knife that military forces still use today  but he also promoted the use of eastern martial arts methods or a swift kick to an enemy's testicles to win a fight.

Much of the Camp X doctrine was distilled into a training manual, which included details on how to hide in trees, how to spy on someone using binoculars and how to kill a man by chopping the back of his neck with the side of your hand [source: Rigden]. The men who were trained at Camp X went on to achieve spectacular exploits and reach influential positions. We'll meet some of them next.
A woman walking while talking on her mobile phone was mugged in the heart of Melbourne in broad daylight.

The victim, who is in her 30s, was walking along Russell Street about 3pm on July 17 when the device was snatched from her hand.

The woman chased the two female offenders and managed to retrieve her phone but she was assaulted in the process.

On Friday, Victoria Police released photographs of two hooded women, who they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

On Friday, Victoria Police released photographs of two hooded women (pictured) they want to speak to in relation to the incident

The first female is white aged in her late teens to early 20s, approximately 165cm tall with bleached blonde hair.

She was wearing grey tracksuit pants, pink shoes and had white writing on the front of her black jumper.

The second female is described as white, aged in her late teens to early 20s and about 170cm tall with dark hair.

She was sporting a black jumper with white writing on its sleeves, grey or black tracksuit pants, and white shoes.

Police are encouraging anybody who witnessed the incident or with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

They can also file a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
DETROIT, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The winners of first annual Carbon Awards were revealed August 14th in a streamed event on CarbonTV.com. CarbonTV President Julie McQueen and CarbonTV Team Operations Manager Autumn Stawecki presented the honors to the fan-selected winners via video because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each winner will receive an invitation to attend an awards party next year as well as an award prize package from CarbonTV. These are the leaders in outdoor, hunting, fishing and conservation streaming content today.

Congratulations to the 1st Annual Carbon Award winners!

First Carbon Award Winners Announced

President's Pick/Best Overall: Guided (Big Chino Outfitters)

Best New Show: Old Green Plane

Best in Cinematography: Backcountry Traditions

Best in Hunting: Arrow Wild TV

Best in Education/Conservation: Trailing the Hunter's Moon

Best Host/Hostess: Jana Waller, Skull Bound Chronicles

Best Moment: Chase Nation

Best Fishing Moment: Times Up Outdoors

Best Kids Moment: Appalachian Trophy

Best Exotic Location: Hunt Fish Explore Hawaii

Best Comic Relief: Appalachian Trophy

Best Blooper: Girls with Guns

Best "Rope a Dope" Moment: Victory Outdoors

The President's Pick/Best Overall winner is also receiving new Swarovski NL Pure binoculars to honor their achievement in outstanding content and dedication to the CarbonTV platform over the past year.

"To have been selected to be the recipient of the first Carbon TV Awards as the President's Pick is such an honor!" said JP Vicente of Big Chino Outfitters. "There are so many programs that certainly are worthy of this award. Being part of such an incredible industry in outdoor films with CarbonTV has been exciting and a true blessing, as CarbonTV is by far the leader of the outdoor film industry. We are excited for the upcoming "Season 3" this year with our CarbonTV viewers and family."

"We created the first annual Carbon Awards to celebrate the high-quality content featured on CarbonTV," explained CarbonTV President Julie McQueen. "We're so proud of our offering and its ever-growing audience. Our interactive voting page allowed fans to vote on the nominated shows in 12 different categories, giving us a glimpse into the incredible amount of people who take a huge interest in streaming our content! We are thrilled with the results and are already looking forward to an even bigger celebration next year!"

CarbonTV partnered with the Mule Deer Foundation on the category for "Best In Education / Conservation, Presented by The Mule Deer Foundation." In an effort to celebrate conservation efforts and encourage more people to get involved the outdoors, the MDF and Carbon Awards will recognize the winner in this category together at the 2021 Western Hunting & Conservation Expo (huntexpo.com) in February 2021 in Salt Lake City, UT.

The Carbon Awards will become an annual event to recognize and celebrate fans' favorite people, moments and production quality in outdoor streaming content. Content providers submitted material for consideration. CarbonTV tabulated viewer votes cast throughout July at CarbonTV.com for their favorite CarbonTV outdoor television shows.

About CarbonTV: Online viewers can find the best in online streaming media service at CarbonTV.Com and also on their free app for iOS and Android. The recently revised platform now houses features such as a recommendation engine to suggest similar content, embedded social media commentary for community engagement, a streamlined user experience, and CarbonTV's proprietary Carbon Score system to show how each series rates.

CarbonTV continually seeks the best in outdoor viewing by launching new series, such as Outdoor Weekly, Skull Bound Chronicles, Last Breath and The Outdoors Chef. Plus, new seasons of fan-favorites such as Huntin' Fool, Greg McHale's Wild Yukon, and Old Green Plane. CarbonTV has paved the way for Live Streaming videos of incredible wildlife activity such as WildLifers Live Cam or the "Crush Cam" at Lee and Tiffany Lakosky's Iowa farm.

The best of what's happening outdoors is happening on CarbonTV. CarbonTV is the largest OTT platform for online distribution of outdoor content. All video content is available on demand, for free at CarbonTV.com and via OTT apps on ROKU, Amazon Fire TV, iOS and Android. To learn more, visit CarbonTV.Com. Follow us at Facebook.Com/CarbonTV and Instagram.com/CarbonTVMedia

SOURCE CarbonTV

Related Links

https://www.carbontv.com


About 300 artefact shops at the Arts Centre in Accra have shut down due to COVID-19, Mr Ayingura Sunday, Secretary of the Greater Accra Arts and Crafts Dealers Association has told the Ghana News Agency.



He said the closure had become necessary because of poor patronage arising out of the impact of COVID-19.



Mr Sunday said since the closure of the countrys borders to stem the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, only 50 shops out of 350 were functional.



He said the few shops operating were also making less than 10 percent sales on the average.



Mr Gariba Kassim, Vice Chairman of the Association said because their business was dependent on the movement of expatriates and tourists, the border closure had caused the collapse of many enterprises.



Our business is very peculiar, its not like other businesses,...if the airports and borders are not opened its like we have also closed our market, he stated.



Mr Kassim, therefore, appealed to Government to open the borders gradually with COVID-19 safety measures in place to revive the industry and the local economy.



He said members of the Association had applied for Governments stimulus package through the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and waiting excitedly for a positive response.



Mr Kassim said the package would enable them rebrand, refurbish and upgrade their products to enhance patronage when the borders were opened.



Nii Ardey Ankrah, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Centre for National Culture Accra, said business in the enclave had taken a massive decline due to Covid-19.



He said the Year of Return held last year gave the Arts Centre publicity and boomed sales but the narrative changed this year due to the pandemic.



Nii Ankrah said though there had been easing of restrictions, patronage of arts and crafts and the Centre had not improved and called for support from all stakeholders.

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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Rep. Joel Kitchens  Wisconsin Assembly District 1. Kati Seiter  WMEA President. Brad Schneider, WMEA Government Relations Chair "Wisconsin Music Educators Association are leaders who consistently seek ways to ensure that every student has access and the opportunity to participate in the study and making of music."

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has awarded the Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) the 2020 Excellence in Advocacy Award in recognition of their efforts advocating for music education. NAfME President and Board Chair Dr. Mackie V. Spradley presented the award during the NAfME National Leadership Assembly, conducted virtually in June.

We are exceptionally proud of the work that the Wisconsin MEA is doing in their state, said Dr. Spradley. They are leaders who consistently seek ways to ensure that every student has access and the opportunity to participate in the study and making of music. More than ever, the importance of their individual and collective voice is critical. I am most impressed with the MEAs focus on the future of music educators as evident in events such as Aspiring Music Majors and Dynamic Futures. Such efforts are tremendously helpful to sustain music education in our schools. The national leadership of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) salutes WMEA!

We are honored that the Wisconsin Music Educators Association was selected as recipient of the NAfME 2020 Excellence in Advocacy Award, said Paul J. Budde, WMEA President. The WMEA Advocacy Committee is proud to engage in multifaceted advocacy initiatives centered around the belief that all children deserve equal access to a credible and well-rounded education that includes high-quality study of music and the arts.

Recent efforts WMEA has undertaken include the development of advocacy statements and guidelines for music educators/supporters across the state, purposeful dialogue with national and state decision makers as part of NAfME Hill Day and Wisconsin Drive-In Day events, and efforts to recruit future music educators through events such as Aspiring Music Majors and Dynamic Futures.

Given the ask that WMEA presented to state legislators at the 2018 Wisconsin Drive-In Day, continued Budde, we are particularly excited for the implementation of Act 85, which was signed into law this past February and will require the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to include the percentage of students participating in music, dance, drama, and visual arts on annual school district and school accountability reports. We look forward to opportunities to continue our advocacy efforts in the years to come.

The Excellence in Advocacy award, presented annually at the NAfME National Leadership Assembly, recognizes a state music education association (MEA) for outstanding accomplishments in music education advocacy. State MEAs around the country are advocating by meeting with State Boards of Education, advocating to state legislatures, and engaging stakeholders. The 2019 Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient was the Florida Music Education Association, and the 2018 Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient was the Michigan Music Educators Association.

National Association for Music Education, among the worlds largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 571-323-3395.
Rating Action: Moody's affirms ratings of Ohio Edison and Pennsylvania Power; changes outlooks to stable

Global Credit Research - 14 Aug 2020

Approximately $725 million debt securities affected

New York, August 14, 2020 -- Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") affirmed the ratings of Ohio Edison Company (Ohio Edison, A3 senior unsecured and Issuer Rating) and Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power, A3 Issuer Rating) and changed their outlooks to stable from positive. A complete list of rating actions is included below.

RATINGS RATIONALE

"Both Ohio Edison and Penn Power maintain strong financial metrics under the credit supportive regulatory environments of Ohio and Pennsylvania which is reflected in their A3 ratings," stated Jairo Chung, Moody's analyst. "However, their credit profiles are constrained by the much lower credit quality of parent company FirstEnergy, which precludes any near term upward movement of the ratings," added Chung. Barring any new positive developments at FirstEnergy Corp. (FirstEnergy, Baa3 negative) or at the utilities themselves, we expect both utilities to remain well positioned at their current rating levels over the next several years.

As the largest Ohio based utility subsidiary of FirstEnergy, we expect Ohio Edison to continue to generate stable cash flow from operations and maintain moderate debt levels. Along with two other FirstEnergy Ohio utilities, Toledo Edison Company (Baa1 stable) and the The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (Baa2 stable), Ohio Edison plans to invest approximately $516 million in grid modernization over the next three years. The regulatory framework in Ohio allows timely recovery of these investments and we expect the company to fund them mostly with its internally generated cash flow.

Ohio Edison's A3 rating reflects our expectation that the company will continue to produce a robust cash flow from operations excluding changes in working capital (CFO pre-WC) to debt ratio above 30%. However, we also expect FirstEnergy to lean on Ohio Edison more than it has done in the past to service its parent-level obligations. Thus, we anticipate Ohio Edison's CFO pre-WC excluding dividends to debt ratio to be much weaker in the mid-teens range.

Story continues

As a fully-owned subsidiary of Ohio Edison, Penn Power also continues to exhibit stable metrics with CFO pre-WC to debt projected to be in the low-20% range over the next few years. We expect the regulatory environment in Pennsylvania to remain credit supportive over this period. For example, in early 2019, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) approved an increase in the maximum revenue allowed under the distribution system improvement charge (DSIC) to 7.5% from 5% through 2024 for Penn Power only.

Similar to Ohio Edison, we expect dividends from Penn Power to FirstEnergy to be higher than historical levels, resulting in the utility's CFO pre-WC to debt excluding dividends to debt ratio to be relatively low at close to 10%. Given its small size, modest changes in its financials often lead to larger volatility in credit metrics.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus outbreak, severe global economic shock, low oil prices and asset price volatility are creating a severe and extensive credit shock across many sectors, regions and markets. The combined credit effects of these developments are unprecedented. We regard the coronavirus outbreak as a social risk under our ESG framework, given the substantial implications for public health and safety. We expect Ohio Edison and Penn Power to be resilient to pressures related to the coronavirus because of their rate regulated business models. Nevertheless, we are watching for utility bill payment delinquency and the regulatory response to counter these effects on earnings and cash flow.

ESG considerations incorporated into the credit analysis of Ohio Edison and Penn Power include their low carbon transition risk, as they do not own any power generation assets; and social risks associated with the safety and reliability of their utility operations, regulatory relationships as well as the changes in societal trends and customer behavior. For governance considerations, we continue to monitor developments related to a possible corporate governance failure at the FirstEnergy parent related to a recent criminal complaint filed by the US Attorney in Ohio.

Rating outlook

The stable outlook for Ohio Edison and Penn Power reflects our expectation that the regulatory environments in Ohio and Pennsylvania will remain credit supportive, allowing both companies to produce consistent and predictable financial metrics. Also, the stable outlook incorporates our view that any corporate governance risks arising from the pending criminal complaint in Ohio will be limited to the FirstEnergy parent company.

FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS

Factors that could lead to an upgrade

A rating upgrade could be considered for Ohio Edison and Penn Power if parent company FirstEnergy is upgraded or if they become more independent of the parent company. Also, a rating upgrade could be possible if Ohio Edison's CFO pre-WC to debt ratio remains above 20% and CFO pre-WC excluding dividends to debt ratio is above 15% on a sustained basis.

For Penn Power, an upgrade could be possible if Ohio Edison is upgraded and if its CFO pre-WC to debt ratio is above 22% on a sustained basis.

Factors that could lead to a downgrade

A rating downgrade could be possible if the regulatory environment in their respective states becomes contentious, resulting in greater regulatory lag; or if the credit quality of FirstEnergy deteriorates, putting downward credit pressure on Ohio Edison and Penn Power; or if Ohio Edison's CFO pre-WC to debt ratio falls below 16% or CFO pre-WC excluding dividends to debt ratio falls below 10% on a sustained basis.

For Penn Power, a downgrade could occur if Ohio Edison is downgraded; or if its CFO pre-WC to debt ratio falls below 18% or CFO pre-WC excluding dividends to debt falls below 10% on a sustained basis.

Affirmations:

..Issuer: Ohio Edison Company

....Issuer Rating, Affirmed A3

....Senior Secured First Mortgage Bonds, Affirmed A1

....Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Affirmed A3

..Issuer: Pennsylvania Power Company

....Issuer Rating, Affirmed A3

....Senior Secured First Mortgage Bonds, Affirmed A1

Outlook Actions:

..Issuer: Ohio Edison Company

....Outlook, Changed To Stable From Positive

..Issuer: Pennsylvania Power Company

....Outlook, Changed To Stable From Positive

Ohio Edison Company is the largest Ohio distribution utility within the FirstEnergy Corp. family, serving over one million customers. Ohio Edison also owns Pennsylvania Power Company, a Pennsylvania-based distribution utility that serves approximately 165,000 customers in western Pennsylvania.

The principal methodology used in these ratings was Regulated Electric and Gas Utilities published in June 2017 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1072530. Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.

For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of debt or security this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series, category/class of debt, security or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.

For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.

The ratings have been disclosed to the rated entity or its designated agent(s) and issued with no amendment resulting from that disclosure.

These ratings are solicited. Please refer to Moody's Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings available on its website www.moodys.com.

Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.

Moody's general principles for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1133569.

The Global Scale Credit Rating on this Credit Rating Announcement was issued by one of Moody's affiliates outside the EU and is endorsed by Moody's Deutschland GmbH, An der Welle 5, Frankfurt am Main 60322, Germany, in accordance with Art.4 paragraph 3 of the Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 on Credit Rating Agencies. Further information on the EU endorsement status and on the Moody's office that issued the credit rating is available on www.moodys.com.

Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued the rating.

Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.

Jairo Chung Vice President - Senior Analyst Infrastructure Finance Group Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Michael G. Haggarty Associate Managing Director Infrastructure Finance Group JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653 Releasing Office: Moody's Investors Service, Inc. 250 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007 U.S.A. JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376 Client Service: 1 212 553 1653

 2020 Moody's Corporation, Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Moody's Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, "MOODY'S"). All rights reserved.

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Coronavirus continues its spread across Syria, with many more cases announced and institutions urging people to take precautions, which are not always being heeded.

On Thursday, the Syrian Ministry of Health announced that 75 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the country while 10 others have recovered. The ministry said in a statement to SANA that the total number of infections in the country is now 1,402, of which 395 cases have recovered and 53 have passed away.

Over the past two days, the cities and towns of rural Damascus have recorded 18 deaths in the city of al-Tal and the towns of Jdaydet Artooz and Kanaker in the western countryside of Damascus.

A source in Jdaydet Artooz told Sowt Al-Asima that 14 deaths have been recorded in the town since the beginning of this week, including three townspeople and 11 displaced people, all of whom have died.

The source added that none of the deceased were taken to hospitals. Instead, they were quarantined at home as soon as they started exhibiting symptoms and until their death.

The other cases were recorded in al-Tal and Kanakar.

The Sowt Al-Asima website said that the Damascus Countryside Health Directorate conducted random PCR tests in the city, which revealed that 50 of its children were infected with the virus.

The correspondent indicated that the Ministry of Health asked the sick to adhere to home quarantine, stressing that it had transferred two of them to al-Qatifah Hospital, after their health started deteriorating.

The virus has been spreading like wildfire in the city as of late, to the point that mosques called on citizens to remain homes and to refrain from going out unless absolutely necessary.

In northern Syria, the city of Raqqa has reported overcrowding at the al-Naim Roundabout and al-Rasheed Park in the city center, amid a state of indifference to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Media activist and Raqqa resident, Ahmed al-Hussein, told SY 24 that al-Naim Roundabout is one of the most crowded areas, and despite the security teams trying to disperse people, they ended up returning to gather again, once the security patrols left.

Hussein explained that al-Naim Roundabout and al-Rasheed Park are one of the most popular places for people to spend time, as they considered them a special outlet where they can hang out, especially since the rest of the places and markets are all destroyed.

In response to a question regarding warnings about the seriousness of the consequences of this indifference, Hussein said, The concerned authorities are not handling the situation seriously, in addition to the fact that the majority of the population perceives the virus as a mere lie. People have been asking the authorities to reveal the names of the infected so they can have proof of the existence of the coronavirus.

Hussein pointed out that, wearing the face mask has become a fashion statement. Most people wear it, but for the wrong reasons, mainly because it is enforced. Add to that the fact that it is now being sold in different shapes and colors.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
TANZANIA, Tanzania - The United Nations launched a $565 million appeal Friday to help Lebanese people affected by the explosion at Beiruts port with immediate humanitarian assistance and initial recovery efforts.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the money wll enable the U.N.s humanitarian partners to help people in need by targeting food security, health, shelter and protection, as well as water and sanitation hygiene support.

U.N. humanitarian officials said some of the $300 million pledged at a donor conference Sunday co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and the United Nations may be committed to the $565 million appeal, but the amount wont be known for some time because the pledges include a mixture of humanitarian and reconstruction activities.

The U.N. humanitarian office said the series of devastating explosions Aug. 4 destroyed most of Beiruts port, flattened surrounding neighbourhoods, damaged six hospitals and more than 20 health clinics, and destroyed 120 schools. The blast killed over 170 people, injured more than 6,000 and left thousands homeless, it said.

The humanitarian office said the appeal will target:

Immediate delivery of hot meals, food rations and grain supplies.

Rehabilitation of damaged health facilities and provision of trauma kits and essential medicines.

Cash for shelter for families whose homes were damaged or destroyed and for repairs of common building areas and facilities affected by the blast.

Repair of schools and provision of educational supplies and psychological support for children.

The task of rebuilding peoples lives and recovering from the devastation is only just beginning, said Lebanons U.N. humanitarian co-ordinator, Najat Rochdi.

I urge the international community to demonstrate their steadfast commitment to the people of Lebanon and repay in turn Lebanons incredible generosity to Syrian and Palestine refugees with full financial support for this appeal, she said.

Thew U.N. humanitarian office said the appeal seeks funds for costs of the first two phases of what will be a three-phase response  immediate humanitarian needs and the start of recovery and reconstruction, which will cost billions of dollars and require a mix of public and private finance.

The third phase will be a response to Lebanons socioeconomic crisis before the Beirut explosion, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the office said.
Communications team member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Berma Pobi has eulogized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo describing him as the definition of science in governance and contemporary politics.



According to him, President Nana Addo is always truthful to his words.



President Nana Addo has delivered and will continue to deliver on the promises he made to Ghanaians prior to the 2016 elections . . . he is a true definition of science in governance and our contemporary politics.



Speaking on EBNs Oman Dawuro, Berma Pobi noted that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia ticket has fulfilled a larger portion of the social contract it signed with the Ghanaian people.



"Just like science says H20 is water which is constant and cannot be changed according to science, so is the mannerism of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He . . . has always been consistent in terms of the things that he wants to do.



"Regardless of how we find ourselves as a country, he promised to give us free implementation of SHS and today that vision has become fruitful to every Ghanaian child to lessen the burden of parents. He also promised us jobs and he has delivered with NABCO trainee workers.



In the history of Ghana under the former President Mahama, we had an Unemployed Graduate Association but today we have jobsFormer President Mahamas abysmal performance cannot be compared to that of Nana Addo, hence should be rejected and vote massively to retain Nana Addo in the December 7 election to continue the implementation of Free SHS, creation of more jobs and infrastructures, he added.





Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/[email protected]









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

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President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has been hospitalised in New York, according to the White House.

The president is expected to visit his 72-year-old brother at a hospital in Manhattan on Friday, according to White House spokesperson Judd Deere. Trump was already scheduled to visit his property in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday.

The White House did not immediately release details about why Robert Trump had been hospitalised.

Robert Trump recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family seeking to stop publication of a tell-all book by the president's niece Mary titled Too Much and Never Enough."



The president has said that Mary Trump's book was a violation of a nondisclosure agreement she signed in connection to a financial settlement she received from the Trump family.

Mary is a daughter of the brothers' eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr, who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

Robert Trump had previously worked for his older brother at the Trump Organisation.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With the two-year anniversary of the Staten Island express bus redesign rapidly approaching next Wednesday, representatives from the MTA were joined Thursday afternoon at the Eltingville Transit Center by union leaders and elected officials to update Staten Islanders on the progress thats been made over the past 24 months.

Craig Cipriano, president of the MTA Bus Company and senior vice president of buses for MTA New York City Transit, was joined by Borough President James Oddo, who has worked diligently to voice constituent concerns to the agency on a regular basis, and ATU Local 726 president Danny Cassella, who has served as the voice of the bus drivers throughout the process.
Actor Sooraj Pancholi and the parents of Disha Salian have filed separate police complaints against actor Puneet Vashisht, who has been accused of posting a defamatory post days after the deaths of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha, who briefly managed the actor. Puneet has since apologised for the post, which he says was forwarded to him. Who am I to accuse Sooraj of anything, he told ABP News, offering an apology.

In his Facebook post, posted on June 30, Puneet linked the two deaths to Sooraj, who has repeatedly denied any involvement. In his complaint, Sooraj, the son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab said, Mischievous stories are planted in social media by Mr Puneet Vashisht and larger organised crime syndicate. The police should ask them to procure evidence for their theory and if they do not have any, action should be taken.

According to the Indian Express, Sooraj said that he was informed about the post in the first week of July. Puneet added forwarded to his post on July 2, implying that it hadnt originated from him. Sushant died by suicide on June 14.

Also read: Sooraj Pancholi, denying connection to Sushant Singh Rajput death case, says very few people want to work with me

Senior Inspector Rajendra Thakur of Versova police station told Indian Express, We have received the complaint and are conducting an inquiry. No FIR has been registered yet. In their complaint, Disha Salians parents have accused Puneet of tarnishing their daughters reputation. The family has said Vashisht put up defamatory posts against her on his Facebook, another police officer said.

In a recent interview to India Today, Sooraj had said, My mother thinks that Im going to harm myself. And she has spoken to me a couple of times. Even after Sushants death, she spoke to me saying, Sooraj, whatever it is, if theres anything in your heart please come and talk to us. Dont be quiet. Im not a very talkative person when it comes to my problems. I dont discuss with my family because I know theyre stressed because of me.

Also read: Disha Salians father says police showed him all case evidences: She wasnt pregnant. Rape never happened

Meanwhile, Disha Salians father, rejecting certain media reports, had told India Today, As media has freedom of speech, we also have right of privacy, do not interfere in our life please. I request you all please. Police have explained me. They showed whole case evidences, post mortem report. My daughter was never pregnant, she never got pregnant. Rape never happened, organs are clear.

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19-year-old charged in Raytown homicide called 'drug deal gone bad' JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) - A 19-year-old has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that happened on Monday in Raytown. According to the Jackson County Prosecutor, Aaron Michael Hays has been charged with second-degree murder and delivery of a controlled substance.

Sorry. There are. . . TKC merely wants to provide a public service and warn pretty men to avoid prison at all costs.Reading material to make worker bees feel better about boring life choices:Checkit:
Adrian Healy on his way to conquering the English Channel in aid of the Mallow Day Care Centre. Photo: Louise Jane Charters

Mallow man Adrian Healy found himself in very deep water this week.

However, it was all for a good cause, with the brave and super fit father of two achieving a lifelong ambition of swimming the English Channel to raise funds for the Mallow Daycare Centre.

To put his marvellous achievement into some perspective, more people have actually climbed Mount Everest than have conquered the channel, one of the busiest and most treacherous stretches of water in the world.

Adrian, who has been an open water swimmer for more than a decade, has been training for the channel swim for a couple of years, which included acclimatising to water temperatures that can vary from 14 to 18 degrees and waves than can exceed two metres.

He had been due to make the swim on a number of previous occasions but was forced to postpone for a variety of reasons, including poor weather conditions. Last July he came tantalisingly close to fulfilling his long held ambition, but was forced to retire close to the finish due to a wind change.

Adrian, who is no stranger to tough challenges having completed the River Lee Swim on numerous occasions, did not let that disappointment put him off and last Tuesday finally completed the 21-mile crossing from England to France in a highly respectable time of 11-hours and 49-minutes.

He was accompanied on the journey by friends and family on a boat. During the swim he was not permitted to touch the boat but was kept supplied with food and drinks at points along the way. After four hours a colleague was also allowed to accompany Adrian for a short period in the water.

His proud wife Susan said that up until last Saturday it was touch and go as to whether the latest attempt would go ahead and it was only decided to plough ahead when the weather conditions were deemed suitable.

Through the swim Adrian managed to raise just over 6,000 for the Mallow Day Care Centre.

After hearing Adrian had completed the swim a delighted Day Care Centre chairman Sean Corcoran and nurse in charge Yvonne O'Connell congratulated him on the achievement.

A message posted on the Day Care Centre Facebook page also thanked Adrian.

"We could not be more proud or grateful for his efforts. Fantastic to have such great news," it read. Other people also left messages of congratulations on the Facebook page.
100 years ago

Aug. 14, 1920: Today is the last day of the LeRoy Fair, which means there will be auto races. Some of the racing machines were on the grounds last night, while others are arriving today. The race drivers are experienced and willing to take whatever chances are necessary to win.

75 years ago

Aug. 14, 1945: Japan has surrendered and Gen. Douglas MacArthur will officially accept Emperor Hirohitos sword as part of the process. Earlier, a Japanese submarine sank the Indianapolis, which delivered parts of the Hiroshima A-bomb on its last mission; 845 men were lost.

50 years ago

Aug. 14, 1970: Hot lunches will be served in six Bloomington schools this fall under a new agreement between District 87 and a contracting firm. The deal is subject to the board lawyers approval. Hot lunches for indigent children are now required by Illinois law.

25 years ago

Aug. 14, 1995: Gov. Jim Edgar signed a new veterans bill at the Illinois State Fair. Among other things, it requires veterans to document their service when they seek preference while applying for work. The bill aims to keep non-veterans from falsely obtaining the hiring preference.

Compiled by Jack Keefe; jkeefe@coldwellhomes.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. - A Georgia state trooper was fired and charged with murder Friday a week after he shot a 60-year-old man who tried to flee a rural traffic stop, authorities said.

The president of Georgias NAACP chapter called the slaying of Julian Edward Roosevelt Lewis another chilling example of a Black man being killed unlawfully by a white law enforcement officer. An attorney for Lewis family said the trooper initiated the traffic stop over a burned-out tail light and Lewis was shot almost immediately after the trooper forced his car into a ditch.

Mr. Lewis never got out of the vehicle and the investigation will show that, mere seconds after the crash, he was shot to death, shot in the face and killed, attorney Francys Johnson said.

Johnson said that information was given to the family by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which arrested 27-year-old Jacob Gordon Thompson on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault Friday. The agency did not include those details in its own statement on Thompsons arrest.

The GBI said Lewis was fatally shot Aug. 7 after a chase in rural Screven County, about 60 miles (95 kilometres) northwest of Savannah.

Thompson had tried to pull over a car for a traffic violation when the driver tried to flee, the GBI said in a news release. The agency said the trooper chased the vehicle down several country roads before performing a manoeuvr that forced the car to come to a stop in a ditch.

At some point afterward, Thompson fired a single gunshot that hit Lewis, killing him, the GBI said. The trooper was not injured.

GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles confirmed that Lewis was Black and the trooper was white, but she declined to comment further on the case. Richard Mallard, district attorney for the judicial circuit that includes Screven County, did not immediately return a phone message.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said it fired Thompson after he was charged Friday. He had been a trooper for the Georgia State Patrol since 2013.

Thompsons attorney, Keith Barber, declined to comment on specifics of the case, but said he believes the former trooper has an excellent character.

I think hes a fine trooper, Barber said. I think at the end of the day he will be exonerated in this case.

The trooper was charged amid a national outcry over racial injustice after George Floyd died beneath a Minneapolis police officers knee in May. In Georgia, authorities also recently charged three white men in the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery as he ran through their neighbourhood as well as two white police officers in the shooting of Rayshard Brooks after he tried to flee a DUI arrest.

No one should have to bury a loved one simply because of a busted tail light, said the Rev. James Woodall, president of the Georgia NAACP. This was a case of racial profiling. We are not necessarily happy right now. Yes, the man was arrested, but were done dying.

Johnson said Lewis wife, Betty Lewis, learned of the troopers arrest as she left the funeral home after making final arrangements for her husbands graveside service Saturday.

She fell to her knees, Johnson said. She said, `This is a step towards justice.

Lewis was a carpenter who recently helped a local ministry finish a construction project, Johnson said. He said Lewis wife told him her husband didnt own a gun.

He was not a perfect member of the Lewis family, he said, but as his wife said, `He was too good to die the way he did.
Egypt is taking immediate action against dangerous materials at airports as a precautionary measure for fear of a repeat of the deadly explosion that occurred in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Aug. 4.

In an Aug. 9 statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the formation of a supreme committee to inspect warehouses and cargo areas at Egyptian airports in an effort to move dangerous materials away from them.

On Aug. 4, an explosion occurred in the Beirut port at a warehouse storing ammonium nitrate, killing at least 172 people, injuring more than 6,000, and destroying parts of the city, with damages estimated in the billions of dollars.

The Egyptian ministry said in an official statement, The supreme committee includes all the authorities concerned and its mission is to examine and count all shipments, stores and storage containers in the goods village and storage yards at Cairo airport and all airports nationwide.

The committee would then take all precautionary measures against hazardous materials and release them immediately or transfer them to safe storage places outside the range of airports and population presence, the statement read.

Before the decision, there were calls from Egyptian intellectuals and TV hosts for action to be taken against dangerous materials that exist near populous areas.

I urge the Egyptian state to conduct a comprehensive review of all chemical stores in the country. The Beirut lesson was very painful, and it will not cost anything, but it will protect everything, TV host Amr Adib tweeted.

An Egyptian researcher also presented a scientific solution that could spare Egypt a repetition of the Beirut disaster. In statements to local media, Ibrahim el-Sherbiny, director of the Materials Science Center in Zewail City of Science and Technology in Egypt, recommended packaging ammonium nitrate with a polymer, pectin, to avoid the risk of explosion.

Polymer packaging makes the chance of fire difficult, because it is a noncombustible material, and it will also be a separator between grains of ammonium nitrate, which reduces the chances of them igniting with each other, so it does not give a large explosive force, as happened in the Beirut explosion, he said.

Parliamentarians have praised Egypt's preventive moves, saying they would protect the countrys national security as well as its citizens from Lebanon's fate.

Mohamed Abu Hamed, a parliamentarian, told Al-Monitor, It is a good and immediate move by the Egyptian government to conduct such a review of the dangerous materials that exist in its vital institutions, especially airports and seaports.

Bassant Fahmi, another parliamentarian, said the Beirut explosion caused Egypt to focus on the important problem involving storage of dangerous materials at key establishments. It is a grim reminder of the troubling fact that there are dangerous dumps of dangerous materials being stored close to residential areas, Fahmi told Al-Monitor.

She said many countries across the world are grappling with the same issue; Iraq, Libya, Ukraine, Georgia and Guinea-Bissau have also stored dangerous munitions from past and present conflicts at sites near residential areas. All these countries should immediately take action to avoid possible disasters, she said.

Fahmi added that the economic effects resulting from possible such explosions could devastate the national economy as well as the security of the people and the state, especially as Egypt is already struggling with the adverse economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

We began calling for this right after the Beirut explosion and the government was very responsive, she added.

Other Arab countries such as Iraq have also taken action against dangerous materials as a precautionary measure.

The Border Ports Authority in Iraq issued a directive Aug. 9 to evacuate Baghdad International Airport of any materials classified as very dangerous.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also directed the formation of an urgent committee to detect high-risk materials at all border crossings and take all precautionary measures to remove them from residential areas.

This came in response to warnings from Iraqi political and popular parties worried about a repetition of what happened in the Lebanese capital of Beirut due to the presence of explosive materials in ports, border crossings and airports.
A high school principal in Florida who refused to say that the Holocaust was a factual, historical event because he had to stay politically neutral should not have been fired, a judge ruled on Thursday.

The principal, William Latson, was removed from his post at Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton last year, after an April 2018 email exchange with a students parent became public. He should have been reprimanded or reassigned to another position at the Palm Beach County school board, according to Judge Robert S. Cohen of the Division of Administrative Hearings in Tallahassee, Fla.

The school district failed to prove that Mr. Latson had engaged in misconduct in office, incompetence, or gross insubordination by a preponderance of the evidence, the judge wrote in his order. No just cause for his suspension or termination exists, but a reprimand and reassignment are warranted.

The judge said that Mr. Latson had communicated well with students, teachers, and parents, except for the one parent. He said the principals choice of words and methods of trying to express that everyone at S.R.H.S. has the right to their individual beliefs, even if they differed from the required, approved curriculum were unfortunate.
Iceland's government may soon announce a tightening of the rules for travelers to the island following criticism to its open borders policy amid a resurgence in Covid-19 cases.

Among the measures being proposed by the country's chief epidemiologist are double testing and a mandatory quarantine of 4 to 6 days for foreign tourists and Icelanders returning from their holidays abroad.

Iceland introduced coronavirus tests for anyone arriving at Keflavik Airport on June 15 in an effort to salvage its tourism industry, the country's main export. Travelers from countries considered safe, such as Germany or Denmark, were exempted from the tests a month later.

The policy, which replaced a mandatory quarantine for all visitors, did little to encourage tourism. In fact, foreign tourist numbers were down 80% in July from a year ago. The development drew criticism from several economists, who accuse the government of placing the interests of the travel industry above the interests of the economy as a whole.

After a period of no new cases, a total of 106 people have tested positive for coronavirus during the past weeks, prompting Norway to add the island to its high-risk list.

"It would be more efficient for society if the rules on entry at the borders were tightened." Tinna Laufey Asgeirsdottir, a health economics professor at the University of Iceland, said in an interview in Reykjavik.

Asgeirsdottir takes issue with the government's policy of subsiding the airport tests. Visitors were initially tested for free, but were later charged $100. The price has since come down, to around $66. The professor argues that when intangibles such as health and time lost due to quarantines are taken into account, those tests should be priced at several hundred dollars each at least.

According to Gylfi Zoega, an economics professor at the same university, the costs to the economy from a domestic outbreak caused by higher tourist flows would be "multiple the gain from those visits," he wrote in an article published by local paper Morgunbladid.

Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir says the border rules are aimed at protecting society as a whole.

"In my mind there are two things that matter: On the one hand health and disease prevention, but also keeping society afloat. Part of that is facilitating travel in a free society and that does not apply only to tourism," she told Morgunbladid.

Still, a tightening of the rules cannot be excluded, she said.

An announcement is expected in the coming days.
The president was scheduled to attend a forum in Grodno on October 8-9.

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Dmytro Kuleba says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not visit Belarus while mass protests continue there.

"Until the situation in Belarus stabilizes, it would be reckless to announce any visit or initiative," Kuleba told UA:Ukrainian Radio on August 14.

Read alsoTwo Ukrainians detained in Belarus released

The stabilization of the situation in Belarus with minimal losses through a dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and society is key now, he said.

"It is obvious to everyone that such dialogue is needed. And we represent a country where the right to peaceful protest is indisputable. We have our own history. Each country has its own specifics, and it is obvious to us that they need to start talking and looking for a way out of the situation that has now emerged in Belarus," he said.

Zelensky's visit to Belarus: What is known
Joe Biden is leading Donald Trump by seven points nationwide as new poll reveals more than 50 per cent of respondents disapprove of the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and other top issues.

According to the Fox News poll, 49 per cent of respondents back the former vice president compared to the 42 per cent who are throwing their support behind Trump.

The poll, which was conducted days before Biden announced his running mate, California Sen Kamala Harris, showed that nine per cent of participants are undecided or revealed that they would back a third-party candidate.

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According to the Fox News poll , 49 per cent of respondents back the former vice president compared to the 42 per cent who are throwing their support behind Trump

The poll, which was conducted days before Biden announced his running mate, California Sen Kamala Harris, showed that nine per cent of participants are undecided or revealed that they would back a third-party candidate

Of the respondents, 54 per cent said they disapprove of Trump's performance as president while 66 per cent said they were unhappy with the direction the country is going in, including 4 in 10 Republicans.

Participants also prefer Biden over Trump on top issues like race relations, health care, coronavirus and policing and criminal justice.

And despite Biden's lead, when participants were asked who their neighbors would likely support, 39 per cent said they think their neighbors will back Trump.

Thirty-four per cent said their neighbors would likely back Biden.

Between August 9 and 12, respondents participated in the poll under the joint direction of Beacon Research and Shaw & Company.

The poll includes interviews with 1,000 randomly chosen registered voters nationwide. The poll has a margin of error of three percentage points.

Results from the Fox News poll were similar to July's when Biden held an 8 percentage point lead over Trump.

The July 15-21 poll found that 46 per cent of registered voters said they would back Biden in the November 3 election, while 38 per cent would vote for Trump.

And despite Biden's lead, when participants were asked who their neighbors would likely support, 39 per cent said they think their neighbors will back Trump

Of the respondents 54 per cent said they disapprove of Trump's performance as president while 66 per cent said they were unhappy with the direction the country is going in, including 4 in 10 Republicans

Results from the Fox News poll were similar to July's when Biden held an 8 percentage point lead over Trump. In June, Biden held 50 per cent of the vote and was ahead of Trump by 12 percentage points. Biden and Kamala Harris are seen on Thursday during COVID-19 talks

The remaining 16 per cent were either undecided, plan to support a third-party candidate or may not vote.

When asked about the most important factor driving their decision to vote, 34 per cent - a plurality - said they were looking for a candidate who has 'a robust plan to help the nation recover.'

Another 24 per cent said they were looking for someone who can 'restore trust in American government' and 12 per cent said they wanted a candidate who is 'strong on healthcare.'

Registered voters have consistently ranked Biden as the better candidate when it comes to all three.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also showed that only 38 per cent of the public supports Trump's handling of the coronavirus, including 20 per cent of undecided or third-party registered voters.

In June, Biden held 50 per cent of the vote and was ahead of Trump by 12 percentage points.
Palestinians rage at Israel-UAE 'normalization deal'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 August 2020 9:54 PM

Leading Palestinian factions have voiced their strong resentment at an "agreement" reached between Israel and the United Arab Emirates aimed at "full normalization" of their relations.

The deal, which US President Donald Trump apparently helped broker, was announced on Thursday.

Trump hailed it as a "huge breakthrough" and a "historic peace agreement between our two great friends," while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called it an "enormous" step forward on the "right path." Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, claimed that the deal marked "a historic day."

Hamas: Normalization rewards Israel

Hazem Qassem, spokesman for the resistance group Hamas that has its headquarters in the Israeli-besieged Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip, however, told AFP the deal "does not serve the Palestinian cause." "The agreement with the UAE is a reward for the Israeli occupation and crimes," Qasem said.

Fawzi Barhoum, another Hamas spokesman, said, "Normalization is a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause and it serves only the Israeli occupation."

PA calls deal betrayal, recalls envoy

The Palestinian Authority (PA) that is based in the Tel Aviv-occupied West Bank voiced its "strong rejection and condemnation" of the deal.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called on the Arab League to address the development in an emergency meeting, referred to the deal as an "aggression" against the Palestinian people and a "betrayal" of their cause.

Abbas said among the things that were being sold out as a result of the normalization deal was the Palestinians' claim to the holy occupied city of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of their future state.

He was apparently suggesting that by taking Tel Aviv's side, Abu Dhabi would only be emboldening the occupying regime in its claim to the whole city as its so-called capital.

The PA, meanwhile, recalled its envoy from the Emirates, Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network reported.

The Fatah movement, the leading faction within the PA, also said by clinching the agreement, the UAE was flouting its national, religious, and humanitarian duties toward the Palestinian cause.

Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed has alleged that the deal would stop planned US-backed Israeli annexation of more Palestinian territories.

Netanyahu announced a plan for grabbing a huge swathe of the West Bank, namely the areas upon which the regime has built its illegal settlements since occupying the territory in 1967, as well as the strategic Jordan Valley. He made the announcement after Trump gave him the green light for so doing by unveiling the details of the "deal of the century," a hugely pro-Tel Aviv scheme.

Observers, however, warned that not only was not the Israeli regime about to stop the plan, but also it was already enforcing it on the ground without declaring it.

The Emirates is now the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan to recognize Israel.

Some, though, reminded that the decision by the "unelected" Emirati princes did not serve to represent the standpoint of the millions-strong regional and extra-regional Arab community.

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Spain announced it was banning smoking in the street without social distancing as it stepped up restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus today.

Health Minister Salvador Illa unveiled a raft of new measures to be enforced nationwide, including closing restaurants and bars.

Nightclubs and late-night bars will be closed, restaurants will have to close by 1am, no new customers can enter after midnight and establishments will be limtied to 10 diners.

He attended an emergency meeting of regional health authorities as the country battles a surge in the disease, with nearly 2,935 new cases in 24 hours reported on Thursday.

It takes the country's total cases to 337,334, while the country's death toll to 28,605, prompting fears of a second wave of the pandemic in Spain.

The nationwide smoking ban comes after Galicia and the Canary Islands introduced their own bans on smoking in outdoor public places yesterday.

The move is supported by research from Spain's health ministry, who last month found that smoking can spread the virus because people project droplets when they exhale smoke.

In addition, the virus could be spread when a person removes their face mask to smoke a cigarette, and by touching their cigarette before bringing it to their mouth.

But experts have warned there is not yet enough evidence to say for certain that the disease could be spread through tobacco smoke.

Spain announced it was banning smoking in the street without social distancing as it stepped up restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus today as the country's 7-day average cases have spiralled up in recent days

The Spanish Society of Epidemiology in July called for smoking to be banned in outdoor spaces. Above, a man smokes a cigarette in a street of Valencia on August 13, 2020

Can smoking in public spread coronavirus? While many health experts are warning that smoking can increase the risk of serious illness if you do catch coronavirus, the evidence is less clear on whether it also poses a risk of infecting other people. Spanish health officials say smokers who have coronavirus could blow their droplets towards other people, allowing the virus to spread. Although there has been little research into whether the smoke itself can spread the virus, the act of smoking produces the respiratory droplets which are thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Smokers are also unlikely to be wearing a mask, which may increase the risk of transmission in itself. The WHO also says that smoking is a coronavirus risk because it involves 'contact of fingers with the lips, which increases the possibility of the transmission of viruses from hand to mouth'. Shisha pipes are also regarded as risky because they 'often involve the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses'. While chewing tobacco would not produce smoke, it still often involves hand-to-mouth contact and could produce a further risk when people spit out their excess saliva, the WHO says. However, Spanish epidemiologist Fernando Garcia said there was 'not yet enough solid scientific information' to show that smoking can spread the disease in open spaces. 'To take such an extreme measure when there is not enough evidence, I think is a bit disproportionate,' he said. Advertisement

The move comes despite a mountain of research suggesting smokers are less likely to catch coronavirus.

Experts across the world have discovered very few smokers are getting hospitalised by Covid-19, suggesting they are protected or aren't getting infected as much.

It is mandatory in all of Spain, except in the Canary Islands, to wear a face mask in all outdoor and indoor public spaces.

The Spanish Society of Epidemiology in July called for smoking to be banned in outdoor spaces, arguing there is a risk that smokers infected with COVID-19 but who are asymptomatic 'could release droplets' containing the virus 'which put at risk the rest of the population'.

Alberto Fernandez Villar, head of the pneumology department at Vigo hospital, and a member of the Galician government's clinical committee, said: 'We know smokers with Covid-19 have a greater viral load and are potentially bigger spreaders.'

Viral load refers to the number of particles of the coronavirus - called SARS-CoV-2 - someone is first infected with.

No scientific studies have conclusively proven that smokers have a higher viral load, compared to coronavirus-infected non-smokers.

But evidence has shown smokers may have more ACE-2 receptors, which the virus latches on to to infect humans.

This means someone with more ACE-2 receptors may be more susceptible to a large viral load entering their bloodstream.

Spain's highly decentralised system of government makes regions responsible for healthcare, leading to a patchwork of different measures to curb the virus across the country of 47million people.

The World Health Organization has said tobacco users are likely to be more vulnerable to being infected by the virus and could increase the possibility of transmission of the disease since it involves contact of fingers with the lips.

While the smoking ban was applauded by many medical experts, some questioned its effectiveness.

'There is not yet enough solid scientific information to show that in open spaces, tobacco smoke can transmit the disease,' Fernando Garcia, an epidemiologist at the Carlos III institute for health, said.

'To take such an extreme measure when there is not enough evidence, I think is a bit disproportionate.'

The ban on smoking comes as the country grapples with the worst infection rate in western Europe. Spain now has 376,864 confirmed total cases, and 28,579 deaths.

ARE SMOKERS AT MORE RISK FROM CORONAVIRUS? Dr James Gill, a locum GP and honorary clinical lecturer, Warwick Medical School, said: 'Smoking is a significant risk factor for coronavirus infections and, in fact, infections generally. 'There are many interlocking factors as to why smoking reduces the body's ability to fight an infection. 'Possibly one of the biggest reasons smokers are at increased risk of respiratory infections is the impairment and death of the cilia in the airways and lungs. 'In simple terms, the airways are lined with cilia - small brush-like hairs - these structures provide an absolutely vital function in moving mucous, inhaled debris and potentially infectious agents out of the airways and lungs before an infection can take hold.' Increased levels of carbon monoxide in the blood, a by-product of smoking, blocks the blood's ability to carry oxygen to cells in the body. It puts smokers at a pre-disposed disadvantage if they catch coronavirus, considering the disease leaves patients unable to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream due to lung inflammation. Dr Tom Wingfield, a senior clinical lecturer and honorary consultant physician, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), said: 'Smoking both increases someone's vulnerability to infection (repetitive touching of hand-to-face and hand-to-mouth) and reduces their ability to fight against it resulting in more severe disease.' He highlighted the tendency of smokers to have a health condition, such as high blood pressure, high disease and chronic lung, 'all of which themselves are risk factors for severe COVID-19'. Professor Gordon Dougan, department of medicine, University of Cambridge, said: 'The real danger lies in the lung and systems damage COVID causes. It will make people more vulnerable to secondary bacterial and viral infections. It is known that lung damage per say does that.' Advertisement

Galicia and the Canary Islands had already announced their own smoking bans in what is thought to be the first such restriction in Europe.

Officials in regions including Madrid and Andalusia had said they were considering similar smoking restrictions before the national measure was announced.

The Canary Islands have also toughened their mask rules in public spaces, having previously been the only region not to make them mandatory.

The Spanish Medical Colleges Organisation said it was 'disappointed and outraged' at the lack of co-ordination between Madrid and regional governments.

'The disputes and rivalries between political forces and institutions, when they should all be rowing in the same direction, drive us to despair,' the body said.

The organisation blamed the spike in cases on looser social distancing, family gatherings and the re-opening of nightclubs and bars as well as the poor living conditions of migrant farm workers.

Spain's different layers of government provide 'contradictory' figures about the virus which 'give everyone the impression of a lack of co-ordination in the fight against the pandemic,' it added.

In addition to the smoking ban, bars and restaurants will also have to close by 1am as part of the new restrictions, health minister Illa told a news conference.

He also advised against gatherings of more than 10 people and specifically warned young people not to gather outside to drink alcohol.

'We cannot afford not to be disciplined,' Illa said. 'We cannot ignore the virus circulating among us.'

The increase in infections has led to worries the country could return to the grim situation it experienced in early April when the daily Covid-19 death toll approached 1,000, but Illa played down such concerns.

Official data shows 70 people have died over the past week, bringing Spain's total coronavirus death toll to 28,605.

'The situation is not comparable with March and April,' the minister said, remarking that more young people were now becoming infected, many of them showing no symptoms, and patients in general were getting less severely ill.

Spain is still in good shape compared with many countries in the Americas, where the spread seems unchecked in the United States, Mexico and several South American countries.

But hospitalisations with Covid-19 have quintupled in Spain since early July, when cases were down to a trickle.

Spain imposed one of the toughest lockdowns in Europe, which stopped a first wave of the virus that had pushed the health care system to breaking point.

Britain has identified a threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 people in the space of a week as the key to its quarantine rules. France was added last night after crossing that threshold - while Switzerland and Denmark are hovering close to it and Germany and Italy have seen an alarming increase in cases partly linked to summer holidays

Elsewhere, France last night announced another 2,669 cases of the disease while the 7-day average is now at 1,962, a level not seen since April.

The government today declared Paris and Marseille as high-risk zones, giving authorities more power to impose strict measures at a local level.

Local authorities in Paris and the Bouches-du-Rhone region which includes Marseille can now limit traffic, restrict access to public transport and close down bars and restaurants if necessary.

Paris and Marseille, the two largest cities in France, had already made face masks mandatory in busy public areas in recent days.

Health authorities warned last night that virus cases were rising fastest among younger people, in common with trends seen in Spain and Italy in recent weeks.

In mainland France, the pace of growth in cases in the week of August 3-9 was fastest among people aged 15-44, the health ministry said.

Among the new infections were 50 gendarmes based in Tarbes, out of a group of 82 who had just returned from a deployment in Polynesia.

Meanwhile, Germany's daily infection count hit its highest since May 1 today after 1,449 more people tested positive.

The latest spike brings Germany's 7-day average from 985 daily cases to 1,028, the first time since May 6 that it has been above 1,000.

Germany has suffered 7,199 cases in the last week - but would need to reach around 16,750 per week to cross the UK's threshold.

Germany also faced testing chaos this week as 44,000 people had to wait more than a week for their results including around 1,000 who tested positive.

Many of those tested were travellers returning to Bavaria and other parts of Germany after their holidays.

WHY IS SMOKING THOUGHT TO PROTECT AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS? Swathes of studies have shown a low prevalence of smokers in hospitals with Covid-19. When smokers do get diagnosed with the virus, however, they appear to be more likely to get so sick that they need ventilation, two studies in the review showed. If the findings are proven, scientists say it's likely that it is not cigarettes - filled with thousands of harmful chemicals - that would offer a potential protection, but the nicotine that is beneficial. A theory flouted by scientists is that nicotine reduces ACE-2 receptors, which are proteins in the body the virus binds to in order to infect cells. The coronavirus enters cells inside the body via the structures, which coat the surface of some cells, including in the airways and lungs. If nicotine does lowers ACE-2 expression, it makes it harder for viral particles to gain entry into cells and therefore cause an infection. On the other hand, other studies show that nicotine enhances the action of the ACE-2 receptor, which in theory, puts smokers at a higher risk of contracting the coronavirus. Other scientists say low levels of ACE-2 expression as a result of nicotine may prevent worse damage from viral infection, and there is no evidence that says higher quantities of ACE-2 receptors increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first place. Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, from the University of West Attica, Greece, who queried whether nicotine could be a cure for Covid-19 in a paper published on May 9, said: 'Up-regulation of ACE2, though seemingly paradoxical, may in fact protect patients from severe disease and lung injury.' A 2008 study in mice found that getting rid of ACE-2 made the animals more likely to suffer severe breathing difficulties when infected with the SARS virus, which is almost identical to Covid-19. Other scientists have turned their head towards nicotine's ability to prevent inflammation, where evidence is more robust. Nicotine has been shown inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF, IL-1 and IL-6, which are involved in promoting an inflammatory response. A 'cytokine storm' is a phenomenon in which an abundance of cytokines are released in response to infection. Doctors have previously said that it's often the body's response to the virus, rather than the virus itself, that plays a major role in how sick a person gets. A cytokine storm can lead to respiratory failure and the attack of healthy tissues, causing multi-organ failure. Therefore, the cytokine storm is being looked at as a target for COVID-19 treatment. When smokers are infected with a virus like SARS-CoV-2, their immune system is more 'tolerant' and does not overreact, experts also say. On the other hand, non-smokers may be more prone to having the sudden and deadly cytokine storm when they are infected with the virus. Scientists have stressed that the evidence supporting nicotine as a medicine does not mean everyone should take up smoking. Advertisement
Judge Robert Rosenberg of the Broward County Canvassing Board uses a magnifying glass to examine a dimpled chad on a punch-card ballot Nov. 24, 2000, during a vote recount in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Robert King / Getty Images)

It was well past 3 a.m. Eastern time on Nov. 8, 2000, when NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw looked into a camera on his network's election night set and delivered what is likely the most humbling remark to come from a television journalist.

We dont have egg on our face, Brokaw said. We have omelet all over our suits.

The words came after the embarrassing debacle of the networks having to retract the call for the winner in the presidential election between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Bush was declared the victor that night after he was awarded Florida and its 25 electoral votes, giving him a slight edge over Gore, who would win the popular vote. But the networks soon had to pull back their call, as the vote margin between the candidates in the state narrowed as more ballots were counted.

What ensued in the next 35 days was unprecedented in American history as TV news dispensed around-the-clock reports on recounts, voting irregularities, protests and legal challenges. They preceded a U.S. Supreme Court decision that ultimately voted 5-4 in favor of stopping a statewide Florida recount and delivered the election to Bush.

The images from those chaotic days of Florida election officials examining punch-card ballots  looking for hanging chads or dimpled chads"  are likely to be evoked when the votes are counted in November, as the nation conducts a presidential election amid the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the time election night arrives, TV viewers already will have seen how social distancing to deter the spread of the coronavirus permeates every element of the 2020 presidential campaign, starting Monday with the Democratic National Convention, followed by the Republicans' event. Both conventions will be a shell of previous gatherings with speakers appearing virtually, while TV anchors will be at their home bases in Washington or New York.

Neither presumptive Democratic nominee former Vice President Joe Biden nor President Trump, who accepts the Republican nomination on Aug. 27, are expected to deliver their speeches in front of cheering crowds of supporters.

Story continues

While it will be a challenge to turn the conventions into compelling television  broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC and cable news channels CNN, Fox News and MSNBC will carry live coverage in prime time  it pales before the monumental task of getting the vote count right on Nov. 3. The expected unprecedented amount of mail-in voting  a process Trump has already called rigged and corrupt without offering proof  guarantees a tabulation process that will be painstakingly slow and could go on for days or weeks. If the election is close, legal challenges are likely to abound.

Network TV news executives know what is at stake because nearly 20 years ago they got it very wrong.

Exit polls taken of voters on Nov. 7, 2000, indicated a victory for Gore. When ballots were tabulated that night by the Voter News Service  the consortium formed by the networks and the Associated Press to collect the results  Gore was awarded Florida shortly after polls in the state closed, only to have it pulled back from his column later in the night.

Tim Russert, moderator for NBCs Meet the Press, had been using a black marker and erasable whiteboard in the days leading up to the election to depict the various combination of states that would bring one of the candidates to the 270 electoral votes needed to win. With Florida back in play, Gore and Bush were tied at 242, which prompted Russert to write three words that became a mantra political pundits still cite today: Florida, Florida, Florida.

News anchor Tim Russert, with his famous whiteboard, during the 2000 election coverage on NBC. (NBC News)

After midnight in the east, a surge of votes came in from Volusia County in Florida. It gave Bush a large enough lead that Fox News called the state and the election for the Republican nominee. The other networks, whose analysts were working off the same data, followed several minutes later. Only the AP held back to do its own vote count.

After seeing the results announced on television, Gore called Bush to concede the election. But by 3:17 a.m. Eastern, the Florida secretary of states website showed Bushs lead shrinking to 565 votes. Gore called again to rescind his concession, a stunning moment in presidential politics.

The networks had to retract the announcement of a victory for Bush and declare the race too close to call. But for the Gore campaign, the damage had been done.

It wasn't ambiguous, said Michael Feldman, managing director of the Glover Park Group, who served as an advisor to Gores 2000 campaign. All the networks said George W. Bush will be the 43rd president of the United States, with flags waving and graphics  that was what the country saw. No matter what the actual vote was in Florida or anywhere else, Gore was always going to be the spoiler trying to unwind something that had happened even though, as we found out later, it hadn't happened.

The initial erroneous election call led to conspiracy theories. The Fox News analyst who called the race first, John Ellis, was a first cousin of Bush. While Ellis was a respected political expert previously employed by NBC News, his presence at a network decision desk, where statisticians and political scientists crunch poll numbers, votes and historical data to project winners, appeared to be a conflict of interest.

What was someone related to Bush doing in any position of responsibility to call an election? said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics.

There was also a rumor that Jack Welch, chairman of then NBC parent General Electric and a longtime Republican backer, was urging his networks news division to call the race for Bush.

But the main source of the problem was erroneous voting results that came in from Floridas Volusia County. When the bad data was figured into the state's total late that night, the network news operations, confident after having a 52-year record of calling presidential races accurately, did not question it.

Bragging rights also were at play. Network news divisions took pride in projecting a winner first.

There was a lot of competitive pressure to not get beat and not be five minutes behind somebody else, said Al Ortiz, who worked on CBS News election coverage in 2000 and is now vice president of standards and practices for the division. "In the years that followed  and today  there is a lot more patience. If you've got a county that goes completely differently from its history or in the models we have, it sets off a round of questioning now that it didn't automatically back in 2000."

Even Gore presumed the networks were right, which led to his initial concession call. "Had he known at the time what was actually going on, he probably wouldn't have made that call," Feldman said. To this day, Feldman believes the call hampered Gore and helped Bush in the court of public opinion during the weeks that followed.

"Anybody who's run a recount in any race from president to dog catcher will tell you if you have a lead at the outset and you've been declared the winner," Feldman said, "that is a huge advantage in the process."

The networks  whose news presidents were called before Congress, where they delivered mea culpas over the breakdown of the 2000 election calls  have taken a more cautious approach ever since.

In 2004, the closest presidential race since 2000, the networks did not declare a winner until the day after election night, when campaign officials for Democratic nominee John Kerry determined there were not enough uncounted provisional votes in Ohio to overtake incumbent Bushs narrow lead in the state. (Exit polls had pointed to a Kerry victory, further evidence they had become less reliable.)

When Ohio was close again in the 2012 presidential election, Megyn Kelly, then a Fox News anchor, marched down to the networks decision desk to have analysts explain why the state  and the election  were being called for Barack Obama over challenger Mitt Romney. (The network's Republican analyst, Karl Rove, had disputed the results.) The moment showed how audiences had become used to seeing their partisan viewpoints reflected in the cable news channels they watched and needed some convincing when the proceedings were not going their way.

Early exit polls in 2016 led networks to believe Hillary Clinton was on her way to beating Trump. The misfire led Fox News and the AP to team up with the University of Chicago to develop a new voter survey that increases the number of people questioned and puts a greater emphasis on early voting. Since then, Fox News has been calling races earlier than its competitors during special elections, the 2018 midterms and the 2020 primaries, with no mistakes so far.

ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN use the firm Edison Research to collect voting data for their election night calls.

While the networks are more careful about reporting the results, an election night that extends into days or weeks involving Trump, who has already assailed the process, means viewers could still be in for a rocky ride.

"I am concerned about that because we are much more polarized than we were in 2000," Sabato said. "It doesn't take much to inflame people anymore, and the TV coverage is going to be reflecting social media, which is going to be reflecting the TV coverage, so they're going to be feeding into one another in this horrible polarized loop."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 11:02:00|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Friday confirmed one new imported case of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the kingdom to 273, said a Health Ministry's statement.

The latest case was detected on a 51-year-old Cambodian woman, who arrived in the country on July 31 from the United States via a connecting flight in South Korea, the statement said.

"On the 13th day of the quarantine, her samples were tested for the second time, and the result showed on Thursday that she turned out to be positive for the COVID-19," it said.

Currently, the woman is undergoing treatment at an isolation ward in the Chak Angre Health Center in southern Phnom Penh, it added.

The Southeast Asian nation has so far recorded a total of 273 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 225 patients cured and 48 remained in hospital, according to the statement. Enditem
TORONTO, Aug. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 12 Exploration Inc. (CSE: TWLV) is pleased to announce it has changed its name to 79North Inc. (79North or the Company). The Companys common shares are expected to commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under a new symbol (JQ) at the opening of trading on August 19, 2020.



About 79North

79North is led by a team with extensive mineral exploration expertise and a track record of discoveries and exits in South America and globally. 79North currently holds an indirect interest in mineral concessions in northern Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana), and aims to become the premier junior exploration company in this underexplored district of the prolific Guiana Shield. The Companys strategically located land package is located in close proximity to both the Merian Gold Mine of Newmont Corporation and the Rosebel Gold Mine of Iamgold Corporation which have a substantial gold production history. 79Norths growing portfolio of high-quality targets which have not undergone modern exploration or drilling have a long history of artisanal mining and are strategically located within close proximity to modern gold mines operated by major mining companies.

Further Information on the Company

For further information please visit www.79North.ca or contact:

Jon North, President and Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: (416) 786-6348 Email: jon@79north.ca info@79North.ca




Workers could be left with more money in their pockets after their tax return if they follow five simple rules.

Money expert Nicholas G. Muscat revealed in a video the shortcuts would not only lead to a bigger tax return, but also greatly reduce the amount of tax taken from an income.

'There are five ways you can reduce your tax. It's the thing nobody wants to talk about, but the thing everyone needs to talk about.'

The tips are as simple as salary sacrificing, expense claiming and setting up a trust to name a few.

Already the Australian Taxation Office has recorded a record-breaking amount of tax returns this year.

The beginning of the new financial year on July 1 saw the tax office website crash as people rushed to file their returns.

Money expert Nicholas G. Muscat (pictured) revealed in a video the shortcuts would not only lead to a bigger tax return, but also greatly reduce the amount of tax taken from an income

Mr Muscat said one of the best ways for someone to reduce their taxable income was to make depreciation claims on investment properties (stock image)

Within two days, the ATO received a whopping 230,000 tax return applications.

More than 457,000 individual refunds were completed by mid-July, towering over the 389,000 claims lodged during the same time last year.

The Australian Taxation Office has allowed wage earners to claim 80 cents for every hour they worked from home between March and September.

The flat hourly rate can substitute the lengthy process of claiming individual expenses, though experts have warned taxpayers could be left shortchanged.

Mr Muscat pointed out workers were losing out on more savings because they simply had no idea what they could claim.

'If you understand the basic concept, you can claim anything you are using to make an income,' Mr Muscat said.

'You can claim after buying, washing and maintaining your uniform.

'If you do a job where you do a lot of reading, magazines, content relevant that you might buy, or subscriptions, that's something you can claim.

Five tricks to less tax and bigger returns Money expert Nicholas G. Muscat revealed five tips workers could follow if they want less tax and bigger returns. 1) Claim expenses Mr Muscat says a worker can claim 'anything you are using to make an income.' That includes uniform expenses, subscriptions or equipment. As long as it's used for work purposes, you can claim it. 2) Depreciation claims on investment properties Mr Muscat says a home owner can claim a tax deduction for a rental property as it slowly declines in value over time. The claim can be made against any structural decline in value or items that are permanently fixed to the home. 3) Salary sacrifice Workers can opt for money to be taken out of their salary and directed straight to their super before they are paid. Their pay check might be smaller at the end of the week, but that could mean their income drops down a tax bracket and they are actually taxed less. 4) Start a business Mr Muscat says the best thing to do would be to start a business because 'the least advantageous position is to be an employee.' 5) Set up a trust fund Mr Muscat says high income earners can put their assets into a trust fund under the name of a lower income earner. This will mean they are taxed less. Advertisement

'If you work out in the sun, you can claim glasses and hats.'

Australians who have been working on the frontline battling either the bushfires earlier this year or coronavirus are also entitled to claim protective equipment as a deduction.

That includes gloves, face masks, sanitiser or anti-bacterial spray that have been paid for by retail and hospitality workers.

Mr Muscat goes on to say home owners can also claim depreciation on their investment properties.

'Everyone knows that real estate can be a great tax dodge, but a lot of people forget about one of the biggest parts of how you dodge tax with property and that is depreciation,' he said.

'You can claim depreciation because the house is deteriorating and the government gives you figures, and you can claim all that and that can make a huge difference on how much tax you're paying.'

A home owner can claim a tax deduction for a rental property as it slowly declines in value over time.

The claim can be made against any structural decline in value or items that are permanently fixed to the home.

In most cases the Australian Taxation Office will only allow property investors to backdate depreciation by two years.

Home owners will also have to draft up a depreciation schedule - which involves hiring a qualified quantity surveyor to inspect the property and make a report for the accountant.

Mr Muscat also said a worker can choose to salary sacrifice to reduce their taxes even further.

'If you're making $35,000 or more it's almost absolutely worth your time to go make the effort to salary sacrifice a certain amount of money each week because you will actually end up with more money,' Mr Muscat said.

Salary sacrifice is most often used when a worker opts for part of their salary to be directly sent into their superannuation account before they are paid.

The worker may look as if they are being paid less money at the end of the week, but the lower paycheck could drop their income down a tax bracket.

This means they are taxed less in the end, while more money is essentially going into their super.

Mr Muscat said workers were overlooking a number of work expenses on their tax returns meaning they were losing out on more money (stock image)

Mr Muscat suggested another way to reduce taxable income was to start a business (stock image)

Mr Muscat noted a salary sacrifice could also be made on more things than just superannuation.

'You will pay for things like a car, or phone with your pre-tax income, so you save money, if you understand the fundamentals of tax,' he said.

Mr Muscat's final two suggestions for reducing tax was to set up a trust and start a business.

He admitted setting up a trust fund was more advantageous for high income earners.

He said it would be better for them to put their savings or investments into a trust person who made less money as that would reduce the amount of tax on their assets.

'As you make more money, you go up in the tax bracket. If you have a spouse, or someone close to you, and they have a lower marginal tax bracket... and pay less money.'
On this day last year, Irish Examiner readers learned that the body of missing teenager Nora Quoirin was found in the Malaysian jungle 10 days after she disappeared on a family holiday.

Noras naked body was found by a stream in the jungle approximately 2km from where she was last seen at a rainforest resort.

Nora was born with the brain defect holoprosencephaly. Her Irish mum and French dad said that she had difficulty walking and to leave her bedroom to venture into the jungle was extremely out-of-character.

The vulnerable 15-year-olds death was a mystery then and it remains somewhat of a mystery today. Her family say that there are still unanswered questions about what happened to their daughter that night.

An inquest is due to be held later this month, with Malaysian media reporting this week that a coroner and lawyers for the family and the prosecution had all visited the rainforest where she was found ahead of this hearing.

On this day five years ago, the controversial water charge protests were stoking fiery debate after it was announced that some protesters would be prosecuted after the upcoming election.

Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy and two party councillors were to be taken to court over water protests. Then-tanaiste Joan Burton was to be the star witness.

Ms Burton had been struck in the face by a water bomb and trapped by protestors in her car with her advisor Karen OConnell for more than two hours at a protest the previous November.

Read More Gerry Thompson: Credit Unions must be free to help the recovery of towns and villages

Mr Murphy, TD for Dublin South West, was to be charged with false imprisonment which could attract a maximum of a life sentence.

In 2017, Mr Murphy and five co-defendants were found not guilty of the charges.

And 10 years ago, rapist Larry Murphy was pictured tugging a grey hoodie over his face as he left the Cork train in Dublin.

Murphy, then 45, had been released from prison days earlier after serving more than 10 years for the repeated rape and attempted murder of a Carlow business woman in February, 2000.

Facebook groups of concerned people were tracking his whereabouts post-release.

A womans dying wish to hold a street party for neighbours and friends was granted on this day 20 years ago when Galway city was closed off for the colourful event.

Peigi Dooley who was in the final stages of motor neuron disease was given permission to cordon off part of the city so that 700 people, bringing only friends, smiles and dancing shoes, could come.

This is a special party, a gift from the heart, she said.

I told everyone to come along and to bring friends with smiles and dancing shoes.

And 50 years ago, one of the largest murder hunts in Northern Ireland was launched to trace those responsible for the deaths of two policemen, killed by a booby-trap blast.

Constable Samuel Donaldson, 23, and Constable Robert Millar, 26, were the first police officers to be killed in the Troubles.

On August 11, 1970, a booby-trap bomb planted under a car by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) near Crossmaglen, in County Armagh, Northern Ireland killed the two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers.
Srinagar, Aug 14 : Two terror associates of proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit were arrested in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said.

According to police, both these terror associates have been involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the JeM terrorists as well as in transporting of arms and ammunition of the terrorists in Tral and Awantipora areas.

The arrested terror associates have been identified as Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, resident of Amirabad, Tral and Mohd Umer Tantray, resident of Aripal, Tral.

Incriminating material including explosives has been recovered from them. Police have registered an FIR and investigations are underway.
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions sure do love their dogs. Danny Shelton invited four of them to his wedding, dressing them in tuxes and dresses and everything. Frank Ragnow flew first class with his.

But Marvin Jones just might have topped them all, hiring a private jet so he could adopt a puppy in Oregon during a pandemic. He lives in San Diego.

We didnt want to drive over there, 20-something hours to pick up a dog, the veteran receiver said. I was like, dang, lets just go pick him up, take him back. So flew out that day, we spent an hour over there, had some wine with the people, and then took back off.

But I told my wife this is already an expensive dog. My first time on a private jet, picking up a dang dog.

Related: How Detroit Lions players have leaned on their dogs during the pandemic

Jones isnt much of an animal guy. But his wife, Jazmyn, and their four kids are. The family has also gone through a lot this year, from losing their 6-month-old son Marlo just two days after Christmas, to quarantining through the coronavirus pandemic. Its been a tough year for everybody, and for the Joneses especially.

So when the family said they wanted to adopt a dog, Marvin didnt want to say no. He shopped around for the perfect match, and found one in a red European Doberman. The problem, of course, was the pup was up in Oregon, about 1,000 miles from the familys home in San Diego. And the coronavirus made most forms of transportation problematic.

So Marvin Jones chartered his first private jet so he could go pick up the newest member of the family. They named him Fuego.

This is one spoiled dog already, Jones said, laughing.

Jazmyn Jones, wife of Lions receiver Marvin Jones, holds the couple's puppy on their flight back from Oregon.
Armenias Ministry of Justice has drafted a package of constitutional laws under which it proposes the establishment of a specialized anti-corruption court consisting of at least 25 judges, five of whom will hear only cases related to the recently adopted law on the confiscation of property of illegal origin.

It is also proposed that a specialized anti-corruption court of appeal be established, involving at least 10 judges, and changes be made in the Court of Cassation where the Criminal Chamber will function with eight judges, and the Civil-Administrative Chamber with 13.

Deputy Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galian said the measures we enable Armenia to have a specialized court of a higher quality. As the first link in this chain we are setting up an anti-corruption committee with investigators who will undergo an appropriate vetting process and who will also pass professional retraining. Also, there will be a subdivision in the prosecutors office and members of this subdivision will also be vetted to specialize in that field. We can say that this chain will be closed with the establishment of the court with specialized staff, she said.

Human rights activist Artur Sakunts supports the idea, but he has concerns in terms of the implementation of the reform. In particular, he has questions about how the public will trust the judges of the specialized court if the whole judicial system has not been vetted.

It is very important to assess the possible risks of conflict of interest in the criteria for the selection of judges in order to avoid them, because there should be people who have no connection with the criminal world or representatives of the criminal world, their relatives should not be involved in any kind of corruption phenomena, let alone crimes. These are risks that must be taken into account in the selection of judges, Sakunts said.

The selection of judges will be carried out through an open competition, which will be open not only to incumbent judges, but also to non-judges. Representatives of the three branches of power, a representative of the Ombudsman will be members of the tender council, seats will also be provided for the public sector. Candidates for judges will undergo a vetting process for their integrity that will be administered by the anti-corruption committee. A higher salary for judges of this specialized court is foreseen as compared to other judges. There will be certain limitations in regards to who can become a candidate for an anti-corruption court judge.

We have tried to restrict as much as possible access to this court to those who have recently had disciplinary violations and will be held accountable on their bases. A judge will not have the opportunity to become a judge of the anti-corruption court if the Human Rights Court has recognized a violation by this judge in his or her judicial act, Galian said.

About four months ago, simultaneously with the amendments to the Judicial Code, the appendix to the Criminal Code defined the list of corruption-related crimes cases on which should be tried by a specialized court. It is envisaged that this anti-corruption court will start functioning in the second half of 2021. It is not clear yet how the transition stage will be organized. There will be some cases that will be transferred [to the anti-corruption court], others will not, the deputy minister said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 02:19:25|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian ground forces shelled rebel-held areas in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo provinces in northern Syria on Friday, a war monitor reported.

The Syrian forces pounded the vicinity of the town of Bara in Idlib countryside by heavy artillery, and targeted the villages of Kafr-Ama and al-Qasar in the western countryside of Aleppo, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Meanwhile, the Syrian ground forces struck rebel-held areas in the Zawiya Mountain in Idlib amid the flight of Russian reconnaissance planes in the region, said the observatory.

For their side, the rebel factions bombarded Syrian military positions in the city of Saraqeb in the eastern countryside of Idlib with no reports on casualties.

Areas in Idlib, which is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria, have been included in a cease-fire deal reached between Turkey and Russia in March. The deal was largely held but violations have been reported in that region because of the presence of the al-Qaida-linked groups. Enditem
President Donald Trump gave a meandering rebuttal to Joe Biden's call for Americans to wear masks for the next three months to combat the spread of coronavirus.

At the top of Thursday's briefing, Trump attacked Biden for politicizing the pandemic, ignoring science and forcing Americans into their basements.

'Americans must have their freedoms,' Trump announced.

President Donald Trump gave a meandering rebuttal from the White House podium to Joe Biden's call for Americans to wear masks for the next three months to stop the spread of the coronavirus

Trump accused Biden of politicizing the pandemic, taking away Americans' freedoms, trying to lock them in basements and he said Biden's immigration policy would flood the country with more coronavirus cases

The presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden (right) announced Thursday that he believed there should be a nationwide mask mandate for the next three months to save the lives of 40,000 Americans from the coronavirus

Both Joe Biden (right) and his newly announced running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (left) appeared at the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware wearing masks before they briefly addressed the public

The president suggested Biden's plan was toothless because he didn't articulate how the federal government had the power to instruct 300-plus million Americans to cover their mouths with cloth.

'He does not identify with what authority the president has to issue such a mandate or how federal law enforcement could possibly enforce it. Or why we would be stepping on governors throughout our country,' Trump said.

The president also lashed out at his political rival for not taking questions from reporters after Biden made the mask policy announcement in Delaware.

'That's why he refused, Biden, to take questions, he couldn't answer any of them, couldn't answer the questions,' the president said. 'He refuses to take questions. He never takes questions. I take questions, he never takes questions, and you sort of wonder what's going on, because they're not that difficult.'

'Some can be nasty, but they're not that difficult,' Trump added.

Trump said his administration had a 'different approach' - which has been mixed messaging for months on mask-wearing.

'We have urged Americans to wear masks. And I emphasized this is a patriotic thing to do,' Trump said. 'Maybe they're great and maybe they're good, maybe they're not so good, but frankly what do you have to lose?'

The comment was one of many the president has made to sow doubt on masks' effectiveness, despite the Centers for Disease Control issuing mask-wearing recommendations on April 3.

'Sleepy Joe rejects the scientific approach in favor of locking all Americans in their basements for months on end,' Trump also claimed. 'This would lead to a crippling, long-lasting depression.'

He also accused the presumptive Democratic nominee of wanting to infect Americans with coronavirus through a more liberal immigration policy.

'Joe Biden wants to fling open American borders allowing the pandemic to infiltrate every U.S. community based on his policies. He wants to have ridiculous open borders,' Trump said.

'But while Joe Biden would allow rioters and looters and criminals and millions of illegal aliens to roam free in our country, he wants the federal government to issue a sweeping new mandate to law abiding citizens, he wants the president of the United States with the stroke of a pen to order over 300 million American citizens to wear a mask for a minimum of three straight months,' he continued.

'He thinks it's good politics, I guess,' Trump added.

Trump's latest Biden rant parroted many of the criticisms being railed at him as polling shows a majority of Americans disapprove of the job he's done handling the coronavirus.

At the Biden-Harris event Thursday in Delaware, Biden opened up with his plans for a mask mandate.

'That is what real leadership looks like, we just witnessed real leadership,' Kamala Harris said taking the podium and praising Joe Biden. Biden announced she was his pick for the vice presidency on Tuesday

Sen. Kamala Harris, wearing a mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, watches her running mate, Joe Biden, speak in Wilmington, Delaware on Thursday

'Every single American should be wearing a mask when they're outside for the next three months, at a minimum,' he said.

But he suggested it would be something, as president, he would encourage governors to do.

'Every governor should mandate mask-wearing,' Biden said during his brief remarks.

His new running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, chimed in saying, 'That is what real leadership looks like, we just witnessed real leadership' - though neither Democrat took reporters' questions at the event.

Biden and Harris participated in a briefing with medical experts Thursday on the COVID-19 crisis at Wilmington's swanky Hotel du Pont and then each delivered short remarks.

Biden said that experts estimated the move could save 40,000 American lives in the next three months, 'if people act responsibly,' the former vice president said.

'It's not about your rights. It's about your responsibilities as Americans,' Biden went on. 'Again when I occasionally get confronted with a person in public about wearing a mask I say, "Look, this is America, be a patriot. Protect your fellow citizens ... step up, do the right thing.'"

Trump has politicized mask-wearing over the past four months as COVID-19 continues to spread and kill Americans.

He, at first, refused to be seen publicly wearing a mask amid the pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on April 3 that mask-wearing was recommended in order to prevent those unknowingly infected with COVID-19 from passing it on.

'Well, I just don't want to wear one myself,' Trump said that day at the daily briefing.

The Associated Press reported in May that Trump feared wearing a mask would 'send the wrong message.'

He said he'd look ridiculous and worried those images would be used in political attack ads.

The president has since sporadically worn one, but not mandated mask-wearing at his events.

His disastrous June 20 campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, featured a number of high-profile Republicans sans mask, including GOP 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain, who's now dead from the virus.

Cain's people said they couldn't be sure where the 74-year-old cancer survivor contracted the disease, though he tested positive of COVID-19 nine days after the rally.

On masks generally, Biden said, 'I hope the president has learned the lesson.'

Harris also suggested that Trump was overpromising the expediency on which vaccines would be distributed to the American people.

'And when Joe talks about this, I think it's important that the American people looking at the election coming up ask the current occupant of the White House when am I going to get vaccinated?' Harris said. 'There may be some grand gestures offered by the current president about a vaccine, but it really doesn't matter until you can answer the question, when am I going to get vaccinated?'

As they wrapped their remarks, reporters from the pool shouted a number of questions, which the Democratic duo ignored.

Earlier in the day, Biden answered a query about Trump's refusal to fund the Postal Service.

Trump had tied funding to wanting to stop the election proceeding by mail-in voting.

'Pure Trump. He doesnt want an election,' Biden scoffed.
A U.S. government assessment of last week's devastating explosion in Beirut has reportedly concluded that maintenance work likely led to the explosion of a large cache of ammonium nitrate.

It comes amid speculation over what could have triggered the deadly chemical blast which killed 171 people.

Last week, security sources claimed a welder had sparked the initial fire that in turn ignited the chemicals.

Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbor area of Beirut on August 4

The devastating explosion last week. An Italian expert has claimed that the brick red cloud suggests that the blast was not caused by ammonium nitrate and suggested burning armaments had instead caused the blast

Lebanese firefighters work at the scene of an explosion in the Lebanese capital on August 4

The explosion, Lebanon's worst peacetime disaster, caused devastation across Beirut and is widely seen as a direct consequence of state incompetence and corruption.

A source familiar with the situation told the Wall Street Journal that maintenance work likely sparked the explosion which devastated much of the Lebanese capital, claiming investigators found 'no evidence of an attack or foul play'.

They added that maintenance work 'set fire to other unspecified materials stored at the port, which then ignited the chemical stockpile'.

The FBI has joined an international investigation effort led by France. But the initial US findings match those of the Lebanese military, which has been accused of ignoring warnings and allowing the nitrate to sit in a dockside warehouse for six years.

The blast occurred when a warehouse fire ignited 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the city's port for six years.

Russian emergency personnel walk on the site of the explosion in the port of Beirut, where rescuers are continuing their recovery efforts nearly a week after the blast

Italian firefighters from the NBCR (Nuclear Biological Chemical Radiological) unit inspecting a ship wreck in the port of Beirut

The devastated port of Beirut is seen in an aerial view yesterday after the explosion at a warehouse which has killed more than 160 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless

The explosion, which drew comparisons with the Hiroshima atom bomb 75 years ago, has also injured more than 6,000 people and left 300,000 homeless.

Ten firefighters are confirmed to have died in the incident, and six more are still among the missing, including three members of the same family.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab's government resigned on Monday but that did little to appease protesters who want heads to roll over the disaster.

Documents seen by AFP reveal that relevant officials at every echelon of the state were aware of the danger posed by the large pile of ammonium nitrate stored for years in a port warehouse until it blew up.

The disaster also sparked widespread panic over wheat shortages after 15,000 tonnes of grains were blasted out of the silos.

The cabinet decided to refer the investigation of the blast to the judicial council, the highest legal authority whose rulings cannot be appealed.

A protester throws a tear gas canister back towards Lebanese police during an anti-government protest in Beirut on Sunday night

Lebanon's president had previously said explosive material was stored unsafely for years at the port.

He said an investigation would consider whether the cause was external interference as well as negligence or an accident.

'There are two possible scenarios for what happened: it was either negligence or foreign interference through a missile or bomb,' he said last Friday.

The shipment of ammonium nitrate was officially destined for Mozambique when it sailed on the cargo ship Rhosus in 2013, but the vessel made an unscheduled stop in Beirut where the chemicals were impounded.

Firefighters carry the coffin of their friend Joe Noun, one of ten firefighters who were killed during the explosion that hit the Beirut port, during his funeral at the firefighter headquarters

The captain of the Rhosus claims he was told to stop in Beirut to pick up extra cargo - while Mozambique has denied all knowledge of the shipment.

Cypriot police said on Thursday that they had questioned Russian businessman Igor Grechushkin over his alleged links the ship and its cargo.

Beirut's governor said many foreign workers and truck drivers remained missing and were assumed to be among the casualties.
Brent crude LCOc1 was up 14 cents, or 0.3%, at $45.10 by 0043 GMT, heading for a gain of about 1.6% this week.

Oil prices advanced on Friday and were heading for a second week of gains amid growing confidence that demand for fuel is starting to pick up despite the coronavirus pandemic that has slammed economies worldwide.

Brent crude LCOc1 was up 14 cents, or 0.3%, at $45.10 by 0043 GMT, heading for a gain of about 1.6% this week, as reported by Reuters.

West Texas Intermediate CLc1 had gained 12 cents, or 0.3%, to $42.36. The U.S. benchmark is heading for a gain of nearly 3% this week.

Read alsoReuters: Oil edges lower after OPEC report, U.S. stocks draw supports

Prices have been bolstered this week by U.S. government data showing crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories all fell last week as refiners ramped up production and demand for oil products improved.

Still, the International Energy Agency has reduced its oil demand forecast for this year, and said lower air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic would cut global oil consumption this year by 8.1 million barrels per day (bpd).

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said earlier this week that world oil demand is likely to drop by 9.06 million bpd this year, a bigger decline than the 8.95 million bpd decline expected a month ago.
A 32-year-old Dutch man has died in a jet ski accident off La Carihuela beach in Torremolinos..

The accident occurred soon after 5pm on Wednesday when the emergency services received several calls reporting that the man was not breathing and had no pulse.

Police and ambulance services were sent to the seen, but after attempts to revive the man, doctors could only certify his death.

According to sources, several people witnessed the accident. Apparently the young man lost control of the jet ski and was thrown for several metres, hitting the back of the jet ski as he fell. The Yamaha vehicle had been rented from a firm that also offers nautical training.

The victim was on holiday in Torremolinos with a friend who, according to the same sources, was riding another jet ski rented from the same firm at the time. He was the first to realise the gravity of the accident and tried to lift his friend onto his vehicle when he did not respond.

Almost immediately the firm sent out a Zodiac launch to pick up the man.

At the shore, attempts were made to revive the victim with CPR for ten minutes until the ambulance arrived and paramedics took over for another 30 minutes, without success.

SUR has learned that the young man suffered severe head injuries in the accident and showed no signs of drowning, despite being unconscious in the water.

He was due to return to Holland on Monday.

Second accident

The emergency services confirmed that also on Wednesday - at 2pm -another accident occurred involving a jet ski from the same firm.

In this case, a 15-year-old suffered facial injuries, losing several teeth.

He was treated by ambulance services at the scene and taken to the Hospital Regional in Malaga.
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The oldest of two brothers charged following the October 2019 stabbing death of 14-year-old Devan Selvey walked out of Hamilton court Friday after pleading guilty to a single weapon offence.

The 18-year-old was handed a suspended sentence, plus 15 months probation after pleading guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon. He was arrested near the murder scene carrying brass knuckles.

The teen cannot be named to protect the identity of his 14-year-old brother, who remains in custody charged with first-degree murder.

The 18-year-old was initially charged with first-degree murder and spent 68 days in custody before the prosecution withdrew the charge.

Nearly a dozen members of Selveys family gathered in court to hear the verdict, crying and embracing in the hall afterward.

In delivering her verdict, Ontario Court Justice Martha Zivolak thanked the family for being there.

There is nothing I can say or do in these proceedings that can address that loss, she said.

Selveys family and friends seek answers in criminal justice system  but that will not occur in these proceedings.

While the 18-year-olds charge is related to the events that unfolded outside Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Oct. 7, 2019, the weapon charge is not directly related to the murder.

Selveys family, including his mom, Shari-Ann Selvey, wept and hugged each other in the hall following the verdict.

Shari-Ann was too overcome to speak with reporters, but her cousin, Brian Allen, said the family was disappointed in the sentence.

Devan Selvey, 14, was stabbed to death on Oct. 7, 2019 outside Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in Hamilton. Facebook photo

This is very hard, very emotional, Allen said, adding he wanted to be cautious not to say too much because they dont want to jeopardize the upcoming murder trial.

I didnt see any remorse from him.

Its important the family always attend these hearings to seek justice for Devan and support Shari-Ann, he said. Were all in this together.

Devans sister, Karissa Selvey, said it was important to continue remembering her brother. The family still visits his favourite trail at least once a week and watches his favourite movies.

Hes constantly with us, she said.

Karissa Selvey, wearing a sweat shirt with an image of her brother on it, and her cousin Brian Allen speak to reporters after court Friday. John Rennison/The Hamilton Spectator

In court, the prosecution had asked for a suspended sentence and 18 months probation. The defence wanted a conditional discharge, which would have meant no criminal record, and six months probation.

Zivolak noted a conditional discharge would be in the best interests of the 18-year-old but contrary to public interest.

It would send a message that its OK to allow young people to arm themselves  to bring weapons near schools.

Crown prosecutor Brett Moodie argued the only purpose of carrying brass knuckles is to hurt someone.

However, the teens defence lawyer, Jordana Goldlist, said he carried brass knuckles that day not because he was looking to hurt someone, but out of fear and to protect himself after he was the victim of a robbery and horrific assault.

Thats not a justification or excuse, Goldlist said. But an explanation for the courts to understand why  he did have brass knuckles.

The teen had only recently turned 18 and had no criminal record. He spent 68 days in adult custody, including transfers to three detention centres. He spent upwards of a week in isolation in his cell and was on suicide watch twice. He was released on bail after the murder charge was withdrawn.

After his release, he sought counselling to deal with the trauma.

The teen, who also had family support in court, has a Grade 10 education, but has gone back to school and has a job.

It is clear this is a young man who most certainly has the potential for a bright future ahead, Goldlist said.

According to the agreed statement of facts read in court, a little over a month before the murder, Selveys bike was stolen, and he and friends were threatened. The 18-year-old was not involved in this.

But that is part of what led to a confrontation between two groups of teens and several parents near the school Oct. 7, 2019.

The 18-year-old sprayed bear spray in the face of one of Selveys friends and the group dispersed.

Selvey followed, with his mom trailing him in her car. The 18-year-old tried to ask some construction workers for a ride, but was turned down.

Court heard another teen pulled out an extendable baton and told Selvey to back off. Soon afterward, the 14-year-old allegedly came around his moms car and stabbed Selvey in the back.

The 18-year-old also faced charges of assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance, but those were withdraw in exchange for his guilty plea Friday.
Other categories include the Female Leadership Award, Investment in People Award, Application of Technology Award, Young Achiever Award, and Personality of the Year Award.

The annual gathering, which this time around will take place virtually and will be live-streamed on September 20, recognises the achievements of Australian freight and logistics operators and their outstanding employees.

As longstanding supporters of the transport logistics industry, we are proud to partner with the 2020 Australian Freight Industry Awards as sponsor of the Best Practice Safety Award, said Gallagher Australia on LinkedIn.

Nominations are now open and we encourage businesses to get involved.
Dramatic footage shows a speeding car flying through the air and destroying a petrol pump before the driver admits he was drunk and 'caused' the crash.

The car sped through a red light and smashed into another car on Paradise Road in Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane, at 1.45am on December 19.

The high-speed collision caused it to slide sideways and clip the kerb, flinging the car into the air into the bowser - shattering it into pieces.

Dramatic footage shows a speeding car flying through the air and destroying a petrol pump

Police bodycam video showed the man admitting the crash was his fault as he stood by the side of the road in the aftermath.

'I caused it,' he told Acting Sergeant Emma Wardlaw when she asked how he was involved in the crash

'You caused it? You caused the crash?' the incredulous policewoman replied. He confirmed: 'I was driving, yes.'

'How has this crash been caused?' she asked him, to which he admitted 'cos I was drinking'.

The 32-year-old then recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.225, almost five times the legal limit, and was arrested.

The 32-year-old recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.225, almost five times the legal limit, and was arrested

Wreckage of the petrol pump following the crash that shattered it into pieces

The car sped through a red light and smashed into another car on Paradise Road in Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane - causing this damage to the innocent motorist's car

The man pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court to driving unlicensed and dangerous driving while intoxicated.

He was sentenced to six months' jail, suspended for two years, and disqualified for driving for 12 months.

Sergeant Wardlaw said it was unbelievable no one was seriously injured or killed in the horrifying crash.

'The consequences of drink driving can be catastrophic and it is by sheer luck no one was seriously injured or killed as a result of this crash,' she said.

'I've seen many drink drivers involved in traffic crashes and sadly quite often it is innocent motorists who have suffered as a result.

'The message is clear - if you are going to be drinking, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle and put everyone at risk.'
The only way to stop constant increases in the coronavirus is to eliminate community transmission and to use robust test, trace and isolate policies to continue catching imported cases and clusters as they emerge. New Zealand, Taiwan, Cuba and Rwanda have each pursued this kind of maximum suppression through strict border measures and have largely returned to normal public life.

Stopping community transmission requires mandatory, enforced quarantine for incoming travelers and testing before release. Europe could do the same and cooperate across countries toward this goal so that intra-European travel and tourism can continue when a safe bubble can be built.

What would this actually look like?

Lockdown measures can bring case numbers low enough that testing and tracing can break chains of transmission. European countries have already taken a severe economic and social hit to contain Covid-19, but to finish the job and truly crunch the curve they need to build up massive diagnostic capacity, to be able to run large, fast and accurate testing services. This is a difficult project but not impossible: Germany has done it fairly successfully.

But heres the less fun part: European countries need to introduce serious limitations on nonessential travel until safe travel bubbles can be built among countries where the virus is low. The virus moves when people move. This does not mean borders need to be closed. But people need to be tested on arrival in a new country and then again five days later. There has to be enforced isolation until two negative tests at least five days apart. (Frankfurt, Berlin and Hamburg airports have already introduced compulsory testing on arrival from higher prevalence countries and note that it is working well.)

Yes, this will probably interfere with plans to enjoy the beaches of Marbella. But the summer, while infection rates still remain relatively low, is the only time to make this work.

Going into winter with hundreds of cases per day means risking a steep rise once temperatures cool, schools reopen and people head back indoors. It means risking a second round of national lockdowns, which would be catastrophic for mental health and for economies. (And lets leave aside the question of whether or not it will actually be possible to get people to comply the second time around.)

Scotland and Northern Ireland have looked ahead at the coming winter, and made a concerted plan to minimize community transmission to avoid a serious resurgence of the virus by using the summer to drive cases as close to zero as possible and to reopen cautiously. But neither nation has control over its borders because they are parts of the United Kingdom. So both now face a stream of incoming infections from England and Wales, which are behaving more like the rest of Europe, as well as from people returning from holidays abroad and not abiding by government advice to isolate for 14 days.
The release of the A-level results in Northern Ireland is always a big event, and that's usually because local schools have once again outperformed others in England and Wales.

This year, results day is hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, as 37% of grades here have been downgraded by the examination board from the estimates provided months ago by teachers.

Instead of good news about record pass rates, there's the bad news about students falling far short of what was expected, leading many to wonder if they'll get the university places to which they've been looking forward.

This is the moment that students and teachers have been dreading ever since Education Minister Peter Weir announced in March that A and AS Levels could not proceed normally this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many predicted at the time that it would be a shambles, and they no doubt feel vindicated today.

It's worth asking, though, what they would have had instead, had they been in charge.

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The authorities at the time had little choice. It would have been impossible, once schools shut and the whole country went into lockdown, for exams to go ahead according to the usual timetable, and at least ministers in the UK made an early decision to cancel A-levels to ease the pressure on students already struggling with the sudden lockdown.

It was weeks before the government in Dublin similarly accepted that a return to normality was not possible.

The uncertainty for families was unbearable.

Where those in decision-making positions do deserve criticism is not using the extra time available to iron out any glitches in the system. The standard excuse is to blame the computers which worked out all the grades according to some mindbogglingly complicated algorithm, as if that absolves examiners of responsibility for making sure that they were using the right algorithm in the circumstances and that it would produce the desired results.

This isn't an ordinary year, so some flexibility needed to be built in.

Instead they used a very blunt tool, and it's one which has punished exceptional students who just so happen to attend schools where results are traditionally lower than average.

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These are the very students who need the most support and encouragement, because they don't have all the advantages of teenagers lucky enough to attend the best grammar schools. They've been badly let down.

Disappointed students do have the options of appealing their grades, or else sitting a real exam when possible; but that option won't be available to everyone, and many may not want to put their lives on hold in order to fix a problem that was not of their own making.

Why did examiners think that adding injustice on to the social disadvantage that already existed was the best solution?

To be fair to them, it should be acknowledged that only a minority of estimated grades in any given year ever match the result that the student actually achieves.

Last year, the figure was just 45.8%.

Teachers are not infallible, and nor can they read the future, but there's no point denying that they do tend to overstate how well their students will do. Just taking teachers at their word wouldn't have worked either.

Likewise, whilst there are many students who are devastated this week because their grades weren't as good as they expected, it's also only fair to point out that this always happens anyway.

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Good students don't automatically perform on the day as they struggle to cope with the pressure. Every system produces winners and losers. What matters is that the number of those who are disappointed should be kept to a minimum.

The best advice for those who have been affected is not to fixate too much on the grade itself. The important thing is whether it's enough to get you where you want to go. Universities seem minded to be flexible when it comes to responding to students' individual situations, so the lower grades may be sufficient to get many onto the courses that they picked. Few people will care in five, 10 or 20 years time if they got a C when they'd hoped for an A as long as it sets them in the coming days onto their chosen path.

The problem is that this means having faith in the ability of those higher up who have power over all our lives to put right what they got wrong, and that's not easy right now.

The UK economy has not only officially gone into recession, it's suffering the worst economic downturn in the whole of Europe, with a full-blown Brexit to come in the New Year once the transition period ends.

To make matters worse, the UK also has one of the worst rates of Covid-19 deaths in the world.

It all just adds to the sense of things falling apart.

There are no easy answers, but this latest mess over A-levels does feel grimly appropriate for 2020.

Nothing else has gone right this year, so why should this?
An anti-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be deployed in Delhi for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's safety this year. The system is equipped to instantaneously detect and identify drone threats and terminate them.

As per the DRDO, this anti-drone system is capable of neutralising micro-drones through either jamming of command and control links or by damaging electronics of drones through laser-based directed energy weapons. A drone or an unmanned aerial vehicle refer to an unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft.

"The comprehensive solution is to tackle the problem that drones may pose to national security agencies," DRDO said in a statement.

Besides, this indigenously developed system can detect and jam micro-drones at a distance of up to 3 km and lase a target 1-1.25 km far depending on the wattage of the laser weapon. According to DRDO, this solution can be an effective counter to increased drone-based activity in India's western and northern sectors.

Recently, the Armed Forces proposed arming its 100 Heron drones with missiles to carry out offense. The Indian Navy has also received nod to upgrade its existing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and buy 10 new surveillance drones to closely monitor Indian waters.

Also Read: 'Entire nation is indebted to frontline corona warriors': President Kovind on Independence Day eve

Also Read: DGCA launches 'GARUD' portal to fast-track exemptions of coronavirus-related drone operations
Derrick Filippo was sentenced to over five years in federal prison on Friday after the convicted felon earlier pleaded guilty to being found with a gun.

Attorney Myrlene Marsa emphasized his work history in construction, and said his criminal guidelines were overstated, as he got two points added for trespassing and another point for driving on a revoked license.

In regards to the gun, she said, There is no indication he did anything with the weapon other than possessing it.

On the other side, prosecutor Kyle Wilson brought attention to Filippos many crimes, saying What his record lacks in depth, it makes up for in breadth.

He has several probation violations.

Judge Travis McDonough seemed to side with the prosecutor in this line of thinking. While Filippo is yet to commit a huge crime, he has a long history of offenses and probation violations.

Mr. Filippo is hard for me to figure out, because he has some major offenses, but he also has a string of minor offenses, and strikes me as someone who is stubborn in not following the law, Judge McDonough said.

I would agree he has some stubbornness, attorney Marsa said. However, she told the court her client has been responsive and had accepted responsibility for his actions in the months she has worked with him.

He has no interest in going to prison for life, and will take steps to straighten himself out, she said.

When Filippo had a chance to address the court, he apologized for his actions to his family sitting on the right hand side of the gallery.

I made a poor choice having a gun in my house, and Id like to apologize to the court and to my family, Filippo said.

Judge McDonough then pronounced a 63-month sentence along with three years of supervised release. The judge then wished Filippo good luck as he exited the courtroom.

I think you have the ability to lead a more productive, and boring, life, the judge said.

In 2018, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office recovered 32 marijuana plants from Filippos house, along with a firearm.
Jaipur was lashed by heavy rainfall on Friday morning, crippling Rajasthans capital citys traffic, as photographs of waterlogged roads, and submerged vehicles in rainwater went viral on social media amid the downpour.

The vehicular movement has come to a grinding halt in many parts of Jaipur, which is under up to three feet in water.

The authorities at Jaipur centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) said

Jaipur, Ajmer, Nagaur and Sikar districts have received intense spells of shower since Friday morning amid forecast of another round of downpour.

The centre has issued four alerts until 1 pm on Friday.

The forecast stated: Thunderstorms with light to moderate rains are likely to occur at a few places in Jaipur, Sikar, Ajmer, Tonk, Nagaur, Alwar, Dausa, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Kota, Baran and Bhilwara districts and their adjoining areas.

It added, In Jaipur city, light to moderate rains occurred in most parts accompanied by thunderstorms, along with one or two spells of heavy intensity of rains at isolated places.

Jaipur recorded 80.6 millimetres (mm) of rainfall between 8:30 am and 11:30 am on Friday.

Moderate rainfall at many places accompanied by heavy (64.5  115.5 mm) to very heavy rainfall (115.6  204.4 mm) at a few places is likely to continue in Jaipur city over the next three hours, the report said.

The report warned that rains would result in localised flooding of settlements and roads, low-lying areas, underpasses, short-term disruption to civic services, increased travel time, slippery roads, and the closure of roads across low-water bridges.

According to the morning rainfall bulletin issued by the state water resources department on Friday, Shabad in Baran district recorded the highest rainfall at 127mm, followed by Dausa (124 mm).

Very heavy rainfall (115.6 to 204.4mm) was recorded at three weather stations, the report added.

Data showed that the onset of monsoon occurred over Rajasthan on June 24.

Jaisamand in Udaipur district has received the cumulative maximum rainfall since June 1 at 859 mm.

While the single-day maximum rainfall was recorded on June 20 at Raipur in Jhalawar district at 173 mm.

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New policies that change the way Stanford University investigates sexual harassment allegations  including an apparent omission of attempted rape from the list of offenses  are drawing heated criticism from the campus community.

The rules, required of all colleges by the U.S. Department of Education and set to take effect at Stanford on Friday, also appear to no longer require students to obtain affirmative consent before engaging in sexual activity, according to a 47-page draft document put forward by the university.

The document outlines formal procedures required of students and administrators in the filing and investigating of sexual harassment complaints. Colleges across the country were ordered last spring by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to revisit their policies.

Proponents say new rules were required to ensure due process for both sides in sexual harassment complaints. Critics say the rules will discourage victims from coming forward. And Stanford officials say the policy reflects what was required of them under the federal mandate.

At Stanford, the new policy sparked heated criticism from victims rights advocates.

Stanford law Professor Michele Dauber, a leading advocate for abuse victims rights, said the document reaffirms that Stanford is a most unfriendly place when it comes to sexual assault.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Stanford is attempting to return to a time when sexual assault was swept under the rug and victims were left without any hope of seeing perpetrators held accountable, Dauber said.

Language in the previous campus sexual abuse policy referred to acts or attempted acts of sexual misconduct. The new guidelines, she said, refer only to completed acts and do not clearly require affirmative consent  either verbal or physical  before two parties can engage or continue to engage in sexual acts.

That means, she said, that few victims of attempted rape will come forward and that attempted rapists get off Scot-free.

The new rules say complaints will be investigated by process navigators hired by the university, that lawyers will be selected by the university and that free legal counseling can be as brief as two hours. It doubles the length of time before a complaint can result in a hearing.

Dauber called the document sloppy and took issue with a section of the guidelines that referred to a survivor as someone who allegedly experienced the alleged conduct.

I guess two allegedlys make the point better than (saying) women lie about rape, said Dauber.

The university said it had spent more than three months putting together the new policy. On Thursday, a day before the rules were to become final, the university said in a statement that it was still in the final stages of reviewing comments and may not be done making changes.

While we wish we could offer a longer comment period, we have been working diligently for the past three months with Stanford staff, students and faculty to draft the new policies and procedures. We have tried to get it right, said Stanford Provost Persis Drell.

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.

While we expect that many thoughtful individuals within the Stanford community will not agree with some of the requirements of the federal regulations, they are set by law and cannot be altered, Drell added.

Among the critics was the editorial board of the student Stanford Daily newspaper, which said in an editorial that DeVoss callous treatment of survivors was a reflection on the current Trump administrations dangerous disregard for the severity of sexual violence on college campuses.

Doctoral student Emma Tsurkov, who was part of an eight-student advisory committee convened to help Stanford draft its new policy, said the committee recommendations were largely ignored.

We got used as a prop, she said. These guidelines will really hurt survivors and make the process more hostile.

Dauber, who was active in the successful 2018 recall of Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky after he handed down a six-month sentence to Brock Turner, a former Stanford student convicted of sexual assault, complained the new policy will make students at Stanford less safe from sexual violence.

They really rushed out there to do Betsy DeVoss dirty work, she said. It seems they saw this as an opportunity to roll back protections for women and survivors at Stanford.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SteveRubeSF
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has affirmed that it is investigating and handling strictly ' enterprises that wash Chinese origin and counterfeit Vietnamese origin of products for export to the US.

MARD, at a working session with enterprises in the woodwork industry on August, said that the US Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood in February requested the Department of Commerce (DOC) to launch an investigation against the anti-dumping and countervailing duty avoidance on certain hardwood and plywood product imports from Vietnam from January 2018 to January 2020.





On March 1, 2020, DOC accepted the petition and publicized it to plywood importers and Vietnams plywood manufacturers and exports so that the enterprises could express their opinions to the plaintiff, according to Tien Phong.



On June 9, DOC announced the decision to investigate the case. Within three months from the day of initiating the investigation, DOC would take a preliminary investigation with a questionnaire.



However, to date, DOC has yet to begun the process.



Cao Chi Cong of MARD thinks that the US side wants an investigation related to the origin of products as it doubts that some Chinese enterprises take products to Vietnam to obtain Vietnamese origin before shipping to the US to avoid high tax rates.

After receiving a warning that China-made plywood products may counterfeit Vietnamese origin, MARD immediately requested relevant agencies to examine some enterprises, including ones in Bac Giang province

After receiving a warning that China-made plywood products may counterfeit Vietnamese origin, MARD immediately requested relevant agencies to examine some enterprises, including ones in Bac Giang province.

The Economic Security Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security verified and provided information to MOIT with information on production and business activities of a number of plywood enterprises.



According to Ngo Sy Hoai, deputy chair of the Vietnam Timber and Forestry Product Association (Vifores), Vietnams plywood products are meeting problems with two markets  the US and South Korea.



South Korea is imposing an anti-dumping duty of over 10 percent on Vietnams products. However, this has little effect on Vietnams exports because the importers accepted to share difficulties.



Meanwhile, plywood exports to the US are mostly high-quality products. It would be dangerous if the US imposes the duty avoidance tax, possibly 180 percent, and the anti-subsidy duty, which may amount to over 200 percent.



We believe that the US targets enterprises from China that want to counterfeit the Vietnamese origin to avoid anti-dumping duties imposed by the US on Chinese products, not Vietnamese enterprises, Hoai said.



According to MARD, there are about 80 enterprises making plywood products, but not all of them export products to the US. In 2019, Vietnam exported $300 million worth of products to the market.



Vietnams plywood products are exported to over 70 markets. In 2019, it exported $680 million worth of products, while the figure was $365 million in H1.

Translated by Linh Ha

Plywood exports face trade defence risks in US, RoK Vietnams plywood exports, despite good growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic, are facing allegations of dumping and evading trade remedies in two largest markets namely the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the US.
Actor Sushant Singh Rajputs sister, Shweta Singh Kirti, has called for a 24-hour global spiritual and prayer observation for the actor, who died by suicide two months ago. Shweta has also been pushing for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into his death.

In an Instagram post, she wrote, It has been 2 months you left us Bhai and we are still fighting to know the truth, to know what actually happened that day. I request you all to please join us for Global 24-hour spiritual and prayer observation for Sushant Singh Rajput, so that the truth prevails and we find justice for our beloved Sushant.

Shweta on Thursday said in a video message posted on Instagram that her family needs closure on the matter, which is why they have been emphasising on the need for a CBI probe. She said, Hello, everyone. I am Sushant Singh Rajputs sister, Shweta Singh Kirti. I request everyone to stand together and demand for CBI inquiry for Sushant. We deserve to know the truth. We deserve justice for Sushant. Otherwise, we will never find closure. We wont be able to live a peaceful life. Tahe dil se aap sab se request hai ki ekjut ho kar CBI inquiry ki maang karein kyunki humein sach jaan ne ka haq hai (I sincerely request everyone to stand united and demand a CBI inquiry because we have a right to know the truth). Thank you.

Shweta had also shared images from Sushants diary, in which he had written down his personal and professional goals. He wanted a massive upgrade in acting skills, language and culture, and to have an association with one of the top agencies in Hollywood, connection with top players. Sharing the images, Shweta had written, Somebody who had solid plans. Somebody who knew how to make his dreams into reality... somebody who was an eternal positivist! My brother I salute you!

Also read: Sushant Singh Rajput was planning move to Hollywood, generating Rs 50 crore, reveal diary pages shared by sister Shweta

Sushant was found dead at his Mumbai home on June 14. The Mumbai Police have said that it is a case of suicide and recorded the statements of 56 people in the case before the CBI stepped in.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Congressman urges Justice Dept. to investigate violent attacks on Catholic churches

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A Republican Congressman has urged the Department of Justice to investigate the recent spate of attacks on Catholic churches, a trend he believes amount to hate crimes.

In a letter sent to Attorney General William Barr on Aug. 5, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., urged the federal agency to fight religious discrimination and protect religious freedom in the United States.

"Since June, there have been nearly a dozen reported attacks on Catholic churches around the nation. These disturbing attacks range from arson to the beheading of a statue of the Virgin Mary," the letter read in part.

"I find these attacks to be a disturbing trend, happening in multiple areas across the nation, including within my own congressional district. In times of uncertainty we naturally turn to religion for comfort and peace, something many Americans are seeking as we combat COVID-19, but these attacks add another level of distress for many across our nation."

Fleischmann elaborated in an interview with the Washington Examiner that those who damage any house of worship of any kind must know that it will not be tolerated and that he considers such actions a hate crime.

I would like to have a recognition that this problem exists, it persists, and sadly, it is not isolated to one city or one state, Fleischmann said. I think it needs to be looked at very carefully and addressed for the danger that it is.

At St. Stephen Parish in Chattanooga, which is in Fleischmann's district, a statue of the Virgin Mary was beheaded in mid-July, an attack the congressman called "disturbing."

"I hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, but I also pray that they will find their way to God as well, he said at the time.

A group of Catholics in the U.S. who are also alarmed by the rise in attacks on the faith have called on presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to publicly denounce attacks on Catholic churches as well as the fueling of a climate of hate against Catholics by prominent members of his party.

CatholicVote said in a statement that Biden, a baptized Catholic, has a responsibility and duty to Catholics to publicly condemn these attacks.

Attacks on Catholic churches have occurred in many cities across the country amid protests and riots sparked by the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25.

In New Haven, Connecticut, St. Joseph Church closed its doors temporarily in July after Satanic symbols were painted in its front door.

Similarly, in Colorado Springs, a statue of Mary was vandalized with red paint  tagged with the word "redrum," which is murder spelled backward and is a reference to horror novelist Stephen King's The Shining.

In other incidents, a statue of Jesus Christ at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Miami, Florida, was torn down and beheaded around that same time. And a fire that damaged Mission San Gabriel Arcangel church in Los Angeles was investigated as a possible arson attack.

Also in Florida, worshipers gathered inside Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala faced imminent risk to their lives last month when 24-year-old Steven Anthony Shields slammed his minivan into the church's front doors and poured gasoline in the foyer before setting it on fire.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to relax E-pass rules for inter-district travel and it will be issued for all applicants without scrutiny.

Applicants need to submit their Aadhar card Id/ration card details along with phone numbers to apply for the E-pass. Those who submit their applications with the above details will be issued the pass.

Earlier only those with valid reasons like marriage, health emergency, official reasons, bereavement etc. were issued E-pass after intense scrutiny.

Opposition parties and the ruling parties' allies had criticized the restrictions and asked the government to relax the norms. Tamil Nadu is among the states that continue to use E-pass system for inter-district and inter-state travel.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami today also flagged off LED screen mounted vehicles to broadcast short films and launched a drive to distribute pamphlets, both initiatives to create awareness on coronavirus among the people in Chennai.

CM Palaniswami inaugurated the awareness campaign by 30 small size cargo vans with big screens, an initiative of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

Under this initiative, two vehicles would be deployed in each of the 15 zones of the city, a government release said.

The Chief Minister's address on virus awareness, and short films from the Health department and GCC would be broadcast to help people understand better about the pathogen and stay safe by following norms.

Palaniswami launched a drive to distribute awareness pamphlets to people on COVID-19, dengue, and the need for rainwater harvesting structures in view of the onset of monsoon.

Of the 3.20 lakh people who have tested positive for COVID-19 so far in Tamil Nadu, 1.13 lakh were from Chennai as on Thursday.
Kenya's elephant population has more than doubled in the past three decades as the country claims it to have 'tamed' widespread poaching.

Extensive poaching at the hands of ivory smugglers meant the country was home to just 16,000 elephants in 1989, tourism minister Najib Balala revealed.

But thanks to dedicated anti-poaching efforts, the number of elephants had soared to more than 34,000 as of 2018.

The Kenyan government has imposed longer jail terms and larger fines for poachers and traffickers as part of its crackdown.

Kenya's elephant population stood at 34,000 as of 2018, the country's tourism minister said

All hunting is illegal in Kenya, with Balala claiming that: 'In the last couple of years, we have managed to tame poaching in this country'.

He made the comments when visiting the Amboseli National Park, in the south of the country.

There were 80 elephants killed in 2018, he said, a number that more than halved to 34 the following year.

So far in 2020, just seven elephants have been poached.

Alongside intensified anti-poaching efforts, stifled air traffic amid the coronavirus pandemic means fewer poachers will have been able to travel to Kenya.

Satao II, one of Africa's last giant tusker elephants, was killed by a poison arrow in 2017

Africa was home to 1.3 million elephants in the 1970s but today only around 500,000 remain.

Gangs hunted and killed elephants and rhinos to feed an Asian demand for ivory and horns for use in folk medicines.

In 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta set fire to thousands of elephant tusks and rhino horns to send a message to poachers that trading animal parts must be stopped.

The stockpile would have been worth a fortune to smugglers.

Veterinary staff pour water on a tranquillised elephant to wake up after it was fitted with a transmitter in Kenya's Amboseli National Park

A ranger stands in front of burning ivory stacks at Nairobi National Park in 2016

The establishment of the Kenya Wildlife Service in 1989 was instrumental in leading the anti-poaching movement.

According to the UN, Kenyas public destruction of its ivory stockpile in 1989 'raised international awareness around the poaching issue, along with the 1989 ban on the international trade in ivory'.

The body said this 'contributed to a measurable decline in elephant poaching and the recovery of their populations'.
Nearly 130 Killed in South Sudan's Warrap State After Argument During Disarmament Exercise

By Manyang David Mayar August 13, 2020

Nearly 130 people have been killed and thousands more displaced in violence over the past week in South Sudan's Warrap state, according to a South Sudanese army spokesman.

During a government campaign Saturday to disarm civilians in Tonj East County, an argument erupted between a group of youths and soldiers in the town of Romic, according to County Executive Director Makuei Mabior.

The clashes left 127 people dead, including 82 civilians, according to Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang.

"Unfortunately, the number of casualties on the side of our civilians is rising," Koang told VOA's South Sudan in Focus on Thursday. He said 45 soldiers were among the dead.

Family members missing

Tonj East resident Makol Tong accused soldiers of killing and raping civilians. Tong, who fled his home and is in hiding with one of his children, said he is still searching for several members of his family.

"I am now with only one child. Five other children are still missing; their mother is missing too, my brother, my sister and my mother all are still missing until now. I only managed to escape with this one child," Tong told VOA.

Many people hiding in the bush like himself are in desperate need of food and medicine, added Tong.

"For these five days we have spent here, we are surviving on wild leaves. I pick them, chew it and give it to my child. I chew another and swallow it for myself. That is how we are surviving here," he said.

One local woman, who asked not to be identified, said she tried to escape Romic when she heard gunshots. She alleged a group of soldiers captured and gang raped her Saturday evening.

"I was trying to collect my things in the market when they caught me. They were like 10 men. Right now, my abdomen is hurting and there is no hospital I can go to," the woman told VOA.

Military waiting for information

Major General Koang on Thursday would neither confirm nor deny accusations that soldiers raped and killed civilians.

"I can only confirm after I get in touch with relevant authorities on the ground," Koang told South Sudan in Focus.

Need for food

Local chief Mawan Dhur is urging government officials to punish two generals who led the disarmament exercise.

"Perhaps the government of Kiir doesn't want us anymore, the way it has shot at us," Dhur told South Sudan in Focus, referring to South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir. "There is no weapon they have not used against the civilians here. They have used all kinds of artillery, including tanks. I would like to tell the government, if you don't have another agenda against us, rescue us from hunger and give us medical supplies."

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Independence Day: PM Modi to address nation from Red Fort amid COVID-19

India

oi-Deepika S

New Delhi, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his seventh consecutive Independence Day speech from the iconic Red Fort on Saturday.

All eyes will be on what the prime minister says as his August 15 addresses have often been marked by big announcements, his government's achievements and bringing to people's attention what he believes to be the major challenges facing the country.

Fresh from his re-election with a thumping mandate, Modi, in his Independence Day speech last year, had highlighted his government's move to bring in the law against triple talaq and to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

He had also underlined the need for population control and the country's vision to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy.

The government's efforts to deal with COVID-19 are likely to be in focus when Modi addresses the nation on its 74th Independence Day.

74th Independence Day 2020: Who designed the Indian National Flag?

The Modi 2.0 government is now into its second year and is in the midst of carrying out wide-ranging economic reforms to boost the economy which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Modi Independence Day speech: His salute to jawans at LOC & LAC | Oneindia News

The Centre has asserted that despite the rise in total number of cases, India's response to the pandemic is marked by a high recovery rate and low fatality rate, putting it in a much better position than other countries.

His address also comes days after Modi on August 5 performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of a Supreme Court-mandated Ram temple in Ayodhya, bringing to fruition the BJP's 'mandir movement' that defined its politics for three decades and took it to the heights of power.

It also comes amid the border standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the eastern Ladakh. India and China have been holding diplomatic and military talks on disengagement of troops from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

There is also anticipation of more reform measures with the government having already announced measures in various sectors, including agriculture and defence, to realise the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

Political watchers believe that Modi may also touch upon his government's initiatives for Jammu and Kashmir.

Over 4,000 people including diplomats, officials and media personnel have been invited for the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort and it is being organised maintaining a balance between dignity of the event and factoring in COVID-19 protocols, the defence ministry said on Friday.

Previously, Modi had chosen the Independence Day to make some big ticket announcements regarding government policies and schemes - be it the government's flagship Jan Dhan Yojana or the Start Up India initiative.

In the run up to the Independence Day, Modi had last Saturday launched a week-long garbage-free India campaign and asserted that the Swachh Bharat Mission has been a big support in the fight against coronavirus.

The defence ministry said the seating arrangement has been made under the guiding principle of "Do Gaz ki Doori" (maintaining distance of two yards) between any two guests.

It said members of the guard of honour have been under quarantine.

All invitees have been requested to wear masks, it said, adding that an adequate number of masks are being kept handy for distribution at various points of venue.

with PTI inputs
President Ram Nath Kovind (Image- Reuters)

President Ram Nath Kovind, during his address to the nation on the eve of India's 74th Independence Day said that this year's celebration would be restrained due to the COVID-19 pandemic and saluted the efforts of corona warriors who lost their lives.

"The entire world is fighting a pandemic due to which all of our lives have changed. It is assuring that the Centre took timely steps to address this problem. It was a superhuman effort on part of the government to respond effectively in meeting the challenges due to the pandemic," President Kovind said, adding that India was successful in curbing the spread of the virus.

The President also addressed Atmanirbhar Bharat and said that India's self-reliance "means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world".

"It implies that India will continue to engage with the world economy while maintaining its identity," President Kovind said.

President Kovind also saluted the sacrifice of the soldiers killed in action during the Galwan clash with China.

"Entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Our brave soldiers laid down their lives defending our borders. These sons of Bharat Mata lived and died for the nation," President Kovind said.

Without taking China's name, the President said "while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge (COVID-19) before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion."

The President, during his address, also touched upon the construction of Ram Temple, the groundbreaking ceremony for which was conducted on August 5.

"The issue of Ram Janmabhoomi was resolved through judicial process. All concerned parties and the people respectfully accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court and displayed before the world, Indian ethos of peace, non-violence, love and harmony," President Kovind said.

Speaking about the National Education Policy (NEP), the President said that it "spells a long term vision with far-reaching impact".

"NEP promotes innovation, inclusion and institution in the sphere of education," President Kovind said.

"We have learnt some tough lessons in the year 2020. The invisible virus has demolished the illusion that human being is the master of nature. I believe, it is still not too late for humanity to correct its course and live in harmony with nature," President Kovind said, adding that 21st century "should be remembered as the century when humanity put aside differences and collaborated to save the planet".

Broadcast of the President's address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan was followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan.
Senior officials of Air India have gone to the US to receive from Boeing a custom-made B777 aircraft that will be used to fly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top Indian dignitaries, senior officials said on Friday. "Some senior officials of the central government are also part of the team that has gone to the US to receive the plane from Boeing," said an official of the national carrier.

Another custom-made B777 plane is likely to be received from Boeing in September, the official added. It was expected that the delivery of these two planes, which are earmarked ...
WATERLOO  Police are looking for two suspects after they received a report of an assault in the area of Bridgeport Plaza in Waterloo on Thursday.

At approximately 4 a.m., a man was physically assaulted, threatened with a handgun, and sprayed with what is believed to be bear spray, police say. He was treated at hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The first suspect is described as a white man, who is six feet tall and has tattooed arms and a shaved head. He was said to be riding a moped.

The second suspect has been described as a white man riding a bicycle.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
14 Phere, Zee Studios' upcoming project, will be directed by Devanshu Singh from a script by Manoj Kalwani

Actor Vikrant Massey and Kriti Kharbanda-starrer social-comedy 14 Phere will go on floors in November, production house Zee Studios announced on Friday.

The film, which will be shot in Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, and Lucknow, will be released on 9 July, 2021, the studio said in a statement.

Devanshu Singh will direct the movie from a script by Manoj Kalwani.

Massey said the film talks about some pertinent things relevant in current times.

"The script hit me hard, the ideology of the film, and the main thought behind the story is something that has been with me, individually. When I heard the script, it felt like two halves becoming one, I would have been a fool to let go of this film," Massey said.

Kharbanda describes 14 Phere as a socially relevant script with an element of humour.

"I absolutely love the character of Aditi that I will be portraying in this film. I am super excited to get started in bringing Aditi to life. Im looking forward to sharing screen space with Vikrant whos a terrific actor," Kharbanda said.

Shariq Patel, CEO of Zee Studios, said currently the team is working on pre-production, and prepping to go on floor in November.

"14 Phere is an important film that beautifully captures the heart and heartland of Indiaits a quirky, contemporary, emotional and relevant film which also highlights how weddings, most often, happen between two families, not just two people. We needed a fresh, new pairing and we couldnt have been happier to have Vikrant and Kriti on board," Patel said.

Check out the announcement

ANNOUNCEMENT... Zee Studios announces new film, a social-comedy... Titled #14Phere... Stars #VikrantMassey and #KritiKharbanda... Directed by Devanshu Singh... Starts Nov 2020... 9 July 2021 release... Video... pic.twitter.com/wp856ClmyY  taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 14, 2020

(With inputs from Press Trust of India)


A line of severe thunderstorms pushed across Lake Michigan Monday evening. The wind blowing during the severe thunderstorms turned Lake Michigan into a sloshing bathtub.

The line of severe thunderstorms was a derecho, which is a long-lasting line of very severe thunderstorms. A derecho is characterized by a long path of significant wind damage. Mondays derecho caused severe damage from South Dakota through Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. Fortunately the derecho weakened rapidly as it moved into western Lower Michigan.

But the strong winds definitely sent Lake Michigans water levels into a tizzy. The National Weather Service reported Lake Michigans water level rose one-and-a-half feet at South Haven as the storm line approached Monday evening.

Look at the water level graphs at Holland, MI and Milwaukee, WI. The graphs start on August 8 and continue to August 14.

Water levels at Holland, MI from August 8 to August 14, 2020. (Data from NOAA)

You can clearly see when the line of storms hit Holland last Monday evening. At Holland, Lake Michigan initially rose about one-half foot and then plunged about one foot. Then over the next four days the lake level has very rhythmically risen and fallen. Gradually over the last four days the rise and fall has become smaller.

The same situation is occurring on Lake Michigan at Milwaukee, WI.

Water levels at Milwaukee, WI from August 8 to August 14, 2020. (Data from NOAA)

At Milwaukee there were at least two rise/fall patterns that measured around one-and-a-half-feet. Again, after the intial big rise and fall, we see a very regular pattern of diminishing rises and falls.

It seems as though a wave is still sloshing back and forth on Lake Michigan. The wave hits one shoreline and then bounces back to the other shore.

Other parts of Lake Michigan arent showing that same sloshing back and forth.

Water levels at Calumet Harbor, IL from August 8 to August 14, 2020. (Data from NOAA)

The graph above from Calumet Harbor shows when the storm hit, but doesnt have the same symmetrical wave pattern after the storm.

Water levels at Ludington, MI from August 8 to August 14, 2020. (Data from NOAA)

Farther north on Lake Michigan, Ludingtons water levels also show no super rhythmical wave pattern.

The shorelines are shaped and angled differently at Calumet Harbor and Ludington, which is probably the reason for the different look on the water level graph.
For 34 years, Kim Atkins has been waiting, hoping that her younger sister would walk through the door one day.

Atkins sister, then 16, went missing from their Richmond apartment in 1986. Earlier this year, dismembered remains initially found in a Chesterfield County landfill just two months after the girl disappeared have been identified as Christy Lynn Floyd.

I know it sounds stupid or just silly, I always did think that maybe she was coming home, Kim Atkins, 52, said Wednesday at a news conference with Chesterfield County police, who are looking for leads about what happened.

Its not the closure the family hoped for, said Atkins, who was 17 when her sister went missing.

But Im glad to know, Atkins continued as tears took her voice.

My sister didnt deserve to be put in the garbage, she said.

The remains were discovered Aug. 7, 1986, by workers at the Chesterfield landfill who were unloading trash from a former School Street transfer station in the city. Floyd had gone missing about two months earlier.

Police at the time believed that the dumpster had been originally picked up behind what was then Emrick Chevrolet, which was less than 2 miles from their mothers apartment in the 2300 block of Grace Street, Atkins said.

But no one made the connection back then  Atkins had just given birth to her second child a few days after the gruesome discovery and never heard about it.

At the time, Richmond police dismissed the disappearance as a runaway, Atkins said. Chesterfield police said their city counterparts helped in the initial and subsequent investigation, but the city had no file on the case.

They never took it seriously, she said.

After a lengthy search, police recovered only a leg, a foot and a torso from the landfill. Missing were the victims head and hands, complicating investigators ability to identify the teenager at the time. Police said then that they believed the body might have been stored for up to two months in a cool, insect-free environment.

An autopsy ruled the death a homicide by some undetermined violence, detectives said. According to news accounts at the time, police thought the slaying was committed by a psychopath who had sawed off the body parts that were missing.

Its taken some time for science to catch up to where we need to be to identify her, Chesterfield police Capt. Jay Thornton said at Wednesdays news conference.

At the time that she was discovered, we did coordinate efforts with the Office of the Medical Examiner, as well as the Department of Forensic Science to develop the DNA profile of those remains, and thats kind of where the case stopped, Thornton added. We didnt really have anything to compare it to back then. The case has lagged, and become, for lack of a better word, an unsolved cold case.

A DNA profile was developed by DNA Labs International, a private forensic lab in Florida specializing in DNA extraction from degraded and challenging samples, such as bones, fingernails and rootless hair shafts.

Then, last year, detectives sought the services of a Reston company called Parabon NanoLabs, which specializes in DNA phenotyping. Thats a process of predicting physical traits and ancestry from DNA evidence and genetic genealogy.

Parabon developed a snapshot of what they believed the person would have looked like based on age, sex, facial characteristics, race, on down to the freckle, Thornton said.

In March, Chesterfield police released the snapshot, which immediately produced tips.

Within 30 minutes of getting that press release, the phone literally exploded with phone calls from all over the country, Detective Chris Humphries said.

***

One of the first calls they received, Humphries said, was from a retired Richmond detective, Mark Williams, whom the Atkins family had reached out to several years ago after he had solved a cold case in the city. Williams connected the family with the Chesterfield detective.

Atkins 31-year-old son, Dustin Atkins, provided police with a DNA sample, hoping it would match the aunt he never met. Additional forensic testing by the Florida lab confirmed that the remains were those of Floyd.

Within 24 hours, we knew, said Dustin Atkins, who lives in Staunton. His head hung Wednesday as he said: We wanted her alive.

Kim Atkins never stopped looking for or talking about her sister, said her husband, Clay Atkins. He met only Floyd once, he said, but he and his wife and their son, Dustin, spoke of Floyd with such familiarity that they all know her.

The family submitted her story to Americas Most Wanted television program, put her face on milk cartons, and made flyers that they posted at truck stops.

Though they were close in age, Atkins said she felt maternal toward her younger sister.

She was my world, said Atkins, who now lives in Swoope. My sister was just the sweetest, kindest person.

But she was also quiet and naive, Atkins said.

They had lived in a foster home in Lexington, but two years before Floyds disappearance, they ran away, Atkins said.

Atkins left first to find their mother, and once she had, she returned to bring her sister to Richmond, where they lived with their mother.

They frequented a popular 1980s teen dance club called The Cellar Door, located near the intersection of Broad Street and what was then the Boulevard. Floyd also worked at the Hardees nearby.

Atkins and police are hoping someone might remember her from those days and be able to provide some tips as to what might have happened. Atkins provided police with a photo of Floyd and an off-and-on boyfriend she remembers only by the name Chris. Detective Humphries said he is not a suspect or a person of interest, but police would like to speak with him.

Atkins said that about two weeks before she vanished, Floyd had met another guy while working at Hardees. Atkins said she cant remember his name but that he was 18 and that Floyd had run away with him the night before she ultimately disappeared.

Atkins said their mother called the mans mother threatening to press charges if her underage daughter wasnt returned.

The next morning, Floyd was returned by the unknown 18-year-olds older brother, Atkins said. Atkins said she went to pick up breakfast and when she returned home, her sister was gone.

The alley door was open, and I never saw her again, Atkins said.

Atkins said police investigated the young man at the time of Floyds disappearance.

While Atkins sometimes blamed herself and thought maybe her sister had run out, she wouldnt have been gone this long, Atkins said. Now she knows: Her sister didnt stay away because she wanted to.

Somebody did something bad to her, Humphries said.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Chesterfield County Unsolved/Major Investigations Group at (804) 717-6024.
A former police officer who portrays himself as the savior of the streets, Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier has come to symbolize the accelerating erosion of Haitis already challenged rule of law during the coronavirus pandemic. Accused of orchestrating massacres that left dozens of men, women and children dead, he has succeeded in accomplishing the once unthinkable: uniting the warring gangs of Port-au-Prince into a powerful new confederation aimed at what he calls revolution.
Cambodian police confront Khmer Thavarak protesters demanding the release of Rong Chhun in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Courthouse in Phnom Penh, Aug. 13, 2020.

Authorities in Cambodias capital Phnom Penh on Thursday arrested half a dozen youth activists taking part in a peaceful protest to demand the release of union leader Rong Chhun, as he appeared before the court for a preliminary hearing related to charges of incitement.

The six activists, all members of the civil society group Khmer Thavarak, were among some 30 peaceful protesters in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, calling on authorities to drop charges against the president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) and set him free.

Rong Chhun was officially charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest under Article 495 of Cambodias Penal Code and jailed at Prey Sar Prison in Phnom Penh on Aug 1, a day after his arrest for claiming the government has allowed Vietnam to encroach on farmland along their shared border. His arrest has prompted near daily protests.

Rong Chhun was brought to the court for questioning on Thursday but kept out of the public eye and away from reporters who had assembled there. His lawyer, Sam Sokong, told RFAs Khmer Service that his client rejected the charges against him and also refused to answer questions he called irrelevant to the case.

While Rong Chhun was inside the court, a large number of security personnel from an elite unit known as Khan 7 January violently dispersed protesters and forced them away from the building, Chheoun Daravy, who was the first to be arrested on Thursday, told RFA. Those who tried to stay, she said, were beaten and kicked, leaving at least 10 people injured.

Chheoun Daravy told RFA before her arrest that she had been slapped by the security personnel, who also took her backpack containing money, her identification, and cards for accessing her bank account.

It is really ridiculous that the security forces of Khan 7 January acted so lowly, she said.

I will not file complaint against them if they return my bag to me. If they do not do so, I will show to the public that the government has employed thief-like security forces. Their actions are like those of bandits and are unacceptable.

Later, Chheoun Daravy returned to an area across from the courthouse where she began livestreaming on Facebook to explain what had happened to her and demand the return of her property. However, a group of men wearing civilian clothing grabbed her cell phone, pulled her into a waiting car, and sped off, according to fellow protester Sar Metta.

Five men got out of the car and began to beat her and pull her by her hair, before pushing her into the car and taking her away, she said, adding that there had been additional men inside the vehicle.

We failed to help her because we were forcibly pushed back by them. They were all big and strong men while we were just a small group of women.

Other arrests

Within hours of Chheoun Daravys arrest, city authorities took an additional five members of Khmer Thavarak into custody. All six were detained at the headquarters of the National Police Commission.

National Police Commission spokesperson Chhay Kim Kheoun told RFA that Chheoun Daravy had been charged with incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest.

Those members of civil society groups who accuse the police of violating the constitution need themselves to review Cambodias laws, he said.

Sar Thet, spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Police Commission said that the other five Khmer Thavarak members would be released after being educated about why they must stop taking part in protests for Rong Chhun.

The relevant authorities plan to release the five of them after they promised to stop protesting, except for Chheoun Daravy, who will be sent court, he said.

Soeung Sengkaruna, a spokesman for local rights group Adhoc, told RFA that the violent crackdown on a peaceful protest and use of plainclothes police to arrest Chheoun Daravy without an arrest warrant are unlawful.

As competent authorities, why do you need to hide your identities instead of proceeding in a legal and proper way, he questioned.

According to witnesses they pulled her violently by the hair. This is very unusual. Such actions will only prompt more anguish in our society.

A search warrant for Chheoun Daravys home was later issued by Phnom Penh Municipal Court investigating Judge Pich Vicheathor, formally announcing the charges against her.

EBA withdrawal

In a reminder of the international costs of the crackdown on civil society, the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on Thursday condemned Prime Minister Hun Sens government for failing to implement reforms required by the European Union to avoid trade sanctions that went into effect a day earlier.

The withdrawal of duty-free, quota-free access to the EUs market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme for some 20 percent of Cambodias exportsa decision that was announced in Februarywent into effect because the countrys government failed to reverse rollbacks on democracy and other freedoms, the European Commission (EC) said Wednesday. Affected exports include goods from Cambodias vital garment and footwear industries.

The CNRP called the reinstatement of tariffs another dark day in Cambodias history in a statement on Thursday, saying the rights and well-being of all Cambodians had been put in jeopardy because of Hun Sens ambition to remain in power in a ruthless authoritarian way.

This measure accepted consciously and approved in full by Hun Sen will spell misery for hundreds of thousands of hard-working Cambodian families, the statement said.

Many of themalready in heavy debtare likely to lose their income and cross the line into poverty.

The CNRP called on the EU to sanction Hun Sen and other officials deemed responsible for rights violations in Cambodia through visa restrictions and the freezing of their assets. The CNRP also urged the government to reinstate its party and initiate a process of national reconciliation through inclusive dialogue.

Hun Senwho has ruled the country since 1985has said that EU demands to maintain the EBA are unreasonable and an encroachment on Cambodias internal affairs, and has continued to target members of the CNRP, which was dissolved in November 2017 for its role in an alleged plot to topple the government, as well as other activists who have spoken out against him.

The move to ban the CNRP was part of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs, and the independent media that paved the way for his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) to win all 125 seats in parliament in the countrys July 2018 general election.

Seventeen CNRP activists have been held in pretrial detention at Cambodias Prey Sar Prison for incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest since early this year after slamming Hun Sens leadership and his governments response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, Rong Chhun had written to Hun Sen calling on the government to proactively address the issues that the EU has said prompted it to end Cambodias trade privileges.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Im not 100 percent sure were starting at a place where the name is going to be changed, that were not going back to the process of Does the name even need to be changed? parent and LSC member Alex Lopez said. It worries me that we had this process three years ago, that we see what we see in the news, and when we talk about our school being safe and equitable, that having someones name on the front of the building who would call me a hybrid being feels safe or equitable to anyone.
Two men and a woman are under arrest after police say they carried out an armed robbery in Alabaster.

The holdup happened Aug. 7 in the parking lot at The Trails of Alabaster apartment complex, said Chief Curtis Rigney. All three suspects are from Calera. Those arrested and their charges are:

-Jabrari Cordarian Cooper, 20, carrying brass knuckles, first-degree robbery, first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a forged instrument. His bond is set at $112,000.

-Quanterrius Antwonine Horton, 25, first-degree robbery, second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a pistol without a license. His bond is set at $118,000.

-Karissa Chantel Jackson, 20, first-degree robbery, first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a forged instrument. first degree, Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possessing Forged Instrument first degree, and Robbery first degree. Her bonds total $131,000.

Rigney said the Alabaster Criminal Investigations Division worked in conjunction with the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Shelby County District Attorneys Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service to obtain and serve the arrest warrants.

We are very fortunate to have the support of other agencies in seeking justice for victims, said Det. Zach Sanders. Sharing resources, experience and knowledge is an invaluable asset.

These are dangerous people who committed a dangerous crime Rigney said. I commend those officers and detectives who worked tirelessly the last few days to get them off the streets. It was just a matter of time before someone was going to get hurt.
Identical win sisters from Virginia who have shared every milestone together, including marrying identical twin brothers in a joint ceremony  and now both women are pregnant at the same time.

Brittany and Briana Deane, 33, found the perfect pair of husbands in Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 35, and together the two twosomes tied the knot 'Twice Upon a Time' themed ceremony in August 2018.

Now the couples have announced that they are both expecting and are 'thrilled' to get to raise their children together.

Double the fun! Two sets of identical twins who married each other are now expecting babies at the same time

Seeing double: Brittany and Briana Deane, 33, found the perfect pair of husbands in Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 35

Everything together: Now the couples have announced that they are both expecting and are 'thrilled' to get to raise their children together

Twinning: The couples had a double fairytale wedding in Twinsburg, Ohio in August 2018

Exciting times: Now they are 'grateful to experience overlapping pregnancies and to be able to raise children of the same age together'

The foursome, who met at a twins festival in 2017, announced their doubly happy news yesterday with a Baywatch-themed photoshoot.

The Deane sisters both wore red one-pieces with 'Baby Watch' printed on them, while the Salyers twins struck identical poses in their matching red outfits.

'We are so grateful to experience overlapping pregnancies and to be able to raise children of the same age together,' the couples told DailyMail.com

'Our children will not only be cousins, but full genetic siblings and quaternary multiples!'

On Instagram, they added that they 'can't wait to meet them and for them to meet each other!'

It's all relative! The twins, pictured shortly after getting engaged, revealed that their children will be genetic siblings

Bling bling: The Salyers brothers proposed to the women at the same moment, with identical custom rings by Jerrick's Fine Jewelry, which each featured double infinity symbols

Like looking in a mirror! They married on the same day, with the sisters in matching dresses with identical hair, makeup, and jewelry

Flashback: The brothers are seeing getting dressed on their wedding day

Perfect location: The women carried identical bouquets as they walked down the aisle in Twinsburg Township Square

Everything in twos: Each was helped by a set of twin ring bearers

Future: The couples had revealed last May that they planned to get pregnant at the same time if they could

The couples had revealed last May on Australia's Today show that they planned to get pregnant at the same time if they could.

'I think there's just something we would love to experience together,' Brittany said.

'We have experienced most milestones of our lives together, birthdays, getting your driver's license, graduations, and our double wedding.

'This would be the next huge event, and we'd love to experience it together, and ideally we will.'

As for openly planning their lovemaking schedules, Briana said: 'We're in our first year of marriage so we're kind of learning ourselves how that works. Ideally the timing will have to be really good.'

Lot of twins! There were plenty of other twins at their wedding, with 17 total  including them  posing for a picture together

Moms: The couples live together in the same house, so having children at the same time will mean more hands on deck for needy babies

Wedding memories: The brides beam on their joint big day in 2018

Bros: The grooms are pictured walking down the aisle at their joint wedding

On TV: The event later aired in a TLC special called Our Twinsane Wedding in February of 2019

Her sister Briana chimed in: 'We'll so happy and excited for what happens. Ideally we have a way that we'd hope it would go but we'll be happy with what comes our way.'

The couples live together in the same house, so having children at the same time will mean more hands on deck for needy babies.

'If we're all going to live under the same roof, then naturally we're going to help each other raise our one big happy family that we have. It's going to be great,' Josh said.

The Dean sisters and Salyers brothers have earned attention for their unique story, especially after the men proposed to the women with identical custom rings by Jerrick's Fine Jewelry, which each had double infinity symbols coated in diamonds.

The brothers proposed at the same moment, getting down on one knee together in front of their matching brides-to-be  who, naturally, had similar reactions, smiling and holding their hands to their chests.

At home: Recently, they celebrated their second anniversary with a photo of the men in matching pajamas cuddling their wives in matching robes

Online fame: The Dean sisters and Salyers brothers have earned attention for their unique story

Twice the buys: The couples like to match outfits, even on non-special occasions

No solo activities! On Halloween this year, the women dressed as Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, while the men were both Prince Philip

One might think the women would enjoy buying different things and score double the wardrobe  but not so

Fun in the sun: They even wear matching swimsuits at the pool

The women said 'I do' in Twinsburg, Ohio while wearing identical dresses, and the men in matching tuxedos, with two sets of twins acting as ring bearers.

There were plenty of other twins at their wedding, with 17 total  including them  posing for a picture together in Twinsburg Township Square.

The event later aired in a TLC special called Our Twinsane Wedding in February of 2019.

Before meeting the sisters, Jeremy said he and his twin brother Josh had made a vow that they would only marry another set of twins.

'Me and Josh always knew we had to find our twins if we were going to get married  and we told each other that we'll never be able to unless we find a set of twins that we could fall in love with and marry,' Jeremy said.

Safety first: Recently, they even showed off matching face masks  pink for the girls, green for the boys

Promise: Before meeting the sisters, Jeremy said he and his twin brother Josh had made a vow that they would only marry another set of twins

'We got lucky enough to find them, we couldn't be happier,' Jeremy said

Wait a minute... Their identical faces and outfits surely cause confusion for strangers

Surprise... The couple didn't reveal when the babies are due or if they know the genders

'We got lucky enough to find them, we couldn't be happier.'

The sisters were also lucky to find a set of twins who are also happy to dress identically, as they often do. They frequently pose for pictures with both sets of twins in identical outfits.

Recently, they even showed off matching face masks  pink for the girls, green for the boys.

They wear matching swimsuits to the pool, and on Halloween, they wear the same costumes. This year, the women dressed as Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, while the men were both Prince Philip.

Recently, they celebrated their second anniversary with a photo of the men in matching pajamas cuddling their wives in matching robes.
The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability, ASEPA says it will officially write back to the Presidency to request for the official report of the Chief Justice on the petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa.

In June 2020, ASEPA secured an impeachment declaration from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that the EC Chair, since assuming office had not filed her asset declaration forms in accordance with the law and must be removed as the Returning Officer of presidential elections in Ghana

But a statement from the Office of the President rejected ASEPA's claims and absolved the EC Boss of any criminal act.

In any event, CHRAJ did not make any adverse findings against the Chairperson as the investigation was terminated and the complaint dismissed after the Chairperson declared her assets on 17th February 2020.

The statement also added that the Chief Justice did not find any statute that criminalises the non-declaration of assets within the stipulated time in the Constitution.

Accordingly, I am directed by the President to inform you that your petition has been dismissed, the statement signed by Nana Bediatuo Asante, Secretary to the President noted.

But the Executive Director of ASEPA Mensa Thompson, in a Citi News interview, said the president did not follow due process in responding to their petition hence the need to demand the official documents.

We have not received any official response from the Presidency. What weve seen is a statement to a comment I made but we have not received any official response from the President. The Chief Justice in correspondence to us said he has submitted his report to the Presidency on July 15, 2020. Today is August 14, 2020, so well after a month after the Chief Justice submitted his report, the Presidency has failed to communicate to us the petitioners and also to the general public as swift as it did with the Charlotte Osei case. With regards to Charlotte Oseis removal from office, we saw swiftly how the matter was handled and even after that, the Presidency issued an official statement.

We are going to write to the Presidency to request an official copy of the report by the Chief Justice and then review with our lawyers and decide on what step we are going to take on this particular matter.

---citinewsroom
Teachers have submitted 'implausibly high' predicted grades amid widespread upset over A-level results, the exams regulator has claimed.

Nearly 40 per cent of results had been downgraded from teachers' predictions, official data reveals, sparking complaints from pupils who say the system has let them down.

But the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) now claims that a minority of teachers put forward significantly inflated grades, the Telegraph reports.

A spokesman for the regulator said: 'Because the circumstances meant there was no opportunity to develop a common approach to grading, the standard applied by different schools and colleges varies greatly.

'A rare few centres put in implausibly high judgments, including one which submitted all A* and A grades for students in two subjects, where previously there had been normal distribution.'

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson had faced pressure to address the 'huge injustice' of the 2020 results by head teachers and the Labour Party

Data revealed that the marks of poorer pupils in England were more likely to be downgraded by the algorithm

After the 2020 exams were cancelled due to coronavirus, this year's grades were been calculated by a statistical model that considers the pupils' past performance along with the historic grades of their school, along with a rank order drawn up by teachers.

But results day has seen growing complaints by pupils and schools about the statistical mechanism used to award grades - which, it is claimed, has unfairly punished some.

Several pupils at one sixth form college were downgraded after getting top predicted grades.

Wiktoria Sniadowska said she would 'definitely' appeal after a computer algorithm cut her straight As to BBC. She is continuing her studies at Leyton Sixth Form College in London, where she will take an art foundation diploma.

But she said: 'I know that if I'd done my exams, I'd have got better grades. It's unfair.'

Tamzin Iyayi lost out on a place at Cambridge after being marked down from A*AA in history, law and politics. She said: 'I just feel let down by the Government.'

Aqsa Ali had been offered places to study politics and international relations. But she missed out after being downgraded to a B in politics and Cs in history and religious studies.

Students burn their A-Level results at the London Dungeon as students find out whether they have got a university place

Left to right: Victoria Sniadowska, Tamzin Iyayi and Aqsa Ali. Wiktoria Sniadowska said she would 'definitely' appeal after a computer algorithm cut her straight As to BBC

Maks Ovnik cares for his grandmother, 102, alongside his mother on the Isle of Wight

She said: 'It's had a big impact on my mental health and confidence.'

Elsewhere, a young carer had his A levels lowered by as much as three grades, putting his university plans in doubt.

No apology from Boris Johnson as he insists results are 'robust' Boris Johnson has insisted that the exam results published today are 'robust' and 'dependable'. The Prime Minister said: 'Well let me first of all say that I want to congratulate all the students who have worked so hard to get the grades that they have and have done so well. 'And let's be in no doubt about it, the exam results that we've got today are robust, they're good, they're dependable for employers, but already I think that there's a record number of candidates, of students, who are able to get their first choice course at the university of their choice. 'Plus, there's a record number of students, of pupils, from disadvantaged backgrounds who now as a result of these grades, will be able to go to university.' Mr Johnson also said that he has confidence in Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. He said: 'I think obviously it was going to be very difficult in the absence of formal proper exams this year of the kind that we normally have because of the virus, we've had to put in the system we have. 'I do think it's robust and as I say, a couple of things I think are very important - first of all, more students than ever before are able to go to their university of choice, to do the course of their choice. 'And on your point about kids, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, more than ever before are now able to go to university, are going to university this year as a result of the grades they've got today.' Asked if he has confidence in Mr Williamson, he said: 'Of course I do, but I think this is a robust system and it's one that is dependable for employers. 'It's very important that for years to come people should be able to look at these grades and think these are robust, these are dependable.' Advertisement

Maks Ovnik cares for his grandmother, 102, alongside his mother on the Isle of Wight. He got ABB in his mocks and his school gave him AAB in maths, computing and physics.

But these were downgraded by Ofqual to ADE, meaning he loses his place to study physics at Southampton.

Maks, 18, who plans to appeal, thinks his results were downgraded due to his school's performance last year. He said: 'It's not a nice feeling at all.'

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson had faced pressure to address the 'huge injustice' of the 2020 results by head teachers and the Labour Party after data revealed that the marks of poorer pupils in England were more likely to be downgraded by the algorithm.

Sources close to Mr Williamson say that there will be no U-turn, adding that the model used had been the fairest way to deal with the matter, given the circumstances.

They highlighted Ofqual figures that revealed nearly twice the number of pupils would be awarded A*s than in previous years if 'optimistic' grades were permitted to stand.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has written to Mr Williamson saying he is 'very concerned at the publication of, and issues surrounding, [this year's] A-level results'.

He said: 'The Government's last-minute decision to revise A-Level grading options is the latest in a series of bewildering exam announcements at a time when pupils need clarity and certainty.

'I am particularly concerned at disadvantaged pupils and those in state sixth-form and further education colleges losing out disproportionately.

'It is absolutely vital that ministers now provide clear information on the process for contesting grades to ensure every teenager receives a mark which reflects their effort and ability - both this week with A-levels and next week with GCSEs.

'I urge you, on behalf on London's next generation, to look at what Scotland has done, to admit that mistakes have been made, and to ensure that teachers' assessments are properly taken into account as these provide overall a far fairer way of attributing grades compared to what we have seen today.

'I would welcome your urgent response to this letter.'

One Government source said: 'There are always people who do not get their predicted grades. People seem to be operating with the notion that everyone should just get what their teachers think they should have got.'
Akshay Kumar has decided to contribute Rs one crore each to Assam and Bihar Chief Ministers Relief Fund for the people affected by floods in the respective states.

A source told Hindustan Times, On Thursday, Akshay Kumar spoke to CMs of Bihar and Assam and pledged a sum of rupees one crore each at a time when these areas are affected by the natural calamity. Both the Chief Ministers have expressed gratitude and appreciated his gesture that amid so much negativity all around, he could think of the betterment of these states.

Akshay had previously donated Rs 25 crore to the PMs relief fund for Covid-19, an additional Rs 2 crore to the Mumbai Police Foundation, and Rs 3 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to assist in the making of personal protection equipment, masks, and rapid testing kits to help the battle against the novel coronavirus.

In May last year, Akshay had donated Rs 1 crore for the assistance of the victims of Cyclone Fani in Odisha.

Meanwhile, the actor is currently in the UK to shoot his upcoming film, Bell Bottom. He has also been accompanied by wife Twinkle Khanna and children Aarav and Nitara.

Akshay is among the first actors to resume shooting amid the coronavirus pandemic. He said in one of his recent interviews on whether he was afraid: Of course, I was, but for how long can you live in fear? Initially, when the pandemic started, very little was known about the virus  the way it affects a person. So, there was a lot of fear. Now, with time, we know more and also that its possible to beat it if we have a good immune system. Hence, I decided to get back to work taking all the precautions, not just for me but for the entire unit.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting with various industry associations to discuss ways to reduce imports in the automobile industry and increase localisation of auto components.

The ministry is working to push local manufacturing in several other sectors, including furniture and ACs, and reduce imports from countries like China.

"Held meetings with representatives from various industry associations and chambers of commerce along with government officials. Discussed ways to reduce imports in the automobile industry and increase localisation of auto components to promote Make in India," Goyal said in a tweet.

In 2018-19 India imported auto components worth USD 17.6 billion, of which 27 percent (USD 4.75 billion) were from China.

The major component imports from China include drive transmission and steering parts, electronic and electrical items, cooling systems, suspension and braking parts.
The company, founded by 24-year-old Charlie Gleeson last year, is headquartered at a centre for entrepreneurs at UCD.

The UK government is fast-tracking trials of rented e-scooter schemes as part of a strategy to improve congestion and explore greener methods of urban transport in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The use of electric or e-scooters on public roads is currently illegal in the Republic, as they are classified as "mechanically propelled vehicles" subject to controls such as road tax and insurance, which are currently impossible to attain for the transport devices.

It re-affirms that our bid for a more sustainable, responsible and transparent approach to the industry is one that is being readily welcomed by authorities.

Founder Charlie Gleeson said the UK approval confirms confidence in the safety of our e-scooter, it also re-affirms that our bid for a more sustainable, responsible and transparent approach to the industry is one that is being readily welcomed by authorities.

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Rapid urbanisation is a phenomenon that has aggravated a multitude of problems that city authorities face. However, it presents a fantastic opportunity for innovation, with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic only proving further reason for new approaches needed.

The company is headquartered at NovaUCD, the centre for new ventures and entrepreneurs at University College Dublin.

In June it closed a 300,000 seed investment round led by a London-based VC and private angel investors, and expanded its team to target the UK e-scooter market.

If cities truly want to advance towards their carbon emissions targets in the post-Covid era, then socially distanced modes of transport like electric scooters must be considered as an integral component of urban transport strategy.

The company is now currently engaging with a number of councils to secure e-scooter licences to provide their transport to commuters across the UK, claiming that its e-scooter fleet and swappable battery is 10 times more efficient than the widely-used gig economy model.

Head of growth and government affairs at the company Will OBrien said cities need scooter-sharing now more than ever due to the impact Covid-19 is having on public transport.

We cannot let people revert back to car usage after years of progress in encouraging alternative modes of transport.

If cities truly want to advance towards their carbon emissions targets in the post-Covid era, then socially distanced modes of transport like electric scooters must be considered as an integral component of urban transport strategy.
President Trump, left, shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after making joint statements on May 22, 2017, in Jerusalem. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

The agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced with fanfare by the White House on Thursday is doubly welcome. It represents a recognition by another Arab state that Israel is a permanent part of the Middle East, and it forestalls for now the annexation by Israel of parts of the West Bank, a step that would have been disastrous for Palestinians hope for a viable state.

Yet the importance of the agreement shouldnt be overstated. A comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict  the ultimate deal" Donald Trump touted prior to his inauguration  remains elusive. The region seems no closer to a two-state solution in which an independent Palestinian state would peacefully coexist with Israel. The question is whether this agreement is a milestone along the path to such an agreement, or an exit ramp.

In agreeing to pursue diplomatic relations with Israel, the UAE has done something that every nation in the region should do. It has been more than half a century since the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution citing "the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area" (while calling for the Israeli withdrawal from territories it occupied in 1967). Israel is one of those states referred to in the resolution, yet before Thursdays announcement only two Arab nations, Egypt and Jordan, maintained diplomatic relations with it.

Its also hugely important that Israel has agreed to defer annexing parts of the West Bank. Those second thoughts are a response not only to pressure by the UAE but also to a seeming change of course by the Trump administration. In January, Trump unveiled a peace plan that, while it contemplated a Palestinian state, envisioned Israeli control of considerable portions of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley. But when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was poised to annex parts of the West Bank this summer, some in the administration reportedly counseled caution.

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Nevertheless, David Friedman, Trumps ambassador to Israel, declared Thursday that annexation was not off the table permanently. Similarly, Netanyahu ominously is describing the decision not to move forward with annexation as a temporary suspension.

And while the Trump administration may have moderated its position on annexation, its still not clear that this administration recognizes that a lasting peace requires a viable Palestinian state as well as a secure Israel. Its support for the Israeli-UAE deal can also be seen as pursuing a different goal, part of a strategy to align with Israel and Gulf States in seeking to limit Irans influence.

Iran undoubtedly has engaged in disruptive and dangerous behavior, but this administrations fixation on subjecting Iran to maximum pressure hasnt succeeded in curbing Irans conduct in the region, destabilizing the government in Tehran or inducing Iran to agree to a deal limiting its nuclear program to replace the international agreement Trump repudiated in 2018.

Iran denounced the agreement between Israel and the UAE as a dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims. That statement can be dismissed as posturing, but Palestinians themselves have portrayed the agreement as harmful to their interests. A spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the UAEs action was an aggression against the Palestinian people.

The Palestinians dismay is understandable. Their desire for a state has been frustrated for decades, partly because of poor decisions by their own leadership. But at least this deal postpones action by Israel that might have irrevocably made a Palestinian state impossible.

Ideally, Israeli leaders would realize that it is in their nations interest to zealously pursue an agreement with the Palestinians that would allow for Israel to remain a democracy and for Palestinians to fully govern themselves. The U.S. can play an influential role in realizing that vision, but only if it has credibility with both sides. On Thursday, Trump said, We do have a lot more to come in the Middle East. Those steps must include more direct progress toward a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Nivin Pauly, the young crowd-puller of Malayalam cinema is going through the best phase of his career so far, with some exciting projects in the pipeline. The Padavettu actor recently opened up about the emerging OTT culture in the film industry, in the interview given to a leading daily. Interestingly, Nivin stated that he is open to doing original OTT content.

When he was asked about the Malayalam film industry's disapproval towards the OTT platforms, Nivin Pauly replied that people find it a little difficult to adapt when new technologies are introduced. He also admitted that an OTT platform cannot provide the fulfilling movie experience provided by a cinema theater. But at the same time, Nivin feels that the impact of OTT platforms cannot be ignored.

The actor also added that people need to realise that the movies can be enjoyed in the OTT platforms will be made in the near future. When he was asked about his OTT debut, Nivin Pauly stated that the popular OTT platforms are producing amazing original content, and he is open to the platform if something comes his way.

Coming to his career, Nivin Pauly will soon resume the shooting of Padavettu, the upcoming action thriller directed by Liju Krishna once the lockdown ends. The much-awaited project, which is produced by actor Sunny Wayne, will feature the actor in two get-ups. He has some promising projects in the pipeline including Gangs Of Mundanmala, the rustic thriller and Bismi Special, the romantic comedy.

The crowd-puller is also joining hands with the filmmaker-cinematographer Rajeev Ravi for the first time, for the upcoming project Thuramukham. The movie, which is said to be a period thriller, revolves around the famous protests against the Chappa system that existed in the coastal areas of Cochin during the 1950s.

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RHODES, Greece  The Greek government has secretly expelled more than 1,000 refugees from Europes borders in recent months, sailing many of them to the edge of Greek territorial waters and then abandoning them in inflatable and sometimes overburdened life rafts.

Since March, at least 1,072 asylum seekers have been dropped at sea by Greek officials in at least 31 separate expulsions, according to an analysis of evidence by The New York Times from three independent watchdogs, two academic researchers and the Turkish Coast Guard. The Times interviewed survivors from five of those episodes and reviewed photographic or video evidence from all 31.

It was very inhumane, said Najma al-Khatib, a 50-year-old Syrian teacher, who says masked Greek officials took her and 22 others, including two babies, under cover of darkness from a detention center on the island of Rhodes on July 26 and abandoned them in a rudderless, motorless life raft before they were rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard.

I left Syria for fear of bombing  but when this happened, I wished Id died under a bomb, she told The Times.
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The DNA samples of the people, who claim to be the relatives of the three youths killed in an alleged fake encounter in Shopian district, were collected in a Jammu and Kashmir government hospital in presence of a police team sent from Srinagar, officials said Friday.

The three youths, Mohammad Imtiyaz and Ibrar Ahmed, residents of Kathuni mohalla of Dharsakri village of Rajouri, and Mohammad Ibrar, a resident of Tarkassi village of Rajouri, had left their homes on the pretext of working as labourers in Shopian and went out of contact with their families on July 17.

The officials said a total of six DNA samples were collected from the family members of the three missing youths.

The police team, which arrived here on Thursday, met family members of the youths.

Rajouri District Magistrate Mohammad Nazir Sheikh said an investigation team of police approached the administration for facilitating the collection of DNA samples after which a magistrate was appointed and samples were collected in GMC Associated Hospital Rajouri.

"Our role was to facilitate DNA sampling only as it is the investigation team of Kashmir police which is probing the matter," he said.

The father of Imtiyaz, one of the missing persons, was seen on social media pleading for a visit to Kashmir and exhuming the bodies of his son and others for a proper burial in Rajouri.

He even went on to say that if any of the three youths was remotely connected to militant organisations, he was ready to face the consequences.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Vikay Kumar said Thursday that a police team led by Deputy SP Wajahat has been sent to Rajouri to collect the DNA samples of those claiming to be relatives of the deceased.

Kumar said the DNA samples will be sent to central laboratories for matching.

"There are two aspects of the investigations. One is matching the DNA and then we will be also investigating whether these youths, who had come to work in Kashmir, had any links with militants. We will be going through their call details and other technical aspects as well," he added.

The Army has already initiated an inquiry into an "encounter" carried out by its troops in Amshipora village of Shopian district.

On July 18, the Army claimed three militants were killed in the higher reaches of Shopian in south Kashmir. However, no further details were shared.

On Monday, the Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia issued a brief statement saying the Army has noted social media inputs linked to the operations in Shopian on July 18.

"The three terrorists killed during the operation have not been identified and the bodies were buried based on established protocols. The Army is investigating the matter," Kalia had said.

This has sparked a controversy with political parties demanding an impartial probe into the alleged encounter to ensure speedy justice.

The controversy erupted after families filed a complaint at a police station in Rajouri stating that their three members are missing since July 17 from the Amshipora area of Shopian where they were working as labourers in apple and walnut orchards.
Sunday 8 April 1787, Easter Sunday. British traveller Joseph Townsend is watching attentively as Mass is celebrated in the recently completed cathedral in Malaga. Amid the incense, organ music and ceremony, a well-mannered young man approaches him and offers to answer any questions this curious traveller may have.

Afterwards, as they seemed to be getting on well, he persuaded Townsend to accompany him to Calle Granada, where his father, Felix Solesio, lived opposite the church of Santiago. Townsend and Solesio immediately struck up a friendship and the traveller was invited to spend a few days at their house in the countryside.

How did a place get to be called Stream of Honey? The most credible theory comes from the abundance of bee hives, because of the extensive areas of thyme bushes. The name already appeared in documents about the land at the end of the 15th century. In 1751, according to official records, there were 65 bee hives in that area. The second, less credible hypothesis, is more poetic, as Juan Jose Jurado explains: the name, which means Stream of Honey, comes from the existence of a mill where cane was ground down to make sugar. The residue from the cane, honey, was thrown into the stream, which gave its waters a certain sweet flavour. You can still see La Tribuna building in the centre of Arroyo de la Miel, in the square of the same name. It is without a doubt the oldest building in the town. Restored in 2007, and 60 square metres in size, it is all that remains of the early San Carlos estate; outside there is a scuplture of Felix Solesio.

Felix Solesio, who was Genoese, had bought the estate called Arroyo de la Miel three years earlier, in 1784. It had a huge amount of land, measuring 11 kilometres in length by nearly six wide, now Benalmadena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel.

This immense estate had cost the Italian 300,000 'reales'. Bearing in mind that he had bought his three 'houses' in Calle Granada for 141,000 reales, we get an idea of what land on the Costa was worth in those days.

The estate bordered the Molino del Moro to the east, neighbouring estates owned by people from Benalmadena to the west, the Sierra de Mijas to the north and "the coast, sand and sea" to the south. From the early 16th century this land had belonged to the Zurita-Zambrana family, and one of their descendents had sold it to Solesio.

So, the English traveller was to spend a few days on the Arroyo de la Miel estate. He arrived on Thursday 12 April after just a few hours' travel from Malaga.

Townsend described with typical British precision everything he saw. In the two and a bit years that Solesio had owned it, he had planted 200,000 grapevines, 5,000 olive trees, 100,000 mulberry trees, 580 fig trees, 300 pomegranate trees, 700 lemon trees, 700 orange trees and a large amount of sugar cane.

He also had 56 oxen, 1,200 lambs, 400 goats and 158 pigs. The shepherds slept next to their herds and every night a man on horseback rode around the estate to prevent possible attacks by thieves.

The archway leading to the San Carlos complex. / SUR

The figures may sound exaggerated, but they are supported by historical documents, as historians Jose Carlos Balmaseda and Maria del Carmen Martin show in their book Felix Solesio, Fundador de Arroyo de la Miel.

There was also a quarry on the estate and in an area near the sea they had even discovered Roman baths with mosaic floor tiles.

Felix Solesio built six mills to produce paper. We know their names: Los Fundadores, Santa Rita, La Victoria and San Bonifacio, which produced white paper, and Los Apostoles and San Nicolas, where brown paper was made. All these provided work for around 112 people, according to Townsend, nearly 20 per cent of the population of Benalmadena.

Felix Solesio was a dreamer. He called his dream the San Carlos industrial complex after the King, Carlos III. In Arroyo de la Miel today you can still see the entrance leading to the houses on the estate, with a marble inscription explaining that everything had been created in the public interest and for the future of the nation. It was the dream of every illustrious man.

Statue of Felix Solesio. / SUR

Felix Solesio has always been overshadowed by the man who was his protector, Jose de Galvez, Minister of the Indies from the Court of Charles III and Marquess of Sonora, and for that reason his figure has rarely been given much attention. Solesio was appointed director of De Galvez's playing card factory in Macharaviaya, for which he produced the paper in Arroyo de la Miel.

Townsend described him as an "enterprising man who uses all his profits to make improvements on his estates".

By 1797 his industrial complex was valued at five million reales, in other words its worth had multiplied by 15 in just 13 years.

In 1800 Arroyo de la Miel was already like a small town which was to grow during the 19th century thanks to its paper mills.

The mansion owned by Felix Solesio in Malaga's Calle Granada, has now been converted into the new Palacio Solecio hotel.
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday that he suspected the involvement of a foreign hand in opposition to projects in the state. Swant was talking about the protests against three projects - the Railway double tracking, the highway four laning and a power line all of which will pass through the wildlife sanctuaries and come at a huge cost to the environment.

Speaking at the sidelines of an event, Sawant said that the opposition was more from abroad, than from locals residing in the vicinity.

The opposition is coming from Africa, England and Russia. Those who have not seen Goa and Mollem, are now commenting about it from foreign countries. On the other hand, those who stay in Mollem, say that if the road is widened it will be beneficial to them, Sawant claimed.

We want power and water 24x7. We want good transport and road facilities. And at the same time we also need a good environment. Government is not keen on destroying the environment. We want to preserve it. If we cut 10 trees, we replant 100 trees. People do not understand this, Sawant also said.

Sawants comments come a day after a BJP leader at a press conference defended the project claiming the trio of projects would be beneficial for the state while also benefiting the wildlife.

It is because those in the past built infrastructure that today we are benefitting from it. What we build today, the future generations will thank us for, a former BJP legislator Siddharth Kuncalienkar, said with the government and party eager to push back to the mounting opposition to the projects that will slice through the western ghats.

The campaigners against the projects have, however, hit back at the ruling party.

Any observer including the BJP needs to be clear that destruction is not equal to development of the state and is a fallacy unless the state now means wealthy individuals and selected business interests, a statement issued by the group campaigning against the projects said.

The activists have long believed that the projects, especially the railway line, is being built solely to facilitate the transport of imported coal from Goas Mormugao Port to steel plants in North Karnataka for whom Goa is the closest port.

The railway line, by far the biggest of the three projects, will come at a cost of diversion of 113.857 hectares of forest land and felling of 18,541 trees. The second project - the four-laning of the existing two-lane highway that was constructed by the Portuguese colonial government between Panaji in Goa and Belgavi in Karnataka - will cost 31.015 hectares of forest land and 12,097 trees. Thirdly, a 400KV power line - 3.5 km of which passes through protected forest area - is also proposed. It will provide additional feed to Goa.

These clearances have now been challenged before the Central Empowered Committee as well as the Bombay high court at Goa on grounds that they have been cleared in haste and threaten the rich bio-diversity of the region.
NASA and SpaceX could launch their next group of astronauts Oct. 23, NASA announced Friday.

The Crew-1 mission would be the first non-test flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and would include Houston-born astronaut Shannon Walker.

Set to launch alongside Walker is Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover Jr., both of NASA, and Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. They will spend six months on the International Space Station.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Space race? America's new path to the ISS could affect relationship with Russia

Their launch, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, will be no sooner than Oct. 23 from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It would follow the successful Demo-2 test mission that launched NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley into space May 30, marking the first time in nine years that NASA astronauts were launched to the space station from U.S. soil. After retiring the space shuttle in 2011, NASA relied on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to reach the station.

Behnken and Hurley spent two months in microgravity, helping with space station research and maintenance, before splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola. Fla., on Aug. 2.

Their safe return was an important milestone in NASAs efforts to partner with commercial companies to ferry astronauts to the space station. NASAs Commercial Crew Program is working with SpaceX and Boeing (which has not yet launched people) to develop privately owned and operated systems that would launch people into space. NASA hopes to be one of many customers purchasing seats.

NASA must finish reviewing data from the Demo-2 mission before certifying SpaceXs human spaceflight system to begin more routine trips to the space station. This certification will be completed before Crew-1 flies.

The crew will be greeted at the space station by NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. They are scheduled to launch Oct. 14 aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

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 GIS  14 August 2020: A book entitled Contemporary African Issues: Demystifying Regional Integration and African Youth written by local author, Mr Chelvin Ramasamy, was launched, yesterday, by the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun. The book launch ceremony was held at the City Council of Port-Louis.

The book aims at passing on a message to African youth that they are the generation with the potential to change the course of history for the betterment of humanity. It delineates the ways young people can be propelled as the driving force for the growth and progress of the African continent, which is paramount for the transformation of Africa into the global powerhouse of the future in line with the goal of the African Unions Agenda 2063.

In his address, President Roopun congratulated Mr Ramasamy for having published the book, while underlining that he fully supports such initiatives from local writers. According to him, writing a book is a daring initiative and is most importantly a noble act of sharing. He lauded the determination of the young writer as well as his passion for the cause of youth empowerment and advocacy for Pan Africanism and continental integration.

The book provides a critical insight of regional integration within the African continent along with the challenges faced and possible solutions, he indicated.

Speaking about the key themes of the book, namely regional integration and the rising potential of African youth, the President highlighted that regional integration has been key to the socioeconomic progress and development of Mauritius. African youth have the potential to drive the development agenda of the continent, and should be encouraged to take the lead to change the future and to help build a prosperous Africa, he said. It is critical to develop among them a sense of belonging and patriotism, he added.

Africa, President Roopun observed, which was previously referred to as the black continent is today, in fact, the continent of the future with 60% of its population currently under 25 years old, while the rest of the world is battling against an ageing population. Hence, African youth represent an asset which can drive future growth at global level, he emphasised.

He dwelt on numerous challenges affecting African countries, including the high level of unemployment and skilled migration. Additionally, President Roopun underpinned the need to empower young people and give them the proper environment and opportunities that nurture their potential, and enable them to evolve and participate in decision making at all levels.

Moreover, he indicated that it is crucial to probe into the respective realities and challenges of each African country and come up with concerted actions to strengthen the process of regional integration across the whole continent. In this endeavour, we should harness the human capital that represents the youth to tap into new means to propel development and make optimum use of new technologies, he highlighted.
60 Minutes cameras enter the Red Zone of the Royal Melbourne Hospital where doctors and nurses are on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.

The Red Zone

Its an enormous relief to know its there, but its also a place you want to do everything you can to avoid. The so-called Red Zone at the Royal Melbourne Hospital is where extraordinary battles against COVID-19 are being fought day and night. In the deadliest week of the virus so far in Australia, 60 Minutes cameras have been given special access to the hospitals Coronavirus wards to show the sombre reality of a disease that for many people is still difficult to fully comprehend. Tom Steinforts confronting report reveals not only how dangerous COVID is, but also the incredible bravery of the doctors and nurses on the frontline of this medical war as they fight to save the lives of their patients.

Reporter: Tom Steinfort

Producers: Nick Greenaway, Steve Oemcke

Confessions of a Cop

It would be hard to find a police officer who was more dedicated to catching bad guys than Gary Jubelin. For 35 years he was the worst nightmare for crooks in New South Wales. Perversely though, his commitment to the job was so great it ended up destroying his career. Now in a retirement he really doesnt want, the former homicide detective has some confessions to make. In Tara Browns revealing interview Jubelin explains the true cost of being a cop who sacrificed so much for a life of fighting crime.

Reporter: Tara Brown

Producers: Laura Sparkes, Natalie Clancy

8:50pm Sunday on Nine.
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In a break from traditions, only senior union ministers will be present on stage along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The ceremony held on each Independence Day, where the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi, will be a curtailed affair this year with strict physical distancing norms and hand sanitisation amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

A report by The Economic Times quoting a senior official involved in the arrangements says that there is not enough space to accommodate all Cabinet ministers while adhering to the physical distancing guidelines.

So, the defence ministry has made a proper seating plan, which would see the senior-most ministers including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari, (will be) seated on the ramparts at the usual place, the person added.

However, it is unclear if Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the ceremony as he is still recovering from COVID-19.

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

All other Cabinet ministers would be seated in a separate enclosure below the upper dais, the news report suggests. Other dignitaries such as judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, and Secretary-level bureaucrats would also have separate enclosures.

Corona warriors such as doctors and healthcare professionals have been invited and would have a dedicated seating area.

Security arrangements

A security ring, including National Security Guard (NSG) snipers, elite SWAT commandos and kite catchers, will be placed around the Red Fort.

Over 300 cameras have been installed for security and their footage is being monitored round the clock, police said. There will be around 4,000 security personnel at the Red Fort and they will stand in adherence with social distancing norms.
DALLAS(BUSINESS WIRE)NETSTREIT Corp. (the Company), announced today that it has priced an initial public offering of 12,500,000 shares of its common stock at an initial public offering price of $18.00 per share. 12,244,732 shares are being offered by the Company and 255,268 shares are being offered by certain selling stockholders (the Selling Stockholders). In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 shares of common stock from the Company at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders. The Companys common stock is expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on August 13, 2020 under the ticker symbol NTST. The offering is expected to close on August 17, 2020, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Wells Fargo Securities, BofA Securities, Citigroup, Stifel, and Jefferies are acting as the book-running managers for the offering.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus relating to the offering, when available, may be obtained by contacting: Wells Fargo Securities, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 500 West 33rd Street, New York, New York, 10001, at (800) 326-5897 or email a request to cmclientsupport@wellsfargo.com; BofA Securities, Attention: Prospectus Department, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001 or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146); Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate Department, One South Street, 15th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, telephone: (855) 3007136, email: SyndProspectus@stifel.com; Fax: 443.224.1273; and Jefferies LLC, Attention Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (877) 821-7388 or by email at Prospectus_Department@jefferies.com.

Story continues

A registration statement on Form S-11 relating to these securities has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was declared effective on August 12, 2020. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About NETSTREIT Corp.

NETSTREIT is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of single-tenant, retail commercial real estate subject to long-term net leases with high credit quality tenants across the United States.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the proposed public offering and other statements identified by words such as could, may, might, will, likely, anticipates, intends, plans, seeks, believes, estimates, expects, continues, projects and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the size, timing, and expected proceeds of the offering, are based on the Companys current expectations and assumptions regarding capital markets conditions, the Companys business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, the Companys actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the impact of COVID-19 on the Companys business and the global economy, financial market and regulatory conditions, general real estate market conditions, the Companys competitive environment and other factors set forth under Risk Factors in the Companys registration statement on Form S-11. Any forward-looking statement made in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contacts

Michelle Davis



214-325-1226



info@NETSTREIT.com
Fianna Fail TD Joe Flaherty has issued a statement refuting blatantly untrue allegations on social media that his office was raided by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Flaherty said the allegations are part of a sustained campaign against him which is clear designed to discredit him.

I have not, now or ever been raided by CAB, either at my office or family home. Nor have I had any engagement at any level with the anti crime agency, the Longford-Westmeath TD said.

I accept in the course of my political work that I am open to public scrutiny but I cannot stand by and allow my name to be defamed and my family to be abused and insulted, he added.

It was previously revealed, Mr Flaherty wrote a letter to a court on behalf of three men whose homes were subsequently raided as part of a major CAB investigation.

He described the three brothers as "extremely capable, very sharp and more than familiar with hard work" in a letter submitted during a trial for violent disorder which was sent before the CAB investigation emerged. Mr Flaherty said he deeply regret sending the letter.

In his statement today, Mr Flaherty said he fully appreciates the great honour that comes with being elected to the Dail and insisted he has devoted his time and energy to representing the people of the constituency.

He said he will continue to do so notwithstanding the calculated and malicious efforts of others to discredit hime.

Life in the political eye does not give a small section of the public the right to falsify and peddle malicious and slanderous accusations regarding I, or my family. I will pursue those who persist in the regurgitation of same by all legal and necessary mean, he added.

Mr Flaherty said he will not be making any further comment.
A teenager is still missing after a man was taken into custody in Orange County for possibly abducting her, deputies said.

A gas station employee said he saw a man with the girl around 7 a.m. Friday. Officials identified the man as Alexander Lopez, 44.

The employee, Robert Cruz, told sister station WESH-TV that he felt something was off, saying the girl had tried to speak with him, while Lopez seemed upset.

"She goes, 'I want to speak to you first before I use the bathroom. When she told me that, he was already paying for the drink. He was like, 'you know what? You're going to try to get me in trouble for no reason.' They started walking out and when they were walking out I saw that she was crying. So when I saw that she was crying, I started looking outside and that's when I started seeing that she kind of didn't want to go in the car. And that's when I noticed something was off and I said, 'You know let me call the cops,'" Cruz said.

Deputies said the man and the teenager left the gas station in a stolen vehicle.

According to officials, a driver spotted the stolen vehicle in Kissimmee because of the Amber Alert that was sent out.

Authorities tried to stop Lopez, but he drove away and crashed into a pond.

Officials said the girl was not with him. Lopez continues to be uncooperative with authorities.

The teenager is described to be white or Hispanic, 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 135 pounds with brown hair.



She was last seen in Orlando wearing a red, baggy T-shirt with dark pants, officials said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
Today, August 14, 183 Vietnamese citizens returning from Equatorial Guinea officially ended the quarantine process to go home after three times tested negative to SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Mr. Le Hung Doanh, 36, from Thanh Hoa province, got up very early to prepare personal belongings. Smiling and looking at the phone lock screen, with a picture of his two children as the background, he said that every day the kids called him to say they miss him very much and ask him when would he come home. The kids, 7 and 4, had not seen their father for 17 months.

I am looking forward to the moment of reuniting with my family. After finishing the isolation, what I wish the most is to hug my two children tightly, Doanh told VietNamNet.

Many others also got up very early to prepare luggage.

Their blankets and daily-life tools are put into medical waste bags for proper disposal.

Mr. Bui Van Cuong, 29, from Nghe An Province, was infected with Covid-19 virus in Equatorial Guinea. Fortunately, when he came back to Vietnam, Cuong had completely recovered and had negative testing results.

Leaving the homeland to make a living, we always expect the day to return home. When getting sick, our homesickness and the desire to return home are even greater than ever. I'm really happy and grateful. Thank the Party and State for giving us the opportunity to return home, Cuong said.

"When getting sick, our homesickness and the desire to return home are even greater than ever. I'm really happy and grateful," said Mr. Cuong.

Many people made phone calls to inform their relatives and friends of their return.

Mr. Kim Van Binh, 32, from Hanoi called their family last night and the whole family was very happy and excited to hear that he was coming home.

Cao Van Phuong, 40, from Nghe An is not a Covid-19 patient, but he will be still monitored for malaria developments so he could not leave the quarantine center today.

Phuong was detected with malaria when he was in Equatorial Guinea and the disease got worse by the time he came back to Vietnam. The fever lasted for about a week, there were times when I had a fever of 39 or 40 degrees. Thanks to the dedicated treatment and care of the doctors, the symptoms have gradually reduced, Phuong said.

Doctors said the man will continue to be monitored until the malaria parasites are completely removed before being discharged from the hospital.

I am very happy for others who can return home today. I am not sad or sorry because I have come back to my homeland, then it is okay to wait a few more days, said Phuong.

Mr. Cao Van Phuong

Workers receive a discharge note to submit to their local health centers. The paper states that they have at least 3 times tested negative for nCoV by RT-PCR technique.

Before leaving the hospital, many people could not hide a little sadness and regrets because they had to say goodbye to the people who they had been living and working together for nearly 2 years.

They talked before saying goodbye.

Dr. Vu Minh Dien, Head of the Quality Control Department of the National Hospital for Tropical Disease, said the 183 people will be still monitored by the local health agencies for the next 14 days.

Although they had been isolated for 16 days, these people are recommended to still wear masks, stay at home, and limit contact with people, Dr. Dien said.

Dr. Vu Minh Dien, Head of the Quality Management Department of the National Hospital for Tropical Disease.

The 183 Vietnamese citizens returning from Equatorial Guinea and doctors of the National Hospital for Tropical Disease took picture together. The people left the National Hospital for Tropical Disease at around 11am. They will be monitored by the local health agencies over the next 14 days



Nguyen Lien - Le Anh Dung



37 hours on flight from Equatorial Guinea bringing Vietnamese citizens home Were about to go home was something Vietnam Airlines flight attendants said repeatedly to Vietnamese citizens on a flight from Equatorial Guinea a couple of days ago.
A former FBI lawyer is expected to plead guilty to falsifying a document central to an investigation into Russian interference in 2016 elections.

Kevin Clinesmith, who was assigned to the FBI probe, is set to plead guilty to altering an email from the CIA ton which investigators relied for wiretap permissions on Carter Paige, Donald Trump's former campaign adviser, the New York Times reports.

The plea follows US Attorney John Durham's investigation into the previous inquiry, dismissed by US Attorney General William Barr and Donald Trump, now seeking political retribution.

More follows
FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- Mayor Patrick Cooney said the city is currently examining how to use its recently awarded $400,000 in federal CARES Act funding.

Were looking at ways to keep our employees, residents and visitors safe, Cooney said. This could be improvements to the Gemini Center. Were thinking about doors, because we have different exits now as a result of COVID.

We have some equipment were looking at to help clean more efficiently, like ultraviolet lights in the locker room and things of that nature. Theres potential for improvements at other facilities, as well.

That includes City Hall, where the mayor said the idea would be to lessen visitor contact with doors and add designated entrances.

The coronavirus-related federal funds also can go toward reimbursement for personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers, testing and other costs.

We have some PPE and other equipment we purchased, Cooney said. Theres also some reimbursement for expenses we had for employees and required overtime.

The CARES Act funding will also reimburse the city for its $35,000 micro-grant program earlier this year that helped local businesses.

Fairview Park Community Development Planner Monica Jordan said the micro-grants were a 75/25 split between Cuyahoga County and the city.

Businesses receiving funds included Duck Duck Daycare ($3,500), LS Architects ($4,500), Velocity Advisors ($2,500), Gone to the Dogs ($3,500), Jeffrey Pauls Hair & Scalp Specialists ($3,500), Gunselmans Tavern ($4,500), Hope Yoga Studio ($2,500), James V. Sidari and Associates ($1,500), Preppy Pet Fairview Park ($3,500), Wellman & Griffith ($1,500), Fairview Cycle ($1,500), PJs Day Spa ($2,500), Ohio First Land Title Agency ($4,500), McGovern Marketing Group Inc. ($500), Dominics Santos Italian Restaurant ($2,500), Options Salon & Spa ($2,500), Fairview Park Dental Care ($2,500), Omars Pizza & Mediterranean Grill ($2,500), Quantum Grafix ($500), Corvette Lounge ($500) and Sauced Wood Fired Pizza ($2,500).

We hope to have a decision (about CARES Act spending) over the next couple of weeks, Cooney said.

Read more news from the Sun Post Herald.
Two Pakistan-backed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist associates were on Friday arrested from Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, on eve of India's 74th Independence Day. Ahead of Independence Day, the checking and search operations have been intensified by security forces.

On a specific input, a search operation was launched in Tral area of Pulwama by the Awantipora Police along with 42 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 180 Batallion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Both these terror associates have been involved in providing shelter, logistics and other support to the JeM terrorists as well as in transporting of arms and ammunition of the terrorists in Tral and Awantipora areas of Pulwama said a police statement.

The terror associates have been identified as Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Amirabad Tral and Mohd Umer Tantray, a resident of Aripal Tral. Incriminating material including explosives has been recovered from them. An FIR has been registered against them in Tral Police Station under relevant sections of law.

This comes on a day when JeM carried out an attack on a police party in Nowgam in which two cops were martyred. Vijay Kumar, Inspector General Police, Kashmir said, "Two terrorists came and started firing on police personnel in which two cops were killed and one suffered injuries. We have cordoned off the whole area. Prima facie, it seems there is a hand of Jaish-e-Mohammad."

Kumar, who visited the spot, said, We have inputs to suggest that Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit carried out the attack. The terrorists have been identified and they will be neutralised soon.

"We received many inputs. We got an input that terrorists can strike in any area. Our police were on alert. One of the terrorists was hiding behind and started firing. We have identified him. He is from the JeM group. We will neutralise him soon. There was people`s movement in the area. That`s why police personnel could not fire as it would have resulted in civilian casualties," he said.

Two police personnel were martyred and one other suffered injuries in the attack by terrorists near Nowgam bypass on Friday ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The incident took place after terrorists started firing indiscriminately upon the police party on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Earlier on August 13 (Thursday), the security forces busted three hideouts of terrorists in Awantipora in South Kashmir`s Pulwama district during a raid conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Police along with Army`s 50 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 130 Battalion of CRPF.
BOISE, Idaho - The U.S. government on Friday released a draft environmental report on the potential effects of three open-pit gold mines in salmon habitat in central Idaho proposed by a Canadian company.

The U.S. Forest Service will take comments for 60 days on the documents involving British Columbia-based Midas Golds plan that includes restoration work in the already heavily mined area.

Midas Gold says the area 40 miles east of McCall and near the western edge of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness contains more than 4 million ounces of gold and more than 100 million pounds of antimony. Antimony is used in lead for storage batteries as well as a flame retardant. The company also says the mines will create 500 jobs for up to 25 years.

The project includes about 500 acres (200 hectares) of patented mining claims and 2,900 acres (1,200 hectares) of unpatented claims on the Payette National Forest and Boise National Forest.

Mining in the area dates back more than a century and has resulted in two open pits, including one that has been blocking a salmon spawning stream since the 1930s. The site also has extensive tailings left from mining operations that are the source of elevated levels of arsenic.

Previous mining companies walked away, leaving cleanup to U.S. taxpayers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has spent about $4 million since the 1990s restoring habitat, work that would be mostly removed with new mining.

Midas Gold says its plan includes restoring the area so that fish can move upstream past the mining area.

We have identified an opportunity to responsibly redevelop and restore a brownfields (polluted) site that was essentially abandoned after more than a century of mining activity, said Midas Gold Idaho CEO Laurel Sayer in a statement. In the process, we will invest over a billion dollars in Idaho and bring hundreds of family-wage jobs to our rural communities.

But there are also about 80 miles (130 kilometres) of river with good salmon habitat below the abandoned open pit that could be put at risk with new mining, part of the reason the Nez Perce Tribe opposes new mining in the area.

Opponents say the mining area will be greatly expanded, destroying additional habitat for salmon, steelhead and bull trout. They also worry that U.S. taxpayers will get stuck with clean-up costs when mining ends.

Also, internal Forest Service documents obtained by an environmental group last year show the Forest Service allowing Midas Gold to write a key environmental report on the proposed open-pit mines after the Trump administration became involved. The report, called a biological assessment and used in creating the document released Friday, would typically be written by the Forest Service or an independent contractor.

The assessment could have killed the project if it had resulted in habitat restoration work that made the mines economically unfeasible.

The decision on whether or not to move forward with a mining project of this magnitude should be based on science, not the size of the companys lobbying budget, said Pete Dronkers of Earthworks, the group that obtained the internal documents. We will be analyzing this environmental review carefully to be sure it reflects the scale of possible impacts on water, fish, and other wildlife.

The document released Friday along with related supporting information totals about 6,000 pages. The draft itself offers five alternatives for mining, ranging from plans put forward by Midas Gold to others with modifications to no new mining at all. The Forest Service, after reviewing comments, will select one of them in a final decision sometime after the comment period ends.

The Idaho Conservation League said that in its initial review of the draft that it had concerns about toxic waste being left behind. It has asked the Forest Service to extend the comment period from 60 to 120 days so it can better evaluate the draft and supporting information.
There is a high-decibel reaction in southern India to the choice of Kamala Harris as the running mate of Democratic candidate for the United States presidency Joe Biden. Kamalas mother Shyamala Gopalan, who passed away a few years ago, belonged to the state of Tamil Nadu. Also Kamala is an essentially, if not wholly, south Indian name, that resonates with Tamilian chauvinism. Many may remember the famous Bharatanatyam (classical south Indian dance form) artiste Kamala Lakshman, who dominated the field in the 1950s and '60s, and settled down in New Jersey after her dancing days were over. Since then Harris is the first Kamala who has made waves. Many Brahmins looking for excitement, as also some relief from Covid-19 agony and depression, may be expected to keep up the hype for a while.

Harriss ancestry can be traced to a village in the agricultural district of Thanjavur, south of Chennai. Many Brahmins, the main group from which Hindu priests came, hailed from the district. Harriss maternal grandfather, the late PV Gopalan, was born in 1911 in a village in Thanjavur. Not much is known about his education. Like many traditional Tamil Brahmins of those days, he seems to have migrated to the capital city of Delhi in search of a job. There was no private sector in those days worth talking about that picked up young men for employment.

In contrast, the central government in Delhi was always warm towards young graduates, especially those from the South, because Madrasis, as people from this region were generally known, were regarded as mild, obedient and loyal, with a solid knowledge of English, the official language. It was his venturesomeness that persuaded Gopalan to go to distant Delhi, a two nights train journey from Madras (now Chennai) by the fabled Grand Trunk Express.

In those days almost every young man  hardly any woman recruited to what was the Central Secretariat service started as an Assistant in the many departments of government. I can speak with some authority on the subject because my maternal aunt  another Kamala, and no relation of Harris  married an Assistant by the name Rangaswami, belonging to the same elitist group. Each Assistant, unless he was too mediocre or undisciplined, rose up the ladder, and retired as Joint Secretary, a position of some consequence who reported to the Secretary, the highest-ranked civil servant, invariably an Englishman who belonged to the Indian Civil Service (ICS), predecessor to the current Indian Administrative Service (IAS). A few promotees, as the Gopalan tribe were known, got the gift of a foreign posting towards the end of their career. This is how Gopalan went to Zambia as Director of Relief Measures and Refugees. Like all typical south Indian bureaucrats, he had no distraction but concentrated on his job, earning some money and a reputation.

There is no indication as to how long he was in Zambia. But like many of his Tamil colleagues he returned to Madras to savour the joys of visits to the famous local temples and listening to Carnatic music concerts for which Madras has always been known. He bought an apartment in Besant Nagar, overlooking the Bay of Bengal, a locality which came into prominence in the early 1960s and '70s.

This was a settlement which had a predominantly Brahmin population in those days. Besant Nagar was then an unpolluted residential area that became the favourite of retired civil servants. Situated in south Madras it was a haven for middle-class Brahmins. Of course, its character has now changed totally.

Harris talks of her visits to Madras in the 1970s when her grandfather Gopalan was enjoying the balmy morning walks close to the beach. I can well relate to this description of Besant Nagar in the mornings. Harris refers to her grandfather as one of her major influences in her impressionable years. Her description of what the morning beach walkers did and discussed during those walks again resonates with what I used to observe elsewhere in the city.

These walkers developed an unbelievable bond during their sunset years. Of course they were cynical of what was happening around them, both in government and in society. They were convinced that things had deteriorated beyond repair after they left their jobs. Madras was not the same for Harris after Gopalan passed away in 1998, when Harris was in her early 30s.

Harris is sentimental not merely about her Indian upbringing, but about her stately grandfather Gopalan, who had much to offer her by way of knowledge about the country and the world. I strongly believe Harris has inherited a number of qualities from her grandfather who was not a frog in the well but was enterprising to go to a troubled continent such as Africa, and did not wilt under the local harsh conditions of living. It is possible she acquired his grit and determination to reach the heights she has now climbed.

(The author is a former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, and was until last year Indias High Commissioner to Cyprus. He was a Visiting Fellow at Harvard Law School and at Rutgers, after graduating in criminal justice from Temple University, Philadelphia. Views expressed are personal.)
A ferry terminal in Jersey had to be cordoned off while a live Second World War hand grenade was recovered from the boot of a car.

The owner of the car had found the Mills hand grenade in her home, where it had been for decades.

She had been taking it to a police station but called the States of Jersey Police who directed her to the harbour, where a bomb disposal officer recovered it.

Danger UXB



This morning police along with the Bomb Disposal Officer attended at the QE2 Ferry Terminal to recover a WW2 Mills Hand Grenade from a car boot.



The item which contained high explosives has been taken away for disposal. That will be explosive!! pic.twitter.com/PQDo5eYtiV  States of Jersey Police (@JerseyPolice) August 14, 2020

It still contained high explosives and it has been taken away for disposal, the force said.

Following the incident, police urged members of the public who find old firearms or military items in their homes not to touch or move them and contact the police.
HBO's horror drama "Lovecraft Country" arrives at an opportune moment in American culture, with big, scary metaphors about the monster of bigotry - but these days, what show worth watching isn't somehow on-topic?

This is as it should be, given the last five or so years of unacceptably racist torment, class divide, mass violence and despicable politics that summon forth the anger, creativity and diversity to reflect it all back to a viewer. If you've been watching anything besides cozy British crime solvers, then you know: "Watchmen," "The Handmaid's Tale," "When They See Us," "Chernobyl" - your TV is thematically attuned to meltdown moods and history's hideousness. If it weren't, the people making and writing the shows would need a serious wake-up call.

That said, not every player in this arena is going to triumph just by showing up. In "Lovecraft Country" (premiering Sunday), producer, writer and showrunner Misha Green ("Underworld") delivers a series that is urgent, sufficiently gruesome and, where it matters most, boldly willing to assert control over a literary fantasy realm first envisioned by a long dead and demonstrably problematic creator. (That would be H.P. Lovecraft, a New England-born writer whose cosmic horror stories gained popularity after his death in 1937 but who is also remembered for his racist and anti-Semitic views.)

In addition to everything else the show aims to achieve, "Lovecraft Country," based on Matt Ruff's 2016 novel, reclaims some important territory in the name of Black nerds everywhere, filled as it is with characters who become immersed in a complicated and often difficult to follow Lovecraftian cosmology of creatures, secret societies, wizardry, spellcraft, weird science, confounding encryptions and other mysteries contained in old maps, passageways, relics and lost languages. Relying on their brains as much as their resiliency, these heroes confront evil most often on an intellectual level - whether it's a galloping goo-monster with tentacles and teeth, or a sneering pack of White teenage boys who don't want Black people living in their neighborhood.

Fusing Lovecraft's jibber-jabber onto a more compelling parallel story of Black lives mattering in the Jim Crow era (circa 1955) may be ingenious, but it doesn't always succeed. The show gets a little too busy, too soon.

In the first five episodes made available for this review (there are 10 episodes in all), "Lovecraft Country" feels like two competing shows - a basic-cable phantasmagoria for the geeks and a civil rights drama for everyone else. The shifts in tone lack the seamlessness seen in last year's "Watchmen," which achieved a similar blend of commentary and comic book. Given "Lovecraft Country's" visceral predilections and panting pace, the better comparison here might be "True Blood," a vampire melodrama that did double duty as a coming-out story.

Still, there is plenty to recommend here, especially for those seeking something unique as this summer's schedule breathes its last. "Lovecraft Country" is visually striking and inventively imagined, even when it gets corny.

There are some sizzling moments and scenes, such as when one Black character acquires a useful ability to morph into a White person, involving a bloody process in which one body claws its way out of the other.

This builds on a growing movement in today's horror tales, in which those old metaphors of Red Menace invasions and psychotic maniacs have moved over for more pressing analogies to racism. Jordan Peele, who is one of "Lovecraft Country's" producers (as is J.J. Abrams, whose fingers continue to show up in many pies), deftly presented this thesis in his movies "Get Out" and "Us," where Black protagonists must fight for their lives against White tormentors who have sinister plans for Black bodies.

A similar principle is threaded through "Lovecraft Country," which opens with its hero, an Army veteran named Atticus (Jonathan Majors), who goes by "Tic," riding in the segregated back of a Chicago-bound bus while reading one of Edgar Rice Burroughs's sci-fi fantasy novels about John Carter, a Confederate soldier who travels to Mars and fights in a war. A fellow traveler expresses her disapproval when she learns that Tic is reading a novel in which the hero fought for the Confederacy.

"Stories are like people," Tic explains, and while reading them "you just try to cherish them and overlook their flaws." The line serves as a kind of permission to step back into Lovecraft's world, faults and all, as Tic begins to hunt for his missing father, Montrose (Michael Kenneth Williams), who has disappeared in the woods of Massachusetts, on the trail of a revealing secret about the family's lineage.

Tic's uncle, George (Courtney B. Vance), is the author of the annual "Safe Negro Travel Guide," a guidebook for Black travelers. The two set off from Chicago for Massachusetts in George's car, accompanied by Leti (Jurnee Smollett), a restless photographer and childhood friend of Tic's. Their journey across the Midwest and Northeast is fraught with dirty looks and outright danger, culminating in a run-in with a particularly nasty sheriff and his deputies.

The trio's search for Montrose winds up in the spooky, many-roomed mansion of Samuel Braithwhite (Tony Goldwyn), the grand poo-bah of a secret fraternal order called the Sons of Adam, who has designs on Tic's bloodline, which, under the right ceremonial conditions, holds the key to ... well, unless you're a huge fan of this kind of thing, it's probably best to just let the CGI effects play out.

When the gang returns to Chicago - pursued by Braithwhite's witchy daughter, Christina (Abbey Lee) - the show finds a more coherent and entertaining balance between spectacle and storytelling. There are haunted houses and other ghoulish delights, but the characters at least take a moment to develop, giving the show's strong cast (including Aunjanue Ellis as George's wife, Hippolyta; and Wunmi Mosaku as Leti's half sister, Ruby) a chance to do more than recoil in fright.

As with "Underground," Green's style mixes old and new. The soundtrack ranges from fresh takes on the R&B music that informed '50s rock-and-roll to more recent selections of hip-hop; the sound of James Baldwin's famous 1965 debate with William F. Buckley Jr. plays across the lonely highway miles; in a later episode, the show makes elegant use of Gil Scott-Heron's 1970 spoken-word classic "Whitey on the Moon."

If nothing else, it's proof that anachronism is a useful tool, particularly where history has been a stubborn beast.

- - -

"Lovecraft Country" (70 minutes) premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.
Trump eager for US schools to reopen

President Donald Trump says schools in the United States need to reopen, despite the country suffering just under 1,500 deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

"We got to open up," Trump told a White House news conference. "We got to open up our schools and open up our businesses []. Children often have only mild symptoms, and medical complications are incredibly rare - very, very, very rare. Those that do face complications often have underlying medical conditions."

It is worth underscoring that, even if young people are less likely to suffer severe symptoms if they contract Covid-19, they can still spread the disease to other people.

Trump also repeated his disproved claim that the US surging case count is merely a reflection of the high amount of testing being carried out in the country.

As we move forward, the number of cases is not, by any means, the most important metric to focus on because the fact is we have more cases because we have far more testing than any country in the world, he said. Theres no country thats even close.

"Weve done more testing and better testing than any country. And many of these countries that the media was putting up as a shining example of success, theyre, right now, in massive outbreaks. You see whats going on in many of the countries that you constantly mention.

"Far more important is who the virus is infecting. Thats why our strategy and attention are focused on preventing the cases that are most likely to require hospitalization or result in death - those that afflict the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions - all the while acting to prevent hospital overcrowding."
Italy has ordered mandatory coronavirus testing for all travellers coming in from Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain. The Italian government also banned all visitors from Colombia, in order to curb the resurgence of new infections.

The new rules, issued earlier this week, will last until September 7. Health Minister Roberto Speranza told AFP, We must continue to be cautious in order to protect the results obtained thanks to sacrifices made by all in recent months.

Authorities are also worried as owing to the summer season and people vacationing abroad, the virus infections might be on a rise. Another probable cause is when people head out to beaches or outdoorsy locations including parties or festivals to beat the heat.

The Instituto Superiore di Sanita said Italy was in a transitional phase with a progressive worsening trend.

It also said that the recent infections from early August showed important warning signs for a possible increase in transmission of Covid-19.

As per the new rules, travellers arriving at an airport, port or border can choose to either get a test on the spot, or present a certificate obtained within the last 72 hours which shows they have tested negative for Covid-19.

Other options include choosing to carry out a test within two days of entering Italy, but will have to stay in quarantine until the test results arrive.

Anyone who tests positive, including asymptomatic cases, must report to the local health authorities.

Over 251,000 people have been infected by coronavirus and more than 35,000 have died in Italy, once of the worst affected countries in Europe. Over 13,000 people are currently known to be infected.

The global death toll from Covid-19 passed 750,000 on Thursday, with some countries tightening controls as caseloads once again rise.

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Locals in Tria Village, Huong Son Commune, Huong Hoa District in the central province of Quang Tri have informed the local authority about the discovery of a new cave in the area.- VNA/VNS Photo Ngoc Vu

Speaking to Viet Nam News, Binh said he was informed by phone by a local about the cave. However, it was unclear by whom and when it was discovered.

He said the department has contacted Huong Son Commune Peoples Committee to collect more information as well as request a report be sent to Huong Hoa District Peoples Committee.

The report will serve as a foundation to establish an exploration team and invite specialists to investigate the newly-found cave once the COVID-19 pandemic is controlled.

According to locals, the new cave lies in a rocky mountain in Tria Village. To enter the cave, they have to follow a small stream and climb vertical cliffs of about 50m high.

Inside the cave are many arge intact stalactites. - VNA/VNS Photo Ngoc Vu

Some images taken inside the cave reveal many large intact stalactites inside and a crystal clear stream in the bottom.

Locals said that few have dared to venture inside as there was so specialised equipment to ensure safety.

According to Associate Professor Tran Tan Van, director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, the discovery of a new cave in Quang Tri is not a surprise due to the geological structure of the area.

However, he suggested local authorities should not be too hasty to promote the cave to prevent people from entering while safety has not been guaranteed.

Instead, they should invite scientists to participate in research on the cave to evaluate its value and come up with a specific exploitation direction, he added.
A grateful Kilkenny community has paid a special tribute to two people who have worked tirelessly for many years for their locality.



Sheila and John Cahill founded clubs, supported charities and brought the people of the parish closer for the last 40 years. And that parish community wanted to say thank you as the couple retired, the group said.



On behalf of the people of Urlingford, Graine and the surrounding areas, we would like to acknowledge your heartfelt contribution to the life of our community for the past 40 years.

Your progressive approach and consistent dedication has created a more positive, inclusive and vibrant parish, bringing us closer to those that we share our lives with every day.



Working alongside you both, has been a great pleasure and, while your presence on our committee will be missed, the legacy of your work will continue to live on in the clubs you founded, the charities you supported, the schools you chaired, the history you both captured and created, and the deep friendships that were forged along the way.

We all wish you every joy on your new journey and hope you find peace in all that you do.

Thank You

With sincere gratitude, the people of Urlingford: Sean Hennessy, Urlingford on the Move; Ger Joyce, Squash Club; Margaret Maher, Folk Choir; Dermot Dunphy, Scoil and Chroi Ro Naofa; Fr Ollie Maher, Urlingford Parish; Dan Norton, Community Alert; Martin Gleeson, Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown; Richard Hayes, Urlingford Tidy Towns; Mervyn Queally, Emeralds GAA Club and all the local people of Urlingford and surrounding areas.

Pictured above, at John's home in Kilkenny city at the presentation recently, were Shane Cahill; Brendan Cahill; Dan Norton, Community Alert; Sheila and John Cahill; Sean Hennessy, Urlingford on the Move and Niall Cahill
Irish Water said the strange smell and taste poses no risk

Irish Water is investigating reports of a strange smell and taste in the drinking supply in parts of Dublin.

However it said that the water is tested daily and is safe to drink.

The company said that it can confirm that drinking water microbiological and chemical analysis carried out on water produced at its water treatment plants serving Dublin is compliant with drinking water regulations.

It said water produced at the treatment plants is tested daily in conjunction with extensive monitoring in the distribution network and is safe to drink.

A statement on its website said that: Some people may be more sensitive to changes in how their drinking water tastes or smells.

In general terms, a change in the taste or smell of drinking water can indicate a change in the treatment process or can be due to the impact of weather on a water source or the presence of organic matter or minerals that have been picked up as the water flows through the system, none of which poses a risk to drinking water quality.

Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan said: "I think people were concerned if the water was drinkable or not because it was discoloured and there was a bad taste of mud.

"That's what residents were complaining to me about."

Irish Water said that customers with queries or concerns about the quality of their drinking water should contact the company directly via its customer contact centre which operates 24/7 on 1850 278 278.

Meanwhile, a temporary do not swim notice has been put in place at a north Dublin beach because of visual reports of sewage pollution.

Fingal County Council issued the notice for Loughshinny Beach last Wednesday, to last for six days.

The council said the beach remains open but beach users are asked to respect the Do Not Swim notice.
Paris:

The lights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris were switched off to show support for the people of the shattered Syrian city of Aleppo.

The monument was plunged into darkness from 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Wednesday in what Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said was a protest at the unbearable situation for civilians in the city where fighting raged during the day.

Rebel forces announced a new deal late on Wednesday to allow residents to be evacuated from the city.

Hidalgo said in a statement before the lights on the tower were switched off that the final roads of Aleppo held by the opposition are being taken by the regime, creating hundreds of victims.

According to media reports, Several hundred people demonstrated in Paris in support of Aleppos residents.

Some of the protesters wore a piece of red clothing to symbolise the blood spilled in the fierce battle for Syrias second city.

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Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday launched a portal for Opportunities For Make In India In Defence via video conferencing facility as part of Atmanirbharta Saptah. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat also attended the valedictory session.

During the last seven days, several organisations made a number of launches, discussed and signed different types of MOUs, which help the country in realising the dream of self-dependence, he said.

Singh lauded the Bihars Development Production unit and said,  The Defence Production unit of Bihar launched an indigenous portal which will attract vendors on the stop shop online market. This unique initiative will help in the manufacturing of defence items, components and spares.

The platform will also support Indian industries in the defence sector in bringing transparency and also fulfilling the dream of self-reliant India.

Last Sunday, the government had come out with a list of 101 items that cannot be purchased from outside.

I am happy to announce that for the first time we have come out with the list of 101 items, which we will not import, we call this list as a negative list,  he had said.

In the coming days, we will include more items so that we can save imports worth crores of rupees. Our defence PSUs and ordnance factories are working in this direction. These industries are the backbone of our forces, the minister further said.
DALLAS, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Elah Holdings, Inc. (OTC:ELLH) has released its interim unaudited report for the second quarter of 2020. This report and additional company information can be found at www.elahholdings.com under the Financial Releases section of the website.

About Elah Holdings

Elah Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Real Industry, Inc.) is a reorganized holding company led by experienced business leaders that is seeking to acquire profitable businesses in the commercial and industrial markets to generate sustainable profitability and cash flows, unlock the value of our considerable tax assets, and use creative deal structures that reduce risk and ultimately create long-term value for our shareholders. For more information, visit by OTC Markets Group, a centralized electronic quotation service for over-the-counter securities under the symbol "ELLH."

Contact:

Michael Hobey

Elah Holdings, Inc.

+1 (805) 435-1255

@elah_inc

www.linkedin.com/company/elah-holdings-inc/

SOURCE Elah Holdings, Inc.

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Fahim Saleh was found dismembered in his New York apartment on July 14. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja

Fahim Saleh, a 33-year-old entrepreneur, was found dismembered at his Manhattan apartment last month.

A founder of ride-share and delivery technology, Saleh had a mission to bring jobs and opportunities to developing countries.

Saleh's social media gives the world an inside look at his tight-knit family, hobbies, and a jet-setting lifestyle.

His older sister recalled the moment she learned of her brother's killing and having to ID his body by photo.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Fahim Saleh was in 5th grade when he launched his first "business."

He and his young friend would sell candy they bought in bulk at the local dollar store on their school playground in upstate New York. The school principal shut down their operation after three weeks. But by that time they had already raked in $150, Saleh recounted in a video last year.

More than 20 years and several successful tech start-ups later, the 33-year-old entrepreneur's life was cut short in July when he was found dismembered at his luxury New York City apartment.

But as news stories about Saleh continue to make headlines, those who knew him say the young man was more than just his success or horrific demise.

Video: How crime scene cleaners are disinfecting hot spot area from COVID-19

"In recent years, he was maturing not just professionally, but personally. He was so excited about decorating his new apartment and would discuss throw pillows with our mother over Facetime," Saleh's sister, Ruby Angela Saleh, wrote in a Medium post. "He was developing his passion for cooking, working on improving his running performance, and taking care of his three-year-old pomsky, Laila. He was creating structure and stillness in his life, neither of which came easily to him."

Those who knew Saleh say he was a proud and hardworking entrepreneur who was dedicated to his projects and loved ones.

In her Medium post, Ruby Saleh recalled getting the phone call on July 14 from her aunt, who told her that her brother had been killed. She instantly jumped on the phone with their sister, who confirmed the devastating news. She struggled to believe it.

Story continues

"I dropped the phone and crawled onto the wooden floor, touching its cold, hard surface with the palms of my hands," she wrote. "I looked up at my husband. He was already crying, as if he had accepted these words about my brother as truth."

Police are investigating the killing of Fahim Saleh in Manhattan. Reuters

A Bangladeshi-American son to immigrants, Saleh worked on projects to 'change countries' in the developing world

Fahim Saleh was born in Saudi Arabia to Bangladeshi parents and raised in upstate New York.

Ruby Saleh wrote that her brother's energetic spirit caused him to throw himself into his projects from a young age. After having his candy project shut down, he started making jewelry and selling that instead, she said.

His entrepreneurial spirit blossomed in his teens when he started developing a network of social media apps from his parent's home. In 2006, Saleh's first company, Wizteen, Inc., made more than $400,000, according to old tax filings he shared on Instagram.

He was only a high school senior at the time.

"From the time he discovered the Internet until the time I last saw him, my brother could get so lost in his work that the sun could come up before he realized he had skipped both lunch and dinner," Ruby Saleh wrote.

His commitment worried their father, also a programmer, who often had to remind him to eat.

"How will I survive knowing that I never again have to worry about what my Famy ate today?" Ruby Saleh recalled her father asking her last month.

In 2010, after graduating from Bentley University in Massachusetts, Saleh launched TapFury, a company responsible for the wildly popular PrankDial app, which allowed for people to make anonymous prank phone calls.

While lucrative, the app also ensnared Saleh in a legal battle after the deputy director of New Jersey's Hudson County jail used it to entrap two of his officers by secretly recording their conversation and using it against them, according to documents filed in New Jersey federal court.

The jail official, Kirk Eady, was eventually sentenced to 21 months jail time on wiretapping charges in 2015. When Eady was released, he sued Saleh in a case that is still pending, alleging he was misled about the legality of the app.

Undeterred, Saleh went on to found co-found Pathao, a motorbike ride-hailing service in Bangladesh and then Gokada, a similar venture in Lagos, Nigeria.

In Lagos, Gokada launched a fleet of 1,000 "pilots" outfitted with branded motorcycles and safety gear to provide rides to locals through an app.

In February, due to policy changes in Lagos, Gokada was forced to shift away from taxi services to providing delivery services.

In the last video that Saleh posted on Youtube, he talked about how the ban on motorbike ride-shares like Gokada was disrupting his mission of providing jobs to locals in Nigeria.

"This has definitely been a blow," Saleh said in the video, adding that the work of entrepreneurs "change countries" and should be supported.

Gokada - We do delivery now (@GokadaNG) July 15, 2020

"The drivers at Gokada, they weren't there just because they wanted to make money. They were there because they had families, they had children, they had dreams," Saleh said.

In a different Medium post, Ahmed Fahad wrote about Saleh as his mentor and eventual business partner at Pathao.

Fahad said that the two worked hard for success together and Saleh taught him a number of tough lessons over the years.

While Saleh's opinionated personality was "often polarizing", Fahad called him a role model.

"Over the years, I came to know his many human flaws," he wrote. "But when I think of Fahim Saleh tonight I remember his indomitable will. His complete and utter disregard for the status quo. And his lopsided extreme focus to makes things happen. I remember a man who changed things and people."

Saleh's social media gave the world an inside look at his jet-setting, yet family-oriented life

Saleh did not shy away from giving the world an inside look at his life, success, and family.

In 2016, he posted a Youtube video in which he and his two sisters  Riff and Ruby  arrived at their parents' modest apartment and told their dad by phone that the needed to bring them cash for their Uber.

When he got outside, Saleh surprised him by gifting him a new Tesla Model S for Father's Day.

Saleh's public profiles on Instagram and Youtube shared an inside look at young tech mogul's life with the world.

In between photos of jet-setting between business trips and vacations, working out, and playing the ukulele, Saleh's Instagram told the story of a tight-knit Bangladeshi-American family.

Eight months ago, Saleh proudly shared a night shot of the 10-story brick and glass apartment building where he owned a $2 million apartment on the 7th floor.

A horizontal sign that spanned more than three floors prominently displayed "265 East Houston Street," the address where one of his sisters made an unexpected visit on Tuesday and discovered a gruesome crime scene.

Saleh's cousin disrupted the killer's plan to destroy his body, police say

On the afternoon of his killing, after not hearing from her Saleh for a day, his cousin made a visit to his apartment, Ruby said.

When she arrived, at around 3:30 p.m., she discovered his dismembered body. An electric saw was still plugged in, the New York Times reported.

Surveillance video viewed by the police shows that the killer, who was dressed in all black and wearing a mask, had followed Saleh into an elevator a day earlier.

Detectives told The Daily Beast that Saleh appeared uneasy when the man appeared not to know how to use the building's elevator and the two had exchanged words.

When Saleh arrived at his apartment, which occupied the whole 7th floor, the man followed him off, trapping him, according to the Daily Beast.

Using what police believe was a stun gun, the killer demobilized Saleh, and at sometime later stabbed him several times, the Daily Beast reported.

The killer likely waited overnight before using the saw to dismember Saleh, police told the Daily Beast.

The visit from his cousin, who Ruby identified as "A" seemed to interrupt an attempt to destroy the body and leave no evidence of Saleh's killing, according to police.

Laila was found alive in the apartment, according to the New York Times.

Police have since arrested Tyrese Devon Haspil, 21, for the murder.

The motive was financial, police said. Saleh had discovered that Haspil had "stolen tens of thousands of dollars from him," though the two were thought to have worked out a repayment plan.

"While we were growing up, I felt more like a mother to Fahim than a sister. When he was a toddler too wild to finish a meal, I ran after him with spoonfuls of rice and chicken," Ruby Saleh wrote. "I gave him baths, I changed his diapers, and I was petrified the first time I saw his nose bleed."

"Thirty years later, I was learning that Fahim's head and limbs had been discarded in a trash bag," she added. "Someone had cut my brother's body into pieces and tossed the pieces into a garbage bag, as if his life, his body, his existence had had no meaning or value."

The family is still in mourning

Two days after her brother was killed, Ruby Saleh was sitting with her cousin and sister when she got a call from the funeral home. Due to COVID-19, she would have to identify her brother's remains by photo. Minutes later, she received the image of her brother, "lifeless."

When her father came into the room, she quickly turned off the computer, realizing she can never tell him what she saw. She can never tell him what she saw, she wrote.

It's been just under a month since Fahim Saleh's funeral.

These days his father spends most days with Laila "speaking to her in the same affectionate tone he reserved for my brother," Ruby Saleh wrote. "My mother spends her days crying. At night, she cannot sleep."

Ruby lives abroad, in a country on the other side of the Atlantic where it's warm year-round, she wrote. Last week she considered hosting Thanksgiving, their family's favorite holiday, at her home. She expects the day to be difficult this year.

"Fahim always made the garlic mashed potatoes, while I made the stuffing and my sister made her famous mac and cheese," she said.

"Maybe in this new setting, we will all feel a bit less heartbroken when Fahim doesn't tear through our parents' kitchen door, running behind schedule, letting in the cold air behind him, throwing his jacket and bag on the floor, taking his place at the kitchen island, surrounded by his family, Googling garlic mashed potato recipes on his phone," she added.

This story was updated.

Read the original article on Insider
This is how the day was supposed to go: Israa Seblani and Hanaa Fanous in long white dresses, Ahmad Sbeih and Amin Shamly in bow ties and black suits. Family, friends, plenty of good food.

And two wedding ceremonies both couples had dreamed of for years, even as Lebanon's economic crisis and the novel coronavirus pandemic seemed to conspire to keep the couples apart.

Aug. 4 was going perfectly until around 6 p.m. local time in Beirut, when the couples - both posing for photos in the same downtown neighborhood - felt the ground shake.

"One thing came into my mind, which is 'Israa: Now you are going to die,' " Seblani, 29, a doctor based in Troy, Mich., said in an interview after the blast. "My dreams and the things we wanted to do together were flying as the shattered glass was flying.

"I asked God for one thing," she said. "If I can have a moment or a second to hold my parents' hands and tell them goodbye."

The explosion that ripped through Beirut last week disrupted nearly every aspect of normal life in the Lebanese capital, including the two wedding photo sessions. Videographers hired to capture the occasion instead wound up documenting the most terrifying moments of the couples' lives, as they ran for cover from crumbling buildings and gusts of shattered glass.

The couples did not know one another, but had noticed each other across the busy square shortly before the explosion, when Shamly, 28, called out to Sbeih, 34, a joke about how they were no longer bachelors. The next time they saw each other was online, when two eerily similar videos, showing the interruption of their wedding photo shoots went viral, linking the couples to forever by a shared experience that became emblematic of the city's devastation. The explosion left more than 170 people dead and injured thousands. The blast has since been linked to a warehouse where 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate was stored improperly for years.

As the shock wave swept through the city, Seblani and Sbeih ran to a nearby restaurant, where Seblani's instincts as a doctor kicked in, and she began to tend to the wounded.

"I didn't think about myself or my parents or how we can get out of this place or anything," Seblani said. "The lab coat is white. My dress is white. It's just . . . the style is different."

Her mind drifted back to the other woman in a white dress she had seen just a few minutes before.

"One of the first thoughts that crossed my mind when I went into the restaurant and started helping people, was 'What happened to the other couple?'" she said.

Shamly - his hair and back speckled with shards of glass - carried his shocked fiancee part of the way away from the scene, her dress now filthy and ripped, covered in dust and debris. "Everything was destroyed, injured people were on ground," Fanous, 27, said. "It was a horrible situation."

Neither bride nor groom was seriously injured. But for both couples, the powerful blast was just the latest obstacle on their long journeys to marriage.

Fanous and Shamly met in 2011 at work in a Beirut hotel, the same place they planned to celebrate their wedding reception nearly a decade later. It took awhile for Fanous to warm up to Shamly, but in his small kindnesses - defending her in a work dispute, taking her to the hospital after an accident - she saw a potential partner, and soon fell in love. They supported each other through university and career changes, and in 2015, Fanous started planning their wedding.

"I had all these elaborate plans, and I wanted to look beautiful like a princess and have all eyes be on me," she said.

Seblani and Sbeih met in November 2016 at a Starbucks in Beirut where Seblani, then a medical student, used to hole up to study - sometimes many hours at a time. Sbeih walked in with a friend and caught a glimpse of her writing in the corner. He was immediately overcome with the need to introduce himself.

"I felt that I fell in love," he said. "Something told me in my mind, go and talk with her . . . she is the one who you are looking for."

Seblani was initially taken aback by his candor - and even shot him a dirty look. But she ultimately agreed to share her phone number.

"Then our story started," she said.

Seblani moved to the United States in 2017 but visa troubles kept Sbeih, who owns two clothing shops in Beirut, from joining her. Their love prevailed, but street protests in Lebanon and the travel restrictions and lockdowns put in place due to the pandemic kept delaying their wedding plans.

When Seblani finally landed in Beirut in July, Lebanon's economic crisis was worsening, and the pandemic was picking up speed across the globe. "It was as if we were challenging the entire world," Seblani said.

But the couple had agreed early on: "No matter what's going to happen we're going to get married," she said. "We're going to make it."

The pandemic and economic crisis also pushed Fanous and Shamly's wedding date back again and again, before they settled on Aug. 4.

So it was by chance that the two couples - both eagerly anticipating their wedding ceremonies and the parties awaiting them at hotels - ended up in the same place that evening.

"Surely the same way that I have been dreaming about this day all my life, she has been dreaming about this day," Fanous said of Seblani. "She wanted to celebrate, and she also wanted her family to be happy for her because this night only happens once in your life."

"We now have this common story - a connection that'll always be there," Seblani said.

Both hotels were damaged, and both parties were canceled. There was no cake and no dancing. But both couples - grateful their families survived the chaos - chose to go through with their ceremonies anyway. They were tired of waiting.

- - -

Mohammad reported from Arlington, Texas.
Two policemen of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) were killed and another injured when unidentified militants attacked a police party at Nowgam Bye Pass at the city outskirts.

According to the police, on Friday morning, militants fired at the police party deployed at Nowgam and injured three of them. They were admitted to a hospital where two of them succumbed to their injuries. The militants escaped after the attack.

The attack came a day before Independence Day, when security was already on high alert. The police have established fresh checkpoints within the city.

A spokesperson for the police confirmed that three personnel were injured in the attack and two of them succumbed to their injuries. Soon after the attack, the top brass rushed to the spot. The third injured policeman is said to be stable. All three men were from the IRP 20 battalion. The deceased policemen were identified as Ishfaq Ahmad and Fayaz Ahmad.

Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar blamed Jaish-e-Mohammad militants for the attack on the policemen.

We are trying to identify the militants responsible. There were inputs that an attack could take place anywhere in the city. The policemen were wearing bulletproof gear, but were still fatally shot.

After the attack, a search operation was launched in the area. No group has claimed responsibility so far.

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) strongly condemned the attack.

In a statement, a party spokesperson termed the attack inhuman. Violence is not a solution but a gigantic impediment that spreads hatred. In any of its manifestations, violent extremism is unacceptable in a civilised society, regardless of political, ideological or religious motivations, the spokesperson said.

The BJP and the PDP also condemned the attack.
Aden, Aug 14 : Yemen's Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik met representatives of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh to discuss forming a new power-sharing government.

During the meeting on Thursday, they discussed the arrangements for forming the new government and its priorities, including conducting economic reforms and unifying a national front for ending the Houthi coup, reports Xinhua news agency.

The two sides underlined the need to form a new government by competent officials, who will be able to tackle current political, military, security and economic challenges, in addition to eradicating corruption and activating the state's institutions.

Both sides also discussed about the significance of forming a new government within the defined time period under the Saudi mechanism of speeding up the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.

Earlier in the day, a military delegation of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition arrived in Aden to monitor the situation and prevent any new military escalation between the government and the STC in southern Yemen.

On Tuesday, clashes renewed between the forces of the two sides in the southern province of Abyan.

The renewed conflicts threaten to collapse the mechanisms proposed by Saudi Arabia last month to accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh power-sharing agreement signed between the two warring rivals in November last year.

The new mechanisms, including maintaining the cease-fire and de-escalation between the two sides, came into effect on July 22.

Last year, Saudi Arabia persuaded the STC and the Yemeni government to hold reconciliation talks, which succeeded in reaching a deal to form a new technocrat cabinet equally between the two rival factions.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi rebels overran much of the country and seized all northern areas including the capital Sanaa.
Rating: Once was enough

I visited Grandpas Pizza early in the pandemic, on a dumbstruck day when a staff of one hustled to make pizza for a business reduced to takeout only. The pizza suffered for it, so I bookmarked Grandpas for another day.

Its a few months later, and the dining room was open again and the pizza maker wasnt flying solo. But on this Subway-style assembly line, the pizza wasnt much better than it was during the stay-at-home times.

At this generic strip mall pizzeria, everything tastes about how youd expect assembly-line pizza to taste. Doesnt help that the smell of Fabuloso gripped the dining room at the start of lunch and that two of the three staffers werent wearing masks. Either way, Ive had as much time with Grandpa as I need.

Best pizza: The upside of Fabuloso is that it reminds of my 365 Days of Tacos days, when the universal cleanser perfumed the air of taquerias across the city. My sense memory now equates Fabuloso with good tacos. And Grandpas specialty Al Pastor pizza ($8.99 for a medium pie) reminds me of a gringa taco, a toasted al pastor with cheese. The pizza was a paler imitation, with achiote pork and pineapple, finished out with melted cheese, onions and cilantro.

Other pizzas: Grandpa doesnt like things too hot, and the generic doughy pizza crusts are just starting to firm up in the heat of the gas-fired wood oven with a revolving deck when theyre pulled out and served. Nothings cooked as long or as hot as it needs to be, and the handheld integrity of each slice is a roll of the dice, because Grandpa likes to gamble.

Grandpas Pizza Location: 4138 S. New Braunfels Ave., 210-531-8787, no web presence Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday Takeout/delivery: Dine-in and curbside service, with delivery through third-party apps See More Collapse

You can try your hand with the Subway approach, walking the line as the pizza maker scoops ingredients from a matrix of bins onto your ready-to-bake crust, ranging from a hand-size 6-inch cheese pizza for $4.99 or a large 14-inch pizza with six toppings for $17.99.

On ExpressNews.com: 5 San Antonio restaurants for great lasagna for coronavirus comfort food

But the most economic, efficient approach is to order Grandpas specialty pies, which deliver good size and weight on a medium 11-inch pizza for $8.99. Weight has little to do with quality, but if youre just looking to fill up on the cheap, the eponymous Grandpas Pizza ($8.99 for a medium pie) gets the job done with tomatoes, mushrooms, green bell peppers, onions, black olives and basil in a spicy-sweet red sauce.

The underdone crust did no favors for the Meat Lovers ($8.99 for a medium pie), with pepperoni, Italian sausage and crumbled meatballs that dont get much beyond the greasy, shiny stage of doneness.

But it worked in the Spicy Buffalo Chicken pizzas favor, leaving the chicken juicy and tender under a blanket of mozzarella and onions ($8.99 for a medium pie). But with a Buffalo sauce thats too mild for its own good, its the pizza equivalent of a sports-bar loudmouth who cant back it up.

Mike Sutter is a food and drink reporter and restaurant critic in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Mike, become a subscriber. msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking | Instagram: @fedmanwalking
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Linkedin Raul Cortes and Daina Beth Solomon (Reuters) Mexico City, Mexico  Fri, August 14, 2020 09:42 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df5e98 2 World AstraZeneca,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-vaccines,production,Latin-America,pandemic,SARS-CoV-2,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

Production of 400 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for Latin America could begin early next year, an executive for pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc said on Thursday, as the region's coronavirus death toll stands at nearly 230,000.

In partnership with the Mexican and Argentinean governments, AstraZeneca plans to initially produce 150 million doses, and eventually make at least 400 million for distribution throughout the region, said Sylvia Varela, head of AstraZeneca Mexico.

Home to some 650 million people, Latin America has registered the world's highest tallies for coronavirus cases and deaths, with Brazil and Mexico trailing only the United States in record numbers of fatalities.

"We'll be prioritizing the vulnerable populations," Varela said at the Mexican president's daily news conference, noting that the pricing, while still not final, was not expected to exceed $4 per dose. That could bring the cost of the first 150 million doses to $600 million.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hailed the agreement as "good news" for Mexico, and said the vaccine would be distributed without cost in the country, which ranks third worldwide in number of fatalities.

Lopez Obrador said he expected the country to still be suffering from the pandemic by the time the vaccine goes into production.

Argentina's president flagged the agreement with Mexico and AstraZeneca, Britain's second-largest drugmaker, on Wednesday, noting that the initial supply is meant to reach all Latin America except Brazil.

Brazil earlier this month committed $355 million to purchase and produce the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Mexico-Argentina plan, whose cost is unclear, has significant funding from the foundation of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim. A spokesman declined to give a sum.

Varela said Phase III trials taking place in the United States, South Africa, England and Brazil were expected to conclude by November or December, after which the company would seek government approvals.

If granted, the company would then transfer technology to Argentina's INSUD Group and Mexico's Laboratorios Liomont at the end of the year, and begin manufacturing in the first quarter of 2021, she said.

The active substance in the vaccine would be made in Argentina and sent to Mexico to be completed for distribution, Varela said.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Jovenel Moise is president of Haiti, but ask the people of the terrified shantytowns who's in charge in this impoverished Caribbean capital, and they'll point to a man called Barbecue.

A former police officer who portrays himself as the savior of the streets, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier has come to symbolize the accelerating erosion of Haiti's already challenged rule of law during the coronavirus pandemic. Accused of orchestrating massacres that left dozens of men, women and children dead, he has succeeded in accomplishing the once unthinkable: Uniting the warring gangs of Port-au-Prince into a powerful new confederation aimed at what he calls "revolution."

Cherizier announced the alliance on YouTube in June in a powder-blue three-piece suit. His newly formed "G9 Family and Allies" paraded triumphantly through the streets of the capital last month, led by gang leaders and dozens of armed men - both a flagrant violation of coronavirus rules and a warning to all.

On a recent afternoon, Cherizier led a reporter through the run-down neighborhood of La Saline, stomping over festering piles of garbage, barging into one corrugated shack after another, bellowing, "You see the conditions they live in?" as residents cowered.

"This is an armed revolution," Cherizier told The Washington Post at his headquarters in Delmas 6, a no-go zone where he is hailed as a protector. "We will put guns in the hands of every child if we have to."

But critics say he's not targeting the government - he's going after its opponents. Human rights activists and political opponents say the U.S.-backed Moise has done little to check the rise of Haiti's anarchic gangs, at least in part because their growing influence has appeared to serve the president's interests.

With an apparent goal of becoming the strongman of the streets, Cherizier and members of his consolidated gang are extorting businesses, hijacking fuel trucks and kidnapping professionals and business owners for exorbitant ransoms as high as $1 million.

As he brings Port-au-Prince to its knees, Cherizier is also terrorizing poor neighborhoods where opposition to Moise runs deep - potentially neutralizing any challenge to his party's continued rule.

Barbecue expanded his turf through the alliance, controlling all of Port-au-Prince's downtown and critical cross sections leading to the North and South, and the dense, opposition-dominated slum Cite Soleil that is now living a gang-fueled reign of terror.

Cherizier denies an alliance with Moise. But in Cite Soleil, victims and human rights groups say G9 gang members have looted and burned down shacks and stalls, systematically raped women, killed at random and dismembered or torched bodies.

When Cherizier's men took to the streets in July, witnesses claimed to have seen them ride in the same armored vehicles used by the national police and special security forces. Justice Minister Lucmane Delile denounced the gangs and ordered the national police to pursue them; within hours, Moise fired him.

Moise's office initially agreed to an interview but then did not respond. The president has denied ties to the gangs, which he has described as Haiti's "own demons." His government says it is seeking a disarmament accord with them.

"We prioritize dialogue, even in our fight with bandits and gangs," Moise said in March. "I am the president of all Haitians, the good and the bad."

There's a standing warrant against Cherizier for alleged possession of illegal arms and failing to report for duty - the reason police gave for firing him last year - but it has not been served. Cherizier denies his gangs have committed violence in the slums. He has not been charged in the 2018 massacre that left dozens dead in La Saline, or any other killings.

But for his long-suffering countrymen, Cherizier's G9 is evoking the horrors of the Tontons Macoutes, the government-backed paramilitaries who terrorized Haiti for decades under dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his son, Jean-Claude.

"The government has said nothing about [Cherizier's rise], and the international community has turned a blind eye," said Pierre Esperance, director of Haiti's National Human Rights Defense Network. "There is no rule of law anymore. The gangs are the new Macoutes. It feels like there is a manifest will to install a new dictatorship."

Governments across Latin America have used the coronavirus to harass their opposition, delay or manipulate elections and consolidate power, undermining democracy in a manner not seen in the region in decades.

The right-wing interim government in Bolivia is accused of unleashing an intensifying wave of repression against its political opposition. Critics say Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is violating civil liberties with mass arrests of quarantine violators and gang members. Courts controlled by the authoritarian government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have replaced the heads of opposition parties amid a fresh wave of arrests of journalists and social leaders.

"Coronavirus is the perfect excuse for a power grab and authoritarian measures to crack down on political opponents," said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank. "This is a regionwide trend, but the consequences are worse in the countries already facing the most-dire situations."

Moise, 52, won the 2017 presidential election after a 14-month standoff over alleged fraud in a previous vote. Analysts say his base of support is thin amid allegations of government corruption in the petrodollars that flowed for years from Maduro's Venezuela.

The former business executive was the target last year of protests by students and opposition groups that led to a three-month Peyi Lok, Creole for "country shutdown." Businesses were burned, hotels and restaurants shuttered and thousands of Haitians left jobless. By January, the underpaid national police joined the protests, burning their own vehicles and blocking traffic on the capital's main arteries.

Moise has postponed legislative elections indefinitely. The opposition says his term ends in February, but he says he can stay in office a year beyond that.

"There's no possibility of holding elections while he's in power," says Andre Michel, spokesman for an alliance of opposition parties. The opposition is calling for Moise to resign, and a transition government to be put in place.

U.S. officials have urged Moise to call new elections. But critics say they've largely turned a blind eye to his government's alleged links to the gangs because they value his support for the Trump administration's hard-line policy against Venezuela's Maduro.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., sent a letter to U.S. Ambassador Michele Sison in May denouncing what she called Cherizier's "politically motivated" death squad.

"There is no real concern for the plight of the Haitians, whether they are being beaten and killed by the president of Haiti," Waters told The Post. "As long as the president is in our pockets, everything is OK."

David Mosby, head of the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, met with Haitian police officials this month to discuss the wave of gang violence.

Sison called on "all of Haiti's actors" to engage in dialogue.

"Rather than pointing fingers," she told The Post, "our point is to encourage all actors . . . to think about the most vulnerable who continue to bear the brunt of these challenges."

Few nations are as vulnerable as Haiti. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has lumbered through decades of misery, finally shedding the yoke of the Duvaliers in the 1980s only to spiral into a gyre of lost potential and repeatedly failed efforts to lift its population out of dehumanizing poverty.

The 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 Haitians and left 1.5 million homeless crystallized the country's plight, bringing, for a time, an avalanche of international organizations and promises, finally, of transformative aid. But many of the charities have since departed, the transformation unrealized, leaving a mix of resentment and hopelessness as the country has teetered on the verge of anarchy.

Health analysts feared the coronavirus would devastate Haiti. Most believe numbers are higher than the official count of 7,810 infected and 192 dead, but the country's relative isolation seems to have spared it the worst of the pandemic so far. Still, the outbreak has made chronically underfunded health care here worse - medical staff, lacking protective gear, have failed to show up for work, leaving hospitals operating shorthanded or closing altogether.

Rumors, particularly in rural areas, that symptomatic Haitians are being used as experiments for unproven vaccines have led some to avoid treatment. Doctors say parents are now rejecting regular vaccines for their children in alarming numbers.

"People fear they are being guinea pigs," said William Pape, head of the government's covid-19 task force.

The coronavirus crisis has opened a window of opportunity for Barbecue. As a police officer, Cherizier, whose nickname stems from his mother's locally famous grilled chicken, allegedly led a feared gang that for years was involved in murder, rape, extortion and kidnapping.

While Haitians were locked down, he helped unify street gangs under the "G9 Family and Allies" umbrella. Gang members began rolling into anti-government hotbeds in sophisticated armored vehicles with automatic weapons and tear gas. The National Network for Defense of Human Rights and witnesses say homes were torched, weapons fired and at least 34 people killed.

Police say they are unable to explain why their vehicles appear to have been used in the operation. They say they are investigating.

In a narrow alley between ramshackle two-story dwellings, Cherizier paced back and forth, alternately shouting or laughing into a succession of cellphones rushed to him by a posse of eager-to-please youth.

He insisted he was not working for the government, but to liberate the Haitian people.

"The bourgeoisie, the opposition, the government, they are the problem," he said. "They call us gangs - they are the gangs! We're defending the ghetto. It's live or die here."

The alliance pushed last week into Cite Soleil. It was here that Lenese Leo, 38, says she was caring for her 8-month-old daughter on July 12 when bullets slammed into their shanty. When the shooting stopped, she said, the infant lay on the floor, bleeding from the head. She hailed a motorcycle taxi to go the hospital, but the child died in her arms.

In Haiti, family members of gang victims often avoid reporting deaths, for fear of reprisal. But Leo and her partner have instead insisted on an autopsy and shared their grief on social media. She says they now get death threats.

"It's never been like this," she said. "I've lived here all my life. I have never lived in so much fear."
(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron "expressed concern over increased tension between NATO Allies Greece and Turkey" during a call on Friday, a White House spokesman said.

NATO allies Turkey and Greece are embroiled in a dispute over Turkish oil and gas exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean waters. Turkey said on Friday France should refrain from steps that escalate tensions after the French military conducted training exercises with Greek forces in the region on Thursday.

(Reporting by Steve Holland in Bedminster, New Jersey; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Eric Beech)
S ix more countries have been added to the UK's travel quarantine list, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.

Britons travelling from France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba must self-isolate for 14 days if they arrive in the UK after 4am on Saturday.

The move came after Boris Johnson said ministers would be absolutely ruthless in deciding on whether to impose the measures on a host of new nations.

The decision to add France will cause dismay for thousands of British holidaymakers currently in the country.

Last year 9.27 million Britons enjoyed trips to the country, making it the most popular destination after Spain.

The crackdown was made in response to the spread of the virus, with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.

Before the announcement was made, Mr Johnson said: We have got to be absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners.

I think everybody understands that.

Mr Johnson said the Government could not allow the UKs population to be reinfected or the disease to come back in.

That is why the quarantine measures are very important and we have to apply them in a very strict way, he said during a visit to Belfast.

Tourists leave the train at Zandvoort station in The Netherlands, which has seen a surge in infections / ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Meanwhile Frances secretary of state for European affairs said the UK decision would lead to reciprocal measures across the Channel.

Clement Beaune tweeted: A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.

France: Coronavirus lockdown - In pictures 1 /33 France: Coronavirus lockdown - In pictures The empty Place Charles de Gaulle with the Arc de Triomphe AP Place de la Bastille during confinement due to the coronavirus outbreak in Paris AP French resistance: Emmanuel Macron announcing tough measures against Covid-19 AFP via Getty Images The Eiffel Tower is seen next to a board that reads: "In the context of the COVID-19 the Eiffel Tower closes today from 9pm for an indefinite period of time" REUTERS Drastic action: Paris yesterday before the whole of the French population was told to stay home AFP via Getty Images An employee walks in the Musee du Louvre in Paris, undefinitely closed to the public AFP via Getty Images Deserted Hotel de Ville Getty Images The Louvre Museum Getty Images An empty Disneyland Paris PA A French policeman walks down steps at The Sacre Coeur Basilica AFP via Getty Images French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe is seen on a TV screen as he speaks from his office during the evening news broadcast of French public television channel France 2, on March 17, 2020, in Paris, on the day a strict lockdown AFP via Getty Images Police officers question people walking in public after a government enforced quarantine Getty Images Police officers patrol near the Eiffel Tower during a government enforced quarantine Getty Images An empty railway station, in Strasbourg, eastern France AFP via Getty Images A deserted Concorde AFP via Getty Images An empty street leading to the deserted place Vendome in Paris AFP via Getty Images A police officer wearing a facemask for protectove measures, contols a man near to the Barbes Market AFP via Getty Images Two motorcycle police officers patrol near the empty Grand Place in Lille, northern France AFP via Getty Images Police officers partol the area of the Esplanade du Trocadero square near the Eiffel Tower in Paris AFP via Getty Images Police officers check a pedestrian in Boulogne Billancourt AP A Police Nationale officer gestures and talks to a man on the "Promenade des Anglais" in the French Riviera city of Nice AFP via Getty Images French police officers check cyclists in front of the Arc de Triomphe as lockdown is imposed REUTERS A policeman checks people's documents as they sit in their car near the beach of seaside resort town of Deauville in Normandy AFP via Getty Images police's vehicle is parked in front of the Barbes Market as people arrive to do their grocery shopping AFP via Getty Images A view of the empty La Defense square AP

Downing Street's decision was finalised after the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England indicated a significant change in Covid-19 risk in each of the destinations.

The Foreign Office has now updated its advice to warn against all but essential travel to the six nations because of the heightened risk of infection.

Department for Transport officials said that data from France shows that over the past week there has been a 66 per cent increase in newly reported cases and a 52 per cent increase in weekly incidence rate per 100,000 population, indicating a sharp rise in Covid-19.

There has been a consistent increase in newly reported cases in the Netherlands over the past four weeks, with a 52 per cent increase in newly reported cases between August 7 and 13.

Over the past week, there has been a 273 per cent increase in newly reported cases in Turks & Caicos and 1,106 per cent increase in newly reported cases in Aruba.

Malta has had a 105 per cent increase in newly reported cases over the past week.

Patrick Ikhena, head of travel at comparethemarket.com, said: Todays announcement will likely impact the holiday plans of people who considered France, Malta and the Netherlands to be less risky destinations for a summer getaway.

Those who still plan to travel despite the requirements to quarantine upon return should contact their insurer to explore their options and ascertain their level of cover.

Generally speaking, if the FCO has not explicitly stated that you shouldnt travel to these regions, but you decide not to travel due to quarantine requirements, this will be deemed disinclination to travel and you are unlikely to be covered by your policy.

If your holiday plans have been impacted by the Governments decision, it may be worth contacting your airline or other transportation providers who may be able to offer you a change of destination.

Those who still choose to travel to France, Malta or the Netherlands must follow FCO guidance first and foremost and check for any local restrictions and requirements ahead of departure.

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As these regions are increasingly seen as more risky holiday destinations in light of growing Covid-19 infection rates, it is essential that travellers keep a close eye on restrictions, infection rates and the latest FCO advice for your desired holiday destination, as these can change daily.
Ghanaian music icon Kojo Antwi heads a cast of four musicians who will perform at the Innovating for COVID-19 Virtual Symposium today.



Kojo Antwi is joined on the bill by songstresses Senegalese Amira Abed and South Africam Thoko Makamba as well as Kenyan crooner Eddie Grey.



The Symposium is organised by Combat COVID-19 Africa and it will bring African innovators and experts together to discuss the implications of COVID-19 on the continent and how technology can be leveraged to ensure the continent is able to adequately control the spread of the virus. It starts at 1.30 pm and ends at 7 pm today.



The cast of musicians are billed to thrill the audience between 5 pm and 5.30 pm.









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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MAULDIN, S.C., Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Dental Holdings, Inc. (OTC PK: UDHI)  Union Dental Holdings, Inc. (OTC:"UDHI") has announced another step forward in its effort to transparently restructure and transition into a new business model. The Company recently named forensic accountant Michael O'Shea to spearhead that effort as its new CEO and control person. UDHI has been operating as a "public shell" for the last several years after emerging from a Florida 727 filing which was completed on January 2016.

Since taking control of the Company last month, O'Shea has added a new Securities Attorney as well as two new Board members. He will be updating and detailing all new Company plans and activities on a real time basis in the featured "Message from Mike" section on the new website. NewUDHI.com also features real time UDHI quotes and charts.

UDHI has recently retained TransMedia Group to handle its public relations activities, including websites, social media, press releases, and media relations. TransMedia has been one of South Florida's top PR agencies for many decades with an extensive client list loaded with top shelf organizations.

"We continue to make great progress on our restructuring and clean-up efforts and now look forward to putting our business plan in place," said CEO O'Shea. "NewUDHI.com is a great platform for all investors to follow and will give everyone the opportunity to analyze the pertinent data and events as they happen. I intend to update my 'Message' regularly and share as much information as I legally can."

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements," as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and the actual results and future events could differ materially from management's current expectations. The economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified in the Company's previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact: Adrienne Mazzone, [email protected] 561-908-1683

SOURCE Union Dental Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

https://newudhi.com


The NSCN-IM, which has been engaged in peace negotiations with the government, on Friday asserted that an honourable solution to the seven-decades-old violent movement is not possible without a Naga flag and a constitution. NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said the Nagas have their won flag and constitution and the insurgent group was not asking for these from the government. "Recognise them or not, we have our own flag and constitution.

Flag and constitution are ingredients of our recognised sovereign entity and the symbols of Naga nationhood. The Nagas must keep ...
Michigan reported 1,121 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, Aug. 13, the highest number since May 14.

In other coronavirus news: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asks President Donald Trump to fully fund the National Guard to help fight COVID-19, coronavirus surges again in Michigan prisons with the biggest outbreak since spring and Michigan farmers challenge emergency order requiring COVID-19 testing.

Heres all the latest on the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan going into Friday, Aug. 14.

Michigan reports new 1,121 coronavirus cases on Thursday, Aug. 13, highest number since May 14

Thats considerably above the previous seven-day average of 652 new cases a day. But it appears one factor in Thursdays spike was an increase in testing.

More than 40,000 test results were included in Thursdays report, which is a daily record for Michigan and more than a third higher than the current average of about 29,000 tests a day.

Of tests included in Thursdays report, 1,247 -- or 3.1% -- of 40,441 came back positive for the virus. Thats actually slightly below the seven-day average of 3.3%.

The state also reported 16 deaths, which included nine that occurred outside the last 24 hours and were late additions discovered through regular vital records reviews.

Since the start of the pandemic, Michigan has tallied 90,392 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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There are currently 6,289 deaths attributed to COVID-19, in which patients tested positive for the virus. There also are 266 probable deaths, based on symptoms.

Health officials recommend looking at seven-day moving averages to evaluate data trends during the pandemic. The state now averaging 709 new cases, and six new deaths per day.

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Whitmer to Trump: Fully fund the National Guard to help fight coronavirus

The federal government should continue to fully fund the national guard, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a letter to President Donald Trump sent Wednesday.

The presidents recent executive order extended the deployment of National Guard troops to help respond to the coronavirus crisis, but took federal funding in most states from 100% down to 75%, leaving states to pick up the rest of the tab starting Aug. 21 and going through the end of the year.

Michigan is among the states that will need to start chipping in 25% at the same time the state is staring down a budget shortfall caused by decreased revenues due to the pandemic.

States across the country are already struggling with balancing their budgets to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to provide essential services to their citizens. Michigan needs the president to fully fund the use of the Michigan National Guard so our guardsmen and women can continue to provide crucial parts of our emergency response, like conducting testing and screening, distributing personal protective equipment, and assisting at food banks across the state, Whitmer said in a press release.

Coronavirus surges again in Michigan prisons, with biggest outbreak since spring

The Michigan Department of Corrections is battling coronavirus outbreaks that have infected hundreds of prisoners at two facilities and spiked the statewide case numbers on Tuesday.

Almost 400 prisoners at the Muskegon Correctional Facility have tested positive for coronavirus, as well as 32 inmates at Newberry Correctional Facility in the Upper Peninsula.

Eight staffers at the Muskegon and four at Newberry also have tested positive.

Coronavirus outbreak at Muskegon prison increases to more than 150 inmates

Its the biggest outbreak in the state correctional system since the spring, said Chris Gautz, MDOC spokesman.

On Tuesday, the daily coronavirus report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 796 new cases statewide, the highest number since July. Of those 796 cases, 181 involved the Michigan Department of Corrections.

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Michigan farmers challenge emergency order requiring COVID-19 testing

Michigan farmers say an emergency order requiring mandatory COVID-19 testing of farm workers violates the civil rights of the Latino community.

Individual farm employees and employers, as well as True Blue Berry Management, LLC and Smeltzer Orchards Co., LLC have filed a federal lawsuit in the Western District of Michigan.

The lawsuit states that migrant/seasonal workers and workers in the meat, poultry and egg processing industries are predominantly Latino.

The order clearly targets the Latino community, and the state has been really clear that theyve singled out this minority class, said Allison Eicher, an attorney for the Michigan Farm Bureau in a statement. No other group in the state is subject to mandatory testing for work except for nursing home workers.

Eicher went on to point out that if nursing home workers choose to not be tested, they can still work, just not around patients. But if a farmworker doesnt get tested, he or she cannot work until they provide a negative test.

Thats what is so shocking to the industry  its just a blatant targeting of migrant farmworkers, she said.

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COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.

Read more on MLive:

Montrose football players wearing new plastic shields to try and prevent spread of COVID-19

Michigan beverage distributors want 20% cut of lucrative bottle-deposit fund

Dont bank on the $400 extra unemployment pay yet from Trump executive order
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Trian Fund Management said on Friday that it sold stakes in three of its biggest holdings, including Procter & Gamble Company , in the second quarter for portfolio management reasons and to free up cash to make new investments.

The firm held 10.8 million shares in P&G at the end of the second quarter, down 65% from the 31 million shares it owned at the end of the first quarter, according to a regulatory filing.

Trian made the sales in April and May and made them public at the time, assuring investors that it still supports the company's management and will continue to sit on its board.

"The reduction by Trian of its holdings in P&G was primarily the result of sales of shares held by a fund managed by Trian that has a multi-year lockup period that expires this year," the firm said, adding that it "continues to be a large shareholder of P&G."

P&G's stock price has climbed 19% in the last three months and is up 8.71% since January.

Trian also cut its holdings in Bank of New York Mellon Corp , where it has owned shares for six years, by 54% to 4.4 million shares and reduced its investment in General Electric Co. by 7% to 59.3 million shares.

The filing did not show any new investments for the New York-based firm which is known for proposing operational fixes at its portfolio companies, often through white papers. The activist firm presents itself as a partner that can offer constructive advice rather than the corporate raider intent on breaking companies apart. (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by David Gregorio)
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. on Thursday announced a series of new measures his city is taking to better regulate Airbnb property rentals  one that could potentially bring in $1.2 million in revenue for the city.

Our office, all summer long, has been getting calls from business owners, constituents and the like about Airbnb, Small said during a news conference broadcast on his personal Facebook page. We heard you loud and clear. We do recognize the value of people wanting to come to Atlantic City. However, when it becomes a nuisance to the quality of lifeits a problem and this administration is going to get to the bottom of it.

Smalls said the city will launch a 24-hour hotline for complaints about problem rentals, such as loud parties and excessive crowds. The complaint line will be operated by a company the mayor wants to hire for $31,000, which also determined there were nearly 700 properties in the city that offered Airbnb rentals but only 85 were registered to do so.

Small said he is going to recommend City Council approve a contract for the company, which he declined to name after the news conference.

The mayor said the city will now require all properties that book Airbnb and short-term rentals to pay a $150 application fee and an annual fee of up to $2,400. He said occupancy will be limited to no more than 16 people at any time.

Small said the changes could be in place by the beginning of October and could yield up to $1.2 million annually if all property owners offering short-term rentals are brought into compliance. Small said city officials have been getting complaints about noise, trash and parking from some short-term rentals like Airbnb.

We are surprised at todays announcement, given that for the past six months, Airbnb has been working closely with Atlantic City on the issues raised by Mayor Small, including the suspension and removal of party houses and listings that have received complaints and education of the registration process to our host community with communication and a landing page, Sam Randall, an Airbnb spokesman said in an email. We will continue trying to work with the City to ensure short-term rentals remain an important part of Atlantic Citys tourism economy recovery.

Small said additional measures will suspend rentals at properties with two citations for complaints or other code violations and charge daily fines of up to $2,000 until compliance is met.

Other towns in the state have also moved to rein in Airbnb rentals. In Jersey City, theres a registration fee of $500 and an annual renewal fee of $300, with fines for violations as high as $2,000.

In Newark, homeowners who want to list their properties are required to collect the signatures of everyone on their block in order to apply for a $300 annual permit.

Airbnb began suspending and removing 35 listings in New Jersey last month after numerous complaints of house parties in violation of state restrictions on gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.

In April, Airbnb announced that it had temporarily removed the parties and events allowed rule from New Jersey listings that had authorized parties to take place.

Stopping large gatherings is more important than ever in this current environment, Airbnb said in a statement last month.

The party house measures come on the heels of several other anti-party initiatives from Airbnb, including a strengthening of our policies to prohibit gatherings that violate public health mandates, the statement said.

Editors note: this story was updated on Aug. 14 to include comment from Airbnb.

Staff writer Anthony G. Attrino contributed to this report.

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Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
BEREA, Ohio -- Augusto Bordelois is one of a group of Cleveland-area artists whose talents will be displayed at a Voices on View exhibit Aug. 21, Sept. 4 and Sept. 18 at University Circles Wade Oval.

Bordelois, an internationally acclaimed artist whose works include a Shaker Heights Fire Department Centennial Mural and art installations at many schools, both teaches and creates new artworks at his Augusto Fine Art studios, 505 Front St. in Berea.

A native of Cuba and a Berea resident since 1999, Bordelois describes his painting style as magic realism, a very unique style with roots in the Renaissance and familiar throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Bordelois will display the first of two murals created for the exhibit on Aug. 21. His second mural will be unveiled on Sept. 4.

The Center For Arts-Inspired Learning (CAL) has partnered with University Circle Inc. to present these original works of art at Wade Oval, 10820 East Blvd.

CAL spokeswoman Carly Kallicragas said Bordelois has been a teaching artist at CAL for more than 15 years.

CALs mission, she said, is to ignite student learning, creativity and success through the arts, in the belief that all children deserve to learn and be inspired through the arts.

This can happen by working with 60 artists of all art forms, to bring creative, hands-on learning experiences to Pre-K through 12 students in classrooms, libraries and after-school programs across Northeast Ohio, offered in person, virtually or a blend of the two, Kallicragas said

Bordelois said his new murals represent a positive view of a future society in which we are all Americans, proud of our cultural and ethnic heritage, but without any divisive prefixes.

Elderberry syrup: I have never tasted elderberry syrup and, in fact, dont recall ever having tasted any syrup other than maple -- or a reasonable facsimile thereof -- which most people use for pancakes, waffles, etc. But maybe its time to be a bit more adventurous.

It would never have occurred to me to try anything other than the maple until I came across Lena Margarets Elderberry Syrup offer on Facebooks Middleburg Heights Community page.

Lena Margaret The Plant Lady says her syrup is available in three sizes: 8-, 16- and 32-ounce jars.

And, I must say, it does sound tempting, but dont take my word for it. Take a look online at https://www.facebook.com/groups/110529976449916.

About those plates: It recently dawned on me that front license plates are no longer required for passenger vehicles. Thats been a fact since July 1.

The question is, do you, or I, want to remove the front plate from our vehicles? Its definitely not a question worth losing sleep over.

I think youll notice that if you check both plates, you will find that the rear plate on your vehicle -- on mine, anyway -- looks worn and battered compared to the front plate, which still looks nearly as good as new.

But, then again, maybe the state of that rear plate says something about my driving habits. Im not sure. Anyway, I cant remove the rear plate, and since the front plate looks pretty good, I think Ill keep it.

Outstanding seniors: Polaris Career Center, 7285 Old Oak Blvd. in Middleburg Heights, has named 28 outstanding seniors in its Class of 2020. Nine of those students are from Berea-Midpark High School.

They are: Alexander Gee, automotive technology; Brian McDonell, construction trades; Mariangelys Miranda, cosmetology; Emma Whipple, cosmetology; Cory Conroy, culinary arts and restaurant management; Lianna Weiksner, digital art and design; David Aeshleman, employability skills lab; Michael Clark, retail services; and Justin Prescott, transition to employment.

Congratulations to all!

School plans online: To view a summary of the Berea City School Districts fall semester 2020 reopening plans, visit the Berea School district website online.

SCAN pantry hours: The SCAN Hunger Pantry, 398 W. Bagley Road, Suite 7, in Berea, has hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and from 4 to 7 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month.

Outreach Pantry hours: The Berea Community Outreach Food Pantry, 535 Wyleswood Drive (at front of Smith School), is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, call 440-826-4891.

Middleburg Heights pantry: The Middleburg Heights Food Pantry at 7000 Paula Drive is open to serve clients from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

Please email information (people photos, too. Include IDs) on items youd like to see included in Around The Town to richatsun@gmail.com.

Read more from the News Sun.
I was so incredibly moved and touched, and also a little bit angry that I had never heard of any of these women, said Ming Peiffer of her reaction to reading Veronica Chamberss Finish the Fight!: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote.

Id heard of Susan B. Anthony, obviously, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Peiffer, 32, a playwright, continued, by telephone, but to learn that there were Black women, Chinese women, Native women  I was incredibly moved by their words. It became clear in my mind how this would be resonant for our current political moment.

Inspired by the book, Peiffer (Usual Girls) and the director Whitney White collaborated on the new play Finish the Fight, which focuses on five of those activists, including Mary McLeod Bethune (Harriett D. Foy) and Mabel Ping-Hua Lee (Leah Lewis). It premieres Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. as part of The New York Times Events series.
By Arjuna Ranawana

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankans shrugged off fears of the novel coronavirus and streamed into polling centres on Wednesday to elect a new parliament that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa hopes will clear the way for him to boost his powers.

The tourism-dependent island nation of 21 million people has been struggling since deadly Islamist militant attacks on hotels and churches last year followed by lockdowns to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Rajapaksa is seeking a two-thirds majority for his party in the 225-seat parliament to enable it to pass constitutional reforms to make the presidency more powerful so he can implement his economic and national security agenda.

Close to 70% of the electorate had voted, Mahinda Deshapriya, the chairman of the election commission, told reporters. Voters wore masks and kept one metre apart to reduce the chance of contracting the virus.

Sri Lanka had reported 2,838 cases of the coronavirus and 11 deaths as of Wednesday - small numbers compared with other South Asian countries.

Election officials wore transparent face shields while medical personnel were deployed to ensure voters abided by rules.

"The polling station is safer than the beach, the restaurant and the marketplace," Deshapriya said earlier.

Rajapaksa won the presidency last November vowing to restore relations with China, which had been strained by disputes over some Chinese investments.

He is hoping to install his older brother who is also a former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, as prime minister.

Votes are to be counted on Thursday and the results should be known that day.

The Rajapaksa brothers built their political careers as nationalist champions of the majority Sinhalese, Buddhist community.

They are best known for crushing ethnic minority Tamil separatist insurgents who battled for decades for a homeland in the island's north and east.

The 26-year civil war ended in 2009 when the elder Rajapaksa was president amid allegations of torture and killings of civilians in the final stages of the conflict.

Story continues

Since then, governments led by the brothers' opponents have sought to reduce the power of the president to prevent abuses and instead strengthen independent commissions appointed by parliament.

But Rajapaksa said he has felt hobbled since he took over as president.

"I need power to implement my economic programme which you voted for, he told supporters last week.

The opposition led by Sajith Premadasa, son of assassinated president Ranasinghe Premadasa, has warned of the risk of autocracy if the presidency is invested with more powers.

(Additional reporting by Waruna Karunatilake ;Writing by Sanjeev Miglani; Editing by Robert Birsel)
'History will record the great debt we owe to John Hume. His courage, foresight and charisma will be a model for all future generations on the island.'

The words of former Mayor of Drogheda Frank Godfrey, at the time freedom of the borough of Drogheda was conferred on the SDLP leader and MEP in 2001.

Tributes have poured in from all corners of the globe, and all facets of local government and community, for Nobel Laurate Mr Hume, who died last Sunday at the age of 83.

Described by many as the 'architect of the peace process', the then Mayor of town Frank Godfrey, said Drogheda Corporation wanted to recognise Mr Hume's peace role and described him 'as one of the greatest Irishmen of the 21st century'.

'It was a memorable visit and I was delighted on behalf of the townspeople to bestow the honour on him,' recalls Frank. 'I had a great admiration for him as a peacemaker in our time, and I have wonderful memories of that day and he and his wife Pat took a great interest and really enjoyed their visit.'

Chair of the Drogheda City Status Group Anna McKenna recalls that special day too, but knew Mr Hume for many more years prior to his visit.

'I knew him before he entered politics, when he was a great leader of The Irish League of Credit Unions,' says Anna. 'When he was president in 1966/76 of the Armagh Credit Union, I was his secretary, and I always admired him for being a great thinker, and he was a visionary, who really loved helping people.

'He had no ego, and was a man of great integrity, who was committed to making people's loves better.'

It was Friday May 11th 2001 when the Northern leader was made a Freeman of Drogheda and a warm reception greeted him as he arrived at the Corporation Chamber following a day of activity in Drogheda during which he was introduced to the people of the town, including a visit to Yellowbatter.

He also visited the Millmount Centre with the Mayor where he was given a tour of the museum and martello tower by Old Drogheda Society President Terry Corcoran, Chairman Sean Collins and Secretary Moira Corcoran. Along with his wife Pat and sister Sally, he also visited the shrine of Saint Oliver Plunkett in St. Peter's Church, West Street where he was greeted by Fr. Paddy Rushe. He knelt in prayer at the shrine and afterwards was introduced to Tommy Burns, Chairman of the St. Oliver Plunkett for Peace and Reconciliation Committee, and members of the committee.

The conferring ceremony in the Corporation Chamber was attended by the Corporation members, Minister Dermot Ahern, TDs Michael Bell and Seamus Kirk. Mr. Hume signed the Roll of Freedom The Mayor presented the new Freeman with a painting of Drogheda, depicting Peter Street, the Tholsel and Millmount, executed by Drogheda artist Paul McCann.

They celebrated the conferring afterwards in song with 'The Town I Love So Well' to the accompaniment of musicians Michael Holohan and Laura Gilchrist at a special function in his honour at the town's Westcourt Hotel. A special message of congratulation from fellow Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney was read out.

THE historic links between Drogheda and Derry were strongly evoked in his speech to the guests.

'I am very moved and honoured this evening to receive the Freedom of your city. I am particularly pleased because our two towns have a lot in common in a historic context - you had the Battle of the Boyne, we had the Siege of Derry. Those two major historic events so close together at the roots of the current problem in Northern Ireland. And that problem has gone on a long time, it has been a long 30 years,' he said.

'I very much welcome and thank you because I see your honour to me not just as an honour to me personally but I see it as a very strong statement of sympathy for the situation in the North, and a very strong support for the peace process. There is a real border and it is not a line on a map, it is in the minds and hearts of people and that can only be eroded by building trust, and that can be done by working together as we are going to do in the coming years in our new institutions. Hopefully in the future a new Ireland will evolve which will be based on agreement, respect and trust, commanding the loyalty of all sections the people who live on this island.'

Below, John and Pat Hume with then Mayor Frank Godfrey
The floods have inflicted damage throughout the Korean Peninsula. In South Korea, weeks of rains have left 42 people dead or missing and more than 7,800 displaced, according to official estimates cited by the Yonhap News Agency. Provisional heavy-rain alerts were issued Friday for six cities and provinces, including Seoul, with more than 12 inches of rain forecast for some areas, KBS reported.
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Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 12:07 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066dff62c 1 National health-protocol,Presidential-Palace,presidential-security,COVID-19-infection,state-protocol,media-access,compliance,regional-heads,Budi-Karya-Sumadi Free

Health protocols have been more strictly enforced on the grounds of the Presidential Palace, including for state guests and embedded journalists, following repeated incidents of COVID-19 infection in close proximity to President Joko Jokowi Widodo.

Presidential Secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said that his office would take no chances in order to minimize the risk of transmission, as guests of the President are now obliged to undergo multiple COVID-19 tests.

Whoever will meet the President in person will need to undergo a swab test [prior to the meeting] and a rapid test on the day, even though they have already been tested, Heru said in a recent statement to the press.

He also gave an assurance that physical distancing measures, proper face cover with masks and handwashing protocols were also being very strictly enforced.

The secretariat saw the shift in protocol after it emerged that two regional leaders were confirmed to have contracted the disease just days after meeting with Jokowi.

Riau Islands Governor Isdianto tested positive with COVID-19 four days after attending a swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace on July 27, while Surakarta Deputy Mayor Achmad Purnomo was tested on July 18. His results came back positive on July 23  a week after meeting the President on July 16.

Jokowi himself took a swab test the same day and Achmad revealed to the press that he was infected with the disease, and palace officials were quick to dismiss any more speculation that the President may be infected as well.

Prior to the two cases, palace officials had announced that Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi had contracted the coronavirus on March 14. He was eventually discharged from Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD) in Central Jakarta on April 15.

The recent cases that occurred so close to the nations leader should serve as a wake-up call for officials working in the palace complex, said Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist at the University of Indonesia.

There should be a protocol for state activities during the pandemic era, Pandu told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The regulations should be reviewed and better testing tools should be used if they are available.

He said that consistency was key in implementing strict protocols, stressing that any gesture of compliance by Jokowi would play a significant role in ensuring that the message would get across to the general public.

Everyone  without exception  should wear masks, particularly in certain situations such as state ceremonial events. In any kind of event, the President should lead by example by wearing masks correctly and consistently, said Pandu.

Jokowi and some of his ministers have drawn criticism after a photo of a Cabinet meeting held on Aug. 3 showed the President without a mask as he led the briefing with his Cabinet members.

Heru argued that the President and his ministers had fulfilled the necessary protocols and that they were putting the masks on and off during that meeting because it would often muffle their voices when speaking.

Acrylic partitions were also installed on the table separating Jokowi and his ministers in order to minimize the risk of transmission, Heru added.

COVID-19 transmissions have shown little signs of easing in Indonesia. On Thursday, the Health Ministry announced 2,098 new confirmed cases, bringing nationwide case numbers to 132,816. As many as 5,968 people have succumbed to the disease as of Thursday, the data revealed, with 887,558 people having recovered from the virus.

The stricter health protocols also apply to members of the press that report from the Presidential Palace complex. Journalists now need to show proof of having undergone rapid tests in the last two weeks when they visit the palace.

Meanwhile, those who are embedded in the presidential entourage for Jokowis official trips will get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from the secretariat.

Due to the high [rate] of COVID-19 transmissions, we are more thorough in [implementing health protocols]. But access for news gathering will not be reduced as there are technologies that can be used [to compensate for it], said Bey Machmudin, deputy head for protocol, press and media at the Presidential Secretariat.

Separately, the chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Abdul Manan, said it was understandable that media access to the President was slightly restricted during the current pandemic.

He said, however, that officials should instead hold regular press briefings to ensure that information can still be relayed to the public.
Bihar IPS officer Vinay Tiwari leaves the SRPF camp, after BMC exempted him from quarantine protocols and allowed to return to his home state, in Mumbai. PTI Photo

This looks like a nightmarish end to federalism as we know it. Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajputs tragic death has turned into deplorable political one-upmanship.

The unprecedented face-off between Bihar Police and Mumbai Police on the investigation of the suicide has far reaching consequences.

Many experts are of the view that sending a team of Bihar Police personnel to Mumbai after Rajputs father filed a FIR demanding a probe into the crime was out of step. In India, police is a state subject and crimes are investigated by the police depending on where they occurred.

If states start to interfere and go after crimes committed against their citizens in another state, we have a recipe for disaster. With the further likely addition of the CBI into this pot, the stew has grown thicker.

Had some worthies shown some prudence, we wouldnt have had to see the DGPs of the two states slinging at each other on the TV news. TV newsrooms or Twitter are not the place to conduct a serious investigation into the death of a popular actor.

The case has grown much bigger with the respective state governments getting into the ring. The Bihar CM has given his nod for a CBI probe, bowing to pressure from the actors family, while Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray refusing to give in to the demand. Both chief ministers have decided to stick by their police chiefs.

The Enforcement Directorate has also opened an investigation into alleged money laundering. It is pretty much a no-holds-barred affair now, teetering dangerously on the edge of turning into a farce.

None of this would have merited so much focus and energy were it not for the Assembly elections in Bihar, due in October.

The Bihari sentiment seems to have taken the frontstage, a thinly veiled euphemism for votes. The politicisation of the police is one of those vexing issues that no amount of reform has been able to deal with.

The recent Vikas Dubey encounter and the police custodial deaths in Sathankulam town near Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu are already forgotten. The Sushant case will likely drag until it is no longer convenient.

Sadly, if this lack of restraint and willful flouting of procedure by the police persists, it will end badly for the country.

Controversial Niti Aayog exit

The repatriation of Niti Aayog adviser Alok Kumar to his cadre state Uttar Pradesh has set tongues wagging.

Barely less than two months ago, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had given Mr Kumar a one-year extension of tenure at the think tank. He was relieved on July 31.

The governments U-turn has left many observers bemused. Some say that since the UP government had agreed to an extension for Kumar in May, it is unlikely that it would recall the 1993-batch IAS officer. This then implies that the Centres U-turn may have been caused by some rift among the higher-ups in Delhi over the babu.

The buzz is that there are some differences between the Niti Aayog and the health ministry over policy matters, and possibly Kumar was in the middle of the spat. But that may not be the only reason, certainly not enough to warrant this U-turn.

After all, Kumar was reportedly handling the majority of the key assignments at the nations premier think tank. We may never know.

However, some observers believe that Kumars unexpected exit from Niti Aayog will cast a cloud over the empanelment of 1983 batch IAS officers for additional secretary-level posts at the Centre.

Roopa home secy

Roopa D. Moudgil is the first woman IPS officer of Karnataka and has now become the first woman police officer to be appointed the state's home secretary. The decision is unpalatable for IAS officers who might have been eyeing the post for themselves.

Its not often that an IPS officer is appointed to a post traditionally associated with the IAS. The violence this week in Bangalore may, however, quieten naysayers.

This posting comes amid a major rejig that has been happening within the government. Thirteen senior IPS officers were given different posts, and 19 ranked officers were transferred.

This 2000-batch IPS officer, however, has many firsts to her credit, having become well-known for taking up cases that involve either senior IPS officers or politicians, most recently, late AIADMK chief Jayalalithas aide Sasikala.
State Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte won a rare unanimous vote for final passage of his microTIF bill Thursday as the Legislature finally ended its COVID-19-delayed 2020 session.

Legislative Bill 1021 was sent to Gov. Pete Ricketts, 49-0, meaning none of the Unicamerals lawmakers were absent or declined to vote on final passage.

If the governor signs the bill, owners of an aged home or business building in asubstandard and blighted area could fix it up or replace it and receive refunds of property taxes generated by the increase in its taxable value.

LB 1021, available to cities and villages in counties of less than 100,000 people, wouldnt take effect before mid-November. Most newly enacted bills dont become law until 90 days after senators adjourn.

Once microTIF takes effect, I plan to work with the mayor and City Council to make North Platte a local example on how to do it right, Groene said after his 2020 priority bill won final passage.

A December 2018 housing study called for greater rehabilitation of North Plattes and Lincoln Countys housing stock along with more new apartments and single-family homes.
On August 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the development of 'Sputnik V', a vaccine against COVID-19 pandemic. One of his daughters, among the first persons to receive a dose of this vaccine, is doing well, he said. Putin's announcement has made it politically plausible for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a similar announcement during his Independence Day address to the nation tomorrow.

Here is the logic.

Like Putin, Modi is also projected as a strong willed person ready to take risks, and to announce bold decisions. Like Russia, India is one of the worst COVID-19 affected countries and a positive messaging that the vaccines are here, soon to be commercially launched, can offer hope to its citizens.

The third reason is that Indian scientists have also succeeded in taking its indigenously developed vaccine candidates to almost the same stage of clinical trials where 'Sputnik V' is at the moment. In fact if Russia is projecting one vaccine which is ready for Phase III (large scale) clinical trials, India has two - Covaxin of Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech and ZyCov-D of Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadila that will soon complete Phase II clinical trials and be ready for Phase III.

Also read: Coronavirus vaccine: No separate procurement for states; Centre to place order

The fourth reason is that like the Russian public research institute - Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology - which spearheaded the research and development of Sputnik V, India's own research institution, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is also on record for its 'push' to cut down red tapism and accelerate the development of at least one vaccine, Covaxin. This vaccine candidate has been developed from virus strains extracted by ICMR's National Institute of Virology, Pune, and handed over to Bharat Biotech for vaccine development. On July 2, the Director General of ICMR had written a letter to the hospitals that were chosen as clinical trial sites of Covaxin asking them to fast track all approvals related to the initiation of the clinical trial and ensure that the enrolment of human volunteers for the trial is initiated no later than July 7. The letter also set a quite ambitious target - August 15 - to complete the trials and announce the launch of the vaccine for public health use.

To be fair to ICMR, the agency later clarified that the deadline was only meant to see that there is no delay in the clinical trial process and was not an attempt to shorten any regulatory requirement or internationally followed protocols. From a political point of view, there are good enough reasons to announce the arrival of Indian vaccines for the global pandemic.

But none of these are scientific arguments for the large scale administration of a vaccine. In fact, Russia is yet to begin mass vaccination.

Also read: Coronavirus vaccine: Russian COVID-19 vaccine recommended for 18-60 years old

World Health Organisation (WHO) which is coordinating to develop and supply COVID-19 vaccines at a global level is yet to include Russian vaccine as one of the leading candidates. Sufficient safety and efficacy data for WHO's approval of the Russian vaccine will have to be shared, scrutinised and reviewed before one can be sure about the scientific basis of Putin's announcement. Indian position will also be the same, though registration and commercial approval of an indigenously developed vaccine for use within the country is completely within the purview of the drug regulator of that country. In India's case, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) can take a call, just like its Russian counterpart in that country, on the scientific merit of the data submitted to the authority. The agency can even allow limited commercial use of the vaccines, before the Phase III trials are complete and the results analysed. That seems to be the case, at least in Russia.

In practice, Indian clinical trial investigators have not been able to enrol human volunteers by the deadline fixed by ICMR. However, things are moving and Covaxin and ZyCov-D are undergoing Phase II clinical trials without any safety problems seen in the earlier phase of the trial. The very fact that India has been able to progress so far within a span of six months itself is proof of the speed at which the whole process has been undertaken. In a couple of weeks from now, Phase II trial results should be ready, and DCGI will have to suggest the next step. Faced with the unprecedented spread of the pandemic - India is set to cross 25 lakh COVID infection mark and is only behind Brazil and United States (and just above Russia) in the number of total COVID positive cases - one should not be surprised if politics trumps science in making an advance announcement.

If Putin hadn't done it four days ago, India could have become the 'first' country in the world to announce the development of a COVID vaccine. If Modi does it on August 15, India will be the 'second', with no changes on the ground as far as efforts for the successful development and a commercial launch of the vaccines are concerned.

Also read: Russia launches first coronavirus vaccine; Vladimir Putin's daughter gets vaccine shot
A coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by a unit of the China National Pharmaceutical Group, called Sinopharm, appeared to be safe and triggered antibody-based immune responses in early and mid-stage trials, researchers said.

The candidate has already moved into a late-stage trial, one of a handful of candidates being tested on several thousand people to see if they are effective enough to win regulatory approval.

Sinopharm is testing the vaccine in the UAE in a Phase 3 trial expected to recruit 15,000 people, as China has too few new cases to be a useful trial site.

The company will also supply the candidate to Pakistan as part of a trial agreement, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The shot did not cause any serious side effects, according to a paper published on Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association by scientists who are part of Sinopharm and other China-based disease control authorities and research institutes. The results were based on data from 320 healthy adults in Phase 1 and 2 trials.

In the US, officials said the government will ensure that a successful Covid-19 vaccine, once it comes up, will be distributed for free to all Americans. (But) we are not reducing the regulatory rigour with which we will evaluate and approve vaccines, Paul Mango, a senior health department official, told reporters.

Washington has invested more than $10 billion in six vaccine projects and signed contracts guaranteeing the delivery of hundreds of millions of doses.
We will be the preferred choice for pharmacy automation and medication management solutions worldwide

Capsa Healthcare, a leading innovator in healthcare delivery solutions for hospital, senior care and pharmacy settings, today announces the acquisition of RoboPharma, a pharmacy automation leader based in Waalwijk, The Netherlands. RoboPharma delivers customized high-speed prescription filling solutions for community pharmacies, hospitals, wholesalers, and central fill operations.

The acquisition of RoboPharma is Capsas fifth major brand addition in the last 10 years, and second specifically in the pharmacy automation industry. Capsa also acquired the venerable Kirby Lester brand in 2014, and the company envisions a dynamic growth and synergy by bringing these two industry pioneers together.

RoboPharmas management and engineering teams will remain with the company to maintain continuity across its strategic focus, innovative momentum, and inventive vision. Its Netherlands facility will continue operations and will be leveraged to expand Capsa Healthcares international reach.

RoboPharma has established a leading brand position and loyal customer base in Europe by delivering fast, reliable, and compact pharmacy automation systems. Their team of consultants excels at designing innovative modular systems with a unique channel system that allows the pharmacy to change product mix quickly and expand capacity and throughput as volume requirements increase. RoboPharma systems streamline virtually any pharmacys workflow with a unique flexibility to automate 90% of packaging produced by pharmaceutical companies.

RoboPharma is well known for providing virtually error-free operation and ease-of-use, which are two essentials in hectic pharmacy environments today, states Avi Zisman, President and CEO of Capsa Healthcare. Combined with Capsas existing strength in the category, our lineup presents our customers and pharmacy providers with a wide array of solutions and options that is unmatched by alternative pharmacy automation providers.

Frank van der Vaart, RoboPharmas Director and new CTO at Capsa Healthcare, states, With our integration into the Capsa Healthcare portfolio, RoboPharma gains the strategic and financial resources to push pharmacy automation innovation forward at an accelerated rate. We are excited in this partnership with Capsa to drive technology development that supports pharmacy professionals through accurate dispensing and efficient workflows. By investing in technology development that truly makes a difference in healthcare delivery, we are defining ourselves as the preferred choice for pharmacy automation and medication management solutions worldwide.

About Capsa Healthcare

Capsa Healthcare is a worldwide leader in developing and delivering innovative healthcare solutions for a wide spectrum of care providers. With 50+ years of experience, Capsa Healthcare offers a unique ability to meet the demands of diverse healthcare environments and offers a broad range of products including medication carts, medical carts, mobile computing, and pharmacy automation solutions. Headquartered in Portland, OR, Capsa Healthcare has over 400 employees with management, sales, and production offices throughout the world. To learn more, visit http://www.capsahealthcare.com or call 800-437-6633.

Follow Capsa Healthcare on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/capsahealthcare/)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/CapsaHealthcare)

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/capsahealthcare).

About RoboPharma

RoboPharma is an industry authority in pharmacy automation, based in Waalwijk, The Netherlands. The company is expanding its technology in Europe, Africa and Australasia. The company designs and installs user-friendly pharmacy automation systems to deliver speed, reliability, simplicity and maximizing available space. Its robust products include the full range for high-speed, high-efficiency prescription fulfillment, along with software that interfaces to all major external pharmacy systems, central fill build-outs, and logistics solutions. For more, visit http://www.RoboPharma.com/en/
Clive Palmer speaks at National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on July 7, 2014. (Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

Palmer V WA Saga to Drag on as Laws Pass

Western Australia has passed extraordinary laws designed to block Clive Palmers potential $30 billion claim against the state.

But the saga is no closer to being resolved after Palmer filed an application in the Federal Court seeking to force the withdrawal of the legislation.

State Government leader in the upper house Sue Ellery says the injunction, which also seeks further damages and costs, is doomed to fail.

We are confident that it will not succeed, she told parliament.

Im told the action has never been taken in Australia before.

The legislative council late on Aug 13 approved unprecedented legislation to amend a 2002 state agreement with Palmers Mineralogy company.

It is intended to have the effect of terminating arbitration between the two parties and stopping Palmer seeking damages against the state.

Palmer earlier claimed a victory over the McGowan government, revealing the Queensland Supreme Court had formally registered his two arbitration awards.

He said this meant WAs draconian and disgraceful legislation would now be invalid under the constitution.

Attorney-General John Quigley has previously said any court action between the bills introduction and assent would be covered by the legislation, which was fast-tracked through parliament with the support of the WA Nationals and Greens.

The Liberal opposition and some crossbenchers had unsuccessfully sought more time to scrutinise the legislation.

Liberal MP Nick Goiran labelled the process a pathetic charade for democracy.

Palmer and his associated companies Mineralogy and International Minerals are pursuing damages over a 2012 decision by the former Liberal government to not assess his proposed Balmoral South iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

The government has calculated the total claim to be $27.7 billion minus costs, an amount Premier Mark McGowan said would cripple the state.

Palmer is also challenging WAs borders in the High Court, but it emerged this week he had offered to withdraw the bid if officials agreed to move arbitration hearings relating to the damages claim from Perth to Canberra.

Michael Ramsey in Perth
"There has never been a more critical time for organizations like Henry Ford to build stronger connections to our patients and members," said Wright Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. "Heather is a gifted strategist and transformative leader. Her unique experience and passion for customer engagement will position us well to make an even greater impact on the communities we serve through a unified mission, unparalleled customer experience, and the innovative care for which Henry Ford has always been known."

Geisler comes to Henry Ford from Hyatt Hotels Corporation, where she served as Senior Vice President of Global Brands. Responsible for leading global marketing, positioning and growth of Hyatt's full and select service brands portfolio, she led a multi-disciplinary team in the development and execution of cross-functional brand-led strategies to drive revenue, preference and differentiation, including the cultivation of distinctive brand positioning among target customers, high impact and high value partnerships, and targeted multi-channel creative campaigns focused on driving engagement and conversion. In 2018, Hospitality Management Magazine named her among its "30 Most Influential Women in Hospitality."

"I am thrilled to be joining such a storied, mission driven organization like Henry Ford," said Geisler. "As a healthcare provider deeply rooted in our community, we understand the sacred honor we have to meet our customers' unique health and wellness needs. That commitment goes far beyond a transactional relationship. It means truly coming alongside our customers and their communities as a safe, trusted voice and partner throughout their entire healthcare journey."

Prior to Hyatt, Geisler was Vice President of Brand Marketing at MSNBC, where she led the development of MSNBC's brand positioning and growth strategy, including creating integrated consumer brand experience programs and award-winning advertising campaigns. She also guided the development and promotion of the networks' corporate social responsibility initiatives and sponsorships.

Geisler also spent more than 15 years at agencies in New York and Washington, DC leading advertising, branding and marketing campaigns for major corporate and non-profit clients. She began her professional career in the press office of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.

Geisler is a graduate of the University of Iowa and completed the Punch Sulzberger Fellowship Program at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. She is a native of Wheaton, Illinois.

About Henry Ford Health System

Under the leadership of President and CEO Wright L. Lassiter, III, Henry Ford Health System is a $7 billion integrated health system comprised of six hospitals, a health plan, and 250+ sites including medical centers, walk-in and urgent care clinics, pharmacy, eye care facilities and other healthcare retail.

Established in 1915 by auto industry pioneer Henry Ford, the health system has more than 33,000 employees and remains home to the 1,900-member Henry Ford Medical Group, one of the nation's oldest physician groups. An additional 2,200 physicians are also affiliated through the Henry Ford Physician Network.

Henry Ford is also one of the region's major academic medical centers, receiving nearly $100 million in annual research funding and remaining among Michigan's largest NIH-funded institutions. Also an active participant in medical education and training, the health system has trained nearly 40% of physicians currently practicing in the state and also provides education and training for other health professionals including nurses, pharmacists, radiology and respiratory technicians. For more information, visit henryford.com.

SOURCE Henry Ford Health System

Related Links

http://www.henryford.com


Reliance Industries share price was trading as the top gainers on NSE, BSE today. RIL stock has gained after 2 days of consecutive fall.

The rise in the share price of Reliance Industries came on news that its Chairman Mukesh Ambani, now worth more than $80 billion, was planning to set up a 'family council', which will implement a governance structure in India's biggest business house's succession plan.

Shares of index heavyweight Reliance Industries jumped 1.6% on Friday's session to hit an intraday high of Rs 2,156.50 on BSE against the last closing value of Rs 2,122.30. Currently, the shares trade 2.6% away from 52-week high of Rs 2198.7.

Mukesh Ambani plans to set up 'family council' to hand over reins of Reliance Industries to 3 children

Reliance Industries share is trading higher than 5, 20, 50, 100 and 200-day moving averages. Market capitalisation of RIL has risen to Rs 13,55,554.86 crore as of today's session.

Stock price of Reliance Industries has jumped 11% in one month and 41% since the beginning of the year.

Ambani, 63, who reportedly has plans to hand over reins of his sprawling empire to his three children by next year-end, wants to set up the council in order to ensure all family members are on board for the conglomerate's future.

The council will address conflicts, if any, arising out of succession plan and ensure a smooth transition.

In another update, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is evaluating the possibility of investing in the India operations of banned Chinese video platform TikTok, Bloomberg reported earlier.

The Indian government banned TikTok earlier in June, along with 58 other Chinese apps, citing a threat to national security.

Share Market News Live: Sensex up 122 points, Nifty at 11,353; Hindalco, Berger Paints, MRF Q1 results today

Stocks in news: Bank of India, Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp, BPCL, Eicher Motors
Satan will 'try to silence the Church': LA County seeks restraining order against John MacArthur

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Legal counsel for John MacArthur's Grace Community Church said that Los Angeles County is seeking a restraining order to stop the pastor from holding any in-person services on Sunday.

During a Thursday interview with The Daily Wires Andrew Klavan, MacArthurs attorney Jenna Ellis revealed that L.A. County is now seeking a temporary restraining order to prohibit Grace Community Church from "allowing any form of indoor worship and also outdoor worship that does not comply with its ridiculous mandates.

They are trying to restrain Grace Community Church and we, of course, will defend their constitutionally protected rights, she said.

This is not Pastor John and Grace Community Church defying the law, Ellis, who is also a senior legal adviser of the Trump 2020 presidential campaign, said. The law in America and the state of California is the Constitution and those protections. This is Grace Community Church standing on the side of the law against these overreaching tyrants that are defying their oaths of office when they are commanded, mandated by the Constitution to preserve and protect our right to free exercise of religion.

The order comes a day after the Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit against California officials on behalf of the church and MacArthur, who were recently threatened with fines and imprisonment for holding in-person worship services despite Gov. Gavin Newsom's most recent lockdown orders prohibiting church gatherings.

In the complaint, MacArthur and Grace Community Church accuse state government officials of selectively restricting gatherings amid the pandemic.

When many went to the streets to engage in political or peaceful protests purportedly against racism and police brutality, these protestors refused to comply with the pandemic restrictions. Instead of enforcing the public health orders, public officials were all too eager to grant a de facto exception for these favored protestors, the suit states in part.

California targeted the wrong groups. California first lifted restrictions on gatherings that occurred outdoors  blessing after-the-fact the illegal conduct of the George Floyd protestors. California then banned singing in worship services and then shut them all down  unless they could modify their services to operate identically to the now-legal protests.

The lawsuit further argues that it's time for California to recognize that disfavored religious minorities are not second-class citizens.

California has no such power to determine whether churches are essential, as the federal and state constitutions have already done so, the suit adds.

Speaking to Klavan, MacArthur noted that most people survive the coronavirus, adding: Let me say this: You have no chance of surviving death, ultimately.

The Church does not exist to protect people from flu, he said. It exists to protect people from eternal punishment and Hell, and we will continue to preach the Gospel because that is the message the world must hear. We are the stewards of the only saving message that rescues men and women from eternal judgment. That is a far higher calling than trying to protect a few people from the flu, realizing that all are ultimately going to die.

And our message alone provides through faith in Christ eternal life, he added.

When asked if he believes the government is openly hostile to the Christian faith, MacArthur said that the fact that Satan and all his forces constantly work against the Kingdom of God is a basic theological truth.

So we're not surprised by that, he added. The Apostle Paul said we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. It's not primarily human, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. Satan and all his agents, all his spiritual agents, and all his human agents work against the Kingdom of God. The Bible says the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The Bible says we shouldn't be ignorant of his devices.

So we get it, MacArthur continued. "The whole world, says the Apostle John, lies in the power of the evil one. So is there a massive supernatural conspiracy against the Kingdom of God? Of course, but that doesn't mean every person is violently against the Church. Satan works with those who will acquiesce to his leadership at whatever level they will acquiesce.

The pastor said the church is always going to have to fight spiritual battles, adding that Satan will find all kinds of ways to try to silence the Church.

And let me just pivot a little bit to say this: The Church in America has been so caught up in pragmatism; it has drunk the Kool-Aid of trying to devise a religion that non-religious people will like and accept, that it's afraid to be courageous because it might offend somebody, he concluded.
News reports suggest that COVAXIN, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR, is safe according to the preliminary results of the phase 1 trials.

Meanwhile, preparations have been made for the Independence day celebrations that will take place on August 15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from Red Fort in New Delhi as usual. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, strict social distancing norms and hand sanitisation will be followed, with only senior union ministers present along with PM Modi.
Eva Longoria has been urging her massive social following to register and vote in the upcoming United States presidential election in November.

And on the Dear Media podcast The Dissenters, hosted by Debra Messing, 51, and entrepreneur Mandana Dayani, 38, the 45-year-old actress urged people to 'stick up for [themselves]' through the act of voting.

'I'm not speaking for women. I'm not speaking for Latinos. I'm telling you, speak for yourselves, stand up and speak for yourself like that,' Longoria expressed passionately.

'The best way to do that is to vote. Because the only time we are equal with the richest 1% and the poorest is in the voting booth.'

Power to the people: On the Dear Media podcast The Dissenters, hosted by Debra Messing, 51, and entrepreneur Mandana Dayani, 38, actress Eva Longoria, 45, urged people to 'stick up for [themselves]' through the act of voting

Eva explained that viewing voting as an equalizer was what 'inspired [her] to dedicate so much time' educating people on their right to vote and the power that comes with it.

'That is literally what inspired me to dedicate so much time to this was realizing the power that each person has regardless of who they are.'

Eva's passion for activism, whether it be voting or racial inequity, stems from her childhood, which she described as a 'very philanthropic upbringing.'

'People always ask me where my philanthropy and activism comes from and it comes from my family,' said Longoria, who grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas and is the youngest of four sisters.

'I have an older sister with special needs, she was born with a mental disability. So I was born into her world. I don't know any other way to be than being with other, like my sister was another. My earliest memories are at the Special Olympics.'

Equality: Eva explained that viewing voting as an equalizer was what 'inspired [her] to dedicate so much time' educating people on their right to vote and the power that comes with it

Though her activist drive was bred in the home, Eva admitted that her internal struggle with identity over the years is what lead her to act on the causes near and dear to her.

'I kind of sit right in the middle. People go you're half and half. And I was like, no, I'm 100% Mexican and 100% American at the same time,' said Longoria.

'It all led me to my political activism. That's what really made me turn the corner because I was a Mexican American and I just straddle that hyphen.'

She noted that 'a lot of Latinos have difficulty navigating identity' in the United States due to the internal conflict that comes with assimilating and still holding onto one's own culture.

'I think a lot of Latinos have difficulty navigating identity in this country, because we want to be assimilated and be fully accepted, but we want to hold onto our language, our religion, our traditions, our music, our food, and sometimes people say, no, you can't either you're this or youre that.'

Passion: Eva's passion for activism, whether it be voting or racial inequity, stems from her childhood, which she described as a 'very philanthropic upbringing'

Despite recognizing many of the struggles within her community, Eva admitted that there were a lot of things she did not know, which drove her to pursuing her Master's in Chicano Studies.

'I love learning things that I don't know, but this one was personal. Because I said, I should know this. I need to know this. And I had such a hunger to learn at that moment. But let me tell you, if you want something done, ask a busy woman to do it, then, you know, it's gonna get done right,' said Longoria.

The Desperate Housewives star recalled someone introducing her to the book Occupied America by Dr. Rodolfo Acuna and how it 'blew [her] mind' because the book tells the history of America through 'the minoritys perspective.'

'I met with [the author] and he said you should take my class, which was Chcano 101, and I was on Desperate Housewives. I was like I cant take class. And he said its online, take a class. And it changed my life,' she gushed.

Education: Despite recognizing many of the struggles within her community, Eva admitted that there were a lot of things she did not know, which drove her to pursuing her Master's in Chicano Studies; Eva pictured in February

In 2019, it was announced that Eva would be directing the highly anticipated biopic Flamin Hot, which details the life Richard Montanez who invented Hot Cheetos.

'Those stories need to be told, I didn't know that the Flamin Hot Cheeto was invented by a Mexican. And I was like, Oh my God, I need to know this.'

Being Latina and a director and getting behind the camera and being that storyteller is important,' stressed Longoria.

'Everybody wanted to direct this story. And I was really happy that Searchlight was committed to having a Latino director. Because they were like, we need somebody from the community that knows this community.'

Directing: Being Latina and a director and getting behind the camera and being that storyteller is important,' stressed Longoria in her interview

Having overcome many barriers, herself, Eva went on to address the 'barriers' that people often to put up when presented with the opportunity to act on their philanthropic goals.

'So many people create these barriers to activism. And they'll say, I don't really know anything about climate change or immigration, or I don't have time. But why not learn it?'

As for creating 'sustainable and effective change' with your activism, Eva believes that involving women is a vital stepping stone.

'I chose women because if you help a woman, she helps her family, if you help a family, you change communities, you change communities, you change a nation,' said Longoria.
Beijing:

One of Chinas most popular online communities for Muslims has been shuttered after posting a petition asking Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop his brutal suppression of activists, the letters authors said on Wednesday.

Since 2003, the Zhongmu Wang website, or 2muslim.com, functioned as an online network of Muslims sharing Islam, according to archived descriptions.

But today the site was inaccessible, showing only a message stating it was under maintenance.

Two of its affiliated social media accounts were also unavailable, displaying messages that declared one account abnormal and the other in violation of required guidelines.

China officially has more than 23 million Muslims, though some independent estimates say there may be as many as 50 millionwhich would put China among the worlds top 10 Muslim nations.

While Chinas constitution enshrines freedom of religious belief, authorities keep strict limits on it, recognising only five belief systems and seeking to control their messages.

The closure came after the posting of an open letter to Xi calling for a halt to the brutal suppression of activists and the immediate release of those still detained by the state, according to students who wrote the petition.

The letter criticised Xi for overseeing a crackdown on dissent since coming to power in 2012, with hundreds of lawyers, activists and academics detained and dozens jailed.

You are not responsible for all of the crimes of the totalitarian system, but as the totalitarian systems head and its commander-in-chief of repression, you must take responsibility for the blood and tears which now flow, it said.

In the next spring of Chinas new Jasmine Revolution, who will drive your tanks to crush us, the new generation of students after 1989?

Yi Sulaiman Gu, a Muslim student studying in the US at the University of Georgia, told AFP the website shut the day after he posted the letter to a forum that had previously hosted sensitive discussions on issues such as Chinas persecution of Muslim dissidents.

We believed it would be safe for Zhongmu to post it there, Gu said. Phone calls to the websites owner went unanswered. But the letter gained attention when screenshots of it

were reposted to Chinas Twitter-like Weibo by opinion leader Xi Wuyi, a professor of Marxism at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who said it proved the site supported Xinjiang separatists.

Violence in Xinjiang, the homeland of Chinas 10-million strong Uighur ethnic minority, has killed hundreds, with Beijing attributing it to Islamic extremism and foreign influence.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A New Orleans man who prosecutors claim was the ringleader in a scheme to stage car crashes with large trucks in an effort to defraud insurance and trucking companies has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy.

Damian LaBeaud, 48, of New Orleans, entered a plea of guilty on Aug. 6, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

LaBeaud, along with his co-conspirators and others, conspired to commit wire fraud in connection with staged truck crashes, including two that occurred on June 6, 2017, and June 12, 2017.

Six of those co-defendants---Mario Solomon, Larry Williams, Lucinda Thomas, Mary Wade, Judy Williams and Dashontae Young---have entered guilty pleas and admitted to their knowing participation in the scheme. The news release states the co-defendants received a total of $43,000 as a result of the fraudulent lawsuits that were filed on their behalf for the June 6 and June 12 accidents.

According to federal prosecutors, LaBeaud admitted to acting as the driver, or slammer, in both the June 6 and the June 12 staged crashes.

As the slammer, LaBeaud intentionally caused the collisions with the 18-wheeler tractor-trailers, the release stated.
Scammers posing as Asda on Facebook are targeting 'women born in October' with a '1,000 gift card offer' that tricks users into giving away their bank details.

Asda shoppers are warned to be wary of the sophisticated phishing scam, which was first identified by the UK litigation practice Griffin Law.

The fraudulent offer appears as a paid-for advert on the social media platform  one linked to a page titled 'ASDA Gifts' that is not associated with the supermarket chain.

According to Griffin Law investigators, around 100 users have already reported seeing the advert of Facebook. It is not known if anyone has fallen prey to the trap.

Scammers posing as Asda on Facebook are targeting 'women born in October' with a '1,000 gift card offer' that tricks users into giving away their bank details. Pictured, the scam

The paid-for advert features an image of two women standing in front of a fully-loaded shopping trolley  however, closer inspection reveals that none of the branded goods in the picture are available in UK stores.

The text of the scam claims that it is 'giving away 1000 Asda Gift Cards across the country to raise brand awareness. Please complete a short survey below to figure out if you're eligible to get it.

'Act Fast! Only 949 Gift Cards left,' it continues.

The advert links to a fraudulent claim site  one sporting realistic-looking Asda branding  which prompts its victims to enter their name, home address, telephone number, full bank account details and 3-digit security number.

Manchester-based Twitter user @Djpaul67Uk flagged a screenshot of the advert on Facebook to the Asda Service Team.

'I can confirm this is not an advertisement from us, this looks to be a scam,' Asda staff member 'Lewis' tweeted in response.

The MailOnline has approached both Asda and Facebook for comment.

Manchester-based Twitter user @Djpaul67Uk flagged a screenshot of the advert on Facebook to the Asda Service Team. 'I can confirm this is not an advertisement from us, this looks to be a scam,' Asda staff member 'Lewis' tweeted in response

'With the majority of people still working from home or on furlough due to the COVID-19 crisis, were seeing a sharp rise in online scams offering everything from gift cards to discounts,' said Centrify cyber expert Andy Heather.

'These fraudulent posts are specifically designed to catch consumers off-guard, often making use of sponsored posts to fool unsuspecting victims into handing over personal information such as bank details.'

'Failure to identify and avoid these scams could cause a serious security headache for consumers, especially if they are using company-owned laptops and mobile devices and inadvertently putting their employer at risk of fraud.'

'All it takes is for a hacker to get hold of a username and password and within minutes they will be able to access email accounts and impersonate workers in an effort to commit widespread fraud,' he added.

'Its vital companies invest in the latest cyber security systems to ensure fraudsters are locked out of the business at all times.'
SAO PAULO, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CCR S.A. (CCR), one of Latin America's largest infrastructure concession groups, discloses its results for the 2 nd quarter of 2020.

Highlights 2Q20 vs. 2Q19

Consolidated traffic decreased by 18.2%. Excluding ViaSul, traffic fell by 22.1% in the period. According to the weekly reports 1 issued by the Company, the drops recorded 2 at the beginning of each month of 2Q20, compared to the same period of the previous year and excluding ViaSul, stood at 30%, 24% and 14% in April, May and June, respectively.

issued by the Company, the drops recorded at the beginning of each month of 2Q20, compared to the same period of the previous year and excluding ViaSul, stood at 30%, 24% and 14% in April, May and June, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 38.1%, with a margin of 48.3% (-13.5 p.p.). Same-basis 3 adjusted EBITDA fell by 39.7%, with a margin of 49.1% (-12.8 p.p.).

adjusted EBITDA fell by 39.7%, with a margin of 49.1% (-12.8 p.p.). The Company recorded a net loss of R$142.1 million . On the same basis 3 , net loss came to R$164.7 million , versus net income of R$329.5 million in 2Q19.

. On the same basis , net loss came to , versus net income of in 2Q19. On July 6, 2020 , Concessionaria Catarinense de Rodovias S.A. ("CCR ViaCosteira"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Federal Government, through the National Land Transportation Agency ( Agencia Nacional de Transportes Terrestres  "ANTT") signed Concession Agreement no. 1/2020 for infrastructure exploration and provision of public services including recovery, operation, maintenance, monitoring, conservation, implementation of improvements, capacity expansion and service level maintenance of the BR-101/SC Highway Road System, between Paulo Lopes (km 244+680) and the border of the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul (km 465+100).

, Concessionaria Catarinense de Rodovias S.A. ("CCR ViaCosteira"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Federal Government, through the National Land Transportation Agency (  "ANTT") signed Concession Agreement no. 1/2020 for infrastructure exploration and provision of public services including recovery, operation, maintenance, monitoring, conservation, implementation of improvements, capacity expansion and service level maintenance of the BR-101/SC Highway Road System, between (km 244+680) and the border of the states of and Rio Grande do Sul (km 465+100). In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and municipal governments have imposed several measures including social isolation and restrictions on the movement of people, which impacted demand and, consequently, CCR's 2Q20 results. For more details, please refer to the "COVID-19" section of this earnings release and notes 1.1 and 28 of the ITR.

1. The weekly notices issued by the Company on the operations of the concessions are available on the CCR Investor Relations website at: www.ccr.com.br/ri

2. For April, the notice disclosed on 04/10 (period between 04/03 and 04/09); for May, the notice disclosed on 05/08 (period between 05/01 and 05/07); for June, the notice disclosed on 06/05 (period between 05/29 and 06/04) was considered.

3. Adjustments on the same basis are described on the same basis section of the company's earnings release, available at www.ccr.com.br/ri



IFRS Proforma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 2Q19 2Q20 Chg % 2Q19 2Q20 Chg % Net Revenues1 2,234.0 1,767.3 -20.9% 2,402.3 1,834.7 -23.6% Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis2 2,196.5 1,670.2 -24.0% 2,342.7 1,737.7 -25.8% Adjusted EBIT3 797.7 177.1 -77.8% 889.4 179.3 -79.8% Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 35.7% 10.0% -25.7 p.p. 37.0% 9.8% -27.2 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 1,379.6 853.6 -38.1% 1,505.8 894.4 -40.6% Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 61.8% 48.3% -13.5 p.p. 62.7% 48.7% -14.0 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis2 1,359.9 819.4 -39.7% 1,470.7 860.1 -41.5% Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis2 61.9% 49.1% -12.8 p.p. 62.8% 49.5% -13.3 p.p. Net Income 347.4 (142.1) n.m. 347.4 (142.1) n.m. Net Income on the same basis2 329.5 (164.7) n.m. 329.5 (164.7) n.m. Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x)6 2.5 2.7

2.4 2.8

Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 4.3 3.0

4.2 2.8





IFRS Proforma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 1H19 1H20 Chg % 1H19 1H20 Chg % Net Revenues1 4,439.8 4,154.9 -6.4% 4,758.6 4,360.2 -8.4% Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis2 4,379.0 3,912.5 -10.7% 4,665.8 4,117.9 -11.7% Adjusted EBIT3 1,629.1 1,015.3 -37.7% 1,794.1 1,085.4 -39.5% Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 36.7% 24.4% -12.3 p.p. 37.7% 24.9% -12.8 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 2,762.0 2,320.5 -16.0% 2,993.8 2,463.2 -17.7% Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 62.2% 55.8% -6.4 p.p. 62.9% 56.5% -6.4 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis2 2,728.1 2,189.8 -19.7% 2,939.6 2,332.5 -20.7% Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis2 62.3% 56.0% -6.3 p.p. 63.0% 56.6% -6.4 p.p. Net Income 705.4 147.6 -79.1% 705.4 147.6 -79.1% Net Income on the same basis2 678.2 82.2 -87.9% 678.2 82.2 -87.9% Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x)6 2.5 2.7

2.4 2.8

Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 4.3 3.8

4.3 3.6



 Net revenue excludes construction revenue.

 The same-basis effects are described in the same-basis comparison section.

3 Calculated by adding net revenue, construction revenue, cost of services and administrative expenses.

4 The adjusted EBIT and EBITDA margins were calculated by dividing adjusted EBIT and EBITDA by net revenue, excluding construction revenue.

5 Calculated excluding non-cash expenses: depreciation and amortization, provision for maintenance and the recognition of prepaid concession expenses.

6 Adjusted EBITDA was used in the calculation of the net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio for 1Q20, whereas operating adjusted EBITDA was used for the other periods (as announced in previous releases).

Conference Calls/Webcast

Access to the conference calls/webcasts:

Portuguese conference call with simultaneous translation into English:

Friday, August 14, 2020

11:00 a.m. Sao Paulo / 10:00 a.m. New York

Participants calling from Brazil: (11) 3181-8565 or (11) 4210-1803

Participants calling from the U.S.: (+1) 412 717-9627 or (+1) 844 204-8942

Access Code: CCR:

Replay: (11) 3193-1012 or (11) 2820-4012

Code: 8366456# or 5097751#

The instructions to participate in these events are available on CCR's website: www.ccr.com.br/ri.

IR Contacts

Marcus Macedo (+55 11) 3048-5941

Flavia Godoy: (+55 11) 3048-5955

Douglas Ribeiro (+55 11) 3048-6353

Caique Moraes (+55 11) 3048-2108

SOURCE CCR S.A.

Related Links

http://www.ccr.com.br/ri


Award-winning Chinese animation, The Town , revolves around the negative impact of bias and stereotyping. [For China Daily]

Many are expected to live by established social norms. But what happens if the norms have a ridiculous side?

Arc Anime Studio, a Shenzhen-based company comprising mostly young animators, who are age 25 on average, has spent four years figuring out the answer through The Town, a 27-minute animation, which recently won plaudits at home and abroad.

The film won the best short film award at the 14th FIRST International Film Festival, held in Xining, capital of Northwest China's Qinghai Province, from July 26 to August 3.

With the rise in recognition of arthouse cinema in China in recent years, the festival has come to be known as an incubator for young talent and paving the way for independent movies.

Actor Zhou Yiwei, who alongside actor Wang Chuanjun presented the award during the festival, has hailed the film for its "beautiful scenes and skillful fictionalization of society" that reflects social issues.

"It's a big surprise. The honor will encourage us and fellow animators to pursue the diversity of Chinese animation production," says Jason Gu, producer of The Town.

In July, the movie won the Jean-Luc Xiberras Award for a first film at the 44th Annecy International Animated Film Festival, an event called the "Oscars of animated films."

As the French festival was held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Xining event marks the first time for the movie to be limitedly screened in local theaters in China.

Award-winning Chinese animation, The Town , revolves around the negative impact of bias and stereotyping. [For China Daily]

Unfolding with a bird's-eye view, the beginning scene  a continuous long shot  takes the audience to an isolated town nestled in lush mountains.

The town is reminiscent of southern China's traditional architectural style. It has cobblestone alleyways and houses with black tiles and white walls.

With conflicts between the protagonist siblings  a restrained sister and her rebellious younger brother  the fantastical story unfolds around a strange social norm in the town.

That is, locals strongly believe they'll live better lives after undergoing a surgery called xiurong ("face-polishing").

Anyone who gets the approval to undertake the surgery will be taken to a special room, where the person puts on a wooden mask and gets injected in the face.

After the surgery, the person will have a new "face" in accordance with the appearance of the chosen mask.

The masks vary in appearance and provide different functions such as making a person look like "elite."

While the brother strongly resists the unwritten rule and tries to escape the town, the sister, who works as a mask sculptor in the town's top xiurong institution, is more compliant. She seeks approval to receive the surgery  her greatest dream for improving their family's economic situation.

"The draft idea of The Town was first shaped in early 2016, when our animation team was brainstorming a story about a person who resists being labeled but is forced to behave like the others," says Gu.

From then and until the end of 2019, the animation team, which had expanded from 10 to more than 50 members, revised the script many times, with the theme finally revolving around the negative impact of bias and stereotyping.

With over 230 shots set in around 10 locations, the film depicts nearly 70 characters and displays more than 100 props, a large amount for a short animated work.

"When we decided to produce the film, we didn't think much about commercial returns. We were attracted to the idea of creating an unlikely story," says Gu.

The major creators hope that the movie will help the audience to reflect more about the contradictions between individuality and social conformity, he adds.

The film is scheduled to be released on Chinese streaming sites later this year.

(Source: China Daily)
This week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Armen Sarkisyan discussed the republic's urgent problems for the first time since the the state of emergency was announced. The main topic of the meeting was overcoming the coronacrisis as soon as possible. Although the government has completely failed its health policy, and the rate of COVID-19 spread has barely decreased over the past couple of months, Pashinyan was quick to declare that the Cabinet of Ministers has successfully coped with its task, providing every citizen with proper medical care.

According to Pashinyan's logic, he and his government have done very well. Thousands of jobs were recovered, huge funds were spent on health care. Pashinyan hopes that Armenia will be able to overcome the peak of the pandemic by the autumn. The prime minister said nothing to explain why the republic had become a COVID-19 hot spot in the South Caucasus, why the small country did not tested the population for infection and why it was not prepared for the spread of COVID-19 disease. Pashinyan's speech contains no analysis of his government's activities, only a positive agenda and words of gratitude, but only to his team.



For Armen Sarkisyan, who chose the role of an active listener, it was enough to note his readiness to help Pashinyan's cabinet. He recalled his connections abroad when he was the Armenian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

At the same time, the Pashinyan government's work does not stand up to criticism, since the situation, when overcoming the pandemic becomes possible not through prevention, but because people simply contracted coronavirus, cannot be called favorable. The authorities only have data on COVID-19 severe cases. The exact number of people who actually got sick with the virus in one form or another remains unknown for the authorities, respectively, not irrelevant.

But talking exclusively about the virus would be unreasonable in terms of propaganda, especially since five months after the state of emergency has been declared in the country, society is skeptical about the leadership's words about the prevention of coronavirus spread. To dilute the populist rhetoric, Armenian politicians once again found a reason to talk about their army's "successes" and Azerbaijan's "aggression". The July clashes give room for imagination. It makes no sense to dwell in detail on the Armenian prime minister's words, since Pashinyan once again talked about the new metaphysical realities of the Karabakh conflict, as well as about supposedly overcoming the myth of the invincibility of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. What's interesting is the Armenian President let slip that during his work as a diplomat, the West was skeptical about the combat capability of the Armenian army. On the one hand, Sarkisyan accused the Western countries of considering the settlement of the Karabakh conflict through the prism of military confrontation, on the other hand, he tried to raise the fighting spirit and prestige of the Armenian Armed Forces. One gets the impression that the topic of the July clashes was raised solely for publicity, since the result of the escalation in no way contributed to the progress of the negotiation process. There is no question of any success.

Neither Pashinyan nor Sarkisyan said something new. Their meeting was like a play in which it was important for the main characters not to forget their lines. It is possible that the real purpose of the meeting was to show Pashinyan's ill-wishers that there is no conflict between the prime minister and the president. An anti-Pashinyan bloc is now being formed in Armenia, which includes those who do not share the ideals of the Pashinyan revolution. The figure of Sarkisyan is very attractive in this sense, since he is not a member of Pashinyan's team, and he sit on the sidelines when Pashinyan purged the officials. It is not excluded that by holding such working meeting Pashinyan wanted to show Tsarukyan, Vanetsyan and other politicians, who openly challenged the PM, that the president of the republic is loyal to the ruling party.

On the other hand, Pashinyan could share his media popularity with Sargsyan, since now he is criticized no less than the prime minister. Armen Sarkisyan bears personal responsibility for the current situation in the republic, since it was he who was obliged to ensure that one branch of government did not privatize the other one, and no criminal cases were fabricated against Pashinyan's political opponents. But in reality, Sarkisyan calmly watched Pashinyan cleansing the republic's political space.


CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar slipped against its major counterparts in the European session on Friday, after the nation's retail sales increased less than expected in July due to the economic blow of COVID-19.



Data from the Commerce Department showed that retail sales advanced by 1.2 percent in July after soaring by an upwardly revised 8.4 percent in June.



Economists had expected retail sales to jump by 1.9 percent compared to the 7.5 percent spike originally reported for the previous month.



Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales surged up by 1.9 percent in July after skyrocketing by 8.3 percent in June. Ex-auto sales were expected to increase by 1.3 percent.



Data from the Labor Department showed a jump in U.S. industrial production in the month of July.



The Fed said industrial production surged up by 3.0 percent in July after soaring by an upwardly revised 5.7 percent in June.



Economists had expected production to jump by 3.0 percent compared to the 5.4 percent spike originally reported for the previous month.



The political stalemate between congressional Democrats and the White House over additional U.S. stimulus package also weighed on investors' sentiment.



Stimulus talks stalled as a pivotal call between House Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin yielded no results.



The two sides remained at odds over enhanced jobless benefits and expanding mail-in voting, among other issues.



The currency held steady against its key counterparts in the previous session.



The USD/JPY pair shed 0.3 percent, touching a 2-day low of 106.56. At yesterday's trading close, the pair was quoted at 106.92. The greenback is seen finding support around the 104.00 mark.



Data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed that Japan's tertiary industry activity grew for the first time in five months in June.



Tertiary industry activity rose 7.9 percent month-on-month in June, after a 2.9 percent fall in May.



After recording a 2-day high of 0.9123 at 5:30 am ET, the greenback turned lower against the franc and pulled back to 0.9092. Next near term support for the greenback is likely seen around the 0.88 level.



Data from the Federal Statistical Office showed that Switzerland's producer and import prices declined in July.



Producer and import prices fell 3.3 percent year-on-year in July.



Extending early decline, the greenback fell by 0.6 percent to reach a 1-week low of 1.3142 against the pound. The pair had closed Thursday's deals at 1.3067. The greenback may face support around the 1.34 region, if it falls again.



The greenback was down by 0.4 percent at 1.1835 against the euro, after having advanced to 1.1782 at 5:30 am ET. The pair was worth 1.1813 when it closed deals yesterday. Further fall in the greenback may find support around the 1.20 mark.



Flash estimate from Eurostat showed that the euro area economy contracted at a record pace in the second quarter, as initially estimated, due to the containment measures taken by member countries to control the spread of the coronavirus.



Gross domestic product fell 12.1 percent sequentially in the second quarter, following a 3.6 percent drop in the first quarter. This was the sharpest decline seen since the series began in 1995.



The greenback eased to 0.6551 against the kiwi, losing 0.4 percent from a 2-day high of 0.6527 seen at 11:45 pm ET. The greenback is likely to challenge support near the 0.68 mark.



The U.S. currency remained lower against the aussie, with the pair trading at 0.7163. This marked a 0.4 percent fall from a 2-day high of 0.7132 set in the Asian session. The greenback was worth 0.7148 per aussie at Thursday's New York session close. Should the greenback falls further, it is likely to test support around the 0.73 region.



On the flip side, the greenback was steady against the loonie, following an advance to 1.3254 at 5:45 am ET. The greenback was trading at 1.3222 a loonie at yesterday's close.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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The Bachelorette starring Clare Crawley has reportedly been filming for almost a month after a 14-day quarantine when everyone arrived on set.

But, there have been reports that Crawley, 39, left the show after only 12 days because she fell for one of the contestants and was replaced.

Now, US Weekly is reporting that host Chris Harrison is on another 14-day quarantine after leaving the set to take his son to college in Texas. US Weekly reports that JoJo Fletcher will fill in for Harrison until he returns.

The Bachelorette Season 16 is filming in one location at La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif.

Cameras are rolling. #TheBachelorette is coming soon to Tuesdays on ABC.  pic.twitter.com/nuwIoY58HC  The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) August 4, 2020

The entire production team and cast was required to quarantine for 14 days before filming began. The quarantine was because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which already had significantly stalled the new season. It was originally scheduled to debut in May.

Filming started on July 18.

Fletcher was recently featured on an episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever!

She was the Bachelorette for season 12 in 2016. She accepted a proposal from Jordan Rodgers. They were set to be married this year but the wedding has been postponed because of the coronavirus.

Cosmopolitan reported that Crawley quit after 12 days because she was in love with Dale Moss and that Crawley was replaced with Tayshia Adams.

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The goal of the "Yummmh" project by IT company Aion Solutions is to help the Horeca sector to offer its customers a virtual, personalised menu.

These new menus, which can be accessed by scanning a QR code and are available in most establishments in the country, offer a more hygienic alternative to the traditional printed menu. The only condition that needs to be met in order for the system to work properly is that the customer must have a smartphone capable of processing the code as well as internet access to open the corresponding web page.

Hygiene is however not the only advantage of this solution for restaurant owners. According to Aion Solutions, a company which develops websites for other enterprises and handles part of the QR codes in Luxembourg, it is also easier to make changes to a virtual menu as there is no need to print new copies all the time.

Aion Solutions consists of seven employees working for clients in Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France on medium-sized, but also certain major projects. Their team consists of developers and system administrators and the company mainly handles the management of a project.

The QR code system is completely funded by Aion Solutions themselves and the service is available for free directly on their website. The goal of the "Yummmh" project is thus to make it as easy as possible for members of the Horesca sector to design their own virtual menu.

According to Cecile Henry, in charge of relations between the company and the owners of restaurants and bars, about a dozen of them are already benefitting from the service. Henry states that they keep in touch with their users and regularly check if they have any problems that might need to be dealt with.

Thanks to this contactless system, customers can view it on their own devices and thus avoid touching anything other than their cutlery.
Since deployed to Mali for peacekeeping missions last May, 14 female soldiers of the 7th Chinese medical contingent for peacekeeping have successfully accomplished various medical and peacekeeping missions. In the face of harsh natural environment, frequent terrorist attacks, and the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, they've held out in what the UN calls "the most dangerous peacekeeping mission area."
Belarus has released 32 Russian citizens who were detained near Minsk last month and accused of being mercenaries plotting to destabilize the situation in Belarus around the August 9 presidential election.

The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office posted a statement on August 14 that the men had been released and returned to Russia. He added that they will not face criminal charges in Russia, even though mercenary activity is illegal under Russian law.

A 33rd man who was arrested at the same time was not released because he also has Belarusian citizenship, in addition to his Russian passport.

Ukraine had sought the extradition of 28 of the men, saying they had fought on the side of Russia-backed separatist formations in parts of eastern Ukraine.

Postelection Crackdown In Belarus Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election, widely seen as fraudulent.



The men were detained at a resort near Minsk on July 29 and identified as employees of the Russia-based Vagner private security contractor. Minsk claimed the men were in Belarus to conduct a color revolution as Lukashenka sought a sixth term as president in a highly contentious political campaign.

Moscow claimed the men were traveling through Belarus on their way to Istanbul before flying to a third country.

At the time the men were detained, Belarus claimed that up to 200 other Russian mercenaries were in the country as part of the purported destabilization plot.
Actor Ankita Lokhande remembered Sushant Singh Rajput on Friday and requested everyone to join the campaign Global Prayers for SSR. The initiative has been started by the late actors family on his 2-month death anniversary. Sharing a photo where people are asked to pray for Sushant, Ankita wrote, Its already 2months Sushant and I know u are happy wherever you are.. Everyone pls join tomorrow (15th aug) at 10am and pray for our beloved Sushant.

She again reiterated a demand for Central Bureau of Investigation probe in the actors death as well. Sushant died by suicide on June 14. Ankita dated the late actor for six years before the two ended the relationship in 2016.

In another post where she can be seen with her hands folded, she wrote, Post a pic of yours with folded hands and join the campaign #GlobalPrayers4SSR at 10 am(IST) on 15th August. Lets Pray together for truth to shine forth and for God to guide us. #justiceforSushanthSinghRajput #Warriors4SSR #CBIForSSR #GodIsWithUs.

Sushants family has been demanding a CBI investigation in his death, which is being opposed by the Maharashtra government and Rhea Chakraborty in the Supreme Court. On Friday morning, his sister Shweta Singh Kirti had written on social media, It has been 2 months you left us Bhai (brother) and we are still fighting to know the truth, to know what actually happened that day. I request you all to please join us for Global 24-hour spiritual and prayer observation for Sushant Singh Rajput so that the truth prevails and we find justice for our beloved Sushant #GlobalPrayers4SSR #CBIForSSR #Warriors4SSR #justiceforSushantSinghRajput #godiswithus.

Among those who have demanded a CBI probe in the actors death include Kriti Sanon, Varun Dhawan, Hina Khan and Parineeti Chopra.

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SHANGHAI, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 5th, Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (Shanghai Electric), the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of electric power generation equipment, industrial equipment and integration services, was named the 48th most valuable Chinese brand in the World Brand Conference's official 2020 "China's 500 Most Valuable Brands" list. This marks a more than 30% increase in brand value from 2019 to 105.637 billion yuan and puts Shanghai Electric at the head of China's energy industry.

With roots tracing back to 1902, Shanghai Electric has emerged in recent years as a powerhouse of industrial innovation both domestically and abroad. Following a comprehensive three-phase strategy, the Group has seen remarkable growth and achieved a gross revenue increase of 26%, with the profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company increasing by 24.83% and new orders growing 30.6% year-on-year. All these are record highs for Shanghai Electric and signify the growing value of brand presence shaped around world-class innovation and quality industrial products.

Into the future, Shanghai Electric has identified developing a positive internationally recognizable brand as being essential to doing business across the globe. With the aim to vitalize its overseas brand within the next 3-5 years, Shanghai Electric is committed to becoming an international first-class enterprise, dedicating resources for the social progress and development, open innovation and upholding EHS best-practices. From participation in industry exhibition in Hannover, Germany, to meeting with prospective business partners at the World Energy Congress in Dubai, Shanghai Electric is looking to strengthen its cooperation with world-class organizations to make a positive change and address some of the world's most prominent energy-related challenges and concerns.

The environmental impact of large-scale electricity production is a regrettable consequence of societies. Shanghai Electric, however, believes that even though a degree of disruption may be necessary, this damage can effectively be minimized through improved monitoring and management practices. A major focus shift across the Group towards renewable sources of energy saw a record year-on-year revenue growth of 51% from 2018 to 2019, compared with only 8.4% from thermal power during the same timeframe. Pairing this focus on sustainability with a desire to build a positive international brand, environmental conscientiousness and 'green' policies are at the forefront of Shanghai Electric's brand pivot. This is also evidenced by progress across its major internal initiative, 'SEC-LOVE'. Aimed at ensuring all departments are aligned with their green goals, a recorded over 80% of all affiliated companies now satisfy the requirements of the ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard.

'Made in China 2025' is the focus of China's initiative to bring more high-quality products and services with cutting-edge innovation to the world. Shanghai Electric is leading this effort to refresh the 'Made in China' image and make the positive impact on the communities where it operates - one of the Group's major CSR goals and commitment to delivering world-class energy innovation.

For more information, visit www.shanghai-electric.com

SOURCE Shanghai Electric

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LONDON  When thinking about Shiseidos prestige offerings, one may think of Cle de Peau Beaute or IPSA, but actually, there is one brand, The Ginza, sitting on the top of the pyramid, and one wont even find its brand information on Shiseido Groups web site.

With a set of minimalistically designed 90-ml. serums priced at 180,000 yen, or $1,702, and a jar of 40g face cream for 100,000 yen, or $948, the brand, founded in 2002, was Japanese ultra-wealthy womens best-kept secret. Made in Japan and only sold in Japan until recently, some even claimed that The Ginza was first developed exclusively for female members of the Japanese royal family. Shiseido did not respond to a request to verify this information.

But because of the word-of-mouth marketing, especially recommendations by famous Chinese actresses and key opinion leaders on social commerce platform Xiaohongshu, and reality shows such as Sisters Who Make Waves, this elusive brand has been quickly gaining momentum in China in recent years.

The Ginza has set up official accounts on Weibo, WeChat and Xiaohonghshu last year and revamped its brand web site this April with support in four languages  Japanese, English, simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese  to reach more international customers. It has also appointed Japanese model Ai Tominaga as its global brand muse.

With COVID-19 drying up travel retail revenue, the brand rolled out its online store with the site revamp with complimentary samples and free international shipping to China, and teamed with China Duty Free and opened counters in Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport to capture Chinas resilient domestic spending.

The brand said online pre-orders in Chinese duty-free shops started in May received a very good response by wealthy Millennials in their 20s to 30s, and the brand is planning to enter the China market in the near future, and participate in the third edition of China International Import Expo in November.

Story continues

Before the lockdowns, the brand sells predominantly via its flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, and duty-free stores across Japan with 28 points of sales. Chinese tourists are one of its biggest clients.

Developed with the concept of elevating your bare skin to the height of haute couture, the brand said its products were innovated to be tailormade for every customers skin, and contain the Perceptive Complex compound blend, which includes Polyquaternium-51, Camellia seed extract, beta-glucan, glycerin and mineral water, to help maintain the outer layer of the skin to keep healthy conditions.

I have been using its moisturizing emulsion for a long time, said Kim Yin, a second-generation entrepreneur at the Chinese garment manufacturer Chenfeng Group. I will always buy some when I go to Japan. I like their basic skin-care products, which is more affordable, for my daily routines.

Mia Zhang, editor in chief of Meiya, a Chinese beauty social commerce platform with 20 million active users, observed that The Ginza is one of the better-received newcomers to the competitive prestige skincare market in China.

Since it has such a big online buzz, many will buy and try it, especially those who live in first-tier cities. But from what I have seen so far, because it doesnt have a formal presence in China yet, and its high price point, repeat purchase rate is still low, compared to Shiseido the main brand and Cle de Peau Beaute, which have been in the market for a long time, she said.

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WASHINGTON : The Trump administrations coronavirus vaccine project is recruiting scientists in South Africa and Latin America to help test possible vaccines in U.S.- backed clinical trials, pledging to ease their countries access to any successful products, Reuters has learned.

Moncef Slaoui, a former pharmaceutical executive who heads Operation Warp Speed, a multi-billion dollar U.S. collaboration between the federal government and drugmakers, made the commitment to international scientists late last month, two people familiar with the matter said.

Researchers in South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Argentina are in discussions to join U.S. counterparts in conducting large-scale human trials of an experimental vaccine from Johnson & Johnson beginning next month, according to half a dozen government officials and scientists with knowledge of the effort.

The U.S. government so far has committed nearly $11 billion to fund the development, testing, manufacture and stockpiling of hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses. In addition to J&J, it is working with drugmakers including Moderna Inc , Novavax Inc and AstraZeneca PLC to coordinate large-scale, or Phase 3, clinical trials.

Tens of thousands of volunteers must be recruited and scientists involved say it makes sense to test the vaccines for safety and effectiveness in diverse populations, including in other nations. U.S. health officials expect a successful vaccine to be identified by early 2021.

It is not yet clear what specific commitments, if any, have been made to South Africa and the Latin American countries. The advantage of working with Operation Warp Speed, which is backing at least half a dozen potential vaccines, is that it increases the chances that international partners would receive an effective product.

President Donald Trump raised the possibility of sharing the U.S. vaccine supply when he announced the formation of Operation Warp Speed in May, without providing details. Earlier this week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar said that any U.S. vaccine for COVID-19 would be shared fairly" around the world after U.S. needs are met.

The international scientists gearing up to participate have worked with U.S. vaccine researchers for years and want assurances that their countries would get access to the Operation Warp Speed vaccines.

There was a concern by the international sites that we are rolling up our sleeves and contributing to the vaccine endeavor, and we dont want to be in a position that these vaccines will be available and our countries cant get them," said Dr. Glenda Gray, the president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, who is preparing to set up sites for the vaccine developed by J&Js Janssen division.

A spokeswoman for HHS, which helps oversee Operation Warp Speed, did not respond to questions about the project's work with particular countries but confirmed that Slaoui is committed to ensuring international partners get access to vaccines.

In a statement, J&Js Janssen unit said a number of countries are seeking regulatory approval to run a trial of its vaccine but that it could not confirm individual sites.

"Once proven to be safe and effective, Johnson & Johnson is committed to making its vaccine accessible globally," the company said.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health, which is helping coordinate the trials, declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to questions.

A GLOBAL NEED

Global health agencies have lamented the rush by the United States and other wealthy nations to lock up vaccine doses in advance through direct deals with drugmakers. They say there should be a global distribution of vaccines based on infection risk, and want to make sure poorer nations have access. The coronavirus has infected nearly 21 million people and killed close to 750,000 worldwide.

Anything short of a global strategy to vaccinate at risk populations is going to be a less effective strategy," said Stephen Thomas, a vaccine developer who is chief of infectious disease at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Slaoui has said publicly that between 70 and 75 million people in the United States, including healthcare workers and elderly patients with underlying chronic conditions, are at greatest risk for coronavirus.

He told the scientists late last month that those at-risk groups could be immunized during the first quarter of 2021, the two people familiar with the matter said. After that, he told them, Operation Warp Speed and the companies may arrange for donations or access to vaccine supplies to the countries participating in trials.

The NIH and Operation Warp Speed are considering holding a scientific summit this summer to discuss how any successful COVID-19 vaccines might be distributed, both nationally and globally, the sources said.

Countries like Brazil and Mexico, hot spots for the virus, are not waiting on the U.S. vaccine project for help. They also are forging deals directly with drugmakers that promise to supply vaccines after they run clinical trials.

Multiple pharmaceutical companies and countries, including China, are also courting international partners. South Africa and Brazil, for instance, have developed medical infrastructures for clinical trials. They have a choice of partners and an opportunity to seek vaccine access in return.

We are a prime site for any vaccine trial," said Gray, a vaccine scientist renowned for her work on HIV. There are a lot of countries that are approaching South Africa."

South African scientists are expected to enroll between 10,000 and 12,000 people at about 30 sites for J&Js Janssen division, Gray said. The trials will receive funding from both J&J and the NIH.

South Africas health ministry did not comment.

A FLURRY OF DEALS

With an explosion of coronavirus cases in Latin America, countries there also are announcing deals with drugmakers, some involved in Operation Warp Speed. In addition, they are planning to participate in vaccine research backed by China and other countries.

On Tuesday, Mexico announced it would provide trial sites for vaccines developed by J&J, as well as for Chinese companies CanSino Biologics Inc and Walvax Biotechnology Co Ltd .

A major reason behind Mexicos move to join those trials is to secure access to a vaccine, according to its foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard..

Brazil medical research institute Fiocruz is in talks to join the J&J trial, Marco Krieger, a vice president at the federally funded institute, told Reuters. He said there had been no assurances yet about vaccine access.

Argentina also plans to be a site for the J&J trial, Pedro Cahn, director of Argentinas Fundacion Huesped, said in an email to Reuters. But when asked if he received specific assurances about supply, he said not so far."

Argentinas health ministry did not comment.

Jose Sanchez, coordinator of the biomedical research center at Perus National University of San Marcos, said in an interview with the universitys in-house channel on Tuesday that the center was evaluating agreements with J&J, AstraZeneca and Moderna to carry out clinical trials in Peru. Moderna declined to comment.

The center receives funding from the U.S. government and the agreements are being coordinated with Peru's National Institute of Health (INS), Sanchez said.

"Janssen is definitely going to come to Peru," Sanchez said.

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Brisbane's koala population is under the "eagle eyes" of researchers keen to keep the endangered animals healthy and safe through new research partnerships between the council and universities.

Brisbane City Council has allocated $1 million over three years to fund research projects into the disease burden and overall health of the city's koala population, with one young koala given a check-over and released back into Belmont Hills Reserve on Thursday morning.

This young koala was tagged, measured and released back into Carindale bushland on Thursday. Credit:Lucy Stone

Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said many factors put koalas at risk across Brisbane  not just disease but road traffic and predators.

"The koala, obviously being unique to Australia, no one else in the world is doing research. We have to lead the charge here and I'm proud that we are," he said.
SOUDERTON  While activism swells nationwide, Veronica Moeller and Christopher Jaramillo are building a movement of young people at the local level in Montgomery County to effect social change.

Moeller, of Souderton, and Jaramillo, of East Norriton, are leading an organization known as the Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County, fighting for racial justice, inclusiveness and equality for all those in their communities.

Systemic racism is a global issue. Montgomery County is not immune. The Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County will focus on dismantling systemic racism at our local level, Jaramillo said during a recent interview. We want to get individuals to realize that systemic racism does exist and then move forward to address it.

The organization was officially launched this week during a news conference in West Norriton where legislators and community activists came together to denounce racial injustice.

In my small town of Souderton, our Black and brown communities have grown tremendously. Growing up, I used to think I went to a pretty diverse school and though the student body may reflect this, the administration does not, said Moeller, a 2015 graduate of Souderton Area High School.

Moeller said it was after attending Temple University in Philadelphia and returning to Souderton that she noticed some disparities and lack of equality.

Which kind of surprised me, because we have a pretty large Hispanic community and Asian community in Souderton. It wasnt until I left that I noticed I never had had a teacher of color or any mentors of color until I left the area, Moeller said.

Moeller wants to open up discussions with Souderton school officials about diversity and she invited students to a meeting to speak about their experiences in the school district.

My hope is to just open a discussion about equity and inclusiveness within the district. I have challenged the Souderton Area School Board and have tried to get them to engage in conversations about equity, racism and inclusiveness at Souderton, Moeller said, adding she wants to sit down with school officials to have discussions about improving the experience of Black and brown students in the district.

Moeller is sympathetic to the districts current focus of trying to open schools during a pandemic but she said issues related to inclusiveness and recruiting teachers of color to make the staff more reflective of the student body are also important.

I just want to open the discussion. I want them to hear the concerns of the Black and brown community of the district. Black and brown people have been waiting for years to be heard and that is why we needed to start the Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County, Moeller said.

It is imperative that we elect officials to school boards and borough town councils that will represent the interests of Black and brown constituents in Montgomery County, Moeller added.

If an individual does not believe that systemic racism exists and persists in our society, then that person should not be in a position of leadership or responsibility, point blank, period, Jaramillo said.

Getting involved in the movement is very personal for Jaramillo.

As a father, I do this for my daughter and my son. As a Latino, I do this for my town. As an educator, I do this for my scholars, said Jaramillo, 28, who attended Montgomery County Community College, West Chester University and most recently obtained a masters degree in education at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jaramillo has worked as a peer mentor and is currently a middle school math teacher in the Philadelphia School District.

Her commitment to the movement began, Moeller said, on June 4 when she helped organize a peaceful protest in the Souderton area in the wake of the death of a handcuffed African-American man, George Floyd, while in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Thats when I really noticed that something needed to be done in our town, that people needed that initial voice. And I will continue to fight and educate my community, Moeller vowed.

Moeller said the organization is sponsoring its first initiatives, dubbed Do You Know Your Neighbor Community Conversation Event, later this month to discuss the diversity in this community and what we can do to make sure we are heard.

The discussions will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Ambler Borough Hall and at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Alderfer Park in Lower Salford.

More information about the Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County and the sponsored events can be found on the organizations Facebook page.

Moeller and Jaramillo received inspiration and guidance from members of PA Women Rise, a local social justice organization that has held several rallies in the county to denounce racial injustice.

Its young people trying to get other young people from across the county together, to build a coalition of people, explained Carmina Taylor, a lifelong community activist and member of PA Women Rise. Its a necessary movement to hold locally elected officials seriously accountable for the marginalization of people of color in Montgomery County. Our unified efforts will be vigilant as the peaceful protests of Black Lives Matter in Philadelphia.

But we will ever be more determined to hold this county accountable to address the acute achievement gap disparities in our public school systems as a result of decades of institutional racism  the acute disparity of infant mortality rates among Black women versus white women in Montgomery County  and the disparities in our juvenile justice system, Taylor added.

Taylor said the movement is not only necessary, but timely.

We will be a supportive resource for not only our Black communities but our Latinx communities, our Asian communities and our South Asian communities. We will be there for all of our communities of color. We are here to support our neighbors to the farthest western part of the county to the eastern part of this county. All are welcome to join us in this fight, Taylor added.
The latest research from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of agricultural commodity production and distribution, leading to substantial price declines and reduced income for farmers.

Price declines for corn, cotton and soybeans occurred in the first five months of 2020 and are projected to continue. Price reductions associated with the pandemics market effects have in turn caused a negative impact on farm income and farm-associated expenditures throughout the state.

In anticipation of declining farm income due to price losses, the federal government passed the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Without CFAP payments, Tennessee corn, soybean, cotton and wheat producers are estimated to have declines in income of $58.8 million, $21.4 million, $20.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for a total decline of $101.7 million in producer income for crops in storage. This decline in income is reduced to $43.7 million with CFAP payments. However, the mitigating effects of CFAP payments do not account for priced inventory, entity payment restrictions or 2019 production caps, said Aaron Smith, associate professor and crop marketing specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE). As such, the estimated $58 million loss in producer income$101.7 million less $43.7 millionmitigated by the CFAP payments should be considered a maximum, with the actual loss in producer income likely falling somewhere between $43.7 and $101.7 million.

With the temporary closures of restaurants and several beef slaughter and packing plants, the livestock sector has also experienced a large decline in cattle sales for the first four months of 2020, slowing the movement of cattle through the supply chain. Steer and heifer receipts in all weight classes through Tennessee-reported auctions declined by a total of 15,458 head or 24%.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Farm Service Agency is accepting CFAP applications through Sept. 11.

Tennessees forest product exports have also taken a hit from the COVID-19 outbreak, due to supply and demand disruptions in both the finished wood products markets and the interrelated market for raw materials and inputs. When comparing January-April 2020 to the same period in 2019, Tennessee forest product exports were down by 23% from $62 million to $48 million.

An analysis of the COVID-19 impact on smaller agricultural processing and marketing firms also indicated that most analyzed businesses have suffered marked reductions in sales; however, these reductions varied greatly across the different types of businesses analyzed. Among those reporting a large negative impact include 71% of apparel manufacturers and 67.5% of beverage and tobacco product manufacturers, said David Hughes, ARE professor and Greever Chair in Agribusiness Development.

These reports can be found on AREs Agri-Industry Modeling and Analysis Groups COVID-19 impacts website. The site features a collection of reports assessing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Tennessees agriculture and economy.
(Alliance News) - Greencore Group PLC on Thursday confirmed there has been an outbreak of coronavirus at a company facility around Northampton.

The convenience foods manufacturer said a "significant number" of employees have tested positive for Covid-19 and are now self-isolating.

"We are liaising closely with PHE East Midlands, Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton Borough Council, who are fully supportive of the controls that we have on site. In each case we have immediately conducted contact tracing and instructed potentially affected colleagues to self-isolate," Greencore said.

"All of Greencore's sites have wide-ranging social-distancing measures, stringent hygiene procedures and regular temperature checking in place, and we are doing everything that we can to keep our people safe."

Greencore supplies convenience foods to major UK supermarkets.

Greencore shares were 5.4% lower at 121.90 pence each in London on Friday morning.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 29 times, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Embattled PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed says Prof. Kwamena Ahwoi's "Working with Rawlings" book will not foil the electoral fortunes of former President and NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.



Following the release of the book, there have been arguments over whether or not the contents will affect Mr. Mahama and his campaign for re-election in the 2020 elections.



Some critics have argued that evaluating the things that Prof. Ahwoi revealed about Rawlings while working with him under his 19-year rule, it will possibly have a ripple effect on the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



One of such critics is the Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako who believes the timing of the book is a "strategic miscalculation" and would create serious problems for the party.



To Atik, contrary to beliefs that Prof. Ahwoi's revelations about former President Rawlings will be used as political arsenal against the NDC, the book will have no adverse effects on the former President as he contests the Presidential seat, come December 7 polls.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Atik Mohammed held that Ghanaians won't cast their votes for or against former President Mahama on the merits or demerits of Prof. Ahwoi's book.



"It will have minimal effect on the fortunes of the NDC in this year's election because the man standing trial and when I say trial, I'm talking about the electoral trial, is not Jerry John Rawlings. It's former President Mahama; he is the one who Ghanaians will assess on the scale. Jerry Rawlings is not the man running to be President. It is former President Mahama. So, if there's going to be any assessment; it will not be about President Rawlings and how he fared with his subordinates, it is largely going to be about what President Mahama has done, what he intends to even do when given the second chance," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.



Watch full submissions below:





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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

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The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to restrain the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they insult President, governors, senators other leaders.

This is coming after the N5million (Five Million Naira) fine imposed on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM by the NBC, over a recent comment made by Obadiah Mailafia, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), regarding insecurity.

Mailafia had said, Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits; we have met with some of their high commanders  one or two who have repented  they have sat down with us not once, not twice.

SERAP in a tweet, on Thursday said that speaking against leaders is a constitutional right and as such, hinted about dragging the NBC to court if it keeps suppressing opposing views.

The commission said, We urge President Buhari to caution the National Broadcasting Commission to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they insult President, governors, senators other leaders. Well see in court if the NBC continues to undermine Nigerians human rights.

SERAP called on the Federal Government to repeal all laws punishing Nigerians simply for exercising their human rights, and to ensure full respect for the human rights of everyone.

Nigerian authorities should stop using insult as a pretext to stifle freedom of expression, and as a tool of repression. The crime of insult is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended), and international human rights law.

Public figures including those exercising the highest political authority like President and Governors, may be subject to criticism and the fact that some forms of expression are considered to be insulting to a public figure is not sufficient to justify restrictions or penalties.

Were again calling on President Buhari to immediately repeal all laws punishing Nigerians simply for exercising their human rights, and to ensure full respect for the human rights of everyone, the tweet read.

BREAKING: We urge President Buhari to caution the National Broadcasting Commission to refrain from threatening Nigerians with punishment if they insult President, governors, senators other leaders. Well see in court if the NBC continues to undermine Nigerians human rights.  SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) August 13, 2020
Pico to interconnect all financial markets in APAC, through its connectivity presence and on-net offering



NEW YORK, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pico , a leading provider of technology services for the financial markets community, today announced a new managed colocation facility at Chunghwa Telecoms CHT Taipei IDC in Banqiao, New Taipei City. Pico is providing its own local Intellihands service in CHT Taipei IDC as well as for the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) data center. Connectivity to TWSE, Taiwan Futures Exchange (TAIFEX), and the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) will be offered in the future to clients hosting in CHT Taipei IDC.

In March 2020, 24-hour continuous trading on Taiwans stock market came into effect, replacing the call auction trading method. Pico responded by introducing the new Taiwan colocation facility that will support firms to achieve agile, efficient and rapid access to Taiwans markets. Located within 100 meters of the TWSE / TAIFEX data center, the facility ensures the shortest, lowest-latency connections to the trading engines.

Coinciding with 24-hour continuous trading, TAIFEX introduced a real-time market data feed , which distributes bids, offers and traded prices on occurrence, allowing market participants to discover real-time pricing and strengthen their ability to deploy global trading strategies that involve trading between Taiwans futures and cash markets. Pico plans to offer dedicated or shared infrastructure options as well as hosting services, tailored technology solutions based on its global market data services, far-reaching latency-sensitive connectivity, and comprehensive infrastructure procurement. On-site Intellihands multilingual teams will provide 24/7 global support.

The combined forces of greater availability of continuous trading, richer data feeds and efforts to enhance trading efficiency and meet international standards, is enticing many trading participants to include Taiwan markets in their global trading strategies, said Roland Hamann, Pico Managing Director. The Taiwan facility strengthens our capabilities to offer clients rapid access to Asia and builds on our globally comprehensive presence in all financial service data centers, and marketplaces.

Pico has connected the location to PicoNet, its private low-latency proprietary network mesh providing seamless global access to trading venues, outbound internet connectivity, and market data services around the world. It is supported by Picos analytics and monitoring platform, Corvil Analytics, the de-facto standard for analytics and visibility in the financial markets community.

Designed to host mission-critical systems, CHT Taipei IDC is the only data center in Taiwan to achieve both the ANSI/TIA-942 Facility Rated 3 Certification and the Uptime M&O Stamp of Approval. It is also certified Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Service Organization Controls (SOC) reports, etc. and received the 2019 Taiwan IDC Provider of the Year from Frost & Sullivan. In terms of hardware features, Chunghwa Telecom IDCs server room infrastructure is enabled with comprehensive protections against floods and earthquakes to prevent disruptions to network services in the case of such natural disasters.

Pico is at the forefront of creating and managing technology infrastructure for financial markets businesses and we are pleased to welcome them to our Banqiao colocation facility, said Chung Shuo Lin, Managing Director at Data Communications Business Group of Chunghwa Telecom. Picos ability to attract global liquidity into Taiwan and, connect the Taiwan financial community to the rest of the world, makes them a valuable ecosystem partner in this strategically significant location.

CHT Taipei IDC is connected to PicoNetTM and Picos Global Backbone providing for connectivity to CHT from other data center locations on PicoNetTM in APAC as well as in Europe and Americas. Pico already has the largest data center footprint in the industry, operating and maintaining colocated infrastructure in more than 40 data centers throughout the global financial ecosystem. Its live APAC data centers span Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, that all connect to at least two of its Connectivity Hubs located in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. The firm is looking to complete its APAC build in 2021, with the addition of Australia, China, India, Malaysia and the Philippines to its global footprint.

About Pico

Pico is a leading provider of technology services for the financial markets community. Pico provides a best-in-class portfolio of innovative, transparent, low-latency markets solutions coupled with an agile and expert service delivery model. Instant access to financial markets is provided via PicoNet, a globally comprehensive network platform instrumented natively with Corvil analytics and telemetry. Clients choose Pico when they want the freedom to move fast and create an operational edge in the fast-paced world of financial markets.

To learn more about Pico, please visit pico.net .

Media Contact

Pico Press Office:

Isabel Dalton

isabel.dalton@pico.net

+353 87 2639021

About Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX: 2412,NYSE: CHT) is Taiwan's largest integrated telecommunications services company that provides fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and internet services. The Company also provides information and communication technology services to corporate customers with its big data, information security, cloud computing and IDC capabilities, and is expanding its business into innovative technology services such as IoT, AI, etc. In recent years, Chunghwa has been actively involved in corporate social responsibility and has won domestic and international awards and recognition. www.cht.com.tw.
One of the most destructive beetles in the world is responsible for three The Good Guys stores closing after being imported in a shipment of fridges from Thailand.

The electrical appliance retailer confirmed three stores in the Canberra area have been closed and the beetle has also been tracked to the Home Delivery Centre in Sydney.

'The Good Guys are working with the Department of Agriculture regarding traces of a Khapra Beetle that were detected in a supplier shipment of Fridges on Tuesday at The Good Guys Fyshwick (ACT),' the company said in a statement on Friday.

The Department of Agriculture has been tracking a number of cargo shipment after the highly destructive Khapra beetle (pictured) was found in shipment to Australia from Thailand

WHAT IS A KHAPRA BEETLE? Scientific name: Trogoderma granarium Description: 1.6 to 3mm long, reddish brown colour, covered in dense hair. Where found: Asia and the Middle East Why they are a threat: Known as one of the top invasive species in the world. They can survive for weeks without food and so can be imported in cargo. They can infest dried grain and seed products, destroying huge amounts of crops. Advertisement

The company also said the Belconnen and Tuggeranong stores have also been closed while the Sydney facility is currently remaining open.

Customers near these store are advised to go online or place orders via phone while the biosecurity threat is being assessed and deliveries will be arranged from other stores.

Earlier on Friday, Australian Border Security closed the Electrolux Home Products Distribution Centre in southwest Sydney after the same beetle was discovered in a shipping container.

The critters were also found in refrigerator packages at the distribution centre.

While the beetles are not dangerous to humans they are incredibly destructive to agricultural crops - with the potential cost to the industry being estimated at $15.5billion.

The federal Department of Agriculture said several recent cargo shipments are being investigated for infestation of the Khapra beetles.

The detections have been in non-food goods such as refrigerators and car parts but also in high-risk food products such as spices and flour.

Australia does not have the beetle in the country and the department is currently tracking the shipments in an effort to eradicate their traces.
Not only is Ms. Ferrante critically lauded, but shes also become a global phenomenon. Her Neapolitan quartet of novels have been published in 48 countries and have sold 16 million copies worldwide. Dozens of publications, including The Times, had named her upcoming novel, The Lying Life of Adults, as one of the most anticipated books of 2020. In short, a new novel from Ms. Ferrante is news  and precisely the kind of special reading experience that we at Labs hope to bring to weekend print subscribers.

We also understood that, even among celebrity authors, Ms. Ferrante was a singular case. While most authors are inclined  either through temperament or the coercion of their publishers  to undertake every opportunity to publicize a book, she is famously averse to attention. Elena Ferrante is a pseudonym for an anonymous author whose real name is a well-protected secret.

She rarely grants interviews (and those must be conducted by email) and is so mysterious that, in the earliest days of her success, some observers wondered if she existed at all. Others have speculated that the author is, in fact, a man, and a few critics and scholars have undertaken baroque investigations in an attempt to unveil her identity. Her publisher, Europa Editions, was happy to cooperate with a potential excerpt, but her U.S. editor warned us that Ms. Ferrantes involvement might range from limited to nonexistent.

After making first contact in December 2019, we began negotiations over the excerpt that continued for months. The novel, about a young girl in Naples who discovers a trove of family secrets, was originally set to be published in early June, but the pandemic prompted a delay until fall. For Labs, the notion of providing a sneak peek of an anticipated new book by a beloved author seemed all the more enticing during a national lockdown, so we agreed to postpone the excerpt to coincide with the books U.S. publication on Sept. 1.

Next, there was the question of the excerpt itself. The selections published by Mag Labs are lengthy  often 15,000 words or more. Creating a compelling and coherent reading experience at that length demands a certain level of editorial intervention; for example, the excision of story lines and subplots that may fit perfectly in the longer novel but that dont pay off (or even make sense) within an excerpt.
The police in Tripura arrested 12 people for attacking the members of a pro-RSS group Sadbhabana Manch which had organised a meeting violating Covid-19 lockdown norms at Kanchanpur in North District of Tripura, nearly 180 kilometres from Agartala.

They were later released on bail.

Officer in-charge of Kanchanpur police station Paritosh Das said that the members of Sadbhabana Manch organised a meeting at Dasda-Kanchanpur on Tuesday evening when some people, reportedly the members of Nagarik Suraksha Mancha, a pro-Bengali organisation, engaged with an altercation with the former and attacked them.

As a result, nine of the Sadbhabana Manch members got injuries and they lodged a complaint at Kanchanpur police station. Based on the complaint, police arrested 12 people. They were later released on bail on Wednesday.

However, according to Nagarik Suraksha Mancha general secretary Diptendu Nath, none of their members attacked the other groups members. The Manch members violated the lockdown norms by trying to hold meeting. Our members objected to it and later they had an altercation with them. But they didnt attack anyone, said Nath.

A member of the Manch said that their aim is to maintain peace and harmony among all the communities in the state. But our members were attacked and also injured.

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HADDAM  A former selectman and alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, as well as another on the board, apologized Thursday for social media reposts that targeted Democratic vice president candidate pick Kamala Harris.

The reposts allegedly done by local officials that are drawing criticism because they target a high-profile woman of color.

One made a vulgar reference, accompanied by photographs of Monica Lewinski, Colin Kapernick and Harris, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Bidens choice for second in command.

The other also made a vulgar reference to women but did not contain a photo.

Larry Maggi, former selectman and alternate member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, apologized profusely for the meme posts on his Facebook page. It was a childish thing to do. I allowed myself to get wrapped up in this political name calling and shaming.

One of the memes also allegedly was on the Facebook page of Dan Luisi, a full PZC member, who said Thursday he had no comment.

Both photographs have since been deleted.

Luisi posted Thursday evening on the You Live in Haddam If ... Facebook page: I apologize for posting 2 memes in bad taste. I didnt write them I just shared them.

They were just memes didnt think that much about them at the time. I deleted them but not before screen shots could be taken by my fans and shared. I again apologize if I hurt anyone feelings, Luisi said.

First Selectman Robert McGarry said he is being inundated with emails, phone calls and messages on the matter. He said he alerted Haddam Republican Town Committee Chairman Sam Crum.

Crum did not return a message the Press left with the person who answered his phone.

J.R. Romano, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, did not respond to emails.

It certainly falls under First Amendment speech rights  no matter how reprehensible you find it. It goes against some of the core principals our country was founded on, McGarry said.

McGarry said, however, They made comments in their role as private citizens, not as a member of the board, which is a fine distinction, but it was not done as an elected official. It puts a slightly different shade on it, but that doesnt excuse the behavior.

Maggi said hes not the type of person hes being portrayed as being. Im not like that. Anybody who knows me knows that I have the utmost respect for all women. It was a stupid thing that I did.

He said he removed the memes and reviewed other posts he has made on Facebook. I would encourage everybody on both sides to do the same, he said.

Maggi said everyone, no matter their position, should all be on the same page. I messed up and I apologize for it.

State Rep. Christine Palm, D-Chester, who has represented the town for two years, said Its not representative of what the town is.

These memes were put out by a fringe element that shouldnt control the narrative or define the town, especially during a time of racial and gender reckoning. We in public office should be held to a higher standard, said Palm, who is is concerned about how the mens beliefs might influence their planning and zoning work on behalf of all the towns residents.

Former First Selectman Melissa Schlag said she suffered similar affronts during her years leading the town.

The next generation is in tune with whats going on, she said. There is no place for racism, bigotry, and misogyny in Haddam or anywhere else for that matter. Its time to hold our elected officials accountable for engaging in this hurtful and divisive behavior.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Clifton felon, charged in connection with the shooting of 16-year-old boy in Stapleton last year, has pleaded guilty to a gun charge.

Raymond Roman, 21, of Studio Lane, was busted last Nov. 1 stemming from the Sept. 29 incident.

The episode unfolded at around 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Tompkins Avenue and Susan Court, said a criminal complaint.

The teen was shot in the chest, the complaint said.

Police cordoned off a large section of Tompkins Avenue  from the Richard H. Hungerford School to Vanderbilt Avenue  during their response, the Advance/SILive.com reported.

A Police Department spokesperson told the Advance/SILive.com that the victim was taken to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, in stable condition.

The boy was not cooperating with the investigation, the spokesperson said then.

Roman was indicted on charges of assault, attempted assault, criminal weapon possession and criminal firearm possession.

The weapon charge accused him of possessing a 9 mm handgun.

He pleaded guilty on Tuesday in state Supreme Court, St. George, to a lesser count of attempted third-degree criminal weapon possession to resolve the case.

In exchange, Roman will be sentenced on Aug. 25 to two years prison and five years post-release supervision.

He is being held without bail in the meantime.

Attorney Philip Ohene represents Roman.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Botelho is prosecuting the case.

The defendant has a criminal record.

In October 2018, he pleaded guilty in Criminal Court to criminal firearm possession, said the indictment.

He was sentenced the following month to a year in jail.
(Natural News) Rioters in Chicago attacked the Ronald McDonald House, a charity that provides care and support for sick children and their families, during the wave of engineered rioting that gripped the city beginning Sunday night, August 9.

This new crime wave left many businesses in Chicago vulnerable to attack, especially those that were on or near the Magnificent Mile, one of the citys main commercial areas located almost entirely in the Streeterville neighborhood in Chicagos Near North Side.

One of the institutions attacked by violent mobs of rioters is the Ronald McDonald House, which helps sick kids who are receiving treatment at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital, several blocks to the north of the charity.

According to the charity, there were more than 30 families, including their children, sleeping inside the House when the looters, who were emptying out nearby businesses and vandalizing every piece of private property they could find, turned their attention to the charity.

Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and learn all about how the members of the Democratic Party, such as those who run the city of Chicago, do not truly care about Black lives, especially if they continue to do nothing to prevent the deaths of unborn Black lives.

Ronald McDonald Houses exteriors damaged by violent mob

We were very concerned. There was a lot of activity right in front of the House, people making choices that could put them at risk and put our families at risk, so the staff was frightened, said Lisa Mitchell, who works for the charity.

[The families] are already in a really, really difficult spot. Having this kind of additional stress and worry about getting to and from the hospital even though we are five blocks away because of safety concerns is just doubling the strain.

According to reports of the incident, several of the charitys windows were smashed, and the staff inside the building boarded up the front door to prevent the violent mob from breaking in. The approximately 30 families inside were placed on lockdown during the whole ordeal. Fortunately, the buildings interiors did not get damaged and nobody was injured, but for a while the House seriously believed that they would be attacked at any moment.

Furthermore, none of the sick kids missed any of their appointments or scheduled treatments at Lurie Childrens Hospital. Mitchell, speaking on behalf of the staff at the House, said that they will continue providing care and support for the families no matter what is happening outside of their building.

Chicago alderman blames mayor for unrest, wants to call for help from federal government

In response to the thousands of Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters that descended upon Chicago on Sunday night through Monday morning, the city has announced that they will restrict access to Chicagos upscale downtown neighborhoods from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, with the help of the CPDs Detective Division, has established a looting task force that will help the community have the criminals, who ransacked stores and destroyed private property, arrested.

While Lightfoot tries to use the CPD to prevent any future unrest, her lack of preparation and foresight is now being criticized by members of her own party.

Democratic Alderman Brian K. Hopkins, who represents the 2nd ward in the Chicago City Council, an area encompassing a significant portion of the downtown area, including the Ronald McDonald House, blasted Lightfoot, saying that she cannot get the crime situation in Chicago under control and that federal assistance may be necessary to bring order back to the city.

Our city was devastated by widespread looting and rioting for which our mayor seemed totally unprepared, said Hopkins, who further accused Lightfoot of being unable to offer real help to Chicagoans  only strong words regarding the safety of their lives and property. (Related: Chicago sees 139% increase in gun-related murders, and 75% increase in shooting incidents under gun-grabbing Mayor Lightfoot.)

Hopkins criticized the many tactical and strategic mistakes that the city made, such as how the bridges that connected many parts of the city werent raised until late into the rioting; the lack of CPD officers patrolling the streets; and the inability of the city to divert resources around to make sure the police get enough support to make a difference.

Hopkins demanded that Lightfoot come up with a proper safety plan that can guarantee the protection of not just business owners but of everybodys property. If the mayor is unable to fully guarantee the safety of all, then Hopkins is strongly considering asking the federal government to come into Chicago and intervene.

Our city cannot afford even one more night of rampant and uncontrolled criminal activity. This has to stop, and it has to stop now, said Hopkins, who added that if the city does not act quickly to address the crime wave, Chicago could be forever changed for the worse.

For her part, Lightfoot has refused all calls for federal law enforcement officers to intervene in the city. Instead, she is calling on the community to do their part in making sure a riot does not reoccur.

Again, no, the mayor said. We do not need federal troops in Chicago, period, full stop.

Stay updated on the latest events occurring in Chicago and other Democrat-controlled, crime-infested cities like Seattle and Portland by reading the articles at Rioting.news.

Sources include:

Summit.news

WashingtonTimes.com

Chicago.CBSLocal.com

ABC11.com

NYPost.com

News.WTTW.com
If we dont make a deal, that means they dont get the money, Mr. Trump said. That means they cant have universal mail-in voting, they just cant have it.

But when asked later at his news conference if he would veto any legislation that contained more money for the post office and election security, Mr. Trump said no, suggesting that he was using the issue in part as a negotiating chip with congressional Democrats on the larger stimulus package.

All they have to do is make a deal, he said. If they make a deal, the Postal Service is taken care of, the money they need for the mail-in ballots would be taken care of  if we agree to it. That doesnt mean we are going to agree to it, but all they have to do is make a deal.

The Postal Service has said regularly that it can handle any surge in volume from mail balloting this fall. More than three-quarters of voters will be able to cast their ballots by mail this year.

Mr. Trump has assailed the money-losing Postal Service in recent months, at the same time warning that voting by mail will lead to fraud, lost or stolen ballots and long delays in determining a winner. (On Wednesday, both the president and the first lady, Melania Trump, were mailed ballots, Palm Beach County, Fla., election records show. It was first reported by The Palm Beach Post. Late Thursday, Judd Deere, a White House spokesman, said, The president supports absentee voting, not universal mail-in voting, which contain several safeguards that prevent fraud and abuse.)

The appointment as postmaster general in May of Louis DeJoy, a Trump campaign contributor with significant financial interests in the Postal Services competitors and contractors, has prompted further concerns about the politicization of the agency, particularly after Mr. DeJoy put in place policy changes that have slowed mail delivery in some areas.

Mr. DeJoy has kept tens of millions of dollars invested in XPO Logistics, a Postal Service contractor for which he was a board member, first reported by CNN on Wednesday. However, he sold his stake in United Parcel Service, a major rival for the post office, in June, according to financial disclosures.
Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet began evacuating more than 800 tourists stranded in the central city of Da Nang on Thursday and will continue the operation throughout the day on Friday.

The first of the companys four planned evacuation flights, flight VJ2737, departed Da Nang for Hanoi at 9:00 am on Thursday with 230 passengers on board.

According to a Vietjet representative, over 800 passengers, including children and the elderly, will be evacuated from the central city on four flights bound for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

These are the first domestic flights that Vietjet is operating to aid tourists who were trapped when Vietnams latest wave of COVID-19 took hold in Da Nang and the city implemented enhanced social distancing measures to control the virus spread.

Each of the four flights is implementing safety procedures to prevent the spread of the virus and all passengers will be quarantined in centralized facilities immediately upon landing at the destination.

All Vietjet flights meet the highest standards of safety in order to protect both passengers and the flight crew, said To Viet Thang, Vietjet vice-president and the overseer of flight safety, ground operations, and the implementation and maintenance of the companys safety and quality programs.

A male passenger checks in at a Vietjet counter at Da Nang International Airport, August 12, 2020. Photo: T. Tuyen / Tuoi Tre

Given the unique circumstances of the evacuation, passengers will have to follow procedures that might seem out of the ordinary to frequent flights.

All passengers have been provided with personal protective equipment for free. They have also had their body temperatures taken, been requested to wear face masks, and complied with guidelines from health regulators and the airline in order to ensure safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Thang added.

Vietjet has operated several flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens stranded in foreign countries.

The carrier has flown nearly 10,000 Vietnamese home from countries and territories including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, and Myanmar since July.

Vietjet has also taken part in transporting thousands of shipments of essential freight and medical equipment, as well as providing free flights for doctors and medical workers.

Passengers wear personal protective equipment at Da Nang International Airport, August 12, 2020. Photo: T. Tuyen / Tuoi Tre

As of Friday morning, Vietnam had reported a total of 911 COVID-19 cases, including 327 imported patients who were quarantined upon arrival since the pandemic first hit the Southeast Asian country in January.

A total of 444 local infections have been documented in Vietnam since July 25, when Da Nang recorded the countrys first community transmission after 99 days.

Enhanced social distancing guidelines were implemented in Da Nang City from July 28 until August 11 to curb the spread of the virus. The period was extended on Wednesday due to continued community transmission.

Passengers wear personal protective equipment at Da Nang International Airport, August 12, 2020. Photo: T. Tuyen / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Handmade ramen, thick-crust Detroit pizza, Basque-style tapas, traditional tacos and modern Latin flavor with an obsession around octopus  these are all flavors from pop-up eateries now operating in concert with New Orleans restaurants as they navigate changing seas together.

Pop-ups have always been a fluid part of the local food scene. The coronavirus crisis has radically reordered their landscape, yet still the food pros behind them continue, often forging new partnerships with restaurant operators desperately fighting to save their own businesses.

+18 50% closure rate feared for New Orleans restaurants as crisis lengthens: Were teetering At various points during the coronavirus crisis, New Orleans restaurants have figured out the shift to takeout-only, how to manage limited oc

Bars that were once the natural perch for so many pop-ups are now closed. Restaurants that remain open are in most cases operating with skeleton crews, and are closing on days they would otherwise be open. This makes their spaces available for pop-ups.

Pop-ups, with their own fans and social media circles, can draw a different clientele to these restaurants. The restaurant can ring up more of the increasingly crucial drink sales from pop-up customers  or simply remind those customers the restaurant itself is still there.

Widespread unemployment in the restaurant field and iffy hours for many still working have spurred more people to try their hand at pop-ups, adding to the ranks of new concepts.

+11 For uplift in hard times, these Black-owned New Orleans restaurants merge menus for a day About six blocks separate the Ethiopian restaurant Addis NOLA and the modern Creole spot Beaucoup Eats. What connects them are bonds of neighb

Underlying it all are bonds across the close-knit local restaurant scene, which become all the more vital as the industry is stressed and tested in this crisis.

With dreams on hold and businesses that represented long-term goals now in peril, people in the food world are finding new ways to collaborate and work together. Sometimes its as simple as turning over the stove for someone else to cook.

Here are some examples now popping up:

Palm & Pine

308 N. Rampart St., 504-814-6200

Regular hours: dine-in and takeout Thu.-Mon., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Pop-up plan: every Tue., 4-9 p.m., Doughtown on Aug. 25, Txow Txow Pintxos on Sept. 15

Before they opened their French Quarter restaurant Palm & Pine last year, the chefs Amarys and Jordan Herndon worked their own pop-ups for years, serving their robust modern take on New Orleans flavor from borrowed kitchens and the sidewalks outside bars.

While theyve kept Palm & Pine open for full service, on Tuesdays now their restaurant hosts different pop-ups.

We said we wanted to be community-minded and support other restaurants, and this is a way we can do that, said Amarys Herndon.

The Palm & Pine bar is open for these pop-ups, and the restaurant plans to staff it with bartenders furloughed from other bars around the neighborhood, giving them guest shifts and a chance to earn money.

Its really full circle for us, said Jordan, pointing out that some of the first pop-ups here have direct links to their own journey.

Food and restaurant news in your inbox Every Thursday we give you the scoop on NOLA dining. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

A pop-up this week, on Aug. 18, brought a chef who once hosted the couples own pop-ups  Hieu Than, of Kin. This popular Gert Town spot for ramen and dumplings has been closed since March, but Than has been trying out different pop-up approaches himself now.

Another pop-up now ongoing here is Doughtown, created by Jack DeVia, a cook at Palm & Pine with a penchant for the thick, rectangular, crusty-edged, Detroit-style pizza. Doughtown serves these with a variety of toppings, along with pasta dishes and salads. Doughtown next returns to Palm & Pine on Aug. 25 and is scheduled here every other Tuesday.

One more on the books for Sept. 15 is Txow Txow Pintxos, a pop-up serving Basque-style tapas, a mix of scrumptious two-bite bar snacks and small plates. Creator Adam Mayer has been popping up at different spots and also takes orders direct for pick up on Wednesdays and Thursdays. See updates at instagram.com/txowtxowpintxos.

Manolito

508 Dumaine St., 504-603-2740

Regular hours: daily 4-9 p.m.

Pop-up plan: Que Pasta on Mondays, Tacos Para La Vida on Tuesdays

Manolito, the hole-in-the-wall Cuban eatery and bar in the French Quarter, has evolved its own makeshift model to stay in business. All service is outside, with a walk-up counter in the doorway to place orders and a handful of seats on the sidewalk to have a drink and some of island-style dishes (go drinks remain prohibited by city rules, so you need a seat to get a drink).

The bar keeps blending the Cuban-inspired cocktails every day from 4 p.m., though on Mondays the kitchen belongs to Que Pasta, the Cuban/Honduran modern fusion concept from chef Amanda Alard. She made a name for Que Pasta at Twelve Mile Limit, the Mid-City bar now closed under city restrictions. At her Manolito Mondays, look for dishes like lechon with hot mustard pasta, guava hot wings, pupusa sandwiches and the many octopus specials Alard dreams up.

On Tuesdays, Tacos Para La Vida takes over with traditional tacos on handmade tortillas and also taco kits to roll your own at home (or maybe in the car if you dont make it that far).

Plume Algiers

1113 Teche St., 504-381-4893

Regular hours: Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4:30-9 p.m.

Pop-up plan: Sun. and Mon. as scheduling continues (see updates at instagram.com/plumealgiers)

The Indian restaurant Plume Algiers opened in its namesake neighborhood in July and pop-ups have been part of the plan here from the start. Chef Tyler Stuart and partner Merrit Coscia started their own concept with pop-ups, first at bars in their Algiers neighborhood, eventually at Carrollton Market, the bistro where they both worked.

The pandemic changed many of their initial planes for Plume Algiers, which is starting with takeout only from a handy walk-up service window. But opening their space to pop-ups at no charge is helping others in the business with their own projects, and bringing some different flavors to their neighbors.

+28 Brigtsens shows what changes, what endures as classic New Orleans restaurants fight on The menu at Brigtsens restaurant has always told stories. Between the brown butter, bright remoulade and smoky gumbo you can read the heritag

+7 Expanded outdoor dining in New Orleans streets starts soon, and here's a glimpse of how it'll work New Orleans restaurants could soon have more tables on sidewalks, in tented parking lots and even in empty parking lanes officials hope to tra

+15 With outdoor dining now a must, New Orleans restaurants get creative to survive summer When the summer sun finally slipped under a roofline, the sky was the same coral pink as the boiled shrimp on the outdoor tables at Seithers 
Pompeo says Trump wrote to Assad, who the US wants deposed, to request help finding Austin Tice, missing since 2012.

US President Donald Trump wrote to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in March to propose direct dialogue about the case of Austin Tice, a journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has confirmed in a statement on Friday.

Tice was a freelance photojournalist working for Agence France-Presse, McClatchy News, The Washington Post, CBS and other news organisations when he disappeared after being detained at a checkpoint near Damascus on August 14, 2012.

Trump, for his part, said in a statement also released on Friday  the eighth anniversary of Tices disappearance  that he contacted the Syrian government, asking them to assist in finding the US citizen.

Earlier this year, I asked the government of Syria to work with us to find and return Austin. I am again calling on Syria to help us bring him home, Trump said in the statement.



There is no higher priority in my Administration than the recovery and return of Americans missing abroad. The Tice family deserves answers. We stand with the Tice family and will not rest until we bring Austin home, Trump said.

Thirty-one years old at the time he was captured, Tice appeared blindfolded in the custody of an unidentified group of armed men in a video a month later.

Since then, there has been no official information on whether he is alive or dead.





The US government has repeatedly attempted to engage Syrian officials to seek Austins release, Pompeo said in his statement.

No one should doubt the presidents commitment to bringing home all US citizens held hostage or wrongfully detained overseas, Pompeo continued. Nowhere is that determination stronger than in Austin Tices case.

About a year ago, the US government said it believed Tice was still alive.

His mother Debra Tice said in January that she had credible information to that effect, without elaborating.

Around the time Trump wrote to Damascus authorities in March, he said he did not know if Tice was still alive.

In 2018, US authorities announced a $1m reward for information that would lead to his recovery.

Austin Tices release and return home are long, long overdue, Pompeo said. We will do our utmost to achieve that goal.
US, Slovenia to Sign 5G Joint Declaration

By Nike Ching August 13, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Slovenian counterpart Anze Logar have signed a joint declaration on 5G technology.

State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the memorandum of understanding signed Thursday in Slovenia recognizes "the critical importance of 5G security  both within NATO and the EU." In a tweet she said "Slovenia joins a growing community of nations dedicated to protecting their security, privacy and intellectual property."

Over the past year, European countries, including Poland, Estonia and the Czech Republic, have signed agreements with the United States pledging that 5G suppliers would not be subject to control by a foreign government without independent judicial review, which effectively excludes Chinese firms.

Pompeo's visit to Slovenia is the first by a U.S. secretary of state since 2011.

His schedule Thursday included meetings with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa and President Borut Pahor.

The State Department said some of the key topics in the talks would be nuclear energy, Western Balkan integration and energy issues.

Pompeo was in the Czech Republic on Wednesday and said there that China's economic power is in some ways a greater global threat than the Soviet Union was during the Cold War.

"The challenge of resisting the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) threat is in some ways more difficult," Pompeo said in a speech to the senate in the Czech Republic. "The CCP is already enmeshed in our economies, in our politics, in our societies in ways the Soviet Union never was."

Pompeo's remarks came after China's ambassador to London accused the United States last month of instigating conflict with Beijing before the November U.S. presidential election.

U.S.-China relations have deteriorated sharply this year over issues such as Beijing's management of the coronavirus, its security clampdown in Hong Kong and activities in the disputed South China Sea.

Pompeo held talks with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis in Prague earlier Wednesday on the second day of his weeklong visit to central Europe.

The two leaders discussed nuclear energy cooperation and the Three Seas Initiative, a political platform to promote connectivity among nations in central and eastern Europe by supporting infrastructure, energy and digital interconnectivity projects.

The initiative gets its name from the three seas that border the region: the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas.

The chief U.S. diplomat began the day taking part in a roundtable discussion with a group of leaders from tech companies from the U.S. and the Czech Republic to highlight the benefits of U.S. investment, and according to the State Department, "underscore the attractiveness of the United States as an investment destination for Czech start-ups."

Pompeo's trip this week will also include stops in Vienna, Austria; and Warsaw, Poland.

The trip comes as the Pentagon prepares to move forward with a plan to pull almost 12,000 troops from Germany and redeploy part of the U.S. forces to Poland and other NATO nations, raising concerns at home and in Europe even as senior officials defend it as a strategic necessity.

Ambassador Philip Reeker, the State Department's acting assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, said Pompeo will discuss with his counterparts the just-completed U.S.-Poland Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that "provides a framework" to further strengthen "the broad transatlantic security."

The defense deal enables the United States for "rotational presence" of an additional 1,000 U.S. troops to "enhance deterrence against Russia, strengthen NATO," and to assure allies, officials said. About 4,500 U.S. personnel are already on rotation in Poland.

In Vienna, the U.S.-Austria Strategic Partnership and growing trade relationship will be high on the agenda in Pompeo's meetings with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

Austria hosts the International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear watchdog of the United Nations in charge of monitoring Iran's adherence to the 2015 nuclear deal from which the U.S. has withdrawn.

Pompeo will also hold talks with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, as Washington is calling on other members of the U.N. Security Council to indefinitely extend an arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire on October 18.

In Warsaw, the chief U.S. diplomat will meet with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on deepening defense ties, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, securing 5G networks, and improving regional energy and infrastructure through the Three Seas Initiative. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Pompeo will also meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who visited the White House in late June.

Poland sees Nord Stream 2, which would double Russia's gas export capacity via the Baltic Sea, as a threat to Europe's energy security.

Last month, the State Department said people making investments or engaging in activities related to Nord Stream 2, including pipe-laying vessels and engineering service in the deployment of the pipelines, could face U.S. sanctions.

"It's a clear warning to companies: aiding and abetting Russia's malign influence projects will not be tolerated," said Pompeo during a July 15 news conference.

"Let me be clear. These aren't commercial projects. They are the Kremlin's key tools to exploit and expand European dependence on Russian energy supplies," Pompeo said.

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Residents of Portland and Eugene were alarmed this week to see some U.S. Postal Service mailboxes removed from neighborhood streets and hauled away in flatbed trucks.

The sight of mailboxes being carted off caused concern in light of recent comments by President Donald Trump about cutting Postal Service funding. Trump has also criticized voting by mail.

But a Postal Service spokesperson said declining mail volume means the Postal Service is removing duplicate boxes from areas that have multiple collection boxes. The USPS confirmed that four mailboxes were removed in Portland this week.

First-class mail volume has declined significantly in the U.S., especially since the pandemic, Ernie Swanson, a spokesman for the USPS, told The Oregonian/OregonLive. That translates to less mail in collection boxes.

Swanson said other facets of service will remain the same, such as pickup times and processing.

It shouldnt affect people at all, he said.

Another Postal Service spokesperson, David Rupert, said some of the mailboxes were also removed and replaced with higher-security boxes.

Rupert said the Postal Service was not commenting on the remarks the president has made about blocking funding to the agency.

Please share this picture far and wide. Trump is trying to steal the election. He is gutting the USPS to make it difficult for people to vote by mail. Here in Oregon, thats our only option. This demands attention! @OregonGovBrown pic.twitter.com/JSsmA0FTzY  Mark  Delaney (@markdelaneysays) August 9, 2020

But some Oregon residents said they were concerned that the changes were another step to limit their access to mail.

Outbound slots in neighborhood mailboxes are being locked shut, Jacob Strouckel, a Eugene resident, told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an email. We are not just losing access to roadside mail dropboxes, but our convenient neighborhood drop slots. This applies to neighborhoods without individual mailboxes, so we are unable to send outbound mail from our area, without finding a roadside mailbox or risking a trip to the post office.

On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that Trump said he doesnt want to fund the postal service because Democrats are trying to expand vote-by-mail services during the pandemic.

He said at a Wednesday briefing that he would not approve $25 billion in emergency funding for the postal service, or $3.5 billion in supplemental funding for election resources, according to the Post.

Other recent changes to the postal service have also raised concern among residents, including new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump donor who has no background working in the postal service. DeJoy has eliminated overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal employees, according to USA Today, and has mandated that mail be held if distribution centers are understaffed or running behind.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

A Florida woman who alleges Jeffrey Epstein sexually assaulted her when she was 11-years-old is among nine accusers who have filed a new lawsuit against the millionaire pedophiles estate.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges Epstein sexually abused them from as early as 1978far earlier than Epsteins previously known instances of abuseand continued until 2004.

Five of the women in the lawsuit claim they were underage when they were abused, including a Tennessee woman who says she was 13 when the financier raped her multiple times. The other four women in the lawsuit were over 18. They were part of a massive sex trafficking network run by Epstein for him and his wealthy and powerful friends, it claims.

Victorias Secret Mogul May Finally Have to Explain His Epstein Ties

These nine Plaintiffs come forward to stand up for themselves and others, after they were sexually abused and assaulted by Epstein, the lawsuit says. Some... were raped by Epstein, repeatedly.

Epstein, 66, was found dead by suicide in his jail cell at Manhattan Correction Center last month. The sex offender was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges for allegedly abusing dozens of underage girls over two decades, beginning in the 1990s.

The charges came 12 years after the disgraced businessman pleaded guilty in state court in Florida to soliciting prostitution. He was sentenced to 18 months behind bars in a widely criticized plea deal, and served 13 before he was released.

Some of the most shocking claims detailed in the new suit relate to the woman from Tennessee, whose alleged abuse started in 1978 when she was 13, and continued for a long period. Epstein sexually assaulted, abused, battered and raped her multiple times, the lawsuit says.

This assault is the oldest abuse allegation against Epstein, who would have been 25 at the time and working on Wall Street after leaving his teaching gig at the Manhattan prep school Dalton.

Story continues

A woman from Florida alleges in the suit that, in 1993, when she was just 11 years old, Epstein sexually assaulted, abused, battered and digitally penetrated her on three, separate occasions. She also alleges Epstein forced her to perform oral sex on him, according to the lawsuit.

How We Got the Scoop on Jeffrey Epsteins Arrest

As a result of the aforementioned sexual abuse, [the woman] suffered and continues to suffer from severe and serious injuries including... severe emotional distress and physical manifestations thereof, the lawsuit states.

The women were allegedly sexually abused by Epstein and his associates in New York, Florida, New Mexico, California, and the United States Virgin Islandsbut the suit also claims abuse happened in South Carolina, a location not mentioned in previous lawsuits and criminal cases against Epstein.

The suit doesnt detail how the females met Epstein, or how they came to file a lawsuit together. They were able to sue Epsteins estate due to New Yorks Child Victims Actwhich allows individuals abused as children to bring claims regardless of the statute of limitations.

Dozens of victims have laid claim to Epsteins estate, which includes his unsold $88 million Manhattan mansion.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Domestic violence calls to police have more than doubled in the last five years in Peel Region, according to police statistics that experts and family say should be a wake-up call.

According to Peel Regional Police, occurrences for intimate partner disputes rose from 5,107 in 2014 to 10,818 last year.

Its a rise that grieving mother Michelle Jones calls shocking.

Her daughter Darian Hailey Henderson-Bellman was shot dead last month, allegedly by her former boyfriend Darnell Reid, who was on bail at the time.

What concerns Jones the most about the rise in violence calls is that many women in situations like her daughter wont seek help. There are so many women who wont call the police, or seek out help from community agencies, she said.

Henderson-Bellmans July 28 death is the third homicide in Peel Region this year in which a current or former partner, or a family member has been charged. There were 13 such homicides in the area last year.

Jones and advocates say victims need more options to get out of violent relationships before it turns deadly, and more resources are needed too to help change the behaviour of abusive partners.

Sharon Floyd, executive director of Interim Place, which runs two Mississauga womens shelters, said less than six per cent of clients facing violence report their cases to police, adding that many people of colour avoid police because of fear that these systems will make their situation worse.

Meanwhile, shelter and other forms of intervention services has been overwhelmed by demand, she said.

We have a high turnaway rate within our shelters, which is a concern for us, she said adding that the agency referred survivors elsewhere more than 1,000 times last year.

The rise in domestic homicides last year prompted Peel police to launch a Family and Intimate Partner Violence pilot project earlier this year, police say.

The pilot project boasts a specialized team with seven investigators, who take over probes from uniformed officers. Police also beefed up outreach to ethnic groups in languages such as Punjabi, Urdu, Mandarin and Arabic.

Reid, 27, has been charged with second-degree murder, possession of a loaded firearm and two counts of failure to comply with a release order after allegedly shooting Henderson-Bellman at a Brampton home before shooting himself.

A series of court documents obtained by the Star show Reid was accused three times of violating court orders not to be in contact with Henderson-Bellman in the year before her death, including once around the time of his most recent arrest for possession of a loaded firearm on May 2.

Research by Ontarios Domestic Violence Death Review Committee and other domestic violence researchers has established that women are most at risk of being killed when they are leaving an abusive relationship.

Late last month, Peel police chief Nishan Duraiappah called Henderson-Bellmans case a complete failure of our justice system.

Jones says she herself can attest to surviving a physically and verbally abusive relationship when she was right around the same age as her daughter.

In order to escape, she said she had to relocate from Peel to Kingston. If I didnt get out of that situation, I really dont think I would be here today, she said.

She added: We need more programs for abusive men or something.

Katreena Scott, a professor at Western Universitys Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children said there is a lack of programs targeting abusive partners harmful behaviour.

Thats a big problem, because it means that there is no way to do anything in advance, she said, noting the police statistics likely only represent a fraction of people in abusive relationships in Peel.

People tend to call the police when they feel like they have no other option, she said.

Scott said the risk is amplified in situations where the abusive partner is prone to defying the justice system.

We could charge him again, but did we do anything else, she said. Who was talking to him about it and monitoring his level of risk?
Sydney commuters at the city's five busiest railway stations are being watched on CCTV by the government to see if they're wearing face masks.

The Berejiklian government is reportedly monitoring CCTV at Central, Hurstville, Hornsby, Campbelltown and Penrith stations.

Transport for NSW confirmed it was 'monitoring the use of face masks' at train stations across Sydney, which are 'strongly recommended' but not yet mandatory.

The government collected data from the five stations, located in Sydney's CBD, west and southwest, every two days for several weeks, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The data suggested an average of between 30 and 35 per cent of people are using masks when they travel.

The Berejiklian Government is reportedly monitoring CCTV cameras at Central, Hurstville, Hornsby, Campbelltown and Penrith stations (pictured, a man at Town Hall on Monday)

Transport Minister Andrew Constance (pictured) warned masks could become mandatory unless more people follow government advice

There's currently only a 'strong recommendation' to wear masks in public, but Transport Minister Andrew Constance warned they could become mandatory unless more people follow government advice.

Mr Constance said only about 30 per cent of people were wearing masks on public transport, and warned the government hasn't ruled out making them compulsory.

'We need everyone to put them on so we don't have a Melbourne-style lockdown,' Mr Constance said.

'My preference is not to fine people, but if we've got to move to that mandatory requirement, that's what we'll potentially need to go to.'

Earlier this month Premier Gladys Berejiklian advised people to wear masks in enclosed spaces and when social distancing can't be adhered to.

'I want to stress it is not compulsory, but it is a strong recommendation from Health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in New South Wales,' she said.

The state on Thursday recorded its first COVID-19 death since August 1 after a Sydney woman in her 80s linked to the Our Lady of Lebanon Church cluster died.

The elderly woman was the 53rd coronavirus death in NSW to date and came as the state recorded 12 new virus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.

NSW Health has also advised of a new public health alert for Liverpool Hospital and Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, with a third hospital staff member confirmed with the virus and a second case confirmed at the club.

Contact tracing is underway and the people concerned are in isolation.

The data suggested an average of between 30 and 35 per cent of people are using masks when they travel (pictured, train crew on a Melbourne to Sydney train in July before borders closed)

Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured on Wednesday) reiterated that while masks are important in reducing the spread of COVID-19, they are a fourth line of defence

Premier Gladys Berejiklian reiterated that while masks are important in reducing the spread of COVID-19, they are a fourth line of defence.

She urged people in southwest and western Sydney, which are linked to several clusters, to come forward for testing and to maintain social distancing.

'We are concerned there was community transmission we haven't picked up in those parts of Sydney and if we don't, those strains or sources we haven't identified could take off,' she told Seven's Sunrise program on Friday.

She also noted health advice this week says people are more likely to get COVID-19 from someone they know.

Meanwhile, a NSW special commission of inquiry's report into the ill-fated disembarkation of the Ruby Princess cruise ship is set to be handed to the state government.

The Ruby Princess, which docked at Sydney on March 19, has been linked to hundreds of cases and more than 20 coronavirus-related deaths across Australia.
The southern Chinese city of Guangzhou has donated a batch of medical supplies to Ghana's capital Accra to support its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, said a release by the Chinese embassy in Ghana on Thursday.

The medical supplies, which include 16,000 disposable masks and 100 infrared thermometers, were handed over to Mayor of Accra Mohammed Adjei Sowah on Wednesday, the release said.

Zhu Jing, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Ghana, said the Guangzhou municipal government has always valued the safety and health of all African people in China, including Ghanaians, and the donation was a demonstration of its hope that Ghana could win the battle against the pandemic as soon as possible.

"China and Ghana have supported each other since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the mutual friendship has been reinforced," said Zhu, adding that China will continue to enhance mutual cooperation to support Ghana's COVID-19 fight and economic recovery.

Expressing his gratitude to the Guangzhou municipal government, the mayor said that the donation was the embodiment of the friendship between the two cities, and the local government would make good use of the supplies to intensify the fight against the virus.

"We are looking forward to carrying out more cooperation with China," he added.

(CGTN)
Gayles recommended that anyone tested at a county-sponsored clinic in the past two weeks get retested at a community-based clinic. The tests completed by AdvaGenix in the past two months represent about 8 percent of all tests in the county during that time, according to the county.
According to the U.N.s 1951 Refugee Convention, a refugee is a person who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion in his home country.

When one thinks of countries where such fears are common, North Korea, China, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Laos, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Libya, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia might come to mind. France almost certainly would not, yet each year, several thousand migrants flee from there across the 20-mile English Channel in dinghies, seeking asylum in Britain.

This has become a hot-button political issue in the U.K. The British public has expressed a desire for more tightly controlled borders in direct polling on the question, and such sentiment played a key part in the vote to leave the European Union. A YouGov survey carried out last Tuesday found that 27 percent of Britons have no sympathy at all and 22 percent of them have not much sympathy for the migrants who travel across the Channel.

There is real appetite for swift and decisive government action. Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the journey these migrants make not only unnecessary but stupid, dangerous, and criminal. Johnson is right that the people who benefit most from the migration are people smugglers, who charge thousands of dollars for passage in often-unseaworthy vessels. He wants to put a stop to it, as does his home secretary, Priti Patel.

Unfortunately, there are two major obstacles standing in their way. First, without the cooperation of France, it is difficult to stop migrants from sailing to Britain. Second, without major changes to the U.K.s immigration laws, it is even more difficult to send them back.

Both problems are complicated by Brexit. Indeed, much to Remainers delight, leaving the European Union might actually make it more difficult for Britain to deal with the problem in the short term. While Britain was part of the European bloc, asylum seekers who crossed the Channel could be sent back to their first country of entry under the Dublin Convention. Now, having left the EU, Britain will have to adapt its legal system as well as its immigration policy. In this regard, the Conservative immigration minister, Chris Philip, seems hopeful. He has promised a new comprehensive action plan and reassured the public that both Britain and France have renewed and reaffirmed their absolute commitment to make sure this border is properly policed and this route is completely ended. But he has yet to make the specific details of his master plan clear.

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The rights of migrants once they arrive on British soil are not insignificant. Lily Parrott, a lawyer representing migrants who come from France, has said that whether the government likes it or not, under British and international law people are allowed to migrate for the purpose of seeking asylum  even if it means they have to use irregular routes. Johnson has said he intends to correct the panoply of laws that an illegal immigrant has at his or her disposal that allow them to stay here. No one should envy him that task.

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A social media influencer has landed herself in hot water after spreading misinformation about coronavirus.

New Zealand was plunged back into lockdown on Wednesday after four people in Auckland were diagnosed with COVID-19 following 102 days without a locally transmitted case of the virus.

Zoe Fuimaono, 31, told her 63,500 followers not to get tested if they didn't want to.

She also slammed government 'lies' and questioned the effectiveness of wearing a face mask.

'Message your friends who are nurses and doctors and ask them what they think about the community wearing them,' Mrs Fuimaono said.

'They will tell you they won't work because we won't use them properly because we aren't medical professionals.

Mrs Fuimaono (pictured) has been accused of spreading misinformation about coronavirus

Zoe Fuimaono (pictured), 31, took to Instagram following the announcement and told her followers not to get tested if they didn't want to following New Zealand's COVID-19 outbreak

Health authorities are scrambling to contain the growing cluster of cases linked to the Auckland family, who tested positive on Tuesday.

The city went into Stage 3 lockdown on Wednesday while the rest of the country is now in Stage 2 lockdown.

On Thursday, 14 new cases of coronavirus were reported with 13 cases of community transmission.

New Zealand's Ministry Of Health recommends wearing face masks and has issued an instructional guide on how to wear or make your own mask.

Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms - no matter how mild - are urged to get tested.

Ms Fuimaono was slammed for her comments online and during a media briefing on Thursday, Ms Ardern warned people against the spread of misinformation online.

'It's not new. Some of those conspiracy theories around COVID-19 'not being real' have existed from the very beginning of COVID-19's emergence globally,' she told reporters.

'Some of them are perpetuated by offshore sources.

'I've seen reports of people from overseas who have viewed COVID-19 as being fake, who have lost their lives to it. That's the evidence - the global situation is the evidence. This is very, very real, we need to take it seriously.'

Mrs Fuimaono (pictured with her husband) railed against Government 'lies' and questioned the effectiveness of wearing a face mask

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Auckland would enter Stage 3 lockdown on Wednesday. Pictured: People lining up outside a supermarket on August 12

Ms Fuimaono was slammed for her comments and Jacinda Ardern warned about misinformation online

She urged anyone who may be wary of politicians to listen to medical experts they get their advice from instead

Makaia Carr, another New Zealand influencer, said Mrs Fuimaono was stoking fears about the virus.

'Spreading misinformation and outlandish conspiracy theories that create even more fear and doubt in many of our most vulnerable people, on top of what everyone is already experiencing is seriously harmful to our country and is putting all our friends and whanau at risk,' she wrote on social media.

'So again to all these influencers and people with large impressionable followings on social media stop sharing all your conspiracies, stop implying people should not listen to government during this time, stop being selfish and putting our vulnerable communities at even higher risk.

Mrs Fuimaono once again took to social media to defend her view on COVID-19

'Your behaviour is manipulative, dangerous, irresponsible and outright unacceptable for being in a position of influence - you are abusing your power!'

Mrs Fuimaono took to social media to defend her view on COVID-19.

'Sharing my concerns about the current lockdown are my opinions as this is my platform I choose to exercise my right to freedom of speech,' the mother-of-four wrote.

'I stand by my comments as I am gravely concerned that the rights and freedom of all people in this country are being misconstrued.'

She said that she would continue to stand up for her beliefs on the issue.

'I am not a medical professional and have never claimed to be one, nor have I given medical advice,' she said.

'I did not state that masks do not work, I stated that they will not work if they are used incorrectly. There are no laws stating that it is mandatory for me to wear a mask.'

A decision on whether New Zealand's lockdown will continue will be announced to the public at 5.30pm local time on Friday.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Zoe Fuimaono and the Ministry of Health for comment.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  With notorious Abu Sayyaf leader Anduljihad "Idang" Susukan now in government custody, the military is stepping up operations against other members of the local terrorist group who might conduct retaliatory attacks.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a statement on Friday that Susukans arrest is a major blow to the Abu Sayyaf leadership. He noted that one of Susukans siblings, Mujib, was killed by government forces in May 2003 while another, Almujahid, was arrested in September 2009.

I have directed field unit commanders in Mindanao to further intensify focused military operations to prevent possible retaliation by Idangs followers and to force them to surrender or face demise, Gapay said.

The Davao City police took Susukan into custody after he was handed over by Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari on Thursday night. Susukan, notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities, is charged with 23 counts of murder, five counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and six counts of frustrated murder.

The Philippine National Police will have temporary custody of Susukan while the court has yet to rule on which detention facility he will be jailed, AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said.

Susukan will be transported from Davao City to Manila today, Arevalo said, adding that he will be guarded by a contingent of police and military personnel.

Police said Susukan was in Davao City to seek medical attention. He lost his left arm in a bloody encounter in Patikul, Sulu, a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf group in February 2019.

Susukan was scheduled to undergo a medical check-up at Camp Quintin Merecido Hospital in Davao City before being turned over to the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

In a separate statement on Sunday, Arevalo said Susukan must be held answerable for his long list of crimes, and it was now up to the Department of Justce to prosecute him.

"Meantime, for security considerations and Idang Susukan being a high value individual, the AFP through The Judge Advocate General and the PNP through The Intelligence Group will file before the court a Joint Motion to Transfer Custody of the accused Susukan to the AFP," said Arevalo.

He did not mention when the motion would be filed.

The issue of a grant of amnesty for Susukan was not for the AFP to comment on, added Arevalo.

He said, "It is an issue the resolution of which is rightfully vested upon the political decision makers to pass upon based on the recommendation of the Department of Justice."

It remains unclear since when Susukan had been with Misuari, who facilitated the negotiation between the wanted bandit and Davao City police. Malaysian media first reported the recent sighting of Susukan, who is also wanted in the neighboring country for cross-border abductions.

Misuari, a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, also has standing arrest warrants for rebellion and graft. President Rodrigo Duterte is talking peace with him and he was recently appointed as the countrys special economic envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Mangaluru : , Aug 14 (IANS) As part of measures to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident ahead of the 74th Independence Day on Saturday, police in Karnataka's port city Mangaluru on Friday warned the citizens against offensive posts in social media.

"Stern action will be taken against offensive posts in social media that could disturb peace or cause disharmony in society," Mangaluru Police Commissioner Vikash Kumar told IANS on phone.

Mangaluru is about 360km west of Bengaluru in the southern state.

"Action will also be taken even against those who share or comment on any derogatory post in social media that could lead to law and order problems in the city,' Kumar asserted.

The warning comes also in the wake of riots in Bengaluru on August 11 triggered by a derogatory remark on Facebook, leading to police firing. Three people lost their lives in the violence.

"Circulating posts with derogatory remarks on social media to disturb communal harmony will also be dealt with sternly," reiterated Kumar.

A screenshot of a controversial Facebook post of 2018 that started doing the rounds in the coastal city also came to the notice of the police.

"Those who indulge in cyber crimes will be booked and prosecuted. Legal action will be taken against those who insult, criticise or hurt religious sentiments of the people," Kumar added.
Overall, the administrations use of the law has been sporadic and relatively narrow, focused mostly on the defense industrial base with inconsistent use to expedite personal protective equipment contracts, the Congressional Research Service said in a July 28 report that apparently relied in part on a July 22 New York Times story. Trump has acknowledged mixed feelings about using the law, comparing it to nationalizing businesses the way a socialist country like Venezuela might do. (In fact, the law doesnt mean the government taking ownership of any companies, which is what nationalization implies.) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supported Trumps resistance to fully deploy his powers under the DPA. Trump has said companies are stepping up voluntarily. For instance, 3M is using surge capacity to ramp up production of N95 masks, and distilleries and breweries are making hand sanitizer.
An Oxford University college has said it will honour its offers to all UK students this year "irrespective of their A-level results" after thousands of pupils across the country were downgraded by a computer system.

Worcester College's decision has fuelled calls for Oxford and Cambridge universities to make unconditional offers to pupils to prevent them missing out on places after exams were cancelled.

"Many members of our college community and beyond have expressed their concern for the potential impact of yesterdays A-Level results on this years incoming students," the college said in a statement.

"At Worcester we made offers in 2020 to our most diverse cohort ever, and in response to the uncertainties surrounding this years assessment, we have confirmed the places of all our UK offer-holders, irrespective of their A-level results."

Nearly 3,000 Oxford graduates have called on the university as a whole to follow suit and admit students downgraded during the A-level results controversy.

They signed an open letter to the admissions staff and tutors calling on the university to show "kindness and generosity" to students whose grades had been "unexpectedly and unfairly downgraded by an algorithm".

Former students from Jesus College also signed an open letter calling for all candidates from state schools with offers to be allowed to take up their places.

More than 39 per cent of teachers' estimates for A-level pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more on Thursday by exam boards after this summer's exams were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A disproportionate amount of students whose grades were lowered were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

An open letter from Cambridge University alumni called for the university to "honour all offers made to students from the state sector".

Students received their A-level results on Thursday using a grading system where teacher estimates were moderated.

England's exam regulator justified the downgrading those estimates by saying some teachers had submitted implausibly high predictions.

Results day descended into chaos as 39.1 pr cent of teachers' estimates for pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more, according to data from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

The downgrades amounted to around 280,000 entries.

The government is coming under increasing pressure to review its moderation and appeals system, with pupils complaining they have been let down, and experts warning poorer students will be affected most due to reassessments which consider schools' past performances.

Protesters gathered outside Downing Street on Friday chanting for Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, to be sacked.

In a statement, Mr Williamson said: I know there are some really difficult cases, and we have already put support in place to help those students, including an enhanced appeal process. In addition, our triple lock process means students will be able to accept their calculated grade, appeal on the basis of a valid mock result or sit an exam in the autumn.

When asked about the open letter, a Cambridge university spokesperson said: This year, which has been an extraordinary one, we have been as flexible as we can in our admissions process, within the government restrictions on student numbers.

All our new undergraduate students are accommodated in one of the Colleges so we have a limited number of places we can offer, and competition is always high, so we have to work within these physical constraints.

An Oxford University spokesperson said: "We will be doing everything we can to help those students who have received results which do not meet their offers, within the boundaries set by DfE and the Office for Students Our admissions decisions do not rely on A level-results alone but a wealth of information based on teachers references, written work, personal background, admissions tests and interviews.

"This allows us to build up a detailed and nuanced picture of a candidates academic potential."

They added: "We can therefore reconsider applicants for places where there are clear mitigating circumstances, or evidence that students have been disadvantaged by the mechanisms used to calculate A-level grades this year."

Jesus College have also been contacted for comment by The Independent.

Additional reporting by Press Association
Microsofts Internet Explorer turns 25 this week. Its had a long and controversial life, starting out as an upstart web browser that grew to global dominance, before winding up a punchline. Its quarter-century anniversary comes at an interesting time, since it was once at the heart of Big Techs first antitrust drama.

On July 29th earlier this year, the CEOs of Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google were hauled in front of the House Judiciary Committee. Officials are now scrutinizing these companies looking for abuses of power, with sentiment turned against them on both sides of the aisle. The notable omission is, of course, Microsoft, which went through this process at the turn of the century and still has the scars to prove it.

In the early 90s, Netscape ruled the world with Navigator, an internet browser that was easy and accessible, empowering folks to get online. For $49 -- unless you had a free version provided by your ISP -- the nascent internet was at your fingertips. Microsoft had slept on the web and belatedly came to the conclusion that it was a threat to Windows global dominance. So, far later than it should, the company decided that it needed to take ownership of what we did online.

Microsoft drew, uh, inspiration from Netscape, licensing code from the browser Netscape was based on (Mosaic) and set to work. At the start, Internet Explorer wasnt as good as Navigator. It didnt play well with Java and was riddled with bugs. But it also had the virtue of being free, as Microsoft began giving it away with Windows updates and eventually baking it into the OS itself. This set an expectation that nobody need ever pay for a web browser ever again.

Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, President and CEO. (Photo by Robert Sorbo/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

In 1995, Netscape Navigator reportedly held 70 and 80 percent of the US web browser market. However, by 1998, Internet Explorer had supplanted Netscape on the back of this free giveaway. But it wasnt just the public who had noticed: So had Bill Clintons Department of Justice, who had been lobbied by Netscape about what was going on.

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That same year, the Department of Justice launched an antitrust action, investigating whether Microsoft had violated antitrust laws. They contended that bundling Internet Explorer with the OS, and giving it away for free, violated the first two sections of the Sherman Act. It didnt go well for Microsoft. CEO Bill Gates was roasted in depositions by (future star lawyer) David Boies. The judge agreed, and declared in his judgment that Microsoft wasnt just behaving anti-competitively, it also needed to be broken up.

In his decision, Judge Thomas P. Jackson said that Microsoft was attempting to hold onto a monopoly through anticompetitive means. He added that the company should be split into two: One building the Windows operating system and another responsible for other software. But rather than motion for a hearing to further examine if a break-up was appropriate, he just demanded it.

This immediately gave Microsoft a point of law on which to base an appeal, and Jacksons decision would be examined in great detail by The Ringer. Department of Justice economist Daniel Rubinfeld said that his colleagues assumed that there would be a follow-on set of hearings, to hash out the merits of breaking up Microsoft. Then acting attorney-general Doug Melamed added that Jacksons ruling implied that he was tired of the case in a way that was irresponsible.

The EU opened its own investigation later in 2009, eventually insisting that when people launched Internet Explorer, they should have the option to download a rival product. They were presented with a list that included Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Safari as well as a number of other, less well-known platforms. But this Browser Ballot started in 2010 and expired in 2014, when Internet Explorer was in decline.

Microsoft would eventually settle with the Department of Justice, establishing a three-person independent committee would have the power to scrutinize Microsofts business. The company also had to develop an internal antitrust compliance policy to ensure this didnt happen again. But it was a case of too little, too late for Netscape, which was bought by Aol (now owned by Verizon Media, Engadget's parent company) just as its market share began falling. By 2004, Internet Explorer had around 90 percent of the market, Navigator had faded to single digits. Microsoft had won.

And then, just as soon as it had, it began to lose. Firefox had been slowly eating small chunks of Microsofts market share, and then in 2008, Googles Chrome turned up. The two browsers between them were breaths of fresh air compared to Internet Explorer, with its numerous flaws. Its lack of standards compliance, persistent faults and the ease at which it would crash meant power users hated it.

There are a number of market share sources, each with slightly different statistics, but the trend is unmistakable. From owning the market in 2004, Microsofts dominance was eroded pretty much constantly. By 2013, Internet Explorer had less than 30 percent of the market, with the spoils being shared by Chrome, Firefox and Apples Safari, as iOS grew into the juggernaut it is today. Internet Explorer wound up a joke that even Microsoft had to laugh at.

Microsoft would, eventually, replace Internet Explorer with Edge, a new browser that has since been redeveloped to use Googles Chromium engine. It fixes many of the problems that people ever had with its predecessor.

The brush with the government was a chastening experience for Microsoft and one that may have dented its ambitions. Senator Richard Blumenthal and academic Tim Wu wrote in The New York Times that the case forced Microsoft to be more cautious. Imagine a world in which Microsoft had been allowed to monopolize the browser business, they wrote, Microsoft would have controlled the future of the web.

They argued that Microsoft, even with a more friendly Department of Justice under G.W. Bush, was far less aggressive. And in doing so, allowed a space into which Google, Facebook, Amazon and others could grow on their own terms. And yes, they added, while it was ironic that those companies were now in the line of fire, it was evidence of a healthy market.

In fact, Microsoft has hardly suffered from its apparent indiscretion, becoming one of the wealthiest companies in the world. Its more profitable now than it was at the height of its notoriety, despite the fact that many of its rivals are now soaking up the attention.

The makers of real-time messenger Slack say that its business is being ripped off by Microsoft Teams, which is now bundled as part of Office 365. They created a weak, copycat product, said Slack general counsel David Schellhase and tied it to their dominant Office product. Schellhase added that its the same play Microsoft adopted in their (admittedly successful) attempt to topple Netscape Navigator. Slack has now filed a complaint with the European Commission, asking for regulators to investigate the behavior.

But that is for the future. Were at the very start of Big Techs antitrust reckoning, but itll be interesting to see how all of this shakes out. Maybe, well see a whole new wave of innovation and a whole new bunch of companies emerging from the conflicts. What will the next tech giant create in the wake of what happens in the next few years? We dont know, but perhaps itll be just as interesting as what came after Internet Explorer.
CAIRO - The woman accosted Yasmeen Samir as she swam with her family at a pool in a resort on the North Coast, a stretch of Mediterranean beaches reserved for Egypts upper echelons. The reason: Samir was wearing a burkini, a swimsuit worn by conservative Muslims to cover the entire body.

Soon other women joined in berating Samir and demanding she leave. Its an eyesore, one woman barked.

It was supposed to be a dip in a pool to cool off from Egypts summer heat. But the incident last month turned into a national debate over what women can wear  and where  and highlighted the complicated and often contradictory pressures of class, society and religion in the conservative, Muslim-majority country.

I initially panicked, Samir told The Associated Press, but she decided to not back down. Video of the confrontation went viral, showing Samir and her husband standing in the pool and arguing with the women.

The majority of women in Egypt wear a head covering and religious authorities urge women to do so. But women who wear headscarves or the burkini face discrimination and scorn among some upper-class circles where such dress is seen as backwards and low-class.

Most bars and clubs dont allow entrance to women in headscarves, called hijab, treating their presence and the serving of alcohol as mutually exclusive. In many of the private beach communities that have spread over Egypts coasts, burkinis are viewed with derision. Many private pools have a strict policy barring swimming in clothes, which is then extended to full-body swimsuits even if made from Lycra.

The flip side of the divide is also fraught. At Egypts few public beaches, which are frequented by lower classes, most women swim in headscarves and full-length robes, and a woman wearing a one-piece bathing suit or a bikini would face stares and harassment. A woman appearing on social media in a bathing suit can face a storm of shaming insults.

Many in the crowd that accosted Samir insisted the material of her swimsuit was unsanitary. But she says it was obvious they were merely displeased with her appearance.

In the video taken by a bystander, Samir and her husband Mostafa Hassan fend off one detractor after another. Their baby daughter was with them. Hassan later posted the video on Facebook, where it racked up over a million views and 18,000 shares, with many users voicing support of Samir. The video was also a subject of discussion on the countrys largest pro-government talk shows, which came down on Samirs side.

Samir said she had received an outpouring of support from women online who say shes given them courage to swim in their own burkinis.

Doaa Mohamed, who has worn the hijab for a decade, was once turned away from a bar in Cairos posh Zamalek neighbourhood. She said that often, the ban on head coverings is thinly veiled economic discrimination.

To establishments, women who wear the headscarf are from low or middle classes that (they) dont want to serve, Mohamed said.

An employee from Stella Sidi Abdel Rahman resort, where the burkini incident took place, said the resort does not have any policy against the burkini, as long as it is made from swimwear material. Egypts Tourism Ministry said women who face trouble because of their burkini should file a complaint to the ministry.

In 2017, Dina Eissa was in the pool of a resort compound in the Red Sea beach town of Ain Sokhna, when she was asked to leave for wearing a burkini. Her family didnt want to make a scene, so they also told Eissa to get out of the water.

Eissas entire family was gathered for the Muslim Eid holiday. I had the right to be in the water with my family, she said.

Infuriated, she went back to the pool later, sparking another uproar, but this time she refused to leave. She wrote a widely shared post about her experience on Facebook.

Today, Eissa lives in Ohio where she goes for a 2,000 metre swim every week. No one there has ever asked her to leave because of her swimwear, she says.

Class and morality intersect in complicated and often contradictory ways in Egypt. The lower and middle classes are expected to be more conservative, so women who break that mould can face social condemnation  or worse.

Recently, nine women were arrested and several were sentenced to prison terms for damaging family values and debauchery for posting videos of themselves on the app TikTok though none of their videos would have raised eyebrows among upper class Egyptians.

For women who want to wear a bathing suit, the upper-class private beach communities  which have swallowed up most of the Mediterranean coast  are often the only option. Some compounds are known to be more accepting of burkinis, while others scorn them or see them as the thin edge of a wedge of conservativism that will be intolerant of those in bathing suits.

Yet the often cliquish and moralizing society in the compounds can also be condemning of a woman in a bikini.

Youssra Mohammed Hamouda, a teaching assistant at the American University of Cairo, said shes gotten aggressive stares at North Coast resorts when she wore a bikini, and harassing messages when she posted a picture of herself in it on social media. An ex-boyfriend was admonished by her relatives for letting her wear a two-piece.

She attributes the attitude to deeply ingrained misogynism and classism, rather than religion.

There is a paternalistic class system in Egyptian society, which judges the woman on the basis of which class she belongs to, said Hamouda, who describes herself as coming from a middle-class background.

In her hijab, Doaa Mohamed has gone to clubs in several cities including Copenhagen. No one stopped her. And in her burkini, she has gone swimming in Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

We should learn to live and let live in Egypt, she says. I dont really get what this fuss is about.

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Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot won a vote of confidence in the assembly on Friday with the ruling Congress party hoping political uncertainties that erupted in the state in mid-July was over for now.

As the crisis  triggered by the rebellion by now-dismissed deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and doused by a truce call earlier this week  unfolded, Gehlot had his task cut out. He had to fight a two-pronged battle  on the internal and the external fronts. In the end, the outcome was in his favour.

While central Congress leaders credit former party president Rahul Gandhi with breaking the ice  he met Pilot on Monday before an announcement on the breakthrough  Gehlot monitored the efforts on the ground to rescue his government.

A challenge for him was to keep the over 100 legislators loyal to him (including those representing allies) together. Hence, they were first taken to the Fairmont Hotel on the outskirts of Jaipur on July 13, a move aimed to ensure there are no defections in the ranks. Then, the MLAs were shifted to a resort in Jailsamer on July 31. They returned to Jaipur only on Thursday, a day before the commencement of the assembly session and after the truce declaration.

His first moral victory came soon after the rebellion began. On July 12, three rebel MLAs of the Congress  Chetan Dudi, Danish Abrar and Rohit Bohra  came back the party fold after Gehlot spoke to them through Bohras father Pradyman Singh, a senior Congress leader.

And then, Gehlot identified three independents  Kushveer Singh, Suresh Tak and Om Prakash Hudla  in the Pilot camp who the chief minister thought could return. Gehlot, through his emissaries, got in touch with them, but they expressed their inability to do so.

This gave him confidence that the government was safe, a second senior Congress functionary said, requesting anonymity.

Till the end of the tussle and before the peace deal, Pilot had the support of 18 Congress dissidents and the three independents.

Gehlot also attacked the BJPs high command, accusing it of trying to topple the government  a charge repeatedly denied by the opposition party. He remained soft on the state BJP leadership, trying to project what he called differences in the opposition party.

Congress leaders said Gehlot steered the partys legal strategy from issuing show-cause notices to the 19 rebel Congress MLAs to drafting requests to state governor Kalraj Mishra for an assembly session without mentioning the trust vote on the agenda.

When the governor insisted on a 21-day notice to convene a session, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Gehlot. He agreed for 21 days once he got reports that the rebel camp was getting jittery over the prolonged crisis, said the second Congress party leader, privy to the developments.

A third Congress leader, on the condition of anonymity, pointed out that another challenge for Gehlot was to keep the morale of his camp high as the crisis dragged on. For that, he would every day visit the legislators supporting him at the resort on the outskirts f Jaipur, and later frequent the Jaisalmer resort.

He gave a pep talk to legislators almost every day and appreciated their patience in dealing with the crisis. He would stay with them till 2.30-3.00am and urge them to ensure that the BJPs designs do not succeed, added the third leader.

Gehlot also wrote a letter to all legislators, including those from the BJP, reminding them how he, as the Rajasthan Congress president in 1996, prevented an attempt to topple the government of then chief minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat of the BJP.

And in the final phases of the crisis, when the Congress leadership brokered a truce with Pilot and his supporters, the CM sent out a peace message and asked the legislators backing him to bury the hatchet and unite again.

Before going for the floor test, Gehlot shook hands and hugged Pilot at a Congress meeting at the chief ministers residence in a show of unity, in an indication that he had left behind the bitterness of the past month involving his personal attacks on the rebel camp.

Political analyst Narayan Bareth said the resolution of the month-long crisis has bolstered Gehlot and underscored his political acumen.

Gehlot made it appear that it was another attempt of the central BJP leadership to overthrow another Congress-ruled state. Except his comments against Pilot, Gehlots strategy was flawless, he said.
When Kamala Harris was 5 years old, her parents separated and her mother moved with Kamala and her sister, Maya, to a working-class African-American neighborhood in Berkeley, Calif. It was a move that shaped the life of the future vice presidential candidate, who identifies as Black, and if elected will be the first Black woman to hold that office.

Shyamala Gopalan, Harriss mother, was born and raised in Chennai, India. After arriving in Berkeley in 1958 as a 19-year-old graduate student  in an era when Indian-Americans were a much smaller community than they are today  she married a fellow student, Donald Harris, who was from Jamaica. Gopalan was swept up in the civil rights movement and in the vibrant Black cultural, social and political scene in Berkeley and Oakland.

After the split, on her own with two young children and coping with a demanding academic career, Gopalan turned to a close friend from Berkeley, Aubrey LaBrie  Uncle Aubrey now to Harris  for help.

Kamala Harris, left, with her sister, Maya, and mother, Shyamala Gopalan. (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)

LaBrie, who is Black, brought Gopalan to see his aunt, Regina Shelton. Shelton owned three houses on a single block in Berkeley, and ran a small nursery school in one of them. Gopalan and her daughters moved into an apartment above the nursery. Shelton would ultimately become a virtual second mother to the Harris girls because Gopalans career as a cancer researcher required her to travel frequently.

In her autobiography, The Truths We Hold, Harris wrote that her mother understood that America would see Kamala and Maya as Black, and so she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud Black women.

LaBrie, now 83, recalls idyllic years when Kamala and Maya played with the other Black children his aunt looked after, and became like little sisters to Sheltons own children. Sheltons family owned a small farm in a nearby California town and the Harris children would visit there to pick pumpkins and chase rabbits with the Shelton cousins, he recalled.

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Shelton, who died in 1999, would take Kamala and Maya along to her old school Baptist church in West Oakland every Sunday, LaBrie said. The church was founded by the Rev. Elton Pointer, father of the well-known R&B group the Pointer Sisters, and it had a rollicking choir which young Kamala joined. The Bible on which Harris has taken all her oaths of office is the same Bible Shelton used at church all her life; LaBrie brought the Bible to Washington for Harris when she was sworn in to the Senate and then took it back home to Sheltons daughter.

Thats been her amulet so to speak, her oracle, my aunts Bible, LaBrie told Yahoo News in an interview.

Regina Shelton and Kamala Harris. (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)

Shelton, who grew up poor in Louisiana and came to Richmond, Calif., to work in the shipyards as a young woman, taught Harris how to cook soul food, offered career advice and never stopped being a mother figure to her, Sheltons family members said.

But Harris was also very much the daughter of Gopalan, who had traveled halfway around the world to pursue a career in science, when that was still an exotic choice for a young woman from India.

G. Balachandran, Gopalans brother, who is 79 and lives in New Delhi, recalls his sisters toughness.

She knew what she wanted, and shed do all the work on her own and then only tell people later what she did, Balachandran said in an interview with Yahoo News. He adds that Kamala absolutely revered her mother.

Balachandran said that when Gopalan was dying of cancer in 2009, he flew to California to spend two months with her. Shortly after returning to New Delhi after this long visit, he received a call from Kamala, asking him to come right back to Oakland because her mother wanted to see him again. He tried to beg off since his sister was slated to fly to India to die at home with her mother and sister the following week, but Kamala wouldnt take no for an answer. He now realizes she knew she wasnt going to make it. By the time he got back home after the brief second trip, she was dead. Balachandran said he is happy Harris pushed him to come back.

She died after she saw me, he said.

Balachandran said he and Gopalan were very close and loved to play pranks as kids. By the time she was a young adult, she was pushing her parents to allow her to study at Berkeley. Balachandran said that Gopalan made her case and his father promised to support her for a year at Berkeley, but said then she was on her own. She went and got a scholarship to pay for her subsequent years, Balachandran said. The path was not easy.

She was a woman studying biochemistry and endocrinology in the late 50s and the early 60s, when there were very few women scientists, Balachandran said. And then to see a brown woman going for a PhD in biochemistry and endocrinology, obviously people would have been saying, What is this woman doing here? She should be in India taking care of her children.

Balachandran said his sister never complained about the bias; instead, she marched and demonstrated.

Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Gopalan, left, with her college friend Lenore Pomerance at a protest on the UC Berkeley campus. (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)

If it bothered her, she said, I dont sit around bothered. I do something about it. Thats what she always told Kamala: Dont sit around moping why is this so. Do something about it, Balachandran said. My parents taught us and Shyamala taught her children, Be what you are. Dont take s*** from anybody.

Shyamala taught her daughters not to judge people based on how they looked, their religion, what they ate or anything else focused on differences, Balachandran said. And she wanted them to be prepared to encounter racism.

Always she told them how the white Americans feel and how they should respond, Balachandran said. She wanted her children to know how to fight for themselves and she knew they had to. ... She wanted to impress upon them the understanding that being Black makes no difference and you should fight for your rights. I think that probably the first public function they attended was a civil rights demonstration.

The day after Harris was announced as Joe Bidens selection for vice president, Maya Harris posted a picture of both sisters as young girls, captioned with a quote from their mother: Dont you let anyone tell you who you are, it read. You tell them who you are.

LaBrie recalls his friend in much the same way. In his eulogy for her, he noted that (unlike people who dont suffer fools gladly) she didnt suffer fools at all.

LaBrie said there was always okra or gumbo on the stove at Sheltons house, which he frequently visited with Gopalan and Kamalas father, Donald, when they were all students. The group would often meet on campus to attend a rally and then make their way over to the house for food. Years later, after Kamalas parents split up and Shelton began babysitting her, sometimes for days at a time, Kamala, still in grade school, would sit in the Shelton kitchen and talk about current events, LaBrie recalled.

Kamala Harris, right, after graduating from law school in 1989, pictured with mother, Shyamala Gopalan, center, and first-grade teacher, Frances Wilson. (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)

Not long after the Harris girls moved in, LaBrie said the family decided they wanted to make a bigger effort to expose the Shelton cousins as well as Kamala and her sister to African-American culture. LaBries brother gave the little group an acronym: CACTUS, or Cultural Awareness Come Together Unity Session. The families would take field trips to museums featuring exhibits about African-American artists and other culturally relevant fare.

Wed have little discussion sessions rotating at different peoples houses and then wed intersperse it with music, LaBrie recalled.

LaBrie said that Gopalan would often come along on CACTUS outings, but sometimes couldnt because she was traveling. But she very strongly identified with the civil rights movement, he said, and upon arriving at Berkeley, she quickly joined his circle of friends, all of them, except for her, African-American.

Ideologically, most of us in the group considered ourselves Blacks in the United States, as part of the Third World movement for liberation, and so she fit in, LaBrie said. We were comrades.

Sharon McGaffie, 69, is Sheltons daughter and LaBries cousin. She told Yahoo News she thinks of Maya and Kamala Harris as her sisters, and would help her mother take care of the girls when Gopalan had to be away. After the family moved to Canada when Harris was 12, McGaffie recalled that Maya and Kamala would come visit in the summer.

They would stay long periods of time when Shyamala was working in Canada, McGaffie said. Theyd look forward to the summers, kind of like coming to your grandmothers house for the summer.

The Shelton home was the kind of place, McGaffie said, where food was on the stove and Motown music was on the radio all the time  except on Sundays, when the song selection was gospel music.

McGaffie said her mother mentored Gopalan as a young mother and grew very close to her.

Shyamala Gopalan, with baby Kamala Harris. (Courtesy of Kamala Harris)

They just became a part of our family, McGaffie told Yahoo News in an interview. She just connected so with my mother and they just became very close. ... I think it was a connection because Shyamalas mother wasnt here in this country.

Kamala stayed close to Shelton until she died, McGaffie said.

When she was getting a new job she would come and talk with my mom about it, McGaffie recalled.

McGaffie, like everyone who knew Gopalan, says she was a formidable personality.

She was very strong, very aggressive, very serious about her work, very serious about her activism in the community and what her expectations were, McGaffie said. She was intense.

Mina Bissell, a former colleague and friend of Gopalans, recalled that she sued Berkeley after being passed over a promotion she had been promised. A man was hired over her and three other female finalists, including Bissell. After suing, Gopalan was forced out of Berkeley, prompting her move to Canada when Kamala was just an adolescent, Bissell said.

Bissell, who had been friendly with Harriss mother since Kamala and Bissells children met in a ballet class as little girls, never forgot how Gopalan was treated. The women kept in touch and, years later, Bissell was put in charge of the biology division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. She immediately hired Gopalan, who would work at the lab almost up until she died of cancer in 2009.

She was very sure of herself, she wanted to do research, and she did good research and I loved her, Bissell said, though she noted Shyamala could be unyielding when convinced she was right.

Bissell visited Gopalan as she was packing to leave her apartment and go to hospice. Always the dedicated scientist, Gopalan was focused on finding a home for her research mice. Bissell raised thousands of dollars to rescue the mice so Gopalans research could be finished after her death.

San Francisco's new district attorney, Kamala Harris, right, receives the oath of office from California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald M. George, left, during inauguration ceremonies Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, in San Francisco. In the center is Harris' mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan, who holds a copy of "The Bill of Rights." (George Nikitin/AP)

Karen Clopton, a judge and member of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission as well as a longtime friend of Harriss, said she met Harriss mother several times, but only realized just how much Gopalan meant to Harris when she joined Harriss swearing in as the district attorney in San Francisco. Sitting on stage with Gopalan for that event, the swearing in of the citys first African-American district attorney, Clopton said she was struck by the intense pride the two women shared over the historic moment.

I actually really grasped at that point just how important her mother was in her life and in growing up, Clopton said. The pride, you know how you can feel it? I can feel it. The pride, both ways, that is shining through.

Clopton said Harris used Sheltons Bible at that swearing in too.

She does a lot of homage and acknowledgement of her ancestors and those fabulous women who really helped her to grow, Clopton said. It was a village that raised the two [Harris] girls and thats very African-American as well.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:
Ladies, is it that time of the month when you experience excruciating cramps and cant focus at work but feel shy to talk about it? To help break the stigma around menstruation, a popular food aggregator, Zomato has announced up to 10 days of period leave in a year for its female and transgender employees. The step has sparked a debate, as some argue its a much-needed move that will help normalise menstruation, while others believe that it may portray women in weak light.

It is an organisations responsibility to make the work environment comfortable for all employees. Menstruation is a natural phenomenon for females and we have to break the stigma associated with it. It requires a change in mindset and people have to be educated and counselled towards this objective, says Vijay Sethi, chief information officer, chief human resources officer; head corporate social responsibility, Hero MotoCorp.

Another HR professional, Sonam Gupta, who works at a millennial organisation and is a consultant to startups, feels that theres a taboo that needs to be addressed. However, she says, I understand the pain happens but it does not stop you from doing work.

Read: Bleed with dignity: Sustainable solutions for a healthy period

Period leaves need to be considered by companies from the perspective of equity, gender equality and general well-being of their employees, believes Nitisha Pandey, action network fellow at Youth Ki Awaaz. Pandey, whose current workplace, Indian School of Development Management, has a policy around periods, says, Almost everyone without a uterus has an opinion on how menstrual leaves will affect productivity. Should I be punished for a normal function of my body? Am I not giving in to the patriarchal norms when Ive to perform while in pain?

There is a need to have a dialogue feels social worker Anurag Chauhan of the WASH (Women, Sanitation, Hygiene) project by NGO Humans for Humanity. He says, Women should have the choice whether or not to take such a leave. However, implementation is difficult... There needs to be a dialogue about the issue with the policymakers.

Read: Heres how exposure to environmental chemicals may disrupt sleep during menopause

In a television commercial featuring actor Radhika Apte, a personal hygiene product brand dared to show red colour on the pad instead of the usual representational blue. Kartik Johari, vice president of the same brand, Nobel Hygiene, argues, Period leaves may unintentionally cause more harm than good, by legitimising the idea that women are inherently more delicate or weaker than men, and thus consequently require special remedies catering only to women. In a cut-throat hiring atmosphere, one cannot ignore the biases that hiring managers to hold; and this may nudge them to hire more men, as they wont require monthly breaks or interventions.

Does the nature of work add to the discomfort during menstruation? Dr Veena Aggarwal, gynaecologist, MD and Medical Advisor, Medtalks.in, says, In a study, emotional aspects have effected the period pain. It is being found that prevalence of signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea is significantly higher in people who are sedentary and associated with a desk job. Slight physical activity is recommended to reduce the severity of pain. However, Aggarwal feels that with the concept of period leave, we are defeating the purpose of female equality. Women should have the option to work from home or take a sick leave, not a paid leave, she adds.

Interact with author/sanchita_kalra.
In the second half of 2020, a series of youth-oriented melodramas, starring actors in their 20s, are expected to be released. If you're feeling lost after "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" ended, fret not! More enticing K-dramas with young and fresh faces are about to come your way!

Here is the lineup of dramas starring young and handsome actors that you definitely shouldn't miss.

MBC's "When I Was The Most Beautiful"

Starring young actors Jisoo and Im Soo Hyang, this MBC drama is a lighthearted teen romance story about two brothers who fall for the same woman. Jisoo as Seo Hwan falls in love at first sight with Ye Ji (Im Soo Hyang). However, she will fall in love and marry Seo Hwan's elder brother Seo Jin (Ha Seok Jin). But as Seo Jin went missing, Seo Hwan and Ye Ji got closer.

KBS2 and Netflix's "Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol"

Lead actors Go Ara and Lee Jae Wook is a new tandem to anticipate! The drama is a story of young artists who gathered in La La Land, a piano academy in a small village. Go Ara will play as Goo Ra Ra, a pretty and positive-minded pianist. Lee Jae Wook will play as Sun Woo Joon, who works hard as a part-timer job to make ends meet.

tvN and Netflix's "Record of Youth"

"Record of Youth" is one of the most awaited dramas, starring Park Bo Gum. This will be his comeback lead role on the small screen from his last drama in "Encounter" 2018.

With his co-star Park So Dam, to play as Ahn Jung Ha, the show is the story of an aspiring young makeup artist working in the tight rivalry in the fashion industry. Park Bo Gum will play as a model. It is a love triangle story that will surely excite the viewers with their great visuals and good performance!

JTBC's "More Than Friends"

Another musical inclined K-drama, "More Than Friends" stars Ong Seong Wu, Shin Ye Eun, and Kim Dong Jun. It's a best-friend-turned-a-couple trope, wherein two friends who have a long time crush that after ten years, feelings get finally expressed in the most romantic ways.

tvN's "Start-Up"

Suzy and Nam Joo Hyuk is slated to star in one of the inspiring stories about entrepreneurship. Suzy plays as Seo Dal Mi, who sets up her own tech company and meets a young CEO Nam Do San played by Nam Joo Hyuk. Together, they work hard to excel and make their start-up business as one of the big-name companies in Korea.

tvN's "True Beauty"

"True Beauty" is a remake of a popular webtoon of the same name. It's a romantic comedy, starring Moon Ga Young as Lim Joo Gyung, a highschool girl who uses makeup to make her appear pretty because she is insecure about how she looks. She meets Lee Soo Ho, a good-looking, smart guy that girls are head over heels towards him. While Han Seo Ju is also handsome at par with Lee Soo Ho, his character may be tough, but he has a soft spot in his heart.

Handsome young actors in the series are Cha Eun Woo as Lee Soo Ho and Hwang In Yeob as Han Seo Ju.
Thai pro-democracy activist Parit Chiwarak salutes followers as police escort him at the Samranrat police station in Bangkok, Aug. 14, 2020.

Thai police on Friday arrested a student leader of mass protests that have called for the dissolution of the government and lessening the power of the monarchy, as more demonstrations sprang up in and around Bangkok.

Activist Parit Chiwarak, a student at Thammasat University who is nicknamed The Penguin, was taken into custody on sedition and other charges, three days after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha warned that the protests made up largely of young Thais had gone too far.

I do not accept this process and do not accept this authority, Parit said on Friday.

Parit was the third leader of the protests to be arrested and charged in connection with the street demonstrations that began in mid-July and have spread to other parts of the country. The two others, including another university student, were released on bail but took part in at least one mass protest earlier this week, where some 5,000 demonstrators openly questioned the institution of the royalty and laws that protect and empower it.

How chaotic is the call for democracy? We have always studied that Thailand was ruled under a democratic system with the king as the head of state, the student activist said in a recording posted to his fan page on Facebook.

Speaking to reporters at the Samranrat Police Station on Friday, Royal Thai Police deputy spokesperson Lt. Col. Kritsana Phattanacharoen said Parits arrest warrant did not include a complaint that he had violated Lese-Majeste, the strict law that forbids criticism of the royals.

It is not true but we have heard that there was a [Lese-Majeste] complaint filed on Aug. 12, Kritsana said, adding an investigation into the complaint was ongoing.

Parits arrest was broadcast live on Facebook by supporters. He was taken into custody on charges stemming from a rally at Bangkoks Democracy Monument on July 18, but he did not ask for bail and was detained at Samranrat police station.

That demonstration marked the beginning of the so-called Free Youth movement and was the catalyst for the ongoing protests. Among their original demands, the protestors called for the government to dissolve parliament, to stop harassing dissidents and to amend the 2017 Constitution, which they said was tailored to enable Prayuth to maintain power.

On Friday, Parit said the country was not run as a democracy and described as a show last years general election, which returned Prayuth, a former junta leader and army chief who had spearheaded a 2014 coup, to power.

We have to come out to call for democracy. I do not accept any legal action because I believe I am not guilty, he said.

Meanwhile, protesters gathered at Chulalongkorn University, Ramkhamhaeng University, Triam Udom Suksa School  a high school  and at Nonthaburi pier outside of Bangkok on Friday evening.

With his arrest Parit joined student activist Panupong Jadnok, 23, and human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, 35  the two other high-profile leaders of the protests  in being charged with sedition. All three were also charged with organizing gatherings of 10 or more people to threaten unrest, leading mass gatherings that could spread the coronavirus and five other charges, police said.

Panupong and Arnon were freed on bail Aug. 8. However on Friday, police asked a court to revoke their bail, according to a statement by Human Rights Watch.

On Monday and at a previous rally on Aug. 3, Arnon challenged the monarchy  the countrys most powerful institution  by calling for its influence to be curtailed.

On Aug. 10, he addressed thousands of anti-government protesters who had gathered at Thammasat University. The group presented 10 demands including a call to revoke Article 6 of the Thai Constitution that shields the monarchy from prosecution and revoke Lese-Majeste.

Meanwhile, university lecturers, civil society and cultural network members have gathered more than 1,000 signatures of people calling for their 10 demands to be met.

Prior to Mondays major rally, pro- and anti-government groups appeared before parliament in Bangkok to issue opposing demands.

Sumet Trakulwunnoo, a coordinator of a royalist group, said the anti-government groups were attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

A second group, which calls itself the Campaign for Peoples Constitution, submitted a letter demanding that the entire 2017 Constitution be amended to take away powers linked to Prayuth and other ex-military leaders in government.

Prime minister speaks out

On Tuesday, the prime minister said he was concerned by the protestors demands.

To protest is their right, but it went too far  was it appropriate, Prayuth said. If [they] violated [laws], they must all be prosecuted.

On Thursday, a day after he led seven new members of his cabinet while they were sworn in before King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Prayuth delivered a speech outlining plans for the countrys future as Thailand grapples with a deep economic crisis caused by ripple effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

The speech did not refer to the protesters directly, but ended with this statement: The only way forward is to join hands, join hearts, and to work together for the best of our country, and to hold our prosperity and that of our children as our first and most important mission right now.
LOS ANGELES  Crews struggled Thursday to reign in a Southern California wildfire that exploded in size in a matter of hours north of Los Angeles, prompting evacuation orders for about 100 homes and other buildings as it tore through forest land.

The fire erupted Wednesday afternoon and burned through more than 15.6 square miles (40.4 square kilometers), driving through brushy ridges, including some in areas that hadnt burned since 1968, fire officials said.

A photograph taken for The Associated Press showed what appeared to be a burning home.

Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief David Richardson said some outbuildings may have been destroyed.

The fire erupted in the afternoon but by nightfall was moving into heavier forest, making it harder for officials to fight, county Fire Chief Eric Garcia said.

Its pretty explosive fire behavior, he said.

The fire zone was located between Lake Hughes and Lake Castaic in the Angeles National Forest.

About 500 firefighters from several departments and 15 helicopters and air tankers worked the blaze and more firefighters were arriving, Garcia said.

Shelter areas were designated for people and animals but because of COVID-19 concerns, people were being told to shelter in their cars.

The fire was being driven by tinder-dry brush and steep terrain but its ferocity approached that of wind-driven blazes that usually erupt when Santa Ana winds arrive in the next few months, Richardson said.

The area was expected to see temperatures in the mid-90s or higher through the weekend, with low humidity, but winds remained light.

The fire sent a massive column of smoke thousands of feet in the air. It could be seen dozens of miles away in Los Angeles and other Southern California communities.

About the photo: A firefighter works against the Lake Hughes fire in Angeles National Forest on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, north of Santa Clarita, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Calls for Speedy Formation of New Government

By VOA News August 13, 2020

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called for the speedy formation of a new government Thursday as lawmakers approved the government's two-week state of emergency after the recent devastating explosion that killed scores of people and injured thousands of others.

Lebanese state media said Berri urged lawmakers at parliament's first legislative session since the August 4 blast to begin "speeding up the formation of a (new) government."

Lebanon's Parliament met Thursday for the first time since last week's blast that killed over 170 people. A state of emergency was declared after another night of protests as citizens continue to cry out for accountability. Plus, an update on the Japanese bulk carrier that struck a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius and leaked 1,000 tons of oil. And how scientists plan on bringing back the Malaysian variant of the Sumatran rhinoceros.

Lawmakers have begun consultations on forming a new cabinet, a process complicated by divisions in a country governed by a sectarian power-sharing system.

Parliament approved the state of emergency to suppress resurgent protests over corruption, mismanagement and negligence by the long-entrenched political elite.

Hundreds of people have been injured in clashes with security forces who fired tear gas.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab announced his government's resignation Monday night in the aftermath of the blast. The resignations were confirmed at Thursday's legislative session.

U.S. diplomat David Hale was to visit Beirut Thursday to emphasize the need for reform, the U.S. Embassy said.

The Lebanese government took office in January with support from Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah and other parties. Hezbollah, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization, and its allies have a majority of seats in parliament.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Hale "will underscore America's willingness to support any government that reflects the will of the people and is genuinely committed to and acting upon such a reform agenda."

The massive blast, which killed 172 people, injured about 6,000 others and left about 300,000 homeless, is blamed on the detonation of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been improperly stored for six years at the Port of Beirut.

Rebuilding is expected to cost billions of dollars. Economists have forecast the damage could erase up to 25% of the country's economic output.

Humanitarian aid is being provided to Lebanon, but foreign countries have made clear they will not provide funds to help the country avoid economic collapse without reform.

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Two Jammu and Kashmir policemen were killed after militants fired indiscriminately at a police convoy at the Nowgam Bypass on the outskirts of Srinagar on Friday, officials said.

Three police personnel were injured in the attack. Two of the personnel died during treatment at the hospital, police said. The area has been cordoned off.

IG Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that Jaish-e-Muhammad was responsible for the attack on the police party. Additional forces have been deployed and an operation was underway to nab the attackers.

The injured policemen had been rushed to the PCR Hospital in Srinagar, where they were declared dead. The deceased have been identified as Ishfaq Ayoub of 715 IRP 20 Battalion and Fayaz Ahmed of 307 IRP 20 Battalion.

The other injured police personnel, Selection Grade Constable Muhammad Ashraf, has sustained bullet injuries in his right hand.

"Terrorists fired indiscriminately upon police party near Nowgam Bypass. 3 police personnel injured. They were shifted to hospital for treatment where two among them attained martyrdom. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone police tweeted, giving update on the incident.

#Terrorists fired #indiscriminately upon police party near #Nowgam Bypass. 03 police personnel injured. They were shifted to hospital for treatment where 02 among them attained #martyrdom. Area cordoned off. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) August 14, 2020

The attack has come as the security is on very high alert in the wake of the Independence Day.
WASHINGTON  A former FBI lawyer plans to plead guilty to making a false statement in the first criminal case arising from U.S. Attorney John Durhams investigation into the probe of ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.

Kevin Clinesmith is being charged in federal court in Washington and is expected to plead guilty to one count of making a false statement, his attorney Justin Shur told The Associated Press.

The case against Clinesmith is likely to be cheered by President Donald Trump and his supporters as they look to the Durham investigation to lift Trump's wobbly reelection prospects and to expose what they see as wrongdoing as the FBI opened an investigation into whether the Trump campaign was coordinating with the Kremlin to sway the outcome of the 2016 election.

The Durham investigation, which is also examining the intelligence community's assessment about Russian election interference, has caused deep concern among Democrats, who view it as a politically charged exercise meant to relitigate an already closed investigation and fear criminal charges or public reports issued so close to the 2020 election could be timed to affect November's vote.

The investigation has proceeded alongside a parallel effort by Senate Republicans to discredit the Russia probe and as Attorney General William Barr has escalated his own criticism of the FBI's probe.

Barr foreshadowed the legal action in a Fox News Channel interview on Thursday night in which he said there would be a development Friday that was not earth shattering but would be an indication that the investigation was moving along.

Justice Department policy directs prosecutors not to take investigative steps for the purpose of affecting an election and frowns upon taking public actions in the weeks before an election. But Barr has said he did not feel constrained by that policy in part because the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, is not a target of Durham's investigation, and Barr has signaled that he will look to make Durham's findings public before the election.

Clinesmith was referred for potential prosecution by the department's inspector general's office, which conducted its own review of the Russia investigation.

That review found that the Russia probe was opened for a legitimate reason and did not find proof of political bias, but it also concluded that the FBI made significant errors and omissions as it applied for secret national security warrants to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Specifically, the inspector general accused Clinesmith, though not by name, of altering an email about Page to say that he was not a source for another government agency. Page has said he was a source for the CIA. The Justice Department relied on that assertion as it submitted a third and final renewal application in 2017 to eavesdrop on Page under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Clinesmith told the inspector general that from his conversations he did not understand Page to be a source, or a recruited asset, or to have a direct relationship with another government agency. But that relationship was seen as something important to disclose to the FISA court, especially if Page was being tasked by the government to have interactions with Russians.

Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email, Shur said. It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues, as he believed the information he relayed was accurate, but Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility.

Durham is the U.S. attorney for Connecticut and a veteran prosecutor with a history of special assignments from Washington. Former Attorney General Eric Holder selected him during the Obama administration to investigate the CIA's harsh interrogation techniques of terror suspects and the destruction of videotapes documenting that interrogation.

Barr appointed Durham just weeks after special counsel Robert Mueller concluded his nearly two-year investigation. Mueller found significant contacts during the 2016 campaign between Russians and Trump associates but did not allege a criminal conspiracy between them.

Mueller also examined multiple episodes in which Trump sought to affect or choke off the Russia investigation, but he did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed justice.

Barr signaled his skepticism with the Russia investigation right away, concluding that Trump had not obstructed justice even though Mueller had pointedly left that question unresolved.

More recently, Barr stepped in to dismiss the criminal case against former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn even though Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and Barr overruled prosecutors to seek a lighter prison term for Trump confidant Roger Stone. The Republican president commuted Stones sentence last month.

--The Associated Press
The global pandemic threw the world for a loop as businesses shut down, schools closed, and working from home became the new normal. Phrases like social distancing and self-quarantine became part of our everyday nomenclature, and safety measures such as temperature checks and mask wearing were integrated into daily life. Its now hard to imagine businesses and gathering places without these new standards in place.

From a business standpoint, reopening still poses many concerns and uncertainty. How can businesses keep employees safe, remain compliant with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and avoid liability while still maintaining a sustainable level of profitability?

From an employee standpoint, while many workers are eager to return to full-time hours and consistent paychecks, they are scared to return to an environment that increases their exposure to COVID-19. They may have questions about proper PPE, enforcement of social distancing and mask wearing, and many face new responsibilities that are not traditional to their position.

Artificial intelligence will play a major role as we try to move to a post-pandemic world, especially as it pertains to tracking peoples health and wellbeing in public areas. Employers will tap technology solutions to help them face challenges such as adhering to new rules and regulations, monitoring compliance, and ensuring employee confidence and morale remains positive.

Todays new reality will rely on technology more than ever, and this trend will only continue to grow as we settle into the new normal. From monitoring individuals to helping to ease customer flow, technology  specifically artificial intelligence  will be critical.

Why AI?

As society plans the reopening of offices, shared spaces and customer-facing businesses, how can we ensure the safety of workers and the community at large?

One option is to hire or assign employees to policing practices such as temperature taking, mask wearing, and social distancing enforcement. Depending on the size of the business, this could take a great number of people. It would most likely involve a two-pronged approach, with employees on the ground as well as employees monitoring the situation from screens.

Human error is a risk in these scenarios. Its difficult to monitor a large group of people to make sure they are adhering to the CDC guidelines. It also places a substantial mental burden on staff; the average human attention span is about 8.25 seconds, and many are distracted by emails, text messages and constant notifications on their phones.

A technology solution is the clear answer in this case. Artificial Intelligence is a powerful technology tool that allows for multiple tasks to take place at once, faster and more efficiently than humanly possible. Cognitive computing systems such as neural networks are a specific type of AI that simulates human thought. This type of AI is used in autonomous vehicles and is also a good structure to build post-pandemic monitoring systems.

Cognitive computing can learn to digest information in different contexts. For example, if people are simply passing each other, or a family walks into a store together, the system will learn that they do not need to physically distance within the group and therefore will not be violating the rules of social distancing.

Not only is AI more reliable than humans at tracking multiple data points at one time, this type of monitoring can reduce liability exposure for businesses and organizations. Amazon is being sued by workers for not enforcing social distancing measures and being careless with contact tracing efforts. At the time, had the company had AI monitoring in place, it could have helped to make sure that such measures were being properly enforced and provided proof that the company took measures to ensure the safety of its workers.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

AI in the Workplace

Remote working was the instant solution for many businesses when the pandemic escalated. While some businesses are fully back in office and adhering to mandated expectations for employee safety, others remain remote or are utilizing strategic and flexible work schedules.

For those going into office settings, a host of safety measures need to be implemented, but can pose a myriad of difficulties to ensure compliance and create substantial liability issues. AI can help to monitor body temperatures, ensure employees are social distancing, and even confirm that masks are being worn consistently.

This use of AI technology can help reduce worker frustration and dissatisfaction with new rules of compliance, free up staff from the need to manually attempt a fraction of what todays computing power can achieve, and keep employees doing what they do best, rather than enforcing rules.

The post-pandemic workplace will be made of more controlled environments including more managed daily interactions, reserving time for specific activities, rotating people in and out of smaller spaces, and flexible workspaces where employees can come and go as needed as opposed to each having a dedicated space.

As the COVID-19 situation fluctuates, so will the guidelines that need monitoring. AI systems can quickly and easily be programed to shift with the loosening or tightening of guidelines, allowing for flexibility in the system.

AI in Customer Experience

For those working in retail, hospitality, healthcare and other customer-facing industries, additional unique challenges abound. Customers have been patient and understanding with the recent changes, but as the new normal sets in, this perseverance will surely revert to earlier expectations and customers may even begin to demand more.

Customers will tire of waiting in line and having their temperatures taken to enter a restaurant or shop. While they will still expect safety measures and want to feel safe in the environment, their expectations of a quicker delivery method should be anticipated.

With a situational awareness solution, companies can mitigate risks and still focus on delivering quality customer service. Businesses that rely on heavy foot traffic such as shopping centers, hospitals, casinos, recreational venues and theme parks, will need to evolve to remain safely in business. For such large spaces with big crowds, technology to monitor for social distancing, temperature checks and mask compliance will be critical.

Hospitals will be one of the many workplaces that will evolve and depend on technology to avoid cross-contamination, especially with patients at higher-risk. AI technology can be used to take vitals, heartrate, temperatures and more without the need to enter a patients room. This will help to provide better overall patient care while keeping patients and staff safe.

For retail and theme park settings, customer service can be faster and more efficient. There will no longer be the need to wait in a physical line. Customers will be able to check in, receive a notification when its their turn, and then be able to walk right up for service or to experience an attraction. AI will be more important than ever in these high-traffic situations.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

AI Monitoring and Privacy

With all of these technological implementations, employees and customers alike may be concerned about privacy. AI solutions have the ability to make people into avatars, where only behaviors and other rules are being monitored, which will help to ensure the privacy of individuals.

Unlike the extensive volumes of video surveillance data being collected, this type of monitoring does not entail identity information such as names or images. Moreover, data through this type of platform can be stored locally, not via a cloud system which might be breached more easily. This could reduce the risk of bad actors intruding in the system since access would need to be through the local database.

A Better Future With AI

AI-enabled technology solutions will help lead to a better future. The change has already begun, and the landscape will most likely continue to shift abruptly as we adapt to the post-pandemic world and learn more about how COVID-19 and other diseases are transmitted.

Customers, businesses and employees will all experience concern during phased reopening, but there are ways to safeguard individuals in minimally intrusive ways, thanks to AI, neural networks and other technological advancements.

AI technology solutions will allow us to advance and resume some semblance of normal activity, all while managing compliance, ensuring profitability and mitigating liability.
Industry Update

Appointment

14 August 2020

Kiel Lombardo

Appointed Executive Chef

At Luminary Hotel & Co. in Ft. Myers - FL, USA

Executive Chef Kiel Lombardo will direct daily culinary operations at the hotel's signature Silver King Ocean Brasserie and Ella Mae's Diner, as well as the Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop lounge. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Lombardo was most recently with RL Hospitality Consulting out of Tampa, Florida, where he consulted on restaurant design and concept branding. Lombardo has also held positions as chef owner/creator at Platt Street Borough and Roy's Restaurant where he trained with James Beard award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi. Lombardo graduated from the Culinary & Hospitality School (formerly New Hampshire College) in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC Mainsail Lodging and Development is a Tampa-based hospitality company that develops and operates lodging products in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean. Their properties include Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (ScrubIsland. more information

Recent Appointments at Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC Jimmy Teixeira - Director of Sales 14 October 2021  Florida-based Mainsail Lodging & Development and IDP Properties have announced the appointment of Jimmy Teixeira as Director of Sales of Hotel Forty Five, a 94-room boutique hotel, opening in downtown Macon, Georgia, in early 2022. read more

Fatima Del Carmen - Event Manager 9 September 2021  Epicurean Hotel recently announced Fatima Del Carmen has joined the team as Event Manager of the 137-room boutique hotel located in the trendy Hyde Park historic district of South Tampa. With 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Fatima Del Carmen was recently hired as the event manager, where she will oversee the planning and execution of Epicurean's events. read more
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 06:16:51|Editor: huaxia

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DUBLIN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's goods imports and exports showed a month-on-month recovery in the second quarter of this year, according to figures released by the country's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Friday.

In April, Ireland's goods exports fell to 11.46 billion euros (about 13.56 billion U.S. dollars) after hitting a monthly record high of 17.02 billion euros in March when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was yet to be felt in the country.

Goods imports in April tumbled to 5.73 billion euros from 7.1 billion euros in the previous month.

Since April, the country's goods imports and exports showed a month-on-month improvement, first rising to 6.4 billion euros and 12.98 billion euros respectively in May, then to 6.84 billion euros and 13.87 billion euros respectively in June.

During the April-June period of this year, Ireland's trade surplus also showed a consistent recovery on a monthly basis, rising from 5.73 billion euros in April to 6.58 billion euros in May, then to 7.03 billion euros in June.

According to the CSO figures, the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) accounted for 2.49 billion euros, or 36 percent, of Ireland's total goods imports in June.

The United States and China were the main non-EU sources of Ireland's imported goods, accounting for 13 percent and 8 percent respectively of the country's total goods imports in June.

The EU was also the largest destination for the goods exported by Ireland, accounting for 6.02 billion euros or 43 percent of Ireland's total goods exports in June.

The United States was the main non-EU destination for Irish exported goods, accounting for 3.47 billion euros or 25 percent of Ireland's total goods exports in June.

The CSO figures also showed that in the first half of this year, Ireland imported a total of 41.12 billion euros worth of goods, down 7 percent over a year ago while its total goods exports were valued at 81.96 billion euros, up 8 percent year-on-year. (1 euro = 1.184 U.S. dollars) Enditem
As Portlands protests against police violence and systemic racism continue nightly, community members are struggling with the incursion of police and demonstrators into neighborhoods.

Karen Roberts is still unnerved by an experience she had earlier this month.
On the night of Aug. 14, 1945, the bespectacled Emperor of Japan walked into the second floor room of the Household Ministry in Tokyo, where the technicians from the national radio station, NHK, had set up recording equipment.

Emperor Hirohito was 44. And for 3 years, he had presided over the titanic struggle Japan had been waging with the U.S. and its allies since the attack on Pearl Harbor.

But Japan's once-mighty armed forces had been destroyed - its ships sunk, its soldiers killed, its planes shot down. Its cities had been bombed to rubble - most recently by two atomic weapons. And the emperor now had to tell his people the war was lost.

"How loudly should I speak?" he asked the technicians making the official recording for broadcast.

How loudly did one say that World War II was over? That the global catastrophe, which began in Europe in 1939 and spread across oceans and continents, and killed and maimed millions, was at an end?

Nazi Germany had surrendered four months earlier, after its reign of genocide, murder and brutality had been brought down. Adolf Hitler was dead. The concentration camps were liberated.

But Japan had continued fighting, and the world waited now for the emperor to end the tragedy.

Hirohito approached the NHK microphone - the same one the station used to announce that Japan had attacked the U.S. in 1941, according to historian John Toland.

"To our good and loyal subjects," he began. "After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in our empire today, we have decided . . . [on] an extraordinary measure."

Japan would endure "the unendurable and [suffer] what is unsufferable," he said, and surrender.

The announcement was broadcast to the Japanese at noon the next day, Aug. 15.

Four hours earlier - 7 p.m. on Aug. 14 in Washington - President Harry S. Truman announced in the White House that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, and the war was over.

The official end would come September 2, when the instrument of surrender was signed on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. But the world learned it was over, and rejoiced, when word first came on Aug. 14 and 15.

An estimated 400,000 Americans had been killed, 600,000 had been wounded and 30,000 were missing.

Millions more had perished around the world

Now it was over, and celebrations erupted.

Millions flooded into New York's Times Square. Spotlights swept over the crowds. Paper, confetti and streamers rained from office buildings.

Fifteen effigies of Hirohito were hung from telephone poles along one avenue in Brooklyn, then pulled down and burned, the New York Times said.

Newspapers blared the one-word headline - "PEACE!" - and took note of the gold star banners in the homes of those who had lost a son, brother or father.

In Washington, people jammed Lafayette Square, across from the White House, and shouted "We want Truman! We want Truman!"

The president emerged from the north portico of the White House at about 8 p.m. and walked onto the lawn to greet the throng.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "This is a great day. This is the day we have all been looking for since Dec. 7, 1941."

At the U.S. Naval Academy, the ancient Gokoku-ji bell brought from Okinawa by Commodore Matthew Perry in the 1850s, was pounded with fists and shoes and reportedly rung so hard that it cracked.

In Lincoln, Neb., Mayor Lloyd Marti led 15,000 people in the University of Nebraska stadium in a victory celebration.

They sang the hymn "Old Hundredth" - Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow - along with the classic songs from World War I: "K-K-K-Katy" and "There's a Long, Long Trail."

"All over the world today the lights so long darkened . . . come on again," the Rev. Raymond A. McConnell, pastor of the First-Plymouth Congregational Church, told the crowd, according to the Lincoln Star.

"The guns are silent," he said. "The killing has stopped. Victory is ours and it is indeed a despairing heart that is not uplifted in gratitude and hope."

In Philadelphia that Tuesday evening, people leaped from trolley cars and dashed into the streets from restaurants, leaving meals behind, to join the delirious throng around City Hall. The city's air raid sirens were sounded in a salute to victory.

Bars closed, but people got inebriated anyhow.

In San Francisco, five people died and 300 were hospitalized during the celebrations.

On the morning of the Truman announcement, The Washington Post reported the death of Navy gunner's mate Francis X. King, 25, whose parents lived in the city.

King had been reported missing after his ship, the USS Jarvis, was attacked and sunk by a swarm of Japanese planes off Guadalcanal on Aug. 9, 1942. Now he had been declared dead 8,000 miles from home.

- - -

The war in the Pacific had been fought over vast distances with armadas of ships and planes.

One stretch of ocean off the island of Guadalcanal was called "Iron Bottom Sound" because so many American and Japanese ships were sunk there.

On the atoll of Tarawa, bitter fighting in November 1943 killed 1,000 Marines. Buried on the atoll, many of their bodies became lost, and have only recently been discovered.

Last week, the Defense Department announced that remains recovered there last year have been identified as those of Sgt. George R. Reeser, 25, of Washington, Ill. He will be buried next month outside Deer Creek, Ill., where his parents, Levi and Esther, rest.

During the same campaign, the aircraft carrier USS Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine.

Among the dead was Doris "Dorie" Miller, who had manned a machine gun at Pearl Harbor and became the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross for valor.

The Pacific claimed the legendary war correspondent Ernie Pyle, killed by machine gun fire during the battle for Okinawa in 1945.

It killed the famous Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who had overseen the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. His plane was shot down by American fighters in April 1943.

It killed three of the six men who raised the famous flag on Iwo Jima.

It killed the five Sullivan brothers, of Waterloo, Iowa, when the ship they were all serving on, the USS Juneau, was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine in November 1942.

"The war left scars that never healed," historian Donald L. Miller has written. "This was a war that was so savage it turned some soldiers into savages."

But it also drew out nobility. "Boys who had barely begun to shave carried out stirring acts of heroism and selflessness," he wrote.

Jack Lucas, of the Marine Corps, was 17 when he dove onto two Japanese grenades to save his buddies during the battle for Iwo Jima. He survived the blast and was given the Medal of Honor for valor.

Another Marine, Eugene B. Sledge, was 21 when word of the surrender reached him on Okinawa. He had just participated in the grim battle there where 12,000 Americans had been killed.

"We received the news with quiet disbelief coupled with an indescribable sense of relief," he wrote in his 1981 memoir "With the Old Breed."

"We thought the Japanese would never surrender," he wrote. "Many refused to believe it. Sitting in stunned silence, we remembered our dead. So many dead. So many maimed."

"Except for a few widely scattered shouts of joy," Sledge wrote, "the survivors of the abyss sat hollow-eyed and silent, trying to comprehend a world without war."

In Hiroshima, where the world's first atomic bomb had killed tens of thousands of people eight days before, survivor Michihiko Hachiya, a physician, gathered with others to hear what Hirohito was going to say.

He expected the emperor to announce that Japan had been invaded, and its people were being urged to fight to the end.

Hachiya was the director of the Hiroshima Communications Hospital, which served local employees of the mail, telegraph and telephone service.

"Word came to assemble in the office," he wrote. "A radio had been set up and when I arrived the room was already crowded."

Precisely at noon, the popular NHK announcer, Chokugen Wada, came on the air. He said he had a "broadcast of the gravest importance," and asked all listeners to please rise.

"Like others in the room, I had come to attention," Hachiya remembered. "We all remained silent."

The haunting Japanese national anthem was played, followed by Hirohito's announcement, which had been recorded on a 10-inch record.

Few people had ever heard the emperor's voice. And historians say he spoke in formal Japanese that many listeners had trouble understanding.

The night before, in Tokyo, the technicians had told Hirohito to speak in a normal voice. But he had lowered it anyway, made several mistakes, and had to record it a second time, according to Toland's account.

"We declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation . . . it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement . . .

"Now the war has lasted for nearly four years . . . [and] the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives . . .

"According to the dictates of time and fate . . . We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable . . ."

The radio buzzed and crackled with static.

The emperor's voice faded in and out. "I caught only one phrase which sounded something like, 'bear the unbearable,' " Hachiya recalled.

What had he said?

An official "who had been standing by the radio, turned to us and said: 'The broadcast was in the Emperor's own voice, and he has just said that we've lost the war.' "

People began to weep.

"How can we lose the war!" someone shouted. The fight should go on. Was it not "better to die for one's country and crown life with perfection . . . than live in shame and disgrace?"

"The one word - surrender - had produced a greater shock than the bombing of our city," Hachiya wrote.

That night he walked around, and sat down where he could see the devastation of Hiroshima. Here armies of Japanese soldiers had once embarked on conquest.

Now the landscape was apocalyptic.

He saw the Ota River glittering faintly as it sent its tributaries through the city.

The dark outlines of the city's Mount Futabayama were visible against the sky.

"Even in a nation defeated," Hachiya thought, "the rivers and mountains remained the same. I became overwhelmingly lonely."

But the war would not end quietly.

In the southwestern city of Fukuoka, a group of army officers became enraged after they heard the emperor. They rounded up 17 captured American aviators, blindfolded and handcuffed them, according to historian Timothy Lang Francis.

They took the Americans to an open field, and, drawing swords, beheaded them one at a time.
A machine monitors a patients vital signs.  UNHCR/Roger Arnold

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes Canadas announcement to open pathways to permanent residency for asylum-seekers in the healthcare sector who have worked on the frontlines of the countrys COVID-19 response.

This is an exemplary act of solidarity which recognises the service and dedication of some of the most marginalized and vulnerable members in society. It is a reminder of the exceptional contributions refugees and asylum-seekers make to the communities that welcome them, said Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCRs Representative in Canada.

UNHCR understands the decision will benefit asylum-seekers across the country who meet eligibility requirements and who have been playing a crucial role in healthcare institutions during the pandemic.

We have seen firsthand, across the world, that refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced people have skills and resources that can be part of the solution, Jamous Imseis said.

They risk their own lives to support and care for others in the fight against COVID-19. From Colombia to Bangladesh, from Uganda to Canada, incredible stories have emerged as people come together to battle a disease that knows no borders.

For more information, please contact:


For nearly a week, Mona Zahran slept on a couch pulled across the front door of her home in Beirut. The powerful explosion in Lebanons capital on August 4 had broken her door and windows. She feared robbers might try to enter her house at night.

It was the latest hardship in the difficult life of the 50-year-old.

A few months ago, Zahran lost her job because of anti-government protests, Lebanons economic collapse and coronavirus restrictions.

Now, she could be robbed of her house in the insecure conditions created by the explosion.

It is no shame to be poor. But this home is the only thing I have left, she said.

Throughout past political crises, the Lebanese always somehow kept their way of life unshaken. That appears impossible now.

Lina Mounzer, a Lebanese writer, says her country has been slowly sinking into a terrible state. There is a severe lack of public and social services while a few people profited by exploiting the warring and other unrest in the country.

Now almost half of the population is in poverty, up from about 20% two years ago. The banking system  once a highly valued part of Lebanons economy  is in severe decline. Unemployment is increasing.

Everything we were able to imagine belongs to one world and now we are in the world of the unimaginable, Mounzer said. It is incomparable to anything that any of us has lived before. And we have been through wars.

Zahrans family home is in Karantina, one of Beiruts poorest neighborhoods, overlooking the port.

She says the explosion sent glass flying, hitting her as she lay on her couch. She remembers shouting for her dead mother.

Her thoughts turned to her years as a child, when Karantina was often under attack during the 15-year-long civil war. It ended in 1990. Her first thought was that she would have to leave her home again, as her family did in 1976. Her parents and their five children lived in a single hotel room for years.

After the explosion, she ran through the house, checking on her family members. Her 60-year-old brother and two other relatives were buried in glass and bloody from cuts. The explosion blew out windows and doors and damaged two rooms.

It was the definition of terror, said Zahran. The only thing that provides us security is this house.

Volunteer workers recently put in a temporary, wooden door on Zahrans home for free.

For Zahran, Lebanons politics are too complex. But she is sure of one thing: Our rulers are not worthy of this country.

Less than two kilometers away, in the wealthy Achrafieh area, Rachelle Boumelhem sits among the ruins of her beauty shop.

Volunteers have cleared away the glass. But the shop, her dream investment in Lebanon, lost walls to the explosion. Small pieces of glass remain stuck in Boumelhems legs. Her younger sister is recovering from injuries caused by flying wreckage.

After pushing through many of Lebanons crises, the 29-year-old Boumelhem now feels her will might be destroyed, like her shop.

That is the first time I feel everything collapsed on our head, morally and physically, she said. How is it that on Aug. 4 at 6:08 p.m., all of this stopped?

Boumelhem had chosen to build her life in Lebanon.

She was born in Australia. Her parents returned with her to Lebanon a few years after the civil war ended. A marketing specialist, she returned to Sydney in 2016, considering a life there, but after a few months returned home to open the shop with her mother and sisters.

They invested almost $300,000 in the business. They chose to open it in Achrafieh partly for security reasons, believing it would be less affected if unrest returned to the country.

It did. Protests that began in October forced the family to close the shop for the first time. Protesters took over central Beirut, blocking roads. The demonstrators succeeded in forcing the government to resign.

We got through it and we moved on. Then COVID happened and we were forced into lockdown. I thought again it is the end, she said.

But she kept the business alive. During closure, she offered its beauty services at individuals homes. The financial crisis offered a freak opportunity. She kept prices low. The business grew by 15 percent.

Boumelhem spent the summer urging friends to be hopeful, that the future of business looked good. There was no reason to fear additional conflict, she argued, although tensions between Lebanons Hezbollah group and Israel were rising.

After the explosion, customers and friends began an online campaign to raise money for the shop. Boumelhem also hopes the government will inspect her shop and give her money for damages.

Lebanon never had a break, said Boumelhem, adding that her hard work would have made her a major success in other places. But she does not know if she can start over.

I am not sure where I stand now, honestly, she said. I am afraid. I am lost. I dont know where to go next.

I'm Bryan Lynn.

And Im Jonathan Evans.

Sarah El Deeb reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

couch  n. a long piece of furniture on which a person can sit or lie down

customer  n. a person who buys from or uses the services of a company especially regularly

decline  n. the process of becoming worse in condition or quality

lockdown  n. an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area or building such as a school during a threat of danger
Construction on Harris County's brand new 50,000-square-foot animal shelter is now complete and all staff and animals have moved into the new facility, according to Eddie Miranda, senior public information officer for Harris County Public Health.

The Harris County Pets Resource Center houses the shelter's new wellness clinic, kennel operations, adoptions, admissions, call center and administrative offices. Staff was busy moving into the new building on Wednesday.
Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo have become fan favorites among many who watch TLCs Counting On. Still, discussions about the couple have some thinking theyre actually more pretentious than the rest. Plus, Duggar and Vuolos recent podcast conversation had people calling them conceited.

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo | Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Discovery Channel

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo live differently than most Duggars

Duggar and Vuolo were married in 2016, but they didnt stay in Arkansas like the rest of the family. Instead, the two moved to Laredo, Texas, where Vuolo worked as a pastor. And less than three years after settling into Laredo, they moved to the West Coast. The two have been living in Los Angeles for a little more than a year, and its led them to live life with a bit more freedom than most other Duggars.

Duggar and Vuolo listen to mainstream music and watch television; Duggar also dyed her hair blonde and cut it much shorter, which is something she was not allowed to do as a child. Together, the two are raising their daughter with strong ties to their faith but are also allowing her to play with more mainstream, non-religious toys.

RELATED: Counting On Fans Think Jinger Duggar Married Way Too Young

Critics of the show think the two are pretentious

Duggar and Vuolos Instagram account has changed over the past few months to mostly show staged, professional images of the two. Its led some to believe that theyre becoming less relatable to fans, and Reddit users recently discussed that the two seem more pretentious than other members of the family.

I think Jeremys office [in Laredo] was extremely pretentious. Also, the time that they took Joe and Kendra out to dinner was snobbish, one user wrote. I feel like they were less pretentious when they first got married and lived in their apartment, but once they moved into their house in Laredo, it started to go downhill, another person wrote. Both are pretentious, someone else added.

RELATED: Counting On: Jeremy Vuolo Reveals How His 2008 Arrest Changed His Life: I Realized I Cant Live Like This

The couples recent podcast had some calling them conceited

Besides critics thinking theyre pretentious, fans recently called out the couple for the way they addressed single people on their recent podcast. The two were trying to encourage those who were single (and wanted to be married) to keep the faith, but it rubbed some fans the wrong way. Holding up your life as an example to others seems very conceited to me, someone wrote on Duggars Instagram photo promoting the podcast. I dont need a husband for happiness, someone else wrote.

Many still love Duggar and Vuolos storyline

Though some have taken issue with Duggar and Vuolos lifestyle, many still love the couple. The two recently announced that theyre expecting another baby in November, and fans are excited to see the newest addition to the couples family.

Amid negative comments on Duggars post about the marriage discussion, there were many people who were happy to hear her words about her own struggle with being single and felt she was relatable to fans.
After being vacant for years, South Presbyterian Church is looking ahead to its next chapter after being sold to Syracuse residents Chino and Evelyn Ingram.

The couple has plans to turn the historic 100-plus year old church, once peppered with boarded up windows and in need of repair, into a regal multipurpose building with event space and networking lounge for professionals called The Castle.

Evelyn said the idea for the event space came when they were looking to throw a private birthday party and surprise wedding event. After looking at places in Syracuse, they couldnt find what they were looking for.

We have some nice venues in this area, but we were looking for something a little unique and kind of different to add to the excitement of the event, she said.

They ended up hosting their event at a space about 30 minutes away, but wished there was something similar available in Syracuse.

Then, the South Presbyterian Church at 2210 South Salina St. was put up for sale in October of last year. The Ingrams saw the announcement on the news and were immediately hit with inspiration.

My husband and I were sitting on the couch and we looked at each other and said Thats it, Evelyn said.

Because the church was being sold by the Greater Syracuse Land Bank, there was an involved process the Ingrams had to go through to purchase the property, starting with putting together a proposal for how they would use it and how they would execute their plan. It was submitted to a selection committee and gained approval by the Land Bank board.

The couple envisions The Castles design to be one of metropolitan sophistication with a royal feel. The event space will be designed for a wide array of events like weddings, parties, concerts, plays, and more.

The section of the building designated as a lounge will offer a comfortable atmosphere where professionals can come and network and socialize, she said. Light food and drinks will also be offered.

In order to make this regal dream a reality, the Ingrams need to gather the $7 million for the renovation plan. Simultaneously they are working with architects to begin drawing up plans to develop the space. They want to preserve the identity of the building, but are hammering out the details of what that will look like.

The Greater Syracuse Land Bank acquired the church in 2015 and helped it gain recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Evelyn said this designation means there will be some requirements to preserve its historic exterior.

Originally dedicated in 1907, the saga of South Presbyterian Church began in 2008 when its congregation dwindled to the point that it could no longer support the building. It was then sold to a California treasure hunter who removed all of the structures Tiffany stained glass windows and chandeliers.

In 2016, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard reported that the building has suffered water damage and was in need of a new roof. The $7 million renovation plan includes all necessary repairs to the building.

The prominent South Salina St. building has garnered a lot of positive reactions since they purchased it, said the Ingrams.

It has been outstanding. I cant express how much response we have received. It has been from people all across the region sharing their experiences, Evelyn said.

She said they have heard from people who have been married there, attended concerts there, and even those who simply drive past the church every day expressing thanks for revitalization efforts of the area. Chino himself once played there as a child, having grown up two doors down from the church.

Its really been a great reception. Thats really been confirming that this is the right project for us, she said.

The couple anticipates it will be around two years before The Castle opens. They are confident however that things will fall into place to create a venue on Syracuses Southside which they hope will have not only a positive impact on the city, but the region as well.

The Castle is also located in part of a Southside renaissance. The headquarters for Access Dental Laboratories is planned for nearby 2520 S. Salina St., bringing 50 jobs to the area. They are also doors away from Cafe Sankofa, a wellness cooperative, and the South Side Innovation Center business incubator operated by Syracuse Universitys Whitman School.

The Ingrams want the community to feel engaged and part of the project. Anyone who wishes to reach out about available resources or has questions about The Castle are encouraged to contact them at TheCastle603@yahoo.com.

8 South Presbyterian Church of Syracuse

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SAO PAULO, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura &Co's rapid pivot to online and digital platforms led to 225% growth in e-commerce sales, allowing the Group to outperform the global Cosmetics, Fragrance and Toiletries market in the second quarter. Consolidated sales stood at R$7.0 billion, down only 12.7% despite the unprecedented global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The quarter also saw the launch of the Group's Commitment to Life, a comprehensive sustainability plan through 2030, further increasing Natura &Co's actions to tackle some of the world's most pressing issues, including the climate crisis and protecting the Amazon, the defense of human rights, ensuring equality and inclusion and embracing circularity and regeneration.

And Natura &Co also successfully completed a R$2 billion capital raise in the quarter that will allow the Group to invest R$400 million in the coming six months in digital and IT, with further significant investments planned over the next four years.

Roberto Marques, Executive Chairman and Group CEO of Natura &Co, declared: "Our continued efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of our businesses enabled us to largely offset store closures, ensure business continuity, and deliver market outperformance during a period in which much of the world faced continued lockdown measures. Every brand and business in the Group became truly omnichannel during the second quarter andgiven the circumstanceshelped deliver a robust and competitive overall performance, both in terms of sales and EBITDA.

"To further develop our omnichannel model, we will continue making significant investments in digital and IT thanks to our successful capital raise, and I'm also delighted to announce two strategic partnerships, one with Vayner Media, a global powerhouse in social media, which will include digital support for the Avon brand relaunch, and another with Singu, a leading Brazilian digital platform for at-home beauty services.

"We also took a major step in advancing our purpose-driven vision to business this quarter by launching our 2030 sustainability plan. Today more than ever, Natura &Co's trailblazing approach combining economic, social and environmental performance is an absolute imperative."

Natura &Co's consolidated net revenue of R$7.0 billion was driven by remarkable growth by the Natura brand in Brazil and strong growth in sales in Reais by The Body Shop and Aesop, with exceptional performances in digital social selling and e-commerce. Excluding the phasing effect on sales of a previously-disclosed cyber incident at Avon, of approximately R$450 million already captured in Q3, net revenue in Q2 would have been -7.0% vs Q2 19 (-18.6% at constant currency). Adjusted EBITDA was R$615.2 million, with margin of 8.8%, reflecting the Group's cost discipline to offset lower sales.

Group e-commerce sales grew by about 225% in the quarter vs. the same period last year, with growth of 150% at Natura and Avon combined, 230% at the Body Shop and 430% at Aesop. Digital social selling also made major advances. At end-Q2-20, there were 889,000 Natura consultant online stores, 65% more than in Q2-19, and orders through these stores nearly tripled. The implementation of new features, such as the interactive e-brochure, has allowed us to significantly grow sales through our digital platforms. The digitalization of Avon International representatives continued, and sales via the digital brochure in the quarter were more than triple those in Q2-19, while e-commerce sales more than doubled.

Natura &Co Latam's net revenue was down 16.5% in BRL. The Natura brand's net revenue increased by 4.4%, supported by a remarkable performance at Natura Brazil (+7.9%), driven by the strength of its digital relationship selling model, as well as successful and innovative Mother's Day and Valentine's Day campaigns. This helped offset a 3.6% drop in Hispanic Latam due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Avon brand's net revenue declined 35.2% in BRL on a reduction in representatives across all markets in Latin America and COVID-19 impacts, as well as the cyber incident. Brazil dropped 31.1% while Hispanic Latam was down 37.8%. Q2-20 Adjusted EBITDA for Natura &Co Latam was R$373.2 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 9.4% (-320 bps). In H1, Natura &Co Latam's net revenue was down 7.8% in BRL and adjusted EBITDA was R$660.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin of 8.1% (-160 bps).

Avon International, which comprises Avon's activities in 50 markets throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, saw its Q2 net revenue decrease by 21.6% in BRL. The decrease was caused by a combination of lower representative activity related to COVID-19 impact and the cyber incident. Representatives increased adoption of digital assets and sales via the digital brochure more than doubled in the quarter vs Q1. Adjusted EBITDA was R$72.6 million, with 4.4% margin. In H1, net sales were down 11.9% and adjusted EBITDA margin was 4.7% (-840 bps).

The Body Shop's net revenue increased 15.5% in BRL, driven by a very strong performance in online and direct sales. COVID-19 lockdown measures impacted retail performance in the quarter, with 87% of retail stores closed at the end of April, before reopening mostly in June, ending the quarter with 16% still closed. Revenue progressively improved as stores reopened and returned to growth of +14% in June. Consumers continued to shift to e-commerce and At-Home (direct sales), with growth of more than 230% and 280%, respectively, significantly offsetting lost retail sales. Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 was R$132.8 million, with adjusted margin of 14.8% (-90 bps). H1-20 net revenue increased 9.0% in BRL while adjusted EBITDA was R$278.6 million, with adjusted margin of 14.9% (-280 bps).

The Aesop success story continued in Q2, with strong double-digit growth in both sales and profitability in Reais. Net sales grew 34.8% in Q2 as a 430% increase in digital sales helped offset the closure of 90% of the store network through much of Q2. Growth resumed in June and was a strong +20%. EBITDA in Q2 grew by 78.5% to R$102.6 million, with margin up 650 basis points to 26.8%. In H1, net sales were up 30.8% and EBITDA rose 52.8% to R$180.6 million, with margin of 25.0% (+360 bps).

About Natura &Co

Natura &Co is a global, purpose-driven, multi-channel and multi-brand cosmetics group which includes Avon, Natura, The Body Shop and Aesop. Natura &Co posted net revenues of R$ 14.4 billion in 2019 and R$32.9 billion on a proforma basis, including Avon. The four companies that form the group are committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. For 130 years Avon has stood for women: providing innovative, quality beauty products which are primarily sold to women, through women. Founded in 1969, Natura is a Brazilian multinational in the cosmetics and personal care segment, leader in direct sales. Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Anita Roddick, The Body Shop is a global beauty brand that seeks to make a positive difference in the world. The Australian beauty brand Aesop was established in 1987 with a quest to create a range of superlative products for skin, hair and the body.

SOURCE Natura &Co

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(CNN)  Sometimes  OK, a lot of times  Donald Trump says the quiet part out loud.

Like during an interview on Fox Business with Maria Bartiromo on Thursday morning when Trump flatly admitted the real reason why he is blocking the inclusion of any money for the United States Postal Service in a coronavirus relief bill in Congress.

Here's exactly what he said:

"They want $3.5 billion for something that will turn out to be fraudulent, that's election money basically. They want $3.5 trillion -- billion dollars for the mail-in votes, OK, universal mail-in ballots, $3.5 trillion. They want $25 billion, billion, for the Post Office. Now they need that money in order to have the Post Office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots...

" ... Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting, they just can't have it. So, you know, sort of a crazy thing. Very interesting."

Let's be very, very clear about what Trump is saying here.

1) Democrats want funding in a coronavirus relief bill for the Postal Service.

2) They want that money so that the USPS can adequately deal with what is expected to be a major surge in mail-in and absentee balloting due to concerns about in-person voting spreading Covid-19.

3) Trump refuses to give them that money -- or include it in any sort of deal -- because, without it, there won't be the ability for the people to cast more mail-in ballots, or -- and this is really important -- for election officials to effectively count them all.

So, yeah.

(And that's putting aside the fact that in blocking the coronavirus bill because of the money allotted for the Postal Service, the President is blocking a whole lot of other things, including increased education funding and rent/mortgage assistance, that many people in the country badly need.)

This is the President of the United States purposely trying to make it harder for votes to be counted.

Why? Because he believes that mail-in balloting is ripe for fraud.

The problem with that view is that it is simply not supported by any real data. While Trump likes to focus on 500,000 absentee ballot applications being sent with the wrong return address in Virginia recently, the truth of the matter is that while mistakes like that one can get made, there's just no evidence of widespread purposeful voting fraud.

There is study after study that make this fact plain.

In one, Loyola Law School professor Justin Levitt tracked US elections from 2000 to 2014 in search of voter fraud, or, as he put it, "specific, credible allegation that someone may have pretended to be someone else at the polls."

How many examples did he find? Exactly 31 -- out of more than 1 billion instances. 31! (That's an infinitesimally small number). That's not to say that each of those 31 instances of attempted voter fraud isn't worth an investigation. We don't want any voter fraud. But it is to say that 31 instances out of more than 1 billion is nothing anywhere close to widespread voter fraud.

The Levitt study is far from the only one to draw such a conclusion. A five-year study on voter fraud commissioned by George W. Bush -- a Republican -- found that same conclusion as Levitt. Wrote The New York Times at the time: "The Justice Department has turned up virtually no evidence of any organized effort to skew federal elections."

In the 2016 election, in which more than 135 million votes were cast, there were a total of four documented cases of voter fraud, according to The Washington Post's Philip Bump.

What is happening here is that Trump is using the power of the executive branch to block legislation solely because of a totally fact-free belief that mail-in balloting is ripe for fraud. And because -- and he said this too! -- he thinks that mail-in balloting benefits Democrats.

"The things they had in there were crazy," Trump said in April of Democrats' push for all mail-in voting this election. "They had levels of voting, that if you ever agreed to it you'd never have a Republican elected in this country again."

Given all of that context, it's very clear that Trump is working to block money for the post office because he thinks it's his best chance to either stop or badly disrupt the way the votes will be cast and counted in this election. The American president. In his own reelection race. A race he has repeatedly suggested is "rigged" and "biased" because of the likely increase in mail-in ballots.

"This will be the greatest fraud in history," Trump told Bartiromo of the 2020 election Thursday. "This will be the most fraudulent -- this will be almost as fraudulent as Obama spying on my campaign, but not quite. This will be the greatest fraud in history."

Trump also admitted that he was playing a role -- or at least trying to play a role -- in undermining the ability of voters to cast ballots and for those votes to be counted.

Which c

This story was first published on CNN.com Donald Trump just straight-up admitted he is working to meddle in the election
In a significant development in the resumption of the international air travel, the Director-General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that Indians holding any type of valid visa can travel to the US, Canada, UAE and the UK under the bilateral 'Air Bubbles' agreement with these countries.

"Under bubble agreement any Indian holding any kind of valid visa can travel to Canada, UK, US and UAE," said DGCA India in a statement. The Maldives has also agreed to create an air bubble with India to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries.

READ | Indian Citizens With Valid Visas Can Now Travel To UAE: Ambassador Pavan Kapoor

READ | Indians Are The Most Confident In World To Travel After Coronavirus Pandemic: Study

Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said in July that an air bubble arrangement was being established with France on an experimental basis, besides apprising about the ongoing negotiations with Germany.

Speaking about the resumption of international travel, Puri had said in a press conference that bilateral air bubbles are the only way to go forward until the international normalises.

"Bilateral air bubbles is the way forward to establish international flight connectivity. These will be present until international aviation becomes normal. Many countries still have travel restrictions. We will operate in air bubbles," said Hardeep Puri.

He has recently stated that talks are underway with other countries to establish more air bubbles. India has, however, not opened up incoming entry for all types of visa holders. The country at present is allowing only those holding essential visa approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to enter the country.

READ | 21.07L People Travelled Domestically By Air This July, 82.3% Lower Than July 2019

READ | Travel Agents' Body Urges Bengal Govt To Withdraw Ban On Flights To Kolkata From Six Cities

What is a bilateral air bubble?

A bilateral air bubble is when specific countries mutually decide to open the travel corridor between them, based on understanding and partnership. Given the current Coronavius situation in the country, a bilateral air bubble is signed between two nations who agree to allow inbound and outbound flights between their countries.

This sort of agreement helps a host country acknowledge that they are well aware of the pandemic situation of the other country, and would still want to go forward and allow their passengers to travel to their nation. This mutual understanding is important to ease air travel restrictions for incoming passengers, who have to follow a select protocol keeping in mind the pandemic situation of the host country.


Drill Rig Mobilising to Site

Melbourne, Aug 14, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cohiba Minerals Limited ( ASX:CHK ) is pleased to announce that formal approval of the Heritage Survey and Exploration PEPR for the drilling program at Horse Well and Pernatty C has been received and the Company has given the green light for our drilling contractors, DRC Drilling, to commence mobilisation and drilling.Field personnel have been deployed to site to ensure access tracks and drill pad preparation have been completed in accordance with the approval conditions (Figure 1*).The Company has decided that the drilling program will commence at Horse Well with HWDD_02 (renamed NewDD_02 from Heritage Survey) which will target the deep magnetotelluric conductive feature identified by Zonge and the subsequent (predicted) Tapley Hill Formation identified by CGG (Figure 2*).The proximity of Horse Well to BHP's Oak Dam West project and the identification of pervasive mineralising structures provides additional optimism to the program of work (Figure 3*).Following the results at DD_02 the Company will determine the order of merit for the other holes at Horse Well and Pernatty C.Cohiba's CEO, Andrew Graham says, "Following such a large volume of work over an extended period of time it is most gratifying to finally have the approvals in place. This has been a team effort and I extend my thanks to the Kokatha Aboriginal Corporation, the Department of Energy and Mining, Euro Exploration, the Cohiba Board and the shareholders for their work and support. We remain steadfast in the belief that we are situated in one of the most prospective areas within the best IOCG environment in the world. Our position alongside BHP's Oak Dam Project has also provided additional confidence that we are very much in the right location. We are eager to test our targets and look forward to providing significant updates to our stakeholders as things progress."*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cohiba Minerals Limited

Cohiba Minerals Limited (ASX:CHK) is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange with the primary focus of investing in the resource sector through direct tenement acquisition, joint ventures, farm in arrangements and new project generation. The shares of the company trade under the ticker symbol CHK.

The Company recently acquired 100% of the shares in Charge Lithium Pty Ltd, which holds exploration licences in Western Australia.
No show: Failte Irelands Meitheal 2019 event was run by Advantage at locations including the Citywest Hotel (pictured) and Weston Aerodrome

Ireland is losing out on a pipeline of new conference business worth 1.2bn with bookings "devastated" until at least mid-2021, according to the industry's chairman.

Ronan Flood, who leads the 10-firm Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers, says hundreds of events have been cancelled, turned into lower-revenue virtual events, or postponed.

He says competitive bidding to win new business - a process that happens four to five years in advance of events - will not be significantly won by Irish firms again until they can compete on even terms with European rivals.

Event organisers "will be the last people in the tourism sector to come back", he said. "Our events won't take place until at least mid-2021, and clients even in that time frame are talking about staying virtual."

Mr Flood says most event organisers are keeping staff thanks only to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. As that State aid wanes, he expects firms like his own to cut staff or make them part-time.

'Business tourism' is a particularly high-value element of Ireland's normal tourist revenue. Last year it generated 740m, reflecting an average spend per head of 1,600 for industry and corporate events.

"Now that's completely dead. Devastated," said Mr Flood, managing director of conference and event management firm Advantage Group. Its next live event is set for mid-2021.

Mr Flood described the years it can take to land conferences by noting his firm's winning bid for the 2020 World Congress of International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists.

Advantage beat rival firms here to make the Irish pitch in 2015. A year later, with Failte Ireland aid, he travelled to that year's congress in South Korea to sell Ireland versus rival bids from Denmark and Turkey.

Advantage was planning the event website and programme when Covid-19 cancelled the congress. It has been rescheduled for August 2021 amid expectations that many of the planned 1,000 attendees may log in remotely instead.

This means lost revenue for Advantage. It cannot book profits until the event takes place, and 'remote' tickets may cost up to two-thirds less. "You don't get the same revenue out of a virtual event," he said.

Mr Flood says Ireland cannot compete on cost with Spain and Portugal, where conferences enjoy VAT exemptions. Irish quarantine rules and lack of international flights pose bigger practical obstacles.

"You can't bring business to a country that's closed," he said.
Peace Arch Historical State Park at the US border with Canada seen March 23 while nonessential travel was temporarily restricted because of the novel coronavirus. Reuters/Jason Redmond

A recent poll found eight in 10 Canadians wanting the US-Canada border to stay closed until at least the end of 2020, the BBC reported Thursday.

Canadians are reporting US license plates to the federal police.

Those who are legally in Canada but have US license plates have reported harassment and vandalism of their cars.

Canadians are concerned that Americans might spread the coronavirus.

The US has recorded more than 5.2 million coronavirus cases and accounts for more than a quarter of the world's known infections.

Canada has reported more than 123,000 cases.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Eight in 10 Canadians in a recent poll said they wanted their country's border with the US to stay closed at least through this year, according to the BBC.

The news organization on Thursday cited a July poll by Ipsos Reid. With the border closed for nonessential travel since March (commercial trucks are still able to pass), Canadians seem to remain worried that Americans pose a risk of spreading the coronavirus.

According to Travel & Leisure, Canadians have been reporting American license plates in the country to the federal police.

The situation prompted John Horgan, the premier of British Columbia, to warn Canadians who were driving vehicles with American plates to consider other forms of transportation.

"With respect to those who have offshore plates and are feeling harassed, I would suggest perhaps public transit," Horgan said. "I would suggest that they get their plates changed. I would suggest that they ride a bike."

The BBC added that some people with American license plates  even those legally allowed to be in Canada  had become scared to drive and that some had reported harassment or vandalism of their cars.

"They're all scared of driving their cars in the lower mainland because of vandalism, dirty looks, and just getting treated as some 'horrible American,'" Len Saunders, an immigration attorney who is a dual citizen, told the BBC.

Story continues

The US has recorded more than 5.2 million coronavirus cases and accounts for more than a quarter of the world's known infections. Canada has reported a little more than 123,000 cases.

Canadian residents are concerned by the increase of cases in the US.

"Montana is directly south of us, is having a second spike of cases right now, and I don't feel sorry for anybody that gets stopped at the border, let's put it that way," Jim Willett, the mayor of Coutts, Alberta, told the BBC.

America's northern neighbor warned that anyone illegally crossing the border could face $566,000 in fines and six months imprisonment. If they cause "risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm," the punishment could be the equivalent of $739,006 and three years imprisonment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Military talks with China on reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have hit a roadblock, with the Indian Army playing hardball with the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in its attempts to restore status quo ante of early April in eastern Ladakh.

The Indian Army has also asserted that the sanctity of the LAC is non-negotiable, top government officials said on Friday on condition of anonymity.

Five rounds of top-level military talks have failed to break the deadlock due to serious differences between the two sides in the Finger Area near Pangong Lake and the PLAs reluctance to vacate positions held by it in what New Delhi claims as Indian territory.

Also read | A timeline: India-Chinas deadliest border clash since 1975 explained

Talks are stuck in a stalemate because of the India Armys insistence that the PLA must withdraw to positions held by it as of April 2020, and the Chinese reluctance to restore status quo ante in some areas, said one of the officials cited above.

The Finger Areaa set of eight cliffs jutting out of Sirijap range overlooking Pangong Lakehas emerged as the hardest part of the disengagement process with little hope of immediate resolution. Disengagement has progressed somewhat smoothly at friction points in Galwan Valley and Hot Springs, but its pace remains sluggish in Gogra area.

The Indian Army has clearly told the PLA that shifting of the LAC in any area is not acceptable. This was most recently conveyed on August 2, when corps commanders from the two sides met. There is no question of us budging, said a second official.

There is growing consensus among Indian officials and China experts that military talks are unlikely to deliver further results, and the resolution of the issue will require politico-diplomatic intervention.

Also read: PLA still at LAC, India plans new ways to counter Chinas wolf-warrior diplomacy

The PLA is facing unanticipated consequences of its misadventure in Ladakh because of the Indian Armys strong response. It will ultimately have to look for a face-saving exit strategy. We have made preparations for a long haul, said a third official.

De-escalation along the disputed border can only begin after complete disengagement between the two armies on the LAC. The ground situation remains unchanged in Ladakh sector, where both armies have deployed almost 100,000 soldiers and weaponry in their forward and depth areas.

On August 10, chief of defence staff Gen Bipin Rawat informed a committee of lawmakers that de-escalation in Ladakh could be a long-drawn process but the Indian military is prepared for this and has made all arrangement for the long haul through the harsh winter.

Our posturing is unambiguous  status quo ante has to be restored and we will not accept any shifting of the LAC. The ball is in Chinas court now. Achieving our goal will take time and we will have to be patient, said Lt Gen (retired) Vinod Bhatia, a former director general of military operations.

The August 2 military negotiations between corps commanders came three days after Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong said his countrys traditional boundary line on the northern bank of Pangong Lake was in accordance with the LAC and there was no case of Beijing expanding its territorial claim.

Suns contention was a clear indication of the Chinese hard line on its claims in the Finger Area. Before PLA grabbed positions on Finger Four overlooking Indian deployments, the Indian Army would patrol right up to Finger Eight that New Delhi considers within Indian territory.

Also read | Lies, half-truths: India rebuts Pak charges on J&K, Chinas media blanks it out

The new positions held by PLA have curtailed the scope of Indian patrols. Fingers Four and Eight are 8 km apart.

During a visit to Ladakh on July 17, defence minister Rajnath Singh said progress in negotiations should help resolve the border dispute but added he couldnt guarantee to what extent the situation will be resolved.

The sizeable Chinese troop presence at friction points, particularly Pangong Lake and Depsang, remains a concern, with Beijing yet to deliver on understandings regarding disengagement reached during the July 5 phone conversation of the Special Representatives on the border issue and meetings of corps commanders.

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Before using any drug or vaccine, it must go through a series of research and control phases to guarantee that these products are in addition to being effective safe in the population, he indicated.





That implies, he said, ensuring that they do not have significant adverse effects, which is why they must be tested many times , using a scientific methodology, the results of which are then shared internationally.





The Russian vaccine





Regarding the announced Russian vaccine, the Deputy Health Minister commented that so far no scientific report has been published on how it has been evaluated, nor have any studies been shared that demonstrate its effectiveness or effects.





"The Russian vaccine is not supervised by international regulatory agencies, such as the FDA of the United States or the Epa of the European Union; in this case, they (vaccines) are self-regulated by the Russian agency. So far no scientific report has been published on how it has been evaluated," he commented.





Suarez asked the population and authorities, especially regional ones, to remain calm and be sure that the Peruvian State is doing everything necessary to access a significant amount of vaccines as soon as possible , but all of them must be widely certified and safe.





"In order to use a vaccine in the country, it must be first licensed and approved by health authorities; otherwise, the population could be put at risk," he added.
The US government seized more than a million barrels of Iranian fuel contained in four tanker ships bound for Venezuela, the Department of Justice announced Friday. It's Washingtons largest confiscation of Iranian fuel so far.

The seizure comes just over a month after federal prosecutors in Washington, DC, filed a confiscation suit for the cargo of the four ships: the Luna, the Pandi, the Bella and the Bering.

The United States is engaged in campaigns to isolate both Iran and Venezuela economically, which has led the two countries to closer cooperation.

US authorities successfully executed the seizure order and confiscated the cargo from all four vessels, totaling approximately 1.116 million barrels of petroleum, the Justice Department said in a press release. With the assistance of foreign partners, this seized property is now in US custody.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Thursday that the four fuel-laden ships had been seized without military force and were being routed to Houston, Texas. A spokesperson for the Justice Department told Al-Monitor via email that account was inaccurate, but offered no clarification.

Two of the larger ships are headed to Houston after the US authorities convinced their Greek owner to release them, Financial Times reported. The fuel of the other tankers was offloaded via ship-to-ship transfer.

The ships tracking devices were reportedly turned off over the past several weeks.

Iran then attempted to retaliate yesterday for the seizure, the Justice Department said. Iranian navy forces near the Strait of Hormuz boarded and took control of the MT Wila  a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged tanker  before letting the ship and its crew go.

"After enforcement of the US forfeiture order, Irans navy forcibly boarded an unrelated ship in an apparent attempt to recover the seized petroleum, but was unsuccessful," the DOJ said.

The US-backed maritime coalition in the Gulf observed the takeover of the Wila and publicized the incident yesterday, but did not offer possible Iranian motives or mention any attempted fuel extraction.

The Trump administration is engaged in a so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran to coerce the Islamic Republics leaders to re-negotiate the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018.

The Trump administration accuses Iran of exploiting the deal to expand its ballistic missile program while supporting proxy militias in neighboring countries.

The United States also increased its military activities in the Caribbean earlier this year following reports that Russia had sent military support to prop up the government of President Nicolas Maduro. The Trump administration has repeatedly called for Maduros ouster and has enacted crippling sanctions on Venezuelas government.

The oil-rich Latin American country has come to depend on foreign fuel shipments amid its economic collapse. Iran, seeking foreign markets, has stepped up.

Five tankers carrying Iranian gasoline arrived in port in Venezuela in May and June, escorted by Venezuelas navy. The US Treasury Department then sanctioned the captains of the five ships who delivered the fuel.
Topic 1. SMAPP: COM addresses Dutch government without dialogue and consensus with WICLU

Topic 2. SMCC : 75 years non-compliance of the Netherlands, what about the coming 7 years?

Topic 3. SMCC : Not only consumer rights, but also political, economic, social and cultural rights

Topic 4: SMAPP: Proposal WICLU for a MOU with COM and the political parties in Parliament

Topic 1. SMAPP: COM addresses Dutch government without dialogue and consensus with WICLU

The Council of Ministers has sent two letters to State Secretary Knops with the position of the Council of Ministers of St Maarten concerning the 218-page document with conditions for liquidity support for the third tranche. At no point in time, the council of ministers consulted or dialogued with the unions, while these conditions will affect the workers and their families!

The International Labor Organization has legislated and defined Social dialogue to include: all types of negotiation, consultation or simply an exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. The main goal of social dialogue is to promote consensus building and democratic involvement among the main stakeholders in the world of work. Successful social dialogue structures and processes have the potential to resolve important economic and social issues, encourage good governance, advance social and industrial peace and stability, and boost economic progress.

The Windward Islands Chamber of Labor Unions as the most representative organization of workers in Sint Maarten requested a dialogue with the new Council of Ministers on the status of workers rights in letters to the Council of Ministers (COM) of March 31, 2020 and May 28, 2020. This was immediately after the January 2020 elections that a new governing coalition was formed and a new Council of Ministers was sworn in on March 28, 2020.

The COVID 19 pandemic apart from health challenges also caused an increase in workers rights and human rights violations. Government announced and took decisions (EOC decisions, the St Maarten Support and Relief Plan) which affected workers and their families without any consultations with the WICLU. The need for a dialogue between parties became more urgent.

Parliament of St Maarten adopted on May 19th a motion wherein was stipulated that the relevant union and labor representatives have to be consulted for government to negotiate with the Netherlands the conditions for liquidity support. Furthermore, the government had to make sure that the conditions do not go against existing international, state and national legislation. All this had to take place in the context of the finalization of the decolonization process within the Kingdom of the Netherlands towards a full measure of self-governance.

Since March 31 only two meetings between parties to dialogue were held: on June 9, 2020, and on June 25, 2020. By letter of June 12th, the WICLU informed the COM of the workers and human rights violations in the liquidity support conditions which the COM was busy implementing. Only after a meeting with members of parliament of St Maarten on June 24th, parties were called to continue the dialogue. No consensus was reached yet on the issues tabled by the WICLU. The Council of Ministers promised to answer the letters of March 31, May 28, and June 12 of the WICLU but these answers are still not forthcoming.

In separate meetings with the Committee of Civil Servants Unions Government as an employer from workers in the civil service discussed the implementation of a 12.5% cut in labor conditions of the workers in government. These employer-employee organizations meetings at no time should be confused with the dialogue requested by the Chamber of Labor Unions with the Council of Ministers. By the way until today no agreement has been reached yet with the civil servants' unions! Some union members supported by their unions even went to court to challenge the unlawful cut of 50% of their vacation pay which was due in the second half of June!

On July 14th, 2020 government called a meeting with stakeholders among which the Chamber of Labor Unions, to inform them about the Dutch governments proposal of a consensus Kingdom law to establish a Caribbean Reform Entity and the position of the Council of Ministers which would be presented in the Kingdom Council of Ministers of July 15nd. Until now no dialogue was held to reach to a consensus on the Dutch proposals imposed on the governments of Curacao, Aruba and St Maarten to get COVID 19 liquidity support.

The 218 page document, after the request of Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs in the Council of Ministers of the kingdom, was uploaded on the website of the second chamber. As Anti-Poverty Platform we took notice of its content and started to address its content in our former press conferences.

Since the Prime Minister returned from the Netherlands, after her intervention and interviews in the Netherlands, no dialogue has been held with the unions so that we can come to a consensus or as the prime minister likes to say: to be on one page.

Topic 2. SMCC: 75 years non-compliance of the Netherlands, what about the coming 7 years?

As Consumers Coalition we are very concerned with the lack of respect for our human rights as citizens of the Kingdom.

The Netherlands as member state of the United Nations, based on Chapter XI art 73 of the Charter of the United Nations , accepted for the inhabitants of the Dutch occupied Antilles and thus also for the people of Saint Martin on the southern side, to comply with the following:

a. The interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount

b. To accept as sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost the well-being of the inhabitants

c. To ensure their political, economic, social, and educational advancement, their just treatment, and their protection against abuses,

d. To develop self-government and provide assistance with their progressive development of their free political institutions,

e. To promote constructive measures of development.

 So if our interests were paramount during all these 75 years, why did not the Dutch government promote to the utmost our wellbeing on an equal footing as the citizens in the Netherlands?

 Why did not they ensure our political, economic, social and education advancement to achieve the same human development index as in the Netherlands and especially since they ratified 41 years ago the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights?

 How constructive were the measures of development they took the last 10 years since Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba became a special municipality of the Netherlands? The social situation is still one of poverty for the majority of the households, one of a gap between the households in the Netherlands and in the special municipalities.

And then the Dutch government wants us to believe, that in the coming 7 years a Caribbean Reform Entity occupied by three Dutch wise man, supported by Dutch civil servants, will guarantee us as consumers of their development services, to reach to an equal development level as the people in the Netherlands?

With the experience after three years with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the Dutch Trust Fund and its Steering Committee, and the National Recovery Plan Bureau, what guarantee our consumers will have that we will receive disaster help, if not even the 13 to 15 thousand structurally damaged homes by hurricane Irma have not been build back better and stronger yet?

Topic 3. SMCC: Not only consumer rights, but also political, economic, social and cultural rights!

As consumers we usually complaint about the quality of the goods and services we get for very high prices here in our society! As consumers we have the right to redress!

In the case of the faulty glucose meters, diabetic consumers have been complaining with the company Medicosmetics, with SZV, with the Inspectorate of Health, even with the Ombudsman without any success. Consumer lawyer Cor Merx was requested to address the matter and based on his intervention SZV called yesterday to inform him that new strips have arrived which shall be tested in the coming weeks.

When we analyze the service we get from the Kingdom government and from our local government with regards to the cost-cutting measures in the labor conditions of workers in the private and public sector we have to consume, as a condition for liquidity support from the Netherlands, as consumers of this Kingdom governments service and as consumers of the local governments service to implement these conditions, the question is: where we can go to demand our right to redress?

Where as consumers of the non-compliance with our human rights we have to go for redress of the violating human rights governments services?

For instance public and private sector workers are affected regressively in their acquired economic social and cultural rights, with the 20% cut for workers in the private sector and the 12.5% cut for workers in the (semi)public sector. This is contrary to art 2 and 3 of the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention C100 which stipulates that remuneration must be based on objective job classification or evaluation. This is also in violation of art 2.1 of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. Who can defend these rights?

Inequality between the remunerations of workers in the European part and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will be increased. The governor, the Dutch European police and customer officers in St Maarten, and the workers in the Netherlands did not get any solidarity cut in their remunerations to assist the poor and the needy affected by COVID 19 in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a consequence household income in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom is further reduced, under the pretext of solidarity with those affected by COVID 19. This constitutes a violation of the right to an adequate standard of living in art 11 of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and is also an act of social and racial discrimination within the Kingdom, according to art 1 and 2 of the International Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. Where to go for redress and to get a reversal of these measures?

WICLU held informative meetings with the members of the affiliated unions based on the cost-cutting measures government announced to get liquidity support from the Netherlands.

Manifestations were organized to protest the intentions and the decisions of the Council of Ministers to cut in labor conditions of workers in the private and in the public sector.

Still no consensus agreement has been reached between the Chamber of Labor Unions and the government!

As Consumers Coalition we are looking forward to the response of the High Commissioner on Human Rights requested in the letter from the WICLU of July 1, 2020? Independent Expert of the United Nations Juan Pablo Bohoslavskys letter to the States on April 15, 2020 stated and explained, that This COVID-19 pandemic must not be used as an excuse to cut salaries and benefits from the workers in general. Will the High Commissioner ratify the position of the independent expert and suggest sanctions on the Kingdom government and the government of St Maarten?

Topic 4: Proposal WICLU for a MOU with COM and the political parties in Parliament

To get a commitment from the Council of Ministers and from the political parties in parliament that they will be respecting and defending workers rights and human rights, as Anti-Poverty Platform we prepared draft ingredients for a MOU for the WICLU-unions and the dialogue with the Council of Ministers.

The first point of departure is, that with the establishment of the International Labor Organization, workers rights were codified in international conventions and recommendations . The United Nations adopted human rights in various international public laws, which are also applicable in the Dutch Antilles and St Maarten, because the Kingdom ratified these also for St Maarten. The core human rights legislation is:

1. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948

2. The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (Kingdom of the Netherlands signed in 1966, ratified in 1979)

3. The International Covenant on Civil and Political rights (Kingdom of the Netherlands signed in 1966, ratified in 1979)

In 1986 in the Declaration on the Right to Development the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed the Declaration and committed to fully realize all human rights of all citizens in the Kingdom So the politicians have to be reminded and are bound to commit to respect these workers and human rights, if not they will be denounced as workers and human rights violators!

The second point of departure is, that in 2015 the Millenium Development Goals for St Maarten were not fully achieved, and that everything should be done to realize the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. So this should be included in the MOU. Politicians have to commit to promote the development of the people of St Maarten, based on the implementation of art 73 of the Charter of the United Nations (1945) , art 43 of the Charter of the Kingdom (1954) , the Right to Development of the people of St Maarten, as described in the UN Declaration on the Right to Development (1986) and all human rights of the people of St Maarten as stipulated in Chapter 2 of the State arrangement for St Maarten .

As third point the politicians must agree, that the goal of the dialogue on the status of the workers rights and the human rights is to reach consensus on political, civil, economic, social and cultural policies to realize these workers and human rights, to promote respect for and to guarantee protection of these rights, to prevent violations of these rights and to achieve a full realization of all these rights.

Until now the politicians do not seem to understand that social dialogue between unions and employers on the one hand, and between unions and the government on the other hand is needed to achieve progress in the development of the people of St Maarten, to improve labor conditions, economic recovery and peaceful social development and to guarantee respect for workers rights and human rights.

Point of departure number four is the mandate from the members of all the seven unions in the WICLU represented of May 25th, that all discriminatory regressive measures have to be off the table! WICLU in their letter of June 12th demanded that these violations of workers rights and human rights should be annulled immediately, but not later than June 30th! This did not happen yet. No consensus has been achieved with the WICLU. In other words, a written commitment is now necessary.

As further ingredients to realize respect of the workers rights and human rights and liquidity support for the budget of ST Maarten without conditions, we have proposed the following:

1. the Kingdom Council of Ministers will be informed of this agreement and requested to :

a. respect the right to a full measure of self-governance of St Maarten, based on art 73 of the UN Charter

b. annul the discriminatory racial liquidity support conditions, based on art 1 and 2 of the International Convention on the eradication of all forms of Racial Discrimination!

2. The Kingdom Council of Ministers has to supplement the means to the government of St Maarten

a. so that the people of St Maarten can fully realize all their economic, social, and cultural rights on an equal footing as the people in the Netherlands, based on art 2.1 of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.

b. that COVID 19 financial support should be provided based on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction as an aid without financial or non-financial conditions

c. That finances for the budget of St Maarten based on art 4.2 of the Accountability Ordinance and/or liquidity support should not be provided as loan nor as a zero-interest loan, but as payment of the since 1979 human deficit financial debt, the Netherlands has accumulated by not complying with art 29 of the Vienna Convention the law on all treaties and art 2.1 of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.

3. The Kingdom Council of Ministers will inform and approach the European Union for financial support due to COVID 19

4. With July 1st emancipation day just commemorated, the government of St Maarten has to request from the Dutch government not only a formal apology for the legacy of the slave trade and colonialism, but also truth-telling processes, and reparations in various forms to build a more solid foundation for equality, as recommended by the High Commissioner of Human Rights in her speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council on June 17.

5. Government should request the high commissioner on human rights to assist in evaluation and recommendation on the racial discriminatory liquidity support conditions imposed by the Netherlands.

We hope that this MOU will be signed by the parties before September 1, 2020.
Richa Sharma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: At a time when the draft Environment Impact Assessment published by the Ministry of Environment and Forest has come under fire from various quarters, the cavalier manner in which EIA reports are filed came to light during a recent meeting.

The union road, transport and highways ministry filed an EIA report for a road project in Gujarat, listing a scorpion species of Mexico, American Bullfrog of North America and a common wall lizard from Europe while none of them is found in India.

The matter came up before the environment ministrys expert appraisal committee at its meeting on July 29-30 while considering the construction of the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway (109.019 km) in Gujarat under the Bharatmala Scheme of the National Highways Authority of India.

Lithobates catesbeianus is listed in the EIA, which in fact is an American BullFrog that is found in North America and invasive in many countries but not found in India. Similarly, Western Rat Snake Pantherophis obsoletus is found exclusively in North America, the expert panel noted at the meeting, the minutes of which this newspaper has accessed.

Podarcis muralis (common wall lizard) is found in Europe and North America and not India. A scorpion species Typhlochactas mitchelli listed in (the) EIA is endemic to Mexico. Such poor quality work not only reflects poorly on (the) NABET Accreditation process but also on NHAI for appointing such poor quality consultants, the committee said.

ALSO READ | Contempt plea in HC against govt for not publishing draft EIA in 22 Indian languages

It is one of the main reasons for delays in considering projects. In view of the above, EAC deferred the proposal for want of revised EIA/EMP report for portions related to biodiversity, ecology and checklist of fauna flora, the panel added.

The NHAI team received a dressing down from the panel for the faulty report and was asked to submit a reworked report.

During the meeting, the committee noted that the NHAI consultant, M/s Enviro Infra Solutions Pvt. Ltd, did very poor quality studies on biodiversity and ecology and the checklists of fauna and flora were peppered with errors.

The National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) is a constituent of the Quality Council of India. It provides accreditation to schools, training course providers and auditors.

The EIA consultants, having NABET accreditation, are hired by project proponents for preparation of reports for environment clearance.

The NHAIs error-ridden report comes while a debate rages on the controversial draft EIA notification.

Many said the NHAI report was a classic example of how even the existing process was not taken seriously and bogus impact reports are submitted by project proponents while seeking environmental clearance.

The draft EIA 2020 has been severely criticized by several stakeholders, who have urged the ministry to scrap it as it dilutes the necessary checks and balances required to protect the environment.
In May 2006, Maneesh from Kannappuram village in Kannur district, Kerala was reading his newspaper when his eyes fixed on a tiny news story about Mark Inglis, a man without legs who had conquered Mount Everest. The 26-year-old young man froze reading it. He looked at his fine built body, chiseled by the heavy work done at the construction site. Suddenly, his life made no sense to him. "If a man with no legs can conquer Mount Everest, What was I wasting my life for," asks Maneesh, while recollecting that moment.

14 years later, this Keralite has successfully scaled 19 mountain ranges in India and is among the leading professional mountaineer of India. "The journey was not easy," he says. With no plans in mind, Maneesh packed his bags to Delhi. At Delhi where he took up odd jobs to get himself trained in mountaineering. "I worked for six months and got trained for the remaining 6 months, " says the 5.2 feet tall bachelor.

The first peak he climbed was Friendship Peak, the popular summit in Burma ranges of Himalaya at Manali in 2006, as part of the training at Atal Bihari Institute of Mountaineering. Later he went on to conquer Mt Mulkila I in Himachal Pradesh where he faced near-death moment.

READ: Kerala likely to witness 10,000 to 20,000 cases per day during Aug-Sept: Health Min

During the climb, while walking behind the expedition team, he got restless and decided to take a short cut, which ended up in a dire situation. These mountains had crevices that are covered by powder snow and it remains invincible. The loose moraines, make it more dangerous. "So, I drifted off the team and began climbing an elevation when suddenly the stones slowly began to move down along with the snow," he says.

As he looked down he knew he will drop down to at least 2000 feet below. As he looked up, he could see a small avalanche that was being formed. He could hear the grinding of the stones against each other. "All I could do was use my ice axe and go to absolute stillness, which is called self-arrest," he says. As time ticked, he shouted for help. The party which he had followed didn't realise their team member had wandered off the track. "I was shouting in Malayalam as I didn't know any other language then," recounted Maneesh. But to his luck, the team members rescued him after an hour. "I learnt an ultimate lesson of patience," says the man who was shortlisted recently for an Everest expedition camp which got postponed due to the current pandemic.

Since then Maneesh has gone further to conquer high altitude mountains like Mt Frey Peak, Mt Rudugaira, Mt Gangotri, Mt Shivling, Mt Jaonli, Mt Khorcha Kund, Mt Nanda Devi East, Mt Rio kangri, Mt Mulkila IV, Mt Kasketet, Mt Kedar Dome, Mt Kolohoi and Mt Tullian. In 2019, he conquered Mt Trishul, which is considered the harshest terrain.

Maneesh is back in Kerala where he opened a welding unit two years ago. He had undertaken the government's skill development workshops. Back at this village, while Maneesh welds iron and steel together to eke out a living, his heart pounds for snowy mountainscapes of the Himalayas.
Protests have continued in Belarus after President Alyaksandr Lukashenka claimed he had been reelected on August 9 for a sixth term. The results are widely seen as falsified. Thousands of protesters formed human chains and marched through the capital, Minsk, with protests continuing into the evening of August 13.
All eyes are on the Michigan legislature this weekend as educators around the state seek clarity on expectations for educating K-12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In-person schooling was abruptly stopped in March, shortly after the coronavirus was first detected in Michigan. As summer ends, districts are finalizing their back-to-school plans for the new school year, and many are opting to continue virtual learning for the time being or test out hybrid combinations of virtual and in-person learning.

The Michigan Senate is slated to meet in a rare weekend session this Saturday to tackle how schools should reopen during the coronavirus  what school districts are required to do, virtual learning definitions and guidelines and how to keep tabs on student attendance and progress as many schools opt to go virtual while the threat of COVID-19 spread continues.

The Michigan House, which already passed its version of Return to Learn legislation, has a Monday session scheduled as well, where members will likely concur in any changes made in the Senate.

Negotiations between lawmakers and the administration are still ongoing, so the end result that could come out of the legislature remains unclear. Lawmakers involved in the discussions say theyre close to reaching a deal, but caution that whatever comes out of the Capitol will be a framework, not a be-all-end-all solution for schools.

Heres what to keep in mind as lawmakers prepare to consider school reopening plans.

Final product likely wont mandate in-person learning

The Return to Learn package that cleared the Michigan House earlier this month included provisions requiring districts to offer in-person learning to younger students in grades K-5.

Thats likely off the table in forthcoming amendments to the package, said state Rep. Pamela Hornberger, the House Education Committee chair and the packages lead sponsor.

Several school districts, including Ann Arbor Public Schools and Lansing Public Schools, have already announced plans to start the school year completely virtually. Critics of in-person requirements going into the new school year worry large groups of people congregating could spread COVID-19 quickly, particularly in areas where the disease is already prevalent.

Science is warning us that indoor venues such as schools with reduced ventilation, active children, and a significant number of adults with high-risk medical conditions will require stringent safety measures to reduce the risk of infections and transmission -- especially if theyre in COVID-19 hotspots, Lansing Board of Education Member Dr. Farhan Bhatti said in a statement. We shouldnt be gambling with peoples lives.

Hornberger said shes supportive of teachers conducting virtual learning from their classrooms, alleviating potential problems with connectivity issues and making it easier for districts to coordinate any necessary training or professional development.

We want to make things as stable as possible, so thats one of the things that was discussed, she said. If school districts do decide to be virtual, that is something that is going to be strongly recommended that they take into consideration.

One big sticking point: Count days and attendance requirements

A major issue before lawmakers is determining how school districts should count the number of students attending class, or whether they should be off the hook for tallying that number while the pandemic is ongoing.

Per-pupil funding for each school district is determined by two Count Days each school year, held in October and February. School districts are also required to provide 1,098 hours of instruction over 180 days under current state law to be eligible for funding.

Michigan State Superintendent Michael Rice and legislative Democrats are advocating for temporary flexibility this year on attendance and instruction requirements.

State Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Beverly Hills, proposed legislation this week that would let school districts use their 2019-2020 pupil counts for school funding, and waive the hourly instruction time requirement so long as districts still provide 180 days of instruction.

Its going to be a challenge for administrators and for teachers and for kids to go through school this year, so really, the whole purpose is to make it so they can flex a little bit and still get through this, she said. It doesnt make sense to try to count and say, This is how youre going to get your money, because it could be disastrous.

Legislative Republicans arent convinced fully reverting to previous counts is the best idea.

I think were looking at a blend, Hornberger said. I think holding a district harmless and giving them the numbers from last year, even they have a higher attrition rate and kids are moving on to another district...youre going to have districts where the funding isnt going to make sense.

Will students be taking state assessments?

Federal testing and school accountability requirements for the 2019-2020 school year were suspended as the pandemic shuttered schools around the country.

On June 30, State Board of Education President Dr. Casandra Ulbrich and State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice requested those federal waivers continue into the 2020-2021 school year as well in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

That doesnt apply to state-level testing. Under the House-passed plan, districts would still have to administer benchmark exams and state aid would be tied to districts conducting and reporting results of benchmark exams in math and reading early in the school year.

Democrats have called for pressing pause on state standardized tests for the 2020-2021 school year, including the M-STEP, the Kindergarten Readiness Exam, the PSAT, the Michigan Merit Exam and the screening test for third-grade reading.

State funding still up in the air

The school reopening package currently before lawmakers deals primarily with policy matters, particularly what schools have to do to be eligible for state funding.

But perhaps the bigger question still hanging over the state is whether the states education budget will be slashed in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

Projected revenue from taxes, most notably sales and income taxes, are far lower than expected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state is currently looking at a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. A special revenue estimating conference later this month will give officials a clearer picture of how the pandemic has impacted state revenue heading into the next fiscal year.

The main piece policymakers are waiting on now is whether more is coming from the federal government. Federal money authorized under the CARES Act helped lawmakers plug a $2.2 billion shortfall for the current fiscal year, using federal funds to cover costs schools, universities and local governments are facing due to COVID-19 while making corresponding cuts in state general fund dollars.

As part of that deal, the state also made $483 million in hard cuts and pulled $350 million from the states rainy day fund. Without additional federal aid, officials say they wont have much choice but to make big cuts from critical services to balance the budget.

Conversation wont be over after weekend session

On both sides of the aisle, lawmakers say they want school districts to have the flexibility to figure things out based on local COVID-19 trends and are optimistic a bipartisan deal can be reached. Hornberger estimated lawmakers are 95 percent there in terms of solidifying a deal.

Its almost certainly not going to be the last time lawmakers will have to address how schools are operating during the COVID-19 pandemic as circumstances change and as schools begin to see how their reopening plans play out in real-time.

Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, stressed that getting the framework for school reopenings right is the most important question in front of the legislature right now and is hopeful a consensus can be reached.

But he noted the final product isnt going to have all the answers for school districts seeking clarity about how to start the school year effectively.

At least well have some idea of what school years going to look like, he said. Hopefully its something good enough to give some direction to schools, give them some understanding.

I think if we think that were done Saturday with education...were sorely mistaken, he continued. Were going to have to come back to it a number of times and make sure we make adjustments and changes and help schools maneuver through this.

Theres still a lot to work out when it comes to school policy, Hornberger said, citing ongoing issues with broadband access for students and ensuring students have access to mental health resources. She is hopeful the current legislation will be a solid first step as school districts embark on the new school year.

Districts and families need the stability to figure out how best to get their communities back to learning, she said.

To help you navigate this complicated fall, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

Read more on MLive:

More virtual classrooms? House OKs Return to Learn bills in late-night session

Michigan Democrats suggest skipping state standardized testing next school year over coronavirus concerns

Michigan Republicans propose $1.3 billion plan for reopening K-12 schools this fall

Reopening schools depends on how people behave, Michigans Dr. Khaldun says

Ann Arbor Public Schools holding firm on plan to start year remotely

What do Michigan teachers fear most about in-person learning? The students sitting in their classrooms

Are Michigan students really going back to school? Teachers, health officials say reopening is a minefield

COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face , officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here .
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 18:18:49|Editor: huaxia

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Tel Aviv Municipality Hall is illuminated with the colors of the national flag of the United Arab Emirates in the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Aug. 13, 2020. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

Iran strongly condemned the establishment of diplomatic ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, warning "UAE should take the responsibility of all the consequences of such a measure."



TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Friday "strongly" condemned the establishment of diplomatic ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel, according to a statement published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website.

"It (the agreement) is a strategic act of stupidity by Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, which will undoubtedly result in strengthening the axis of resistance in the region," according to the statement.

An Iranian flag is pictured at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Jan. 8, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

The Islamic republic considers as "dangerous" the UAE's act of normalizing ties with Israel, and warns Tel Aviv against "any kind of intervention in the Gulf equations," read the statement.

"The UAE administration and all other governments which approve of this move should take the responsibility of all the consequences of such a measure," it added.

The agreement, brokered by the United States on Thursday, is a step to normalize the relations between Israel and the first Gulf state, while Israel agrees to suspend its plan to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territories of West Bank. 
Dan Ryan, elected to the Portland City Council Tuesday, said he looks forward to joining the council in September and helping tackle the citys recovery from coronavirus and public safety reform. He said he plans to spend the rest of the month building his City Hall staff.

Ryans narrow victory over his runoff opponent, former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith, means he will take the seat formerly held by late City Council member Nick Fish. The term runs through the end of 2022.

Near-final results tallied as of 4 p.m. Wednesday show Ryan took 51% of the vote to Smiths 48%.

Ryan, a former Portland Public School board chair and former CEO of All Hands Raised, which focuses on improving racial equity in education throughout Multnomah County, pledged during his campaign to champion the November ballot measure authored by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty to create a new Portland police oversight system. And he promised to work to increase support services for the citys homeless population and help create more affordable housing for Portlanders.

He cast himself as a bridge-builder who can draw on his past as a non-career politician to bring consensus on the city council and in the city.

Mayor Ted Wheeler, Hardesty and Commissioner-elect Carmen Rubio all reached out Wednesday morning to congratulate him, Ryan said.

In a Tweet congratulating Ryan on his win, the mayor said he is optimistic that Ryans addition would help the city make progress on homelessness, mental health, the citys recovery from the pandemic and social equity reforms.

Dan has big shoes to fill, but I look forward to him joining this Council and I know he will serve Portlanders well, Wheeler said.

Although he campaigned as an outsider to local government whose perspective and experience were sorely needed, he didnt lay out policy stances dramatically different to those expressed by the citys four sitting council members or Rubio, who won a May election to succeed retiring Commissioner Amanda Fritz in January.

Hardesty endorsed Ryan in the runoff, calling him a pragmatic progressive, and cited his past educational leadership work as putting him head and shoulders above the field. Ryan and Smith advanced to the August runoff after being the top vote-getters in the May primary, in which Hardesty endorsed fourth-place finisher Julia DeGraw.

Ryan reiterated Wednesday that he plans to seek consensus, saying he planned to bring the art of compromise to City Hall. He told The Oregonian/OregonLive last week that he intends to pitch a peace summit that would include city officials, protesters, members of the business community and law enforcement to discuss the ongoing protests.

Ryan credited the citys public campaign finance system with helping him connect with voters because it limited him to accepting donations of $5 to $250. In all, he qualified for nearly $300,000 of public matching funds to fuel his campaign.

Ryan thinks Portlands form of weak-mayor government in which commissioners directly manage city bureaus, unique among large U.S. cities, should be replaced. Wheeler, Hardesty and Commissioner Chloe Eudaly have publicly expressed the same thoughts. Ryan said he is hopeful the citys charter commission, which convenes beginning in January, will lead Portland voters to adopt a new approach featuring a city manager and with council members elected to represent different geographic area of the city.

People are ready for a systemic change in how were set up to govern the city, he said. I think the time is right.

A member and chair of the Portland school board from 2005 to 2008, Ryan, 58, worked more than three decades in the nonprofit sector. He served as development director at Portland State University and the Oregon Ballet Theatre. He then became the head of All Hands Raised for 11 years before stepping down in 2019.

Ryan in a statement Wednesday said he was honored to have been selected by voters, thanked Smith and said he was grateful for the spirited debate we participated in throughout the campaign.

This campaign was about bringing Portlanders together to address the issues we all face, Ryan said. Our city is in crisis, and I am eager to jump in and get to work.

Fish, whod been on the council since winning the citys last special election for a seat in 2008, died in January from cancer. The council has operated with four members for the last seven months.

Ryan said he agreed with the City Councils decision last month to reallocating $15 million from the Portland police bureau and said he wants to track outcomes to ensure the reallocated funds are being used effectively.

Eudaly voted no on the reallocation, calling for a larger $50 million cut to police, echoing what hundreds of Portland residents testified they wanted. Smith campaigned on doing just that.

When asked Wednesday if he would like to see more money taken out of the police bureau, Ryan was noncommittal.

We have to justify the strategy of what each investment is and what success looks like, Ryan said. Its easy to destroy and its a lot harder to build.

-- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey

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Swindon in Wiltshire has been flagged as an area at risk of local lockdown as the city continues to see an increase in cases of coronavirus (Getty)

Public Health Englands latest COVID-19 surveillance report, released on Friday, has highlighted eight areas in England as areas of concern.

If the number of coronavirus cases in Swindon, Northampton, Newark and Sherwood, Oadby and Wigston, Sandwell, Wakefield, Bedford and Peterborough is not brought under control they could all face local lockdowns.

The case rate in Swindon has fallen from 46.8 cases per 100,000 people last week to 44.1 cases this week, according to the government watchlist table.

Swindon boroughs director of public health Steve Maddern said efforts to tackle the virus had been ramped up in the past week, with the focus on SN1 and SN2 postcode areas where the majority of new cases have been.

He said: The government feels assured that at a local level were doing everything we could or should be doing to support our population and are giving us a bit of time to just allow those messages to embed in and see what the outcome is in relation to that.

Swindon tops eight areas on a government watchlist that are of 'concern' due to high numbers of coronavirus infections (gov.uk)

Our case rate is reducing, not as fast or as quick as we would like but it is going down.

The town of Northampton is also under threat of localised restrictions after 300 workers at a sandwich factory tested positive for coronavirus this week.

Greencore, the UK's largest maker of pre-packed sandwiches, took the decision to start "proactively testing" its 2,100 workers as a result of a rise in cases in the town.

Lucy Wightman, director of public health at Northamptonshire County Council, said that 299 workers had so far tested positive.

By Friday 1,300 employees had been tested at the site - with fears that cases could increase by up to 100 as there are still between 300 and 400 tests yet to come back.

Last week, Northamptonshire's chief constable Nick Adderley said the town was "odds-on" for a second lockdown if locals continued to flout health guidelines.

He said: "If we suffer a second lockdown, that would be catastrophic, not only for the economy, but for the freedom of the great people of this county".

Story continues

Leicester and large parts of northern England already have stricter movement and social restrictions in place.

Leicester has had its lockdown restrictions extended until at least early next week (Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Public Health England report, which is published each week, is important as it gives an accurate snapshot of the prevalence of COVID-19 across the country.

It combines pillar 2 data (infections in the wider community) with pillar 1 data (infections of NHS and care workers, as well as patients in hospitals). Pillar 2 data accounted for 75% of cases.

The report said that while cases are declining across the country as a whole, there are areas of concern as well as those already experiencing intervention in the form of local lockdown measures.

COVID-19 deaths continue to decline and, while delays to death registrations can impact on the most recent data, there has been no detectable excess mortality since week 24 in any age group or region, the report read.

The government's weekly report revealed Swindon as an area of concern, just below areas that are already under local lockdowns (Gov.uk)

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Novavax, Inc. NVAX announced that it has signed a Heads of Terms (Term Sheet) with the Government of the United Kingdom, which is looking to purchase 60 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, NVX-CoV2373. The company will also collaborate with the UK government for a phase III study, which will evaluate the efficacy of the vaccine in the countrys population. The study will commence in the third quarter of 2020.

The above study will assess the ability of NVX-CoV2373 to protect from the symptomatic COVID-19 infection as well as evaluate antibody and T-cell responses. Novavax is looking to supply 60 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 to the UK government as early as the first quarter of 2021.

Notably, Novavax will expand its collaboration with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, which will manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373. The FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies site in the UK is expected to produce up to 180 million doses annually.

We note that Novavax already has an agreement with the US government to deliver 100 million doses of NVX-CoV2373 as early as late 2020. In July, the company was selected for the U.S. governments Operation Warp Speed (OWS) and was awarded $1.6 billion by the federal government to support the late-stage development of its coronavirus vaccine candidate.

Shares of Novavax have skyrocketed 3248.7% year to date compared with the industrys increase of 3.9%.



In a separate press release, Novavax announced that it has entered into a development and supply agreement with the South Korean biopharmaceutical company SK bioscience to manufacture the antigen component of NVX-CoV2373, which will be used in the final vaccine product. Moreover, the companies signed a letter of intent with the Republic of Koreas Ministry of Health and Welfare to provide access to the vaccine for the global market as well as in South Korea.

Per the agreement, SK bioscience will manufacture the vaccine antigen component, using its cell culture and recombinant protein capability in South Korea beginning this month.

Story continues

Novavax also has a partnership pact with Takeda Pharmaceutical for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of NVX-CoV2373 in Japan. The company already has a deal with Emergent BioSolutions EBS to manufacture and supply its GMP vaccine product for use in its clinical studies.

We note that NVX-CoV2373 includes Novavaxs proprietary Matrix-M adjuvant to improve immune responses and stimulate high levels of neutralizing antibodies. The company initiated a phase I/II study on the candidate in May. In August, it released encouraging results on the first human trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The clinical trial data showed that the vaccine was generally well-tolerated and elicited robust antibody responses, numerically superior to what was seen in human convalescent sera (antibodies derived from blood donated by people who recovered from the illness).

Notably, Novavax received a total funding of $2 billion, roughly broken up into the U.S. Department of Defenses$60 million, the CEPIs $388 million and the U.S. governments OWS grant of $1.6 billion for developing NVX-CoV2373.

Significantly, all the above entities are financing several biotechs and large pharma companies including AstraZeneca AZN, Sanofi, Moderna MRNA, Inovio Pharmaceuticals and many universities to accelerate the development of vaccines against COVID-19.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 20, 2018. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Graham on Harris: No Issue as to Whether Shes a US Citizen

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said there is no debate about whether Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is an American citizen after there were claims online that she might not be able to serve as Joe Bidens vice president.

There are plenty of issues to find disagreement with @KamalaHarris regarding her record as Senator or as a Vice Presidential nominee, Graham wrote in a statement on Twitter. She is consistently rated one of the most liberal members of the U.S. Senate, fully embracing a radical Democratic agenda.

But he added that Harris, who was tapped as Bidens pick earlier this year, there is no issue as to whether or not she is an American citizen.

She was born in the United States in 1964 to parents who were legally present. Under the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent, she is unequivocally an American citizen, he wrote.

Graham was seemingly referring to Harriss record in the Senate. Some congressional watchdog groups have ranked her as among the most left-leaning senators. For example, Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal advocacy group gave her perfect scores in 2017 and 2018. GovTrack, a nonpartisan group, ranked Harris as the most liberal senator in 2019 based on legislation she co-sponsored or sponsored.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters that he heard of reports that Harris may not meet the requirements of being vice president.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) arrive to speak at a news conference at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Del., on Aug. 12, 2020. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

I have no idea if thats right. I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president, he said in response to a question about whether Harris meets the legal requirements to run.

Some legacy news outlets and Democrats, including Bidens campaign, asserted that Trump is racist for making the statement.

Harris was born in California to parents who emigrated to the United States from Jamaica and India.

A professor of law at Chapman University, John C. Eastman, wrote an article for Newsweek this week questioning whether Harris is a natural born citizen because her parents were not U.S. citizens at the time of her birth.

On Friday, Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner told CBS News: I personally have no reason to believe shes not a citizen.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Harris and Biden appeared at a news conference in Delaware. The two candidates said that if Biden wins the presidency, he would mandate that all Americans wear masks to curb the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Berlin  German tape manufacturer Tesa plans to build a 55 million EUR (65 million USD) factory in Northern Vietnam in an effort to expand its production as from 2023, according to Germanys Handelsblatt newspaper.

In an article published on August 13, the newspaper said the coronavirus has shown how companies have to face risks as supply chains rely on each single country.

Therefore, Telsa is not alone in choosing Vietnam. In recent years, the Southeast Asian nation has become a popular option for companies that want to expand their production network in Asia.

The virus is intensifying the trend, according to the article. ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, see themselves in a good position to benefit from the trend.

The article cited an analysis by consultancy firm BCG as saying that Southeast Asia is moving towards the centre of globalisation.

The trade volume between Southeast Asia and Europe as well as the America is expected to increase more than 20 billion USD by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, the movement of goods between Southeast Asia and China is set to expand more than 40 billion USD.

Vietnam, which has a population of around 100 million, is said to have particularly good prospects of taking advantage of the development.

The International Monetary Fund forecast that the country can expect economic growth of almost 3 percent this year, the article said.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) that has become effective since August 1 is a reason that makes Vietnam more attractive to foreign investors.

The article said Marko Walde, Chief Representative of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Vietnam, expressed his belief that Vietnam will not only become more attractive as an investment destination, but will hold great importance in the development of alternative supply chains.

Apart from Europe, Vietnam has joined countries such as Japan, Canada and Mexico in a free trade area with since 2018 through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The country has also participated in the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), including China and Australia. Another free trade agreement with the US is also under discussion.

Vietnam's openness to globalisation has helped the country to lure numerous big corporations.

Apple moved around one third of its production of wireless headphones to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Google and Microsoft have accelerated their plans to relocate part of their hardware production to the country. As for Samsung, Vietnam has been an important production location for years as more than half of its phones are made in factories in the country, the article said.
Brent futures, the global benchmark, ended April 20 down sharply but still above $25 a barrel. The physical domestic crude market in the U.S. saw negative trades for grades like WTI in Midland, Mars Blend, Light and Heavy Louisiana Sweet crudes. Horrified by negative benchmark prices, some U.S. oil producers began offering crude at fixed prices for the first time since an oil rout in 2014-15. The WTI futures contract for June delivery changed hands at $20 a barrel on April 20 before falling further the next day -- highlighting the extent to which the rout was being caused by the glut in the market rather than just a technical quirk. U.S. producers started pulling back where they could, causing a slide in output. The number of rigs drilling for oil and gas plunged in the U.S. and globally. At the same time, many exchange-traded funds got out of trading in the most volatile part of the curve, the front-month contract, and brokerages limited speculative positions for retail customers. Then in May, lockdown measures started easing, leading to a recovery in oil prices. The WTI front-month contract, which had fallen to $18.84 on April 30, recovered to $35.49 at the end of May and $39.27 at the end of June. By end-July it had climbed to $40.27 a barrel.
'The Border is not a line on the map. It is a mental border built on fear, prejudice and misunderstanding and which can only be eradicated by developing understanding and friendship. This is the real task which faces those who genuinely want to solve the Irish problem. Its weakness is that it is undramatic. Its virtue is that it is the only way'. - John Hume, The Derry Journal, March 13, 1970.

It is poignant that John Hume's death coincides nearly perfectly with the new Government's Shared Island mission, as nothing reflects his influence more than the concept of the shared island, uniting people, not territory, a concept influenced greatly by his admiration for the EU model of post-war reconciliation. UK and Irish membership of the EU was assumed in the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland, an agreement that reflected Hume's belief in the EU as a successful peace project.

However, Brexit ripped that assumption apart and reignited the issue of unification - of territory, not people. Northern Ireland's majority vote to remain in the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum, including 85pc from nationalist communities, precipitated calls for a Border poll on unification, particularly from Sinn Fein.

Although Sinn Fein too referred to the aim of tolerance and respect for unionist identity, in 2019 it called for a Border poll in five years, and as such emphasis on consent and reconciliation seemed less central than holding a referendum within a relatively short time frame.

Only the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has the authority to call a referendum on unification. However, the Irish Government's policy approach towards unification is obviously relevant to the management of the issue.

Rather than referring to unification, the new Programme for Government states "we will draw on the underlying core guiding philosophy of consent and respect for all traditions on our island in our efforts to achieve a consensus on a shared future". Of key importance is that a new Shared Island unit has been created in the Department of the Taoiseach to "work towards a consensus on a shared island. This unit will examine the political, social, economic, and cultural considerations underpinning a future in which all traditions are mutually respected".

The shared-island document is striking in various ways. It is the first time a government has set out a clear and detailed policy to Northern Ireland and Britain since the Brexit referendum in 2016 and indeed before then.

It seeks to manage strategically Brexit- induced tensions in Irish/Northern Irish and British-Irish inter-governmental relations. Also in Hume's tradition, who viewed internal co-operation in Northern Ireland, cross-border co-operation, and British-Irish inter-governmental co-operation as equally important (the three strands of the 1998 agreement), the programme places all three firmly at its centre, emphasising working with the Northern Ireland Executive and UK government to achieve various policy outcomes.

A strategic review of British-Irish relations will occur in 2020/21 and the Government aims to reinvigorate Strands 2 and 3 of the Good Friday Agreement.

The shared-island document sets out to enhance the role of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference that comprises both governments and the British-Irish Council that comprises government representatives of Northern Ireland, Ireland, Westminster, Wales, Scotland and the Crown Dependencies.

It also pledges to re-energise the North-South Ministerial Council, dealing with cross-border co-operation in designated policy areas of mutual concern. The Government seeks to deepen cross-border relations and relations with the Westminster government, as well as bilateral relations with Scotland and Wales.

The Programme for Government does not mention unification and refers often to the role of the Northern Ireland Executive in devising a shared island. This emphasis has been repeated often by the Taoiseach, stating that a Border poll would be too divisive. It is in the tradition of Hume's gradualist approach.

Mark Durkan, his first successor as SDLP leader, has emphasised that the Good Friday Agreement's stipulation that unification should occur by majority decision-making rule was no accident or rushed decision. Hume, as a parliamentary democrat, was adamant that just as Northern Ireland's status in the UK was based on majority support (unionists), so too should nationalists' unification preference be implemented if they eventually formed a majority of the electorate.

It is positive the Taoiseach met with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and announced both governments have agreed to create new UK-Irish structures to be ready for the post-Brexit period.

As Brexit and the Covid pandemic create issues that demand communication, also as the commemoration of partition is imminent and the shared island section states the Government will "ensure that the Decade of Centenaries is marked in an inclusive, appropriate, and sensitive manner", there will be consultation with Belfast and London.

Another lesson from Hume is that long-term persistence with a clear message achieves what seems unachievable. Micheal Martin shares both Hume's tenacity and his long-term commitment to the shared island aim, just as the last government tenaciously lobbied the EU to protect the soft border.

The UK government failed to engage about Northern Ireland early on in the Brexit referendum process. However, although imminently engagement may be limited, another lesson from Hume is that long-term persistence with a clear message achieves what seems unachievable.

There are many potential pitfalls ahead, not least instability in the Coalition, exhaustion in reeling from one crisis to another (austerity, Brexit, Covid), and the complexity of building reconciliation without being accused of reneging on unification.

Hume's legacy is that belief in change, even in the darkest of times, can make change happen. As Mick Fealty recently observed in the Slugger O'Toole blog, his legacy is not just the peace process of the past, but the shared island of the future.
Where was Mahatma Gandhi on 15 August, 1947?

India

oi-Briti Roy Barman

New Delhi, Aug 14: In the night between August 14 and 15, 1947, when Jawaharlal Nehru was making the famous "While the whole world was sleeping..." speech, 78-year-old Gandhi was walking along the alleys of then Calcutta with the plead to stop communal violence.

On 15 August 1947, when the day of independence finally arrived, it was relished all over the nation. But in Calcutta, Mahatma Gandhi was worried and trying hard to end the violence because of the partition.

"To me, peace between Hindus and Muslims is more important than the declaration of independence", was the words from him.

Sanctity, dignity, pandemic: How Defence Ministry is making arrangements for I-Day event

Gandhi refused to participate in any celebrations.

"I cannot rejoice on August 15. I do not want to deceive you. But at the same time, I shall not ask you not to rejoice. Unfortunately, the kind of freedom we have got today contains also the seeds of future conflict between India and Pakistan. How can we therefore light the lamps?" said Gandhi.

On 9 August, Gandhi arrived in Calcutta with plans to move to Naokhali (now in Bangladesh), which was ripped apart by communal massacre and violence. Some of the leading figures urged Gandhi not to stay in East Bengal as they felt if Gandhi could bring peace to Calcutta, peace would be restored in all of Bengal.

Gandhi then decided to stay at Hyderi Manzil, close to a Muslim dominated slum, Miabagan.

74th Independence Day 2020: Who designed the Indian National Flag?

From 13 August onwards, Gandhi began efforts to pacify people of either community to end the violence. But angry mobs refused to bow down, but Gandhi continued his efforts.

Independence Day 2020: President Kovind pays homage to Galwan Valley martyrs | Oneindia News

After a few days, Gandhi's efforts were turned to reality. Lord Mountbatten, noting this, wrote "In Punjab we have 55 thousand soldiers and large-scale rioting on our hands. In Bengal, our forces consist of one man, and there is no rioting."
More snow on the way in Pennsylvania; here's how much to expect
Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler will pay close to $3 billion to settle the US fallout from its diesel emissions scandal. The German automaker said it expects its recent settlement with American authorities, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Justice Department and California Air Resources Board (CARB), to cost approximately $1.5 billion. It will also pay out about $700 million to settle with owners and a further "three-digit-million EUR amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements.

A spokesperson for CARB told Reuters the settlement "will reach $1.5 billion and affects 250,000 vehicles nationwide." The agency went on to say it will share more details after US agencies file consent decrees in court, which should happen sometime in mid-September.

In a separate settlement to the one announced today, Daimler paid approximately $960 million last year to settle allegations the automaker had sold at least 684,000 vehicles with software that had allowed those cars to cheat on their emissions tests. The cheating reportedly began in 2008 when Diamler started including the software in vehicles ranging from Vito vans to C-class sedans and GLC coupes. Since the start of the scandal, Daimler has recalled about 800,000 cars globally. It has also since stopped selling diesel vehicles in the US. For comparison, Volkswagens similar Diselgate scandal ended up costing the automaker $35 billion in fines and settlements.
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Linkedin Francesco Guarascio (Reuters) Brussels, Belgium  Fri, August 14, 2020 10:21 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066df79c3 2 World SARS-CoV-2,EU,Europe,European-Union,Johnson-and-Johnson,coronavirus,COVID-19,COVID-19-vaccines,pandemic,virus-corona,novel-coronavirus Free

The European Commission has concluded exploratory talks with Johnson & Johnson to buy 200 million doses of a potential COVID-19 vaccine, the EU executive and the US pharmaceutical company said on Thursday.

The EU executive arm said this paved the way for contractual talks and the possible purchase of the vaccine on behalf of all 27 EU states once it has proven safe and effective. The commission also said it could purchase an additional 200 million vaccine doses.

Johnson & Johnson, through its Belgian subsidiary Janssen, "will now enter into contract negotiations with the European Commission," J&J said in a statement, confirming the volumes indicated by the Commission.

"If regulatory approval for the company's vaccine is received, the Commission would be expected to facilitate a process for allocation of the vaccine doses among the member states," Johnson & Johnson said.

J&J could produce up to 1 billion doses of its vaccine by the end of 2021, a company executive told Reuters on Tuesday. Its vaccine is likely to be administered in a single shot, the executive said.

Reuters exclusively reported in June that the US company was in advanced talks with the EU for the supply of its COVID-19 vaccine under development.

"Our citizens' lives and our economy need a safe and effective vaccine against the coronavirus. Today's talks bring us closer to achieving this," the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

The move follows similar announcements in July about the conclusion of preliminary talks between the EU and Sanofi SA for the purchase of 300 million doses of its potential COVID-19 vaccine that it is developing together with GlaxoSmithKline Plc .

The EU is using about 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) from an emergency fund to strike advance purchase deals with several vaccine makers in a bid to have enough shots for its population of 450 million.

It is also in talks with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and CureVac to buy upfront their potential COVID-19 vaccines, EU officials told Reuters in July.
Albuquerque police detain members of the New Mexico Civil Guard, an armed civilian group, following the shooting of a man during a protest over a statue of Spanish conqueror Juan de Onate on Monday, June 15, 2020, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Adolphe Pierre-Louis/The Albuquerque Journal/AP

New Mexico Republican Stefani Lords, a candidate for the state House of Representatives, told Business Insider she's pulling out of a rally that is set to pay "special tribute" to the New Mexico Civil Guard.

As Business Insider reported on Wednesday, the so-called civil guard is a far-right paramilitary group whose founder is a neo-Confederate with a swastika tattoo.

"Originally I was told this would be a peaceful protest in Clovis with candidates speaking," Lord, founder of the group "Pro-Gun Women," told Business Insider.

"However," Lord said, "it seems as time went on, the message of 'Vote Red' became convoluted as more and more speakers were added to the list and the tone and tenor changed."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A New Mexico Republican running for a state house seat on the outskirts of Albuquerque is pulling out of a GOP rally that's paying "special tribute" to a far-right militia.

As Business Insider reported, elected Republicans and state party chapters have been promoting an August 22 rally that, in part, is being held to honor the New Mexico Civil Guard, a paramilitary group led by a neo-Confederate with a swastika tattoo and a "national anarchist" who has denied the Nazi extermination of 6 million Jews.

Stefani Lord, a Republican looking to unseat a Democratic incumbent in New Mexico's House of Representatives, said on Thursday that she's no longer going to participate.

"I was asked to speak at this event months ago," Lord told Business Insider. "Originally I was told this would be a peaceful protest in Clovis with candidates speaking. However, it seems as time went on, the message of 'Vote Red' became convoluted as more and more speakers were added to the list and the tone and tenor changed."

Lord, the founder of the group "Pro-Gun Women," said she has asked to be removed from the speakers list, which currently features the vice-chair of the state Republican Party.

Story continues

Earlier this week, "Cowboys for Trump" founder Couy Griffin confirmed that he would be attending the rally. State Sen. Pat Woods also said he would be attending the rally honoring a paramilitary group, describing it as a "GOP grand opening event."

The Republican Party of New Mexico declined to comment on whether its vice-chair, a listed speaker, will be attending the event. The party also declined to address the rally's paying "tribute" to the New Mexico Civil Guard; its executive director, Anissa Tinnin, instead is lending her support for those who wish to attend.

"If citizens want to peacefully attend a grassroots event  unlike lawless Antifa protesters looting and shooting  it is their prerogative, and we will not stand in their way," the party said.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi is proud to announce that attorney Tina Eshghieh recently secured an $11.25 million settlement on behalf of a catastrophically injured construction worker. The settlement is thought to be perhaps the largest workers' compensation settlement in California history.

The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi

The case arises from a 2018 accident in which Salvador Ramirez Morales fell four stories down an elevator shaft. Ramirez Morales was unconscious for more than 24 hours and sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, a fractured jaw, and several other internal and orthopedic injuries. As a result of his injuries, doctors performed an emergency craniotomy.

While Ramirez Morales was in the hospital, he developed serious complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus infection, often referred to as MRSA.

On July 24 of this year, Division of Workers' Compensation administrative law Judge Dean Stringfellow approved the settlement for Omar Ramirez, Ramirez Morales' guardian. The structured settlement provides Ramirez with a one-time payment of $500,000 and $33,000 per month for the rest of his life.

"Unfortunately, in light of booming construction in California, the number of catastrophic injuries each year continues to rise," said attorney Tina Eshghieh. "However, despite the increasing number of serious injuries each year, results of this magnitude rarely occur in the field of personal injury, let alone in workers' compensation." Eshghieh expressed that "when litigating in the workers' compensation arena, we are often faced with a system that fails to adequately compensate the catastrophically injured the way it should in order for their extensive needs to be adequately met. I am pleased that in this instance, we were able to break through the barriers to achieve this extraordinary result."

Arash Law is a California accident and workers' compensation injury firm that helps victims get the compensation and benefits to which they are entitled under the law. They regularly work with clients injured in a variety of incidents, including workplace accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, Uber/Lyft accidents, brain injury accidents, and more. Prospective clients can schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney by calling the firm at (888) 488-1391 or sending an email through its online contact form.

Contact:

Tina Eshghieh

The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi

2960 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(310) 277-7529

[email protected]

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SOURCE The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi
One in four US counties became a coronavirus 'hot spot' for at least one day between March and July of this year - and black and Hispanic communities were the hardest hit in more than 95 percent of hotspot counties that collected racial data, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data reveal.

US coronavirus hotspots had disproportionately high numbers of cases among communities of color, according to an analysis released on Friday by the CDC.

The report adds to a growing body of evidence that long-standing health and social inequities have resulted in increased risk for infection and death from COVID-19 among communities of color, the CDC said.

In 79 counties identified as hotspots that also had information on race, 96.2 percent had disparities in COVID-19 cases in one or more minority racial and ethnic groups between February and June, researchers concluded.

One in four US counties became a coronavirus 'hotspot' with surging case numbers for at least one day (yellow, orange or red). Counties in the South and West were most likely to be 'hotspots' for more than 43 days (dark red), CDC data reveal

The largest disparities were reported among Hispanic people in hotspot counties (3.5 million people), followed by African Americans (two million).

Asian populations were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in a small number of hotspot counties, but the Asian racial category is broad and further analyses might provide additional insights, the researchers said.

The study did not assess disparities in COVID-19-related deaths because of the lack of available county-level mortality data, but the researchers said existing national analyses show there exists differences in COVID-19 deaths and similar patterns were likely to exist at the county level too.

Apart from long-standing discrimination and social inequities, other factors such as economic and housing policies, employment in meat packing, agriculture, service and health care sectors, and living in multifamily households could increase risk for transmission, the researchers said.

The CDC team notes that rates of underlying conditions among various minority groups likely contribute to the higher rates of cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

High rates of these conditions are themselves largely the results of poor access to health care.

The number of counties with racial disparities was by far highest in North Carolina, where a disproportionately high number of Hispanic people caught coronavirus.

Early in the pandemic, large metropolitan cities (dark blue) were most likely to be hotspots. In July, medium metro areas (medium blue) were more likely to be hotspots

In Michigan, black Americans were infected at disproportionately high rates in five counties, more than any other state in the nation.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders suffered higher rates of coronavirus than people of other races in four counties in Oregon, while three counties in Arizona had disproportionately high rates of infection among American Indian/Alaskan Native people.

Researchers pointed out more than half of the hotspot counties did not report sufficient race data and had to be excluded from the analysis.

Further, health departments differ in the way race and ethnicity are reported.

These data gaps, combined with differences in access to COVID-19 testing, might limit findings, the researchers said.

Still, the analysis highlights the need to develop culturally responsive, targeted interventions with organizations within communities of color to reduce COVID-19 disparities.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies during a House Subcommittee hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 31, 2020. (Kevin Dietsch/Pool via AP)

Fauci: In-Person Voting in November Can Be Done Safely

Voters can safely vote in-person in the upcoming election if proper precautions are followed, according to a top infectious disease expert.

I think if carefully done, according to the guidelines, theres no reason that I can see why that not be the case, Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during an event broadcast Thursday.

For example, when you look at going to a grocery store now in many regions and counties and cities that are doing it correctly, they have Xs every six or more feet. And it says, Dont leave this spot until the person in front of you left their spot. And you can do that, if you go and wear a mask, if you observe the physical distancing, and dont have a crowded situation, theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to do that, he added, after being asked about in-person voting at the National Geographic event.

However, some people shouldnt risk being exposed to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, according to the doctor.

I mean, obviously if youre a person who is compromised physically or otherwise, you dont want to take the chance, Fauci said. Theres the situation of mail-in voting that has been done for years in many places. So theres no reason why we shouldnt be able to vote in person or otherwise.

The remarks came after Fauci declined to say he recommended in-person voting, telling the Washington Post that any answer he gave would almost certainly  be used as a sound bite.

Its a sport now in Washington to pit me against the president and I dont really want to do that, Fauci said. But someone will take a quote and bingo, itll be me against the president and I dont want to do that.

However, he continued, polling places should take measures similar to those taken by grocery stores and other businesses.

We see a big X and then six feet away is another big X speed away is another big X, Fauci said. I dont see any reason why, if people maintain that type of physical distancing, wearing a mask and washing hands  why you cannot, at least where I vote, go to a place and vote.

People line up to vote at a polling place in Madison, Wis., on April 7, 2020. (Andy Manis/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said in recent weeks that he opposes widespread voting by mail, which some states are implementing amid the pandemic.

Trump, a Republican, told reporters at the White House on Thursday that one of the reasons the Post Office needs that much money is they have all of these millions of ballots coming in from nowhere, and nobody knows from where and where theyre going.

Referring to 500,000 sketchy ballot applications sent out to Virginia voters recently, and to the debacle in the New York Democratic primary, Trump said that without funding, he doesnt see how the U.S. Postal Service could possibly process the volume of mail-in ballots that are expected in the presidential election.

People are going to have to feel safe, and they will be safe, and we will make sure that theyre safe, he added about in-person voting.

We want people to vote so when they vote, it means one vote; it doesnt mean ballots all over the place.

Some experts and lawmakers said they feared in-person voting would lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Wisconsin in April, but that hasnt appeared to be the case.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a recent report (pdf) that no clear increase in cases, hospitalizations, or deaths was observed after the election, suggesting possible benefit of the mitigation strategies, which limited in-person voting and aimed to ensure safety of the polling sites open on election day.
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and his ex Jen Harely were spotted spending some quality time together with their daughter Ariana on Wednesday in California's Huntington Beach.

But the infamously tempestuous couple weren't making another go at their relationship.

Instead, the two have been trying to work together as committed co-parents to their daughter, according to TMZ.

New strategy: Jersey Shore's Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, 34, and his ex Jen Harely, 33, were out in Huntington Beach with their daughter Ariana, two, on Wednesday, but the exes aren't back together, according to TMZ

Ronnie, 34, and Jen, 33, both wore white tank tops and black shorts as they crossed the street on Wednesday while each held hands with Ariana, two, who wore a pink top and jean shorts.

Sources close to the couple said their new closeness is all about giving their daughter the best possible environment, and not an attempt to renew their relationship.

Though they've gone out together in recent weeks, their outings have only been to spend time together with their daughter.

The former couple were previously separated by a restraining order that Ronnie took out, though he allowed it to be dissolved in May after the two parties agreed it was no longer necessary.

Committed parents: Sources close to the couple said their new closeness is all about giving their daughter the best possible environment through co-parenting, and not an attempt to renew their relationship

Closer contact: The former couple were previously separated by a restraining order that Ronnie took out, though it was dissolved in May after the two agreed it wasn't necessary

The same month, Ortiz-Magro managed to avoid jail time on a domestic violence charge after taking a plea deal.

He pleaded guilty to a single count of domestic battery against Jen and one count of resisting arrest.

As part of the reduced sentence, he'll still have to do 36 months on probation, and he was sentenced to 30 days of community labor in Nevada.

The reality star was also ordered to pay $20,000 to Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles, a shelter for women who have been abused.

There's also an education component to the sentence, so Ortiz-Magro will need to take a 52-week domestic violence program in Nevada.

Scary: Ronnie has a chilling history of domestic violence. In October, he allegedly brandished a knife at Jen and hit her before fleeing with Ariana and locking himself in an LA Airbnb

Penalty: Ronnie is serving three years of probation for the alleged kidnapping. He has 30 days of community service and 52 weeks of a domestic violence program to complete; shown in 2017

Although the two seem to be doing better for the sake of their daughter, they have a disturbing history of escalating domestic violence incidents.

In October of last year, Ortiz-Magro was arrested for kidnapping after he allegedly hit Harley and brandished a knife at her before fleeing with Ariana and locking himself up with her at an Airbnb he was staying at in Los Angeles.

He refused entry to police when they arrived, so they broke down the door to arrest him.

Harley also has her own history of domestic violence, and in January she allegedly attacked Ortiz-Magro while he was sleeping in his own home and poked him in the eye with an eye liner canister.

In 2018, Ronnie showed off a black eye after Jen allegedly threw a cell phone at his face, and in June 2018, she was arrested for domestic battery after allegedly dragging Ronnie with her car, though charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.
India and Nepal will hold talks on August 17 under their "oversight mechanism'' for reviewing all bilateral economic and developmental projects in the Himalayan nation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

This would be the first major engagement since bilateral ties came under strain after the Himalayan nation came up with a new political map in May.

Asked about reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli could have a telephonic conversation on August 15, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "I have no information on this, I need to check."

On whether the issue of floods in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar could come up for discussion in the upcoming bilateral "oversight mechanism" talks and if any high level dialogue between the two countries is proposed, he said, "On the scheduled oversight mechanism, I think you are referring to the meeting which is to take place on August 17."

This "oversight mechanism" was set up in 2016 to review all bilateral economic and developmental projects in Nepal, he said.

This meeting will review all such projects across Nepal, Srivastava said.

Earlier this week, official sources said Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi are scheduled to hold talks on August 17 in Kathmandu under the oversight mechanism.

Asked about Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali's reported remarks that the 1947 agreement among India, Nepal and the United Kingdom that deals with the military service of Gorkha soldiers has become "redundant", Srivastava said, "We are aware of the remark, but we have no information on any official communication in this regard."

Srivastava also asserted that he has made India's stance clear several times and had nothing more to add.

In June, Nepal's Parliament approved the new political map of the country featuring areas which India maintains belong to it.

In its reaction, after Nepal's lower house of Parliament approved the bill, India termed as untenable the "artificial enlargement" of territorial claims by the neighbouring country.

India had said Nepal's action violates an understanding reached between the two countries to resolve the boundary issues through talks.

Meanwhile, to a separate question on former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad raking up the Kashmir issue, Srivastava said, "You are aware of the outlook and position of Mahatir Mohamad on this issue."

"As the saying goes, you are known by the company you keep," he said in an apparent reference to Mohammad's closeness to Pakistan.

Asked if any development has taken place on the extradition of Zakir Naik, he said India was in touch with the Malaysian government on the issue.

Naik, a 54-year-old radical Islamic preacher wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches, left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to the largely Muslim Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency when Mahathir was the prime minister.

On the case of the Income Tax Department detaining a 42-year-old Chinese man, identified as Charlie Peng, alleged to be the kingpin of a money laundering racket, Srivastava said, "We have seen the reports and we are awaiting more information at this stage."
In an exciting new bioRxiv* preprint research paper, Chinese researchers describe the development of membrane nanoparticles from ACE2-rich cells with a potent capacity to block the adherence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

ransmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID

The relentless coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic quickly prompted the pursuit of novel effective therapeutic agents against the highly virulent SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the prime targets for researchers is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S1 subunit), which mediates viral entry into host cells.

It is already known that ACE2 is pervasive in lung alveolar epithelial cells, renal tubular epithelium, and enterocytes of the small intestine, as demonstrated by large-scale immunohistochemistry, transcriptomics, and proteomics analysis.

Due to the natural positioning of ACE2 on the cell membrane, and considering how membrane with active ingredients can be used to expand our antiviral arsenal, the researchers from the Third Military Medical University in Chongqing (China) attempted to apply the membrane of human cells abundant with ACE2 to cope with SARS-CoV-2.

Diagrammatic drawing depicting the preparation and function of HEK-293T-hACE2 NPs.

Developing cell membrane-based nanoparticles

In this study, cell membrane-based nanoparticles were designed to overcome the shortcoming of the uneven membrane size in the living organism. By exploiting the advantage of functional elements on human platelet membranes, this research group has developed cell membrane-based nanoparticles capable of targeting tumor cells and immune escape

The researchers have picked the membrane of human embryonic kidney-239T cells highly expressing human ACE2 receptor (HEK-293T-hACE2) to prepare cell membrane-based nanoparticles after analyzing the ACE2 content in five different human cells.

In short, HEK-293T-hACE2 cells were processed by repeated freezing and thawing in order to separate the membrane, which was broken by sonication, and subsequently applied to fabricate cell membrane-based nanoparticles using a classical extrusion method.

Moreover, to appraise the bioactivity of HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles, the researchers have initially immobilized biotinylated SARS-CoV-2 S1-RBD on Sartorius streptavidin biosensors and then analyzed the recruitment of cell membrane-based nanoparticles by biolayer interferometry.

The antiviral activity and mechanism of action of this nanomaterial were explored in depth with the use of pseudovirus neutralization assay, spike adhesion experiment, as well as proteomics analysis. Finally, the toxicity of HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles has been evaluated by a mouse experiment.

Antiviral evaluation of HEK-293T-hACE2 NPs. (a) HEK-293T-hACE2 NPs protect HK-2 cells from SARS-CoV-2 S pseudovirons invasion, as revealed by S1 immunofluorescence (green). Nuclei are stained by DAPI (blue). Scale bar indicates 20 m. The region of interest in pseudovirons-treated group is magnified in the embedding graph. (b) TEM image of SARS-CoV-2 S pseudovirons adsorbed on HEK-293T-hACE2 NPs. The region of interest is magnified in the embedding graph. The scale bar is 200 nm. (c) Dose-dependent antiviral action of HEK-293T-hACE2 NPs.

Efficient restriction of SARS-CoV-2 adherence

The content of ACE2 in HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles (as determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA) was 265.1 ng/mg, which was 3.2-fold higher than that in HEK-293T nanoparticles.

As a result of competitive inhibition, HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles bound to SARS-CoV-2 S1 and subsequently blocked the viral ligand adhering to human renal tubular epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 S1 on cellular metabolism was suppressed by HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles as well.

"Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2 S1 can translocate to the cytoplasm and affect the cell metabolism, which is also inhibited by HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles", study authors further explain. "This biocompatible membrane nanomaterial is sufficient to block the adherence of SARS-CoV-2 D614G-S1 mutant to sensitive cells", they add.

As a result of the spike recruitment, HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles adsorbed SARS-CoV-2 S pseudovirions on the material surface. They successfully blocked viral entry into the cytoplasm  enabling a rather inspiring type of host cell protection from the viral infection.

Promising therapeutic candidate

"Our study demonstrates an efficient nano-antagonist that can be easily prepared in general laboratories against SARS-CoV-2, which is a feasible solution to resolve the shortage of effective measures to treat COVID-19", study authors summarize their main findings.

It was also shown that the overexpression of membrane receptors does not affect the biocompatibility of human cell membrane-based nanoparticles, while the demonstrated lack of toxicity in experimental animals laid a solid foundation for the application of HEK-293T-hACE2 nanoparticles as an antagonist to SARS-CoV-2.

And indeed, since there is still a lack of effective measures to treat COVID-19, this type of biocompatible and easy-to-achieve nano-antagonist may be a rather convenient therapeutic candidate for curbing the dire effect of SARS-CoV-2 spread. Naturally, further studies with a more practical, in vivo approach are needed.

*Important Notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  Ospital ng Tondo is temporarily closed for disinfection as 32 of its medical workers tested positive for coronavirus, Manila City Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso said Friday.

Domagoso said in a statement that those already admitted to the district hospital will continue to receive care.

Meanwhile, incoming patients will be referred to other city government hospitals, he added.

The mayor said the temporary shutdown would allow employees of Ospital ng Tondo to recover and rest.
Miller Value Partners recently released its Q2 2020 Investor Letter, a copy of which you can download here. The Opportunity Equity Fund posted a return of 47.02% for the quarter (net of fees), outperforming its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index which returned 20.54% in the same quarter. You should check out Miller Value Partners' top 5 stock picks for investors to buy right now, which could be the biggest winners of the stock market crash.

In the said letter, Miller Value Partners highlighted a few stocks and Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) is one of them. Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) is an insurance company. Year-to-date, Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) stock lost 41.6% and on August 13th it had a closing price of $2.55. Miller Value cared to mention Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) in its investor letter, though they didn't say why they really like the stock. All they said is this:

"Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW) declined -30.5% during the quarter as investors grew concerned on the potential closing of the acquisition by China Oceanwide. The company noted on their 1Q call that China Oceanwides financing plans were progressing well, but also noted that China Oceanwide was having discussions with third parties beyond their primary lender creating concern that the primary lender might not follow through on its commitment. Management noted that they expect the deal to close by June 30th, but noted that the buyer had allowed Genworth to explore alternatives it could pursue if the deal fell through. The company reported 1Q revenue of $1.84B below consensus of $1.99B with EPS of $0.07 below consensus of $0.27. After the quarter ended, the company announced another extension of the acquisition agreement with China Oceanwide. The new agreement extends the merger deadline to September 30th with an interim update on financing by August 31th. The company held a call to discuss the extension as well as Plan B options available to it if the deal fails."

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In Q1 2020, the number of bullish hedge fund positions on Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) stock remained unchanged from the previous quarter (see the chart here). Our calculations showed that Genworth Financial Inc (NYSE:GNW) isn't ranked among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds.

The top 10 stocks among hedge funds returned 185% since the end of 2014 and outperformed the S&P 500 Index ETFs by more than 109 percentage points. We know it sounds unbelievable. You have been dismissing our articles about top hedge fund stocks mostly because you were fed biased information by other media outlets about hedge funds' poor performance. You could have doubled the size of your nest egg by investing in the top hedge fund stocks instead of dumb S&P 500 ETFs. Below you can watch our video about the top 5 hedge fund stocks right now. All of these stocks had positive returns in 2020.

Video: Top 5 Stocks Among Hedge Funds

At Insider Monkey we scour multiple sources to uncover the next great investment idea. Cannabis stocks are roaring back in 2020, so we are checking out this under-the-radar stock. We go through lists like the 10 most profitable companies in America to pick the best large-cap stocks to buy. Even though we recommend positions in only a tiny fraction of the companies we analyze, we check out as many stocks as we can. We read hedge fund investor letters and listen to stock pitches at hedge fund conferences. If you want to find out the best healthcare stock to buy right now, you can watch our latest hedge fund manager interview here. You can subscribe to our free enewsletter below to receive our stories in your inbox:

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Kabul, Aug 14 : A policewoman and two government employees were killed in two targeted attack in Afghanistan, officials said on Friday.

In Kunduz province, armed militants broke into a house, pulling a female police officer out and killing her on the spot, Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi from Kunduz Provincial Council told Xinhua news agency.

The victim served in the provincial airport, and an investigation has been launched into the incident, he added.

In the second attack, two engineers of the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority, a department of the country's Ministry of Power and Water, were killed after gunmen ambushed a vehicle in Parwan province.

On July 27, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that civilian casualties decreased 13 per cent in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period last year.

A total of 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded during the period, according to the report.

Targeted attacks were the third cause of civilian casualties after ground engagements and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban, the report indicated.

At least 30 people were killed in such attacks last month.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14)  The Supreme Court has denied the motion for reconsideration against its decision allowing Mary Jane Veloso to testify against her illegal recruiters.

On Friday, the higher court released a resolution dated March 4, 2020 which affirmed the ruling allowing Veloso to testify through deposition by written interrogatories against Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao, the two recruiters who sent her to Indonesia.

(T)he basic issues raised therein having been duly considered and passed upon by the Court in the aforesaid decision and no substantial argument having been adduced to warrant its consideration, it said.

The Supreme Court also said that no further pleadings, motions, letters, other communications will be entertained in relation to the case.

Veloso was allowed to testify against the two in October 2019, which was countered by a plea in the same month.

In January 2020, both Sergio and Lacanilao were found guilty of large-scale illegal recruitment.

READ: Court convicts Mary Jane Veloso's recruiters in separate case

Veloso was arrested at the Yogyakarta airport in 2010 when she was caught carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in her luggage.

She claimed she was a victim of drug trafficking. Veloso was acquitted from execution by firing squad in 2015 after the previous administration made an appeal.

In a statement, the National Union of Peoples Lawyers said they are pleased with the Courts decision which removed the final legal stumbling block for the taking of her deposition.

In time, not only will the illegal recruiters be held to account but her innocence will eventually be judicially established, the group said.
Earlier this week, Channel 10 sacked at least 25 stars, including journalist Natarsha Belling, in a brutal round of budget cuts.

But Natarsha, 45, might be quickly picked up by another network, with a report on Friday claiming that Nine's Today show are eyeing the beloved talent.

The Daily Telegraph claimed that the morning program is considering adding the veteran to their lineup to replace the recently departed Tracy Vo.

Greener pastures: Natarsha Belling (pictured) could be headed for the Today show on Nine after being sacked by Channel 10 in a round of budget cuts

Newsreader Tracy, 37, left the Today show in April, announcing that she was returning to Perth to be closer to her parents, just four months after moving to Sydney to join the breakfast program.

Multiple sources say she took advantage of a clause in her contract that gave her the option to return to Nine News Perth within six months if she 'wasn't happy' at Today.

She is believed to have made the decision after feeling increasingly isolated from her family in Western Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moved on: The Daily Telegraph claimed that Today is considering adding the veteran to their lineup to replace the recently departed Tracy Vo (pictured)

Shocking: Natarsha's shock sacking comes after more than 13 years of working for the network

Natarsha's shock sacking comes after more than 13 years of working for the network.

In a post shared to Instagram on Friday, the news reader hinted that there were greener pastures ahead.

She wrote: 'I have been overwhelmed with all the love and support so many of you have shown me over the past four days.

Better things ahead? In a post shared to Instagram on Friday, the news reader hinted that there were greener pastures ahead while thanking her fans and coworkers

'It's been an absolute pleasure being part of the Network 10 family for more than 22 years and I want to thank the Network for all the wonderful opportunities I've enjoyed over the past two decades.

'During that time, I've worked with some of the very best in the TV business who have inspired me with their skill, passion and dedication.

'2020 has been such a challenging year for so many and it has in many ways reminded us about what truly matters in life. I'm sad to leave, but excited about the new chapter ahead. I can't wait to share with you what's coming up!'
We live in a smart-everything world. We have artificial intelligence (AI) at our fingertips for nearly every part of our day. From AI-based wearable technology to phones, tablets, computers, and even appliances, nearly every aspect of our lives is being tracked, recorded, and processed by some form of algorithmic technology. And there are incredible advantages to these technologies. We now have safer and more effective medical treatment and vaccine development. Our neighborhoods are more connected and safer than ever before because of video surveillance and various communication tools. Our homes are even more efficient and comfortable. And our families have convenient access to more information than previous generations could have imagined.

Before the onset of COVID-19, one popular narrative suggested that our technological progress might ultimately lead to the eradication of sickness, disease, and in some cases even death itself. In his New York Times best-seller Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, world-renowned Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari argues that, with small exceptions here and there, humanity has essentially overcome the three big problems that have plagued our lives since the dawn of civilization: famine, war, and plague. He then proudly predicts that we will shift our creative energies toward tackling two other major issues: happiness and death itself. Even granting that Hararis views of humanity and technological progress are fairly extreme, there is widespread hope and hype surrounding the field of AI and its potential to remake our world.

But how does the turbulent and momentous year of 2020 fit into this grand vision of the future? So far, we have seen devastating famines in Africa, major conflicts between world powers such as the US and China, grotesque racial injustice, and a ferocious worldwide pandemic. And we still have several months to go.

As a Christian, the travails of this year have reminded me of the proper role of technology in our lives and where our ultimate hope is placed. While there are incredible and God-honoring technological innovations being deployed for noble ends across society, we must keep perspective and understand that these tools must be wielded with wisdom if we are to see true human flourishing. How does the Scripture guide us to embrace the real benefits of these tools while navigating the potential pitfalls, ethical dilemmas, and dangers?

Bursts of Innovation

The rise of artificial intelligence occasions a variety of responses. Often, when I talk about AI, people conjure up images of sci-fi Hollywood movie plots involving futuristic societies where a heroine saves the world from the rise of rampaging robots. Some fear that AI-powered innovations will only exacerbate problems of unemployment and economic insecurity, as automation takes over existing jobs or renders them obsolete. Others have decided against buying into the hype of emerging technologies because they just dont seem terribly relevant at the moment.

Yet most of us use these technologies every day, often without realizing it. In all likelihood, there is a smart device or an AI tool within a few inches of you right now. Computer scientist and author Ray Kurzweil rightfully points out that without these tools, we would struggle to communicate with one another or get money from the bank, manufacturing would grind to a halt, and our national security and even our economy would falter.

As COVID-19 continues to spread, it is easy to overlook the role of AI in driving the fight against it. From drug research to testing and treatment options, some of the most exciting innovations on the AI front are in the field of medicine. AI-enabled tools are able to process vast amounts of data, often more efficiently than their human counterparts can manage. They can be copied quickly and deployed widely as needed.

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We see this dynamic at work in drug and vaccine research, where AI systems make rapid connections between various pieces of data, greatly speeding up the process of bringing a drug or treatment into clinical trials. In April, The New York Times ran a story about a company called BenevolentAI from London that turned its attention to coronavirus research earlier this year. The company used AI to scour the literature surrounding COVID-19, and within two days its system had identified a drug called baricitinib, originally designed for rheumatoid arthritis, as a potential treatment option. This drug recently underwent clinical trials with the UKs National Institutes of Health.

Alongside aiding research on potential treatments and cures, AI is assisting hospitals and staff in triaging patients and protecting health care workers. Radiologists and other physicians at UC San Diego Health have begun clinical trials using an AI system to scan chest X-rays of patients for cases of pneumonia, which often occur in the most severe forms of coronavirus. These tools can rapidly speed up patient testing, saving countless hours that hospital workers can devote to treating the worst cases.

Since many AI systems require large amounts of data, there have been increasing calls to open up access to that data for the purposes of research and testing. The Mayo Clinic and many other hospital systems have launched processes to share anonymized patient data with companies that can use it in the fight against COVID-19.

Outside of the medical community, AI is helping our schools and workplaces safely transition back to their ordinary rhythms as some stay-at-home-orders begin to lift. Some school systems and businesses are experimenting with various security measures, including the use of high-tech surveillance, to slow the spread of the virus. This fall, as part of a test for some new tracing techniques, students in New Albany, Ohio, will be equipped with electronic tracking beacons. This trend will likely continue, as businesses and other gathering places begin deploying tools like temperature-tracking cameras and contact-tracing apps in order to protect customers and employees alike.

Of course, much of this technology is only in the trial phase, which means were unlikely to see it used on a wide scale anytime soon. And its almost a foregone conclusion that many of the lofty promises made on its behalf will never be realizedat least not in time to make a dramatic difference in defeating COVID-19.

While some will cite such failures as grounds for skepticism toward the hype surrounding AI, it bears mentioning that periods of cultural crisis often spearhead significant bursts in creativity and innovation. This was certainly true of the great wars of the 20th century, which gave rise to sophisticated weaponry and technologieswhich, in turn, gave rise to the modern space race and the computer age. Even as the current pandemic rages, one can hope that it might enliven human ingenuity and creativity as we push the limits of technology in the pursuit of human flourishing.

Ethical Dilemmas

But how can we pursue these powerful and life-changing innovations without going beyond certain ethical boundaries? Surely there is a balance to be struck between a posture of innovate first and ask ethical questions later and an overcautious approach that risks grinding technological progress to a halt.

What are some of the ethical dilemmas well need to address? Because of the immense power of AI and other emerging technologies, it is critical that these systems are deployed in ways that help to build trust in our communities, especially between governments, technology companies, and our neighbors. According to a 2019 Pew Research report, Americans have an increasingly pessimistic view toward technology companies and their influence in our daily lives. One-third agree that these companies are a negative force in our society, while only half say the impact is positive. This divide reveals a massive amount of distrust, even as we depend on these companies and their tools more and more throughout the pandemic.

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But technology companies are hardly the only object of public distrust. As the virus continues to ravage our nation, there is also a growing distrust in government leaders and even public health systems, due to factors like perceived failure, hyper-partisanship, or the pending presidential election. How are we to trust these same officials and leaders to use powerful technologies like AI wisely in this pandemic if we already have difficulties trusting them to perform their ordinary responsibilities with integrity?

In a chapter for The Oxford Handbook of the Ethics of AI, scholars Alessandro Blasimme and Effy Vayena argue that the call for continuous surveillance, tailored nudging, and paternalistic intervention can generate an Orwellian form of individual control and constrained personal freedoms. The increased use of AI in our society will naturally infringe upon certain freedoms and ideals of privacy. Without measures to ensure adequate transparency and bolster public trust, our society might reject many lifesaving advances in AI because we fear the other possible uses to which unscrupulous governments might put them.

One major worry that goes hand in hand with this rising tide of distrust is the potential for AI technologies to precipitate a massive erosion of personal privacy. Today, nearly every aspect of our lives is captured in data of some form, and at least some of that datalike digital health records, testing results, or location trackingcould be useful in helping combat the spread of COVID-19. Google and Apple recently joined forces to develop and deploy Bluetooth-powered contact tracing that would inform public-health officials and individuals about potential exposure to the virus.

Not only is our personal data constantly tracked and stored. It can also be exploited by powerful organizations or even governments seeking to control their people. As Professor Mark Coeckelbergh of the University of Vienna observes in his new book AI Ethics, In [our] networked world, every electronic device or software can be hacked, invaded, and manipulated by people with malicious intentions. Personal privacy has already been sacrificed in many places throughout the world, including in China and Hong Kong, where ruling Communist Party officials have abused surveillance technology in an effort to subjugate Chinas Uighur Muslim minority and silence free expression.

A Biblical Foundation

Ongoing debates in our society about technology and ethics show that there is much work to be done. As AI technology continues to evolve, the church has an opportunity to address many of the fundamental questions that people are beginning to ask. Many debates within the sciences, especially in areas of emerging technology like AI, revolve around age-old questions concerning the nature of ethics and what it means to be human.

How are Christians equipped to enter these conversations in light of the Scriptures? Christianity is not a dead faith that is unable to speak into modern times, as some may claim. Ours is a rich and living faith centered on the God of the universe who created all things, including human beings made in his own image (Gen. 1:2628) and endowed with a touch of his own creative ability. Not only does being created in Gods image distinguish us from the rest of creationit also forms the foundation of our ethical thought in every area of life, including how we seek to live our faith out in the public square.

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In Matthew 22:3739, Jesus tells his disciples, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. These commandments, summing up the entirety of Gods holy law, help ground our approach to major technological innovations like AI. As we consider the role of government in a pandemic and the complex nature of personal privacy, we know that we are called to love God and neighbor in ways that honor the image of God himself. We treat our neighbors with respectaffirming their dignity and valuebecause they too bear the imprint of God. We work toward justice and transparency as we seek to live out our God-given calling to love one another as God loves us.

As the waves of COVID-19 continue to break upon our fellow image bearers, it is helpful to remember humanitys place as the crown jewel of creation, which provides a sturdy ethical foundation for navigating the challenges of our digital age. From that place of confidence, we can seek to harness powerful AI tools to serve our neighbor and to stand up for the rights of all people. Artificial intelligence is one of Gods good gifts to us, but it must be wielded with a wisdom grounded in the person and work of the true Homo Deus, the god-man Jesus Christ, who took on flesh in order to save his people and secure their future.

Jason Thacker serves as chair of research in technology ethics at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He is the author of The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.
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Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | Aug. 14, 2020

Corrections officers are among 23 indicted over a drug and contraband operation at a Pennsylvania prison. Meanwhile, the EPA is weakening a rule meant to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Harrisburg School District students will have home internet access, regardless of their familys economic status, thanks to a new program. AMC Theaters is coming back and welcoming movie fans in with screenings with 1920s pricing and yes, that means a movie ticket costs less than a quarter.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa, a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Julia Hatmaker. Today in Pa is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories in the state.

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ATHENS, GEORGIA, August 14 (WNM/University of Georgia) - Antibiotic resistance is an increasing health problem, but new research suggests it is not only caused by the overuse of antibiotics. It is also caused by pollution. Using a process known as genomic analysis, University of Georgia scientists found a strong correlation between antibiotic resistance and heavy metal contamination in an environment. Jesse C. Thomas IV, an alumnus of the College of Public Health and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
In a conversation with Sharon Malone, a Washington DC-based obstetrician and gynecologist, the former first lady shared a story about having a hot flash while on Marine One, the presidential helicopter, with then-president Barack Obama.

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I remember having one on Marine One. I'm dressed, I need to get out, walk into an event, and, literally, It was like somebody put a furnace in my core and turned it on high, she remembered.

And then everything started melting. And I thought, Well this is crazy, I cant, I cant, I cant do this.

What a womans body is taking her through is important information. Its an important thing to take up space in a society, because half of us are going through this but were living like its not happening, she added.

Michelle Obama, 56, spent eight years as first lady at the White House while her husband Barack was president and they raised their two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

The episode of The Michelle Obama Podcast, was titled "What Your Mother Never Told You About Health with Dr. Sharon Malone."

The former first lady also said that her husband, President Barack Obama, was used to being around menopausal women due to the number of women in his executive cabinet.

"Barack was surrounded by women in his cabinet, many going through menopause and he could see it. He could see it in somebody because sweat would start pouring, and he's like, Well, what's going onHe didn't fall apart because he found out there were several women in his staff that were going through menopause. It was just sort of like, Oh, well, turn the air conditioner on."

She also spoke of the power in women's bodies.

"When you think of all that a woman's body has to do over the course of her lifetime, going from being prepared to give birth to actually giving birth, and then having that whole reproductive system shut down in menopause, right?

"The changes, the highs and lows, and the hormonal shifts, there is power in that," she added.

"But we were taught to be ashamed of it and to not even seek to understand it or explore it for our own edification, let alone to help the next generation."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wears a protective face mask as he arrives at the airport in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 13, 2020.

The United States on Thursday designated the Confucius Institute education program as a foreign mission of China, setting up the Chinese government-funded language teaching scheme for tougher scrutiny amid worsening relations between Washington and Beijing.

The order requires the Confucius Institute U.S. Center staff to register and follow restrictions similar to those placed on diplomatic embassies, and recently applied by Washington to Chinese state media outlets.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States views the CI organization as an entity advancing Beijing's global propaganda and malign influence campaign on U.S. campuses and K-12 classrooms."

Confucius Institutes are funded by the PRC and part of the Chinese Communist Partys global influence and propaganda apparatus, he said in a statement announcing the designation.

For more than four decades, Beijing has enjoyed free and open access to U.S. society, while denying that same access to Americans and other foreigners in China. Furthermore, the PRC has taken advantage of Americas openness to undertake large scale and well-funded propaganda efforts and influence operations in this country, said Pompeo.

China's President Xi Jinping unveils the plaque at the opening of Australia's first Chinese Medicine Confucius Institute at the RMIT University in Melbourne, June 20, 2010. Xi was China's vice president at the time. Credit: AFP The roughly 550 Confucius Institutes around the world, including 75 in the United States, are run as joint ventures between the host university, a partner university in China, and Hanban (Confucius Institutes Headquarters), an agency under China's education ministry.

United States Senate permanent subcommittee on investigations said in a report in March 2019 that the Chinese Communist Party had poured more than U.S. $158 million into U.S. universities to fund Confucius Institutes since 2006.



But it found that "Confucius Institute funding comes with strings that can compromise academic freedom," and recommended they be shut down if there is no improvement in transparency around their dealings with U.S. universities.



The report said that teachers and funding for the institutes are provided and controlled by China's ministry of education through the Hanban, meaning that all teachers, events and speakers at Confucius Institutes are approved by Beijing, even on U.S. soil.

Of all the  PRC activity in the U.S. thats been highlighted, Confucius Institutes been out there for a long time. People have understood for a very long that these things have been going on, and this designation is long overdue, said Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell.

By designating the Confucius Institutes of the U.S., we ask them to tell us what theyre doing here in the U.S. Were not closing it, were simply designating them as what they are, as foreign missions, he told a teleconference Thursday.

This is not going after Confucius Centers per se, although we would ask that universities, again, take a hard look at what those institutes are doing on their campuses and then decide for themselves if this is something that supports and advances academic freedom and our democratic values or not, Stilwell added.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), at least 29 of more than 100 U.S. universities that had Confucius Institutes had closed them since 2014.

Twenty-two closed after the US 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which forces schools to choose between keeping Confucius Institutes or receiving foreign language study funding from the U.S. Defense Department, became law in August 2018, with 12 schools citing the need to comply with the act.

The National Association of Scholars said there were 75 Confucius Institutes in the United States as of June 30, including four scheduled to close in 2020: the University of Missouri, the University of Arizona, the University of California-Davis, and the University of Oklahoma. It counted 45 closures.

Confucius Institutes also have been under scrutiny for several years in Europe and Australia.

In April, Sweden announced plans to close down the last Confucius classroom, becoming the first country in Europe to shut down a key area of China's soft power. Stockholm University was the first to open a Confucius Institute in 2005, but closed it a decade later citing Chinese insistence on greater control over the running of the institute.
When the man became infected with what appeared to be the virus, she said he lost his job when his sick days expired. By the time he was able to return to work, his childs school was closed and he had to stay home with her because daycare was no longer available.
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Linkedin Yunindita Prasidya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, August 14, 2020 16:19 523 6657ac82168da9fa101c8a4066e16851 1 Business Pricewaterhousecoopers,retailer,online-platforms,COVID-19,Aprindo,Tokopedia,Lottemart Free

Indonesian retailers have embraced the need to shift their services online amid the accelerating online shopping trend.

Roy Nicholas Mandey, the chairman of the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo), said many of the associations members had adopted an omnichannel strategy, where retailers integrate offline and online shopping experiences for their consumers' convenience.

Ninety percent of our members have already changed their businesses by including an omnichannel, Roy said during a webinar on Thursday.

An example of this approach was to give consumers the option to select products online but pick them up in-store, Roy added.

The adoption of such a strategy is deemed necessary as consumers are buying more products online during the health crisis. According to the Global Consumer Insights Survey 2020 by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 69 percent of the Indonesian respondents stated that they were buying more groceries online following the implementation of social restrictions to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

More than half of the respondents, at 57 percent, stated that they were likely to continue shopping online even after the measures were removed.

Indonesia has gradually reopened the economy starting in June, despite the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. The tally of confirmed cases has reached more than 132,800 as of Thursday, with the death toll exceeding 5,900.

Read also: Consumers wary of visiting shopping centers despite relaxed rules: Survey

PwC survey also showed that online purchases even outpaced in-store purchases as the most popular channel for frequent shopping.

When asked about the purchasing frequency using certain shopping channels for their daily and weekly shopping, half of the Indonesian respondents stated that they often used online mobile channels, up from 37 percent in 2019.

On the other hand, only 42 percent of the consumers stated they still frequently shopped in-store this year, down from 52 percent in 2019, indicating that in-store shopping is now less preferred for daily to weekly shopping.

Retail firm Lotte Mart Indonesia, a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Lotte Corp, has undergone a process of digitization prior to the pandemic, but the health crisis has accelerated the development of the companys online platform and reinstated its digital commitment, according to the firms president director, Joseph Buntaran.

The need to have a very good and well-accepted platform is becoming a top one, Joseph said during the webinar on Thursday.

Lotte currently provides e-commerce platform iLotte as well as online shopping service LotteMart Mall for its Indonesian consumers.

He added that the company had, in a way, an unlimited budget to develop its digital platform as the company acknowledged that the online landscape was going to be very important.

Despite this trend, PwC retail and consumer leader Peter Hohtoulas said that physical stores still had a significant role to play in the Indonesian market as the majority of retail purchases were still made offline.

Even as online [purchases] increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, or in fact, over the last two or three years, it still makes up less than 10 percent of total retail sales in Indonesia, Hohtoulas said, noting that the figure might indicate that consumers still opt to make the less frequent yet higher-value purchases in-store as opposed to online.

Indonesian consumers surveyed by PwC reported reasons such as proximity of the store as well as the availability of the items as the reasons to still visit a physical store, while others also cited the experience of physical store shopping as the contributing factor, with 33 percent of respondents stated that it was a fun pastime.

I think in-store retail has a vital role to play and can compete well with the online store, Hohtoulas noted.

Many consider online and offline channels as competing. We dont see that. I think online and offline should create synergy, e-commerce giant Tokopedia cofounder and vice chairman Leontinus Alpha Edison said during the webinar.

He explained that Tokopedia had been bridging the offline and online shopping experience, such as when it partnered with the annual book bazaar Big Bad Wolf to provide the online experience of the anticipated event following the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Plans are being made across the country for how to safely send students back to school in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 13/8/2020 (523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A empty classroom is pictured at McGee Secondary school in Vancouver, B.C. Friday, Sept. 5, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Plans are being made across the country for how to safely send students back to school in the fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Here is a look at what the various provinces have said about getting kids back to classes.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia has laid out its plan for studies to resume in "learning groups" this fall. School districts are to post final back-to-school details online by Aug. 26.

Back to class: Schools were initially scheduled to welcome students back full time on Sept. 8, but the province announced it is pushing back the restart date by two days to Sept. 10.

Groups: Students will be sorted into learning groups to reduce the number of people they come in contact with. For elementary and middle school students, groups will be no larger than 60 people. Secondary school groups will be capped at 120.

Physical distancing: Students and staff don't need to maintain physical distancing within their learning group, but contact should be minimized. Outside the group, physical distancing is required. Students should be more spaced out in classrooms.

Masks: Students and staff will not be required to wear masks in schools, but the province says it's a "personal choice that will always be respected." It says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry recommends non-medical masks be worn by adults and older students when they are unable to physically distance like in hallways and on buses.

New routines: The province is urging schools to stagger recess, lunch and class transition times and take students outside whenever possible.

Transportation: Middle and high school students are asked to wear masks on buses. Students should be assigned seats, and a transparent barrier may be used to separate the driver.

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ALBERTA

The province is planning to fully reopen schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 this fall. Measures will be tightened if an outbreak occurs and class sizes could be reduced to 20.

Back to class: School will be back in session with extra safety measures, but the province says there are programs to support remote and alternative learning.

Groups: Schools should sort students into cohorts by class when possible to minimize contact with others.

Physical distancing: Physical distancing is recommended when possible. Rooms should be rearranged to increase space between desks.

Masks: Masks will be mandatory for staff and many students in some school settings. Students in Grades 4 to 12 must wear masks in all common areas, such as hallways and on buses. Staff are required to wear masks whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained. Mask use will be optional for kids in kindergarten through Grade 3. The government says all students and staff will receive two reusable masks as part of the policy.

Transportation: Parents are asked to bring their children to school if they can. Students who take the bus will sit in the same seat every day.

New routines: Schools are advised to consider a "no sharing policy," with each student bringing their own supplies. Class, lunch and recess schedules will be staggered.

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SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan first unveiled a set of back-to-school guidelines in June, but released more details Aug. 4.

Back to class: Students will return to class as early as Sept. 1.

Groups: Groups of students and staff members assigned to them should stick together throughout the day and try not to mingle with other groups. Schools should aim to minimize the number of different instructors who interact with students throughout the day.

Physical distancing: Officials say maintaining physical distance is "less practical" for younger children, and the focus should be on limiting physical contact. Officials suggest limiting hugs and hand holding and suggest using alternative greetings such as air high fives. Schools are also to have dedicated quarantine areas where symptomatic students can go before they are picked up by parents.

Masks: The province says it's up to school boards to decide whether to make masks mandatory for students and staff. The chief medical health officer advises Grade 4 to 12 students should wear them in busy areas such as hallways and on buses.

Transportation: Parents should take their kids to school when possible, and pickup and drop-offs should happen outside. Students using school transportation should be assigned seats, and a partition may be used to separate the driver.

New routines: Start times, recess, lunch and class transitions may be staggered to allow for more space for physical distancing. Schools should rearrange their classrooms to space out students. Students and staff are asked to bring hand sanitizer.

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MANITOBA

The Manitoba government says students are going back to the classroom on Sept. 8 with new guidelines.

Back to class: All students from kindergarten to Grade 8 are to have in-class instruction five days a week. High school students will also be in class full time, however, there may be some days of remote learning.

Groups: When physical distancing isn't possible, students will have to be organized into cohorts of no more than 75, and minimize contact with others. In these cases, there must be at least one metre between their desks.

Physical distancing: The province says students are required to maintain a two-metre distance to "the greatest extent possible." When it isn't possible, physical barriers may be an option. Spaces should be arranged to encourage separation.

Masks: Masks are strongly recommended for students in Grades 5 to 12. They are required when taking the bus.

Transportation: Masks are required for students Grade 5 and up, as well as drivers, on buses. Parents are encouraged to transport their children to school if they can.

New routines: Lunch and recess are to be staggered to minimize congestion, and in many cases teachers will change classrooms instead of students.

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ONTARIO

Ontario students will be back in class September, but their schedules and class sizes may vary depending on where they live.

Back to class: Elementary students and many high schoolers will be in school five days a week in standard class sizes. However, secondary students at two dozen boards that are higher risk will only attend class half the time, and will spend the rest of the week working on "curriculum-linked independent work." Parents will also have the option to keep their kids out of class, and boards must provide options for remote learning.

Groups: For high schoolers in high-risk districts, class sizes will be capped at 15. Meanwhile, elementary students won't be broken up into smaller groups, but will be grouped into cohorts and their exposure to different teachers will be limited.

Physical distancing: While Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the aim is to keep students one metre apart from each other, a guidance document says only that schools should promote "as much distancing as possible" rather than being strictly enforced.

Masks: Masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 through 12, and will be strongly encouraged for younger kids when they're in indoor common areas. Staff will be expected to wear masks.

Transportation: Some school boards may have more than one student assigned to a seat. When physical distancing isn't possible, masks will be mandatory for students in Grades 4 to 12, and younger students will be encouraged but not required to do the same.

New routines: Students in some districts will have to pre-register for in-person schooling. Some schools may limit or even ban visitors, including parents. Breaks will be scheduled to allow students to wash their hands.

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QUEBEC

All elementary and high school students in Quebec will be required to attend class in September unless they have a doctor's note indicating they're at high risk of COVID-19 complications or they live with someone at risk. Those students will be allowed to study remotely.

Back to class: Class attendance is mandatory for elementary and high school students. For Grades 10 and 11, schools have the option of alternating schedules where students attend one day out of every two  as long as schools cannot maintain stable classroom bubbles. Grade 10 and 11 students are encouraged to attend classes as much as possible.

Groups: Each classroom will be its own bubble and students will not be required to maintain a two-metre distance between classmates.

Physical distancing: Students will need to keep a two-metre distance from all school staff, as well as all other students outside their classroom bubble. There are no physical distancing requirements for children or teachers in pre-school.

Masks: All students in Grade 5 and up  as well as all school staff  must wear a mask inside all common areas of the school except the classroom. Masks can also be removed when students are eating.

Transportation: No more than 48 students will be allowed on a school bus, with no more than two students sitting on the same bench. Preschool and elementary school students are strongly encouraged to wear masks, while older students are required to wear them.

New routines: When schools return in the fall, teachers will move from classroom to classroom, but students will stay put.

Backup plans: In the event of an outbreak in one class, the entire classroom bubble will be sent home to continue studies remotely. Authorities are also putting together an emergency protocol in the event of a second wave to ensure instruction continues online if entire schools are again forced to close. Ideas include quickly distributing tablets or laptops to students needing them and establishing a digital platform to continue courses and maintain communication.

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NEW BRUNSWICK

The province has outlined a set of requirements schools must follow in developing their plans for the fall.

Back to class: Students in kindergarten to Grade 8 are to attend school full time, while those in Grades 9 to 12 are to be taught using a combination of in-class and remote instruction. At-home course work can include online learning, guided projects and experiential education.

Groups: For kindergarten through Grade 2, group sizes will be reduced to about 15, wherever possible. Group sizes should also be shrunk for Grades 3 to 5. Grades 6 to 8 will resume at regular class sizes. Students in Grades 9 to 12 will not be grouped because of their schedules and course options.

Physical distance: Grade 9 to 12 classrooms are required to maintain a one-metre distance, while a two-metre distance is recommended in common areas at all grade levels.

Masks: All students will be required to bring a mask to school, but masks will not be mandatory inside the classroom. Students in Grade 6-12 must wear masks on the school bus and in common areas of school buildings, while children in kindergarten to Grade 5 are encouraged to do so. Teachers for kindergarten to Grade 8 can choose whether they want to wear a mask or shield in the classroom while teachers for Grades 9-12 will be required to wear one when they cannot physically distance from students.

Transportation: Curtains will be installed inside school buses to separate drivers from students. If physical distancing is not possible, drivers will be required to wear a mask or face shield. Students must sit in the same seat every day. Students in kindergarten to Grade 5 will sit alone or with a member of their household. Students in Grades 6-12 wearing masks will sit two to a seat, and if they are sitting alone or with a member of their household, they do not have to wear a mask.

New routines: Arrivals, breaks and lunches are to be staggered. Public access to school buildings will be limited, and students, staff and visitors may also be subject to screening. High school students will be expected to have their own laptop or similar device, and some subsidies will be available. Drinking fountains will be replaced with water bottle-filling stations.

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PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Schools on the Island are preparing to welcome all students back to class, while drafting backup plans for remote studies if required.

Back to class: Schools are to reopen for teachers and staff on Sept. 1 and for students on Sept. 8.

Groups: Students will be organized into cohorts when possible and limit their exposure to others.

Physical distancing: Students will be taught about the importance of physical distancing, and extra teaching and cleaning staff may be hired. Schools are also asked to reduce class sizes as much as possible, reconfigure classrooms and make use of spaces such as libraries and multipurpose rooms.

Masks: The province says all staff and students in Grades 7-12 are "strongly recommended" to wear masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students from kindergarten through Grade 6 may wear masks when physical distancing is impossible. Staff interacting with children who have complex medical needs are strongly recommended to wear face shields and gloves.

Transportation: Parents are asked to take their kids to school whenever possible. To reduce the number of riders on buses, schools may add vehicles and routes or implement walk-to-school programs. It is strongly recommended that all students and drivers wear masks on the bus.

New routines: P.E.I. education authorities are revising curricula for this school year to make up for learning gaps caused by lockdown constraints. Schools will stagger schedules to minimize congestion. The provincial school food program will be expanded next year in keeping with public health precautions. Elementary school students will stay in their classrooms for lunch.

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NOVA SCOTIA

Education Minister Zach Churchill says the province's objective is for schools to return to 100 per cent capacity in the fall, but its plan includes measures to address the possible onset of a second wave of COVID-19.

Back to class: The province aims to have all elementary and high school students in classrooms by Sept. 8.

Groups: Students will be asked to keep to cohorts.

Physical distancing: Students and staff will be encouraged to maintain a two-metre distance whenever possible. Lecture rooms will be reorganized to increase space between desks.

Masks: Masks are not required in classrooms, but students and staff may choose to wear them. While it's recommended that they bring their own, masks will be provided to those who don't have one. Staff and students in Grades 10 to 12 must wear masks when physical distancing is difficult.

Transportation: Students who take the school bus will be required to wear non-medical masks.

New routines: Only students and staff will be permitted to enter school buildings. When possible, teachers will be asked to move their classes outdoors. Students will be asked to bring their own computers to school, and the province says it has acquired an additional 14,000 devices for those with limited access to technology.

Backup plans: If a COVID-19 outbreak occurs during the academic year, schools will move to a blended learning model with smaller class sizes and home learning for older students.

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NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

The province's back-to-school plan aims to maximize in-class attendance with the option of a return to remote learning if the COVID-19 risk increases.

Back to class: The province's plan outlines three scenarios  in-class instruction, remote learning or a combination of both, depending on the COVID-19 risk in a particular community.

Groups: Cohorting by class is recommended when it's feasible, but students' schedules shouldn't be disrupted to support smaller groupings.

Physical distancing: Schools should aim to create a two-metre distance between desks, or as much distance as possible. However, provincial authorities say these precautions should not interfere with the daily school routine, and strict physical distancing should not be "over-emphasized" to children, because it is not practical and can cause psychological harm.

Masks: The province does not recommend masks for children, but says their use should not be "stigmatized" for those that choose to wear them. Staff will not be required to wear masks if physical distancing is possible.

Transportation: It will be up to school districts to determine their transportation operations, considering precautions such as assigning seats and separating the driver with a physical divider.

New routines: All students must bring their own supplies in keeping with a "no sharing" policy.

Backup plans: In the event of moderate-to-widespread transmission of COVID-19, school districts will move to online learning. Classroom attendance should be limited to about 50 per cent when the COVID-19 risk in a community is considered low to moderate. Newfoundland and Labrador says it will spend $20 million to purchase laptops for teachers and students in Grades 7 through 12 to support remote learning.

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YUKON

The territorial government says it's making plans for the next school year that include flexibility around the number of students in classes if there's a second wave of COVID-19 or increased risk of transmission. It says each school will determine how it will adjust its operations to meet those guidelines, and school principals and staff are expected to share that information prior to September.

Back to class: Preliminary plans indicate that in rural communities, all students will return to school full time. In Whitehorse, however, kids in kindergarten through Grade 9 will return to full-day in-school instruction, while Grades 10 to 12 will spend half their day in the classroom, and the rest learning remotely.

Groups: Class sizes may be smaller to meet safety restrictions.

Masks: Wearing masks is a personal choice.

Transportation: Bus school and schedules will be posted to the territory's website.

New routines: Schedule shakeups may mean that some students won't have their regular teacher or the same classmates. School meal programs may be adapted with new safety measures and pickup options.

Backup plans: The territory has outlined a spectrum of school options if the risk to the community increases, ranging from rotating schedules to suspension of face-to-face learning.

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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

All N.W.T. schools have submitted plans to reopen their doors this fall. The territory says education authorities are taking a flexible approach in their planning to account for a potential second wave of COVID-19 in the fall.

Back to class: While plans will vary from school to school, the territory will offer in-person instruction whenever possible, while ensuring alternative options are available.

Groups: Students in kindergarten through Grade 6 will be in classroom "bubbles," and won't have to practise physical distancing within these groups.

Physical distancing: For Grades 7 to 9, students are asked to maintain a one-metre distance from each other, and two-metre distance from staff. Grade 10 to 12 students are asked to allow for two metres of distance from their peers and instructors.

Masks: Students of all ages may be required to wear masks in situations where physical distance cannot be practised, such as moving through the hallways.

Transportation: There may be changes to bus schedules, and all riders will be required to wear masks.

New routines: More time will be spent learning outside. School hours and schedules may also look different. Students are asked to label personal items and not share.

Backup plans: The territory says schools are preparing to shift between in-person, distance and blended learning at short notice should there become active COVID-19 cases.

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NUNAVUT

The territory has released a four-stage plan for reopening schools based on the risk of the novel coronavirus in a community.

Back to class: There are no reported COVID-19 cases in Nunavut, so all schools are set to reopen this fall with enhanced cleaning and safety precautions.

Groups: It is recommended that schools cohort students by class and limit mixing as much as possible.

Physical distancing: Distance requirements will depend on what stage a community is in, and will primarily be achieved by limiting school attendance.

Masks: In most cases, the use of masks is not recommended for children. If there are exceptions, parents will be notified, and masks will be provided.

Transportation: As it stands, bus schedules are set to resume. Students older than 13 may be required to wear masks.

New routines: Group activities will be limited. Students won't be allowed to share food in lunchrooms.

Backup plans: The territory says schools could go part-time if contact tracing were to identify a possible source of COVID-19. All schools would be closed if community transmission were to take place.

This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Aug. 12, 2020.
Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad has met with the new representative to UNICEF and highlighted the importance of providing services to children writes SANA.

Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad affirmed the importance of bolstering cooperation between the Syrian state and the United Nations Childrens Fund Organization (UNICEF), especially in light of current circumstances imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Mikdads remarks came as he received the new representative of UNICEF in Syria, Bo Viktor Nylund, who handed in his credentials to him on Thursday morning.

Mikdad welcomed the new representative and wished him success in his new mission, pointing to the cooperation between the Syrian state and UNICIF in various fields, mainly caring for childhood, health, education and water.

The minister indicated the attention paid by the Syrian state in following up on offering education to all children in Syria at all stages, with a focus on the importance of rehabilitating schools and supporting the education sector in general, especially leading up to exams for students coming from the terrorist controlled areas.

Mikdad pointed to the great attention paid by Syria to childrens health, and welcomed further cooperation with UNICEF in this regard.

He referred to the exacerbation of the disastrous effect of the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US and Western states on children, the educational process and basic services provided to them, which UNICIF should shed light on, through its reports and data.

For his part, the new UNICEF representative stressed for the necessity of continuing the organizations efforts carried out over recent years which witnessed a fruitful cooperation at all spheres related to UNICEF.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Thirty-one immigrant workers were fired in late July at a Strauss Brands meatpacking plant in Franklin, Wisconsin after taking part in a protest demanding better health and safety conditions. Officially, at least six workers are confirmed to have contracted the disease in the plant, but the real number may well be higher.

While Strauss is a minor player among gigantic meatpacking companies such as Tyson Foods, Smithfield and JBS, workers both immigrant and non-immigrant face brutal conditions inside its plants.

Workers in a Hog Slaughter and Processing Plant (Wikipedia Commons)

Meatpacking plants are centers for the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and around the world. However, information about the extent of the spread in meatpacking plants is sporadic and incomplete due to stonewalling by the meatpacking companies, often with the collusion of local health authorities. But according to data compiled from local news sources by The Fern, at least 40,000 meatpacking workers in the US have contracted the virus and 189 workers have died.

Last month it was discovered that Iowa health officially had under-counted the number of cases at a Tyson plant by more than half. Earlier this week, Carolina Public Press published emails from county health officials who successfully lobbied against the regular public disclosure of coronavirus cases in the state's meatpacking plants, describing it as "very detrimental to any cooperative relationships that we have with the plants."

The catastrophic situation in the meatpacking plants, which were already among the most unsafe workplaces in America, has produced growing opposition among meatpacking workers, often in opposition to unions such as the United Food and Commercial Workers who have collaborated with the companies to keep workers on the job. The most significant of these was a wildcat walkout by hundreds of workers last month, which was opposed by the UFCW, at the JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado.

Most of the fired 31 protesting workers in Franklin, who had worked for Strauss for 12 to 20 years, were fired without warning on the basis of alleged irregularities with their Social Security numbers. After employing the workers for years, management suddenly informed the targeted workers that they were not authorized to work in the US.

In firing the workers, the company acted against the recommendations of the IRS authorities that mandate that workers not be fired because of this, rather they are to be granted sufficient time (usually 120 days) to fix the problem.

Denny Alvarado, one of the fired workers, said the company never told him about any discrepancy with his Social Security number until the day he was fired, though he had been working at Strauss for 17 years.

The victimized workers had supported a request by Voces de la Frontera, an immigration advocacy group, for the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to investigate conditions at the plant. After the firing, the group, which is aligned with the Democratic Party and the unions, urged the company to rehire the fired workers. When Strauss management refused, this group urged the fired workers to accept a small monetary settlement.

On August 7, 100 protesters, including some of the fired meatpacking workers, picketed the plant, concluding with a rally and press conference, involving Racine and Milwaukee Democrats and officials from the teacher and transit unions.

In addition to Alvarado, Maria Ramirez, who worked for 13 years at the plant and is a mother of four, also spoke. Maria said she suffered foot and shoulder injuries at work and had tested positive for COVID-19 in late April, falling sick for more than a month. Upon her return, when she told her co-workers that they had been exposed she found out that nobody had been informed about her illness. Maria was fired on July 23.

She told the audience that management had increased their initial compensation offer to the fired workers from a single days pay to four days pay per year worked. Maria said she had not decided whether to take this pitiful offer and was still pursuing a workers compensation case against the company.

There is no reliable information for how many Strauss workers have been infected with the coronavirus. Elizabeth Goodsitt, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, declined to say how many Strauss workers had tested positive.

Other officials dubiously claim it is hard to determine whether Strauss workers that tested positive were infected at the plant or elsewhere. Strauss Brands also refuses to release the information.

Currently, Voces de la Frontera is circulating a 5-point petition directed to Strauss, which includes the demands for rehiring the 31 fired workers, firing the plant's HR director, fair compensation for workers who choose not to return, implementing CDC and OSHA-recommended safety measures and extending health insurance coverage by six months for fired workers.

With its breakneck line speed and physically demanding, highly repetitive labor, the meatpacking industry was among the most dangerous in the US even before the pandemic. According to a 2019 report by Human Rights Watch:

Among the tens of thousands of companies that reported severe injuries to OSHA, several meat and poultry slaughtering and processing companies ranked among the highest reporters: Tyson Foods is fifth, Pilgrims Pride is thirteenth, Cargill Meat Solutions is sixteenth, and JBS USA is seventeenth ... These meat and poultry companies have significantly smaller workforces than many other employers at the top of this list. Tyson Foods, for example, is behind the US Postal Service, UPS, and Walmart, each of which employs more workers in the United States than all production workers in the animal slaughtering and processing industry combined and more than three times Tysons entire workforce, on the low end.[65] Together, poultry slaughtering and processing companies reported more severe injuries to OSHA than many industries that are popularly recognized as hazardous, like sawmills, industrial building construction, and oil and gas well drilling.

The conditions in the meatpacking industry are the product of a historic decline in living standards imposed, beginning in the 1980s, with the collusion of the UFCW and other unions, who were transformed over the course of many years into little more than cheap labor contractors. In the early 1980s, meatpacking workers still earned wages higher than the average for US manufacturing workers. As of 2019, they are 44 percent lower than the average, according to Human Rights Watch.

This process was universal and affected every section of the working class, including air traffic controllers, autoworkers, teamsters and others. However, one of the major episodes took place in the meatpacking industry, when the UFCW intervened to shut down a strike by Hormel workers in 1985-1986, bringing scab workers into the union and removing the leadership of the local.

This shows that the road forward for meatpacking workers is to break from the unions and form rank-and-file safety committees in every plant as a first step in linking the struggle of all workers against the deadly policies of the ruling class in response to the pandemic.
WINNIPEGAn investigation by Manitobas police watchdog has found an officer was justified when he shot and wounded a 16-year-old boy wielding a machete.

The actions of the subject officer were appropriate to the situation, and the use of potentially lethal force was necessary, justified and unavoidable, Zane Tessler, the Independent Investigation Units civilian director, said in a report released Friday.

The report said Winnipeg police responded to a call of an armed robbery at a west end 7-Eleven in November 2019.

The units investigators interviewed nine witnesses and 10 officers who responded to the scene. They also went through security footage from the store, a nearby traffic camera and video uploaded by a witness to Facebook.

Witnesses said that soon after the teen entered the convenience store, he walked up to the counter and, holding a machete above his head, demanded cash from employees. Staff opened the register and ran to a back office, locking themselves inside. They called 911.

A father with his two young sons, who was getting hot chocolate in the store, told investigators that they desperately ran from the store, fearing for their safety.

When police arrived, the report said the teen tried to leave but struggled with the door, pounding on it more than 100 times with the machete. He eventually forced the door open and walked out, holding the machete about his head.

Police and witnesses said they saw the boy walk toward an officer with the machete, the report said. They also told investigators that officers yelled for the teen to drop the weapon.

Police fired a Taser at the boy, but it had no effect.

In police notes filed for the investigation, the officer who fired his gun said he was fearful that the boy was intent on directing this machete forcefully at me.

The officer fired four to five shots, but the teen kept walking in his direction, the report said. The officer fired another round and the teen fell against a wall.

He was taken to hospital, where he had surgery. He was released about a month later.

The boy did not meet with the units investigators but his medical information was handed over. It showed he was shot five times, including in his neck, abdomen and thigh.

Tessler said in the report that the threat posed by the teen was real, substantial and required to be neutralized.

There were no grounds to justify charges against the officer, he said.

It is my view that the use of lethal force by (the officer) was reasonable, necessary and justified in law.

Winnipeg police recently faced criticism after officers shot and killed four people this year. Three of those people, including a 16-year-old girl, died with a 10-day span. Two people were killed in police shootings in Winnipeg in 2019 and there were none in 2018.

Read more about:
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in celebrating the 74th Independence Day at the Red Fort here on Saturday (August 15). The Prime Minister will unfurl the national flag and address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.

The Prime Minister will arrive at 0718 hours in front of Lahore Gate of Red Fort, and he will be received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, according to Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant Gen Vijay Kumar Mishra to the Prime Minister. The GoC Delhi Area will then conduct the Prime Minister to the saluting base where a combined Inter-Services and Police Guards will present general salute to Narendra Modi. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will inspect the Guard of Honour, said the statement.

The Guard of Honour contingent for the Prime Minister will consist of one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police. The Guard of Honour will be positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the ramparts.

This year, Army being the coordinating service, the Guard of Honour will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Gaurav S Yewalkar. Army Contingent in the Prime Ministers Guard will be commanded by Major Palvinder Grewal, the Navy contingent by Lieutenant Commander K V R Reddy, while Squadron Leader Vikas Kumar will lead the Air Force contingent and the Delhi Police contingent by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Jitender Kumar Meena.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the Prime Minister will proceed to the ramparts of the Red Fort where he will be greeted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria. The GoC Delhi area will conduct the Prime Minister to the dais on the rampart to unfurl the National Flag.

On unfurling the National Flag by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Guard will give Rashtriya Salute to the National Flag. The Army Grenadiers Regimental Centre Military Band will play the National Anthem during unfurling of the National Flag and the Rashritya Salute. All Service personnel in uniform will stand and salute, the rest will be requested to stand and give respect to the National Flag. The Band will be commanded by Subedar Major Abdul Gani.

Major Shweta Pandey will assist the Prime Minister in unfurling the National Flag. The unfurling of the tri-colour will synchronise with the 21 Gun Salute fired by the valiant gunners of the elite 2233 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The ceremonial battery will be commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jitendra Singh Mehta and the Gun Position Officer will be Naib Subedar (AIG) Anil Chand.

The National Flag Guard comprising 32 men and one officer each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Delhi Police will present Rashtriya Salute at the time of unfurling of the National Flag by the Prime Minister. Major Surya Prakash from the Army will be in command of this Inter-Services Guard and Police Guard.

The Naval Contingent for the National Flag Guard will be commanded by Lieutenant Commander Vivek Tingloo, Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Mayank Abhishek and Delhi Police contingent by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sudhanshu Dhama.

The Army contingent for the National Flag Guard is drawn from the 5th Battalion of the First Gorkha Rifles. The elite 5th Battalion of the First Gorkha Rifles, was initially raised in January 1942 at Dharamshala and was later demobilised in December 1946. It was re-raised on January 1, 1965 at Solan (Himachal Pradesh).

The battalion proved its mettle during Operation Cactus Lity in East Pakistan in 1971 and was awarded three Mahavir Chakras and two Vir Chakras for that. The Battalion also had an opportunity to serve for the United Nation Mission in Sudan from 2008 to 2009. The battalion is presently performing the honourable duty of Ceremonial Army Guard to the President of India.

After unfurling the National Flag, the Prime Minister will address the nation. After his speech, the National Cadet Corps cadets will sing the National Anthem. All present will be requested to stand at their seat and join the singing of the National Anthem. Service Persons in uniform will not be required to salute at this moment.

On this festival of national fervour, 500 NCC cadets (Army, Navy and Air Force) from different schools will be taking part, the official statement said.
Gov. Pete Ricketts stopped by NPPD headquarters to proclaim Wednesday as Nebraska Public Power District Day.

He congratulated the Columbus-based public power utility on 50 years in business and said NPPD will be important as Nebraska gets growing again.

Your customer-focused attention has been particularly important during the emergencies weve been experiencing. Last year, I know you all felt it here as well. We had the worst, most widespread natural disaster in our states history, Ricketts said. Your linesmen worked tirelessly to either maintain that power or to get it back and replaced as quickly as possible.

This year, theres been the COVID-19 pandemic.

Again, NPPD stepped up to serve their customers. On March 20, (NPPD) said there will be no more disconnections because of peoples inability to pay their utility bills, Ricketts said. On April 13, you said were going to waive all the late fees for people who were paying their bills late, recognizing that many of your customers have been impacted economically.

The company resumed normal bill collection Aug. 1, along with disconnections and late charges, according to an NPPD press release. Ricketts said the state needs to start getting back to work.

The emergency really started back in March and since then the state has been working to recover. So Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country," Ricketts said.

Nebraska was the state least impacted by the pandemic, Ricketts said, and now that the state is recovering, its time to get back to a more normal life.

As the economy recovers, NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent said they want to make sure theyre able to work with customers that werent able to pay their bills for a few months.

Theyve still got those bills there, Kent said. Its important for us to be able to work with them and help them and provide them tools and resources if we can to be able to get their electric bills or energy bills back in order and its going to take some time.

Part of that is starting up the process again, he noted. NPPD works with social agencies in the state and have a program called Pennies for Power, where donations are provided as a pool for customers to use who cant pay their bills, he said.

We want to make sure that those tools are available to help those out that really need help, Kent said. With the pandemic, a lot of people need help.

Kent has been with the company for 30 years and it has flown by. But, he started his job as CEO in the middle of a pandemic.

Columbus is the City of Power and Progress, Kent said. If you go back and look at the history of Columbus with public power, its long and deep. Loup Power District is one of the original public power (utilities)... and our predecessor Consumers Public Power District was based here in Columbus.

Being part of the legacy and part of the community here is terrific, Kent noted.

Nebraska is one of 49 states with public power but Nebraska is almost entirely served by it, Ricketts said.

NPPD serves 86 of our 93 counties, a third of our population, and we have the 15th lowest rates in the nation and well below the average rate in the nation, Ricketts said. Its because of (NPPDs) focus on the customer to deliver that, is the reason you all have been successful.

NPPD is a great organization for the entire state, Ricketts added.

The fact that its headquartered here in Columbus means that you have a great resource right within your own community that is also creating a lot of great-paying jobs, he said.

Carolyn Komatsoulis is a reporter for the Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at carolyn.komatsoulis@lee.net

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Azerbaijan's ambassador to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro, Eldar Hasanov, has been detained on embezzlement charges.

Azerbaijan's State Security Service said in a statement on August 13 that Hasanov is suspected of embezzling from the Foreign Ministry's consulate directorate.

"The complex financial investigations revealed that the country's ambassador to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro, Eldar Hasanov, had committed significant financial and other mishandling," the statement said.

The statement added that further information would be provided at a later time.
On the eve of the Independence Day, the airline said the travellers can submit their details online between August 15 and August 21 to avail the offer. While the base fare will be waived off under the "RedPass" offer, airport fees, charges and taxes would be borne by the personnel, it stated in a press release. "Once the application is reviewed, details will be sent to the applicant on the redemption process on ...

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Digital Editor
Coronavirus had likely already spread to thousands of people in Seattle before the Washington city became home to the first known US case of COVID0-19, new research reveals.

University of Texas (UT), Austin, scientists created a model to estimate how many people had coronavirus based on recently re-tested samples taken from hundreds of samples take from children and adults suspected of having flu, which presents with similar symptoms of coronavirus.

Twenty-five of them - including many taken from children - were positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Based on their findings, the UT Austin team estimates that about 9,000 people were already infected in Seattle before Americans knew the virus was there.

Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, estimate that 9,000 people - including 3,000 children - likely had coronavirus in Seattle last winter, long before the city locked down (pictured)

'Even before we realized that COVID-19 was spreading, the data imply that there was at least one case of COVID-19 for every two cases of flu,' said lead study author Dr Lauren Ancel Meyers.

Like flu, when someone does develop symptoms, they usually begin with fever, cough and fatigue, potentially leading to shortness of breath.

COVID-19, however, is a distinct respiratory and a much more deadly one that attacks multiple systems of the body.

Out of 2,353 samples taken from Seattle children and adults that other studies recently re-tested for coronavirus, 25 were positive for coronavirus.

Another 442 were positive for some strain of influenza.

But those samples would likely only account for the people who had symptoms.

And the combined evidence from other studies suggests that approximately half of people who are covid-positive never develop symptoms.

Scientists have also developed estimates that for every two cases of flu, there is at least one case of COVID-19.

Based on this information and their prior research on how coronavirus spreads through travel, the scientists estimated that some 9,000 people in Seattle probably caught coronavirus in the weeks before the city was locked down on March 9.

And about a third of those cases were in children.

Seattle was the first US hotspot of coronavirus. Now, it's outbreak is fairly under control thanks in part to better testing - but thousands of cases likely went undiagnosed last winter (file)

'Given that COVID-19 appears to be overwhelmingly mild in children, our high estimate for symptomatic pediatric cases in Seattle suggests that there may have been thousands more mild cases at the time,' said first study author Zhanwei Du, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr Meyers's lab.

The team found a similar pattern when they ran their model on swabs from Wuhan, China, where coronavirus was first identified last winter.

From a pool of 26 samples from people in Wuhan, four tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and seven were positive for flu.

When Wuhan locked down on January 22 - the first city in the world to do so - 422 cases had been identified there.

But based on their model, the team estimates that by that time, there were likely some 12,000 undetected cases of coronavirus in the Chinese city.

And those unidentified carriers - in both Seattle and Wuhan - silently spread the virus, before officials had any warning that they would need implement restrictions to slow the spread.

Dr Meyers notes that this pattern may be repeated now as restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus are lifted in many parts of the US and world.

'We can go back and piece together the history of this pandemic using a combination of investigative techniques and modeling,' she said.

'This helps us understand how the pandemic spread so quickly around the globe and provides insight into what we may see in the coming weeks and months.'
(CNN) - Interim results of phase one and two trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest a coronavirus vaccine developed by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinopharm is safe and induces an immune response.

However, researchers said more study is needed to know whether the vaccine protects people against the virus.

The phase one trial, conducted in Henan Province, China, involved 96 people given high, medium or low doses of the vaccine, or a placebo, which does nothing. The Phase 2 trial, involved 224 adults given the medium dose of the vaccine, or a placebo.

Within seven days after injection, adverse reactions were reported in 15% of trial participants. The most common adverse reaction was injection site pain, followed by fever. All adverse reactions were mild and did not require any treatment.

In the phase two study, the vaccine prompted a neutralizing antibody response in 97.6% of participants. The researchers found that participants had greater neutralizing antibody responses when they were given the second dose of the vaccine three weeks after the first dose rather than two weeks after the first dose.

"My impressions is that they are getting reasonable levels of virus neutralizing antibodies," Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccinologist at Baylor College of Medicine and a CNN medical analyst, said. "Based on this and safety profile, I believe that this is definitely a vaccine worth pursuing in Phase three clinical trials. I also think that this could be as good as the Operation Warp Speed vaccines in terms of efficacy and safety, but we really need those large trials."

The US government is supporting six vaccine candidates so far through the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed program. Two have moved into large, phase three trials on tens of thousands in the United States.

There are 29 vaccines in clinical trials worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Early results suggest Chinese vaccine is safe and induces immune response, but more research is needed"
The royal family is to lead tributes to Second World War veterans as the UK commemorates the sacrifices of its Armed Forces and Allies on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

During a series of events throughout VJ Day, August 15, the royal family and Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lead the country in honouring those who fought in the Far East and helped to finally end the Second World War.

Mr Johnson has been joined by nine other global figures including US president Donald Trump, Nigerias president Muhammadu Buhari and Canadas prime minister Justin Trudeau in recording a video message thanking those who served.

In the Friendship of Nations video, due to be released ahead of commemorations, each leader will say in turn: To all who served, we thank you.

Mr Johnson said: On this 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we pay tribute to the heroes deployed thousands of miles away in the mountains, islands and rainforests of Asia.

Unable to celebrate the victory in Europe, and among the last to return home, today we recognise the bravery and ingenuity of those who, in the face of adversity, restored peace and prosperity to the world.

(PA Graphics)

Their immeasurable sacrifice changed the course of history and at todays commemorations, we take the opportunity to say what should be said every day  thank you.

In a letter addressed to the veterans of the Far East Campaign, Mr Johnson showed his gratitude to the 50,000 British and Commonwealth service personnel who laid down their lives in the war against Japan, half of whom died in prison camps.

He writes: You were the last to come home but your achievements are written in the lights of the glittering capitals of the dynamic region we see today.

My letter to the veterans who served in the war in the Far East, which ended 75 years ago today. https://t.co/KPyBqQw28P#VJDay75 pic.twitter.com/0Rqq6Q3YAQ  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 15, 2020

The day began with a piper playing Battles Over at the Imperial War Museums HMS Belfast in London at sunrise, as part of a tribute entitled Waking Up To Peace.

Story continues

Military pipers also played at dawn in India, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was joined by military chiefs as he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, London, on Saturday morning.

Colour Sergeant Lil Bahadur Gurung playing the pipes at the Sumatra Railway Memorial (Sgt Graham Taylor RAF/MoD/PA)

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will lead a two-minute silence at 11am during a televised event, screened by the BBC, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.f

Mr Johnson will read the Exhortation before the nation falls silent and afterwards the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take part in a flypast over the arboretum.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, who served in the Second World War as a naval officer, will feature alongside other veterans on a number of large screens across the UK, including the Piccadilly Curve, in a photo-montage showing veterans today and when they served.

When Japanese officials signed the surrender on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Philips warship HMS Whelp was moored nearby and he has said the ceremony could be watched through binoculars.

It will be a rare appearance for the duke who retired from royal duties in 2017 and has only been seen in public a handful of times.

In the evening his grandson the Duke of Cambridge will take part in VJ Day 75: The Nations Tribute, a pre-recorded BBC programme filmed at Horse Guards Parade where, alongside veteran testimony and a host of famous faces, the duke will honour and give thanks to all those who sacrificed so much during the Second World War.

Another aerial tribute will also be staged, with the Red Arrows roaring over the cities of Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and London with the flight path to include the home of the Chelsea Pensioners, where three Burma Star recipients live in retirement.

For every soldier who returned home after fighting in the #WW2 Far East, their story didnt stop there. Even back home in the UK & the Commonwealth, there were still battles to be fought and a country to rebuild. Read more  https://t.co/tJZ2sId6aa #VJDay75 pic.twitter.com/zLdpS0vZTu  Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) August 14, 2020

The other world leaders who have taken part in the Friendship of Nations video, which will be broadcast at 10.15am, include Ghanas president Nana Akufo-Addo, prime minister Scott Morrison from Australia, Fijis prime minister Frank Bainimarama, Malawis president Lazarus Chakwera, Sierra Leones president Julius Maada and the prime minister of Tonga Pohiva Tuionetoa.

In a video message to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said: On behalf of the Labour Party I want to pay tribute to the wartime generation, who through the horrors of conflict showed us the spirit and determination that we need to always remember and always be grateful for.

Its important that as we face the challenges of today, we take inspiration from that generation.

Through their community spirit and their bravery and their determination for a better world theyve shown us what we can achieve when we pull together.
Though a DNS spoofing vulnerability in Windows (CVE-2020-1464) has been rated as a zero-day due to reports of exploitation in the wild, the focus for this months updates should be on testing key Windows features prior to deployment. Primarily, printing and back-up scenarios will require your attention. You will also need to work with multiple and potentially overlapping updates to Window and the .NET development platform and, in some cases, Windows Store updates to your application portfolio.

Given the number and nature of changes we have seen in the update testing cycle during the past month, we advise a Patch Now approach to Windows 10, but with an extended test cycle on printing and more attention to the Windows 8.x platforms.

You can find our risk-based analysis infographic here.

Key testing scenarios

This section reflects some of our "update hotspot analysis that covers both desktop and server platforms across multiple versions of Windows. Each application portfolio is unique and represents a distinct testing profile. For this August update cycle, we have identified the following areas where further testing may be warranted for your environment:

Test your printers, including virtual printers. And, make sure that you open at least one PDF file (successfully).

Test your backup RESTORE scenarios after installing the latest update and following a reboot.

UWP deployments may require additional testing. This August update addresses an issue in Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps that allows single sign-on authentication when an app does not have the Enterprise Authentication capability. With the release of CVE-2020-1509, UWP applications might begin prompting the user for credentials.

Starting in July 2020, all Windows Updates will disable the RemoteFX vGPU feature because of a security vulnerability. For more information about the vulnerability, see CVE-2020-1036 and KB4570006. After you install this update, attempts to start virtual machines (VM) that have RemoteFX vGPU enabled will fail. You canlearn more here.

Once you are done testing your applications, you may want to reboot twice due to the recent changes in the Secure Boot blacklist.

Known issues

Each month, Microsoft includes a list of known issues that relate to the operating system and platforms included in this update cycle. I have referenced a few key issues that relate to the latest builds from Microsoft, including:

After installing KB4550969 or later, when using Microsoft Edge Legacy, you might receive the error,0x80704006. Hmmmmcant reach this page when attempting to reach websites on non-standard ports. Microsoft advises to use the latest version of (Chromium) Edge

You can also find Microsofts summary of Known Issues for this release in a single page.

Major revisions

Two major revisiosn for documentation reasons have been released for July by Microsoft:

CVE-2020-0794: A documentation update to affected platforms. No action required.

CVE-2020-1347: A documentation update to affected platforms. No action required.

Mitigations and workarounds

For this August release of updates, Microsoft has published a small number of potential workarounds and mitigation strategies that apply to vulnerabilities (CVEs) addressed this month, including:

CVE-2020-1472: See How to manage the changes in Netlogon secure channel connections associated with CVE-2020-1472 for more details.

CVE-2020-1530, CVE-2020-1537 : The security updates for supported editions of Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 are not immediately available. The updates will be released as soon as possible, and when they are available, customers will be notified via a revision to this CVE information.

CVE-2020-1560, CVE-2020-1585 : These updates are NOT automatically included in Windows Update, and will be downloaded through Windows Store. You will need to check the application version. The secure versions are 1.1.31753.0 and later.

Each month, we break down the update cycle into product families (as defined by Microsoft) with the following basic groupings:

Browsers (Microsoft IE and Edge)

Microsoft Windows (both desktop and server)

Microsoft Office (Including Web Apps and Exchange)

Microsoft Development platforms (ASP.NET Core, .NET Core and Chakra Core)

Adobe Flash Player.

Browsers

This months browser update brings five critical updates to Microsofts Edge (HTML) and Internet Explorer. It looks like the same old issues with ActiveX controls and PDF (memory) handling that could lead to remote code execution scenarios through a user visiting a specially crafted website.

If you have a corporate security policy for handling ActiveX controls in place, then the urgency of these patches is much reduced. Watching some of the test patterns from Microsoft over the past few weeks, I would recommend a full UAT test run on corporate browser based systems with a focus on printing and printing PDFs.

Hint: change the paper size to letter, then legal and back again. Or A4 to letter and then back again. Either way, exit from each browser and watch your memory profile for your sessions. Add this update to your regularly scheduled release schedule.

Microsoft Windows

Even with the 10 critical rated vulnerabilities followed by 79 issues rated as important by Microsoft, it's a single vulnerability for August we need worry about: CVE-2020-1464. This spoofing vulnerability in the certificate validation chain has been reported as exploited in the wild and, thus, should be considered a zero-day.

Microsoft has not published any acknowledgements on who (publicly) reported the issue and has indicated that its internal research team had discovered the vulnerability previously  possibly even as far back as 2003. Working with Microsoft over the past year, one of the primary concerns for our group has been supply chain compromises. Expect to see more of these kinds of issues and corresponding fixes in the near future.

For all the system administrators currently managing legacy systems under the Microsoft Extended Security Update (ESU) program, this is the first month where the following operating systems will not receive optional, non-security updates (C-Releases):

Windows 10, Version 1607

Windows Server 2012 (R2)

Windows 8.1

In addition to some of the urgency of this months Windows update, Microsoft has begun bifurcating some updates with some key vulnerabilities addressed via a Windows update and/or a .NET update. For example, there are two security updates for Windows 10 1908 and Server 2019 to address the multiple versions of .NET that may be present on the target systems. To add to this, some updates are now included in Windows Store (CVE-2020-1560, CVE-2020-1585) not Windows update. We will see more of this multi-update strategy in the coming months. Add this months Windows update to your Patch Now release cycle.

Microsoft Office

With a single critical vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook, this update cycle for Microsoft Office is more urgent than usual. Unfortunately, the preview pane in Outlook is the attack vector that makes this memory corruption issue a particular worry. In addition to this serious security issue, Microsoft has released 19 other important updates for Outlook and Excel.

SharePoint Server gets an update (CVE-2020-1580) this month that addresses another XSS (Cross-Scripting) vulnerability, which will require a reboot to the server. Given these issues and the other associated zero-days on the Windows platform, we recommend a Patch Now for the August Office updates.

Microsoft development platforms

Compared with the rather serious issues with Windows this month, Microsofts development platform has a relatively quiet update cycle. With one remote code vulnerability (CVE-2020-1046) rated as critical and three remaining issues affecting .NET and ASP.NET all with low(ish) exploitability indexes, add these updates to your standard development update cycle.

Adobe Flash Player

Microsoft has not released any updates for the Adobe product family for this month. That said, a key part of the testing profile for all Windows updates include:

opening a PDF file.

changing the letter size.

printing the PDF file.

exiting the application (likely a browser).

restarting the application without errors.

We suggest a smoke-test of these key features for your line-of-business (LOB) applications prior to deployment of this month's Windows updates.
Lara Eurdolians dream roof deck wedding with 160 guests in Brooklyn was planned for Sept. 26, 2020. But as has been the case for thousands of couples, the coronavirus put an unexpected halt to her plans.

I still wanted to get married, but I wanted to be sensitive to what people were going through, said Eurdolian, the founder of Pretty Connected, a lifestyle blog and fashion accessory line. Some have lost loved ones; others have lost their jobs. People have been traumatized. Theyre concerned about their health and about travelling.

Eurdolian, 36, who lives in Long Island City, Queens, with her fiance, James King, 41, a creative director at the Manhattan ad agency Razorfish, has yet to send out wedding invitations. Theyre unsure what to include and how to say it now that they have to think about social-distancing measures.

James and I have been together for 14 years, Eurdolian said. Weve amassed a lot of friends and wanted to invite them. And we wanted to celebrate us. I dont want people to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, but we arent sure how to say that.

Theyre not alone in this quandary. To help navigate this new terrain, weve called on wedding professionals and industry experts to help answer some of your wedding invitation questions.

1. How do I create a limited guest list without hurting peoples feelings?

The 200-person guest list you painstakingly made doesnt have to be thrown out. But the truth is only about 10 per cent can probably be invited to your in-person ceremony. Disinviting guests is the new reality.

In these cases, honesty is the smartest approach, said Maryanne Parker, the founder of Manor of Manners, a company for business, social and youth etiquette in San Diego, adding that simple language used to inform guests is best. Its perfectly reasonable to say, We would be very happy for everyone to join our wedding via Zoom. Due to the pandemic, only immediate family can participate directly. We hope youll understand.

Parker said this includes close friends who have become part of the family and, thus, the ceremony. Before COVID, people got offended if they werent included, she added. If something is out of your control, you dont have to apologize. Right now, many people are going to be relieved rather than feel left out.

2. Should I include a Zoom link on my invitation, and is that telling people they really dont have to come?

Even though everything has changed, people still want the formality of a wedding and to have that memory, said Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and the founder of the Protocol School of Texas, a company in San Antonio specializing in corporate etiquette training. Standards have loosened. Now its permissible to let them know on the invite that they can attend in either two ways, in person or via Zoom.

Gottsman suggested including RSVP cards with the option to check off one of three boxes: I will be there in person, by Zoom, or unable to attend.

A Zoom option allows guests to be involved, she added. If the guest has the option to attend in person but accepts Zoom they probably wouldnt have come regardless.

3. Can I include a personalized letter to my guests with my invitation?

Invites are going out in different formats highlighting things weve never done before: Weve changed dates, locations and, for some couples, changed them twice, said Shari Lebowitz, the owner of Bespoke Designs, a wedding invitation studio in Westport, Connecticut.

Since the pandemic started, Lebowitz has created what she calls comfort copy. Its a deeply personal note thats included in the invitation, she said. It addresses how the couple is choosing to celebrate while acknowledging what is happening in the world and the level of anxiety people might be feeling.

Lebowitz says she has helped 25 to 30 couples create personalized notes for their invites. Mostly they offer assurance and thoughtfulness, she said. They say, We want you there, but of course we will understand if you cant come. It also asks guests to check the couples website for updates as rules and restrictions change daily.

4. How much information regarding safety protocols should I include, and is it OK to add it to my invitation?

Elaine Swann, an etiquette expert and the founder of the Swann School of Protocol in Carlsbad, Calif., says the ultimate goal of etiquette is to make others feel comfortable.

You want to share as much information and as specifically as possible, she said. Telling guests your celebration will be practising social distancing, if you will be supplying masks and asking them to wear them throughout the wedding, along with any other pertinent information, lets guests know exactly what to expect. And whats expected of them. Then they can make an educated decision beforehand rather than be unexpectedly confronted at the event.

5. Do I have to give guests a plus one?

This is the one time you can enjoy the freedom from having to invite those you would rather not, Swann said.

Its important to share this upfront in order to avoid any confusion or embarrassment at the wedding, she added. In your guidelines you can say, We would like to respectfully inform you that since we are following social guidelines please refrain from bringing an individual that has not been explicitly invited.

6. What can we do for the people we couldnt accommodate or ended up disinviting?

For those wanting to do a pre-wedding offering, the handwritten note reigns supreme. Parents are ordering stationary and writing notes to the guests they cant include, Lebowitz said. Its a personal, special way to express your feelings and to let people know this was a difficult decision to make, that while the pandemic was out of their hands, theyre still sorry they were unable to include them.

Lebowitz suggests keeping these notes short and thoughtful. Etiquette usually goes with the host of the wedding, she said, but if the couple are the host, then its appropriate for the note to come from them.

If you would rather share a note with guests post-event, the photograph remains a tangible treasured item. It says, we still want you to feel included and to be a part of the experience, said Valerie Gernhauser, a wedding planner and the owner of Sapphire Events in New Orleans.

Gernhauser said a wedding photo to announce their marriage should be mailed out on beautiful stationary, in keeping with the formal wedding invitations. These say the couples name, the parents name, the date and location, she said. A photo is attached, usually of the couple during their ceremony or in an intimate setting so that its clear this was not a massive celebration.
For months, BART Board President Lateefah Simon waffled on whether to run for re-election. A staunch social justice activist, she has often sparred with the agencys powerful police union and other opponents  and received death threats for championing reform.

But when Simon filed her papers on a recent Wednesday, shed already mapped out a campaign. She wants to expand BARTs unarmed safety staff, including new teams of ambassadors to patrol the trains. Simon will also push for more transit service to accommodate people who dont own cars, a personal issue because she is legally blind and does not drive.

Posing for a photo outside the elections office in Martinez, Simon put her hands on her hips and sported a broad grin.

I did a thing today, she wrote, posting the picture on Facebook.

Within two days, she had a challenger backed by the police union. Her race, like so many other down-ballot contests in the Bay Area, will probably be shaped by a national reckoning on police and racial justice.

Im super proud of the work Ive done to advance progressive policing, she said. Ive been there for four years. I know my job. I have been leading in a crisis, and I will continue to lead in a crisis.

Five BART board seats are up in November. Though the agency does not have term limits, it will probably have several contentious races. BART has cycled from one crisis to another over the past several years, with slayings of passengers, open drug use, a ballooning homeless population seeking refuge on the trains, and a budget deeply scarred by COVID-19. But lately, discussions on policing have consumed all the oxygen at the transit agency, and could decide the upcoming elections.

Although 89% of riders peeled away from BART during the COVID-19 pandemic, crime on the system remains steady, said Officer Keith Garcia, head of the transit agencys police union. Officials are struggling to lure riders back, aware that some are afraid to return unless BART police are conspicuous, shooing transients off the trains, stopping cell phone theft and directing people to wear masks.

Yet a majority of the board wants to divert police away from nonviolent crimes, instead shifting those duties to ambassadors and outreach workers. And they have support from a vocal chorus of activists, some of whom argue that BART shouldnt have police at all. To this day the agency is haunted by the 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Black man killed by a BART police officer on the platform of Fruitvale Station in Oakland. Staff have spent years trying to rebuild trust with the public.

All of these issues are playing heavily into the board races. Only one incumbent, board member Rebecca Saltzman, has no opponents.

Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle

The marquee contest is Simons battle against Berkeley resident Sharon Kidd, a former member of BARTs Police Citizen Review Board whom Simon declined to reappoint in 2017. Kidd also served as a temporary staff assistant for the BART Police Department in 2018, and she has since volunteered to conduct interviews on police hiring panels.

Sometimes change is inevitable, Kidd said of her candidacy. However, she described a platform that would largely preserve traditional law enforcement, adding police officers to quell crime and keeping ambassadors to make trains more welcoming.

Many people that know my affiliation with BART, when we talk they want to see more officers, Kidd said. But we cant get more officers ... because of the media degrading police.

Some saw the police debate as an extension of a larger culture clash at the agency between board directors who represent the urban core and their counterparts in the suburbs. Generally, city-dwelling board members embrace progressive policies, including a version of public safety that has social workers responding to homelessness and drug use, instead of police officers. Suburban directors tend to be more conservative, serving a constituency that complains more loudly about crime on the system.

The differences show up in other discussions as well, such as the urban directors push for housing around stations  in lots that suburban riders want to save for parking.

Board Director Debora Allen, who represents central Contra Costa County, said those divisions came into focus when the boards progressive wing coalesced behind someone running to defeat her. Walnut Creek resident Jamie Salcido, a former urban designer who now works in health care, is the more visible of Allens two opponents. In an interview, she pledged to work collaboratively with the board. Allen, who argued for more budget cuts and police officers, has often been a dissenting voice.

Its clear to me that this is going to be a battle between San Francisco directors and their policy desires, and the suburbs, Allen said.

A similar conflict is taking shape in the East Bay communities of Hayward, Livermore and Pleasanton, where board member John McPartland is fending off two rivals, including Steven Dunbar, a transit activist affiliated with Bike East Bay and the progressive group East Bay for Everyone.

McPartlands re-election bid got tougher after he praised Confederate leader Robert E. Lee in June, calling Lee an exemplary general.

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.

I am mortified that I made that statement and that I caused that reaction and that pain to all those people, McPartland said, reflecting on the incident.

His main adversary, Dunbar, emphasizes effective transportation rather than social issues. When he lived in Hayward a couple of years ago, Dunbar mounted his bike before dawn to catch the 5:13 a.m. train from Castro Valley Station, then pedaled along the Arroyo trail to arrive at his engineering job by 6 a.m. He has since moved to Livermore to be closer to work.

Though Dunbar does not tout a specific agenda related to law enforcement, the groups that support him have protested efforts to hire more officers.

Weve never felt it to be an effective way to handle quality-of-life issues on BART, said Darrell Owens, co-executive of East Bay for Everyone, referring to the use of police to crack down on drugs or homeless people.

Board member Bevan Dufty has challengers in San Francisco, though his race is less clearly defined. Three people are vying to unseat him, including longtime LGBT activist Michael Petrelis, bike advocate and nonprofit director Patrick Mortiere, and engineer David Wei Wen Young.

Like others, Dufty sees public safety and law enforcement among the most prominent issues shaping the BART elections. He staked out a position in June, co-sponsoring a budget amendment to de-emphasize police on calls related to homelessness or behavioral health issues.

For the next four years, Ill be focused on taking police out of situations that dont require an armed response, Dufty said, noting that he received roughly 150 emails about policing during BARTs budget discussions in May and June.

The response was startling, even for an agency that routinely fields angry feedback from riders. Of all the issues welling up at BART, Dufty said, this seemed to be the one that most captivated people.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 00:09:43|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Arif Alvi said on Friday that Pakistan has overcome several challenges in the recent years including defeating terrorism and extremism.

Pakistan's 74th Independence Day was celebrated across the country on Friday with traditional enthusiasm and zeal, and President Alvi hoisted the national flag at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, or the presidential house, in the capital Islamabad.

Pakistan got independence from the British colonial rule on Aug. 14, 1947.

Addressing the flag hoisting ceremony, Alvi highlighted Pakistan's contributions in recent years including defeating terrorism and extremism, hosting millions of Afghan refugees for decades, adopting an approach of peaceful neighborhood, and dealing with COVID-19 effectively.

"Pakistani nation has surmounted several challenges in the recent past," he said.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser, federal ministers, members of the parliament, services chiefs, diplomats and senior officials attended the ceremony.

Alvi paid tributes to the Pakistani armed force for clearing the country of the menace of terrorism as the result of a series of major offensives and huge sacrifices.

"Pakistan has now become an example for the world in effectively fighting the terrorism and extremism," the Pakistani president said.

Talking about COVID-19, Alvi said the whole Pakistani nation showed unprecedented discipline and flattened the curve by strictly observing anti-COVID-19 standard operating procedures.

He said Pakistan's economy has also shown positive signs despite the COVID-19 impact and international financial institutions have recognized it.

On Afghan conflict, he expressed the hope that the reconciliation process in Afghanistan will lead to peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The president pointed out that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not merely a project between Pakistan and China. It will also contribute to promoting transit trade in Central Asia and help establishing peace in the region.

As part of the Independence Day's celebrations, the government and private buildings and markets were illuminated and decorated with Pakistan's national flag and posters.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday in a series of tweets also congratulated the nation on the Independence Day. Enditem
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- There was no clearer way of signaling how Russia sees its coronavirus vaccine: Moscow named it Sputnik, after the satellite whose launch in 1957 marked the start of the space race, and forced the West to confront an unexpected, and terrifying, technology gap.

Announcing the worlds first regulatory approval this week, President Vladimir Putin sought to repeat the propaganda masterstroke. Yet the rushed endorsement, after just two months of small-scale human testing, is less an affirmation of Russian scientific prowess than it is an expression of Putins hankering for Soviet-era international clout. Its a premature victory lap that suggests a worrying need for affirmation at home too.

Russia has been in a hurry to win the vaccine race from the start, spotting the political benefit of being first with the inoculation the world is waiting for. It said in July that one of its prototypes, developed by the Gamaleya Institute, had completed the initial phase of tests. Then it began talking up plans for a mass vaccination program in the fall, brushing aside accusations that Moscow-backed hackers tried to steal research abroad. My colleagues in Moscow reported officials and billionaire tycoons had been getting the shots since April.

Now, ignoring public objections from the trade body representing the worlds top pharmaceutical companies in Russia, the country has pressed ahead with an official green light  even before the gold-standard, phase 3 trial that would typically involve thousands of subjects. Sweeping aside standard research procedure, Putin said in a televised meeting that all necessary checks had been cleared. Its a triumph of spin over scientific protocol that even U.S. President Donald Trump hasnt been able to pull off.

The scale of the gamble makes it hard to comprehend, even in a country that has counted more than 900,000 cases of the pneumonia-like illness. With only early-stage tests, as my colleague Max Nisen pointed out, Russia is taking a huge bet on the vaccine actually protecting enough people, safely. While adverse effects from vaccines are rare, they are not unheard of. Corner-cutting will hardly reassure a skeptical population.

Story continues

There is also the fact that a national regulators OK doesnt win you the global vaccine race. According to the World Health Organization, several candidate vaccines are already ahead of Russias in the final phase of testing, including one developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca Plc, which uses a similar technology. Some, unlike Russia, have published data to support their claims.

So why bother?First, for the glory. Even if this announcement has been met with widespread skepticism, the White House felt the need to reassure U.S. citizens that it was moving as fast as possible. Developing nations, meanwhile, are listening carefully to a country that might share its vaccine with them.

Then, for the research kudos. Putin wants to restore a reputation for scientific excellence that has been tarnished by years of underinvestment after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and a dramatic brain drain.

Most importantly, perhaps, this is about burnishing goodwill at home.

The rush in the laboratory is proportionate to Putins need for affirmation in the face of weak approval ratings  at record lows, even after voters approved constitutional changes that give him the opportunity to stay in power until 2036. In todays Russia, there is still a warm feeling around Soviet successes like the space program. Thats true even if many of those firsts were as much about the headlines as they were about genuine evolution. After former factory worker Valentina Tereshkova became the first female cosmonaut in 1963, it was another 19 years before another woman followed her into orbit.

Judy Twigg, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who studies Russian politics and health, points out that it is much like the virtual reality of Putins superweapons announcement in 2018, which promised invincible next-generation technology. It was made against the backdrop of genuine advances, but suggested a need for big wins the president could boast about  even if, like some of that military technology or a promised AIDS vaccine, they don't ever materialize.

Putin clearly wants a win against a virus that spoiled his 2020. The landmark constitutional plebiscite intended to cement his leadership was delayed by the pandemic, as was a Victory Parade marking the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, which few world leaders attended. An oil crisis hasnt helped matters. While the economy is doing less badly than feared, households are still in pain, protests persist in the countrys Far East, Belarus is in revolt on his doorstep and there are potentially awkward elections for regional assemblies in September.

With a vaccine promise, he is again a protective father of the people: To make the point, Putin remarked publicly that one of his own, rarely spoken-of, daughters was inoculated.

Much will depend on what happens next, beginning with the promised publication of data on the vaccine in a major international journal. Russia has dismissed its doubters, but facts will be key to winning them over.

In the end, a historic space exploit may not have been the best metaphor to choose. These days Russias program faces setbacks, including competition from private companies such as billionaire Elon Musks SpaceX. Tripping up in the vaccine race will be costlier.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Previously, she was an associate editor for Reuters Breakingviews, and editor and correspondent for Reuters in Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

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2020 Bloomberg L.P.
MINSK, Belarus  Tens of thousands of people flooded the heart of the Belarus capital of Minsk on Friday in a show of anger over a brutal police crackdown this week on peaceful protesters that followed a disputed election, and authorities sought to ease rising public fury by freeing at least 2,000 who were jailed after earlier demonstrations.

Factory workers marched across the city shouting Go away! in a call for authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to resign after 26 years of iron-fisted rule that was extended in an election Sunday that protesters denounced as rigged.

Fridays crowds grew to more than 20,000, filling central Independence Square.

About a dozen soldiers guarding the nearby government headquarters lowered their riot shields in what the demonstrators saw as a sign of solidarity, and women rushed to embrace and kiss the guards.

As the protesters rallied on the square, Lukashenko dismissed them as puppets manipulated from abroad. During a meeting with top law enforcement officials, he defended the crackdown as a justified response to violence against police by some of the protesters. The Interior Ministry said 121 police officers were injured.

He told officials, however, to avoid excessive force.

If a person falls down and lies still, dont beat him! Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader cautioned people against turning out for protests, saying the country is facing foreign aggression.

Dont get out into the streets. You should understand that you and your children are being used as cannon fodder, Lukashenko said, alleging that people from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine and some members of Russias opposition were fomenting the unrest.

Do you want me to sit and wait until they turn Minsk upside down? he said. We wont be able to stabilize the situation afterwards. We must take a break, collect ourselves and calm down. And let us restore order and deal with those who have come here.

The claim of foreign agitation was greeted with disdain by protesters.

Nobody believes these horror stories about external forces. We are tired of constant enemies and conspiracies,said Galina Erema, 42. He usurped power and has not left for 26 years. This is the reason for the protests.

A messaging app that has been a key communications means for protesters announced plans for marches on Sunday in Minsk and other cities and hamlets of Belarus, an indication that determination remains strong.

Earlier, police didnt interfere as the protesters marched across the city, reflecting Lukashenkos apparent attempt to assuage the opposition by stepping back from the violent police crackdowns seen across the country earlier this week.

The release by the Interior Ministry of about 2,000 of the nearly 7,000 people detained was seen as another move to defuse popular outrage. It said more would be freed.

Many who were released spoke of brutal beatings and other abuse by police, and some showed bruises on their bodies. Some of them wept as they embraced waiting relatives.

The authorities are obviously trying to de-escalate the situation and ease the tensions, fearing that the furious industrial workers will take to the streets all across Belarus, said Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights center.

Demonstrators have swarmed the streets ever since Sundays election in which officials reported that Lukashenko won 80% of the vote to win a sixth term in office.

His main challenger, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled on Tuesday to neighboring Lithuania, posted a new video in which she disputed the results of the vote and demanded that the government start a dialogue with demonstrators.

The ferocious crackdown has left hundreds injured since Sunday as police have dispersed the largely peaceful demonstrations with stun grenades, tear gas, rubber bullets and severe beatings. At least one person has been killed.

The brutal suppression of protests drew harsh criticism in the West. European Union foreign ministers said they rejected the election results and tasked officials with drawing up a list of people in Belarus who could face sanctions over their role in the crackdown.

Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence and falsification, tweeted EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the EU wants to significantly increase the pressure on Belarus.

Thousands of factory workers who previously formed the core of Lukashenkos base have joined the protests, denouncing the police crackdown and demanding a new election, raising the prospect of a nationwide strike.

Our entire shop voted against Lukashenko and then we suddenly learned that he won by a landslide, 42-year-old assembly worker Dmitry Glukhovsky said outside the Minsk Automobile Plant, or MAZ. They not only have cheated us but also beaten us up, and no one is going to accept that.

He said that his assembly shop went on strike Friday to demand a new election. More than 1,000 workers could be seen in the factorys yard, shouting Down! in a call for Lukashenko to resign.

At the Minsk Tractor Plant, or MTZ, about 1,000 workers also rallied to demand Lukashenkos resignation and then marched toward the government headquarters. As they reached the center of the capital, the crowds grew and people stood applauding and motorists honked in support.

We want a new election, a new government and a new life, said 44-year-old engineer Mikhail Marchuk as he marched along with other plant workers toward central Minsk. We will protest until we win.

Workers also rallied at many other major factories in an unprecedented challenge to Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and earned the nickname of Europes last dictator for his relentless suppression of dissent.

Earlier in the day, Lukashenko warned that the strikes would deepen the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic and could lead to Belarus losing its niche in global markets.

After the crackdown, police stood back Thursday and Friday as protests grew in Minsk and other cities. Women, many dressed in white and carrying flowers and portraits of detained loved ones, formed human chains on Thursday as motorists honked in support. Dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms in the trash.

The demonstrations have spread even though they lack leaders. Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to stop protests in an earlier video that her associates said was recorded under pressure from law enforcement officials while she was still in Minsk. The 37-year-old former teacher had joined the race to replace her husband, an opposition blogger, who has been jailed since May.

In the video released Friday, Tsikhanouskaya again challenged the election results, saying that copies of protocols from precincts where the vote was counted fairly show her winning 60% to 70%. She urged the government to end violence and engage in dialogue with protesters.

The Belarusians will never want to live under the current government, she said. The authorities have turned peaceful demonstrations into a bloodbath.

She also announced she was setting up a coordination council to help ensure a peaceful transition of power.

As Lukashenko faces new Western sanctions, he moved quickly to mend ties with his main sponsor and ally, Russia, after Belarus arrested 32 private Russian military contractors on charges of planning to stage riots before the election.

Moscow has rejected the accusations, saying the men were en route to another country, and alleged that their arrest was a provocation by Ukraines spy agency that had fed misleading information about their mission to authorities in Minsk.

Russias Prosecutor General Office said Friday the contractors have returned home. Another Russian arrested in Belarus, political consultant Vitaly Shklyarov, who also holds Belarusian citizenship, has remained in custody on charges of organizing riots, according to his lawyer.



Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov and Jim Heintz in Moscow, Lorne Cook in Brussels and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed.
MEXICO CITY - A 2-year-old boy whose abduction set off a hunt that helped rescue other stolen children sat on his mothers lap Friday as officials in southern Mexico described how they finally tracked him down.

Chiapas state prosecutor Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca said that investigators located the woman suspected of abducting Dylan Thursday in Cintalapa, two hours west of San Cristobal de las Casas, from where he was kidnapped on June 30.

They quickly organized an operation for his rescue and found him alone with his accused abductor, a woman identified only as 23-year-old Margarita, in keeping with official policy.

The search for Dylan Esau, who was led away from a market where his mother worked, led investigators in July to discover a child trafficking ring and recover 23 children, but not Dylan. Investigators said at the time that the children were forced to sell trinkets in the streets of the picturesque colonial city and housed in poor conditions.

Investigators had security camera video of a woman arriving at the market with two children and then one of them leading Dylan out of the market a short time later. That girl then returned to the market alone, apparently having handed Dylan over to someone.

Dylans mother, Juanita Perez, travelled to Mexico City to draw attention to her search in July. The boys father had emigrated to California to find work, and thus Perez, 23, has had to care for Dylan and his sister by herself.

Llaven said Margarita told investigators that she had been unable to have her own children.

She was planning how she could get a child, Llaven said. She had been at the (market) for two days, in the streets, looking for a child who was in a vulnerable situation.

She allegedly paid a boy and girl 200 pesos, about $10, to lead Dylan away from his mother by convincing them that she was his real mother. Llaven said she could face up to 75 years in prison.

Dylan sat on Perezs lap during the news conference, drawing with a pen.

Perez said she was very happy and grateful. Thank God I have my little chubby (boy). She said he seems good, a little scared, but he remembers her and their family.

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A client-first mentality coupled with the desire to deliver solutions that exceed business goals have been guiding principles throughout Mikes career, said Todd Coen, Blue Water + MissionSide managing director, We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the team.

A Towson State University alumnus, with a bachelors degree in finance, Mike resides in Richmond, VA with his wife Jessica and daughter Torey, traveling when he can, and cooking up a storm in his downtime.

About Blue Water

Blue Water + MissionSide is a full lifecycle customer experience agency working for organizations across all points of communication, combining human touch with digital expertise to create outcomes that matter. By delivering high-touch solutions that span marketing, technology and human interactions  through leveraging data and embracing technology  Blue Water + MissionSide generates transformational customer experiences that ensure companies own the high-expectation, high-attention moments from which truly human experiences can emerge. For more information visit http://www.bwm.com.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak Source: Reuters

To understand why Britain has spiraled into the deepest recession of its modern history, go for a stroll in central London, no longer a ghost town but still a shadow of its once-bustling self.

Shuttered storefronts pock the shopping promenade on Oxford Street. Theaters in the West End are dark, office towers deserted. Below ground, the tube is a grim parade of signs warning passengers to wear face masks and keep their distance. With traffic at barely a quarter of last years levels, that is not hard.

Only restaurants, buoyed by a government stimulus program that subsidizes diners meals, are showing signs of life. But like the governments widely praised furlough program that guaranteed 80% of the salaries of millions of workers, the Eat Out to Help Out promotion will soon wind down, and the government faces tough choices about whether to extend the support.

Unquestionably, Britain has been laid low by the coronavirus, easily the hardest hit of any European nation, both in public health and the economy.

What were grappling with is something that is unprecedented, and we dont have a playbook for how to deal with it, the chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, told the BBC on Wednesday after the Office of National Statistics reported that the economy shrank by an unheard-of 20.4% in the second quarter.

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That was the deepest quarterly decline of any major European country, and it prompted a fresh round of hand-wringing in Britain, which has also earned the unwelcome distinction of running up the highest death toll from the coronavirus in Europe, with more than 51,000 fatalities.

In part, Britains dire economic numbers reflect a quirk of timing: Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a lockdown a week later than most of his European neighbors and lifted the restrictions later as well. That means Britain sustained more damage in the second quarter than France, Italy or Germany, which began reopening during that period.

But Britains economic woes are also linked to its broader ordeal with the virus. Because its outbreak was so widespread, prolonged and deadly, economists said, the fear of contagion continues to be higher in Britain than elsewhere. Despite the governments urging, people have yet to resume normal lives, particularly in cities like London, where working from home is an alternative for many.

Google, which uses cellphone signals to track foot traffic to offices, shops, restaurants and transit stations, shows that commercial activity in Britain has trailed Germany, France, Italy and Spain since mid-May, though the gap has begun to narrow.

If you have a massive outbreak, people are going to respond by being cautious and it will take a while for confidence to return, said John Springford, deputy director of the Center for European Reform, a research institute. It makes sense that London is going to be among the hardest hit places.

For all its talk about reopening, Britain still has the strictest set of restrictions in place of any major European country, according to Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government, which tracks the stringency of government-imposed restrictions, from schools and workplace closings to travel bans.

It is even more locked down than Spain, which has recently seen a spike in infections that prompted the British government to impose a 14-day quarantine on people who traveled there and returned to Britain.

Like Spain, Britain is particularly vulnerable to a sudden decline in consumption because its economy is more dependent on services, including tourism and hospitality, than those of Germany or France. Economists said it was no accident that Spains second-quarter contraction, at 18.5%, was closest to that of Britain. The German economy, with its extensive industrial base, shrank by 10.1% while Frances fell 13.8%.

None of this eases the pressure on Johnsons government, which has come under harsh scrutiny for its handling of the pandemic. Until now, its economic measures have insulated people from the sudden dislocation of losing their livelihoods.

But Sunak insisted the government will stop subsidizing wages altogether at the end of October. He has so far resisted fierce pressure from the opposition and other critics to soften his stand.

A downturn was inevitable after lockdown, but Johnsons jobs crisis wasnt, said Anneliese Dodds, the Labour Partys shadow chancellor, who said the government must continue targeted support for vulnerable workers.

Sunak contends the government cannot guarantee wages indefinitely because some jobs are never going to come back after the pandemic. Encouraging people to look for new jobs is vital to giving them a sustainable future.

Still, a huge spike in the unemployment rate will be hard for Johnsons Conservative government to withstand, especially since it ran on a platform of bringing prosperity to Britains industrial north. The drumbeat of job losses is already underway: On Tuesday, troubled department store chain Debenhams announced 2,500 job cuts on top of a previously announced 4,000.

Critics said it was unreasonable for the government to force people back into the job market when Britains test, trace and isolate system was not robust enough to give them confidence that they can move around safely. That is particularly true in parts of the country like Leicester and Greater Manchester that have suffered fresh outbreaks and have been put under local lockdowns.

The government has taken a one-size-fits-all approach to ending the job retention program, said James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, a London research institute. But the economic response has to be targeted to where the economy is hardest hit.

Sunak has tried to do that with Eat Out to Help Out, a 500 million-pound ($654 million) program to bolster the beleaguered restaurant industry by subsidizing the meals of customers by up to 10 pounds ($13) per person. As of Aug. 9, the government said people had bought 10.5 million meals using the incentive.

At the German Gymnasium, a cavernous restaurant next to Kings Cross railroad station, the promotion drew a respectable crowd Tuesday night  comparable, General Manager Sam Bernard said, to a weekend night. He said his only request would be for the government to extend it to Thursday night.

Like most restaurants, the German Gymnasium faces murky prospects. It depends on business from Google and Facebook, which have offices nearby. But both companies have told their employees they can work from home until at least next summer. And the governments subsidy ends on Aug. 31.

We cant rely on government support forever, Bernard said. If it does stop, we will just have to fend for ourselves and think a bit outside the box.

c.2020 The New York Times Company
At about 5:55am on July 25th, gardai responded to reports of an assault incident outside a house in the Whitechapel Road area of Clonsilla, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

Peter McDonald, 77, was fatally injured following an altercation where he received a number of apparent stab The pensioner was pronounced dead at the scene. The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination.

Patrick McDonagh, of Whitechapel Road, was arrested following a stand-off with gardai at his house. He was later charged with murder and was remanded in custody on July 27th last.

He faced his third hearing on Friday when he appeared by video-link before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court.

He was remanded in continuing custody to appear again in two weeks pending the preparation of a book of evidence.

At his first court hearing, on July 27th, Detective Garda Sean Burke said when he was arrested for the offence of murder contrary to common law, Patrick McDonagh made no comment after caution.

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He made no reply when the charge was put to him and was handed a copy of his charge sheet.

His solicitor had said her client, who was on a disability benefit, had psychiatric difficulties and an order was made for an appropriate assessment and medical treatment.
Federal law enforcement agencies will work with local and state police in Indianapolis to try to control gun violence and other crime.

U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced the initiative at a press conference Aug. 14 alongside members of federal law enforcement, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor.

Operation Legend includes the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which will target violent gangs, gun crime, and drug trafficking organizations, Minkler said.

Operation Legend began in Kansas City, Missouri, in early July and will be in Indianapolis for 45 days, Minkler said.

Indianapolis has had 144 homicides to date, Hogsett said at the press conference, which marks a 50% increase from this time last year. Indianapolis is not alone in that trend, though, as cities across the country  including Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans  deal with rises in homicides and other violent crimes.

The operation will also include $250,000 for IMPD and another $25,000 in reward money related to the unsolved 2015 killing of 10-year-old DeShaun Swanson.

It will take massive efforts, both preventive and punitive, for us to get through this unprecedented time, Hogsett said in a statement. It will also take continued collaboration between neighborhoods most impacted by violent crime and those investigating that crime. These are all parts of addressing this challenge.

There will be 57 federal investigators as part of the project in Indianapolis.

Minkler said Operation Legend is not related to immigration enforcement or recent protests.

The introduction of federal law enforcement into Indianapolis will still draw criticism, though, in part because of documented examples of unmarked federal troops grabbing people off of the streets in Portland, Oregon, recently during protests.

The ACLU of Indiana said in a statement it will stay sharp-eyed in monitoring the federal agents to ensure the abusive tactics seen in other American cities are not implemented here.

We will not permit the federal government to intrude upon our state to violate the Constitutional rights of Hoosiers, the statement said.

A heavier law enforcement presence also flies in the face of demands to defund the police and lessen police presence in Indianapolis, as voiced by Indy10 Black Lives Matter and other groups and people who have taken to the streets in protest since late May.

Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
How to Rock Nail Polish (Plus, the Products to Get You Started)

Want to Add a Little Color to Your Life? We'll Help You "Nail" It

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

Product photos from retailer site.

If 2020 has taught us one thing about style, its that individuality matters more than ever.

Whether its in the clothes, a hairstyle, or personality - what makes you, you is a personal badge of honor and thats finally now extending to painted nails.

RELATED: Why Genderless Clothing Works and Which Brands We Love

In recent months, celebrities such as A$AP Rocky, Post Malone, Chris Hemsworth, and Harry Styles - to name a few - have given colored nail polish an elevated platform and begun to break down the traditional stigmas between men, or those who identify as male, "toxic masculinity," and cosmetic care.

There will always be someone who isnt comfortable when they see people challenging gender beauty norms, but thats their problem, not yours, says UK nail artist Jenny Longworth, who counts Styles among her clients. If youre confident in your persona, things sit better and become part of you.

Thats the beauty of nail beauty. Its an easy way to add something new and unexpected to your look without a major investment of time or money (but there are options for that too).

But First, a Manicure

If youre ready to give it a try and your fingernails are not already in great shape (or youre a chronic nail biter), treat yourself to a male manicure (or just do it yourself) to get your cuticles in tip-top condition before applying that first coat.

There are many products out there and plenty of video tutorials to make sure you have healthy, clean cuticles and nails prior to applying polish, says longtime celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann.

Getting a regular manicure can have a variety of health benefits, too, and could even go a long way towards breaking that pesky fingernail biting habit ensuring healthy nails in no time.

For Your First Few Paints, Go Slow

The nice thing about nail color is that even just painting one painted nail is a style statement and enough to start.

A black or red nail polish on the ring and little finger gives a flash of color without being too full on or trying too hard, Longworth says.

Dont worry about the first few tries being pristine, either. Nail color is meant to be a little messy as it chips over time and the imperfections add an additional masculine vibe thatll look uniquely you.

Know the Basics

Lippmann says that once youve gathered all of the essentials for proper cuticle care - you can find our picks below - start with a base coat and a top coat before you lay down that new nail polish color.

These two items are imperative to enhance the wear of the manicure and avoid staining the nails, she adds.

If youre going for a more ahem ... polished ... look, youre going to want to go slow until you get more comfortable with the process. A great nail polish remover is crucial not only for when its time to change colors, but if youve made a brush stroke mistake along the way.

Now to Choose Your Fingernail Polish

This is a highly personal decision, but can be easily matched to clothing, your watch or other accessories, and even complement your skin tone.

Lippmann says that cooler skin tones could opt for a pink or bluish undertone while warmer skin colors could go with something more yellow or spicy like a beige. Yes, in the world of nail art, beige is considered spicy.

But most importantly, she says, choose a color that feels like you. Color transforms you, so use this opportunity to choose one that will enhance the way you feel about yourself.

Longworth adds that if you dont have all of the manicure essentials at home, you can simply layer up nail colors over time and expose different colors as the paint begins to wear. She calls it an interesting, grungy nail art look. Trying something like a colored polish under a layer of black nail polish might just be enough to make a major statement, with minimal effort.

Nail art should feel like a fun and exciting way to express a bit of your own personal style, whether its one pinky or across both hands. With a little bit of know-how and inspiration, you can make your own statement through the rest of the year and beyond.

Best "Male Polish" Materials

Tseoa Manicure, Pedicure, and Grooming Kit

Whether it be a professional pedicure and manicure from a nail technician from a salon, or simply grooming jagged or ingrown nails at home, every polished man today should practice some sort of good nail care. That starts with having a good manicure and grooming kit on hand. Tackle that nasty nail bed and heinous hangnail with the tools included in this simple kit. A nail file, nail clippers, and a little patience can go a long way to getting you healthy nails.

$9.95 at Amazon.com

Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Lab

If A-listers such as Lupita Nyong'o, Amy Adams, Dakota Johnson, and even Common can trust Lippmann to take care of their nails, you can too. This is her four-piece set with a clear guide to cuticle care and nail treatment you can (and should) use ahead of nail painting or in-between sessions.

$45 at Sephora.com

essie First Base Adhesion + Protection Base Coat

This base coat primer from mega-brand essie protects and helps strengthen nails and add extra longevity to your finished look by providing a smooth surface for color application.

$9 at Amazon.com

Gucci Vernis a Ongles Nail Polish

The luxury brands first gender-neutral nail lacquer offering is well-curated with on-trend colors such as turquoise, nude, and of course, black.

$28 each at Gucci.com

Cote Fingernail Polish

This is a major toxin-free, bold color approach to nail paint. Cote offers a wide variety of bold color options and season picks, but why not start off with a classic red?

$24 at Amazon.com

Ciate London Cheat Sheets

These nail stickers are an easy way to add a bit of flare to a simple color finish - or even a clear polish for those men not looking to commit to color quite yet - with a variety of interesting shapes and designs.

$18 at Sephora.com

Deborah Lippmann The Stripper Nail Polish Remover

Some might consider polished nail remover a first step, and others might think of it as a final step. All we know is, Lippmann considers it a very important step. This is a quick and effective remover with a hint of lavender essential oil for a nice scent and moisturizing effect.

$19 at DeborahLippmann.com

You may have noticed that we didn't get into toenails or too bright colors, but we figured with a story dedicated to men's nail polish, less might be more. Remember, this is a cheap and easy beauty trend any man, woman, or kid can try and it doesn't even require a visit to the nail salon. Try something new. Have fun. You'll have a favorite nail polish brand (and maybe even a favorite nail technician) before you know it.

You Might Also Dig:

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Richard Sewing, an architectural engineer and property inspector known for his forthright nature, playful sense of humor and deep knowledge of the inner workings of historic homes  particularly those in Houstons Third Ward  died at home on Aug. 9. He was 87.

His died on the same day the Houston Chronicle published a tribute to Sewing and Rev. William Lawson, founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, about their longtime friendship and their time marching for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr. The story was written by Joy Sewing, his daughter and a Chronicle journalist.

My father wasnt really the protesting type, she wrote. His form of social justice meant getting his education, making money on his own terms and taking care of his family.

On HoustonChronicle.com: My father and the Rev. Lawson: Old friends share memories of 1960s Houston, civil rights fight

That motivation drove him to launch Richard H. Sewing & Associates, an engineering and inspection company that provided structural and mechanical inspections of homes and commercial buildings, in 1987. Over more than three decades, he and his son Jon, who worked alongside him in the business, inspected thousands of homes in and around Houston. Sewing retired in January.

He was well known and well respected, said Houston real estate broker Gerald Womak. All the brokers were familiar with him and the work he did.

Sewing was a mentor to many of the people he met over the years and he made friends easily.

Richard Pacheco, owner of foundation repair company Allied Foundation, met Sewing on a job site more than 30 years ago and the pair struck up a professional relationship that developed into a friendship.

They confided in each other and shared stories about the challenges they faced in business. Pacheco was impressed by Sewings rare ability provide a trusted service at a reasonable price.

They also shared laughs. Sewing had a quick sense of humor and an enthusiasm that was contagious, Pacheco said.

He was fun to be around. His demeanor when he came out to the job site, it was like all hell broke loose, he said. He was like a whirlwind, nothing short of a force of nature.

Sewing became an advocate for preservation through his love for historic architecture. He encouraged home buyers to restore the old bungalows and two-story brick homes of the greater Third Ward area and educated them on how it could be done.

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He probably saved a lot of homes people would have torn down, said Womak, president and CEO of Womack Development & Investment Realtors.

Educator Eric Coleman got to know Sewing when he started buying investment properties in Third Ward. They stayed in touch and Coleman often turned to Sewing for advice on renovation projects.

When Coleman was renovating his 1950s home in Riverside Terrace, his wife insisted Sewing come over to inspect an interior catwalk that was under construction. Trying to save money, Coleman had purchased a low-cost beam for the raised walkway. His wife wanted Sewing to give it his blessing.

He came in and just looked at it and was like, Nope, Coleman said. I like to cut corners and he would never cut corners.

Sewing grew up in Kansas City, Kan. and was the first Black student to graduate in architectural engineering from Kansas State University.

He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and moved to Houston in 1963, where he worked as an architectural engineer with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He later became deputy regional director with the U.S. Department of Commerce and was promoted to regional director with offices in Dallas and Chicago.

For nearly two decades he taught construction and inspection at Houston Community Colleges central campus.

Sewing and his first wife, Sarah Rowles Sewing, settled in Riverside Terrace in the greater Third Ward area, a historically African American community south of downtown. They had two children: Joy and Jon.

He is survived by his children, his wife Patricia Sewing, and her four children: Dr. Lisa Pearsall Otey, Dr. Gurney F. Pearsall Jr., Staci Pearsall Tate and Dr. J. Patrick Pearsall.

nancy.sarnoff@chron.com

twitter.com/nsarnoff
The biggest federal failure in the Ruby Princess affair came when a key official chose not to check the infections on board just as passengers were ready to disembark.

This critical oversight meant nobody reassessed a fateful state decision that the cruise ship was "low risk"  even when 110 passengers were ill.

The Ruby Princess cruise ship in Circular Quay in March. Credit:Kate Geraghty

While Australian Border Force is largely cleared in the investigation into what happened, the report from the Special Commission of Inquiry makes clear the crucial blunder by the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

This is a warning for Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the readiness of his government departments to deliver everything he promises in this pandemic, such as tough controls for cruise ships.
Two Canadian warships, the HMCS Regina and the HMCS Winnipeg, departed at the beginning of this month for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). It is the largest naval war game in the world and takes place around the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC is a biennial, international maritime exercise led by the United States navy. The navies of 25 nations participate and deploy approximately 50 surface ships, 200 aircraft, five submarines and 25,000 personnel. The U.S. is trying to enhance the warfighting readiness and interoperability among its allies.

Canada has participated in this military exercise since its inception in 1971. This year, the Royal Canadian Navy has sent two frigates with 500 sailors and Cyclone helicopters from the Esquimalt dockyard in British Columbia to Hawaii.

During RIMPAC, the navies jointly conduct at-sea live-fire testing, ship sinking, submarine warfare and amphibious assault. It also includes air force training, precision bombing and urban warfare practice. It is a massive show of force by Western navies in the Pacific Region.

The multi-national exercise is typically held for six weeks from June to August. However, due to the pandemic this year, RIMPAC is scaled down to a two-week period from August 17-31 and will be modified to at-sea training only, although support staff will be stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base.

With our oceans in peril and the pandemic raging, RIMPAC should be permanently cancelled. For five decades, Hawaiians have protested this large-scale naval exercise, citing adverse environmental and social impacts.

During the exercise, the intense underwater noise from the naval sonar, sonic booms and explosive torpedoes severely harm aquatic mammals. The U.S. navys own research shows that high-intensity, mid-frequency active sonar causes hearing loss and hemorrhaging in dolphins and whales.

American and British research finds that naval activity is a probable cause of many mass stranding events where whales beach themselves and die. During the 2004 RIMPAC exercise, approximately 150 deep-water, melon-headed whales crowded into the shallow Hanalei Bay to escape the naval activity.

Many Hawaiians are also rightly concerned about the influx of foreign soldiers during a global pandemic. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the navy has the highest rate of COVID-19 infections among all military branches. At least 26 U.S. navy ships have had coronavirus outbreaks.

Moreover, RIMPAC is a male-dominated military exercise that has had terrible impacts on women and girls. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women found a dramatic increase in prostitution and sex trafficking to meet the demand for sex from military personnel during the exercise.

In 2014, the Canadian navy had to recall the HMCS Whitehorse for sexual misconduct and drunkenness among participants during RIMPAC. In her book Refuge on the Black Deck, Nicola Peffers, who served as an ordinary seaman on board the HMCS Winnipeg, described the constant sexual harassment she and others suffered in the navy.

To sustain naval warfare readiness, the Canadian government is spending $70 billion on 15 fossil-fuel-powered surface combatants to be built at the Irving Shipyard in Halifax. Its the most expensive procurement in Canadian history, but the marine and climate impacts are overlooked.

Warships and war games like RIMPAC add to the cumulative stress in the marine environment. Our oceans are warming, acidifying and losing oxygen because of human-induced climate change. There are now more than 500 dead zones and a mass extinction of marine life across the oceans.

The Hawaii-based Cancel RIMPAC Coalition argues that the exercise is a serious threat to the marine environment and to peace in the Pacific. The coalition, which includes the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, is calling for RIMPACs cancellation and the demilitarization of the ocean.

Canada and 167 countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that provides a mechanism for resolving any maritime dispute peacefully without the need for frigates and armed force.

The Canadian government should withdraw its participation in RIMPAC and its planned investment in new warships. Canada should instead work with other countries on a blue recovery to protect our ailing oceans, because they are critical to our continued survival.
SOFIA -- After more than a month of protests calling for his resignation, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has called for the convening of a grand national assembly to consider and adopt a new constitution.

It is time not only to change the political system but to restart the country, Borisov said in a televised address on August 14, noting that the current constitution had been adopted in a different historical period for different political circumstances.

Borisov also said he is prepared to step down as soon as parliament sets a date for new elections. The elections are currently set for March 2021.

The prime minister said the ruling GERB party had already drafted a new constitution that called for reducing the number of parliament deputies from 240 to 120 and overhauling the judiciary to make it more independent, while also boosting the accountability of prosecutors and judges.

Two-thirds of parliament would be required to approve the convocation of a grand national assembly.

Protesters, who accuse the government of corruption and undermining state institutions, issued a statement calling Borisovs proposal yet another attempt to win time.

Thousands of protesters have been gathering regularly in central Sofia since the beginning of July calling for Borisov and chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev to step down.

On July 21, Borisovs government survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, the fifth such vote since it took power in 2017.

With reporting by The Guardian
Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-14 09:50:26|Editor: huaxia

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SARAJEVO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Juventus has started negotiations with FC Roma about acquiring Roma's captain Edin Dzeko, local media reported on Thursday referring to the Sport Italia TV channel.

The 34-year-old striker from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) recently said he would like to stay in Rome, but last week his club was sold for 591 million euros (about 698 million U.S. dollars) to the Friedkin Group, Inc., owned by the American billionaire Thomas Daniel Friedkin.

On Wednesday evening, FC Roma has posted a six-minute-video showing all 106 goals that Dzeko scored since he came to Roma five years ago. Some commented that the Roma's Facebook post could be a farewell rather than an anniversary present.

Roma executives have recently said that the decision to stay or leave is on Dzeko, but also added that should he decide to leave, the price tag would be 20 million euros (about 23.6 million dollars). Enditem
ANN ARBOR, MI  A man who officials say has a long history of impersonating police officers and pulling over motorists pleaded guilty in federal court recently.

Michael Snyder, 42, of Northfield Township, also sparked an incident in Ann Arbor where he told officers he was a cop after fighting with three Black men in the street. Video of the incident was later released by police.

Snyder pleaded guilty, Aug. 12, before U.S. District Court Judge Sean Cox to one count of false impersonation of an officer or employee of the United States, court records show.

In pleading guilty, Snyder admitted he had unlawfully identified himself as a federal agent while pulling over a motorist on I-96 in Livingston County in October of 2019, records show.

Snyder was arrested and federally charged with a felony on Dec. 2 in connection with an October incident which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.

The driver told police she passed a pickup with Texas plates and the truck pulled up behind her and began flashing red and blue lights, forcing her to pull over, according to the police affidavit.

The driver of the pickup, later identified as Snyder, approached the vehicle, wearing dark green tactical pants and a black shirt, and told the woman she was driving like a f****** ass****, police said.

The woman questioned Snyders authority after pointing out his truck had Texas plates, police said. Snyder told the woman he was a federal agent and the woman, still suspicious, drove away and called 911, records show.

While Snyders arrest and federal charges come as the result of the I-96 incident, he has been questioned multiple times about impersonating a police officer, court records show.

One of those instances occurred on June 24, 2018, when Snyder was involved in a fight involving three black men, one of whom allegedly had a gun, outside a club on First Street in Ann Arbor, records show.

Snyder told dispatchers then he was an officer, but only to get a faster response time, police said. No gun was ever found and Snyder was not prosecuted, records show.

The incident, however, sparked allegations of racist policing in Ann Arbor after cell phone video showed officers detaining the black men while Snyder was mostly left unattended.

Police dash camera video, obtained by MLive/The Ann Arbor News through a Freedom of Information Act request, showed Snyder attempting to subdue one of the men while an Ann Arbor police officer was several feet away subduing the man suspected of having a gun.

Additionally, in 2014, Snyder was involved in an assault in El Paso, Texas where a man reported being pulled over by Snyder and was ordered out of his vehicle at gunpoint, records show.

In this instance, the victim questioned Snyders law enforcement credentials at which time Snyder returned to his truck and drove away, police said. Snyder was charged, but the case was eventually dismissed after the victim failed to appear in court.

Man accused of repeatedly impersonating an officer is denied bond

Snyder is still in federal custody after being denied bond citing a history of mental health issues, violent behavior and safety concerns for the community.

He is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 9. He faces up to three years in federal prison and/or a fine of $250,000.

More from The Ann Arbor News:

Ypsilanti parolee facing federal prosecution for Whitmore Lake gun robbery

Public invited to Ann Arbor transit system budget proposal meeting

Baby killed in crash, University of Michigan to lose millions without fall sports: Top Ann Arbor headlines Aug. 8-13
Ruhel Islam is walking among the ruins of his Gandhi Mahal Restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The place was burned down during riots in the city following the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in May during an arrest by Minneapolis police. The arrest was captured on a video which spread quickly around the internet. The incident led to an international movement against abuse by police.

Islam expressed his support for the movement even as his restaurant burned. His daughter quoted him in a now famous message she posted to Facebook, saying, Let my building burn, Justice needs to be served, put those officers in jail.

Islam is a native of Bangladesh. He moved to the United States in 1996. In 2005, he opened Gandhi Mahal. The restaurant stood about four kilometers from the site of Floyds arrest.

"This is a very deep problem we need to solve. It's not their fault," he said of the protesters. "It's the system's fault. Our policymakers did not resolve the issues and that's why this happened."

Standing united

He said his pain and loss was little in comparison to what Floyd's family had suffered. Islam added that the South Asian community needs to show it is united with African Americans because both groups are minorities and people of color.

"It's very important to stand with them shoulder to shoulder and fight for what's right for everyone for a better world," he said.

People across Minneapolis and from other parts of the country have been raising money to help pay for Islam's losses.

Among those seeking to help is Rachael Joseph, director of Survivors Lead. The group was formed by gun violence survivors and fights for stronger gun laws. She started a group to raise money on Facebook for Gandhi Mahal. It has received more than $64,000.

She wrote in an e-mail to VOA that the restaurant was important to the gun control group. She said, "Ruhel and his family showed the same kindness to all who entered those doors. She also said the Islam family has been fighting white supremacy alongside the community."

Getting back to business

Islam is opening another food service business in the same neighborhood until the Gandhi Mahal can be rebuilt. The new restaurant will be called Curry in a Hurry. It will provide food for take away and is expected to be ready by September.

Islam is also working with several community organizations to re-create Gandhi Mahal as part of a multicultural community center.

One of the groups is Pangea World Theater. Its goal is to support human rights through artistic performance that deals with discrimination. Its founder, Dipankar Mukherjee and Islam are close friends. Mukherjee said the Gandhi Mahal provided space for many of the theater's social and musical events. He misses the restaurant.

"It's heartbreaking to even sit here," he said while looking at the remains of the Gandhi Mahal.

Mukherjee hopes that the new building will be big enough to hold Pangea's theatrical shows, including more projects centered on Black lives.

Mukherjee described Islam as "a brother from back home who's committed to food justice, environmental justice."

Leading by example

Islam has many big ideas for the new building. He pictures it as a place for peace, although the project is still being planned. He imagines it as a center where activists and community organizers can gather to discuss issues such as food security, climate change and social justice.

"I want to lead by example," Islam said. "I want to do something more. It's not about making money, but bringing people together.

He aims to create an area in front of the restaurant that will include a Black Lives Matter memorial. He also dreams of an environmentally friendly space, powered by the sun.

Islam believes that rebuilding the restaurant as a community center will help renew the area which many businesses have left because of the riots.

"We want to bring the energy back. We want to bring the businesses back," he said.

Islam estimates the project will cost almost $10 million and take three to five years to complete.

"We'll be rising from the ashes," he said. "I believe in the dream, and if you work hard toward your dream, you can get there."

Im Caty Weaver.

VOAs Kulsoom Khan reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

__________________________________________________________



Words in This Story

quote v. to repeat something said by someone else exactly

fault n. responsibility for a problem, a mistake, a bad situation

shoulder to shoulder idiom to be united in a shared cause

supremacy n. the quality or state of having more power than anyone else

committed adj. willing to give your time and energy to something

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-08-15 05:52:23|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations wants the authorities in Cameroon to begin an investigation into reports of serious human rights violations, including a shocking video allegedly showing the brutal murder of a woman, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

"We strongly and unequivocally condemn this atrocious act of violence," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"We call on the authorities to swiftly launch an investigation into these allegations, and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice," the spokesman said. "We call on armed actors to refrain from attacks against civilians, to respect international humanitarian and international human rights law."

The Cameroonian army said Thursday that its troops have captured three armed separatists suspected of murdering the woman in Muyuka, a locality in the troubled region of Southwest. The woman was kidnapped, brutalized, and beheaded on Tuesday by armed separatists who accused her of conniving with government forces to leak their hideouts. The murder was widely condemned in Cameroon after the suspects filmed the gruesome act and posted the video online.

Separatists have been seeking to secede from the majority French-speaking Cameroon and create an independent nation in the two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest which they call "Ambazonia." They have been clashing with government forces since 2017.

"We reiterate the readiness of the United Nations to work with all stakeholders toward a political solution to the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest of Cameroon through meaningful dialogue," said Dujarric.

More than 700,000 Cameroonians have been displaced internally and externally due to the fighting, according to the United Nations. Enditem
The move by the UAE was a blatant violation of understandings, hashed out at Arab summits over the years, that made clear there should be no normalization between the Arab countries and Israel before the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, according to Jamal Mhaisen, a senior leader of Fatah, the Palestinian party that rules in the West Bank. He called on other Arab states to take punitive measures against the UAE.
National initiative will provide a platform to amplify youth leadership and advocacy

TORONTO, Aug. 13, 2020 /CNW/ - Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, in partnership with Hyundai Canada, is thrilled to announce a national Youth of the Year initiative that celebrates youth leadership and achievement at Boys and Girls Clubs across the country.

"Young people are actively building our collective future. Across the world, we have seen young community leaders raise their voices about issues that impact all of us," says Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "We are grateful to Hyundai Canada for helping us create a platform that gives young leaders at Boys and Girls Clubs an opportunity to represent young Canadians, to advocate for issues that matter to kids and teens, and to give back to their communities."

Beginning in September, Club youth ages 15  18 can apply for Youth of the Year by submitting a written essay and video that showcases their achievements, service, and leadership to their Club, their school, and their community. Applications will close in November and six Regional Youth of the Year will be selected in February by a judging panel. After participating in leadership training sessions, including public speaking, media training, and networking, the six Regional Youth of the Year will then be asked to complete a second submission. The second round of judging will determine one final winner, who will serve as Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's National Youth of the Year.

In addition to leadership training, the six Regional Youth of the Year will each be awarded a personal laptop and a $2,000 scholarship to apply to their post-secondary education, while the National Youth of the Year winner will be awarded an additional $8,000 scholarship. The Boys and Girls Club of each winner will also receive funding towards youth leadership programming.

"The future of our communities relies on the strength, creativity and dedication of the next generation's leaders. It's important for us to empower and support them in achieving their goals," says Don Romano, President & CEO, Hyundai Canada. "We're proud to partner with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada on this incredible program and help young people recognize and achieve their leadership potential."

Both Regional Youth of the Year and the National Youth of the Year will make a two-year commitment to serve as ambassadors for Boys and Girls Clubs on a local and national level, which will include both digital and in-person participation in speaking engagements, media interviews, and networking opportunities.

About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Community-based services. Positive relationships. Life-changing programs. As Canada's largest child- and youth-serving charitable organization, Boys and Girls Clubs provide vital programs and services to over 200,000 young people in 775 communities across Canada. During critical out-of-school hours, our Clubs help young people discover who they are, what they can do, and how they can get there. Our trained staff and volunteers give them the tools to realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, mental health, leadership, and more. Since 1900, Boys and Girls Clubs have opened their doors to children, youth, and families in small and large cities, and rural and Indigenous communities. If a young person needs it, our Clubs provide it. Learn more at bgccan.com and follow us on social media @BGCCAN.

About Hyundai Canada

Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 220 dealerships nationwide. Hyundai is also the first to offer a second-generation zero-emissions Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle to Canadian customers, called the NEXO. More information about Hyundai and its vehicles can be found at www.HyundaiCanada.com.

Media contacts:

Jared Morrow

Media Relations Manager, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

[email protected]

Bianca Pettinaro

Corporate Communications Specialist, Hyundai Canada

[email protected]

SOURCE Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.

Related Links

www.hyundaicanada.com


Spain's Health Minister Salvador Illa has proposed that the country's regional governments close down all nightclubs and disco-bars.

The measures were agreed at Friday's interterritorial health system meeting to analyse the pandemic figures in Spain and reach a consensus on restrictions introduced to curb the spread of Covid-19, which are now the responsibility of the regional authorities.

Nightlife has become one of the main concerns of the health authorities trying to control the pandemic. In Las Palmas (Canaries), for example, 60 new cases were linked to two nightclubs this week.

Other measures agreed between Illa and regions on Friday are for bars and restaurants to be obliged to guarantee a minimum distance of one and a half metres between tables, with groups restricted to a maximum of ten people. Establishments should not admit new customers after midnight and put the shutters down at 1am.

Illa also encouraged regional presidents to copy the steps taken by the Galicia and Canary governments to ban smoking in the street and outdoor areas such as bar terraces, when the minimum distance cannot be guaranteed.
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Staten Island might be known as the forgotten borough to some, but the Island certainly hasnt been forgotten by the New York City Sheriffs Office in its enforcement of Mayor Bill de Blasios quarantine checkpoints.

When de Blasio announced the quarantine checkpoints last week, he said they would be located at major bridges and tunnels all across the city.

But so far, the city has set them up almost exclusively at Staten Island crossings, stopping more than 1,350 vehicles coming through Staten Island crossings to date, and just 36 vehicles at tunnels going into Manhattan, according to city data.

The mayor claimed there was an obvious reason why the city was focusing its checkpoints on Staten Island: Because most out of state traffic comes through Staten Island first before going to other parts of the city.

Look, theres one obvious reason for Staten Island, which is that a lot of the traffic coming in from the rest of the country, including from some of the most affected states like Florida comes up from the South and comes through Staten Island into New York City. So thats one of the reasons why youre going to see a lot of activity there, de Blasio told reporters during a press conference Thursday when asked why the checkpoints have remained almost exclusively on the borough.

Staten Island was the only borough the city set up checkpoints during the first three days of the program. The city said checkpoints were being exclusively set up on Staten Island as part of the pilot test program it planned to expand to several other locations in the coming days.

At the time, the city said it planned to keep six checkpoint areas on rotation: The George Washington Bridge; Goethals Bridge; Bayonne Bridge; OuterBridge Crossing; Lincoln Tunnel, and Holland Tunnel.

But the Sheriffs Office has only gone to the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels on two occasions, so far, while remaining on Staten Island every day since the program launched on Aug. 5.

MOST STOPS MADE AT GOETHALS BRIDGE

When the Sheriffs Office went to Holland and Lincoln Tunnels for the first time on Saturday, the city said it stopped a total of 12 cars between the two Manhattan crossings that day.

Meanwhile, that same day on Staten Island, the Sheriffs Office stopped a total of 219 vehicles coming off the Goethals Bridge.

On Wednesday, when the Sheriffs Office went to the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels again, it stopped a total of 24 vehicles, compared to 186 vehicles it stopped coming into Staten Island off the Bayonne and Goethals Bridges.

The Sheriffs Office has stopped the most vehicles at the Goethals Bridge checkpoint since the program launched last week.

To date, the office has stopped a total of 559 cars coming off the Goethals Bridge; 456 off the Bayonne Bridge; and 339 off of the Outerbridge Crossing.

ISLAND POLS SLAM MAYOR

Its a ridiculous policy. I understand the thought behind it, its impossible to enforce and my only thought about why they might target [Staten Island] is we have better pizza, State Sen. Diane Savino said of the citys focus on Staten Island for its checkpoints.

De Blasio said Thursday he and Sheriff Joe Fucito planned to set up a new checkpoint in the Bronx and would grow the program over the coming weeks.

De Blasio previously indicated the checkpoints could last into the foreseeable future, saying they could continue as long we think makes sense, and as extensively as we think makes sense.

Minority Leader Steven Matteo (R-Mid Island) recently wrote to the mayor calling on him to stop the program as soon as possible or provide metrics he could follow to determine when the program can end.

Not only should they not have checkpoints almost exclusively on Staten Island - they shouldnt have them at all. They are a waste of time and precious resources, and there is no evidence they are effective, Matteo said.

South Shore Assemblyman Michael Reilly, a Republican, called the checkpoints nothing more than a political stunt.

Approximately 300,000 vehicles travel to New York City via Port Authority Bridges and Tunnels each day, yet, in just its first three days of operation, the Mayors COVID-19 checkpoint logged a total of only 343 vehicle stops, Reilly said.

To put that into perspective, thats just four one hundredths of one percent of motorists who cross from New Jersey each day. This proves something that most New Yorkers already knew: These checkpoints are just another act in the New York political circus where Bill de Blasio and Andrew Cuomo are vying to be Ringmaster, Reilly said.

But Borough President James Oddo had one suggestion for the Sheriffs Office: Maybe they can redirect the Sheriff to do HOV lane abuse?

FOLLOW SYDNEY KASHIWAGI ON TWITTER.
MANZINI - During the first month of the ban of alcohol sale in the country, soldiers have confiscated E980 156 items which were smuggled into and out of the country, including alcohol and cigarettes.

The military men also controlled a total of 113 illegal immigrants (Mozambicans) and four illegal emigrants (emaSwati). All the immigrants and emigrants were controlled along the countrys borderline near Lomahasha, in the Lubombo Region.

It is worth noting that the borderline along Lomahasha separates the Kingdom of Eswatini and Mozambique, where most of the illegal alcoholic beverages and cigarettes which are sold in the countrys black market, come from.

Figures

The above figures are contained in the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) report for July 2020, which was issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the army, Lieutenant Tengetile Khumalo, yesterday. According to the report, contrabands, which include alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, clothes and other items, which were confiscated by the military men manning the countrys borderline, were valued at E559 516. 32.

During the first week of July, according the PROs report, the soldiers confiscated contrabands valued at E123 660. 93, while in the second week, they controlled items amounting to E189 750.52. Meanwhile, during the third week of the month under review, the report reflects that the soldiers controlled contrabands amounting to E71 740.18 while in the last week, the items confiscated were valued at E174 363.69.

It is worth noting that according to the report, the alcohol brands that were confiscated included Soldier Whiskey, Hankey Bannister Whiskey, Gordons London Dry Gin, Heineken, Castle Lite and Mac Mahon beer. On the other hand, it said the majority of the types of cigarettes were GT, Peter Stuyvesant and Dunhill.

Also, the report said during the month under review, the military man also managed to control dagga valued at E420 641 along the countrys borderline. During the first week of July 2020, the report revealed that the soldiers controlled dagga valued at E55 675, while in the second week; they confiscated the illegal herb amounting to E257 156.

During the third and fourth week of the month under review, dagga valued at E65 315 and E42 495 was controlled respectively, reads part of the report.

The illegal herb was controlled being smuggled out of the country along the countrys borderline in the four regions; Manzini, Hhohho, Lubombo and Shiselweni.

Borderline

In terms of illegal immigrants and emigrants, the armys PRO report said 117 were controlled along the countrys borderline. Out of the 117, 113 were illegal immigrants and they were Mozambicans by nationality, while only four were emigrants and they were emaSwati.It said 14 Mozambicans were controlled during the first week of the month under review, while 40 were arrested during the second week. It further said, during the third week, 41 illegal immigrants and three illegal emigrants were arrested, while on the final week of the month, 18 illegal immigrants and only one illegal emigrant was controlled.

Once more, the report said during the month, only one car, a Nissan bakkie, was controlled while being smuggled into the country at Sicunusa. It said the matter was handed over to Gege Police Station. The report stated the soldiers also managed to control three goats, which were smuggled from the country to the neighbouring South Africa near Nsubane and the matter was handed over to Lavumisa Police Station.

Moreover, the PRO thanked all troops for their hard work in combating border crimes. She also urged the soldiers to continue working tenaciously and diligently in all operations, for the betterment of the defence force and the nation at large. She mentioned that all the items they controlled were handed over to the nearest police stations, while others were taken to the Eswatini Revenue Authority (SRA).
Sanjay Dutt was diagnosed with lung cancer recently and it is said that the actor will be flying to the USA for the treatment. It was also reported that how Dutt was devastated by hearing the news of him having lung cancer.



Agencies

The Munna Bhai actor himself informed about his health condition to fans and even requested not to speculate but keep him in his prayers. Soon after the news of Sadak 2 actor diagnosed by lung cancer came out fans started pouring all their wishes and messages for him on social media.

Dutt was rushed to the hospital on August 8 on the complaint of breathlessness where he even tested COVID-19 but the result was negative. Later he was advised to take a CT scan and PET scan. Now as per reports in Spotboye,

Sanjay Dutt Recent News: Upon reaching the hospital, it was detected that air entry was not happening from his right lung. A CT scan further revealed that there was fluid accumulation in his right lung (pleural effusion) accompanied by two lesions, one on each lung.

Agencies

The reports also state that Sanjay was told that it could be a bacterial infection, tuberculosis, an adverse effect of strenuous exercise wherein he might have hurt himself, or cancer. The fluid was removed, the volume was as high as 1.5 litres. A 2-day hospitalisation followed. Sanju kept asking a lot of questions especially when he was told that the extracted fluid was about to be sent for detailed diagnosis. The histopathology department of the hospital found out that the fluid had cancer cells. Further, Dutt was advised to take a CT scan and a PET scan. The results of both tests confirmed his cancer.

Agencies

It is also reported that the treatment at the age of 61 are chemotherapy and treatment ion abroad. We wish the actor a speedy recovery.